Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library 
 Gift of Seymour B. Durst Old York Library 
 
gmertcan &rcJ)ttieg: 
 
 CONSISTING OF 
 
 A COLLECTION OF AUTHENTICK RECORDS, STATE PAPERS, DEBATES, AND LETTERS AND 
 
 OTHER NOTICES OF PUBLIC K AFFAIRS, 
 
 THE WHOLE FORMING 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COLONIES: 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CAUSES AND ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ; 
 
 AND OF 
 
 THE CONSTITUTION OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES, 
 
 TO 
 
 THE FINAL RATIFICATION THEREOF. 
 
 IN SIX SERIES. 
 
 FIRST SERIES. 
 
 From the Discovery and Settlement of the North American 
 Colonies, to the Revolution in England, in 1688. 
 
 SECOND SERIES. 
 
 From the Revolution in England, in 1688, to the Cession of 
 Canada to Great Britain, by the Treaty at Paris, in 1763. 
 
 THIRD SERIES. 
 
 From the Cession of Canada, in 1763, to the King's Mes- 
 sage to Parliament, of March 7th, 1774, on the Proceed- 
 ings in North America. 
 
 FOURTH SERIES. 
 
 From the King's Message of March 7th, 1774, to the Decla- 
 ration of Independence, by the United States, in 1776. 
 
 FIFTH SERIES. 
 
 From the Declaration of Independence, in 1776, to the De- 
 finitive Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, in 1783. 
 
 SIXTH SERIES. 
 
 From the Treaty of Peace, in 1783, to the final ratification 
 of the Constitution of Government for the United States, 
 proposed by the Convention, held at Philadelphia, in 1787. 
 
 BY PETER FORCE. 
 
 rREPARED AND PUBLISHED UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS. 
 
% i 
 
AMERICAN ARCHIVES : 
 
 jfourrt) §s>ttits. 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE ENGLISH COLONIES IN NORTH AMERICA, 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE KING'S MESSAGE TO PARLIAMENT, OF MARCH 7, 1774, 
 
 TO 
 
 THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
 BT 
 
 THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 BY PETER FORCE. 
 VOLUME II. 
 
 PUBLISHED DY M. ST. CLAIR CLARKE AND PETER FORCE. 
 UNDER AUTHORITY OF AN ACT OF CONGRESS, PASSED ON THE SECOND OF MARCH, 1833. 
 
 WASHINGTON, OCTOBER, 183 9 
 
2 O ^> 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 OF THE SECOND VOLUME OF THE FOURTH SERIES. 
 
 1775. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 March Letter from the General Committee of Charles- 
 
 1, town, S. C, to the New- York Committee, 
 expressing their disapprobation of the course 
 pursued by the Assembly of New- York, and 
 their determination to adhere to the Resolutions 
 of the Continental Congress at all hazards, - 
 Instructions from the Freeholders of Cumber- 
 land County, Virginia, to John Mayo and Win. 
 Fleming, their Delegates in the Assembly, - 
 
 1, Address of New- York Committee to the Free- 
 holders and Freemen of the City and County 
 of New- York, recommending the choice of 
 Delegates to the Continental Congress, 
 Address to the Soldiers ordered to embark from 
 
 Ireland for America, - 
 Address to the Commons of Great Britain in 
 Parliament assembled, on the policy of the 
 Ministry in regard to America, advising the 
 repeal of the Acts which have produced the 
 present disturbances, - - - - - 
 
 1 , Meeting of the Governour and Council of North- 
 Carolina. The proposed meeting of a Provin- 
 cial Congress at Newbern in April declared 
 to be highly derogatory to the dignity of the 
 Legislature appointed to meet at the same time, 
 
 1, Proclamation of Governour Martin. The pro- 
 posed Provincial Congress is contrary to law, 
 and a violation of the Constitution. All good 
 subjects are exhorted to discourage such meet- 
 ings, cabals, and illegal proceedings, 
 Feb. 22, Camillus to the Printers of the Pennsylvania 
 Gazette, in reply to a Boston writer, who 
 charges the Americans with having an entire 
 independence on the Mother Country in view, 
 March Camillus to the Printers of the Pennsylvania Ga- 
 
 1, zette, in defence of the course pursued by the 
 Americans in their opposition to the measures 
 of the British Government, ... 
 
 1, Resolutions of the Committee of Inspection for 
 
 Newport, Rhode-Island. A Free Press, 
 while it supports truth, liberty and justice, 
 to be supported — when it is prostituted to 
 vile purposes is to be discountenanced and 
 discouraged. All persons advised to discon- 
 tinue Rivington's Gazetteer, ... 
 
 2, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his Friend 
 
 in Boston. Lord North has no further conci- 
 liatory measures to propose. When the Colo- 
 nies come to an unconditional submission, the 
 repeal of the Bills of last year will be consid- 
 ered, - 
 
 2, Committee of Essex County, Virginia, acquit 
 Captain Joseph Richardson of an intentional 
 violation of the Association. They offer a 
 Premium to encourage Arts and Manufac- 
 tures in the Colony, - - - - - 
 
 2, Remarks on the late manoeuvres in America, by 
 a real Friend to his King and Country. Vir- 
 ginia and Maryland condemned for joining 
 with so much warmth the New-England Re- 
 publicans, 
 
 2, Address to the Inhabitants of New- York, on the 
 application of publick moneys to secret service 
 in America by the British Government, 
 
 2, Tea burnt at Providence, Rhode- Island, - 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 15 
 
 March Letter from Samuel Adams to a Gentleman in 
 
 2, Virginia, acknowledging receipt of Donations 
 
 for the Poor of Boston, - - - -16 
 
 2, General Gage and the Provincial Congress of 
 Massachusetts; collision probable. Withhold- 
 ing Supplies from the Troops by the People 
 justified, ---- - - -16 
 
 2, Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 No. 5, from the County of Hampshire. On the 
 rights of the Colonies, - - - - 18 
 
 2, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. Reports there, that New- York was 
 disaffected to the common cause, discredited, - 24 
 
 2, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 
 phia. The Government will persist in their 
 measures against the Colonies. New- York 
 is to be a place of Arms, and Provisions are to 
 be provided there for the support of the Army 
 in New-England, 25 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 
 ernour of Georgia. Laments that the People 
 of Georgia, hitherto so loyal, have manifested 
 a disposition to join the other Colonies. The 
 Lords of the Admiralty have before them a 
 Bill for the Collection of His Majesty's Quit- 
 Rents, 26 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernours of the several Colonies. The great 
 majorities in both Houses upon every question 
 for maintaining the supremacy of Parliament 
 in the Colonies, shows there will not be the 
 least relaxation from those measures, - - 26 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Deputy- 
 Governour Penn. Has received his Despatch 
 of January 30, and laid it before the King, - 26 
 Feb. 22, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernours of the Colonies, enclosing the joint 
 Address of both Houses of Parliament, of the 
 7th February, to the King, with his Answer. 
 Also the Bill for restraining the Fisheries, and 
 the Resolution offered in the House of Com- 
 mons on the 20th of February, 26 
 March Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 3, ernours of the Colonies. The King wishes to 
 see a reconciliation of the differences with the 
 Colonies, without prejudice to the just autho- 
 rity of Parliament, which he will never suffer 
 to be violated. The Colonies bound to con- 
 tribute their just proportions of the publick 
 burdens of the Nation in return for the pro- 
 tection and support they have received. The 
 King entirely approves of the Resolution of 
 the House of Commons of 27th February, and 
 expects a compliance therewith on the part of 
 the Colonies. He will resist with firmness 
 every attempt to violate rights of Parliament, 27 
 Copy of the Resolution adopted by the House of 
 Commons, on the 27th of February, referred 
 to in the foregoing Letter, 28 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernour of New- York. His separate Despatch 
 of this date may be ostensibly of use, in case 
 the Assembly should consider the Resolution 
 of 27th February. It is not the King's inten- 
 tion that it shall be officially communicated to 
 the Assembly, but he depends upon the ability 
 and address of Lieutenant-Governour Colden 
 
XIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 March 
 4, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 
 to induce a compliance on the part of the As- 
 sembly, -- 29 
 
 Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Lieutenant- 
 Go vernour Golden. His Despatch of the 1st 
 of February has been received. The senti- 
 ments of duty to the King and wishes of a 
 reconciliation, so fully expressed in the Ad- 
 dresses of the Council and Assembly, have 
 been very graciously received by His Majesty, 29 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. The conduct of New- York has filled 
 every heart with joy. The Resolution of 
 Lord North, of February 27, which is found- 
 ed on the truest principle of policy and be- 
 nevolence, will be outrageously censured and 
 traduced by the Opposition. By this measure 
 Parliament gives a proof that while it sends 
 forth the sword of justice to punish the factious, 
 it extends also friendly proposals to invite the 
 good citizens to peace and reconciliation, 
 
 Meeting of the Committee of Chowan County, 
 North-Carolina. Premiums offered for the 
 encouragement of Manufactures, 
 
 Letter from John Sullivan to Mr. Fowle, enclos- 
 ing the Articles of Association of the Military 
 Company of Durham, New-Hampshire, 
 
 Remarks on Mr. Sullivan's Letter. The extra- 
 ordinary spirit to acquire the use of Arms at 
 this time of civil discords, marks strongly a 
 disposition to employ our Arms against the 
 Government, - - - 
 
 Mr. Sullivan's Reply, - 
 
 Address of the Committee of Norfolk to the Free- 
 men of Virginia, on the conduct of John Brown, 
 in importing Slaves in violation of the Conti- 
 nental Association, ----- 
 
 Committee of Observation for Baltimore prohibit 
 the landing of Salt imported in violation of the 
 Continental Association, - - - - 
 
 Committee of Cumberland County, New-Jer- 
 sey, break off all dealings with Silas New- 
 comb, a Member of the Committee, who has 
 drank East-India Tea in his family ever since 
 the 1st day of March, instant, in violation of 
 the Continental Association, ... 
 
 Recantation of Silas Newcomb, which is accept- 
 ed by the Committee, - - - 
 
 Committee of Observation and Inspection for 
 Freehold, New-Jersey, declare James Riv- 
 ington, of New- York, Printer, a malignant 
 enemy to the liberties of this Country, for his 
 attempts to disunite the Colonies, 
 
 Letter from Major Benjamin Floyd, of Brook- 
 haven, Suffolk County, New- York, to Mr. 
 Rivington, in reply to some Resolutions adopt- 
 ed by a Committee at Smithtown, on the 23d 
 of February, ------ 
 
 Meeting of the People of Danvers. Officers 
 chosen for an Alarm List Company, 
 
 Reflections on the present state of affairs in Ame- 
 rica. The Americans will be compelled to 
 follow the example of the United Provinces, 
 and publish a Manifesto to the world, showing 
 the necessity of dissolving their connection 
 with Great Britain, - 
 
 Oration delivered at the request of the Inhabi- 
 tants of Boston, to commemorate the bloody 
 tragedy of the 5th of March, 1770, by Doctor 
 Joseph Warren, ..... 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of New- York against 
 the recommendation of the Committee to elect 
 Delegates, - 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of the City of New- 
 York. The method proposed by the Commit- 
 tee for the nomination of Delegates extremely 
 exceptionable, ------ 
 
 Address to the respectable Inhabitants of the City 
 of New- York against the election of Dele- 
 gates to the Continental Congress. The Pro- 
 ceedings of the late Congress were violent and 
 treasonable. One of their Members (Sulli- 
 van) guilty of open treason in the broad face 
 of day. Deputies to a Provincial Congress 
 ought not to be chosen. In the other Colonies 
 Provincial Congresses are closing the Courts 
 of Justice, wresting the Troops out of the 
 King's hands, and enlisting Minute-Men to 
 annihilate his just and legal authority, - 44 
 
 29 
 30 
 31 
 
 32 
 
 32 
 
 33 
 34 
 
 34 
 34 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 37 
 
 37 
 
 44 
 
 44 
 
 1775. 
 March 
 7, 
 7, 
 
 Address to the Publick, in answer to the fore- 
 going, 
 
 Affidavit of John Graham, Clerk to Robert and 
 John Murray, owners of the Ship Beulah. 
 The Ship left the watering place at Staten 
 Island yesterday, and passed the Light-house 
 at eight o'clock this morning. Does not be- 
 lieve any boat was employed to land any Goods 
 from the vessel, - 
 8, Account of the Meetings on the evenings of 
 Thursday, Friday and Saturday last, and on 
 Monday morning, the 6th instant, when it was 
 determined, by large majorities, to send Depu- 
 ties to a Provincial Congress authorized to 
 choose Delegates to the next Continental Con- 
 gress, - 
 
 8, Another account of the Proceedings and of the 
 Meeting on Monday. The friends of consti- 
 tutional liberty disapprove of the measures. 
 They proposed the postponement of all action 
 until after the adjournment of the Assembly 
 and the arrival of the Packet from England. 
 The Committee, in recommending the choice 
 of Delegates, exceeded their powers, and at 
 the Meeting held on Monday, at their request, 
 it was impossible to determine on which side 
 the majority was, - - - - - 
 8, Meeting of the New- York Committee. Philip 
 Livingston and John Jay appointed to inquire 
 of Mr. Rivington on what authority he made 
 a false and groundless statement in his Paper, 
 
 Mr. Livingston and Mr. Jay, March 13, report to 
 the Committee that Mr. Rivington says he 
 made the statement on common rumour, but 
 will be more careful for the future, 
 
 Mr. Rivington's Explanation, March 16, (Note,) 
 7, Address to the People of England. A defence of 
 the Americans against the charge of High 
 Treason, ...... 
 
 7, Meeting of the Constitutional Society in London. 
 Contributions for the suffering Inhabitants of 
 Boston, ------- 
 
 7, Extract of a Letter from London. The Crisis, 
 No. 3, (a periodical Paper,) burnt by the 
 common hangman yesterday at Westminster, 
 and to-day at the Royal Exchange, by order 
 of the House of Commons, - 
 
 The Crisis, No. 1. To the People of England 
 and America, ------ 
 
 The Crisis, No. 2. To a Bloody Court, a Bloody 
 Ministry, and a Bloody Parliament, 
 
 The Crisis, No. 3. To the King, 
 
 The Crisis, No. 4. To the Conspirators against the 
 Liberties of Mankind at St. James's, in St. Ste- 
 phen's Chapel, the House of Lords, or amongst 
 the Bench of Bishops, and to the Officers, Sol- 
 diers and Seamen, who may be employed to 
 butcher their Relations, Friends and Fellow- 
 Subjects in America, - 
 
 The Crisis, No. 5. To the People, 
 
 The Crisis, No. 6. To the Right Honourable 
 Lord North, First Lord of the Treasury, 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Ranger of 
 Bushy Park, &c, - 
 
 The Crisis, No. 8. To the Lords Suffolk, Pom- 
 fret, Radnor, Apsley and Sandwich, 
 
 The Crisis, No. 9. To the King, ... 
 7, Letter from Charlestown, S. O, to a Gentleman 
 in London. This Province cannot long sub- 
 sist without a Free Trade. Before the Non- 
 Exportation Scheme took effect there was a 
 lively Commerce here; now the temper of the 
 People is soured, and their fortunes consuming 
 fast, for want of Trade. It is the wish of the 
 wise and the sober that a speedy reconciliation 
 may be effected, ..... 
 
 7, Meeting of the Committee of Princess Anne 
 County, Virginia. Examination of the charges 
 of John Saunders, Benjamin Dingly Gray and 
 Mitchell Phillips, for violations of the Provin- 
 cial and Continental Associations. They are 
 all declared to be inimical to the liberties of 
 this Country, and that no person ought to have 
 any commercial intercourse or dealing with 
 them, ....... 
 
 7, Outrage committed by Captain Graves, of the 
 King's armed Schooner Diana, upon George 
 Taylor, in the Delaware, .... 
 
 XX 
 
 46 
 
 48 
 
 48 
 
 49 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 50 
 
 51 
 
 54 
 
 55 
 
 56 
 
 59 
 62 
 
 63 
 66 
 
 69 
 
 71 
 73 
 
 76 
 
 76 
 
 78 
 
XXI 
 
 1773. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 xx i r 
 
 Contradiction of this statement by Lieutenant 
 
 Dashwood Bacon, of the Diana, 
 Affidavits by Nathan Wood, William Carter, 
 Mary Johnston and Daniel Nicholson, proving 
 the outrage, ...... 
 
 March Letter to the Printers of the Pennsylvania Ga- 
 8, zette, with an explanation of several expres- 
 sions in the Testimony of the Quakers not pro- 
 perly comprehended by persons unacquainted 
 with Friends' writings, .... 
 
 8, Defence of the Colonies, by a Lover of English 
 Liberty, - 
 
 8, Letter to the Author of a Pamphlet entitled A 
 Candid Examination of the Mutual Claims of 
 Great Britain and her Colonies, &c," 
 
 8, Cumberland County, Massachusetts, Convention. 
 
 Recommend strict obedience to the Resolu- 
 tions of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 Condemn the conduct of Captain Coulson, for 
 importing Sails, &c, for a new Ship, in viola- 
 tion of the Continental Association, 
 
 The several Towns in the County required to 
 provide themselves a Stock of Ammunition, 
 
 The Inhabitants are requested to adhere strictly 
 to the Resolutions of the Continental and Pro- 
 vincial Congresses, - - - - - 
 
 9, Letter from George Mason to George Wash- 
 
 ington, - - - - - - 
 
 9, Deposition of Thomas Ditson, Jun., of Billerica, 
 who was tarred and feathered in Boston, by 
 order of Col. Nesbit, of His Majesty's Forty- 
 seventh Regiment, - 
 
 9, Address to the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, No. 5, from the County of Hampshire, 
 
 9, Letter from " Phileirene," defending the British 
 Government against the charges in the Peti- 
 tion of the Continental Congress to the King, 
 
 9, Letter from "A Converted Whig," against Com- 
 mittees and Congresses, - 
 
 9, Letter from Boston to Mr. Rivington. Conduct 
 of the British Officers in the Old South Meet- 
 ing- House, on the 6th instant, ... 
 
 9, 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Mar.% Connecticut Assembly meets, - - - - 
 Committee appointed to inquire into the charges 
 of disaffection to the Colony, made against 
 Captains Blackslee, Quintard and Dibble, 
 Committee to inquire into the conduct of the 
 Town of Ridgefield, charged with publishing 
 Resolutions injurious to the Rights of the 
 
 Colony, - 
 
 Resolution recommending the several Towns in 
 the Colony to contribute liberally to the re- 
 lief of Boston, - 
 Vote of Thanks to the Assembly of Jamaica, for 
 their seasonable Mediation in favour of the 
 Colonies on the Continent, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Speaker of the House of Assem- 
 bly of Connecticut to the Speaker of the House 
 of Assembly of Jamaica, enclosing the Vote 
 of Thanks, ...... 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, laying before him the condition 
 and suffering of the Colony, and of Massa- 
 chusetts, and asking his serious attention to 
 the distresses of the People in all the Colonies, 
 Letter from Connecticut to Mr. Rivington. Ac- 
 count of the Proceedings of the Assembly. 
 The Republicans urged the necessity of an 
 Army to be immediately raised, but were over- 
 ruled. A great majority passed a vote to peti- 
 tion His Majesty for a redress of grievances, - 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Connecticut to Mr. 
 Holt, in reply to the foregoing Letter to Mr. 
 Rivington, ...... 
 
 13, 
 
 29, 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 March Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. 
 10, The measures of the Government are calcu- 
 lated to render the Colonies independent. The 
 London Merchants not zealous in the cause of 
 America ; those of Glasgow sent up a spirited 
 Petition, but at the same time let it be known 
 that they did not mean any opposition by it, 
 but only to get credit in America. Bribes, 
 
 78 
 78 
 
 80 
 81 
 
 85 
 
 91 
 
 92 
 92 
 
 92 
 92 
 
 93 
 94 
 
 100 
 103 
 
 106 
 
 107 
 107 
 
 107 
 107 
 108 
 
 108 
 108 
 
 110 
 111 
 
 1775. 
 
 Pensions and Places are attempted to divide 
 the Colonies ; Lord Dunmore has written for 
 five thousand Troops to be sent to Virginia, - 
 
 Remarks on this Letter by Mercator, (Note,) - 
 March Address of two hundred and twenty-seven In- 
 habitants of Anson County, North-Carolina, 
 to Governour Martin, - 
 
 Address of one hundred and ninty-five Inhabi- 
 tants of Rowan and Surry Counties, North- 
 Carolina, to Governour Martin, ... 
 
 Address of one hundred and sixteen Inhabitants 
 of Guilford County, North -Carolina, to Gover- 
 nour Martin, ------ 
 
 10, Declaration of the Inhabitants of Brookhaven, 
 
 Suffolk County, New- York. They had been 
 deceived by Major Benjamin Floyd, when 
 they signed the Petition to the Assembly ; de- 
 clare their disapprobation of the Petition, 
 
 1 1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 
 phia. The plan of the Ministry is to divide 
 and govern, by the advantages now held out 
 to New- York, North-Carolina and Georgia. 
 The passage of the late Acts may be attributed 
 to the defection of the New-York Assembly. 
 Let the Americans be united, and they will 
 succeed; if they divide, they will be irretriev- 
 ably ruined, ------ 
 
 1 1, Letter from London, received in Philadelphia. 
 The Colonies should give no credit to pacifick 
 Proposals of the Ministry, unless accompanied 
 by a total disavowal of all their unconstitu- 
 tional claims. The late Resolves of New- 
 York have been very grateful to the Ministry, 
 and have afforded them great triumph and 
 exultation. The cause of the Americans is 
 not a favourite cause in England, the majority 
 are against them ; there is a large minority 
 in their favour. Publick subscriptions have 
 been commenced for the Sufferers in Boston, 
 and some handsome sums have been sub- 
 scribed, - 
 
 1 1, Orange County, Virginia, Committee, acquit 
 
 Francis Moore, Jun., of an intentional viola- 
 tion of the Continental Association, 
 
 12, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- 
 
 York. Disturbance occasioned by the British 
 Officers on the delivery of Dr. Warren's Ora- 
 tion. Ditson, by order of the British Officers, 
 tarred and feathered, placed on a truck and 
 exhibited through the City, and to add to the 
 insult they played Yankee Doodle after him, 
 
 13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. 
 
 Lord Dunmore, in a Letter to the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, has recommended that some Men- 
 of-War should be stationed in the Chesapeake, 
 to prevent Virginia from carrying on any 
 Trade with England; and advises the adop- 
 tion of measures to distress the People, as the 
 most certain way to bring about submission, - 
 
 13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Maryland. 
 Lord North's motion was only calculated to 
 divide the Colonies from each other — the 
 Ministry are already pleased with their suc- 
 cess in this way, by the Proceedings at New- 
 York. It will now be tried what materials 
 the Americans are made of; if they have not 
 virtue to withstand the present policy of the 
 Ministry they will become a laughing stock 
 to the world. Their salvation depends upon 
 their firmness and union, .... 
 
 13, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. The City of London and the great 
 trading and manufacturing Towns are averse 
 to the present measures. The Ministry see 
 the dangers of their undertaking, but are en- 
 couraged to the attempt by a firm persuasion 
 of success in corrupting New- York, and in- 
 timidating New-England. Did they believe 
 the Americans would be united and firm they 
 would not venture upon coercive measures. 
 By whatever means the Assembly of New- 
 York can be kept from deserting, even by out- 
 bidding the Ministry, it will be worth the pur- 
 chase, ------- 
 
 13, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 
 Baltimore, - 
 
 Proceedings in relation to the Cargoes of several 
 Vessels, - - - 
 
 114 
 
 115 
 
 115 
 
 116 
 
 117 
 
 117 
 
 118 
 
 118 
 
 120 
 
 120 
 
 121 
 
 121 
 
 122 
 
 123 
 
 123 
 
XXH, CONTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Will strictly enforce the Continental Association, 124 
 Earnestly recommend the People to discontinue 
 
 the use of East India Teas, - - - 1 24 
 Approve the conduct of the Magistrates who 
 
 have been dismissed by the Government, - 124 
 March Letter from a Gentleman in Harford County, 
 
 13, Maryland, to a friend in Philadelphia. A total 
 revolution in the Magistracy of the Province 
 expected. Nine of the oldest and best Magis- 
 trates have been dismissed, and eleven others 
 appointed, some of whom are well known 
 for their opposition to every measure adopted 
 for the preservation of American Freedom. 
 No reason was alleged for this violent insult, 
 which was brought about by a contemptible 
 junto in Baltimore Town, who are inimical to 
 
 the rights of America, - - - - 124 
 
 DELAWARE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Mar. 13, Delaware Assembly meets, - 126 
 
 14, Mr. McKean reported to the House the Pro- 
 
 ceedings of the late Continental Congress, - 126 
 
 15, Conduct of the Delegates from Delaware ap- 
 
 proved, and receive the thanks of the Assem- 
 
 bly, 126 
 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress ap- 
 proved, and their Journal ordered to be de- 
 posited amongst the files of the House, - - 126 
 1G, Compensation to the Delegates to the Congress, 127 
 Delegates are unanimously reappointed, - - 127 
 17, Committee to prepare Instructions for the Dele- 
 gates to the Continental Congress, - - 127 
 
 20, Letter from the Colony Agents in London, - 127 
 
 21, Petitions from New-Castle County, and from 
 
 Kent County, praying the House to pass a 
 
 Bill for establishing the Militia, - - - 127 
 
 23, Message from Governour Penn to the Assembly, 
 
 recommending the establishment of Boundary 
 lines, - - - - : - - 128 
 
 24, Bill reported to prohibit the Importation of Slaves, 
 
 read, amended, and ordered to be engrossed, - 128 
 Instructions for the Delegates to the Congress 
 reported, - -128 
 
 25, Engrossed Bill to prohibit Importation of Slaves, 
 
 passed and sent to the Governour, - - 128 
 27, The Governour returned the Bill, " to which he 
 
 cannot give his assent," - - - - 129 
 29, Instructions for the Delegates to Congress agreed 
 
 to, 129 
 
 Assembly adjourned till the fifth day of June, 
 
 next, 129 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 Mar. 13, Pennsylvania Council — 
 
 The Governour submits a Letter from the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, dated January 7, 1775, expressing 
 his concern that the Non-Importation Resolu- 
 tion of Congress had been so generally adopt- 
 ed, and informing him that the King approved 
 the Boundary line between Pennsylvania and 
 
 Maryland, 129 
 
 The Council consider the latter part of the above 
 Letter, and advise the Governour to issue a 
 Proclamation, recalling his Proclamation of 
 the 2d of November last, - - - - 130 
 16, Letter from Governour Penn to Governour 
 Eden, informing him of his intention to recall 
 his Proclamation of November 2, 1774, and 
 to enforce that of the 15th of September, - 130 
 
 13, Town Meeting in Boston, direct the Committee 
 
 of Correspondence to draw up a Statement of 
 the conduct of the Troops under command of 
 General Gage, and of the Navy under Admi- 
 ral Graves, - - - - - 130 
 
 14, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Hackcnsack, in 
 
 New-Jersey. Resolve to continue loyal Sub- 
 jects to King George. To disavow all riotous 
 mobs. That Petitions to the Throne are the 
 proper means to remove present grievances. 
 That they will not be concerned in any un- 
 constitutional measures; and that they will 
 support His Majesty's Civil Officers, - - 131 
 14, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Freehold, Monmouth County, New-Jersey. 
 The Inhabitants of Shrewsbury having omit- 
 ted to choose a Committee, this Committee will 
 
 XXIV 
 
 1775. 
 
 hereafter treat them as enemies to their King 
 and Country, and deserters from the common 
 cause of Freedom, - - - - 1 3 1 
 
 March Meeting of Freeholders and other Inhabitants of 
 
 14, New-Windsor, in Ulster County, New- York. 
 Declare their attachment to the King, to 
 whom they would be deficient in duty if they 
 submit to the power assumed by the Parlia- 
 ment. Approve and will abide by the Asso- 
 ciation of the Continental Congress. Con- 
 demn sundry Publications by James Riving- 
 ton, a Ministerial hireling, and an enemy to his 
 Country, - - - - - - -131 
 
 15, Letters from Philadelphia to Mr. Rivington in 
 
 New- York, condemning and ridiculing the 
 Congress, Committees, and leaders among the 
 
 Whigs, 133-134 
 
 15, Letter from Mr. Povvnal, Secretary to the Board 
 of Trade and Plantations, to Lieutenant Go- 
 vernour Colden, enclosing extracts from the 
 Minutes and Proceedings upon several Peti- 
 tions and Memorials, relative to certain Lands 
 in the Province of New- York, heretofore 
 claimed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, - - 134-137 
 
 15, The Sub-Committees Report to the Committee 
 
 for the City and County of New- York, the 
 election this day of eleven Delegates to a 
 Provincial Congress, to be held on the 20th 
 day of April, - - - - - -137 
 
 16, Letter from General Committee of the City of 
 
 New- York to all the Counties in the Colony, 
 requesting them, without delay, to elect Depu- 
 ties to a Provincial Congress, for the purpose 
 of appointing Delegates to the Continental 
 Congress to meet at Philadelphia, on the 1 0th 
 of May next, 138 
 
 16, Account of the election in New-York yesterday, 
 and of the efforts of the Ministerial Party to 
 prevent it, - - - - - - 138 
 
 16, Remarks of "A Citizen" on the election. The 
 People were deceived by a scheme intended to 
 supplant some of the old Delegates, and get 
 Mr. McDougall into the Congress, - - 139 
 
 16, Company formed in Philadelphia for establishing 
 an American Manufactory of Woollens, Lin- 
 ens and Cottons, - - - - 140 
 
 16, Speech delivered in Carpenter's Hall before the 
 Subscribers to the Fund for establishing Ame- 
 rican Manufactures in Philadelphia, - 140 
 
 16, Proceedings of the General Committee of the 
 City of New-York in relation to the landing 
 of Goods, by Messrs. Robert and John Mur- 
 ray, from the Ship Beulah, - - 144-148 
 
 10, Letter from the Committee of Elizabethtown, 
 
 New-Jersey, to the New- York Committee, 
 informing them of their reasons for suspecting 
 Goods had been landed from the Beulah, - 144 
 
 11, Another Letter from the Elizabethtown Commit- 
 
 tee. They have continued their examination 
 into the affair, but have not yet obtained full 
 information. Samuel Lee, a Boatman, and 
 Ichabod B. Barnct, (son-in-law to Robt. Mur- 
 ray,) appear to have been the persons con- 
 cerned in the affair, ..... 144 
 
 13, Letter from Robert and John Murray to the 
 
 New- York Committee, acknowledging that 
 they had landed Goods from the Beulah, in 
 violation of the Continental Association. Con- 
 demn the act as unjustifiable, and offer to re- 
 ship all the Goods within seven days, - 145 
 
 15, Inventory of Goods taken out of the Beulah at 
 
 Sandy- Hook, 145 
 
 15, Deposition of John Murray to his statement of 
 
 the taking the Goods from the Beulah, - 145 
 Affirmation of Robert Murray, - - - 146 
 
 15, Letter from Robert and John Murray to the 
 New- York Committee. They have delivered 
 the Goods taken from the Beulah to the Eliza- 
 bethtown Committee. They are willing to 
 reship the Goods, as required by the Associa- 
 tion, and to make any other satisfaction the 
 Committee may require. As a further ac- 
 knowledgment of their errour, they offer the 
 sum of two hundred Pounds towards rebuild- 
 ing the Hospital, 147 
 
 14, Letter from the Elizabethtown Committee to the 
 
 New-York Committee, enclosing the Affidavit 
 
 of Samuel Lee, - - - - - 147 
 
XXV 
 
 1775. 
 March 
 16, 
 
 16, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXVI 
 
 6, 
 
 16, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 17, 
 
 18, 
 19, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20 
 
 Address to the Inhnbitants of New- York. Obe- 
 dience and submission to Government urged 
 and enforced on the authority of the Bible, - 148 
 Reply to the foregoing. Absolute passive obe- 
 dience and non-resistance is contrary to the 
 
 Word of God, 149 
 
 Declaration of the Grand Jury and Magistrates 
 at a Court of Quarter Sessions, at Johnstown, 
 Tryon County, New- York. Condemn the 
 destruction of the Tea at Boston as an out- 
 rageous and unlawful act. Renew their pro- 
 fessions of attachment and pledges of true al- 
 legiance to their lawful Sovereign, and will, in 
 any extremity, exert themselves in support of 
 Government, - - - - - -151 
 
 Letter from the Rev. Dr. Wheelock to Govern- 
 our Trumbull. Has sent Mr. James Dean 
 among the Indian Tribes in Canada to pre- 
 serve peace on the frontier Settlements. Mr. 
 Dean has great influence with the Six Na- 
 tions, and could, if authorized, get them to join 
 the Colonies against any invasion that may be 
 attempted, - 152 
 Remonstrance presented by the Selectmen of Bil- 
 lerica to General Gage, demanding satisfaction 
 for the outrage committed on Thomas Ditson, 
 by the authority of Colonel Nesbit. If the 
 Inhabitants of the Country Towns are treat- 
 ed with this brutish ferocity they will hereafter 
 use a different style from that of petition and 
 complaint, ------ 153 
 
 Address to the Gentlemen of the Provincial Con- 
 gress of Virginia, by Charles Lee. The Ad- 
 dresses of the New- York Assembly are more 
 alarming than the threats of the Minister. — 
 Any defection amongst ourselves is a matter of 
 the most serious concern. It behooves every 
 Provincial Congress to consider of some effec- 
 tual means to prevent the mischievous conse- 
 quences intended by these abandoned men, - 153 
 u Lucius" on the treatment the Colonies have 
 received from Great Britain. Their patience 
 and forbearance under all their wrongs. Their 
 conduct defended and their resistance justified, 156 
 Letter to Governour Wentworth. Formerly no 
 man in his station could be more honoured and 
 revered. By his late conduct in carrying out 
 the plans of the Ministry he has lost the affec- 
 tions of the People, and will never possess them 
 in future, - 159 
 Letter from Essex, New-Jersey, to D. C. Dan- 
 ger to be apprehended to the Country from the 
 influence of a party too near the Throne, - 160 
 Letter from Dr. Franklin to Arthur Lee, trans- 
 ferring to him all the Papers of the Massa- 
 chusetts Agency, - - - - 162 
 
 Proclamation of the States-General of the United 
 Provinces, prohibiting the exportation of Am- 
 munition or Arms, in vessels belonging to the 
 Dominions of Great Britain, for six months, - 277 
 Proceedings in Charlestown, South-Carolina, on 
 the arrival of the Snow Proteus from London, 
 with Merchandise, &c. The Committee au- 
 thorize the landing of two Horses from the 
 vessel. The People, dissatisfied with this de- 
 cision, petition for a reconsideration of it in a 
 full Committee. The permission to land the 
 Horses reconsidered and rescinded by the Com- 
 mittee, and a Resolution adopted, directing the 
 Horses, Merchandise and Furniture to be re- 
 turned to England, - - - - - 162 
 
 A full account of these Proceedings, by Mr. 
 
 Drayton, (Note,) 163 
 
 Instructions drawn upfor the Delegates to the Con- 
 vention, from a certain County in Virginia, - 163 
 
 VIRGINIA CONVENTION. 
 
 Mar. 20, Virginia Convention meets at Richmond, 
 List of the Delegates, - - - - 
 Peyton Randolph elected President, and John 
 
 Tazewell Clerk, 
 
 President laid before the Convention the Proceed- 
 ings of the Continental Congress, and a Letter 
 from Benjamin Franklin, William Bollan and 
 Arthur Lee, - 
 The Proceedings of the Congress to be considered 
 to-morrow, ...... 
 
 165-172 
 - 165 
 
 166 
 
 166 
 
 166 
 
 1775. 
 March 
 21, 
 
 22, 
 23, 
 
 24, 
 
 25, 
 
 27, 
 
 Letter from the Inhabitants of Augusta County, 
 west of the Alleghany Mountains, requesting 
 John Nevill and John Harvie may be admitted 
 as their Delegates, - - - 
 
 Mr. Nevill and Mr. Harvie admitted, 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress consi- 
 dered, ------ 
 
 Further considered, and after the matures! con- 
 sideration cordially approved, ... 
 Petition and Memorial of the Assembly of Jamaica 
 
 to the King, laid before the Convention, 
 The President directed to transmit the thanks of 
 the Convention to the Assembly of Jamaica, 
 for their patriotick conduct, ... 
 Committee to prepare a plan for embodying, arm- 
 ing and disciplining such number of men as 
 may be necessary for the defence of the Colony, 
 Plan for embodying the Militia reported, 
 The Committee of Correspondence directed to 
 procure authentick information from the Com- 
 mittee of New- York, whether their House 
 of Representatives, by any vote, have deserted 
 the union of the American Colonies, 
 Committees of the several Counties and Corpora- 
 tions directed to exert themselves in procuring 
 contributions for the suffering Inhabitants of 
 Boston, ------ 
 
 On account of the unsettled state of the Country, 
 Lawyers, Suiters and Witnesses are requested 
 not to attend the next General Court, - 
 Plan for embodying, arming and disciplining the 
 
 Militia, adopted, - 
 Vote of Thanks to Lord Dunmore for his noble, 
 wise and spirited conduct on the late expedition 
 against the Indians, - - - - - 
 
 Delegates to the Continental Congress elected by 
 
 ballot, 
 
 Committee to prepare a plan for the encourage- 
 ment of Manufactures in the Colony, 
 Plan for the encouragement of Arts and Manu- 
 factures reported, and unanimously agreed to, 
 For the more effectually carrying this plan into 
 execution, it is earnestly recommended to form 
 Societies in different parts of the Colony, and 
 to offer premiums, - 
 Committee to inquire whether the King may of 
 right advance the terms of granting Lands in 
 this Colony, ------ 
 
 Thomas Jefferson appointed a Deputy to the 
 General Congress in the room of Peyton Ran- 
 dolph, if Mr. Randolph cannot attend, - 
 The People recommended to choose Delegates to 
 represent them in Convention for one year, - 
 Convention dissolved, - - 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 March Field Officers chosen for New-Castle County, 
 20, Delaware, ------ 
 
 20, Committee for Chester County, Pennsylvania, 
 direct each Member to use diligence in collect- 
 ing money for Boston, - 
 
 20, Letter from Boston to Newport, R. I. The inso- 
 
 lence of the British Soldiers at Boston, encou- 
 raged and headed by their Officers, makes it un- 
 safe for people to walk the streets at noon-day, 
 Letter from a Gentleman in the service of a Coun- 
 sellor of State at Paris, to his friend in Rhode- 
 Island, 
 
 21, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, for the sale of 
 
 the King's vacant Lands in Virginia, and pro- 
 hibiting Richard Henderson from taking pos- 
 session of any Lands under a pretended pur- 
 chase from the Indians, - - - 
 
 21, Address of the Committee of Norfolk, Virginia, 
 to the Publick, declaring Captain Simpson a 
 violator of the Association, and an enemy of 
 American Liberty, ..... 
 
 21, Committee for Talbot County, Maryland, direct 
 two bales of Goods imported in the Ship Balti- 
 timore, in violation of the Continental Associa- 
 tion to be sent back to Glasgow, 
 
 21, Albany, New- York, Committee appoint Deputies 
 to the Provincial Congress, - 
 
 21, Liberty- Pole cut down at Poughkeepsie, in New- 
 York, by the Sheriff of Dutchess County, at- 
 tended by a Judge of the Inferiour Court, and 
 two of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, - 176 
 
 167 
 167 
 
 167 
 
 107 
 
 167 
 
 167 
 
 168 
 168 
 
 163 
 
 168 
 
 168 
 169 
 
 170 
 170 
 170 
 170 
 
 171 
 
 172 
 
 172 
 
 172 
 172 
 
 172 
 172 
 
 173 
 173 
 
 174 
 
 174 
 
 175 
 176 
 
XXVII 
 
 1775 
 Marc 
 21, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXVII 
 
 A Letter from Samuel Adams to Richard Henry 
 Lee. Virginia from the beginning of the contest 
 has distinguished herself in the cause of Ame- 
 rican Liberty: the People of Massachusetts, 
 with some few exceptions, are firm and united. 
 The conduct of the British Soldiers and Offi- 
 cers highly offensive to the citizens; the Offi- 
 cers endeavoured to create a disturbance on the 
 6th, when Dr. Warren delivered his Oration, 176 
 
 21, Letter from Colonel E. Doolittle to John Han- 
 
 cock, suggesting the establishing of a Civil 
 Constitution for the Province, to remedy the 
 evils every where felt for want of a regular 
 Government, - - - - - 177 
 
 22, Letter from Arthur Lee, enclosing one received 
 
 from the Lord Mayor of London, giving in- 
 formation of attempts to procure counterfeits 
 of the Bills of Credit of the Colonies, - - 178 
 
 22, Letter from Dr. Franklin to his son, giving a 
 history of his private negotiations in London, 
 for a settlement of the difficulties between the 
 Colonies and Great Britain, - - 178-210 
 
 22, Letter from Dr. Wheelock to Governour Trum- 
 bull. There are reports of an invasion from 
 Canada, and the Indians, if not secured in our 
 interests, will likely join on the other side. Se- 
 veral of their children, from some of the most 
 respectable tribes, are now at the Seminary, 
 (Dartmouth,) and may be considered hosta- 
 ges; Mr. Dean, now among them, will proba- 
 bly bring more ; this connection is our surest 
 bulwark against an invasion, ... 210 
 
 22, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- York. 
 
 Outrages of the British Officers and Soldiers 
 
 in Boston, 211 
 
 23, Letter from New- York to John Dickinson; re- 
 
 viewing and condemning his political conduct, 211 
 
 23, Letter to the Committee of Inspection for the City 
 and County of New- York. Their censure of 
 Mr. Rivington is arbitrary and tyrannical, and 
 breathes a spirit of intimidation towards him, 213 
 
 23, Account of the Riots in Cumberland County, 
 
 New- York, 214 
 
 23, Benjamin Hough to the Inhabitants of the City 
 
 of New- York, 215 
 
 Statement of Benjamin Hough, under oath, of the 
 indignities and violence he received from the 
 Rioters in Cumberland County, - - - 215 
 
 23, A relation of the proceedings of the People of the 
 County of Cumberland, and Province of New- 
 York, - - - - - - 218 
 
 23, Letter from Colonel Gilbert to Captain Wallace of 
 His Majesty's Ship Rose. Many threats have 
 been made against those who have taken Arms 
 in the King's name, and there is fear the Rebels 
 will attack them, 222 
 
 23, Guilford, Connecticut, Committee, acquit Cap- 
 tain Griffin of an intentional violation of the 
 Association in taking fourteen Sheep to Mar- 
 tinico, - 222 
 
 23, Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts Bay, 
 
 No 6, from the County of Hampshire. The 
 question examined, Whether we are in truth a 
 part of the British Empire, in such a sense as 
 to be subject to her supreme authority in all 
 cases whatsoever? - - - - - 222 
 
 24, Committee of Nansemond County, Virginia, pub- 
 
 lish the Rev. John Agnevv, Rector of Suffolk 
 Parish, for his opposition to the Association 
 and the Provincial Congress, ... 226 
 
 24, Worcester (Massachusetts) Committee require 
 punctual attendance of Members of the Com- 
 mittee, 228 
 
 24, Letter from Colonel Thomas Wheeler to the 
 Printers of the Massachusetts Gazette, explain- 
 ing the reasons for resigning his commission, 
 acknowledging his former errours, and avowing 
 his firm attachment to the cause of Liberty, - 228 
 
 24, Letter from a Freeholder of the County of Wor- 
 cester. The violence and misrepresentations 
 of the Tory writers cannot injure the cause of 
 Liberty, 229 
 
 24, Letter from Montreal. The Canadians were 
 
 highly offended by the Address of the Congress 
 
 to the People of England, - - - 231 
 
 25, "Nestor" to the People of England. Boston 
 
 is become a Garrison. The inhabitants are 
 ruined, but Hutchinson is pensioned, - - 232 | 
 
 1775 
 Marc 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 29, 
 29, 
 
 29, 
 
 30, 
 
 30, 
 30, 
 31, 
 31, 
 
 April 
 1, 
 
 k liCtter from Governour Eden to Governour Penn, 
 refusing to join in issuing a Proclamation, re- 
 calling that of November 2, 1774, respecting 
 the Boundary between Pennsylvania and Mary- 
 land, 303 
 
 Letter from Essex, New-Jersey, to D. C. The 
 late news from England has strengthened the 
 union of the Colonies. Not more than three 
 Towns in the four New-England Provinces 
 opposed to the measures of the Congress; in 
 New-Jersey and the Southern Provinces the 
 opposition is as small. Some few places in 
 New-York are delinquent, but they appear to 
 be returning to their duty, ... 232 
 
 Confession of Thomas Lilly, of Marblehead, that 
 
 he has been guilty of purchasing Tea, - 234 
 
 Deposition of Simon Tufts, March 31st, that in 
 purchasing Tea he had no intention of viola- 
 ting the Association, .... 234 
 
 Orange County, Virginia, Committee, meet, and 
 demand of the Rev. John Wingate the surren- 
 der of a number of Pamphlets containing re- 
 flections on the Continental Congress. The 
 Committee obtain them after some difficulty 
 and delay, and order them to be burnt, - 234 
 
 Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, requiring all 
 Magistrates and Officers to use their endeavours 
 to prevent the appointment of Deputies to the 
 Continental Congress, and exhorting all persons 
 within the Colony to desist from such an unjus- 
 tifiable proceeding, ..... 236 
 
 Remarks on Lord Dartmouth's Circular to the 
 Governours of the Colonies, requiring them to 
 do their utmost to prevent the choice of Depu- 
 ties to the Continental Congress, - - 236 
 Letter from an Englishman in New- York to 
 the Committee of Correspondence for Philadel- 
 phia. Charges them with falsehood, hypocrisy 
 and rebellion ; condemns their whole proceed- 
 ings, and asserts that the number of loyal sub- 
 jects is increasing with a rapid progress, - 238 
 Meeting of the Committee for Worcester, Massa- 
 chusetts, ...... 242 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend 
 
 in North-Carolina, ----- 242 
 
 New- York Committee recommend to the Inhabi- 
 tants to stop the exportation of Nails, and to 
 withhold all Supplies, which are essential to 
 hostilities, from the Troops at Boston, - 242 
 
 Letter from J.- Brown to the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence at Boston. The Canadians appear 
 to be quite friendly towards the Colonies, but 
 there is no prospect of Canada sending Dele- 
 gates to the Continental Congress. The Fort 
 at Ticonderoga must be seized should hostili- 
 ties be committed by the King's Troops; the 
 People on the New-Hampshire Grants have 
 engaged to do this business, and they are the 
 most proper persons for the job, - - - 243 
 Committee for Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, 
 approve the conduct of George Ross for oppos- 
 ing, in the Assembly, the recommendation of 
 the Governour to send a separate Petition to 
 
 His Majesty, 245 
 
 Chiefs of the Six Nations in consultation with 
 
 Colonel Guy Johnson, .... 245 
 
 Letter to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 
 No. 7, from the County of Hampshire, - 245 
 Freeholders of Jamaica, on Long-Island, refuse 
 
 to send Deputies to the Provincial Congress, 251 
 Letter to the Subscribers to an Association agreed 
 to in January last, in Portsmouth, New-Hamp- 
 shire, - - - - - - -251 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. The behaviour of the New-Yorkers has 
 raised the drooping spirits of the Ministry, 
 who now declare their intention of starving the 
 four New-England Colonies, ... 252 
 Letter from New-Haven to Mr. Rivington. The 
 Committee of Inspection have proceeded to 
 very unwarrantable lengths, and threaten those 
 who drink Tea. If they carry matters to ex- 
 tremity, now is the time to repel force by force, 252 
 Council of North-Carolina advise the Governour 
 to issue a Proclamation to forbid the holding 
 a Provincial Congress, .... 253 
 
 Proclamation by Governour Martin, to forbid the 
 sitting of the Provincial Congress, at New- 
 
XXIX 
 
 n;o. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 xxx 
 
 April 
 3, 
 3, 
 
 3, 
 
 bern this day, and exhorting all His Majes- 
 ty's subjects, on their allegiance, to withdraw 
 themselves from the same, - 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for Gloucester Coun- 
 ty, Virginia, - 
 
 Committee for Philadelphia cautioning their Fel- 
 low-Citizens of an attempt to be made to violate 
 the Association, by importing East- India goods 
 through the Dutch Islands, ... 
 
 Committee for Freehold, Monmouth County, 
 New-Jersey, declare Thomas Leonard a foe to 
 the rights of British America, for violations of 
 the Continental Association, 
 
 Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Bos- 
 ton. It is suspected that the Troops really 
 mean to take the field; some imagine they will 
 march out five or ten miles at a time, in order 
 to compel the people of Massachusetts to begin 
 hostilities first, ..... 
 
 Letter from Dr. Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee. 
 America must, and will be free. The contest 
 may be severe. The end will be glorious. 
 A detachment of the Army marched four miles 
 out of Boston three days ago ; great numbers of 
 the People, complete ly armed, collected in the 
 neighbouring Towns. The Congress imme- 
 diately took proper measures for restraining 
 any unnecessary effusion of blood, 
 
 254 
 
 254 
 
 254 
 
 - 254 
 
 255 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA. ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Apr. 4, North-Carolina Assembly meets, ... 
 List of Members elected to the Assembly, 
 List of Members attending, .... 
 John Harvey chosen Speaker, and approved by 
 the Governour, ..... 
 Speech of the Governour to the Council and 
 House of Assembly, .... 
 
 5, The Govcrnour's Speech to be considered to-mor- 
 
 row, .... . 
 
 6, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of 
 
 the Whole, 
 
 Report of the Committee of the Whole House, 
 
 7, Answer to the Governour's Speech, 
 Proceedings of Continental Congress approved, 
 Delegates to the Congress chosen by the Conven- 
 tion, approved by the Assembly, 
 
 Thanks of the House to the Delegates to the late 
 Continental Congress, - 
 
 8, Assembly dissolved by the Governour, 
 
 7, Council of North-Carolina, on reading the vote 
 
 of the House of Assembly, approving of the 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress, ad- 
 vise the Governour to dissolve the Assembly, 
 
 8, Proclamation of Governour Martin, dissolving 
 
 the Assembly, ------ 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 
 
 Apr. 3, Convention of North-Carolina meets, 
 List of the Delegates elected, - 
 List of the Delegates present, ... 
 John Harvey chosen Moderator, 
 
 4, Other Delegates attend, .... 
 
 5, Resolution approving of the Continental Associa- 
 
 tion, and binding the Members of this Conven- 
 tion to adhere to it, - 
 
 All the Members subscribe this Resolution, ex- 
 cept Mr. Thomas Macknight, who refused, - 
 
 Thanks of the Convention to the Delegates to 
 the late Continental Congress, ... 
 
 Answer of the Delegates to the Moderator, 
 
 Thanks to the Delegates, by Colonel John Har- 
 vey, in compliance with instructions from Per- 
 quimans County, ..... 
 
 Answer of the Dele gates, .... 
 
 Delegates to the Congress to be held in May next, 
 appointed, and invested with such powers as 
 may make acts done by them obligatory in 
 honour upon every inhabitant of the Province, 
 
 6, Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for Currituck 
 
 County, called upon to sign the Continental 
 Association, refuses, and withdraws from the 
 Convention, ...... 
 
 Resolution declaring Mr. Macknight a proper 
 object of contempt to the Continent, and recom- 
 mend all persons to break off all inteicourse 
 and dealing with him, .... 
 
 255 
 
 255 
 255 
 256 
 
 257 
 
 257 
 
 261 
 
 261 
 261 
 
 263 
 265 
 
 265 
 
 265 
 266 
 
 266 
 
 266 
 
 266 
 266 
 267 
 267 
 267 
 
 268 
 
 268 
 
 268 
 268 
 
 269 
 269 
 
 269 
 
 269 
 
 270 
 
 1775. 
 
 April The Moderator, or Mr. Johnston, empowered to 
 7, direct Delegates to be chosen to a Convention 
 
 to meet in Hillsborough, .... 270 
 
 Proceedings of the late Continental Congress ap- 
 proved of by the Convention, ... 270 
 
 Arts, Manufactures, Agriculture, and every kind 
 of economy, to be encouraged in the Colony, 270 
 
 The Governour's Proclamation to prohibit this 
 meeting, and his Proclamation commanding 
 this meeting to disperse, are illegal, and ought 
 to be disregarded, ..... 270 
 
 Vindication of Thomas Macknight, by Samuel 
 Jarvis and others, - - - - 271 
 
 12, Council of North-Carolina, - - - - 273. 
 
 Governour submits the proceedings of the Con- 
 vention, signed by John Harvey, Moderator, 
 containing Resolves derogatory to the honour 
 and dignity of His Majesty's Government, - 273 
 
 Mr. Harvey's name struck out of His Majesty's 
 Commission of the Peace for Perquimans 
 County, 273 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 April Town Meeting at Hempstead, Queen's County, 
 4, in New-York ; resolve to bear true allegiance 
 to George the Third, and to adhere to the Bri- 
 tish Constitution; approve of the proceedings 
 and aeldresses of the General Assembly, and 
 refuse to choose Deputies to a Provincial Con- 
 gress, 273 
 
 Address to the publick, by a Freeholder of Hemp- 
 stead. The Resolutions of the meeting at 
 Hempstead, on the 4th instant, do not truly 
 represent the Town. Many of the principal 
 freeholders disapprove of the proceedings of 
 the Assembly, support the Continental Associa- 
 tion, and are in favour of a Provincial Con- 
 gress, ....... 274 
 
 4, Delegates appointed to the Provincial Congress, 
 by a Town Meeting in Goshen, Orange Coun- 
 ty, New- York, 275 
 
 4, Delegates appointed to the Provincial Congress, 
 
 by a Town Meeting in Cornwall Precinct, 
 Orange County, New- York, ... 276 
 
 5, Baltimore Committee declare they will carry into 
 
 execution the Association and measures of the 
 Congress, but that they have not, and will not, 
 use or authorize personal violence, - - 276 
 
 5, Letter from the Secretary of the Board of Trade 
 to the Governours of the Colonies, enclosing 
 the Act to restrain the Trade of the New- 
 England Colonics, and prohibiting them from 
 fishing on the Banks of Newfoundland, - 276 
 
 5, Letter from Mr. Pownall, enclosing a Proclama- 
 tion of the States-General, .... 276 
 
 5, Order of the King in Council, prohibiting the 
 exportation out of Great Britain, or carrying 
 coastwise, any Arms or Ammunition, for six 
 months after the 19th of April, without per- 
 mission from the King or his Privy Council, 277 
 
 5, Letter from Thomas Life, Agent for Connecticut, 
 
 in London, to Governour Trumbull, - - 278 
 
 5, Meeting of the Livery of London, at Guildhall. 
 
 Address of the Mayor. Remonstrance and 
 Petition to the Throne respecting the measures 
 adopted with regard to America, proposed, de- 
 bated, adopted, and ordered to be presented to 
 
 the Throne, 278 
 
 G, Letter from the Georgia Delegates to the Presi- 
 dent of the Continental Congress, explaining 
 the reasons why they think it inexpedient for 
 them to attend, ------ 279 
 
 6, Calvert County, Maryland, Committee, resolve 
 
 that Alexander Ogg has violated the Associa- 
 tion, and ought to be deemed an enemy to 
 America, - - - - - - -281 
 
 Mr. Ogg's publick acknowledgment of his of- 
 fence, April 13, - - - - - 281 
 
 6, Committee for Sussex County, Virginia, approve 
 of the proceedings of the Convention at Rich- 
 mond, and pledge themselves to adhere to 
 their Resolutions, - - - - - 281 
 
 C, Inhabitants of the Borough of Westchester, in 
 New- York, refuse to choose Deputies to a 
 Provincial Congress, and disown all Con- 
 gresses, Conventions, and Committees, - 282 
 
 6, General Meeting of the Inhabitants of West- 
 
XXXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 April 
 6, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXXII 
 
 6, 
 
 chcstcr, called to determine whether they will 
 choose Deputies to the Provincial Congress; 
 or whether they will abide by the loyal mea- 
 sures of the General Assembly, - 
 
 Meeting of the Inhabitants of New- York; ad- 
 vice of the Committee against exporting Nails, 
 and supplying the Troops at Boston, read and 
 approved. William and Henry Ustick having 
 purchased intrenching tools for the Army at 
 Boston, are declared to be inveterate foes to 
 American freedom, and the people are desired 
 to break off all connections and dealing with 
 them for the future, - 
 
 Letter from Alexander McDougall to Josiah 
 Ciuincy, Jun. The Statement of Grievances 
 and not the Petition to the King, the Memorial 
 to the Lords, or the Remonstrance to the Com- 
 mons, contains the true opinions of the late 
 House of Assembly of New- York. The only 
 instance of a violation of the Association at 
 New- York, is that of the goods taken from 
 the Beulah, - 
 
 Letter from Boston, for Mr. Rivington's Gazet- 
 teer, ------- 
 
 Phileirene to the People of Massachusetts, de- 
 fending the measures of the Parliament against 
 the complaints of the Continental Congress, - 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 No. 8, from the County of Hampshire. On the 
 right of the Parliament to an unlimited con- 
 trol over the Colonies, - - - - 
 
 Letter from Alexander Elmsley, Agent for North- 
 Carolina, in London, to Samuel Johnston. Sup- 
 pressed the Petition to the King from North- 
 Carolina, because it contained strange inaccu- 
 racies, and reflections on the Parliament and 
 Ministry, and was not respectful to the King: 
 it was probably owing to this suppression that 
 North-Carolina was excepted from the Re- 
 straining Bill, ------ 
 
 Chesterfield County, Virginia, Committee, will 
 encourage the manufacture of Linen, Cotton 
 and Woollen Cloth, and subscribe funds for the 
 support of such manufactures; direct John 
 Brown of Norfolk, and Captain Sampson of 
 the Ship Elizabeth of Bristol, to be published 
 as persons deserving the censure and contempt 
 of the People of the Colony, - 
 
 Committee of Kingston, in Ulster County, New- 
 York, convict Jacobus Louw, on his own ad- 
 missions, of selling Tea; and publish him as an 
 enemy to the rights and liberties of America, 
 
 Application of the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire 
 Volunteers to Colonel Theodore Atkinson, for 
 permission to beat a drum, - - - - 
 
 Southampton, Virginia, Committee, direct sub- 
 scriptions to aid Mr. Tait in making Salt, and 
 make provision for supplying the Militia of the 
 County with Ammunition, - - - - 
 
 Address to the People of Virginia, on the " In- 
 structions drawn up for the Delegates to the 
 Convention at Richmond, from a certain Coun- 
 ty in Virginia," 
 
 Address of the Freeholders of Fincastle County, 
 Virginia, to Lord Dunmore, 
 
 Proclamation of Governour Penn, by the advice 
 of the Council of Pennsylvania, revoking his 
 Proclamation of the 2d of November last, in 
 relation to the Boundaries between Pennsylva- 
 nia and Maryland, 
 
 Letter from Gov. Penn to Gov. Eden. By ad- 
 vice of Council, informing him of his determi- 
 nation to issue a separate Proclamation, 
 
 Letter from Dutchess County, New- York; the 
 inhabitants of Charlotte Precinct have refused, 
 by a large majority, to choose Deputies to the 
 Prov incial Congress, ----- 
 
 Protest of the Freeholders of seven Precincts in 
 Dutchess County, New- York, against the ap- 
 pointment of Robert R. Livingston, Egbert 
 Benson, and Morris Graham, as Deputies to 
 the Provincial Congress, a majority of the 
 Freeholders being opposed to any such Con- 
 gress, ------- 
 
 " A Freeholder of Dutchess County," denying the 
 truth of the statements in the foregoing Pro- 
 test, which was never publickly read, or ap- 
 proved of by one of the Precincts named in it, 
 
 282 
 
 - 233 
 
 283 
 284 
 
 286 
 289 
 
 296 
 
 298 
 
 298 
 299 
 
 299 
 
 300 
 301 
 
 302 
 303 
 
 304 
 
 304 
 
 304 
 
 1775. 
 April 
 8, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 April 
 11, 
 
 11, 
 
 10, 
 
 11, 
 
 11, 
 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Montreal, in Cana- 
 da, to the Committee of Safety in Massachusetts. 
 The People more divided by their interests than 
 by their religion, language, and manners; the 
 apprehensions of evil from the unlimited power 
 ol Government, strikes all opposition dead. 
 The bulk of the People, both English and Ca- 
 nadians, wish well to the cause of the Colonics, 
 but dare not stir a finger. They wish to know 
 if English Delegates would be admitted to the 
 Congress, without entering into the General 
 Association, ------ 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. Great preparations making in England 
 to reduce the Colonies to submission. The 
 Colonies must get ready to fight, for nothing 
 can save them but their own strength; the cry 
 of blood is gone out against them, 
 
 Committee for Prince George's County, Mary- 
 land, publish Thomas Bailey as an enemy to 
 the Country for landing imported Salt, in vio- 
 lation of the Continental Association ; and John 
 Baynes, for killing a Lamb, contrary to a Re- 
 solve of the Provincial Convention, 
 
 Committee for Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 
 declare a Paper printed in the London Pub- 
 lick Ledger of the 4th of January, entitled 
 " Facts relative to the Riot at Annapolis, in 
 Maryland," a false, scandalous and malicious 
 narrative; and the Author of it an inveterate 
 enemy to the liberties of the Province in par- 
 ticular, and of British America in general, - 
 
 "Facts relative to the Riot at Annapolis, in Ma- 
 ryland," the Paper referred to by the Commit- 
 tee for Anne Arundel County, - 
 
 Address of the Committee of Inspection for Fal- 
 mouth, Massachusetts, to the Publick. A 
 statement of the conduct of Captain Thomas 
 Coulson, with the reasons of the Committee 
 for publishing him as a violator of the Conti- 
 nental Association, - 
 
 Committee of Inspection for Falmouth, appoint 
 a Sub-Committee to prevent the landing of 
 prohibited Merchandise belonging to Captain 
 Thomas Coulson, March 2, - - - 
 
 The Committee determine that using the Sails, 
 Rigging and Stores, imported by Coulson, will 
 be a violation of the Continental Association, 
 and order them to be sent back to Bristol in 
 the Ship that brought them here, March 3, - 
 
 Information received in London of the sailing of 
 a Vessel from Stettin, loaded with Fire-Arms 
 and Ammunition for the Americans, 
 
 Inhabitants of Richmond County, in New- York, 
 refuse to send Deputies to the Provincial Con- 
 gress, 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders of Westchester Coun- 
 ty, New- York. Deputies to the Provincial 
 Congress appointed, and thanks voted to the 
 minority in the late General Assembly for their 
 firm attachment to the union of the Colonies 
 and rights and liberties of America, 
 
 Meeting of the Committees appointed by the In- 
 habitants on the east side of the range of Green 
 Mountains. The inhabitants being in danger 
 of having their property and their lives taken 
 from them by the Government of New- York, 
 wholly renounce, and will resist the authority 
 of that Government, till they can be made 
 secure in their lives and property, or till they 
 can lay their grievances before the King in 
 Council, with a Petition that they may be 
 taken out of so oppressive a jurisdiction, or 
 annexed to some other Government, 
 
 Speech of the Chief Sachem of the Stockbridge 
 Indians, in answer to a Message sent them by 
 the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, - 
 
 " Regulus" to the King, on his Answer to the 
 Address of the City of London, - 
 
 Letter from General Gage to Governour Martin 
 of North-Carolina. The leaders in Massa- 
 chusetts, by their arts and artifices, still keep 
 up a seditious and licentious spirit. The new- 
 fangled Legislatures termed a Provincial Con- 
 gress, have taken the Government into their 
 own hands, but they are much puzzled how to 
 act. Fear in some, and a want of inclination 
 in others, will be a great bar to their coming 
 
 305 
 
 306 
 
 503 
 
 309 
 309 
 
 311 
 
 312 
 
 313 
 313 
 314 
 
 314 
 
 315 
 
 315 
 316 
 
XXXIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXXIV 
 
 13, 
 13, 
 
 13. 
 
 to extremities, though their leaders use every 
 exertion to bring them into the field, - - 317 
 April Letter from the Chairman of the Committee of 
 12, Falmouth, Massachusetts, to Samuel Freeman. 
 Captain Mowat, in the Canso, sloop-of-war, in 
 the harbour, to protect Coulson's Ship, and 
 taking out the Goods which were prohibited 
 to be landed by the Committee. The Commit- 
 tee will do all they can to prevent any other 
 person from breaking the Association, - - 318 
 
 12, Letter from a Gentleman in England to his Cor- 
 
 respondent in Virginia. The sword is drawn 
 here and the scabbard thrown away. The 
 threats thrown out here against the Americans 
 are only fit for Savages. The declaration of 
 Colonel Grant, in the House of Commons, 
 that he had always treated the Americans as 
 beasts of burden, and that they deserved no 
 better usage, was received with the greatest ap- 
 probation. American fraud, American rapine, 
 American cowardice, and American insolence, 
 are the perpetual topicks of Ministerial decla- 
 mation. Orders are sent to seize particular 
 persons in the Colonies; and certain American 
 advocates here will be seized when the tem- 
 per of the times will make it safe to do so, - 318 
 Opinions in England on the Proceedings of the 
 
 Continental Congress, - - - - 319 
 Letter from the Committee of Yorktown, Penn- 
 sylvania, to John Hancock and Thomas Cush- 
 ing, with Donations from York County for the 
 suffering Poor of Boston, - 320 
 Amount of Donations from York County, (Note,) 320 
 Protest of the Inhabitants and Freeholders of 
 Westchester County, New- York, against the 
 Proceedings of the Meeting held at the White 
 Plains, on the 1 1th instant, for the appointment 
 of Deputies to the Provincial Congress, - 321 
 Subscribers to the Protest from Westchester 
 
 County, - 321 
 
 Answer of Lewis Morris to the Protest, with a 
 list of one hundred and seventy of the Subscri- 
 bers to it, who are not entitled to vote, besides 
 a number of the Tenants of Colonel Philipse. 
 Very few independent Freeholders objected to 
 the appointment of Deputies, ... 323 
 
 13, Phileirene to the Printers of the Massachusetts 
 Gazette. Objections to the claims and com- 
 plaints of the Continental Congress, who, in 
 most of their Proceedings, have exceeded the 
 powers delegated to them, and in still more, 
 have counteracted the design of their appoint- 
 ment, 324 
 
 13, Letter to the Inhabitants of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, No. 9, from the County of Hampshire, 329 
 
 14, Candidus to the People of New- Hampshire, - 334 
 
 1 4, Recommendation of the Provincial Congress of 
 Massachusetts to the People, to assist the In- 
 habitants in removing from Boston, - - 336 
 
 15, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to General 
 Gage. All Fortifications should be garrisoned 
 by the King's Troops, or dismantled and de- 
 stroyed. Arms and Military Stores of every 
 kind should be seized, and persons that have 
 committed acts of treason and rebellion should 
 be arrested and imprisoned. A Proclamation 
 may be issued, offering a reward for appre- 
 hending the President, Secretary, or any Mem- 
 ber of the Provincial Congress, who are most 
 active in that seditious meeting, - 336 
 
 15, Baltimore, Maryland, Committee, request all per- 
 sons to abstain from attending the approaching 
 Fair at Baltimore Town, .... 337 
 17, Letter from James Habersham to Clark and Mil- 
 ligan, London. The fiery Patriots of Charles- 
 town have stopped all dealings with Georgia. 
 Some of the inflammatory Resolutions and 
 Measures of the Northern Colonies portend 
 an open rebellion against the Parent State, - 337 
 17, Meeting of the Committee for King George 
 County, Virginia. Austin Brockenbrough 
 summoned to appear before the Committee 
 to answer charges against him of opposing 
 the measures of the Continental Congress. — 
 Refuses to attend, and is published as an enemy 
 to American Liberty, .... 337 
 17, Committee of Philadelphia inform the Publick 
 that it is now under the consideration of the 
 
 Foubth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 April 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 338 
 
 338 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 339 
 
 339 
 
 18, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 540 
 
 340 
 
 19, 
 
 Committee to suspend all trade and intercourse 
 with such Colonies as have not acceded to the 
 Association of the Continental Congress, 
 
 Statement and Deposition of Isaac Sears and 
 Paschal N. Smith, denying the charge against 
 them of having furnished Supplies to the Army 
 in Boston, - 
 
 Letter from Arthur Lee to Jas. Kinsey, Speaker 
 of the House of Assembly of New-Jersey. — 
 The Earl of Dartmouth refused to receive the 
 Petition of the Assembly of New- Jersey from 
 Mr. Lee, because he was not the Agent of the 
 Colony. The Petition will, therefore, remain 
 to wait the further pleasure of the House. — 
 The policy of the Ministry is to divide the Co- 
 lonies, and draw them off from their great 
 shield and defence, an union in General Con- 
 gress, 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Rev. 
 Dr. W T heelock. The ability and influence of 
 Mr. Dean to attach the Six Nations to the in- 
 terest of the Colonies is considered an instance 
 of Divine favour, - 
 
 Parties of Minute -Men met at Freetown, on the 
 10th instant, to seize Colonel Gilbert, but he 
 fled on board the Man-of-War at Newport. — 
 A number of Tories, who had signed Enlist- 
 ments to serve the King, were taken prisoners. 
 They made acknowledgments of their past 
 bad conduct, promised to behave better for the 
 future, and were dismissed, ... 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of New-England. — 
 The time is come when we are called upon to 
 consider whether we will defend our rights 
 and properties, or surrender them to Lord 
 North. Will it not be wise, as soon as the 
 Sword of Great Britain is drawn against us, 
 to sacrifice every New-England Tory; to in- 
 vite the British Troops to join us; to cut off 
 all such as intend to act as our enemies, and 
 to send Ambassadors to Europe with a decla- 
 ration of our Ports being opened to them for a 
 free Trade? 
 
 Brecknock to the People of England. The in- 
 vasion of the rights of the Americans is an in- 
 vasion of the rights of the People of Great 
 Britain. The Inhabitants of both Countries 
 have the same rights to their liberty and pro- 
 perty. The tyranny that violates one will 
 violate the other, ..... 
 
 New- York Committee. Proceeds of sales of 
 Merchandise made under their direction, 
 agreeable to the Tenth Article of the Conti- 
 nental Association, to be applied towards re- 
 lieving the poor Inhabitants of Boston who 
 are sufferers by the Port-Bill, ... 
 
 Letters from New- York to a Gentleman in Phi- 
 ladelphia. Information received from Eng- 
 land that a Fleet, with a number of Transports 
 with Troops, are preparing to be sent to Ame- 
 rica to enforce the Acts of Parliament, 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee to the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, com- 
 municating Letters and Intelligence, received 
 this day from England, of the intentions of the 
 Ministry, and of their preparations for subdu- 
 ing and enslaving the Colonies, - - 344-347 
 
 Address to the respectable Publick of New- 
 York. The Committee condemned for pub- 
 lishing William and Henry Ustick as enemies 
 to American Freedom ; and the charge against 
 them, of having violated the Association, is 
 pronounced false and malicious, - - - 
 
 Letter to Mr. Rivington. Riots in New- York. 
 Proceedings of the Committee of Inspection 
 against the Usticks, Mr. Thurman, and Mr. 
 Harding, charged with furnishing Supplies for 
 the Troops in Boston. These Proceedings 
 complained of a breach of the Law. Capt. 
 Sears apprehended, and a Mittimus issued to 
 send him to Jail. On his way there rescued 
 and set at liberty. Further Riots, 
 
 Letter from the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty to Capt. 
 Montressor, at Boston. Information just re- 
 ceived from England of an Armament speedily 
 to embark for Boston, to convince the refrac- 
 tory there that England will not be trifled 
 with. At a rascally Whig mob in New- York, 
 
 341 
 
 342 
 
 44 
 
 347 
 
 348 
 
XXXV 
 
 1775. 
 
 Sears, the King, was arrested and ordered to 
 prison; was rescued at the Jail door, - - 349 
 April A notice of this Letter, and of Mr. Auchmuty, 
 
 the writer of it, (Note,) - - - . - 350 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XXXVI 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 
 
 -4/)r.20, Provincial Convention of New- York, - 351- 
 
 List of Deputies, 
 
 Credentials of the Deputies for New- York, Al- 
 bany and Ulster Counties, - 
 Credentials of the Deputies for Orange County, 
 Credentials of the Deputies for Westchester 
 County, ------- 
 
 Credentials from Suffolk and King's Counties, - 
 21, Credentials from Queen's County, - 
 
 Poll Lists for Jamaica, in Queen's County, pre- 
 sented by Mr. Robinson, - - - - 
 
 Credentials from Dutchess County, - 
 Delegates to the next Continental Congress ap- 
 pointed, - - - - - - 
 
 Instruction to the Delegates to the Continental 
 Congress, ------ 
 
 Convention dissolved, - - - - - 
 
 22, 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 April Letter from the Newburyport Committee to the 
 19, Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, Committee. Re- 
 port of an action between the Troops at Bos- 
 ton and the People. Men are setting off im- 
 mediately for Boston, - - - - 
 
 19, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- 
 
 York The Troops left Boston last night ; 
 at Lexington they fired on the People ; march- 
 ed to Concord ; engagement there ; re-enforce- 
 ments sent from Boston. The Troops re- 
 treated from Concord to Charlestown, - 
 
 20, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman near Phila- 
 
 delphia. The Troops left Boston in the night 
 of the 18th, and in boats were conveyed over 
 to Phipps's farm. The men appointed to alarm 
 the Country on such occasions, got over by 
 stealth nearly as soon as the Troops. At 
 Lexington the People fired upon, and five Men 
 killed; engagement at Concord; the Troops 
 retreat, and with re-enforcements sent out un- 
 der Earl Percy, are driven by the Militia back 
 to Boston, ------ 
 
 20, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. The British Officers returned from the 
 attack on the People, say they never were in a 
 hotter engagement. Our People came to no 
 regular battle, but annoyed them the whole 
 way back, ------ 
 
 20, Letter from Boston to a Merchant in New- York. 
 
 It is surprising how soon the Country People 
 mustered, and in vast numbers. The Troops 
 were obliged to retreat near twelve miles, and 
 all the way a constant firing was kept up on 
 both sides, ------ 
 
 21, Letter from Newport, Rhode-Island, to the New- 
 
 York Committee. Our brethren of Massachu- 
 setts Bay arc attacked by a body of the regu- 
 lar Troops, and many friends slain, 
 23, Letter from Weathers fie Id, in Connecticut, to a 
 Gentleman in New-York. We are all in 
 motion here ; one hundred Men, with twenty 
 days' provison and sixty-four rounds, left yes- 
 terday; the neighbouring Towns all arming 
 and moving; by night we shall have several 
 thousands from this Colony on their march. 
 The eyes of America arc on New- York; the 
 Ministry have been promised that your Pro- 
 vince would desert us. You must now de- 
 clare one way or the other, that we may know 
 whether we are to go to Boston or to New- 
 York ; if you desert, our Men will as cheer- 
 fully attack New-York as Boston, 
 
 23, Express from T. Palmer, Watertovvn, received 
 
 in New- York, ------ 
 
 24, Letter from New-Yorktoa Gentleman in Phila- 
 
 delphia. Information received yesterday, (Sun- 
 day,) of the attack of the King's Troops on 
 the People of Massachusetts; seat immediately 
 by express to Philadelphia. The People' un- 
 loads! two Vessels filled with Flour for the 
 Troops at Boston, and seized the City Arms, 
 
 •358 
 351 
 
 351 
 353 
 
 354 
 
 355 
 356 
 
 839 
 356 
 
 357 
 
 358 
 358 
 
 359 
 
 359 
 
 360 
 
 360 
 
 361 
 
 361 
 
 362 
 363 
 
 3G4 
 
 1775. 
 Ajird 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 21, 
 
 21. 
 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 
 22, 
 
 22. 
 
 22, 
 
 23, 
 
 22, 
 
 Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Phila- 
 delphia. A reconciliation between us and 
 Great Britain is now at a greater distance 
 than we of late had rational grounds to hope. 
 Yesterday, after the news from Boston was 
 received, the Committee met, and will take 
 measures to maintain the character of a sister 
 Colony that feels for another in distress, 
 
 Letter from James Lockwood, Wallingford, Con- 
 necticut, forwarded by express to Charlestown, 
 ' in South-Carolina, - 
 
 "Johannes in Eremo" to the People. Great 
 Britain has drawn the Sword offensively, New- 
 England defensively. Our blood has been 
 shed by the Troops under General Gage, and 
 the cry will soon reach Heaven against him. 
 Great Britain will no longer be honoured as 
 our Mother, - - - - - - - 
 
 Letter from Richard Devens to the Members of 
 the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, re- 
 questing them to assemble immediately at 
 Concord, ------- 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Governour of Connecticut. The 
 British Troops fired on our Men at Lexington, 
 without any provocation, and killed eight of 
 them at the first onset. As the Troops have 
 now commenced hostilities, we think it our 
 duty to exert our utmost strength to save our 
 Country from absolute slavery; and we pray 
 you to afford us all the assistance in your 
 power, ------- 
 
 Letter from Dr. Warren to General Gage, re- 
 questing arrangements may be made for re- 
 moving the Tories into Boston, and the Whigs 
 out of Boston, ------ 
 
 Letter from Adam Babcock to Governour Trum- 
 bull, requesting permission to ship twelve 
 Oxen to the West-Indies, - - - - 
 
 Gunpowder removed from the Magazine at 
 Williamsburgh, by order of Lord Dunmore, - 
 
 Address of the Corporation of Williamsburgh to 
 Lord Dunmore, requesting him immediately 
 to return the Powder, - 
 
 Answer of Lord Dunmore. He refuses to re- 
 turn the Powder now, but pledges his honour, 
 that in case of an insurrection, it shall be re- 
 turned in half an hour, - - - - 
 
 Cumberland County, Virginia, Committee, consi- 
 der and approve the Proceedings of the late 
 Convention at Richmond, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Connecticut Committee of Safety 
 to John Hancock. Every preparation is mak- 
 ing to support your Province. The ardour of 
 our People is such that they cannot be kept 
 back. Despatches should be immediately sent 
 to England, with an accurate account of the late 
 transactions, to forestall such exaggerated ac- 
 counts as may go from the Army and Navy, - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Newburyport to 
 the Committee of Safety, requesting to know 
 if the Forces coming from New- Hampshire 
 shall be sent on, - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Newburyport to 
 the Committee of Hampton. Information has 
 been received from the Committee of Safety at 
 Cambridge, that a sufficient number of Men 
 have arrived; they do not wish any more from 
 the Northward for the present, and advise them 
 to remain and guard the sea-coasts, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety to the In- 
 habitants of Boston. An arrangement has 
 been made with General Gage for the re- 
 moval from Boston of the men, women and 
 children, and their effects, - - - - 
 
 Letter from a Committee of the Town of Boston 
 to Dr. Joseph Warren, enclosing the Agree- 
 ment between General Gage and the Town of 
 Boston, ------- 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabi- 
 tants of the Town of Boston, called in conse- 
 quence of an interview between General Gage 
 and the Selrctmen of the Town. Committee 
 appointed to wait upon General Gage with 
 propositions for the removal of the Inhabitants, 
 
 364 
 
 365 
 
 369 
 
 369 
 
 370 
 
 370 
 
 371 
 371 
 
 371 
 
 372 
 372 
 
 372 
 
 373 
 373 
 
 - 374 
 
 374 
 
 374 
 
 375 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 XXXVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 April Committee report that General Gage agrees to 
 23, let the Inhabitants leave the Town with their 
 effects, if they first lodge their Arms in Faneuil 
 Hall, or some other convenient place, under the 
 care of the Selectmen, - 375 
 
 The conditions are accepted, and the Committee 
 are directed to request of General Gage that 
 the Inhabitants may be removed by land or 
 water, as may be most convenient, - - 376 
 
 General Gage agrees to the request of the Com- 
 mittee, and promises to request the Admiral to 
 lend his boats to facilitate the removal by 
 water ; and desires a Letter may be written to 
 Dr. Warren to get permission for such persons 
 in the country as desire to come into Boston, 
 to do so, ------- 376 
 
 The agreement accepted by the Meeting, and the 
 Committee desire the Inhabitants to deliver up 
 their Arms, ...... 377 
 
 27, Further Report of the Committee to the Town 
 Meeting of the final arrangements. The 
 People have surrendered their Arms, and are 
 to commence removing to-morrow morning, 377 
 
 The Meeting agrees to the arrangement; the 
 Town relying on the honour and faith of 
 General Gage that he will perform his part of 
 the contract, as they have faithfully performed 
 their part of it, - - - - - - 377 
 
 23, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Hampshire. The Provincial Congress having 
 unanimously resolved that it is our duty im- 
 mediately to establish an Army for the main- 
 tenance of our Rights, and that thirty thou- 
 sand Men should be raised in New-England, 
 the concurrence of New-Hampshire is earn- 
 estly requested, ..... 377 
 
 23, Letter from Jedediah Foster to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Has seen Governour Trumbull, 
 whoThad previously received the tragical nar- 
 rative from Colonel Palmer; he will convene 
 the Assembly immediately, ... 378 
 23, Letter from Major McClary to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Congress. Two thousand Men from 
 New-Hampshire now at Cambridge, in great 
 want of proper Regulations and Field-Officers. 
 Five or six hundred Men inconsiderately 
 marched home, upon the improper statements 
 of one Captain Espy that they were not want- 
 ed; this has caused much uneasiness among 
 the remaining Troops, .... 378 
 
 MARYLAND CONVENTION. 
 
 A^r.24, Maryland Convention, - - - - - 379 
 
 Matthew Tilghman in the Chair, and Gabriel 
 
 Duvall appointed Clerk, - 379 
 George the Third is the rightful Sovereign of 
 Great Britain and Dominions, and this Pro- 
 vince will bear faith and true allegiance to him, 379 
 Committee appointed to write to the Committee 
 of Correspondence for Philadelphia, request- 
 ing the fullest information in regard to the 
 condition of New- York, .... 379 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Philadelphia, - - 379 
 Exportation from this Province to Quebeck, 
 Nova-Scotia, Georgia and Newfoundland sus- 
 pended, ------- 380 
 
 Inhabitants of the Province earnestly requested 
 to form and exercise the Militia throughout 
 
 the Province, 380 
 
 Delegates to the Continental Congress appointed, 380 
 Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer appoint- 
 ed, - - - - _ - - - 381 
 May 1 , Letter from the Philadelphia Committee. Some of 
 their Members have gone to New- York to learn 
 the situation of affairs there, and what the In- 
 habitants expect from the Southern Colonies, 381 
 April Letter from Newport to the Philadelphia Com- 
 25, mittee, 382 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 April Committee of Observation for Newark, New- 
 24, Jersey. At this alarming crisis will risk their 
 lives and fortunes in support of American 
 Liberty ; and will give all the support in their 
 power to the Province of Massachusetts- Bay. 
 
 1775. 
 
 April 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 XXXVIII 
 
 Captains of the Militia are requested to muster 
 and exercise their men once every week, - 382 
 Letter from the Committee of New- York to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull ; recommending to him to 
 intercept the Despatches for General Gage, 
 which arrived in the Packet this day. The 
 melancholy accounts from Boston have united 
 the Inhabitants of New- York, who have stop- 
 ped all supplies from the Army, and seized the 
 City Arms, 383 
 Agreement subscribed by Captain Arnold and his 
 Company of fifty persons, when they set out 
 from Connecticut, as volunteers to assist the 
 Provincials at Cambridge, - - - - 383 
 
 Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, requesting he may be furnished with 
 Enlisting Orders immediately, - - - 384 
 Letter from John Hancock to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety. Requests to be furnished 
 with particular information as to the Army and 
 the Provincial Congress, - - - - 384 
 
 Letter from Oliver Prescott to the Committee of 
 Safety, suggesting the appointment of a Town 
 Guard in every Town in the Province, - 385 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety to the New-Hampshire Congress. Or- 
 ders have been given for enlisting such of the 
 men from New- Hampshire as are at present 
 in the service of the Colony, ... 385 
 Letter from H. Jackson to Col. Jeremiah Lee. 
 Recommends the establishment of Partisan 
 Corps; they performed better service in the 
 late war than any other Troops, - - - 386 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in Massa- 
 chusetts, ------- 386 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman of New- 
 Jersey. Fears are entertained on account of 
 Philadelphia and New- York. It is the union 
 of America which gives it strength ; the de- 
 fection of such important Provinces would give 
 great encouragement to our adversaries, - 387 
 Letter from the Officers of the Independent Com- 
 pany of Spottsylvania to Col. George Wash- 
 ington, proposing, with his approbation, to unite 
 with others, and march to Williamsburgh, for 
 protection of the Colony Stores, part having 
 been taken away by order of Lord Dunmore, 387 
 Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, on his 
 way to the Congress, to his friend in Williams- 
 burgh. Intelligence has been received that 
 New- York is to be fortified and garrisoned, to 
 cut off the communication between the North- 
 ern and the Southern Colonies, - - - 387 
 Gloucester, Virginia, Committee. Premiums 
 offered for the manufacture of Gun-Powder, 
 and Wool and Cotton Cards. Lord Dunmore, 
 by the removal of the Powder from the Ma- 
 gazine, and other acts, has forfeited all title to 
 the confidence of the People of Virginia, - 388 
 Bedford County, Virginia, Committee, approve 
 the Resolutions of the Convention at Rich- 
 mond. Committee dissolved, and another 
 
 elected, May 23, 388 
 
 Paper addressed to Mr. De Lanceyand others, of 
 New- York. The hostile preparations against 
 the Colonies were occasioned by assurance 
 from them of the defection and submission of 
 
 New- York, 389 
 
 Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress. Encloses several Papers to 
 show what the Assembly has done. Rhode- 
 Island is firm and determined, ... 389 
 Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Speaker of the 
 House of Commons of Connecticut. A Com- 
 mittee has been appointed to consult with the 
 Assembly of Connecticut, upon measures for 
 the common defence of the four New-England 
 Colonies. Rhode- Island has passed an Act 
 for raising fifteen hundred Men for the general 
 cause, 389 
 Act of Rhode-Island for raising an Army of Ob- 
 servation, ------- 390 
 
 Resolution of Rhode-Island Assembly, authoriz- 
 ing the enlistment of fifteen hundred Men, - 390 
 Protest of four Members of the Upper House of 
 Assembly of Rhode-Island, against the pas- 
 sage of the Act for raising fifteen hundred 
 Men, 390 
 
XXXIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 April Letter from John Hancock to the Massachusetts 
 
 25, Committee of Safety, 390 
 
 25, Letter from the Committee of Boston to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety; requesting Wagons may 
 be furnished to remove the Inhabitants from 
 Boston, and that those who wish to come into 
 the Town may be permitted to do so without 
 hinderance, - - - - - - 391 
 
 25, Account of the march of the British Troops. 
 Their attack on and killing a number of the 
 Inhabitants of Massachusetts; their burning 
 and destroying of private property, and of their 
 retreat to Boston, on the 19th of April, - 391 
 List of the Provincials who were Killed and 
 Wounded by the British Troops on the 19th of 
 
 April, 392 
 
 25, Depositions taken by order of the Provincial 
 Congress of Massachusetts, in proof of the at- 
 tack of the Troops under General Gage, on the 
 People of the Province, on the 19th instant, - 489 
 25, Letter from John Sullivan to the President of the 
 Massachusetts Congress. There seems some 
 opposition in the New-Hampshire Congress 
 to the assistance Massachusetts has expected, - 393 
 25. Instructions of the Town of Williamstown, Mas- 
 sachusetts, to their Delegates to the Provincial 
 Congress. They are ready to assist with their 
 lives and fortunes in the common cause of 
 American Liberty, ----- 393 
 
 25, Letter from Colonel John Wentworth to the New- 
 
 Hampshire Congress, ... - 394 
 
 26, Letter from a Merchant in London to his friend 
 
 in Virginia. Hopes the Non-Exportation Re- 
 solutions will be expunged ; if they are adhered 
 to, Maryland and Virginia will lose the To- 
 bacco trade, ------ 394 
 
 26, Letter from Captain Grayson to Colonel George 
 Washington. His Company is ready to march 
 for Williamsburgh ; they may be depended on 
 for any service that respects the liberties of 
 America, ------- 395 
 
 24, Letter from the Officers of the Independent Com- 
 pany of Spoltsylvania to Captain Grayson. 
 The People have received no satisfaction for 
 the Powder taken by Lord Dunmore ; a sub- 
 mission to this outrage will subject Virginia to 
 a suspicion of defection, - 395 
 
 26, Henrico County, Virginia, Committee. The re- 
 moval of the Powder by Lord Dunmore is an 
 insult to every freeman; every endeavour will 
 be used to procure an immediate restitution 
 of it, 396 
 
 26, Address to the Publick, in defence of Mr. Gallo- 
 way and the " Plan of Union between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies," proposed by him in 
 the late Continental Congress, - - - 396 
 
 26, Association, for defending with Arms, their pro- 
 perty, liberty, and lives, adopted at a meeting 
 of near eight thousand of the Inhabitants of 
 Philadelphia, 399 
 
 26, Letter from Reading, Pennsylvania. Two Com- 
 panies of Foot have been raised in the Town; 
 in three weeks there will be one in every Town 
 in the County, ready to assert, at the risk of 
 their lives, the liberty of America, - - 400 
 
 26, Address of the New- York Committee, recom- 
 mending that a new Committee be elected by 
 the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and 
 County; and that Delegates to a Provincial 
 Congress, to meet on the 22d of May next, be 
 chosen, ------- 400 
 
 26, Letter from the Committee of Inspection for New- 
 port, Rhode-Island, to General Ward, - - 400 
 
 26, Letter from the Congress of New-Hampshire to 
 the Congress of Massachusetts. It is not 
 thought expedie nt now to establish an Army of 
 Observation; a Provincial Congress will meet 
 on the 17th of May next, who will no doubt 
 co-operate with their brethren in New-Eng- 
 land, 401 
 
 26, Letter from John Hancock to the Committee of 
 Safety, recommending several persons for Offi- 
 cers in the Army, 401 
 
 26, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Assembly of Rhode- Island ; 
 urging their immediate assistance, by forward- 
 ing as large a number of Troops as they can, 
 well stocked with Provisions and Ammunition, 402 
 
 XL 
 
 1775. 1775. 
 April Address of the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 
 26, chusetts to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, - 487 
 
 26, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to Dr. Franklin, in London, enclosing 
 the Address to the Inhabitants of Great Bri- 
 tain, and the Depositions taken on the 25th ; 
 requesting him to have them printed and cir- 
 culated throughout England, ... 488 
 
 26, Letter from the Falmouth, Massachusetts, Com- 
 mittee, to the Committee of Safety, asking their 
 assistance in procuring Powder, - 402 
 
 26, Letter from Colonel John Fenton to the People 
 
 of the County of Grafton, in New-Hampshire, 698 
 
 26, Intercepted Letter from Woodfield, in Canada, to 
 Colonel Philip Skene. The sooner the laws 
 are put in force against the Americans, the 
 better; procrastination encourages the sedi- 
 tious, and weakens Government. The Gov- 
 ernor's new Commission has been received, 402 
 New Commission to the Governour of Gluebeck, 403 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Apr.26,Assembly of Connecticut meets, ... 409 
 
 Governour and Council, .... 409 
 
 List of Representatives, ----- 409 
 
 Embargo laid to prohibit the exportation of Pro- 
 visions by water, - - - - - 410 
 
 Committee to confer with General Gage, - - 410 
 
 News Carriers to convey intelligence at the pub- 
 lick expense, authorized, - - - - 410 
 
 Committee to procure Provisions for the Inhabi- 
 tants of the Colony who have gone to the as- 
 sistance of Massachusetts, - - - - 4 1 1 
 
 Act for Assembling, Equipping, &c, a number 
 of the Inhabitants of this Colony, for the spe- 
 cial defence and safety thereof, - - - 411 
 
 Forms of Commissions for the Officers of the 
 Troops raised for the special defence and safety 
 of the Colony, ------ 413 
 
 Officers for the six Regiments raised for the de- 
 fence and safety of the Colony, - - - 414 
 
 Commissaries to supply Provisions for the Troops, 418 
 
 Committee for settling and paying accounts of 
 expenses incurred by raising Troops, - - 418 
 
 Bills of Credit for fifty thousand Pounds autho- 
 rized, and a tax laid to sink the whole amount, 419 
 
 Committees to provide and take charge of Pow- 
 der and Military Stores for the use of the Co- 
 lony, 419 
 
 Committee to consider the best means of defend- 
 ing the Sea-Coasts, - - - - - 419 
 
 Committee to provide Carriages and other neces- 
 sary apparatus for the Cannon at New- London, 420 
 
 Enlistments for six Regiments under General 
 
 Spencer, authorized, ----- 420 
 
 Four Regiments to be got in readiness forthwith 
 
 to march to Boston, ----- 420 
 
 An Act to exempt, for a limited time, the persons 
 of Debtors from being imprisoned for debt, - 420 
 
 Committee to inquire how far the Officers of the 
 Militia Company of Northbury, in the Town 
 of Waterbury, are inimical to the American 
 cause, ------- 422 
 
 Permission given to Joseph Monson, of New-Ha- 
 ven, to transport twenty-six head of Cattle to 
 the West-Indies, 422 
 
 Permission given to Joseph White, of Weathers- 
 field, to ship twenty Cattle, ... 422 
 
 Permission given to Hezekiah Smith to ship 
 fourteen Cattle, 422 
 
 Assembly adjourned by Proclamation, without 
 day, 422 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 April Philadelphia Committee stop all Exportations 
 27, from Philadelphia to Gluebeck, Nova-Scotia, 
 Georgia, and Newfoundland, until the Con- 
 tinental Congress shall give further orders 
 therein, ------- 421 
 
 27, Letter from Stephen Hopkins to the President of 
 the Massachusetts Congress, informing them 
 of the seizure and detention of Mr. John 
 Brown, of Providence, and requesting them to 
 make the King's Officers answerable for the 
 treatment of Mr. Brown. Reprisals recom- 
 mended by the Continental Congress, and 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
1775. 
 
 April 
 27, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XL1I 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 
 27. 
 
 27, 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 28. 
 
 28, 
 
 28, 
 
 sanctioned by the Colonies, are highly neces- 
 sary to be put in practice, - 
 Letter from Colonel Isaac Lee to Governour 
 Trumbull. His Regiment is prepared with 
 arms and ammunition, and ready to march 
 at the shortest notice, - 
 Letter from Jedediah Huntington to Jonathan 
 Trumbull, Jun. Great numbers of Troops, or 
 rather armed men, are at Roxbury, in much 
 confusion. It is expected that the Inhabitants 
 of Boston will be permitted to come out this 
 day, but many are suspicious that the General 
 intends to deceive them, till he gets possession 
 of their Arms, ------ 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety to the Selectmen of Boston. As soon 
 as it is known what time the Inhabitants are 
 permitted to leave Boston, those who wish to 
 take refuge there shall go in, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Se- 
 lectmen of Boston. It is reported that Gene- 
 ral Gage says the Provincials fired first upon 
 his detachment. This report creates the great- 
 est astonishment, as there is the clearest evi- 
 dence it is untrue, - 
 
 Letter from the Boston Committee to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, enclosing the Agreement con- 
 cluded this day between General Gage and the 
 Committee, ------ 
 
 Letter from Doctor Warren to Arthur Lee. The 
 measures of the Administration have brought 
 matters to a crisis. Lord Chatham and our 
 friends must make up the breach immediately, 
 or never. The next news from England must 
 be conciliatory, or the connection between us 
 ends, however fatal the consequences may be, 
 
 Letter from Gtuebeck. The Governour's new 
 Commission read there the 24th instant, 
 
 People assembling at Fredericksburgh, Virginia, 
 to march to Williamsburgh to demand a resti- 
 tution of the Powder taken by Lord Dunmore, 
 
 Proclamation by Governour Franklin, calling a 
 meeting of the Assembly of New-Jersey, on 
 the 15th of May next, - - - - 
 
 Meeting of Inhabitants at Perth Amboy, in New- 
 Jersey. Deputies to the Provincial Congress, 
 to meet on the 5th of May, appointed, 
 
 Address of the New-York Committee to the 
 Freeholders and Freemen of the City and 
 County of New- York, recommending the 
 election of a new Committee, to consist of one 
 hundred Members, on Monday next, the first 
 of May, and at the same time to choose Dele- 
 gates to a Provincial Congress, - - - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of New- York to the 
 Committees of the several Counties in the Co- 
 lony, urging the immediate election of Depu- 
 ties to a Provincial Congress, to meet on the 
 22d of May, 
 
 " An American" to the Inhabitants of New- 
 York. Outrages of the British Troops on the 
 19th of April. Both the King and Ministry 
 are determined, at all hazards, to destroy Ame- 
 rican liberty. There is nothing now left for 
 us but to appeal to God, and use what strength 
 we have in defence of our liberty, 
 
 Letter from Thomas Brown to Colonel George 
 Pitkin. General Gage has opened the gates, 
 and given permission to the Inhabitants of 
 Boston to leave the Town, - 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Congress of New- Hampshire. A powerful 
 army on our side must be raised at once. The 
 other Colonies, as well as this, are fully con- 
 vinced, that by immediate and vigorous exer- 
 tions they may establish their liberty and save 
 their Country, - - - - - 
 
 Letter from Cambridge to a Gentleman in New- 
 port, Rhode-Island. Our countrymen swarm 
 to our defence from all quarters. We are 
 busily organizing our Troops, and shall soon 
 have an army of thirty thousand in the field. 
 We have some hopes the Inhabitants of Bos- 
 ton will be permitted to leave the Town this 
 day. They delivered up their Arms yester- 
 day, - - - - - 
 
 Letter from Stephen Hopkins to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, - 
 
 421 
 
 423 
 
 423 
 
 424 
 
 424 
 
 424 
 
 425 
 425 
 
 426 
 
 426 
 
 426 
 
 427 
 
 428 
 
 - 428 
 
 429 
 
 - 429 
 
 430 
 430 
 
 1775. 
 
 April 
 28, 
 
 Letter from James Angell to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Will, on any alarm, furnish six 
 hundred men from the three Battalions under 
 his command in Providence, Rhode-Island, - 431 
 28, Letter from Providence, Rhode-Island, to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. The Assembly pass- 
 ed an act for raising Men, but as they omitted 
 to authorize enlistments, no Men can be raised 
 under it, - - - - - - - 431 
 
 28, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Ste- 
 
 phen Hopkins. Samuel Murray and two Of- 
 ficers of General Gage's Army will be sent to 
 Providence, to be made use of for obtaining the 
 liberty of Mr. Brown, ... - 432 
 
 29, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Ste- 
 
 phen Hopkins, informing that the arrangement 
 made with General Gage for the release of the 
 Inhabitants of Boston prevents sending the hos- 
 tages mentioned in their letter of yesterday, - 432 
 
 28, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the seve- 
 ral Towns in Massachusetts, conjuring them 
 by all that is sacred to give all assistance in 
 forming the Army, ----- 433 
 
 28, Letter from the Newburyport Committee to the 
 Committee of Safety, recommending Christian 
 Febiger, a Dane, for an appointment in the 
 Army, ------- 433 
 
 28, Letter from the Selectmen of Sanbornton to the 
 New-Hampshire Congress. They are with- 
 out Ammunition, and cannot obtain any, - 433 
 
 28, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 
 Gage. The People of Connecticut dread 
 nothing so much as a civil war, but will de- 
 fend their rights to the last extremity, - - 433 
 
 29, Letter from General Gage to Governour Trum- 
 
 bull, transmitting him a circumstantial account 
 of the unhappy affair that happened on the 
 
 19th instant. 434 
 
 A circumstantial account of an Attack that hap- 
 pened on the 19th of April, 1775, on His Ma- 
 jesty's Troops, by a number of the People of 
 the Province of the Massachusetts- Bay, trans- 
 mitted by General Gage to Governour Trum- 
 bull, 435 
 
 Account of an Attack upon a body of the King's 
 Troops, bv a number of People of the Pro- 
 vince of Massachusetts-Bay, on the 19th of 
 April, 1775, transmitted by General Gage to 
 Lord Dunmore, ----- 436 
 Account of an Attack on the Inhabitants of Mas- 
 sachusetts, by the British Troops, acting under 
 the orders of General Gage, on the 19th of 
 
 April, 1775, 437 
 
 Extracts from several intercepted Letters, written 
 by Soldiers in the Army at Boston, of the En- 
 gagement on the 19th of April, - - 439-441 
 
 29, A serious admonition to the Inhabitants of Wil- 
 liamsburgh, Virginia, on the excitement caused 
 by the removal of the Powder by Lord Dun- 
 more. The Powder could only belong to the 
 King, and none but him, or his representatives, 
 could of right use it, - - - - - 441 
 
 29, Letter from the Officers of the Albemarle Volun- 
 teers to Colonel George Washington. They 
 are ready to march to Williamsburgh, and 
 compel the immediate delivery of the Powder 
 taken by Lord Dunmore, .... 440 
 
 29, Determination of a Council of one hundred and 
 two Members, at Fredericksburgh, assembled 
 in consequence of the seizure of the Powder 
 at Williamsburgh by Lord Dunmore, - 443 
 
 29, Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee. The 
 impious war of tyranny against innocence has 
 commenced in the neighbourhood of Boston. 
 The Continent is preparing for a vigorous re- 
 sistance. We are a united, a resolved People. 
 Our Smiths and Powder-Mills are at work 
 night and day. Supplies are continually ar- 
 riving, ------- 444 
 
 29, Association of the City and County of N. York, 471 
 
 29, Letter from Oliver De Lancey, denying the au- 
 thenticity of a Publication in an English Paper 
 over the initials of his name, ... 445 
 
 29, Recantation of Jonathan Fowler and George 
 
 Cornwall, of Westchester, New- York, - 446 
 
 29, Letter from the Boston Committee to the Provin- 
 cial Congress, - - - - 446 
 
 29, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Com- 
 
Mill 
 
 1773. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XLIV 
 
 April 
 29, 
 
 29, 
 30, 
 30, 
 
 30, 
 
 30, 
 30, 
 30, 
 
 30, 
 30, 
 
 May 1 
 
 mittees of the several Towns in Massachu- 
 setts, urging them to send forward Men for the 
 Army, ------- 
 
 Letter from Samuel Thompson to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. At the Eastward, 
 all are for the Country but three; one of these 
 has deserted, the other two are in irons, 
 
 Recantation of Stephen Holland, of Londonderry, 
 New-Hampshire, - 
 
 Letter from Alexander Spottswood to Colonel 
 George Washington, - 
 
 Address of Jacobus Louw to the Publick, contra- 
 dicting the charge of the Ulster County Com- 
 mittee, that he is unfriendly to Liberty, 
 
 Letter from John Sullivan, at New-York, to the 
 Committee of Correspondence for Portsmouth, 
 New- Hampshire. New-York is nearly una- 
 nimous; yesterday six or seven thousand de- 
 clared for Liberty at all hazards. They have 
 stopped the Custom-House, and seized the City 
 Arms. All denominations are under Arms, 
 and in high spirits. Rivington has made a 
 Recantation. Cooper has decamped. The 
 People with difficulty were prevented from 
 taking the lives of some of the Traitors, 
 
 Letter from Theophilus Morgan to Governour 
 Trumbull, requesting permission for his Ves- 
 sel to sail for the West- Indies, - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Bos- 
 ton Committee, transmitting a Vote of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, .... 
 
 Letter from Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. The Messenger with 
 the Despatches for Gen. Gage passed through 
 Northampton yesterday, - 
 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety, giving the number 
 of Cannon, &c, at Ticonderoga, 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to the New- York Committee, informing 
 them that it has been proposed to take Ticon- 
 deroga, but will not infringe on the rights of 
 New- York, - 
 , Letter from the Norfolk, Virginia, Committee, to 
 the Committee for Prince George's County, in- 
 forming them of a violation of the Association 
 by Captain Charles Alexander, - 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders of King William 
 County, Virginia. Deputies to the Convention 
 chosen. One hundred and seventy-five Pounds 
 contributed for the relief of the sufferers in Mas- 
 sachusetts, ...... 
 
 446 
 
 447 
 447 
 447 
 
 448 
 
 1775. 
 
 May 1, 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 448 
 449 
 449 
 
 450 
 450 
 
 450 
 527 
 
 450 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA. ASSEMBLY. 
 
 May 1, Pennsylvania Assembly, • - - 451-458 
 Letter from the Agents in England to Charles 
 Thompson, laid before the House, - - 451 
 
 2, Message from the Governour to the Assembly, - 452 
 Letter from the Speaker of the Assembly of New- 
 York, with sundry Papers, ... 453 
 
 3, Committee to prepare an Answer to the Govern- 
 
 our's Message, ..... 454 
 
 4, Answer of the House to the Governour's Mes- 
 
 sage, 454 
 
 Petition from a number of the Inhabitants of 
 Philadelphia, praying the House to raise and 
 apply fifty thousand Pounds towards putting 
 the Province in a state of defence, - - 455 
 
 5, Petition presented yesterday considered, - - 455 
 
 6, Benjamin Franklin, who arrived yesterday from 
 
 London, appointed one of the Delegates to the 
 Continental Congress, .... 455 
 
 Thomas Willing and James Wilson added to the 
 Delegation, ...... 456 
 
 9, Petition from Philadelphia further considered, - 456 
 
 Petition from the Committee of Philadelphia pre- 
 sented, ....... 456 
 
 Instructions to the Delegates to the Continental 
 Congress, 456 
 
 11, Committee appointed, with authority to pay the 
 
 engagements entered into by the Philadelphia 
 Committee for the publick security, - - 456 
 
 12, Committee to provide such Stores as may be ne- 
 
 cessary for the service of the Province, - 456 
 Joseph Galloway excused from serving as a 
 
 Deputy to the Continental Congress, - 457 
 
 13, Adjourned to Monday, June 19th, - - - 458 
 
 Meeting of Freeholders and Inhabitants of Mor- 
 ris County, New-Jersey. Delegates appointed 
 to a County Congress, vested with the power 
 of Legislation, and to raise Men, Money and 
 Arms, for the common defence, - 
 
 Delegates to the County Congress meet. Wil- 
 liam Winds chosen Chairman, and Archibald 
 Dallas, Clerk, 
 
 Voted unanimously that Forces be raised, 
 
 Five Companies of Volunteers, of sixty men each, 
 to be raised in the County, ... 
 
 William Winds appointed Colonel, and William 
 De Hart, Major, - 
 
 In case of any invasion or alarm, in this or the 
 neighbouring Provinces, the Regiment to be 
 called into service, ..... 
 
 Powder and Lead ordered to be purchased, 
 
 Inhabitants of the County advised to provide 
 themselves with Arms and Ammunition for 
 defence, in case of invasion, - 
 
 Resolves of this Congress to be subject to the 
 control of the Provincial and Continental Con- 
 gresses, - 
 
 Adjourned to meet on the ninth of this month, - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Woodbridge, in 
 New-Jersey, to the Committees in Massachu- 
 setts. A Provincial Congress will soon meet, 
 and in the mean time the People of New- Jer- 
 sey are preparing for the contest, determined 
 to stand or fall with the liberties of America, - 
 
 New General Committee for the City and County 
 of New-York elected, ... 
 
 Deputies elected by the City of New- York to 
 the Provincial Congress, . - - - 
 
 Meeting of the Lieutenant-Governour and Coun- 
 cil of New- York. Reasons assigned by the 
 Council for their advice to the Lieutenant-Go- 
 vernour to prorogue the Assembly, 
 
 Proclamation by Lieutenant Governour Colden 
 to prorogue the Assembly to the 7th of June 
 next, ....... 
 
 Meeting of Freeholders in Richmond County, 
 New- York. Delegates to the Provincial 
 Congress appointed, - 
 
 Letter from Timothy Pickering to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. A Regiment may 
 be enlisted in Salem, if Field-Officers are ap- 
 pointed, ------- 
 
 Letter from the Boston Committee to Dr. Warren, 
 
 Letter from Lemuel Williams to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, desiring to know if the Mer- 
 chants of Dartmouth may send their Vessels 
 with Provisions to sea, - - - - 
 
 Petition of Jonathan Brewer to Massachusetts 
 Congress, for permission to raise five hundred 
 Volunteers to march on Quebeck, by way of 
 the Rivers Kennebeck and Chaudiere, ■ 
 
 Letter from Holland to the Rev. William Gor- 
 don. Efforts of the British Government in 
 Holland and France to prevent supplies of 
 Arms and Ammunition to the Americans, 
 
 Letter from an American Gentleman in Paris to 
 his friend in Philadelphia. The French are 
 strongly in favour of the Americans, - 
 
 Gloucester County, Virginia, Committee, prohibit 
 the Exportation of Tobacco to England, 
 
 Meeting of the Governour and Council of Vir- 
 ginia. Address of the Governour to the Coun- 
 cil, justifying his seizure of the Powder, and 
 asking their advice on the propriety of issuing 
 a Proclamation calling on the People to show 
 their allegiance to the King at this time, when 
 schemes are meditated in the Colony for sub- 
 verting the present, and erecting a new form 
 of Government, - - - 
 
 Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, by advice of 
 the Council, requiring all Officers, civil and 
 military, to suppress the spirit of Faction which 
 prevails among the People, - - - - 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for Kent County, 
 Delaware. Letter from Robert Holliday, ac- 
 knowledging he wrote the Paper purporting 
 to be an extract of a Letter from Kent County, 
 voted not satisfactory, .... 
 
 Further concessions made by Robert Holliday, 
 
 May 9, voted satisfactory, - 466 
 
 457 
 
 457 
 457 
 
 457 
 
 458 
 
 458 
 458 
 
 458 
 
 458 
 459 
 
 459 
 
 - 459 
 
 459 
 
 460 
 
 461 
 
 831 
 
 461 
 461 
 
 462 
 
 - 462 
 
 463 
 
 464 
 
 464 
 
 464 
 
 465 
 
 466 
 
XLV 
 
 1775. 
 May 2, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XLVI 
 
 2, 
 
 Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon- 
 don. Preparations in the Colonies for re- 
 sistance, ------- 467 
 
 New-Jersey Committee of Correspondence, re- 
 commend an immediate Meeting of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, .... - 467 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Richmond County 
 to the Committee of New- York, informing 
 them of their election, and of the adoption of 
 the measures recommended by the New- York 
 Committee, - - - - - -831 
 
 Meeting of the New- York General Committee, 468 
 
 Address from Samuel Broome, on the part of one 
 hundred citizens who formed themselves into a 
 Military Association, offering their services in 
 carrying into effect the General Association, - 468 
 
 Every person in the City and County required 
 to sign the Association, except the Lieutenant- 
 Governour. - 468 
 
 Rules for the government of the Committee, - 468 
 
 Committee to purchase Arms, Ammunition, and 
 Provisions, ------ 469 
 
 Every Inhabitant to perfect himself in Military 
 Discipline, and provide Arms and Ammuni- 
 tion, - 470 
 
 Committee to remove all the Cannon from the 
 
 Town that are private property, - - - 470 
 
 Committee to ascertain from the Inhabitants what 
 Military Stores and Arms they have for their 
 own use, and for sale, - - - - 470 
 
 Committees for carrying about the Association to 
 obtain the signatures of the Inhabitants, - 470 
 
 Committee to prepare an Address to the Lieuten- 
 ant-Governour, - - - - 471 
 
 Committee of Correspondence and Intelligence 
 appointed, - - - - - - 471 
 
 General Association signed by the Inhabitants of 
 the City of New- York, and sent to all the 
 Counties in the Province to be signed, - - 471 
 
 Letter from Governour Wanton to the General 
 Assembly of Rhode-Island. Prevented by 
 indisposition from attending the Assembly. 
 Sends them the Letter from Lord Dartmouth, 
 of March 3, with Lord North's Resolution, 
 and recommends their compliance with the 
 terms of it, 
 
 Letter from the Providence, Rhode-Island, Com- 
 mittee to the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty. The Assembly will meet to-morrow, when 
 the situation of Massachusetts, and of Ameri- 
 ca in general, will be seriously attended to, - 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Connecticut to his 
 friend in New- York. General Gage cannot 
 penetrate into the Country thus far, with fifty 
 thousand men. The Assembly have sent two 
 Gentlemen to General Gage, to tell him if his 
 hostile proceedings are continued the whole 
 Country will be armed against him, - - 472 
 
 Letter from Nathaniel Freeman to Dr. Church. 
 He is ready to execute any orders from the 
 Committee of Safety, in the cause of God and 
 his Country, ----- . 473 
 
 Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. Has taken posses- 
 sion of a number of Papers of Governour 
 Hutchinson, found at Milton. Many more are 
 supposed to be there ; requests the directions of 
 the Committee, ------ 473 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to their Delegates at Connecticut. The 
 appointment of two Gentlemen by Connecticut, 
 to treat with General Gage on the subject of 
 American Grievances, and to propose a cessa- 
 tion of hostilities, has caused great alarm. 
 Any proposals made separately, by a single 
 Colony, may produce most tremendous effects 
 with regard to America, will weaken the union 
 of the Colonies, and endanger the common 
 cause. They are directed to lay this matter 
 fully before the Assembly of Connecticut, - 780 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Governour of Connecticut. 
 They object to the proposition made by the 
 Assembly of Connecticut to General Gage, for 
 a cessation of hostilities : they can agree to no 
 compact with General Gage, who has deceived 
 them; he, with his Troops, must be driven out 
 of the Country, which, with the blessing of 
 
 471 
 
 472 
 
 1775. 
 
 God, they will accomplish, or perish in the 
 attempt, ------- 473 
 
 May 2, Letter from the Committee of Safety to Mr. Vose, 
 at Milton, in relation to a paper maker, who is 
 a prisoner, ------ 474 
 
 2, Letter from Richard Derby, Jun., to General 
 
 Ward. Information received of a Fleet and 
 Transports with Troops for Boston, - - 474 
 
 3, Letter from Richard Glover of London, to Mat- 
 
 thew Tilghman of Maryland, vindicating Mr. 
 Molleson, a merchant in London, from the 
 charge of being unfriendly to the Colonies, - 474 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Governour 
 Wright, of Georgia, approving his conduct in 
 preventing the present disorders in America 
 from spreading through the Province, - - 475 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernour of North-Carolina. Advises him to 
 embody the men in Guilford, Dobbs, Rowan, 
 and Surry Counties, in support of the Govern- 
 ment. The loyalty these Counties have ex- 
 pressed in their Addresses to the Governour 
 has been most graciously received by His 
 Majesty, who will not fail to afford them marks 
 of his Royal favour, ----- 476 
 
 3, Committee of Amelia County, Virginia, direct 
 the Militia of the County to be embodied, and 
 make provision for procuring Powder and Lead 
 for their use, ------ 476 
 
 3, Committee of New-Kent County, Virginia. — 
 Condemn the conduct of Lord Dunmore. in 
 seizing the Powder, and thank the Committee 
 of Hanover for their attempt to recover it. — 
 Company of Volunteers to be formed, and 
 ready to act on any emergency, - - 477 
 
 3, Committee of Cumberland County, Virginia. — 
 Thanks to Captain Scott and his Independent 
 Company for their prompt offers of service to 
 defend the Colony against wicked invaders, - 478 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernour of Pennsylvania. It o-jves His Ma- 
 jesty great concern to find that there is no 
 appearance of the People of Pennsylvania re- 
 turning to a just sense of their duty, - - 478 
 
 3, Meeting of the Association in Philadelphia. The 
 Provincial Arms and Powder are all secured. 
 Three Magazines are forming, and in three 
 weeks there will be four thousand men well 
 equipped for the defence of Philadelphia, or 
 for the assistance of their neighbours, - 478 
 
 3, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Aquackanonck, in 
 New-Jersey. Association entered into and 
 subscribed. General Committee chosen, and 
 Delegates to the Provincial Convention ap- 
 pointed, - - - - - - -478 
 
 3, Address of Isaac Wilkins, of Westchester, New- 
 York, to his Countrymen, on leaving America, 479 
 
 3, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Orangetown. in 
 New- York. Appoint Deputies to the Provin- 
 cial Congress, - • - - - 831 
 
 3, Meeting of the New- York Committee, - - 479 
 Letter from John Crnger and Jacob Walton, as- 
 signing their reasons for not signing the Asso- 
 ciation, ------- 479 
 
 Committee to ascertain the causes for the dis- 
 charge of the Eastern Post-Rider, - - 480 
 
 Thanks to the Officers and Men of the Connec- 
 ticut Troops who have inarched to this City, 
 for its defence, ------ 480 
 
 Committee appointed to confer with four Gentle- 
 men from Philadelphia, .... 481 
 
 Letter received from the Inhabitants of Ulster 
 County, requesting advice and aid in procur- 
 ing Arms and Ammunition. - - - 481 
 
 Committee report that Mr. Foxcroft, the Post- 
 Master, informed them he had discharged the 
 Post-Riders, because the four last Mails were 
 stopped, broken open, and the Letters taken 
 out and publickly read, - - - - 481 
 
 4, Committee appointed to examine the Ground at 
 
 and near King's Bridge, to ascertain its fit- 
 ness for Fortifications, - - - - 48 1 
 The discharged Post-Riders to be employed to 
 depart on the usual days, and go the usual 
 Stages. Mr. Ebenezer Hazard has under- 
 taken to receive and forward the Letters, - 482 
 3. Letter from General Gage to Governour Trum- 
 bull, in reply to his Letter of April 28. Jusli- 
 
xlvii 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 XLVIII 
 
 hes lu3 conduct, and denies it is his intention 
 to ravage and desolate the Country. The 
 charges of outrages against his Troops for 
 their conduct on the 19th of April, are con- 
 trary to their known humanity; they acted 
 with great tenderness both to the young and 
 the old; he has found no instance of their 
 cruelty or barbarity, - 
 Remarks on this Letter, addressed to the Printer 
 of the Massachusetts Spy, • 
 Mai/3, Certificate in favour of Ebenezer Bradish, Jun., 
 of Cambridge, ------ 
 
 3, Orders of the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to Benedict Arnold, commander of a body 
 of Troops on an Expedition to subdue and 
 take possession of the Fort of Ticonderoga, - 
 3 Petition of the Selectmen of Braintree, Wey- 
 mouth, and Hingham, in Massachusetts, to the 
 Committee of Safety, representing their de- 
 fenceless condition, and asking for assistance, 
 3, Petition of James Cargill, commander of the Li- 
 berty-men in New-Castle, praying a supply of 
 Ammunition from the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ------- 
 
 3. Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the honourableAmerican Congress, 
 to be convened at Philadelphia, on the tenth 
 of May, instant, enclosing copies of Deposi- 
 tions, an Address to the Inhabitants of Great 
 Britain, and a Letter to Dr. Franklin, Colony 
 Agent in London, ... - 486- 
 Letter from Alexander Scammell to John Sulli- 
 
 482 
 483 
 484 
 
 485 
 
 485 
 
 486 
 
 3, 
 
 4, 
 
 4, 
 
 4, 
 
 4, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Brunswick to the 
 Massachusetts Committee of Safety. The 
 Town, deficient in Arms and Ammunition, 
 have sent to Salem, but cannot buy them; 
 apply for assistance, - - - - - 
 
 Committee for Norfolk County, Virginia, ap- 
 prove the Proceedings of the Convention at 
 Richmond. Lord Dunmore's Letter to the 
 Earl of Dartmouth, dated December 24, 1774, 
 grossly misrepresents the People of this Colo- 
 ny, and especially the Magistrates. Strictures 
 on the Letter, refuting its atrocious and defama- 
 tory charges, ------ 
 
 Letter from Captain Montague, of His Majesty's 
 Ship Fowey, to Thomas Nelson, President of 
 His Majesty's Council in Virginia, threaten- 
 ing to fire upon the Town of York, if a de- 
 tachment he had sent to protect Lord Dunmore 
 at Williamsburgh should be fired upon, 
 
 Proceedings of the Committee of York on this 
 Letter, ------- 
 
 Meeting of the Inhabitants of Upper Freehold, 
 Monmouth County, New-Jersey. Will risk 
 every consequence rather than submit to the 
 claims set up by the British Parliament. Four 
 Companies formed for the common defence, 
 and Money subscribed to procure Powder, - 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of 
 Newark, in New-Jersey. Association agreed 
 to. Deputies to the Provincial Congress ap- 
 pointed. Powers of the General Committee 
 continued. Committee of Correspondence ap- 
 pointed, - 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in New- York to his 
 Correspondent in London. All the Provinces 
 refuse submission to the late Acts of Parlia- 
 ment, and will oppose at the risk of their lives 
 and fortunes all who come to enforce them, - 
 
 Mr. Goddard on a journey to the Eastward, to 
 put the Posts on a proper footing, to be laid 
 before Congress, ----- 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to Doctor War- 
 ren. The Assembly will pursue with firm- 
 ness, deliberation and unanimity, the measures 
 which appear best for our common defence and 
 safety. It is hoped no ill consequences will 
 attend their Embassy to General Gage, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to Governour Trumbull, requesting he 
 will immediately send three or four thousand 
 Men, to enable them to secure a pass of the 
 greatest importance to the common interest, 
 which General Gage will possess himself of 
 as soon as his re-enforcements arrive, if not 
 prevented now, - 
 
 ■501 
 501 
 
 502 
 
 1775. 
 May 4, 
 
 4, 
 
 502 
 
 504 
 504 
 
 504 
 
 505 
 
 506 
 506 
 
 506 
 
 >06 
 
 5, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to the New- York Committee, 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman at Pittsfield to an Offi- 
 cer at Cambridge. Colonel Easlon left here 
 on the 2d instant, on an expedition against Ti- 
 conderoga and Crown Point, expecting to be 
 re-enforced by Colonel Ethan Allen, with his 
 Green Mountain Boys. The plan was con- 
 certed on the 28th of April, at Hartford, by the 
 Governour and Council, John Hancock and 
 Samuel Adams being present. The Tories 
 have been very troublesome at Pittsfield; some 
 have been arrested and sent to Northampton 
 Jail, 
 
 Application of the Selectmen of Topsham to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, for Powder, - 
 
 Letter from Colonel Thomas Gilbert to his sons. 
 Arrived safe in Boston, where he expects to 
 stay till the Rebels are subdued; urges them 
 not to join those wicked sinners, the Rebels, 
 but to die by the sword rather than be hanged 
 as Rebels, ------ 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentlemen in New- 
 York. Major Skene has told the Ministry 
 that he can bribe all the Members of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, and has been sent to Phila- 
 delphia for that purpose, - - - - 
 
 New- York Committee. Letter to the several 
 Colonies adopted and forwarded. Letter re- 
 ceived from Richmond County, where they 
 have chosen Members to the Provincial Con- 
 gress. Answer to the Address of Captain 
 Broome. Letter received from Annapolis, 
 dated May 1. Letter to the Lord Mayor of 
 London approved of. Letter from Albany, 
 dated May 3, received ; Committee directed to 
 confer with Messrs. Hancock and Adams, on 
 the subject of this Letter, - 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee to the 
 several Colonies, - - - - - 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee to the 
 Mayor and Corporation of London, 
 
 Letter from the Members of the New- York As- 
 sembly to General Gage, urging him imme- 
 diately to cease further hostilities, until His 
 Majesty can be apprised of the situation of the 
 American Colonies, .... 
 
 Meeting of the Committees of Suffolk County, 
 New- York. Deputies for the County to the 
 Provincial Congress appointed, - - - 
 
 Letter from the Committees of Suffolk County 
 to the Committee for Brookhaven, informing 
 them of their appointment of Deputies, and 
 requesting their concurrence, - - - 
 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Worcester to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Assembly of Connecticut. The absurdity of 
 the assertion of General Gage, that the People 
 of Massachusetts first commenced hostilities, 
 will appear when the great inequality of the 
 Lexington Company and Detachment of Re- 
 gular Troops which attacked them, is consi- 
 dered. No dependance can be placed in the 
 assertions or professions of General Gage; 
 he has been preparing for war, while he was 
 amusing us with pretensions of kindness and 
 benevolence. It is the opinion of the Congress 
 that a powerful Army is the best and only 
 measure left to bring the present disputes to a 
 happy issue, ------ 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to General Ward. The liberation of 
 the Inhabitants of Boston being obstructed, 
 he is requested strictly to execute the orders 
 of the Congress respecting Permits into the 
 country, - 
 
 Petition from the Settlements on the Sheepscot 
 River and Deer's River (without the limits of 
 any Town) to the Massachusetts Congress, for 
 a supply of Powder and Ball, to enable them 
 to assist in vindicating American Liberty, 
 
 Letter from Enoch Freeman to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress. The Penobscot Indians being 
 exasperated with Capt. Goldthwaite, it would 
 be prudent for the Congress to send down there 
 and secure the Indians in our interest. The 
 Selectmen of Falmouth have sent persons to 
 
 507 
 
 507 
 
 508 
 
 508 
 
 508 
 
 - 509 
 
 510 
 
 510 
 
 513 
 
 531 
 
 832 
 
 513 
 
 786 
 
 787 
 
 514 
 
XL1X 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 May 
 
 5, 
 5, 
 
 6, 
 6, 
 6, 
 
 6. 
 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 6, 
 G, 
 
 6, 
 
 go over to Quebeck to see if the Canadians 
 are in motion to come on our back settlements, 
 5, Petition of Timothy Langdon to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, complaining of Colonel Thomp- 
 son, of Brunswick, who has seized Edward 
 Parry, for having prepared Masts for the King; 
 the matter having been previously examined 
 and disposed of by the Committees of Lincoln, 
 
 Letter from James Gowen, of Kittery, to Gene- 
 ral Ward, asking permission for Johnson Moul- 
 ton to raise a Regiment, - 
 
 Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee, requesting them to send per- 
 sons to examine the Trunks of Governour 
 Hutchinson, ...... 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety to General 
 Thomas. The effects of all persons are to go 
 into Boston without search or detention; there- 
 fore the Trunks of Governour Hutchinson are 
 not to be detained or injured, ... 
 
 Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, charging all per- 
 sons, on their allegiance, not to aid, abet, or 
 give countenance to a certain Patrick Henry, 
 of Hanover County, or any of his deluded fol- 
 lowers, ------- 
 
 Letter from Carlisle, in Pennsylvania, to a Gen- 
 tleman in Philadelphia. About three thousand 
 men have associated, and about fifteen hundred 
 are prepared. The Committee have directed 
 that five hundred men be taken into pay imme- 
 diately, ....... 
 
 Printed Letter to the Regular Soldiers of Great 
 Britain, distributed among the Soldiers in the 
 Barracks in New- York, - 
 
 Delegates from Massachusetts to the Continental 
 Congress received in New- York on the 8th: 
 with the Delegates from New- York, received 
 in New- Jersey, ..... 
 
 Letter from the Rev. William Gordon, with a 
 copy of a Paper found among those of the late 
 Josiah Quincy, - 
 
 Letter from Montreal. Occurrences there on the 
 1st of May, when the new Quebeck Act took 
 effect in Canada, - 
 
 Letter from William Whipple to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, on the arrest of Mr. Parry by 
 Colonel Thompson, - - - - - 
 
 Letter from Metcalf Bowler to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety. The Assembly of Rhode- 
 Island are using every method in their power to 
 have their men in readiness to take the field as 
 early as possible, ..... 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 May 4, New-Hampshire Assembly, - - - - 
 List of the Members, - 
 5, Directed to choose a Speaker, - 
 
 John Wentworth chosen Speaker, - - - 
 G, Letter from the Speaker of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives of New- York laid before the House, 
 Speech of Governour Wentworth to both Houses, 
 Assembly adjourned to the 12th of June next, - 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 May 7, Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Dr. William 
 Small, 
 
 7, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to the Committee of Albany, New- York, - 
 
 7, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to Col. James Scammons. It is understood 
 that it would be agreeable to the people of 
 York that Johnson Moulton should have the 
 command of the Regiment to be raised there, 
 and therefore request Colonel Scammons to 
 give way for him, ..... 
 
 7, Order of Admiral Graves to Lieutenant Graves, 
 
 to seize a Vessel at Marblehead, and bring her 
 into Boston, ...... 
 
 8, Resolution of the Common Council of Williams- 
 
 burgh, Virginia, on the breaking into the Ma- 
 gazine and taking thence the Fire-Arms, 
 S, Meeting of the Sussex County, Virginia, Com- 
 mittee. Declare the Letter of Lord Dunmore 
 to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated December 24, 
 1774, to be fraught with calumny, falsehoods 
 and illiberal reflections against the People of 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 514 
 
 515 
 515 
 
 515 
 515 
 516 
 
 516 
 516 
 
 517 
 518 
 518 
 520 
 
 520 
 
 519 
 519 
 520 
 520 
 
 521 
 522 
 524 
 
 523 
 523 
 
 524 
 
 525 
 
 52c 
 
 1775. 
 
 May8, 
 
 10. 
 
 11, 
 
 12, 
 
 14, 
 
 Virginia. Direct Troops to be raised, Offi- 
 cers appointed, and Ammunition furnished. — 
 Committee of Intelligence and Correspondence 
 appointed, ...... 526 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders of Mecklenburgh 
 County, Virginia. Appoint a Committee to 
 secure a due observance of the Continental As- 
 sociation, and every member of the Committee 
 required to exert his endeavours to enlist Vo- 
 lunteers, as required by the late Provincial 
 Convention, ...... 526 
 
 Meeting of Prince George, Virginia, Commit- 
 tee. Every person importing any Goods into 
 this County must, before they are landed, pro- 
 duce a Certificate from the Committee whence 
 they were reshipped, that they were imported 
 into this Colony before the 1st day of Febru- 
 ary last. Committee of Intelligence appointed, 527 
 
 Proceedings in relation to Capt. Charles Alexan- 
 der, 527 
 
 Louisa County, Virginia, Committee. Thanks 
 to Captain Patrick Henry and the Hanover 
 Volunteers, for procuring satisfaction for the 
 Gunpowder taken by Lord Dunmore, - - 529 
 
 Meeting of the Freeholders of Westchester Coun- 
 ty, New- York. Deputies to the Provincial 
 Congress appointed. The Committee then 
 signed the Association, and appointed Sub- 
 Committees to superintend the signing of it 
 throughout the County, .... 529 
 
 New- York Committee. Members present, - 529 
 
 All persons importing Arms or Ammunition 
 required to deliver them to the Committee in 
 ten days, and all persons prohibited from dis- 
 posing of any in any other manner, - - 530 
 
 Committee directed to report a Resolution for the 
 regulation of such vessels as shall depart with 
 Provisions, ...... 530 
 
 Committee appointed to have the Muskets fitted 
 with steel Rammers, - - - - 531 
 
 Thanks to Mr. Sharpe for delivering a number 
 of Arms gratis, - - - - - 531 
 
 Committee to prepare a Letter to the Delegates 
 in Congress, requesting the advice of the Con- 
 tinental Congress with respect to the conduct 
 to be observed towards any Troops that may 
 arrive here, - - - - - -531 
 
 Address to the Lieutenant-Governour read and 
 approved of, - - - - - -531 
 
 Committee appointed to convey the earliest intel- 
 ligence to the Counties in this Province, - 532 
 
 Physicians requested to abstain from inoculating 
 for the Small-Pox, 532 
 
 Committee appointed to present the Address of 
 the Committee to the Lieutenant-Governour. 
 No Inhabitant to be treated as an enemy to the 
 Country but by order of the Continental or 
 Provincial Congress, or this Committee, - 532 
 
 Committee of Correspondence directed to write 
 to the neighbouring Committees to prevent the 
 Man-of-War in the Harbour from being sup- 
 plied with Provisions for the Troops at Bos- 
 ton, from New-Jersey or Staten-Island, - 533 
 
 Address of the Committee to Lieutenant-Govern- 
 our Colden, 533 
 
 His Honour's Answer, ----- 534 
 
 Petition from the Inhabitants of Ridgebury, in 
 the Township of Ridgefield, to Gov. Trumbull, 536 
 
 Committee of Maiden and Chelsea order their 
 suspicions, of Doctor Samuel Danforth's at- 
 tachment to the Country, to be communicated 
 to General Ward, 536 
 
 A Constitutional Post-Office is now rising on 
 the ruins of the Parliamentary one, - - 536 
 
 List of the Post-Offices established, - - - 537 
 
 Mr. Holt's Post-Office in New- York, (Note,) - 538 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Selectmen of the Town of 
 Hopkinton. A violation of the natural right 
 of an individual to remove his person and 
 effects wherever he pleases, would ill become 
 those who are contending for the inalienable 
 right of every man to his own property, and to 
 dispose of it as he pleases. It is hoped that Mr. 
 Barret's example will not become infectious, - 791 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Committee from Portsmouth, 
 New-Hampshire, ..... 792 
 
LI 
 
 1775. 
 May 8, 
 
 9, 
 9, 
 
 9, 
 
 9, 
 
 9, 
 10, 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to General Ward, directing him to 
 apprehend certain named persons, and bring 
 them before the Committee of Safety for 
 examination, ------ 
 
 Letter from Samuel Mather to the Massachusetts 
 Congress; enclosing General Gage's circum- 
 stantial account of the engagement on the 
 19th of April, 
 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Worcester to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. Samuel Paine and 
 William Campbell sent to Watcrtown, as per- 
 sons disaffected to the Country, - 
 
 Deposition of Gardner Chandler, - 
 
 Spottsylvania County, Virginia, Committee, ap- 
 prove of the Proceedings of Captain Patrick 
 Henry, concerning the Powder taken from the 
 Magazine by Lord Dunmore, - - - 
 
 Orange County, Virginia, Committee, declare the 
 removal of the Powder by Lord Dunmore 
 was fraudulent; that the reprisal made by the 
 Hanover Volunteers merits the approbation of 
 the publick; and present an Address of thanks 
 to Captain Patrick Henry, - - - 
 
 Meeting of the Hanover County, Virginia, Com- 
 mittee. Report of the Proceedings of the 
 Hanover Volunteers in making reprisals for 
 the Powder seized by Lord Dunmore, - 
 
 Patrick Henry's receipt for three hundred and 
 thirty Pounds, as a compensation for the Pow- 
 der taken from the Magazine in Williams- 
 burgh, by order of Lord Dunmore, 
 
 Letter from Patrick Henry to Robert Carter 
 Nicholas, informing him that the affair of the 
 Powder is settled, and offering a guard for the 
 Treasury, - 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Bucks County, 
 Pennsylvania, to his friend in Philadelphia. 
 Several Towns of the County have begun to 
 form Military Associations, - 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for Bucks County, 
 Pennsylvania. Proceedings of the Conven- 
 tion in January, approved. Inhabitants of the 
 Towns in the County recommended to asso- 
 ciate to improve in the Military Art. Dele- 
 gates to a Provincial Convention appointed, - 
 
 Bedford County, Pennsylvania, Committee. Mili- 
 tary Associations to be formed throughout the 
 County immediately; Powder and Lead to be 
 furnished. If any person shall refuse to enrol 
 himself in some Company, he shall not be 
 permitted to have any dealing, by buying or 
 selling, or borrowing or lending, with any In- 
 habitant of the County, .... 
 
 Letter from Ulster County, New- York, to a 
 Gentleman in the City of New- York. A 
 great revolution has taken place in this Coun- 
 ty. At a meeting yesterday those who have 
 hitherto opposed the Committees agreed to unite 
 in support of their measures, - 
 
 Letter from Joel Clark to Governour Trumbull. 
 Recapitulates his former services, and now 
 makes a tender of them, .... 
 
 Letter from Thomas Howell to Governour 
 Trumbull. Thanks him for the appointment 
 he has received, but believing it will conduce 
 to the peace of the Town, (New- Haven,) re- 
 signs, and recommends Jonathan Fitch, 
 
 Sheffield, Massachusetts, Committee, on an in- 
 vestigation of the charges against Job West- 
 over, resolve that he is an enTjmy of American 
 Liberty, and that it is the duty of all friends of 
 freedom to break off all dealings with him, - 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Pittsfield, Massa- 
 chusetts, to an Officer of the Connecticut 
 Forces, at Cambridge. The Stockbridge In- 
 dians are willing to join the Colonies, and will 
 be of great service if Gage marches out of 
 Boston. There are but twelve Soldiers at 
 Crown Point, and about two hundred at Ticon- 
 deroga; they are much alarmed with our ex- 
 pedition, - 
 
 Petition from Cohasset to the Committee of Safe- 
 ty, praying permission to raise a Company 
 for their defence, - 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Lynn to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, with Josiah Martin, chari.M il 
 with having acted as an enemy to the Province, 
 
 CONTENTS. lii 
 
 1775. 
 
 May 10,Letter from I>ondon to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. It is believed here that notwithstanding 
 your seeming firmness and hostile prepara- 
 tion, you will submit to any thing rather than 
 contend with us, .... - 517 
 10, Thanks of the Williamsburgh, Virginia, Volun- 
 teers to the Volunteers who offered their as- 
 sistance on the late alarm, . - - - 517 
 10, Letter from New- York to a Gentleman in Phila- 
 delphia, - - - - - 547 
 10, Meeting of the Freeholders of Goshen Precinct, 
 in Orange County, New- York, appoint Dele- 
 gates to the Provincial Congress, - - 832 
 10, Address to the Publick, by the Ulster County, 
 New- York, Committee, correcting the mis- 
 representations of Mr. Jacobus Louw, - - 548 
 10, Letter from the Committee of War for the expe- 
 dition against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 to the Massachusetts Congress. Ticonderoga 
 was taken this morning, and the Committee 
 have given the command to Colonel Ethan 
 Allen. Arnold claims the command, but did 
 not enlist a man for the expedition, - - 556 
 10, Town Meeting at Providence, Rhode-Island. 
 Committee to examine into the state of the 
 Arms of the Town, ----- 549 
 10, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to General Gage, remonstrating 
 against his violation of the Agreement with the 
 Selectmen of Boston. The People have com- 
 plied with it, and surrendered their Arms; and 
 though a number of days have elapsed, very 
 few have been permitted to leave the Town, - 793 
 10, Letter from General Thomas to the Committee 
 
 of Safety, 549 
 
 10, Letter from the Committee and Selectmen of 
 Bristol to the Massachusetts Congress. The 
 Town of Bristol has three Companies, of 
 sixty Men each, most of whom have Guns, but 
 they are out of Ammunition, and cannot pro- 
 cure a supply, ------ 549 
 
 10, Letter from Timothy Pickering, Jun., to the 
 
 Committee of Safety, ----- 550 
 
 10, Letter from Enoch Freeman to Samuel Freeman. 
 The threats of Colonel Thompson to take the 
 Canceaux, in the Harbour of Falmouth, has 
 thrown the Town in confusion ; they can make 
 no defence against a Man-of-War, - - 550 
 
 1 1, New- Kent County, Virginia, Committee, declare 
 the charges against the Inhabitants of Virginia, 
 in Lord Dunmorc's Proclamation of the 3d 
 instant, is an unjust reflection upon them, and 
 has no foundation in truth, - - - - 551 
 
 1 1, Somerset County, New-Jersey, Committee, choose 
 Delegates to the Provincial Congress, and in- 
 struct them to agree in arming and supporting 
 
 the Militia, 551 
 
 11, Meeting of Committees of the several Towns 
 and Precincts in Ulster County, New-York. 
 Names of the Committees of the several 
 Towns. Deputies to the Provincial Congress 
 chosen, - ... - - - - 833 
 
 1 1, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Albany Commit- 
 tee, informing them that he has taken the 
 Fortress of Ticonderoga; and apprehensive 
 that Governour Carleton will make an effort 
 to retake it, asks for re-enforcements, - - GOG 
 11, Recantation of P. Bailey, James McMasterand 
 Thomas Achincloss, of Portsmouth, in New- 
 Hampshire, ------ 552 
 
 1 1, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to General Thomas, - 552 
 11, Letter from Falmouth, Massachusetts, to a Gen- 
 tleman at Watertown. Account of the Pro- 
 ceedings at Falmouth, in consequence of the 
 capture of Captain Mowatt, of the Canceaux, 
 by Colonel Thompson, ... - 552 
 1 1, Letter from the Committee of Deer- Island to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. The Inhabitants are 
 out of Powder, Ball and Provisions, and re- 
 quest assistance, ----- 555 
 
 11, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New- York Committee. Two Men-of-War, 
 with Troops on board, sailed yesterday for 
 New- York ; it is supposed they have orders 
 to seize the Ammunition and Military Stores 
 
 in the Fort there, 556 
 
 11, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Massachusetts 
 
 794 
 
 538 
 
 538 
 539 
 
 539 
 
 - 539 
 
 540 
 
 540 
 
 541 
 
 541 
 
 542 
 
 543 
 
 543 
 
 544 
 
 544 
 
 545 
 
 546 
 547 
 546 
 
LI 1 1 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Congress. Ticonderoga taken yesterday morn- 
 ing by one hundred Green Mountain Boys, 
 and fifty Soldiers from Massachusetts; the lat- 
 ter were under the command of Col. Easton, - 556 
 May\ I, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. Account of the 
 capture of Ticonderoga, and the state of affairs 
 there. Allen, who has assumed the command, 
 is a proper man to head his own wild People, 
 but entirely unacquainted with military ser- 
 vice ; and every thing is in confusion, - - 557 
 11, Letter from Edward Mott, Chairman of the 
 Committee of War, to the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress. Account of planning the Expedition 
 against Ticonderoga, and of the rapture of that 
 Fortress. The Committee have given the 
 command to Colonel Allen, to the exclusion of 
 Arnold, who claimed it after the surrender of 
 the Fort, 557 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 MayW, Connecticut Assembly meets, ... 559 
 
 Members of the Council, .... 559 
 
 Members of the House of Representatives, - 559 
 
 Acts extending the Boundaries of the Town of 
 Westmoreland, and making it one Regiment,- 561 
 
 Bills of Credit for fifty thousand Pounds au- 
 thorized, ------- 561 
 
 Embargo laid in April continued to the first of 
 August, ------- 562 
 
 Quartermaster's and other Stores ordered for the 
 Troops, ------- 562 
 
 Act for encouraging the manufacturing of Fire- 
 Arms and Military Stores within the Colony, 
 for the safety and defence thereof, - - 563 
 
 Act for regulating and ordering the Troops that 
 are or may be raised for the defence of this 
 Colony, ------- 564 
 
 Articles, Rules and Regulations for the govern- 
 ment of the Troops in the service of the 
 Colony, ------- 565 
 
 Payment authorized for the Ammunition fur- 
 nished the Inhabitants of the Colony, who 
 marched either Eastward or Westward in the 
 late alarm, ------ 570 
 
 Committee to take care of, and provide for the 
 Officers and Soldiers taken prisoners at Crown 
 Point, 570 
 
 Forms of Commissions for Field and Staflf-Offi- 
 cers adopted, - - - - - -571 
 
 Committee to provide such store of Lead as may 
 be necessary for the use of the Colony, - 573 
 
 Committee to employ News Carriers at the pub- 
 lick expense, ------ 573 
 
 Committee of War appointed, ... 373 
 
 Five hundred pounds of Powder to be sent to 
 Crown Point and Ticonderoga, to Colonel 
 Easton, ------- 574 
 
 Officers appointed, ----- 574 
 
 Officers of the Company of Northbury, in Wa- 
 terbury, cashiered, for being totally disaffected 
 to the general cause of American Liberty, - 575 
 
 Committee on a Petition from New-London, 
 recommending the encouragement of certain 
 Manufactures, ------ 575 
 
 Report of Committee on what Intelligence, Pa- 
 pers and Documents are necessary to be com- 
 municated to the Continental Congress, - - 576 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 May 12, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. Mr. Burke is to present the Remon- 
 strance of the New- York Assembly on Mon- 
 day next; the Ministry are determined it shall 
 not be received, - - - - 
 
 12, Richmond County, Virginia, Committee. Re- 
 solutions of the Committee, vindicating their 
 Constituents from the atrocious aspersions in 
 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation of the third 
 instant, ------- 
 
 12, Proclamation by Lord Dunmore, appointing the 
 first Thursday in next month for the meeting 
 of the General Assembly, - - - - 
 
 Joseph Galloway's Address to the Publick. De- 
 nying the charge that he had wrote Letters to 
 the Ministry inimical to America, 
 
 12, 
 
 577 
 
 578 
 
 578 
 
 - 579 
 
 LIV 
 
 .Committee of Correspondence for Bergen Coun- 
 ty, in New- Jersey, appointed, ... 579 
 Delegates to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York chosen by the Committees in Charlotte 
 
 County, 833 
 
 Freeholders and Inhabitants of Haverstraw Pre- 
 cinct, in Orange County, New- York, choose 
 Delegates to the Provincial Congress, - - 834 
 Letter from the Albany Committee to the New- 
 York Committee, enclosing a copy of a Let- 
 ter from Ethan Allen, dated Ticonderoga, May 
 1 1, giving an account of the capture of that 
 
 Fortress, 605 
 
 Letter from S. Osgood to the Massachusetts Com- 
 mittee of Safety. Notwithstanding the agree- 
 ment with General Gage, the People of Bos- 
 ton, though they complied with it on their part, 
 are not permitted to leave Boston, - - 579 
 Petition from the Inhabitants of the Eastern parts 
 of Massachusetts to the Provincial Congress, 
 praying for assistance in Powder, Balls and 
 Flints, that they may have wherewithal to 
 defend themselves, ----- 580 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Amesbury to the 
 
 Massachusetts Committee of Safety, - - 580 
 Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 581 
 Letter from General Thomas to the Committee of 
 
 Safety, 581 
 
 Letter from James Cavet to Arthur St. Clair. 
 The situation of the well-affected Inhabitants 
 of Pittsburgh is almost intolerable; if not as- 
 sisted they will be ruined, - - - - 581 
 Letter from the Committee for Mamicoting to the 
 New- York Congress. The Inhabitants have 
 all signed the Association, and are determined 
 to stand by it ; they have chosen Militia Offi- 
 cers, and request the appointments may be 
 confirmed by the Congress, ... 834 
 Letter from Dr. Wheelock to Governour Trum- 
 bull, 582 
 
 Letter from Thomas Fraser, in London, to George 
 
 Erving, of Boston, ----- 583 
 Letter from Timothy Ladd to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Congress, offering his services for the 
 defence of the liberties of America, - - 584 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety. Crown Point, with eleven 
 Prisoners, and a number of Cannon, taken. 
 Major Skene made prisoner. Mr. Allen's 
 party is decreasing, and the dispute subsiding, 584 
 Letter from Jedediah Preble to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Proceedings of Colonel Thomp- 
 son, at Falmouth ; his capture and detention of 
 Captain Mowatt, who is released on his promise 
 to return on shore the next morning : he does 
 not return, and his securities are arrested, - 585 
 Letter from the Committee of Correspondence 
 for Falmouth, in Massachusetts, to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety. Dangerous consequences 
 anticipated from the conduct of Col. Thomp- 
 son, 586 
 
 Resolution of the Provincial Congress disap- 
 proving of the conduct of Col. Thompson, - 587 
 Address of the Council to the People of Virgi- 
 nia. A redress of Grievances is more likely 
 to be obtained by gentle methods than by in- 
 temperate behaviour. An Assembly will soon 
 meet, when the People may represent their 
 Grievances in the manner prescribed by the 
 Constitution, ------ 587 
 
 Chester County, Pennsylvania, Committee. The 
 British Parliament having in an Address to 
 His Majesty declared the People of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay to be in a state of open Rebellion, 
 encouraged by several other Colonies, it is the 
 duty of the Freemen of this County to asso- 
 ciate and provide themselves with Arms and 
 Ammunition, to defend their lives and liber- 
 ties, 588 
 
 NEW-JERSEY ASSEMBLY. 
 
 May 15, Assembly of New-Jersey meets, - - - 589 
 List of Representatives, ... - 589 
 Letters from the Agents in England, and the 
 Speaker of the House of Representatives of 
 New- York, laid before the House, - - 589 
 
 1775 
 May [2 
 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 12, 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 13, 
 13, 
 
 14, 
 14, 
 
 15, 
 
 15, 
 
 15, 
 
LV 
 
 1775. 
 May I 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 17, 
 
 19 : 
 20 
 
 6,Governour's Speech to the Council and House 
 of Assembly, ------ 
 
 Address to the King from the Lords and Com- 
 mons of Great Britain, of the 7th of Febru- 
 ary, 1775, and a copy of Lord North's Reso- 
 lution laid before the House, . - - 
 Letter from Governour Franklin to the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, dated February 1, 1775, laid before 
 the House, ------ 
 
 Governour's Speech and Papers referred to a 
 Committee of the Whole House, and consi- 
 dered, ------- 
 
 Address to the Governour in answer to his Speech 
 ordered, and Committee appointed to prepare 
 
 Message to the Governour, requesting him to in- 
 form the House, whether the Letter to the 
 Earl of Dartmouth, presented to the House on 
 the 16th, is authentick or not, - 
 
 Address in answer to the Governour's Speech, 
 considered in Committee of the Whole, re- 
 ported, amended, and agreed to, - 
 
 The Speaker with the House wait upon the 
 Governour in the Council Chamber with the 
 Address, ------- 
 
 The Speaker declares his dissent to the Address, 
 
 Address of the House to the Governour, - 
 
 Governour's Answer, - - - - 
 
 The House cannot comply with and adopt the 
 Resolution of the House of Commons of Feb- 
 ruary 27th, but recommend to their Delegates 
 to lay it before the Continental Congress, 
 
 Message from the Governour to the Assembly in 
 reply to their Address on the subject of his 
 Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Febru- 
 ary f, 1775, 
 
 Committee appointed to considerthe Message,and 
 make report to the next sitting of the Assembly, 
 
 Assembly prorogued to the 20th of June next, - 
 
 590 
 
 595 
 595 
 596 
 596 
 
 597 
 598 
 
 599 
 599 
 599 
 601 
 
 602 
 
 602 
 
 604 
 604 
 
 1775 
 May\5 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 3fa#15,New-York Committee, ... - 603 
 Address from the Captains of six Companies, of- 
 fering their services to co-operate in carrying 
 into effect the Continental Association, - - 604 
 Copies of the General Association of New- York, 
 left in the several Wards of the City for signa- 
 ture; all persons recommended to sign it as 
 speedily as possible, ----- 605 
 
 15, Letter from New- York Committee to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, enclosing copies of Letters, 
 with authentick intelligence of the capture of 
 Ticonderoga, ------ 605 
 
 15, Newburgh, New- York, Committee. A num- 
 ber of persons having neglected or refused to 
 sign the Association, they are requested to do 
 so ; such as do not sign it on or before the 29th 
 instant, to be considered enemies to the Coun- 
 try, and no person shall have any dealings 
 with them, ------ 606 
 
 15, Inhabitants of Cornwall Precinct, in Orange 
 County, New- York, choose Deputies to the 
 Provincial Congress, ----- 834 
 
 15, Providence, Rhode-Island, Town Meeting. Com- 
 mittees authorized to purchase Arms for all 
 able-bodied Men not able to purchase them- 
 selves; and the Town stock of Powder and 
 Lead to be made up into Cartridges, - - 007 
 10, Letter from Newport, Rhode- Island. Two 
 Sloops at Bedford taken by Capt. Lindsay, of 
 the Falcon, sloop-of-vvar, retaken by the Peo- 
 ple of Bedford ; one of the enemy was killed, 
 two were wounded, and thirteen made prisoners, 608 
 15, Sloop at Dartmouth seized by Captain Linsday, of 
 
 the Falcon, retaken with the prize crew, - 608 
 15, Recantation of the Rev. Samuel Dana, of Gro- 
 
 ton, Massachusetts, 608 
 
 15, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, 009 
 
 15, Petition from several Towns in Suffolk County, 
 Massachusetts, to the Committee of Safety, re- 
 questing the appointment of Colonel Lemuel 
 Robinson, of Dorchester, .... 609 
 15, Petition of John Boice and Hugh McLean to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, requesting that certain 
 enlisted Soldiers, who are Paper Makers, may 
 be discharged, 609 
 
 16, 
 
 16, 
 16, 
 
 , Letter from a Committee at Berwick, to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, objecting to the appointment 
 of one Alexander Scammell, who lives in New- 
 Hampshire, - 
 15, Letter from Jedediah Preble to the Committee of 
 Safety, objecting to the raising of two Regi- 
 ments in the County of Cumberland, - 
 15, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 
 Eastern Indians, - 
 15, Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, Town Meeting. 
 The Committee of the Town empowered to 
 inquire touching any obnoxious persons who 
 may flee to this Town, and none but the Com- 
 mittee shall have any concern with such Re- 
 fugees, ------- 
 
 15, Letter from the Committee and Selectmen of 
 Marlow, New-Hampshire, to the Provincial 
 Committee. They are not able to support a 
 Delegate to the Provincial Congress, but with 
 their lives and interests will assist in defence 
 of the Colonies, - - - - 
 
 1 5, Letter from the Town of Alstead, in New-Hamp- 
 
 shire, to the Delegates of the Province, now 
 sitting at Exeter. Cannot support a Delegate 
 to the Congress, but will abide by all its deci- 
 sions, ------- 
 
 16, Meeting of the Inhabitants of Augusta County, 
 
 Virginia, on the West side of Laurel Hill, at 
 Pittsburgh ; appoint a Committee for the Dis- 
 trict. The Committee resolve to support all 
 the American measures ; make provision for 
 embodying the Militia, procuring Arms and 
 Ammunition, and for cultivating a friendship 
 with the Indians, - 
 Instructions to John Harvie and George Roote, 
 Delegates from the People West of Laurel 
 Hill, to the Virginia Convention, 
 Letter from Dr. Franklin to Dr. Priestley, 
 Meeting of the Inhabitants of the County of 
 Westmoreland, in Pennsylvania. It is the in- 
 dispensable duty of every American, by every 
 means which God has put in his power, to resist 
 and oppose the system of tyranny and oppres- 
 sion attempted to be exercised by the Parlia- 
 ment and Ministry of Great Britain, - 
 16, Association of the inhabitants of Westmoreland 
 County, in Pennsylvania, - - - - 
 16, Meeting of the Council of Pennsylvania. Eight 
 Indians, who arrived in Philadelphia on the 
 14th, brought before the Council, 
 Speech of one of the Indians to the Governour, 
 18, The Indians sent for, and the Governour began 
 delivering a Speech in reply to them, but 
 having a bad translator, it was postponed to the 
 
 20th instant, 
 
 20, Speech of the Governour in reply to that of the 
 Indians, ------- 
 
 The Indians receive three hundred Dollars, and 
 signed a receipt for it on the back of the Deed 
 executed at Fort Stanwix, in 1768, 
 16, New- York Committee. The Ward Companies 
 of Militia recommended to enrol their Men in 
 the different Beats, to be in readiness to take 
 their tour of duty as a Military Night Watch, 
 16, Letter from the Delegates from New- York in 
 the Continental Congress, to the New- York 
 Committee, enclosing a Resolution of the Con- 
 gress of the 15th, recommending to the Inha- 
 bitants, in the event of the arrival of any 
 Troops, to act on the defensive, so long as may 
 be consistent with their safety and security, - 
 16, Dutchess County, New-York, Committee, cer- 
 tify the election of Deputies to the Provincial 
 Congress, ------ 
 
 16, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence 
 for Connecticut to the Massachusetts Congress. 
 The expedition against Ticonderoga was set on 
 foot by some private persons in Connecticut, 
 and carried into effect without the aid of those 
 afterwards sent from Massachusetts; but as it 
 was done for the common cause, they will not 
 contend for the precedency, - 
 16, Letter from Joseph Warren to Arthur Lee, 
 16, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the Continental Congress, repre- 
 senting the dangerous situation of affairs there 
 without a regular Government, and askinsj 
 their advice about taking up and exercising 
 
 LVI 
 
 610 
 
 610 
 610 
 
 611 
 
 612 
 612 
 
 613 
 
 614 
 615 
 
 615 
 615 
 
 616 
 616 
 
 617 
 617 
 
 617 
 618 
 
 018 
 
 834 
 
 618 
 619 
 
LVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LVI1I 
 
 622 
 
 6G8 
 
 the powers of Government : they also request 
 the Congress to take the general direction of 
 
 the Army, 620 
 
 May\6, Letter from Henry Young Brown to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. Communicates his suspi- 
 cions that the Indians are about to take sides 
 with Canada. There are but ten Guns, twenty 
 pounds of Powder, and half a hundred of 
 Lead, in the Town of Brownfield. Applies to 
 the Congress for assistance, ... 
 17, Middlesex County, Virginia, Committee. Tho- 
 mas Haddin, having reviled the Continental 
 Association, and refused to sign it, is held forth 
 to the publick as an enemy to American Li- 
 berty, 
 
 17, Cumberland County, Virginia, Committee, ap- 
 prove of the Resolution of Maryland to stop 
 Exportations to Quebeck, &c, and in conse- 
 quence of the alarming situation of American 
 affairs, especially in the Province of New- 
 York, recommend a Colony Convention be 
 immediately called, ..... 622 
 
 17, Address of Cumberland County to the Inhabi- 
 tants of the lower parts of Virginia, offering 
 protection and support to their Wives and 
 Children, in case of an invasion of the Colo- 
 ny by sea, ------- 622 
 
 17, Cecil County, Maryland, Committee. Charles 
 Gordon having maliciously aspersed the Con- 
 tinental Congress and the Provincial Conven- 
 tion, is declared an enemy to the Country, and 
 as such none are to have dealings or commu- 
 nications with him, .... - 622 
 
 17, John Brown arrived at Philadelphia from Ticon- 
 deroga, an Express to the General Congress, 
 with an account of the capture of Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point, and of an attempt madt by 
 the British to find a passage for an Army from 
 Canada to Boston, ..... 623 
 
 17, Colonel Easton at the Provincial Congress in 
 Watertown, with an account of the Capture of 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, ... 624 
 17, Philadelphia Committee direct the republication 
 of the Resolve prohibiting the killing of any 
 Sheep under four years old, ... 625 
 17, Votes in First, Second, Third, and Fourth Com- 
 panies of Brookhaven, with the Poll Lists, for 
 the choice of a Deputy to the Provincial Con- 
 gress of New- York, ----- 835 
 
 17, Account of the commencement of Hostilities be- 
 tween Great Britain and America, in the Pro- 
 vince of Massachusetts-Bay, by the Reverend 
 Mr. William Gordon, of Roxbury, in a Letter 
 to a Gentleman in England, ... 625 
 1 7, Letter from the Congress of Massachusetts to the 
 Assembly of Connecticut, suggesting the pro- 
 priety of having the Cannon at Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point removed immediately to the 
 Camp at Cambridge, and the appointing of 
 Colonel Arnold to take charge of them down, 
 with all possible haste, to prevent disputes be- 
 tween him and other officers, ... g08 
 17, Committees of Correspondence for the several 
 Towns and Districts of Worcester County, in 
 Massachusetts, requested to meet at the Court- 
 House on Wednesday next, May 24th, - - 700 
 17, Letters of Governour Hutchinson, lately disco- 
 vered, show what a slave he has been to the 
 Ministry. Copy of one from him to General 
 Gage, enclosing one from Bernard, in 1771, - 632 
 17, Letter from the Committee of Northborough to 
 General Ward, charging Ebenezer Cutler, late 
 of Groton, as an enemy to his country, - - 632 
 
 17, Letter from the Portsmouth, New- Hampshire, 
 
 Committee, to the Provincial Congress. Re- 
 quest to know if a Vessel may load with Masts, 632 
 
 18, Declaration by the Grand Jury of Newcastle, 
 
 Delaware, 633 
 
 18, Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Joseph Shippen, 
 Jun., enclosing Letter of James Cavet, dated 
 May 18th. Yesterday a County Meeting, in 
 Westmoreland, passed Resolutions to arm and 
 discipline the Militia, and formed an Associa- 
 tion, - - - - - 633 
 18, General Committee of Association for Newark, 
 in New-Jersey, stop all Exportations to Glue- 
 beck, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and Newfound- 
 land, 634 
 
 1775. 
 MayU 
 
 18, 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 , Instructions to the Deputies elected to represent 
 the Town of Newark, in Essex County, in the 
 Provincial Congress of New- Jersey, 
 
 New- York Committee. Committee appointed to 
 institute a Military Night Watch, 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee to the 
 Governour of Connecticut; thank him for the 
 kindness of Connecticut in sending Troops to 
 their assistance, but request he may direct their 
 encampment on the Western frontiers of Con- 
 necticut, ------- 
 
 Directions for a Military Night Watch in the 
 City of New- York, 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Palatine District, 
 Tryon County, New- York, to the Albany 
 Committee, ...... 
 
 Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Com- 
 mittee of Schenectady, New- York, 
 
 Authentick Account of the taking of the Fortres- 
 ses at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by a par- 
 ty of Connecticut Forces, - 
 
 Letter from Ethan Allen to James Morrison and 
 the Merchants that are friendly to the cause of 
 Liberty in Montreal, soliciting their immediate 
 assistance, in Provisions, Ammunition, and 
 Spirituous Liquors, not as a donation, for he is 
 ready to pay for them, .... 
 
 Letter from the Camp at Cambridge. Informa- 
 tion from Halifax, that the People destroyed a 
 quantity of Hay, purchased and ready to be 
 shipped for the Dragoons at Boston, 
 
 Letter from Colonel John Stark to the Provincial 
 Congress of New-Hampshire, - 
 
 Address of the New- Hampshire Congress to 
 Governour Wentworth. The British Troops 
 being sent to America to enforce Acts of Par- 
 liament by fire, sword, and famine, request to 
 know from him the truth of a statement that 
 he has made application for two Regiments, to 
 be stationed at Portsmouth, ... 
 
 Caroline County, Virginia, Committee. Reso- 
 lutions on Lord Dunmore's Letter to the Earl 
 of Dartmouth, dated December 24, 1774; his 
 Proclamation of the 3d of May last ; and on 
 Captain Montague's Letter to Thomas Nelson, 
 threatening to burn the Town of York, 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Virginia, on the 
 conduct of Lord Dunmore, and in defence of 
 Patrick Henry, ..... 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of the Manor of Cort- 
 landt, in New- York, on the efforts of the To- 
 ries to obtain the ascendancy in the Manor, and 
 their attempt to commit the People to '' The 
 Loyalist's Test" last winter, ... 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to the Committee of Supplies, 
 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. Surprised and took 
 St. John's, with the King's Sloop of seventy 
 tons, on the 18th instant. Allen is about to 
 keep possession of St. John's, with eighty or a 
 hundred men; this is a wild, impracticable 
 scheme, if it could be carried into execution. A 
 thousand or fifteen hundred men will be neces- 
 sary to repair and keep Ticonderoga this sum- 
 mer, - 
 
 List of Cannon taken at Crown Point, 
 List of Cannon taken at Ticonderoga, 
 Return of Ordnance Stores found at Ticonderoga, 
 Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, urging the immediate settlement of 
 the Regiments, " if we would save our Coun- 
 try," - - - -•- 
 
 Letter from James Russell to Joseph Warren, 
 President of the Provincial Congress, - » 
 Letter from Abijah Brown to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety. He has removed the 
 Cannon from Waltham to Watertown, and is 
 ready to march to Cambridge, ... 
 Petition of Benjamin Thompson, of Concord, in 
 New-Hampshire, to the Commi tee of Safety. 
 Requests a thorough examination into the 
 charges against him, of being inimical to the 
 liberties of this Country, .... 
 New-Hampshire Committee of Safety. Orders 
 to Winborn Adams, and nine others, each to 
 enlist one Company of sixty-two able-bodied 
 Men : form of enlistment, - - - - 
 
 634 
 
 636 
 
 636 
 
 636 
 
 637 
 
 638 
 
 633 
 
 639 
 
 639 
 
 G39 
 
 640 
 
 640 
 
 641 
 
 644 
 
 645 
 
 645 
 646 
 646 
 646 
 
 647 
 
 647 
 
 647 
 
 647 
 
 648 
 
L1X 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 
 
 Mai/17, Provincial Convention of New- Hampshire, - C47 
 
 List of Members, 049 
 
 Matthew Thornton chosen President, and Ebene- 
 
 zer Thompson Secretary, - - - 050 
 Committee to draw up Rules to be observed in 
 the Convention, ------ G50 
 
 Committee to report on establishing a Post-Office, 650 
 
 18, Rules for the government of the Convention, - 050 
 Post-Office at Portsmouth established, - - G51 
 Colonel John Hale authorized to proceed to Al- 
 bany, or any other place he thinks proper, to 
 procure Fire-Arms and Gunpowder for the 
 
 use of the Province, 651 
 
 Committee to prepare and bring in a plan of 
 
 ways and means for furnishing Troops, - 051 
 Committee to prepare an Address to be sent to the 
 
 several Towns in the Province, respecting 
 
 disputes about Tories, - - - - 651 
 
 19, Petition from Major Andrew McClary, praying 
 
 redress of sundry grievances, read, - - 651 
 
 Letter from Colonel John Stark, requesting a 
 supply of Fire- Arms, read, - - - 651 
 
 Recommendations to the Inhabitants to support 
 good and wholesome Laws ; to encourage all 
 Religious worship ; to encourage the Woollen 
 and Linen Manufactory, and the making of 
 Saltpetre, 651 
 
 Committees of the several Towns requested to 
 have a watchful eye over all persons who 
 have used opprobrious expressions respecting 
 the several Congresses, ... - 652 
 
 Committee from the Massachusetts Congress, in- 
 troduced into the Convention, ... 652 
 
 Selectmen of several Towns requested to furnish 
 the Arms wanted by Colonel Stark, - - 652 
 
 20, Resolutions authorizing the raising and equip- 
 
 ment of two thousand Men to serve until the 
 last day of December, unless the Committee of 
 Safety may judge it necessary to discharge 
 them sooner, ------ 652 
 
 Thanks to the persons who took a quantity of 
 Gunpowder from the Castle called William 
 and Mary, in this Province, ... 653 
 Committee of Safety appointed, - - - 653 
 Committee of Supplies appointed, - - - 653 
 Committee to sell Gunpowder to the frontier 
 
 Towns, ------- 653 
 
 22, Muster-Masters appointed, ... - 653 
 Colonel Fenton required to appear before the 
 
 Convention, concerning his Letter to the People 
 
 of the County of Grafton, - - - - 654 
 
 23, Colonel Nathaniel Folsom appointed to take the 
 
 general command of the Troops raised, or to 
 be raised, in this Government, ... 654 
 Post-Office established at Exeter, ... 654 
 Nicholas Oilman appointed Treasurer and Re- 
 ceiver-General of the Colony, ... 654 
 All Officers and Soldiers in the service to be 
 taxed as other persons are, - - - - 654 
 
 24, The several Towns are recommended to encour- 
 
 age Manufactures in general, and that of Fire- 
 Arms in particular, ----- 654 
 26, Instructions to the Committee of Safety, - - 655 
 
 A Company of not exceeding sixty Men, to be 
 enlisted in the Northwesterly parts of the 
 Colony, to act as occasion may require, - 655 
 
 Powers conferred on the Committee of Supplies, 655 
 31, Thanks to the persons who removed sundry 
 Cannon from the sea-coast to Portsmouth, and 
 to Doctor Hall Jackson for assisting in the 
 matter, and bringing the intelligence, - - 656 
 June 1, Committee of Supplies authorized to import 
 
 Military Stores from anyplace whatever, - 656 
 
 Committee of Portsmouth requested to take mea- 
 sures to prevent the passage of the British 
 Ships-of-War up to the Town, ... 656 
 
 2, An Address to the Inhabitants of the Colony, 
 
 agreed to, - - - - - - - 657 
 
 3, Addresses to the Congress of New- York, to the 
 
 Congress of Massachusetts, to the Colony of 
 Connecticut, to the Continental Congress, and 
 to John Sullivan and John Langdon, Dele- 
 gates, adopted by the Convention, - - 657 
 5, Oath to be taken by all the Officers and Soldiers 
 of the New-Hampshire Army, now raising 
 for the defence and security of the Rights and 
 Liberties of the American Colonies, - - 658 
 
 1775. 
 
 Ju/ie 7, Obligation of secrecy as to the Proceedings of 
 the Convention, ------ 
 
 8, Col. Hale returned without Powder or Small- 
 
 Arms, but gives great encouragement they 
 can soon be had from the Southern Colonies, - 
 
 9, Receiver-General authorized to give his notes 
 
 of hand for ten thousand and fifty Pounds, 
 10, Bills of Credit of Massachusetts, to have a free 
 
 currency in New-Hampshire, - 
 Lenity and forbearance in Creditors towards 
 
 Debtors recommended, .... 
 Convention adjourned to the 27th instant, - 
 
 KX 
 
 658 
 
 658 
 
 659 
 
 6G0 
 
 660 
 660 
 
 659 
 660 
 661 
 836 
 
 837 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 M«#20,Committee of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. 
 
 The application of Mr. Weems, for permission 
 to purchase an Anchor and Cable of Captain 
 Carcaud, of the Ship Industry, rejected. No 
 person can purchase or receive them consis- 
 tent with the Continental Association, 
 
 20, Field-Officers chosen for Newcastle County, 
 Delaware, ------ 
 
 20, Letter from the New- Jersey Assembly to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, - 
 
 20, Petition of James Rivington to the Continental 
 Congress, ------- 
 
 20, Town Meeting in Brooklyn, King's County, 
 New- York. Their reasons for uniting with 
 the other Counties of the Colony in support of 
 their rights ; choose Deputies to the Provin- 
 cial Congress, and pledge themselves to abide 
 by the directions of the Congress, 
 
 20, Letter from Col. Guy Johnson to the Magistrates 
 and others of Palatine, Canajoharie, and the 
 upper Districts m Tryon County, New- York; 
 has had repeated accounts that a body of Nevv- 
 Englanders were to come to seize him. If 
 the Indians find their Superintendent disturbed 
 they will take dreadful revenge, - - - 661 
 Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Magis- 
 trates and Committee of Schenectady, and 
 Mayor of Albany, - - - - - 661 
 
 20, Act of the Rhode- Island Assembly, prohibiting 
 the Oath of Office being administered to Go- 
 vernour Wanton, ----- 662 
 
 20, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts to General Preble, at Falmouth, - 663 
 
 20, Letter to the Massachusetts Congress, from the 
 Committee appointed to confer with the Con- 
 gress of New- Hampshire, - - - - 664 
 
 20, Resolutions of the New-Hampshire Congress for 
 
 raising and equipping two thousand Men, - 664 
 
 20, Letter from the Rev. William Gordon to Joseph 
 
 Warren. If the Committee will send him 
 Hutchinson's loose Letters, he will examine 
 them, and mark whatever appears to be im- 
 portant to the Publick, - - - - 664 
 Letter to the Oncidas from the Mohawks; writ- 
 ten at Guy Johnson's, ... - 664 
 21, Resolutions of the Committee of Tryon Coun- 
 ty, New- York, on the Letter of Colonel Guy 
 Johnson, of May 20, and on the Letter from 
 the Mohawks to the Oneidas, ... 665 
 
 21, Letter from the Committee of Palatine District, 
 
 Tryon County, to the Albany Committee. — 
 The communication with Albany is entirely 
 stopped by Colonel Johnson, who has five hun- 
 dred men to guard his house, which he has 
 fortified. There is not fifty pounds of Pow- 
 der in the District ; they have an open enemy 
 before them, and treacherous friends at their 
 backs, ------- 665 
 
 21, Letter from Boston to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. General Gage has broken his engage- 
 ment with the People of Boston, after they had 
 delivered up their Arms, - - - - 666 
 
 21, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, ------ 666 
 
 21, Letter from James Sullivan to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, ------ 667 
 
 21, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Pro- 
 
 vincial Congress of Massachusetts, - - 667 
 
 22, Letter from the Norfolk, Virginia, Committee, 
 
 to the Committee for Prince George County, 
 with an examination of Captain Charles 
 
 Alexander, 528 
 
 22, Prince William County, Virginia, Committee. 
 
LXI 
 
 1775 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXII 
 
 Condemn the conduct of Lord Dunmore in 
 regard to the Powder. Justify Patrick Henry 
 in demanding- satisfaction for it; as, in their 
 opinion, the violent proceedings of the Troops 
 in Massachusetts would have justified reprisals 
 of a much greater magnitude, - 
 3fay22, Buckingham County, Virginia, Committee. Offer 
 to receive the Wives, Children and Slaves of 
 such of the Inhabitants of the lower Counties 
 as may be driven from their habitations ; and 
 will give them Lands to cultivate, and let their 
 Cattle feed with their own, - 
 
 22, Meeting of Inhabitants of Charles County, in 
 Maryland. Appoint Deputies to the General 
 Convention of the Province, 
 
 22, Letter from a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his 
 Friend in Williamsburgh, Virginia. There 
 has been a complete revolution in New-York. 
 The Province is arming; the Governour dare 
 not call his Assembly to receive Lord North's 
 Plan: the Tory leaders have been obliged 
 
 to fly, 
 
 22, Letter to the New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety, from their Delegates in the Continen- 
 tal Congress. The Congress have ordered 
 the Forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point 
 to be demolished, and the warlike Stores to be 
 removed to the south end of Lake George. — 
 All the Colonies in Congress are firmly united, 
 and preparing for the worst, ... 
 
 22, New- York Committee Motion by Mr. Mc- 
 Dougall for a Committee to confer with the 
 Deputies of the County of Albany, now in 
 New- York, whether Albany can furnish Men 
 to garrison Ticonderoga ; rejected on motion 
 of Mr. De Lancey, ..... 
 
 22, Letter from the New- York Committee to Gov- 
 ernour Trumbull, enclosing a copy of the Re- 
 solution of Congress for removing the Military 
 Stores from Ticonderoga and Crown Point to 
 the south end of Lake George, 
 
 22, Deputies for Queen's County to the New- York 
 Provincial Congress chosen by the Freeholders, 
 
 22, Delegates to the Provincial Congress chosen in 
 King's County, New- York, ... 
 
 22, Letter from the Corporation of Albany to Colonel 
 
 Guy Johnson. If he studies the welfare of 
 his Country he need not be apprehensive of 
 any injury to his person or property. There 
 has been no intention of taking him captive, 
 or offering him any indignity; these reports 
 are only propagated to rouse the Indians to 
 take up arms against the Americans, 
 
 23, Letter from the Albany Committee to Colonel 
 
 Guy Johnson, ------ 
 
 22, Letter from Benedict Arnold, Commander at Ti- 
 conderoga, to the Albany Committee. On 
 the 13th captured the Garrison at St. John's, 
 and took a King's Sloop of seventy tons; on 
 his return he met one Colonel Allen, with a 
 party for St. John's, who were attacked and 
 defeated by the Regulars. Requests Seamen 
 and Powder may be sent him, ... 
 
 22, Narrative of the Excursions and Ravages of the 
 King's Troops, under the command of Gen- 
 eral Gage, on the 19th of April, 1775, together 
 with the Depositions taken by order of Con- 
 gress to support the truth of it, - 
 Ravages of the King's Troops, ... 
 Damages sustained in Lexington, - 
 Damages sustained in Concord, - 
 
 22, Letter from Samuel Buliard to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, ...... 
 
 22, Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, com- 
 plaining of ungenerous treatment from Gen. 
 Ward, ------- 
 
 22, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to the Provincial Congress, with the Letter 
 from Captain Benedict Arnold, of May 11, 
 requesting the Congress to take such mea- 
 sures as they deem necessary, ... 
 
 22, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Bene- 
 dict Arnold. As the affairs of the Expedition 
 began in Connecticut, that Colony has been 
 written to, to take the whole under their direc- 
 tion until the advice of the Continental Con- 
 gress can be had, ..... 
 
 667 
 
 667 
 668 
 
 668 
 
 670 
 
 671 
 
 671 
 
 838 
 838 
 
 671 
 
 672 
 
 839 
 
 673 
 675 
 675 
 675 
 
 675 
 
 676 
 
 676 
 
 676 
 
 1775. 
 
 Mai/2 
 
 3, Letter from the Earl of Dartmouth to Govern- 
 our Tryon. The King received the Petition 
 of the New- York Assembly with the most 
 gracious expressions of regard. The Memo- 
 rial to the Lords, and Representation to the 
 Commons contained claims which made it im- 
 possible for Parliament, consistent with its dig- 
 nity, to receive them, .... 677 
 The Crisis, No. 8. On American affairs, - 677 
 23, Letter from William Hooper, at Philadelphia, to 
 Samuel Johnston, in North-Carolina. The 
 strict secrecy which Congress enjoins upon its 
 Members prevents his communicating any in- 
 formation of their Proceedings. The most per- 
 fect harmony subsists among its Members. — 
 The character of New- York is no longer sus- 
 picious; they take an active share in the oppo- 
 sition. Government has sent them the Asia, 
 Man-of-War, to give spirit to the Tories. — 
 North-Carolina will probably be called on for 
 Money, and a Provincial Convention should 
 be immediately called, - 
 23, Address of Williamsburgh Volunteers to Peyton 
 Randolph, - 
 Mr. Randolph's Answer, - - - 
 23, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Committee. — 
 Resolutions on Lord Dunmore's Speech in 
 Council, on the 2d of May, and his Proclama- 
 tion of the 3d of May, .... 
 23, Talbot County, Maryland, Committee of Obser- 
 vation. Proceedings in relation to the Ship 
 Johnston, belonging to Mr. Gildart, of Liver- 
 pool, loaded with Salt and Dry Goods, and 
 bound to the Chesapeake Bay, - 
 23, Letter from Robert Hanna. James Cavet and 
 Thomas Scott, at Pittsburgh, to Governour 
 Penn, complaining of their treatment from the 
 authorities of Virginia, - 
 23, Letter from ..Eneas Mackay and others, at Pitts- 
 burgh, to Governour Penn. They are treated 
 by the Officers under Virginia like degraded 
 beings, not entitled to the common rights of 
 mankind : the very name of a Pennsylvanian 
 is sufficient to render a man odious there, 
 23, Letter from a Committee of the Assembly of 
 Connecticut to the Speaker. The New- York 
 Committee will supply Provisions to the Con- 
 necticut Forces at Ticonderoga. St. Luke La 
 Come has sent Belts to all the Northern Tribes 
 of Indians, to engage them to take up Arms 
 against the New-England Colonies. It is 
 supposed the Plebeians of the Canadas will 
 not willingly engage against the Colonists, but 
 the Nobles are their bitter enemies, - - 685 
 23, Letter from the Albany Committee to the Com- 
 mittee of Palatine District, in Tryon County, 841 
 Speech of the Mohawks to the Magistrates and 
 Committee of Schenectady, and the Mayor 
 and Committee of Albany, delivered bv Little 
 Abraham, May 20, - - - - 841 
 Answer to Little Abraham's Speech, by the Ma- 
 gistrates and Committee of Albany and Sche- 
 nectady, May 20, 842 
 
 Reply of the Mohawks to the Answer of the 
 Magistrates, &c, of Albany and Schenectady, 842 
 23, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the General As- 
 sembly of Connecticut. Defeat of Colonel 
 Allen at St. John's; there are four hundred 
 Regulars there, making preparation to cross 
 the Lake, with the design of retaking Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga, .... 840 
 23, Letter from Benedict Arnold, Commander-in- 
 Chief at Crown Point, to Captain Noah Lee, 
 at Ticonderoga. Preparations of the Regulars 
 and Indians for retaking Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point ; requests every man within fifty 
 miles of Skenesborough may be sent to Ticon- 
 deroga with Powder and Provisions, - - 841 
 23, Letter from Ticonderoga to a Gentleman in 
 Hartford, Connecticut, giving a Journal of 
 Military operations from the 1 1th to the 19th 
 of May, 685 
 
 NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 May2Z, New- Jersey Provincial Congress meets, - 685 
 List of Deputies who attended, - 685 
 24, H^ndrick Fisher elected President, Jonathan D. 
 
 - 680 
 
 680 
 680 
 
 681 
 
 682 
 
 683 
 
 684 
 
I.XIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 Sergeant, Secretary, and William Paterson and 
 Frederick FrHinghuysen his Assistants, 
 May2\, Ministers of the Gospel in Trenton requested to 
 give their daily attendance during the session, 
 to open the House with Prayer, - 
 Allegiance to the King of Great Britain, in the 
 rightful exercise of his authority, acknow- 
 ledged, ------- 
 
 Appointment of Delegates to the Continental 
 
 Congress, by the Assembly, confirmed, - 
 Associators of Shrewsbury, in Monmouth Coun- 
 ty, advised to choose Committee of Observation, 
 
 25, Letter to the Continental Congress. They do 
 
 not think it advisable to enter into measures of 
 consequence, until some general plan is agreed 
 on by the Continental Congress ; and are will- 
 ing to adopt and carry out any plan which 
 they may devise and recommend, - 
 
 26, Adopt the Non-Exportation Resolution of the 
 
 Continental Congress, - 
 Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 Inform the New- York Congress of their ap- 
 plication to the Continental Congress for an 
 uniform plan of operations, and that a general 
 system of correspondence between the Colo- 
 nies should be adopted, - 
 
 29, Pierpont Edwards, one of a Committee from 
 
 Connecticut, attended with certain propositions 
 and instructions, which were received, read, and 
 referred for further consideration, 
 
 30, The Committee sent to the Continental Congress, 
 
 with the Letter of the 25th instant, returned 
 with a written Answer, - 
 Letter received from New- York Congress, pro- 
 fessing their readiness to establish a free cor- 
 respondence, - 
 
 31, Petition from Robert Murray and John Murray, 
 
 professing their sincere contrition for violating 
 the Continental Association; they are restored 
 to all the privileges they heretofore enjoyed in 
 the Province, ------ 
 
 Association adopted, and ordered to be sent to the 
 several Counties, - - - 
 
 June 1, Letter to Pierpont Edwards, in answer to his ap- 
 plication on the part of Connecticut, 
 3, Regulations for the government of the Militia of 
 the Colony, ------ 
 
 Ordinance for raising a sum of Money for the 
 use of the Province, - - - - - 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 May2Z 
 
 LXIV 
 
 CORRE3PONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 Mai/23, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. Has neither Pro- 
 visions nor Ammunition. Four hundred Re- 
 gulars are at St. John's, and it is expected they 
 will make an effort to retake Crown Point and 
 Ticonderoga, ------ 
 
 23, Letter from Committee of Safety to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, - - - - - 
 
 23, Petition from John Merril to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, for Powder for the Town of Top- 
 sham, which is in great danger of an attack 
 from the Indians, ----- 
 
 23, Letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Wal- 
 tham to Massachusetts Committee of Safety, - 
 
 23, Committee of Inspection for the Town of Tewks- 
 bury declare Mr. Timothy Brown ought not 
 to be treated as an enemy, but as a friend to li- 
 berty, ------ 
 
 23, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to 
 their Delegates in the Continental Congress, 
 
 23, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Hampshire to the Continental Congress. In- 
 form the Congress of what has been done in 
 the Colony, and ask advice as to their further 
 proceeding. They ardently wish a connection 
 may yet be preserved between Great Britain 
 and the Colonics, but many conclude that the 
 voice of God and Nature, since the late hos- 
 tile conduct of Great Britain, is, that we are 
 bound to look to our whole political affairs, - 
 
 23, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. The People of New- 
 Hampshire arc heartily engaged in the com- 
 mon cause, and at all hazards determined to 
 stand by and support it, relying on Divine 
 Providence for success, - 
 
 687 
 
 687 
 
 687 
 688 
 688 
 
 688 
 689 
 
 689 
 
 689 
 689 
 689 
 
 689 
 690 
 690 
 691 
 692 
 
 693 
 694 
 
 695 
 695 
 
 695 
 695 
 
 696 
 
 697 
 
 24, 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 25, 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 25, 
 
 25, 
 
 ,Letter from Colonel John Fenton to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Committee from Connecticut to 
 the New- York Congress, - 
 
 Petition of Captain Delaplace to the Assembly of 
 Connecticut. The Fortress of Ticonderoga, 
 of which he had the command, was taken on 
 the 10th instant, by one Ethan Allen, and the 
 Garrison made prisoners and sent to Hartford. 
 Requests to know by what authority Allen took 
 them, and why they are detained, 
 
 Address of the Provincial Congress to the Inha- 
 bitants of Massachusetts-Bay, ... 
 
 Letter from Enoch Freeman to Samuel Freeman, 
 at Watertown. He cannot attend the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, but will render any service 
 in his power in the more exposed eastern parts 
 of the Province, - 
 
 Enemies to the Rights and Liberties of the 
 Country, who have aided the plans of a ty- 
 rannical ruler and an abandoned Ministry, 
 disarmed at Worcester, Massachusetts, and 
 ordered not to leave the Town or meet to- 
 gether, ------- 
 
 No evidence has appeared before the Committee 
 of Woburn, in Massachusetts, to prove Major 
 Benjamin Thompson, of Concord, New- Hamp- 
 shire, an enemy to the liberties of the Coun- 
 try, 
 
 John Ackerman and others, of New-Hampshire, 
 charged as inimical to the liberties of Ame- 
 rica, acquitted and discharged, - 
 
 Richmond County, Virginia, Committee. Re- 
 solutions, disapproving of the Address of the 
 Council of Virginia to the People, 
 
 Lancaster County, Virginia, Committee. Reso- 
 lutions justifying themselves and their consti- 
 tuents from the imputations of the Governour 
 in his Speech to the Council, on the 2d of May, 
 and their advice and the Proclamation of the 
 3d of May, 
 
 Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Borough of 
 Norfolk, in Virginia. Resolve to have no 
 dealings with any person who shall give any 
 assistance to the enemies of the Confederated 
 Colonies, ------ 
 
 Address to the People of Virginia, - - - 
 
 Meeting of the Officers of twenty Militia Com- 
 panies, at Dover, in Delaware. Approve and 
 sign an Association, and appoint Field-Officers 
 for the Upper and Lower Regiments of the 
 County, ------- 
 
 Letter from Arthur St. Clair to Governour Penn. 
 State of affairs at Pittsburgh ; the proceedings 
 of Connolly, under Lord Dunmore, has thrown 
 every thing in confusion. An Association has 
 been formed in the County for the defence of 
 American Liberty. Connolly has sent Mes- 
 sengers to the Indians, and it is understood he 
 is preparing to decamp, - 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to the Governour of Connecticut. Or- 
 ders have been given to remove the Cannon 
 and Stores taken at Ticonderoga, to the south 
 end of Lake George. New- York will make 
 no objections to the sending of Troops from 
 Connecticut for the protection of Ticonderoga, 
 
 Resolution of the Continental Congress directing 
 the removal of the Stores from Ticonderoga, 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to the Agents appointed by them to 
 superintend the removal of the Cannon and 
 Stores from Ticonderoga, - 
 
 Instructions to the Agents, enclosed in the fore- 
 going Letter, ------ 
 
 Lettet from Colonel Spencer to the Assembly of 
 Connecticut, ------ 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. As the enterprise against 
 Ticonderoga was a private undertaking, with- 
 out any publick authority, it has been thought 
 proper to take the advice of the Continental 
 Congress upon the manner of treating it in 
 future, ------ 
 
 Letter from General Thomas to the Provincial 
 Congress. Thanks them for his appointment 
 as Lieutenant- General of the Massachusetts 
 Army, 
 
 698 
 843 
 
 698 
 699 
 
 700 
 
 700 
 
 701 
 701 
 701 
 
 702 
 
 703 
 703 
 
 704 
 
 705 
 
 705 
 706 
 
 1251 
 1251 
 
 706 
 
 706 
 
 707 
 
707 
 708 
 708 
 
 709 
 
 710 
 
 710 
 
 LXV 
 
 1775. 
 
 3fay25,Letter from Joseph Warren to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, - 
 
 25, Letter from the Committee of Maiden, Massa- 
 chusetts, to the Committee of Safety, 
 
 25, Petition from the Inhabitants of Machias to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, - 
 
 25, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence for 
 Cumberland County to the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, - - - 
 
 25, Letter from Thomas Barnard to the Salem Com- 
 mittee of Safety. His declaration of attach- 
 ment to the cause of America, - 
 
 25, Committee of Safety for Salem, Massachusetts. 
 
 The declaration of the Rev. Thomas Barnard, 
 satisfactory; and he should be hereafter looked 
 upon as a friend to his Country, - 
 
 26, General Committee for Charlestovvn, South- 
 
 Carolina, prohibit the exportation of Corn from 
 the Province; and require eight thousand 
 bushels of Salt, imported in the Brigantine 
 Hannah, from Liverpool, to be forthwith sent 
 back, the Salt having been shipped at Liver- 
 pool as Merchandise, with intent to put the 
 American Association at defiance, - - 710 
 
 26, Loudoun County, Virginia, Committee. Disap- 
 prove of Lord Dunmore's seizing the Powder, 
 and approve of the measures of Patrick Henry 
 and the Hanover Volunteers, - - - 710 
 
 26, Letter from the President of the Continental 
 Congress to the New- York Congress, enclos- 
 ing the Resolutions of Congress of May 25, 
 recommending the establishment of Posts at or 
 near King's Bridge, and in the Highlands, 
 and other measures of defence, - - - 844 
 
 26, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Jersey to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York. An uniform plan of conduct should 
 be adopted by the Colonies; and they have 
 applied for the advice and direction of the Con- 
 tinental Congress on that subject ; they abo 
 recommend the establishment of a correspon- 
 dence between the Colonies, - 
 
 26, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Committee of Safety, - - 
 
 26, Petition of Samuel Tudor to the New- York 
 Congress, in behalf of the Independent Artil- 
 lery Company, for Ammunition, &c., - 
 
 26, Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress. The 
 subject of issuing a Paper Currency is now 
 under consideration, and they wish to consider 
 it further before the Continental Congress 
 comes to a final determination on the subject, - 
 
 26, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New- 
 York Congress, enclosing a number of papers 
 relating to the present state of affairs in the 
 Northern parts of the Province, ... 
 Extracts of intercepted Letters, enclosed in a Let- 
 ter from the Albany Committee to the Provin- 
 cial Congress of New- York, dated May 26, - 
 
 26, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Assembly of Con- 
 necticut, ------- 
 
 24, Letter from Ethan Allen, Colonel of the Green 
 Mountain Boys, to the several Tribes of In- 
 dians in Canada, inviting them to join him, - 
 
 26, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety, ----- 
 
 26, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Congress of New- York. They have directed 
 Mr. Arnold to send from Ticonderoga such of 
 the Cannon as can be spared, for the use of the 
 Army in Massachusetts. General Gage has 
 broken his faith with the Inhabitants of Bos- 
 ton; after they had delivered up their Arms he 
 refused to let them go. New- York may profit 
 by their example, - 
 
 26, Letter from Joseph Haw-ley to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety; requesting copies of 
 Col. Benedict Arnold s Commission, Instruc- 
 tions, &c., - - - - 
 
 26, Letter from Benjamin Greenleaf to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress; requesting to be excused 
 from serving on the Committee of Safety, 
 
 26, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety to the Provincial Congress, complaining 
 of Colonel Jonathan Brewer, of Waltham, - 
 26, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New- Hampshire Congress; urging them to 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXV I 
 
 845 
 711 
 
 845 
 
 845 
 
 712 
 
 846 
 713 
 
 714 
 714 
 
 715 
 
 716 
 716 
 716 
 
 1775. 
 
 send forward with all speed the Troops they 
 have been raising to serve against the common 
 enemy, - - - - - - - 717 
 
 May26, Letter from Captain Samuel Bullard to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Committee of Safety, - - - 717 
 
 27, Frederick County, Virginia, Committee. No 
 measures with Administration, which may 
 affect the Liberties of America, ought to be 
 agreed to by this Colony without the concur- 
 rence of the other Colonies, - - - 718 
 
 27, Prince George's County, Maryland, Committee. 
 Thomas Bailly has committed a wilful viola- 
 tion of the Continental Association, in selling 
 imported Salt; and John Baynes has violated 
 the Continental and Provincial Association by 
 killing a Lamb, - - - - - 718 
 
 27, Letter from Abraham Lott to the New- York 
 Congress, requesting their direction whether 
 he shall comply with an order to supply His 
 - Majesty's Ship Asia with Provisions, - - 846 
 
 27, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New- 
 York Congress, on the threatened attack from 
 the Province of Quebeck on Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, ------ 846 
 
 27, Letter from the Assembly of Connecticut to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. They think the 
 stand should be made at Ticonderoga, and not 
 at Fort George, as advised by the Continental 
 Congress, which advice they have desired their 
 Delegates to request may be reconsidered, - 719 
 
 27, Account of the battle at Chelsea, Hog- Island, &c, 
 
 in Massachusetts, ----- 720 
 Representation of the Selectmen of Waltham 
 to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety; 
 charging Major Abijah Brown with being un- 
 friendly to the Country, ... - 720 
 
 27, Letter from the Committee of Safety to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Congress, referring to them the 
 complaint against Major Abijah Brown, - 72 1 
 Major Brown acquitted of the charges against 
 him by the Provincial Congress, - - - 721 
 
 27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 
 Continental Congress. The order to remove 
 the Cannon from Ticonderoga to this Colony 
 was given without the slightest intention of 
 offence to New- York. It is of the utmost 
 importance that Ticonderoga, or some Post 
 near it, should be maintained, to interrupt the 
 water communication between Canada and the 
 
 Colonies, 721 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Assembly of Connecticut. Before any thing 
 further is done in relation to Ticonderoga the 
 advice of the Continental Congress should be 
 had, and also the special advice of New- York, 
 in whose jurisdiction it is, - 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Col. 
 
 Benedict Arnold, at Ticonderoga, 
 Instructions to Colonel Henshaw, appointed by 
 the Massachusetts Congress to proceed to the 
 Governour of Connecticut, to ascertain if pro- 
 vision is made for securing and maintaining 
 Ticonderoga, ------ 
 
 Letter from Colonel Henshaw to Joseph Warren, 
 Minutes of Colonel Joseph Henshaw's journey 
 
 to Connecticut, 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Partridgefield to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress, - 
 Condition of New-Hampshire, as delivered by 
 their Delegates to the Continental Congress, - 
 Recantation of Ebenezer Loverin, of Kensing- 
 ton, New-Hampshire, - 795 
 Letter from Gouverneur Morris to Richard 
 Henry Lee. A favourable sentence in Riving- 
 ton's case, which has been referred to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, will be highly agreeable to 
 most men in New- York, - 726 
 
 28, Letter from Richard Henry Lee to Gouverneur 
 
 Morris. Happily for the cause of humanity, 
 the Colonies are now united, and may bid de- 
 fiance to Tyranny and its infamous abetters. 
 Mr. Rivington's case, and all others of a like 
 kind, are referred to the Colony Conventions 
 where the offence was committed, 
 
 28, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 
 ty to Colonel Benedict Arnold, - - - 
 
 29, Charles County, Maryland, Committee. John 
 
 Baillie and Patrick Graham of Port Tobacco, 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 27, 
 
 28, 
 28, 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 
 27, 
 
 722 
 
 723 
 
 723 
 723 
 
 724 
 
 724 
 
 725 
 
 726 
 
 726 
 
LXVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXVI1I 
 
 for their infamous conduct in importing Dry- 
 Goods in violation of the Continental Associa- 
 tion, to be held up as enemies of American 
 Liberty, and all persons to leave off dealing 
 
 with them, 727 
 
 jV«y29,New- York Committee. All persons having any 
 Osnaburghs, Ravens' Duck, Russia Sheeting, 
 &c, are requested not to dispose of them until 
 the Provincial Congress shall determine on the 
 expediency of detaining them for their own 
 
 use, 728 
 
 29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the 
 Provincial Congress of New-Jersey. Nothing 
 at this critical juncture can tend more to ensure 
 success than an uniform plan of conduct for 
 the several Colonies ; to this end we ought to 
 look to the Continental Congress, - - 1260 
 29, Letter from the New-York Congress to their 
 Delegates at Philadelphia. There is no Pow- 
 der to be purchased in the City, and scarce 
 any in the whole Colony; and a very con- 
 siderable number of the Inhabitants are with- 
 out Arms, 1260 
 
 29, Letter from the New-York Congress to the Com- 
 mittees in the several Counties, requesting that 
 the Resolution for subscribing the Associa- 
 tion may be carried into effect without delay, 
 and that the names of those who refuse to sign 
 may be returned to the Congress, - - - 1261 
 29, Letter from the New- York Congress to Gover- 
 nour Trumbull. New-York not being able 
 to take command of the Posts of Crown Point 
 and Ticonderoga, wishes Connecticut to do so, 728 
 29, Memorandum by Colonel Arnold of the Men 
 and Military Stores required for the ensuing 
 
 Summer, 847 
 
 29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New- 
 York Congress. Colonel Hinman with one 
 thousand Men ordered to Ticonderoga, for the 
 protection of that Post and Crown Point, - 847 
 29, Letter from J. Trumbull, Jun., to his Brother, 
 
 at Cambridge, 728 
 
 29, Committee of New-Milford, in the County of 
 Litchfield, Connecticut, publish Zachariah 
 Ferris, Joseph Ferris, Jun., James Osborne, 
 Daniel Taylor, Nathaniel Taylor and Heze- 
 kiah Stevens, Jun., all of New-Milford, as 
 persons to be universally neglected and treated 
 as incorrigible enemies to the rights of British 
 
 America, 730 
 
 29, Letter from the Selectmen of New-Haven to 
 
 Governour Trumbull, ... - 730 
 29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, informing them of the mea- 
 sures taken for the security of Crown Point 
 and Ticonderoga, ..... 730 
 
 29, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Albany 
 Committee. Connecticut has made provision, 
 with the consent of New-York, for the protec- 
 tion of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - - 731 
 'i9, Letter from William Gilleland to the Continen- 
 tal Congress, on the protection of the North- 
 ern frontiers of New- York, - - - 731 
 29, Military Companies forming in various parts of 
 
 New-Jersey, - 732 
 29, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Continental Con- 
 gress, showing the injurious effects of aban- 
 doning Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - 732 
 29, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Continental 
 Congress. Informs them of his participation 
 in the capture of Ticonderoga, and of his 
 subsequent proceedings there. Remonstrates 
 against the abandonment of Ticonderoga; five 
 hundred families to the north of it will be left 
 to the mercy of the King's Troops and the In- 
 dians, ....... 734 
 
 29, Letter from Benedict Arnold to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety. Surprised and 
 alarmed on learning the order of the Continen- 
 tal Congress to remove the Stores from Ticon- 
 deroga to Fort George. Colonel Allen has 
 entirely given up the command, ... 735 
 29, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull, showing the importance 
 of retaining possession of Ticonderoga, - 735 
 29, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New-Hampshire Congress. The measure 
 taken by the Continental Congress, of aban- 
 
 1775. 
 
 doning Ticonderoga, will be highly injurious 
 
 to the Colonies east of Hudson's River, 
 3fay29,Letter from the Committee of Sandwich to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, giving a statement of 
 facts relating to the capture of several Vessels 
 by Capt. Lindsey, of the Falcon, sloop-of-war, 
 
 29, Letter from the Committee of Salem -to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Committee of Safety. They are 
 satisfied of the propriety of Mr. Stephen Hig- 
 ginson's conduct, in the answers he gave when 
 on examination before the House of Commons, 
 
 29, Letter from Colonel John Stark to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress, .... 
 
 29, Letter from the Committee of Portsmouth, New- 
 Hampshire, to the Committee of Newburyport. 
 Two Provision Vessels seized in the Harbour 
 by Captain Barclay, of the King's Ship Scar- 
 borough, - ...... 
 
 Particular account of the capture of the Provi- 
 sion Vessels. Orders given by General Gage 
 and Admiral Graves, to take every Vessel 
 with Provisions met with on any station, and 
 send them to Boston, for supplies for the Army 
 and Navy, ...... 
 
 Address to General Gage, .... 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Apr. 5, Committee of Safety, meets at Concord, 
 
 Committee of Supplies to furnish an exact ac- 
 count of all Provisions and Stores, 
 14, Cannon in Concord to be disposed of immediate- 
 ly within the Town, ..... 
 Powder at Leicester to be removed to Concord, - 
 Colonel Gardner chosen one of the Committee 
 of Safety, by the Provincial Congress, in place 
 of Deacon Fisher, resigned, ... 
 
 17, Application to be made to certain persons to take 
 
 command of Artillery Companies, 
 Colonel Barret requested to raise an Artillery 
 
 Company, - - - - 
 
 Pay of Artillery Companies established, - 
 Four Cannon sent to Groton to Colonel Prescott, 
 Two brass Mortars sent to Acton, ... 
 Committee of Safety and Committee of Supplies 
 
 adjourn to Menotomy, .... 
 
 18, Four brass Cannon to be under the care of the 
 
 Boston Company and Captain Robinson, 
 Letter to Captain Timothy Bigelow, 
 All the Ammunition of the Province to be de- 
 posited in nine different Towns, - 
 Provisions to be removed from Concord to Sud- 
 . bury, 
 
 Six Companies of Matrosses, - - - - 
 Disposition to made of the Cannon, Powder, and 
 
 Military Stores of all kinds, ... 
 Letter to Colonel Barret, countermanding the 
 
 order to remove the Powder from Leicester to 
 
 Concord, - 
 
 21, Form of Enlistment adopted, .... 
 Eight thousand effective Men to be enlisted, to 
 
 serve for seven months, - 
 
 Colonel Gridley and his son, and David Mason, 
 required to attend the Committee immediately, 
 
 Field-Pieces to be prepared for action imme- 
 diately, - 
 
 Captain Dexter to conceal the Cannon in his 
 charge, ------- 
 
 General Officers required to make a Return of 
 such Officers and Soldiers as are engaged' to 
 serve in the Massachusetts Army, and to give 
 in a List of such as they deem qualified for 
 Field-Officers, 
 
 22, Military Stores to be removed from the Seaport 
 
 Towns, ------- 
 
 Intrenching Tools to be inspected and repaired, 
 
 24, Field-Officers of Minute-Men at Cambridge re- 
 
 quired to attend the Committee immediately, 
 Inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden forbidden to 
 fire upon the Seamen under Admiral Graves, 
 
 25, The Cannon at Marlborough to be brought to 
 
 Waltham and mounted, .... 
 
 Col. Freeman, of Sandwich, to secure the Whale 
 Boats at Cape Cod, - - - - - 
 
 Beating Orders for enlistment of persons belong- 
 ing to New- Hampshire, - 
 
 Provincial Congress requested to reduce the Com- 
 panies to fifty-nine. Men each, 
 
 737 
 
 738 
 
 F39 
 
 739 
 
 740 
 
 740 
 741 
 
 741 
 
 741 
 
 741 
 741 
 
 741 
 
 742 
 
 742 
 743 
 743 
 743 
 
 743 
 
 743 
 743 
 
 743 
 
 743 
 743 
 
 743 
 
 743 
 744 
 
 744 
 
 745 
 745 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 
 745 
 
LX1X 
 
 1775. 
 
 A/>r.25,Escort to the Members of Continental Congress, 746 
 
 26, General Preble at Falmouth, requested to attend 
 
 at Cambridge, ------ 746 
 
 Fifteen of the Prisoners at Concord removed to 
 
 Worcester Jail, .... - 746 
 
 Provincial Congress requested to make an Es- 
 tablishment for Armourers, ... 746 
 Enlistments in the Army encouraged, - - 746 
 Order of the 24th instant, forbidding the Inhabi- 
 tants of Chelsea and Maiden to fire on the 
 Seamen under command of Admiral Graves, 
 rescinded, ------ 746 
 
 Inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden authorized 
 to defend themselves, as their judgment may 
 direct, - - . - - - - - 746 
 
 Warrant for supplying an Express, - - 746 
 Certificate to Dr. Bond, - 746 
 
 27, Instructions to Captain Derby, intrusted with 
 
 intelligence to the Agent in England, - - 747 
 Letters sent to Rhode-Island and Connecticut, - 747 
 Colonel Glover to prevent intelligence being sent 
 
 to the Lively, Ship-of-War, at Marblehead, - 747 
 
 28, Post-Riders, between the Army and Worcester, 
 
 recommended, ------ 747 
 
 General Gage's Precepts for calling an Assem- 
 bly not to be noticed, ----- 747 
 
 None living in New- York, or any other Go- 
 vernment, to be enlisted for the service of this 
 Province, ------ 747 
 
 Cannon at Medford to be brought to Cambridge, 747 
 Inhabitants of Boston yesterday surrendered their 
 Fire-Arms, as they had agreed to do, with 
 General Gage, ----- 747 
 
 Committee to take the state of Boston into consi- 
 deration, ------- 747 
 
 29, Committee to take into consideration the removal 
 
 of the Inhabitants from Boston, - - - 747 
 Neighbouring Towns required to send one-half 
 
 of their Militia to Cambridge and Roxbury, - 747 
 Expresses to press as many Horses as they have 
 
 occasion for, ------ 748 
 
 General Ward to apply to the Commissary for 
 
 such Stores as he may have occasion for, - 748 
 Dr. Foster authorized to remove the sick and 
 
 wounded to the Hospital, - - - - 748 
 Captain Benedict Arnold, with a Company, ar- 
 rived from Connecticut, - - - - 748 
 General Thomas ordered to seize Governour 
 
 Hutchinson's Papers, ... - 748 
 
 30, Captain Benedict Arnold reports the quantity of 
 
 Cannon at Ticonderoga, and that the Fortress 
 
 is in a ruinous condition, - - - - 748 
 
 Province Arms at Worcester or Concord to be 
 brought to Cambridge, ... - 749 
 
 Committee to form a plan for the liberation of 
 the Inhabitants of Boston, - - - - 749 
 
 Orders to Colonel Gerrish, - - - - 749 
 
 John Pierce Palmer appointed Quartermaster- 
 General of the Army, ... - 749 
 
 Inhabitants of the Colony desirous of removing 
 into Boston, permitted to do so, - - - 749 
 May 1, Paper Currencies of Connecticut and Rhode-Is- 
 land to pass in Massachusetts, - 749 
 
 Rev. Mr. Gordon to have free access to the Pri- 
 soners, ------- 750 
 
 2, Committee on the proposal of Colonel Arnold, 
 
 for an attempt on Ticonderoga, - 750 
 
 Recantations from Marblehead received, - - 750 
 
 Money, &c, to be delivered to Captain Arnold, 
 for the use of the Colony, upon a certain ser- 
 vice, approved of by the Council of War, - 750 
 
 Colonel Arnold appointed to a secret service, au- 
 thorized to appoint certain Officers, - - 750 
 
 Ten Horses to be procured for Colonel Arnold, 
 to be employed on a special service, - - 750 
 
 3, Orders to Colonel Arnold, relative to an attempt 
 
 upon Ticonderoga, - - - - - 751 
 
 4, The publick good of the Colony requires that Go- 
 
 vernment in full form ought to be taken up 
 immediately, ------ 751 
 
 Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, request- 
 ing him to forward three or four thousand 
 Troops, - - - - - - -751 
 
 Committee to confer with the Council of War, on 
 
 the arrival of re-enfoTcements at Boston. - 752 
 7, To prevent the appointment of Surgeons who may 
 not be agreeable to the Officers and Soldiers, 
 Colonels are to nominate them, - 752 
 
 LXX 
 
 1775. 
 
 May!, Committee for Chelsea to prevent Provisions from 
 
 being carried into Boston, - - - - 753 
 
 9, Recommend a new Commission for the Committee 
 
 of Safety, 753 
 
 Council of War recommend a re-enforcement of 
 two thousand Men to he brought into Camp 
 the ensuing night, ----- 753 
 A Court of Inquiry proposed for the trial of ac- 
 cused persons, ------ 753 
 
 10, Many Batteaus, Whale Boats, and others, will 
 
 very soon be wanted on Charles River, and 
 Carpenters are ordered to be engaged to make 
 them, ------- 753 
 
 Letter to the Colonels of the Army, informing a 
 blow is meditated against the enemy, and or- 
 dering them to repair forthwith to Cambridge, 754 
 
 Letter to the Provincial Congress, enclosing the 
 foregoing orders, - - - - - 754 
 
 William Goodwin empowered to take posses- 
 sion of a number of Boats in Charlestown, 
 and to press Teams to take the Boats to Cam- 
 ' bridge, - - - - - - 754 
 
 Mr. Watson empowered to remove to Cambridge 
 the Boats now in Menotomy River, - - 754 
 
 General Gage intends soon to come out of Bos- 
 ton, (Note,) 754 
 
 1 1 , Provincial Congress requested to establish a Court 
 
 of Inquiry for the trial of suspected persons, - 754 
 
 12, Works recommended to be erected to prevent the 
 
 enemy from passing into the country from 
 Boston, ------- 755 
 
 The determination of this matter rests with the 
 Council of War, ----- 755 
 
 Seizure of Tories, and detaining them until Gen. 
 Gage complies with his engagement made with 
 the Inhabitants of Boston, recommended, - 755 
 
 Committee adjourns to Congress, upon matters of 
 great importance, ----- 755 
 
 1 4, Andrew Craigie empowered to impress beds, bed- 
 
 ding, and other necessaries for the sick, - 756 
 Josiah Martin having promised, with his life and 
 fortune, to stand for the defence of his Country, 
 is to be received into the favour of his country- 
 men, - - 750 
 
 Live Stock to be taken from Hog- Island, Nod- 
 dle-Island and Snake-Island, ... 757 
 Persons escaping from Boston, to be received and 
 protected, ------- 757 
 
 15, Account of Ordnance and Military Stores, - 757 
 Lady Frankland permitted to pass into Boston, 
 
 with certain goods and articles for her voyage, 757 
 Note from Lady Frankland to Dr. Warren. — 
 
 (Note,) 757 
 
 Note from Lady Frankland to the Committee of 
 
 Safety, (Note,) 757 
 
 Letters from New- York, relative to the establish- 
 ing a Post-Office, referred to the Provincial 
 Congress, 757 
 
 16, Fifty-four Whale Boats to be provided for the 
 
 use of the Colony, ----- 759 
 Establishment for the Companies of Matrosses, - 759 
 Ten Swivels to be provided for the use of the 
 
 Army, 760 
 
 17, Committee to repair to the Provincial Congress, 
 
 and request that the duty of the Committee of 
 Safety be precisely stated, - 760 
 
 General Gage not having kept his agreement 
 with the Inhabitants of Boston, it is recom- 
 mended to the Provincial Congress to rescind 
 their Resolution of the 30th of April, founded 
 on that agreement, ----- 7(50 
 
 Students of Harvard College, who had been 
 furnished with Arms, are requested to return 
 them, 761 
 
 Female friends to America requested to send such 
 quantities of Rags as they can spare for the 
 Surgeons of the Massachusetts Forces, - 761 
 
 19, Capt. John Lane furnished with enlisting papers 
 
 for raising a Company of Indians at the East- 
 ward, ------- 761 
 
 Letter to the several Colonels, requesting imme- 
 diate Returns, - - - - - - 761 
 
 A Horse and Sulkey furnished Dr. Church, for 
 his journey to Philadelphia, - 761 
 
 20, No Slave to be admitted into the Army, - - 762 
 
 22, Post-Riders discharged, ... - 702 
 
 23, Congress requested to take measures to secure the 
 
 Stock on the Islands and Sea-Coasts, - - 762 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
LXXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 jVrty23,Thirty thousand Men considered necessary for the 
 defence of the lives, liberty and property of 
 the Americans ; and not more than twenty -four 
 thousand having been raised by the several 
 Colonies, the matter is laid before the Con- 
 gress, 762 
 24, Immediate removal of the Sheep and Hay from 
 
 Noddle Island recommended, ... 763 
 
 29, Committee of Cohasset requested to restore to Mr. 
 
 Temple his Property, and they and all others 
 to treat him as a friend to this Country and to 
 the rights of all America, - 704 
 Rev. Mr. Gordon of Roxbury authorized to re- 
 ceive from Capt. McLane a volume of copies 
 of Governour Hutchinson's Letters, - - 764 
 
 30, Elisha Littenwell directed to remove from Chel- 
 
 sea to Cambridge the Cannon and Stores of a 
 Schooner burned by our People, - - 764 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Apr. 22, Letter from Mr. duincy to Mr. Adams, read in 
 
 the Congress, and sent to Dr. Warren, - 763 
 Committee to take Depositions of the transactions 
 of the Troops under General Gage, in their 
 route to and from Concord, on Wednesday last, 
 to be sent to England, .... 765 
 
 23, An Army of thirty thousand Men necessary for 
 
 the defence of the Colony, .... 765 
 Thirteen thousand six hundred Men to be imme- 
 diately raised in this Province, ... 765 
 Committee to bring in a plan for the establish- 
 ment of the Army, .... - 765 
 Committees to New- Hampshire, Connecticut and 
 Rhode-Island, to request their concurrence in 
 raising the Army, - 765 
 Doctor Warren elected President, ... 766 
 Establishment of the Army, - 766 
 Committees of the several Towns requested to 
 furnish enlisted Men with Blankets, - - 766 
 
 24, Committee of Safety or- Committee of Supplies 
 
 empowered to impress Horses or Teams, - 766 
 Committee to attend the Committee of Safety, to 
 
 name suitable persons for Officers in the Army 
 
 now raising, ...... 766 
 
 Letters from Hartford read and forwarded to the 
 
 Committee of Safety at Cambridge, - - 767 
 
 25, Motion to ascertain the number of delinquent 
 
 Towns and Districts rejected, ... 767 
 Proceedings with the Indian Nations to be kept 
 secret. Other matters before the Congress to 
 be left to the discretion of each Member, - 767 
 Companies in each Regiment to be reduced from 
 one hundred Men to fifty-nine Men each, and 
 each Regiment to ten Companies, - - 767 
 
 26, Committee to draught a Letter to the Agent in 
 
 Great Britain, 768 
 
 William Burbeck appointed an Engineer of the 
 Forces now raising in this Colony for the de- 
 fence of the rights and liberties of the Ameri- 
 can Continent, ------ 768 
 
 Richard Gridley appointed Chief Engineer, - 768 
 Committee to consider the state of the Eastern 
 
 parts of the Province, ... - 769 
 Committee of Supplies directed to procure Pow- 
 der and Ball for the Colony, and to furnish 
 what can be spared to the Eastern Towns, - 769 
 Marblehead, Salem and Newburyport required 
 to sell four half-barrels of Powder each, to 
 the Towns of York, Welles, Biddeford and 
 Boothbay, 769 
 
 27, Committee to inquire what provision is made for 
 
 a Post to ride from the Army to Worcester ; 
 and also to procure a Writ issued by General 
 Gage for calling an Assembly in May next, - 770 
 
 Motion by Mr. Gerry that the Committees of the 
 Seaport Towns in the County of Essex be ad- 
 vised to have all the effects of the Inhabitants 
 removed as soon as possible, - 770 
 
 Committee to get an exact account of the Men 
 killed and wounded and murdered in the late 
 scene, on the 19th instant, .... 770 
 
 Committee to make true copies of the Deposi- 
 tions, and have them signed and authenticated, 771 
 
 28, Committee to confer with the Gentlemen from 
 
 New- Hampshire, and to lay before them the 
 Letters just received from New- York, dated 
 April 19, 771 
 
 LXXI I 
 
 1775. 
 
 Apr.28, Letter to the Convention of New- Hampshire, • 771 
 
 Committee to consult with the Committee from 
 New-Hampshire respecting the New-Hamp- 
 shire Forces, now at Cambridge, n - 771 
 
 Committee to consider a Letter from Stephen 
 
 Hopkins, dated Providence, April 27, - 772 
 
 Committee to consider the expediency of estab- 
 lishing Post-Riders between the Massachusetts 
 Forces and the Town of Worcester, - - 772 
 
 Committee to consider the propriety of advising 
 the Towns not to notice the Precepts issued 
 by General Gage for calling a General As- 
 sembly, ------- 772 
 
 Committee to prepare the form of a Commission 
 for the Officers of the Army now forming in 
 this Province, ------ 772 
 
 Committee to prepare Rules for the government 
 of the House, ------ 772 
 
 Committee to ascertain what has taken place for 
 the release of our friends in Boston, - - 772 
 
 Committee to bring in a Resolve empowering the 
 Committee of Supplies to procure Provisions 
 and Military Stores for the Army now form- 
 ing in this Colony, - - ... 772 
 
 29, Papers presented, containing the Proceedings of 
 
 the Town of Boston with General Gage, - 772 
 
 Committee of Safety requested to report on the 
 Papers, - - 772 
 
 Rules for the government of the Congress 
 adopted, ------- 773 
 
 Committee of Supplies empowered to purchase 
 every kind of Military Stores, Provisions and 
 all other Supplies, for the use of the Forces of 
 this Colony, ------ 773 
 
 Pay of Field-Officers reduced, - - - 774 
 
 County Committees to report, on the fourth Wed- 
 nesday in May, the conduct of the Towns 
 and Districts with respect to their having exe- 
 cuted the Continental and Provincial measures 
 for the preservation of this Country from 
 slavery, - - - 774 
 
 Committee to consider on some method for sup- 
 plying the Treasury, .... 774 
 
 Committee to confer with Jos. Brown, of Rhode- 
 Island, ....... 775 
 
 Letter from New- York, dated April 24, recom- 
 mending the intercepting of the Despatches to 
 General Gage, ..... 775 
 
 30, State and situation of the Cannon and Military 
 
 Stores, 775 
 
 Express sent to the Committee of Safety, to pro- 
 cure their result with respect to moving out 
 the Inhabitants of Boston, - - - 775 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Safety, sent by the 
 Express, ...... 775 
 
 Committee to inquire into the conduct of the 
 several Towns relative to Prisoners of War, 776 
 
 Resolve from the Committee of Safety, respecting 
 the liberation of the Inhabitants of Boston, ac- 
 cepted, and ordered to be sent to the Selectmen 
 of Boston, to be communicated to Gen. Gage, 776 
 May 1, Committee to examine the Papers of the Con- 
 gress, and report what may be published, - 776 
 
 Letter from Major Hawley, respecting the Bearer 
 of Despatches for General Gage; referred to 
 Committee of Safety, .... 776 
 
 Motion that William Read be admitted to state 
 the sufferings he met with on the 19th April, 
 rejected. Committee to confer with him, - 777 
 
 Form of Commission for Colony Officers, - 777 
 
 Pass for the use of Members of Congress, - 777 
 
 Resolutions for the removal of the Poor from 
 Boston, ....... 777 
 
 Report of Committee on application of William 
 Read, ....... 779 
 
 2, Joseph Warren chosen President, ... 779 
 
 Committee on securing the Records of the Coun- 
 ties, 779 
 
 Letter to the Delegates from this Colony in Con- 
 necticut, - - - ... . 780 
 
 Committee to forward to the Continental Con- 
 gress copies of the Depositions, and Address to 
 the Inhabitants of Great Britain, and Letter to 
 Mr, Franklin, lately sent to Great Britain, - 781 
 
 Effects of persons removing into Boston may be 
 sent there, - - - - » -781 
 
 Committee on liberating the persons taken Pri- 
 soners on the 19th of April, - - 782 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
I.XXIII 
 
 1775. 
 May 3, 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXIV 
 
 Committee of Supplies directed to furnish Colonel 
 Benedict Arnold ten Horses, and Powder, 
 
 Lead and Flints, 782 
 
 Committee to revise the Commission of the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies, ..... 782 
 Receiver-General directed to borrow One Hun- 
 dred Thousand Pounds, .... 782 
 Horses and Carriages of Members of this Con- 
 gress excepted from impressment, - - 783 
 Committee to procure a Copperplate for printing 
 
 the Colony Notes, .... - 783 
 Rev. Mr. Gordon chosen Chaplain to the Con- 
 gress during their session in Watertown, - 783 
 Report of Committee on liberating Prisoners 
 
 taken by Gen. Gage, the 19th of April, (Note,) 784 
 Resolve on the same subject, - - - - 784 
 
 4, Pay to the Soldiers advanced, ... 784 
 Committee to hold a Conference with the Dele- 
 gates from Connecticut to General Gage, - 785 
 
 Their Report, 785 
 
 Committee to prepare a Letter to the Assembly 
 of Connecticut, on their application to General 
 Gage, 785 
 
 5, Resolution of April 1, recommending the Writs 
 
 of General Gage, for electing Members of an 
 Assembly, should be obeyed, reconsidered and 
 rescinded, and declare that no obedience ought 
 in future to be paid to his Writs, Proclamations, 
 or any other of his doings, ... 786 
 
 Letter to the Assembly of Connecticut, - - 786 
 
 Letter to General Ward, on the obstruction to the 
 liberation of the Inhabitants of Boston, - 787 
 
 New Provincial Congress to be elected, to meet 
 on the 3 1st of May, 788 
 
 Resolution from the Committee of Safety, that 
 Government in full form ought to be taken up, 
 to be considered on the 9th instant, - - 788 
 
 6, Committee of Safety authorized to procure Pow- 
 
 der from any Colony on the Continent, - 789 
 
 Committee to consider the Letter received yester- 
 day from the Speaker of the Assembly of Con- 
 necticut, 789 
 
 Committee of Supplies authorized to import Mili- 
 tary Stores from such place and in such quan- 
 tities as they may judge proper, ... 789 
 
 Committee to ascertain what number of Province 
 Arms there are in the Province, ... 790 
 
 Establishment for the Train, .... 790 
 
 7, Committee of Supplies authorized to procure 
 
 Fire-Arms and Bayonets from any Colony on 
 
 the Continent, 790 
 
 8, Oath to be administered to the Officers and Pri- 
 
 vate Soldiers of the Army now raising in this 
 Colony, - - - - - - -791 
 
 Letter to the Selectmen of Hopkinton, - - 791 
 Letter from Committee of Portsmouth, of the 6th 
 
 instant, 792 
 
 Letter from General Ward, .... 792 
 Answer to the Letter from Portsmouth, - - 792 
 Committees of Correspondence of the several 
 Towns to inquire into the principles and con- 
 duct of suspected persons, and to cause all to 
 be disarmed who are found unfriendly to the 
 rights and liberties of America, - - - 793 
 Letter to General Ward, .... 794 
 Consideration of the expediency of assuming Go- 
 vernment postponed to Friday, the 12th inst., - 794 
 
 9, Committee to prepare a spirited application to 
 
 General Gage, respecting his treatment of the 
 Inhabitants of Boston, .... 795 
 
 Committee to consider the expediency of establish- 
 ing Post-Offices and Post-Riders, - - 795 
 
 Resolutions on the false account of the late Excur- 
 sion of the King's Troops, .... 795 
 
 Resolution for supplying those Soldiers with 
 Fire-Arms who are not equipped therewith, - 796 
 
 Twenty Armourers to be appointed by the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, to repair the Arms of the Sol- 
 diers of the Massachusetts Army, - - 796 
 10, Letter to General Gage, on his violation of the 
 Agreement for the removal of the Inhabitants 
 of Boston, ...... 798 
 
 Report on the Complaint made against Samuel 
 Pain and William Campbell, by the Selectmen 
 of Worcester, - 799 
 
 Committee to consider the Applications from the 
 Eastern parts of the Province, for Arms and 
 Ammunition, - - - - - 799 
 
 1775. 
 May I 
 
 12, 
 
 1 0 
 
 15, 
 
 16, 
 
 17, 
 
 18, 
 
 1, Resolutions providing for a present supply of 
 Powder to the most exposed of the Eastern 
 Towns, 799 
 
 Committee to write a Letter to New- York, ad- 
 vising them of the sailing of two Men-of-War 
 from Boston, 800 
 
 Committee to consider the expediency of raising 
 a Company or two of Indians, ... 800 
 
 All persons required to give Rev. Mr. Gordon 
 free access to the Prisoners, ... 800 
 
 Committee to write to the Continental Congress, 
 for obtaining their recommendation for this 
 Colony to take up and exercise Civil Govern- 
 ment, 801 
 
 General Ward directed to order four respectable 
 Officers to escort the President to Colonel 
 duincy, at Braintree, to-morrow morning, - 801 
 
 Committee to estimate the damages done at Con- 
 cord, Lexington, and Cambridge, b)'the King's 
 Troops, on the 19th of April, - - - 801 
 
 Establishment for the Companies of Matrosses, - 801 
 
 Committee to take a third set of Depositions rela- 
 tive to the Battle of Lexington, ... 802 
 
 Post-Roads established, 802 
 
 Post-Masters appointed, ----- 803 
 
 Rates of Postage, 803 
 
 Committee to attend the Provincial Congress of 
 New-Hampshire, ..... 803 
 
 Committee to prepare the Application to the Con- 
 tinental Congress directed to desire the Con- 
 gress to take charge of directing and regulating 
 the American Forces, .... 804 
 
 Committee to examine the Letters of Governour 
 Hutchinson, lately discovered, and report such 
 Letters and Extracts as they think it will be 
 proper to publish, ..... 804 
 
 Persons prohibited from removing their Goods 
 and Effects out of the Colony, without per- 
 mission of the Committee of Correspondence of 
 the Town they belong to, - - - - 804 
 
 Committee of Falmouth authorized to send an 
 Embassy to Canada, to ascertain the designs 
 and manoeuvres of the Inhabitants of that Co- 
 lony, 804 
 
 Report of Committee to authorize the establish- 
 ment of a Court of Inquiry, to hear and decide 
 on complaints against any person for treason 
 against the Constitution of their Country, sub- 
 mitted, debated, and rejected, ... 805 
 
 Committee to consider the verbal information of 
 the capture of three Vessels, by a King's Cut- 
 ter, at Dartmouth, ..... 806 
 
 Dr. Church appointed to go to the Continental 
 Congress, with the application from this Con- 
 gress, ....... 806 
 
 Instructions to the Delegates to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Congress, ..... 806 
 
 Officers of the Artillery allowed to enlist Men 
 from the other Regiments, .... 807 
 
 Committee to consider what should be done rela- 
 tive to the Prisoners in Boston, and the Inhabi- 
 tants who are there kept in duresse, - - 807 
 
 Letter from Edward Mott, dated May 11, giving 
 an account of the capture of Ticonderoga, and 
 a Letter from Ethan Allen, received and read, 807 
 
 Colonel Easton, from Ticonderoga, introduced to 
 the House, and each Member authorized to ask 
 him any questions, ..... 807 
 
 Form of Oath to be taken by the General Offi- 
 cers, 808 
 
 Letter to Assembly of Connecticut, proposing to 
 have the Cannon and Stores taken at Ticon- 
 deroga forwarded to the Army at Cambridge, 808 
 
 Colonel Allen to remain in possession of Ticon- 
 deroga and itsdependencies,that Fortress having 
 surrendered to him and others, ... 808 
 
 Connecticut requested to garrison and maintain 
 Ticonderoga, until the advice of the Continen- 
 tal Congress can be had, .... 809 
 
 Committee to revise the Commission of the Com. 
 mittee of Safety, 809 
 
 Officers of the Army of this Colony disqualified 
 from being Members of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, ....... 809 
 
 Committee of Safety elected, - - - - 810 
 
 Report of Committee on the application of Lady 
 Frank land, 810 
 
 Mr. Craft sent for; the allegations against him 
 
LXXV 
 
 1775. 
 
 stated; he makes his defence, and is politely 
 admonished, ------ 810 
 
 Miyl8,Lady Frankland permitted to pass into Boston, 811 
 
 19, Colonel Bond, with a guard, ordered to escort 
 
 Lady Frankland to Boston, - - - 811 
 Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of 
 Connecticut read, respecting the taking of Ti- 
 conderoga, - - - - - - 811 
 
 Answer to this Letter reported by Mr. Gerry, and 
 accepted, - - - - - - - 811 
 
 Commission for the Committee of Safety, - 812 
 Commission to General Ward, as General and 
 Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces raised 
 by the Congress of the Colony of Massachu- 
 setts, for the defence of this and the other Ame- 
 rican Colonies, - - - - - - 813 
 
 Committee to get the Depositions and Narrative 
 of the late Excursion of the King's Troops to 
 Concord printed, - - - - - 813 
 
 20, Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 
 the case of the Prisoners in Boston, and the 
 Inhabitants there kept in duresse, - - 814 
 
 Committee to consider what measures are proper 
 to be taken for organizing the Massachusetts 
 Army in the most effectual and ready manner, 815 
 
 Receiver-General authorized to issue Notes to the 
 amount of Twenty-Six Thousand Pounds, for 
 advance pay to the Massachusetts Army, - 815 
 
 Report of the Committee on the practicability of 
 providing Chaplains for Massachusetts Army, 815 
 
 The President desired to deliver to General Ward 
 his Commission as General and Commander- 
 in-Chief of the Massachusetts Forces, - - 816 
 
 22, Report of Committee on Petition of a number 
 
 of the Inhabitants of Dear- Island, in Lincoln 
 County, 816 
 
 Report of Committee appointed to consider what 
 should be done with the Estates of persons un- 
 friendly to the Country, - - - - 817 
 
 Letter from General Ward, requesting a supply 
 of Ordnance, Arms and Ammunition, - 817 
 
 Letter to Colonel Arnold, signed and ordered to 
 be forwarded, - - - - - - 817 
 
 23, Report of Committee on the Depredations of the 
 
 British Troops on the Islands and Sea- Coasts; 
 read, and referred to the next Provincial Con- 
 gress, - - - - - - 818 
 
 Report of Committee appointed to consider what 
 further measures are necessary to be taken 
 for the organization of the Army, - - 818 
 
 24, Ebenezer Cutler permitted to go into Boston, 
 
 without his effects, - - - - - 819 
 Committee to effect the removal of the Poor of 
 the Town of Boston, - 819 
 
 25, Quantity of Powder that may be spared for the 
 
 publick service from the stocks of the several 
 
 Towns, 820 
 
 Report of the Committee on the subject of ab- 
 sconding Soldiers, - - - - - 821 
 
 26, Letter to the New- York Provincial Congress, - 821 
 Able-bodied Men, without Anns, to be received 
 
 and mustered in the Army, ... 822 
 Report of Committee on the complaint of the 
 Committee of Safety against Mr. Jonathan 
 
 Brewer, - - 822 
 
 18, Officers in Colonel Read's Regiment, - - 823 
 23, Officers in General Ward's Regiment, - - 823 
 23, Officers in Colonel Learned's Regiment, - 823 
 
 23, Officers in Colonel Walker's Regiment, - - 823 
 23, Officers in Colonel Scammons's Regiment, - 824 
 
 25, Officers in Colonel Prescott's Regiment, - - 824 
 
 26, Officers in Colonel Cotton's Regiment, - - 824 
 
 26, Officers in Colonel Fryc's Regiment, - - 825 
 
 27, Officers in Colonel Patterson's Regiment, - 825 
 27, Officers in General Thomas's Regiment, - - 825 
 27, Officers in Colonel Bridge's Regiment, - - 826 
 27, Officers in Colonel Mansfield's Regiment, - 826 
 27, Officers in Colonel Danielson's Regiment, - 826 
 31, Officers in Colonel Fellows's Regiment, - - 826 
 
 June 2, Officeis in Colonel Gardner's Regiment, - - 827 
 3, Officers in Colonel YVhiteomb's Regiment, - 827 
 12, Officers in Colonel Doolittle's Regiment, - - 828 
 16, Officers in Colonel Woodbridge's Regiment, - 828 
 
 16, Officers in Colonel Glover s, Regiment, - - 828 
 
 17, Officers in Col. Jonathan Brewer's Regiment, - 829 
 17, Officers in Colonel David Brewer's Regiment, - 829 
 22, Officers in Colonel Gerrish's Regiment, - - 830 
 26, Officers in Colonel Moses Little's Regiment, - 830 
 
 LXXVI 
 
 1775. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 MayZQ, Note from the Secretary of State's Office, pub- 
 lished in the London Gazette, discrediting the 
 report of a Skirmish between some of the Peo- 
 ple in Massachusetts-Bay and a Detachment of 
 His Majesty's Troops, ... - 848 
 Remarks on this Official paragraph, (Note,) - 848 
 
 30, Letter from Arthur Lee, contradicting the state- 
 ment in the London Gazette, and informing 
 those who wish to see the original affidavits 
 which confirm the account, that they are depo- 
 sited with the Lord Mayor of London, for in- 
 spection, ------- 819 
 
 30, Letter from Colonel James Easton to the Provin- 
 cial Congress, Committee of Safety, and Coun- 
 cil of War, in Cambridge and Watertown. 
 The necessity of protecting Ticonderoga; Con- 
 necticut will furnish Men for its defence, but 
 expects Massachusetts to organize and pay 
 them. Offers to take the command of a Regi- 
 ment, and recommends other persons for ap- 
 pointments, ----- 849 
 
 30, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress. The 
 proceedings of the Provincial Congress ap- 
 proved by the Continental Congress; they are 
 requested to come to a speedy determination 
 on the Paper Currency. Further suggestions 
 for their consideration, - 850 
 
 30, Letter from the New-York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental CongTess, enclos- 
 ing a Report on Paper Currency : it is sent to 
 show their opinion of what ought to be done, 
 and not to be laid before the Continental Con- 
 gress, ------ 1264 
 
 30, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Albany 
 Committee. One thousand Men ordered to 
 proceed to Ticonderoga and Crown Point ; ex- 
 pects the Provincial Congress of New- York 
 will forward Provisions, - - - 850 
 
 30, Letter from Jonathan Parsons, Jim., at St John's, 
 Newfoundland, to the New- York Committee 
 of Safety. Hatred of the People there towards 
 the Americans, for their opposition to the Bri- 
 tish Government ; yet, if they are short of 
 Provisions, they will probably petition the 
 Continental Congress for a supply of Bread 
 and Flour, - - - - - - 851 
 
 30, Declaration of John Nutting and others, of their 
 reasons for signing the Address to Governour 
 Hutchinson, declared satisfactory by the Com- 
 mittee of Salem, ----- 852 
 
 30, Letter from Joshua Upham to the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the Town of Brownfield: 
 explanation of his conduct; voted satisfactory 
 by the Committee, ----- 852 
 
 30, Letter from the Committee of Safety of Massachu- 
 
 setts to the Town of Sudbury. Have examin- 
 ed and dismissed Ezra Taylor, ... 853 
 
 30 Letter from the Selectmen of Hopkinton to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 853 
 
 29, Letter from General Ward to the Committee for 
 Salem. Expects an attack this night from 
 the British Forces in Boston, - 854 
 
 31, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 
 phia. Account of the defeat of the British 
 Troops on the 19th of April has been receiv- 
 ed. The intelligence has panick-struck the 
 Administration and their Tory dependants, 
 who have daily denounced the Americans as 
 cowards, ------- 854 
 
 31, Committee for Mecklenburgh County, North- 
 Carolina. Resolutions declaring all Laws and 
 Commissions derived from the authority of the 
 King or Parliament null and void, and the 
 Civil Constitutions of the Colonies wholly sus- 
 pended, and that no Legislative or Executive 
 power exists in the Colonies, other than the 
 Provincial Congresses, under the direction of 
 the Continental Congress, - - - - 855 
 
 20, The Declaration of Independence by the Citizens 
 of Mecklenburgh County, North-Carolina, on 
 the twentieth day of May, 1775, with the ac- 
 companying Documents, published by the Go- 
 vernour, under the authority and direction of 
 the General Assembly of North-Carolina, 
 (Note,) 855 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
LXXV1I 
 
 1775 
 MayU 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXVI1I 
 
 .Association recommended by the Committee of 
 Chester County, Pennsylvania, to the People 
 
 of the County, 859 
 
 31, Letter addressed to Lord Sandwich, on his charge 
 
 of Cowardice against the Americans, - - 861 
 31, Letter from Col. George Washington to George 
 William Fairfax, in England, with an acount 
 of the Engagement between the Ministerial 
 Troops and the People of Massachusetts-Bay, 865 
 31, Letter from Col. Henshaw to Benedict Arnold. 
 Connecticut has ordered Colonel Hinman to 
 take command at Ticonderoga, with one thou- 
 sand Men, and to repair and defend that Post, 724 
 31, Worcester, Massachusetts, Convention, appoint a 
 Committee to draw up a Remonstrance to the 
 Provincial Congress, against persons having 
 seats there who do not vote away their own 
 money for publick purposes, in common with 
 others; and also to consider the right of per- 
 sons inimical to the Country to vote in Town- 
 Meetings, - 865 
 3 1 , Representation of Robert Temple to the Massa- 
 chusetts Committee of Safety, ... 866 
 31, Letter from Stephen Nye, at Sandwich, to Na- 
 thaniel Freeman. Relation of Captain Lind- 
 sey's proceedings at the Islands, - - 866 
 
 31, Letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Scar- 
 borough to the Massachusetts Congress. Their 
 reasons for not choosing a Representative, - 867 
 31, Letter from the Selectmen of Edgartown to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. They are firmly 
 attached to the cause of their Country, yet 
 the peculiar circumstances in which they are 
 placed renders it inexpedient for them to elect 
 a Member to the Congress, ... 867 
 31, Petition of the Inhabitants of Berwick to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. The Towns along 
 the sea-coast are exposed to the ravages of the 
 enemy, and for want of Arms and Ammuni- 
 tion, the People cannot defend their Wives and 
 Children against the King's Troops: they, 
 therefore, pray for assistance, ... 868 
 31, Letter from the Selectmen of Bedford to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Congress. The Town has declined 
 to send a Member to the Congress, but will 
 freely comply with all their wise and salutary 
 measures, ------ 868 
 
 31, Letter from the New- Hampshire Congress to 
 General Ward, requesting Colonel Stark may 
 be sent to them, ----- 868 
 
 31, Letter from the New- Hampshire Congress to 
 Colonel Stark, requesting him to repair to 
 Exeter without loss of time, - - - 868 
 31, Letter from the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, 
 Committee, to the Provincial Congress, sug- 
 gesting measures of defence against an expect- 
 ed attempt to burn the Town by a British Ship- 
 
 of-War, 868 
 
 31, Letter from Meshech Weare to the New- Hamp- 
 shire Congress. Recommending measures of 
 defence on the Sea-Coast, - - - - 869 
 31, Captain Winborn Adams to the New- Hampshire 
 Congress. Waits for the direction of the Con- 
 gress before he complies with a request from 
 Portsmouth, to go there and assist in destroy- 
 ing the Men-of-War in the Harbour, - 869 
 31, Letter to the New-Hampshire Congress, from 
 Charles Johnston, Clerk to the Committee 
 of the Northern Regiment, in the County of 
 Grafton. Preparations in Canada for invading 
 the Provinces. Four or five hundred Indians 
 collected, and Governour Carleton enlisting 
 Men in Canada. The Inhabitants are in want 
 of Ammunition, Arms, and assistance, - - 869 
 June 1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Water- 
 town. The Ministry are in great consterna- 
 tion since the intelligence by Captain Derby. 
 They wait for General Gage's Despatches, to 
 determine what they will do, ... 870 
 1, Letter from London to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. State of publick opinion in England 
 on the arrival of the news of the defeat and 
 retreat of the Detachments under Lord Percy 
 and Colonel Smith, ----- 870 
 1, Letter from W. Jones, at Savannah, to the Com- 
 mittee of Donations, Boston. The unhappy 
 divisions in Georgia have hitherto prevented 
 their contributing to the support of the Poor 
 
 1775. 
 
 of Boston, b*ut they now send sixty-three bar- 
 rels of Rice, and one hundred and twenty-two 
 Pounds sterling, in Specie, and expect soon to 
 send another token of their regard, 
 June 1, Letter from the Independent Company of Albe- 
 marle, Virginia, to the Williamsburgh Volun- 
 teers. The landing any armed force in the 
 Colony will justify opposition, - - - 
 1, Letter from Easton, Pennsylvania, to Richard 
 Henry Lee. Suggesting offers to be made by 
 the Continental Congress to the King, for a 
 reconciliation, ------ 
 
 1, Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, trans- 
 mitting important intelligence just received 
 from Albany, Watertown, and Hartford. — 
 They have no Money nor Powder, and can- 
 not have Money until they receive the direc- 
 tions of the Congress, who ought to assign the 
 several quotas of Men and Money to each of 
 the Colonies, ------ 
 
 1, Memorial of John Sparding, living at Ticonde- 
 roga Landing, to the New-York Congress, - 
 1, Letter from the New-York Congress to the Sub- 
 Committee of the City and County of Albany. 
 New- York being unable to garrison Ticonde- 
 roga, Crown Point, or Fort George, applied 
 to the Eastern Colonies for assistance: and 
 Connecticut has sent one thousand Men there, 
 under Colonel Hinman. There is no Powder 
 in New-York, - 
 1, Letter from the Camp, near Boston, to a Gentle- 
 man in New- York. Account of the attack 
 on the Provincials by the King's Troops at 
 Noddle- Island and Hog- Island, - - - 
 Declaration of Alexander Walker, one of the 
 signers of the Address to Governour Hutchin- 
 
 1, 
 
 2, 
 
 An Address to the Americans. They are called 
 upon by the providence of God to fight for 
 their Liberties, ------ 
 
 Address of the Pastors of the Congregational 
 Churches of Massachusetts to the Provincial 
 Congress, - - 
 
 Resolution of the Convention of Congregational 
 Ministers, offering their services to officiate as 
 Chaplains to the Army, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Lunenburgh to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, requesting to be ex- 
 cused from furnishing two half barrels of Pow- 
 der from their Town stock for the Army, as it 
 will leave them but thirty pounds for their 
 own defence, ------ 
 
 Petition of William Tallman and others, to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, requesting the Ves- 
 sels they have fitted out at great expense for 
 Whaling Voyages, may be permitted to pro- 
 ceed to sea, 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Col. 
 Benedict Arnold, highly approving the ac- 
 quisitions he has made at Ticonderoga, Crown 
 Point, on the Lake, &c. ; they regret his re- 
 peated requests to send some one to succeed 
 him in the command, and request him to con- 
 tinue until New- York or Connecticut shall 
 take the charge of maintaining the Posts, 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New- Hampshire Congress, requesting them to 
 unite in the defence and security of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, - 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Assembly of Connecticut. Maintaining a Post 
 at Ticonderoga or Crown Point is of the ut- 
 most importance. New- York does not intend 
 to dismantle these Posts entirely, but only to 
 supply from them such Fortifications as may 
 be erected at the south end of Lake George, - 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. The Provincial Congress 
 of New- York are desirous to maintain the im- 
 portant Posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 and Albany will afford their utmost assistance 
 for securing these Posts for the common de- 
 fence, ------- 
 
 Petition of Joseph Kelly, of Nottingham- West, 
 to the New-Hampshire Congress, 
 
 Letter from the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress to the New-York Congress, enclosing 
 
 871 
 
 872 
 
 872 
 
 378 
 873 
 
 1269 
 
 874 
 875 
 875 
 875 
 876 
 
 876 
 876 
 
 1382 
 
 - 876 
 
 877 
 
 877 
 878 
 
LXXIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 a Resolution of May 31, and* requesting their 
 immediate compliance with it, so far as respects 
 the furnishing Batteaus, Provisions, Stores, &c, 
 at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 June 2, An Old Man's Company formed in Reading, 
 Pennsylvania. It consists of eighty Germans, 
 of the age of forty and upwards. The per- 
 son who led them at their first assembling 
 under arms is ninety-seven years of age, 
 2, List of the Committees for the several Districts 
 in Tryon County, New- York, - 
 Letter from the Committee for Tryon County to 
 Colonel Guy Johnson. The People have 
 quietly assembled, signed the General Asso- 
 ciation, and appointed a Committee. It is their 
 determination to do what they can to save their 
 Country, and will, if called upon, be the fore- 
 most to take the field. They request him to 
 dissuade the Indians from interfering in the 
 dispute between the Mother Country and the 
 Colonies, ------- 
 
 2, Letter to John Holt, approving of his publishing 
 and putting his name on the Address against 
 unlawful Standing Armies, - 
 No Standing Army in the British Colonies: or an 
 Address to the Inhabitants of the Colony of 
 New- York, against unlawful Standing Armies, 
 2, Letter of Robert and John Murray to the New- 
 York Congress, 
 
 2, Memorial of Robert and John Murray to the 
 New- York Congress, - 
 Memorial of Robert and John Murray, Mer- 
 chants of the City of New- York, to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, - - - - - 
 
 Papers accompanying the Memorial, 
 2, Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Con- 
 gress, offering his services in the Artillery 
 Department, ..... 
 
 2, Letter from Ethan Allen, at Crown Point, to the 
 New-York Congress. Importance of the 
 Posts on Lake Champlain, which have been 
 taken, and the necessity of retaining them. 
 With fifteen hundred Men he can take Mon- 
 treal, and it would be no difficult matter to take 
 duebeck ; this object should be accomplished, 
 though it required ten thousand Men to do it. 
 If it is thought premature to push an Army 
 into Canada, he proposes to make a stand at 
 Isle-au-Noix, ------ 
 
 2, Address of the New- York Provincial Congress 
 to the Inhabitants of the Province of duebeck, 
 2, Letter from the Committee of Albany to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress of New- York, requesting 
 them to furnish Provisions, except Flour, for 
 the thousand Men sent by Governour Trum- 
 bull to Ticonderoga. They desire full instruc- 
 tions as to what is expected of them, and also 
 what disposition to make of the Prisoners taken 
 at St. John's, - - • 
 Letter from General Greerre to Jacob Greene, - 
 Petition of the Inhabitants of Georgetown, on 
 Kennebeck River, to the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, for one or two barrels or half-barrels of 
 Powder, as they have but thirty pounds, and 
 are in daily expectation of being plundered by 
 the British armed vessels, - - 
 Letter from Colonel Gridley to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety, .... 
 
 2, Letter from Nathaniel Shaw, at New- London, to 
 the New-Hampshire Congress. Has ordered 
 a large quantity of Powder, but, from its not ar- 
 riving, fears the Cruisers in the British Chan- 
 nel, or the negotiations between Great Britain 
 and the States of Holland, have prevented it, 
 2, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to 
 their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 Circumstances appear daily more and more 
 alarming: the Men-of- War stop all Provision 
 Vessels coining to Portsmouth: ArmsandGun- 
 povvder must be procured, if possible, in the 
 Southern Governments; it is indispensable that 
 some plan be adopted by the Continental Con- 
 gress for a Paper Currency, or some other to 
 meet the present urgent necessity, - ' - 
 2, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the 
 Continental Congress, remonstrating against 
 the abandonment of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, and removing the Cannon to the south 
 end of Lake George, .... 
 
 2, 
 2, 
 
 2, 
 
 1271 
 
 878 
 878 
 
 879 
 
 880 
 
 881 
 887 
 887 
 
 888 
 890 
 
 - 891 
 
 891 
 
 893 
 
 1276 
 894 
 
 894 
 894 
 
 894 
 
 895 
 
 8Di 
 
 1775. 
 June 2, 
 
 LXXX 
 
 Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to 
 the New- York Congress. The Fortress of 
 Ticonderoga is important to the welfare of all 
 the Northern Colonies, and particularly so to 
 New-Hampshire, where the thoughts of its 
 demolition casts a damp on the spirits of the 
 People ; they trust the order for its abandon- 
 ment will be reconsidered by the Continental 
 Congress, but are determined to abide by the 
 determination of that body, ... 895 
 
 2, Letter from the Committee of Portsmouth, New- 
 
 Hampshire, to the Provincial Congress. Re- 
 quest the Congress will regulate all future 
 movements of any bodies of armed men from 
 one Town to another, .... 896 
 
 3, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina earnestly 
 
 recommend to their Constituents the promotion 
 
 of union and harmony, ... - 896 
 
 3, Association unanimously agreed to in the Provin- ; 
 
 cial Congress of South-Carolina, - - 897 
 
 3, Norfolk, Virginia, Committee. Order the imme- 
 diate return of the Ship Molly, Captain Mitoh- 
 eson, lately arrived from Great Britain, laden 
 with a large quantity of Goods, in violation of 
 the Association, - - - - - 897 
 
 3, Letter from the New- York Delegates in the Con- 
 tinental Congress to the Provincial Congress. 
 They are much pleased with the New- York 
 plan for raising Money, but doubt of its being 
 adopted by the Continental Congress. As Gen- 
 eral Officers will, in all probability, be appoint- 
 ed soon, they wish to know who would be most 
 acceptable to them, to take command of the 
 Continental Army in the Province, which is 
 to be maintained at the general charge, - 898 
 
 3, Letter from the New- York Congress to the In- 
 habitants of Tryon County, urging them, for 
 their own reputations' sake, the love of their 
 Country, their regard for the welfare of the 
 whole Continent, and of millions yet unborn, 
 not to separate from their brethren upon this 
 momentous occasion, but to unite with the rest 
 of the Colony, and send Deputies to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. Perhaps this will be the 
 last application, as the time has almost come 
 when we should be able to know our ene- 
 mies, 1274 
 
 3, Letter from the Congress of New- York to Colo- 
 nel Guy Johnson. They will discountenance 
 every attempt against his person and property, 
 and expect he will not counteract any measures 
 recommended by the Continental or Provin- 
 cial Congress, or by the Committees formed, 
 or to be formed. The dispute has become so 
 serious that they cannot silently suffer their 
 plan to be frustrated by their own Countrymen, 1275 
 
 3, New- York Committee. Mr. George Folliot de- 
 clines taking his seat in the Provincial Con- 
 gress, and Isaac Sears is nominated in his 
 place, 898 
 
 3, Proclamation by Lieutenant-Governour Colden, 
 fqrther proroguing the Meeting of the Assem- 
 bly to the 5th of July next, ... 899 
 
 2, Letter from James Rivington to the New- York 
 
 Congress, 899 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee to the 
 Continental Congress, referring to their decision 
 in the case of James Rivington, - 899 
 
 3, Post-Master and Post-Rider appointed by the 
 
 Committee of Providence, Rhode- Island, to be 
 under their direction until the Assembly of the 
 Colony, or the Continental Congress, shall 
 make other regulations and appointments, - 900 
 
 3, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Henry 
 Gardner, requiring him to proceed immediate- 
 ly to sign Bills for the payment of the Troops, 
 to prevent their returning home, ... 900 
 
 3, Letter from the Committee of the Town of Arun- 
 del, in Massachusetts, to the Provincial Con- 
 gress. They have seized a Vessel from Bos- 
 ton, with a number of the King's Arms on 
 board, and send the persons and papers seized, 
 to be disposed of by the Congress, - - 900 
 Deposition of Samuel Smith, - - - - 90 1 
 Orders from William Sheriff, dated Boston, 
 May 30, to Josiah Jones, to proceed to Wind- 
 sor, in Nova-Scotia, - - - - - 901 
 Letter from William Sheriff, dated Boston, May 
 30, to Day & Scott, at Windsor, Nova-Scotia, 901 
 
LXXXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter from William Sheriff, dated Boston, May 
 29, to Thomas Williams, Storekeeper of Ord- 
 nance at Annapolis Royal, .... 
 J a itc 3, Letter from Loammi Baldwin to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, - 
 
 3, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress. Having undoubted 
 intelligence of the attempts of the British Min- 
 istry to engage the Canadians and Indians in 
 their interest, they have raised and sent three 
 Companies for the protection of the frontier 
 settlements, ...... 
 
 4, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend 
 
 in Philadelphia. The duplicity of New- York 
 will ever render them suspected. The many 
 assurances given to the Ministry by their lead- 
 ers, justify a suspicion, which the conduct of 
 some of their Merchants confirms, that they 
 would adopt any means to break through the 
 Association, ...... 
 
 4, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 
 
 4. Letter from Colonel Philip Schuyler to the New- 
 York Congress. He has been appointed by 
 the Continental Congress to settle the Accounts 
 of the People employed in the reduction of 
 Ticonderoga, - - - - 
 
 4, Letter from Ethan Allen, at present the principal 
 commander of the Army at Ticonderoga, to 
 our worthy and respectable countrymen and 
 friends, the French People of Canada, - 
 
 4, Letter from Elbridge Gerry to the Massachu- 
 setts Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 Government is so essential that it cannot be too 
 soon adopted. Every day's delay will make 
 the task more arduous. A regular General is 
 wanted to assist in disciplining the Army; the 
 pride of the People would prevent their being 
 led by any General not American, yet Gene- 
 ral Lee could be of great service. The New- 
 England Generals would acquiesce in the ap- 
 pointment of Colonel Washington as Gene- 
 ralissimo, ...... 
 
 4, Letter from General Ward and the Chairmen of 
 the Committees of Safety and Supplies, to the 
 Continental Congress. The Army at Cam- 
 bridge is so entirely destitute of Powder that 
 they are in danger of failing a prey to their 
 enemies for want of the means of defence; 
 they earnestly beseech that whatever can be 
 spared in the other Colonies may be sent for 
 their relief, ...... 
 
 4, Letter from Mrs. Bovvdoin to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, enclosing Depositions relating to the 
 plundering and abuse of the Inhabitants of the 
 Elizabeth Islands, by Captain Lindsey, of the 
 Falcon Sloop-of-War, .... 
 
 Deposition of Elisha Nye, .... 
 
 Deposition of John Tucker, Jeremiah Robinson, 
 Elisha Robinson and Ebenezer Meigs, - 
 
 Statement of Daniel Eyry, .... 
 
 5, Political Observations on the Rebellion in 
 
 America. Their wealth is the source of their 
 Rebellion, and the Ministry have wisely begun 
 to reduce them to reason by lessening it. If 
 they persist in their Rebellion, all the calami- 
 ties that arise from it will, in the sight of God 
 and man, lie at their door, - 
 5, Association entered into at Savannah, in Georgia 
 5, Philadelphia Committee, prohibit the landing or 
 selling of Goods without a certificate from the 
 Committee whence they are sent, that they were 
 imported within the rules of the Congress, 
 5, Letter to General Burgoyne, from a Pennsyl- 
 vanian, 
 
 5, Letter from William Duer to the New- York 
 Congress, representing the Disturbances and 
 Riots in the New- Hampshire Grants, - 
 
 5, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the Com- 
 mittee for Tryon County, New- York, - 
 
 5, Letter from Hartford to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. Robert Temple, a high-flying Tory, 
 taken at Plymouth, and sent to Cambridge, 
 with his papers, - 
 
 5, Letter from James Curgenven to Governour 
 Trumbull, informing him of his appointment 
 of Collector of the Customs for the Port of 
 New-Haven, enclosing him a copy of the 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 902 
 902 
 
 902 
 
 903 
 903 
 
 904 
 904 
 
 906 
 
 906 
 
 906 
 907 
 
 908 
 909 
 
 909 
 1551 
 
 909 
 910 
 
 910 
 911 
 
 912 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 5, 
 5, 
 5, 
 
 6, 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 
 6, 
 
 LXXXI I 
 
 Oath of Office he had taken before the Board 
 of Customs, and requesting to be informed if 
 he will administer to him the usual Oath taken 
 by Officers of the Crown, ... 912 
 
 Petition of Soldiers in Captain Drury's Company 
 to the Massachusetts Congress, - - - 914 
 
 Petition of the Captains in Colonel Scamrnons's 
 Regiment to the Massachusetts Congress, - 914 
 
 Town Meeting in Conway, New-Hampshire. — 
 Committee appointed, and empowered to in- 
 quire into the conduct of obnoxious persons, 
 and refugees from other Towns, - - - 914 
 
 Address to the Minister. His (Lord North's) 
 
 policy has driven the Americans to resistance, 915 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Intelligence for 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, to the New- York 
 Congress. The apprehension of a defection in 
 New- York gave inexpressible anxiety to all 
 America, and at the same time encouraged the 
 Ministry to proceed in all their measures; they 
 are happy to find this apprehension was unjustly 
 formed, 1323 
 
 Committee appointed to receive the signatures of 
 the Inhabitants of Charlestown to the Asso- 
 ciation adopted by the Provincial Congress of 
 South-Carolina, on the 3d instant, - - 915 
 
 Committee of Chester County, Pennsylvania. 
 Proceedings on the charge against William 
 Moore, that he is inimical to the Liberties of 
 America, - - - - -'-916 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern- 
 our Trumbull. The supply of Powder in the 
 Colony is so insufficient that they cannot con- 
 tribute in the least towards supplying Ticonde- 
 roga and Crown Point with it, - - - 916 
 
 Letter from Pierpont Edwards to the New- York 
 Congress. Request the fullest information of 
 the measures they have adopted, that he may 
 communicate them to the Assembly of Con- 
 necticut, - - - - - - -917 
 
 Letter from Jacobus Louw to the Ulster County, 
 New- York, Committee, making concessions 
 for his opposition to the Resolves of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, - - - - - 917 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for the Town of King- 
 ston, in Ulster County, New- York. Mr. Louw 
 having made reasonable satisfaction, is recom- 
 mended as a friend to the rights and liberties of 
 British America, - - - - - 9 1 7 
 
 Letter from Captain Henry B. Livingston to the 
 New- York Congress, - - - - 918 
 
 Meeting of Delegates from the several Towns in 
 the County of Cumberland, New- York. They 
 will resist and oppose the acts of Parliament 
 for raising a Revenue in America, and adopt 
 the Association entered into at New- York. 
 They have many brave Soldiers, but nothing 
 to fight with, and request a supply from the 
 Congress, 918 
 
 Letter from James Easton, at Crown Point, to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 919 
 
 Concession of Silvanus Whitney to the Commit- 
 tee of Observation for Stamford, Connecticut, 920 
 
 Narrative of the destruction of the Tea, delivered 
 up by Silvanus Whitney, - 920 
 
 Exchange of Prisoners at Charlestown, - - 92U 
 
 Declaration by John Prentice, of his reasons for 
 signing the Address to Governour Hutchinson, 921 
 
 Subscription of One Hundred Pounds, by the 
 Constitutional Society, London, for the relief of 
 the Widows and Orphans of those who were 
 inhumanly murdered by the King's Troops at 
 Lexington and Concord, in April last, - - 921 
 
 The Association of the Provincial Congress of 
 South-Carolina, signed universally by the In- 
 habitants of Charlestown ; two persons only 
 treated it with contempt, .... 922 
 
 Petition of Michael Hubart to the Committee of 
 Correspondence at Charlestown, complaining 
 of his treatment by Laughlin Martin and John 
 ~Dea\y, - - 922 
 
 Account of the punishment of Martin and Dea- 
 ly,(Note,) 923 
 
 Letter from North-Carolina to a Gentleman in 
 
 - New- York. The Governour has sent his 
 family to New- York, and has taken up his 
 residence in Fort Johnston, at the mouth of 
 Cape-Fear River, - - J 1 '- ' ... 9^4 
 
LXXXI11 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXXIV 
 
 1775. 
 June 7, 
 
 7, L< 
 
 Meeting of the Go vernour and Committee of War 
 for Connecticut. Fifty barrels of Powder or- 
 dered to be sent to the American Army before 
 
 Boston, 1037 
 
 Meeting of the Committee of Worcester County, 
 Maryland. Acknowledge their allegiance to the 
 King, an affection for his person, and zeal for 
 the support of his crown and dignity; will do 
 all in their power to oppose the detested Min- 
 isterial plan for enslaving their Country, and 
 will cheerfully contribute to assist their suffer- 
 ing brethren in Boston, .... 924 
 
 Dixon Quinton and Thomas Lambden declared 
 enemies of their Country, by the Worcester, 
 Maryland, Committee, .... 925 
 
 Delaware Assembly declare they will be charge- 
 able with their share of the expense incurred 
 in the defence of the lives and liberties of the 
 People of the Twelve United Colonies, and of 
 the Parish of St. John's, in Georgia, - - 925 
 Letter from General Charles Lee to General 
 
 Burgoyne, - 925 
 Philadelphia Committee examine the complaint 
 against Captain Robert Torrans, for having 
 imported and sold some Irish Linens about the 
 first of May last, and resolve that he has wil- 
 fully and knowingly violated the Continental 
 Association, ...... 928 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, enclos- 
 ing the Report of a Committee appointed on 
 erecting Fortifications at King's Bridge. The 
 ground is so irregular on the Northern part 
 of Manhattan Island that no Fortifications can 
 be constructed there so as to be tenable for any 
 length of time. No part of the Island is 
 adapted for a Magazine or place of Arms, with 
 an enemy superiour in the field, and with the 
 command of both Rivers, - 1278 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com- 
 mittee of Albany. Highly approve of their 
 zeal and activity in raising Troops, but request 
 them to proceed no further without orders; the 
 two Companies raised may be sent to Ticon- 
 deroga. The Prisoners taken at St. John's 
 should remain at liberty, and be supported out 
 of the Colony Provisions, - - - - 1280 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress ; calling 
 their attention to the necessity of immediately 
 providing Money, without which it will be im- 
 possible to comply with their further requests. 
 Their attention is particularly called to the 
 situation of New-York, with respect to the 
 Indians on their Northern Frontiers, whom 
 policy will teach the British Ministry to set 
 upon them, that they maybe driven for protec- 
 tion to embrace their terms of slavery; this 
 evil may be remedied by the appointment of a 
 Continental Superintendent of Indian affairs, 
 instead of leaving the management of Indian 
 affairs in the hands of Crown Officers. The 
 appointment of a General is left to the wisdom 
 of the Continental Congress, - - - 1281 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, re- 
 commending Colonel Philip Schuyler and 
 Captain Richard Montgomery to the offices 
 of Major and Brigadier-General, - - 1282 
 tter from the New- York Congress to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Committee of Safety. They are 
 fully aware of the dangerous consequences 
 that await them, either from supineness, or a 
 confidence in the honour of the avowed instru- 
 ments of Ministerial vengeance, ... 928 
 Petition of Donald McLeod, late from 'Scotland, 
 to the New- York Committee, asking for a 
 Commission, ------ 929 
 
 Letter from Benjamin Lindsay to the New- York 
 Committee, asking permission to take on board 
 a parcel of Flour for the Poor of Boston, - 929 
 Application of the Selectmen of the Town of 
 Lancaster to the Massachusetts Congress, to 
 know what shall be done with the Estates of 
 those who have gone to General Gage, - 930 
 Letter from Committee of Belfast. &o«, to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Congress, representing the defence- 
 less condition of the Towns they represent, - 930 
 
 June 7, Petition of Davis and Coverly to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, - - - - - - 931 
 
 8, Hanover, Virginia, Volunteers, declare they will 
 risk their lives to aid and assist in protecting 
 the Liberties of their Country, and approve of 
 the reprisals on the King's property for the 
 Powder taken by Lord Dunmore, - 931 
 
 8, Three Battalions of the City and Liberties of 
 Philadelphia, the Artillery Company, a Troop 
 of Light-Horse, several Companies of Light- 
 Infantry, Rangers, and Riflemen, in all above 
 two thousand Men, reviewed by the Members 
 of the Continental Congress, - - - 931 
 
 8, Letter from Abraham Clark, of Elizabethtown, 
 New-Jersey, to the New- York Congress. 
 Forward six quarter casks and two half bar- 
 rels of Gunpowder, to be sent on to the Camp 
 near Boston, - - - - - -931 
 
 8, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, enclosing a Letter from 
 General Ward, Joseph Warren, and Moses 
 Gill, dated Camp, June 4, 1775, - - - 931 
 
 4, Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- York, 
 from General Ward, Dr. Warren President 
 of the Committee of Safety, and Moses Gill 
 Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, of 
 Massachusetts, informing them of their dis- 
 tressed condition for want of Powder, and 
 urging them in the strongest terms to assist 
 them with a supply, 932 
 
 8, Petition of Donald McLeod, late from Scotland : 
 can raise a Company of Scottish Highland- 
 ers, to enter the service of the Colonies, and 
 requests an answer to his application for a 
 Commission, ...... 932 
 
 8, New- York Committee. Isaac Sears elected a 
 Deputy to the Provincial Congress, in place of 
 George Folliot. Committee appointed to ex- 
 amine the cargo of any Vessel which arrives, 
 suspected of having on board Goods not ad- 
 missible, ------- 933 
 
 8, Meeting of Freeholders of Brookhaven, in Suf- 
 folk County, New- York, choose a Committee 
 of Observation, ----- 033 
 
 8, Letter from the Committee of Cumberland Coun- 
 ty, New- York, to the Provincial Congress. 
 Will support all the American measures in 
 opposition to the arbitrary, tyrannick, and san- 
 guinary measures of the British Parliament, 934 
 
 8, Petition of the Senior Class of Rhode- Island 
 
 College to the President, - - - - 935 
 
 9, Answer of the President to the Petition of the 
 
 Senior Class, ------ 93(5 
 
 8, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, ----- 936 
 
 8, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Cap- 
 tain Solomon Uhhaunnauwaunmut, Chief Sa- 
 chem of the Moheakonnuck Tribe of Indians, 
 
 at Stockbridge, 937 
 
 8, Letter from the Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, 
 
 Committee, to the Provincial Congress, - 937 
 
 8, Committee appointed by the New-Hampshire 
 
 Congress to demand of George Jaffrey, Trea- 
 surer of the Colony, the Money in his hands, 937 
 
 9, The Provincial Congress of South-Carolina have 
 
 determined to raise two Regiments of Foot 
 and one of Horse immediately, and to put the 
 Militia on a respectable footing, ... 93S 
 9 Volunteer Company of Lancaster County, Vir- 
 ginia. Thank Captain Patrick Henry for his 
 spirited conduct in the late expedition, and will 
 defend him and the Delegates, and all other 
 friends to America, whom the abandoned tools 
 of Administration may dare to attack, - - 938 
 9, Letter from the New- York Congress to the 
 
 Commander-in-Chief, at Ticonderoga, - - 1288 
 9, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com- 
 missioners at Albany, appointed to superintend 
 the removal of the Stores from Ticonderoga, - U8S 
 9, Letter from William Williams, Benjamin Waite, 
 and Joab Hoisington, to the New- York Con- 
 gress, requesting to be appointed Field-Offi- 
 cers, - 938 
 9, Letter from Ethan Allen to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Two or three thousand Men, con- 
 ducted by intrepid commanders, would at this 
 juncture make a conquest of Canada. Such 
 a plan would make a diversion in favour of the 
 
I.XXXV 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXXVI 
 
 939 
 
 940 
 
 1310 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay, who have been too much 
 burdened with a calamity that should be more 
 general, ------- 
 
 June 9, Proclamation by General Guy Carleton, Go- 
 vemour of the Province of Quebeck. Rebels 
 from the neighbouring Colonies, having made 
 incursions into the Province, making prisoners 
 of a number of His Majesty's Troops, and are 
 at present invading the Province in a traitor- 
 ous manner, it is necessary to suspend the 
 ordinary course of civil law, and martial law 
 will henceforth be executed throughout the 
 Province, ------ 
 
 9, Letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, Mis- 
 sionary among the Oneida Indians, to the Com- 
 mittee of Albany. Colonel Johnson has orders 
 from Government to remove the dissenting 
 Missionaries from the Six Nations, till the 
 difficulties between Great Britain and the Co- 
 lonies are settled : he has forbid Mr. Kirkland 
 to speak one word to the Indians, and threat- 
 ened him with imprisonment if he transgresses, 
 because he translated the proceedings of the 
 Continental Congress for the Indians, at their 
 request, ------- 
 
 9, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti- 
 nental Congress. Has made provision for 
 the defence of Ticonderog* ; Col. Hinman is 
 appointed to the command of the Troops there, 
 consisting of one thousand Men from Connec- 
 ticut, well armed, and furnished with one pound 
 of Powder and three pounds of Ball to each 
 man, ------- 940 
 
 9, Letter from Abiathar Angell to the Massachu- 
 
 setts Congress, - - - - - -941 
 
 Petition and Remonstrance of Abiathar Angell, 
 of Lanesborough, in the County of Berkshire, 
 to the Massachusetts Congress, - - - 941 
 9, Letter from John Lane, at Fort Pownall, to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 942 
 
 Journal of John Lane, from Watertown to Pe- 
 nobscot, to treat with the Eastern Indians, - 942 
 9, Letter from Elisha Hewes, dated at Penobscot 
 
 River, to the Massachusetts Congress, - - 943 
 
 9, Letter from Joseph Hawley to Joseph Warren. 
 
 Urges reasons why the Posts on Lake Cham- 
 plain should not be abandoned, but should be 
 maintained at all events, .... 944 
 
 10, Account of what passed on the 19th of April last, 
 
 between a Detachment of the King's Troops, 
 in the Province of Massachusetts- Bay, and 
 several parties of the Rebel Provincials, pub- 
 lished officially in the London Gazette, - 945 
 
 Return by General Gage of the Commissioned 
 and Non-Commissioned Officers, Rank and 
 File, Killed, Wounded, Prisoners and Missing, 
 on the 19th of April, 1775, - - - 946 
 1 2, Remarks on the Gazette account of the Action 
 
 of the 19th of April, - - - - 947 
 
 Strictures on the Gazette account of the Action 
 between the Provincials and the Regulars, near 
 Boston, 948 
 
 Address to the People of England, on the Ga- 
 zette account of the Attack of His Majesty's 
 Troops on the Provincials in Massachusetts, - 952 
 
 10, Letter from Falmouth, in England, to a Gentle- 
 
 man in Philadelphia. The hostilities com- 
 menced in America, between the King's 
 Troops and the Provincials, will be attend- 
 ed with fatal consequences to both parties, - 953 
 
 10, Officers of the First and Second Regiments of 
 Infantry, and of the Regiment of Horse 
 Rangers, appointed by Provincial Congress 
 of South-Carolina, ----- 953 
 
 1 0, Letter from John Hancock, President, to the New- 
 York Congress, enclosing a Resolution re- 
 questing them to purchase and forward to the 
 Army at Boston, with the utmost expedition 
 and secrecy, five thousand barrels of Flour, - 954 
 
 10, Letter to the New-York Congress, from their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress. The 
 emission of Paper Money will be discussed 
 on the 12th. Indian affairs, which are of the 
 highest importance to New- York, will be duly 
 considered by the Congress. The Indians will 
 not be disposed to engage in our unhappy quar- 
 rel, unless deceived by misrepresentations : and 
 this, with care on our part, can be prevented, - 954 
 
 1775. 
 
 Jane 10, Letter from President Hancock to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, enclosing a Resolution of the 
 Congress advising the assumption of Civil 
 Government by Massachusetts, Gen. Gage 
 having levied War against His Majesty's 
 peaceable Subjects of that Colony, - - 955 
 
 10, Letter from Thomas Cushing to Elbridge Gerry, 955 
 
 10, Letter from Robert Treat Paine to Elbridge 
 
 Gerry, 956 
 
 10, Letter from President Hancock to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress, enclosing Resolutions 
 of the Congress of this day, - - - 956 
 
 10, Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress. A 
 Vessel, suspected of having on board Provi- 
 sions for the British Army at Boston, has been 
 detained to get the opinion of the Continental 
 Congress whether she should be permitted to 
 proceed, ------- 956 
 
 10, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern- 
 our Trumbull. Have procured six hundred 
 and fifty pounds of Powder from New- Jersey 
 for Massachusetts, which will be forwarded 
 immediately, - - - - - -957 
 
 10, Letter from Robert Boyd to the New- York Con- 
 gress, informing them he can make Muskets, 
 and requesting an advance of one hundred 
 Pounds, to provide the necessary Machinery, 957 
 
 10, Letter from the Officers at Crown Point and Ti- 
 conderoga to the Continental Congress. Re- 
 commend Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and Re- 
 member Baker for appointments, - - 958 
 
 10, Letter from Elisha Hewes, at Fort Pownall, to 
 
 the Massachusetts Congress, ... 958 
 
 10, Letter from the Committee of Conway, New- 
 
 Hampshire, to Matthew Thornton. All the 
 young men are enlisted in the Army. The 
 old men are not able to carry on farming : 
 they are in want of Arms and Ammunition, 
 and, expecting an attack from the Indians, 
 apply to the Provincial Congress for assist- 
 ance, ------- 958 
 
 11, Tryon County, New- York, Committee, appoint 
 
 Delegates to the Provincial Congress, - - 959 
 
 11, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 
 Continental Congress. The embarrassments 
 in executing every undertaking are so many 
 that they cannot be enumerated. This is 
 chiefly to be attributed to the want of a Civil 
 Government : on which the immediate advice 
 of the Congress is requested, ... 959 
 
 12, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Virginia. 
 
 Since the confirmation of the news brought 
 by Captain Derby, the Americans bear the 
 greatest applause here of any people in the 
 world, 960 
 
 12, Address to the People of England, on the Dis- 
 turbances in America, - - - - 961 
 
 12, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina. Resolve 
 that any person who refuses obedience to the 
 authority of the Congress shall be advertised 
 as an enemy to the Liberties of America, and 
 an object of the resentment of the Publick, - 962 
 
 12, Some Thoughts on the Constitution of the Bri- 
 tish Empire and the Controversy between 
 Great Britain and the American Colonies, - 962 
 
 12, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Mer- 
 chants of Canada, ----- 1294 
 
 12, New- York Committee. Direct the removal of 
 some Soldiers' Wives and their Children, in- 
 fected with the Small-Pox, out of the City, - 966 
 
 12, Letter from the Committees of the Precincts of 
 New-Marlborough, New- Windsor and New- 
 burgh, in Ulster County, New- York, to the 
 Provincial Congress, .... 966 
 
 12, Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. Some Powder has been 
 obtained, which will be forwarded this night, 
 accompanied by a Guard, They are directed 
 to travel always in the night, and to put up 
 in the day; to avoid any parade on the road 
 which might lead to a conclusion that the 
 Powder is much wanted by the Army, - 966 
 
 12, Letter from Alexander McDougall to Joseph 
 
 Warren, ------- 967 
 
 12, Letter from Alexander McDougall to the Com- 
 mittee for Greenwich, Connecticut, requesting 
 them to forward the Powder, . - - 967 
 
LXXXVII 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXXVIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 12, Official notice of advices received by the Earl of 
 
 Dartmouth, from Gen. Gage, to this date, - 968 
 
 12, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth. A plan for a Rebellion has been long 
 conceived, and the People's minds ripened for 
 it, 968 
 
 12, Proclamation by General Gage, declaring the 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay in a state of 
 actual Rebellion, offering pardon to all who lay 
 down their Arms, excepting only from the 
 benefit of pardon Samuel Adams and John 
 Hancock ; suspending the Civil Law, and es- 
 tablishing Martial Law throughout the Pro- 
 vince, - 968 
 
 12, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Continental Congress. Taking and keeping 
 possession of Ticonderoga was necessary for 
 the preservation of the Liberties of America ; 
 but in so doing there was no intention to dis- 
 turb the People of Canada ; and they request 
 that means may be taken to remove- the false 
 impressions made upon the minds of the Cana- 
 dians on this subject, .... 970 
 
 1 2, Memorial of Henry Howell Williams to the Mas- 
 sachusetts Congress, setting forth the losses he 
 has sustained from a number of armed Troops, 
 commonly called Provincials, on Noddle- Island 
 and Hog- Island, in Boston-Bay, and praying 
 relief, 971 
 
 12, Declaration of John Worthington to Committee 
 for Springfield, Massachusetts, of his determi- 
 nation to support the measures of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, and of his willingness to de- 
 fend the Rights and Liberties of America, - 971 
 
 12, Committee for Springfield, in Massachusetts. — 
 Recommend John Worthington to the favour- 
 able opinion of the Publick, and to the treat- 
 ment and respect due to a friend to the Country, 972 
 
 12, Acknowledgment of Timothy Brown, of Tewks- 
 
 bury, suspected as an enemy to his Country, 972 
 
 12, Committees for Chelmsford, Billerica and Tewks- 
 bury. Satisfied with Timothy Brown's Ac- 
 knowledgment, ..... 972 
 
 12, Petition of the Town of Kittery to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. Their supplies of Provi- 
 sions are cut off and their Town is threatened 
 to be beat down by the Captains of the Scar- 
 borough and the Canceaux Men-of-War ; 
 being reduced to the alternative, either to fight 
 or perish by famine, they choose the first, and 
 request supplies of Powder and Ball, - - 972 
 
 12, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the Massachusetts 
 
 Committee of Safety, 973 
 
 12, Letter from Newfoundland to a Gentleman in 
 
 New- York. The People are suffering for 
 bread: they curse New- York, which was the 
 only place they depended on for assistance in 
 subjugating the Americans; and propose the 
 most inhuman procedures if any of the Con- 
 tinental Congress should fall into their hands, 973 
 
 13, Letter from Governour Martin of North-Caro- 
 
 lina, to Henry White of New- York ; requests 
 him to send a Royal Standard, and Furniture 
 for a Colonel's Tent, 974 
 
 13, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates in the 
 Continental Congress to a friend in Williams- 
 burgh. Colonel Skene has just arrived from 
 London, charged with a power from the Ad- 
 ministration to influence the Members of Con- 
 gress, by arguments drawn on the Treasury. 
 He has been made a Prisoner, and is on his 
 parole, to remain within eight miles of Phila- 
 delphia, 974 
 
 8, Letter from D. Cross, of Glasgow, in Scotland, 
 to Jatnes Dunlop, Merchant, Port-Royal, Vir- 
 ginia, ....... 975 
 
 13, Letter from D. Cross to James Dmilop and Pa- 
 trick Kennan, Merchants, on Rappahannock, 
 Virginia, 975 
 
 13, Letter from Baltimore to a Gentleman in Vir- 
 ginia. Lord Dunmore left Williamsburgh, 
 and went on board a Man-of-War, on Friday, 
 the 8th instant, and refused to return on an in- 
 vitation from the Assembly, ... 975 
 
 13, Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the" Continental Congress, en- 
 closing a Report of a Committee appointed to 
 examine the Highlands, .... 975 
 
 1775. 
 June 1 3, 
 
 13, 
 13, 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 13, 
 H, 
 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold, Crown Point, to 
 the Continental Congress. Has learned from 
 a Messenger he sent among the Indians, that 
 they are determined not to assist the King's 
 Troops. Governour Carleton has not suc- 
 ceeded in raising more than twenty Canadians; 
 if the Congress think proper to take posses- 
 sion of Montreal and duebeck, it can be done 
 with two thousand Men; it would be more 
 advantageous to take and keep possession of 
 duebeck than to rebuild Ticonderoga, - - 976 
 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold to Governour 
 Trumbull, 977 
 
 Letter from John Palmer, Quartermaster Gene- 
 ral, to the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 978 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New- York Congress; informing them that 
 they have requested the Continental Congress 
 to quiet the apprehensions of the Canadians, 
 that hostile preparations are making against 
 them in some of the Colonies ; and to coun- 
 teract the evil effects of the malevolent misrep- 
 resentations of Colonel Guy Johnson to the 
 Six Nations, 1319 
 
 Instructions of the Massachusetts Congress to 
 Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James 
 Sullivan, a Committee appointed to proceed to 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by the road 
 through the new settlements called the New- 
 Hampshire Grants; giving them full power to 
 do every thing in behalf of Massachusetts, for 
 the effectual securing and maintaining those 
 Posts, which they shall judge necessary, - 1408 
 
 Petition of Lemuel Prescott, of Boston, to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, - 978 
 
 Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety to the Massachusetts Congress, - - 979 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety for New- 
 Hampshire to the Committee of Conway. 
 They have sent twenty-five pounds of Pow- 
 der; can spare no more, and can supply no 
 Arms, 979 
 
 Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates in 
 Congress to his friend in Williamsburgh. 
 Colonel Washington has been pressed to take 
 supreme command of the American Troops 
 at Roxbury, and will probably accept the ap- 
 pointment. Ten thousand Men will be kept 
 up in Massachusetts, and five thousand in 
 New- York, at the expense of the Continent, - 979 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of New- Jersey, - 980 
 
 Letter from William Duer to the New- York 
 Congress, - -' - - - -981 
 
 Letter from William Goddard to the New- York 
 Congress, enclosing papers which are explana- 
 tory of a design formed by the friends of Free- 
 dom for annihilating the old Parliamentary 
 and Ministerial Post-Office in this Country, - 981 
 
 Papers from Massachusetts, Rhode-Island and 
 Connecticut, approving of the plan for estab- 
 lishing a Post-Office, 982 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, enclosing a copy of the 
 Resolution directing the purchase of Flour for 
 the Army, 983 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, com- 
 municating information just received of the 
 sailing of Troops from Ireland for Boston and 
 New- York, 981 
 
 Information given by Captain Thompson to the 
 New- York Congress of the embarkation of 
 Troops for America, .... - 984 
 
 Letter from the New-York Congress to General 
 Wooster, requesting him to take charge of 
 Angus McDonald, 1299 
 
 Letter from M. S. Mumford to Jonathan Trum- 
 bull, Jim. A ship from London, with Major 
 Skene and a quantity of Arms, arrived at Phi- 
 ladelphia, have been secured by the Congress, 985 
 
 L'tter from Governour Cooke to Captain Wal- 
 lace, of His Majesty's Ship Rose, at Newport. 
 Remonstrating against his interrupting the 
 People of Rhode-Island in their lawful Trade, 
 and seizing their persons and property; de- 
 mands his reasons for doing so. and also de- 
 mands the immediate return of the Vessels he 
 has taken, ..... 985 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 LXXXIX 
 
 177 5. 
 
 June\4, Letter from Capt. Wallace to Governour Cooke. 
 
 Supposes he writes in behalf of some body of 
 People, and desires to know whether or not 
 Governour Cooke, or the People for whom he 
 writes, are not in open Rebellion against their 
 lawful Sovereign, - 986 
 
 1 4, Letter from the Newport, Rhode- Island, Commit- 
 tee, to the Committee for East- Hampton, New- 
 York, 986 
 
 14, Letter from the Committee of Falmouth to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. No provision hav- 
 ing been made for the support of the Men en- 
 listed to guard the Sea-Coasts, they cannot con- 
 tinue to do duty. Four Indian Chiefs have 
 arrived at Falmouth, with Captain Lane, from 
 the Penobscot Tribe, 986 
 
 14, Letter from Josiah Jones and Jonathan Hicks to 
 
 the Massachusetts Congress, ... 988 
 
 14, Letter from the Machias Committee to the Mas- 
 
 sachusetts Congress. Account of the capture 
 at that place of two Sloops and a British 
 Tender, 988 
 
 15, Appeal to the Publick, by Charles Gordon, of 
 
 Cecil County, Maryland, against a publication 
 by the Committee for Charlestown Hundred, - 990 
 Reply of the Committee, .... 990 
 Proceedings of the Committee of Cecil County, 
 at Elk-Ferry, on the 24th of May, 1 775, in re- 
 lation to Cha lies Gordon, who is declared an 
 enemy to his Country, - - - - 991 
 
 15, "Memento" to Lord North, - - - - 992 
 
 15, Address of Montford Browne, Governour of the 
 Bahama Islands, inviting settlements in Louisi- 
 ana and Mississippi, ----- 992 
 Governour Browne's reasons, as presented to the 
 King, for an immediate Civil' Government in 
 the British Dominions adjoining to the River 
 Mississippi, in North America, - 993 
 
 15, Letter from President Hancock to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, ------ 1000 
 
 15, Letter from the New- York Congress to General 
 Wooster, enclosing a Resolution requesting 
 him to march with his Troops from Connecti- 
 cut, to the distance of five miles from the City, 
 to be subject to the orders of the Continental 
 Congress, 1000 
 
 15, Letter from Adonijah Strong to the Albany Com- 
 mittee, 1000 
 
 15, Letter from General Wooster, at Greenwich, 
 Connecticut, to the New- York Congress. He 
 has received and will secure Angus McDon- 
 ald. Regrets they have to send their Prisoners 
 so far, and would be much better pleased to re- 
 ceive them nearer the City, especially as four 
 Regiments from Ireland are expected so soon, 1001 
 
 15, Letter from General Wooster to Governour 
 Trumbull, requests he may be ordered to New- 
 York, 1001 
 
 14, Letter from Isaac Sears to General Wooster, in- 
 
 forming him of a motion made in the Provin- 
 cial Congress to ask him to march there with 
 his Troops, 1002 
 
 15, Answer to a Speech sent by the Stockbridge 
 
 Indians to the Caughnawagas, or Canadian 
 Tribes of Indians, near Montreal, - - 1002 
 
 15, Letter from General Ward to the Worcester, 
 Massachusetts, Committee, enclosing an Order 
 for the removal of Samuel Murray from the 
 Jail in Worcester to his father in Rutland, - 1003 
 
 15, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 
 New- Hampshire Congress, ... 1003 
 
 15, Letter from William Stoddard, Boston, to Capt. 
 
 James Littlefield, Watertown, ... 1003 
 
 15, "Sydney" to the Soldiers and Seamen serving in 
 
 the British Fleet and Army in America, - 1004 
 
 15, Letter from the Rev. Samuel Langdon to the 
 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - 1004 
 
 15, Letter to Dr. Joseph Warren, President of the 
 Massachusetts Congress. Recommending the 
 employment by the Colony of some Armed 
 Vessels, to protect their Towns and Coasting 
 Trade from British Vessels-of- War, - - 1005 
 
 15, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of 
 Falmouth to the Massachusetts Congress — 
 Mr. Lane is on his way to Watertown, with 
 four Indian Chiefs of the Penobscot Tribe, - 1005 
 
 15, Letter from Colonel Reid to the New- Hampshire 
 
 Committee of Safety, .... 1005 
 
 1775. 
 
 June £ 
 
 14, 
 16, 
 
 16, 
 16, 
 
 16, 
 
 16, 
 
 XC 
 
 1000 
 1006 
 1007 
 
 16, 
 16, 
 16, 
 
 17, 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 17, 
 17, 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 17, 
 
 18, 
 
 , Letter from Colonel Reid to the New-Hampshire 
 Committee of Safety, recommending Andrew 
 Colburn for an appointment, ... 
 
 Services done by Andrew Colburn in the last 
 War, 
 
 Colonel James Reid's Regimental Orders for the 
 New-Hampshire Troops under his command, 
 
 Letter from Joseph Habersham to Philotheos 
 ChifTelle. Efforts of Mr. Stuart and Mr. Cam- 
 eron to engage the Southern Indians on the 
 side of the British Government, - - 1007 
 
 Letter from a Pennsylvanian to Gen. Burgoyne, 1008 
 
 Account of the Province Stores at Albany, New- 
 York, 1009 
 
 Letter from General Wooster to Governour 
 Trumbull, requesting his instructions about 
 complying with the request from New- York 
 to march his Troops there, and place them 
 under the direction of the Continental Con- 
 gress, - - - - - - -1010 
 
 Letter from an Officer in the Navy at Boston to 
 his friend in England. Sixteen of the Trans- 
 ports ordered from England to New- York are, 
 by the General, ordered to Boston. Expects 
 to hear of bloody work soon, as the Troops 
 are determined to lay the Country waste as 
 they go, with Fire and Sword, - - - 1010 
 
 Proclamation by the Provincial Congress of Mas- 
 sachusetts, - - - - - - 1011 
 
 Petition of the Selectmen of Edgartown to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, - - - - 1013 
 
 Letter from Colonel Israel Oilman to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress. The Regulars are ex- 
 pected soon to make a push for Bunker's Hill 
 or Dorchester Neck, - - - - 1013 
 
 Address to the People of England, - - - 1013 
 
 Provincial Congress of South-Carolina direct the 
 
 election of a new Congress, - - - 1016 
 
 To the Committee of the City of Philadelphia. 
 Calling their attention to the injury that may 
 be done, if the Officer lately arrived from the 
 Army in Boston, and says he has sold out, 
 should prove to be a Spy for General Gage, - 1016 
 
 Letter from James Duane to the New- York Con- 
 gress. The Continental Congress has ordered 
 an emission of Two Millions of Dollars, in 
 Paper Currency. Have agreed to raise, at the 
 Continental expense, a body of fifteen thousand 
 Men, and have appointed Col. George Wash- 
 ington Captain-General of all the Forces raised 
 and to be raised in the common cause, - - 1016 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to their Del- 
 egates in the Continental Congress, - - 1017 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to General 
 Wooster, 1304 
 
 Meeting of the Governour and Committee of 
 War for Connecticut, .... 1037 
 
 Letter from General Wooster to the New- York 
 Congress. Has sent their Letter of the 15th 
 to the Governour, and holds himself in readi- 
 ness to march as soon as he receives the Gov- 
 ernour's orders, ..... 1306 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Supplies to the 
 Committee of Safety of Massachusetts. Ex- 
 clusive of thirty-six half barrels of Powder 
 received from Connecticut, there are only in 
 the Magazine twenty-seven half barrels, - 1017 
 
 Letter from the Committee for Machias to the 
 Massachusetts Congress. Both of Captain 
 Jones's Sloops, taken with the Margaretta, 
 one of the King's Tenders, were in the King's 
 service, - - - - - - -1017 
 
 Account of an Engagement at Charlestown, in 
 Massachusetts, between about three thousand 
 of the King's Regular Forces and about half 
 that number of Provincials, on Saturday, the 
 17th of June, 1775, 1018 
 
 Letter from Governour Wentworth, at Castle 
 William and Mary, in Portsmouth Harbour, 
 to Theodore Atkinson. Captain Barclay has 
 seized a Vessel from Newbury, Massachusetts, 
 for breach of Acts of Trade, and directs that 
 she may be forthwith libelled in the Court of 
 Admiralty, ...... 1019 
 
 Letter from President Hancock to Elbridge Ger- 
 ry. Colonel Washington is appointed Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, and 
 he will depart in a few days for Cambridge. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 1 T7.1 
 
 J u ue 18 
 
 18, 
 
 17, 
 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 1019 
 1306 
 
 1020 
 
 1020 
 
 Ton Companies of Riflemen, from Pennsylva- 
 nia, Maryland, and Virginia, are ordered im- 
 mediately to proceed to your Army, - - 1019 
 
 , Letter from John Adams to Elbridge Gerry. 
 General Washington has been chosen Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, General Ward First Major- 
 General, and General Lee Second, and Major 
 Gates Adjutant-General. The virtuous attach- 
 ment of our countrymen to their own officers 
 presented an objection to the appointment of 
 Lee and Gates, which was overcome by the 
 earnest desire of General Washington to have 
 their assistance, - 
 
 General Wooster to the New- York Congress, - 
 
 Letter from General Wooster to Governour 
 Trumbull, enclosing a Letter, dated yesterday, 
 from New- York, - - - - 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to General 
 Wooster, informing him of the change in the 
 destination of the Troops; a Ship-of-War is 
 ofT Sandy Hook, to direct the Transports to 
 proceed to Boston, ..... 
 
 Letter from an Officer of the British Army at 
 Boston to a Gentleman in London. Account 
 of the Battle of Bunker's Hill; the Provincials 
 were defeated, but the victory has cost us very 
 dear, and we do not enjoy one solid benefit 
 from it; we have learned one melancholy 
 truth, which is, that the Americans, if equally 
 well commanded, are as good Soldiers as ours, 1021 
 
 Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, recommending the appointment 
 of an Adjutant and Quartermaster-General, - 1021 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Sup- 
 plies to the Committee of Safety, ... 1022 
 
 Circular Letter from the Committee of Supplies 
 to the several Towns in Massachusetts, urging 
 them to forward Provisions for the Army, - 1022 
 
 Letter from Colonel Bartlett to General Folsom, 
 with intelligence of the Battle yesterday, and 
 the burning of Charlestown, ... 1022 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for the County of 
 Prince Edward, Virginia. Resolutions on the 
 seizure of the Powder by Lord Dunmore, and 
 approving the conduct of Captain Patrick Hen- 
 ry in making reprisals for it, - - - 1023 
 
 Meeting of the Frederick County, Virginia, Com- 
 mittee. Resolutions on the seizure of the Pow- 
 der by Lord Dunmore, and the Address from 
 the Council to the People of Virginia, - - 1023 
 
 Queen Anne County, Maryland, Committee. 
 Prohibit the dealing with any Merchant in the 
 County who does not produce satisfactory evi- 
 dence that his Goods were imported agreeable 
 to the Association, 1024 
 
 Letter from Brook Watson to the New- York 
 Congress, ...... 1025 
 
 Meeting of the Go vernour and Committee of War 
 for Connecticut, ..... 1038 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New- 
 York Congress. Has ordered seventeen hun- 
 dred Men, under the command of Major-Gene- 
 ral Wooster, to march immediately within five 
 miles of the City of New- York, subject to the 
 orders of the Continental Congress and Pro- 
 vincial Congress of New- York, - 1025 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, 1026 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to Benedict 
 Arnold. The invasion of Canada should be 
 moved by the Continental Congress; the Army 
 at Boston, and the prospect of one arriving at 
 New- York, forbid our thinking of an Expe- 
 dition to Canada, 1026 
 
 Speech of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Oneida 
 Tribe of Indians to the four New-England 
 Provinces, directed to Governour Trumbull, - 1116 
 
 Town Meeting at Providence, Rhode-Island. 
 Authorize Cartridges to be delivered out to the 
 Inhabitants, 1027 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, Packet, seized by the 
 British, and retaken, near Conanicut, - - 1027 
 
 Proclamation by General Gage, requiring all the 
 Inhabitants of Boston to deliver up their Fire- 
 Arms, and declaring all who omit to do so 
 enemies to His Majesty's Government, - - 1027 
 
 Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, - 1028 
 
 1775. 
 
 J««el9, Letter from Joseph Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, requesting the Troops to be furnish- 
 ed with Blankets, and Spears or Lances, - 1028 
 
 19, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Safe- 
 ty to the Provincial Congress, requesting that 
 measures may be taken to obtain the names 
 and places of abode of all who were Killed or 
 Wounded in the Battle of Lexington, and at 
 any time since, and of such as may be Killed 
 or Wounded at any future time, in the contest 
 between Great Britain and the Colonies, - 1028 
 Resolution of the Provincial Congress, for carry- 
 ing into efTect the foregoing request, - - 1028 
 
 19, Letter from Colonel John Stark to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress. Account of the engage- 
 ment on the 17th instant, .... 1029 
 
 19, Letter from James McGregore to the Committee 
 
 of Safety of New-Hampshire, ... 1029 
 
 20, Arrival of Governour Lord William Campbell 
 
 at Charlestown, South-Carolina, - - - 1030 
 
 20, Association adopted and signed by the Committees 
 of the District of Wilmington, in North-Caro- 
 lina, 1030 
 
 20, Meeting of the Committee of Accomack Coun- 
 ty, Virginia ; requiring Masters of all Vessels 
 bringing Goods for sale to bring certificates 
 that the Goods were imported agreeable to the 
 Continental Association, - - - - 1031 
 
 20, Letter from General Washington to the Indepen- 
 dent Companies of Fairfax County, Virginia; 
 informing them of his appointment to the com- 
 mand of the Continental Army, - - - 1031 
 
 20, Letter from General Washington to John Au- 
 gustine Washington. Has been chosen to the 
 command of the Continental Army, by the 
 partiality of Congress, joined to a political 
 motive, and will set out to-morrow for Boston, 1031 
 
 20, Meeting of the Committee for the new County 
 proposed to be formed in Delaware, at Broad 
 Creek : bind themselves and constituents, by 
 every thing sacred, collectively and separately, 
 to enforce and carry into execution whatever 
 measures have or may be recommended, for 
 the preservation of the Liberties of America, - 10S2 
 
 20, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon- 
 don. Two propositions which Congress intend 
 to make to the British Government, - - 1033 
 
 20, Letter from Philadelphia to a Gentleman in Lon- 
 don. Colonel George Washington is, at the 
 particular request of the People of New-Eng- 
 land, and with the unanimous consent of Con- 
 gress, appointed Commander-in-Chief of the 
 Continental Forces, ..... 1 033 
 
 20, Letter from President Hancock to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress, enclosing a Resolve 
 passed yesterday for re-enforcing the Army 
 before Boston, - 1034 
 
 20, Letter from the New-Hampshire Delegates at 
 Philadelphia to the Provincial Congress. The 
 greatest unanimity prevails in the Congress, 
 one and all being determined to defend our 
 rights to the last, 1035 
 
 20, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern- 
 our Trumbull, enclosing a Resolution of the 
 Continental Congress of the 16th instant. A 
 small supply of Gunpowder has been lately 
 received, and half a ton of it will be forward- 
 ed to General Wooster for the Provincial Army 
 at Boston, 1306 
 
 20, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to General Wooster, in reply to his 
 Letters of the 17th and 18th instant, - - 1307 
 
 20, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti- 
 nental Congress. Has sent fifty barrels of 
 Powder with the greatest secrecy and despatch 
 to the American Army before Boston, and will 
 send ten barrels more, which is all that can be 
 supplied, as none can be obtained in the Colo- 
 ny, - - - - - - - - 1035 
 
 20, Letter from a Gentleman in Providence, Rhode- 
 Island, to his friend in New- York. Account 
 of the Battle of Bunker's Hill on the 17th 
 instant, 1036 
 
 20, Meeting of the Governour and Committee of 
 
 War for Connecticut, - - - - 1039 
 
 20, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Continental Congress. Account of the Battle 
 of Bunker's Hill, 1039 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 xcni 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 20, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Gen- 
 eral Ward, 1041 
 
 20, Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Town- 
 shend, in Massachusetts, to the Provincial 
 Congress. Are out of Powder, and ask for an 
 order on the Town of Ashby for one of the two 
 barrels they have, - - - - - 1041 
 20, Letter from Richard Derby, Jun., to Capt. James 
 
 Kirkwood, 1041 
 
 20, Report of Edward Bucknam and Seth Wales, to 
 
 Colonels Bailey and Hurd, of the information 
 gained from the Indians on the Canada Fron- 
 tiers, by two Scouts, sent for that purpose, - 1041 
 
 21, Letter from the Secret Committee of South-Caro- 
 
 lina to Colonel Moultrie. Furnish him with 
 Powder for the two Regiments of Infantry. 
 Recommend to him the greatest caution and 
 prudence, and to permit no Soldier to stand 
 sentry over the Powder, but such as are known 
 friends to the Liberties of America, - 1042 
 
 21, Deputation of the Provincial Congress of South- 
 Carolina, to present an Address to the Govern- 
 our, Lord William Campbell. - 1043 
 Address and Declaration of the Provincial Con- 
 gress to the Governour, .... 1043 
 Answer of the Governour, .... 1044 
 
 21, Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, to testify 
 their resentment of the base and cruel conduct 
 of the Inhabitants of Poole, a Seaport in the 
 English Channel, refuse to hold any commu- 
 nication with that People, or carry on any 
 transactions with them, or employ any shipping 
 belonging to that Port, or to any Inhabitant of 
 the place, 1044 
 
 21, Committee of Observation for Frederick County, 
 Maryland. Committees of Correspondence 
 for each District in the County appointed. 
 Two Companies of Riflemen raised, in com- 
 pliance with a Resolution of the Continental 
 Congress: Officers of the Companies appoint- 
 ed, and their pay established, ... 1044 
 
 21, Letter from the Provincial Congress to the Com- 
 mittee for the City and County of New- York, 
 requesting them immediately to purchase all 
 the Saltpetre in the City and County, and to 
 inform the Congress what quantity of Brim- 
 stone and Sulphur may be purchased in the 
 City, 1310 
 
 21, New- York Committee. Letter received, dated 
 May 30, from Jonathan Parsons, Jun., New- 
 foundland, informing of the arrival there of 
 the Ship Sally, Captain Taverner, from this 
 Port, 1046 
 
 21, Inquiry by a Committee into facts of Captain 
 
 Tavemers Voyage, ----- 1046 
 
 21, Deposition of Theophilact Bache, that Captain 
 Taverner was ordered to proceed directly to 
 Falmouth, or some other Port in Great Bri- 
 tain, and that he had no agency in causing the 
 Ship Sally to stop at Newfoundland, - - 1046 
 
 21, Petition of Joseph Johnson, a licensed Preacher 
 of the Gospel amongst seven different Tribes 
 of New-England Indians, and the Oneidas, to 
 the Provincial Congress of New- York, - 1047 
 
 21, Letter from a Gentleman in New- York to his 
 friend in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is a gross ca- 
 lumny to say we are aiming at Independency. 
 Our political principles are the same that raised 
 the House of Hanover to the Throne ; and were 
 your Ministers to adopt these principles we 
 would lay down our arms, - - - 1 047 
 
 21, Letter from the Albany, New- York, Committee, 
 to the Continental Congress. Certain inform- 
 ation received of the hostile intentions of Go- 
 vernour Carleton. who was daily giving pre- 
 sents to Caughnuwaga Indians, they having 
 agreed to take up the hatchet. The Troops 
 at Ticonderoga are much in want of Powder. 
 The F rontier Inhabitants are not half supplied 
 with Arms or Powder, and they request some 
 may be forwarded with all the despatch pos- 
 sible, 1048 
 
 21. Later from Captain Chapman, an officer in 
 General Gage's Army at Boston, to a friend 
 in Ireland. The Army of the Rebels consists 
 of at least fifteen thousand, and is daily increas- 
 ing; the Pulpits and the Publick Meetings 
 breathe nothing but sedition : the People are in 
 
 XC1V 
 
 1775. 
 
 - 1049 
 
 1041' 
 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 22, 
 
 22, 
 
 0-2 
 
 20, 
 22, 
 
 22 
 
 22, 
 
 1055 
 
 1056 
 
 1056 
 
 - 1058 
 
 1058 
 
 - 1059 
 
 1059 
 
 - 1060 
 
 the most slavish subjection to the Priests and 
 Demagogues; the Resolves of the Congress 
 are mostly inflammatory ; they have tried and 
 passed sentence on several who have dared to 
 contravene their inquisitorial decrees ; their aim 
 is Independency, - 
 June 21, Petition to the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts from seven Stockbridge Indians, sol- 
 diers enlisted in the Provincial Army, 
 Petition of Thomas Twining to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, in behalf of himself and the Asso- 
 ciation of Eastham, against Amos Knowles, 
 a Member of the Congress, who is charged 
 with being an opposer of the common cause 
 of the Country; with sundry accompanying 
 
 papers, - 1050-1055 
 
 Report of a Committee on the complaint against 
 
 Captain Knowles, not accepted, - 
 Letter from the Reverend Samuel Webster to the 
 
 New-Hampshire Committee of Safety, 
 Provincial Congress of South-Carolina, direct 
 Absentees to return to the Colony; and forbid 
 persons holding Estates to withdraw from its 
 service, ------- 
 
 Address to the People of Henrico County, Va.. 1056 
 Letter from Samuel Adams to Elbridge Gerry, - 1058 
 Letter from General Charles Lee to Lord Bar- 
 rington. renouncing his Pay as an Officer in 
 the British Army, ... 
 Letter from General Gates to General Washing- 
 ton, accepting his appointment, - - - 
 Petition of \Villiam Elphinston to the New- York 
 Congress, - - - - 
 
 Letter from Elisha Phelps to the New- York 
 Congress. Has been appointed bv Connecti- 
 cut Commissary for the Northern Army: has 
 arrived at Albany, and has been furnished 
 with no Supplies for the Troops, 
 Letter from Weathers fie Id, in Connecticut, to a 
 Gentleman in Philadelphia. Account of the 
 Battle on the 17th instant. The People are 
 rejoiced to hear of the coming of General 
 Washington, and will receive him with open 
 arms, - 
 
 Letter to a Member of the Continental Congress, 
 from a Gentleman in Stockbridge, Massachu- 
 setts. Our Messengers to the Six Nations 
 were taken by the Regulars, carried to Mon- 
 treal, tried by a Couit-Martial, and condemned 
 to be hanged, and were, only released upon the 
 threatenings of the Indian Sachems to treat 
 them as enemies if they did not let the prison- 
 ers go, - - 
 Letter from the Committee of Correspondence at 
 Plymouth to the Committee for Providence, - 
 Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Thinks it is not proper to order a 
 Regiment from Roxbury to Cambridge, as re- 
 quested by the Congress, but if they order it 
 he will do so, - 
 Letter from Benjamin Greenleaf to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. The Committee of New- 
 buryport are unwilling to give up the little 
 Powder they have, as requested by the Con- 
 gress, unless the publick cause renders it abso- 
 lutely necessary, in which case they will give 
 up the last ounce, the destruction of their 
 Town being a trivial matter compared with 
 a final defeat of the Army, 
 Letter from Stephen Hooper to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, - 
 Account of the Engagement on the 17th. Charles- 
 town set on fire by the British, contained about 
 three hundred Dwell ing-Houses, many of them 
 large and elegant, besides one hundred and fifty 
 or two hundred other Buildings, which are 
 almost all laid in ashes, 
 Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, ... 
 Letter from the Committee for Charles City 
 County, Virginia, to the Committee and Free- 
 holders of Buckingham County, in reply to 
 their offer of an asylum for their Wives and 
 Children, if the lower Counties are attacked bv 
 the enemy, .... 
 Letter from the Albany Committee to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress; they have received a vague 
 and uncertain account of the late Action at 
 
 22, 
 22, 
 
 22, 
 
 1060 
 
 1061 
 
 1061 
 
 22, 
 
 - 1062 
 
 - 1062 
 
 - 1063 
 
 23, 
 
 23. 
 
 106c 
 
 - 10C4 
 
xcv 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 xcvr 
 
 23, 
 
 2o, 
 
 Charlcstown ; request to be furnished with a 
 circumstantial detail of the Engagement, and 
 its consequences, .... - 1064 
 
 Jane 23, Letter to Mr. Holt. The County of Cumber- 
 land, in New- York, having been represented 
 as inimical to the late Continental Congress 
 and the Provincial Congresses, he is requested 
 to publish the Proceedings of the General 
 Committee of that County, in October last, - 1064 
 Proceedings of the Committees from a number 
 of Townships in the County of Cumberland, 
 held at the County Hall, at Westminster, on 
 the 19th and 20th days of October, 1774, - 1065 
 23, Letter from Colonel Arnold to the Continental 
 Congress. The opinion of the Committee 
 sent by Massachusetts, to inquire into the im- 
 portance of holding Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, is, that if the Enemy had possession of 
 these Fortresses it would place the New- 
 England Colonies and New- York in the ut- 
 most danger, ------ 1066 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, .... - 1067 
 
 Letter from an Officer on board one of the King's 
 Ships, at Boston, to a friend in London. The 
 Engagement on the 17th lasted four hours, and 
 ended infinitely to our disadvantage. The 
 Americans, when we landed, so far from retreat- 
 ing, as we expected, marched towards us with 
 the greatest coolness and regularity. The 
 Provincials fought like men who had no care 
 for their persons, and disputed every inch of 
 ground, ------- 1067 
 
 Petition to the Massachusetts Congress, from the 
 Selectmen, Officers of the Militia, and Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence of Manchester. The 
 Town being greatly exposed to their merciless 
 enemies, they request permission to raise a 
 Company of Men on the Provincial establish- 
 ment, to be kept there for their security and 
 
 defence, 1068 
 
 Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety. Colonel Stark 
 refuses to be under any subordination to any 
 person appointed by the Congress of New- 
 Hampshire to the general command of the 
 New- Hampshire Troops, - - - - 1069 
 Address of Colonel Bailey to the Northern In- 
 dians, 1070 
 
 Meeting of the Livery of London, in Common 
 Hall. An humble Address, Remonstrance 
 and Petition to the King on this important 
 crisis in American affairs, ordered to be pre- 
 sented to His Majesty, sitting on his Throne, 1070 
 July 4, Report of the Sheriffs who waited on the King to 
 know when he would permit the Lord Mayor, 
 Aldermen and Common Council to wait on 
 him with their Petition. The King refuses to 
 receive it on the Throne; and the Lord Mayor 
 refuses to present it to him in any other place. 
 The Petition ordered to be published, - 
 June 24, Humble Address, Remonstrance and Petition of 
 the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Livery of 
 London to the King, - - - - - 
 
 Letter to General Gage, - 
 Letter from President Hancock to the New- 
 York Congress. The Continental Congress 
 are of opinion that the employing of Green 
 Mountain Boys would be advantageous to the 
 common cause; they are requested to embody 
 them with the Troops raised for the defence of 
 the Northern Frontier, ... - 1076 
 Meeting of the General Committee of Observa- 
 tion lor the County of Burlington, New- Jer- 
 sey. Association and other Proceedings of the 
 Provincial Congress at Trenton approved of, - 1077 
 Letter from General Schuyler, New-Brunswick, 
 New-Jersey, to the New-York Congress. — 
 General Washington will be at Newark to- 
 morrow morning, at nine o'clock, where he 
 wishes to meet a Deputation of the Provincial 
 Congress, ------ 1078 
 
 Letter from John Hart, Jun., (Stamford, Connec- 
 ticut, to Dr. Carrington, enclosing an inter- 
 cepted Letter, dated New- York, June 19th, - 1078 
 Letter from a Merchant in Boston to his Brother 
 in Scotland, giving him an account of the 
 Battle with the Rebels on the 17th instant. 
 
 AO, 
 
 2o, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 24, 
 
 1071 
 
 1073 
 1074 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 24, 
 
 1775. 
 
 The chief breastwork of the Provincials was 
 the strongest post that was ever occupied by 
 any set of men ; the spirit and bravery the 
 British Troops exhibited on the occasion is 
 not to be surpassed in history. To the great 
 satisfaction of all good men, Dr. Warren was 
 
 slain, 1079 
 
 June 24, Order by the Massachusetts Congress for ob- 
 serving Thursday, 13th of July, as a day of 
 Publick Fasting and Prayer throughout the 
 
 Colony, 1080 
 
 24, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress. Lieutenant Francis Cox, of Salem, 
 has deserted the service, and told his men they 
 might go home, for no one had a right to stop 
 them; many of the men are gone, and it is 
 probable others will go, - . • - - 1080 
 
 24, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp- 
 
 shire Committee of Safety, for Cannon for the 
 Camp at Winter Hill. General Ward, who 
 has been applied to, cannot supply them, - 1031 
 
 25, Proposed vindication and offer to Parliament, 
 
 drawn up in a Committee of Congress, (by 
 
 Dr. Franklin,) 1081 
 
 25, Letter from General Washington to the Ameri- 
 can Congress. One thousand pounds of Pow- 
 der were sent from New- York to the camp at 
 Cambridge, leaving at this time but four bar- 
 rels in the City of New- York, - . - - 1084 
 
 25, General Washington's Orders and Instructions 
 to General Schuyler, appointed to the com- 
 mand of the Northern Department, - - 1084 
 
 25, Letter from General Washington to the Presi- 
 dent and Members of the Continental Con- 
 gress, 1085 
 
 25, Contradiction of the Statement made by Colonel 
 Easton to the Massachusetts Congress, on the 
 1 7th of May last, of the reduction of Ticon- 
 deroga, denying to Colonel Easton any partici- 
 pation in its capture, ----- 1085 
 
 25, Letter from Thaddeus Burr to General Wooster, 
 enclosing a Letter to him from Isaac Lothrop, 
 one of the Provincial Congress at Watertown, 
 dated June 22, giving an account of the action 
 on the 1 7th instant, 1089 
 
 25, Andrew Gilman appointed a Lieutenant by the 
 Massachusetts Congress, and instructed to visit 
 and cultivate a peaceable disposition with the 
 Indians, 1090 
 
 25, Letter from John Lane to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, 1090 
 
 25, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull, for re-enforcements for the 
 Army, 1090 
 
 25, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety to the Selectmen of Bradford. A Com- 
 pany of fifty Minute-Men enlisted in the Town 
 of Bradford, under Captain Gage, to serve for 
 one year from February, 1775, have all, except 
 two, scandalously deserted the cause of their 
 Country, and stained their own honour by 
 leaving the Camp and returning home, - 1091 
 
 25, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, ... 1092 
 
 25, Letter from an Officer in the Army at Boston to 
 his friend in England, giving an account of the 
 Battle of Bunker's Hill, ... - 1093 
 
 25, Letter from General Burgoyne to Lord Stanley. 
 
 Account of the Battle of Bunker's Hill, - 1094 
 Letter to General Burgoyne: Strictures on his 
 Letter to Lord Stanley, .... 1095 
 
 25, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth. The trials we have had show the 
 Rebels are not the despicable rabble too many 
 have supposed them to be ; when they find cover 
 they make a good stand. The conquest of this 
 Country is not easy, and can be effected only 
 by time and perseverance and strong armies 
 attacking it in various quarters and dividing 
 their forces, 1097 
 
 25, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, with his account of the Battle of Bun- 
 ker's Hill, 1097 
 
 Return of the Officers, Non-Commissioned Offi- 
 cers and Privates Killed and Wounded of His 
 Majesty's Troops, at the attack of the Redoubts 
 and Intrenchments, on the Heights of Charles- 
 town, June 17, 1775, .... 1098 
 
XCVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 xcvin 
 
 Observations on the Government account of the 
 
 lale Action near Charlestown, ... 1099 
 Further Observations, ----- 1101 
 June 26, Message from the Governour of Grenada to the 
 House of Assembly, requiring that the Ad- 
 dress and Minutes of the House, in favour of 
 the rebellious subjects in America, be rescind- 
 ed, 1102 
 
 Message from the House to the Governour, in- 
 forming him an Address to the King had pass- 
 ed the House in consequence of an unanimous 
 Resolution for that purpose; it had been deli- 
 vered to the late Speaker, and is no longer in 
 the possession of the House, - - - 1 1 02 
 Resolutions of the House refusing to comply 
 with the peremptory demands of the Govern- 
 our to rescind the Minutes, ... 1102 
 Proclamation of the Governour dissolving the 
 Assembly, - 1103 
 
 26, Meeting of sundry Gentlemen at Savannah, in 
 Georgia. Declare the Acts of Parliament, for 
 raising a Revenue in America, are grievances, 
 and they will do all they legally may to obtain 
 a redress of those grievances, - - - 1103 
 
 26, Meeting of the Committee for Talbot County, 
 Maryland. Information of the arrival in the 
 Chesapeake Bay of the Ship Johnston, Cap- 
 tain Jones, from Liverpool, with Salt and Dry 
 
 Goods, 1104 
 
 Report of the Sub- Committee who examined the 
 Ship Johnston, with a schedule of the Goods 
 on board, shipped by James Gildart and John 
 Gawith, of Liverpool, who are declared to 
 have violated the Association, - - - 1 104 
 
 26, Committee for the City and Liberties of Phila- 
 delphia. Resolve that Henry Cour and Nich- 
 olas Ashton, of Liverpool, have knowingly 
 violated the Association of the American Con- 
 gress, by shipping Salt to America in the Ship 
 Albion, and that the Ship and Cargo return to 
 Liverpool forthwith, - - - - - 1105 
 
 26, Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Con- 
 gress, - - - - - - -11 06 
 
 26, Letter from John French to the New-York 
 Congress. Cannot take his seat in Congress, 
 as it appears he was not elected by a majority, 1 106 # 
 
 26, Letter from Robert R. Livingston to the New- 
 York Congress. His Powder Mill is in 
 operation, and will immediately begin making 
 the Powder, 1106 
 
 26, Letter from Governour Trumbull to President 
 
 Hancock, 1106 
 
 26, Letter from General Gage to Lord Dunmore, in- 
 forming him of his victory over the Rebels, on 
 the 17th, 1107 
 
 26, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, ------ 1107 
 
 26, Letter from the Committee for Northfield, Mas- 
 sachusetts, to the Provincial Congress, - - 1108 
 
 26, Petition of the Committee of Correspondence for 
 the Town of Plymouth, Massachusetts, to the 
 Provincial Congress, .... 1108 
 
 26, Letter from the New- Hampshire Committee of 
 
 Safety to General Folsom, - - - - 1109 
 
 27, Letter from Governour Wright to General Gage. 
 
 The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and 
 some late occurrences in South-Carolina, have 
 forced the People of Georgia into the same 
 predicament with others. He has neither Men 
 nor Money. The King's Officers, and friends 
 to Government are left naked, and exposed to 
 the resentment of an enraged People, - - 1109 
 Letter sent in place of the foregoing, (which was 
 intercepted and suppressed.) by the Secret 
 Committee of Charlestown. South-Carolina, 
 (Note,) - - - - - - 1110 
 
 27, Letter from Gov. Wright to Admiral Graves, 
 urging him to send a Sloop-of-War to Savan- 
 nah immediately; a Vessel with a quantity of 
 Gunpowder is expected, and Boats and Men 
 from South-Carolina are waiting to take her, 
 and he has no means to prevent it, - - 1 1 1 1 
 Letter substituted for the foregoing by the Secret 
 Committee of South-Carolina, (Note,) - - 1111 
 
 27, Letter from Charlestown, South-Carolina, to a 
 Gentleman in Philadelphia, enclosing Extracts 
 of Letters from the Superintendent and Agent 
 of Indian Affairs in Georgia, - - - 1 1 1 1 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 27, Meeting of the Committee of Accomack Coun- 
 ty, Virginia. John Sherlock declared an ene- 
 my to American Liberty. Recantation of Mr. 
 Sherlock, 1112 
 
 27, Committee for Bedford County, Virginia : offer 
 assistance and protection to such of the Inha- 
 bitants of the lower parts of the Colony as may 
 be obliged to quit their habitations, - - 1 1 13 
 
 27, Letter from President Hancock to the New- York 
 Congress, enclosing a List of the General Offi- 
 cers appointed to command the Continental 
 Forces, - - - - - - -1114 
 
 27, Letter from the New- York Congress to Govern- 
 our Trumbull. A Guard has been sent to 
 escort four Wagons loaded with Gunpowder, 
 from New-Jersey, for the Camp at Cambridge, 1114 
 
 27, Meeting of the Committee of Brookhaven, Suf- 
 folk County, New- York. Adopt the Reso- 
 lutions and determinations of the Continental 
 Congress, and the injunctions of the Provin- 
 cial Congress, and will abide by, adhere to, 
 and support them. Apologize for their past 
 conduct, in having so late come into the Con- 
 gressional measures, ----- 934 
 
 27, Letter from Thomas Hicks to the New- York 
 Congress, with his reasons for not taking his 
 seat in Congress, and account of the election 
 in Queen's County, where they decline for the 
 present to send Delegates, - - - - 1 1 1 4 
 
 27, Petition and Remonstrance of Hermann Zedt- 
 witz to the New- York Provincial Congress, 
 for permission to raise a Regiment of Rifle- 
 men, and appoint him to the command of it, - 1115 
 
 27, Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Ticonderoga, to 
 
 the Massachusetts Congress, - - - 1116 
 
 27, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress. Is informed by Colonel 
 Hinman, at Ticonderoga, that the British are 
 fortifying St. John's, and that the Caughnawaga 
 Indians have had a war-dance, being brought 
 to it by General Carleton, - - - -1116 
 
 27, Meeting of the Committees of Inspection for the 
 
 Towns of Tiverton and Little Compton, R. I. - 1117 
 
 27, Letter from Governour Cooke to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress. Rhode-Island is about to fit 
 out two Armed Vessels for the protection of 
 their trade; a few Vessels, properly armed and 
 manned, would be a great means of protecting 
 the coast, and might enable us to make repri- 
 sals, 1118 
 
 27, Extracts of Letters received in Philadelphia, from 
 
 Gentlemen in the Army at Cambridge, - 1118 
 
 27, Letter from General Ward to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, recommending Col. William Hen- 
 shaw for Adjutant- General, - - - 1119 
 
 27, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu- 
 setts Congress, with a request from the Select- 
 men of Boston that Provisions may be sent into 
 Boston for the American Prisoners taken on 
 the 17th, at Charlestown, - - - - 1119 
 
 27, Letter from Colonel David Brewer to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, - - - - - 1 1 19 
 
 27, Petition of the Officers of Colonels Prescott, Frye 
 and Bridge's Regiments, to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, praying an allowance for their losses 
 in the Battle on the 17th instant, - - - 1119 
 
 27, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Continental Congress. The Continental Army 
 before Boston are restrained from returning 
 the fire of the British, which is kept up daily, 
 lest by so doing they exhaust their little stock 
 of powder, and place them at the mercy of 
 their enemies. Nothing can so much merit the 
 immediate attention of the Congress as the 
 means of supplying this Army in the speediest 
 manner with Gunpowder, - - - - 1 120 
 
 27, Letter from General Folsom to the New- Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, - - - - 1121 
 
 27, Letter from the Portsmouth, New- Hampshire, 
 Committee, to the Massachusetts Committee 
 of Safety, enclosing an intercepted Letter from 
 Boston, 1122 
 
 27, Letter from the Committees of Hanover and 
 Lebanon to the New-Hampshire Congress. — 
 Mr. Dean has just arrived with important 
 intelligence from Canada, and will set out for 
 Philadelphia to-morrow, to lay it before the 
 Continental Congress, .... 1540 
 
XCIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 28, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis. 
 Forbid the landing of Goods imported in the 
 Ship Adventure, from Loudon, ... 1122 
 
 28, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 Congress. Two Regiments of Connecticut 
 Troops have arrived within two miles of New- 
 York. Repoits prevail there that the Indians 
 have accepted the hatchet oflered them by 
 General Carleton, and that considerable bodies 
 of them have been seen going to Montreal. 
 Eight Transports with Troops are now at 
 Sandy-Hook, - - '- - - - 1123 
 
 28, Letter from the New- York Congress to their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress. Deeply 
 impressed with the necessity of an accommo- 
 dation with our Parent State, and conscious 
 that the best service we can render to the pre- 
 sent and all future generations must consist in 
 promoting it, we have laboured to point out 
 such moderate terms as may tend to reconcile 
 the unhappy differences ; and take the liberty 
 of enclosing the result of our deliberations, - 1329 
 
 28, Letter from Peter T. Curtenius to the New- York 
 
 Congress, - - - - - - 1124 
 
 28, Letter from the Charlotte County, New- York, 
 Committee, to the Erovincial Congress. Dis- 
 turbances in the County ; the People are dis- 
 satisfied with the order of Congress to remove 
 the Cannon from Ticonderoga, - 1124 
 
 28, Address of the Inhabitants of the German Flats, 
 to the Oneida and Tuscarora Indians as- 
 sembled there, - - - - - - 1 125 
 
 28, Address of the English Merchants, of Ouebeck, 
 to General Carleton; offer their services to 
 protect the place, and request the Militia to be 
 embodied, - 1125 
 
 28, Letter from General Greene to Jacob Greene. 
 The late Battle. The present situation of both 
 Armies. The Rhode-Island Troops are raw, 
 irregular and undisciplined; yet, bad as they 
 are, they are under much better government 
 than any Troops around Boston, - - - 1 126 
 
 28, Letter from the Committee of Inspection for the 
 Town of Biddcford to the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, - - - - - - -1127 
 
 28, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety to the Provincial Congress, protesting 
 against an Order sent to them by Gen. Ward, 1127 
 
 28, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Albany Committee, with a particular account 
 of the late Engagement with the enemies of 
 America, ...... 1 444 
 
 28, Petition of the Inhabitants of Machias to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, praying for a supply 
 of Provisions, the situation of the times having 
 prevented their procuring it, ... 1128 
 
 28, Letter from the New- Hampshire Committee of 
 
 Safety to General Folsom, - - - 1128 
 
 28, Letter from the Rev. Dr. Wheelock to the New- 
 
 Hampshire Congress, with information of the 
 disposition of the Northern Indians towards 
 the Colonies, - - - - - -1541 
 
 29, Letter from the Hague. Orders have been given 
 
 by the States-General to their Admiral in the 
 West- Indies to seize and destroy all Ammuni- 
 tion, Stores and Provisions, found in any Ships 
 bound from any Dutch Settlements to any 
 Poit in the English-American Colonics, - 1128 
 
 29, Letter from Charlestown to a Gentleman in Phi- 
 laddphia. Charlestown has more the appear- 
 ance of a Garrison-Town than a Mart for 
 Trade. One Company keeps guard all day, 
 and two every night. The Tories in Georgia 
 are now no more: the Province is almost uni- 
 versally on the right side, and are about to 
 choose Delegates to the Congress, - - 1 129 
 
 29, Free Thoughts on the present Times and Mea- 
 sures; addressed to the People of Virginia, - 1129 
 
 29, Philadelphia Committee direct that no Sheep be 
 killed under four years of age, in compliance 
 with the Resolves of the Provincial Convention, 1 132 
 
 29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, - - . . - 1 1 32 
 
 29, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 Congress. Some Oneida Indians, lately arrived 
 at Albany, have expressed a wish that the In- 
 dians should be called together there, - - 1133 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 28, Letter from General Schuyler, at New- York, to 
 
 Colonel Hinman, commanding at Ticonderoga, 1 133 
 
 29, Letter from General Schuyler to the New-York 
 Congress. Proposes the Troops from Connect- 
 icut shall encamp this morning, and requests 
 Tents and other necessaries may he furnished 
 immediately, ------ 1134 
 
 29, Letter from the New- York Congress to Elisha 
 Phelps, Commissary to the Connecticut Troops 
 on Lake Champlain. Have made provision 
 for passing to him all the Provisions and Stores 
 heretofore sent for the Troops at the Posts on 
 the Lake, 1332 
 
 29, Letter from the New- York Congress to the 
 Agents at Albany, directing them to deliver to 
 Mr. Phelps, the Commissary appointed by Go- 
 vernour Trumbull, all the Provisions and Stons 
 in their hands, ..... 1332 
 
 29, Letter from Colonel Jacob Bay ley to the New- 
 York Congress. He has been chosen a Mem- 
 ber of the Provincial Congress, but cannot 
 attend, as they are apprehensive of an invasion 
 from Canada, - - - - - 1134 
 
 29, Association of the Inhabitants of Newtown, in 
 Fairfield County, Connecticut, adopted on the 
 13th of February, and signed by the Inhabi- 
 tants on the 12th of April, 1775, - - 1 135 
 
 29, Letter from Fort George, near Ticonderoga, to a 
 
 Gentleman in Hartford. It is generally be- 
 lieved that Carleton is making preparations to 
 come against us. Guy Johnson is doing all 
 he can to raise the Indians against us, - 1135 
 
 30, Preparations for defence at Williamsburgh, Vir- 
 
 ginia, - - - - - - - 1 1 35 
 
 30, Address of the Committee of Cumberland Coun- 
 ty, Virginia, to the Inhabitants of the County, 1 136 
 
 30, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, at 
 
 Philadelphia, to a friend in Williamsburgh, - 1137 
 
 30, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, urging 
 them, by all means, to complete their levies 
 of Men without delay; the honour as well as 
 the interest of the Congress is much concerned 
 in the success of this measure; Connecticut 
 boasts of having raised their Men in ten days, 1137 
 
 30, Letter from General Schuyler, at New- York, to 
 the Continental Congress. In obedience to the 
 Resolutions of Congress, he will repair with- 
 out delay to Ticonderoga, and execute their 
 wishes with the utmost expedition and secrecy, 1 138 
 
 30, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 Congress. Has just received Despatches con- 
 taining matters of the utmost importance, and 
 wishes to meet a small Committee of their 
 body, to whom he will communicate such part 
 of his orders as become the subject of their 
 consideration, - - - - - - 1139 
 
 30, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour 
 Trumbull. To enable him to carry into exe- 
 cution the orders of the Continental Congress, 
 supplies of Money and Ammunition are in- 
 dispensably necessary; he requests Connecti- 
 cut will send him fifteen or twenty thousand 
 Pounds of their Money, and all the Ammuni- 
 tion they can spare, for it cannot be had in 
 New- York, even in the smallest quantity, - 1139 
 
 30, Letter from Capt. John Lamb to the New- York 
 
 Congress, - - - - - - 1 1 40 
 
 30, Letter from Samuel Mott, at Fort George, to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull. Has been informed of the 
 extraordinary ill conduct of Col. Arnold, the 
 particulars of which have been sent by Col. 
 Hinman. Requests that Captain Niles, of 
 Norwich, a bold and able sea commander, 
 may be commissioned to take command of one 
 of the Vessels on the Lake. Guy Johnson is 
 doing all in his power to stimulate the Indians 
 against us, - - - - - - 1140 
 
 30, Letter from General Ward to the Continental 
 Congress. Has received and accepts his ap- 
 pointment as a Major-General in the Ameri- 
 can Army. Hopes the appointments in Mas- 
 sachusetts, made by the Congress, of General 
 Officers, may not have a tendency to create 
 uneasiness; which ought, at this time, to be 
 carefully avoided, - - - - - 1140 
 
 30, Letter from General Ward to John Pigeon, Com- 
 missary-General, - « - - - 1141 
 
CI 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 30, Letter from General Thomas to the Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Safety, - - - -1141 
 
 30, Letter from General Heath to the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety. Many of his Regiment 
 are without Arms; requests they may be sup- 
 plied, 1141 
 
 30, Letter from the Committee of Safety for Massa- 
 chusetts to the Provincial Congress. Desire 
 to have a full knowledge of the emissions of 
 Bills lately made, before they consider the fur- 
 ther emission required by a Resolve of the 
 Provincial Congress, - - - -1141 
 
 30, Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of Sup- 
 plies to the New- Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety, requesting them to forward some Can- 
 non they have, - - - - -1142 
 
 30, Colonel John Fenton declared an enemy to the 
 Liberties of America by the Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, and sent under guard to Head- 
 Quarters, 698 
 
 Eulogium sacred to the memory of the late Maj. 
 Gen. Warren, who fell, June 17, 1775, fighting 
 against the Ministerial Army at Boston, - 1142 
 
 RHODE- ISLAND ASSEMBLY. 
 
 May 3, Rhode- Island Assembly meet at Providence, - 1 143 
 List of the Members, - - - - - 1143 
 Records of the Colony removed to Providence, - 1 1 45 
 Committee to prepare a Bill for regulating the 
 Army to be raised for the defence of the Co- 
 lony, 1145 
 
 Act for embodying, supplying and paying the 
 Army of Observation ordered to be raised for 
 the defence of the ColoDy, ... 1145 
 
 Committee of Safety authorized to receive and 
 distribute Arms, - - - - - 1147 
 
 Committee of Safety appointed, - - - 1 1 47 
 Officers of the Army of Observation, - - 1147 
 Resolutions disqualifying Governour Wanton, 
 and authorizing the Lieutenant-Governour to 
 act as Governour, - - - - -1149 
 
 Committee of Safety directed to make out the 
 account of the expenses of Raising and Equip- 
 ping the Army of Observation, and transmit 
 it to the Continental Congress, - - - 1150 
 Proceedings of the Assembly, relative to the Dis- 
 putes between Great Britain and the Colonies, 
 directed to be sent to the Assembly of Connect- 
 icut and Committee of New- York, - - 1 150 
 Pay to the Officers and Men of the Army of Ob- 
 servation, ...... 1150 
 
 Embaro-o laid on all Provisions going out of the 
 
 Colony, 1151 
 
 Adjourn to second Monday in June, - - 1151 
 June 12,Meet according to adjournment, ... 1151 
 
 List of the Members, 1151 
 
 Disqualification of Governour Wanton continued, 1 152 
 Deputy-Governour requested to write to Captain 
 Wallace, Commander of His Majesty's Ship 
 Rose, now in the Harbour of Newport, and 
 demand of him the reason of his conduct to- 
 wards the Inhabitants of the Colony, - - 1152 
 Allowances to Soldiers in Camp, - - - 1152 
 Rules for regulating the Army of Observation, 
 
 raised by this Colony, - - - - 1152 
 Committee of Safety directed to fit out, with Arms 
 arid Men, two Vessels, to protect the Trade of 
 
 the Colony, 1158 
 
 Officers appointed to command the Vessels, - 1 158 
 Memorial of William Potter, of South-Kingston, 
 expressing his regret at having signed the Pro- 
 test, in April last, against the Act for raising 
 an Army of Observation, .... 1158 
 The Memorial is considered satisfactory, and Mr. 
 Potter is reinstated in the favour of the As- 
 sembly, - -1159 
 
 Military Officers appointed, .... 1159 
 
 Post-Offices established, Postmasters and Post- 
 Riders appointed, and Rates of Postage fixed, 1160 
 Ten Thousand Pounds in lawful money, Bills of 
 Credit, authorized, ..... H61 
 
 Officers chosen by the Light-Infantry Compa- 
 nies of Providence and Gloucester approved, 1161 
 Officers chosen by the Company of Scituate Hun- 
 ters, approved, ------ 1161 
 
 An Act to prevent Desertion from the Army of 
 Observation, 1161 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Officers chosen by the Company of North-Pro- 
 vidence Rangers, approved, ... 
 
 The Deputy-Governour requested to transmit to 
 the Rhode- Island Delegates in the Continental 
 Congress a copy of the Proceedings of this 
 Assembly, ------ 
 
 Adjourned to the third Monday in August next, 
 Ju ne 28, Meet again; convened by the Lieut. Governour, 
 
 List of the Members of the Assembly, 
 
 Officers chosen to command the Pawtuxet Ran- 
 gers, approved, - - - - - 
 
 Six additional Companies authorized to be raised 
 and equipped ; two Companies to be added to 
 each of the Regiments now in the service of 
 this Colony, and encamped near Boston, 
 
 Ten Thousand Pounds in lawful money, Bills, 
 to be emitted for the pay and support of the 
 additional Companies, - - - - 
 
 An Act to repeal an Act entitled "An Act for 
 Regulating Appeals to His Majesty in Coun- 
 cil, in Great Britain," - - 
 
 Disqualification of Governour Wanton con- 
 tinued, ------- 
 
 Army of Observation placed under the command 
 and direction of the Commander-in-Chief of 
 the combined American Army, stationed in the 
 Province of Massachusetts, ... 
 
 Deputy-Governour requested to write a Reply 
 to the Speech of the Oneida Indians to the 
 four New-England Colonies, - 
 
 Committee appointed to take an account of the 
 Powder, Arms and Ammunition, as well pri- 
 vate as publick, in the Colony, ... 
 
 Committees of the several Towns requested to 
 collect Saltpetre, and forward it to the Provin- 
 cial Congress in New- York, - - - 
 
 Officers chosen to command the Providence Gre- 
 nadier Company, approved, - - - 
 
 Officers appointed to command the six additional 
 Companies to the Army of Observation, 
 
 Act for enlisting one-fourth part of the Militia of 
 the Colony as Minute-Men, - 
 
 Adjourned to the third Monday in August, 
 
 21, 
 
 22, 
 23, 
 
 24, 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY. 
 
 June 19, Pennsylvania Assembly meet, - 
 
 20, Message to the Governour, that they are ready 
 to proceed to any business he may have to lay 
 before them, ------ 
 
 Answer of the Governour ; he has no business to 
 
 lay before the House, - 
 Committee to prepare a bill for striking twenty- 
 two thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit, 
 Bill for striking Bills of Credit reported and 
 read, ------- 
 
 Memorial from the Committee for the City and 
 Liberties of Philadelphia, requesting them to 
 appoint a Committee of Safety and Defence, - 
 Resolution of the Continental Congress of June 
 22, requesting Pennsylvania to raise two or 
 more Companies of Riflemen, presented to the 
 House, ------- 
 
 Petition from a number of the Officers of the As- 
 sociation in the City and Liberties of Philadel- 
 phia, concurring with the Petition and Memo- 
 rial from the Committee of the said City and 
 Liberties, presented yesterday, - 
 Consideration of the Petition from the Committee 
 for Philadelphia resumed, - - - - 
 
 Committee appointed to consider of, and report to 
 the House, such measures as may be expedient 
 for putting the City and Province into a state 
 of defence, - 
 Message from the Governour, refusing his con- 
 sent to the Bill entitled '' An Act for the sup- 
 port of Government of this Province, and pay- 
 ment of the Publick Debt," - 
 Committee to prepare an Answer to the Message, 
 Resolves reported by the Committee on the De- 
 fence of the City and Province, considered and 
 agreed to by the House, - - - - 
 
 Committee of Safety appointed, - 
 People conscientiously scrupulous of bearing 
 Arms recommended to assist the indigent As- 
 sociators, ------- 
 
 Adjourned to Monday, the 18th of September 
 next, - - - - 
 
 27, 
 
 28, 
 
 30, 
 
 CII 
 
 1162 
 
 1162 
 1162 
 1162 
 1163 
 
 1163 
 
 1163 
 
 1163 
 
 1163 
 1164 
 
 1164 
 
 1164 
 
 1164 
 
 1164 
 
 1164 
 
 1165 
 
 1165 
 1168 
 
 1167 
 
 1167 
 1167 
 1168 
 1168 
 
 1168 
 1170 
 
 1170 
 1170 
 
 - 1170 
 
 1171 
 1171 
 
 1172 
 1173 
 
 1174 
 1174 
 
cm 
 
 1775. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE HO 178 B OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 June 12, House of Representatives of New-Hampshire 
 
 meet, 1175 
 
 13, Refuse to receive the Members elected on the 
 King's Writ, for the Towns of Plymouth, Or- 
 ford, and Lime, ------ 1175 
 
 Answer of the House to the Governour's Speech, 1 175 
 Message from the Governour, adjourning the 
 House to Tuesday, the 1 1th of August next, - 1 176 
 
 NEW- HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 June27, The Congress meets according to adjournment, 1179 
 Cannon to be sent to the Army at Medfbrd, - 1 179 
 
 28, Provincial and County Records at Portsmouth 
 
 removed to Exeter, - - - - - 1179 
 
 29, Rules and Articles of War for Massachusetts, from 
 
 No. 1 to No. 53, inclusive, adopted for the 
 New-Hampshire Forces, - - - 1180 
 
 30, Justices of the several Courts recommended to 
 
 adjourn their respective Courts to the first day 
 of the next Term, till further advice of this 
 Congress, - - - - - -1180 
 
 Colonel John Fenton ordered to be confined in 
 the Jail at Exeter, and supported like a Gen- 
 tleman, at the expense of the Colony, - - 1181 
 July 1, Colonel Fenton ordered to be sent to the Head- 
 quarters of the New-Hampshire Forces, - 1181 
 
 Committee to prepare a Bill for an emission of a 
 further sum of Paper Notes, ... 1181 
 
 Committee to bring in a Plan to regulate the Mi- 
 litia of the Colony, ----- 1181 
 
 Committee to confer with the other New-Eng- 
 land Colonies, on the situation of Ticonderoga, 
 Crown Point, and Canada, and procure the 
 views of those Colonies relative to any Plan of 
 Operations in those parts, - - - -1181 
 
 3, Publick Money in the hands of George JafTrey, 
 
 Treasurer, delivered to a Committee of the 
 Congress, - - - - - - 1181 
 
 Letter received from Dr. Wheelock, giving an 
 account of the state of matters in Canada, sent 
 by a Committee to the Massachusetts Congress, 1 182 
 
 4, Committee to prepare a Vote for establishing and 
 
 encouraging sundry Manufactures in the Co- 
 lony, - - 1182 
 
 5, Receiver-General authorized to give his Notes 
 
 of Hand, on the faith of the Colony, for ten 
 thousand Pounds, - - - - - 11 82 
 
 Selectmen or Committee of each Town to take 
 an exact list of all the Fire- Arms fit for use in 
 their respective Towns and Parishes in the 
 
 Colony, 1184 
 
 7, Report of the Committee appointed to remove the 
 
 Publick Records, - . , - - 1 184 
 
 Committee of Safety directed to write a Letter to 
 the Continental Congress, setting forth the situ- 
 ation of the Colony, the state of the Forces, &c, 1 1 86 
 
 Adjourned to August 22, - . . - 1186 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 June 1, House of Burgesses of Virginia meet at Wil- 
 
 liamsburgh, - 1185 
 Peyton Randolph chosen Speaker, - - - 1186 
 Speech of the Governour to the Council and 
 House of Burgesses, - 1187 
 
 2, Message from the Governour, communicating the 
 
 Joint Address of the Lords and Commons, on 
 the 7th of February, and His Majesty's An- 
 swer; and also the Resolution of the House of 
 Commons of the 27th of the same month, - 1188 
 
 Address to the Governour ordered, and a Com- 
 mittee appointed to prepare it, ... 1188 
 
 Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held 
 at Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 
 
 1774, laid before the House, - - -1188 
 Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates for 
 
 the Counties and Corporations in the Colony 
 of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the 
 County of Henrico, on the 20th day of March, 
 
 1775, laid before the House, - , - 1188 
 
 3, Address to the Governour, requesting him to 
 
 communicate to the House the number of 
 Militia lately drawn out into actual service in 
 defence of the Colony; and what Militia has 
 been ordered out since the late Indian Expedi- 
 tion, and for what purposes, - ... 1189 
 
 CIV 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 5, Answer of the Governour to the Address relative 
 
 to the Militia, - 1189 
 
 Address to the Governour in answer to his 
 Speech, - 1190 
 
 Committee to inspect the Publick Magazine in 
 this City, and inquire into the Stores belonging 
 to the same, - - - - - - 1191 
 
 Petition of the Presbytery of Hanover, in behalf 
 of themselves and all the Presbyterians of 
 Virginia, and of all Protestant Dissenters else- 
 where, praying for equal liberties and advan- 
 tages with their fellow-subjects, - - - 1191 
 
 Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress con- 
 sidered, and unanimously approved, - - 1192 
 
 Proceedings of the Convention considered, and 
 unanimously approved, ... - 1193 
 
 Address of the Council to the Governour, - 1 193 
 
 Governour's Answer, ----- 1193 
 
 6, Message from the Governour relative to the 
 
 Publick Magazine; and a paper referred to in 
 
 the Message, 1 193 
 
 The Gentlemen who were appointed to inspect 
 the Magazine directed to prepare an Answer 
 to the Message, 1 194 
 
 Answer to the Governour's Message, - - 1194 
 
 Message from the Governour relative to the Gun- 
 powder which has been removed from the 
 Publick Magazine by His Excellency's order, 1 195 
 
 Message from the Council, with a copy of their 
 Proceedings upon a report relative to the Ma- 
 rines and Sailors belonging to His Majesty's 
 Ship the Fowey, 1195 
 
 Captain James Innis, of the Williamsburgh Vo- 
 lunteers, requested to guard the Magazine, - 1 196 
 
 7, The Governour's Message, relative to the remo- 
 
 val of the Gunpowder from the Magazine, 
 
 considered, - - - - - -11 96 
 
 Committee appointed to prepare and present an 
 
 Address to the Governour, - - - - 1 196 
 Governour's Speech considered in Committee of 
 
 the Whole House, 1196 
 
 Message from the Governour in answer to their 
 
 Address of this day, - - - - - 1 197 
 Petition of Wm. Fleming presented to the House, 1 197 
 
 8, Petition of Abraham Field presented, - - 1 197 
 Message from the Council, with a written Mes- 
 sage from the Governour, informing that, con- 
 sidering himself in danger of personal violence, 
 
 he had removed to a place of safety; and had 
 fixed his residence for the present on board His 
 Majesty's Ship the Fowey, lying at York, and 
 that for the transaction of all publick business, 
 access to him will be easy and safe, - - 1 198 
 
 Message read, considered, and Committee ap- 
 pointed to prepare an Address in answer, - 1 198 
 
 Address to the Governour, in answer to his Mes- 
 sage, 1199 
 
 Sent to the Council for their concurrence, - - 1 199 
 
 Concurred in by the Council and amended to 
 make it a Joint Address, - - - - 1 199 
 
 Committee appointed to. present it, - - - 1 199 
 
 9, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of 
 
 the Whole, 1199 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee, that the 
 Address of yesterday had been presented to the 
 Governour on board the Fowey, and that he 
 was pleased to say he would take time to con- 
 sider it, and would return an answer in writing 
 after he had maturely deliberated upon its con- 
 tents, - - 1200 
 
 10, Governour's Speech considered in Committee of 
 
 the Whole, 1200 
 
 Resolution reported to the House, setting forth 
 the reasons why they cannot close with the 
 Resolution of the House of Commons of the 
 27th of February, (Lord North's,) - -1200 
 
 Resolution agreed to, and a Committee appointed 
 to prepare an Address to the Governour upon it, 1202 
 
 Answer of the Governour to the Joint Address, 
 presented to him yesterday, - - - - 1202 
 
 Committee appointed to inquire into the causes of 
 the late Disturbances and Commotions, - 1204 
 12, Petition of the Community of Christians called 
 Menonites, praying they may have the same 
 liberty of affirming to the truth of any matter 
 as indulged to the People called Quakers, - 1204 
 
 Address to the Governour reported to the House 
 by the Committee, «■•'•*«, 1204 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
cv 
 
 1775. 
 
 Junel2, Address agreed to, and a Committee appointed to 
 
 present it, - - - - - - - 1206 
 
 13, Report of the Committee appointed to inspect the 
 
 Magazine, ...... 1206 
 
 Message to the Council, on securing the Arms 
 
 left in the Palace by the Governour, - - 1208 
 Petition of sundry persons of the Community of 
 
 Christians called Baptists, and other Protestant 
 
 Dissenters, ...... 1208 
 
 14, Petition of several persons in that part of the 
 
 County of Augusta which lies West of the 
 Alleghany Mountains, presented by Mr. Bland, 
 one of the Delegates to the Continental Con- 
 gress, where it was first presented, - - 1208 
 
 Commissioners appointed to ratify the Treaty of 
 Peace between this Colony and the Indians, - 1209 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to inquire 
 into the late Disturbances and Commotions, - 1209 
 
 15, Committee appointed to a Conference with the 
 
 Council, on the Message of the House relative 
 
 to the security of the publick Arms, - - 1216 
 
 Several Conferences on the subject of securing 
 the Arms, 1216 
 
 Committee appointed to join with a Committee of 
 the Council in preparing an Address to the 
 Governour, that he will consent to a removal 
 of the publick Arms to a more secure place, - 1217 
 
 House in Committee of the Whole on the Go- 
 vernour's Answer to the Joint Address of the 
 two Houses; the Report of the Committee ap- 
 pointed to inspect the Publick Magazine; the 
 Report of the Committee on the late Disturb- 
 ances and Commotions: and an extract of a 
 Letter from Lord Dunmore to Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, dated Williamsburgh, Dec'r 24, 1774, 1217 
 
 Resolution reported by the Committee of the 
 
 Whole, directing an Address to the Governour, 1217 
 
 Resolution agreed to, and Committee appointed to 
 prepare the Address, ----- 1218 
 
 Message to the Council, informing them that the 
 Locks of upwards of three hundred Guns, late- 
 ly in complete order in the Publick Magazine, 
 have been taken off; and requesting them to 
 join in an Address to the Governour, desiring 
 him to direct the Locks to be returned to the 
 Magazine, 1218 
 
 16, Mr. Cary reported to the House, that their Ad- 
 
 dress of Monday last, (the 12th instant,) had 
 been presented to the Governour, and had re- 
 ceived his Answer, - - - - -1218 
 
 Answer of the Governour to the Address of 
 Monday, 1218 
 
 Address ordered to be presented to the Governour, 
 informing him the Publick Magazine is now 
 in a fit condition for the reception of Arms and 
 Ammunition, and requesting him to return the 
 Powder lately removed from thence by his 
 order, 1218 
 
 Committee to prepare the Address, - - -1219 
 
 17, Committee appointed, on the 7th of June, to draw 
 
 up an Address to be presented to the Govern- 
 our, reported, ...... 1219 
 
 Address reported by the Committee agreed to, 
 and Committee appointed to present it, - - 1219 
 
 Council agree to address the Governour concern- 
 ing the Locks taken off some of the Guns in 
 the Magazine, and Committee appointed to 
 prepare it, 1220 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported, from the Committee ap- 
 pointed yesterday to draw up an Address to the 
 Governour, informing him the Publick Maga- 
 zine is now in a fit condition for the reception 
 of Arms and Ammunition, .... 1220 
 
 Address reported by Mr. Mercer agreed to, and 
 a Committee appointed to present it, - - 1221 
 
 Joint Address to the Governour, requesting him 
 to order the Publick Arms in the Palace may 
 be removed, during his absence, to the Publick 
 Magazine, - - - - - - 1221 
 
 19, Mr. Bland presented to the House copies of seve- 
 ral Resolutions of the Continental Congress, 
 passed on the 1 7th of May, on the 29th of May, 
 and on 2d of June, 1221 
 
 Resolutions of the Congress approved of by the 
 House, and the several Committees in the Co- 
 lony for carrying into execution the Continen- 
 tal Association are requested to be vigilant in 
 seeing them strictly complied with, - - 1221 
 
 CVI 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 19, Address to the Governour, reported by the Com- 
 mittee appointed on Thursday last, the 15th 
 
 instant, 1221 
 
 Agreed to, and Committee appointed to present it, 1231 
 
 20, Message from the Council, with a Paper which 
 
 they have received from the Governour, as his 
 Answer to the last Joint Address of the Coun- 
 cil and House, ...... 1232 
 
 Governour, in the Paper communicated, refuses 
 to give directions for the removal of the Arms 
 from the Palace, and directs that they remain 
 there, and on no account be touched without 
 his express permission, .... 1232 
 
 Mr. Cary reported that the Joint Address of Sa- 
 turday last, (June 17,) and the two Addresses 
 of this House of the same day, and the Address 
 of yesterday, had been severally presented to 
 the Governour, who directed him to acquaint 
 the House he had sent his Answer to the first 
 to the Council, and delivered him two Papers 
 in answer to the second and third Addresses, - 1232 
 
 21, Papers sent by the Governour, in answer to the 
 
 Joint Address and to the Addresses of this 
 House, taken into consideration, - 1233 
 
 Conference desired with the Council, on the state 
 of the Colony, and on the subject-matter of the 
 Governoui's Message in answer to the Joint 
 Address of the Council and House, - - 1233 
 
 Conference agreed to by the Council, - - 1233 
 
 Committee appointed to manage the Conference 
 on the part of the House, - - - - 1233 
 
 Instructions to Committee appointed to manage 
 
 the Conference, 1233 
 
 Address to the Governour agreed upon in Con- 
 ference, - 1234 
 
 Agreed to by the House, and Committee appoint- 
 ed to present it, ..... 1235 
 
 22, Answer of the Governour to the Joint Address of 
 
 yesterday, 1236 
 
 Message from the Governour to the House, by 
 the Attorney-General, on the Bills and Re- 
 solves passed by the House, ... 1237 
 
 Address of the House in answer to the Message, 1237 
 24, Answer of the Governour to the Address, - 1239 
 
 Considered by the House in Committee of the 
 Whole, 1239 
 
 Resolutions, reported by the Committee of the 
 Whole, and agreed to by the House, - - 1239 
 
 Commissioners appointed to meet the Chiefs of 
 the Ohio Indians, to confirm and ratify a Treaty 
 of Peace with them, 1240 
 
 Commissioners appointed to settle the Accounts 
 of the Militia for their services and losses in the 
 late Indian war, ..... 1240 
 
 Adjourned to the 12th of October next, - - 1241 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 May 22, The Congress assembled at the Exchange, in 
 
 New- York, 1241-1348 
 
 23, List of the Deputies from the several Counties, 1241 
 Rules of the Congress adopted, ... 1243 
 Moved by Mr. Low, and consideration postponed, 
 
 that implicit obedience ought to be paid to all 
 General Regulations recommended by the Con- 
 tinental Congress ; but that this Congress is 
 competent to determine on all matters relative 
 to the internal police of the Colony, - - 1244 
 
 Resolution of the Continental Congress of May 
 18th, relative to Ticonderoga, presented, - 1245 
 
 Committee appointed to report the best method of 
 carrying it into execution, ... 1245 
 
 All the Ministers in the City, who can pray in 
 English, requested to make arrangements for 
 opening the Congress with Prayer, - - 1245 
 
 24, Report of the Committee on the Resolution of the 
 
 Continental Congress relative to Ticonderoga, 1246 
 
 Committee appointed to superintend the removal 
 of the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga 
 to Fort George, - - - - 1247 
 
 Letter from a Committee of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives of Connecticut, appointed to confer 
 with this Colony, - ... 1247 
 
 Gentlemen from Connecticut introduced, their 
 Credentials read, and a Committee appointed 
 to confer with them, ... - - 1247 
 
 Committee to consider the expense and means 
 of raising Money, to defray the expense of 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CVII 
 
 1773. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1248 
 
 1248 
 
 1248 
 
 1250 
 
 removing the Cannon and Stores from Ticon- 
 deroga, ------- 
 
 May 24, Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, inform- 
 ing him of what they have done relative to 
 Ticonderoga, ------ 
 
 Committee to prepare a Letter and Instructions 
 to the Agents lor removing the Cannon and 
 Stores from Ticonderoga, - - - - 
 
 25, Committee appointed to confer with the Gentle- 
 
 men from Connecticut, on their written re- 
 quest, ------- 
 
 Arrangement of the Clergy of New- York, to 
 open the Congress with Prayer every morn- 
 ing, 1250 
 
 Report of the Committee after their Conference, 1250 
 Motion rejected, that the Letter to the Go- 
 vernour of Connecticut be withheld, and the 
 subject-matter thereof reconsidered, 
 Letter to the Agents for removing the Cannon 
 
 and Stores from Ticonderoga, - 
 Instructions to the Agents, - - - - 
 The Congress recommend to all persons not to 
 commit any hostilities against the People of 
 Canada, and declare every such step infamous, 
 and highly inimical to all the American Colo 
 nies, - 
 
 Motion made, and consideration postponed, that 
 this Congress do fully approve of the Proceed- 
 ings of the late Continental Congress, 
 
 26, Committee of Correspondence appointed, and in- 
 
 structed to inform the People of Canada that 
 nothing hostile is intended against them, 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Safety for Massachu- 
 setts, and the Committee of Correspondence for 
 New-Hampshire, - 
 
 Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of emitting a Continental Paper Currency, - 
 
 Letter to the Delegates representing this Colony 
 in the Continental Congress, - 
 
 Propositions and requests of Capt. Asa Douglass, 
 
 Members of the Congress desired to sign the As- 
 sociation, - 
 
 27, Letter from Abraham Lott, for information 
 
 whether he is authorized to supply the Ship 
 Asia with Provisions: permission given, 
 
 Committee on Continental Paper Currency re- 
 port; to be considered on Tuesday next, 
 29, Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-Jer- 
 sey, dated May 26, - - - 
 
 Letter from President Hancock, dated May 26, 
 with Resolves of the Continental Congress of 
 May 25, respecting the measures they conceive 
 necessary for the defence and safety of the City 
 and Province of New-York, - 
 
 Letter to the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, 1260 
 
 Letter to the Delegates in the Continental Con- 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 1. 
 
 1250 
 
 1251 
 1251 
 
 - 1253 
 
 1253 
 
 1254 
 
 1254 
 
 1254 
 
 1255 
 1255 
 
 1256 
 
 1257 
 
 - 1257 
 
 - 1258 
 
 1259 
 
 gress, 
 
 - 1260 
 
 Recommendation to the several Counties to ap- 
 point Committees to obtain the signatures of 
 all the Inhabitants to the Association, and to 
 report the Names of those who refuse to sign, 1261 
 Letter to the Counties, enclosing the foregoing 
 Recommendation, 1261 
 
 30, Report of the Committee on the Continental 
 
 Paper Currency, ----- 1262 
 
 Agreed to unanimously by the House, and a copy 
 directed to be transmitted to the Delegates of the 
 Colony in the Continental Congress, - - 1264 
 
 Letter to the Delegates in Continental Congress, 
 
 enclosing the Report on Paper Currency, - 1264 
 
 Committee to examine the Ground at or near 
 King's Bridge, to ascertain if it will admit of 
 making a Fortification there that will be ten- 
 able, 1265 
 
 Committee to go to the Highlands, and report the 
 most proper place for erecting one or more 
 Fortifications, 1265 
 
 Motion by Mr. Kissam, that a Committee be ap- 
 pointed to prepare and state the terms on which 
 a reconciliation may be tendered to Great 
 Britain, 1265 
 
 31, Inhabitants of the Colony recommended to fur- 
 
 nish themselves with Arms and Ammunition, 1267 
 Committee to Report an arrangement of the 
 Troops to be embodied for the defence of this 
 
 Colony, 1267 
 
 Jv nc 1, Letter to the Delegates of the Colony in the 
 
 Continental Congress, .... 1268 
 
 3, 
 
 CVIII 
 
 Letter to Sub-Committee of the City of Albany, 1269 
 Mr. Kissam, with leave of the Congress, withdrew 
 
 his motion of the 30th of May, - - - 1269 
 Committee of Correspondence reported a Letter 
 to the People of Canada, which was read and 
 approved, - - - 1270 
 
 Fifteen hundred copies of the Letter in French, 
 and five hundred in English, ordered to be 
 printed and distributed among the People of 
 Canada. 1270 
 
 Motion by Mr. Kissam, that a Committee be ap- 
 pointed to prepare a Plan of Accommodation 
 between Great Britain and the Colonies, - 1271 
 
 Debated and adopted: affirmative seven Coun- 
 ties, negative four Counties, - - - 1271 
 
 Committee to prepare the Plan of Accommoda- 
 tion, 1271 
 
 Letter from President Hancock, dated May 31, 
 enclosing a Resolution of the same day, re- 
 questing the Governour of Connecticut to send 
 a strong re-en forcernent to Crown Point and 
 Ticonderoga, - - - - - - 1271 
 
 Peter T. Curtcnius appointed Commissary to 
 supply the Northern Posts ; and the Members 
 of the Congress become responsible to him for 
 the disbursements he may make, - - 1272 
 
 Letter from James Rivington, Printer, received 
 and read, and the consideration of it deferred, 1274 
 
 Recommendation to the Inhabitants of the City 
 not to obstruct the embarkation of the British 
 Troops, 1274 
 
 Letter to Inhabitants of Tryon County, - - 1274 
 
 Letter to Colonel Guy Johnson, ... 1275 
 
 Letter from the Committee at Albany, dated June 
 2, 1775, 1276 
 
 Letter to the Governour and Company of Con- 
 necticut, 1277 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates at the Conti- 
 nental Congress, on the subject of erecting a 
 Fortification at King's Bridge, - - - 1278 
 
 Report of the Committee who viewed the Grounds 
 at King's Bridge, and places adjacent, - 1279 
 
 Colonel Philip Schuyler recommended to the 
 Continental Congress as a Major-General, and 
 Richard Montgomery as a Brigadier-General, 1280 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Albany, - - 1280 
 
 Letter to the Delegates of this Colony in the 
 Continental Congress, calling their attention to 
 the necessity of immediately providing Mo- 
 ney ; recommend the appointment of a Conti- 
 nental Superintendent of" Indian Affairs; and 
 leave to the wisdom of the Continental Con- 
 gress the appointment of a General, - - 1281 
 
 Letter to the Delegates in Continental Congress, 
 recommending Colonel Schuyler for Major- 
 General, and Captain Montgomery for Briga- 
 dier-General, ------ 1282 
 
 Any attempt to raise tumults, under pretext of a 
 doubtful interpretation of the Resolves or Re- 
 commendation of the Congress, is declared to 
 be a high infraction of the General Association, 
 and tending directly to the dissolution of this 
 Congress, 1282 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Safety for Massachu- 
 setts, - - ... - - - 1283 
 
 James Rivington having signed the General As- 
 sociation, and asked pardon of the publick, who 
 have been offended by his ill-judged publica- 
 tions, is permitted to return to his house and 
 family, - 1284 
 
 Letter to Artemas Ward, General of the Massa- 
 chusetts Army, Joseph Warren, Chairman of 
 the Committee of Safety, and Moses Gill, 
 Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, - 1285 
 
 The late seizure of the Militaiy Stores belonging 
 to the Crown, at Turtle Bay, is a direct viola- 
 tion of the Continental Order of the 15th of 
 May; is inimical to the true interest of the Colo- 
 nies, and tends to involve this City in the utmost 
 confusion and distress, - 1285 
 
 Committee appointed to repair to Turtle Bay, 
 and inform the pe rsons assembled there of the 
 opinion of this Congress, and to order them to 
 desist from the further execution of their inten- 
 tions, - - - - - . - - 1285 
 
 Motion by Mr. Scott, to dismantle the Fort and 
 secure the Cannon, rejected: affirmative five 
 Counties; negative five Counties, - - 1286 
 
CIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 9, Secret Committee appointed to examine what 
 quantity of Saltpetre is in the hands of the 
 Apothecaries in this City, - 1287 
 
 Committee to estimate and report the quantity of 
 every article necessary for eqiupping three 
 thousand Men, ..... 1287 
 
 Letter to the Commander-in-Chief at Ticondero- 
 ga, informing him that the damaged Powder 
 there may be sent to the Mill erected near the 
 east side of Hudson's River, in Rhynbeck Pre- 
 cinct, in Dutchess County, ... 1288 
 
 Letter to the Commissioners at Albany, appointed 
 to superintend the removal of the Cannon and 
 Stores from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, - 1288 
 
 Bounty of five Pounds given for e\-ery hundred 
 weight of Gunpowder manufactured within the 
 Colony, and a Bounty of twenty Pounds for 
 every hundred good Muskets so manufac- 
 tured, 1288 
 
 Motion by Mr. Tredwell, to take the advice of the 
 Continental Congress relative to dismantling 
 the Fort, declared to be the same in substance 
 with a motion made, voted on, and carried in the 
 negative, yesterday: affirmative six Counties, 
 negative four Counties, .... 12S8 
 10, Powder received from Elizubethtown, in New- 
 Jersey, committed to Mr. McDougall, to be 
 forwarded to the Massachusetts Army, - - 1290 
 
 The Mayor of the City informed the Congress 
 that application had been made to him respect- 
 ing some Arms taken out of the Baggage 
 Carts of the Troops lately embarking from 
 this City, - 1290 
 
 Motion by Mr. Morris, that the Arms and Mili- 
 tary Accoutrements taken from His Majesty's 
 Troops on Tuesday last be restored, and that 
 every Inhabitant of the Colony who is possess- 
 ed of any, immediately deliver them to the 
 Mayor of New- York : carried in the Affirma- 
 tive: for the affirmative, eight Counties; for 
 the negative, two Counties, ... 1290 
 
 Case of Robert and John Murray considered, and 
 they are fully restored to their commercial 
 privileges, and declared to be entitled to the 
 forgiveness of the Publick, - - - 1291 
 
 Copy of the Report of the Committee appointed 
 to ascertain the most proper place for erecting 
 a Fortification in the Highlands, ordered to be 
 sent to the Delegates in the Continental Con- 
 gress, ------- 1291 
 
 12, Letter from the Delegates of the Colony, dated 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1292 
 Letter from the Continental Congress, dated June 
 10, with a Resolution of the 9th, requesting 
 New- York to forward to the Camp before Bos- 
 ton five thousand barrels of Flour, for the use 
 of the Continental Army, - - - - 1293 
 Committee appointed to purchase and forward the 
 
 Flour without delay, ----- 1293 
 Letter to the Merchants of Canada. They agree 
 to the proposition for the establishment of a 
 regular Post between Montreal and New- 
 York ; and disavow in the strongest terms the 
 intention attributed to them, that the Confede- 
 rated Colonies on this Continent aim at Inde- 
 pendence, ------- 1294 
 
 13, Letter to the New- York Delegates, respecting 
 
 the establishment of a Post in the Highlands, 1295 
 Report of the Committee on the most proper 
 
 place for a Post in the Highlands, - - 1295 
 Committee to agree with any person in the City 
 for importing, without delay, any quantity of 
 Gunpowder, not exceeding thirty tons, allow- 
 ing the importer one hundred per cent, on the 
 first cost, ------ 1296 
 
 14, Mr. McDougall appointed by the Congress to 
 
 seize one Angus McDonald, who is charged 
 with giving a Bounty and enlisting Men, to be 
 employed against the Liberties of this Country, 1297 
 
 Information given by Capt. Thompson of Troops 
 coming to America, ----- 1297 
 
 Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, with the 
 above information, ----- 1297 
 
 William Duer complains of sundry insinuations 
 against his conduct, with relation to the North- 
 em Frontier of this Colony, and prays a Com- 
 mittee may be appointed to inquire into his 
 conduct, 1298 
 
 CX 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 14, Committee appointed to hear and examine into 
 
 the case of Mr. Duer, - 1298 
 
 Angus McDonald brought before the Congress; 
 and being examined, he confessed that he had 
 taken the names of upwards of forty men, and 
 also confessed sundry other matters, - - 1298 
 
 Deposition of Angus McDonald, voluntarily 
 given, setting forth the circumstances under 
 which he engaged in this business, on the sug- 
 gestion of Major Small, in Boston, - - 1298 
 
 Committee appointed to arrest Captain Alexander 
 McDonald, now or late of Richmond County, 1299 
 
 Angus McDonald sent a Prisoner to General 
 Wooster's Camp, ----- 1299 
 
 Letter to General Wooster, requesting him to 
 take charge of, and secure Angus McDonald, 1299 
 
 Motion by Mr. Foster, that General Wooster be 
 requested to march, with the Troops under 
 his command, to the distance of five miles of 
 this City, 1300 
 
 15, Report on the case of William Duer. Insinua- 
 
 tions against him entirely groundless, - - 1300 
 Letter to General Wooster, requesting him to 
 
 march his Troops to this Colony, - - 1300 
 Petition from Ebenezer Hazard, requesting to 
 
 be appointed Postmaster, - - - - 1301 
 Letter from Wm. Goddard, on the same subject, 1301 
 
 16, Letter to Robert Boyd, of New- Windsor, on the 
 
 subject of making Gun-Barrels, - 1302 
 
 17, Letter to General Wooster, informing him they 
 
 have received information that the Transports, 
 with Troops for New- York, have been order- 
 ed for Boston, 1304 
 
 Committee appointed to prepare a Plan of Ac- 
 commodation between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies, directed to bring in their Report on 
 Wednesday next, 1304 
 
 20, Letter from James Dunne, dated Philadelphia, 
 
 June 17, with a Resolution of Congress of the 
 16th, requesting the march of Troops from 
 Connecticut to New- York, - - - 1305 
 
 Two Letters from Gen. Wooster, dated Green- 
 wich, June 17 and June 18, ... 1306 
 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull, ... 1306 
 
 Letter to General Wooster, - - - - 1307 
 
 Letter from the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, dated Philadelphia, June 12, with Re- 
 solves of Congress of the 10th instant, - 1307 
 
 Abraham Lott authorized to supply Captain 
 Vandeput. and His Majesty's Ship Asia, with 
 necessaries from time to time, ... 1307 
 
 li commendatory Passport to Brook Watson and 
 his suite, 1307 
 
 Motion by Mr. Verplanck, for advancing Money 
 to Messrs. Van Vleeck and Kipp, and allow- 
 ing a bounty on Saltpetre manufactured in the 
 Colony, rejected: affirmative, four Counties; 
 negative, eight Counties, ... - 1308 
 
 21, Letter from the Rev. Samuel Kirkland, Mission- 
 
 ary among the Oneida Indians, dated Cherry 
 Valley, June 9. to the Committee of Albany, - 1309 
 
 Committee appointed to consider of such mea- 
 sures as may be proper, with respect to the 
 Oneidas and other Indian Nations, - - 1310 
 
 Committee appointed to consider on the best me- 
 thods to carry into effect the Resolve of the 
 Continental Congress, with relation to Salt- 
 petre and Sulphur, ----- 1310 
 
 Mr. McDougall reports the whole quantity of 
 Saltpetre now in Town amounts to two hun- 
 dred and eighty-five pounds, - - - 13 10 
 
 Letter to the Committee of the City of New- 
 York, - 1310 
 
 Committee for preparing a draught of the senti- 
 ments of this Congress on the terms of a Re- 
 conciliation with Great Britain, indulged till 
 to-morrow morning, ----- 1311 
 
 22, Passport for Mr. Joseph Johnson and his Indian 
 
 companions, ------ 1311 
 
 Deputies elected to represent Queen's County 
 requested to take their seats on Tuesday 
 next, or assign their reasons for neglecting to 
 
 attend, 1312 
 
 Committee appointed to report the subject-mat- 
 ter of a proper Plan of Accommodation with 
 Great Britain, reported, ... - 1312 
 Report to be considered on Saturday morning 
 next, 1312 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 J um 22, Association returned from Easthampton, in Suf- 
 folk County, signed by every Male Inhabitant 
 capable of bearing Anns, - - - - 1312 
 Motion by Mr. McDougall, that the Troops to 
 be raised in this Colony, be clothed in Uni- 
 form, - 1312 
 
 23, Inhabitants of this Colony directed not to kill any 
 
 Lamb until the first day of November next, - 1313 
 
 Motion by Mr. Morris, that no Sheep be killed 
 until the first day of November next, - - 1313 
 
 Motion by Mr. McDougall, to recognise the ap- 
 pointment of the Delegates to the Continen- 
 tal Congress, unanimously approved of, - 1313 
 
 Colonel Lasher directed to have his Battalion 
 ready to receive General Washington, when 
 he shall arrive, ..... 1314 
 
 Committee appointed to make an arrangement 
 of the Troops to be raised in the Colony, re- 
 ported, - - 1314 
 
 24, Consideration of the Report of the Committee on 
 
 the subject-matter of a Plan of Accommodation 
 with Great Britain resumed, read through by 
 paragraphs, and amended, .... 1315 
 
 Motion by Mr. Melanctcn Smith, for an addition 
 to the Report for securing the liberty of con- 
 science, read, amended, and adopted, - -1317 
 
 Motion by Mr. McDougall, that the Plan of Ac- 
 commodation be not transmitted to the Con- 
 gress until called for by them, or by our Dele- 
 gates there, - - - - - -1318 
 
 25, Committee appointed to meet General Washing- 
 
 ton at Newark, and accompany him to this 
 City, - - 1318 
 
 Information being received that Governour Tryon 
 is at the Hook, Colonel Lasher directed to 
 send one Company to Paulus Hook, to meet 
 the Generals ; to keep one Company at the 
 Ferry for the same purpose; and that he have 
 the residue of his Battalion ready to receive 
 either the General or GovernourTryon, which- 
 ever shall arrive first, and to wait on both as 
 well as circumstances will allow, - - 1318 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts, dated Watertown, June 13, - - 1319 
 
 Letter from the Committee at Albany, dated June 
 21, expressing their apprehension that Go- 
 vernour Carleton has induced the Indians to 
 take up arms, - - - - - -1319 
 
 26, Address of the Congress to General Washing- 
 
 ton, - - - - - - - 1321 
 
 Answer of General Washington to the Address, 1322 
 Report of the Committee of Arrangement further 
 
 considered, ...... 1322 
 
 27, Letter from the Committee of Intelligence for 
 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, dated June 6, - 1323 
 
 Letter from General Gage to Governour Martin, 
 dated Boston, April 12, enclosed in the pre- 
 ceding Letter, - 1324 
 
 Warrant to such Gentlemen as are intended to 
 be Officers of the Troops raised in this Colony, 1324 
 
 Instructions to the Officers to be employed in 
 raising Troops, ..... 1325 
 
 Report of the Committee on the subject-matter 
 of a Plan of Accommodation with Great Bri- 
 tain resumed, further amended, and agreed to, 1326 
 
 Plan of Accommodation between Great Britain 
 and America, ...... 1326 
 
 28, Members from Queen's County to take their seats, 
 
 notwithstanding a number of the Inhabitants 
 of the County have refused to be represented 
 in the Congress, 1 328 
 
 Letter to the Delegates of this Colony at the 
 Continental Congress, to accompany the Plan 
 of Accommodation with Great Britain, - 1329 
 
 Letter to John Alsop, at Philadelphia, requesting 
 him to procure two thousand eight hundred 
 and fifty-two Blankets; they are not to be 
 purchased in New- York, .... 1330 
 
 29, Application by the Mayor for permission to Fran- 
 
 cis Stephens, the King's Store-Keeper, to re- 
 move the Stores from Turtle Bay, - . 1331 
 
 General Schuyler is authorized to send a Guard 
 to protect the Stores, provided they are placed 
 in his possession, 1331 
 
 Killing Lambs prohibited until the first of August 
 next, - 1331 
 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, enclosing the 
 Letter of the 6th of June, from the Committee 
 
 CXII 
 
 1775. 
 
 of Intelligence in Charlestown, South-Caro- 
 lina, 1331 
 
 June 29, Letter to Elisha Phelps, Commissary of Provi- 
 sions, at Ticonderoga, .... 1332 
 
 Letter to John N. Bleecker, one of the agents at 
 Albany, - - - - - 1332 
 
 Mr. Lott authorized to supply Provisions to his 
 Majesty's Ship Kingfisher, - - - 1333 
 30, Field-Officers of the First, or New- York Regi- 
 ment, appointed, ..... 1334 
 
 Committee to meet and confer with Gen. Schuyler, 1334 
 
 Field-Officers of the Second and Third Regi- 
 ments appointed, ..... 1334 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to confer with 
 General Schuyler, 1334 
 
 Field-Officers of the Fourth Regiment appoint- 
 ed, 1335 
 
 Committee to form and determine the rank of the 
 Captains and inferiour Officers of the several 
 
 Regiments, 1335 
 
 July 1, Committee to meet and confer with Ethan Allen 
 
 and Seth Warner, 1336 
 
 3, Letter to the Committee of the City of Albany, 
 
 with fifty quarter-casks of Gunpowder for the 
 Forts at Crown Point and Ticonderoga, - 1336 
 
 4, Letter from General Schuyler, dated New- York, 
 
 July 3, 1337 
 
 Uniform Coats ordered to be made for all the 
 Non-Commissioned Officers and Men to be 
 raised in the Colony, ----- 1338 
 
 Report of a Committee appointed to confer with 
 General Schuyler on the subject of his Letter, 
 received this day, 1338 
 
 Motion by Mr. Sears, that Ethan Allen be per- 
 mitted to have an audience, agreed to: affirma- 
 tive nine Counties, negative three Counties, - 1338 
 
 Ethan Allen and Seth Warner were admitted 
 and heard, 1339 
 
 Five hundred Men, of those called Green- Moun- 
 tain Boys, ordered to be forthwith raised, - 1339 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler, dated this day, - 1339 
 
 5, Congress being informed that the Corporation of 
 
 the City of New- York intends to address the 
 Governour, declare it to be improper for the 
 Corporation, or any other body corporate, or 
 individuals in the Colony, to address his Ex- 
 cellency at this critical juncture, - - - 1341 
 
 Officers of the Artillery Company of the Marine 
 Society appointed, ..... 1341 
 
 British Vessels not permitted to load any Provi- 
 sions, 1341 
 
 6, Committee appointed to convene all the Black- 
 
 smiths in Town, to ascertain if they can make 
 Gun-Barrels, Bayonets, and Iron Ramrods, - 1342 
 
 Mr. Van Zandt authorized to contract for two 
 thousand Gun-Locks, .... 1340 
 
 Committee appointed to write to Great Britain 
 for four complete sets of Locksmiths, to make 
 Gun Locks, 1342 
 
 Bounty to Soldiers who enlist in the Continental 
 Army, 13 42 
 
 Motion by Mr. Morris, to reconsider the Resolve 
 of yesterday, to prevent any Address being de- 
 livered to his Excellency Governour Tryon, 1342 
 
 Debated and rejected: affirmative four Counties, 
 negative eight Counties, .... 1343 
 
 Letter from Charles Thomson, dated Philadel- 
 phia, July 4, enclosing an intercepted Letter 
 from Governour Martin to Henry White, dated 
 Cape-Fear, June 13, 1775, - • - - 1344 
 
 7, Committee appointed to wait on Mr. White, - 1 344 ' 
 Letter from General Wooster, dated Camp near 
 
 New- York, July 7, ..... 1345 
 Report of the Committee appointed to wait on 
 
 Mr. White, 1343 
 
 Committee appointed to form a proper method for 
 
 an arrangement of the Militia of the Colony, 1345 
 Committee appointed to receive information of the 
 
 state of Cumberland County, ... 1345 
 
 8, Letter from Henry White, dated this day, in re- 
 
 lation to the intercepted Letter to him from 
 
 Governour Martin, - - - - - 1346 
 Letter to Charles Thomson, enclosing to him a 
 
 copy of the Letter of Mr. White, - - 1345 
 Committee of Safety appointed to sit during the 
 
 recess of the Congress, .... 1347 
 Instructions to the Committee of Safety, - - 1348 
 Adjourned to Tuesday, July 25th, - 1348 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXI1I 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 cxiv 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 May 31, Meet by adjournment at Watertown, - - 1347 
 June I, Returns required of the Men now in Camp, - 1347 
 2, The New-England Army, proposed to be raised 
 for the defence and security of the lives, liberties 
 and properties of the Americans, amounts to 
 but twenty-four thousand five hundred Men, 
 whereas thirty thousand were supposed neces- 
 sary ; the Provincial Congress is requested to 
 state whether they will make any addition to 
 their establishment, ----- 1348 
 9, Letter to the Provincial Congress on the applica- 
 tion of Colonel Paul Dudley Sergeant, late of 
 New-Hampshire, ----- 1349 
 10, Return sent to the Provincial Congress, of the 
 Gentlemen who have been commissioned, or 
 that have received any encouragement for 
 Commissions, - - - - - -1350 
 
 13, An attack on our Army near Boston, by General 
 
 Gage, being daily expected to be made, the 
 General is directed to ascertain the condition 
 of every Regiment, ----- 1352 
 
 Debates and determinations of the Committee 
 required to be kept a profound secret, - - 1 352 
 
 Attention of Congress called to the destruction of 
 the property of Refugees, - 1352 
 
 Sufferings of the Troops for want of Barracks 
 or Tents, - 1352 
 
 14, Braintree, Hingham and Weymouth authorized 
 
 to raise Men for the defence of the Sea-Coast 
 
 of the Town, 1352 
 
 15, Allowance for Provisions for Soldiers in the 
 
 Massachusetts Army, - - - - 1353 
 
 Re-enforcements to General Gage's Army; his 
 very extraordinary Proclamation, declaring 
 the Inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay Rebels, 
 and other movements of Mr. Gage, are evi- 
 dences of his intention soon to make another 
 attempt to penetrate into the country, - - 1353 
 
 The Army should be augmented immediately; 
 all the Soldiers supplied with Arms ; and all 
 the Militia of the Colony held in readiness to 
 march on the shortest notice, ... 1354 
 
 Bunker's Hill to be maintained by a sufficient 
 force being posted there, and a hill on Dor- 
 chester Neck to be secured, - - - 1354 
 
 Committee to consult with the Council of War 
 and General Officers on matters of importance, 
 and to inform them of the Resolve of this 
 Committee respecting Bunker's Hill and Dor- 
 chester Neck, 1354 
 
 16, Committee to inquire whether Houses or Tents 
 
 can be obtained for Troops that want cover, - 1354 
 Field-Officers for Colonel Gridley's Regiment, 1 354 
 
 17, Orders to the Towns in the vicinity of Boston to 
 
 send their Town stocks of Powder to Water- 
 town, ------- 1354 
 
 Four Horses required for the Committee, as the 
 firing on the Colony Troops requires quick 
 intelligence from the scene of action, - - 1354 
 
 Provision made to prevent the spreading of the 
 Small-Pox in the Army, ... - 1355 
 
 18, Militia of the neighbouring Towns ordered to 
 
 march forthwith to Cambridge, - 1355 
 
 Order for their -march countermanded ; but are 
 required to be in readiness to give assistance 
 when called upon, 1355 
 
 Town of Waltham required to send their Town 
 stock of Powder to Watertown, - - ' - 1355 
 " 19, Hospitals provided for the Colony Army, - - 1355 
 
 Officers for a Company of Artificers in the 
 Regiment of Artillery, - 1355 
 
 Congress requested to order the Selectmen of the 
 several Towns in the Colony to collect and 
 transmit the names of the persons killed or 
 wounded on the nineteenth day of April, and 
 at any time since, or that may hereafter be 
 killed or wounded in the unnatural contest 
 between Great Britain and the American Co- 
 lonies, 1356 
 
 20, Such of the Militia only are to march as are 
 
 called for by express orders of the Committee, 
 
 on any alarm that may take place, - - 1356 
 
 21, Appointment of Aids-de-Camp to the Generals 
 
 recommended, ------ 1357 
 
 22, Town of Med ford required to furnish Spades 
 
 and Shovels for the works begun on Winter 
 
 Hill, 1357 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 1775. 
 
 June23, Colonels required to make immediate returns of 
 
 the Officers of their several Regiments, - 1357 
 
 Appointment of two Supervisors of the Camp 
 recommended, ------ 1357 
 
 Committee to examine the works carrying on, on 
 Prospect Hill, 1357 
 
 24, Cannon in Cambridge and Watertown, not 
 
 mounted, and all Military Stores not wanted, 
 
 to be removed forthwith to Newton, - - 1358 
 
 25, Letter to the Provincial Congress, recommending 
 
 the appointment of Supervisors of the Camps, 
 
 at Cambridge and Roxbury, ... 1359 
 
 26, Hospital at Cambridge placed under the direction 
 
 of Dr. John Warren, - •• - - 1359 
 
 27, Officers in Captain Craft's Company, in Colonel 
 
 Gridley's Regiment, 1360 
 
 28, Resolve of the Provincial Congress, of the 26th 
 
 instant, directing the Committee of Safety to 
 deliver Arms to such Officers as shall produce 
 orders therefor from General Ward, - - 1360 
 
 Orders from General Ward to the Committee to 
 deliver Arms to Commanding Officers of Regi- 
 ments, ------- 1360 
 
 The Arms delivered by the Committee ; but they 
 protest against the General's order, lest it 
 should be adduced in future as a precedent for 
 setting the Military power above the Civil, - 1360 
 
 29, Captain Samuel Russel Trevet discharged from 
 
 his arrest, which was made by a mistake of 
 one of the General Officers, - - - 1361 
 Congress requested to take speedy and effectual 
 measures to prevent the spreading of the Small- 
 Pox in the American Army, ... 1362 
 
 30, Colonel Palmer directed to attend the Committee, 
 
 and give them information relative to former 
 emissions of Bills of Credit, before they can 
 order a new emission, .... 1362 
 July 3, Edmund Gluincy empowered to receive and 
 convey to the Committee certain Household 
 Goods and other effects of Thomas Hutchin- 
 son, and other enemies to the rights and liber- 
 ties of America, - - - - - 1364 
 
 6, An emission of Bills of Credit, amounting to one 
 
 hundred thousand Pounds, recommended, - 1365 
 Congress requested to have drawn up and trans- 
 mitted to England, a fair, honest and impar- 
 tial account of the Battle on the 17th of June, 
 to counteract the misrepresentations of General 
 
 Gage, 1366 
 
 Congress requested to recommend to the Grand 
 American Congress to seize and hold every 
 Crown Officer within the United Colonies, un- 
 til our friends, who have been seized by Gene- 
 ral Gage, be set at liberty and fully recom- 
 pensed for their loss and imprisonment, - - 1366 
 
 7, General Washington requested to issue an order 
 
 to suppress retailers of Spirituous Liquors with- 
 in and near the Camps, - - - - 1 367 
 The Inhabitants of the Colony, as they regard 
 the peace and welfare of the Country, are 
 requested to behave peaceably and quietly to- 
 wards Captain Jacob Rogers, late of Charles- 
 town, now of Reading, - 1367 
 
 8, Appointment of four Master Armourers recom- 
 
 mended, - 1368 
 Instructions to Officers of the Massachusetts-Bay 
 Forces, who are to go on the recruiting ser- 
 vice, sent to the Council of War for approval, 1368 
 
 11, Monsieur Viart, a prisoner, sent to Worcester, at 
 
 the request of General Washington, - - 1369 
 Committee appointed to draw up a true account 
 
 of the late Battle of Charlestown, - - 1369 
 Committee of Marblehead informed that five 
 Ships sailed this day from Boston, their des- 
 tination unknown, 1369 
 
 Fifteen Prisoners taken on Long-Island, near 
 Boston, and sent by General Washington to 
 this Committee, who by their Commission have 
 no power to dispose of them, are sent to the 
 Provincial Congress, ----- 1370 
 
 12, Benjamin Guillam appointed Master Armourer, 
 
 to superintend the repair of such part of the 
 Arms of the American Colony Army as be- 
 longs to this Colony, 1370 
 
 13, Ten Prisoners taken some time past, at Machias, 
 
 and sent this day to the Committee by Gene- 
 ral Washington, sent to the Provincial Con- 
 gress, s 1370 
 
cxv 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 1 4, Directions to the Selectmen and Committees in 
 the several Towns, to search for and recover 
 the Goods and Household Furniture plun- 
 dered and carried off in the confusion occa- 
 sioned by the Battles of Lexington and Charles- 
 town, - - - - - - -1371 
 
 1 5, Order for procuring such Medicines as are im- 
 mediately and absolutely necessary for the 
 Army, - - - - - - -1371 
 
 Thomas Organ appointed to take charge of the 
 Colony Horses, ..... 1372 
 
 17, A Special Committee recommended to make pro- 
 vision for the reception, sustenance and sup- 
 port of the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, - 1372 
 
 25, Account of the late Battle of Charlestown, pre- 
 pared in obedience to a Resolution of the 
 Provincial Congress, presented, accepted, and 
 ordered to be transmitted to England, - - 1373 
 Letter to Arthur Lee, at London, enclosing the 
 preceding account, ..... 1376 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 May 31, The Provincial Congress, meets at Water- 
 town, 1375 
 
 Joseph Warren chosen President, and Samuel 
 Freeman Secretary, .... - 1375 
 
 List of the Members chosen by the several 
 Towns, 1375 
 
 Thanks to Dr. Langdon for his excellent Sermon 
 delivered to the Congress this day, - - 1379 
 
 Resolve of the last Congress for supplying the 
 Army with Chaplains, laid before the Clergy, 
 now in Convention at Watertown, - - 1380 
 
 Papers relative to the Fortresses at Ticonderoga, 
 
 &c, ordered to be laid before the Congress, - 1380 
 
 Mr. Phelps, the bearer of some of the Papers, 
 attended Congress, and gave them further in- 
 formation, ...... 1380 
 
 Committee to take the Papers into immediate 
 consideration, - - - - - - 1 380 
 
 Committee to consider a Letter from the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for New-Hampshire 
 to the Committee of Newburyport, - - 1380 
 June 1, Report of the Committee on General Thomas's 
 
 Letter, - - - - - - 1380 
 
 Members appointed Monitors in the Congress, - 1381 
 
 Report of a Committee on providing for the Poor 
 of the Town of Boston, - - - - 1381 
 
 Committee to consider the proposal of the Clergy, 
 now in Convention at Watertown, - - 1381 
 
 Committee to consider the Letter from the Select- 
 men of Hopkinton, - - - - -1381 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Letter from 
 New- Hampshire, recommending copies of it to 
 be sent to the Seaport Towns, - - - 1381 
 
 Committee to consider a Letter from the Commit- 
 tee of Safety of Salem, .... 1381 
 
 Report of the Committee approving the conduct 
 of Mr. Stephen Higginson, .... 1382 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Papers relating 
 to Ticonderoga, 1382 
 
 Letter to Colonel Benedict Arnold, approving 
 his acquisitions of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, and request him to continue in command 
 over the Forces raised by this Colony, - - 1382 
 
 Letter to the House of Assembly of Connect- 
 icut ; maintaining a post at Ticonderoga is of 
 the utmost importance, but in our distressing 
 situation have postponed sending further as- 
 sistance to Captain Arnold, - - - .1 383 
 
 Letter to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, enclosing a Letter from Colonel 
 Arnold, commander of the Troops at Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, and requesting their 
 aid in securing the Fortresses, ... 1383 
 2, Committee to bring in a Resolve making further 
 
 provision for the Poor of the Town of Boston, 1384 
 
 Committee to consider a Memorial from the 
 County of Worcester, - - - - 1384 
 
 Provision made for supplying the Army with 
 Chaplains, 1384 
 
 Committee to take into consideration the situation 
 and circumstances of the Seaport Towns and 
 Islands in this Colony, which are exposed to 
 the incursions and ravages of the enemy, - 1384 
 
 R>-v. William Gordon chosen Chaplain to the 
 Congress, - * ■> - - -1385 
 
 CXVI 
 
 1775. 
 
 Members added to the Committee appointed at 
 the last Congress, to draw up an easy and con- 
 cise method of making Saltpetre, --- 1385 
 June 3, Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 
 the exposed condition of the Sea-Coast, - - 1 386 
 
 Persons living in places exposed to be ravaged or 
 plundered are advised to remove their Hay and 
 Stock out of the reach of our implacable ene- 
 mies, 1386 
 
 Committee to consider a Resolve of the Commit- 
 tee of Safety, for a re-enforcement of the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army, ..... 1387 
 
 Committee on a Letter from Col. James Easton, 1387 
 
 Congress will make no objection to fitting out 
 Vessels for whaling voyages or for the West- 
 Indies, 1387 
 
 Letter to the Receiver-General, requesting him 
 to attend and sign Notes, .... 1387 
 
 4, Colonel Henshaw admitted to give an account of 
 
 his proceedings at Connecticut, where he was 
 sent on the affair of Ticonderoga. - - 1 388 
 Colonel Easton's Letter referred to the Committee 
 who are to confer with the Committee of Safe- 
 ty to-morrow morning, .... 1388 
 
 5, Petition from Truro, for Powder, read and dis- 
 
 missed, 1388 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull, just received, 
 referred to the Committee of Safety, - - 1389 
 
 Committee to confer with the Officers of the Ame- 
 rican Army, on preserving the health of the 
 Troops, - 1389 
 
 All Letters wrote to or by the avowed enemies of 
 this Country, which have or may come into 
 the hands of any person in this Colony, to be 
 laid before the Congress, - - - - 1 389 
 
 Committee to consider the proposal of Captain 
 Foster, for removing the Poor and their Goods 
 from Boston, - 1389 
 
 Committee to bring in another Resolve relating to 
 the Poor of Boston, 1390 
 
 Committee to bring in a Resolve for giving a cur- 
 rency to the Bills of Credit of all the Govern- 
 ments on the Continent, .... 1390 
 
 Committee to consider the state of the Artillery 
 in general, ...... 1390 
 
 Mr. Sullivan directed to bring in a Resolve for 
 preventing the circulation of Bills of Credit 
 under a specified value, .... 1390 
 
 Report of the Committee on giving currency to 
 the Notes of other Governments, - 1390 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table till Mr. Sullivan 
 brought in the Resolve just ordered, - - 1390 
 
 Committee on making an allowance of Provisions 
 to the Soldiers of the American Army, - - 1390 
 
 6, Committee on providing regular Supplies for the 
 
 Army, 1391 
 
 Proceedings in the case of Colonel Jonathan 
 Brewer, on the complaint of the Committee of 
 Safety, 1391 
 
 Report of the Committee on giving currency to 
 the Bills of Credit of the other Governments, - 1391 
 
 Congress refuse a Commission to Mr. Jonathan 
 Brewer, as Colonel of a Regiment in the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army, 1392 
 
 Benjamin Edwards brought before the Congress 
 for uttering disrespectful expressions on their 
 decision in Colonel Brewer's case, - - 1392 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to bring in an 
 additional Resolve, to make provision for the 
 Poor of Boston, 1392 
 
 7, Committee to wait on General Ward, for a Re- 
 
 turn of the number of Men in the Massachu- 
 setts Army, 1393 
 
 Committee on a Petition of the Inhabitants of 
 Machias, - - - « - - - 1393 
 
 Committee to consider the Letters from the Stock- 
 bridge Indians, 1393 
 
 Petition from Colonel Brewer, and from several 
 Captains under him, - 1393 
 
 Benjamin Edwards called in, and admonished by 
 the President, - - • - - -1394 
 
 Committee on a Memorial from the Selectmen of 
 Salem, - 1394 
 
 Report of the Committee on giving currency to 
 the Bills of Credit of other Governments, read 
 and recommitted, ..... 1394 
 
 Committee to confer with the Delegates from 
 
 New- Hampshire, , , , . . 1394 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 COISTENTS. 
 
 CXVIII 
 
 To-morrow afternoon assigned for choosing two 
 Major-Generals of the Massachusetts Army, - 1394 
 
 Committee to collect the Letters of the late Go- 
 vernour Hutchinson, ----- 1394 
 
 Report of the Committee on the four Prisoners 
 from Dartmouth, ... 1394 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Petition of the 
 Inhabitants of Machias, read and accepted, - 1395 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to confer with 
 the Gentlemen from New- Hampshire, - - 1395 
 
 Letters directed to be written to the Colonies of 
 Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and New-Hamp- 
 shire, desiring them severally to appoint Com- 
 mittees, to meet one appointed by this Con- 
 gress, at Worcester, on the 28th instant, to 
 determine the number of Men to be raised on 
 the present emergency, by each of the New- 
 England Colonies, .... - 1395 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to confer with 
 the Committee of Safety, on a re-enforcement 
 of the Army, - 1395 
 
 Committee to consider the expediency of establish- 
 ing a number of small Armed Vessels, for the 
 protection of our trade and the annoyance of 
 our enemies, 1396 
 
 Committee to consider at large on some measure 
 for commissioning the Officers of the Army, - 1396 
 June 8, Letter from the Committee of Arundel, with an 
 account of their taking a Sloop from Boston, 
 for Annapolis, 1396 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to confer with 
 the Committee of Safety, that it is inexpedient 
 for this Colony to augment the Forces already 
 raised by it, for the defence of the American Co- 
 lonies ; considered in Committee of the Whole, 
 and agreed to by the Congress, ... 1396 
 
 Report of the Committee on commissioning Offi- 
 cers of the Army ; read and agreed to, - - 1396 
 
 Committee on a Petition from the County of 
 Cumberland, 1397 
 
 Letter to the Stockbridge Indians, ... 1397 
 
 Selectmen of Stockbridge appointed a Committee 
 to send Messengers and Belts to the Indians, - 1397 
 9, Committee to consider what is proper to be done 
 
 with the Prisoners from Arundel, - - 1398 
 
 Resolutions of the Continental Congress, of the 
 17th and 29th of May, relative to exports to 
 the British Possessions, to be duly enforced, - 1398 
 
 Provisions may be sent to Nantucket, for the use 
 of the Inhabitants only, .... 1398 
 
 1 0, Report of the Committee on the Prisoners brought 
 
 from Arundel, 1399 
 
 Josiah Jones and Jonathan Hicks to be confined 
 in the Jail of Middlesex, ... . 1400 
 
 Committee to consider if Artificers may be neces- 
 sary for the Army in the pay of this Colony, 1400 
 
 Committee on the appointment of Armourers for 
 the Massachusetts Army, - - - - 1 400 
 
 Allowance of Provisions for the Soldiers of the 
 Massachusetts Army, - - - 1401 
 
 Monday next (12th instant) assigned for choosing 
 three Delegates, to meet those that may be sent 
 by the other New-England Colonies, - - 1401 
 
 Choice of two Major-Generals deferred to Mon- 
 day next, 1401 
 
 Committee to consider the expediency of establish- 
 ing a number of Armed Vessels, ... 1 401 
 
 11, Address to the Continental Congress; ordered to 
 
 be signed by Major Hawley, as Vice-Presi- 
 dent, and sent by express to Philadelphia. - 1401 
 
 12, Committee to consider some measure to prevent 
 
 the violation of the Sabbath, ... 1402 
 Committee to consider the Petition of the Com- 
 mittee at Charlestown, .... 1402 
 Committee to prepare Instructions to the Dele- 
 gates to go to Ticonderoga, - - - 1 403 
 Committee to consider of some method to supply 
 
 the Surgeons of the Army with Medicines, - 1403 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, - - 1403 
 Exportation of Provisions prohibited, - - 1404 
 Report of Committee on supplying Surgeons 
 
 with Medicines, - ... 1404 
 Orders for the arrest of one Thompson, who is 
 about to sail from Salem to New-Providence, 
 for Provisions for the Army in Boston, - 1404 
 Committee chosen to meet the Committees of the 
 New-England Colonies at Worcester, on the 
 28th instant, 1405 
 
 1775. 
 
 Committee chosen to go to Ticonderoga, to ex- 
 amine into the state of that Fortress, • - 1 405 
 
 Motion made to reconsider the Resolve for choos- 
 ing a Committee to meet Committees of the 
 New- England Governments, at Worcester, - 1405 
 June 13, Letter from Governour Trumbull, enclosing a 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold, and three Resolves 
 of the Continental Congress; read and referred 
 to the Committee appointed to prepare Instruc- 
 tions to the Committee to repair to Ticonde- 
 roga, ....... 1405 
 
 Twenty-three Regiments to be commissioned, 
 exclusive of the Regiment of Matrosses, - 1406 
 
 Committee to consider the Petition of Abner 
 Graves and others, ..... 1406 
 
 Resolves relating to the Convention of Commit- 
 tees at Worcester, reconsidered, - - - 1406 
 
 Colonel John Whitcomb chosen First Major- 
 General, - 1406 
 
 Report of the Committee on the expediency of 
 establishing a number of Armed Vessels consi- 
 dered, and, after a very long debate, the further 
 consideration of it referred to Friday next, - 1407 
 
 Instructions to the Gentlemen chosen by this Con- 
 gress to repair to Ticonderoga, ... 1407 
 
 Committee to consider the subject-matter of a 
 late extraordinary Proclamation of General 
 Gage, 1408 
 
 14, Abner Graves and others have leave to withdraw 
 
 their Petition, 1409 
 
 Committee to consider the Report of Col. Thomp- 
 son, and the Petition of Mr. Parry, - - 1409 
 
 First Thursday of July next appointed a day 
 of Fasting and Prayer throughout the Co- 
 lony, 1409 
 
 Committee to consider of the means for furnish- 
 ing those who are destitute of Arms in the 
 Massachusetts Army, - - - - 1409 
 
 Committee to Ticonderoga directed to revise the 
 papers relating to that Fortress, and to take 
 with them such as are not wanted by this Con- 
 gress, ....... 1409 
 
 Committee to consider the propriety of supplying 
 the Generals of the Massachusetts Army with 
 necessary Household Furniture, - - - 1409 
 
 Dr. Joseph Warren chosen Second Major-Gen- 
 eral, - - - - - - - 1409 
 
 Resolve for a Day of Fasting recommitted, that 
 the following things might be mentioned: 
 blessing on the Continental Congress, unity of 
 the Colonies, health, fruitful seasons, &c, - 1410 
 
 Committee of Supplies directed forthwith to re- 
 commend suitable persons for Officers in the 
 Train of Artillery, 1410 
 
 15, Orders for securing the Library and Apparatus 
 
 of Harvard College, 1410 
 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, to New- York, 
 and to the several Governments in New-Eng- 
 land, 1410 
 
 Houses to be taken for the Soldiers near the Camp 
 at Cambridge, if Tents cannot be had, - - 141 1 
 
 Inhabitants of several Towns requested to furnish 
 Fire- Arms for the use of the Army, - - 141 1 
 
 Committee to consider the application of the Rev. 
 Dr. Langdon, 1413 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 the claims and pretensions of several Colonels 
 in the Army, 1413 
 
 16, Soldiers to be supplied with Rum on extraordi- 
 
 nary occasions, - - - - - -1414 
 
 Committee to consider an augmentation of the 
 
 Army, a supply of Arms to the Soldiers, &c, 1414 
 Consideration of the Report on fitting out Armed 
 
 Vessels further postponed, - - - - 1414 
 Letter to General Whitcomb, requesting a more 
 
 explicit answer respecting his acceptance of 
 
 his appointment as Major-General, - - 1414 
 Report of the Committee on the violation of the 
 
 Sabbath, ------ 1415 
 
 Vessels laden with Cod Fish permitted to sail for 
 
 the West-Indies, - - - - -1416 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 
 the late extraordinary Proclamation signed 
 
 Thomas Gage, - - - - - 1416 
 
 Proclamation by the Provincial Congress, to be 
 
 printed and published throughout the Colony, 1416 
 Report of the Committee on the application of 
 
 Dr. Langdon, - 1419 
 
 ♦ 
 
CXIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 Ju nc 17, Report of Committee on procuring Fire-Arms 
 
 and Powder from Philadelphia and elsewhere, 1419 
 
 Militia throughout the Colony requested to hold 
 themselves in readiness to march at a minute's 
 warning: and the Inhabitants on the Sea- 
 Coast are requested to carry their Arms with 
 them on the Sabbath and other days when they 
 meet for publick worship, - - - - 1419 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Resolves of the 
 Committee of Safety relative to an augmenta- 
 tion of the Army, supply of Arms, &c, - 1420 
 
 Letter from the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and a Resolve containing several recom- 
 mendations to this and the other Colonies ; 
 brought by express, ----- 1422 
 
 Committee appointed to call together the Mem- 
 bers of this Congress, in any extraordinary 
 emergency, at any other time or to any other 
 place than that to which it may stand adjourned, 1422 
 
 Committees to purchase Fire-Arms in the several 
 
 Counties, 1422 
 
 1 8, Records and Papers of the Provincial Congress 
 to be secured and taken care of, at the discre- 
 tion of the Secretary, ... - 1422 
 
 Committee to prepare a Letter to the Continental 
 Congress, on the late attack of the King's 
 Troops at Bunker's Hill, - - - -1423 
 
 Committee of Supplies directed to write to Rhode- 
 Island and New-Hampshire for Powder, - 1423 
 
 Committee to see that the Army at the Intrench- 
 mcnts be well supplied with victuals and drink, 1423 
 
 Report of the Committee on establishing Officers 
 to take care of the Ordnance Stores, - - 1423 
 
 President of this Congress to be chosen this 
 afternoon, in place of the Honourable Joseph 
 Warren, supposed to be killed in the late 
 battle at Bunker's Hill, .... 1424 
 
 Report on the Resolve of the Continental Con- 
 gress for establishing Civil Government in 
 this Colony; read, debated, and deferred till 
 Dr. Church, who was at Philadelphia when 
 the Resolve passed, shall be present, - - 1424 
 
 James Warren chosen President of the Congress, 1424 
 
 To-morrow morning assigned for considering the 
 Report on fitting out Armed Vessels, - - 1424 
 
 The Secretary directed to subscribe the name of 
 the late President to all Commissions bearing 
 date on the 19th of May, - - - - 1424 
 
 Committee of Supplies directed to furnish desti- 
 tute Soldiers with Clothes and Blankets, - 1425 
 
 Fifteen hundred good Spears to be immediately 
 furnished to the Army at Cambridge, - - 1425 
 
 20, Report of the Committee on the Petition of Col. 
 
 Phinney, recommending the establishment of 
 a Regiment to guard the Sea-Coast in the 
 County of Cumberland, .... 1425 
 
 Laid on the table till the matter respecting 
 Armed Vessels is considered, - - - 1 425 
 
 Committee to purchase Spears for the Army, - 1425 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Resolve of the 
 Continental Congress respecting Government, 1425 
 
 Letter to the several Towns in the Colony, re- 
 questing them to elect Representatives to an 
 Assembly to meet the 19th day of July next, - 1426 
 
 Report on the expediency of establishing Armed 
 Vessels further considered, debated, and ordered 
 to subside for the present, - - - - 1 426 
 
 Another Hospital for the sick and wounded of 
 the Army established, .... 1427 
 
 Committee to confer with four Indians this day 
 arrived from Penobscot, under the conduct of 
 John Lane, 1427 
 
 Committee to inquire into the grounds of a report 
 which has prevailed in the Army that there 
 has been treachery in some of the Officers, - 1 128 
 
 Colonel Heath chosen a Major-General, - - 1428 
 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, - - 1429 
 
 Letter to General Ward, requesting to send one 
 or more Regiments from Roxbury to Cam- 
 bridge, 1430 
 
 21, Commission to Major-General Heath, - - 1430 
 Committee to consider the expediency of remov- 
 ing Colonel Glover's Regiment from Marble- 
 head to Cambridge, 1431 
 
 Resolution relative to the Estates of Refugees, 
 
 (See Note,) . - . - . - 1131 
 Addn-ss from an Indian Chief of the Penobscot 
 
 exx 
 
 1775. 
 
 Committee to inquire into the pTcsent want of 
 discipline in the Massachusetts Army, - - 1432 
 
 Joseph Fry chosen Third Major-General, - 1433 
 
 Report of the Committee to consider the request 
 of the Penobscot Indians, now at Watertown, 1433 
 
 Commissions for the Officers of the Train of 
 Artillery directed to be prepared and deliver- 
 ed, 1433 
 
 June 22, Proclamation for a Fast recommitted for amend- 
 ment, 1434 
 
 Committee to consider the propriety of commis- 
 sioning the Officers of Colonel Gerrish's Re- 
 giment, ------- 1435 
 
 Report of the Committee on the means by which 
 the Army before Boston may be most expedi- 
 tiously strengthened, ----- 1435 
 
 Corn and Ammunition to be furnished the Inha- 
 bitants on Penobscot River, &c, - - - 1436 
 
 23, Rank of the Officers in Colonel Gridley's Regi- 
 
 ment, 1430 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 the state of Colonel Phinney's Regiment, - 1437 
 
 Committee to take into consideration the Regi- 
 ment that was moved from Marblehead to 
 Cambridge, 1437 
 
 Committee to consider of proper expedients to 
 augment the Army, and to write to the other 
 New-England Governments on the subject, - 1438 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to inquire 
 into the misconduct in the late Engagement, - 1438 
 
 Committee of Safety directed to make out a new 
 list for Officers of the Train of Artillery, and 
 that no person unworthy of that office be 
 appointed, ------ 1438 
 
 Payment ordered to Mr. John Lane for his 
 expenses in bringing up four Chiefs of the 
 Penobscot Tribe of Indians, ... 1438 
 
 Town of Maiden authorized to defend themselves 
 in case of an attack from the enemy, - - 1439 
 
 Former vote respecting the removal of the Li- 
 brary and Apparatus reconsidered, and another 
 adopted, 1439 
 
 Letter to General Ward, directing him to order 
 eight Companies, now posted in Plymouth, to 
 join the Army before Boston, ... 1440 
 
 Robert Haskell permitted to go from Beverly to 
 
 Nova-Scotia in a Fishing Vessel, - - 1440 
 
 24, Committee to consider some method of regulating 
 
 Trade with the Indians, - - - - 1440 
 
 Committee to consider what further is necessary 
 to be done respecting Bills of Credit of the 
 Colony, 1440 
 
 Establishment for Surgeons of Hospitals, - 1440 
 
 Committee to get the Resolve for a Fast printed, 1441 
 
 Captain John Lane admitted to the floor of the 
 House, to answer such questions as the Con- 
 gress shall propose to him, - - - 1441 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to prepare a 
 Letter to the Governour of Rhode- Island, - 1442 
 
 Committee to consider a Letter from General 
 Ward, informing of the desertion of Lieutenant 
 Cox, of Salem, - 1442 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 the expediency of stationing part of Colonel 
 Phinney's Regiment in Cumberland and Lin- 
 coln, 1442 
 
 Proclamation for a Fast suspended, - - 1442 
 
 Report of the Committee on the desertion of 
 Lieutenant Cox, 1442 
 
 Committee to consider what steps should be taken 
 for receiving General Washington with proper 
 respect, - 1443 
 
 Report of the Committee to consider of an ade- 
 quate allowance for Captain John Lane, - 1443 
 
 Colonel Porter directed to have a Scythe fixed 
 on a Spear, in such manner as he thinks fit, 
 and bring it before the Congress when fixed, 1443 
 
 Committee appointed to procure Spears empow- 
 ered to order Blacksmiths to work on the 
 Sabbath, M13 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to regulate 
 Trade with the Indians, ... - 1443 
 
 Rev. Mr. Gordon chosen to preach an Election 
 Sermon, on the 19th of July next, - - 1444 
 
 25, Committee to procure Shovels and Spades for the 
 
 Army immediately, - 1444 
 Honorary commission to Mr. Oilman, Interpre- 
 ter to the Penobscot Indians, , - , 1444 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
("XXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 Mr. Gilman instructed to cultivate a friendly dis- 
 position in the Indians, and to forward such 
 intelligence respecting the Indians and Cana- 
 dians as he can procure, .... 1444 
 
 Detachment sent for the protection of the Eliza- 
 beth Islands, 1445 
 
 Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, - - 1445 
 
 Committee on the reception of General Wash- 
 ington report; the Report laid on the table, - 1446 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Machias, respect- 
 ing the capture of a King's Cutter, - - 1446 
 Jiaie26, Committee appointed to consider the conduct of 
 Colonel Thompson, at Kcnnebeck, directed to 
 consider also his conduct at Falmouth to Capt. 
 Mowatt and Captain Coulson, ... 1446 
 
 The Secretary directed to sign the Commis- 
 sions of the Officers of the Train, except John 
 Wiley's, Samuel Gridley's and John Calen- 
 der's, 1447 
 
 Committee appointed to inquire into a report that 
 there has been treachery in some of the Offi- 
 cers, directed to proceed in their inquiries, - 1447 
 
 Report of the Committee on the reception of 
 General Washington again considered, amend- 
 ed, and accepted, ..... 1447 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Letter from Ma- 
 chias, 1448 
 
 Committee to consider a Letter from Gen. Ward, 1448 
 
 Committee to meet Generals Washington and 
 Lee, at Springfield, 1448 
 
 Two Companies raised in New- York and Con- 
 necticut permitted to join Colonel Patterson's 
 Regiment, - - - - - -1448 
 
 General Whitcomb attended, was sworn, and re- 
 ceived his Commission as Major-General of 
 the Massachusetts Army, - - - - 1448 
 
 Petition from the Committee for the Town of 
 Plymouth, (Note,) 1449 
 
 Committee on the Petition from Plymouth, - 1449 
 
 Directions for delivering out the Arms procured 
 by a Committee of this Congress, - - 1449 
 
 Committee to consider measures for the defence 
 and protection of the Sea-Coast, - - 1450 
 
 Report of the Committee on the conduct of Col. 
 
 Thompson at Falmouth, .... 1450 
 
 27, Committee on a Letter from Albany, - 1450 
 Report of Committee on General Ward's Letter 
 
 accepted, and afterwards recommitted, toge- 
 ther with the Resolve relating to absconding 
 Soldiers, 1450 
 
 Letter from Isaac Stone, relative to Francis 
 Moore, 1450 
 
 Committee to consider General Thomas's Letter, 
 relative to furnishing the American Prisoners 
 in Boston with Provisions, - - - 1451 
 
 Committee on the Letters brought by Mr. Pal- 
 frey from England, - - - - -1451 
 
 Four Members added to the Committee of Sup- 
 plies, 1451 
 
 Colonel William Henshaw and Samuel Brewer 
 chosen Adjutant- Generals of the Massachu- 
 setts Army, 1451 
 
 Committee to prepare an Address to the several 
 Towns in the Colony, to furnish the Army 
 with Powder, 1452 
 
 Petition from the Committee of Goldsborough, 
 &c, (Note,) 1452 
 
 Report of Committee on the Petition, - - 1452 
 
 Pay of Officers and Soldiers to commence at the 
 time of their enlistment, .... 1452 
 
 Resolve of yesterday, relating to the distribu- 
 tion of Fire-Arms, reconsidered, amended, and 
 adopted, 1453 
 
 Report of the Committee on furnishing the Pri- 
 soners in Boston with Provisions, - - 1454 
 
 Report on protecting the Sea- Coast again read 
 and considered, and, after debate, further post- 
 poned, ....... 1454 
 
 28, Five or three may be a quorum of the Commit- 
 
 tee of Supplies, ..... 1454 
 Letter to the Committee of Albany, - - 1454 
 Report of Committee on absconding Soldiers read 
 
 and recommitted, ..... 1455 
 Report of Committee on giving a currency to 
 
 the Notes or Bills of Credit of the Colony, 
 
 read and recommitted, .... 1455 
 Report of Committee on defence of the Sea-Coast 
 
 again considered, amended and accepted, - 1456 
 
 CXXII 
 
 1775. 
 
 Report of Committee on saving Provisions in 
 the Army, 1456 
 
 Committees to station the Troops in the Counties 
 of Essex and York, - 1456 
 
 Committee to give out Listing Orders, - - 1456 
 
 Measures adopted for the defence and protection 
 of the Sea-Coast, 1456 
 
 Report of Committee relative to absconding Sol- 
 diers considered and accepted, ... 1457 
 
 Form of Warrant for the Surgeons, - - 1458 
 
 Committee on preventing the unnecessary ex- 
 penditure of Gunpowder, . - - - 1458 
 
 Report of the Committee on making the Notes 
 and Bills of Credit of this and the other Co- 
 lonies a tender, again considered, amended, 
 and adopted, ...... 1458 
 
 Time of the commencement of pay to Officers, 
 Soldiers and Minute-Men, fixed, - - 1460 
 June 29, Committee to prepare an Address to Generals 
 Washington and Lee, on their arrival at Cam- 
 bridge, H0O 
 
 Selectmen of the several Towns to supply the 
 Soldiers stationed on the Sea-Coast with Pro- 
 visions, ------- 1400 
 
 Letters brought by Ensign Campbell, late from 
 England, now a prisoner at Concord, address- 
 ed to gentlemen in the Colonies, to be sent to 
 the Officers of the Troops of the respective 
 Colonies, - - - - - -1401 
 
 Committee to search Ensign Campbell, - - 1401 
 
 Address to the Counties of Hampshire and Wor- 
 cester, requesting to supply Powder for the 
 Army, - - - - - - -1401 
 
 Doctor William Whiting directed to go to New- 
 York, and procure from Doctor Graham in- 
 structions for making Saltpetre, --- 1102 
 30, Major Hawley to bring in a Resolve directing 
 the Committee of Safety to inquire into the 
 expediency of a further emission of Bills of 
 Credit. Report presented and accepted, - 1463 
 
 Committee to inquire into the expediency of con- 
 tinuing the Lights in the Light-houses at Cape 
 Ann, Boston and Plymouth, ... 1403 
 
 Jabez Matthews admitted to give an account of 
 his embassy to Quebeck, .... 1464 
 
 Form of Commissions, Beating Orders and En- 
 listments, for Troops employed for the defence 
 of the Sea-Coast, ..... 1404 
 
 Instructions to the Committees appointed to pro- 
 cure Powder from the Counties of Hampshire 
 and Worcester, ..... 1466 
 
 List of Towns required to furnish the Powder,- 1407 
 July 1, Provision made for the Poor of Charlestown, - 1408 
 
 Deputy-Commissaries for the Massachusetts 
 Army, 14G8 
 
 General Ward directed to order two Companies 
 to Plymouth, 1469 
 
 Regulations for trial of offences by any of the 
 Troops for the defence of the Sea-Coast, - 1469 
 
 A number of Letters from London received and 
 referred to a Committee, .... 1470 
 
 Letter to the Governour and Company of Con- 
 necticut, - - - - - - -1470 
 
 Receiver-General directed to pay out of the Trea- 
 sury the Bills of Credit of other Colonies, - 1471 
 
 Accommodations for the Sick and Wounded of 
 the Colony Army provided, ... 1472 
 
 Address to General Washington, ... 1472 
 
 His Excellency's Answer, .... 1473 
 
 Address to General Lee, .... 1473 
 
 His Honour's Answer, .... 1474 
 
 Report of the Committee on securing the Whale- 
 Boats belonging to the Colony, ... 1474 
 
 2, Report of the Committee on removing and secur- 
 
 ing the Lamps of the Light-houses, - - 1474 
 Petition of Joseph Barrell, late of Boston, - 1475 
 Letter from Alexander Shepard, Jun,, to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, ..... 1476 
 Report of the Committee for devising means for 
 the support of the Poor of Boston and Charles- 
 town, 1476 
 
 3, Committee of Safety directed to report, as soon as 
 
 possible, on the expediency of a new emission 
 
 of Bills of Credit, 1476 
 
 Committee to confer with the Members from the 
 
 New- Hampshire Congress, ... 1477 
 Petition of the Selectmen of Abington for aid in 
 
 supporting the Poor of Boston, - - - 1477 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXXIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 4, Letter from Colonel Gridley, complaining of their 
 appointment of persons not recommended by 
 him for Officers in the Artillery, - • 1477 
 
 No more Commissions, for the present, to be de- 
 livered to Officers in the Colony Army, - 1478 
 
 Committee to take into consideration the conduct 
 of the People of Nantucket, - - - 1479 
 
 Letter from the Congress of New-Hampshire, 
 dated July 3, enclosing two Letters from Dr. 
 Whcelock and a Committee in Hanover, - 1479 
 
 Letter to Goveinour Trumbull, ... 1480 
 
 5, Committee to wait upon General Washington, to 
 
 know if he has any matter to lay belbre the 
 Congress, ...... 1481 
 
 List of Surgeons and Mates, ... 1481 
 
 Form of Warrant for a Medical Commissary, - 1481 
 
 Late Inhabitants of the Town of Boston au- 
 thorized to choose Representatives to the As- 
 sembly, 1481 
 
 Report of the Committee on the request of Gen. 
 Washington to make a Drawbridge of the 
 Bridge at Cambridge, .... 1482 
 
 Report of the Committee to consider of the Do- 
 nations for the Poor of Boston recommitted, - 1483 
 
 Petition from Colonel Jonathan Brewer, - - 1483 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Petition of 
 eighteen Stockbridge Indians, ... 1483 
 
 Mr. Shepard requested to retain in his hands all 
 the Plans he hath of the Province of Maine, - 1484 
 
 Report on the Donations for the Poor of Boston 
 again made and recommitted, ... 1484 
 
 Committee appointed, with authority to convene 
 the General Assembly earlier than the 19th 
 instant, 1484 
 
 Letter from James Winthrop, resigning his ap- 
 pointment as Postmaster at Cambridge, - 1485 
 
 Letter to General Washington, enclosing a Re- 
 solution relative to the Sick and Wounded, - 1485 
 
 Report of the Committee for supplying Coats for 
 the Army, 1485 
 
 Proportion of the thirteen thousand Coats to be 
 supplied by the respective Towns, - - 1486 
 
 6, Committee of Supplies empowered to impress 
 
 the Saw-Mill at Watertovvn, or any other Mill 
 they may have occasion for, ... 1488 
 
 Letter from Colonel John Fcnton, a prisoner 
 from New-Hampshire, requesting he may be 
 removed to Cambridge and tried, - - 1489 
 
 Vote of Thanks to the Committee who have re- 
 turned this day from their embassy to Ticon- 
 deroga, 1490 
 
 7, Committee to consider a Resolve of the Commit- 
 
 tee of Safety, recommending the seizing of 
 Crown Officers, 1490 
 
 Committee of Safety appointed a Committee to 
 draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair 
 and impartial account of the Battle at Charles- 
 town, 1491 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety, relative to a new emis- 
 sion of Bills of Credit, - - - -1491 
 
 Report of the Committee on the application of 
 Daniel Murray to General Washington for 
 permission to go into Boston, ... 1492 
 
 Letter from General Ward, requesting Clothing 
 for the Army, 1493 
 
 Letter to Colonel Easton, at Ticonderoga, - 1494 
 
 Report of the Committee to consider some me- 
 thod to prevent supplying our enemies with 
 Provisions, ...... 1494 
 
 Report of the Committee on Clothing for the 
 Army, 1495 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 the conduct of the People of Nantucket, - 1495 
 
 Permission given to the Committee of Machias 
 to fit out an Armed Vessel for their defence, - 1495 
 
 8, Report of the Committee on the Petition of Colo- 
 
 nel Jonathan Brewer, .... 14% 
 Letters from or to any person in the Continental 
 
 Army in Massachusetts, free of postage, - 1497 
 Letter to the Congress of New- Hampshire, - 1498 
 Report of the Committee on a Letter from Gene- 
 ral Greene, 1499 
 
 Resolution explanatory of the Resolve of the 21st 
 of June, relative to the Estates of Refugees, - 1499 
 
 9, The Continental Congress to be requested to or- 
 
 der the seizure of every Crown Officer in the 
 Colonies, 1590 
 
 CXXIV 
 
 1775. 
 
 Letter from John Scollay, relative to the Poor of 
 the Town of Boston, 1500 
 
 Letter from four Indian Chiefs, at Falmouth, to 
 Ephraim Oilman, (Note,) ... - 1501 
 
 Jcdediah Preble and Enoch Freeman empowered 
 to supply the Penobscot Indians with Goods, - 1501 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Letter of John 
 Scollay, 1501 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Towns to be ap- 
 plied to for Shirts and Breeches for the Army, 1501 
 
 Additional Resolve, relative to the Poor of Bos- 
 ton, adopted, - 1502 
 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, requesting 
 the seizure of Crown Officers, ... 1503 
 
 John Lane, Agent for the Penobscot Tribe of In- 
 dians, authorized to supply them with Powder, 1503 
 
 Letter from General Lee, requesting their appro- 
 bation of his interview with Gen. Burgoyne, 1504 
 
 Committee appointed to consider the Letter, and 
 Elbridge Gerry appointed to accompany Gene- 
 ral Lee at the interview, .... 1504 
 
 Committee on a Letter from General Washing- 
 ton, on the deficiency in the strength of the 
 Army, 1504 
 
 Letter to General Lee, agreeing to his proposed 
 interview with General Burgoyne, - - 1504 
 July 1 1, Report of the Committee relative to Donations for 
 
 the Poor of Boston, considered and accepted, - 1505 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 the circumstances of the Town of Hull, - 1506 
 
 Committee to confer with General Washington, 
 on a temporary re-enforcement of the Army, - 1506 
 
 Committee to devise some means of raising speed- 
 ily a temporary re-enforcement, ... 1507 
 
 Memorial of William Hunt, .... 1507 
 
 12, Letter to Governour Trumbull, - - - 1508 
 Able-bodied Men requested to return to their re- 
 spective Seaport Towns, to protect them from 
 
 the ravages of the enemy, - 1508 
 
 Letter from Captain Noble, dated Pittsfield, July 
 3, with a roll of his Company, at Ticonderoga, 1508 
 
 Letter from General Washington referred to the 
 Committee on the temporary re-enforcement, 1509 
 
 Report of the Committee on the situation of the 
 publick stock of Powder, ... - 1509 
 
 Committee to enlarge the Commission of the 
 Committee of Safety, .... 1509 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety, requesting 
 Congress to appoint a Special Committee to 
 make provision for the Poor of Boston and 
 Charlestown, ...... 1500 
 
 Report of the Committee for a temporary re-en- 
 forcement, considered, and, after much debate, 
 recommitted, - 1509 
 
 Letter to Captain James Noble, - - - 1510 
 
 Committee on a temporary re-enforcement again 
 reported: Report amended and accepted, - 1510 
 
 Resolves for a temporary re-enforcement, - 1510 
 
 Letter to the Military Officers, &c, of the several 
 Towns, requesting them to raise and forward 
 to the Camp immediately, their proportions of 
 Men, for the temporary re-enforcement, - 151 1 
 
 13, Letter from General Washington's Secretary, 
 
 dated nine o'clock, P. M., July 12, - - 1512 
 
 Resolve passed yesterday, for a re-enforcement, 
 reconsidered, - - - - - - 1512 
 
 Killing of Sheep or Lambs prohibited, excepting 
 in cases of absolute necessity, till the further 
 order of this Congress, - - - - 1514 
 
 Soldiers enlisting in more than one Company 
 required to return to the first Company they 
 enlisted in, - - .- - - -1515 
 
 Report of the Committee on disposing of ten 
 Prisoners taken on Long-Island, in the Har- 
 bour of Boston, - - - - - 1515 
 
 Commission of the Committee of Safety, - - 1515 
 
 Ten Prisoners, taken at Machias, sent to the Jail 
 in Worcester, - - - - - - 1516 
 
 Committee of Supplies authorized to grant relief, 
 out of the publick stores, to the Lrhabitants of 
 the eastern parts of the Colony, - - - 1518 
 19, Congress dissolved, ..... 15 1 8 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 July 1, Letter from Lord Dartmouth to General Gage. 
 
 The rebellious conduct of the Provincials, on 
 the 19th of April, will evince to the world the 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
cxxv 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CXXV I 
 
 justice of the measures the King has adopted, 
 and in which His Majesty will firmly perse- 
 vere, - - - - - 
 July 1 Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend 
 in Virginia. The real friends of America 
 wish they had acted with more temper and less 
 violence; the King has recommended concilia- 
 tory measures, but whether they will be suffi- 
 cient to allay the ferment on your side of the 
 water time only will show, - - - - 
 I, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia. The spirit displayed by all the Colonies 
 give great satisfaction to all the friends of 
 America. Substance of a conversation with 
 
 Lord North, 
 
 I , Letter from the South-Carolina Delegates in the 
 Continental Congress, to the Secret Committee 
 
 in Charlestown, 
 
 Address delivered to the Inhabitants of a Coun- 
 ty in Virginia, assembled for the purpose of 
 choosing Deputies to represent them in Colony 
 Convention, ------ 
 
 1, Letter from the Committee of Yorktown, Penn- 
 sylvania, to the Pennsylvania Delegates in 
 Congress. Have raised a Company of Rifle- 
 men, and recommend Officers for them, 
 1, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash- 
 ington. The Connecticut Troops, under Gene- 
 ral Wooster, are encamped within two miles 
 of New- York. No preparation has yet been 
 made to occupy a post in the Highlands. He 
 will leave New- York for Ticonderoga on 
 
 Monday next, 
 
 1, Letter from Edward Fleming to the New- York 
 Congress. Declines accepting the appoint- 
 ment of Lieutenant-Colonel, in Colonel James 
 
 Clinton's Regiment, 
 
 1, Letter from S. Sp. Skinner, New- York, to a 
 Nobleman in England. On the policy of the 
 British Government towards the Colonies, and 
 the disposition and the ability of the Colonies 
 to resist, ------- 
 
 1, Letter from the Congress of Massachusetts to the 
 Assembly of Connecticut, requesting the em- 
 bargo in Connecticut may be taken off, so far 
 as to permit the Inhabitants of the eastern parts 
 of Massachusetts to purchase Provisions, they 
 being reduced to the alternative of starving 
 or supplying the Ministerial Troops, either of 
 which they deprecate, - - - - 
 
 1, Recantation of James Ball, of Warwick, Massa- 
 chusetts, ------- 
 
 1, New-Hampshire Committee of Safety, - 1765- 
 1, Letter from General Folsom to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, - - - - 
 
 1, Letter from the New- Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety to General Folsom, - - - - 
 
 1, Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety to Colonel Reid. Refuse to recall the 
 Commission to Mr. McGregore, as Adjutant 
 of his Regiment, and insist upon it that their 
 appointments take place, - - - - 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler to the President 
 of Congress. Has had a conference with the 
 New- York Congress on employing the Green 
 Mountain Boys ; and expects they will employ 
 five hundred of them; from the accounts of 
 Colonel Guy Johnson's conduct it is appre- 
 hended that the Inhabitants of the western 
 part of New- York and New-Jersey, and the 
 northern parts of Pennsylvania will be exposed 
 to insults from the Savages, - - - 
 Letter from General Gates to General Washing- 
 ton, -------- 
 
 Meeting of Committee of Inspection for Balti- 
 more Town; Henry Lloyd, of Boston, declared 
 a wilful violator of the Continental Associa- 
 
 2, 
 
 ■3, 
 
 3, 
 
 3, 
 
 1517 
 
 1517 
 
 1518 
 1519 
 
 1520 
 
 1524 
 
 1525 
 
 1526 
 
 1526 
 
 1470 
 
 1528 
 1768 
 
 1524 
 
 1529 
 
 1530 
 
 tion, ------- 
 
 Dorchester County, Maryland, Committee, pro- 
 hibit the selling of any Merchandise brought to 
 the County, without a proper Certificate that 
 it was imported agreeable to the Continen- 
 tal Association, 
 
 Letter from John Alsop, Philadelphia, to the 
 New- York Congress, - 
 
 Letter from John Langdon, Philadelphia, to the 
 New-Hampshire Congress. General Sullivan 
 has left for home ; the Riflemen will march 
 
 1439 
 1531 
 
 1531 
 
 1532 
 1532 
 
 1775. 
 
 this week for Cambridge; the Powder Mills 
 are going on fast; an effort will be made to 
 import large quantities of Powder ; Cannon 
 should not be used, if it can be avoided, until 
 there is a better supply of Powder, - - 1533 
 July 3, Committee of Philadelphia have undertaken to 
 
 erect a Saltpetre Manufactory, ... 1533 
 
 3, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Com- 
 mittee of Albany, with fifty quarter casks of 
 Gunpowder, sent by the Continental Congress 
 for the use of the Forts at Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, ------ 1336 
 
 3, Proclamation of Governour Tryon, to postpone 
 the meeting of the Assembly to the ninth of 
 August, ------- 1533 
 
 3, Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common- 
 alty of New- York, to Governour Tryon, - 1534 
 Governour Tryon's Answer to the Address, - 1534 
 
 3, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 Congress. The People called Green Mountain 
 Boys are the inhabitants of the northeastern 
 parts of Albany County, Charlotte County, and 
 the New-Hampshire Grants; occupying the 
 country from near Albany to forty or fifty miles 
 north of Crown Point; but it has been so lately 
 settled that not more than five hundred Men 
 c;in be raised there. The Troops at his com- 
 mand are inadequate to the enterprise he is 
 ordered to undertake, and which he is not at 
 liberty to desist from without orders to the con- 
 trary, ------- 1535 
 
 3, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 Congress. The information he has just received 
 of the nefarious designs of Colonel Johnson, and 
 the temper of the Indians, is so important that 
 he has sent Mr. Kirkland, who brought him 
 the information, to the Congress, - - 1536 
 
 3, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 Congress : enclosing a list of Military Stores, 
 Provisions, &c, which he requests may be sent 
 to Albany, for which place he leaves New- 
 York to-morrow, ----- 1536 
 
 3, Letter from the New- York Committee of Secrecy 
 to the Massachusetts Congress, informing them 
 of the sailing of a Vessel from Scotland, bound 
 to Salem, 1537 
 
 3, Letter from Peter T. Curtenius to the New- York 
 
 Congress, ------ 1537 
 
 3, S. Patrick to the New- York Congress; has a 
 Furnace now in blast, and will deliver Iron Ball 
 of any dimensions, any where on the North 
 River, for fifteen pounds per ton, - - 1538 
 
 3, Letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, to 
 the New- York Congress. The Fortresses at 
 Fort George and Ticonderoga cannot be main- 
 tained against Artillery. He is almost destitute 
 of Powder, and it is not improbable that a suffi- 
 cient force may be sent from Canada to take 
 these Posts if supplies are not sent him, - 1538 
 
 3, Address of the principal Inhabitants on Lake 
 Champlain to Benedict Arnold, Commander- 
 in-Chief of an Expedition to Lake Champlain. 
 for taking the Fortresses on said Lake, - 1088 
 Answer of Colonel Arnold to the very respect- 
 able Inhabitants on Lake Champlain, - - 1088 
 
 3, Letter to the Continental Congress, from Walter 
 Spooner, one of the Committee from the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress to Ticonderoga. It is of the 
 utmost importance to New- York and the New- 
 England Colonies that the Posts there should 
 not fall into the hands of the enemy, and that 
 we should have the command of Lake Cham- 
 plain, 1539 
 
 3, Letter from Walter Spooner to the New- York 
 Congress. All possible care should be taken to 
 keep the command of Lake Champlain, which 
 may most easily be effected by Armed Vessels. 
 A most dangerous mutiny was set on foot by 
 persons employed by Colonel Arnold, an officer 
 of Massachusetts, which was suppressed by the 
 influence of Judge Duer, of Charlotte County, 
 New-York, and the principal officers of the 
 Connecticut Forces, ----- 1539 
 
 3, Letter from Walter Spooner to Governour Trum- 
 bull. When the Committee arrived at Crown 
 Point, they informed Colonel Arnold that he 
 must give up the command to Colonel Hin- 
 man ; this he refused, declared he would not 
 
C.WVII 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CXXVIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 be second to any man, disbanded his forces, 
 and resigned his commission, ... 1540 
 July 3, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, with information from 
 Canada: if any plan of operation towards, or in 
 ( 'anada, is suitable, the y wish to act in concert 
 with the other Colonics in the neighbourhood, 1479 
 3, Letter from Governour Wentworth to Theodore 
 Atkinson. Has occasion for the Books of Char- 
 ters in the Secretary's Office, and desires they 
 may be sent him, ..... 1541 
 3, Letter from the New-Hampshire Congress to the 
 Massachusetts Congress, enclosing copies of 
 Letters froi" Dr. Wheelock, dated Dartmouth 
 College, June 28, and from the Committee in 
 Hanover, dated June 27, .... 1541 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 July 4, The Congress meets at Savannah, ... 1543 
 List of the Members elected, ... 1543 
 
 Archibald Bullock chosen President, and George 
 
 Walton Secretary, 1543 
 
 Congress attend the Meeting-House of the Rev. 
 
 Dr. Zubly, where he preached a Sermon on 
 
 the alarming state of American affairs, - 1543 
 Thanks of the Congress to Dr. Zubly for his 
 
 excellent Sermon, ..... 1543 
 
 5, Message to the Governour by a Committee, that 
 
 he will appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer, 
 
 to be observed throughout the Province, - 1543 
 
 Proceedings of a Meeting at Savannah, on the 
 
 13th of June, laid before the Congress, - 1544 
 
 Motion, that this Congress put the Province upon 
 the same footing with the other Colonies, to 
 be considered to-morrow, .... 1545 
 
 6, Order of the Day read, and considered, - - 1545 
 Resolved unanimously, that this Province will 
 
 adopt and carry into execution all and singular 
 the measures and recommendations of the late 
 Continental Congress, .... 1545 
 Other Resolutions regulating the conduct of the 
 Colony, 1545 
 
 7, Governour Wright's Answer to the Message of 
 
 the Congress; he will appoint a day of Fast- 
 ing and Prayer, ..... 1547 
 
 Committee to convey the Thanks of the Congress 
 to the Governour, ..... 1547 
 
 Delegates to the Continental Congress chosen, - 1547 
 
 Dr. Zubly declines accepting the appointment of 
 Delegate, without the approbation of his Con- 
 gregation, ...... 1547 
 
 Secret Committee appointed, ... - 1547 
 
 Dr. Zubly appointed to prepare and bring in a 
 Petition to the King, ----- 1547 
 
 Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 President of the Continental Congress, inform- 
 ing him of the Proceedings of this Congress, 1547 
 
 Committee appointed to prepare an Address to 
 the Governour, ------ 1547 
 
 8, Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling appropriated for 
 
 the service of the Province, in the present 
 alarming and distracted state of affairs, - - 1548 
 Petition to the King presented and approved of, - 1548 
 Committee of Intelligence appointed, - - 1548 
 Letter to the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress presented and approved of, - - - 1548 
 
 10, Resolutions adopted unanimously, declaring their 
 
 rights, their allegiance to the King, their union 
 with the Colonies, and their determination to 
 enforce the Resolutions of the Continental and 
 Provincial Congresses, - - - 1548 
 
 1 1, Committee report the assent of Dr. Zubly's 
 
 Congregation to his appointment, and that they 
 are willing to spare him for a time, for the 
 good of the common cause, - - - - 
 Address to the Governour reported, agreed to, 
 and a Committee appointed to present it, 
 
 1 2, Ways and Means to raise and sink Ten Thousand 
 
 Pounds Sterling, considered in Committee of 
 
 the Whole, 
 
 Congress while sitting, and the Council of Safe- 
 ty in its recess, empowered to issue Certificates 
 to the amount of Ten Thousand Pounds Steri- 
 
 inrr ------- 
 
 Persons who may refuse to receive such Certifi- 
 cates in payment to be considered enemies of 
 the Province, and treated accordincrlv, - 
 
 1550 
 1550 
 
 1551 
 
 1551 
 1551 
 
 1775. 
 Julij\Z 
 
 14, 
 
 15, 
 
 17, 
 
 25, 
 14, 
 14, 
 
 14, 
 
 4, 
 
 July- 4 
 
 , Association entered into at Savannah, on the 5th 
 of June last, approved of, and adopted by the 
 Congress, - - - - - - 1551 
 
 Committee to present the Association to all the 
 
 Inhabitants of Savannah, to be signed, - - 1552 
 Committee appointed to consider and report upon 
 the qualifications of voters for Delegates to the 
 Provincial Congress, and an equal representa- 
 tion, 1552 
 
 Directions to Magistrates relative to issuing sum- 
 monses and warrants, for the recovery of debts, 1552 
 
 Report of the Committee on the qualification of 
 voters and equal representation, presented and 
 adopted, 1552 
 
 Form of Credentials for Delegates to the Provin- 
 cial Congress recommended to the Inhabitants 
 of the several Parishes and Districts, - - 1552 
 
 Committee on the better governing the Militia 
 of the Province appointed, .... 1553 
 
 Committee appointed to communicate to the In- 
 habitants of the Province an account of the 
 disputes between Great Britain and the Colo- 
 nies, and the Proceedings of this Congress, - 1553 
 
 Delegates to a new Congress to be elected be- 
 tween the 20th of August and 1st of Septem- 
 ber, next, - 1553 
 
 Delegates for Savannah to be chosen on the 1 5th 
 of September, - 1553 
 
 Delegates for Savannah, and such other Dele- 
 gates as may be there appointed, a General 
 Committee for the Province, ... 1553 
 
 Rev. Haddon Smith declared to be unfriendly 
 to America, for refusing to join on a day of 
 Fasting and Prayer recommended by the Con- 
 gress, ....... 1554 
 
 Delegates appointed to go to Philadelphia, di- 
 rected to apply to the Continental Congress to 
 incorporate this Province with the other United 
 Provinces of America, .... 1554 
 
 Adjourned to the 19th day of August, unless 
 sooner convened by the General Committee, - 1554 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of 
 Georgia, by the Committee appointed on the 
 15th instant, ...... 1554 
 
 Letter from Archibald Bullock to George John- 
 stone, London, enclosing a Letter from the 
 Committee of Intelligence, - 1555 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Intelligence, for 
 Georgia, to George Johnstone, London, en- 
 closing a Petition to the King, ... 1555 
 
 Petition to the King, from the Provincial Con- 
 gress of Georgia, ..... 1556 
 
 The Law of Liberty: a Sermon preached before 
 the Provincial Congress of Georgia, at Savan- 
 nah, on the 4th of July, 1775, - - - 1557 
 
 4, 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at 
 Charlestown, South -Carolina, to the Continen- 
 tal Congress, enclosing copies of intercepted 
 Letters from Lord Dartmouth to Governour 
 Wright of Georgia, Governour Martin of 
 North-Carolina, and to the Lieutenant- Go- 
 vernour of South-Carolina, dated March 3, 
 1775, - - - - - - - 1567 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at 
 Charlestown to the Committee at Nevvbern, 
 North-Carolina, ..... 15(57 
 
 Letter from the Committee of Intelligence at 
 Charlestown to the Committee at Savannah, 
 Georgia, ------- 1568 
 
 Account of the seizure of the Mail in Charles- 
 town, on the 2d of July, by the Secret Com- 
 mittee, with despatches from the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth to the Southern Governours, (Note,) - 1509 
 
 Somerset County, Maryland, Committee, declare 
 James Dooe inimical to the Liberties of 
 America, ------- 1569 
 
 List of Officers of the Green Mountain Boys, - 1570 
 
 Letter from John N. Bleecker, with an account 
 of Provisions delivered over by him to Elisha 
 Phelps, at Albany, ----- 1570 
 
 Mr. Phelps's Warrant as Commissary, from the 
 Governour ol Connecticut, - 1570 
 
 Letter from William Schuyler to John Marlett; 
 only one person in Warrensburgh. New- 
 York, has signed the Association, - - 1571 
 
CXXIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 4, Letter from Brook Watson, near Montreal, to 
 the New- York Congress. The Troops at 
 Fort George, Ticonderoga and Crown Point 
 talk and act as if it was determined they should 
 soon march to Gtuebeck. This cannot be the 
 intention of the General Congress; if they 
 suffer the People to proceed to extremes no- 
 thing but the sword can determine the contest, 1571 
 
 4, Letter from Governour Cooke to the Continen- 
 tal Congress. The Army of Rhode- Island, 
 near Boston, consists of thirteen hundred and 
 ninety effective Men; we are also equipping 
 two Armed Vessels, to carry one hundred Men, 
 exclusive of Officers; the Colony will exert 
 itself in unremitting efforts for the common de- 
 fence and safety, ----- 1572 
 
 4, Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull, ----- 1480 
 
 4, Letter from James Warren and Joseph Hawley to 
 Gen. Washington, relative to the appointments 
 of Generals Pomeroy, Heath and Thomas, - 1573 
 
 4, Letter from the Committee of Correspondence 
 
 of Bradford to the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety, respecting Captain Gage's Company 
 deserting the cause of their Country, - - 1648 
 
 5, Letter from one of the Virginia Delegates, at 
 
 Philadelphia, to a friend in Williamsburgh. 
 The New-Englanders are fitting out Priva- 
 teers. They are now intent on burning Boston, 
 in order to oust the Regulars, and none are 
 more eager for it than those who have left 
 their whole property in it. Nobody now 
 doubts that we are able to cope with England, 
 if we exert ourselves, ... - 1573 
 
 5, New- York Committee of Secrecy and Inspection 
 report their examination of the Snow Christy, 
 from Greenock, 1574 
 
 5, New- York Committee. Regulations for the 
 examination of Vessels from Great Britain or 
 Ireland, to prevent the introduction of Goods 
 prohibited by the Continental Association, - 1574 
 Account of Receipts and Expenditures on account 
 of the New- York Committee, ... 1575 
 
 7, New- York Committee. Order for the arrest of 
 
 William McLeod, a British Officer, - - 1576 
 
 5, Letter from Burnet Miller to the New- York 
 Congress. Requesting some Troops may be 
 stationed at Montauk, for their protection and 
 that of their stock, which is very large, and 
 much exposed to the ravages of our unnatural 
 enemy, ------- 1577 
 
 5, Letter from Joseph Johnson, a Mohegan Indian, 
 at Hartford, complaining of the injury done 
 him by some white men and Indians in Con- 
 necticut, who charge him with having turned 
 a high Tory, 1577 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 July 1, Connecticut Assembly meet at Hartford, - - 1579 
 
 List of the Members, 1579 
 
 Act in addition to the Act for the special defence 
 
 and safety of the Colony, - - - - 1580 
 
 Two additional Regiments, of seven hundred 
 Men each, to be enlisted, equipped, &c. - - 1581 
 
 Officers of the Seventh and Eighth Regiments, - 1581 
 
 Act for supplying the Troops ordered to be 
 raised for the special defence and safety of this 
 Colony, with necessary Fire- Arms, - - 1 582 
 
 Two Vessels to be immediately fitted out, and 
 armed with a proper number of Cannon, 
 Small- Arms and necessary warlike stores, for 
 the defence of the Sea-Coast of the Colony, - 1583 
 
 Governour directed to make a friendly answer to 
 the Speech of the Oneida Indians, - - 1584 
 
 Jabez Hamlin appointed to collect Saltpetre and 
 Sulphur, to be sent to the Powder Mills in 
 Dutchess County, New- York, ... 1584 
 
 Governour authorized to permit the exportation 
 of live Cattle, in certain cases, ... 1584 
 
 Emission of Bills of Credit, to the amount of 
 Fifty Thousand Pounds, authorized, - - 1584 
 
 Captain Deiapiace and others to be removed from 
 Hartford, 1585 
 
 Representation of Connecticut Officers to the As- 
 sembly, against the Continental arrangement 
 of General Officers, which degrades General 
 Spencer from the rank he held, - - - 1585 
 
 Governour requested to write to the Connecticut 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 cxxx 
 
 1775. 
 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress, remon- 
 strating against the promotion of Putnam over 
 Wooster and Spencer, ... - 1585 
 
 Report of Benjamin Henshaw to the Committee 
 appointed to procure Lead for the use of the 
 Colony, and of his proceedings in quest of a 
 suitable Smelter or Refiner of Lead Ore, - 1586 
 
 Report of the Committee appointed to procure 
 Lead for the use of the Colony, - - - 1587 
 
 Committee appointed to examine the Lead Mines 
 in Woodbury, - - - - - - 1588 
 
 Committee appointed to work the Lead Mine in 
 Middletown, - _ - - - - - 1588 
 
 Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs; they 
 acquit Joseph Johnson of the charge made 
 against him of being unfriendly to America, - 1588 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ETC. 
 
 July 5, Letter from Joseph Hawley to General Wash- 
 ington. There are many brave Officers in 
 the Massachusetts Army, but there are some 
 whose characters are very equivocal with re- 
 spect to courage; he suggests that a declara- 
 tion in general orders, that any Officer who 
 shall act the poltron in the day of battle shall 
 meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connexions 
 or interest may be, 1589 
 
 5, Committee of Duke's County, Massachusetts, 
 
 report on the conduct of the Towns of the 
 County, 1589 
 
 6, Address by the Meeting for Sufferings, held by 
 
 the Quakers in Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania 
 
 and New-Jersey, ----- 1590 
 
 6, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their 
 Delegates in Philadelphia. They have no- 
 thing more at heart than to be instrumental 
 in compromising the unnatural quarrel be- 
 tween the Colonies and Great Britain, and re- 
 ceive with gratitude the plan of accommoda- 
 tion with the Parent State, sent them by the 
 Provincial Congress, - - - - - 1591 
 
 6, Letter from the Committee of Elizabethtown, 
 
 New- Jersey, to the New- York Committee, - 1591 
 
 6, Captains appointed by the New- York Provincial 
 Congress for the enlistment of Volunteers, for 
 the defence of the Liberties of America, in the 
 first Battalion raised in the City of New- York, 1592 
 
 6, Letter from Edward Mott, at Albany, to Govern- 
 our Trumbull. Colonel Arnold, when he was 
 directed to deliver over the command of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point to Colonel Hinman, 
 refused to do'so, and disbanded his Men, except 
 those he took with him on board the Vessels 
 on the Lake, which he seized, and threatened 
 to take them to St. John's, and deliver them up 
 to the Regulars. He also seized, confined and 
 abused the gentlemen who went to remon- 
 strate with him on his conduct, ... 1592 
 
 6, Letter from Ethan Allen to Governour Trum- 
 bull. Is now on his way from New- York, to 
 raise seven Companies of Green Mountain 
 Boys, under the authority of the Continental 
 and New- York Congresses, ... 1593 
 
 6, Letter from Captain Angus McDonald to Colonel 
 McDougall, complaining of his confinement in 
 Fairfield Jail, 1593 
 
 6, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 Schuyler. Can supply him with no more 
 than fifteen thousand Pounds of Money, and 
 forty half barrels of Powder, - - - 1594 
 Narrative and Remarks by a Gentleman who 
 left Montreal, in Canada, the 1 4th of June last ; 
 enclosed by Gov. Trumbull to Gen. Schuyler, 1594 
 
 6, Report to the Massachusetts Congress, by their 
 Committee appointed to examine the Fortresses 
 of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and their 
 condition for defence, - - - - 1596 
 Copy of the Warrant to Brown and Edwards to 
 supply the Massachusetts Troops at Ticonde- 
 roga, 1598 
 
 Order of the Committee to Colonel Arnold, dated 
 
 Crown Point, June 23, 1775, ... 1598 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold to the Committee, 
 resigning his Commission, dated Crown Point, 
 
 June 24, 1775, 1598 
 
 Letter from Jonas Fay, in behalf of Capt. Her- 
 rick, to the Committee, dated Ticonderoga, 
 June 28, 1775, 1599 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 1603 
 1604 
 
 1604 
 
 1604 
 
 - 1605 
 
 CXXXI 
 
 1775. 
 
 Ordnance Stores at Crown Point and Ticonde- 
 roga, June 23, 1775, .... 1600 
 
 July 6, Letter from Theodore Atkinson to the New- 
 Hampshire Congress. Refuses to deliver up 
 the Publick Records, or connive at a delivery; 
 but has no thoughts of attempting to retain 
 them in his custody by force, ... 1600 
 Letter prepared by Mr. Atkinson on the same 
 subject, but not sent to the Congress, (Note,) - 1600 
 
 7, Letter from Mr. Atkinson to Governour Went- 
 worth, informing him of the demand made upon 
 him by the Provincial Congress for the Pub- 
 lick Records; of his refusal to deliver them; 
 and of their seizure and removal by a Com- 
 mittee of the Congress, - - - - 1601 
 Resolution of the Provincial Congress, demand- 
 ing the Records of the Secretary, - - 1601 
 
 7, Proceedings at a Court of Common Council, 
 London, on the Letter from the Committee of 
 New-York to the Lord Mayor. Refuse to 
 answer the Letter from the Committee, and 
 order an Address to the King, ... 1602 
 Address of the Corporation of London to the 
 King, requesting him to cause hostilities to 
 cease between Great Britain and America, - 1602 
 
 7, Letter from Doctor Franklin to Doctor Priestley. 
 Another Petition to the Crown has been car- 
 ried with difficulty. Britain has begun to burn 
 our Seaport Towns; if she wishes to have us 
 subjects, she is now giving us such specimens 
 of her government that we shall ever detest 
 and avoid it, as a complication of robbery, mur- 
 der, famine, fire and pestilence, - 
 
 7, Letter from John Dickinson to Arthur Lee, 
 
 7, Letter from General Wooster to the New- York 
 Congress, - 
 
 7, Letter from the Committee for Westchester Coun- 
 ty, New- York, to the Provincial Congress. — 
 Many, if not a majority of the Militia Officers 
 of the County endeavour to counteract the 
 measures of the Congress, ... 
 
 7 Letter from the Committee for Kingston, New- 
 York, to the Provincial Congress, 
 
 7, Letter from Elisha Phelps to the New- York 
 Congress. Flour is so scarce at Albany that 
 the Troops at Ticondeioga will suffer if sup- 
 plies are not obtained immediately, - - 1605 
 
 7, Letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticondeioga, to 
 Gen. Schuyler. The Regulars are fortifying 
 St. John's, and building some water-craft there, 
 but with what intent we cannot determine, - 1605 
 
 7, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New- 
 York Provincial Congress, - - - 1781 
 
 7, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the Presi- 
 dent of the Continental Congress, - - 1606 
 
 7, Orders from the Committee of Safety of New- 
 
 Hampshire to Captain Bi-del, directing him to 
 proceed to Northumberland or Lancaster, and, 
 in conjunction with the inhabitants, erect works 
 of deft nee against small-arms; and to estab- 
 lish Garrisons at such places on the frontiers 
 as may be deemed necessary; send out Scouts; 
 conciliate the Indians, and to arrest suspected 
 persons, - 1767 
 
 8, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 
 phia. Should it cost all the blood and trea- 
 sure of Old England, the Ministry would pro- 
 secute their efforts to subdue the Colonies. If 
 you submit, sixty of you are to be hanged in 
 Philadelphia, aud the same number in New- 
 York. Five hundnd Pounds is offered for 
 Captain Scars's head in particular, - - 1607 
 John Holt, of New- York, among the number of 
 the proscribed who are ordered to be sent to 
 England, (Note,) 1607 
 
 8, Letter from the Independent Company of Alexan- 
 dria, in Virginia, to General Washington, - 1603 
 
 3, Letter from the Messrs. Bradfords, of Philadel- 
 phia, to the Printer of a publick Paper in Lon- 
 don. The Ministerial account may gloss over 
 the affair of Bunker's Hill, but a lew more 
 such victories would leave General Gage but 
 a few men ; and we should joyfully put up with 
 the disgrace of a retreat every day for a month, 
 upon the same terms, .... 1G08 
 
 8, Letter from the Noith-Carolina Delegates, at 
 Philadelphia, to the New-York Congress, re- 
 questing them to secure a Vessel supposed to 
 be sent lor Gunpowder for Governour Martin, 1600 
 
 CXXXI I 
 
 1775. 
 July 8, 
 
 7, 
 
 9, 
 
 9, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 11, 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 Letter from the New- York Congress to Charles 
 Thomson, - 
 
 Letter from Henry White to the New- York Con- 
 gress, denying a connection with Governour 
 Martin, ....... 
 
 Ezekiel Beach published as an enemy to the 
 Country, by the Committee for Mendham, in 
 Morris County, New- Jersey, . . - 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 New-Hampshire Congress. Approve of Mr. 
 Dean's being sent to the Continental Congress; 
 and think it a matter of great importance to 
 America in general to satisfy our friends in 
 America that we are truly friendly to them, - 
 
 Letter from General Burgoyne to General Lee, - 
 
 Petition of the Selectmen and Committee of Safe- 
 ty for Harpswell to the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, - 
 
 Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety to Dr. Langdon, - 
 
 Letter from the New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety to their Delegates in the Continental 
 Congress, giving them general information of 
 the state of affairs in New- Hampshire, and 
 requesting that provision may be made for 
 furnishing them with Gunpowder, as they 
 are almost destitute of it, - 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of New- 
 Hampshire to the Continental Congress. The 
 Colony is at present wholly governed by this 
 Congress and the Committees of the Towns: 
 some other regulations are desired, but none 
 will be attempted without the direction of the 
 Continental Congress, .... 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in New- 
 York. The scheme of the Ministry is now 
 to deceive and divide the New-Yorkers, since 
 they find mere force like to answer no valua- 
 ble end, - 
 
 Address of the Committee of Safety, Correspond- 
 ence and Protection, of the City and County 
 of Albany, to General Schuyler, 
 
 Answer of General Schuyler, ... 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to the 
 Continental Congress . suggesting to them the 
 expediency of seizing every Crown Officer 
 in the United Colonies, and keeping them 
 until the People of Boston are released, and 
 have received full compensation for the insults 
 and perfidious treatment they have received 
 from General Gage, - 
 
 Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle- 
 man in Philadelphia. Account of the burn- 
 ing of the British Guard-House on Roxburv 
 Neck, 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend 
 in New- York. The eyes of Government are 
 fixed on the Congress and their Resolutions, 
 and perhaps on their proposals; for it is said 
 that Administration cannot yield, it being con- 
 trary to the dignity of the Crown, 
 
 Letter from London to a Gentleman in Mary- 
 land. The People here did not imagine the 
 Americans would fight, but thought a handful 
 of Regulars would frighten the Americans 
 into compliance. The Ministry wish they 
 were well rid of the business, - 
 
 Speech of Governour Lord William Camp- 
 bell to the Council and Assembly of South- 
 Carolina, ...... 
 
 Address of the Upper House of Assembly of 
 South-Carolina to the Governour, 
 
 His Excellency's Answer, .... 
 
 Address of the Commons House of Assembly of 
 South-Carolina to the Governour, 
 
 Answer of the Governour, - 
 
 Message from the Commons House to the Go- 
 vernour, ------ 
 
 Meeting of the Committee for Fincastle County, 
 Virginia. The conduct of Lord Dumnore in 
 se izing the Powder reflects dishonour on him- 
 self; the conduct of Patrick Henry on the 
 occasion merits the highest approbation ; the 
 Council in advising the Proclamation of May 
 3d, show they are become the abject tools of a 
 detested Administration, ... 
 
 Letter from Philadi Iphia to a Gentleman in Eng- 
 land. Throughout the country the Inhabi- 
 tants are training, making Fire- Locks, casting 
 
 1609 
 1609 
 1610 
 
 1498 
 1610 
 
 1612 
 1612 
 
 1612 
 
 1613 
 
 1614 
 
 1615 
 161.3 
 
 1616 
 
 1616 
 
 1617 
 
 1017 
 
 1617 
 
 1618 
 1619 
 
 1619 
 
 1620 
 
 - 1620 
 
 - 1620 
 
CXXXIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 cxxxiv 
 
 July 10 
 10, 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 
 10, 
 10, 
 
 11, 
 
 10, 
 
 11. 
 
 11, 
 
 11, 
 
 11, 
 
 1 1. 
 
 11, 
 
 1 1, 
 1 1, 
 
 Shells and Shot, and making Saltpetre for the 
 Gunpowder Mills. A spirit of enthusiasm 
 for war has gone forth that has driven away 
 the fear of death, 1621 
 
 Petition of Samuel Falkenhan and David Wool- 
 haupter to the New- York Congress, • - 1621 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler to Governour 
 Trumbull, - 1621 
 
 Association of Merchants of New- York, to give 
 circulation to Bills of Credit of Connecticut, - 1622 
 
 New- York Committee recommend the circula- 
 tion of Bills of Credit of Connecticut, - - 1622 
 
 Letter from Montreal to a Gentleman in England. 
 The Martial Law is in force; the Canadians 
 are enrolled as Militia, and Officers appointed 
 them by the Governour, ... - 1623 
 
 Letter from General Washington to the Massa- 
 chusetts Congress; has learned with great 
 concern the inadequate strength of the Army ; 
 the number of Men from Massachusetts does 
 not amount to nine thousand; in the whole 
 Army not more than fourteen thousand five 
 hundred fit for duty, 1623 
 
 Letter from General Washington to General 
 Schuyler, - 1623 
 
 Letter from General Washington to the Presi- 
 dent of the Continental Congress, - - 1624 
 
 Return of the number of Killed, Wounded and 
 Missing, in the engagement on Bunker's Hill, 1628 
 
 Proceedings of a Council of War, held at Head- 
 Quarters, Cambridge, July 9, 1775, - - 1628 
 
 Returns of the Army of the United Colonies, 
 commanded by George Washington, General 
 and Commander-in-Chief, - 1629 
 
 Instructions for the Officers of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay Forces, who are immediately to go upon 
 the recruiting service, given at Head-Quar- 
 ters, July 10, 1775, 1630 
 
 General Orders, from July 3 to July 10, - - 1630 
 
 Letter from General Washington to Richard 
 Henry Lee, - 1635 
 
 Letter from General Thomas to General Wash- 
 ington; sends him prisoner a Master of a 
 Vessel from Boston, who has long been a sus- 
 pected person, ------ 1637 
 
 Notice of the Town-Clerk of Boston to the late 
 Inhabitants of that Town, to meet at Concord 
 on the 18th of July, to choose Representatives 
 to the General Assembly, - 1637 
 
 Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gen- 
 tleman in Philadelphia. Present situation of 
 the two Annies, - 1637 
 
 Letter from General Lee to the Massachusetts 
 Congress, 1638 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Congress to Gen- 
 eral Lee, 1638 
 
 Letter from General Lee to General Burgoyne, 
 declining the interview with him, - - 1638 
 
 Remarks on General Burgoyne's Letter to Gen- 
 eral Lee, dated July 8, 1775, ... 1639 
 
 Letter to General Burgoyne, on the subject of his 
 late correspondence with General Lee, - 1641 
 
 Declaration of Adam McCulloch, - 1642 
 
 Address to the People of England, ... 1643 
 
 Letter from John Grennell to the New- York 
 Congress, 1644 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 The supply of Powder has not yet been received 
 from the Committee of Elizabethtown, and the 
 want of it prevents supplying the very pressing 
 demands from the Camp before Boston. There 
 is great difficulty in carrying into execution 
 the Resolutions of Congress, from the want of 
 Money, 1780 
 
 Letter from General Wooster to the New- York 
 Committee of Safety, requesting their advice 
 about disposing of a Prisoner, who must be 
 sent somewhere, to be out of the way of an 
 enraged People, 1645 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to William Duer, one of the Judges of Char- 
 lotte County, approving his conduct in keeping 
 open and protecting the Courts, - - - 1779 
 
 Meeting of the New- York Committee, - - 1645 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler to the President 
 of the Continental Congress, ... 1645 
 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold to the Continental 
 Congress, 1646 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 1 1, Letter from General Schuyler to the New-York 
 Congress: requests them to send him imme- 
 diately a person fit to command the Sloop on 
 Lake Champlain, ----- 1647 
 11, Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Albany, to the 
 
 New- York Congress, .... 1647 
 
 1 1, Letter from Edmund Bridge, of Pownalborough, 
 
 to the Massachusetts Congress. The Inhabi- 
 tants are in danger of perishing by famine. 
 General Gage offers to supply them with pro- 
 visions if they will send him fuel ; this they 
 have refused to do. If they have bread, they 
 are ready to sacrifice their lives in the common 
 cause, ------- 
 
 12, Meeting of the Officers of the Military Associa- 
 
 tion for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, 
 12, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to Colonel Hinman. General Schuyler has 
 proceeded to the Northward, and will make 
 every arrangement in stationing the Troops 
 that will be for the general defence of the 
 United Colonies, - - - - - 
 12, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 They have formed into four Battalions the 
 three thousand Men, exclusive of the Green 
 Mountain Boys, which they were required to 
 raise by the Continental Congress, and would 
 be glad to be informed what their pay is to be. 
 There is no Powder for these Troops when 
 raised, - 1784 
 12, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 
 Congress, - 1649 
 
 12, Letter from Ethan Allen, at Bennington, to Go- 
 vernour Trumbull. If we do not march an 
 army into Canada, the Indians and Canadians, 
 who, in general, are disposed to be neuter, or 
 assistants to the United Colonies, will be com- 
 pelled to join against us, - 
 Letter from Governour Cooke to General Wash- 
 
 12, 
 
 1'2 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 
 12, 
 12, 
 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 
 13, 
 
 1648 
 1648 
 
 1783 
 
 13, 
 13, 
 
 1649 
 
 ington, - - 1649 
 
 Proclamation by Governour Cooke, requiring 
 every man in Rhode-Island, able to bear arms, 
 immediately to equip himself with Arms and 
 Ammunition, ------ 1650 
 
 Letter from Cambridge to a Gentleman in Phila- 
 delphia. Several skirmishes with the enemy, 1650 
 
 Letter from General Gates to General Lee, 
 urging him to complete his works without 
 delay, 1651 
 
 Letter from the Massachusetts Committee of 
 Supplies to the New- Hampshire Congress, - 1651 
 
 Selectmen of Francestown, New- Hampshire, 
 declare the Committee for that Town were 
 legally chosen, and that their acts are valid, - 1651 
 
 Committee for the County of Hillsborough, New- 
 Hampshire, declare John Quigly an enemy 
 to the Country, 1652 
 
 John Quigly 's Declaration of attachment to the 
 Liberties of America, - 1652 
 
 Committee of Francestown are satisfied with John 
 Quigly's Declaration, and request he may be 
 treated as a friend to his Country, - - 1652 
 
 Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Baltimore Town. Intercepted Letter from 
 James Christie, Merchant of Baltimore, laid 
 before the Committee: Proceedings upon it. 
 Mr. Christie declared an enemy to this Coun- 
 try, 1652 
 
 Copy of the Letter written by Mr. Christie to 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Christie, of His 
 Majesty's Sixtieth Regiment, at Antigua, dated 
 Baltimore, February 22, 1775, - - - 1652 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to General Schuyler, enclosing their Letter of 
 the 12th, to Colonel Hinman, ... 1785 
 
 Let.er from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to General Wooster, requesting information 
 as to a complaint that a Barge belonging to 
 His Majesty's Ship Asia had been drawn on 
 shore and detained, and that last night His 
 Majesty's store house, near Hudson's River, 
 had been broken open, and divers effects car- 
 ried away by violence, and that some of the 
 Troops under his command had been con- 
 cerned in both these acts, ... - 1785 
 
 Calm Address to the People of New- York, - 1655 
 
 Letter from Elisha Phelps, at Albany, to the 
 New- York Congress, .... 1657 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 cxxxv 
 
 1775. 
 
 Jvhj 13, Letter from Egbert Benson to Peter Van Brugh 
 
 Livingston, ...... 1657 
 
 13, Albany, New- York, Committee, authorize any 
 four of their Delegates to the Provincial Con- 
 gress to act for the County, ... 1658 
 
 13, Committee of Safety for Connecticut. The diffi- 
 culty with General Spencer arranged ; he 
 complained of and resented the promotion of 
 General Putnam over him, but was persuaded 
 to return to the Army for the present, - - 1658 
 
 13, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 
 Washington : congratulating him on his ap- 
 pointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Ame- 
 rican Army, '- - - - 1658 
 1 !, Recantation of James Leonard and others, of 
 Ulster County, New- York, who had hereto- 
 fore refused to sign the Association, - - 1659 
 
 14, Letter from General Washington to the Presi- 
 
 dent of Congress, ..... 1659 
 True account of the Officers of the Ministerial 
 Troops Killed and Wounded at the Battle of 
 Charlestown, June 17, 1775, - - - 1660 
 General Orders from July 11 to July 14, - - 1661 
 13, Court Martial held for the trial of Colonel Scam- 
 mons, of the Massachusetts Forces, accused of 
 backwardness in the execution of his duty in 
 the late action upon Bunker's Hill, - - 1662 
 
 1 5, Letter from General Wooster to the New- York 
 
 Committee of Safety: proposes to remove his 
 encampment, which is now too near to the 
 City, to Harlem, 1665 
 
 13, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 
 to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 Our enlisted men grow uneasy for want of 
 money, which prevents the enlistment of others: 
 we have no arms, we have no powder, we have 
 no blankets: for God's sake send us money, 
 send us arms, send us ammunition. Be pru- 
 dent, be expeditious, - - - - - 1 788 
 
 15, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to General Schuyler. We have ordered Tents 
 to Albany for one Regiment; our Troops can 
 be of no service to you ; they have no arms, 
 clothes, blankets, or ammunition; the Officers 
 no commissions; our Treasury no money; and 
 ourselves in debt, ..... 1730 
 
 15, Letter from General Schuyler, at Saratoga, to 
 
 the President of Congress, - - - - 1665 
 
 14, Letter from the Albany Committee to General 
 
 Schuyler, with alarming accounts from Tryon 
 County, - 1666 
 13, Letter from the Tryon County Committee to the 
 Committees of Schenectady and Albany. Co- 
 lonel Guy Johnson is ready with eight or nine 
 hundred Indians under Joseph Brandt and 
 Walter Butler to attack Tryon County; and 
 all the enemies of the Country it is feared 
 will rise in arms on approach of the Indians, 1666 
 Return of the Army of the Associated Colonies, 
 in the Colony of New- York, under the com- 
 mand of General Schuyler, - ... 1667 
 
 15, Letter from Gen. Schuyler to Gen. Washington, 1668 
 1 5, Letter from the Tryon County, New-York, Com- 
 mittee, to the Provincial Congress, - - 1668 
 
 15, Letter from the Committee for Newbury, Glou- 
 
 cester County, New- York, to the Provincial 
 Congress, ------- 1663 
 
 16, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash- 
 
 ington: enclosing a Letter from Albany and 
 two other papers, which have, in some mea- 
 sure, removed his apprehensions for the safety 
 of the P< ople of Tryon County, ... 1669 
 
 15, Letter from the Albany Committee to General 
 
 Schuyler, 1669 
 
 8, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson to the New- 
 York Congress : opened and read by the Alba- 
 ny Committee, and a copy sent to General 
 
 Schuyler, 1669 
 
 13, Examination of Garret Roseboom, of the City of 
 
 Albany, before the Sub-Committee, - - 1670 
 
 16, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 
 Congress. Intelligence from all quarters evinces 
 the necessity of strengthening the Garrisons of 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point : the fatal con- 
 sequences that would follow their loss are too 
 evident to need illustration, .... 1671 
 
 17, Meeting of Merchants of Dublin : thanks to Lord 
 
 Effingham, for having refused to serve against 
 
 the Americans, 1672 
 
 CXXXM 
 
 1775. 
 Jw/yl7, 
 
 Committee for Charles County, Maryland. Cer- 
 tificates for goods imported into this County 
 must be signed by five of the Committee of the 
 place whence they are sent, - ... 1673 
 17, Letter to the New- York Congress, from the 
 
 President of the Continental Congress, - - 1673 
 17, Letter to the New- York Congress, from their 
 Delegates at Philadelphia, recommending Mor- 
 gan Lewis for the appointment of Brigade Ma- 
 jor to the Army under the command of Gene- 
 ral Schuyler, ... - 1674 
 17, Letter from the Elizabeth town, New-Jersey, 
 Committee, to the Committee for New- York, 
 informing them they have forwarded four hogs- 
 heads, containing fifty- two quarter casks of 
 Powder from Philadelphia, - 1674 
 17, Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, Committee, restore 
 the Inhabitants of Richmond County, New- 
 York, to their commercial privileges, they 
 having, in general, signed the Association, - 1674 
 17, Letterfromthe Committeeof Safety for New- York 
 to the Colonels of the several Regiments . re- 
 questing them to make a return of the number 
 of Men ready and fit for service, in each Com- 
 pany, with all possible despatch, - 1674 
 17, Letter from John Lamb to the New- York Com- 
 mittee of Safety, requesting permission to enlist 
 his own Men for the Artillery, ... 1675 
 17, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New- 
 York Congress; enclosing four intercepted Let- 
 ters, and one from Colonel Guy Johnson, da- 
 ted July 8th, of which they had sent a copy to 
 General Schuyler, ----- 1675 
 
 17, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 
 Washington, ...... 1676 
 
 17, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 
 Schuyler, - - .... 1676 
 
 17, Conduct of Captains Ayscough and Wallace, 
 commanders of British Vessels of War, towards 
 the Inhabitants of Newport, Rhode- Island: of 
 their firing on the Town, seizure of vessels, and 
 threats to set fire to the Town, ... 1677 
 
 17, Committee for Lancaster, Worcester County, 
 
 Massachusetts, publish Nahum Houghton as 
 an enemy to his Country, - - - - 1678 
 14, Message from Governour Wentworth to the 
 New-Hampshire Assembly, requesting them 
 to rescind the vote excluding three Members 
 from the House returned by the King's writ, - 1678 
 
 Answer to the Governour's Message, refusing to 
 rescind the vote, ..... 1679 
 
 Message from the Governour to the House; their 
 refusing to rescind the vote for excluding the 
 three Members for Plymouth, Lyme, and Or- 
 ford, shows they did not meet with a disposi- 
 tion to proceed to business; he therefore adjourns 
 them to the 28th of September next, - - 1679 
 
 18, Letter from John Stuart, Superintendent of In- 
 
 dian A flairs, to the Committee of Intelligence 
 at Charlestown, South-Carolina, - - - 1681 
 18, Proceedings of the Committee at Dagsberry, Dela- 
 ware.on thecharges against Thomas Robinson, 
 of counteracting the measures of the Continen- 
 tal Congress, ------ 1682 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 A Committee was appointed by the Provincial 
 Congress previous to their adjournment, on the 
 subject of a Congress with the Five Nations: 
 the proceedings relating to it are enclosed, - 1793 
 Letter to the New- York Committee of Safety, 
 from their Delegates in the Congress. They 
 are sensible of the distress to which New- York 
 must be reduced for want of Money, Arms, and 
 Powder: the first will soon be supplied; no as- 
 surances can be given of a supply of Arms and 
 Ammunition, - 1684 
 18, Letter from Dr. John Mallett, (on board the 
 Ship Asia,) to William Allman, New- York ; 
 instructing him how he may convey a quantity 
 of Medicines from the City of New- York, on 
 board the Asia, ------ 1684 
 
 18, Letter from General Schuyler, at Ticonderoga, 
 
 to Governour Trumbull, ... - 1685 
 18, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash- 
 ington. Carleton has about four hundred Men 
 at St. John's, which he has well secured : at Ti • 
 conderoga nothing has been done for offence 
 or defence, 1685 
 
 18, 
 
 18, 
 
CXXXVII 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 1 8, Letter from General Washington to Governour 
 Trumbull, in reply to his Letter of the 13th 
 instant, - - - - ■ - 
 
 18, Letter from General Washington to Governour 
 Trumbull: regrets that the arrangement of the 
 General Officers has produced dissatisfaction ; 
 the subject is now before the Continental Con- 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1686 
 
 18, 
 
 gress, 
 
 - 1686 
 
 18, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 
 19, 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 20, 
 
 •20, 
 
 20, 
 
 21, 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull to President 
 Hancock. He omitted to state, in his Letter of 
 the 7th instant, that the Assembly had ordered 
 two Vessels to be fitted out, armed, and fur- 
 nished with men and warlike stores, for the 
 defence of the Sea-Coasts of the Colony. (Fac 
 simile.) opposite ----- 1686 
 Declaration by the Continental Congress of the 
 causes and necessity of their taking up arms, 
 read before the Army, on Prospect Hill, near 
 
 Boston, - - 1687 
 
 Instructions of General Gage to Captain Duncan 
 Campbell and Lieutenant Symes ; to proceed 
 to New- York, and receive such Men as may 
 be inclined to serve His Majesty, - - 1687 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Fredericktown, Ma- 
 ryland, to his friend in Baltimore. Reception 
 there of Captain Morgan's company of Rifle- 
 men, from Virginia, on their way to Boston, - 1687 
 Meeting of the Committee for Piscataway and 
 Bladensburgh, Maryland. Declare Luke Jef- 
 ferson and the several persons concerned in 
 importing, vending, purchasing, and receiving 
 certain goods from the Ships Diana and Ec- 
 lus, lying in the Eastern Branch of the Poto- 
 mack River, guilty of violating the Association 
 of the Continental Congress, - - - 1688 
 Letter from John Hancock to General Washing- 
 ton, introducing to him Mr. Ogden and Mr. 
 
 Burr of the Jerseys, 1689 
 
 Letter from John Hancock to the New- York 
 Committee of Safety; requesting them to send 
 what Powder they can spare to the Camp 
 
 before Boston, 1689 
 
 Address of the Committee of Safety of Hills- 
 borough, New- Hampshire, to Gen. Sullivan, - 1689 
 General Sullivan's Answer, - - - - 1689 
 Letter from General Sullivan to the New- Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety. The Army at 
 Medford is in great want of Bayonets, Guns 
 and Blankets, and Beds for the sick ; the New- 
 Hampshire Forces are without a Chaplain, - 1690 
 Letter from Colonel Reid to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, - - - - 1690 
 Committee for Wilmington, North-Carolina, re- 
 solve that John Collet should remain in posses- 
 sion of Fort Johnson. Collet escapes, and the 
 Fort is destroyed and the buildings burnt, - 1691 
 Letter from the several Volunteer Companies at 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, to the Committee of 
 the Borough of Norfolk, requesting to be in- 
 formed of the truth of a report that there are 
 Volunteers recruiting in Norfolk in opposition 
 to the Continental plan, - - - - 1691 
 Answer of the Committee to the Volunteers: 
 
 the report is without foundation, - - - 1692 
 Letter from Captain Montague of the Fowey, to 
 
 Captain Squire of the Otter, in Hampton Roads, 1692 
 Pastoral Letter from the Synod of New- York 
 and Philadelphia, to the Congregations under 
 their care, delivered from the Pulpit on the 
 20th of July, 1775, being the day appointed by 
 the Continental Congress for a General Fast, - 1692 
 Letter from Ethan Allen, at Ticonderoga, to the 
 
 New-York Congress, - 1695 
 Letter from Watertown, Massachusetts, to a Gen- 
 tleman in Philadelphia. Situation and opera- 
 tions of the Army, - 1696 
 Notice by order of Admiral Graves to all Sea- 
 faring People, that the Light Houses on 
 Thatcher's Island and at the entrance of Bos- 
 ton have been burnt and destroyed by the 
 
 Rebels, 1696 
 
 Letter from Salem, in Massachusetts, to a Gen- 
 tleman in London: within these few days we 
 have had offers of assistance from some Mari- 
 time Powers secretly conveyed to us ; their 
 offers are at present rejected, ... 1696 
 Newbern, North-Carolina, Committee, suspend 
 the Rev. James Reed, Minister of the Parish, 
 from his ministerial functions, for refusing to 
 
 1775. 
 
 July2\ 
 
 21, 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 
 21, 
 21, 
 21, 
 
 22, 
 22, 
 
 22, 
 22, 
 
 22, 
 
 23, 
 23, 
 
 CXXXIII 
 
 officiate yesterday, being the day appointed by 
 the Continental Congress for a General Fast, 1697 
 , Letter from Benjamin Harrison to Gen. Wash- 
 ington. Proceedings of Congress and opinions 
 of the Members on various subjects, - - 1697 
 Meeting of the Committee for Bucks County, 
 Pennsylvania, ------ 1699 
 
 Committee for Huntington, Long-Island, New- 
 York, acquit John Brush and others of the 
 charges against them, of having violated the 
 Continental or Provincial Association, - - 1699 
 Letter from Col. James Clinton to the New- York 
 
 Committee of Safety, 1700 
 
 Letter from Elisha Phelps to the Continental 
 Congress. No money has been placed in his 
 hands for procuring supplies for the Posts on 
 the Lakes; all his purchases having been 
 made on credit, he requests money to enable 
 him to discharge the debts, ... 1700 
 Return of Provisions, &c, forwarded to the 
 Northern Army by Elisha Phelps, Commis- 
 sary, from the 3d to the 20th day of July, - 1701 
 Letter from John N. Bleecker to the New- York 
 Congress, - - - - - - 1701 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler, at Ticonderoga, 
 to the Continental Congress. Ammunition is 
 very scarce; no Powder has yet come to hand, 
 and as yet very little Provision ; two hundred 
 Troops less than at the last return ; these bad- 
 ly, very badly armed, and but one Armourer 
 to repair the Guns. Nothing has been done 
 for raising the five hundred Green Mountain 
 
 Boys, 1702 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 Congress : urges them to send him supplies 
 
 and Troops, 1704 
 
 Letter from General Schuyler to Governour 
 
 Trumbull, 1704 
 
 Letter from General Heath to General Washing- 
 ton. Account of burning the Light-House in 
 the Harbour of Boston, ... - 1737 
 Letter from General Washington to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, ----- 1705 
 General Orders from July 15 to July 20, - 1707 
 Letter from General Washington to John Han- 
 cock, 1710 
 
 Letter from General Washington to Governour 
 
 Trumbull, 1710 
 
 Letter from Governour Wentworth to Theodore 
 Atkinson, enclosing a permit from Captain 
 Barclay of the Scarborough, for Boats to fish, 
 if the Town of Portsmouth will supply him 
 with fresh Provisions as usual, - - - 1710 
 Letter from John Hancock to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Congress, - - - - -1711 
 
 Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to their Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 New-Jersey has a very considerable number 
 of good Muskets and Bayonets, and they sug- 
 gest the propriety of an order from the Conti- 
 nental Congress that these may be valued and 
 delivered to New- York, - 1797 
 Letter from General Wooster to the Continental 
 Congress. Will hasten the march of his Troops 
 to Albany as rapidly as possible, - - - 1711 
 Letter from General Schviyler to the New- York 
 Congress : has four important Posts to main- 
 tain, with a small body of Troops, very ill- 
 armed, and with little Ammunition, - - 1711 
 Committee of Inspection for the Town of New- 
 Ipswich, in New-Hampshire, publish David 
 Hills as a violator of the Association, - - 1711 
 Appeal of David Hills to the Publick, - - 1712 
 Statement of Joseph Bates, Chairman of the 
 Committee, - - - - - -1712 
 
 Letter from Doctor Benjamin Church to a Bri- 
 tish Officer in Boston, giving him a statement 
 of the strength of the American Army, and 
 of their means of defence, - - - - 1713 
 
 William Henry Drayton and the Rev. William 
 Tennent appointed by the Council of Safety 
 for South- Carolina to go to the back country, 
 to explain to the People the causes of the pre- 
 sent disputes between Great Britain and the 
 
 Colonies, 1715 
 
 Commission to William Henry Drayton and 
 
 Rev. William Tennent, - - - - 1715 
 Letter to Mr. Drayton and Mr. Tennent, with 
 their Commission, - - - - - 1715 
 
1775. 
 
 Account of the Tory Leaders in the upper parts 
 of South-Carolina, (Note.) ... 1715 
 July 23, Letter from the Schenectady, New- York, Com- 
 mittee, to General Schuyler, informing him of 
 the flight of Alexander White, Sheriff of Tryon 
 County, 1730 
 
 '24, Meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Prince George's County, Maryland, at Piscat- 
 away, ....... 1716 
 
 24, Letter from John Adams to Mrs. Adams, - - 1717 
 
 24, Letter from John Adams to James Warren, - 1717 
 Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, dated August 26. The designs of the 
 leaders of the Rebellion prove that a plan was 
 laid in Massachusetts for a total independence, 
 while they amused the People with professions 
 of attachment to the Parent State, - - 1718 
 Remarks on the intercepted Letters of John 
 Adams, 1718 
 
 24, Letter from the New- York Committee of Safety 
 to the Continental Congress : are sorry to say 
 that the supposition of a quantity of Powder 
 being received there is without foundation, - 1719 
 
 24, Letter from Colonel Van Schaick to the New- 
 York Committee of Safety, - - - 1719 
 Return of the Second Provincial Regiment in the 
 Colony of New- York, under the command of 
 Colonel Van Schaick, - - - -1719 
 
 24, Meeting of the Committee of Safety for Connect- 
 icut. Committee appointed to make arrange- 
 ments for equipping and fitting out two Armed 
 Vessels, 1720 
 
 24, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 Schuyler. Is it not high time to proceed into, 
 and even hasten forward to secure the govern- 
 ment of Quebeck, and thereby the whole In- 
 dian strength and interest in our favour? - 1721 
 
 24, Note from General Lee to General Sullivan, - 1721 
 
 24, Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle- 
 man in Philadelphia. Information from Bos- 
 ton, brought out by deserters, ... 1722 
 
 24, Letter from General Gage to the Earl of Dart- 
 
 mouth. The Congress, in their declaration 
 for taking up arms, pay little regard to facts, 
 for it is as replete with deceit and falsehood as 
 most of their publications, - - - - 1723 
 25 Address of the Delegates of Virginia and Penn- 
 sylvania, in the Continental Congress, to the 
 Inhabitants of the two Colonies, on the West 
 side of Laurel Hill, urging them to lay aside 
 their disputes among themselves, and unite in 
 supporting the common rights of the Country, 1723 
 
 25, Letter from the President of the Council of Safe- 
 
 ty for South-Carolina to Clement Lempriere, 
 commander of the Sloop Commerce, ordering 
 him to proceed to the Island of New-Provi- 
 dence and procure all the Gunpowder he may- 
 find there, - - - - - - 1724 
 
 24, Commission from the South-Carolina Council of 
 
 Safety to Clement Lempriere, appointing him 
 Captain of the Sloop Commerce, belonging to 
 
 New- York, 1724 
 
 Captain Hatton's Report to the Council of Safe- 
 ty, of the occurrences which took place on 
 board the Sloop Commerce, in taking the 
 Powder from Captain Lofthouse, off Augustine 
 Bar, - - 1724 
 
 25, Letter from the Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, 
 
 Committee, to the New- York Congress, - 1726 
 
 25 Letter from Christopher P. Yates to the New- 
 York Congress, 1726 
 
 25 Letter from Sir John Johnson to Alexander 
 
 White, 1726 
 
 25, Letter from Governour Trumbull to the New- 
 York Congress, requesting them to furnish 
 Tents for the Connecticut Troops at Ticondc- 
 roga, 7 - 1726 
 
 25, Letter from General Thomas to General Wash- 
 ington, informing him of the sailing of thirteen 
 Ships from Boston, apparently bound to the 
 South, 1727 
 
 25, Letter to a Gentleman in London, from an Officer 
 in the Army at Boston. At present we arc 
 worse off than the Rebels: they know our 
 situation as well as we do ourselves, from the 
 villians that are left in Town; last week one 
 was caught swimming over to the Rebels, with 
 one of their General's passes in his pocket: he 
 will be hanged in a day or two, - - - 1727 
 
 CXL 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 26, Letter from a Gentleman in London to his friend 
 in New- York. The King does not mean to 
 enslave the Colonies; his bosom heaves with 
 compassion for the People there, under an 
 unhappy delusion: England asks nothing but 
 what is for the benefit of the Colonists them- 
 selves, and the Parliament could not, if they 
 would, divest themselves of the power they 
 exercise over the Colonies, ... 1727 
 
 26, Letter from Marinus Willett to the New- York 
 
 Congress, 1729 
 
 26, Letter from the Albany Committee to General 
 Schuyler. The apprehensions of the Inhabi- 
 tants of Tryon County, respecting the Indians, 
 are entirely removed, and the disputes between 
 the Inhabitants of the upper part of the Coun- 
 ty with Sir John Johnson and the Sheriff of 
 that County, amicably accommodated, - - 1746 
 
 26, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 
 Congress, ...... 1729 
 
 26, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 
 Congress, - - - - 1731 
 
 26, Letter from Colonel Reed, Secretary to General 
 
 Washington, to General Wooster, - - 1731 
 
 27, Letter from James Christie, Jim., of Baltimore, 
 
 to the Public k, relative to his Letter to Col. 
 Christie, of Antigua, written in February last, 1732 
 
 27, Meeting of the Officers of the Military Associa- 
 tion for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, 1733 
 
 27, Letter from the Committee for New-Brunswick, 
 New- Jersey, to the New- York Committee of 
 Safety, - 1733 
 
 27, Letter from the New- York Congress to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, ..... 1734 
 
 27, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 
 Congress, ...... 1734 
 
 An account of the voyage of Captain Remember 
 Baker, begun on the 13th day of July, and 
 ended July 25, 1775, on Lake Champlain, - 1735 
 
 27, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 Congress. Such intelligence has just been 
 received as makes it indispensably necessary 
 that the stores requested on the 3d instaut, 
 should be sent without one moment's delay, - 1735 
 
 27, Letter from General Washington to John Au- 
 gustine Washington, ----- 1735 
 
 27, Letter from General Washington to General 
 Schuyler, respecting three Companies of New- 
 Hampshire Troops, ----- 173G 
 
 27, Letter from Gen. Washington to the Continental 
 Congress. Three Men of War and nine Trans- 
 ports gone from Boston, as reported, to plunder 
 Block Island, Fisher's Island and Long Island, 
 and bring off what Cattle they may find, - 1736 
 General Orders, from July 22 to July 27, - 1737 
 
 27, Letter from Colonel Hurd to the New-Hamp- 
 
 shire Congress, ----- 1740 
 
 28, Letter from London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 
 phia. People here are anxious to hear the 
 Resolves of the Congress; and those who a 
 week ago thought General Gage had Troops 
 enough to march through America, now alter 
 their tone, on finding the dispute for a mile of 
 ground cost him one thousand and fifty-four 
 men wounded and slain, ... - 1741 
 
 28, Letter to the Printer of the London Morning 
 
 Chronicle: on the American question, - - 1742 
 
 28, Meeting of the Committee and Officers of the 
 Militia Company of York County, Pennsylva- 
 nia. Field-Officers for the Battalion of Min- 
 ute-Men chosen. Regulations for the Minute- 
 Men and Militia of the County, - - - 1741 
 
 28, Meeting of the Freeholders of Somerset County, 
 in the Province of New-Jersey. Committee of 
 Correspondence elected. Committee of Inspec- 
 tion for the several Towns recommended; who 
 are to take cognizance of every person, of what- 
 soever rank or condition, who shall, either by 
 word or deed, endeavour to destroy our unani- 
 mity in opposing the arbitrary and cruel mea- 
 sures of the British Ministry, ... 1745 
 
 28, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 
 Congress, 1745 
 
 25 Speech of two Oneida Indians, at a Conference 
 with the Albany Committee, on the 25th of 
 July, 1746 
 
 28, Certificate from Captain Delaplacc, that he never 
 saw Colonel Easton at the time Ticonderoga 
 was surprised, ------ 1087 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXLI 
 
 1775. 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 
 CXLI I 
 
 1747 
 
 - 1747 
 
 July 28, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 Schuyler, ...... 
 
 28, Letter from General Washington to General 
 Schuyler, ..... 
 
 28, Letter from Colonel Joseph Reed to Colonel 
 Baldwin, at Chelsea, enclosing a Letter from 
 Dr. Church, with instructions to have it con- 
 veyed into Boston, with the utmost secrecy and 
 despatch; and requests him after having made 
 himself master of the contents of this Letter to 
 destroy it, - 1748 
 
 28, Letter from Colonel Loammi Baldwin to General 
 
 Washington, - - - - - 1748 
 
 28, Letter from the Massachusetts Council to Gene- 
 ral Gates. The Jails of Worcester, Springfield 
 and Northampton are the most suitable places 
 for securing the Prisoners, and advise them to 
 
 be sent there, 1749 
 
 Orders from General Gates to Captain Baker, for 
 the removal of Prisoners to Worcester, to be 
 conveyed thence to Springfield, - 1749 
 Receipt of William Young, Chairman of the 
 Committee of Correspondence at Worcester, 
 for two Sergeants, two Corporals, eighteen Pri- 
 vates, and twelve Tories, prisoners, seat from 
 
 Head-Quarters, 1749 
 
 Receipt of the Chairman of the Springfield Com- 
 mittee for the same Prisoners, - - - 1749 
 
 28, Letter from Captain Bedel, at Haverhill, to the 
 
 New-Hampshire Committee of Safety. Objects 
 to serving out of the Colony in the rank of 
 Captain ; if sent to Canada, he expects to have 
 a Regiment, - - - - -. - 1749 
 
 29, Letter from Robert Washington, addressed to the 
 
 Convention of Virginia, on the defects of mili- 
 tary discipline in the American service. His 
 station in the Army in Europe, the last war, 
 made him thoroughly acquainted with all parts 
 of the Prussian infantry and artillery exercise, 
 and he freely offers his service to the publick, 
 to disseminate his information, ... 1750 
 
 29, Meeting of the Governour and Council of Penn- 
 sylvania. Petition of Dominique Du Casse, 
 Master of the Schooner Mary, belonging to 
 Martinico, laid before the Council, - - 1751 
 
 29, Letter from John Adams, at Philadelphia, to 
 
 Josiah Gluincy, - - - - - 1751 
 
 29, Letter from the New- York Delegates, in the 
 Continental Congress, to the Committee of 
 Safety. All the Powder that is or may be im- 
 ported into the Colony should be taken, and 
 none be permitted to go out of the Province, 
 but by the express direction of the Congress or 
 Committee of Safety, .... 1752 
 
 29, Letter from the Albany Committee to the New- 
 York Congress, ..... 1753 
 
 29, Letter from Walter Livingston, at Albany, to the 
 New- York Congress. The Fortress at Ticon- 
 deroga is in a ruinous condition. I dread the 
 consequence if General Schuyler should be 
 attacked by any considerable army ; he cannot 
 defend himself, and if defeated cannot retreat, - 1753 
 
 29, Letter from General Washington to the Speaker 
 of the House of Representatives of Massachu- 
 setts, suggesting some arrangement relating to 
 the coming out of the Inhabitants of Boston, - 1754 
 
 29, Letter from Colonel Baldwin to General Wash- 
 ington. Has had much upon his hands and 
 mind since he received Mr. Reed's Letter last 
 night, 1754 
 
 31, Letter from Governour Cooke to General Wash- 
 ington. Has had no account yet from any part 
 of the coast of the Fleet that lately sailed from 
 Boston, ....... 1754 
 
 29, Letter from General Sullivan to the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, ... 1755 
 
 31, Letters from London, dated July 31, 1775, which 
 were received and laid before the Continental 
 Congress. The plan of the Administration is 
 to take possession of New- York and Albany ; 
 to place strong garrisons in those cities ; de- 
 clare all Rebels who do not join the King; to 
 command the North and East Rivers, and cut 
 off all communication between the Eastern and 
 Southern Colonieg, - , . , . 
 
 31, Letter from Lord Shelburne to Arthur Lee, in 
 London, ...... 
 
 31, Letter from a Gentleman in Edenton, North- 
 C'aiolina,and one of the Delegates of Congress, 
 
 1755 
 1756 
 
 to a principal house in Edinburgh, Scotland. 
 We are in a terrible situation ; every Ameri- 
 can, to a man, is determined to die or be free. 
 We do not want to be independent : we want 
 no other revolution than a change of Ministry 
 and measures, ------ 1757 
 
 July 31, Meeting of the Officers of the Militia, in Bucks 
 County, Pennsylvania. The County divided 
 into three Battalions, and Field- Officers ap- 
 pointed, ------- 1757 
 
 31, Proclamation by Governour Tryon. Meeting of 
 the General Assembly further prorogued from 
 the 9th of August to the 6th day of September 
 next, 175S 
 
 31, Letter from Francis Stephens, in New- York, to 
 General Gage. Account of the depredations 
 committed on His Majesty's stores at Turtle 
 Bay, in New- York, on the 12th and 13th 
 instants, ------- 1758 
 
 31, Letter from General Schuyler to the Continental 
 Congiess. Has one vessel, sixty feet long, on 
 the stocks, expected to be finished in a week; 
 another of the same size is to be put up to-day, 
 so that there will soon be vessels enough to 
 move on, - - - - - -1/60 
 
 31, Letter from General Schuyler to the New- York 
 Congress. A controversy has arisen between 
 Allen and Warner, and the former has been 
 left out by the Green Mountain Boys, - - 1760 
 
 28, Letter from Nathan Clark to General Schuyler, 
 enclosing him the Proceedings of the Commit- 
 tees on the New- Hampshire Grants, - - 1761 
 Meeting of the Committees of the several Towns 
 on the New-Hampshire Grants, west of the 
 Green Mountains, at Dorset, on the 27th of 
 July. Field and Company Officers for a 
 Battalion of Green Mountain Boys chosen, - 1761 
 
 31, Letter from General Schuyler to Nathan Clark. 
 The choice of Company Officers being left 
 entirely to the People, those selected at Dorset, 
 on the 27th, are approved of; the choice of 
 Field Officers will be referred to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, - - - - - 1761 
 
 31, Letter from General Schuyler to Governour 
 Trumbull. No time ought to be lost in at- 
 tempting to gain possession of the Province of 
 Quebeck: we have hitherto had every pros- 
 pect of success, but our situation has not per- 
 mitted us to move, ..... 1762 
 
 31, Letter from General Schuyler to General Wash- 
 ington, 1762 
 
 31, Letter from Governour Trumbull to General 
 
 Washington, 1763 
 
 31, Proceedings of a Town Meeting held at Provi- 
 dence, in Rhode-Island, .... 1763 
 
 31, Letter from General Washington to the Speaker 
 of the House of Representatives of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, 1764 
 
 31, Letter from the Camp at Cambridge to a Gentle- 
 man in Philadelphia. Skirmishes with the 
 British, 1764 
 
 31, Account of the burning of the Light-House, on 
 
 Light-House Island, by Major Tupper, - 1765 
 
 31, Speech of the Chiefs of the Oneidas, respecting 
 the late murder committed in the Plantation of 
 the Butternuts, to the Committee of Cherry 
 Valley : to be communicated to the Inhabitants 
 of the Butternuts, ..... 17G6 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 July 3, Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, - - 1769 
 
 Resolutions of the Assembly appointing the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, ..... 17.39 
 
 Benjamin Franklin chosen President, and Wil- 
 liam Govett appointed Clerk, - - - 1771 
 
 Committee to provide patterns of Muskets, Bayo- 
 nets, Cartridge Boxes and Knapsacks, to be sent 
 to the Counties, - - - - -1771 
 
 Committee to procure any quantity of Powder 
 and Saltpetre in their power, with the utmost 
 expedition, - - - - - -1771 
 
 4, Committee to go to Red Bank, and view the 
 
 River and Islands, - - - - - 1771 
 
 Committee for providing Powder and Saltpetre 
 are required to procure two thousand good 
 Fire- Arms, - » - - - -1771 
 6, Doctor Franklin requested to procure a model of 
 
 a Pike, - 1771 
 
CXLIII 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 6, Committee who went to Red Bank report that 
 it is impracticable to lay a Boom across that 
 part of the River, - - - - - 1771 
 
 Committee for the construction of Boats and Ma- 
 chines for the defence of the River, - - 1771 
 
 Committee for inspecting Ordnance and Military 
 Stores, and to supply such deficiencies as may 
 be necessary, and provide a model of a Pike 
 
 or Spear, 1772 
 
 8, Model of a Pike Staff produced, and one ordered 
 
 to be made, 1772 
 
 John Wharton directed to build a Boat or Calevat, 
 of forty-seven or fifty feet keel, ... 1772 
 
 Owen Biddle to have a Pike made agreeable to 
 
 the pattern produced by Dr. Franklin, - - 1772 
 
 1 0, Emanuel Eyres directed to build a Boat agreeable 
 
 to the model produced by him this day, - 1772 
 
 11, Committee for building Boats and constructing 
 
 Machines for defence of the River authorized 
 
 to purchase a number of Pine Logs, - - 1772 
 
 13, Thanks of the Committee to Ebenezer Robinson, 
 
 for his Plan of stopping the Channel of the 
 River Delaware, 1773 
 
 14, Committee of Safety to examine the ground on 
 
 which it is proposed to raise a Battery, - 1773 
 
 15, Twelve Boats, and such Machines as may be 
 
 thought necessary, to be built by the Commit- 
 tee for the defence of the River, - 1773 
 
 Committee to ascertain if New-Jersey will assist 
 in the defence of the River, ... 1773 
 17, Henry Daugherty and John Rice appointed to 
 command two of the Boats building for the 
 defence of the River, .... 1773 
 
 Committee report that New-Jersey will give 
 every assistance in their power for the defence 
 
 of the River, 1773 
 
 24, Robert Smith presented the model of a Machine 
 
 for obstructing the navigation of the Delaware, 1775 
 28, Captain John McPherson offers his services for 
 
 the defence of this Country, ... 1776 
 
 Resolutions of the Continental Congress of the 
 18th of July, ordered to be entered on the 
 Minutes of the Committee, ... 1776 
 
 Committees of the several Counties in the Pro- 
 vince requested to make a Return of all the 
 Officers of the Military Association, - - 1776 
 31, William Bigland submitted to the Committee a 
 draught of a Rowing Wheel, which he pro- 
 posed to have fixed to the Provincial Row- 
 Boats, - 1778 
 
 Form of Commission for the Officers of the Mili- 
 tary Association, 1778 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 JulyX 1, Committee of Safety meets at the City Hall, - 1777 
 
 Letter from General Wooster for advice about 
 a Prisoner, 1778 
 
 He is required to send Peter Herring, the pri- 
 soner, to the Committee of Safety, - - 1778 
 
 Letter to William Duer, one of the Judges of 
 Charlotte County, 1779 
 
 Letter from Abraham Lott, informing them of a 
 demand upon him by Captain Collins, for Pro- 
 visions for the Nautilus, .... 1779 
 
 Mr. Lott authorized to comply with the order, - 1780 
 
 Letter from William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, 
 North Carolina Delegates, at Philadelphia, 
 dated June 8, 1780 
 
 Answer of the Committee, .... 1730 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con- 
 tinental Congress, in reply to one from them, 
 dated July 6, 1780 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull, dated Hart- 
 ford, July 7, 1781 
 
 Account of the Men who went from Manchester 
 to Ticonderoga, dated June 10, ... 1781 
 
 Letter from Burnet Miller, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Southampton, dated July 5, - - 1781 
 
 Peter Herring, convicted of assisting one Lundin 
 to get on board the Asia, man-of-war, ordered 
 to be confined in Connecticut until discharged 
 by the Continental Congress, ... 1782 
 12, Mr. Brasher directed to wait on the Mayor, and 
 request him to deliver the City Arms to the 
 Committee of Safety, .... 17S2 
 
 Letter to Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, - 1783 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con- 
 tinental Congress, ..... 1784 I 
 
 CXLIV 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 13, Letter to General Schuyler, .... 1785 
 
 Complaint from Captain Vandeput, that one of 
 the Boats belonging to the Asia has been taken, 
 and the crew made prisoners; and that His 
 Majesty's Store, near the Hudson, was broken 
 open last night, and divers effects carried off - 1785 
 
 Letter to General Wooster, requesting information 
 on the matter complained of by Captain Van- 
 deput, 1785 
 
 Doctor Samuel Bard permitted to attend the sick 
 Mariners of His Majesty's Ships, - - 1786 
 
 The Recorder, and Aldermen Brewerton and 
 Matthews, inform the Committee that the Boat 
 of the Asia has been burnt, ... 1786 
 
 Order to the Magistrates to inquire into the late 
 outrages on His Majesty's property, and punish 
 all persons concerned in them, as the law di- 
 rects, 1786 
 
 14, Letter to John Sloss Hobart, informing him that 
 
 certain persons in or near Huntington, on 
 Long-Island, are engaged in shipping Provi- 
 sions to General Gage, .... 1787 
 Committee to purchase old Copper, Brass and 
 other materials for casting a Brass Fieldpiece, 1787 
 
 15, Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti- 
 
 nental Congress, ..... 1789 
 Letter to General Schuyler, .... 1789 
 Letter to General Wooster, informing him pro- 
 vision has been made for removing his Camp 
 
 to Harlem, 1789 
 
 James Smith appointed to command on Lake 
 
 Champlain, 1790 
 
 Letter to General Schuyler, .... 1790 
 Herman Zedtwitz appointed Major of the First 
 Regiment of Troops now raising in this Colony, 1790 
 
 17, Articles of Agreement with Thomas Blockley, 
 
 who engages to send out from Britain ten good 
 Gunsmiths and Locksmiths, to the Colony of 
 New- York, to dwell and reside, there to carry 
 on their respective trades and occupations, - 1791 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Fairfield, in Connecti- 
 cut, requesting them to grant some indulgence 
 to Angus McDonald, 1791 
 
 Letter to the Colonels of the Regiments now 
 raising in this Colony, .... 1792 
 
 18, Mayor of the City, and the Magistrates, having 
 
 engaged a Carpenter to build a Boat for the 
 Asia, to replace that lately burnt, their con- 
 duct is approved, ..... 1790 
 
 Letter from Wolvert Ecker, Chairman of the 
 Committees of Newburgh and New^ Windsor 
 Precincts, with three persons charged with 
 being enemies to their Country, - - - 1792 
 
 Order to Colonel McDougall to receive John 
 Morrell, Adam Patrick and Isaiah Purdy.and 
 keep them in custody, .... 1793 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Albany: Powder for- 
 warded for General Schuyler, ... 1793 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con- 
 tinental Congress, ..... 1793 
 
 19, Letter to Jacob Bayley, at Newbury, in Glouces- 
 
 ter County, 1794 
 
 Letter to John Nicholson, New- Windsor, direct- 
 ing him to receive orders from Colonel James 
 Clinton, 1795 
 
 21, Letter to General Schuyler, enclosing a Resolu- 
 
 tion of the Continental Congress of July 17, - 1796 
 Colonel McDougall ordered to take possession 
 of the Town Barracks for the Troops under 
 his command, ...... 1797 
 
 Letter to the Committee of New-Brunswick, 
 New- Jersey. Boats are frequently loaded there 
 with Flour for the British, .... 1797 
 
 22, Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Con- 
 
 tinental Congress : propose application for the 
 New-Jersey Muskets, - - - - 1798 
 Letter to Rev. John Peter Tetard, with his ap- 
 pointment as Interpreter to General Schuyler, 
 and Chaplain to the New- York Troops, - 1798 
 
 24, Letter to the President of the Continental Con- 
 
 gress, ....... 1799 
 
 25, Adjourned to meet in Congress, to-morrow morn- 
 
 ing, at nine o'clock, ----- 1799 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 26, Provincial Congress meets, - - - - 1800 
 Committee of Safety delivered in a Report of 
 
 their Proceedings, - - - - - 1801 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXLV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CXLVI 
 
 Le tter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, recommending Ebenezer 
 Hazard for Postmaster of the City of New- 
 York, 1802 
 
 July 27, William Duer, appointed Deputy Adjutant-Gen- 
 eral, 1803 
 
 Letter to the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, informing him of their appointment of 
 Deputy Adjutant-General, - - - - 1803 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, ----- 1804 
 
 Military Committee appointed, for fourteen days, 
 with full power, during that time, to order and 
 dispose of all things whatsoever, relating to or 
 concerning the Troops raised, or to be raised, 
 
 in this Colony, 1804 
 
 28, Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, on the subject of Tea, - 1805 
 
 Letter to the New- York Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, on the subject of Flaxseed, - 1806 
 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull, on furnishing 
 
 Tents for Colonel Hinman's Regiment, - 1806 
 
 Letter to VVolvert Ecker and Samuel Brewster,* 
 Chairmen of the Committees of New- Windsor 
 and Newburgh, informing them that Morrell, 
 Patrick and Purdy are released from confine- 
 ment, 1806 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius directed to forward one thou- 
 sand Tents to Colonel Hinman, for the Con- 
 necticut Troops at Ticonderoga, - - - 1807 
 31, Letter to the Committee of Correspondence for 
 
 Easthampton and Southold, ... 1809 
 Aug. 1, The Congress informed by the Recorder that the 
 Boat which had been building for the Asia, 
 by order of the Committee of Safety, was sawed 
 to pieces, and entirely destroyed, - - - 1810 
 
 2, Letter from the New-Brunswick, New-Jersey, 
 
 Committee, - - - - - - 1811 
 
 Motion by Mr. Low, that the persons who de- 
 stroyed the Barge belonging to His Majesty's 
 Ship Asia are base violators of the Association 
 subscribed by the Congress, - - - 1 8 1 2 
 
 Mr. Low's motion to be considered on Friday 
 next, 1812 
 
 Queries presented to the Congress by the Com- 
 pany Officers of the First Regiment, - - 1812 
 
 Answers to the Queries, - - - - 1812 
 
 3, Chairman of the New- York Committee requested 
 
 to summon the Committee immediately, to con- 
 sider the papers relating to George Coffin's 
 Vessel and Cargo, - - - - - 1813 
 
 Letter from Peter T. Curtenius, ... 1814 
 
 Letter to the Committee of Elizabethtown, New- 
 Jersey, 1814 
 
 Letter to General Washington, for blank Com- 
 missions for the Officers, - - - - 1814 
 
 Patrick Sinclair, having accepted the office of 
 Lieutenant-Governour of Michilimackinack, is 
 ordered by the Congress not to proceed thither, 
 and is sent on his Parole to Suffolk County, - 1815 
 
 4, Permission given to Mr. Harper, of Harpersfield, 
 
 near Cherry Valley, to purchase one hun- 
 dred weight of Gunpowder, at the Mill of Ro- 
 bert R. Livingston, on his paying Money for 
 the same, ....... 1315 
 
 Patrick Sinclair, refusing to sign the Parole, is 
 placed under Guard, - - - - - 1815 
 
 Motion by Mr. Sears, that Capt. Patrick Sinclair 
 be sent to Hartford, in Connecticut, rejected, - 1816 
 
 Letter from Philip Livingston and George Clin- 
 ton, at Philadelphia, informing them that Mo- 
 ney will be forwarded immediately, - - 1816 
 
 Members who are absent by order of this, or the 
 Continental Congress, to be counted as present, 
 whenever a vote is taken, the Members pre- 
 sent voting for the County, - - . - 1816 
 
 Mr. John De Lancey reprimanded by the Presi- 
 dent for language used to Mr. Scott, a Member, 
 while the Congress was sitting, - .-' - 1817 
 
 Mr. De Lancey and Mr." Scott directed to let the 
 dispute drop, and proceed no further in it, - 1817 
 
 5, Committee appointed to consider of the Ways and 
 
 Means best adapted to discharge the Debts al- 
 ready contracted, or which may hereafter be 
 contracted for the exigencies of the Colony, 
 in its present critical and alarming situation, - 1817 
 John Foster permitted to ship a cargo of Live 
 Stock to the West- Indies, that he may be there- 
 by enabkd to procure Military Stores, - - 1818 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ■ 
 
 Pay and Clothing allowed to the Troops en- 
 listed by this Colony, 1818 
 
 Letter from the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, dated August 1, 1775, ... 1818 
 
 Proceedings on the Resolutions moved by Mr. 
 Low, on the 2d instant, with respect to the in- 
 sult offered to this Congress, by destroying the 
 Boat belonging to the Asia, - - - 18 IS 
 
 Mr. Melancton Smith's motion to reject the Reso- 
 lutions, rejected, - - - - -1818 
 
 Resolutions adopted, and with their preambulary 
 recitals or introductions, as amended and agreed 
 to, ordered to be entered on the Journals as 
 part of the proceedings of Congress ; and be 
 published in the Newspapers, ... 1819 
 
 Committee of the City of New- York requested 
 to take the proper measures for discovering the 
 persons who sawed and destroyed the Boat 
 lately ordered to be built for the use of His 
 Majesty's Ship Asia, 1820 
 
 Secretary directed to procure a certified copy of 
 the rates of the pay of the Troops in the Con- 
 tinental Army, from a Colonel downwards, - 1820 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 MaijlO, The Congress convened in the State-House, at 
 
 Philadelphia, 1819 
 
 List of the Delegates from the several Colonies, 1819 
 Peyton Randolph chosen President, and Charles 
 
 Thomson Secretary, - - - - - 1819 
 Rev. Mr. Duche requested to open Congress 
 with prayers to-morrow morning, - - 1820 
 
 11, Congress opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr. 
 
 Duche, 1820 
 
 Credentials of the Delegates read and approved, 1820 
 
 Doors to be kept shut during the time of business, 
 and Members under the strongest obligations 
 of honour to keep the proceedings secret, - 1824 
 
 Letter from the Agents, William Bollan, Benj. 
 Franklin and Arthur Lee, dated London, Feb- 
 ruary 5, 1775, laid before Congress and read, 1824 
 
 Papers accompanying the Letter of the Agents, 
 submitted to Congress this day, (Note,) - 1825 
 
 Letters and Papers from the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, submitted by Mr. Hancock, - - 1826 
 
 Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts to the American Continental Congress, 
 dated May 3, 1826 
 
 Resolves of the Massachusetts Congress, passed 
 May 3, for borrowing One Hundred Thousand 
 Pounds, enclosed in the preceding Letter, - 1828 
 
 Depositions and Address ordered to be published, 1829 
 
 State of America to be considered on Monday 
 next in Committee of the Whole, - - 1829 
 
 Letter from Massachusetts referred to that Com- 
 mittee, ------- 1829 
 
 12, Met and adjourned, 1829 
 
 13, Lyman Hall admitted as a Delegate from the 
 
 Parish of St. John's, Georgia, - - - 1829 
 Mr. Hall's Credentials — Address of the Inhabi- 
 tants of St. John's Parish to Congress ; their 
 Letter of February 2, to the Committee of 
 Correspondence in Charlestown, South-Caro- 
 lina; — answer of the Committee, dated Feb- 
 ruary 9 ; and choice of the Delegate, March 
 
 21, 1775, 1829 
 
 Petition from Frederick County Virginia, - 1831 
 
 15, Order of the Day read, and, after some debate, 
 
 postponed, - - - - - -1831 
 
 Application from New- York for advice, how to 
 conduct themselves with regard to the Troops 
 expected there, - - - - - -1831 
 
 Delegate from St. John's, in Georgia, to have the 
 same privileges as the other Delegates, except 
 voting when a question is taken by Colonies, 1831 
 Credentials of Delegates from Rhode- Island, - 1832 
 Advice to the Inhabitants of New- York to act 
 on the defensive, if the Troops, expected from 
 England, arrive, ----- 1832 
 
 Committee appointed to consider what Posts 
 
 should be occupied in New- York, - - 1832 
 State of America to be further considered to- 
 morrow, ------- 1532 
 
 16, Memorial from Robert and John Murray, - 1832 
 Congress in Committee of the Whole, on the 
 
 state of America, ----- 1832 
 
 17, Exportationsto Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, St. John's, 
 
 Newfoundland, Georgia, (except the Parish of 
 
CXL.VII 
 
 1775. 
 
 St. John's,) and to East and West Florida, pro- 
 hibited, 1833 
 
 May 18, Rules of last Congress adopted, ... 1833 
 
 Intelligence received of the surprising and taking 
 of Ticonderoga, ..... 1833 
 
 Mr. Brown called in to give an account of the 
 disposition of the Canadians, the taking of Ti- 
 conderoga, and the importance of that Post, - 1833 
 
 Congress approve the taking of Ticonderoga, 
 and direct the removal of the Cannon and 
 Stores to the south end of Lake George, to be 
 there taken care of, and returned when the 
 restoration of harmony between Great Britain 
 and the Colonies shall render it prudent to do so, 1833 
 
 19, List of the Delegates to the Congress in Phila- 
 
 delphia this day, (Note,) .... 1834 
 Report from the Committee on establishing Posts 
 in New- York, read and referred to the Com- 
 mittee of the Whole on the state of America, 1834 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, ..... 1834 
 
 20, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1834 
 
 22, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1834 
 
 23, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1834 
 
 24, John Hancock chosen President, Mr. Randolph 
 
 being necessarily absent, .... 1835 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1835 
 
 25, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1835 
 
 Committee of the Whole report in part, recom- 
 mending the establishment of Posts at King's- 
 Bridge, and in theHighlands on Hudson River; 
 the embodying of the Militia, and the enlist- 
 ment and regulation of Troops by the Provin- 
 cial Congress, ------ 1835 
 
 Motion for an addition to the Resolutions respect- 
 ing New- York, after some debate, postponed 
 till to-morrow, ------ 1836 
 
 26, Resolution of the Assembly of New- Jersey of 
 
 May 20, with a copy of the Resolution of the 
 House of Commons of February 27, laid before 
 Congress by a Delegate from New-Jersey, 
 and referred to the Committee of the Whole 
 on the state of America, .... 1836 
 
 Consideration resumed of the motion made yester- 
 day, for an addition to the Resolutions respect- 
 ing New- York, 1836 
 
 Provincial Congress of New- York advised to 
 persevere vigorously for their defence, as it is 
 uncertain whether the endeavours of Congress 
 to accommodate the differences with Great Bri- 
 tain by conciliatory measures will be successful, 1836 
 
 Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 People of Canada, ----- 1836 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1836 
 
 Committee of the Whole report further, several 
 Resolutions, which were read and adopted, - 1836 
 
 The Colonies to be immediately put in a state of 
 defence, to secure them against all attempts to 
 enforce the Acts for taxing the Colonies by 
 force of arms, - 1837 
 
 I 'etition to be presented to the King, - - 1837 
 
 Measures for opening a negotiation, to accommo- 
 date the differences between Great Britain and 
 the Colonies, to be made part of the Petition 
 to the King, 1837 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, . 1837 
 29, Letter from the Convention of New- Jersey, read 
 
 and referred to the Committee of the Whole, 1837 
 
 A Gentleman introduced to the Congress, to give 
 a just and full account of the state of affairs in 
 Canada, - 1837 
 
 Report of the Committee to prepare a Letter to 
 Canada, after some debate, recommitted, • 1837 
 
 Committee appointed to consider on ways and 
 means to supply the Colonies with Ammuni- 
 tion and Military Stores, » 1837 
 
 Memorial of Robert Murray and John Murray 
 considered, - - - - - 1838 
 
 Committees in the Colonics authorized to restore 
 to publiek favour persons convicted of violating 
 the Continental Association, on their being satis- 
 fied they will not offend in future, - - 1838 
 
 CXLVI1I 
 
 1775. 
 
 M«j/29, Letter to the Inhabitants of Canada, again re- 
 ported; and agreed to, .... 1838 
 
 Provisions not to be sent to the Island of Nan- 
 tucket, except from Massachusetts, - - 1839 
 
 Committee to consider the best means to establish 
 a Post for conveying Letters and intelligence 
 through the Continent, .... 1839 
 
 30, Paper drawn up by Grey Cooper, brought by a 
 
 Gentleman just from London, who received it 
 from Lord North, presented by Mr. Willing, 
 and read, - 1840 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1 840 
 
 31, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1840 
 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold, dated Crown Point, 
 May 23, calling for a re-enforcement and sup- 
 plies, 1840 
 
 Governour Trumbull requested to send a re-en- 
 forcement; and the Provincial Congress of 
 New- York requested to furnish Provisions 
 and other necessary Stores, - - - - 1841 
 
 Governour Trumbull requested to appoint a per- 
 son to take command at Crown Point and 
 Ticonderoga, - 1841 
 June 1, Report of the Committee on supplying Ammuni- 
 tion and Military Stores, read and referred to 
 the Committee of the Whole, - - - 1841 
 
 Congress, having nothing in view but the defence 
 of the Colonies, direct that no expedition be 
 undertaken against Canada, - - - 1841 
 
 Petition from the Inhabitants of Augusta County, 
 Virginia, west of the Alleghany Mountains, 
 read and referred to the Delegates for Virginia 
 and Pennsylvania, - - - - - 1841 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1841 
 
 2, Letter from the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 
 chusetts, dated Watertown, May 16, read, laid 
 on the table, and Dr. Church, who brought the 
 Letter, introduced and heard, ... 1842 
 Resolutions prohibiting supplies of Money or 
 Provisions to Officers of the British Armv or 
 Navy, - 1843 
 
 3, Letter from New- York, with sundry Letters and 
 
 Papers cnclnsal, from Albany, received and 
 read, 1843 
 
 Committee to consider the Letter from Massachu- 
 setts, dated May 1 6, 1843 
 
 Committee to borrow Six Thousand Pounds for 
 the use of America, and to apply it to the pur- 
 chase of Gunpowder for the Continental Army, 1 843 
 
 Committees to report a Petition to the King ; an 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain ; 
 an Address to the People of Ireland ; a Letter 
 to the Inhabitants of Jamaica; and an estimate 
 of the Money necessary to be raised, - - 1843 
 
 5, Several Colonies not being represented, adjourned 
 
 till to-morrow, - - - - 1843 
 
 6, The several Committees not being ready to report, 
 
 adjourned till to-morrow, .... 1844 
 
 7, Report of the Committee of an estimate of the 
 
 Money necessary, read and referred to the 
 Committee of the Whole, .... 1844 
 
 Committee to prepare a Resolve appointing the 
 20th day of July next, for a day of Fasting 
 and Prayer, ...... 1844 
 
 Report of the Committee on the Letter from 
 Massachusetts, read and laid on the table, ~ 1844 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, - - - - - 1844 
 
 8, Committee to examine the papers of Major Skene, 
 
 who arrived last evening from London, - - 1844 
 State of America further considered" in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1844 
 
 9, Report on the Letter from Massachusetts, con- 
 
 sidered and agreed to, .... 1844 
 People of Massachusetts advised to elect Repre- 
 sentatives, and exercise the powers of Govern- 
 ment, - - 1845 
 
 10, Letters from Massachusetts- Bay, Ticonderoga, 
 
 Crown Point, &c, received and read, • - 1845 
 New-Hampshire, Rhode-Island, Connecticut and 
 interior Towns of Massachusetts, requested to 
 furnish the American Army before Boston 
 with all the Powder they can spare, - - 1845 
 AH the Colonies requested to collect Saltpetre 
 and Sulphur, to be made into Gunpowder, for 
 the use of the Continent, , , , . 1845 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
CXLIX 
 
 1775. 
 
 COiNTENTS. 
 
 1775. 
 
 Committee to devise the ways and means to in- 
 troduce the manufacture of Saltpetre in these 
 Colonies, - - - - . ► **wunflH» 
 
 Governour Skene released on parole, 
 June 12, Report of the Committee on a day of Fa&ting 
 and Prayer read and agreed to, - 
 
 Ways and means of raising Money, considered 
 in Committee of the Whole, - 
 
 1 3, Ways and means of raising Money, and the state 
 
 of America, further considered in Committee of 
 the Whole, 
 
 1 4, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, and further report, in part, 
 made, - 
 
 Ten Companies of Riflemen to be raised for the 
 
 Army near Boston, - 
 Committee to prepare Rules and Regulations for 
 
 the government of the Army, - 
 
 15, Ways and means of raising Money, and the state 
 
 of America, further considered in Committee of 
 the Whole, and further report, in part, made, - 
 George Washington unanimously elected Gene- 
 ral of all the Continental Forces, raised, or to 
 be raised, for the defence of American Liberty, 
 
 16, The President, from the Chair, informed George 
 
 Washington of his appointment, and reqneeti d 
 his acceptance of it, - 
 
 Colonel Washington's Answer, ... 
 
 Committee to prepare a Commission and Instruc- 
 tions for the General, - 
 
 Committee to consider the Papers from New- 
 York, relative to Indian Affairs, - 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole,- and further report, in part, 
 made, - 
 
 General and Staff-Officers to be appointed, and 
 their pay fixed, - - - - 
 
 17, Commission for the General reported by the 
 
 Committee, and agreed to, - 
 
 Declaration of the Congress to maintain, assist, 
 and adhere to the General with their lives and 
 fortunes, in maintaining the liberties of America, 
 
 Artemas Ward and Charles Lee chosen Major- 
 Generals, and Horatio Gates Adjutant-Gene- 
 ral, -------- 
 
 19, Letters from the Conventions of Massachusetts 
 and New- York, received and read, 
 
 Committee to inform General Lee of his appoint- 
 ment, and request his answer whether he will 
 accept the command, - - - - 
 
 General Lee, before he accepts, desires an inter- 
 view with a Committee respecting his private 
 fortune, ------- 
 
 Committee appointed, and, after an interview, re- 
 port an estimate of the estate he risked by this 
 service, ------- 
 
 Congress resolve to indemnify General Lee for 
 any loss of property he may sustain by enter- 
 ing into their service, - - - - - 
 
 Connecticut, Rhode-Island and New-Hampshire 
 requested to re-enforce the Army before Bos- 
 ton, - 
 
 Philip Schuyler and Israel Putnam chosen Ma- 
 jor-Generals, ------ 
 
 Petition to the King reported by the Committee, 
 Instructions to the General, - 
 Thomas Jefferson appeared as Delegate from 
 
 Virginia, in place of Peyton Randolph, 
 Committee to consider sundry queries from the 
 General, ------- 
 
 Eight Brigadier-Generals chosen, - 
 Two Millions of Spanish Milled Dollars to be 
 emitted by Congress in Bills of Credit, for the 
 defence of America, and the Twelve Confede- 
 rated Colonies pledged for'their redemption, - 
 Pennsylvania to raise two more Companies of 
 Riflemen, making eight Companies, to be 
 formed into a Battalion, - - - - 
 
 23, Letter from the Officer at Crown Point, dated 
 June 10, received and read, ' - 
 Colonel Allen and Captain Seth Warner called 
 
 in to communicate important intelligence, 
 Provision for the payment of the Officers and 
 
 Men employed in taking Ticonderoga, - 
 New- York Convention requested to raise a body 
 
 of Green Mountain Boys, ■. 
 Committee to draw up a Declaration, to be pub- 
 lished by General Washington, upon his arri- 
 val at the Camp before Boston, * 
 
 20, 
 21, 
 
 22, 
 
 1846 
 1846 
 
 1S46 
 
 1847 
 
 1847 
 
 1847 
 1847 
 1847 
 
 1848 
 
 1848 
 
 1848 
 1848 
 
 1849 
 
 1849 
 
 1849 
 1849 
 1850 
 
 1850 
 
 1850 
 1850 
 
 - 1850 
 1851 
 1851 
 1851 
 
 1851 
 
 1851 
 1851 
 1851 
 
 - 1852 
 
 1852 
 1853 
 
 1853 
 
 1853 
 1853 
 1853 
 1853 
 1853 
 
 1853 
 
 CL 
 
 1854 
 1854 
 1854 
 
 - 1854 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, and further report, in part, 
 made, ....... 
 
 Number and denomination of Bills of Credit to 
 be emitted, ...... 
 
 June24, Committee on putting the Militia in a proper state 
 for the defence of America, ... 
 
 Declaration to be published by General Wash- 
 ington, reported, read, debated, and referred for 
 further consideration, - - - - 
 
 26, Resolutions adopted, recommending to the People 
 
 of North-Carolina to associate for the defence 
 of American Liberty, and to embody as Militia, 
 under proper Officers; and the Assembly or 
 Convention of that Colony authorized to raise 
 one thousand Men, to form part of the Ameri- 
 can Army, and be paid by this Congress, - 1854 
 Declaration further considered, debated, and re- 
 committed, ...... 1855 
 
 Committee for Indian Affairs reported, - - 1855 
 Committee for the City of Philadelphia requested 
 to furnish a supply of Powder for Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point, ----- 1855 
 
 27, Governour Skene sent under guard to Connecti- 
 
 cut, to be confined there on parole, - - 1855 
 Letter from Massachusetts Convention, dated June 
 
 20, with several other Letters, received and read, 1 355 
 Instructions to General Schuyler, who is autho- 
 rized to take possession of St. John's, Montreal, 
 or any other part of Canada, if practicable, and 
 not disagreeable to the Canadians, - - 1855 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, re- 
 ported, - 1856 
 
 28, Consideration of the Articles of War resumed, 
 
 and debated, 1856 
 
 29, Letters and Speeches from the Chiefs of the Stock- 
 
 bridge Indians, to the Congress, and a Mes- 
 sage from them to the Canada Indians, re- 
 ceived. and read, - - - - - 1856 
 Consideration of the Articles of War resumed, 
 
 debated, and deferred till to-morrow, - - 1856 
 
 30, Articles of War further considered and agreed to, 1856 
 Committee to examine the Rules and Articles of 
 
 War, and get them printed, - ... 1863 
 Committee for Indian Affairs directed to prepare 
 
 proper Talks for the Indians, ... 1863 
 July 1, If any Agent of the Ministry shall induce any of 
 the Indian Tribes to commit hostilities against 
 the Colonies, then the Colonies ought to avail 
 themselves of an alliance with such of the In- 
 dians as will unite with them to oppose British 
 
 Troops, 1863 
 
 General Schuyler directed not to remove Gene- 
 ral Woostcr from New-York, but to raise as 
 many Green Mountain Boys as will be neces- 
 sary to execute his Instructions of the 27th of 
 June, 1863 
 
 3, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, and further report, in part, 
 made, 1863 
 
 4, Two Acts of the present Parliament for restrain- 
 
 ing the Trade and Commerce of the Colonies, 
 are unconstitutional, oppressive, and cruel, and 
 the Continental Association should apply to 
 
 them, 1864 
 
 Petition to the King further considered, debated, 
 
 and postponed till to-morrow, ... 1864 
 
 5, Letters from General Schuyler of the 2d and 3d 
 
 of July, received and read, ... ]864 
 Order of the 27th of June, respecting the sending 
 of Governour Skene to Connecticut, to be car- 
 ried into immediate execution, ... 1864 
 Petition to the King further considered, debated, 
 and agreed to, - 1865 
 
 6, Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain further 
 
 considered and recommitted, - - - 1 865 
 Declaration by the Representatives of the United 
 Colonies, of North-America, now met in Con- 
 gress, at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes 
 and necessity of their taking up arms, - - 1865 
 Fragment of a Speech made in the General Con- 
 gress of America, by one of the Delegates. 
 
 (Note,) - 1865 
 
 Committee directed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of Lon- 
 don, 1869 
 
 7, Address to the People of Great Britain, again 
 
 reported, and, after debate, the further consi- 
 deration deferred till to-morrow, - - - 1869 
 
CLT 
 
 1775. 
 
 July 8, Petition to the King, signed by the several Mem- 
 bers, 1870 
 
 Letter to the Lord Mayor, &c, of London, re- 
 ported and read, ----- 1872 
 
 Committee to prepare a Letter to Richard Penn, 
 and the Colony Agents, in England, - - 1872 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, 
 further considered, debated, and agreed to, - 1872 
 
 Letter to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery 
 of London, ------ 1877 
 
 Letter to Mr. Penn and the Colony Agents, - 1878 
 
 10, A Gentleman well acquainted with the situation 
 
 and disposition of the Indians, introduced and 
 heard by the Congress, ... - 1878 
 Talks to the Indians reported and read, - - 1878 
 Report of the Committee on putting the Militia 
 in a proper state of defence, was made, read, 
 debated, and deferred till to-morrow, - - 1878 
 
 1 1, Report on Indian Affairs taken up, read, debated, 
 
 and deferred till to-morrow, ... 1878 
 An Address of the Deputies from the different 
 Parishes of the Island of Bermuda, presented 
 and read, 1878 
 
 12, Gentleman in Town, from the Province of due- 
 
 beck, called in to give intelligence of the dis- 
 position of the Canadians, - - - - 1878 
 
 Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs, con- 
 sidered, debated, and agreed to, - - - 1878 
 
 Committee to devise ways and means to protect 
 the Trade of these Colonies, - - - 1880 
 
 Speech to the Six Nations of Indians, read, 
 debated, and agreed to, - - - -1880 
 
 Commissioners for Indian Affairs in the Middle 
 and Northern Departments chosen, - - 1883 
 
 14, Report of the Committee on the Militia further 
 
 considered and debated, ... - 1883 
 
 15, Report on the Militia resumed, and agreed to, - 1883 
 Vessels importing Gunpowder, Saltpetre, Sul- 
 phur, Brass Fieldpieces, or good Muskets 
 fitted with Bayonets, permitted to load with the 
 produce of the Colonies, ... - 1883 
 
 Extracts from intercepted Letters from Lord 
 Dartmouth to Governour Martin and Govern- 
 our Wright, received and read, - - - 1884 
 
 Talk to the Stockbridge Indians considered, 
 debated, and agreed to, ... - 1884 
 
 17, General Wooster directed to send one thousand 
 
 of the Connecticut Forces under his command 
 
 to Albany, 1884 
 
 President directed to write an Answer to the Ad- 
 dress from Bermuda, ... - 1884 
 
 18, Commissioners of the Northern Department di- 
 
 rected to employ Mr. Kirkland among the Six 
 Nations of Indians, ----- 1886 
 Report of the Committee on putting the Militia 
 in a proper state of defence, considered and 
 agreed to, ------ 1885 
 
 19, Letter from the General, with sundry Papers, re- 
 
 ceived, ------- 1886 
 
 Company of Matrosses to be raised in Philadel- 
 phia, and sent to the Army before Boston, - 1886 
 
 Committee to report on the method of establish- 
 ing a Hospital, - 1886 
 
 New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode- 
 Island and Connecticut requested to complete 
 and forward their Regiments without delay, - 1886 
 
 Paragraph in the General's Letter, respecting an 
 easier communication between him and the 
 Congress, referred for consideration on Satur- 
 day next, 1886 
 
 Committee to bring in an estimate of the expenses 
 incurred by the Votes and Resolves of Con- 
 gress, 1886 
 
 Choice of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, in 
 the Southern Department, left to the Council of 
 Safety for South-Carolina, - - - - 1887 
 
 20, Letter from the Convention of Georgia, setting 
 
 forth that that Colony had acceded to the Gene- 
 ral Association, and appointed Delegates to 
 
 attend the Congress, 1887 
 
 General Schuyler empowered to dispose of and 
 employ all the Troops in the New- York 
 Department as he may think best, - - 1887 
 
 21, Address to the Inhabitants of Jamaica, reported 
 
 and laid on the table, .... 1887 
 
 CLII 
 
 1775. 
 
 Address to the Inhabitants of Ireland, reported 
 and laid on the table, .... 1887 
 
 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, 
 submitted by Dr. Franklin, ... 1867 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- - 
 tee of the Whole, 1889 
 
 Committee on protecting the Trade of the Colo- 
 nies, reported, ------ 1889 
 
 General Washington authorized to keep such a 
 body of Forces in Massachusetts as he shall 
 think necessary, provided they do not exceed 
 twenty-two thousand, ... - 1889 
 July 22, Report of the Committee on protecting the Trade 
 of the Colonies, considered, and postponed to 
 some future day, ----- 1889 
 
 State of America further considered in Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, 1889 
 
 Committee to consider and report upon the Reso- 
 lution of the House of Commons of February 
 20, commonly called Lord North's Motion, - 1889 
 
 24, State of America further considered in Commit- 
 
 tee of the Whole, 1890 
 
 Report from the Committee for establishing a 
 
 Hospital, presented, ----- 1890 
 
 25, Report of the Committee for establishing Posts, 
 
 brought in, 1890 
 
 Answer to the Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons, presented, read, and ordered to lie on the 
 table for consideration, .... 1890 
 Delegates for Pennsylvania directed to send under 
 safe convoy to General Washington, six tons 
 of the Continental Gunpowder, just arrived in 
 
 Philadelphia, 1890 
 
 Address to the Assembly of Jamaica, - - 1890 
 Five thousand Troops to be stationed in the New- 
 York Department, 1892 
 
 One Million of Dollars, additional, in Bills of 
 
 Credit, to be emitted, - - - - 1 892 
 Committee to sign the Bills, ... 1899 
 Committee to revise the Journal, and prepare it for 
 the press, 1892 
 
 26, Report of the Committee on establishing a Post- 
 
 Office, ageeed to, 1892 
 
 Benjamin Franklin chosen Postmaster General, 1893 
 
 27, Report of the Committee on establishing a Hospi- 
 
 tal, considered and agreed to, - - - 1893 
 Fifty Thousand Dollars appropriated for the im- 
 portation of Gunpowder for the Continental 
 Armies, 1893 
 
 28, Address to the People of Ireland, considered and 
 
 agreed to, 1894 
 
 29, Pay of the Army established, ... 1897 
 Michael Hillegas and George Clymer appoint- 
 ed Joint Treasurers of the United Colonies, - 1898 
 
 Each Colony required to provide means to sink 
 its proportion of the Bills of Credit emitted by 
 this Congress, ------ 1898 
 
 Proportion or quota of each Colony, - - 1898 
 31, Answer of the Congress to the Resolutions of the 
 
 House of Commons of the 20th February last, 1899 
 
 Commitee to make inquiry in the recess of Con- 
 gress, in all the Colonics, for virgin Lead and 
 Lead Ore, and the best methods of collecting, 
 smelting and refining it, - 1902 
 
 State of the Trade of the Colonies, after the 10th 
 of September next, considered and postponed to 
 a future day, ------ 1902 
 
 Two Petitions respecting disputes between the 
 People of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, pre- 
 sented, read, and laid on the table for the 
 perusal of the Members, - 1902 
 
 Two Petitions, from sundry Merchants in New- 
 York and Philadelphia, respecting the sale 
 of Teas, imported before the Association, pre- 
 sented and laid on the table, ... 1902 
 Aug. 1, Moneys appropriated for various purposes con- 
 nected with the defence and protection of the 
 Colonies, 1902 
 
 Petitions respecting the disputes between the 
 People of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, re- 
 ferred to the next meeting of the Congress, - 1904 
 
 Explanation of the Resolve of the last Congress, 
 prohibiting exportation to Great Britain, Ire- 
 land and the West-Indies - - - - 1904 
 
 Adjourned to Tues lay the fifth of September next, 1904 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY, &c. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS, PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES, &c. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE, AT CHARLES- 
 TOWN, S. C, TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, March 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : It was with equal surprise and concern 
 that we read in the publick prints what passed in your 
 House of Assembly on the 26th of January, with respect 
 to the proceedings of the General Congress. It is im- 
 possible for us, at this distance, to conjecture the reasons 
 which induced the Assembly to refuse their formal assent 
 to the Solemn Agreement of all these Colonies. We are 
 obliged to suspend our judgment until we hear from you ; 
 and will not even permit ourselves to conclude that it is 
 owing either to a neglect of the united voice of America, 
 or to want of spirit in the cause of freedom. — In the midst 
 of the pain that we feel at this singular instance of Pro- 
 vincial policy, we console ourselves with the apprehension 
 that it was intended, not as a declaration of their real in- 
 clinations, but only as a prudential measure : that they 
 having been chosen antecedent to the present dispute, and 
 therefore not with a particular view to it, might suppose 
 the necessity of their interfering, superseded by a posterior 
 choice. We console ourselves with the thought that the 
 legal Representatives of your respectable Colony, by refu- 
 sing to act, did not mean to hold up to the world the opin- 
 ion of their Constituents, but have only left it to another re- 
 presentation, not so much according to the letter of the law, 
 but equally respectable, and as much to be depended on. 
 
 AVe only beg leave to make this remark upon their 
 policy : that they have therein singled themselves out from 
 the rest of the Colonies ; who, as far as they have had the 
 opportunity, have come unanimously into the measures of 
 the General Congress. And we cannot but think it would 
 have been much more happy for the whole, had there been 
 no exception. Indeed, although the House of Assembly 
 in this Colony hath nobly and unanimously adopted the 
 Proceedings of the General Congress, yet they have not 
 had it in idea to take the matter wholly into their own 
 hands, independent of the Provincial Congress ; but even 
 now, while that Assembly is sitting, the General Commit- 
 tee of the Colony also sits and does business, independent 
 of the House. A measure this, necessary in the Royal 
 Governments, where the liableness of the Assembly to sud- 
 den prorogations and dissolutions, renders their proceeding 
 in business wholly dependant on the creatures of the Crown. 
 Much, therefore, as we are surprised at the conduct of 
 your Assembly, we are not so ignorant as to imagine it is 
 the de6nite voice of the Colony ; and, indeed, we do not 
 allow ourselves to entertain a suspicion that your Resolu- 
 tions would not be the same with those of the rest of the 
 Colonies, if you only had a full and free representation of 
 the whole Colony elected on the present occasion : such a 
 representation we hope to hear of in due time. 
 
 We are not insensible of the consequence of your Colo- 
 ny in the great chain of American Union. — Nor do we 
 imagine the Ministry insensible of it ; we are well aware 
 of jour unhappy situation, and of the many artful mea- 
 sures that have been, and now are, taking, if possible, to 
 throw you into confusion. We are well aware of the poi- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 son that is daily distilling from some of your pensioned 
 presses, and the hireling writers that have crept in among 
 you. We are not ignorant of that crowd of placemen, of 
 contractors, of officers, and needy dependants upon the 
 Crown, who are constantly employed to frustrate your 
 measures. We know the dangerous tendency of being 
 made the head-quarters of America for many years. All 
 these things, though they necessarily tend to clog the 
 wheels of publick spirit, yet do not cause us to doubt of 
 your publick virtue, as a Colony : nay, we assure our- 
 selves, that your love to Constitutional Liberty, to justice, 
 and your posterity, however depressed for a little while, 
 will at last surmount all obstacles, and do honour to JNtir- 
 YorTc. 
 
 The present struggle seems to us most glorious and 
 critical. We seem to ourselves to stand upon the very 
 division line, between all the blessings of freedom, and the 
 most abject vassalage. The very idea of an earthly power 
 which shall bind the present and future millions of America 
 in all cases whatsoever — in the direction of which we are 
 to have no more voice than our oxen, and over which we 
 can have no constitutional control, fills us with horrour ; — 
 to hold not only our liberty and property at will, but our 
 lives also, as well as the lives of all our posterity ! — to be 
 absolutely dependant for the air in which we breathe, and 
 the water which we drink, upon a set of men at the dis- 
 tance of three thousand miles from us — who, even when 
 they abuse that power, are out of the reach of our ven- 
 geance, is a proposal which this Colony hears with indig- 
 nation, and can only submit to when there is no possible 
 remedy. By the late detestable Acts of the British Par- 
 liament respecting America, all mankind will judge whether 
 that body may be safely entrusted with such a power. We 
 have now appealed to the remaining justice of the Nation ; 
 we have endeavoured to arouse them to a sense of their 
 own dangers ; we have appealed to their mercantile inte- 
 rests for our defence. Our hopes of success are not yet 
 damped by any thing but the possibility of disunion among 
 ourselves. We have the pleasure to inform you that in 
 this Colony the Association takes place, as effectually as 
 law itself. Sundry Vessels from England have already 
 been obliged to return with their Merchandise, or have it 
 thrown overboard as common ballast. 
 
 We may assure you of our fixed determination to adhere 
 to the Resolutions at all hazards, and that Ministerial op- 
 position is here obliged to be silent. We wish for the day 
 when it shall be silenced among you likewise. And what- 
 ever noise is made by the friends of arbitrary rule about 
 the design of those proceedings in your House of Assem- 
 bly, we cannot and will not believe that you intend to 
 desert the cause. 
 
 Three things, however, oblige us to write to you. 
 
 First. The general alarm which the proceedings above- 
 mentioned have given, that we may obtain from you certain 
 intelligence of the disposition of your Colony, whether 
 those proceedings are to be understood as the general sense 
 of the good people of New- York, or only of a bare ma- 
 jority of the House. 
 
3 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 4 
 
 Secondly. That we may learn from you, whether the 
 Association of the General Congress has actually been 
 adopted by you, and is now put into execution. On these 
 two points we beg you will give us the earliest intelligence 
 possible, that we may be able (as we have not the least 
 doubt that we shall be) thereby to quiet the anxiety of the 
 people of this Province, and prevent the tools of Ministry 
 from exulting at any appearance of disunion. And lastly, 
 that we may suggest to you an expedient, which, with great 
 success, has been tried in this Province, viz : that of a 
 Provincial Congress, in which every corner of the Colony 
 is fully and largely represented. As yet we have not had 
 the pleasure of hearing that you have adopted this or any 
 similar measure. And although we would not be under- 
 stood as presuming to dictate to our brethren, yet we would 
 take the liberty to inform them that this measure has given 
 the greatest satisfaction here, and so firmly united the Town 
 and Country, that we are thereby become one compact 
 regularly organized body. The enemies of American free- 
 dom are aware of the cementing tendency of such a step, 
 and wherever they have influence, endeavour to prevent 
 it, well knowing that while the different Districts of a Colo- 
 ny are kept apart, they do not all receive the same infor- 
 mation, and are exposed to the baneful effects of jealousy 
 and division, especially when any considerable part sup- 
 poses itself neglected by not being called in to give its 
 voice. And we find, that the larger this representation is, 
 the less the danger of corruption and influence ; the more 
 is sly deceit deterred from venturing its efforts ; and the 
 more weight goes with every determination. The Con- 
 gress of this Colony consists of one hundred and eighty- 
 four Members, and is by far the fullest representation of it 
 that ever has been together before. 
 
 We, therefore, as brethren united in the same cause, do 
 only beg leave to recommend the above measure, already 
 found by experience, of such utility in sundry of the Royal 
 Governments, but especially in this. The necessity of 
 electing Delegates to the Congress in May, we are assured, 
 will show the expediency of such a Provincial meeting. 
 
 We feel ourselves bound to you by the closest ties of 
 interest and affection .-^We consider this season as big with 
 American glory, or with American infamy. 
 
 We therefore most ardently wish you the direction and 
 aid of that Almighty Being who presides over all. We 
 confidently expect to meet you in General Congress at 
 Philadelphia, with hearts full of zeal m our Country's 
 cause, and full of mutual confidence in the integrity of 
 each other. We are, gentlemen, your friends and fellow- 
 countrymen. 
 
 By order of the General Committee, 
 
 Charles Pinckney, Chairman. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE FREEHOLDERS OF CUMBERLAND 
 COUNTY, VIRGINIA. 
 
 To John Mayo and William Fleming, Gentlemen, their 
 Delegates, March, 1775. 
 We, the Freeholders of Cumberland County, having 
 elected you to represent us in a Provincial Convention, to 
 be held in the Town of Richmond, on Monday, the 20th 
 of this instant, and being convinced that the safety and 
 happiness of British America depend on the unanimity, 
 firmness, and jpint efforts of all the Colonies, we expect 
 you will, on. your parts, let your measures be as much for 
 the common safety as the peculiar interests of this Colony 
 will permit, and that you, in particular^ comply with the 
 recommendation of the Continental Congress, in appoint- 
 ing Delegates to meet in the City of Philadelphia, in May 
 next. 
 
 The means of Constitutional legislation in this Colony 
 being now interrupted,, and entirely procarious, and being 
 convinced that some rule is necessary for speedily putting 
 the Colony in a state of defence,, we, in an especial man- 
 ner, recommend this matter to your consideration in Con- 
 vention ; and you may depend that any general tax, by 
 that body imposed, for such purposes, will be cheerfully 
 submitted to, and paid by the inhabitants of this County. 
 
 We desire that you will consider the Bostonians as 
 suffering in the common cause, and cheerfully join in their 
 support to the utmost of your power. 
 
 That you will direct the Deputies to, Congress, on the 
 
 part of this Colony, to use their best endeavours to estab- 
 lish a trade between the Colonies ; and to procure a quan- 
 tity of Hun-powder, and a number of Cotton and Wool 
 Cards from the Northward, or elsewhere. 
 
 We desire further, that you will not depart from the 
 Association formed by the Continental Congress in Septem- 
 ber last, but will strictly adhere to it in every particular. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New-York, 1st March, 1775. 
 
 To the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and County 
 of New-York. 
 As the last Congress, held in Philadelphia, recommended 
 that another Congress should be convened at the same place, 
 on the 10th day of May next, and the election of Dele- 
 gates ought not to be longer delayed, and most of the other 
 Colonies having already appointed them, and as the Com- 
 mittee has no power, without the approbation of their con- 
 stituents, to take any measures for that purpose : they 
 therefore request, that the Freeholders and Freemen of 
 the City and County of New-York, will be pleased to as- 
 semble at the Exchange, on Monday, the 6th instant, at 
 twelve o'clock, to signify their sense of the best method of 
 choosing such Delegates, and whether they will appoint a 
 certain number of persons, to meet such Deputies as the 
 Counties may elect for that purpose, and join with them in 
 appointing out of their body, Delegates for the next Con- 
 gress. By order of the Committee, 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE SOLDIERS ORDERED TO AMERICA. 
 
 London, March, 1775. 
 
 The following Address has been sent to Ireland for pub- 
 lication, and should be published in all the American 
 Papers : — 
 
 Gentlemen : You are about to embark for America to 
 compel your fellow-subjects there to submit to Popery and 
 Slavery. 
 
 It is the glory of the British Soldier, that he is the de- 
 fender, not the destroyer of the civil and religious rights of 
 the people. The English Soldiery are immortalized in 
 history for their attachment to the religion and liberties of 
 their Country. 
 
 When King James the Second endeavoured to introduce the 
 Roman Catholick Religion and arbitrary power into Great 
 Britain, he had an Army encamped on Hounslow-Heath, to 
 terrify the people. Seven Bishops were seized upon and sent 
 to the Tower. But they appealed to the laws of their Coun- 
 try, and were set at liberty. When this news reached the 
 camp, the shouts of joy were so great, that they re-echoed 
 in the Royal Palace. This, however, did not quite con- 
 vince the King of the aversion of the Soldiers to be the in- 
 struments of oppression against their fellow-subjects. He 
 therefore made another trial. He ordered the Guards to be 
 drawn up, and the word was given that those who did not 
 choose to support the King's measures should ground their 
 arms. When behold, to his utter confusion, and their 
 eternal honour — the whole body grounded their arms. 
 
 You, gentlemen, will soon have an opportunity of show- 
 ing equal virtue. You will be called upon to imbrue your 
 hands in the blood of your fellow-subjects in America, be- 
 cause they will not submit to be slaves, and are alarmed 
 at the establishment of Popery and arbitrary power in one- 
 half of their Country. 
 
 Whether you will draw those swords which have de- 
 fended them against their enemies, to butcher them into 
 a resignation of their rights, which they hold as the sons of 
 Englishmen, is in your breasts. That you will not stain 
 the laurels you have gained from France, by dipping them 
 in civil blood, is every good man's hope. 
 
 Art will no doubt be used to persuade you, that it is 
 your duty to obey orders ; and that you are sent upon the 
 just and righteous errand of crushing rebellion. But your 
 own hearts will tell you, that the people may be so ill- 
 treated as to make resistance necessary. You know, that 
 violence and injury offered from one man to another, has 
 always some pretence of right and reason to justify it. So 
 it is between the people and their rulers. 
 
 Therefore, whatever hard names and accusations may 
 be bestowed upon your fellow-subjects in America, be as- 
 
5 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 6 
 
 sured that they have not deserved them; but are driven by 
 the most cruel treatment into despair. In this despair they 
 are compelled to defend their liberties, after having tried 
 in vain every peaceable means of obtaining redress of their 
 manifold grievances. Before God and man they are 
 right. 
 
 Your honour then, gentlemen, as soldiers, and your 
 humanity as men, forbid you to be the instruments of 
 forcing chains upon your injured and oppressed fellow- 
 subjects. Remember that your first obedience is due to 
 Clod, and that whoever bids you shed innocent blood, bids 
 you act contrary to His commandments. Yours, &.c. 
 
 An Old Soldier. 
 
 To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain, in 
 Parliament assembled. 
 
 London, March, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : At this important era, when the British 
 Empire is in danger of being involved in a civil war ; when 
 Trade and Commerce are at a stand ; when all the horrours 
 of misery, poverty, and wretchedness, are hanging over 
 our heads ; when want and famine threaten to succeed our 
 former plenty, must not every Englishman shudder at the 
 approaching danger? 
 
 When from the height of power, opulence, and gran- 
 deur, we are on the point of being precipitated into the 
 lowest abyss of slavery and insignificance ; when from being 
 the first and most respectable people in the world, we shall 
 be sunk below the consequence of a Nation, what must not 
 be the feelings of every man, whose generous soul is nobly 
 excited by a love of his Country? What will not be his 
 indignation ? What bounds will there be to his resent- 
 ment ? Which of ye will then stand forth and confess 
 you have been the author of these measures ? The gene- 
 ral calamity, I fear, is not far distant ; and horrid as it mu$t 
 be to this Country in general, still it will bring with it this 
 comfort, that wicked Ministers and corrupt Members of 
 Parliament must then render an account of their actions. 
 The publick justice of this Nation has been long eluded, 
 and calls now aloud for redress. 
 
 Beware, ye Ministers ; ye know not on how small a point 
 ye stand ; ye are now on the brink of an impenetrable 
 gulf; still ye have time to retract; but if tempted by 
 the placid Mowings of its waters, ye think securely to swim 
 along the summit, ye are deceived. When once immerged, 
 the briny waves will use their wonted might, and foaming 
 billows send you down to the regions below. The people 
 of England are not yet fully apprised of their danger: but 
 be assured when they once come to be thoroughly sensible 
 of the calamities your wrong-headed measures have brought 
 on them, it will not be easy to stand the torrent of their 
 resentment. Your venal hirelings in the Senate will desert 
 you, or, if sensible of their being equally involved in your 
 guilt, from a sense of common danger they should stand 
 by you, do not think their weak arguments will have any 
 avail. The people without doors will resolve upon those 
 measures which those within should have done ; and ye 
 can expect nothing but that just punishment which your 
 folly, presumption, and wickedness, shall have merited. 
 
 It is foreign to my present purpose to enter into a dis- 
 cussion of those rights you, as the supreme power of this 
 Nation, claim of sovereignty over the Americans ; let it 
 suffice to say, it is not probable that men, who are descend- 
 ed from the same common ancestors with ourselves ; who 
 have been bred up from their childhood in the principles of 
 liberty, and have lived from their first settlements there in 
 the actual possession of this invaluable blessing ; it is not 
 to be imagined, I say, that such men will quietly submit, 
 and suffer themselves to be despoiled of that freedom their 
 ancestors have transmitted to them pure and inviolate ; nor 
 is it to be conceived that men, who are not destitute of 
 spirit, and who have arms in their hands, will quietly lay 
 them down and bend their neck to the galling yoke of 
 tyranny ; or is it likely that those who have a superiour force, 
 able to crush their opponents, will be terrified by empty 
 threats or menaces, when those threats are unsupported by 
 authority, and unaided by justice ? Your decrees will fall 
 into the same ignominy and contempt as the denunciations 
 of the Court of Rome. You might as well think to intimi- 
 date these people by the Pope's Bulls, as by Acts of Parlia- 
 
 ment. For what, indeed, signify threats or menaces, with- 
 out the two essentials necessary to support them — justice 
 and power ; — the one to persuade, the other to enforce ? 
 In the present contest with America, I think 1 may safely 
 say you are destitute of both. 
 
 Is it reasonable or equitable that such of ye as represent 
 Northumberland, Cumberland, or any other County in 
 England, or more especially such of ye as are placed in 
 the House of Commons by the servile and corrupt votes of 
 dependant Boroughs in the different parts of the Kingdom, 
 should govern a large and extensive Country at three thou- 
 sand miles distant ? What knowledge have ye of Ameri- 
 ca 1 What know ye of its concerns ? Have ye been in- 
 structed by the people of that land ? Are ye acquainted 
 with their manners and their customs ; the state of their 
 finances ; the riches and numbers of their people, and what 
 imposts they are able to bear, and what would entirely 
 crush them ? To all these questions I believe I may safely 
 answer in the negative: But in reply you say, you think 
 it is reasonable that they, as members of the British Em- 
 pire, should bear a part of the burden and expense, not 
 considering that by the advantages which accrue to Great 
 Britain from the Commerce of these countries, and by the 
 restrictions we have laid on their Trade with all other Na- 
 tions, we already receive more and greater benefits from 
 them than their proportion of taxes would amount to. 
 Wisely then have ye done to stop this certain source of 
 riches, from the vain and improbable hope of taking from 
 them by force what they already paid with good will. 
 
 I need not remind you of the story of the old woman, 
 whose hen brought her a golden egg every morning, and 
 would have continued so to do had not the covetous old 
 hag thought, by killing the hen, she should at once obtain 
 the whole mass of riches, which now she could only re- 
 ceive by detail, and accordingly put in force this cruel reso- 
 lution. The fable tells you what was the consequence. 
 
 Now, how nearly you stand in the same predicament 
 with this old woman, I leave to yourselves to determine : 
 But if I grant that the Americans should pay a proportional 
 tax, besides maintaining their own internal Government, 
 what right have ye to be the assessors ? To sit in the 
 British Parliament, a landed qualification is necessary. 
 But where must that qualification be situated ? Why, 
 within the Island of Great Britain. It is a maxim of our 
 law, that no man shall be taxed but by his own consent, 
 given either in person or by his Representative. I should 
 be glad to know what assent ye can give for the Ameri- 
 cans. Few or none of ye possess any property in Ameri- 
 ca, or if ye do, it is not in virtue of such property ye sit in 
 the British Senate ; therefore, whatever burden you lay on 
 their shoulders will be so much clear gains to yourselves. 
 You will not feel the weight of the taxes, which, with so 
 much ease and confidence, you order to be levied on the 
 Americans. Some of you. indeed, may know the value 
 of the sums raised, by the shares you received of the spoils. 
 The Minister cannot be so ungrateful as to neglect adding 
 to your salaries, when by your means he shall have brought 
 about his end, and increased his own. But how weak 
 these measures are, and how ineffectual, a very short time 
 will demonstrate. Indeed, except yourselves, who will 
 not be convinced ? Every one is sensible of the dangerous 
 situation to which we are now reduced. 
 
 Now, gentlemen, let me advise you, as you regard your 
 own prosperity — let me conjure you as you value your 
 safety, to consider well the situation of this unfortunate 
 Country ; look on the dangers that threaten it on every 
 hand ; consider not only the inexpediency of those measures, 
 but the total inability of this Country to go through with 
 them. Do you imagine the French and Spaniards will 
 be tame and idle spectators, when they see us once deeply 
 involved in a war with our Colonies ? Throw off then 
 your supine indolence ; awake from your lethargick state : 
 and if ye will not be excited by the desire of doing good, 
 awake at least to the sense of your own danger. Think 
 when the general calamity comes, who will be the objects 
 of publick odium. Will not the advisers of these destruc- 
 tive measures be the first sacrifices to the publick clamour ? 
 When the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers are starv- 
 ing ; when the whole mass of the people are in misery and 
 distress, what security can you expect to find ? Where 
 will you hope to conceal yourselves ? Will you be safe 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 even within these sacred walls? Or rather, may you not 
 fear being pursued, not only there, but even into your most 
 secret lurking holes ? Strafford and Laud were con- 
 demned, and justly executed for being the advisers of 
 arbitrary measures. The King, had he been able, would 
 have protected them ; they only echoed back to him his 
 own sentiments, strengthened by their flattery and obse- 
 quiousness. But weak is the power of rulers when opposed 
 to the wants and distresses, the rage and resentment of the 
 multitude. 
 
 When the artificers and handicraftsmen come by thou- 
 sands to your House, demanding bread, it will be too late 
 to argue ; — the mischief will be done. You then will have 
 only to conceal your obnoxious heads, and save yourselves 
 if you can, from popular resentment and publick justice. 
 There may be a time, and I believe that time will soon 
 come, when the nod and smiles of the Minister will be 
 shunned with as much care as they are now sought for with 
 eagerness 
 
 Once more I admonish you to awake before it is too late. 
 Stop the further progress of the evil ye cannot now totally 
 cure ; and though ye will not be roused by a love of your 
 Country, nor a sense of the impending ruin which threatens 
 us, yet consider your own danger, as most assuredly such 
 of ye as have been the advisers of these measures will be 
 the first sacrifices. Repeal then these accursed Acts ; 
 acknowledge yourselves to have been in the wrong, and 
 thus atone, as much as now lies in your power, for the mis- 
 chiefs you have already occasioned. Monitor. 
 
 COUNCIL OF NORTH-CAROLINA. 
 
 At a Council held at Newbern, in North- Carolina , 
 the 1st of March, 1775, 
 
 Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Hon. Jas. 
 Hasell, Hon. John Rutherford, Hon. Samuel Strudwicke, 
 Martin Howard, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires. 
 
 His Excellency informed the Board that he had observed 
 an Advertisement published in the Newspapers, and circu- 
 lated through this Colony by Handbills, dated Perquimans 
 County, 11th February, 1775, requesting the Counties 
 and Towns thereof, to elect Delegates to represent them 
 in Convention, at the Town of Newbern, on Monday, 
 the third of April next, and signed John Harvey, Mode- 
 rator. And considering such proceedings to be highly 
 derogatory to the dignity of the Legislature appointed to 
 meet at the same time, and in every light illegal and incon- 
 sistent with good order and Government, recommended the 
 matter to the consideration of the Board, and desired their 
 advice of the measures to be taken to contravene the design 
 of said Advertisement. 
 
 The Board conceiving the highest detestation of such 
 proceedings, were unanimous in advising His Excellency to 
 issue a Proclamation to inhibit and forbid such illegal meet- 
 ing ; in the following words : 
 
 By His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, Captain 
 
 General, Governour, and CommanderAn-chief in and 
 
 over the said Province : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Whereas, an Advertisement is printed in the publick 
 Newspapers, and also industriously circulated about this 
 Colony in handbills, dated from Pcrquimons County, the 
 1 1th day of February, 1775, requesting the Counties and 
 Towns thereof to elect Delegates to represent them in 
 Convention, at the Town of Neivbern, on Monday, the 3d 
 day of April next, and signed John Harvey, Moderator. 
 And whereas, the name and authority of such an officer, 
 and such meeting, is unknown to the Laws and Constitution 
 of this Country ; and such an invitation to the people may 
 tend to ensnare the unwary and ignorant among His Ma- 
 jesty's loyal and faithful subjects in this Province, to par- 
 take in the guilt of such unlawful proceedings: 
 
 And whereas, the Assembly of this Province, duly 
 elected, is the only true and lawful representation of the 
 people, and is competent to every legal act that Representa- 
 tives of the people can do ; and as an attempt to excite the 
 people to choose another body of Representatives to meet 
 at the time and place appointed for the meeting of the As- 
 sembly, is to betray them into a violation of the Constitu- 
 tion, in a point wherein they are most materially concerned 
 
 to support it : a contempt of that branch of the Legislature 
 which represents the people, and highly derogatory to its 
 power, rights, and privileges ; I have thought proper, by and 
 with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council of 
 this Province, to issue this Proclamation : and I do hereby 
 earnestly exhort the many good people of this Province, 
 who have to their honour, hitherto prudently withstood the 
 insidious attempts of evil-minded and designing men, that 
 they do, on this occasion, steadfastly persevere in such 
 loyal and dutiful conduct, and continue to resist and treat 
 with just indignation all measures so subversive of order 
 and Government, and so inconsistent with the allegiance 
 they owe to His Majesty ; and that they do not subject 
 themselves to the restraints of tyrannical and arbitrary 
 Committees, which have already, in many instances, pro- 
 ceeded to the extravagance of forcing His Majesty's subjects, 
 contrary to their consciences, to submit to their unreason- 
 able, seditious, and chimerical Resolves, doing thereby the 
 most cruel and unparalleled violence to their liberties, 
 under the pretence of releasing them from imaginary griev- 
 ances ; and I do further exhort all His Majesty's subjects in 
 this Province, as they value their dearest rights under the 
 present happy Constitution, and as they would testify their 
 duty and allegiance to the best of Kings, that they forbear 
 to meet to choose persons to represent them in Convention, 
 pursuant to the advertisement herein before recited ; and I 
 also do most earnestly recommend to them to renounce, 
 disclaim, and discourage all such meetings, cabals, and ille- 
 gal proceedings, which artful and designing men shall 
 attempt to engage them in, and which can only tend to 
 introduce disorder and anarchy, to the destruction of the 
 real interests and happiness of the people, and to involve 
 this Province in confusion, disgrace and ruin. 
 
 Given under my hand and the great seal of the said Prov- 
 ince, at Newbern, the first day of March, Anno Domini, 
 1775, and in the 15th year of His Majesty's reign. 
 God save the King. 
 
 Josiah Martin. 
 
 By His Excellency's command, 
 
 Samuel Strudwicke, Secretary. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE. 
 
 Philadelphia, February 22, 177."). 
 
 Gentlemen : I rejoice to find that, in a Province distin- 
 guished for its progress in science and literature as Penn- 
 sylvania, the few sons of despotism are reduced to the pen- 
 sioned pen of some ministerial hireling at Boston. Believe 
 me, gentlemen, your Paper did not gain an extensive cir- 
 culation from the gleanings of others ; its value has been 
 owing to the originality, as well as the elegance of its es- 
 says. Every Newspaper, from New-Hampshire to Georgia, 
 (two at Boston, and one at New-York, excepted,) would 
 furnish refutations of the re-publication in your last Paper, 
 signed Phileirene. But I will not ask you to serve up to 
 your readers, at second-hand, what will be more accept- 
 able as an original, though of a coarser and humbler compo- 
 sition. I therefore beg leave to present to my fellow-sub- 
 jects and citizens 
 
 The other side of the Question. 
 
 It is a just remark of the celebrated Chesterfield to his 
 son, that grant him but two or three positions, and he would 
 undertake, by fair inference, to prove that robbing on the 
 highway is an honest, and ought to be a reputable calling. 
 Happy would it be if the sacred rights of mankind were as 
 safe in this respect, as the persons of individuals. But the 
 superiour temptations to justify the invasion of the former, 
 are too alluring not to afford melancholy proofs, in every 
 age and Country, of a prostitution of the most shining ta- 
 lents, to gild the pill of arbitrary power and lawless domi- 
 nation. When we see a Bacon, a Milton, a Strafford, and 
 Bolingbrokc, sacrificing at their shrine, can we be surprised 
 if men of such principles, but far inferiour abilities, should 
 appear among us, with the Treasury of England in full 
 view, and hearts panting to lord it over their fellow-men ? 
 Divine Providence has endowed the inhabitants of Ame- 
 rica with rational powers not inferiour to those of any other 
 Country ; it is but justice to say, they have generally im- 
 proved them better than any other. By their good sense 
 and judgment shall this author be tried, whose facts, mo- 
 destv, style, accuracy, and precision, have been thought 
 
9 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 10 
 
 worthy of a re-publication, which occupies half your last 
 Paper, to the exclusion of all Foreign news, for which it 
 has been distinguished. This fair structure is built on two 
 principles. 
 
 1st. That the Americans have entire independence on 
 the Mother Country in view, as the great object of their 
 present contest. 
 
 2d. That all opposition to what is called Government, is 
 rebellion. 
 
 Both these propositions are false and groundless ; the 
 writer was not able to prove, and therefore takes them for 
 granted ; but I may, with honest boldness, challenge him, 
 or his adopting friend, to show, from the publick transac- 
 tions of any Congress or Assembly throughout this great 
 Continent, that such a claim was ever in their contempla- 
 tion. Are the repeated and fervent acknowledgments of 
 our allegiance to our common Sovereign ; our submission 
 to all his appointments of office, from the Governour to the 
 lowest deputy's deputy; to his negative upon all our laws ; 
 to his decisions in Council, as the dernier resort in the ad- 
 ministration of justice, and the payment of quit-rents ; I ask 
 if these are the badges of independence ? But they do not 
 end here. With what exemplary patience and obedience 
 have we submitted to the restraints of Trade, and even an 
 abridgment of the common bounties of Heaven. The 
 water is not permitted to flow, or the earth to produce, for 
 the same beneficial purposes to the American as for the 
 Briton. In a Country where the price of manual labour 
 calls for the utmost exertion of art and ingenuity, we are 
 restrained from slitting or rolling iron, so as to answer some 
 of the most important purposes in life. These are restric- 
 tions to which we not only have submitted, but to which 
 the great Council of America has professed its willingness 
 to submit. With what shameless affrontery can any writer, 
 therefore, charge the people of America with seeking inde- 
 pendence, when every transaction of Government, of trade, 
 of justice, and manufactures, originates, proceeds, or termi- 
 nates under the control of Great Britain. But the thirst 
 of power is so raging and insatiable, that it esteems nothing 
 possessed, while any thing remains to be possessed ; impa- 
 tient of all restraints, its desires perpetually outrun its en- 
 joyments, and it can be satisfied with nothing less than an 
 entire and full surrender of the liberty and happiness of 
 mankind. What use it has made of its acquisitions, let the 
 deserted villages, ruined towns, and uncultivated fields of 
 arbitrary Countries declare. If to live by one man's will, 
 would be all men's misery, can we suppose that we shall 
 derive any relief from the number of our tyrants, or that 
 our burden would be lighter, because many hands were 
 concerned in the imposition. 
 
 Our author's next position is, that opposition of every 
 kind to the powers set over us, however exercised, is 
 rebellion. Those ornaments of human nature, Locke, 
 Sydney, Hoadley, and many other illustrious names, have 
 so refuted these absurd doctrines of passive obedience and 
 non-resistance ; and they are so repugnant to the common 
 sense and happiness of mankind, that it would be an affront 
 to the understandings of my countrymen to suppose they 
 could now admit of a serious argument. If the good of 
 the people is the end of all Government, if limitations of 
 power have, by the experience of all ages, been found 
 necessary for the safety of the governed, if a participation 
 in legislation has been found to be the best and only limi- 
 tation, with what pity and concern must we view that infa- 
 tuation which can obtrude doctrines in America long since 
 reprobated in Britain, as subversive of every principle of 
 political safety and happiness. With men of such charac- 
 ters, the noble struggles of our ancestors against the prero- 
 gatives of the Crown were so many odious exertions of 
 wickedness and folly. — Magna Charta, Trial by Juries, and 
 exemption from arbitrary and perpetual imprisonment, are 
 fruits of the most detestable impiety and treason ; nay ! 
 the Resolution itself, as founded and formed by a resist- 
 ance to that Government, but the basis and foundation of 
 the present, was a successful rebellion. These are the 
 stale artifices of our Court sycophants of every age. It 
 would be an outrage upon the understandings, as well as 
 rights of mankind, to call tyranny and slavery by their 
 proper names, when they were seeking to establish them. 
 Under the specious title of laws and Government, they 
 hope to lull the vigilant, deter the timid, and damp the en- 
 
 terprising, till the shackles are riveted on, and the deluded 
 wretches find, too late, that the will of their masters is the 
 only law, and oppression the only Government. To draw 
 the line, I confess, is no easy task; but wherever legal 
 Government ends, there tyranny most certainly begins. 
 To show that this terminated as to the Colonies, in the 
 year 1763, a period in which the independency of Ameri- 
 ca was never thought of, and to which our highest hopes 
 and ambition is to return ; to enumerate the proofs, the 
 odious, but indisputable proofs of this, and to show that 
 our present opposition has every prospect of success, I 
 must refer to another letter, lest I should exclude some 
 more able writer, or incur my own censure. In the mean 
 time, my dear countrymen and fellow-citizens, read the 
 histories of those Countries which were once free ; converse 
 with those, (for we have many among us) who have fled 
 hither from arbitrary States; acquaint yourselves with their 
 ruinous taxes, their venal courts of justice, their merciless 
 depredations upon the chastity, property, liberty, and hap- 
 piness of their vassals; then reason, and judge, and if you 
 are not lost to every sentiment of publick virtue, the hon- 
 our of your country, and regard for yourselves and your 
 posterity, your hearts will rise in grateful emotions to the 
 Giver of all good gifts, that He has cast your lot in a land 
 of freedom ; and I trust you will mingle with them a 
 humble but firm resolution, by His assistance, to transmit 
 the blessings you have received, undiminished, to the latest 
 posterity. " He that would give up essential liberty for 
 temporary safety, deserves neither liberty nor safety." — 
 This was the favourite motto of many in this Citv but a 
 very few years since. A principle of action and duty, 
 founded upon truth and reason, will ever continue the 
 same, however the persons or occasions may change. Come 
 forward then, ye staunch advocates for Provincial Liberty, 
 support your principles — this was once your Law and your 
 Prophets — be consistent — convince the world that you do 
 not act upon the local views of a party, but upon the manly 
 and generous principle of publick good, which upon all oc- 
 casions leads you to sacrifice temporary ease to essential 
 liberty. Camillus. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I wish to address the understandings of 
 my fellow-citizens, not to inflame their passions. As in- 
 quirers after truth, my highest ambition is to assist them — ■ 
 to furnish the clew ; their own good sense will enable them 
 to pursue it. 1 think an attention peculiarly due to such 
 publications as come recommended by the graces of stvle 
 and language ; the most deadly poison may be conveyed 
 in the most beautiful cup ; it may be more inviting, but it 
 is not the less fatal. The piece signed Phileirene is not 
 destitute of those graces, but he has raised a fabrick on a 
 foundation which only existed in his own imagination. 
 There must surely be singular merit in that claim which 
 must be misrepresented to be opposed with success. When 
 I hear America charged with aspiring after independence, 
 1 ask, Were we independent on Great Britain in 1762? 
 That is the era to which we all look back with regret, 
 and to which we are anxiously seeking to return. 
 
 When I hear the Americans termed rebels, I ask, Was 
 the Revolution a rebellion ? That was an opposition to 
 Government, because Government was attempted to be 
 exercised in a manner inconsistent with the safety, liberty 
 and happiness of the governed. One man attempted to 
 legislate without their participation; in our case, this at- 
 tempt is made by about eight hundred ; can this circum- 
 stance change the nature of the action ? 
 
 When I hear any one declaiming against the American 
 system, I ask, Are you willing to be taxed by the British 
 Parliament ? A fair answer to these questions I have gen- 
 erally found more decisive and convincing, than the best 
 connected chain of reasoning. If any man can answer 
 them in the affirmative, I may pity, but cannot blame him 
 for withdrawing from the contest. If I was asked to state 
 the claims of America, I should say she has none, but that 
 Great Britain should desist from innovations, useless and 
 disappointing to herself, but fatal to America. We are 
 defendants in this great suit ; we ask but to continue in 
 that state, in which our own reason and judgment convinces 
 
11 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1715. 
 
 12 
 
 us our safety consists, and which the experience of one 
 hundred years has confirmed, as the most beneficial for 
 both countries. 
 
 For this Ions; course of years, America, with a most un- 
 suspecting confidence, resigned herself to the wisdom and 
 virtue of the Parent State, whose wisest Ministers and ablest 
 men were content with the benefits of Commerce, and 
 sought no power but such as tended to its increase and 
 security. After a long and expensive war, in which the 
 Americans were repeatedly acknowledged the most loyal 
 subjects and affectionate Colonists, a system was formed, 
 which proceeded step by step in dreadful progression, till 
 it has swallowed up every privilege and right which ought 
 to distinguish an English Colonist from those of arbitrary 
 States. Of what importance is it to us, that our fellow- 
 subjects, three thousand miles off, should be distinguished 
 from the other Nations of the earth, as free and happy, 
 while we have no share in the distinction. Let us com- 
 pare the rights of a British subject with those of an Ame- 
 rican, we shall see a very striking disparity. 
 
 In England. In America. 
 
 1. A trial by a jury of his coun- 1. A trial by jury only in some 
 try, in all cases of life and pro. cases; subjected in others, to a 
 perty. single Judge, or a Board of Com- 
 missioners. 
 
 2. A trial were the offence was 2. A trial, if a Governour pleases, 
 committed. three thousand miles from the place 
 
 were the offence was committed. 
 
 3. The Civil authority supreme 3. The Military superiour to 
 over the Military, and no Standing the Civil authority, and America 
 Army in time of peace kept up, obliged to contribute to the support 
 but by the consent of the people. of a Standing Army, kept up with- 
 
 out and against its consent. 
 
 4. The Judges independent of 4. The Judges made independent 
 the Crown and people. of the people, but dependant on the 
 
 Crown for the support and tenure 
 of their commissions. 
 
 5. No tax or imposition laid, but 5. Taxes and impositions laid by 
 by those who must partake of the those, who not only do not partake 
 burthen. of the burthens, but who ease them- 
 selves by it. 
 
 6. A free trade to all the world, 6. A trade only to such places as 
 except the East-Indies. Great Britain shall permit. 
 
 7. A free use and practise of all 7. The use only of such engines 
 engines and other devices, for sav- as Great Britain has not prohibit- 
 ing labour and promoting manufac- ed. 
 
 tures. 
 
 8. A right to petition the King, 8. Promoting and encouraging 
 and all prosecutions and commit- petitions to the King declared the 
 ments therefore illegal. highest presumption, and the Le- 
 gislative Assemblies of America dis- 
 solved therefor in 1768. 
 
 9. Freedom of debate and pro. 9. Assemblies dissolved, and their 
 ceedings in their legislative deli- legislative power suspended, for the 
 Derations. free exercise of their reason and 
 
 judgment, in their legislative capa- 
 city. 
 
 10. For redress of grievances, 10. To prevent the redress of 
 amending, strengthening, and pre- grievances, or representations tend- 
 serving the laws, Parliaments to be ing thereto, Assemblies postponed 
 held frequently. for a great length of time, and pre- 
 vented meeting in the most critical 
 times. 
 
 In a former paper I observed, that the legal Government 
 of America terminated in the year 1763. A series of acts 
 since that time will evince the truth of my assertion. 
 
 Then, for the first time, the taxation of America was 
 attempted, and has been continued with unremitted assi- 
 duity to the present moment — then the powers of Admi- 
 ralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts were extended beyond 
 their former limits — then our property, for the first time, 
 was taken from us without our consent — trial by juries in 
 many cases of property abolished, and an innocent suitor 
 laid under every possible disadvantage in asserting his 
 rights. Soon after, the absolute Statute of Henry VIII, 
 was revived, by Resolves of both Houses of Parliament, by 
 which Americans may be carried to England, and tried for 
 offences alleged to be committed in America. In the 
 twelfth year of His Majesty's reign, the charge of burning 
 any of the King's Ships or Stores in America was expressly 
 made triable in England, to the total exclusion of a jury 
 of the vicinage. The Acts respecting Massachusetts- Bay 
 are too recent to need particular enumeration ; their charter 
 privileges, their justice, trade, and Government are wholly 
 subverted, without observing the common forms of justice. 
 What has been their case, may be that of every other 
 Province ; and let me observe, that innocence is a poor 
 protection, when no opportunity is given to manifest it. 
 
 What opinion now, my fellow-citizens, ought you to form 
 of an author, who calls an opposition to these measures a 
 
 " Utopian scheme, quickened into publick life by an itch of 
 " superiority and thirst of applause ; — an infatuation, over- 
 " leaping all the sober bounds of law and Government ; 
 " conducted by men who delight in the destruction of 
 " peace and good order ; whose safety consists in their pre- 
 " cipitating their Country into anarchy and confusion." 
 Shameless falsehoods ! calculated to impose on the weak 
 and unwary ; to foment those divisions, and bring on that 
 ruin, upon which some men mean to build their own great- 
 ness. No, my dear fellow-citizens, look around you ; are 
 the men you deputed to the late Congress, those who have 
 been active in Committees of publick transactions ; are 
 they men of doubtful characters and desperate fortunes ? 
 Are anarchy and confusion required for their safety or es- 
 tablishment in life ? Is a bold step for the reformation of 
 Government necessary to retrieve their characters ? Have 
 they been distinguished for a spirit of enterprise, wicked- 
 ness, and folly, on other occasions ? 
 
 The man whose signature is A Friend to the Constitution, 
 and whose sentiments are in such unison with our author, 
 shall determine these questions ; for he must have supposed 
 them applicable to this Province, or their publication here 
 was idle. To arraign the justice of a cause ; to entangle the 
 honest mind in doubts and difficulties ; to cut off all hopes 
 and prospects of success; to paint in terrible colours events 
 which have happened in dissimilar cases, and conceal the 
 happy issue of similar struggles, are arts which will be 
 practised, and against which we ought to be particularly 
 guarded. I have attempted to vindicate the former, and 
 in some future paper shall endeavour to show, that if una- 
 nimity accompanies our opposition, we have the utmost 
 reason to hope that success will crown the work, and 
 though we shall continue a dependant, we shall be a free 
 and happy people. Camillus. 
 
 NEWPORT (RHODE-ISLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of Inspection, for the 
 Town of Newport, held in the Council Chamber, on Wed- 
 nesday, March 1, 1775, 
 
 Mr. John Tanner in the Chair. 
 
 Resolved, That the freedom of the Press is of the ut- 
 most importance to civil society ; and that its importance 
 consists, " besides the advancement of truth, science, mo- 
 rality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal senti- 
 ments on the administration of Government, its ready com- 
 munication of thoughts between subjects, and its conse- 
 quential promotion of union among them, where, by op- 
 pressive Officers, are shamed or intimidated into more hon- 
 ourable and just modes of conducting affairs ;" and there- 
 fore it is the duty of every friend of Civil Government to 
 protect, and preserve from violation, that invaluable right, 
 that noble pillar, and great support of Public Liberty ; and 
 to countenance and encourage the Press, so long as it shall 
 be employed in promoting those beneficial purposes. But 
 when, instead thereof, a Press is incessantly employed and 
 prostituted to the vilest uses; in publishing the most infa- 
 mous falsehoods ; in partial or false representations of facts ; 
 in fomenting jealousies, and exciting discord and disunion 
 among the people ; in supporting and applauding the worst 
 of men, and worst of measures ; and in vilifying and calum- 
 niating the best of characters, and the best of causes ; it 
 then behooves every citizen, every friend to truth, science, 
 arts, liberality of sentiment, to that union between subjects, 
 upon which depends their security against oppression, to 
 discountenance and discourage every such licentious, illibe- 
 ral, prostituted Press. 
 
 And whereas, a certain James Rivington, a Printer and 
 Stationer in the City of New-York, impelled by the love 
 of sordid pelf, and a haughty domineering spirit, hath, for 
 a long time, in the dirty Gazetteer, and in pamphlets, if 
 possible still more dirty, uniformly persists in publishing 
 every falsehood which his own wicked imagination, or the 
 imaginations of others of the same stamp, as ingenious per- 
 haps in mischief as himself, could suggest and fabricate, that 
 had a tendency to spread jealousies, fear, discord, and dis- 
 union through this country; and by partial and false repre- 
 sentations of facts, hath endeavoured to pervert truth, and 
 to deceive and mislead the incautious into wrong concep- 
 tions of facts reported, and wrong sentiments respecting the 
 measures now carrying on for the recovery and establish- 
 
18 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 14 
 
 ment of our rights, and the supporters of those measures ; 
 and particularly hath disgorged from his infamous Press, 
 the most virulent, foul abuse, on the Members of the late 
 Continental Congress — characters which, lor wisdom, in- 
 tegrity, fortitude, and publick virtue, deserve, and have 
 received, the applause of every inhabitant of this wide ex- 
 tended Continent, excepting a very few venal tools of a 
 corrupt Administration. 
 
 And all this profusion of scurrility, abuse, and falsehood, 
 this insidious, profligate Printer hath cast out, in order, if 
 it were possible, to subvert the Association which all the 
 American Colonies have approved, and for carrying of 
 which into execution the General Assembly of this Colony 
 have recommended Committees to be chosen : — Where- 
 fore, we think it our bounden duty to hold up that infa- 
 mous paracide, James Rivington, to the Continent in this 
 odious light. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That it is the opinion of this Com- 
 mittee, that no further dealings or correspondence ought to 
 be had with the said James Rivington ; and we recom- 
 mend it to every person who takes his Paper, called Riv- 
 ington^ Gazetteer, immediately to drop the same ; and 
 also take the liberty to recommend a similar conduct to- 
 wards him to the other Towns in the Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That this Resolution be printed in the next 
 Newport Mercury. By order of the Committee, 
 
 Henry Ward, Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN BOSTON, DATED MARCH 2, 1775. 
 
 The Ministry, it is now generally thought, are inflexible. 
 Lord North was asked again and again this week, in the 
 House of Commons, whether he had any thing more of a 
 'enient or conciliatory nature to propose. He said there 
 was nothing farther of that kind intended ; and acknow- 
 ledged that the remainder of the scheme was entirely co- 
 ercive. When he was asked, whether the three Bills of 
 the last year were to be repealed, he replied, that when 
 the Colonies had come to an unconditioned submission, 
 Parliament would consider what was fit to be done. 
 
 The Ministry are now in pretty good spirits, on account 
 of what they conceive to be a division among yourselves 
 in favour of Government, both in New- York and New- 
 England. We think that, like drowning men, they are 
 catching at every straw. Such, however, we hope their 
 present expectations will prove. 
 
 A friend of mine saw a Letter just received from Lord 
 Percy, in which he expresses his apprehensions of an at- 
 tack being made upon the Troops at Boston, before any 
 reinforcement can arrive, as the people in the Province 
 are provided with a competent train of Artillery ; so that 
 all their servants have not the same assurance of success 
 with themselves. But, indeed, it is impossible that the 
 Ministry should really think themselves so secure as they 
 pretend to be ; and it is even thought by many that Lord 
 North, when he moved for the late Resolution, really 
 meant to have advanced some steps towards a solid recon- 
 ciliation, had it not been for what is called the Bedford 
 party in the Cabinet. Instead of this, the terms that are 
 now proposed amount to nothing but an insult upon your 
 common sense and spirit, and, I doubt not, will be resented 
 accordingly. 
 
 voyage to that Island, that the same had not been sold, he 
 brought it back again to this Colony, where he arrived 
 since the first of February last, and sold one piece of it to 
 one Thomas Wood, and that he has the residue by him. 
 And having also acknowledged that he had imported at 
 the same time three pieces of Irish Linen for the use of 
 his family, and the same having been confirmed by the 
 oath of William Moore, mate of the said Brigantine, the 
 Committee having taken the matter under consideration, 
 and having found that the said Richardson was unaccmaint- 
 ed with the Continental Association, and that he had no 
 intention of violating the same, or any part thereof, but that 
 he was willing to accede thereto, and actually did sign the 
 same, upon the first opportunity of doing so, are of opinion 
 that the said Richardson deserves no censure for his con- 
 duct ; but that the said Osnaburghs and Irish Linen, be- 
 ing prohibited by the Association, be re-exported to the 
 said Island of Antigua, which the said Richardson de- 
 clared himself willing to do. And it is ordered that Archi- 
 bald Ritchie and John Brockenbrough do procure from 
 the said Thomas Wood the piece of Osnaburghs by him 
 purchased, and see that the said Richardson carry the 
 same, as well as the other before-mentioned Linen, with 
 him to Antigua, upon his next voyage. 
 
 The Committee having determined to encourage Arts 
 and Manufactures within this Colony, as far as it is in their 
 power, do agree and oblige themselves to pay Fifty Pounds, 
 current money, to any person or persons who shall first 
 produce to the Committee five hundred pair of Stockings, 
 men's and women's, manufactured in this County; a third 
 of which to be reasonably worth One Shilling Sterling a 
 pair; a third to be reasonably worth Two Shillings Sterling 
 a pair ; and the other third to be reasonably worth Three 
 Shillings Sterling a pair; of all which, he or they must 
 give this County the refusal, and that the County will 
 give for the same seventy-five per cent, on the above prices. 
 And that -the Committee will give the best encouragement 
 to worsted combers. By order of the Committee, 
 
 J. Power, Clerk. 
 
 ESSEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee held for the County of Essex, in the 
 Town of Tappahannock, in Virginia, on Thursday, the 2d 
 of March, 1775, by special summons from the Chairman. 
 
 The Committee having been informed that Captain Jo- 
 seph Richardson, master of the Brigantine Muir, since the 
 first day of February last, had imported from the Island of 
 Antigua, in the said Brigantine Muir, four pieces of Bri- 
 tish Osnaburghs, and three pieces of Irish Linen, some of 
 which he had sold since his arrival ; and the said Richard- 
 son having appeared before the Committee, agreeably to a 
 previous summons for that purpose, on examination, con- 
 fessed that upwards of two years ago he had imported into 
 this Colony a quantity of British Osnaburghs from Lon- 
 don, which he found himself unable to dispose of here, and 
 therefore that he had carried some of it to Antigua, and 
 left it there to be sold ; and having found, upon his last 
 
 Remarks on the late manoeuvres in America, by a real 
 friend to his King and Country, and an American. 
 
 New-York, March 2, 1775. 
 Nothing has surprised people more than the Virginians 
 and Marylandcrs joining with so much warmth with the 
 New-England Republicans in their opposition to the 
 ancient Constitution, which has been the glory of an 
 Englishman in every part of the world ; as there are cer- 
 tainly no Nations under the Heavens more opposite to each 
 other, than the inhabitants of these Colonies: it would be 
 very difficult to account for it on the principles of religion 
 or sound policy, had not the Virginians plainly discovered 
 their indifference to both — so highly revered by their illus- 
 trious ancestors — by an act as tyrannical as it is unjust, cal- 
 culated to serve private views, to distress thousands, and 
 to sap all the foundations of honesty and morality, by de- 
 stroying that confidence which is the support of our trade, 
 without which every industrious man is deprived of his just 
 demands. Can any thing more plainly discover the mo- 
 tives of their opposition than their having shut up all the 
 Courts of Justice, by which they fraudulently deprive the 
 honest merchant of his due, who generouslv administered 
 to their wants and supplied their luxury ; and return, with 
 the blackest ingratitude, evil for good. Yet this is a noto- 
 rious truth. Sallust, in enumerating the reasons that in- 
 duced so many of the first families in Rome to join in Cata- 
 line's conspiracy to overturn the ancient Constitution of 
 their Country, very naturally accounts for this conduct when 
 he ascribes it to their desperate circumstances ; involved 
 in debt, slaves to luxury, and ruined by dissipation of every 
 kind, they had no resource, no prospect for redemption, 
 but what depended on the success of an impious civil war ; 
 through the horrours and calamities of which they were 
 willing to wade, that they might avail themselves of their 
 Country's distress, and find means to gratify their pride and 
 unbounded lust ; for this end every means was attempted, 
 every virtue ridiculed, every friend to Government, and 
 every lover of his country, branded with the most igno- 
 minious names, and held up as traitors, whom it would be 
 glorious in their opinions to extirpate. 
 
15 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 16 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK 
 
 New- York, March 2, 1775. 
 
 The most authentick accounts have been received from 
 Great Britain, that a large sum of money has been issued 
 from the Treasury to the Minister of State, for secret ser- 
 vices in America. The [niblick is extremely interested in 
 the consequences of this dark manoeuvre, and therefore 
 every indication of corruption should be attended to, every 
 order in favour of passive obedience noticed, and the 
 authors of every measure tending to break the union and 
 harmony of the Colonies, held up to publick view, and 
 exposed to general indignation and contempt. 
 
 The application of publick moneys for secret services, 
 has ever been considered as dangerous to the rights of a 
 free people, especially in times of profound peace, when 
 there is no necessity that spies should be maintained, or 
 royal whores and favourites bribed. Such an attack upon 
 us is, of all others, the most alarming. It is like destroy- 
 ing us by poison — it places us in dangers from false breth- 
 ren, and converts those we esteemed our friends into in- 
 sidious enemies — it teaches them to speak peace, when 
 they mean destruction ; and, under the specious pretence 
 of supporting Government, to declare war against the Con- 
 stitution. 
 
 History affords instances of men in every age, who have 
 preferred the enjoyment of wealth, to the possession of a 
 good conscience, and who have committed the most infa- 
 mous actions to obtain the appellation of honourable, for 
 themselves or families. 
 
 Prudence tells us, that what has happened in other 
 Countries, and in other ages, may happen in our own. It 
 certainly is wise, therefore, to be watchful of those whom 
 we have made the guardians of our happiness, and take 
 care that they do not turn the opportunities we have given 
 them of doing us good, into occasions of bringing us to ruin 
 and disgrace. 
 
 The world has long had reason to think that the depend- 
 ants on the favour of a court, are not fit objects for the con- 
 fidence of the people. It is difficult to serve two masters. 
 Men in such circumstances frequently cleave to their inte- 
 rest, and reject the duty they owe their constituents. 
 
 It appears to me very extraordinary, that the people of 
 this Colony in general, should consider a Congress as a 
 necessary expedient in these perilous times, that the letters 
 of the Committee of Correspondence appointed by the 
 Assembly, should speak the same language, and that some 
 of the members of that body should preside at the choice 
 of the Delegates, and yet, that sundry individuals (who 
 have heretofore been lights to the blind ) should now take 
 so much pains to decry the measure and prevent its influ- 
 ence. The inconsistency is obvious, and, I fear, nothing- 
 hut a goldeJi key can open the mystery. 
 
 Providence, R. I., March 4, 1775. 
 
 On Thursday last, the 2d instant, about twelve o'clock 
 at noon, the Town Crier gave the following notice through 
 the Town : — " At five o'clock, this afternoon, a quantity of 
 " India Tea will be burnt in the market-place. All true 
 " friends of their Country, lovers of Freedom, and haters of 
 " shackles and hand-cufTs, are hereby invited to testify 
 " their good disposition, by bringing in and casting into the 
 " fire, a needless herb, which for a long time hath been 
 " highly detrimental to our liberty, interest, and health." 
 
 About five o'clock, in the afternoon, a great number of 
 inhabitants assembled at the place, when there was brought 
 in about three hundred pounds weight of Tea, by the firm 
 contenders for the true interest of America. A large fire 
 was kindled, and the Tea cast into it. A tar barrel, Lord 
 North's speech, Rivington's and Mills's and Hicks' s news- 
 papers, and divers other ingredients, were also added. 
 There appeared great cheerfulness in committing to de- 
 struction so pernicious an article ; many worthy women, 
 from a conviction of the evil tendency of continuing the 
 habit of Tea drinking, made free-will offerings of their re- 
 spective stocks of the hurtful trash. On this occasion the 
 bells were tolled, but it is referred to the learned whether 
 tolling or ringing would have been most proper. Whilst 
 the Tea was burning, a spirited Son of Liberty went along 
 the streets with his brush and lampblack, and obliterated 
 or unpainted the word Tea on the shop signs. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS TO A GENTLEMAN IN VIRGINIA. 
 
 Boston, March 2, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 24lh of December last, to Mr. 
 Cashing and others, by Captain Tompkins, of the Schooner 
 Dunmore, in which were brought several valuable donations 
 from our friends in Virginia, to the sufferers in this Town 
 by the Port-Bill, was communicated to the Committee 
 appointed to receive such donations, and by their direction 
 I am to acquaint you that they cheerfully consented at 
 your request, that the Schooner should be discharged at 
 Salem, thinking themselves under obligation to promote 
 her despatch, more especially as there was unexpected 
 delay in her loading ; and you have very generously 
 declined receiving demurrage. We have repeatedly had 
 abundant evidence of the firmness of our brethren of Vir- 
 ginia, in the American cause ; have reason to confide in 
 them that they will struggle hard for the prize now contend- 
 ing for. 
 
 I am desired, by the Committee, to acquaint you that 
 a Ship has lately sailed from this place, bound to James 
 River, in Virginia; the Master's name Crowel Hatch. 
 When he was building his Ship, a proposal was made to 
 him by some of the Committee, to employ the tradesmen 
 of this Town, for which he should receive a recompense 
 by a discount or five per cent, on their several bills; but 
 he declined to accept of the proposal. This you are sen- 
 sible, would have been the means of his employing our suf- 
 ferers at their usual rates, and at the same time, as cheap 
 to him as if he had got his Vessel built by more ordinary 
 workmen, from the country. There is also another cir- 
 cumstance which I must relate to you. Captain Hatch 
 proposed that the Committee should employ our Smiths in 
 making Anchors for his Vessel, at a price by which they 
 could get nothing but their labour for their pains, because 
 he could purchase cast Anchors, imported here for the same 
 price, which was refused. At this he was very angry, and 
 (perhaps in gust of passion) declared, in the hearing of 
 several persons of credit, that he was used ill; threatening 
 that "he would stop all the donations he could, and that 
 no more should come from the place where he was going 
 to," meaning Virginia. These facts iheCommittce thought 
 necessary to communicate to you, and to beg the favour of 
 you to use your influence, that Captain Hatch may not 
 have it in his power (if he should be disposed) to traduce 
 the Committee, and injure the sufferers in this Town, for 
 whose relief our friends in Virginia have so generously 
 contributed. 
 
 I am, in the name of the Committee, sir, your obliged 
 friend, and humble servant, Samuel Adams. 
 
 Boston, Massachusetts, March 2, 1775. 
 
 His Excellency General Gage, in his answer to the 
 Address of the Provincial Congress, in October last, was 
 pleased to represent, as an instance of his lenity and for- 
 bearance, " that, notwithstanding the enmity shown the 
 King's Troops, by withholding from them almost every 
 necessary for their preservation, they have not yet disco- 
 vered the resentment which might justly be expected to 
 arise from such hostile treatment." 
 
 A second Provincial Congress has lately resolved, 
 " That no person or persons ought to sell or dispose of 
 any Straw which he or they may have on hand, except to 
 the inhabitants of this Province, for their own private use, 
 or the use of said Province." 
 
 Such a militation of sentiments between the Comman- 
 der-in-chief and the Representatives of the people, must 
 surely arise, from the different conceptions they have re- 
 spectively formed of the end and design of the Troops being 
 sent here : the General, that they were ordered here to 
 strengthen the hands of Government, to preserve order, 
 restore peace, and prevent confusion ; that they are, there- 
 fore, to be considered as friends, and ought to be treated 
 accordingly : the Congress, that they are sent to dragoon 
 the good people of this Colony, and successively those of 
 every other Colony upon the Continent, into a slavish sub- 
 mission to British Legislation ; which, if it could be effected, 
 must end in their ruin and destruction ; that they are, there- 
 fore, to be considered as inveterate enemies ; and that the 
 pursuit of every measure, whereby to defeat their purposes, 
 is strictly justifiable. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 18 
 
 Straw is doubtless as necessary to make a Soldier's Tent 
 comfortable, as a Mattress is to make an Officer's Tent so ; 
 and both would be alike withheld if they were equally in 
 our power. From the Soldier, because he waits only for 
 the word of command to cut our throats, and spread deso- 
 lation as far and wide as his balls and bayonet, and the 
 strength of his arm will enable him to extend it. From 
 the Officer, because being better bred, his mind audit to be 
 impressed with a due sense of the natural and civil rights 
 of mankind ; yet, nevertheless, can so steel his heart to the 
 dictates of bis conscience and the feelings of humanity, as 
 wantonly to imbrue his hands in the blood of his innocent 
 fellow-subjects, in obedience to the mandate of a petty 
 Ministerial tyrant ! — For I shall never be persuaded to 
 believe, that the best of Kings, my most Gracious Sover- 
 eign, who, so early in life, is able to count a Royal dozen, 
 can be so lost to the tender feeling of a parent, as coming 
 to the knowledge of die truth, the whole truth, and nothing 
 but the truth, that he would not, with the highest indigna- 
 tion, spurn from his presence into everlasting banishment, 
 the wretch who would dare to suggest, under any pretence 
 whatever, the horrid thoughts of shedding the blood of his 
 innocent American subjects; who, notwithstanding all they 
 have suffered from delegated power, are still earnestly de- 
 sirous to be esteemed his children ; and could the malevo- 
 lent tongue of slander and defamation be silenced, would 
 soon become the objects of his Royal patronage : for they 
 never have forfeited it, unless a forfeiture can be incurred 
 by refusing to become subject to their fellow-subjects in 
 power ; or to any other laws but those to which they or 
 their Representatives have given their consent ; and their 
 firm attachment to that Constitution of Government under 
 which they, or their forefathers, have lived peaceably and 
 happily for more than a century past. I repeat it, there- 
 fore, if blood is to be shed, it will be at the mandate of a 
 petty Ministerial tyrant ! 
 
 The officer who stoops to execute the hangman's office, 
 rather than lose his commission, must and will be viewed 
 in a most infamous light ; whilst the soldier is beheld with 
 an eye of pity and compassion, because the consequence 
 of his disobedience is death ivithout mercy. Neither straw, 
 therefore, ncr any other convenience that can render a 
 soldier's life comfortable, is withheld from him upon any 
 other principle than that of self-preservation. 
 
 Jf the General requires proof of the certainty of what is 
 here advanced, let him give a regular discharge to all the 
 soldiers under his command, and at the hazard of my head, 
 I will give him incontestable security, that not one of them 
 who is bred to labour, and is willing to work for an honest 
 livelihood, but his industry shall immediately be so con- 
 ducted, as to gain him from eighteen pence to three shil- 
 lings sterling, for every faithful day's work he shall perform. 
 For those of them that are honest, industrious manufac- 
 turers, convenient room and rough materials shall be pro- 
 vided for them to manufacture ; and for those who are bred 
 to husbandry, and the cultivation of lands, they shall be- 
 come freeholders — sufficient land shall be allotted to them — 
 they shall be assisted to build their houses, and supplied 
 with necessaries to begin their new Plantations. For all 
 these, and more than these benefits, they shall have secu- 
 rity, not from one Province only, but the whole Continent. 
 
 Although, therefore, their profession is war and blood- 
 shed, must they not shudder at the horrid thought of butch- 
 ering the lives, and destroying the substance of those who 
 never willingly injured them; but, on the contrary, would 
 rejoice to see their circumstances as comfortable and happy 
 as the friendly offices of their fellow-subjects, and their 
 own industry and economy can make them. For we have 
 land enough, and, therefore, room enough for a million of 
 them.* 
 
 Let not then the community be charged with "shewing 
 enmity to the King's Troops." Let not their " treatment" 
 of them be stigmatized as " hostile." It arises from the 
 " power of necessity, a solicitor that will not be denied ; 
 and, therefore, ought not to be resented. 
 
 It is difficult to conceive how the General, when he 
 
 • Cannot the wisdom of the Continent devise motives sufficient to 
 conciliate the friendship of the Officers to the dictates of humanity, and 
 convince them that they ought, for their own sakes, to become the 
 defenders, and not the destroyers of Civil and Religious Liberty; since 
 the welfare and prosperity of every well regulated society con rest 
 securely upon no other foundation. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 talked of resenting the hostile treatment of the King's 
 Troops since their arrival here, could avoid reflecting that 
 the complaints might, and ought to be retorted an hundred 
 fold. 
 
 Have not the inhabitants of this Continent, for years 
 past, been every day defrauded (under colour of laws call- 
 ed British Statutes) of money, which has been shamefully 
 lavished upon some of the most worthless characters ? 
 And does it not amount almost to a demonstration, that 
 the baneful measure was adopted, not to lessen the national 
 debt, as has been pretended, but with a premeditated de- 
 sign to plunder one part of the community, to bribe the 
 other, and, by spreading general corruption, to establish 
 universal slavery ? 
 
 Have not the streets of our Capital been stained with 
 the blood of its innocent inhabitants unnecessarily, and 
 therefore wantonly shed by merciless military murderers ? 
 Are not out liberties abridged and our Constitution subvert- 
 ed to gratify the avarice and ambition of a few infamously 
 distinguished parricides, who are willing, and by their con- 
 duct seem desirous to see their native country ruined, pro- 
 vided they may be permitted to riot in the spoils of it ? 
 
 Does the English language afford words expressive of 
 one half the hostile treatment — the cruel and unparalleled 
 injuries, this Colony has suffered within these few years 
 past, from the Parent State ? 
 
 Is not our capital invaded by sea and land ? — Are not 
 the lives and property of its inhabitants at the mercy of 
 Military and Naval Commanders ? — Are not thousands of 
 innocent persons deprived of the means of subsistence, by 
 the annihilation of our Commerce ? Must not many of 
 them have inevitably perished with hunger, cold, and fa- 
 mine, had not their charitable brethren, throughout the 
 Continent, come in aid of them ? 
 
 Have we not been repeatedly threatened with an army 
 of Canadian and Indian Savages to come, as soon as the 
 season will permit, and invade our frontier settlements, to 
 massacre the innocent inhabitants, and carry their children 
 into captivity. Upon the arrival of every Vessel from 
 Europe, are we not alarmed with the news of more Ships- 
 of-war, and Transports with more Troops that are to be 
 here in the Spring ; when an open rupture is generally 
 expected ? 
 
 Has not an unmitred, unprincipled, would-be Bishop of 
 Neic-Yorlc, in a pamphlet, under the specious title of" A 
 Friendly Address," but with all the rancour and malice of 
 an infernal fiend, threatened to let loose the dogs of war, 
 like so many hell-hounds, to devour us ? But let him 
 beware lest the late of Actceon should be verified in his 
 own person. 
 
 Britons and Americans : Suffer me, for a moment, to 
 arrest your attention ; are not the facts above recited, not 
 only true, but attended with innumerable circumstances of 
 aggravation? Is not the provocation arising from them in 
 a ratio of a million to one, compared with the provocation 
 arising from the pretended hostile treatment of the King's 
 Troops. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY. 
 NO. V". 
 
 Boston, March 2, 1775. 
 
 My Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 The question which we have been considering is, whe- 
 ther we are not so far independent of the British Empire, 
 as to have the exclusive right of legislation inherently and 
 irrefragably in ourselves, except in the instance of regula- 
 ting Trade. It would give me pain to dwell so long upon 
 a subject so generally understood in its nature, importance, 
 and consequences, were it not to show to what cob-web 
 reasonings the present scheme of Colony administration 
 has driven its votaries; what latitudinarians they have be- 
 come, in order to execute that which, in better times, the 
 proudest Minister that Bntain ever saw would have been 
 too undaring to have projected. 
 
 The right is so clear as to almost elude the force of 
 argumentation — so obvious, as in spite of opposing efforts, 
 to command conviction, and to rank high towards the scale 
 of intuitions — so stale, as to be determined from the first 
 commencement of that relation of things out of which it 
 grew — so indisputable, as to be presumed, and practised 
 
19 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 
 
 20 
 
 upon for about a century and a half, excepting in a very 
 few instances of singular obliquity, by Kings, Lords, and 
 Commons, bv Governours, Counsellors, and Representa- 
 tives — Parliaments, and Assemblies — Britons and Ameri- 
 cans.— So confirmed as to have in its favour a whole torrent 
 of histories, records, motives, principles, and proceedings, 
 and, wha is more, common sense and fixed habits, so im- 
 portantly sacred, that no bold venal Parliament— no daring 
 mercenary intriguing Minister, excepting as above, have 
 ever ventured directly to encounter it. Ambition, avarice, 
 venality, corruption, faction, and tyranny have all covered 
 it. — Policy, law, ingenuity, and equity have found it un- 
 wieldy, and joined in ample subscriptions to its truth and 
 justice. — How clear, how plain, must a right be, attended 
 with such circumstances ? — How cogent, how convincing 
 the reasons which produced them ? — It has passed through, 
 almost unsuspected and unobscured, the storms of tyranny 
 and the fogs of faction, from Jamis the First to a recent 
 date — to the fertile exertions of some modern geniuses, 
 who, by an archangel acuteness, have attempted to reverse 
 the tables of eternal truth, to confound the established 
 course of nature, and, by the awful splendour of an omni- 
 potent Court, to extinguish the candle of human intelli- 
 gence. Oh unheard of lust of power ! Quid non mortalia 
 pectora cogis auri sacra fames 1 
 
 We have considered the principles, and weighed the 
 motives that possessed the breasts of our British ancestors, 
 and induced to their emigration hence. We have followed 
 them down through their material walks, until their recep- 
 tion of Letters Patent, forming them into a particular cor- 
 porate body. We have examined the evidence on the 
 face of those Letters, in favour of a Parliamentary inde- 
 pendence. It remains that we inquire whether the same 
 sentiment prevailed under the enjoyment of those Letters 
 Patent, or Charters, that preceded, and was concomitant 
 with their reception. 
 
 King Charles the First was the ever memorable Prince 
 from whom we received our first Charter. Soon after the 
 restoration of his very pitiful son, Charles the Second, the 
 history of the Massachusetts-Bay informs us — That the 
 conduct of our Government respecting its rights, in an in- 
 stance then under consideration, as well as in the then some 
 former instances, might be well accounted for, upon the 
 sentiments of some persons of influence then amongst 
 them. The sentiments which this historian says our As- 
 semblies then adopted, and were governed by in a number 
 of instauces, were the following, viz : That birth is no 
 necessary cause of subjection ; — that the subjects of any 
 Prince or State had a natural right to remove to any other 
 quarter of the world, and that upon their removal, their 
 subjection determined and ceased ; — that the Country to 
 which they themselves had removed, was claimed and pos- 
 sessed by independent Princes, whose right to the sover- 
 eignty and lordship thereof had been acknowledged by 
 the Kings of England ; that they therefore had actually 
 purchased, for valuable consideration, not only the soil, 
 but the dominion, the lordship and sovereignty, of those 
 Princes ; and that they had also received a Charter of 
 incorporation from the King, containing a mutual compact, 
 from whence arose a new kind of subjection, to which 
 they were held, and from which they would never depart; 
 that this was what was called a voluntary civil subjection, 
 arising merely from compact; and from thence it followed 
 that whatsoever could be brought into question relative to 
 their subjection, must be determined by their Charter. 
 And that they were to be governed by Laws made by them- 
 selves, and by Officers elected by themselves, &tc. These 
 were the practical political principles of our Government 
 in an instance of publick conduct, about five and thirty 
 years after the granting of our first Charter, when the Pa- 
 tentees themselves were mostly upon the stage, and must 
 be supposed to understand its tenour and meaning. There 
 were instances of an earlier date, says the same historian, 
 where these principles were practised upon by Govern- 
 ment. A very ample testimony of the sense of our an- 
 cestors : and which shows that the present system of popu- 
 lar politicks is not the creature of a modern patriot brain, 
 that it was embraced from the beginning, and is as old as 
 the Constitution — that it grew up with it, and has been its 
 constant companion. 
 
 In the same arbitrary reign, several Acts of Trade and 
 
 Navigation respecting the Colonies passed the British 
 Parliament, and the above historian informs us, that our 
 Assembly had a difficulty in conforming to them, the rea- 
 son for which, assigned in a Letter to their Agents then in 
 England, was, that " they apprehend them to be an invasion 
 of the rights, liberties, and properties of the subjects of his 
 Majesty in the Colony, they not being represented in Par- 
 liament, and according to the usual sayings of the learned 
 in the Law, the Laws of England were bounded within 
 the four Seas, and did not reach America." And in fact, 
 as they were not then in a capacity to dispute the point, 
 and vindicate their injured rights by opposing their opera- 
 tion, they made provision by a Law of their own, that they 
 should be observed, and operate by force derived from 
 their own acts, which would have been absurd had they 
 admitted the supreme authority of Parliament. 
 
 Edward Randolph, who was a busy instrument in the 
 hands of Government, and deeply interested in Colony 
 affairs, in 1676, represents to the Lords of His Majesty's 
 Most Honourable Privy Council, appointed a Committee 
 for Trade and Plantations — " That no Law is in force or 
 esteem here, but such as are made by the General Court, 
 and therefore it is accounted a breach of their privileges, 
 and a betraying of the liberties of their Commonwealth, 
 to urge the observations of the Laws of England." 
 
 And further, that " there was no notice taken of the Act 
 of Navigation, Plantation, or any other Laws made in Eng- 
 land for the regulation of Trade ;" that — " the Govern- 
 ment would make the world believe they are a free State, 
 and do act in all matters accordingly ; that the Magistrates 
 ever reserve to themselves a power to alter any Law not 
 agreeing with the absolute authority of their Government, 
 acknowledging no superiour;" and that " the Governour 
 had declared to him, that the Laws of Parliament obligeth 
 them in nothing but what consists with the interests of the 
 Colony, and that the Legislative power and authority is 
 and abides with the Colony solely." This same Randolph, 
 in a Letter to the Bishop of London, wherein he urges 
 for a quo warranto against their Charter, says, that " inde- 
 pendence in Government is claimed and daily practised." 
 Vide The •publication of Payers by the late Governour 
 Hutchinson. We have adduced a continued series of facts 
 from an indisputable authority in this case, which proves 
 beyond a doubt the sense that one of the parties had of 
 our first Charter, almost from its first commencement to its 
 final dissolution. Instances might be multiplied, but they 
 are unnecessary to those who have not their minds steeled 
 against the impressions of truth. — There are some, like 
 the adder, whose deaf ear the thunder from Sinai would 
 not penetrate — these must abide the consequences of their 
 obstinacy, and grope in the dark at noon-day, until their 
 feet stumble on the black mountains, clanking with chains 
 and with fetters. 
 
 The Agents who were unsuccessfully employed by this 
 Province to solicit at the Court of King William the re- 
 storation of our first Charter, and who, it must be presumed, 
 well understood the second, being present and consulted 
 upon framing of it upon its tenor and operation, gave as a 
 reason for their acceptance : — " Our General Courts having, 
 with the King's approbation, as much power in New-Eng- 
 land as the King and Parliament have in England ; they 
 have all English privileges, and can be touched by no law, 
 and by no tax, but of their own making." — Vide History 
 of Netv-England. 
 
 Upon the arrival of our present Charter, in 1692, as 
 appears by the History of this Government, " The first 
 Act of our Assembly was a sort of Magna Charta, assert- 
 ing and setting forth as a general privilege, ' That no aid, 
 tax, tallage, assessment, custom, loan, benevolence, or 
 imposition whatever, shall be laid, imposed, or levied on 
 any of their Majesties' subjects, or their estates, on any 
 pretence whatever, but by the Act and consent of the Go- 
 vernor, Council, and Representatives of the people assem- 
 bled in General Court.' " The above are a few, out of 
 the many instances that might be adduced, where the sense 
 of our ancestors, in a continued and uniform succession of 
 events, is clear, full, and to the point. Could these, and 
 similar instances, have escaped the extensive reading of 
 the fair, of the impartial, and modest Massachusettensis 1 
 Especially as they are related by his favourite author, " his 
 setting Sun ?" Could he have read them, and yet, con- 
 
21 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 22 
 
 sistent with that tremendous regard to truth and rigid im- 
 partiality which he every where superabundantly professes, 
 with serious solemnity declare, that " the denial ol" our being 
 subject to the authority of the British Parliament is new. 
 And that it is beyond a doubt, that it was the sense, both of 
 the Parent State and our ancestors, that they were to remain 
 subject to Parliament ?" — And, "that if a person had, some 
 fifteen years ago, undertaken to prove that the Colonies 
 were annexed to the Realm, were a part of the British 
 Empire or Dominion, and, as such, subject to the authority 
 of the British Parliament, he would have acted as ridicu- 
 lous a part as to have undertaken to prove a self-evident 
 proposition. — And had any person denied it, he would have 
 been called a fool, or madman." Pause, my friends. 
 
 You may learn from this instance, the great facility of 
 bare assertions without proof, as well as the persuasive air 
 and graceful talent at making them — if misrepresentations 
 can be graceful. 
 
 If the apprehension of the King, who was the other 
 party to our Charter, and the sense of the Nation, at the 
 time it was granted, coincided with the sentiments of our 
 predecessors, it must exclude all doubt respecting our sub- 
 jection ; every quibbling mouth must be stopped from the 
 irresistible conviction of the heart — and every honest man 
 become an advocate for our exemption from the supreme 
 authority of the British Parliament. To this, my coun- 
 trvmen, permit me to ask your close and candid attention. 
 
 The Colonies in general are in the same predicament. 
 The independence of one will prove the independence of 
 all.* It may not be altogether impertinent to take a gene- 
 ral survey of the doctrines and principles that formed the 
 temper of the times in the reign of Charles the First. The 
 ideas of British Government were founded upon the feu- 
 dal system of policy, introduced by our Saxon auxiliaries, 
 who, after subduing the Kingdom, divided the land among 
 individuals in proportion to their rank and degree ; and 
 every man who by this division became a Freeholder, was 
 then a Member of their Witten Gemote, or Parliament. 
 This feudal polity was universally received, improved, and 
 established in England, by the arbitrary will of the Norman 
 Conqueror and his powerful Barons. In consequence of 
 which it became a fundamental maxim and necessary prin- 
 ciple in the English Constitution, " that the King was the 
 universal Lord and original proprietor of all the lands in 
 bis Kingdom ; and that no man doth, or can possess any 
 part of it. but what was mediately or immediately derived 
 a; a gift from him, to be held upon feudal services." This 
 scheme of policy, as it respected the King's prerogatives, con- 
 tinued down until the Statutes of the 12th Charles II., Cap. 
 24, by which all its branches were lopped off at one blow, 
 and in the reign of William the Third, of glorious memo- 
 lv. by the Revolution principles, was torn up root and 
 trunk, and the whole tables of power and property re- 
 versed. The policy and principles of their Witten Gemote, 
 or Parliament, which contained the life and soul of the 
 English Constitution, survived unimpaired this general 
 wreck of preposterous prerogatives. The Nation viewed 
 the power of Parliament as only extending to those assem- 
 bled therein personally or by Representatives, and assent- 
 ing to Laws so made. They must have considered, to be 
 consistent with themselves, an extension of the authority 
 of this Assembly to those who have no voice, connection, 
 or influence therein, as unnatural, unjust, and repugnant to 
 the first principles and policy of their Constitution. Charles 
 the First, taught by the examples of his predecessors, and 
 confirmed in his errour by his Court sycophants, attempted 
 to govern the Nation by the terrors of Royalty, and the 
 absurd doctrine of a Divine, indefeasible right. In the 
 reign of his father, James the First, the Judges of England 
 determined that the King had a right to levy taxes, called 
 tonnage and poundage, without the consent of Parliament. 
 Charles, like an absolute monarch, governed the Nation 
 eleven years without his Commons. For a long time he 
 had exacted tonnage, poundage, ship-money impositions, 
 with other arbitrary taxes, and exercised the right of selling 
 monopolies, requiring benevolences, loans, &c, against the 
 
 * By independence is not meant any thing inconsistent with the strict- 
 est allegiance or subjection to our gracious Sovereign, who glories in 
 being born a Briton — the brightest gem in whose crown is to rule in the 
 hearts, and reign over Freemen ; or inconsistent with that authority of 
 Parliament necessary for the regulation of Trade, the rectitude and 
 fitness of which we cheerfully acknowledge. 
 
 repeated remonstrances of the Nation. The claiming of 
 these rights, and contending for these prerogatives, was 
 what finally cost him his Crown, and that head which was 
 unworthy to wear it. Ship-money was the tax unauthor- 
 ized by Parliament, in which the famous Hampden stood 
 forth as a champion for the people. The cause was argued 
 in the Court of Exchequer, before all the Judges of Eng- 
 land. Hampden was cast — the Nation roused — and the 
 struggle for Liberty soon began. 
 
 Can any one suppose, without doing violence to common 
 sense, that a King, contending for such a plenitude of 
 power, in which he was supported by the examples of his 
 predecessors, and the solemn adjudication of his Judges ; 
 possessing such principles, of which he was so tenacious as 
 to seal them with his own blood and the blood of his 
 favourites, meant to imply, in a Charter given to our ances- 
 tors, where he grants and yields to them and their suc- 
 cessors, that they and every one of them shall be free and 
 quit from all taxes, subsidies, and customs in New-England , 
 for the space of seven years, and from all taxes and im- 
 positions for the space of twenty-one years, upon all Goods 
 and Merchandise, at any time or times hereafter, either 
 upon importation thither, or exportation from thence, &ic. — 
 I say meant to imply that after the expiration of those terms, 
 they should be liable to impositions and taxes from Parlia- 
 ment, and not from himself, (as he considered in some 
 cases his subjects in England,) independent of Parliament, 
 or rather, that during these terms he would not himself re- 
 quire us to grant him any subsidies, aids, &ic. Can any 
 person imagine this ? Was Massachusettensis serious when 
 be said it ? Thus we have an argument, a priori, the 
 granting of our first Charter, of the sense of the grantor, 
 as we had with respect to our ancestors. 
 
 I am not yet done with this clause, which, we are told 
 with an air of merriment, is rather an unfavourable circum- 
 stance for those who call the three-penny duty on Tea 
 unconstitutional. If the King has considered this Colony 
 as a part of the British Empire, and subject to the author- 
 ity of Parliament, would he, could he by his own authority, 
 have exempted it from taxes for seven or twenty years ? 
 If he could grant to one part of the British Empire to be 
 free and quit from taxes, for the same reason he might to 
 any and every part, and so lay the whole expense of Go- 
 vernment upon a few individuals. If he could do this for 
 seven or twenty years, for the same reason he might for 
 seventy or seventy times seventy. This proves to demon- 
 stration, either that Charles the First apprehended, how- 
 ever the fact might be, that this Colony was not a part of 
 the British Empire, or if it was, that it was not within the 
 jurisdiction of Parliament. He undoubtedly viewed us as 
 holding our lands of him as Lord paramount, according to 
 the fictitious doctrine of the feudal system, and the Parlia- 
 ment strangers to the transaction. 
 
 If it should be said, although this clause does not im- 
 ply the right in Parliament, yet it proves a right in the 
 King to tax us, and we had as good be under the arbitrary 
 power of the former, as subject to the will or caprice of the 
 latter ; we answer, that the present question is not what is 
 best, but what is in reality the fact — not concerning the 
 power of the King, but the right of Parliament. How- 
 ever, it is infinitely better to have but one tyrant than a 
 million. We should have no objection to the King's tax- 
 ing us by our own Assemblies. But these matters we will 
 consider when we come to them ; at present they are 
 nothing to the purpose. 
 
 " In 1621, when the Commons proposed a bill to James 
 the First, for the free liberty of fishing and fishing voyages, 
 to be made and performed on the sea-coasts and places of 
 Newfoundland, Virginia, and New-England, and other 
 Countries, and parts of America," the Secretary of State 
 was sent by His Majesty with the following declaration to 
 the House of Commons, viz: "America is not annexed 
 to the Realm, nor within the jurisdiction of Parliament ; 
 you have, therefore, no right to interfere :" and for this rea- 
 son the bill was crushed. In like manner, when a bill re- 
 specting America was offered by the two Houses of Par- 
 liament to King Charles the First, (the very Prince who 
 granted our Charter,) for his Royal assent, he refused it, 
 giving as a reason, " that the Colonies were without the 
 Realm and jurisdiction of Parliament." This needs no 
 comment. 
 
23 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 21 
 
 This same King, in a Commission to the Right Reve- 
 rend Father in God, the Archbishop of Canterbury, with a 
 number of others, forming them inlo a Committee for Re- 
 gulating of Plantations, after premising that divers of his 
 subjects, with their exceeding industry and charge, had de- 
 duced great numbers of English subjects inlo several Colo- 
 nies, in several places of the world, either altogether desert 
 and unpeopled, or enjoyed by savage and barbarous Na- 
 tions, gives of his mere grace to the said Commissioned, 
 the following powers of protection and Government, over- 
 all English Colonies already planted, or that may in future 
 be planted, viz : Power to make Laws, Ordinances, and Con- 
 stitutions, concerning the publick state of the said Colo- 
 nies or individuals. — Power for ordering and directing them 
 in their demeanour towards foreign Princes and their sub- 
 jects, towards ourselves and our subjects, within any foreign 
 parts, beyond seas, during their voyages upon the seas, or 
 to and from the same. — Power to inflict punishment on 
 all offenders, violators of Constitutions and Ordinances, by 
 imprisonment, restraint, or by loss of life or member. — To 
 remove all Governours and Presidents from their places, 
 and to appoint others in their stead ; to punish them by a 
 deprivation of their Provinces, or pecuniary mulcts. — Power 
 to ordain and constitute Judges, Magistrates, Tribunals, 
 Courts of justice, forms of judicature, and manner of pro- 
 cess, in all cases, civil or criminal. — Power to alter, revoke, 
 and repeal, all the laws and ordinances, although they may 
 have had our Royal assent ; to make new ones, and to new 
 and growing evils and perils, to apply new remedies, in such 
 manner and so often as unto you shall appear necessary and 
 expedient. — And power to hear and determine all complaints 
 against the whole bodies of the Colonies themselves, or 
 any Governour, and to demand delinquent Governours to 
 England, or into any other part, according to your discre- 
 tion, and also to revoke Charters, if not duly obtained, or 
 if hurtful to our Crown and Royal prerogatives ; and to do 
 all other things which shall be necessary for the wholesome 
 government and protection of the said Colonies, and our 
 people therein abiding," &ic. he. he. 
 
 This was the very Prince who granted our Charter. If 
 the British Parliament had been a Court, in the apprehen- 
 sion of this King, which had cognizance of those matters, 
 would he have erected another, with all the powers that 
 Parliament possess over any part of the British Empire 
 for these regulations ? Or, if in apprehension of the British 
 Parliament themselves, would they have acquiesced in, and 
 submitted to the exercise of such powers ? Could the 
 most absolute King that ever swayed the British Sceptre, 
 have exercised such powers over any part of the Empire 
 that was within the jurisdiction of Parliament ? Has the 
 Grand Monarch more authority ? Does not this prove 
 beyond a contradiction, that Charles the First viewed the 
 Colonies as independent of the Empire, and exempt from 
 the authority of Parliament, even in the matter of regula- 
 ting Trade ? Lay your hand upon your breast, and let con- 
 science answer. 
 
 In the reign of Charles the Second, several Acts passed 
 abridging Trade with foreign Countries, and imposing duties 
 upon several branches of Commerce between the Colonies, 
 for the express purpose of regulating Trade, as the preamble 
 of the Acts themselves demonstrate, and not to raise a Re- 
 venue to the Crown by the authority of Parliament. Vir- 
 ginia considered even these as grievances, and sent Agents 
 to England to remonstrate against taxes and impositions 
 being laid upon the Colony by the authority of Parliament. 
 
 This produced a declaration from the King, under the 
 Privy Seal, asserting that " Taxes ought not to be laid upon 
 the inhabitants and proprietors of the Colony but by the 
 common consent of the General Assembly of the Colony." 
 Accordingly, this Monarch, when a permanent Revenue for 
 the support of Civil Government in Virginia was deemed 
 necessary, did not attempt it by Parliamentary authority, 
 but applied to their General Assembly ; and an Act passed 
 under the Great Seal, in which it was enacted, " by the 
 King's most Excellent Majesty," by and with the consent 
 of the Colony of Virginia, he. This Act granted a duty 
 on Tobacco, for the support of Civil Government, which 
 is still paid by virtue of it. Had this Colony been a part 
 of the British Empire, in the apprehension of the King, 
 he could not have bveome a part of their Legislative 
 authority, in making a law to tax the people there. This 
 
 would involve the political solecism, with a witness, of im- 
 perium in imperio ; the King, Lords, and Commons form- 
 ing the only Legislative power over the British Empire. 
 The Parliament passing this affair over sub silcntio, shows 
 sufficiently their apprehension of the matter. In these 
 instances, the sense of Charles the First, of his immediate 
 predecessor, and successor; three successive Kings, privy 
 in the order of events to our emigration, incorporation, and 
 legislation under that incorporation, is as clear, and as full 
 as words or actions could make them. 
 
 It is obvious to observe here, that a compact, or an agree- 
 ment between parties, is only the mutual assent or consent 
 of their minds, touching something which is the subject 
 matter of their contract. The writing upon parchment or 
 paper, is only the evidence of this assent. The agreement 
 is, in the language of the learned, aggregatio mentium in 
 realiqua facta vel facienda. 
 
 Make, my friends, a recolleclivc pause. Permit me to 
 ask you the following simple questions : Does not the King 
 of England hold his Crown by compact? Is not the rela- 
 tion that is subsisting between him and his subjects in 
 Great Britain, founded upon compact? Is not the rela- 
 tion that is subsisting between us and Great Britain, found- 
 ed upon compact? Was not our Charter the evidence 
 of this compact ? Was it not the sense of King Charles 
 the First, and of our ancestors, the parties to this Charter, 
 that this Colony was not a part of the Empire, and should 
 not be subject to the authority of Parliament ? Is not this 
 sense of the parties, the very essence and vitals of the 
 compact ? Were we not, then, upon the reception of our 
 Charter, independent of the Supreme power of the Parent 
 State ? And are we not so now, of course, unless some 
 subsequent transaction has united us? If you cannot an- 
 swer all these questions clearly in the affirmative, 1 have 
 only this favour to ask, which you cannot reasonably deny 
 me, that you carefully review our past reasonings upon 
 those subjects, with minds open to conviction; reconsider 
 adduced facts fairly in their nature, tendency, and circum- 
 stances ; and deliberately revolving the whole process in 
 your own breast, judging for yourselves, yield your assent 
 wherever the evidence preponderates. 
 
 You will excuse me, my fellow-countrymen, for having 
 carried you into this dry detail of historical matters — mat- 
 ters that are well known — that have been often repeated. 
 My design was to stir up your pure minds, by way of 
 remembrance, when you are told, with an air of seriousness 
 bordering upon devotion, that the Colonies have always 
 been considered by the British Nation, and by the Colonists 
 themselves, until within these few years, as within the juris- 
 diction of Parliament ; a representation as remote from 
 truth, as was ever propagated by the tongue of man, or the 
 pen of prostitution ; at a time when Royal Charters, Na- 
 tional Faith, and the eternal principle of justice, on which 
 they are founded, are puffed away by a British Senate, as 
 motes and straws floating in the air ; and the civil and na- 
 tural rights of as loyal a people as ever breathed God's air, 
 or trod his earth, all prostrate at the feet of a Minister of 
 State, are by his ****»»*******, wantonly trampled 
 under foot. 
 
 It is unnecessary to say any thing to rouse the Americans. 
 That man must be dead — past reanimating, who is not 
 wide awake. He would discharge a kinder office, was there 
 not danger of our dozing too long, who would administer 
 political opiates, to render us, if possible, insensible of the 
 cruel, barbarous, distressing, horrid oppressions we suffer, 
 and unfeeling to the studied indignities that are offered us ; 
 that would enable us to suppress the emotions and ebulli- 
 tions of an English heart ; and by our spirit and firmness, 
 moderation and forbearance, form a paradox which none 
 but Americans can solve ; keeping our swords in their scab- 
 bards, unless urgent necessity, or self-preservation should 
 call them forth, and sheath them elsewhere. 
 
 From the County ok Hampshire. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A (5ENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, 
 DATED LONDON, MARCH 2, 1775. 
 
 The friends of America, on the arrival of the Packet, 
 were much alarmed at a report, that New-York was dis- 
 affected to the common cause, and determined to break the 
 Resolves of the Congress, especially that of non-importa- 
 
25 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 26 
 
 tion ; however, we had the pleasure, from the best accounts, 
 to find it otherwise, and that we had little reason to fear 
 the late Resolutions of your Assembly would produce any 
 change in your proceedings. I have now to inform you 
 that, notwithstanding all we could do, the Fishery Bill was 
 yesterday read the third time, and passed the House of 
 Commons, whereby a stop is to be put to all the Fisheries 
 on the first of July, except the Whale Fishery, which is 
 to be continued to the first of November . Every impartial 
 man must, in his heart, condemn a Bill so replete with in- 
 humanity and cruelty ; and it will be an everlasting stain 
 on the annals of our pious Sovereign, who, from the best 
 accounts, is the grand promoter of these proceedings. We 
 hope the firmness of your countrymen will evince to all 
 the world your just sense of measures so unjust ; and will, 
 in due season, retort them with vengeance, on the guilty 
 heads of the enemies of the British Empire. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MARCH 3, 1775. 
 
 Lest you should not have a true idea of Lord North's 
 design in his motion, I send you the enclosed paper,* 
 which gives a pretty just account of what he said on the 
 occasion, and shows plainly it was planned to divide the 
 Colonies, as well as the friends of Liberty here ; in both of 
 which I hope he will be deceived. The Bill against the 
 four New-England Governments, of which you have had 
 a copy, will finally pass the House of Commons this day, 
 and is to take place the first day of July next. You may 
 rely upon it, that in a few days another Bill will be brought 
 into the House of Commons, to prohibit the other Colonies 
 from any commercial intercourse with each other, and to 
 confine their Trade in every individual article to Great 
 Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies only. My 
 best information tells me, that General Gage is still to con- 
 tinue in Massachusetts-Bay ; some of the Troops going 
 from hence and Ireland are for Boston, the others for New- 
 York, where they have, it is said, been requested to be 
 sent, by Delancy and his band of traitors — Cooper, White, 
 Coldcn, and Watts — to aid them in securing New-York 
 for the Ministry. This, it seems, they have undertaken 
 to do, with Military assistance. 
 
 New-York is to be a place of Arms, and Provisions are 
 to be provided there for support of the Army in Neu-- 
 Eiigland ; at the same time they hope, by having posses- 
 sion of N etc- York, to prevent any assistance from Virgi- 
 nia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the other Southern 
 Colonies, going to Neio-England, of which they are very 
 apprehensive. I hope there is virtue enough in the peo- 
 ple of New-York to defeat this scheme, and that they will 
 banish from their society the heads, at least, of the traitors, 
 before the Troops get there to back them, which cannot 
 be sooner than the last of May. 
 
 I do not see occasion to advise what is best to be done 
 in the present situation of things, because if you mean to 
 continue Freemen, resistance, even to the last extremity, 
 must be made, and, if with united efforts, it will, in my 
 opinion, assuredly be successful. If you are willing to be 
 Slaves, you are only to submit at once, and wear your chains 
 quietly. 
 
 I do not entertain the least doubt of your persevering in 
 so noble a contest, and with proper application the Colony 
 of New-York will, I think, join you heartily. 
 
 EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF GEORGIA. 
 
 Whitehall, March 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have received your letters of the 19th and 20th 
 of December, the latter numbered thirty-five, and have laid 
 them before the King. But having nothing in command 
 from His Majesty thereupon, I have only to lament, that 
 His Majesty's subjects in Georgia, who have hitherto, in 
 general, shown so great respect for the Mother Country, 
 and loyalty to the King, should have, at length, manifested 
 a disposition to adopt the sentiments, and follow the ill ex- 
 ample, of their neighbours. But I trust that the measures 
 I have taken for your support, and the zeal and alacrity of 
 the King's Officers, and of those gentlemen who you say 
 stand forth in the maintenance of the publick peace, will 
 • See Vol. I, Folio IG00, Note. 
 
 have the effect to prevent the Sons of Liberty, as they are 
 called, from committing themselves in any act of violence. 
 
 I (ind, by a letter from Mr. Cooper to IVlr. Pownall, that 
 the Lords of the Treasury have had under their considera- 
 tion, the proposition which you transmitted some years ago, 
 in the shape of a Bill for better collecting His Majesty's Quit 
 Rents. They seem, however, to be of opinion, that the 
 provisions of an Act of the Province of North-Carolina for 
 the same purpose, which they have had before them, are 
 better calculated to answer the object in view than the Bill 
 you recommended ; and principally, because it enacts, that 
 no Patent, Deed, or Conveyance of Land shall be held va- 
 lid, unless enrolled in the manner the Act directs; whereas, 
 in your Bill, the enrollment is enforced merely by penalty. 
 I therefore think fit to send you a copy of the North- 
 Carolina Act ; that, by comparing the two together, you 
 may be enabled to frame and pass such a law, as shall cor- 
 respond with the sentiments of that Board. 
 
 I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Sir James Wright, Baronet, Georgia. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF 
 THE SEVERAL COLONIES. 
 [ Private. ] Whitehall, March 3, 177.). 
 
 Sir : It is fit that I should acquaint you that the Reso- 
 lutions of the House of Commons, which accompanies my 
 separate despatch, passed in the Committee by a majority 
 of tw o hundred and seventy-four to eighly-eight ; and was 
 received and agreed to by the House without a division. 
 And, indeed, the great majorities which have appeared in 
 both Houses, upon every question that has been proposed 
 for maintaining the supremacy of Parliament, is such an 
 evidence of the general sense of the Nation upon that sub- 
 ject, as must show how little ground (here has been for 
 those assurances which have been artfully held out to the 
 Americans of support here, in the dangerous conduct they 
 have adopted ; and convince them that there neither can, nor 
 will be any the least relaxation from those measures which 
 that conduct has made indispensably necessary for redu- 
 cing the Colonies to the constitutional authority of Parlia- 
 ment. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 His Honour the Lieutenant Governour of 
 South- Carolina. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 Whitehall, March 3, 1775. 
 Sir: By the mail of the last New-York Packet, I re- 
 ceived your despatch of the 30th January, and have laid 
 it before the King; but as my Circular Letter to you of 
 this date, enclosing the Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons on the 20th of February, contains such instructions 
 as have been thought fit to be given to His Majesty's Go- 
 vernours in the Colonies, in the present situation of affairs, 
 I have not any particular commands from the King to sig- 
 nify to you thereupon. 
 
 1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Deputy Governour Penn. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF 
 THE COLONIES. 
 
 Whitehall, February 22, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Enclosed I send you, by the King's command, a 
 Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament to His Majes- 
 ty, upon a consideration of the Papers which had been 
 communicated to them relative to the state of the Ameri- 
 can Colonies, together with His Majesty's most gracious 
 answer to the said Address. 
 
 1 likewise send you a printed copy of a Bill brought into 
 the House of Commons, for Restraining the Trade and 
 Fisheries of the four New-England Governments for a 
 limited time ; together with a copy of a Resolution declara- 
 tory of the sense of Parliament upon the subject of Taxa- 
 tion, which Resolution was moved in the Committee on 
 
27 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1"5. 
 
 28 
 
 Monday last, and carried by a majority of two hundred and 
 seventy-four to eighty -eight. 
 
 As these two measures are as yet in the first stages only 
 of consideration, and as the Bill may possibly admit, in its 
 further progress, of some alteration, I shall only say upon 
 them, that I flatter myself that the firm determination of 
 Parliament to preserve the Colonies in a due dependance 
 upon this Kingdom, tempered with the justice and mode- 
 ration expressed in the last Resolution of the Committee, 
 will have th*e effect to produce such a conduct on the part 
 of the Colonies as shall lead to a restoration of the publick 
 tranquillity. 
 
 1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Deputy Governour of Pennsylvania. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOURS OF 
 THE COLONIES. 
 [ Separate. ] Whitehall, March 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: You will have seen, in the King's Answer to the 
 Joint Address of both Houses of Parliament, on the 7th of 
 February, (which Address and Answer have been already 
 transmitted to you,) how much attention His Majesty was 
 graciously pleased to give to the assurance held out in that 
 Address, of the readiness of Parliament to afford every just 
 and reasonable indulgence to the Colonies, whenever they 
 should make a proper application, on the ground of any 
 real grievance they might have to complain of; and there- 
 fore I have the less occasion now to enlarge upon the satis- 
 faction it hath given His Majesty to see that Address fol- 
 lowed by the enclosed Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons, which, whatever may be the effect of it, (I trust a 
 happy one,) will forever remain an evidence of their jus- 
 tice and moderation, and manifest the temper which has 
 accompanied their deliberations upon that question, which 
 has been the source of so much disquiet to His Majesty's 
 subjects in America, and the pretence of acts of such crimi- 
 nal disorder and disobedience. 
 
 His Majesty ardently wishes to see a reconciliation of 
 the unhappy difference which has produced those disor- 
 ders, through every means by which it may be obtained, 
 without prejudice to the just authority of Parliament, which 
 His Majesty will never suffer to be violated ; approves the 
 Resolution of his faithful Commons, and commands me to 
 transmit it to you, not doubting that this happy disposition 
 to comply with every just and reasonable wish of the King's 
 subjects in America, will meet with such a return of duty 
 and affection on their part, as will lead to a happy issue of 
 the present disputes, and to a re-establishment of the pub- 
 lick tranquillity, on those grounds of equity, justice, and 
 moderation, which the Resolution holds forth. 
 
 The King has the greater satisfaction in this Resolution, 
 and the greater confidence in the good effects of it, from 
 having seen that, amidst all the intemperance into which a 
 people, jealous of their liberties, have been unfortunately 
 misled, they have nevertheless avowed the justice, the 
 equity, and the propriety of subjects of the same State con- 
 tributing, according to their abilities and situation, to the 
 Publick Burdens ; and I think I am warranted in saying 
 that this Resolution holds no proposition beyond that. 
 
 I am unwilling to suppose that any'of the King's sub- 
 jects in the Colonies can have so far forgot the benefits 
 they have received from the Parent State, as not to ac- 
 knowledge that it is to her support, held forth at the ex- 
 pense of her blood and treasure, that they principally owe 
 that security which hath raised them to their present state 
 of opulence and importance. In this situation, therefore, 
 justice requires that they should, in return, contribute, ac- 
 cording to their abilities, to the common defence ; and their 
 own welfare and interest demand that their Civil Establish- 
 ment should be supported with a becoming dignity. 
 
 It has been the care, and, I am persuaded, it is the firm 
 determination of Parliament to see that both these ends 
 are answered ; and their wisdom and moderation have sug- 
 gested the propriety of leaving to each Colony to judge of 
 the ways and means of making due provision for these pur- 
 poses, reserving to themselves a discretionary power of ap- 
 proving or disapproving what shall be offered. 
 
 The Resolution neither points out what the Civil Estab- 
 lishment should be, nor demands any specific sum in aid 
 
 of the Publick Burdens. In both these respects it leaves 
 full scope for that justice and liberality which may be ex- 
 pected from Colonies that, under all their prejudices, have 
 never been wanting in expressions of an affectionate attach- 
 ment to the Mother Country, and a zealous regard for the 
 welfare of the British Empire; and therefore the King 
 trusts that the provision they will engage to make for the 
 support of Civil Government, will be adequate to the rank 
 and station of every necessary Officer, and that the sum to 
 be given in contribution to the common defence, will be 
 offered on such terms, and proposed in such a way, as to 
 increase or diminish, according to the Publick Burdens of 
 this Kingdom are from time to time augmented or reduced, 
 in so far as those Burdens consist of Taxes and Duties, 
 which are not a security for the National Debt. By such 
 a mode of contribution, the Colonies will have full security 
 that they can never be required to tax themselves, without 
 Parliament's taxing the subjects of this Kingdom in a far 
 greater proportion ; and there can be no doubt that any 
 proposition of this nature, made by any of the Colonies, 
 and accompanied with such a state of their facilities and 
 abilities, as may evince the equity of the proposal, will be 
 received with every possible indulgence, provided it be, at 
 the same time, unaccompanied with any declaration, and 
 unmixed with any claims which will make it impossible 
 for the King, consistent with his own dignity, or for Parlia- 
 ment, consistent with their constitutional rights, to receive it. 
 But 1 will not suppose that any of the Colonies will, after 
 this example of the temper and moderation of Parliament, 
 adopt such a conduct; on the contrary, I will cherish a 
 pleasing hope that the publick peace will be restored, and 
 that the Colonies, forgetting all other trivial and groundless 
 complaint which ill humour hath produced, will enter into 
 the consideration of the Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons with that calmness and deliberation which the impor- 
 tance of it demands, and with that good will and inclination 
 to a reconciliation which are due to the candour and justice 
 with which Parliament has taken up this business, and at 
 once declare to the Colonies what will be ultimately ex- 
 pected from them. 
 
 I have already said that the King entirely approves the 
 Resolution of the House of Commons, and His Majesty 
 commands me to say, that a compliance therewith by the 
 General Assembly of New-York, [which has already 
 shewn so good a disposition towards a reconciliation with 
 the Mother Country,*] will be most graciously considered 
 by His Majesty, not only as a testimony of their reverence 
 for Parliament, but also as a mark of their duty and attach- 
 ment to their Sovereign, who has no object nearer to his 
 heart than the peace and prosperity of his subjects in every 
 part of his Dominions. At the same time His Majesty 
 considers himself bound by every tie to exert those means 
 the Constitution has placed in his hands, for preserving 
 that Constitution entire, and to resist with firmness every 
 attempt to violate the rights of Parliament, to distress and 
 obstruct the lawful Commerce of his subjects ; and to en- 
 courage in the Colonies ideas of independence, inconsistent 
 with their connection with this Kingdom. 
 
 1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Governour of Netv-York. 
 
 Copy of a Resolution of the House of Commons, 21th 
 February, 1775. enclosed by the Karl of Dartmouth, 
 in his Circular Letter to the Governours of the Colo- 
 nies, dated March '.3, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That when the Governour, Council and As- 
 sembly, or General Court of any of His Majesty's Provin- 
 ces or Colonies in America, shall propose to make provi- 
 sion according to the condition, circumstances and situation 
 of such Province or Colony, for contributing their propor- 
 tion to the common defence, (such proportion to be raised 
 under the authority of the General Court or General As- 
 sembly of such Province or Colony, and disposable by 
 Parliament,) and shall engage to make provision also for 
 the support of the Civil Government, and the Administra- 
 tion of Justice in such Province or Colony, it will be 
 proper, if such proposal shall be approved by His Majesty 
 and the two Houses of Parliament, and for so long as such 
 
 * Those words were omitted in the Letters to the other Colonies. 
 
29 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 •30 
 
 provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear in respect of 
 such Province or Colony, to levy any Duty, Tax or Assess- 
 ment, or to impose any further Duty, Tax or Assessment, 
 except only such Duties as it may be expedient to continue 
 to levy, or to impose for the regulation of Commerce ; the 
 net produce of the Duties last mentioned to be carried 
 to the account of such Province or Colony respectively 
 
 EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF NEW-YORK. 
 [Private ] Whitehall, March 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: My separate despatch of this day's date, enclosing 
 a Resolution of the House of Commons, may be ostensibly 
 of use in case the General Assembly should think fit to 
 take up the consideration of that Resolution ; but it is fit I 
 should observe to you that it is not His Majesty's intention, 
 for verv obvious reasons, that you should officially commu- 
 nicate it to them; at the same time as I think it cannot fail 
 to be an object of discussion in the Assembly, I must add 
 that the King considers that the good effect of it will, in a 
 great measure, depend upon your ability and address in a 
 proper explanation of it to those whose situation and con- 
 nections may enable them to give facility to the measures 
 it points to. And His Majesty has no doubt that you will 
 exert every endeavour to induce such a compliance on the 
 part of the Assembly, as may correspond with His Majes- 
 ty's ideas of their justice, and his earnest wishes to see a 
 happy restoration of the publick tranquillity. 
 
 I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Lientenant Governour of New- York. 
 
 FROM THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 Whitehall, March 4, 1775. 
 Sir: The American Packets having been detained a 
 few days beyond the usual time of their sailing, gives me 
 an opportunity of acquainting you, that your despatch of 
 the first of February has been received, and of assuring 
 you that the sentiments of duty to the King, and wishes 
 of a reconciliation with the Mother Country, so fully ex- 
 pressed in the Addresses of the Council and Assembly, in 
 answer to your very prudent and proper Speech to them, 
 have been very graciously received by His Majesty, and 
 have given general satisfaction to all ranks of people in 
 this Kingdom. 
 
 1 am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Lieutenant Governour Colden. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN NEW-YORK, DATED MARCH 4, 1775. 
 
 The news which the Packet brought us of the conduct 
 of the people of New- York, has filled every heart with 
 joy, and employed every tongue in your praise. Even 
 faction itself admires in sullen silence. Pursue the same 
 line of mild and prudent counsel and conduct, and you 
 will secure the liberties of your Country, and obtain im- 
 mortal gratitude from the posterity of even your rivals. 
 
 I am glad you anticipated Lord North's proposition, as 
 your honour will be so much the higher. Whatever the 
 enemies of both Countries may say, the Resolution which 
 was moved for by Lord North, is founded on the truest 
 policy and benevolence. While it reserves and maintains 
 the just and necessary sovereignty of Parliament, it invites 
 the Colonists to an amicable settlement of the dispute. 
 It draws a strong line between the seditious and honest 
 (the misguided) citizen, and, while it leaves the former to 
 be checked by the sword of justice, leads the latter to obe- 
 dience, by granting him all the indulgence he could ask with 
 safety to his own happiness. It blends that firmness and 
 benevolence which are always united in the counsels of a 
 prudent Legislature. 
 
 Such is the proposed Resolution ; which Opposition will, 
 without doubt, outrageously censure and traduce, because 
 it will destroy their sanguine hopes of success, by tending 
 to allay popular discontents, and renew the friendship of 
 Great Britain and her Colonies. They foresee, with all 
 the bitterness of envy, the triumph of their rivals, and 
 
 sicken at the prospect of that publick tranquillity, over the 
 imaginary destruction of which they smiled with malignant 
 joy. — In the rage of disappointment, they forgot the ne- 
 cessary appearance of consistency, and charge the same 
 Administration with timidity and an ignorant retreat, which 
 they, but yesterday, censured with obstinate perseverance 
 and inflexible severity. The former accusation is as ground- 
 less as the latter. Administration pursues the equitable 
 and honourable line between both extremes, equally remote 
 from undistinguishing impetuosity and wavering irresolu- 
 tion. The proposition in question discovers not the faint- 
 est colour of a resignation of Parliamentary authority, or 
 sacrifice of its dignity. 
 
 The proposals of the Colonies, which it invites, are to 
 be made by their Assemblies. The contested question 
 about the right of taxation is to cease, with respect to such 
 Province or Colony as shall propose to make provision by 
 its Assembly, according to its situation and circumstances, 
 for contributing its proportion to the common defence, and 
 for the support of the Civil Government, and the Admin- 
 istration of Justice within itself. 
 
 By this salutary measure, therefore, the necessity and 
 just authority of Parliament will be preserved, and the 
 Americans gratified in their wish of being taxed by their 
 own Representatives. The Legislature will still possess 
 the unalienable power of commanding and employing the 
 strength of the State in the common defence ; and the 
 Colonies enjoy the privilege of levying taxes in such modes 
 as are most expedient and agreeable to themselves. While 
 they cheerfully contribute their proportion for the support 
 ol their own Civil Establishment, and the general preserva- 
 tion and defence of the Empire, no taxes will be attempted 
 to be levied on them but what are imposed by their own 
 Representatives. When they refuse to fulfil their engage- 
 ments, and will not assist in bearing the common burdens, 
 Parliament will then only interfere, and exert that power 
 which must necessarily reside in the Supreme Legislature, 
 of obliging all the subjects of the State to co-operate for 
 its preservation and - defence. 
 
 By this measure, therefore, Parliament will give a new 
 and honourable proof, that its decisions are guided by be- 
 nevolence and fortitude : that when it sends forth the 
 sword of justice to restrain and punish the factious, it 
 extends also the most reasonable and friendly proposals to 
 invite the good, though deluded citizen, to peace and re- 
 conciliation. 
 
 CHOWAN COUNTY (NORTH-C AROLINa) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 4, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met at the House of Capt. James Sum- 
 ner, and the gentlemen appointed at a former meeting of 
 Directors, to promote subscriptions for the encouragement 
 of Manufactures, informed the Committee that the sum of 
 Eighty Pounds Sterling was subscribed by the inhabitants 
 of this County for that laudable purpose. The Committee, 
 taking into consideration the manner in which said sum 
 may be applied, so as to redound to the utility of this 
 Province in general, and to this County in particular, re- 
 solved, that the sum of Forty Pounds Sterling be paid 
 by the Chairman of the Committee to any person who 
 shall, in eighteen months from the date hereof, first make in 
 this Province, or cause to be therein made, under his direc- 
 tion, five hundred pair of Wool Cards, such as usually 
 cost One Shilling and Three Pence Sterling, in Great 
 Britain; and five hundred pair of good Cotton Cards, such 
 as usually cost Two Shillings and Six Pence Sterling in 
 Great Britain, which the Committee hereby oblige them- 
 selves to purchase and pay, ready money, for, at the rate 
 of Two Shillings Sterling for the Wool Cards, and Three 
 Shillings Sterling a pair for the Cotton Cards ; and it is 
 expected that the person entitled to such premiums shall 
 furnish them at that price. The quality and price that 
 such Cards usually cost in Great Britain to be submitted 
 to the Committee. 
 
 The Committee also offer a premium of Forty Pounds 
 Sterling, to be paid by the Chairman of the Committee, to 
 the person who shall first make for sale, in this Province, two 
 thousand pounds of good Steel, fit for edged tools. The 
 Committee are apprehensive the premiums here offered 
 are too inconsiderable to induce any person to attempt the 
 
81 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 32 
 
 above branches of business ; but they flatter tliemselves that 
 the oilier Counties in this Province, stimulated by the same 
 laudable motives to promote industry, one of the primary 
 sources of virtue and wealth, may join them, in order that 
 the above branches of Manufacture may be effectually 
 carried into execution ; in which case, it is hoped the Com- 
 mittees of such Counties as are desirous to contribute, will 
 correspond with this Committee upon the subject, that 
 (he whole Premium offered may appear at once in the 
 papers abroad, in which it is proposed to have it published. 
 
 The Committee likewise offer a Premium of Ten Pounds, 
 Proclamation Money, to be paid by their Chairman, to any 
 person who shall, within twelve months from this date, 
 first produce one hundred yards of well fulled Woollen 
 Cloth to the Committee, spun and wove in this County, and 
 fulled in any County within the District of the Superiour 
 Court of Edenton; and a Premium of Ten Pounds, like mo- 
 ney, to be paid by the Chairman, to the person who shall, 
 within twelve months from this date, first produce to the 
 Committee one hundred yards of well bleached Linen, such 
 as usually costs Two Shillings Sterling in Great Britain; 
 and the sum of Five Pounds, like money, to any person who 
 shall produce one hundred yards of Linen, next in quality, 
 not of less value than what usually costs One Shilling and 
 Eight Pence Sterling, in Great Britain ; and both kinds 
 of Linen to be manufactured in this County ; and the 
 quality of them to be submitted to the judgment of the 
 Committee. Signed by order of the Committee, 
 
 Samuel Jones, Clerk. 
 
 Durham, New-Hampshire, March, 4, 1775. 
 Mr. Fowle : Whereas, some evil-minded and malicious 
 persons have asserted that a number of people in the Town 
 of Durham are about forming themselves into a Company, 
 in order to throw off all obedience to the Militia Officers, 
 and set at defiance the Laws of Government : I desire 
 you to publish the Articles of Inlistment in your next 
 paper, that the publick may judge how little foundation 
 there is for so scandalous a report. The Articles are as 
 follows : 
 
 " We, the Subscribers, do hereby agree to form out- 
 selves into a Company, and meet at Durham Falls, on 
 every Monday afternoon, for six months next coming, to 
 acquaint ourselves with the Military Art, and instruct each 
 other in the various manoeuvres and evolutions which are 
 necessary for Infantry in time of battle. We also agree 
 to appear each time well furnished with Arms and Ammu- 
 nition : And at our first meeting, to nominate and appoint 
 the several Officers, who are to preside over us for the first 
 month, and then proceed to appoint others for the next 
 month, always avoiding to re-elect any that have served, 
 until all the others have gone through their tour of duty, 
 as Officers: And at any muster or field-day, we shall 
 hold ourselves obliged to incorporate with the respective 
 Companies to which w r e belong, and yield all due obedi- 
 ence to the proper Officers of the Militia, appointed by 
 the Captain General ; and endeavour to instruct those who 
 are undisciplined in the best manner we are able." 
 
 Signed by eighty-two reputable inhabitants. 
 
 This is an exact copy of the Articles, which any person 
 that yet remains in doubt may be satisfied of by applying 
 to me and viewing the original, a sight of which may, at 
 any time, be had ; and was there nothing more illegal and 
 injurious in a late paper, signed by several persons in this 
 Province, I believe the signers would not take so much 
 pains in keeping it from the publick view. Rut whatever 
 may be the purport of that, I rejoice in laying the contents 
 of this before the people, that they may judge whether it 
 has the least appearance of an illegal combination, or whe- 
 ther, on the contrary, it does not appear to be a well con- 
 certed plan to promote and encourage the Military Art. 
 1 flatter myself that even malice itself could not adjudge 
 this to be an unjustifiable measure, or suggest that any 
 part of it looks like treason or rebellion ; and I can account 
 for the scandalous report concerning it, in no other way, 
 but by supposing that these defamers expected (according 
 to the custom of this day) to be rewarded for their slander 
 by some posts of honour or profit. 
 
 Sir, I am your very humble servant, 
 
 John Sullivan. 
 
 on mr. sullivan's letter, of march 4, 1775. 
 M it. Fowle : In a publication in your last paper, under 
 the signature of Mr. Sullivan, we have been favoured with 
 a copy of an Engagement entered into by a number of 
 people to meet at Durham Falls, once a week, for the 
 space of six months to come, in order to acquire Military 
 skill, under Officers to be appointed by themselves, 
 monthly. 
 
 As this is a matter of publick concern, I shall beg per- 
 mission, Mr. Printer, through the channel of your paper, 
 to lay some animadversions before the publick upon it, 
 which, I think, it would be unpardonable to neglect. 
 
 In the first place, the appointment of all Military Officers, 
 whether for a day, a week, or a month, is the sole right of 
 the King, or of those deriving authority from him, and (to 
 treat the matter in the most moderate terms) it is a very 
 improper step for any body of men to assume that power 
 to themselves, upon any occasion or pretence whatsoever. 
 
 The Laws of the Province require the Militia to be 
 drawn forth, to learn the Military exercise, four times a 
 year, and no more. Mr. Sullivan may, probably, tell us 
 that this new-modeled Company does not come under this 
 limitation ; yet I presume he will not deny hut that the 
 meeting of any part of the Militia — and these people declare 
 themselves to belong to it — any otherwise than the law- 
 directs, is, at least, an evasion, if not a direct violation of 
 the law, both which ought to be equally avoided. 
 
 The Town of Durham, by having eighty-two of its 
 inhabitants employed one day in a week, (for we cannot 
 suppose they will mind any other business on those days,) 
 for six months, in Military exercises, instead of their hus- 
 bandry, will sustain a damage of Three Hundred and 
 Twenty-Seven Pounds, lawful money, computing the loss 
 of their labour only at half a dollar a day, for each person. 
 Supposing, now, that all the men in the Province, fit to 
 bear arms, which may be reasonably calculated at fourteen 
 thousand, should catch this Military ardour, as most infec- 
 tions are catching; and according to the tendency of this 
 plan, follow the example of Durham, it would, after Dur- 
 ham fashion, occasion a damage of Fifty-Four Thousand 
 Pounds, lawful money, to the Province. A pretty tax, 
 truly, for a new Country! Whatever reason Mr. Sullivan 
 may have to rejoice in thus leading on the people to their 
 own damage, I am sure the Province would have abundant 
 reason not to rejoice in his rejoicing, but to regret their own 
 folly ; and it is well known that many arc, at this day, in 
 the like predicament on account of some past transactions 
 amongst us. I hope, therefore, the people will judge for 
 themselves, and avoid incurring a damage to the Province, 
 which, no doubt, the Legislature had in contemplation to 
 prevent, by limiting the times of training the Militia to 
 four days in a year. 
 
 Moreover, this extraordinary spirit to acquire the use of 
 Arms, at a juncture when the noise of civil discord begins 
 to roar in our neighbourhood, marks strongly a disposition 
 to employ our Arms against the power and authority we 
 ought to support and defend; every appearance of which 
 should be avoided with the utmost caution and circum- 
 spection. 
 
 As I wish not, Mr. Printer, to trespass too much on 
 your indulgence, I shall, for the present, only take notice 
 that, though Sullivan plainly discovers the Durham plan 
 to be a child of his own ; yet I still hope he will, upon re- 
 flection, have candour enough to acknowledge the deform- 
 ities of his baby, and take it in good part in me, to advise 
 him to abandon the system he hath for some time past 
 been engaged in ; a system manifestly tending to bring 
 calamity and distress upon the good people of this once 
 happy Province. Monitor. 
 
 MR. SULLIVAN'S REPLY TO " MONITOR." 
 
 Ma. Printer: In your paper of the 17th instant, I 
 observed a piece, signed by a person who calls himself 
 Monitor, full of ill-natured reflections upon an Agreement 
 entered into by a number of persons in Durham, to assem- 
 ble once a week, for the space of six months, to instruct 
 each other in the Military Art. The feeble attempts of 
 this scurrilous writer to display his wit in the former and 
 latter part of his nonsensical piece, can deserve nothing but 
 contempt and ridicule. 
 
88 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 34 
 
 His assertion, that a number of persons assembling for 
 the purpose of instructing each other in the art of War, 
 and appointing persons to give the words of command, in- 
 terferes with the Royal prerogative in the appointment of 
 Officers, and amounts to an evasion, if not a violation, of 
 the Province Laws, fully demonstrates his ignorance, both 
 of the Law and Constitution. 
 
 The curious calculation he makes of the loss New-Hamp- 
 shire must sustain if the same military ardour (which he 
 ignorantly calls an infection) should prevail throughout 
 the Province, merits the ridicule of all mankind. 
 
 I am surprised that this curious calculator (while his 
 hand was in) did not inform us of the amazing loss this 
 Government sustains by devoting a seventh part of the 
 time to religious exercises; and endeavour to convince us 
 that, as our clothing costs a large sum, it would be best to 
 go naked. 
 
 After which, I should be glad to know from him, if we 
 were to lay down our arms, and make the infamous sub- 
 mission he contends for, how much money we should be 
 able to earn in a day, and how much of our earnings we 
 should be able to keep in our pockets. 
 
 I hope the publick will excuse my not giving a more 
 serious and particular answer to the production of a dis- 
 tempered brain, as that might make him wise in his own 
 conceit, and induce this nonsensical scribbler to think him- 
 self a person of some consequence. 
 
 1 shall conclude with reminding him, " that a shoe- 
 maker never ought to go beyond his last." 
 
 Yours, John Sullivan. 
 
 TO THE FREEMEN OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Norfolk, March 6, 1775. 
 
 Trusting to your sure resentment against the enemies of 
 your Country, we, the Committee, elected by ballot for the 
 Borough of Norfolk, hold up for your just indignation Mr. 
 John Brown, Merchant, of this place. We are fully sen- 
 sible of the great caution with which publick censure should 
 be inflicted ; and, at all times, are heartily disposed to ac- 
 complish the great design of the Association by the gentle 
 methods of reason and persuasion. But an unhappy 
 proneness to unmanly equivocation, which has so much 
 distinguished Mr. Brown, and for which he has, in more 
 than one instance, been censured by the voice of the peo- 
 ple, added to the present manifest discovery of his secret 
 and most direct attempt to defeat the measures of the 
 Congress, in the case now before us, and of some very 
 unjustifiable steps taken to conceal his disingenuous con- 
 duct, hath precluded us from the milder methods we would 
 wish to adopt, and compelled us to give the publick the 
 following narration : On Thursday, the 2d of March, this 
 Committee were informed of the arrival of the Brig Fan- 
 ny, Captain Watson, with a number of Slaves for Mr. 
 Brown; and, upon inquiry, it appeared that they were 
 shipped from Jamaica as his property, and on his account ; 
 that he had taken great pains to conceal their arrival from 
 the knowledge of the Committee ; and that the shipper of 
 the Slaves, Mr. Brown's correspondents, and the Captain 
 of the Vessel, were all fully apprized of the Continental 
 prohibition against that article. These circumstances in- 
 duced a suspicion that Mr. Brown had given orders for the 
 Slaves himself, which he positively denied, asserting that 
 he had expressly forbidden his correspondents to send any, 
 as being contrary to the Association, for the truth of which 
 he appealed to his own letter-book. The Secretary being 
 desired, at the request of Mr. Brown, to attend him to 
 inspect the orders said to have been given, reported that he 
 had had some slight and hasty glances at letters written 
 between the middle of December and beginning of January, 
 and was sorry to say he had seen one directed to Mr. Hen- 
 derson, and another to Mr. Livingston, both of the date of 
 December, and a third to Messrs. Campbells, of the first of 
 January, all containing positive and particular orders for 
 remittances to be made him in Slaves ; at the same time 
 hinting the necessity of secrecy, as it is an article, he 
 writes, he could not avowedly deal in. The Secretary 
 also reported, that he had seen a postscript, written a few 
 days after the determination of this Committee, directing 
 the return of a Slave imported from Antigua, in which 
 postscript Mr. Brown writes his correspondent to send 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 him no more than two Negro lads, as it would be danger- 
 ous to sell them here. But his orders to his other corres- 
 pondents appear to have been so positive that they were 
 complied with, notwithstanding his friend writes him that 
 good Slaves would sell to more advantage in Jamaica than 
 in Virginia. From the whole of this transaction, there- 
 fore, we, the Committee for Norfolk Borough, do give it 
 as our unanimous opinion, that the said John Brown has 
 wilfully and perversely violated the Continental Associa- 
 tion, to which he had, with his own hand, subscribed obe- 
 dience; and that agreeable to the Eleventh Article we are 
 bound " forthwith to publish the truth of the case, to the 
 end that all such foes to the rights of British America 
 may be publickly known, and universally contemned, as 
 the enemies of American Liberty, and that every person 
 may henceforth break off all dealings with him." 
 
 Matthew Phripp, Chairman. 
 
 James Taylor, Thomas Newton, Jr., Kiel Jamieson, 
 
 John Hulchings, Thomas Ritson, Robert Taylor, 
 
 John Lawrence, John Boush, Thomas Claiborne, 
 
 Joseph Hutchings, James Holt, Samuel Inglis. 
 
 Extract from the Minutes. 
 
 William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of Observation at Bal- 
 timore, March 6, 1775, present Forty-two Members- — 
 
 Captain William Moat, of the Brig Sally, from Bristol, 
 appeared before the Committee, and reported his cargo on 
 oath, consisting of one hundred tons of British Salt, 
 and twenty-four indented Servants. The Captain further 
 reports that he took in his Salt before the 12th day of 
 December, and on or about that day he fell down the River 
 with his Vessel, to a place called Rowland Ferry, there to 
 take in his Servants ; that he continued there until the 23d, 
 and sailed from King-Road the 24th of December. 
 
 On motion made by Doctor John Stevensoii, to whom 
 Captain Moat's Vessel and Cargo were addressed, that he 
 might have liberty to land the said cargo of Salt, alleging 
 it ought only to be considered as ballast, and was not 
 intended to be prohibited by the Association of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, 
 
 The Committee took into consideration the state of the 
 said Brig Sally, Captain William Moat : 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That the Salt imported in said 
 Brig be not landed. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cumberland County, New-Jersey, March 6, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of the County of Cumberland, in New- 
 Jersey, met at Bridgetown ; and after reading the Associa- 
 tion of the American Congress, it appeared, by the volun- 
 tary declaration of Silas Newcomb, Esquire, a Member of 
 the Committee, that he had contravened the same, and, in 
 open violation of the Third Article of the aforesaid Asso- 
 ciation, had drank East-India Tea in his family ever since 
 the first day of March instant, and that he is determined 
 to persist in the same practice. After much time spent in 
 vain to convince Mr. Newcomb of his errour, it was agreed, 
 that it is the duty of this Committee, agreeable to the 
 Eleventh Article of the above-mentioned compact, to break 
 off all dealings with him, and in this manner publish the 
 truth of the case, that he may be distinguished from the 
 friends of American liberty. 
 
 By order of the Committee, 
 
 Thomas Ewing, Clerk. 
 
 Cumberland County, New-Jersey. 
 
 Whereas, Silas Newcomb, Esquire, was, in March last, 
 advertised by the Committee of said County, for a breach 
 of the Association of the Continental Congress, and having 
 since manifested a desire of making a publick acknowledg- 
 ment for his former misconduct, the Committee accepted 
 of the following recantation, viz: — 
 
 " I, the subscriber, do hereby publickly acknowledge 
 my former errour, and voluntarily confess myself to blame 
 for obstinately refusing to submit to a majority of the Com- 
 mittee ; and I do hereby ask pardon of the Members of the 
 
 3 
 
.35 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 36 
 
 Committee for the abuses offered them, and promise, for 
 the future, to regulate my conduct agreeable to the afore- 
 said Association, and a majority of said Committee. Wit- 
 ness my hand, the 11th day of May, 1775. 
 
 "Silas Newcomb." 
 Published by order of the Committee, 
 
 Thomas Ewing, Cleric. 
 
 FREEHOLD (MONMOUTH COUNTY, NEW-JERSEY) COM- 
 MITTEE. 
 
 Freehold, March 6, 1775. 
 
 Although the Committee of Observation and Inspection 
 for the Township of Freehold, in the County of Mon- 
 mouth, New-Jersey, was constituted early in December last, 
 and the members have statedly and assiduously attended 
 to the business assigned them ever since, yet they have 
 hitherto deferred the publication of their institution, in 
 hopes of the general concurrence of the other Townships 
 in the choice of a new County Committee, when one pub- 
 lication might have served for the whole; but finding some 
 of them have hitherto declined to comply with the recom- 
 mendation of the General Congress in that respect, and 
 not knowing whether they intend it at all, they judge it 
 highly expedient to transmit the following account to the 
 Press, lest their brethren in distant parts of the Colony 
 should think the County of Monmouth altogether inactive 
 at the present important crisis. 
 
 "In pursuance of the recommendation of the Grand Con- 
 tinental Congress, and for the preservation and support of 
 American freedom, a respectable body of the Freeholders, 
 inhabitants of the Township of Freehold, met at Monmouth 
 Court-House, on Saturday, December 10th, 1774, and 
 unanimously elected the following gentlemen to serve as 
 a Committee of Observation and Inspection for the said 
 Town, viz : John Anderson, Esquire, Captain John Co- 
 venhoven, Messrs. Peter Forman, Hendrick Smock, Asher 
 Holmes, David Forman, and John Forman, Doctor Na- 
 thaniel Scudder, and Doctor Thomas Henderson, who 
 were instructed by their constituents to endeavour, to the 
 utmost of their knowledge and power, to carry into execu- 
 tion the several important and salutary measures pointed 
 out to them by the American Congress ; and, without fa- 
 vour or affection, to make all such diligent inquiry as shall 
 be found conducive to the accomplishment of the great 
 and necessary purposes held up by them to the attention 
 of America." 
 
 At an early meeting of said Committee, a pamphlet, en- 
 titled Free Thoughts on the Retolves of the Congress, 
 by A. W. Farmer, was handed in to them, and their opin- 
 ion of it asked by a number of their constituents then pre- 
 sent. Said pamphlet was then read, and, upon mature 
 deliberation, unanimously declared to be a performance of 
 the most pernicious and malignant tendency ; replete with 
 the most specious sophistry, but void of any solid or ra- 
 tional argument ; calculated to deceive and mislead the un- 
 wary, the ignorant, and the credulous ; and designed, no 
 doubt, by the detestable author, to damp that noble spirit 
 of union, which he sees prevailing all over the Continent, 
 and, if possible, to sap the foundations of American free- 
 dom. The pamphlet was afterwards handed back to the 
 people, who immediately bestowed upon it a suit of tar 
 and turkey-buzzard's feathers; one of the persons concern- 
 ed in the operation, justly observing that although the 
 feathers were plucked from the most stinking fowl in the 
 creation, he thought they fell far short of being a proper 
 emblem of the author's odiousness to every advocate for 
 true freedom. The same person wished, however, he had 
 the pleasure of fitting him with a suit of the same materi- 
 als. The pamphlet was then, in its gorgeous attire, nailed 
 up firmly to the pillory-post, there to remain as a monu- 
 ment of the indignation of a free and loyal people against 
 the author and vender of a publication so evidently tending 
 both to subvert the liberties of America, and the Constitu- 
 tion of the British Empire. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting of said Committee, it was re- 
 solved, unanimously, that, on account of sundry publica- 
 tions in the pamphlet way, by James Riving ton, Printer, 
 of New- York, and also a variety of weekly productions in 
 his paper, blended, in general, with the most glaring false- 
 hoods, disgorged with the most daring effrontery, and all 
 
 evidently calculated to disunite the Colonies, and sow the 
 seeds of discord and contention through the whole Conti- 
 nent, they do esteem him a base and malignant enemy to 
 the liberties of this Country, and think he ought justlv to 
 be treated as such by all considerate and good men. And 
 they do, for themselves, now publickly declare, (and re- 
 commend the same conduct to their constituents,) that they 
 will have no connection with him, the said Rivington, 
 while he continues to retail such dirty, scandalous, and trai- 
 torous performances ; but hold him in the utmost contempt, 
 as a noxious exotick plant, incapable either of cultivation 
 or improvement in this soil of freedom, and only fit to be 
 transported. 
 
 This Committee did early make application to every 
 other Township in the County, recommending the elec- 
 tion of Committees ; and they soon had information that 
 those of Upper Freehold, ■ Middletown, and Dover, had 
 chosen theirs, and were resolved to enforce the measures 
 of the Congress. 
 
 N. B. A very considerable number of the inhabitants 
 of Freehold have formed themselves into Companies, and 
 chosen Military Instructors, under whose tuition they are 
 making rapid improvement. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee, 
 
 John Anderson, Chairman. 
 
 MAJOR BENJAMIN FLOYD, ETC., TO COMMITTEE AT SMITH- 
 TOWN. 
 
 Brookhaven, Suffolk County, New-York, March 6, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Rivington : A Committee of Observation for seve- 
 ral Districts met on the 23d of February last, in Smith- 
 town, Suffolk County, Long-Island; they should have 
 told the publick that the few from Brookhaven were not 
 of the Committee. Whether any Committee in the Coun- 
 ty has been chosen, in the manner they speak of, we know 
 not. Brookhaven never was represented ; so it has not, 
 it cannot, approve of the Congress. We mean to consider 
 only what concerns us — the fifth and sixth of the Commit- 
 tee Resolves. 
 
 Why does this Committee so highly disapprove of the 
 Major and others ? Is it because he fulfils his oath to, and 
 exerts his power in defence of, Government? Does his 
 example shame and upbraid them ? They assuredly would 
 commend and justify his conduct, were they not enchanted 
 by seditious, independent, republican principles ! It is your 
 opinion, that most of the subscribers in Messrs. Gaine and 
 Rivington's writing, were induced, &.c. It is our opin- 
 ion, that your opinion is a mere fiction. Have you heard 
 both sides ? Was there neither partiality or prejudice in the 
 way ? You may have an opinion that such as oppose you 
 are traitors ; this may lead you to proclaim them ; this may- 
 excite you to imbrue your guilty hands in the blood of the 
 saints ! By what law did you form the opinion : what evi- 
 dence have you to support it? For our part, we contemn 
 the Court, and its arbitrary mandates, that carries its sta- 
 tutes and laws in its bosom. Tell us the law we have 
 transgressed, " the unfair means we used," and who has 
 used any. We, who carried the Petition, used none ; the 
 people needed none, being generally glad of an opportu- 
 nity to sign it. You must know the Constitution dis- 
 avows ill arts ; it condemns tyranny and slavery, and yours 
 among others. You say, you are informed a Court of 
 Inquisition would have said as much. Who are your in- 
 formers ? "A great number are dissatisfied ;" we call 
 upon you now to name them, for "we are highly dissatis- 
 fied" with your unfair manner of statiug things. We know 
 not any "that are dissatisfied with what they have done." 
 But we know some who are sorry that they missed the 
 opportunity of "signing it." But we will bury this pious 
 Resolve, with the solemnity of your next, saying it is re- 
 plete with the most impudent falsehoods and grossest mis- 
 representations. 
 
 A very ingenious writer, who is an honour to the Prov- 
 ince, somewhere says, " that Four Pence upon the Hun- 
 dred for the fibs, falsehoods, and misrepresentations of 
 America's Sons, would pay a considerable part of the 
 Nation's Debt." We are of his opinion. 
 
 " The Major and abetters of the ingenious A. W. 
 Farmer" call upon you to prove " them traitors." If they 
 are in no sense traitors, it is base and abominable " to es- 
 
37 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 38 
 
 teem and treat them as traitors to their Country." If 
 what is generally said be true, that the Congress made no 
 laws, then it can be no transgression to trample upon and 
 contemn the Association. For where there is no law, there 
 can be no transgression. Now if you fail in proof of so 
 high and presumptuous an imputation, the impartial pub- 
 lick must esteem you a most abusive and unlawful body. 
 No sacred pretext or design can justify the commission of 
 the least evil. 
 
 Tell us what moved you to proclaim our patriotick 
 Printers traitors? Do you really mean to immure the 
 Colonies in Popish darkness, by suppressing the vehicles 
 of light, truth, and liberty ? Are none to speak, write, or 
 print, but by your permission ? Does a conscience of guilt 
 and tyranny hurry the Committees to starve and murder 
 our virtuous Printers? One would conclude, from Mr. 
 Holt's papers, that they had lost virtue, honour, humanity, 
 and common sense. A free Press has been the honour 
 and glory of Englishmen ; by it our most excellent Con- 
 stitution has been raised to greater perfection than any in 
 the world. But we are become the degenerate plants of 
 a new and strange vine ; and now it seems ignorance must 
 be the mother of both devotion and politicks. 
 
 The Major and friends to Government desire the Com- 
 mittee, who had no right to represent Brookhaven, to take 
 back the odious, despicable epithet of traitors, as it is pe- 
 culiarly adapted to the enemies of the Country, and the 
 deluded abetters of the rebellious saints at Boston. For 
 we, in our turn, " think that they (if any) ought to be es- 
 teemed and treated as traitors to their Country, and ene- 
 mies to the liberties of America." 
 
 Signed by Major Benjamin Floyd, and a great number 
 of others. 
 
 MEETING AT DANVERS, (ESSEX COUNTY,) MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 At a meeting of the people of the Alarm List of the 
 Third Company in Danvers, held at said Danvers 6th 
 March, 1775, for the purpose of electing Officers for said 
 Alarm List Company, Rev. Benjamin Balch, Chairman : 
 
 Said people unanimously made choice of Deacon Ed- 
 mund Putnam for Captain ; Rev. Benjamin Balch for a 
 Lieutenant ; and Mr. Tarrant Putnam for an Ensign. 
 The said Gentlemen being all present, declared their ac- 
 ceptance. Attest, 
 
 Arch. Dale, Clerk of said Meeting. 
 
 Boston, March G, 1775. 
 
 At this inauspicious day, when Tyranny lifts her shame- 
 less front, and is followed by a train of unfeeling Apostates, 
 I cannot let my pen sleep. The enemies to Freedom, 
 convinced that the Americans are not to be cheated, now 
 openly declare that the Colonies must and will be subject- 
 ed by force. This brings up the last and great question, 
 whether the United Colonies can defend their rights ? If 
 they cannot, of all men they will be the most miserable. 
 But I believe they can, and will defend them ; and if the 
 sword should be drawn against them, they may strike such 
 a blow as will shake Britain to the centre. It is painful 
 to the Americans to contemplate measures which may be 
 ruinous to their brethren in Britain, but a tyrannical Min- 
 istry, encouraged by the Tories in both Countries, are now 
 pushing their destructive plans with such rapidity and vio- 
 lence, that we must look forward to the last grand step for 
 defence ; and if they will not hearken to the wise and just 
 proposals of the American Congress, but still continue to 
 go on from bad to worse, the Americans will be compelled, 
 by the great Law of Nature, to strike a decisive blow, and 
 follow the example of the once oppressed United Pro- 
 vinces — publish a manifesto to the world, showing the ne- 
 cessity of dissolving their connection with a Nation whose 
 Ministers were aiming at their ruin ; offer a Free Trade to 
 all Nations, and an asylum in the free regions of America to 
 all the oppressed through the world. This is the der- 
 nier resort ; and this, O Americans ! you can do ; and 
 this you must do, unless tyranny ceases to invade your liber- 
 ties. This great subject I have viewed on all sides ; and 
 it might be demonstrated by a million of reasons, that the 
 Americans may thus secure to themselves and to posteritv 
 the blessings of Freedom. Time and Judgment. 
 
 An Oration delivered Monday, March 6, 1775, at the 
 request of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, to 
 commemorate the bloody tragedy of the 5th of March, 
 1770. By Doctor Joseph Warren. 
 
 My ever honoured Fellow- Citizens : 
 
 It is not without the most humiliating conviction of my 
 want of ability that I now appear before you ; but the sense I 
 have of the obligation I am under to obey the calls of my 
 Country at all times, together with an animating recollection 
 of your indulgence exhibited upon so many occasions, has 
 induced me once more, undeserving as I am, to throw my- 
 self upon that candour which looks with kindness on the 
 feeblest efforts of an honest mind. 
 
 You will not now expect the elegance, the learning, the 
 fire, the enrapturing strains of eloquence, which charmed 
 you when a Lovel, a Church, or a Hancock spake ; but 
 you will permit me to say, that with a sincerity equal to 
 theirs, I mourn over my bleeding Country ; with them I 
 weep at her distress, and with them deeply resent the many 
 injuries she has received from the hands of cruel and un- 
 reasonable men. 
 
 That personal freedom is the natural right of every 
 man, and that property, or an exclusive right to dispose ol 
 what he has honestly acquired by his own labour, necessa- 
 rily arises therefrom, are truths which common sense has 
 placed beyond the reach of contradiction ; and no man, or 
 body of men, can, without being guilty of flagrant injus- 
 tice, claim a right to dispose of the persons or acquisitions 
 of any other man, or body of men, unless it can be proved 
 that such a right has arisen from some compact between 
 the parties, in which it has been explicitly and freely 
 granted. 
 
 If I may be indulged in taking a retrospective view of 
 the first settlement of our Country, it will be easy to de- 
 termine with what degree of justice the late Parliament of 
 Great Britain have assumed the power of giving away 
 that property which the Americans have earned by their 
 labour. 
 
 Our fathers having nobly resolved never to wear the 
 yoke of Despotism, and seeing the European world, through 
 indolence and cowardice, falling a prey to tyranny, bravely 
 threw themselves upon the bosom of theOcean, determined 
 to find a place in which they might enjoy their freedom, or 
 perish in the glorious attempt. Approving Heaven beheld 
 the favourite ark dancing upon the waves, and graciously 
 preserved it, until the chosen families were brought in 
 safety to these Western regions. They found the land 
 swarming with Savages, who threatened death with every 
 kind of torture ; but Savages, and death with torture, were 
 far less terrible than slavery. Nothing was so much the 
 object of their abhorrence as a tyrant's power ; they knew 
 that it was more safe to dwell with man, in his most un- 
 polished state, than in a Country where arbitrary power 
 prevails. Even Anarchy itself, that bugbear held up by 
 the tools of power, (though truly to be deprecated,) is in- 
 finitely less dangerous to mankind than arbitrary Govern- 
 ment. Anarchy can be but of short duration ; for when 
 men are at liberty to pursue that course which is most con- 
 ducive to their own happiness, they will soon come into it : 
 and, from the rudest state of nature, order and good go- 
 vernment must soon arise. But tyranny, when once 
 established, entails its curse on a Nation to the latest pe- 
 riod of time, unless some daring genius, inspired by Hea- 
 ven, shall, unappalled by danger, bravely form and execute 
 the arduous design of restoring liberty and life to his en- 
 slaved, murdered Country. 
 
 The tools of power, in every age, have racked their in- 
 ventions to justify the few in sporting with the happiness 
 of the many, and, having found their sophistry too weak to 
 hold mankind in bondage, have impiously dared to force 
 Religion, the daughter of the King of Heaven, to become 
 a prostitute in the service of Hell. They taught that 
 Princes, honoured with the name of Christians, might bid 
 defiance to the Founder of their faith ; might pillage Pagan 
 Countries, and deluge them with blood, only because they 
 boasted themselves to be the disciples of that Teacher who 
 strictly charged his followers to " do to others as they would 
 that others should do unto them." 
 
 This Country having been discovered by an English sub- 
 ject in the year 1620, was (according to the system which the 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 40 
 
 blind superstition of those times supported) deemed the 
 property of the Crown of England. Our ancestors, when 
 they resolved to quit their native soil, obtained from King 
 James a grant of certain lands in North- America. This 
 they probably did to silence the cavils of their enemies, for 
 it cannot be doubted but they despised the pretended right 
 which he claimed thereto. Certain it is, that he might, 
 with equal propriety and justice, have made them a giant 
 of the planet Jupiter; and their subsequent conduct plainly 
 shows that they were too well acquainted with humanity 
 and the principles of natural equity, to suppose that the 
 grant gave them any right to take possession ; they there- 
 fore entered into a treaty with the natives, and bought from 
 them the lands. Nor have I yet obtained any information 
 that our ancestors ever pleaded, or that the natives ever 
 regarded the grant from the English Crown ; the business 
 was transacted by t he parties in the same independent 
 manner that it would have been had neither of them ever 
 known or heard of the Island of Great Britain. 
 
 Having become the honest proprietors of the soil, they 
 immediately applied themselves to the cultivation of it, and 
 they soon beheld the virgin earth teeming with richest 
 fruits; a grateful recompense for their unwearied toil. The 
 fields began to wave with ripening harvests, and the late 
 barren wilderness was seen to blossom like the rose. The 
 savage natives saw with wonder the delightful change, and 
 quickly formed a scheme to obtain that, by fraud or force, 
 which nature meant as the reward of industry alone. But 
 the illustrious emigrants soon convinced the rude invaders 
 that they were not less ready to take the field for battle 
 than for labour ; and the insidious foe was driven from their 
 borders as often as he ventured to disturb them. The 
 Crown of Engla>id looked with indifference on the con- 
 test ; our ancestors were left alone to combat with the na- 
 tives. Nor is there any reason to believe that it ever was 
 intended by the one party, or expected by the other, that 
 the grantor should defend and maintain the grantees in the 
 peaceable possession of the lands named in the patents. 
 And it appears plainly, from the history of those times, 
 that neither the Prince, nor the people of England, thought 
 themselves much interested in the matter; they had not 
 then any idea of a thousandth part of those advantages 
 which they since have, and we are most heartily willing 
 they should still continue to reap from us. 
 
 But when, at an infinite expense of toil and blood, this 
 wide extended Continent had been cultivated and defend- 
 ed; when the hardy adventurers justly expected that they 
 and their descendants should peaceably have enjoyed the 
 harvest of those fields which they had sown, and the fruit 
 of those vineyards which they had planted, this Country 
 was then thought worthy the attention of the British Min- 
 istry ; and the only justifiable, and only successful means 
 of rendering the Colonies serviceable to Britain, were 
 adopted. By an intercourse of friendly offices, the two 
 Countries became so united in affection that they thought 
 not of any distinct or separate interests ; they found both 
 Countries flourishing and happy. Britain saw her Com- 
 merce extended, and her wealth increased; her lands raised 
 to an immense value ; her fleets riding triumphant on the 
 Ocean ; the terrour of her arms spreading to every quarter 
 of the globe. The Colonist found himself free, and 
 thought himself secure ; he dwelt "under his own vine, 
 and under his own fig-tree, and had none to make him 
 afraid." He knew, indeed, that by purchasing the manu- 
 factures of Great Britain, he contributed to its greatness ; 
 he knew that all the wealth that his labour produced cen- 
 tred in Great Britain; but that, far from exciting his envy, 
 filled him with the highest pleasure ; that thought sup- 
 ported him in all his toils. When the business of the 
 day was past, he solaced himself with the contemplation, 
 or perhaps entertained his listening family with the recital 
 of some great, some glorious transaction, which shines con- 
 spicuous in the history of Britain; or perhaps his elevated 
 fancy led him to foretel, with a kind of enthusiastick con- 
 fidence, the glory, power, and duration of an Empire, 
 which should extend from one end of the earth to the 
 other ; he saw, or thought he saw, the British Nation risen 
 to a pitch of grandeur which cast a veil over the Roman 
 t;lory ; and, ravished with the preview, boasted a race of 
 British Kings, whose names should echo through those 
 Realms where Cyrus, Alexander, and the Ctesars, were 
 
 unknown ; Princes for whom millions of grateful subject?, 
 redeemed from Slavery and Pagan ignorance, should, with 
 thankful tongues, offer up their piayers and praises to that 
 transcendantly Great and Beneficent Being " by whom 
 Kings reign, and Princes decree justice." 
 
 These pleasing connections might have continued, these 
 delightsome prospects might have been every day extended, 
 and even the reveries of the most warm imagination might 
 have been realized ; but, unhappily for us, unhappily for 
 Britain, the madness of an avaricious Minister of Stale 
 has drawn a sable curtain over the charming scene, and in 
 its stead has brought upon the stage discord, envy, hatred, 
 and revenge, with civil war close in the rear ! 
 
 Some demon, in an evil hour, suggested to a short- 
 sighted financier the hateful project of transferring the 
 whole property of the King's subjects in America to his 
 subjects in Britain. The claim of the British Parliament 
 to tax the Colonies can never be supported but by such a 
 transfer; for the right of the House of Commons of Great 
 Britain to originate any tax, or to grant money, is alto- 
 gether derived from their being elected by the people of 
 Great Britain to act for them; and the people of Great 
 Britain cannot confer on their Representatives a right to 
 give or grant any tiling which they themselves have not a 
 right to give or grant personally. Therefore it follows, 
 that if the Members chosen by the people of Great Bri- 
 tain to represent them in Parliament have, by virtue of 
 their being so chosen, any right to give or grant American 
 property, or to lay any tax upon the lands or persons of 
 the Colonists, it is because the lands and people in the 
 Colonies are, bona fide, owned by, and justly belong to the 
 people of Great Britain. But (as has been before 
 observed) every man has a natural right to personal freedom, 
 consequently a right to enjoy what is acquired by his own 
 labour ; and as it is evident that the property in this Coun- 
 try has been acquired by our own labour, it is the duty of 
 the people of Great Britain to produce some compact in 
 which we have explicitly given up to them a right to dis- 
 pose of our persons or property. Until this is done, every 
 attempt of theirs, or of those whom they have deputed to 
 act for them, to give or grant any part of our property, is 
 directly repugnant to every principle of reason and natural 
 justice. But 1 may boldly say that such a compact never 
 existed, no, not even in imagination. Nevertheless, the 
 Representatives of a Nation, long famed for justice, and 
 the exercise of every noble virtue, have been prevailed on 
 to adopt the fatal scheme ; and although the dreadful con- 
 sequences of this wicked policy have already shaken the 
 Empire to its centre, yet still it is persisted in, regardless 
 of the voice of reason, deaf to the prayers and supplica- 
 tions, and unaffected with the flowing tears of suffering 
 millions, the British Ministry still hug the darling idol, 
 and every rolling year affords fresh instances of the absurd 
 devotion with which they worship it. Alas ! how has the 
 folly — the distraction of the British Councils, blasted our 
 swelling hopes, and spread a gloom over this Western hem- 
 isphere ! The hearts of Britons and Americans, which 
 lately felt the generous glow of mutual confidence and love, 
 now burn with jealousy and rage. Though but of yesterday, 
 1 recollect (deeply affected at the ill-boding change) the 
 happy hours that passed whilst Britain and America re- 
 joiced in the prosperity and greatness of each other. 
 Heaven grant those halcyon days may soon return ! But 
 now the Briton too often looks on the American with an 
 envious eye, taught to consider his just plea for the enjoy- 
 ment of his earning as the effect of pride and stubborn 
 opposition to the Parent Country ; whilst the American 
 beholds the Briton as the ruflian, ready first to take away 
 his property, and next, what is dearer to every virtuous 
 man, the liberty of his Country. 
 
 When the measures of Administration had disgusted the 
 Colonies to the highest degree, and the people of Great 
 Britain had, by artifice and falsehood, been irritated against 
 America, an Army was sent over to enforce submission to 
 certain Acts of the British Parliament, which reason 
 scorned to countenance, and which placemen and pension- 
 ers were found unable to support. 
 
 Martial Law, and the government of a well regulated 
 City, are so entirely different, that it has always been con- 
 sidered as improper to quarter Troops in populous Cities, 
 as frequent disputes must necessarily arise between the 
 
41 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 42 
 
 citizen and the soldier, even if no previous animosities sub- 
 sist ; and it is farther certain, from a consideration of the 
 nature of mankind, as well as from constant experience, 
 that Standing Armies always endanger the liberty of the 
 subject. But when the people, on the one part, consi- 
 dered the Army as sent to enslave them ; and the Army, 
 on the other, were taught to look on the people as in a 
 state of rebellion, it was but just to fear the most disagree- 
 able consequences. Our fears, we have seen, were but too 
 well grounded. 
 
 The many injuries offered to the Town I pass over in 
 silence. I cannot now mark out the path which led to 
 that unequalled scene of honour, the sad remembrance of 
 which takes the full possession of my soul. The sangui- 
 nary theatre again opens itself to view ; the baleful images 
 of terrour crowd around me ; and discontented ghosts, with 
 hollow groans, appear to solemnize the anniversary of the 
 fifth of March. 
 
 Approach we then the melancholy walk of death ! 
 Hither let me call the gay companion ; here let him drop a 
 farewell tear upon that body which so late he saw vigorous 
 and warm with social mirth ! Hither let me lead the ten- 
 der mother, to weep over her beloved son ! Come, widowed 
 mourner, here satiate thy grief. Behold thy murdered 
 husband gasping on the ground ! And, to complete the 
 pompous shew of wretchedness, bring in each hand thy 
 infant children to bewail their father's fate. Take heed, 
 ye orphan babes, lest, whilst your streaming eyes are fixed 
 upon the ghastly corpse, your feet slide on the stones be- 
 spattered with your father's brams.* Enough ! This tragedy 
 need not be heightened by an infant weltering in the blood 
 of him that gave it birth. Nature, reluctant, shrinks al- 
 ready from the view, and the chilled blood rolls slowly 
 backward to its fountain. We wildly stare about, and with 
 amazement ask, Who spread this ruin round us ? What 
 wretch has dared to deface the image of his God? Has 
 haughty France, or cruel Spain, sent forth her myrmidons ? 
 Has the grim Savage rushed again from the far distant wil- 
 derness? Or does some fiend, fierce from the depth of 
 Hell, with all the rancorous malice which the apostate 
 damned can feel, twang her destructive bow, and hurl her 
 deadly arrows at our breast? No, none of these. But how 
 astonishing ' It is the hand of Britain that inflicts the 
 wound ; the Arms of George, our rightful King, have been 
 employed to shed that blood which freely would have 
 flown at his command, when justice, or the honour of his 
 Crown, had called his subjects to the field. 
 
 But pity, grief, astonishment, with all the softer move- 
 ments of the soul, must now give way to stronger passions. 
 Say, fellow-citizens, what dreadful thought now swells 
 your heaving bosoms ? You fly to arms ; sharp indignation 
 flashes from each eye ; revenge gnashes her iron teeth ; 
 death grins a hideous smile, secure to drench his greedy jaws 
 in human gore ; whilst hovering furies darken all the air. 
 
 But stop, my bold adventurous countrymen ; stain not 
 your weapons with the blood of Britons; attend to rea- 
 son's voice ; humanity puts in her claim, and sues to be 
 again admitted to her wonted seat — the bosom of the brave. 
 Revenge is far beneath the noble mind. Many, perhaps, 
 compelled to rank among the vile assassins, do, from their 
 inmost souls, detest the barbarous action. The winged 
 death, shot from your arms, may chance to pierce some 
 breast that bleeds already for your injured Country. 
 
 The storm subsides ; a solemn pause ensues ; you spare 
 upon condition they depart. They go ; they quit your 
 City ; they no more shall give offence. Thus closes the 
 important drama. 
 
 And could it have been conceived that we again should 
 have seen a British Army in our land, sent to enforce 
 obedience to Acts of Parliament destructive of our liber- 
 ty ? But the Royal ear, far distant from the Western world, 
 has been assaulted by the tongue of slander ; and vil- 
 lains, traitorous alike to King and Country, have prevailed 
 upon a gracious Prince to clothe his countenance with 
 wrath, and to erect the hostile banner against a people ever 
 affectionate and loyal to him and his illustrious predeces- 
 sors of the House of Hanover. Our Streets are again 
 filled with armed men, our Harbour is crowded with Ships- 
 of-war ; but these cannot intimidate us ; our liberty must 
 * After Mr. Gray had been shot through the body, and had fallen 
 acid on Ihj ground, a biyoiiet wis pushed through his skull ; part of 
 the bone bsing brokan, his brains fell out upon tha pavement. 
 
 be preserved ; it is far dearer than life ; we hold it even 
 dear as our allegiance ; we must defend it against the 
 attacks of friends as well as enemies ; we cannot suffer 
 even Britons to ravish it from us. 
 
 No longer could we reflect with generous pride on the 
 heroick actions of our American forefathers ; no longer 
 boast our origin from that far-famed island, whose warlike 
 sons have so often drawn their well-tried swords to save 
 her from the ravages of tyranny, could we but for a mo- 
 ment entertain the thought of giving up our liberty. The 
 man who meanly will submit to wear a shackle, contemns 
 the noblest gift of Heaven, and impiously affronts the God 
 that made him free. 
 
 It was a maxim of the Roman people, which eminently 
 conduced to the greatness of that State, never to despair ot 
 the Commonwealth. The maxim may prove as salutary 
 to us now as it did to them. Short-sighted mortals see 
 not the numerous links of small and great events, which 
 form the chain on which the fate of Kings and Nations is 
 suspended. Ease and prosperity (though pleasing for a 
 day) have often sunk a people into effeminacy and sloth. 
 Hardships and dangers (though we forever strive to shun 
 them) have frequently called forth such virtues as have 
 commanded the applause and reverence of an admiring 
 world. 
 
 Our Country loudly calls you to be circumspect, vigi- 
 lant, active, and brave. Perhaps, (all-gracious Heaven 
 avert it) perhaps the power of Britain, a Nation great in 
 war, by some malignant influence may be employed to 
 enslave you ; but let not even this discourage you. Her 
 Arms, it is true, have filled the world with terrour ; her 
 Troops have reaped the laurels of the field; her Fleets 
 have rode triumphant on the sea ; and when or where did 
 you, my countrymen, depart inglorious from the field of 
 fight r* You, too, can show the trophies of your forefa- 
 thers' victories and your own ; can name the fortresses and 
 battles you have won, and many of you count the honour- 
 able scars of wounds received, whilst fighting for your King 
 and Country. 
 
 Where justice is the standard, Heaven is the warriour's 
 shield ; but conscious guilt unnerves the arm that lifts the 
 sword against the innocent. Britain, united with these 
 Colonies by commerce and affection, by interest and blood, 
 may mock the threats of France and Spain ; may be the 
 seat of universal Empire. But should America, either by 
 force, or those more dangerous engines — luxury and corrup- 
 tion, ever be brought into a state of vassalage, Britain 
 must lose her freedom also. No longer shall she sit the 
 Empress of the sea ; her ships no more shall waft her 
 thunders over the wide ocean ; the wreath shall wither on 
 her temples ; her weakened arm shall be unable to defend 
 her coasts ; and she at last must bow her venerable head to 
 some proud foreigner's despotick rule. 
 
 But if from past events we may venture to form a judg- 
 ment of the future, we justly may expect that the devices 
 of our enemies will but increase the triumphs of our 
 Country. I must indulge a hope that Britain's liberty, as 
 well as ours, will eventually be preserved by the virtue of 
 America. 
 
 The attempt of the British Parliament to raise a Rev- 
 enue from America, and our denial of their right to do 
 it, have excited an almost universal inquiry into the rights 
 of mankind in general, and of British subjects in particu- 
 lar ; the necessary result of which must be such a liberality 
 of sentiment, and such a jealousy of those in power, as 
 will, better than an adamantine wall, secure us against the 
 future approaches of despotism. 
 
 * The patience with which this people have borne the repeated inju. 
 ries which have been heaped upon them, and their unwillingness to 
 take any sanguinary measures, has very injudiciously been ascribed to 
 cowardice, by persons both here and in Great Britain. I most heartily 
 wish that an opinion so erroneous in itself, and so fatal in its conse- 
 quences, might be utterly removed before it be too late ; and I think 
 nothing farther necessary to convince every intelligent, man that the 
 conduct of this people is owing to the tender regard which they have 
 for their fellow-men, and an utter abhorrence to the shedding of human 
 blood, than a little attention to their general temper and disposition 
 discovered when they cannot be supposed to be under any apprehen- 
 sion of danger to themselves. I will only mention the universal 
 detestation which they shew to every act of cruelty, by whom, and upoT 
 whomsoever committed ; the mild spirit of their Laws ; the very few 
 crimes to which capital penalties are annexed, and the vary great back, 
 wardness which both Courts and Juries discover, in condemning per- 
 sons charged with capital crimes. But if any should think this obser- 
 vation not to the purpose, I readily appeal to those gentleman of the 
 Army who have been in the camp, or in the field, with the American). 
 
43 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1773. 
 
 44 
 
 The malice of the Boston Port Bill has been defeated, 
 in a very considerable degree, by giving you an opportuni- 
 ty of deserving, and our brethren in this and our sister 
 Colonies an opportunity of bestowing, those benefactions 
 which have delighted your friends, and astonished jour 
 enemies, not only in America, but in Europe also ; and 
 what is more valuable still, the sympathetick feelings for a 
 brother in distress, and the grateful emotions excited in the 
 breast of him who finds relief, must forever endear each to 
 the other, and form those indissoluble bonds of friendship 
 and affection, on which the preservation of our right so 
 evidently depends. 
 
 The mutilation of our Charter has made ever Colony 
 jealous for its own : for this, if once submitted to by us, 
 would set on float the property and Government of every 
 British settlement upon the Continent. Jf Charters are 
 not deemed sacred, how miserably precarious is every thing 
 founded upon them ? 
 
 Even the sending Troops to put these Acts in execution, 
 is not without advantages to us. The exactness and beauty 
 of their discipline inspire our youth with ardour in the 
 pursuit of military knowledge. Charles the Invincible 
 taught Peter the Great the Art of War. The battle of 
 Pidtowa convinced Charles of the proficiency Peter had 
 made. 
 
 Our Country is in danger, but not to be despaired of. 
 Our enemies are numerous and powerful, but we have 
 many friends determined to be free, and Heaven and earth 
 will aid the resolution. On you depend the fortunes of 
 America. You are to decide the important question, on 
 which rest the happiness and liberty of millions yet unborn. 
 Act worthy of yourselves — the faultering tongue of hoary 
 uae calls on you to support your Country. The lisping 
 infant raises its suppliant hands, imploring defence against 
 the monster slavery. Your fathers look from their celes- 
 tial seats with smiling approbation on their sons, who 
 boldly stand forth in the cause of virtue ; but sternly frown 
 upon the inhuman miscreant who, to secure the loaves 
 and fishes to himself, would breed a serpent to destroy his 
 children. 
 
 But pardon me, my fellow-citizens ; I know you want 
 not zeal or fortitude. You will maintain your rights, or 
 perish in the generous struggle. However difficult the 
 combat, you never will decline it when freedom is the 
 prize; An independence on Great Britain is not our aim. 
 No, our wish is that Britain and the Colonies may, like 
 the oak and ivy, grow and increase in strength together. 
 But whilst the infatuated plan of making one part of the 
 Empire slaves to the other is persisted in, the interest and 
 safety of Britain, as well as the Colonies, require that the 
 wise measures recommended by the Honourable the Con- 
 tinental Congress be steadily pursued ; whereby the unna- 
 tural contest, between a parent honoured, and a child be- 
 loved, may probably be brought to such an issue, as that 
 the peace and happiness of both may be established upon 
 a lasting basis. But if these pacifick measures are ineffect- 
 ual ; and it appears that the only way to safety is through 
 fields of blood, I know you will not turn your faces from 
 vour foes, but will undauntedly press forward until tyranny 
 is trodden under foot ; and you have fixed your adored 
 Goddess, Liberty, fast by a Brunswick's side, on the Ameri- 
 can Throne. 
 
 You, then, who nobly have espoused your Country's 
 cause — who generously have sacrificed wealth and ease — 
 who have despised the pomp and show of tinselled great- 
 ness — refused the summons to the festive board — been 
 deaf to the alluring calls of luxury and mirth — who have 
 forsaken the downy pillow to keep your vigils by the mid- 
 night lamp for the salvation of your invaded Country, that 
 vou might break the fowler's snare and disappoint the vul- 
 ture of his prey, you then will reap that harvest of renown 
 which you so justly have deserved. Your Country shall 
 pay her grateful tribute of applause. Even the children 
 of your most inveterate enemies (ashamed to tell from 
 whom they sprang, while they in secret curse their stupid, 
 cruel parents) shall join the general voice of gratitude to 
 those who broke the fetters which their fathers forged. 
 
 Having redeemed your Country, and secured the bless- 
 ing to future generations, who, fired by your example, 
 shall emulate your virtues, and learn from you the Heaven- 
 ly art of making millions happy, with heart-felt joy — with 
 
 transports all your own, you cry, the glorious work is 
 done! then drop the mantle to some young Elisha, and 
 take your seats with kindred spirits in your native skies. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 JJew-York, Monday, March C, 1775. 
 
 My Fellow-Citizens : As you are called on this day 
 to give your voices on a measure of importance, permit one 
 who has your welfare most anxiously at heart, to state the 
 matter as it is. On the 2d instant, the Committee pub- 
 lished an Advertisement to call you together, upon the 
 business therein expressed. They do not pretend that 
 this is in consequence of any powers you have vested with 
 them ; it is, therefore, a proposal coining from them as so 
 many individuals. On Friday, the third instant, a num- 
 ber of Citizens, equally reputable in their characters with 
 the members of the Committee, and far superiour in num- 
 bers, upon mature deliberation, conceived that this measure 
 ought to be postponed. Every person who wants the 
 sanction of your approbation should maintain his proposals 
 with reasons, and the advocates for postponing the question 
 have assigned a number in support of it. These you have 
 seen in a handbill, and you are the judges of the weight 
 they deserve. What arguments there are to hasten and 
 precipitate this question, is not known, nor is it proper in 
 the hurry and confusion of a crowd, to discuss questions 
 which require time and attention for a sober, judicious 
 determination. It seems proper, therefore, to postpone 
 this question, from which no disadvantage can possibly arise. 
 
 A Freeman. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New.York, Monday, March 6, 1775. 
 
 It has been the practice of some people in this City , upon 
 all occasions, in order to defeat the well meant endeavours 
 of its real friends, to misrepresent their intentions. With 
 this view, it has been artfully propagated, that the Citizens 
 who assembled at Montagiiie's on Friday, had resolved to 
 oppose the appointment of Delegates. Disposed as I am, 
 as an individual, for the measure of Delegates, I was 
 alarmed at this insinuation ; and having attentively consi- 
 dered the proceedings of the Meeting on Friday, find that 
 the report is entirely false, and calculated to mislead you. 
 The only measure proposed by the friends of Constitutional 
 Liberty is, that the nomination of Delegates may be post- 
 poned ; the time appointed by the Committee being so 
 short as not to admit of deliberating on the most proper 
 mode of electing them, and of framing proper instructions 
 for their government. The method proposed by the Com- 
 mittee being extremely exceptionable, and such as will 
 put this City, which pays one third of the taxes of the 
 Colony, upon a footing with the smallest County in it. 
 
 A Burgher. 
 
 TO THE RESPECTABLE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF NEW- 
 YORK. 
 
 New-York, Monday, March 6, 1775. 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Citizens: By the general 
 tenour of your conduct, since the commencement of our 
 unhappy disputes with Great Britain, you have uniformly 
 and fully evinced yourselves to be possessed of an inviola- 
 ble attachment to the cause of Constitutional Liberty, as 
 well as of unshaken Loyalty to our most Gracious Sover- 
 eign, and a just abhorrence of such irregular proceedings 
 as indicated a spirit of disaffection, or independency in any 
 of the Colonists. These virtues, always valuable in a high 
 degree, are peculiarly so in times like the present, when 
 a dangerous infatuation has seized so many; when discord 
 and tyranny, in the guise of liberty, stalk forth among us ; 
 and, under specious pretences, would entail misery, ruin, 
 and the most abject slavery upon us. These virtues, 
 which you have nobly exerted on several occasions, will 
 soon be called to another trial. 
 
 A summons has been issued last Thursday, by the Chair- 
 man, and by order of the Committee, commanding your 
 attendance at the Exchange on Monday, the 6th instant, 
 for the purpose of choosing Delegates to go to the next 
 Continental Congress. Considering our late transactions 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1175. 
 
 45 
 
 here relative to this matter, I am sure you must be greatly 
 surprised at such a step as this. Especially when you are 
 not called to deliberate on the expediency or propriety of 
 appointing Delegates for the above purpose; but actually 
 to choose them ! and this, in consequence of an edict from 
 the late Congress, whose views and proceedings you most 
 cordially disapprove! Willing or unwilling, you are re- 
 quired to comply with this mandate. 
 
 Our only legal, Constitutional Representatives, the 
 Members of our Assembly, to whom we have voluntarily 
 committed the guardianship of our liberties, and the direc- 
 tion of our publick affairs, and who are vested with full 
 authority for these important ends, have absolutely refused 
 to appoint any Delegates for the ensuing Congress. Would 
 not such an attempt in you, therefore, be an open violation 
 of their just authority, and a glaring insult on them? 
 
 Whatever reasons might have existed for sending Dele- 
 gates to the former Congress, there are none such now ; 
 but many cogent reasons to the contrary. Our Assembly 
 have taken the subject of our grievances into consideration, 
 and are vigorously pursuing the most effectual methods for 
 obtaining their redress. The proceedings of the late Con- 
 gress were violent and treasonable. Instead of healing the 
 unnatural bread) between us and the Parent State, which 
 was the ardent wish of every honest, good man, they shut 
 up every avenue to an accommodation. An adherence to 
 their proceedings must have infallibly involved us in all the 
 horrours of a Civil War, and ended in our ruin. Fully 
 sensible of this, and of the unjust tyrannical power usurped 
 by that Congress over North America, our Assembly — to 
 their immortal honour be it spoken — had virtue and forti- 
 tude enough to reject those proceedings. Like faithful 
 guardians of the great trust committed to them, they have 
 taken the proper Constitutional steps to snatch us from 
 impending ruin ; restore harmony between this Country 
 and Great Britain, and to secure our liberties on the firm 
 basis of Constitutional principles. 
 
 Now reflect, my fellow-citizens, will not your sending 
 Delegates to the next Congress directly tend to frustrate 
 these laudable endeavours, of whose success we have a 
 moral certainty ? Will it not place this Province in the 
 most absurd, inconsistent point of light, as bursting the 
 bands of all Government, both with respect to Great 
 Britain and our own Legislature ? May I not aver, with 
 truth, that you hold the violent proceedings of the late 
 Congress in abhorrence? What can you expect from the 
 next Congress but such measures as were adopted by the 
 last, when you know the same Delegates are generally 
 appointed by the other Colonies? Few alterations have 
 been made ; and where any have taken place, they were 
 for the worse — persons more violent, if possible, being 
 chosen. In what other view can we appear to Great 
 Britain, than as heartily concurring with those who have 
 attempted to throw off all allegiance — all subordination 
 whatever ? Nay ! as acting in concert with those who 
 have been guilty of open treason in the broad face of day? 
 for that is the case of one of the New-Hampshire Dele- 
 gates. I forget his name — it is the fellow who headed a 
 riotous mob, stormed one of His Majesty's Forts, and forci- 
 bly carried off the Cannon, Arms, and Ammunition lodged 
 there for the express purpose of using them against his 
 Sovereign. A gentleman is known by the company he 
 keeps ; and so is an honest man, or a loyal subject. 
 
 But this proposed meeting on Monday is replete with 
 further mischief ; for you are to assemble, not only for choos- 
 ing Delegates, but also " to signify your sense, whether 
 you will appoint a certain number of persons to meet such 
 Deputies as the Counties may elect for that purpose, and 
 join with them in appointing, out of their body, Delegates 
 for the next Congress." Here you may perceive the first 
 outlines of a Provincial Congress — the first artful advance 
 towards bringing on us one of the heaviest curses. If the 
 abetters of Republicanism can gain this advantage over the 
 friends of our Constitution, the consequences must be ter- 
 rible. Our Constitutional Assembly will become a mere 
 cypher, and all order subverted. 
 
 I beseech you, fellow-citizens, to think for yourselves. 
 Turn your eyes to those Colonies where Provincial Con- 
 gresses are chosen ; see the effects produced by them, and 
 judge from those facts. In South- Carolina the Provincial 
 Congress has shut up all the Courts of Justice. No man 
 
 dare attempt to recover a just debt, unless graciously per- 
 mitted by the Committee of the County. By very late 
 accounts from Virginia, I am informed that matters there 
 are in much the same predicament. In Maryland, the 
 Provincial Congress has wrested the Militia out of the 
 King's hands, and has levied immense sums of money — 
 extorted large contributions from the inhabitants for the 
 purpose of raising Troops to fight against His Majesty. 
 The Provincial Congress of Pennsylvania met lately to 
 carry the same design into execution, and were near effect- 
 ing their purpose; and there the liberty of the Press is 
 utterley destroyed. As for Massachusetts, you know the 
 Provincial Congress have appointed a Treasurer, levied 
 money, enlisted Minute Men, and are taking every step 
 totally to annihilate the King's just and legal authority in 
 that Province. 
 
 These are notorious, indubitable facts. They cannot 
 be denied. Say, then, fellow-citizens, do you choose to 
 bring yourselves into a similar situation ? If so, then do 
 not fail to appoint a certain number of persons, on Mon- 
 day, the 6th instant, to meet such Deputies as the County 
 may elect for that purpose, and to join with them. By 
 this means a Provincial Congress will be immediately 
 formed ; and as the warmest and most forward persons are 
 generally chosen on those occasions, I may venture to pro- 
 nounce our Provincial Congress will not fall short of others 
 in usurping an unjust authority, in being tenacious of it, 
 and plunging this Province into the greatest confusion and 
 irregularities. But if you detest, as I know you do, the 
 thoughts of such proceedings, then unite as one man in op- 
 posing them. Let neither indolence, or any other con- 
 sideration, prevent you from exerting your usual fortitude 
 and spirit to stop the mischief which is swiftly approach- 
 ing. Do not sully your former reputation, by suffering this 
 maddest freak of rampant Republicanism to take place — 
 the appointment of a Provincial Congress. Crush this 
 accursed cockatrice whilst it is in embryo ; if you permit 
 it to grow up to maturity, it will sting you to death. 
 
 I am very sensible that no gentleman or man of charac- 
 ter among us would, as matters are now circumstanced, 
 accept of the appointment of Delegate to the Continental 
 Congress, or of Deputy to a Provincial Congress. But 
 you very well know that there are several here, who are 
 under no restraints of delicacy, or regard to decorum and 
 order on this head. These having no consequence, but 
 such as they derive from our confusions, would willingly 
 perpetuate those confusions, as it would raise their impor- 
 tance, and flatter their vanity. Against these you should 
 be peculiarly on your guard. They will not fail to im- 
 prove any supineness you may show on this occasion. 
 Men of property should be alert and watchful, in the high- 
 est degree, on this emergency ; for these having little or 
 no property of their own, will be the more apt to make 
 free with that of others ; and we have no check or control 
 on them, if they are once exalted into a Provincial Con- 
 gress. To levy money will be one part of their office, 
 and, besides, their intemperate measures will probably lead 
 to confiscations, by which they can lose nothing. 
 
 That wisdom, loyalty, firm attachment to your excel- 
 lent Constitution, and zealous assiduity may guide you at 
 this most important crisis, is the unfeigned wish of 
 
 A Citizen of New- York. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 New-York, Tuesday, March 7, 1775. 
 
 11 A Citizen of New-YorJc," has attempted, in Mr. 
 Gaine's last Paper, to sow the seeds of discord among 
 us, and interrupt our union and harmony. Those who read 
 his performance attentively, will easily see his design ; but 
 cursory and less intelligent readers may be deceived by 
 him. To prevent this, I will make a few remarks upon 
 his curious publication. 
 
 As soon as he has finished his introduction, (which con- 
 sists of nothing more than common-place phrases and trite 
 expressions,) he begins to abuse our virtuous and patriotick 
 Committee; and in the most villanous manner represents 
 them as having done what they never did, and, I dare say, 
 never thought of. He says, " a summons has been issued 
 last Thursday, by the Chairman, and by order of the Com- 
 mittee, commanding your attendance at the Exchange on 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 48 
 
 Monday, the 6tli instant, for the purpose of choosing Dele- 
 gates to go to the next Continental Congress." Is this 
 true? It is not ; — it is a wilful misrepresentation. Ex- 
 amine the Committee's advertisement : " they request that 
 the Freeholders, &rc, will be pleased to assemble, to sig- 
 nify their sense of the best method of choosing Delegates, 
 and whether they will appoint a certain number of persons, 
 to meet such Deputies as the Counties may elect for that 
 purpose, and join with them in appointing Delegates out 
 of their body for the next Congress." Can any thing be 
 more modest? Can words express a greater deference to 
 the opinion of the publick ? Or could the Counties be 
 treated in a more respectful manner? There is no such 
 thing as " commanding your attendance," nor was it the 
 design of the meeting " actually to choose" Delegates, as 
 plainly appears from the Committee's advertisement. It 
 is true, you were " not called to deliberate on the expe- 
 diency and propriety of appointing Delegates ;" but the 
 reason for this was, not an overbearing disposition in the 
 Committee, but because the " expediency and propriety" 
 of the measure was allowed on all hands ; even those who 
 met at Montagnic's, where Mr. John Thurmon was Chair- 
 man, did not deny either of them, but implicitly agreed 
 to both, and only proposed trying to get "the meeting 
 of Monday next postponed until the 20th of April." 
 So you see the artful falsehood used by this same Mr. 
 Citizen. 
 
 The arguments drawn from the conduct of our Assembly 
 are futile and ridiculous. What have they done about the 
 matter? They have determined " not to take into con- 
 sideration the proceedings of the Continental Congress, 
 held in the City of Philadelphia, in the months of Septem- 
 ber and October last ;" and that the sense of the House 
 should "not be taken on the necessity of appointing Dele- 
 gates for this Colony, to meet the Delegates for the other 
 Colonies on this Continent in General Congress, on the 
 10th day of May next." If 1 understand English, this is 
 nothing more than if the Honourable House had said, these 
 are matters with which we do not choose to have any con- 
 nexion, and therefore shall neither censure nor applaud, 
 but leave it entirely to our constituents, to act as they think 
 proper ; if they choose to approve the proceedings of the 
 Congress, and adhere to their determinations, let them do 
 it ; if not, let them disapprove of them, and signify their 
 approbation or disapprobation in their own way. This 
 seems to me the most natural construction of the conduet 
 of the Honourable House ; and that of some of the Mem- 
 bers yesterday appears to justify this construction, for a 
 number of them attended the meeting at the Exchange ; 
 and to suppose they would encourage, by their presence, 
 a meeting which was (as the Citizen is pleased to call it) 
 " an open violation of their just authority, and a glaring 
 insult on them," contains such a reflection on the good 
 sense of those gentlemen, and the propriety of their con- 
 duct, as I do not choose to make, and think ought not to 
 he made by any person whatever. It appears, then, very 
 plain, that the Citizen must have entirely mistaken the 
 matter, or wilfully misrepresented it, that he might be fur- 
 nished with weighty arguments against the meeting. From 
 his perversion of the Committee's advertisement, I strong- 
 ly suspect the latter was the case, but it is not right to use 
 our firm attachment to our Constitutional Legislature as an 
 instrument to deceive us. Fie! Mr. Citizen; that is a 
 low-lived trick. 
 
 The remainder of the Citizen's Address is such an inco- 
 herent confusion of Provincial Congress, Republicanism, 
 Constitutional Assemblies. Militia, Legal Authority, Cocka- 
 trices, Embryos, &,c, that I am apt to think the man was 
 non compos mentis when he wrote it, and I shall not at- 
 tempt to answer it, lest the publick should think that I am 
 mad too. 
 
 You see, my friends, what arts are used to support a 
 faction; be on your guard ; you acted yesterday in a man- 
 ner worthy of yourselves ; continue to act on all future 
 occasions with the same order, decency, unanimity, and 
 firmness; you will thereby confound the friends of des- 
 potism, convince them your attachment to "the best of 
 Kings" and Constitutional Government is inviolable, and 
 will preserve your own liberty, and that of your posterity, 
 till time shall be no more. 
 
 Anothek Citizen. 
 
 City of New.York, March 7, 1775. 
 
 Personally came and appeared before me, David Mat- 
 thews, Esquire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, 
 for the City and County of New-York, John Graham. 
 Clerk to Robert and John Murray, of this City, Mer- 
 chants, and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of 
 Almighty God, did depose and say, that he left this City 
 on Monday morning last, in company with the said John 
 Murray, and proceeded with him on board the Ship Beu- 
 lah, then lying at the watering place ; that shortly after 
 they arrived on board said Ship they weighed anchor, and 
 proceeded to Sandy Hook, where the said Ship continued 
 until about seven of the clock this morning, at which time 
 they weighed anchor and stood out to Sea; that the said 
 deponent and the said John Murray left the said Ship, and 
 came up opposite to Slaten Island, where the said John 
 Murray landed, about two of the clock this afternoon, 
 and was going (as the deponent understood from the said 
 John Murray ) to Elizabethtown, to settle some business 
 with Lord Stirling; that the deponent saw the said Ship 
 pass the Light-House about eight of the clock this morn- 
 ing ; that neither the said John Murray or the deponent 
 was on board the said Ship after the anchor was weighed ; 
 that the deponent did not hear any conversation between 
 the said John Murray and any other person, relative to the 
 taking any goods out of the said Ship, nor does he be- 
 lieve that any boat was employed for that purpose ; that 
 the deponent's business on board was to copy invoices and 
 letters. And further this deponent saith not. 
 
 John Graham. 
 
 Sworn, this 7th day of March, before me, 
 
 D. Matthews. 
 
 New.York, Wednesday, March 8, 1775. 
 
 On Friday evening last, a number of persons who dis- 
 approved of the proposal made by the Committee for this 
 City and County, in their advertisement, published Thurs- 
 day, met at the house of the widow De La Montagnie, 
 and after choosing Mr. John Thurman Chairman, proposed 
 attempting to get the business intended for last Monday, 
 (viz : the choice of persons to meet the Deputies from 
 the Counties, for the purpose of choosing Delegates for 
 the next Congress) postponed until the 20th of April, 
 and published a handbill, desiring those who were of their 
 sentiments to meet them there on Monday, the 6th in- 
 stant, at ten o'clock, and proceed from thence to the 
 Exchange. 
 
 A number of the friends of Constitutional Liberty, hear- 
 ing of this manoeuvre, and apprehending a scheme was on 
 foot to defeat the design of sending Delegates to the Con- 
 gress, met on the next evening, and determined to support 
 the Committee, of whose virtue and patriotism we have 
 had ample experience. At the close of the meeting, a 
 gentleman having informed the company that the owners 
 of the Ship Beulah (some time since arrived from Lon- 
 don ) had not performed their promise of sending her 
 back, and that, therefore, the Committee's Boat had left 
 her; about three hundred citizens unanimously deter- 
 mined to wait upon the owners to know why the Beulah 
 had not sailed, and required the Captain's repairing imme- 
 diately on board his Ship, then lying at the watering place, 
 in order to her departure with the first fair wind. This 
 service was effectually performed ; and next day the Vessel 
 fell down to the Hook, from whence she put to Sea on 
 Tuesday. 
 
 Early on Monday morning preparations were made for 
 the meeting at the Exchange. A Union Flag, with a red 
 field, was hoisted on the Liberty-pole, where, at nine 
 o'clock, the friends of Freedom assembled, and having got 
 in proper readiness, about eleven o'clock the body began 
 their march to the Exchange. They were attended by 
 musick ; and two standard bearers carried a large Union 
 Flag, with a blue field, on which were the following inscrip- 
 tions : On one side, George III. — Rex and the Liberties 
 of America. — No Popery. On the other : The Union 
 of the Colonies, and the Measures of Congress. Some 
 time after they had arrived at the Exchange, came also 
 the other company, who had met at the widow De La 
 Montagnic's, among whom were some Officers of the Army 
 and Navy, several of His Majesty's Council, and those 
 
49 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 50 
 
 Members of the House of Representatives, who had re- 
 fused taking into consideration the proceedings of the Con- 
 gress, together with Officers of the Customs, and other de- 
 pendants on the Court, &tc. Soon after the parties met, 
 some confusion arose, but subsided without any bad conse- 
 quences. The Chairman of the Committee then pro- 
 ceeded to explain the design of the meeting ; after which 
 he proposed the following questions, viz : 
 
 First Question. Whether a certain number of persons 
 shall be appointed and authorized to meet such Deputies 
 as the Counties may elect, and join with them for the sole 
 purpose of appointing out of their body, on the 20th of 
 April next, Delegates for the next Congress ? 
 
 Second Question. Whether this meeting will authorize 
 the Committee to nominate eleven Deputies for their ap- 
 probation ? 
 
 Both of which were carried in the affirmative. The 
 meeting, and the majority which determined the questions, 
 are supposed to have been the most numerous and respect- 
 able ever known in this City on the decision of any pub- 
 lick proposal. The business of the day being finished, the 
 friends of Freedom paraded through one of the principal 
 streets of the City, to the Liberty-pole, and there dis- 
 persed, in the most quiet and orderly manner. 
 
 New. York, March 8, 1775. 
 
 The notification of the Committee, dated March 1, in- 
 duced several worthy citizens, friends of Liberty- and the 
 Constitution, to assemble at the widow De La Montagnie's, 
 on Friday evening, the 3d instant. The measure sug- 
 gested by the Committee appeared to them to be liable to 
 exception, as the probable tendency of it seemed to be the 
 introduction of a Provincial Congress. They thought, 
 too, that in a measure of so much importance to the com- 
 munity, no precipitate steps should be taken ; that our fel- 
 low-citizens had a right to a little longer time than the 
 Committee had thought proper to allow them ; and they 
 objected to the mode of taking the sense of the City by 
 collecting the people together. They were apprized of 
 the confusion, the heats and animosity, of which such a 
 proceeding is generally productive ; that on such occasions 
 those citizens, who alone ought to be consulted, and who 
 alone have a right to give their voices, namely, the Free- 
 holders and Freemen, were liable to insults and indignities ; 
 and that, as it was impossible to discriminate between them 
 and such as were collected on purpose to roakeashow of num- 
 bers, they foresaw that the mode proposed was entirely in- 
 adequate to the purpose of taking the sense of the City, in 
 which they were confirmed by the experience of last year; 
 when, after the Town had been kept in confusion, tumult, 
 and disorder, for a long time, about the election of Dele- 
 gates, the passing Resolves, meeting in the Fields, &c, the 
 late reputable Committee of Correspondence had recourse 
 to a poll, which was found the only essential measure of 
 ascertaining what the sense of their fellow-citizens was. 
 With the benefit of this experience, and under the influ- 
 ence of sentiments founded in prudence and moderation, 
 as well as deference and respect for their fellow-citizens, 
 the friends of Constitutional Liberty could not but disap- 
 prove of the measure adopted by the Committee. They 
 proposed that the election of Delegates should be post- 
 poned for a time, when they intended, if, from the deter- 
 minations of our Assembly now sitting, and the advices 
 which might arrive by the expected Packet, some measure 
 could not be adopted with the consent of all parties, and 
 without division, that in such case the sense of the free- 
 spirited and independent Electors of this City should be 
 taken by a poll, by which those who had a right to give 
 their voices might be distinguished from such as had not, 
 and when the respectable citizens, in the exercise of Con- 
 stitutional rights and franchises, lie blended with the rab- 
 ble, which may always be collected by the pageantry of a 
 flag, and the sound of a drum and fife. Unfortunately, 
 however, the hopes which might be entertained from a 
 calm, deliberate consideration of this measure, and thereby 
 of healing our divisions, and of deriving weight to our de- 
 terminations from the unanimity with which they might be 
 carried, were defeated ; for the day was fixed, and at hand. 
 Accordingly on Monday, at the Exchange, a vast concourse 
 of people were assembled ; the Chairman of the Com- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 4 
 
 mittee put two questions, upon each of which there was a 
 very great division. Those who were opposed to the 
 question, demanded a poll, for these reasons : that the 
 business of the day was to take the sense of the Free- 
 holders and Freemen ; that none but such had a right to 
 give their voices, and that it was impossible to discriminate 
 them from those who had not such right. It is said that 
 the Committee, in the evening, took up the consideration 
 of the proceedings of the day : that many of them report- 
 ed, that the majority of the people were in favour of the 
 question ; that they were, therefore, authorized to proceed 
 to the election of Deputies to meet Deputies from the 
 Counties in Provincial Convention. On the contrary, it 
 is the opinion of a veiy great majority of our fellow-citi- 
 zens, that no new powers would have been vested in the 
 Committee by the transactions of that day ; that they were 
 appointed in matters relative to the Association only; that 
 thej' had themselves disclaimed all other powers ; that they 
 had called the Freeholders and Freemen together in order 
 to take their sentiments ; that it was impossible, from the 
 nature of the thing, to determine on which side the ma- 
 jority was. 
 
 The weight of the objections, therefore, to the measure 
 of collecting the people together, appears from the event ; 
 and after the most disagreeable consequences which have 
 followed, it will still be necessary to take that, as the last 
 resource, which in prudence should have been the first 
 measure, namely- , taking every Elector's vote by a regular 
 poll. Impartial. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New. York, March 8, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Philip Livingston and John Jay, Es- 
 quires, be a Committee to wait on Mr. James Rivington, 
 and request of him to acquaint this Committee by whose 
 information, or by what authority, he published the follow- 
 ing paragraph in his Gazetteer of 2d March, 1775 : 
 
 " Last Monday the Committee of Observation met. It 
 was proposed that they should nominate Delegates to the 
 Continental Congress, for the approbation of this City and 
 County; but being opposed, the final determination of the 
 Committee was deferred until their next meeting :" 
 
 The said paragraph being entirely and wholly false and 
 groundless ; and also to inform Mr. Rivington, that in 
 printing the notice of the Committee of the 27th Febru- 
 ary, 1775, respecting the non-consumption of India Tea 
 being then soon to take place, it was inserted, non-impor- 
 tation, instead of non-consumption ; and desire him to cor- 
 rect the mistake in his next Paper. And that the said 
 Committee do make their report at their next Meeting. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New- York, March 13, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Chairman : In pursuance of an order of this Com- 
 mittee, of the 8th instant, we waited upon Mr. Rivington, 
 and requested him to acquaint this Committee, by whose 
 information, or by what authority he published the para- 
 graph mentioned in the said order, in his Gazetteer of the 
 2d instant. Mr. Rivington told us he published it from 
 common report, but w-ould be more careful for the future, 
 and was willing to contradict it.* The errour Mr. Rivington 
 committed in printing the notice of this Committee of the 
 27th February, 1775, respecting the non-consumption of 
 India Tea being then soon to take place, he has corrected. 
 
 Phil. Livingston, 
 John Jay. 
 
 Resolved, That common report is not sufficient authoritv 
 for any Printer in this City to publish any matters as facts 
 relative to this Committee, and tending to expose them to 
 the resentment of their Constituents, and the odium of the 
 Colonies ; for that the transactions of this Committee are 
 not kept secret, and any- person may, with ease, know the 
 
 * The Committee have not been precise in their manner of pub. 
 lishing my reply ; to the above particulars, I added, " that what was 
 related in my Paper was credited ; yet if they would furnish me with 
 accounts of their Proceedings, I might be able to print them without 
 eiTour." 
 
 I cannot think my conduct on this occasion merits so formal and 
 publick a reprehension ; a reprehension highly favouring of Legisla- 
 tive authority, seemingly calculated to aggrandize the power of the 
 accusers, and to disparage the political reputation of a persecuted, 
 and, to the everlasting disgrace of many County Committees, a pro. 
 scribed Printer. James Rivington. 
 
 New-York, March 16, 1775. 
 
51 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 52 
 
 truth of such reports, by applying to any of the Members 
 of the Committee, who are numerous, and to be found in 
 almost every part of the City. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Order, Report, and Resolve, 
 be forthwith printed in all the Papers. 
 
 Ry order of the Committee, 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND. 
 
 London, March 7, 1775. 
 Some three, four, and five centuries ago, it was usual at 
 the close of our Parliament to distinguish them, according 
 to their deserts, by some particular epithet, whether good, 
 bad, or indifferent. In consequence of this laudable usage, 
 I find one of our Parliaments stands stigmatized with the 
 opprobrious epithet of " ignorant ;" a second with that of 
 " insane ;" and a third with that of the " merciless Par- 
 liament/' 
 
 Any one of these severe, yet just epithets, our readers 
 most probably will think a sufficient mark of detestation to 
 damn the actors and acts of such a Parliament to all pos- 
 terity. Rut what must posterity think of that Parliament, 
 who, at this present hour, have actually two Rills before 
 them, the first of which is to attaint, and consequently to 
 hang, draw, and quarter, one half of our American bre- 
 thren ; while the second is to prohibit their Fisheries, and 
 consequently to starve the other half to death. Should 
 these two Rills be enacted into two Laws, will not posterity 
 deservedly brand that Parliament with all the three co- 
 united epithets abovementioned ; and whenever they make 
 mention of it with horrour, as they must always do, will 
 they not have reason to call it " the ignorant-insane-mer- 
 ciless Parliament of 1775?" Rut in charity to the two 
 Houses, let us hope the King, whose most amiable prero- 
 gative is certainly that of " mercy," will pay some little 
 attention to his coronation-oath. Let us hope, as his coro- 
 nation-oath absolutely enjoins that " mercy" shall pervade 
 and govern all the acts of his own judgment, he will not 
 deliberately and indelibly blot his name with so foul a 
 stain, by lending it to either of these two merciless, unna- 
 tural, inhuman Rills. 
 
 After this seasonable, and I hope successful admonition 
 to the Royal ear, I proceed to show my countrymen, 
 that as the Americans have not taken any step but what is 
 fully guarantied by the Runnymede Treaty, so, no act of 
 any preceding, or of the present, or of any future Parlia- 
 ment can either declare or enact them to be guilty of any 
 one breach of the Constitution, and consequently they are 
 not guilty of high treason. 
 
 That the Americans have convened a Continental Con- 
 gress without any writs of Summons from the King ; that 
 they have actually called out and arrayed their Militia 
 without any orders from Government here at home ; and 
 that they are determined to resist with an armed force 
 certain unconstitutional Acts of the last Parliament, I rea- 
 dily agree with the Royalists. Rut, that these same Ame- 
 ricans are guilty of high treason against the King or King- 
 dom, by reason of any one, or all of these self-defensive 
 proceedings, I absolutely deny. For I neither know of, 
 nor ever will acknowledge, any deed of the subject to be 
 high treason but what is stipulated, ratified, and confirmed 
 to be such by some one of our four Constitutions or defi- 
 nitive Treaties. 
 
 Let us see, then, by what constitutional characteristicks 
 we may infallibly know what this crime of high treason is. 
 
 From the Norman Treaty we may learn by the several 
 Articles, " De Proditione, that it is high treason against 
 the King where any liege subject shall insidiate the King's 
 death, either by himself, or by hired assassins, or by his 
 own servants." Thus stood high treason against the King 
 till the Runny mede Treaty took effect, when this species 
 of it was enlarged so as to include not only the King's 
 person, but also that of his Queen, and of all their chil- 
 dren. " Sa va persona regis, et regina, et eorum libe- 
 roru?n.' , 
 
 There is another species of high treason mentioned in 
 the Norman Treaty, and that is, where any liege subjects 
 of the King, or any liege men of some Raron, shall, either 
 on a Naval or Land Expedition, desert from the Command- 
 er-in-chief or his associate, through fear of the war or 
 
 death, " timiditatc belli vel mortit." And this is pro- 
 perly called high treason, not against the King singly, but 
 against the King and Kingdom. I do not find any other 
 high treasons affecting the subject in any one of our four 
 Constitutions. 
 
 Agreeable then to the Constitutional Law of this Realm, 
 I define high treason against the King to be " an insidious 
 attempt or design of a liege subject (either with his own 
 hand or that of his servants) to take away the life of the 
 King, the Queen, or any of their children ; but it must be 
 done insidiously, and not otherwise." 
 
 I also define high treason against the King and Kingdom 
 to be " a desertion of our Sea or Land Forces, either in a 
 sea or land expedition, or in the day of battle;" but not at 
 any other times. 
 
 Compare the present resistance of the Americans with 
 either of these two definitions, and I shall challenge any 
 man to point out any one stage of their conduct that 
 amounts to high treason, or, indeed, to any crime or offence 
 whatsoever against the British Constitution. When, for 
 instance, were they ever charged, or suspected of any sin- 
 ister attempt, or insidious design against the lives of any of 
 the Royal family ? Or, when were they ever known to 
 have deserted in the day of battle ? Can the Crown Law- 
 yers produce any Constitution, or even any one Act of Par- 
 liament that impeaches the credit or bottomness of my 
 definition? If not, will they submit their own definition 
 to the same unerring criterion and fair test? Their best 
 definition, and that in which they all concurred, was, " that 
 to resist any Law with an armed force, is high treason." 
 This is an imperfect, lame definition, at best, for it only 
 defines what high treason is, but is entirely silent as to 
 what is not high treason. Resides, how can this definition of 
 theirs stand with the Runnymede Treaty, which impera- 
 tively enjoins, not barely licences, but absolutely, I say, 
 enjoins, the subjects, when they find any Laws made in 
 violation, derogation, or abrogation of any one Article of 
 the Runnymedc Treaty, to take up arms toties quotics, 
 and resist the execution of such unconstitutional Laws, if 
 the King for the time being shall not previously, upon Pe- 
 tition, have repealed the same? This is the very case at 
 present with the Americans. Acts of Parliament have 
 been made in oppression of them, and in express violation 
 of the Runnymede Treaty. They have petitioned against 
 these Acts. The King first, and afterwards the two Houses 
 of Parliament, have turned a deaf ear to their Petitions. 
 Obtaining no redress from King or Parliament, they have 
 recourse to Arms. " Yes — but (say the Crown Lawyers) 
 that very resistance, according to our definition, is high 
 treason." What ! shall that be high treason in any sub- 
 jects of the British Empire, for the doing of which they 
 not only are imperatively enjoined by, but have the guar- 
 antee and sanction of the Runnymede Treaty ? Or, is 
 there any Act of Parliament now in being, that makes the 
 American resistance to be high treason ? If not, shall an 
 ex-post-facto Law, and that too made in glaring violation of 
 Magna Charta, overrule, nay, abrogate, Magna Charta 
 itself? Look over your whole range of high-treason Laws, 
 (those excepted which I have mentioned as constitutionally 
 such,) and what are they, in fact, but so many Parliamentary 
 assurances of the people, that they will not call these trea- 
 son-enabling Kings to publick account for certain alarm- 
 ing deeds, which, though perhaps they may be strictly 
 legal of themselves, yet, by an overstrained interpretation, 
 might be adjudged to be of a doubtful, if not of a criminal 
 nature ? I scarcely recollect one high-treason Law to 
 have been enacted, except it was during a reign in which 
 the National Religion was abolished, or the New Religion 
 not thoroughly established, or the hereditary succession to 
 the Crown interrupted, or where the King upon the Throne 
 either was a notorious usurper, or a parricide, or had mur- 
 dered his uncle, his brother, his wives, or his nephews. 
 Let me add, too, that these temporary high-treason Acts 
 of Parliament have always been deemed so highly odible, 
 or suspicious, that they have generally been repealed by 
 the next immediately succeeding King, unless indeed he 
 stood (which hath sometimes been the case) in the same 
 predicament with his Royal predecessor. Let us hear, 
 then, no more of a definition, which absurdly tells us, 
 " That to resist a Law, however unconstitutional it may 
 be, is nevertheless high treason." If this definition be 
 
53 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 54 
 
 admissible, I am afraid it will go so far as to make our 
 very Statute Books guilty of high treason ; for if your 
 readers will turn to the general index of our Statute Books, 
 under the article " King," they will there find the title of 
 one of our Acts of Parliament running in the very words 
 following: " Resistance of evil Administration, by War, 
 justified." The Statute to which this title refers is penned 
 in the old French law-language, and the translator of it 
 has mistranslated the word " War," for an armed force, or 
 a strong hand. I made this observation, because, by our 
 Constitution, there is an essential distinction between an 
 armed force and a War. The latter is applicable only 
 where the subjects of two different Kings, or two sover- 
 eign States, are fighting against one another : by the former, 
 we understand, here in England, that the subjects of one 
 and the same King are fighting against each other. The 
 word "Guerre," or War, is twice used in this Statute, and 
 in both places it speaks of War with foreign Kings ; but 
 whenever, in this Statute, there is any mention of the resist- 
 ance which the Duke of Gloucester made to the King's 
 Troops, it is not called a " Guerre" or War, but a com- 
 batement, or combat. The same nicety of expression 
 is sedulously observed in the Runnymede Treaty ; for 
 whenever King John uses the word " Guerre," or " Guer- 
 rilla," it is clearly expressive of a war with the King of 
 England, and some other King or Nation: for instance, 
 " cum scimus quomodo mercatores terra; nostra; tractantur, 
 qui inveniuntur in terra contra nos in guerrina, si nostri 
 salva sint ibi, alii salvi shit in terra nostra." On the 
 contrary, when this same King John mentions the resist- 
 ance which the Barons made against his authority, he 
 does not call it by the odious name of " a War," but only 
 by that of " discord." As for example, " a tempore dis- 
 cordia plene omnibus remisimus et condonavimus." This 
 distinction, I say, is essentially necessary ; for every War, 
 properly so called, between one King and another, hath 
 always for its object (however that object may be modified 
 or disguised) either the preservation or extension of their 
 respective Dominions ; but that resistance which in the 
 Runnymede Treaty is called " discord," and in the Sta- 
 tute above alluded to is called " combat," hath no other 
 object in view but the mere preservation of the people's 
 rights and liberties ; besides, in the former, if the King be 
 taken prisoner, his life is forfeited ; in the latter, his life is 
 sacred ; and this accounts for the justification of resistance, 
 for if the object itself be just, then the resistance of course 
 is justifiable. 
 
 I have been careful to simplify this distinction, because 
 it will explain a clause in the Twenty-fifth of our Third 
 Edward, which hath been either grossly misunderstood, or 
 wickedly perverted, by the King's Judges. The clause I 
 allude to is that by which " to levy War against our Lord 
 the King, within his Realm," is declared to be high treason. 
 And doubtless it is ; not because it is one of the special 
 prerogatives of the Crown to make or denounce War, but 
 because the King, if taken prisoner by a subject in a War 
 levied by a subject, would certainly meet with no quarter ; 
 and where the " salva persona regis" is not observed, 
 there it would be high treason, and constitutionally so, 
 which is an irrefragable, indestructible, proof of the genu- 
 ineness and bottomness of my definition of high treason. 
 But treasonable levying of AVar by no means concludes 
 that species of resistance against the kingly authority, in 
 which the Americans are at this moment actually embark- 
 ed ; for that resistance amounts to nothing more than " a 
 discord," very properly so called ; for the King himself 
 may, whenever he pleases, restore it to harmony, by relax- 
 ing the over-strained, jarring, chord of Government. If, 
 on the contrary, he attempts to strain it one note higher, 
 the chord itself, in this over tension, may burst asunder. 
 But even then the consequences would not be fatal to him ; 
 for should they chance to take him prisoner, he would not 
 only be entitled to his " salva persona," but it would be 
 unconstitutional in them to put him to death. 
 
 That levying of War, properly so called, does not ex- 
 tend to constitutional resistance, also plainly appears from 
 a Proclamation in Parliament, issued by this Edward the 
 Third, in whose reign this same Statute of high treason 
 was ordained. For this blessed King, (as Sir Edward 
 Coke, in his exposition of this Statute, gravely calls him,) 
 having dethroned and imprisoned his own father, openly 
 
 proclaims in Parliament, " that no person, great or small, 
 who pursued and took his father in custody, and who still 
 remains in custody, shall be any ways hindered, molested, 
 or grieved, for or by reason of such pursuit and imprisonment 
 of his said father." A similar Proclamation was also made, 
 word for word, in Parliament, by our Fourth Henry, who, 
 while he was only a subject, had pursued and taken into 
 safe custody, Richard the Second ; so that these Procla- 
 mations being conformant to the true spirit of the Runny- 
 mede Treaty, were matters of course; and the Proclama- 
 tions above mentioned only revived and enforced that 
 clause of the treaty, but enacted no new *Law, which no 
 Proclamation can do. 
 
 Thus, sir, I have clearly proved that the present resist- 
 ance of the Americans is imperatively enjoined by our 
 great Charter of Liberties ; that it is supported and cor- 
 roborated by Statutes and Proclamations, all penned in the 
 true spirit of our great Charter ; and that it does by no 
 means come within the description of levying War against 
 the King, nor in any manner within the purview of the 
 Twenty-fifth of Edward the Third ; and that consequently 
 the resistance of the Americans cannot justly or constitu- 
 tionally be enacted by the present or any future Parlia- 
 ment to be high treason. Brecknock. 
 
 CONSTITUTIONAL SOCIETY. 
 
 London, Tuesday, March 7, 1775. 
 
 The Treasurer to the Constitutional Society reported 
 that he had received the following Letters, with the en- 
 closed sums. 
 
 To the Constitutional Society : 
 
 Gentlemen: The Collector of the Land Tax received 
 from me this week Seven Pounds Thirteen Shillings; and 
 I know it will be employed as usual, to pay prostituted 
 Parliament pensioners for voting away the liberty of Eng- 
 lishmen as well as Americans. I send you Fifteen Pounds, 
 and for every Pound that is taken from me for the bad pur- 
 poses of the present plans of Administration, I will hereaf- 
 ter regularly send you Two, to be applied in defence of 
 American Liberty, and I hope others will do the same. 1 
 have no objections to pay Taxes in support of an honest 
 Government ; but will voluntarily pay double against an 
 infamous cabal, who are openly destroying the free Con- 
 stitution of this Country. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 T. R. 
 
 To Richard Oliver, Esq. : 
 
 Sir: I saw in the Newspapers that the Constitutional 
 Society had given a Hundred Pounds to the distressed in- 
 habitants of Roston. If the trifle I send herewith is thought 
 worthy of acceptance by the Society, I beg they would 
 apply it to the same purpose : if not, I desire it may be 
 returned to the person who will bring the corner that is 
 torn off from this letter. Most of the gentlemen in my 
 neighbourhood are desirous to assist them ; and if I know 
 it will be acceptable, I will take care to forward their sub- 
 scriptions to you. Any message given to the person who 
 will bring the torn corner of this letter will be faithfully 
 delivered to, sir, your humble servant, 
 
 (With Twenty Pounds.) J. J. 
 
 To Richard Oliver, Esq. : 
 
 Sir : Enclosed I send you a Bank note, of Ten Pounds, 
 which I desire you to pay into the Constitutional Society. 
 I mean it towards the relief and assistance of the distressed 
 inhabitants of Roston, in America, and beg that it may 
 make part of the next vote of supply from that Society, in 
 favour of the Americans. Their cause is the cause of 
 England. 
 
 * Tins Parliamentary Declaration divides treason into two distinct 
 branches, namely, high and petit treason. But it is to be observed, 
 the Lords and Commons most carefully and skilfully avoided to give 
 their accord to that branch of it which respects high treasou, and only 
 gave their simple accord to that branch of it which specifies the 
 offences of petit treason ; so that this Statute is of force only so far as 
 it declares what offences are petit treason, and abates, (as the Lawyers 
 phrase it,) as to that part of it which declaratively specifies what par- 
 ticular crimes are high treason, and consequently leaves that heinous 
 crime upon its proper constitutional basis. And to what particular 
 crimes high treason is restricted by the Constitution, I have sufficient- 
 ly explained and ascertained in my two definitions of it belore men- 
 tioned. 
 
55 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 56 
 
 What have we at home hut to resist a victorious Army, 
 which will have been tried and modeled there, and de- 
 voted to the Crown, returning to England from the con- 
 quest of America ! All is at stake ! The single question 
 is, whether the King of (treat Britain shall, in future, be 
 as absolutely despotick in every part of the Empire, as a 
 late Act of Parliament appointed him to be forever in 
 Canada 1 If despotism had not been the favourite form 
 of Government with the proposers of that Bill, they would 
 not have established that form, when they had it at their 
 option which to appoint. After the conquest over freedom 
 in America, your Army will give them the same option in 
 England ; and we already know their inclinations. 
 
 i therefore set my foot here, and have as many Thou- 
 sands as I now send Pounds, which I shall be willing to 
 dedicate to the same purpose, if the situation of the Ame- 
 ricans shall continue to require, and their conduct to de- 
 serve, support. 
 
 I am, sir, with the greatest esteem for you and the gen- 
 tlemen of the Society, your humble servant, H. B. J. 
 
 To the Constitutional Society : 
 
 When the common rights of Englishmen are invaded 
 in any part of the British Dominions, my mite shall never 
 be wanting to assist those who struggle like men for the 
 rights of men. This Twenty Pounds and my prayers, is 
 all I have to give. May God prosper the honest efforts of 
 the Americans, and make them at length the happy instru- 
 ments of bringing to justice those traitors who have long 
 trampled upon us here with impunity. And may God 
 bless you, gentlemen, for the honest example you have set 
 us. William Finch. 
 
 The Treasurer likewise reported that he had received a 
 Ten Pound Bank note and Four Guineas, enclosed in a 
 cover, directed to him with these words, " To the Bos- 
 tonians." 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED MARCH I, 
 1775. 
 
 Yesterday, No. Ill of a periodical Paper, called " The 
 Crisis," and a pamphlet with the same title, containing 
 Thoughts on American Affairs, were burnt by the com- 
 mon hangman, at Westminster Hall gate, pursuant to an 
 unanimous order of the House of Lords and Commons. 
 As soon as the condemned papers were burnt, a man 
 threw into the fire the " Address of both Houses of Par- 
 liament to His Majesty, declaring the Bostonians in actual 
 Rebellion ;" likewise the Address of the Bishops and 
 Clergy assembled in Convocation. The Sheriffs were much 
 hissed for attending, and the populace diverted themselves 
 with throwing the fire at each other. 
 
 And this day, at twelve o'clock, the Sheriffs attended 
 at the Royal Exchange for the above purpose; but as soon 
 as the fire was lighted, it was put out, and dead dogs and 
 cats thrown at the Officers ; a fire was then made in Corn- 
 hill, and the executioner did his duty. Sheriff Hart was 
 wounded in the wrist, and Sheriff Plomcr in the breast, by 
 a brick-bat; Mr. Gates, the City Marshal, was dismount- 
 ed, and with much difficulty saved his life. 
 
 No less than three publications, under the name of The 
 Crisis, have come under Parliamentary inquiry ; the first 
 in the year 1714, written by Sir Richard Steele, a Mem- 
 ber of Parliament, for which he was expelled the House ; 
 and the two which were burnt at the Royal Exchange yes- 
 terday. 
 
 HOUSE OF LORDS. 
 
 Monday, February 27, 1775. 
 Complaint was made to the House of a printed Paper, 
 intituled, "The Crisis, No. HI, Saturday, February 4, 
 1775, printed and published for the Authors, by T. W. 
 Shaw, Fleet Street, opposite Anderton's Coffee-House." 
 The said Paper was read by the Clerk. 
 The Earl of Radnor moved to "Resolve, that the Pa- 
 per called 'The Crisis, No. Ill,' is a false, daring, infa- 
 mous, seditious, and treasonable libel on His Majesty, de- 
 signed to alienate the affections of His Majesty's subjects 
 from his Royal Person and Government, and to disturb 
 the Peace of the Kingdom." 
 
 Then an amendment was proposed to be made to the 
 said motion, by leaving out the word " treasonable." 
 
 Which being objected to, after debate, the question was 
 put, " Whether the word ' treasonable' shall stand part of 
 the motion ?" 
 
 And it was resolved in the affirmative. 
 
 Then it was moved, "To agree to the said Resolution, 
 as at first proposed." 
 
 Which being objected to, the question was put there- 
 upon : 
 
 And it was resolved in the affirmative. 
 Ordered, That His Majesty's Attorney General do pro- 
 secute the Printer and Authors of the said Paper. 
 
 HOUSE OF COMMONS. 
 
 Monday, February 27, 1 7 7 . 
 
 A complaint being made to the House of a printed Pa- 
 per, intituled, " The Crisis, No. Ill, dated Saturday, Feb- 
 ruary 4, 1775, printed and published for the Authors, by 
 T. W. Shaw, in Fleet Street," 
 
 The said Paper was delivered in at the Clerk's table, 
 and read. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the said Paper is 
 a false, scandalous, and seditious libel, highly and unjustly 
 reflecting on His Majesty's sacred person, and tending to 
 alienate the affections, and inflame the minds, of His Ma- 
 jesty's subjects against his person and Government. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That one of the said 
 printed Papers be burnt by the hands of the common hang- 
 man in New-Palace Yard, Westminster, on Monday, the 
 6th day of March next, at one of the clock in the after- 
 noon ; and that another of the said printed Papers be burnt 
 by the hands of the common hangman, before the Royal 
 Exchange in London, on Tuesday, the 7th day of March 
 next, at the same hour ; and that the Sheriffs of London 
 and Middlesex do attend at the said times and places re- 
 spectively, and cause the same to be burnt there accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. f. 
 
 To the People of England and America: 
 
 Friends and Fellow-subjects : It is with the great- 
 est propriety I address this paper to you. It is in your 
 defence, at this great, this important crisis, I take the pen 
 in hand. A crisis big with the fate of the most glorious 
 Empire known in the records of time; and by your firm- 
 ness and resolution only, it can be saved from destruction. 
 By your firmness and resolution, you may preserve to your- 
 selves, your immediate offspring, and latest posterity, all 
 the glorious blessings of freedom given by Heaven to un- 
 deserving mortals; by your supineness and pusillanimity, 
 you will entail on yourselves, your children, and millions 
 yet unborn, misery and slavery. 
 
 It is in your defence I now stand forth to oppose the 
 most sanguinary and despotick Court that ever disgraced 
 a free Country. It is in your defence I now unsheath the 
 sword of Justice, to oppose the most profligate and aban- 
 doned Administration that ever showed the weakness, or 
 abused the confidence, of a Prince. It is in your defence 
 1 now stand forth, with a firmness and resolution becom- 
 ing an Englishman determined to be free, to oppose every 
 arbitrary and every unconstitutional Act, of a venal and 
 corrupt majority, smuggled into the present new-fangled 
 Court Parliament, through the villany of Lord North, and 
 purchased with the publick money, to betray their trust, 
 enslave the people, subvert the Protestant religion, and 
 destroy the glory, the honour, interest, and commerce, 
 both foreign and domestick, of England and America; 
 and all this villanous sacrifice of a great Empire, a brave 
 people, and the glorious truths of Heaven, to ambitious 
 views, and to gratify the mean vindictive spirit of one, as- 
 sisted by a numerous train of deputy tyrants, whose sole 
 aim has been to trample under foot the sacred rights of 
 mankind, and the English Constitution. 
 
 It is in your defence, and in defence of the liberties of 
 my Country, that I now stand forth, with a fixed resolu- 
 tion, to oppose, and show to the world, unavved by fear, 
 the dangerous tendency of every act of lawless power, 
 w bather it shall proceed from the King, the Lords, or the 
 Commons. 
 
 r 
 
57 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MARCH, 1773. 
 
 58 
 
 I will endeavour, in conjunction with my fellow-labourer 
 in this great work, to rescue the liberty of the Press (that 
 bulwark of freedom) from the ruin with which it is now 
 threatened, by special juries of Middlesex, and the arbitra- 
 ry decisions of a Scotch Chief Justice, the glorious advo- 
 cates for despotick sway. The heavy fines and cruel im- 
 prisonment of the two Wood falls, without even the ap- 
 pearance of guilt, and contrary to the intention of the Jury, 
 will be faithfully recorded by the pen of truth, and fill 
 many pages in the black catalogue of Murray's crimes. 
 It shall be my endeavour, in this degenerate age, to revive 
 the dying embers of freedom, and rouse my countrymen in 
 England from that lethargick state of supineness and inat- 
 tention, in which they seem to sleep at this time of national 
 danger, when a mighty Kingdom, and all the dearest rights 
 of men are hastening to their ruin ; that they may yet 
 stand high on the roll of fame, equal with their brave and 
 virtuous brethren in America, who are now struggling in 
 the glorious cause of liberty, against the cruel oppressions 
 and the destructive designs of exalted villains, whose ac- 
 tions will be transmitted to posterity in characters of blood, 
 and their names forever branded with eternal marks of 
 infamy; while America will remain the glory and admira- 
 tion of the world, and be held in the highest veneration to 
 the end of lime. Let not the long envied glory of Bri- 
 tain, O my countrymen ! be eclipsed by the virtuous ac- 
 tions of the Americans in the new world. Our danger is 
 the same ; their cause is our cause ; with the constitutional 
 rights of America, must fall the liberties of England. Let 
 u% then, show ourselves equal to them in virtue, courage, 
 firmness, and resolution ; and as they have done, prove to 
 the world we are alike enemies to tyranny, and that we 
 never will be slaves to one, nor to a majority of five hun- 
 dred and fifty-eight tyrants. We will strain every nerve, 
 and brave every danger, to stimulate our countrymen on 
 this side the Atlantick, to a noble exertion of their rights 
 as freemen ; to show them the danger, as well as the infa- 
 my, of remaining quiet spectators of their own destruction ; 
 and to remove that dark cloud of slavery, which now ob- 
 scures the glorious light of freedom ; and but for the vir- 
 tue of our forefathers, would, ages ago, have overwhelmed 
 this Kingdom, like the States around us, in a long, a last- 
 ing night of misery and ruin. 
 
 Upon this plan, and with these principles, we set out, 
 and intend to proceed, that the present (if not too far de- 
 generated) and future generations may enjoy, undiminished, 
 all the blessings of liberty. To accomplish this end we will 
 risk every thing that is dear to man, and brave both Royal 
 and Ministerial vengeance, to preserve from ruin, if possi- 
 ble, the natural rights of mankind, the sacred Constitution 
 of the British Empire, and the freedom of our Country. 
 
 Agreeable to our motto, we shall ever think " liberty 
 with danger, is preferable to servitude with security." We 
 should glory in the smiles of our Sovereign, but will never 
 purchase them at the expense of our liberty ; nor will we 
 ever give up, but with our lives, the right to expose, and 
 publickly display, in all its hideous forms, the cruel despo- 
 tism of tyrants. We can conceive no reason why the laws 
 and religion of England should be sported with, and tram- 
 pled under foot, by a Prince of the House of Brunswick, 
 rather than by one of the House of Stuart. Surely, upon 
 every principle of justice, reason, and common sense, what- 
 ever is tyranny and murder in one man, is equally so in 
 another; and if it is just to oppose and resist one, it is as 
 just to oppose and resist the other. It is not a name, nor 
 an office, however important, that can or ought to bring 
 respect and reverence to the possessor, while he acts be- 
 low, and is unworthy of them. Folly and villany ought 
 to have no asylum ; nor can titles sanctify crimes, though, 
 in our days, they protect criminals. A royal, right hon- 
 ourable, or a right reverend robber, is the most dangerous 
 robber, and consequently the most to be detested. 
 
 Our modern advocates for villany and slavery, have 
 found out a new way of arguing and convincing the judg- 
 ments of men ; they make nice distinctions without a differ- 
 ence, and tell the world what was tyranny in the time of 
 Charles the First, is not tyranny in the reign of George 
 the Third ; and to this they add a long catalogue of virtues, 
 which he never possessed. They say he is pious; that his 
 chief aim is to render his subjects a happy, great, and free 
 people. These, and many other falsehoods equally wick- 
 
 ed and absurd, they endeavour to instil into the minds of 
 the too easily deluded English. These, and such like arti- 
 fices, have ever been made use of in the reign of arbitrary 
 Kings, to deceive the people, and make them, with more 
 ease, and to chains well polished, submit their necks, and 
 even reverence and adore the hand that rivets them. Thus 
 do tyrants' succeed, and the galling yoke of slavery, so 
 much complained of by almost every Nation in the world, 
 becomes a crime of the first magnitude in the people, 
 through their own credulity and vile submission. Truth, m 
 spite of all the false colouring of venal writers, speaks a 
 different language, and declares, in opposition to the pen 
 of falsehood, that bloodshed and slaughter, violence and 
 oppression, Popery and lawless power, characterize the 
 present reign ; and we will defy even the pensioned John- 
 son, after the closest examination of the two reigns, to lei 1 
 which is the best. Charles broke his coronation oath, butch- 
 ered his subjects, made ten thousand solemn promises be 
 never intended to perform, and often committed perjury : 
 (but these are no crimes in a King, for all Kings have a 
 divine right to be devils.) He tried to overturn the Con- 
 stitution by force, but found his mistake when it was too 
 late, and that even royal villany does not always succeed, 
 and when the just vengeance of Heaven overtook him, he 
 saw (though he would not believe it before, and imagined 
 he had a divine right to shed human blood) that the same 
 power which raised him up could pull him down. The 
 present Sovereign, not willing to make a figure in history 
 without a head, and being more mild and gentle, just and 
 good, has improved upon the plan, and is now tearing up 
 the Constitution by the roots, under the form of law. This 
 method of proceeding is certainly much safer, and more 
 judicious, as well as just ; for what right can an English- 
 man have to complain, when he is legally made a slave by 
 Act of Parliament. How wicked ! how rebellious ! must 
 the Americans be, and what levelling principles must they 
 possess, to resist the div ine right of the Lords and Com- 
 mons, under the sanction of a divine Act of Parliament, 
 sent from Heaven to plunder, butcher, starve, or enslave 
 them, just as it shall come into their divine heads, or the 
 heads of their divine instruments ; and when once they 
 have carried this divine law into execution, according to 
 their righteous intention, we shall soon see, on this side the 
 Atlantick, that they have the same divine right to use us in 
 the same merciful and* divine manner. This is but the first 
 divine step of a diabolical plan for shedding human blood, 
 reducing an industrious, brave, flourishing, and free people, 
 from a state of affluence to that of misery, beggary, and 
 slavery ; and nothing but a resolution in the people here, 
 will be able to prevent the next divine step of the same 
 plan, from laying in ruins all the rights of the British, with 
 those of the American, world. 
 
 The altar of despotism is erected in America, and we 
 shall be the next victims to lawless power: all the hor- 
 rours of slavery now stare us in the face ; our religion 
 subverted ; freedom, law, and right, artfully undermined : 
 the Roman Catholick religion not tolerated but establish- 
 ed ; a majority of the House of Commons and the House 
 of Lords mere creatures of the King; in short, every 
 engine of oppression and arbitrary power is at work, to 
 accomplish our ruin. 
 
 O, my countrymen, that we could but inspire you with 
 noble sentiments of liberty, rouse you to a just sense of 
 your immediate danger, and make you feel, sensibly feel, 
 all the blessings derived from freedom, the natural right of 
 every man, but more particularly of Englishmen ; it is our 
 birthright, our inheritance ; it was handed down to us by 
 our ancestors, and sealed often with their blood. Let us, 
 then, in justice to them, to ourselves, and to posterity, make 
 a noble constitutional stand, in conjunction with our noble 
 and spirited, but suffering, fellow-subjects in America, 
 against the present plan, long fixed by the minions of pow- 
 er to destroy it, and overturn the Constitution, a Constitu- 
 tion ten thousand times superiour to any system ever de- 
 vised by the Greeks or Romans. 
 
 At such a time as this, when the merciless, the relent- 
 less hand of tyranny is tearing out the vitals of freedom, 
 sapping the foundations of publick security, making a 
 mockery of publick justice, and destroying all the envied 
 rights of Britain, and the truths of Heaven ; — 1 say, at 
 such a time, to be inattentive or inactive, is infamy; and 
 
59 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 60 
 
 lie who can tamely see his Country upon the brink of ruin, 
 without putting out his arm, and lending a helping hand 
 to rescue her from destruction, must be an abandoned 
 wretch, a disgrace to the name of Englishman, and to his 
 Country. 
 
 THE CHISIS. NO. II. 
 
 A bloody Court, a bloody Ministry, and a bloody Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 The sudden and unexpected dissolution of the last ruin- 
 ous Parliament, gave a just and general alarm to the whole 
 Nation ; and we may search in vain the voluminous pages 
 of Grecian, Roman, or English history, to find such 
 another plan of premeditated villany, for destroying, at one 
 grand stroke of Royal and Ministerial policy, all the rights 
 of a free people. Lord North, engendered in the womb 
 of Hell ; raised by the fostering hand of infernal spirits ; 
 and possessing principles which have eclipsed all the glories 
 of his satanick parents, had the effrontery to declare, in 
 the face of the House of Commons, and the world, but a 
 few day before the recess of the late Parliament, that they 
 should meet again early in October for the despatch of 
 business. When he uttered the falsehood, it was suspected 
 by many, and he well knew it had been determined that 
 they should be dissolved, although the precise time was 
 not fixed. On the 1 6th day of September, 1774, a notice 
 was published in the Gazette for the last Parliament to 
 meet on the 15lh of November; eleven days had not 
 elapsed before a Proclamation appeared for its dissolution, 
 and calling a new Parliament. Who can guard against de- 
 ception, arlifice, and villany, when stamped with Royal 
 authority? The very thought of an honest House of 
 Commons struck terrour into the guilty soul of Lord North, 
 the diabolical minion of Royal favour, and instrument of 
 Royal vengeance ; nay, even the King, virtuous as he is, 
 had his fears; and in order to secure their own creatures 
 and dependants, or, in other words, to have the old Parlia- 
 ment revived, and smuggle a majority of venal, abandoned 
 miscreants, who would deny their God, or sell their souls for 
 money, into the present House of Commons, Lord North 
 sent letters to all his friends, that they might be prepared ; 
 and it was known in the most distant parts of England, 
 and even the time of election fixed in several Boroughs in 
 Cornivall, some days before the Parliament was dissolved. 
 This is a truth which Lord North, with all his consum- 
 mate impudence, cannot deny. 
 
 The Ministerial hacks were again set to work, to fabri- 
 cate lies, and publish them in the Newspapers, to elude 
 and deceive the electors, that little or no opposition might 
 be made to the tools of Government. One report said 
 the dissolution of Parliament was owing to some disagree- 
 able advices received from America; and that our virtuous 
 King, with his still more virtuous Ministers, intended to adopt 
 some conciliating measures with respect to the Colonies ; 
 and that it would betray a weakness in the King to let the 
 .same Parliament meet again to repeal those Acts which 
 they but a few months before passed. Another report, 
 equally true, asserted it was on account of intelligence re- 
 ceived from the North, of a very alarming nature. And a 
 third, that it was occasioned by a difference between the 
 French and English Ministry, which rendered such a step 
 necessary, as there was great reason to believe we should 
 soon be involved in War, and that it would be exceedingly 
 improper to have the Nation put in a ferment by a gene- 
 ral election at so critical a time as that, and when the assist- 
 ance of Parliament would be particularly wanted. A fourth 
 report was, that Lord Chatham and his friends would be 
 immediately taken into favour, and that there was to be an 
 entire change in the Ministry. By these low artifices and 
 Ministerial lies, the people of England were lulled into a 
 state of supincness, and even made to lend a helping hand 
 to complete their own ruin. 
 
 The subsequent part of this paper will unravel the dia- 
 bolical scheme. Lord North saw a powerful opposition 
 forming in every part of England; he was fearful of asso- 
 ciations — he dreaded a Solemn League and Covenant, which 
 he was certain the people would have entered into for the 
 preservation of their rights and liberties, before next May, 
 the time when the Parliament would have been dissolved 
 of course; he trembled for the event, conscious of his own 
 
 villany, and that his head had been long forfeited to the 
 justice of his Country; he determined to take the electors 
 by surprise, to put them off their guard, and rob them of 
 time, that no opposition might be made to his creatures ; 
 and the people being prevented from fixing upon men of 
 honest, independent principles, to whom they might with 
 safety, delegate the important, the sacred trust of represen- 
 tation. 
 
 Lord North communicated his fears to the King ; painted 
 the daring rebellious spirit of the Americans ; and told him 
 that the people here were as disloyal and disaffected, and 
 that hints had been thrown out in the publick prints, of 
 plans forming in different parts of England for keeping 
 out of the new Parliament most of his friends, and unless 
 prevented by some well-concerted scheme, there was but 
 too much reason to believe, from the spirit of the people, 
 that they would succeed ; an event, says this traitor, much 
 feared, and greatly dreaded by every well-wisher to your 
 person and Government, should it ever take place ; and 
 there is a Country party, or a majority of mock Patriots in 
 the House ef Commons, who are enemies to all order and 
 Government — you must be reduced to the most degrading 
 situation ; indeed, your present friends will then be unable 
 to gave you any assistance ; and instead of the power 
 being in your hands, it will then be in the hands of the 
 people ; and you will be under the disgraceful necessity of 
 giving your assent to the repeal of every Act which has 
 been lately passed for the purpose of raising a revenue, 
 and enforcing a due obedience to your authority. In short, 
 you will be a King without power, and subject to the con- 
 trol of a few demagogues for liberty — the dregs of man- 
 kind — and a common rabble who will always support them ; 
 nay, it may even endanger the security of your Throne ; 
 for what will not a hot-headed Parliament do, with whom 
 the voice of the people can have any weight. The plan 
 for reducing the Americans, and making them dependant 
 on your will, must be crushed ; they will triumph in the 
 victory obtained over the just power of Parliament, and 
 your prerogative ; your faithful servants will be compelled 
 to leave you, and you will be without a real friend to ad- 
 vise with. If your Majesty can get a majority of your 
 friends rechosen in the new Parliament, you will be able 
 to raise what money you please, with their assistance ; you 
 will then be able to keep your present Ministers, and pre- 
 serve them from the resentment (which has been incurred 
 by serving you) of an enraged rabble, who are made to 
 believe, through the licentiousness of the press, that they 
 labour under a load of accumulated grievances. You will 
 then be able to trample under foot faction, sedition, and 
 rebellion throughout your Dominions, and to carry every 
 thing before you, agreeable to your Royal pleasure. With 
 the power of Parliament, and your Majesty's firmness and 
 perseverance, you may bring England and America into 
 a proper state of subjection to your will. To accomplish 
 this, it will be necessary to prorogue the Parliament to 
 some future day, then to meet, and immediately after call 
 a Council and dissolve them ; in the mean time, your 
 friends may be made acquainted with the determination, 
 and be prepared for the election, before any opposition can 
 possibly be made, or the people know any thing of the 
 matter. 
 
 The King, firmly resolved on the people's ruin, caressed 
 his villanous minion, admired the plan formed for our de- 
 struction, and, drunk with the prerogative, he sucked in 
 the baneful advice, and pursued it. 
 
 Thus the present Parliament was smuggled; and thus, in 
 a most shameful, unprecedented, artful, and sudden man- 
 ner, was the last House of Commons dissolved by the King, 
 to answer his own and his Minister's wicked, tyrannical, 
 and bloody designs against the people and Constitution of 
 this Kingdom. Such an instance of an infamous exertion 
 of the Royal prerogative, and under the like circumstances, 
 is not to be found in the history of England • such an in- 
 jury and insult was never before offered to a free people, 
 and never ought to be forgiven. It was a piece of Hano- 
 verian treachery, baseness, and ingratitude, which has far 
 exceeded all the artful villany and low cunning of the dis- 
 carded Stuarts. His Majesty, (Heaven protect so much 
 goodness,) out of a tenderness to the Constitution, could 
 not make so bad a use of his prerogative, five years back, 
 as to dissolve the same Parliament, when their iniquitous 
 
61 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 62 
 
 proceedings, and their violations of justice had roused the 
 indignation of the people, and he was requested to do it 
 by upwards of eighty thousand freeholders, (signed,) and 
 the general voice of the whole Nation. But in 1774 he 
 got the better of that tenderness ; and to answer his own 
 purposes, courd exert the Royal prerogative, which he had 
 absolutely refused to his subjects in the haughty terms of 
 a despot, with no other view but to overturn the Consti- 
 tution of the British Empire, in England and America, 
 and destroy or enslave the people. 
 
 His Majesty, his minions, and instruments of slaughter, 
 are now safe in robbing the people of their property, by 
 shameful and iniquitous taxes, in time of peace ; safe in 
 their subversion of the Protestant Religion ; safe and suc- 
 cessful in their cruel plan for starving the honest and in- 
 dustrious inhabitants, and destroying the trade of the 
 Town of Boston, in America, and the Commerce of Eng- 
 land ; safe so far in their attempt to destroy the lives, 
 rights, liberties, and privileges of millions ; I say they are 
 safe in all these violations of, and depredations on our 
 National security, and natural rights — because we are 
 tame. 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. III. 
 
 To the King : 
 
 Sir: To follow you regularly through every step of a 
 fourteen years' shameful and inglorious reign, would be 
 a task as painful as disagreeable, and far exceed the bounds 
 of this paper: But we are called upon by the necessity of 
 the times, the measures you are pursuing, by every prin- 
 ciple of justice and self-preservation, and by the duty we 
 owe to God and our Country, to declare our sentiments 
 (with a freedom becoming Englishmen) on some of those 
 dreadful transactions and oppressions which the Kingdom 
 has laboured under since the glory and lustre of E?igland's 
 Crown was doomed to fade upon your brow; and to point 
 out to you, Sir, your own critical and dangerous situation. 
 
 Sir, it is not your rotten troop, in the present House of 
 Commons; it is not your venal, beggarly, pensioned 
 Lords; it is not your polluted, canting, prostituted Bench 
 of Bishops ; it is not your whole set of abandoned Minis- 
 ters ; nor all your army of Scotch cut-throats, that can 
 protect you from the People's rage, when driven by your 
 oppressions, and, until now, unheard of cruelties, to a state 
 of desperation. 
 
 The day, we fear, is not far distant, when you will have 
 reason, too much reason, to wish you had acted like a father, 
 and not like a tyrant ; when you will be bound to curse 
 those traitors, those exalted villains, who now, in the face 
 of day, without a blush, you can be base enough to call 
 your friends. Be assured, Sir, your danger is great, amidst 
 all the fancied security ; and it will be impossible for them 
 to preserve you from the just resentment of an enraged, 
 long abused, and much injured Nation. Should that day 
 ever come, (but Heaven avert the stroke,) where can you 
 bide yourself from the tenfold vengeance of a brave and 
 mighty people, with law. justice, Heaven, and all their 
 sacred truths on their side ? 
 
 Then, like the wounds that bleed afresh, will be brought 
 to their minds your barbarous and unprovoked massacre 
 in St. George's Fields ; when men and women were indis- 
 criminately and inhumanly slaughtered, to gratify what 
 would have disgraced even your footman — a pitiful re- 
 venge ! Then, Sir, they will remember with honour and 
 indignation, the letter of thanks, sent from the Secretary 
 at War, by your order, to the Officer on duty, the 10th of 
 May, 1768, (the day of carnage,) and likewise your pen- 
 sioning and screening the murderers from the punishment 
 of the law. Then, Sir, they will remember, the horrid 
 plan laid at Brentford, for destroying the right of election ; 
 or in the most savage manner to take away the lives of the 
 Freeholders of Middlesex, which was (to make use of a 
 word from your merciful Royal dictionary,) effectually car- 
 ried into execution, and several people killed ; to this plan, 
 Sir, formed by Proctor and your minions, you must have 
 been privy, as the event afterwards sufficiently proved. 
 Then, Sir, they will remember the mean, low, and crimi- 
 nal subterfuge you had recourse to, to dispense with the 
 laws, and set aside the just verdict of an honest jury, to 
 
 pardon those hired ruffians, Balf and Mc Quirk, convicted 
 upon the clearest evidence, of premeditated murder. Then, 
 Sir, they will remember the insults they received, and the 
 ignoble answers you gave to the remonstrances and peti- 
 tions, delivered by them to the Throne, praying the disso- 
 lution of Parliament. Nor will they forget, Sir, the infer- 
 nal plan for smuggling the present House of Commons, 
 and destroying all the rights of this free Country. In a 
 word, Sir, these and every other despotick and bloody 
 transaction of your reign will rise fresh in their minds, if 
 they should be driven by your encouragement of Popery, 
 your persecutions, your oppressions, your violations of all 
 justice, your treachery, and your weakness, into a fatal 
 and unnatural Civil War in America; I say, they will rise 
 fresh in their minds, and stimulate them to deeds of glory ; 
 nay, they may pursue with implacable revenge the author 
 of all their miseries. 
 
 The people, Sir, with a candour and indulgence peculiar 
 to Englishmen, passed over the injuries and insults in the 
 first part of your reign, or kindly laid the blame at the 
 door of your Ministers; but it is now evident to the whole 
 world, that there was a plan formed by Lord Bute and 
 yourself, either before, or immediately after you came to 
 the Crown, for subverting the British Constitution in 
 Church and State ; which, to our grief, with indefatigable 
 pains and too much success, Lord Bute's tools, and your 
 infernal minions, have carried into execution ; therefore it 
 no longer remains to determine who is now the greatest 
 criminal in England. 
 
 Consider, Sir, if. through the late and present iniquitous 
 measures, and an obstinate resolution in your Majesty to 
 pursue them, the sword is forced to be drawn in America, 
 it cannot remain long unsheathed in England. We hope 
 there is some virtue here ; and we entertain a better opin- 
 ion of our countrymen than to believe they are so far 
 degenerated as to tamely see a mercenary army of sol- 
 diers, who are at all times a terrour to the peaceable inha- 
 bitants of every free State, butcher their brethren and 
 fellow-subjects in America, because they are determined 
 to defend their own rights and the British Constitution. I 
 say they never will tamely see that, without putting out a 
 helping hand, and sharing with them the glory of a deci- 
 sive victory over tyranny, and all the agents of the infernal 
 monarch of the dark regions of hell, who would enslave 
 the world. 
 
 Should you, Sir, still pursue the tyrannical measures, 
 only to gratify a mean vindictive spirit, and be the author 
 of such dreadful mischiefs, O, we shudder at the thought, 
 the peeple will then perhaps treat you with as little cere- 
 mony, as little respect, and as little mercy, as you and 
 your minions have them ; for, Sir, whenever the State 
 is convulsed by civil commotions, and the Constitution 
 totters to its centre, the Throne of England must shake 
 with it : a Crown will then be no security, and at one stroke 
 all the gaudy trappings of royalty may be laid in the dust; 
 at such a time of dreadful confusion and slaughter, when 
 the son's weapon drinks the father's blood, and we see the 
 ruffian's blade reeking from a brother's heart ; when rage 
 is burning in the breasts of Englishmen, provoked by 
 wrongs not to be borne by men, all distinctions must 
 cease, the common safety and the rights of mankind will 
 be the only objects in view, while the King and the pea- 
 sant must share one and the same fate, and perhaps fall 
 undistinguished together. 
 
 Let these things, Sir, be well weighed ; tremble for the 
 event; drive those traitors from your breast, who now sur- 
 round you ; let the just and honest have your confidence ; 
 and once more make your people happy, great and free : 
 be not the instrument of their destruction ; consider the 
 solemn and sacred oath you made at your coronation to 
 protect your subjects in all their rights and liberties, and 
 the Protestant Religion as by Law established : consider, 
 Sir, what a perversion of all right and justice that must be 
 (besides the heinous crime of perjury,) when, instead of 
 being their protector, you become their destroyer. 
 
 Your plan, Sir, for bringing the Colonies by force ot 
 arms into a state of subjection to your will, is cruel, bloody, 
 and (I hope) impracticable ; it is repugnant to every prin- 
 ciple of humanity, justice, and sound policy, and the natural 
 rights of mankind ; it is the foulest disgrace to you, and 
 
63 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 64 
 
 will reflect eternal infamy on your reign and memory as 
 the Sovereign and father of a free people. It is such a 
 plan of encroaching violence and lawless power, as the 
 Americans never can, never ought, nor ever will, submit 
 to ; it is such a scheme for enslaving, or destroying the 
 human race, as every man ought to execrate and condemn, 
 and to oppose even till he perish. 
 
 Men, Sir, at three thousand miles distance, must think it 
 extremely hard to work, toil, and run hazards, only to 
 support the infamous luxury of high pampered Lords, a 
 rotten Court, and your tribe of venal Senators, minions, 
 pimps, and parasites — the pests of society ; and to be taxed 
 and mulcted by them at their pleasure. All nature, Sir, 
 revolts even at the idea of such a state of human misery. 
 
 Force, Sir, can never be used effectually to answer the 
 end, without destroying the Colonies themselves. Liberty 
 and encouragement are necessary to keep them together ; 
 and violence will hinder both. Any body of Troops, con- 
 siderable enough to awe them, keep them in subjection, 
 and under the direction of a needy Scotch Govemour, 
 sent only to be an instrument of slaughter, and to make 
 his fortune, would soon put an end to planting, and leave 
 the country to you, Sir, and your merciless plunderers 
 only ; and if it did not, they would starve the inhabitants 
 and eat up all the profit of the Colonies. On the contrary, 
 a few prudent laws, Sir, (but you seem to be a stranger to 
 prudence as well as to justice and humanity,) and a little 
 prudent conduct, (that, too, has long been despaired of by 
 the Kingdom,) would soon give us far the greatest share 
 of the riches of all America ; perhaps drive other Nations 
 out of it, or into our Colonies for shelter. 
 
 If violent methods be not used (at this time) to prevent 
 it, your Northern Colonies, Sir, must constantly increase in 
 people, wealth, and power; their inhabitants are con- 
 siderably more than doubled since the Revolution ; and in 
 less than a century must become powerful States ; and 
 the more powerful, the more people will flock thither. 
 There are so many exigencies in all States, so many foreign 
 wars and domestic disturbances, that these Colonies can 
 seldom want opportunities, if they watch for them, to do 
 what you, Sir, might be extremely sorry for — throw off 
 their dependance on the Mother Country ; therefore, Sir, 
 it should be your first and greatest care, that it shall never 
 be their interest to act against that of their native Coun- 
 try ; an evil that can no otherwise be averted, than by 
 keeping them fully employed in such trades as will increase 
 their own, as well as our wealth ; for, Sir, there is too much 
 reason to fear, if you don't find employment for them, they 
 may find some for you. Withdraw, then, Sir, from Ame- 
 rica, your armed ruffians, and make a full restoration of 
 the people's rights; let them tax themselves, and enjoy 
 their property unviolated by the hand of tyranny. Thus, 
 Sir, the subsequent part of your reign may yet be happy 
 and glorious. May the compact between you and the 
 people be no more invaded ; may you be speedily recon- 
 ciled to the just demands of the Colonies ; may Lord Bute, 
 Lord Mansfield, Lord North, and all your Majesty's in- 
 famous minions, who would precipitate you and the King- 
 dom into ruin, answer with their heads (and soon) for their 
 horrid crimes; and may the succession in your Majesty's 
 Royal House, and the Religion, Laws, Rights and Liber- 
 ties, of the subject, go hand in hand down to all posterity, 
 until this globe shall be reduced to its original chaos, and 
 time be swallowed up in eternity. 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. IV. 
 
 To the Conspirators against the Liberties of mankind, at 
 St. James's, in St. Stephen's Chapel, the House of 
 Lords, or amongst the Bench of Bishops. 
 
 The steady and uniform perseverance in a regular plan 
 of depotism, since the commencement of this reign, makes 
 it evident to the meanest capacity, that a design was formed 
 (and it has with too much success been carried into execu- 
 tion) for subverting the Religion, Laws, and Constitution 
 of this Kingdom, and to establish upon the ruins of pub- 
 lick liberty, an arbitrary system of Government: in a 
 word, the destruction of this Kingdom will soon be effected 
 b} a Prince of the House of Brunswick. 
 
 The bloody Resolution has passed the House of Com- 
 mons and the House of Lords, to address our present 
 humane, gentle Sovereign, to give directions for enforcing 
 the cruel and unjust edicts of the last Parliament against 
 the Americans. His Majesty, possessing principles which 
 nothing can equal but the goodness of his heart, will no 
 doubt give immediate orders for carrying effectually into 
 execution the massacre in America ; especially as he is to 
 be supported in polluting the earth with blood with the 
 lives and fortunes of his faithful butchers — the Lords and 
 Commons. Would to God they only were to fall a sacri- 
 fice in this unnatural Civil War. 
 
 The day of trial is at hand ; it is time to prove the vir- 
 tue, and rouse the spirit of the people of England; the 
 prospect is too dreadful, it is too melancholy to admit of 
 farther delay. 
 
 The Lord Mayor of London ought immediately to call 
 a Common-Hall for the purpose of taking the sense of his 
 fellow-citizens at this alarming crisis, upon presenting a 
 remonstrance to the Throne, couched in terms that might 
 do honour to the City, as the first and most powerful in 
 the world, and to them as men determined to be free ; in 
 terms that might strike conviction into his Majesty's breast, 
 and terrour into the souls of his minions. This is not a 
 time for compliments, nor should tyrants, or the instruments 
 of tyranny ever be complimented. 
 
 The Merchants of London, it is to be hoped, and the 
 whole commercial interest of England, will exert them- 
 selves upon this great occasion, by sending to the Throne 
 spirited and pointed remonstrances, worthy of English- 
 men ; by noble and generous subscriptions ; and in every 
 other manner, give all the relief, and all the assistance in 
 their power, to their oppressed and injured fellow-subjects 
 in America. 
 
 Let them heartily join the Americans, and see whether 
 tyranny and lawless power, or reason, justice, Heaven, 
 truth, and liberty, will prevail. 
 
 Let them, together with the gentlemen of landed pro- 
 perty, who must greatly suffer by this unnatural Civil War, 
 make a glorious stand against the enemies of publick free- 
 dom, and the constitutional rights of the Colonies ; for, 
 with the ruin of America, must be involved that of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Let them, in plain terms, declare their own strength, 
 and the power of the people ; a power that has hitherto 
 withstood the united efforts of fraud and tyranny ; a power 
 which raises them to a Throne ; and when unworthy of 
 their delegated trust, can pull them down. 
 
 Let them declare to the world they will never be so base 
 and cowardly as quietly to see any part of their fellow- 
 subjects butchered or enslaved, either in England or Ame- 
 rica, to answer the purpose of exalted villany ; and by 
 that means become the detested instruments of their own 
 destruction. 
 
 Let them declare to the world they are not yet ripe for 
 slavery ; that their forefathers made a noble resistance, and 
 obtained a decisive victory over tyranny and lawless power, 
 when the Stuarts reigned ; that they are determined to do 
 themselves justice, and not to suffer any farther attacks 
 upon their freedom, from the present Sovereign, who is 
 exceedingly desirous, as well as ambitious, to destroy the 
 liberties of mankind, but that they do insist upon a restora- 
 tion of their own violated rights, and the rights of British 
 America. Let them enter into an Association for the pre- 
 servation of their lives, rights, liberties, and privileges, and 
 resolve at once to bring the whole legion of publick traitors, 
 who have wickedly entered into a conspiracy to destroy the 
 dear-bought rights of this free Nation, to condign punish- 
 ment, for their past and present diabolical proceedings, 
 which have already stained the land with blood, and threat- 
 en destruction to the human race. 
 
 A few spirited resolutions from the City of London, and 
 the whole body of Merchants of England, would strike 
 terrour into the souls of those miscreants — the authors of 
 these dreadful publick mischiefs. 
 
 The grand principle of self-preservation, which is the 
 first and fundamental law of nature, calls aloud for such ex- 
 ertions of publick spirit ; the security of the Nation de- 
 pends upon it; justice, and the preservation of our own, 
 and the lives of our fellow-subjects in America, demand it ; 
 
65 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 66 
 
 the very being of the Constitution makes it necessary ; and 
 whatever is necessary to the publick safety must be just. 
 
 The present conspirators against the happiness of man- 
 kind ought to know that no subterfuges, no knavish sub- 
 tilties, no evasions, no combinations, nor pretended com- 
 missions, shall be able to screen or protect them from pub- 
 lick justice. They ought to know that the People can 
 follow them through all their labyrinths and doubling mean- 
 ders ; a power confined by no limitations but of publick 
 justice and the publick good ; a power that does not always 
 follow precedents, but makes them ; a power which has 
 this for its principle, that extraordinary and unprecedented 
 villanies ought to have extraordinary and unprecedented 
 punishments. 
 
 To the Officers, Soldiers, and Seamen, who may be em- 
 ployed to butcher their Relations, Friends, and Fellow- 
 Subjects in America. 
 
 You can neither be ignorant of, nor unacquainted with, 
 the arbitrary steps that the present King, supported by an 
 abandoned Ministry, a venal set of prostituted Lords and 
 Commons, is now pursuing to overturn the sacred Consti- 
 tution of the British Empire, which he had sworn to pre- 
 serve. 
 
 You are not, or will not long be ignorant, that the King, 
 the Lords and Commons, have (to satiate their revenge 
 against a few individuals) declared the whole people of 
 America to be in a state of rebellion, only because they 
 have avowed their resolution to support their Charters, 
 Rights, and Liberties against the secret machinations of 
 designing men ; who would destroy them, and you are fixed 
 upon as the instruments of their destruction. However, I 
 entertain too good an opinion of you, to believe there is 
 one true Englishman who will undertake the bloody work. 
 Men without fortunes, principles, or connexions, may in- 
 deed handle their arms in any desperate cause, to oblige a 
 tyrant or monster in human shape ; but men of family or 
 fortune, or of honest principles, I hope could never be pre- 
 vailed upon to sheath their swords in the bowels of their 
 countrymen. Englishmen surely cannot be found to ex- 
 ecute so diabolical a deed, to imbrue their hands in inno- 
 cent blood, and fight against their friends and Country ; 
 actions which must brand them with perpetual marks of 
 reproach and infamy. 
 
 0 my countrymen, let neither private interest nor friend- 
 ship, neither relations nor connexions, prevail with or in- 
 duce you to obey (as you must answer at the last day be- 
 fore the awful Judge of the world for the blood that will 
 be wantonly and cruelly spilt) the murderous orders of an 
 inhuman tyrant ; who, to gratify his lust of power, would 
 lay waste the world. No, rather enter into a solemn league, 
 and join with the rest of your countrymen, to oppose the 
 present measures of Government, planned for our ruin. 
 
 When your Country calls, then stand forth and defend 
 the cause of liberty, despise the degeneracy of the age, the 
 venality of the times, and hand freedom down to posterity, 
 that your children may smile and bless, not curse your war- 
 like resolution. To die gloriously fighting for the Laws 
 and Liberties of your Country, is honourable, and would 
 deserve a crown of martyrdom ; to die fighting against it is 
 infamy, and you would forever deserve the heaviest curses 
 and execrations. 
 
 1 hope neither you nor the Irish have forgot the shame- 
 ful insults you have received from the King ever since the 
 conclusion of the last war ; you have been despised, neg- 
 lected, and treated with contempt, while a parcel of beg- 
 garly Scotchmen only have been put into places of profit 
 and trust, in the East and West-Indies, in England and 
 America, and the preference has, of honour and promo- 
 tions, been constantly given to those people ; nay ! even to 
 rebels, and some who have served in the French service. 
 Be assured if you can be prevailed upon to butcher or en- 
 slave your fellow-subjects, and to set up an arbitrary power 
 on the ruins of publick liberty, that your substance would 
 soon be reduced to the miserable pittance of Foreign 
 Troops; and you, with the surviving subjects of England 
 and America, be reduced to the miserable condition of be- 
 ing ruled by an army of Scotch Janizaries, assisted by Ro- 
 man Catholicks. 
 
 Let every English and Irish Officer, Soldier, and Sea- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 man, seriously weigh these things, and then, if they are 
 valiant, courageous, magnanimous, and free, like their fore- 
 fathers ; if they are true to their King and their Country ; 
 if they value their religion, laws, lives, liberties, families, and 
 posterity, no consideration can prevail with them to engage 
 against the Americans in an inhuman, bloody civil war. 
 
 Let every man, then, who is really and truly a Protest- 
 ant, who wishes well to his Country and the rights of man- 
 kind, lay aside his prejudices and consider the cause of 
 America, and her success in this struggle for freedom, as 
 a thing of the last consequence to England, upon which 
 our salvation depends; for the present plan of Royal des- 
 potism is a plan of general ruin. I say, let us all speedily 
 unite, and endeavour to defend them from their open, and 
 ourselves from our own secret and domestick enemies ; 
 and if any are lukewarm in this great publick cause, and at 
 this time of imminent danger, let them be made an exam- 
 ple of treachery and cowardice, that the present generation 
 may detest and abhor them, and posterity exclaim against 
 and curse them, as unnatural monsters, who would destroy 
 the human race. 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. V. 
 
 To the People : 
 
 At a juncture like the present, when the National repu- 
 tation of Britain, as well as her absolute safety, stands tot- 
 tering on the brink of destruction ; when Liberty and Free- 
 dom, the great pillars of the Constitution, are, by force and 
 fraud, undermined, and tumbling into ruins ; when the 
 bloody sword of tyranny is drawn against America, and 
 soon to be plunged into the bowels of her innocent inhab- 
 itants ; when the present Sovereign, aided by a despicable 
 junto, the rebel, outcast, and refuse of Scotland, and a Par- 
 liament not returned by the free suffrages of the People, 
 are rioting with impunity in the spoils of an insulted pow- 
 erful Kingdom ; when they, by cruel oppression, have spread 
 terrour and civil war in every part of the British Empire ; 
 when they have destroyed or suspended her trade, and sap- 
 ped the credit of publick security; when the most iniqui- 
 tous and unjust Laws are daily passed to curb the spirit, 
 and bind in chains the hands of a brave and free People ; 
 when St. James's is made the slaughter-house of America ; 
 when the Sovereign has become a National Executioner, 
 and for a sceptre carries a bloody knife ; when, by a most 
 scandalous and shameful profusion of the publick money, 
 we are hourly robbed and plundered to answer all the pur- 
 poses of kingcraft and villany ; when new Taxes are daily 
 imposed upon the People in time of peace, to the almost 
 entire ruin of the State ; when the minions of despotism 
 are increasing the Land Forces, for the open and avowed 
 purpose of wading knee-deep in blood through the Liber- 
 ties of Britain; when the Protestant Religion is openly 
 subverted, and the British subjects in Canada deprived of 
 those great securities of their personal liberty and property — 
 the Habeas Corpus Act, and Trial by Juries ; when a sus- 
 pending and dispensing power is assumed by the Crown ; 
 when opposition to the most cruel and wanton acts of law- 
 less power is deemed Rebellion ; when the Senators, de- 
 signed as the protectors of the People, are become their 
 destroyers ; when the appointed guardians of publick free- 
 dom are become base apostates and conspirators against the 
 Liberties of mankind ; when neither oaths nor conscience 
 can bind the Sovereign or his Ministers; when both pub- 
 lick and private justice is denied to a subject, nay, to the 
 whole body of the People at large ; when our lives are 
 exposed to false accusations, and our persons to arbitrary 
 imprisonment and heavy fines ; when the Judges before 
 whom we are to stand upon life and death, and before whom 
 all cases concerning liberty and property must be brought, 
 are too much devoted to the will and pleasure of the Crown, 
 and enemies to the natural rights of mankind ; when Ju- 
 ries, who are to decide our fate, are packed, bribed, or 
 modeled to the pernicious designs of a wicked and detest- 
 able Ministry ; when every post, Civil, Naval, and Milita- 
 ry, is filled by Northern flatterers and their adherents, by 
 men of no principles, by parasites, pimps, catmites, and 
 the advocates for arbitrary power ; when the People can 
 see nothing but misery and slavery before their eyes ; when 
 this vast and mighty Empire, the admiration and envy of 
 
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 68 
 
 the world, is, through corruption and villany, fallen into 
 ruins : 
 
 At such a juncture as this, and under these dreadful and 
 alarming circumstances of experienced and impending dan- 
 ger, it becomes the duty of every Englishman to stand 
 forth to defend his life, his liberty, and his property, from 
 lawless violence, and to save his Country from perdition. 
 
 So highly did our brave and worthy ancestors value and 
 esteem their rights, liberties, and privileges, that they spared 
 neither blood nor treasure in their defence, when invaded, 
 as they too often were, by some of our Kings, who, in the 
 pursuit of lawless power, pulled down all the fences of lib- 
 erty, and broke in, like the present Sovereign, upon the 
 Constitution, so far that the lives, liberties, and properties 
 of the subjects of this Realm were hourly in danger, and 
 many fell sacrifices to Royal or Ministerial vengeance. 
 
 Then it was, that our generous forefathers nobly asso- 
 ciated themselves in defence of their inherent and legal 
 rights, and made an offering of the best and choicest blood 
 in the Kingdom to the shrine of Liberty, that we, their 
 posterity, might be free and happy. To them and the glo- 
 rious struggles they made with power, we owe all the bless- 
 ings we enjoy, and the English Constitution — our greatest 
 boast and their greatest glory. 
 
 It was in such times as these, when our brave progeni- 
 tors behaved like Britons; with a true patriot-zeal, with 
 which almost every breast was fired, they spurned the 
 yoke, and broke the chains that were prepared for them, 
 letting their King and his minions know they would not 
 suffer him nor them to destroy their birthrights, and dis- 
 pense with the known laws of the land, by which they 
 were resolved to be governed, and not by his will, or any 
 other lawless power upon earth. 
 
 Let us at this time, in this hour of imminent danger, fol- 
 low so bright and glorious an example, by a well-timed, 
 noble resistance to the present Royal and Ministerial plan 
 for subverting the Laws and Religion, and overturning the 
 Constitution of the British Empire in England and Ame- 
 rica ; a resistance that will secure freedom to posterity, and 
 immortal honour to ourselves. The field of glory is open 
 before us ; let us rouse from a state of apathy, and exert 
 ourselves in a manner becoming of Englishmen, worthy of 
 men who love liberty, and deserve to be free. Let us show 
 to the world we are not to be enslaved by one nor by five 
 thousand tyrants ; for the sons of cruelty, corruption, and 
 despotism, will pursue their bloody designs with great vig- 
 our, and with all the unrelenting malice of barbarians, 
 against our fellow-subjects in America, in proportion as we 
 are tame and acquiescing ; and if once they can succeed, 
 through our baseness and cowardice, the sword will be im- 
 mediately turned against us — the sacred Constitution of our 
 Empire dissolved, and we shall fall despised, unlamented, 
 and detested, into the same horrible gulf of arbitrary 
 power. 
 
 Let us take advantage of the present opportunity, while 
 our resentments boil high ; while every English breast is 
 fired with indignation against those who are the authors of 
 all our past and present calamities, which now convulse the 
 State to its centre. Let us by all proper, just, and legal 
 means, exemplarily punish the parricides, and avowed ene- 
 mies of mankind. Let neither private acquaintance nor 
 personal alliance stand between us and our duty to our 
 Country. Let all who have an interest in the publick 
 safety join in common measures to defend the publick safe- 
 ty. Let us pursue to disgrace, destruction, and even death, 
 all those who have brought this ruin upon us, let them be 
 ever so great, or ever so many. Let us stamp and deep 
 engrave, in characters legible to all Europe at present, and 
 to all posterity hereafter, what vengeance is due to crimes 
 which have no less objects in view than the ruin of Nations 
 and the destruction of millions. Let us frustrate their 
 present desperate and wicked attempt to destroy America, 
 by joining with our injured fellow-subjects, and bravely 
 striking one honest and bold stroke to destroy them. Nay, 
 although the designs of the conspirators should be laid deep 
 as the centre ; although they should raise hell itself, and 
 should fetch legions of votaries from thence to avow their 
 proceedings; yet, let us not leave the pursuit till we have 
 their heads and their estates. 
 
 Hear part of the Address of your injured and oppressed 
 fellow-subjects in America, to you, upon this melancholy 
 
 occasion — upon the dreadful prospect of impending ruin. 
 Let every Englishman lay his hand upon his heart, and de- 
 clare whether he does not think they have been most 
 cruelly treated ; and whether he can, in justice, conscience, 
 and humanity, draw the sword against them; or whether 
 he would not rather join with them, and endeavour to ob- 
 tain a decisive victory over tyranny, or fall gloriously with 
 the liberties of his Country. These are their words: 
 
 " When a Nation, led to greatness by the hand of Lib- 
 erty, and possessed of all the glory that heroism, munifi- 
 cence, and humanity can bestow, descends to the ungrate- 
 ful task of forging chains for her friends and children ; and 
 instead of giving support to freedom, turns advocate for 
 slavery and oppression, there is reason to suspect she has 
 either ceased to be virtuous, or been extremely negligent in 
 the appointment of her rulers. 
 
 " In almost every age, in repeated conflicts, in long and 
 bloody wars, as well civil as foreign, against the many 
 powerful Nations, against the open assaults of enemies, and 
 more dangerous treachery of friends, have the inhabitants 
 of your Island — your great and glorious ancestors — main- 
 tained their independence, and transmitted the rights of 
 men and the blessings of liberty to you their posterity. 
 
 " Be not surprised, therefore, that we, who are descend- 
 ants from the same common ancestors ; that we, whose 
 forefathers participated in all the rights, the liberties, and 
 the Constitution you so justly boast, and who have care- 
 fully conveyed the same fair inheritance to us, guarantied 
 by the plighted faith of Government, and the most solemn 
 compacts with British Sovereigns, should refuse to surren- 
 der them to men who found their claims on no principles 
 of reason, and who prosecute them with a design that, by 
 having our lives and property in their power, they may, 
 with the greater facility, enslave you. 
 
 "The cause of America is now the object of universal 
 attention ; it has at length become very serious. This un- 
 happy Country has not only been oppressed, but abused 
 and misrepresented ; and the duty we owe ourselves and 
 posterity, to your interest, and the general welfare of the 
 British Empire, leads us to address you on this very im- 
 portant subject. 
 
 " We call upon you yourselves to witness our loyalty 
 and attachment to the common interest of the whole Em- 
 pire. Did we not, in the last war, add all the strength of 
 this vast Continent to the force which repelled our common 
 enemy ? Did we not leave our native shores, and meet dis- 
 ease and death, to promote the success of the British Arms 
 in foreign climates ? Did you not thank us for our zeal, and 
 even reimburse us large sums of money, which you con- 
 fessed we had advanced beyond our proportion, and far be- 
 yond our abilities? You did. 
 
 "To what causes, then, are we to attribute the sudden 
 change of treatment, and that system of slavery which was 
 prepared for us at the restoration of peace ? 
 
 " Let justice and humanity cease to be the boast of your 
 Nation ! Consult your history, examine your records of 
 former transactions ; nay, turn to the annals of the many 
 arbitrary States and Kingdoms that surround you, and show 
 us a single instance of men being condemned to suffer for 
 imputed crimes, unheard, unquestioned, and without even 
 the specious formality of a trial ; and that, too, by law s 
 made expressly for the purpose, and which had no exist- 
 ence at the time of the fact committed. If it be difficult 
 to reconcile these proceedings to the genius and temper of 
 your Laws and Constitution, the task will become more 
 arduous when we call upon Ministerial enemies to justify, 
 not only condemning men untried, and by hearsay, but in- 
 volving the innocent in one common punishment with the 
 guilty ; and for the act of thirty or forty, to bring poverty, 
 distress, and calamity on thirty thousand souls, and those 
 not your enemies, but your friends, brethren, and fellow- 
 subjects. 
 
 " Admit that the Ministry, by the power of Britain and 
 the aid of our Roman Catholick neighbours, should be able 
 to carry the point of Taxation, and reduce us to a state of 
 perfect humiliation and slavery, such an enterprise would 
 doubtless make some addition to your National debt, which 
 already presses down your liberties, and fills you with pen- 
 sioners and placemen. We presume, also, that your Com- 
 merce will somewhat be diminished. However, suppose 
 you should prove victorious, in what condition will you then 
 
69 
 
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 70 
 
 be? What advantage or what laurels will you reap from 
 such a conquest ? 
 
 " May not a Ministry, with the same Armies, enslave 
 you ? It may be said, you will cease to pay them ; but re- 
 member the Taxes from America ; the wealth, and we may 
 add the men, particularly the Roman Catholicks of this 
 vast Continent, will then be in the power of your enemies. 
 Nor will you have any reason to expect that, after making 
 slaves of us, many among us should refuse to assist in re- 
 ducing you to the same abject state." 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. VI. 
 
 To the Right Honourable Lord North, first Lord of the 
 Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Ranger 
 of Bushy Park, fyc. 
 
 My Lord : We know not which is most to be detested, 
 your Lordship's pusillanimity, or your villany. Such a 
 miscreant never before disgraced the administration of any 
 Country, nor the confidence of any King. One day you 
 are all fire and sword ; Boston is to be laid in ashes, and 
 the rivers of America are to run with the blood of her in- 
 habitants ; Ships are prepared, Troops embarked, and Offi- 
 cers appointed for the threatened carnage. You no sooner 
 find the brave Americans are determined to resist your 
 instruments of slaughter, and to oppose the cruel designs of 
 a despotick tyrant, or rob them of their rights, than all the 
 bravadoing and all the blustering of your Lordship is imme- 
 diately softened into a calm, and you relax ; fear seizes 
 your dastardly soul, and you sink beneath the weight of 
 accumulated guilt. 
 
 Oue day we hear of nothing but accusations, proscrip- 
 tions, impeachments, and bills of attainder against the Pa- 
 triots of America, and they are speedily to be apprehended, 
 and to receive a punishment due to their crimes — due to 
 rebels. Three days do not elapse, before this just and 
 noble resolution of your Lordship to bring those traitors to 
 a trial is dropped, and lenient, or no steps are to be taken 
 against them. Another day all the Colonies are in a state 
 of rebellion, and the last advices received from America, 
 you tell the House of Commons, were of a very alarming 
 nature, and such a daring spirit of resistance had manifested 
 itself throughout the Continent, that it was now high time 
 Parliament should adopt measures for enforcing obedience 
 to the late Acts. A plan is no sooner proposed by you, but 
 carried by a rotten majority, for reducing them to a state 
 of subjection to jour, and your Royal master's will, and 
 bloodshed and slaughter stare them in the face. They 
 laugh at your impotent malice, and, with a spirited firm- 
 ness becoming of freemen, dare you to the stroke ; when, 
 behold, your threats, and the resolution of your venal 
 troop, (I will not call it a British Senate,) become like the 
 threats and resolutions of a society of coal porters, who 
 declare vengeance against another body of men who will 
 not comply with their unlawful impositions, but fear the next 
 day, without even the shadow of justice on their side, to 
 carry their desperate designs into execution. The motion 
 you made, my Lord, in the House of Commons, on Monday 
 last,* for a suspension of the several American Acts till it 
 is known which of the Provinces will raise a Revenue, and 
 contribute to the luxuries of the Parent State, subject to 
 the control of the British Parliament, is a subterfuge too 
 low, and too thinly disguised, to deceive the Americans, or 
 to impose upon the understanding of the meanest capacity. 
 It is evident to the world this is only a villanous plan to 
 divide them, who, while united together, may bid defiance 
 to all your Lordship's cunning, fraud, force, and villany. 
 The Americans, my Lord, are too sensible, and too brave, 
 to be drawn into any trap, either of your, or your Royal 
 master's making. You may weave the web as artfully as 
 you please for their destruction, and they will be sure to 
 break it. Their cause is just ; it is the cause of Heaven, 
 and built upon the solid foundation of truth and liberty. 
 They will carefully watch over the sacred gifts of God, and 
 never surrender them to you. nor any power upon earth, 
 but with their lives. You have found, my Lord, that your 
 hostile invasion, and all your force and violence, would not 
 terrify them into a compliance with your measures, nor 
 answer the infamous design of making the King absolute 
 * February 20, 1775. 
 
 in America; and now you are determined to try whether, 
 by fraud and artifice, you can effect your purpose. 
 
 You have, my Lord, by the most cruel oppressions, 
 drove the Americans to a state of desperation. You have 
 destroyed their Charters, invaded their Rights, and imposed 
 Taxes contrary to every principle of justice and to every 
 idea of representation ; and by blockading the Port of Bos- 
 ton, reduced near thirty thousand people, in easy circum- 
 stances, to a state of dependance upon the charity and 
 benevolence of their fellow-subjects; and now, rare conde- 
 scension, suspension of the several American Acts, or, in 
 other words, Ministerial oppression and villany, is to be 
 granted them, provided they will raise a Revenue in Ame- 
 rica, still subject to the control of the King and Parliament 
 in England. This suspension scheme, my Lord, will not 
 do. The Americans will have a repeal of all the Acts they 
 complain of, and a full restoration of all their Charters, 
 Rights, Liberties, and Privileges, before they grant you a 
 single farthing, and then not subject to the control of a 
 banditti of rotten Members in St. Stephen's Chapel, of 
 your appointing. For where would be the difference be- 
 tween their taxing themselves, subject to the control and 
 at the disposal of the King and Parliament here, or of the 
 House of Commons in England taxing them in the first 
 instance? There would be none, my Lord, and they would 
 still be in the same situation they are now — still subject to 
 the will of the King, and the corrupt influence of the 
 Crown. This scheme, my Lord, appears to me as ridicu- 
 lous and absurd as the negative still vested in the Court of 
 Aldermen, of the City of London, which gives a power to 
 a majority of twenty-six to set aside the choice of seven 
 thousand livery-men, in the election of their Mayor. Be 
 assured, my Lord, this new plan must fall to the ground, 
 with all your former ones in this business. The day of 
 trial is at hand ; the Americans will be firm. They will 
 have a confirmation of all their rights ; they will have a 
 redress of all their grievances ; they will levy their own 
 Taxes, not subject to any controlling power ; and they will 
 fix the Constitutional Liberties of America upon a founda- 
 tion not to be again shaken by you, nor any pusillanimous, 
 weak, wicked, or cruel tyrant. 
 
 It is unnatural. — But for a moment, my Lord, suppose 
 the Americans should come into your proposals, or agree 
 with the terms of your motion, how, my Lord, can you 
 make reparation for the injuries England and America 
 have sustained ; or will it, in any degree, lessen your vil- 
 lany, or atone for your crimes? What compensation can 
 you make for the loss of our Trade, to the amount of near 
 three millions ? What compensation can you make for rob- 
 bing the Nation of near one million and a half of money, to 
 carry on your execrable designs against your fellow-subjects 
 in America 1 You can make none. Your head, indeed, 
 would be a pleasing spectacle upon Temple Bar ; but the 
 loss of that, and your estates, would never atone for a ten 
 thousandth part of your crimes and villany. Still it is to 
 be hoped the minority of the House of Commons, and the 
 people, will never leave you till they have both — till you 
 are made a publick example, and brought to condign pun- 
 ishment. 
 
 Every measure, my Lord, of your administration at 
 home has been cruel, arbitrary, and unconstitutional ; and 
 every measure, with respect to Foreign Affairs, has been 
 weak, cowardly, absurd, and ridiculous ; unbecoming an 
 English Minister, and only calculated to destroy the hon- 
 our and interest of this Kingdom. 
 
 The glory and dignity of the British Nation was never 
 so infamously sacrificed, both by you and the King, as in 
 the year 1770, by a scandalous secret Convention with 
 Spain, concerning Falkland Islands. 
 
 With respect to Domestick Affairs, you have endea- 
 voured to erect the Sovereign into a despotick tyrant ; you 
 have made him destroy the Rights and Liberties of the 
 people in every part of the British Empire. You have 
 made it apparently his interest to promote divisions at 
 home ; you have obliged him to quit the glorious title of 
 Father of his People, and debase himself into the head of a 
 party, whom he has invested with an absolute dominion 
 over him ; and whilst he monarchs it in his own closet, 
 becomes contemptible in the eyes of his subjects, and the 
 whole world. Weak, timid, and irresolute, he deeply en- 
 
71 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 72 
 
 gages in all your Lordship's infamous measures, and the 
 rest of his Ministers ; and it is for this reason we see every 
 act of Ministerial villany and murder sanctified hy Royal 
 authority. 
 
 THE CUISIS. NO. VIII. 
 
 To the Lords Suffolk, Pomfret, Radnor, Apsley, 
 and Sandwich : 
 
 My Lords : You have a peculiar claim to an Address 
 from the Authors of the Crisis, and it shall be our business 
 in this Paper to preserve, if possible, the perishable infa- 
 my of your names. 
 
 The motion made by Lord Radnor, on Monday, the 
 27th of February, concerning No. Ill, of the Crisis, was 
 unjust and villanous. The Paper contains nothing but 
 the most sacred truths, and therefore could not be a false 
 or scandalous libel. The amendment of the epithet, trea- 
 sonable, proposed and supported by the Lords Pomfret, 
 Suffolk, Apsley, and Sandwich, was infamous, and of a 
 piece with every other proceeding of the present reign and 
 present Ministry. It showed," in a particular manner, the 
 bloody-minded dispositions of prostituted Court Lords, the 
 instruments of murder and publick ruin. The immaculate 
 Lord Sandwich insisted that the word treasonable should 
 stand part of the motion, as a proper foundation for bring- 
 ing the Authors to exemplary and condign punishment. 
 Suppose, my Lords, this infamous amendment to the Rad- 
 nor motion had been carried, and it had stood a false, 
 scandalous, and treasonable libel, could the mere ipse dixit 
 of a few venal Lords make that treason which, in the lite- 
 ral or constructive sense of the word, wa3 not so. 
 
 The Author of No. Ill, is perfectly well acquainted with 
 the Statute of Treasons, passed in the reign of Edward the 
 Third, and likewise with the various expositions and inter- 
 pretations of it. He well knew the Paper was written 
 upon the true principles of the Revolution, and that it 
 could be justified by the laws of the land. He well knew 
 (though there is hardly any villany but what Court syco- 
 phants may do with ease) that it was not in the power of 
 Lord Mansfield, with all his chicanery, with all his arti- 
 fice, with all his abuse of the law, with all his perversion 
 of just ice, with all the aid of false construction and forced 
 inuendoes, to bring it within the meaning of that Statute. 
 He well knew the disposition of the Sovereign and his 
 minions, and that nothing would or can satiate Royal, 
 Scotch, or Ministerial revenge, but the blood of those who 
 oppose the present most horridly cruel, and most infamous- 
 ly wicked, measures of Government. And, my Lords, he 
 well knew the shocking prostitution of hereditary peerage, 
 and the barefaced treachery and villany of a purchased 
 majority in the House of Commons. 
 
 Has there not, my Lords, been innocent blood enough 
 shed in this reign, that your Lordships should still thirst 
 for more. Why should your Lordships be so desirous of 
 stopping every channel of publick information ? The infamy 
 of your actions are sufficiently known, and will be handed 
 down to the latest ages of time, while your names will stink 
 in the nostrils of posterity. 
 
 The Statute of Treasons, my Lords, passed in the 
 twenty-fifth year of the reign of Edward the Third, was 
 an act of vast importance to the publick weal, for till then 
 there was hardly a word spoke, or a paper written, but 
 what was deemed treason ; and the Parliament which pass- 
 ed it were called Bcnedictum Parliamentum — the Blessed 
 Parliament. 
 
 The substance of this Statute is branched out by my 
 Lord Coke into six heads, which we shall here give, with 
 some observations of our own, to show your Lordships and 
 the world, that No. Ill, of the Crisis, is not within the 
 meaning of either of these heads, and that by your amend- 
 ed motion you designed to lay the ground-work of a prose- 
 cution the most cruel and infamous ever carried on in this 
 Country, worse than those which, without proof or the 
 colour of guilt, took away the lives of the great Lord Russel 
 and Algernon Sidney. 
 
 The first head is concerning death, by compassing or 
 imagining the death of the King, Queen, or Prince, and 
 declaring the same by some overt deed ; by killing or mur- 
 dering the Chancellor, Treasurer, Justice of either Bench, 
 
 Justice in Eyre, Justices of Assize, Justices of Oyer and 
 Terminer, in their places during their offices. 
 
 The second is, to violate, that is, to know carnally, the 
 Queen, the King's eldest daughter unmarried, the Prince's 
 wife. 
 
 The third is, levying war against the King. 
 
 The fourth is, adhering to the King's enemies, within the 
 Realm or without, and declaring the same by some overt act. 
 
 The fifth is, counterfeiting the great, the privy-seal, or 
 the King's coin. 
 
 The sixth and last, by bringing into this Realm counter- 
 feit money, to the likeness of the King's coin. 
 
 First. To compass and imagine, is to contrive, de^L r n, 
 or intend the death of the King ; but this must be declared 
 by some overt act ; declaring by an open act a design to de- 
 pose or imprison the King, is an overt act ; to manifest the 
 compassing his death. 1 believe, my Lords, the Author of 
 Number III of the Crisis, is not under the predicament of 
 this exposition. 
 
 Second. By the word King, is intended, 1. A King be- 
 fore his coronation, as soon as ever the Crown descends 
 upon him ; for the coronation is but a ceremony. 2. A 
 King de facto, and not dt jure, is a King within this Act ; 
 and treason against him is punishable, though the right 
 heir get the Crown. 
 
 Third, Note. It is very strange, but in the printed 
 Statute Book, it is there said , probably attainted, which is 
 a gross errour ; for the words of the Record are, et de ceux 
 provablements soit attaint; and shall be thereof probably 
 attaint ; and it is amazing to me, that so gross a mistake 
 should be suffered, since my Lord Coke has so expressly 
 observed the difference in these words following. 3. Inst, 
 fol. 12. In this branch, saith he, four things are to 
 be observed: 1. This word (provablemcnt) j)roval>ly, that 
 is, upon direct and manifest proof, not upon conjectural 
 presumptions or inferences, or strains of wit, but upon good 
 and sufficient proof; and herein, the adverb (provable- 
 merit ) provably hath great force, and signifieth a direct and 
 plain proof; and, therefore, the offender must provably be 
 attainted, which words are as forcible, as upon direct and 
 manifest proof. Note. The word is not probably, for then 
 commune argumentum might have served, but the word is 
 provably be attainted. 2. The word attaint necessarily 
 implieth, that he be proceeded with, and attainted, accord- 
 ing to the due course of law, and proceedings of law, 
 and not by absolute power, or by other means, as in former 
 times had been used ; and, therefore, if a man doth adhere 
 to the enemies of the King, or be slain in open war against 
 the King, or otherwise die before the attainder of treason, 
 he forfeiteth nothing, because (as the Act saith) he is not 
 attainted ; wherein this Act hath altered that, which, be- 
 fore this Act, in case of treason, was taken for law. And 
 the Statute of 34 Ed. III., saves nothing to the King, but 
 that which was in esse, and pertaining to the King at the 
 making of that Act. And this appeareth by a judgment 
 in Parliament, in ann. 29 H. VI., that Jack Cade, being 
 slain in open rebellion, could no ways be punished, or for- 
 feit any thing, and, therefore, was attainted by that Act of 
 high treason. 3. Of open deed, per operlum factum; 
 these words strengthen the former exposition of provable- 
 men t ; an overt act must be alleged in every indictment 
 upon this Act, and proved ; compassing, by bare words, is 
 not an overt act, as appears by many temporary Statutes 
 against it. But there must be some open act, which must 
 be manifestly proved. As if divers do conspire the death 
 of the King, and the manner how, and thereupon provide 
 weapons — powder, poison, harness, send letters and the like, 
 for the execution of the conspiracy. If a subject conspire 
 with a foreign Prince to invade the Realm by open hos- 
 tility, and prepare for the same by some overt act, this is a 
 sufficient overt act for the death of the King. 4thly. A 
 conspiracy is had to levy war ; this is no treason by this 
 act, until it be levied ; therefore it is no overt act, or mani- 
 fest proof of the compassing the death of the King within 
 this act, for the words are, decco, he, thereof, that is, of 
 the compassing of the death. The wisdom of the makers 
 of this Law would not make bare words to be treason, 
 seeing such variance commonly among the witnesses, about 
 the same, as few of them agree together. 
 
 In the preamble of the Statute of 1 Mar. (concerning 
 
73 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 74 
 
 the repeal of certain treasons declared after this Statute of 
 25 Edw. III. and before that time, and bringing all things 
 to the measures of this Statute) it was agreed by the whole 
 Parliament, that Laws justly made for the preservation of 
 the Commonwealth, without extreme punishment, are more 
 often obeyed and kept, than Laws and Statutes made with 
 great and extreme punishments ; and in special such Laws 
 and Statutes so made, whereby not only the ignorant and 
 rude unlearned people, but also learned and expert people, 
 minding honesty, are oftentimes trapped and snared, yea, 
 many times for words only, without other fact or deed 
 done or perpetrated. Therefore this Act of the 25th 
 Ed. 111. doth provide that there must be an overt act. 
 5thly. As to treason, by levying war against the King, 
 we must note, that though conspiring or compassing to levy 
 war, without a war de facto, be no treason, yet it may 
 conspire a war, and only some few actually levy it, all are 
 guilty of the treason. Raising a force to burn or throw 
 down a particular enclosure, is only a riot; but if it had 
 been to have gone from Town to Town, to throw down 
 all enclosures, or to change Religion, or the like, it were 
 levying of war, because the intended mischief is publick. 
 Holding a Fort or Castle against the King's force, is levy- 
 ing war. 6th. Counterfeiting the great or privy-seal, is 
 treason, but it must be an actual counterfeiting thereof; 
 compassing to do it is no treason ; affixing the great seal 
 by tiie Chancellor, without warrant, is no treason ; fixing 
 a new great seal to another patent is misprision, but no 
 treason, being not counterfeiting within this Act. But 
 aiders and consenters are within this Act. 7th. Treason 
 concerning coin, is counterfeiting the King's coin ; and this 
 was treason at common law, and judgment only as of 
 petty treason ; but clipping, &ic, being made treason by 
 other Statutes, the judgment is, to be drawn, hanged, and 
 quartered. Money, here, extends only to the proper money 
 of this Realm. 8th. As this Statute leaves all other 
 doubtful matters to be declared treason in Parliament, 
 but not to be punished as such till so declared, so in suc- 
 ceeding Kings' reigns abundance of other matters were 
 declared treason, which being found very grievous and 
 dangerous, by this Statute, 1 Mar., it is enacted that thence- 
 forth no act, deed, or offence, being by Act of Parliament 
 or Statute made treason, petty treason, or misprision of 
 treason, by words, writing, cyphering, deeds, or otherwise 
 however, shall be taken, had, deemed or adjudged to be 
 high treason, petty treason, or misprision of treason, 
 but only such as be declared and expressed to be trea- 
 son, petty treason, or misprision of treason, by this Sta- 
 tute of 25 Edw. III. 
 
 Here we rest the matter, my Lords, convinced that the 
 author of Number III, is not within the meaning of this 
 Statute, nor any exposition of it, and that the design of 
 your Lordships in adding the epithet treasonable, was 
 wicked, base, and infamous, and will be sure to secure to 
 you the contempt and detestation of every honest man. 
 
 THE CRISIS. NO. IX. 
 
 To the King : 
 
 Sir : You ascended the Throne of these Realms with 
 advantages which, if properly improved, would have ren- 
 dered your reign not only glorious and happy, but have 
 made you the most powerful monarch upon earth ; you 
 might have kept the world in awe. Yet, O shame to tell, 
 though the times demand it, you soon sacrificed your own 
 peace, the tranquillity, honour, and interest of this great 
 and mighty Kingdom, to the ambitious views and pernicious 
 designs of your infernal minion, Lord Bute, and his profli- 
 gate, abandoned adherents. Your accession to the Throne 
 filled with joy the breast of every Englishman ; but, alas ! 
 it was of short duration; you soon convinced them of their 
 mistake, and the compliments paid to your understanding, 
 the calm hour of reason soon convinced us were ill- 
 founded. 
 
 No sooner seated upon the Throne of this vast Empire, 
 than you, like all other Kings, as well as tyrants, made the 
 people many and fair promises. You told your Parliament 
 that the suppression of vice and immorality, the encourage- 
 ment of Trade and Commerce, and the preservation of 
 peace and harmony amongst your people, should be the 
 rule of your conduct, and your principal study. How far 
 
 you have kept your word, the sacred pen of truth shall 
 now declare. 
 
 Scarce seated in regal dignity, before you drove from 
 your presence and councils, by the advice of your Scotch 
 favourite, Lord Bute, every man of honour and integrity, 
 who was valued for his love to his Country, and affection 
 to your family ; you implicitly followed the advice of your 
 Northern minion, and in their room took those only who 
 were the most conspicuous for their vices, and the most 
 abandoned in principle. These are facts which Sandwich, 
 Bute, Grafton, North, &c, will confirm. 
 
 These men you still continue to countenance ; every 
 scene of iniquity they have been concerned in, and every 
 act of violence, oppression, and murder they have com- 
 mitted, has been by you tacitly approved, nay, applauded ! 
 Adultery, debauchery, and divorces, are more frequent now 
 than in the corrupt and profligate days of Charles the 
 Second ; these, Sir, prove incontestably your religious princi- 
 ples, and show how far you have suppressed vice and im- 
 morality. 
 
 It will now be necessary to inquire how far you have 
 encouraged Trade and Commerce. Was it by illegally im- 
 posing a stamp-duty on the Americans, and taxing those 
 commodities which we supplied them with from this Coun- 
 try, which has stopped, for near six years, a great traffick 
 between this Kingdom and the Colonies ? Was it by 
 suffering, with the most shameful impunity, the Portuguese 
 to infringe upon the privileges of the English Merchants 
 at Lisbon, by which many were not only injured, but almost 
 totally ruined ? Was it by blocking up the Port and de- 
 stroying the trade of the Town of Boston, thereby redu- 
 cing to a state of miserable dependance 'more than thirty 
 thousand people, and giving a vital stab to the whole Com- 
 merce of America 1 
 
 We will now examine, Sir, how far you have preserved 
 peace and harmony among your people. Was it by provi- 
 ding for all the beggarly relations, and miserable depend- 
 ants of your Scotch minion, in preference to your English 
 subjects, especially those who were the chief instruments 
 of placing your family upon the Throne ? Was it by order- 
 ing the late Lord Halifax to issue an illegal warrant for 
 apprehending Mr. Wilkes 1 Was it by rewarding that de- 
 linquent after he had been found guilty of a breach of the 
 English Laws? Was it by screening your Minister behind 
 the Throne, who violated the rights of the Freeholders of 
 England! Was it by rejecting the Petitions of your injur- 
 ed subjects, and laughing at the remonstrance presented to 
 you from the first City in the world, the great capital of 
 the British Empire ? Was it by not granting the suppli- 
 cations of your people, and meanly referring those Peti- 
 tions and Remonstrances to the consideration of those very 
 men, whose conduct they arraigned, and who were only 
 the slavish tools of your abandoned Ministers ? Was it by 
 sending Troops to Boston, depriving people of their Con- 
 stitutional rights ; and, contrary to all the Laws of this free 
 Country, enforcing the tyrannical and oppressive Acts of 
 your abandoned Parliament with the sword, and laying 
 America under a Military Government ? Was it by re- 
 warding the profligate, the corrupt, and the plunderers of 
 their Country, with titles and honours ? Was it by a tame 
 dastardly submission to the insults of the Spaniards, and 
 a sacrifice of the honour of the British Nation ? These, 
 Sir, are the means you have made use of for preserving 
 peace and harmony among your people. But, Sir, the 
 greatest piece of ministerial villany, and diabolical cruelty 
 is still behind — it is now going through the House of Lords, 
 and you, Sir, will soon be called upon to sign it : it is a Bill 
 for restraining the American Fishery, and starving to death, 
 or driving to a state of desperation, more than three hundred 
 thousand people. Consider, Sir, the fatal tendency of this 
 Bill; determine no longer to be the dupe of an abandoned 
 set of men ; act from yourself, and refuse to sign an Act of 
 Parliament which must involve one part of the Empire in 
 a civil war, and reduce thousands of your subjects to 
 poverty and want. Let no consideration prevail with you 
 to execute a deed, at the idea of which humanity revolts. 
 Consider, Sir, how much this will raise the indignation of 
 your people here, when they find you are destitute of the 
 common feelings of humanity, and that you can be so 
 easily prevailed upon to sacrifice your subjects to the cruel 
 designs of j T our Ministers and favourites. Give some 
 
75 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1715. 
 
 76 
 
 proof of a determined resolution no longer to pursue mea- 
 sures which must end in the destruction of your Kingdom, 
 and perhaps in the ruin of your family. 
 
 Consider, Sir, how despicable you appear in the eyes of 
 the world ; who, instead of governing, suffer yourself to be 
 governed ; who, instead of being a leader, are led ; who, 
 instead of being a King, are nothing but a mere cypher of 
 State, while your favourite and Ministers wear all the ap- 
 pendages to sovereignty. 
 
 It has long surprised the Kingdom to think how you 
 could bear such wretches to prey upon you ; to think how 
 you could suffer them to aggrandize themselves and crea- 
 tures ; to possess the greatest wealth, and to hold the first 
 offices in the Kingdom ; and all this by imposing upon you, 
 by making you break your coronation-oath, by making 
 you violate every promise you made with your people, and 
 by filling your ears with lies, instead of truth. How is it 
 possible you can bear such usage, which no sensible man 
 in a private capacity can bear? and to be the dupe of the 
 vilest of the creation, is so much beneath the dignity of a 
 man who pretends to govern, that it is astonishing such 
 fiends should prevail as they do. Indeed they never could, 
 unless you, Sir, like them, was inclined to establish an arbi- 
 trary system of Government, and to set up your own will 
 in opposition to the laws of the land. 
 
 Let me advise you, Sir, as you regard your own pros- 
 perity and the welfare of your Kingdom ; let me conjure 
 you, as you value your own safety, to consider well the 
 fatal and ruinous measures your Ministers are pursuing, and 
 you sanctifying with the Royal authority ; consider the 
 miserable, the unfortunate situation of this Country; think 
 on the dangers which threaten on every side ; consider we 
 are now upon the eve of a Civil W ar with our Colonies ; 
 from the present face of things, it is inevitable ; Trade and 
 Commerce is at a stand, and all the horrours of wretched- 
 ness and want stare them in the face. Consider, Sir, the 
 feelings of men, reduced in the short space of a few days, 
 through wanton acts of power, from a state of ease and 
 plenty to that of misery and famine. I ask, is it possible 
 for them to set bounds to their resentment? Consider, 
 Sir, the French and Spaniards will not long remain idle 
 spectators, when once they see us deeply engaged in a 
 war with the Colonies. Throw off then your supine in- 
 dolence ; awake from your lethargick state; and if you will 
 not be excited by the desire of doing good, awake at least 
 to a sense of your own danger ; think when the general 
 calamity comes on, who will be the objects of publick 
 hatred. Will not the advisers of these destructive mea- 
 sures be the first sacrifices to the popular resentment ? 
 When the Merchants, Traders, and Manufacturers are 
 starving, when the whole body of the people are in misery 
 and distress, what security, Sir, can you expect to find ? 
 Where will your Ministers conceal themselves? They 
 will not be safe even within the walls of your Palace! 
 
 Let these things, Sir, be well weighed, and no longer 
 persuade yourself the people were made for you, and not 
 you for them ; no longer believe that you do not govern 
 for them but for yourself; that the people live only to in- 
 crease your glory, or to furnish matter for pleasure. For 
 once, Sir, consider what you may do for them, and not 
 what you may draw from them. 
 
 The people, Sir, think it to be a crime of the first mag- 
 nitude to convert that power to their hurt which was in- 
 tended for their good ; and to obey a King while he acts 
 in this manner, and tramples under foot all laws, divine 
 and human, argues not only a want of sense in the highest 
 degree, but a want of love for our Country, and a disregard 
 for ourselves and posterity. 
 
 Your subjects, Sir, are under no obligations to you, nor 
 do they owe you any allegiance any longer than you con- 
 tinue to protect them, and make their good the chief end 
 of your Government. When a Prince assumes to himself 
 an extravagant or an unlawful power, then all respect 
 ceases, and he ceases to be a King; whilst he protects and 
 preserves his people in their just rights, and governs them 
 by the laws of the land, all good men will love and esteem 
 him, and risk their lives and fortunes in his service ; but 
 when he begins to invade their liberties, to set up an arbi- 
 trary power, to impose unlawful taxes, raise forces, and 
 make war upon his people, and suffer foreign States to 
 insult and injure them, then all virtuous and good men will 
 
 detest and abhor him, and endeavour to remove him from 
 a throne he unworthily fills. 
 
 In such cases resistance is a virtue ; and to say that some 
 should passively suffer, lest, by resisting, they should cause 
 the ruin of many, is not a just reason ; because, in all pro- 
 bability, they will be the cause that millions unborn shall 
 live happy and free ; and what can be a more noble, glori- 
 ous, and pious motive for suffering, than to transmit liberty 
 to posterity ? For this our fathers bravely fought — and 
 many of them gloriously fell — to preserve themselves and 
 their descendants free, and to destroy the tyranny and des- 
 potism of the Siuarts, and, Sir, (let me beg you will re- 
 member with gratitude,) to place your family upon the 
 throne of the British Empire. 
 
 The author of this paper is far from advising violent 
 measures upon every errour or misconduct of a Prince ; 
 but resistance becomes a duty when they attempt the ruin 
 of the State, the subversion of liberty, or overturning the 
 Constitution of the Kingdom. It is notorious to the world, 
 Sir, that your Ministers are guilty of all these black and 
 deadly crimes, and yet you screen and protect them. The 
 conclusions to be drawn from thence are obvious, and you, 
 like Charles, may live to see your favourites fall. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CHARLESTOWN, IN SOUTH- 
 CAROLINA, TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED 
 MARCH 7, 1775. 
 
 I do assure you I am not now near so strenuous for 
 America as when 1 left London. 1 am far, however, from 
 being able to judge of the state of the Continent, in gene- 
 ral; but sure I am this Province cannot long subsist with- 
 out a free Trade, and a mutual dependance on the Mother 
 Country. Many articles which Great Britain furnishes 
 are now become very scarce ; Rice and Indigo, the grand 
 staple of our Commerce, are a drug. 
 
 Before the Non-Exportation scheme took effect, you 
 would have been surprised to see the number of Ships in 
 our harbour, and the Trade carried on in the Town ; in 
 short, on my arrival I observed as much hurry and bustle 
 as in the streets of London ; and 1 could not but admire 
 the liveliness of the people. But the contrast is now visible ; 
 their tempers are soured ; their fortunes, for want of Trade, 
 consuming fast. A train of consequences must inevitably 
 ensue which, in my opinion, they will not be able to re- 
 trieve in the space of a dozen years. It is the wish, there- 
 fore, of the wise and sober, that a speedy reconciliation 
 with the Mother Country may be effected ; but as this Prov- 
 ince has bore so high a part in their opposition to Gov- 
 ernment, they are unwilling to give out till the terms 
 offered become general. 
 
 PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Kempe's Landing, March 7, 1775. 
 
 The conduct of Mr. John Saunders being taken into 
 consideration, relative to the Provincial and Continental 
 Associations, at this important crisis, when the liberties of 
 America are in danger of being subverted, it was thought 
 expedient that he be held up to publick censure, and the 
 rather because he hath had the advantage of a liberal edu- 
 cation, and for some time past hath studied the law. 
 
 The facts upon which our censure is grounded are as 
 follows : The said John Saunders was present at the meet- 
 ing of a respectable body of Freeholders of the County, 
 at the Court-House, in July, 1774, for the purpose of 
 choosing Deputies to attend the Convention in f'Villiams- 
 burg, the first day of August last, and of entering into 
 resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the County, in 
 support of their just rights and privileges ; which not one 
 refused signing but said Saunders, who obstinately refused, 
 though particularly solicited by some of the principal gen- 
 tlemen then present. 
 
 When the Provincial Association, entered into in August, 
 1114, was read, and offered to the people that they might 
 express their approbation by signing it, at a meeting of 
 the Freeholders, on Tuesday, the 16th day of the said 
 month, and afterwards at almost every publick meeting 
 within this County, at many of which the said Saunders 
 appeared, yet he constantly persisted in his refusal to 
 accede thereto. 
 
 When the Continental Association was also offered him 
 
77 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, inc., MARCH, 1775. 
 
 78 
 
 to sign, he likewise refused, alleging that the way of pro- 
 ceeding was illegal ; of which the Committee for the 
 County being informed, they, at a meeting held the 5th 
 day of January, 1775. considering that the said Saunders 
 was a young man, and might be better advised, appointed 
 a Sub-Committee to wait on the said Saunders, who, 
 agreeable thereto, waited on him at his own house, expos- 
 tulated with him on his conduct, and desired him to retract 
 these words, viz : " that the way of proceeding was ille- 
 gal," which he spoke to Mr. Lemuel Thorowgood, who 
 was appointed by the Committee to offer the said Asso- 
 ciation ; upon which he replied, " that he did not intend 
 such a return should have been made by Mr. Thorowgood f 
 and being asked whether those words were inadvertently 
 uttered, he answered, " they were not." Mr. Saunders 
 likewise acquainted them that he told Mr. Thorowgood , 
 " it was his opinion he had no right to call upon him." 
 They then desired him to give his reasons for not signing 
 the Association : to which he answered, " if they had come 
 as private gentlemen, he would have given them his rea- 
 sons, but as they came in the capacity they did, he chose 
 not to do so." A few days after being greatly pressed by 
 Mr. Hunter, one of his most intimate acquaintances, he 
 signed it ; but, behold ! at the end of his name he added 
 the negative no, with a capital N ! The Committee being- 
 informed of this additional mark of contempt, they then 
 appointed a Sub-Committee, to summon the said Sounders 
 to appear this day before them, who failed so to do. 
 
 On the same day, the Committee having maturely deli- 
 berated on the behaviour of one Benjamin Dingly Gray, 
 concluded that his conduct ought to be inserted in the 
 Gazette, and exposed to publick animadversion, of which 
 the following is an exact detail : 
 
 On the 5th day of January last, in Committee, it was 
 resohed that a list of the Non-Associators in this County, 
 of whom the said Benjamin Dingly Gray was one, be 
 entered in the Minute-Book, and a true copy thereof deli- 
 vered to each Merchant residing in this County, and other 
 copies fixed up at several publick places, and likewise in 
 Norfolk County and Borough ; and further, it was recom- 
 mended to all persons not to have any dealings, or com- 
 mercial intercourse with the said Non-Associators. The 
 said Gray being apprized of this, and hearing that a list of 
 the Non-Associators in this County was fixed up at the 
 Market-House in Norfolk Borough, and that he was in- 
 cluded in the said list, uttered the following disrespectful, 
 scurrilous, and abusive words, to wit: " That he looked 
 upon this Committe as a pack of damn'd rascals, for adver- 
 tising him in the manner they had done, and that they 
 ought to have advertised him in the publick papers, alleg- 
 ing in that case he would have had an opportunity of vin- 
 dicating himself." The Committee being informed of the 
 invectives thrown out, did, on Thursday, the 2d day of 
 March, appoint three of their body to summon him to ap- 
 pear before them this day, who, when summoned, declared 
 it was uncertain whether he could attend or not, being at 
 that time indisposed, but added, that his sentiments were 
 still the same with regard to this Committee. 
 
 Also, on the same day, the Committee being acquainted 
 that Captain Mitchell Phillips had refused to appear before 
 them, agreeable to an order made last meeting, that he 
 might give his reasons for his late very extraordinary beha- 
 viour touching the Association, it was thought proper that 
 such his behaviour should be made publick. The said 
 Mitchell Phillips being always averse to the measures 
 adopted by the Americans to preserve their just rights and 
 privileges inviolate, and being Captain of a Company of 
 Militia, over whom he has great influence, has exerted 
 every effort to deter the men under his command from 
 acceding to the Association, and represented all the Ame- 
 rican proceedings in the light of absolute rebellion, which, 
 it is feared, may have a bad tendency. 
 
 And thereupon the Committee came to the following 
 Resolve, to wit : That the aforesaid John Saunders, Benja- 
 min Dingly Gray, and Mitchell Phillips, be looked upon 
 as inimical to the liberties of this Country, and the means 
 entered into by the American Continental Congress for 
 the restoration of them, and that no person ought to have 
 any commercial intercourse or dealing with them. 
 By order of the Committee, 
 
 Thomas Abbott, Clerk. 
 
 ACCOUNT OF AN OUTRAGE COMMITTED BY CAPT. GRAVES. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 15, 1775. 
 On the 7th instant, as George Taylor, of Wilmington, 
 in his own Shallop, was on his passage from thence to this 
 City, he was boarded by a party of ruffians from the King's 
 armed Schooner the Diana, commanded by Captain 
 Graves, (nephew to Admiral Graves, now at Boston,) who 
 brought Taylor to, and on boarding him, demanded what 
 he had on board ; to which he answered, only Rum and 
 Limes ; but civilly told them they might go down and look. 
 They then demanded his papers, which were pronounced 
 authentick ; but this not satisfying them, they entered the 
 cabin, wherein was several Hundred Pounds cash, which 
 Taylor, no doubt justly thinking proper to have his eye 
 toward, went after them to the cabin door, without going 
 down ; whereupon he was immediately menaced and insult- 
 ed, as suspecting the honour of the King's men ; and al- 
 though he made no other than a moderate civil reply, as 
 several passengers on board can testify, he was immediate- 
 ly furiously attacked and knocked down, where he was 
 beaten in a most inhuman manner till the deck was be- 
 smeared with blood, and at the same time shamefully in- 
 sulted with the infernal language common to such crews, 
 (and which, but for offending the civilized ear, might be 
 repeated.) They then threatened to throw him overboard 
 and drown him, took the command of his boat, and after 
 gratifying their malice by towing her about in the river, 
 took her along-side the Schooner, where the illustrious 
 Captain detained her a considerable time, insulting and 
 abusing the Skipper, and justifying and applauding the 
 conduct of his heroick men, who bad thus brought him a 
 common Shallop, with two or three men on board, without 
 the least appearance of clandestine conduct. After the 
 gallant Captain, with his crew, had somewhat glutted their 
 rancour, they dismissed the Shallop ; but Taylor was so 
 wounded and abused, that he was not able to conduct her ; 
 yet, by the assistance of those on board, she was got up to 
 this City, and he afterwards conveyed home to Wilming- 
 ton, where he lay dangerously ill. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE. 
 
 Gentlemen: Seeing in your Paper of Wednesday, 
 March 15th, a most scandalous, false, and base represen- 
 tation of the conduct of a gentleman and boat's crew be- 
 longing to the King's armed Schooner Diana, I must, as a 
 lover of truth, and being privy to the whole matter respect- 
 ing George Taylor, of Wilmington, beg leave to assure the 
 publick, that he was not struck, or in any manner molest- 
 ed, (though he used many provoking speeches,) till he 
 took hold of the gentleman on duty by the collar, who 
 then struck Taylor one blow, the matter there ending, as 
 Taylor did not return it ; neither was he taken along-side 
 the Schooner, having produced the proper papers. 
 
 Dashwood Bacon. 
 
 We, whose names are here under mentioned, from our 
 personal knowledge of Mr. Bacon, as a gentleman and 
 man of honour, are convinced he would not sign to any 
 thing that was not strictly true. And we do further aver, 
 on our honour, that the Shallop was not brought along- 
 side, or detained longer than is usual in examining vessels. 
 
 John Dowson, Master. 
 
 John Birthwhistle, Surgeon. 
 
 to the publick. 
 You have, no doubt, generally seen an attempt made, in 
 a late number of the Pennsylvania Packet, by Dashwood 
 Bacon and others, (probably confederates,) in order to excul- 
 pate the perpetrators of the atrocious fact committed upon 
 the body of George Taylor, in his own vessel, in the Kinff's- 
 Road, by some of the Diana's crew, under the command 
 of Captain Graves. That they should attempt to clear 
 themselves in the manner they have, is not much to be 
 admired, since it commonly happens that the most daring 
 murderers plead "not guilty;" but when those who are 
 called men, are grown so callous as to be insensible of the 
 compunctions of conscience, and hardened as to deny the 
 voice of truth, even in the face of the sun, it then becomes 
 necessary more methodically to arraign them, and investi- 
 gate their conduct before the tribunal of the people, that 
 
79 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 80 
 
 so, if possible, they may be subjected to the punishment 
 and contempt which they justly deserve ; for which pur- 
 pose the following Depositions, relative to the aforesaid 
 abuse, are here presented to the world, viz : 
 
 IVihnington Borough, ss. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, John McKinley, Esq., 
 Chief Burgess of said Borough, Nathan Wood, who, 
 being solemnly affirmed, doth declare and say, that he 
 was lately a passenger on board George Taylor's Shal- 
 lop, at the time when, on her passage from this Borough 
 to Philadelphia, she was brought to by a party belonging 
 to the King's armed Schooner Diana, Captain Graces 
 commander ; that on coming on board the Shallop, an 
 Officer asked what was on board, and being answered by 
 Taj/lor, only Rum and Limes, and the Officer demanding 
 proper papers, Taylor immediately produced them. The 
 hatch was then opened, and the hogsheads counted and 
 compared, which agreeing with the papers, the Officer 
 a*ked further, whether Taylor had not something more on 
 board, or in the cabin, and in a very scoffing manner in- 
 quired whether he had not some Teas ; Taylor replied, he 
 was welcome to go into the cabin and see himself, assur- 
 ing him at the same time that nothing was on board besides 
 the Rum and Limes. Then the Officer and two Sailors 
 went into the cabin and stayed some time, on which Taylor 
 went to the cabin door and looked in ; the Officer asked 
 what he wanted ; Taylor replied, I did not know there 
 was any body in the cabin but you. The Officer then got 
 into a violent rage, cursing and swearing in the most dread- 
 ful manner, and coming upon deck used many horrid im- 
 precations and threats against Taylor, that he would kick 
 him overboard, &lc, for suspecting the King's men, and 
 still vaunting that he was a King's Officer, at the same lime 
 striking and wounding Taylor, so that the deck was prodi- 
 giously besmeared with his blood. And this affirmant far- 
 ther saith, that Taylor gave not the least provocation, but, 
 on the contrary, both in his words and behaviour, showed 
 the greatest respect and submission, and never resisted or 
 attempted to touch the Officer. The Shallop coming 
 abreast the Schooner, the Officer told Captain Graves, 
 who was walking on the quarter-deck of the Schooner, 
 that "this fellow has Limes and Rum on board;" where- 
 upon the Captain immediately got into the boat with 
 several sailors, came on board the Shallop, and, without 
 any examination, highly approved of the conduct of the 
 Officer in beating Taylor, (who, at that time, was leaning 
 bleeding violently in the cockpit,) and said that if he had 
 been on board he would have given him twice as much, 
 and threatened to kick his teeth down his throat, and to 
 take him on board the Schooner, and there to tie him up 
 and whip him. The Captain then ordered four men into 
 the boat to tow the Shallop along-side the Schooner, which 
 had then drifted a small distance astern, but finding they 
 could not tow her against the wind and tide, the anchor 
 was ordered out : and the Captain asking for the papers, 
 they were handed to him, and he having examined and 
 found them authentick, ordered Taylor to go about his 
 business, after having been detained nearly an hour and a 
 half. And further this affirmant saith not. 
 
 Nathan Wood. 
 Affirmed this 1st day of April, 1775, before 
 
 John McKinley. 
 
 Likewise, William Carter, Mary Johnston, and Daniel 
 Nicholson, being solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangelists 
 of Almighty God, do severally depose and say, that they, 
 respectively, were on board George Taylor's Shallop at 
 the time afore-mentioned, and were particularly attentive 
 to the transactions afore-related, and that what Nathan 
 Wood, the above affirmant, hath declared in his examina- 
 tion, is just and true, and particularly that George Taylor 
 gave not the least provocation, but on the contrary behaved 
 in the most respectful and submissive manner. 
 
 William Carter, 
 Mary Johnston, 
 Daniel Nicholson. 
 Sworn this 1st day of April, 1775, before 
 
 John McKinley. 
 
 Now if conduct of this kind is permitted with impunity, 
 let us no longer exclaim against the piratical States ofBarba- 
 
 ry for committing outrages upon the subjects of George the 
 Third, since we see British barbarians, subjects of George 
 the Third, under his commission, sanction, and authori- 
 ty, commit such audacious outrages upon the persons and 
 property of his subjects. From what hath been heretofore 
 offered against the present cause of complaint, some may 
 perhaps have been ready to treat it as a fiction ; but since 
 the matter is here so amply confirmed, may we not with 
 confidence look to the King, and call aloud upon him, or 
 those who represent him in cases of this nature, strictly to 
 examine into this conduct of his servants, so that justice, 
 which is the boasted glory of the English Nation, may 
 take place, and that they may thereby, in some measure, 
 redeem the honour and dignity of the Crown from the ob- 
 loquy and contempt to which such conduct has too justly 
 subjected it. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA GAZETTE. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 8, 1775. 
 Respected Friends: Observing that, in your Paper of 
 the week before last, you published a piece styled " The 
 Testimony of the Representatives of the people called 
 Quakers," signed James Pemberton, but as there was a 
 piece published in Bradford's Journal, signed B. L., 
 which, as it is esteemed necessary towards elucidating 
 several expressions not properly comprehended by those 
 who are unacquainted with Friends' writings, I therefore 
 hope, as you have favoured the publick with one, you'll 
 do them the justice to publish the other. 
 
 Amicus Veritatis. 
 
 To the Printers of the Pennsylvania Journal : 
 
 It is a duty incumbent on societies or individuals, to vin- 
 dicate or explain any publick transaction which excites 
 general disgust or uneasiness, be the ground ever so slight. 
 I have therefore preferred your Paper, as being more gene- 
 rally read by those calling themselves the Sons of Liberty, 
 in order to remove those suspicions and misapprehensions 
 which a late publication, as from the Society of Friends, I 
 find has produced. Those who suppose this Testimony to 
 be pointed against the measures thought necessary for the 
 publick interest, have not attended to its language, or the 
 conduct of that Society, since our unhappy dispute with the 
 Mother Country commenced. A due regard to these will 
 shew, that it is intended to preserve the general cause from 
 being sullied by the violence or caprice of rash and turbu- 
 lent minds. The Society hath ever been distinguished for 
 its loyalty to the King, and obedience to his Government. 
 This is therefore recommended in the strongest terms, but 
 by no means implies a loyalty to Parliament, or a Govern- 
 ment of fellow-subjects over fellow-subjects, the improprie- 
 ty and injustice of which must be obvious to the meanest 
 capacity. A due submission to the King and his Govern- 
 ment most evidently means such a Government as an Eng- 
 lish King rightfully has over English subjects ; a Govern- 
 ment bounded and limited by law, and founded upon the 
 two great principles of the English Constitution, which en- 
 title the governed to dispose of their own property, and to 
 partake in legislation. This is the Government for which 
 America is contending, in which our duty to our King and 
 our own rights are so happily blended. 
 
 A due caution is also given against riots, routs, illegal 
 combinations, and assemblies, which, by a strange and 
 forced inference of some weak or prejudiced minds, has 
 been supposed to allude to the Congress, Committees, &tc, 
 bodies to which such terms are by no means applicable, 
 and which are certainly not meant in the publication in 
 question, for the following plain reasons: — 
 
 First. The peaceable meeting of persons, and discussion 
 of publick affairs, let it be called by what name it will, is 
 so far from being condemned by any law, that it is the best 
 security of our happy Constitution that it is lawful. 
 
 Secondly. It cannot be supposed that any English sub- 
 ject, possessing the smallest portion of virtue and knowledge 
 in the English Constitution, would, by such an imputation, 
 condemn the three noblest assemblies who dignify the 
 page of that history : The Barons who obtained Magna 
 Charta from King John; the Assembly which restored 
 Charles the Second and Monarchy ; and the Convention at 
 the Revolution, which placed King William on the Throne, 
 
81 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 82 
 
 and opened the way for the accession of the present Royal 
 family. These were all Congresses, formed on the same 
 principles and the same necessities as the late American 
 Congress. 
 
 Thirdly. The supposition would condemn the very 
 meeting whose publication we are considering. It is called 
 a meeting of Representatives from New-Jersey and Penn- 
 sylvania. By what authority did these Representatives 
 meet ? The discussion of political questions is no part of 
 the discipline or system of a Religious Society, nor com- 
 prised within the jurisdiction of any meeting among Friends, 
 which only affect religious concerns, or the economical af- 
 fairs of the Society. An extraordinary occasion produced 
 an extraordinary meeting, but not an illegal one ; because 
 there is no law which prohibits the King's subjects from 
 meeting to discuss any political questions. In this case it 
 was a laudable one, as its intention must have been to make 
 a timely provision against those irregularities and tumults 
 which publick commotions often create. 
 
 Fourthly. That the present Congresses and Committees 
 were not meant, appears from the conduct of the worthy 
 Friend whose name is to the publication, who has been 
 present in such Assemblies, and took an active part in the 
 choice of the Committee last summer ; measures which 
 could not have had his concurrence, if included under any 
 of the descriptions of a riot, rout, illegal combination, or 
 assembly. I might add, that several respectable members 
 of this Society have not only served on former Commit- 
 tees of this kind, and acquiesced in the present measures, 
 but have returned their thanks to the Committee of this 
 City, for an alteration made in disposing or storing their 
 Goods imported under the Association of the late Con- 
 gress — procedures wholly inconsistent with the idea of its 
 being an illegal assembly. 
 
 Upon the whole, it is presumed enough has been offered 
 to show that this Testimony could not be intended to cast 
 any disrespect upon the cause of publick liberty, much less 
 to create division or discord. Taken in its true and proper 
 light, it is calculated to point out those rocks of licentious- 
 ness and outrage, which often lay concealed under the 
 smooth surface of the fairest pretensions, and have proved 
 fatal to the best of causes. It is, indeed, to be wished 
 it could have derived more respect and authority from the 
 numbers and weight of the representation. But the inten- 
 tion certainly has merit, however it may be thought to fall 
 short in the execution. B. L. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 8, 1775. 
 
 When those who think themselves entitled to write for 
 the publick proceed with openness, ingenuity, and candour, 
 if they do not merit the publick attention and approbation, 
 they certainly deserve their indulgence. But when any man 
 undertakes to give the publick advice, and to call upon them 
 in the warmest and most passionate terms, to follow his direc- 
 tions, every degree of deceit, hypocrisy, or unfair proceed- 
 ing, is so far from meriting approbation, that the man who 
 attempts it deserves to be treated with the utmost indigna- 
 tion, and to meet with the fate of the worst of villains. 
 
 The person who takes an active part in any controversy 
 carried on in the publick Papers, and desires to enter the 
 lists as a champion on either side, should be possessed of 
 that degree of candour and honesty which obliges a man 
 to enter into the real merits of the cause, and to give a full, 
 fair, and impartial state of the controversy, in order to en- 
 title him to a place in any Paper of reputation. When he 
 has done this, he ought to have full liberty to use every 
 argument with which reason and truth could supply him ; 
 but the instant he attempted to impose on the publick by 
 unfair representations, lies, or assertions without argument, 
 he should be packed off" to the common receptacle of all 
 such materials. 
 
 In our present contest with Great Britain, the question 
 is, Whether the Parliament of Great Britain has a right 
 to make Statutes which shall bind us in all cases whatever? 
 Now, if any one, without ever bringing this question in 
 view, or attempting to discuss it, will undertake, by hard 
 names, to frighten us into a submission, I think he wants 
 that candour and ingenuity which alone can entitle him to 
 a place in a Paper of character, and his manner of pro- 
 ceeding gives the Printer thereof a just right to refuse his 
 lucubrations. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 I believe I may appeal even to our adversaries, whether 
 the writers in favour of our cause have not always begun 
 by stating the case, as far as they intended to touch upon it, 
 in the fairest and fullest manner, and then discussed it by 
 arguments drawn from the nature of God and man, and the 
 well-known and fundamental principles of the British Con- 
 stitution. Had their opponents acted with equal ingenuity, 
 it would have saved much trouble, wholly prevented all 
 that heat and acrimony which has appeared at one time or 
 another, and saved the pains of replying to many produc- 
 tions against which nothing but the fear of their affecting 
 weak minds could ever induce any friend to his Country 
 to take up the pen. Of this kind is the piece signed 
 Phileirene, which contains nothing but bold assertions, 
 couched in strong language, and most of them notorious false- 
 hoods. Since this writer, at the request of A Friend to the 
 Constitution, has been indulged with a republication in 
 a reputable and extensively circulating Paper, I would 
 beg leave to select a few of his assertions, and request the 
 Friend, to the Constitution to support them by the facts he 
 refers to. 
 
 1. "That a submission to the laws and authority of 
 Great Britain, in the cases we complain of, would alone 
 make us a free, wealthy, and happy people." In order to 
 make this assertion good, it will be necessary to prove that 
 submission to laws neither made by ourselves, nor by our 
 Representatives, and to be taxed by men who have no in- 
 terest in our affairs, constitute true British freedom ; that 
 taking our Money from us without our consent will in- 
 crease our wealth ; that to be deprived of Trial by Jury 
 will enlarge and confirm personal security ; that our hap- 
 piness consists in submitting to become the slaves of the 
 worst sort of tyrants, viz: of such, that every alleviation 
 of their own misery must be obtained by a proportional 
 increase of ours ; and that to be removed for trial to Great 
 Britain is preferable to being tried by a Jury of the vicin- 
 ity. And as all our Assemblies, from the one end of the 
 Continent to the other, have petitioned against these Laws 
 as infringements of their rights and privileges, it may not 
 be amiss to point out to them the errour of their proceed- 
 ings, and to prove that they are not intended by the Con- 
 stitution for Legislators. For, if the British Parliament 
 has a right to bind us in all cases whatever, it is impossible 
 for them to have the same right — the one right necessarily 
 destroying the other. 
 
 2. "That we are arrived to such a pitch of infatuation, 
 as to be unwilling to confine ourselves within the bounds, 
 or to submit to the Laws prescribed by the Government 
 to which we are subjects ; that our conduct has justly 
 merited punishment and contempt, and must inevitably 
 sink us in infamy and obscurity ; that our wickedness and 
 folly is such, that we set about a reformation of a Govern- 
 ment already the envy of every other Nation, and are de- 
 termined to accomplish our views, or perish in the attempt ; 
 and that not the united misery of all our fellowmen, nor the 
 destruction of the peace and good order of the world, will 
 ever deter us from our desperate undertaking ; but that rather 
 than fail in our enterprise, we will exult to introduce anar- 
 chy and confusion into the State, and glory to riot upon the 
 miseries of mankind in private life." That masterly pen 
 which drew a finished character of the most consummate 
 villain that ever breathed on the earth, fell greatly short of 
 this picture, and, had he lived to this day, must have ob- 
 tained some master strokes from Phileirene. But Cataline 
 himself never equalled this. How Phileirene could at- 
 tempt to fix such a character upon a people whose most 
 violent struggle to preserve themselves from a ten years' 
 perseverance in oppressive measures has been a Non-Im- 
 portation Agreement, is yet more extraordinary than the 
 celerity and cheerfulness with which he asserts such infa- 
 mous lies. I beg pardon for the expression ; I forgot that 
 the truth of it can be proved by facts. 
 
 3. " That we aim at an independency, replete with the 
 most distressing calamities, destructive mischiefs, and aggra- 
 vated miseries ; and that the darling object of our wishes 
 is an Independent Republic." In supporting this, it will 
 be necessary to prove that the Congress, which spoke the 
 sentiments of all those whose conduct Phileirene con- 
 demns, and whose measures every Colony in America has 
 adopted, mistook its own intentions, when it absolutely de- 
 nied the charge in the strongest terms, and defied its most 
 
83 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 81 
 
 inveterate enemies to make good the charge. It will also 
 be proper to make out to the satisfaction of impartial peo- 
 ple, that our contending for British Liberty will be the 
 sure means of being deprived of it, if we should prove 
 successful. 
 
 4. "That our expectations of accomplishing our under- 
 taking, are mad, and must at once appear groundless, when 
 we consider that the Throne was never more secure in the 
 hearts of a free and happy people ; the Nation never more 
 powerful in its resources, nor more respected abroad; nor 
 Administration more firmly established in the esteem and 
 approbation of a great majority of the people, than at this 
 day." 
 
 That these assertions may not meet with unexpected 
 difficulties in the proof, it will not be amiss to lay before 
 you the present situation of Great Brituin, that, having 
 this in view, the demonstration may be suited accordingly. 
 Her credit depending on her Trade, and a principal part of 
 that cut off by our Non-Importation Agreement. Ireland, 
 though in slavery, poverty, distress, and unarmed, hitherto 
 scarcely restrained within bounds by the dread of a military 
 force, but now reduced to that last stage of oppression which 
 makes a wise man mad. Scotland, filled with resentment 
 for the injuries offered her by the English. The English 
 full of hatred and indignation against the Scotch, for the 
 undue preference showed to them by the Court. The Cap- 
 ital of the Kingdom exerting its utmost influence against the 
 present Administration ; and in all probability she will find her 
 measures supported by the united efforts of all the Trading- 
 Cities and Manufacturing Towns in the Kingdom. A gene- 
 ral discontent through that Nation, on account of the Act of 
 Parliament which establishes the Roman Ca I holiclc Religion 
 in Canada. France professing the most pacifick disposition, 
 but continually augmenting her Sea and Land Forces. Spain 
 arming as fast as possible, and insulting her in almost every 
 quarter of the globe — she bearing these insults with the 
 tamest submission, and unable, in the space of twelve 
 years, to prevail upon her to pay the Manilla Ransom. 
 Portugal, though under her protection, insulting her Mer- 
 chants and restricting her Trade. It is too degrading to 
 mention the Dcy of Algiers. Her Army and Navy not 
 fifty thousand strong, yet the annual expense of the Na- 
 tion near Ten Millions Sterling. This sum raised with dif- 
 ficulty when she enjoyed all our Customs and Duties. 
 These being stopped, there will be a failure of One Mil- 
 lion at least, which must be raised by additional Taxes laid 
 on those who are scarcely able to bear their present load. 
 A debt of Forty Millions due to the Hollanders, who are 
 a very jealous people, and who know that the security of 
 their money depends entirely on the Trade of the Nation, 
 which must suffer a most dreadful shock from our Non- 
 Importation Agreement. Should they become fearful, and 
 begin to draw their money out of the publick funds, all 
 the circulating cash in the Kingdom would not more than 
 pay the half of it. The Emperour of Germany at the head 
 of two hundred thousand, and the King of Prussia at the 
 head of three hundred thousand well disciplined Troops, 
 overawing all her Continental allies, and in a capacity to 
 take possession of her German Dominions whenever they 
 please. Russia aiming at Commerce, and becoming a ri- 
 val maritime Power. America determined to resist every 
 further attempt which she shall make to enslave her, by 
 force, and accessible only by her capital Cities, and those 
 protected by a debt of about Six Millions Sterling, every 
 Shilling of which must be totally lost, if our Cities are in- 
 jured ; besides, if matters should become more critical, 
 these will be principally inhabited by the tools of the Min- 
 istry, for all such will be obliged to fly to them for safety, 
 as is evident from the present state of Boston; which will 
 be a very considerable additional security to our Cities. 
 Able and judicious Statesmen in England, though uncon- 
 nected with America, giving their opinion in favour of our 
 conduct, and openly declaring the inability of the Nation 
 to subjugate the Colonies by force. These are some of the 
 facts, against which others of superiour force, certainty, and 
 weight, must be produced, or it will be in vain to attempt 
 to prove that the Nation was never more powerful in re- 
 sources. 
 
 I am under the necessity of passing by, for the present, 
 a multitude of assertions equally in need of facts to sup- 
 port them ; but as there is one or two of a curious and ex- 
 
 traordinary nature, and which I long to see demonstrated, 
 I must crave the indulgence of the publick a few moments 
 longer. 
 
 It is asserted " that the people in America can have no 
 idea of the various manoeuvres, evolutions, marchings, 
 countermarchings, advancing, retreating, breaking, rallying, 
 &c, which are practised in the Army, and, therefore, they 
 will be astonished, confounded, and put to flight by attacks 
 from every quarter." Now, a demonstration of this asser- 
 tion must be a great curiosity, and will please many. But 
 as one circumstance seems to make against it, I would be 
 glad not to have it forgotten, viz: that though we may have 
 little idea of their rallying, yet we must be allowed to have 
 some confused notions of their breaking and running, espe- 
 cially such of us as can remember that when they were 
 broke, within about forty miles of Fort Pitt, by a handful 
 of Canadians and bush-fighting Indians, they never stop- 
 ped flying until they arrived at Philadelphia. Impar- 
 tiality, however, obliges me to mention one circumstance, 
 which is rather in favour of some part of the assertion, viz: 
 that the Americans have not a true idea of breaking and 
 running, though it at the same time shows that they know 
 how to rally ; what I allude to is the behaviour of about 
 three hundred Virginians, who, on that occasion, volun- 
 tarily formed, and covered the retreat of the flying Regu- 
 lars. Ticonderoga has also furnished some of us with 
 similar ideas. It is also asserted, " that at one time we 
 will seem to have only a handful of Troops to encounter, 
 and the next minute they will appear almost innumerable, 
 merely from their dexterous movements, and the different 
 situations in which they will be placed ; and that, should 
 we be able to perfect ourselves in this part of the discipline, 
 (which we never can, as we are incapable of forming the 
 least idea of it,) our skill will rebound with tenfold destruc- 
 tion upon our own heads, for by far the greatest part, when 
 matters shall be brought to such extremities, will declare 
 on the loyal side, and extricate themselves from the guilt 
 of rebellion by the most vigorous efforts to suppress it." 
 
 I think it will be quite as hard to prove these assertions 
 as to square the circle. It will require both fluxions, and 
 an infinite series to do it. To make an handful of men 
 appear almost innumerable to a people who know that 
 every addition to that handful must first cross the great 
 Atlantick, exceeds the power of magick. And 1 should 
 not like to see it proved, lest it might lessen the merits of 
 a General, " who, although respected and amiable for his 
 social virtues, for his prudence, humanity, long-suffering, 
 and clemency, of which we all cannot but be sensible, 
 is nevertheless universally allowed to be a brave soldier, 
 cool, intrepid, watchful, and resolute, and perfectly ac- 
 quainted with the military art." Now if this be his charac- 
 ter, how can he be excused for not putting these manoeuvres 
 in practice, instead of sending for more Troops ? Can it 
 be imagined that the freemen of the Province of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay are so determined as to refuse submission, if 
 they saw an innumerable host of such well disciplined 
 Troops ready to fall upon them? They must be heroes 
 indeed, or at least resolved to lose life and liberty together 
 if they are. 
 
 I will take no advantage of his glaring contradictions 
 in one paragraph, representing us as the most resolute 
 and desperate of men, who have no regard for our lives, 
 and that we are willing to sacrifice all that is dear to us to 
 obtain our beloved point ; and in the next assures us that 
 we will by and by be so terrified at the name of Rebellion, 
 that we will murder one another to prove our loyalty. I 
 will not require the facts which can prove these inconsist- 
 encies. I am not inclined to raise a suspicion of the abili- 
 ties or courage of the British Troops. There are many 
 circumstances which present themselves at this day, to 
 show they have a tincture of the true British spirit still 
 remaining, though the laws and regulations to which they 
 are subject are of the most slavish, arbitrary, and despotick 
 kind. It is hard to divest a real Englishman of his love 
 of liberty, or admiration of those who are willing to risk 
 their all in defence of it. There may be some mongrels 
 among them, as well as among ourselves; yet the reluc- 
 tance of the Officers to the service, and the desertion of 
 the Soldiers, prove that they are not divested of feeling, 
 and far from becoming Ministerial butchers. If things 
 should come to extremities it is not to be doubted but 
 
85 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775 
 
 86 
 
 they will discover further signs of a true English spirit. 
 However, should they prove as loyal as Phileirene wishes 
 them to be, twenty riflemen will, I doubt not, prove a 
 match for any ten of them ; and if we reason from former 
 experience, Braddock and Howe have left us a proportion 
 still more favourable. As to the common Soldiers, they 
 have no great inducement to make them fight. If they 
 will fight for pay, I think we could increase their wages. 
 At any rate, a groat a day to feed upon, half an hour's 
 exercise in the week, and ten years' loitering in crowded 
 barracks, can give them but an indifferent title to the 
 character of true British veterans. 
 
 That our skill in the military art, could we but attain it, 
 would rebound with ten-fold destruction on our own heads, 
 is rather hard. For shall we take that immense pains 
 which it will cost an American to acquire it, and which 
 alone can put us on an equal footing with these veterans, 
 and then turn it against ourselves? This would be an in- 
 fatuation which Phileirene and all his fellow-blusterers have 
 not been able to accomplish, and, I fear, never will, not- 
 withstanding the facts which can demonstrate its truth. 
 
 I once thought of touching on the doctrine of Rebellion and 
 our duty to God ; but as the facts necessary to demonstrate 
 his assertions on this head might border on impiety, and the 
 attempt itself would be blasphemous, I would not have it 
 entered on ; for if one man sin against another, the Judge 
 may plead for him ; but if a man sin against God, who 
 shall entreat for him ? Yet the matter may be settled in 
 few words. God is certainly on the side of justice and the 
 oppressed, and the Devil on the side of injustice and op- 
 pression. They may be considered as the leaders in this 
 cause, and every man as actuated by the spirit of his leader. 
 I will leave it to Phileirene and the world to determine 
 which spirit he and his party are inspired with. 
 
 To the Friend to the Constitution : 
 
 Sir: As you maybe acquainted with facts which have 
 escaped the notice of all beside yourself; as you may be 
 able to defend your cause by arguments, which, though 
 hitherto concealed, will strike conviction into the hearts of 
 the most stupid, insensible, and obstinate bigots ; and as 
 vour proofs may be derived from sources hitherto unex- 
 plored by any other ; 1 call upon you to exercise those 
 political talents and abilities which, doubtless, you are 
 possessed of, in demonstrating the truth of the foregoing 
 assertions of Mr. Phileirene. Should the task prove hard 
 or laborious, you must comfort yourself with this reflec- 
 tion, that it is the only means whereby you can prove 
 vourself possessed of that candour and honesty, which is 
 so rare amongst your party. If, in the course of your de- 
 monstration, this one point should fall in our favour, viz : 
 that the present is a struggle of might against right, and 
 that right is on our side, we have little to fear, even should 
 every other assertion of Phileirene prove true. For when 
 was arbitrary power successful in Great Britain 1 Not in 
 the days of Charles the First, nor yet at the Revolution. 
 William the Bastard is the principal instance of the kind 
 1 now recollect. If we be permitted, then, to draw any 
 conclusions from former experience, while we have a legiti- 
 mate King on the Throne we have little to fear. Had 
 arbitrary power succeeded in the days of Charles the First, 
 or James the Second, we should at present be in the same 
 state or a worse than the people of Prance. Now would 
 you, Sir, or Phileirene, or any of your party, rather find 
 yourselves in this state and condition, than that your fore- 
 fathers had pursued the measures they then adopted ? 
 According as you answer this question, we shall be con- 
 demned or justified, even should we be forced to draw the 
 aword. A Lover of English Liberty. 
 
 To the Author of a Pamphlet, entitled " A Candid Exam- 
 ination of the Mutual Claims of Great Britain and 
 her Colonies, fyc." 
 
 Philadelphia, March 8, 1775. 
 Sir : When your pamphlet was first put into my hands, 
 I accidentally opened it at the last page but one, and was 
 pleased to see the following words : " Thus I have, my 
 dear countrymen, with the utmost candour and freedom, 
 and the most benevolent regard for your true interest and 
 happiness, laid before you the Constitutional extent of Par- 
 
 liamentary jurisdiction, and deduced your rights from the 
 most solid foundation, and explained your duties." Pleased 
 with this declaration, I eagerly began a careful perusal of 
 the pamphlet ; but what was my surprise to find that in- 
 stead of deducing the rights of America from a " most 
 solid foundation," you have laboured to show that America 
 has no rights at all ; and that we are the most abject slaves 
 on earth. This set me upon an examination of the prin- 
 ciples on which you have grounded your arguments ; and 
 from this examination it evidently appeared that you have 
 ignorantly misunderstood or wilfully misapplied them. 
 
 The first principle which you lay down, and which, in- 
 deed, is the groundwork of your whole performance, is 
 this : " There must be in every State a supreme Legisla- 
 tive power of the Colonies, and that the Colonists are, 
 therefore, subject to its laws." 
 
 It may be proper before we proceed, to observe, that 
 though there is no difficulty in laying down general princi- 
 ples on the nature of Government, yet it requires judg- 
 ment and understanding to make a proper application of 
 them. 11 it shall appear that your several quotations are 
 totally inapplicable to the situation of the Colonies, with 
 respect to their connection with Great Britain, your argu- 
 ments must fall, of course, to the ground. And I appre- 
 hend I shall not only be able to make this appear, but 
 clearly to show, as I said before, that you either did not 
 understand the authors quoted, or that you have wilfully 
 misapplied them. 
 
 Whoever has read, and is conversant with the authors on 
 Government, will agree that whenever the above principle 
 is laid down, it amounts in substance to this, and this only, 
 viz : Wherever men have, from a state of nature, entered 
 into a state of society, there must be somewhere a power 
 lodged to make laws obligatory on all the members of that 
 society. This power of making laws, however modified, 
 is called the Legislative power ; and any one will readily 
 assent to the necessity there is, that this Legislative power 
 should be supreme over the members ; for if, after the Le- 
 gislative power has ordained any thing to be done, the 
 members should afterwards be left to their own choice to 
 adopt or reject it, it follows clearly there must be an end of 
 Government. Now let us consider whether this principle 
 is not fully satisfied in the several Governments of Ameri- 
 ca, without having recourse for an application of it to the 
 Parliament of Great Bntain. I will undertake to show 
 that the principle is applicable to our several Governments, 
 and to them only ; and this I shall do from your own quo- 
 tations. 
 
 Mr. Locke tells us that " The first fundamental positive 
 law of all Commonwealths is the establishing the Legis- 
 lative power ; this Legislative is not only the supreme 
 power of the Commonwealth, but is sacred and unalterable 
 in the hands where the community have placed it." It can- 
 not be denied. It is as well established as the Legislature 
 of Great Britain; its powers within the bounds of the 
 Province are as supreme and unlimited as the power of the 
 Legislature of Great Britain. Here, then, the principle 
 applies ; — as there is a Legislative power in the Province 
 of Pennsylvania, that power is, from the nature of all Go- 
 vernments, supreme, and all the inhabitants of the Province 
 must be obedient to its laws. But to proceed : " There 
 can be but one supreme power, which is the Legislative ; 
 to which all the rest are, and must be subordinate." This 
 principle is certainly right ; but let us see how judiciously 
 it is applied. Certainly in the Province of Pennsylvania 
 there neither is nor can be more than one supreme power, 
 viz : the Legislature of the Province. To them the seve- 
 ral Corporations, and other inferiour jurisdictions must sub- 
 mit. But observe how completely wretched you aim to 
 make the Americans. You quote Locke to prove that 
 there can be but one supreme power, which is the Legis- 
 lature ; if so, and if the Parliament, as you say, is the Le- 
 gislature of the Colonies, it follows that we have hitherto 
 been deceived, and that there is no such thing as a Colony 
 Legislature in existence. But, Sir, this supreme power, 
 the community of Pennsylvania have undeniably vested in 
 the Assembly and Governour, subject to our Sovereign's 
 negative ; and, of course, the Legislature of Great Britain 
 is not the Legislature of Pennsylvania ; for it would be 
 " irregular and monstrous" to suppose us subject to two 
 Legislatures. But this will not satisfy you. You will have 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 88 
 
 it, that we shall be subject, not according to Mr. Locke, 
 to "one" but to two supreme Legislative powers. Your 
 quotation from Achcrley is more pointed: "The supreme 
 power in every Government and Nation is the Legislative 
 power of making and altering those laws of it by which 
 every man is to be bound, and to which he is to yield obe- 
 dience." Is not every man in Pennsylvania bound by, 
 and is he not to yield obedience to such laws as the Legis- 
 lature of the Province shall enact? Every man will an- 
 swer affirmatively ; if so, is not this Legislative power of 
 Pennsylvania, according to the express words of the above 
 quotations, the supreme power in this Government ? Can 
 we then be subject to two supreme Legislative powers ? 
 But let us see whether you will not yourself prove sufficient 
 for my argument. Page 43 you say, " Each Colony in 
 the present Constitution, is capable, by its own internal 
 Legislature, to regulate its own police within its particular 
 circle of territory ; but here it is confined : thus far, and 
 no further can its authority extend." This, I hope, is suf- 
 ficient to show that each Legislature is supreme within its 
 own circle ; and that this is all that is required to satisfy 
 the principle on which you have benevolently endeavoured 
 to build your system of tyranny. 
 
 You proceed next to a perplexed, inaccurate, and de- 
 fective delineation of the English Constitution, and of the 
 different capacities of the King, in order to point out the 
 absurdity (as you call it) of the Colonies in acknowledging 
 allegiance to the King, and denying obedience to the laws 
 of Parliament. In this also, 1 apprehend, you are equally 
 wrong. Let us attend to your argument. " To the King, 
 in his representative capacity, and as supreme executor 
 of the laws, made by a joint power of him and others, the 
 oaths of allegiance are taken ; and by him, that obedi- 
 ence in the subjects to the laws, which entitle them to pro- 
 tection in their persons and properties, is received. Is it 
 then to him, as representative of the State, and executor 
 of its laws, that the Americans profess their allegiance ? 
 This cannot be ; because it would be owing an obedience to 
 the laws of the State which he represents. It would be 
 easy to prove that your idea of allegiance is totally defec- 
 tive; but as I intend only to expose the fallacy of your 
 arguments, without advancing any pla?i of my own, it will 
 perhaps be more satisfactory to refute you from your own 
 words. 
 
 We Americans can, then, it seems, owe no allegiance to 
 the King without involving in it a submission to the laws 
 of the supreme Legislature of Great Britain, of which he 
 is representative. Strange, indeed, that even our allegiance 
 shall be drawn in as an argument in favour of Parliamen- 
 tary power ! But, Sir, let me, as a Pennsylvanian, address 
 you and examine your argument. "The allegiance I owe 
 to the King is due to him in his representative capacity, 
 as supreme executor of the laws made by a joint power of 
 him and others." Agreed, Sir, for argument's sake ; but 
 is not the King vested with the Executive power of this 
 Government ? Is he not the representative of our whole 
 State, to see that our laws are duly carried into execution ? 
 And is not (on your principles) an oath of allegiance by a 
 Pennsylvanian to the King, made to him as supreme exe- 
 cutor of the laws of Pennsylvania? And if, Sir, an oath 
 of allegiance, taken by a subject in England to the King, 
 is to him as representative of the supreme Legislature of 
 Great Britain, I ask, where is the absurdity of supposing 
 an oath of allegiance taken by a Pennsylvanian, to be 
 taken by him to the King, as the representative of the 
 Legislative power of Pennsylvania, which is the supreme 
 power of the Government in which he lives ? There can 
 be none. But further, Sir ; does not every American ac- 
 knowledge that he is bound by the common law of Eng- 
 land, and such statutes as were made before the settlement 
 of the Colonies, and which are applicable to our situation ? 
 Is not the King supreme executor of these laws ? And 
 where is the impropriety of supposing the oath of allegiance 
 to relate to him as supreme executor of these laws, which 
 we acknowledge do bind us, and at the same time reject- 
 ing the absurd and dangerous idea of its including an obli- 
 gation to be bound by every law that the British Parlia- 
 ment has, or may make ? 
 
 I have sufficiently destroyed, I trust, the two main pillars 
 of your system. But not content with endeavouring to 
 prove the Americans subject to the uncontrolled power of 
 
 the British Parliament, you are for reducing the Legisla- 
 tures of the several Colonies to the degrading situation of 
 mere corporations. " The original intent of the preroga- 
 tive, under which the inhabitants of particular districts of 
 territory have been incorporated into bodies politick, was 
 to enable the representative of the State to form inferiour 
 communities, with municipal rights and privileges ; this pre- 
 rogative is very ancient; William the Conqueror granted 
 to London two Charters," &c. 
 
 If we examine into the nature of corporations erected 
 by the prerogative, we shall find you are still unhappy in 
 the application of your principles. That the King, by his 
 prerogative, may erect the inhabitants of particular districts 
 into inferiour communities, with "municipal rights and pri- 
 vileges," is readily granted. But it requires more than 
 this to show that the Colonies are mere Corporations. 
 After granting all you call for, your conclusions do not fol- 
 low ; for though, as you say, the King may incorporate 
 inferiour communities with municipal rights, yet it does not 
 follow that the King can grant to mere corporations full 
 Legislative power. Let any one consider what is the ob- 
 ject of corporations, and the purpose for which they are 
 granted, and the comparison must vanish. But, Sir, is not 
 the King visiter of all corporations ? And has not the 
 Court of King's Bench a power to inquire into, and cor- 
 rect all the irregularities that have arisen in any of them ? 
 And is this, Sir, one of the " solid foundations" from which 
 you have deduced the rights of Americans? Certainly 
 you will have the thanks of the British Ministry for going 
 further than even they have dared. They contend only 
 that we are subject to the power of Parliament: You, Sir, 
 go further, and meritoriously endeavour to prove that we 
 not only are subject to Parliament, but to the Court of 
 King's Bench, where that friend to liberty, Lord Mansjield, 
 now presides. 
 
 Let us next examine your favourite position, that the 
 rights of the Commons to a share in legislation is derived 
 from, and represent the lands within the Realm. Having, 
 as you think, fully shown this, you proceed (no doubt, 
 with " ineffable pleasure") to show that, by necessary con- 
 sequence, the Americans have lost, not the right, but the 
 exercise of the right of being represented in the British 
 Parliament, though they still continue subject to all its 
 laws. What does this amount to ? Why, you have a right, 
 but it is impossible you can derive any advantage from it. 
 You have a right, but it is impossible you can exercise it. 
 Want of right and want of remedy, is said, in law, to be the 
 same. What an insult to an oppressed people, to tell 
 them they have a right, but that it is impossible they can 
 either exercise it, or derive any advantage from it. But 
 let us next examine your position, and see if it is well 
 founded. I apprehend it is not, and that your idea of 
 representation is partial and inadequate. That the landed 
 interest is represented in part, is granted, and you might 
 have saved yourself the trouble of several tedious pages to 
 prove what every man would immediately assent to. But 
 is the landed the only interest that is represented ? Or, 
 does representation arise from land only ? I answer both 
 in the negative ; and thus I prove it : The Commons is the 
 Democratick part of the English Constitution. In small 
 Democracies, the people should, and in many (in Greece) 
 they did exercise the Legislative power in their aggregate 
 capacity. In so large a State as England, such a tumul- 
 tuous meeting would be attended with danger and inconve- 
 niences ; and, therefore, it is provided by the English Con- 
 stitution, that the people shall exercise this power by their 
 Representatives, which it would be inconvenient should 
 be done in their collective capacity. This, Sir, is the 
 principle of representation, and by which every man of 
 property in England has a voice in Parliament. It is 
 upon this principle that the landed interest is represented 
 by their Knights of the Shire. This, Sir, is not the origin, 
 but the consequence of representation. Are not the Citi- 
 zens and Burgesses chosen by the Mercantile or Trading 
 interest of the Nation ? Has not every man who is free of 
 a Borough a vote, and consequently, is he not represent- 
 ed in Parliament, although he has not a foot of land ? 
 In short, the whole of representation, according to the 
 English Constitution, is this : in all free Governments a 
 branch of the Legislative power should reside in the 
 people. In so large a Government as England, this is not 
 
89 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 90 
 
 practicable to be exercised in their collective capacities ; 
 from hence arose the necessity of representation, upon the 
 genuine principles of which, every member of the commu- 
 nity should have a voice. In forming this representation, 
 care was taken of the landed interest, and Knights of the 
 Shire were elected by proprietors of land to represent it. 
 But this alone would have been a partial, inadequate repre- 
 sentation ; care was also taken to have the trading interest 
 represented, that so not the landed interest only, but the 
 whole body of the people should be represented by the 
 House of Commons: in choosing whom, says a learned 
 Judge, there is scarce a free agent in England who has 
 not a vote. This subject might be continued further if 
 necessary, but enough has been said to show your idea of 
 representation to be erroneous. 
 
 According to you, Sir, we are bound by all laws made 
 by the British Parliament. We have a right to be repre- 
 sented there, but it is impossible we can enjoy that right. 
 So that the " persons, lives, and estates of the subjects in 
 America are at the disposal of an absolute power, without 
 the least security for the enjoyment of their rights." This 
 is a dreadful situation ! And the very reading it is suffi- 
 cient to freeze the blood of any man that has a spark of 
 liberty in him. How it has roused your passions ! How 
 animated is your observations on it ! You say, " most 
 certain it is, that this is a situation which people accus- 
 tomed to liberty cannot sit easy under." Sit easy under 
 slavery ! It is a situation that all your sophistry, threats, 
 or the arms of Britain will never make an American sit 
 under at all. 
 
 But now the curtain is drawn up — the plan of union 
 gentlemen, which is to restore us to the enjoyment of our 
 lost rights! Having shown, as you think, that we have no 
 rights at all, you very patriotically propose a plan, by which, 
 if the British Administration pleases, we may be restored 
 to some. But the very position tells us we are slaves. 
 If our restoration to rights depends upon the pleasure and 
 will of the British Legislature, they are our masters ; we 
 must submit to their pleasure. But send the author of the 
 plan over as a delegate to solicit your cause, " the ex- 
 peuse will be trifling ;" it is a task he would, no doubt, 
 perform " with ineffable pleasure." 
 
 You say, Sir, you have often conversed with the author 
 of the plan, and well understand his principles. Pray, Sir, 
 ask him whether he did not, in a Committee of Congress, 
 deny, from the same learned quotations about landed pro- 
 perty, the power of Parliament to bind the Colonies in 
 any case. His conclusions from the same premises were, 
 I am told, very different from what you have drawn in this 
 pamphlet. He insisted that the right of English liberty 
 is a right to participate in legislation ; that as the lands in 
 America are not represented, Americans could not be re- 
 presented, and not being represented, they, of course, could 
 not be bound ; from hence he drew an inference of the ne- 
 cessity of some plan of union. Did he not, Sir, on this 
 principle, deny the power of Parliament even to regulate 
 Trade ? And did he not even vote against it in Con- 
 gress ? 
 
 Much has been said against the Congress for rejecting 
 this plan. The matter, I am told, stands thus: When it 
 was first introduced in Congress, most of the members 
 heard it with horrour, as an idle, dangerous, whimsical, 
 Ministerial plan. Some of the " Pennsylvania Oracles," 
 Friends, with whom infinite pains had been taken before 
 hand, moved to have it committed. This was rejected ; 
 then a motion was made that the plan might lie on the 
 table, to be taken up at any future day. This was carried 
 in the affirmative. When the minutes came to be revised, 
 towards the end of the sitting, the plan was omitted. Here 
 the patriot raged, and insisted on his right to have it on 
 the minutes. The question was put, and a great majority 
 thought the inserting it in the Journal would be disgracing 
 their records, and accordingly rejected it. Certainly in 
 such a society, every question must, of course, be deter- 
 mined by a majority. If, then, a majority were of opinion 
 that the inserting it on their Journal would be disgraceful 
 and injurious, they unquestionably had a right to reject it. 
 If his plan was defensible, why did he not enter into the 
 argument with a gentleman from Virginia, who challenged 
 him to it, and who said he could prove it to be big with 
 destruction to the Colonies ? 'Tis true he did, when thus 
 
 called upon, say that he would defend it, if the Congress 
 would appoint a day for that purpose. But this, Sir, was 
 when all was hurry, and the forms of business only delayed 
 their breaking up. Besides, it was a little remarkable, 
 that this " Oracle" was not ready to undertake the defence 
 of a plan, when he had been for months haranguing and 
 caballing about it. 
 
 You have mentioned some of the objections that were 
 hinted against the plan, for it is false to say that the merits 
 of it were ever regularly debated in Congress. One of 
 those objections is, that the members of the Grand Coun- 
 cil would be corrupted, and betray the interest of the 
 Colonies. To this you answer, " that if American virtue 
 was not firm enough to maintain liberty, it could be sup- 
 ported by no wisdom or policy whatever. But supposing 
 the people to be in so corrupt a state, yet as the election 
 was to be triennial, they might change them every three 
 years, &,c. ; and besides, to avoid all risks of the Country, 
 they might, by altering one word, as the plan, make the 
 election duannual or annual, which must certainly remove 
 the objection." No, Sir! it will not do yet, not even with 
 the alteration. For let us once suppose this darling plan 
 executed, an American Parliament met. Suppose when 
 thus met, a motion is made, showing the inconvenience and 
 difficulties of frequent elections, and proposing the making 
 a law extending their political existence for seven years ; 
 precedents may be pleaded for it. But, Sir, supposing this 
 Parliament to be but annual, may they not in one year, 
 one month, one day, nay, in one hour, pass a vote, which 
 may forever annihilate the liberties of all America 1 But 
 will you not trust the virtue of Americans? Sir, I entertain a 
 high reverence for the virtue of my countrymen. But the 
 trust is too sacred. Permit me to tell you, that neither 
 " wisdom or policy" would dictate the leaving the liberties 
 of a Country to the virtues of any men, however great or 
 conspicuous. We know too well the fallibility of human 
 nature, and both " wisdom and policy" teach us to sup- 
 port our liberties with other props and pillars. I did not 
 intend to have touched on the merits of the plan, but when 
 1 saw one of the objections to it so mutilated, I thought 
 proper to state the objections more fully and forcibly. The 
 whole of the plan is confused, impracticable, and danger- 
 ous, as probably soon will be shown. 
 
 I have reserved till now, purposely, my remarks on the 
 gross abuse and calumny thrown out in your pamphlet 
 against the Congress. How unfair, how ungenerous, to 
 take detached parts of their proceedings, and from thence 
 draw inferences as to their principles ! How dare you, Sir, 
 in the face of America, assert that they have proposed no 
 plan of accommodation ? That every page conveys senti- 
 ments of independence ? Have they not expressly said, 
 (and is it not the groundwork of their whole proceedings,) 
 place America in the situation she was in before 1763, and 
 all our complaints will subside? Is this not proposing a 
 plan of accommodation ? Yes, Sir, and the only reasonable 
 constitutional plan that can be devised. Tear away that 
 system of Revenue Laws, and their attendants, and peace 
 will be restored. And is this, Sir, talking of independence ? 
 Consider the Statutes prior to 1763, to which America con- 
 cedes obedience ; consider the acknowledged prerogatives 
 of the King of Great Britain, in all the Colonies ; the ap- 
 peal to the King and Council from judicial determinations ; 
 his negative to laws; and let any impartial man say, whe- 
 ther this is a system of independence. The labours and 
 virtue of the Congress in the cause of liberty, will, to latest 
 ages, be revered and esteemed, while you and your attempts 
 will only be remembered to show posterity that even in 
 these days of liberty, America had some degenerate sons — 
 a Jefferies and a Eilmer. 
 
 But, good Sir, before we part, let me ask you how you 
 came to publish your friend to the world as a man of no 
 principle or virtue. I see he has signed the Association. 
 I am told he signed the Petition to the King. I find in 
 the Association he says, (for it is certainly the act of all 
 who signed it,) " the present unhappy situation of our 
 affairs is occasioned by a ruinous system of Colony ad- 
 ministration, adopted by the British Ministry about the 
 year 1763, evidently calculated for enslaving those Colo- 
 nies." And, Sir, I find further, that he did, for himself 
 and those he represented, firmly agree and associate, un- 
 der the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love of his Coun- 
 
87 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1175. 
 
 88 
 
 it, that we shall he subject, not according to Mr. Locke, 
 to "one" but to two supreme Legislative powers. Your 
 quotation from Acherley is more pointed : " The supreme 
 power in every Government and Nation is the Legislative 
 power of making and altering those laws of it by which 
 every man is to he bound, and to which he is to yield obe- 
 dience." Is not every man in Pennsylvania bound by, 
 and is he not to yield obedience to such laws as the Legis- 
 lature of the Province shall enact? Every man will an- 
 swer allirmatively ; if so, is not this Legislative power of 
 Pennsylvania, according to the express words of the above 
 quotations, the supreme power in this Government? Can 
 we then be subject to two supreme Legislative powers? 
 But let us see whether you will not yourself prove sufficient 
 for my argument. Page 43 you say, " Each Colony in 
 the present Constitution, is capable, by its own internal 
 Legislature, to regulate its own police within its particular 
 circle of territory ; but here it is confined : thus far, and 
 no further can its authority extend." This, I hope, is suf- 
 ficient to show that each Legislature is supreme within its 
 own circle ; and that this is all that is required to satisfy 
 the principle on which you have benevolently endeavoured 
 to build your system of tyranny. 
 
 You proceed next to a perplexed, inaccurate, and de- 
 fective delineation of the English Constitution, and of the 
 different capacities of the King, in order to point out the 
 absurdity (as you call it) of the Colonies in acknowledging 
 allegiance to the King, and denying obedience to the laws 
 of Parliament. In this also, 1 apprehend, you are equally 
 wrong. Let us attend to your argument. " To the King, 
 in his representative capacity, and as supreme executor 
 of the laws, made by a joint power of him and others, the 
 oaths of allegiance are taken ; and by him, that obedi- 
 ence in the subjects to the laws, which entitle them to pro- 
 tection in their persons and properties, is received. Is it 
 then to him, as representative of the State, and executor 
 of its laws, that the Americans profess their allegiance ? 
 This cannot be ; because it would be owing an obedience to 
 the laws of the State which he represents. It would be 
 easy to prove that your idea of allegiance is totally defec- 
 tive; but as I intend only to expose the fallacy of your 
 arguments, without advancing any flan of my own, it will 
 perhaps be more satisfactory to refute you from your own 
 words. 
 
 We Americans can, then, it seems, owe no allegiance to 
 the King without involving in it a submission to the laws 
 of the supreme Legislature of Great Britain, of which he 
 is representative. Strange, indeed, that even our allegiance 
 shall be drawn in as an argument in favour of Parliamen- 
 tary power ! But, Sir, let me, as a Pennsylvanian, address 
 you and examine your argument. "The allegiance I owe 
 to the King is due to him in his representative capacity, 
 as supreme executor of the laws made by a joint power of 
 him and others." Agreed, Sir, for argument's sake ; but 
 is not the King vested with the Executive power of this 
 Government? Is he not the representative of our whole 
 State, to see that our laws are duly carried into execution ? 
 And is not (on your principles) an oath of allegiance by a 
 Pennsylvanian to the King, made to him as supreme exe- 
 cutor of the laws of Pennsylvania ? And if, Sir, an oath 
 of allegiance, taken by a subject in England to the King, 
 is to him as representative of the supreme Legislature of 
 Great Britain, I ask, where is the absurdity of supposing, 
 an oath of allegiance taken by a Pennsylvanian, to be 
 taken by him to the King, as the representative of the 
 Legislative power of Pennsylvania, which is the supreme 
 power of the Government in which he lives ? There can 
 be none. But further, Sir ; does not every American ac- 
 knowledge that he is bound by the common law of Eng- 
 land, and such statutes as were made before the settlement 
 of the Colonies, and which are applicable to our situation? 
 Is not the King supreme executor of these laws ? And 
 where is the impropriety of supposing the oath of allegiance 
 to relate to him as supreme executor of these laws, which 
 we acknowledge do bind us, and at the same time reject- 
 ing the absurd and dangerous idea of its including an obli- 
 gation to be bound by every law that the British Parlia- 
 ment has, or may make ? 
 
 I have sufficiently destroyed, I trust, the two main pillars 
 of your system. But not content with endeavouring to 
 prove the Americans subject to the uncontrolled power of 
 
 the British Parliament, you are for reducing the Legisla- 
 tures of the several Colonies to the degrading situation of 
 mere corporations. " The original intent of the preroga- 
 tive, under which the inhabitants of particular districts of 
 territory have been incorporated into bodies politick, was 
 to enable the representative of the State to form inferiour 
 communities, with municipal rights and privileges ; this pre- 
 rogative is very ancient; William the Conqueror granted 
 to London two Charters," &ic. 
 
 If we examine into the nature of corporations erected 
 by the prerogative, we shall find you are still unhappy in 
 the application of your principles. That the King, by his 
 prerogative, may erect the inhabitants of particular districts 
 into inferiour communities, with " municipal rights and pri- 
 vileges," is readily granted. But it requires more than 
 this to show that the Colonies are mere Corporations. 
 After granting all you call for, your conclusions do not fol- 
 low ; for though, as you say, the King may incorporate 
 inferiour communities with municipal rights, yet it does not 
 follow that the King can grant to mere corporations full 
 Legislative power. Let any one consider what is the ob- 
 ject of corporations, and the purpose for which they are 
 granted, and the comparison must vanish. But, Sir, is not 
 the King visiter of all corporations ? And has not the 
 Court of King's Bench a power to inquire into, and cor- 
 rect all the irregularities that have arisen in any of them ? 
 And is this, Sir, one of the " solid foundations" from which 
 you have deduced the rights of Americans! Certainly 
 you will have the thanks of the British Ministry for going 
 further than even they have dared. They contend only 
 that we are subject to the power of Parliament: You, Sir, 
 go further, and meritoriously endeavour to prove that we 
 not only are subject to Parliament, but to the Court of 
 King's Bench, where that friend to liberty, Lord Mansfield, 
 now presides. 
 
 Let us next examine your favourite position, that the 
 rights of the Commons to a share in legislation is derived 
 from, and represent the lands within the Realm. Having, 
 as you think, fully shown this, you proceed (no doubt, 
 with " ineffable pleasure") to show that, by necessary con- 
 sequence, the Americans have lost, not the right, but the 
 exercise of the right of being represented in the British 
 Parliament, though they still continue subject to all its 
 laws. What does this amount to ? Why, you have a right, 
 but it is impossible you can derive any advantage from it. 
 You have a right, but it is impossible you can exercise it. 
 Want of right and want of remedy, is said, in law, to be the 
 same. What an insult to an oppressed people, to tell 
 them they have a right, but that it is impossible they can 
 either exercise it, or derive any advantage from it. But 
 let us next examine your position, and see if it is well 
 founded. I apprehend it is not, and that your idea of 
 representation is partial and inadequate. That the landed 
 interest is represented in part, is granted, and you might 
 have saved yourself the trouble of several tedious pages to 
 prove what every man would immediately assent to. But 
 is the landed the only interest that is represented ? Or, 
 does representation arise from land only ? I answer both 
 in the negative ; and thus I prove it : The Commons is the 
 Democratick part of the English Constitution. In small 
 Democracies, the people should, and in many (in Greece) 
 they did exercise the Legislative power in their aggregate 
 capacity. In so large a State as England, such a tumul- 
 tuous meeting would be attended with danger and inconve- 
 niences ; and, therefore, it is provided by the English Con- 
 stitution, that the people shall exercise this power by their 
 Representatives, which it would be inconvenient should 
 be done in their collective capacity. This, Sir, is the 
 principle of representation, and by which every man of 
 property in England has a voice in Parliament. It is 
 upon this principle that the landed interest is represented 
 by their Knights of the Shire. This, Sir, is not the origin, 
 but the consequence of representation. Are not the Citi- 
 zens and Burgesses chosen by the Mercantile or Trading 
 interest of the Nation ? Has not every man who is free of 
 a Borough a vote, and consequently, is he not represent- 
 ed in Parliament, although he has not a foot of land ? 
 In short, the whole of representation, according to the 
 English Constitution, is this : in all free Governments a 
 branch of the Legislative power should reside in the 
 people. In so large a Government as England, this is not 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 90 
 
 on 
 
 oy 
 
 practicable to be exercised in their collective capacities ; 
 from hence arose the necessity of representation, upon the 
 genuine principles of which, every member of the commu- 
 nity should have a voice. In forming this representation, 
 care was taken of the landed interest, and Knights of the 
 Shire were elected by proprietors of land to represent it. 
 But this alone would have been a partial, inadequate repre- 
 sentation ; care was also taken to have the trading interest 
 represented, that so not the landed interest only, but the 
 whole body of the people should be represented by the 
 House of Commons: in choosing whom, says a learned 
 Judge, there is scarce a free agent in England who has 
 not a vote. This subject might be continued further if 
 necessary, but enough has been said to show your idea of 
 representation to be erroneous. 
 
 According to you, Sir, we are bound by all laws made 
 bj the British Parliament. We have a right to be repre- 
 sented there, but it is impossible we can enjoy that right. 
 So that the " persons, lives, and estates of the subjects in 
 America are at the disposal of an absolute power, without 
 the least security for the enjoyment of their rights." This 
 is a dreadful situation ! And the very reading it is suffi- 
 cient to freeze the blood of any man that has a spark of 
 liberty in him. How it has roused your passions ! How 
 animated is your observations on it ! You say, " most 
 certain it is, that this is a situation which people accus- 
 tomed to liberty cannot sit easy under." Sit easy under 
 slavery ! It is a situation that all your sophistry, threats, 
 or the arms of Britain will never make an American sit 
 under at all. 
 
 But now the curtain is drawn up — the plan of union 
 gentlemen, which is to restore us to the enjoyment of our 
 lost rights! Having shown, as you think, that we have no 
 risrhts at all, you very patriotically propose a plan, by which, 
 if the British Administration pleases, we may be restored 
 to some. But the very position tells us we are slaves. 
 If our restoration to rights depends upon the pleasure and 
 will of the British Legislature, they are our masters ; we 
 must submit to their pleasure. But send the author of the 
 plan over as a delegate to solicit your cause, " the ex- 
 pense will be trifling ;" it is a task he would, no doubt, 
 perform " with ineffable pleasure." 
 
 You say, Sir, you have often conversed with the author 
 of the plan, and well understand his principles. Pray, Sir, 
 ask him whether he did not, in a Committee of Congress, 
 deny, from the same learned quotations about landed pro- 
 perty, the power of Parliament to bind the Colonies in 
 any case. His conclusions from the same premises were, 
 I am told, very different from what you have drawn in this 
 pamphlet. He insisted that the right of English liberty 
 is a right to participate in legislation ; that as the lands in 
 America are not represented, Americans could not be re- 
 presented, and not being represented, they, of course, could 
 not be bound ; from hence he drew an inference of the ne- 
 cessity of some plan of union. Did he not, Sir, on this 
 principle, deny the power of Parliament even to regulate 
 Trade ? And did he not even vote against it in Con- 
 gress ? 
 
 Much has been said against the Congress for rejecting 
 this plan. The matter, I am told, stands thus: When it 
 was first introduced in Congress, most of the members 
 heard it with horrour, as an idle, dangerous, whimsical, 
 Ministerial plan. Some of the " Pennsylvania Oracles," 
 Friends, with whom infinite pains had been taken before 
 hand, moved to have it committed. This was rejected ; 
 then a motion was made that the plan might lie on the 
 table, to be taken up at any future day. This was carried 
 in the affirmative. When the minutes came to be revised, 
 towards the end of the sitting, the plan was omitted. Here 
 the patriot raged, and insisted on his right to have it on 
 the minutes. The question was put, and a great majority 
 thought the inserting it in the Journal would be disgracing 
 their records, and accordingly rejected it. Certainly in 
 such a society, every question must, of course, be deter- 
 mined by a majority. If, then, a majority were of opinion 
 that the inserting it on their Journal would be disgraceful 
 and injurious, they unquestionably had a right to reject it. 
 If his plan was defensible, why did he not enter into the 
 argument with a gentleman from Virginia, who challenged 
 him to it, and who said he could prove it to be big with 
 destruction to the Colonies ? 'Tis true he did, when thus 
 
 called upon, say that he would defend it, if the Congress 
 would appoint a day for that purpose. But this, Sir, was 
 when all was hurry, and the forms of business only delayed 
 their breaking up. Besides, it was a little remarkable, 
 that this " Oracle" was not ready to undertake the defence 
 of a plan, when he had been for months haranguing and 
 caballing about it. 
 
 You have mentioned some of the objections that were 
 hinted against the plan, for it is false to say that the merits 
 of it were ever regularly debated in Congress. One of 
 those objections is, that the members of the Grand Coun- 
 cil would be corrupted, and betray the interest of the 
 Colonies. To this you answer, " that if American virtue 
 was not firm enough to maintain liberty, it could be sup- 
 ported by no wisdom or policy whatever. But supposing 
 the people to be in so corrupt a state, yet as the election 
 was to be triennial, they might change them every three 
 years, &ic. ; and besides, to avoid all risks of the Country, 
 they might, by altering one word, as the plan, make the 
 election duannual or annual, which must certainly remove 
 the objection." No, Sir! it will not do yet, not even with 
 the alteration. For let us once suppose this darling plan 
 executed, an American Parliament met. Suppose when 
 thus met, a motion is made, showing the inconvenience and 
 difficulties of frequent elections, and proposing the making 
 a law extending their political existence for seven years ; 
 precedents may be pleaded for it. But, Sir, supposing this 
 Parliament to be but annual, may they not in one year, 
 one month, one day, nay, in one hour, pass a vote, which 
 may forever annihilate the liberties of all America 1 But 
 will you not trust the virtue of Americans! Sir, I entertain a 
 high reverence for the virtue of my countrymen. But the 
 trust is too sacred. Permit me to tell you, that neither 
 " wisdom or policy" would dictate the leaving the liberties 
 of a Country to the virtues of any men, however great or 
 conspicuous. We know too well the fallibility of human 
 nature, and both "wisdom and policy" teach us to sup- 
 port our liberlies with other props and pillars. I did not 
 intend to have touched on the merits of the plan, but when 
 1 saw one of the objections to it so mutilated, I thought 
 proper to state the objections more fully and forcibly. The 
 whole of the plan is confused, impracticable, and danger- 
 ous, as probably soon will be shown. 
 
 I have reserved till now, purposely, my remarks on the 
 gross abuse and calumny thrown out in your pamphlet 
 against the Congress. How unfair, how ungenerous, to 
 take detached parts of their proceedings, and from thence 
 draw inferences as to their principles ! How dare you, Sir, 
 in the face of America, assert that they have proposed no 
 plan of accommodation ? That every page conveys senti- 
 ments of independence ? Have they not expressly said, 
 (and is it not the groundwork of their whole proceedings,) 
 place America in the situation she was in before 1763, and 
 all our complaints will subside ? Is this not proposing a 
 plan of accommodation ? Yes, Sir, and the only reasonable 
 constitutional plan that can be devised. Tear away that 
 system of Revenue Laws, and their attendants, and peace 
 will be restored. And is this, Sir, talking of independence ? 
 Consider the Statutes prior to 1763, to which America con- 
 cedes obedience; consider the acknowledged prerogatives 
 of the King of Great Britain, in all the Colonies; the ap- 
 peal to the King and Council from judicial determinations ; 
 his negative to laws; and let any impartial man say, whe- 
 ther this is a system of independence. The labours and 
 virtue of the Congress in the cause of liberty, will, to latest 
 ages, be revered and esteemed, while you and your attempts 
 will only be remembered to show posterity that even in 
 these days of liberty, America had some degenerate sons — 
 a Jefferies and a Eilmer. 
 
 But, good Sir, before we part, let me ask you how you 
 came to publish your friend to the world as a man of no 
 principle or virtue. I see he has signed the Association. 
 I am told he signed the Petition to the King. I find in 
 the Association he says, (for it is certainly the act of all 
 who signed it,) " the present unhappy situation of our 
 affairs is occasioned by a ruinous system of Colony ad- 
 ministration, adopted by the British Ministry about the 
 year 1763, evidently calculated for enslaving those Colo- 
 nies." And, Sir, I find further, that he did, for himself 
 and those he represented, firmly agree and associate, un- 
 der the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love of his Coun- 
 
91 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 92 
 
 try, to carry the Association into execution. Let us now 
 hear your account of your friend's conduct. Deluded by 
 hopes that his plan would be considered, he was led weak- 
 ly to sign the Association. And your inference is plain, 
 that he is released from the obligation, because he was 
 disappointed in his expectation. What, Sir, would your 
 friend bind not only himself but his constituents to the per- 
 formance of an agreement which must, in his opinion, lead 
 to their destruction ? Does his notions of the " sacred ties 
 of honour, virtue, and love of his Country," sit so easy on 
 him, that he can enter into them to carry a favourite politi- 
 cal point, and shake them off at pleasure, when his views 
 are disappointed ? One of the Pennsylvania Delegates, 
 who dissented on the Association, and could not agree to 
 carry into execution, staid away and declined signing it. 
 I have now done with you. My view in writing these 
 hasty remarks was not merely to defend the Congress, but 
 to remove any bad impressions from your ill-grounded, 
 base, and illiberal attack on them. To the impartial pub- 
 lick I submit how far I have succeeded. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) CONVENTION. 
 
 At a Convention of Delegates from the several Towns 
 in the County of Cumberland, held at the Court-House in 
 Falmouth, Wednesday, March 8, 1775, 
 
 Enoch Freeman, Chairman. 
 
 Adjourned to the Assembly Room, twelve o'clock. 
 
 Met at the Assembly Room, according to adjournment. 
 
 The following new Members were admitted, viz : 
 
 From North Yarmouth — The Hon. Jeremiah Pow- 
 ell, Esquire, and Jonas Mason, Esquire. 
 
 From New Glocester — Mr. Abel Davis and Mr. 
 Moses Merril. 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention do earnestly recom- 
 mend to the several Towns in this County strictly to ob- 
 serve the Resolutions of the Provincial Congress with 
 respect to paying their Province Taxes to Henry Gard- 
 ner, Esquire, of Stow ; and considering the alarming situa- 
 tion which this Province is now unhappily brought into, it 
 is further recommended that they comply with this Resolve 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 Then adjourned to Thursday morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, March 9, 1775. 
 
 Met, according to adjournment. 
 
 Whereas, for the information of the inhabitants of the 
 remote Towns of this Count}', several of the Members 
 thereof are desirous of knowing the circumstances that 
 attend the importation of certain Goods which have arrived 
 in the harbour of Falmouth, from Bristol, since the first of 
 February last, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Parsons, Clerk of the Committee of 
 Inspection for said Falmouth, be desired to attend on this 
 Convention, with the proceedings of said Committee re- 
 specting said Goods. 
 
 Mr. Parsons accordingly attended with said proceed- 
 ings, which being read, 
 
 Voted, That Captain Thomas Coulson, the Importer 
 of said Goods, be desired to attend on this Convention. 
 
 Voted, That a Committee of three persons wait on 
 Captain Coulson, to desire his attendance. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. lsley, Col. Mitchel, and Col. Thomp- 
 son, be of this Committee. 
 
 Captain Coulson accordingly attended, and being asked 
 for a manifest of the cargo brought for him by a vessel which 
 lately arrived from Bristol, he presented to this Conven- 
 tion a manifest of two hogsheads of Lines and sundry Rig- 
 ging, Sails, and Stores for a new Ship lately built by him 
 in this place, which he said was the original and only ac- 
 count he had received of said cargo. Being then interro- 
 gated Whether he intended to send the same back to Bris- 
 tol, agreeable to the opinion of the Committee of Inspec- 
 tion for the Town of Falmouth, he answered, that he would 
 send back the vessel with the two hogsheads of Lines, 
 (when the vessel was repaired,) but that he could not send 
 back the Rigging, Sails, and Stores, as he wanted them for 
 his new Ship, which, he said, he could not send home 
 without, but that he was willing to let the vessel lay in the 
 habour with the said Ringing, Sails, and Stores on board, 
 until the sitting of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 Said Coulson was then asked whether he would send 
 back the said Vessel and Stores to Biistol, if it should be 
 the opinion of the said Congress that he ought so to do. 
 He answered that he would, if they would put him in a 
 way to get his said new Ship home ; but that otherwise he 
 could not do it. 
 
 Captain Coulson was likewise asked whether the articles 
 contained in the said manifest were all the vessel brought. 
 He answered that there was nothing else on board said ves- 
 sel ; that nothing had been taken out of her but a bed be- 
 longing to one of the sailors, and that nothing should be 
 taken out till he had the opinion of the Provincial Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Then adjourned to the Library Chamber, three o'clock, 
 P. M. 
 
 Three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met, according to adjournment. 
 
 After a full consideration of the foregoing matter respect- 
 ing Captain Coulson, it appears to this Convention that 
 the importation of the aforegoing Rigging, Sails, and Stores, 
 is a violation of the Continental Association. And whereas 
 the said Committee of Inspection have given it as their 
 opinion, that the same ought forthwith to be sent back, 
 without breaking any of the packages thereof ; therefore, 
 
 Voted, (by a majority of twenty-three to three,) That 
 this Convention do highly approve of the proceedings of 
 said Committee, and we do earnestly request that said 
 Committee would pursue every measure recommended by 
 the Association of the Continental Congress for putting 
 into execution the several articles thereof. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended, and it is hereby 
 strongly recommended to the several Towns in this Coun- 
 ty, that they immediately take effectual care to provide 
 themselves a stock of Ammunition, double at least to that 
 required by the Province Law, and such a quantity of 
 Provisions as may by them respectively be thought neces- 
 sary for the exigencies of the present season. And as it is 
 of the utmost importance that husbandry should at this day 
 be more particularly encouraged, it is earnestly recom- 
 mended that the inhabitants of this County would exert 
 themselves, as far as possible, to promote the raising such 
 necessaries of life as may be suitable to the qualities of their 
 respective lands. 
 
 Voted, That the several Members of this Convention 
 be and hereby are desired to recommend to the inhabitants 
 of their several Towns, strictly to adhere to the Resolves 
 of the Continental and Provincial Congresses. And that 
 they use their best endeavours to discourage riots, mobs, 
 and all tumultuous proceedings, and that they would en- 
 deavour, as much as in them lies, to promote peace, order, 
 and decorum, as essentially necessary for the safety of the 
 people at this critical day. 
 
 Voted, That such of the proceedings of this Conven- 
 tion be published as the Falmouth Delegates shall think fit. 
 
 Voted, That this Convention be dissolved. 
 
 Samuel Freeman, Clerk. 
 
 GEORGE MASON TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Gunston-Hall, (Virginia,) March 9, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I have at last finished the Potomack River 
 Bill, which I now send you, together with some very long 
 remarks thereon, and a letter to Mr. Johnston, into which 
 you will be pleased to put a wafer, when you forward the 
 other papers to him. I also return the Acts of Assembly, 
 and Mr. Johnston's notes which you sent me. This affair 
 has taken me five times as long as I expected ; and I do 
 assure you I never engaged in any thing which puzzled 
 me more — there were such a number of contingencies to 
 provide for, and drawing up laws, a thing so much out of 
 my way. 1 shall be well pleased if the pains I have bestow- 
 ed upon the subject prove of any service to so great an un- 
 dertaking. But by what I can understand, there will be so 
 strong an opposition from Baltimore and the head of the 
 Bay, as will go near to prevent its passage through the 
 Maryland Assembly in any shape it can be offered. 
 
 I suppose you have heard of the late purchase made by 
 some North-Carolina gentlemen from the Cherokee In- 
 dians, of all the country between the Great Kanawha and 
 the Tennessee Rivers. I think, considering this Colony 
 has just expended about One Hundred Thousand Pounds 
 
93 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 94 
 
 upon die defence of that country, that this is a pretty bold 
 stroke of the gentlemen. It is suspected some of our Vir- 
 ginia gentlemen are privately concerned in it. 
 
 I have always expected that the new-fangled doctrine 
 lately broached, of the Crown having no title beyond the 
 Alleghany Mountains until after the purchase at Fort 
 Stanwix, would produce a thousand other absurdities and 
 squabbles. However, if I am not mistaken, the Crown, at 
 that Treaty, purchased of the Six Nations all the Lands 
 as low as the Tennessee River. So now, I suppose, we 
 must have a formal trial, whether the Six Nations or the 
 Cherokees had the legal right ; but whether this is to be 
 done by Ejectment, Writ of Inquiry, Writ of Partition, or 
 what other process, let those who invented this curious dis- 
 tinction determine. The inattention of our Assembly to so 
 grand an object as the right of this Colony to the Western 
 Lands, is inexcusable, and the confusion it will introduce 
 endless. 
 
 We make but a poor hand of collecting ; very few pay, 
 though every body promises, except Mr. Hartshorn, of 
 Alt • andria, who flatly refused ; his conscience, I suppose, 
 would not suffer him to be concerned in paying for the in- 
 struments of death. Your affectionate humble servant, 
 
 G. Mason. 
 
 George Washington, Esquire. 
 
 Boston, (Monday,) Marcli 13, 1755. 
 
 Last Thursday morning, the 9th instant, a countryman 
 was tarred and feathered, and carried through some of 
 the streets of this Town by a party of Soldiers, attended 
 by some Officers. 
 
 The following is the man's own Deposition relative to 
 that affair, sworn to before a Magistrate, upon which we 
 shall make no remarks, but leave the publick to judge of 
 the conduct of some of those who are said to have been 
 sent among us to preserve peace and good order, and to 
 prevent mobs, tumults, and other unlawful assemblies. 
 
 Deposition of Thomas Ditson. 
 I, Thomas Ditson, Jun., of Billerica, husbandman, tes- 
 tify and declare, that while walking in Fore-street, on the 
 8th of March, in the forenoon, I inquired of some towns- 
 men, who had any guns to sell ? One, whom I did not 
 know, replied he had a very fine gun to sell. The man 
 appeared to be a Soldier, and I went with him to a house 
 where one was, whom the Soldier called Sergeant, and see- 
 ing some old clothes about the house, I asked whether they 
 sold such things. The Sergeant replied that they did fre- 
 quently. I then asked his price for an old red coat, ript to 
 pieces. He asked Three Shillings and Six Pence Sterling ; 
 but I refused to give it. Then one McClenchy, the Soldier 
 I met with at first in the street, said he had some old clothes 
 to sell, and sent his wife out after them to a man he called 
 Sergeant, and she soon brought an old jacket and an old 
 coat. I then asked him if he had any right to sell them, 
 and the Sergeant said that they frequently sold them, and 
 he would give me a writing if I desired it; but said there 
 was no occasion. I then bought the said coat and jacket, 
 and gave Two Pistareens, and then put the clothes in a 
 bag, which I left behind. After which I went to McClen- 
 chy's to see his gun, which he said was a very fine piece. 
 I asked him if he had any right to sell it. He replied he 
 had, and that the gun was his to dispose of at any time. I 
 then asked whether the sentry would not take it from me 
 at the Ferry, as I had heard that some persons had had 
 their guns taken from them, but never thought there was 
 any law against trading with a soldier. He then told me 
 he had stood sentry, and that they frequently let them 
 pass. He then asked me what I would give for the gun. 
 I told him I would give Four Dollars, if there was no risk 
 in carrying it over the Ferry. He said there was not, and 
 that I might rely on his word. I then agreed to give Four 
 Dollars for his gun, but did not take it nor pay the money. 
 Coming away , he followed me down stairs, and said there was 
 a Sergeant that had an old rusty piece he would sell cheap. 
 I asked him his price. He said he would sell it for One 
 Dollar and a Half, if I would pay the money down ; and 
 he urged me to take it. I then agreed to give him said 
 sum. His wife, as he called her, then came down, and 
 said, McClenchy, what are you going to do to bring that 
 man into a scrape. I then told them that if there was any 
 
 difficulty to give me my money again ; but he refused, and 
 replied his wife made an oration about nothing, and that 
 he had a right to sell his gun to any body. I was afraid 
 from her speaking, that there was something not right in 
 it, and left the gun ; and coming away, he followed me, 
 and urged the guns upon me. I told him I had rather not 
 take them, for fear of what his wife said. He then de- 
 clared there was no danger, for he had spoken to the Offi- 
 cer or sentry, who said he had a right to dispose of them, 
 and urged me to pay the Four Dollars I had offered for the 
 gun ; which I then refused,, and desired I might have the 
 One and Half Dollar back which I had paid him for the 
 gun. He refused, saying there was no danger, and damned 
 me for a fool. I then paid him the Four Dollars for the 
 good gun, but did not receive any one of them. After I 
 had paid the money, he then said, take care of yourself; and 
 the first thing I saw was some men coming up. 1 then 
 stept off to go after my great coat, but they followed and 
 seized me, and carried me to the Guard-house upon Fos- 
 ter's Wharf. This was about six or seven o'clock in the 
 evening. When I came into the Guard-house they read 
 me a law which I never before saw nor heard of. I was 
 detained there till about seven in the morning, when I ex- 
 pected I should have been obliged to pay the Five Pounds 
 mentioned in the law read to me, and hired a Regular to 
 carry a letter to some friends over the Ferry, which was to 
 desire them to come to me as quick as possible, with money 
 to pay my fine. Soon after the Sergeant came in and or- 
 dered me to strip. I then asked him what he was going 
 to do with me. He said, damn you I am going to serve 
 you as you have served our men ; then came in a Soldier 
 with a bucket of tar and a pillow of feathers. I was then 
 made to strip, which I did to my breeches ; they then tar- 
 red and feathered me ; and while they were doing it, an 
 Officer who stood at the door said, tar and feather his 
 breeches, which they accordingly did, and I was then tarred 
 and feathered from head to foot, and had a paper read to 
 me, which was then tied round my neck, but afterwards 
 turned behind me, with the following words wrote upon it, 
 to the best of my remembrance : " American Liberty, or 
 Democracy exemplified in a villian who attempted to entice 
 one of the Soldiersof His Majesty's Forty-Seventh Regiment 
 to desert, and take up Arms with Rebels against his King 
 and Country." I was then ordered to walk out and get into 
 a chair fastened upon trucks, which I did, when a number of 
 the King's Soldiers, as I imagined about forty or fifty, arm- 
 ed with guns and fixed bayonets, surrounded the trucks, 
 and they marched, with a number of Officers before them, 
 one of whom I was told was the Colonel of the Forty-Sev- 
 enth Regiment, who I have since heard was named Nesbit, 
 together with a number of drums and fifes, from the Wharf 
 up King-street, and down Fore-street, and then through 
 the main street passing the Governour's house, until they 
 came -to Liberty-tree ; they then turned up Frog-lane, and 
 made a halt, and a Sergeant, as I took him to be, said, 
 get down. I then asked him which way I should go. and 
 he said, where you please. Near the Governour's house, 
 the inhabitants pressed in upon the Soldiers ; the latter ap- 
 peared to me to be angry, and I was then afraid they would 
 have fired, they being ordered to load their muskets, which 
 they did. Thomas Ditson, Jun. 
 
 Suffolk, Boston, ss., March 9. 1775 : 
 
 The above-named Thomas Ditson, Jun., personally ap- 
 pearing, maketh solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing 
 Deposition by him subscribed. Before 
 
 Edm. Quincey, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 
 NO. V. 
 
 Boston, March 9, 1775. 
 My Friends and Fellow-Citizens : In our last we 
 showed that the torrent of evidence, the run of history, 
 a series of facts, the scheme of British policy, the prin- 
 ciples of the English Constitution, and the prevailing sen- 
 timents of our predecessors, and the English Nation, all 
 united in support of our claim. Perhaps there is no one 
 fact in all historick existence of a similar nature, and the 
 same antiquity, supported by such a variety of arguments 
 and uniformity of evidence. Was it a truth, that by our 
 Charter we were to be considered as a distinct State uniting 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 under one common Sovereign with our Mother Country, 
 we could not have reasonably expected fuller proof, at this 
 day, near a hundred and forty years since. Many truths 
 more recent have nothing but habit and usage to stand upon. 
 Evidence, like all other things, wastes by the current of 
 time. It is diminished in passing from one generation to 
 another, in the same proportion as it is removed from those 
 transactions to which it is applicable. That which is cer- 
 tainty in one age (such is the constitution of human affairs 
 in the present imperfect state) may become probability the 
 next, and by a third, dwindle into a bare possibility. It is 
 a maxim, that where a proposition is attended with as much 
 evidence as the nature of the thing will admit, and could 
 reasonably be expected, upon supposition of its truth, there 
 the mind ought to yield its assent, and embrace the posi- 
 tion. 
 
 As on the one hand it must be confessed there are in- 
 stances where the Nation hath chosen to consider us as sub- 
 ject to her supreme authority, and our predecessors, from 
 an unsuspecting confidence and veneration for their Mother 
 Country, (that authority not being the object immediately 
 in view, or the question under consideration) have inadver- 
 tently done, or omitted to do, that which may be construed 
 into a seeming concession. And what rights or privileges 
 are enjoyed by any people under Heaven, which have not 
 been at one time or another invaded? So, on the other 
 hand, there are instances where the Nation has disclaimed 
 this authority ; and our ancestors, whenever it has been 
 made a question directly, have declared themselves with 
 spirit, in the strongest terms against it. Supposing, then, 
 for the present, that nothing absolutely conclusive could be 
 inferred from the sense of the Nation, or the sentiments of 
 our predecessors, after the reception of the Charter, it 
 would not materially affect the argument. For had there 
 been a perfect harmony of sentiment, and uniformity 
 of practice, all conspiring to proclaim our union and con- 
 sequent subjection, it would, indeed, have been circumstan- 
 tial evidence of a previous connexion ; but would not, of 
 itself, have united us or confirmed our dependance, if we 
 were not united before. Such evidence, however cogent, 
 can never invalidate that of a higher nature; nor is it ad- 
 missible, where we have direct positive proof. In the pre- 
 sent case we have the deed of compact, the Charter-rights in 
 our own hands, under the solemnities of seals, and the estab- 
 lished formalities of law ; we can, therefore, judge for our- 
 selves, and ought to do it from the perceptions of our own 
 minds, and not upon the authority of others. 
 
 Admitting, for argument's sake, that it was the opinion 
 of both parties that this Colony was united to the British 
 Empire in such a sense as to be subject to her supreme 
 Legislative authority, and that the subsequent line of con- 
 duct observed by both corresponded with such an appre- 
 hension, it only proves them guilty of an egregious mistake, 
 arising from inattention to consequences, or a confusion of 
 ideas. 
 
 It is admitted by all ; it is an indisputable truth, that our 
 predecessors came to America with the express and noto- 
 rious design of enjoying, and in the first instance actually 
 declared for a free Government. It is equally true that 
 the British Nation never pretended, nor does she even now 
 pretend, to any authority over us, which she apprehends 
 inconsistent with such a Government. This was what was 
 declared for at the first, and agreed to by all parties as a 
 leading and controlling principle throughout the whole 
 transaction. This was the cardinal hinge on which all their 
 movements were to turn — the broad and permanent basis 
 on which their civil superstructure was to rise. Every 
 transaction, therefore, mutual or partial, abhorrent to this 
 principle, however clear and formal, must be void ab initio, 
 as founded in errour — going upon a mistaken supposition 
 of its compatibility with our general position. Supposing, 
 then, that our Charter proved, and it was clearly the sense 
 of the parties to it, that we were to be bound by British 
 laws in all cases whatever ; if it can be shown that such 
 an agreement was repugnant to their first and common 
 principle, its obligation ceases, as founded on mistake, and 
 void from the beginning. This general agreement that our 
 Government should be free, dispenses with, and voids the 
 obligation of the particular one, that it should be subject 
 to the authority of Parliament, if they are incompatible with 
 each other. 
 
 To a fair and impartial consideration of the consistency 
 and possible co-operation of these two principles, let us 
 now afford our close attention. At first blush I confess 
 they strike me as heterogeneous. Let us examine them. 
 The very terms, Free Governments, plainly suppose that 
 there are such sort of creatures in being as Governments 
 that are not free, to which they are opposed. These are 
 ordinarily called, in common parlance, as well as in techni- 
 cal language of the law, absolute, arbitrary, tyrannick, des- 
 potick, Sic, and the subjects of them are, with equal pro- 
 priety, said to be in a state of bondage, servitude, vassal- 
 age, and slavery. 
 
 Tyranny, despotism, and the like, are general abstract 
 terms, expressive of a certain relation subsisting between 
 different communities, or different parts of the same com- 
 munity, similar to that subsisting between a master and his 
 servant, from which the term slavery, as applicable to 
 States, probably took its rise. An individual who has the 
 absolute right to direct the conduct, dispose of the property, 
 and command the services of another, is, with propriety, 
 called a master. The person who is under an obligation 
 to obey his commands and submit to his authority, is, in 
 appellation and reality, his servant. It is this right of com- 
 manding, and obligation to obey, that constitutes the servi- 
 tude, and not the actual exercise of it. He is a good mas- 
 ter that does not use his right, but still he is a master, and 
 may become a hard — a cruel one, at pleasure. 
 
 A community so organized as to have one supreme pow- 
 er, may be resembled to a single person, which speaks and 
 commands by the voice of law. If this community has 
 an absolute right to direct the conduct, dispose of the 
 property, and command the service of another State ; or, 
 in other words, to make laws binding upon it in all cases 
 whatsoever, it stands precisely in the same relation to this 
 State that a master stands in to his servant; and, of conse- 
 quence, it is in a condition of complete servility, and the 
 individuals composing it in abject slavery. The same holds 
 with respect to different parts of the same State. It is 
 of no importance as it regards the relation, that the right 
 or authority is not exercised, or is used with lenity. This, 
 indeed, may determine the character of the master State, 
 in point of goodness, but the servile relation still remains. 
 Soon may it exert itself to its utmost latitude, with un- 
 bounded rigour and accumulated vengeance. Recent facts 
 evince the truth of this observation. Look to your Capi- 
 tal, the head and heart of this Province. Give way tore- 
 flection for a moment. There you may learn possible pro- 
 jections from real executions, and argue coming calamities 
 from the power of afflicting. The question for us to de- 
 termine, my countrymen, then is, whether we will be slaves 
 or freemen ; for I defy the veriest Tory of them all, the 
 accutest jacobite that ever lived, to difference our case from 
 the above stated ones. 
 
 If our positions are then true, and our reasonings upon 
 them unsophisticated, the conclusion is irresistible, not only 
 that we are exempted from the supreme authority of the 
 British Parliament, but also that she is inconsistent with her- 
 self in claiming our subjection ; as she does not pretend, 
 in profession at least, even now, when nothing but her own 
 power and will bounds her pretensions, to any authority in- 
 consistent with civil liberty, or the rights of Englishmen ; 
 and yet assumes a power subversive of their real essence, 
 and very shadows. Such is the conduct of those who sit 
 at the helm, and by the reins of modern policy have prac- 
 tised the Nation into present measures. We hope if com- 
 mon sense, political discernment, and public virtue, have 
 forsaken the mansions of high life, they are still resident 
 in the Island, and will soon unite superiour to opposition. 
 
 Perhaps it will be said, as has been often said with little 
 truth and less knowledge, if we were perfectly independent 
 in the first formation of our Government, we have rendered 
 ourselves since dependant by our General Assemblies re- 
 cognising the authority of Parliament, and submitting to 
 her Acts, in various instances; and by our receiving pro- 
 tection from our Parent State. To which we answer, that 
 it was not in the power of all the Assemblies, from their 
 first commencement to the present day, to have effected 
 this union and consequent dependance. 
 
 The authority of General Courts do not extend to the 
 alteration of the fundamentals of Governments, much less 
 to their subversion. This can be done only by the express 
 
97 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 98 
 
 voice of the whole people at large. The Govemour, 
 Council, and House of Representatives, which compose 
 the Assembly, are creatures of, and derive all their power 
 from a Constitution agreed upon and previously established, 
 which has for its prirnum mobile, groundwork and leading 
 principle, Liberty, civil and religious. All transactions, 
 therefore, growing out of such a Constitution, and founded 
 upon it, as are the acts and doings of an Assembly, must 
 breathe the spirit of freedom, and be governed by it, as 
 by a pole-star in the political hemisphere. The election 
 of Deputies, from time to time, is only a designation of 
 persons, who are immediately vested with their authority 
 by the foundation-principles of Government. Their power 
 is only in a line of conduct chalked out by the Constitu- 
 tion. In their deviations they act in their private capacity, 
 and not as the substitutes of the people. Acting within 
 their delegated sphere, their constituents are, in specula- 
 tion, virtually present, acting themselves by the votes and 
 suffrages of their Representatives. This is what gives 
 universal obligation to their proceedings. But it would 
 be absurd to suppose a privity between principals and sub- 
 stitutes, respecting a matter for which the former were not 
 represented. Hence the irresistible conclusion, that our 
 Constitution has not been destroyed or altered by Provin- 
 cial Assemblies. 
 
 This is not only a truth in politicks, but also a certainty 
 in metaphysicks. It is the first principles of Government 
 that give political existence to substitutes, and support 
 them in every instance of their publick conduct ; of conse- 
 quence these principles must be pre-existent in point of 
 time to every constitutional transaction of theirs. Repre- 
 sentatives, then, to effect the ruin or subversion of the 
 Constitution, must remain such by virtue of it, during the 
 p r ocess, and until they complete its destruction ; and so it 
 must survive its own dissolution, acting after it ceases to 
 be. And further, if they can act as Representatives the 
 very instant it is destroyed, which they must, in order to 
 complete its ruin, they can for the succeeding, and so on. 
 The consequence of which would be obviously this, that 
 there could be substitutes of the people to act according to 
 a Constitution, when there was no such thing existing in 
 nature. An absurdity of the first magnitude. The same 
 argument holds with respect to an alteration. This rea- 
 soning may be unentertaining, and at first view will perhaps 
 seem a little obscure to a mind not cast in a metaphysical 
 mould. I aim at perspicuity, at the expense of elegance, 
 in every instance of ratiocination ; if in this I have failed 
 of success, it is imputable to a misfortune in the choice of 
 words, not to a confusion of perceptions. Sure I am, that 
 I clearly perceive the connection, or disagreement of ideas, 
 and that you must subscribe to my conclusions, being mas- 
 ters of the train of reasoning as it passed in my own mind. 
 Our opposers must either deny our premises, or admit our 
 inference ; that is, they must deny that Representatives are 
 constitutional officers, and, as such, bound by it; or ad- 
 mit that we are still independent of the Parent State, not- 
 withstanding their supposed recognition of the authority of 
 Parliament. I have laboured this the more, as it is a 
 general truth so very material in politicks. It was directly 
 in the face of this principle that the British Senate be- 
 came septennial, which probably is the cause, sine qua non, 
 of our present difficulties. However, the application of 
 this principle, as now established, is obvious, and its use 
 important in the present case, as it evinces, to a demon- 
 stration, that had our Assemblies (which is directly the 
 reverse of the truth, as we have already proved) not only 
 acquiesced in, and submitted to Statutes enacted by the 
 British Legislature, but had also, in express terms and in a 
 manner the most cogent, passed Acts declaring this Pro- 
 vince annexed to the Empire of Great Britain, and, as 
 such, subject to her laws, this would by no means have 
 united us without the consent of the people, nor have 
 given our Parent State any new rights over us. Such 
 Acts must have been void in their own nature. 
 
 A fortiori the adopting of the Statute and Common 
 Law of England in our Courts of Justice, argues no such 
 connection, or subjection, though it has been urged with a 
 zeal not according to knowledge by some, and an address 
 nearly allied to chicanery by others. It is the misfortune, 
 generally, of arguments adduced in support of errour, like 
 Prior's darts, to return with effect upon those who advance 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 them. If the practising upon the Common and Statute 
 Law of England in our judicial proceedings, implied our 
 subjection to her authority, (and if it does not prove 
 this it proves nothing to the purpose,) for the same reason 
 Great Britain's practising upon the laws of the Nor- 
 mans, Saxons, &c, would prove her subject to those North- 
 ern Powers; and the adopting the Civil Law of Rome, 
 without an Act of their own Legislature, would infer the 
 Briton's subjection to her infallible authority ; which would 
 carry the Nation right back again into the bosom of that 
 mother of harlots, from whose arms Henry the Eighth 
 wrested our parent, that he might enjoy the foster indul- 
 gence of a kinder companion. From this instance, learn 
 what motives may reach a Royal breast. As a single 
 amour induced one King to change the National Religion 
 from the Roman Catholick to the Protestant, so a passion 
 not more justifiable, though perhaps less personal, may in- 
 fluence some future Monarch to barter away the Protestant 
 for the religion of the Canadians. Ages may first roll 
 away. Empires roll and roll, and will forever roll. It is 
 said they steer a Western course. Unborn Americans may 
 bid them welcome. Present actors speed their progress ; 
 and future patriots enjoy their blessings. But to return to 
 the subject. 
 
 The genuine history of the matter is simply this : The 
 Common Law of a Country is of reciprocal and personal 
 obligation upon each of its inhabitants, independent of the 
 law-giver. In England it is considered as the birthright 
 of Englishmen. When individuals remove to Countries 
 uninhabited, or to Territories already peopled, if they do 
 not incorporate with the original inhabitants, so as to be 
 subject to their laws, they are considered as carrying with 
 them, and being bound by those laws which were obliga- 
 tory upon them in the abandoned State, so far as is appli- 
 cable, upon change of circumstances, with other necessary 
 restrictions. And this, not because they are the Statutes 
 of the deserted State, but as they are convenient rules of 
 conduct, which had induced a mutual, personal obligation, 
 whose force was to be commensurate with the possibility 
 and fitness of their operation. In this view our ancestors 
 considered themselves bringing from the land of their na- 
 tivity the Common Law, together with such Statutes as 
 were in being at the time of their emigration, disclaiming 
 the validity of all subsequent Acts. Our Courts of Justice 
 have always been thoroughly penetrated with a sense of 
 the propriety of this distinction. If, in some instances, un- 
 mindful of their judicial department, in favorem, to say 
 the least of it, they have trespassed in untrodden paths, 
 and, by a dangerous metamorphose, become Legislators, 
 it would be as irrational to argue our subjection from this 
 extra-judicial courtly conduct, as from the aberration of the 
 fixed stars. But I quit the delicate subject. A sentiment 
 of the ingenious Blackstone is much to our purpose. 
 " For," says that learned Judge, " the Common Law of 
 England, as such, has no allowance or authority in our 
 American Plantations, they being not part of the Mother 
 Country." 
 
 The affair of receiving protection from Great Britain, is 
 an argument urged, I presume, for the want of a better. On 
 this score, it has with truth been said, we owe her nothing. 
 Our Trade, which she monopolizes, as to its profit, is more 
 than an equivalent. From this she realizes annual millions ; 
 by this we cheerfully pay her, like children possessing pro- 
 perty, a large annuity, as has been clearly shown in the in- 
 genious observations of the inimitable Novanglus, to which 
 I beg leave to refer you. But if our arrears were great, 
 would it give her a right to make us her slaves ? In our 
 infant state, and during the long and bloody conflicts with 
 the savage natives, she neither gave, or offered us aid. Of 
 later years, we have neither wanted, or received protec- 
 tion, except from the bare existence of her Navy, in com- 
 mon with Portugal, and other places, in the articles of 
 Trade and Commerce, and this for her own emolument. 
 The American Trade carries its own reward with it, espe- 
 cially to the Parent State, which names, with the strict- 
 est attention to her own interest, the ports and channels 
 of its circulation. We are, and from the beginning have 
 been, of sufficient ability to defend ourselves against all our 
 own proper enemies. And what is more, we actually have 
 done it. Mr. Hutchinson, in his History, speaking of the 
 famous Phillipick war, says : "This is certain, as this Colo- 
 
 7 
 
99 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 100 
 
 ny was at first settled, so it was now preserved from ruin, 
 without any charge to the Mother Country." We have 
 ever contributed our full proportion ("or the annoyance of 
 the common adversary, in the last war, America was one 
 of the principal seats of action. It was a National, a Bri- 
 tish, a general war, originating from National motives, and 
 directed against Britain's inveterate enemy. We were 
 not involved in it as Americans, as Colonists, but as sub- 
 jects of the King of England. When war is made upon 
 a common Sovereign, it must have a local existence. It 
 is accidental that one particular place, rather than another, 
 is made the scene of it. Therefore it most certainly ought 
 to be supported by the joint assistance of the whole. As 
 subjects of au English King, we have always been lavish 
 of men and money for military operations. In the last 
 war we much exceeded our proportion ; at the close of 
 which a reimbursement was made us by Parliament. For 
 the truth of this, we may appeal to the recorded acknow- 
 ledgment of the House of Commons. This undisputed 
 fact proves, also, to the satisfaction of every reasonable 
 man, that we had not been deficient on former occasions ; 
 otherwise she would not have reimbursed to us what had 
 been long due to herself. Since this period, it must be 
 confessed, her exertions have been very extraordinary for 
 the administration of justice and the support of Civil Go- 
 vernment in America, and in this Province in particular. 
 Within a year, Ships have been manned, and Annies trans- 
 ported at a great expense, destined to our Ports and Towns, 
 to distress, impoverish, abuse, and enslave the best of sub- 
 jects. Whether we are bound to bear a part of this ex- 
 pense ; to pay the whole ; or ten thousand times as much, 
 if the Parliament should call for it, is the question we are 
 considering. 
 
 But we stand upon a foundation still more stable, deeper 
 rooted, and more highly exalted, whose chief corner-stone 
 was laid in Heaven. Nature has disjoined us by one of 
 her insuperable barriers — an Ocean, a thousand leagues 
 wide. And her Omnipotent Sovereign has rendered the 
 union, and consequent subjection contended for, morally 
 impossible, by making us moral agents, subject to the im- 
 mutable and eternal laws of our being. We can challenge 
 a freedom ; challenge rights inconsistent with the claims of 
 Parliament under the broad seal of Heaven — from the 
 King of Kings, and Lord of all the earth ; rights that 
 were born with us ; created in us by the decrees of Provi- 
 dence; that cannot be surrendered even by ourselves; that 
 cannot be taken from us but by the same Almighty arm 
 that bestowed them. So that had it been the sense of our 
 ancestors, the sense of the King, and the sense of the Na- 
 tion previous to our emigration, that we were to continue 
 subject to the Parent State ; had we declared for this sub- 
 jection in the first instance ; had we received a Charter in 
 confirmation of this declaration ; had our Assemblies and 
 Courts of Justice strengthened and corroborated this rela- 
 tion by unnumbered acts and proceedings ; had the body of 
 the people, with full satisfaction and indescriptive avidity, 
 sanctified the same by their express fiat ; and lastly, had we 
 been defended by the parental arm from our first settlement 
 to the present day, and still needed the same protection ; I 
 say, had this been the slate of facts, the reverse of all which 
 we have proved to be true, it would not, it could not oblige 
 us to submit to the supreme authority of Parliament to the 
 degree she contends for. For this would be to relinquish 
 our duty which we owe to that Being whose will alone 
 gives universal obligation. 
 
 Such is the nature of man, such the constitution of 
 things, that his duty is discoverable by reason, aided by 
 revelation ; and is discharged by conforming to the laws of 
 eternal justice, and the practice of every social virtue. On 
 this depends man's truest happiness and best good. This 
 happiness is said to be the foundation of natural law, or 
 ethicks, it being inseparably interwoven with our frame, 
 and forming all the principles and springs of action. This 
 natural law is coeval with mankind, implanted by the 
 Deity, and of the highest obligation. It is binding all 
 over the globe, in all countries, at all times; the same at 
 Rome, at Athens, in Britain, and America. No Senate, 
 no Parliament, no Assembly, can dispense with it, retrench 
 or alter it. Whoever violates it, says Cicero, renounces 
 his own nature, divests himself of humanity, and will bo 
 rigorously chastised for bis disobedience in the coming 
 
 world. No law, no transaction repugnant to this law, 
 is of any validity. It is the origin of all power, and the 
 support of all authority. 
 
 We being then, in common with all mankind, under an 
 indispensable obligation to pursue our own happiness in a 
 course of religious and social duties ; it will hence follow, 
 that we cannot surrender those rights which are necessary 
 for our happiness, or give up that liberty which is necessary 
 for the performance of our duty : also, that we cannot 
 divest ourselves of our natural freedom, so far as to submit 
 to the absolute will either of an individual or a State, who 
 might treat us according to their arbitrary whim and fancy. 
 This is what Great Britain requires of us. This is the 
 situation into which she has for years been plotting to force 
 us.* A voluntary submission to her claim in its full lati- 
 tude will be submitting to a necessity of doing whatever 
 she commands, of course to the necessity of doing wrong 
 at her sovereign nod ; for I presume she does not as yet 
 pretend to infallibility. In short, it would be in effect 
 abandoning our lives, which we are not masters of; renoun- 
 cing our duty, which we are not permitted to do; selling 
 our Country, our wives, and our children, which are not 
 ours so to dispose of; betraying our religion, which would 
 be treason against Christ; and exchanging happiness for 
 misery, which would be, as much as in us lay, reversing 
 God's benevolent plan of moral Government in the world. 
 
 To illustrate this by a similar instance. Suppose in 
 some future day Great Britain, intoxicated by a lust for 
 innovations, dazzled with the overflowings of power, un- 
 checked by her own sentiments, or our cries and groans, 
 which would never reach her, should pass a law tolerating 
 the Papistical religion in all the English Colonies; sup- 
 pose she should advance one step further, and establish it 
 with disqualifications and penalties, (the transition being 
 easy from one to the other.) To submit to such a law 
 would be betraying our religion, to oppose treason and 
 rebellion, the consequence of which would be loss of life, 
 confiscation of goods, corruption of blood, and a reducing 
 to beggary wives and children. I do not mention this as 
 what would probably lake place : it is enough that it is 
 possible. The established religion of the Nation has been 
 repeatedly changed. What has been may again be. The 
 claim of Parliament is to legislate for us in all cases what- 
 ever. If she establishes this claim, we are slaves; I speak 
 it with anguish — we are miserable ! 
 
 To put ourselves then into the absolute power of another, 
 be it State or individual, is violating a first law of nature, 
 whose seat has been said " to be the bosom of God ; her 
 voice the harmony of the world. All things in Heaven 
 and earth do her homage ; the very least as feeling her 
 care, and the greatest as not exempted from her power." 
 
 The next inquiry is, whether successful opposition be 
 possible ; if possible, whether prudent and safe. If mea- 
 suring upon the scale of probability, we are led to conclude 
 in favour of both, our duty is plain. 
 
 From the County of Hampshire. 
 
 FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Boston, March 9, 1775. 
 My worthy Friends and Felloic- Count rymen : 
 
 The more I reflect upon the Petition, so called, of the 
 American Continental Congress to the King, the more 1 
 am surprised, astonished, and amazed at the unaccountable 
 folly it discovers. One would think that an assembly, 
 allowed on all hands to be unknown in the Constitution, 
 would, in an undertaking of this kind, have endeavoured 
 to obviate any objections to their authority by the modera- 
 tion, truth, justice, and equity of their complaints; would 
 have recommended themselves by that decent demeanour 
 and dutiful behaviour which would have insured an atten- 
 tion to their requests from the Throne, and interested the 
 Nation in their favour ; but alas for us, we find them, con- 
 trary to their own declaration, actuated by "a restless 
 levity of temper, unjust impulses of ambition, and artful 
 suggestions of seditious persons," instead of that quiet 
 submission to lawful authority, that decent moderation, 
 and those loyal principles which ought to have been the 
 characteristic's of their councils. 
 
 * By Great Britain, I would bo understood to moan those Ministers 
 who have been vibrating tho political pendulum. 
 
101 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 102 
 
 But I shall waive any further general observations, until 
 I have particularly examined the remaining grievances 
 complained of, of which the next in order, is, " The Judges 
 of Courts of common law have been made entirely depend- 
 ant on one part of the Legislature for their salaries, as well 
 as for the duration of their commissions." 
 
 By this, so far as it respects this Province, can be in- 
 tended only the Judges of the Superiour Court, as it is 
 confined to such as receive salaries ; and the Judges of the 
 Inferiour Courts have only court fees, upon the several 
 causes which come before them. And here let us exam- 
 ine what was formerly our situation in this respect, and 
 thence determine the expediency, propriety, and necessity 
 of the alteration. The Judges of the Superiour Court 
 were before dependant upon the annual grants of the 
 House of Representatives for their salaries, which have 
 ever been so small, that they would scarce defray the 
 necessary expense of attending the Courts, and never suffi- 
 cient to maintain a family ; so that unless the Judges had 
 a private estate to subsist their families upon, they must 
 have been constantly kept in the most pressing circum- 
 stances, if not greatly involved in debt. Of this repeated 
 remonstrances were made and petitions presented for relief, 
 but without success ; and what was a still greater hardship, 
 they were in continual danger, that by any unpopular adju- 
 dications, even these scanty pittances would be curtailed. 
 Under these circumstances, could the dignity of the King's 
 Judges be properly supported and preserved? Could they 
 act with that firmness, spirit, freedom, and resolution re- 
 quisite to maintain so important a character? Could they 
 be considered as not " dependant on one part of the Legis- 
 lature for their salaries ?" 
 
 To these questions let every impartial observer return 
 an answer, and determine for himself, whether they were 
 rendered more dependant on one part of the Legislature, 
 when they were made entirely independent of every part. 
 Add to this, that they and some other Civil Officers who 
 where formerly paid by the Province, are now paid out of 
 that fund which you are taught to believe is squandered 
 away upon a set of worthless placemen and pensioners; 
 and thereby an internal tax upon your estates for these pur- 
 poses prevented. As to the " duration of their commis- 
 sions," they are now removable only by an order from 
 His Majesty, under his sign manual : and it is paying but 
 an ill compliment to His Most Excellent Majesty, whom 
 they profess to believe the gracious father of his people, 
 and ever attentive to the reasonable complaints of his sub- 
 jects, to suppose that he will make an improper or wanton 
 use of this power. However, there is no doubt to be en- 
 tertained, that even in this instance, as soon as we return 
 to our former state of obedience, such an alteration will be 
 made upon a dutiful application to the King and Parlia- 
 ment, as will remove every ground of complaint on this 
 account. 
 
 The next article is, " Counsellors holding their com- 
 missions during pleasure, exercise Legislative authority." 
 This is very extraordinary ; we all profess to think the 
 British Constitution the best that now is or ever has been 
 established in the world; we are all striving after the rights, 
 liberties, and privileges of Englishmen ; we all wish to be 
 under a Government as nearly similar as the difference of 
 our circumstances will admit; and yet this alteration, which 
 certainly reduces us to a much nearer resemblance of that 
 great original, which we so much and so justly admire, is 
 complained of as a grievance. Before the late Act of Par- 
 liament for regulating the government of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay — for I consider this grievance as confined to this 
 Province, for reasons I shall hereafter explain — the Coun- 
 cil was annually chosen by the House of Representatives, 
 and consequently, by adopting any unpopular measures, 
 were in danger of losing their election the ensuing year. 
 This we have seen verified in many instances of the most 
 worthy and sensible men in the Province being left out of 
 the Council merely on this account. On the other hand, 
 if any members, who were zealous in support of the popu- 
 lar schemes were elected into the Council, they were lia- 
 ble to be turned or kept out by the negative which the 
 Governour had upon the election. By the late Act they 
 are appointed by His Majesty, with the consent of his 
 Privy Council, and rendered independent of any branch of 
 
 the Legislature here, and, therefore, may be presumed to 
 be impartial and unbiased in their councils. In which of 
 those modes of appointment the Council best resembles 
 the House of Lords in England, who hold their seats by 
 hereditary right, independent of the King or the Commons, 
 let every one judge for himself, and thence conclude what 
 a grievance we labour under in this respect. 
 
 They go on to complain that " humble and reasonable 
 Petitions from the Representatives of the people have 
 been fruitless." Had they been more explicit in their 
 declaration of the instances of this kind referred to, we 
 might better judge of the justice of their complaint. The 
 Congress knew that in consequence of the Petitions from 
 the Colonies, the Stamp Act was repealed ; they knew 
 that certain Duties, imposed upon several articles by ano- 
 ther Act of Parliament, were taken oft* in consequence of 
 a similar application, from all the articles except Tea, and 
 that this was kept on only to save the legal and constitu- 
 tional right and supreme jurisdiction of the British Parlia- 
 ment ; they know that whenever this right is acknowledged, 
 and their honour thereby saved, that even this Duty will 
 be taken off, and no further occasion of complaint given. 
 They must have seen, that, had it not been for the high- 
 handed, unwarrantable measures adopted by those who 
 call themselves Whigs ; had they instead thereof proposed 
 any plan of accommodation, any means of settling the 
 dispute amicably and honourably; all things would have 
 been adjusted upon an equitable, a constitutional and 
 permanent foundation. There can be no reasonable doubt 
 that this has been the disposition of Administration for 
 some years past; but that our daring outrageous beha- 
 viour, instead of the " humble and reasonable Petitions 
 from the Representatives of the people" that we are 
 told of, has compelled them to use coercive measures, to 
 bring us to a due sense of that dependance upon the Bri- 
 tish Nation which our forefathers, and we, until very 
 lately, have uniformly acknowledged. Can it be supposed 
 that a powerful, a brave-spirited, and generous Nation 
 can, on the one hand, admit such extravagant claims as the 
 Colonies now set up, or, on the other, entertain a design 
 of oppressing and enslaving them ? Both these things are 
 equally incompatible with her own interest, and therefore 
 equally improbable. Yet you are made to believe them 
 by your leaders, who find it their interest to fish in troubled 
 waters ; who know that as soon as the ball of contention is 
 once taken away, they must sink into their native obscuri- 
 ty, and therefore seek their own advancement in your ruin. 
 Could I suppose that views so dishonourable and base 
 influenced the British Councils, as an attempt to injure and 
 enslave you, no one would more readily join heart and 
 hand in a forcible opposition to their measures, if all 
 peaceable and reasonable means failed of success. But I 
 am firmly persuaded, and upon the best grounds, that your 
 fears are without foundation ; that your danger exists only 
 in your own imaginations ; and I pray God that your eyes 
 may be opened, that you may see things in their true and 
 natural colours, and escape the impending evils before they 
 burst upon you. 
 
 The next complaint is, that " the agents of the people 
 have been discountenanced, and Governours have been in- 
 structed to prevent the payment of their salaries." Let us 
 examine the grounds of this complaint. Formerly, while 
 we were convinced that our own interest was inseparably 
 connected with that of Great Britain ; while we were wil- 
 ling to submit to the rightful exercise of her authority over 
 us, and in this submission found that we were happy, 
 peaceful, and free, an agent was chosen by the three 
 branches of the Legislature, who took care of the concerns 
 of the Province at the Court of Great Britain. To this 
 no objection was ever made, but a salary was granted and 
 regularly paid, and the interest of the Province carefully 
 attended to by the agent. Of late years the demagogues 
 on this side the Atlantick, finding they should not be able 
 to accomplish their sinister purposes unless they had an 
 agent of their own appointment, who would join in for- 
 warding and promoting their own rash measures, deter- 
 mined to effect this point ; accordingly the House of Re- 
 presentatives, when they found the Governour would not 
 approve the choice of an agent they had made, to answer 
 these ends, instead of electing a suitable person, in whom 
 
103 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 104 
 
 all parties might agree, proceeded in their separate capaci- 
 ty to choose one, who should serve the House alone, and 
 the Council appointed one for themselves. These agents 
 were never admitted as such, at any board or office in 
 England, not being properly appointed, and were there- 
 fore useless to all good intents and purposes whatever. This 
 measure was also justly deemed offensive by His Majesty, 
 as introducing unnecessary innovations, and he accordingly, 
 to save a useless expense of money to the Province, in- 
 structed his Governour to refuse his consent to the pay- 
 ment of the salaries granted to the agents thus appointed, 
 which he, without doubt, had not only a legal and consti- 
 tutional right to do, but therein consulted the true interest 
 of the Province, and which ought by no means to be con- 
 sidered as a grievance, as every valuable, just, and lawful 
 purpose may be answered by the former as well as the 
 latter mode of election. With how much reason, then, 
 a complaint is made on this account, it is for you, my 
 fellow-countrymen, to determine, before you adopt any 
 forcible measures for redress. Admitting, indeed, that 
 these things are really illegal and oppressive, every me- 
 thod ought to be tried for relief before you proceed to such 
 desperate extremities ; and if you fail of success, you ought 
 even then to consider whether the miseries and calamities 
 necessarily attendant upon and consequent to a forcible 
 opposition to the Parent State, do not far exceed any ad- 
 vantages which you can expect to gain from the fullest 
 satisfaction of your wishes in this unnatural contest. But 
 when you consider that your complaints are for the most 
 part groundless, that you are seduced, deceived, and mis- 
 led by your worst enemies, under the mask of patriots, you 
 cannot, I think, hesitate immediately to think and judge 
 for yourselves, to exercise that virtue, prudence, and wis- 
 dom, which you naturally possess; and now, while it is in 
 your power, secure your happiness and freedom undimin- 
 ished, lest you be finally compelled to make the greatest 
 sacrifices to maintain even a partial enjoyment of them. 
 
 Phileirene. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Boston, March 9, 1775. 
 Please to insert the following Recantation and Confes- 
 sion : — 
 
 To err is incident to every human being, but candidly to 
 confess errours when conscious of them, I am apprehenvsie 
 is the property of but few. No man is blame-worthy 
 for natural imperfection, but obstinacy and perverseness, as 
 they are enemies to truth and right, so they are character- 
 istick of a wrong head and a bad heart. 1 am now about 
 to produce to the world one instance of a candid acknow- 
 ledgment of having possessed erroneous principles in poli- 
 ticks, and consequently must have been guilty of a wrong 
 conduct in society. In the beginning of our political con- 
 fusion here in America, I was what you may truly call a 
 Whig, in the modern acceptation of the word. Not that 1 
 ever justified or countenanced mobs and riots ; I was ever 
 an advocate of harmony, peace, and good order in society. 
 But being so often told, and conceiving it to be the basis 
 of the English Constitution, that no person, properly quali- 
 fied, should have his money taken from him but by his own 
 consent, or that of his Representative, I conceived it to be 
 unconstitutional even for the Parliament of Great Bri- 
 tain to make any Act which should necessarily and un- 
 avoidably affect the properties of the Colonists. I con- 
 ceived, moreover, that though we were subjects of the King 
 of England, yet we had a Constitution of our own, no 
 ways controllable by the Lords and Commons of Great 
 Britain ; and that the Parliament had no more right to 
 legislate for us, than our Legislature here had to legislate 
 for them. (Such was, I now freely confess, my ignorance 
 then of the English Government and Constitution, and the 
 relation between the Colonics and the Parent State, which 
 I now plainly perceive, taken altogether, compose one en- 
 tire Empire, and the Parliament its supreme legislative 
 head.) 
 
 Upon these principles, when the Stamp Act first came 
 over, which, if carried into execution, would necessarily 
 affect our properties, I loudly exclaimed against it, and 
 considered it as a most violent infraction of the English 
 
 Constitution, and a direct taxing of the Colonies. That 
 Act, so inexpedient and unreasonable in its nature and 
 operation, was never carried into execution, but speedily 
 repealed, though succeeded by another, which we appre- 
 hended almost as bad, viz: An Act for imposing duty on 
 Glass, Painters' Colours, Paper, Tea, &tc, articles which, 
 though not absolutely necessary for life, yet so very useful, 
 that we could not well do without them ; and besides, the 
 duty was solely for the purpose of raising a Revenue in 
 America, and was introductory to every other species of 
 taxation. The design was very evident in the Stamp Act, 
 therefore the general cry was, among us Whigs, (or patri- 
 ots, as we called ourselves,) let us by all means oppose it 
 with violence ; if we do not, we shall become the most 
 abject slaves to the Parliament of Great Britain. Our 
 opposition was the means of the Stamp Act being repeal- 
 ed, and will produce the same effect as to this, if we show 
 the same temper and resolution. The truth was, the duty 
 was soon taken off from all the articles except Tea, 
 (though I now believe more owing to the influence of our 
 friends at home, than our clamour here.) We then, how- 
 ever, exulted in our patriotism, and considered ourselves 
 as the instruments of saving our Country from impending 
 ruin. We were so elated with success, that we doubted 
 not any Act of Parliament relative to the Colonies would 
 be repealed, if we opposed it with firmness and resolution. 
 Our pride was so elevated, that we could not have patience 
 with those who would not heartily join us in our plan. We 
 considered them as cowardly wretches, or mean, selfish 
 governmental expectants. Our candour and charity did 
 not extend so far as to suppose it possible for them to 
 speak their real sentiments when they differed from us. 
 My conscience now, upon recollection, abundantly tells 
 me how deficient I was at that time, in those amiable 
 qualities. 
 
 We were not, however, entirely acquiescent, though we 
 had struck such a noble stroke, and got the duty taken off 
 of every article but one, it was with great reluctance we 
 could suffer it to remain on Tea ; but as the Merchants in 
 this Province (who, though their profession is Commerce, 
 are generally the springs which keep in motion the wheels 
 of Government) appeared to be tolerably easy, (some im- 
 porting Tea directly from England, paying the duty, 
 others illicitly running it from the Dutch, taking their 
 chance of seizure,) the spirit of uneasiness seemed in some 
 measure to subside, and both Whigs and Tories purchased 
 and drank Tea freely in this Province, without particular 
 inquiry whether it paid the duty or not, from the year 
 1767, to the time the East India Company were permitted 
 by Parliament to send their Tea immediately to America. 
 This, like a spark falling upon gunpowder, immediately 
 set us into a flame again. We considered the Parliament 
 as granting a monopoly to one trading Company, to the 
 detriment of all America. We then thought it our duty 
 once more to rouse ourselves in defence of our injured 
 Country. Though I was very warm in the cause, yet I 
 never advised to the destruction of the Tea, but, in an evil 
 hour, it was all destroyed. The particular circumstances 
 are too well known to need repeating ; but it is a thousand 
 pities they could not be buried in eternal oblivion. The 
 action struck me so horridly, as being repugnant to even- 
 principle of justice, and a downright piece of piracy, that 
 1 could not help exclaiming against it, as being pregnant 
 with the most ruinous consequences to us. I then began 
 to be afraid of the chastisement of an incensed and power- 
 ful Nation. 1 thought it was high time to stop in our ca- 
 reer, and seriously consider what we were about, lest we 
 should plunge ourselves into ruin before we were aware of 
 it. But my brother Whigs, having more courage and reso- 
 lution than I had, perceiving me to begin to waver, exert- 
 ed themselves to keep up my spirits, and continually ex- 
 horted me to stand firm and unshaken. Nothing is want- 
 ing, said they, but resolution and unity ; desperate diseases 
 require desperate remedies; we have, as it were, passed 
 the Bubicon ; the other Colonies will stand by us ; our 
 Committees of Correspondence have wisely taken care to 
 secure their principal men ; if we do not appear unani- 
 mous, we are lost; we must not look back, but forward; 
 we are afraid of nothing but the miscreant Tories, who en- 
 deavour to prevent our union ; we must keep them down 
 
105 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 106 
 
 by continued threats, and now and then a little chastise- 
 ment; the Printers we have got under our thumbs; they 
 dare not print any thing but what is on the side of liberty ; 
 if any one of them does, we are determined he shall lose 
 our custom ; and never fear, if we only stand firm in our 
 opposition, we gain our point. 
 
 Still further to secure me and keep me steadfast, (for 
 they were sensible I had some influence,) they chose me 
 one in a Committee of Correspondence, &tc, and then, I 
 acknowledge, I was for a considerable time wound up to a 
 higher pitch of enthusiasm than ever. We met often ; in- 
 deed we made it almost our whole business ; but our con- 
 versation was altogether upon politicks, and always upon 
 the side of liberty, rights, and privileges. Every argu- 
 ment was defensive of liberty, and instead of an opponent, 
 each was an applauder of the other, and a reviler of all 
 Tories; and each, perhaps to inspirit the other, expressed 
 more than was his just and real sentiments. The same 
 thing took place with respect to other Committees, with 
 whom we always kept up a continued intercourse by let- 
 ters. How often have we expressed ourselves, with a 
 studied zeal and determined resolution, purposely to pre- 
 vent any flagging of spirit in other Committees, and how 
 often have we received as spirited answers in reply ! Thus 
 we went on animating and supporting each other, till the 
 Suffolk Resolves appeared ; then, I acknowledge, I was 
 almost as much struck as when the Tea was destroyed, but 
 throughout our circle shouts of applause echoed round the 
 room. I could not help at that time seriously observing, 
 that I was fearful we went too fast ; the Continental Con- 
 gress, which was then sitting, might not justify such very 
 spirited Resolves, and then our cause would be injured, 
 as we must certainly acquiesce in their determinations. 
 Therefore I apprehended it would be most prudent lor us to 
 take our hints from them, rather than lead. The reply 
 was, that our Delegates were men of sense, and some of 
 thern good speakers ; one of them particularly could carry 
 almost any point he was determined upon, therefore they 
 must have great influence in the Congress; and as there 
 was a continued correspondence kept up between the 
 Committee of Boston and the Delegates, there was no 
 doubt but they were apprized of them previously to their 
 publication, and depended upon their being adopted by the 
 Continental Congress. Accordingly they were adopted 
 and approved of, though they do not appear in the pamph- 
 let containing their doings. But still, notwithstanding 
 the authority of the Continental Congress, and the high 
 spirits and assurance of our and other Committees, I 
 could not help, upon serious reflection, when alone, having 
 many compunctions of heart, as it evidently appeared to 
 me that all could not be right. The course seemed to me 
 to lead directly to rebellion, which my soul abhorred, and 
 was never in my intention. 
 
 From that time I was determined seriously and impar- 
 tially to examine for myself, and attend to all that was said 
 on both sides. Our custom ever had been, not to attend, 
 and scarcely to read any thing that was not wrote on the 
 right side of the question, as we called it. The first thing 
 I read with attention was a letter from a Virginian to the 
 Continental Congress, while they were sitting at Philadel- 
 phia. That letter I found contained many serious and 
 just observations, sufficient to awaken in any unprejudiced 
 mind alarming apprehensions of the consequences of our 
 hasty conduct. Afterwards I met with the " Friendly Ad- 
 dress," and many other pamphlets wrote on the side of 
 Government, together with some excellent pieces publish- 
 ed in Mills and Hicks's, and Draper's Papers. These, 
 taken altogether, seem to me fairly to lay open and ex- 
 pose the whole scene of our political errours and iniquities. 
 And what confirms me still more in the justness of their 
 observations, and the conclusiveness of their reasonings is, 
 that they seem unanswerable by the whole Whig party. 
 The weak and futile replies that have been made to some 
 of them do not deserve the name of answers. What I have 
 seen contains little more than scurrility and illiberal abuse ; 
 instead of sober reason and candid reply, they spend their 
 shafts in invective and indecent railing. Indeed, from the 
 beginning, notwithstanding my prejudices io favour of their 
 cause, I have been often disgusted at their manner of treat- 
 ing men and measures. It appeared to me it was by no 
 
 means calculated to persuade or convince serious and ra- 
 tional men. I am now fully convinced, however high I 
 once was, that the cause of the Whigs is not a just one, 
 otherwise they surely must have defended it with a better 
 appearance of reason and plausibility. Another reason 
 which tended not a little to cure me of my whiggish prin- 
 ciples, was the crabbed fruits they produced. In contend- 
 ing for liberty, they seem inclinable to engross it all them- 
 selves; the prevailing temper and disposition among them 
 seems by no means to be pacifick ; they are arbitrary and 
 even tyrannical in the whole tenour of their conduct ; they 
 allow not to others who differ from them the same liberty 
 of thinking and acting that they claim themselves, but 
 shamefully abuse them, and treat them with spite, malice, 
 and revenge. The instances of that kind are too numerous 
 and notorious to require a particular detail. 
 
 How shockingly extravagant are the late Resolves of 
 the County of Worcester 1 What a shameful attempt to 
 discourage the liberty of the Press, that glorious palladium 
 of English liberty. Let an honest Whig seriously consider 
 whether such a conduct can flow from good principles, any 
 more than a bad tree can bring forth good fruit. I now 
 seriously advise all my former brethren of the Whig party 
 to follow me in my recantation, rather than to throw out 
 squibs at me in Edes and Gill's, or Thomas's Papers. All 
 that I can now do, (and that I shall do,) in the way of 
 atonement for my former whiggish conduct, is to endea- 
 vour to proselyte as many as I can ; and I find myself hap- 
 py in being as successful at least in leading people from 
 errour, as 1 was once in persuading them into it. 
 
 A Converted Whig. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO MR. RIVINGTON, IN NEW-YORK, 
 DATED BOSTON, MARCH 9, 1775. 
 
 Last Monday the annual Oration was pronounced in the 
 old South Meeting ; there was a very numerous audience. 
 Some gentlemen of the Army placed themselves on the 
 top of the pulpit stairs. In the pulpit were Warren, the 
 orator of the day, Hancock, Adams, Church, &.c. &.c. 
 I had been informed that the Military were determined not 
 to suffer the least expression that had a tendency to reflect 
 on the King or Royal family to pass with impunity; of 
 course, my attention was directed to their conduct on the 
 critical occasion. The Republican was, I fancy, appre- 
 hensive of this, for through the whole oration there was 
 an affectation of loyalty and veneration for the King and 
 the Brunswick line ; it was, however, replete with invec- 
 tive, inflammatory expressions, denials of Parliamentary 
 claim, abuse of Ministry, &tc, &c. The officers frequent- 
 ly interrupted Warren by laughing loudly at the most 
 ludicrous parts, and coughing and hemming at the most 
 seditious, to the great discontent of the devoted citizens. 
 The oration, however, was finished ; and it was aftewards 
 moved by Adams that an orator should be named for the 
 ensuing fifth of March, to commemorate " the bloody and 
 horrid massacre, perpetrated by a party of soldiers under 
 the command of Captain T. Preston." At this the officers 
 could no longer contain themselves, but exclaimed, Jie, 
 shame ! and, Jie, shame! was echoed by all the Navy and 
 Military in the place ; this caused a violent confusion, and 
 in an instant the windows were thrown open, and the 
 affrighted Yankees jumped out by fifties, so that in a few 
 minutes we should have had an empty house ; in the mean- 
 time, a very genteel, sensible officer, dressed in gold-lace 
 regimentals, with blue lapels, moved with indignation at 
 the insult offered the Army, since Captain Preston had 
 been fairly tried and most honourably acquitted by a Bos- 
 ton Jury, advanced to Hancock and Adams, and spoke his 
 sentiments to them in plain English ; the latter told the 
 officer he knew him, and would settle the matter with the 
 General ; the man of honour replied, " you and I must set- 
 tle it first." At this the demagogue turned pale and waived 
 the discourse. It is said this gallant gentleman's life is 
 threatened, but I fancy there is little danger. The Town 
 was perfectly quiet all night ; no exhibition or ringing of 
 bells; they knew better. 
 
 You will soon have in New-York the Asia, a fine Sixty- 
 four, commanded by an excellent seaman, son of your old 
 friend Sir George Vandeput. 
 
107 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, lie, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 108 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the Govemour and Company 
 of the English Colony of Connecticut, in New-England, 
 in America, holtlen at New-Haven, by adjournment and 
 special order of the Govemour of said Colony, on Thurs- 
 day, the second day of March, Annoque Domini, 1775 : 
 
 It being represented to this Assembly that Abraham 
 Blackslce, of New-Haven, Captain of a Military Company 
 in the Second Regiment in this Colony, is disaffected to 
 this Government, and the privileges thereof, as established 
 by Charter, and has frequently spoken contemptuously of 
 the measure taken by this Assembly for maintaining the 
 same, and threatened to act in his office in opposition to 
 the lawful authority of the Colony contrary to the duty of 
 his office : 
 
 Resolved, By this Assembly, that James A. Hilhouse 
 and Samuel Bishop, Esquires, be, and they are hereby 
 appointed a Committee to inquire into said matters, and 
 make report of what they find, with their opinion thereon, 
 to this Assembly at the next session. 
 
 It having been represented to this Assembly that Isaac 
 Quintard, of Stamford, in the County of Fairfield, Cap- 
 tain of the Second Military Company in the Town of 
 Stamford, in the Ninth Regiment in this Colony, and Filer 
 Dibble, of said Stamford, Captain of the First Military 
 Company in the Town of Stamford, in said Regiment, at 
 said Stamford, in January last, in contempt of the author- 
 ity in this Colony, did attempt and endeavour to prevent 
 the introduction of certain barrels of Gunpowder into this 
 Colony for the Government use, agreeable to the order 
 and directions of legal authority, which conduct is incon- 
 sistent with the duty of their said office and of dangerous 
 tendency: 
 
 Whereupon it is Resolved, By this Assembly, that Gold 
 Sillick Silliman, and Jonathan Sturgess, Esquires, be, and 
 they are hereby appointed Commissioners, and are fully 
 authorized and empowered to notify said Quintard and 
 Dibble to appear before them, at such time and place as 
 shall be by them appointed, and to examine the witnesses 
 relative to said conduct, and examine into the truth of said 
 representation, and to report what they shall find to the 
 General Assembly, at their session in May next. 
 
 It being represented to this House, that the Towns of 
 Ridgfield and Newtown have come into and published 
 certain Resolutions injurious to the rights of this Colony, 
 in direct opposition to the repeated Resolves of this House, 
 and of dangerous tendency: 
 
 Resolved, That Col. Joseph Piatt Cook and Col. John 
 Read, be a Committee to inquire into the truth of said 
 representation, and how far any person or persons holding 
 commissions under this Government have been any way 
 active or concerned in promoting the measures taken by 
 said Towns, and make report of what they shall find to the 
 General Assembly, to be held at Hartford, in May next. 
 
 Wednesday, March 8, 1775. 
 
 In the House of Representatives of the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, assembled at New-Haven : — 
 
 Whereas, our brethren of the Town of Boston have 
 long suffered, and are yet suffering under the hand of 
 oppression, grievous and unparalleled hardships and distress- 
 es, in consequence of their resolution to support the great 
 principles of Constitutional Liberty ; and having endured, 
 and yet enduring those sufferings in the common cause of 
 America, with most exemplary fortitude and magnanimity ; 
 the principles of humanity and justice to ourselves and 
 them, require that they should not be left to sink under 
 the weight of burdens which, without assistance, may be- 
 come absolutely insupportable. 
 
 And although many donations have been made them by 
 this and the other Colonies; yet, upon authentick intelli- 
 gence, it appears they are inadequate to the real distresses 
 in which thousands of their innocent and virtuous inhabi- 
 tants are involved by means as aforesaid. 
 
 This House, taking the matters aforesaid into their serious 
 consideration, do Resolve, That it be, and it is hereby 
 earnestly recommended to the several Towns in this Colo- 
 ny, to continue cheerfully and liberally to contribute to the 
 relief of their suffering brethren in said Town, according 
 to the several abilities which Divine Providence has given 
 
 them ; esteeming it an incumbent duty, and an acceptable 
 service in the sight of God and their Country. 
 
 By order of the House, 
 
 William Williams, Speaker. 
 
 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 
 
 New-Haven, March, 1775. 
 
 Colony of Connecticut, ss. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this House be given to 
 the worthy and patriotick House of Assembly for the 
 Island of Jamaica, for their kind and seasonable mediation 
 in favour of the Colonies on this Continent, by their late 
 humble Petition and Remonstrance to His Majesty. And 
 that the Speaker of this House be, and he is hereby 
 directed to write to the said Honourable Assembly, and 
 enclose a copy of this Resolution ; also of the Resolution 
 of this House, at their session in May, 1773, appointing a 
 Committee of Correspondence, and invite them to come 
 into that, or a similar method of mutually communicating 
 such intelligence, as may be of publick importance, and 
 more immediately affecting the inhabitants of the British 
 Colonies and Islands in America. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Colony of Connecticut, Lebanon, March 14, 1775. 
 
 Sir: In pursuance of the direction of the Honourable 
 House of Representatives for this Colony, I have the plea- 
 sure of transmitting the enclosed Resolutions, and at the 
 same time to return you their unfeigned thanks for your 
 late kind and seasonable, yet spirited and pertinent media- 
 tion, in their behalf, by your Remonstrance and Petition to 
 His Most Gracious Majesty. 
 
 The clear knowledge you have of the inherent and una- 
 lienated rights of the Colonists, and the readiness you 
 have shewn to assert them, with a temper and firmness 
 worthy of such a cause, of Englishmen and Americans, at 
 once reflects the highest honour on your worthy and patrio- 
 tick Assembly, and merits the most grateful acknowledg- 
 ments of this whole Continent. 
 
 The unnatural contest between the Parliament of Great 
 Britain and these Colonies is at length, by the unwearied 
 efforts of our enemies for a course of years, brought (to all 
 human appearance) near to a most alarming crisis; in 
 which, threatened as we are by the dreadful alternative of 
 surrendering all for which our fathers suffered and bled, all 
 that is deserving of men, Englishmen and Americans, in 
 life ; or suffer all the horrours of a military contention with 
 the Parent State ; the striking union of these Colonies, 
 a consciousness of the justice of our cause, and the recti- 
 tude of our views, with the approbation of our fellow-men, 
 seem, under Heaven, our greatest consolation and support. 
 
 The representations of so respectable a body as the As- 
 sembly of your large and important Island will, we flatter 
 ourselves, meet with the most favourable attention of His 
 Majesty and his Ministers, and have a happy tendency 
 towards procuring for us and you, (and indeed the whole 
 Nation, ultimately interested in this great common cause,) 
 the redress of those grievances under which we labour, 
 and the establishment of the liberties and privileges of the 
 whole Empire, on the most sure and permanent basis. 
 
 We shall ever be happy in keeping up an intercourse 
 with your Island, and shall, from time to time, with plea- 
 sure embrace every opportunity to give you the earliest 
 intelligence, of whatever we shall judge of publick concern, 
 or more immediately affecting the Colonies in general, or 
 your Island in particular; and shall gratefully receive the 
 like favours from you. 
 
 I am, by order, and in behalf of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives for this Colony, Sir, your most obedient and very 
 humble servant, Wm. Williams, Speaker. 
 
 Hon. Speaker of the House of Assembly, Jamaica. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE HONOURABLE J. TRUMBULL, GOVER- 
 NOUR OF CONNECTICUT, TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH, 
 ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF 
 STATE. 
 
 New-Haven, March, 1775. 
 
 My Lord: I duly received your Lordship's Letter of 
 the 10th of December last, enclosing His Most Gracious 
 Majesty's Speech to his Parliament, and the Addresses in 
 
109 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1175. 
 
 answer thereto, which I have taken the earliest opportunity 
 to lay before the General Assembly of the Colony ; and 
 am now to return you their thanks for this communica- 
 tion. 
 
 It is, my Lord, wkh the deepest concern and anxiety, 
 that we contemplate the unhappy dissensions which have 
 taken place between the Colonies and Great Britain, which 
 must be attended with the most fatal consequences to both, 
 unless speedily terminated. We consider the interests of 
 the two Countries as inseparable, and are shocked at the 
 idea of any disunion between them. We wish for nothing 
 so much as a speedy and happy settlement upon constitu- 
 tional grounds, and cannot apprehend why it might not be 
 effected, if proper steps were taken. It is certainly an ob- 
 ject of that importance as to merit the attention of every 
 wise and good man, and the accomplishment of it would 
 add lustre to the first character upon earth. 
 
 The origin and progress of these unhappy disputes, we 
 need not point out to you ; they are perfectly known to 
 your Lordship. From apprehensions on one side, and jea- 
 lousies, fears, and distresses on the other, fomented and in- 
 creased by the representations of artful and designing men, 
 unfriendly to the liberties of America, they have risen to 
 that alarming height at which we now see them, threaten- 
 ing the most essential prejudice, if not entire ruin, to the 
 whole Empire. On the one hand, we do assure your 
 Lordship that we do not wish to weaken or impair the au- 
 thority of the British Parliament in any matters essential 
 to the welfare and happiness of the whole Empire. On 
 the other, it will be admitted that it is our duty, and that 
 we should be even highly culpable, if we should not claim 
 and maintain the constitutional rights and liberties derived 
 to us as men and Englishmen ; as the descendants of Bri- 
 tors, and members of an Empire whose fundamental prin- 
 ciple is the liberty and security of the subject. British 
 supremacy and American liberty are not incompatible with 
 each other. They have been seen to exist and flourish to- 
 gether for more than a century r . What now renders them 
 inconsistent? Or, if any thing be further necessary to as- 
 certain the one or limit the other, why may it not be ami- 
 cably adjusted, every occasion and ground of future con- 
 troversy be removed, and all that has unfortunately passed, 
 be buried in perpetual oblivion ? 
 
 The good people of this Colony, my Lord, are unfeign- 
 edly loyal, and firmly attached to His Majesty's person, 
 family, and Government. They are willing and ready, 
 freely as they have formerly most cheerfully done upon 
 every requisition made to them, to contribute to the ut- 
 most of their abilities to the support of His Majesty's Gov- 
 ernment, and to devote their lives and fortunes to his ser- 
 vice ; and, in the last war, did actually expend in His Ma- 
 jesty's service more than Four Hundred Thousand Pounds 
 Sterling beyond what they received any compensation for. 
 But the unlimited powers lately claimed by the British 
 Parliament drove them to the borders of despair. These 
 powers, carried into execution, will deprive them of all 
 property, and are incompatible with every idea of civil lib- 
 erty. They must hold all that they possess at the will of 
 others, and will have no property which they can, volunta- 
 rily and as freemen, lay at the foot of the Throne as a mark 
 of their affection and devotion to His Majesty's service. 
 
 Why, my Lord, should our fellow-subjects in Great 
 Britain alone enjoy the high honour and satisfaction of 
 presenting their free gifts to their Sovereign ? Or, if this 
 be a distinction in which they will permit none to partici- 
 pate with them ; yet, in point of honour, it should be 
 founded on the gift of their own property, and not of that 
 of their fellow-subjects in the more distant parts of the 
 Empire. 
 
 It is with particular concern and anxiety that we see the 
 unhappy situation of our fellow-subjects in the Town of 
 Boston, in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay , where 
 we behold many thousands of His Majesty's virtuous and 
 loyal subjects reduced to the utmost distress by the opera- 
 tion of the Port Act, and the whole Province thrown into 
 a state of anarchy and confusion, by the Act for changing 
 the Constitution of the Province, and depriving them of 
 some of their Charter-rights. We are at a loss to conceive 
 how the destruction of the East-India Company's Tea 
 could be a just or reasonable ground for punishing so se- 
 verely thousands of innocent people who had no hand in 
 
 that transaction, and that even without giving them anv 
 opportunity to be heard in their own defence. 
 
 [And we submit whether the conditions of their being 
 restored to their former privileges, are not becoming im- 
 practicable under their present circumstances, since the 
 Town is not, by law, authorized to tax the inhabitants for 
 such a purpose ; and the Province is not permitted the pri- 
 vilege of the Assembly ; nor, they conceive, could they 
 constitutionally hold one, until their Charter-rights are re- 
 stored. Indeed, how can they constitutionally give His 
 Majesty any security for their future good behaviour, but 
 by their Representatives in General Assembly. Were the 
 Acts for shuiting up their Port and altering the Govern- 
 ment of the Province, repealed ; the armed force with- 
 drawn from Boston, and the people put upon a footing to 
 act freely and constitutionally, we cannot doubt but that as 
 they have, upon all former occasions, shown themselves to 
 be a generous, brave, and loyal people, they would comply 
 with any reasonable requisition that should be made by his 
 Majesty.] 
 
 Give us leave to recommend to your Lordship's most 
 serious and candid attention the unhappy case of that dis- 
 tressed people, and in effect of all the Colonies, whose 
 fate seems to be involved in theirs, and who are therefore 
 most anxiously distressed for them. Permit us to hope, 
 that, by your Lordship's kind and benevolent interposition, 
 some wise and happy plan will be devised which may re- 
 lieve us from our present anxieties, and restore that harmo- 
 ny between Great Britain and the Colonies, which we 
 all most ardently wish for, and which alone can render us 
 truly happy. 
 
 I am, my Lord, in behalf of the Governour and Com- 
 pany of Connecticut , my Lord, your Lordship's most obe- 
 dient and most humble servant, 
 
 General Assembly, New-Haven, March, 1775. 
 In the Upper House the foregoing draught for a Letter 
 to the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth, one of 
 His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, being read, 
 is approved, and his Honour the Governour is desired 
 to sign a transcript thereof, and transmit the same to his 
 Lordship as soon as opportunity will permit. 
 
 Test : Geokge Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 In the Lower House, Mr. Strong, Mr. Deane, Colo- 
 nel Talcott, Mr. Hosiner, Mr. Wales, and Mr. Sturgess, 
 are appointed a Committee to confer with such gentle- 
 men as the Honourable Upper House shall appoint to con- 
 fer on the subject-matter of the foregoing Letter. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, William Samuel Johnson and 
 Oliver Wolcolt, Esquires, are appointed to confer with 
 the Committee of the Lower House on the subject-matter 
 of the foregoing Letters. 
 
 Test : George Wyllys, Secretary." 
 
 [At the Conference of the Committees of the two Houses, it was 
 agreed to amend the draught by striking out the paragraph between 
 brackets, in which form it was adopted by the Lower House. J 
 
 General Assembly, New-Haven, March, 1775. 
 In the Lower House, the foregoing draught for a Letter 
 to the Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's Principal 
 Secretaries of State, is read and approved, and his Hon- 
 our the Governour is desired to sign a transcript thereof, 
 and transmit the same to his Lordship as soon as opportu- 
 nity will permit. Test : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Concurred in in the Upper House. 
 
 Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CONNECTICUT TO MR. R1V- 
 INGTON, NEW-YORK, DATED MARCH 13, 1775. 
 
 Our Assembly met on the 2d of March. The two first 
 days were chiefly employed in examination of the conduct 
 of Captain Glover and the Representatives of Bidgfield, 
 which Town had very freely declared against adopting the 
 Congress's measures. A Committee was appointed to su- 
 perintend this business, and make a report at the next May 
 session. The debates of a week's duration upon the mat- 
 ters cost the Colony One Hundred and Seventy-Five 
 Pounds. In the next place, many long and learned ar- 
 
Ill 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 112 
 
 guments were produced by the old leaven, the Repub- 
 licans, urging the necessity of an Army to be immediately 
 raised. The matter was recommended to a Committee, 
 consisting of the most inflammatory and the truest malig- 
 nant men, who openly declare for independence. After 
 two days they produced a Report, as follows : 
 
 " That a Major General and two Brigadier Generals be 
 appointed ; that ten thousand bushels of Wheat, two thou- 
 sand barrels of Pork, three thousand stands of Arms with 
 Bayonets, be provided ; and the Assembly emit Bills to 
 the amount of Thirty Thousand Pounds, lawful money." 
 
 This was craftily concerted ; for had the Bill succeeded, 
 of course a subsequent one must have passed to raise a 
 number of Troops to eat the provisions. But Heaven be 
 praised, by this time the eyes of the most respectable Mem- 
 bers were opened ; they saw that all the old firebrands 
 were the promoters of these destructive measures ; and to 
 the eternal honour of many Members who spoke and acted 
 on behalf of the Constitution, a majority of the House 
 was roused, and they then proceeded to vote by paragraph 
 upon the Bill. They allowed the creation of General Of- 
 ficers, but all the rest were thrown out of the House ; and, 
 instead of the destructive measure concerted by the Crom- 
 wellites, a vote was passed by a great majority to petition 
 his Majesty for a redress of such American grievances as 
 should be enumerated by a Committee then appointed by 
 the House to compose and report it for their approbation. 
 
 This Assembly was a special one, called for the express 
 purpose of raising, Sic, six thousand men. And notwith- 
 standing the Secretary and Squire WyUys, who went to Cam- 
 bridge to consult the Provincial Congress, assured the House 
 that the Congress then met at Cambridge, on mature deli- 
 beration, wanted not assistance from this Colony, they being 
 sufficiently able to fight all the Troops General Gage had 
 
 then at Boston, our warm sons of insisted on raising 
 
 an Army in this Province, and, at any rate, drive the 
 King's General out of this religious land. 
 
 A Letter, carrying with it, in effect, a Petition, was sent 
 clown to the Lower House from the Upper House, address- 
 ed to Lord Dartmouth. The Wasp immediately seized, 
 and clumsily attacked those parts of it which were calcu- 
 lated to conciliate and restore harmony between Great 
 Britain and America; but he was overruled, and returned 
 home grievously disappointed. 
 
 LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN CONNECTICUT TO MR. 
 HOLT, NEW-YORK, DATED MARCH 29, 1775. 
 
 Mr. James Jiivington has often been animadverted on 
 in a publick manner, and sundry Resolves have been pass- 
 ed in the different Colonies, respecting his conduct as a 
 Printer; not only as being partial, but as publishing false- 
 hoods tending to disunite them in their great struggle to 
 support constitutional liberty, destroy their mutual confi- 
 dence, and render abortive that system of conduct recom- 
 mended by the Congress as the most certain and advisable 
 expedient for obtaining a redress of our grievances. Mr. 
 Rivington, or his partisans, have represented this as an 
 attempt to destroy the liberty of the press. But shall a 
 press disgorge calumny and falsehood with impunity ? Shall 
 the most innocent actions of a community be traversed, 
 and the most reputable characters, even Legislative bodies, 
 be traduced with passive tameness? This would be a tacit 
 acknowledgment of the charge. Is it not notorious, that 
 he, while America is anxiously struggling to preserve her 
 constitutional liberties, like an invidious spy, watches every 
 motion towards the grand point, and strives to frustrate 
 every design, by disseminating distrust and falsehood among 
 the people, in order to intimidate or divide them, thereby 
 rendering his press an engine of tyranny, as well as a sink 
 of the most impure productions. An instance of this we 
 have, in his " uninfluenced" paper of last week, termed 
 " Extract of a Letter from Connecticut." 
 
 It is evident, from the whole strain of this epistle, that 
 the writer attempts to set the General Assembly of this 
 Colony in a disadvantageous point of light, villify and dis- 
 grace some of its most worthy members, and create a dis- 
 trust of them among the Colonies, as though they had 
 changed measures, which is wide of the truth, as I shall 
 show anon. He says — 
 
 " Our Assembly met on the second of March, and the 
 
 two first days were spent in examining the conduct of Cap- 
 tain Glover and the Ridgfield Representatives, which had 
 declared against the measures of the Congress." Here he 
 stumbles at the very threshold ; I am very certain nothing 
 of that matter was debated the first day. His account of 
 the Committee is very confused ; if it is intelligible, he 
 means the Committee were appointed to superintend the 
 examination of the Representatives ; but while the House 
 spent two days in examining them, how could any Com- 
 mittee superintend ? Did they appoint a Committee to 
 superintend themselves ? He says a Committee were 
 appointed to superintend the business, and make report in 
 May. The meaning (if any) is obscure, at best. If he 
 intends such a Committee were appointed to superintend 
 the examination of the first two days, or while the exami- 
 nation lasted, it is not true. 
 
 He next observes : " The debates of a week's dura- 
 tion upon the matter cost the Colony One Hundred and 
 Seventy-five Pounds." Here, again, he needs a comment. 
 If he is intelligible, he must mean a week was spent in 
 debating such matters as he had before mentioned, i. e. 
 examining the Representatives ; but this is not true. At 
 first he speaks of but two days himself, and I before ob- 
 served on the first day none of his matters were agitated ; 
 now he seems to assign a whole week to that business, for 
 he can't be supposed so silly as to accuse the Assembly of 
 sitting a week on matters at large. His design was doubt- 
 less to insinuate that the House spent a week about a 
 trifling examination, which cost the Colony One Hundred 
 and Seventy-Five Pounds. This might raise a clamour, 
 and this, I charitably believe, was his design. 
 
 The next clause is remarkable ; he says, " In the next, 
 many long and learned arguments were produced by the 
 old leaven, the Republicans, urging the necessity of an 
 Army to be immediately raised ; the matter was recom- 
 mended to a Committee, consisting of the most inflamma- 
 tory, who openly declare for independence." Such a 
 high charge against the Committee ought to be supported 
 by the strongest evidence ; but the whole weight rests on 
 the mere ipse dixit of an anonymous author. Should this 
 dirty performance gain any credit, what idea must the com- 
 munity entertain of the Committee, and Assembly that 
 appointed them ? He says, " They were Republicans, 
 who openly declare for independence, i. e. such as disavow 
 Monarchy, and admit no King to preside in the State." 
 Is this true ? I ask this vile calumniator whether he ever 
 heard any such doctrine advanced in that Assembly, or by 
 the Members of it ? If so, let him support the charge, and 
 give us his name ; otherwise he will be accounted a ma- 
 licious defamer. Is a Printer to be tolerated who charges 
 the Representatives of a Colony with treasonable princi- 
 ples from an anonymous scribbler? He ought to publish 
 the name of his correspondent, or take the blame of this 
 scurrilous accusation to himself. But I must inform him 
 that the Committee consisted of gentlemen of the first 
 character, for ability as well as loyalty, and firm attach- 
 ment to the British Constitution. 
 
 The Report of the Committee, and vote for a Petition to 
 His Majesty, which next occur, 1 shall remark on hereafter. 
 He then proceeds : " This Assembly was a special one, 
 called for the express purpose of raising six thousand 
 men." How he obtained this intelligence I cannot con- 
 jecture. Did the Governour mention it in his speech, or 
 was it ever declared in the Upper or Lower House of As- 
 sembly ? 1 am confident he never heard it from the first 
 or the last, and cannot suppose him a Member of the 
 second ; whence, then, did he derive his intelligence of the 
 express purpose? I presume it was a creature of his own 
 morbid imagination. He next acquaints us, " Two gen- 
 tlemen went to Cambridge to consult the Provincial 
 Congress." This, I conceive, was mentioned with a 
 malevolent design towards them, in order to asperse their 
 characters. That they were there is conceded ; but whether 
 with a design to consult the Congress or not, is, I believe, 
 mere conjecture. If that was really their errand, where is 
 the crime? Is not America engaged in supporting the 
 Town of Boston 1 Is it then a. crime to consult them in 
 affairs of common concern ? 
 
 He proceeds : " Our warm sons of insisted on 
 
 raising an Army in this Province, and, at any rate, drive 
 the King's General out of this religious land." This is 
 
113 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 mere rant. No such thing was proposed in the Assembly 
 (I am very certain) through the whole session. 
 
 He subjoins : "A Letter, carrying with it in effect a Pe- 
 tition, was sent down to the Lower House from the Upper 
 House, addressed to Lord Dartmouth." A Letter was sent 
 from the Upper Board to the Lower House, for their con- 
 currence and approbation ; it was an answer to one re- 
 ceived from Lord Dartmouth, and addressed to that 
 Nobleman ; in this they declare the loyalty of themselves 
 and the other Colonies to his present Majesty, and their 
 concern at the claims of the British Parliament, which 
 have occasioned so much anxiety among the Colonists ; 
 they decently asserted our Constitutional rights, and con- 
 doled the unhappy sufferers of Boston as a virtuous and 
 loyal people ; in fine, they requested his Lordship's kind 
 interposition with His Majesty for our relief. 
 
 He concludes : " The Wasp immediately seized and 
 clumsily attacked those parts of it which were calculated 
 to restore harmony between Great Britain and America ; 
 but he was overruled, and returned home grievously dis- 
 appointed." Whoever was designed by the Wasp, the 
 epithet, clumsy, is not so applicable to that insect as to his 
 own dull performance. But here again he errs from the 
 truth. When the Letter was read in the Lower House, 
 sundry clauses were objected to. Though (in my opinion) 
 the fair import of the Letter was unexceptionable, yet, as 
 not only one, but several Members were of opinion that 
 some expressions were too vague, and might be wrested to 
 a noxious sense, they were cautious of making any seem- 
 ing concessions of their indubitable rights. After some 
 debate, a Committee was appointed from both Houses to 
 make some amendments, which they did, by substituting 
 more cautious and determinate expressions, and vary- 
 ing rather the diction than sense ; when it passed the 
 House (as I thought) without a dissent. So that instead 
 of being overruled, as he falsely suggests, there was an 
 amendment to the general acceptance ; and no one (I be- 
 lieve) returned home grievously disappointed, except the 
 author or his voucher. 
 
 As to what he says in this polite way, "that the Wasp 
 clumsily attacked those parts of the Letter that were cal- 
 culated to restore harmony between Great Britain and 
 America :" no parts were attacked except such as I just 
 noticed. Doubtless he was offended that any corrections 
 were made, and intended they should be understood in the 
 noxious sense to which the House feared they might be 
 wrested, else why is he angry with others for attacking 
 those parts which, it was apprehended, might be taken in 
 such a sense ? By such as might restore harmony, it is 
 evident he designed such parts as might gratify the Minis- 
 try, at the expense of our liberties. 
 
 I promised to consider the Report of the Committee, 
 and the vote for a Petition to His Majesty. The House 
 considered at large the alarming situation of America ; they 
 professed their allegiance to his present Majesty, and firm 
 resolution to support our Constitutional liberties. They 
 desire to live peaceable and loyal subjects to His Britannick 
 Majesty. But should violence essay to enslave them, they 
 believe they are warranted by the example of Great Bri- 
 tain and the Constitution itself, to defend themselves, and 
 repel any lawless invasion. Though they were well united 
 in the grand principle of Constitutional liberty, yet it is no 
 wonder, in this sad dilemma, if their councils were serious. 
 After considerable debates on affairs the most interesting 
 that ever were agitated in a Senate, the Committee with- 
 drew, and framed a Bill, (as their author informs,) that the 
 minds of the Assembly might be known. Every Article 
 of this Bill was calmly debated ; and approving that for 
 appointing General Officers, (such as have been in some 
 of the neighbouring Provinces for a long time,) the rest 
 of the Bill was prudently dismissed. In these debates, a 
 concern for the publick weal so far predominated over pri- 
 vate resentment, that the whole was conducted with the 
 greatest friendship and harmony, so that when a great part 
 of the Bill was rejected, yet it seemed to be with a gene- 
 ral approbation of the Committee themselves, as every 
 one seemed inclined to pursue the most prudent advice, 
 whether suggested by himself or another. 
 
 I now proceed to consider the Petition to His Majesty : 
 here our author fails of telling the whole truth. Mr. Riv- 
 ington, the week before he published the extract now un- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. \ 
 
 der consideration, mentions this Petition as cause of great 
 joy.* One would think from this, that the Colony had 
 been in open rebellion, and was now returning to their 
 duty; else why this transport? Did he never hear that 
 this Colony petitioned their Sovereign before ? 1 can tell 
 him they have repeatedly. Did not the Congress peti- 
 tion ? He knows they did. Whence, then, this exulta- 
 tion ? Doubtless he had an eye to those parts of the 
 Letter which were calculated to restore harmony between 
 Great Britain and America, which his correspondent in- 
 formed him were clumsily attacked by the Wasp; but he 
 returned home grievously disappointed. That this is mere 
 fiction, I have shown before. But being deceived by his 
 correspondent, he felt a glow of uncommon joy, which he 
 could not conceal until he might publish the Letter. He 
 thought, perhaps, Connecticut had made a compliment of 
 her liberties to the Ministry ; and this he was impatient to 
 publish. 
 
 This Colony, ever attached to the present reigning 
 family, did vote to prefer a Petition to His Majesty ; but 
 on a little reflection, it was thought inexpedient at this 
 juncture, as the Congress had petitioned in behalf of 
 America in general, and they had not then heard what 
 reception their Petition met with ; and by some it was 
 thought, in every such step we ought to advise with the 
 other Colonies. In short, I have the satisfaction to see, 
 that the very same reasons that the worthy Representatives 
 of Pennsylvania offered their Governour as an excuse for 
 not petitioning at present, prevailed on this Assembly to 
 defer it to a future session. 
 
 A Member of the Lower House of Assembly. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN VIRGINIA, DATED MARCH 10, 1775. 
 
 Our political madness is still in its zenith, and we are 
 consequently taking the most effectual measures that the 
 wit or folly of man can devise to render America totally 
 independent of this Country. You must, by this time, 
 have heard of the Bill prohibiting the four New-England 
 Governments from Fishing, &lc. Another Bill is also in 
 its motion, to confine New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mary- 
 land, Virginia, and South- Carolina, to trade no where 
 but with Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West- 
 Indies. By the long silence of the London Merchants, 
 they were considered as men not very serious in the busi- 
 ness of America, (which was really the case, a very few 
 excepted,) and have been treated with the utmost con- 
 tempt ; and the Cabinet, owing to this dilatory conduct, 
 have had time to get every one of their plans confirmed by 
 Parliament. Those of Glasgow sent up a very spirited 
 Petition, but at the same time let Lord North know, by 
 their Member, Lord jF. Campbell, that they did not mean 
 any opposition by it, but only to get credit in America. 
 The Ministers seem now convinced if America continues 
 united, and perseveres in her Non-Importation and Non- 
 Exportation scheme, it will, without one blow, distress the 
 Nation so much that they must yield to the most humili- 
 ating terms America can demand. Therefore, bribes, pen- 
 sions, places, contracts, and all other arts, are attempted to 
 divide the Colonies, particularly New- York ; and by the 
 most irritating measures they are provoking to blows, in 
 hopes to rouse the resentment of the Nation against Ame- 
 rica, which is at present strong against themselves, and less 
 than twelve months brings on their long-deserved fate. 
 The way to defeat such diabolical schemes is to bear every 
 thing that human nature can bear, and only, as common 
 prudence directs, be prepared to resent any force or injury 
 that may be offered. I wish this universally known. Your 
 Governour, besides the parts of his letters published, and 
 other parts transcribed to you, has written for five thousand 
 Troops, or else he cannot stir in Virginia ; but they can- 
 
 * We hear from Connecticut, that last Friday, the Assembly of that 
 Colony, after sitting ten days, adjourned to meet at Hartford, on the 
 13th of April. The Printer has received many particulars of their pro- 
 ceedings, but they must be deferred, as they came too late for this 
 week's paper ; we have only room to inform the publick, that a Letter 
 was sent from the Upper Board for the approbation of the Lower 
 House, addressed to Lord Dartmouth. It contains every mark of loy. 
 alty to the King, and carries with it, in effect, a Petition. The House 
 of Assembly, by a great majority, voted a petition to His Majesty, 
 and a Committee was appointed to draw it up. The event has afforded 
 unspeakable satisfaction to the friends of our happy Constitution. 
 
1 15 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 116 
 
 not even spare the ten thousand which Gage wrote for. 
 The Address to the Soldiers had very great eifect in Eng- 
 land and Ireland.* 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF ANSON COUNTY, NORTH- 
 CAROLINA, TO THE GOVERNOUR. 
 
 To His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esq., fyc. : 
 
 Most Excellent Governour : Permit us, in behalf 
 of ourselves, and many others of His Majesty's most duti- 
 ful and loyal subjects within the County of Anson, to take 
 the earliest opportunity of addressing your Excellency, and 
 expressing our abomination of the many outrageous at- 
 tempts now forming on this side the Atlantick, against the 
 peace and tranquillity of His Majesty's Dominions in North 
 America, and to witness to your Excellency, by this our 
 Protest, a disapprobation and abhorrence of the many law- 
 less combinations and unwarrantable practices actually car- 
 rying on by a gross tribe of infatuated anti-monarchists in 
 the several Colonies in these Dominions ; the baneful con- 
 sequence of whose audacious contrivance can, in fine, only 
 tend to extirpate the fundamental principles of all Govern- 
 ment, and illegally to shake off their obedience to, and de- 
 pendance upon, the imperial Crown and Parliament of 
 Great Britain; the infection of whose pernicious example 
 being already extended to this particular County, of which 
 we now bear the fullest testimony. 
 
 It is with the deepest concern (though with infinite in- 
 dignation) that we see in all publick places and papers dis- 
 agreeable votes, speeches, and resolutions, said to be enter- 
 ed into by our sister Colonies, in the highest contempt and 
 derogation of the superintending power of the legislative 
 authority of Great Britain. And we further, with sor- 
 row, behold their wanton endeavours to vilify and arraign 
 the honour and integrity of His Majesty's most honourable 
 Ministry and Council, tending to sow the seeds of discord 
 and sedition, in open violation of their duty and allegiance. 
 
 We are truly invigorated with the warmest zeal and at- 
 tachment in favour of the British Parliament, Constitution, 
 and Laws, which our forefathers gloriously struggled to es- 
 tablish, and which are now become the noblest birthright 
 and inheritance of all Britannia's sons. We should be 
 criminally wanting in respect and gratitude to the manes of 
 those ancestors, and ill deserve the protection of that su- 
 periour Parliamentary power, could we tamely suffer its 
 authority to be so basely controverted and derided, without 
 offering our protest to your Excellency against such igno- 
 minious disobedience and reproach ; for we consider that, 
 under Divine Providence, it is solely upon the wisdom and 
 virtue of that superiour legislative might that the safety of 
 our lives and fortunes, and the honour and welfare of this 
 Country, do most principally depend. 
 
 Give us leave, therefore, Sir, to express our utter detes- 
 tation and abhorrence of the late unjustifiable violation of 
 publick commercial credit in the Massachusetts Govern- 
 ment. We protest against it with the utmost disdain, as 
 the wicked experiment of a most profligate and abandoned 
 Republican faction, whereby the general repose and tran- 
 quillity of His Majesty's good subjects on this Continent are 
 very much endangered and impaired. We think it indis- 
 
 * Williamgburgh, Va., June 17, 1775. — It was with great surprise, 
 and, I must confess, witli a good deal of concern, that I observed in, Mr. 
 Purdie's Gazette, of the 9th instant, an extract of a letter from London, 
 dated the 10th of March last, which mentions, " that the Merchants 
 of Glasgovy, upon the present unhappy differences subsisting betwixt 
 Great. Britain and her American Colonies, sent up a very spirited Peti. 
 tion to Parliament, but at the same timo let Lord North know, by their 
 Member, Lord Frederick Campbell, that they did not mean any oppo- 
 sition by it, but only to get credit in America." The writer of this let- 
 ter must have either been greatly misinformed, or actuated by interest 
 or resentmont ; for from the most certain intelligence, I can assure the 
 good people of this Colony that the latter part of tho paragraph men. 
 tioned is equally false as it is injurious to tho Merchants of the City 
 of Glasgow, and the gentlemen with whom they are connected in this 
 Colony. No part of the British Nation havo exerted themselves with 
 groate.r warmth, and. I may truly add, with greater sincerity, than tho 
 Merchants of Glasgow, for a restoration of that happy union bo ardently 
 wished for by every truo friend to America or Great Britain; and I am 
 fully convinced that every Merchant in this Colony viows with tho 
 greatest abhorrence the very idea of such villanous, disingenuous, and 
 unmanly conduct, as the writer of the above letter charges them with. 
 
 The groatest unanimity, gontlemon, is essontially necessary at this 
 period, in this as well as every other Colony in America. Surely, then, 
 our publick Printers should be extremely careful to promote, by their 
 publications, an object of such importance, and avoid, with tho greatest 
 Cttution and resolution, overy thing that may havo a oontrary effect. 
 
 Mercator. 
 
 pensably necessary, and our duty at this alarming crisis, to 
 offer this memorial and protest to your Excellency, against 
 all such enthusiastick transgressions, (more especially the 
 late ones committed by the common cause Deputies within 
 this Province,) to the intent that it may be delivered down 
 to posterity, that our hands were washed pure and clear of 
 any cruel consequence, lest the woful calamities of a dis- 
 tracted Country should give birth to sedition and insurrec- 
 tion, from the licentiousness of a concert prone to rebellion. 
 
 And we cannot omit expressing further to your Excel- 
 lency, that we consider all such associations at this period 
 of a very dangerous fatality against your Excellency's good 
 Government of this Province, being calculated to distress 
 the internal welfare of this Country, to mislead the unwary 
 ignorant from the paths of their duty, and to entail de- 
 struction upon us, and wretchedness upon our posterity. 
 
 We do, most excellent Governour, with all obedience 
 and humility, profess and acknowledge, in our consciences, 
 that a law of the high Court of Parliament of Great Bri- 
 tain is an exercise of the highest authority that His Majes- 
 ty's subjects can acknowledge upon earth, and that we do 
 believe k hath legal power to bind every subject in that 
 land, and the dominions thereunto belonging. And we 
 do, moreover, with all duty and gratitude, acknowledge 
 and reverence in the utmost latitude an Act of Parliament 
 made in the sixth year of the reign of his present most 
 sacred Majesty, entitled " An Act for the better securing the 
 dependance of His Majesty's Dominions in America on the 
 Crown and Parliament of Great Britain." 
 
 And we do further beg leave to express our detestation 
 of the many scandalous and ignorant deliberations on the 
 power of that Parliament in the control of His Majesty's 
 Provincial Charters. For could the doctrine of such un- 
 ruly propositions possibly exist, or should their insolent at- 
 tempt unhappily prevail, it must at once extinguish those 
 Laws and that Constitution which are the glory of the Bri- 
 tish Empire, and the envy of all Nations around it. 
 
 We are truly sensible that those invaluable blessings 
 which we have hitherto enjoyed under His Majesty's aus- 
 picious Government, can only be secured to us by the sta- 
 bility of his Throne, supported and defended by the Bri- 
 tish Parliament, the only grand bulwark and guardian of 
 our civil and religious liberties. 
 
 Duty and affection oblige us further to express our grate- 
 ful acknowledgments for the inestimable blessings flowine; 
 from such a Constitution. And we do assure your Excel- 
 lency that we are determined, by the assistance of Al- 
 mighty God, in our respective stations, steadfastly to con- 
 tinue His Majesty's loyal subjects, and to contribute all in 
 our power for the preservation of the publick peace; so 
 that, by our unanimous example, we hope to discourage 
 the desperate endeavours of a deluded multitude, and to 
 see a misled people turn again from their atrocious offences 
 to a proper exercise of their obedience and duty. 
 
 And we do furthermore assure your Excellency, that we 
 shall endeavour to cultivate such sentiments in all those 
 under our care, and to warm their breasts with a true zeal 
 for His Majesty, and affection for his illustrious family. 
 And may the Almighty God be pleased to direct his 
 Councils, his Parliament, and all those in authority under 
 him, that their endeavours may be for the advancement of 
 piety, and the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign 
 and his Kingdoms, that the malice of his enemies may be 
 assuaged, and their evil designs confounded and defeated ; 
 so that all the world may be convinced that his sacred 
 person, his Royal family, his Parliament, and our Country, 
 are the special objects of Divine dispensation and Provi- 
 dence. 
 
 Signed by two hundred, and twenty-seven of the Inhabi- 
 tants of the County of Anson. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF ROWA.N AJND SURRY 
 COUNTIES, NORTH- CAROLINA, TO THE GOVERNOUR. 
 
 To His Excellency Josiah Martin, fyc.:. 
 
 Permit us, on the behalf of ourselves and many others of 
 His Majesty's most dutiful subjects within the Counties of 
 Rowan and Surry, to protest against any person or per- 
 sons, who may violate any of His Majesty's laws, or the 
 peace of this Government. We are truly invigorated with 
 the warmest zeal and attachment to the British Constitu- 
 
117 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 118 
 
 tion and Laws, upon which our lives and fortunes, and the 
 welfare of the Province now depend; and utterly protest 
 against meetings of people against the peace thereof, or 
 any thing which may give birth to sedition and insurrection. 
 We cannot but express to your Excellency that we consi- 
 der all such associations, at this crisis, of a very dangerous 
 fatality against your Excellency's good Government of this 
 Province, and to distress the internal welfare of this Coun- 
 try, and to mislead the unwary from the paths of their duty. 
 And we do assure your Excellency that we are determin- 
 ed, by the assistance of God, in our respective stations, to 
 continue His Majesty's loyal subjects, and to contribute all 
 in our power for the preservation of the publick peace, and 
 that we shall endeavour to cultivate such sentiments in all 
 those under our care, and warm their breast with a true 
 zeal for His Majesty, and affection for his illustrious family. 
 
 May the Almighty God direct his Council, his Parlia- 
 ment, and all those under him, that their endeavours may 
 be for the advancement of piety, and the safety, honour, 
 and welfare of our Sovereign and his Kingdoms, that the 
 malice of his enemies may be assuaged, their evil designs 
 confounded and defeated, so that the whole world may see 
 his sacred person, our laws, and Country, are the special 
 objects of Divine dispensation and Providence. 
 
 Signed by one hundred and ninety-Jive of the Inhabi- 
 tants of the Counties of Rowan and Surky. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE INHABITANTS OF GUILFORD COUNTY, 
 NORTH-CAROLINA, TO THE GOVERNOUR. 
 
 To His Excellency Josiah Martin, fyc. : 
 
 We, His Majesty's most loyal subjects of the County of 
 Guilford, and Province of North- Carolina, beg leave to 
 lay before your Excellency, that we hold in open detesta- 
 tion all illegal and unwarrantable proceedings against His 
 Majesty's crown and dignity. That whereas there is a 
 general dispute between His Majesty and the Colonies of 
 America, past our knowledge to determine what the event 
 may be, we therefore hold a firm attachment to His Majes- 
 ty King George the Third, his crown and dignity ; and we 
 being a poor and unhappy people, lying under the reflec- 
 tion of. the late and unhappy insurrection, we therefore 
 have taken this opportunity to show forth our loyalty to 
 His Majesty and his lawful commands; and for further 
 confirmation hereto subscribe our names, as maintaining our 
 rights under a legal authority. 
 
 Signed by one hundred and sirteen of the Inhabitants 
 of the County of Guilford. 
 
 DECLARATION OF INHABITANTS OF BROOK-HAVEN, SUF- 
 FOLK COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Brook-Haven, March 10, 1775. 
 Whereas, Major Benjamin Floyd was mentioned in Mr. 
 Hugh Game's Paper of the 6th of February, as having 
 got a number of subscribers to a certain Petition, said to be 
 signed to the General Assembly of this Province :* Where- 
 fore we desire to inform the publick, that whereas, he, the 
 said Benjamin Floyd and Joseph Denton did carry about 
 this Town a paper, calling of it a Petition to the General 
 Assembly of this Province, and did earnestly urge and 
 persuade all that they could to sign the same, calling of 
 it a good thing, and telling people that it was to support 
 the laws of the Province, which was likely soon to fail ; 
 and that it was an instrument well drawn, and the best 
 calculated for that purpose : And as we, the subscribers, 
 did, by their persuasions, without having a proper know- 
 ledge of the design of said instrument, sign our names 
 to the same ; but as we since have learned that the said 
 instrument, called a Petition, was designed and is calcu- 
 lated, as we think, to make divisions and disagreement 
 between the Legislative authority, viz : the Governour, 
 the Council, and General Assembly, and the common- 
 ally of the good people of this Provice, with respect to 
 
 * We hear from Brook-Haven, Suffolk County, that Major Benjamin 
 Floyd found, on a strict inquiry, one hundred good men in the first 
 Company of that Township, to support the King and his Government ; 
 but no officer would join him above the rank of Sergeant. All the 
 above persons signed a Petition to the General Assembly, expressing 
 that, they will entirely abide by the old Constitution, viz : The Gover- 
 nour, Council, and General Assembly of this Province, without any 
 regard to the proceedings and determinations of the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 the observing of the Counsels and Resolves of our worthy 
 Delegates, recommended in Continental Congress for the 
 good people of this Province to observe, as being the most 
 likely method to obtain a redress of our publick grievances ; 
 and we do hereby publickly declare our dislike and disap- 
 probation of said pretended Petition, and of all such instru- 
 ments as may have a like tendency to make divisions 
 and parties among the good people of this Province. In 
 witness whereof, we have hereunto signed our names. 
 
 N. B. — The reader will please to note that the above 
 is a true copy of what is now carrying about in the Town- 
 ship of Brook-Haven, and to which a considerable number 
 have signed, (of those that subscribed the pretended Pe- 
 tition above alluded to,) whose example, it is not doubted, 
 will be followed by many more. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MARCH 11, 1775. 
 
 You have herewith enclosed some of the late English 
 papers, and a peculiar fiery piece called the Crisis, wrote 
 professedly in favour of Liberty and America, and which, 
 from its freedom, has suffered martyrdom at ffestminster 
 and the Exchange, by order of a prostituted Parliament. 
 
 The plan of this accursed Ministry is, to divide and 
 govern, in hopes of completing their principle of slavery, 
 by the base advantages and preferences now held out to 
 New- York, North- Carolina, and Georgia. Surely Ameri- 
 cans must see through the flimsy texture, and nobly spurn 
 at the offer ! I cannot suffer myself to believe that these 
 Provinces will desert the cause of liberty, by accepting the 
 ignoble Commerce offered to them by this abhorred Par- 
 liament. But should it be the unhappy case, which God 
 forbid, why then, let all the rest of America unite in a 
 firm determination never to trade or have any connection 
 with them again. With what contempt ought the base 
 majority of the New-York Assembly to be held ! Have 
 they not been honoured with that disapprobation, to wit : 
 Tarring and Feathering 1 It ought to be administered as 
 a determent to others. For if that defection had not hap- 
 pened, we had the utmost reason to expect other measures 
 would have been adopted than these villanous Acts passed 
 and passing. But for the satisfaction of my countrymen, 
 let me assure them, that if they will but steadily abide by 
 the Resolutions of the Congress, this hateful Ministry must 
 retire ; and then, under the auspices of the wide-expanded 
 soul of Chatham, his noble conciliatory plan of a union 
 must be adopted, and that, in spite of open enemies, or 
 the more concealed and dangerous ones lurking under the 
 specious title of moderation, we shall be free for ever. 
 
 It gives every friend to American liberty the greatest 
 satisfaction to find Doctor Franklin will return by the 
 April Packet ; for his long acquaintance with the machina- 
 tions of this infamous Administration will enable him to 
 spirit up the lukewarm, and confirm the Patriot, as well in 
 the Congress as throughout America. 
 
 Once more, let the Americans be united, and they shall 
 obtain the glorious prize; but if they divide, they are irre- 
 trievably ruined. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 DATED LONDON, MARCH 11, 1775. 
 
 My zeal for the liberties of America will not let me 
 rest ; I think those valuable blessings are more in danger 
 than ever, and I therefore warn my friends of it, and your- 
 self in particular. 
 
 I arn well assured that the Americans are not to be inti- 
 midated by force, and that they are prepared to oppose 
 force to force, if violent measures should be openly and 
 steadily pursued ; but I am fearful that they may be lulled 
 asleep by the insidious arts of Administration. The des- 
 picable junto that govern all our publick proceedings have 
 at length discovered their errour, and that the hostile mea- 
 sures they have begun with, have united the Colonies in 
 one common bond, which they were taught to believe 
 would produce a contrary effect ; and they are now shifting 
 their battery — conciliatory steps are continually talked off, 
 and an abatement of their demands is echoed by every 
 tool in office. 
 
 Beware of this snake in the grass, and give no credit to 
 
 * 
 
119 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MARCH, L775. 
 
 120 
 
 any pacifick proposals, till you have a certain and total 
 disavowal of all their unconstitutional claims. 
 
 You will have heard, before this reaches you, of that 
 infamous and cruel bill, which we call the Fishery Bill ; 
 which, I take upon me to say, was, in its original dress, as 
 black a bill as ever was brought into a British Parliament. 
 It is true they have softened it from reading to reading, by 
 various salvos and exceptions, but all tending to divide. 
 The Quakers of Nantucket have been excepted, on Pe- 
 tition from the Society here ; and there are to be other 
 exceptions in favour of those who are willing to subscribe 
 to certain secret compacts, which are yet kept in the breast 
 of the Ministry, but which, I take it, are somewhat of the 
 same nature of those made formerly between the Devil 
 and his adherents, by which, for some trifling gratification 
 (and in which they were commonly deceived) they sold 
 themselves to everlasting slavery. 
 
 Our Parliament have also another bill before them, call- 
 ed a Conciliatory Bill ; the purport of which amounts to 
 this : that if any of the Colonies on the arrival and publi- 
 cation of said Bill shall agree to tax themselves to such 
 an amount as the Parliament shall approve, (which money 
 is also to be under the direction of Parliament) that such 
 Colonies shall be taken into favour, and the Penal Acts 
 suspended ; but which are still to remain as a rod hanging- 
 over them, to be used as occasion shall require. 
 
 And a third bill is also in agitation, which is to include 
 all the disobedient Colonies in the same predicament as the 
 Massachusetts, viz : to prohibit their exports to any other 
 parts than Great Britain, Ireland, and the West-Indies. 
 
 I should inform you that Neiv- York is not in this list. The 
 late Resolves of their Assembly have been very grateful 
 incense to the nostrils of our Ministry ; and though, in my 
 opinion, a matter of little consequence, yet they have 
 afforded great triumph and exultation, and have given an 
 opening to favour that Colony at the expense of the rest. 
 
 But I trust that the majority, even of that City, are 
 with us, and that they will maintain the Non-Importation 
 Agreement, in its utmost rigour. And now I am on this 
 topick, let me advise you of one loophole, where the 
 enemy may attempt to come in. The King's Ships that 
 are now preparing, both the Men-of-War and the Trans- 
 ports, will be in some degree freighted with European 
 Goods — great quantities are getting ready ; this you may 
 depend on. I speak on the best authority, though per- 
 haps not on my own certain knowledge ; for I would have 
 it understood that I would not execute an order for the best 
 friend I have for those purposes. 
 
 Our Merchants and Traders in this City have had 
 several publick meetings, and have made such application 
 to the governing powers as they thought would produce 
 the most salutary effects ; or rather, (if I may express 
 myself without reserve,) such application as they could all 
 concur in ; for it must be confessed, and indeed it cannot 
 be concealed, that a very considerable part, though not the 
 majority of the Merchants and Traders, are averse to the 
 Americans. 
 
 In short, your cause is not a favourite cause in this 
 Kingdom, as I believe I have already wrote you. Having 
 submitted, in some degree, to slavery ourselves, we do not 
 so fully feel the distress it may occasion in others ; and 
 partly through interest, partly through prejudice, and 
 partly through ignorance, I fear the majority are against 
 you. But I wish you not to be disheartened, since, to say 
 the worst, you have a most respectable minority ; a mi- 
 nority that will never give up your cause, if you do not 
 desert it yourselves ; nay, some of us, as I know, will 
 maintain your rights, though you should be so base to 
 barter them for a mess of pottage. 
 
 I can assure you that, exclusive of those publick and 
 Constitutional Societies already established, some others 
 are forming, for the avowed purpose of supporting British 
 and American liberty ; and I make no doubt that some 
 good will happen from these associations ; the English are 
 slow in resentment, as in deliberation : but they are deter- 
 mined in the prosecution of either when they once en- 
 gage. 
 
 We have already commenced a publick subscription for 
 the relief of the sufferers in Boston ; some handsome 
 sums have already been subscribed ; but, as yet, it wants 
 the usual enthusiasm that accompanies things of this sort ; 
 
 however, I don't despair that it will ultimately succeed, 
 and it will be a glorious declaration of our principles, by 
 the most undoubted touchstone. 
 
 ORANGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 11, 1775. 
 
 An accusation being lodged with the Committee of 
 Orange County against Francis Moore, Jun., of his hav- 
 ing violated the Eighth Article of the Continental Asso- 
 ciation, by gaming : the said Moore was cited, and appeared 
 before the Committee convened February 23, 1775. The 
 testimony of a witness, as well as the confession of the 
 accused, convinced the Committee that the charge was 
 well founded ; but Mr. Moore gave such evidence of his 
 penitence, and intention to observe the Association strictly 
 for the future, and alleging, moreover, that he was not 
 thoroughly aware of the extent of the prohibition con- 
 tained in that article, that the Committee think it proper 
 to readmit him into the number of friends to the publick 
 cause, till a second transgression. 
 
 It need scarcely be added, that this mitigation of the 
 punishment prescribed in the Eleventh Article, proceeds 
 from a desire to distinguish penitent and submissive, from 
 refractory and obstinate offenders. 
 
 Francis Taylor, Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BOSTON TO A GENTLEMAN IN 
 NEW-YORK, DATED MARCH 12, 1775. 
 
 Last Monday Doctor Warren delivered an Oration 
 against the effects of Standing Armies in free Govern- 
 ments, &c. There was a prodigious concourse of people 
 present, and amongst them, in the most conspicuous part 
 of the house, about forty Officers. The oration was spi- 
 rited, yet free from particular reflections on mercenary 
 Troops. 
 
 The red-coated gentry behaved with tolerable decency 
 till after the Doctor had finished ; when, taking exception 
 at the words of the vote that was put for the appointment 
 of an orator for the next year, one of them cried out fie ! 
 fie ! — This exclamation was seconded by two or three 
 others; and the people thinking that it was the cry of 
 fire, great confusion was occasioned ; many of the women 
 jumped out of the windows, and much mischief would 
 have ensued, had not the gentlemen in the desk very 
 strenuously exerted themselves to restore quiet, which, 
 after some time, they effected. 
 
 The pronouncing this oration must be construed as a 
 publick affront to Mr. Gage in both his stations — as Gen- 
 eral of the Army and Governour of the Province. In the 
 first, as it was a reflection, in general, on Standing Armies 
 in time of peace ; and in the other, as it was in a Town 
 Meeting, held directly contrary to an Act of Parliament; 
 to enforce which, His Excellency came to Boston. Nor 
 is it a small proof of the spirit of the inhabitants, who, in 
 defiance of a Fleet and Army, with the muzzles of their 
 guns at their doors, dared to tell them that they were an 
 illegal body of men, and the tools of tyrants. 
 
 We had a most extraordinary exhibition here last Thurs- 
 day. As the populace of Boston had thought fit to 
 repeal the tarring and feathering act, the King's Troops 
 have thought fit to revive the said statute ; and in conse- 
 quence of such a determination, gave us a specimen of a 
 Royal mob. The Soldiers have been encouraged by their 
 Officers to take every method of tricking the unwary. 
 An honest countryman, on Wednesday, was inquiring for a 
 firelock ; a Soldier heard him, and told him, he had one 
 which he would sell. Away goes the ignoramus, and 
 after paying the Soldier very honestly for the gun (which 
 was only an old one, without a lock) was walking off, 
 when half a dozen seized him, and hurried the poor fellow 
 away under guard, for breach of the Act against trading 
 with the Soldiers ; and after keeping him in duress all 
 night, the next morning, instead of carrying him before a 
 Magistrate, who, on complaint, would have fined him, (as 
 has been the case in several instances,) the Officers con- 
 demned the man, without a hearing, to be tarred and fea- 
 thered ; which was accordingly executed. After stripping 
 him naked and covering him with tar and feathers, they 
 mounted him upon a one-horse truck, and surrounding the 
 
121 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 122 
 
 truck with a guard of twenty Soldiers with fixed bayonets, 
 accompanied with all the drums and fifes of the Regiment, 
 (Forty-Seventh) and a number of Officers, Negroes, Sailors, 
 &c, exhibited him as a spectacle through the principal 
 streets of the Town. They fixed a label on the man's 
 back, on which was wrote, " American Liberty, or a spe- 
 cimen of Democracy ;" and, to add to the insult, they 
 played Yankee doodle. 
 
 O Britain ! How art thou fallen ! Is it not enough 
 that British Troops, who were once the terrour of France 
 and Spain, should be made the instruments of butchering 
 thy children ; but must they descend also to exploits too 
 infamously dirty for any but the meanest of the mobility to 
 practise? What a wretched figure will the Boston expe- 
 dition hereafter make in the historick page ! 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN VIRGINIA, DATED MARCH 13, 1775. 
 
 I did myself the pleasure of writing you the first of this 
 month, and then sent you a copy of such part of the Earl 
 of Dunmore's Letter to Lord Dartmouth as had been laid 
 before both Houses of Parliament ; since which time 1 have 
 had an opportunity of knowing the secret part of his Lord- 
 ship's Letter which was not laid before Parliament ; and as 
 it particularly marks his character as Governour of Virgi- 
 nia, in reference to the good people of that brave Colony, 
 and will, I trust, be so instructive to the Members of their 
 House of Burgesses as never hereafter to confide in him, 
 but to consider and treat him as their confirmed enemy, 
 I beg that you will use the best and speediest means to 
 communicate it to them, as I pledge myself to you for the 
 truth of the information. 
 
 After Lord Dunmore had given his uncandid represen- 
 tation of Virginia, as transmitted to you on the first of this 
 month, he proceeded warmly to recommend to Lord Dart- 
 mouth that some Men-of-War should be stationed in Chesa- 
 peake Bay, to prevent the Virginians from carrying on 
 any external trade except with this Country ; and that all 
 communication might be cut off between them and the 
 Northern Colonies, he advised that some Sloops or Ten- 
 ders should be placed in Chester and Sassafras Rivers; 
 and as he observed that the Council as well as the House 
 of Burgesses, and almost every person of fortune and con- 
 sideration in the Colony, except the Attorney General, 
 were as deeply engaged as the inferiour planters in factious 
 associations and plans of resistance, great outrages and dis- 
 orders would soon take place among them, from a want of 
 a regular distribution of law ; and therefore he strongly 
 urged the King's Ministers, as a sure method to increase 
 these disorders, and which, in the end, he asserted, could 
 not fail to produce Petitions from the rich praying the 
 protection of this Legislature, that His Majesty would, 
 without delay, order himself and all the other Executive 
 Officers of Virginia, to withdraw from thence. 
 
 This, I faithfully assure you, is the secret counsel of Lord 
 Dunmore. Can you, therefore, my dear sir, wonder that 
 Administration persevere in their ruinous and despotick 
 system of American politicks? Be you firm, however, in 
 your wise Resolutions of Non-Importation, Non-Exporta- 
 tion, and Non-Consumption, and to these add an immedi- 
 ate accomplishment in the art of war, and in the end you 
 will establish the rights of America upon an immovable 
 basis. But you must first make the luxurious proud peo- 
 ple of this Kingdom feel the want of your Commerce and 
 affection, before they will do you any degree of justice. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN MARYLAND, DATED MARCH 13, 1775. 
 
 I wrote you by Captain Falconer, since which some 
 very material changes have happened in the state of po- 
 litical affairs. The Minister, finding a general discontent 
 take place on account of the measures pursuing with regard 
 to America, and in order to save the Stocks, which began 
 to give way, gave out that he intended to extend the olive 
 branch to the people on your side the water. The very 
 sound exhilarated the minds of the people here ; the Funds 
 immediately recovered, and the people began to conclude 
 that every thing would soon be settled in an amicable 
 way. And what was this olive branch? Nothing but the 
 
 motion, which will have reached you before this comes to 
 hand. A motion which, at first, nobody could compre- 
 hend ; a motion couched in such cabalistical terms, on pur- 
 pose to confound the understandings of mankind, but which, 
 when understood, was found to contain nothing of the least 
 healing tendency, only calculated to separate and divide 
 the Colonies from each other. Divide tt impera is an old 
 adage, and now they are in hopes of practising it with suc- 
 cess amongst you. The Ministry, indeed, begin to plume 
 themselves already on their success in this way. The 
 proceedings at New-York, and the last advices from Gene- 
 ral Gage, flatter them exceedingly that the seeds of dis- 
 sension are growing very fast even in the New-England 
 Provinces. How far this is true, a little time will disco- 
 ver; in the meantime military operations are carrying on 
 with the same zeal as before. The Troops are to be sent, 
 and a Bill is ordered into Parliament for restraining not 
 only the New-England Fishery, but another to stop the 
 Trade of all the Colonies except New-York, North-Caro- 
 lina, and Georgia, which they hope will declare on the 
 side of Government, in consideration of which particular 
 indulgences will be granted them. Whatever these in- 
 dulgences may be, I have no doubt they will only be of a 
 temporary nature till Government has got a firm footing. 
 
 I have told you before that your salvation is in your own 
 hands, if you will be but firm and unanimous. You have 
 but to adhere closely to your Non-Importation and Non- 
 Exportation Agreement. If there was danger before of 
 your disunion, I cannot help hoping that this last restrain- 
 ing Bill will come in aid, in order to link you closer to 
 each other. It comes now to be tried what materials you 
 are made of. If you have not virtue enough to withstand 
 this attack, you will become a scorn and a laughing stock 
 to all the world, a reproach to human nature ; and depend 
 upon it the burdens that will be laid upon you will be in 
 proportion to the temper you have shown to resist them. 
 I shall not attempt to point out any particular modes of 
 proceeding; these, I trust, will be concerted with wisdom, 
 firmness, and resolution. Be assured the good of the com- 
 munity at large is not the object certain persons in power 
 have in view; they mean to make you beasts of burden, 
 or, as the Congress have very properly expressed it, 
 "hewers of wood and drawers of water;" but 1 hope you 
 are all of their mind in this respect. You perhaps ima- 
 gine that Government is nothing more than a power dele- 
 gated in a few for the good of the whole. If you think 
 that this is the opinion of the people in power, you are 
 very much mistaken ; they think that the community at 
 large are to labour, toil, and sweat, in order to maintain a 
 few great people wallowing in luxury, idleness, extrava- 
 gance, and all manner of debauchery. If the present mea- 
 sures succeed, depend upon it you will have tax-gatherers 
 in various shapes swarming in upon you in abundance. 
 If you patiently submit, there will be none to pity you. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MARCH 13, 1775. 
 
 The people in general are much alarmed at the mea- 
 sures now pursuing ; and 1 have no doubt that when they 
 come to feel the effects of your Non-Import and Non-Ex- 
 port Resolutions, their resentment will break forth with 
 great violence. The City of London and all the great 
 trading and manufacturing Cities and Towns, are exceed- 
 ingly averse to the present proceedings, and apprehensive 
 of the worst consequences. 
 
 The Ministry are sensible of and declare the dangers 
 and difficulties of their undertaking. But they are encour- 
 aged to the attempt by a firm persuasion of success in cor- 
 rupting New-York and intimidating New-England. Did 
 they believe the Americans would be united and firm, I am 
 sure they would not venture upon coercive measures. 
 Even as it is, should the seduction of the one and the in- 
 timidation of the other not produce a general relaxation of 
 your Resolutions, they will be disposed to accommodate 
 rather than risk a serious and determined opposition. For 
 you must remember that the resolute face they put on is 
 merely on supposition that if pushed you will submit. 
 But should the whole Continent appear firm and deter- 
 mined, should their seducing and intimidating schemes 
 prove abortive, depend upon it that they must submit to 
 
123 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 124 
 
 what you ask. Their plans are calculated for immediate 
 operation, and one year's perseverance on your part will 
 totally and entirely defeat them. I have the most abso- 
 lute trust that the virtue of our countrymen will support a 
 resolute resistance, and I therefore look forward to your 
 success with entire confidence. The Ministerial language 
 is, the unconditional submission of the Colonies. But if 
 you are firm, faithful, and united, the unconditional sub- 
 mission will be theirs. 
 
 By whatever means you can keep the Assembly of 
 New- York from deserting, even by out-bidding the Min- 
 istry, it will be worth the purchase; for nothing will more 
 effectually damp their hopes than the declaration of the 
 Assembly of that Province in favour of the Congress. 
 They have therefore despatched emissaries to exert every 
 effort of corruption there by bribery and places for indi- 
 viduals, endowments for the College, and the establishment 
 of Royal Docks, Arsenals, &ic, in the City. 
 
 A reinforcement of two thousand men at the utmost is 
 to be sent to General Gage, and four Regiments to New- 
 York. They will probably arrive the latter end of May. 
 
 The Bill for prohibiting the Commerce and Fishery of 
 the NewrEngland Provinces has passed the Commons, 
 and leave is given to bring in a Bill to extend the prohibi- 
 tion to all the Colonies. New- York, North- Carolina, and 
 Georgia excepted. They are determined you shall live 
 within yourselves, which, if you can effect, your triumph 
 is secure. 
 
 BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation at Balti- 
 more, the 13th of March, 1775. Present, forty-eight 
 Members. 
 
 Captain Henry Tickle, of the Brig Henry and Joseph, 
 from Liverpool, addressed to Mr. George Woolsey, ap- 
 peared and reported on oath his cargo, consisting of five 
 thousand one hundred and thirty-three bushels of British 
 Salt, six half-crates of Earthen-ware, and one hogshead of 
 Rum for ship-stores ; and further made oath " that he had 
 not broken bulk or landed any part of his cargo since his 
 arrival in this Province." 
 
 Captain George Woolsey, the Consignee of the afore- 
 said Vessel, made oath that he hath not, nor hath any per- 
 son by his order, or with his privity or consent, unladen or 
 taken out any part of the cargo imported in said Vessel 
 since her arrival. 
 
 Ordered, That notice be given to Dr. John Stevenson, 
 that the Committee requests his attendance with Captain 
 William Moat, of the Brig Sally, at two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Committee proceeded to consider the state of the 
 Brig Henry and Joseph, and of the cargo imported in the 
 same. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said cargo be not 
 landed. 
 
 Upon application made by Captain Woolsey to the Com- 
 mittee, for leave to reship the cargo of the Brig Henry and 
 Joseph ; and on Captain Woolsey his engaging that the 
 said cargo shall not be landed in any part of North America, 
 between Nova-Scotia and Georgia; and on his further 
 engagement, that the master of the Vessel in which the 
 said cargo is to be reshipped, shall engage on oath, that he 
 will not (unless compelled to do so by stress of weather) 
 land the same within the parts before limited ; and that he 
 will produce a certificate from the place where the said 
 cargo shall be landed, of the landing of the same : 
 
 Resolved, That leave be given agreeable to the above. 
 
 Doctor John Stevenson, with Captain William Moat, 
 attending agreeable to notice; 
 
 The Chairman acquainted them that information was 
 made to the Committee, that the cargo of Salt imported in 
 the Prig Sally, or part thereof, had been unladen, contrary 
 to the Resolution of the Committee made the sixth instant. 
 
 Doctor Stevenson declared that, apprehending the Reso- 
 lution entered into by the Committee on the sixth instant 
 did not prohibit him from shipping the Salt to any other 
 part of this Province, or Virginia, he had, in consequence 
 of such opinion, shipped a quantity on board four Bay 
 crafts, to be disposed of for his account ; that no part of the 
 said Salt had been landed in Baltimore County ; that he 
 
 will deliver into the Committee the names of the skippers 
 of the several crafts, and will return an account of the pro- 
 ceeds of the Salt, and the same will freely give for the re- 
 lief of the poor of Boston ; and that the remainder of the 
 Salt now on board the said Brig shall not be landed in any 
 part of America, between Nova-Scotia and Georgia : And 
 Captain William Moat, having declared on oath, that the 
 remainder of the Salt now on board the Brig shall not be 
 landed within the limits aforesaid : 
 
 Resolved by the Committee, that the said apology be 
 accepted. 
 
 Information being made to the Committee, that many 
 misrepresentations of the proceedings of the Continental 
 Congress had been made, with a view to lessen the influ- 
 ence which the Association drawn, entered into, and recom- 
 mended by them, justly merited, and had almost universally 
 obtained ; and it appearing to the Committee that such 
 misrepresentations are made by artful, designing, and 
 wicked men, to divide the people, and defeat the mea- 
 sures now wisely pursued for the preservation of American 
 liberty : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it is the duty of this Com- 
 mittee, and of every member thereof, and that we will col- 
 lectively and severally persevere to carry strictly into exe- 
 cution the Association of the Continental Congress, and 
 enforce an observance of the same ; and that any attempt 
 to defeat such purpose will, with its author, be exposed to 
 the publick. 
 
 The Congress, by the Third Article of Association, hav- 
 ing recommended the disuse of all East-India Teas ; the 
 Committee request that their Constituents, in their several 
 families, will strictly adhere to this resolution ; and, however 
 difficult the disuse of any article which custom has rendered 
 familiar, and to many almost necessary, may be, yet they 
 are induced to hope the ladies will cheerfully acquiesce in 
 this self-denial, and thereby evince to the world a love to 
 their friends, posterity, and Country. 
 
 A very extraordinary arrangement having been lately 
 made in the Magistracy of this County, the Committee 
 reflecting on the conclusions which may probably be drawn 
 from it in distant places to the disadvantage of the gentle- 
 men superseded, cheerfully embrace the opportunity afford- 
 ed by the present meeting, to testify in favour of their con- 
 duct while they were in office. From personal acquaint- 
 ance, we know them to have been irreproachable in pri- 
 vate, faithful and impartial in publick life; and deservedly 
 entitled to the thanks of the whole County, for the con- 
 scientious discharge of the trust reposed in them. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That this Committee 
 ought, and we hereby do, in our own names, and in tl e 
 names of our constituents, sincerely thank those worthy 
 gentlemen, whose abrupt dismission, with all the circum- 
 stances attending it, does them the greatest honour. They 
 return to a private station with the general approbation of 
 the County, and the pleasing satisfaction of having honour- 
 ably acquitted themselves of their obligations during their 
 continuance in office. Their dismission is a real loss ; it is 
 the more to be regretted as, from the manner of it, we can 
 hardly expect that any of equal worth and character will 
 hereafter be prevailed on to undertake the troublesome, un- 
 profitable employment, now rendered distasteful to men of 
 independent spirit and firmness ; and evidently exposing 
 them to unmerited insult. 
 
 Charles Ridgely, Chairman. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes. 
 
 Robert Alexander, Sec'ry pro tent. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN HARFORD 
 COUNTY, IN MARYLAND, TO HIS FRIEND IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED MARCH 13, 1775. 
 
 I was last week at Baltimore, where I was witness to a 
 manoeuvre in Government which has greatly astonished 
 and alarmed the people. It is nothing less than almost a 
 total revolution in the Magistracy, which, we hear, is to be 
 executed throughout the Province. The reason of this 
 unprecedented stretch of power is now easily understood, 
 the Magistrates of this Province being, in general, firmly 
 attached to the liberties of their Country, and resolved 
 strictly to adhere to the determination of the Congress. 
 
125 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 126 
 
 Those of Baltimore County were men of firm and inde- 
 pendent spirits, having nothing to hope, and nothing to fear 
 from Government, and were highly acceptable to the peo- 
 ple for their faithful and unwearied attendance on publick 
 business. During the sitting of Court, which was last 
 week, a rumour was spread abroad that a new commission 
 was expected, and some of the old Magistrates were said to 
 be dismissed, and a set of men introduced in their places, 
 the very mentioning of whose names was looked upon as 
 a burlesque on Magistracy. The commission, however, 
 was produced in Court, and read, when it was found that 
 nine of the oldest and best Magistrates were left out, and 
 eleven others named, some of whom had never been heard 
 of by the people, and others but too well known for their 
 uniform opposition to every measure that has been adopted 
 for the preservation of American freedom. The astonish- 
 ment, contempt, and indignation, which were visible in the 
 countenance of all present, gave disagreeable apprehen- 
 sions lest some violence should succeed ; but temperate 
 resentment was adopted, and will be pursued. 
 
 No reason was alleged for such a violent insult on the 
 Bench, nor could at first be conjectured. The Magistrates 
 who were thus disgracefully dismissed had been earnestly 
 solicited to engage in the business, and often refused, but 
 at length, out of respect to the Governour, and desirous 
 that the publick peace and good Government might be 
 maintained, they were prevailed on to act, and accordingly 
 executed their trust with great fidelity, much to ihe satis- 
 faction of the people, and with evident detriment to their 
 own private affairs. The affront that was designed has 
 totally failed of its intended effect j for it was soon known 
 that the honour of their dismission was procured by the vilest 
 means of a contemptible junto in Baltimore Town, who 
 a r e incurably inimical to the rights of Americans, and the 
 veriest tools of Government. Their number and charac- 
 ters are exceedingly trifling; but they have found means, by 
 the lowest sycophantism, to attach themselves to men who 
 have the ear of our too easy Governour, and by the basest 
 calumnies and suggestions, have brought about this change 
 so irritating to the people. The better to conceal their 
 insidious design, some of the good old Magistrates were 
 permitted to keep their stations a little longer, till the tyros 
 should be fixed securely in their seats ; then it was not 
 doubted but they were to follow their brethren. But these 
 gentlemen, seeing through the flimsy veil, with a proper 
 and becoming spirit rejected the bait, and nobly threw up 
 their commissions, refusing to countenance such unworthy 
 treatment of their brethren, or associate with men whose 
 political principles they detested. 
 
 Two of the youngest Justices in the old commission 
 were made of the quorum in the new ; and whether they 
 were childishly tickled with this trifling distinction, or had 
 been tampered with, is not certainly known ; but, to the 
 mortification and grief of their friends, they were prevailed 
 on to qualify, by which they have shaken their credit 
 greatly with their countrymen. They were, indeed, men 
 of merit, and esteemed by the people, and inadvertently 
 engaged in this dirty business, not discovering the real 
 design of the manoeuvre, or adverting to the general char- 
 acters of the men who were placed by their sides. It is 
 thought they will yet resign, and thus regain the confidence 
 of their countrymen ; for the refusing or accepting of a seat 
 on this courtly Bench is now, very justly, made a criterion, 
 by which to know a man's political principles. He that 
 refuses, acts consistently, and exhibits an unequivocal 
 proof of his unshaken attachment to his Country ; he that 
 accepts cannot hope that any declarations of his own will 
 wipe off a well-founded suspicion that he is at least a 
 negative character. 
 
 I may, perhaps, by another opportunity, give you a 
 specifick description of the individuals who compose this 
 right worshipful group. Indeed, they are in general below 
 contempt, having no respect or authority among the people, 
 and I hear, are daily insulted in the streets, and lampooned 
 from all quarters. Can it be expected that men who are 
 the contempt and detestation of the people, will ever be 
 able to keep peace and good order in the community? 
 These are the blessed effects of that arbitrary spirit of 
 Government which, issuing from a polluted source, have 
 descended with increased contaminations to the remotest 
 departments of office. 
 
 DELAWARE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Monday, March 13, 1775. 
 The House met at New-Castle, pursuant to their adjourn- 
 ment, [on the 26th of October last,] and adjourned till to- 
 morrow morning, ten o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, March 14, 1775. 
 Messrs. George Read, Thomas McKean, and John 
 Clark, Members of this House, who were absent at the 
 beginning of this session, now appeared in the House, took 
 and subscribed the usual qualifications, and took their seats 
 accordingly. 
 
 Mr. McKean informed the House, that the late Repre- 
 sentatives of the Freemen of this Government met in 
 Convention at New-Castle, on the first and second days of 
 August last, and among other things nominated and ap- 
 pointed the Honourable Ccesar Rodney, Esq., George 
 Read, Esquire, and himself, or any two of them, Deputies 
 or Delegates on the part and behalf of this Government, 
 in a General Continental Congress, then proposed to be 
 held at the City of Philadelphia, on the first Monday in 
 September following, or at any other time or place that might 
 be generally agreed on, then and there to consult and 
 advise with the Deputies from the other Colonies, and to 
 determine upon all such prudent and lawful measures as 
 might be judged most expedient for the Colonies imme- 
 diately and unitedly to adopt, in order to obtain relief for 
 an oppressed people, and the redress of our general griev- 
 ances ; the proceedings of which Convention he delivered 
 in at the table, and the same were, by order, read. 
 
 He then proceeded to inform the House, that they, the 
 said Ccesar Rodney, George Read, and himself, repaired 
 to the City of Philadelphia, according to appointment, 
 and that the Congress had agreed to the several particulars 
 contained in a printed pamphlet, intituled, "The Journa] 
 of the Proceedings of the Congress held at Philadelphia, 
 September 5th, 1774," and certified to be a genuine and 
 exact copy of the original by Charles Thomson, their Sec- 
 retary, which he delivered in at the table for the perusal 
 and consideration of the House. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be read. 
 
 And the same was done accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That the same be detained under considera- 
 tion till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning at 
 ten o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, March 15, A. M. 
 
 The House resumed the consideration of the Proceedings 
 of the late Convention, and of the Continental Congress ; 
 and after due deliberation, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House do 
 approve of the conduct of the late Representatives of this 
 Government in their said Convention, and of their appoint- 
 ment of the said Ccesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, and 
 George Read, as Deputies on the part and behalf of this 
 Government. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House do 
 approve of the Proceedings of the late Congress held at 
 the City of Philadelphia, and of the conduct of the gen- 
 tlemen appointed Deputies to attend the same on the part 
 of this Government. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this 
 House be given to all the Members of the said Congress, 
 and in particular to the gentlemen who represented this 
 Government at the same, for their faithful and judicious 
 discharge of the trust in them reposed. 
 
 Ordered, That the Minutes and Journal of the said 
 Convention and Congress be deposited amongst the files 
 and Minutes of this House. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this House will 
 make an allowance to the gentlemen who represented this 
 Government at the Congress, for their expense in attend- 
 ing the service aforesaid. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. McKinly, Robinson, and Ridge- 
 ly, be a Committee for that purpose, and make report of 
 their proceedings this afternoon. 
 
127 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 128 
 
 On motion of Mr. Ridgely, 
 
 That a Committee be appointed to prepare and bring in 
 a Bill to prohibit the importation of Slaves into this Gov- 
 ernment, 
 
 Ordertd, That Messrs. Ridgely, Read, and Cloives be 
 a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 Thursday, March 16, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of an allowance 
 to be made to the gentlemen who attended the late Con- 
 gress at Philadelphia, on behalf of this Government, for 
 their expenses during the sitting thereof, now report to the 
 House that they have considered the same, and are of opin- 
 ion that the sum of Sixty Pounds be allowed to each of 
 the said gentlemen, for their expenses on that service. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the House do 
 approve of the same, and that Orders be drawn by the 
 Speaker on the Trustees of the several Loan-Offices of 
 this Government for the same, according to the directions 
 of the Proportion Act. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the Honourable 
 Casar Rodney, Speaker, Thomas McKean, and George 
 Read, Esquires, be and they are hereby appointed and 
 authorized to represent this Government at the American 
 Congress, proposed to be held at the City of Philadelphia, 
 on the tenth day of May next, or at any other time and 
 place, with full power to them or any two of them, together 
 with the Delegates from the other American Colonies, to 
 concert and agree upon such further measures as shall ap- 
 pear to them best calculated for the accommodation of the 
 unhappy differences between Great Britain and the Colo- 
 nies, on a Constitutional foundation, which the House most 
 ardently wish for, and that they report their proceedings to 
 this House at their next meeting. 
 
 Friday, March 17, 1775. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Evans, Ridgely, McKinly, Hall, 
 and Rench, be a Committee to prepare Instructions for the 
 gentlemen appointed to represent this Government at an 
 American Congress to be held at Philadelphia, in May next. 
 
 Monday, March 20, 1775. 
 Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter which he 
 had received from three of the Colony Agents in London, 
 which was, by order, read, and ordered to be transcribed 
 upon the Minutes of the House ; and follows in these words, 
 viz : 
 
 London, December 24, 1774. 
 Sir : This is just to inform you, that having received the 
 Petition of the General Congress to the King, we immedi- 
 ately communicated the same to Lord Dartmouth, Secre- 
 tary of State for the American Department, as the regular 
 official method, and that by which only we could have ex- 
 pectation of obtaining an answer. His Lordship this day 
 informed us, that he had laid the same before the King ; 
 that His Majesty had been pleased to receive it very 
 graciously, and to say it was of so great importance that he 
 should, as soon as they met, lay it before his two Houses 
 of Parliament. We can now only add, that we are in great 
 respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servants, 
 
 W. BOLLAN, 
 
 B. Franklin, 
 Arthur Lee. 
 
 To the Honourable the Speaker of the Assembly of the 
 three Lower Counties on Delaware. 
 
 Tuesday, March 21, 1775. 
 A Petition from several Inhabitants of New-Castle Coun- 
 ty, and two Petitions from a number of the Inhabitants of 
 Kent County, praying the House to pass a Bill for estab- 
 lishing a Militia, were presented to the Chair, and by order 
 read the first time. 
 
 To the Honourable the Representatives of the Counties of 
 New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, in General Assem- 
 bly met, 14th March, 1775. 
 
 The Petition of the Inhabitants, freemen of Kent County, 
 most humbly sheweth : 
 
 That we conceive a well-regulated Militia, composed of 
 the gentlemen Freeholders and other free men, to be not 
 only a Constitutional right, but the most natural strength 
 and most stable security of a free Government, from the 
 exercise of which a wise people will not excuse themselves 
 even in time of peace. 
 
 That, happily secure in the affectionate protection of our 
 Mother Country, we have for some time past been care- 
 lessly negligent of Military art and discipline, and are, there- 
 fore, the more exposed to the insult and ravages of our 
 natural enemies at this unhappy time, when we have lost 
 our interest in the esteem and affection of our Parent 
 State. 
 
 We, therefore, pray your Honours to take our case into 
 your most serious consideration, and by passing an Act of 
 Assembly establishing a Militia throughout this Govern- 
 ment, grant us relief in the premises, and your Petitioners, 
 as in duty bound, will ever pray. 
 
 Thursday, March 23, 1775. 
 
 The Doorkeeper informed the House that Mr. Secre- 
 tary waited at the door. 
 
 Ordered, That he be admitted ; and he was admitted 
 accordingly, and presented to the Chair a written Message 
 from his Honour the Governour, with copies of two Procla- 
 mations, referred to in the same. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be read ; which was done ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That his Honour the Governour's Message be 
 transcribed on the Minutes ; and follows in these words, 
 to wit : 
 
 A Message from the Governour to the Assembly. 
 
 Gentlemen : At your last sessions in October, I inform- 
 ed you that the jurisdiction of this Government had been 
 extended to the boundary lines now run and marked by 
 Commissioners appointed by the proprietors of Pennsylva- 
 nia and Maryland, and recommended it to you to estab- 
 lish such divisional lines in the Counties as the settlement 
 of the new boundary might require ; but soon after your 
 last adjournment, I was obliged, by His Majesty's com- 
 mands, signified to me in a letter from the Secretary of 
 State, by my Proclamation, dated the 2d of November, to 
 supersede that which I had issued on the 15th of Septem- 
 ber, for the above purpose of extending the jurisdiction un- 
 til His Majesty's pleasure should be further known therein. 
 
 1 have now, gentlemen, the satisfaction to acquaint you, 
 that I have lately been advised by the Right Honourable 
 the Earl of Dartmouth, that His Majesty, on further con- 
 sideration of the matter, is graciously pleased to approve of 
 the arrangement made by my Proclamation of the 15th of 
 September, and to permit me to recall that of the 2d of 
 November, so that you are now at full liberty to resume 
 the business I recommended to you at your last session. 
 
 John Penn. 
 
 New-Castle, 23d March, 1775. 
 
 Friday, March 24, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a Bill 
 to prohibit the importation of Slaves into this Government, 
 now laid one on the table, which they submitted to the 
 correction of the House. 
 
 On motion, by order, the same was read the first time. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions for 
 the gentlemen appointed by the House to represent this 
 Government at the American Congress, proposed to be 
 held at Philadelphia in May next, now report, that they 
 have essayed a draught of the same, which they laid on 
 the table for the inspection and correction of the House. 
 
 On motion, by order, 
 
 The same was read the first time. 
 
 On motion, by special order, 
 
 The Bill to prohibit the importation of Slaves into this 
 Government, was read the second time, paragraph by para- 
 graph, and, after sundry amendments, passed the House, 
 and was ordered to be engrossed. 
 
 Saturday, March 25, 1775. 
 
 The engrossed Bill to prohibit the importation of Slaves 
 into this Government, was read and compared. 
 
129 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 130 
 
 On motion, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Ridgely, Clowes, and Clark, 
 be a Committee to wait upon his Honour the Governour, 
 with the Bill to prohibit the importation of Slaves into 
 this Goverment, for his perusal and concurrence. 
 
 Monday, March 27, 1775. 
 
 The Doorkeeper informed the House that Mr. Secre- 
 tary waited at the door. 
 
 Ordered, That he be admitted ; and he was admitted 
 accordingly, and informed the House that his Honour the 
 Governour, by him, returned the Bill to prohibit the im- 
 portation of Slaves into this Government, to which his 
 Honour cannot give his assent. 
 
 Wednesday, March 29, 1775. 
 
 On motion, 
 
 The draught of Instructions for the gentlemen appointed 
 by the House to represent this Government at an Ameri- 
 can Congress, proposed to be held at Philadelphia in May 
 next, was, by order, read the second time, paragraph by 
 paragraph, agreed to, and ordered to be transcribed on the 
 minutes, and follows in these words, to wit : 
 
 Instructions to the Deputies appointed by this Govern- 
 ment to meet in General Congress on the tenth day of 
 May next. 
 
 1. That in every act to be done in Congress, you stu- 
 diously avoid, as you have heretofore done, every thing 
 disrespectful or offensive to our most gracious Sovereign, 
 or in any measure invasive of his just rights and prerogative. 
 
 2. That you do adhere to those claims and resolutions 
 made and agreed upon at the last meeting of the Congress ; 
 yet, for the restoration of that harmony with the Parent 
 State which is so essential to the security and happiness of 
 the whole British Empire, and which is so ardently wish- 
 ed for by this House, you may, on your parts, yield such 
 contested claims of right as do not apparently belong to 
 the Colonists, or are not essentially necessary to their well 
 being. 
 
 3. If His Majesty should be pleased graciously to ap- 
 point any person or persons to treat with the Colonies on 
 the present unhappy disputes subsisting between them and 
 the Parent State, you, or any of you the Congress shall 
 nominate, may treat with such person or persons on behalf 
 of the inhabitants of this Government. 
 
 4. If the Congress, when formed, shall not, in every 
 question to be voted by Provinces, allow this Government 
 an equal vote with any other Province or Government on 
 this Continent, you are decently but firmly to urge the 
 right of this Government to an equal voice in Congress 
 with the other Colonies. 
 
 The House adjourned till the fifth day of June next. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Monday, 13th 
 March, 1775: 
 
 Present, the Hon. John Penn, Esquire, Governour, 
 Benjamin Chew and Edward Shippen, Junior, Esquires. 
 
 The Governour laid before the Board a Letter that he 
 received last night by the Packet from the Right Honour- 
 able the Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal 
 Secretaries of State, dated the 7th of January, 1775, 
 which was read, and follows in these words, viz : 
 
 Whitehall, January 7, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I am very much obliged to you for the early com- 
 munication of the proceedings of the General Congress. 
 
 These proceedings are of a very extraordinary nature, 
 and it is with concern 1 see, by your letter of the 6th of 
 December, that the Resolution for Non-Importation has 
 been so generally adopted in the Colony under your gov- 
 ernment. Such measures and proceedings are but ill cal- 
 culated to restore peace and union between Great Britain 
 and the Colonies. But though they may in the moment 
 provoke the vengeance of Government, I will hope that we 
 may yet, in the consideration of the business, be led to 
 some proposition that may ultimately bring about a happy 
 accommodation upon some general constitutional plan. 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Your letter of the 3d of November, No. 5, states the 
 case respecting the boundary line between Pennsylvania 
 and Maryland, in a very different light from that in which 
 it was represented to me. And the King, confiding in your 
 assertion that the extension of the jurisdiction of Pennsyl- 
 vania up to the line settled and marked by the Commis- 
 sioners, had been so far from having the effect to disturb 
 the peace of his subjects, and occasioning violence and 
 bloodshed, that it had a quite contrary tendency, and given 
 universal satisfaction, is graciously pleased to approve the 
 arrangement made by your Proclamation of the 15th of 
 September, and permit you to recall that issued on the 2d 
 of November. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Deputy Governour Penn. 
 
 The Board, taking the latter part of the above Letter into 
 consideration, were of opinion that it would be advisable 
 for the Governour to issue a Proclamation agreeable to His 
 Majesty's permission, signified in the said Letter, to recall 
 the Governour's Proclamation of the 2d of November last. 
 It is accordingly ordered that a draught of a Proclamation be 
 prepared, to be laid before the Board at their next meeting. 
 
 Memorandum, March 16, 1775. 
 
 The Governour this day wrote to Governour Eden the 
 following Letter, on the subject of the Proclamation to be 
 issued respecting the boundary between Pennsylvania and 
 Maryland : 
 
 Philadelphia, March 16, 1775. 
 Sir: I make no doubt you have been informed, since 
 your return from England, that in the month of September 
 last I issued a Proclamation for extending the jurisdiction 
 of Pennsylvania and the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, 
 and Sussex, up to the boundary lines run and marked by 
 the Commissioners appointed to that service, and that I 
 afterwards revoked that Proclamation by a subsequent one 
 of the 2d of November, in consequence of His Majesty's 
 orders, signified to me by the Secretary of State, "that I 
 should desist from issuing any orders for extending the 
 jurisdiction of Pennsylvania beyond those places where it 
 had been usually exercised, until His Majesty's further 
 pleasure should be made known therein." 1 am now to 
 inform you that I have received a letter from the Earl of 
 Dartmouth by the last Packet, advising me that His Ma- 
 jesty, "on further consideration, is graciously pleased to 
 approve the arrangement made by my Proclamation of the 
 15th of September, and to permit me to recall that of the 
 2d of November ;" and I propose immediately to issue a 
 new Proclamation, to make known His Majesty's pleasure 
 in this matter, and to enforce that of the 15th of Septem- 
 ber. 
 
 I am, with great respect, your Excellency's most obedi- 
 ent and most humble servant, John Penn. 
 
 To His Excellency Robert Eden, Esquire, Governour 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Maryland, 
 Annapolis. 
 
 BOSTON TOWN-MEETING. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Boston, 
 on Monday, March 13th, 1775, upon a motion made and 
 seconded, 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Correspondence be di- 
 rected to draw up an exact state of the behaviour of the 
 Troops under the command of General Gage, and of the 
 Navy under the command of Admiral Graves, going as far 
 back as they shall judge proper ; and also carefully to ob- 
 serve their conduct in future, taking their information upon 
 oath before two Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, al- 
 ways giving legal notice to the persons accused of disor- 
 derly proceedings, and report to the Town. 
 
 Attest: William Cooper, Town Clerk. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF HACKENSACK, NEW- 
 JERSEY. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Precinct of 
 Hackensack, in the County of Bergen and Province ol 
 New-Jersey, held pursuant to an Act of Assembly of the 
 
131 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1715. 
 
 132 
 
 said Province, on Tuesday, the 14th of March, in the year 
 of our Lord 1775, 
 
 Thomas Moor, Esq., Chairman. 
 This Mooting being heartily grieved at the unhappy 
 disputes now subsisting between Great Britain and her 
 American Colonies, and earnestly wishing that the present 
 misunderstandings may be removed, and such a reconcilia- 
 tion take place as may be consistent with the dignity of 
 Great Britain and the true interest of the Colonies ; and 
 being unanimously of opinion that it is the duty of every 
 loyal subject to adopt and encourage the most lenient mea- 
 sures, which may tend to heal and not inflame the present 
 differences : 
 
 We, therefore, in order to contribute what is in our pow- 
 er to this salutary purpose, and to show our loyalty to our 
 King, and love to our Country, do Besolve, 
 
 1. That we are and will continue to be loyal subjects to 
 His Majesty King George, and that we will venture our 
 lives and fortunes to support the dignity of his Crown. 
 
 2. That we disavow all riotous mobs whatsoever. 
 
 3. That by humbly petitioning the Throne, is the only 
 salutary means we can think of to remove our present 
 grievances. 
 
 4. That we have not, nor (for the future,) will not, be 
 concerned in any case whatever with any unconstitutional 
 measures, 
 
 5. That we will support His Majesty's Civil Officers in 
 all their lawful proceedings. 
 
 Signed by thirty-seven Inhabitants. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF FREEHOLD, (MONMOUTH COUNTY,) NEW- 
 JERSEY. 
 
 March 14, 1775, P. M. 
 The Committee of Observation for the Township of 
 Freehold, in the County of Monmouth, New- Jersey, have 
 made repeated applications to the inhabitants of the Town- 
 ship of Shreivsbury, earnestly requesting and exhorting them 
 to comply with the instructions of the late American Con- 
 gress, in constituting for themselves a Committee of Observa- 
 tion, that they might conspire with their brethren in the other 
 Towns belonging to the County, in executing the Resolves 
 of said Congress ; but, although they have entertained 
 hopes, notwithstanding their former opposition, that they 
 would do it at their stated annual town-meeting, they are, 
 at this late hour, informed, that the said annual meeting of 
 Shrewsbury is broke up without a Committee being chosen, 
 or any one step taken whereby the least disposition is discov- 
 ered of their being inclined to adopt the Resolutions of said 
 Congress. They think it, therefore, their duty, however 
 painful the declaration, to bear publick testimony against 
 them. 
 
 And we do now unanimously enter into the following 
 Resolve, viz : That from and after this day, during our 
 continuance as a Committee, (unless they shall turn from 
 the evil of their ways, and testify their repentance by 
 adopting the measures of the Congress,) we will esteem 
 and treat them, the said inhabitants of Shrewsbury, as 
 enemies to their King and Country, and deserters from 
 the common cause of true freedom ; and we will hereafter 
 break off all dealings and connection with them while they 
 continue their opposition. We do furthermore recommend 
 the same conduct towards them to our constituents, and all 
 others ; earnestly hoping it may be a means of reclaiming 
 those deluded people to their duty and interest, whom we 
 shall always be pleased to receive and treat as returning 
 prodigals. Signed by order of the Committee, 
 
 Nathaniel Scudoer, Cleric. 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS, &£C, IN NEW-WINDSOR, 
 (ULSTER COUNTY,) NEW-YORK. 
 
 March 14, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants 
 of the Precinct of New -Windsor, in the County of Ulster, 
 and Province of New -York, legally convened by mutual 
 consent, in order to elect a Committee of Observation, and 
 deliberate on other matters relative to our political welfare, 
 this 14th day of March, 1775.^Then proceeded, and 
 chose Mr. George Denniston, Chairman, and the following 
 persons for the above named Committee, viz: Mr. George 
 
 Denniston, Mr. Robert Cross, Mr. Joseph Belknap, Mr. 
 Francis Mandiville, Mr. Nuac Shutts, and Mr. Hezekiah 
 White ; afterwards did solemnly agree to, and with each 
 other, in observing the following Resolutions ourselves, and, 
 as far as our influence may extend, recommend them to 
 the observation of others, viz : 
 
 Resolved 1st, nem. con., That we acknowledge no other 
 Sovereign or Potentate on earth to be our lawful and liege 
 Sovereign, save His Majesty King George the Third, of 
 legal descent from that illustrious House of Brunswick, 
 which was, by the kind providence of God, established to 
 sway the British sceptre on just and equitable principles, 
 but more emphatically described and known by the name 
 of Revolution principles. 
 
 Resolved 2diy, nem. con., That we will yield to none in 
 point of affection and loyalty to our most gracious Sover- 
 eign, but will each one for himself, when thereunto legally 
 called, (even though to the most distant and remote parts 
 of His Majesty's Empire,) venture our lives and properties 
 in defence of our Sovereign's person, family, and Govern- 
 ment, when exercised on the above-named principles. 
 
 It is with the greatest regret, and deepest concern of 
 heart, we conceive a plan adopted and invariably pursued 
 for a number of years past, by the British Parliament, for 
 enslaving us, by levying taxes on us without our consent, 
 and declaring they (the Parliament) are fully vested with 
 power to make laws obligatory on us, in all cases whatso- 
 ever : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, 3dly,nem. con., That such declara- 
 tions and unbounded power assumed, are subversive of our 
 natural and legal rights as British subjects ; and that we 
 would be far deficient in point of duty to our King and the 
 British Constitution, were we to yield a tame submission 
 to them. 
 
 But as the wisdom and prudence of the whole Conti- 
 nent hath been called forth in appointing and holding a 
 Continental Congress, in order to state our grievances, and 
 point out the means by which we may be relieved from 
 them : 
 
 Resolved Athly, nem. con., That we do sincerely and 
 willingly accord to the Association entered into by that 
 body, with a full determination to abide by and observe the 
 same, and do unfeignedly thank our worthy Delegates of 
 the Province of Ncpj -York, in conjunction with the rest 
 of that honourable body, for the care they have taken for 
 the security of our liberties, and the patriotick principles 
 they have exhibited to the world, which will remain more 
 sure and permanent in the annals of American history 
 than monuments either of brass or marble erected to their 
 honour and perpetuity of their memory. 
 
 And whereas it is agreed in the Seventh Article of the 
 Association, to improve the breed, and increase the num- 
 ber of Sheep : 
 
 Resolved bthly, nem. con., That we will use our best 
 endeavours in promoting so laudable and beneficial an 
 undertaking, and do promise that we will not kill any 
 Sheep under four years old, or procure them to be killed 
 by others ; neither will we sell the best of our Sheep to 
 butchers, or others employed by them to purchase, where- 
 by the breed of our Sheep is much injured. 
 
 And further, we consider the Freedom of the Press as 
 the great palladium of English liberty ; therefore we will 
 do all in our power to encourage and support the same. 
 But there is a certain news-printer in New -York, named 
 James Rivington, who appears to us divested of every 
 principle of honour, truth, or modesty; his papers being 
 filled with pieces replete with falsehoods and mere chi- 
 canery, only designed, as we believe, to divide and lead 
 astray the friends of our happy Constitution : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, 6thly, nem. con., That we will 
 have no connection or intercourse with said Rivington, 
 nor will we purchase any of his publications until we receive 
 sufficient evidence of his sincere repentance ; for we do be- 
 lieve he is a Ministerial hireling, an enemy to his Country, 
 and a traitor to the British Constitution. 
 
 And as a certain pamphlet, signed A. W., A Farmer, 
 hath been for some time circulating among us, which is 
 artfully designed to impose on the illiterate and unthinking 
 part of mankind, having a show of plausibility, but the 
 foundation-principles on which it proceeds are notoriously 
 false : 
 
133 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 134 
 
 Resolved, therefore, Ithly, nem. con., That the said 
 pamphlet be now publickly burnt in contempt and ab- 
 horrence of the author, publisher, and vender of it, at the 
 same time holding them in our estimation as enemies to 
 their Country, with whom no friend to it should have any 
 connection, intercourse, or commerce ; well knowing that 
 every shilling of property we put into their hands, we are 
 in a certain proportion enabling them to purchase chains to 
 bind us in slavery. [And said pamphlet was burnt accord- 
 
 And further, as we do much esteem the wisdom and 
 prudence of the late Continental Congress held at Phila- 
 delphia, in September and October last, as well for their 
 recommending another Congress to be held in May next, 
 as for the other important services they have done us : 
 
 Resolved, Qlhly, nem. con., That we are ready and 
 willing to co-operate with our brethren of the different 
 Towns and Precincts in this County, in choosing a Dele- 
 gate or Delegates to represent us in the next General Con- 
 gress, believing that the resolutions and determinations of 
 any man, or body of men on earth, cannot legally divest 
 us of this inherent right and privilege we enjoy as British 
 subjects. 
 
 Ordered, That these Resolves be printed by John Holt. 
 
 George Denniston, Chairman. 
 
 LETTERS FROM PHILADELPHIA, TO MR. RIVINGTON, NEW- 
 JTORK. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 15, 1775. 
 
 What in the name of common sense can make the 
 Whigs exult ? Can you find out wherein Lord North lias 
 flinched ? Do you see any prospect of His Majesty's 
 relaxing, applauding the Congress, or being dumbfounded 
 at their proceedings ? I am sure I cannot. It is true a 
 number of Merchants in the Trading Cities have petitioned, 
 and they will probably be followed by the Manufacturing 
 Towns ; but do they ask a repeal of all the Acts which 
 the Congress have recited as grievances? No: they wish 
 a restoration of peace between the State and its members 
 to take place ; but is it likely a lasting harmony can issue 
 from a compliance with all the demands of America — by 
 gratifying her petulant humours? If she be now indulged, 
 she will rise in her demands, till there will be no end of 
 them. But if every Act relating to the Colonies should 
 be repealed ; if the Parliament should relinquish all claim 
 of power whatever over the Colonies, I declare I should 
 be surprised to see the warm patriots rejoice, although they 
 might perhaps force a superficial smile. They know, and 
 the Tories know full well, that all their consequence is 
 derived from the calamities of this convulsed Country, 
 who, like salamanders, glory in a Jicry element. 'Tis true, 
 there are great numbers of honest, well-meaning people, 
 who have been so far deluded as perhaps to approve of 
 every act of violence which has been committed ; these 
 probably would most sincerely rejoice in an amicable 
 adjustment of the dispute ; and they would be told by 
 their leaders it was owing to them that the salvation of 
 their Country was brought about, although a more prudent 
 conduct on our part would have effected it more certainly, 
 and with a thousandth part of the noise and confusion, 
 without creating party strife amongst one another, and 
 without alienating the affections of the Colonists from the 
 best of Sovereigns that ever held the British sceptre. 
 
 Ambition, and a thirst of power, are dangerous to com- 
 bat with. Our patriots have in general chosen for their 
 leaders the most violent and zealous ; and I cannot persuade 
 myself but that they would sacrifice their Country to their 
 ambitious views. They are elated beyond measure at the 
 thoughts of filling such exalted stations, having usurped 
 not only the Legislative, but the Executive branches of 
 Government, and both of them unlimited and unbounded. 
 They will not, I am confident, part with these precious 
 offices without great reluctance and pain ; and they will 
 regret any circumstance that shall deprive them of them. 
 1 do not indiscriminately aim at all Committee-men, or all 
 persons who side with them ; I only direct my discourse to 
 such as are active in widening the breach, and have had 
 the art or address to make the vulgar believe liberty is the 
 grand object of their pursuit. These are dangerous men, 
 of whom we ought to beware, who have designs, and are 
 
 carrying on intrigues unknown, unsuspected but by too few. 
 For my part I shall be happy beyond expression at any 
 step which may check the career of these unskilful pilots, 
 and place men of more ability and more integrity at the 
 helm. Let me most heartily felicitate you on the King's 
 having received the Petition. It will have two good effects. 
 It will convince the world that he is disposed to hear the 
 complaints of his subjects, and give them the weight they 
 may deserve. It will, besides, deprive our Republicans of 
 the pleasure they would take in inveighing against him, 
 which they would certainly have done most bitterly, had 
 he rejected their Petition without a hearing. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 15, 1775. 
 
 You cannot conceive with what pleasure our Patriots 
 circulated a false report that the mob had pulled down 
 Mr. Rivington's house; had cut off the ears of a number 
 of Tories ; and that Mr. Rivington, in making his escape, 
 had broke his back. This they told with every mark of 
 joy, approaching almost to rapture. But how inconceiv- 
 ably were they dejected, when they found the whole was a 
 Putnamitish lie. Their lank, lean visages betrayed the 
 most mortifying affliction, which they have not yet got the 
 better of, although this was almost as improbable as the 
 lie which the same party set on foot respecting the bom- 
 bardment of Boston; yet as blood-thirsty Demagogues 
 were rejoiced at the report, they really believe it true. To 
 what a shift are the sons of licentiousness driven, when 
 nothing but lies will serve to keep alive the dying faction. 
 In Boston, the Republican Printers assert, that the Testi- 
 mony which the loyal Friends gave forth the beginning of 
 this year was wrote ten years ago, and accuse the few 
 Printers of altering the date from 1765 to 1775. This is 
 so bare-faced a Putnamite, that it will not gain ground 
 even in the faction. This same party have had general- 
 ship enough so far to invert the order of nature and reason 
 as to make a Whig a Tory, and a Tory a Whig ; which 
 denominations are now generally adopted. They have 
 done the same by slavery and liberty ; and truths by them 
 are called lies, and the most gross and palpable falsehoods 
 secure a credit equal to proofs of holy writ. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 16, 1775. 
 Our Fanus, Tornado, and the lean Cassius, are the tri- 
 umviri who now support the sons of violence. To these 
 the Patriots look up as naturally as the mariner to the 
 vane, or the philosopher to the thermometer ; and they 
 have lately seen a gleam of joy darting from their counte- 
 nances. At this the whole race of Whigs appeared to 
 rejoice ; for they were before indeed in a state of despera- 
 tion. Like a drowning man, they catch at a straw, but, 
 alas! it will not support them. It is, however, a gross im- 
 position on the publick for them to attempt to make the 
 world believe that it would please them to have the matter 
 finally settled ; and you may depend, if their numbers 
 (now fast decreasing) should not fail, they will make some 
 excuse, if possible, to keep up the ball ; for when that 
 drops, their whole importance will evaporate in fumo. 
 
 J. POWN ALL, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD FOR TRADE AND 
 PLANTATIONS, TO LIEUTENANT GOVERNOUR COLDEN. 
 
 Whitehall, March 15, 1775. 
 Sir : 1 am desired by the Lords Commissioners for 
 Trade and Plantations, to send to you for your informa- 
 tion, the inclosed Extracts of the Minutes of their Lord- 
 ships' Proceedings upon several Petitions and Memorials 
 referred and presented to them, relative to the pretensions 
 of sundry persons to the District, commonly called King's 
 District, and other lands adjacent thereto, in the Province 
 of New-York, heretofore claimed by Mr. Van Rensselaer. 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 J. POWNALL. 
 
 Lieutenant Governour Colden. 
 
 At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade 
 and Plantations, Thursday, February 23, 1775. Present: 
 Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Kcene, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Grcville. 
 
 The Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal 
 Secretaries of State attends. 
 
 * 
 
135 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 136 
 
 Their Lordships took into consideration the state of His 
 Majesty's Province of New-York, in respect to the disputes 
 which have arisen in that Province, and the disorders that 
 have prevailed therein, to the disturbance of the publick 
 peace, by means of the claims and pretensions that have 
 been set up on different grounds and titles to Lands in that 
 Province ; and the following Papers relative to a tract of 
 Land laying between Hudson's River and the boundary 
 line between New-York and Massachusetts-Bay, hereto- 
 fore claimed under an ancient Grant by Mr. Van Rensselaer 
 and others, were read and considered, viz : 
 
 Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for 
 Plantation Affairs,, dated 26th August, 1773, referring to 
 this Board, for their consideration and report, the Petition 
 of Major General Simon Frascr, on behalf of himself and 
 sixteen other Officers, praying that they may be included 
 in any grant or order, hereafter to be made in favour of the 
 Captains Campbell and Ourry, and their associates, of 
 Lands in the Province of Nciv- York, so as to entitle the 
 Petitioners to a share thereof, agreeable to the proportions 
 specified in the Royal Proclamation of the 7th of Octo- 
 ber, 1763: 
 
 Order of the Lords of the Committee of Council for 
 Plantation Affairs, dated August 26, 1773, referring to this 
 Board, for their consideration and report, the Petition of 
 Lieutenant Colonel Steivart, and seven others, in behalf of 
 themselves, and several other Officers, who served in Ame- 
 rica during the late war, setting, forth their services, and 
 the expenses they have incurred in prosecuting His Majes- 
 ty's right to certain Lands claimed by JohnVan Rensselaer, 
 Esq., in New-York, and praying for a grant of a tract 
 containing two hundred and fifty thousand acres of the said 
 Land : 
 
 Petition of the proprietors of the Westenhook Patent 
 to Governour Tryon, praying that patent may be granted 
 to each proprietor for such share of the Lands contained 
 in several lots therein specified, as to each of them shall, 
 upon the said division, be allotted, (except out of the lots 
 No. 9, 12, and — , the land formerly granted to Stephen 
 Bayard and his associates,) and that the said grants be sub- 
 ject to those conditions to which they are now subject by 
 their present patent: 
 
 Petition of James Savage in behalf of himself and 
 several hundred others, to the Board, dated September 20, 
 1774, praying the confirmation of their title to certain 
 Lands, therein described, in the Province of Netv-York, 
 which are possessed and have been cultivated by them. 
 
 Letter from Mr. Savage to the Secretary to this Board, 
 dated February 17th, 1775, relative to his Petition, and 
 inclosing — 
 
 A Letter to him from P. V. Schaack, dated New-York, 
 December 24th, 1774, on the same subject : 
 Mr. Savage's case : 
 
 Memorial of Samuel Bayard, in behalf of himself and 
 liis associate, praying to be put in quiet possession of their 
 property in a tract of Land called Westenhook Patent, by 
 the dismission of Mr. Savage's Petition, and the prohibi- 
 tion of all acts of violence by his adherents :. 
 
 Copy of a Letter from Mr. Samuel Bayard, Junior, to 
 William Knox, Esquire, dated June 11th, 1774, on the 
 same subject. 
 
 It appearing, that Mr. Bayard's Memorial was not sub- 
 scribed by any person, and the Secretary having informed 
 the Board that it had been delivered to him this morning 
 by Captain Williams, on behalf of the proprietors of the 
 Westenhook Patent, who claim a part of the Lands in 
 question : Captain Williams was called in ; and being ask 
 ed if he had authority from the proprietors of the Westen- 
 hook Patent to act for them in their business, he said he 
 had, and accordingly subscribed his name to the Memorial 
 above-mentioned, as their agent. And the Board being in- 
 formed that Mr. Savage attended without, in behalf of the 
 present occupants and possessors of the Lands in question, 
 with Mr. Ingersoll, his solicitor and advocate, and also 
 Colonel McLean, and others, on behalf of the Officers, 
 whose Petitions are mentioned above, they were called in, 
 and each respectively heard in support of their claims and 
 pretensions. 
 
 Colonel McLean having stated that the Governour and 
 Council of New- York had, in direct disobedience to an 
 order in Council, (made in behalf of the reduced officers,) 
 
 confirmed to Mr. Van Rensselaer, by patent, Lands which 
 they claimed ; and had not taken any notice of a caveat 
 entered by them against such confirmation : Mr. Tryon, 
 who was present, desired that a letter to the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, containing his reasons for such confirmation might 
 be read ; and Lord Dartmouth having directed the said 
 letter to be produced, it was accordingly read. 
 
 At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade 
 and Plantations, Friday, February 24th, 1775. Present: 
 Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keenc, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Greville. 
 
 The Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal 
 Secretaries of State attends, and also Mr. Tryon, Govern- 
 our of New-York. 
 
 Their Lordships made a further progress in the conside- 
 ration of the business of New- York, mentioned in the pre- 
 ceding Minutes; and the parties were further heard in what 
 they had to offer in support of their respective claims and 
 pretensions. 
 
 At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade 
 and Plantations, Monday, February 29th, 1775. Present : 
 Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Jolliffe, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Keene. 
 
 The Earl of Dartmouth took into further consideration 
 the business of New-York, mentioned in the two prece- 
 ding days' Minutes, and the parties interested in the Lands 
 in question attending again ; Mr. Dagge, solicitor for the 
 reduced Officers, submitted to the Board the following pro- 
 posal for adjusting the matter in controversy, so far as it 
 regarded the claims of said Officers, and those of the pre- 
 sent possessors and occupants, viz : 
 
 " That the Petitioners be allowed to locate their Lands, 
 claimed under the Proclamation, upon that tract within the 
 Province of New- York which lies between the North and 
 South Manors of Rensselaer, bounded on the West by the 
 Kinderhook Patent, and on the East by the jurisdiction 
 line between the Provinces of New- York and Massachu- 
 setts, as far as such locations can be made without preju- 
 dice to the present occupancies, (now under actual im- 
 provement,) allowing to each occupant at the rate of fifty 
 acres of woodland for every two hundred acres of Land 
 under actual improvement, and so in proportion for a 
 greater or lesser number of acres ; such parcels of wood- 
 land to be as contiguous as possible to each occupancy, to 
 which the same shall be respectively allotted. And if any 
 quantity of woodland shall have been already inclosed by 
 any of the occupants, such woodland, if less than the pro- 
 portion above-mentioned, shall be reckoned as part of the 
 woodland so directed to be allotted to each occupancy as 
 aforesaid ; and if it exceeds the number of fifty acres, in 
 that case no woodland shall be allotted ; and that, in so far 
 as the vacant Lands shall fall short of the quantity claimed 
 by the Petitioners, they be allowed to locate double the 
 quantity of such residue in some other part of the Prov- 
 ince of New- York, or elsewhere in North America, not 
 already granted." 
 
 Mr. Savage having desired, by his solicitor, some time 
 to consider the said proposal, the parties withdrew ; and, 
 after a short time, they desired to be called in, when Mr. 
 Savage signified his consent to and approbation of the said 
 proposal, in which the Board acquiesced, not thinking that 
 any thing had been stated or proved on the part of the 
 IVestenhook proprietors, that made them, in this case, ob- 
 jects of the attention of Government ; and, therefore, that 
 they should be left to prosecute their claims, if they had 
 any, in such other manner as they should be advised. 
 
 At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade 
 and Plantations, Thursday, March 2d, 1775. Present : 
 Mr. Jenyns, Mr. Keene, Mr. Greville. 
 
 The Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal 
 Secretaries of State attends ; also Mr. Tryon, Governour of 
 New- York. 
 
 Their Lordships took into further consideration the state 
 of the Province of New-York, more particularly in regard 
 to the Lands between the Rivers Hudson and Connecticut, 
 upon which both the Province of New-York and that of 
 Ncw-]lampshirc heretofore claimed a right of jurisdiction ; 
 and upon parts of which settlements have been made by 
 grants of the Governours of both Provinces, in some in- 
 
137 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 138 
 
 stances, of the same Land, by means whereof the publick 
 peace hath been disturbed, and the course of publick justice 
 obstructed. 
 
 Upon the subject of those claims, it was proposed by 
 Governour Tryon, and agreed to by the Board, that such 
 of the grants made by the Governour of Netv-Hampshire 
 to the West of Connecticut River as have not yet been 
 confirmed, and do not interfere with any grants made by 
 tiie Government of New-York, or that of Canada before 
 the conquest, should now be confirmed to the present oc- 
 cupants and possessors, subject to the payment of the quit- 
 rent reserved upon all Lands granted in Neto-York. 
 
 That with regard to those grants made by the Govern- 
 our of New-Hampshire, of Lands in those districts, which 
 do either interfere with grants made by the Governour of 
 New- York, or the Governour of Canada before the con- 
 quest, it would be advisable to recommend the having 
 some question stated, that should comprehend the whole 
 of the case, so as to include every claim, and an action 
 brought thereupon in the Supreme Court of Neic-York, 
 upon such grounds that, either by means of special verdict, 
 or upon some plea of errour, an appeal might lie from the 
 judgment of the said Court to the Governour and Council, 
 and from them to His Majesty in his Privy Council ; or 
 otherwise, that the matter should be left to be settled by 
 arbitration, in any mode that should be satisfactory to the 
 different parties. 
 
 At a Meeting of His Majesty's Commissioners for Trade 
 and Plantations, Thursday, March 9th, 1775. Present: 
 Mr. Jenyns, Lord Robert Spencer, Mr. Gascoyne, Mr. Jol- 
 lijfe, Mr. Keene. 
 
 The Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal 
 Secretaries of State, attends. 
 
 The Governour of New- York attending without, with 
 Mr. Burke, agent for that Province, and also Colonel Read, 
 lately arrived from thence ; they were called in, and their 
 Lordships resumed the consideration of the state of the 
 disputes touching the propriety of Lands in New- York be- 
 tween Hudson River and Connecticut River ; and Colonel 
 Read, who is largely interested in those lands, having 
 stated that he had material evidence and information to lay 
 before their Lordships touching this matter, it was agreed 
 to reconsider the propositions stated in the Minutes of the 
 2d instant, when Governour Tryon, who was going to Bath 
 on account of his health, should return from thence. 
 
 Their Lordships being of opinion that it would be pro- 
 per, in order to prevent any further survey or location of 
 Lands in King's District, and on the other Lands surrender- 
 ed by Mr. Van Rensselaer, that a copy of the Minutes of 
 their Lordships' proceedings on this subject should be sent 
 to Lieutenant Governour Colden, the Secretary was or- 
 dered to transmit a copy of those Minutes, and also to give 
 another copy thereof to Mr. Savage. 
 
 A true copy : J. Pownall. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New-York, 15th March, 1775. 
 
 The Sub-Committees appointed by this Committee to 
 join with the Vestrymen of each Ward in this City, in su- 
 perintending the polls held this day, in the said Wards, for 
 taking the votes of the Freemen and Freeholders on the 
 question, " Whether they would choose Deputies for this 
 City and County, to meet such Deputies as the Counties 
 may elect, and join with them for the sole purpose of ap- 
 pointing out of their body Delegates for the next Congress?" 
 And if yea, who such Deputies should be; 
 
 Reported, That they had accordingly attended the said 
 polls, and delivered to the Committee the several poll-lists 
 by them taken, under their hands, and the hands of the 
 Vestrymen of such Wards, from which it appears that 
 eight hundred and twenty-six Freeholders and Freemen 
 voted for Deputies, and elected the eleven persons nomi- 
 nated by this Committee ; and that one hundred and sixty- 
 three voted against the measure of appointing Deputies. 
 The said Sub-Committees also informed this Committee 
 that almost all those who voted against the appointment of 
 Deputies, declared they were nevertheless for Delegates. 
 
 Ordered, That the said reports and poll-lists be lodged 
 with the Secretary, and that Circular Letters be written to 
 all the Counties in the Colony, informing them of the ap- 
 
 pointment of Deputies for this City and County, and re- 
 questing them, with all convenient speed, to elect Deputies 
 to meet in Provincial Convention at the City of New- York, 
 on the 20th day of April next, for the sole purpose of 
 appointing Delegates to represent this Colony at the next 
 Congress to be held at Fhiladelphia, the 10th day of M^ay 
 next. 
 
 Ordered, That the above extracts from the proceedings 
 of the Committee be published. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 John Alsop, Deputy Chairman. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF 
 NEW-YORK, TO ALL THE COUNTIES IN THE COLONY. 
 
 New-York, 16th March, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The late Congress having deemed it 
 expedient that, in the present critical state of American 
 affairs, another should be held at Philadelphia the 10th of 
 May next ; and the neighbouring Colonies having already 
 appointed Delegates for that purpose, we beg leave to call 
 your attention to that subject, and to remark, that the hon- 
 our, as well as the interest of the Province requires that 
 we also should be fully and properly represented. 
 
 Influenced by these considerations, this City and County 
 conceive it highly necessary that a Provincial Convention 
 should, without delay, be formed of Deputies from all the 
 Counties, for the sole purpose of appointing out of their 
 body Delegates for the next Congress ; and, therefore, have 
 already chosen their Deputies. They prefer this mode to 
 any other, as it tends to unite the Counties, and to preserve 
 that harmony between them so essential to the interest of 
 our common cause. 
 
 Be pleased to communicate this letter to the inhabitants 
 of your County ; and should they concur with us in senti- 
 ment, we beg they will consider whether it would not be 
 best to choose their Deputies so soon as that they may be 
 down here by the 20th of April next ; which day we 
 take the liberty of proposing to you as proper for the meet- 
 ing of the Convention. 
 
 We forbear urging any arguments to induce your con- 
 currence, being well persuaded you are fully sensible that 
 the happiness of this Colony, and the preservation of our 
 rights and liberties depend on our acceding to the general 
 union, and observing such a line of conduct as may be firm, 
 as well as temperate. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 ELECTION OF DEPUTIES TO THE CONVENTION IN NEW- 
 YORK. 
 
 New-York, March 16, 1775. 
 
 On Monday, the 6th instant, the Freeholders and In- 
 habitants of this City and County, by a very great majori- 
 ty, assented to the following mode of proceeding, viz: — 
 That the General Committee should nominate eleven per- 
 sons to be, on Wednesday, the 15th, proposed to the choice 
 of the Freemen and Freeholders, as Deputies, to meet on 
 the 20th of April such Deputies as the other Counties 
 might elect, and join with them, for the sole purpose of 
 appointing out of their body Delegates for the next Gene- 
 ral Congress, agreeable to the recommendation of the last. 
 Accordingly the Committee nominated the following per- 
 sons, viz : Philip Livingston, John Jay, James Duane, 
 John Alsop, Isaac Low, Francis Lewis, Abraham Wal- 
 ton, Abraham Brasher, Alexander McDougall, Leonard 
 Lispenard, and Isaac Roosevelt. 
 
 From the time of the nomination every artifice was used, 
 (by the same party who have constantly exerted their 
 utmost abilities to obstruct and disconcert every measure of 
 opposition to the tyrannical acts of the British Ministry,) 
 in order to prevent the election of the Deputies nominated 
 by the Committee, and to frustrate the design of a Provin- 
 cial Congress, and of sending Delegates (at least with full 
 powers from the whole Province) to the next General 
 Congress. Before the day of election a great number of 
 pieces were published on both sides, full of artifice and 
 specious pretences on the Ministerial part, and of sound 
 weighty argument on the other. Between the two, the 
 
139 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 140 
 
 argument and the views of each party were pretty well 
 understood at the day of decision, when the votes of the Free- 
 men and Freeholders were fairly taken, as follows, viz: 
 
 For the Deputies. Against the Deputies. 
 
 Out Ward, 
 
 66 
 
 Out Ward, 
 
 
 North Ward, 
 
 99 
 
 North Ward, 
 
 36 
 
 East Ward, 
 
 \-25 
 
 East Ward, 
 
 22 
 
 South Ward, 
 
 42 
 
 South Ward, 
 West Ward, 
 
 23 
 
 West Ward, 
 
 213 
 
 23 
 
 Dock Ward, 
 
 52 
 
 Dock Ward, 
 
 32 
 
 Montgomery Ward, 
 
 228 
 
 Montgomery Ward, 27 
 
 825 163 
 Besides great numbers of the majority, who, finding 
 their votes not wanted, did not vote. 
 
 It is hoped the transactions of this day will in some mea- 
 sure restore the generality of the people to the good opin- 
 ion and esteem of the neighbouring Colonies. 
 
 Last night our General Committee appointed a Sub- 
 Committee to draw up, and report at the next stated meet- 
 ing, a state of the facts relative to the landing of Goods 
 out of the Bcidah. 
 
 New- York, March 1G, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday polls were opened in the different Wards, for 
 the election of eleven Delegates for this City, to meet 
 Deputies who may be chosen by the Counties to form a 
 Convention, out of whom to elect Delegates for the next 
 Congress at Philadelphia. Of those who voted for this 
 measure, it may with truth be affirmed, there was a great 
 proportion who did it because there was no alternative. 
 The disposition of our fellow-citizens is in favour of Dele- 
 gates to meet the sister Colonies in Congress, as it is sup- 
 posed that their principles respecting the unhappy situa- 
 tion we are in, with relation to Great Britain, are so well 
 known, that no violent or unjustifiable measures will be 
 assented to on their part. Sensible that the people were 
 determined to send Delegates, it was the art of those who 
 framed the question, upon which the poll was taken, to 
 state it in sucli a manner that the electors might be led to 
 think that they would be deprived of Delegates unless 
 they pursued the mode pointed out to them, for when 
 numbers of voters demanded that their votes might be taken 
 for the five Delegates, it was absolutely refused. Had a 
 poll been opened upon fair principles, stating the alterna- 
 tive, concerning which the division of sentiments arose, 
 there is no doubt but the old five Delegates would have 
 been elected almost unanimously. When the warmth of 
 opposition has a little subsided, and those generous, candid, 
 and liberal sentiments are suffered to prevail which have 
 characterized the good people of this City, they will see who 
 have endeavoured to mislead them ; they will be shocked to 
 think that they have espoused a measure which is founded 
 upon depriving a very great number of their fellow-citizens 
 of the liberty of declaring their sentiments ; and they will 
 suspect that cause which would require such a conduct, and 
 those leaders who could adopt it ; they will be alarmed 
 when they consider that they have been instrumental in 
 turning out those very Delegates, of whose conduct certain 
 folks pretend to be such admirers. 
 
 They will see that all this is a scheme to supplant some 
 of them, and to introduce into the Congress a man who has 
 fomented all our intestine divisions for a number of years 
 past, and who, in the course of the last year, so much dis- 
 turbed the peace of this City by his presumptuous attempts. 
 TJiey will perceive that if it was only intended to have 
 a Provincial Delegation, five Deputies would have an- 
 swered as well as eleven on behalf of this City, for they 
 will altogether make but one vote, as they will doubtless 
 vote by Counties, not individually. Consider, then, what 
 dependance can be placed in those who insidiously pre- 
 tended that the number eleven was fixed upon, on purpose 
 that the six might have an opportunity of putting in the 
 old five ! Consider that these schemes have been the means 
 of depriving us of a Delegate, whose conduct at the last 
 Congress was equally spirited and independent with any 
 other of that body, and in all probability one more of the 
 old Delegates will follow the same example ; and then 
 reflect what you have gained by this measure. 
 
 A Citizen. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 16, 1773. 
 
 According to publick notice, the subscribers towards a 
 fund for establishing an American Manufactory of Wool- 
 lens, Linens, and Cottons, met in Carpenters' Hall, on the 
 16th of March, 1775, to consider of a plan for carrying the 
 same into execution. Daniel Roberdeau being chosen 
 President, opened the business of the day with a sensible 
 and elegant speech, pointing out the advantages of estab- 
 lishing the aforesaid Manufactories in this Country. The 
 Company afterwards proceeded to the election of Officers, 
 when the following gentlemen were chosen: — Treasurer, 
 Joseph Stiles; Secretary, James Cannon; Managers, 
 Christopher Marshall, Richard Humphreys, Jacob Wincy, 
 Isaac Gray, Samuel Wetherill, Junior, Christopher Lud- 
 wick, Frederick Kuhl, Robert S. Jones, Richard Wells, 
 Thomas Tilbury, James Popham, Isaac Howell. 
 
 The business of the day being finished, the Company 
 unanimously voted their thanks to the President, and re- 
 quested that he would favour them with a copy of his 
 Speech for publication, which he politely consented to. 
 
 A Speech delivered in Carpenters' Hall, March \6th, 
 before the Subscribers towards a fund for establishing 
 Manufactories of Woollen, Cotton, and Linen, in the 
 City of Philadelphia. 
 
 Gentlemen : When I reflect upon the extent of the 
 subject before me, and consider the small share of know- 
 ledge 1 possess of it, I confess I rise with timidity to speak 
 in this assembly ; and it is only because the requests of 
 fellow-citizens in every laudable undertaking should always 
 operate with the force of commands, that 1 have prevailed 
 upon myself to execute the task you have assigned me. 
 
 My business, upon this occasion, is to lay before you a 
 few thoughts upon the necessity, possibility, and advari- 
 tages of establishing Woollen, Cotton, and Linen Manu- 
 factories among us. 
 
 The necessity of establishing these Manufactories is ob- 
 vious from the Association of the Congress, which puts a 
 stop to the importation of British goods, of which woollens, 
 cottons, and linens always made a considerable part. So 
 large has been the demand for these articles, and so very 
 necessary are they in this Country, that it is impossible for 
 us to clothe ourselves without substituting some others in 
 their room. I am far from thinking that the Non-Import- 
 ation Agreement will be so transitory a thing as some have 
 supposed. The appearance of a change of measures in 
 England respecting the Colonies, does not flow from a 
 conviction of their injustice. The same arbitrary Ministers 
 continue in office, and the same arbitrary favourites con- 
 tinue to abuse the confidence of our Sovereign. Sudden 
 conversion should be trusted with caution, especially when 
 they have been brought about by interest or fear. I shall 
 think the liberties of America established at an easy price 
 by a two or three years' Non-Importation Agreement. By 
 union and perseverance in this mode of opposition to Great 
 Britain, we shall afford a new phenomenon in the history 
 of mankind, and furnish posterity with an example to teach 
 them that peace, with all the rights of humanity and jus- 
 tice, may be maintained by the exertion of economical as 
 well as military virtues. We shall, moreover, demonstrate 
 the falsehood of those systems of Government which ex- 
 clude patriotism from the list of virtues, and show that we 
 act most surely for ourselves, when we act most disinter- 
 estedly for the publick. 
 
 The possibility of establishing Woollen, Cotton, and 
 Linen Manufactories among us, is plain, from the success 
 which hath attended several attempts that have been made 
 for that purpose. A great part of the inhabitants of seve 
 ral of the Counties in this Province clothe themselves 
 entirely with woollens and linens manufactured in their 
 own families. Our wool is equal in quality to the wool of 
 several European Countries; and if the same pains were 
 bestowed in the culture of our Sheep, which are used in 
 England and Spain, I have no doubt but in a few years our 
 wool would equal the wool of Segovia itself. Nor will there 
 be a deficiency in the quantity of wool w hich will lie neces- 
 sary for us, if we continue to adhere to the Association of the 
 Congress as strictly as we have done. If the City of Phila- 
 delphia consumes 20.000 Sheep less this year than it did last, 
 how many 20,000 Sheep may we suppose will be saved 
 
141 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 142 
 
 throughout the whole Province ? According to the ordi- 
 nary increase in the breed of Sheep, and allowing for the 
 additional quantity of wool, which a little care of them will 
 produce, 1 think 1 could make it appear that in five years 
 there will be wool enougli raised in the Province to clothe 
 die whole of its inhabitants. Cotton may be imported 
 upon such terms from the West-Indies and Southern Colo- 
 nies, as to enable us to manufacture thicksets, calicoes, 
 &lc, at a much cheaper rate than they can be imported 
 from Britain. Considering how much these stuffs are 
 worn by those classes of people who constitute the ma- 
 jority of the inhabitants of our Country, the encourage- 
 ment of the Cotton Manufactory appears to be an object 
 of the utmost consequence. I cannot help suggesting in 
 this place, although it may appear foreign to our subject, 
 that the Trade to the fVcst-Indits and Southern Colonies 
 for cotton would create such a commercial union with the 
 Middle and Northern Colonies, as would tend greatly to 
 strengthen that political union which now subsists between 
 them. I need say nothing of the facility of cultivating 
 (lax, nor of the excellent quality of the linens which have 
 been already manufactured among us. 1 shall only add, 
 that this manufactory may be carried on without lessening 
 the value of that trade which arises from the exportation 
 of our flaxseed to Ireland. 
 
 I cannot help laying a good deal of stress upon the pub- 
 lick spirit of my countrymen, which removes the success 
 of these Manufactories beyond a bare possibility, and seems 
 to render it in some measure certain. The Resolves of 
 the Congress have been executed with a fidelity hardly 
 known to laws in any Country, and that too without the 
 assistance of fire and sword, or even of the Civil Magis- 
 trate, and in some places in direct opposition to them 
 all. It gives me the utmost pleasure to mention here, 
 that our Province is among the foremost of the Colonies 
 in the peaceable mode of opposition recommended by the 
 Congress. When I reflect upon the temper we have dis- 
 covered in the present controversy, and compare it with 
 the habitual spirit of industry and economy for which we 
 are celebrated among strangers, I know not how to esti- 
 mate our virtue high enough. I am sure no objects will 
 appear too difficult, nor no undertakings too expensive for 
 us in the present struggle. The sum of money which has 
 been already subscribed for the purpose of these Manufac- 
 tories, is a proof that I am not too sanguine in my expect- 
 ations from this Province. 
 
 I now come to point out the advantages we shall de- 
 rive from establishing the Woollen, Cotton, and Linen 
 Manufactories among us. The first advantage 1 shall 
 mention is, we shall save a large sum of money annually 
 in our Province. The Province of Pennsylvania is sup- 
 posed to contain 400,000 inhabitants. Let us suppose 
 that only 50,000 of these are clothed with the woollens, 
 cottons, and linens of Great Britain, and that the price of 
 clothing of each of these persons, upon an average, amounts 
 to Five Pounds sterling a year. If this computation be just, 
 then the sum annually saved in our Province by the manu- 
 factory of our clothes, will amount to £250,000 sterling. 
 
 Secondly : Manufactories, next to Agriculture, are the 
 basis of the riches of every Country. Cardinal Ximenes 
 is remembered at this clay in Spain, more for the improve- 
 ment he made in the breed of Sheep, by importing a num- 
 ber of rams from Barbary, than for any other services he 
 rendered his Country. King Edward the Fourth and 
 Queen Elizabeth, of England, are mentioned with grati- 
 tude by historians for passing Acts of Parliament to import 
 a number of Sheep from Spain; and to this mixture of 
 Spanish with English Sheep, the wool of the latter owes 
 its peculiar excellence and reputation all over the world. 
 Louis the Fourteenth, King of France, knew the impor- 
 tance of a Woollen Manufactory in his Kingdom, and in 
 order to encourage it allowed several exclusive privileges 
 to the Company of Woollen Traders in Paris. The effects 
 of this Royal patronage of this Manufactory have been 
 too sensibly felt by the English, who have, within these 
 thirty or forty years, had the mortification of seeing the 
 trade up the Levant, for woollen cloths, in some measure 
 monopolized by the French. It is remarkable that the 
 riches and naval power of France have increased in pro- 
 portion to this very lucrative trade. 
 
 Thirdly: By establishing these Manufactories among us, 
 we shall employ a number of poor people in our City, and 
 that too in a way most agreeable to themselves, and least 
 expensive to the Company ; for, according to our plan, the 
 principal part of the business will be carried on in their 
 own houses. Travellers through Spain inform us, that in 
 the Town of Segovia, which contains 60,000 inhabitants, 
 there is not a single beggar to be seen. This is attributed 
 entirely to the Woollen Manufactory which is carried on in 
 the most extensive manner in that place, affording constant 
 employment to the whole of their poor people. 
 
 Fourthly: By establishing the Woollen, Cotton, and Linen 
 Manufactories in this Country, we shall invite manufac- 
 turers from every part of Etirope, particularly from Britain 
 and Ireland, to come and settle among us. To men who 
 want money to purchase lands, and who, from habits of 
 manufacturing, are undisciplined to agriculture, the prospect 
 of meeting with employment as soon as they arrive in this 
 Country, in a way they have been accustomed to, would 
 lessen the difficulties of emigration, and encourage thou- 
 sands to come and settle in America. If they increased 
 our riches by increasing the value of our property, and if 
 they added to our strength by adding to our numbers only, 
 they would be a great acquisition to us. But there are 
 higher motives which should lead us to invite strangers to 
 settle in this Country. Poverty, with its other evils, has 
 joined with it, in every part of Europe, all the miseries of 
 slavery. America is now the only asylum for liberty in 
 the whole world. The present contest with Great Britain 
 was, perhaps, intended by the Supreme Being, among other 
 wise and benevolent purposes, to show the world this 
 asylum, which, from its remote and unconnected situation 
 with the rest of the globe, might have remained a secret 
 for ages. By establishing manufactories, we stretch forth 
 a hand from the ark to invite the timid manufacturers to 
 come in. It might afford us pleasure to trace the new 
 sources of happiness which would immediately open to our 
 fellow-creatures from their settlement in this Country. 
 Manufactories have been accused of being unfriendly to 
 population. I believe the charge should fall upon slavery. 
 By bringing manufacturers into this land of liberty and 
 plenty, we recover them from the torpid state in which 
 they existed in their own Country, and place them in cir- 
 cumstances which enable them to become husbands and 
 fathers, and thus we add to the general tide of human hap- 
 piness. 
 
 Fifthly : The establishment of Manufactories in this 
 Country, by lessening our imports from Great Britain, 
 will deprive European luxuries and vices of those vehicles 
 in which they have been transported to America. The 
 wisdom of the Congress cannot be too much admired, in 
 putting a check to them both. They have in effect said 
 to them, " Thus far shall ye go, and no farther." 
 
 Sixthly : By establishing Manufactories among us, we 
 erect an additional barrier against the encroachments of 
 tyranny. A people who are entirely dependant on for- 
 eigners for food or clothes, must always be subject to them. 
 I need not detain you in setting forth the misery of holding 
 property, liberty and life upon the precarious will of our 
 fellow-subjects in Britain. I beg leave to add a thought 
 in this place which has been but little attended to by the 
 writers upon this subject, and that is, that poverty, confine- 
 ment, and death are trifling evils when compared with that 
 total depravity of heart which is connected with slavery. 
 By becoming slaves we shall lose every principle of vir- 
 tue. We shall transfer unlimited obedience from our 
 Maker to a corrupted majority in the British House of 
 Commons, and shall esteem their crimes the certificates of 
 their commission to govern us. We shall cease to look 
 with honour upon the prostitution of our wives and daugh- 
 ters, by those civil and military harpies who now hover 
 around the liberties of our Country. We shall cheerfully 
 lay them both at their feet. We shall hug our chains. 
 We shall cease to be men. We shall be slaves. 
 
 I shall now consider the objections which have been 
 made to the establishment of Manufactories in this Country. 
 
 The first, and most common objection to Manufactories 
 in this Country is, that they will draw off our attention 
 from Agriculture. This objection derives great weight 
 from being made originally by the Duke of Sully, against 
 
143 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 144 
 
 the establishment of Manufactories in France. But the 
 history of that Country shows us, that it is more founded in 
 speculation than fact. France has become opulent and 
 powerful in proportion as Manufactories have flourished in 
 her ; and if Agriculture has not kept pace with her Manu- 
 factories, it is owing entirely to that ill-judged policy which 
 forbade the exportation of groin. I believe it will be 
 found, upon inquiry, that a greater number of hands have 
 been taken from the plough, and employed in importing, 
 retailing, and transporting British woollens, cottons, and 
 linens, than would be sufficient to manufacture as much of 
 them as would clothe all the inhabitants of the Province. 
 There is an endless variety in the geniuses of men ; 
 and it would be to preclude the exertion of the faculties 
 of the mind to confine them entirely to the simple arts 
 of agriculture. Besides, if these Manufactories were con- 
 ducted as they ought to be, two-thirds of the labour of 
 them will be carried on by those members of society who 
 cannot be employed in agriculture, namely, by women and 
 children. 
 
 A second objection is, that we cannot manufacture 
 cloths so cheap here, as they can be imported from 
 Britain. It has been the misfortune of most of the Manu- 
 factories which have been set up in this Country, to afford 
 labour to journeymen only for six or nine months in the 
 year, by which means their wages have necessarily been 
 so high as to support them in the intervals of their labour. 
 It will be found, upon inquiry, that those Manufactories 
 which occupy journeymen the whole year, are carried on 
 at as cheap a rate as they are in Britain. The expense 
 of manufacturing cloth will be lessened from the great share 
 women and children will have in them ; and 1 have the 
 pleasure of informing you that the machine lately brought 
 into this City for lessening the expense of time and hands 
 in spinning, is likely to meet with encouragement from the 
 Legislature of our Province. In a word, the experiments 
 which have been already made among us, convince us that 
 woollens and linens of all kinds may be made and bought 
 as cheap as those imported from Britain; and 1 believe 
 every one who has tried the former, will acknowledge that 
 they wear twice as well as the latter. 
 
 A third objection to Manufactories is, that they destroy 
 health, and are hurtful to population. The same may be 
 said of Navigation, and many other arts which are essen- 
 tial to the happiness and glory of a State. I believe that 
 many of the diseases to which the manufacturers in Britain 
 are subject, are brought on, not so much by the nature of 
 their employment, but by their unwholesome diet, damp 
 houses, and other bad accommodations, each of which 
 may be prevented in America. 
 
 A fourth objection to establishing Manufactories in this 
 Country, is a political one. The liberties of America have 
 been twice, and we hope will be a third time preserved by 
 a non-importation of British manufactures. By manufac- 
 turing our own clothes we deprive ourselves of the only 
 weapon by which we can hereafter effectually oppose Great 
 Britain. Before we answer this objection, it becomes us 
 to acknowledge the obligations we owe to our Merchants 
 for consenting, so cheerfully, to a suspension of trade with 
 Britain. From the benefits we have derived from their 
 virtue, it would be unjust to insinuate that there ever will 
 be the least danger of trusting the defence of our liberties 
 to them ; but I would wish to guard against placing one 
 body of men only upon that forlorn hope to which a non- 
 importation agreement must always expose them. For 
 this purpose I would fill their stores with the manufactures 
 of American looms, and thus establish their trade upon a 
 foundation that cannot be shaken. Here, then, we derive 
 an answer to the last objection that was mentioned ; for in 
 proportion as manufactures flourish in America, they must 
 decline in Britain, and it is well known that nothing but 
 her Manufactories have rendered her formidable in all our 
 contests with her. These are the foundations of all her 
 riches and power. These have made her Merchants 
 Nobles, and her Nobles Princes. These carried her so 
 triumphantly through the late expensive war; and these are 
 the support of a power more dangerous to the liberties of 
 America than her Fleets and Armies — I mean the power 
 of corruption. I am not one of those vindictive patriots 
 
 who exult in the prospect of the decay of the Manufacto- 
 ries of Britain. I can forgive her late attempts to enslave 
 us, in the memory of our once mutual freedom and hap- 
 piness. And should her Liberty, her Arts, her Fleets 
 and Armies, and her Empire, ever be interred in Bri- 
 tain, I hope they will all arise in British garments only in 
 America. 
 
 JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL COM- 
 MITTEE OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 Committee Chamber, March 16, 1775. 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, this evening at the 
 Exchange : Present, 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman, Joseph Totten, Comfort Sands, 
 
 John Jay, Thomas Ivers, John Berrian, 
 
 Isaac Sears, Hercules Mulligan, Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 
 Alexander McDougall, John Anthony, Edward Fleming, 
 
 John Broome, Theophilus Anthony, Frederick Jay, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, William Goforth, George Janeway, 
 
 Abraham Duryee, Francis Basset, Lindley Murray, 
 
 Francis Lewis, Jeremiah Piatt, Lancaster Burling. 
 
 John Lasher, 
 
 Mr. Lewis, from the Sub-Committee appointed to state 
 the case of Messrs. Robert Murray and John Murray 
 respecting their having landed Goods from on board the 
 Ship Beulah, reports a Letter from the Committee of 
 Elizabethtown to this Committee, which Letter is in the 
 words following, viz: 
 
 Elizabethtown, Friday, 12 o'clock P. M., March 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of the information received 
 from Captain Sears relative to the suspicion that some part 
 of the Cargo of the Ship Beulah had been unladed before 
 she quitted this coast, the Committee of Observation of 
 this Town met this evening, and made inquiry respecting 
 the affair; and thereupon have to inform you, that it ap- 
 pears to them that a Boat belonging to this Town did, last 
 Monday morning, sail from New-York to San dy- Hook ; 
 that on Tuesday evening she returned here. Two of the 
 witnesses examined were the boatmen, and the person 
 who we suspect engaged the Boat, who refused to be 
 sworn ; but from their behaviour, and what they said on 
 examination, and other circumstances, we believe that it 
 was the Boat seen to be hovering about the Beulah, and 
 took Mr. John Murray out of the Ship, and that Goods 
 from said Ship were landed by the said Boat at Staten- 
 Jsland. We are not able at present to furnish you with 
 any further particulars. The Committee will make further 
 inquiry into this matter, and if any thing further appears, 
 will give you immediate information ; in the mean time we 
 thought proper to give the above early intelligence, to 
 furnish you with a clue in all probability of making mere 
 important discoveries on Staten-Island , where we think 
 the Goods were undoubtedly landed, at the East Ends, or 
 in the Kills. Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Jonathan Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 To the Committee of Observation of New- York. 
 
 The said Sub-Committee further report another Letter 
 to this Committee, from the Committee of Elizabethtoivn, 
 which is in the words following, viz: 
 
 Elizabethtown, March 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Committee of Observation of this 
 Town have this day used their endeavours to make a fur- 
 ther discovery relating to the unlading part of the Cargo 
 of the Ship Beulah, but are not able to give you the infor- 
 mation they desire. Samuel Lee, a boatman of this Town, 
 employed and accompanied by Ichalod B. Barnct, Esq., 
 (son-in-law to Robert Murray?) appear, from very strong 
 circumstances, to have been the persons concerned in that 
 affair, who went from New- York on Monday last to the Ship. 
 
 We have had Lee before us. He appears greatly per- 
 plexed, but cannot be persuaded to give any clear infor- 
 mation of the matter, he being under an apprehension that 
 he, by that means, may be the ruin of some particular per- 
 sons in New-York. The said Barnct was also before us, 
 but refused to answer the questions proposed to him ; he 
 only offered to swear (if it would be any satisfaction to us) 
 that no Goods from the Beulah were landed at this Town. 
 
145 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1773 
 
 146 
 
 which, however, we did not accept. And there is reason 
 to believe that Lee would have given information, had it 
 not been for said Barnet, who, it appears, has prevented 
 him from making the desired discovery. 
 
 We have only to add, that the Boat employed on this 
 occasion is the property of Isaac Woodruff, Esq., who, it 
 clearly appears, was perfectly innocent, and knew nothing 
 of the affair. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Jonathan Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 To the Committee of Observation of New-York. 
 
 The Sub-Committee also report, that on the same even- 
 ing, and before this Committee had received any further 
 evidence respecting this matter, Messrs. Murrays volun- 
 tarily produced to this Committee, at their meeting on the 
 13th March, instant, a Letter in the words following: 
 
 To the General Committee for the City and County of 
 New-York. : 
 
 Gentlemen : Having been disappointed in our design 
 of reshipping the Cargo of the Ship Beulah (lately arrived 
 from London) in another bottom, by which we were great 
 sufferers, and though we then conceived that such our 
 design, if executed, would have been a compliance with 
 the Resolution of the Congress; we acknowledge that, 
 to alleviate in some measure the great loss we sustained, 
 we have been induced to land a small part of her Cargo ; 
 and notwithstanding we are persuaded that it would be 
 exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to obtain full and 
 sufficient evidence of the fact, and that the Goods are 
 secured in a place of safety where they cannot be disco- 
 vered, yet. upon mature reflection, and with a view to 
 satisfy the publick and this Committee, as well as to pre- 
 vent the trouble of any further inquiries upon this subject, 
 we are led to make this declaration, and to acknowledge 
 that we are sorry for the imprudent step we have taken, 
 and that we do condemn the same as an unjustifiable mea- 
 sure ; and as a further proof of our willingness to conform 
 to the Resolution of the Congress, as far as is now in our 
 power, we do hereby engage to reship all the said Goods, 
 according to the tenour of the Association, and to give the 
 Committee full and satisfactory proof thereof, within seven 
 days from this time. 
 
 Dated 13th March, 1775. Robert Murray, 
 
 John Murray. 
 
 And that they did then offer to make a full and ample 
 confession of every fact relative to the unloading Goods from 
 the Beulah, and to deliver to the Committee at their then 
 next meeting, a full state of the case, under their oath and 
 affirmation. 
 
 The said Sub-Committee further report, that Messrs. J. 
 and R. Murray did accordingly deliver a statement of that 
 transaction, which is in the words following, viz : 
 
 Inventory of Goods taken out of the Ship Beulah, at 
 Sandy- Hook. 
 Eighty-four bolts of Russia Duck. 
 Twenty pieces of Raven Duck. 
 Two hundred and forty packs of Pins. 
 Five bales of Pepper, two of which are in hhds. 
 Sixty-five bolts Oznaburghs. 
 Ten pieces Blue Strouds. 
 Fourteen pieces Irish Linen. 
 Six pieces White Hessen. 
 Eleven pieces Irish Sheeting. 
 One paper bundle directed to Henry Van Vleck. 
 One bundle Straw, supposed a Case-maker's Cushear. 
 One small box of Books, Papers, &.c. 
 Wrapper for the Strouds. 
 With wrappers for said Goods. 
 
 City of New-York, ss. 
 
 John Murray, of the City of New-York, Merchant, 
 being duly sworn, saith, that the above is a full, just, and 
 true inventory of all the Goods which were lately taken 
 out of the Ship Beulah at Sandy-Hook, by the deponent, 
 and were by him landed at Elizabethtown in Xeiv-Jersey. 
 That the deponent did, yesterday, voluntarily make an 
 acknowledgment to the Committee of Elizabethtown afore- 
 said, that he had so taken and landed the said Goods, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 10 
 
 and did this day deliver the whole of said Goods to the 
 said Committee, who took the same into their custody and 
 possession ; where he believes the same now are. That 
 the Boat in which the said Goods were taken out of the 
 said Ship belonged to Isaac Woodruff, which the depo- 
 nent hired for the purpose, of Samuel Lee, who was mas- 
 ter of the said Boat. That Mr. Woodruff did not know 
 (as this deponent believes) for what purpose the said Boat 
 was hired, nor did the deponent inform the said Mr. Let 
 on what business be wanted the said Boat ; nor did he 
 appear to know at the time the Boat was hired, that he 
 was employed on any business contrary to the Association. 
 That the agreement with the said Lee was only to go with 
 the Boat where he was directed, and to do what he was 
 bid. That Mr. Ichabod Barntt, of Elizabethtown, and 
 Samuel Reade, of this City, went with the said Samuel 
 Lee in the said Boat down to the said Ship, at the time 
 aforesaid. That Mr. Barnet was acquainted with the 
 design of the Boat's going down to the said Ship ; but the 
 deponent does not know that Mr. Reade was previously 
 acquainted with such design, though at the Vessel he assisted 
 in taking the said Goods out by the direction of this depo- 
 nent, in whose store he is an assistant. That John Gra- 
 ham, clerk to this deponent and his partner, was on board 
 the Ship with the deponent, at the time when the Goods 
 were taken out, but did not see the Goods taken out, being 
 (as the deponent believes) asleep at that time in the 
 cabin; and that his business on board was to copy invoices 
 and letters ; neither does this deponent know or believe 
 that the said Graham ever heard any conversation between 
 the deponent and any other person respecting the taking 
 out the said Goods. That when the Goods were on board 
 the Boat, the deponent, and all the other persons above- 
 mentioned, proceeded with her for Elizabethtown, but 
 stopped at Staten-Island, where they all went on shore ; 
 and Graham and Reade took passage from thence in the 
 Staten-Island Ferry-Boat for Neiv- York ; and the depo- 
 nent, with Lee and Mr. Barnet, proceeded from Staten- 
 Island to Elizabethtown in the said Boat, where all the 
 said Goods were landed by them, and put into Mr. Ichabod 
 Barnet' s store ; that the said Ichabod Barnet had no in- 
 terest in the said Goods, but what he did in the said busi- 
 ness was merely at the request of this deponent and his 
 said partner, and the deponent believes with an intention 
 entirely to oblige them. That while the Ship lay at the 
 watering-place, the Captain and this deponent took into 
 Kipp's small sailing-boat sundry small articles, the princi- 
 pal of which the deponent believes were presents, but 
 does not know the particulars. That the deponent at the 
 same time took into the said little Boat, two small Cheeses, 
 about two hundred Lemons and Oranges, and a dozen and 
 nine bottles of Beer, and about two bushels of Potatoes for 
 the use of the deponent and his brother, all which were 
 brought up in the said Boat by this deponent and Captain 
 Bussell ; and the Cheeses, and the other aftermentioned 
 articles, except the Beer, were presents from the Captain. 
 That in the whole of this transaction, so far as respects the 
 delivery of the Goods from on board the Ship at the Hook, 
 Captain Bussell acted by the order and direction of this 
 deponent and his partner, having no interest in the Goods 
 so delivered. And this deponent further saith, that he 
 neither knows nor believes that any Goods were taken out 
 of the said Ship after her arrival here, nor since her sailing 
 from Sandy-Hook, except the Baggage belonging to some 
 passengers, and except the Goods herein before enumera- 
 ted and mentioned ; nor that any other persons than those 
 above-mentioned, had any agency or concern in taking out 
 or landing the said Goods, except the Ship's crew, and 
 except also one Marsh, who, at Elizabethtown, accident- 
 ally passing by, was employed to assist in landing the 
 same ; but the deponent believes he did not know where 
 the Goods came from. And further saith not. 
 
 John Murray. 
 
 Sworn the loth day of March, 1775, before me, 
 
 Andrew Gautier. 
 
 City of New-York, ss. 
 
 Robert Murray, of the said City, being duly affirmed 
 according to law, doth declare and affirm, that so far forth 
 as he is acquainted with the facts contained in the forego- 
 ing Deposition, the same are true ; and that he neither 
 
147 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 148 
 
 knows nor believes that any more or other Goods, or 
 things were taken out of the said Ship Beulah, since her 
 arrival here, than what are specified in the foregoing De- 
 position ; and that he believes no other person to have 
 been concerned in the said business, except those men- 
 tioned in this Deposition. Robert Murray. 
 
 Affirmed the 15th March, 1775, before me, 
 
 Andrew Gautier. 
 
 The said Sub-Committee further report, that the said 
 Messrs. Robert and John Murray did write a Letter to 
 this Committee, accompanying the said state of the case ; 
 which Letter is in the words following : 
 
 To the General Committee for the City and County of 
 New-York : 
 
 Gentlemen : The annexed Depositions contain as full 
 and candid an account of the transaction relative to the 
 landing the Goods from the Ship Beulah, as we are able 
 to give ; in the doing of which we have studied to give 
 the Committee, and our fellow-citizens, the utmost satis- 
 faction we are capable of. 
 
 John Murray being obliged to go to Elizabethtown to 
 take an inventory of the Goods, found the Committee 
 then sitting, and conceived it to be his duty, as the Goods 
 were within their jurisdiction, to give them notice thereof, 
 and to make a full acknowledgment to them: upon doing 
 which, they took, with his consent, possession of the Goods 
 as mentioned in the affidavit. 
 
 We still declare our readiness to reship the said Goods 
 as nearly as is now in our power, agreeable to the tenour 
 of the Association, or to do otherwise with them, as die 
 Committee of Elizabethtown shall think proper to inti- 
 mate or direct ; and that we are also ready to give this 
 Committee any further satisfaction respecting the said 
 Goods, that they may recommend. Being desirous further 
 to testify the sense we have of the imprudent measure we 
 have taken, as well as our concern for the trouble and 
 uneasiness it has given our fellow-citizens, we would wish 
 to make such further satisfaction to the publick as might 
 be most agreeable to them ; and therefore do hereby cheer- 
 fully engage to give the sum of Two Hundred Pounds 
 towards repairing the hospital in this City, lately destroyed 
 by fire. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, very respectfully, your assured 
 friends, Robert Murray, 
 
 John Murray. 
 
 New-York, March 15, 1775. 
 
 The said Sub-Committee further report another Letter 
 from the Committee of Elizabethtown, enclosing an Affi- 
 davit of Samuel Lee; which Letter and Affidavit are in 
 the words following, viz : 
 
 Elizibethtown, March 14, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Enclosed I send you the Affidavit of Samuel Lee, 
 boatman, relative to the unlading part of the Cargo of the 
 Ship Beulah, which needs no comment. 
 
 I am, however, particularly desired by our Committee, 
 earnestly to request of your Committee to protect Mr. 
 Lee, as far as lies in their power, from any insult on 
 account of this affair. He is a person well known here 
 to be of good character, and who, by his honesty and in- 
 dustry, has justly acquired the esteem of all the inhabitants 
 of this Town ; and it is the opinion of our Committee he 
 was unwarily led to act the part he did, as will, in part, 
 appear by his Affidavit. I will only add, that we should 
 be glad that whenever the Affidavit shall be read, this 
 Letter may be read also. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Jonathan Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 New-Jersey, Borough of Elizabeth, ss. 
 
 Samuel Lte, of Elizabethtown, boatman, being duly 
 sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth 
 and saith, That on Sunday the 5th instant, he (at the 
 request of Ichabod B. Barnet, Esquire) sailed from Eliza- 
 bethtown aforesaid, to New-York, in the Boat or Sloop he 
 usually goes in, the said Barnet going as a hand with him ; 
 that he arrived there the same evening; that while they 
 were on their passage, said Barnet informed this depo- 
 nent that he must make haste to unlade his Boat as soon as 
 he should arrive at New- York, for that a Vessal was arrived 
 
 at the Hook from the West-Indies, and that he wanted 
 this deponent to go with him witli his Boat, and take 
 some Goods out of her ; that said Boat was unloaded at 
 New-York on Monday morning, and immediately thereaf- 
 ter this deponent, and the said Barnet, sailed with the said 
 Boat for Sandy-Hook ; that at the dusk of the evening of 
 the same day they came along-side of a Ship, which this 
 deponent believes was the Beulah, and about eight o'clock 
 he was told he might go to bed, which he accordingly did, 
 and went to sleep. About twelve, was awakened, and 
 desired to put off from said Ship, and make sail, which 
 accordingly was done ; that he saw the said Barnet, with 
 Mr. John Murray, and one Graham, his clerk, were then 
 on board his Boat ; that on Tuesday morning they touched 
 on Stat en-Island, where Mr. Graham landed, but no Goods 
 were landed there; that on Wednesday morning, about one 
 o'clock, they came along-side the store of said Barnet, at 
 Elizabcthtotvn, where the said John Murray, Ichabod B. 
 Barnet, and this deponent, landed and stored in the said 
 Barnet' s store, as near as he can remember, the following 
 Goods, to wit : a small bale, a box about three feet long, 
 one box about a foot square, the contents of which are 
 unknown to this deponent ; also a quantity of Sail Duck, a 
 number of bolts of Oznaburghs, about half a dozen pieces of 
 Linen, and some pieces of Linen Cloth, which this depo- 
 nent supposed to be Drilling; which Goods, in the whole, 
 this deponent thinks were in quantity about one ton and a 
 half, or not exceeding two tons. And this deponent saith, 
 that said Goods must have been taken out of said Ship, and 
 put on board said Boat, while he was below as aforesaid, as 
 there were no Goods on board his Boat when he left New- 
 York to go to said Ship ; and further the deponent saith, that 
 he did not sleep so sound but that he heard the noise of peo- 
 ple working upon the deck, and that when he was called 
 up as aforesaid, and had come upon deck, he perceived 
 the hatches of his Boat open, and the said Goods then 
 lying in the hatchway. And further the deponent saith 
 not. Samuel Lee. 
 
 Sworn at Elizabethtown, this 13th day of March, 1775, 
 before me, John Blanchard, Alderman. 
 
 Which Report being read, 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee do approve thereof: and 
 Ordered, That the same be published agreeable to the 
 directions of the Eleventh Article of the Association. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 Now- York, March 16, 1775. 
 
 Beloved Countrymen : Let us read, hear, and endea- 
 vour rightly to understand the subsequent passages and in- 
 junctions of the most Holy Bible, that divinely perfect, infal- 
 lible, and eternal rule of all our voluntary acts and moral 
 behaviour. Read, heard rightly, fully understood, and with 
 exact punctuality obeyed, they may, for aught any mortal 
 knows to the reverse, by a divine benediction operate pow- 
 erfully, and contribute much to the restoration of that union 
 and harmony between Great Britain and her American 
 Colonies, so essentially requisite to promote the prosperity, 
 welfare, and felicity of the whole English Empire ; and, 
 therefore, so very ardently wished and longed for hy all good 
 Protestant, loyal subjects of our very gracious Sovereign, 
 and most august Monarch, King George the Third. 
 
 The texts referred to, and recommended to a candid 
 perusal, and attentive, exact deliberation, are these: 
 
 Exodus xxii. 28 : Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor 
 curse the ruler of thy people. See also Math. xxii. from 
 the 17th to the 21st, inclusive. The words run thus, ver- 
 batim : Tell us, therefore, what thinkest thou ? Is it law- 
 ful to give tribute unto Casar, or not ? But Jesus per- 
 ceived their weakness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye 
 hypocrites ? Show me the tribute money. And they 
 brought unto him a penny ; and he saith unto them, whose 
 is this image and superscription? They say unto him, 
 Cesar's. Then saith he unto them, render therefore unto 
 Cresar the things which are Ciesar's, and unto God the 
 things that are God's. Also, Rom. xiii. 1 — 8 : Let every soul 
 he subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power 
 but of God ; the powers that be are ordained of God. 
 
149 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 150 
 
 Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the 
 ordinance of God. And (note well) they that resist 
 shall receive unto themselves damnation : For rulers are 
 not a terrour to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou 
 not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, 
 and thou slialt have praise of the same : for he is the 
 Minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that 
 which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in 
 vain : for he is the Minister of God, a revenger, to execute 
 wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore, ye must needs 
 be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience 
 sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also ; for they are 
 God's Ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 
 Render therefore to all their dues ; tribute to whom tribute 
 is due ; custom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear ; hon- 
 our to whom honour. Owe no man any thing ; but to love 
 one another. For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the 
 law. 2 Peter ii. 13, 14 : Submit yourselves to every ordi- 
 nance of men for the Lord's sake ; whether it be to the 
 King as supreme, or unto Governours, as unto them that 
 are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for 
 the praise of them that do well. Prov. xx. 2: The fear 
 of the King is as the roaring of the lion ; whoso provoketh 
 him to anger, sinneth against his soul. Be just, be free. 
 
 New-York, March 20, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Holt: In Rivington's Gazetteer of last week, I 
 saw a collection of Scripture texts adduced to countenance 
 the doctrines of passive obedience and non-resistance. This 
 attempt reminded me of Satan's quoting Scripture to en- 
 courage presumption ; and indeed absolute passive obedi- 
 ence and non-resistance in all cases, is as contrary to the 
 word of God, as presumption. That your readers may be 
 convinced of this, I here furnish you with the following 
 texts of Scripture, which I desire you would publish the 
 first opportunity. 
 
 Exodus i. 15 — 20: The Egyptian midwives disobeyed 
 the cruel order of their King, to kill the male infants of the 
 Israelites, and for this generous and humane refusal, they 
 were signally blessed of the Lord. The Israelites, with 
 reason, disobeyed the inhuman mandate of their Monarch. 
 1 Sam. xiv. 15. And his footman justly disobeyed him. 
 Also, (1 Sam. xxii. 17,) Mordecai, Shadrach, Mtschach, 
 and Abcdncgo. The Prophet Daniel, and the Apostles 
 disobeyed the unlawful commands of Kings and Magis- 
 trates. Compare Esther iii. 1 — 9; Daniel iii. 15 — 18; 
 Daniel vi. 7—10; Acts iv. 18—20; Acts v. 27—29. 
 From these quotations, it appears that when resistance to 
 the orders of Magistrates is forbidden in Scripture, it is 
 meant of resistance to just and legal orders. To be con- 
 vinced that oppression, tyranny, and unrighteous acts of 
 Government, are odious to the Supreme Being, consider 
 the following texts : 2 Sam. xxiii. 3 : He that ruleth over 
 man must be just, ruling in the fear of God. Jer. xxx. 
 20 : I will punish all that oppress my people. Isaiah x. 1 : 
 Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that 
 write grievousness, which they have prescribed to turn aside 
 the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from 
 the poor of my people. Ezck. xiv. 9 : Thus saith the 
 Lord God, remove violence and spoil, and execute judg- 
 ment and justice ; take away your exactions from my peo- 
 ple, saith the Lord. Ecclesiastes vii. 7 : Surely oppres- 
 sion maketh a wise man mad. Psalm lxxii. 4: He shall 
 break in pieces the oppressor. Exodus iii. 7,8,9: And 
 the Lord said, 1 have surely seen the affliction of my peo- 
 ple, which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry, by 
 reason of their task-masters, for I know their sorrows and 
 am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the 
 Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land, unto a 
 good land, and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and 
 honey. Now, therefore, behold, the cry of the children of 
 Israel is come up unto me, and I have also seen the op- 
 pression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them ; and ac- 
 cordingly he brought them out of the house of bondage 
 with an high hand and an outstretched arm, and drowned 
 their oppressors, Pharoah and his Egyptains, in the Red- 
 Sea. Reltoboam took the council of the young men, and 
 rejected the old men's advice ; and answered the people 
 roughly, and said he would add to their burdens, and not 
 ease them ; whereupon many of the tribes revolted, and 
 
 the King thereupon going to fight against them to reduce 
 them to submission, is fobidden of God. Compare 2 Chron. 
 x. and 14, with 1 Kings xii., and 2 Chron. xi. Thus 
 saith the Lord, ye shall not go up nor fight against your 
 brethren. A good hint for the Army ! Peruse the iii. iv. 
 v. vi. and vii. chapters of the book of Esther. Chapter 
 
 iii. 8 : And Haman said unto King Ahasuerus, there is a 
 certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed among the 
 people in all the Provinces of thy Kingdom, and their laws 
 are diverse from all people; neither keep they the King's 
 law ; therefore, it is not for the King's profit to suffer them. 
 If it please the King, let it be written, that they may be 
 destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to 
 the hands of those that have the charge of the business to 
 bring it into the King's treasuries ; and the King took the 
 ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman, the Jew's 
 enemy : and the King said unto Haman, the silver is given 
 to thee, the people also, to do with them as it seemeth 
 good to thee. Haman, however, failed in his bloody de- 
 signs against the Jews ; they were delivered from the med- 
 itated destruction, and he was hanged on a gallows of his 
 own raising. A dreadful warning this to all vindictive 
 and sanguinary Ministers ! When the Jews were devoted 
 to destruction by the edict of King Ahasuerus, all avenues 
 to the throne were shut up, and free access to the Monarch 
 prohibited, on pain of death. Queen Esther, urged by 
 absolute necessity, ventured to petition the King in these 
 dangerous circumstances, and succeeded. An apology this, 
 for our glorious Congress, if it needs one. O that it may 
 be an example of the success of their Petition. Bribery 
 is expressly forbidden in the word of God. Exodus xxiii. 
 8: Thou shalt not take a gift, for a gift blindeth the eyes 
 of the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. 
 Prov. xxix. 4 : He that receiveth gifts overthroweth the 
 land. See persons threatened for this sin, 1 Sam. viii. 3; 
 Isaiah i. 23, v. 22; Jer. xxii. 17; Ezek. xxii. 27; Hos. 
 
 iv. 18; Amos v. 12; and Mich. iii. 11. 
 
 The whole tenour of the Gospel is diametrically opposite 
 to every species of tyranny and oppression ; the love of 
 mankind is its grand peculiarity. Our Saviour informs us 
 that the love of our neighbour is the great commandment 
 of the Law ; and he exhorts his disciples to do to others 
 whatsoever they would that others should do unto them ; 
 this, he says, is the law and the prophets. The celebrated 
 Doctor Newton, now Bishop of Bristol, in his Dissertations 
 on the Prophecies, having shewn how minutely and remark- 
 ably the predictions concerning the destruction of tyrants 
 were accomplished, adds this remark: (vol. I. p. 312:) 
 " But not only in this particular, but in the general, the Scrip- 
 tures, though often perverted to the purpose of tyranny, are 
 yet in their own nature calculated to promote the civil, as 
 well as the religious liberties of mankind. True religion, and 
 virtue, and liberty, are more nearly related, and more inti- 
 mately connected with each other than people commonly 
 consider. It is very true, as St. Paul saith, (2 Cor. iii. 17,) 
 that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty : or, as 
 our Saviour expresseth it, (Jo/m viii. 31, 32,) If ye continue 
 in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed, and ye shall 
 know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." What 
 a pity is it, that this learned and ingenious Bishop and all 
 the rest of his Right Reverend brethren have not acted in 
 the legislative capacity according to those liberal, generous, 
 and noble sentiments ! 
 
 I shall conclude with an extract from the polite, Catho- 
 lick, and elegant Doctor Balguy's dedication of his Sermons 
 to his Grace Doctor Thomas Herring, Archbishop of Can- 
 terbury, at the time of the last rebellion in Scotland in favour 
 of the Pretender. " What follows, my Lord, not only seems 
 to claim a place, but cannot be omitted without a crime — I 
 mean that exemplary love of your Country, which burns so 
 nobly in your own breast, and has kindled or spread that gen- 
 erous passion all around you. You teach us by all fit means 
 and methods, not only to be good Clergymen, but good 
 Englishmen; not only to be wise and virtuous, but brave and 
 free. You set before us, in the strongest light, the charms 
 of liberty, and execrable evils of tyranny and bondage ; 
 inflaming our minds with an ardent love for the one, and 
 an unconquerable aversion to the other. From your Grace 
 we learn how to oppose the arts and intrigues of modern 
 Rome with the spirit of ancient Romans; and cheerfully to 
 sacrifice our lives and fortunes to the preservation of our 
 
 * 
 
151 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, tic, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 152 
 
 liberties, and the defence of our Country." Oh that the 
 generous ardour which flames and shines in these lines 
 animated the breasts of all the Bishops and Clergymen in 
 England and America, and every Protestant heait in the 
 world ! Philalethes. 
 
 DECLARATION OF THE GRAND-JURY AND MAGISTRATES, 
 ETC., AT THE COURT OF QUARTER-SESSIONS, AT JOHNS- 
 TOWN, TRYON COUNTY, NEW-YORK, MARCH 16, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Supervisors of the several Districts in the 
 County of Tryon, with the entire approbation of some of 
 the most respectable persons in that County for character 
 and property, did, so early as June last, by letters to the 
 gentlemen of the New-York Committee, decline entering 
 into the unhappy dispute between Great Britain and its 
 Colonies ; and therein assigned their reasons for so doing, 
 as according to their humble conceptions it did not appear 
 to tend to the violation of their civil or religious rights, but 
 merely regarded a single article of Commerce, which no 
 person was compelled to purchase, and which persons of 
 real virtue and resolution might easily have avoided or dis- 
 pensed with ; instead of which the inhabitants of one capi- 
 tal had committed an outrageous and unjustifiable act on 
 the private property of the India Company, and therefore 
 appeared to be alone affected by or really interested in the 
 measures then taken by the King and Parliament, in support 
 of what was and is deemed by many persons of good abili- 
 ties and integrity, its just right and prerogative, then neces- 
 sarily asserted for the preservation of order and due obedi- 
 ence to Government. 
 
 And whereas, these Supervisors, at a subsequent publick 
 meeting, called in their own vindication, had the satisfaction 
 to find that their conduct met with the entire approbation 
 of a large majority ; and their former proceedings were 
 signed as such, by those who had not before been consulted 
 upon it. And they have, moreover, since had the addi- 
 tional pleasure to observe, that notwithstanding all the arti- join European forces against these Colonies, and how 
 fices used by violent and designing men to practise on the much of the strength of the Country below us must neces- 
 easy credulity of the good people of this Country, their sarily be diverted from the sea-coast to defend and secure 
 conduct now stands justified, as well from the wise and tern- us, if such an event should take place. For this, among, 
 perate Resolves of the true Representatives of this Colony, other reasons, I have this spring sent Mr. James Dean, 
 as from the opinion of all good subjects and real lovers of (who, among other excellent qualifications, is a great mas- 
 order and subordination. Therefore, at a time when so ter of the language of the Indians at Caghnaivaga,) as a 
 many Districts, kc, are manifesting in a publick manner Missionary, to itinerate for a short time among the tribes 
 their loyal attachment to Government, in opposition to the in Canada, to keep the fire burning, and brighten the chain 
 specious illusion and independency with which they had (as they speak) of that friendship lately commenced be- 
 been amused, the Grand-Jury of a County which had been tween those tribes and this Seminary, which at present 
 foremost in avowing its sentiments, could not pass over the seems to be high in the esteem of many of them, as their 
 present opportunity that offers, of bearing testimony to the conduct has fully testified, by receiving our Missionaries, 
 prudent conduct and invariable resolutions of their County, and treating them with respect; sending their children 
 as a respectable part of which they declare in few and plain from time to time with cheerfulness to school, he. I have 
 words, but in the language of truth, that they abhorred, and ten of their sons now with me, eight of whom are descend- 
 still do abhor, all measures tending, through partial repre- ants from English captives, and one a son of the chief 
 sentation, to alienate the affections of the subjects from the Sachem at St. Francis, and another is brother to the youth 
 Crown; or by wresting the intent and meaning of a par- who was lately elected and crowned Sachem at Caghna- 
 ticular Act, to draw in the inhabitants of a wide and exten- waga, which young Sachem 1 expect also will come hither 
 sive Territory to a dangerous and rebellious opposition to to receive an education, as his father, who was here with 
 the Parent State, when exerting itself to preserve that obe- him, promised to send him to me as soon as certain rites, 
 dience, without which no State can exist ; in which opin- customary among them to ratify and publish his election 
 ion they are strengthened by the certain knowledge that to and in vesture in said office, should be performed. A 
 a large body of them have of the superiour advantage of number who have been at school here, have returned on 
 the British Constitution, not only over those under which one occasion and another, and made favourable reports of 
 so many of them were born, hut with which they have been the treatment they met with among the English, and an 
 in any wise acquainted; and that this excellent Constitu- honourable representation of the kind design of this school, 
 tion does appear to be in more danger from the intemperate I expect a number more from those tribes soon, and likely 
 warmth and dangerous politicks of ignorant men, or crafty may have more than 1 can at present find means to support. 
 Republicans, than from any measures which it appears to This connexion, Sir, 1 esteem, under God, our strongest 
 be either the aim or interest of Government to enforce. bulwark, if such invasion from the northward should be 
 
 They do, therefore, resolve to bear faith and true alle- made, 
 giance to their lawful Sovereign King George the Third, I would also further inform you that Mr. Dean was 
 "and that in the true and plain sense of the words," as brought up and naturalized among the Six Nations; is a 
 they are or ought to be commonly understood, without the great master of their language, and much esteemed as an 
 prevarication which has often accompanied the same ex- orator among them ; and his influence among tbem 1 ap- 
 pressions from his warmest opponents. And as these have prebend to be greater than any other man's, unless it be 
 been the sentiments of the most respectable people of this their present Superintendent, and is esteemed by the best 
 County from the beginning. His Majesty's faithful Grand- judges to be a man of genius, learning, piety, and great 
 Jurors will, in any extremity, exert themselves in the sup- prudence. He was of opinion, (though he thought nothing 
 port of Government, as men who, whilst they have a true of any mention being made of it,) that if there should be 
 sense of generous liberty, are equally sensible of the just occasion, and he should be properly authorized for it, he 
 claim he has to their warmest loyalty for the enjoyment of could influence all those Six .\ations to join these Colo- 
 
 these blessings, which his gentle reign has afforded, and 
 who are heartily disposed to give him the strongest marks 
 
 of it. 
 
 Guy Johnson, 
 Jolin Butler, 
 John Johnson, 
 Daniel Claus, 
 Jelles Fonda, 
 Peter Tenbroock 
 Joseph Chew, 
 Frederick Young, 
 Adam Laucks, 
 Rudolph Shomaker, 
 John Collim, 
 
 Alexander White, Sheriff. 
 Bryan Lefferty, Clerk. 
 I). Davis, ) .,, 
 
 Walter Butler, \ Att0 ^- 
 
 Signed by the Grand-Jury : 
 
 | Judges 
 
 | Assistant Judges. 
 1 
 
 ■ Justices. 
 
 Robert Wells, Foreman. 
 Robert Picken, 
 Abraham Garrason. 
 Henry Hare, 
 Nicholas Felling, 
 John Smith, 
 Andrew Wemple, 
 John Bauman, 
 Samuel Gardener, 
 John Fonda, 
 John Davis, 
 John Wolgimot, 
 Jacob Felling, 
 Isaac Collier, 
 James Scott, 
 Michael Stoller, 
 David Quackenbush, 
 John Flint. 
 
 And a number of the principal Freeholders and Inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 REV. ELEAZER WHEELOCK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Dartmouth College, March 16, 1775. 
 
 Much Honoured Sir: 1 think that a concern for my 
 own and my Country's safety, may be esteemed sufficient 
 excuse for my acting so much out of character as I may 
 seem to do, in intermeddling in our present publick and 
 distressing affairs; and relying upon your candour and 
 friendship to accept this for excuse, and to suppress what- 
 ever you may think may disserve me or that cause which 
 has long been, and still is, my object, I shall freely hint 
 something which I don't know but may be useful, and con- 
 sequently would be criminal to withhold. 
 
 You are not insensible, Sir, how calamitous and distress- 
 ing the case of these new and defenceless settlements will 
 likely be, if such a Northern Army of Savages, &c, as we 
 have been threatened with should be prevailed upon to 
 
158 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 154 
 
 nies against any invasion that should be made or attempted 
 against them, and I don't think he did at all overrate his 
 ability or influence for that purpose. Mr. Dean designed 
 to return as soon as the Lake should be clear of ice, and the 
 streams and roads should favour it, which will likely be in 
 May. 
 
 If what I have hinted shall suggest the least advantage 
 to the cause, I am well repaid for writing; and if none at 
 all, yet you have a testimonial of the good wishes and de- 
 sires of him who is, with much esteem and respect, your 
 Honour's most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Eleazer Wheelock. 
 
 Governour Trumbull. 
 
 remonstrance presented by the selectmen of B1L- 
 
 LERICA TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL GAGE, MARCH 
 
 16, 1775. 
 
 May it jilease your Excellency : 
 
 We. the Selectmen of the Town of Billcrica, beg leave 
 to remonstrate to your Excellency that, on the 8th of this 
 instant, ( March,) one Thomas Ditson, an inhabitant of 
 said Town of Billcrica, was tarred and feathered, and very 
 much abused, by a party of His Majesty's Forty-Seventh 
 Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Nesbit. As guardians for said Town, and from a regard 
 to the liberties and properties of its inhabitants, we cannot 
 but resent this procedure. Your Excellency must be sen- 
 sible that this act is a high infraction on that personal 
 security which every Englishman is entitled to, and with- 
 out which his boasted Constitution is but a name. 
 
 It is sufficiently unhappy for us, that we find Troops 
 quartered among us for the purpose of enforcing obedience 
 to Acts of Parliament of Great Britain, in the highest 
 sense iniquitous, cruel, and unjust. It is still more unhap- 
 py, if these Troops, instead of preserving the character 
 which British Troops once had, should pour in additional 
 insult, and be guilty of the most brutal outrages. We hope 
 your Excellency will take some steps for accommodating 
 this affair : for we assure you we cannot, consistent with 
 our duty, pass this matter over. We have been told by 
 your Excellency, that you never meant to disturb the in- 
 tercourse between the Town and the Country ; confiding 
 in this, we have passed and repassed in our usual manner. 
 We therefore hope your Excellency will make it evident, 
 by your conduct, that you are determined the intercourse 
 shall be preserved, and we be not buoyed up with promises 
 which, in the end, we unhappily find not to be depended 
 upon. Lieutenant Colonel Nesbit is an Officer under your 
 Excellency's command ; of you, therefore, we demand 
 satisfaction for the insult committed by him ; we think it is 
 in your power. We beg your Excellency that the breach, 
 now too wide between Great Britain and this Province, 
 may not, by such brutality of the Troops, still be increased. 
 We assure you. Sir, it always has been, and still is, our 
 sentiment and prayer, that harmony may be restored, and 
 that we may not be drove to the last distress of Nations. 
 
 Rut may it please your Excellency, we must tell you 
 we are determined, if the innocent inhabitants of our 
 Country Towns (for we must think this man innocent in 
 this affair) must be interrupted by Soldiers in their lawful 
 intercourse with the Town of Boston, and treated with the 
 mo^t brutish ferocity, we shall hereafter use a different 
 style from that of petition and complaint. 
 
 If the grand bulwarks of our Constitution are thus vio- 
 lently torn away, and the powers on earth prove unfriendly 
 to the cause of virtue, liberty, and humanity, we are still 
 happy. We can appeal to Him who judgeth righteouslv, 
 and to Him we cheerfully leave the event. 
 
 TO THE GENTLEMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS 
 OF VIRGINIA. 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, March 17, 1775. 
 The addresses presented to their Lieutenant-Governour 
 by the Council and eleven polluted Members of the Assem- 
 bly of New -York, are, to every sensible thinking Ameri- 
 can, of infinitely a more alarming nature than the threats 
 of the Minister, the brutum fulmen of the King's speech, 
 (if that can properly be termed the King's speech which 
 the Minister has publickly avowed to be his own compo- 
 
 sition,*) or the echoing back this speech by a hireling ma- 
 jority of the Peers to their paymaster ; for as long as a 
 spirit of union subsists through this Continent, and as long 
 as the people at home have reason to think that this spirit 
 does subsist, these threats of the Minister (although vibra- 
 ted from the sounding-board of the Throne) and the echo- 
 ing it back by a hired chorus of Peers, must cast more 
 ridicule upon those by whom they are uttered, than give 
 terrour to those at whom they are levelled. But the sus- 
 picion or report of any defection amongst ourselves, is a 
 matter of most serious concern ; it behooves you, therefore, 
 gentlemen ; it behooves every Provincial Congress of the 
 Continent, to consider immediately of some effectual means 
 to prevent the mischievous consequences intended by these 
 abandoned and senseless men. Have we then formed a 
 General Association of our Provinces ? Have we pledged 
 ourselves to each other, to our posterity, to mankind ? 
 Have we made so great (temporary at least) sacrifices in 
 Commerce ? Have we solemnly engaged to make still 
 greater sacrifices in the glorious cause of Liberty? Have 
 we confounded our enemies by a strain of virtue scarcely 
 credible in these modern ages, and with a spirit of harmony 
 that has surpassed the most sanguine expectation ? Have 
 we acted this noble part ? And shall the Council and 
 eleven contemptible Assemblymen of New -York attempt 
 to render all we have done abortive? Contemptible in all 
 respects — in numbers, in understanding, in knowledge, and 
 in principles ! For what other tendency can their addresses 
 to their Lieutenant-Governour possibly have but to coun- 
 teract the Resolves of the Congress, and render every thing 
 ye have done abortive? These compositions of pusilla- 
 nimity, abject servility, and disgusting folly, amount simply 
 to this : That the utmost exertions of this United Conti- 
 nent (consisting of half a million of fighting men) can 
 have no effect; that all the resistance (civil or military J 
 which they can make, must be in vain ; but that redress 
 alone must be sought, and can be expected from the mag- 
 nanimity of the British Nation, and the known goodness 
 and virtue of the King. Gracious Heaven ! grant us pa- 
 tience for to be told that we are to expect any thing from 
 the magnanimity of a people who, for twelve years suc- 
 cessively, have suffered themselves to be insulted, disgraced, 
 trampled upon, plundered, and butchered with impunity ! 
 Or to be told that we are to look up to the goodness and 
 virtue of a King who, for the same number of years, has 
 been influenced to make incessant war upon the property, 
 rights, privileges, laws, honour, and integrity of his people, 
 in every part of the Empire, is enough to drive moderation 
 itself into violence. 
 
 But, continue these admirable Senators, what opens still 
 a surer prospect of redress is, that His Excellency Gover- 
 nour Tryon is now near the Throne. So it seems that 
 what the petitions, supplications, and remonstrances of the 
 whole Colonies ; of the City of London ; of the great com- 
 mercial Towns of the leading Counties of England ; what 
 the voice of policy, reason, justice, and humanity, could 
 not effect, Colonel Tryon's being in England will accom- 
 plish. I know not whether this Colonel Tryon is a man 
 of so extraordinary talents, eloquence, and influence, as to 
 work these mighty miracles. I never understood that he 
 was ; but I am sure, if he has common sense, and any 
 manly feelings, he cannot help being somewhat disgusted 
 at this ill-timed, impertinent flattery, and that he must 
 conceive the greatest contempt for the parasites who, re- 
 gardless of the most important concerns to their Country 
 and humanity, and at the very crisis which is to determine 
 whether themselves and their posterity are to be freemen 
 or slaves, could step out of their way to offer up incense 
 to an unimportant individual. It may be said, this is all 
 declamation ; it may be so, but it is a declamation which 
 an honest zeal in the publick cause has forced me into. It 
 is now time, gentlemen, to devise some means of putting 
 a stop to this cancer before it spreads to any dangerous 
 degree. You, gentlemen of Virginia, and your neighbours 
 of Maryland have, perhaps, these means in your hands. 
 
 * The affected friends to Government often complain that His Ma- 
 jesty is not treated with the respect due to his character and station ; 
 but it appears to me, that a Minister's declaring in an open Senate that 
 the speech from the Throne is not the King's, but is his own, is going 
 beyond disrespect. It is a most outrageous insult; it is representing 
 His Majesty as a mere puppet, that squeaks just as he, the prompter, 
 breathes. 
 
155 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 156 
 
 1 would propose, then, that after a spirited manifesto, ex- 
 pressing your abhorrence of the Council* and prostitute 
 eleven of New-York, you should proceed to punish the 
 individuals of this wicked junto who are in your power. 
 Some of them have great contracts for wheat and corn in 
 these Provinces, from Norfolk, Alexandria, Chester, Balti- 
 more, and other ports. They export prodigious quantities, 
 and enrich themselves considerably by this commerce. 1 
 would propose, that all commerce with these assassins 
 should be laid immediately under an interdict; that not a 
 single Ship belonging to a counsellor of New- York, (unless 
 he purges himself by oath from having consented to the 
 address,) or of one of the prostitute eleven, should be fur- 
 nished with a freight within the Capes Henry or Charles ; 
 and I have that opinion of the virtue of these Provinces 
 to think your injunctions would be efficacious. But here 
 1 must beg leave to pause for an instant, and ask pardon of 
 the publick for my apparent presumption. An individual 
 who offers his thoughts to so respectable a body as a Con- 
 gress, delegated by the voice of a whole people, has cer- 
 tainly the air of presumption ; it is in some measure attribu- 
 ting to himself superiour lights and abilities. But, on the 
 other hand, it is allowed that an individual has frequently 
 been fortunate enough to chalk out lines in which the most 
 sagacious and respectable bodies have not disdained to 
 walk. 
 
 If his proposals or hints be weak and absurd, they will 
 naturally be laughed at ; but if his intentions be honest, 
 the consciousness of having acted from motives of recti- 
 tude, and the love of his Country, will sufficiently com- 
 pensate for any ridicule which his scheme can incur. I 
 would therefore wish, that what I offer should rather be 
 understood as hints than advice. If these hints are attended 
 to, I shall reap no personal glory ; if they are despised, I 
 shall be no personal sufferer, as my name will probably 
 never be known ; for I have too great confidence in the 
 integrity of the printer to apprehend he will insinuate, even 
 the most remotely, his conjectures of the author. But to 
 proceed with my proposals, or hints, in which latter light 
 1 am most desirous they should be considered : I could 
 wish to the above-mentioned manifesto was subjoined the 
 warmest letter of thanks to the virtuous ten of the Assem- 
 bly of New -York, for their endeavours to stem the profli- 
 gacy and wickedness of the majority, and for the noble 
 part they have acted as true Americans and excellent citi- 
 zens ; that another address, not less warm, should be pre- 
 sented to the gentlemen and people of New -York at 
 large, expressing your opinion of their honesty and publick 
 spirit, and lamenting their peculiar circumstances, which, 
 to those who are strangers to these circumstances, may in- 
 culcate a belief that they alone are exceptions to the charac- 
 ter of patriotism which the Americans are now indisputa- 
 bly entitled to. But above all, I could wish that it were 
 recommended to every Province of the Continent, more 
 particularly to their immediate neighbours of Pennsylvania, 
 the Jerseys, and Connecticut, not to suffer one of this de- 
 praved undecimvirate to set his foot on their territories, until 
 lie invokes the forgiveness of his Country, and solemnly 
 engages that his future life shall be employed in making 
 compensation for his present conduct, of so obviously a 
 mischievous tendency. 
 
 P. S. The epithets prostitute, profligate, Sic, which I 
 have so freely made use of, may probably appear illiberal ; 
 but when we consider the mischievous consequences which 
 the conduct of these Council and Assemblymen of Neiv- 
 York are fraught with, it must be allowed that no language 
 can furnish opprobrious terms adequate to their delin- 
 quency. 1 am far indeed from apprehending that their 
 weight and influence are sufficient to shake the virtue of 
 the Continent, or occasion any defection. I do not be- 
 lieve that an individual (much less a set of men) will be 
 found who will be stupid and wicked enough to tread in 
 their steps, the infamous *** of Philadelphia, and a small 
 perverse drivelling knot of Quakers, who form his Senate 
 and Court, excepted. This worthy lately fixed his resi- 
 dence at New- York, with the professed intention of work- 
 
 * I cannot perauade myself that the Council wore unanimous in this 
 infamous address! ; there are individuals amongst them of known ]>ro. 
 bity, somie, and patriotism. Hut theso gontlemen, so f ir from objecting 
 to the obligation of purging themselves by oath of having had any 
 share of the guilt, will rejoice in the opportunity of acquitting them, 
 selves. 
 
 ing with some congenial spirits in that City towards the 
 ruin of the whole fabrick which the Congress bad been 
 raising. Indeed, it is most probable that he was the prin- 
 cipal compiler, if not the dictator, of these wretched ad- 
 dresses. The style and sentiments are certainly his ; the 
 same mist, fog, and darkness, which overcast all his pro- 
 ductions, envelop these addresses ; and the same narrow, 
 crooked politicks, low cunning, malignancy, and treachery, 
 discoverable through the mist, fog, and obscurity of all his 
 works and actions, betray themselves in these addresses. 
 It may now be asked, as I have represented the character, 
 weight, and credit of these eleven Assemblymen, of the 
 majority of the Council of New-York, and their Philadel- 
 phia coadjutor, or more properly dictator, in so despica- 
 ble a light, wherefore I should sound the alarm? What 
 mischiefs can possibly result from the utmost such men can 
 do ? I answer, that although they can neither occasion 
 any defection, nor present the least prospect of success to 
 the enemies of America and liberty, they can do very con- 
 siderable mischief. They can procrastinate the issue ; 
 they can (and most probably will) prolong the inconveni- 
 ences which we must, more or less, feel during the contest. 
 There is nothing more certain than that the Ministry have 
 proceeded to the enormous lengths they have done upon 
 the presumption that the attacks upon Boston would not 
 have been taken up by the other Provinces, as the cause 
 of the whole.* There is, therefore, nothing more certain 
 than that the appearance of our firmness and unanimity 
 must soon have overthrown them, or forced them into a 
 total change of measures ; but the least appearance that 
 this firmness and unanimity no longer subsists, will en- 
 courage them to persist, and enable them to keep their 
 ground some time longer. These addresses of New-York 
 will give this appearance ; so that whatever the gentlemen, 
 the merchants, the tradesmen, the mechanicks, and the 
 people of America at large suffer from the prolongation of 
 the contest ; whatever shall be added to the distresses and 
 burden of the people at home ; whatever shall farther im- 
 pair the commerce, strength, credit, and reputation of the 
 Mother Country, and bring her still nearer to total bank- 
 ruptcy and ruin ; whatever shall farther alienate the affec- 
 tions of the child from the parent, may justly be imputed 
 to this abject Council and eleven prostitute Assemblymen 
 of Ncw-York.-f 
 
 Boston, March 17, 1775. 
 
 The Massachusetts Gazette of February 23d, has given 
 the publick a long and laboured account of the terrible 
 mischiefs done by mobs in this Province, and the names 
 of the persons who are said to have suffered by them. J I 
 own 1 was not displeased at the particular mention of their 
 names, nor would I have had one left out of this shining 
 list : for the world ought to know, and posterity to remem- 
 ber the men who have taken so open and decisive a part 
 against their Country, at a time when it was nobly exert- 
 ing itself in one of the most important and severe contests 
 that ever fell to the share of any community. That they 
 have suffered, and will continue to suffer as long as any 
 remains of honour and conscience, and feelings for the es- 
 timation and love of 1 heir fellow-subjects reside with them, 
 1 firmly believe. This is all the revenge their much injur- 
 ed Country has hitherto taken of them. 
 
 That they live, some of them in affluence and splen- 
 dour, upon the revenue extorted from their much injured 
 Country, live to combine their heads and hearts for ensla- 
 ving America, is a striking proof of the moderation and 
 
 * That this is the principle they acted upon, is now put out of dis. 
 pute by the conduct of Lord Norlh in the House of Commons, and 
 some speeches directed to him. 
 
 t Willianuburgh, March 24, 177. r >. — Tho author of the piece addressed 
 t'i the Provinci il Congress of Virginia, having written in the heat of re. 
 sentment, on the first nows of the conduct of the Council and Assembly 
 of New-York, and having been since assured, from tho best authority, 
 that the majority of the former are men of so good personal charac- 
 ters as to bo incapable of doing injury intentionally to their Country ; 
 he bogs leave publickly to retract the harsh terms ho has applied to 
 these gentlemen, and to impute the unhuppy step they have taken to 
 crrour and seduction, not to any sinister designs. One gentleman in 
 particular, who has largo dealings in this Country, he has heard so 
 great a character of, in the article of integrity and benevolence, as to 
 lender it impossible that he should do any thing inimical to the com. 
 munity, unless deceivod into it by other men. The gentleman I allude 
 to is Mr. Wallace. 
 
 t See Volume I, Folio 12C0. 
 
157 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 158 
 
 lenity of that people in whose power it was, had it been 
 equally their inclination, to have taken another kind of 
 revenge. 
 
 The Act for shutting up the Port of Boston, which the 
 Tories themselves did not scruple at first to call unjust and 
 cruel, and which the whole world regards with abhorrence 
 and indignation, was received by the inhabitants of that 
 Town in a manner that does them everlasting honour. 
 Neither transported by resentment, nor sunk with fear, nor 
 warped by a regard to their private interest, they have 
 now for near nine months endured all the relentless rigour 
 of that Act, and a total deprivation of the commerce upon 
 which they subsisted, rather than set an example to Ame- 
 rica of a tame and base resignation of our invaluable rights. 
 They calmly referred their cause to the whole Continent, 
 knowing it to be a common one ; they have accordingly 
 been applauded and supported by all the Colonies, and 
 are now waiting with a patience and fortitude that will 
 never be forgotten, the final issue of this reference. 
 
 With respect to the other Acts of Parliament that soon 
 followed, (for vacating our Charier, in the important article 
 of appointing His Majesty's Council, a branch of our Le- 
 gislature, and for altering the mode of administering justice,) 
 it was impossible for the people of this Province to exhibit 
 the same patience. They waited indeed till the moment 
 these Acts were to take effect, when they found themselves 
 reduced to this cruel alternative, either tamely to submit to 
 a deprivation of privileges which they held dearer than 
 life, or run the risk of an immediate opposition. Had they 
 bowed their necks to the yoke at that important moment, 
 it would have been riveted upon them forever; no resist- 
 ance could afterwards have been made with any prospect 
 of success. The force of humble petitions and complaints 
 had been already tried for a succession of years, and the 
 men who had distinguished themselves in defence of our 
 inalienable rights would have felt all the resentment of 
 Government, in its new and tyrannical form ; and juries, 
 pricked off by a Sheriff appointed and removable at the 
 pleasure of the Chair, instead of acquitting, might only 
 have given a sanction to the sufferings of the virtuous and 
 loyal, though accused subject. 
 
 In this extremity, which they had been endeavouring 
 by every means in their power to avoid, they determined 
 upon a virtuous and brave opposition; an opposition, all 
 circumstances considered, planned and conducted with 
 great prudence, and a lenity not to be exampled. The 
 freeholders of the several Counties, headed by men of the 
 first estimation and character among them, peaceably as- 
 sembled, and without doing injury to a single person, or 
 any man's property, calmly, though resolutely prohibited 
 the courts of justice from sitting and acting upon a plan 
 that must have ruined the liberties of their Country, and 
 destroyed every security for their property and lives. In 
 the same manner the people demanded of the Mandamus 
 Councilmen a resignation of an office totally inconsistent 
 with their Charter rights. Those who resigned were re- 
 stored to the good opinion of their fellow-citizens, and 
 have had nothing to fear. Others deluded their honest open- 
 hearted neighbours, who were ready to accept the slender- 
 est pledges of an intention not to destroy their civil rights. 
 When these men had gained the protection of the Army, 
 they insulted the credulity of their countrymen, and have 
 been incessant in their endeavours to bring military ven- 
 geance upon a people to whose tenderness and forbearance 
 they owe their own safety. 
 
 After the well known Powder expedition, the general 
 alarm consequent upon it, and the resolution of General 
 Gage to reside, with all his Troops, in Boston, great pains 
 were taken to induce all the friends of Government, that is, 
 all the enemies to the claims of America, to remove to the 
 same place, and claim the protection of the Army. Of 
 such a measure the Commissioners of the Customs had 
 before set an example, with no small success. According- 
 ly, some who might have remained at home in safety, and 
 at ease too, had it not been for a consciousness that their 
 own views and inclinations were directly opposite to what 
 the whole community deemed its most important interests, 
 removed with their families to Boston. It is easy to see 
 with what views this measure was taken, and what conse- 
 quences were expected and wished to follow from it. 
 History does net afford an instance of a people so long 
 
 irritated by cruel and oppressive innovations in their Gov- 
 ernment, harassed by Fleets and Armies, and an unheard 
 of Port Bill, and obliged by the last necessity to oppose 
 the mere forms of law to preserve the spirit and blessings 
 of the British Constitution, who have conducted their op- 
 position with more caution and moderation, and with less 
 damage to those who have all along obstructed them in 
 every probable method they could devise for their safety. 
 This will appear more remarkable, when we consider, that 
 in such contests injuries from brethren, men born and bred 
 in the community, and under every obligation to protect 
 its rights, are more severely resented than from strangers, 
 and that many of these unnatural children of the 31assa- 
 chusttts were known to be its most implacable enemies, 
 most ready to expose it by their speeches and writings to 
 the scorn and hatred of the world, and most eager to whet 
 the sword that might deluge it in blood. 
 
 In all this exertion for publick safety not a life nor a limb 
 has been taken away ; not a field has been laid waste, nor 
 a dwelling destroyed. Some indiscretions and violences 
 may have been committed by boys and the lowest of the 
 people, which cannot, in such circumstances as this com- 
 munity has unhappily been reduced to, be prevented or 
 properly punished. But are these to be compared with the 
 horrid scene exhibited a few years ago, in King-street, on 
 the fifth of March ; with the bloody and dangerous affrays 
 with the soldiery since that time, notwithstanding the 
 utmost caution and exertion of the Commander-in Chief 
 to prevent them? Are they to be compared with the loss 
 of property sustained by the Port Bill, and the distress and 
 anxious apprehensions brought upon a large community of 
 merchants, mechanicks, and yeomanry, by large Fleets and 
 Armies, in hostile array ? Or with the painful solicitude 
 with which all our bosoms have been agitated for those 
 rights, without which life itself would be a burden? And 
 yet all these evils have been brought upon their Country, 
 chiefly by the very men and their connexions who would 
 represent themselves in the world as suffering from it in 
 the most inhuman manner. For it is plain, even to de- 
 monstration, that had these men, and their head, now resi- 
 ding in England, concurred with their Country in a love 
 to its ancient Constitution, and its sacred rights; and had 
 they honestly and steadily resolved to accept no commis- 
 sions, nor to act from any under an innovated Government ; 
 had they done this at the beginning of our troubles, Ad- 
 ministration must of necessity have given up the design of 
 taxing America, and vacating our Charter ; and all the dis- 
 tressing measures we have since endured for the purposes, 
 would have been peaceably avoided. Instead of this, the 
 Tories of this Province, under the auspices of Bernard and 
 Hutchinson, have been the most zealous promoters, if not 
 the original contrivers of this most injurious design, and the 
 methods taken to effect it. 
 
 It is astonishing to observe how alienated these men are 
 from the interest of the community in which they were born 
 and educated, and still live ; how inflexibly opposed to its 
 prevailing sentiments and principles; and with what scorn 
 and detestation they regard the united exertions of all Ame- 
 rica to defend itself from the attempts of a corrupt Admin- 
 istration to enslave it. In their account, the love of liberty 
 is sedition ; a claim of the rights of Englishmen, which are 
 no more than the rights of human nature, is treason ; and a 
 deliberate united determination to defend them, is rebellion. 
 If the people, the fountain of all civil honour and authori- 
 ty, and of whom the first rulers are indeed servants ; if the 
 people, I say, assemble and consult for the preservation of 
 their rights, these men immediately cry out in a rage, a mob! 
 and seem to wish, like Nero, that the whole Province had 
 but one neck, that they might divide it at a stroke. They 
 will plead in excuse for the Quebeck Bill, which establishes 
 the Roman Catholick Religion and a French Government 
 in a British Colony, that it is tenderly accommodated 
 to the prejudices of the majority in that Colony ; but for 
 the prejudices and misapprehensions of their brethren in 
 the Protestant Colonies, allowing them to be in an errour, 
 they have no indulgence. It is humane and just that the 
 Canadians should claim and enjoy the tyranny of French 
 laws ; but for the British inhabitants of the other Colonies 
 to urge their claim for British privileges, deserves confisca- 
 tion of estate and a halter. 
 
 Let these men, if they please, go on to call the orderly 
 
159 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 160 
 
 assembling of the freeholders of this Province in defence 
 of their unalienable rights, a mob. It is such a kind of 
 mob as has more than once preserved the British Consti- 
 tution from absolute ruin ; such a mob as rose in England, 
 in the reign of James the Second, consisting of the body of 
 the people, and the first characters in every literary and 
 honourable department ; a mob which the two Universities, 
 the Clergy, and even the Army itself did not hesitate to join, 
 and of which the great Churchill, afterwards John Duke of 
 Marlborough, was a principal ringleader. The difference 
 is, they opposed an arbitrary Monarch, while we are only 
 defending ourselves against the unconstitutional, despotick 
 power of our fellow-subjects — the Lords and Commons of 
 Great Britain. They took the field. We have not yet 
 been reduced, and I hope never shall, to that cruel neces- 
 sity. May American mobs be crowned with the same 
 success, and all posterity will revere them as the glorious 
 conservators of the rights of mankind. Lucius. 
 
 TO GOVERNOUR WENT WORTH. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, March 17, 1775. 
 
 Much deluded Sir: As I have no desire to detract 
 from the merit of your former actions, I readily allow, that 
 for many years your prudent conduct gained you the affec- 
 tions of almost all the people in this and the neighbouring 
 Colonies. No man in your station could be more hon- 
 oured and revered ; no person could exert himself more in 
 favour of the Province, or exceed you in promoting the 
 true interest of it. You did not prostitute commissions, 
 but endeavoured to add dignity to your Courts and honour 
 to your Militia. You caused harmony to subsist between 
 the several officers and soldiers throughout the Province ; 
 and doubtless felt that satisfaction yourself, which ever 
 results from the consciousness of having done well. You 
 well know what effects this produced ; and with pleasure 
 saw the zeal with which the people espoused and defended 
 your cause against the rage and malice of some who have 
 since become your bosom friends. But, Sir, let me ask you, 
 w hether your late conduct has not been totally different ? 
 Have you not, without provocation, risen up against your 
 native Country, and done all in your power to enslave it? 
 Have you not used your utmost endeavours to enforce 
 those unconstitutional Acts, against which America has 
 made so violent an opposition ? Have you not arbitrarily 
 deprived the people from any share in their own Govern- 
 ment for near twelve months, and reduced your people to 
 the sad necessity of being governed by the Crown, or its 
 immediate servants ; or of being reduced to a state of 
 anarchy? Have you not devised various methods to divide 
 and weaken the people, that their opposition to Parliamen- 
 tary measures might be less powerful? Have you not 
 issued your writs for the election of Representatives to 
 Towns where the number of inhabitants were inconsider- 
 able, when compared with others, which you chose to pass 
 by without the least notice ? Have you not executed 
 your vengeance on all those who have stood forth to defend 
 the liberties of their Country, upon the members of the 
 late Congress ; upon Civil Magistrates and Military Offi- 
 cers ? You have. How then can you expect to rule in 
 the hearts of this people ? Can you conceive that they 
 take no notice of these things? Be not deceived. A few 
 fawning sycophants may endeavour to flatter you ; but 
 believe me, Sir, the affections of the people will never be 
 possessed by you in future. They well know that you 
 were the only person who endeavoured to procure work- 
 men to build barracks for the enemies of America ; they 
 are fully sensible, that the officers who have been foremost 
 in disciplining their men, and fitting them for action ; and 
 the men who have been engaged for the preservation of 
 the sacred rights of the people, who have warned the peo- 
 ple of their danger and exhorted each to shun it, have 
 been made the objects of your resentment, these men you 
 have dismissed from every civil and military employment. 
 But what is the consequence ? You already see that num- 
 bers of officers have resigned, nobly refusing to hold com- 
 missions when nothing can secure them but consenting to 
 the ruin of their Country ; and you will soon find that the 
 same spirit will discover itself to every part of the Govern- 
 ment ; and, of course, the militia will be in the same state 
 as that of the Massachusetts, Maryland, &ic. 
 
 I suppose that in excuse for this conduct, you will say 
 that you were expressly ordered to do this, and could by 
 no means avoid it, and secure your own standing ; which 
 perhaps may be the case. But then I must beg leave to 
 observe, that if those orders were from General Gage, and 
 you can by no means secure your standing but by obey- 
 ing them, you can claim but little merit for any acts you 
 may do in future ; as General Gage, with his nod, can 
 direct the publick affairs of this and every other Colony 
 upon the Continent. If it proceeded from the mandates 
 of a Minister, then it is immaterial whether we are governed 
 by Lord North or any other person, as every thing is to 
 be regulated by his arbitrary will and pleasure. 
 
 I however incline to think that this is our deplorable 
 situation, that the person who presides over us has little 
 more to do than echo the voice of a despotick Minister, 
 and see that his mandates are obeyed ; I must therefore 
 pity the person appointed to preside, and the unhappy 
 people who are called to obey. No situation can be more 
 unhappy ; no slavery can be more complete. I think 
 myself acquainted with the natural goodness of your heart, 
 and will venture to affirm, that you would not (if left to your- 
 self) make such a wanton use of the prerogative, or deprive 
 the people for such a length of time from having a share 
 in their own Government. You well know that by the 
 same kind of conduct, the people may be deprived of the 
 inestimable right of representation, whenever and for what- 
 ever length of time an arbitrary Minister may think proper. 
 I shall conclude, by assuring you that I am far from being 
 your enemy ; and that I sincerely grieve for you, and a 
 number of others, who I am persuaded must, if they retain 
 their commissions, owe their future greatness to their Coun- 
 try's ruin. The Spectator. 
 
 to d • * * c****», ES^. 
 
 New-Jersoy, March 18, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : You expect my sentiments on our publick 
 affairs, and, indeed, I can with freedom unburden my full 
 heart to one whom I esteem a true friend to George the 
 Third, our rightful Sovereign, to the Protestant succession 
 in his family, and to the real interest and greatest good of 
 the whole British Empire. And were such as truly the 
 character of every British subject as it is yours, and every 
 mind properly informed, all our unhappy differences would 
 soon be amicably settled, and every disagreeable commo- 
 tion and unfriendly passion subside. But a strong party 
 too near the Throne, of a quite opposite character, are 
 opposing the general good of the Nation, to the great 
 danger of the King, the Protestant succession and interest, 
 and even the very existence of the Empire as such. 
 
 You need not be told, Sir, the many well known facts 
 on which this great danger is founded. Have not that 
 party invaded the rights of mankind in every part of the 
 Empire ? Hath not that invasion stirred up a spirit of 
 jealousy, disaffection, and opposition to those hateful mea- 
 sures, more or less, in almost every City, County, and 
 Colony in the British Dominions ? For instance, the 
 noble spirit and manly opposition shewn by the citizens of 
 London, and the electors of Middlesex, when their right 
 of election was trodden under foot by that party, in the 
 case of Wilkes and Luttrell. And the many Petitions 
 and Remonstrances from every quarter, are so many instan- 
 ces of the like kind. Hence it appears that America is 
 not singular in her opposition. He must be ignorant of 
 the present state of our Nation, who is not sensible that 
 there are still millions in Great Britain and Ireland, who 
 are possessed of the same virtuous principles with us; and 
 who have shown, or soon must show themselves on the 
 side of Liberty, Protestantism, and the Constitution. Their 
 eyes are opening. They see more and more, this great 
 truth, that the ruin of the whole Empire is involved in 
 that of America. In short, such is the slate of our pub- 
 lick affairs, that should the friends of despotism carry their 
 point a little higher, and begin with the sword to enforce 
 submission to tyranny, the whole Empire would fall into 
 the most dreadful convulsions, and shake to the very cen- 
 tre. Then, when these convulsions shall have subsided, 
 through the loss of much blood ; then (may Heaven pre- 
 vent it) the Atlantick Ocean, the Irish Sea, and the River 
 Tweed, will probably be what the English Channel is 
 
161 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 162 
 
 now — a divider of Kingdoms, or the whole to be swallowed 
 up by Bourbon. 
 
 Nor can Stuart himself, whom America abhors, expect 
 more than a part of the Empire. For France and Spain, 
 now grown stronger, will, no doubt, at such a time, do all 
 that in them lies to divide and weaken the British Em- 
 pire ; when the Romish religion in Ireland, the love of 
 Stuart in Scotland, and the lust of gold in England, will 
 forward their design : for what but the love of money 
 could have calculated the present ministerial plan so exactly 
 to suit the meridian of Paris 1 
 
 Some may imagine that America may be subjugated 
 without any such ill consequences to the European part of 
 the British Dominions, and that the Americans, were the 
 case once to be put, sword in hand, would make but a 
 feeble resistance ; because, they say, many in hopes of 
 present profit or future favours, and many through fear of 
 punishment, will join the ministerial party, and thereby so 
 divide as to destroy, in a great measure, every mode of 
 opposition ; and that those who still continue their opposi- 
 tion will be so disheartened and unsupported as to fall an 
 easy prey to their enemies. On which let it be remarked, 
 that those who hold and endeavour to propagate such sla- 
 vish anti-American doctrines, betray in themselves either 
 ignorance, cowardice, or treachery ; which are directly 
 opposite to the true character of America in general. 
 The Americans are a sensible, learned, brave, loyal, free, 
 Protestant people. And though there are some who are 
 otherwise, yet they are a diminutive number, so com- 
 paratively few, that they never have, and it is to be hoped 
 they never will take the lead in our publick affairs. Those 
 who think England may be safe while in an open rupture 
 with America, do not duly consider their danger from their 
 internal and external enemies — the French, Spaniards, 
 CatholicJcs, Jacobites, and Tories ; of which it is hard to 
 say who are the greatest enemies of the British Constitu- 
 tion, and the Protestant interest. Be that as it may, it 
 has been openly declared in Parliament, that were the 
 banners of rebellion once spread in America, England 
 would be a ruined people. And many of the most sensi- 
 ble Britons have giveja it as their opinion, that Great Bri- 
 tain and her Colonies must stand or fall together. They 
 are therefore often calling upon us to stand firm and united 
 in our virtuous opposition; adding, that thereby we shall 
 save ourselves and them. This is doubtless true ; and it 
 is allowed by friends and foes, that our danger principally, 
 if not wholly lies in our being divided among ourselves. 
 What punishment, therefore, is adequate to their guilt, 
 who use every vile artifice to deceive and divide us, and 
 thereby ruin the whole Empire ? And yet, these same trai- 
 torous vermin would cloak all their foul conduct under the 
 specious pretence of loyalty, and curse the honest Whigs 
 for traitors ; whose loyalty, in fact, is the very thing that 
 vexes them. Would it then be any wonder, if under 
 such provocations, the friends of the Constitution should, 
 in some instances, through their zeal for the publick good, 
 go beyond the line of duty. 
 
 The Americans are, of all His Majesty's subjects, the 
 greatest admirers of the British Constitution ; because 
 they esteem it the grand charter of their liberties, civil and 
 religious, which they love as they do their lives ; and their 
 loyalty to the present reigning family is as pre-eminent as 
 their lov e of liberty, and always has been ; because they 
 esteem that family as the proper guardians of the Constitu- 
 tion on which alone their throne is built, and under the pro- 
 tection of which we hold our liberties. In this view of things, 
 no wonder if we should esteem those traitors to the King 
 who are using their utmost efforts to undermine his throne 
 by destroying its basis — the Contitution. Hence loyalty 
 itself justifies us in opposing such men and such measures. 
 
 This view justifies all the military preparations now 
 making in America. The stronger we are in these, the 
 safer is the Empire. We mean to act only on the defen- 
 sive. We ought by no means to strike the first blow, nor 
 to provoke those who would. This is certainly a great 
 point to carry against those who call us Rebels, and would 
 make us so if they could. I know you will strictly adhere 
 to the wise directions of our loyal Congress, according to 
 which, while you encourage the doubtful and instruct the 
 ignorant, you will punish the guilty, and thereby greatly 
 oblige your humble friend, Essex. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 DR. FRANKLIN TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Craven-Street, London, March 19, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I leave directions with Mrs. Stephenson to 
 deliver you all the Massachusetts papers, when you please 
 to call for them. I am sorry that the hurry of preparing 
 for my voyage, and the many hinderances 1 have met with, 
 prevented my meeting with you and Mr. Bollan and con- 
 versing a little more on our affairs before my departure. I 
 wish to both of you health and happiness, and shall be glad 
 to hear from you by every opportunity. 
 
 I shall let you know how I find things in America. I 
 may possibly return again in the autumn, but you will, if 
 you think fit, continue henceforth the Agent for Massachu- 
 setts, an office which I cannot again undertake. I wish 
 you all happiness, and am ever yours, affectionately, 
 
 B. Franklin. 
 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, March 20, 1775. 
 
 Last Tuesday, March 14th, Mr. Robert Smyth, Mer- 
 chant, Master Smyth, his son, and Master Ward, son of 
 John Ward, Esquire, returned here from London, in the 
 Snow Proteus. Captain Papley, having touched at Fal- 
 mouth and St. Christopher's by the way. 
 
 The said vessel having on board, (besides seven cases 
 of merchandise, said to be Globes and Mathematical In- 
 struments, consigned to Mr. Robert Wells, one hogshead, 
 one puncheon, seven casks, thirteen cases, five crates, and 
 one bottle, said to contain Drugs and Medicines, consigned 
 to Mr. Edward Gunter,) two puncheons, one box, one 
 tierce, forty bundles, nine cases, and seven hampers, said 
 to contain Household Furniture, and two Horses, belonging 
 to Mr. Smyth, all which he declared were brought out by 
 him on the supposition that it was not meant by the Con- 
 tinental Association to prohibit the importation of such 
 articles, and had been in use in his family in England. 
 The Committee of Observation requested the sense of the 
 General Committee respecting said Horses and Furniture. 
 This matter accordingly came under the consideration of 
 the General Committee on Wednesday evening, thirty- 
 three members present ; when, after a long debate whe- 
 ther the landing the said Horses and Furniture might not 
 be construed a violation of the Association, there appeared 
 to be an equal number for and against that opinion. And 
 the question being put, whether Mr. Smyth's Horses, un- 
 der the circumstances they had been represented, might be 
 landed, it was carried in the affirmative by the Chairman's 
 casting vote. It was at the same time resolved, without a 
 division upon the question, that such part of Mr. Smyth's 
 Furniture as, upon inspection by the Committee of Obser- 
 vation, should appear to them to have been in use in his 
 family, (but no other,) might also be landed. 
 
 The next morning a great number of the inhabitants ap- 
 peared extremely uneasy, lest, from the admission of the 
 Horses, it should be suggested that there was an inclination 
 in this Colony to depart from the Association ; they feared 
 that the conduct of the people, which had always been 
 consistent, and who continued remarkably strict in their 
 adherence to the Resolves and recommendations of the 
 Congress, might, in this instance, be misrepresented abroad. 
 Their zeal for the reputation of their Country threw them 
 into great agitation ; none meant the least reflection on the 
 conduct of their Committee, but all wished that the Horses 
 might not be landed ; yet they were then at a loss what 
 measure might be most proper to pursue. On Friday morn- 
 ing, however, a Petition was agreed on, and, after having 
 two hundred and fifty-six names subscribed thereto, pre- 
 sented to the Chairman of the General Committee, in the 
 following words : 
 
 " We, a number of the inhabitants of Charlestown, con- 
 ceive that our liberties at this time depend on our unanimi- 
 ty and confidence in our Committee, who, we doubt not, in 
 all things will act according to the best of their judgment 
 for the publick good. But your Petitioners are informed 
 that, by a vote carried by a very small majority, divers 
 Horses and Furniture are permitted to be landed, which 
 many persons, who have the liberty of America much at 
 heart, think an infringement of the Association entered into 
 by the General Congress. In order, therefore, to quiet 
 the minds of the people, we pray that there may be a re- 
 consideration of the said matter in a full Committee." 
 
163 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 161 
 
 In consequence of this Petition, the said Committee was 
 summoned to meet that evening; but no more than foity- 
 two members then attending, it was thought advisable to 
 adjourn till Monday morning, nine o'clock, in order that, 
 if it should be thought necessary to reconsider the mailer, 
 it might be done at a very full meeting. Accordingly this 
 morning a very full Committee met, not less than seventy 
 members being present, when the above Petition was taken 
 into consideration ; the Resolves of Wednesday, respecting 
 the Horses, rescinded, by a majority of one vote ; and a 
 Resolution entered into, that they should be sent back, 
 with the Merchandise and Furniture (if any) that should 
 appear not to have been in use. A general satisfaction 
 was expressed upon this occasion, and the quiet of the 
 community seems to be perfectly restored.* 
 
 Instructions drawn up for the Delegates to the Convention 
 at Richmond, the 20th of March, from a certain 
 County in Virginia. 
 
 Gentlemen : Although we are fully assured that the 
 worthy gentlemen who lately represented us in General 
 Congress were actuated by motives not to be reprehended, 
 and in their proceedings against the designs of Parliament, 
 have recommended to us a mode of opposition, in their 
 
 * In South-Carolina the Association was punctually complied with ; 
 no goods from England being allowed to be landed, nor were any other 
 importations, contrary to the provisions of that instrument, permitted. 
 About this time the Ship Charming Sally had arrived from Bristol, in 
 England, with three thousand eight hundred and forty-four bushels of 
 Salt, thirty-five chaldrons of Coal, and forty thousand five hundred 
 Tiles; all of which were (25th February, 1775,) thrown into Hog- 
 Island Creek, by the proprietors or their agents, rather than they would 
 b) at the chargo and trouble of sending them back to England, in pur- 
 suance of the tenth article of the Association. So, also, a cargo of near 
 tlireo hundred Slaves was sent out of the Colony by the consignee, as 
 being interdicted by the socond article of the Association. In short, the 
 publick regulations were duly and patriotically observed. A case, how- 
 ever, arose, which called forth the spirit of the people, and evinced 
 their determination to support and enforce the Association, in all its 
 various provisions. 
 
 A respectable family had been residing in England for some time, 
 and were returning home ; in which removal it was expected the house- 
 hold furniture and horses, which had been in use, would also be brought 
 over. Some attempts had therefore been made to declare the importa- 
 tion of household furniture and horses, that had been in use, and might 
 be imported from England, not to be within the meaning of the tenth 
 article of the Association, as relating to goods or merchandise, but 
 they had been unsuccessful. At length the horses and furniture ar- 
 riving from thence, application was made on the 15tli day of March 
 for their being landed ; and after a long contest in a thin General Com. 
 inittee of only thirty-three members, the motion was carried by the 
 voice of the Chairman. This permission occasioned a ferment among 
 the citizens, and they almost generally exclaimed " The Association 
 i"a« broken" and that the horses at least should not be landed. Some 
 hundreds of the inhabitants assembled, and many active and influential 
 members of the Committee endeavoured to satisfy them respecting the 
 vote of permission which had passed, but in vain. On the contrary, 
 they continued in their opposition, and supported it with a representa- 
 tion signed by a considerable number of persons, and which was pre- 
 sented to the Chairman of the General Committee, desiring the Com- 
 mittee would re-consider their late vote. In pursuance of this request 
 the Committee was convened on the 17th day of March, 1775, and the 
 room of meeting was crowded with people. Edward Iiutledge, who 
 had been one of the most active in the affair, now commenced censur- 
 ing the people, in thus questioning the vote which had been given, but 
 he was received with a clamour. The General Committee now began 
 to think their authority insulted. Some members accordingly depart- 
 ed in anger, others became vociferous in rage, and for a few minutes 
 oil was in confusion. At length tranquillity prevailed ; the considera- 
 tion of the subject was postponed until a more full Committee could be 
 procured ; and the third day after was appointed for a final decision. 
 To procure the presence of all the members of the Committee within 
 reach, was now an object of importance, and great exertions for that 
 purpose were made by both parties. 
 
 When the appointed time arrived the General Committee convened, 
 and great was the press of pioplo who attended ; for the Town was in 
 universal commotion, and application had oven been privately made to 
 tlio incorporated armed companies to cover the landing of the horses. 
 Some individuals of the companies agreed to do so, but the majority of 
 t'lom refused ; and tho people declared if the horses were landed, Ihey 
 would put them to death. Under these unpleasant aspects the debates 
 began, when Mr. Gadsden moved to reverse tho former determination, 
 relative to landing the horses. He urged the vote had been carried in 
 a thin Committee ; that it was contrary to the Association ; that it 
 would alarm the Northern Colonios in a most lively mannor; and that 
 our piople were highly dissatisfied with it. And he contended this 
 last of its df was a cogent reason to reverse such a determination. Tho 
 R v. Mr. Tennent next addressed tho Committee to the same purpose; 
 as did Mr. Hugely, who, in addition, urged that, as the horses paid a 
 duty, they ought not to bo landed. Theso gentlemen, in speaking, 
 spoke immediately after each other. On tho other side Edward Rut. 
 ledge, Rawlins Lowndes, Thomas Bee, and Thomas Lynch, contended 
 that the vote of the General Committee ought not to be reversed, but 
 on the contrary ought to bo maintained, otherwise the Committeo 
 would fall into contempt. That the opinions of the General Commit- 
 tee, now sitting, ought not to bo influenced by the petition, as the 
 spirit and not the letter of the Association ought to be attended to. 
 
 opinions, the most efficacious and salutary : Nevertheless, 
 as we are entitled to determine upon the propriety of any 
 measures whereby we are bound, and upon the success of 
 which our political and civil interests depend ; we must, after 
 expressing all deference and respect for our honest coun- 
 trymen, who have by their councils and advice stood forth 
 in our cause, beg leave to dissent from them in such points 
 as we think exceptionable. We desire, gentlemen, invio- 
 lably to adhere to the civil obligation binding us to our Sov- 
 ereign, and by no means to assent to any measures that 
 may ultimately affect the faith we owe to our King, or the 
 duty we owe to his people. We desire you neither to 
 censure or patronise the proceedings of those people who 
 destroyed the property of the East-India Company, in the 
 Port of Boston; this we deem a breach of civil order, and 
 an invasion of private right. But as we know not what 
 circumstances might induce, or cause impel the perpe- 
 tration of that act, it is too delicate a ease, too foreign for 
 us to meddle with. The grand principles for which we 
 contend are, the rights of legislation and taxation ; of legis- 
 lation respecting our internal police, and of taxation inde- 
 pendent of every power on earth. These inestimable 
 privileges we will maintain at the risk of our lives and for- 
 tunes ; but we will justify no proceedings inconsistent with 
 our duty to our King, repugnant to the rights of individuals. 
 
 That temporizing did not become honest men and statesmen, who 
 ought to declare their opinions according to their consciences. That 
 if we adhered to the letter of the Association, no arms or ammunition 
 could be received from England ; and when the letter of the law bore 
 hard against an individual, Lord Chief Justice Hale allowed him to 
 escape by any subterfuge ; and that it was never the idea of Congress 
 to exclude such articles. 
 
 William Henry Drayton was the only person who rose in reply. He 
 contended that because an errour had been committed, it was no reason 
 it should be continued ; that the people thought an errour had been 
 committed, and it was our duty to satisfy our constituents, as we were 
 only servants of the publick. That such conduct was evinced by every 
 day's practice in Parliament, therefore it could not be disgraceful to 
 reverse the vote of the Committee, as on such occasions Parliament 
 had often done so. That our present application to the King was for 
 such a purpose ; and if we defended ourselves on the principle of falling 
 into contempt, might it not bo as reasonable for the King to retort the 
 same argument upon us ? That it was always safer to follow the letter 
 than to explore the spirit of a law. That in the case of the St. John's 
 people of Georgia, we preferred the letter t« the spirit of the Associa- 
 tion, as was evident by our refusal and advice ; then why not adhere 
 to the letter of that instrument now ? That temporizing ever was 
 practised in publick affairs by the most honest men, witness Cato, of 
 Utica, in Catsar's election to the Consulship; and by the best states- 
 men, witness Cicero's letter to Atticus, relating to a good pilot's shift- 
 ing his helm, if he could not reach his port by a direct course ; witness 
 the conduct of the Long Parliament, and all history in general. That 
 to discharge a statesman's conscience was to aim at the publick good, 
 and not be pertinacious of his own opinion. That even if there had 
 been an article in the Association, that we should not receive arms and 
 ammunition from England, tho publick necessity would cause it to bo 
 a dead letter, as self-preservation was the first obligation, and fas est, 
 ab hostc doccri. He farther contended that Lord Hale's principle was 
 just, when applied to an individual, in the event of whose case the pub- 
 lick could not be interested ; but it never could be applicable to such a 
 case as the present, where the conveniency of the individual and the na- 
 tional interests of the publick were in direct opposition ; and that he could 
 not hold t he understanding of the late General Congress in so trivial a 
 light, as to entertain a thought of looking for the sense in direct oppo- 
 sition to the words of one of the principal articles of the Association. 
 
 He farther said the present case stood divided into two points — the 
 spirit of the regulations, and the union of the people; and that the 
 latter was infinitely of the greater consequence. That the letter of 
 the Association was clearly in support of the motion, and in the pre- 
 sent situation of affairs the spirit of that instrument was equally iu 
 fivour of it. That union was the rock upon which the American po- 
 litical edifice was founded ; and whatever hazards its existence, is to 
 militate against the ground.work of the Association. Hence it was 
 evident, landing the horses hazarded our union, for the people were in 
 commotion. against it. Upon all publick and general questions, the 
 people ever are in tho right; so said Lord Mansfield, in tho House of 
 Commons; and the peoplo now think the late vote was wrong. Can 
 it be prudent to oppose our constituents ? In civil commotions the 
 common people ever struck those blows which were of any effect. If 
 you retract, there can be no just cause of fearing contempt ; as it is 
 not reasonable those should contemn you who have ever honoured you, 
 and whoso opinions would be in favour of your retraction. Tho Roman 
 Seuato were a wise body ; they ofton yielded to the people; but nobo. 
 dy supposed th ;ir concessions brought them into contempt, and they 
 continued illustrious during tho existence of the Commonwealth. Lot 
 us imitate, on this occasion, so groat, so successful an example, and 
 endeavour, by tho same means, to call forth the affections of our fellow- 
 citizens, and to bind them to us by the same ties. 
 
 John Rutledge now rose and endeavoured to t ike off the force of the 
 arguments which had been urgod, but failing in his endeavours, he 
 only added to the many instances he had previously given of his ability 
 as a good speaker. Tho debate was then closed ; and the question 
 being put, was carried in the affirmative. It is worthy of remark, that 
 this is the first instance of a point of importance and controversy being 
 carried against those, by whose opinions the people had been long gov- 
 erned. And suoh was the powerful effet of habit, tint this important 
 question was carried only by a majority of one voice — thirty.fiva 
 against thirty-four. — Drayton, 
 
165 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 166 
 
 or the laws of society. We are greatly alarmed at the 
 resolution to suspend our commercial intercourse with 
 Great Britain. To stop her imports must be fatal to her ; 
 but to retain from her our exports, by which alone we can 
 be enabled to discharge the heavy debt we owe her, by 
 which the balance of trade might in a few years prepon- 
 derate in our favour, by which alone we can be kept in 
 peace, or armed for war, is a measure not to be justified 
 by the laws of morality or the rights of policy. We, there- 
 fore, especially require of you to procure this resolution of 
 the Congress to be rescinded. It is a duty you owe us, 
 to obtain a proper representation of the Tobacco planters 
 in this Colony, for we must deem a license to any of the 
 inhabitants in America to export Wheat, Rice, or any other 
 commodity a partial exemption in their favour, and a sacri- 
 fice of our interest to a general cause, which should only 
 be affected in an equal degree with all other object of com- 
 mercial intercourse. You need not interfere with the 
 Quebeck Bill ; a law respecting that conquered Country is 
 without our policy, and beyond our ideas. We hear daily 
 of personal insults, and invasions upon private property, 
 from those little Democracies erected in every precinct 
 through this extensive Continent. Reduce these men, we 
 pray you, to the rank of citizens, and let them lord it over 
 their fellows no longer ! 
 
 Pursue, gentlemen, with prudence and fortitude the cause 
 of your Country, and you may always depend upon the 
 protection of your constituents. 
 
 VIRGINIA CONVENTION. 
 
 At a Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Cor- 
 porations in the Colony of Virginia, at the Town of Rich- 
 mond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday, the 20lh of 
 March, 1775. Present : 
 
 City of Williamsburgh. — The Honourable PeytonRan- 
 dolph, Esquire. 
 
 Accomack County. — Isaac Smith, Esquire. 
 
 Albemarle. — Thomas Jefferson and John Walker, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Amelia. — John Tabb and John Winn, Esquires. 
 Amherst. — William Cabell, Junior, and Joseph Cabell, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Augusta. — Thomas Lewis, Samuel McDowell, and John 
 
 Harvie, Esquires. 
 Bedford. — John Talbot and Charles Lynch, Esquires. 
 Botetourt. — Andrew Lewis and John Bowyer, Esquires. 
 Brunswick. — Frederick Maclin and Henry Tazewell, 
 
 Esquires. 
 
 Buckingham. — John Nicholas and Anthony Winston, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Berkeley. — Robert Rutherford and Adam Stephen, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Caroline. — Edmund Pendleton and James Taylor, Esq'rs. 
 Charles City. — Benjamin Harrison and William Acrill, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Charlotte. — Paid Carrington and Isaac Read, Esquires. 
 Chesterfield. — Archibald Cary and Benjamin Watkins, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Culpepper. — Henry Pendleton and Henry Field, Junior, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Cumberland. — William Fleming and John Mayo, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Dinwiddie. — John Bannister and William Watkins, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Dunmore. — Jonathan Clarke, Esquire, and Perer Muhlen- 
 burg, Clerk. 
 
 Elizabeth City. — Henry King and Wolrich Westwood, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Essex. — James Edmondson and Meriwether Smith, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Fairfax. — George Washington and Charles Broadwater, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Fauquier. — Thomas Marshall and James Scott, Esquires. 
 
 Frederick. — Isaac Zone, Esquire, and Charles Minn 
 Thruston, Clerk. 
 
 Fincastle. — William Christian, Esquire. 
 
 Gloucester. — Thomas Whiting and Lewis Burwell, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Goochland. — John Woodson and Thomas Mann Ran- 
 dolph, Esquires. 
 
 Halifax. — Nathaniel Terry and Micajah Watkins, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Hampshire. — James Mercer, Esquire. 
 Hanover. — Patrick Henry, Junior, and John Syme, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Henrico. — Richard Adams and Samuel Du-Val, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 James City. — Robert C. Nicholas and William Norvill. 
 Esquires. 
 
 Isle of Wight. — John S. Wills and Josiah Parker, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 King George. — Joseph Jones and William Fitzhugh, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 King and Queen. — George Brooke and George Lync, 
 Esquires. 
 
 King William. — Carter Braxton, and William Aylett, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Lancaster. — James Selden and Charles Carter, Esquires. 
 Loudoun. — Francis Peyton and Josiah Clapham, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Louisa. — Thomas Johnson and Thomas Walker, Esquires. 
 Lunenburgh. — Richard Claiborne and David Garland, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Middlesex. — Edmund Berkeley, Esquire. 
 Mecklenburgh. — Robert Burton and Bennett Goode, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Nansemond. — Lemuel Riddick and Willis Riddick, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 New-Kent. — Burwell Bassett and Bartholomew Dan- 
 
 dridge, Esquires. 
 Norfolk County. — Thomas Newton, Junior, and James 
 
 Holt, Esquires. 
 Northampton. — John Burton, Esquire. 
 Northumberland. — Rodham Kenncr and Thomas Jones, 
 
 Esquires. 
 
 Orange. — Thomas Barbour and James Taylor, Esquires. 
 Pittsylvania. — Peter Perkins and Benjamin Lankford, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Prince Edward. — Robert Lawson and John Nash, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Prince George. — Richard Bland and Peter Poythress, 
 Esquires. 
 
 Princess Anne. — William Robinson and Christopher 
 
 Wright, Esquires. 
 Prince William. — Henry Lee and Thomas Blackburn , 
 
 Esquires. 
 
 Richmond. — Robert Wormeley Carter and Francis Light- 
 foot Lee, Esquires. 
 
 Southampton. — Edwin Gray and Henry Taylor, Esquires. 
 
 Spottsylvania. — George Stubblefield and Mann Page, 
 Junior, Esquires. 
 
 Stafford. — John Alexander and Charles Carter, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Surry. — Allen Cocke and Nicholas Faulcon, Junior, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Sussex. — David Mason and Henry Gee, Esquires. 
 Warwick. — William Langhorne, Esquire. 
 Westmoreland. — Richard Henry Lee and Richard Lee, 
 Esquires. 
 
 York. — Dudley Digges and Thomas Nelson, Junior, Es- 
 quires. 
 
 Jamestown. — Champion Travis, Esquire. 
 Norfolk Borough. — Joseph Hutchings, Esquire. 
 
 The Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, was unani- 
 mously elected President of this Convention, and Mr. John 
 Tazewell, Clerk thereof. 
 
 The President then recommended it to the Convention 
 to proceed in the deliberation and discussion of the several 
 important matters which should come before them, with 
 that prudence, decency, and order which had distinguished 
 their conduct on all former occasions ; and laid before the 
 Convention the proceedings of the Continental Congress, 
 together with a letter from Benjamin Franklin, William 
 Bollan, and Arthur Lee, Esquires, advising that the Pe- 
 tition to His Majesty had been presented and graciously 
 received. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the Proceedings of 
 the Continental Congress be postponed till to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That the Reverend Mr. Selden be desired to 
 read prayers to the Convention, every morning, at nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 * 
 
167 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 168 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention will observe, in their 
 debates, the same rules and orders as are established in the 
 House of Burgesses in this Colony. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow 10 o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, March 91, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from the Inhabitants of that part of Augusta 
 County which lies to the westward of the Alleghany Moun- 
 tain, desiring that John Nevill and John Harvie, Esquires, 
 may be admitted into this Convention as their Delegates, 
 being read ; upon a motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the said John Nevill and John Harvie 
 be admitted as Delegates for the County of Augusta. 
 
 The Convention then took into their consideration the 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress, agreeably to the 
 order of yesterday ; but not having time to go through the 
 same, postponed the further consideration thereof till to- 
 morrow. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow 10 o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, March 22, 1775. 
 
 The Convention then, pursuant to the order of yester- 
 day, resumed the consideration of the Proceedings of the 
 Continental Congress ; and, after the maturest deliberation, 
 came to the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Convention doth entire- 
 ly and cordially approve the Proceedings and Resolutions of 
 the American Continental Congress, and that they consider 
 this whole Continent as under the highest obligations to that 
 very respectable body, for the wisdom of their counsels, 
 and their unremitted endeavours to maintain and preserve 
 inviolate the just rights and liberties of His Majesty's duti- 
 ful and loyal subjects in America. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the warmest thanks of this 
 Convention, and all the inhabitants of this Colony, whom 
 they represent, are particularly due, and that this just 
 tribute of applause be presented to the Honourable Peyton 
 Randolph, Esquire, Richard Henry Lee, George Wash- 
 ington, Patrick Henry, Junior, Richard Rland, Benja- 
 min Harrison, and Edmund Pendleton, Esquires, the 
 worthy Delegates deputed by a former Convention to re- 
 present this Colony in General Congress, for their cheerful 
 undertaking, and faithful discharge of the very important 
 trust reposed in them. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow 10 o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, March 23, 1775. 
 A copy of the Petition and Memorial of the Assembly 
 of Jamaica to the King's most Excellent Majesty, was laid 
 before the Convention, and being read, and maturely con- 
 sidered : 
 
 Resolved, That the unfeigned thanks, and most grateful 
 acknowledgments of this Convention be presented to that 
 very respectable Assembly, for the exceeding generous and 
 affectionate part they have so nobly taken in the unhappy 
 contest between Great Britain and her Colonies, and for 
 their truly patriotick endeavours to fix the just claims of 
 the Colonists upon the most permanent constitutional prin- 
 ciples. 
 
 That the Assembly be assured, that it is the most ardent 
 wish of this Colony (and we are persuaded of the whole 
 Continent of North America} to see a speedy return of 
 those halcyon days when we lived a free and happy people. 
 
 Resolved, That the President be desired to transmit 
 these Resolutions to the Speaker of the Jamaica Assembly, 
 by the earliest opportunity. 
 
 Resolved, That a well regulated Militia, composed of 
 Gentlemen and Yeomen, is the natural strength, and only 
 security of a free Government ; that such a Militia in this 
 Colony would for ever render it unnecessary for the Mother 
 Country to keep among us, for the purpose of our defence, 
 any Standing Army of mercenary forces, always subver- 
 sive of the quiet, and dangerous to the liberties of the peo- 
 ple, and would obviate the pretext of taxing us for their 
 support. 
 
 That the establishment of such a Militia is at this time 
 peculiarly necessary, by the state of our laws for the protec- 
 tion and defence of the Country, some of which have al- 
 ready expired, and others will shortly do so; and that the 
 known remissness of Government, in calling us together in 
 
 a legislative capacity, renders it too insecure, in this time 
 of danger and distress, to rely, that opportunity will be 
 given of renewing them in General Assembly, or making 
 any provision to secure our inestimable rights and liberties 
 from those farther violations with which they are threat- 
 ened. 
 
 Resolved therefore, That this Colony be immediately 
 put into a posture of defence ; and that Patrick Henry, 
 Richard Henry Lee, Robert Carter Nicholas, Benjamin 
 Harrison, Lemuel Riddick, George Washington, Adam 
 Stephen, Andrew Lewis, William Christian, Edmund 
 Pendleton, Thomas Jefferson, and Isaac Zone, Esquires, 
 be a Committee to prepare a plan for the embodying, arm- 
 ing, and disciplining such a number of men as may be suf- 
 ficient for that purpose. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow 10 o'clock. 
 
 Friday, March 24, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed for that purpose reported a 
 plan for embodying, arming, and disciplining the Militia of 
 this Colony ; the consideration whereof is postponed till to- 
 morrow. 
 
 Certain paragraphs in the publick Papers, said to be 
 votes of the House of Representatives of New- York, being 
 read, 
 
 The Convention, taking into their consideration that the 
 said Province of New- York did, by their Delegates in Gen- 
 eral Congress, solemnly accede to the compact of Associa- 
 tion there formed for the preservation of American rights, 
 that a defection from such their compact would be a perfidy 
 too atrocious to be charged on a sister Colony but on the 
 most authentick information, and also doubting whether, from 
 some radical defect in the Constitution of that Government, 
 the sense of their House of Representatives, on questions 
 of this nature, should be considered as the sense of the 
 people in general, came to the following Resolutions: 
 
 Resolved, That it be an instruction to the Committee of 
 Correspondence for this Colony, that they procure authen- 
 tick information from the Committee of Correspondence in 
 the Province of New-York, or otherwise, whether their 
 House of Representatives, by any vote or votes whatsoever, 
 have deserted the union with the other American Colonies, 
 formed in General Congress, for the preservation of their 
 just rights ; whether the other Colonies are to consider such 
 vote or votes as declaring truly the sense of the people of 
 their Province in general, and as forming a rule for their 
 future conduct ; and, if they are not to be so considered, 
 that then they inform us, by their names and other suffi- 
 cient descriptions, of the individuals who may have concur- 
 red in such vote or votes ; and that the said Committee lay 
 such their information before the next Convention, or As- 
 sembly. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the Committees of the sev- 
 eral Counties and Corporations in this Colony do exert 
 themselves in procuring and continuing Contributions, for 
 supplying the necessities and alleviating the distresses of 
 our brave and worthy fellow-subjects of Boston, now suf- 
 fering in the common cause of American freedom, in such 
 manner, and so long as their occasions may require. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, In compliance with the recom- 
 mendation of the late Continental Congress, that Delegates 
 ought to be appointed to represent this Colony at the ap- 
 proaching Congress, to be held in the City of Philadelphia, 
 the 10th day of May next. 
 
 Resolved, That the delegation from this Colony do con- 
 sist of seven Members, and that they be chosen by ballot. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, 10 o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, March 25, 1775. 
 Resolved, As the opinion of this Convention, that, on 
 account of the unhappy disputes between Great Britain 
 and the Colonies, and the unsettled state of this Country, 
 the lawyers, suitors, and witnesses ought not to attend the 
 prosecution or defence of civil suits at the next General 
 Court; and it is recommended to the several Courts of Jus- 
 tice not to proceed to the hearing or determination of suits 
 on their dockets, except attachments ; nor to give judg- 
 ments but in the case of Sheriffs or other collectors for Mo- 
 ney or Tobacco received by them ; in other cases, where 
 such judgment shall be voluntarily confessed, or upon such 
 
169 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 170 
 
 amicable proceedings as may become necessary for the set- 
 tlement, division, or distribution of estates. And, during 
 this suspension of the administration of justice, it is ear- 
 nestly recommended to the people to observe a peaceable 
 and orderly behaviour; to all creditors to be as indulgent 
 to their debtors as may be, and to all debtors to pay as far 
 as they are able ; and where differences may arise which 
 cannot be adjusted between the parties, that they refer the 
 decision thereof to judicious neighbours, and abide by their 
 determination. 
 
 The Convention then took into their consideration, ac- 
 cording to the order of yesterday, the plan for embodying, 
 arming, and disciplining the Militia ; which, being read, 
 and amended, was unanimously agreed to, as follows : 
 
 The Committee propose that it be strongly recommend- 
 ed to the Colony, diligently to put in execution the Militia 
 Law passed in the year 1738, entitled " An Act for the 
 better regulating of the Militia," which has become in force 
 by the expiration of all subsequent Militia Laws. 
 
 The Committee are further of opinion that, as from the 
 expiration of the above-mentioned latter laws, and various 
 other causes, the legal and necessary disciplining the Mili- 
 tia has been much neglected, and a proper provision of 
 Arms and Ammunition has not been made, to the evident 
 danger of the community in case of invasion or insurrec- 
 tion, it be recommended to the inhabitants of the several 
 Counties of this Colony that they form one or more volun- 
 teer Companies of Infantry and Troops of Horse, in each 
 County, and to be in constant training and readiness to act 
 on any emergency. 
 
 That it be recommended, particularly to the Counties of 
 Brunsivick, Dinwiddie, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, 
 Spottsylvania, King George, and Stafford, and to all 
 Counties below these, that out of such, their volunteers, 
 they form each of them one or more Troops of Horse ; and 
 to all the Counties above these, it is recommended that 
 they pay a more particular attention to the forming a good 
 Infantry. 
 
 That each Company of Infantry consist of sixty-eight 
 rank and file, to be commanded by one Captain, two Lieu- 
 tenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, and four Corporals ; 
 and that they have a Drummer, and be furnished with a 
 Drum and Colours ; that every man be provided with a good 
 Rifle, if to be had, or otherwise with a common Firelock, 
 Bayonet, and Cartouch-box. and also with a Tomahawk, 
 one pound of Gunpowder, and four pounds of Ball, at least, 
 fitted to the bore of his Gun ; that lie be clothed in a Hunt- 
 ing Shirt, by way of uniform ; and that all endeavour, as 
 soon as possible, to become acquainted with the military 
 exercise for Infantry, appointed to be used by His Majesty 
 in the year 1764. 
 
 That each Troop of Horse consist of thirty, exclusive of 
 Officers ; that every Horseman be provided with a good 
 Horse, Bridle, Saddle, with Pistols and Holsters, a Carbine, 
 or other short Firelock, with a Bucket, a Cutting Sword, 
 or Tomahawk, one pound of Gunpowder, and four pounds 
 of Ball, at the least, and use the utmost diligence in train- 
 ing and accustoming his Horse to stand the discharge of 
 fire-arms, and in making himself acquainted with the mili- 
 tary exercise for Cavalry. 
 
 That, in order to make a further and more ample provi- 
 sion of Ammunition, it be recommended to the Committees 
 of the several Counties, that they collect from their Con- 
 stituents, in such manner as shall be most agreeable to 
 them, so much money as will be sufficient to purchase half 
 a pound of Gunpowder, one pound of Lead, necessary 
 Flints and Cartridge Paper, for every tithable person in 
 their County ; that they immediately take effectual mea- 
 sures for the procuring such Gunpowder, Lead, Flints, and 
 Cartridge Paper, and dispose thereof, when procured, in 
 such place or places of safety as they may think best: and 
 it is earnestly recommended to each individual to pay such 
 proportion of the money necessary for these purposes as by 
 the respective Committees shall be judged requisite. 
 
 That as it may happen that some Counties, from their 
 situation, may not be apprized of the most certain and 
 speedy method of procuring the articles before-mentioned, 
 one General Committee should be appointed, whose busi- 
 ness it should be to procure, for such Counties as may 
 make application to them, such articles, and so much there- 
 of as the moneys wherewith they shall furnish the said 
 
 Committee will purchase, after deducting the charges of 
 transportation, and other necessary expenses. 
 
 Resolved, That Robert Carter Nicholas, Thomas Nel- 
 son, and Thomas Whiting, Esquires, or any two of them, 
 be a Committee for the purpose afore-mentioned. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the most cordial thanks of 
 the people of this Colony are a tribute justly due to our 
 worthy Governour, Lord Dunmore, for his truly noble, 
 wise, and spirited conduct on the late expedition against 
 o^): Indian enemy; a conduct which at once evinces his 
 Excellency's attention to the true interests of this Colony, 
 and a zeal in the Executive Department which no dangers 
 can divert or difficulties hinder from achieving the most 
 important services to the people who have the happiness 
 to live under his administration. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Conven- 
 tion be presented to the gentlemen Officers and Soldiers 
 who lately so nobly defended this Colony from the savage 
 enemy on our frontiers, and by their bravery, not only pro- 
 cured success to our arms, but must have convinced the 
 enemy it will be their true interest to preserve the peace 
 on the terms stipulated by his Excellency Lord Dunmore ; 
 that we sincerely condole with the relations and acquaint- 
 ance of those brave men who so nobly fell in battle on that 
 mournful event, and assure all who have rendered such 
 important services to this Colony that, so soon as oppoitu- 
 nity permits, we will most cheerfully do every thing on our 
 part to make them ample satisfaction. 
 
 Resolved, That Robert Carter Nicholas, Richard Bland, 
 James Mercer, Edmund Pendleton, Archibald Cary, 
 Charles Carter of Stafford, Benjamin Harrison, Richard 
 Henry Lee, Josias Claphum, George Washington, Pat- 
 rick Henry, James Holt, and Thomas Newton, Esquires, 
 be a Committee to prepare a plan for the encouragement 
 of Arts and Manufactures in this Colony. 
 
 The Convention then proceeded to the election of Dele- 
 gates by ballot, to represent this Colony in General Con- 
 gress, to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on the 10th 
 day of May next ; when the Honourable Peyton Ran- 
 dolph, Esquire, George Washington, Patrick Henry, 
 Richard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Har- 
 rison, and Richard Bland, Esquires, were chosen for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, be 
 desired to lay before the Convention, on Monday next, an 
 account of the Money received from the several Counties 
 and Corporations in this Colony, for the use of the Dele- 
 gates sent to represent this Colony in General Congress. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, 10 o'clock. 
 
 Monday, March 27, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a plan for the en- 
 couragement of Arts and Manufactures, reported the fol- 
 lowing Resolutions ; which, being severally read, were 
 unanimously agreed to. 
 
 Whereas, it hath been judged necessary for the preser- 
 vation of the just rights and liberties of America, firmly to 
 associate against Importations ; and as the freedom, hap- 
 piness, and prosperity of a State greatly depend on provi- 
 ding within itself a supply of articles necessary for subsist- 
 ence, clothing, and defence ; and whereas, it is judged 
 essential, at this critical juncture, to form a proper plan for 
 employing the different inhabitants of this Colony, provi- 
 ding for the poor, and restraining vagrants and other disor- 
 derly persons, who are nuisances to every society; a regard 
 for our Country, as well as common prudence, call upon 
 us to encourage Agriculture, Manufactures, economy, and 
 the utmost industry : Therefore, this Convention doth 
 Resolve as follows: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it be earnestly recommend- 
 ed to the different Magistrates, Vestries and Church- 
 wardens throughout this Colony, that they pay a proper 
 attention, and strict regard to the several Acts of Assembly 
 made for the restraint of vagrants and the better employing 
 and maintaining the poor. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That from and after the first day 
 of May next, no person or persons whatever ought to use, 
 in his or their families, unless in case of necessity, and on 
 no account sell to butchers, or kill for market, any Sheep 
 under four years old ; and where there is a necessity for 
 using any mutton in his, her, or their families, it is recom- 
 
171 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 172 
 
 mended to kill such only as are least profitable to be 
 kept. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the setting up and promo- 
 ting Woollen, Cotton, and Linen Manufactures ought to be 
 encouraged in as many different brandies as possible, espe- 
 cially Coating, Flannel, Blankets, Rugs, or Coverlids, 
 Hosiery, and coarse Cloths, both broad and narrow. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That all persons having proper 
 lands for the purpose, ought to cultivate and raise a quanti- 
 ty of Flax, Hemp, and Cotton, sufficient not only for the 
 use of his or her own family, but also to spare to others on 
 moderate terms. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, As Salt is a daily and indispens- 
 able necessary of life, and the making of it amongst our- 
 selves must be deemed a valuable acquisition, it is therefore 
 recommended that the utmost endeavours be used to estab- 
 lish Salt Works, and that proper encouragement be given 
 to Mr. James Tait, who hath made proposals, and offered 
 a scheme to the publick, for so desirable a purpose. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That Saltpetre and Sulphur, 
 being articles of great and necessary use, the making, 
 collecting, and refining them to the utmost extent, be 
 recommended, the Convention being of opinion that it 
 may be done to great advantage. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the making of Gunpowder 
 be recommended. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the manufacturing of iron 
 into Nails and Wire, and other necessary articles, be recom- 
 mended. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the making of Steel ought 
 to be largely encouraged, as there will be a great demand 
 for this article. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the making of different 
 kinds of Paper ought to be encouraged ; and as the success 
 of this branch depends on a supply of old Linen and 
 Woollen Rags, the inhabitants of this Colony are desired, 
 in their respective families, to preserve these articles. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That whereas Wool Combs, 
 Cotton and Wool Cards, Hemp and Flax Heckles, have 
 been for some time made to advantage in some of the 
 neighbouring Colonics, and are necessary for carrying on 
 Linen and Woollen Manufactures, the establishing such 
 Manufactures be recommended. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the erecting Fulling Mills 
 and mills for breaking, swingling, and softening Hemp and 
 Flax, and also that the making Grindstones be recom- 
 mended. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the brewing Malt Liquors 
 in this Colony would tend to render the consumption of 
 foreign Liquors less necessary. It is therefore recommended 
 that proper attention be given to the cultivation of Hops 
 and Barley. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it be recommended to all 
 the inhabitants of this Colony, that they use, as the Con- 
 vention engageth to do, our own Manufactures, and those 
 of other Colonies, in preference to all others. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That for the more speedily and 
 effectually carrying these Resolutions into execution, it be 
 earnestly recommended that Societies be formed in different 
 parts of this Colony ; and it is the opinion of this Conven- 
 tion, that proper Premiums ought to be offered in the 
 several Counties and Corporations, to such persons as shall 
 excel in the several branches of Manufactures, and it is 
 recommended to the several Committees of the different 
 Counties and Corporations, to promote and encourage the 
 same to the utmost of their power. 
 
 The Members of the Convention then, in order to en- 
 courage Mr. James Tait, who is about to erect Salt Works, 
 undertook, for their respective Counties, to pay the sum of 
 Ten Pounds to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, for the 
 use of the said James Tait, on or before the 10th day of 
 May next. 
 
 His Excellency the Governour having, by Proclamation 
 bearing date the 21fit dayof March, in the present year, 
 declared that His Majesty hath given orders, that all vacant 
 Lands within this Colony shall he put up in lots at publick 
 sale, and that the highest bidder for such lots shall be the 
 purchaser thereof, and shall hold the same subject to a 
 reservation of one-half penny sterling per acre, by way of 
 annual quilrcnt, and of all Mines ol" gold, silver, and pre- 
 
 cious stones, which terms are an innovation on the estab- 
 lished usage of granting Lands within this Colony : 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire 
 whether His Majesty may, of right, advance the terms of 
 granting Lands in this Colony, and make report thereof to 
 the next General Assembly or Convention ; and that, in 
 the mean time, it be recommended to all persons whatever 
 to forbear purchasing or accepting grants of Lands on the 
 conditions before-mentioned ; and that Patrick Henry, 
 Richard Bland, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Carter Nicho- 
 las, and Edmund Pendleton, Esquires, be appointed of the 
 said Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the Delegates from the several Coun- 
 ties in this Colony, as also from the City of Williamsburgh , 
 and Borough of Norfolk, do, without delay, apply to their 
 respective Counties and Corporations for Fifteen Pounds, 
 current money, and transmit the same, so soon as collect- 
 ed, to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, for the use of the 
 Deputies sent from this Colony to the General Congress. 
 
 On a motion made, 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Jefferson, Esquire, be appoint- 
 ed a Deputy to represent this Colony in General Congress, 
 in the room of the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, 
 in case of the non-attendance of the said Peyton Randolph, 
 Esquire. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Deputies, or any four of them, 
 be a sufficient number to represent this Colony in General 
 Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be pre- 
 sented to the Rev. Mr. Selden, for performing Divine Ser- 
 vice, and for his seasonable and excellent Sermon yester- 
 day. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention are justly 
 due to the Town of Richmond and the neighbourhood, for 
 their polite reception and entertainment of the Delegates. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Purdie having offered to print the pro- 
 ceedings of this Convention, for the use of the Members 
 thereof, it is ordered, that the Clerk deliver him a copy of 
 the said proceedings for that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention doth consider the dele- 
 gation of its members as now at an end ; and that it be 
 recommended to the People of this Colony to choose Dele- 
 gates to represent them in Convention for one year, as soon 
 as they conveniently can. 
 
 Peyton Randolph, President. 
 
 John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention. 
 
 FIELD OFFICERS, FOR NEW-C ASTLE COUNTY, DELAWARE. 
 
 On Monday, the 20th of March, agreeable to appoint- 
 ment, the Captains and Subaltern Officers of Neiv-Castlc 
 County (Delaware) met at Christiana Bridge to choose 
 commanders, when the following gentlemen were chosen, 
 viz : For the Upper Division, James McKinley, Esquire, 
 Colonel ; James Latimer, Esq., Lieutenant Colonel ; Tho- 
 mas Duff, Esq., Major. For the Lower Division : Tho- 
 mas Cooch, Esq., Colonel : Samuel Patterson, Lieutenant 
 Colonel; Cunning Bedford, Major. 
 
 CHESTER-COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 20, 1775. 
 
 Pursuant to adjournment, and publick notice given, the 
 Committee of Chester County met at the house of Richard 
 Cheyney, in East-Cain. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Hockley, Mr. Johnston, 
 Mr. Gronoiv, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Frazer, Mr. Moore, and Mr. 
 Taylor, be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee to 
 essay a draught of a Petition to present to the General As- 
 sembly of this Province, with regard to the manumission 
 of Slaves ; especially relating to the freedom of infants 
 hereafter born of black women within this Colony ; and do 
 make report of the same to this Committee at their next 
 meeting. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That each member in this Com- 
 mittee will use his utmost diligence in collecting the several 
 sums of money subscribed for the use of Boston, and pay 
 the same into the hands of Anthony Wayne, Esq., Trea- 
 surer, at the next meeting of this Committee. 
 
173 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 174 
 
 The Committee then adjourned to meet at the house of 
 Mr. David Coupland, in the Borough of Chester, on Wed- 
 nesday, the 31st of May next. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Francis Johnston, Secretary. 
 
 LETTER FROM BOSTON TO NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAND, 
 DATED MARCH 20, 1775. 
 
 We are constantly agitated by hearing complaints from 
 different persons, of the more than savage barbarity of the 
 Soldiers, encouraged, and often joined and headed by the 
 Officers. They are now become so insolent, that it is 
 hardly safe to walk the streets at noon-day, and there seems 
 to be no check or control ; but they are rather countenanced 
 and encouraged by their superiours in their lawless out- 
 rage. They appear to me to be a banditti of licensed 
 free-booters, just let loose upon us, for the innocent and 
 laudable purposes of robberies, rapes, and murders ; nor 
 can 1 at present see any prospect of avoiding these calam- 
 ities, but by a general evacuation of the Town. The late 
 news seems to increase their insolence, which was barely 
 tolerable before. The reason is obvious : the common 
 soldiers and their wives have frequently and loudly com- 
 plained of the fallacy and injustice of the officers, who 
 promised them fine houses, rich plunder, and a thousand 
 other gratifications, which they hoped to be in possession 
 of long before this, the expectation of which has, in my 
 opinion, prevented the desertion of hundreds ; but they 
 grow more and more impatient, so that I fear violence will 
 sooner or later take place, let what will be the determina- 
 tions in England, unless some method can be adopted to 
 prevent or restrain them, tantamount to leaving the Town, 
 as the people in general do not seem inclined to go out. 
 
 On Thursday last a friend of mine was beat stone blind 
 by some soldiers on the Neck, in presence of their com- 
 manding officer, who seemed to be highly gratified, and on 
 Saturday 1 saw three men (two white and one black) who 
 had just before been most barbarously cut and mangled by 
 a gang of those military highwaymen, who have for a long 
 time infested our out-passage to and from the Town. Their 
 method is for a large party, some with swords or cutlasses, 
 others with guns and bayonets fixed, to surround an un- 
 armed man, and order him to deliver, after which they 
 mangle the poor wretch till their malice is sufficiently 
 glutted, then suffer him, if able, to crawl away. 
 
 LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN" IN THE SERVICE OF AN OFFI- 
 CER OF STATE AT PARIS, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEWPORT, 
 RHODE-ISLAND. 
 
 My dear Chevalier: You are nearly of my opinion 
 respecting the affairs between Great Britain and her Col- 
 onies. Believe me, some years have elapsed since the 
 scheme was projected for the alteration of Government. 
 As soon as the project was resolved upon the Cabinet of 
 Great Britain used all possible means to procure peace 
 with her neighbouring Nations. The fall of the Duke de 
 
 Ch ' was a mark of the highest complaisance to her. 
 
 It is well known that this Minister (though in disgrace) 
 directed all, or at least the greater part of the business of 
 our Cabinet. Britain was well enough assured that they 
 could keep the House of Bourbon still ; but Spain had 
 given such instructions to her Ambassador as would have 
 caused a rupture, had they been observed. But Prince 
 Masserano was recalled. 
 
 The death of Louis the Fifteenth, set the spirits of our 
 people in agitation, the old Parliament made remonstrances, 
 and our clergy murmurs, on account of the new regula- 
 tions against them. It was then Lord North caused a 
 report to circulate at L'jndon, of his being ill, that he 
 might come to Paris incog, in order to ascertain himself 
 of the disposition of our Court. He remained there but 
 two days, which time he spent in conference with the Min- 
 istry, who, like another Danas, were tempered by the 
 British gold scattered by Jupiter North. His policy was 
 seducing, and retained us in the same state of inaction we 
 now continue, that he might be at liberty to set your part 
 of the woild in confusion. 
 
 Assure yourself that Great Britain is not much more 
 quiet than you are. It is almost the general opinion here 
 
 that a revolt will lake place in England, if the trade be 
 interrupted between that Kingdom and the Colonies. 
 
 The Royal family of England is too numerous for the 
 taxes of the Nation to maintain them alone. Besides the 
 great debt under which they now labour, they expend 
 much for the support of Hanover ; this accounts why King 
 George thinks himself obliged to deal with America as 
 Frederick does with his neighbours. 
 
 Orders are given to Isle of Rhe for the transport of four 
 thousand men, in two Frigates and three Ships-of-the-Line, 
 to our Colonies: I cannot tell you their destination. 
 
 We are busy to complete all the Regiments that are 
 deficient. The King has caused a general state of his 
 Marine Force to be laid before him ; and, to conclude, 1 
 assure you that a rupture between Spain and England is 
 at no great distance. 
 
 By His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenunt and Governour- 
 Gcneral of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the same: 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Virginia to icit : 
 
 Whereas His Majesty did, at the request of the As- 
 sembly of this Colony permit the Western Boundary 
 thereof to be extended as the same has been run and 
 ascertained by Colonel Donelson, and other surveyors 
 deputed for the purpose; and whereas, His Majesty hath 
 for the greater convenience of, and the preventing of liti- 
 gation and disputes among such persons as shall be inclined 
 to settle upon any of his vacant Lands, ordered that all that 
 tract of Land included within the aforesaid boundary, and 
 all other vacant Lands within this Colony be surveyed in 
 districts, and laid out in lots of from one hundred to one 
 thousand acres, and as fast as the said surveys shall be 
 completed by the surveyors duly authorized, and the sur- 
 veys thereof returned, that the Lands so surveyed and 
 allotted be put up to publick sale, at such time and place 
 as shall be appointed by publick notice ; and that the high- 
 est bidder for such lots and parcels of Land at such sales, 
 be the purchaser thereof, and be entitled to a grant in fee 
 simple of the Land so purchased as aforesaid, by letters 
 patent under the great seal of the Colony, subject to no 
 conditions or reservations whatever, other than the pay- 
 ment of the annual quitrent of one half-penny sterling 
 per acre; and also of all mines of gold, silver, and pre- 
 cious stones. And whereas advice has been received, that 
 one Richard Henderson, and other disorderly persons, his 
 associates, under pretence of a purchase made from the 
 Indians, contrary to the aforesaid orders and regulations of 
 His Majesty, do set up a claim to the Lands of the Crown 
 within the limits of this Colony; I have thought fit, there- 
 fore, to issue this my Proclamation, strictly charging all 
 Justices of the Peace, Sheriff's, and other officers, civil 
 and military, to use their utmost endeavours to prevent the 
 unwarrantable and illegal designs of the said Henderson, 
 and his abetters ; and if the said Henderson, or others con- 
 cerned with him, shall take possession of, or occupy any 
 Lands within the limits of His Majesty's Government of 
 Virginia, merely under any purchase, or pretended pur- 
 chase made from Indians, without any other title ; that he 
 or they be required in His Majesty's name forthwith to 
 depart, and relinquish the possession so unjustly obtained ; 
 and in case of refusal, and of violent detaining such pos- 
 session, that he or they be immediately fined and impri- 
 soned in the manner the laws in such cases direct. 
 
 Given under my hand, and the seal of the Colony, this 
 21st day of March, in the fifteenth year of His Majesty's 
 reifn. Dunmore. 
 God save the King. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Norfolk, Va., March 21, 1775. 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 We, the Committee for Norfolk Borough, find ourselves 
 under the disagreeable necessity of publishing to the world 
 the conduct of Captain Sampson, Master of the Snow 
 Elizabeth, from Bristol. It is not in one instance alone 
 that he has discovered his opposition to the measures 
 adopted for the security of our rights and liberties, nor can 
 
175 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, & c ., MARCH, 1775. 
 
 176 
 
 he, on any account, justify his repeated prevarications. It 
 is not our business to take notice of his passionate and dis- 
 respectful behaviour towards this Committee, nor his in- 
 discreet conduct without doors. We shall confine ourselves 
 to the relation of the following facts: On the Kith day of 
 February he informed the Committee of his arrival with a 
 quantity of Salt, that his Snow wanted repairs, and as he 
 should find it necessary to heave her down here, he de- 
 manded the consent of this Committee to store the Salt 
 till the Snow could be refitted. The Committee, after 
 careful inquiries, (some of his answers to which we find to 
 be false,) did, at length, consent, upon condition the Salt 
 should be taken on board again as soon as possible, which 
 Captain Samj)son promised to do. Thus matters rested 
 till the 8th of March, when this Committee were surprised 
 with information, that he had given bond at the Custom- 
 House, and was taking in Lumber without the Salt. He 
 was sent for, and after discovering a great degree of heat, 
 did, at length, give his repeated promise to take the Salt 
 on board as soon as possible, and that he would begin the 
 next day. More than a week, however, has elapsed, and 
 he has as yet complied with no part of his promise, nor 
 taken any of the Salt on board again, but has actually ap- 
 plied for protection to the Ship-of-War now in this harbour, 
 under whose stern the Snow lies, where it appears he in- 
 tends to load with Grain. We, the Committee, do there- 
 fore declare Captain Sampson a violator of the Association, 
 and an enemy to American liberty ; and we trust the Mer- 
 chants, Planters, and Skippers of Vessels in this Colony, 
 will make him feel their righteous indignation, by breaking 
 off all kinds of dealings with him, and that they will, in no 
 wise, be aiding or assisting in procuring a cargo for a man, 
 who, from the whole tenour of his late conduct, has openly 
 set the good people of this Country at defiance, and con- 
 tributed his utmost endeavours to destroy their most essen- 
 tial interests. 
 
 Matthew Phripp, John Boush, 
 James Taylor, Robert Taylor, 
 
 John Hutchings, T. Claiborne, 
 John Lawrence, Samuel Inglis. 
 Thomas Ritson, 
 Extract from the minutes : 
 
 William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 N. B. The other Members of the Committee were out 
 of Town at the time of signing. 
 
 TALBOT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 21, 1775. 
 
 A meeting of the Committee of Observation for Talbot 
 County being requested by Mr. Charles Crookshanks, on 
 Tuesday, the 21st of March. 1775, the following gentle- 
 men did accordingly meet at Mr. Brascup's Tavern, viz: 
 
 James Lloyd Chambcrlaine, Esq., Chairman, James 
 Hindman, Dr. Moses Allen, John Stevens, John Cochran, 
 Nathaniel Cooper, John Gibson, Jacob Hindman, Francis 
 Baker, William Hindman, Boberl Lloyd Nicols, Samuel 
 Thomas, Thomas Bay, Thomas Martin, Jun., Samuel 
 Sharp, Dr. John Troup. 
 
 Mr. Crookshanks thereupon made the following Report : 
 That the Ship Baltimore, James Longmuir, consigned to 
 himself by Messrs. Spiers, French h Co., had arrived the 
 evening before, with two bales of Goods on board, which, 
 as would appear by letters he was ready to produce from 
 the said gentlemen, had been shipped at Glasgow, Novem- 
 ber 10th, 1774, and were part of a cargo intended to have 
 been sent by a former Ship ; that the said Longmuir came 
 by the way of Botterdam, and had been there detained by 
 the ice, which had protracted his voyage. The Commit- 
 tee, upon examination, being satisfied of the truth of the 
 above report, were of opinion that no imputation ought to 
 be thrown upon the said Company, of an intention to con- 
 travene the Non-Importation Agreement entered into by 
 the Colonies, as it was not possible for them to receive an 
 account of the proceedings of the Continental Congress, 
 at the time of shipping the said Goods ; and as Mr. Crook- 
 shanks voluntarily proposed, and solemnly plighted his 
 honour, that the said bales should not be landed, but sent 
 back in the same bottom, the Committee were much 
 pleased with his readiness to comply with the Resolution 
 of the Continental Congress, accepted the proposal, and 
 
 resolved unanimously that the said Goods be sent back to 
 Glasgow in the same Ship without landing. 
 
 Charles Troupe, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 ALBANY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Correspondence for 
 the City and County of Albany, held the 21st day of 
 March, 1775: 
 
 Besolved unanimously, That Abraham Yates, Jun., 
 Esq., Walter Livingston, Esq., Colonel Schuyler, Colonel 
 Ten Broeck, and Colonel Feter B. Livingston, are ap- 
 pointed to represent the City and County of Albany at the 
 intended Provincial Congress to be held at the City of 
 New- York, the 20th day of April next, for the purpose of 
 appointing Delegates to represent this Colony at the next 
 Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia the 10th 
 day of May next. By order of the Committee : 
 
 John N. Bleecker, Clerk. 
 
 RENSSELAERWYCK MANOR (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection for the 
 Manor of Rensselaer wyck, held the 21st of March, 1775, 
 it was unanimously resolved, that the thanks of this Com- 
 mittee be given to Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck, Colonel 
 Philip Schuyler, and Colonel Peter Livingston, for their 
 faithful services in the cause of liberty, in the last session 
 of the General Assembly of this Colony. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Abraham J. Lansing, Chairman. 
 
 Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County, N. Y., March 23, 1775. 
 On the 21st of March, a few friends to liberty met at 
 the house of Mr. John Bailey, about two or three miles 
 from Poughkeepsie, and erected a pole on his land, with a 
 flag on it, bearing on one side the King, and on the other 
 the Congress and Liberty; but the Sheriff of Dutchess 
 County the next day, attended by a Judge of the Inferiour 
 Court, two of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and a 
 Constable, with some others, friends to constitutional liberty 
 and good order, cut the same down, as a publick nuisance. 
 
 FAIRFIELD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection for the 
 Town of Fairfield, in Connecticut, held in Fairfield, on 
 the 21st day of this instant March : 
 
 Daniel Wheeler, Obadiah Piatt, and Ebenezer Hall, all 
 of said Fairfield, being duly notified to appear before said 
 Committee, and answer to the complaints made against 
 them, did not appear. 
 
 Whereupon the Committee proceeded to examine the 
 evidences, and upon a full and impartial hearing of them, 
 they were unanimously of opinion that the said Wfieeler, 
 Piatt, and Hall, were guilty of a breach of the Associa- 
 tion of the Continental Congress ; and that, pursuant to 
 the directions of the County Congress, all connections, 
 commerce, and dealings, ought to be withdrawn from them 
 by every friend to his Country. 
 
 And ordered, That the Clerk of this Committee make 
 this judgment publick, that they may be dealt with ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Thaddeus Burr, Clerk to the Committee. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS TO R. H. LEE. 
 
 Boston, March 21, 1775. 
 Sir : I am much obliged to you for your favour of 
 4th of February last, by Captain Layton. From the be- 
 ginning of this great contest with the Mother Country, I 
 have seen Virginia distinguishing herself in the support of 
 American liberty; and in the liberal donations received 
 from all parts of that Colony for the sufferers in this Town, 
 we have had abundant testimonies of their unanimity and 
 zeal for that all-important cause. I have the pleasure to 
 assure you, that the people of this Colony, (saving a few 
 detestable men, most of whom are in this Town,) are also 
 firm and united. General Gage is still here, with eleven 
 Regiments, besides several detachments; yet, it is generally 
 supposed, that there are not more than two thousand five 
 hundred effective men in all. They have been very sickly 
 through the winter past ; many have died, and many others 
 
177 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 178 
 
 have deserted. I have seen a joint list, and I believe it to 
 be a true one, of the Royal Irish, and the detachments 
 from the Fifty-Sixth, in which the whole number was one 
 hundred and sixty-seven, and only one hundred and two 
 of them effective. But though the number of the Troops 
 is diminished, the insolence of the Officers (at least some 
 of them) is increased. In private rencontres, I have not 
 heard of a single instance of their coming off other than 
 second best. I will give you several instances of their 
 behaviour in publick. On the 6th instant there was an 
 adjournment of one of our Town-meetings, when an ora- 
 tion was delivered in commemoration of the massacre on 
 the 5th of March, 1770. I had long expected that they 
 would take that occasion to beat up a breeze, and, there- 
 fore, (seeing many of the Officers present before the orator 
 came in,) as moderator of the meeting, I took care to have 
 them treated with civility, inviting them into convenient 
 seats, &ic, that they might have no pretence to behave ill ; 
 for it is a good maxim, in politicks as well as in war, to 
 put and keep the enemy in the wrong. They behaved 
 tolerably well until the oration was finished, when, upon a 
 motion made to appoint another orator, as usual, they began 
 to hiss, which irritated the assembly to the greatest degree, 
 and confusion ensued ; they, however, did not gain their 
 end, which was apparently to break up the meeting, for 
 order was soon restored, and we proceeded regularly and 
 finished the business. I am persuaded, that were it not 
 for the danger of precipitating a crisis, not a man of them 
 would have been spared. It was provoking enough to the 
 whole corps, that while there were so many Troops stationed 
 here, with the design of suppressing Town-meetings, there 
 should yet be one for the purpose of delivering an oration 
 to commemorate a massacre perpetrated by Soldiers, and 
 to show the danger of Standing Armies ; they, therefore, 
 it seems, a few days after, vented their passion on a poor 
 simple countryman, the state of whose case is drawn up by 
 himself, and sworn to before a Magistrate, as you will see 
 by the enclosed ; thus you see, that the practice of tarring 
 and feathering, which has so often been exclaimed against 
 by the Tories, and even in the British House of Commons, 
 as inhuman and barbarous, has, at length, been revived by 
 some of the polite Officers of the British Army, stationed 
 in this place professedly to prevent riots. Some gentle- 
 men of the Town waited on the General on this occasion ; 
 he appeared to be angry at it, and declared that he knew 
 nothing about any such design ; he said that he had, indeed, 
 heard an irregular beat of the drum, (for they passed by his 
 house,) but thought they were drumming a bad woman 
 through the streets ! This, to be sure, would not have 
 been a riot. The Selectmen of Billerica, an inland Town, 
 about thirty miles distant, to which the abused man be- 
 longed, have made a remonstrance to the General, a copy 
 of which is enclosed. The General promised them that 
 he would inquire into the matter, but we hear nothing more 
 about it. Some say that he has lost the command over 
 his Officers, and is afraid of displeasing them ; how this 
 may be I cannot say. Samuel Adams. 
 
 COLONEL E. DOOLITTLE TO JOHN HANCOCK. 
 
 Petersham, March 21, 1775. 
 Sir : Please to communicate the following to your body. 
 Having received a requisition from the honourable Con- 
 gress, directing of me to make a return of my Regiment, 
 their numbers and equipments for war, I have accordingly 
 applied myself to the business, but have not as yet obtained 
 a return of but two or three companies, and if I can obtain 
 a full account before the Congress rises, shall forward it 
 immediately. But we are in a most lamentable situation, 
 for want of a sanction of Government on our establishments, 
 our Tory enemies using all their secret machinations to di- 
 vide us and break us to pieces. Add to this the difficulties 
 that arise by ambitious men, who are endeavouring to 
 break our companies to pieces, in order to get promotion ; 
 for as there is no establishment but what arises in the 
 breasts of individuals, we are continually breaking to pieces, 
 and a number of companies in my Regiment are now in 
 such circumstances ; and I fear if we are not soon called to 
 action, we shall be like a rope of sand, and have no more 
 strength. If it may be received with candour, I should be 
 exceedingly glad if our Continental Committee might be 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. iu 1 
 
 instructed to lay the difficulties we labour under for want 
 of a Civil Constitution before that body, and that they en- 
 deavour to obtain their voice in justification of this Province 
 in establishing one. God give you all grace and wisdom 
 to direct you in the important affairs of American liberty. 
 I remain your and the publick's well wisher and humble 
 servant, Ephraim Doolittle. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the 
 Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. 
 
 Frankfort, March, 1775. 
 To the Right Honourable John Wilkes, Lord Mayor of 
 the City of London, at the Mansion House: 
 
 Mir Lord : I am not informed of any person who has 
 business with some merchants in Maryland or Penrisylva- 
 nia. I read the London Chronicle, but I do not find out 
 any direction ; therefore 1 think it very excusable for a 
 stranger to take the liberty to address these lines to you, 
 as the Chief Magistrate of all the British Dominions, espe- 
 cially as it gives me at the same time the opportunity to 
 pay you my respects, and to tell you that I admired and 
 defended in our Germany, (where slavery prevails,) always 
 your spirit and intrepidity towards bad Ministers, being a 
 great lover and well wisher of true English liberty. I live 
 in a great City of Germany. Some weeks ago a printer 
 came to me, and showed me two Bank-notes,* (not know- 
 ing the language nor the contents,) which two foreigners 
 brought to him, to reprint them exactly ; I found the one 
 to be a Bank-note of Annapolis, in Maryland, and the 
 other of Pennsylvania, of Fifty and of Five Shillings, both 
 of 1774. I was surprised, and told the printer he should 
 not at all meddle with the rascals who brought him these 
 papers. Afterwards I heard that they have been at two 
 engravers, to get two others counterfeited, and they refused 
 likewise. But I don't doubt they will find out in another 
 Town some ignorant or hungry engraver or printer. I beg 
 your Lordship to communicate these contents of my letter 
 to the publick, in the London Chronicle, to prevent any 
 mischief and imposition on the honest Americans, vexed 
 not only by taxes, but also by bad Bank-notes. It will 
 give me great pleasure to read in this paper my notice to 
 frustrate the designs of these impostors. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, my 
 Lord, your most humble and obedient servant, 
 
 Britannophilus. 
 
 The above is a true copy of an original letter, delivered 
 to me by the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of Lon- 
 don. Arthur Lee. 
 
 London, March 22, 1775. 
 
 PRIVATE NEGOTIATIONS OF DR. FRANKLIN IN LONDON, 
 RELATED IN A LETTER TO HIS SON, DATED AT SEA, 
 MARCH 22, 1775. 
 
 On board the Pennsylvania Packet, Captain Osborne, ) 
 bound to Philadelphia, March 22, 1775. \ 
 
 Dear Son : Having now a little leisure for writing, I 
 will endeavour, as I promised you, to recollect what par- 
 ticulars I can of the negotiations 1 have lately been con- 
 cerned in, with regard to the misunderstandings between 
 Great Britain and America. 
 
 During the recess of the last Parliament, which had 
 passed the severe Acts against the Province of Massachu- 
 setts Bay, the minority having been sensible of their weak- 
 ness as an effect of their want of union among themselves, 
 began to think seriously of a coalition. For they saw in 
 the violence of these American measures, if persisted in, a 
 hazard of dismembering, weakening, and perhaps ruining 
 the British Empire. This inclined some of them to pro- 
 pose such an union with each other, as might be more 
 respectable in the ensuing session, have more weight in 
 opposition, and be a body out of which a new Ministry 
 might easily be formed, should the ill success of the late 
 measures, and the firmness of the Colonies in resisting 
 them, make a change appear necessary to the King. 
 
 I took some pains to promote this disposition, in conver- 
 sation with several of the principal among the minority of 
 both Houses, whom I besought and conjured most earnest- 
 ly not to suffer, by their little misunderstandings, so glori- 
 * Meaning our bills of credit. 
 
 2 
 
179 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 ISO 
 
 ous a fabrick as the present British Empire to be demol- 
 ished by these blunderers; and for their encouragement 
 assured them, as far as my opinions could give any assur- 
 ance, of the firmness and unanimity of America, the con- 
 tinuance of which was what they had frequent doubts of, 
 and appeared extremely apprehensive and anxious con- 
 cerning it. 
 
 From the time of the affront given me at the Council 
 Hoard in January, 1774, 1 had never attended the levee of 
 any Minister. I made no justification of myself from the 
 charges brought against me ; I made no return of the injury 
 by abusing my adversaries, but held a cool sullen silence, 
 reserving myself to some future opportunity; for which 
 conduct I had several reasons, not necessary here to spe- 
 cify. Now and then I heard it said, that the reasonable 
 part of the Administration was ashamed of the treatment 
 they had given me. I suspected that some who told me 
 this, did it to draw from me my sentiments concerning it, 
 and perhaps my purposes ; but I said little or nothing upon 
 the subject. In the mean time, their measures with regard 
 to New-England failing of the success that had been con- 
 fidently expected, and finding themselves more and more 
 embarrassed, they began (as it seems) to think of making 
 use of me, if they could, to assist in disengaging them. 
 But it was too humiliating to think of applying to me 
 openly and directly, and therefore it was contrived to ob- 
 tain what they could of my sentiments through others. 
 
 The accounts from America, during the recess, all mani- 
 fested that the measures of Administration had neither 
 divided nor intimidated the people there ; that, on the 
 contrary, they were more and more united and determined, 
 and that a Non-Importation Agreement was likely to take 
 place. The Ministry thence apprehending that this, by 
 distressing the trading and manufacturing Towns, might in- 
 fluence votes against the Court in the elections for a new 
 Parliament, (which were in course to come on the succeed- 
 ing year,) suddenly and unexpectedly dissolved the old 
 one, and ordered the choice of a new one within the short- 
 est time admitted by law, before the inconveniences of that 
 agreement could begin to be felt, or produce any such 
 effect. 
 
 When I came to England in 1757, you may remember 
 I made several attempts to be introduced to Lord Chat- 
 ham, (at that time first Minister,) on account of my Penn- 
 sylvania business, but without success. He was then too 
 great a man, or too much occupied in affairs of greater 
 moment. I was therefore obliged to content myself with 
 a kind of non-apparent and unacknowledged communica- 
 tion through Mr. Potter and Mr. Wood, his Secretaries, 
 who seemed to cultivate an acquaintance with me by their 
 civilities, and drew from me what information 1 could give 
 relative to the American war, with my sentiments occasion- 
 ally on measures that were proposed or advised by others, 
 which gave me the opportunity of recommending and en- 
 forcing the utility of conquering Canada. I afterwards 
 considered Mr. Pitt as an inaccessible ; I admired him at a 
 distance, and made no more attempts for a nearer acquaint- 
 ance. I had only once or twice the satisfaction of hearing, 
 through Lord Shelburne, and I think Lord Stanhope, that 
 he did me the honour of mentioning me sometimes as a 
 person of respectable character. 
 
 But towards the end of August last, returning from 
 Brighthelmstonc, I called to visit my friend, Mr. Sargent, 
 at his seat, Hoisted, in Kent, agreeably to a former engage- 
 ment. He let me know that he had promised to conduct 
 me to Lord Stanhope's, at Chcvening, who expected I 
 would call on him when I came into that neighbourhood. 
 We accordingly waited on Lord Stanhope that evening, 
 who told me that Lord Chatham desired to see me, and 
 that Mr. Sargent's house, where I was to lodge, being in 
 the way, he would call for me there the next morning, and 
 carry me to Hayes. This was done accordingly. That 
 truly great man received me with abundance of civility, 
 inquired particularly into the situation of affairs in Ame- 
 rica, spoke feelingly of the severity of the late laws against 
 the Massachusetts, gave me some account of his speech in 
 opposing them, and expressed great regard and esteem for 
 the people of that Country, who he hoped would continue 
 firm and united in defending, by all peaceable and legal 
 means, their constitutional rights. I assured him that 1 
 made no doubt they would do so; which he said he was 
 
 pleased to hear from me, as he was sensible I must be well 
 acquainted with them. I then took occasion to remark to 
 him, that in former cases great Empires had crumbled first 
 at their extremities, from this cause ; that Countries remote 
 from the seat and eye of Government, which therefore 
 could not well understand their affairs, for want of full and 
 true information, had never been well governed, but had 
 been oppressed by bad Govemours, on presumption that 
 complaint was difficult to be made and supported against 
 them at such a distance ; hence such Governours had been 
 encouraged to go on, till their oppressions became intoler- 
 able. But that this Empire had happily found, and long 
 been in the practice of a method, whereby every Province 
 was well governed, being trusted in a great measure with 
 the government of itself; that hence had risen such satis- 
 faction in the subjects, and such encouragement to new 
 settlements, that had it not been for the late wrong poli- 
 ticks, (which would have Parliament to be omnipotent, 
 though it ought not to be, unless it could at the same time 
 be omniscient,) we might have gone on extending our 
 western Empire, adding Province to Province, as far as the 
 South Sea. That I lamented the ruin which seemed im- 
 pending over so fine a plan, so well adapted to make all the 
 subjects of the greatest Empire happy ; and I hoped that 
 if his Lordship, with the other great and wise men of the 
 British Nation, would unite and exert themselves, it might 
 yet be rescued out of the mangling hands of the present set 
 of blundering Ministers ; and that the union and harmony 
 between Britain and her Colonies, so necessary to the 
 welfare of both, might be restored. He replied, with great 
 politeness, that my idea of extending our Empire in that 
 manner was a sound one, worthy of a great, benevolent, 
 and comprehensive mind ; he wished with me for a good 
 understanding among the different parts of the Opposition 
 here, as a means of restoring the ancient harmony of the 
 two Countries, which he most earnestly desired ; but he 
 spoke of the coalition of our domestick parties as attended 
 with difficulty, and rather to be desired than expected. 
 He mentioned an opinion prevailing here, that America 
 aimed at setting up for itself as an independent State, or at 
 least to get rid of the Navigation Acts. I assured him that, 
 having more than once travelled almost from one end of 
 the Continent to the other, and kept a great variety of 
 company, eating, drinking, and conversing with them free- 
 ly, I never had heard in any conversation from any person, 
 drunk or sober, the least expression of a wish for a separa- 
 tion, or a hint that such a thing would be advantageous to 
 America ; and as to the Navigation Act, the main material 
 part of it, that of carrying on trade in British or Plantation 
 bottoms, excluding foreign Ships from our Ports, and navi- 
 gating with three quarters British seaman, was as accept- 
 able to us as it could be to Britain. That we were even 
 not against regulations of the general Commerce by Parlia- 
 ment, provided such regulations were bona fide for the 
 benefit of the whole Empire, not for the small advantage of 
 one part to the great injury of another, such as the obliging 
 our Ships to call in England with our wine and fruit from 
 Portugal or Spain ; the restraints on our Manufactures, in 
 the woollen and hat-making branches, the prohibiting of 
 slitting-mills, steel-works, he. He allowed that some 
 amendment might be made in those Acts; but said those 
 relating to the slitting-mills, trip-hammers, and steel-works, 
 were agreed to by our agents in a compromise on the oppo- 
 sition made here to abating the duty. 
 
 In fine, he expressed much satisfaction in my having 
 called upon him, and particularly in the assurances I had 
 given him that America did not aim at independence, 
 adding that he should be glad to see me again as often as 
 might be. I said I should not fail to avail myself of the 
 permission he was pleased to give me, of waiting upon his 
 Lordship occasionally, being very sensible of the honour, 
 and of the great advantages and improvement I should reap 
 from his instructive conversation, which indeed was not a 
 mere compliment. 
 
 The new Parliament was to meet the 29th of November, 
 1774. About the beginning of that month, being at the 
 Royal Society, Mr. Raper, one of our members, told me 
 there was a certain lady who had a desire of playing with 
 me at chess, fancying she could beat me, and had request- 
 ed him to bring me to her; it was, he said, a lady with 
 whose acquaintance he was sure I should be pleased, a 
 
181 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 182 
 
 sister of Lord Howe's, and he hoped I would not refuse 
 the challenge. I said I had been long out of practice, but 
 would wait upon the lady when he and she should think fit. 
 He told me where her house was, and would have me call 
 soon, and without further introduction, which 1 undertook 
 to do ; but thinking it a little awkward, I postponed it; 
 and on the 30th, meeting him again at the feast of the 
 Society election, being the day after the Parliament met, 
 he put me in mind of my promise, and that I had not kept 
 it, and would have me name a day, when, he said, he 
 would call for me and conduct me. I named the Friday 
 following. He called accordingly ; I went with him, play- 
 ed a few games with the lady, whom I found of very sensi- 
 ble conversation and pleasing behaviour, which induced me 
 to agree most readily to an appointment for another meet- 
 ing a few days afterwards, though I had not the least appre- 
 hension that any political business could have any connex- 
 ion with this new acquaintance. 
 
 On the Thursday preceding this chess party Mr. David 
 Barclay called on me, to have some discourse concerning 
 the meeting of merchants to petition Parliament. When 
 that was over, he spoke of the dangerous situation of Ame- 
 rican affairs, the hazard that a civil war might be brought 
 on by the present measures, and the great merit that per- 
 son would have who could contrive some means of pre- 
 venting so terrible a calamity, and bring about a reconcilia- 
 tion. He was then pleased to add, that he was persuaded, 
 from my knowledge of both Countries, my character and 
 influence in one of them, and my abilities in business, no 
 man had it so much in his power as myself. I naturally 
 answered, that I should be very happy if I could in any 
 degree be instrumental in so good a work, but that I saw 
 no prospect of it ; for though I was sure the Americans 
 were always willing and ready to agree, upon any equita- 
 ble terms, yet I thought an accommodation impracticable, 
 unless both sides wished it ; and by what 1 could judge 
 from the proceedings of the Ministry, I did not believe 
 they had the least disposition towards it ; that they rather 
 wished to provoke the North American people into an 
 open rebellion, which might justify a military execution, 
 and thereby gratify a grounded malice which T conceived to 
 exist here against the Whigs and dissenters of that Coun- 
 try. Mr. Barclay apprehended I judged too hardly of the 
 Ministers; he was persuaded they were not all of that tem- 
 per, and he fancied they would be very glad to get out of 
 their present embarrassment on any terms, only saving the 
 honour and dignity of Government. He wished, therefore, 
 that 1 would think of the matter, and he would call again, 
 and converse with me further upon it. I said I would do 
 so, as he requested it, but I had no opinion of its answering 
 any purpose. We parted upon this. But two days after 
 I received a letter from him, enclosed in a note from Dr. 
 Fothergill, both which follow. 
 
 Youngebury, near Ware, 3d 12 mo. 1774. 
 
 Esteemed Friend: After we parted on Thursday last, 
 I accidentally met our mutual friend Doctor Fothergill, in 
 my way home, and intimated to him the subject of our 
 discourse ; in consequence of which, I received from him an 
 invitation to a further conference on this momentous affair, 
 and I intend to be in Town to-morrow accordingly, to meet 
 at his house between four and five o'clock ; and we unite 
 in the request of thy company. We are neither of us 
 insensible, that the affair is of that magnitude as should 
 almost deter private persons from meddling with it ; at the 
 same time we are respectively such well-wishers to the 
 cause, that nothing in our power ought to be left undone, 
 though the utmost of our efforts may be unavailable. I 
 am thy respectful friend, David Barclay. 
 
 Doctor Franklin, Craven Street. 
 
 Doctor Fothergill presents his respects to Doctor 
 Franlclin, and hopes for the favour of his company in 
 Harper Street to-morrow evening, to meet their mutual 
 friend David Barclay, to confer on American affairs. As 
 near five o'clock as may be convenient. 
 
 Harper Street, 3d inst. 
 
 The time thus appointed was the evening of the day on 
 which 1 was to have my second chess party with the agree- 
 able Mrs. Howe, whom I met accordingly. After playing 
 as long as we liked, we fell into a little chat, partly on a 
 
 mathematical problem,* and partly about the new Parlia- 
 ment then just met, when she said, " And what is to be 
 done with this dispute between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies? I hope we are not to have a Civil War." 
 They should kiss and be friends, said I ; what can they do 
 better ? Quarrelling can be of service to neither, but is 
 ruin to both. " I have often said," replied she, " that I 
 wished Government would employ you to settle the dis- 
 pute for them ; I am sure nobody could do it so well. Do 
 not you think that the thing is practicable ?" Undoubtedly, 
 madam, if the parties are disposed to reconciliation ; for 
 the two Countries have really no clashing interests to differ 
 about. It is rather a matter of punctilio, which two or 
 three reasonable people might settle in half an hour. I 
 thank you for the good opinion you are pleased to express 
 of me ; but the Ministers will never think of employing 
 me in that good work ; they choose rather to abuse me. 
 " Aye," said she, " they have behaved shamefully to you. 
 And indeed some of them are now ashamed of it them- 
 selves." I looked upon this as accidental conversation, 
 thought no more of it, and went in the evening to the 
 appointed meeting at Doctor Fothergill' s , where I found 
 Mr. Barclay with him. 
 
 The Doctor expatiated feelingly on the mischiefs likely 
 to ensue from the present difference, the necessity of ac- 
 commodating it, and the great merit of being instrumental 
 in so good a work; concluding with some compliments to 
 me; that nobody understood the subject so thoroughly, 
 and had a better head for business of the kind ; that it 
 seemed therefore a duty incumbent on me, to do every thing 
 I could to accomplish a reconciliation ; and that as he had 
 with pleasure heard from David Barclay, that I had pro- 
 mised to think of it, he hoped I had put pen to paper, and 
 formed some plan for consideration, and brought it with me. 
 I answered, that I had formed no plan ; as the more I 
 thought of the proceedings against the Colonies, the more 
 satisfied I was that there did not exist the least disposition 
 in the Ministry to an accommodation ; that therefore all 
 plans must be useless. He said, I might be mistaken ; that 
 whatever was the violence of some, he had reason, good 
 reason, to believe others were differently disposed ; and 
 that if I would draw a plan which we three upon consider- 
 ing should judge reasonable, it might be made use of, and 
 answer some good purpose, since he believed that either 
 himself or David Barclay could get it communicated to 
 some of the most moderate among the Ministers, who 
 would consider it with attention ; and what appeared rea- 
 sonable to us, two of us being Englishmen, might appear 
 so to them. As they both urged this with great earnest- 
 ness, and when I mentioned the impropriety of my doint; 
 any thing of the kind at the time we were in daily expect- 
 ation of hearing from the Congress, who undoubtedly 
 would be explicit on the means of restoring a good under- 
 standing, they seemed impatient, alleging that it was uncer- 
 tain when we should receive the result of the Congress, 
 and what it would be ; that the least delay might be dan- 
 gerous; that additional punishments for New-England 
 were in contemplation, and accidents might widen the 
 breach, and make it irreparable; therefore, something pre- 
 ventive could not be too soon thought of and applied. I 
 was, therefore, finally prevailed with to promise doing what 
 they desired, and to meet them again on Tuesday evening 
 at the same place, and bring with me something for their 
 consideration. 
 
 Accordingly, at the time, I met with them, and produced 
 the following paper : 
 
 Hints for Conversation upon the subject of terms that 
 might probably produce a durable Union between Bri- 
 tain and the Colonies. 
 
 1. The Tea destroyed to be paid for. 
 
 2. The Tea-duty Act to be repealed, and all the duties 
 that have been received upon it to be repaid into the trea- 
 suries of the several Provinces from which they have been 
 collected. 
 
 3. The Acts of Navigation to be all re-enacted in the 
 Colonies. 
 
 4. A Naval Officer appointed by the Crown to reside in 
 each Colony, to see that those Acts are observed. 
 
 * This lady (which is a little unusual in ladies) has a good deal of 
 mathematical knowledge. [Note of Dr. Franklin.] 
 
 * 
 
183 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1715. 
 
 184 
 
 5. All the Acts restraining Manufactures in the Colo- 
 nies, to be repealed. 
 
 6. All Duties arising on the Acts for regulating Trade 
 with the Colonies, to be for the publick use of the respect- 
 ive Colonies, and paid into their Treasuries. The Collec- 
 tors and Custom-House Officers to be appointed by each 
 Governour, and not sent from England. 
 
 7. In consideration of the Americans maintaining their 
 own Peace Establishment, and the monopoly Britain is to 
 have of their Commerce, no requisition to be made from 
 them in time of peace. 
 
 8. No Troops to enter and quarter in any Colony, but 
 with the consent of its Legislature. 
 
 9. In time of war, on requisition made by the King, 
 with the consent of Parliament, every Colony shall raise 
 money by the following rules or proportions, viz : If Bri- 
 tain, on account of the war, raises Three Shillings in the 
 Pound to its Land Tax, then the Colonies to add to their 
 last general Provincial Peace Tax a sum equal to one- 
 fourth thereof; and if Britain on the same account pays 
 Four Shillings in the Pound, then the Colonies to add to 
 their said last Peace Tax a sum equal to half thereof; 
 which additional tax is to be granted to His Majesty, and 
 to be employed in raising and paying men for land or sea 
 service, furnishing provisions, transports, or for such other 
 purposes as the King shall require and direct : and though 
 no Colony may contribute less, each may add as much by 
 voluntary grant as they shall think proper. 
 
 10. Castle William to be restored to the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay, and no fortress built by the Crown in 
 any Province, but with the consent of its Legislature. 
 
 1 1 . The late Massachusetts and Quebeck Acts to be re- 
 pealed, and a free Government granted to Canada. 
 
 12. All Judges to be appointed during good behaviour, 
 with equally permanent salaries, to be paid out of the 
 Province revenues by appointment of the Assemblies: or, 
 if the Judges are to be appointed during the pleasure of 
 the Crown, let the salaries be during the pleasure of the 
 Assemblies, as heretofore. 
 
 13. Governours to be supported by the Assemblies of 
 each Province. 
 
 14. If Britain will give up its monopoly of the Ameri- 
 can Commerce, then the aid above-mentioned to be given 
 by America in time of peace, as well as in time of war. 
 
 15. The extension of the Act of Henry VIII., con- 
 cerning treasons, to the Colonies, to be formally disowned 
 by Parliament. 
 
 16. The American Admiralty Courts reduced to the 
 same powers they have in England, and the Acts estab- 
 lishing them to be re-enacted in America. 
 
 17. All powers of internal legislation in the Colonies to 
 be disclaimed by Parliament. 
 
 In reading this paper a second time, I gave my reasons 
 at length for each article. 
 
 On the first I observed, that when the injury was done, 
 Britain had a right to reparation, and would certainly have 
 had it on demand, as was the case when injury was done 
 by mobs in the time of the Stamp Act : or she might have 
 a right to return an equal injury, if she rather chose to do 
 that ; but she could not have a right both to reparation and 
 to return an equal injury, much less had she a right to 
 return the injury ten or twenty fold, as she had done by 
 blocking up the Port of Boston : all which extra injury 
 ought, in my judgment, to be repaired by Britain : that 
 therefore if paying for the Tea was agreed to by me, as an 
 article fit to be proposed, it was merely from a desire of 
 peace, and in compliance with their opinion expressed at 
 our first meeting, that this was a sine qua non, that the 
 dignity of Britain required it, and that if this were agreed 
 to, every thing else would be easy : this reasoning was 
 allowed to he just ; but still the article was thought neces- 
 sary to stand as it did. 
 
 On the second, That the Act should be repealed, as 
 having never answered any good purpose, as having been 
 the cause of the present mischief, and never likely to be 
 executed. That the Act being considered as unconstitutional 
 by the Americans, and what the Parliament had no right 
 lo make, they must consider all the money extorted by it 
 as so much wrongfully taken, and of which therefore 
 restitution ought to be made ; and the rather as it would 
 
 furnish a fund, out of which the payment for the Tea 
 destroyed might best be defrayed. The gentlemen were 
 of opinion, that the first part of this article, viz : the 
 repeal, might be obtained, but not the refunding part, and 
 therefore advised striking that out : but as I thought it just 
 and right, I insisted on its standing. 
 
 On the third and fourth articles I observed, we were 
 frequently charged with views of abolishing the Navigation 
 Act. That, in truth, those parts of it which were of most 
 importance to Britain, as tending to increase its Naval 
 strength, viz : those restraining the Trade, to be carried on 
 only in Ships belonging to British subjects, navigated by 
 at least three quarters British or Colony seamen, &cc, 
 were as acceptable to us as they could be to Britain, since 
 we wished to employ our own Ships in preference to for- 
 eigners, and had no desire to see foreign Ships enter our 
 ports. That indeed the obliging us to land some of our 
 commodities in England before we could carry them to 
 foreign markets, and forbidding our importation of some 
 Goods directly from foreign Countries, we thought a hard- 
 ship, and a greater loss to us than gain to Britain, and 
 therefore proper to be repealed : but as Britain had deemed 
 it an equivalent for her protection, we had never applied 
 or proposed to apply for such repeal ; and if they must be 
 continued, I thought it best (since the power of Parlia- 
 ment to make them was now disputed) that they should 
 be re-enacted in all the Colonies, which would demonstrate 
 their consent to them : and then if, as in the sixth article, 
 all the duties arising on them were to be collected by offi- 
 cers appointed and salaried in the respective Governments, 
 and the produce paid into their treasuries, I was sure the 
 Acts would be better and more faithfully executed, and at 
 much less expense, and one great source of misunder- 
 standing removed between the two Countries, viz : the 
 calumnies of low officers appointed from home, who were 
 for ever abusing the people of the Country to Government, 
 to magnify their own zeal, and recommend themselves 
 to promotion. That the extension of the admiralty juris- 
 diction, so much complained of, would then no longer be 
 necessary ; and that besides its being the interest of the 
 Colonies to execute those Acts, which is the best security, 
 Government might be satisfied of its being done, from 
 accounts to be sent home by the Naval Officers of the 
 fourth article. The gentlemen were satisfied with these 
 reasons, and approved the third and fourth articles ; so 
 they were to stand. 
 
 The fifth they apprehended would meet with difficulty. 
 They said, that restraining manufactures in the Colonies 
 was a favourite idea here ; and therefore they wished that 
 article to be omitted, as the proposing it would alarm and 
 hinder perhaps the considering and granting others of more 
 importance : but as I insisted on the equity of allowing all 
 subjects in every Country to make the most of their natural 
 advantages, they desired I would at least alter the last word 
 from repealed to reconsidered, which I complied with. 
 
 In maintaining the seventh article (which was at first 
 objected to, on the principle that all under the care of 
 Government should pay towards the support of it,) my 
 reasons were, that if every distinct part of the King's Do- 
 minions supported its own Government in time of peace, 
 it was all that could justly be required of it ; that all the 
 old or confederated Colonies had done so from their begin- 
 ning ; that their taxes for that purpose were very consider- 
 able ; that new Countries had many publick expenses 
 which old ones were free from, the works being done to 
 their hands by their ancestors, such as making roads and 
 bridges, erecting churches, court-houses, forts, quays, and 
 other publick buildings, founding schools and places of 
 education, hospitals and alms-houses, &c, Sic. ; that the 
 voluntary and the legal subscriptions and taxes for such 
 purposes, taken together, amounted to more than was paid 
 by equal estates in Britain. That it would be best for 
 Britain, on two accounts, not to take money from us as 
 contribution to its publick expense, in time of peace; first, 
 for that just so much less would be got from us in Com- 
 merce, since all we could spare was already gained from 
 us by Britain in that way ; and secondly, that coming into 
 the hands of British Ministers, accustomed to prodigality 
 of publick money, it would be squandered and dissipated, 
 answering no good general purpose. That if we were to 
 be taxed towards the support of Government in Britain, 
 
185 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 186 
 
 as Scotland has been since the union, we ought then to be 
 allowed the same privileges in trade as she has been allowed. 
 That if we are called upon to give to the sinking fund or 
 the national debt, Ireland ought to be likewise called upon ; 
 and both they and we, if we gave, ought to have some 
 means established of inquiring into the application, and 
 securing a compliance with the terms on which we should 
 grant. That British Ministers would perhaps not like our 
 meddling with such matters ; and that hence might arise 
 new causes of misunderstanding. That upon the whole, 
 therefore, I thought it best on all sides, that no aids shall 
 be a~ked or expected from the Colonies in time of peace ; 
 that it would then be their interest to grant bountifully, 
 and exert themselves vigorously in time of war, the sooner 
 to put an end to it. That specie was not to be had to send 
 to England in supplies, but the Colonies could carry on 
 war with their own paper money : which would pay 
 Troops, and for Provisions, Transports, Carriages, Cloth- 
 ing, Arms, Sic. So this seventh article was at length 
 agreed to without further objection. 
 
 The eighth the gentlemen were confident would never 
 be granted. For the whole world would be of opinion that 
 the King, who is to defend all parts of his Dominions, 
 should have of course a right to place his Troops where 
 they might best answer that purpose. I supported the 
 article upon principles equally important in my opinion to 
 Britain as to the Colonies : for that if the King could 
 bring into one part of his Dominions, Troops raised in any 
 other part of them, without the consent of the Legislatures 
 of the part to which they were brought, he might bring 
 Armies raised in America into England without consent 
 of Parliament, which probably would not like it, as a few 
 years since they had not liked the introduction of the Hes- 
 sians and Hanoverians, though justified by the supposition 
 of its being a time of danger. That if there should be at 
 any time real occasion for British Troops in America, there 
 was no doubt of obtaining the consent of the Assemblies 
 there ; and I was so far from being willing to drop this arti- 
 cle, that I thought I ought to add another, requiring all the 
 present Troops to be withdrawn, before America could be 
 expected to treat or agree upon any terms of accommoda- 
 tion ; as what they should now do of that kind might be 
 deemed the effect of compulsion, the appearance of which 
 ought as much as possible to be avoided, since those rea- 
 sonable things might be agreed to, where the parties seemed 
 at least to act freely, which would be strongly refused under 
 threats, or the semblance of force. That the withdrawing 
 the Troops was therefore necessary to make any treaty 
 durably binding on the part of the Americans, since proof 
 of having acted under force, would invalidate any agree- 
 ment : and it could be no wonder that we should insist on 
 the Crown's having no right to bring a Standing Army 
 among us in time of peace ; when we saw now before our 
 eyes a striking instance of the ill use to be made of it, viz : 
 to distress the King's subjects in different parts of his Do- 
 minions, one part after the other, into a submission to arbi- 
 trary power, which was the avowed design of the Army 
 and Fleet now placed at Boston. Finding me obstinate, 
 the gentlemen consented to let this stand, but did not seem 
 quite to approve of it: they wished, they said, to have 
 this paper or plan, that they might show as containing the 
 sentiments of considerate impartial persons, and such as 
 they might as Englishmen support, which they though 
 could not well be the case with this article. 
 
 The ninth article was so drawn, in compliance with an 
 idea of Dr. FothergilVs, started at our first meeting, viz : 
 that Government here would probably not be satisfied with 
 the promise of voluntary grants in time of war from the 
 Assemblies, of which the quantity must be uncertain ; that 
 therefore it would be best to proportion them in some way 
 to the Shillings in the Pound raised in England ; but how 
 such proportion could be ascertained he was at a loss to 
 contrive ; 1 was desired to consider it. It had been said, 
 too, that Parliament was become jealous of the right 
 claimed and heretofore used by the Crown, of raising 
 money in the Colonies without Parliamentary consent ; and 
 therefore, since we would not pay Parliamentary taxes, 
 future requisitions must be made with consent of Parlia- 
 ment, and not otherwise. I wondered that the Crown 
 should be willing to give up that separate right, but had no 
 objection to its limiting itself, if it thought proper : so I 
 
 drew the article accordingly, and contrived to proportion 
 the aid by the tax of the last year of peace. And since 
 it was thought that the method I should have liked best 
 would never be agreed to, viz : a Continental Congress to 
 be called by the Crown, for answering requisitions and 
 proportioning aids ; I chose to leave room for voluntary 
 additions by the separate Assemblies, that the Crown might 
 have some motive for calling them together, and cultivating 
 their good will, and they have some satisfaction in showing 
 their loyalty and their zeal in the common cause, and an 
 opportunity of manifesting their disapprobation of a war, if 
 they did not think it a just one. This article, therefore, 
 met with no objection from them; and I had another rea- 
 son for liking it, viz : that the view of the proportion to be 
 given in time of war, might make us the more frugal in 
 time of peace. 
 
 For the tenth article. I urged the injustice of seizing 
 that Fortress, (which had been built at an immense charge 
 by the Province, for the defence of their Port against Na- 
 tional enemies,) and turning it into a citadel for awing the 
 Town, restraining their Trade, blocking up their Port, and 
 depriving them of their privileges : that a great deal had 
 been said of their injustice in destroying the Tea ; but here 
 was a much greater injustice uncompensated, that Castle 
 having cost the Province Three Hundred Thousand 
 Pounds : and that such a use made of a Fortress they 
 had built, would not only effectually discourage every 
 Colony from ever building another, and thereby leave 
 them more exposed to foreign enemies, but was a good 
 reason for their insisting that the Crown should never erect 
 any hereafter in their limits without the consent of the Le- 
 gislature : the gentlemen had not much to say against this 
 article ; but thought it would hardly be admitted. 
 
 The eleventh article it was thought would be strongly 
 objected to ; that it would be urged the old Colonists could 
 have nothing to do with the affairs of Canada, whatever 
 we had with those of the Massachusetts ; that it would be 
 considered as an officious meddling merely to disturb Go- 
 vernment ; and that some even of the Massachusetts Acts 
 were thought by Administration to be improvements of 
 that Government, viz : those altering the appointment of 
 Counsellors, the choice of Jurymen, and the forbidding of 
 Town-meetings. I replied, that we having assisted in the 
 conquest of Canada, at a great expense of blood and trea- 
 sure, had some right to be considered in the settlement of 
 it : that the establishing an arbitrary Government on the 
 back of our settlements might be dangerous to us all ; and 
 that loving liberty ourselves, we wished it to be extended 
 among mankind, and to have no foundation for future 
 slavery laid in America. That as to amending the Massa- 
 chusetts Government, though it might be shown that every 
 one of these pretended amendments were real mischief?, 
 yet that Charters being compacts between two parties, the 
 King and the People, no alteration could be made in then), 
 even for the better, but by the consent of both parties. 
 That the Parliament's claim and exercise of a power to 
 alter our Charters, which had always been deemed inviola- 
 ble but for forfeiture, and to alter laws made in pursuance 
 of these Charters which had received the Royal approba- 
 tion, and thenceforth deemed fixed and unchangeable but 
 by the powers that made them, had rendered all our Con- 
 stitutions uncertain, and set us quite afloat : that as bv 
 claiming a right to tax us ad libitum, they deprived us of 
 all property, so by this claim of altering our Laws and 
 Charters at will, they deprived us of all privilege and right 
 whatever, but what we should hold at their pleasure : that 
 this was a situation we could not be in, and must risk 
 life and every thing rather than submit to it. So this 
 article remained. 
 
 The twelfth article I explained, by acquainting the gen- 
 tlemen with the former situation of the Judges in most 
 Colonies, viz : that they were appointed by the Crown, 
 and paid by the Assemblies: that the appointment being 
 during the pleasure of the Crown, the salary had been 
 during the pleasure of the Assembly : that when it has 
 been urged against the Assemblies, that their making 
 Judges dependant on them for their salaries, was aiming 
 at an undue influence over the Courts of Justice, the As- 
 semblies usually replied, that making them dependant on 
 the Crown for continuance in their places, was also retain- 
 ing an undue influence over those Courts ; and that one 
 
187 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 188 
 
 undue influence was a proper balance for the other ; but 
 that whenever the Crown would consent to Acts making 
 the Judges during good behaviour, the Assemblies would 
 at the same time grant their salaries to be permanent 
 during their continuance in ollice. This the Crown has, 
 however, constantly refused : and this equitable oiler is now 
 again here proposed ; the Colonies not being able to con- 
 ceive why their Judges should not be rendered as inde- 
 pendent as those in England: that, on the contrary, the 
 Crown now claimed to make the Judges in the Colonies 
 dependant on its favour for both place and salary, both to 
 be continued at its pleasure : this the Colonies must oppose 
 as inequitable, as putting both the weights into one of the 
 scales of justice : if, therefore, the Crown does not choose 
 to commission the Judges during good behaviour, with 
 equally permanent salaries, the alternative proposed, that 
 the salaries continue to be paid during the pleasure of the 
 Assemblies as heretofore. The gentlemen allowed this 
 article to be reasonable. 
 
 The thirteenth was objected to, as nothing was generally 
 thought more reasonable here, than that the King should 
 j>ay his own Governour, in order to render him independ- 
 ent of the people, who otherwise might aim at influencing 
 him against his duty, by occasionally withholding his salary. 
 To this 1 answered, that Governours sent to the Colonies 
 were often men of no estate or principle, who came merely 
 to make fortunes, and had no natural regard for the Coun- 
 try they were to govern : that to make them quite inde- 
 pendent of the people, was to make them careless of their 
 conduct, whether it was beneficial or mischievous to the 
 publick, and giving a loose to their rapacious and oppres- 
 sive dispositions: that the influence supposed could never 
 extend to operate any thing prejudicial to the King's ser- 
 vice, or the interest of Britain: since the Governour was 
 bound by a set of particular instructions, which he had 
 given surety to observe ; and all the laws he assented to 
 were subject to be repealed by the Crown if found im- 
 proper : that the payment of the salaries by the people 
 was more satisfactory to them, as it was productive of a 
 good understanding, and mutual good offices between Go- 
 vernour and governed, and therefore the innovation lately 
 made in that respect at Boston and New-York had in my 
 opinion better be laid aside. So this article was suffered 
 to remain. 
 
 But the fourteenth was thought totally inadmissible. 
 The monopoly of the American Commerce could never 
 be given up, and the proposing it would only give offence 
 without answering any good purpose. I was therefore pre- 
 vailed on to strike it wholly out. 
 
 The fifteenth was readily agreed to. 
 
 The sixteenth it was thought would be of little conse- 
 quence, if the duties were given to the Colony Treasuries. 
 
 The seventeenth it was thought could hardly be obtain- 
 ed, but might be tried. 
 
 Thus having gone through the whole, I was desired to 
 make a fair copy for Dr. Fothergill, who now informed us, 
 that having an opportunity of seeing daily Lord Dartmouth, 
 of whose good disposition he had a high opinion, he would 
 communicate the paper to him, as the sentiments of con- 
 siderate persons who wished the welfare of both Coun- 
 tries. Suppose, said Mr. Barclay, I were to show this 
 paper to Lord Hyde ; would there be any thing amiss in 
 so doing? He is a very knowing man, and though not in 
 the Ministry, properly speaking, he is a good deal attended 
 to by them. 1 have some acquaintance with him ; we con- 
 verse freely sometimes, and perhaps if he and 1 were to 
 talk these articles over, I should communicate to him our 
 conversation upon them some good might arise out of it. 
 Dr. Fothergill had no objection ; and 1 said I could have 
 none. I knew Lord Hyde a little, and had an esteem for 
 him. I had drawn the paper at their request, and it was 
 now theirs to do with it what they pleased. Mr. Bar- 
 clay then proposed, that 1 should send the fair copy to 
 him, which, after making one for Dr. Fothergill and one 
 for himself, he would return to me. Another question then 
 arose, whether I had any objection to their mentioning that 
 1 had been consulted ? I said, none that related to myself; 
 but it was my opinion, if they wished any attention paid to 
 the propositions, it would be better not to mention me; the 
 Ministry having, as 1 conceived, a prejudice against me 
 and every thing that came from me. They said on that 
 
 consideration it might be best not to mention me, and so it 
 was concluded. For my own part, I kept this whole pro- 
 ceeding a profound secret ; but 1 soon after discovered 
 that it had taken air by some means or other. 
 
 Being much interrupted the day following, I did not 
 copy and send the paper. The next morning I received 
 a note from Mr. Barclay, pressing to have it before twelve 
 o'clock. I accordingly sent it to him. Three days after I 
 received the following note from him : 
 
 D. Barclay presents his respects, and acquaints Dr. 
 Franklin, that being informed a pamphlet, entitled " A 
 Friendly Address," has been dispersed to the disadvantage 
 of America, (in particular by the Dean of Norwich,) he 
 desires Dr. Franklin will peruse the enclosed, just come 
 to hand from America ; and if he approves of it, republish 
 it, as D. Barclay wishes something might be properly 
 spread at Norivich. D. Barclay saw to-day a person with 
 whom he had been yesterday, (before he called on Dr. 
 Franklin,) and had the satisfaction of walking part of the 
 way with him to another noble person's house, to meet on 
 the business, and he told him, that he could say, that he 
 saw some light. 
 
 Cheapside, 11th instant. 
 
 The person so met and accompanied by Mr. Barclay, I 
 understood to be Lord Hyde, going either to Lord Dart- 
 mouth's or Lord North's, I knew not which. 
 
 In the following week arrived the proceedings of the 
 Congress, which had been long and anxiously expected, 
 both by the friends and adversaries of America. 
 
 The Petition of Congress to the King was enclosed to 
 me, and accompanied by the following letter from their 
 President, addressed to the American Agents in London, 
 as follows :* 
 
 The first impression made by the proceedings of the 
 American Congress on people in general, was greatly in 
 our favour. Administration seemed to be staggered, were 
 impatient to know whether the Petition mentioned in the 
 proceedings was come to my hands, and took roundabout 
 methods of obtaining that information, by getting a minis- 
 terial merchant, a known intimate of the Solicitor-Gene- 
 ral, to write me a letter, importing that he heard I had 
 received such a petition, that I was to be attended in pre- 
 senting it by the merchants, and begging to know the time, 
 that he might attend "on so important an occasion, and 
 give his testimony to so good a work." Before these pro- 
 ceedings arrived, it had been given out, that no Petition 
 from the Congress could be received, as they were an ille- 
 gal body; but the Secretary of State, after a day's perusal, 
 (during which a Council was held.) told us it was a decent 
 and proper Petition, and cheerfully undertook to present it 
 to His Majesty, who, he afterwards assured us, was pleased 
 to receive it very graciously, and to promise to lay it, as 
 soon as they met, before his two Houses of Parliament ; 
 and we had reason to believe that at that time the Petition 
 was intended to be made the foundation of some change 
 of measures ; but that purpose, if such there was, did not 
 long continue. 
 
 About this time I received a letter from Mr. Barclay. 
 then at Norwich, dated December 18th, expressing his 
 opinion, that it might be best to postpone taking any 
 further steps in the affair of procuring a meeting and pe- 
 tition of the Merchants, (on which we had had several 
 consultations,) till after the holidays, thereby to give the 
 proceedings of Congress more time to work upon men's 
 minds, adding, " 1 likewise consider that our superiours 
 will have some little time for reflection, and perhaps may 
 contemplate on the propriety of the Hints in their posses- 
 sion. By a few lines I have received from Lord Hyde, he 
 intimates his hearty wish that they may be productive of 
 what may be practicable and advantageous for the Mother 
 Country and the Colonies." On the 22d, Mr. Barclay 
 was come to Town, when I dined with him, and learned 
 that Lord Hyde thought the propositions too hard. 
 
 On the 24th I received the following note from a con- 
 siderable merchant in the City, viz : 
 
 Mr. William Neate presents his most respectful com- 
 pliments to Dr. Franklin, and as a report prevailed yester- 
 day evening, that all the disputes between Great Britain 
 and the American Colonies were, through his application 
 • See Vol. I. Fol. 929, and Fol. 934. 
 
189 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1773. 
 
 190 
 
 and influence with Lord North, amicably settled, conform- 
 able to the wish and desire of the late Congress, W. N. 
 desires the favour of Dr. Franklin to inform him by a line, 
 per the bearer, whether there is any credit to be given to 
 the report ? 
 
 St. Mary Hill, 21th December. 1774. 
 
 My answer was to this effect, that I should be very 
 happy to be able to inform him that the report he had heard 
 had some truth in it; but I could only assure him that I 
 knew nothing of the matter. Such reports, however, 
 were confidently circulated, and had some effect in recover- 
 ing the Stocks, which had fallen three or four per cent. 
 
 On Christmas day, visiting Mrs. Howe, she told me as 
 soon as I went in, that her brother, Lord Howe, wished to 
 be acquainted with me ; that he was a very good man, and 
 she was sure we should like each other. I said, I had 
 always heard a good character of Lord Howe, and should 
 be proud of the honour of being known to him. He is 
 just by, said she ; will you give me leave to send for him ? 
 iiy all means, madam, if you think proper. She rang for 
 a servant, wrote a note, and Lord Howe came in a few 
 minutes. 
 
 After some extremely polite compliments as to the gen- 
 eral motives for his desiring an acquaintance with me, he 
 said he had a particular one at this time, which was the 
 alarming situation of our affairs with America, which no one, 
 he was persuaded, understood better than myself; that it 
 was the opinion of some friends of his, that no man could 
 do more towards reconciling our differences than I could, 
 if 1 would undertake it ; that he was sensible 1 had been 
 very ill treated by the Ministry, but he hoped that would 
 not be considered by me in the present case; that he him- 
 self, though not in opposition, had much disapproved of 
 their conduct towards me ; that some of them, he was 
 sure, were ashamed of it, and sorry it had happened : 
 which he supposed must be sufficient to abate resentment 
 in a great and generous mind ; that if he were himself in 
 Administration, he should be ready to make me ample 
 satisfaction, which he was persuaded would one day or 
 other be done ; that he was unconnected with the Ministry, 
 except by some personal friendships, wished well however 
 to Government, was anxious for the general welfare of the 
 whole Empire, and had a particular regard for New-Eng- 
 land, which had shown a very endearing respect to his 
 family ; that he was merely an independent Member of 
 Parliament, desirous of doing what good he could, agree- 
 ably to his duty in that station ; that he therefore had wished 
 for an opportunity of obtaining my sentiments on the means 
 of reconciling our differences, which he saw must be at- 
 tended with the most mischievous consequences, if not 
 speedily accommodated ; that he hoped his zeal for the 
 publick welfare would, with me, excuse the impertinence 
 of a mere stranger, who could have otherwise no reason to 
 expect, or right to request me to open my mind to him 
 upon these topicks ; but he did conceive, that if I would 
 indulge him with my ideas of the means proper to bring 
 about a reconciliation, it might be of some use ; that per- 
 haps I might not be willing myself to have any direct 
 communication with this Ministry on this occasion ; that I 
 might likewise not care to have it known that 1 had any 
 indirect communication with them, till 1 could be well 
 assured of their good dispositions ; that being himself upon 
 no ill terms with them, he thought it not impossible that 
 he might, by conveying my sentiments to them, and theirs 
 to me, be a means of bringing on a good understanding, 
 without committing either them or me, if his negotiation 
 should not succeed ; and that I might rely on his keeping 
 perfectly secret every thing I should wish to remain so. 
 
 Mrs. Howe here offering to withdraw, whether of herself 
 or from any sign from him, I know not, I begged she might 
 stay, as I should have no secret in a business of this nature 
 that I could not freely confide to her prudence, which was 
 truth ; for I had never conceived a higher opinion of the 
 discretion and excellent understanding of any woman on so 
 short an acquaintance. I added, that though 1 had never 
 before the honour of being in his Lordship's company, his 
 manner was such as had already engaged my confidence, 
 and would make me perfectly easy and free in communi- 
 cating myself to him. I begged him, in the first place, to 
 give me credit for a sincere desire of healing the breach 
 
 between the two Countries; that I would cheerfully and 
 heartily do every thing in my small power to accomplish 
 it; but that J apprehended from the King's speech, and 
 from the measures talked of, as well as those already 
 determined on, no intention or disposition of the kind ex- 
 isted in the present Ministry, and therefore no accommo- 
 dation could be expected till we saw a change. That as to 
 what his Lordship mentioned of the personal injuries done 
 me, those done my Country were so much greater, that I 
 did not think the other, at this time, worth mentioning ; 
 that besides it was a fixed rule with me, not to mix my pri- 
 vate affairs with those of the publick ; that I could join with 
 my personal enemy in serving the publick, or, when it was 
 for its interest, with the publick in serving that enemy ; 
 these being my sentiments, his Lordship might be assured 
 that no private considerations of the kind should prevent 
 my being as useful in the present case as my small ability 
 would permit. He appeared satisfied and pleased with 
 these declarations, and gave it me as his sincere opinion, 
 that some of the Ministry were extremely well disposed to 
 any reasonable accommodations, preserving only the digni- 
 ty of Government ; and he wished me to draw up in wri- 
 ting some propositions containing the terms on which I 
 conceived a good understanding might be obtained and 
 established, and the mode of proceeding to accomplish it: 
 which propositions, as soon as prepared, we might meet to 
 consider, either at his house or at mine, or where I pleased ; 
 but as his being seen at my house, or me at his, might he 
 thought occasion some speculation, it was concluded to be 
 best to meet at his sister's, who readily offered her house 
 for that purpose, and where there was a good pretence with 
 her family and friends for my being often seen, as it was 
 known that we played together at chess. I undeitook, 
 accordingly, to draw up something of the kind ; and so for 
 that time we parted, agreeing to meet at the same place 
 again on the Wednesday following. 
 
 I dined about this time, by invitation, with Governour 
 Pownall. There was no company but the family, and 
 after dinner we had a tete-a-tete. He had been in the op- 
 position, but was now about making his peace, in order to 
 come into Parliament on Ministerial interest, which I did 
 not then know. He told me what I had before been told 
 by several of Lord North's friends, that the American 
 measures were not the measures of that Minister, nor ap- 
 proved by him ; that, on the contrary, he was well disposed 
 to promote a reconciliation upon any- terms honourable to 
 Government ; that I had been looked upon as the great 
 foinenter of the opposition in America, and as a great ad- 
 versary to any accommodation ; that he, Governour Pow- 
 nall, had given a different account of me, and had told his 
 Lordship that I was certainly much misunderstood. From 
 the Governour's further discourse 1 collected that he wish- 
 ed to be employed as an Envoy or Commissioner to Ame- 
 rica, to settle the differences, and to have me with him ; 
 but as I apprehended there was little likelihood that either 
 of us would be so employed by Government, I did not give 
 much attention to that part of his discourse. 
 
 I should have mentioned in its place, (but one cannot 
 recollect every thing in order,) that, declining at first to 
 draw up the propositions desired by Lord Hoice, I alleged 
 its being unnecessary, since the Congress, in their Petition 
 to the King, just then received and presented through Lord 
 Dartmouth, had stated their grievances, and pointed out 
 very explicitly what would restore the ancient harmony; 
 and I read a part of the Petition, to show their good dispo- 
 sitions, which, being very pathetically expressed, seemed 
 to affect both the brother and sister. But still I was de- 
 sired to give my ideas of the steps to be taken, in case some 
 of the propositions in the Petition should not be thought 
 admissible ; and this, as I said before, I undertook to do. 
 
 I had promised Lord Chatham to communicate to him 
 the first important news 1 should receive from America. I 
 therefore sent him the proceedings of the Congress as soon 
 as I received them ; but a whole week passed after I re- 
 ceived the Petitiou before I could, as 1 wished to do, wait 
 upon him with it, in order to obtain his sentiments on the 
 whole ; for my time was taken up in meetings with the 
 other Agents to consult about presenting the Petition, in 
 waiting three different days with them on Lord Dartmouth, 
 in consulting upon and writing letters to the Speakers of 
 Assemblies, and other business, which did not allow me a 
 
191 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 192 
 
 day to go to Hayes. At last, on Monday, the 26th, 1 got 
 out, and was there about one o'clock ; he received me with 
 an affectionate kind of respect, that from so great a man 
 was extremely engaging ; but the opinion he expiessed of 
 the Congress was still more so. They had acted, he said, 
 with so much temper, moderation., and wisdom, that he 
 thought it the most honourable assembly of statesmen since 
 those of the ancient Greeks and Romans, in the most virtu- 
 ous times. That there was not, in their whole proceedings, 
 above one or two things he could have wished otherwise ; 
 perhaps but one, and that was their assertion that the keep- 
 ing up a Standing Army in the Colonies in time of peace, 
 without consent of their Legislatures, was against law ; he 
 doubted that was not well founded, and that the law al- 
 luded to did not extend to the Colonies. The rest he 
 admired and honoured ; he thought the Petition decent, 
 manly, and properly expressed. He inquired much and 
 particularly concerning the state of America, the proba- 
 bility of their perseverance, the difficulties they must meet 
 with in adhering, for any long time, to their resolutions ; the 
 resources they might have to supply the deficiency of 
 Commerce ; to all which I gave him answers, with which 
 he seemed well satisfied. He expressed a great regard 
 and warm affection for that Country, with hearty wishes 
 for their prosperity, and that Government here might soon 
 come to see its mistakes, and rectify them ; and intimated 
 that possibly he might, if his health permitted, prepare 
 something for its consideration, when the Parliament should 
 meet after the holidays, on wbich he should wish to have 
 previously my sentiments. I mentioned to him the very 
 hazardous state I conceived we were in, by the continu- 
 ance of the Army in Boston; that whatever disposition 
 there might be in the inhabitants to give no just cause of 
 offence to the Troops, or in the general to preserve order 
 among them, an unpremeditated, unforeseen quarrel might 
 happen, between perhaps a drunken porter and a soldier, 
 that might bring on a riot, tumult, and bloodshed, and its 
 consequences produce a breach impossible to be healed ; 
 that the Army could not possibly answer any good purpose 
 there, and might be infinitely mischievous; that no accom- 
 modation could be properly proposed and entered into by 
 the Americans, while the bayonet was at their breasts ; that 
 to have any agreement binding, all force should be with- 
 drawn. His Lordship seemed to think these sentiments 
 had something in them that was reasonable. 
 
 From Hayes I went to Halsted, Mr. Sargent's place, 
 to dine, intending thence a visit to Lord Stanhope, at 
 Chevening ; but hearing there that his Lordship and the 
 family were in Town, I staid at Halsted all night, and the 
 next morning went to Chiselhurst, to call upon Lord Cam- 
 den, it being in my way to Town. 1 met his Lordship and 
 family in two carriages just without his gate, going on a 
 visit of congratulation to Lord Chatham and his lady, on 
 the late marriage of their daughter to Lord Mahon, son of 
 Lord Stanhope. They were to be back to dinner; so I 
 agreed to go in, stay dinner, and spend the evening there, 
 and not return to Town till next morning. We had that 
 afternoon and evening a great deal of conversation on 
 American affairs, concerning which he was very inquisi- 
 tive, and I gave him the best information in my power. I 
 was charmed with his generous and noble sentiments, and 
 had the great pleasure of hearing his full approbation of the 
 proceedings of the Congress, the Petition, &c, &ic, of 
 which, at his request, I afterwards sent him a copy. He 
 seemed anxious that the Americans should continue to act 
 with the same temper, coolness, and wisdom, with which 
 they had hitherto proceeded in most of their publick assem- 
 blies, in which case he did not doubt they would succeed 
 in establishing their rights, and obtain a solid and durable 
 agreement with the Mother Country ; of the necessity and 
 great importance of which agreement, he seemed to have 
 the strongest impressions. 
 
 I returned to Town the next morning, in time to meet at 
 the hour appointed by Lord Howe. I apologized for my 
 not being ready with the paper 1 had promised, by my 
 having been kept longer than I intended in the Country. 
 We had, however, a good deal of conversation on the sub- 
 ject, and his Lordship told me he could now assure me of 
 a certainty, that there was a sincere disposition in Lord 
 North and Lord Dartmouth to accommodate the differ- 
 ences with America, and to listen favourably to any propo- 
 
 sitions that might have a probable tendency to answer that 
 salutary purpose. He then asked me what I thought of 
 sending some person or persons over, commissioned to in- 
 quire into the grievances of America upon the spot ; con- 
 verse with the leading people, and endeavour with them to 
 agree upon some means of composing our differences. I 
 said that a person of rank and dignity, who had a charac- 
 ter of candour, integrity, and wisdom, might possibly, if 
 employed in that service, be of great use. He seemed to 
 be of the same opinion, and that whoever was employed 
 should go with a hearty desire of promoting a sincere re- 
 conciliation, on the foundation of mutual interests and mu- 
 tual good-will ; that he should endeavour not only to remove 
 their prejudices against Government, but equally the pre- 
 judices of Government against them, and bring on a perfect 
 good understanding, &.c. Mrs. Howe said, I wish, brother, 
 you were to be sent thither on such a service ; I should 
 like that much better than General Howe's going to com- 
 mand the Army there. 1 think, madam, said I, they ought 
 to provide for General Howe some more honourable em- 
 ployment. Lord Howe here took out of his pocket a 
 paper, and offering it to me said, smiling, if it is not an un- 
 fair question, may I ask whether you know any thing of 
 this paper? Upon looking at it, I saw it was a copy, in 
 David Barclay's hand, of the Hints before recited, and said 
 that I had seen it ; adding, a little after, that since I per- 
 ceived his Lordship was acquainted with a transaction, my 
 concern in which 1 had understood was to have been kept 
 a secret, 1 should make no difficulty in owning to him that 
 1 had been consulted on the subject, and had drawn up 
 that paper. He said he was rather sorry to find that the 
 sentiments expressed in it were mine, as it gave him less 
 hopes of promoting, by my assistance, the wished-for re- 
 conciliation, since he had reason to think there was no 
 likelihood of the admission of these propositions. He 
 hoped, however, that I would reconsider the subject, and 
 form some plan that would be acceptable here. He expa- 
 tiated on the infinite service it would be to the Nation, and 
 the great merit in being instrumental in so good a work ; 
 that he should not think of influencing me by any selfish 
 motive, but certainly I might with reason expect any re- 
 ward in the power of Government to bestow. This to me 
 was what the French vulgarly call spitting in the soup. 
 However, 1 promised to draw some sketch of a plan at his 
 request, though I much doubted, I said, whether it would 
 be thought preferable to that he had in his hand. But he 
 was willing to hope that it would, and as he considered ray 
 situation, that I had friends here and constituents in Ame- 
 rica to keep well with, that I might possibly propose 
 something improper to be seen in my handwriting: there- 
 fore, it would be better to send it to Mrs. Hoive, who 
 would copy it, send the copy to him to be communicated 
 to the Ministry, and return me the original. This I agreed 
 to, though I did not apprehend the inconvenience he men- 
 tioned. In general I liked much his manner, and found 
 myself disposed to place great confidence in him on occa- 
 sion, but in this particular the secrecy he proposed seemed 
 not of much importance. 
 
 In a day or two I sent the following paper, enclosed in 
 a cover, directed to the honourable Mrs. Howe : 
 
 " It is supposed to be the wish on both sides, not merely 
 to put a stop to the mischief at present threatening the 
 general welfare, but to cement a cordial union, and remove 
 not only every real grievance, but every cause of jealousy 
 and suspicion. 
 
 " With this view the first thing necessary is, to know 
 what is, by the different parties in the dispute, thought es- 
 sentially necessary for the obtaining such an union. 
 
 " The American Congress, in their Petition to the King, 
 have been explicit, declaring that, by a repeal of the op- 
 pressive Acts therein complained of, ' the harmony between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies, so necessary to the hap- 
 piness of both, and so ardently desired of them, will, with 
 the usual intercourse, be immediately restored.' 
 
 " If it has been thought reasonable here to expect that, 
 previous to an alteration of measures, the Colonies should 
 make some declaration respecting their future conduct, 
 they have also done that, by adding, ' that when the causes 
 of their apprehensions are removed, their future conduct 
 will prove them not unworthy of the regard they have been 
 accustomed in their happier days to enjoy.' 
 
193 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 194 
 
 " For their sincerity in these declarations, they solemnly 
 call to witness the Searcher of all hearts. 
 
 " If Britain can have any reliance on these declarations, 
 (and perhaps none to be extorted by force can be more 
 relied on than these which are thus freely made,) she may, 
 without hazard to herself, try the expedient proposed, 
 since, if it fails, she has it in her power at any time to re- 
 sume her present measures. 
 
 "It is, then, proposed, 
 
 " That Britain should show some confidence in these 
 declarations, by repealing all the laws or parts of laws that 
 are requested to be repealed in the Petition of the Con- 
 gress to the King. 
 
 "And that at the same time orders should be given to 
 withdraw the Fleet from Boston, and remove all the Troops 
 to Quebeck or the Floridas, that the Colonies may be left 
 at liberty in their future stipulations. 
 
 " That this may, for the honour of Britain, appear not 
 the effect of any apprehension from the measures entered 
 into and recommended to the people by the Congress, but 
 from good will, and a change of disposition towards the 
 Colonies, with a sincere desire of reconciliation ; let some 
 of their other grievances, which, in their Petition, they 
 have left to the magnanimity and justice of the King and 
 Parliament, be at the same time removed, such as those 
 relating to the payment of Governours' and Judges' sala- 
 ries, and the instructions for dissolving Assemblies, &tc, with 
 the declarations concerning the Statute of Henry VJII. 
 
 " And to give the Colonies an immediate opportunity of 
 demonstrating the reality of their professions, let their pro- 
 posed ensuing Congress be authorized by Government, (as 
 was that held at Albany in 1754,) and a person of weight 
 and dignity of character be appointed to preside at it on 
 behalf of the Crown. 
 
 " And then let requisition be made to the Congress, of 
 such points as Government wishes to obtain, for its future 
 security, for aids, for the advantage of general Commerce, 
 for reparation to the India Company, &ic, &c. 
 
 " A generous confidence thus placed in the Colonies, 
 will give ground to the friends of Government there, in 
 their endeavours to procure from America every reasonable 
 concession or engagement, and every substantial aid that 
 can fairly be desired." 
 
 On the Saturday evening I saw Mrs. Howe, who in- 
 formed me she had transcribed and sent the paper to Lord 
 Howe in the country, and she returned me the original. 
 On the following Tuesday, January 3d, I received a note 
 from her, (enclosing a letter she had received from Lord 
 Howe the last night,) which follows: 
 
 " Mrs. Howe's compliments to Dr. Franklin; she en- 
 closes him a letter she received last night, and returns him 
 many thanks for his very obliging present,* which has 
 already given her great entertainment. If the Doctor has 
 any spare time for chess, she will be exceedingly glad to 
 see him any morning this week, and as often as will be 
 agreeable to him, and rejoices in having so good an ex- 
 cuse for asking the favour of his company. 
 
 " Tuesday." 
 
 [Letter enclosed in the foregoing.] 
 
 Porter's Lodge, January 2d, 1775. 
 
 I have received your packet; and it is with much con- 
 cern that I collect, from sentiments of such authority as 
 those of our worthy friend, that the desired accommodation 
 threatens to be attended with much greater difficulty than 
 I had flattered myself, in the progress of our intercourse, 
 there would be reason to apprehend. 
 
 1 shall forward the propositions as intended. Not desir- 
 ous of trespassing further on our friend's indulgence ; but 
 returning sentiments of regard, w hich his candid and obliging 
 attention to my troublesome inquiries, will render ever per- 
 manent in the memory of your affectionate, &tc. 
 
 I ought to make excuses likewise to you. Howe. 
 
 Hon. Mrs. Howe, Grafton Street. 
 
 His Lordship had, in his last conversation with me, ac- 
 knowledged a communication between him and the Minis- 
 try, to whom he wished to make my sentiments known. 
 In this letter from the country he owns the receipt of them, 
 and mentions his intentions of forwarding them, that is, as 
 * His philosophical writings. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. h. 
 
 I understood it, to the Ministers ; but expresses his appre- 
 hensions that such propositions were not likely to produce 
 any good effect. Some time after, perhaps a week, I 
 received a note from Mrs. Howe, desiring to see me. 1 
 waited upon her immediately, when she showed me a 
 letter from her brother, of which, having no copy, I can 
 only give from the best of my recollection the purport of 
 it, which I think was this : that he desired to know from 
 their friend, meaning me, through her means, whether it 
 might not be expected that, if that friend would engage for 
 the payment of the Tea as a preliminary, relying on a 
 promised redress of their grievances on future petitions 
 from their Assembly, they would approve of his making 
 such engagement ; and whether the proposition in the 
 former paper, (the Hints,) relating to aids, was still in 
 contemplation of the author. As Mrs. Howe proposed 
 sending to her brother that evening, I wrote immediately 
 the following answer, which she transcribed and forwarded : 
 
 " The proposition in the former paper relating to aids, 
 is still in contemplation of the author, and, as he thinks, is 
 included in the last article of the present paper. 
 
 " The people of America, conceiving that Parliament 
 has no right to tax them, and that, therefore, all that has 
 been extorted from them by the operation of the Duty 
 Acts, with the assistance of an armed force, preceding the 
 destruction of the Tea, is so much injury, which ought, in 
 order of time, to be first repaired, before a demand on the 
 Tea account can be justly made of them ; are not, he thinks, 
 likely to approve of the measure proposed, and pay in the 
 first place the value demanded, especially as twenty times 
 as much injury has since been done them by blocking 
 up their Port ; and their Castle also seized before by the 
 Crown, has not been restored, nor any satisfaction offered 
 them for the same." 
 
 At the meeting of Parliament, after the holidays, which 
 was on the 19th of January, (1775,) Lord Howe returned 
 to town, when we had another meeting, at which he lament- 
 ed that my propositions were not such as probably could 
 be accepted ; intimated that it was thought I had powers 
 or instructions from the Congress to make concessions on 
 occasion that would be more satisfactory. I disclaimed 
 the having any of any kind but what related to the pre- 
 senting of their Petition. We talked over all the particu- 
 lars in my paper, which I supported with reasons ; and 
 finally said, that if what I had proposed would not do, I 
 should be glad to hear what would do; I wished to see 
 some propositions from the Ministers themselves. His 
 Lordship was not, he said, as yet fully acquainted with 
 their sentiments, but should learn more in a few days. It 
 was, however, some weeks before I heard any thing further 
 from him. 
 
 In the meanwhile, Mr. Barclay and I were frequently 
 together on the affair of preparing the Merchants' Petition, 
 which took up so much of his time that he could not con- 
 veniently see Lord Hyde; so he had no information to 
 give me concerning the Hints, and I wondered I heard 
 nothing of them from Dr. Fothergill. At length, however, 
 but I cannot recollect about what time, the Doctor called 
 on me, and told me he had communicated them, and with 
 them had verbally given my arguments in support of them, 
 to Lord Dartmouth, who, after consideration, had told him 
 some of them appeared reasonable, but others were inad- 
 missible or impracticable : that having occasion to see fre- 
 quently the Speaker,* he had also communicated them to 
 him, as he found him very anxious for a reconciliation : 
 that the Speaker had said it would be very humiliating to 
 Britain to be obliged to submit to such terms : but the 
 Doctor told him she had been unjust ; and ought to bear 
 the consequences, and alter her conduct ; that the pill might 
 be bitter, but it would be salutary, and must be swallowed : 
 that these were the sentiments of impartial men, after tho- 
 rough consideration and full information of all circumstances, 
 and that sooner or later these or similar measures must be 
 followed, or the Empire would be divided and ruined : the 
 Doctor, on the whole, hoped some good would be effected 
 by our endeavours. 
 
 On the 19th of January, I received a card from Lord 
 Stanhope, acquainting me, that Lord Chatham having a 
 motion to make on the morrow in the House of Lords, con- 
 *Sir Fletcher Norton. 
 
 13 
 
195 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, .MARCH, 1775. 
 
 196 
 
 coining America, greatly desired that I might be in the 
 House, into which Lord S. would endeavour to procure 
 me admittance. At this time it was a rule of the House 
 that no person could introduce more than one friend. The 
 next morning, his Lordship let me know by another card, 
 that if 1 attended at two o'clock in the lobby, Lord Chat- 
 ham would be there about that time, and would himself 
 introduce me. I attended and met him there accordingly. 
 On my mentioning to him what Lord Stanhope had writ- 
 ten to me, he said, " Certainly ; and I shall do it with the 
 more pleasure, as 1 am sure your being present at this day's 
 debate will be of more service to America than mine ;" 
 and so taking me by the arm, was leading me along the 
 passage to the door that enters near the throne, when one 
 of the Doorkeepers followed and acquainted him that, by 
 the order, none were to be carried in at that door but the 
 eldest sons or brothers of Peers; on which he limped back 
 with me to the door near the bar, where were standing a 
 number of gentlemen waiting for the Peers who were to 
 introduce them, and some Peers waiting for friends they 
 expected to introduce ; among whom, he delivered me to 
 the Doorkeepers, saying aloud, this is Doctor Franklin, 
 whom 1 would have admitted into the House ; when they 
 readily opened the door for me accordingly. As it had 
 not been publickly known that there was any communica- 
 tion between his Lordship and me, this I found occasioned 
 some speculation. His appearance in the House, I observ- 
 ed, caused a kind of bustle among the officers, who were 
 hurried in sending messengers for Members, I suppose 
 those in connection with the Ministry, something of im- 
 portance being expected when that great man appears; it 
 being but seldom that his infirmities permit his attendance. 
 I had great satisfaction in hearing his motion and the debate 
 upon it, which 1 shall not attempt to give here an account 
 of, as you may find a better in the papers of the time. It 
 was his motion for withdrawing the Troops from Boston, 
 as the first step towards an accommodation. The day fol- 
 lowing, I received a note from Lord Stanhope, expressing 
 that, " at the desire of Lord Chatham, was sent me enclosed, 
 the motion he made in the House of Lords, that I might be 
 possessed of it in the most authentick manner, by the com- 
 munication of the individual paper which was read to the 
 House by the mover himself." I sent copies of this mo- 
 tion to America, and was the more pleased with it, as I 
 conceived it had partly taken its rise from a hint 1 had 
 given his Lordship in a former conversation. It follows in 
 these words : 
 
 Lord Chatham s Motion, January 20, 1775. 
 " That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, 
 most humbly to advise and beseech His Majesty, that, in 
 order to open the way towards a happy settlement of the 
 dangerous troubles in America, by beginning to allay fer- 
 ments and soften animosities there ; and above all, for pre- 
 venting in the mean time any sudden and fatal catastrophe 
 at Boston, now suffering under daily irritation of an Army 
 before their eyes, posted in their Town ; it may graciously 
 please His Majesty, that immediate orders may be despatch- 
 ed to General Gage, for removing His Majesty's Forces 
 from the Town of Boston, as soon as the rigour of the sea- 
 son and other circumstances, indispensable to the safety and 
 accommodation of the said Troops, may render the same 
 practicable." 
 
 I was quite charmed with Lord Chatham's speech in 
 support of his motion. He impressed me with the highest 
 idea of him as a great and most able statesman. Lord 
 Camden, another wonderfully good speaker and close rea- 
 soner, joined him in the same argument, as did several 
 other Lords, who spoke excellently well ; but all availed 
 no more than the whistling of the winds. This motion was 
 rejected. Sixteen Scotch Peers, and twenty-four Bishops, 
 with all the Lords in possession or expectation of places, 
 when they vote together unanimously, as they generally 
 do for Ministerial measures, make a dead majority, that 
 renders all debating ridiculous in itself, since it can answer 
 no end. Full of the high esteem I had imbibed for Lord 
 Chatham, I wrote back to Lord Stanhope the following 
 note, viz : 
 
 Dr. Frxnklin presents his best respects to Lord Stan- 
 hope, with many thanks to his Lordship and Lord Chat- 
 
 ham^ for the communication of so authentick a copy of the 
 motion. Dr. F. is filled with admiration of that truly great 
 man. He has seen in the course of his life, sometimes 
 eloquence without wisdom, and often wisdom without elo- 
 quence ; in the present instance he sees both united, and 
 both, as he thinks, in the highest degree possible. 
 
 Craven Street, Jim. 23, 17T. r ). 
 
 As in the course of the debate, some Lords in the Ad- 
 ministration had observed, that it was common and easy to 
 censure their measures, but those who did so proposed 
 nothing better ; Lord Chatham mentioned that he should 
 not be one of those idle censurers, that he had thought 
 long and closely upon the subject, and proposed soon to 
 lay before their Lordships the result of his meditation, in a 
 plan for healing our differences, and restoring peace to the 
 Empire, to which his present motion was preparatory: I 
 much desired to know what his plan was, and intended 
 waiting on him to see if he would communicate it to me ; 
 but he went the next morning to Hayes, and 1 was so much 
 taken up with daily business and company, that I could 
 not easily get out to him. A few days after, however, 
 Lord Mahon called on me, and told me Lord Chatham, 
 was very. desirous of seeing me ; when I promised to be 
 with him the Friday following, several engagements pre- 
 vented my going sooner. On Friday, the 27th, I took a 
 post-chaise about 9 o'clock, and got to Hayes about eleven, 
 but my attention being engaged in reading a new pamph- 
 let, the postboy drove me a mile or two beyond the gate. 
 His Lordship being out on an airing in his chariot, had 
 met me before I reached Hayes, unobserved by me, turn- 
 ed and followed me, and not finding me there concluded, 
 as he had seen me reading, that I had passed by mistake, 
 and sent a servant after me. He expressed great pleasure 
 at my coming, and acquainted me, in a long conversation, 
 with the outlines of his plan, parts of which he read to me. 
 He said he had communicated it only to Lord Camden, 
 whose advice he much relied on, particularly in the law 
 part ; and that he would, as soon as he could gel it tran- 
 scribed, put it into my hands for my opinion and advice, 
 but should show it to no other person before he presented 
 it to the House ; and he requested me to make no mention 
 of it, otherwise parts might be misunderstood and blown 
 up beforehand, and others perhaps adopted and produced 
 by Ministers as their own. I promised the closest secrecy, 
 and kept my word ; not even mentioning to any one that 
 I had seen him. I dined with hiin, his family only present, 
 and returned to Town in the evening. 
 
 On the Sunday following, being the 29th, his Lordship 
 came to Town, and called upon me in Craven Street. He 
 brought with him his plan transcribed, in the form of an 
 Act of Parliament, which he put into my hands, request- 
 ing me to consider it carefully, and communicate to him 
 such remarks upon it as should occur to me. His reason 
 for desiring to give me that trouble was, as he was pleased 
 to say, that he knew no man so thoroughly acquainted with 
 the subject, or so capable of giving advice upon it ; that he 
 thought the errours of Ministers in American Affairs had 
 been often owing to their not obtaining the best informa- 
 tion : that, therefore, though he had considered the business 
 thoroughly in all its parts, he was not so confident of his 
 own judgment, but that he came to set it right by mine, as 
 men set their watches by a regulator. He had not deter- 
 mined when he should produce it in the House of Lords ; 
 but in the course of our conversation, considering the pre- 
 carious situation of his health, and that if presenting it was 
 delayed, some intelligence might arrive which would make 
 it seem less seasonable, or in all parts not so proper ; or the 
 Ministry might engage in different measures, and then say, 
 if you had produced your plan sooner, we might have 
 attended to it ; he concluded to offer it the Wednesday fol- 
 lowing, and, therefore, wished to see me upon it the pre- 
 ceding Tuesday, when he would again call upon me, unless 
 I could conveniently come to Hayes. I chose the latter, 
 in respect to his Lordship, and because there was less like- 
 lihood of interruptions : and I promised to be with him earlv, 
 that we might have more time. He staid with me near 
 two hours, his equipage awaiting at the door ; and being 
 there while people were coming from church, it was much 
 taken notice of and talked of, as at that time was every 
 little circumstance that men thought might possibly any 
 
197 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1" 5. 
 
 198 
 
 way affect American affairs. Such a visit from so great a 
 man, on so important a business, flattered not a little my 
 vanity ; and the honour of it gave me the more pleasure, 
 as it happened on the very day twelve months that the 
 Ministry had taken so much pains to disgrace me before 
 the Privy Council. 
 
 I applied myself immediately to the reading and consid- 
 ering the plan, of which, when it was afterwards published, 
 I sent you a copy, and therefore need not insert it here. 
 I put down upon paper, as I went along, some short me- 
 morandums for my future discourse with him upon it, which 
 follow, that you may, if you please, compare them with 
 the plan ; and if you do so, you will see their drift and 
 purpose, which otherwise would make me much writing to 
 explain. 
 
 Tuesday, January 31, 1775. 
 
 Notes lor discourse with Lord Chatham on his plan: 
 
 Voluntary grants and forced taxes, not to be expected 
 of the same people at the same time. 
 
 Permanent revenue will be objected to ; would not a tem- 
 porary agreement be best, suppose for one hundred years ? 
 
 Does the whole of the rights claimed in the Petition of 
 Rights relate to England only ? 
 
 The American Naturalization Act gives all the rights of 
 natural born subjects to foreigners residing there seven 
 years. Can it be supposed that the natives there have 
 them not ? 
 
 If the King should raise Armies in America, would Bri- 
 tain like their being brought hither: as the King might 
 bring them when he pleased. 
 
 An Act of Parliament requires the Colonies to furnish 
 sundry articles of provision and accommodation to Troops 
 quartered among them ; this may be made very burdensome 
 to Colonies that are out of favour. 
 
 If a permanent revenue, why not the same privileges in 
 trade with Scotland! 
 
 Should not the lands conquered by Britain and the Co- 
 lonies in conjunction, be given them (reserving a quitrent) 
 whence they might form funds to enable them to pay. 
 
 Instructions about Agents to be withdrawn. 
 
 Grants to be for three years, at the end of which a new 
 Congress — and so from three to three years. 
 
 Congress to have the general defence of the frontiers, 
 making and regulating new settlements. 
 
 Protection mutual. 
 
 We go into all your wars. 
 
 Our settlements cost you nothing. 
 
 Take the plan of union. 
 
 " Defence, extension, and prosperity of — The late Ca- 
 nada Act prevents their extension, and may check their 
 prosperity. 
 
 Laws should be secure as well as Charters. 
 
 Perhaps if the legislative power of Parliament is owned 
 in the Colonies, they may make a law to forbid the meet- 
 ing of any Congress, &.c. 
 
 1 was at Hayes early on Tuesday, agreeably to my pro- 
 mise, when we entered into consideration of the plan ; but 
 though I staid near four hours, his Lordship, in the manner 
 of. I think, all eloquent persons, was so full and diffuse in 
 supporting every particular I questioned, that there was not 
 time to go through half my memorandums ; he is not easily 
 interrupted, and I had such pleasure in hearing him, that I 
 found little inclination to interrupt him ; therefore, consider- 
 ing that neither of us had much expectation that the plan 
 would be adopted entirely as it stood ; that in the course of 
 its consideration, if it should be received, proper alterations 
 might be introduced ; that before it would be settled, Ame- 
 rica should have opportunity to make her objections and 
 propositions of amendment ; that to have it received at all 
 here, it must seem to comply a little with some of the pre- 
 vailing prejudices of the Legislature ; that if it was not so 
 perfect as might be wished, it would at least serve as a basis 
 for treaty, and in the mean time prevent mischiefs, and that 
 a? his Lordship had determined to offer it the next day, 
 there was not time to make changes and another fair copy. 
 1 therefore ceased my querying; and though afterwards 
 many people were pleased to do me the honour of sup- 
 posing I had a considerable share in composing it, I assure 
 you, that the addition of a single word only was made at 
 my instance, viz : " Constitutions" after " Charters j M for 
 
 my filling up at his request a blank with the titles of Acts 
 proper to be repealed, which I took from the proceedings 
 of the Congress, was no more than might have been done 
 by any copying clerk. 
 
 On Wednesday, Lord Stanhope, at Lord Chatham's re- 
 quest, called upon me, and carried me down to the House 
 of Lords, which was soon very full. Lord Chatham, in a 
 most excellent speech, introduced, explained, and supported 
 his plan. When he sat down, Lord Dartmouth rose, and 
 very properly said, it contained matter of such weight and 
 magnitude as to require much consideration, and he there- 
 fore hoped the noble Earl did not expect their Lordships 
 to decide upon it by an immediate vote, but would be wil- 
 ling it should lie upon the table for consideration. Lord 
 Chatham answered readily, that he expected nothing more. 
 But Lord Sandwich rose, and in a petulant vehement 
 speech, opposed its being received at all, and gave his opi- 
 nion, that it ought to be immediately rejected with the con- 
 tempt it deserved ; that he could never believe it to be the 
 production of any British Peer ; that it appeared to him 
 rather the work of some American: and, turning his face 
 towards me, who was leaning on the bar, said, he fancied 
 he had in his eye the person who drew it up, one of the 
 bitterest and most mischievous enemies this Country had 
 ever known. This drew the eyes of many Lords upon me : 
 but as I had no inducement to take it to myself, I kept my 
 countenance as immoveable as if my features had been 
 made of wood. Then several other Lords of the Admi- 
 nistration gave their sentiments also for rejecting it, of which 
 opinion also was strongly the wise Lord Hillsborough ; but 
 the Dukes of Richmond and Manchester, Lord Shelbwne, 
 Lord Camden, Lord Temple, Lord Lyttleton and others, 
 were for receiving it, some through approbation, and others 
 for the character and dignity of the House. One Lord 
 mentioning with applause the candid proposal of one of the 
 ministers, Lord Dartmouth, his Lordship rose again, and 
 said, that having since heard the opinions of so many Lords 
 against receiving it to lie upon the table for consideration, 
 he had altered his mind, could not accept the praise offered 
 him, for a candour of which he was now ashamed, and 
 should therefore give his voice for rejecting the plan imme- 
 diately. I am the more particular in this, as it is a trait 
 of that Nobleman's character, who, from his office, is sup- 
 posed to have so great a share in American affairs, but who 
 has in reality no will or judgment of his own, being, with 
 dispositions for the best measures, easily prevailed with to 
 join in the worst. Lord Chatham, in his reply to Lord 
 Sandicich, took notice of his illiberal insinuation, that the 
 plan was not the person's who proposed it : declared that 
 it was entirely his own, a declaration bethought himself the 
 more obliged to make, as many of their Lordships appeared 
 to have so mean an opinion of it ; for if it was so weak or 
 so bad a thing, it was proper in him to take care that no 
 other person should unjustly share in the censure it de- 
 served. That it had been heretofore reckoned his vice not 
 to be apt to take advice ; but he made no scruple to de- 
 clare, that if he were the first Minister of this Country, and 
 had the care of settling this momentous business, he should 
 not be ashamed of publickly calling to his assistance a per- 
 son so perfectly acquainted with the whole of American 
 affairs as the gentleman alluded to, and so injuriously re- 
 flected on ; one, he was pleased to say, whom all Europe 
 held in high estimation, for his knowledge and wisdom, and 
 ranked with our Boyles and Newto?is, who was an honour, 
 not to the English Nation only, but to human nature ! 1 
 found it harder to stand this extravagant compliment, than 
 the preceding equally extravagant abuse, but kept as well 
 as I could an unconcerned countenance, as not conceiving 
 it to relate to me. 
 
 To hear so many of these hereditary Legislators de- 
 claiming so vehemently against, not the adopting merely, 
 but even the consideration of a proposal so important in its 
 nature, offered by a person of so weighty a character, one 
 of the first Statesmen of the age, who had taken up this 
 Country when in the lowest despondency, and conducted 
 it to victory and glory, through a war with two of the 
 mightiest Kingdoms in Europe : to hear them censuring his 
 plan, not only for their own misunderstandings of what was 
 in it, but for their imaginations of what was not in it, which 
 they would not give themselves an opportunity of rectify- 
 ing by a second reading : to perceive the total ignorance of 
 
199 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MARCH, 1775 
 
 200 
 
 the subject in some, the prejudice and passion of others, 
 and the wilful perversion of plain truth in several of the 
 Ministers ; and, upon the whole, to see it so ignominiously 
 rejected by so great a majority, and so hastily too, in breach 
 of all decency, and prudent regard to the character and 
 dignity of their body, as a third part of the National Le- 
 gislature, gave me an exceeding mean opinion ol their abi- 
 lities, and made their claim of sovereignty over three 
 millions of virtuous sensible people in America seem the 
 greatest of absurdities, since they appeared to have scarce 
 discretion enough to govern a herd of swine. Hereditary 
 Legislators! thought I. There would be more propriety, 
 because less hazard of mischief, in having (as in some Uni- 
 versity of Germany) hereditary professors ofmatficmaticks ! 
 lint this was a hasty reflection, lor the elected House of 
 Commons is no better, nor ever will be while the electors 
 receive money for their votes, and pay money wherewith 
 .Ministers may bribe their Representatives when chosen. 
 
 After this proceeding 1 expected to hear no more of any 
 negotiation for settling our difference amicably ; yet in a 
 day or two, I had a note from Mr. Barclay, requesting a 
 meeting at Dr. FothergilVs, the 4th of February in the 
 evening. I attended accordingly, and was surprised by 
 being told that a very good disposition appeared in Adminis- 
 tration ; that the Hints had been considered, and several 
 of them thought reasonable, and that others might be ad- 
 mitted with small amendments. The good Doctor, with his 
 usual philanthropy, expatiated on the miseries of war ; that 
 even a bad peace was preferable to the most successful 
 war ; that America was growing in strength, and whatever 
 she might be obliged to submit to at present, she would in 
 a few years be in a condition to make her own terms. Mr. 
 Barclay hinted how much it was in my power to promote 
 an agreement ; how much it would be to my honour to ef- 
 fect it, and that I might expect, not only restoration of my 
 old place, but almost any other I could wish for, he. I 
 need not tell you, who know me so well, how improper and 
 disgusting this language was to me. The Doctor's was 
 more suitable. Him I answered, that we did not wish for 
 war, and desired nothing but what was reasonable and 
 necessary for our security and well-being. To Mr. Barclay 
 I replied, that the Ministry, 1 was sure, would rather give 
 me a place in a cart to Tyburn, than any other place what- 
 ever. And to both, that 1 sincerely wished to be service- 
 able ; that I needed no other inducement than to be shown 
 how I might be so ; but saw they imagined more to be in 
 my power than really was. I was then told again that 
 conferences had been held upon the Hints ; and the paper 
 being produced was read, that I might hear the observa- 
 tions that had been made upon them separately, which 
 were as follows: 
 
 1. The first Article was approved. 
 
 2. The second agreed to, so far as related to the repeal 
 of the Tea Act. But repayment of the Duties that had 
 been collected, was refused. 
 
 3. The third not approved, as it implied a deficiency of 
 power in the Parliament that made those Acts. 
 
 4. The fourth approved. 
 
 5. The fifth agreed to, but with a reserve, that no change 
 prejudicial to Britain was to be expected. 
 
 6. The sixth agreed to, so far as related to the appro- 
 priation of the Duties : but the appointment of the Officers 
 and their salaries to remain as at present. 
 
 1. The seventh, relating to aids in time of peace, agreed 
 
 to. 
 
 S. The eighth, relating to the Troops, was inadmissible. 
 
 9. The ninth could be agreed to, with this difference, 
 that no proportion should be observed with regard to pre- 
 ceding Taxes, but each Colony should give at pleasure. 
 
 10. The tenth agreed to, as to the restitution of Castle 
 William ; but the restriction on the Crown in building 
 fortresses refused. 
 
 J 1 . The eleventh refused absolutely, except as to the 
 Boston Port Bill, which would be repealed ; and the 
 QuebccJc Act might be so far amended, as to reduce that 
 Province to its ancient limits. The other Massachusetts 
 Acts, being real amendments of their Constitution, must 
 for that reason be continued, as well as to be a standing 
 example of the power of Parliament. 
 
 12. The twelfth agreed to, that the Judges should be 
 appointed during good behaviour, on the Assemblies pro- 
 
 viding permanent salaries, such as the Crown should ap- 
 prove of. 
 
 IS. The thirteenth agreed to, provided the Assemblies 
 make provision as in the preceding article. 
 
 15. The fifteenth agreed to. 
 
 16. The sixteenth agreed to, supposing the Duties paid 
 to the Colony Treasuries. 
 
 17. The seventeenth inadmissible. 
 
 We had not at this time a great deal of conversation 
 upon these points, for I shortened it by observing, that 
 while the Parliament claimed and exercised a power of 
 altering our Constitutions at pleasure, there could be no 
 agreement ; for we were rendered unsafe in every privilege 
 we had a right to, and were secure in nothing. And it 
 being hinted how necessary an agreement was for America, 
 since it was so easy for Britain to burn all our sea-port 
 Towns, I grew warm, said that the chief part of my little 
 property consisted of houses in those Towns; that they 
 might make bonfires of them whenever they pleased : that 
 the fear of losing thcin would never alter my resolution to 
 resist to the last that claim of Parliament, and that it be- 
 hooved this Country to take care what mischief it did us, 
 for that sooner or later it would certainly be obliged to 
 make good all damages with interest ! The Doctor smiled, 
 as I thought, with some approbation of my discourse, pas- 
 sionate as it was, and said he would certainly repeat it 
 to-morrow to Lord Dartmouth. 
 
 In the discourse concerning the 'Hints, Mr. Barclay 
 happened to mention, that going to Lord Hyde's, he found 
 Lord Howe with him, and that Lord Hyde had said to 
 him, " you may speak any thing before Lord Howe, that 
 you have to say to me, for he is a friend in whom I con- 
 fide ;" upon which he accordingly had spoken with the 
 same freedom as usual. By this I collected how Lord 
 Howe came by the paper of Hints which he had shown 
 me: and it being mentioned as a measure thought of, to 
 send over a Commissioner with powers to inquire into 
 grievances and give redress on certain conditions, but that 
 it was difficult to find a proper person ; I said, why not 
 Lord Hyde? he is a man of prudence and temper; a 
 person of dignity, and I should think very suitable for such 
 an employment : or, if he would not go, there is the other 
 person you just mentioned, Lord Howe, who would, in 
 my opinion, do excellently well. This passed as mere con- 
 versation, and we parted. 
 
 Lord Chatham's rejected plan being printed for the pub- 
 lick judgment, I received six copies from Lord Mahon, 
 his son-in-law, which I sent to different persons in America. 
 
 A week and more passed, in which I heard nothing 
 further of the negotiation, and my time was much taken 
 up among the Members of Parliament, when Mr. Barclay 
 sent me a note to say, that he was indisposed, but desirous 
 of seeing me, and should be glad if 1 would call on him. 
 I waited upon him the next morning, when he told me that 
 he had seen Lord Hyde, and had some further discourse 
 with him on the Articles; that he thought himself now 
 fully possessed of what would do in this business ; that he 
 therefore wished another meeting with me and Doctor 
 Fothergill, when he would endeavour to bring prepared a 
 draught conformable chiefly to what had been proposed and 
 conceded on both sides, with some propositions of his own. 
 1 readily agreed to the meeting, which was to be on Thurs- 
 day evening, February 16th. 
 
 We met accordingly, when Mr. Barclay produced the 
 following paper, viz: 
 
 A Plan, which it is believed would produce a permanent 
 union between Great Bkitain and her Colonies. 
 
 1. The Tea destroyed to be paid for; and, in order that 
 no time may be lost to begin the desirable work of conci- 
 liation, it is proposed that the Agent or Agents, in a peti- 
 tion to the King, should engage that the Tea destroyed 
 shall be paid for, and in consequence of that engagement, 
 a Commissioner to have authority, by a clause in an Act of 
 Parliament, to open the port (by a suspension of the Boston 
 Port Act) when that engagement shall be complied with. 
 
 2d. The Tea-Duty Act to be repealed, as well for the 
 advantage of Great Britain as the Colonies. 
 
 3d. Castle William to be restored to the Province of 
 the Massachusetts-Bay, as formerly, before it was delivered 
 up by Govemour Hutchinson. 
 
201 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 202 
 
 4th. As it is believed that the commencement of conci- 
 liatory measures will in a considerable degree quiet the 
 minds of the subjects in America, it is proposed that the 
 inhabitants of the Province of the Massachusetts- Bay should 
 petition the King, and state their objections to the said 
 Act.* And it is to be understood that the said Act shall 
 be repealed. Interim, the Commissioner to have power 
 to suspend the Act, in order to enable the inhabitants to 
 petition. 
 
 5th. The several Provinces who may think themselves 
 aggrieved by the Quebeck Bill, to petition in their legisla- 
 tive capacities ; and it is to be understood that so far of the 
 Act as extends the limits of Quebeck beyond its ancient 
 bounds, is to be repealed. 
 
 6th. The Act of Henry VIII. to be formally disclaimed 
 by Parliament. 
 
 7th. In time of peace the Americans to raise within their 
 respective Provinces, by Acts of their own Legislatures, a 
 certain sum or sums, such as may be thought necessary lor 
 a Peace Establishment, to pay Governours, Judges, &c. 
 
 Vide — Laws of Jamaica. 
 
 8th. In time of war, on requisition made by the King, 
 with consent of Parliament, every Colony shall raise such 
 sums of money, as their Legislatures may think suitable to 
 their abilities and the publick exigency, to be laid out in 
 raising and paying men, for land or sea service, furnishing 
 provisions, transports, or such other purposes as the King 
 shall require and direct. 
 
 9th. The Acts of Navigation to be re-examined, in order 
 to see whether some alterations might not be made there- 
 in, as much for the advantage of Great Britain, as the ease 
 of the Colonies. 
 
 10th. A Naval Officer to be appointed by the Crown to 
 reside in each Colony, to see those Acts observed. 
 
 N. B. In some Colonies they are not appointed by the 
 Crown. 
 
 1 1th. All Duties arising on the Acts for regulating 
 Trade with the Colonies, to be for the publick use of the 
 respective Colonies, and paid into their Treasuries, and an 
 Officer of the Crown to see it done. 
 
 12th. The Admiralty Courts to be reduced to the same 
 powers as they have in England. 
 
 13th. All Judges in the King's Colony Governments to 
 be appointed during good behaviour, and to be paid by the 
 Province, agreeable to article seventh. 
 
 N. B. If the King chooses to add to their salaries, the 
 same to be sent from England. 
 
 14th. The Governours to be supported in the same man- 
 ner. 
 
 Our conversation turned chiefly upon the first article. 
 It was said that the Ministry only wanted some opening to 
 be given them, some ground on which to found the com- 
 mencement of conciliating measures, that a petition, con- 
 taining such an engagement, as mentioned in this article, 
 would answer that purpose ; that preparations were making 
 to send over more Troops and Ships, that such a petition 
 might prevent their going, especially if a Commissioner 
 were proposed : I was therefore urged to engage the Colo- 
 ny Agents to join with me in such a petition. My answer 
 was, that no Agent had any thing to do with the Tea busi- 
 ness but those for Massachusetts-Bay, who were, Mr. Bol- 
 lan for the Council, myself for the Assembly, and Mr.Z<ee, 
 appointed to succeed me when I should leave England ; 
 that the latter, therefore, could hardly yet be considered as 
 an Agent; and that the former was a cautious exact man, 
 and not easily persuaded to take steps of such importance 
 without instructions or authority ; that therefore if such a 
 step were to be taken, it would lie chiefly on me to take it; 
 that indeed, if there were, as they supposed, a clear proba- 
 bility of good to be done by it, I should make no scruple 
 of hazarding myself in it ; but I thought the empowering 
 a Commissioner to suspend the Boston Port Act, was a 
 method too dilatory, and a mere suspension would not be 
 satisfactory ; that if such an engagement were entered into, 
 all the Massachusetts Acts should be immediately repealed. 
 
 They laid hold of the readiness I had expressed to peti- 
 tion on a probability of doing good, applauded it, and urged 
 me to draw up a petition immediately. I said it was a 
 matter of importance, and, with their leave, 1 would take 
 home the paper, consider the propositions as they now 
 * Supposed to mean the Boston Port Act. B. F. 
 
 stood, and give them my opinion to-morrow evening. This 
 was agreed to, and for that time we parted. 
 
 Weighing now the present dangerous situation of affairs 
 in America, and the daily hazard of widening the breach 
 there irreparable, I embraced the idea proposed in the 
 paper, of sending over a Commissioner, as it might be a 
 means of suspending military operations, and bring on a 
 treaty, whereby mischief would be prevented, and an 
 agreement by degrees be formed and established ; I also 
 concluded to do what had been desired of me as to the 
 engagement, and essayed a draught of a memorial to Lord 
 Dartmouth, for that purpose, simply ; to be signed only by 
 myself. As to the sending of a Commissioner, a measure 
 which I was desired likewise to propose, and express my 
 sentiments of its utility, I apprehended my colleagues in 
 the agency might be justly displeased if 1 took a step of 
 such importance without consulting them, and therefore I 
 sketched a joint petition to that purpose for them to sign 
 with me if they pleased ; but apprehending that would 
 meet with difficulty, 1 drew up a letter to Lord Dartmouth, 
 containing the same proposition, with the reasons for it, to 
 be sent from me only. I made also upon paper some re- 
 marks on the propositions ; with some hints on a separate 
 paper of further remarks to he made in conversation, when 
 we should meet in the evening of the 17th. Copies of 
 these papers (except the first, which I do not find with me 
 on shipboard) are here placed as follows, viz: 
 
 To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 
 
 The Petition and Memorial of W. Bollan, B. Franklin, 
 and Arthur Lee, 
 
 Most humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your Petitioners, being Agents for several Colonies, 
 and deeply affected with the apprehension of impending 
 calamities that now threaten your Majesty's subjects in 
 America, beg leave to approach your throne, and to sug- 
 gest with all humility, their opinion, formed on much atten- 
 tive consideration, that if it should please your Majesty to 
 permit and authorize a meeting of Delegates from the dif- 
 ferent Provinces, and appoint some person or persons of 
 dignity and wisdom from this Country, to preside in that 
 meeting, or to confer with the said Delegates, acquaint 
 themselves fully with the true grievances of the Colonies, 
 and settle the means of composing all dissensions, such 
 means to be afterwards ratified by your Majesty, if found 
 just and suitable ; your Petitioners are persuaded, from 
 their thorough knowledge of that Country and People, that 
 such a measure might be attended with the most salutary 
 effects, prevent much mischief, and restore the harmony 
 which so long subsisted, and is so necessary to the prospe- 
 rity and happiness of all your Majesty's subjects in every 
 part of your extensive Dominions ; which that Heaven 
 may preserve entire to your Majesty and your descendants, 
 is the sincere prayer of your Majesty's most dutiful sub- 
 jects and servants. 
 
 To the Right Honourable Lord Dartmouth, fyc. : 
 
 My Lord : Being deeply apprehensive of the impend- 
 ing calamities that threaten the Nation and its Colonies, 
 through the present unhappy dissensions, I have attentively 
 considered hy what possible means those calamities may 
 be prevented. The great importance of a business which 
 concerns us all, will, I hope, in some degree excuse me to 
 your Lordship, if I presume unasked to offer my humble 
 opinion, that should His Majesty think fit to authorize 
 Delegates from the several Provinces to meet, at such con- 
 venient time and place as in his wisdom shall seem meet, 
 then and there to confer with a Commissioner or Commis- 
 sioners to be appointed and empowered by His Majesty, 
 on the means of establishing a firm and lasting union be- 
 tween Britain and the American Provinces, such a mea- 
 sure might be effectual for that purpose. I cannot, there- 
 fore, but wish it may be adopted, as no one can more 
 ardently and sincerely desire the general prosperity of the 
 British Dominions, than, my Lord, your Lordship's most 
 obedient, &.c, B. Franklin. 
 
 Remarks on the Propositions. 
 Article 1. In consequence of that engagement all the 
 Boston and M^assachusetts Acts to be suspended, and in 
 compliance with that engagement to he totally repealed. 
 
203 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 201 
 
 By this amendment Article 4th will become unneces- 
 sary. 
 
 Articles 4 and 5. The numerous Petitions heretofore 
 sent home by the Colony Assemblies, and either refused 
 to be received, or received and neglected, or answered 
 harshly, and the petitioners rebuked for making them, have, 
 1 conceive, totally discouraged that method of application, 
 and if even their friends were now to propose to them the 
 recurring again to petitioning, such friends would bethought 
 to trifle with them. Besides, all they desire is now before 
 Government, in the Petition of the Congress, and the whole 
 or parts may be granted or refused at pleasure. The sense 
 of the Colonies cannot be better obtained by petition from 
 different Colonies, than it is by that general petition. 
 
 Article 7, Read, such as they may think necessary. 
 
 Article 11, As it stands, of little importance. The first 
 proposition was, that they should be repealed as unjust. But 
 they may remain, for they will probably not be executed. 
 
 Even with the amendment proposed above to Article 1, 
 1 cannot think it stands as it should do. If the object be 
 merely the preventing present bloodshed, and the other 
 mischiefs to fall on that Country in war, it may possibly 
 answer that end ; but if a thorough hearty reconciliation is 
 wished for, all cause of heart-burning should be removed, 
 and strict justice be done on both sides. Thus the Tea 
 should not only be paid for on the side of Boston, but the 
 damage done to Boston by the Port Act should be repaired, 
 because it was done contrary to the custom of all Nations, 
 savage as well as civilized, of first demanding satisfaction. 
 
 Article 14, The Judges should receive nothing from the 
 King. 
 
 As to the other two Acts, the Massachusetts must suffer 
 all the hazards and mischiefs of war, rather than admit the 
 alteration of theirCharters and Laws by Parliament. "They 
 who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little tempo- 
 rary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." 
 
 B. Franklin. 
 
 Hints. 
 
 1 doubt the regulating Duties will not be accepted, 
 without enacting them, and having the power of appoint- 
 ing the Collectors in the Colonies. 
 
 If we mean a hearty reconciliation, we must deal candid- 
 ly, and use no tricks. 
 
 The Assemblies are many of them in a state of dissolu- 
 tion. It will require time to make new elections; then to 
 meet and choose Delegates, supposing all could meet. But 
 the Assembly of the Massachusetts-Bay cannot act under 
 the new Constitution, nor meet the new Council for that 
 purpose, without acknowledging the power of Parliament 
 to alter their Charter, which they never will do. The lan- 
 guage of the proposal is, Try on your fetters first, and then 
 if you don't like them, petition and we will consider. 
 
 Establishing salaries for Judges may be a general law. 
 For Governours not so, the Constitution of Colonies differ- 
 ing. It is possible Troops may be sent to particular Pro- 
 vinces, to burden them when they are out of favour. 
 
 Canada. — We cannot endure despotism over any of our 
 fellow-subjects. We must all be free, or none. 
 
 That afternoon I received the following note from Mrs. 
 Hoive, enclosing another from Lord Howe, viz: 
 
 Mrs. Howe's compliments to Dr. Franklin ; she has 
 just received the enclosed note from Lord Howe, and hopes 
 it will be convenient to him to come to her either to-mor- 
 row or Sunday, at any hour most convenient to him which 
 she begs he will be so good to name. 
 
 ( Iraflon-Street, Friday, February 17, 1775. 
 
 [Enclosed in the foregoing.! 
 To the Honourable Mrs. Howe : 
 
 I wish you to procure me an oppo;tiinity to see Dr. 
 Frank/in, at your house, to-morrow, or on Sunday morn- 
 ing, for an essential purpose. 
 
 (iraflon-Sticet, Friday, -1 o'clock. 
 
 Received Friday, 5 o'clock, February 17, 1775. 
 
 I had not heard from his Lordship for some time, and 
 readily answered, that 1 would do myself the honour of 
 wailing upon him at her house to-morrow at 11 o'clock. 
 
 Mr. Barclay, Dr. Fothm^Ul, and myself, met according 
 to appointment at the Doctor's house. 1 delivered to them 
 
 the Remarks I had made on the paper, and we talked them 
 over. I read, also, the sketches 1 had made of the Peti- 
 tions and Memorials ; but they being of opinion, that the 
 repeal of none of the Massachusetts Acts could be obtain- 
 ed by my engaging to pay for the Tea, the Boston Port 
 Act excepted, and I insisting on a repeal of all, otherwise 
 declining to make the offer, that measure was deferred for 
 the present, and I pocketed my draughts. They conclu- 
 ded, however, to report my sentiments, and see if any fur- 
 ther concession could be obtained. They observed, that 
 I had signed my remarks, on which I said, that understand- 
 ing by other means as well as from them, that the Minis- 
 ters had been acquainted with my being consulted in this 
 business, 1 saw no occasion for further mystery ; and since 
 in conveying and receiving through second hands their sen- 
 timents and mine, occasioned delay, and might be attended 
 with misapprehension, something being lost or changed by 
 mistake in the conveyance, I did not see why we should 
 not meet, and discuss the points together at once ; that if 
 this was thought proper, I should be willing and ready to 
 attend them to the ministerial persons they conferred with. 
 They seemed to approve the proposal, and said they would 
 mention it. 
 
 The next morning I met Lord Howe according to ap- 
 pointment. He seemed very cheerful, having, as I imagine, 
 heard from Lord Hyde what that Lord might have heard 
 from Mr. Barclay the evening of the 16th, viz: that 1 had 
 consented to petition and engage payment for the Tea ; 
 whence it was hoped, the ministerial terms of accommo- 
 dation might take place. He let me know that he was 
 thought of to be sent Commissioner for settling the differ- 
 ences in America, adding, with an excess of politeness, that 
 sensible of his own unacquaintedness with the business, and 
 of my knowledge and abilities, he could not think of under- 
 taking it without me ; but with me, he should do it most 
 readily ; for he should found his expectation of success on 
 my assistance ; he therefore had desired this meeting to 
 know my mind upon a proposition of my going with him 
 in some shape or other, as a friend, an assistant, a secreta- 
 ry ; that he was very sensible, if he should be so happy as 
 to effect any thing valuable, it must be wholly owing to the 
 advice and assistance I should afford him ; that he should 
 therefore make no scruple of giving me upon all occasions 
 the full honour of it ; that he had declared to the Ministers 
 his opinion of my good dispositions towards peace, and what 
 he now wished was to be authorized by me to sav, that I con- 
 sented to accompany him, and would co-operate with him 
 in the great work of reconciliation ; that the influence I had 
 over the minds of people in America, was known to be very 
 extensive ; and that I could, if any man could, prevail with 
 them to comply with reasonable propositions. I replied, 
 that 1 was obliged to his Lordship for the favourable opin- 
 ion he had of me, and for the honour he did me in propo- 
 sing to make use of my assistance ; that I wished to know 
 what propositions were intended for America ; that if they 
 were reasonable ones in themselves, possibly I might be 
 able to make them appear such to my countrymen ; but if 
 they were otherwise, I doubted whether that could be done 
 by any man, and certainly I should not undertake it. His 
 Lordship then said, that he should not expect my assistance 
 without a proper consideration. That the business was of 
 great importance, and if he undertook it, he should insist 
 on being enabled to make generous and ample appoint- 
 ments for those he took with him, particularly for me; as 
 well as a firm promise of subsequent rewards ; and, said 
 he, that the Ministry may have an opportunity of showing 
 their good disposition towards yourself, will you give me 
 leave, Mr. Franklin, to procure for you previously some 
 maik of it; suppose the payment here of the arrears of 
 your salary as agent for New-England, which I understand 
 they have stopped for some time past? My Lord, said I. 
 I shall deem it a great honour to be in any shape joined 
 with your Lordship in so good a work ; but if yoii hope 
 service from any influence 1 may be supposed to have, 
 drop all thoughts of procuring me any previous favours 
 from Ministers ; my accepting them would destroy the Very 
 influence you propose to make use of; they would be 
 considered as so many bribes to betray the interest of mv 
 Country : but only let me see the propositions, and if 1 
 approve of them, I shall not hesitate a moment, but will 
 hold myself ready to accompany your Lordship at an hour's 
 
205 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 206 
 
 warning. He then said, he wished 1 would discourse with 
 Lord Hyde upon the business, and asked if I had any 
 objection to meet his Lordship ? I answered none, not the 
 least ; that I had a great respect for Lord Hyde, and would 
 wait upon him whenever he should please to permit it. 
 He said he would speak to Lord Hyde, and send me 
 word. 
 
 On the Monday following I received a letter from Lord 
 IIvu-c. To understand it better, it is necessary to reflect, 
 that in the mean time there was opportunity for Mr. Bar- 
 clay to communicate to that Nobleman the remarks I had 
 made on the plan, the sight of which had probably changed 
 the purpose of making any use of me on the occasion. 
 The letter follows : 
 
 Grafton-Street, Feliruary 20, 1775. 
 
 Not having had a convenient opportunity to talk with 
 Lord Hyde until this morning, on the subject I mentioned 
 when I had, my worthy friend, the pleasure to see you last, 
 I now give you the earliest information of his Lordship's 
 sentiments upon my proposition. 
 
 He declares he has no personal objection, and that he is 
 always desirous of the conversation of men of knowledge, 
 consequently, in that respect, would have a pleasure in 
 yours. But he apprehends, that on the present American 
 contest, your principles and his, or rather those of Parlia- 
 ment, are as yet so wide from each other, that a meeting 
 merely to discuss them, might give you unnecessary trouble. 
 Should you think otherwise, or should any propitious cir- 
 cumstances approximate such distant sentiments, he would 
 he happy to be used as a channel to convey what might 
 tend to harmony, from a person of credit to those in power : 
 and I will venture to advance, from my knowledge of his 
 Lordship's opinion of men and things, that nothing of that 
 nature would suffer in the passage. I am, with a sincere 
 regard, your most obedient servant, Howe. 
 
 To Dr. Franklin. 
 
 As I had no desire of obtruding myself upon Lord Hyde, 
 though a little piqued at his declining to see me, I thought 
 it best to show a decent indifference, which I endeavoured 
 in the following answer : 
 
 Craven-Street, February 20, 1775. 
 Having nothing to offer on the American business, in 
 addition to what Lord Hyde is already acquainted with 
 from the papers that have passed, it seems most respectful 
 not to give his Lordship the trouble of a visit; since a 
 mere discussion of the sentiments contained in those pa- 
 pers is not, in his opinion, likely to produce any good 
 effect. I am thankful, however, to his Lordship, for the 
 permission of waiting on him, which I shall use if any 
 thing occurs that may give a chance of utility in such an 
 interview. 
 
 With sincere esteem and respect, 1 have the honour to 
 be, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, B. Franklix. 
 
 Lord Howe. 
 
 On the morning of the same day, February 20, it was 
 currently and industriously reported all over the Town, 
 that Lord JSorth would that-day make a pacifick motion in 
 the House of Commons, for healing all differences between 
 Britain and America. The House was accordingly verv 
 full, and the members full of expectation. The Bedford 
 party, inimical to America, and who had urged severe 
 measures, were alarmed, and began to exclaim against the 
 Minister for his timidity, and the fluctuation of his politicks ; 
 they even began to count voices, to see if they could not, 
 by negativing his motion, at once unhorse him, and throw 
 him out of Administration. His friends were therefore 
 alarmed for him, and there was much caballing and whis- 
 pering. At length a motion, as one had been promised, was 
 made, but whether that originally intended, is with me very 
 doubtful : I suspect, from its imperfect composition, from its 
 inadequateness to answer the purpose previously professed, 
 and from some other circumstances, that when first drawn 
 it contained more of Mr. Barclay's plan, but was curtailed 
 by advice, just before it was delivered. My old proposi- 
 tion of giving up the regulating duties to the Colonies, was 
 in part to be found in it, and many who knew nothing of 
 that transaction, said it was the best part of the motion : it 
 was as follows : 
 
 Lord North's Motion, February 20, 1775. 
 
 " That it is the opinion of this Committee, that when 
 the Governour, Council, and Assembly, or General Court 
 of His Majesty's Provinces or Colonies, shall propose to 
 make provision according to their respective conditions, 
 circumstances, and situations, for contributing their propor- 
 tion to the common defence ; such proportion to be raised 
 under the authority of the General Court, or General As- 
 sembly of such Province or Colony, and disposable by 
 Parliament ; and shall engage to make provision also for 
 the support of the Civil Government, and the administra- 
 tion of justice in such Province or Colony, it will be proper 
 if such proposal shall be approved by His Majesty in Par- 
 liament, and for so long as such provision shall be made 
 accordingly, to forbear in respect of such Province or Col- 
 ony, to levy any duties, tax, or assessment, or to impose 
 any further duty, tax, or assessment, except only such 
 duties as it may be expedient to impose for the regulation 
 of Commerce ; the net produce of the duties last men- 
 tioned, to be carried to the account of such Province, 
 Colony, or Plantation exclusively." 
 
 After a good deal of wild debate, in which this motion 
 was supported upon various and inconsistent principles by 
 the ministerial people, and even met with an opposition 
 from some of them, which showed a want of concert, pro- 
 bably from the suddenness of the alterations above supposed, 
 they all agreed at length, as usual, in voting it bv a lar^e 
 majority. Hearing nothing all the following week from 
 Messrs. Barclay and Fothergill. (except that Lord Hyde, 
 when acquainted with my willingness to engage for pay- 
 ment of the Tea, had said it gave him new life,) nor any 
 thing from Lord Howe, I mentioned his silence occasionally 
 to his sister, adding, that I supposed it owing to his finding 
 what he had proposed to me was not likely to take place ; 
 and I wished her to desire him, if that was the case, to let 
 me know it by a line, that I might be at liberty to take other 
 measures. She did so as soon as he returned from the 
 country, where he had been for a day or two ; and I 
 received from her the following note, viz: 
 
 Mrs. Howe's compliments to Doctor Franklin : Lord 
 Hoice not quite understanding the message received from 
 her, will be glad to have the pleasure of seeing him, either 
 between twelve and one this morning, (the only hour he 
 is at liberty this day,) at her house, or at any hour to-mor- 
 row most convenient to him. 
 Gsafton-Street, Tuesday. 
 
 I met his Lordship at the hour appointed. He said that 
 he had not seen me lately, as he expected daily to have 
 something more material to say to me than had yet occurred ; 
 and hoped that 1 would have called on Lord Hyde, as I 
 had intimated I should do when I apprehended it might be 
 useful, which he was sorry to find I had not done. That 
 there was something in my verbal message by Mrs. Howe, 
 which perhaps she had apprehended imperfectly ; it was 
 the hint of my purpose to take other measures. I an- 
 swered, that having since I had last seen his Lordship 
 heard of the death of my wife at Philadelphia, in whose 
 hands 1 had left the care of my affairs there, it was become 
 necessary for me to return thither as soon as conveniently 
 might be; that what his Lordship had proposed, of my 
 accompanying him to America, might, if likely to take 
 place, postpone my voyage to suit his conveniency ; other- 
 wise, I should proceed by the first ship. That I did 
 suppose, by not hearing from him, and by Lord North's 
 motion, all thoughts of that kind were laid aside, which was 
 what 1 only desired to know from him. He said my last 
 paper of remarks by Mr. Barclay, wherein I had made 
 the indemnification of Boston for the injury of stopping its 
 Port, a condition of my engaging to pay for the Tea, (a 
 condition impossible to be complied with,) had discouraged 
 further proceeding on that idea. Having a copy of that 
 paper in my pocket, I showed his Lordship that 1 had pro- 
 posed no such condition of my engagement, nor any other 
 than the repeal of all the Massachusetts Acts : that what 
 followed relating to the indemnification was only expressing 
 my private opinion that it would be just, but by no means 
 insisting upon it. He said the arrangements were not yet 
 determined on ; that as I now explained myself, it appeared 
 I had been much misapprehended ; and he wished of all 
 
207 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MARCH. 1775. 
 
 208 
 
 things I would see Lord Hyde, and asked if I would choose 
 to meet him there, at Mrs. Howe's, or that he should call 
 upon me: I said that 1 would hy no means give Lord 
 Hyde that trouble. That since he (Lord Howe) seemed 
 to think it might he oi" use, and wished it done soon, I 
 would wait upon Lord Hyde : 1 knew him to he an early 
 riser, and would he with him at eight o'clock the next morn- 
 ing ; which Lord Howe undertook to acquaint him with: 
 but I added, that from what circumstances I could collect 
 of the disposition of Ministry, I apprehended my visit 
 would answer no material purpose. He was of a different 
 opinion, to which I submitted. 
 
 The next morning, March 1st, I accordingly was early 
 with Lord Hyde, who received me with his usual polite- 
 ness. We talked over a great part of the dispute between 
 the Countries. 1 found him ready with all the newspaper 
 and pamphlet topicks, of the expense of settling our Co- 
 lonies, the protection afforded them, the heavy debt under 
 which Britain laboured, the equity of our contributing to 
 its alleviation ; that many people in England were no more 
 represented than we were, yet all were taxed and governed 
 by Parliament, &ic, &ic. I answered all, but with little 
 effect ; for though his Lordship seemed civilly to hear what 
 I said, I had reason to believe he attended very little to the 
 purport of it, his mind being employed the while in think- 
 ing on what he himself purposed to say next. He had 
 hoped, he said, that Lord North's motion would have been 
 satisfactory ; and asked what could be objected to it. 1 
 replied, the terms of it were, that we should grant money 
 till Parliament had agreed we had given enough, without 
 having the least share in judging of the propriety of the mea- 
 sure for which it was to be granted, or of our own abilities 
 to grant ; that these grants were also to be made under a 
 threat of exercising a claimed right of taxing us at plea- 
 sure, and compelling such taxes by an armed force, if we 
 did not give till it should be thought we had given enough ; 
 that the proposition was similar to no mode of obtaining 
 aids that ever existed, except that of a highwayman, who 
 presents his pistol at a coach window, demanding no spe- 
 cifick sum, but if you will give all your money, or what he 
 is pleased to think sufficient, he will civilly omit putting 
 his own hand into your pockets : if not, there is his pistol : 
 that the mode of raising contributions in an enemy's coun- 
 try was fairer than this, since there an explicit sum was 
 demanded, and the people who were raising it knew what 
 they were about, and when they should have done: and 
 that, in short, no free people could ever think of beginning 
 to grant upon such terms : that, besides, a new dispute 
 had now been raised, by the Parliament's pretending to a 
 power of altering our Charters and established Laws, which 
 was of still more importance to us than their claim of tax- 
 ation, as it set us all adrift, and left us without a privilege 
 we could depend upon, but at their pleasure; this was a 
 situation we could not possibly be in, and as Lord North's 
 proposition had no relation to this matter, if the other had 
 been such as we could have agreed to, we should still be 
 far from a reconciliation. His Lordship thought I misun- 
 derstood the proposition ; on which I took it out and read 
 it : he then waived that point, and said he should be glad 
 to know from me what would produce a reconciliation. I 
 said that his Lordship, I imagined, had seen several propo- 
 sals of mine for that purpose. He said he had ; but some 
 of my articles were such as would never be agreed to: that 
 it was apprehended I had several instructions and powers 
 to offer more acceptable terms, but was extremely reserved, 
 and perhaps from a desire he did not blame, of doing better 
 for my constituents ; but my expectations might deceive me, 
 and he did think, 1 might be assured, I should never obtain 
 better terms than what were now offered by Lord North ; 
 that Administration had a sincere desire ol" restoring har- 
 mony with America, and it was thought if I would co-op- 
 erate with them the business would be easy : that he hoped 
 1 was above retaining resentment against them, for what 
 nobody now approved, and for which satisfaction might be 
 made me : that 1 was, as he understood, in high esteem 
 among the Americans; that if I would bring about a 
 reconciliation on terms suitable to the dignity of Govern- 
 ment, I might be as highly and generally esteemed here, 
 and be honoured and rewarded perhaps beyond my expect- 
 ation. 
 
 I replied, that I thought 1 had given a convincing proof 
 
 of my sincere desire of promoting peace, when, on being 
 informed that all wanted for the honour of Government was 
 to obtain payment for the Tea, 1 offered, without any in- 
 struction to warrant my so doing, or assurance that 1 should 
 be reimbursed, or my conduct approved, to engage for that 
 payment, if the Massachusetts Acts were to be repealed ; 
 an engagement, in which I must have risked my whole 
 fortune, which 1 thought few besides me would have done. 
 That, in truth, private resentments had no weight with me 
 in publick business; that 1 was not the reserved man im- 
 agined, having really no secret instructions to act upon. 
 That I was certainly willing to do every thing that could 
 reasonably be expected of me. But if any supposed I 
 could prevail with my countrymen to take black for white, 
 and wrong for right, it was not knowing either them or me ; 
 they were not capable of being so imposed on, nor was I 
 capable of attempting it. He then asked my opinion of 
 sending over a Commissioner, for the purpose mentioned 
 in a preceding part of this account, and my answer was to 
 the same effect. By the way, I apprehend that to give 
 me an opportunity of discoursing with Lord Hyde on that 
 point, was a principal motive with Lord Howe for urging 
 me to make this visit. His Lordship did not express his 
 own sentiments upon it. And thus ended this conversation. 
 
 Three or four days after, 1 received the following note 
 from Mrs. Howe : 
 
 "Mrs. Howe's compliments to Dr. Franklin; Lord 
 Howe begs to have the pleasure of meeting him once more 
 before he goes, at her house ; he is at present out of Town, 
 but returns on Monday, and any day or hour after that, 
 that the Doctor will name, he will be very glad to attend 
 him. 
 
 " Grufton-Street, Saturday, March 4 &. 5." 
 
 I answered that I would do myself the honour of wait- 
 ing on Lord Howe at her house the Tuesday following, at 
 eleven o'clock. We met accordingly. He began, by say- 
 ing, that I had been a better prophet than himself, in fore- 
 seeing that my interview with Lord Hyde would be of no 
 great use ; and then said that he hoped I would excuse the 
 trouble he had given me, as his intentions had been good 
 both towards me and the publick. He was sorry that at 
 present there was no appearance of things going into the 
 train he had wished, but that possibly they might yet take 
 a more favourable turn ; and as he understood I was going 
 soon to America, if he should chance to be sent thither on 
 [hat important business, he hoped he might still expect my 
 assistance. I assured him of my readiness at all times of 
 co-operating with him in so good a work ; and so taking my 
 leave, and receiving his good wishes, ended the negotiation 
 with Lord Howe. And I heard no more of that with 
 Messrs. Fothcrgill and Barclay. I could only gather from 
 some hints in their conversation, that neither of them were 
 well pleased with the conduct of the Ministers respecting 
 these transactions ; and a few days before I left London, I 
 met them, by their desire, at the Doctor's house, when 
 they desired me to assure their friends from them, that it 
 was now their fixed opinion, that nothing could secure the 
 privileges of America, but a firm, sober adherence to the 
 terms of the Association made at the Congress, and that 
 the salvation of English liberty depended now on the per- 
 severance and virtue of America. 
 
 During the whole, my time was otherwise much taken 
 up. by friends calling continually to inquire news from 
 America ; members of both Houses of Parliament, to in- 
 form me what passed in the Houses, and discourse with me 
 on the debates, and on motions made or to be made ; mer- 
 chants of London, and of the manufacturing and port 
 towns, on their petitions ; the Quakers upon theirs, &ic, 
 &tc. ; so that 1 had no time to take notes of almost any 
 thing. This account is therefore chiefly from. recollection, 
 in which doubtless much must have been omitted, from 
 deficiency of memory ; but what there is 1 believe to be 
 pretty exact, except that discoursing with so many differ- 
 ent persons about the same time, on the same subject, I 
 may possibly have put down some things as said by or to 
 one person, which passed in conversation with another. A 
 little before 1 left London, being at the House of Lords, 
 when a debate in which Lord Camden was to speak, and 
 who indeed spoke admirably on American affairs, I was 
 much disgusted, from the ministerial side, by many base 
 
209 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 210 
 
 reflections on American courage, religion, understanding, 
 &c, in which we were treated with the utmost contempt, 
 as the lowest of mankind, and almost of a different species 
 from the English of Britain; but particularly the Ameri- 
 can honesty was abused by some of the Lords, who assert- 
 ed that we were all knaves, and wanted only, by this dis- 
 pute, to avoid paying our debts. That if we had any sense 
 of equity or justice, we should offer payment of the Tea, 
 &tc. I went home somewhat irritated and heated ; and 
 partly to retort upon this Nation, on the article of equity, 
 drew up a memorial to present to Lord Dartmouth before 
 my departure ; but consulting my friend, Mr. Thomas 
 Walpole, upon it, who is a member of the House of Com- 
 mons, he looked at it and at me several times alternately, 
 as if he apprehended me a little out of my senses. As I 
 was in the hurry of packing up, I requested him to take 
 the trouble of showing it to his neighbour, Lord Camden, 
 and ask his advice upon it, which he kindly undertook to 
 do ; and returned it me with a note, which here follows the 
 proposed memorial : 
 
 To the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth, one 
 
 of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of Slate. 
 A Memorial of Benjamin Franklin, Agent of the Prov- 
 ince of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Whereas an injury done, can only give the party injured 
 a right to full reparation, or, in case that be refused, a right 
 to return an equal injury ; and whereas the blockade of 
 Boston, now continued nine months, hath, every week of 
 its continuance, done damage to that Town equal to what 
 was suffered there by the India Company, it follows that 
 such exceeding damage is an injury done by this Govern- 
 ment, for which reparation ought to be made. And where- 
 as reparation of injuries ought always (agreeably to the 
 custom of all Nations, savage as well as civilized) to be 
 first required before satisfaction is taken by a return of 
 damage to the aggressors, which was not done by Great 
 Britain in the instance above-mentioned, I, the under- 
 written, do therefore, as their agent, in the behalf of my 
 Country and the Town of Boston, protest against the con- 
 tinuance of the said blockade ; and I do hereby solemnly 
 demand satisfaction for the accumulated injury done them, 
 beyond the value of the India Company's Tea destroyed. 
 And whereas the conquest of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, 
 the coasts of Labrador and Nova-Scotia, and the Fisheries 
 possessed by the French there and on the Banks of New- 
 foundland, so far as they were more extended than at pre- 
 sent, was made by the joint forces of Britain and the 
 Colonies, (the latter having nearly an equal number of men 
 in that service with the former,) it follows that the Colonies 
 have an equitable and just right to participate in the advan- 
 tage of those Fisheries: I do therefore, in the behalf of the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, protest against the Act 
 now under consideration in Parliament for depriving that 
 Province, with others, of that Fishery, (on pretence of 
 their refusing to purchase British commodities,) as an Act 
 highly unjust and injurious. And I give notice, that satis- 
 faction will probably one day be demanded for all the inju- 
 ry that may be done and suffered in the execution of such 
 Act ; and that the injustice of the proceeding is likely to 
 give such umbrage to all the Colonies, that in no future 
 war, wherei:] other conquests may be meditated, either a 
 man or a shilling will be obtained from any of them to aid 
 such conquests, till full satisfaction be made as aforesaid. 
 
 B. Franklin. 
 
 Given in London, this 16th day of March, 1775. 
 
 To Dr. Franklin : 
 
 Dear Sir: I return you the memorial, which it is 
 thought might be attended with dangerous consequences to 
 your person, and contribute to exasperate the Nation. 
 
 I heartily wish you a prosperous voyage, a long health, 
 and am, with the sincerest regard, your most faithful and 
 obedient servant, Thomas Walpole. 
 
 Lincoln's Inn Fields, 16th March, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Walpole called at my house the next day, and hear- 
 ing I was gone to the House of Lords, came there to me, 
 and repeated more fully what was in his note ; adding, that 
 it was thought my having no instructions directing me to 
 deliver such a protest, would make it appear still more 
 unjustifiable, and be deemed a national affront. 1 had no 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 desire to make matters worse, and, being grown cooler, took 
 the advice so kindly given rne. 
 
 The evening before I left London I received a note from 
 Dr. Fothergill, with some letters to his friends in Phila- 
 delphia. In that note he desires me to get those friends, 
 " and two or three more together, and inform them, that 
 whatever specious pretences are offered, they are all hol- 
 low ; and that to get a larger field on which to fatten a herd 
 of worthless parasites, is all that is regarded. Perhaps it 
 may be proper to acquaint them with David Barclay's and 
 our united endeavours, and the effects. They will stun at 
 least, if not convince, the most worthy that nothing very 
 favourable is intended, if more unfavourable articles cannot 
 be obtained." The Doctor, in the course of his daily visits 
 among the great, in the practice of his profession, had full 
 opportunity of being acquainted with their sentiments, the 
 conversation every where turning upon the subject of 
 America. 
 
 DR. WHEELOCK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Dartmouth College, March 22, 1775. 
 
 Much Honoured Sir: I wrote you a few days ago 
 by a stranger belonging to Simsbury, but fearing it may 
 have miscarried, and not knowing but the contents may be 
 of importance to the Colonies, as they appear to be to us 
 in these frontiers, I don't seem to be excusable unless I 
 have assurance that you are availed of the matter, and 
 therefore trouble you with this line by my bookkeeper, Mr. 
 Storrs. 
 
 Your honour well understands what a feeble, defenceless 
 state this Seminary and all these frontier Towns are in ; 
 how near to the Canadians, and what an easy prey we 
 may be to such a Northern army of Savages, &lc, as we 
 are threatened with. 
 
 We hear of j/rc-oarations making for an invasion, and 
 that some of the Waniours among the Indians were in high 
 spirits to engage on the one side or the other in the present 
 controversy ; and if they shall not be secured in our inte- 
 rests they will likely join on the other side. 
 
 1 have hitherto been secure and easy, as I have some of 
 their children, from the most respectable tribes in Canada. 
 whom I consider as hostages, and trust they will send for 
 them before they will proceed to hostilities towards us. 
 
 I have also (notwithstanding my means of supporting 
 the expense from abroad are wholly stopped) thought the 
 importance of the case to be so great, that 1 have sent Mr. 
 James Dean, a young gentleman of the most excellent and 
 thorough accomplishments for the purpose, to itinerate as 
 Missionary among those tribes this spring, for a few months, 
 to strengthen that friendship and cultivate that acquaint- 
 ance which has lately commenced between those tribes 
 and this school : and to bring more of those boys hither 
 with him if he can — among whom 1 expect the young 
 Sachem, who was lately elected and crowned at Caghna- 
 waga, (and who is a descendant from captivated parents,) 
 as his father, who was here twelve months ago to visit his 
 little son, who is with me, promised to send him as soon as 
 certain rites, customary to ratify and publish such election 
 and investiture, should be performed. I look upon this 
 connection and friendship lately commenced between us 
 and them to be at present our surest bulwark against an 
 invasion, if it should be attempted. 
 
 Mr. Dean is thorough master of the languages of the 
 Six Nations, and can also speak the Huron language. He 
 is a young gentleman of learning, virtue, and great pru- 
 dence ; was early naturalized among the Indians ; well 
 understands their customs ; is much esteemed by them as 
 an orator, and has great interest in their affections, and is, 
 in my opinion, the fittest man I know on earth to be em- 
 ployed, if there should be occasion for one among the 
 Western and Northern Tribes. He was of opinion (though 
 he had no thought of its being mentioned) that it would 
 likely be in his power, if he should be properly encouraged 
 and authorized thereto, to attach all the Six Nations firmly 
 to the interest of these Colonies ; and I don't think he 
 misjudged his ability or influence for that purpose. What 
 I have wrote you will naturally understand to have been 
 only from a principle of self-preservation, and it will be in- 
 jurious to me and the cause which is my object if it should 
 be represented as militating against the Crown. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 212 
 
 With confidence in your prudence and friendship, and 
 with much respect and esteem, your honour's most obedi- 
 ent and very humble servant, 
 
 Eleazar Wheelock. 
 I expect Mr. Dean here in May. 
 
 letter to a gentleman in new-york, dated boston, 
 march 22, 1775. 
 
 We are still without any of your favours, we suppose 
 for the same reason as was mentioned in our last. Since 
 the Army have found that the season is past for nature's 
 forming a bridge from hence, they become abusive and 
 insulting. They are now finishing their fortifications on 
 the Neck, by picketing on each side. We propose to give 
 you an account of the manoeuvres of our adversaries as 
 they may occur. 
 
 The 16th instant, (being recommended by the Provin- 
 cial Congress to be observed as a day of fasting and 
 prayer ;) on the morning of this day the society at the west 
 end of Boston were greatly disturbed by a party of Officers 
 and Soldiers of the Fourth, or King's own Regiment. 
 When the people were assembling, they brought two 
 marquee tents, and pitched them within about ten yards 
 of the meeting-house ; then sent for three drums and three 
 fifes, and kept them beating and playing till service was 
 over ; Colonel MaJdison was present part of the time. 
 
 17th. In the evening Colonel Hancock's elegant seat, 
 situate near the Common, was attacked by a number of 
 Officers, who, with their swords, cut and hacked the fence 
 before his house in a most scandalous manner, and behaved 
 very abusively, by breaking people's windows, and insult- 
 ing almost every person they met. 
 
 18th. The Neck Guard seized 13,425 musket car- 
 tridges with ball, (we suppose through the information of 
 some dirty scoundrel, of which we now have many among 
 us,) and about three hundred pounds of ball, which they 
 were carrying into the country ; this was private property. 
 The owner applied to the General first, but he absolutely 
 refused to deliver it. They abused the teamster very 
 much, and run a bayonet into his neck. The same even- 
 ing a number of Officers, heated with liquor, (as is said,) 
 with drawn swords, ran through the streets, like what, they 
 really were, madmen, cutting every one they met ; the 
 stage coach just arrived from Providence passing by, they 
 attacked it, broke the glass, and abused the passengers ; 
 the driver, being a smart fellow, jumped off his seat, 
 caught one of them, (Captain Gore, of the Fifth,) and 
 some blows passed ; when the Officer retired, not much to 
 his credit. 
 
 19th. Colonel Hancock was again much insulted by a 
 number of inferiour Officers and Privates, who entered his 
 enclosures, and refused to retire after his requesting them 
 so ti do, telling him that his house, stables, he, would 
 soon be theirs, and then they would do as they pleased. 
 However, on his application to the General, he immedi- 
 ately sent one of his Aids-de-Camp to the Officer of the 
 Guard, at the bottom of the Common, to seize any Officer 
 or Private who should molest Colonel Hancock or any in- 
 habitant in their lawful calling. Yours, &,c. 
 
 TO JOHN DICKINSON, ESQUIRE, 
 
 One of the reputed Authors of the Pennsylvania Farm- 
 er's Letters, published on occasion of the American 
 Revenue Acts, in Mr. Grenville's Administration. 
 
 New-York, March 23, 1775. 
 Sir: I live at least two hundred and twenty miles from 
 Philadelphia, and am frequently a fortnight without re- 
 ceiving a Newspaper. That happens to be the case at 
 present, as I have only just now read the Resolves of your 
 Convention.* This letter, Sir, shall be publick, only be- 
 cause the people of Pennsylvania are taught to believe the 
 author of the Farmer's Letters is infallible. Nasce le 
 ipsum, is the advice of a wise man, and as difficult to be 
 attained by some, as to be translated by others. I am a 
 plain, honest man, Sir, who never received a favour from 
 the hand of power. My composition is simple, and easily 
 defined. I have been at a great deal of pains to learn the 
 true character of Mr. Dickinson; have asked it repeatedly 
 • January 23 to 28, 1775. 
 
 from Whig and Tory ; and as I know myself to be void of 
 prejudice on account of difference in opinion, will take the 
 liberty to mention what I have been able to discover. You 
 are a gentleman of good natural understanding, great read- 
 ing, and engaging address. You early found yourself pos- 
 sessed of knowledge, and the means by which you first ob- 
 tained popularity were in many instances laudable. But 
 the praises of the multitude are dangerous, even to a virtu- 
 ous man; they gain his confidence by their applause, and 
 feed the innocent vanity of the human mind, until he at last 
 surrenders up his judgment, joins in the popular errour, 
 and finds, when too late, he was wedded to his wo. If I 
 am rightly informed, Sir, (and my authority is not bad,) you 
 are worth at least Forty Thousand Pounds Sterling ; en- 
 tertain elegantly, as often as your constitution will admit 
 of; and are blest with as sweet a tongue as ever delivered 
 the language of profusion ; a lawyer, too. I wish I had 
 forgot that circumstance ; ignorance of the laws might plead 
 in mitigation of the breach of them ; but how are we to 
 account for the late conduct of the highly lettered, the ac- 
 complished Mr. Dickinson! In your Farmer's Letters, 
 you breathe the gentle accents of order and decorum ; you 
 positively pronounce that the King is the ruling power, in 
 whom is justly vested the regulations of Trade, he. You 
 wrote then, Sir, as if you thought your Country injured ; I 
 am sorry to say you now act as if you repented of proprie- 
 ty. I have not those Letters by me at present, but I read 
 them as they came out, with great attention. 1 was told 
 the author was a young man, who loved, like other men 
 of abilities, to be known and admired ; and notwithstand- 
 ing I perceived many sentiments calculated to feed the 
 popular appetite, yet almost every line told the admiring 
 reader they were the production of a gentleman. Now, 
 Sir, let me request of you to turn over once more those 
 leaves of genius; compare your words at that time with 
 your present actions; though much you are altered, you 
 cannot read those papers without recollecting what you 
 were ; and I think that modesty which marks your charac- 
 ter, must make you blush for what you are. I perfectly 
 remember your asserting the dependance of the Colonies 
 on Great Britain in the most positive terms, and you have 
 now set your seal to a resolution of taking up arms against 
 your Sovereign, unless King, Lords, and Commons re- 
 linquish their claim to the very privileges which, seven 
 years ago, you spent whole pages in defending their right 
 to. It is true that mad resolve contains a proviso ; but per- 
 mit me to assure you, it would have done your understand- 
 ing more honour to have omitted it. What ! deliver a 
 petition to the greatest monarch on earth with one hand, 
 and hold a sword in the other, with a paper on the point of 
 it, containing the following words: " If you do not give up 
 your legal authority over the Colonies, we will break off 
 all connexion with you, and, by withholding certain arti- 
 cles, we will drive Great Britain, Ireland, and the West- 
 Indies into such convulsions, as will shake your Throne, 
 and enable us to command our own terms." I appeal to 
 your heart, is not this a fair representation ? The best and 
 most sensible men are often easy and unsuspecting, and 
 (pardon the expression) too often the dupes of aspiring vil- 
 lany. It is difficult to write on this subject, without trans- 
 gressing the bounds of delicacy. Your private character, 
 Sir, is amiable, and incapable of deliberate errour; so that 
 the censure which your political one justly merits, ought to 
 be tenderly and politely administered. This I have endea- 
 voured to observe, notwithstanding truth frequently loses 
 its weight when destitute of severity. Is it possible, Sir, 
 that a man of your penetration should expect or wish that 
 G rcat Britain should be bullied into abject submission ? 
 My hand trembles at the next sentence. If you love or 
 honour her, your prayers now are, that every resolve of 
 the Congress (except to keep sheep to a proper age) may 
 be treated with the utmost contempt ; if you do not love 
 her, I am sorry for it. You have too much sense to join 
 in the idle opinion which some have adopted, that to obtain 
 enough, you must demand too much. You are a man of 
 spirit, 1 dare say, and I beg leave to ask, if you had been 
 so unfortunate as to offend a gentleman, and offered to make 
 an apology, would you submit to acknowledge yourself a 
 fool or a cowatd ? Inexpediency and right are two differ- 
 ent things ; but if Parliament thought proper to relax, it 
 would be very immaterial to the Colonies through which 
 
213 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 214 
 
 channel they enjoyed the blessings of peace. But, alas ! 
 Peace, with all her loveliness, has few admirers. Sedition, 
 that battered hag, steps forth with all the frippery of delu- 
 sive tinsel — the admiring crowd pursue with eager eyes — 
 to all she promises the wished event. " Fear not, my faith- 
 ful sons, my bold Republicans, the time draws nigh when 
 honours shall be dealt out with a liberal hand ; my spiritual 
 agents in New- England shall roll in chariots ; my favourite 
 Adams shall be head of their mightinesses ; the name of 
 King shall not be known among us; our Troops shall be 
 commanded by the famous wanderer, Lee; and you, Mr. 
 Dickinson, shall be Prime Council to the States General." 
 Whether you believe this or not, I will be answerable it is 
 the creed of your morning star in Market- Street, and of 
 your new puritanick relation, Charles Thomson, who 
 grins horribly on all a ghastly smile. 
 
 Now, Sir, permit a man who has been an eye witness to 
 the unhappy consequences of one rebellion, to warn you of 
 impending misery. You are too well acquainted with the 
 human heart not to know that an English Senator is as 
 capable of resenting an injury, as any member of the Grand 
 Continental Congress. Consider, Sir, when the people of 
 England speak, it comes from the mouths of cannon, back- 
 ed by men whose approved courage and ardour have ren- 
 dered them the terrour of tho^e enemies, a few of whom 
 (were it not for the protection of Old England last war) 
 would have laid your estates, as well as those of your neigh- 
 bours, under heavy contributions. 
 
 I am at a loss what name to give your boasted intentions 
 of wounding the commercial interest of Great Britain. 
 If you really mean what you say, it is the grossest infatua- 
 tion. The Island of Tcneriffe might, with as great a 
 prospect of success, threaten to ruin Willing and Morris, 
 by not trading with them, when every other corner of the 
 habitable globe pants for their correspondence. 
 
 Let an old man entreat you, Sir, to consider the people 
 who look to you ; the lower order of men in Pennsylvania 
 are as bigoted to you, as the deluded papists to their Priests 
 in Ireland. 
 
 Our gracious Sovereign, ever watchful over the lives and 
 happiness of his subjects, has made choice of a man, whose 
 persevering humanity and unshaken steadiness in the dis- 
 charge of his present complicated and important command, 
 reflect the highest honour on the judgment of his master, 
 and will stand unparalleled in the records of merit. And 
 would you. Sir, wish to counteract the godlike work of pre- 
 venting bloodshed in the Colonies, and a disgraceful sub- 
 mission on the part of the Mother Country ? Figure to 
 yourself the sword unsheathed ; a soldiery (who knows no 
 stop) let loose at men, women, and children, with the word 
 rebellion ringing in their ears ; and to complete the dread- 
 ful picture, the Lords of the Ocean thundering the resent- 
 ment of the British Nation through your houses and the 
 cradles of your guiltless offspring. This, Sir, is not chi- 
 merical ; I believe the probability of it as much as I do 
 proofs of Holy Writ. From your private character, I sup- 
 pose there is no man who would more readily dry up the 
 tears of the widow, and pour balm into the wounds of the 
 infant ; but remember, Sir, if you are a principal in pro- 
 moting them, your good offices will be considered as a 
 death-bed repentance. Senex. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION FOR THE CITY AND 
 COUNTY OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New. York, March 23, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : While the late Committee of fifty-one 
 acted as a Committee of Correspondence for the City, the 
 generality of its inhabitants, particularly the most sensible 
 and judicious part of them, were happy in reposing the 
 trust with so respectable a body, composed as it was of the 
 principal citizens ; but when the present Committee was 
 formed out of the ruins, as I may say, of the old Commit- 
 tee, was there a cool, considerate man among us who did 
 not forebode evil ? 
 
 It has been remarked, that we have but one Press in 
 this Colony which has been at all times strictly impartial. 
 Now an impartial Press is observed, for reasons best known 
 to themselves, to be extremely obnoxious to a certain par- 
 ty ; they have not failed to persecute their supporters in all 
 parts of America. And that we have had our share of the 
 
 same persecuting spirit, may be seen in the Republican 
 Resolves at and near Elizabcthtown — Resolves that are 
 subversive of the very idea of freedom. You, gentlemen, 
 who compose our City Committee, to show that you are as 
 highly seasoned with the old leaven, seem only to have 
 waited for an opportunity of playing the same game ; and 
 before the occasion could well be said to have arrived,* 
 you greedily descend, like a hawk upon his prey, and seize 
 the poor Printer in your talons ; meanly condescending to 
 be the echo of little, piddling, Country Committees. But 
 let me caution you to beware how you tread upon this hal- 
 lowed ground, lest, instead of the Printer's, you work your 
 own downfall. 
 
 The liberty of the Press is a sacred privilege ; it is the 
 only means in the hands of the people, that can be safely 
 used to check the growth of arbitrary power. Should those 
 who have fixed themselves as sentinels upon the watch- 
 tower of liberty, to give notice of all invaders, be the first 
 to curtail this darling immunity, will it not give the people 
 cause to suspect that they themselves are about to establish 
 a power more arbitrary and tyrannical than any thing we 
 have hitherto complained of? Will not a severe reprehen- 
 sion for what can be scarcely called a crime in a Printer, 
 coming from a quarter that could have been the least sus- 
 pected, raise alarming apprehensions in the minds of their 
 fellow-citizens ? The tenour of your publication speaks for 
 itself, and needs no comment ; it does not appear as barely 
 intended to rectify the errours of the Press, but it breathes 
 a spirit of intimidation towards the Printer. Were I to put 
 the same sentiment into plainer language, I should translate 
 it thus : " Beware, Mr. Printer, we, the Grand Committee 
 of New - York, are not to be trifled with ! Ours is a sacred 
 body ! and must not be made the sport of Printers or their 
 devils. Abuse the Parliament as much as you list, glut 
 your spleen upon the House of Assembly, but come not 
 within the verge of our jurisdiction, at your utmost peril." 
 
 In your eagerness to censure the Printer, you forgot to 
 inform us what you had done ; we are only told what you 
 have not done, but are left in the dark as to the foundation 
 for the report in question, though it is still believed that 
 something passed in your Committee respecting the nomi- 
 nation or election of Delegates, but what this was is artfully 
 concealed from us. 
 
 If you are afraid of your conduct being misrepresented, 
 why are not your proceedings published ? Your office is 
 of so extraordinary a nature, that your conduct will be can- 
 vassed by thousands who never converse with any of your 
 members. It is the peculiar excellency of the British 
 Constitution, that the proceedings of all publick bodies 
 should be freely discussed ; and amidst so many inquirers, 
 it is scarcely possible to avoid some misrepresentations ; to 
 guard against which, nothing is more necessary than to lay 
 the particulars before the publick, and if any censure is due 
 at all, it is to a neglect of this precaution. 
 
 Anti-Tyrannicus. 
 
 New-York, Thursday, March 23, 1775. 
 On Monday afternoon, expresses arrived in Town from 
 the County of Cumberland, in this Province, who bring 
 accounts from thence of a very extraordinary and alarming 
 nature, on the Monday afternoon preceding, March 13th, 
 the day for holding the Inferiour Courts, several rioters and 
 disorderly persons, to the number of between eighty and 
 ninety, assembled at the Court-House, of which they took 
 possession, with an avowed intent of preventing the Court 
 from being held the next day ; many of them had arms, and 
 those who were unprovided for were collecting both arms 
 and ammunition with all possible despatch. Many of the 
 Magistrates having come to Town, it was thought advisa- 
 ble that the Sheriff" should make the usual proclamation 
 against riotous assemblies, and demand possession of the 
 
 * The reader is requested to compare the Resolves of the Committee 
 with those of Parliament, on the subject of common report, and then 
 he will sec clearly the dangerous tendency of all assumed powers. 
 
 Resolved, That common report is not a sufficient authority for any 
 Printer in this City to publish any matters as facts relative to this 
 Committee, &.c. 
 
 1 Car. 1, 1G25. — Resolved, That common famo is a good ground of 
 proceedings for this House, either by inquiry, or presenting the com. 
 plaint (if the House find cause) to the King and Lords. 
 
 Vide Lex Parliamentaria, where it is recited by the authority of 
 Rushworth, one of the Republican party, and Secretary to Lord 
 Fairfax. 
 
 # 
 
215 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Lc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 216 
 
 Court-House and Jail, which being refused several limes, 
 about 'nine o'clock at night a party assembled in order to 
 disperse the rioters ; these proceeded with the Sheriff anil 
 some Magistrates to the Court-House where proclamation 
 was again made by the Sheriff for the rioters to disperse, 
 and sundry attempts were made to get in, without using 
 fire-arms, but this proving ineffectual, three guns were fired 
 over the door in hopes the rioters would be intimidated 
 and retire ; but so determined were they in their undertak- 
 ing, that the fire was immediately returned from the Court- 
 House, by which one of the Magistrates was slightly wound- 
 ed, and another person shot through his clothes. The 
 Magistrates seeing the imminent danger they were in, so 
 well exerted themselves, that they forced the front door, 
 and after a very smart engagement, wherein one of the 
 rioteis was killed, and many persons on both sides wounded, 
 the Court-House was cleared, and proper measures taken 
 to preserve the peace for that night. The next morning 
 all was tumult and disorder; the Judges, however, opened 
 the Court at the usual hour, and adjourned till three 
 o'clock in the afternoon ; but by this time, the body of 
 rioters beginning to assemble in large paities from New- 
 llampshuc, and places adjacent, and particularly from Ben- 
 nington, in the neighbouring County of Albany, with a 
 hostile appearance, and the Couit foreseeing no probability 
 of being able to proceed to business, adjourned till next 
 June term. The body of rioters, which soon amounted to 
 upwards of five hundred, surrounded the Court-House, 
 took the Judges, the Justices, the Sheriff, the Clerk, and 
 as many more of their friends as they could find, into close 
 custody, and sent parties out, who were daily returning 
 with more prisoners ; the roads and passages were guarded 
 with armed men, who indiscriminately laid hold of all pas- 
 sengers against whom any of the party intimated the least 
 suspicion ; and the mob, stimulated by their leaders to the 
 utmost fury and revenge, breathed nothing but blood and 
 slaughter against the unfortunate persons in their power. 
 The only thing which suspended their fate was a difference 
 of opinion as to the manner of destroying them. And from 
 the violence and inhumanity of the disposition apparent in 
 the rioters, it is greatly to be feared that some of the 
 worthy men in confinement will fall a sacrifice to the 
 brutal fury of a band of ruffians, before timely aid can be 
 brought to their assistance. 
 
 TO THE WORTHY INHABITANTS OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 Now-York, March 23, 1775. 
 Permit a stranger expelled from his habitation, and in- 
 humanly abused by an insolent and persecuting rabble, who 
 have long dealt destruction around them with impunity, 
 to submit his unmerited sufferings to your compassionate 
 attention. Seized, like the vilest malefactor, without the 
 shadow of offence ; condemned by a mock tribunal ; 
 severely and ignominiously beaten ; stripped of his whole 
 substance; compelled to abandon his wife and children in 
 a distant County to the care of Providence; and plunged 
 into want and distress, he has no place of refuge but in 
 this hospitable City. It is his only consolation, amidst the 
 most painful reflections, to flatter himself, that when this 
 unhappy case is made publick, he will not only receive 
 from Government the protection due to an innocent and 
 much injured subject, but will partake of that benevolence 
 from individuals for which the citizens of New-York are 
 justly celebrated. He wishes to make no comment on the 
 circumstances related in the following deposition ; they 
 admit of no aggravation. Benjamin Houoh. 
 
 City of New-York, ss. 
 
 Benjamin Hough, one of His Majesty's Justices of the 
 Peace for the County of Charlotte, being duly sworn on 
 the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, deposeth and 
 saith : That on or about the 26th day of January last past, 
 about eight o'clock in the morning, this deponent being at 
 some distance from his dwelling-house, but in view thereof, 
 observed three persons stop at his door, and enter his said 
 house, this deponent's whole family (except a child of 
 about six years of age) bp'ing absent ; that immediately 
 thereafter this deponent was attacked by about thirty per- 
 sona, a number of whom were armed with firelocks, swords, 
 and hatchets ; that upon their approach this deponent at- 
 
 tempted to get into his house to secure his arms and stand 
 upon his defence ; but that this deponent observing that 
 llinthorp lloyt, of Bennington, one of the three persons 
 this deponent had observed going into his house, stood at 
 the threshold of this deponent's door, with this deponent's 
 sword and pistol in his hands, he, this deponent, found it 
 would be to no purpose either to attempt to escape or to 
 make resistance ; that thereupon I'cleg Sunderland, of 
 the said County of Charlotte, came up to this deponent 
 with a hatchet in his hand, and slapping this deponent on 
 the shoulder, told him he was his prisoner; that he, the 
 said Beleg Sunderland, and the other persons who were 
 with him, forced this deponent into a sleigh, and carried 
 him about fifty miles to the southward of this deponent's 
 place of residence, to a place by them called Sunderland, 
 where they kept this deponent until the 30th day of the 
 said month of January in close confinement, part of the 
 time bound, and always under a strong guard, with drawn 
 swords. That Sylvanus Brown, James Meed, Samuel 
 Campbell, one Dwinels, one Powers, Stephen Meed, one 
 Booley, and one Lymen, were among the persons who so 
 seized and detained this deponent ; and with respect to the 
 rest of them, they were either strangers to this deponent, 
 or he cannot recollect their names at present ; that while 
 they had this deponent so in custody at Sunderland, some 
 of the said rioters informed this deponent that he could 
 not have his trial till the Monday following, because they 
 intended to send for Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, who 
 were then at Bennington, and who are two of the princi- 
 pal ringleaders of the Bennington mob. That on the said 
 30th day of January, the said rioters appointed a Court 
 for the trial of this deponent, which consisted of the fol- 
 lowing persons, to wit : The said Ethan Allen, Seth War- 
 ner, Robert Cochran, Pelcg Sunderland, James Meed, 
 Gideon Warren, and Jesse Sawyer, and they being seated, 
 ordered this deponent to be brought before them ; that he 
 was accordingly brought before them as a prisoner, guarded 
 by persons with drawn swords; that thereupon the said 
 Ethan Alhn laid the three following accusations to the 
 charge of this deponent, to wit : 
 
 1st. That this deponent had complained to the Gov- 
 ernment of New-York of their (the said rioters) mobbing 
 and injuring Benjamin Spencer, Esq., and other persons. 
 
 2d. That the deponent had dissuaded and discouraged the 
 people from joining the mob in their proceedings ; and, 
 
 3d. That the deponent had taken a commission of the 
 peace under the Government of New- York, and exercised 
 his office as a Magistrate for the County of Charlotte ; al- 
 leging that this deponent well knew that they (the mob) 
 did not allow of any Magistrate there. 
 
 And that after the said accusations were so made, the 
 said Ethan Allen told the deponent that he was at liberty 
 to plead for himself, if he had any thing to say; that this 
 deponent then demanded of him, the said Ethan Allen, 
 and the rest of his pretended Judges, whether he, this 
 deponent, had ever done injustice to any man in the exe- 
 cution of his office as a Magistrate ? To which they an- 
 swered, that they could not charge him with any injustice 
 in the execution of his office, nor had they any complaint 
 of that kind to make against him ; llarner, in particular, 
 declaring that he would as willingly have him for a Magis- 
 trate as any man whatever; but that they would not, under 
 their present circumstances, suffer any Magistrate at all. 
 That the deponent then asked the said pretended Judges, 
 whether they could accuse this deponent of busying him- 
 self or intermeddling with respect to titles of lands ? To 
 which the said Ethan Allen answered in the negative; and 
 that they had not heard, nor did they pretend to charee 
 him with any thing of that kind ; that the deponent then 
 added, that with respect to their three charges against him, 
 he admitted them to be true : that he had made such com- 
 plaint to the Government of New- York of the proceedings 
 of the said rioters against the said Benjamin Spencer and 
 others : that he had used his endeavours to dissuade people 
 from joining the said rioters in their proceedings ; and that 
 he has accepted a commission from the said Government 
 for, and exercised the office of, a Magistrate for the said 
 County of Charlotte; and that all this he had a good right 
 to do, and looked upon as his duty. That after some 
 further argumentation, the said pretended Judges withdiew 
 to another house to consider of their judgment, and in 
 
217 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1"5. 
 
 218 
 
 about two or three hours returned to the door of the house 
 where the deponent remained, and ordered him to be 
 brought out near a tree, where the said pretended Judges 
 had placed themselves, encircled by a number of armed 
 men, into the midst of which circle this deponent was con- 
 ducted as a prisoner, by four men with drawn swords ; and 
 that thereupon the said Ethan Allen, who all along acted 
 as the chief or principal Judge, pronounced the following 
 sentence against this deponent, which he read from a paper 
 which he held in his hand, to wit: That they had erected 
 a combination of judicious men for his trial, and had ac- 
 cused him in the manner before mentioned, [repeating the 
 accusations,] that the deponent had pleaded sclf-justijica- 
 tion, which they, the said pretended Judges, had ibund 
 insufficient to excuse him from punishment ; and that there- 
 fore their judgment was, that the deponent should he tied 
 up to a tree, and receive two hundred lashes on the naked 
 back, and then, as soon as he should be able, should depart 
 the New-Hampshire Giants, and not return again upon 
 pain of receiving five hundred lashes ; that upon some per- 
 sons observing that he, this deponent, ought not to be 
 suffered to return while matters remained in their present 
 condition, the said Alien added, no — not till His Majesty's 
 pleasure shall be known in the premises. That thereupon 
 this deponent immediately had his clothes taken olF, and 
 he was stripped to the skin, and four persons being, by the 
 said pretended Court, appointed to carry the said sentence 
 into execution, this deponent accordingly received the two 
 hundred lashes upon his naked back, with whips of cords, 
 which lashes were inflicted by each of the said execu- 
 tioners, giving the deponent alternately a number of lashes, 
 though at the close he thinks he received from each of 
 tliem ten ; that the said Robert Cochran, who declared 
 himself to be Adjutant of the rioters, stood, during the 
 whole scene, near this deponent, and frequently urged the 
 s ud executioners to lay on the blows well and strike harder, 
 and particularly repeated such directions with respect to 
 the last ten inflicted by each of the said executioners ; that 
 it was often mentioned by some of the rioters, that if any 
 oi this deponent's friends should intercede, or in any man- 
 ner favour him, they should share the same fate. That 
 the aforesaid Winthorp Hoyt, of Bennington, who pro- 
 fessed himself to be Drum-Major, Abel Benedict, of Ar- 
 lington, and one John Sawyer, and a person whose name 
 this deponent could not learn, were the four persons who 
 so whipped this deponent ; that this deponent was very 
 much wounded, and bled considerably by the said abuse ; 
 and the deponent being very faint, was put into the care 
 of Dr. Washburn, who conducted him into a house ; that 
 the deponent declared to the said rioters, that it was a great 
 hardship that he was not suffered to go home to take care 
 of his interest and child, who was left without father or 
 mother, the deponent's wife being absent on a distant visit 
 to her parents. That the rioters notwithstanding insisted 
 that the sentence should be put in execution, and the de- 
 ponent leave the country accordingly. And the deponent 
 further saith, that after he had been so abused, the said 
 Ethan Allen delivered him a paper in writing, signed by 
 him and Seth Warner, in the words and figures following, 
 to wit : 
 
 SunJorlanJ, 30th of January, 1773. 
 " This may certify the inhabitants of the New-Hamp- 
 shire Grants, that Benjamin Hough hath this day re- 
 ceived a full punishment for his crimes committed here- 
 tofore against this Country, and our inhabitants are ordered 
 to give him, the said Hough, a free and unmolested pass- 
 port toward the City of New-York, or to the westward of 
 our Grants, he behaving as becometh. Given under our 
 hands the day and dale aforesaid. Ethan Allen, 
 
 Seth Warner." 
 
 And he, this deponent, having received his strength, the 
 next day proceeded on foot on his journey toward the City 
 of New- York ; that while this deponent was in custody of 
 the said rioters, he heard the said Ethan Allen say, that 
 he expected that they should be obliged to drive off all the 
 damned Durhamites, [meaning the inhabitants of the Town 
 of Durham, in the County of Charlotte,] that this depo- 
 nent frequently heard the said rioters declare that they 
 would have little Walker [meaning Daniel Walker,] and 
 Thomas Bratci, (the Constable who served under this de- 
 
 ponent) if they could be found above ground ; and that 
 they further threatened that they would, for the future, be 
 more severe with the damned Yorkers, (meaning persons 
 who would not join with them in their riotous proceedings,] 
 and would whip them within an inch of their lives ; that 
 for the future, they would not be at the trouble and ex- 
 pense of giving them a trial, but that the persons w ho met 
 with them should punish them immediately ; that this de- 
 ponent, while lie was so confined, heard the said rioters 
 further declare, that they were sorry they had not inflicted 
 upon Doctor Adams [who lived in Arlington, and against 
 whom they had taken offence] five hundred lashes, instead 
 of hoisting him up and exposing him upon landlord Pay's 
 sign-post, where was fixed a dead catamount ; and that this 
 deponent also heard the said Ethan Allen declare in the 
 said mob, that he expected shortly to have a fight with the 
 damned Yorkers, for that they would hear how the mob 
 had abused their Magistrates ; but that he believed them 
 to be damned cowards, or that they would have come out 
 against them long before ; that this deponent, on his way 
 to New- York, called at the bouse of Bliss Willottghby and 
 Ebenezer Cole, Esquires, two of His Majesty's Justices of 
 the Peace for the County of Albany, residing near Ben- 
 nington ; that he found them armed, in great distress and 
 danger, and having people in their houses ready to take 
 arms for their defence in case they should be attacked by 
 the rioters, which, as they assured this deponent, they 
 hourly expected ; that this deponent, on his way to New- 
 York, also called at Pownall Town, part of which lies w ith- 
 in the Manor of Rensselaerwyck, (as this deponent has been 
 informed by the inhabitants ol the said Town,) that lie 
 found the said inhabitants in great commotion and uneasi- 
 ness on account of the said rioters ; that he understood from 
 some of the said inhabitants, that they had agreed to take 
 leases for their possessions under the proprietors of the 
 said Manor, but that they dared not for fear of the said 
 rioters, who had threatened them severely ; and one of the 
 said inhabitants in particular, told this deponent that he 
 had taken a lease for his farm of the said proprietor, but 
 should, on that account, be obliged to give it up ; that 
 when this deponent left the said Pownall Town, he met 
 George Gardiner, Esquire, of Pownall Town aforesaid, 
 also one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said 
 County of Albany, who told the deponent that the state 
 of the said Town was very dangerous and difficult ; that he 
 expected every day to be prevented by the rioters from 
 exercising his office ; that he was apprehensive that miles-; 
 Government should give them some protection, many of 
 the inhabitants of the said Town would join the said rioters, 
 and earnestly entreated this deponent to exert his utmost 
 endeavours to procure such protection ; that this deponent, 
 on his way to New-York, conversed with James Clark, 
 [who was in his employ,] and who informed this deponent 
 (and which this deponent verily believes to be true) that 
 since this deponent was so seized by the said mob, John 
 Lord, Joseph, Rand el, and Clark, three of this deponent's 
 neighbours, had been very much abused and insulted by 
 the said mob, and that the said John Law was turned out 
 of his possession and obliged to fly the Country. And the 
 deponent further says, that the said mob robbed him of his 
 arms, to wit: a hanger and pistol, which he has not been 
 able since to procure ; and the deponent further saith that 
 he hath frequently been informed, and believes it to be 
 true, that the said rioters have a design to put an end to 
 law and justice in the County of Cumberland, and that 
 they went so far as to appoint a day upon which to make 
 the attempt, but it did not then take place ; and further this 
 deponent saith not. B. Hough. 
 
 Sworn before me, the 7th day of March, 1775. 
 
 Dan. Horsmanden. 
 
 A RELATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PEOPLE OF 
 THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND, AND PROVINCE OF NEW- 
 YORK. 
 
 Cumberland County, March 23, 1775. 
 In June, 1774, there were some Letters came to the 
 Supervisors of said County from the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence at New-York, signed by their Chairman, Mr. 
 Low; which Letters said Supervisors, through ignorance 
 or intention, kept until September, when they had an- 
 
219 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Lc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 220 
 
 oilier meeting ; and it is supposed that they intended al- 
 ways to have kept them ; and the good people would have 
 remained in ignorance about them until this time had it not 
 been by accident that it was whispered abroad, so that 
 Doctor Reuben Jones, of Rockingham, and Captain Aza- 
 riah Wright, of Westminster, heard of it, and took proper 
 care to notify those Towns. 
 
 A meeting was called in the two Towns aforesaid, and a 
 Committee was chosen by each Town to wait on the Su- 
 pervisors at their meeting in September, to see if there 
 were any papers that should be laid before the several 
 Towns in the County, and they found that there were pa- 
 pers come from the Committee of Correspondence that 
 should have been laid before the Towns in June. The 
 Supervisors made many excuses for their conduct; some 
 plead ignorance, and some one thing and some another : 
 but the most of them did seem to think that they could 
 send a return to the Committee at Neiv-York, without ever 
 laying them before their constituents, which principle, at 
 this day, so much prevails, that it is the undoing of the 
 people. Men at this day are so tainted with the princi- 
 ples of tyranny, that they would fain believe that as they 
 are chosen by the people to any kind of office, lor any par- 
 ticular thing, that they have the sole power of that people 
 by whom they are chosen, and can act in the name of that 
 people in any matter or thing, though it is not in any con- 
 nection with what they were chosen for. But the Com- 
 mittees would not consent to have a return made, until 
 every Town in the County had Mr. Low's letters laid be- 
 fore them, which was done, and a County Congress was 
 called, return was made, a Committee was chosen to see 
 that it was put in print, but, through interest or otherwise, 
 it never was published in any of the papers. 
 
 Immediately after the people of the County aforesaid 
 received the Resolves of the Continental Congress, they 
 called a County Congress, and did adopt all the Resolves 
 of the Continental Congress as their Resolves, promising 
 religiously to adhere to that Agreement or Association. 
 There was a Committee of Inspection moved for, to be chosen 
 by the County according to the second Resolve of the Asso- 
 ciation aforesaid ; but being much spoken against by a Jus- 
 tice and an Attorney, and looked upon by them as a child- 
 ish, impertinent thing, the Delegates dared not choose one. 
 At this time there were Tory parties forming, although 
 they were under disguise, and had laid a plan to bring the 
 lower sort, of the people into a state of bondage and sla- 
 very. They saw that there was no cash stirring, and they 
 took that opportunity to collect debts, knowing that men 
 had no other way to pay them than by having their estates 
 taken by execution and sold at vendue. There were but 
 very few men among us that were able to buy, and those 
 men were so disposed that they would take all the world 
 into their own hands without paying any thing for it, if they 
 could by law, which would soon bring the whole Country 
 into slavery. Most or all of our men in authority, and all 
 that wanted Court favours, seemed much enraged, and 
 stirred up many vexatious lawsuits, and imprisoned many 
 contrary to the laws of this Province and the statutes of 
 the Crown. One man they put into close prison for high 
 treason, and all that they proved against him was, that he 
 said if the King had signed the Quebeck Bill, it was his 
 opinion that he had broke his coronation oath. But the 
 good people went and opened the prison door and let him 
 go, and did no violence to any man's per son or property. 
 
 Our men in office would say that they did like the Reso- 
 lutions of the Continental Congress, and they ought to be 
 strictly adhered to until our General Assembly voted against 
 them. Then they said that this would do for the Bay- 
 Province, but it was childish for us to pay any regard to 
 them. Some of our Court would boldly say that the King 
 had a just right to make the Revenue Acts, for he had a 
 supreme power, and he that said otherwise was guilty of 
 high treason, and they did hope that they would he exe- 
 cuted accordingly. The people were of opinion that such 
 men were not suitable to rule over them, and as the Gene- 
 ral Assembly of this Province would not accede to the 
 Associatiorr of the Continental Congress, the good people 
 were of opinion that if they did accede to any power from 
 or under them, they should be guilty of the breach of the 
 14th Article of that Association, and may justly be dealt 
 with accordingly by all /Lmcrica. When the good people 
 
 considered that the General Assembly were for bringing 
 them into a state of slavery, (which did appear plain by 
 their not acceding to the best method to procure (heir 
 liberties, and the Executive power so strongly acquiescing 
 in all that they did, whether it was right or wrong,) the 
 good people of said County thought it time to look to 
 themselves; and they thought that it was dangerous to 
 trust their lives and fortunes in the hands of such enemies 
 to American liberty, but more particularly unreasonable 
 that there should be any Court held, since thereby we 
 must accede to what our General Assembly had done, in 
 not acceding to what the whole Continent had recom- 
 mended, and that all America would break off all dealings 
 and commerce with us, and bring us into a state of slavery 
 at once. Therefore, in duty to God, ourselves, and pos- 
 terity, we thought ourselves under the strongest obligations 
 to resist and to oppose all authority that would not accede 
 to the Resolves of the Continental Congress. But know- 
 ing that many of our Court were men that neither feared 
 or regarded men, we thought that it was most prudent to go 
 and persuade the Judges to stay at home. Accordingly 
 there were about forty good true men went from Rocking- 
 ham to Chester, to dissuade Colonel Chandler, the Chief 
 Judge, from attending Court. He said he believed it would 
 be for the good of the County not to have any Court as 
 things were, but there was one case of murder that they 
 must see to, and if it was not agreeable to the people they 
 would not have any other case. One of the Committee 
 told him that the Sheriff would raise a number with arms, 
 and that there would be bloodshed. The Colonel said 
 that he would give his word and honour that there should 
 not be any arms brought against us, and he would go down 
 to Court on Monday the 13th of March instant, which 
 was the day that the Court was to be opened. We told 
 him that we would wait on him if it was his will. He said 
 that our company would be very agreeable; likewise he 
 returned us his hearty thanks for our civility, and so we 
 parted with him. 
 
 We heard from the Southern part of the State that 
 Judge Sabin was very earnest to have the Law go on, as 
 well as many petty officers. There were but two Judges 
 in the County at that time, Colonel Wells being gone to 
 New-York. There was a great deal of talk in what 
 manner to stop the Court, and at length it was agreed on 
 to let the Court come together, and lay the reasons we had 
 against their proceeding before them, thinking thev were 
 men of such sense that they would hear them. But on 
 Friday we heard that the Court was going to take the pos- 
 session of the house on the 13th instant, and to keep a 
 strong guard at the doors of said house, that we could not 
 come in. We being justly alarmed by the deceit of our 
 Court, though it was not strange, therefore we thought 
 proper to get to Court before the armed guards were 
 placed, for we were determined that our grievances should 
 be laid before the Court before it was opened. On Monday 
 the 13th of March instant, there were about one hundred 
 of us entered the Court-House about four o'clock in the 
 afternoon. But we had but just entered before we were 
 alarmed by a large number of men, armed with guns, 
 swords and pistols. But we in the house had not any 
 weapons of war among us, and were determined that they 
 should not come in with their weapons of war except by 
 the force of them. 
 
 Esquire Patterson came up at the head of his armed 
 company, within about five yards of the door, and com- 
 manded us to disperse ; to which he got no answer. He 
 then caused the King's Proclamation to be read, and told 
 us that if we did not disperse in fifteen minutes, by G — d 
 he would blow a lane through us. We told him that we 
 would not disperse. We told them that they might come 
 in if they would unarm themselves, but not without. One 
 of our men went out at the door and asked them if they 
 were come for war ; told them that we were come for peace, 
 and that we should be glad to hold a parley with them. 
 At that, Mr. Gale, the Clerk of the Court, drew a pistol, 
 
 held it up, and said, d n the parley with such d d 
 
 rascals as you are ; I will hold no parley with such d d 
 
 rascals but by this — holding up his pistol. They gave us 
 very harsh language ; told us we should be in hell before 
 morning, but after a while they drew a little off from the 
 house and seemed to be in consultation. Three of us 
 
221 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 222 
 
 went out to treat with them ; but the most, or all that we 
 could get from them was, that they would not talk with 
 
 such d d rascals as we were, and we soon returned to 
 
 the house and they soon went off. 
 
 Colonel Chandler came in and we laid the case before 
 him, and told him that we had his word that there should 
 not be any arms brought against us. He said that the arms 
 were brought without his consent, but he would go and take 
 them away from them, and we should enjoy the house un- 
 disturbed until morning, and that the Court should come in 
 the morning without arms, and should hear what we had 
 to lay before them, and then he went away. We then 
 went out of the house and chose a Committee, which drew 
 up Articles to stand for, and read them to the company, 
 and they were voted von. con. dis., and some of our men 
 went to the neighbours, and as many as the Court and their 
 party saw they bound. 
 
 About midnight, or a little before, the sentry at the door 
 espied some men with guns, and he gave the word to man 
 the doors and the walk was crowded. Immediately the 
 Sheriff and his company marched up fast, within about 
 ten rods of the door, and then the word was given, take 
 care, and then, fire ! Three fired immediately. The word 
 
 fire was repeated ; G — d d n you, fire ; send them to 
 
 hell, was most or all the words that were to be heard for 
 some time ; on which there were several men wounded ; 
 one was shot with four bullets, one of which went through 
 his brain, of which wound lie died next day. Then they 
 rushed in with their guns, swords, and clubs, and did most 
 cruelly mammock several more, and took some that were 
 not wounded, and those that were, and crowded them all 
 into close prison together, and told them that they should 
 all be in hell before the next night, and that they did wish 
 that there were forty more in the same case with that dying 
 man. When they put him into prison they took and 
 dragged him as one would a dog, and would mock him as 
 he lay gasping, and make sport for themselves at his dying 
 motions. The people that escaped took prudent care to 
 notify the people in the County, and also in the Govern- 
 ment of New-Hampshire and the Bay, which being justly 
 alarmed at such an unheard-of and aggravated piece of 
 murder, did kindly interpose in our favour. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 14th instant, about twelve o'clock, 
 nearly two hundred men, well armed, came from New- 
 Hampshire Government, and before night there were several 
 of the people of Cumberland County returned and took up 
 all they knew of, that were in the horrid massacre, and con- 
 fined them under a strong guard ; and afterwards they con- 
 fined as many as they could get evidence against, except 
 several that did escape for their lives. On the 15lh instant, 
 the body formed chose a Moderator and Clerk, and chose 
 a Committee to see that the Coroner's Jury of inquest 
 were just, impartial men ; which Jury, on their oath, did 
 bring in, that W. Patterson, &tc, Stc, did, on the 13th of 
 March instant, by force and arms, make an assault on the 
 body of William French, then and there lying dead, and 
 shot him through the head with a bullet, of which wound 
 he died, and not otherwise. Then the criminals were con- 
 fined in close prison, and, on the evening of the same day, 
 and early the next morning, a large number came from the 
 Southern part of the County of Cumberland and the Bay 
 Province. It is computed that in the whole there were 
 five hundred good martial soldiers, well equipped for war, 
 that had gathered. On the 16th instant the body assem- 
 bled, but being so numerous that they could not do busi- 
 ness, there was a vote passed to choose a large Committee 
 to represent the whole, and that this Committee should 
 consist of men who did not belong to the County of Cum- 
 berland, as well as of those that did belong thereto: which 
 was done. After the most critical and impartial examina- 
 tion of evidence, voted, that the heads of them should be 
 confined in Northampton Jail, till they could have a fair 
 trial, and those that did not appear so guilty, should be 
 under bonds, holden to answer at the next Court of Oyer 
 and Terminer, in the County aforesaid ; which was agreed 
 to. On the 17th instant, bonds were taken for those that 
 were to be bound, and the rest set out under a strong guard 
 for Northampton. 
 
 We, the Committee aforesaid, embrace this opportunity 
 to return our most grateful acknowledgments and sincere 
 thanks to our truly wise and patriotick friends in the Govern- 
 
 ment of New-Hampshire and the Massachusetts-Bay, for 
 their kind and benevolent interposition in our favour, at such 
 a time of distress and confusion aforesaid ; strongly assuring 
 them that we shall be always ready for their aid and assist- 
 ance, if by the dispensation of Divine Providence we are 
 called thereto. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee: 
 
 Reuben Jones, Clerk. 
 
 TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES WALLACE, ESQ., COMMANDER 
 OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP ROSE, NEWPORT. 
 
 Freetown, March 23, 1775. 
 Honourable Sir: Since my writing the lines on the 
 21st, by Mr. Phillips, many insults and threats are, and 
 have been made against those soldiers which have taken 
 our arms and train, and exercise in the King's name ; and 
 on Monday next the Captains muster at the south part of 
 the Tow n, when we have great reason to fear thousands of 
 the rebels will attack them, and take our lives, or the 
 King's arms, or perhaps both. I, Sir, ask the favour of 
 one of His Majesty's Tenders, or some other vessel of 
 force might be at or near Bowers', in order if any of our 
 people should be obliged to retreat, they may be taken on 
 board. Nothing but the last extremity will oblige them 
 to quit the ground. 1 am your obedient, humble servant, 
 
 Thomas Gilbert. 
 
 guilford (Connecticut) committee. 
 
 Whereas there is inserted in the Connecticut Journal, of 
 February 22d, 1775, an extract of a letter from Martinico, 
 dated December 21st, 1774, mentioning Captain Griffin s 
 arrival there, in a vessel of Mr. Morgan's, belonging to 
 Killing sworth, with fourteen Sheep ; by which it is repre- 
 sented said Griffin has violated the American Association: 
 notwithstanding he has endeavoured to satisfy the publick, 
 by stating the several matters of fact in said Journal of 
 March the 8th, 1775, (to which no answer has appeared,) 
 yet he is concerned to clear his character in said affair : 
 and therefore has this day called on the Committee of In- 
 spection for this place, from whence he last sailed, to con- 
 sider the matter, as to the time and circumstances attending 
 his carrying said Sheep, and on hearing the whole, we are 
 of opinion, that said Griffin has not violated said Asso- 
 ciation ; and therefore do acquit and recommend him to the 
 favourable acceptance of the publick. 
 
 Dated in Guilford, this 23d day of March, 1775. 
 
 David Landon, Cleric. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASS ACHUSETTS-B AY . 
 NO. VI. 
 
 Boston, March 23, 1775. 
 
 My Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 It is common for the solicitous, and honest inquirer after 
 truth, to suspend his judgment until he becomes acquainted 
 with the arguments on both sides of the question. But to 
 demonstrative certainty there can be but one side only. 
 And this, I think, we have already seen, to be plain, smooth, 
 and as conspicuous as the beaming of the sun at noon-day. 
 In matters of probability there are often counter argu- 
 ments, mutually destroying each other, w here the less being 
 deducted from the greater, the assent of the mind is strong 
 in proportion to the excess of evidence. If there are, in 
 the nature of things, any real objections to our claim of 
 Parliamentary independence, as defined in a past number, 
 we may reasonably expect to find them in the publications 
 of the toryistical champion, Massachusettensis. Like a ve- 
 teran in the service, he has erected a fortress, and played 
 briskly from his batteries, upon this subject, in three suc- 
 cessive papers. From the great roar, and little execution, 
 there is reason to expect his design was to raise a smoke, 
 which might conceal a forlorn party from the enemy's eye, 
 and so secure a difficult retreat. Persuaded I am, if we 
 can once reach his strong holds, by removing the rubbish 
 and lumber which is artfully strewed to embarrass access, 
 with a small force we can soon force his intrenchments. 
 
 To avoid prolixity, I shall not dwell upon such matters 
 as fall within the reasoning and principles which we have 
 already established, leaving you to your own recollection, 
 and natural penetration upon a bare reference. 
 
223 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MARCH, 177", 
 
 224 
 
 It may be of use to premise, that the question we have 
 been examining, and which is still under consideration, is, 
 whether we are in troth a part of the British Empire, in 
 such a sense, as to be subject to her supreme authority in 
 all cases whatever? Whether this subjection is fit and 
 necessary on principles of rectitude and policy, is a dis- 
 tinct matter. Admitting this to be true, it is a good rea- 
 son why we should immediately unite, but no evidence that 
 we are already united. Nor is the question, whether a 
 submission to ministerial measures be dangerous and ruin- 
 ous, or forcible opposition to the regulating laws eligible 
 and effectual. These matters are worthy your serious 
 consideration. Our first attention ought to be to the justice 
 of our cause; then, if prudence leads us to contend, we 
 may reasonably expect, He who is higher than the highest, 
 will look down with gracious approbation upon our righteous 
 struggle, and by breaking the jaws of proud oppressors, 
 take the prey even from between their teeth. It is neces- 
 sary that the above distinctions be kept constantly in view, 
 as they will secure us from a confusion of ideas on the one 
 hand, and enable us to distinguish between reasoning and 
 fallacy on the other, in publications where they are artfully 
 confounded. 
 
 After a long parade upon miscellaneous subjects our 
 designing reasoner fairly opens to the point. Says he, " the 
 Colonies are a part of the British Empire." In support of 
 which, he produces the opinion of the best writers upon the 
 Law of Nations : that when a Nation takes possession of a 
 distant country and settles there, that country, though sepa- 
 rated from the principal establishment, or mother country, 
 naturally becomes a part of the state, equal with its ancient 
 possessions." The truth of this principle may be allowed 
 with safety to our argument. For the conclusion, that a 
 country, though separated from the principal establishment, 
 becomes a part of the mother state, is general, depending 
 upon an antecedent reason resulting from a particular state 
 of facts in a number of similar instances, and therefore 
 cannot be applied to cases not only dissimilar in general, 
 but also in those particular circumstances upon which alone 
 its whole force depends. The antecedent stale of facts, 
 which is assigned as a reason, by the civilians themselves, 
 in support of their conclusion, is " a Nation's taking posses- 
 sion of a country, and settling there." It is an invariable 
 rule in logick, which our sophister is well acquainted with, 
 that if the antecedent position of the argument is untrue or 
 contradicted, the conclusion of course depending thereon 
 falls- to the ground. We have already shown that this 
 Country was taken possession of by individuals, and by 
 them settled at their own risk and private expense, and 
 not by the Nation as a Nation. So that this principle car- 
 ries meat in its mouth, as is sometimes said ; and in the 
 application of our logical genius, to use his own language, 
 is fclo de se, destroys itself; for being without the reason, 
 we cannot be within his conclusion. 
 
 The above-cited opinion not only fails of proving our 
 connection in any degree whatever; but no argument can 
 be adduced pertinent to our present subject from any pre- 
 cedents in ancient history, as the settlement of the Ame- 
 rican Colonies was undertaken from views, and accom- 
 panied with circumstances, singular, and perfectly dissimi- 
 lar to those which influenced colonization in the more 
 early ages of the world. We have not yet done with the 
 above-cited opinion. Something worse is still behind. It 
 not only fails of serving the purpose of him who adduced 
 it, but so far as it applies to the subject, it descends with 
 its whole force directly against him. For the implication 
 is violent, by a fair construction, that the opinion of t lie 
 best writers on the Law of Nations is in favour of our being 
 separate from the Mother Country, if this Colony was not 
 taken possession of and settled by the English Nation as 
 such. This is apparent, not only from the force of words, 
 and thread of reasoning as explained above ; but also from 
 their express positions, that individuals have a right to 
 abandon the jurisdiction of a State, and settle in some 
 vacant part of the world, and thereby recover their natural 
 freedom. The argument holds still stronger where the 
 country moved to was in the prior occupacy of a foreign 
 Nation, and honestly purchased of the occupants by the 
 persons emigrating, as in the present instance. Therefore 
 the authority of those writers, if they are consistent with 
 themselves, is clearly in support of the doctrine of inde- 
 
 pendence. For I appeal to every man's private know- 
 ledge of the rise and progress of this Country. You have 
 heard, my dear countrymen, you well know, your fathers 
 have told you, nor will it be hid from your children, or the 
 generations to come, the wonderful transactions of our vir- 
 tuous predecessors, who, under the blessing of Providence, 
 after they had been from one nation to another, from one 
 kingdom to another people, came and took possession of 
 this land, wandering in it hungry and thirsty, naked and 
 cold, finding no city to receive them, no house to repose 
 in, no aid from their forsaken parent, a few in number sur- 
 viving the accumulated hardships, they and their posterity 
 settled and defended it, in their own right, at their own 
 risk and expense against the horrid attacks of nations, 
 savage, heathen, delighting in havock and in blood. Nay, 
 I will venture to appeal to Massachuseltensis himself, to his 
 oracle of infallibility, the author of the history of this 
 Province ; these are his words, speaking of the war w ith 
 Philip, in which many valuable lives were lost. Says 
 he, " Fighting made soldiers. As soon as the inhabitants 
 had a little experience of the Indian way of fighting, 
 they became a match for them. An addition to their num- 
 bers they did not want. Be that as it may, this is certain, 
 that as the Colony was at first settled, so it was now pre- 
 served from ruin without any charge to the Mother Coun- 
 try." What are your feelings ? Does not strong convic- 
 tion arrest your minds ? Does not reason and passion join 
 their voice ? Look to the graves of our slaughtered ances- 
 tors ; they will open their mouths, and teach us freedom's 
 price in serious lessons wrote with blood. 
 
 Thus our silver-tongued disputant, (I had almost said 
 doubled-tongued,) imagining that he had, or that a particu- 
 lar class of courtfidians would believe he had, proved, 
 that the Colonies were a part of the British Empire, by 
 an argument that concludes directly in his teeth, so far as 
 it applies; he justly observes that two supreme indepen- 
 dent authorities cannot exist in the same state, as it would 
 be imperium in imperio, the height of political absurdities ; 
 and thence infers, as well he might, our entire subjection to 
 the uncontrollable power of the parent State. We may, 
 in our turn, retort this argument with additional force, and, 
 in his own way, prove we are not a part of the British 
 Empire, by the following plain demonstrated position, viz: 
 The Colonies are not subject to the supreme authority of 
 Great Britain. The greatest statesmen and sages in the 
 law of the past and present age, tell us that representation 
 is commensurate with legislation — that they are inseparably 
 joined by God himself in an eternal league. Two supreme 
 independent authorities cannot exist in the same State. 
 The Colonies are not represented in the supreme legisla- 
 tive court of the Parent Country. If then we are not 
 subject to the superlative power of the British State, we 
 are not part of the British Realm or Empire. What, my 
 friends, becomes of this famous argument urged by Massa- 
 chuseltensis, which is introduced with so much pomposity, 
 with such artful encomiums on the British Constitution, as 
 would, he seems to hope, reconcile one to slavery for the 
 sake of being governed by King, Lords, and Commons ; 
 which is managed with such a career of words, and backed 
 with such argumentative similes, taken from the economy 
 of the human body, as would, he may think, induce the 
 Colonists cheerfully to become the slaves of British sub- 
 jects, if not the servants of British slaves. 
 
 To remove all scruples respecting the matter, our writer 
 in his next paragraph, without attempting to prove it, 
 boldly asserts : It is beyond a doubt that it was both the 
 sense of the Parent Country and our ancestors, that they 
 were to remain subject to Parliament. It is evident, says 
 he, from the Charter itself, and this authority has been 
 exercised by Parliament from time to time, almost ever 
 since the first settlement of (he Country, and has been 
 expressly acknowledged by our Provincial Legislatures. 
 I presome he never has, nor ever will he, or his posterity 
 find a single instance where the authority of Parliament 
 to bind us in all cases whatsoever has been acknowledged 
 by our Provincial Assemblies. They have, and do now, 
 admit the right of regulating trade, from the necessity of 
 the case, and the fitness and rectitude of the measure. 
 And if his ipse dixit is to be the rule of political faith, he 
 might as well have told us, that it was the sense of our 
 ancestors, and the Parent State, that we should be subject 
 
225 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 226 
 
 to the Grand Seignior of Turkey, where the people, as well 
 as the country, are the property of the Emperour, every 
 man's fortune and life being solely at his disposal, without 
 the least check or restraint. " But it is evident from the 
 Charter itself," says he. Where is the evidence ? Is it 
 not as evident from the Alcoran or Church Liturgy ? 
 These matters we have already considered in other papers, 
 to which I refer you. 
 
 He then admits there is one specious argument in our 
 favour ; but, says he, it leads to such absurdities as de- 
 monstrate its fallacy. It is this : " The Americans are 
 entitled to all the privileges of an Englishman ; it is the 
 privilege of an Englishman to be exempt from all laws that 
 he does not consent to, in person, or by representative ; the 
 Americans are not represented in Parliament, and therefore 
 are not subject to its authority." I suspect, my country- 
 men, we have not been conversant enough in the school of 
 absurdities to be able to detect the fallacy of this obstinate, 
 this unwieldy argument. However, nil desperandum Mas- 
 sachusettense duce. " If (says our arch reasoner) the Colo- 
 nies are not subject to the authority of Parliament, Great 
 Britain and the Colonies must be distinct States, as com- 
 pletely so as England and Scotland were before the union, 
 or as Great Britain and Hanover are now." Where, in 
 the name of common sense, is the absurdity of Great Bri- 
 tain and the Colonies being distinct States, united under 
 one common Sovereign, seeing Scotland was so once, and 
 Hanover is so now ? The very instances that he adduces 
 to illustrate his absurdities with, prove to demonstration 
 that there is no absurdity in the supposition. An absurdity 
 consists in a supposition or declaration inconsistent with the 
 truth of fact, or the possible relation of things. But, says 
 he, "in this case the Colonies will owe no allegiance to 
 the imperial Crown, and perhaps not to the person of the 
 King." Our subtile manager has not told us, and I dare 
 say never will, where the inconsistency is in not owing alle- 
 giance to the King, or point out the absurdities deducible 
 from thence. Finding he could not get along with his 
 reductio ad absurdum, he, like a person thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with the futility of his argument, prudently chose 
 to waive the subject. There is not only no absurdities 
 deducible from the supposition of our owing no allegiance 
 to the imperial Crown, but it is not true that this conse- 
 quence follows from his premises, there being no connexion 
 between our being independent of Parliament, and the 
 inference drawn from thence. Let us examine it. A King 
 of England, as such, is a political entity. He has two 
 distinct capacities, or bodies ; the one natural, in common 
 with other men, and subject to like passions ; the other a 
 body politick, consisting of those constitutional powers, 
 prerogatives, and capacities which he derives from his 
 subjects as their Sovereign. This latter body never dies. 
 Upon the dissolution of the natural, which is called the 
 demise of the King, the body political is transferred or 
 conveyed over from the deceased to another natural body ; 
 the name of King being a term of continuance. He forms 
 one of the three distinct powers, or bodies, which are en- 
 tirely independent of each other, composing the supreme 
 power or legislative authority of the Empire. The Lords 
 spiritual and temporal is another, and aristocratical branch, 
 distinct and independent. The House of Commons is a 
 third democratical power, freely chosen by the people 
 from among themselves. These three constitute that 
 aggregate body called the British Parliament, whose 
 sovereignty is constitutionally over all its constituents. By 
 what principle in logick, then, by what hair-breadth argu- 
 ment, can be inferred a subjection to the two last of those 
 powers, or to all three in concert, from an allegiance to the 
 first? Where is the middle term that enforces the conclu- 
 sion ? Where the intermediate idea that shows the con- 
 nexion? If there are none, (and I defy him to show any,) 
 where, upon his own principles, is the mighty absurdity of 
 Great Britain and the Colonies being distinct States, 
 having one common Sovereign ? To strengthen the sup- 
 position, I would ask, whether the Peers of the Realm, 
 who sit in the House of Lords, are Peers of America? 
 This noble independent order are the Representatives of 
 all the Commons in the Kingdom ; and, like the House of 
 ommons, can give their assent to no law which does not 
 bind themselves equally with all the other members of the 
 community. This is one of the principal securities to the 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 people against oppression. But where is the American's 
 security ? On their supposition, avarice and ambition un- 
 checked, is the guardian of his property ; arbitrary will, 
 and perhaps sportive caprice, the tenure by which he 
 draws his breath. 
 
 The next inference that our indefatigable writer makes 
 against us is, that by possibility we may owe no allegiance 
 to the person of the King, that is, to the King of England. 
 in no capacity whatever. Where he gets this conclusion, 
 or how he draws it, I dare not hazard a conjecture, unless 
 it be that he conjured it up with that huge group of verbose 
 absurdities through which we have just now forced our 
 way. Admitting it to be deducible from a state of facts, 
 there is no inconsistency in the whole affair. And I will 
 venture to say, that he who possesses such a facility at 
 drawing of consequences, fas vel nefas, well knows that 
 premises established are not to be invalidated by deductions 
 therefrom. It is therefore unnecessary at this time to in- 
 quire, whether allegiance be in fact due to the person of 
 the King, or to the British Crown. This is the less neces- 
 sary, as Massachusettensis himself seemed to think there 
 was no difficulty in getting over his own objection, after he 
 had made it. It was the opinion of Lord Coke and others, 
 the first in fame, that allegiance is due to the former. 
 Either supposition is perfectly consistent with the Ameri- 
 can plan of independence. The latter we have above 
 shown to be so. Allegiance to the person of the King is 
 admitted to be so. Charles the First, who titled himself 
 at the head of our former Charter, King of England, Scot- 
 land, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c, 
 stipulated for himself and his Royal successors, by which 
 the inhabitants of this Colony became his liege subjects, 
 and he their acknowledged Sovereign. Now, although per- 
 sonal allegiance may be due, yet it is evident, both from 
 the words of the Charter, its design and subject-matter, 
 which is the best key for construction, that British royalty 
 was a necessary qualification, and an English Crown an 
 essential appendage of the person who is constitutionally 
 the Sovereign of this Province. The person upon the 
 Throne of England, by virtue of the British Constitution, 
 is our rightful Sovereign, by virtue of our Provincial Char- 
 ters, not because he is King of England, but because our 
 Constitution vests the sovereignty of this Province in the 
 person who is designated by a British Crown and an Eng- 
 lish Sceptre. 
 
 It is obvious to observe here, that when our Charter 
 was granted, and after, until the reign of Queen Anne, 
 England and Scotland were two perfectly distinct and 
 totally independent States, the supreme power of each 
 being lodged in a Parliament of its own. Charles the First 
 being a Prince common to both States, formed one branch 
 of the supreme legislative authority in both Kingdoms. If, 
 therefore, our becoming subject to this Prince brought us 
 within the jurisdiction of the English Parliament, upon the 
 principles of the Tories, for the same reason it subjected 
 us to the sovereign power of the Scottish legislators, and of 
 consequence exposed us to the service of two masters, to 
 the distraction and misery of double legislation and com- 
 plicated taxation — as great a political curse as can be in 
 reserve in the store of Heaven for any people under its broad 
 canopy. I have something further to say on this curious 
 paper. From the County of Hampshire. 
 
 NANSEMOND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 24, 1775. 
 
 However disagreeable and unhappy it is to hold up for 
 publick censure the conduct of any man, yet when we con- 
 sider the present unfortunate disputes between the Mother 
 Country and her Colonies would probably, in the result, be 
 the ruin of both, if some timely, judicious, and wise me- 
 thods were not contrived to effect a reconciliation, and 
 adjust the lamentable differences ; we cannot but think that 
 all those who endeavour to frustrate, and labour to counter- 
 act such laudable ends, are enemies to America, no friends 
 to the excellent Constitution of England, and strictly merit 
 the censure and disesteem of all lovers of their Country, 
 freedom, and just rights. We, therefore, the Committee 
 for the County of Nansemond aforesaid, in obedience to the 
 eleventh Article of the Association, as well as for the above- 
 mentioned reasons, think it our duty to publish the beha- 
 5 
 
227 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 228 
 
 viour (respecting the Association, kc.) of the Reverend 
 John Agnew, Rector of Suffolk Parish, in this County, as 
 it appeared from the testimony of William Cowper and 
 Solomon Shepherd, Esquires, Messrs. James Murdaugh, 
 Willis Hardgraves, Thomas Minton, Jonathan Smith, 
 and Major Thomas Godwin, taken before us this 6th day 
 of March, at Suffolk. 
 
 Mr. Agnew being first summoned to attend, but refused, 
 Mr. Shepherd declared, that upon his remonstrating to the 
 said Agnew how disagreeable it was to his audience in 
 general, and to himself in particular, to hear the Associa- 
 tion, and those who had come into it, abused from the 
 pulpit in the sermons he there preached, desired that he 
 would in future desist therefrom. His answer was, " If 
 you do not like such sermons, you can only leave your 
 seat ;" and to the same gentleman said, that the Delegates 
 of the Provincial Congress had rebelled in all their Re- 
 solves. In presence of Major Thomas Godwin and Cap- 
 tain William Cowper, he asserted, as his opinion, that it 
 was no hardship to be carried beyond sea for trial of crimes 
 committed here. Mr. Hardgraves has frequently heard 
 him (when speaking of the Congress) declare that all such 
 combinations and associations were detestable. Mr. Min- 
 ton says, that after condemning the present Association, he 
 produced one of his own, and in his presence offered it for 
 signing. In a conversation his Reverence had with Mr. 
 Smith, he affirmed our gentlemen (meaning, as Smith took 
 it, the gentlemen of the General Congress) knew not what 
 they were about ; that to resist the King and Parliament 
 was rebellion, and that the proceedings of the General 
 Congress were resisting the King and Parliament ; that the 
 designs of the great men were to ruin the poor people ; 
 and that, after a while, they would forsake them, and lay 
 the whole blame on their shoulders, and by this means 
 make them slaves. Upon Smith's doubting how all this 
 extraordinary villany could be brought about, " Why (says 
 the parson) they have already begun ; for the Committee 
 of Suffolk has invaded private property ; they have taken 
 goods from a man of Carolina, and sold them against his 
 will." He likewise informed Mr. Smith there was an 
 Association of the other party up the Country, and the 
 people signing it very fast ; that they had discovered their 
 errour in signing the present one, and that he would see 
 this fact published in the Norfolk paper shortly. 
 
 We have now related the substance of what the above 
 named gentlemen declared upon their oaths, and here we 
 could wish to end this narrative ; but we have too much 
 regard for our own characters to suffer them to be injured 
 by so barefaced a slander as appears in Smith's testimony, 
 respecting the Carolina gentleman and his goods. The 
 truth of that transaction is precisely this : Mr. Samuel 
 Donaldson, merchant, and one of the Committee of this 
 County, informed some of the members that his friend, 
 Mr. John Thompson, merchant of North- Carolina, had 
 imported some goods into this Colony, which come under 
 the tenth Article of the Association, and desired that a 
 Committee might be held to determine what should be 
 done with them ; and Mr. Donaldson (that Mr. Thomp- 
 son might suffer as little inconvenience as possible from the 
 detention of the goods) advertised them to be sold on the 
 same day that the Committee was to sit. At the time ap- 
 pointed we met, when Mr. Thompson was present, and, on 
 examining him and some letters he produced, we found that 
 by the importation of these goods he had not violated any 
 of the articles of the Association. And although we were 
 not entirely pleased with Mr. Donaldson's advertising the 
 sale of the goods before he had orders from us so to do, 
 yet we ordered them to be sold under the care and direc- 
 tion of three gentlemen of the Committee. Mr. Thompson 
 bought the goods, expressed himself highly satisfied, and 
 insisted on our partaking of a cheerful bowl with him. 
 
 Upon the whole the publick will plainly discover the 
 principles this reverend gentleman entertains, and in what 
 light he views the general Resolutions adopted and entered 
 into for our relief from the oppressive hand of power. Had 
 this zealous advocate for despotick rule been as assiduous 
 in the discharge of the several duties of his function as he 
 has been industrious in propagating false and erroneous 
 principles, not only in private discourse, but in blending 
 detestable tenets in his angry orations from the pulpit, in 
 order to gain a party in opposition to the common cause, 
 
 and thereby lending his little aid to seduce the very people 
 that gave him bread to a state of wretchedness, this Com- 
 mittee had not been at the trouble to examine the eleventh 
 Article of the Association, and opening his conduct to the 
 censure of the world. 
 
 John Grkgorie, Clerk of the Committee. 
 
 VOTE PASSED BY THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE 
 OF WORCESTER COUNTY, (MASS.,) MARCH 24, 1775. 
 
 As a number of Towns in this County have not been 
 publickly represented in this Convention, it is therefore 
 recommended that the attendance of one or more members 
 of the several Towns therein be given at their future meet- 
 ings ; and that they do not depart without leave when 
 assembled, until an adjournment or dissolution thereof. 
 
 The Convention of the Committees of Correspondence 
 of this County stands adjourned to the second Tuesday of 
 June instant, at ten o'clock, A. M., at the Court-House, 
 Worcester. By order of the County Committee : 
 
 William Young, Chairman. 
 
 TO THE PRINTERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Worcester, March 24, 1775. 
 
 Having seen a publication* in the Massachusetts Gazette 
 of the 9th instant, relative to my conduct in resigning my 
 command as Colonel of a Regiment, kc, I think it not 
 improper to give the publick the following true state of the 
 matter, viz : I was some time ago chosen Lieutenant- 
 Colonel of a Regiment, whereof Mr. Thomas Dennie, of 
 Leicester, was chosen Colonel. It was not without some 
 persuasion that I accepted of the office, being very diffi- 
 dent of my abilities to discharge the duties of it with that 
 propriety and martial dignity that the importance of the 
 occasion required. But putting great dependance upon the 
 abilities of the Colonel, I was prevailed upon to accept of 
 the office ; but very unfortunately for me, (as well as for 
 the publick,) that very worthy gentleman was soon after 
 suddenly taken away by death. I was then chosen Colonel 
 of the Regiment, and was at that time determined abso- 
 lutely to have refused, but was over-persuaded to accept of 
 the office. From that time I was much burdened with 
 the thoughts of our publick affairs, and the part I had to 
 act in them. At this time some persons, whom I now 
 think enemies to American liberty, and not friends to me, 
 discovered my uneasiness, and set themselves to work to 
 increase it, by painting the horrours of civil war and rebel- 
 lion in the most frightful colours, which they pretended 
 I was plunging myself into ; and unless I immediately 
 renounced the cause I was engaged in, I was ruined and 
 undone ; and I being (as I now think) thoroughly infatu- 
 ated by their delusions and insidious conduct, was led to 
 say, that I thought the people were wrong in the opposi- 
 tion they were making against the Acts of Parliament, &.c. 
 And at the same time declared 1 would have nothing fur- 
 ther to do in the matter as Colonel of the Regiment, &.c. 
 I have accordingly resigned my command, and made such 
 satisfaction to Officers of the Regiment for my behaviour 
 as they kindly accepted of. At which time they proceeded 
 to the choice of a much better man than myself to take 
 my place ; and the Regiment now is well-officered, as far 
 as I know, which gives me greater pleasure than I ever 
 felt by being at the head of it. But before I conclude, I 
 would just remark, that the publication of the 9th instant, 
 first mentioned, in some respects, is not consistent with 
 truth. First, the representation of my having been con- 
 cerned in mobs and riots, or violent measures, is invidious, 
 and a false calumny, for which I appeal to all that know 
 my general conduct, both Whigs and Tories. And second- 
 ly, to represent me as converted, when in truth and reality 
 
 * A correspondent informs us, " That Mr. Thomas Wheeler, Colonel 
 of a new-fangled Regiment in the County of Worcester, is so sensible 
 of his errour in being any ways concerned in tlio violent measures now 
 pursuing by our Sons of Liberty, that he has declared he will never be 
 concerned any further, and has resigned his command. Two of his 
 neighbours, namely, Captain Palmer Uoulding, and Lieutenant Come, 
 litis Spawell, both of said Town, on the evening of the 2d instant, re- 
 turning homo from a visit they had made said Wheeler, were suddenly 
 attacked and knocked down by two men, and most grievously beat 
 and wounded, and for no other reason but their being truo friends to 
 Government, and supposed by the Sons of Liberty to bo instrumental 
 in converting their neighbour Wheeler." 
 
229 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 i 
 
 230 
 
 i was perverted, was a misrepresentation I would have 
 mended by your inserting an erratum, to read in the said 
 publication perverting, instead of converting, which will 
 make the passage much more agreeable to truth ; this, with 
 an amendment of the spelling of one of the names,* make 
 the latter part of the said publication tolerable enough. 
 However wrong I have been in any part of my conduct or 
 words, it is now my real opinion, that the people's cause 
 is good, and that the measures that they are taking and 
 carrying into execution, are the best and most likely means 
 for obtaining the redress of our grievances. And if a re- 
 dress cannot be had without our making the last appeal, I 
 stand ready and heartily willing to be one of the appellants, 
 to prosecute the appeal to final judgment, while I have 
 estate or life left. The beforegoing 1 am induced to pub- 
 lish, that the cause of liberty may not suffer by my means ; 
 and I have done it of my own free will and accord, and do 
 assure the publick I have not been constrained to do it by 
 force, or the threats of any man, or body of men, but have 
 been extremely well and kindly treated by all men that I 
 have had any concern with since resigning my office ; and 
 now enjoy the esteem and friendship of my neighbours, and 
 the true Whigs, which I esteem as one of the greatest 
 blessings in this life, and to deserve the same shall ever be 
 the endeavour of T. Wheeler. 
 
 TO THE PRINTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Worcester County, Massachusetts, March 24, 1775. 
 
 I was always sorry that our County Convention under- 
 took to say any thing against the reading of the productions 
 which appear on the contrary side of the question, for many 
 reasons that I could offer, if there were any need of it. 
 But one special reason why I think it was a pity they did 
 it, is, it so much intimated to the people as though they 
 thought there was something of force in what was said by our 
 opposers ; when, for my part, there appears to me so little 
 force in what they say, that I heartily wish every one who 
 gives any attention to publick affairs to make any judgment 
 upon them, would read all they can upon that side, that it 
 might more fully confirm them in their opposition to the pre- 
 sent measures of Administration ; when they see that all the 
 advocates for it can produce in favour of it is pregnant with re- 
 proaching of us, as being both fools and knaves, and at the 
 same time asserting things to be matters of fact which we 
 know to the contrary. When they, in their abundant affection 
 and professed kindness, tell us, that all we complain of is 
 owing to our ignorance, distempered brains, heated imagina- 
 tions, infatuated blindness and delusion, &,c.,it does not work 
 in us any gratitude to them, for complimenting of us as 
 such distracted fools. 
 
 When they tell us, that the grievances enumerated by 
 the Continental Congress are barefaced falsehoods, and 
 that we neither see nor feel any grievances ; at the same 
 time our senses tell us, that what the Congress have said 
 are manifest truths, the Tories, thus giving our senses 
 the lie, do not induce us to give credit to those writers 
 who forbid us believing our own senses. AVhen those 
 writers assert facts which we know to the contrary, it gives 
 us good reason to believe every thing they say is false. 
 This, in the enumeration of grievances of the friends of 
 Government, (as they fondly call themselves,) in your 
 paper of the 23d of February last, what is said about so 
 many appearing in arms at Worcester ; what was said about 
 Colonel Putnam and Colonel Chandler being obliged to 
 flee to Boston, we absolutely know was not as there repre- 
 sented. So also many things said by Phileirenc, in your 
 paper of the 2d of March instant, we don't at all believe. 
 But especially his saying, " that all parties join in esteem- 
 ing General Gage as the most amiable of men, and the 
 best of Governours," we absolutely know to be very far 
 from the truth, both by the publick prints and by private 
 observation. Whatever General Gage may in fact be, I 
 don't pretend to say ; but that he is not so esteemed by all 
 parties, as Phileirene pretends, is a most manifest fact. 
 And I cannot comprehend how he should have a face to 
 say it, unless upon the same principle before-mentioned of 
 forbidding our believing our own senses ! If the publick 
 will not take it as an affront upon their understandings, to 
 
 * One of the names in the publication above referred to, should have 
 been Stowell, instead of Spawell, a noted weaver in Worcester. 
 
 illustrate that which is so plain, I will offer a few words, 
 showing the perverseness of Phileirene 's remarks on the 
 Petition of the Congress. I will only observe on what he 
 says about the Mandamus Counsellors in your paper of 
 the 9th instant. There he pretends to, make out that it is 
 best they should be so appointed, because, he says, if the 
 Council chosen by the Representatives should adopt any 
 unpopular measures, they were in danger the next year of 
 losing their places ; as if this were a reason to convince 
 the people that it is best they should have no hand in 
 choosing them. The same reason (if I may be allowed 
 to scandalize the word so much as to call it reason) will 
 show, that our Representatives ought to be appointed by 
 Mandamus ; or, more properly, that we should have no 
 Representatives at all to assist in legislating for us. And 
 this is evidently what they are after; none can avoid the 
 imputation, so long as they urge that the British Parlia- 
 ment have a right to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever, 
 or indeed in any case whatsoever, and plead for the justice 
 and right of the Parliament in their making laws to set 
 aside and make void our laws. So that nothing can be 
 more manifest, than that this Phileirene is for having us 
 have no voice whatsoever in choosing a legislative body for 
 ourselves. And it is beyond all comprehension to under- 
 stand why he is not ashamed to treat us as such asses, 
 telling us that we are not fit to have any voice in electing 
 any of our Officers or Legislators ; and in earnest propose 
 to us, to give it all up, because we are not fit to have any 
 thing to do with choosing them ; unless he is so mad upon 
 his own vanity as to persuade himself, that we will hearken 
 to him, rather than our own feelings and senses. 
 
 But yet it is inconceivable why he should drive so hard 
 to make us believe that we are such fools, that it is best 
 for us to give up all pretensions to any part in governing 
 ourselves, so much as choosing our own guardians ; for the 
 very moment we should do this, it would be such an evi- 
 dence that we were grossly non compos mentis, that the 
 very act of this giving up would not be binding ; and I hope 
 that all such as do give up to these principles of Phileirene, 
 will every where be so far considered non compos as not 
 to be admitted to any office or betrustment whatsoever; 
 and why it is not the duty of the Selectmen, in their re- 
 spective Towns, according to the Laws of this Province, 
 to render all such non compos, so as to prevent their doing 
 any mischief, and people from trading with them, I presume 
 no good reason can be given. Those that are so insane 
 as to run about, and are proper only for Bedlam, let them 
 run there themselves, as many have already. But suppose 
 we are such dunces that we must have guardians without 
 our choosing of them, I defy this Phileirene or any one 
 else to shew who made the people of Great Britain our 
 guardians, or how they ex-ojjicio are such, any more than 
 the people of France, or even of Africa, or any other place. 
 As for this Phileirene, I am well satisfied who he is by his 
 language ; and if I rightly guess, he has left off hunting 
 silver by his kazle-rods of late years, and found a more 
 successful way of obtaining of it, and is now roused against 
 the Congress and Liberty, by the same spirit that the old 
 silversmith, Demetrius, was against the Apostles and Chris- 
 tianity — Acts xix. The craft by which this modern De- 
 metrius gets his wealth is called in question, and in danger 
 of being set at nought. Old Dcmetrius's complaint was, 
 that not only at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, 
 people were persuaded to believe that they were no gods 
 that were made with hands. And so now not only at 
 Boston, but almost throughout all America, it is urged, that 
 of right there are no laws, where there are no representa- 
 tion of the people for whom they are pretended to be 
 made. And it seems this modern Demetrius has got those 
 of his own occupation together, and is endeavouring to set 
 the City in an uproar; but I hope he will avail no farther 
 than to have those of his own craft cry, great is Diana of 
 the Ephcsians, or rather, according to the modern crafts- 
 men, great is the Parliament of Great Britain; but I 
 hope those disturbers of the peace will in due time be 
 called in question for their uproar. 
 
 As for the Converted Whig, in your paper of the 9th 
 instant, we none of us believe that it is any other than a 
 fiction of some Tory ; he don't speak as one that ever un- 
 derstood Whiggism, and I defy any one to show any such 
 person who was ever reputed as a true Whig, that indited 
 
 * 
 
231 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 232 
 
 that piece. If he has made a change so much for the 
 better, as there pretended, and to give his experiences to 
 the world, why don't he, as the repenting Tories so many 
 have done, give his name with his repentance or recanta- 
 tion. However, if it be really as there pretended, I don't 
 expect he will ever return, but it will be with him as the 
 wise man says it is with those that go after the strange 
 woman, Prov. ii. 19: "None that go unto her return 
 again, neither take they hold of the paths of life." 
 
 I had many things more that I thought to have wrote, 
 but I will defer them for the present, and subscribe as 
 before, 
 
 A Freeholder in the County of Worcester. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CANADA, DATED MONTREAL, 
 MARCH 24, 1775. 
 
 The. Address from the Continental Congress attracted 
 the notice of some of the principal Canadians ; it was soon 
 translated into very tolerable French. The decent manner 
 in which the religious matters were touched ; the enco- 
 miums on the French Nation, flattered a people fond of 
 compliments. They begged the translator, as he had suc- 
 ceeded so well, to try his hand on that Address to the Peo- 
 ple of Great Britain. He had equal success in this, and 
 read his performance to a numerous audience. But when 
 he came to that part which treats of the new modelling of 
 the Province ; draws a picture of the Catholick Religion, 
 and the Canadian manners, they could not contain their 
 resentment, nor express it but in broken curses. " Oh ! the 
 perfidious, double-faced Congress ; let us bless and obey 
 our benevolent Prince, whose humanity is consistent, and 
 extends to all Religions ; let us abhor all who would reduce 
 us from our loyalty, by acts that would dishonour a Jesuit, 
 and whose Addresses, like their Resolves, are destructive 
 of their own objects." 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF ENGLAND. 
 
 London, March 24, 1775. 
 
 The man who set fire to a stately temple was a singular 
 instance of those villains who wish to be distinguished only 
 by their crimes, though he was by no means a rare instance 
 of those whom posterity can distinguish by no other traces. 
 
 By what means the late Governour of Boston may here- 
 after be remembered, we shall not venture to predict ; but 
 we may safely affirm, that if his publick vices and publick 
 virtues should be weighed in a balance, the latter would 
 kick the beam ! From early symptoms of ambition and 
 dissimulation, it was predicted of him that, like Paris, he 
 was born to be the pest of his Country. He subsisted by 
 merchandise, but did not thrive by it, for the business was 
 not suited to his temper. By the appearance of extraor- 
 dinary zeal for the religion and liberties of his Country, he 
 wrought himself into publick favour. Thus he was chosen 
 a Member of the Assembly, of the Council, an Assistant 
 Judge, and Chief Justice. After some time he was ap- 
 pointed Lieutenant-Governour. He now coveted the Chair. 
 With this object in view, he made himself necessary to 
 Governour Bernard ; he was his counsellor and inseparable 
 friend. He knew very well what the people would bear 
 and what they would not ; he cajoled and instigated poor 
 Bernard, till a flame was kindled about his ears. The 
 Seat of Government became too warm for him ; he was 
 obliged to flee. Governour Hutchinson succeeded to the 
 Chair, but Bernard had kept it too long ; it was now too 
 hot even for a man who seems to have been made for the 
 flames. I should have observed, that the character of a 
 Merchant, especially that of a Tea Dealer, not comporting 
 with that of a Governour, he had resigned trade into the 
 hands of his sons. In this manner he and his family were 
 situated when the ill-fated Tea arrived at Boston. The 
 people had lately obtained full proof of what they had for 
 some time suspected, that he was their greatest enemy, and 
 they had petitioned to have him removed. What was now 
 to be done ? Unhappily his duty as Governour and the 
 friend of his Country was opposed to his ambition and the 
 interest of his family. He had made interest to have the 
 Tea consigned to his sons ; by suffering it therefore to come 
 back to England, as other Governours did, he would have 
 saved the Tea, and might have prevented all the calamities 
 that have since happened to that Country, and are soon like 
 
 to fall on the whole Nation. But then his son would have 
 lost a valuable commission, and what is worse, he would 
 have missed a fine opportunity of proving, what he had 
 lately asserted in one of his letters, that the people could 
 not be governed but by an infringement of their liberties. 
 By refusing to suffer the Tea to be sent back, as the people 
 requested, one of these events was certain — either that it 
 would be landed, and his sons reap the commission, or that 
 it would be destroyed, and himself promoted. The latter 
 has taken place. The City in which Governour Hutchin- 
 son was born is become a garrison ; the inhabitants are 
 ruined ; but he himself is pensioned. Is there a human 
 breast that would not feel for the wretched inhabitants of 
 Boston 1 Poor labourers and tradesmen, with their wives 
 and children, suffering under the general calamity, and 
 perishing by thousands, or else protracting a miserable life 
 by licking the cold hand of charity. But one should 
 imagine Governour Hutchinson thought that misery was 
 dealt out with too sparing a hand. Does he wish to see 
 the whole Country involved in the fate of Boston 1 Would 
 he do more? Would he filch the beggar's scrip, and give 
 him the coup de grace 1 
 
 I am not so little acquainted with the present Administra- 
 tion, as to imagine that any thing is either too cruel, or too 
 iniquitous for them to attempt ; but the present Fish Bill, 
 or rather the Starving Bill, is one that they certainly would 
 never have attempted, unless Governour Hutchinson had 
 recommended it as a measure that would produce certain 
 obedience. His former predictions have not been verified ; 
 the change of Government, and an Army into the bargain, 
 have not mended matters, but made them worse. What 
 shall be the next expedient? His friendly advice was 
 still ready : " Send over a few more Regiments, and let 
 them exert themselves properly. Take off a few of the 
 inhabitants by the sword, and a few by famine ; the rest 
 will sign a charte blanched 
 
 I am aware that the creature I have been describing is 
 so different from the common form of humanity, that it 
 may be questioned whether I have fairly copied the origi- 
 nal : but I write history, not fables. I have given only the 
 outlines ; was it necessary, I could finish the piece, with 
 many other striking lines and shades ; I could tell how 
 early and how often he has visited Mr. Jenkinson, and 
 every one of the junto, within the last three months ; but I 
 despise such indirect proof. Not three weeks ago I heard 
 him say, in a large company, " that the Neiv-England 
 people do not yet believe that Government is in earnest ; 
 that they have only been blustering ; and that General 
 Gage's inactivity has flattered their pride ; but, as soon as 
 the other Troops shall arrive, when His Majesty's stand- 
 ard shall be erected, and the Province declared to be in 
 rebellion, and a few of the leaders taken up, he would 
 stake his life that the people would surrender, and submit 
 to any kind of discipline." 
 
 When we know what part this man has acted, as if to 
 hasten the present catastrophe ; when we consider what 
 advice he continues to give, and hear him talking in such 
 strains, as if to promote sanguinary measures against the 
 Country that gave him birth ; we are tempted to hope that 
 some one of his ancestors was an Indian, and that Indians 
 are a different race of men. Nestor. 
 
 to d * * * c**»»*, es^. 
 
 New-Jersey, March 25, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : Since the writing of my former letter, we 
 have been agreeably entertained with intelligence from 
 London, favourable to the good cause, in which not only 
 these Colonies, but Great Britain and all her other depen- 
 dencies are so deeply interested. I congratulate you, and 
 the rest of the friends to the Constitution on the receipt of 
 these, and every other appearance in our favour. Permit 
 me to enumerate a few of these ; for a proper and general 
 attention to them would do much toward strengthening our 
 union, and defeating the base designs of those who oppose 
 the general good. And the first thing to be remarked is, 
 the greatness of the union subsisting among ourselves, on 
 which, under Providence, depends our greatest hope of 
 success. This union appeared remarkably in the senti- 
 ments of all the Colonies respecting the propriety and 
 necessity of appointing Delegates to meet in General Con- 
 
233 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 234 
 
 gress; and since, in their appointing so many men, who, 
 when met, were so exactly suited to one another in senti- 
 ments, as they in fact were. For when Representatives 
 are properly chosen, without bribery or any other undue 
 influence, they naturally carry with them the sentiments 
 of their electors, from whom they also receive the outlines 
 of their conduct in general directions. When these Dele- 
 gates met, they began their solemn and important business 
 by bowing themselves before the great Sovereign of the 
 Universe, to whom they could, with a pure conscience, 
 appeal as to the justice of their cause, and on whom 
 they, in the use of proper means, depended for all that assist- 
 ance which was necessary to ensure success ; and for this 
 they humbly implored the Divine clemency and goodness. 
 At the same time, or as near it as the Provinces could 
 judge, there were many hundreds of congregations of their 
 constituents beseeching Almighty Goodness for the same 
 divine aid. They believed their cause was His, and could 
 therefore go boldly to the Throne of Grace. 
 
 Here, Sir, is union. A Continent on their knees, im- 
 ploring the alliance of God ! This is an appearance favour- 
 able to us. And m this view the enemies of America 
 might do well to remember the advice of Gamaliel. Let 
 us revolve in our minds the proceedings of this Congress, 
 and see what appearances here are favourable to us. Cau- 
 tion, justice, loyalty, knowledge, moderation, wisdom, bene- 
 volence, deliberation, humanity, resolution, fortitude, self- 
 denial, self-defence, piety ; and to crown the whole, a 
 remarkable union in all these. Ancient Rome, in her 
 highest pitch of power and glory, never produced an as- 
 sembly of worthies better qualified to govern an Empire 
 than these. The desire of this Congress appears evidently 
 to be, that all the disturbances, divisions, confusions, ill-will, 
 and oppression in the whole of His Majesty's Dominions 
 should cease; and that peace, union, and harmony, with 
 constitutional liberty, and a just dependance of one part on 
 the other, should exist throughout the whole of this great 
 Empire, which they desire should be governed in all its 
 parts by his present Majesty George the Third, and a Pro- 
 testant succession in his family, together with such legis- 
 lative powers, as are, by the British Constitution and 
 Provincial Charters, established. 
 
 No wise and good man, I conceive, when once truly 
 and sufficiently acquainted with their designs, as stated 
 above, can wish that they should be defeated. If we pur- 
 sue this union in the resolutions of the Congress, to their 
 being put into execution in the several united Provinces, 
 we shall find that it prevails against all opposition, and that 
 the opposers of congressional measures are comparatively 
 but very few. I do not at present recollect more than 
 three Towns in the opposition in all the four Provinces of 
 New- England, and those none of the most considerable. 
 The names, in tenderness to the virtuous part of their in- 
 habitants, are here omitted. However, considering the 
 measures taken with them by their wiser neighbours, it is 
 very probable they will soon be brought to a sense of their 
 errour, and will return to their duty. 
 
 In this and the Southern Provinces, I believe the Oppo- 
 sition is full as small. Some few places in the Province 
 of New -York are delinquent; but they appear to be 
 returning to their duty. The City and County of New- 
 York have been esteemed by far the most so : but by a 
 late fair trial, it appears that there are more than five to one 
 in favour of the Congress. And this probably will break 
 the heart of all the Opposition in America. The news 
 from Great Britain and the West-India Islands, so favour- 
 able to us, will contribute much to the same valuable pur- 
 pose. Some indeed have lately attempted to land goods 
 in America contrary to the Association of the Congress ; 
 but such is the vigilance of those excellent inspectors, the 
 Committees of New - York and Elizabethtown, and such 
 the awful guilt of the delinquents, that they could not be 
 hid. They have confessed their fault, and laid a heavy 
 fine upon themselves for their base conduct. Another 
 person concerned in the same dark affair is also detected, 
 and will, it is thought, be sufficiently punished. In fine, 
 if we continue to pursue the whole measures of the Con- 
 gress, the merchants and manufacturers in England, and 
 the West-India islanders will do all in their power to pro- 
 cure a redress of all our grievances. And we have great, 
 great reason to hope that, by the favourable interposition 
 
 of Divine Providence, their united endeavours will soon 
 produce the desired effect. 
 
 I remain, dear Sir, yours and the Constitution's friend, 
 
 Essex. 
 
 Marblchead, March 25, 1775. 
 Whereas, I the subscriber, in open violation of the Con- 
 tinental Association, did, on the 25th current, purchase of 
 Simon Tufts, of Boston, a small quantity of Tea, and 
 thereby justly brought on myself the resentment of the 
 publick : I do now in this publick manner ask their pardon, 
 and do solemnly promise I will not in future be guilty of a 
 like offence. The Tea I have voluntarily committed to 
 the flames in presence of a respectable number of my 
 townsmen. Thomas Lilly. 
 
 The Committee of Inspection of this Town, from the 
 penitent behaviour of the above Thomas Lilly, and the 
 above confession, which he himself publishes, determine 
 that he may be justly entitled to the esteem and employ 
 of all persons as heretofore. 
 
 By order of the Committee of Inspection : 
 
 John Sparhawk, Clerk. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Boston, March 31, 1775. 
 Information having been given to the Committee of In- 
 spection of this Town, that Mr. Simon Tufts, of this 
 Town, merchant, had broke the Continental Association, 
 by selling Tea to Thomas Lilly, of Marblehead, on the 
 25th of March current, the Committee made inquiry into 
 the truth of said report, and after a strict examination of 
 said Tufts of three credible persons, could obtain no other 
 account but the following, which we have caused to be 
 published under oath, for the satisfaction of the publick, 
 agreeable to the design of our appointment. 
 
 " Whereas an advertisement appeared in the Essex Ga- 
 zette of the 28th instant, signed Thomas Lilly, informing 
 that he purchased a small quantity of Tea of me, the sub- 
 scriber : For the justification of my character, and satisfac- 
 tion of the publick, I think proper to give the following 
 state of the affair, and do solemnly declare that the said 
 Lilly had the same, without my knowledge or privity, of 
 the person who attended at my store, and which he has 
 since confessed was no more than a pound and a quarter. 
 I have purchased no Tea since the first of March. What 
 I bought was so immediately connected with an article 
 absolutely necessary for the Country to be possessed of, 
 and which they are in actual possession of, thought it justi- 
 fiable to purchase it with the incumbrance, and let my 
 friends, whose advice I had taken, partake with me therein, 
 esteeming the friendship of my countrymen of more conse- 
 quence than any benefit that could accrue to me thereby. 
 1 had no intention, from the beginning, of militating with 
 the Association of the Continental Congress, and I declare 
 I will not buy or sell any more of said article till a general 
 permission therefore takes place. If, by the above impru- 
 dent step with Lilly, any offence is given to my country- 
 men, I am sorry therefor, and hope for a restoration to their 
 favour and confidence. Simon Tufts. 
 
 " Boston, 30th March, 1775." 
 
 Suffolk, ss. — Boston, April 1, 1775. 
 
 Then the above named Mr. Simon Tufts made oath to 
 the truth of the above-written declaration subscribed by 
 him. Before me, 
 
 Belcher Noyes, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 ORANGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 27, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of Orange County being informed that 
 the Reverend Mr. John Wi7igate had in his possession 
 several pamphlets containing very obnoxious reflections on 
 the Continental Congress and their proceedings, and cal- 
 culated to impose on the unwary ; and being desirous to 
 manifest their contempt and resentment of such writings 
 and their authors, assembled on Saturday, the 25th of 
 March, 1775, at the Court-House of the said County. 
 The Committee were the rather induced to meet for this 
 purpose, as it had also been reported that there were a 
 considerable number of these performances in the Country, 
 
23 5 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 236 
 
 introduced amongst us in all probability to promote tbe 
 infamous ends for which they were written : that they were 
 to be sold indiscriminately at Purdie's office in Williams- 
 burgh, and that unfavourable impressions had been made 
 on some people's minds by the confident assertions of 
 falsehoods and insidious misrepresentations of facts con- 
 tained in them. The intentions of the Committee were 
 made known to Mr. IVingatc, and a delivery of the pamph- 
 lets requested in the most respectful manner, without the 
 least suspicion that Mr. Wingate had procured them with 
 a design to make an ill use of them, or that he would hesi- 
 tate a moment as to a compliance ; but, to their great sur- 
 prise, he absolutely refused, urging that they belonged to 
 Mr. Henry Mitchell, of Fredericksburgh, and he could do 
 nothing without his express permission. The Committee 
 then proceeded to expostulate with him on the subject, and 
 to insist upon him that, as he regarded his association- 
 engagements, the favour of the Committee, or the good of 
 the publick, he would not deny so reasonable a request. 
 They told him they would engage to make ample satisfac- 
 tion to Mr. Mitchell for any damage he might sustain, and 
 that there could not be the least reason to fear that Mr. 
 Mitchell would be displeased, who was well known to be 
 an associator, and acknowledged by himself to be a hearty 
 friend to the cause which these pamphlets were intended 
 to disparage and counteract ; and that if Mr. Mitchell was 
 not this hearty friend we hoped him to be, it must be an 
 additional argument for tbe Committee to press their request, 
 and for him to comply with it. Mr. Wingate still persist- 
 ed in his refusal to deliver them up, but added that he 
 would let the Committee have a sight of them, if they 
 would promise to return them unhurt. This could by no 
 means be agreed to, as they were justly apprehensive that 
 it would be their duty to dispose of the pamphlets in a 
 manner inconsistent with such a promise. At length the 
 Committee, finding there was no prospect of working on 
 Mr. Wingate by arguments or entreaties, peremptorily 
 demanded the pamphlets, with a determination not to be 
 defeated in their intentions. In consequence of which they 
 were produced to the Committee, who deferred the full 
 examination and final disposal of them till the Monday 
 following. 
 
 On Monday, the 27th instant, they again met at the 
 same place, according to adjournment, and after a sufficient 
 inquiry into the contents of five pamphlets under the fol- 
 lowing titles, viz: 1st, " The Congress Canvassed, SfC." 
 by A. W. Farmer; 2d, "A View of the Controversy be- 
 tween Great Britain and her Colonies," by the same ; 
 3d, " Free Thoughts on the Proceedings of the Continen- 
 tal Congress, fyc." by A Farmer; 4th, " Short Advice 
 to the Counties of New -York," by A Country Gentle- 
 man; 5th, "An Alarm to the Legislature of the Province 
 of New - York, fyc.;" most of them printed by Riving- 
 ton, of New -York : 
 
 Resolved, That as a collection of the most audacious 
 insults on that august body (the grand Continental Con- 
 gress) and their proceedings, and also on the several Colo- 
 nies from which they were deputed, particularly New- 
 England and Virginia, of the most slavish doctrines of 
 Provincial Government, the most impudent falsehoods and 
 malicious artifices to excite divisions among the friends of 
 America, they deserved to be publickly burnt, as a testi- 
 mony of the Committee's detestation and abhorrence of the 
 writers and their principles. 
 
 Which sentence was speedily executed in the presence 
 of the Independent Company and other respectable inhabi- 
 tants of the said County, all of whom joined in expressing 
 a noble indignation against such execrable publications, 
 and their ardent wishes for an opportunity of inflicting on 
 the authors, publishers, and their abetters, the punishment 
 due to their insufferable arrogance and atrocious crimes. 
 
 Published by order of the Committee : 
 
 Francis Taylor, Clerk. 
 
 Plymouth (Massachusetts) committee to the com- 
 mittee OF SAFETY. 
 
 Plymouth, March 27, 1775. 
 The Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of 
 the Town of Plymouth beg leave to represent the peculiar 
 circumstances of this Town, and to desire such aid and 
 
 protection as you in your wisdom shall think proper to 
 direct. 
 
 We have an open harbour, on which lay the Towns of 
 Plymouth, Kingston, and Duxbury, extending twelve or 
 fifteen miles, in almost every part of which it is extremely 
 easy for Troops to land, commit ravages, and retreat, unless 
 a sufficient force is continually on duty to watch and report 
 them. Ever since the late alarm, the inhabitants of this 
 Town (apprehensive of danger) have been on almost con- 
 stant duty, without being able to attend to their private 
 affairs, the consequence of which must produce great dis- 
 tress, if not ruin, unless they can be relieved. Another 
 very peculiar circumstance attending us is, that in case we 
 should be attacked, no immediate aid can come to our 
 assistance from the back country, we being surrounded by 
 a wilderness, extending several miles, without any inhabi- 
 tants at all, and several more miles with very few and scat- 
 tering ones. 
 
 We therefore pray your consideration of these matters, 
 and that you would order the Minute Regiment under 
 the command of Colonel Cotton, be posted here, and that 
 proper provision be made for them. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your very hum- 
 ble servants. By order of the Committee and Selectmen 
 of the Town of Plymouth. 
 
 John Torrey, Chairman. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Prov- 
 ince of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 By His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour 
 General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and 
 Vice- Admiral of the same. 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Virginia, to wit : 
 
 Whereas certain persons, styling themselves Delegates 
 of several of His Majesty's Colonies in America, having 
 presumed, without His Majesty's authority or consent, to 
 assemble together at Philadelphia in the months of Sep- 
 tember and October last, have thought fit, among other 
 unwarrantable proceedings, to resolve that it will be neces- 
 sary that another Congress should be held at the same 
 place on the 10th of May next, unless redress of certain 
 pretended grievances be obtained before that time, and to 
 recommend that all the Colonies in North America should 
 choose Deputies to attend such Congress, I am commanded 
 by the King, and I do accordingly issue this my Proclama- 
 tion, to require all Magistrates and other Officers to use 
 their utmost endeavours to prevent any such appointments 
 of Deputies, and to exhort all persons whatever within this 
 Government to desist from such an unjustifiable proceeding, 
 so highly displeasing to His Majesty. 
 
 Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony, this 
 28th day of March, in the fifteenth year of His Majesty's 
 reign. Dunmore. 
 God save the King. 
 
 remarks on lord Dartmouth's circular letter 
 dated JANUARY 4, 1775. 
 
 London, March, 1775. 
 
 The publication of Lord Dartmouth's Circular Letter 
 to the several Governours on the Continent of America, 
 excites an alarm amongst the friends of liberty ; for in that 
 letter the battery is unmasked, the design openly avowed. 
 Permit me, Sir, to consider the words, the meaning, the 
 design, and the consequence of Lord Dartmouth's lelter. 
 
 His Lordship begins thus: "Certain persons styling 
 themselves Delegates of His Majesty's Colonies, having 
 presumed." — Observe, gentle reader, the official term for- 
 merly used in general warrants: "certain," is a word of 
 great uncertainty when not applied to individuals, and, as 
 it is not descriptive of individuals, Lord Dartmouth will 
 find that these "certain persons, styling themselves Dele- 
 gates," are not to be intimidated by his uncertain non- 
 sense. 
 
 But what mighty crime have these uncertain persons 
 presumed to commit? Why, they have not asked His 
 Majesty's permission to assemble at Philadelphia in order 
 
237 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 238 
 
 to consult about their own affairs ! This is the crime of 
 omission laid to their charge ; that of commission con- 
 sists in their having thought fit, amongst other unwarrant- 
 able things, (no other unwarrantable acts are mentioned,) 
 to resolve "to meet again on the 10th of May." What 
 power is there lodged in any branch of our Legislature 
 which can control and hinder a body of men from assem- 
 bling in order to consider of the most effectual methods for 
 alleviating their own distresses ? If neither of the branches 
 of the Legislature are vested with such a power, the Con- 
 gress in September was not assembled unlawfully ; and if it 
 was not unlawfully assembled, by what authority, besides 
 that of impudence, shall any of the King's Ministers pre- 
 vent a meeting not forbidden, by the laws of the land ? 
 Lord Dartmouth may be an excellent divine, but he is a 
 miserable politician ; Mr. finitjield may have qualified 
 him for a field preacher, but as for his politicks they are 
 of the Butean cast, and therefore detestable. 
 
 The Secretary goes on, and says: "Unless redress for 
 certain pretended grievances be obtained, the Delegates 
 are to meet on the 10th of May." This w-ould be the 
 style of every Secretary to every arbitrary tyrant in Europe. 
 Pretended grievances ! What, are we fallen so low as to 
 be told we cannot feel, or if we can. that we are not com- 
 petent judges of the oppression ? This is what all tyrants 
 aim at; this hath been accomplished in the several Mon- 
 archies of the world ; and this doctrine is intended to be 
 inculcated in England and America. The meaning of the 
 words in Lord Dartmouth's letter is, that though the 
 Americans feel, yet shall they not dare to complain, or en- 
 deavour by legal measures to obtain alleviation or redress; 
 this is adding cruelties and insult to injuries intolerable. 
 When a man is by oppression wilfully tormented, to in- 
 crease his pain because his sensations are exquisite and his 
 complaints loud, would characterize a being worse even 
 than what our imaginations can form in idea ; yet this 
 character the pious, the preaching, the saint-like Lord 
 Dartmouth assumes throughout his whole letter ! Is it 
 necessary in becoming a Minister to cease to feel as a man ? 
 And must every tender sensation be obliterated because a 
 man holds an office, the exercise of the functions of which 
 are supposed to be directed to publick utility? 
 
 Let us next observe the style of Lord Dartmouth's let- 
 ter: "1 am commanded by the King to signify to you his 
 pleasure, that you do your utmost to prevent any such ap- 
 pointment of Deputies within the Colony under your Go- 
 vernment." 
 
 We have had too much reason to perceive, that publick 
 utility has given little pleasure, and therefore all meetings 
 to promote that must occasion great displeasure. The 
 Governours, however, though willing to execute the orders, 
 will find themselves incapable to effect what is commanded 
 so imperatively by this Minister of Christian meekness. 
 In a meeting held for the preservation of civil liberty, 
 nothing can be unwarrantable, unless the defeat of despotism, 
 in which all good men, who understand the dispute, and 
 are well-wishers to their species, must wish the Americans 
 success. Those who can dream of an English Parliament 
 having a right to take the money out of the pockets of the 
 Americans, are but ill-instructed in the principles of our 
 Constitution, which forbid that any man should be taxed 
 by an assembly wherein he is not represented. A min- 
 isterial champion has inculcated the reverse of the doctrine ; 
 but when it is known that he is retained for the purpose, 
 little regard will be paid to any argument such a writer 
 advances. Sir William Meredith and his wand, Doctor 
 Johnson and his pension, are alike beneath the notice of 
 independent men. 
 
 We are next to consider the design of Lord Dartmouth's 
 letter, which is to destroy the Constitution in America, 
 and to institute a mode of arbitrary Government like that 
 in Canada, of a Governour and Council. When that is 
 accomplished, the people will be under the immediate sub- 
 jection of the Crown, and thus the vast extension of kingly 
 power must obliterate every remaining vestige or trace of 
 liberty. An establishment of this kind once effected, will 
 produce more evils than can be at present foreseen, though 
 the consequences of those evils may be deduced from com- 
 parison and analogy. Such of the Americans as are at 
 present strenuous asserters of liberty, may, from a corruption 
 of manners, or out of resentment of our ill treatment in 
 
 suffering them to be enslaved, join the conspirators against 
 the Constitution, and thus destroy what has been the envy 
 and the admiration of the European world. 
 
 The Secretary for America we have been taught to look 
 on as a zealous, pious, and devout disciple of Christ; yet 
 we see this man of holiness, not having the fear of God 
 before his eyes, joining with his coadjutors in an attempt 
 to enslave our fellow-subjects in America ! Who that re- 
 garded the welfare of human kind would aid in an attempt 
 to set up the power of any part of the Legislature over 
 the Constitution f But to talk of good Government, civil 
 justice, or liberty, whilst Tories are at the helm, would be 
 like talking of righteousness in the dominions of Satan. 
 
 Ignotus. 
 
 New-York, March 28, 1775. 
 Mr. Rivington : As your paper has hitherto supported 
 the character of an impartial one, I send the enclosed for 
 publication ; if you cannot insert it, return it by the bearer. 
 But while a Junius can attack a Prime Minister, and a 
 Tribunus the King, I hope it will not be deemed treason 
 for an Englishman or an American to attack the petty 
 tyrants to whom this is with deference and respect most 
 humbly dedicated by the author. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF PHILA- 
 DELPHIA. 
 
 Gentlemen : You appear in a publick character, and 
 if the reins of Government are not devolved on you by 
 common consent, you have at least usurped the legisla- 
 tive authority. I shall not, then, deem it any violation of 
 the liberty of the Press, in this publick manner personally 
 to address you, and to animadvert on the contents of your 
 letter (dated February 16) to the Committee of this City, 
 lately published — an epistle which I could not peruse 
 without a mixture of indignation and astonishment. 
 
 The body from whence you derive your authority em- 
 boldens and warrants me freely to canvass all matters on 
 the administration of Government; and if the liberty of 
 the Press be not denied me, as an Englishman I will claim 
 the privilege, and undaunted by your frowns, your threats, 
 or your inquisition, will boldly pass such strictures on your 
 conduct as I conceive it merits. Your names, gentlemen, 
 are well known ; they are, I believe, respectable, and would 
 give weight to your assertions, were they not contradicted 
 by the most notorious and the most obstinate facts. Par- 
 don me if in this address I should take the liberty to relate 
 a few truths, truths which I well know will sound ungrate- 
 ful in your ears. 
 
 Your ridiculous argument of holding up an union, can- 
 not justify your allegations, for such an union does not 
 exist. It would have afforded me signal pleasure to observe 
 men of characters, dignified as yours are, enrolled as Com- 
 mittee men, and delegated by the rest, for the special pur- 
 pose of communicating intelligence to your neighbours, 
 disposed to exhibit a state of things founded on the strictest 
 truth. But your letter to our Committee is replete with 
 misrepresentation and deception, calculated rather to hood- 
 wink the people of this Province, than to give them a just 
 state of publick affairs ; you present us with a prison to 
 peep through, to give a glare to every object we behold. 
 
 You tell us you have seen frequent publications from this 
 City, containing false representations, and holding up ideas 
 of dissensions among you, which you have the assurance 
 to say do not exist. 
 
 How can you, in the face of the world, make this bold 
 assertion ? You must know that it is totally destitute of 
 foundation ; and I will venture to tell you that you must all 
 have had better information ! 
 
 No dissensions among you ! Have not the loyal Friends 
 in your and the adjacent Province published their dissent 
 [January 24, 1775] from the mad independent Resolves of 
 your Republican Congress, and all your illegal and unwar- 
 rantable combinations ? 
 
 Is not this Society very numerous throughout your Prov- 
 ince, and at least as respectable as any other? 
 
 Some of your Committee have idly pretended that this 
 was the act of a very few, and disapproved of by the So- 
 ciety in general. This is a shameful reflection on the cha- 
 racter of the gentleman who subscribed their protest on 
 behalf of the whole Society. 
 
239 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 240 
 
 This gentleman has too much honour to be guilty of so 
 ungenerous an act, and fortunately for him his reputation 
 is too well established to be impaired by your feeble darts. 
 ] challenge you to find a man of more integrity throughout 
 all your democracy. Are you not then ashamed to declare 
 these dissensions are only encouraged by a few interested 
 persons, who take a malignant pleasure in exciting discords? 
 
 Let me address myself to one of you who is a member 
 of that honourable community, which he has most daringly 
 and impudently insulted by subscribing his name to that 
 calumniating letter. Let me call upon him to erase his 
 name from amongst you as a small atonement for the un- 
 pardonable insinuations he has thrown out against his 
 brethren. He has publickly attacked them, and publickly 
 charged them with taking a malignant pleasure in exciting 
 discords and dissensions, and has dared to assert that this 
 state is founded on the strictest truth ; what a strange per- 
 version ! 
 
 You, gentlemen, have the confidence to declare, that your 
 Committee have not found the least difficulty in carrying 
 into execution any one Resolution of the Continental Con- 
 gress. If this be true, I have, I confess, been strangely de- 
 ceived. Let us inquire into this matter. Do not the 
 Congress bind themselves by the sacred ties of virtue, 
 honour, and love of liberty, that no advantage shall be taken 
 of the non-importation, but that goods shall be sold as they 
 have been for the last twelve months ? Have not the 
 dry-goods Merchants, without the least opposition, generally 
 broke through this agreement, and is not your Committee 
 apprized of it ? Have they not made inquiry into the 
 prices of various articles, and did they not find the Mer- 
 chants had advanced the prices on some goods twenty-five, 
 on others fifty, seventy-five, nay ! one hundred per cent., 
 and did not the Committee acquiesce in this ? These facts 
 are too stubborn for you to controvert ; the reasons were 
 obvious ; the Resolve was too tyrannical to be borne ; it 
 better suited the slaves of Russia than the freemen of 
 America. As a Committee you knew this, and you knew 
 you dare not attempt to enforce it ; and as some on your 
 Committee were in the dry-goods trade, it was your interest, 
 and you thought it too your duty, to pass it over. How 
 then can you declare, and palm your declaration on the 
 publick as the strictest truth, that the Committee have met 
 with no difficulty in carrying into execution anyone Reso- 
 lution of the Congress ? Do not the Congress bind them- 
 selves by the same sacred ties to encourage frugality and 
 economy, and to discourage every species of dissipation and 
 extravagance ? 
 
 Are not the Assemblies continued in your City as usual, 
 under your own immediate notice, and is not your inter dum 
 Secretary officious therein ? Did your Committee find no 
 difficulty in carrying into execution what you had foolishly 
 resolved was the sense of the Congress respecting Sheep ? 
 Yes. You disgraced yourselves by your scandalous con- 
 duct ; you invaded private property, and some of your 
 body committed daring robberies in the face of the day, and 
 in the sight of the whole world. You forced people to carry 
 their own goods on their backs to the Jail of your City ; 
 you intimidated a helpless old woman for no other offence 
 than innocently offering her goods for sale, and would have 
 obliged her to take the same measures you had forced others 
 to before, without law, without justice, reason, or mercy, 
 had not a Magistrate, whose presence and commands struck 
 terrour into your dastardly souls, rescued her and her pro- 
 perty from your domineering threats. Here, too, I might 
 touch on the article of Tea, and tell of the clemency and 
 mercy of some of your monsters relative to importations 
 of this baneful weed, but it is an affair of too nice delicacy, 
 we will not take up its ashes. 
 
 Yet you have declared your Committee have met with 
 no difficulty in carrying into execution any one Resolution 
 of the Continental Congress. I tell you this assertion is an 
 imposition on the people of this Province. Perhaps you 
 call this novel species of procedure rather a pleasure than 
 a difficulty. 1 believe it ; so fond are you of power, and 
 so impatient of bearing rule, that at some rate or other you 
 are determined on the possession of it ; and while you rest 
 secure in the idea of enforcing your mandates by a lawless 
 mob, you no doubt glory in the acquisition of your usurpa- 
 tion. 
 
 Some of you, though active in the most atrocious vio- 
 
 lences, by artifice, would persuade the world that these 
 proceedings have not been done by the Committee as a 
 body ; but if individuals of you will repeatedly commit 
 such extraordinary depredations on the property of your 
 countrymen, in defiance of all laws, why do ye not dis- 
 charge them ? Why do ye not publish your disapprobation 
 of their proceedings? Why not demand an acknowledg- 
 ment of their errours ? Instead of this, you tacitly applaud 
 them; appoint them to new offices; and while you thus 
 tamely acquiesce, you are parties in the guilt, and deserve 
 the severest reprehension. 
 
 You tell us the number of dissentients with you are 
 very small. You are strangely deluded. If you had made 
 the necessary inquiry, you would have found their numbers 
 were great, and by far the most respectable of the commu- 
 nity. They do not consist of the noisy, blustering and 
 bellowing patriots, but the cool, deliberate, and thinking 
 men, renowned for probity, integrity, and honour, unlike 
 your Adams, Hancock, and your Lee. 
 
 The inhabitants of your Province have too much good 
 sense to consider the least infraction of the proceedings of 
 the Continental Congress as productive of their political 
 ruin. The more sensible part are shocked at many of their 
 Resolves. They consider a compliance with them as likely 
 to overwhelm all America with destruction ; they look 
 upon them as setting up a total independence of the parent 
 state, and consider the leaders of the present measures as 
 leaders of a rebellion and faction, which portend the most 
 miserable calamities. 
 
 The disputes between the State and its Members, at the 
 meeting of the Congress, were easily adjusted. They had 
 not arrived to such an alarming length as to throw us into 
 a state of despair. Many able and prudent writers among 
 us, as well as you, recommend the adoption of moderation 
 and temper. Your Farmer, your versatile Farmer, was one 
 of this number. He did not know on which side the balance 
 would preponderate ; he played the Vicar's part ; he was 
 Jack on both sides; he waited the event of the farce; vio- 
 lence rose victorious ; he embraced her cause, and in deri- 
 sion of the reputation he had acquired by his former Letters, 
 he parted with it to gain fresh laurels. But the doctrines 
 he had advanced formerly, very much cramped his soaring 
 genius. He could not form his new edifice with grandeur, 
 without demolishing his old fabrick, and in his attempt to 
 form a fresh wreath, his old one decayed, and his new was 
 blasted. The fast friends to our constitutional liberties 
 pointed out, and laboured hard for a firm and dutiful Peti- 
 tion, and a spirited, but decent Remonstrance, as the most 
 probable means of establishing peace and harmony. They 
 warmly recommended the drawing a rational line of Parlia- 
 mentary jurisdiction and American allegiance, on the prin- 
 ciples of the British Constitution. How a conduct like 
 this would in all human probability have terminated, I leave 
 to your own candour, though you seem to be divested of 
 the smallest share. We find, from every account, his most 
 gracious Majesty (warmly attached to the interest of all his 
 subjects, however remote) is ready to hear our prayers. 
 Every friend to America in England urged us to modera- 
 tion ; and had their advice been regarded, the unnatural 
 dispute ere this day, might have been brought to the most 
 happy issue. The advocates for these wise and moderate 
 measures daily meet with the grossest insults and abuse 
 from every paltry Republican pen, to whose inconsistent 
 jargon your jmrtial Presses were ever free and easy of 
 admission ; and while the independent Incendiary, now 
 known throughout America by the name of the "lean and 
 grinning Cassius," found the most inviting access for his 
 lucubrations, wisdom, prudence, and reason were excluded 
 an audience. Your papers were kept under an undue in- 
 fluence, and filled with fabricated letters and paragraphs, 
 culled from every fiery publication, to alarm and inflame. 
 These are truths which can be solidly supported, and if you 
 will revert to the papers of that period you will not deny. 
 One of your Printers, of your true Republican cast, pub- 
 lished the most vile and treasonable performance that was 
 ever exhibited to the world, and this same Printer rejected 
 a moderate and pertinent reply. Another of your weak 
 and blustering Printers stands impeached for a forgery, and 
 there is great reason to believe he continues in the same 
 practice. This same Printer, as a reward for his exhibition 
 of scandal, was by your society of pedagogues, made a 
 
241 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 242 
 
 Committee-man, the more effectually to secure his press, 
 the engine of rebellion and abuse ; and there is nothing so 
 dirty, nothing so base, but he will give it a conveyance. 
 This was a grand stroke of policy, worthy of the Jesuitical 
 Cassius. Your Committee have since made a most flagrant 
 attack upon the liberty of the press, to the eternal disgrace 
 of your cause and your City, and but for their noble stand, 
 and the virtuous intrepidity of one of your citizens, nothing 
 in future could have appeared amongst you without a 
 license from traitors and insurgents. But, fortunately for 
 America, and to the lasting honour of a single man, you 
 are stopped in your career, and stand as objects for the 
 world to gaze and laugh at. 
 
 But though things have been carried to this elevated 
 pitch, the sons of sedition have, with unabated ardour and 
 unceasing zeal, circulated the most palpable falsehoods to 
 mislead the unwary and unsuspicious ; witness that bastard 
 Act of Parliament, framed pro tempore by one of your 
 Secretaries, so full of falsehoods that one would scarce 
 have believed a fool could have been found that would 
 credit it ; yet sorry I am to say, it was greedily swallowed 
 by the ignorant, for the factious, who are scattered, like the 
 Jews, over every part of the earth, did not hesitate to 
 declare it was authentick ; and on a late excursion into the 
 interiour parts of your Province, I found a difficulty to 
 persuade many deluded Germans that it was totally false; 
 they told me of a gentleman in an exalted station (whose 
 name for the present I shall conceal, though one of your 
 Committee) who had repeatedly assured them, that if they 
 did not unite with the Congress, that very act would take 
 place the ensuing summer. But notwithstanding these artful 
 devices; notwithstanding the almost infinite pains taken by 
 your party to stop the circulation of moderate publications, 
 (appointing two patriotick shoemakers to wait on Mr. 
 Airey to deter him from selling pamphlets of a free com- 
 plexion ;) notwithstanding the pains taken by one of your 
 Committee to prevent the circulation of Ftivington's Ga- 
 zetteer ; I can with great truth declare, that the eyes of 
 the Pennsylvania^ are opening very fast ; they begin to 
 see the independent designs of their demagogues ; they 
 see a Republick growing fast into form, and they begin to 
 abhor your destructive manoeuvres. I can speak with 
 great confidence, because I do not speak from the partial 
 information of a few individuals, nor from the improbable 
 accounts of interested Committees. My accounts are the 
 result of various and mature information, confirmed by 
 what I myself have seen in your City and Province. I 
 have, with the most pleasing satisfaction, beheld an aston- 
 ishing alteration in the opinions and in the conduct of the 
 good people with you. 
 
 I know that the number of loyal subjects are increasing 
 with a rapid progress ; the Friends have nobly took the 
 lead ; they will, I hope, be followed by almost every class 
 of people. Yet your gentlemen assert that a cheerful ac- 
 quiescence has been manifested by all orders and ranks of 
 people. It would have been more manly to have joined 
 Edes and Gill of Boston, in declaring their protest was 
 published ten years ago; and as you have the presses 
 under your own influence, it would be easy to forbid them 
 to publish a contradiction ; there would be no difficulty in 
 this, though there will in making people believe a dissen- 
 tion does not exist with you. 
 
 Let the same patriot who threatened to pull down the 
 doors of one of your Churches if the wardens would not 
 suffer the bells to be rung on Colonel Putnam's alarm ; let 
 this gentleman tell the printer, if he dare to contradict 
 what you put in, his house shall be demolished ; this would 
 be showing the weight of an argument he deduced in his 
 laboured harangue at a certain patriotick meeting, that it 
 was " absolutely necessary a very large Committee should 
 be appointed ; for who knows but we may have property 
 to destroy." He omitted pointing out another advantage 
 of having a large Committee, viz: extending the number 
 of our worthy fellow-citizen John Holt's subscriptions ; 
 for, I hear, with expanded hearts you have exerted your 
 influence in his favour, (in consequence of his decline here,) 
 and have procured him not less than fifty subscribers ; so 
 that we shall now have him like a new phcenix, arising on 
 this fresh pile, with new life, strength, and vigour. 
 
 Suffer me now, gentlemen, to take my leave of you for 
 the present. It was with reluctance I took up the pen ; 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 16 
 
 and 1 shall lay it down with pleasure, after hoping that you 
 will not take what I have said amiss. 1 only want these 
 facts to wound in the sore places. I had the good of this 
 Province too much at heart to let them be deluded by your 
 publication. If 1 have inserted one thing which will not 
 bear the strictest scrutiny, I will cheerfully recant it, and 
 ask pardon for my offence ; but I have, to the best of my 
 knowledge, without aggravation, laid down the above for 
 your perusal, and intend, when leisure permits, to inform 
 you of as true a state of affairs in this Province as the 
 above is of yours. An Englishman. 
 
 WORCESTER COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 March 28, 1775. 
 The Convention met according to adjournment. 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Chaplain be requested 
 to open this Convention with prayer. 
 
 Voted, That the Convention do now proceed to the 
 Meeting-House, to attend the Sermon by the Rev. Elisha 
 Fish, and the other exercises. 
 
 The Convention being again met in the afternoon : 
 Voted, That the thanks of the Convention be presented 
 to the Reverend Mr. Fish, for the Discourse preached 
 before them, and that the Standing Committee wait upon 
 him and request a copy thereof for the Press. 
 
 Voted, That the Standing Committee print as many 
 copies of said Discourse as they judge fit for circulation. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN NORTH-CAROLINA, DATED MARCH 
 
 29, 1775. 
 
 The gloomy aspect of your Country, and America in 
 general, mentioned in your last, is truly alarming. 1 feel 
 for Mr. * * * * , and wish he would make this his retreat. 
 Let me advise you to leave your uncertain situation, and 
 bring your family over. If you object to this, pray sell 
 your slave-estate at any rate. This early hint will give 
 you an opportunity of doing this to advantage. Last week 
 a friend wished me joy on having the good fortune to sell 
 my slaves and American estate ; for, says he, " I was lately 
 whispered by the Minister, that all slaves on the Continent 
 would be seized as forfeited by the Provinces, and sold in 
 the French and Spanish Islands, the profits arising to re- 
 imburse the great expense of Ships, Troops, &c, sent to 
 America." This will tend to the great disappointment of 
 our West-India Planters, who will expect to stock the 
 sugar-works from the Continent. Your lands must be 
 cultivated by the poor, as in these Kingdoms. 
 
 NEW-YORK. COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, for the City of New- 
 York, in the Committee Chamber, on the 29th of March, 
 1775, present — 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman, Francis Lewis, 
 John Jay, John Lasher, 
 
 Isaac Sears, Joseph Totten, 
 
 David Johnston, Thomas Ivers, 
 
 Alexander McDougall, John Anthony, 
 
 Abraham Walton, , 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 
 Francis Basset, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 William Goforth, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 George Janeway, 
 Lindley Murray, 
 Lancaster Burling : 
 
 The following advertisement, which was drawn in con- 
 sequence of an application to this Committee at their last 
 meeting, was read, viz : 
 
 To the respectable Inhabitants of the City and County of 
 New-York : 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Citizens : In times so critical 
 as the present, it becomes the duty of every citizen to pay 
 particular attention to the welfare of the community, and to 
 counteract every measure that may tend to injure its in- 
 terest. 
 
 Influenced by these considerations, we view with concern 
 the uneasiness occasioned in this City, by the late unusual 
 exportation of Nails ; and perceive with anxiety the dis- 
 tress to which a monopoly of this or any other article may 
 expose many among us. 
 
213 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 211 
 
 For what purpose, or with what design, such a quantity 
 lias, in so short a time, been purchased and exported, we 
 neither know nor can we conceive. The clamour raised 
 among the Mechanicks, by the scarcity of Nails during the 
 continuance of the last Non-Importation Agreement, is 
 recent in our memories; and though the manufactories 
 which have since been established will supply more than 
 sufficient for our own consumption, we apprehend it would 
 be imprudent thus rashly to part with what we have in 
 store, especially as this sudden exportation has given just 
 grounds for suspicion and alarm. 
 
 It is not within the limits of our appointment to provide 
 against the evil tendency of this circumstance, by any regu- 
 lation ; but considering ourselves as fellow-citizens with you, 
 and deeply interested in every thing that respects the pub- 
 lick weal, and the support of the great cause in which our 
 all is at stake, we take the liberty of declaring our senti- 
 ments upon the occasion ; and recommend to you to avoid 
 drawing the people of this City into any difficulties or dis- 
 contents, by exporting or encouraging the monopoly of 
 such great quantities of Nails as may leave a provision for 
 our own consumption precarious, especially as it is not cer- 
 tain whether these Nails, so hastily bought up and exported, 
 are designed to be used, or to be stored. 
 
 Permit us also to submit to your consideration the pro- 
 priety of supplying the Troops at Boston with implements 
 of war, and articles essential to hostilities. We cannot 
 forbear observing, that the duty we owe to our interest and 
 reputation should lead us to withhold such supplies from 
 the Troops, at least till we have assurances that nothing 
 hostile is intended against us. 
 
 And debates arising on the propriety of publishing the 
 same as a Committee : and the question being put thereon, 
 it was carried in the affirmative, in the manner following, 
 viz : 
 
 For the Question. Against the Question. 
 
 Mr. J. Jay, Mr. A. P. Lolt, Mr. Duryee, 
 
 Mr. F. Jay, Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Johnston, 
 
 Mr. Piatt, Mr. Ivers, Mr. Goforth, 
 
 Mr. J. Anthony, Mr. ftasher, Mr. Totten, 
 
 Mr. N. Roosevelt, Mr. McDougall, Mr. A. Walton, 
 
 Mr. Basset, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Curtenius, 
 
 Mr. Brasher, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Bicker. 
 
 Mr. I. Roosevelt, Mr. Janeway, 
 Mr. Sands, Mr. Sears. 
 
 The Chairman entered his dissent against the above act. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 LETTER FROM J. BROWN TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRES- 
 PONDENCE IN BOSTON. 
 
 Montreal, March 29, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Immediately after the reception of your 
 letters and pamphlets, I went to Albany to find the state of 
 the Lakes, and established a correspondence with Dr. 
 Joseph Young. I found the Lakes impassable at that time. 
 About a fortnight after I set out for Canada, and arrived 
 at St. John's in fourteen days, having undergone almost 
 inconceivable hardships, the Lake Champlain being very 
 high, the small streams and rivers, and great part of the 
 Country for twenty miles each side the Lake, especially 
 towards Canada, under water. The Lake Champlain was 
 partly open and partly covered with dangerous ice, which 
 breaking loose for miles in length, our crafts drove us 
 against an island, and froze us in for two days, after which 
 we were glad to loot it on land. 
 
 I delivered your letters to Messrs. Thomas Walker and 
 Blake, and was very kindly received by the Committee of 
 Correspondence at Montreal, from whom 1 received the 
 following state of affairs in the Province of Quebcck. 
 Governour Carleton is no great politician, a man of sour, 
 morose temper, a strong friend to Administration and the 
 late Acts of the British Parliament which respect Ame- 
 rica, particularly the Quebeck Bill ; has restrained the 
 liberty of the Press, that nothing can be printed without 
 examination and license. Application has been made to 
 him for printing the Address from the Continental Con- 
 gress, and a refusal obtained. All the Troops in this 
 Province are ordered to hold themselves in readiness for 
 lioston, on the shortest notice. Four or five hundred snow- 
 shoes are prepared, for what use they know not. Mr. 
 Walker has wrote you about three weeks since, and has 
 
 been very explicit. He informs you that two regular Offi- 
 cers (liieutenants) have gone off in disguise, supposed to 
 be gone to Boston, and to make what discovery they can 
 through the Country. 
 
 I have the pleasure and satisfaction to inform you that, 
 through the industry and exertions of our friends in Cana- 
 da, our enemies are not at present able to raise ten men 
 for Administration. The weapons that have been used 
 by our friends to thwart the constant endeavours of the 
 friends of Government (so called) have been chiefly in 
 terrorem. The French people are (as a body) extremely 
 ignorant and bigoted, the Curates or Priests having 
 almost the entire government of their temporal as well 
 as spiritual affiirs. In La Prairie, a small village about 
 nine miles from Montreal, I gave my landlord a letter 
 of address, and there being four Cures in the village 
 praying over the dead body of an old Friar, the pamph- 
 let was soon handed them, who sent a messenger to pur- 
 chase several of them. I made them a present ol each 
 of them one, and was desired to wait on them in the Nun- 
 nery with the holy sisters. They appeared to have no 
 disposition unfriendly toward the Colonies, but chose rather 
 to stand neuter. 
 
 Two men from the New- Hampshire Grants accompa- 
 nied me over the Lakes. The one was an old Indian 
 hunter, acquainted with the iSif. Frangois Indians and their 
 language; the other was a captive many years among the 
 Caghnawaga Indians, which is the principal of all the 
 Canadian Six Nations and Western tribes of Indians, whom 
 1 sent to inquire and search out any intrigues carrying on 
 among them. These men have this minute returned, and 
 report that they were very kindly received by the Caghna- 
 ivaga Indians, with whom they tarried several days. The 
 Indians say they have been repeatedly applied to, and re- 
 quested to join with the King's Troops to fight Boston, 
 but have peremptorily refused, and still intend to refuse. 
 They are a very simple, politick people, and say that if 
 they are obliged, for their own safety, to take up arms on 
 either side, that they shall take part on the side of their 
 brethren, the English in New-England ; all the chiefs of 
 the Caghnawaga tribe being of English extraction, capti- 
 vated in their infancy. They have wrote a friendly letter 
 to Colonel Israel Putnam, of Pomfret, in Connecticut, in 
 consequence of a letter which Colonel Putnam sent them, 
 in which letter they give their brother Putnam assurance 
 of their peaceable disposition. Several French gentlemen 
 of Montreal have paid the Governour a visit, and offered 
 him their services, as Officers, to raise a Canadian Army, 
 and join the King's Troops. The Governour told them 
 he could get Officers in plenty, but the difficulty consisted 
 in raising Soldiers. 
 
 There is no prospect of Canada sending Delegates to 
 the Continental Congress. The difficulty consists in this : 
 should the English join in the Non-Importation Agree- 
 ment, the French would immediately monopolize the In- 
 dian trade. The French in Canada are a set of people 
 who know no other way of procuring wealth and honour 
 but by becoming Court sycophants ; and as the introduc- 
 tion of the French laws will make room for the French 
 gentry, they are very thick about the Governour. You 
 may depend that, should any movement be made among 
 the French to join against the Colonies, your friends here 
 will give the shortest notice possible, and the Indians, on 
 their part, have engaged to do the same; so that you 
 have no occasion to expect to be surprised without notice, 
 should the worst event take place. 
 
 I have established a channel of correspondence through 
 the New-Hampshire Grants, which may be depended on. 
 Mr. Walker's letter comes by the hand of Mr. Jejiers, 
 once of Boston, now on his way thither, which, together 
 with this, is a full account of affairs here. I shall tarry 
 here some time, but shall not go to tyuebeck, as there are 
 a number of their Committee here. 
 
 One thing I must mention, to be kept as a profound se- 
 cret. The Fort at l\co?ideroga must be seized as soon as 
 possible, should hostilities be committed by the King's 
 Troops. The people on New-Hampshire Grants have 
 engaged to do this business, and in my opinion they are 
 the most proper persons for this job. This will effectually 
 curb this Province, and all the Troops that may be sent 
 here. 
 
245 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 246 
 
 As the messenger to carry this letter lias been waiting 
 some time with impatience, I must conclude, by subscrib- 
 ing myself, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 J. Brown. 
 
 To Mr. Samuel Adams, 
 Dr. J. Warren, 
 
 > Com'toe of Correspondence in Boston. 
 
 I am this minute informed that Mr. Carlcton lias order- 
 ed that no Wheat go out of the River until further order; 
 the design is obvious. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of Observation for Lan- 
 caster County, at Lancaster, on the 30th of March, 1775 : 
 
 The Committee took into consideration, amongst other 
 things, the conduct of George Ross, Esquire, one of the 
 Representatives of this County, in the late interesting de- 
 bate in the House of Assembly of this Province, respecting 
 an answer to his Honour the Governour's Message, re- 
 commending a separate Petition from the Assembly to His 
 Majesty for redress of grievances, and do unanimously ap- 
 prove of the active part taken by the said Mr. Ross in 
 opposition to the measures proposed, as the same would 
 tend to introduce a disunion amongst the different Colonies, 
 and defeat the salutary regulations of the Continental 
 Congress. And it being put to vote, it is 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the thanks of this 
 Committee be rendered to Mr. Ross and the other worthy 
 Members of the honourable House, who have evinced their 
 steady attention and virtuous adherence to the true welfare 
 of their Country, by pursuing the only probable means of 
 redress ; in supporting and preserving entire the union of the 
 Colonies, so absolutely necessary for the common safety of 
 America. Eberhart Michael, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 New. York, March 30, 1775. 
 The chiefs of the Six Nations, who, during the course 
 of the winter, held several Congresses with Colonel Guy 
 Johnson, the Superintendent, are, we hear, at present with 
 him in consultation respecting the conduct of the several 
 tribes to the Southward, and the steps to be further taken 
 for preventing future quarrels in that quarter ; to which end 
 it is said they propose to use every means in their poner 
 for collecting their scattered people from amongst the 
 several Nations, and fixing them in a place where they 
 will be more immediately under the direction of their proper 
 confederacy. And we are likewise informed that Colonel 
 Johnson, who was greatly indisposed through cold he caught 
 attending on one of the conferences, is now much better. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 
 NO. VII. 
 
 Boston, March 30, 1775. 
 
 My Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 Without any introduction, preface, or apology, 1 shall 
 reassume the paper which was the subject of our examina- 
 tion in my last, beginning where we then ended. This last 
 column of our writer is curious enough. I can hardly 
 determine whether profound silence, smiling neglect, or a 
 serious refutation would be its best answer. 
 
 When lie tells us, with the air of an argument, " if alle- 
 giance be due to the person of the King, (he might have 
 added, or to the British Crown,) he then appears in a new 
 capacity, as King of America, or rather, in several new 
 capacities, as King of Massachusetts, of Rhode-Island, of 
 Connecticut, &z.c, &c." He might have still added, and 
 if these Colonies are three thousand miles from the King's 
 palace, from Keiv, or his place of residence, wherever it be, 
 lie must govern them by Deputies or Viceroys. And what 
 does all this amount to? Where is the difficulty ? What 
 is his inference ? Is it to the point ? 
 
 But if our connection with Great Britain, by the Par- 
 liament, be dissolved, the Colonies will have none among 
 themselves, their having one and the same person for their 
 Sovereign being no union at all ; as he must govern each 
 State by it own Parliament, which would pursue its own 
 particular interest, notwithstanding any possible efforts of 
 the King for the general good. Admitting all this, and as 
 much more of the kind as our wanderer pleases, to be 
 true, it is no evidence of our connection with the Parent 
 
 State. They may be good reasons why we should, by 
 some means or other, especially at the present day, con- 
 solidate into a closer union among the Colonies, that a com- 
 mon interest might govern the whole. We might therefore 
 pass it by as nothing to the purpose. But let us attend a 
 moment to the state of facts. The only way to govern States, 
 and direct their movements, is by the edict of a Monarch, 
 or the laws of a Legislative Assembly. Such is the Con- 
 stitution of Government in most of the British Colonies, 
 that no law can be passed but by the consent of the King's 
 representative, who, as he is appointed by His Majesty, 
 and holds his office during his pleasure, observes such a 
 line of conduct as is pointed out by his Royal master, or 
 the mandate of his Minister. In all the Colonies, unless 
 Connecticut is an exception, their laws are sent home and 
 laid before His Majesty for his approbation, who has it in 
 his power, within a limited time, entirely to disannul them. 
 Considering this, and that the appointment of all execu- 
 tive officers is either mediately or immediately in the 
 Crown, excepting in one or two of the Colonies ; it is 
 scarcely supposable that any one could pursue its own 
 interest to the detriment of another ; or that a course of 
 conduct could be adopted inconsistent with the best wel- 
 fare of the Parent State, so long as the powers of the 
 Crown, and the checks of prerogatives are directed by 
 constitutional motives. 
 
 The next argument of our substantial reasoner is, I 
 believe, entirely new, and would have been so a thousand 
 years hence, had not he, in the labours of invention, 
 stumbled upon it; it is all his own; no one will envy 
 him the honour of this mighty discovery : " If the King of 
 Great Britain has really these new capacities, they ought 
 to be added to his titles ; and another difficulty will arise — 
 the prerogatives of these new Crowns have never been 
 defined or limited. Is the monarchical part of the several 
 Provincial Constitutions to be nearer, or more remote 
 from absolute monarchy, in an inverted ratio to each one's 
 approaching to or receding from a Republick ?" The Royal 
 title is, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
 Defender of the Faith, Sic." Where, then, will this titular 
 argument carry us? What mighty revolutions, junctions, 
 and disjunctions will it accomplish? If it proves any thing 
 in the application of its inventor, it proves that all the 
 Kings of England, from Henry the Sixth to the reigning 
 Prince, were Kings of France. That Ireland and Great 
 Britain are distinct States, in a different sense from what 
 the Colonies are; and that Henry the Eighth and King 
 George the Third {God bless him) were both Defenders 
 of the Faith, though the one a Papist, and the other a 
 Protestant. The prerogatives of the Crown are defined 
 and limited with convenient certainty by our several Char- 
 ters, the ends of Government being confined within the 
 circle of doing good. Prerogatives are not, nor ever will 
 be defined with mathematical nicety, " or inverted ratios f 
 humanity itself forbids it. The dividing line between day 
 and night, light and darkness, has never been drawn, nor 
 can it be. You may therefore as well argue from the 
 want of such a line, the non-existence of light and dark- 
 ness, as from indefinite prerogatives, the coalition of States. 
 
 But, says our pleasant amuser, if we are not subject to 
 the supreme authority of the Mother Country, " where 
 shall we find the British Constitution, that, we all agree, 
 we are entitled to? We shall seek for it in vain in our 
 Provincial Assemblies. Charter Governments have no 
 more power than what is expressly granted by their several 
 Charters. The first Charter granted to this Province did 
 not empower the Assembly to tax the people at all. Our 
 Council Boards are destitute of the authority of the House 
 of Lords, and its members of the splendid appendages of 
 peerage. Thus the supposition of our being independent 
 States, or exempt from the authority of Parliament, destroys 
 the very idea of our having a British Constitution." And 
 further, " the argument drawn from the first principle of our 
 being entitled to English liberties, destroys the principle 
 itself; it deprives us of the Bill of Rights, and all the 
 benefits resulting from the Revolution, of " English Laws 
 and the British Constitution." Our patriots, says he, 
 have been so intent upon building up American rights, 
 that they have overlooked the rights of Great Britain and 
 our own interest, and instead of proving that we are entitled 
 to the same privileges that a subject in Great Britain 
 
 # 
 
247 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 248 
 
 enjoys, they have been arguing away our most essential 
 rights. Upon reading this paragraph I could not but won- 
 der who it was " that suffered his pen to run so freely." 
 Can it be an honest native of this Province, with such a 
 stand in the community as to be able to see distinctly all 
 its political manoeuvres ? 
 
 If our position be true, which I think we have abundantly 
 confirmed, that previous to the Colonies receiving their 
 several Charters they were in a natural state compared 
 with Great Britain ; it undeniably follows, that they pos- 
 sess every power or right that is not expressly given into 
 the hands of the King by those Charters, they being the 
 original source of power, it passing from them to the King, 
 and vice versa. 
 
 Our first Charter enabled this Colony expressly " from 
 time to time to make, ordain, and establish all manner of 
 wholesome and reasonable orders, laws, statutes, ordi- 
 nances, directions, and instructions necessary for the well 
 ordering and governing the same." This most certainly 
 included in it the right of making laws for taxation, as 
 well as those for any other purpose. 
 
 In order to determine whether the argument drawn from 
 the principle of our being entitled to English liberties, 
 destroys itself, deprives us of the Bill of Rights, and all 
 the benefits resulting from the Revolution, the English 
 laws, and the British Constitution, it may be necessary to 
 call to mind their chief excellencies, and their essential 
 and principal characteristicks. 
 
 The freedom of the English Constitution, says the great 
 Montesquieu, which has directly for its end political liberty, 
 consists in a certain distribution of the legislative, execu- 
 tive, and judiciary powers of the State, or the fundamental 
 laws. The freedom of the subject consists in his stand- 
 ing in such a relation to this Constitution, and the laws 
 originating from it, as to be secure in his person and pro- 
 perty. In general, then, for the Americans to have British 
 Constitutions they must have free ones: and they must 
 stand in the same relation to them, as to their valuable and 
 essential purposes, that the Britons form with theirs. 
 
 The King, who is the third branch in the Legislative 
 Assembly, and the first magistrate in the Kingdom, is 
 dependant on the people for his supplies. The Royal 
 authority is a kind of invisible entity, a spring that ought 
 to move easily, without noise and attrition, giving motion 
 to the political machine, and having the publick good for 
 its standing regulator. It can do no wrong. And if it 
 should happen to get impaired, or deviate from foreign 
 attractions, the effectual and constitutional remedy is tight 
 purse-strings. To have then a British Constitution, is to 
 have the third branch of our Legislative Assembly, and 
 first officer in the Province, dependant on the people for 
 his salary. The officers of the Crown in England must 
 see to the legality of their conduct ; if they violate the 
 laws, even by Royal direction, they cannot take shelter 
 behind the Throne, or plead in justification an illegal com- 
 mand. A Provincial Governour ought then to make the 
 law of the land, and the fundamental principles of society, 
 the rule of conduct, and not the mandate from a Minister 
 of Slate. The House of Lords have a negative voice on 
 all Acts of the Commons ; so have our Council Board on all 
 Bills of our Representatives. In fact they have, in substance, 
 constitutionally, all the authority of the House of Peers. 
 
 A British Constitution knows of no laws binding upon 
 its subjects but what were made, or consented to by them- 
 selves, or their substitutes, and what the legislators them- 
 selves are subject to, in common with every individual in 
 the community : this is a grand security, a constitutional 
 bulwark of liberty. " Liberty of man, in society, (says 
 the immortal Locke,') is to be under no other legislative 
 power but that established by consent in the common- 
 wealth ; nor under the dominion of any will, or restraint of 
 any law, but what this legislative shall enact according to 
 the trust reposed in it." " Freedom of men in Govern- 
 ment, (says the same author,) is to have a standing rule to 
 live by, common to all and every one in that society, and 
 made by the legislative power erected in it ; and not to be 
 subject to the arbitrary will of another. This fieedom 
 from absolute arbitrary power is so necessary to, and closely 
 joined with a man's preservation, that he cannot part with 
 it but by what forfeits his preservation and life together." 
 
 Indulge me in adding a few more lines, from this con- 
 
 summate reasoner ; lines which ought to be wrote in letters 
 of gold, and sunk to the centre of every man's heart. 
 " The supreme power cannot take from any man part of 
 his property without his own consent ; for the preservation 
 of property being the end of Government, and that for 
 which men enter into society, it necessarily supposes and 
 requires that the people should have property, without 
 which they must be supposed to lose that by entering into 
 society, which was the end for which they entered into it : 
 too gross an absurdity for any man to own. Men therefore 
 in society, having property, they must have such a right to 
 the goods which by the laws of the community are theirs, 
 that no body hath a right to take their substance, or any 
 part of it from them without their consent. Without this 
 they have no property at all ; for I have no property in that 
 which another can by right take from me when he pleases, 
 against my consent. Hence it is a mistake to think that 
 supreme or legislative power of a community can do what 
 it will, or dispose of the estates of the subject arbitrarily, or 
 take any part of them at pleasure. For Government is 
 constituted with this condition, and for this end, that men 
 might have and secure their properties." 
 
 A British Constitution, then, which Massachusettensis 
 says is agreed on all hands we are entitled to, knows of 
 no authority to make laws for more than three millions of 
 subjects, but such as is erected among themselves, in 
 which they are represented, to which the law makers 
 themselves are subjected, and which is consistent with the 
 enjoyment of private property. Compare, on the one 
 hand, the assumed principles of Parliament and ministerial 
 measures, with the above criterions, and on the other the 
 natural and constitutional authority of our Assemblies, and 
 draw your conclusions. 
 
 The fundamental laws of England, which are laws of 
 mercy, and the precepts of reason, of improved artificial 
 reason, are severally declarations of the rights of English- 
 men. They are emanations from the Constitution, are 
 blended with it, are a part of it. They principally and 
 with vigilant jealousy regard and secure life, liberty, and 
 property. Next to a man's life, (if not before it,) the 
 nearest and dearest enjoyment is freedom ; a deprivation 
 of this being a sort of civil death, or living misery. An- 
 glia. jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem. Magna 
 Charta, or the great Charter of the liberties of the King- 
 dom, which was made in the ninth year of Henry the 
 Third, was declaratory of the fundamental laws and ancient 
 liberties of the subject. By the twenty-ninth chapter of 
 this revered piece of antiquity, no man can be taken, or im- 
 prisoned, dispossessed of his freehold, of his lands, of his 
 liberties, (not even by Parliament,) but by the verdict of 
 his equals, or by the law of the land,* or condemned with- 
 out lawful trial by a jury. A Statute of the 25 Edw. I. 
 was a confirmation of this great Charter, by the sixth 
 chapter of which no aid or tax can be taken on any occa- 
 sion whatever, but by the common consent of the Realm, 
 and for the common benefit thereof. By another founda- 
 tion-statute in the 34 Edw. I. no tallage or aid can be 
 taken or levied, but by grant and common consent of Par- 
 liament ; tallage, according to Lord Coke, being a general 
 word including all taxes, subsidies, fee, whatever; and 
 Parliament, meaning an assembly, composed of the Rep- 
 resentatives of the people. Within this Act are all new 
 offices erected with new fees, or old offices with additional 
 fees; for this is a tax upon the subject. By the famous 
 Habeas Corpus Act, which is founded in common right, and 
 on common law, which is the birth-right of every English- 
 man, no person can be sent prisoner out of England or 
 fValcs into Scotland, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or to any 
 other place beyond seas. The Bill of Rights, which passed 
 the British Parliament upon the accession of William the 
 Third to the throne, after reciting the declaration of the 
 Lords and Commons, and the endeavours of James the 
 Second to subvert and extirpate the Protestant religion, and 
 the laws and liberties of the Kingdom, declares, among a 
 number of other articles for vindicating and asserting the 
 ancient rights and liberties of the people : 
 
 " 4thly : That levying money without consent and grant 
 of Parliament is illegal. 
 
 * How much property is taken from the subject and given to the 
 Crown by tlio operation of the unparalleled Port Bill, and thai without 
 any trial, pretensions of forfeiture, law, or justice. 
 
249 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MARCH, 1775. 
 
 250 
 
 " othly : That it is the right of the subject to petition the 
 King. 
 
 " 6thly : That the raising or keeping a Standing Army 
 within the Kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with 
 consent of Parliament, is against law. 
 
 " 7thly : That the subjects which are Protestants, may 
 have arms for their defence, suitable to their conditions, 
 and as allowed by law. 
 
 " 13th : That for the redress of all grievances, and for 
 the amending, strengthening, and preserving the laws, Par- 
 liament ought to be held frequently." 
 
 These articles, with others, are declared, claimed, and 
 asserted to be the true, ancient, and indubitable rights and 
 liberties of the people of the Kingdom ; and so ought to 
 be esteemed, adjudged, allowed, and taken. Accordingly 
 it was enacted by the King, Lords, and Commons, that 
 this Bill should stand, remain, and be the law of the Realm 
 forever. None of those Acts gave any new rights to the 
 subject ; they are only declarative of what were their bji- 
 resigned, inherent, ancient rights as Englishmen, as Britons. 
 If, then, we are entitled to British liberties, we are enti- 
 tled to all those rights, privileges, and securities which we 
 have been surveying. These are the essential qualities, 
 the first principles, and capital characteristicks of the Bri- 
 tish Government, the props and checks which have ena- 
 bled it to stand so many ages the rude shocks of foreign 
 invasions, domestick feuds, civil commotions, and of time 
 itself; and would secure it from falling, but with the pillars 
 of nature, were it not for the sappings of bribery and cor- 
 ruption at its roots, and the gnawiugs of ambition and 
 avarice on its branches. 
 
 Therefore to enjoy the benefits resulting from the Revo- 
 lution, the Bill of Rights, the English Laws, and the Bri- 
 tish Constitution, we can be taxed by no Assembly but our 
 Provincial ones, in which we are represented ; cannot be 
 sent home for trial, according to a late law; can be dis- 
 possessed of our property only by the judgment of our 
 Peers ; can have Soldiers quartered upon us only by the 
 consent of our General Courts, &c, k.c, &c. This is the 
 essence of the British Constitution. The appellations, 
 Kings, Peers of the Realm, Knights of the Shire, &.c, as 
 well as Governours, Counsellors, and Representatives, 
 are but secondary qualities, or mere formalities. The same 
 Constitution in substance may appear under a thousand 
 different forms, and the same valuable purposes be an- 
 swered by them all. It is for the above substantial rights 
 that our patriots (whom America we trust will hail, as 
 Rome did Cicero, the fathers and saviours of their country) 
 have been arguing. It is in defence of these social bless- 
 ings that they have sacrificed their ease, their health, and 
 their wealth, and now stand, when the bolts are just ready 
 to burst upon our heads. 
 
 We are next told : " If there be any grievance, it does 
 not consist in being subject to the authority of Parlia- 
 ment, but in our not having an actual representation in 
 it ; and this is withheld by the first principles of Govern- 
 ment, and the immutable laws of nature.'' That is, to 
 speak plain English, if one community is oppressed by 
 another, the grievance does not consist in the oppressive 
 act, but in the want of a right to act in the manner which 
 is oppressive ; and if this right is withheld by the im- 
 mutable laws of nature, or by God himself, who is the 
 Author of immutabilities in nature, these laws must be 
 trampled upon and faulted, and the immaculate oppressor 
 go free. Thus you see that grievances must be imputed 
 to the God of Nature, and the rectitude of Heaven ques- 
 tioned, rather than the propriety and equity of ministerial 
 measures disputed. The truth is, the grievance consists in 
 being subject to the authority of a Parliament in which we 
 are not and cannot be represented. 
 
 We are next presented with a passage from Governour 
 Hutchinson's letters, which were sent to solicit the ven- 
 geance of a Kingdom upon this unhappy Colony, and to 
 drag down the resentments of an incensed Court upon in- 
 dividuals. I shall not at present dispute upon the merits 
 or demerits of the characters and measures which were the 
 subject matter of these letters. " There must be an 
 abridgment of what is called English liberties," is the fa- 
 mous sentence which we are told has rung through the 
 Continent. We have already seen what Locke, Montes- 
 quieu, Magna Charta, uticorruped Parliaments, the fun- 
 
 damental laws, the Bill of Rights, the English Constitu- 
 tion, the Britons and the Americans call English liberties. 
 These, these are the liberties that must be abridged. I 
 have no fondness for aspersions and calumnies of any kind. 
 This gentleman possesses, and has exercised, undoubtedly, 
 in various departments, some amiable private virtues and 
 useful accomplishments. But such have been his noto- 
 rious principles and exertions in many instances of pub- 
 lick conduct, that it must give pain to a good mind to be 
 acquainted with his political character. I forbear; for I 
 would not bring a railing accusation against the Devil him- 
 self, were I, like Michael, brought to contend with him. 
 
 After saying it is for the interest of the Colonists to 
 continue part of the British Empire, and their duty to re- 
 main subject to the authority of Parliament, both of which 
 are favourite objects of their wishes, upon the good old 
 plan, which the experience of a century has proved to be 
 mutually beneficial ; our declaimer, in the full career of 
 rhetorical flourish, suffers, I believe, the real principles of 
 his practice to escape him, perhaps unguardedly, which 
 gives a key to his refined system of politicks : " After 
 many more centuries," says he, " have rolled away, long 
 after they who are now building upon the stage of life 
 shall have been received to the bosom of mother earth, 
 the Colonies may have the balance of wealth, numbers, 
 and power in their favour, and some future George may 
 cross the Atlantick and rule Great Britain by an Ameri- 
 can Parliament." A most sublime scheme of Parliament ! 
 Unexceptionable principles of policy ! The wealthy are to 
 oppress and grind the faces of the comparatively indigent ; 
 the many to enslave the few ; the powerful to tyrannize 
 over the impotent; the great to devour the small; the 
 strong the weak ; and Great Britain, in her turn, to become 
 the slaves of America, the longest sword being the great 
 charter of liberties, and the invaluable standard of right 
 and wrong. Is justice, is equity, are the rights of man- 
 kind such transportable wares, such floating machines ? 
 Are there no fixed, eternal, and immutable principles of 
 political truth and social justice, notwithstanding the acute 
 efforts of some moderns to explain them away, which can- 
 not be violated, but by the imputation of guilt? guilt of 
 the blackest dye, which will sooner or later fall with crush- 
 ing weight on the culprit's head. Can the splendour of 
 wealth always dazzle the eye of reason, or the intoxicating 
 fumes of undelegated power steel the heart against the 
 stings and lashes of natural conscience? Can superiority 
 of numbers alter the laws of nature, and annihilate the 
 never-failing principles of strict justice ? Can the longest 
 sword sooth the clamours and twingings of a wounded 
 spirit, or be plead in justification at the bar of an offended 
 Godl We are told by the poets, that the guilty are driven 
 about and haunted by the burning torches of the furies. 
 Presumptuous guilt is the fury, says Cicero, that torments; 
 an evil conscience the phrensy that rages ; and stinging re- 
 flection the terrour that distracts. These, these are the 
 incessant bosom fiends that haunt the guilty, that harrow- 
 up their souls, and will day and night avenge the injuries 
 and oppressions of innocent sufferers. 
 
 Let me ask our courtly-tongue pad if he really thinks 
 Great Britain, for centuries yet to come, w ill be such pro- 
 ficients in his sublime philosophy as to set supinely at ease 
 and see herself stripped of her most valuable rights ; rights, 
 in defence of which she has been often arrayed in armour 
 and in blood. Would she petition an American Parliament 
 for redress of grievances ? Would she acknowledge the 
 right of deprivation so long as there was one man existing 
 on the Island? Would not every drop of English blood 
 boil into a fury ? Would not every spark of British spirit 
 kindle into a flame? Would it not burst forth like a con- 
 flagration, and sweep with the besom of destruction the 
 laws enacted in an American Parliament, and their execu- 
 tors, off the stage of entities? 
 
 My abused, wretchedly abused countrymen, whilst we 
 are complaining of injuries and oppressions from others, let 
 us see to it that we keep good consciences void of offence 
 ourselves. Let us injure no man's person or property ; 
 cautiously guard against all outrages, riots, mobs, or irregular 
 and unnecessary risings, which the adversaries to the com- 
 mon cause may artfully attempt to lead or provoke us into. 
 The cause we are engaged in is of too much dignity to be 
 sullied by rashness, too important, too seriously important. 
 
251 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, k, APRIL, 1175. 
 
 252 
 
 to be weakened by tumult and partial strife. Liberty re- 
 ceives strength and vigour from prudence and consideration. 
 Justice, equity, and regularity, are her closest friends: she 
 courts virtue as her bosom companion, and shuns vice as 
 her dangerous enemy. Let us equally avoid the feverish 
 fit-; of political heat and cold. Banish from our breasts all 
 personal prejudices, private piques, narrow opinions, illiberal 
 distinctions, and little unbecoming jealousies. Let us dis- 
 play a hjagnariimity proportionate to the importance and 
 dangers of the struggle, cultivating harmony of sentiments 
 and unanimity of counsels. Act discreetly, firmly, and 
 unitedly. So long as men have hearts to feel, and blood 
 and spirits to act, some irregularities and indiscretions will 
 unavoidably take place under galling oppressions. These 
 must be expected until vice is deep trodden to its centre, 
 and frailties and human imperfections banished from the 
 earth. 1 trust those among us will be few and exceeding 
 small, sucli as, being viewed by an eye of candour, may be 
 easily covered with the mantle of charity. 
 
 All America has recognised our cause, has become 
 surety for our safety, and pointed out the process for re- 
 dress. All the Colonies unitedly oppose. Opposition so 
 respectable, so ample, never was known. Their unanimity 
 and firmness was never exceeded. Let us then adopt, and 
 religiously observe the recommendations of the grand Ame- 
 rican Congress, as the best rules of political conduct ; hold 
 their Association sacred ; treat the enemies of our Country 
 in the manner they prescribe; avoid, studiously avoid, 
 every thing that may occasion a rupture and hasten on the 
 last appeal ; being completely equipped, and thoroughly pre- 
 pared for every event, let us conduct peaceably and inoffen- 
 sively. If we are attacked, and hostilities commenced 
 against us, self-preservation, the first law of nature, must 
 and ought to assume the reins, take the command, direct 
 our conduct and govern the man. It does not oblige us to 
 stand still until we are hewn dead at our enemies' feet. 
 
 From the County of Hampshire. 
 
 New-York, Friday, March 31, 1775. 
 This being the day appointed for taking the sense of the 
 freeholders of the Town of Jamaica, on Long-Island, 
 whether they would nominate a Deputy to meet Deputies 
 from the other Counties, in the City of Neiv-York, the 
 20th of April, for the purpose of electing Delegates to 
 attend the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, the 10th 
 of May next ; a poll was opened, when the votes taken 
 stood as follows : 
 
 Against a Deputy 94 
 For a Deputy "... - 82 
 
 PORTSMOUTH (nEW-HAMPSHIRe) ASSOCIATION. 
 
 We, the subscribers, considering the disorderly state of 
 the times, and being deeply impressed with a sense of the 
 inestimable value of constitutional liberty, think ourselves 
 under an absolute necessity of associating together for the 
 support of the wholesome laws of the land, and also for 
 the preservation and protection of our persons and proper- 
 ties, which we find, at least as to many, have been threat- 
 ened of late, and we do therefore solemnly engage to and 
 with each other : — ■ 
 
 1st. That we will maintain the laws of the land to the 
 utmost of our power. 
 
 2d. That we will also defend and protect each other 
 from mobs, riots, or any other unlawful attack whatsoever, 
 and upon the first notice of any attempt upon either of the 
 subscribers, each and every one of us will immediately re- 
 pair to the person attacked, and him defend to the last ex- 
 tremity. 
 
 J muary 17, 1775. 
 
 TO THE SUBSCRIBERS OF THE ABOVE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Portsmouth, March 31, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Take this Association under your mature 
 consideration, as 1 hope some of you to be gentlemen of 
 penetration and knowledge ; and after a serious examination 
 of the above Association, you will find, instead of support- 
 ing and maintaining the laws of the land, you are acting 
 in direct violation thereof. As you say you will support 
 and maintain the laws of the land, and as you have not 
 
 made any distinction between the Province Law and the 
 late unconstitutional Acts, established by the King and 
 Parliament, we must suppose you mean to support and 
 maintain both. Permit me, gentlemen, to tell you, that 
 your zeal overbalances your knowledge. Pray examine 
 the Province law throughout, and all other law authorities 
 that ever were held in repute by the English Nation, and 
 you will not find one instance wherein they justify a num- 
 ber of men in combining together in any league whatsoever 
 to support the law, but quite the reverse; for the law is 
 supported in another manner; it is maintained by Magis- 
 trates and Officers, that are legally appointed as the laws 
 direct, and not by a number of men combining together. 
 You say you " will also defend and protect each other from 
 mobs, riots, or any unlawful attack whatsoever ; and that on 
 the first notice of any attempt upon either of the subscri- 
 bers, each and every one of you will immediately repair to 
 the person attacked, and him defend to the last extremity." 
 
 Is this law, gentlemen ? In what book and page will 
 you find it ? or what legislative body ever established such 
 measures to support laws ? Was it ever known in the 
 King's Dominions for a number of men to assemble to- 
 gether in order to suppress any mob without authority ; for 
 so doing they are themselves a mob in the eyes of the law, 
 to all intents and purposes; though 1 am convinced, if you 
 had been prudent enough to have examined into the law 
 of the Province, by which our lives and properties are pro- 
 tected, before you undertook to support it by mobs, as you 
 have solemnly agreed to do, you would have been ashamed 
 ever to have subscribed your names to such an unlawful 
 combination. 
 
 Gentlemen, I beg leave to ask you what it is you are 
 afraid of? Is it because you have honest hearts and act 
 upon well-grounded principles? Is it because you stand 
 strong for the Colonies and her liberties ? Or is it because 
 you strike against American freedom, and because you are 
 trying to enforce the late unconstitutional Acts, and to 
 plunge America into a state of slavery ? Surely it must 
 be guilt and remorse of conscience, and from thence springs 
 fear; ah ! fear, indeed, and reason enough for fear, for any 
 person to sell his Country and the liberties thereof, for the 
 sake of false honour and the poor pittance of sordid gain ; 
 he will live in fear and die in fear, and will run the greatest 
 risk of being tormented hereafter. Spectator. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED APRIL ], 1775. 
 
 The behaviourof the New- Yorkers has raised the drooping 
 spirits of the Ministry, and has been the cause of their pursu- 
 ing their tyrannous measures towards America with tenfold 
 vigour. A Bill is brought into the House by Lord North, to 
 stop the trade of Neiv- Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Vir- 
 ginia, and South- Carolina; it is determined, if you will not 
 trade with Great Britain, that you shall not trade any 
 where else. The friends of the Ministry declare publickly, 
 every where, their intention of starving the four New-Eng- 
 land Colonies. Ought not the Merchants of Pennsylvania, 
 &c, &ic, as they have but little time before the Act takes 
 place that will prevent their sending them any provisions, 
 to fill their Towns with bread, flour, and every thing else 
 they may stand in need of? If it is true what the Minis- 
 try give out, that they have divided you, I yet hope, when 
 America comes to see the insidious part Administration 
 is taking to subdue her, that you will all unite as one man, 
 and sutler every hardship rather than become the dupes of 
 the present set of men who govern this Country. If you 
 persevere in your Non-Importation and Non-Ex portation 
 Agreement, in less than twelve months you will become 
 complete conquerors; if you break, then you become slaves, 
 not to one tyrant, but to five hundred. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW-HAVEN, TO MR. RIVING- 
 TON, NEW-YORK, DATED APRIL 1, 1775. 
 
 Our Committee of Inspection have proceeded to very 
 unwarrantable lengths ; they ordered summonses to be ser- 
 ved on several persons who had not been altogether com- 
 plaisant enough to the mandates of the Congress. One of 
 the Committee-men demanded of a loyal Constitutionalist : 
 " What, do you drink Tea ? Take care what you do, Mr. 
 
253 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 254 
 
 C, for you are to know the Committee command the mob, 
 and can in an instant let them loose upon any man who 
 opposes their decrees, and complete his destruction." But 
 upon his damning the King, the spirit of the gallant Roy- 
 alist grew impatient, and lie opened a battery of execra- 
 tions upon Committees and Congresses of all denominations. 
 This, of course, occasioned his being ordered before the 
 whole Sanhedrim, where he is to be interrogated after the 
 manner of the Spanish and Portugal inquisitions. To this 
 complexion is American liberty, through the influence of the 
 King-killing Republicans, already arrived. But the culprit 
 is true game, and will prove as tough a sapling as ever these 
 big wigs have tried their strength upon, if these choose 
 to carry matters to extremity, now is the time to repel force 
 by force, in defence of the constitutional liberty of the 
 Colony ; and be the strength of the disaffected what it may, 
 the lives and fortunes of many in this Country will be 
 freely hazarded in defence of King George the Third, and 
 t lie laws of his Realm. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FHOM BOSTON, TO A GENTLEMAN IN 
 PHILADELPHIA, DATED SATURDAY, APRIL 1, 1775. 
 
 On Thursday last at daylight, the Troops beat to arms ; 
 five Regiments marched out with Earl Percy at their head ; 
 it was supposed they were going to Concord, where our 
 Provincial Congress is now sitting. A quantity of provi- 
 sions and warlike stores, I understand, is lodged there. 
 Several expresses were immediately sent away to give no- 
 tice of their marching. Important consequences were 
 apprehended ; but happily they only went a few miles out 
 of Boston and returned again. The Town and Country 
 were alarmed ; many of the neighbouring country Towns 
 immediately mustered, and got equipped for a march. It 
 has given such uneasiness, that Committees from twelve of 
 the near Towns have met upon it, and intend sending 
 a Petition to the Provincial Congress representing this af- 
 fair to them, desiring they would take up the matter, and 
 remonstrate to the General upon it. The Troops went out 
 of the common road ; marched over the people's land — some 
 where their grain was sown — and gardens ; broke down their 
 fences, walls, &lc, and doing other injuries. It is thought 
 such proceedings will bring on bad consequences, unless 
 prevented. The late conduct of the Regulars, in tarring 
 and feathering a countryman, headed by one of their Co- 
 lonels and other Officers, and the spirited remonstrance it 
 occasioned from the Selectmen of the Town of Billerica 
 to General Gage, has made much talk. 
 
 The military spirit and resolution prevailing in this Prov- 
 ince, in support of their liberties and Constitution, is aston- 
 ishing. I hope we shall soon have some good news from 
 home, to prevent any breaking out, which I begin to fear, 
 especially if the troops continue their marchings out. I 
 have heard that forty or fifty of the troops were so fatigued 
 by their march on Thursday, that they could not keep up 
 with their fellow soldiers on their return. It is said they 
 are intending to go out again soon. The Provincial grand 
 magazine of provisions and warlike stores is kept at Wor- 
 cester, about forty-four miles from Boston. 
 
 COUNCIL OF NORTH-CAROLINA. 
 
 At a Council held at Newbern, the 2d of April, 1775, 
 Present: His Excellency the Governour, the Hon. Jas. 
 Hasell, Hon. John Rutherford, Hon. Lewis H. De Ros- 
 sett, Hon. Alexander McCulloh, Samuel Strudwicke, 
 Martin Howard, and Samuel Cornell, Esquires. 
 
 His Excellency acquainted the Board that he had receiv- 
 ed His Majesty's commands to use his utmost endeavours 
 to prevent the appointment of Deputies from this Colony, 
 to attend another Congress intended to be held at Phila- 
 delphia, in the month of May next. And as a Convention 
 is appointed by advertisement to meet to-morrow in New- 
 bern, for the choice of such Delegates, His Excellency 
 desired the advise of the Council what measures were pro- 
 per to be taken to prevent the meeting of such unlawful 
 assembly. The Board were unanimously of opinion that 
 His Excellency had no other means than to issue a Procla- 
 mation to forbid the holding of the proposed Convention, 
 and to declare that such proceedings would be highly of- 
 
 fensive to His Majesty; upon which His Excellency issued 
 the following 
 
 Proclamation. 
 
 Whereas, I have received information that, in conse- 
 quence of an advertisement signed John Harvey, Modera- 
 tor, some time since published and dispersed through (his 
 Province, sundry persons have been elected by a small 
 number of Freeholders in the several Counties, to meet in 
 Convention in the Town of Newbern, on this day for the 
 choice of Deputies to represent this Colony in a Congress 
 intended to be held at the City of Philadelphia, in the 
 month of May next: And whereas, the meeting of such 
 Convention, and the declared purpose thereof will be high- 
 ly offensive to the King, and dishonourable to the General 
 Assembly of this Province, which is appointed to sit at this 
 time for the despatch of publick business : I have, there- 
 fore, thought fit, with the advice of His Majesty's Council, 
 to issue this Proclamation, hereby in the King's name to 
 forbid the holding of the said Convention. And I do ex- 
 hort all His Majesty's subjects, on their allegiance and on 
 pain of incurring His Majesty's high displeasure, to with- 
 draw themselves from the same, and to desist from all such 
 illegal, unwarrantable, and dangerous proceedings. 
 
 Given, &c, the 3d of April, 1775. Jo. Martin. 
 God save the King. 
 
 GLOUCESTER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of Gloucester County, 
 at the Court-House of the said County, on Monday, the 
 3d of April, 1775, 
 
 Warner Lewis, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 The Resolves of the Convention held at the Town of 
 Richmond the 20th of March, 1775, were read and unani- 
 mously approved of. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be pre- 
 sented to Thomas Whiting and Leivis Burwell, Esquires, 
 our worthy Delegates, for their faithful discharge of the 
 important trust reposed in them. 
 
 It being late before a sufficient number of members as- 
 sembled to proceed upon business, the Committee adjourn- 
 ed to Tuesday, the 25th instant. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Philadelphia, April 3, 1775. 
 Whereas there is the greatest reason to believe that quan- 
 tities of East India Goods have been purchased in England 
 by Holland merchants and others, with a view to transport 
 them to the Dutch Islands in the West-Indies, and from 
 thence introduce them into the Ports of North America ; 
 and as such a traffick would not only be injurious to the 
 trade and interest of this Country, but effectually counter- 
 act the Non-Importation Agreement which has been adopt- 
 ed, among other measures, for the common safety, this 
 Committee therefore think it expedient thus publickly to 
 caution their fellow-citizens against engaging in so perni- 
 cious a trade, and to declare that the utmost vigilance will 
 be used to detect any persons who shall endeavour to im- 
 port such India Goods from the Dutch Islands or elsewhere, 
 and when detected their names will be published to the 
 world, as delinquents and enemies to the liberties of Ame- 
 rica. By order of the Committee: 
 
 John Benezet, Assistant Secretary. 
 
 FREEHOLD (MONMOUTH COUNTY, N. J.) COMMITTEE. 
 
 April 3, 1775. 
 
 Thomas Leonard, Esquire, having been duly notified to 
 appear this day before the Committee of Inspection for the 
 Township of Freehold, in the County of Monmouth, New- 
 Jersey, and answer to a number of complaints made against 
 him, did not think proper to attend. 
 
 The Committee therefore proceeded, with care and im- 
 partiality, to consider the evidence laid before them, and 
 were unanimously of opinion, that the said Thomas Leo- 
 nard, Esquire, has, in a number of instances, been guilty 
 of a breach of the Continental Association, and that, pur- 
 suant to the tenour of said Association, every friend to 
 true freedom ought immediately to break off all connexion 
 and dealings with him, the said Leonard, and treat him as 
 a foe to the rights of British America. 
 
255 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 256 
 
 Ordered, That tlieir Clerk transmit a copy of this judg- 
 ment to the Press. Signed accordingly by 
 
 Nath. Scudder, Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW-YORK TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN BOSTON, DATED APRIL 3, 1775. 
 
 I am really under the greatest anxiety for the fate of 
 you and your distressed citizens, as such great quantities of 
 military stores have been carried from hence to your Town, 
 as well as boards, hay, straw, bran, harness, &ic, &c, 
 which, added to the three hundred horses that we are told 
 are sent for to Canada, portends the worst of designs. It 
 is suspected that the Troops really mean to take the 6eld, 
 and attempt to open the Courts under the new regulation, 
 or make a forced march to Worcester. Others imagine 
 that they will march out five or ten miles at a time, in order 
 to compel you to commence hostilities first; whilst some 
 think that nothing will be attempted till the Parliament 
 has decided on the grand controversy. However, I am 
 not clear but that orders to prosecute the Ministry's inten- 
 tions, till the Parliament decides otherwise, may have been 
 sent ; and should your noble spirits be subdued, there is no 
 doubt but the Parliament itself would justify such a con- 
 duct, though at the expense of much blood and treasure. 
 For Heaven's sake be watchful, as all, under God, depends 
 on your conduct at this time. A vessel with nails, boards, 
 &cc, for the Army, is ashore at Hell-Gate. 
 
 DR. JOSEPH WARREN TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Boston, April 3, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: Your favour of the 21st of December came 
 opportunely to hand, as it enabled me to give the Provin- 
 cial Congress, now sitting at Concord, a just view of the 
 measures pursued by the tools of the Administration ; and 
 effectually to guard them against that state of security into 
 which many have endeavoured to lull them. If we ever 
 obtain a redress of grievances from Great Britain, it must 
 be by the influence of those illustrious personages, whose 
 virtue now keeps them out of power. The King never 
 
 will bring them into power, until the ignorance and phren- 
 sy of the present Administration make the Throne on which 
 he sits shake under him. If America is an humble instru- 
 ment of the salvation of Britain, it will give us the sincer- 
 est joy ; but if Britain must lose her liberty, she must lose 
 it alone. America must and will be free. The contest 
 may be severe — the end will be glorious. We would not 
 boast, but we think, united and prepared as we are, we 
 have no reason to doubt of success, if we should be com- 
 pelled to the last appeal ; but we mean not to make that 
 appeal until we can be justified in doing it in the sight of 
 God and man. Happy shall we be if the Mother Country 
 will allow us the free enjoyment of our rights, and indulge 
 us in the pleasing employment of aggrandizing her. 
 
 The members for the Continental Congress are almost 
 all chosen by the several Colonies. Indeed, if any Colony 
 should neglect to choose members, it would be ruinous to 
 it; as all intercourse would immediately cease between that 
 Colony and the whole Continent. 
 
 The First Brigade of the Army marched about four 
 miles out of Town three days ago, under the command of 
 a Brigadier General, (Earl Percy,) but as they marched 
 without baggage or artillery, they did not occasion so great 
 an alarm as they otherwise would. Nevertheless great 
 numbers, completely armed, collected in the neighbouring 
 Towns ; and it is the opinion of many, that had they march- 
 ed eight or ten miles, and attempted to destroy any maga- 
 zines, or abuse the people, not a man of them would have 
 returned to Boston. The Congress immediately took 
 proper measures for restraining any unnecessary effusion 
 of blood ; and also passed proper resolves respecting the 
 Army, if they should attempt to come out of the Town 
 with baggage and artillery. 
 
 I beg leave to recommend to your notice Mr. Dana, 
 the bearer hereof, (a gentleman of the law,) a man of sense 
 and probity, a true friend to his Country, of a respectable 
 family and fortune. 
 
 May Heaven bless you, and reward your labours with 
 success. I am, sir, with great respect, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Jos. Warren. 
 
 To Arthur Lee, Esq., London. 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY. 
 North- Carolina, ss. 
 
 At an Assembly begun and held at Newbern the fourth 
 day of April, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our 
 Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God of 
 Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of 
 the Faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five, being the first session of 
 this present Assembly : 
 
 The Clerk of the Crown having certified that the fol- 
 lowing persons were duly elected, and returned Represent- 
 atives for the respective Counties and Towns, viz : 
 Anson County. — (None.) 
 
 Beaufort. — Roger Ormond, Thomas Respess, Jun. 
 
 Bertie. — John Johnston, David Stanley. 
 
 Bladen. — William Salter. James White. 
 
 Brunswick. — Robert Howe, John Rowan. 
 
 Bute. — William Person, Green Hill. 
 
 Craven. — James Coor, Lemuel Hatch. 
 
 Carteret. — William Thompson, Solomon Shej>hard. 
 
 Chowan. — Samuel Johnston, Thomas Oldham, Thomas 
 
 Benbury, Thomas Jones, Thomas Hunter. 
 Currituck. — Thomas Macknight, Francis Williamson, 
 
 Solomon Perkins, Samuel Jarvis, Nathan Poyner. 
 Cumberland. — Farquard Campbell, Thomas Rutherford. 
 Chatham. — (None.) 
 
 Dobbs. — Richard Caswell, William McKinnie. 
 Duplin. — Thomas Gray, Thomas Hicks. 
 Edgecombe. — (None.) 
 
 Granville. — Thomas Person, Memucan Hunt. 
 Guilford. — (None.) 
 
 Halifax. — Nicholas Long, Benjamin McCulloch. 
 Hf.rtforo. — William Murfree, George Wynns. 
 Johnston. — Ncedham Bryan, Benjamin Williams. 
 Martin. — (None.) 
 Mecklenburgh. — (None.) 
 
 New-Hanover. — John Ashe,, William Hooper. 
 
 Northampton. — Allen Jones, Jcptha Athcrton. 
 
 Orange. — Ralph McNair, Thomas Hart. 
 
 Onslow. — William Cray, Henry Rhodes. 
 
 Pasquotank. — Jonathan Hearring, Isaac Gregory, Ed- 
 ward Everigin, Joseph Reding, Joseph Jones. 
 
 Perquimans. — John Harvey, Benjamin Harvey, Andrew 
 Knox, Thomas Harvey, John Whedbee. 
 
 Pitt. — John Simpson, Edward Salter. 
 
 Rowan. — Griffith Rutherford, Matthew Lock. 
 
 Surry. — (None.) 
 
 Tryon. — William Moore, William Alston. 
 
 Tyrrell. — Benj. Spruill, Jos. Spruill, Jeremiah Fraser. 
 
 Wake. — (None.) 
 
 For the Town of Bath. — William Brown. 
 
 Brunswick. — Parker Quince. 
 Campbelton. — Robert Rowan. 
 Edenton. — Joseph Hewes. 
 Halifax. — (None.) 
 Hillsborough. — Francis Nash. 
 Newbern. — (None.) 
 Salisbury. — (None.) 
 Wilmington. — Cornelius Harnett. 
 
 Pursuant to which the following persons appeared, viz: 
 
 John Harvey, 
 Andrew Knox, 
 Joseph Hewes, 
 Samuel Johnston, 
 Thomas Oldham, 
 Thomas Benhury, 
 Thomas Jones, 
 Thomas Hunter, 
 Isaac Gregory, 
 Joseph Jones, 
 John Campbell, 
 John Johnston, 
 David Stanley, 
 Thomas Hicks, 
 William Salter, 
 James White, 
 
 Farquard Campbell, 
 Thomas Rutherford, 
 Jeremiah Fraser, 
 James Coor, 
 Lemuel Hatch, 
 Thomas Person, 
 Memucan Hunt, 
 Francis Nash, 
 John Simpson, 
 Edward Salter, 
 William Thompson, 
 Solomon Sheppard, 
 Nicholas Long, 
 Benjamin McCulloch, 
 William Cray, 
 Henry Rhodes, 
 
 Richard Caswell, 
 Thomas Macknight, 
 Solomon Perkins, 
 Samuel Jarvis, 
 Nathan Poyner, 
 Griffith Rutherford, 
 Cornelius Harnett, 
 Robert Howe, 
 John Ashe, 
 William Hooper, 
 Ralph Macnair, 
 William Person, 
 Green Hill, 
 Allen Jones, 
 Jeptha Atherton, 
 George Wynns. 
 
257 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 258 
 
 The Clerk of this House waited on his Excellency the 
 Governour, and acquainted him that a sufficient number of 
 Members to constitute a House were met, and to desire his 
 Excellency to issue a Commission, and appoint some of the 
 members of Council to see them qualified. 
 
 Being returned, brought for answer that his Excellency 
 would appoint two of the Members accordingly. 
 
 The Honourable Leivis H. De Rossct, and Alexander 
 McCulloch, Esquires, two of the members of Council 
 came to the House ; and the above forty-eight Members 
 were qualified, by taking the oaths by law appointed for 
 the qualification of publick officers, and repeating and sub- 
 scribing the test. 
 
 Mr. Caswell and Mr. Macknight waited on his Excel- 
 lency the Governour to inform him that the Members had 
 qualified, and that they waited to receive his commands. 
 
 Being returned, reported to the House that his Excel- 
 lency would send a Message to the Members to wait on 
 him. 
 
 Received from his Excellency the Governour a verbal 
 message by his Secretary, desiring the attendance of the 
 Members in the Palace at 12 o'clock. 
 
 The Members waited on his Excellency the Governour 
 in the Palace, when he was pleased to direct that they 
 return to the House and make choice of a Speaker. 
 
 The Members being returned to the House, Mr. Samuel 
 Johnston proposed and set up John Harvey, Esquire, who 
 was unanimously chosen Speaker, and placed in the chair 
 accordingly. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, Mr. Knox and Mr. McCulloch 
 wait on his Excellency the Governour, and acquaint him 
 the House had made choice of a Speaker, and desire to 
 know when they shall wait on his Excellency to present 
 him. 
 
 Being returned, informed the House his Excellency 
 would send a message when he would receive them. 
 
 Received from his Excellency the Governour a verbal 
 message by his Secretary, requiring the immediate atten- 
 dance of the House in the Palace. 
 
 The House waited on his Excellency the Governour in 
 the Palace, and presented their Speaker, whom his Excel- 
 lency was pleased to approve of. 
 
 Then Mr. Speaker requested his Excellency to confirm 
 the rights and privileges of the House, and that no mistake 
 or errour of his might be imputed to the House ; to which 
 his Excellency was pleased to answer, he would support 
 the House in all their just rights and privileges, and then 
 made a Speech to His Majesty's Council and this House. 
 
 Mr. Speaker with the House being returned, Mr. Speak- 
 er reported that his Excellency the Governour had made 
 a Speech to the Council and this House, a copy of which, 
 to prevent mistake, he had obtained, and laid the same 
 before the House. 
 
 Then, on motion, Ordered, the said Speech be read. 
 
 Read the same, and is as follows, to wit : 
 
 Gentlemen of His Majesty's Honourable Council, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly : 
 
 1 have now met you in General Assembly, in hopes that, 
 dismissing every cause of private dissention from your 
 minds you will calmly, unitedly, and faithfully apply 
 yourselves to the discharge of the high and important 
 office of legislation, in which you bear so great a share, 
 according to the Constitution of this Country, that calls 
 upon you for relief at this time in a most peculiar and 
 pressing manner. 
 
 I look, gentlemen, with the extremest horrour and con- 
 cern to the consequences of the violent and unjustifiable 
 proceedings in some of His Majesty's Colonies of this Con- 
 tinent, where in many places the innocent, unwary, and 
 ignorant part of the people have been cruelly betrayed 
 into measures highly inconsistent with their duty and alle- 
 giance to our most gracious Sovereign and the State, that 
 tend immediately to involve them in the most embarrassing 
 difficulties and distresses, and which, if pursued, must ine- 
 vitably precipitate these Colonies from their present unpa- 
 ralleled state of prosperity into a train of miseries most 
 dreadful to contemplate, whence ages of time will not 
 redeem them to their now envied felicity. You, gentlemen, 
 are bound by your duty to the King, to the State, and to 
 this People, as well as 1, by mine, to obviate the contagion 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 of these evil examples in this Country, and to defend it, 
 if possible, from the ruin and distraction to which they 
 plainly lead. 
 
 I see with infinite concern the unhappy influence they 
 have already had among us. The meetings to which the 
 people have been excited, the appointment of Committees, 
 the violences these little unrestrained and arbitrary tribu- 
 nals have done to the rights of His Majesty's subjects, the 
 flagrant and unpardonable insults they have offered to the 
 highest authorities of the State, by some of their acts, 
 which have been made publick ; and the stop that has 
 been put in some of the Counties to the regular course 
 of justice, in imitation of the unw arrantable measures taken 
 in other Colonies, but too plainly evince their baneful pro- 
 gress here, and loudly demand the most effectual exertion 
 of your restraining and correcting powers. 
 
 You are now, gentlemen of the Assembly, by your duty 
 to yourselves and to your constituents, most peculiarly 
 called upon to oppose a meeting of Delegates, which the 
 people have been invited to choose, and who are appointed 
 to assemble at this very time and place in the face of the 
 Legislature. This illegal meeting, pursuant to my duty to 
 the King and to the Constitution of this Country, and from 
 regard to your dignity and the just rights of the people, 1 
 have counteracted, and I shall continue to resist it by every 
 means in my power. What can this mean, gentlemen ? 
 Are you not the only lawful Representatives of the people 
 in this Country, and competent to every legal purpose ? 
 Will you, then, submit to see your constituents misled, to 
 violate their dearest privileges by wounding your dignity, 
 and setting up Representatives derogatory to your just 
 power and authority? This, gentlemen, is an insult to you 
 of so violent a nature that it appears to me to demand 
 your every possible discouragement, for its evident tendency 
 is to excite a belief in the people that they are capable of 
 electing Representatives of superiour powers to the Mem- 
 bers of your House ; which, if it can possibly obtain, must 
 lead to obvious consequences, to the destruction of the es- 
 sence, if not the very being of an Assembly in this Prov- 
 ince, and finally to the utter dissolution and overthrow of 
 its established happy Constitution. 
 
 This, gentlemen, among others I have before mentioned, 
 is one of the fatal expedients employed in some of the 
 other Colonies, under the influence of factious and wicked 
 men, intent upon promoting their own horrid purposes at 
 the hazard of their Country's ruin. I hope they have been 
 adopted here more from a spirit of imitation than ill prin- 
 ciples, and that you, clearly discerning the mischiefs with 
 which they are pregnant, will heartily concur with me in 
 opposing dawnings of so dangerous a system. 
 
 As an object of the greatest consequence to all the 
 Colonies, I would recommend it to your first attention to 
 employ your utmost care and assiduity to remove those 
 false impressions, by which the engines of sedition have 
 laboured to effect (but too successfully) a most unnatural 
 division between the Parent State and these Colonies, 
 which, under her protecting, indulgent, fostering care, have 
 attained to a degree of prosperity beyond all example. 
 The basest arts have been practised upon the innocent 
 people, and they have been blindly led to partake in guilt, 
 to which their hearts are confessedly averse ; and thus, step 
 by step, they will be seduced from their duty, and all the 
 bonds of civil society will be destroyed, unless timely- 
 remedies are applied. This, gentlemen, is a melancholy 
 prospect, that must seriously alarm every good subject, 
 every humane, every honest man ; and it will be your duty, 
 as guardians of the constitutional rights of the people, 
 vigorously to oppose proceedings so manifestly subversive 
 of their freedom and happiness. 
 
 Be it your care, then, gentlemen, to undeceive the people ; 
 to lead them back from the dangerous precipice to which 
 an ill spirit of faction is urging them, to the paths of their 
 duty ; set before them the sacred tic of allegiance, by which, 
 as subjects, they are bound to the State ; inform them of 
 the reciprocal benefits which their strict observance thereof 
 entitles them to; and warn them of the danger to which 
 they must expose their lives and properties, and all that 
 they hold dear, by revolting from it. 
 
 The frequent occasions you have had, in your several 
 capacities as Members of the Legislature and Magistrates, 
 most solemnly to swear this allegiance, which is an implied 
 
259 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 260 
 
 duty upon every subject of every State, where it is not 
 professed and declared, must have brought it home to your 
 own consideration, and you are therefore certainly well 
 qualified to explain the obligatory nature and importance 
 of it to the people. They will naturally look up to you 
 for a rule of conduct in these wild and distempered times ; 
 and I have no doubt that, taught by your example, they 
 will immediately return to their duty and obedience to the 
 laws, and gladly free themselves from that tyranny which 
 ill-directed zeal and lawless ambition, by all the arts of 
 misrepresentation and delusion, are courting them to submit 
 to. I have the high satisfaction to tell you, gentlemen, 
 that I have already received signal proofs of the steady 
 loyalty and duty of a great number of the good people of 
 this Province, and I have the fullest assurance that many 
 more will follow their laudable example. These, gentle- 
 men, are favourable presages, upon which 1 congratulate 
 you, and which I persuade myself your prudent conduct 
 will improve to the honour and advantage of your Country. 
 
 The state of the Colonies is at this time the subject of 
 the deliberations of the grand Council of the Nation, from 
 whose wisdom and justice they have every thing to expect 
 consistent with the principles of the British Constitution 
 and the general welfare of the Empire, while they continue 
 in the duty they owe to it. The confessed generous cha- 
 racter of Britain, and the magnanimity of our most gracious 
 Sovereign, who, through the whole course of his reign, has 
 uniformly made the happiness of his people the object of 
 all his views, and the rule of all his actions, insures it to 
 them. On this great Arbiter of British rights it therefore 
 becomes you to rely with the fullest confidence, and to de- 
 serve, by a dutiful behaviour, its favourable regard. If a 
 precedent could be wanting, as I cannot suppose it is, to 
 induce to such right conduct, one of the most respectable 
 of the Colonies affords it to you ; and you will see, without 
 question, how highly improper it will be, at such a conjunc- 
 ture, to countenance any measures of a contrary nature. 
 If the people of this Colony have any representations to 
 make to the supreme powers of the State, you are the only 
 legal and proper channel of their applications, and through 
 you they may be assured of every attention to their dutiful 
 petitions. You, gentlemen, I dare say, esteem too highly 
 the rights of the people committed to your guardianship, 
 and know too well the limits of your own power, to consign 
 them to any other hands that must only be disqualified to 
 serve the people, but will infallibly divest you of that dig- 
 nity and consequence which belong to you as their lawful 
 Representatives. 
 
 Let me hope, gentlemen, that, laying aside all passion 
 and prejudice, you will calmly, and with one accord, pursue 
 such a line of conduct in these points of general concern 
 to America, as may be most likely to heal the unhappy 
 differences now subsisting between Great Britain and her 
 Colonies. Consider how great an opportunity you now 
 have to serve, to save your Country, to manifest your loy- 
 alty to the best of Kings, and to demonstrate your attach- 
 ment to the British Constitution — the most free, the most 
 glorious and happiest political system in the whole world. 
 If you consult but for a moment your own interest and 
 welfare, and the happiness of this people, I cannot be dis- 
 appointed in my hopes that you will avail yourselves of the 
 occasion. Be it your glory, gentlemen, to record to latest 
 posterity, that at a time when the monster Sedition dared 
 to rear his impious head in America, the people of North- 
 Carolina, inspired with a just sense of their duty to their 
 King and Country, and animated by the example of its Le- 
 gislature, stood among the foremost of his Majesty's sub- 
 jects, to resist his baneful snares and to repel the fell invader 
 of their happiness. Thus, gentlemen, you may redeem 
 your sinking Country to prosperity ; thus you will acquire 
 to yourselves immortal honour and renown : while a con- 
 trary conduct must inevitably plunge this once happy land 
 in horrours beyond all imagination ; whence nothing can 
 recover it but the generous hand of Britain, interposed to 
 save you from your own destruction. Thus, gentlemen, I 
 have set before you, upon principles of your duty to the 
 Constitution and the welfare of your Country, the neces- 
 sity of discouraging, to the utmost of your power, the illegal 
 meetingsinto which the innocent people have been betrayed, 
 and the unlawful establishments and appointments they 
 have been led to give their sanction to. I have also stated 
 
 to you the more especial obligations you lie under to pre- 
 vent that meeting to which the people have been invited 
 to send Deputies here at this time, and I have fully ad- 
 monished you of the ruinous consequences of a different 
 conduct. In addition to these powerful motives, gentle- 
 men, I am authorized to say, that the unwarrantable mea- 
 sure of appointing Delegates to attend a Congress at Phila- 
 delphia, now in agitation, will be highly offensive to the 
 King, and this, I cannot doubt, will be reason with you of 
 the greatest force to oppose so dangerous a step. 
 
 Your next attention, gentlemen, is due to the particular 
 state of this Country, that calls for your strictest regard. 
 
 The exhausted state of the publick Treasury, the large 
 demands upon it that remain unsatisfied, the dues of pub- 
 lick officers that are unpaid, call loudly for your attention 
 to the ill condition of publick credit and the finances of 
 this Country, and 1 trust you will not fail to pay that regard 
 which is due to points of so great importance. I heartily 
 wish, with regard to matters of finance and modes of taxa- 
 tion, as well as to the regulation of the Treasury, to draw 
 your attention to the admirable systems of New- Yor k and 
 Maryland, in which last Colony publick credit is established 
 upon the firmest basis; but the example of every other 
 Colony, with regard to the latter article, I am sorry to say 
 it, is better than has been yet adopted here. 
 
 You have now, gentlemen, a fair opportunity to restore 
 to this Province, by a law for the permanent establishment 
 of Courts, that great store of political blessings, arising 
 from a due and regular administration of justice, of which 
 I have long lamented to see it deprived. I have received 
 His Majesty's determination upon the proposed regulations 
 with regard to proceedings by attachment, which have been 
 the apparent cause of this misfortune. This I shall com- 
 municate to you in the course of your session, and I hope 
 it will obviate all the difficulties that have occurred on this 
 subject. When the establishment of Courts shall come 
 under your consideration, you cannot fail to see the neces- 
 sity of making provision for the Judges, and the propriety 
 of that provision being adequate and honourable, and suit- 
 able to offices of so high dignity and importance. 
 
 Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly: 
 I cannot doubt that you will see the same necessity for 
 supporting the usual establishment of Fort Johnston, found- 
 ed upon the same principles of public utility that have 
 induced you to maintain it during so long a series of years. 
 
 Gentlemen of His Majesty's Honourable Council, 
 
 Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Assembly : 
 I am sensible that the advanced season of the year re- 
 quires your attendance on your domestick affairs, and I shall 
 therefore be glad to find that your unanimity in the conduct 
 of the very important business you are now met upon, 
 affords me opportunity to conclude your session speedily 
 and happily ; on my part, I do assure you, nothing shall be 
 wanting to promote these good ends. Jo. Martin. 
 
 Newbern, 4th April, 1775. 
 
 Then, on motion, Ordered, His Excellency the Gov- 
 ernour's Speech lie for consideration till to-morrow morning. 
 
 On motion, James Green, Jr., is appointed Clerk to this 
 House; James Glasgow, Assistant; Benjamin Fordham, 
 Mace Bearer ; Francis Lynaugh and Evan Swann, Door- 
 keepers. 
 
 Mr. Jonathan Hearring, one of the Members for Pas- 
 quotank County, appeared. 
 
 Then the Bouse adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 
 o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, 5th April, 1775. 
 
 The House met according to adjournment. 
 
 This House being informed that Mr. Isaac Edwards, 
 who was elected Member for the Town of Newbern, is 
 dead : 
 
 On motion, Ordered, The following Message be sent to 
 his Excellency the Governour, to wit : 
 
 To His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, Captain- 
 General, Governour, Sfc, fyc. 
 
 Sir : This House having been informed that Mr. Isaac 
 Edwards, who was elected Member for the Town of New- 
 bern, is dead, therefore desire your Excellency will be 
 
261 
 
 ISORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 262 
 
 pleased to direct the Clerk of the Crown to issue a writ 
 for electing a Member for the said Town, to sit and vote in 
 this present Assembly. 
 
 John Harvey, Speaker. 
 Sent by Mr. Hatch and Mr. Coor. 
 
 The House being informed that the Returning Officer 
 of Guilford County had neglected to make due return 
 of the Writ of Election for the said County, whereby one 
 of the Members is deprived of a seat in this House, 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That the said Officer be sent for 
 and brought in custody to the Bar of this House, to answer 
 for such his conduct. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, Resolved, The House 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House to- 
 morrow morning, to take under consideration His Excel- 
 lency the Governour's Speech. 
 
 Then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 
 o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, 6th April, 1775. 
 
 The House met according to adjournment. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Ashe, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. 
 Thos. Rutherford, Mr. Hunt, Mr. Sheppard, Mr. McCul- 
 loch, Mr. Caswell, Mr. Hcwes, Mr. Hill, Mr. Thomas 
 Jones, and Mr. Gregory, be a Committee of Privileges and 
 Elections, and that they have power to send for persons, 
 papers, and records, as the case may require. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Hurnett, Mr. Hewes, 
 Mr. Knox, Mr. Cray, Mr. Samuel Johnston, Mr. Hunt, 
 Mr. Jarvis, Mr. Howe, Mr. John Campbell, Mr. Mac- 
 knight, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Macnair, and Mr. Long, be a 
 Committee of Public Accounts; and that Mr. Ashe, Mr. 
 Oldham, Mr. John Johnston, Mr. Allen Jones, Mr. Per- 
 kins, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. Simpson, Mr. Farquard 
 Campbell, Mr. Benbury, Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Gregory, Mr. 
 Edward Salter, Mr. Fraser, Mr. William Person, and 
 Mr. Jarvis, be a Committee of Public Claims, in con- 
 junction with such of the Members of His Majesty's ho- 
 nourable Council as they shall think fit to appoint, and that 
 the following Message be sent to the Council, to wit: 
 
 Gentlemen of His Majesty's Honourable Council : 
 
 This House have appointed Mr. Harnett, Mr. Hewes, 
 Mr. Knox, Mr. Gray, Mr. Samuel Johnston, Mr. Hunt, 
 Mr. Jarvis, Mr. John Campbell, Mr. Macknight, Mr. 
 Hooper, Mr. Macnair, and Mr. Long, on the Public Ac- 
 counts; and Mr. Ashe, Mr. Oldham, Mr. John Johnston, 
 Mr. Allen Jones, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Thomas Jones, Mr. 
 Simpson, Mr. Farquard Campbell, Mr. Benbury, Mr. 
 Rhodes, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Edward Salter, Mr. Fraser, 
 Mr. William Person, and Mr. Jarvis, be a Committee of 
 this House to settle and allow Public Claims, in conjunc- 
 tion with such of your Honours as you shall think fit to ap- 
 point. John Harvey, Speaker. 
 Sent by Mr. McCulloch and Mr. Gregory. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Mr. William Salter, Mr. 
 William Person, Mr. Howe, Mr. Stanley, Mr. Coor, Mr. 
 Sheppard, Mr. Poyner, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Farquard 
 Campbell, Mr. Casivell, Mr. Thomas Person, Mr. Wynns, 
 Mr. Long. Mr. Ashe, Mr. Atherton, Mr. Francis Nash, 
 Mr. Rhodes, Mr. Knox, Mr. Joseph Jones, Mr. Edward 
 Salter, Mr. Griffith Rutherford, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Hewes, 
 and Mr. Harnett, be a Committee of Propositions and 
 Grievances. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for taking into con- 
 sideration his Excellency's Speech, 
 
 On motion, Resolved, The House resolve itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole House. 
 
 The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole 
 House accordingly, and chose Mr. Andrew Knox Chair- 
 man, and after some time spent therein, came to several 
 Resolutions. 
 
 Then Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. Chair- 
 man reported that the Committee had taken under con- 
 sideration his Excellency the Governour's Speech, and came 
 to several Resolutions thereon, to wit: 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee to be appointed to pre- 
 pare an Address, in answer to the Governour's Speech, be 
 instrucied to express that the Assembly of North- Carolina 
 have the highest sense of the allegiance due to the King ; 
 
 the oath so repeatedly taken by them to that purpose, made 
 it unnecessary for them to be reminded of it. That it has 
 always been their pleasure to express, and will ever be so 
 to testify by their actions, that allegiance which, however, 
 they profess to owe to His Majesty as their Sovereign, 
 who was by the same Constitution which established that 
 allegiance and enjoined that oath (happily for his subjects) 
 solemnly bound to protect them in all their just rights and 
 privileges, by which a reciprocal duty became incumbent 
 upon both. 
 
 That it is the undoubted right of His Majesty's subjects 
 to petition for a redress of grievances, and to remonstrate 
 against them either in separate or collective capacity, and 
 that in order to agree upon such petition or remonstrance, 
 they have a right to collect themselves together ; and while 
 they conduct themselves in a peaceable and orderly manner, 
 they r deserve not to be called an illegal meeting, or to have 
 the imputation of sedition cast upon them. The Assembly, 
 therefore, can never deem the meeting of the present Con- 
 vention at Newbern, in order to appoint Delegates to peti- 
 tion for a redress of grievances, an illegal meeting, nor con- 
 ceive it derogatory to the power and authority of the 
 Assembly, or wounding to its dignity ; and that though 
 the Assembly are the legal Representatives, and perhaps 
 adequate to every purpose of the people, yet the frequent 
 unexpected prorogations, some of them proclaimed so late 
 that many of the Members did not receive information 
 thereof till their arrival in Town, gave the people no reason 
 to expect that the Assembly would be permitted to meet 
 till it was too late to send Delegates to the Continental 
 Congress at Philadeljjhia ; a measure which America in 
 general, and this Province in particular, thought absolutely 
 necessary, and which, as it is the full sense of our constitu- 
 ents, we, as their Representatives, highly approve. 
 
 That the Assembly are entirely ignorant of, and do not 
 believe that any base arts have been practised upon the 
 people of this Colony, in order to lead them from their 
 duty ; but that the steps they have taken have resulted from 
 a full conviction that the Parliament of Great Britain had, 
 by a variety of oppressive and unconstitutional proceedings, 
 made the measures they pursued absolutely necessary. 
 That therefore his Excellency's asserting that such mea- 
 sures have been owing to base arts practised upon them by 
 wicked and designing men, is not only an injustice done to 
 the people, but manifestly tends to weaken the influence 
 which the united petitions of His Majesty's American sub- 
 jects might otherwise have upon their Sovereign for a 
 redress of those grievances of which they have such a right 
 to complain, and that therefore the Committee be directed, 
 in the strongest terms, to refute such assertion. 
 
 That the House would feel inexpressible concern at the 
 information given them by his Excellency of his being au- 
 thorized to say that the appointing Delegates to attend the 
 Congress now in agitation would be highly offensive to the 
 King, had they not recently received undoubted informa- 
 tion that His Majesty has been pleased to receive, very 
 graciously, the united Petitions of his American subjects, 
 addressed to him by the Continental Delegates lately con- 
 vened at Philadelphia ; and that, therefore, they can never 
 suppose that a similar application to the Throne will give 
 offence to His Majesty, or prevent his receiving any peti- 
 tion for redress of grievances which his subjects have a right 
 to prefer, either separately or unitedly. 
 
 That the Committee appointed by the people in the 
 several Counties and Towns in this Colony, in consequence 
 of the Resolutions of the Continental Congress held at 
 Philadelphia, were the result of necessity, not choice, as 
 the only means left them to prevent, as far as in them lay, 
 the operation of those oppressive and unconstitutional Acts 
 of Parliament, endeavoured to be imposed upon America 
 by Great Britain ; and that the Assembly have not been 
 informed of any steps taken by those Committees but such 
 as they were compelled to take from that necessity, and 
 for the salutary purpose aforesaid. 
 
 That the Assembly would be glad to receive information 
 of any marks of loyalty to the King, given his Excellency r 
 by the inhabitants of this Colony, had not the manner in 
 which that information was conveyed seemed to be intend- 
 ed to establish a belief that a great number of the people 
 of this Province were disaffected to their Sovereign. That, 
 therefore, the House instruct their Committee to do justice 
 
 * 
 
263 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 264 
 
 to the good people of this Colony, whose Representatives 
 they are, by bearing testimony to the world in their answer 
 to the Governoiir's Speech, that His Majesty has no sub- 
 jects more loyal than the inhabitants of North-Carolina, 
 nor more ready, at the expense of their lives and fortunes, 
 to protect and support his person, crown, and dignity. 
 That if, however, by the signal proofs his Excellency speaks 
 of, he means those Addresses lately published in the North- 
 Carolina Gazette, said to be presented to his Excellency, 
 his congratulations thereupon can in no way be acceptable 
 to the Assembly, but from the consideration that in so 
 numerous a Colony so few could be found weak enough to 
 be seduced from their duty, and prevailed upon by the 
 base arts of wicked and designing men, to adopt measures 
 so contrary to the sense of all America, and so destructive 
 of those just rights and privileges it was their duty to sup- 
 port. 
 
 That the Committee be instructed, also, to express the 
 warmest attachment to our sister Colonies in general, the 
 highest compassion for the sufferings of the Town of Bos- 
 ioti in particular, and the fixed and determined resolution 
 of this Colony to unite with the other Colonies in every 
 effort to maintain those rights and liberties, which, as sub- 
 jects of a British King, they possess, and which it is a duty 
 they owe to posterity, to hand down to them unimpaired. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee be instructed to account 
 for the deficiency of the Public Funds. 
 
 That the Committee express their sense of the necessity 
 of the establishment of Courts of Justice, and their willing- 
 ness to adopt any plan which they may judge adapted to 
 the circumstances of the Country. 
 
 That the Committee be instructed to express that the 
 exhausted state of the Finances, and the particular circum- 
 stances of the Country render it inconvenient and unneces- 
 sary any longer to support the establishment of Fort John- 
 ston. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, The foregoing Resolutions be in- 
 structions to the Committee to be appointed to draw up 
 the Address in answer to his Excellency the Governour's 
 Speech. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That Mr. Howe, Mr. Hooper, 
 Mr. Johnston, Mr. Hemes, and Mr. Maclcnight, be ap- 
 pointed a Committee to prepare an Address in answer to 
 his Excellency the Governour's Speech, and report the 
 same to the House for approbation. 
 
 Then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 
 o'clock. 
 
 Friday, 7th April, 177"). 
 
 The House met according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. Howe, from the Committee appointed to prepare 
 an Answer to his Excellency's Speech, informed the House 
 they had prepared the same, which was read. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, The same stand as the Address of 
 this House : and is as follows, to wit : 
 
 To His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, Captain- 
 General, Governour, fyc, fyc. 
 
 Sir : We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Members of the Assembly of North- Carolina, have 
 taken into consideration your Excellency's Speech at the 
 opening of this Session. 
 
 We met in General Assembly with minds superiour to 
 private dissension, determined calmly, unitedly, and faith- 
 fully to discharge the sacred trust reposed in us by our 
 Constituents. Actuated by sentiments like these, it behooves 
 us to declare that the Assembly of this Colony have the 
 highest sense of their allegiance to the King of Great Bri- 
 tain, to whom alone, as our constitutional Sovereign, we 
 acknowledge allegiance to be due, and to whom we so 
 cheerfully and repeatedly have sworn it, that to remind us 
 of the oath was unnecessary ; this allegiance all past Assem- 
 blies have, upon every occasion, amply expressed, and we, 
 the present Representatives of the people, shall be always 
 ready by our actions with pleasure to testify ; sensible, 
 however, that the same Constitution which establishes that 
 allegiance and enjoins the oath in consequence of it, hath 
 bound Majesty under as solemn obligations to protect sub- 
 jects inviolate in all their just rights and privileges, wisely 
 intending, by reciprocal dependance, to secure the happiness 
 of both. 
 
 We contemplate with a degree of honour the unhappy 
 state of America, involved in the most embarrassing diffi- 
 culties and distresses, by a number of unconstitutional inva- 
 sions of their just rights and privileges, by which the inha- 
 bitants of the Continent in general, and this Province in 
 particular, have been precipitated into measures extraordi- 
 nary, perhaps, in their nature, but warranted by necessity, 
 from whence, among many other measures, the appoint- 
 ment of Committees in the several Towns and Counties 
 took its birth, to prevent, as much as in them lay, the ope- 
 ration of such unconstitutional encroachments ; and the As- 
 sembly remain unconvinced of any steps taken by these 
 Committees but such as they were compelled to take for 
 that salutary purpose. 
 
 It is not to be controverted, that His Majesty's subjects 
 have a right to petition for a redress of grievances, or to 
 remonstrate against them; and as it is only a meeting of 
 the people, that their sense respecting such petition and 
 remonstrance can be obtained, that the right of assembling 
 is as undoubted. To attempt, therefore, under the mask 
 of authority to prevent or forbid a meeting of the people 
 for such purposes, or to interrupt their proceedings when 
 met, would be a vain effort unduly to exercise power in di- 
 rect opposition to the Constitution. 
 
 Far be it from us, then, Sir, even to wish to prevent the 
 operations of the Convention now held at Newbcrn, or to 
 agree with your Excellency in bestowing upon them the 
 injurious epithet of an illegal meeting. They are, Sir, the 
 respectable Representatives of the people, appointed for a 
 special and important purpose, to which, though our con- 
 stituents might have thought us adequate, yet, as our meet- 
 ing depended upon the pleasure of the Crown, they would 
 have been unwise to have trusted to so precarious a contin- 
 gency, especially as the frequent and unexpected proroga- 
 tions of the Assembly (one of them in particular, as if all 
 respect and attention to the convenience of their Repre- 
 sentatives had been lost, was proclaimed but two or three 
 days before the time which had been appointed for their 
 meeting) gave the people not the least reason to expect 
 that their Assembly would have been permitted to sit till 
 it was too late to appoint Delegates to attend the Conti- 
 nental Congress at Philadelphia, a measure which they 
 joined the rest of America in thinking essential to its in- 
 terest. 
 
 The House, Sir, neither know nor believe that any base 
 arts have been practised upon the people, in order to lead 
 them from their duty ; but we know with certainty that the 
 steps they have taken proceeded from a full conviction that 
 the Parliament of Great Britain had, by a variety of op- 
 pressive and unconstitutional proceedings, made those steps 
 absolutely necessary. 
 
 We think it, therefore, a duty we owe the people, to 
 assert that their conduct has not been owing to base arts, 
 practised upon them by wicked and designing men ; and 
 have it much to lament that your Excellency should add 
 your sanction to such groundless imputations, as it has a 
 manifest tendency to weaken the influence which the united 
 petition of His Majesty's American subjects might other- 
 wise have upon their Sovereign, for a redress of those 
 grievances of which they so justly complain. 
 
 We should feel inexpressible concern at the information 
 given us by your Excellency, of your being authorized to 
 say, that the appointment of Delegates to attend the Con- 
 gress at Philadelphia, now in agitatipn, will be highly 
 offensive to the King, had we not recently been informed, 
 from the best authority, that His Majesty has been pleased 
 to receive very graciously the united Petition of his Ame- 
 rican subjects, addressed to him by the Continental Dele- 
 gates lately convened at Philadelphia. We have not, 
 therefore, the least reason to suppose that a similar applica- 
 tion to the Throne will give offence to His Majesty, or 
 prevent his receiving a petition for the redress of grievances, 
 which his American subjects have a right to present, either 
 separately or unitedly. 
 
 We shall always receive with pleasure the information of 
 any marks of loyalty to the King, given to your Excel- 
 lency by the inhabitants of this Colony, but are greatly 
 concerned, lest the manner in which you have thought 
 proper to convey that information should excite a belief 
 that a great number of the people of this Province are dis- 
 affected to their Sovereign ; to prevent which it is incumbent 
 
205 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 266 
 
 upon us in this manner solemnly to testify to the world, 
 that His Majesty has no subjects more faithful than the 
 inhabitants of North- Carolina, or more ready, at the ex- 
 pense of their lives and fortunes, to protect and support his 
 person, crown, and dignity. If, however, by the signal 
 proofs your Excellency speaks of, you mean those Address- 
 es lately published in the North- Carolina Gazette, and 
 said to be presented to you, the Assembly can receive no 
 pleasure from your congratulations thereupon, but what 
 results from the consideration, that so few have been found 
 in so populous a Province w eak enough to be seduced from 
 their duty, and prevailed upon by the base arts of wicked 
 and designing men to adopt principles so contrary to the 
 sense of all America, and so destructive of those just rights 
 and privileges it was their duty to maintain. 
 
 We take this opportunity, Sir, the first that has been 
 given us, to express the warm attachment we have to our 
 sister Colonies in general, and the heartfelt compassion we 
 entertain for the deplorable slate of the Tow n of Boston in 
 particular, and also to declare the fixed and determined re- 
 solution of this Colony to unite with the other Colonies in 
 every effort to retain those just rights and liberties which, 
 as subjects to a British King, we possess, and which it is 
 our absolute and indispensable duty to hand down to pos- 
 terity unimpaired. 
 
 The exhausted state of the publick funds, of w hich your 
 Excellency complains, we contemplate with great concern, 
 alleviated, however, by the reflection that it has not been 
 owing to any misconduct in the Assembly. We were w ith- 
 held from passing any inferiour Court Law, but upon such 
 terms as our duty rendered it impossible to accept ; by which 
 means no list of taxables could be taken for the year one 
 thousand seven hundred and seventy-three, and conse- 
 quently no money collected to defray the charges of Gov- 
 ernment for that year; and as your Excellency did not 
 think proper to meet the Assembly at their usual time of 
 meeting in the fall, no Act could be passed to defray the 
 contingent charges of Government for the year one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-four. The Treasury, by 
 these means, deprived of two years' collection of taxes, 
 must consequently be unable to answer the great demands 
 upon it till an Act of Assembly can be passed to enable it 
 to discharge them. 
 
 The House, convinced of the necessity of Courts of 
 Justice, would willingly adopt any plan for the establish- 
 ment of them, which, in their opinion, is consistent with 
 the circumstances of this Colony ; and for independent 
 Judges, of capacity and integrity, they would, with the 
 greatest pleasure, very liberally provide. 
 
 We are sorry, Sir, the impoverished state of the publick 
 finances will not permit us to provide for the usual estab- 
 lishment of Fort Johnston. 
 
 The advanced season of the year, which, of all other 
 times, made it most inconvenient for us to attend publick 
 business, will, your Excellency may assure yourself, induce 
 us to forward it with all possible expedition. 
 
 John Harvey, Speaker. 
 
 Resolved, That the House do highly approve of the 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress lately held at 
 Philadelphia, and that they are determined, as members 
 of the community in general, that they will strictly adhere 
 to the said Resolutions, and will use what influence they 
 have to induce the same observance in every individual of 
 this Colony. 
 
 This House having received information that William 
 Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, 
 were appointed, by the Convention held at Newbern, as 
 Delegates to attend the meeting of the Continental Con- 
 gress soon to be held at Philadelphia : 
 
 Resolved, That the House approve of the choice made 
 by the said Convention. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the House be given to 
 William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, 
 Esquires, for the faithful and judicious discharge of the 
 important trust reposed in them as Delegates for this Colo- 
 ny at the late Continental Congress. 
 
 Mr. William Brown, the Member for Bath Town, Mr. 
 Thomas Respcss, one of the Members for Beaufort Coun- 
 ty, Mr. Jonathan Hearring, one of the Members for Pas- 
 quotank County, and Mr. William Haywood and Mr. 
 
 Elisha Battle, the Members for Edgecombe County, ap- 
 peared. 
 
 The Honourable John Rutherford and Lewis II. De 
 Rosset, Esquires, two of the Members of Council, came 
 to the House, and Mr. Brown, Mr. Respess, Mr. Hear- 
 ring, Mr. Haywood, and Mr. Battle were qualified, by 
 taking the several oaths by law appointed for qualification 
 of Publick Officers, and repeating and subscribing the 
 Test. 
 
 Then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, ten 
 o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, April 8, 1775. 
 
 His Excellency the Governour, by Proclamation, was 
 pleased to dissolve the Assembly. 
 
 At a Council held at the Council Chamber, the 7th of 
 April, 1775, in the evening, Present: His Excellency the 
 Governour, the Honourable James Hasell, John Ruther- 
 ford, Lewis H. De Rossett, Alexander McCulloch, Sam- 
 uel Strudwick, Martin Howard, Samuel Cornell, and 
 Thomas McGuire, Esquires : 
 
 His Excellency laid before the Board the Journals of 
 the House of Assembly, in which was contained, amongst 
 other unwarrantable proceedings, the following Resolve: 
 
 " Resolved, That the House do highly approve of the 
 Proceedings of the Continental Congress lately held at 
 Philadelphia, and that they are determined, as members 
 of the community in general, that they will strictly adhere 
 to the said Resolutions, and will use what influence they 
 have to induce the same observance in every individual of 
 this Colony." 
 
 Upon consideration hereof, this Board gave it as their 
 opinion, that the longer existence of such a House of As- 
 sembly is incompatible with the honour of the Crown and 
 the safety of the people, and therefore unanimously advised 
 His Excellency to dissolve them, which was done by the 
 following Proclamation : 
 
 North- Carolina, ss. 
 
 By His Excellency Josiah Martin, Esquire, fyc. 
 A Proclamation. 
 Whereas several Resolves appear on the Journals of the 
 House of Assembly, now sitting, tending to alienate the 
 affections of His Majesty's subjects, and subvert the Con- 
 stitution ; and whereas the longer existence of such an As- 
 sembly is incompatible with the honour of the Crown and 
 the safely of the people : I have therefore thought fit, by 
 and with the advice and consent of His Majesty's Council, 
 to dissolve the said Assembly, and it is accordingly dis- 
 solved. 
 
 Given under my hand, &lc, at Neivbem, &c, this 8th 
 day of April, 1775, &ic. Jo. Martin. 
 
 God save the King. 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 
 
 Tlie Journal of the Proceedings of the Provincial Con- 
 vention o/North-Cakolina, held at Newbern, on the 
 third day of April, A. D. 1775. 
 
 North- Carolina, ss. 
 
 At a General Meeting of the Delegates of the Inhabi- 
 tants of this Province, in Convention, at Neivbern, the 
 third day of April, in the year 1775, Present — 
 Anson County. — (None.) 
 
 Beaufort. — Roger Ormond, Thomas Respess, Junior. 
 
 Bladen. — William Salter, James White. 
 
 Bute. — William Person, Green Hill, James Ransom, 
 
 Thomas Eaton. 
 Brunswick. — John Rowan, Robert Howe. 
 Bertie. — John Campbell, David Stanley, John Johnston. 
 Craven. — James Corr, Lemuel Hatch, Jacob Blount, 
 
 William Bryan, Richard Cogdell, Joseph Leech. 
 Carteret. — William Thompson, Solomon Sheppard. 
 Currituck. — Thomas Macknight, Francis Williamson, 
 
 Samuel Jarvis, Solomon Perkins, Nathan Poyner. 
 Chowan. — Samuel Johnston, Thomas Oldham, Thomas 
 
 Jones, Tliomas Benbury, Thomas Hunter. 
 
267 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 268 
 
 Cumberland. — Thomas Rutherford, Farquard Campbell. 
 Chatham. — (None.) 
 
 Dobbs. — Richard Caswell, William McKinnic, George 
 
 Miller, Simon Bright, Junior. 
 Duplin. — Thomas Gray, Thomas Ilicks. 
 Edgecombe. — (None.) 
 
 Gkanville. — Thomas Person, John Penn, Robert Mun- 
 
 fort, Robert Williams, Memucan Hunt. 
 Guilford. — Alexander Martin. 
 Hyde. — (None.) 
 
 Hertford. — George Wynns, Joseph Worth. 
 
 Halifax. — Willie Jones, Benjamin McCulloch, Nicholas 
 
 Long. 
 Johnston. — (None.) 
 Mecklenburgh. — (None.) 
 Martin. — (None.) 
 
 New-Hanover. — William Hooper, John Ashe. 
 Northampton. — Allen Jones, Jeptha Athcrton. 
 Orange. — Thomas Hart, Thomas Burke, John Kinchcn, 
 
 Francis Nash. 
 Onslow. — Edward Starlcey, Henry Rhodes, William 
 
 Cray. 
 
 Perquimans. — John Harvey, Benjamin Harvey, Andrew 
 
 Knox, Thomas Harvey, John Whedbee, Junior. 
 Pasquotank. — Jonathan Hearring, Edward Everigin, 
 
 Isaac Gregory, Joseph Jones, Joseph Reading. 
 Pitt. — John Simpison, Edward Salter, James Gorham, 
 
 James Lanier, William Robson. 
 Rowan. — Griffith Rutherford, William Sharp, William 
 
 Kennon. 
 Surry. — (None.) 
 Tryon. — (None.) 
 
 Tyrrell. — Joseph Spruill, Benjamin Spruill, Jeremiah 
 Fraser. 
 
 Wake. — John Hinton, Michael Rogers, Signal Jones. 
 For the Town of Newbern. — Abner Nash, James Davis. 
 
 Edenton. — Joseph Hewes. 
 
 Wilmington. — Cornelius Harnett. 
 
 Bath. — William Brown. 
 
 Halifax. — John Webb, Jos. Monlfort. 
 
 Hillsborough. — (None.) 
 
 Salisbury. — (None.) 
 
 Brunswick. — Parker Quince. 
 
 Campbleton. — Robert Rowan. 
 
 The respective Counties and Towns having certified 
 that the preceding persons were duly elected Delegates 
 to represent the said Counties and Towns in the General 
 Convention, to he held at Newbern, the third day of April 
 instant : 
 
 Pursuant to which, the following persons appeared, to 
 wit : 
 
 Roger Ormond, 
 Thomas Respess, 
 William Salter, 
 James White, 
 William Person, 
 Green Hill, 
 Thomas Eaton, 
 John Campbell, 
 John Johnston, 
 James Corr, 
 Lemuel Hatch, 
 Jacob Blount, 
 Richard Cogdell, 
 Joseph Leech, 
 William Thompson, 
 Solomon Sheppard, 
 Thomas Macknight, 
 Samuel Jarvis, 
 Solomon Perkins, 
 Nathan Poyner, 
 Samuel Johnston, 
 
 Thomas Oldham, 
 Thomas Jones, 
 Thomas Benbury, 
 Thomas Hunter, 
 Joseph Hewes, 
 Thomas Rutherford, 
 Farquard Campbell, 
 Richard Caswell, 
 Thomas Person, 
 James Lanier, 
 John Penn, 
 Thomas Hicks, 
 Memucan Hunt, 
 Willie Jones, 
 
 Thomas Barke, 
 Francis Nash, 
 Edward Starkey, 
 Jfenry Rhodes, 
 William Cray, 
 John Harvey, 
 Andrew Knox, 
 Isaac Gregory, 
 Joseph Jones, 
 Griffith Rutherford, 
 William Sharp, 
 Jeremiah Fraser, 
 John Hinton, 
 Abner Nash, 
 
 Benjamin McCulloch, James Davis, 
 Nicholas Long, Cornelius Harnett, 
 
 William Hooper, William Brown, 
 
 John Ashe, John Simpson, 
 
 Allen Jones, Edward Salter, 
 
 Jeptha Athcrton, James Gorham. 
 
 The Delegates then proceeded to make choice of a 
 Moderator, when Colonel John Harvey was unanimously 
 chosen, and Mr. Andrew Knox appointed Clerk. 
 
 Resolved, That the Moderator adjourn the Convention, 
 dc die in diem, until the husiness is finished. 
 
 The Convention is adjourned till to-morrow morning, 
 nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, April 4, 1775. 
 
 The Convention met, according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. John Webb, Delegate for the Town of Halifax , 
 Mr. William Bryan, one of the Delegates for Craven 
 County, Mr. George Wynns, one of the Delegates for 
 
 Hertford County, and Mr. Alexander Martin, a Delegate 
 for Guilford County, appeared, and took their seats in 
 Convention. 
 
 The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Wcdn kI.i v, April 5, 1775. 
 
 The Convention met, according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. Jonathan Heart ing, one of the Delegates for Pas- 
 quotank County, and Mr. David Stanley, one of the 
 Delegates for Bertie County, appeared, and took their 
 seats in Convention. 
 
 The Association entered into by the General Congress 
 at Philadelphia, on the 20th day of October, in the year 
 of our Lord 1774, and signed by the Members thereof, 
 was presented to this Convention by Colonel Richard 
 Caswell, and, on motion, was ordered to be read, and was 
 accordingly read. 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve of 
 the said Association, and do, for themselves, firmly agree 
 to adhere to the said Association, and recommend it to their 
 constituents that they likewise adhere firmly to the same. 
 In full approbation and testimony whereof, the Members 
 of this Convention subscribe their names. 
 
 John Harvey, 
 
 Roger Ormond, Thomas Benbury, Joseph Jones, 
 
 Thomas Respess, Jun., Thomas Hunter. Jonathan Hearring, 
 
 William Salter, Farquard Campbell, Griffith Rutherford, 
 
 James White, Richard Caswell, William Sharp, 
 
 William Person, Thomas Person, Jeremiah Fraser, 
 
 Thomas Eaton, Thomas Hicks, John Hinton, 
 
 John Campbell, John Penn, Abner Nash, 
 
 John Johnston, Memucan Hunt, James Davis, 
 
 James Corr, Willie Jones, Joseph Hewes, 
 
 Lemuel Hatch, Benjamin McCulloch, Cornelius Harnett, 
 
 Jacob Blount, Nicholas Long, William Brown, 
 
 Richard Cogdell, William Hooper, John Simpson, 
 
 Joseph Leech, John Ashe, Edward Salter, 
 
 William Bryan, Allen Jones, James Gorham, 
 
 William Thompson, Jeptha Atherton, James Lanier, 
 
 Solomon Sheppard, Thomas Burke, John Webb, 
 
 Samuel Jarvis, Francis Nash, George Wynns, 
 
 Solomon Perkins, Edward Starkey, Alexander Martin, 
 
 Nathan Poyner, Henry Rhodes, David Stanley, 
 
 Samuel Johnston, William Cray, Green Hill, 
 
 Thomas Oldham, Andrew Knox, Robert Howe, 
 
 Thomas Jones, Isaac Gregory, Thomas Rutherford. 
 
 In consequence of the preceding Resolve, all the Mem- 
 bers of the Convention subscribed their names at the table, 
 except Mr. Thomas Macknight, who refused. 
 
 Resolved, That the conduct of William Hooper, Joseph 
 Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, in the meeting of 
 Delegates lately held at Philadelphia, was, in every par- 
 ticular, worthy of the sacred trust reposed in them; and 
 that the Moderator do, in behalf of this Colony in general, 
 and of this Convention in particular, return them those 
 thanks which their faithful discharge of such an important 
 trust so justly merits. 
 
 In consequence whereof, the Moderator returned them 
 thanks in the manner following : 
 
 Gentlemen : The sacred trust reposed in you by your 
 Country so faithfully discharged by you, does honour to 
 yourselves, justifies the choice made of you by the last 
 Convention, and places you in a situation to receive the 
 best reward a patriotick breast can fill, the applause of 
 your Counlry ; who, in order to bear testimony of your 
 merit, have directed me to convey to you their sincere 
 thanks for the services you have rendered them in the im- 
 portant office to which they appointed you. And it is with 
 great pleasure I now, gentlemen, in behalf of this Colony 
 in general, and of this Convention in particular, return you 
 those thanks which have been so unanimously resolved by 
 the Convention to be your due. 
 
 To which the Delegates returned the following Answer : 
 We, the Delegates appointed to represent this Province 
 in the Continental Congress lately held at Philadelphia, 
 beg leave to express a heartfelt gratitude for this publick 
 testimonial which we have received from you of the appro- 
 bation of our constituents of our conduct, in the most im- 
 portant transaction in which any member of society can 
 have been engaged. With diffidence we undertook the 
 sacred trust of being joined to a body of men appointed to 
 be the guardians of the constitutional rights and privileges 
 of British America. If we have executed that charge to 
 
269 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 270 
 
 give satisfaction to the inhabitants of this Province, our 
 actions meet the most ample reward that any member of it 
 can experience. One motive in this important measure, 
 viz: a sacred regard for the rights and privileges of Bri- 
 tish America, and an earnest wish to bring about a recon- 
 ciliation with our Parent State, upon terms constitutional 
 and honourable to both, have hitherto actuated us. Our 
 earnest wishes are, that this Province may virtuously ad- 
 here to the Resolves of the Continental Congress, as the 
 means which will most probably bring about the end which 
 all the friends to America most earnestly desire. 
 
 At the same time accept, Sir, our warmest acknowledg- 
 ment for the polite manner in which you have thought fit 
 to convey the sentiments of this truly respectable body. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the Instructions of the in- 
 habitants of Perquimans County to their Delegates ap- 
 pointed to meet at this Convention, entered into on the 
 1 1th day of March last, be read ; which were read accord- 
 ingly. One of which said Instructions being, " That the 
 thanks of the inhabitants of that County be given to Wil- 
 liam Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Es- 
 quires, for their faithful and judicious discharge of the trust 
 reposed in them at the late Continental Congress." 
 
 Pursuant to which, Colonel John Harvey, one of the 
 Delegates for the said County, in the name of the Inhabi- 
 tants thereof, gave their thanks to the gentlemen aforesaid. 
 
 To which the Delegates returned the following Answer : 
 Permit us, Sir, to express our sincere gratitude for this 
 testimony of the approbation given, through you, by the 
 inhabitants of the County of Perquimans, of the conduct 
 of us the Delegates of this Province in the Continental 
 Congress at Philadelphia. Actuated with a zeal for the 
 preservation of the constitutional liberties of America, and 
 an earnest desire to bring about a reconciliation with the 
 Mother Country, upon terms that may restore us to the 
 fullest enjoyment of our just rights and privileges, and se- 
 cure them to us in future from the encroachments of weak 
 or wicked men, we signed our assent to the proceedings of 
 Congress ; and we could meet nothing more convincing of 
 the propriety of our conduct in the measure, than that it 
 obtains the approbation of the County of Perquimans. 
 
 To you, Sir, we beg leave to offer our tribute of thanks 
 for the polite manner in which you have thought fit to con- 
 vey the sense of that respectable body. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph 
 Hewes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, be and they are 
 hereby appointed Delegates to attend the General Con- 
 gress to be held at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May 
 next, or at any other time and place that shall be appoint- 
 ed for that purpose. And they are hereby invested with 
 such powers as may make any acts done by them, or any 
 of them, or consent given, in behalf of this Province, 
 obligatory in honour upon every inhabitant thereof. 
 
 The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, April 6, 1775. 
 
 The Convention met, according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. William Robson, one of the Delegates for Pitt 
 County, appeared, and took his seat in Convention. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That each and every County in 
 this Province raise, as speedily as possible, the sum of 
 Twenty Pounds, Proclamation Money, to be collected by 
 the respective Delegates of each County, in manner as 
 shall appear to them most convenient, and pay the same 
 into the hands of Richard Caswell, Esquire ; to be by him 
 equally divided among the Delegates appointed to attend 
 the General Congress at Philadelphia, as a recompense 
 for their trouble and expense in attending the said Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for the County of 
 Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other 
 Members of this Convention) the Association approved of 
 by the Continental Congress held at Philadelphia, there- 
 upon refused, and withdrew himself: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, that 
 from the disingenuous and equivocal behaviour of the said 
 Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his intentions are inimi- 
 cal to the cause of American Liberty ; and we do hold him 
 
 up as a proper object of contempt to this Continent, and 
 recommend that every person break off all connection, 
 and have no future commercial intercourse or dealing with 
 him. 
 
 Resolved, That the above Resolve be published in the 
 Gazettes of this and the neighbouring Colonies. 
 
 The Convention adjourned till to-morrow morning nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Friday, April 7th, 1775. 
 
 The Convention met according to adjournment. 
 
 Resolved, That the Moderator of this Convention, and 
 in case of his death, Mr. Samuel Johnston, be empowered 
 on any future occasion, that may in his opinion require it, 
 to direct Delegates to be chosen for the respective Coun- 
 ties and Towns in this Province, to meet in Convention in 
 the Town of Hillsborough, at such time as he shall think 
 proper to appoint; and in case that the Members of a ma- 
 jority of the Counties and Towns do not appear at the day 
 appointed, that he be empowered to adjourn the Conven- 
 tion de die in diem, until a sufficient number shall appear. 
 
 Resolved, That the Clerk furnish Mr. James Davis 
 with a copy of the Proceedings of this Convention, and 
 that Mr. Davis print the same. 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention do most heartily ap- 
 prove of the conduct and Proceedings of the late Conti- 
 nental Congress, and will endeavour to carry into execution 
 the measures by them recommended ; and that the most 
 earnest wishes and desires of this Convention are, to see 
 harmony restored between Great Britain and her Colonies 
 on honourable and constitutional principles, which alone 
 can give the same a lasting foundation. That we will 
 exert our utmost endeavours towards completing this im- 
 portant purpose, and are of opinion that the late commer- 
 cial regulations are the most eligible means for attaining 
 this desirable end. 
 
 And whereas the freedom, happiness, and prosperity of 
 every State greatly depends on providing within itself 
 articles necessary for subsistence, clothing, and defence of 
 its inhabitants : 
 
 Resolved, That from common prudence and regard for this 
 Colony, we will encourage Arts, Manufactures, Agriculture, 
 and every kind of economy, and use our influence for the 
 same purpose with our constituents and all connected with 
 us ; and we recommend to the Committees of the several 
 Counties to propose Premiums to the inhabitants whose 
 industry may be a proper subject for their bounty, in such 
 manner as to them shall seem meet. 
 
 Resolved, That His Majesty's subjects have an un- 
 doubted right at any time to meet and petition the Throne 
 for a redress of grievances, and that such right includes a 
 further right of appointing Delegates for such purpose, and 
 therefore that the Governour's Proclamation issued to for- 
 bid this meeting, and his Proclamation afterwards com- 
 manding this meeting to disperse, are illegal, and an in- 
 fringement of our just rights, and therefore ought to be 
 disregarded as wanton and arbitrary exertions of power. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be given 
 to the Honourable John Harvey, Esquire, Moderator, for 
 his judicious and faithful exercise of that office, and the 
 services he has thereby rendered to his Country. 
 
 Resolved, That the Honourable John Harvey, Esquire, 
 Moderator of this Convention, sign the Minutes for and in 
 behalf of the same. Attested by 
 
 John Harvey, Moderator. 
 
 Andrew Knox, Clerk. 
 
 VINDICATION OF THOMAS MACKNIGHT AND OTHERS. 
 
 At a Convention of Delegates for the respective Coun- 
 ties and Towns within this Province, held at Newbern the 
 6th day of April, 1775 : 
 
 Mr. Thomas Macknight, a Delegate for the County of 
 Currituck, having been called upon to sign (with the other 
 Members of this Convention) the Association approved of 
 by the Continental Congress, thereupon refused, and with- 
 drew himself: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Convention, 
 that from the disingenuous and equivocal behaviour of the 
 said Thomas Macknight, it is manifest his intentions are 
 inimical to the cause of American Liberty ; and we do 
 
271 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 272 
 
 hold him up as a proper object of contempt to this Conti- 
 nent, and recommend that every person break off all con- 
 nection, and have no future commercial intercourse or 
 dealing with him. 
 
 Resolved, That the above Resolve he published in the 
 Gazettes of this and tbe neighbouring Colonies. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes. 
 
 Attested by Andrew Knox, Clerk. 
 
 We, the subscribers, Samuel Jarvis. Solomon Perkins, 
 and Nathan Poyncr, late Representatives for the County 
 of Currituck, in a Convention of Deputies for tbe Province 
 of North- Carolina, held at Newbern, on the 3d day of 
 April, 1775, and Jonathan Heart ing and Isaac Gregory, 
 Representatives in tbe said Convention for tbe County of 
 Pasquotank, having found ourselves under the disagree- 
 able necessity of withdrawing from tbe said meeting, and 
 being denied tbe justice of having our reasons entered on 
 the Journals of their Proceedings, (that is, by an express 
 refusal to tbe Representatives for Currituck, which was the 
 only cause that those for Pasquotank did not apply,) have 
 only this resource left for vindicating our conduct to the 
 world, and rescuing the character of a gentleman we 
 greatly esteem from undeserved obloquy and reproach. 
 
 Tbe facts, upon which the necessity we were unhappily 
 reduced to was founded, are simply these : Upon its being 
 moved and seconded, in the course of the business of the 
 said Convention, that a vote should pass expressing a high 
 approbation of the Continental Association, Mr. Thomas 
 Macknight, a Representative for the County of Currituck 
 aforesaid, got up and declared, that he was greatly con- 
 cerned he could not heartily concur in the vote proposed 
 to be passed, on account of particular circumstances in his 
 situation, which obliged him to dislike some part of the 
 Association ; that he owed a debt in Britain, which the 
 operation of the Non-Exportation Agreement would dis- 
 able him to pay, and that he could not approve of a con- 
 duct in a collective capacity, which, as an individual, he 
 should blush to acknowledge ; that he thought it a duty he 
 owed to his own sincerity to mention this sentiment, but 
 did not mean to obstruct the good purposes proposed by 
 an union of measures ; that he would cheerfully comply 
 with the Non-Consumption and Non-Importation Agree- 
 ments, and should give a passive obedience to the non- 
 exportation article; that an individual, as a member of 
 society, ought to conform his actions to the general will of 
 it, but that opinions could not be altered without convic- 
 tion, or insincerely expressed without dishonesty. 
 
 In consequence, however, of this declaration, notwith- 
 standing Mr. Macknight expressly said, that he desired 
 not any disapprobation of the measure to be expressed by 
 that body, and was only willing to acquit himself of his 
 duty, by declaring in Convention his own sentiments of it, 
 it was proposed and carried, that a declaration to the pur- 
 port above-mentioned should be signed by ali the members. 
 All of them accordingly subscribed their names to the Re- 
 solve, highly approving, &.c, as entered on the Journal, 
 except Mr. Macknight, who desired he might have leave 
 to reduce his reasons to writing, that they might be entered 
 on the Journals, together with his refusal, which was agreed 
 to; but on his presenting them the next day, when called 
 upon again to subscribe, they would not suffer them even 
 to be read ; but the question being proposed, whether bis 
 signing that " he would conform " to the Contienntal As- 
 sociation would be satisfactory, they divided, fourteen 
 Counties to fourteen, and the Moderator declined giving 
 the casting vole. 
 
 While the Convention was waiting till the Representa- 
 tive of a Town, who was sent for on purpose to decide 
 tbe question, should come in, Mr. Macknight was informed 
 that it would give general satisfaction if he would insert in 
 tbe declaration the word " accede ;" which on bis agreeing 
 to do, two members immediately voted in his favour, who 
 had before given their votes against him, and this now 
 carried the question for him ; but the minority being 
 greatly discontented, several of them declared, that if any 
 subscription, different from theirs, was accepted from him, 
 they would withdraw from the Convention; upon which 
 he declared immediately, (being, as we conceive, heated 
 by tbe violence and arbitrariness of his opponents' con- 
 duct,) that to cut the matter short, and prevent further 
 
 dissensions in the Convention on his account, he would 
 withdraw himself from them, thinking, as he has since 
 assured us, (and we have never had any reason to doubt 
 his veracity,) that such a step in one individual, who still 
 left bis constituents represented in Convention, would not 
 be so prejudicial to tbe purpose of the meeting, as if it 
 was taken by the many who threatened it. Upon which, 
 the vote of censure and civil excommunication was pro- 
 posed and passed by a majority, declaredly on account of 
 bis intentions, which we, however, believe always to have 
 been friendly to the cause of American liberty ; his actions 
 evidently showing to us, who are his neighbours, the up- 
 rightness of his intentions. Nor did we observe any disin- 
 genuous or equivocal behaviour in Mr. Macknight, to war- 
 rant the censure of the Convention in the smallest degree ; 
 but some of those who were with him before being now 
 offended by his w ithdrawing from amongst them, joined the 
 other party. 
 
 The members for Currituck, on the last day of the Con- 
 vention, offered the reasons of their dissent and withdraw - 
 ing ; but no kind of attention being paid to them by the 
 Convention, two of the three Pasquotank members being 
 also ready to present theirs, thought it useless, more espe- 
 cially as the Moderator was hastening to sign the Journals ; 
 the majority ordering him to do so, as we believe, lest the 
 dissentients should appear on the Journals : and we know- 
 that many were determined to dissent from so unjust a cen- 
 sure. We, however, withdrew ; and declare that we do 
 not consider ourselves or our constituents bound by tbe 
 Proceedings of this Convention ; because, in other respects 
 relative to the publick, this Convention have acted con- 
 trary to the sentiments of our constituents, expressly de- 
 clared to us, and have gone beyond the powers with which 
 we are invested to act in their behalf. 
 
 The above being a true statement, in substance, of the 
 proceedings we complain of, we appeal to the world, whe- 
 ther the violence of insisting on a consistency of opinion in 
 every individual instance, of all the Representatives of a 
 Province present, or an insincere declaration to be sub- 
 scribed contrary to a man's own conviction, at a time when 
 he would most expressly have agreed to regulate his con- 
 duct by tbe general voice, (the greatest submission ever 
 exacted, as the subscribers believe, except in despotick and 
 tyrannical Governments,) tbe unjustifiable precipitation 
 of a great number of the minority, when defeated in 
 their purposes, which made Mr. Macknight, upon prin- 
 ciples of affection to the cause they were nominated 
 to support, offer to withdraw rather than occasion a total 
 schism in their proceedings ; their refusing to receive 
 reasons themselves had called for, and agreed to enter 
 on their Journals, and others which members had ready, 
 and as we conceive had a right to present, and were enti- 
 tled to notice, as they were calculated to show the world 
 their motives for withdrawing from this Convention. 
 
 Whether these extraordinary, rash, and unwarrantable 
 proceedings, together with the other reasons we have as- 
 signed, do not leave us justified for withdrawing from this 
 Convention, inasmuch as they have done more than our 
 constituents warranted us to engage for, and a great num- 
 ber of the members would not confine themselves to the 
 ruks laid down by the Congress, but required and insisted 
 upon other terms of union than that respectable body, 
 whose directions they have all promised to obey, deemed 
 necessary, or could themselves individually assent to. 
 Samuel Jarvis, Isaac Gregory, 
 Solomon Perkins, Jonathan Hearrinu. 
 Nathan Poyner, 
 
 N. B. The Convention having omitted to publish the 
 vote which Mr. Macknight refused to subscribe, for the 
 information of such as have not an opportunity of seeing 
 the Journals, it is inserted here: 
 
 " Resolved, That this Convention do highly approve of 
 tbe said Association, and do, for themselves, firmly agree 
 to adhere by the said Association, and recommend it to 
 their constituents that they likewise adhere firmly to the 
 same; in full approbation and testimony whereof the mem- 
 bers of this Convention subscribed their names." 
 
 The Continental Association was not signed by tbe mem- 
 bers in this Convention, as might be presumed from the 
 publication of their Clerk. 
 
273 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 274 
 
 COUNCIL OF NORTH-CAROLINA. 
 
 At a Council held at Neivbern, the 12th of April, 1775, 
 Present : His Excellency the Governour, the Honourable 
 James Hasell, Alexander McCnlloch, William Dry, Sam- 
 uel Strudwick. Martin Howard, and Samuel Cornell, 
 Esquires : 
 
 The Governour laid before the Board the Proceedings 
 of a body of people calling themselves Delegates of the 
 Inhabitants of this Province in Convention, signed John 
 Harvey, Moderator, wherein are certain Resolves highly 
 derogatory to the honour and dignity of His Majesty's 
 Government, tending to destroy the peace and welfare of 
 this Province, in the highest degree oppressive of the peo- 
 ple, and utterly subversive of the established Constitu- 
 tion : 
 
 He, therefore, submitted to the consideration of this 
 Board the propriety of marking its indignation of such un- 
 lawful and dangerous proceedings, by striking Mr. John 
 Harvey out of His Majesty's Commission of the Peace for 
 the County of Perquimans, where he resides. 
 
 The Board fully concurring with His Excellency's sen- 
 timents of the foregoing proceedings, unanimously advised 
 that the said John Harvey should be struck out of the 
 Commission of the Peace for Perquimans County. 
 
 The Honourable William Dry, Esquire, took again the 
 oath appointed to be taken by Privy Counsellors. 
 
 HEMPSTEAD (nEW-YORk) RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 Mr. Rivington : You are requested to publish the fol- 
 lowing Resolutions, unanimously entered into at the most 
 numerous Town Meeting that has been held here for many 
 years past : — 
 
 Hempstead, April 4, 1775. 
 
 At this critical time of publick danger and distraction, 
 when it is the duty of every honest man and friend to his 
 Country to declare his sentiments openly, and use every 
 endeavour to ward off the impending calamities which 
 threaten this once happy and peaceful land, we, the Free- 
 holders and Inhabitants of Hempstead, in Queen's County, 
 in the Province of New- York, being legally assembled on 
 the first Tuesday in April, 1775, have voluntarily entered 
 into the following Resolutions : 
 
 1st. That as we have already borne true and faithful 
 allegiance to His Majesty King George the Third, our 
 gracious and lawful Sovereign, so we are firmly resolved to 
 persist in the same line of duty to him and his lawful suc- 
 cessors. 
 
 2d. That we esteem our civil and religious liberties 
 above any other blessings, and those only can be secured 
 to us by our happy Constitution ; we shall inviolably ad- 
 here to it, since deviating from it and introducing innova- 
 tions, would have a direct tendency to subvert it, from 
 which the most ruinous consequences might be justly ap- 
 prehended. 
 
 3d. That it is our ardent desire to have the present un- 
 natural contest between the Parent State and her Colonies 
 amicably and speedily accommodated on principles of con- 
 stitutional liberty, and that the union of the Colonies with 
 the Parent State may subsist till time shall be no more. 
 
 4th. That as the worthy Members of our General As- 
 sembly, who are our only legal and constitutional Repre- 
 sentatives, have lately taken the most rational and effectual 
 measures to bring about this much wished- for accommoda- 
 tion, by petitioning his most gracious Majesty, a Memorial 
 to the House of Lords, and a Remonstrance to the House 
 of Commons; we are determined, therefore, patiently to 
 wait for the issue of these measures, and carefully avoid 
 every thing that might frustrate those laudable endeavours 
 of our Representatives. 
 
 5th. That as choosing Deputies to form a Provincial 
 Congress, or Convention, must have this tendency, be 
 highly disrespectful to our legal Representatives, and also 
 be attended, in all probability, with the most pernicious ef- 
 fects in other instances, as is now actually the case in some 
 Provinces — such as shutting up the Courts of Justice, levy- 
 ing money on the subjects to enlist men for the purpose of 
 fighting against our Sovereign, diffusing a spirit of sedition 
 among the people, destroying the authority of constitu- 
 tional assemblies, and otherwise introducing many heavy 
 and oppressive grievances — we therefore are determined not 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 to choose any Deputies for such Provincial Congress or 
 Convention, nor consent to it, but do solemnly bear our 
 testimony against it. 
 
 6th. That we are utterly averse to all mobs, riots, and 
 illegal proceedings, by which the lives, peace, and property 
 of our fellow -subjects are endangered ; and that we will, to 
 the utmost of our power, support our legal Magistrates in 
 suppressing all riots, and preserving the peace of our liege 
 Sovereign. Hulet Peters, Town Clerk. 
 
 to the publick. 
 
 Hempstead, April, 1775. 
 
 At a lime when every possible artifice is made use of, 
 not only to create real divisions and dissensions among us 
 on points of the last importance to the general weal, but, 
 at the same time, to hold up an idea of much greater dif- 
 ference than, in fact, exists, it is the duty of every friend 
 to truth and the welfare of his Country, to represent trans- 
 actions of a publick nature in a fair and genuine light. 
 
 Influenced by this consideration, I am induced to make 
 a few remarks on the proceedings of the Town of Hemp- 
 stead, which have been published in Mr. Jtivington's Ga- 
 zetteer of the 6th instant. 
 
 By that publication, it might seem that the Town-Meet- 
 ing at which the Resolves were passed, had been assem- 
 bled for the purpose of signifying their sense relative to the 
 appointment of Deputies to join in the proposed Provincial 
 Congress, and that the inhabitants of Hempstead were 
 unanimous in their disapprobation of the measure ; but 
 this is far from being a just representation of the matter. 
 
 The meeting was nothing more than an annual one, in 
 order to choose Town Officers. No previous notice had 
 been given, by advertisement or otherwise, that any thing 
 beside the ordinary business of the day was to be transact- 
 ed. Not only so, but the Resolutions entered into were 
 introduced late, after many people had retired from the 
 meeting. A considerable number of respectable Free- 
 holders, who are well affected to the appointment of De- 
 puties, would have attended had they been apprized of 
 what was designed, and the apparent unanimity with which 
 the publick has been deceived, could have had no colour 
 of pretence. 
 
 I am one of those who think the union of the Colonies, 
 in a general and spirited plan of opposition, absolutely ne- 
 cessary to the preservation of our rights ; and I know there 
 is a number of principal Freeholders in this Town of the 
 same sentiments. Our reasons for being willing to concur 
 in the choice of Deputies, are as follow : 
 
 1st. Though we feel ourselves impressed with senti- 
 ments of unshaken loyalty towards our rightful Sovereign, 
 George the Third, and should view with indignation and 
 abhorrence every attempt to diminish his just and constitu- 
 tional authority over us ; yet we can by no means con- 
 ceive that loyalty implies in it an abject submission to the 
 unjust and arbitrary mandates of the British Parliament, 
 or precludes the use of those expedients which are requi- 
 site to preserve our lives and properties from the rapacious 
 hand of tyranny and oppression. 
 
 2d. The claim of Parliament to bind us by statutes in 
 all cases whatsoever, and the several acts passed in conse- 
 quence of it, appear to us an open and flagrant violation of 
 our rights, both as men and Englishmen, and ought to be 
 opposed by every necessary means. 
 
 3d. It is our opinion that no rational mode of opposition 
 could, in our present circumstances, be concerted, but by 
 the united concurrence of all the Colonies. Without this, 
 our measures must be partial and divided, and consequently 
 weak and ineffectual. One Colony could not oblige ano- 
 ther to accede to any thing itself might deem prudent and 
 efficacious. Difference in opinion might prevent the 
 adoption of those measures which were most likely to suc- 
 ceed, and our opposition, instead of tending to any desira- 
 ble end, would only serve to render us contemptible, and 
 the scoff of our enemies. 
 
 4th. Provincial Assemblies have frequently been dis- 
 solved for asserting their rights ; and it would be in the 
 power of the several Governours to keep them from sitting 
 whenever they found they were likely to take any step 
 that would serve to frustrate the designs of the Ministry ; 
 so that not much reliance could be had upon their exer- 
 
275 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 276 
 
 tions in support of their liberties, which clearly points out 
 the necessity of having recourse to some other method. 
 
 5th. Petitions have been tried more than once to no 
 good purpose ; and as we have never been admitted into 
 the secrets of the Cabinet, we can only judge from the 
 declarations and actions of the Ministry and Parliament, 
 from which we are compelled to believe that they would 
 now, if unseconded, be equally fruitless and insignificant. 
 Nor can we think it prudent or safe to wait the issue of 
 one more trial, before we proceed to other measures, as is 
 recommended by some ; because we are sensible that the 
 delay would be attended with many dangerous conse- 
 quences, and might, at least, protract our sufferings to a 
 very disagreeable length. We would not presume to im- 
 peach the conduct of our Assembly ; but judging from past 
 experience and a long train of facts, we are unable to im- 
 agine what could lead them to expect such happy effects 
 from this source alone, especially as the Assemblies of the 
 other Provinces have manifested by their conduct a quite 
 different opinion. 
 
 6th. As we think a Continental Congress necessary, for 
 the reasons already assigned, so we think a Provincial Con- 
 gress the only equal and just method of regulating a re- 
 presentation of the whole Province. Nor do we appre- 
 hend any mischiefs from the appointment of such a body, 
 because no other authority has been delegated to them 
 than barely that of choosing proper persons to represent 
 the Colony in that Convention, which is to be held at 
 Philadelphia in May ensuing. 
 
 7th. As to the shutting up the Courts, which is said to 
 have taken place in some of the Colonies, we consider it 
 as a regulation by them thought necessary, to prevent any 
 advantage being taken of the present critical situation of 
 affairs, and as being done with the general consent and ap- 
 probation of the people; and we are informed they have 
 used proper methods to prevent any abuses which might 
 arise therefrom. We know not of any Provincial Con- 
 gresses which have levied money on the subject to enlist 
 men for the purpose of fighting against our Sovereign. 
 We have, indeed, heard of some which have recommend- 
 ed it to their constituents to raise a fund for the support of 
 tho^e who might be employed in acquiring a knowledge of 
 military discipline, in order to defend themselves, should 
 they be reduced to the dreadful alternative of either main- 
 taining their liberties, at the risk of their lives, or of sub- 
 mitting to become the slaves of their fellow-subjects in 
 Great Britain. 
 
 8th. We cannot consider the power delegated in the 
 present instance, either as interfering with the authority of 
 our Assembly, or as being a mark of disrespect towards 
 it; because we are confident, that had they considered it 
 in that light, they would not have been so wanting to them- 
 selves, or so inattentive to their just rights, as to have look- 
 ed on passively while such measures were in agitation, 
 but would have taken proper steps to secure their own dig- 
 nity and authority from all infractions and violations what- 
 soever ; and because the general state of American affairs 
 requires measures that are beyond the power of any one 
 particular Assembly, should it think proper, from peculiar 
 motives, to observe a line of conduct altogether singular 
 and different from that of the other Assemblies, which are 
 embarked in the same common cause. 
 
 A Freeholder of Hempstead. 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, ORANGE COUNTY. NEW-YORK. 
 
 At an annual Town-Meeting of the freeholders and in- 
 habitants of the Precinct of Goshen, in the County afore- 
 said, on Tuesday the 4th of April, 1775, the following 
 question, Whether any Deputies should be sent from this 
 Precinct to meet Deputies from the other Counties at New- 
 York, the 20th instant, to join with them in choosing pro- 
 per persons as Delegates on the part of this Province, to meet 
 in General Congress at Philadelphia, on the 10th of May 
 next, was put, and carried unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 A motion was then made by several persons, that Henry 
 Wisner and Peter Clowse, Esquires, be appointed Deputies 
 for the above purpose; and the question being accordingly 
 put, it was carried in the affirmative, without one dissenting 
 voice. 
 
 And at an annual Town-Meeting held the day aforesaid 
 
 at Cornwall Precinct, in the County aforesaid, a motion 
 was made, that Mr. Israel Seely, of said Precinct, be ap- 
 pointed one of the Deputies for the aforesaid County, to 
 meet Deputies from the other Counties, at New-York, on 
 the 20th instant, to join in choosing some proper persons to 
 be sent as Delegates to represent this Province in General 
 Congress at Philadelphia, the 10th of next month; and 
 the question being accordingly put, it was carried by a great 
 majority in the affirmative. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Baltimore, April 5, 1775. 
 
 Information being made to the Committee that a few 
 individuals, inhabitants of this Town, have of late worn 
 pistols or private arms, alleging, in justification of their con- 
 duct, " that a motion had been made in the Committee to 
 sacrifice some of the persons in this Town who differed 
 from them, or were averse to the publick measures now car- 
 rying on in this Province, and that they wore arms against 
 any such attempts :" 
 
 The Committee, to remove any prejudice that may be 
 taken by the publick against them, and to prevent the ill 
 effects of such false and injurious reports, if circulated 
 without contradiction, do solemnly declare that no such mo- 
 tion was ever made, or any entry relative to the same min- 
 uted in their proceedings. A few members of the Com- 
 mittee were of opinion that the names of such persons, 
 who, upon application, had refused to contribute for the 
 purchase of arms and ammunition, should be published ; 
 but even this measure was overruled in the Committee, as 
 improper at that time. 
 
 Ourmeetings have been held in publick, nor has any person 
 who thought fit to attend ever been excluded ; our records 
 are free and open for inspection. From the publick we re- 
 ceived our authority, not by personal solicitation, but a free 
 and voluntary choice; to that tribunal we submit our actions. 
 
 Although we have uniformly persevered, and are deter- 
 mined to persevere in carrying into execution the Associa- 
 tion and measures of the Congress, yet, in no instance 
 have we exceeded the line pointed out by that Assembly 
 and our Provincial Assembly ; and abhorring every idea of 
 proscription, the Committee call upon the persons who 
 have circulated the aforesaid report to disclose the author. 
 
 A true extract from the Minutes : 
 
 R. Alexander, Secretary. 
 
 JOHN POWNALL, SECRETARY TO THE BOARD OF TRADE, 
 TO THE GOVERNOURS OF THE SEVERAL COLONIES IN 
 NORTH AMERICA. 
 
 Whitehall, April 5, 1775. 
 Sir: I have the honour to send you herewith, by Lord 
 Dartmouth's directions, an Act of Parliament, to which 
 His Majesty gave the royal assent on Friday last, entitled 
 " An Act to restrain the Trade and Commerce of the 
 Provinces of Massachusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire , and 
 Colonies of Connecticut and Rhode- Island and ProviiUnce 
 Plantation, in North America, to Great Britain, Ireland, 
 and the British Islands in the West-Indies, and to prohibit 
 such Provinces and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery 
 on the Banks of Neivfoundland, or other places therein 
 mentioned, under certain conditions and limitations;" and 
 I am to desire that you will be pleased to cause the said Act 
 to be made publick in such manner as has been usual on 
 like occasions. I am, sir, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, John Pownall. 
 
 JOHN POWNALL TO THE GOVERNOURS OF THE SEVERAL 
 COLONIES. 
 
 Whitehall, April 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir : As it may be of use that His Majesty's subjects in 
 America should be informed of the Proclamation issued by 
 the order of the States General, prohibiting the exporta- 
 tion of Arms and Ammunition from their Dominions, in 
 British Ship«, or in their own Ships, without leave of their 
 College of Admiralty, I am directed by Lord Dartmouth 
 to transmit to you the enclosed Gazette, containing the 
 said Proclamation, which you will cause to be printed and 
 published in such manner as you shall think fit. 
 
 I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Pownall. 
 
277 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 278 
 
 Hague, March 20, 1775. 
 Their High Mightinesses the States General have this 
 day issued a Proclamation, of which the following is a 
 translation : 
 
 Proclamation. 
 
 The States General of the United Provinces, to all who 
 shall see or hear these presents read, greeting: 
 
 Be it known, that we, for particular reasons thereunto 
 moving, have thought fit absolutely to prohibit, and we 
 hereby absolutely do prohibit all exportation of Ammuni- 
 tion, Gunpowder, Guns, and Shot, by Ships belonging to 
 the Dominions of Great Britain, provisionally, for the 
 term of six months, upon pain not only of confiscation of 
 the Arms and Ammunition which shall be found there on 
 board, but also of a fine of a Thousand Guilders over and 
 above, at the charge of the Commander, whose Ship shall 
 be answerable and liable to execution for the same. 
 
 That we have further thought fit to enact, and we do 
 hereby enact, that during the above-said term of six months, 
 no Gunpowder, Guns, Shot, or other Instruments of War, 
 shall be embarked on board any other Ships, whether for- 
 eign or belonging to this Country, to be transported abroad, 
 without consent or permission of the College of Admiralty, 
 under whose jurisdiction the embarkation shall be made, 
 upon pain of confiscation of the Arms, Gunpowder, Guns, 
 Shot, or other Ammunition, which shall have been em- 
 barked without permission, and of the Commander incur- 
 ring a fine of a Thousand Guilders, on board of whose 
 Ship the said Arms and Ammunition shall have been em- 
 barked, and his Ship be answerable and liable to execution 
 for the said fine. 
 
 And that no one may pretend ignorance hereof, we call 
 upon and require the States, the Hereditary Stadtholder, 
 the Committee of Council, and the deputations of the 
 States of the respective Provinces, and all other Officers 
 and Justices of these Countries, to cause this our Procla- 
 mation to be forthwith promulgated, published, and affixed, 
 in all places where such publication is wont to be made. 
 And we do further charge and command the Counsellors 
 of the Admiralty, the Advocates General, together with 
 all Admirals, Vice-Admirals, Captains, Officers, and Com- 
 manders, to pay obedience to this our Proclamation, pro- 
 ceeding and causing to be proceeded against the transgres- 
 sors thereof, without favour, connivance, dissimulation, or 
 composition. For such have we found meet. 
 
 Given at the Hague, under the seal of the States, sig- 
 nature of the President of our Assembly, and the counter 
 signature of our Greffier, the 20th day of March, 1775. 
 
 G. Van Hakdenbroek. 
 
 By order of the States General : 
 
 H. Fagel. 
 
 ORDER IN COUNCIL. 
 
 At the Court of St. James's, the 5th day of April, 
 1775: Present the King's Most Excellent Majesty in 
 Council. 
 
 Whereas, the time limited by His Majesty's Order in 
 Council of the 19th of October last, for the prohibiting the 
 exporting out of this Kingdom, or carrying coastwise, Gun- 
 powder or any sorts of Arms or Ammunition, will expire 
 upon the 19th of April : And whereas, it is judged expe- 
 dient that the said prohibition should be continued for some 
 time longer, His Majesty doth therefore, by and with the 
 advice of his Privy Council, hereby command, that no 
 person or persons whatsoever, (except the Master-General, 
 Lieutenant-General, or principal officers of the Ordnance 
 for His Majesty's service) do, at any time during six 
 months, to commence from the said 19th instant, presume 
 to transport into any parts out of this Kingdom, or carry 
 coastwise, any Gunpowder, or any sort of Arms or Ammu- 
 nition, or ship or lade any Gunpowder, or any sort of Arms 
 or Ammunition on board any Ship or Vessel, in order to 
 transport the same into any parts beyond the Seas, or car- 
 rying the same coastwise, without leave or permission first 
 obtained from His Majesty, or his Privy Council, upon pain 
 of incurring and suffering the respective forfeitures and 
 penalties inflicted by an Act passed in the 29th year of 
 His late Majesty's reign, entitled " An Act to empower 
 His Majesty to prohibit the exportation of Saltpetre, &ic, 
 
 THOMAS LIFE, AGENT FOR CONNECTICUT, TO GOVERNOUR 
 TRUMBULL. 
 Basinghall Street, London, April 5, 1775. 
 Sir : I received the favour of your last packet, in which 
 was enclosed a general state of the transactions relative to 
 the Rev. Samuel Peters, of his applications to you, and 
 what passed between you on that occasion, and another 
 letter, dated the 4th January last, in which you mention 
 the receipt of my letter of the 5th day of October last, 
 enclosing a copy of Messrs. Penn's Petition. On the 20th 
 of last month, I attended Lord Dartmouth at his levee, and 
 stated to him the facts from that general state, without de- 
 livering the state itself to his Lordship, who informed me 
 that he had seen Mr. Peters but once, and did not seem 
 to lay any part of the blame upon you ; and whatever views 
 Mr. Peters may have, I hope he will be disappointed. 
 There was a flying report sometime ago, that the acts of 
 some people in your Colony, in going down to Boston to 
 oppose the King's Troops, had subjected your Charter to 
 be forfeited, but have not heard any thing lately about it. 
 The Colony of Rhode-Island, it is said, is likewise in the 
 same predicament for seizing the King's powder. I received 
 notice from the Board of Trade to attend them on the 20th 
 of March last on Messrs. Penn's Petition, which I accord- 
 ingly did, and prayed two months' time to be heard on be- 
 half of your Colony by counsel. Mr. Baker, who married 
 one of Mr. Penn's daughters, appeared on behalf of the 
 petitioners, and opposed me very strongly, and it was with 
 the utmost difficulty I obtained time till the first of May 
 next, and I must be prepared in all events by that lime. 
 Indeed Mr. Balcer at first objected to my having any more 
 time than a fortnight, or a month at most ; but on my repre- 
 senting that that would fall out in or near Easter week, 
 their Lordships gave me a fortnight further time. Since I 
 wrote by the last packet, Mr. Nuthall is dead and is suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Hoole, whom I mentioned in my former 
 letters to be his partner. On application to this gentleman 
 he attended with me at the Board of Trade in behalf of 
 Colonel Dyer and the other Susquehaimah proprietors, but 
 their Lordships would not then hear him, as they were of 
 opinion that it was not then the proper time. 
 
 1 am, sir, with the greatest esteem and regard, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Thos. Life. 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, at Lebanon in Connecticut. 
 
 MEETING OF THE LIVERY OF LONDON. 
 
 London, April 6, 1775. 
 Yesterday, at Guildhall, a few minutes after one o'clock, 
 the Lord Mayor, and Aldermen Bull, Lewes and Newnham, 
 with the two Sheriffs, proceeded to the Hustings ; and the 
 common Crier having made proclamation that the business 
 on which the Livery were convened, was to consider of a 
 " Remonstrance and Petition to the Throne, respecting the 
 measures adopted with regard to America ;" the Lord Mayor 
 came forward and addressed the Citizens in the following 
 speech : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Livery : 
 
 It would ill become me, on this important day, to take 
 up much of your time. I very readily complied with the 
 request of several respectable fellow-citizens to call this 
 Common Hall, from every feeling of justice and humanity 
 to our persecuted brethren in America, and the fatal con- 
 sequences I foresee of the violent proceedings now carrying 
 on, which must so deeply affect the prosperity, not only of 
 this, the first commercial City in the world, but likewise the 
 whole Kingdom. I will only, gentlemen, beg leave to read 
 to you, from your own records on this subject, the words 
 of a Petition from this Metropolis to both Houses of Par- 
 liament, long before the present unhappy contest between 
 the Mother Country and her American Colonies began ; 
 so long ago as the year 1739. 
 
 - " The citizens of London are too deeply interested in 
 whatever affects the trade of this Nation, not to express 
 the utmost anxiety for the welfare of that only source of 
 our riches. The Petitioners apprehend that the trade from 
 these (His Majesty's Kingdoms) to his American Colonies, 
 is of the utmost importance, and almost the only profitable 
 trade this Nation now enjoys unrivalled by others." 
 
279 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 280 
 
 If, gentlemen, the trade to our American Colonies near 
 forty years ago was, according to the declared opinion ol 
 this Metropolis, of such importance, the amazing entries 
 for several late years made in the books of the Custom- 
 House, which are almost daily before your eyes, will best 
 demonstrate to what an immense magnitude it is since grown. 
 Such an object surely calls for our most earnest, unwearied 
 attention and regard. Whatever your determinations may 
 be, you may be assured of the hearty concurrence of your 
 Chief Magistrate. 
 
 Mr. B. Allen, Esq., now moved that such Remonstrance 
 should be presented, and all hands were held up in favour 
 of the motion except seven or eight, among whom was Sir 
 James Esdailc. Mr. Allen made a long and spirited speech, 
 in which he was very severe on the arbitrary strides taken 
 by Government, which rendered it necessary for every man 
 of spirit to stand up in his own defence. He said that if 
 he had sat in the House of Commons he should have op- 
 posed all the late measures, being convinced they were but 
 the acts of the Minister, who was himself controlled by an 
 invisible agent. That it was amazing a confidence should 
 be reposed in a Stuart, by those who ought to fear every 
 man of the name. Of the Scots in general, Mr. Allen 
 spoke very handsomely, and wished the English would 
 copy them in their nationality. He said that the Lord 
 Mayor had been unjustly accused by a prejudice against 
 the Scots as a people, and that the Thane had artfully 
 made this circumstance the ground of national quarrel. 
 This orator recommended unanimity in the common cause, 
 but lamented that whenever emoluments were to arise, there 
 never were wanting bad men, even of rank, who would do 
 any thing. He said the question now was, whether the 
 Americans were to be enslaved or not. If Government 
 was in want of supplies, why did it not take the regular 
 method of raising them? He concluded by saying, " the 
 Americans are sons of Britons, and have a right to be free," 
 and that he hoped the Hall would be unanimous for the 
 proposed Remonstrance. Mr. Allen's speech was well 
 received, and he concluded it with reading the Petition. 
 
 It was afterwards moved that the Petition be again read, 
 which being agreed to, it was accordingly read and ap- 
 proved of, there not being more than three or four dissent- 
 ing voices, among whom was Sir James Esdaile. 
 
 Mr. Saxby then made a motion, that the said Petition 
 be fairly transcribed and signed by the Town Clerk ; also, 
 that it be presented to His Majesty by the Right Honour- 
 able the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen and Livery of the 
 City of London, in their gowns ; that the Sheriffs do 
 wait upon His Majesty, to know when he will be pleased 
 to receive it ; and that the Lord Mayor be requested to 
 give the most early and publick intelligence of His Majesty's 
 answer : all which were carried in the affirmative. 
 
 Mr. Saxby afterwards moved, that the thanks of the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, be given to those 
 Lords who protested against the Acts lately passed respect- 
 ing America ; to such Members of the House of Commons 
 who opposed the said Acts and all other anti-commercial 
 measures ; to Lord Chatham, for offering a conciliatory 
 plan ; to those Members of the House of Commons who 
 voted for expunging the Resolutions relative to the Mid- 
 dlesex Election ; and to Edmund Burke, Esq., for offering 
 a conciliatory plan. All these motions were unanimously 
 agreed to. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE GEORGIA DELEGATES TO THE CONTI- 
 NENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Savannah, Georgia, April 6, 1775. 
 Sir: The unworthy part which the Province of Georgia 
 has acted in the great and general contest, leaves room to 
 expect little less than the censure, or even indignation of 
 every virtuous man in America. Although, on the one hand, 
 we feel the justice of such a consequence with respect to 
 the Province in general ; yet, on the other, we claim an ex- 
 emption from it in favour of some individuals who wished 
 a better conduct. Permit us, therefore, in behalf of our- 
 selves and many others our fellow-citizens, warmly attached 
 to the cause, to lay before the respectable body over which 
 you preside a few facts, which we trust will not only acquit 
 us of supineness, but also render our conduct to be approved 
 by all candid and dispassionate men. 
 
 At the time the late Congress did this Province the 
 honour to transmit to it an Extract from their Proceedings, 
 enclosed in a friendly letter from the Honourable Mr. Mid- 
 dleton, the sense and disposition of the people in general 
 seemed to fluctuate between liberty and conveniency. In 
 order to bring on a determination respecting the measures 
 recommended, a few well-affected persons in Savannah, 
 by publick advertisement in the Gazette, requested a meet- 
 ing of all the Parishes and Districts, by Delegates or Rep- 
 resentatives in Provincial Congress. On the day appointed 
 for this meeting, with concern they found that only five 
 out of twelve Parishes to which they had particularly wrote, 
 had nominated and sent down Delegates ; and even some of 
 these five had laid their Representatives under injunctions 
 as to the form of an Association. 
 
 Under these circumstances those who met saw them- 
 selves a good deal embarrassed ; however, one expedient 
 seemed still to present itself. The House of Assembly 
 was then sitting, and it was hoped there would be no doubt 
 of a majority in favour of American freedom. The plan, 
 therefore, was to go through with what business they could 
 in Provincial Congress, and then, with a short address, pre- 
 sent the same to the House of Assembly, who, it was hoped, 
 would, by vote, in a few minutes, and before prerogative 
 should interfere, make it the act of the whole Province. 
 
 Accordingly the Congress framed and agreed to such an 
 Association, and did such other business as appeared prac- 
 ticable with the people, and had the whole just ready to 
 be presented, when the Governour, either treacherously in- 
 formed, or shrewdly suspecting the step, put an end to the 
 session. 
 
 What, then, could the Congress do? On the one hand 
 truth forbid them to call their proceedings the voice of the 
 Province, there being but five out of twelve Parishes con- 
 cerned ; and on the other, they wanted strength sufficient to 
 enforce them on the principle of necessity, to which all 
 ought for a time to submit. They found the inhabitants 
 of Savannah not likely soon to give matters a favourable 
 turn. The importers were mostly against any interruption, 
 and the consumers very much divided. There were some 
 of the latter virtuously for the measures ; others strenuously 
 against them ; but more who called themselves neutrals 
 than either. 
 
 Thus situated, there appeared nothing before us but the 
 alternative of either immediately commencing a civil war 
 among ourselves, or else of patiently waiting the measures 
 to be recommended by the General Congress. Among a 
 powerful people, provided with men, money, and conveni- 
 ences, and by whose conduct others were to be regulated, 
 the former would certainly be the resolution that would 
 suggest itself to every man removed from the condition of 
 a coward ; but in a small community like that of Savan- 
 nah, (whose members are mostly in their first advance to- 
 wards wealth and independence, destitute of even the neces- 
 saries of life within themselves, and from whose junction 
 or silence, so little would be added or lost to the general 
 cause,) the latter presented itself as the most eligible plan, 
 and was adopted by the people. Party disputes and ani- 
 mosities have occasionally prevailed, which show that the 
 spirit of freedom is not extinguished, but only restrained 
 for a time till an opportunity shall offer for calling it forth. 
 
 The Congress convened at Savannah did us the honour 
 of choosing us Delegates to meet your respectable body at 
 Philadelphia, on the tenth of next month. We were sen- 
 sible of the honour and weight of the appointment, and 
 would gladly have rendered our Country any services our 
 poor abilities would have admitted of; but, alas! with what 
 face could we have appeared for a Province whose inhabi- 
 tants had refused to sacrifice the most trifling advantages 
 to the publick cause, and in whose behalf we did not think 
 we could safely pledge ourselves for the execution of any 
 one measure whatsoever. 
 
 We do not mean to insinuate that those who appointed 
 us would prove apostates, or desert their opinion ; but that 
 the tide of opposition was great ; that all the strength and 
 virtue of these our friends might be insufficient for the 
 purpose. We very early saw the difficulties that would 
 here occur, and therefore repeatedly and constantly re- 
 quested the people to proceed to the choice of other Dele- 
 gates in our stead; but this they refused to do. 
 
 We beg, sir, you will view our reasons for not attending 
 
281 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 282 
 
 in a liberal point of light. Be pleased to make the most 
 favourable representation of them to the honourable the 
 Members of the Congress. We believe we may take upon 
 us to say, notwithstanding all that has past, there are still 
 men in Georgia who, when an occasion shall require, will 
 be ready to evince a steady, religious, and manly attach- 
 ment to the liberties of America. To the consolation of 
 these, they find themselves in the neighbourhood of a Prov- 
 ince whose virtue and magnanimity must and will do lasting 
 honour to the cause, and in whose fate they seemed dis- 
 posed freely to involve their own. 
 
 We have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servants, Noble Wimberly Jones, 
 Archibald Bullock, 
 John Houstoun. 
 
 To the President of the Continental Congress. 
 
 CALVERT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 April 5, 1775. 
 
 In consequence of an information received, that Mr. 
 Alexander Ogg, merchant at Huntingtown, had sold and 
 was selling his goods at a greater advance upon the prime 
 cost than was recommended by the Provincial Convention, 
 held at Annapolis in December, 1774, the Committee met 
 at Huntingtown on Saturday the 25th March, and con- 
 tinued by adjournment till this day. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk give notice to said Ogg, and 
 desire his attendance immediately before the Committee. 
 Accordingly he attended, and produced his shop-notes and 
 books, from which it appeared he had sold at a much higher 
 advance than one hundred and fifty per cent, on the prime 
 cost. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That said Ogg has violated the 
 Association, and therefore ought to be deemed an enemy 
 to the cause of America. Signed per order, 
 
 Pat. Sim Smith, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 TO THE PUBL1CK. 
 
 I hereby publickly acknowledge that I have, but with 
 no sinister intention, violated the American Association in 
 selling several articles of my last cargo at more than one 
 hundred and fifty per cent, advance upon the prime cost. 
 My goods were imported via Philadelphia, and conse- 
 quently were much more chargeable than if imported di- 
 rectly into this Province. This extraordinary expense I 
 thought I had a right to reimburse myself ; but I find I was 
 mistaken. I am sorry I have offended. I am willing to 
 make satisfaction as far as is in my power. I shall give 
 credit in every article where I have charged a farthing 
 more than one hundred and fifty per cent, upon the prime 
 cost. And as my character as a vender of goods has hitherto 
 been very irreproachable, and I have been as zealous an 
 assertor of American freedom as any man upon the Conti- 
 nent, my sphere of life considered, I hope the publick will 
 forgive this offence, more especially as it has been owing 
 to a misapprehension of the matter, and not to any design 
 of taking advantage of the scarcity of goods that now pre- 
 vails. Alexander Ogg. 
 
 April 13, 1775. 
 
 SUSSEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee held for the County of Sussex, in Vir- 
 ginia, at the Court-House, on Thursday the 6th of April, 
 1775, present: Thomas Peete, Esq., Chairman, and twenty- 
 seven other Members of the said Committee : 
 
 The Proceedings of the Provincial Congress, lately held 
 in the Tow r n of Richmond and County of Henrico, were 
 laid before the Committee by the late Delegates for this 
 County ; and the same being read, and maturely considered, 
 the Committee came to the following Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee, in behalf 
 of themselves and their constituents, the good people of this 
 County, are justly due, and are most unfeignedly given to 
 the Congress in general, and to our late worthy Delegates 
 in particular, for the great pains and trouble they have been 
 at, and wisdom shewn in their consultations and resolves, 
 and to assure them that this Committee will adhere strictly 
 to the spirit of the Resolves of the said Congress. 
 
 Signed by order. Thomas Peete, Chairman. 
 
 John Massenburg, Clerk. 
 
 New- York, April C, 1775. 
 
 A correspondent acquaints us that, on Monday, the 3d 
 of April, the inhabitants of the Borough of Westchester 
 met, in consequence of a summons, to give their sentiments 
 upon a question, whether or not they would choose Depu- 
 ties to represent them at a Provincial Convention in this 
 City ; when they declared themselves already very ably 
 and effectually represented in the General Assembly of 
 this Province by Isaac Wilkins, Esquire ; peremptorily 
 disowned all Congressional Conventions and Committees, 
 most loyally repeating the old chorus, God save the King, 
 which was seconded by three cheers. 
 
 On Tuesday, the 11th instant, a General Meeting of the 
 inhabitants of the County of Westchester is to be held at 
 the White Plains, to determine whether or not Delegates 
 shall be sent by them to a Provincial Convention at New- 
 York. 
 
 TO THE FREEHOLDERS AND INHABITANTS OF THE COUNTY 
 OF WESTCHESTER. 
 
 New- York, April 6, 1775. 
 You are earnestly desired to attend a General Meeting 
 of the County, to be held at the White Plains, on Tues- 
 day next, the 11th instant, to give your votes upon the 
 questions : — • 
 
 Whether you are inclined to choose Deputies to meet at 
 the City of New- York, in a Provincial Convention ? Or, 
 
 Whether you are determined to abide by the loyal and 
 judicious measures already taken by your own worthy Re- 
 presentatives in the General Assembly of this Province, for 
 a redress of American grievances ? 
 
 The consequences that may arise from your neglecting 
 to attend at the White Plains, on Tuesday next, to declare 
 your sentiments relative to the appointment of Deputies to 
 meet in Provincial Congress, may be very fatal to this 
 County. The friends of Government and our happy 
 Constitution are, therefore, earnestly invited in person, to 
 oppose a measure so replete with ruin and misery. Re- 
 member the extravagant price we are now obliged to pay 
 for goods purchased of the merchants, in consequence of 
 the Non-Importation Agreement; and when the Non-Ex- 
 portation Agreement takes place, we shall be in the situa- 
 tion of those who were obliged to make bricks without 
 straw. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New- York, Thursday, April 6, 1775. 
 A number of the inhabitants of this City and County 
 assembled at the Liberty Pole this day, in consequence of 
 a notification published yesterday for that purpose, when 
 they immediately proceeded to the choice of a Chairman. 
 And after the Chairman had fully explained the business 
 and design of the meeting, a motion was made, that the 
 following recommendation and advice of the Committee 
 should be read : — 
 
 To the respectable Inhabitants of the City and County of 
 New- York. 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Citizens : In times so critical 
 as the present, it becomes the duty of every citizen to pay 
 particular attention to the welfare of the community, and 
 to counteract every measure that may tend to injure its 
 interest. 
 
 Influenced by these considerations, we view with concern 
 the uneasiness occasioned in this City by the late unusual 
 exportation of Nails; and perceive with anxiety the dis- 
 tress to which a monopoly of this or any other article may 
 expose many among us. 
 
 For what purpose, or with what design, such a quantity 
 has, in so short a time, been purchased and exported, we 
 neither know nor can conceive. The clamour raised 
 among the Mechanicks, by the scarcity of Nails during the 
 continuance of the last Non-Importation Agreement, is 
 recent in our memories; and though the manufactories 
 which have since been established will supply more than 
 sufficient for our own consumption, we apprehend it would 
 be imprudent thus rashly to part with what we have in 
 store, especially as this sudden exportation has given just 
 grounds for suspicion and alarm. 
 
 It is not within the limits of our appointment to provide 
 
283 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 284 
 
 against the evil tendency of this circumstance, by any regu- 
 lation ; but considering ourselves as fellow-citizens with you, 
 and deeply interested in every thing that respects the pub- 
 lick weal, and the support of the great cause in which our 
 all is at stake, we take the liberty of declaring our senti- 
 ments upon the occasion ; and recommend to you to avoid 
 drawing the people of this City into any difficulties or dis- 
 contents, by exporting or encouraging the monopoly of 
 such great quantities of Nails as may leave a provision for 
 our own consumption precarious, especially as it is not 
 certain whether these Nails, so hastily bought up and ex- 
 ported, are designed to be used, or to be stored. 
 
 Permit us also to submit to your consideration the pro- 
 priety of supplying the Troops at Boston with implements 
 of war, and articles essential to hostilities. We cannot 
 forbear observing, that the duty we owe to our interest and 
 reputation should lead us to withhold such supplies from 
 the Troops, at least till we have assurances that nothing 
 hostile is intended against us. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 And the same being read accordingly, and the question 
 put, whether they approved of the said recommendation 
 and advice, it was carried in the affirmative unanimously. 
 
 Then the question was put, whether we ought to supply 
 the Troops at Boston with implements of war, and other 
 necessaries for carrying on their operations against the peo- 
 ple of Massachusetts-Bay ; which was carried in the nega- 
 tive, unanimously. 
 
 After which, the following motions (in writing) were 
 delivered to the Chairman : 
 
 Mr. Chairman: Whereas William and Henry Ustick, 
 of this City, Traders, have, for some time past, been en- 
 gaged in purchasing Spades, Shovels, and other intrenching 
 tools for the use of the Army now at Boston ; and have 
 likewise employed a number of hands in manufacturing Bill- 
 hooks, Pickaxes, &lc, for the purpose aforesaid ; whereby 
 they have acted derogatory to the character of good citi- 
 zens and friends to their Country, as it enables General 
 Gage to take the field, and carry into execution any hos- 
 tile plan which he may have conceived against the Province 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay in particular, and the American 
 Colonies in general, and may be the means of involving 
 our Country in bloodshed, and the dreadful calamities at- 
 tendant on civil war. In order, therefore, to testify to the 
 world our abhorrence and detestation of such vile and infa- 
 mous conduct, and prevent in some measure the infamy 
 and reproach which our silence would bring upon the 
 inhabitants of this City and County in general : 
 
 1 move that the sense of this body be now taken, whe- 
 ther the said William and Henry Ustick have not acted 
 in this matter as inveterate foes to American freedom, and 
 whether we ought not to break off all connexion and deal- 
 ing with them for the future? 
 
 And the questions being respectively put on the said 
 motions, they were carried in the affirmative, with only one 
 dissenting voice. 
 
 It was likewise moved, that a Committee should be ap- 
 pointed to wait on the Importers of Nails, and request them 
 not to dispose of those which they have on hand to any 
 person who may purchase them with a design to export 
 them out of the Province ; and a Committee of seven per- 
 sons was accordingly appointed for that purpose. 
 
 ALEXANDER m'dOUGALL TO JOS1AH QUINCT, JUN. 
 
 New- York, April 6, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : Your favours of the 17th and 19th of De- 
 cember last, enclosing letters for the friends of the common 
 cause in Boston and Philadelphia, arrived here the 10th 
 ultimo ; but they were not handed to me before the 25th, 
 owing to their being in a package belonging to a gentle- 
 man who was absent when they arrived. Your directions 
 respecting them were strictly observed, and they were for- 
 warded the 27th by safe conveyances. I shall take great 
 pleasure in transmitting your future communications to 
 your friends. 
 
 I wrote you by the March Packet under cover to Mr. 
 Thomas Bromficld, in which I informed you of the pro- 
 gress then made by our House of Assembly on American 
 grievances. The assurances I gave you, that what re- 
 
 mained of the " Report of the Committee of Grievances " 
 not then considered by the " Committee of the House," 
 would rather be more in favour of liberty than the " Re- 
 port," has since been confirmed ; the particulars of which 
 you have in the enclosed printed proceedings of the House. 
 After the " Statement of Grievances" was agreed to, and ap- 
 proved of by the House, several of the members who were 
 warm friends to the cause of liberty, having attended the 
 Assembly two months, and their families being very remote 
 from the Capital, and urgent business demanding theii re- 
 turn, and considering the most important transactions of 
 the sessions finished, went home. This gave an opportu- 
 nity to the wicked and designing members of the House, 
 contrary to all order, to depart from the spirit of the " List 
 of Grievances," in a " Petition to the King," " Memorial 
 to the Lords," and " Remonstrance to the Common?." 
 But the " Statement of Grievances " agreed to by the 
 fullest House during the sessions, must be considered as the 
 basis of all their proceedings on the American controversy. 
 If any regard is to be paid to the sense of the legal Repre- 
 sentatives, that sense is the " Statement of Grievances " 
 agreed to in a full House ; and therefore, whatever differ- 
 ence appears in the " Petition," &ic, from that " Statement 
 of Grievances" is a mere nullity. If the Ministry make 
 any dependance on the " Petition," &c, as declarative of 
 the sense of this Colony, they will find themselves most 
 egregiously mistaken. This City will publickly disavow 
 the vile, slavish sentiments contained in the " Petition," 
 &c, the moment they make their appearance. So far as 
 they are now known, they are condemned, and the patrons 
 of them despised. And if the Provincial Convention, 
 who are to meet here on the 20th instant, to elect Dele- 
 gates for the Continental Congress, do not disavow the 
 " Petition," &tc, which I have reason to conclude they 
 will, they will certainly join with the Continental Congress 
 in doing it. 
 
 During the Ship Beulah's stay in our Bay she was con- 
 tinually watched by a Sub-Committee, and did not enter. 
 But while she lay at the Hook waiting for a fair wind, the 
 night before she departed threatened a storm ; and as the 
 Boat, on board of which the Sub-Committee attended, was 
 not so well provided with ground-tackling as the Ship, the 
 Boat was obliged to go into a cove of safety, at some dis- 
 tance from the Ship. The owners, who had some goods 
 on board, having previously meditated a plan to land 
 them, availed themselves of this opportunity, and effected 
 it in the night. Of this they were suspected, and our Sub- 
 Committee of Observation, and the Committee of Eliza- 
 bethtown, having got a clue to a discovery, the owners 
 confessed the matter upon oath. Our citizens were so 
 enraged at them for the horrid deed, that it was with great 
 difficulty they were prevailed upon not to banish them. 
 The fearful apprehensions of these persons, and the terms 
 on which they are suffered to abide here, are fully ex- 
 pressed in the printed papers which you have herewith. 
 This is the only violation of the Association we have had 
 since it took place. The punishment they now, and will 
 endure, is sufficient to deter any man, however base, from 
 another breach. 
 
 The friends of the Association, and the great cause, are 
 daily increasing ; so that you have no reason to fear a de- 
 fection of this Colony. Time will not permit me to be 
 more particular. I shall continue to enclose you all the 
 printed papers which 1 may judge of importance to you, 
 regardless of the postage, until you direct me to the con- 
 trary. 
 
 I am, dear sir, in great haste, but with great respect, 
 your humble servant, Alexander McDougall. 
 
 Josiah Quincy, Jun., London. 
 
 P. S. As my political character may tempt the tools 
 of Government to open letters to me, please to cover your 
 favours to me to Samuel Broome &. Co., Merchants, in 
 New- York. 
 
 FOR MR. RIVINGTON'S NEW-YORK GAZETTEER. 
 
 Boston, April 6, 1775. 
 
 Whereas it is the prevailing rage of the present times 
 for people of all ranks, orders, and professions, to form 
 Associations, and erect themselves into what they call 
 Congresses and Committees of various denominations ; 
 
285 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 286 
 
 who, under pretext of redressing grievances and reforming 
 Church and State, have made most audacious and iniqui- 
 tous resolves, tending to the subversion of all order and 
 good Government, and the total abolition of law and justice : 
 
 And whereas, in compliance with the aforesaid resolves, 
 many peaceable and well disposed persons, who have de- 
 clined joining in such illegal Associations, have been insulted, 
 persecuted, proscribed, and oppressed, and have suffered 
 all the cruelty and torture that brutal, cowardly rage could 
 devise ; and as, in obedience to the orders of such Con- 
 gresses and Committees, much private property has been 
 destroyed, the most daring piracies and robberies have 
 been perpetrated in the face of open day, and death and 
 destruction denounced against all who dare oppose their 
 lawless banditti : 
 
 And whereas the Pulpit and Press are become subser- 
 vient to the infernal schemes of these diabolical assemblies, 
 and are used as the great engines to destroy the peace and 
 tranquillity of this devoted Nation, and to plunge it into 
 all the horrours of rebellion and civil war ; to accomplish 
 which they daily teem with productions of the most in- 
 flammatory, seditious, treasonable nature ; reflecting on, 
 and highly injurious to the characters and interests of indi- 
 viduals, and particular societies of men ; which individuals 
 and particular societies labour under great disadvantages, 
 through the want of mutual concert and intercourse with 
 each other : 
 
 And as the Navy and Army sent hither by His Majesty 
 for the support of the laws and preservation of the peace, 
 have been marked out as the peculiar objects of the ran- 
 cour and malignity of these reforming fanaticks ; and as 
 in their resolves they have publickly declared the officers 
 and men to be their enemies, and with that charity and 
 hi'.manity which are peculiar to the holy men of Massachu- 
 setts, have endeavoured to deprive them of those necessa- 
 ries and conveniences of life, which, among savages, are 
 not denied to the brute creation, namely, straw to lie down 
 on, and sheds to shelter them from the rigour of a most in- 
 clement season ; and with their usual zeal for the propaga- 
 tion of irreligion and immorality, have spared neither pains 
 nor expense to debauch the soldiers from their duty and 
 allegiance, to persuade them to be guilty of perjury, trea- 
 son, and rebellion ; and as a few, by artifice and deceit, 
 have been prevailed on to desert the service of their King 
 and Country, some of whom have suffered the punishment 
 due to so heinous a crime, and others have been condemned 
 by their seducers to slavery, and sentenced to pass the 
 remainder of their miserable days at hard labour in the 
 mines : 
 
 As these illegal Congresses and Committees still con- 
 tinue to meet, vote, and resolve ; and as His Majesty's land 
 and sea forces here assembled, are particularly affected by 
 these meetings, it is therefore, with all deference, submitted 
 to the Officers, whether, from the foregoing considerations, 
 they should not immediately form a Congress, that, by 
 uniting their counsels and arms, they may both act with 
 greater force, and with more effect ; and the appearance of 
 a confederacy may render them no less respectable among 
 the people than formidable to the rebels : 
 
 It is therefore humbly proposed by the Moderator and 
 Selectmen, that a Military Congress be immediately formed, 
 under the name of A Grand Congress of Control ; that this 
 Congress have a President, who shall be styled Comptrol- 
 ler General ; a Secretary ; three Delegates from each Re- 
 giment ; three from the Navy, and one from the Engi- 
 neers. 
 
 That as many as can conveniently meet, do assemble on 
 every Monday and Thursday, immediately after the pub- 
 lication of the Boston Gazette and the Spy, to take cogni- 
 zance of whatever may relate to them in these Papers ; 
 and also of the proceedings of the Provincial Congress now 
 sitting at Concord. 
 
 That on these days they hear all complaints against Con- 
 gresses, Committees, Town Meetings, Selectmen, Printers, 
 Watchmen, and mob of the Town of Boston. 
 
 That they take cognizance of any injury, insult, or in- 
 dignity, that may be offered by any man or body of men, 
 to their Country, their King, their profession, their Gen- 
 eral, their men, or themselves; and where legal process 
 cannot be obtained, that a summary mode of redress be 
 adopted and put into execution. 
 
 That they appoint such inferiour Committees as shall to 
 them appear expedient. 
 
 That they keep a faithful register of the occurrences of 
 the times, and pursue every other measure which, in their 
 united wisdom, they shall judge effectual, to obviate the 
 insidious schemes of a most artful, indefatigable, unprinci- 
 pled, and ungenerous enemy. 
 
 FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Boston, April 6, 1775. 
 My worthy Friends and Fellow- Countrymen : 
 
 Experience has ever been found to be the best guide of 
 human conduct ; to profit from our past errours, is at once to 
 discharge our duty and consult our truest interest. When 
 we review our past behaviour, in any stage or station of life, 
 how many instances may we find, wherein we should have 
 acted a very different part if we had been aware of the 
 consequences which have ensued ; and which, should we 
 again be placed in the same situation, we should very ma- 
 terially correct? Hence have originated the wise maxims 
 and prudent and salutary observations of the sages of an- 
 tiquity, which, if more carefully attended to, would make 
 succeeding generations much more cautious and circum- 
 spect in their conduct than we, in fact, find to be the case. 
 But such is the unhappy frailty of the human mind, that 
 we are in general less attentive to the calls of reason and 
 prudence than the suggestions of passion, prejudice, and 
 vicious habits. We are apt suddenly to gratify our present 
 inclinations at the expense of our future happiness, and 
 incur the same misfortunes which we have seen a thousand 
 others do by a similar behaviour before. 
 
 If we look back upon the conduct of the Colonies for 
 some years past, we may find many critical junctures where 
 a prudent silence, or dutiful and rational remonstrance, would 
 have been attended with the most salutary consequences, 
 and put an end to that dispute which has since been so 
 unhappily protracted. With what extreme caution, then, 
 should we now proceed in our opposition, when our all de- 
 pends upon adopting a proper mode of behaviour. We 
 ought to be thoroughly convinced that we have truth, jus- 
 tice, reason, and equity for our foundation. How far these 
 are the ground of the complaints of the Congress, I am 
 endeavouring to discover to you, and beg your attention to 
 that article of grievance which was omitted in my last, from 
 motives of convenience, and is as follows: "Assemblies 
 have been frequently and injuriously dissolved, and Com- 
 merce burdened with many useless and oppressive restric- 
 tions." 
 
 In this article we have a striking instance of the consoli- 
 dated modesty, as well as wisdom of the Congress. As to 
 the first part, relative to the dissolution of Assemblies, they 
 might have recollected, that in some instances His Majesty, 
 whose undoubted prerogative it is, by express instructions, 
 had directed his Governours to dissolve the Assemblies, 
 (unless they would recede from some rash, imprudent, and 
 unjustifiable measures which they had adopted,) before they 
 had so modestly told him, by styling them injurious, that 
 he was not a judge of the propriety or justice of the steps 
 which he himself had directed. In other instances, the 
 Governours, of themselves, have dissolved Assemblies, 
 when their proceedings have been such as required it. 
 Here it is curious to observe the inimitable consistency and 
 uniformity of the conduct of some members Gf the Congress, 
 who, for some years past, as members of the General Assem- 
 bly, have been endeavouring to prove that the Governour 
 has the " sole power to prorogue, adjourn, and dissolve the 
 General Assembly," when and where he thinks fit; and 
 now, at the Congress, complain of it as injurious that he 
 has exercised this right, in instances where he himself 
 thought His Majesty's service required it. Such conduct 
 can be accounted for on no other principle than a disposi- 
 tion in the Congress to raise fears and create jealousies in 
 the people of a design to make them slaves, when, at the 
 same time, they themselves are convinced that they are 
 the mere suggestions of their own wicked arts and false 
 insinuations. " And Commerce burdened with many 
 useless and oppressive restrictions." This is still more 
 extraordinary. In all the disputes that have hitherto sub- 
 sisted, the right of Great Britain to regulate the Trade of 
 the Colonies was never till now contested ; and the neces- 
 
287 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 288 
 
 sity and justice of this is apparent, when we consider the 
 vast expense Great Britain is at in protecting the trade, 
 and that the Colonies might otherwise carry on a commerce 
 destructive to her interest, which she has an undoubted 
 right to prevent, upon every principle of justice and poli- 
 cy : by her strength, by her assistance, it is that we now 
 enjoy this extensive Country, and have arrived to so great 
 a pitch of opulence and importance. How reasonable is 
 it, then, that we should be restrained from attempting any 
 thing detrimental to her Trade and Commerce ? These, 
 however, have been regulated with the strictest regard and 
 attention to the interests of the Colonies. 
 
 The inhabitants of Great Britain are not suffered to 
 raise any tobacco, and are obliged to pay large duties upon 
 what is imported, merely to benefit some of the Colonies, 
 whose sole subsistence depends upon it. They are re- 
 strained from buying indigo, which they might get much 
 cheaper at other markets, merely to encourage the Ameri- 
 can manufacture of that article. And though we have 
 been restrained from vending a number of the articles of 
 our produce to any but Great Britain, yet this has been 
 amply compensated by the bounties that have been paid 
 us upon their importation into that Kingdom. Large 
 bounties have been paid upon our timber, pilch, tar, rosin, 
 turpentine, hemp, indigo, pot and pearl ashes, &,c. ; the 
 Acts granting some of which have a preamble which 
 breathes the most benevolent regard to the interest and 
 happiness of the Colonies ; it is thus expressed : " Where- 
 as, Her Majesty's Colonies and Plantations in America 
 were at first settled, and are still maintained and protected 
 at a great expense of the treasure of this Kingdom, with 
 a design to render them as useful as may be to England, 
 and the labour and industry of the people there, profitable 
 to themselves ; and to enable them to make due and suffi- 
 cient returns in the course of their trade," he. Certainly 
 nothing appears useless and oppressive in these instances; 
 and the more we examine it, the more groundless this 
 complaint appears. It is couched in general terms, to pre- 
 vent the knowledge of the truth. It was supposed the 
 veracity of the Congress would be implicitly relied on, and 
 that few would take the trouble of inquiring for themselves. 
 But I beseech you, my dear friends, exercise that reason, 
 those powers of judging which God has given you. The 
 Congress has been guilty of gross prevarication and false 
 assertions, which I am endeavouring to convince you of; 
 and however severe these charges may seem, I shall think 
 the truth of my assertions a sufficient apology for every 
 thing I advance. 
 
 The next complaint which has not yet been considered, 
 is this: "Both Houses of Parliament have resolved that 
 the Colonists may be tried in England for offences alleged 
 to have been committed in America, by virtue of a Statute 
 passed in the thirty-fifth year of Henri/ the Eighth, and in 
 consequence thereof attempts have been made to enforce 
 the Statute." The statute here referred to, either extended 
 to America, or it did not; if it did extend here, how comes 
 it to pass that we have never complained of it before? 
 How could our forefathers, from the first settlement of the 
 Country, tamely submit to such a galling yoke, and insen- 
 sibly remain in such a state of slavery ? Unhappy mortals ! 
 thus to continue for a hundred and fifty years in actual 
 submission to tyranny and arbitrary power, and never once 
 be aware of their danger; never perceive that their liber- 
 ties were infringed ; never feel so enormous a grievance. 
 Surely our veneration for their characters, as the sons of 
 freedom, must be greatly lessened, when we reflect upon 
 this dastardly instance of their supine negligence and un- 
 manly silence. Is it possible they could enjoy the conve- 
 niences, comforts, and luxuries of life, with which in later 
 times they have been surrounded, and not be tormented 
 with the goading reflection of their submission to this infa- 
 mous statute of Henri/ the Eighth, that tyrant of tyrants, 
 and scourge to his subjects? Unfeeling wretches! But, 
 thank Heaven, we, their wiser offspring, have found it out, 
 and are determined no longer to acquiesce in our submis- 
 sion; but through fear of misfortunes yet unfelt, will sacri- 
 fice our peace, our happiness, and every social blessing, 
 and involve ourselves in the most distressing calamities, 
 rather than by our silence countenance the bare existence 
 of such an authority , though we never have, and never ex- 
 pect to experience its exertion. Who would not, for the 
 
 uncertainty of future oppression, relinquish the certain en- 
 joyment of present happiness and peace? Who would not, 
 for the pleasure of opposing lawful authority, submit to the 
 usurpation of lawless Congresses and Committee-men? 
 One drop of American blood, if it flows in the veins of 
 any one to whom these questions are proposed, must at 
 once dictate the answer. 
 
 But to be serious. — If this Act did extend to America, 
 could the resolutions of the two Houses of Parliament add 
 to its baneful influence ? Could that which has ever been 
 a law, be rendered more so, by repeated declaration of but 
 two branches of the Legislature ? Certainly not. But if 
 it did not extend here, is not the declaration of the Lords 
 and Commons that it did, equivalent to making a new sta- 
 tute; and can they alone do this, without the assent of the 
 third branch of the Legislature ? Can, therefore, such 
 resolves be considered in any other light, than a declara- 
 tion of the general sense of the Nation ? Can they be 
 supposed to add any authority to the statute referred to, 
 which it had not before ? Is not the exposition of Acts of 
 Parliament, the proper department of the Executive Courts 
 of Justice? Can, therefore, any thing short of a new act 
 of Parliament, which has the sanction of the three branches 
 of the Legislature, extend a former Act beyond the mean- 
 ing and construction it may lawfully bear? Will not the 
 Judges of the Courts of Law expound it, as it stands by 
 itself, abstracted from any resolves of separate branches of 
 the Legislature ? Have they not done this ? Was it not 
 first proposed to the Judges of England for their opinion, 
 which was afterwards confirmed in terrorem merely, by the 
 resolves of the two Houses of Parliament ? And if this is 
 the grievance, 1 admit it to be true that the Judges of Eng- 
 land have determined that it does extend here ; and it 
 is equally true that they are the proper judges of this mat- 
 ter, and should, doubtless, have decided it upon the princi- 
 ples of Law and the Constitution ; and however disagree- 
 able the decision may be to the Congress, it certainly is 
 not a matter of grievance, as hereby they have not made 
 any new law, but explained one of a date more ancient than 
 the settlement of this Country, and under the authority of 
 which we have hitherto lived quiet and peaceable lives, 
 without suffering any inconvenience or oppression. And 
 here I cannot but take notice of the vague, indeterminate 
 expression made use of, " that the Colonists may be tried 
 in England for offences alleged to have been committed 
 in America.'''' As 1 have before observed, this Petition, 
 so called, could be intended only for the publick newspa- 
 pers here, and therefore the design was chiefly to alarm the 
 fears of the populace. Accordingly they are left in this 
 instance to conjecture whatever their heated imaginations 
 may suggest, and to suppose that the most trivial of offences 
 are here guarded against; whereas, if they were informed 
 that it was high treason, the highest crime known in the 
 law, and indeed the most flagitious in its nature and conse- 
 quences, that can be committed in any State, the impor- 
 tance and necessity of the case would apologize for the 
 extraordinary remedy provided, and silence every objec- 
 tion. But the Congress go on confidently to assert, that 
 " in consequence thereof, attempts have been made to en- 
 force that statute." What is intended by this, I am utterly 
 at a loss to conceive. I neither know nor have ever heard 
 of any instance of this kind, though I have been pretty in- 
 dustrious in my inquiries; and I believe I may justly and 
 truly aver, that no such attempt lias ever been made — sure 
 I am, that there has been none in this Province ; and I will 
 candidly confess my errour, and acknowledge my obliga- 
 tions to any one, who can inform me of an instance in any 
 other. Why, then, we should be alarmed with an idea of 
 danger, where there is none ; why we should be told of 
 attempts which have never been made, of grievances never 
 felt, and of designs to injure us never conceived, is not 
 easily accounted for upon the principles of justice, truth, 
 equity, or a regard for the interest and happiness of the 
 Colonies, or the just and legal authority of the Parent State. 
 
 1 will now consider the next complaint, which is, " A 
 Statute was passed in the twelfth year of your Majesty's 
 reign, directing that persons charged with committing any 
 offence therein described, in any place out of the Realm, 
 may be indicted and tried for the same in any Shire or 
 County within the Realm, whereby inhabitants of these 
 Colonies may, in sundry cases, by that Statute made capi- 
 
289 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 290 
 
 tal, be deprived of a trial by their peers of the vicinage." 
 After premising that this statute is intended principally 
 to prevent setting fire to His Majesty's Dock-Yards, Ships, 
 and Naval Stores, I would beg leave to observe, that by 
 Commerce and Trade alone Great Britain has arrived to 
 such a pitch of opulence and splendour, as has scarce been 
 equalled, never surpassed, by any Nation on the globe. By 
 the undisputed sovereignty of the Sea, which she has ever 
 maintained, she has been able to hold the first rank, and 
 preserve the balance of power among all ihe Kingdoms, 
 States, and Empires in the world. Should her naval pow- 
 er be considerably lessened or destroyed, it would be pro- 
 ductive of the most ruinous consequences, and must finally 
 terminate in the destruction of the British Nation. The 
 principal States in Europe envy, and are striving to out- 
 rival her in this boasted superiority ; and should they ever 
 be able to effect this point, Britain would soon become a 
 tributary State to some potent victor. It is by her power- 
 ful fleet, that this renowned Island, comparatively small, 
 has arisen to be the first Kingdom on earth for wealth and 
 power ; inexhaustible sources of opulence and riches have 
 been discovered and improved by her commercial inter- 
 course with the different Nations and Countries in the 
 world ; and this Trade is continued, secured, and protect- 
 ed merely by her much-envied but hitherto unrivalled 
 Navy. Of how much importance it is, then, that the most 
 effectual precautions should be used to support this valu- 
 able, useful, and necessary pillar of her greatness ! To 
 injure or impair this, is to strike at the very foundation of 
 the Kingdom and vitals of the State. To attempt to destroy 
 this bulwark of her power, would indicate an inclination to 
 reduce Great Britain to a state of poverty and slavery. 
 Who, then, can complain that the laws made to punish so 
 heinous an offence should be severe, and attended with 
 penalties proportionate to the greatness of the crime ? Who 
 would not be willing to submit to a provision in this in- 
 stance, which in most others might be reasonably com- 
 plained of? Sensible of the necessity and justice of it, the 
 inhabitants of the other parts of the Dominions, who are 
 equally affected by it with us, willingly and cheerfully ac- 
 quiesce in their submission to this statute ; and why we 
 alone should complain, when every part of the Dominion 
 is in the same predicament, is a little unaccountable. By 
 this statute it is enacted, that whoever shall offend against 
 it out of the Realm, may be indicted and tried in any 
 County within the Realm that His Majesty shall appoint. 
 Thus our fellow-subjects in Ireland, the West-Indies, and 
 wherever else dispersed, are equally comprehended in this 
 Act ; so that we have no reason to suppose, as is suggested 
 by the Congress, that it was passed in consequence of a 
 plan adopted by the Ministry to enslave the Colonies. But 
 the intention is best collected from the Act itself, which 
 informs us that it was made because the safety of the Dock- 
 Yards, Ships, &lc, is of great importance to the welfare 
 and security of the Kingdom ; and he who can basely at- 
 tempt to infringe these, amply deserves to be tried under 
 the disadvantages, if they can be called such, prescribed 
 by this Act. Phileirene. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 
 NO. VIII. 
 
 Boston, April 6, 1775. 
 My Friends and Fellow- Countrymen: 
 
 We are now verging towards a close of our lucubrations 
 upon the right of Parliament. I blush upon asking your fur- 
 ther attention to this matter, having already trespassed long 
 on your patience. The importance of the subject, and a 
 show of argument in the two papers succeeding the one con- 
 sidered in our last, must be my apology. Having examined 
 this question to its foundation, in a course of papers that 
 have been laid before the publick ; having compared it with 
 every principle of law, of justice, and of social connexions, 
 which would not disgrace the understanding of a Hotten- 
 tot ; having traced its decision in our favour, up to a con- 
 nexion with our most important duty, and the precepts of 
 Heaven ; it remains only that we obviate the residue of 
 our writer's half-made arguments upon this subject, by 
 showing their inconclusiveness or remoteness from the 
 point. Such matters as fall within the principles and rea- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 sonings established and applied on former occasions, we may 
 pass by, as having been fairly and fully answered. It is 
 unnecessary in this stage of the controversy to offer any 
 thing in affirmance of our claim, however the observations 
 and assertions of our antagonist may provoke us to it; for 
 this, I must refer you to otir past Numbers. Many other 
 things might be added, so fertile and clear is the subject, 
 the which, if they should all be written, I suppose the woild 
 itself would not contain the books that would be written. 
 
 The Paper of January 16th, begins with the most flagrant 
 misrepresentation of facts, from which we may form some 
 shrewd conjectures of its progress and end. " Had a per- 
 son, some fifteen years ago, undertaken to prove that the 
 Colonies were annexed to the Realm, were a part of the 
 British Empire or Dominion, and as such subject to the 
 authority of the British Parliament, he would have acted 
 as ridiculous a part as to have undertaken to prove a self- 
 evident proposition. Had any person denied it, he would 
 have been called a fool or a madman." If this be true, 
 James the First, Charles the First, and Charles the Second 
 were mad Kings, as we have shown from good authority; 
 our famed progenitors madmen ; our Charters the off- 
 spring of madness ; the English Laws and the British 
 Constitution the essence of madness; and this ridiculous 
 madness has been handed down, by soine mysterious fatali- 
 ty, from generation to generation to the present day. 
 excepting, in a few instances, where persons basking in the 
 sunshine of Court favours, have had their brains so heated 
 and volatilized by the piercing rays of honour and profit, 
 as to enable them to evaporate the general contagion. Our 
 sane disputant may stand high in this catalogue. By 
 what speci6cks such cures are effected is no longer matter 
 of curious speculation. This brings to my mind the story 
 of a prodigal froward child, who, madly attempting to hang 
 himself in his father's presence, was cured of his lunacy by 
 a sum of money, which disease would never return but 
 with an empty purse. 
 
 At this wise period individuals and bodies of men deny 
 it, notwithstanding in doing it they subvert the fundamen- 
 tals of Government, deprive us of British liberties, and 
 build up absolute monarchy in the Colonies. We proved 
 in our last that the admission of this authority is, in every 
 point of view, absolutely inconsistent with the fundamentals 
 of Government, British rights, English liberties, or the 
 security' of life, liberty, and property, which we are entitled 
 to as men. And thus it erects an absolute Government in 
 the Colonies as repugnant to every idea of freedom as life 
 and death, blessing and cursing, are opposite to each other. 
 
 "Our Charters," says our hypothetical reasoner, "sup- 
 pose regal authority in the grantor; if that authority be 
 derived from the British Crown, it presupposes this Ter- 
 ritory to have been a part of the British Dominions, and 
 as such subject to the imperial Sovereign." If he means 
 any thing to the purpose by these (perhaps designedly) 
 inaccurate expressions and obscure reasoning, it must be 
 this, viz : Our Charters suppose the right and property of 
 the Colonies, or the American Territory, to be in the King, 
 as grantor ; and if this right and property be derived to him 
 from the English Crown, or British, if he pleases, it pre- 
 supposes the Colonies to have been a part of the British 
 Dominions. To take him upon his own argument : Our 
 Charters suppose nothing in the grantor, but what he has 
 absolutely granted away, (excepting the reservations to 
 himself,) which the Charters suppose he had good right to 
 do. And his deriving this right or property from the Eng- 
 lish Crown, presupposes nothing to have belonged to the 
 English Dominions, and subject to the imperial Sovereign, 
 but what, being taken away and vested in the King, was 
 conveyed over to the grantees, which proves, even upon 
 his own principles, that we are not now a part of the Bri- 
 tish State, nor subject to its supreme authority. This is 
 argumentum ad hominem. 
 
 Let us examine it upon its true principles. The Char- 
 ters, as we have elsewhere observed, from their subject 
 matter and the reality of things, can only operate as the 
 evidence of a compact between an English King and the 
 American subjects ; their running in the style of a grant is 
 mere matter of form, and not of substance. Nor do they 
 suppose the Territory granted to be the right and property 
 of the King as grantor, any more than where Magna 
 
 9 
 
291 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 292 
 
 Charta gives and grants to the people of England their 
 rights, sua jura, and their liberties, libcrtatis suas, all which 
 the people had a right to, and possessed previous to and 
 independent of this Charter, proves that these rights and 
 libei ties were mere emanations from the royal grantor, or 
 new blessings given to the subject as matters of bounty and 
 grace, and not, rather, the royal assurance that those rights 
 which adhered to them as men, and their Constitution 
 confirmed to them as Englishmen, should not be invaded. 
 Admitting that our Charters did suppose the right and pro- 
 perty of the Colonies in the grantor, suppositions are only 
 admissible where facts cannot be ascertained ; they are al- 
 ways controlled and superseded by evidence. Massachu- 
 settcnsis knows, Great Britain knows, common sense 
 teaches, history confirms, and we have already proved, that 
 the grantor had no right, title, or possession here in Ame- 
 rica, excepting what was derived from a visit made to these 
 shores by some British mariners, when they were the pos- 
 sessed and rightful property of twenty other Nations ; or 
 what is still more ridiculous, if possible, from a Popish pre- 
 tended right in Christians to take away the property, the 
 dwellings, the liberties, and the lives of heathens. So 
 that all this famous train of reasoning, going upon a false, 
 mistaken, and refuted supposition of an antecedent right in 
 the King, dwindles into sound and shadow ; for the founda- 
 tion being removed, the superstructure, however artificial 
 and superb, must tumble to the ground. It is peculiarly 
 characteristical of our embarrassed writer, to beg the ques- 
 tion. I wish for once he would come to the point. Has 
 he proved, excepting by arguments that evince directly the 
 contrary, that before the reception of our Charters the 
 Colonies were a part of the British Empire, or that these 
 Charters united them to the British Realm ? Does not 
 his confused Babel fabrick, which he has been so long 
 building, stand entirely on this basis? I call upon him to 
 prop it up, if he has it in his power, or frankly confess the 
 imposition. Let him name the time when, point out the 
 manner how, or the means by which the Colonies were 
 united to the Realm of England '; or let him be for ever 
 silent concerning a right in Parliament to give law in all 
 cases to more than three millions of unrepresented and mis- 
 represented Americans. I dare say this is a task that he, 
 nor any other man in his senses, will never seriously at- 
 tempt. Every history, every record, every scrap of paper 
 to be found upon the subject, evinces the contrary. It may 
 not be amiss to recite a few passages from a historian of 
 great fame and undoubted credit. " When the Europeans 
 first visited this Country, they found it inhabited by twenty 
 different Nations, or Tribes, independent of each other, 
 and commanded by their respective chiefs. Of these Na- 
 tions the most powerful was the Massachusetts, situate on 
 or near the harbour of Boston. King James the First, by 
 letters patent, dated April 10, 1606, erected two Compa- 
 nies, granting to them all the Northeast Coast of America, 
 which was then called Virginia. One of the Companies 
 was called Plymouth Company, who, for some time, traded 
 only with the natives of North Virginia, or now New- 
 England, for furs, and fished upon their Coast." Did this 
 grant to the Company suppose this Territory to be in the 
 grantor, and presuppose it a part of the British Empire ? 
 Just as much as if a Provincial Governour should erect 
 Companies, and grant them large tracts of the new disco- 
 vered world in the South Seas belonging to the Otaheits, 
 would suppose a right in the Governour to the land of the 
 Natives, and presuppose it a part of the Province he gov- 
 erned : a species of reasoning that the veriest tyro which 
 ever passed the hands of a common pedagogue might have 
 confuted. 
 
 About the year 1619 the Dissenters in England, to avoid 
 religious persecution, having purchased the Plymouth Pa- 
 tent of the Company, (to prevent pretensions for moles- 
 tation,) and obtaining another from King James of all New- 
 England, a hundred and fifty men embarked on board of 
 a Ship which arrived at Cape Cod in New-England, from 
 Plymouth, the 6th of September, 1620, where they built a 
 Town and called it by the name of New-Plymouth, and 
 elected John Carver their first Governour. The Indians, 
 continues the same historian, were at this time too much 
 engaged in wars among themselves to give these strangers 
 any disturbance ; and Massassoit, Prince of the Mussa- 
 
 chusett Nation, learning what a powerful people the English 
 were, made Governour Carver a visit the following spring, 
 and entered into an alliance offensive and defensive with 
 the English. This Prince also consented to acknowledge 
 the King of England his Sovereign, and made cession of 
 part of his Country to the new Planters. Several other 
 Sachems did the same, following his example, and desired 
 the protection of the English against their enemies, pro- 
 fessing themselves subjects to King James. Did the ces- 
 sion of this land to the English unite it to the British 
 Empire ? Did the Mother State enlarge and contract her- 
 self in proportion as our ancestors increased or diminished 
 their possessions in America 1 Did the natives subject 
 themselves and their lands to the operation of any law that 
 might pass the British Parliament, by acknowledging them- 
 selves the subjects of King James ? Or would a Charter 
 from His Britannick Majesty, granting them what was 
 their own before, have settled the matter? What nonsen- 
 sical conclusions, what complicated absurdities, will tory- 
 istical reasonings run us into. 
 
 In 1664 King Charles II. granted New-York, the Jer- 
 seys, and Pennsylvania to his brother, the Duke of York ; 
 the Duke granted over Pennsylvania to Sir William Penn, 
 who received an additional grant from the same King in 
 1680. Penn, says the historian, notwithstanding the 
 grants made him by the Crown and the Duke of York, 
 did not esteem himself the real proprietor of the lands 
 until he had given the Indians a valuable consideration for 
 their Country. He assembled, therefore, their Sachems 
 or Princes, and purchased countries of a very large extent 
 of them at a moderate price, which he paid to the entire 
 satisfaction of the natives. This flourishing Colony, when- 
 ever it wants to extend its settlements, it purchases new- 
 lands of the Sachems, and not from the Crown of 
 England. What suppositions and presuppositions would 
 our surreptitious land grantors raise from the above history r 
 Does it prove the right in the Crown ? Does it establish 
 the desiderata of the Tories ? 
 
 " If that authority was vested in the person of the King 
 in a different capacity, then the British Constitution and 
 Laws are out of the question, and the King must be abso- 
 lute as to us, as his prerogatives have never been limited." 
 To which we answer, that our Charter, and that alone, 
 brings the English Constitution and Laws into view, and 
 makes them necessary questions, let the King's authority 
 and capacity be as they may. It refers us to those as to 
 a standard (as it might as well have done to any other Con- 
 stitution and code of laws) to reduce to a certainty the 
 rights and privileges we were entitled to by our Charter ; 
 as also to point out and circumscribe the prerogatives of 
 the Crown. So that these prerogatives are as much limited 
 and confined in the Colonies as they are in England. 
 
 " Charter Governments must severally revert to abso- 
 lute monarchy, as their Charters may happen to be for- 
 feited by the grantees not fulfilling the conditions of them." 
 This goes entirely upon the supposition that the King was 
 the original owner and proprietor of the premises. This 
 is begging the question ; for we have shown, over and over, 
 that it is a baseless hypothesis, framed by court-undertakers 
 to support their darling plan ; thus obscuring truth, they 
 attempt to clothe the minds of their readers with darkness, 
 and feed them with errour. It is not only void of proof, 
 but, what is worse, in direct opposition to irrefragable argu- 
 ments, and the stubborn evidence of facts. If the condi- 
 tions on which the Charter was made are broken by the 
 one party or the other, (the grantees or the grantor,) the only 
 possible conclusion from thence is, that the compact is dis- 
 solved, and both set at large. 
 
 Our heroick writer, imagining that he had not quite fright- 
 ened away our senses, or reasoned us out of our rights and 
 liberties, attempts to smile away both. " It is curious, in- 
 deed," says he, with an air of ridicule, " to trace the denial 
 and oppugnation to the supreme authority of the State. 
 When the Stamp Act was made, the authority of Parlia- 
 ment to impose internal taxes was denied, but their right 
 to impose external ones, or, in other words, to lay duties 
 upon Goods and Merchandise was admitted. When the 
 Act was made imposing duties on Tea, &tc, a new dis- 
 tinction was set up, that the Parliament had a right to lay 
 duties upon Merchandise for the purpose of regulating 
 
293 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 294 
 
 Trade, but not for the purpose of raising a Revenue. That 
 is, the Parliament had good right and lawful authority to 
 lay the former duty of a shilling on the pound, but had 
 none to lay the present duty of three pence." If our 
 writer seriously believes this to be a fair representation of 
 the matter, he is certainly to be pitied, instead of being 
 reasoned with. The distinction set up is important, it is 
 substantial, it is this, that the British Parliament may have 
 good right and lawful authority to make a law to operate 
 in England within the jurisdiction of Parliament, where the 
 people are represented, for to lay a duty of one shilling, 
 or nineteen shillings, if you please, on the pound, for the 
 purpose of raising a revenue ; and yet have no authority or 
 right to make a law to operate within the Colonies beyond 
 the jurisdiction of Parliament, where the people are not 
 represented, for to lay a duty of three pence, or even the 
 infinitissimum of a farthing, for the same purpose. Ad- 
 mitting that some of the Whigs set up different though 
 consistent distinctions at different times, or rather, express- 
 ed the same distinction by different words, does it affect 
 the merits of the controversy? Does it not rather prove 
 that the Stamp Act, which ushered in the present ruinous 
 system of politicks, was such a novelty in Colony admin- 
 istration, and the principle it dragged after it such a mon- 
 ster in an English Constitution, as to render a description 
 of it difficult by terms and distinctions ? 
 
 Had we time for amusement, and to trace the Tories in 
 the route they have taken, we could give such a curious 
 history of their distinctions, contradictions, explanations, 
 and declarations, in nurturing of this despicable brat of 
 ministerial influence, if not in the unnatural part they 
 acted as midwives, to give it birth, as would grace the 
 Memoirs of Don Quixotte, or the most fantastick Knight- 
 errant that ever lived. When the Tea Act, with others, 
 passed, no American was found hardy enough openly to 
 assert a right in Parliament to tax the unrepresented in- 
 habitants of the Colonies; this was reserved as an exploit 
 for our undaunted writer. At that time the Tories, or 
 rather the friends to Government, as they call themselves, 
 to save appearance, conjured up from their own noddles 
 the ideas of a virtual representation ; we heard much about 
 the Americans being virtually represented in the British 
 Parliament. This for awhile was trumpeted forth by 
 every creature, or spawn of a creature, in the toryistical 
 choir. They hugged the unmeaning invention until, by its 
 becoming familiar, it grew contemptible ; at last with shame 
 they gave it up. However, it was succeeded by another 
 distinction from the same fountain (a Tory's fertile brain) 
 equally ridiculous. The duty upon Tea was no tax. It 
 was for the purpose of regulating trade. Nothing was a 
 tax that could possibly be eluded, as this might by not 
 consuming the dutied article. This was not long matter 
 of dispute. The Ministry had christened their own bant- 
 ling, they called it a tax ; its sponsors, or God-fathers in 
 America, rather than quarrel with their best friends, con- 
 sented, at length, to call it by its proper name. The cur- 
 tain is still kept drawn ; and the farce continues. It is next 
 admitted to be a tax, and that Parliament had no right to 
 impose it. But yet it was our duty to submit to it cheer- 
 fully, acknowledge the right of laying it, and in that way get 
 it removed. Having worried through all this series of con- 
 tradictions, with much more equally curious, to no purpose ; 
 being chagrined with disappointment, and provoked at their 
 own folly and stupidity, their last resort is to speak out, 
 and declare us slaves. This Massachusettensis was most 
 heroically resolved upon. He accordingly asserts that Par- 
 liament has a right to tax us ; a right to make laws binding 
 upon us in all cases whatsoever ; and that opposition to such 
 laws would be treason and rebellion. Such has been the 
 vile employment, the sordid drudgery of those engaged in 
 support of Court measures, though no person has reason 
 to grudge them their places and pensions, either in enjoy- 
 ment or expectancy, as compensations for their service. 
 Certainly those inferiour animals that are scattered up and 
 down through the Country, those jackals, which, like so 
 many satellites, have been revolving round some military 
 Officer or new made Justice, in expectation of titles, of 
 feathers, are much to be pitied. Poor things ! could their 
 leaders once get seated securely in the chair of greatness and 
 absolute power, this insignificant tribe of fawners, seekers, 
 and expectants, would be forever dismissed from their ser- 
 
 vice; and their greatest misfortune, perhaps, would be, that 
 they were once acquainted. To such, it is the advice of 
 a friend immediately to throw off the infatuation, put on 
 the man, and show the world they are not to be duped. 
 
 "It is of the last importance," says Massachusettensis, 
 " to settle this point, that is, the right of Parliament ; it will 
 (continues he) serve as a true test, certain criterion, and in- 
 variable standard, to distinguish the friends from the ene- 
 mies of our Country, patriotism from sedition, loyalty from 
 rebellion." 1 heartily subscribe to the justice of this ob- 
 servation, but commisserate the unhappy situation of its 
 author, if the friends and enemies of our Country should 
 be distinguished by this standard of his own erecting, w hich, 
 to do him justice, is the standard of truth. Weighed in 
 such an equitable and discriminating balance, we should 
 find all those fair pages of calumny which our author has 
 published to the world respecting the conduct of the Whigs, 
 converted into the sweetest encomiums ; and Massachu- 
 setteJisis would be but another name for treason ; the friends 
 to Government, order, and the laws, in the modern prosti- 
 tuted application of the words, and the advocates for in- 
 justice, oppression, tyranny, and rebellion, would become 
 synonymous terms. 
 
 After making some observations, which are nothing to 
 the purpose, unless the Colonies are annexed to the Realm, 
 which is not the case, nor ever will be ; and if they were, 
 it would not follow, if Guernsey and Jersey are enslaved, 
 that the Americans must be so too ; a clause from our 
 first Charter, too long to be repeated, respecting incorpora- 
 tion, is recited by our author, upon which he gravely asks 
 this simple question, " Whether it looks like a distinct or 
 independent State ?" We may fully answer him by another 
 question equally simple, viz : Is there a single word in it 
 that looks like uniting us to the British Empire, or sub- 
 jecting us to the authority of Parliament ? If it has not 
 this look, it does not look to the point ; for it is demonstra- 
 tion, as there was a time when the Colonies were disunited 
 from the Realm and the supreme authority of the Parent 
 State, that they are so now, unless there is evidence of a 
 subsequent connexion. It is to be wished that those who 
 keep eternally harping upon our being annexed to the Bri- 
 tish Realm, would point out the process that united us. 
 There is none in nature. I challenge them to produce 
 any. 
 
 The two next adduced paragraphs from our first Charter, 
 we have examined in our third and fourth numbers, and 
 have shown the first exactly to correspond with the rights 
 we contend for, and the latter to be absolutely inconsistent 
 with, and repugnant to, every principle and idea of our 
 being a part of the British Empire, and subject to its 
 Sovereign power. It is therefore unnecessary to take them 
 up in this place. 
 
 The last-recited clause from this Charter we have also 
 considered ; the substance of which is, that all and every 
 of the subjects of the King of England, his heirs and suc- 
 cessors, who should go to and inhabit in the Massachusetts 
 Colony, and all their children born in the said Colony, or 
 on the Seas, should have and enjoy all the liberties and 
 immunities of free and natural born subjects within any of 
 the Dominions of the King, his heirs and successors, to all 
 intents and purposes whatsoever, as if they were, and every 
 of them, born within the Realm. 
 
 " It is upon this clause, or a similar one in the Charter 
 of William and Mary, that our patriots have built up the 
 stupendous fabrick o( American independence." Be it so: 
 the foundation, were there no other, would sustain the 
 building; it is impossible to undermine it or explain it 
 away. 
 
 " I have already," says our writer, " shewn that the sup- 
 position of our being exempted from the authority of Par- 
 liament, is pregnant with the grossest absurdities." No 
 mortal, excepting himself, has ever been able to see those 
 absurdities. We have seen what such empty pretensions 
 amounted to in a past paper, and to whom the absurdities 
 were imputable. "Let us now," says he, "consider this 
 clause in connexion with other parts of the Charter." 
 Here we are led to expect some important reasoning ; how- 
 ever, a recital of his argument is its best confutation. 
 " If," says he, " we suppose this clause to exempt us from 
 the authority of Parliament, we must throw away all the 
 rest of the Charter, for every other part indicates the con- 
 
 * 
 
295 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 296 
 
 trary, as plain as words can do." This is considering the 
 clause in connexion with other parts. There is no end in 
 contradicting the mere assertions of one who lets his pen 
 run so freely. Read the Charter, and see if any part in- 
 dicates the contrary, unless profound silence upon the sub- 
 ject is taken for such an indication. 
 
 " What is still worse, this clause becomes fclo de se, and 
 destroys itself; for if we are not annexed to the Realm 
 we are aliens, and no Charter, grant, or other act of the 
 Crown can naturalize us, or entitle us to the liberties and 
 immunities of Englishmen." This is begging the question ; 
 it goes upon the old Jacobitish supposition deteriorated. It 
 supposes that within the Realm the subject holds all his 
 rights and liberties of the King, as the original possessor; 
 and that persons out of the Realm, in a state of nature, 
 possess no rights and liberties as men. In short, it sup- 
 poses Great Britain to be the grand and only store-house 
 of freedom, the dispenser of civil blessings, and that no part 
 of the wide world can be entitled to any liberties or immu- 
 nities, but what she, of her special grace and mere bounty, 
 is pleased to grant them ; whereas the truth is, we were 
 entitled to all the rights of Englishmen, independent of any 
 Charters or Realms under Heaven ; and surely we are not 
 the less so for having them confirmed by compact. 
 
 We shall waive what might be offered respecting 
 aliens' allegiance to the King, and the relation that Wales, 
 Jersey, Guernsey, and Ireland, stand in to the Realm of 
 England, as they do not affect the solution of our present 
 question. 
 
 More distortions, windings, and twislings, were never 
 crowded into so small a compass as in the paragraph we 
 are now considering. The following is diverting enough : 
 " If a person born in England removes to Irela?id, Jersey, 
 or Guernsey, and settles there, hfe is then no longer repre- 
 sented in the British Parliament, but he and his posterity 
 are, and will ever be, subject to its authority. So that the 
 inhabitants of the American Colonies do, in fact, enjoy all 
 the liberties and immunities of natural born subjects. We 
 are entitled to no greater privileges than those who are 
 born within the Realm ; and they can enjoy no other than 
 we do when they reside out of it. Thus it is evident that 
 this clause amounts to no more than the Royal assurance 
 that we are a part of the British Empire, and natural born 
 subjects, and as such bound to obey the supreme power of 
 the State." Such a concatenation of ideas were never 
 jumbled up together before. The clause grants to all per- 
 sons who were born within the Realm, and should come 
 and inhabit in this Province from time to time, as well as 
 to all their children born on the seas, or in this Colony, all 
 the liberties and immunities of free natural born subjects 
 within any of the King's Dominions, to all intents and pur- 
 poses whatsoever, as if they were born within the Realm 
 of England. The language of this clause, then, according 
 to our mysterious interpreter, to all those who come from 
 England here, would be this, viz: You who are born with- 
 in the Realm of England, and shall go and inhabit in the 
 Massachusetts Colony, shall have and enjoy all the liber- 
 ties and immunities that those have and enjoy who are 
 born within the Realm of England, and shall go and in- 
 habit in America. As great a solecism as ever entered the 
 head of man. If the accidental liberties that those per- 
 sons enjoy who are only born within the Realm, and re- 
 move to foreign parts, are to measure and point out ours, 
 how shall we ever know them ? Is Ireland, Guernsey, the 
 East and West-Indies, or Turkey, to decide the question 
 and define the rights of all America 1 for those born in 
 England have gone to, and enjoy different liberties in all 
 these places; and, according to our logician, if the Ameri- 
 cans enjoy as much liberty as those who were born in Eng- 
 land enjoy in any of those Dominions, even if it be in Tur- 
 key, we are entitled to no more. 
 
 This clause is so far from being the Royal assurance 
 that we are a part of the British Empire, and as such sub- 
 ject to its supreme authority, that it is directly the contrary. 
 Its meaning undeniably is, notwithstanding the violence of- 
 fered it by the Tories, who are pierced to, their very vitals 
 by its force, that we should enjoy all the privileges and 
 immunities that the inhabitants of Great Britain are enti- 
 tled to. What some of these were, we saw in our last 
 number. It can have no other meaning but this, which 
 will support that stupendous fabrick of American indepen- 
 
 dence which we have possessed and practised upon for a 
 century and a half, and which our patriots are struggling to 
 preserve against the storms, the sackings and sappings of 
 the Tories. 
 
 Whoever reads the Charter, continues lie, will meet 
 with irresistible evidence that our being within the jurisdic- 
 tion of Parliament were the very tenures by which they 
 held their estates. It is astonishing that any man will give 
 himself such liberties. Whoever reads the Charter with 
 an expectation of finding evidence of this, or any thing of 
 the kind, will most certainly find himself egregiously dis- 
 appointed. There is nothing from beginning to end that 
 looks any more like it than what may be found in the As- 
 sembly's Catechism, or the Pilgrim's Progress. 
 
 From the County of Hampshire. 
 
 ALEXANDER ELMSLY, AGENT OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY 
 OF NORTH-CAROLINA, TO SAMUEL JOHNSTON. 
 
 London, April 7, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Yours by Captain Scott came to hand in 
 due season, as did the money for Mr. Barker, which is at 
 his credit. Your bill £100, order Mr. Ferrear, was this 
 day paid. 
 
 Your politics are past my expectations, and out of my 
 reach. I thought incorporating you would not only have 
 remedied the disorder, but have given additional vigour to 
 the Constitution ; but, excepting our friend Mr. Barker, 
 nobody either here or there is of the same opinion ; there- 
 fore, I shall suppose, for the present, that he and I are mis- 
 taken, and wait with resignation the event of the measures 
 adopted on both sides of the water. 
 
 On our side they are as follows : — 
 
 Imo. The House of Commons have voted by resolve, 
 that if you will tax yourselves for the purpose of support- 
 ing your own establishments, and also contribute a certain 
 sum for the general safety, the amount of which to be satis- 
 factory to the King and Parliament, and to be at their dis- 
 posal, then the Parliament will desist from laying any further 
 taxes for the present. This, they say, is holding out to you 
 the olive branch ; I say it is a dirty, disgracing, degrading 
 expedient, compared to mine ; but it is so much akin to a 
 similar one proposed in the House of Lords by Lord Chat- 
 ham, and approved of by Franklin and the other Americans 
 here, that I must suppose myself again mistaken. 
 
 2< io - A bill has received the Royal assent for preventing 
 the four New-England Colonies from fishing, after the 25th 
 of June next ; and another has been read three times in the 
 House of Commons, for restraining the trade of all the as- 
 sociated Colonies to Great Britain and the British West- 
 Indies ; out of this restraint, however, Neiv-York and 
 North- Carolina are excepted ; the former because their 
 Assembly did not recognise the new laws, the latter for 
 reasons not generally known ; they are, however, one or all 
 of the following: 1st. Mr. Barker and myself, instead of 
 the Petition you sent us, (which contained, besides strange 
 inaccuracies, indirect reflections on the Parliament, or the 
 Ministry at least,) drew up a Memorial in more decent 
 terms, which we left a rough draught of with Mr. Pou nall, 
 the Secretary, for his inspection, previous to its being pre- 
 sented to the Board. This was about the 10th of Febru- 
 ary ; in two or three days we called to know his sentiments 
 on it ; he told us he had perused it, approved of it, and 
 pressed us much and repeatedly to have it lodged as soon 
 as possible, which was done the next day. Two or three 
 days after, Lord North moved for the Restraining Bill in the 
 House of Commons, and North- Carolina was and still is 
 left out. The next reason is, we have as yet received no 
 account of your Assembly, or rather the Members of it, 
 having ratified the new laws, nor have you been charged 
 with any excesses in the execution of them. The last, 
 and perhaps the best reason is, Govemour Tryon (who re- 
 turns to New* York immediately) is much your friend, and 
 I doubt not has exerted himself in your behalf accordingly. 
 Whether you will thank us for this distinction, or not ; 
 whether it will not be considered as opprobrious instead of 
 honourable; whether Mr. Barker and myself will be cen- 
 sured or not, as having been, in all probability, instrumental 
 in bringing it about, 1 do not pretend to say. But in our 
 defence, or rather in mine, for it was with much reluctance 
 he consented to suppress the Petition, you will take notice, 
 
297 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 298 
 
 that when your Memorial was presented, we had no idea 
 that such restraining bill was intended ; on the other hand, 
 should this exemption be received favourably, give us no 
 credit for it ; for, had it not been for a tenderness we had 
 for the reputation of your Assembly, as having been long 
 members of it, your Petition, exceptionable as it is, should 
 have been presented. I do not know whether you ever 
 perused it, but my objections to it were, first, that a memo- 
 rial from us was as good as it ; and next, that you generally 
 address the King as the people of New-England do each 
 other, in the third person ; for instance, you say, in more 
 places than one, " Your Majesty, in his great goodness, in 
 liis great wisdom," &tc, instead of " your goodness," fee. ; 
 this might have passed from a poor ignorant criminal, beg- 
 ging his life, but surely better things would have been ex- 
 pected from your Assembly. Besides this objection, there 
 was another: You say you have been taught to expect 
 redress from the Throne alone, i. e. you expect none from 
 the Ministry or the Parliament. How far you are well 
 grounded, I do not know ; but as I well know that none of 
 these petitions ever reach the Throne but through the 
 hands of the Ministry, to whom they are left as an ordinary 
 piece of business, I thought, and I slill think, it would have 
 been preposterous to have presented a petition, which, 
 amongst other things, sets forth that the petitioner, from 
 past experience, did not doubt of having his petition re- 
 jected. This objection, however, alone, would not have 
 had much weight, at least not enough to have prevented 
 our presenting the Petition ; but on account of both to- 
 gether, it was agreed to suppress it, and to substitute a Me- 
 morial in its room, and keep the whole a secret; and I am 
 not sure whether Mr. Barker would not be dissatisfied if 
 he knew that this matter had been communicated even to 
 you ; therefore pray say nothing about it. With respect to 
 the success of your Memorial, we can at present form no 
 judgment of it, but are told that by next packet the matter 
 will be settled ; and if no bad news arrives from Carolina 
 in the mean time, we hope it will be in part settled to your 
 satisfaction. 
 
 You ask Mr. Barker to let you know who it was that 
 first moved, here, against your Court laws. Neither he 
 nor I know certainly ; but when old Mr. McCulloh, as your 
 agent, first received an account of your Court Bill miscar- 
 rying, on account of an instruction to your Governour 
 against attachments, he hinted that Lord Hillsborough, then 
 Secretary of State for America, and Lord Hertford, then 
 and now Lord Chamberlain, and both Members of the Privy 
 Council, and North-of-Ireland men, and friends and neigh- 
 bours of your Dobbi's, might probably, at their solicitation, 
 have been the means of sending out the instruction. You 
 know Nash had an attachment depending against their es- 
 tate; this is only conjecture, but I think it probable; be- 
 cause, had the measure originated amongst the merchants, 
 we certainly should have heard of it long ago ; as you say, 
 however, it is not of much consequence now, as the new 
 laws have taken place, whether the old ones are restored 
 or not. 
 
 Old Franklin is gone to Philadelphia, some people say 
 to second Lord North's plan of your taxing yourselves ; 
 but I know nothing of the matter. 
 
 There is an account received that the Transports are 
 sailed from Cork, and next week, the Generals Howe, 
 Burgoyne, and Clinton, follow them from hence in a Man- 
 of-War ; some of these troops are destined for New- York, 
 and two companies, with a sloop, are to be sent to Georgia. 
 
 Should your Assemblies refuse to adopt Lord North's 
 plan, and our Parliament persevere, you will have another 
 new set of laws soon established. They say your seaports 
 are to be turned into garrison Towns, and the people of the 
 Country left at liberty to form any establishment they think 
 proper. Should this regulation take place, 1 hope you will 
 have no occasion to turn soldier. Ycur Governour, I sup- 
 pose, will take up his residence amongst the musquetoes at 
 Breacok, and you will be a Congress or Committee-man, 
 instead of a military man. I like neither character, but 
 hope you will never have occasion to take upon you the 
 latter especially. 
 
 Mrs. Elmsly joins me in compliments and best wishes to 
 you and yours. 
 
 I am, dear sir, j our affectionate friend and humble ser- 
 vant, Alexander Elmsly^ 
 
 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTKE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Chesterfield County, 
 held on the 7th of April, 1775, the proceedings of the 
 Convention were read and unanimously approved of. 
 
 Resolved, That we will, as soon as possible, promote and 
 further the establishment of Manufactories for the making 
 of Linen, Cotton, and Woollen Cloth ; and that we will give 
 encouragement to such persons as shall excel in the prepa- 
 ration of materials necessary for carrying on such manufac- 
 tories ; and also that subscriptions be opened in this County 
 by the several members of this Committee, for raising a 
 fund to support such Manufactories as may be determined 
 on in consequence of the foregoing Resolution. 
 
 Mr. John Brown, of Norfolk, having, by his behaviour, 
 incurred the censure of the people of this Colony ; 
 
 Resolved, That we will not hereafter transact any busi- 
 ness, or have any connexion with the said John Broion. 
 
 Captain Sampson, of the Ship Elizabeth, from Bristol, 
 having, by his conduct, incurred the general contempt and 
 resentment of the good people of this Colony ; 
 
 Resolved, That we will not hereafter have any inter- 
 course with the said Sampson, nor contribute to, or, as far 
 as in us lies, permit the loading of any Ship which he may 
 now or hereafter be concerned with ; and it is recommended 
 to the inhabitants of this County to adopt these Resolu- 
 tions. 
 
 Ordered, That these, and the Resolutions relative to the 
 Manufactories, be printed. Jerman Baker, Clerk. 
 
 ULSTER COUNTY (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Kingston, Ulster County, April 7, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the inhabitants of the Town of Kings- 
 ton, in Ulster County, a Committee of Observation was 
 chosen agreeable to, and for the purpose mentioned in the 
 Eleventh Article of the Association of the Continental Con- 
 gress, held at Philadelphia in September last. 
 
 The persons nominated and appointed for said Commit- 
 tee were, Oke Sudam, John Beekman, Johannes Perse, 
 Johannes Sleght, Hendrick Schoonmaker, Christian Fiero, 
 and Egbert Schoonmaker, who at their meeting the 6th 
 instant, chose Johannes Sleght for Chairman. 
 
 Information being then made to said Committee, that the 
 merchants and venders of East-India Tea had entered into 
 an association not to sell any East-India Tea, and that if 
 any person or persons should be guilty of selling or vend- 
 ing any of that commodity, that they should be published 
 in the publiek newspapers as enemies to the liberties and 
 privileges of American subjects ; which Articles were signed 
 by all the merchants and skippers who were possessed of 
 any East-India Tea, (Mr. Jacobus Low excepted,) who, 
 notwithstanding all the friendly admonitions and entreaties 
 to the contrary, declared he had, and would sell Tea. Upon 
 which information, this Committee resolved to send for Mr. 
 Low, thinking that time and mature deliberation, together 
 with their friendly advice, might be able to alter Mr. Low's 
 determination ; but all in vain : for he declared he was de- 
 termined to sell Tea as formerly he had done, and abso- 
 lutely refused to comply with the Articles agreed to by the 
 other merchants and skippers in said Town. 
 
 We, therefore, in faithfulness to the trust reposed in us, 
 and agreeable to the recommendation of the Congress, do 
 publish, and he, the said Jacobus Low, is hereby published 
 as an enemy to the rights and liberties of America; and 
 we do hereby declare, that we will henceforth abstain from 
 (and recommend it to others to abstain from) all kind of 
 connections and commerce with him, until such time as a 
 change in his conduct shall induce us to alter our determi- 
 nation. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee: 
 
 Johannes Sleght, Chairman. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 We, the subscribers, being desirous of attaining the Mili- 
 tary Art, do agree on the following Rules and Regulations, 
 viz : 
 
 1st. That we will meet at some place that shall be agreed 
 on by the Company, every Monday and Thursday even- 
 ing, for the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 2d. That on the first Monday evening of every month, 
 
299 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 300 
 
 (after the exercise is over,) we will choose a proper person 
 to instruct and preside over the Company : also a Clerk, 
 and any other Officers that may be judged necessary. 
 
 3d. That we will pay obedience and strict attention to 
 such as we shall appoint from time to time to instruct and 
 command the Company. 
 
 I'ortsiuouih, December 20, 1774. 
 
 April 6th, 1775. — The Company, taking into considera- 
 tion the shortness of the evenings, and their numbers being 
 so much increased that it is inconvenient to exercise any 
 longer within doors ; therefore, 
 
 Voted, That after the 10th day of April instant, we will 
 meet on the parade, or some other convenient place, on 
 Monday and Thursday mornings, precisely at sunrise. 
 
 Voted, That Dr. Hall Jackson, Messrs. James Sheafe, 
 George Hart, George Gains, and Jeremiah Libby, be a 
 Committee to wait on the Honourable Theodore Atkinson, 
 Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment to which we belong, and 
 request the favour of him to grant us liberty to beat a drum 
 to call the Company together; and also to present to him 
 a copy of our Rules and Regulations, that he may be con- 
 vinced that wc are not a Company detached from his regi- 
 ment and command. 
 
 Attest : J. Libby, Clerk. 
 
 Portsmouth, April 7, 1775. 
 
 SOUTHAMPTON (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee held at the Court-House for the Coun- 
 ty of Southampton, the eighth day of April, 1775, agree- 
 able to the Eleventh Article of the Continental Congress, 
 Present : Edwi?i Gray, Chairman, Thomas Williamson, 
 Richard Kcllo, James Ridley, George Gurley, Clerk, 
 Benjamin Rujfin, Peter Butts, Benjamin Clements, Jun., 
 Joshua Nicholson, Thomas Edmunds, Benjamin Rujfin, 
 Junior, and Thomas Blunt: 
 
 The Proceedings of the late Convention held at the 
 Town of Richmond, on the 20th of March, were laid before 
 the Committee, and being read and maturely considered, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Committee doth en- 
 tirely approve the Proceedings of the said Convention, 
 and that they will use every opportunity to recommend, in 
 the strongest manner, the several measures then adopted to 
 the people of this County. 
 
 Resolved, That the several members of this Committee 
 in their respective Districts (as laid off by a former Com- 
 mittee) endeavour to collect by subscription the sum of 
 Ten Pounds, for encouraging Mr. Tait's useful scheme for 
 making Salt ; and also Fifteen Pounds for the use of the 
 Deputies to represent this Colony in Continental Congress ; 
 and that such Money as may be collected be immediately 
 paid by the several collectors into the hands of Mr. Edwin 
 Gray and Mr. Henry Taylor, to be by them transmitted 
 to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, for the purposes 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved, That Monday, the 17th of this instant, be 
 appointed for the election of Delegates at the Court-House, 
 to represent this County in Provincial Congress ; and that 
 a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Clergymen 
 of the different Parishes of this County, requesting them to 
 publish the same in their respective Churches ; and also 
 that the Clerk of this Committee advertise the same at the 
 Court-House door on the next court day. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Benjamin Clements, Junior, Mr. 
 Benjamin Rujfin, Junior, and Mr. Joshua Nicholson, or 
 any two of them, be appointed to conduct the election of 
 the said Delegates. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be given 
 to Mr. Edwin Gray and Mr. Henry Taylor, our worthy 
 and patriotick Delegates ; at the same time assuring them 
 that they have conducted themselves entirely to their satis- 
 faction in the discharge of that important trust. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee be adjourned to Thursday, 
 the 13th day of this instant. 
 
 Thursday, April 13, 1775. 
 
 Present: Edwin Gray, Chairman, Henry Taylor, Ri- 
 chard Kello, Thomas Williamson, James Ridley, Benja- 
 min Rujfin, Benjamin Clements, Junior, Benjamin Rujfin, 
 Junior, Thomas Blunt, Thomas Edmunds, Joshua Nichol- 
 son, and John Thomas Blow. 
 
 This Committee taking under their consideration the 
 
 necessity of providing the Militia of this County with Am- 
 munition, and finding an improbability of collecting a sum 
 sufficient for that purpose in so short a time as they deem 
 necessary from the people of this County, do therefore 
 Resolve, That each member will most cheerfully deposit 
 the sum of Ten Pounds in the hands of Mr. Edwin Gray 
 and Mr. Henry Taylor, or either of them, for the purpose 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edwin Gray and Mr. Henry Tay- 
 lor inform the absent members of this Committee of the 
 preceding Resolution, requesting them to contribute the 
 sum of Ten Pounds each for the purpose therein men- 
 tioned. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edwin Gray and Mr. Henry Tay- 
 lor, or either of them, do, as soon as they have received 
 the Money so subscribed, or any other sums that may be 
 voluntarily advanced, make application to the Committee 
 appointed by the late Convention for procuring Ammuni- 
 tion, &c, for as much Powder and Lead as the money 
 they have received will amount to, in the proportion of one 
 pound of powder to four pounds of lead. 
 
 Resolved, That the Powder and Lead, when procured, 
 shall be stored in such convenient place or places as shall 
 be agreed on by this Committee, and be liable to any di- 
 rections of the same. 
 
 Silas Kirby, James Ingram, Josiah Kirby, and John 
 Simmons, voluntarily appeared before this Committee, and 
 acknowledged they had been guilty of violating the Eighth 
 Article of the Association, by Gaming at the said Silas 
 Kirby' s, and winning a small sum of money of a certain 
 Benjamin O'Donnello, a few days before; that it was an 
 errour they were unthinkingly led into, and are convinced 
 of its evil tendency ; that they are willing to refund every 
 thing won by them ; and they now assure this Committee 
 of a more strict compliance for the future with the several 
 Articles of the General Association. 
 
 This Committee therefore Resolve, That the said Silas 
 Kirby, James Ingram, Josiah Kirby, and John Simmons, 
 have been guilty of violating the Association ; yet, in con- 
 sideration of their candid behaviour before this Committee, 
 and their ever conforming to the Association before this, 
 their breach of it, hope the publick will join with them in 
 considering the aforesaid persons as not inimical to Ameri- 
 can liberty. 
 
 Resolved, That the Clerk of this Committee transmit a 
 copy of the proceedings thereof to Messrs. Dixon and 
 Hunter, requesting them to publish the same. 
 
 Edwin Gray, Chairman. 
 
 Samuel Kello, Clerk of the Committee. 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Prince William, April 8, 1775. 
 
 It is so true as to have become proverbial, that a drown- 
 ing man will catch at a straw. On this principle it is that 
 a despotick but almost despairing Ministry, having been 
 compelled by the wisdom, virtue, and firmness of North 
 America, to show a disposition to retract from their tyran- 
 nical system, are yet suspended in their determinations, 
 and find their hopes kept alive by the corruption of some, 
 by the folly and perverseness of others, on this side of the 
 Allantick. The most contemptible tales are magnified 
 into importance when the mind wishes them to be true, 
 and thus the lies of a Rivington, or the vanity of some 
 heavy-headed Virginian, will swell trifles into proofs of 
 disunion, and serve to persuade perseverance in measures 
 hurtful indeed to America, but certainly ruinous to Great 
 Britain. Among this tribe of mischief-working things may 
 be classed a senseless paper lately published in the Norfolk 
 Intelligencer, said to be " Instructions drawn up for the 
 Delegates to the Convention at Richmond, the 20th of 
 March, from a certain County in Virginia." Was this 
 curious production rejected by the sensible Printers in 
 Williamsburgh, which occasioned it to pass through that 
 common sewer of political falsehood, the Norfolk Intelli- 
 gencer 1 Though the framer of these Instructions certainly 
 wants sense, he may be allowed to possess some cunning, 
 because he has so contrived that willingness of mind, or 
 ignorance of fact, may both conclude a whole County in 
 Virginia to have perfidiously opposed the general union — 
 a union formed, both as to time and matter, on the unani- 
 
301 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 302 
 
 mous concurrence of this Country in August last, and final- 
 ly confirmed by the same unanimous approbation on the 
 20th of March succeeding. But let us consider what are 
 the motives and principles that probably govern this drawer 
 up of Instructions, (for we do not learn they were ever 
 signed,) thus to induce a belief so injurious to the fame of 
 any County. It could not be the little vanity of showing 
 how smoothly nonsense may be written, because the writer's 
 name being concealed, his share of this merit must be small 
 indeed. It could not conduce to procure an adoption of 
 his crude ideas at the Convention, because the publication 
 appears posteriour to the rising of the Convention. It 
 would seem, therefore, that this fiction was designed for 
 the bad purpose before-mentioned, of keeping up the delu- 
 sion in Great Britain, and comforting with hopes an almost 
 expiring, venal, despotick Administration. It is not pro- 
 per to insult the publick with a minute refutation of these 
 Instructions ; suffice it to observe, that the writer confesses 
 " the grand principal (we will suppose him here to mean 
 principles) for which we contend, are the rights of legisla- 
 tion and taxation ; of legislation respecting our internal 
 police, and of taxation independent of every power on 
 earth ;" which inestimable privileges, he farther declares, 
 " we will maintain at the risk of our lives and fortunes." 
 Bravo ! Our man grows bold here ; but presently, alas ! he 
 sinks again ! For if his Instructions mean any thing, they 
 mean to condemn the proceedings of the Congress, be- 
 cause the Quebeck Bill is beyond his "ideas;" because 
 suspending Commerce will be fatal to those who are endea- 
 vouring to rob us of what himself calls " inestimable privi- 
 leges;" and for a few other reasons equally cogent and 
 sensible. Such is the inconsistency and folly of the ene- 
 mies of America; for they are still enemies, whether 
 influenced by vanity or wickedness, or misled by want of 
 understanding. Americanus. 
 
 address of freeholders of fincastle county 
 (virginia) to lord dunmore. 
 
 To His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour- 
 General of the Colony of Virginia : 
 
 The Address of the Freeholders and a number of the In- 
 habitants of Fincastle County. 
 
 My Lord : Notwithstanding the unhappy disputes that 
 at present subsist between the Mother Country and the 
 Colonies, in which we have given the publick our senti- 
 ments, yet justice and gratitude, as well as a sense of our 
 duty, induce us collectively to return your Lordship our 
 unfeigned thanks for the great services you have rendered 
 the frontiers in general, and this County in particular, in 
 the late expedition against our enemy Indians. 
 
 In our former wars with the savages, we long suffered 
 every species of barbarity ; many of our friends and fel- 
 low-subjects were inhumanly butchered and carried into 
 captivity, more to be dreaded than death itself; our houses 
 plundered and burned, and our Country laid waste by an 
 enemy, against whom, from our dispersed situation, and 
 their manner of carrying on war, it was impossible to make 
 a proper defence on our frontiers. Your Lordship being 
 convinced of this, proposed to attack the enemy in their 
 own Country, well judging that it would be the most effec- 
 tual means to reduce them to reason, and be attended with 
 little more expense to the community than a partial de- 
 fence of such an extensive frontier. The proposal was 
 cheerfully embraced, and the ardour of the Militia to en- 
 gage in that very necessary service, could only be equalled 
 by that of your Lordship in carrying it on. That the plan 
 of an expedition should be laid when the season was far 
 advanced, and near three thousand choice Troops raised in 
 a few Counties, and put under the command of many 
 brave and experienced Officers ; that those forces should 
 be equipped and fully supplied with provisions, and march 
 several hundred miles through mountains to meet the ene- 
 my ; that so many Nations of warlike Indians should be 
 reduced to sue for peace ; that those Troops should return 
 victorious to their homes by the last of November; and all 
 this without any publick money in hand to defray any part 
 of the expense, shows at first view the immediate utility 
 ol the undertaking, and must be a convincing proof that 
 the Almighty, in a peculiar manner, blessed your Lord- 
 
 ship's attempts to establish peace, and stop the further effu- 
 sion of human blood ; but that your Lordship should 
 forego your ease, and every domestick felicity, and march 
 at the head of a body of those Troops many hundred miles 
 from the Seat of Government, cheerfully undergoing all 
 the fatigues of the campaign, by exposing your person, 
 and inarching on foot with the officers and soldiers, com- 
 mands our warmest returns of gratitude ; and the rather, 
 as we have no instance of such condescension in your 
 Lordship's predecessors on any similar occasion. 
 
 We should be wanting in point of gratitude, were we to 
 omit returning our thanks on this occasion to the Officers 
 and Soldiers who entered into the service with so much 
 alacrity. The memory of such as fell nobly fighting for 
 their Country ought to be very dear to it. 
 
 That your Lordship may enjoy every domestick bless- 
 ing ; that you may long govern the brave and free people 
 of Virginia, and that the present disturbances may be 
 amicably settled, is the ardent wish of the inhabitants of 
 Fincastle. 
 
 His Lordship's Answer. 
 I am very much obliged to the freeholders and inhabi- 
 tants of the County of Fincastle for their Address, and 
 am happy to find they think the service I undertook upon 
 the occasion of the Indian disturbances merits their pub- 
 lick thanks. I assure them that they will ever find me 
 equally ready to exert my best endeavours for every pur- 
 pose which may tend to the security or promote the happi- 
 ness of the people of Virginia. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Saturday, 8th 
 April, 1775, 
 
 Present: The Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Go- 
 vernour, Benjamin Chew, James Tilghman, Edward 
 Shippen, Esquires. 
 
 Pursuant to an Order in Council, on the 13th day of 
 March last, a draught of a Proclamation for recalling that 
 issued on the 2d of November, and confirming the Procla- 
 mation of the 15th of September last, agreeably to His Ma- 
 jesty's permission signified to the Governour by the Earl 
 of Dartmouth, was laid before the Board, and being duly- 
 considered was agreed to ; and the Governour, by the ad- 
 vice of the Board, issued the same this day in the follow- 
 ing words, viz : 
 
 By the Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Governour and 
 Commander-in-chief of the Province of Pennsylva- 
 nia, and Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and. Sussex, 
 on Delaware : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 Whereas, by my Proclamation bearing date the fifteenth 
 day of September last, I did enjoin and require all persons 
 residing to the Northward and Eastward of the lines and 
 boundaries theretofore run, and marked as boundaries and 
 division lines between the Province of Maryland and the 
 Province of Pennsylvania, and Counties of New- Castle. 
 Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, by Commissioners for that 
 purpose appointed and authorized, in pursuance of two 
 Articles of Agreement made between the proprietors of the 
 Province of Maryland and the proprietors of the Province 
 of Pennsylvania and the Counties of New- Castle, Kent, 
 and Sussex, on Delaware; and also in pursuanc eof two 
 several Decrees of the Lord High Chancellor of England, 
 for the specifick performance of the said Articles, to yield 
 obedience to the respective laws of the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania and Counties aforesaid on Delaware : And I did 
 further by my said Proclamation require all Magistrates, 
 Sheriffs, and other Officers of justice appointed or to be 
 appointed in the said Province and Counties, to put in 
 execution the respective laws thereof against all offenders 
 within the lines and limits aforesaid as by my said Procla- 
 mation may more at large appear : And whereas by my 
 other Proclamation, bearing date the second day of Novem- 
 ber last past, 1 did, in obedience to his Majesty's commands 
 signified to me by a letter from the Right Honourable the 
 Earl of Dartmouth, one of His Majesty's principal Secre- 
 taries of State, enjoin all Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other 
 
303 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 304 
 
 Officers of justice, to desist from exercising the jurisdic- 
 tion of Pennsylvania or the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, 
 and Sussex, on Delaivare, beyond those places where it 
 had been theretofore usually exercised, until His Majesty's 
 further pleasure should be known in the premises, any 
 thing in my former Proclamation to the contrary notwith- 
 standing : And whereas I am now informed by a letter 
 from the Right Honourable the Earl of Dartmouth, dated 
 the seventh day of January last, " that His Majesty, on 
 further consideration, hath been graciously pleased to ap- 
 prove of the arrangement made by my said Proclamation 
 of the fifteenth of September last, and permit me to recall 
 that of the second of November last:" I have, therefore, 
 thought proper, by the advice of the Council, to issue this 
 Proclamation, to make known the premises to all whom it 
 may concern hereby, in pursuance of His Majesty's plea- 
 sure and permission, revoking my said Proclamation of the 
 second of November last, and requiring all Officers and 
 others within the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties 
 of New- Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, to yield 
 obedience to, and in all things observe, the orders and in- 
 junctions in my said Proclamation of the fifteenth of Sep- 
 tember last contained, as they will answer the contrary at 
 their peril. 
 
 Given under my hand and the great seal of the Province 
 of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, the eighth day of April, 
 in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five, and in the fifteenth year of the reign of our 
 Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the grace of God 
 of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of 
 the Faith, and so forth. John Penn. 
 
 By his Honour's command : 
 
 Joseph Shippen, Jun., Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 The Governour at the same time communicated to the 
 Board a Letter he had just received from Governour Eden, 
 which follows in these words, viz : 
 
 Annapolis, March 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have taken the earliest opportunity to acknow- 
 ledge the receipt of your Honour's favour of the 16th in- 
 stant, and to acquaint you, that as I have not received any 
 notification of His Majesty's having on further consideration 
 been pleased to approve the arrangement made by your 
 Proclamation of the 15th September, and to permit you to 
 recall that of the 2d November last, I cannot think myself 
 justifiable in joining with your Honour to issue such a Pro- 
 clamation ; and am now, with the advice of my Council, to 
 request that you will suspend the issuing of the same until 
 such time as I can have an opportunity of hearing from 
 England, in hopes of preventing any disturbances that 
 may probably happen between the inhabitants of the two 
 Provinces, in consequence of the issuing a partial Procla- 
 mation. I am, with great respect, your Honour's most 
 obedient and most humble servant, Robert Eden. 
 
 His Honour John Penn, Esquire. 
 
 To which Letter the Governour, by the advice of the 
 Council, wrote the following answer at the table, viz: 
 
 Philadelphia, April 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have the favour of your Excellency's letter of 
 the 25th March. Considering what passed between us 
 the last summer on the subject, I rather wished than ex- 
 pected your concurrence in a Proclamation, and my last 
 letter was only meant to give you notice of my intention, 
 because I would choose to act in the most open manner. 
 
 If any dependance is to be had on my information, there 
 is no probability of a disturbance between the people of 
 the two Provinces. They are in general satisfied that the 
 jurisdiction of this Government must take place, and there- 
 fore wish to have it hastened ; nor can I imagine they will 
 give an opposition to a measure which 1 have His Majesty's 
 permission to take ; and I am persuaded such an opposition 
 will not be countenanced by the Government of Maryland. 
 I therefore flatter myself that your Excellency will not 
 think me unreasonable in persisting to issue a Proclamation 
 agreeable to the King's permission and the advice of my 
 Council. I am, with great regard, your Excellency's most 
 obedient and humble servant, John Penn. 
 
 To his Excellency Robert Eden, Esquire, Governour of 
 Maryland. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW- 
 YORK, DATED APRIL 8, 1775. 
 
 A number of the Inhabitants of Charlotte Precinct, in 
 this County, met yesterday, having notice for that purpose, 
 to signify their sentiments about choosing Deputies to meet 
 other Deputies from the several Counties, to appoint Dele- 
 gates for the ensuing Congress. It was agreed that the mat- 
 ter should be determined by vote ; and that the business 
 might be conducted with fairness and justice, Mr. Enos 
 Northrup was chosen by the friends of constitutional lib- 
 erty, and Cornelius Humphrey, Esquire, by the advocates 
 for a Congress, to preside and inspect the voting. Two 
 Clerks were also appointed. When the Poll was closed, 
 the number of those who were against Deputies and Dele- 
 gates, and on the side of the Constitution, was - - 140 
 For Deputies, - -- .- -.----35 
 
 Just as the poll was closing, a number of Constitution- 
 alists, about one hundred and ten, made their appearance ; 
 but they did not vote, as the opposite party gave up the 
 contest. 
 
 Dutchess County consists of eleven Districts, and only- 
 four of them have voted for Deputies, and Richmond, 
 Tryon, Cumberland, Charlotte, and Gloucester, will be 
 unrepresented in our Provincial Convention. 
 
 PROTEST OF THE FREEHOLDERS OF SEVEN PRECINCTS 
 IN DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Mr. Gaine : A Dutchess County Freeholder desires 
 you will publish the following Protest, as the inhabitants of 
 the seven Precincts first mentioned therein have been in- 
 formed that Robert R. Livingston, Jun., Egbert Benson, 
 and Morris Graham, Esquires, have been deputed to repre- 
 sent the County of Dutchess; but by what kind of law- 
 casuistry a representation of the County is made by three 
 Deputies, we are at a loss to guess, unless a small and dis- 
 appointed minority can be supposed to represent a large 
 and respectable majority. If any of the minority enter- 
 tain the least doubt that the Protest does not express the 
 sense of the Precincts therein mentioned, formal and ample 
 testimonies of its authenticity shall be sent you : 
 
 The Inhabitants of the seven Precincts of BeeJcman's, 
 Pawling's, Southeast, Fredericksburgh, Philipse, Char- 
 lotte, and Poughkeepsie, in the County of Dutchess, com- 
 posing at least three-fourths of the inhabitants of the said 
 County, take this publick method of protesting against the 
 appointment of any person or persons that may be deputed 
 from the Precincts of America, Northeast, Rhynbeck, and 
 Rhumbout, to represent the said County as Deputies in a 
 Provincial Congress, intended, as they are informed, to be 
 assembled at New-York, on the 20th instant, as five of the 
 Precincts first mentioned are almost unanimously opposed 
 to all unconstitutional representations not warranted by the 
 laws of the land, a very great majority of the Precinct of 
 Charlotte, and a majority of one hundred and ten to sev- 
 enty-seven, in the Precinct of Poughkeepsie. The seven 
 Precincts above mentioned, confide solely in the mode of 
 application for redress of grievances adopted by their loyal 
 and patriotick Assembly, whose proceedings on this head 
 they most heartily approve of, convinced that they ought 
 not, they will not adopt any other mode of application, 
 but stand ready, at all times, to evince their loyalty to their 
 gracious Sovereign, their firm attachment to the Constitu- 
 tion, and their steady opposition to every seditious and trea- 
 sonable act derogatory to either. 
 
 New- York, May 1, 1775. 
 Mr. Gaine : In your last Paper appeared an uncommon 
 advertisement, with a Protest annexed, as was said from 
 the Freeholders of seven Precincts, which were said to 
 contain three-fourths of the inhabitants of Dutchess Coun- 
 ty. I choose to make no reflections on the author, since I 
 would not wish to heighten the resentment or contempt of 
 the County in which he lives ; but, in justice to the County 
 of which I am a freeholder, I hereby challenge him to show 
 that that Protest was ever publickly read, or approved by 
 any one of the Precincts he mentions, before it was pub- 
 lished. I likewise deny, and call upon him to prove that 
 the seven Precincts, in whose name, (but without whose 
 authority) the above Protest was published, contains above 
 
305 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 306 
 
 half of the freeholders of Dutchess County, after deducting 
 those that voted for Delegates in Poughkecpsie and Char- 
 lotte Precincts, although lie so confidently asserts that they 
 contain three-fourths. But that the publick may no longer 
 be deceived by more presentations of the state of that 
 County, I am willing to put it upon this issue : the County 
 of Dutchess contains eighteen hundred freeholders; if the 
 author of the Protest will publish a list of six hundred 
 freeholders that are opposed to the election of Delegates, 
 or will sign his Protest, I undertake to show double the 
 number who approve of their appointment. 
 
 A Freeholder of Dutchess County. 
 
 N. B. No person will be considered as a freeholder, 
 whose Precinct is not annexed to his name, as that is the 
 only way to guard against misrepresentations. 
 
 New-York, May 15, 1775. 
 Mr. Gaine : As in this season of publick distress, every 
 altercation that may tend to promote divisions and animosi- 
 ties, ought carefully to be avoided ; and as a coalition of 
 parties in the County of Dutchess will probably very soon 
 take place, and a proper union between its inhabitants es- 
 tablished, no reply, for the above reasons, will be sent you 
 in answer to the observations in one of your last Papers, on 
 the Protest from that County ; instead of which, as it may 
 be somewhat satisfactory, you may assure the publick that 
 the numerous body of freeholders and inhabitants who have 
 heretofore been averse to the nomination of Committees, 
 opposed solely from a virtuous principle of promoting there- 
 by the real interests of their Country. They conceived, and 
 had good reasons to believe, that as the mode of application 
 for redress of grievances adopted by their Assembly was 
 the only constitutional one, it would most probably be at- 
 tended with the desired effect ; and that no motives un- 
 friendly to the liberties of their Country ever influenced 
 any part of their conduct, when opposed to Committees. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF MONTREAL TO THE COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Montreal, April 8, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received your letter of the 21st of 
 February, by Mr. Brown, and see clearly the great injus- 
 tice that has been done you. We deeply feel the sorrow 
 and afflictions of our suffering brethren, and sincerely wish 
 it was in our power to afford you effectual relief; but alas, 
 we are more the objects of pity and compassion than your- 
 selves, who are now suffering under the heavy hand of 
 power, deprived as we are of the common rights of the 
 miserable, to complain. You have numbers, strength, and 
 a common cause to support you in your opposition. We 
 are still more divided here by our interests than by our re- 
 ligion, language, and manners; and the apprehensions of 
 evils to come upon us in a short time, from the unlimited 
 power of the Governour, strikes all opposition dead. In- 
 deed few in this Colony dare vent their griefs, but groan 
 in silence, and dream of lettres de cachet, confiscations, 
 and imprisonment, offering up their fervent prayers to the 
 throne of grace to prosper your righteous cause, which 
 alone will free us from those jealous fears and apprehensions 
 that rob us of our peace. In a word, we are the British 
 inhabitants of this widely extended Province, united in 
 their sentiments. We have neither numbers nor wealth 
 sufficient to do you any essential service. We must, there- 
 fore, cast ourselves into the arms of our sister Colonies, 
 relying upon the wisdom, vigour, and firmness of the Gen- 
 eral Continental Congress for our protection, and hoping 
 they will entertain no animosity or resentment against us 
 because we cannot join them in the ensuing General Con- 
 gress, which, were we to attempt, the Canadians would 
 join the Government to frustrate. You will please to bear 
 in mind, that not only those who hold the helm of Govern- 
 ment, but also all those who make wealth or ambition the 
 chief object of their pursuit, are professedly your enemies, 
 and would be glad to reduce you to the same abject state 
 with themselves. Nevertheless, the bulk of the people, 
 both English and Canadians, are of quite contrary senti- 
 ments, and wish well to your cause, but dare not stir a finger 
 to help you, being of no more estimation in the political 
 machine than the sailors are in shaping the course, or work- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 ing the ship in which they sail. They may mutter and 
 swear, but must obey. However, should Government 
 handle them too roughly, and arbitrarily attempt to force 
 them upon dangerous and disagreeable service, to which 
 they have already shown an irreconcilable aversion, they 
 may, perhaps, dearly repent it. 
 
 The case is rpiite different with their noblesse, or gentry. 
 The pre-eminence given to their religion, together with a 
 participation of honours and offices, in common with the 
 English, not only flatters their natural pride and vanity, 
 but is regarded by them as a mark of distinction and merit, 
 that lays open their way to fortune ; of liberty or law, they 
 have not the least notion. 
 
 As to the savages that dwell' round about us, doubtless 
 there are some to be found among them, who, for the sake 
 of plunder, would murder, burn, and destroy ; but we con- 
 ceive that their Chiefs know their own interests better than 
 to interfere as a Nation in this family quarrel ; for let which 
 side will prevail, they are sure, in that case, to be the vic- 
 tims. 
 
 We desire to know whether English Delegates would 
 be accepted under the above-named limitations, namely : 
 without entering into the General Association for the non- 
 importation of goods from Great Britain, or the non-ex- 
 portation of the produce of this Colony, and the India 
 Countries above ; and beg to be informed in what manner 
 we can be serviceable to your cause, without bringing down 
 ruin upon our own heads. It may not be amiss just to 
 hint that the idea the Canadians seem to have of this Col- 
 ony at present, is, that it is to be a French Government, 
 holding under the Crown of Great Britain, from which 
 they mean to exclude every Englishman, save the Gov- 
 ernour and Lieutenant Governour. 
 
 We heartily wish our abilities to serve you were equal 
 to our wills, and pray Heaven to prosper your generous 
 purpose ; and are, with the utmost consideration and feeling 
 for your distresses, gentlemen, your most obedient and very 
 humble servants and fellow-sufferers, 
 
 Thos. Walker, James Price, 
 John Wells, Wm. Haywood. 
 
 P. S. It is our earnest request that this letter may not 
 be published, for fear of bad consequences to the sub- 
 scribers. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN NEW-YORK, DATED 
 
 London, April 10, 1775. 
 
 The quality at the court-end despise the poor and indus- 
 trious, and are obliged now to inform the mob that their 
 brethren in America are to be slaughtered by the large 
 Fleet and Army now ready to sail against them. The people 
 are kept in total ignorance of publick affairs, and the wis- 
 dom of our Senators is to deceive those they are chose to 
 protect. There are to be two thousand pounds added to 
 the King's salary, with a present, to pay his household debts 
 of some thousands. When the budget opens, fine work 
 how this money will be raised, and each common shop pay 
 ten pounds, or fifteen pounds sterling tax. Every thing is 
 taxed but the publick places of diversion ; and they are so 
 filled with people, so numerous, and cause so large a circu- 
 lation of cash, that they are the only blessing the people 
 think are left them ; for they make the rich spend their 
 money, and the sharpers get it. All this is the wise people 
 who are to have the collecting of your taxes, and to sup- 
 port this mode are the mighty preparations of war. Oh, God! 
 who beholds the inhabitants of the earth, and hears the cries 
 of the poor ; who understands judgment, and rules in right- 
 eousness, look on America, and keep the land from being 
 polluted with the sins of the Mother Country. Oh, if I 
 dare write what I wish you all to do — what you can do, 
 and what Providence seems to intend you shall do ! 
 
 If you submit, all will be forever lost ; a curse on your 
 names, and your estates confiscated by those bills of attain- 
 der that are ready to pass against you. 'Tis impossible to 
 describe the ruin that is studied ; the load of taxes ; the 
 number of placemen to be saddled on you. The land is to 
 be confiscated, and the King an arbitrary Monarch. He 
 is determined to be arbitrary, and consults no one who will 
 not encourage his universal sway. He lives retired ; only 
 three times a week goes to the publick diversions, pantheon, 
 
307 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 308 
 
 plays, operas, and lias given fifteen hundred pounds to an 
 Italian singer. The young Prince is to go to housekeep- 
 ing t his spring, and (he men appointed to attend his levee 
 are of such a complexion as forebodes evil. 
 
 Four thousand of the new Army, with Colonel Howe, are 
 to hoist the fiai^ at New-York, and stop all communication 
 with New-England. If the Fleet sails, you must fight or 
 be destroyed ; for the Ministry are determined to destroy 
 your trade, to ruin the growth of the Colonies, and to stop 
 all the blessings Heaven has given you. Get ready to fight, 
 for nothing can save you but the power of the Colonies 
 and their own strength, and to America will England owe 
 their liberty or he ruined. Several gentlemen called on 
 me, and desired me to write to you to arm immediately. 
 Get ready to receive ten thousand men and four hundred 
 sail, and you are to find provisions and pay them yourselves. 
 New charters are ready now ; for your money, the soldiers 
 have orders to fight ; new cannon, guns, powder, and ball, for 
 war and blood ! The cry of blood is gone out against you. 
 
 Your fate now depends on the brave and spirited con- 
 duct of yourselves. You see the diabolical plot is deep 
 laid against you ; and by bribes and undue influence, has 
 obtained the late and the present Acts for blocking up your 
 Trade, and taking those unwarrantable measures against the 
 Colonies and the sense of the people. 
 
 This day will be remembered in history; for John Wilkes 
 and the King to meet on such a solemn occasion, no less 
 than the lives and property of all America and the whole 
 English Nation. Great will be the event of this day. 
 The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Liverymen, Recorder, Re- 
 membrancer, and City Officers, all went in procession. A 
 copy of the King's answer is to be sent to you. This 
 answer will rouse up the blood of the English, and all 
 America will see that they must fight, and that they have 
 no hopes left. The glory of old England is no more ! 
 All is lost ! God is about to move the Kingdom ; and soon, 
 very soon, the King will see his counsellors have deceived 
 him, and the people of England will not bear their insults. 
 The Bank and the Stocks will fail, as no trade is carried on 
 with spirit until the spring; and now all begins to stop ; 
 all things are in an uproar ; the City is affronted ; the people 
 insulted ; the Island of Great Britain exposed to the 
 French and the Spaniards ; no remittances from the mer- 
 chants as usual; the great expense to keep up the war, 
 together with fighting against their own people, (and in the 
 most unjust cause that ever disgraced a Kingdom.) All 
 men of sense are astonished and tremble. England has 
 taken her last legal steps, and done all they lawfully can 
 do, and now depend on the Americans to help themselves, 
 and on their own feelings ; that the Americans will act like 
 men of virtue and wisdom, and that all will oppose the 
 greatest tyrant that ever yet was seen, who now is hardened 
 Pharaoh like. 
 
 The Quakers in England have petitioned the King 
 themselves, as a people, and now attended the City Peti- 
 tion, all in one voice against the Ministry, and are all faith- 
 ful to the people in America. The Quakers are the most 
 hearty in the cause, and see the dreadful consequences of 
 a civil war. Our forefathers did not think that ever a King 
 of England, would break his oath, and murder his subjects 
 in cold blood, and take their money, or rob his people, 
 without giving them any opportunity to defend themselves 
 but by the sword. This is dreadful, and dreadfully true. 
 May the God of our forefathers direct you so to defend 
 your rights and property, as will teach us to depend on the 
 justice of our cause, and the hearty love of our country, in 
 full confidence of a complete victory. This is the hearty 
 prayer of thousands. 
 
 The continual inquiries are, how will the Colonies behave ? 
 Will they act like men ? Or are they such poltrons as 
 Lord Sandwich said they were ? In his speech in the 
 House of Lords, he said that the Americans are cowards; 
 will not fight; are men of a mean spirit; dastardly pol- 
 trons; all noise and bully ; that a few soldiers would soon 
 make them submit. But God forbid that my worthy friends 
 in America should add disgrace to ruin, and make the cause 
 of God and man of no effect. The Fleet is sailed or sail- 
 ing. General Gage has drawn bills on the Treasury, 
 £2400, for secret services, to pay the tools of Government 
 in all the different Colonies. Such bad policy must bring 
 on ruin. Many of the hungry dependants on the King 
 
 have asked for places ; and you will not only have taxes to 
 pay, and a Standing Army set over you, but you will have 
 all those vile cattle to maintain. You will have all your 
 blessings taken away if you submit. But if you stand firmly 
 out, and demand your rights, and are determined to fight, 
 the Ministry will be obliged to send you offers of peace, 
 and make satisfaction for all the damage you have already 
 sustained, and be glad of a reconciliation, for England 
 cannot possibly live without you. The silence of the peo- 
 ple was occasioned by fear of the Bank, as the National 
 debt is so great ; but now, the Tobacco and Oil, and other 
 revenues from America, bring to England two millions. 
 This is proved from the Custom-House books, which the 
 Chamberlain of London has been at the expense and 
 trouble to collect and lay before the King. Yet his heart 
 is hardened like iron, and, as Pharaoh, he will drive his 
 chariot into the German Sea, not without a host of his 
 Nobles to attend him. 
 
 prince george's county (Maryland) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Prince 
 George's County, at the house of Richard Carnes, in Pis- 
 cataway, on Monday, the 10th day of April, 1775, were 
 present thirteen Members. 
 
 By a letter from the Committee at Baltimore, of the 
 15th ult., it appears that a Brig, called the Sally, William 
 Moat master, from Bristol, having four thousand bushels 
 of Salt on board, imported since the first of February last, 
 arrived there lately, consigned to Doctor John Stephenson. 
 That part of the said Salt was put on board three or four 
 crafts, supposed to be intended for sale in the different 
 Rivers in this Province, and that one Bailey, in a Sloop, 
 took part of said Salt. And it appearing to this Commit- 
 tee, from the information of Messrs. William Lyles, Jr., 
 George Fraser Hawkins, and Hezekiah Wheeler, that 
 they had, on or about the 15th of March, purchased of one 
 Thomas Bailey a parcel of fine Salt, since suspected to be 
 part of the above, the aforesaid Thomas Bailey appears, 
 and being informed of the above, declares his concern that 
 he should have been unguardedly led into a step that he 
 now finds to have been wrong ; and that, to shew the sin- 
 cerity of such declaration, voluntarily consents and requests 
 that the Salt sold as above be destroyed ; on which he fully 
 gives up all claim against the persons to whom he had sold 
 the same, and requests the determination of the Committee 
 be postponed, as he can furnish evidence from Baltimore 
 to prove his innocence: on which it is referred to this day 
 fortnight. Mr. Carries, Mr. Thomas Dent, Mr. Richard 
 Dent, Mr. Edward Edelen, and Mr. George Diggs, or 
 any two of them, are appointed to see the Salt destroyed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation, for 
 Prince George's County, at the house of Mr. Richard 
 Carnes, in Piscataway, on Saturday, the 27th day of May, 
 1775, were present nineteen Members. 
 
 The said Thomas Bailey failing to appear, according to 
 the former reference, with the evidence proposed from Bal- 
 timore, the Committee proceeded to consider the charge 
 against him ; and as it appeared from the said Bailey's own 
 declaration, that he was informed at Alexandria, before he 
 landed the aforesaid Salt, that the ship load of Salt which 
 arrived at Baltimore, consigned to Doctor John Stephenson, 
 was declared to be illegally imported, and ordered to be 
 destroyed, 
 
 They do Resolve, That the said Thomas Bailey has com- 
 mitted a wilful violation of the Continental Association, by 
 selling and landing Salt imported in the Sally, Captain Moat. 
 
 The Committee being informed that Mr. John Baynes, 
 of Piscataway, had killed a Lamb, contrary to the Resolve 
 of the Provincial Convention, held at Annapolis in De- 
 cember last, Messrs. Luke Marbury and George Diggs 
 were sent to inform him that the Committee desired his 
 immediate attendance. Mr. Baynes appeared, and being 
 informed as above, acknowledged that he had killed a Lamb, 
 and conceived that he had not thereby violated the Conti- 
 nental Association, which he purposed to adhere to, and 
 thought it superiour to the Provincial Convention, which, 
 he conceived, was only intended to carry the Resolves of 
 the Continental Congress into execution. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Mr. Baynes, in killing the said 
 
309 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 310 
 
 Lamb, has violated llie Resolve of the Provincial Conven- 
 tion; that such measures may be of mischievous conse- 
 quence, as tending to create a disregard to publick regula- 
 tion, formed for preserving the liberties of America. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of these proceedings be signed 
 by the Chairman, and sent to be published in the Mary- 
 land Gazette. Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Josias Beall, Chairman. 
 
 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Anne Arundel County, held at Mr. Isaac McHard's, the 
 10th of April, were present forty-three Members. 
 
 It being moved that a Paper printed in the Publick 
 Ledger of the 4th of last January, entitled, " Facts rela- 
 tive to the Riot at Annapolis in Maryland," be read, and 
 the motion being seconded, the Paper aforesaid was read 
 accordingly by the Clerk : 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the said Paper be reprinted 
 in the Maryland Gazette. 
 
 2. Resolved unanimously, That the said Paper con- 
 tains a false, scandalous, and malicious narrative of facts 
 invented by the author, or so disguised and misrepresented, 
 that when they border upon truth, and even seem to 
 assume its semblance, they are devoid of its reality. 
 
 3. Resolved unanimously, That the Author of the said 
 Paper has designedly injured, against the conviction of his 
 own conscience, the characters of the gentlemen mentioned 
 and alluded to in his publication, gentlemen of approved 
 worth ; that he has cast unjust and invidious aspersions on 
 a great number of very respectable inhabitants of this and 
 two adjoining Counties, by representing them as a lawless 
 mob, ignorant of their interests, or too lazy to be at the 
 trouble of investioatinir them. 
 
 O __ 
 
 4. Resolved unanimously, That the Author has mani- 
 fested an inveterate enmity to the liberties of this Prov- 
 ince in particular, and of British America in general, by 
 insinuating the necessity of introducing a military and mer- 
 cenary force to support the Civil Government, and to secure 
 obedience to the Laws of this Colony : that, by a sugges- 
 tion so false and so malicious, he has inadvertently disco- 
 vered his political opinion, that these Colonies ought, and 
 his secret wish that they may be forced to submit to the 
 arbitrary decrees of a despotick Ministry and a servile 
 Parliament. Isaac McHard, Clerk Committee. 
 
 Facts relative to the Riot at Annapolis, in Maryland. 
 
 Nothing but a civil war at home can be so pernicious 
 and detrimental to this Nation, as a contest with the Colo- 
 nies driven to too great a length, as they are connected 
 with the Mother Country by every social tie subsisting 
 between subjects of the same Empire divided by so great a 
 distance ; the commerce of the one, and the defence of the 
 other, depending in a great measure on a mutual harmony 
 and good understanding with each other; in a word, they 
 may be said to be linked together by the strongest inte- 
 rests, those of protection and profit. 
 
 This being the case, it is not surprising that every piece 
 of intelligence on a subject so important and consequential 
 to the community at large, should be received by every 
 individual with the utmost avidity ; for it is next to impos- 
 sible for any British subject to be so neutral or disinterested 
 in a matter so momentous as the present unhappy situation 
 of our affairs on the Continent of America, as not to wish 
 to be acquainted with the proceedings there, however 
 limited and confined they may be in their nature, and pri- 
 vate in their consequences. I hope, on this account, the 
 following narration, taken from the best and most authen- 
 tick authorities, will be agreeable to the publick, as from it 
 may be deduced the real source and primary causes of the 
 riot at Annapolis in Maryland, in which the Brigantine, 
 called the Peggy, laden with Teas, was burnt; but I ima- 
 gine some will scarcely believe that " an Officer in his 
 Majesty's Revenue" was the principal abetter and promo- 
 ter of the riot, though this was actually the case. 
 
 At the first publick meeting at Annapolis on American 
 affairs, after the passing the Boston Port Bill, a resolution 
 was proposed and zealously supported by many members 
 at the meeting — " That the gentlemen of the Law should 
 
 decline bringing any action for debts clue to persons in 
 Great Britain." The passing so dishonest a resolution, 
 however necessary and convenient it might appear to some 
 people in trade, was too pregnant with injustice to meet 
 with general approbation ; for the honest and thinking tra- 
 ders plainly foresaw that this measure, calculated only to 
 serve the private purposes and views of a few individuals, 
 would, in the end, greatly prejudice and injure the general 
 credit of the Province, and prove extremely prejudicial to 
 its commerce ; therefore a strong opposition was formed, 
 and a spirited protest was entered against the resolution, in 
 both of which Mr. Stewart, one of the owners of the Brig- 
 antine, distinguished himself, and bore a very active share 
 therein. 
 
 But notwithstanding that the opposition of the protes- 
 ters against this dishonest and illegal resolution seemed to 
 give general satisfaction, and met with almost universal 
 approbation, as appeared by that measure never having 
 again been proposed to be adopted at any of the future 
 meetings; nevertheless Mr. Stewart's conduct therein pro- 
 cured him many enemies amongst those whose interest was 
 injured; and it afforded matter for calumny and com- 
 plaint to many of the neighbouring Merchants, who did not 
 fail to embrace the first opportunity which happened by 
 the arrival of the Brigantine with Teas on board, of gra- 
 tifying their spleen and malice, and satiating their diaboli- 
 cal resentment and revenge, by endeavouring the ruin, 
 perhaps the death of the man who had honestly dared 
 actively to oppose these dishonest designs. 
 
 By the Brigantine, Messrs. Williams, the gentlemen to 
 whom the Tea was consigned, had also fortunately received 
 a plentiful supply of other goods from London ; this gave 
 umbrage to some of their neighbours who had been disap- 
 pointed of the goods they intended to lay in before the 
 Association or Non-Importation Agreement, which was then 
 generally expected, and which has actually taken place, 
 should operate ; amongst these there was one house, a 
 branch of a mercantile one in London, and of which Mr. 
 Davison, Deputy Collector and Deputy Comptroller is a 
 partner, to which the Messrs. Williams were likely to 
 become formidable rivals in trade, who had the misfortune 
 to have a vessel, on board of which the goods were ship- 
 ped, stranded in the English Channel. Chagrined at their 
 own disappointment, and determined that Messrs. Williams 
 should not reap the benefit of this seasonable supply by the 
 Peggy Stewart, resolved also to wreak their vengeance 
 on Mr. Stewart. They used every means to inflame the 
 populace, not only to prevent the landing of the Tea, but 
 also to procure its destruction. 
 
 In this dilemma, Messrs. Williams adopted the only 
 prudent method they had left to extricate themselves from 
 the impending danger. Aware of the machinations of their 
 enemies, they wisely refused to enter the Teas, or pay the 
 duties, imagining that thereby the people would be satisfied, 
 and that the Teas being seized for non-payment of the duties, 
 the Officers of the Customs would in that case be obliged to 
 land them, even at the risk of tarring and feathering. 
 
 But Mr. Stewart, as an owner of the vessel, anxious 
 for despatch, in order that she might proceed to another 
 port, too precipitately, as appeared by the issue, settled 
 the matter otherwise. He agreed to deposit a bill of ex- 
 change at the Custom-House, as security for the duty of the 
 Teas, which was the very point his enemies wished ; for by 
 this measure he laid himself open to the most virulent 
 attacks malice could invent to excite the populace against 
 him, which would end in his destruction. 
 
 To forward their malicious and infernal designs, the 
 officer of the revenue before mentioned, although the 
 house of which he was a partner had, unmolested, three 
 months before, landed Teas, used every means in his power, 
 personally, and by the interest of his partner, who is under- 
 taker of the publick buildings, and by the means and 
 assistance of every friend and dependant they had in the 
 neighbourhood, endeavoured to stir up the populace against 
 Mr. Stewart, in which they proved but too successful; for 
 having depicted his proceedings as a crime of the most 
 atrocious nature, giving out "that it was done intentionally 
 to entail slavery and heavy taxes on the Americans, and to 
 strike at the root of, and tear up every privilege British sub- 
 jects possessed on the Continent of America," the minds of 
 the people were so inflamed, that they threatened death to 
 
311 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 312 
 
 Mr. Stewart, and desolation to his store and dwelling- 
 bouse. 
 
 Tlie mob of Maryland, like the common people of all 
 Countries, are ever ready to receive the first impressions ; 
 and being too lazy or too ignorant to inquire or examine 
 into causes or complaints, they are ever violent in their 
 proceedings ; and when a notion is once impressed on 
 them, it is scarcely to be effaced by reason. Can it then 
 be surprising that the Committee who met to inquire into 
 the merits of the affair (inflamed as they were by the 
 incendiaries who set them on) could not put a stop to their 
 rage, though a great majority of the Committee were of 
 opinion that the destruction of the Tea, and a publick 
 acknowledgment of the fault from the parties, was a suffi- 
 cient atonement for the trespass ? Is it surprising that this 
 should not appease, when the death or destruction of Mr. 
 Stewart only could have satiated their vengeance ? 
 
 To avert so great a calamity, some of Mr. Stewart's 
 friends proposed " that the Vessel with the Tea on board, 
 should immediately be burnt," which was executed almost 
 as soon as proposed, and the happy expedient had the 
 desired effect. The mischief they had perpetrated, and 
 the blaze of the vessel pleased and appeased the popu- 
 lace, and in some measure, though it may be presumed 
 not to the extent of their wishes, gratified the malicious 
 and interested, and saved Mr. Stewart, if not from death 
 and destruction, at least from ruin, tar, and feathers. 
 
 This disturbance happened in the absence of the Gov- 
 ernour, who was then on his passage from England; but 
 had he been on the spot it could not have been prevented, 
 for the civil power in Annapolis, though the capital of 
 Maryland and residence of the Governour, is unable to 
 cope with, or curb the fury of an exasperated people. 
 There are no military in the Province. Amekicanus. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Committee of Inspection Chamber, 
 Falmouth, Mass., April 10, 1775. 
 
 To hold a man up as an object of general detestation, to 
 deprive him of the benefits that result from society, is dis- 
 agreeable, is painful ; but, on the other hand, to neglect the 
 interest of our Country, to disappoint the just expectations 
 of our constituents, is dishonourable and base. The Com- 
 mittee of Inspection for the Town of Falmouth, therefore, 
 come forward, to discharge the duty they owe the publick, 
 and the trust reposed in them by their fellow-citizens. 
 
 On Thursday, the 2d ult., the Sloop John and Mary, 
 Henry Hughes, master, arrived here from Bristol, sup- 
 posed to have goods on board for Captain Thomas Coul- 
 son, of this place ; and as the late Continental Congress 
 had, by their Association, prohibited the importation of any 
 goods from Great Britain after the first day of February 
 last, this Committee, chosen by the said Town of Fal- 
 mouth to observe the conduct of all persons in said Town 
 touching said Association, immediately convened, and after 
 employing some persons to see that nothing was taken out 
 of said Sloop during their debates, they proceeded to con- 
 sider the circumstances of the case ; and being informed by 
 Captain Coulson that said vessel had on board sundry Rig- 
 ging, Sails, and Stores, sent him by Mr. Garnet, Merchant 
 in Bristol, for a new Ship lately built here by said Coidson 
 for said Garnet, the said Committee, after a full and seri- 
 ous consideration of the matter, gave it as their opinion, 
 that his taking said Rigging and Sails out of the vessel in 
 which they arrived, and appropriating them to rig his new 
 Ship, in order to send her to England, would be a violation 
 of the Continental Association, and therefore that the said 
 Rigging, Sails, and Stores, ought forthwith to be sent back 
 again, without breaking any of the packages thereof. 
 
 Of this opinion the said Coulson had due notice, but not 
 making any preparations to comply therewith, the said 
 Committee again convened on Tuesday following, viz : the 
 7th ult. Captain Coulson then attended, agreeable to the 
 desire of this Committee, and being asked why he had not 
 sent away the goods, agreeable to the opinion of this Com- 
 mittee, founded on the aforesaid Association, he said, be- 
 cause it was not for his interest; and further said that the 
 vessel wanted repairs, and therefore was unfit to go to sea, 
 and that he did not choose to procure another, or to send 
 back the said Rigging and Sails, otherwise than by rigging 
 
 his said new Ship with them, and thus to send them back 
 in the said new Ship ; but that he would consent to have 
 them stored at the Committee's risk until the vessel was 
 repaired, and that then he would re-ship them, and send 
 them out of the harbour. But being asked whether he 
 would send them back to Bristol, he declined giving the 
 Committee any assurance that he would, though he was 
 willing to send back the two hogsheads of Lines, which 
 came in said vessel. 
 
 This Committee then sent for a Committee of Carpen- 
 ters, Riggers, and Caulkers, who had been on board to view 
 her, at the request of a number of the inhabitants of this 
 Town, and they informed us that the vessel wanted some 
 repairs, but that, in their opinion, she might be repaired, 
 fit to return, in about two days, without taking out the 
 goods. Upon which the Committee passed the following 
 Resolve, and sent a copy of it to Captain Coulson, viz : 
 
 " That seven days be allowed said Coulson, from this 
 time, to repair said vessel, and to make the necessary pre- 
 parations for sending her back; and if he does not, at the 
 end of that term, (wind and weather permitting,) send said 
 vessel out of this harbour to proceed to Bristol, this Com- 
 mittee will forthwith cause the truth of the case to be pub- 
 lished, agreeable to the Continental Association." 
 
 At the expiration of said term, viz : on the evening of the 
 14th ult., the Committee met again, and although a depo- 
 sition, signed by several persons, some of whom were 
 merchants, masters of vessels, and ship-carpenters, was 
 then handed in to this Committee, purporting that said 
 vessel was unfit to go to sea until the goods were taken out, 
 and she thoroughly repaired, yet it appeared that Captain 
 Coulson had not taken due care to get said Sloop repaired, 
 nor had endeavoured to procure another, in which to re- 
 ship the goods to Bristol, and would give the Committee 
 no assurance that he would send them back, in any other 
 manner than he at first proposed. The Committee then 
 adjourned to the 15th ult., and then passed the following 
 Vote, viz : 
 
 " That if Captain Coulson will re-ship the aforesaid 
 goods in some other vessel, and send them back immedi- 
 ately, without breaking any of the packages, it will be 
 satisfactory to this Committee." 
 
 To this Captain Coulson (who was again desired to at- 
 tend, to hear the Committee's determination) would not 
 consent, though one of this Committee offered him a ves- 
 sel gratis, to carry them to Halifax or Newfoundland. 
 
 We, the said Committee of Inspection, do therefore, 
 agreeable to the directions of the said Continental Con- 
 gress, as expressed in the said Eleventh Article of their 
 Association, hereby publish the name of the said Thomas 
 Coulson, as a violator of the Continental Association. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Enoch Freeman, Chairman. 
 
 Committee of Inspection Chamber, > 
 Falmouth, March 2, 1775. \ 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection, at the 
 Library Chamber, to determine what ought to be done 
 with respect to a vessel that arrived here this day from 
 Bristol, supposed to have goods and merchandise for Cap- 
 tain, Thomas Coulson on board : 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Benjamin Mussey, Captain Joseph 
 McLcllan, and Mr. Benjamin Titcomb, be a Committee 
 to employ some persons to see that no goods are landed 
 from said vessel during the debates of the Committee of 
 Inspection, and to desire that Captain Coulson and the 
 Master of said vessel would attend this Committee. 
 
 Captain Coulson and the Master accordingly attended ; 
 and being asked if said vessel came from Bristol, and what 
 she had on board, answered that she did come from Bris- 
 tol, and had on board Rigging, Sails, and Stores for a new 
 Ship lately built here by Captain Coulson. 
 
 Votedy That Captain Joseph McLellan, Mr. Jedidiah 
 Cobb, Mr. Benjamin Mussey, and Mr. Samuel Freeman 
 be a Committee to go on board said vessel, or employ some 
 other persons to go on board her, to see whether she has on 
 board any goods other than the Rigging, Sails, and Stores 
 for said new Ship. 
 
 The meeting was then adjourned to eight o'clock to- 
 morrow morning, to meet at the Library Chamber, and 
 
313 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 314 
 
 that in the mean time the absent members be desired to 
 attend. — 
 
 Falmouth, March 3, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of Inspection met, pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. Present: Enoch Freeman, Esquire, Messrs. Daniel 
 llsley, Benjamin Titcomb, Enoch Ilsley, John fVaite, Ste- 
 phen Waite, Benjamin Mussey, William Owen, Samuel 
 Knights, Jedidiah Cobb, John Butler, Jabez Jones, Smith 
 Cobb, Pelctiah March, Pearson Jones, Joseph Aoye*, 
 Samuel Freeman, Joseph McLellan, Theophilus Parsons. 
 
 The question being put, whether Captain CoulsoiCs 
 taking said Rigging and Sails out of the vessel in which 
 they arrived, and his appropriating them to rig his new 
 Ship, in order to send her to England, will be a violation 
 of the American Association : 
 
 After a long and serious debate, it was 
 
 Resolved in the affirmative, by a majority of fourteen to 
 five. 
 
 Voted, therefore, That said Rigging, Sails, and Stores 
 for said new Ship, ought forthwith to be sent back again, 
 without breaking any of the packages thereof, by a majori- 
 ty of fourteen to five. 
 
 Voted, nemine contradicente, That all other goods and 
 merchandise that were imported in said vessel ought also 
 forthwith to be sent back again without breaking any of the 
 packages thereof. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Enoch llsley, John fVaite, and 
 Daniel llsley be a Committee, immediately to inform Cap- 
 tain Coulson of the result of this Committee, and that they 
 are now sitting, if he is desirous to attend them. 
 
 Captain Coulson attended, and informed the Committee 
 the vessel in which his Rigging and Sails arrived was so 
 out of repair, that she was unfit to return back again until 
 site was repaired, and that in order to repair her the freight 
 must be taken out. 
 
 The meeting was then adjourned to three o'clock, P. M., 
 to meet at the same place. 
 
 Three o'clock, P. H. 
 
 The Committee met, pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the Sub-Committees chosen by the first 
 and second votes of yesterday, be discharged from any fur- 
 ther service as Sub-Committees. 
 
 Voted, That this Committee will exert their utmost en- 
 deavours to prevent all the inhabitants of this Town from 
 engaging in any riots, tumults, and insurrections, or attacks 
 on the private property of any person, as pernicious to the 
 real interest thereof, as well as injurious to the liberty of 
 America in general, and that they will, as far as lies in their 
 power, promote peace and good order, as absolutely neces- 
 sary to the existence of society. 
 
 Ordered, That the result of this Committee, together 
 with the foregoing vote last passed, be posted up in some 
 publick place in the Town, signed by the Chairman. 
 
 Attest : Theophilus Parsons, Clerk. 
 
 London, April 11, 1775. 
 Assistance to the Americans is rising from a new quar- 
 ter. The following information may be depended upon : 
 a Ship sailed from Stettin last month, loaded with Small 
 Fire-Arms, Gunpowder, Ball, and Accoutrements, thirty 
 Field-pieces of a light construction, and eight General Of- 
 ficers, who have served long in Germany ; three of them 
 are Messrs. Robeveils, Larafont, and Gurgenstein. The 
 arms and ammunition are actually paid for by an Ameri- 
 can agent at Berlin, who went thither from Paris ; but 
 what the footing is upon which the Officers go, is only con- 
 jectured. They are Lutherans, and certainly do not go 
 upon mere hope of preferment. This must be a scheme 
 of the Prussian Monarch's for disconcerting the Court of 
 London, with whom he is upon the worst terms. 
 
 New-York, April 14, 1775. 
 By accounts from Staten Island, we learn that the in- 
 habitants of that place assembled on the 11th instant, in 
 order to take the sense of the County upon the question, 
 Whether they would nominate Deputies to concert with 
 other Deputies in New-York, about the choice of Dele- 
 gates for the ensuing Congress ? When it was almost una- 
 nimously agreed against sending Deputies. 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 White-Plains, in the County of Westchester, April 11, 1775. 
 
 On the 28th of March last, the following gentlemen 
 having received letters from the Chairman of the Commit- 
 tee of the City and County of New-York, relative to the 
 appointment of Deputies for this County, met at this place 
 for the purpose of devising means for taking the sense of the 
 County upon the subject, viz: Theodosius Bartow, Esq., 
 William Sutton, Esq., Captain Joseph Drake, James Wil- 
 lis, Benjamin Drake, Moses Drake, Colonel Lewis Mor- 
 ris, Thomas Hunt, Abraham Leggtt, James Horton, Jun., 
 Esq , Stephen Ward, and Abraham Guion, Esq., who, 
 having taken the same into consideration, agreed to send 
 the following notification to the principal freeholders in the 
 different Towns and Districts in the County, viz: 
 
 March 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir: A number of gentlemen from different Districts in 
 the County of Westchester, having this day met at the 
 White-Plains, to consider of the most proper method of 
 taking the sense of the freeholders of the said County upon 
 the expediency of choosing Deputies to meet the Deputies 
 of the other Counties, for the purpose of electing Delegates 
 to represent this Colony in the General Congress to be held 
 at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, are of opinion 
 that the best way of proceeding for that purpose will be to 
 have a general meeting of the freeholders of said Countv. 
 As this County is very extensive, we take the liberty of 
 recommending the meeting to be held at the While-Plains, 
 on Tuesday the 11th day of April next, at 10 o'clock in 
 the forenoon, at the Court-House, and therefore do desire 
 you to give notice of the same to all the freeholders in 
 your District, without exception, as those who do not ap- 
 pear and vote on that day, will be presumed to acquiesce 
 in the sentimenls of the majority of those who vote. 
 
 We are, Sic, &ic. 
 
 The above notice having been generally given and dis- 
 tributed, a very numerous body of freeholders of the County 
 assembled at the Court House at the White-Plains, on 
 the day appointed, and chose Colonel Leicis Morris for 
 their Chairman. An inconsiderable number of persons, 
 (among whom were many tenants not entitled to vote) with 
 Isaac Wlkins, Esq. and Colonel Phillips at their head, 
 then appeared ; and Mr. Wilkins, in their behalf, (as he 
 said,) declared that they would not join in the business of 
 the day, or have any thing to do with Deputies or Con- 
 gresses ; but that they came there for the sole purpose of 
 protesting against such illegal and unconstitutional proceed- 
 ings ; after which they departed. 
 
 The following question was then put to the people by 
 the Chairman, viz : Whether they would appoint Deputies 
 for this County, to meet the Deputies of the other Coun- 
 ties at the City of New- York, on the 20th of April in- 
 stant, for the purpose of electing Delegates to represent 
 this Colony in the General Congress, to be held at Phila- 
 delphia on the 10th day of May next ? 
 
 To which question they unanimously answered that they 
 would. 
 
 They then appointed the following eight persons, or 
 a majority of them, to be the Deputies of this County, 
 for the purpose aforesaid, viz: Colonel Lewis Morris, Ste- 
 phen Ward, Daniel Drake, Esq., Colonel James Holmes, 
 John Thomas, Jun. Esq., Jonathan Piatt, Esq., Robert 
 Graham, Major Philip Van Cortlandt. 
 
 The two following Resolves were then unanimously en- 
 tered into, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this body be given to the 
 virtuous minority of the General Assembly of this Prov- 
 ince, and particularly to John Thomas and Pierre Van 
 Cortlandt, Esquires, two of our Representatives, for their 
 firm attachment to, and zeal on a late occasion, for the 
 preservation of the union of the Colonies, and rights and 
 liberties of America; and that this Resolve be communi- 
 cated by the Chairman to every gentleman of whom that 
 minority consisted. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this County are due to 
 the Delegates who composed the late Congress, for the 
 essential services they have rendered to America in gen- 
 eral ; and that this Resolve be forthwith published. 
 
315 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 816 
 
 After the business of the day was thus concluded, the 
 people gave three huzzas for our gracious Sovereign, and 
 dispersed quietly without the least disorder. 
 
 Lewis Morris, Chairman. 
 
 MEETING OF COMMITTEES FOR THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 GRANTS. 
 
 At a meeting of Committees appointed by a large body 
 of Inhabitants on the east side of the range of Green 
 Mountains, held at Westminster, on the 11th day of April, 
 1775: 
 
 1. Voted, That Major Abijah Lovcjoy be the Modera- 
 tor of this meeting. 
 
 2. Voted, That Doctor Reuben Jones be the Clerk. 
 
 3. Voted, as our opinion, That our inhabitants are in 
 great danger of having their property unjustly, cruelly, and 
 unconstitutionally taken from them by the arbitrary and 
 designing administration of the Government of New- York, 
 sundry instances having already taken place. 
 
 4. Voted, as our opinion, That the lives of those inhab- 
 itants are in the utmost hazzard and imminent danger, un- 
 der the present administration — witness the malicious and 
 horrid massacre of the night of the 13th ultimo. 
 
 5. Voted, as our opinion, That it is the duty of said in- 
 habitants, as predicated on the eternal and immutable law 
 of self-preservation, to wholly renounce and resist the ad- 
 ministration of the Government of Neiv-York, till such 
 time as the lives and property of those inhabitants may be 
 secured by it ; or till such time as they can have opportu- 
 nity to lay their grievances before his most gracious Ma- 
 jesty in Council, together with a proper remonstrance 
 against the unjustifiable conduct of that Government, with 
 an humble petition to be taken out of so oppressive a ju- 
 risdiction, and either annexed to some other Government, 
 or erected and incorporated into a new one, as may appear 
 best to the said inhabitants, to the royal wisdom and cle- 
 mency , and till such time as His Majesty shall settle this con- 
 troversy. 
 
 6. Voted, That Colonel John Hazcltine, Charles 
 Phelps, Esq., and Colonel Ethan Allen, be a Committee 
 to prepare such remonstrance and petition for the purpose 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Speech delivered by Captain Solomon Uhhaunauwaun- 
 mut, the Chief Sachem of the Moheakumnuk Tribe of 
 Indians residing in Stockbridge, on the J ] th day of 
 April, 1775, af ter sitting near two days in Council, it 
 being an Answer to a Message sent to them by the Con- 
 gress. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of 
 the Provincial Congress, now sitting at Concord — To be 
 communicated. 
 
 Brothers : We have heard you speak by your Letter ; 
 we thank you for it ; we now make answer. 
 
 Brothers: You remember when you first came over the 
 great waters, I was great and you was little — very small. 
 I then took you in for a friend, and kept you under my 
 arms, so that no one might injure you ; since that time we 
 have ever been true friends ; there never has been any 
 quarrel between us. But now our conditions are changed ; 
 you are become great and tall ; you reach up to the clouds ; 
 you are seen all round the world ; and I am become small, 
 very little; I am not so high as your heel. Now you take 
 care of me, and I look to you for protection. 
 
 Brothers: I am sorry to hear of this great quarrel be- 
 tween you and Old England. It appears that blood must 
 soon be shed to end this quarrel. We never till this day 
 understood the foundation of this quarrel between you and 
 the Country you came from. 
 
 Brothers: Whenever I see your blood running, you will 
 soon find me about you to revenge my brothers' blood. 
 Although I am low and very small, 1 will gripe hold of 
 your enemy's heel, that he cannot run so fast and so light, 
 as if he had nothing at his heels. 
 
 Brothers : You know I am not so wise as you are, there- 
 fore I ask your advice in what I am now agoing to say. I am 
 thinking before you come to action, to take a run to the 
 Westward, and feel the minds of my Indian brothers, the 
 
 Six Nations, and know how they stand, whether they are 
 on your side, or for your enemies. If 1 find they are 
 against you, I will try to turn their minds. I think they 
 will listen to me ; for they have always looked this way 
 for advice concerning all important news that comes from 
 the rising of the sun. If they hearken to me you will not 
 be afraid of any danger from behind you. However their 
 minds are affected, you shall soon know by me. Now I 
 think 1 can do you more service in this way, than by march- 
 ing off immediately to Boston, and stay there (it may be) 
 a great while before blood runs. Now, as I said you are 
 wiser than I, I leave this for your consideration, whether I 
 come down immediately, or wait till I hear some blood is 
 spilled. 
 
 Brothers: I would not have you think by this that we 
 are falling back from our engagements ; we are ready to 
 do any thing for your relief, and shall be guided by your 
 
 counsel. 
 
 Brothers: One thing I ask of you if you send forme to 
 fight, that you will let me fight in my own Indian way. I 
 am not used to fight English fashion, therefore you must 
 not expect I can train like your men. Only to point out 
 to me where your enemies keep, and that is all I shall want 
 to know. 
 
 TO THE KING. 
 
 London, April 12, 1775. 
 
 Sire : When the complaints and petitions of injured 
 subjects are treated with insolence by a profligate Parlia- 
 ment, and with mockery by an imperious Minister, it is 
 high time for them to assume a different tone. Your Ma- 
 jesty must be a great proficient in Courtly accomplishments 
 to profess astonishment at what you could not but know 
 full well, from the protesting majority of the independent 
 Peers, from a hundred loud and honest voices (marvellous 
 as that may seem) among your own faithful Commons, 
 besides the many other Petitions from the commercial and 
 manufacturing parts of the Kingdom, who had long before 
 avowed their approbation of American resistance, and their 
 utter abhorrence of the arbitrary and violent measures of 
 Administration, against what your Majesty calls a rebellious 
 disposition only, which barely exists in a part of your Colo- 
 nies. Had an actual rebellion not only existed, but raged 
 all over America, your Ministers could hardly have spared 
 more forces from the National defence than are now em- 
 barked to correct a bad disposition. If your Majesty is 
 thus severe on ill humours and dispositions, which so much 
 pains have been taken to excite and inflame, what thunder- 
 bolts of your royal vengeance will be hurled upon actual 
 traitors, when you shall discover them — nearer home ? 
 
 Your Majesty's " entire confidence in the wisdom of 
 your Parliament" cannot but be well founded, considering 
 from whom they have learned and adopted their principles 
 and resolutions, and thus qualified themselves for the 
 " great Council of the Nation." 
 
 Surely your Majesty does not suppose your good sub- 
 jects so dull of apprehension, as to believe that your Ame- 
 rican measures were originally planned and recommended 
 to your Ministers by Parliament. They are convinced 
 that the majority of Parliament are too modest, and know 
 themselves too well, to give advice to Government. They 
 know that these measures were dictated to Parliament by 
 the Minister, (who is also dictated to by some body else,) 
 and for no other purpose but to gain a Parliamentary sanc- 
 tion to indemnify the Crown and its servants from the con- 
 sequences of such violent and unconstitutional proceedings. 
 Therefore, the compliment paid to Parliament on this oc- 
 casion is but little better founded, or more sincere, than that 
 made to Great Britain in the next sentence, when your 
 Majesty declares, that "you will steadily pursue these 
 measures for the support of her constitutional rights and 
 commercial interests." Your Majesty, in your great wis- 
 dom, or rather in the wisdom of your Parliament, is pleased 
 to take measures a little extraordinary on this great occa- 
 sion ; which, although very expressive of the violence of 
 your attachment to our rights and interests, it is feared, 
 like the fostering of too fond a parent, may overlay them 
 both. The mode graciously adopted to protect our Com- 
 merce, by starving or cutting the throats of our Colonists, 
 
317 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 318 
 
 it is feared will neither increase their population, nor the 
 Trade or Revenue of Britain. 
 
 Your Majesty cannot be supposed to dissemble with or 
 mock your people in a matter which so nearly concerns 
 them. We must, therefore, necessarily believe, on the 
 faith of royalty, that these measures have originated from 
 Parliament, acting as the great Council of the Nation, and 
 that they have been planned with no other view than to 
 " support the constitutional rights, and protect the commer- 
 cial interests of Great Britain." This is a solemn decla- 
 ration, made before God and the publick ; and it would ill 
 become your subjects to entertain a doubt of that sincerity 
 in which your Majesty has been early trained, and of which 
 your auspicious reign has afforded so many great and sin- 
 gular instances. 
 
 I could wish, however, (that no opening might be left 
 for invidious censure,) the Ministerial authors of your Ma- 
 jesty's speeches would endeavour, for the future, not only 
 to think in character themselves, on the small scale of 
 knavish craft, but that they would enable their Royal mas- 
 ter, when he addresses the publick, to speak in character 
 also. 
 
 Conscious of their own evil principles and designs, they 
 put words into the Royal mouth which would only have 
 become their own. Thus your Majesty is made to address 
 your Capital in a low and familiar style, utterly beneath 
 your dignity as a great King, and your nice feelings as an 
 honest man. My Lord North might be ' ; astonished 
 (speaking in character, as a hollow, hypocritical, sneering 
 Minister) that any of your subjects could be capable of 
 countenancing a rebellious disposition, unfortunately exist- 
 ing in some of the Colonies," as such tyrannical and vin- 
 dictive persons are not ashamed to make actual war upon 
 a disposition ; but a King of Great Britain, conscious of 
 his own dignity, and speaking with the majesty of truth, 
 as well as royalty, in answer to so heavy a charge, would 
 have expressed his astonishment at the daring presumption 
 of the Petitioners in countenancing rebellion, not at their 
 being "capable of countenancing a rebellious disposition 
 only." Which is little better than if your Majesty had 
 said, " my good friends, I am very sorry you should be so 
 unkind as to encourage a set of people whom I am obliged 
 to treat as rebels, although I cannot call them such at pre- 
 sent ; but in all probability, by the blessing of God on my 
 Fleets and Armies, they will deserve that appellation very 
 soon." 
 
 In the mean time, as your Majesty's confidence in your 
 Parliament is almost as great as the people's distrust and 
 detestation of them, there can be no doubt but by pursuing 
 the salutary measures they recommend, your Government 
 will become as respectable, though not so gentle and con- 
 descending, as your speeches. 
 
 Your Majesty will pardon the well meant simplicity of 
 a true subject, although a plain dealer. Regulus. 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO GOVERNOUR MARTIN, OF NORTH- 
 CAROLINA. 
 
 Boston, April 12, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 16th of March, I have had the 
 pleasure to receive, and am glad to hear that many of the 
 people in your Province are beginning to find they have 
 been misled, and that they seem inclined to disengage them- 
 selves from the arbitrary power of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and of their Committees. I wish I could say as 
 much for the people of this Province, who are more cool 
 than they were, but their leaders, by their arts and artifices, 
 still keep up that seditious and licentious spirit, that has 
 led them on all occasions to oppose Government, and even 
 to acts of rebellion. The late accounts from England have 
 embarrassed their councils much. They have applied to 
 the New-England Governments, and doubtless will to 
 those at the Southward, to assist them, but I hope the mad- 
 ness of the latter is wearing off, and that they will get no 
 encouragement from thence. 
 
 This Province has some time been, and now is, in the 
 new-fangled Legislature, termed a Provincial Congress, 
 who seem to have taken the Government into their hands. 
 What they intend to do I cannot pretend to say, but they 
 are much puzzled how to act. Fear in some, and a want 
 of inclination in others, will be a great bar to their coming 
 
 to extremities, though their leaders use every measure to 
 bring them into the field. I have the honour to be, 8cc. 
 
 Thomas Gage. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 
 COMMITTEE AT FALMOUTH TO SAMUEL FREEMAN, DATED 
 APRIL 12, 1775. 
 
 Last night we had a letter from the Committee at Bos- 
 ton, wherein they say they should be extremely uneasy to 
 find any omission of duty " in behalf of this Province and 
 the other Colonies, as the eyes of the whole Continent are 
 upon us. The tools of power wish for an opportunity to 
 charge us with negligence, and are watching for it, to make 
 a division between this Province and the other Colonies. 
 We, therefore, again recommend to you, as our firm opin- 
 ion, that you conform strictly and religiously to the Associa- 
 tion of the Continental Congress in every respect, without 
 favour or affection to any person whatever. We are of 
 opinion, to suspend the publication of your Resolves re- 
 specting Captain Coulson, till we hear from you whether 
 he has complied with the request of the Committee, con- 
 formable to the Resolution of the Continental Congress." 
 Coulson no sooner arrived, but the next day had the Canso 
 Man-of-War up to Town, and his old Bristol Sloop along- 
 side of his new Ship, taking out the goods. But it seems 
 he cannot get any of our people to help him ; and I do 
 not think he will be able to get his Ship loaded and rigged, 
 unless he gets the Man-of-War's men to do it. And 1 hear 
 that Captain Moivat has been pressing men ; some he re- 
 leases, and some retains ; and it is suggested by some, that 
 his design is to supply Captain Coulson with men from his 
 own Ship. We shall do all we can to prevent any other 
 person from breaking the Association. I do not think it 
 will be amiss for you to acquaint some of the Committee 
 of Inspection in Boston of Captain Coulson's conduct, witii 
 which the People in general, in Town and Country, are 
 very much dissatisfied. 
 
 We rejoice in your zeal and firmness in so trying a time 
 as this, and we pray God to support you in so good a 
 cause as the preservation of our liberties, civil and reli- 
 gious. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN ENGLAND 
 TO HIS CORRESPONDENT IN VIRGINIA. 
 
 The sword is drawn here, and the scabbard thrown 
 away. What are )ou to do? Submission and slavery are 
 the same. The question then can only be, how shall we 
 best resist the chains prepared for us? 
 
 Let Virginia, Maryland, and South- Carolina declare 
 their resolution to stand by the Massachusetts ; let the non- 
 import be commenced as soon as possible. Were it not 
 for the import of American Grain, this Country would this 
 moment be in famine and insurrection. Be vigilant in 
 keeping the Non-Import and Export Resolutions unviolated 
 in the smallest degree. Select the best of the Militia, 
 train and arm them well, and familiarize them to the right of 
 resistance and the necessity of exerting it; cultivate the fron- 
 tier Militia and their leaders. Much will depend on them. 
 It is determined to put you to the trial ; and every thing 
 that is dear to us depends on your firmness. Remember 
 that night is the time when the discipline of the Regulars 
 is least availing, and their artillery useless. One year's 
 firm observation of your Resolutions must reduce the Min- 
 istry to the necessity of capitulating. This Country can- 
 not bear one year's interruption of her Commerce. It is 
 impossible. A protractive war on your part must enfeeble 
 her Army, which cannot be recruited but at a vast expense 
 of time and money. The interruption of commerce brings, 
 in a year's time, half our Merchants and Manufacturers to 
 beggary, loads her landed interest with additional publick 
 taxes and poor's rates, so as to shake every part of the com- 
 munity to its foundation. Nothing but a miracle can sup- 
 port them under such an accumulation of calamities. Let 
 it be your study, therefore, to promote a frugality and in- 
 dustry in providing against the consequences of the inter- 
 ruption to you, so as to prevent popular disorders, and keep 
 the people firm. You have the game in your own hands ; 
 a little patience, a little endurance, and your victory is sure. 
 If you conquer in this contest, you will be the freest, the 
 
319 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 820 
 
 most prosperous and respected people in the world ; if you 
 submit, the most inexorable yoke that ever galled the neck 
 of any Nation will be your lot. The threats thrown out 
 here against you are fit only for savages. It is impossible 
 to conceive with w hat approbation the House of Commons 
 heard a Colonel Grant, the same who commanded the ex- 
 pedition with Colonel Lewis to Fort Du Quesne, declare, 
 that he had always treated the Americans as beasts of bur- 
 den, and that they deserved no better usage, being fit for 
 nothing else. American fraud, American rapine, Ameri- 
 can cowardice, and American insolence, are the perpetual 
 topicks of ministerial declamation. When America is the 
 question, every idea of justice or mercy seems to be extin- 
 guished. Your own experience of seven years' ineffectual 
 supplication will show that their professions of readiness to 
 hear and redress grievances is a mere mockery. 
 
 The very existence of liberty on the face of this earth ; 
 the precious possession of it to you and your posterity from 
 generation to generation ; the avoiding the most cruel bond- 
 age and thraldom that ever ground the faces of a miserable 
 people, all depend upon a year or two's exertion of virtue, 
 fortitude, and forbearance in America. How infinite the 
 purchase, and how cheap ! Orders are certainly sent to 
 seize particular persons. Reprisals will surely be made ; 
 but remember it is a state of war, and therefore be guard- 
 ed. It is not the way to conquer the lion to run into his 
 mouth. 
 
 1 have the greatest inclination to come over. And yet 
 I think I can be more serviceable here ; nor do I imagine 
 myself in less danger. On the contrary, 1 am certain of 
 the intention of destroying certain American advocates 
 here, when the temper of the times render it safe. Adieu. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, April 13, 1775. 
 
 By the last prints from England, we find that the pro- 
 ceedings of the General Congress have had a strange effect 
 upon the minds of the people in that quarter. Some 
 esteem and applaud them as a production of a most mas- 
 terly nature; whilst others, swayed by the influence of the 
 ministerial party, and their votaries, declare them not even 
 worthy of notice ; that the sentiments contained therein 
 spring merely from a distempered imagination, and that 
 they are naught but the effusions of wild, intolerable enthu- 
 siasm. But our wonder, on this account, must immediately 
 cease when we consider that America is not yet without 
 her enemies, who now reside within her territories ; ene- 
 mies who, notwithstanding they are wholly and entirely 
 dependant upon her for subsistence, that would pleasingly 
 aid, if we may judge from their conduct, in showering 
 every misery upon this unhappy Country. 
 
 In the last English paper that we have received are the 
 following paragraphs from some of those pious and deserv- 
 ing advocates (who unfortunately reside in Boston) for the 
 meek and gentle measures of Administration ; they are 
 termed authentick, and are addressed to persons of great 
 consequence in England : 
 
 " The residence of the General Congress at Philadel- 
 phia has entirely debauched the minds of the people of 
 that place, who were heretofore the last to make objection 
 to any measure of Government, but are now as violent as 
 any other of the Colonies. I am informed by a gentle- 
 man in whom I can confide, that every resolution of the 
 Congress will be strictly adhered to. No place on the 
 Continent has shown so great an inclination to disobey the 
 dictates of the General Congress as Neio-York. 
 
 " The Provincial Congress thought it prudent to decamp 
 soon after the arrival of the Scarborough and Asia, and 
 are removed to IVorccstcr from Cambridge. The proceed- 
 ings have been kept so close that nothing has transpired 
 but what they have put in the papers themselves. 
 
 " Associations are forming in several Towns in the coun- 
 try by the well-thinking and better sort of people for their 
 defence, who have been till now obliged to do just as the 
 rabble dictated, very contrary to their own sentiments. 
 
 " Our good General has his hands full ; you are not un- 
 acquainted with the people he has to deal with. If they 
 are suffered to go on, adieu to all happiness in this Coun- 
 try ; but surely the lion will be roused at last. Notwith- 
 standing their boasted numbers, a determined frown even 
 will make them tremble." 
 
 COMMITTEE OF YORK-TOWN, YORK COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, 
 TO JOHN HANCoCK AND THOMAS CUSHING. 
 
 York-Town, April 13, 1775. 
 Honoured Friends and Countrymen : Sorry are 
 we to hear that the hand of oppression still bears hard 
 on your City, and that the distresses of your poor are 
 not yet alleviated. If your misfortunes and sufferings 
 could be divided, the inhabitants of this County would 
 cheerfully bear a part. This, it seems, cannot be done ; 
 your destined Town must stand the shock alone. We 
 want words to express the high sense we have of your 
 conduct and virtue ; few men in the world would have 
 opposed despotism, and stood the torrent of ministerial 
 vengeance with so much steadiness, intrepidity, and resolu- 
 tion, as the inhabitants of your Town and Country have 
 done. You have true notions of liberty. You have pur- 
 chased it. You ought to enjoy it. The noble stand made 
 by the Province of Massachusetts- Bay, if faithfully ad- 
 hered to, has laid the foundation for establishing American 
 liberty on the most firm basis. The other Colonies will 
 be equally gainers by a favourable determination of the 
 contest, and will not desert you in the time of danger ; 
 they will doubtless grant you the most effectual assistance. 
 
 This County, upon the earliest intelligence of your dis- 
 tress, forwarded subscriptions for the poor of Boston. Grain 
 was generally subscribed ; we expected to have sent it 
 last fall, but could not collect it at any seaport before the 
 winter season came on, so that the shipping of it was post- 
 poned till the spring. Upon the meeting of the Com- 
 mittee of this County in February last, shortly after the 
 receipt of the King's Speech to the Parliament, it was 
 thought that it would not be safe to send Grain. The 
 Committee, therefore, determined to convert the Grain into 
 cash, and remit the same in Specie or Bills of Exchange 
 to you. Your poor have suffered much by this Resolution, 
 as the price of Wheat is greatly fallen. The subscriptions 
 of but a part of the County are yet come in. We send 
 you the sum of £246 8s. 10c/., to be remitted to you in 
 Bills of Exchange or Specie, by Messrs. Jonathan B. 
 Smith and John Mitchell, Merchants of Philadelphia, 
 which be pleased to distribute among our poor and unhap- 
 py countrymen in your Town, or in its neighbourhood, in 
 such manner as you shall think proper. As there are a 
 few disaffected people in this Province, we must trouble 
 you to publish the receipt of the donations as is mentioned 
 in the enclosed paper.* Your friends here are numerous, 
 and most heartily interested themselves in your favour. As 
 soon as the rest of the subscriptions in this County are 
 paid, we shall cheerfully remit the same to you. 
 
 We wish you a speedy relief from all your sufferings, 
 and are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your real 
 friends and most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jas. Smith, Pres't Com. 
 Geo. Eichelberger, Geo. Fuvin, 
 David Grier, Jos. Donaldson, 
 
 Michael Dowdle, Michael Schmyser, 
 Michael Swope, Balzord Sp angler, 
 Peter Reel, John Hay. 
 
 Thomas Hartley, 
 Committee of Correspondence of York County. 
 To John Hancock and Thomas Cashing, Esq'rs, Committee for receiv- 
 ing and distributing the Donations for the Poor of Boston. 
 
 * The Committee of Boston received the sum of .£246 8s. 10rf., val- 
 ued at the rato of Pennsylvania money, being donations from a part of 
 the County of York, in the Province of Pennsylvania, to the Poor of 
 Boston and its neighbourhood ; subscribed as follows : 
 
 York-Town £124 10s. Od. 
 
 Heidelburgh Township 36 17 5 
 
 Germany Township 16 2 0 
 
 Mantreim, by the hands of Adam Eichelberger 5 15 6 
 
 by do. of Michael Karl 5 9 9 
 
 by do. of David Newman 3 16 3 
 
 Manchester Township, by the hands of Michael Schmyser. 6 12 1 
 by do. ot Simon Coppen/teffer 2 17 7 
 
 by do. of Jacob Hark 6 18 6 
 
 Shrewsbury Township 12 0 0 
 
 Dover Township 6 9 0 
 
 Fawn 6 0 0 
 
 Codorus Township 2 16 6 
 
 Dover Township 62$ Bushels of Wheat, 4 Bushel of Rye; 
 Manchester Township 39$ Bushels of Wheat ; Paradise 
 Township 20 Bushels of Wheat; Codorus Township 5 
 Bushels of Wheat and $ Bushel of Rye; York Township 
 4 Bushels of Wheat. Part of which grain has been made 
 
 into Flour and sold here -16 13 3 
 
 £246 8 10 
 
321 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 322 
 
 PROTEST OF INHABITANTS AND FREEHOLDERS OF WEST- 
 CHESTER COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 County of Westchester, April 13, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Rivington : Be pleased to insert the following, and 
 you will oblige a number of your friends and subscribers. 
 
 On Thursday, the 1 1 th instant, a very respectable num- 
 ber of freeholders and inhabitants of the County of West- 
 cheater, assembled at the White Plains, in the said County, 
 agreeable to the notice given, that their sentiments might 
 be known concerning the choice of a Committee to meet 
 their Committee in the City of Neiv-York, for the purpose 
 of choosing Delegates to represent this Colony in the next 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 The friends of order and Government met at the house 
 of Captain Hatfield; those who were for a Committee, 
 put up at another publick house in the Town. About twelve 
 o'clock, word was brought to the gentlemen at Captain Hat- 
 field's, that the opposite party had already entered upon 
 the business of the day ; upon which they immediately 
 walked down to the Court-House, although not half of 
 their friends, who were expected, had yet appeared, where 
 they found the other company collected in a body. The 
 numbers on each side seemed to be nearly equal, and both 
 together might amount to two hundred, or, at most, two 
 hundred and fifty. The friends to Government then declared, 
 that as they had been unlawfully called together, and for 
 an unlawful purpose, they did not intend to contest the 
 matter with them by a poll, which would be tacitly ac- 
 knowledging the authority that had summoned them thither; 
 but that they came only with a design to protest against all 
 such disorderly proceedings, and to shew their detestation 
 of all unlawful Committees and Congresses. They then 
 declared their determined resolution to continue steadfast in 
 their allegiance to their gracious and merciful Sovereign, 
 King George the Third , to submit to lawful authority ; and 
 to abide by and support the only true representatives of 
 the people of this Colony — the General Assembly. Then 
 giving three huzzas, they returned to Captain Hatfield's, 
 singing, as they went, with a loyal enthusiasm, the grand 
 and animating song of "God save great George our King." 
 " Long live our noble King," &dc., &.c. 
 
 At their return, finding that many of their friends had 
 arrived during their absence, and that many still kept 
 coming in, they proceeded to draw up and sign the follow- 
 ing Declaration, which they seemed to do with as much pa- 
 triotick zeal as ever warmed the hearts of true and faithful 
 subjects, and afterwards dispersed to their different habita- 
 tions. 
 
 " We, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the 
 County of Westchester, having assembled at the White 
 Plains, in consequence of certain advertisements, do now 
 declare, that we met here to declare our honest abhorrence 
 of all unlawful Congresses and Committees, and that we 
 are determined, at the hazard of our lives and properties, 
 to support the King and Constitution ; and that we acknow- 
 ledge no Representatives but the General Assembly, to 
 
 John Haight, John Williams, 
 
 Isaac Brown, Joseph Purdy, 
 
 Phillip Kelly, Ezekial Halstcad, 
 
 James Hains, John Hunt, Jun., 
 
 Joseph Hains, Jun., Isaac Purdy, 
 
 James Hains, Jun., Elijah Purely, 
 
 Matthew Hains, Abraham Loosce, 
 
 Bartholomew Hains, Isaac Tompkins, 
 
 Gilbert Hains, William Gray, 
 
 John Hains, Nathaniel Merit, 
 
 Elijah Hains, Joseph Paulding, 
 
 Lieut. Solo'n Fowler, Hendricus Storm, 
 
 Isaac Williams, Francis Secord, 
 
 John McCollum, John Parker, 
 
 Joseph Clark, Gilbert Hatfield, 
 
 Joseph Oakly, Gabriel Purdy, 
 
 Caleb Ferris, Alexander Hains, 
 
 Capt. Bcnja'n Griffen, Benjamin Ogden, 
 
 Capt. Joshua Purdy, Thomas Mcritt, 
 
 James Mott, Gilbert Bates, 
 
 Lieut. VV. Laensberry, John Gidney, 
 
 Lieut. Samuel Purdy, Stephen Arnodc, 
 John Rustin, 
 
 Nathan Osburn, 
 Philemon Halstead, 
 Daniel Purdy, 
 John Crab, 
 Izrahiah Whetmore, 
 
 Israel Secord, 
 John Arnode, 
 David Purdy, 
 David Blecher, 
 Jordon Downing, 
 Levi Devoe, 
 
 Capt. Abso'm Gidney, Abraham Acker, 
 
 David Haight, 
 John Brown, 
 Jasper Stivers, 
 Peter McFarthing, 
 Joshua Purdy, Jun., 
 Haccaliah Purdy, Jun, 
 James Tompkins, 
 Michael Chatterton, 
 EInathan Taylor, 
 Gilbert Theal, 
 William Sexon, 
 
 Corn. Van Tassell, 
 Elisha Meritt, 
 Jacob Schureman, 
 Joseph Appleby, 
 John Tompkins, Jun. 
 , Job Hadden, Jun., 
 Patrick Gary, 
 James Hart, 
 Gilbert Ward, 
 Joseph Hart, 
 Monmouth Hart, 
 
 Thomas Champeniers, William Dunlap, 
 
 John Champeniers, 
 William Griflin, 
 Isaac Gidney, 
 John Bates, 
 Joseph Haviland, 
 Eleazer Hart, 
 Timothy Whetmore, 
 James Hunt, 
 Joseph Parker, 
 Joshua Barns, 
 Joseph Purdy, 
 John Park, 
 Samuel Purdy, 
 Gilbert Purdy, 
 James Chatterton, 
 John Dewsenburgh, 
 Thomas Cromwell, 
 Solomon Horton, 
 Peter Bussing, t 
 Peter Bussing, Jun., 
 James KnefFen, 
 
 Joshua Ferris, 
 Timothy Purdy, 
 James Macquire, 
 James Regnaw, 
 Daniel Shadin, 
 Samuel Purdy, 
 Sylvanus Purdy, 
 William Dalton, 
 David Davids, 
 Elijah Purdy, Jun., 
 Elijah Tomkins, 
 Daniel Jerow, 
 Charles Lawrence, 
 Joseph Purdy, Jun., 
 James Sniffin, Jun., 
 Thomas Valentine, 
 Gilbert Valentine, 
 Abraham Rich, 
 Andrew Gerow, 
 Gilbert Hunter, 
 Lieut. Peter Bonnett, 
 
 Nath'l Underbill, Jun., Samuel Sneeden, 
 
 Philip Fowler, 
 John McFarthing, 
 John Tompkins, 
 Joseph Hart, 
 Jacob Post, 
 Joseph Gidney, 
 James Baxter, 
 John Hart, 
 Cornelius Loosoe, 
 Jesse Park, 
 
 Peter Fashee, 
 Jesse Lawrence, 
 William Sneeden, 
 Lieut. Daniel Knap, 
 Solomon Dean, 
 Charles Vincent, Sr., 
 Lieut. Thomas Hyatt, Bishop Heustice 
 James Gidney, James Miller, 
 
 Wra. Woodward, Phineas Hunt. 
 
 Caleb Archer, 
 Benjamin Bugbe, 
 Francis Purdy, 
 William Odcll, 
 Israel Hunt, 
 Thomas Tompkins, 
 Frederick Underbill, 
 Peter Post, 
 Benjamin McCord, 
 John Williams, 
 John Ackerman, 
 Peter Rusting, 
 Thomas Barker, 
 Jeremiah Hunter,* 
 Abraham Storm, 
 Peter Jonning, 
 Isaac Merritt, 
 Edward Merritt, 
 John Gale, 
 John Smith, 
 Roger Purdy. 
 James Hart, Jun., 
 Jona. Purdy, Jun., 
 Monmouth Hart, Jr., 
 Christopher Purdy, 
 Gilbert Purdy, 
 Edw'd Merritt, Jun., 
 Elijah Miller, 
 Henry Disborough, 
 Benjamin Hunt, 
 EInathan Hunt, 
 William Van Wart, 
 Abraham Storm, 
 Thomas Berry, 
 Lancaster Underbill, 
 Charles Merritt, 
 Benjamin Underhill, 
 Benj. Griffin, Jun., 
 Jeremiah Coone, 
 John Hall, 
 James Angevine, 
 Jacob Coone, 
 Jer. Anderson, Jr., 
 Gilbert Williams, 
 Wm. Barker, Jun., 
 Gideon Arden, 
 William Field, 
 Joseph Purdy, 
 George Storm, 
 Jacob Vermiller, 
 Samuel Heusted, 
 Barthol'w Underhill, 
 Lieut. John Warner, 
 Nathaniel Purdy, 
 Isaac Bennett, 
 Samuel Baker,t 
 John Cornwell, 
 John Storm, 
 Andrew Fowler, 
 Joshua Secord, 
 George French, 
 John Underhill, 
 Caleb Gidney, 
 Wm. Underhill, Jun., 
 James Hill, 
 William Watkins, 
 John Rustin, 
 Richard Baker, 
 William Ascough, 
 
 The following persons, not being able to attend at the 
 
 whose wisdom and integrity we submit the guardianship of Plains, requested, by their friends, that their names might 
 
 our rights, liberties, and privileges." 
 
 Frederick Philips, Roger Purdy, Jun., 
 Isaac Wilkins, Gilbert Pugsley, 
 
 Samuel Seabury, Abraham Leadu, 
 Luke Babcock, Benjamin Brown, 
 
 Jona. Fowler, Judge, Isaac Keed, 
 Caleb Fowler, Judge, Aaron Buis, 
 Jona. P. Horton, Esq., Moses Weymen, 
 William Sutten, Esq., Israel Underhill, 
 David Oakly, Esq., John Baizley, 
 Benja'n Fowler, Esq., David Oakly, Jun., 
 William Davids, Esq., Isaac Smith, 
 W ni. Anderson, Esq., John Hyatt, 
 Wm. Barker, Esq., Hezekiah Cudney, 
 Capt. Abram Hatfield, Abraham Odall, 
 N Underhill, Mayor, Thomas Lawrence, 
 George Cornwell, Esq., John Seyscon, 
 
 Philip Pell, Esq., 
 Joshua Pell, 
 James Pell, 
 Edward Pell, 
 John Hunt, 
 Gilbert Horton, 
 Adrian Leforge, 
 Joshua Gidney, 
 Jonathan Gidney, 
 Lieut. Jona. Purdy, 
 Solomon Gidney, 
 Joseph Bude, 
 James Whitmore, 
 Moses Williams, 
 
 Jeremiah Travies, 
 Griffen Curey, 
 Isaac Forsheu, 
 Gabriel Requeaw, 
 Samuel Webb, 
 Benjamin Downing, 
 Gabriel Archer, 
 Elias Secord, 
 Thomas Veal, 
 James Poirce, 
 Edward Bugbe, 
 David Haight, 
 Sylvanius Lyon, 
 Daniel Haight, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Jonathan Budd, 
 John Whetmore, 
 Win. Underhill, 
 Thomas Brown, 
 Lieut. Isaac Gidney, 
 Nehemiah Tompkins, 
 Henry Leforge, 
 Everet Brown, 
 Benjamin Beyea, 
 Barthol'w Gidney, 
 Josiah Brown, 
 Seth Purdy, 
 Peter Huggeford, 
 Jacob Gidney, 
 John Loce, 
 EInathan Appleby, 
 John Baker, 
 Jonathan Underhill, 
 James McChain, 
 Benjamin Seacord, 
 Joshua Hunt, 
 Betts Chatterdon, 
 William Landrine, 
 Enoch Hunt, 
 Peter Come, 
 Dennis Kennedy, 
 James Hains, 
 Andrew Bainton, 
 Hezekiah Simmons, 
 Nathaniel Tompkins, 
 
 be added to the list of protesters, viz : 
 
 John Hunt, Esq., Philip Palmer, Esq., John Hitchcock, 
 Jeremiah Hitchcock, William Bond, Joseph Bond. 
 
 The foregoing account is strictly true, as can be proven 
 by the testimony (or, if necessary, by the affidavits) of a 
 number of persons of the most unquestionable character in 
 this County. What, then, must we think of such persons 
 as have propagated a report, that the friends of Government 
 were, upon this occasion, out-numbered five to one, and that 
 many of the persons whose names were subscribed to the 
 foregoing Declaration, were not on that day present at the 
 
 * North-Castle, MayB, 1775. — Mr. Rivington: In your paper late- 
 ly I saw my name to a Protest. I never signed it, but went into Cap- 
 tain Hatfield's house, and was asked whether I was a Whig or a Tory ? 
 I made answer, that I did not understand the meaning of those words, 
 but was for liberty and peace. Upon which some body put down my 
 name. Now, sir, I desire you will print this, to show the world that I 
 have not deserved to be held up in the light of a protester. 
 
 Jeremiah Hunter. 
 
 t That our names were not subscribed to the Protest of Westchester, 
 either by ourselves, or our orders, or permission, directly or indirectly, 
 is certified by us, each for himself. Peter Bussing. 
 
 May 4, 1775. John Bussing. 
 
 t Mr. Rivington : I did sign a Protest which was printed in your paper ; 
 but I did so because I was told that the intent of signing it was to show 
 that I was for the liberties of the Country. Samuel Baker. 
 
 21 
 
323 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 324 
 
 White Plains! Tliey must be conscious to themselves 
 that they have spread abroad a falsehood, and they are here- 
 by called upon, if they dare, to set their names to those 
 assertions. 
 
 In what manner those gentlemen, who chose the Com- 
 mittee at the Plains, proceeded, we cannot positively say ; 
 but this we can declare with truth, that we do not believe 
 they can produce to the publick the names of a hundred 
 and fifty persons who voted for a Committee that day, and 
 we are verily persuaded that they did their utmost to make 
 their party as numerous as possible. How then can they 
 justify their choice of a Committee? Or how can they 
 presume to impose upon the world, and to insult the loyal 
 County of Westchester in so barefaced a manner? 
 
 It is well known here, that two-thirds at least of the in- 
 habitants of this County are friends to order and Govern- 
 ment, and opposed to Committees and all unlawful combi- 
 nations; and it will be made apparent to the world that 
 they are so, as soon as certain Resolves, now signing freely 
 by the people, shall be ready for publication. And one prin- 
 cipal reason why the friends to Government did not assem- 
 ble in greater numbers than they did, on Tuesday last, was, 
 that many of them had already, by signing those Resolves, 
 testified their loyalty to the King, their attachment to the 
 Constitution, their enmity to Committees, and their acqui- 
 escence in the prudent measures taken by the Assembly 
 in the late session, for accommodating the unhappy differ- 
 ence between the Mother Country and the Colonies, and 
 consequently thought they had done their duty. 
 
 The Committee that was chosen may, with some kind 
 of propriety, be said to represent those particular persons 
 who chose them ; but how they can be denominated the 
 Representatives of the County of Westchester, who, in 
 general, abhor Committees and Committee-men, and are 
 determined to take no steps that may lead them into rebel- 
 lion, we cannot conceive. Certainly the friends to Govern- 
 ment, who were collected at Captain Hatfield's, had a 
 better right, from their number, to determine that there 
 should be no Committee, than the opposite party had to 
 appoint one ; and might, with much greater propriety, be 
 said to shew the sense of the County than the few who 
 acted without authority, and in direct opposition to Govern- 
 ment and to the determinations of our worthy Assembly; 
 and we doubt not but the impartial publick will consider the 
 matter in this light, and not esteem the act of a few indi- 
 viduals, unlawfully assembled, as the act (which it most 
 assuredly is not) of the very respectable, populous, and 
 loyal County of Westchester. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Morrisiana, May 7, 1775. 
 
 A very extraordinary paper, called a Protest against the 
 proceedings of the Freeholders of the County of West- 
 chester, relative to the election of Deputies for the late 
 Convention, and said to have been subscribed by the seve- 
 ral persons whose names are printed with it, was published 
 in Mr. Rivington and Gaine's Gazette a few weeks ago. 
 
 By whom this performance was given to the publick is 
 uncertain ; and being as little distinguished by decency as 
 by truth, there is reason to suspect the author's name will 
 remain a secret. 
 
 The falsities contained in this representation are too fla- 
 grant to impose upon any person in this Colony ; and 
 nothing but the apprehension of its gaining credit in other 
 parts of the world would have induced me to have made 
 it the subject of animadversion. 
 
 I shall pass over the many little embellishments with 
 which the author's fancy has endeavoured to decorate his 
 narrative ; nor is it necessary to call in question the reality 
 of that loyal enthusiasm by which it is said those good 
 people were influenced ; and I really wish that had been 
 the fact, because when inconsistencies and fooleries result 
 from inebriety or enthusiasm, they merit our pity, and 
 escape indignation and resentment. 
 
 Much pains, I confess, were on that day taken to make 
 temporary enthusiasts, and with other more exhilarating 
 ipirit than the spirit of loyally. 
 
 To give the appearance of dignity to these curious and 
 very orderly protesters, the author has been very mindful 
 to annex every man's addition to his name, upon a pre- 
 
 sumption, perhaps, that it would derive weight from the 
 title of Mayor, Esquire, Captain, Lieutenant, Judge, Sic. 
 
 But it is not easy to conceive why the publisher should 
 be less civil to the clergy, than to the gentry and common- 
 alty. Samuel Seabury and Luke Babcock, certainly ought 
 not to have been sent into the world floating on a news- 
 paper in that plain way ; the one is the " Reverend Mr. 
 Samuel Seabury, Rector of the united parishes of East 
 and Westchester, and one of the missionaries for propaga- 
 ting the Gospel (and not politicks) in foreign parts," &tc, 
 &.c. The other is the " Reverend Mr. Luke Babcock, 
 who preaches and prays for Mr. Philipse and his tenants, 
 at Philipseburgh." 
 
 In this formidable catalogue of three hundred and twelve 
 sober and loyal protesters, there are not less than one hun- 
 dred and seventy, who, after the most diligent inquiry, I 
 cannot find have the least pretensions to a vote ; and indeed 
 many of them are lads under age. 
 
 Their names are as follows: — 
 
 Samuel Seabury, 
 Luke Babcock, 
 Benj. Fowler, Esq., 
 Joshua Poll, 
 Edward Pell, 
 John Hunt, 
 Gilbert Horton, 
 Adrian Liforge, 
 Moses Williams, 
 Philip Kelly, 
 James Hains, Jun., 
 Matthew Hains, 
 Bartholomew Hains, 
 John Hains, 
 Elijah Hains, 
 Joseph Clark, 
 Joseph Oakly, 
 James Mott, 
 Daniel Purdy, 
 John Crab, 
 Izrahiah Whetmore, 
 Absalom Gidncy, 
 John Brown, 
 Jasper Stivers, 
 Peter McFarthing, 
 Joshua Purdy, Jun., 
 Hacaliah Purdy, Jun., 
 James Tomkins, 
 Gilbert Theal, 
 William Sexen, 
 Thomas Champeniers, 
 John Champeniers, 
 Eleazer Hart, 
 James Hunt, 
 Joseph Parker, 
 Joshua Barns, 
 John Park, 
 Samuel Purdy, 
 Gilbert Purdy, 
 James Chatterton, 
 Thomas Cromwell, 
 Solomon Horton, 
 Nath. Underhill, Jun., 
 Philip Fowler, 
 John McFarthing, 
 Jacob Post, 
 James Baxter, 
 John Hart, 
 Cornelius Losee, 
 Jesse Park, 
 Roger Purdy, Jun., 
 Gilbert Pugsley, 
 Abraham Ledeau, 
 Benjamin Brown, 
 Aaron Buis, 
 John Baizley, 
 David Oakley, Jun., 
 
 Isaac Smith, 
 John Hyatt, 
 Abraham Odell, 
 Thomas Lawrence, 
 John Seyson, 
 Isaac Forsheu, 
 Gabriel Requeaw, 
 Gabriel Archer, 
 Elias Secord, 
 James Peirce, 
 Edward Bugbe, 
 Daniel Haight, 
 John Hunt, Jun., 
 Abraham Losee, 
 Isaac Tomkins, 
 Joseph Paulding, 
 Henricus Storm, 
 Francis Secord, 
 John Parker, 
 Gilbert Bates, 
 David Purdy, 
 David Bleeker, 
 Jordon Downing, 
 Corn. Van Tassoll, 
 Joseph Appleby, 
 Patrick Cary, 
 Gilbert Ward, 
 William Dunlap, 
 Joshua Ferris, 
 Timothy Purdy, 
 James McQuire, 
 James Regnaw, 
 Samuel Purdy, 
 Sylvanus Purdy, 
 William Dalton, 
 Elijah Tomkins, 
 Charles Lawrence, 
 Joseph Purdy, Jun., 
 James Sniffin, Jun., 
 Peter Bonet, 
 Peter Fashee, 
 Jesse Lawrence, 
 William Sniden, 
 Solomon Dean, 
 Thomas Hyatt, 
 William Woodward, 
 John Whitmore, 
 William Underhill, 
 Nehemiah Tomkins, 
 Henry Leforge, 
 Evert Brown, 
 Benjamin Beyea, 
 John Loce, 
 Elnathan Appleby, 
 John B iker, 
 Jonathan Underhill, 
 James McChain, 
 
 Joshua Hunt, 
 Betts Chatterdon, 
 William Landrim, 
 Dennis Kennedy, 
 James Hains, 
 Andrew Bainton, 
 Nathaniel Tomkins, 
 Caleb Archer, 
 Benjamin Bugbe, 
 Francis Purdy, 
 William Odell, 
 Israel Hunt, 
 Thomas Tomkins, 
 Frederick Underhill, 
 Peter Post, 
 Benjamin McCord, 
 John Williams, 
 John Ackeman, 
 Peter Rusting, 
 Jeremiah Hunter, 
 Abraham Storm, 
 Peter Jenning, 
 John Gale, 
 John Smith, 
 James Hart, Jun., 
 Jonathan Purdy, Jr., 
 Monmouth Hart, Jr., 
 Christopher Purdy, 
 Gabriel Purdy, 
 Edward Merritt, Jr., 
 Henry Disborough, 
 William Van Wart, 
 Abraham Storm, 
 Thomas Berry, 
 Charles Merritt, 
 Benjamin Griffin, 
 James Angerine, 
 Jere. Anderson, Jr., 
 William Barker, Jr., 
 Gideon Arden, Jr., 
 Joseph Purdy, 
 George Storm 
 Jacob Vermiller, 
 Samuel Huested, 
 John Warner, 
 John Storm, 
 Joshua Secord, 
 John Underhill, 
 Wm. Underhill, Jr., 
 James Hill, 
 William Watkins, 
 Richard Baker, 
 Bishop Hustico, 
 Jermiiah Hitchcock, 
 William Bond, 
 Samuel Snidon. 
 
 Of the others who are Freeholders, many also hold 
 lands at will of Colonel Philipse; so that the truth really 
 is, that very few independent Freeholders objected to the 
 appointment of Deputies. Lewis Morris. 
 
 FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS GAZETTE. 
 
 Boston, April 13, 1775. 
 My worthy Friends and Fellow- Countrymen : 
 
 The charms of power are very intoxicating and bewitch- 
 ing. Mankind are naturally inclined to usurp authority 
 over their fellow-men, whenever an opportunity presents; 
 and it may be generally observed, that when their right to 
 it is most questionable, their exercise of it is most wanton 
 and unreasonable. This may be easily accounted for, as 
 they fear its duration will be but short, and therefore are 
 disposed to leave a testimonial of their having enjoyed it. 
 In no instance do we see this truth more strongly verified, 
 
325 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 326 
 
 than in the conduct of the late American Continental 
 Congress, who, in most of their proceedings, have ex- 
 ceeded the powers delegated to them, and in still more 
 have counteracted the design of their appointment. That 
 there are some grievances, or rather, that the time is come 
 explicitly to define and settle the rights of the Americans, 
 and the bounds of Parliamentary authority, will be denied 
 by none who wish well to Great Britain and her Colonies. 
 But to demand too much of a Nation that is wealthy, pow- 
 erful, and brave, that we may obtain enough, discovers a 
 childish petulance and frowardness, tending much more to 
 irritate and inflame, than to soften and appease. She will, 
 like a kind parent, correct our insolence, and reduce us to 
 due subjection, and then allow us every indulgence that 
 we ought reasonably to desire. As it is not her interest, 
 so we can never suppose it her inclination, to injure or op- 
 press us ; but we may be equally satisfied that she will 
 never see her just and constitutional authority abused and 
 trampled on. 
 
 We cannot wonder, then, that the conduct of the Con- 
 gress is so displeasing and provoking to Great Britain, 
 when, among the articles of complaint, they have inserted 
 matters which concerned them no more than the mandates 
 of the Great Mogul, or the edicts of the King of France ; 
 matters which, if true, even in their very extensive con- 
 struction, arTord no real ground of uneasiness ; matters 
 which discover more a wanton exercise of their usurped 
 authority, than a wish or inclination to restore harmony and 
 peace between Great Britain and her Colonies. Indeed, 
 when we review their proceedings, the manifest intention, 
 tendency, and complexion of them force us to make a 
 construction over which charity and candour would wish 
 to throw a veil, if it was not too plain to mistake it, being 
 written in the most legible characters. They have pre- 
 cluded every hope of accommodation, by the exorbitancy 
 of their demands, and the illegality of the measures they 
 have adopted. They have sacrificed their honour, hones- 
 ty, and reputation, to a lawless, ambitious thirst of inde- 
 pendence, and have purchased the worthless, transitory 
 shouts and eclat of the restless and seditious multitude, at 
 the expense of that lasting and satisfactory esteem and ap- 
 plause of the virtuous and the good, which alone ought to 
 have been the object of their wishes, and the end of all 
 their pursuits. The propriety of these observations will 
 be apparent, in the consideration of the fifteenth and last 
 general article of grievance, which, like the famed Cerberus 
 of old, abounds with various sources of complaint. 
 
 " In the last session of Parliament an Act was passed 
 for blocking up the Harbour of Boston ; another empower- 
 ing the Governour of the Massachusetts-Bay to send per- 
 sons indicted for murder in that Province, to another Col- 
 ony, or even to Great Britain, for trial, whereby such of- 
 fenders may escape legal punishment ; a third for altering 
 the chartered Constitution of Government in that Province ; 
 and a fourth for extending the limits of Quebeck, abolish- 
 ing the English, and restoring the French Laws, whereby 
 great numbers of British freemen are subject to the latter, 
 and establishing an absolute Government, and the Roman 
 Catholick Religion throughout those vast regions that bor- 
 der on the westerly and northerly boundaries of the free 
 Protestant English settlements; and a fifth for the better 
 providing suitable quarters for Officers and Soldiers in His 
 Majesty's service in North America." The Boston Port 
 Act, when it first arrived, filled all parties with astonish- 
 ment and surprise; the peculiarity of the mode of punish- 
 ment ; the severity with which it was attended ; the suffer- 
 ings inflicted thereby on many innocent individuals, at first 
 raised a suspicion of the justice, equity, and policy of the 
 British Nation ; but on a nearer view, and more mature 
 consideration of the spirit and design of the Act, we plainly 
 discovered that, in the midst of judgment they had remem- 
 bered mercy. The authority of Parliament had been most 
 iniquitously and flagrantly abused, insulted, and opposed, 
 by the destruction of a large quantity of Tea, the private 
 property of the East-India Company, by a number of the 
 inhabitants of the Town of Boston and the adjacent Towns, 
 in the most riotous and daring manner. This Tea was sent 
 here in consequence of a particular Act of Parliament, em- 
 powering the East-India Company to do it, merely for the 
 regulation of Trade ; as the Dutch Tea was smuggled in by 
 the way of the Northern Colonies, in such quantities, and 
 
 so cheap, as totally destroyed the sale of the English Tea, 
 which, by being sold at publick auction in London to the 
 merchant there, and by him with his advance upon it, to 
 the merchant here; by the latter with his advance, to the 
 retailer, and by him with his profits upon it, to the con- 
 sumer, was raised to such a price as gave the Dutch Com- 
 pany the sole advantage of that article of commerce, as it 
 came from them without any of these impositions, or the 
 payment of any duty upon it. 
 
 We all profess to be subject to the Acts for the regula- 
 tion of Trade ; for this purpose solely was this Act made ; 
 by it no new duty was imposed, but some heavy restric- 
 tions taken off, so that the destruction of the Tea could be 
 considered as arising only from the most wanton and unrea- 
 sonable desire of throwing off all subjection to the Parent 
 State, and setting up for independence. Proportionate, 
 therefore, to the criminality and atrocious nature of the of- 
 fence, might we reasonably suppose the punishment would 
 be. Not only the private property of the East-India 
 Company had been destroyed, but the honour and author- 
 ity of the Nation had been injured and violated. The 
 former was to be compensated, and the latter to be satisfied 
 and repaired. The inhabitants of Boston and the other 
 towns concerned, could not be more generally and imme- 
 diately affected by any other way whatever. It will here 
 be said it is hard for the innocent to suffer with the guilty ; 
 but the answer is obvious : the offenders were disguised 
 and unknown ; no one appeared at the time to oppose it ; 
 all might, therefore, be considered as involved in the guilt 
 in some measure. The friends of Government, by their 
 silence and inactivity in the first of these troubles, when 
 they might have prevented the mischiefs that have since 
 ensued, and the daring outrage which was now the cause of 
 their punishment, had they properly exerted themselves, 
 have therefore little reason to complain of the disadvan- 
 tages they suffer, or the loss they sustain on this account. 
 However, admitting they were quite innocent, and had 
 done their duty on this occasion, it should be remembered, 
 that as in general calamities of lightning, earthquakes, fam- 
 ine, war, and pestilence, inflicted by Heaven on mankind, 
 there is no respect to persons, the wicked and the good are 
 equally exposed and actually affected ; so in States and 
 Kingdoms in this world, when general punishments of a 
 people are found necessary, it is very difficult, if not im- 
 possible, to discriminate and screen the innocent from the 
 misfortunes which the guilty suffer. But in this instance, 
 as was hinted above, with such wisdom, with so much len- 
 ity was the Port Act constructed, that the severity of its 
 operation depended entirely upon the reasonable compliance 
 or obstinacy of those who were to suffer by it. It was an 
 indispensable act of common justice to pay for the Tea 
 that had been destroyed, or it was equally just to punish 
 those who were concerned in doing it. It has been said, 
 that had the Act been conditional, to take place only if 
 the terms were not complied with, there would have been 
 some reason in it; no one would have complained; but 
 not to be able to prevent the execution of it, had they 
 been disposed to submit to the requisitions, was a degree of 
 rigour without an example. Let us attend to the circum- 
 stances. It was made to take place the first of June ; four- 
 teen days after that were allowed for any vessels to fit out 
 and sail ; upon payment for the Tea being made, and some 
 other trifling matters complied with, and a certificate pro- 
 cured from the Governour of the fulfilment of the terms 
 of the Act, power was given to His Majesty in privy 
 Council to suspend its execution. The Act arrived near 
 the beginning of May, if I recollect right. Now, as the 
 Spring ships are generally all arrived before the time that 
 the Act was to take place, it would have little effect for 
 some time after that upon foreign importation. If the Tea 
 had been immediately paid for, and the requisite certificate 
 procured, which might easily have been done, and trans- 
 mitted home, the operation of the Act might have ceased 
 at once ; as it seems to have been particularly provided for 
 this purpose, that the King in Council might suspend it, 
 that so no delay might be occasioned by calling the Par- 
 liament together to repeal it. Orders for Fall goods might 
 have been sent at the same time, and the Fall ships might 
 have returned at their usual time, into an open and free 
 Port ; so that by a prudent conduct, the trade with Great 
 Britain might not have been interrupted at all ; other 
 
327 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 branches might have suffered a temporary damage, but it 
 would have been trifling, as by the last of August we 
 might have had the news of the Port's being open again. 
 So that by the folly, injustice, and madness alone of the 
 popular leaders, has this Act been attended with the dis- 
 tresses and inconveniences which are now so sensibly felt. 
 Now let me ask, with what reason, with what justice, 
 could an Englishman, could an American, could any one, 
 who wished the prosperity of Britain, complain of an Act 
 which was made solely to benefit the English merchant in 
 preference to the Dutch! especially in the sale of an ar- 
 ticle of so much importance, in such constant and exten- 
 sive use and consumption ; and after the people here, 
 being deluded and hurried on by a seditious tribe of dema- 
 gogues had, in open violation of the common rights of 
 society, of every principle of justice, of their allegiance to 
 their Sovereign, of their constitutional dependance upon 
 Great Britain, so wantonly and maliciously destroyed so 
 lar^e and valuable a quantity of merchandise, let me ask, 
 where is the man so destitute of every principle of honesty, 
 of every sentiment of honour, so deaf to the call of equity 
 and justice, and the demands of law, as to hesitate one 
 moment to make the most ample and satisfactory restitu- 
 tion in his power ? To this question, to which it must pain 
 every loyal American to return an answer, I, with equal 
 grief and astonishment, reply, the Town of Boston, in 
 Town-Meeting assembled, were the men. These men, 
 who, by their conduct, had drawn down the resentment of 
 the Nation ; by their subsequent unaccountable proceed- 
 ings, have been the wilful cause of the continuation of 
 those distresses, of which they now so highly complain 
 and so sensibly feel the effects ; and such has been their 
 fatal influence, that they prevailed upon the House of Re- 
 presentatives to appoint a solemn fast, to beseech of the 
 Almighty a sanction to their violence and robbery. What 
 unpardonable hypocrisy ! What unheard-of mockery of 
 Heaven ! What unparalleled effrontery ! Can it be sup- 
 posed that the Divine Being, who, by the principles of 
 natural religion implanted in the human mind, and by the 
 repeated precepts in his written word, has so plainly com- 
 manded us to abstain from fraud, rapine, and injustice, and 
 has denounced the most heavy woes upon those who are 
 guilty of these heinous crimes, will ever hearken to the 
 supplications of those who refuse to make restitution to 
 their fellow-creatures, whom they have grossly, wantonly, 
 and unreasonably injured ? Nevertheless, the good people 
 of the Province were so far deluded and misled, as to 
 adopt so unpardonable a measure. It was, however, hoped, 
 that the Members of the Continental Congress, free from 
 the infatuation which was so prevalent here, unbiased by 
 our prejudices, uninfluenced by passions, and attentive to 
 the true interests of the Province and Continent, would 
 have recommended the payment for the Tea, as a neces- 
 sary step to a reconciliation. But alas! we find them in- 
 fluenced by the same factious leaders, by their conduct vir- 
 tually approving of this daring injustice. Upon no other 
 principle can we account for their inserting the Boston Port 
 Act in the list of grievances, when a compliance with the 
 most obvious, indispensable demands of justice, would at 
 once have suspended the execution of it. 
 
 The next particular in this very comprehensive article, 
 is another Act, l< empowering the Governour of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay to send persons indicted for murder in that 
 Province to another Colony, or even to Great Britain, for 
 trial, whereby such offenders may escape legal punish- 
 ment." It is really astonishing to see the low artifice and 
 glaring falsehood made use of in this description of the 
 Act. It is not true that the Governour is thus empowered, 
 as the Act expressly requires the advice and consent of 
 the Council, before any person can be removed to any 
 other place prescribed by the Act for trial ; so that, how- 
 ever arbitrarily the Governour may be disposed to act in 
 this instance, if the Council refuse their consent, he can 
 do nothing. What could induce the Congress thus to sacri- 
 fice their characters as honest men, (as I presume some of 
 them were,) is totally unaccountable. If the Act is really 
 grievous, is it not much better to represent it in a true 
 light, than by falsehood and high colouring, to mislead and 
 deceive every reader who does not examine the statute for 
 himself? To make the people believe that the Governour 
 bus it in his power to tyrannize at pleasure over them, 
 
 328 
 
 when in reality he can do nothing himself? If it is not 
 grievous, will such misrepresentations make it so? Can 
 they be justified upon any good and virtuous principle ? 
 Ought not those men, who, by such pitiful, base methods, 
 can attempt to stir up a people to acts of treason and re- 
 bellion, and destroy the peace and happiness of millions, 
 to be held in everlasting infamy and contempt? Reason 
 dictates, justice demands, that they should. 
 
 Let us attend to the other expressions used in the de- 
 scription of this Act : " Send persons indicted for murder 
 in that Province to another Colony, or even to Great Bri- 
 tain, for trial." Is not this expression plainly calculated 
 to induce a belief that all persons indicted for any murder 
 may be thus removed ? Is it not general and indefinite, 
 without any exception, without any restriction, to the par- 
 ticular offences specified in the Act ? I grant, that were 
 the Act such as is here represented, it would be a most 
 alarming grievance, a matter requiring every effort in our 
 power to get it redressed ; and the more distressing and 
 oppressive it would be if true, so much greater is the guilt 
 and wickedness of those men who would make us believe 
 it to be so. But if we examine the statute itself, we shall 
 find it really calculated to promote the more impartial ad- 
 ministration of justice in those instances to which it relates. 
 If we advert to the design of its being made, and the cause 
 which gave rise to it, we shall be convinced of its propriety 
 and expediency. The destruction of the Tea above men- 
 tioned had been effected in open and direct opposition to, 
 and violation of, an Act of Parliament ; no Magistrate had 
 interposed to prevent it ; it was the prevailing opinion of 
 the common people, who formed their political creed upon 
 the principles, practices, and information of their seditious 
 leaders, that Acts of Parliament were not binding in Ame- 
 rica. They, therefore, did not consider themselves as com- 
 mitting an act of treason in destroying it, but at most a 
 trespass at common law ; nay ! some, in their phrensy, 
 thought it a meritorious action, and that they were doing 
 God service by their zeal in such a cause. If, therefore, 
 any civil Magistrate, or others by his command, had, in re- 
 sisting these rioters and traitors, put any of them to death, 
 and bad been brought to a trial for it here, such was the 
 ferment of the times, so infectious and extensive the in- 
 fatuation, that the chance was ten thousand to one that 
 the jury to pass upon their lives would consist of men who 
 had adopted these erroneous opinions, who would there- 
 fore think the conduct of the accused unlawful and criminal, 
 and consequently bring them in guilty of murder ; and I 
 have no doubt but this would have been the case, had such 
 resistance been made at that time. The Parliament might 
 justly suppose that this notorious violence passing " uncon- 
 trolled and unpunished," was owing to this cause ; at least 
 this is the most favourable and charitable construction that 
 they could put upon it. But be that as it may, their atten- 
 tion to future instances of the same kind, to prevent such 
 daring outrages, to induce submission to Acts of Parlia- 
 ment, and to encourage the civil Magistrate and others in 
 the execution of their duty, was evidently the design of 
 the Act ; and it is equally evident, to use the words in the 
 preamble of the Act, that Magistrates and others might 
 " be discouraged from the proper discharge of their duty, 
 by an apprehension that, in case of their being questioned 
 for any acts done in execution of the Laws and Statutes of 
 the Realm, they might be liable to be brought to trial for 
 the same before persons who do not acknowledge the validi- 
 ty of the laws, in the execution whereof, or the authority of 
 the Magistrate, in support of whom such acts had been 
 done." Especially when, for a bare disavowal of the vio- 
 lence and opposition to British laws, and the illegal, dan- 
 gerous spirit that then did and still does prevail, whole 
 Towns have been stigmatised, and individuals insulted and 
 abused. Nay, if those who would venture to resist and 
 quell any riots or mobs fortunately were acquitted by their 
 peers, upon a fair, open, and impartial trial, they have still 
 been pursued with unrelenting vengeance, and their names 
 and characters held up to publick view in the most infa- 
 mous and odious light: witness the institution on the fifth 
 of March ; that disgrace to humanity, dishonour to the 
 laws, and paragon of infernal malice ! Thus, while every 
 discouragement has been given to the due execution of the 
 laws, when we were absolutely reduced to a state of lawless 
 anarehy, can we with reason complain of an Act calculated 
 
329 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 330 
 
 to restore us to peace, quietness, and order ; an Act which 
 provides an impartial trial for men who shall laudably ven- 
 ture to enforce a due obedience to the laws and constitu- 
 tional authority of the Parent State. 
 
 But the fatal mischief which the quick-sighted Congress 
 have discovered in this Act, tbat " hereby such offenders 
 may escape legal punishment," at once excites our pity 
 for their weakness, and resentment for their dishonesty. 
 Surely their complaisance to this Province arose to an un- 
 bounded height, thus to compliment us, not only at the 
 expense of all the other Colonies upon the Continent, but 
 even of Great Britain. 1 am apt to suspect they under- 
 took the description of this Act immediately after the 
 adoption of the Suffolk Resolves ; in these two instances 
 their conduct seems to be uniform and consistent. And is 
 there not, then, to be found in the Kingdom of Great 
 Britain, nor in all the Colonies, an uncorrupted Court and 
 twelve impartial Jurors, who will act agreeable to law and 
 justice, save in the renowned Province of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay? Cannot a fair and legal trial be had in any 
 other part of the Dominions? Or, what I was not aware 
 of before, did the Congress think there could not be found 
 elsewhere a Court and Jury so intoxicated with popular 
 rage and delusion, as to condemn men, as guilty of murder, 
 who had only discharged their duty in the due execution 
 of the laws? And, therefore, in their great humanity com- 
 plain that they should have any chance for an acquittal ! 
 I am at a loss on which of these principles to account for 
 the conduct of the Congress. But it is so ridiculous to 
 pretend that a fair trial cannot be had out of this Province, 
 when every circumstance favours a contrary supposition, 
 that it hardly deserves a serious answer. Thus, my dear 
 friends and fellow-countrymen, have the Congress left that 
 path which their duty and our interest pointed out, and 
 followed the lead of a few men, who, had they been influ- 
 enced by any laudable or virtuous considerations, we should 
 have been saved from the calamities that now awaits us. 
 
 As this publication is so lengthy, I must defer the re- 
 maining part of the article for a future paper. 
 
 Phileirene. 
 
 to the inhabitants of the massachusetts-bay. 
 
 NO. IX. 
 
 Boston, April 13, 1775. 
 Mi/ Friends and Fellow- Count rymen : 
 
 It is not to be wondered at that disappointed men, grown 
 wanton by peculation, whose ambition suggested to them 
 the hope of overturning a Constitution which themselves, 
 their ancestors, and the community had enjoyed, and the 
 British Nation acceded to for near a century and a half, 
 should endeavour to convince their fellow-countrymen of 
 the rectitude and fitness of their exertions ; when suspect- 
 ed, if not convicted, at the bar of the impartial publick of a 
 series of treasonable acts and perfidious plots, by which 
 their Country and millions of their fellow-mortals are 
 plunged into a choice of the greatest calamities, that they 
 should call opposition to their measures by lying names, 
 treason, and rebellion ; that they should attempt to fix the 
 imputation of their own crimes upon those who have, in some 
 degree, detected and baffled their oppressive schemes ; that 
 they should struggle to carry their points, by imposing 
 upon the understandings of some, and practising on the 
 hopes and fears of others, is no way astonishing. Such 
 men blush at nothing ; ever restless and craving, over-heated 
 in the pursuits of honour and profit, they yield themselves 
 up to the dominion of principles as unworthy the man as 
 ever the wretched animals of unbounded ambition were 
 under the influence of, or the willing tools of despotick 
 power advocates for.* 
 
 Massachusettensis, in his publication of January 23d, 
 after giving us some historical facts, and his observations 
 upon them, which go to the right of Parliament, bursts 
 forth into the most virulent invectives against those gentle- 
 men who have been deputed, by the free and unsolicited 
 suffrages of the people, to watch the encroachments of 
 
 * It gives me no pleasure to write ; it must give pain to a good mind 
 to read a character which wounds his species (his countrymen) with 
 disgrace and infamy. I am sorry to say there are some on both sides 
 the Atlantick, to whom it but too well applies. Charity hopes all 
 things, and may plead for tenderness and indulgence. But the first 
 obligations upon a writer are to truth and justice, offend whom it may. 
 
 power, and to concert means to withstand the efforts of 
 tyranny, which, like an inundation, was breaking in upon 
 us, sweeping away all our social blessings. The application 
 of his facts, and the pertinency of his observations, goes 
 wholly upon the presumption that the Colonies were parts 
 of the British Empire, even from their first discovery, or, 
 for aught appears, from the creation of the world, and as 
 such subject to the British Parliament in all cases. There- 
 fore, as there is nothing new in this part of his paper, the 
 answers which we have repeatedly made to such presump- 
 tions, void of proof, will, upon recollection, apply, and be a 
 sufficient confutation. For this reason I will not take up 
 your time with unnecessary observations upon his first para- 
 graphs on this subject. 
 
 Our writer tells us the novelty of our being exempted 
 from the authority of Parliament will appear, by an extract 
 from a pamphlet published in 1764, by a gentleman who 
 was then an oracle of the Whigs, and whose profound 
 knowledge in the Law and Constitution is equalled but by 
 few. This extract asserts that all the Colonies are subject 
 to, and dependant on Great Britain, and that the Parlia- 
 ment has authority to make laws binding upon them for 
 their general good, &ic. This gentleman, who has been 
 one of the greatest ornaments of his profession as a lawyer, 
 has made all America his debtors for his agonizing strug- 
 gles in opposition to usurpation and tyranny by British 
 powers. He has more than once nobly stood forth to stem 
 the torrent. His publick life has been a political conflict 
 with principalities and powers, with men whom, from a lust 
 of power, have been plotting the ruin of this ill-fated Prov- 
 ince, together with this great patriot. 
 
 The Whigs call no man master under Heaven, however 
 great ; their appeal is to the law and to the testimony, to the 
 Constitution of their Country, and the eternal principles of 
 nature. The position laid down by the gentleman alluded 
 to, as it stands unsupported by argument or reason, what- 
 ever might induce to it in his mind, is but the opinion of 
 one individual of the community. Admitting that it was his 
 opinion that the right of Parliament was as extensive as her 
 present claims, which was not the case, it would only prove 
 a diversity of opinion in different men, which is sometimes 
 the case in the same man at different times. This is inci- 
 dent to humanity, especially before a thorough examina- 
 tion of the subject. We might apply to it an observation 
 of his own upon a similar occasion, "that when great men 
 miss it, they miss it most egregiously." They, as has been 
 remarked on this very pamphlet, sometimes see men as 
 trees walking. However, Massachusettensis, ever consist- 
 ent with himself, fully answers this, his own argument, in 
 his paper of March 16th. "Messieurs Otis, Cushing, 
 Hancock, and Adams," says he, " were confidential friends, 
 and made common cause. May we thence infer, that the 
 three latter held that the Parliament had a just and equita- 
 ble right to impose taxes on the Colonies, fcc, because the 
 first did." He adds, " such principles and inferences are 
 unlucky," that is, nothing can be inferred from them. If 
 so, can we infer the sentiments of the publick from the 
 opinion of one gentleman ? How, then, does the above 
 extract, which has been published and republished, cited 
 and recited by our writer, prove, upon his own principles, 
 that the denial of the authority of Parliament over the 
 Colonies is a novelty ? 
 
 We are next presented with an extract from the Farm- 
 er's Letters, who, we are told, took the lead in explaining 
 away the right of Parliament to raise a revenue in Ame- 
 rica, where, speaking of the regulation of Trade, tells us, 
 " he who considers these Provinces as States distinct from 
 the British Empire, has very slender notions of justice, or 
 of their interest. We are but parts of a whole, and there- 
 fore there must exist a power somewhere to preside and 
 preserve the connection in due order. This power is 
 lodged in Parliament, and we are as much dependant on 
 Great Britain as a perfectly free people can be on ano- 
 ther." This elegant writer and firm asserter of his Coun- 
 try's rights, who took the lead, still holds a conspicuous 
 place among the American worthies, the guardians of our 
 liberties. His sentiment respecting the rights of Parlia- 
 ment is sufficiently evident from the result of the Con- 
 gress, of which he was a member, as well as from the 
 whole tenour of those Letters, which have been translated 
 and admired by different Nations in Europe. It is admit- 
 
■ 
 
 331 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, APRIL, 1775. 332 
 
 ted that the Colonies and Great Britain are one, are 
 parts of a whole, in their commercial interest. They see 
 the necessity of a power somewhere, to preside, and pre- 
 serve this commercial connection in due order. They 
 consent that Parliament should exercise this power ; we 
 contend only for the rights and privileges of a perfectly 
 free people, submitting to Acts for the regulating of 
 Trade. 
 
 Massachuscttcnsis having, as he says, settled the right 
 of Parliament, dips his pen in gall ; lost to all sense of 
 candour or generosity, to all the noble sallies of the chari- 
 table soul, arms it with invectives, and with a facility pecu- 
 liar to himself, hurls the envenomed shafts of obliquy and 
 reproach against some of the fairest characters on the 
 Continent. He lashes all around him indiscriminately, 
 with the dire scourges of calumny and slander. 
 
 To show what engines some of the tories, even the 
 mildest of them, employ in their political war; what inde- 
 cencies a party spirit betrays them into; to what expe- 
 dients, and pitiful shifts they sometimes stoop, I will trans- 
 cribe the substance of a part of this acrimonious . . 
 
 We are told, that the Resolves of our Congresses either 
 argue profound ignorance, or hypocritical cunning; that 
 many unsuspecting persons have been prevailed upon to 
 oppose the execution of Acts of Parliament by those who 
 could have turned to the page where such insurrections 
 were pronounced rebellion by the laws of the land; and 
 had not their hearts been dead to a sense of justice, and 
 steeled against every feeling of humanity, they would 
 timely have warned us of our danger; that our patriots 
 have sent us in pursuit of a fascinating glare, devoid of sub- 
 stance ; that when we find ourselves bewildered, with 
 scarce one ray of hope to raise our sinking spirits, or stay 
 our fainting souls, they conjure up phantoms more delusive 
 and fleeting, if possible, than that which first led us astray ; 
 they tell us that we are a match for Great Britain; that 
 no pains have been spared by our wretched politicians to 
 prevent a defection of the Army to the service ; that the 
 officers have a bad opinion of the cause of the Whigs, from 
 the treatment of their General, and the infamous attempts 
 to seduce the soldiers from His Majesty's service; that the 
 policy of our patriots has been as weak and contemptible 
 as their motives are sordid and malevolent; that failing of 
 success in corrupting, they took pains to attach them firmer 
 to the service, by preventing the erecting of barracks, by 
 which means many contracted diseases, and some lost their 
 lives ; that our patriots had deprived them of a gratifica- 
 tion never denied to the brute creation — straw to lay on ; 
 that we have been amused with intimations and prospects 
 which were only the suggestions of despair ; that the Grand 
 Congress had prevented the people in England from 
 espousing our cause ; that they had bid Great Britain 
 defiance. He then concludes his paper by telling us 
 what warlike preparations are made against us, and advis- 
 ing us to provide for the safety of ourselves, our wives, 
 our children, our friends, and our Country, by immediately 
 protesting against all the traitorous Resolves and Associa- 
 tions of our Congresses, that the innocent may not be 
 confounded with the guilty. 
 
 There is scarce one crime that human nature is capable 
 of, but what is here imputed to our leaders, whose publick 
 conduct is applauded by an admiring world. Not content- 
 ed with vilifying their characters, he urges it upon us with 
 an importunate pathos as a duty, to commit an act of the 
 basest ingratitude, an instance of the blackest treachery. 
 Perfidiously to protest against the proceedings of those 
 gentlemen who, by our appointment and for our safety, 
 have undertaken an arduous task, and, unawed by a sense 
 of danger, confiding in the virtue and firmness of their 
 Country, have discharged it with honour, wisdom, firm- 
 ness, and courage themselves, would be blasting our spe- 
 cies with disgrace, and consigning our names to everlasting 
 infamy. 
 
 Paintings and colourings on indifTerent matters may 
 tickle the sense and please the imagination ; even fictitious 
 representations may be innocent. In affairs of serious and 
 general concernment, to misrepresent and asperse, is to 
 play with firebrands, arrows, and death. You well know, 
 my countrymen, the real state of facts upon which our 
 writer founds his ill-natured charges. You are acquainted 
 with their concomitant circumstances, the principles and 
 
 policy upon which they stand. The necessity of our situa- 
 tion, in which the Tories had plunged us, pointed them out ; 
 self-preservation gave them being. I shall not particularly 
 advert to his charges against our publick characters, except- 
 ing to those of treason and rebellion. Power naturally 
 exists where God Almighty placed it. Great oppressions, 
 unless the people are sunk into ignorance and stupidity, 
 will ever kindle the spirit of opposition. It is in vain to 
 attempt to reason or frighten those who have minds to 
 conceive, hearts to feel, and spirit to act, into servile sub- 
 missions. They feel truths, feel injuries : and present suf- 
 ferings render them strangers to future dangers. Exigen- 
 cies call for exertions ; efforts may prove fortunate, glorious, 
 and triumphant; and when a subjection, or vanquishment, 
 can take nothing away that a submission would leave, 
 reason warrants the procedure. It is an observation of the 
 celebrated Doctor Blackstone, " that whenever the uncon- 
 stitutional oppressions, even of the sovereign power, ad- 
 vance with gigantick strides, and threaten desolation to a 
 State, mankind will not be reasoned out of the feelings of 
 humanity, nor will sacrifice their liberty, by a scrupulous 
 adherence to those political maxims which were established 
 to preserve it." 
 
 This will be the case, whether there be Congresses or 
 Committees, patriots and politicians, or not, until men's 
 spirits are subdued. Had Massachusettensis been as much 
 indebted to some of our patriots, as many of his good bre- 
 thren in the western parts of this Province are for their 
 kind interposition to appease a justly incensed multitude, 
 he would have dealt out his invectives with a more sparing 
 hand.* What would have been the situation of the Tories 
 in the Country, had it not been for Committees of Corres- 
 pondence, which they so much despise, and other gentle- 
 men of influence, who possessed the confidence and affec- 
 tions of an abused people ? 
 
 That all publick and civil powers, Royal prerogatives, 
 and Kingly authority, may remain where the wisdom of 
 our Constitution have placed them, is the wish of every 
 true American. Every pulse beats loyalty to our gracious 
 Sovereign. He pierces with indignant looks the wretch 
 who dares to lisp disloyalty, who would not spill his blood 
 in defence of his King's constitutional Government, his 
 crown and dignity. By opposing innovations, Govern- 
 ment is preserved. For subjects to hold their liberties 
 dearer than life, must be the joyful boast of an English 
 Prince : it is the most sparkling gem in the Crown of 
 George the Third, whose life America prays may be long 
 and happy. She considers the Crown and Royal dignity 
 as an office instituted for the people for their good, as a 
 trust for millions, and extending its influences to genera- 
 tions yet unborn, and not as a descendable property, as 
 an estate vested in the possessor for the emolument and 
 grandeur of himself and heirs. 
 
 To assert and defend those rights which have their foun- 
 dation in the reason of things, in the nature of Government, 
 the principles of the English Constitution, our own Char- 
 ters, the laws of our being, the maxims of wisdom and 
 sound policy that have been sanctified by long usage, a 
 uniformity of principle and practice for ages past, cannot 
 be disloyalty to that King who never dies, who is constitu- 
 tionally present and active in all parts of his Government, 
 and neither knows nor regards the pleasure or mandates of 
 the man who wears the Crown, when they are not dictated 
 by the laws of the land. The coronation oath, and the 
 oath of allegiance, says a great writer, are in effect but 
 swearing to the Constitution — in one to govern, and in the 
 other to be governed, according to it. 
 
 Treason and rebellion consists in rising in opposition to 
 lawful authority. If we are not a part of the Empire of 
 Great Britain in such a sense as to be subject to her legis- 
 lative authority in all cases, then she has no right to give 
 us law in all cases, or to coerce obedience to them. If she 
 has not this right, opposition to such laws as she has no 
 right to make is neither treason nor rebellion, nor any other 
 misdemeanor, but incumbent duty. Every society has a 
 right to preserve its liberties and privileges against those 
 who have no authority to invade them : and certainly they 
 are justified in the use of those means by which alone they 
 
 * I could toll some merry stories of the Tories making application 
 to some of the Whigs in the western part of this Province, for their 
 assistance when in trouble, were it proper at this time. 
 
333 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 334 
 
 can attain this valuable end. Sighs and tears, prayers and 
 broken hearts are of no eli'ect against the frightlul blaze of 
 warlike apparatus. The points of swords, mouths of thun- 
 dering cannon, arms, and other instruments of death ; these 
 must be answered by a different argument. 
 
 The good of the whole is the same with the good of all 
 its parts. If self-defence is justifiable, nay, a duty in in- 
 dividuals, it must be lawful in a community composed of 
 individuals. " The right of self-defence, in cases of great 
 and urgent necessity, and where no other remedy is at 
 hand, (says a great Crown lawyer,) is perfectly understood 
 and universally assented to : a right which the law of nature 
 giveth, and no law of society hath taken away." 
 
 If this be true in case of individuals, it will be equally 
 so in cases of communities under the like circumstances of 
 necessity. For all the rights and powers for defence and 
 preservation belonging to society, are nothing more than 
 the natural rights and powers of individuals transferred to, 
 and concentering in the body, for the preservation of the 
 whole. And from the law of self-preservation, considered 
 as extending to civil society, resulted] the well known 
 maxim, salus populi suprema lex. 
 
 1 think the principles here laid down must be admitted, 
 unless any one will choose to say that individuals in a com- 
 munity are, in pertain cases, under the protection of the 
 primitive law of self-preservation ; but communities, com- 
 posed of the same individuals, are in like cases excluded. 
 Or that when the enemy is at the gate, every single soldier 
 may and ought to stand to his arms, but the garrison must 
 surrender at discretion. 
 
 Is there not but too much reason to contemplate upon 
 these principles, to expect an attack, to prepare for the con- 
 flict ? Has not our capital street been bathed in blood ? 
 some of our countrymen cut and mangled with pointed 
 steel ? Others abused and injured in triumphant rage ? Is 
 not much of our property wrested from the hands of its 
 lawful owners ? Are not many valuable lives in constant 
 jeopardy? Is not our Metropolis in captivity, and our 
 Harbours filled with Ships-of-War ? Are not our adversa- 
 ries preparing for havock and desolation ? In this situation 
 is it loyalty to lay still unarmed, until destruction comes 
 upon us as a whirlwind ? Is it treason to prepare to act 
 on the defensive ? The great Soiners tells us, that " he 
 who lets any person whatever destroy him contrary to law, 
 when it is in his power to preserve his life by defending 
 himself, does tacitly consent to his own death, which he is 
 obliged to defend by the law of nature ; and therefore is 
 guilty of his own blood." Is it not the same with com- 
 munities ? 
 
 Massachusettensis tells us, in his publication of Febru- 
 ary 20th, " that he agrees with the Whigs, if the Colonies 
 are separate or distinct States, (that is, not within the ju- 
 risdiction of Parliament,) ev ery Act of Parliament extending 
 to the Colonies, and every movement of the Crown to 
 carry them into execution, would be really grievances, 
 however wise and salutary they might be in themselves, 
 as they would be exertions of a power that we were not 
 constitutionally subject to, and would deserve the names of 
 usurpation and tyranny." He might have added, and 
 every person who has been deliberately attempting to 
 enforce and carry them into execution is guilty of . . . 
 and deserves the .... together with the abhor- 
 rence of all America. 
 
 If the Parliament has not the right she contends for, of 
 taxation and legislation over the Colonies, a few extracts 
 from the illustrious Locke and Lord Somers will, perhaps, 
 come home to the point. " Whenever (says Locke) Legis- 
 lators endeavour to take away and destroy the property of 
 the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary 
 power, they put themselves in a state of war with the peo- 
 ple, who are thereupon absolved from any farther obedience, 
 and are left to the common refuge which God hath provi- 
 ded for all men against force and violence. Whenever, 
 therefore, the Legislative shall transgress this fundamental 
 rule of society, and either by ambition, fear, folly, or cor- 
 ruption, endeavour to grasp to themselves, or put into the 
 hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, 
 liberties, and estate of the people, they forfeit their trust, 
 and the people have a right to reassume their original 
 liberty. The same holds true concerning the supreme 
 Executor, who acts against his trust, when he goes about 
 
 to set up his own arbitrary will as the law of the society, 
 when he employs the force, treasure and offices of the 
 society to corrupt the Representatives, and gain them to 
 his purposes. What is this but to cut up Government by 
 the roots, and poison the very fountain of publick securi- 
 ty ?" These are the words of that great man, and if they 
 apply in any degree to present times it is not my fault. 
 
 Seeing all power must be derived from some grant of 
 the people, it is incumbent upon every body politick to 
 prove and justify the several degrees of authority which it 
 pretends to claim ; and what it cannot derive from some 
 concession of the people, must remain vested in them as 
 their reserved right. If it assumes any authority' which it 
 cannot prove the people surrendered, it is guilty of an in- 
 vasion of their rights. To extend the rights of governing 
 and commanding, and the duties of submission and obedi- 
 ence, beyond the laws of one's Country, is treason against 
 the Constitution, treachery to the society, and an injury to 
 mankind. It is cutting up the hedges and fences of the 
 subject's liberty, an attempt to make one part of mankind 
 tyrants and monsters, the other food for their malice, re- 
 venge, and brutal lust — to make them wretched slaves, 
 miserable reptiles. 
 
 Is there any proof or evidence of any surrender, com- 
 pact, or consent of the people, that the Colonies should 
 be, in all cases, within the legislative authority of Parlia- 
 ment? Would not this be subversive of our Constitutions, 
 and repugnant to every principle of freedom ? What, 
 then, are the crimes of those who have been, and are still 
 struggling to establish this subjection ? 
 
 " They are not, nor can be rebels," says the famous 
 Lord Somers, " who endeavour to preserve and maintain 
 the Constitution ; but they are traitors who design and 
 pursue the subversion of it. They are rebels who go 
 about to overthrow the Government of their Country ; 
 whereas such as seek to defend and support it, are the 
 truly loyal persons, and do act according to the ties and 
 obligations of fealty. Nor is it merely the first and high- 
 est treason in itself, that a member of a political society is 
 capable of committing, to go about to subvert the Consti- 
 tution ; but it is also the greatest treason he can perpetrate 
 against the person, crown, and dignity of the King." 
 
 " Whosoever, either ruler or the subject, by force goes 
 about to invade the rights of either Prince or People, and 
 lay the foundation for overturning the Constitution and 
 frame of any just Government, he is guilty of the greatest 
 crime, I think, a man is capable of, being to answer for all 
 those mischiefs of blood, rapine, and desolation, which the 
 breaking to pieces of Government brings upon a Country ; 
 and he who does it is justly to be accounted one who re- 
 sists the ordinance of God, and the common enemy and 
 pest of mankind." 
 
 The above is the judgment of whole Kingdoms and 
 Nations. Let those, ivhoever they be, that have been 
 sporting with the rights of mankind, and rioting on their 
 spoils ; who, contracted in the little point of self, and 
 equally steeled against the rebukes of conscience and the 
 sentiments of humanity, that have been thundering to the 
 world the terrours of prostituted law, and proclaiming the 
 manly and loyal struggles of an oppressed people in de- 
 fence of their just rights, sedition and rebellion — thus, 
 instigated by the sweets of revenge, the hopes of conquest, 
 the prospect of rich plunder in a plenty of confiscations, 
 the pleasing expectation of unbounded power, with a mis- 
 giving heart still dreading the final issue of things, have 
 been eager to travel the crimson fields of blood, and to 
 send the terrours of fire and sword into the innocent places 
 of domestick retirement; let such consider what has been 
 the judgment of past ages, and will be the opinion of fu- 
 ture generations respecting their conduct. 
 
 From the County of Hampshire. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, April 14, 1775. 
 
 The alarming crisis to which the Parliamentary contro- 
 versy with the Colonies is now brought, demands the uni- 
 ted wisdom and attention of every serious, well-disposed 
 person among us ; and the grand question which obtrudes 
 itself at first view is, can we withstand the power of Great 
 Britain, when determined to enforce obedience to the 
 laws of her Parliament ? To this question, many heated 
 
385 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, See, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 33b 
 
 imaginations may reply, we can ; for Britain is not able to 
 send Troops enough to conquer us, though she may distress 
 and ruin our commercial connections. I must confess that 
 1 am not of that opinion ; for if the British Nation, collec- 
 tively as one body, should espouse the Parliamentary claim 
 of supremacy, however unjust or unconstitutional, 1 am 
 convinced they could reduce us to such extremities as 
 would make us the most miserable of dependant beings. 
 But this cannot be expected ; we see the greatest men in 
 the Nation appear in behalf of America, condemning the 
 policy of Administration, applauding the Colonists for their 
 noble and generous exertions in support of their just rights 
 and privileges ; we see the Merchants kindly and friendly 
 petitioning the Parliament in our behalf; but all in vain — 
 our controversy is confined to the two branches of the Le- 
 gislature only, and they are judges in their own cause ; 
 and although His Majesty has been pleased to give coun- 
 tenance to their Resolutions, and seems determined to sup- 
 port them, yet, with all these appearances, we cannot think 
 the present manoeuvres justified by the Nation ; and a short 
 time will convince us that greater disturbances will appear 
 in England than in America. The obstruction to the Neiv- 
 foundland Fishery from Neiv-England, will be another 
 alarm to the Nation, as they must see their rivals in trade, 
 the French, will seize every advantage thereby ; and the 
 Southern Governments will look upon the stoppage to the 
 trade of the New-England Provinces only as the execu- 
 tion of a plan in part, in expectation that they would avail 
 themselves of the opportunity of growing rich, and in- 
 creasing in trades, while the other are sinking beneath 
 their burdens, and reduced to such misery as to be obliged 
 to submit ; which when they have accomplished, Adminis- 
 tration will not be content till they have subjugated the 
 whole Continent to their sovereign control. But the 
 question still remains to be answered, can we, or shall we 
 withstand an Army who spread the British standard, and 
 is commanded by a General acting by and under His Ma- 
 jesty's commission ? To answer this question is puzzling 
 to the ablest politicians amongst us ; those who answer in 
 the affirmative, do not enough consider that the sword 
 once drawn can never be sheathed but in the bowels of 
 Britons and Americans — till desolation and war becomes 
 one general scene. For although ten thousand Troops 
 may (all an easy prey to the numbers brought against them, 
 yet what will be the event of such a conquest ? Britain 
 will feel the lo?s of her sons, and the blood of the slain 
 will call aloud for revenge, and this may rouse the Nation 
 to drop every idea of friendship, and losing sight of the 
 merits of the controversy, will naturally support the tar- 
 nished honour of the British arms, and enraged with dis- 
 dain of an inglorious defeat, may send such numbers of 
 mercenary and veteran Troops, which, together with a pow- 
 erful Fleet, will scatter destruction on our devoted heads. 
 On the other hand, those who are on the negative side of 
 the question, and who say we ought not to oppose the Bri- 
 tish £ moos, should mark out the line of conduct necessary 
 to be pursued in this critical and alarming period, and 
 should prove the inexpediency of appearing in arms till 
 forced thereto by the loss of every idea or hope of a recon- 
 ciliation with Britain ; and that it plainly appears the Na- 
 tion has left us to be the victims of Parliamentary resent- 
 ment. For my own part, I must own the idea of taxation 
 without representation appears to me incompatible with the 
 British Constitution, and is a political solecism ; and any 
 Government founded upon such principles must soon fall 
 into despotism. And as America is not represented in the 
 Parliament of Britain, she can't justly be taxed ; but if it 
 is insisted upon, that supremacy must be lodged some- 
 where, and the Parliament being the highest Court in the 
 Nation, that supremacy ought to rest there; in that case, 
 subordinate legislation by American Assemblies must be 
 first annihilated ; for the subject ought not to be governed 
 by two codes of laws, some of which are diametrically 
 opposite in their operation. 
 
 These arguments have been so often and so fully treated 
 upon, that every individual knows the force of them. I 
 shall therefore only add here, that there is a vacancy, or 
 rather weakness, in the Constitution of the Parliamentary 
 Government of America, which requires the consideration 
 of both Countries, and without a settlement thereof the 
 present controversy will never be ended ; for unless the 
 
 wound is probed to the bottom, it cannot be healed ; it 
 may be skinned over for a short time, but will break out 
 again with more virulence. A denial of any legislative 
 right over America, is equally unreasonable in us, as it is 
 in the Parliament to claim it in all cases whatsoever. To 
 suppose that we are to be controlled only by our own Legis- 
 latures, will appear at first view to be incompatible with the 
 regulating laws of Commerce. The East-India, the As- 
 siento, and Hudson's Bay Companies, all pay large sums 
 to the Nation for an exclusive trade; and every merchant 
 in Britain is subject to large penalties for even attempting 
 to trade there, besides a seizure and condemnation of both 
 vessel and cargo. So that if the Colonies are not subject 
 to these regulating laws, they may easily interfere in all 
 these exclusive trades, and evade the penalties. Inasmuch 
 as we have not attempted those trades, we have considered 
 ourselves as excluded with the rest of the Nation. The 
 line of conduct necessary for us to pursue at this time, to 
 avoid the dreadful consequences of a desolating civil war, 
 requires the advice and wisdom of the coolest and most 
 considerate men amongst us. And may the overruling hand 
 of a good Providence so direct all consultations for the 
 safety, welfare, and advancement of the British Nation in 
 genera], and America in particular; and that unanimity in 
 our adopted plans may crown our expectations with suc- 
 cess, to a happy re-establishment of that harmony between 
 the two Countries, which is confessedly allowed to be the 
 only means of supporting their political existences. 
 
 Candidus. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Concord, April 11, 1775. 
 Whereas numbers of persons, from their unhappy situa- 
 tion in the Town of Boston, are removing with their 
 effects : 
 
 It is recommended to the good people of this Province, 
 that they would rent their Houses, and assist such persons 
 with Teams for their removal, Provisions for their support, 
 and all other necessaries, upon as easy and cheap terms as 
 they can possibly afford ; and that all Goods and Merchan- 
 dise be sold in like manner, agreeable to the spirit of the 
 Continental Association. By order of the Provincial Con- 
 gress: John Hancock, President. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LORD DARTMOUTH TO GEN- 
 ERAL GAGE, DATED LONDON, APRIL 15, 1775. 
 
 It would appear necessary and expedient, that all Fortifi- 
 cations should be garrisoned by the King's Troops, or dis- 
 mantled and destroyed ; that all cannon, small arms, and 
 other military stores of every kind, that may be either in 
 any magazine, or secreted for the purpose of aiding the 
 rebellion, should also be seized and secreted; and that the 
 persons of such as, according to the opinion of His Majes- 
 ty's Attorney and Solicitor General, have committed them- 
 selves in acts of treason and rebellion, should be arrested 
 and imprisoned. 
 
 I observed that in your letter of January 18th, you said 
 that if a respectable force is seen in the field, the most ob- 
 noxious of the leaders seized, and a pardon proclaimed for 
 all others, Government will come off victorious. The 
 two first of these objects are already provided for, and it 
 only remains for me to signify to you the King's pleasure, 
 that, if you shall continue to be of opinion, that an offer of 
 pardon will be advisable, you do, by virtue of the power 
 already given to you by His Majesty's special commission, 
 under the great seal for pardon for treason and other of- 
 fences, issue a Proclamation within your Government, at 
 such time as you shall judge proper, offering a reasonable 
 reward for apprehending the President, Secretary, and any 
 other of the Members of the Provincial Congress, whom 
 you shall find to have been the most forward and active in 
 that seditious meeting, requiring all persons who may, in 
 consequence of their Resolves and exhortations, have ap- 
 peared in arms to oppose the law, to render themselves to 
 the Governour and Council within, a reasonable time, and 
 declare, that upon such surrender, and upon taking the 
 oaths of allegiance, and making such declaration of their 
 obedience as you shall think proper, they shall receive 
 His Majesty's gracious pardon for all treasons they have 
 committed. 
 
337 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 338 
 
 LORD DARTMOUTH TO THE COVERNOURS OF COLONIES. 
 [Circular.] Whitehall, April 15th, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I am commanded by the King to acquaint you 
 that it is His Majesty's pleasure that the orders of the 
 Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Forces in North 
 America, and under him of the Major Generals and Brig- 
 adier Generals, shall be supreme in all cases relative to 
 the operations of the said Troops, and be obeyed accord- 
 ingly. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 baltimore (maryland) committee. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Baltimore, April 15, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of Observation for Baltimore County, 
 reflecting on the many mischiefs and disorders usually at- 
 tending the Fairs held at Baltimore Town, and willing in 
 all things strictly to observe the Regulations of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, who, in their eighth Resolution, have ad- 
 vised to discountenance and discourage every species of 
 extravagance and dissipation, especially horse-racing, cock- 
 fighting, inc., have unanimously resolved to recommend it 
 to the good people of this County, and do hereby earnestly 
 request, that they will not themselves, nor will sutler any 
 of their families to attend, or in anywise encourage the ap- 
 proaching Fair at Baltimore Town ; and all persons are 
 desired not to erect booths, or in any manner prepare for 
 holding the said Fair. 
 
 We are persuaded the inhabitants of the Town in par- 
 ticular will see the propriety of this measure, and the ne- 
 cessity of enforcing it, as the Fairs have been a nuisance 
 long before complained of by them, as serving no other 
 purpose than debauching the morals of their children and 
 servants, affording an opportunity for perpetrating thefts, 
 encouraging riots, drunkenness, gaming, and the vilest im- 
 moralities. Samuel Purviance, Jr., Chairman. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JAMES HABERSHAM TO 
 MESSRS. CLARK AND MILLIGAN, LONDON. 
 
 Savannah, Georgia, April 17, 1775. 
 The fiery patriots in Charleston have stopped all deal- 
 ings with us, and will not suffer any Goods to be landed 
 there from Great Britain; and I suppose the Northern 
 Provinces will follow their example. 
 
 The people on this Continent are generally almost in a 
 state of madness and desperation ; and should not concilia- 
 tory measures take place on your side, I know not what 
 may be the consequence. I fear an open rebellion against 
 the Parent State, and consequently amongst ourselves. 
 Some of the inflammatory resolutions and measures taken 
 and published in the Northern Colonies, 1 think too plainly 
 portend this. However, I must and do, upon every occa- 
 sion, declare that I would not choose to live here longer 
 than we are in a state of proper subordination to, and un- 
 der the protection of, Great Britain; although I cannot 
 altogether approve of the steps she has lately taken, and 
 do most cordially wish that a permanent line of Govern- 
 ment was drawn and pursued by the mother and her chil- 
 dren ; and may God give your Senators wisdom to do it, 
 and heal the breach ; otherwise, I cannot think of the 
 event but with horrour and grief. Father against son, and 
 son against father, and the nearest relations and friends 
 combating with each other! I may perhaps say with truth, 
 cutting each other's throats. Dreadful to think of, much 
 more to experience. But I will have done with this dis- 
 agreeable subject, and am, gentlemen, your humble ser- 
 vant, James Habersham. 
 
 P. S. I find the American Merchants in London have 
 begun to stir in this matter ; and I hope their application 
 will meet with success, as no good can ensue to Great 
 Britain and her Colonies from this contest, but much hurt 
 to both. I am for peace on constitutional grounds. 
 
 KING GEORGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee being informed that Mr. Austin Brock- 
 enbrough was counteracting the measures of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, ordered him to be summoned to answer 
 the complaint, which was done in the following terms : 
 
 King George, March 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You are accused before the Committee of disre- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 garding your duty as an Associator, [Associator!] and at- 
 tempting to prejudice the people of your neighbourhood, 
 and others with whom you have communication, against 
 the Association, [Yes, but I never went out of my way to 
 do it,] and to draw into contempt the authority and conduct 
 of the Committee. [That I have, and always shall.] The 
 truth of this charge the Committee cannot avoid inquiring 
 into, and have ordered us to give you notice to attend the 
 monthly meeting at the Court-House, on the next Court 
 day, [that I shall not,] that you may have an opportunity 
 of making your defence ; and if the charge is groundless, 
 of evincing your innocence. [Innocence !] We are your 
 humble servants, 
 
 Thomas Turner, William Robinson, 
 Thomas Jett, John Washington. 
 
 On the day appointed, Mr. Brolccnbrough failing to at- 
 tend, Mr. Daniel Briscoe, the person who delivered him 
 the notice, was called, and being sworn, declared that he 
 read the above notice to Mr. Brockcnbrough, at least ten 
 days before the meeting of the Committee, and left him a 
 copy, who made the replies inserted in the body of the 
 notice. These answers confess the truth of the charge, 
 and sufficiently indicate the disposition of the man, whose 
 obnoxious behaviour is also well known, and for some time 
 past has been observed with concern by several members 
 of the Committee. To reclaim from error, rather than 
 punish, would be the choice of the Committee. Oppor- 
 tunity was designedly afforded Mr. Brockenbrovgh, by a 
 short delay in the publication, to make atonement, and 
 avoid publick censure. The well-meant indulgence has 
 been slighted. Duty now requires that the truth of the 
 case be published, to the end that Mr. Brockcnbrough may 
 be publickly known, and universally contemned as an ene- 
 my to American liberty. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Andrew Wodrow, Clerk. 
 
 King George, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Philadelphia, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, it is now under the consideration of the Com- 
 mittee to suspend all trade and intercourse with such Colo- 
 nies as have not acceded to the Association of the Conti- 
 nental Congress ; the Committee have therefore thought it 
 proper to apprize their fellow-citizens of this matter, that 
 they govern themselves accordingly, and avoid entering into 
 any engagement with respect to such Colonies, from which 
 they may be subjected to great inconveniences hereafter. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Jonathan B. Smith, Secretary, 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 New. York, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the enemies to the English Constitution, and 
 the rights and liberties of America, have endeavoured, to 
 the utmost of their power, to revile and defame the cha- 
 racter of every man who has honestly endeavoured to as- 
 sert and maintain those rights and privileges, which these 
 traitors are striving to subvert and take away ; hoping, by 
 such vile practices, to destroy or lessen the influence of 
 those who obstruct the execution of their wicked designs. 
 On this account, Captain Sears, who has long distinguished 
 himself among the most zealous, steady, and disinterested 
 friends and supporters of the rights and freedom of his 
 C wintry, became exceedingly obnoxious to these enemies, 
 who sought to aggrandize themselves upon its ruins. They 
 have, therefore, been extremely watchful to catch every 
 opportunity, when by misrepresentation or direct falsehoods, 
 they might bring an odium on his character, or expose him 
 to contempt and ridicule. But these devices, instead of 
 answering the end designed, have hitherto recoiled upon 
 their authors, and only served to exalt the character they 
 were intended to depress. 
 
 Among other false reports propagated against Captain 
 Sears, one was, that since shutting up the Port of Boston, 
 he, and his son-in-law, Mr. Paschal N. Smith, had loaded 
 a vessel with Wheat. Flour, or other provisions, for the sup- 
 ply of the King's Troops at Boston. The falsehood of 
 this malicious report will sufficiently appear by the follow- 
 ing Affidavit : 
 
339 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, ITT5. 
 
 340 
 
 City of New- York, ss. 
 
 Personally appeared before me, Benjamin Blagge, one 
 of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, for the City and 
 County of New-York, Isaac Sears and Paschal N. Smith, 
 of the said City, merchants, who, being severally sworn, 
 depose and say, that since the shutting up of the Port of 
 Boston, neither of them have directly or indirectly, nor 
 any other person for or under them, supplied, or caused to 
 be supplied, the Army at Boston with any manner or kind 
 of provisions whatsoever ; and that neither of them have 
 received, nor in future expect to receive, any kind of emol- 
 ument or advantage, in any respect, from the Flour, Peas, 
 and other provisions shipped for the use of the Army at 
 Boston, since the shutting up of the said Port of Boston. 
 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Paschal N. Smith. 
 Sworn this 17th of April, 1775, before me, 
 
 B. Blagge. 
 
 ARTHUR LEE TO JAMES KINSEY, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 
 OF ASSEMBLY, NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 Garden Court, Middle Temple, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter, containing the Petition from the House 
 of Representatives to the King, arrived here after Doctor 
 Franklin had sailed for Philadelphia, The Petition was 
 therefore put into my hands to deliver to Lord Dartmouth. 
 I accordingly gave it to his Lordship, informing him of 
 these circumstances, and of the wish of the House that it 
 might be presented to His Majesty. But his Lordship re- 
 turned it to me this morning, with a declaration, that as I 
 was not authorized by the House, he, as Secretary of State, 
 could not receive it from me for the purpose 1 desired. To 
 deliver it to the King, in the common way, if I were autho- 
 rized so to do, would be ineffectual, because there is no 
 certainty of his reading it ; and he never gives an answer 
 but from the Throne, or through one of his Secretaries of 
 State. The Petition will therefore remain here, to wait 
 the further pleasure of the House. They who know and 
 lament that Petitions for redress of grievances from the dif- 
 ferent Assemblies have been repeatedly rejected, cannot 
 but be persuaded, that the promise of their being now at- 
 tended to is only a Ministerial manoeuvre to divide the 
 Colonies, and draw off their attention to, and confidence in, 
 that which is their great shield and defence— union in Gen- 
 eral Congress. Your Constitution was so framed as to 
 mortify that hope. To divide and to destroy, or to fix this 
 merciless tyranny upon us, is their only endeavour. But I 
 trust in God, that the wisdom and virtue of our country- 
 men will continue to render it ineffectual, and give us, at 
 length, a happy issue out of all our troubles, by obtaining 
 a full redress of grievances. 
 
 I have the honour of being, Uc. Arthur Lee. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO REV. ELEAZER WHEELOCK. 
 
 Lebanon, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Reverend Sir: On the 7th instant, I received your 
 letters of the 16th and 22d of March last, and return my 
 thanks for your intelligence. The ability and influence of 
 Mr. Dean, to attach all the Six Nations to the interest of 
 these Colonies, is justly to be considered as an instance of 
 Divine favour for us, and proper authority and encourage- 
 ment to him will undoubtedly be easily obtained for that 
 purpose. When he returns, it will be very acceptable to 
 me to hear the intelligence he brings. 
 
 If the Indian scholars are called from you in a manner 
 that shews a design of hostilities, please to give the earliest 
 intelligence of it. You may depend on my care to do 
 nothing that may tend to injure you or your cause. Our 
 safety consists in the blessing of Heaven, a firm adherence 
 to our constitutional rights, and an union in religion and 
 virtue ; in the pursuit and practice of these, we may hope 
 for the relief of our distresses and redress of grievances. 
 It is tho prayer of good men, that the Spirit of grace, as to 
 its converting influences, may be poured out upon the peo- 
 ple of this land. The late awful restraints of the Spirit are 
 a terrible token of God's righteous judgments. 
 
 I am, with much esteem and respect, reverend Sir, your 
 obedient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 Reverend Eleazer VVheelock. 
 
 Boston, Monday, April 17, 1775. 
 A letter from Taunton, dated last Friday, mentions. 
 " that on Monday, the 10th instant, parties of Minute-Men, 
 &ic, from every Town in that County, with arms and am- 
 munition, met at Freetown early that morning, in order to 
 take Colonel Gilbert; but he had fled on board the Man- 
 of-War at Newport. They then divided into parties, and 
 took twenty-nine Tories who had signed enlistments and 
 received arms in the Colonel's Company, to join the King's 
 Troops ; they also took thirty-five muskets, two case-bot- 
 tles of powder, and a basket of bullets, all which they 
 brought to Taunton the same afternoon, where the prison- 
 ers were separately examined, eighteen of whom made 
 such humble acknowledgments of their past bad conduct, 
 and solemn promises to behave better for the future, they 
 were dismissed ; but the other eleven, being obstinate and 
 insulting, a party was ordered to carry them to Simsbury 
 Mines ; but they were sufficiently humble before they had 
 got fourteen miles on their way thither ; upon which they 
 were brought back the next day, and after signing proper 
 articles to behave better for the future, were escorted to 
 Freetown. There were upwards of two thousand men em- 
 bodied there last Monday." 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-ENGLAND, GREETING. 
 
 Men, Brethren, and Fathers : 
 
 Is the time come, the fatal era commenced, for you to 
 be deemed rebels by the Parliament of Great Britain 1 
 Rebels ! wherein ? Why, for asserting that the rights of 
 men, the rights of Englishmen belong to us; that the King 
 of Great Britain has pledged his Royal faith to protect us 
 in the enjoyment of all these rights of solemn compact as 
 our King; for meeting in Congresses, and resolving that no 
 man, nor body of men under Heaven, has any just right to 
 dispose of our properties without our consent ! Then 
 surely the time is come when we are loudly called upon to 
 consider whether we will defend these our rights and pro- 
 perties, or surrender them to Lord North and the rest of 
 the reigning tyrannical British Ministry, and content our- 
 selves for the future, not only to pay just such taxes as 
 Lord North and his bribed tools in Parliament shall please 
 to order to be laid upon us, but to be sold — we, our wives 
 and children — as other slaves are ; and all our houses, lands, 
 and fruits of our industry to be at the disposal of our lordly 
 masters ! But this you will not, you cannot submit to. 
 Heaven forbid that we should be so tame, so base, so un- 
 like the sons of God, so much like the vassals of the Prince 
 of Darkness ! Awake, therefore, and let us show ourselves 
 men, and not asses ! Let us all repent and turn every one 
 from his sins, his provocations against Heaven, and God 
 Almighty will awake to our help as in ancient time ; he 
 will ride on the clouds in his excellency, and smite our 
 enemies on their cheek-bone ; divide their counsels, and 
 turn their enterprises headlong, for he is mightier than the 
 noise of many waters; he brought our forefathers into this 
 land, and made it to them an asylum from oppression, ty- 
 ranny, and persecution, and was for walls and bulwarks 
 round about them ; and had not the Lord been on their 
 side, they would have been many a time swallowed up 
 quick. And he will be for walls and bulwarks unto us, if 
 we don't forsake him ; for it is our God who says, M Fear 
 not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy 
 God ; I will help thee, I will strengthen thee, yea, I will 
 uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness," But 
 as to our being in a state of open rebellion, "the Lord 
 God of Gods, the Lord God of Gods, he knoweth," and 
 Great Britain shall know ; if it be in open rebellion against 
 our rightful Sovereign, against the constitutional authority 
 of the British Parliament, or the good and wholesome laws 
 of our land, we have acted, and for which we are now de- 
 clared to be in a state of open rebellion, " and in trans- 
 gression against the Lord, let the Lord himself require it, 
 and save us not this day !" 
 
 I am much mistaken if Lord North has not acted against 
 his own life, and will not soon lose his own head, if not 
 bring destruction on the Kingdom of Great Britain, and 
 King George the Third and his family, by his late mea- 
 sures in the British Parliament relative to our being de- 
 clared to be in a state of open rebellion! Time was, (an 
 opportunity given him,) by the Petition of the grand Con- 
 
341 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 342 
 
 tinental Congress, to have saved all ; but I fear the time 
 is now passed, especially if nothing turns up soon to pre- 
 vent their sending over more forces, for the purpose of sub- 
 duing us as rebels. But subdue us to a subjection unto 
 the supreme legislation and taxation authority of the Bri- 
 tish Parliament over the Colonies without their consent, 
 they will not, they shall not ! Will it not be the proper 
 dictate of wisdom, as the way, and only way left us of our 
 preservation and safety, as soon as we see the sword of 
 Great Britain drawn against us, to sacrifice every New- 
 England Tory among us ; to publish a manifesto with 
 promises of protection and rewards to all of the British 
 Troops that shall join in the cause of American liberty, 
 and immediately cut off all such as intend to act as our 
 enemies ; and to send ambassadors to the Courts of Europe, 
 with a declaration of all our Ports being opened to them 
 for a free trade ? Johannes in Eremo. 
 
 Salem, Massachusetts, April 18, 1775. 
 
 London, April 19, 1775. 
 Though the whole body of the people might, with great 
 facility, get into their power any Standing Army which 
 Ministers may employ in destruction of our liberties, yet, 
 by my advice, not a single Briton should be put to the 
 sword, except in the field of battle, or by the divine law of 
 retaliation. Besides, were we not powerful enough within 
 ourselves to effect this purpose, we may be assured that 
 our own Militia, who are the only constitutional Soldiers 
 of this Realm, will not longer remain idle, or that they will, 
 like hired ruffians or mercenary troops, imbrue their hands 
 in the blood, or sheathe their bayonets in the bosoms of 
 their countrymen ; for our Militia ought to be enrolled, 
 and composed only of the Knights or landed gentry of the 
 Country, and as such their respective Lord-Lieutenants 
 would not dare to send them upon any unconstitutional ser- 
 vice, because, by the Norman Treaty, our Militia-men are 
 enjoined to obey their Colonels, so far forth as " eorum 
 justa prcecepta" shall extend, but not a single hair's breadth 
 farther ; for they are guilty of treason against the Constitu- 
 tion the moment they pass the Rubicon. And here lies 
 the great distinction between Militia-men and Regulars ; 
 the former, at the hazard of their lives, are to execute no 
 unjust, unnatural, unconstitutional orders ; the latter, even 
 at the peril of their lives, must implicitly and unhesitating- 
 ly obey every order they receive from their commanding 
 officer, was it even to lay the whole City of London in 
 ashes this very moment, or to rip open the bowels of every 
 pregnant woman in the Kingdom, their own mothers not 
 excepted. Happy, indeed, though our Mutiny Acts autho- 
 rize the execution of every species of Hcrodian barbarity 
 and Neronian cruelty, yet, as several clauses in those very 
 Acts are most flagrant violations of the Norman Treaty, 
 and shocking to human nature, they are, as I have frequent- 
 ly observed, not law ; consequently the King's Troops, as 
 they are faithfully called, (for they are not the Troops of 
 the King, but on the contrary the Troops of the Kingdom, 
 and in the pay of the Kingdom, and of the Kingdom only,) 
 would be highly justified were they, like true Englishmen, 
 unanimously to lay down their arms, and absolutely refuse 
 to fight against their countrymen, constitutionally assem- 
 bled, either in the plains of Runny mede, or in the Town 
 of Boston. Conscious of the rectitude and truism of this 
 position, our honest, brave English Soldiery, one and all, 
 grounded their firelocks on Hounslow-Heath, nobly and 
 most spiritedly refusing to obey the butcherly commands 
 of that pigmy of a tyrant, James the Second — a pigmy, I 
 mean, compared to the colossal tyrants of the present day. 
 Nor does this immortal precedent stand single in the his- 
 torick page, for the Troops of Cinna, in his fourth Consul- 
 ship, when ordered by the Senate to embark for Dalmatia, 
 and give battle to Sylla, most gloriously refused to go 
 aboard, peremptorily insisting they would not be employed 
 as barbarian ruffians or inhuman monsters, to slaughter 
 their countrymen in cold blood ; and this, too, even though 
 the Senate had previously declared both Sylla and his 
 forces enemies to Rome. To compel your Army to obe- 
 dience merely by the terrours of punishment and Mutiny 
 Acts of Parliament ; this is not to govern, but to domineer. 
 This true and most excellent observation doubtless will 
 have its proper weight with our whole Military, since it is 
 the dictum of as great a General, and of as great an Em- 
 
 pire as ever existed — I mean Cuius Marius, who, though 
 born a plebian, and therefore regularly precluded from the 
 Consulship of Rome, yet, in consideration of his signal 
 courage, contempt of money, love of his Country, and un- 
 paralleled knowledge of the whole theory and practice of 
 war, was seven times successively elected Consul, an hon- 
 our never conferred upon any Roman, either before or after 
 his advancement to that superlatively imperial dignity. 
 
 I have thus laid before you a true state of the weakness 
 and insignificancy of the Standing Army at present in 
 Great Britain, not, indeed, out of any disrespect or dis- 
 paragement to them, for I have a presentiment that the 
 marching Regiments and Lighthorse will maturely consider 
 they do not receive the King's pay, but that of the King- 
 dom, and therefore, properly and strictly speaking, are in 
 the actual service, not of the King, but of the Kingdom ; 
 and that, consequently, whenever the popular State shall 
 constitutionally and simultaneously rise up in arms, as our 
 glorious ancestors did against the Kings John and James 
 the Second, the Regulars have only this optional alterna- 
 tive in law, namely, either to lay down their arms, as I 
 have mentioned they did on Hounslow-Heath, or take an 
 active part under the banners of the people. 
 
 This being the case, and seeing there is no real danger 
 in the present Standing Army, were they even to act hos- 
 tilely against the people constitutionally assembled, which 
 cannot reasonably be expected; and seeing that Lieutenant 
 Colonel James Abercrombie, who is embarked with a pow- 
 erful reinforcement for that Army, which is to destroy the 
 liberties of America, hath actually carried over with him 
 peremptory orders to disarm the people of Boston, which 
 is another most insolent, impudent violation of the Bill of 
 Rights, (for by that treaty it is expressly and sacro-sanc- 
 tionally stipulated, that every Protestant subject shall al- 
 ways carry arms for his defence.) What remains, then, for 
 us, but instantly to put a stop to this rapid and all-deluging 
 torrent of tyranny ? What better advice can there be, 
 than immediately to convene a National Congress here in 
 England, and take the field, as our ancestors did on the 
 plains of Runnymedc, and thus constitutionally and 
 effectually assist our American brethren, whom to desert 
 in their present distresses, or even not to assist to the ut- 
 most of our abilities, would, in us, be unpardonably unjust, 
 superlatively iniquitous, and infamously ungrateful ; for in 
 fact they are now fighting our battles. It is the glorious 
 cause of liberty they are engaged in; the common cause 
 and common birthright of every Englishman. I say the 
 common birthright of every Englishman, for the liberty of 
 an Englishman is an inheritance issuing out of his freehold 
 land ; and whether my freehold lies at Boston, in New- 
 England, or at Boston, in Old England, it makes no 
 difference, because by the same tyranny that I am forcibly 
 disseized of my ancestral grant of land, which entailed with 
 it a grant of liberty in one part of the British Empire, I 
 may be equally robbed of it by the same lawless power of 
 the sword in any other part of the British Dominions. 
 Let us, then, here at home, my countrymen, never suffer 
 so inestimable a grant to be tamely wrested from us ; let 
 us join our brother Americans in so just and glorious a 
 cause, and, like our immortal exemplary ancestors, make 
 that King tremble on his throne who shall sacrilegiously 
 dare to invade the majesty of the Democratick State in 
 the most essential of their rights, the free gift and grant 
 of their money. Brecknock. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 New- York, April 17, 1775. 
 The Sub-Committee appointed 27th March last, to State 
 and Report an account of the Sales, and of the Profits 
 which have arisen from the Goods, Wares, and Merchan- 
 dise, disposed of under the direction of the General Com- 
 mittee, agreeable to the Tenth Article of the Association 
 of the late Continental Congress, do make the following 
 Report, viz : 
 
 Arrived, In the Ship Isabella, from Dublin, two boxes 
 Linens, sold 9th December last, for the first cost and char- 
 ges, £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Schooner Dolphin, Captain Waterman, from Ja- 
 maica, 3d December last, thirty-five bags Pimento, sold for 
 first cost and charges, £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Sloop Polly, Captain Thompson, from Falmouth, 
 
 * 
 
343 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 344 
 
 3d December last, sundry Merchandise, sold for first cost 
 and charges, - -- - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In tlie Ship Sally, Captain Bruce, from Greenock, 15lh 
 December last, sundry Merchandise, which were sold and 
 yielded a profit of - £26 17s. Od. ; 
 
 In Brig Rebecca, Captain Saunders, from Madeira, 
 sundry pipes of Wine, sold 23d December last, for first 
 cost and charges, - - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Monimia, from Greenock, sundry Merchandise, 
 sold 29th December last, yielded a profit of £ 1 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Brig Freemason, Captain Sample, from Neivry, 
 2d January last, sundry Merchandise, sold 9th January, 
 and yielded a profit of ------ £9 Os. 3c/.; 
 
 In the Ship Sally, Captain Bagley, from Lioerpool, 
 17th December last, sundry Merchandise, sold 22d Decem- 
 ber, and yielded a profit of - - - - £23 14s. 4d. ; 
 
 In Ship Lady Gage, Captain Mesnard, from London, 
 sundry Merchandise, sold 16th and 20th December last, 
 yielded a profit of £182 18s. Od.; 
 
 In the Brig Fair Lady, from Bristol, 19th December, 
 sundry Merchandise, sold 23d December, and yielded a 
 profit of - £29 12s. Ad.; 
 
 In the Charming Peggy, from Cork, one hundred and 
 seventy-five barrels of Beef and Pork, and thirty firkins 
 of Butter, sold the 31st day of December, for first cost 
 and charges, - -- -- -- -- £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Ship Glasgoiv, Captain Craig, from Greenock, 
 four bales Carpeting, and eighty tons of Coal, sold 10th 
 January last, for first cost and charges, - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Brig Friendship, Captain Bryson, from Jamais 
 ca, a quantity of Pimento, sold for the first cost and char- 
 ges, ----- - £o Os. Od. ; 
 
 A trunk of Calicoes imported from London, via Phil- 
 adelphia, sold for first cost and charges, - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Brig George, Captain Colder, from Newcastle, 
 a quantity of Coal and Cordage, sold, and yielded a pro- 
 fit of £4 2s. Od.; 
 
 In the Ship Jamaica, Capt. Jermyn, from London, sundry 
 Merchandises, sold and yielded a profit of £l Is. 2d. ; 
 
 In the Ship Lilly, Captain Cochran, from Greenock, 1st 
 January last, sundry Merchandises, sold 6th January, and 
 yielded a profit of £22 16s. Id; 
 
 In the Brig Elliot, Capt. Pym, from Liverpool, sundry 
 Merchandise, sold, and yielded a profit of $10 9s. 3d.; 
 
 In the Ship Rockingham, from Neivcastle, a quantity 
 of Coal, Grindstones, and Bottles, sold 24th January last, 
 for the first cost and charges, - - - - £0 Os. Od; 
 
 In the Ship Hester, from Jamaica, a quantity of Pi- 
 mento, sold the 12th day of December, for cost and char- 
 ges, ---------- - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Brig Patty, Captain Ashficld, from Madeira, in 
 December last, sundry pipes and quarter casks of Wine, 
 sold for the first cost and charges, - - £0 Os. Od. ; 
 
 In the Ship Daniel, Captain Casey, from Liverpool, 
 sundry Merchandise, sold January 7th, 1775, and yielded 
 a profit of - -- -- -- -- - £35 6s. 2d. 
 
 Profits, ... - £347 4s. Id. 
 
 From the above state it appears, that the sum of £347 
 4s. Id. hath arisen upon the Goods, Wares, and Mer- 
 chandise disposed of under the direction of the General 
 Committee, agreeable to the Tenth Article of the Associa- 
 tion, "to be applied towards relieving and employing such 
 poor inhabitants of the Town of Boston as are imme- 
 diately sufferers by the Boston Port Bill. 
 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Jeremiah Platt, 
 Peter T. Curtenius. 
 
 Committee-Chamber, New-York, April 19, 1775. 
 Ordered, That the above state be published in the 
 Newspapers of Mr. Holt and Mr. Gaine, and that Mr. 
 Curtenius be directed to remit the amount in produce to 
 Boston. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Fra. Lewis, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW-YORK TO A GENTLE- 
 MAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED APRIL 19, 1775 
 
 Last ni<fht arrived Captain Dean, who left London the 
 5th and Start Point the 18th of March, and tells us that 
 eleven Regiments are to be embarked on board ninety-five 
 
 Transports for Boston ; the vessels had sailed to the sev- 
 eral Ports in Great Britain and Ireland ; twelve sail of 
 Frigates are ordered to accompany them ; the Transports 
 and Royal Ships have twelve months provisions and stores 
 on board. Be assured this Colony will be blessed with 
 every possible mark of Royal favour that can he shown it. 
 The armament coining out is to enfore the intentions of 
 Government, in case the four New-England Provinces 
 should refuse the Conciliatory Bill, as intimated by Lord 
 North's motion. 
 
 EXTRACT OF ANOTHER LETTER OF THE SAME DATE. 
 
 This morning the Snow Sir William Johnson, Captain 
 Dean, arrived here from London, but last from the Downs, 
 in thirty-one clays : the intelligence he brings is not so 
 agreeable as could be wished ; the papers are as late as the 
 5th of March. Captain Dean says, that sixteen Men-of- 
 War and ninety-five Transports were certainly coming out 
 to America ; he lay among them at Spithead; that terms 
 would be first offered, that is, that each Government should 
 annually raise a certain sum for the support of the Fleet 
 and Army of Great Britain; that complied with in our 
 own way, an amicable accommodation would soon follow. 
 
 A nohleman is ordered out for this place, in order to 
 bring about a pacification I hope. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF NEW-YORK TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS 
 OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 New- York, April 19, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : The following very interesting accounts 
 were this day received by the Snow General Johnson, Cap- 
 tain Dean, in thirty-one days from England. The writer 
 is a person of undoubted veracity and has the best means 
 of intelligence, who may be depended on, having for these 
 twelve months always furnished the most certain advice of 
 the Ministers' designs, &ic. In consideration of which, and 
 the present posture of affairs in America in general, but 
 more particularly on account of the situation of your Prov- 
 ince, and the consequences to which it is more immedi- 
 ately liable, it is thought an indispensable duty to give you 
 this late advice. It is unfeignedly wished that you may 
 improve it to your own safety, as well as to the advantages 
 of the whole Continent. We have the honour to be, with 
 great respect, your obedient servants, 
 
 Henry Remsen, Deputy Chairman. 
 
 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS, &IC 
 
 " London, February 24, 1775. 
 
 " Providence seems to have placed me here in order to 
 give you the earliest intelligence of the most interesting 
 affairs relative to the Colonies. 
 
 "To my great astonishment, I have now before me an 
 Act for blocking up the other Colonies, and another called 
 the Black Act, to prevent the Fisheries. The whole Na- 
 tion seems to be deeply affected at such an enormous 
 crime ; which is supposed to be clone at the request of the 
 King and his creatures. God forbid that you should be 
 intimidated at this iniquitous law, which is calculated to 
 ruin what was a mutual benefit to you and us. This must 
 convince you what you are to expect, if you submit to the 
 most shocking set of men that England can produce. You 
 now see their humanity. Rouse up, then, with a just in- 
 dignation, and exercise your Militia. Watch your Gover- 
 nour and Council. The new Assembly is to he composed 
 of such creatures as will give up the people's rights, and 
 join in the most horrid plot against them. What a melan- 
 choly reflection, that the riches and trade of a great Na- 
 tion should be abused, and turned to the destruction of 
 themselves and the Colonies! In short, the King is de- 
 termined to be as absolute as the French King; and with 
 the most obstinate head and had heart, has set himself 
 against the people, whom he will not see, keeping himself 
 retired from his subjects in pride and ignorance. He has 
 discarded men of veracity from all places of profit, and 
 filled their offices with a set of the most abandoned villains 
 on earth. These are they who advised him to break his 
 oath with the people, for which they are despised by the 
 Nation. If you hold out a few months, England will rise 
 and do you justice, as well as relieve themselves from those 
 
345 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 346 
 
 accursed tvrants who want to corrupt you and deprive you 
 of both liberty and property. There are two bundled and 
 eighty-five Members of Parliament, who are all paid with 
 the people's money to vote whatever Lord North proposes, 
 and he has his lesson from eight more who compose a club, 
 that meets in the most private manner in the night at Mrs. 
 Keen's, near the Palace, where they have a box, which 
 contains the papers that pass between His Majesty and 
 them. The King overlooks the schemes, and corrects 
 them; as well as gives orders how to proceed for the fu- 
 ture. Hutchinson is consulted, and to the shame of Go- 
 vernours Coldcn, Perm, and Martin, who have written such 
 letters to Lord Dartmouth, that the King has appointed 
 them to meet at New-York, in order to join with your 
 other lying spirits in betraying the Colonies: to complete 
 which villany Lord North l as made a motion in Parlia- 
 ment, as if he intended to piomote peace with the Colo- 
 nies ; but it is to deceive them, and the people of England 
 too. It is intended to defeat the salutary advice of the 
 Congress, which does credit to British America. Set the 
 Press immediately to work, and publish to the world the 
 wicked designs of the King and his Counsellors, that you 
 despise their slavish schemes, and are determined to pre- 
 serve your laws and religion. Encourage the brave 
 people of Massachusetts- Bay to act worthy of their noble 
 ancestors ! I have the pleasure to assure you, that the 
 noble Lords with whom I have conversed, all join you in 
 contempt of the junto here. You are desired to let the 
 Colonies know that there is a deep plot formed to divide 
 them and deceive the people into a compliance. But tell 
 them that you want not their trade nor protection at the 
 expense of your liberty. You'll see by the papers the 
 treatment Lord Chatham's plan met with. Those Lords 
 who advised the King to declare you rebels, and apprehend 
 Messrs. Hancock, Adams, &lc, kc, have gone so far as 
 to say that Chatham shall fall a sacrifice to their designs, 
 &.C. I know there is publick virtue among you ; I know 
 your fondness for England will not let you believe the 
 wicked designs that are meditating against you ; but I do 
 now, in the presence of God, warn you that the King has 
 no good intentions toward you, but what you oblige trim by 
 your own wisdom and virtue to have. Take care of your- 
 selves, and act as the wise and brave have done in all ages 
 when oppressed by tyrants. Resist unto blood all who attempt 
 to betray you. The Parliament have registered Coldcn's 
 and Penn's letters; look to them, and see for yourselves. 
 Believe the Court your worst enemies. Be much on your 
 guard. Yesterday Doctor Fothergill and Mr. Barclay 
 were so pressed in spirit that they went to see Lord JSorth, 
 and told him that the Bill for prohibiting the Fisheries was 
 so horrid and inhuman that the whole Nation would rise 
 and oppose it ; and that if it did pass into a law, it would 
 be a scandal to humanity, and, perhaps, occasion a revolt. 
 They plead two hours with him, but to no purpose. The 
 Bill is to be read a third time on Tuesday; so that in five 
 days this horrid Bill passes into a law without any further 
 consideration. Oh, America! Oh, England! The 
 Ministry, in order to quiet the mob, ordered an inflamma- 
 tory pamphlet to be burnt at Guildhall, which drew off 
 the people while the Bill passed in Parliament, &,c. A 
 report is sent into the City that the Transports are stopped. 
 This is to quiet the Merchants ; but the Officers are gone 
 down in private coaches of other people, and America is 
 to be divided and driven into compliance before England. 
 is apprized of it. Lord North has just given out that he will 
 resign, and at the same time says, that he fears nothing 
 from the people, unless it be the breaking of his coach 
 doors, or some such trifle ; no resistance of importance 
 from the City, only a clamour, which he has often expe- 
 rienced. He expects that this manoeuvre will quiet the 
 people on both sides of the water. 
 
 " Goods are shipped in the Transports with the Officers' 
 Baggage, marked Rex, and under the protection of the 
 King's Troops, who are to land them and protect the trade, 
 &c. North- Carolina is to be a" store-house, it is said. 
 Support the Committee, and watch the Officers of the 
 Customs, he. Your friends are afraid that you will be 
 surprised into a compliance. The offers of peace were 
 only to raise the Stocks, which had fallen ; they are four 
 per cent, higher on account of the report. The Council 
 sat up all night, in order to find out ways and means to 
 
 conquer Virginia and procure Tobacco ; great offers 
 will be made to those who will raise it, &.c. Men of 
 large fortunes are afraid to oppose Government, lest the 
 Bank should fail, which is said to be in danger. The in- 
 terest on the year '74 is not paid. Many of the people 
 are your most hearty friends, but the King is your greatest 
 enemy. Be not deceived by his low cunning ; act wisely, 
 and the wicked and cursed plot will break on the heads of 
 those who want to destroy you. The King is his own 
 Secretary; he gets up at six o'clock every morning, sends 
 off his box with remarks on a bit of paper tied round each 
 order; four of the ablest lawyers are constantly with him, 
 whose business it is to advise and search for precedents, to 
 screen his head and throw the blame on the Parliament. 
 Two millions have been squandered in bribery and corrup- 
 tion. The Crown has nothing to fear but the hunger of 
 the poor. A steady adherence to the proceedings of the 
 Congress will save England and America. Beware of 
 Governour Penn, who has had offers made him to comply 
 with the designs of the Court. Send this to Boston im- 
 mediately. Mr. Hancock's lands are already divided among 
 the Officers, &cc. Lord Dartmouth is your bitter enemy, 
 and determined to destroy the liberties of America. Lord 
 Chatham, Lord Camden, the Duke of Richmond, and all 
 the wise wish that you may attend to the advice of the 
 Congress." 
 
 Extract from a different person, dated March '2d : — 
 
 " Part of the Troops now ordered for embarkation here 
 and Ireland, are to rendezvous at Neic- York, to make it 
 a place of Arms, securing the defection of that Province 
 from the general alliance in the cause of freedom and every 
 thing that is dear to man ; and to prevent the communication 
 between Virginia, Maryland, and the other Southern Co- 
 lonies, with Nciv-England, w hen General Gage, w ith such 
 assistance as he may get from Neic-York, is to subdue 
 these Colonies by a Garrison-Town and place of Arms, 
 with the assistance of Quebeck, to rule with a rod of iron 
 all the slaves of America. Without the concurrence of 
 New-York this scheme can never be carried into execu- 
 tion, of which every gentleman and man of knowledge in 
 this Kingdom is fully convinced ; therefore, on your virtue, 
 in a great measure, it depends whether America shall be 
 free, or be reduced to the most abject and oppressive ser- 
 vitude, worse than that of Egyptian bondage ; in whioh 
 you must inevitably be involved, if you lend your aid to en- 
 slave your brethren in the other Colonies. I have to in- 
 form you that the Bill for preventing the four Colonies of 
 J\cw-England from Fishing, getting Provisions from the 
 other Colonies, or carrying on any Commerce whatever 
 to any part of the world except Great Britain, Ireland, 
 or the British West-Indies, will finally pass the House of 
 Commons to-morrow, and is to take place the first of next 
 July. You may also depend that in a few days another 
 Bill will be brought in to prohibit any of the other Colo- 
 nies from carrying on any Trade whatever with each other, 
 or to any other part of the world, except to Great Britain. 
 Ireland, or the British West-Indies, which will probably 
 take place in July also ; therefore you will act accord- 
 ingly, and let this be publickly known." 
 
 Extract of another Letter, dated London, March 1 : 
 "The measures of the Ministry will, I hope, do more 
 towards uniting the Colonies, than any efforts of America 
 itself. You will easily perceive their wicked intentions to 
 divide, as well as their designs after that hoped-for division. 
 They have high hopes of success from the last accounts 
 from New-York. 1 trust the people of that Province will 
 soon displace those rascally and treacherous Tories in your 
 Assembly, who dare thus negatively encourage the system 
 of despotism now adopted for your Government. The 
 wisdom of the Congress and the firmness of the people 
 give the strongest assurances of future conduct. Several 
 names are made use of here as authorities to warrant the 
 defection of America. (I can give you such as I have 
 heard ; their conduct will best determine whether the idea 
 
 is well founded : The De ys, J , W , Smith, 
 
 J G y, J .... R , &c., &c. They most 
 
 assuredly correspond with some ministerial people here, 
 and though great care is taken to conceal, yet the men are 
 too evidently marked to be totally unknown.) Pray print 
 
347 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 348 
 
 this short hint for the observation of the honest men among 
 you. I need not attempt to expose the baseness or folly 
 of the present men in office, for they take care to do it 
 themselves." 
 
 The foregoing were at first intended only to be commu- 
 nicated to the inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay, he. But 
 on more consideration it was judged best to inform those of 
 Connecticut also, leaving them to forward the accounts to 
 Concord with the utmost despatch. 
 
 Henry Remsen, Deputy Chairman. 
 
 TO THE RESPECTABLE PUBLICK. 
 
 New-York, April 19, 1775. 
 
 When the character of a fellow-citizen is basely traduced, 
 his injuries become a common cause, in defence of which, 
 every virtuous member of society will be an advocate. 
 The insignificance of some enemies, indeed, secures them 
 from resentment ; and while they confine their calumny 
 within the sphere wherein they are known, contempt is the 
 only proper return for their malice. But when they make 
 a publick newspaper the vehicle of their scandal, a more 
 formal defence becomes necessary. 
 
 In Mr. Holt's paper of the 13th instant, are published 
 the proceedings of a set of people, assembled at the Liberty 
 Pole, on Thursday, the 6th instant, in which is contained 
 a declaration, that " Messrs. William and Henry Ustick are 
 inveterate foes to American freedom." This, it seems, 
 passed almost unanimously, upon the motion of a certain 
 person, who is not named, to a Chairman, likewise not 
 named. This concealment would entitle these little pa- 
 triots to some credit for their modesty, if they had not 
 known that the publication of their names would have de- 
 feated their malice ; the gratification of which, it seems, 
 they have preferred, to the pride of seeing themselves in 
 print. They have, however, artfully engrafted in their pro- 
 ceedings, an advertisement, subscribed by the Chairman of 
 the Committee, from which the inattentive reader would be 
 led to conclude, that they were the proceedings of that 
 body ; which, however, was not the fact. 
 
 The peace and orderly state of the Town having given 
 great offence to this little set of heroes, they made various 
 efforts to rouse the citizens into action; and the Messrs. 
 Usticks were to be the victims of their little rage. Several 
 attempts to collect the Town together, failed ; though on 
 every such occasion, they resolved that their meetings had 
 been very useful, and the glorious means of defeating the 
 Tories. 
 
 It was reserved, however, for the meeting at the Liberty 
 Pole to strike the important blow, and the actors were 
 worthy of the farce, whose names shall be held up to the 
 publick in some future paper. 
 
 Although the Usticks are confident that this City will never 
 suffer the rule and government of it to be committed into 
 such hands, and that they never will submit to the inqui- 
 sition they would establish here, yet they are actuated by a 
 very sincere desire of retaining the good opinion of every 
 friend to liberty. They are bold to say, that the charge 
 against them of their being foes to freedom, is false ; and 
 as they have not transgressed any of the laws of their 
 Country, so neither have they violated any part of the As- 
 sociation of the Congress. Upon what principles then are 
 they to be held up to the respectable publick, by these 
 paltry sons of mischief, as enemies to their Country ? Must 
 they be deprived of the exercise of the trade, by which 
 they earn their bread? Must they be precluded from the 
 benefits of a manufactory which they have carried on 
 under so many difficulties and discouragements, and which 
 will be so extremely useful to the Country ? Why was not a 
 clamour raised when a certain person shipped such quan- 
 tities of Flour to the Army ? For if they must be con- 
 sidered as enemies, surely the best way would be to starve 
 them at once, and thereby prevent them most effectually 
 from doing mischief. No, my fellow-citizens, this is but 
 the pretended reason. The true motive is to make every 
 trader, but the chosen few, odious to the people in the 
 Country, and thereby to engross the whole custom to them- 
 selves. Upon this principle it is, that by stigmatizing a 
 number of worthy friends of liberty with the name of To- 
 ries, these restless people have so far deluded many Country 
 
 traders, as to withdraw their custom from them, and even 
 prevented boatmen from carrying up goods which have not 
 got a clearance from them. 
 
 Ncw-York, April 19, 1775. 
 Mr. Rivington : Be pleased to insert the following in 
 your Paper, and if any person conceives himself injured 
 by any thing contained in it, the facts shall be publickly 
 proved by the most unexceptionable evidence. 
 
 That the tranquillity of this City and Province has long 
 given great umbrage to a set of folks among us, must have 
 been evident from the frequent buzzings of these little 
 harmless insects, who have at length made a feeble essay 
 to sting as well as make a noise. Sensible that in a calm 
 they must grovel in the dirt, they have tried to raise a storm, 
 by which they hope to be elevated into notice. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 5th instant, the Committee of In- 
 spection published an advertisement, in which they declare, 
 with respect to Nails, " That though the manufactures 
 which have been since (the last non-importation) estab- 
 lished, will supply more than sufficient for our own con- 
 sumption, we apprehend it would be imprudent thus rashly 
 to part with what we have in store ; especially as this sud- 
 den exportation has given just grounds for sufficient alarm." 
 
 No sooner did this notice appear in publick, than a cer- 
 tain set, in consequence of it, (the direction being to the 
 respectable inhabitants,) assembled first at Philips's Beer- 
 house, next at Bardin's, then at the Liberty Pole, and 
 lastly, at Van Her Water's; at which several meetings 
 (tremble, Lord North, and be dismayed, ye Tories!) Mr. 
 Marinus Willet, and Mr. Johi Lamb, were Chairmen. 
 
 Having despatched the poor Usticks, by a vote that they 
 were foes to their Country, entered into upon the motion 
 of Mr. James Alner, a new and important subject arose 
 for debate. It was suggested that Mr. Ralph Thurman 
 had been employed in packing Straw, and Mr. Robert 
 Harding, in purchasing Boards, to be sent to Boston. 
 This was a heinous crime ; and a Committee was ordered, 
 from the body assembled on the — instant, to wait on those 
 two traitors to their Country. Mr. Harding was out, so 
 that he was spared for that night ; but, unfortunately, his 
 daughter was at home, and, terrified at the formidable ap- 
 pearance, fell into fits. This, however, was a trifling con- 
 sideration to men engaged in the cause of liberty. Mr. 
 Thurman, it seems, was so obstinate, and such an invete- 
 rate foe to his Country, that he presumed to call in ques- 
 tion the power of this body to interfere with his private 
 affairs. Unpardonable impudence! 
 
 At this meeting, which was duly notified, very few at- 
 tended; but although Captain Sears complained that he 
 was deserted while he was engaged in the grand cause, yet 
 'tis evident that fortune conspired to make his glory the 
 more conspicuous, as if determined that none should de- 
 prive him of the honour of a motion he made, which was, 
 that " every man should provide himself with four-and- 
 twenty rounds." 
 
 Another meeting, however, was, by adjournment, fixed 
 upon for Saturday, the 15th instant, at the Liberty Pole. 
 Meanwhile, complaint being made of these proceedings, as 
 disorderly and a breach of law, the Magistrates issued a 
 warrant against Captain Sears; he was apprehended and 
 carried before the Mayor. Bail was demanded, but this 
 being a violation of liberty, was refused. A mittimus was 
 therefore issued, and the illustrious prisoner carried towards 
 the Jail. But this was the height of arbitrary power; 
 the very quintessence of toryism ; and as it would doubt- 
 less have given Lord North great pleasure, it was not to be 
 endured ; the Captain was therefore set at liberty from the 
 officers of justice, and led in triumph through the Town. 
 
 Accompanied by a number of his friends, with colours 
 flying, the Captain proceeded through the Fly, Wall-street, 
 and Broadway, to the Liberty Pole. Among those who 
 were near him, were Mr. hers, Mr. Alner, Mr. Richard 
 Livingston, and Mr. Roorback. 
 
 At six o'clock, the Captain, attended with a large crowd, 
 mounted a rostrum prepared for him in the Fields, from 
 whence, like the Devil in Milton, " By merit raised to that 
 bad eminence," he opened the business by a circumstantial 
 recapitulation of facts, of which his own merit, the good 
 he had done, and the evils he had averted, made a con- 
 siderable part. At length, the following question was put : 
 
349 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 350 
 
 11 Whether a Son of Liberty ought to give bail or not?"' 
 which was carried in the negative. This occasioned three 
 huzzas, in which Captain Alexander McDougall, who was 
 near Captain Sears, bore no small part. It should not be 
 omitted, that when Captain Scars had done, Mr. Pardon 
 Burlingham mounted the stage, and harangued the people, 
 and recommended going to the delinquents for satisfaction. 
 
 From the Fields they repaired to Thur man's and Hard- 
 ings, and endeavoured to extort confessions from them that 
 they had done wrong, and to prevail on them to ask pardon. 
 These gentlemen refused both ; insisting, that as they had 
 been guilty of no violation of any law, agreement, or asso- 
 ciation, they would sooner die than ask pardon. 
 
 For fear of being too prolix, I shall omit the exploit to 
 Turtle-Bay, the march to the Transport, in the North- 
 River, in consequence of which she was cut off from the 
 wharf, and the huzzaing through the town, and cry of no 
 boards ! at the Albany Pier, which being on the evening 
 of Captain Lawrence's arrival, doubtless proceeded from 
 their joy on the good tidings he brought, and is a mark of 
 their gratitude, and a proof that they are actuated by no- 
 thing but the pure dictates of liberty.* 
 
 The above contains a narrative of the transactions which 
 have disturbed the Town for a fortnight past, and which I 
 desire, Mr. Rivington, you will not omit inserting in your 
 paper; for while the most seditious and inflammatory pa- 
 pers are daily published, tending to alienate the minds of 
 the people from our gracious King, (one of which is now 
 circulating about the City, and read with avidity by those 
 who have proscribed your paper, because some of your cor- 
 respondents presume to think and write for themselves,) a 
 customer claims it as a right to hold up these matters to the 
 publick. While we are determined to contend against the 
 tyranny of the British Parliament and Ministry, let us not 
 establish the sway of a mob, which includes despotism, the 
 most cruel and severe of all others. Many fellow-citizens 
 have been deluded by the cry of liberty, which has been 
 held up to them as the reason for these violences. They 
 are now undeceived; but so daring a violation of the good 
 order and police of the City, so flagitious an insult on Ma- 
 gistracy, and contempt of the laws, ought not to be passed 
 over with impunity ; for let us remember, that the restraints 
 of the law are the security of liberty. 
 
 Anti-Licentiousness. 
 
 REVEREND SAMUEL AUCHMUTY TO CAPTAIN MONTRESOR, 
 CHIEF-ENGINEER IN GEN. GAGe's ARMY AT BOSTON. 
 
 New. York, April 19, 1775. 
 
 My dear Sir : Yesterday Captain Coupar arrived from 
 London ; Rivington, I conclude, will have all the news in 
 his paper, but for fear you should not get his paper in 
 time, I send you some extracts from a letter I received 
 from undoubted authority, which may be depended upon. 
 It is dated London, March 4th, 1775. 
 
 " I congratulate you heartily on the spirited and prudent 
 conduct of your Assembly. Their proceedings are uni- 
 versally applauded by the people of this Country. Envy 
 dares not lisp against them, and Faction hides its face with 
 shameful disappointment. Pursue the same path, and your 
 Provinces will be honoured with every mark of distinction 
 from this Country. His Majesty is already disposed to 
 grant you every honourable favour that can be proposed. 
 I am happy that the Clergy under your direction have con- 
 ducted themselves so prudently and successfully, and hope 
 that the Church, for the labour of her sons, will not be 
 forgotten. 
 
 " The Resolution suggested by Lord North will, I flat- 
 ter myself, have a happy effect at New- York. It pro- 
 poses to the Colonies all they can reasonably ask. They 
 desired to be taxed by their own Representatives ; it will 
 be granted them. Leave it to our Assemblies (they said) 
 and we will sufficiently tax ourselves, and contribute to the 
 common expenses. The Parliament accepts the promises, 
 and invites them by this Resolution to propose what they 
 will give and grant for the necessary contingencies of the 
 
 * The Packet Earl of Dunmore, Captain Lawrence, arrived at New- 
 York on Tuesday, April 11, 1775. By this Vessel was received the 
 London Gazette of February 11, containing the Address of the two 
 Houses of Parliament to the King, adopted on the 7th, and presented 
 to the King on the 9th of February. 
 
 State, and their own Civil Establishment. While they 
 fulfd their engagements, Parliament will not interfere to 
 tax them ; when they refuse to bear a part in supporting 
 the common burthen, the supreme Legislature will compel 
 the delinquent Colony to its duty. Thus every reasona- 
 ble indulgence is offered to you, and every necessary power 
 reserved to Parliament. If you reject this proposition of 
 peace and reconciliation, the Nation will be convinced that 
 you are determined to agree on no terms of accommodation. 
 
 " The Armament which will speedily embark for Boston 
 will convince the refractory among you, thai this Nation witf 
 not be trifled with. It is uncertain who will be your Gov- 
 ernour, the King being resolved to appoint one himself; 
 Governour Martin of North- Carolina is talked of." 
 
 Thus I have given you all the news that I at present 
 know, which may be depended upon. Coupar says, that 
 thirty-odd sail of Transports sailed for Ireland the same 
 day with him, and that many more Transports were taken 
 up daily. This is terrible news for my poor distressed, 
 oppressed, injured countrymen. I must own I was bom 
 among the saints and rebels, but it was my misfortune. 
 Where are your Congresses now ? What say Hancock, 
 Adams, and all their rebellious followers? Are they still 
 bold ? I trow not. 
 
 We have lately been plagued with a rascally Whig mob 
 here, but they have effected nothing, only Sears, the Kim:, 
 was rescued at the Jail door. He was ordered there by 
 the Magistrates upon his refusing to give bail for being 
 guilty of misdemeanors, Sic. Our Magistrates have not 
 the spirit of a louse ; however, I prognosticate it will not 
 be long before he is handled by authority. 
 
 I am, he. Samuel Auchmuty.* 
 
 * Salem, Mass., May 18, 1775. — From such servile wretches as the 
 author of the ahove letter, do the British Administration receive infor- 
 mations relative to the state of America; and by such informations do 
 they govern their conduct with respect to it ; no wonder then that they 
 discover so much folly, imbecility, and irresolution in all their mea- 
 sures. 
 
 His zeal for the Church had, it seems, influenced the past conduct 
 of this would-be right reverend author and some of his Tory brethren 
 of the Clergy in the Province of New-York. In order to engage their 
 further labours in this good cause, his correspondent in England en- 
 courages him and them to hope for the recompense of reward ; that 
 they should soon receive an ample retribution for all their toil and 
 labour in the service of the Ministry. These are the baits held out 
 to the tools of power, and these are sufficient to induce some among 
 us to sacrifice the liberty of this Country, and to rejoice with infernal 
 satisfaction at seeing the land which gave them birth stained with the 
 blood of its slaughtered inhabitants. 
 
 The correspondent of this Reverend gentleman talks much of the 
 conciliating proposal made by Lord North, and asserts that the Colo- 
 nists will be universally condemned if they do not comply with it ; but 
 the least observation must convince us that this proposal was no other 
 than a flimsy State trick of this wise Minister, and did not, in reality, 
 remove any grievance of which the Americans complained. According 
 to this proposal the Parliament of Great Britain is to demand a cer- 
 tain sum in bulk of the Continent of America, but each Assembly is 
 to have the power of adjusting the particular method in which its pro- 
 portion shall be raised ; but if it refuses to pay as much as the Parlia- 
 ment demands or shall demand, it is to be dragooned into obedience ; 
 all the liberty allowed to the Colonies is to determine how they will 
 raise the sum taxed, without allowing them the liberty of judging 
 whether they ought to be taxed or no ; so that the power of taxation 
 remains virtually and truly in the British Parliament still, and the 
 Colonies are only flattered with an appearance of freedom. The pro- 
 posal was designed as a bait to draw off our friends in Great Britain, 
 and to dissolve the union of America; but it is seen through by both, 
 and will most assuredly be treated by them with the contempt it 
 deserves. 
 
 What must be the heart of the man who can jest, as doth this exe- 
 crable Clergyman, with the miseries of his Country, and can exult at 
 the thought of its being drenched in blood : the prospect of the arrival 
 of Troops to answer this purpose affords him matter of triumph. This 
 is a Tory Clergyman ; to such men as these, our countrymen, (if we 
 prevent them not by our own valorous exertions,) must we pay tithes 
 of all that we possess ; to such men as these must we become hewers 
 of wood and drawers of water ! Who can endure even the distant idea 
 of such a state ? what then must it be to feel and to groan under it ! 
 
 It hath been the misfortune of this Province to produce many such 
 vermin as the author of this letter, many who have acted the part of 
 parricides to their Country, and who would sacrifice that, together with 
 their consciences, to their ambition and avarice ; but we may comfort 
 ourselves with the reflection, that it hath produced a long list of patriots, 
 who are now straining every nerve to secure her freedom, and who will 
 sacrifice their lives rather than that the schemes of such traitors as the 
 author of this letter should succeed. 
 
 The ever-memorable nineteenth of April gave an answer to the 
 questions so often asked by the enemies of American freedom, and 
 among the rest by this little tool of power : what think ye of the Con- 
 gress now ? That day showed the efficacy of the Resolutions of that 
 illustrious body, and evidenced that Americans would rather die than 
 live slaves ! A Hancock and an Adams, with the other patriots, 
 whose names will be handed down, with everlasting honour, to pos- 
 terity, still retain their invincible firmness ; and in despite of British 
 Fleets and Armies, under the assured protection of their God, will 
 secure the freedom and happiness of America. 
 
351 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 352 
 
 NEW. YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION. 
 Minutes of the Provincial Convention of New-York. 
 
 City of Now- York, April, 20, 1775. 
 The Deputies hereinafter named, from the following 
 Counties, assembled at tlie Exchange in this City, for the 
 purpose of forming a Provincial Convention, viz: 
 
 City and County of New-York. — Philip Livingston, 
 Esquire, Jo/in Alsop, Esquire, James JJuane, Esquire, 
 John Jay, Esquire, Colonel Leonard Lispenard, Mr. 
 Francis Lewis, Mr. Abraham Walton, Mr. Isaac Roo- 
 sevelt, Mr. Alexander McDougall, and Mr. Abraham 
 Brasher. 
 
 City and County of Albany. — Colonel Philip Schuy- 
 ler, Colonel Abraham Ten Urocele, and Abraham 
 Yates, Junior, Esquire. 
 
 Ulster County. — Charles De Witt, George Clinton, 
 and Levy Pawling, Esquires. 
 
 Orange County. — Colonel A. Hawkes Hay, Henry 
 Wisner, Esquire, John Herring, Esquire, Mr. Peter 
 Clowes, and Mr. Israel Seely. 
 
 Westchester County. — Colonel Lewis Morris, John 
 Thomas, Junior, Esquire, Robert Graham, Esquire, 
 Major Philip Van Cortlandt, Samuel Drake, Esquire, 
 and Mr. Stephen Ward. 
 
 Dutchess County. — Colonel Morris Graham, Major 
 Robert R. Livingston, Junior, and Egbert Benson, 
 Esquire. 
 
 King's County. — Simon Boerum, Esquire, Captain Rich- 
 ard Stillwell, Mr. Theodorus Polhemus, Mr. Denice 
 Denice, and Mr. John Vanderbilt. 
 
 Suffolk County. — Colonel William Floyd, Colonel Na- 
 thaniel Woodhull, Colonel Phineas Fanning, Thomas 
 Tredwell, Esquire, and John Sloss Hobart, Esquire. 
 
 New-Town and Flushing, in Queen's County. — Col- 
 onel Jacob Blackwell and Mr. John Talman. 
 
 The Convention unanimously chose Philip Livingston, 
 Esquire, to be their President. 
 
 Ordered, That the sense of this Convention, upon every 
 question, be taken and determined by the majority of the 
 votes of the Counties here represented. 
 
 That the votes of the City and County of New-York be 
 considered as four; the City and County of Albany as 
 three; and that of each of the other Counties, respective- 
 ly, as two; and that this arrangement shall not, upon any 
 future occasion, be drawn into precedent. 
 
 The Convention then unanimously elected John Mc- 
 Kesson, Esquire, to be their Secretary. 
 
 The Deputies of the City and County of New-York 
 produced the poll-lists taken the fifteenth day of March 
 last, in each Ward of the said City, certified under the 
 hands of the Vestrymen of the respective Wards, and 
 others before whom they were taken, by which it appears 
 that Philip Livingston, John Alsop, James Duane, John 
 Jay, Leonard Lispenard, Esquires, Messrs. Francis Lewis, 
 Abraham Walton, Isaac Roosevelt, Alexander McDougall, 
 and Abraham Brasher, all now present, together with Mr. 
 Isaac Low, who is not present, were elected by a very 
 great majority of voices to be the Deputies of the said City 
 and County of New- York, for the sole purpose of appoint- 
 ing Delegates to attend the next Continental Congress, to 
 meet at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next. 
 
 Colonel Philip Schuyler, Colonel Abraham Ten Brocck, 
 and Abraham Yates, Junior, Esquire, produced a Certifi- 
 cate subscribed by John N. Bleccker, Clerk of the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for the City and County of Al- 
 bany, certifying that they, together with Colonel Peter R. 
 Livingston and Walter Livingston, Esquire, were unani- 
 mously elected by the said Committee, (which Committee 
 was expressly empowered for that purpose,) as Deputies 
 for the City and County of Albany, to attend the Provin- 
 cial Convention to be held in the City of New-York on 
 this day, for the purpose of choosing Delegates to repre- 
 sent this Colony in the next Continental Congress, to meet 
 at Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May next, which Cer- 
 tificate bears date at Albany on the twenty-first day of 
 March last past ; and being read and accepted, is filed with 
 the Secretary. 
 
 Charles De Witt, George Clinton, and Levy Pawling, 
 Esquires, produced a Certificate bearing date the seventh 
 
 day of April instant, subscribed by Colonel Johannes Har- 
 denbergh, Chairman or President of all the Committees of 
 the respective Towns and Precincts in Ulster County, 
 (except the Towns of Rochester and Mamacoting) which 
 several Committees were therein named, and declared to 
 have been elected and appointed to meet, nominate, and 
 appoint Deputies for the said County, to serve in Provin- 
 cial Convention at the City of New-York, on this day, or 
 at such other time and place as might be agreed on ; and 
 were then assembled at the Ncw-Paltz, in the said Coun- 
 ty, for that purpose. And the said Credentials certify that 
 they the said Charles De Witt, George Clinton, and Levy 
 Pawling, Esquires, were unanimously elected by all the 
 said Committees, as Deputies for the said County of Ulster, 
 to attend the Provincial Convention to be held at the City 
 of New- York, on this day, or at such other time and place 
 as may be agreed on, for the purpose of electing Delegates 
 to represent this Colony in the Continental Congress, to 
 meet at Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, or 
 at such other time and place as may be agreed on for that 
 purpose. The same gentlemen from Ulster County also 
 produced a Letter signed by Jacob Hoornbeck and Jochum 
 Schoonmaker, (the Committee elected by the said Town 
 of Rochester,) bearing date at Rochester the eleventh day 
 of April instant, consenting to and approving of the ap- 
 pointment of the said gentlemen, and reposing the same 
 trust in them as the other Towns and Precincts in the said 
 County of Ulster had done. And the said Credentials 
 being read and approved of by this Convention, are filed 
 with the Secretary. 
 
 The Convention then adjourned to 5 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Five o'clock, P. M., April 20, 1775. 
 The Convention met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 City and County of New-York. — Philip Livingston, 
 Esquire, President, Messrs, Francis Lewis, Alexander 
 McDougall, Abraham Brasher, John Jay, Esquire, 
 Leonard Lispenard, Esquire, Messrs. Isaac Roosevelt, 
 and Abraham Walton. 
 
 City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, Junior, 
 Esquire, Colonel Philip Schuyler, and Colonel Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck. 
 
 Ulster County. — Charles De Witt, George Clinton, 
 and Levy Pau-ling, Esquires. 
 
 Orange County. — Colonel A. Hawkes Hay, Henry 
 Wisner, Esquire, John Herring, Esquire, Mr. Peter 
 Cloives, and Mr. Israel Seely. 
 
 Westchester County. — Colonel Lewis Morris, John 
 Thomas, Junior, Esquire, Robert, Graham, Esquire, 
 Major Philip Van Cortlandt, Sa?nuel Drake, Esquire, 
 and Mr. Stephen Ward. 
 
 Dutchess County. — Colonel Morris Graham, Major 
 Robert R. Livingston, Junior, and Egbert Benson, 
 Esquire. 
 
 King's County. — Simon Boerum, Theodorus Polhemus, 
 Esquires, and Mr. John Vanderbilt. 
 
 Suffolk County. — Colonel William Floyd, Colonel Na- 
 thaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Hobart, Esquire, Thomas 
 Tredwell, Esquire, and Colonel Phineas Fanning. 
 
 Flushing and Jamaica, in Queen's County. — Mr. 
 John Talman and Mr. Joseph Robinson. 
 
 The Deputies for Orange County produced here several 
 Credentials from the respective Towns and Precincts in 
 that County, in substance as follows, to wit: A Certificate 
 signed by Gilbert Cooper, Clerk, setting forth that at a 
 Town-Meeting of the Precinct of Haverstraw, in the said 
 County of Orange, held at the New- City, on Tuesday, the 
 fourth day of April instant, it was — • 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That that meeting did highly approve of 
 a Convention of Deputies from the different Counties, to 
 meet at the City of Neiv-York on this day, for the purpose 
 of choosing Delegates for the next Continental Congress, 
 to be held at Philadelphia in the month of May next, 
 as the most effectual means to promote the honour and 
 happiness of the Colony, and to unite the Colony in the 
 common cause, for the preservation of our rights and liber- 
 ties ; and, 
 
 2dly. That it was then and there resolved that Colonel 
 A. Hawkes Hay should be, and was thereby appointed a 
 Deputy to represent that Precinct at such Provincial Con- 
 
353 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 354 
 
 vention, to meet at the City of New-York on this day ; 
 and was thereby authorized and appointed to join with the 
 Deputies who should meet in such Convention, in the ap- 
 pointment of Delegates to represent this Colony in the 
 next Continental Congress ; and also to concur with the 
 said Deputies in such other measures as might be thought 
 necessary to promote the honour, happiness, and interest of 
 this Colony. 
 
 Secondly. The same gentlemen, Deputies for Orange 
 County, produced a Certificate signed by Daniel Everett, 
 Precinct Clerk of the Precinct of Goshen, in the said 
 County, certifying, that at an annual Town-Meeting held 
 at Goshen, in and for the Precinct of Goshen, on Tuesday, 
 the fourth day of April instant, it was moved, and unani- 
 mously voted in the affirmative, that Henry Wisncr and 
 Peter Clowes, Esquires, be appointed Deputies for the 
 said Precinct of Goshen, to meet such other Deputies as 
 should be appointed by other parts of the Colony, in a 
 Provincial Convention, to be held in the City of New- 
 York on this day, for the purpose of electing Delegates 
 for the next Continental Congress, to be held at Philadel- 
 phia on the tenth day of May next. 
 
 Thirdly. The said Deputies for Orange County pro- 
 duced a Certificate subscribed by Thomas Outivatcr, Town 
 Clerk, setting forth that a meeting of the Freeholders of the 
 Town of Orange, in Orange County, was held at the 
 house of Jost Mabce, in the said Town, on the 17th day 
 of April instant, agreeable to notice given, and request 
 made by publick advertisements for that purpose. That 
 the freeholders then and there assembled, took into con- 
 sideration the necessity of their being duly and properly 
 represented in the Provincial Convention, to be held at the 
 City of New- York on this twentieth day of April, for the 
 purpose of electing and appointing Delegates to represent 
 this Colony of New- York in the next Continental Con- 
 gress, to be held in the City of Philadelphia on the tenth 
 day of May next. That the question was put, Whether 
 the Freeholders there assembled should send a Deputy to 
 represent the said Town of Orange at this Convention ? 
 And that the same was carried in the affirmative. And 
 therein also setting forth and certifying, that it was there- 
 upon voted and ordered, that John Herring, Esquire, 
 should be a Deputy for the said Town of Orange, to re- 
 present the said Town in this Convention ; and that he 
 act and vote on behalf of the inhabitants thereof, in all 
 such matters and things as should, by the said Convention, 
 be taken into consideration. 
 
 Lastly. The said Deputies from Orange County pro- 
 duced a Certificate signed by Jesse Wood hull, Esquire, set- 
 ting forth, that at an annual meeting of the Freeholders and 
 inhabitants of the Precinct of Cornwall, in the said Coun- 
 ty, held at the house of John Brewster, in Blooming- 
 grove, on the fourth day of April instant, the said Jesse 
 WoodhuU, Esquire, was chosen Moderator. That the said 
 Freeholders then proceeded to take into consideration a Let- 
 ter from the Committee of the City and County of New- 
 York, signed by Isaac Low, their Chairman, recommend- 
 ing the choosing of Deputies for the several Counties in 
 this Colony, to meet in Provincial Convention at the City 
 of New- York, on this twentieth day of April, for the sole 
 purpose of choosing Delegates to represent this Colony in 
 the next Continental Congress, to be held at Philadelphia 
 on the tenth day of May next ensuing. That it was then 
 proposed to the said Freeholders, whether the subject-mat- 
 ter of the said Letter should be taken into consideration im- 
 mediately, or postponed to another day ; and that debates 
 arising thereon, and the question being put, it was voted 
 by a large majority, that the subject-matter of the said Let- 
 ter should be considered immediately. That it was then 
 proposed to the said Freeholders, whether a Deputy should 
 be sent from that Precinct to this Convention, or not ? And 
 that debates arising thereon, and the question being put, it 
 was carried in the affirmative by a large majority. 
 
 And the said Certificate sets forth and certifies, that Mr. 
 Israel Seely was then and there chosen as one of the De- 
 puties of that County for the purposes aforesaid. 
 
 And all the said Credentials and Certificates produced 
 by the said Deputies for Orange County being read and 
 approved of, and accepted by this Convention, are filed 
 with the Secretary. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Colonel Lewis Morris, Mr. Stephen Ward, Samuel 
 Drake, Esquire, John Thomas, Junior, Esquire, Robert 
 Graham, Esquire, and Major Philip Van Cortlandt, the 
 Deputies from Westchester County, produced Credentials 
 bearing date at the White-Plains, in Westchester County, 
 on the eleventh day of April instant, signed by Lewis 
 Morris, Chairman, therein reciting and setting forth, that 
 on the twenty-eighth day of March last past, a number of 
 gentlemen therein particularly named, from different Dis- 
 tricts in the County of Westchester, having received Letters 
 from the Chairman of the Committee of the City and 
 County of New- York relative to the appointment of De- 
 puties for the County of Westchester, to this Convention, 
 met at the White-Plains aforesaid, for the purpose of de- 
 vising means to take the sense of the people of the County 
 upon the subject. That they had sent Letters of Notifica- 
 tion to the principal Freeholders in the different Towns 
 and Districts in the County, acquainting them that they 
 had then met to consider of the most proper method to 
 obtain the sense of the Freeholders of the County upon 
 the expediency of choosing Deputies to meet the Deputies 
 of the other Counties, for the purpose of electing Dele- 
 gates to represent this Colony in the Continental Congress, 
 to be held at Philadelphia on the tenth day of May next ; 
 and therein recommending a general meeting of the Free- 
 holders of the said County, to be held at the Ifliitc- 
 Plains, on Tuesday, the eleventh day of April instant, at 
 ten of the clock in the forenoon, at the Court-House ; and 
 therein and thereby requesting each such principal Free- 
 holder to give notice of the said meeting to all the Free- 
 holders in his District, without exception, as those who did 
 not appear and vote on that day, would be presumed to 
 acquiesce in the sentiments of the majority of those who 
 should vote. And therein also further setting forth and 
 certifying, that such notices as aforesaid had been generally 
 given and distributed ; and that a very numerous body of 
 the Freeholders of the County had assembled at the Court- 
 House at the White-Plains, on the said eleventh day of 
 April instant, in pursuance thereof, and chose Colonel 
 Lewis Morris for their Chairman. That an inconsidera- 
 ble number of persons, (among whom were many tenants 
 not entitled to a vote,) with Isaac Wilkins, Esquire, and 
 Colonel Philipse at their head, then appeared ; and Mr. 
 Wilkins, in their behalf, as he said, declared that they 
 would not join in the business of the day, or have any thing 
 to do with Deputies or Congresses ; but that they came 
 there for the sole purpose of protesting against such illegal 
 and unconstitutional proceedings ; after which they de- 
 parted. 
 
 That the following question was then put to the Free- 
 holders by the Chairman, viz : Whether they would ap- 
 point Deputies for the County of Westchester, to meet the 
 Deputies of the other Counties at the City of New- York, 
 on the twentieth day of April then instant, for the purpose 
 of electing Delegates to represent this Colony in the Gen- 
 eral Congress to be held at Philadelphia, on the tenth day 
 of May next ? That the Freeholders then there met unani- 
 mously answered in the affirmative ; and thereupon ap- 
 pointed the said Colonel Lewis Morris, Mr. Stephen Ward, 
 Samuel Drake, Esquire, John Thomas, Junior, Esquire, 
 Robert Graham, Esquire, and Major Philip Van Cort- 
 landt, together with Colonel James Holmes and Jonathan 
 Piatt, Esquire, or the majority of them, to be the Depu- 
 ties of the said County of Westchester, for the purposes 
 aforesaid. 
 
 The same Credentials being read and heard, and ac- 
 cepted by this Convention, are now filed with the Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 The Deputies for King's County produced here pro- 
 ceedings of a meeting of the several Committees chosen 
 by the Freeholders of the Townships of Flatbush , Brook- 
 land, Bushwick, New- Utrecht, and Gravesend, held at the 
 County Hall, in Flatbush, in King's County, on the fif- 
 teenth day of April instant, for the purpose of choosing 
 Deputies to meet with the Deputies from the other Coun- 
 ties, at New-York, on the twentieth day of April instant, 
 to choose Delegates to attend the Continental Congress, to 
 be held at Philadelphia on the tenth day of May next. 
 The said proceedings, certified by Abraham Van Ranst, 
 Clerk to the said several large and respectable Committees 
 
355 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 356 
 
 tliere met, do certify, that Simon Boerum, Esquire, having 
 been elected their Chairman, they unanimously resolved 
 that the said Simon Bocrum, Richard Stihvell, Thcodorus 
 Polhemus, Dcnice Dcnice, and John Vandcrbilt, or the 
 major part of them, he appointed, and they were thereby 
 appointed Deputies for King's County, to meet the Depu- 
 ties of the other Counties within this Colony, at Ncw- 
 Vork, on the twentieth day of April instant, to choose 
 Delegates to attend the Continental Congress, at Phila- 
 delphia, on the tenth day of May next. 
 
 And the same certified proceedings being now read and 
 heard and accepted, and approved of by this Convention, 
 are filed with the Secretary. 
 
 The Deputies for Suffolk County produced a Certifi- 
 cate, signed by Robert Hempsted, Chairman, at a meeting 
 of the Committees from the different Towns in the County 
 of Suffolk, held at the County Hall, on the sixth day of 
 April instant, certifying that it was then and there unani- 
 mously voted and agreed, that Colonel William Floyd, 
 Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, Colonel Phineas Fanning, 
 Thomas Trcdwell, and John Sloss Hobart, Esquires, all 
 now present, together with Thomas Wickham, Esquire, 
 were then and there appointed Deputies, on the part and 
 behalf of that County, to meet the Deputies of New-York 
 and the other Counties within this Colony in a Provincial 
 Convention at the City of New- York, on the 20th day of 
 April instant, (as recommended in a Letter from the Chair- 
 man of the Committee in the said City,) there to unite 
 with the other Deputies in appointing Delegates to attend 
 the Continental Congress at Philadelphia or elsewhere, in 
 May next. And thereby also farther certifying that the 
 said Deputies were thereby empowered to unite with the 
 other Deputies in Provincial Convention in entering into 
 such Resolves, and giving such Instructions to the Dele- 
 gates that shall be there chosen, as in their judgment shall 
 tend to the preservation of the rights and liberties of Ame- 
 rica, and to restore harmony between Great Britain and 
 the Colonies. 
 
 And the said certified proceedings and appointments be- 
 ing read and heard, and accepted by this Convention, are 
 now filed with the Secretary. 
 
 The Convention then proceeded to make an Order, in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 It having been reported that Mr. Isaac Low, who ap- 
 pears to have been elected one of the Deputies for the City 
 and County of New-York, and has not attended, does not 
 intend to act in that capacity ; and as the Convention are 
 restrained in the appointment of Delegates to the persons 
 of whom it is composed, 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary wait upon Mr. Low, and 
 request the favour of him to inform the Convention whether 
 they are to consider him as one of their Members. 
 
 The Convention then adjourned to ten o'clock to-mor- 
 row morning, 
 
 Die Veneris, 10 hora, A. M., April 21, 1775. 
 The Convention assembled at the Exchange, in New- 
 York, pursuant to adjournment, Present : 
 
 City and County of New-York. — Philip Livingston, 
 Esq., President, John Alsop, Ja7nes Ditane, and John 
 Jay, Esquires, and Colonel Leonard Lispenard, Messrs. 
 Isaac Roosevelt, Alexander McDougall, Abraham Bra- 
 sher, Francis Lewis, and Abraham Walton. 
 
 City and County of Albany.— Col. Philip Schuyler, 
 Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck, and Abraham Yates, 
 Jun., Esquire. 
 
 Ulster County. — Charles Be Wilt, George Clinton, and 
 Levy Pawling, Esquires. 
 
 Orange County. — Col. A. llawkes Hay, Henry Wisner, 
 Esquire, John Herring, Esquire, Messrs. Peter Clowes, 
 and Israel Stely. 
 
 Westchester County. — Col. Letvis Morris, Mr. Ste- 
 phen Ward, Samuel Drake, Esquire, John Thomas, 
 Jun., Esquire, Robert Graham, Esquire, and Major 
 Philip Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Dutchess County. — Col. Morris Graham, Major Robert 
 R. Livingston, Junior, and Egbert Benson, Esq. 
 
 King's County. — Simon Boerum, Esq., Captain Richard 
 Stihvell, Messrs. Theodorus Polhemus, and John Van- 
 dcrbilt, 
 
 Suffolk County. — Colonel William Floyd, Colonel Na- 
 thaniel Woodhull, Colonel Phineas Fanning, Thomas 
 Tredwell, Esquire, and John Sloss Hobart, Esquire. 
 
 Newtown, Oyster Bay, Flushing, and Jamaica, in 
 Queen's County. — Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Captain 
 Zebulon Williams, Messrs. John Talman, and Joseph 
 Robinson. 
 
 Mr. John Talman, of Flushing, in Queen's Count)-, 
 produced to this Convention a Certificate, signed by John 
 Rodman, Town Clerk, and by Mr. Stephen Van Wyck, 
 certifying that, on the 4th day of April instant, after due 
 notice had been given to the Freeholders of Flushing, at 
 an annual Town Meeting, it was proposed that a Deputy 
 should be chosen to represent the said Town at a Provin- 
 cial Convention, to be held at the City of New- York on 
 the 20th day of April instant. That after some debates 
 the matter was put to vote, and that Mr. John Talman 
 was, by a great majority, chosen their Deputy, to repre- 
 sent the said Town of Flushing in the said Provincial 
 Convention. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Robinson produced to the Convention a 
 Poll List of one hundred and seventy-six of the Freehold- 
 ers of the Town of Jamaica, in Queen's County ; eighty-two 
 whereof, who, though a minority of the Freeholders of the 
 said Town who polled on that occasion, have requested 
 him to attend this Convention, and signify their willingness 
 to acquiesce in the choice of the Deputies who attend this 
 Convention for the purpose of electing Delegates to repre- 
 sent this Colony at the next Continental Congress. 
 
 Captain Zebulon Williams produced two Certificates, 
 signed by forty-three of the F reeholders of the Town of 
 Oyster Bay, in Quecri's County, dated the 12th day of 
 April instant, who, though a minority of the Freeholders 
 who polled on that occasion, have thereby appointed him 
 their Deputv, to attend this Convention and act on their 
 behalf. 
 
 Colonel Jacob Blackwell produced to this Convention a 
 Poll List of Freeholders of the Township of Neivtorni, 
 whereby it appears that one hundred Freeholders in the 
 said Town (who were all that did poll on that occasion) 
 have elected him their Deputy to attend this Convention. 
 
 The said Certificates and Poll List being read, heard, 
 and considered, 
 
 Resolved, That the Convention allows Colonel Jacob 
 Blackwell, Captain Zebulon Williams, and Messrs. John 
 Talman and Joseph Robinson to be present at its delibera- 
 tions, and will take into consideration any advice they may 
 offer. 
 
 Colonel Mon-is Graham, Major Robert R. Livingston, 
 Junior, and Egbert Benson, Esquire, laid before the Con- 
 vention a Certificate, signed by the respective Committees 
 of the Precincts of Rumbout, Northeast Amcnia, and 
 Rynbeck, in the said County of Dutchess, at a meeting held 
 by them at Charlotte Precinct, in the said County, on the 
 14th day of April instant, certifying that they, the said 
 Morris Graham, Robert R. Livingston, Junior, and Eg- 
 bert Benson, were elected Deputies to represent the said 
 County in the Provincial Convention at the City of Niw- 
 York, on the 20th day of April instant ; or to represent 
 the respective Precincts who had sent Committees to that 
 meeting, as this Convention, from a state of facts to be laid 
 before them, should determine. 
 
 The same gentlemen from Dutchess County then laid 
 before the Convention the said state of facts, which are in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 1st. That at a meeting in August last, held for the pur- 
 pose of nominating Delegates to represent the County of 
 Dutchess in the last Continental Congress, Committees 
 attended from seven Precincts. 
 
 2d. That shortly after, a Committee was chosen in an- 
 other Precinct, who approved of the proceedings of this 
 meeting, and wrote to the Committee of Correspondence, 
 informing them of the same. 
 
 3d. That at this meeting Messrs. Anthony Hoffman, 
 John Van Ness, and Egbert Benson were constituted a 
 Standing Committee of Correspondence for the whole 
 County, with directions to communicate to the other Com- 
 mittees whatever intelligence should, from time to time, be 
 received, with a power to call a meeting of the other Com- 
 mittees when they should think it expedient ; and for that 
 
•357 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONVENTION, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 358 
 
 purpose a place was appointed where the next meeting 
 should be held. 
 
 4th. That immediately upon the receipt of the Letter 
 from the Committee of the City of New- York, of the 16th 
 of March last, Circular Letters were despatched to the 
 several Precincts in the County, mentioning the time when 
 another meeting would be held at the place appointed, as 
 above. 
 
 5th. That Town Meetings, for the purpose of taking 
 the sense of the Inhabitants with respect to sending Depu- 
 ties to attend this Convention, have been held in only six 
 Precincts. 
 
 6th. That taking the six Precincts throughout, of the 
 persons who actually appeared and gave their voices, either 
 for or against the measure, a majority were in favour of it. 
 
 And the said Certificate and state of facts having been 
 read and heard, and duly considered, they were accepted 
 of by this Convention, and filed with the Secretary. 
 
 The Secretary being then called on for that purpose, 
 reported to the Convention that, in pursuance of their or- 
 der, he yesterday evening waited on Mr. Low, who, in 
 substance, informed him that, as he could not attend the 
 Committee when the measure of having eleven Deputies 
 for the City and County of New- York was in agitation, he 
 got a friend to signify to the Committee his disapprobation 
 of the measure, and that if he was nominated he should 
 think himself obliged to refuse to serve ; that he had after- 
 wards published a declaration that he would not serve as a 
 Deputy, that the City might have an opportunity to sup- 
 ply his place, if it was thought necessary to have eleven 
 Deputies, and that, therefore, the Convention are not to 
 consider him as a Member. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Convention, sensible 
 of the services of the Delegates from this Colony who at- 
 tended the Continental Congress, in order to express their 
 approbation of their conduct, and as a mark of the confi- 
 dence reposed in them, have unanimously re-elected all of 
 them Delegates to attend the next Continental Congress 
 at Philadelphia, except Mr. Isaac Low, who had previous- 
 ly declared that the Convention was not to consider him as 
 a Member of this Convention, and is therefore ineligible. 
 
 John Herring, Esquire, declined attending at the next 
 Continental Congress as a Delegate, and assigned his rea- 
 sons to the Convention, which are approved of, and he is 
 therefore excused. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That five gentlemen be added, 
 as Delegates, to those who attended the last Continental 
 Congress, and re-elected by this Convention, and that they 
 be chosen by ballot. 
 
 And the following gentlemen were then elected by bal- 
 lot, nemine contradicenie, viz : Colonel Philip Schuyler, 
 George Clinton, Esquire, Colonel Lewis Morris, Robert 
 R. Livingston. Junior, Esquire, and Francis Lewis, Es- 
 quire. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That Philip Liv- 
 ingston, James Duane, John Alsop, John Jay, Simon 
 Boerum, William Floyd, Henry Winner, Philip Schuyler, 
 George Clinton, Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, and Ro- 
 bert R. Livingston, Junior, Esquires, be Delegates to 
 represent this Colony at the next Continental Congress to 
 be held at the City of Philadelphia on the 10th day of 
 May next, with full power to them, or any five of them, to 
 meet the Delegates from the other Colonies, and to concert 
 and determine upon such measures as shall be judged most 
 effectual for the preservation and re-establishment of Ame- 
 rican rights and privileges, and for the restoration of 
 harmony between Great Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 The Convention then adjourned till to-morrow morning, 
 eleven o'clock. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 11 hora, A. M., April 22, 1775. 
 The Convention assembled at the Exchange, in New- 
 York, pursuant to adjournment, Present : 
 
 City and County of New-York. — Philip Livingston, 
 Esquire, President, John Alsop, Esquire, Leonard Lis- 
 penard, Esquire, Francis Lewis, Esquire, Messrs. Abra- 
 ham Walton, Isaac Roosevelt, Alexander McDougall, 
 Abraham Brasher, and James Duane, Esquire. 
 
 City and County of Albany. — Colonel Philip Schuy- 
 ler, Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates, 
 Jun., Esquire, and Walter Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 Ulster County. — Charles Be Witt, George Clinton, 
 and Levy Pawling, Esquires. 
 
 Orange County. — Colonel A. Hawkes Hay, Henry 
 Wisner, Esquire, John Herring, Esquire, Messrs. Piter 
 Clowes, and Israel Seely. 
 
 Dutchess County. — Robert R. Livingston, Jun., Es- 
 quire, Colonel Morris Graham, and Egbert Benson, 
 Esquire. 
 
 Westchester County. — Colonel~Z,cim Morris, John 
 Thomas, Jun., Esquire, Robert Graham, Esquire, Ma- 
 jor Philip Van Cortlandt, Samuel Drake, Esquire, 
 and Mr. Stephen Ward. 
 
 King's County. — Simon Boerum, Esquire, and John 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 Suffolk County. — Colonel William Floyd, Colonel 
 Nathaniel Woodhull, Colonel Phineas Fanning, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Esquire, and Thomas Trcdwell, Esquire. 
 
 Newtown, Oyster Bay, Flushing, and Jamaica, in 
 Queen's County. — Colonel Joseph Blackwell, Zcbu- 
 lon Williams, Esquire, Messrs. John Talman, and Jo- 
 seph Robinson. 
 
 A Draft of Credentials for the Delegates of this Colony, 
 elected and appointed to attend at the next Continental 
 Congress at Philadelphia, being read and approved, was 
 agreed to, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 At a Provincial Convention, formed of Deputies from 
 the City and County of New-York, the City and County 
 of Albany, and the Counties of Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, 
 Westchester, King's, and Suffolk, held at the City of 
 New- York the twenty-second day of April, one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five, for the purpose of appoint- 
 ing Delegates to represent the Colony of New- York in 
 the next Continental Congress, to be held at the City of 
 Philadelphia on the tenth day of May next, Philip Liv- 
 ingston, Esquire, James Duane, John Alsop, John Jay, 
 Simon Boerum, William Floyd, Henry Wisner, Philij) 
 Schuyler, George Clinton, Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, 
 and Robert R. Livingston, Jun., Esquires, were unani- 
 mously elected Delegates to represent this Colony at such 
 Congress, with full power to them, or any five of them, to 
 meet the Delegates from the other Colonies, and to concert 
 and determine upon such measures as shall be judged most 
 effectual for the preservation and re-establishment of Ame- 
 rican rights and privileges, and for the restoration of har- 
 mony between Great Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be subscribed by the Members 
 of this Convention, and that fair copies be made of the Re- 
 solutions of this Convention appointing the Delegates, as 
 also a list of the Deputies who attended thereat, and that 
 the same be signed by the President, and published in the 
 New-York Newspapers. 
 
 Ordered, That the thanks of this Convention be given 
 to the Secretary for his services on this occasion ; which 
 was accordingly done. 
 
 Philip Livingston, Lewis Morris, 
 
 John Alsop, John Thomas, Jun., 
 
 James Duane, Robert Graham, 
 
 Francis Lewis, P. Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Abraham Walton, Samuel Drake, 
 
 Isaac Roosevelt, Stephen Ward, 
 
 Alex. McDougall, Morris Graham, 
 
 Abraham Brasher, R. R. Livingston, Jr., 
 
 Leonard Lispenard, Egbert Benson, 
 
 Philip Schuyler, Simon Boerum, 
 
 Abm. Ten Broeck, John Vanderbilt, 
 
 Abm. Yates, Jun., William Floyd, 
 
 Walter Livingston, Nathaniel Woodhull, 
 
 Charles De Witt, Phineas Fanning, 
 
 George Clinton, John Sloss Hobart, 
 
 Levy Pawling, Thomas Tredwell, 
 
 A. Hawkes Hay, Zebulon Williams, 
 
 Henry Wisner, Jacob Blackwell, 
 
 Peter Clowes, John Talman, 
 
 Israel Seely, Joseph Robinson. 
 John Herring, 
 
359 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 360 
 
 ATTACK ON THE INHABITANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS BY 
 THE BRITISH TKOOPS. 
 Portsmouth New-Hampshire, April 20, 1775. 
 Early this morning we were alarmed with an Express 
 from Newburyport, with the following Letter to the Chair- 
 man of the Committee of Correspondence in this Town : 
 
 Newburyport, April 11), 1775. 
 
 Sir: This Town has been in a continual alarm since 
 mid-day, with reports of the Troops having marched out 
 of Boston to make some attack in the country. The 
 reports in general concur, in part, in having been at Lex- 
 ington. And it is very generally said they have been at 
 Concord. We sent oft' an express this afternoon, who 
 went as far as Simons's at Danvert, before he could get 
 information that he thought might be depended upon. He 
 there met two or three gentlemen who affirmed, the regular 
 Troops and our men had been engaged chief of the morn- 
 ing, and that it is supposed we had twenty-five thousand 
 men engaged against four thousand Regulars ; that the 
 Regulars had begun a retreat. Our men here are setting 
 off immediately. And as the sword is now drawn, and 
 first drawn on the side of the Troops, we scruple not you 
 will give the readiest and fullest assistance in your power. 
 And send this information further on. 
 
 In behalf of the Committee for this Town. 
 
 Your humble servant, James Hudson, Chairman. 
 
 LETTER FROM BOSTON TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, 
 DATED APRIL 19, 1775. 
 
 I have taken up my pen to inform you, that last night 
 about eleven o'clock, one thousand of the best Troops, in 
 a very secret manner, embarked on board a number of 
 Boats at the bottom of the Common, and went up Cam- 
 bridge River, and landed. 
 
 In the mean time they stopped every person from going 
 over the Neck, or any Ferry ; but we soon found a way 
 to get some men to alarm the country. From thence 
 they marched to Lexington, where they saw a number of 
 men exercising. They ordered them to disperse, and im- 
 mediately fired on them, killed eight men on the spot, 
 and marched to Concord. This alarmed the country so, 
 that it seemed as if men came down from the clouds. 
 This news coming to Town, the General sent out another 
 thousand men, with a large train of artillery. In the mean 
 time, those Troops at Concord had set fire to the Court- 
 House there. We then had our men collected, so that an 
 engagement immediately ensued, and the King's Troops 
 retreated very fast, until they were reinforced with the last 
 one thousand that the General sent ; but they did not stand 
 long before the whole body gave way, and retreated very 
 fast. Our men kept up at their heels, loading and firing 
 till they got to Charlestown, when our men thought it 
 not prudent to proceed any farther, fearing the Ships-of- 
 War would be ordered to fire on Boston and Charlestoivn. 
 They have gained a complete victory ; and, by the best 
 information I can get, most of the officers and soldiers are 
 cut off. There were two wagons, one loaded with powder 
 and ball, and the other with provisions, guarded by seven- 
 teen men and an officer going to the Army, when six of 
 our men waylaid them, killed two, wounded two, and took 
 the officer prisoner ; the others took to the woods, and we 
 brought off the wagons. The engagement began about 
 twelve o'clock, and continued until seven ; in the mean 
 time they retreated twenty miles. 
 
 1 have endeavoured to give you a few of the particulars, as 
 near as I am able, considering the situation we are in, not 
 knowing but the Troops may have liberty to turn their 
 revenge on us. We have now at least ten thousand men 
 round this Town. It has been a most distressing day with 
 us ; but I pray God we may never have reason to be called 
 to such another. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN NEAR PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, DATED BOSTON, APRIL 20, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday produced a scene the most shocking that 
 New-England ever beheld. Last Saturday P, M,, orders 
 were sent to the several Regiments quartered here, not to 
 let their Grenadiers or Light-Infantry do any duty till far- 
 ther orders ; upon which the inhabitants conjectured that 
 
 some secret expedition was on foot, and, being upon the 
 look-out, they observed those bodies on the move between 
 ten and eleven o'clock on Tuesday night, observing a per- 
 fect silence in their march, towards the point opposite to 
 Phipps's farm, where boats were in waiting, that conveyed 
 them over. The men appointed to alarm the country on 
 such occasions got over by stealth as early as the Troops, 
 and took their different routes. 
 
 The first advice we had was about eight o'clock in the 
 morning, when it was reported that the Troops had fired 
 upon and killed five men in Lexington; previous to which 
 an officer came express to his Excellency General Gage, 
 when, between eight and nine o'clock, a Brigade marched 
 out under the command of Earl Percy, consisting of the 
 Marines, the Welsh Fusileers, the Fourth, and Forty-seventh, 
 and Thirty-eighth Regiments, and two fieldpieces. About 
 twelve o'clock it was given out by the General's Aid-de- 
 Camp that no person was killed, and that a single gun had 
 not been fired, which report was variously believed; but, 
 between one and two o'clock, certain accounts came that 
 eight were killed outright, and fourteen wounded of the 
 inhabitants of Lexington. Those people, it seems, to the 
 number of about forty, were drawn out early in the morn- 
 ing near the Meeting- House to exercise; upon which the 
 party of Light-Infantry and Grenadiers, to the number of 
 about eight hundred, came up to them, and ordered them to 
 disperse. The commander replied that they were innocently 
 amusing themselves with exercise, that they had not any 
 ammunition with them, and therefore should not molest or 
 disturb them. This answer not satisfying, the Troops fired 
 upon them, and killed three or four; the others took to 
 their heels, and the Troops continued to fire. A few took 
 refuge in the Meeting-House, when the soldiers shoved up 
 the windows, pointed their guns in, and killed three there. 
 This is the best account I can learn of the beginning of the 
 fatal day, and you must naturally suppose that such a piece 
 of cruelty would rouse the Country. 
 
 The Troops continued their march to Concord, entered 
 the Town, and refreshed themselves in the Meeting-House 
 and Town-House. In the latter place they found some 
 ammunition and stores belonging to the country, which 
 finding they could not bring away by reason of the country 
 people having occupied all the posts round them, they set 
 fire to the house, but the people extinguished it. They 
 set it on fire a second time, which brought on a general 
 engagement at about eleven o'clock. The Troops took 
 two pieces of cannon from the countrymen ; but their num- 
 bers increasing, they soon regained them, and the Troops 
 were obliged to retreat towards Town. 
 
 At noon they were joined by the other Brigades, under 
 Earl Percy, when another very warm engagement came 
 on at Lexington. The Troops not being able to stand it, 
 where obliged to continue their retreat, which they did 
 with the bravery becoming British soldiers ; but the coun- 
 try was in a manner desperate, not regarding their cannon 
 in the least, and followed on till seven in the evening, by 
 which time they got into Charlestown, when they left off 
 the pursuit, lest they might injure the inhabitants. I stood 
 upon the hills in Town and saw the engagement very plain, 
 which was very bloody for seven hours; and it is conjec- 
 tured that one half of the soldiers at least are killed. The 
 last Brigade was sent over the Ferry in the evening to 
 secure their retreat; and they are this morning intrenching 
 themselves upon Bunker's Hill, till they can get a safe 
 retreat to this Town. 
 
 It is impossible to learn any particulars, as the commu- 
 nication between town and country is at present broke off; 
 they were till ten last night bringing over their wounded, 
 several of whom are since dead, two officers in particular. 
 When I reflect, and consider that the fight between those 
 whose parents but a few years ago were brothers, I shud- 
 der at the thought, and there is no knowing where our 
 calamities will end. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BOSTON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN NEW-YORK, DATED APRIL 20, 1775. 
 
 I have yet an opportunity of writing to you from my 
 own house, but how long that privilege is to continue God 
 only knows. Yesterday morning, or rather late in the 
 night of the 18th, a Brigade, or four Regiments, were car- 
 
361 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 362 
 
 l ied from the west part of the Town, in boats of the Men- 
 of-War, to Cambridge, from whence they marched on to- 
 wards Concord, which is about twenty miles from hence. 
 On their way, in passing through Lexington, the Troops 
 came unexpectedly on a Company of our country people, 
 (who are called Minute-Men) that were early in the morn- 
 ing exercising with arms, without ammunition. The Officer 
 of the Troops is said to have ordered them to lay down 
 their arms. The Captain replied, he was on his own 
 ground; that his Company were without ammunition, and 
 had no intent but that of improving in the military art. 
 After some altercation, report says the Captain and his men 
 turned to go oft', and that the Light-Iufantrv fired on them, 
 killed six, and wounded mortally two others. The Troops 
 continuing their route to Concord, the country, by the time 
 of their getting there, was alarmed ; and our people, taking 
 to a hill, hegan firing upon the Troops with about two 
 hundred men, which number, receiving continual additions, 
 the Troops were all the remainder of the day on their re- 
 treat to Charlestown, and many of the officers who have 
 returned say they never were in a hotter engagement. 
 Many are killed on both sides, and were left on the roads, 
 neither side having time to collect their dead. Our people 
 came to no regular battle, but annoyed their whole passage 
 hack. We could see the flashes, and hear the reports of 
 the guns for hours ; the warmest fire being about two miles 
 from the Town, where only water parted us. 
 
 The marching of the Troops to the water side was so 
 sudden and silent, that few of the inhabitants knew of it 
 till next morning. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BOSTON TO A MERCHANT IN 
 NEW-YORK, DATED THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 1775. 
 
 What I was apprehensive of in my last, is now con- 
 firmed. Yesterday morning the Grenadiers and Light-In- 
 fantry of all the Regiments in Town marched out very 
 unexpectedly, and proceeded to Concord, twenty-one miles 
 from hence ; at which place the Provincial Congress sat, 
 and where large Magazines, belonging to the Country, were 
 collected, which were totally destroyed. This party con- 
 sisted of about eight hundred men, under the command of 
 Lieutenant Colonel Smith, of the Tenth Regiment. About 
 six hours after those left Boston, a Brigade was ordered 
 out, consisting of one thousand men, commanded by Lord 
 Percy. These marched about sixteen miles, to a place 
 called Lexington, where they met the first party returning, 
 and who, in their first march up, had killed eight or ten 
 men that opposed their march. Upon the Army's return, 
 near Lexington, they were fired on from the woods, which 
 was returned. Thus the engagement became general, and 
 continued for seven hours, during which several lives were 
 lost, and a great many wounded. It is surprising how soon 
 the country people mustered, and in vast numbers ; so 
 much, that the Troops were obliged to retreat near twelve 
 miles, and all this way a constant firing was kept up on 
 both sides. The country people fired all from cover, and 
 by this means had much the advantage of the Troops. The 
 engagement lasted until night put an end to it. I saw a 
 great part of it from Beacon Hill. They kept a constant 
 firing until they got into Charlestown. The loss on the 
 part of the Troops, from the best information, is about two 
 hundred killed ; among which there are no Officers, though 
 many very much wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Barnard, 
 of the Royal Welch, Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, of the 
 Tenth, are slightly wounded. Lieutenant Gould, of the 
 Fourth Regiment, is also wounded. Major Moncrieffe, 
 Captain Parsons, and Mr. Haines, are safe returned. The 
 loss on the side of the Country must be considerable ; at 
 present, there is no coming to any certainty. From the 
 preparations that are making, I think it will be soon re- 
 newed. 
 
 extract of a letter from a gentleman in newport 
 (rhode-island) to the new-york committee, dated 
 april 21, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday the Town was alarmed by intelligence con- 
 tained in a letter, which came express from Providence, to 
 the Governour, subscribed by the Lieutenant-Governour, 
 .S'. Hopkins. J. Jenks, S. Nightingale, J. Brown, and about 
 
 twenty others, inhabitants of the Town of Providence, 
 which says: "Our brethren of the Massachusetts-Ban are 
 attacked by a body of the Regular Troops, and many 
 friends are slain." They then request the Governour to 
 call the Assembly, to make the necessary preparations for 
 the common defence ; to which a postscript is added, signed 
 Thomas Green, that Colonel Warren and Doctoi Pijn- 
 cham, two Deputies from Massachusetts Congress, were at 
 Providence, waiting to consult the Assembly on what was 
 proper to be done. There is also another letter from S. 
 Hopkins to Major-General Potter, a copy of which was 
 forwarded to the Governour, and calls upon the Major- 
 General to repair to Providence, to consult with Lieutenant- 
 General Sessions; this says: "The King's Troops are ac- 
 tually engaged butchering and destroying our brethren in 
 the most inhuman manner. The inhabitants oppose them 
 with great zeal and courage. " 
 
 Both the above letters are dated, Providence, April 19, 
 1775, at night. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM WEATH ERSFIELD, IN CON- 
 NECTICUT, TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, DATED 
 APRIL 23, 1775. 
 
 The late frequent marchings and counter-marchings into 
 the country, were calculated to conceal the most cruel and 
 inhuman design ; and imagining they had laid suspicion 
 asleep, they pitched upon Tuesday night for the execution. 
 A hint being got, two expresses were sent to alarm the 
 Congress. One of them had the good fortune to arrive ; 
 the other (Mr. Revere) is missing, supposed to be waylaid 
 and slain. In the night of Tuesday, the Company of Gren- 
 adiers and Light-Infantry, from every Regiment, were 
 transported to Charlestown in long-boats, and at daybreak 
 began their march for Lexington, where a number of the 
 inhabitants were assembled peaceably, without arms, to 
 consult their safety. The Commander called them re- 
 bels, and bade them disperse. On their refusal, he fired ; 
 killed and wounded nine. They then proceeded towards 
 Concord, marking their way with cruelties and barbarity, 
 never equalled by the Savages of America. In one house 
 a woman and seven children were slaughtered, (perhaps on 
 their return.) At Concord, they seized two pieces of can- 
 non, and destroyed two others, with all the flour, &tc., in 
 store, but the people secured their magazine of powder, &.c. 
 
 By this time, about four hundred (no accounts make them 
 more than five hundred) of our men assembled, and placed 
 themselves so advantageously, without being perceived, that 
 when the enemy were on the return, they received the full 
 fire of our men. A heavy engagement ensued ; the enemy 
 retreating, and our men pressing on them with constant re- 
 inforcements. At Lexington, they retook their two pieces 
 of cannon, seized the enemy's wagons and baggage, and 
 made about twenty prisoners ; continuing to press the Regu- 
 lars close to Charlestown, where they were on the point 
 of giving up, (one account says this Brigade was almost all 
 cut off,) but a reinforcement, under the command of Lord 
 Percy, having been detached that morning from Boston, 
 they joined the first detachment in the retreat, and retired 
 with it to Bunker's Hill, where they intrenched, and night 
 parted them. Our number increased, and next morning 
 would have surrounded the bill, had it not been for the 
 situation near the water, where, on one side, they were ex- 
 posed to the fire from a Man-of-War. 
 
 We lost thirty men in the action. The lowest account 
 of the enemy's loss is one hundred and fifty. Lord Percy. 
 General Haldimand , and many other officers, are said to 
 be among the slain. A gentleman of veracity assured me 
 that he numbered, within half a mile from the place where 
 the fight began, one hundred and fifty. The post confirms 
 the same account. 
 
 We are all in motion here, and equipt from the Town, 
 yesterday, one hundred young men, who cheerfully offered 
 their service ; twenty days provision, and sixty-four rounds, 
 per man. They are all well armed, and in high spirits. 
 My brother is gone with them, and others of the first pro- 
 perty. Our neighbouring Towns are all arming and mov- 
 ing. Men of the first character and property shoulder their 
 arms and march off for the field of action. We shall, by 
 night, have several thousands from this Colony on their 
 march. 
 
363 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 364 
 
 The eyes of America are on Neu-York ; the Ministry 
 have certainly been promised by some of your leading men, 
 that your Province would desert us ; but you will be able 
 to form a better judgment when you see how this intelli- 
 gence is relished. Take care of yourselves; we have more 
 than men enough to block up the enemy at Boston, and if 
 we are like to fall by treachery, by Heaven we will not 
 fall unrevenged on the traitors ; but if balls or swords will 
 reach them, they shall fall with us. It is no time now to 
 dally, or be merely neutral ; he that is not for us is against 
 us, and ought to feel the first of our resentment. You must 
 now declare, most explicitly, one way or the other, that we 
 may know whether we are to go to Boston or New- York. 
 If you desert, our men will as cheerfully attack New-York 
 as Boston ; for we can but perish, and that we are deter- 
 mined upon, or be free. I have nothing to add, but am, 
 your friend and countryman, &tc. 
 
 P. S. Colonel Murray's son, one of the Tories, under- 
 took to guide the Regulars in their march to Concord, and 
 on their retreat was taken prisoner ; but attempting to es- 
 cape from our people, they shot him — a death too honour- 
 able for such a villain ! They have made another of them 
 prisoner, but I do not recollect his name ; none of ours were 
 taken. 
 
 Will Colonel Grant believe now that New-England men 
 dare look Regulars in the face ? Eighteen hundred of their 
 best men retreating with loss, before one-third of their num- 
 ber, seems almost incredible, and I think must be called 
 an omen for good. In every struggle Heaven has, as yet, 
 given us strength equal to the day ; its hand is not short- 
 ened, nor its arm weakened. We are now called upon to 
 show the world " that whom we call fathers did beget us," 
 and that we desire to enjoy the blessings they purchased 
 for us with their lives and fortunes. We fix on our Stand- 
 ards and Drums, the Colony Arms, with the motto, " qui 
 transtulit sustinet," round it in letters of gold, which we 
 construe thus: " God, who transplanted us hither, will sup- 
 port us." 
 
 New- York, Sunday, April 23, 1775. 
 This morning we had reports in this City from Rhode- 
 Island and New-London, that an action had happened be- 
 tween the King's Troops and the inhabitants of Boston, 
 which was not credited ; but about twelve o'clock an ex- 
 press arrived with the following account, viz : 
 
 Watcrtown, Wednesday morning, } 
 Near ten o'clock, April 19, 1775. $ 
 
 To all Friends of American Liberty let it be known: 
 
 That this morning before break of day, a Brigade, con- 
 sisting of about one thousand or twelve hundred men, 
 landed at Phipps's farm at Cambridge, and marched to 
 Lexington, where they found a Company of our Colony 
 Militia in arms, upon whom they fired without any provo- 
 cation, and killed six men and wounded four others. By 
 an express from Boston we find another Brigade are upon 
 their march from Boston, supposed to be about one thou- 
 sand. The bearer, Israel Bessel, is charged to alarm the 
 Country quite to Connecticut, and all persons are desired 
 to furnish him with fresh horses as they may be needed. I 
 have spoken with several who have seen the dead and 
 wounded. Pray let the Delegates from this Colony to 
 Connecticut see this ; they know Colonel Foster, of Brook- 
 field, one of our Delegates. T. Palmer, 
 
 One of the Committee for Safety. 
 
 A true copy taken from the original, per order of the 
 Committee of Correspondence for Worcester, April 19, 
 1775. Attest, 
 
 Nathan Baldwin, Town-Clerk. 
 
 Fairfield, Connecticut, Saturday, 22d April, 8 o'clock. 
 Since the above was written we have received the fol- 
 lowing by the second express: 
 
 Thursday, 20th April, 3 o'clock, A. M. 
 I am this moment informed by express from Woodstock, 
 taken from his own mouth, that arrived there at 2 o'clock 
 this afternoon, that the contest between the first Brigade 
 that marched to Concord was still continuing this morning at 
 the Town of Lexington, to which place said Brigade had re- 
 
 treated ; that another Brigade, said to be the second mention- 
 ed in the letter of this morning, had landed with a quantity 
 of artillery at the place where the first did. The Provincials 
 were determined to prevent the two Brigades from joining 
 their strength, if possible, and remain in great need of suc- 
 cour. The Regulars, when in Concord, burnt the Court- 
 House, took two pieces of cannon, which they rendered 
 useless, and began to take up Concord Bridge, on which 
 Captain , who, with many on both sides, were 
 
 soon killed, then made an attack on the King's Troops, on 
 which they retreated to Lexington. I am your humble 
 servant, Ebenezer Williams. 
 
 To Colonel Obadiah Johnson, Canterbury. 
 
 P. S. Mr. McFarland, of Cornfield, Merchant, lias 
 just returned from Boston, by way of Providence, who 
 conversed with an express from Lexington, who further 
 informs, that about four thousand of our Troops had sur- 
 rounded the first Brigade above-mentioned, who were on a 
 hill in Lexington; that the action continued, and there 
 were about fifty of our men killed, and one hundred and 
 fifty of the Regulars, as near as they could determine when 
 the express came away. It will be expedient for every 
 man to go who is fit and willing. 
 
 The above is a true copy as received by express from 
 New-Haven, and attested to by the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence from Town to Town. 
 
 Test, Jonathan Sturges, Andrew Rowland, 
 G. Silleck Silliman, Thaddeus Burr. 
 Job Bartram, Committee. 
 
 The above was received on Sunday, April 23, about 
 twelve o'clock, by the Committee of New-York, and for- 
 warded to Philadelphia by Isaac Low, Chairman of the 
 Committee, at 4 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 LETTER FROM NEW-YORK TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, DATED APRIL 24, 1775. 
 
 This City was alarmed yesterday by a report from the 
 Eastward, that the King's Troops had attacked the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay 'people ; the report was confirmed in a few 
 hours after by the arrival of St. Croix, from Rhode- 
 Island, and an express from near Boston. The Commit- 
 tee was soon called, and an express sent off to your City ; 
 as you will have particulars by him before this reaches you, 
 1 need say no more. 
 
 There were two Sloops here loaded with Flour for the 
 Soldiers at Boston, by Mr. Watts. The people went, 
 Sunday as it was, and unloaded them in a hurry. To- 
 wards evening they went and secured about half the City 
 Arms ; a guard of about one hundred men, I am told, was 
 then placed at the City-Hall, to secure the rest of the 
 Arms, and anolher hundred at the Powder-House; this 
 was not done by the Magistrates, but by the people. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEW-YORK TO A GENTLE- 
 MAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED APRIL 24, 1775. 
 
 I do not doubt but the interesting news from Boston 
 must give every good and virtuous man much concern, 
 that, from present appearances, a reconciliation between 
 us and Great Britain is at a farther distance than we, of 
 late, had rational grounds to hope. Surely this proceeding 
 on the part of General Gage is not the olive branch held 
 up by Government. Yesterday this whole City was in a 
 state of alarm; every face appeared animated with resent- 
 ment. Soon after the news arrived by express, many 
 citizens went to two Transports loaded with Bread, Flour, 
 &ic, for the Troops, and they were speedily unloaded. 
 The Committee met, and after despatching the express, 
 considered of other matters, and will no doubt be attentive 
 to every thing within their power to preserve the peace of 
 the Town, and property, and all other matters tending to- 
 wards maintaining the character of a sister Colony that 
 feels for another in distress. Many persons of influence, 
 who have been thought inimical to the cause, now come 
 out boldly and declare their sentiments worthy of them- 
 selves. Indeed the difference of sentiment has not been 
 much ; party views kept men of weight asunder; it is hoped 
 that will subside more and more. 
 
365 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 366 
 
 New- York, April 25, 1775. 
 
 This day, about noon, arrived a second express from 
 New-England, with the following important advices: 
 
 Wallingford, Monday, April 24, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Colonel IVadsworth was over in this place 
 most of yesterday, and ha? ordered twenty men out of each 
 Company in his Regiment, some of which had already set 
 off, and others go this morning. He brings accounts, which 
 came to him authenticated, from Thursday in the after- 
 noon. The King's Troops being reinforced a second time, 
 and joined, as I suppose, from what I can learn, by the 
 party who were intercepted by Colonel Gardner, were 
 then encamped on If inter Hill, and were surrounded by 
 twenty thousand of our men, who were intrenching. Col. 
 Gardner's ambush proved fatal to Lord Percy and an- 
 other General Officer, who were killed on the spot the first 
 lire. To counterbalance this good news, the story is, that 
 our first man in command (who he is 1 know not) is also 
 killed. It seems they have lost many men on both sides ; 
 Colonel IVadsworth had the account in a letter from Hart- 
 ford. The Country beyond here are all gone, and we 
 expect it will be impossible to procure horses for our wag- 
 ons, as they have, and will, in every place employ them- 
 selves all their horses. In this place they send a horse for 
 every sixth man, and are pressing them for that purpose. 
 I know of no way, but you must immediately send a couple 
 of stout, able horses, who may overtake us at Hertford 
 possibly, where we must return Mrs. Noycs's, and Mehy's, 
 if he holds out so far. Remember, the horses must be had 
 at any rate. 
 
 1 am, in the greatest haste, your entire friend and hum- 
 ble servant, James Lockwood. 
 
 N. B. Colonel Gardner took nine prisoners, and twelve 
 clubbed their firelocks, and came over to our party. Col. 
 Gardner's party consisted of.seven hundred men, and the 
 Regulars one thousand eight hundred, instead of one thou- 
 sand two hundred, as we heard before. They have sent a 
 vessel up Mystick River as far as Temple's farm, which is 
 about half a mile from Winter Hill. These accounts being 
 true, all the King's forces, except four or five hundred, 
 must be encamped on Winter Hill. 
 
 Al the instance of the gentlemen of Fairfield, just de- 
 parted from hence, this is copied verbatim from the origi- 
 nal, to be forwarded to that Town. Isaac Beers. 
 
 New-Haven, April 24, 1775, half past nine o'clock, 
 forenoon. Pierpont Edwards. 
 
 Fairfield, April 24, three o'clock, afternoon. A true 
 copy, as received per express. Thaddeus Burr, 
 
 Andrew Rowland, 
 Elijah Abel. 
 
 Norivalk, April 24, seven o'clock, afternoon. A true 
 copy, as received per express. 
 
 John Cannon, ^ 
 Thaddeus Betts, > Committee. 
 Samuel German, ) 
 Stamford, April 24th, ten o'clock, evening. A true 
 copy. John Hait, Jun., 
 
 Samuel Hutton, 
 David Webb, 
 Daniel Gray, 
 Jonathan Warring, Jun. 
 Greenwich, April 25, three o'clock, morning. The 
 above is forwarded to the Committee of Correspondence at 
 New- York. Amos Mead. 
 
 A true copy, received in New- York, two o'clock, P. 
 M., Tuesday, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman New- York Committee. 
 A true copy, received at Elizabethtown, seven o'clock 
 in the evening, Tuesday, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Jona. Hampton, 
 Chairman of the Committee. 
 Geo. Ross, 
 John Blanchard. 
 
 A true copy, received at Woodbridge, ten of the clock 
 in the evening, Tuesday, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Nathaniel Heard, 
 Samuel Parker, 
 Jonathan Clawson, 
 
 The above received at New- Brunswick, the 25th April, 
 1775, twelve o'clock at night. 
 
 Wm. Oake, ) 
 
 Jas. Neilson, > Committee. 
 
 Az. Dunham, ) 
 
 A true copy, received at V rincetown, April 26, 1775, 
 
 half past three o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Thomas Wiggin, ) Members of 
 
 Jona. Baldwin, $ Committee. 
 
 The above received at Trenton on Wednesday morning, 
 
 about half after six o'clock, and forwarded at seven o'clock. 
 
 Samuel Tucker, ) rr,, 
 
 , e (I hrce of the 
 
 Isaac smith, > „ 
 
 . Ti V Committee. 
 
 Abraham Hunt, ) 
 
 Philadelphia, twelve o'clock, Wednesday, received, and 
 forwarded at the same time, by 
 
 Lamb. Cadwalader, Committee 
 Wm. Bradford, [for the City 
 Tho. Pryor, fofPhiiadcl- 
 Isaac Malcher, J phia. 
 Chester, four o'clock, Wednesday, P. M., received, and 
 forwarded by Francis Johnston, 
 
 Isaac Eyre, 
 Samuel Fairlamb. 
 New- Castle, nine o'clock, Wednesday evening, received, 
 and forwarded. Z. V. Leuvenigh. 
 
 Stephen Spencer. 
 Wednesday night, Christeen Bridge, tw-elve o'clock, 
 forwarded to Col. Thomas Couch, Esquire, who received 
 it this moment, and he to forward it to Tobias Rudulph, 
 Esquire, head of Elk, in Maryland. Night and day to be 
 forwarded. S. Patterson. 
 
 27th April, 1775, half past four o'clock, A. M., re- 
 ceived, and forwarded to Patrick Hamilton, Esquire, in 
 Charlcsiown, by Tobias Rudulph, 
 
 Jos. Gilpin. 
 
 Baltimore, April 27, 1775, received, ten o'clock, P. M. 
 
 John Boyd, Clerk of the Committee. 
 A true copy, received in Annapolis, Friday, April 28, 
 1775, half after nine o'clock, A. M., and forwarded at ten, 
 per express. 
 
 Mat. Tilghman, 
 Ch. Carroll, of Carrollton, 
 Charles Carroll, 
 J. Hall, 
 
 Committee of 
 y Correspondence 
 | for Maryland. 
 
 Three of the 
 Committee. 
 
 Thos. Johnson, Jun., 
 Samuel Chase, j 
 
 Friday, Alexandria, Eight o'clock, P. M. 
 
 We received the enclosed from Annapolis at six o'clock ; 
 please forward it to Fredericksburgh. 1 am, for self and 
 the Committee of Correspondence in this place, gentle- 
 men, your humble servant, Wm. Ramsay. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence in Dumfries. 
 
 Dumfries, April 30, Sunday. 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed came to hand this morning, 
 about ten o'clock. In one hour I hired the bearer to con- 
 vey it to your place to the different Committees. For self 
 and the Committee of Correspondence in this place, I am, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 William Carr. 
 To the Committee of Correspondence at Fredericks- 
 burgh. By express. 
 
 Fredericksburgh, Sunday evening, half past Four. 
 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed arrived here about an hour 
 ago, and is forwarded to your Committee by your very 
 humble servants, Jas. Mercer, 
 
 Geo. Thornton, 
 Mann Page, Jun., 
 Hugh Mercer. j 
 
 King William, May 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed arrived here to-day, and is 
 forwarded to your Committee by your most obedient ser- 
 vant, . Carter Braxton. 
 
 Surry County, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed arrived here this evening, 
 and is forwarded by your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Allen Cocke. 
 
 Committee. 
 
367 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, APRIL, ITT5. 
 
 868 
 
 Williamsburgh, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed is this moment come to 
 hand, and I forward it to you by express, with the request 
 of the Committee of Williamsburgh that you will be 
 pleased to forward the papers to the Southward, and dis- 
 perse the material passages through all your parts. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 servant, Ro. C. Nicholas, Chairman. 
 
 Smithfiild, May 3, 1775, Five o'clock in the morning. 
 
 The enclosed arrived here this morning, and is forward- 
 ed to your Committee of Correspondence by your humble 
 servants, Arthur Smith, 
 
 Nathaniel Burune. 
 
 To the Committee of the County of Nansemond, or any 
 of them. An express from Boston. 
 
 Nansemond, May 3, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed is this moment come to 
 hand, and we forward it to you by express, with the re- 
 quest of the Committee of Nansemond, and you will be 
 pleased to forward them to the Southward. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 
 
 Willis Ridduh, 
 Willis Ceowper. 
 To the Committee of Chowan, North- Carolina . 
 
 May 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed papers we have just received, 
 and forw ard them by express to you, to be sent to the South- 
 ward. We are, gentlemen, your obedient servants, 
 
 The Committee of the County of Chowan. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence, for the Town of 
 Edcnton. By express. 
 
 Edenton, May 4, Nine o'clock, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed is this moment come to 
 hand, and we forward to you by express, with the request 
 that you will be pleased to forward the papers to the Com- 
 mittee of Craven County immediately, and disperse the 
 material passages through all your parls. We are, gentle- 
 men, your obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jos. Blount, Chairman. 
 Tho. Jones, Jno. Hamilton, 
 
 Chas. Bondfield, Robt. Hardy, 
 Jno. Green, Robt. Smith, 
 
 William Bennett, S. Dickinson. 
 To the Committee of Beaufort County. 
 
 Beaufort County, May 6, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed is this moment come to 
 hand, and we forward to you by express, with the request 
 that vou will forward the different papers to the Southward 
 immediately. We are, gentlemen, your obedient humble 
 servants, Roger Osmond, 
 
 William Brown. 
 To the Committee of Craven County. 
 
 Bath, May 6, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : In haste have sent to request you will peruse 
 the enclosed papers ; and that you will do, by opening the 
 packet herewith sent the moment it comes to your house. 
 Get three or four of your Committee to write a line, and 
 send the whole, enclosed, to the next Southward Commit- 
 tee, with the utmost despatch. 
 
 We are, dear sir, with regard, your most humble servants, 
 
 William Brown, 
 Roger Osmond. 
 To Abner Nash, Esquire, or either of the Committee 
 for the County of Craven. Per express. 
 
 Newbern, May 6, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed arrived here about an hour 
 past, and is forwarded immediately to you ; and desire you 
 will keep a copy of James Lockwood's letter, and send 
 them on as soon as possible to the Wilmington Committee. 
 We are, gentlemen, your obedient servants, 
 
 Samuel Smith, A. Nash, 
 
 B. Cogdell, Joseph Leech, 
 
 John Green, John Fonvielle, 
 
 William Tisdale, William Stanly, 
 Thomas McLin, James Coor. 
 N. B. We have enclosed our last paper, which gives an 
 account of the first beginning of the battle, which please 
 
 to send to Wilmington, &ic, and send all the bundle of 
 papers forward as soon as possible you can. 
 To the Committee of Onslow County. 
 
 Onslow, Sunday morning, 10 o'clock, May 7. 
 
 Gentlemen: About an hour past I received the en- 
 closed papers. Disperse them to your adjoining County. 
 Keep a copy of James Lockwood's letter ; and pray write 
 us what to do. We are for Onslow. 
 
 Wm. Cray, Edwd. Ward, 
 
 Seth Ward, Robert Snead. 
 
 Jos. French, 
 Enclosed is the last Gazette for Brunswick. 
 To the Wilmington and Brunswick Committees. 
 For Cornelius Harnett, Esquire, Colonel John Ash, or 
 any one of the Committee for Wilmington. (Express.) 
 
 New River, May 7, 1775. 
 Received and forwarded by William Cray. 
 
 Wilmington, May 8, 1775, 4 o'clock, afternoon. 
 
 Dear Sir: I take the liberty to forward by express the 
 enclosed papers, which were received at 3 o'clock this af- 
 ternoon. If you should be at a loss for a man and horse, 
 the bearer will proceed as far as the Boundary House. 
 You will please direct to Mr. Marion, or any other gentle- 
 man, to forward the packet immediately to the Southward, 
 with the greatest possible despatch. 
 
 I am, with esteem, dear sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Corns. Harnett. 
 
 P. S. For God's sake send the man on without the least 
 delay: and write to Mr. Marion to forward it by night and 
 by day. 
 
 To Bichard Quince, Esquire, Brunsivick. 
 
 Brunswick, May 8, 1775, 9 o'clock in the evening. 
 
 Sir: 1 take the liberty to forward by express the en- 
 closed Papers, which I just received from Wilmington ; 
 and I must entreat you to forward them to your community 
 at Georgetown, to be conveyed to Charlestown from yours, 
 with all speed. Enclosed is the newspaper, giving an ac- 
 count of the beginning of the battle; and a letter of what 
 happened after. Pray don't neglect a moment in forward- 
 ing. 1 am your humble servant, Richd. Quince. 
 
 To Isaac Marion, Esq., at the Boundary. 
 
 May 8, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Though I know you stand in no need of 
 being prompted when your Country requires your service, 
 yet I cannot avoid writing to you, to beg you to forward 
 the Papers containing such important news ; and pray or- 
 der the express you send to ride night and day. 
 
 I am, dear sir, in the greatest haste, your most obedient 
 servant, R. Howe. 
 
 Isaac Marion, Esq., Boundary. 
 
 Boundary, May 9, 1775, Little River. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Committee: I have just now re- 
 ceived express from the Committees of the Northward 
 Provinces, desiring I would forward the enclosed Packet to 
 the Southern Committees. As yours is the nearest, I re- 
 quest, for the good of our Country, and the welfare of 
 our lives and liberties, and fortunes, you will not lose a mo- 
 ment's time, but despatch the same to the Committee of 
 Georgetown, to be forwarded to Charlestown. 
 
 In mean time, am, gentlemen, your obliged humble ser- 
 vant, &c, Isaac Marion. 
 To Danness Hankins, Josias Alison, and Samuel Duight, 
 Esquires, and Messrs. Francis and John Allston, gen- 
 tlemen of the Committee for Little River. 
 
 Wednesday, 1 o'clock, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed Papers were just now de- 
 livered to me by an express from Little River. 1 make 
 not the least doubt but you will forward them with the ut- 
 most despatch, to the General Committee at Charlestoivn . 
 I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant, 
 
 Benja. Young. 
 To Paul Trapicr, Esq., Chairman of the Committee at 
 Georgetown. 
 
 Half past G, Wednesday evening. 
 
 Gentlemen: We have received your letter, and shall 
 be careful to execute, with all the diligence in our power, 
 whatever you have recommended. We send you by ex- 
 
369 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 370 
 
 press a letter and newspaper, with momentous intelligence, 
 this instant arrived. We are your humble servants, 
 
 Paul Tbapier, P. Trapier, Junior, 
 S. Wragg, Anthony Bonneau. 
 
 The Committee of Intelligence in Charlestovm, to the care 
 of the Honourable William Henry Drayton. Esq. Per 
 Express. 
 
 Salem, Massachusetts, April 20, 1775. 
 
 Great Britain, adieu ! No longer shall we honour you as 
 our mother ; you are become cruel ; you have not so much 
 bowels as the sea monsters towards their young ones. We 
 have cried to you for justice, but behold violence and blood- 
 shed ! Your sword is drawn offensively, and the sword of 
 New-England defensively ; by this stroke you have broken 
 us off from you, and effectually alienated us from you. O 
 Britain! see you to your own house. 
 
 King George the Third, adieu ! No more shall we cry 
 to you for protection ; no more shall we bleed in defence 
 of your person. Your breach of covenant; your violation 
 of faith ; your turning a deaf ear to our cries for justice, 
 for covenanted protection and salvation from the oppressive, 
 tyrannical, and bloody measures of the British Parliament, 
 and putting a sanction upon all their measures to enslave 
 and butcher us, have dissolved our allegiance to your 
 Crown and Government. Your sword, that ought in jus- 
 tice to protect us, is now drawn with a witness to destroy 
 to. O George ! see thou to thine own house. 
 
 General Gage, pluck up stakes and begone ; you have 
 drawn the sword ; you have slain in cool blood a number 
 of innocent New-England men ; you have made the as- 
 sault, and be it known to you, the defensive sword of New- 
 England is now drawn ; it now studies just revenge, and 
 it will not be satisfied till your blood is shed, and the blood 
 of every son of violence under your command, and the 
 blood of every traitorous Tory under your protection : 
 therefore depart with all your master's forces; depart from 
 our territories ; return to your master soon, or destruction 
 will come upon you. Every moment you tarry in Neiv- 
 England, in the character of your master's General, you 
 are viewed as an intruder, and must expect to be treated 
 by us as our inveterate enemy. 
 
 O my dear New-England, hear thou the alarm of war! 
 The call of Heaven is to arms ! to arms ! The sword of 
 Britain is drawn against us ; without provocation, how 
 many of our sons have been fired upon and slain in cool 
 blood, in the cool of the day! What unheard-of barbarity 
 lias been committed on the sickly and helpless grey hairs 
 and innocent babes, by the British Troops ! Behold the 
 fruits of our being declared rebels by the British Parlia- 
 ment ! Behold what all New-England must expect to feel, 
 if we don't cut off and make a final end of those British 
 sons of violence, and of every base Tory among us, or con- 
 fine the latter to Simsbury mines. I beseech you, for 
 God's sake, and for your own sake, watch against every 
 vice, every provocation of God Almighty against us ; 
 against intemperance in drinking ; against profane lan- 
 guage, and all debauchery ; and let us all rely on the arm 
 of the Most High; and whether we tarry by the stuff, or 
 jeopard our lives in the high places of the field, let us all, 
 like good Jehoshaphat, address the Throne of God, saying, 
 " Behold how they reward us, to come to call us out of thy 
 possessions, which thou hast given us to inherit ! O our 
 God, wilt thou not judge them? For we have no might 
 against them ; neither know we what to do ; but our eyes 
 are upon thee." 
 
 We are, my brethren, in a good cause ; and if God be 
 for us, we need not fear what man can do. Let us be wise, 
 be prudent, be firm, and courageous. The cause that 
 General Gage has undertaken to execute, is so manifestly 
 wrong, that he must be a terrour to himself. Our blood 
 shed by the Troops under his command, cries, and the 
 cry will soon appear to have reached Heaven against 
 him. 
 
 O thou righteous Judge of all the earth, awake for our 
 help. Amen and Amen. Johannes in Eremo. 
 
 Concprd, Massachusatts, April 20, 1775. 
 Sir: The Aimy under General Gage having murdered 
 sundry inhabitants ; this, with the industrious preparations 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. n. 
 
 making in Boston for a speedy march into the country, 
 impresses us with the absolute necessity of convening the 
 Provincial Congress at Concord, as soon as may be, agree- 
 able to a vote of Congress at their last session. You are 
 therefore requested immediately to repair to Concord, as 
 the closest deliberations, and the collected wisdom of the 
 people, at this alarming crisis, are indispensably necessary 
 for the salvation of the Country. 
 
 Richard Devens, per order. 
 To the Members of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE 
 GOVERNOUR OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Cambridge, April 20, 1775. 
 On Wednesday, the 19th instant, early in the morning, 
 a detachment of General Gage's Army marched into the 
 country to Eeocington, about thirteen miles from Boston, 
 where they met with a small party of Minute-men exer- 
 cising, who had no intention of doing any injury to the 
 Regulars. But they fired upon our men without any pro- 
 vocation, killed eight of them the first onset, then marched 
 forward to Concord, where they destroyed the Magazines 
 and Stores for a considerable time. Our people, however, 
 mustered as soon as possible, and repulsed the Troops, 
 pursuing them quite down to Charlestown, until they 
 reached a place called Bunker's Hill, although they re- 
 ceived a very large reinforcement at Leodngton, from Gen- 
 eral Gage. As the Troops have now commenced hostili- 
 ties, we think it our duty to exert our utmost strength to 
 save our Country from absolute slavery. We pray your 
 Honours would afford us all the assistance in your power, 
 and shall be glad that our brethren who come to our aid 
 may be supplied with Military Stores and Provisions, as 
 we have none of either more than is absolutely necessary 
 for ourselves. We pray God to direct you to such mea- 
 sures as shall tend to the salvation of our common liber- 
 ties. Per order of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 DOCTOR WARREN TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 Cambridge, April 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The unhappy situation into which this Colony is 
 thrown gives the greatest uneasiness to every man who re- 
 gards the welfare of the Empire, or feels for the distresses 
 of his fellow-men ; but even now much may be done to 
 alleviate the misfortunes that cannot be entirely remedied ; 
 and I think it of the utmost importance to us, that our con- 
 duct be such as that the contending parties may entirely 
 rely upon the honour and integrity of each other for the 
 punctual performance of any agreement that shall be made 
 between them. Your Excellency knows very well, I be- 
 lieve, the part I have taken in publick affairs; I ever 
 scorned disguise. I think I have done my duty ; some 
 may think otherwise ; but be assured, Sir, as far as my in- 
 fluence goes, every thing which can be reasonably required 
 of us to do, shall be done ; every thing promised, shall be 
 religiously performed. I should now be very glad to know 
 from you, Sir, how many days you desire may be allowed 
 for such as desire to remove to Boston with their effects, 
 and what time you will allow the people in Boston for their 
 removal. When I have received that information, I will 
 repair to Congress, and hasten, as far as I am able, the 
 issuing a Proclamation. I beg leave to suggest that the 
 condition of only admitting thirty Wagons at a time into 
 the Town appears to me very inconvenient, and will pre- 
 vent the good effects of a Proclamation intended to be 
 issued for encouraging all wagoners to assist in removing 
 the effects from Boston with all possible speed. If your 
 Excellency will be pleased to take the matter into con- 
 sideration, and favour me as soon as may be with an an- 
 swer, it will lay me under a great obligation, as it so nearly 
 concerns the welfare of my friends in Boston. I have 
 many things which I wish to say to your Excellency, and 
 most sincerely wish I had broken through the formalities 
 which I thought due to your rank, and freely have told 
 you all I knew or thought of publick affairs ; and I must 
 ever confess, whatever may be the event, that you gene- 
 rously gave me such an opening as I now think I ought to 
 have embraced ; but the true cause of my not doing it was 
 the knowledge I had of the vileness and treachery of many 
 
371 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 persons around you, who I supposed had gained your en- 
 tire confidence. I am, &tc. 
 
 ADAM BABCOCK TO OOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-Haven, April 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have a Brig now ready for sea, on board of which 
 is laden twelve Oxen, bound for the foreign IVest- Indies. 
 She was cleared out the 15th instant, and has made several 
 attempts to sail, and once actually sailed, but by contrary 
 winds was obliged yesterday to put back, and must unlade 
 the Cattle she has on board, according to your Honour's 
 Proclamation, unless the circumstances attending this mat- 
 ter can induce your Honour to grant a dispensation. I 
 will use no other argument in favour of this application 
 than this : that as the Cattle were purchased, cleared out, 
 and shipped before the Embargo was laid, and indeed be- 
 fore the cause that occasioned the Embargo existed, there 
 was consequently no intention in me to defeat the wise pre- 
 caution of our Legislature, and have been so long a time 
 on ship-board, at a great expense. Whether, under these 
 circumstances, 1 may not claim, at least ask an exemption, 
 as in my apprehension the publick will apparently sustain a 
 greater loss through me, as an individual, from her being 
 stopped and unloaded, (as I have neither time nor oppor- 
 tunity to supply the place of the Oxen with Horses before 
 there may be danger of sending out any Vessel,) than from 
 her proceeding to perform her voyage ; especially when I 
 assure your Honour that the nett proceeds of this Vessel 
 and Cargo are ordered to be laid out in the West-Indies, 
 and shipped home to me in certain articles which the com- 
 munity are in much greater want of at this unhappy period 
 than of Cattle. I shall wait your Honour's determination 
 by the return of the young man, Mr. Adam Helme, who 
 waits on you with this ; and in the mean time have the 
 honour to be, with the greatest respect, your Honour's 
 most obedient and humble servant, Adam Babcock. 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of the 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Williamsburg!], Virginia, April 21, 1775. 
 
 This morning, between three and four o'clock, all the 
 Gunpowder in the Magazine, to the amount, as we hear, 
 of about twenty barrels, was carried off in his Excellency 
 the Governour's Wagon, escorted by Captain Collins and a 
 detachment of Marines from the armed Schooner Magda- 
 len, now lying at Burivcll's Ferry, and lodged on board 
 that Vessel. As soon as the news of this manoeuvre took 
 wind, the whole City was alarmed, and much exasperated ; 
 and numbers got themselves in readiness to repair to the 
 Palace to demand from the Governour a restoration of 
 what they so justly supposed was deposited in this Maga- 
 zine for the Country's defence. However, as some gen- 
 tlemen represented the propriety of remonstrating to the 
 Governour upon this occasion in a decent and respectful 
 manner, the Common Hall assembled, who, after delibera- 
 ting some time, waited upon his Excellency with the fol- 
 lowing Address, which was presented by the Honourable 
 Peyton Randolph, Esquire, Recorder of this City, and is 
 as follows : 
 
 To His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmoue, His Majesty's Lieutenant, Governour- Gene- 
 ral, and Commander-in-chief of the Colony and Do- 
 minion of Virginia : 
 
 The humble Address of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, 
 and Common Council of the City of Williamsburgh : 
 My Lord : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common Council of 
 theCily of Willidmsburgh, in Common Hall assembled, hum- 
 bly beg leave to represent to your Excellency that the inhabi- 
 tants of this City were this morning exceedingly alarmed 
 by a report that a large quantity of Gunpowder was, in the 
 preceding night, while they were sleeping in their beds, re- 
 moved from the publick Magazine in this City, and con- 
 veyed under an escort of Marines on board one of His Ma- 
 jesty's armed Vessels lying at a Ferry on James River. 
 
 We beg leave to represent to your Excellency, that as 
 this Magazine was erected at the publick expense of this 
 Colony, and appropriated to the sufe-keeping of such mu- 
 nition as should be there lodged from time to time, for the 
 
 372 
 
 protection and security of the Country, by arming thereout 
 such of the Militia as might be necessary in case of inva- 
 sions and insurrections, they humbly conceive it to be the 
 only proper repository to be resorted to in times of immi- 
 nent danger. 
 
 We farther beg leave to inform your Excellency, that 
 from various reports at present prevailing in different parts 
 of the Country, we have too much reason to believe that 
 some wicked and designing persons have instilled the most 
 diabolical notions into the minds of our Slaves, anr. that, 
 therefore, the utmost attention to our internal security is 
 become the more necessary. 
 
 The circumstances of this City, my Lord, we consider 
 as peculiar and critical. The inhabitants, from the situa- 
 tion of the Magazine in the middle of their City, have for 
 a long tract of time been exposed to all those dangers which 
 have happened in many Countries from explosions and 
 other accidents. They have, from time to time, thought 
 it incumbent on them to jjuard t ne Magazine. For their 
 security, they have for some time past judged it necessary 
 to keep strong patrols on foot. In their present circum- 
 stances, then, to have the chief and necessary means of 
 their defence removed, cannot but be extremely alarming. 
 
 Considering ourselves as guardians of the City, we there- 
 fore humbly desire to be informed by your Excellency 
 upon what motives and for what particular purpose the 
 Powder has been carried off in such a manner : and we 
 earnestly entreat your Excellency to order it to be imme- 
 diately returned to the Magazine. 
 
 To which Address His Excellency returned this verbal 
 Answer : 
 
 That hearing of an insurrection in a neighbouring Coun- 
 ty, he had removed the Powder from the Magazine, where 
 he did not think it secure, to a place where it would be in 
 perfect security ; and that, upon his word and honour, 
 whenever it was wanted on any insurrection, it should be 
 delivered in half an hour. That he had removed it in the 
 night time to prevent any alarm ; and that Captain Collins 
 had his express commands for the part he had acted. He 
 was surprised to hear the people were under arms on this 
 occasion, and that he should not think it prudent to put 
 Powder into their hands in such a situation. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Cumberland County, 
 held on Friday, the 21st of April, 1775: 
 
 The Chairman recommended that the Committee should 
 take under consideration the proceedings of the late Pro- 
 vincial Convention, held at Richmond Town, in the County 
 of Henrico, from Monday, the 20th of March, to Monday, 
 the 27th of the same month. 
 
 The Committee accordingly proceeded to the considera- 
 tion thereof, and, after the maturest deliberation, came to 
 the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That this Committee do cordially 
 approve the Proceedings and Resolutions of the late Pro- 
 vincial Convention, and also recommend it, in the strong- 
 est terms, to the inhabitants of this County, to observe 
 them in every particular, and that they use every means 
 in their power to carry them into effect. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That the most cordial thanks of 
 this Committee, and of all the inhabitants of the Count} . 
 are justly due to the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Es(j., 
 and the rest of the worthy Delegates who represented this 
 Colony in the late Provincial Convention, for the cheerful 
 undertaking, and faithful discharge of the trust reposed in 
 them, and for the w isdom and spirit displayed in their pro- 
 ceedings. George Caurington, Chairman. 
 
 CONNECTICUT COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE TO JOHN 
 HANCOCK. 
 
 Lebanon, April 21, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: Two of the Delegates from your Congress 
 were with Governour Trumbull, and left him this morning 
 at 7 o'clock. Writs are gone out, to call the General As- 
 sembly to meet at Hartford next Wednesday. Every pre- 
 paration is making to support your Province. We have 
 many reports of what is doing with you, the particulars we 
 
37a 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775, 
 
 374 
 
 cannot yet get with precision. The ardour of our people is 
 such, that they can't be kept back. The Colonels are to 
 forward part of the best men and most ready, as fast as 
 possible, the remainder to be ready at a moment's warning. 
 These are the present movements with us. All that we 
 learn from you is, that a Brigade marched from Boston to- 
 wards Concord last Tuesday evening; that they fired on a 
 party of Provincials at that place, and that they were at- 
 tacked by the Provincials, and obliged to retreat ; and that 
 General Gage was marching out to cover their retreat ; 
 that numbers were killed on both sides. Indeed, our ac- 
 counts are so various, we know not what to rely on. We 
 therefore have despatched Mr. David Trumbull, the son 
 of Governour Trumbull, with orders to proceed to such 
 place as he shall find you at, and get such intelligence as 
 may be depended on, that we may know how to concert 
 the measures necessary and best for us to take. 
 
 We shall anxiously expect to hear from you, and hope 
 to have such intelligence as you may judge necessary to 
 give us, by the return of Mr. Trumbull. 
 
 We are, with anxious prayers for your safety, and a 
 happy event of this most disagreeable contest, gentlemen, 
 your most humble servants, Wm. Williams, 
 
 Nath. Wales, Jr., 
 Joseph Trumbull. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President of 
 
 the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. Per 
 
 Mr. Trumbull. 
 
 P. S. We hope despatches will be immediately sent off 
 from you, with most authentick accounts of the late trans- 
 actions, to forestall such exaggerated accounts as may go 
 from the Army and Navy ; it may prevent harsh measures, 
 ai.d strengthen the hands of our friends in Britain. We 
 hint this step, and dare say no hints, however free, at such 
 a time as this, will be taken amiss. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF NEWBURYPORT TO THE COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Newburyport, April 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We have sent forward the bearer, to have your 
 orders with all possible despatch by his return, whether 
 the forces that are coming from the Province of New- 
 Hampshire, and from the eastern parts of our Province, 
 who, by expresses, are hastening along, should be sent 
 back, especially those who live near the sea-shore. We 
 are well informed numbers passed our River yesterday, at 
 the upper Ferries, besides four Companies through this 
 Town, on their way to you. We shall follow your direc- 
 tions, and, if ordered, take care to find expresses as far 
 Eastward as necessary. W r e have a party of men from 
 this Town (upwards of one hundred) upon their march to 
 you. If they are not wanted, and you think proper, you 
 can order our express to turn them back. We sent off 
 last evening two field-pieces to you ; if not wanted, they 
 may be of some use here. We would be glad of your di- 
 rections by our next Express, or by any safe opportunity, 
 as soon as you can attend, how we shall act in case any 
 Cutters should come in here, more especially if they bring 
 land forces with them. If provisions of any sort are wanted, 
 give us an account what sort, and we will forward what we 
 are able, with all despatch. If, in giving answers to these 
 inquiries, it be necessary for you to give any private infor- 
 mation, please to direct to Benjamin Greenleaf, Esquire, 
 sealed, and enclose it in another letter, with your informa- 
 tion that may be communicated, sealed, to the Chairman 
 of the Committee for this Town, by whose order, and in 
 whose behalf, I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 B. Greenleaf. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO NEW-HAMP- 
 SHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, April 22, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: On Wednesday, the 19th instant, early in 
 the morning, a Brigade of General Gage's Army marched 
 into the country to Lexington, about thirteen miles from 
 Boston, where they met with a small party of our Militia 
 exercising, who had no intention of doing injury to the Regu- 
 lars ; but they fired upon our men, without any provocation, 
 killed eight of them, and wounded two others. Then they 
 
 marched to Concord, where they destroyed part of our 
 Magazines and Stores. However, our people collected as 
 soon as possible, and repulsed the Troops, pursuing them 
 quite down to Charlestons, where they encamped on a 
 place called Bunker's Hill. The First Division, which 
 consisted of about one thousand men, went to Concord, and 
 the Second Division, about the same number, who took the 
 same route, supported the First Division as well as they 
 could, but all were obliged to retire. Our loss is sup- 
 posed between twenty and thirty killed, and a few wounded. 
 Their loss is much larger. As the Troops have now begun 
 hostilities, we think it our duty to exert our utmost strength 
 to save our Country from absolute slavery, and we pray 
 you to afford us all the assistance in your power ; and we 
 shall be glad that our brethren, who may come to our aid, 
 may be supplied with all necessary provisions and military 
 stores, as we have no more of either than what is abso- 
 lutely necessary for ourselves. We pray God to direct 
 you to such measures as shall tend to the salvation of our 
 common liberties. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your distressed 
 friends and brethren. By order of the Committee of 
 Safety. J. Palmer. 
 
 To the Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire, Chairman 
 of the Provincial Congress of New- Hampshire. Per 
 favour of Mr. John Grijfin. 
 
 BENJAMIN GREENLEAF TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPON- 
 DENCE IN HAMPTON. 
 
 Newburyport, April 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have now received information from 
 the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, who are appointed 
 by the Province, that they have a sufficient number of men 
 arrived, and therefore would not have any more come from 
 the Northward for the present, but think it needful they 
 should be ready to guard the sea-coasts in their own neigh- 
 bourhood. Pray forward this intelligence as far as may be 
 needful, and with as much despatch as possible. 
 
 W 7 e were unhappily thrown into distress yesterday, by 
 false accounts received by two or three persons, and spread 
 abroad, of a number of Soldiers being landed at Ipswich 
 and murdering the inhabitants. We have since heard that 
 it arose in the first place from a discovery of some small 
 Vessels near the entrance of their River — one, at least, 
 known to be a Cutter — and it was apprehended that they 
 were come to relieve the captives there in Jail. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 B. Greenleaf. 
 To the Committee of Correspondence in Hampton. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE INHABITANTS OF BOSTON. 
 
 April 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The Committee of Safety being informed 
 that General Gage has proposed a Treaty with the inhabi- 
 tants of the Town of Boston, wherein he stipulates that 
 the women and children, with all their effects, shall have 
 safe conduct without the Garrison, and their men also, upon 
 condition that the male inhabitants within the Town shall, 
 on their part, solemnly engage that they will not take up 
 arms against the King's Troops within the Town, should 
 an attack be made from without. We cannot but esteem 
 these conditions to be just and reasonable; and as the in- 
 habitants are in danger of suffering from the want of pro- 
 visions, which, in this time of general confusion, cannot be 
 conveyed into the Town, are willing you should enter into, 
 and faithfully keep the engagement aforementioned, said to 
 be required of you, and to remove yourselves, women, 
 children, and effects, as soon as may be. 
 
 Per order. 
 
 BOSTON COMMITTEE TO DR. JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Boston, April 23, 1775. 
 Sir: The following proceedings contain the Agreement 
 made between his Excellency General Gage and the Town 
 of Boston. You are informed it is the earnest desire of 
 the inhabitants, that such persons as incline to remove into 
 the Town with their effects, may be permitted so to do 
 without molestation, and they having appointed us as a 
 
375 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 376 
 
 Committee to write to you on this subject, we hope this re- 
 quest will be complied with, as the Town, in a very full 
 meeting, was unanimous in this and every other vote, re- 
 lating to this matter ; and we beg the favour of as speedy 
 an answer as may be. We are, most respectfully, your 
 obedient humble servants, 
 
 James Bowdoin, John Pitts, 
 John Scollay, Ezek. Goldthwait, 
 Tim. Newell, Alexander Hill, 
 Thos. Marshall, Henderson Inches, 
 Samuel Austin, Edward Payne. 
 To Doctor Joseph Warren. 
 
 AGREEMENT BETWEEN GENERAL GAGE AND THE TOWN OF 
 BOSTON. 
 
 Boston, SS. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants 
 of the Town of Boston, legally warned, on Saturday, the 
 day of April, A. D. 1775, 
 
 The Hon. James Bowdoin, Esq., Moderator. 
 
 The Moderator informed the Town that the present 
 meeting was in consequence of an interview between his 
 Excellency General Gage and the Selectmen, at his de- 
 sire, and mentioned the substance of the conversation that 
 passed ; and also that the Selectmen, with the advice and 
 assistance of a number of gentlemen, had prepared several 
 votes, which they thought it might be proper for the Town 
 to pass; and which, in conjunction with the assurances 
 that had been given to his Excellency by the Selectmen, 
 they apprehended, from the interview aforesaid, would be 
 satisfactory to his Excellency : Whereupon, the Honour- 
 able James Bowdoin, Esquire, Ezekiel Goldthwait, Esq., 
 Mr. Henderson Inches, Mr. Edward Payne, Mr. Alexan- 
 der Hill, together with the Selectmen, viz: John Scollay, 
 Esquire, Mr. Timothy Newell, Mr. Samuel Austin, Tho- 
 mas Marshall, Esquire, and Mr. John Pitts were appoint- 
 ed a Committee to consider of this important matter, and 
 were desired to report as soon as may be. 
 
 The said Committee made report, and, after some de- 
 bate, the two following Votes passed unanimously, viz: 
 
 His Excellency General Gage, in an interview with the 
 Selectmen, having represented that there was a large body 
 of men in arms assembled in the neighbourhood of this 
 Town, with hostile intentions against His Majesty's Troops 
 stationed here, and that in case the Troops should be at- 
 tacked by them, and the attack should be aided by the 
 inhabitants of the Town, it might issue in very unhappy 
 consequences to the Town : For prevention whereof, his 
 Excellency assured the Selectmen, that whatever might be 
 the event of the attack, he would take effectual care that 
 the Troops should do no damage, nor commit any act of 
 violence in the Town ; but that the lives and properties of 
 the inhabitants should be protected and secured, if the 
 inhabitants behaved peaceably : And the Selectmen, in 
 behalf of the Town, engaged for the peaceable behaviour 
 of the inhabitants accordingly. In confirmation of which 
 engagement, 
 
 Voted, That as the Town have behaved peaceably to- 
 wards the Troops hitherto, they hereby engage to continue 
 to do so ; and the Peace Officers and all other Town Offi- 
 cers are enjoined, and the Magistrates, and all persons of 
 influence in the Town, are earnestly requested to exert 
 their utmost endeavours to preserve the peace of the Town. 
 The Town at the same time relies on the assurances of 
 his Excellency that no insult, violence, or damage shall be 
 done to the persons or property of the inhabitants, either 
 by the Troops or the King's Ships, whatever may be the 
 event of the attack his Excellency seems to apprehend ; 
 but of which attack we have no knowledge or information 
 whatever, as all communication between the Town and 
 Country has been interrupted by his Excellency's order 
 ever since the collection of the body aforesaid. 
 
 Whereas the communication between this Town and the 
 Country, both by land and by water, is at present stopped 
 by order of his Excellency General Gage, and the inhabi- 
 tants cannot be supplied with Provisions, Fuel, and other 
 necessaries of life ; by which means the sick and all inva- 
 lids must suffer greatly and immediately, and the inhabi- 
 tants in general be distressed, especially such (which is by 
 much the greatest part) as have not had the means of laying 
 
 in a stock of provisions, but depend for supplies from the coun- 
 try for their daily support, and may be in danger of perish- 
 ing, unless the communication be opened: Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to wait on 
 his Excellency General Gage, to represent to him the state 
 of the Town in this regard, and to remind his Excellency 
 of his declarations in answer to Addresses made to him 
 when the works on the Neck were erecting, viz: " That he 
 had no intention of stopping up the avenue to the Town, 
 or of obstructing the inhabitants or any of the country peo- 
 ple coming in or going out of the Town as usual ; that he 
 had no intention to prevent the free egress and regress of 
 any person to and from the Town, or of reducing it to the 
 state of a garrison ; that he could not possibly intercept the 
 intercourse between the Town and Country ;" that " it is 
 his duty and interest to encourage it ; and it is as much 
 inconsistent with his duty and interest to form the strange 
 scheme of reducing the inhabitants to a slate of humilia- 
 tion and vassalage, by stopping their supplies." Also, to 
 represent to him that, in consequence of these repeated 
 assurances of his Excellency, the fears and apprehensions 
 of the inhabitants had generally subsided, and many per- 
 sons, who had determined to remove with their effects, 
 have remained in Town, whilst others largely concerned in 
 navigation had introduced many valuable goods, in full 
 confidence of the promised security. That the Town think 
 his Excellency incapable of acting on principles inconsist- 
 ent with honour, justice, and humanity, and therefore that 
 they desire his Excellency will please to give orders for 
 opening the communication, not only for bringing Provisions 
 into the Town, but also that the inhabitants, such of them 
 as incline, may retire from the Town with their effects 
 without molestation. 
 
 The same Committee were appointed to wait upon the 
 General with the foregoing; votes. 
 
 Then the meeting was adjourned to Sabbath morning, 
 ten o'clock. 
 
 Sabbath morning, Ten o'clock, April 23, 1775. 
 
 The Town met, according to adjournment. 
 
 The said Committee made a verbal report. Whereupon 
 it was desired that the Committee would withdraw and re- 
 duce their Report to writing, which was accordingly done, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " The Committee appointed by the Town to wait upon 
 his Excellency General Gage with a copy of the two Votes 
 passed by the Town yesterday in the afternoon, report : 
 That they being read to him by the Committee, and a long 
 conference had with him upon the subject-matter contained 
 in the said votes, his Excellency finally gave for answer, 
 that upon the inhabitants in general lodging their arms in 
 Faneuil-Hall, or any other convenient place, under the 
 care of the Selectmen, marked with the names of the 
 respective owners, that all such inhabitants as are inclined 
 may depart from the Town with their families and effects, 
 and those who remain may depend upon his protection ; 
 and that the arms aforesaid, at a suitable time, would be 
 returned to the owners." 
 
 Whereupon, Voted, That the Town accept of his Ex- 
 cellency's proposal, and will lodge their arms with the 
 Selectmen accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That the same Committee he desired to wait 
 upon his Excellency the Governour with the vote of the 
 Town complying with his Excellency's proposal, and the 
 Committee are desired to request of his Excellency that 
 the removal may be by land and water, as may be most 
 convenient for the inhabitants. 
 
 " The Committee appointed to wait upon his Excellen- 
 cy report, that they accordingly waited upon him, and rend 
 the vote of the Town, which was accepted by his Excel- 
 lency ; and at the same time his Excellency agreed that 
 the inhabitants might remove from the Town by land and 
 water with their effects, within the limits prescribed by the 
 Port Act ; and also informed the Committee he would de- 
 sire the Admiral to lend his boats to facilitate the removal 
 of the effects of the inhabitants, and would allow carriages 
 to pass and repass for that purpose; likewise would take 
 care that the poor that may remain in Town should not 
 suffer for want of provision after their own stock is expend- 
 ed, and desire that a letter might be wrote to Dr. Warren, 
 
377 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c. ; APRIL, 1775. 378 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of the Congress, that those 
 persons in the country who may incline to remove into 
 Boston with their effects, may have liberty so to do with- 
 out molestation." 
 
 The Town unanimously accepted of the foregoing Re- 
 port, and desired the inhabitants would deliver their arms 
 to the Selectmen as soon as may be. 
 
 The meeting was then adjourned to Tuesday morning, 
 the 25th of April, ten o'clock in the forenoon, and was 
 continued by successive adjournments to Thursday, P. M., 
 the 27th of April, 1775, when the Town met, to receive 
 the further report of the Committee. They reported as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 " The Committee waited on his Excellency General 
 Gage, with the papers containing the account of the arms 
 delivered to the Selectmen, and the return made to them 
 by the Constables of the Town relative to the delivery of 
 arms in their respective Wards. After long conversation 
 on the subject of the inhabitants removing themselves and 
 effects from the Town, his Excellency being obliged to at- 
 tend other business, left the affair to be settled with Briga- 
 dier General Robinson, who, after further conference, and 
 reporting the substance of it to General Gage, returned to 
 the Committee, and declared to them that General Gage 
 gives liberty to t lie inhabitants to remove out of Town with 
 their effects ; and desires that such inhabitants as intend to 
 remove would give their names to the Selectmen, and sig- 
 nify whether they mean to convey out their effects by land 
 or water, in order that passes may be prepared ; for which 
 passes, application may be made to General Robinson any 
 time after eight o'clock to-morrow morning ; such passes to 
 be had as soon as persons wanting them shall be ready to 
 depart." 
 
 Voted, That the foregoing Report be accepted, the Town 
 relying on the honour and faith of General Gage that he 
 will perform his part of the contract, as they have faith- 
 fully performed their part of it. 
 
 Then the meeting was adjourned to Monday next, May 1, 
 ten o'clock in the forenoon. 
 
 Henry Alline, Jun., Toivn Clerk, pro tern. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 23, 1775. \ 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That James Sullivan, Esquire, 
 a Member of this Congress, be immediately despatched to 
 the Colony of New- Hampshire, as a Delegate from this 
 body, to deliver to the Provincial Congress there the fol- 
 lowing Letter ; and further inform them of the present 
 situation of this Colony, and report the effect of his mis- 
 sion to this Congress, as soon as possible. 
 
 Watertown, April 23, 1775. 
 
 Before this letter can reach you, we doubt not you have 
 been sufficiently notified of the late alarming Resolutions 
 of the British Parliament, wherein we see ourselves de- 
 clared Rebels, and all our sister Colonies in New-England, 
 in common with us, marked out for the severest punish- 
 ments. In consequence thereof, General Gage has suddenly 
 commenced hostilities by a large body of Troops under his 
 command, secretly detached in the night of the 18th in- 
 stant, which, on the morning ensuing, had actually begun 
 the slaughter of the innocent inhabitants, in the very heart 
 of the Country, before any intentions of that kind were 
 suspected. And although the roused virtue of our bre- 
 thren in the neighbourhood soon compelled them to precipi- 
 tate retreat, they marked their savage route with depre- 
 dations, ruin, and butcheries hardly to be matched by the 
 armies of any civilized Nation on the globe. 
 
 Justly alarmed by these manoeuvres, vast multitudes of 
 the good people of this and the neighbouring Colonies, are 
 now assembled in the vicinity of Boston for the protection 
 of the Country. The gates of that devoted Town are 
 shut, and the miserable inhabitants are pent up there, with 
 a licentious soldiery, as in one common prison. Large re- 
 inforcements of the Troops under General Gage are hourly 
 expected ; and no reason is left us to doubt that his whole 
 force, as soon as collected, will be employed for the de- 
 struction, first of this, and then of our sister Colonies en- 
 gaged in the same interesting cause; and that all America 
 will be speedily reduced to the most abject slavery, unless 
 it is immediately defended by arms. 
 
 Unavoidably reduced to this necessity, by circumstances 
 that will justify us before God and the impartial world, 
 this Congress, after solemn deliberation and application to 
 Heaven for direction in the case, have this day unanimous- 
 ly resolved, That it is our duty immediately to establish 
 an Army for the maintenance of the most invaluable rights 
 of human nature, and the immediate defence of this Colo- 
 ny, where the first attack is made ; that 30,000 men are 
 necessary to be forthwith raised in the New-England Colo- 
 nies for that purpose, and that of that force 13,600 shall 
 be established by this Colony without delay. 
 
 We have not a doubt of the virtue of the Colony ol 
 New-Hampshire, no less engaged than ourselves in the 
 glorious cause at stake, and equally involved in the mise- 
 ries that must ensue, should it be lost. In testimony of 
 our reliance on you, we have sent this express to give you 
 the earliest notice of these Resolutions, and the circum- 
 stances that have necessitated them ; and earnestly to re- 
 quest your speediest concurrence and such assistance in 
 this most important cause, as the present urgent necessity 
 demands, and the many former evidences we have had of 
 the spirit and firmness of the Colony of New- Hampshire 
 give us the highest reason to expect. We are, gentlemen, 
 your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Joseph Warren, Pres't pro tern. 
 
 P. S. The great confusions in this Colony prevent our 
 being able to send with this letter such depositions as might 
 give full and particular information of the facts above re- 
 ferred to; but measures are taking for that purpose, and 
 we shall not fail to transmit the result of them by the first 
 opportunity. 
 
 JEDIDIAH FOSTER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Brookfield, April 23, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir : Mr. Davidson immediately proceeded 
 from Concord to Governour Trumbull with the papers, as 
 directed by the Congress; but from the then appearance 
 of affairs he did not think proper to call the Assembly. 
 Early on Thursday morning Mr. Davidson, with myself, 
 set out for Lebanon to Governour Trumbull, who, about 
 two hours before our arrival, had received the tragical nar- 
 rative from Colonel Palmer, and cheerfully consented to 
 call the Assembly of the Colony to be held at Hartford, 
 on Wednesday next, ten o'clock in the morning, at which 
 time the Delegates will attend as they were directed by 
 the Congress. I purpose, as soon as I have discharged my 
 trust there, to attend my duty at the Congress. Wishing 
 the Congress may be under the special guidance and direc- 
 tion of Heaven, I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Jedidiah Foster. 
 
 To the President of the Honourable Provincial Congress 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 ANDREW M'CLARY TO THE NEW -HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, April 23, 1775. 
 Honourable Gentlemen : Being in great haste, but 
 beg leave to give you some broken intelligence relating to 
 the Army that is now assembled here. The number is un- 
 known at present, and as there is a Council of War now 
 sitting, their result is still kept a profound secret. The 
 Army has already provided a number of Cannon, (there is 
 more still coming,) and is providing a great plenty of war- 
 like stores, implements, and utensils. There are now about 
 two thousand brave and hearty resolute New-Hampshire 
 men, full of vigour and blood, from the interiour parts of the 
 Province, which labour under a great disadvantage for not 
 being under proper regulations, for want of Field Officers. 
 In our present situation we have no voice in the Council 
 of War, which makes a great difficulty. Pray, gentlemen, 
 take these important matters under your mature considera- 
 tion, and I doubt not but your wisdom will dictate and 
 point out such measures as will be most conducive to ex- 
 tricate us from our present difficulties. The conduct of a 
 certain person belonging to New-Hampshire will have a 
 vast tendency to stigmatize the Province most ignomini- 
 ously. Yesterday it was reported throughout the New- 
 Hampshire Troops, that one Mr. Espy, who appeared in 
 the character of a Captain at the head of a Company, had 
 
379 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 380 
 
 been to the General, and received a verbal express from 
 him that all Neiv- Hampshire men were dismissed, and that 
 they might return home ; and by the insinuation of him 
 and his busy emissaries, about five or six hundred of our 
 men inconsiderately marched oft' for home. Captain Cilley 
 and I were three miles from Cambridge when we received 
 the intelligence, which was, to our unspeakable surprise, 
 for us to return before the work was done. We immediately 
 repaired to the General to know the certainty of the report, 
 and on making application to him he told us that it was an 
 absolute falsehood, for he never had any such thought ; 
 whereas he very highly valued Neiv- Hampshire men, 
 always understanding them to be the best of soldiers, and 
 that he would not have any of them to depart for home 
 on any consideration whatever till matters were further com- 
 promised ; and strictly inquired for the man in order to have 
 him confronted. We replied the man was departed, and 
 therefore we could not conform to his request. But since, 
 we understand that his conduct hath stopped a number of 
 men from coming in, and some officers that tarried have 
 sent for their men to return back. Pray, gentlemen, don't 
 let it always be reported that New-Hampshire men were 
 always brave Soldiers, but no Commanders. The de- 
 sertion of those men causes much uneasiness among the 
 remaining Troops, for we are obliged to use our utmost in- 
 fluence to persuade them to tarry. Gentlemen, I am, with 
 all imaginable respect, yours and the Country's most obe- 
 dient and humble servant, Andrew McClary. 
 
 MARYLAND CONVENTION. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Deputies appointed by the several 
 Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of 
 Annapolis, on Monday, the 24th of April, 1775, and 
 continued, by adjournment from day to day, till the 3d of 
 May, were present one hundred Members. 
 
 The Honourable Matthew Tilghman, Esquire, in the 
 chair ; Gabriel Duval appointed Clerk. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That His Majesty King George 
 the Third is lawful and rightful King of Great Britain, 
 and the Dominions thereunto belonging : and that the good 
 people of this Province do owe, and will bear faith and 
 true allegiance to our said lawful and rightful King, as the 
 Sovereign, constitutional guardian, and protector of the 
 rights of all his subjects. 
 
 On motion, that a Committee be appointed to prepare a 
 draught of a Letter to the Committee of Correspondence 
 for Philadelphia, acquainting them that this Convention 
 had received from gentlemen of their Committee an ex- 
 tract of a letter from Neiv-York, communicating the very 
 interesting and important intelligence, that a number of 
 Troops were ordered for that City, which was to be the 
 place of Arms, and fortified ; that all communication be- 
 tween that City and the Southern and Eastern Provinces, 
 was to be cut oft"; that the people of that Colony were 
 concerting means to prevent such scheme, were embodying 
 themselves, and desired the immediate assistance of the 
 Southward Colonies, before the arrival of the Troops ; 
 that this Convention were greatly alarmed, and deeply 
 concerned for that Colony, and therefore desired to be ac- 
 quainted with the authenticity of that account, and the 
 particulars thereof; and that the Committee of Philadelphia 
 would give this Convention as full and particular accounts 
 of the state of the Colony of New- York, and of their own 
 Province, as they possibly can ; what conduct it is expect- 
 ed will be adopted by their Colony, and of all other mat- 
 ters which they may think of consequence to the general 
 welfare of America. 
 
 The previous question was moved for and put, whether 
 the above question be now put ? And resolved in the affirm- 
 ative. 
 
 The above question was then put, and resolved in the 
 affirmative. 
 
 The following Letter was accordingly sent to the Com- 
 mittee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia : 
 
 Annapolis, Saturday, April 2!), 1775, 5 o'clock, afternoon. 
 
 Gentlemen: The extract of the letter from New- 
 York, communicating the very interesting and important 
 intelligence, " that a number of Troops were ordered for 
 that City, which was to be the place of Arms, and fortified ; 
 
 that all communication between that City and the South- 
 ern and Eastern Provinces, was to be cut off ; that the 
 people of that Colony were concerting means to prevent 
 such schemes, were embodying themselves, and desired the 
 immediate assistance of the Southward Colonies, before the 
 arrival of the Troops," was this morning, about 10 o'clock, 
 received, and immediately laid before the Provincial Con- 
 vention now sitting. 
 
 The Convention are deeply concerned for New- York, 
 and request to be acquainted with the authenticity of that 
 account, and the particulars thereof; and that you will ad- 
 vise them what conduct it is expected will be held by New- 
 York, your Province, and the Jerseys, on the very inter- 
 esting and trying occasion. 
 
 By order of the Convention : 
 
 Mat. Tilghman, Chairman of the Convention. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That all Exportations from this 
 Province to Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and New- 
 foundland, or any part of the Fishing Coasts, or Fishing 
 Islands, and to the Town of Boston, ought immediately to 
 be suspended, until the Continental Congress shall give 
 further orders therein. 
 
 Resolved, That it is earnestly recommended to the in- 
 habitants of this Province to continue the regulation of the 
 Militia, as recommended by the last Provincial Convention ; 
 and that particular attention be paid to forming and exer- 
 cising the Militia throughout this Province ; and that the 
 Subscriptions for the purposes by the said Convention re- 
 commended, be forthwith completed and applied. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the sense of this Convention, that 
 the Honourable Matthew Tilghman, Esquire, Thomas 
 Johnson, Junior, Robert Goldsborough, Samuel Chase, 
 William Paca, John Hall, and Thomas Stone, Esquires, 
 the Delegates of our Province, or any three or more of 
 them, do join with the Delegates of the other Colonies and 
 Provinces, at such time and place as shall be agreed on ; 
 and in conjunction with them, deliberate upon the present 
 distressed and alarming state of the British Colonies in 
 North America, and concur with them in such measures 
 as shall be thought necessary for the defence and protection 
 thereof, and most conducive to the publick welfare. And 
 as this Convention has nothing so much at heart as a hap- 
 py reconciliation of the differences between the Mother 
 Country and the British Colonies in North America, upon 
 a firm basis of constitutional freedom, so has it a confidence 
 in the wisdom and prudence of the said Delegates, that 
 they will not proceed to the last extremity, unless, in their 
 judgments, they shall be convinced that such measure is 
 indispensably necessary for the safety and preservation of 
 our liberties and privileges. That, in the present state of 
 publick affairs, this Convention is sensible that the mea- 
 sures to be adopted by the Continental Congress, must de- 
 pend much upon events which may happen to arise ; and 
 relying firmly upon the wisdom and integrity of their Del- 
 egates, this Province will, as far as it is in their power, 
 carry into execution such measures as shall be agreed on 
 and recommended by the General Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended that the sum of Six 
 Hundred Pounds be raised in the different Counties of this 
 Province by subscription, under the direction of the several 
 Committees, in the following proportion : 
 
 In St. Mary's County, Thirty-Six Pounds ; Charles, 
 Forty-Eight Pounds ; Calvert, Twenty-Two Pounds ; 
 Prince George's, Fifty Pounds ; Anne Arundel, Fifty- 
 Two Pounds ; Frederick, Eighty Pounds ; Baltimore, 
 Fifty-Six Pounds ; Harford, Twenty-Eight Pounds ; 
 Worcester, Thirty-Two Pounds ; Somerset, Thirty-Two 
 Pounds ; Dorchester, Twenty-Nine Pounds ; Caroline, 
 Twenty-One Pounds ; Talbot, Twenty-Four Pounds ; 
 One en- Anne's, Thirty-Two Pounds ; Kent, Thirty-Four 
 Pounds; Cecil, Twenty-Four Pounds. 
 
 And that the several sums to be raised on the Western 
 Shore be paid to Mr. Charles Wallace, of the City of An- 
 napolis ; and the several sums to be raised on the Eastern 
 Shore be paid to Mr Thomas Ringgold, of Chestertown, 
 to defray the expenses of the Delegates at the ensuing 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That it is recommended to all ranks and de- 
 nominations of people, to use their utmost endeavours to 
 preserve peace and good order throughout this Province. 
 
I 
 
 381 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, APRIL, 1775. 3S2 
 
 This Convention, deeply considering the distressed and 
 perplexed situation of British America, the weakness of 
 all human counsels, and that the hearts of all men are in 
 the disposal of the Supreme Being, do recommend that the 
 eleventh day of this instant may be observed throughout 
 this Province as a day of fasting and humiliation ; and that 
 the inhabitants of this Province, on that day, in an especial 
 manner, by prayer and supplication, humbly and devoutly 
 implore the blessing, support, and protection of Almighty 
 God, for the preservation of the rights and liberties of 
 America, and the restoration of peace, union, and happi- 
 ness to the British Empire. 
 
 This Convention, taking into consideration, that the time 
 proposed for the meeting of the next Continental Congress 
 is near at hand, and that it is highly expedient that the 
 Delegates of this Province should attend the said Con- 
 gress as early in their session as may be, where the state 
 of the City and Colony of Neiv- York, as well as the cir- 
 cumstances of the other Colonies and Provinces, may be 
 best known, and measures for the security of the City and 
 Colony of New- York, as well as the safety of all British 
 America, be best concerted and provided for. 
 
 And whereas, it is now altogether uncertain when an 
 answer may be received to the Letter sent on Saturday last 
 to the Committee of Correspondence in the City of Phila- 
 delphia ; and it being necessary that the Members of this 
 Convention should reUirn to their respective Counties, it is, 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Convention do now rise; and it is 
 recommended to such of the Counties in this Province, 
 where it may be necessary, forthwith to make choice of 
 Deputies to represent them in a Provincial Convention, to 
 be held in the City of Annapolis, on Monday, the 22d of 
 May, unless an earlier or later day should be appointed by 
 the Delegates of this Province, or any three of them, ap- 
 pointed to attend the Continental Congress. 
 
 The following were received by return of the express 
 sent by the Provincial Convention to the Committee of 
 Correspondence for Philadelphia : 
 
 Philadelphia, May 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We have duly received your favour of the 
 29th ultimo. As the accounts from New- York were not 
 handed to this Committee through a channel that gave us 
 the satisfaction we could wish ; and as they were very im- 
 portant, we thought proper immediately to despatch some 
 of our members to that place, in order that they might, on 
 the spot, learn the true situation of affairs there, and what the 
 inhabitants of New-York expect from the Southern Colo- 
 nies. On their return, or on the receipt of any certain in- 
 telligence, we shall immediately communicate the particu- 
 lars to you. 
 
 In the mean time we have to inform you, that, upon the 
 receipt of the late intelligence, this City and County im- 
 mediately took the alarm, and are arming and forming with 
 all possible expedition ; and, by accounts from the other 
 Counties in this Province, the same spirit prevails every 
 where ; and we hope, in a short time, we shall be in a con- 
 dition to unite our efforts with the rest of the Colonies. 
 
 Enclosed we send you a letter from Newport, Rhode- 
 Island, which contains a particular account of the situation 
 of affairs to the Eastward, together with some important 
 intelligence. By order of the Committee : 
 
 John Nixon, Chairman. 
 To Matthew Tilghman, Esq., Chairman of the Provincial 
 
 Convention of the Province of Maryland, now sitting at 
 
 Annapolis. 
 
 Newport, April 25, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : You have, without doubt, before this 
 time, heard of the bloody, savage massacre of a number of 
 the inhabitants of Lexington, a Town about twelve miles 
 northwest from Boston, perpetrated by a detachment of 
 about twelve hundred of the King's Troops, and what en- 
 sued thereon. We enclose you two accounts, which may 
 be more particular than any you have yet received. The 
 one was brought us by a gentleman who left Cambridgeon 
 Thursday last, in the forenoon, and is contained in the 
 handbill ; the other is in the newspaper. Since we re- 
 ceived these accounts, we have been credibly informed that 
 the number of the King's Troops killed and taken amounts 
 
 to about three hundred, besides, many were wounded and 
 carried into Boston; the number of Americans to about 
 forty killed and wounded, and it is said about four or five 
 taken prisoners. A large body of men, not less than 
 twenty thousand, are assembled, and form a semicircle from 
 Charlestown to Roxbury ; what their plan of operation 
 will be, is unknown. By a gentleman of the Committee 
 of Correspondence for the Town of Providence, in this 
 Colony, who arrived here this afternoon, we are informed 
 that the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts- Bay, 
 now sitting, have determined that a Standing Army of thir- 
 ty thousand men should be raised in the New-England 
 Colonies, expecting that the Southern Colonies will assist 
 in furnishing moneys for their support. That our people 
 had taken possession of a hill on Dorchester Point, which 
 commands General Gage's works on Boston Neck, and 
 that they had made intrenchments within gunshot of those 
 works at Roxbury. That two Men-of-War had arrived at 
 Boston, and brought the three Generals that have been 
 expected ; and that six thousand Troops had embarked for 
 that place when those Men-of-War left England. There 
 were not more than three hundred Americans in a body at 
 any one time during the action on Wednesday, and they 
 acquitted themselves with such intrepidity, as has con- 
 vinced the King's Officers that Americans can and will 
 fight. 
 
 All communication between the Town of Boston and 
 the other parts of the Colony, being shut up, and things 
 being in a state of confusion, renders it almost impossible 
 to obtain any certain particular intelligence from that quar- 
 ter ; however, the foregoing account, we think, may be 
 depended upon. 
 
 We had hoped that the dispute between Great Britain 
 and these Colonies would have been settled without blood- 
 shed ; but the Parliament of Great Britain, it seems, have 
 determined to push their iniquitous unconstitutional mea- 
 sures by dint of arms. The sword of civil war has been 
 drawn by the King's Troops, and sheathed in the bowels 
 of our countrymen. May peace, with liberty, soon pre- 
 sent the scabbard ; and may Americans never be obliged 
 again to take up arms but against a foreign foe. 
 
 YVe'hope that the union which has so remarkably taken 
 place throughout the American Colonies, may acquire, if 
 possible, greater firmness, by this unjustifiable, inhuman, 
 murderous attack upon our countrymen ; for, upon an uni- 
 versal firmly cemented union of the American Colonies, 
 under God, depends the salvation and establishment of 
 American liberty. I am, in behalf of the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the Town of Newport, gentlemen, 
 your and America's sincere friend, 
 
 William Ellerv. 
 To the Committee of Correspondence for the City of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 In Committee, Philadelphia, May L, 1775; received 
 per Captain Whitman this day, and forwarded to Anna- 
 polis. J. B. Smith, Secretary of Committee. 
 
 NEWARK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of Observation for the 
 Township of Newark, April 24, 1775, present, eighteen 
 Members : 
 
 Mr. Caleb Camp, Chairman. 
 
 The Chairman having opened the business of the meet- 
 ing, and related the purport of the expresses lately received 
 from Boston, the following motions were made, and agreed 
 to unanimously : 
 
 That the members of this Committee are willing, at this 
 alarming crisis, to risk their lives and fortunes in support 
 of American liberty; and that it be recommended to our 
 constituents to give all necessary support in their power to 
 our brethren in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, in the 
 present alarming exigency. 
 
 That it be also recommended to the Captains of the 
 Militia in this Township to muster and exercise their re- 
 spective Companies at least once every week, and carefully 
 to exact that each man be provided with arms and ammu- 
 nition, as the Militia Law directs. 
 
 That it be requested of all heads of families and masters 
 of apprentices, to encourage all of proper age under their 
 
383 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 384 
 
 direction to learn the military exercise, and to allow them 
 such portions of time as may be necessary to make them 
 perfect therein. Robert Johnston, Clerk. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-York, April 24, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : As the most unjustifiable hostilities on the 
 part of Great Britain have actually commenced against 
 America, it is thought not only prudent, but absolutely ne- 
 cessary and justifiable in the sight of God and man, to avail 
 ourselves of every opportunity that may offer, in order to 
 preserve our liberties and religion, as well as to prevent the 
 effusion of blood as much as possible. Actuated by no 
 other motives, we take the liberty of informing you of the 
 arrival of the Packet this afternoon, in which there are des- 
 patches for General Gage, containing, no doubt, matters 
 of the utmost importance to all these Colonies. It is there- 
 lore recommended to your most serious consideration, to 
 fall on the most probable plan for intercepting them imme- 
 diately on the receipt of this, as it is expected they will be 
 forwarded very speedily, perhaps in the morning, or at 
 farthest by noon. If they go by land from here, we think 
 both roads ought to be strictly guarded, on the first notice 
 of this. But as there is no arriving at an absolute certainty 
 whether they go by land or water, we think an express 
 ought to be directly sent as far as Newport and Providence 
 at farthest, and every other caution taken that your pru- 
 dence can dictate, and your zeal prompt you to think of. 
 If the intelligence gained should be much better than can 
 be reasonably expected, it may save an infinite expense 
 and trouble to the Continent ; but if otherwise, it may save 
 the lives of thousands, by enabling the friends of this bleed- 
 ing land to defeat the designs of its implacable and re- 
 morseless enemies. So that let it be viewed in either light, 
 it appears to us to be an affair of the greatest magnitude. 
 Perhaps it may be asked why it was not attempted here ? 
 To which, let it be observed, there is a weighty objection, 
 which is this : the late melancholy accounts from Boston 
 have had a most excellent effect in uniting the inhabitants 
 of this City; insomuch that we have been able to stop all 
 supplies from the Army, and get possession of the City 
 Arms, and are now guarding the Powder and them ; but 
 should the foregoing attempt succeed or not, it is thought 
 it would tend to throw more power into the hands of our 
 enemies. We most ardently wish that your and our honest 
 endeavours to serve the cause of liberty may be attended 
 with all the success that the righteousness of the cause can 
 entitle it to. 
 
 It is expected that the general despatches, to prevent 
 suspicion, may be directed to some popular person in the 
 Massachusetts- Bay, 8tc, perhaps to Hancock or Adams, 
 ike. 
 
 Oliver Dclancy, Junior, who is now here from Boston 
 in behalf of the Army, may be the person who will carry 
 them, in which case you are to know that he is a lusty, fat, 
 ruddy looking young fellow, between twenty and thirty 
 years of age. We are yours, &c. 
 
 Agreement subscribed by Captain Arnold and his Com- 
 pany of fifty persons, when they set out from Connec- 
 ticut as Volunteers to assist the Provincials at Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 To all Christian people believing in and relying on that 
 God, to whom our enemies have at last forced us to 
 appeal : 
 
 Be it known that we, the subscribers, having taken up 
 arms for the relief of our brethren, and defence of their as 
 well as our just rights and privileges, declare to the world 
 that we, from the heart, disavow every thought of rebellion 
 to His Majesty as supreme head of the British Empire, or 
 opposition to legal authority, and shall, on every occasion, 
 manifest to the world, by our conduct, this to be our fixed 
 principle. Driven to the lust necessity, and obliged to have 
 recourse to arms in defence of our lives and liberties, and, 
 from the suddenness of the occasion, deprived of that legal 
 authority, the dictates of which we ever with pleasure obey, 
 find it necessary, for preventing disorders, irregularities, and 
 misunderstandings in the course of our march and service, 
 solemnly to agree to and with each other on the following 
 
 regulations and orders, binding ourselves by all that is dear 
 and sacred carefully and constantly to observe and keep 
 them. 
 
 In the first place we will conduct ourselves decently and 
 inoffensively as we march, both to our countrymen and one 
 another, paying that regard to the advice, admonition, and 
 reproof of our Officers, which their station justly entitles 
 them to expect, ever considering the dignity of our own 
 character, and that we are not mercenaries, whose views 
 extend no farther than pay and plunder, whose principles 
 are such, that every path that leads to the obtaining these 
 is agreeable, though wading through the blood of their 
 countrymen ; but men acquainted with, and feeling the most 
 generous fondness for the liberties and unalienable rights 
 of mankind, and who are, in the course of Divine Provi- 
 dence, called to the honourable service of hazarding our 
 lives in their defence. 
 
 Secondly. Drunkenness, gaming, profaneness, and every 
 vice of that nature shall be avoided by ourselves, and dis- 
 countenanced by us in others. 
 
 Thirdly. So long as we continue in our present situation 
 of a voluntary independent Company, we engage to sub- 
 mit on all occasions to such decisions as shall be made and 
 given by the majority of the Officers we have chosen ; and 
 when any difference arises between man and man, it shall 
 be laid before the Officers aforesaid, and their decision shall 
 be final. We mean by Officers, the Captain, Lieutenants, 
 Ensign, Sergeants, Clerk, and Corporals; the Captain, or 
 in his absence the Commanding Officer, to be the Modera- 
 tor, and have a turning or casting voice in all debates, from 
 whom all orders shall from time to time issue. Scorning 
 all ignoble motives, and superiour to the low and slavish 
 practice of enforcing on men their duty by blows, it is 
 agreed that when private admonition for any offence by 
 any of our body committed will not reform, publick shall 
 be made ; and if that should not have the desired effect, 
 after proper pains taken, and the same repeated, such in- 
 corrigible person shall be turned out of the Company, as 
 totally unworthy of serving in so great and glorious a cause, 
 and be delivered over to suffer the contempt of his coun- 
 trymen. 
 
 As to particular orders, it shall from time to time be in 
 the power of the Officers to make and vary them as occa- 
 sion may require, as to delivering our provisions, ammuni- 
 tion, rules, and orders for marching, &lc. The annexed 
 order for the present we think pertinent, and agreeable to 
 our mind. To which, with the additions or variations that 
 may be made by our said Officers, we bind ourselves by 
 the ties above mentioned to submit. 
 
 In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, 
 this 24th of April, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head Quarters, April 24, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : My situation is such, that if I have not 
 enlisting orders immediately I shall be left all alone. It is 
 impossible to keep the men here, excepting something be 
 done. I therefore pray that the plan may be completed 
 and handed to me this morning, that you, gentlemen of the 
 Congress, issue orders for enlisting men. 1 am, gentlemen, 
 yours, &lc. A. Ward. 
 
 To the Hon. the Delegates of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Worcester, April 24, 1775. ) 
 Monday Evening. $ 
 
 Gentlemen: Mr. S. Adams and myself, just arrived 
 here, find no intelligence from you, and no guard. We just 
 hear an express has just passed through this place to you, 
 from New- York, informing that Administration is bent upon 
 pushing matters, and that four Regiments are expected 
 there. 
 
 How are we to proceed ? Where are our bethren ? Surely 
 we ought to be supported. I had rather be with you, and, 
 at present, am fully determined to be with you before I 
 proceed. I beg, by the return of this express, to hear 
 from you, and pray furnish us with depositions of the con- 
 duct of the Troops, the certainty of their firing first, and 
 every circumstance relative to the conduct of the Troops, 
 
385 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he., APRIL, 1775. 
 
 386 
 
 from the 19th instant to this time, that we may be able to 
 give some account of matters as we proceed, and especially 
 at Philadelphia. And I beg you would order your Secre- 
 tary to make out a copy of your proceedings since — what 
 has taken place, and what your plan is ; what prisoners we 
 have, and what they have of ours ; who of note was killed 
 on both sides ; who commands our forces. Are our men 
 in good spirits ? For God's sake do not suffer the spirit 
 to subside, until they have perfected the reduction of our 
 enemies. Boston must be entered. The Troops must be 
 
 sent away, or Our friends are valuable, but our 
 
 Country must be saved. 1 have an interest in that Town. 
 What can be the enjoyment of that to me, if I am obliged 
 to hold it at the will of General Gage, or any one else. I 
 doubt not your vigilance, your fortitude, and resolutions. 
 Do let us know how you proceed. We must have the 
 Castle — the Ships must be ... . Stop up the Harbour 
 against large Vessels coming. You know better what to 
 do than 1 can point out. Where is Cushingl Are Mr. 
 Payne and Mr. John Adams to be with us. What are we 
 to depend upon? We travel rather as deserters, which 1 
 will not submit to. I will return and join you, if I cannot 
 travel in reputation. 1 wish to hear from you. Pray spend 
 a thought upon our situation. I will not detain this man, 
 as I want much to hear from you. How goes on the Con- 
 gress ? Who is your President ? Are the Members hearty ? 
 Pray remember Mr. Adams and myself to all friends. God 
 be with you. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your faithful and hearty countryman, 
 
 John Hancock. 
 Pray give me a particular answer to my queries. 
 To the Gentlemen Committee, he., he., he. 
 
 OLIVER PRESCOTT TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Groton, April 24, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: I think if an order should pass for the es- 
 tablishment of a Town Guard, to be kept in a prudent 
 manner, in every Town in this Province, it would have a 
 great tendency to deter and detect villains and their accom- 
 plices. The passes that people bring this way are generally 
 without date, or assignment to any person or place, so that 
 a man may pass to Africa with the same order. Pardon 
 my freedom, and allow me to subscribe, gentlemen, your 
 most obedient, very humble servant, 
 
 Oliver Prescott. 
 
 To l he Committee of Safety. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE CONGRESS 
 OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 April 24, 1775. 
 
 Our friends from New- Hampshire having shewn their 
 readiness to assist us in this day of distress, we therefore 
 thought it best to give orders for enlisting such as were pre- 
 sent in the service of the Colony, as many desired some- 
 thing may be done to hold them together until the resolve 
 of your Congress is known, when we are ready and desirous 
 they should be discharged from us, and put under such com- 
 mand as you shall direct. Colonel Sargeant has been so 
 kind as to afford his utmost assistance in concluding this 
 matter. We are, he, he. 
 
 H. JACKSON TO COLONEL JEREMIAH LEE. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, April 24, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : Although this is no time for ceremony or 
 compliments, yet so great is the pleasure I feel on your es- 
 cape from the hands of wicked and violent men, that I can- 
 not help congratulating you. May God Almighty continue 
 to be your safety and defence. 
 
 Could it be thought advisable for us to leave the sea- 
 ports, I should long before this have been with you, at the 
 head of a Company as good as ever twang'd a bow, infe- 
 riour in military discipline to none ; they are anxious and 
 eager to be with you. 
 
 You well know that the art military has been my hobby- 
 horse for a long time past. I have vanity enough to think 
 that the recommendation of an immediate perusal of the 
 enclosed volume, to the Officers in the United Army, will 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 not be thought impertinent at this time, considering the na- 
 ture of our Country ; considering the natural genius of our 
 men, no piece could be better adapted to our circum- 
 stances. 
 
 Our men are natural partisans. Witness the Rogers, 
 Starkey, and Shepherd, he, he. Did they not, in the 
 last War, take the very sentries from off the walls of our 
 enemies' Fortresses, in the heart of their Country ? I can't 
 help thinking that some Horse might be employed to great 
 advantage, if our adversaries should ever venture abroad 
 again. I have published some pieces on this subject in our 
 papers, but the New- Hampshire Gazette can hardly be 
 called a proper channel to convey one's ideas to the pub- 
 lick. Might not some of the principal parts of the Par- 
 tisan be given in manuscript to some of our officers ? Dear 
 sir, I hope you will not construe this, my humble opinion, 
 into impertinent dictation. We are all embarked in one 
 cause, and from the ideas of all (though some may be sim- 
 ple) some things of consequence may be collected. With 
 humble submission to the better judgment of every one, 1 
 conclude, 
 
 Your most obedient, most obliged humble servant, 
 
 H. Jackson. 
 
 P. S. I have been in my sulky more than once to pay 
 you a visit, but my friends have prevented me. When op- 
 portunity offers, remember me to Mrs. Lee and family. 
 
 As I apprehend there is not many of the books in the 
 Country, you will make what use of this you think proper, 
 so that I may have it again hereafter. 
 
 Yours, H. J 
 
 To Colonel Jeremiah Lee. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN tN 
 MASSACHUSETTS, DATED APRIL 25. 1775. 
 
 A steady friend to America called upon me this after- 
 noon, to acquaint me with the following intelligence, com- 
 municated to him by this day, which you may rely 
 
 upon as a fact. The said that the Administration, 
 
 on Friday, received advices from General Gage to the 
 eighteenth of March, wherein he acknowledges the receipt 
 of the King's order to apprehend Messrs. Cushing, Ad- 
 ams, Hancock, he., and send them over to England to be 
 tried ; but that the second orders, which were to hang them 
 in Boston, he said the General had not then received. The 
 General expressed his fears on the occasion ; and in hopes 
 of their being reversed, he should delay the execution a 
 while longer, because he must, if the orders were fulfilled, 
 come to an engagement, the event of which he had every 
 reason to apprehend would be fatal to himself and the 
 King's Troops, as the Massachusetts Government had at 
 least fifteen thousand men ready trained for the onset, and, 
 besides, had every publick and private road occupied by 
 the Militia, so as to prevent his marching into the country, 
 and which were, at the same time, ready to facilitate any 
 attempt against the Army ; on which unwelcome situation 
 he earnestly wished for a reinforcement, if that disagreeable 
 order must be effected. The General also wrote that the 
 Standard was hoisted by the people at Salem, and multi- 
 tudes flocked to it, which would not be the case should the 
 Royal Standard be erected ; added, that he now believed 
 America would carry their point ; that many of the Admin- 
 istration were of the same mind, and sincerely wished they 
 had pursued more gentle measures with the Colonies. He 
 said Lord North was evidently uneasy, and that Govern- 
 ment dreaded the news by the April Packet ; that they 
 suppressed this intelligence from General Gage, because 
 of the instant effect it would have on the Stocks. He ac- 
 knowledged the Nation was ready for a revolution, if any 
 enterprising genius would step forth, and which would cer- 
 tainly be the case if blood was ever drawn in America. 
 He blames Hutchinson much, and says Administration 
 charges him with duplicity, in telling them they ought to 
 have been more active, and that they would have made the 
 Massachusetts submit; to others, that Administration had 
 gone much further than he advised. Be this as it may, he 
 added that the King consults him, places a confidence in 
 what he says, and has actually fixed his salary at two thou- 
 sand Pounds per annum for life, which had much chagrined 
 some of the Administration, who ardently wished him given 
 
387 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 388 
 
 up as a sacrifice to both Countries. My intelligencer wishes, 
 
 if this letter should be published, that name might 
 
 be omitted, as the information was confidential. 1 shall only 
 add that my Country may be free if she will ; and that she 
 may have the virtue to play the man, is the aspiration of, 
 Sir, your most obedient servant. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED APRIL 
 
 25, 1775. 
 
 We have our suspicions and fears on account of Phila- 
 delphia and Nciv-YorJc. If the great chain of continental 
 connection is once broken, the consequences may prove 
 very unhappy. It is the union of America which gives it 
 strength. Any defection, especially of such important 
 Provinces, would contribute greatly to encourage our ad- 
 versaries and check the endeavours of our friends. I am 
 not without hopes that the next Assembly of New-York 
 may be composed of different members from those of the 
 present. The Petition from the Assembly of New-Jersey 
 is arrived, but Lord Dartmouth, on pretence that it would 
 be improper to forward it to the King, without its being 
 brought to him by the Agent of the Province, refuses any 
 attention to it. When Doctor Franklin is here, Ministry 
 will receive no Petition by him. When he is not here, 
 they refuse Petitions because they are not offered by him. 
 However, all this is in perfect unison with the rest of their 
 conduct. 
 
 HUGH MERCER, ETC., TO COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Fredericksburgh, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Ry intelligence from Williamsburgh, it appears 
 that Captain Collins, of His Majesty's Navy, at the head 
 of fifteen Marines, carried off the Powder from the Maga- 
 zine in that City on the night of Thursday last, and con- 
 veyed it on board his vessel, by order of the Governour. 
 The gentlemen of the Independent Company of this Town 
 think this first publick insult is not to be tamely submitted 
 to, and determine, with your approbation, to join any other 
 bodies of armed men who are willing to appear in support 
 of the honour of Virginia, as well as to secure the military 
 stores yet remaining in the Magazine. It is proposed to 
 march from hence on Saturday next for Williamsburgh, 
 properly accoutred as Light-horsemen. 
 
 Expresses are sent off to inform the Commanding Officers 
 of Companies in the adjacent Counties of this our resolu- 
 tion, and we shall wait prepared for your instructions and 
 their assistance. 
 
 We are, Sir, your humble servants, 
 
 Hugh Mercer, Alexander Spotswood, 
 G. Weedon, John Willis. 
 
 P. S. As we are not sufficiently supplied with Powder, 
 it may be proper to request of the gentlemen who join us 
 from Fairfax or Prince William, to come provided with 
 an over proportion of that article. 
 
 extract of a letter from one of the virginia dele- 
 gates, on his way to the congress, to a friend in 
 Williamsburgh, dated april 25, 1775. 
 The storm thickens very fast. The New- Yorkers have 
 received intelligence that their Town is to be fortified, and 
 fourteen Regiments to be sent there to cut off the commu- 
 nication between the Southern and Eastern Colonies; this 
 has united them to a man in the American cause. They 
 are forming themselves, and beg assistance from the South- 
 ward. This comes from the Philadelphia Committee. 
 The Bostonians have given a good drubbing to two thou- 
 sand Regulars. 
 
 GLOUCESTER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At an adjourned meeting of the Committee of Gloucester 
 County, at the Court-House of the said County, on Tues- 
 day, the 25th of April, 1775, they came to the following 
 Resolves : 
 
 Resolved, That as an encouragement to the manufac- 
 turing Gunpowder in this Colony, we will give a premium 
 of Twenty-Five Pounds to any person who shall produce 
 to the Chairman of this Committee, on or before the 25th 
 
 of October next, three hundred pounds of good Gunpowder 
 made in Virginia, which we will purchase at the current 
 price of that commodity ; and if it shall be prov ed to be 
 made wholly of the materials of this Colony, we will give 
 an additional premium of Ten Pounds. 
 
 Resolved, That we will give Fifty Pounds to any per- 
 son who shall produce to the Chairman of this Committee 
 sixty pair of good Wool, and sixty pair of good Cotton 
 Cards, on or before the 25th of October next, with an 
 autheniick certificate of their having been made in this 
 Colony, and we will purchase the same at the usual price. 
 
 The Committee having received authentick information 
 that last Thursday night an Officer of one of His Majesn 's 
 armed vessels, with a party of armed men, by express 
 command of Lord Dunmore, privately removed the Gun- 
 powder belonging to this Colony out of the Magazine, 
 it was unanimously Resolved, That the removal of the 
 Powder from the Publick Magazine on board one of His 
 Majesty's armed vessels, by order of the Goverr.our, is 
 exceedingly alarming at this time'. 
 
 Resolved, That his Lordship's verbal answer to the 
 Address of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and Common 
 Council of the City of Williamsburgh on that occasion, is 
 unsatisfactory, disrespectful, and evasive. 
 
 Resolved, That his Lordship, by this and other parts of 
 his conduct which have lately transpired, has justly forfeit- 
 ed all title to the confidence of the good people of Vir- 
 ginia. 
 
 Resolved, That the Powder ought immediately to be 
 restored. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk send by express copies of 
 these Resolves to each of the Printers, and they are desired 
 to publish them in their next Gazettes. 
 
 Jasper Clayton, Clerk. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Bed- 
 ford, at the Court-House of the said County, on Tuesday, 
 the 25th of April, 1775, 
 
 John Talbot, Gentleman, Chairman. 
 
 The Resolves of the Convention held at the Town of 
 Richmond the 20th of March, 1775, were read : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Committee will strict- 
 ly observe and adhere to the several Resolutions of the 
 said Convention, and will leave no means in their power 
 unessayed to carry the same into effect. 
 
 On motion made that this Committee be dissolved, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Committee do consid- 
 er their delegation as now at an end, and that it be recom- 
 mended to the Freeholders of this County to meet at the 
 Court-House, on Tuesday, the 23d of next month, for the 
 purpose of electing Delegates to represent them in Colony 
 Convention for one year, and to elect another Committee. 
 
 At which time the Freeholders accordingly met, and 
 unanimously made choice of John Talbot and Charles 
 Lynch, Esquires, for their Delegates. And the following 
 gentlemen were duly elected for a Committee, (agreeable 
 to the Eleventh Article of the General Congress,) to wit : 
 John Talbot, Charles Lynch, William Meade, Richard 
 Stith, Guy Smith, John F. Patrick, James Callaway, 
 Gross Scruggs, David Rice, Edmond Winston, James 
 Stcjitoe, John Ward, John Callaway, William Callairay. 
 Jun., John Quarles, Simon Miller, Hayncs Morgan, Wil- 
 liam Leftwich, William Trigg, and George Stovall. 
 
 Then the said Committee immediately proceeded to 
 business, and entered into the following Resolves: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That John Talbot, gentleman, 
 be appointed Chairman of this Committee. 
 
 Resolved. That Robert Alexander be appointed Clerk 
 of this Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That as Gunpowder is much wanted in this 
 County, and finding, from experience, that every article 
 made use of in the manufacturing (except Sulphur, of 
 which we have not made trial) can be easily procured here, 
 we will give a premium of Ten Pounds, current money, to 
 any person who shall first produce to this Committee 
 twenty-five pounds of good Sulphur, with an authentick 
 certificate that the same was refined from materials in this 
 Colony. Robert Alexander, Clerk. 
 
389 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 390 
 
 TO MESSIEURS DELANCY, WHITE, COLDEN, WATTS, AND 
 COOPER, OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 Philadolphia, April 25, 1775. 
 It appears, from a number of authentick letters from 
 London, that the present hostile preparations against the 
 American Colonies were occasioned by nothing but assur- 
 ances from you of the defection and submission of the 
 Colony of New-York. It is impossible to unfold the ex- 
 tensive and complicated nature of your crimes. You have 
 defeated the attempts of the Congress to bring about a 
 constitutional reconciliaton with Great Britain. You have 
 involved your fellow-subjects in Britain, Ireland, and the 
 (Vest-Indies, in all the distresses which must speedily fall 
 upon them from an interruption of their Trade with Ame- 
 rica. But you have done more ; you have unsheathed the 
 sword of Britain, and pointed it against the bosom of your 
 Country. You have held up a signal for a civil war; and 
 all the calamities of Towns in flames, a desolated Country, 
 butchered fathers, and weeping widows and children now 
 lay entirely at your doors. Go now, ye parricides, to the 
 Press of your associate, James Rivington, and there satiate 
 yourselves with your triumph. But do not presume too 
 much upon the impunity of Bernard, Hutchinson, and 
 other traitors to America. Repeated insults and unparal- 
 leled oppressions have reduced the Americans to a state of 
 desperation. Executions of villains in effigy will now no 
 longer gratify their resentment. The blood of your unfor- 
 tunate British and American fellow-subjects, who have 
 already fallen in Massachusetts-Bay, calls to Heaven for 
 vengeance against you. The injury you have done to your 
 Country cannot admit of a reparation. Fly for your lives, 
 or anticipate your doom by becoming your own execu- 
 tioners. Three Millions. 
 
 METCALF BOWLER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Providence, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your intelligence to the Governour and Company 
 of this Colony, by Edward Rawson, Esquire, was received 
 by the Assembly, who were sitting in Providence to con- 
 sult and act upon the present distresses into which your 
 Colony and all of New-England are involved. You will 
 see by the enclosed papers what we have done. Notwith- 
 standing an exception of a very few individuals, you may 
 be assured that the Colony are firm and determined, and 
 that a greater unanimity scarce ever prevailed in the Lower 
 House than was found in the great questions before them. 
 
 We pray God that he would be graciously pleased to 
 bring to nothing the counsels and designs of wicked men 
 against our lives and liberties, and grant his blessing upon 
 our righteous contest. I am, in behalf of the General As- 
 sembly, your and your Colony's sincere friend and humble 
 servant, Metcalf Bowler, Speaker. 
 
 President of the Provincial Congress in Massachusetts. 
 
 TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CON- 
 NECTICUT. 
 
 Providence, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I am directed by the Lower House of Assembly 
 to inform you, that William Bradford, Esquire, and Mr. 
 Nathaniel Greene, two of the Members of this House, are 
 appointed " to wait upon the General Assembly of the Co- 
 lony of Connecticut, to consult upon measures for a com- 
 mon defence of the four New-England Colonies, and to 
 make report to the next session of Assembly," (which will 
 be next week at Providence,) at our general election. 
 
 The Assembly this day have passed an Act to raise 
 fifteen hundred good effective men, for the service of the 
 Colony, and the general cause. Great firmness and reso- 
 lution for the defence of the common rights of this Coun- 
 try, most certainly prevails in this Colony ; and greater 
 unanimity was scarce ever found than was manifested in 
 the Lower House on the great questions which came be- 
 fore them. 
 
 We pray God that he would be graciously pleased to 
 bring to nothing the counsels and designs of wicked men 
 against our lives and liberties, and grant a blessing upon 
 our righteous contest. I am, in behalf of the House, your 
 and your Colony's sincere friend and humble servant, 
 
 Metcalf Bowler, Speaker. 
 
 Act of Rhode-Island for raising an Army of Observa- 
 tion. 
 
 At this very dangerous crisis of American affairs ; at a 
 time when we are surrounded with Fleets and Armies, that 
 threaten our immediate destruction ; at a time when the 
 fears and anxieties of the people throw them into the ut- 
 most distress, and totally prevent them from attending to 
 the common occupations of life — to prevent the mischiev- 
 ous consequences that must necessarily attend such a dis- 
 ordered state, and to restore peace to the minds of the 
 good people of this Colony, it is thought absolutely neces- 
 sary that a number of men be raised and embodied, pro- 
 perly armed and disciplined, to continue in this Colony, as 
 an Army of Observation ; to repel any insults or violence 
 that may be offered to the inhabitants ; and also, if it be 
 necessary for the safety and preservation of any of the Co- 
 lonies, that they be ordered to march out of this Colony, 
 and join and co-operate with the Forces of our neighbour- 
 ing Colonies. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That fifteen hundred Men be 
 enlisted, raised, and embodied as aforesaid, with all the ex- 
 pedition and despatch that the nature of the thing will 
 admit of. 
 
 April 25, 1775. — In the House of Magistrates, 
 Resolved, nemine contradiccnte, That the afore-written 
 pass as an Act of this Assembly. 
 
 By order : Silas Downer, pro Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, Read the same day and concurred. 
 By order: James Clarke, D'y Sec'y. 
 
 April 25, 1775. — In the House of Magistrates, 
 Resolved, That the Military Officers throughout this 
 Colony, or any other gentlemen who shall be willing, do 
 forthwith enlist fifteen hundred good and effective Men, 
 for the service of this Colony, and that each Man who 
 shall enlist shall receive a bounty of Four Dollars, and be 
 entitled to the monthly wages of One Pound Sixteen Shil- 
 lings. 
 
 Voted and passed. By order: 
 
 Silas Downer, pro Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, Read the same clay and concurred. 
 By order : Jas. Clarke, D'y Sec'y. 
 
 April 25th, 1775. — In the Lower House, Resolved, 
 That the Speaker of this House write unto the President 
 of the Provincial Congress in Massachusetts-Bay, and the 
 Speaker of the House of Deputies in the Colony of Con- 
 necticut ; and that he transmit to the Congress copies of 
 the Resolutions of this House touching the matters con- 
 tained in the President's Letter. By order : 
 
 Silas Downer, pro Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, Providence, April 25, 1775. 
 
 We, the subscribers, professing true allegiance to His 
 Majesty King George the Third, beg leave to dissent from 
 the Vote of the House of Magistrates for enlisting, raising, 
 and embodying an Army of Observation of fifteen hundred 
 men, to repel any insults or violences that may be offered 
 to the inhabitants, and also, if it be necessary for the safety 
 and preservation of any of the Colonies, to march them 
 out of this Colony to join and co-operate with the Forces 
 of our neighbouring Colonies : because we are of the 
 opinion that such a measure will be attended with the most 
 fatal consequences to our Charter privileges ; involve this 
 Colony in all the horrours of a civil war ; and, as we con- 
 ceive, an open violation of the oath of allegiance which 
 we have severally taken upon our admission into the re- 
 spective offices we hold in the Colony. 
 
 J. Wanton, Darius Sessions, 
 Tho. Wickes, Wm. Potter. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Worcester, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : From a conviction of your disposition to 
 promote the publick good, I take the freedom to request 
 your countenance and good offices in favour of Mr. Ed- 
 ward Crafts, of this place, that he may be appointed to 
 the command of a Company. I know him well ; he is 
 capable. I beg your attention to this ; it will give great 
 
391 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1"5. 
 
 392 
 
 satisfaction to Mr. Adams and myself, and to the people of 
 this County — do gratify us. 1 also beg leave you would 
 recommend to the notice of General Heath, in my name, 
 Mr. Nathaniel Nazro, of this Town, who is desirous of 
 being noticed in the Army; he is lively, active, and capa- 
 ble. My respects to Heath, and all friends. Pray General 
 Heath to take notice of this recommendation. God bless 
 you. Adieu. I am your real friend, 
 
 John Hancock. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF BOSTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Boston, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We shall communicate to the Committee of Dona- 
 tions the advice which your letter of yesterday gave us, 
 respecting the application of the donation money in their 
 hands, and are much obliged for your assurances that you 
 shall not fail to lend the inhabitants of the Town your best 
 assistance with regard to the furnishing them with habita- 
 tions in the country. They will also want a great number 
 of Wagons to carry off their effects, which, we hope, can 
 be had from the country, and which you will please to 
 permit to come in. We beg leave to repeat with earnest- 
 ness our desire and the desire of the Town, that those who 
 incline to remove from the country with their effects into 
 Boston, may do it without the least injury or interruption. 
 For this purpose you will permit us to wish that you would 
 publish proclamations or notifications that passes may be 
 had for all such persons at Roxbury and Cambridge, and 
 such other places as you shall please to appoint. You 
 will have the goodness to excuse us for again soliciting that 
 this may be done as speedily as possible. We are, re- 
 spectfully, your humble servants, 
 
 James Bowdoin, Sam'l Austin, 
 Ezek'l Goldthwait, John Pitts, 
 John Scollay, Edward Payne, 
 
 Timothy Newell, Henderson Inches, 
 Thomas Marshall, Committee. 
 
 Permission will be given for thirty Wagons to enter the 
 Town at once, to carry away the effects of the inhabitants. 
 So soon as those have returned to the end of the Cause- 
 way leading to Roxbury, then others will be permitted to 
 come in. None will be permitted to enter till after sun- 
 rise, nor to remain after sunset. If any Vessel or Boat, 
 now in the Harbour, be employed to remove the inhabi- 
 tants' effects, security must be given that the Vessel or 
 Boat be returned. That leave be obtained for some per- 
 sons to go to the different Parishes to give notice to such 
 persons who incline to come with their effects into Boston, 
 that they may come without molestation ; and it is desired 
 that the Wagons and Vessels employed to come and carry 
 away the Goods of the inhabitants of Boston, may bring 
 the effects of those who are desirous to leave the country, 
 they paying half the charge. 
 
 Salem, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Last Wednesday the 19th of April, the Troops of His 
 Britannick Majesty commenced hostilities upon the peo- 
 ple of this Province, attended with circumstances of cruelty, 
 not less brutal than what our venerable ancestors received 
 from the vilest Savages of the wilderness. The particu- 
 lars relative to this interesting event, by which we are in- 
 volved in all the honours of a civil war, we have endea- 
 voured to collect as well as the present confused state of 
 affairs will admit. 
 
 On Tuesday evening a detachment from the Army, 
 consisting, it is said, of eight or nine hundred men, com- 
 manded by Lieutenant Colonel Smith, embarked at the 
 bottom of the Common in Boston, on board a number of 
 boats, and landed at Phipps's farm, a little way up Charles 
 River, from whence they proceeded with silence and ex- 
 pedition on their way to Concord, about eighteen miles 
 from Boston. The people were soon alarmed, and began 
 to assemble in several Towns, before daylight, in order to 
 watch the motion of the Troops. At Lexington, six miles 
 below Concord, a company of Militia, of about one hun- 
 dred men, mustered near the Meeting-House ; the Troops 
 came in sight of them just before sunrise ; and running 
 within a few rods of them, the Commanding Officer accosted 
 the Militia in words to this effect : " Disperse, you rebels — 
 damn you, throw down your arms and disperse;" upon 
 
 which the Troops huzzaed, and immediately one or two 
 officers discharged their pistols, which were instantaneously 
 followed by the firing of four or five of the soldiers, and 
 then there seemed to be a general discharge from the 
 whole body : eight of our men were killed, and nine wound- 
 ed. In a few minutes after this action the enemy renewed 
 their march for Concord; at which place they destroyed 
 several Carriages, Carriage Wheels, and about twenty bar- 
 rels of Flour, all belonging to the Province. Here about 
 one hundred and fifty men going towards a bridge, of 
 which the enemy were in possession, the latter fired and 
 killed two of our men, who then returned the fire, and 
 obliged the enemy to retreat back to Lexington, where 
 they met Lord Percy, with a large reinforcement, with 
 two pieces of cannon. The enemy now having a body of 
 about eighteen hundred men, made a halt, picked up many 
 of their dead, and took care of their wounded. At teno- 
 tomy, a few of our men attacked a party of twelve of the 
 enemy, (carrying stores and provisions to the Troops,) 
 killed one of them, wounded several, made the rest prison- 
 ers, and took possession of all their arms, stores, provisions, 
 &c, without any loss on our side. The enemy having 
 halted one or two hours at Lexington, found it necessary 
 to make a second retreat, carrying with them many of their 
 dead and wounded, who they put into chaises and on 
 horses that they found standing in the road. They continu- 
 ed their retreat from Lexington to Charlestown with great 
 precipitation ; and notwithstanding their field-pieces, our 
 people continued the pursuit, firing at them till they got to 
 Charlestown Neck, (which they reached a little after sun- 
 set.) over which the enemy passed, proceeded up Bunker's 
 Hill, and soon afterwards went into the Town, under the 
 protection of the Somerset Man-of-War of sixty -four guns. 
 
 In Lexington the enemy set fire to Deacon Joseph 
 Loring's house and barn, Mrs. Mullikin's house and shop, 
 and Mr. Joshua Bond's house and shop, which were all 
 consumed. They also set fire to several other houses, 
 but our people extinguished the flames. They pillaged 
 almost every house they passed by, breaking and destroy- 
 ing doors, windows, glasses, &ic, and carrying off cloth- 
 ing and other valuable effects. It appeared to be their 
 design to burn and destroy all before them ; and nothing 
 but our vigorous pursuit prevented their infernal purposes 
 from being put in execution. But the savage barbarity 
 exercised upon the bodies of our unfortunate brethren who 
 fell, is almost incredible : not contented with shooting down 
 the unarmed, aged, and infirm, they disregarded the cries 
 of the wounded, killing them without mercy, and mangling 
 their bodies in the most shocking manner. 
 
 We have the pleasure to say, that, notwithstanding the 
 highest provocations given by the enemy, not one instance 
 of cruelty, that we have heard of, was committed by our 
 victorious Militia ; but, listening to the merciful dictates of 
 the Christian religion, they " breathed higher sentiments of 
 humanity." 
 
 The consternation of the people of Charlestown, when 
 our enemies were entering the Town, is inexpressible ; the 
 Troops however behaved tolerably civil, and the people 
 have since nearly all left the Town. 
 
 The following is a List of the Provincials who were 
 killed and wounded : 
 
 Cambridge. — Killed : William Marcy, Moses Rich- 
 ardson, John Hicks, Jason Russell, Jabish Wyman, Jason 
 Winship. Wounded : Captain Samuel Whittemorc. Mis- 
 sing: Samuel Frost, Seth Russell. 
 
 Charlestown. — Killed : James Mller, and a son of 
 Captain William Barber. 
 
 Watertown. — Killed : Joseph Cooledgc. 
 
 Sudbury. — Killed: Deacon Josiah Haynes, Asahel 
 Reed. Wounded : Joshua Haynes, Jun. 
 
 Acton. — Killed : Captain Isaac Davis, Abner Hos- 
 mcr, James Hayward. 
 
 Bedford. — Killed: Captain JonathanWilson. Wound- 
 ed : Job Lane. 
 
 Needham. — Killed : Lieutenant John Racon, Ser- 
 jeant Elisha Mills, Amos Mills, Nathaniel Chamberlain, 
 Jonathan Parker. Wounded : Captain Eleazer Kings- 
 bury, and a son of Doctor Tolman. 
 
 Medford. — Killed: Henry Putnam, William Polly. 
 
 Newtown. — Wounded: Noah Wiswall. 
 
393 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 394 
 
 Woburn. — Killed: *Asa Parker, Daniel Thomson. 
 Wounded : George Read, Jacob Bacon. 
 
 Lexington. — Killed : * Jonas Parker, *Robert Munroe, 
 Jedidiah Munroe, John Raymond,* Samuel Hadley ^Jona- 
 than Harrington, Jun., * Isaac Muzzy,* Caleb Harrington, 
 Nathaniel Wyman, *John Brown. Wounded : Francis 
 Brown, John Robbins, Solomon Peirce, John Tidd, Joseph 
 Comie, Ebene.zer Munroe, Jun., Thomas Winship, Na- 
 thaniel Farmer, Prince, a negro. 
 
 Billerica. — Wounded : John Nichols, Timothy Blan- 
 ch ard. 
 
 Chelmsford. — Wounded : Deacon Aaron Chamber- 
 lain, Captain Oliver Barron. 
 
 Concord. — Wounded: Abel Prescott, Jun., Captain 
 Charles Miles, Captain Nathan Barrett. 
 
 Framingham. — Wounded : Daniel Hemenway. 
 
 Stow. — Wounded : Daniel Conant. 
 
 Dedham. — Killed : Eiias Haven. Wounded : Israel 
 Everett. 
 
 Riixbury. — Missing: Elijah Seaver. 
 
 Brookline. — Killed : Isaac Gardner, Esq. 
 
 Salem. — Killed : Benjamin Peirce. 
 
 Danvers. — Killed : Henry Jacobs, Samuel Cook, Eb- 
 r:\czer Goldthwait, George Southwick, Benjamin Deland, 
 Jan., Jotham Webb, Perly Putnam. Wounded : Nathan 
 Putnam, Dennis Wallis. Missing: Joseph Bell. 
 
 Beverly. — Killed : Mr. Kinnym. Wounded : Nathan- 
 iel Cleaves, Samuel Woodbury, William Dodge. 
 
 Lynn. — Killed : Abednego Ramsdell, Daniel Toivn- 
 send, William Flynt, Thomas Hadley. Wounded : Joshua 
 Felt, Timothy Munroe. Missing : Josiah Breed. 
 
 We have seen an account of the loss of the enemy, 
 said to have come from an Officer of one of the Men-of- 
 War ; by which it appears that sixty-three of the Regu- 
 lars, and forty-nine Marines were killed, and one hundred 
 and three of both wounded : in all, two hundred and fifteen. 
 Lieutenant Gould of the Fourth Regiment, who is wound- 
 ed, and Lieutenant Potter of the Marines, and about 
 twelve soldiers, are prisoners. 
 
 Mr. James Howard and one of the Regulars discharged 
 their pieces at the same instant, and each killed the other. 
 
 Our brethren of Danvers who fell fighting for their 
 Country, were interred, with great solemnity and respect, 
 on Friday last. 
 
 The publick most sincerely sympathize with the friends 
 and relations of our deceased brethren, who gloriously 
 sacrificed their lives in fighting for the liberties of their 
 Country. By their noble and intrepid conduct, in helping 
 to defeat the forces of an ungrateful tyrant, they have 
 endeared their memories to the present generation, who 
 will transmit their names to posterity with the highest 
 honour. 
 
 of the Town was communicated to him for his instruction, 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 That it is the sense of this Town, that we are at all 
 times ready, as far as our circumstances will allow, to join 
 in the common cause of American liberty, and to assist 
 with our lives and fortunes, as occasion may require, to 
 maintain our rights and liberties against all the hostile at- 
 tempts to deprive us of our rights and liberties, made by 
 the cruel and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament ; 
 and are always ready to bear our proportion to defend our 
 countrymen, and to assist in repelling force by force, in 
 such manner as the collective wisdom of the Province, in 
 Provincial Congress convened, shall judge most expe- 
 dient. 
 
 The Town Clerk being absent, the meeting ordered the 
 Selectmen to sign in behalf of the Town. 
 
 Nehemiah Smedt, 
 Nehemiah Woodcock, 
 
 JAMES SULLIVAN TO JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Exeter, New-Hampshire, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have this day endeavoured to execute my em- 
 bassy to this Province with the greatest faithfulness. 
 There seems some opposition here to the assistance we 
 have expected from this quarter, but doubtless the des- 
 patches you receive with this will inform you of the deter- 
 mination of this Congress respecting the matter. My 
 being a Committee from the Congress of Massachusetts- 
 Bay, has procured me great respect here, which has been 
 shown by them as a body of individuals. I doubt not but 
 there will be the same politeness shown by you towards 
 their missionaries to our Congress. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, &tc, &.c. James Sullivan. 
 
 To Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Massachusetts 
 
 Congress. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS OF THE INHABITANTS OF WILLI AMSTOWN, 
 MASS., TO SAMUEL KELLOGG. 
 
 At a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wil- 
 liamstown,on the 25th day of April, A. D., 1775, the Se- 
 lectmen being Moderators of the meeting, and Ensign 
 Samuel Kellogg was unanimously chosen a Delegate to re- 
 present this Town in Provincial Congress ; and the sense 
 
 • Those distinguished with this mark [ * ] were killed by the first fire 
 of the enemy. 
 
 Selectmen. 
 
 COLONEL JOHN WENTWORTH TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 Somersworth, April 25, 1775, Tuesday, 6 o'clock. 
 
 Gentlemen : My health is such it is impracticable for 
 me to be at Exeter this day ; I was very ill able to attend 
 last week. Hope you will agree on some method to pre- 
 vent the Soldiers being mustered on every false alarm : 
 otherwise we shall soon be distressed for the want of pro- 
 visions. It was surprising to see the number that collected 
 when I came from Exeter, at Newmarket, Durham, Do- 
 ver, Somersworth, &£C, some of whom came to Dover, 
 twenty miles or more. You must know the consequence, 
 if not prevented. 
 
 I heartily wish the Divine direction and blessing may 
 attend your consultations and determinations ; and after 
 assuring you I am heartily engaged in the same cause with 
 you, am your sincere friend and most obedient and humble 
 servant, John Wentworth. 
 
 To the Gentlemen of the Congress convened at Exeter. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A MERCHANT IN LONDON, 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN VIRGINIA, DATED APRIL 26, 1775. 
 
 We have petitioned the King, Lords, and Commons, on 
 behalf of the Colonies, which has produced a promise 
 to repeal the Tea Act, Boston Port Bill, and those of this 
 Session of Parliament for restraining the Fishery and 
 Trade of some of the Colonies, to Great Britain, Ireland, 
 and the West-India Islands, provided your Assemblies will 
 raise a Revenue, in their own mode, towards the support of 
 Government, and to pay part of the interest, amounting to 
 more than three-fourths of the value of all the exports to 
 America, annually, for eleven years, ending at Christmas, 
 1773, of the heavy debt contracted the last war, which 
 was begun in and carried on for the defence and protection 
 of America. This, it is hoped, will restore harmony be- 
 tween all His Majesty's subjects on both sides the Atlan- 
 tick ; and that the Resolve to forbear exporting the produce 
 of the industrious Planter, will be expunged and buried in 
 oblivion. If it should be strictly adhered to in the present 
 form, I doubt the beneficial branch of your commerce in 
 tobacco will, in a great measure, be lost to Virginia and 
 Maryland, as that trade will be turned into other channels, 
 and the markets will be plentifully supplied by the Hol- 
 land, Flanders, German, Russian, and Turkey Merchants, 
 as it grows plentifully in all those countries, and also in 
 Florida, from whence some very good tobacco has been 
 lately imported, so that the revenues will not be diminish- 
 ed, and the revenge intended against Government will ter- 
 minate in distressing, if not in the ruin, of the Planters and 
 a few Merchants, there being only twenty-two houses in 
 London who regularly send ships to import tobacco from 
 Virginia and Maryland. 
 
 Having a little leisure time on my hands, 1 thought it ex- 
 pedient to lay these facts before you, knowing you can make 
 a proper use of them, for the mutual interest of Great 
 Britain and America. Peace cannot be restored by threats 
 or hostilities, but may be easily obtained by treaty, which 
 I most ardently wish for. 
 
 The Ship Catharine, Captain Potter, cleared out at the 
 Custom-House at Noifolk, in Virginia, last February, 
 
395 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcq., APRIL, 1775. 
 
 396 
 
 with twenty thousand five hundred staves, for Lisbon, 
 where she did not go, but arrived at Dunkirk, and deliv- 
 ered her cargo, with about ninety hogsheads of tobacco, 
 which were covered with the staves ; also, it is now dis- 
 covered, that two other ships have arrived with like car- 
 goes, and more are expected at the same port. Quere, Do 
 these ships bring their return in tea, brandy, claret, &,c, 
 to be smuggled into the Colony ? What will be the conse- 
 quence of tli is pernicious practice, time will discover. 
 
 CAPTAINS GRAYSON AN]) LEE TO COLONEL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Dumfries, April 2G, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We have just received a letter from the Officers 
 of the Independent Company of Spottsyhania, which I 
 have herewith enclosed. We immediately called together 
 this Company, and had the vote put, whether they would 
 march to Williamsburgh for the purposes mentioned in 
 that Letter, which was carried unanimously. 
 
 We have nothing more to add, but that we are well as- 
 sured you may depend on them, either for that or any other 
 service, which respects the liberties of America. We ex- 
 pect your answer and determination by Mr. Davess. 
 
 We have the honour to be your most obedient servants. 
 
 By order of the Company : 
 
 William Grayson, 
 Phil. Rd. Frans. Lee. 
 
 hi gh mercer, etc., to captain william grayson. 
 
 Fredoricksburgh, Virginia, April 24, 1775. 
 Sir : From undoubted authority, we received here this 
 day, morning, the very disagreeable intelligence, that in 
 the night of Tliursday last, Captain Collins, Commander of 
 one of His Majesty's Sloops of War, by command of his 
 Excellency the Governour, assisted by a Company of Ma- 
 rines, carried off all the Powder from the Magazine in the 
 City of Williamsburgh, and deposited it on board his vessel, 
 which lay at BurwcWs Ferry, about five miles below the 
 City. 
 
 The said authority informs us that the Corporation of 
 the City of Williamsburgh addressed the Governour on 
 that occasion. The people have received no satisfaction ; 
 nor are they likely to recover the Powder, though it is so 
 very necessary for the security of the Country. 
 
 This being a day of meeting of the Independent Com- 
 pany of this Town, they considered it necessary to take 
 the matter into serious consideration, and are come to a 
 unanimous resolution, that a submission to so arbitrary an 
 exertion of Government, may not only prejudice the com- 
 mon cause, by introducing a suspicion of a defection of this 
 Colony from the noble pursuit, but will encourage the tools 
 of despotism to commit further acts of violence in this 
 Colony, and more especially subject the Arms in the Ma- 
 gazine to the same fate as the Powder. 
 
 In these sentiments, this Company could but determine 
 that a number of publick spirited gentlemen should em- 
 brace this opportunity of showing their zeal in the grand 
 cause, by marching to Williamsburgh to inquire into this 
 affair, and there to take such steps as may best answer the 
 purpose of recovering the Powder, and securing the Arms 
 now in the Magazine. To this end, they have determined 
 to hold themselves in readiness to march from this place as 
 Light-Horse, on Saturday morning ; and, in the mean 
 time, to submit the matter to the determination of yours 
 and the neighbouring Counties, to whom expresses are 
 purposely forwarded. We address you in the name of our 
 Company, as its Officers, and are, Sir, your very humble 
 servants, Hugh Mercer, G. Weedon, 
 
 Alex. Spotswood, Jno. Willis. 
 
 To Captain Wm. Grayson. 
 
 HENRICO COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 In Committee, Wednesday, April 2G, 1775. 
 It appearing from the Virginia Gazette, of the 21st in- 
 stant, that (lie Powder in the publick Magazine, in the 
 City of Williamsburgh, deposited there at the expense of 
 the Country, and for the use of the people, in case of in- 
 vasion or insurrection, had been secretly removed, under 
 the clouds of the night, by Captain Collins, of the Mag- 
 
 dalen Sloop-of-War, and by order of the Governour ; and 
 the Committee having taken into their consideration the 
 Address of the Corporation of the City of Williamsburgh, 
 as also his Excellency's Answer thereunto, came to the 
 following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that 
 the removing of the said Gunpowder in the manner, at the 
 time, and for the reasons given for so doing, is an insult to 
 every freeman in this Country, a high reflection upon the 
 respectable Corporation of the City of /I illiamsburgh, and 
 to the last degree cruel, under their circumstances, being 
 then threatened with an insurrection ; that we consider the 
 act itself as a determined step, tending towards establish- 
 ing that tyranny we so much dread, and which the British 
 Ministry, with unrelenting fury, have so long and are still 
 endeavouring to effect. And further, that we consider it 
 as injurious to the fame, and tending to destroy the pleas- 
 ing idea we had entertained of his Excellency's regard for 
 the happiness and true interests of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That we think it incumbent upon us to avow 
 our sentiments upon this occasion ; and while we declare 
 our detestation and abhorrence of the act, we will use our 
 best endeavours to procure an immediate restitution of the 
 said Powder to the Magazine, from whence it was taken. 
 
 Resolved, That as we cannot rest satisfied with his Ex- 
 cellency's Answer to the Address of the Corporation of 
 the City of Williamsburgh, that it be an instruction to the 
 Committee of Correspondence to write to the Committee 
 of the City of Williamsburgh, or to the Committee of 
 York or James City Counties, and procure the most au- 
 thentick intelligence respecting the same, and report to 
 this Committee at their next meeting. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 John Beckley, Clerk. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 I find in Messieurs Bradfords Journal, "A Plan of an 
 union of the several Colonies, fee, proposed by Benjamin 
 Franklin, Esquire, and unanimously agreed to by all the 
 Commissioners of the several Colonies, met, by order of 
 the Crown, at Albany, in July, 1754," with the following 
 introduction : 
 
 " The following Plan bears so strong a resemblance to 
 that introduced into the late Congress by a Delegate from 
 this Province, as his own, that I cannot but think it right to 
 take the child from its putative, and restore it to real pa- 
 rents. Had it been produced, as undoubtedly it ought to 
 have been, as perfect and complete as this, it is possible it 
 would have met with a more favourable reception ; but this, 
 perhaps, would not have so entirely corresponded with the 
 views of this gentleman, as it would have lessened his title 
 to it, and rendered his claim to be more doubtful or liable 
 to detection." 
 
 Having perused this introduction, I slightly ran my eye 
 over the plan, expecting to find after it, some strictures, 
 proving the alleged " strong resemblance" between it and 
 the one proposed in the late Congress, but not a remark 
 followed ; the reader is left to believe the similitude upon 
 the futile and false asseveration of an anonymous scribbler. 
 This is a practice, of late, grown too common with a num- 
 ber of men, who mean to mislead and deceive, and have 
 not even the appearance of facts or arguments to support 
 that deception. It certainly calls for a publick reprehen- 
 sion, because whenever it is done, it is an insult offered to 
 the publick, an affront to the understandings of men of 
 sense and integrity, and, could the authors be known, they 
 must become the objects of publick contempt. 
 
 The plan proposed in the late Congress, though offered 
 to their consideration with the most beneficent intentions 
 towards America, has unfortunately produced very mis- 
 chievous effects with some folks. It has given them infi- 
 nite anxiety, disgust, and distress. Why the mere proposal 
 of a plan of union between the subjects of the same state, 
 in order to the establishment of a permanent harmony be- 
 tween them, and to prevent the dreadful effects of a civil 
 war, should produce these effects, is difficult to determine, 
 unless it be because the plan is so replete with American 
 liberty, and consequently so opposite to their frantick scheme 
 of independency, and yet founded on such solid principles, 
 that they know not what to do with it. It was declared 
 
397 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775 
 
 398 
 
 in Congress, by more than one of the Delegates, that it 
 was " buz with destruction to the Colonies," and one of them 
 undertook, at a future day, to prove it so : but near six 
 months have elapsed, and it is not done. We are told that 
 it is " idle, dangerous, whimsical, and ministerial.'' Such 
 are the opprobrious epithets which these angry gentlemen 
 have bestowed upon it, but the publick is not favoured w ith 
 a single argument to prove it deserving of any of them. 
 The merits of the plan remain uncanvassed and unsullied 
 hut by their abuse, supported by their defamatory asser- 
 tions only. And such is the inconsistency of human con- 
 duct, when it becomes subservient to bad designs, that we 
 ever find it like the winds, perpetually changing from point 
 to point, until it blows opposite blasts, and incurs the most 
 palpable contradictions. Thus the enemies to this plan, 
 finding their attempts to persuade the publick by their posi- 
 tive assertions to believe that it was something very wicked 
 and inconsistent with the true interest of America, unwil- 
 lingly glide into an acknowledgment of its merit. For this 
 same plan, which not long since was pronounced idle, dan- 
 gerous, whimsical, and ministerial, is now of a sudden be- 
 come, instead of an " idle and whimsical plan," the real 
 child of a truly worthy great man, and one of the first phi- 
 losophers of the present age; instead of being "dangerous 
 to America," it is the child of the warmest, wisest, and 
 most zealous of the friends of America ; and instead of be- 
 ing ministerial, it is the act of a gentleman the most anti- 
 ministerial of any one living. And we are farther told, in 
 the same Journal, that it was not inserted in the Journal of 
 the last Congress, because it would " be disgracing their 
 records." Yet now we find that it bears a " strong resem- 
 blance to a plan " unanimously agreed to by all the Com- 
 missioners of the several Colonies, met at Albany m 1754," 
 and consequently entered upon their records, as worthy of 
 the attention of all America. Such are the strange, capri- 
 cious, and inconsistent conduct of men who have resolved 
 to desert the paths of truth and candour. 
 
 And, as if truth and the convictions of reason were too 
 powerful to be longer suppressed, it is at last confessed, in 
 the introduction, that had the plan of 1774 " been pro- 
 duced as perfect and complete as the one of 1754, it would 
 have met with a more favourable reception." Here again 
 is a full acknowledgment that the former has not deserved 
 the abuse which has been cast upon it, and that it only re- 
 quired to be more " perfect and complete" to entitle it to a 
 favourable reception. It is a just observation of a great 
 Lawyer and a Statesman, " nihil simul et semel inception 
 et perfectum est;" that there is scarce any thing of human 
 invention which is at first perfect ; it may be concluded, 
 without derogating from the merit of the great man who 
 proposed it, that the plan of 1754 was, when proposed, in 
 this state, and that it did not assume its present form until 
 it had been canvassed by, and received the alterations and 
 amendments of the collected wisdom of the Govemours 
 and Delegates of the several Colonies. Had the last Con- 
 gress acted the same candid and impartial part agreeable to 
 their first resolution, the last plan might have been made 
 equally perfect. If it contained the great outlines of a ra- 
 tional system of union between Great Britain and the Co- 
 lonies, it was their indispensable duty to furnish the mate- 
 rials wanting to finish the work within, and to complete the 
 superstructure. And it is yet the duty of the pretended 
 Patriots, who are wasting pen, ink, and paper, with their 
 calumnies, to point out its defects, and propose the proper 
 alterations and additions. And as none of them have been 
 capable of offering to the publick any other more perfect 
 system of union, this would certainly be acting the part of 
 real friends to their Country, and save them from the dis- 
 grace which must attend the continued proofs they are ex- 
 hibiting, of some deep-laid, dark designs, which they do 
 not care to unfold. 
 
 But it is further alleged, that the plan agreed in the Con- 
 gress at Albany, " bears a strong resemblance to that intro- 
 duced by a Delegate from this Province, into the late Con- 
 gress, as his own, and that it is but right to take the child 
 from it putative, and restore it to its real parents." It be- 
 ing a matter of no importance to the publick, whether the 
 ingenious Doctor Franlclin, or the Pennsylvania Delegate, 
 was the author of the last plan, no notice would be taken 
 of the introduction, did not the above charge strike at the 
 honour and candour of the Delegate. But as this is the 
 
 sole design of it, it is hoped the publick will not think it 
 improper to have before them what may be said in vindi- 
 cation of his injured honour and character. A comparison 
 of the two plans, and a just representation of his conduct 
 at the time he proposed the last, will prove that this " strong 
 resemblance " exists neither in the names, the matter, or 
 substance of the plans, and were they the same, that he 
 had no intent to assume to himself the merit which be- 
 longed to another. 
 
 1. The plan agreed to at Albany is properly called, in 
 its title, " A Plan of an union of the several Colonies," &c. ; 
 and the one proposed by the Pennsylvania Delegate is, 
 " A Plan of union between Great Britain and the Colo- 
 nies." 
 
 2. The first forms a distinct inferiour Legislature for the 
 Colonies, composed of two perfect branches only, upon 
 the same principles and model of the Legislature of Penn- 
 sylvania, without any incorporation or union with the Bri- 
 tish Legislature. But the second proposes to establish a 
 grand British and American Legislature, by a political 
 union and incorporation of the Representatives of the free- 
 men of America with the King, Lords, and Commons. 
 
 3. By the first, the Legislative acts of the Grand Coun- 
 cil are made subject to the negative of the King, a? Repre- 
 sentative of the British State, and afterwards to his nega- 
 tive, as one of the branches of the British Legislature. 
 By the second, this negative in the Crown is rendered 
 altogether unnecessary, and totally excluded, by a direction 
 in one of the Articles, that the acts of the Grand Council 
 shall be immediately transmitted for the approbation or dis- 
 sent of the Parliament of Great Britain, before they are 
 valid. And thus these acts would only remain subject to 
 the negative of the Parliament, while the Grand Council 
 would also enjoy the like negative on all the acts of the 
 British Legislature which concern their general interest 
 and welfare, either " civil, criminal, or commercial." 
 
 4. The Legislature of the first plan, and all its constitu- 
 ents, were to remain subordinate to the authority of Par- 
 liament, although America is not there represented, there 
 being nothing either in the expressions, matter, or implica- 
 tions of the plan to exclude it, but, on the contrary, an ex- 
 press acknowledgment of that authority. But in the second, 
 this subordination, now so much complained of, and the 
 great object of the dispute which is likely to involve Ame- 
 rica in ruin, is taken aw : ay, and a remedy proposed by an 
 union of the British and American members of the State, 
 upon constitutional principles, by which the latter is placed 
 on a par of power, and w ill enjoy the same solid security 
 for their rights and freedom with the former; as under this 
 plan no money can be taken from them, no taxes laid, none 
 of their manufactures restrained, or their commerce pro- 
 hibited or burthened, w ithout their consent. 
 
 5. Thus w e find that the first plan proposes no more than 
 an union of the Colonies by a Grand Assembly of their 
 Representatives, subject to a negative on their acts in the 
 Crown, and afterwards to the repeal and control of the 
 Parliamentary authority, which leaves the rights of Ame- 
 rica unrestored, the authority of Parliament over us arbi- 
 trary, and the essential grievances of America unredressed : 
 while the latter proposes a political union of the Colonies 
 with Great Britain, in which the rights of the Colonies 
 are restored on the most solid principles of liberty ; the 
 Parliamentary authority over them modified and rendered 
 safe and constitutional; the cause and reason of our com- 
 plaints removed ; and a solid foundation laid for a perma- 
 nent union and harmony between the two Countries. 
 
 I could descend to many other particulars in which these 
 plans materially differ ; but this must be unnecessary, as it 
 cannot be thought strange that they should be substantially 
 variant from each other, w hen impartial men will give them- 
 selves time to reflect on the different circumstances and 
 motives which gave rise to them. At the time when the 
 first was proposed, the supremacy of Parliament over the 
 Colonies was not questioned by any American. The de- 
 sign of the Congress was to propose some mode to His Ma- 
 jesty, by w hich the Colonies might be enabled to ascertain 
 the just proportion of aids that each ought to contribute 
 towards their general safety, which was then immediately 
 endangered by their disunion, and to establish some power 
 to compel the refractory and unwilling to a performance of 
 their general political duties among themselves. Here the 
 
399 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1773. 
 
 400 
 
 views of the first Congress rested. But when the last 
 met, the objects of their deliberations were infinitely more 
 extensive and important. Nothing less than the rights of 
 the supreme authority of a great Empire over its members, 
 and the essential rights of a very respectable part of those 
 members, were the questions there agitated. The first plan 
 was calculated to afford a remedy for the mischiefs then 
 under consideration. The second, to remove the unhappy 
 cause of the dispute between Great Britain and the Co- 
 lonies, by restoring America to her right of participating in 
 the supreme authority, and reducing that authority to a 
 constitutional exercise of its power over the Colonies. Such 
 being the obvious difference in the causes from which the 
 plans originated, it was impossible, if they were in any 
 ways calculated to answer the different ends in view, that 
 they should not be greatly different both in their names and 
 substance. 
 
 I shall offer but one argument more in vindication of the 
 Delegate who proposed the last plan, from the ungenerous 
 calumny so undeservedly thrown upon him, which will fully 
 demonstrate that he could entertain no design of taking from 
 Doctor Franklin, or the Congress of 1754, the merit of 
 the first. He carried with him to the Congress the plan of 
 1754, with the reasons under every article, which induced 
 the then Commissioners to adopt them in the Doctor's own 
 writing. He shewed it to several of the members as the 
 plan proposed by the Doctor and agreed to by the Com- 
 missioners. He delivered it to one of the Delegates with- 
 out the least injunction or reserve. From that Delegate it 
 passed into the hands of several others, until the gentleman 
 to whom it was first delivered could not, for some lime, dis- 
 cover in whose hands to find it. This was done to enable 
 the members to compare the two plans, to digest the better 
 the one then proposed, and if any addition could be made 
 to it, that it might be done when it should be taken into 
 consideration agreeable to the rule of the Congress. Hav- 
 ing little vanity in his composition, any applause which 
 might arise from the merit of the plan never entered into 
 his imagination. His mind was too earnestly engaged in 
 endeavouring to lend his assistance towards preserving the 
 rights of America, and establishing a happy union of the 
 two Countries. These were his motives, his only motives ; 
 and he is still of opinion, had the Delegates in Congress 
 formed a constitutional system of union upon the same, or 
 nearly alike principles, that great and beneficial effects would 
 have flowed from it to America. It would have been 
 acting the wise and prudent part of taking the best ground 
 of defence first. It would have been asking, what we have 
 a right to demand, an union with our brethren and fellow- 
 subjects in Britain, on principles of liberty and govern- 
 ment. It would have attached to us innumerable friends in 
 England and all the British Dominions, whom, by a con- 
 trary conduct, we have lost. It would have united us firmly 
 and inseparably among ourselves, upon rational and sup- 
 portable grounds, while the measures adopted have only 
 tended to divide and weaken the Colonies. And should 
 the Administration have refused (contrary to what we had 
 then, and more especially now, reason to expect) so reason- 
 able and just a proposition as that of granting to the Ameri- 
 cans the common constitutional rights of British subjects, in 
 all probability it would have left them supported by very few, 
 if any, of the people, on whom they must rely for aids, to en- 
 able them to carry any scheme into execution. C. E. 
 
 Philadelphia, April 2G, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday, at three o'clock in the afternoon, pursuant to 
 publick notice, there was a meeting of near eight thousand 
 of the inhabitants of this City, to consider of the measures 
 to be pursued in the present critical situation of the affairs 
 of America. 
 
 The business was opened with several eloquent and pa- 
 triotick speeches, and the company unanimously agreed to 
 associate, for the purpose of defending with arms, their 
 property, liberty, and lives, against all attempts to deprive 
 them of them. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Whereas, it appears from authentick accounts received 
 from England, that it is the design of the present Ministry 
 to enforce the late cruel and unjust Acts of Parliament 
 
 complained of in the most legal and dutiful manner by the 
 Congress : And whereas, an additional number of Troops, 
 with a Fleet, have been ordered for America, to assist the 
 Troops now in Boston in the execution of the said Acts : 
 We, the subscribers, agree that we will associate for the 
 purpose of learning the Military Exercise, and for defend- 
 ing our property and lives against all attempts to deprive 
 us of them. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM READING, PENNSYLVANIA, 
 DATED APRIL 26, 1775. 
 
 We have raised in this Town two Companies of Foot, 
 under proper Officers ; and such is the spirit of the people 
 of this free County, that in three weeks time there is not 
 a Township in it that will not have a Company raised and 
 disciplined, ready to assert at the risk of their lives the 
 freedom of America. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 Wednesday, April 26, 1775. 
 
 The Committee having taken into consideration the com- 
 motions occasioned by the sanguinary measures pursued by 
 the British Ministry; and that the powers with which this 
 Committee is invested, respect only the Association, are 
 unanimously of opinion that a new Committee be elected 
 by the Freeholders and Freemen of this City and County, 
 for the present unhappy exigency of affairs, as well as to 
 observe the conduct of all persons touching the Association ; 
 that the said Committee consist of one hundred persons ; 
 that thirty-three be a quorum, and that they dissolve within 
 a fortnight next after the end of the next sessions of the 
 Continental Congress. And that the sense of the Freehold- 
 ers and Freemen of this City and County upon this sub- 
 ject may be better procured and ascertained, the Commit- 
 tee are further unanimously of opinion, that the polls be 
 taken on Friday morning next, at nine o'clock, at the usual 
 places of election in each Ward, under the inspection of 
 the two Vestrymen of each Ward, and two of this Com- 
 mittee, or any two of the four ; and that at the said elec- 
 tions the votes of the Freemen and Freeholders be taken 
 on the following questions, viz : Whether such new Com- 
 mittee shall be constituted? And if yea, of whom it shall 
 consist? And this Committee is further unanimously of 
 opinion, that at the present alarming juncture, it is highly 
 advisable that a Provincial Congress be immediately sum- 
 moned ; and that it be recommended to the Freeholders 
 and Freemen of this City and County, to choose at the 
 same time that they vote for the new Committee aforesaid, 
 twenty Deputies to represent them at the said Congress ; 
 and that a Letter be forthwith prepared and despatched to 
 all the Counties, requesting them to unite with us in form- 
 ing a Provincial Congress, and to appoint their Deputies 
 without delay, to meet at New- York, on Monday, the 22d 
 of May next. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 JOHN COLLINS TO THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE 
 PROVINCIAL ARMY AT CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Newport, April 2G, 1775. 
 
 It is with pleasure that I communicate to you, by ex- 
 press, the following important intelligence, by a vessel just 
 arrived here from New-York. 
 
 We are informed that the news of the engagement be- 
 tween the Regulars and Provincials got to New-York on 
 Sunday last, between the fore and afternoon service ; that 
 the people of the City immediately arose, disarmed the 
 Soldiers, and possessed themselves of the Forts and Maga- 
 zines, in which they found about fifteen hundred Arms ; 
 that they unloaded two Transports bound to Boston, Cap- 
 tain Montague not daring to give them any assistance ; that 
 a third Transport had sailed while they were seizing the 
 two others, and that the people had fitted out a vessel, in 
 order to take and bring her back ; that they had forbid all 
 the Pilots from bringing up any of the King's Ships ; that 
 Captain Montague was not able to procure a Pilot in the 
 whole City ; and that the inhabitants were preparing to 
 put themselves in the best posture of defence. 
 
 The gentleman who brings this intelligence left Eliza- 
 bithlown yesterday morning, and tells us, that on Monday 
 
401 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 402 
 
 the Committee of that Town and County met, and agreed 
 to raise one thousand men immediately, to assist in the de- 
 fence of Xew- York, against any attack that may be made 
 upon them. I have the honour to assure you that this in- 
 telligence may be depended upon, and that I am, Sir, your 
 most humble servant, John Collins, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of Inspection. 
 
 TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 In Provincial Convention at Exeter, April 26, 1775. 
 "Resolved unanimously, That Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, 
 Col. Josiah Barllett, and Major Samuel Hobart, Esquires, 
 be immediately sent as a Committee from this Convention, 
 to the Provincial Congress of the Province of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, to deliver to them the following Letter ; and fur- 
 ther inform them of the particular situation of this Province, 
 and report the effect of their mission as soon as may be." 
 
 Gentlemen : Before the receipt of your letter of April 
 •23, intelligence of the tragical scene which hath lately been 
 acted in your Colony by the regular Troops, had pierced 
 the ears of the inhabitants of this ; upon which, many of our 
 men, fired with zeal in the common cause, and resentment 
 at the inhuman cruelty and savage barbarity of the action, 
 instantly flew to your assistance, and vast numbers more on 
 their march were stopped, on hearing they were not needed. 
 
 The Provincial Committee, upon this alarm, immediate- 
 ly called a special Convention of Delegates from the near- 
 est Towns, to consult with the Committee what was then 
 absolutely necessary to be done upon that pressing occa- 
 sion ; in consequence of which this Convention met. 
 
 Previous to this, our Provincial Committee, upon appli- 
 cation to them from a Committee of your body, had noti- 
 fied the respective Towns in this Province to choose and em- 
 power Delegates to meet at Exeter on the 17th day of May 
 next, to deliberate upon the important and momentous ob- 
 jects proposed by your Congress for the consideration and 
 concurrence of ours ; at which time the important matters 
 recommended, will naturally come under the mature deliber- 
 ation of our Congress, and, no doubt, they will readily concur 
 and co-operate with their brethren in New-England in all 
 such measures as shall be thought most conducive for the 
 common safety. But this body, though heartily willing to 
 contribute in every advisable method to your aid, in the 
 general defence of these Colonies, judge it not expedient now 
 to determine upon the establishment of an Army of Observa- 
 tion, as the Towns in this Government are not generally re- 
 presented. But it is recommended in the mean time to the 
 Towns in this Colony, to supply the men gone from it with 
 provisions and other necessaries, if their continuance shall be 
 thought necessary; and from the spirit of the inhabitants you 
 may expect their aid, if any emergency should require it. 
 
 We most fervently wish you the blessing and direction 
 of Heaven in all your deliberations ; and may God Al- 
 mighty, who protected and saved our pious ancestors 
 amidst ten thousand dangers, preserve New-England from 
 the horrours and desolations of a civil war. 
 
 By order of the Convention : 
 
 Mesheck Weare, President pro tern. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Worcester, April 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Having had the honour to command the 
 Cadet Company at Boston, and knowing the abilities of 
 those who composed that Corps, I cannot withhold men- 
 tioning and recommending to the notice of you and the 
 General Officers, Mr. John Smith and Mr. John Avery, 
 two excellent good soldiers and gentlemen, who will ad- 
 vance the reputation of the Province in that department of 
 command where they may be placed. I therefore most 
 strongly recommend them, and earnestly pray they may 
 be noticed. I will be answerable for their conduct. There 
 are several other gentlemen of that Corps who may be 
 useful, particularly Mr. Brant and Mr. Cunningham. Do 
 notice Mr. Smith and Avery ; they will be useful. 
 
 I set out to-morrow morning. God bless you. Why 
 don't you send to Mr. Crafts 1 Pray improve him ; he is a 
 good man, and one on whom you may depend ; don't miss 
 him. I am your real friend, John Hancock. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. < 
 
 LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO RHODE- 
 ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT. 
 
 April 26, 1775. 
 
 The distressed situation in which we are, and the danger 
 to which the liberties of all America, and especially the 
 New-England Colonies, are exposed, will be the best 
 apology for the importunate application to you for imme- 
 diate assistance. We pray, as you regard the safety of 
 your Country, that as large a number of Troops as you can 
 spare may immediately march forward, well stocked with 
 provisions and ammunition ; that they come under proper 
 Officers, enlisted for such a time as may be necessary ; that 
 as large a train of Artillery as can be procured, may be sent 
 down to our aid. We rely greatly upon you, as we know 
 the bravery of your men. 
 
 Our men have behaved with the utmost resolution ; but 
 as many of them came from home without any preparation, 
 it is impossible to keep them in the field, without allowing 
 many of them time to return to their families for one or 
 two days, during which time we may all possibly be cut 
 off, as we have a powerful and watchful enemy to deal 
 with. We are far from despairing. We firmly trust, that, 
 by the blessing of Heaven on us, we shall deliver our 
 Country. We are determined, at all events, to act our 
 parts with firmness and intrepidity, knowing that slavery is 
 far worse than death. We pray that our sister Rhode- 
 Island would immediately put in for a share of honour, in 
 saving the liberties of America, as a moment lost may 
 never be recalled. May God direct you and us at this im- 
 portant moment, on which the fate of us and posterity de- 
 pends. We are, &cc. 
 
 FALMOUTH COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Falmouth April 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : At this alarming and dangerous time, we 
 find our stock of Powder greatly deficient ; therefore have 
 sent some money by the bearers to purchase where they 
 can find it; and if they cannot get any this side of Cam- 
 bridge, have desired them to wait upon you for advice, pre- 
 suming that you can direct them where it may be had. 
 
 We rely on your conduct, under God, in our righteous 
 cause, for deliverance from our present calamities, and are, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Enoch Freeman, John Brackett, 
 Benjamin Mussey, Wm. Owen, 
 
 Selectmen of Falmouth. 
 
 P. S. The bearers are Captain Joseph McLellan and 
 Captain Joseph Noyes. 
 
 TO COLONEL PHILIP SKEENE, (INTERCEPTED.) 
 
 Extract of a Letter intercepted at Ticonderoga, directed 
 to Lieutenant Colonel Philip Skeene, of the Sixty-Ninth 
 Regiment, to the care of Messrs. Cox and Mair, Agents, 
 London, signed A. Mabane. 
 
 Woodfield, in Canada, April 26, 1775. 
 
 Dear Colonel : The Fifty-Second Regiment has been 
 detained in America, on account of the affairs at Boston ; 
 and God knows how long they may remain there, or what 
 will be the event of these disputes ; but it is generally 
 thought by those who have resided any time in America, 
 and who have observed the progress which the Colonists 
 have made in their demands and attempts towards inde- 
 pendence, that the sooner the laws are put in force, so 
 much the better. Procrastination only encourages the se- 
 ditious, and weakens Government. 
 
 Colonel Jones acts as Brigadier at Boston. General 
 Gage has sent for our friend Dunbar ; and I would fain 
 flatter myself that something will at last be done for de- 
 serving Officers. 
 
 The January Packet brought Mr. Carleton's new com- 
 mission ; it does not differ much from his former one, ex- 
 cept in the limits of the Province, and a power given to 
 him without consent of Council to array the Militia, march 
 them by land, or transport them by sea into any of the 
 other Colonies, where enemies, pirates, or rebels, may be. 
 
 The Canadians, by the late Act of Parliament, are ex- 
 empted from the Test, &c, and may be admitted into of- 
 fices ; seven of them are named to the Council, and two 
 of them, Rouville and Panet, are added to the number of 
 
403 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 404 
 
 Judges. The Counsellors are six, Croix de St. Louis 
 and Mr. Regauville, who acted as Major to the Corps of 
 the Canadian Militia, which General Murray sent to the 
 upper country during the last Indian war. It is said the 
 officers are to have half pay. This is the favourable mo- 
 ment for Canada, and I am very glad that the Ministry 
 have seized it. Wlwlever narrow-minded men may say, 
 the Act is consonant to sound policy, humanity, and that 
 moderation which becomes an enlightened Nation. To 
 conquer, has been often the lot of the British Nation ; but 
 to conciliate the affections of the conquered, has been re- 
 served to the reign of George the Third ; and I may ven- 
 ture to say, that the Canadians will, upon every occasion, 
 show their fidelity and gratitude. 
 
 NEW COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOUR OF QUEBECK. 
 
 George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great 
 Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of 
 the Faith, fyc. To our trusty and well-beloved Guy 
 Carleton, Esquire, Greeting. 
 
 Whereas we did by our Letters Patent under our great 
 seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster the 
 twelfth day of April, in the eighth year of our reign, consti- 
 tute and appoint you to be our Captain General and Gov- 
 ernour-in-Chief in and over our Province of Quebeck in 
 America, bounded on the Labrador Coast by the River St. 
 John, and from thence by a line drawn from the head of 
 that River through the Lake St. John to the south-east of 
 Lake Nipissin, from whence the said line, crossing the 
 River St. Lawrence and Lake Champlain in forty-five 
 degrees of northern latitude, passes along the high lands, 
 which divide the Rivers that empty themselves into the 
 said River St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the 
 Sea, and also along the north Coast of the Bay Des 
 Chalcurs, and the Coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence to 
 Cape Rozieres, and from thence crossing the mouth of the 
 River St. Lawrence by the west end of the Island of 
 Anticosti, terminates at the aforesaid River St. John, to- 
 gether with all the rights, members, and appurtenances 
 whatsoever thereunto belonging, for and during our will and 
 pleasure, as by the said recited Letters Patent, relation 
 being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear. 
 And whereas we did also by our Letters Patent under our 
 great seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster, 
 the . . day of .... in the . . . year of 
 our reign, constitute and appoint Molineux Shuldham, 
 Esq., to be our Governour and Commander-in-Chief in 
 and over our Island of Newfoundland, and all the Coast 
 of Labrador, from the entrance of Hudson's Straits to 
 the River St. John, which discharges itself into the Sea 
 nearly opposite the west end of the Island of Anticosti, 
 including that Island, with any other small Islands on the 
 said Coast of Labrador, and also the Islands of Madelaine 
 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, as also of all our Forts and 
 Garrisons erected and established in our said Islands of 
 Newfoundland, Anticosti, and Madelaine, or on the Coast 
 of Labrador within the limits aforesaid, for and during our 
 will and pleasure, as by the said Letters Patent, relation 
 being thereunto had, may more fully and at large appear. 
 Now know you, that we have revoked and determined, 
 and by these presents revoke and determine, the said reci- 
 ted Letters Patent granted to you, the said Guy Carleton, 
 as aforesaid, and every clause, article, and thing therein 
 contained ; and that we have also revoked and determined, 
 and do by these presents revoke and determine so much 
 and such part of the said recited Letters Patent granted to 
 Molineux Shuldham, Esq., as aforesaid, as relates to the 
 Coast of Labrador, including the Island of Anticosti, with 
 any other small Islands on the said Coast of Labrador, 
 and every clause, article, and thing therein contained, so 
 far as the same relates to the said Coast of Labrador, and 
 the Islands herein before recited. And further know you, 
 that we, reposing especial trust and confidence in the pru- 
 dence, courage, and loyalty of you, the said Guy Carleton, 
 of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, 
 have thought fit to constitute and appoint you, the said 
 Guy Carleton, to be our Captain-General and Governour- 
 inrChief in and over our Province of tyuebeck in America, 
 comprehending all our Territories, Islands, and Countries 
 in North- America, bounded on the south by a line from 
 
 the Bay of Chaleurs along the high lands, which divide 
 the Rivers that empty themselves into the River St. Lau- 
 rence from those which fall into the Sea, to a point in 
 forty-five degrees of northern latitude, on the eastern bank 
 of the River Connecticut; keeping the same latitude di- 
 rectly west through the Lake Champlain, until in the same 
 latitude it meets with the River St. Lawrence, from thence 
 up the eastern bank of the said River to the Lake Ontario, 
 thence through the Lake Ontario, and the River, com- 
 monly called Niagara, and thence along by the eastern 
 and southeastern bank of Lake Erie, following the said 
 bank, until the same shall be intersected by the northern 
 boundary granted by the Charter of the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania, in case the same shall be so intersected, and from 
 thence along the said northern and western boundaries of 
 the said Province, until the said western boundary strikes 
 the Ohio ; but, in case the said bank of the said Lake 
 shall not be found to be so intersected, then following the 
 said bank, until it shall arrive at the point of the said bank 
 which shall be nearest to the northwestern angle of the 
 said Province of Pennsylvania, and thence by a right line 
 to the said northwestern angle of the said Province, and 
 thence along the western boundary of the said Province, 
 until it strikes the River Ohio, and along the bank of the 
 said River westward to the banks of Mississippi, and north- 
 ward along the eastern bank of the said River to the southern 
 boundary of the Territory granted to the Merchants Ad- 
 venturers of England trading to Hudson's Bay ; and also 
 all such Territories, Islands, and Countries, which have, 
 since the tenth of February, 1763, been made part of the 
 Government of Newfoundland, as aforesaid, together with 
 all the rights, members, and appurtenances whatsoever 
 thereunto belonging. 
 
 And we do hereby require and command you to do and 
 execute all things in due manner, that shall belong to your 
 said command, and the trust we have reposed in you, 
 according to the several powers and directions granted or 
 appointed you by this present Commission, and the instruc- 
 tions and authorities herewith given unto you, or by such 
 further powers, instructions, and authorities as shall at any 
 time hereafter be granted or appointed you under our sig- 
 net or sign manual, or by our order in our Privy Council, 
 and according to such Ordinances as shall hereafter be made 
 and agreed upon by you, with the advice and consent of 
 the Council of our said Province under your Government, 
 in such manner and form as is herein after expressed. 
 
 And our will and pleasure is, that you, the said Guy 
 Carleton, do, after the publication of these our Letters 
 Patent, in such manner and form as has been accustomed 
 to be used on like occasions, in the first place take the 
 oaths appointed to be taken by an Act passed in the first 
 year of the reign of King George the First, intituled, " An 
 Act for the further security of His Majesty's person and 
 Government, and the succession of the Crown in the heirs 
 of the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants, and for ex- 
 tinguishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, 
 and his open and secret abetters ;" and by an Act passed in 
 the sixth year of our reign, intituled, " An Act for altering 
 the Oath of Abjuration, and the Assurance ; and for amend- 
 ing so much of an Act of the seventh year of her late 
 Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for the Improve- 
 ment of the Union of the two Kingdoms, as, after the time 
 therein limited, requires the delivery of certain lists and 
 copies therein mentioned, to persons indicted of High Trea- 
 son, or Misprision of Treason;" as also that you make and 
 subscribe the declaration mentioned in an Act of Parlia- 
 ment, made in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King 
 Charles the Second, intituled, " An Act for preventing 
 dangers which may happen from Popish recusants ;" and 
 likewise that you take the oath usually taken by the Go- 
 vernours in the Plantations, for the due execution of the 
 office and trust of our Captain-General and Governour in 
 and over our said Province, and for the due and impartial 
 administration of justice ; and further that you take the 
 oath required to be taken by Governours of the Planta- 
 tions, to do their utmost, that the several laws relating to 
 Trade and the Plantations be duly observed ; which said 
 oaths and declaration our Council of our said Province, or 
 any three of the Members thereof, have hereby full power 
 and authority, and are required to tender and administer to 
 you ; all which being duly performed, you shall yourself 
 
1 
 
 405 CORRESPONDENCE, PROC 
 
 administer to each of the Members of our said Council, 
 (except as herein after excepted) the said oaths mentioned 
 in the said Acts, intituled, " An Act for the further security 
 of His Majesty's person and Government, and the succes- 
 sion of the Crown in the heirs of the late Princess Sophia, 
 being Protestants, and for extinguishing the hopes of the 
 pretended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret abet- 
 ters j" and " An Act for altering the Oath of Abjuration, 
 and the Assurance, and for amending so much of an Act 
 of the seventh year of her late Majesty Queen Anne, inti- 
 tuled, An Act for the Improvement of the Union of the 
 two Kingdoms, as after the time therein limited requires 
 the delivery of certain lists and copies, therein mentioned, 
 to persons indicted of High Treason, or Misprision of Trea- 
 son ;" as also cause them to make and subscribe the afore- 
 mentioned declaration, and to administer unto them the 
 usual oath for the due execution of their places and trusts. 
 
 And whereas we may find it expedient for our service, 
 that our Council of our said Province should be in part 
 composed of such of our Canadian subjects, or their de- 
 scendants, as remain within the same under the faith of the 
 Treaty of Paris, and who may profess the religion of the 
 Church of Rome ; it is therefore our will and pleasure, that 
 in all cases where such persons shall or may be admitted, 
 either into our said Council or into any other offices, they 
 shall be exempted from all tests, and from taking any other 
 oath than that prescribed in and by an Act of Parliament, 
 passed in the fourteenth year of our reign, intituled, " An 
 Act for making more effectual provision for the Govern- 
 ment of the Province of Quebeck in North America ;" and 
 also the usual oath for the due execution of their places 
 and trusts respectively. 
 
 And we do further give and grant unto you, the said 
 Guy Carleton, full power and authority from time to time, 
 and at any time hereafter, by yourself, or by any other to 
 be authorized by you in that behalf, to administer and give 
 the oaths mentioned in the said Acts, intituled, " An Act 
 for the further security of His Majesty's person and Gov- 
 ernment, and the succession of the Crown in the heirs of 
 the late Princess Sophia, being Protestants, and for extin- 
 guishing the hopes of the pretended Prince of Wales, and 
 his open and secret abetters," and " An Act for altering 
 the Oath of Abjuration, and the Assurance ; and for amend- 
 ing so much of an Act of the seventh year of her late 
 Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An Act for the Improve- 
 ment of the Union of the two Kingdoms, as, after the time 
 therein limited, requires the delivery of certain lists and 
 copies therein mentioned, to persons indicted of High Trea- 
 son, or Misprision of Treason," to all and every such person 
 or persons, as you shall think fit, who shall at any time or 
 times pass into our said Province, or shall be resident or 
 abiding there. 
 
 And we do hereby authorize and empower you to keep 
 and use the publick seal of our Province of Quebeck for 
 sealing all things whatsoever, that shall pass the great seal 
 of our said Province. 
 
 And we do hereby give and grant unto you, the said 
 Guy Carleton, full power and authority, with the advice 
 and consent of our said Council, to make Ordinances for the 
 peace, welfare and good Government of the said Province, 
 and of the people and inhabitants thereof, and such others, 
 as shall resort thereunto, and for the benefit of us, our 
 heirs, and successors ; provided always, that nothing herein 
 contained shall extend, or be construed to extend to the 
 authorizing and empowering the passing any Ordinance or 
 Ordinances for laying any Taxes or Duties within the said 
 Province, such rates and taxes only excepted, as the inha- 
 bitants of any Town or District within our said Province 
 may be authorized by any Ordinance passed by you, with 
 the advice and consent of the said Council, to assess, 
 levy, and apply within the said Town or District for the 
 purpose of making roads, erecting and repairing publick 
 buildings, or for any other purpose respecting the local 
 convenience and economy of such Town or District ; pro- 
 vided also, that every Ordinance, so to be made by you, by 
 and with the advice and consent of the said Council, shall 
 be, within six months from the passing thereof, transmitted 
 to us under our seal of our said Province for our approba- 
 tion or disallowance of the same ; as also duplicates thereof 
 by the next conveyance; and in case any, or all of the 
 said Ordinances shall at any time be disallowed and not 
 
 CEDING S, &ic, APRIL, 1775. 406 
 
 approved, and so signified by us, our heirs and successors 
 by order in their, or our Privy Council unto you, the said 
 Guy Carleton, or to the Commander-in-Chief of our said 
 Province for the time being, then such and so many of the 
 said Ordinances, as shall be so disallowed and not approved, 
 shall from the promulgation of the said order in Council 
 within the said Province cease, determine and become 
 utterly void and of no effect ; provided also, that no Ordi- 
 nance touching religion, or by which any punishment may be 
 inflicted greater than fine or imprisonment for three months, 
 shall be of any force or effect, until the same shall have 
 been allowed and confirmed by us, our heirs and successors, 
 and such allowance or confirmation signified to you, or to the 
 Commander-in-Chief of our said Province for the time be- 
 ing, by their or our order in their or our Privy Council. 
 
 Provided also, that no Ordinance shall be passed at any 
 meeting of the Council, where less than a majority of the 
 whole Council is present, or at any time, except between 
 the first day of January and the first day of May, unless 
 upon some urgent occasion ; in which case every member 
 thereof resident at the Town of Quebeck, or within fifty 
 miles thereof, shall be personally summoned to attend the 
 same : and to the end that nothing may be passed or done 
 by our said Council to the prejudice of us, our heirs, and 
 successors, we will and ordain, that you, the said Guy 
 Carleton, shall have and enjoy a negative voice in the 
 making and passing of all Ordinances, as aforesaid. 
 
 And we do by these presents give and grant unto you, 
 the said Guy Carleton, full power and authority, with the 
 advice and consent of our said Council, to erect, constitute, 
 and establish such and so many courts of judicature and 
 publick justice within our said Province under your gov- 
 ernment, as you and they shall think fit and necessary for 
 the hearing and determining all causes, as well criminal 
 as civil, and for awarding execution thereupon, with all 
 reasonable and necessary powers, authorities, fees, and pri- 
 vileges belonging thereunto ; as also to appoint and com- 
 missionate fit persons in the several parts of your Govern- 
 ment to administer the oaths mentioned in the aforesaid 
 Acts, intituled, " An Act for the further security of His 
 Majesty's person and Government, and the succession of 
 the Crown in the heirs of the late Princess Sophia, being 
 Protestants, and for extinguishing the hopes of the pre- 
 tended Prince of Wales, and his open and secret abetters ;" 
 and, " An Act for altering the Oath of Abjuration and the 
 Assurance ; and for amending so much of an Act of the 
 seventh year of her late Majesty Queen Anne, intituled, An 
 Act for the Improvement of the Union of the two King- 
 doms, as, after the time therein limited, requires the deli- 
 very of certain lists and copies, therein mentioned, to per- 
 sons indicted of High Treason, or Misprision of Treason ;" 
 as also to tender and administer the aforesaid declaration 
 to such persons belonging to the said Courts, as shall be 
 obliged to take the same. 
 
 And we do hereby grant unto you full power and autho- 
 rity to constitute and appoint Judges, and in cases requi- 
 site Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, Justices of the 
 Peace, Sheriffs, and other necessary Officers and Ministers 
 in our said Province for the better administration of jus- 
 tice, and putting the laws in execution ; and to administer 
 or cause to be administered unto them such oath or oaths, 
 as are usually given for the due execution and performance 
 of offices and places, and for the clearing of truth in judi- 
 cial causes. 
 
 And we do hereby give and grant unto you full power 
 and authority, where you shall see cause or shall judge any 
 offender or offenders in criminal matters, or for any fines 
 or forfeitures due unto us, fit objects of our mercy, to par- 
 don all such offenders, and remit all such offences, fines, 
 and forfeitures ; treason and wilful murder only excepted ; 
 in which cases you shall likewise have power upon extra- 
 ordinary occasions to grant reprieves to the offenders, until, 
 and to the intent our Royal pleasure may be known therein. 
 
 And we do by these presents give and grant unto you 
 full power and authority to collate any person or persons 
 to any Churches, Chapels, or other ecclesiastical benefices 
 within our said Province, as often as any of them shall 
 happen to be void. 
 
 And we do hereby give and grant unto you, the said 
 Guy Carleton, by yourself, or by your Captains and Com- 
 manders by you to be authorized, full power and authority 
 
r 
 
 407 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 to levy, arm, muster, command, and employ all persons 
 whatsoever residing within our said Province ; and, as 
 occasion shall serve, them to march, embark, or transport 
 from one place to another, for the resisting and withstand- 
 ing of all enemies, pirates, and rebels, both at land and sea ; 
 and to transport such Forces to any of our Plantations in 
 America, if necessity shall require, for defence of the same 
 against the invasion or attempts of any of our enemies; 
 and such enemies, pirates and rebels, if there shall be oc- 
 casion, to pursue and prosecute in, or out of, the limits of 
 our said Province ; and, if it shall so please God, them to 
 vanquish, apprehend, and take, and, being taken, according 
 to law to put to death, or keep or preserve alive at your 
 discretion, and to execute martial law in time of invasion, 
 war, or other times, when by law it may be executed ; and 
 to do and execute all and every other thing and things, 
 which to our Captain-General and Governour-in-Chief 
 doth or of right ought to belong. 
 
 And we do hereby give and grant unto you full power 
 and authority, by and with the advice and consent of our 
 said Council, to erect, raise, and build in our said Province 
 such and so many Forts, Platforms, Castles, Cities, Bor- 
 oughs, Towns, and Fortifications, as you by the advice 
 aforesaid shall judge necessary ; and the same or any of 
 them to fortify and furnish with Ordnance, Ammunition, 
 and all sorts of Arms fit and necessary for the security and 
 defence of our said Province ; and, by the advice aforesaid, 
 the same again, or any of them to demolish or dismantle, 
 as may be most convenient. 
 
 And forasmuch as divers Mutinies and Disorders may 
 happen by persons shipped and employed at Sea, during 
 the time of War ; and to the end, that such, as shall be ship- 
 ped and employed at Sea during the time of War, may be 
 better governed and ordered, we do hereby give and grant 
 unto you, the said Guy Carleton, full power and authority 
 to constitute and appoint Captains, Lieutenants, Masters 
 of Ships, and other Commanders and Officers ; and to 
 grant to such Captains, Lieutenants, Masters of Ships, and 
 other Commanders and Officers, Commissions to execute 
 the Law Martial during the time of War, according to the di- 
 rections of an Act, passed in the twenty-second year of the 
 reign of our late Royal Grandfather, intituled, " An Act 
 for amending, explaining, and reducing into one Act of 
 Parliament, the Laws relating to the Government of His 
 Majesty's Ships, Vessels, and Forces by Sea ;" and to use 
 such proceedings, authorities, punishments, corrections, 
 and executions upon any offender or offenders, who shall 
 be mutinous, seditious, disorderly, or any way unruly either 
 at Sea, or during the time of their abode or residence in any 
 of the Ports, Harbours, or Bays in our said Province, as the 
 case shall be found to require, according to Martial Law ; 
 and the said directions, during the time of War, as aforesaid. 
 
 Provided, that nothing herein contained shall be con- 
 strued to the enabling you, or any by your authority to 
 hold plea, or have any jurisdiction of any offence, cause, 
 matter, or thing committed or done upon the High Sea, or 
 within any of the Havens, Rivers, or Creeks of our said 
 Province under your Government, by any Captain, Com- 
 mander, Lieutenant, Master, Officer. Seaman, Soldier, or 
 Person whatsoever, who shall be in actual service and pay, 
 in or on board any of our Ships-of-War, or other Vessels 
 acting by immediate Commission or Warrant from our 
 Commissioners for executing the office of our High-Admiral 
 of Great Britain, or from our High- Admiral of Great 
 Britain for the time being, under the Seal of our Admi- 
 ralty ; but that such Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, 
 Master, Officer, Seaman, Soldier, or other Person so of- 
 fending, shall be left to be proceeded against, and tried, as 
 their offences shall require, either by Commission under 
 our Great Seal of this Kingdom, as the Statute of the 
 twenty-eighth of Henry VIII. directs; or by Commission 
 from our said Commissioners for executing the office of 
 High-Admiral of Great Britain, or from our High-Admiral 
 of Great Britain for the time being, according to the 
 aforementioned Act, intituled, " An Act for amending, ex- 
 plaining, and reducing into one Act of Parliament, the 
 Laws relating lo the Government of His Majesty's Ships, 
 Vessels, and Forces by Sea;" and not otherwise. 
 
 Provided, nevertheless, that all disorders and misde- 
 meanors committed on shore by any Captain, Commander, 
 Lieutenant, Master, Officer, Seaman, Soldier, or other 
 
 408 
 
 Person whatsoever belonging to any of our Ships-of-War. 
 or other Vessels acting by immediate Commission or War- 
 rant from our Commissioners for executing the office of 
 High- Admiral of Great Britain, or from our High- Ad- 
 miral of Great Britain for the time being, under the seal 
 of our Admiralty, may be tried and punished according to 
 the Laws of the place, where any such disorders, offences, 
 and misdemeanors shall be committed on shore ; notwith- 
 standing such offender be in our actual service, and borne 
 in our pay on board any such our Ships-of-War, or other 
 Vessels acting by immediate Commission, or Warrant from 
 our Commissioners for executing the office of High-Ad- 
 miral of Great Britain, or from our High-Admiral of 
 Great Britain for the time being, as aforesaid, so as he 
 shall not receive any protection for the avoiding of justice 
 for such offences committed on shore from any pretence of 
 his being employed in our service at Sea. 
 
 And our further will and pleasure is, that all Publick 
 Moneys granted and raised for the publick uses of our said 
 Province, be issued out by Warrant from you, by and with 
 the advice and consent of our Council, as aforesaid, for the 
 support of the Government, and not otherwise. 
 
 And we likewise give and grant unto you full power and 
 authority, by and with the advice and consent of our said 
 Council, to settle and agree with the inhabitants of our said 
 Province for such Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments, 
 as now are, or hereafter shall be in our power to dispose 
 of, and them to grant to any person or persons upon such 
 terms and under such moderate quit-rents, services, and 
 acknowledgments to be thereupon reserved unto us, as 
 you, with the advice aforesaid, shall think fit; which said 
 Grants are to pass, and be sealed by our publick seal of our 
 said Province, and being entered upon record by such Offi- 
 cer or Officers as shall be appointed thereunto, shall be good 
 and effectual in Law against us, our heirs and successors. 
 
 And we do hereby give you, the said Guy Carleton, full 
 power and authority to order and appoint Fairs, Marts, and 
 Markets ; as also such and so many Ports, Harbours, Bays, 
 Havens, and other places for the conveniency and security 
 of shipping, and for the better loading and unloading of 
 Goods and Merchandises, in such and so many places, as 
 by you, with the advice and consent of our said Council, 
 shall be thought fit and necessary. 
 
 And we do hereby require and command all Officers 
 and Ministers, Civil and Military, and all other inhabitants 
 of our said Province to be obedient, aiding, and assisting 
 unto you, the said Guy Carleton, in the execution of this 
 our Commission, and of the powers and authorities therein 
 contained ; and in case of your death or absence from our 
 said Province and Government, to be obedient, aiding, and 
 assisting as aforesaid, to the Lieutenant Governour or Com- 
 mander-in-Chief for the time being, to whom we do there- 
 fore by these presents give and grant all and singular the 
 powers and authorities herein granted to be by him exe- 
 cuted and enjoyed, during our pleasure, or until your arri- 
 val within our said Province. 
 
 And if upon your death or absence out of our said 
 Province, there be no person upon the place commission- 
 ated or appoioted by us to be Lieutenant Governour or 
 Commander-in-Chief of our said Province ; our will and 
 pleasure is, that the eldest Councillor, being a natural born 
 subject of Great Britain, Ireland, or the Plantations, and 
 professing the Protestant Religion, who shall be at the time 
 of your death or absence residing within our said Prov- 
 ince, shall take upon him the administration of the Govern- 
 ment, and execute our said Commission and Instructions, 
 and the several powers and authorities therein contained, 
 in the same manner and to all intents and purposes, as other 
 our Governour or Commander-in-Chief should or ought to 
 do, in case of your absence, until your return, and in all 
 cases until our further pleasure be known therein. 
 
 And we do hereby declare, ordain, and appoint, that 
 you, the said Guy Carleton, shall and may hold, execute, 
 and enjoy the Office and place of our Captain-General 
 and Governour-in-Chief, in and over our said Province of 
 Qucbeck, and all the Territories dependant thereon ; with 
 all and singular the powers and authorities hereby granted 
 unto you, for and during our will and pleasure. 
 
 In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to 
 be made Patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, the . . . 
 day of in the year of our reign. 
 
409 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 410 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the Governour and Com- 
 pany of the English Colony of Connecticut in New-Eng- 
 land, in America, holden at Hartford by Special Order of 
 the Governour of said Colony, on Wednesday the twenty- 
 sixth day of April, Annoque Domini 1775: Present: 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour; 
 the Honourable Matthew Griswold, Esq., Deputy Govern- 
 our; Jabez Hamlin, Elisha Sheldon, Eliphalet Dyer, 
 Jabez Huntington, William Pitkin, Roger Sherman, 
 Abraham Davenport, William Samuel Johnson, Oliver 
 Wolcott, James Abraham Hilhouse, Esquires, Assistants. 
 
 Representatives or Deputies of the Freemen of the 
 several Towns are as follows, viz : 
 
 Hartford. — Colonel John Pitkin, Colonel Thomas 
 Seymour. 
 
 Windsor. — Captain Josiah Bissell, Mr. Oliver Ellsworth. 
 
 Svmsbury. — Colonel Jonathan Pettibone, Colonel Jona- 
 than Humphrey. 
 
 East Windsor. — Mr. William Wolcott, Mr. Erastus 
 Wolcott. 
 
 Glastenbury. — Captain Jonathan Wells, Mr. Ebenezer 
 Plumer. 
 
 Suffield. — Mr. Alex. King, Captain Abraham Granger. 
 Weathersfield. — Major Thomas Belding, Mr. Silas 
 Dean. 
 
 Middletown. — Mr. Matthew Takott, Mr. Titus Hosmer. 
 Wellington. — Mr. Moses Holmes, Mr. Elijah Fenton. 
 Tolland. — Mr. Samuel Cobb, Mr. Eleazer Steel. 
 Haddam. — Captain Joseph Brooks. 
 Bolton. — Captain Joel White, Captain Benj. Takott. 
 Somers. — Mr. Zera Kibbee, Mr. Reuben Sikes. 
 Chatham. — Mr. David Sage, Captain Silas Dunham. 
 East Haddam. — Mr. Daniel Brainard, Mr. Jabez Chap- 
 man. 
 
 Colchester. — Mr. Henry Champion, Mr. John Watrous. 
 Stafford. — Mr. Josiah Converse, Mr. Joseph Fuller. 
 Enfield. — Mr. Edward Collins, Major Nath. Terry. 
 Hebron. — Captain Daniel Ingham, Captain Obadiah 
 Hosford. 
 
 Farmington. — Colonel John Strong, Colonel Fisher 
 Gay. 
 
 New-Haven. — Mr. Sam. Bishop, Mr. Joshua Chandler. 
 Durham. — Col. Elihu Chauncey, Colonel James Wads- 
 worth. 
 
 Derby. — Captain John Wooster, Mr. James Beard. 
 Branford. — Mr. Edward Russell, Mr. Daniel Page. 
 Guilford. — Mr. John Burgess, Col. Andrew Ward. 
 Wallingford. — Mr. Oliver Stanley, Major Reuben At- 
 water. 
 
 Waterbury. — Mr. Joseph Hopkins, Colonel Jonathan 
 Baldwin. 
 
 Milford. — Major David Baldwin. 
 
 New-London. — Mr. Richard Law, Mr. William Hil- 
 house. 
 
 Norwich. — Mr. Benjamin Huntington, 
 Stonington. — Major Charles Phelps, Major Samuel 
 Prentice. 
 
 Saybrook. — Doctor Samuel Field, Colonel William Wor- 
 thington. 
 
 Preston. — Mr. Robert Crary, Captain James Morgan. 
 Lyme. — Mr. John Lay, Mr. Ebenezer Selden. 
 Killingworth. — Mr. Hezekiah Lane. 
 Groton. — Mr. Thomas Mumford, Mr. Stephen Billings. 
 Fairfield. — Mr. Jonathan Sturgess, Captain Samuel 
 Squier. 
 
 Stratford. — Captain Robert Fairchild, Captain Dan- 
 iel Judson. 
 Reading. — Mr William Hawley. 
 Greenwich. — Major John Mead, Mr. Peter Mead. 
 Stamford. — Colonel David Waterbury, Colonel Charles 
 Webb. 
 
 Ridgefield. — Colonel Philip B. Bradley, 
 Norwalk. — Mr. Tho. Belding, Doctor Thaddeus Betts. 
 Newtown. — Captain Henry Glover, Captain Peter Ni- 
 chols. 
 
 New-F airfield, — Mr. Zaccheus Towner, Mr. Alexan- 
 der Fairchild. 
 
 Danblry.— Col. Joseph P. Cook, Captain Daniel Taylor. 
 
 Windham. — Colonel Jedediah Elderkin, Mr. Nathaniel 
 Wales. 
 
 Lebanon. — Colonel William Williams, Mr. Jonathan 
 Trumbull. 
 
 Canterbury. — Mr. Solomon Pain, Mr. Eliashib Adams. 
 Pomfret. — Mr. Thomas Williams, Mr. Elisha Lord. 
 Woodstock. — Mr. Caleb May, Captain Timothy Perrin. 
 Coventry. — Captain Ebenezer Kingsbury, Mr. Jere- 
 miah Ripley. 
 
 Mansfield. — Mr. Constant Southworth, Colonel Ebe- 
 nezer Storrs. 
 
 Plainfield. — Capt. Isaac Coit, Capt. John Douglass. 
 Voluntown. — Major James Gordon, Mr. Robert Hunter. 
 Killingly. — Mr. Benjamin Leavings. 
 Ashford. — Captain Benj. Sumner, Mr. Elijah Whitton. 
 Litchfield. — Mr. Jedediah Strong, Captain David 
 Welch. 
 
 New-Hartford. — Capt. Mattheiv Gillett, Captain Seth 
 Smith. 
 
 Sharon. — Major Ebenezer Gay, Mr. James Pardee. 
 Salisbury. — Col. Joseph Porter, Mr. Hezekiah Fitch. 
 Kent. — Mr. Ephraim Hubbell, Mr. Justus Sackett. 
 Woodbury. — Mr. Daniel Sherman, Captain Increase 
 Moseley. 
 
 Goshen. — Colonel Ebenezer Norton, Captain Edmund 
 Beach. 
 
 Harwington. — Capt. John Willson, Mr. Josiah Phelps. 
 New-Milford. — Major Samuel Canfield, Mr. Sherman 
 Boardman. 
 
 Torrington. — Major Epaphras Sheldon, Mr. Roah 
 Marshall. 
 
 Cornwall. — Mr. Heman Swift, Captain Thomas Porter. 
 Canaan. — Mr. John Watson, Colonel Charles Burrall. 
 Westmoreland. — Mr Joseph Sluman. 
 
 William Williams , Esq., Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives ; Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Whereas it was enacted by the General Assembly held 
 at New-Haven, on the second Thursday of October last, 
 that every Regiment in this Colony, as well the Horse as 
 Foot belonging thereto, shall meet either together or in 
 parts, at the discretion of the Colonel or Commanding Offi- 
 cer, at such time and place as such Colonel or Field Offi- 
 cer shall appoint for Regimental Exercise, one day before 
 the tenth day of May next ; and whereas the meeting of 
 such Regiments agreeably to said Act will be inconveni- 
 ent in the present situation of affairs, 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, The Colonels or Command- 
 ing Officers of the several Regiments in this Colony 
 shall be, and they are hereby released from the obligation 
 to call out their said Regiments for Regimental Exercises 
 before the tenth day of May next, any thing in said Act to 
 the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That an Embargo be forth- 
 with laid upon the Exportation out of this Colony by water 
 of the following articles of Provision, viz: Wheat, Rye. 
 Indian-Corn, Pork, Beef, live Cattle and Beans, Bread, 
 Flour, and every kind of Meal, except necessary Stores 
 for Vessels bound to Sea ; and that his Honour the Govern- 
 our be, and he is hereby desired to issue a Proclamation, 
 laying such Embargo and Prohibition of such Provisions 
 accordingly ; such Embargo to continue till the 20th day of 
 May next. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That William Samuel 
 Johnson and Erastus Walcott, Esquires, wait upon his 
 Excellency Governour Gage, with the Letters written to 
 him by his Honour our Governour by the desire of this 
 Assembly, and confer with him on the subject contained 
 in said Letters, and request his answer. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Thaddeus Burr, 
 Esq., of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler, Esq., 
 of Woodstock, at the publick expense of this Colony, be 
 a Committee to engage and employ News-Carriers to per- 
 form regular stages from Fairfield to Woodstock, and from 
 Woodstock to Fairfield, in such manner that they severally 
 arrive in Hartford every Saturday, and that they forward 
 all proper intelligence to Fairfield and Woodstock with all 
 convenient speed ; also that Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., of 
 New-London, be a Committee to engage and employ two 
 News-Carriers, at the Colony's expense, to perform regular 
 
411 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 412 
 
 stages from Woodstock to New-Haven on the Fairfield 
 stage, and from New-Haven to Woodstock in such man- 
 ner that they severally arrive in New-London every Sa- 
 turday, and that they forward all proper intelligence each 
 way every Monday morning with all convenient despatch ; 
 also that Thaddeus Burr, Esq., of Fairfield, and Charles 
 Church Chandler, Esq., of Woodstock, and Gurdon Sal- 
 tonstall, Esq., of New-London, be a Committee to forward 
 at the publick expense of this Colony, all such extraordi- 
 nary and important intelligence which shall be received at 
 either place from time to time as they shall judge proper 
 and necessary, the aforesaid regulations to continue in force 
 until the rising of the Assembly in May next, and no 
 longer. 
 
 Whereas it is represented to this Assembly, that sundry 
 acts of hostility and violence have lately been committed 
 in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, by which many 
 lives have been lost, and that some of the inhabitants of 
 this Colony are gone to the relief of the people distressed, 
 it is thereupon, 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Captain Joseph Trum- 
 bull and Mr. Amasa Keys be, and they are hereby ap- 
 pointed a Committee to procure all necessary Provisions 
 for the inhabitants of this Colony who have gone to the 
 relief of the people aforesaid, and that they superintend 
 the delivery out, and apportioning the same among them 
 till this Assembly shall consider what measures are proper 
 to be taken relative thereto, and give orders accordingly. 
 
 An Act for Assembling, Equipping, fyc, a number of the 
 Inhabitants of this Colony for the special defence and 
 safety thereof 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authori- 
 ty of the same, That one-fourth part of the Militia of this 
 Colony be, and it is hereby ordered and directed that they 
 be forthwith enlisted, equipped, accoutred, and assembled 
 for the special defence and safety of this Colony, to be led 
 and conducted as the General Assembly shall order. That 
 the inhabitants enlisted and assembled shall be distributed 
 into Companies, consisting of one hundred men each. That 
 said Companies shall be formed into six Regiments, to be 
 commanded by one Major General, assisted by two Briga- 
 dier Generals, each of which General Officers shall take 
 the command of a Regiment as Colonel. That each of 
 said Regiments shall be commanded by one Colonel, a 
 Lieutenant Colonel, and a Major, each of which Field 
 Officers shall likewise command a Company as Captain, 
 and each General Officer shall be assisted by two Majors 
 to his Regiment. That each of said Companies shall be 
 commanded by one Captain, two Lieutenants, and an En- 
 sign, who shall all be duly commissioned by his Honour 
 the Governour to execute the office to which they are res- 
 pectively appointed. That there shall be appointed one 
 Adjutant, one Quartermaster, one Chaplain, one Surgeon, 
 and two Surgeon's Mates to each Regiment. That said 
 inhabitants shall be enlisted, to continue in the said service 
 during the pleasure of the General Assembly, not exceed- 
 ing seven months. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That a premium of Fifty -Two Shillings per man shall be 
 advanced and paid to each non-commissioned Officer and 
 inhabitant upon their enlistment, they supplying themselves 
 with a blanket, knapsack, clothing, &c, to the acceptance 
 of their respective Captains, and that one month's pay 
 shall be advanced and paid to each of said Officers and 
 enlisted inhabitants. And it is further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, that the establishment of pay and wages 
 shall be as follows, viz : the pay for their whole services : 
 
 Per Calendar Month. 
 
 To the Major General, - - - £20 00s. 
 
 To each Brigadier General, - - 17 00 
 
 To each Colonel, - - - - 15 00 
 
 To each Lieutenant Colonel, - - 12 00 
 
 To each Major, 10 00 
 
 To each Captain, - 6 00 
 
 To each Lieutenant, .... 4 00 
 
 To each Ensign, .... 3 00 
 
 To each Adjutant, - - - - 5 10 
 
 To each Quartermaster, - - - £3 00s. 
 
 To each Chaplain, ... - 6 00 
 
 To each Surgeon, - - - - 7 10 
 
 To each Surgeon's Mate, - - - 4 00 
 
 The wages of each Sergeant, - - 2 08 
 
 The wages of each Corporal, - - 2 04 
 
 The wages of each Fifer and Drummer, 2 04 
 
 The wages of each Private, - - - 2 00 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each inhabitant so enlisted shall be furnished with 
 good fire-arms ; and that the fire-arms belonging to this 
 Colony, wherever they are, shall be collected and put into 
 the hands of such enlisted inhabitants as have not arms of 
 their own ; and that each enlisted inhabitant that shall pro- 
 vide arms for himself, well fixed with a good bayonet and 
 cartouch box, shall be paid a premium of Ten Shillings ; 
 and in case such arms are lost by inevitable casualty, such 
 inhabitant, providing himself as aforesaid, shall be allowed 
 and paid the just value of such arms and implements so 
 lost, deducting only said sum of Ten Shillings allowed as 
 aforesaid, said premium of Ten Shillings to be paid as soon 
 as such inhabitant shall provide such arms as aforesaid. 
 That when the aforesaid provision fails, sufficient arms shall 
 be impressed completely to arm and equip said inhabitants, 
 the said impress to be limited only to the arms belonging 
 to householders, and other persons not on the Militia Roll ; 
 and in case any householder or other person shall volunta- 
 rily furnish any enlisted inhabitant, not able to procure 
 arms for himself, with a good gun, well fixed with a good 
 bayonet and cartouch box, shall have and receive a premi- 
 um of Ten Shillings, and in case of loss shall receive the 
 value thereof, deducting the Ten Shillings as aforesaid. 
 And also that every person from whom any gun shall be 
 impressed as aforesaid, shall be paid for the use of such 
 gun the sum of Four Shillings, and in case of loss shall be 
 paid the just value of such gun, deducting the sum of Four 
 Shillings aforesaid ; and that a particular account be taken 
 of the arms that may be used, and the same be all ap- 
 praised by indifferent judges ; and that if any enlisted in- 
 habitant, through negligence, shall lose or damage the arms 
 found for him as aforesaid, such loss or damage shall be 
 deducted out of his wages. And it is also further en- 
 acted by the authority aforesaid, that three thousand stand 
 of arms be procured as soon as may be, and held in readi- 
 ness to be used for the special defence and safety of this 
 Colony. And also that the number of five hundred Spades, 
 five hundred Pickaxes, three hundred narrow Axes, and 
 five hundred Tents be procured for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Whereas the General Assembly of this Colony have or- 
 dered and enacted that one-fourth part of the Militia of said 
 Colony shall be forthwith enlisted, equipped, and assem- 
 bled for the special defence and safety of said Colony, &c. : 
 For the encouragement of such able bodied and effectual 
 men of said Militia or others as shall voluntarily offer and 
 enlist themselves for said service to the acceptance of the 
 proper Officers, it is resolved by this Assembly, that each 
 enlisted inhabitant or person as aforesaid, shall be entitled 
 to a premium of Fifty-Two Shillings upon their enlistment, 
 they supplying themselves with a blanket, knapsack, cloth- 
 ing, &ic, to the acceptance of their respective Captains, 
 and also to one month's advanced pay ; Sergeants shall re- 
 ceive Forty-Eight Shillings each ; Corporals- Forty-Four 
 Shillings each ; Drummers and Fifers Forty-Four Shillings 
 each ; and each Private Forty Shillings per calendar month 
 during their continuance in said service. That each en- 
 listed inhabitant or person as aforesaid, who shall provide 
 arms for himself, well fixed with a good bayonet and car- 
 touch box, shall be paid a premium of Ten Shillings; and 
 in case such arms are lost by any inevitable providence, 
 such inhabitant so providing himself shall be allowed and 
 paid the just value of such arms and implements so lost, 
 deducting only the sum of Ten Shillings allowed as afore- 
 said, said premium of Ten Shillings to be paid as soon as 
 such inhabitant shall be so provided as aforesaid. That a 
 particular account shall be taken of all the arms that may 
 be used, and the same shall be all appraised by indifferent 
 judges. That each inhabitant as aforesaid, upon his enlist- 
 ment, shall be entitled to Six Pence per diem billet- 
 ing money, until they are otherwise provided for by the 
 Colony. 
 
413 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 411 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the non-commissioned 
 and other inhabitants now to be enlisted for the special de- 
 fence and safety of this Colony, shall be allowed Six Pence 
 a day, for billeting, from the time of their enlistment until 
 supplied from the Colony stores. 
 
 Resolved, That the three thousand stand of Arms to be 
 procured for the use of this Colony be of the following di- 
 mensions, to wit: the length of the barrel three feet ten 
 inches, the diameter of the bore from inside to inside three- 
 quarters of an inch, the length of the blade of the bayonet 
 fourteen inches, the length of the socket four inches and 
 one-quarter ; that the barrel be of a suitable thickness, 
 with iron ramrod, and a spring in the lowest loop to secure 
 the ramrod ; a good substantial lock, and a good stock well 
 mounted with brass, marked with the name (initial letters) 
 of the maker's name. And 
 
 Resolved, That all the Anns that shall be made and 
 completed according to the above regulations in this Colony 
 by the first day of July next, shall be purchased and taken 
 up by this Colony at a reasonable price. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the form for Commis- 
 sions for the Major General and Brigadier Generals in the 
 service of this Colony shall be as follows, and the Gov- 
 ernour and Secretary are desired and directed to sign the 
 same : 
 
 " Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 " Esquire, Captain General and 
 
 Governour-in- Chief in and over the English Colony 
 of Connecticut in New-England, in America, 
 
 " To Esquire, greeting : 
 
 " By virtue of the power and authority to me given by 
 the Royal Charter to the Governour and Company of the 
 said Colony, under the great seal of England, I do, by 
 these presents, reposing especial trust and confidence in 
 your loyalty, courage, and good conduct, constitute and 
 
 appoint you, the said , to be ... 
 
 General and Commander of the Inhabitants enlisted and 
 assembled for the special defence and safety of His Majes- 
 ty's said Colony. You are, therefore, carefully and dili- 
 gently to discharge the duty of . . . General and 
 Commander, in leading, conducting, ordering, and exer- 
 cising in the service aforesaid the said Inhabitants, both 
 Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good order and 
 discipline, hereby commanding them to obey you as their 
 . . . . General ; and you are to observe and follow 
 such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time 
 receive from me or the Commander-in-Chief of the said 
 Colony for the time being, according to military rules and 
 discipline, pursuant to the trust reposed in you. 
 
 " Given under my hand and the publick seal of said 
 Colony of Connecticut, the . . day of . . in the 
 fifteenth year of the reign of His Majesty George the 
 Third, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, De- 
 fender of the Faith, he, Anno Domini 1775. 
 "By his Honour's command." 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the form for Commis- 
 sions for the Captains and Subaltern Officers of a Company 
 for the special defence and safety of this Colony shall be 
 as follows, and the Governour and Secretary are desired and 
 directed to sign the same : 
 
 " Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 " Esquire, Captain General and 
 
 Governour-in- Chief in and over His Majesty's Colony 
 of Connecticut in New-England, in America, 
 
 " To greeting : 
 
 " By virtue of the power and authority to me given, in 
 and by the Royal Charter to the Governour and Company 
 of the said Colony, under the great seal of England, I do, 
 by these presents, reposing special trust and confidence in 
 your loyalty, courage, and good conduct, constitute and 
 
 appoint you, the said , to be . . . 
 
 of the . . . Company in the . . . Regiment of 
 the Inhabitants enlisted and assembled for the special de- 
 fence and safety of His Majesty's said Colony. You are, 
 therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of 
 a ... in leading, ordering, and exercising said Com- 
 pany, both inferiour Officers and Soldiers, in the service 
 
 aforesaid, and to keep them in good order and discipline, 
 hereby commanding them to obey you as their . . . ; 
 and you are to observe and follow such orders and instruc- 
 tions as you shall from time to time receive from me or the 
 Commander-in-Chief of the said Colony for the time being, 
 or other your superiour Officers, according to military rules 
 and discipline, pursuant to the trust reposed in you. 
 
 " Given under my hand and the publick seal of said 
 Colony, at ... the . . day of . . .in the 
 fifteenth year of the reign of His Majesty King George 
 the Third, Anno Domini 1775. 
 
 " By his Honour's command." 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Gov- 
 ernour be, and he is hereby desired, authorized, and em- 
 powered to sign and deliver Beating Orders to the respective 
 Officers appointed to enlist men for the special defence and 
 safety of the Colony in the form following, viz : 
 
 " Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour of the Colony 
 of Connecticut, to greeting : 
 
 " I do hereby authorize and empower you, by beat of 
 drum or otherwise, to raise by enlistment a Com pany of able- 
 bodied effective Volunteers within this Colony, to consist 
 of one hundred men, including Officers, for the defence of 
 this Colony, during the pleasure of the Assembly, not ex- 
 ceeding seven months; and the Colonels of the respective 
 Regiments of Militia, and the several Officers thereof, are 
 requested to afford you all proper aid and assistance; and 
 the Captains in the several Regiments are hereby request- 
 ed to muster their respective Companies when requested 
 thereunto by you, for the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 " Given under my hand this first day of May, 1775." 
 
 "I, of do acknowledge 
 
 to have voluntarily enlisted myself a Soldier, to serve in a 
 Regiment of Foot, raised by the Colony of Connecticut, 
 for the defence of the same, to be commanded by . 
 during the pleasure of the General Assembly, and as they 
 shall direct, not exceeding seven months. As witness my 
 hand, the . . day of . . . , in the year of our 
 Lord 1775." 
 
 In the Lower House the foregoing form of Enlistment 
 being read, &c, is approved. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Concurred in in the Upper House. 
 
 Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint the persons hereafter named 
 to the respective offices, to take the command of the in- 
 habitants to be enlisted and assembled for the special de- 
 fence and safety of this Colony, to lead and conduct them 
 as the General Assembly shall order; and his Honour the 
 Governour is desired, and he is hereby authorized and 
 empowered, to give Commissions according to the form 
 provided and ordered for each respective Officer, according 
 to his office and rank, and Warrants to such as are ap- 
 pointed in the Staff, viz : 
 
 This Assembly do appoint David Wooster, Esquire, to be 
 Major General. 
 
 Joseph Spencer, Esquire, to be Brigadier General. 
 
 Israel Putnam, Esquire, to be Second Brigadier General. 
 
 First Company in the First Regiment. — Major General 
 David Wooster, Esquire, to be Colonel of the First 
 Regiment, and Captain ; Jesse Leavenworth, to be First 
 Lieutenant ; James Blakely, to be Second Lieutenant ; 
 Amos Shepard, to be Ensign. 
 
 Second Company in the First Regiment. — Andrew Ward, 
 Junior, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regi- 
 ment, and Captain ; Stephen Hall to be First Lieutenant ; 
 Jehiel Meigs to be Second Lieutenant ; Augustus Col- 
 lins to be Ensign. 
 
 Third Company in the First Regiment. — Jabez Thompson 
 to be First Major in the First Regiment, and Captain ; 
 Bradford Stull to be First Lieutenant ; Ambrose Hind 
 to be Second Lieutenant ; Nathan Pierson to be En- 
 
 Fourth Company in the First Regiment.. — David Welch 
 to be Second Major of the First Regiment, and Captain ; 
 Bazaleel Beebe to be First Lieutenant ; Aaron Foot to 
 be Second Lieutenant ; Thomas Catlin to be Ensign. 
 
415 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 416 
 
 Fifth Company in the First Regiment. — Benedict Arnold 
 Captain ; Caleb Trowbridge to be First Lieutenant ; 
 Jesse Curtiss to be Second Lieutenant ; Nathan Ed- 
 wards to be Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company in the First Regiment. — William Doug- 
 lass to be Captain ; Samuel Blackman, Junior, to be 
 First Lieutenant ; Jarcd Robertson to be Second Lieu- 
 tenant ; Ebenezer Trus del I to be Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company in the First Regiment. — Isaac Cook, 
 Junior, to be Captain ; John Hough to be First Lieu- 
 tenant ; Thomas Shepard to be Second Lieutenant ; 
 James Peck to be Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company in the First Regiment. — Phineas Porter 
 to be Captain ; Stephen Mathews to be First Lieutenant ; 
 Isaac Bronson to be Second Lieutenant ; David Smith 
 to be Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company in the First Regiment. — James Arnold 
 
 to be Captain ; Samuel Wilmott to be First Lieutenant ; 
 
 Nathaniel Bunnel to be Second Lieutenant ; Philemon 
 
 Potter to be Ensign. 
 Tenth Company in the First Regiment. — Samuel Peck, 
 
 Junior, to be Captain ; John Fowler, Junior, to be First 
 
 Lieutenant ; Israel Terrel to be Second Lieutenant ; 
 
 Samuel Doolittle to be Ensign. 
 The Reverend Benjamin Trumbull, Chaplain of the First 
 
 Regiment. 
 
 Jared Potter, Surgeon; Levi Ives, Isaac Chester, Sur- 
 geon's Mates, First Regiment. 
 
 Second Regiment. 
 
 First Company, Second Regiment. — Joseph Spencer, Esq., 
 to be Colonel of the Second Regiment, and Captain ; 
 Daniel Cone, First Lieutenant ; James Smith, Second 
 Lieutenant; Joel Arnold, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company, Second Regiment. — Samuel Wyllys, 
 Esquire, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain ; Eze- 
 kiel Scott, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Cowper, Second 
 Lieutenant; Marcus Cole, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company, Second Regiment. — Roger Enos, Esq., 
 to be First Major, and Captain ; Elijah Rolinson, First 
 Lieutenant ; Silas Blogget, Second Lieutenant ; Benja- 
 min Frisbee, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company, Second Regiment. — Return Jonathan 
 Meigs, Esquire, to be Second Major, and Captain ; Eli- 
 jah Blackman, First Lieutenant ; Ebenezer Sumner, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Joseph Savage, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company, Second Regiment. — Solomon Willis, Cap- 
 tain ; Jonathan Parker, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Fell, 
 Jr., Second Lieutenant ; Noah Chapin, Jr., Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company, Second Regiment. — Noadiah Hooker, 
 Captain ; Peter Curtiss, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Boy- 
 ington, Second Lieutenant ; Amos Wadsworth, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company, Second Regiment. — Abel Pcttibone, 
 Captain ; Amasa Mills, First Lieutenant ; Joseph For- 
 ward, Second Lieutenant ; Jonathan Pettibone, Junior, 
 Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company, Second Regiment. — Levi Wells, Cap- 
 tain ; James Ransom, First Lieutenant ; John Isham, 
 Second Lieutenant; Samuel Palmer, Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company, Second Regiment. — John Chester, Cap- 
 tain ; Barnabas Dean, First Lieutenant ; Stephen Good- 
 rich, Second Lieutenant; Charles Butler, Ensign. 
 
 Tenth Company, Second Regiment. — John Harman, Jun., 
 Captain ; Samuel Wright, First Lieutenant ; Consider 
 Williston, Second Lieutenant; Oliver Hanchel, Ensign. 
 
 Reverend Benjamin Boardman, Chaplain of the Second 
 Regiment. 
 
 William Jepson, Surgeon ; Daniel Southmayd, Richard 
 Watrous, Surgeon's Mates, Second Regiment. 
 
 Third Regiment. 
 
 First Company, Third Regiment. — Israel Putnam, Esq., 
 to be Colonel of the Third Regiment, and Captain ; 
 Jonathan Kingsley, First Lieutenant ; Thomas Grosve- 
 nor, Second Lieutenant; Elijah Loomis, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company, Third Regiment. — Experience Storrs, 
 Esquire, to be Lieutenant-Colonel, and Captain; James 
 Dana, First Lieutenant ; Ebenezer Gray, Second Lieu- 
 tenant ; Isaac Farewell, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company, Third Regiment. — John Durkey to be 
 First Major, and Captain ; Joshua Huntington, First 
 
 Lieutenant ; Jacobus De Witt, Second Lieutenant ; 
 Samuel Bingham, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company, Third Regiment. — Obadiah Johnson, 
 Esquire, to be Second Major, and Captain ; Ephraim 
 Lyon, First Lieutenant; Hells Cliff, Second Lieuten- 
 ant ; Isaac Hide, Junior, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company, Third Regiment.- — Thomas Knowlton, 
 Captain ; Reuben Marcey, First Lieutenant ; John Keys, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Daniel Allen, Junior, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company, Third Regiment. — James Clark, Captain ; 
 Daniel Tilden, First Lieutenant; Andrew Fitch, Second 
 Lieutenant ; Thomas Bell, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company, Third Regiment. — Ephraim Manning, 
 Captain ; Stephen Lyon, First Lieutenant ; Asa Morris, 
 Second Lieutenant; William Fussell, Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company, Third Regiment. — Joseph Elliott, Cap- 
 tain ; Benoni Cutler, First Lieutenant ; Daniel Waters, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Comfort Day, Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company, Third Regiment. — Ebenezer Moseley, 
 Captain ; Stephen Brown, First Lieutenant ; Melatiah 
 Bingham, Second Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Wales, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Tenth Company, Third Regiment. — Israel Putnam, Jun., 
 Captain ; Samuel Robinson, Junior, First Lieutenant ; 
 Amos Avery, Second Lieutenant ; Caleb Stanley, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Rev. Abiel Leonard, Chaplain of the Third Regiment. 
 John Spalding, Surgeon ; Pcnuel Cheeney, Elijah Adams, 
 Surgeon's Mates, Third Regiment. 
 
 Fourth Regiment. 
 
 First Company, Fourth Regiment. — Benjamin Hinman, 
 Esquire, to be Colonel of the Fourth Regiment, and 
 Captain ; David Hinman, First Lieutenant ; Benjamin 
 Hungerford, Second Lieutenant; Asahel Hurd, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company, Fourth Regiment. — George Pitkin, 
 Esquire, to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Regi- 
 ment, and Captain ; Isaac Fellows, First Lieutenant ; 
 David Bissell, Second Lieutenant; Edivard Payne, 
 Ensign, 
 
 Third Company, Fourth Regiment. — Samuel Elmore, 
 Esquire, to be Major of the Fourth Regiment, and Cap- 
 tain ; Amos Chappel, First Lieutenant ; Oliver Parme- 
 ly, Second Lieutenant ; Moses Shepard, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment. — Nathaniel Buel, 
 Captain ; Timothy Holcomb, First Lieutenant ; Luther 
 Stoddard, Second Lieutenant ; Nathan Dawsey, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Fifth Company, Fourth Regiment. — Shubael Griswold, 
 Captain ; Benjamin Mills, First Lieutenant ; Aaron 
 Austin, Second Lieutenant; Caleb Lyman, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company, Fourth Regiment. — Josiah Starr, Cap- 
 tain ; Asaph Hall, First Lieutenant ; Paul Yates, Second 
 Lieutenant ; Asahel Hodge, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company, Fourth Regiment. — Eleazar Curtiss, 
 Junior, Captain ; John Ranson, Junior, First Lieuten- 
 ant ; Morgan Noble, Second Lieutenant ; John Rock- 
 well, Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company, Fourth Regiment. — John Sedgtvick, 
 Captain ; Warham Gibbs, First Lieutenant ; James 
 Thomas, Second Lieutenant ; Matthew Patterson, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Ninth Company, Fourth Regiment. — John Watson, Jun., 
 Captain ; Theodore Woodbridge, First Lieutenant ; Ti- 
 tus Watson, Second Lieutenant; Jehiel Hull, Ensign. 
 
 Tenth Company, Fourth Regiment. — Hezckiah Parsons, 
 Captain ; Hezekiah Holdridge, First Lieutenant ; John 
 Skinner, Second Lieutenant; Ebenezer Watson, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Reverend Cotton Mather Smith, Chaplain to the Fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Lemuel Wheeler, Surgeon ; Daniel Sheldon, Abel Catlin, 
 Surgeon's Mates, Fourth Regiment. 
 
 Fifth Regiment. 
 
 First Company, Fifth Regiment. — David Waterbury, Jun., 
 to be Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, and Captain ; Syl- 
 vanus Brown, First Lieutenant; Jonathan Whiting, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Samuel Hoyt, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company, Fifth Regiment. — Samuel Whiting, 
 to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, and 
 
417 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1175. 
 
 418 
 
 Captain ; Elijah Beach, First Lieutenant ; Robert Wal- 
 ker, Second Lieutenant ; Abijah Sterling, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company, Fifth Regiment. — Thomas Hobby, to be 
 Major of the Fifth Regiment, and Captain ; Bazaleel 
 Brown, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Lockwood, Second 
 Lieutenant ; John Watcrbury, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company, Fifth Regiment. — David Dimon, Cap- 
 tain ; Peter Hendrick, First Lieutenant ; Ebenezcr Hill, 
 Second Lieutenant; Wakeman Burr, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company, Fifth Regiment. — Matthew Mead, Cap- 
 tain ; Levi Taylor, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Cannon, 
 Second Lieutenant; William Seymour, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company, Fifth Regiment. — Noble Benedict, Cap- 
 tain ; James Clark, First Lieutenant ; Ephraim Lyon, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Daniel Hickox, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company, Fifth Regiment. — AbrahamGray,Cnp- 
 tain ; Stephen Wakeman, First Lieutenant ; Thaddeus 
 Rockwell, Second Lieutenant ; George Burr, Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company, Fifth Regiment. — Joseph Smith, Jr., 
 Captain ; Abel Botsford, Jr., First Lieutenant ; Nathan- 
 iel Blackman, Second Lieutenant ; Silas Hubbel, Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company, Fifth Regiment. — Nehemiah Beardslee, 
 Captain ; Samuel Keeler, First Lieutenant ; Zcphaniah 
 Briggs, Second Lieutenant ; William Benedict, Ensign. 
 
 Tenth Company, Fifth Regiment. — Zalmon Read, Cap- 
 tain ; Peter Fairchild, First Lieutenant ; David Pcet, 
 Second Lieutenant ; Benjamin Nichols, Ensign. 
 
 Reverend Samuel Wood, Chaplain of the Fifth Regiment. 
 
 John Wood, Surgeon ; Asael Fitch, Samuel Whiting, 
 Surgeon's Mates, Fifth Regiment. 
 
 Sixth Regiment. 
 
 First Company, Sixth Regiment. — Samuel Holden Par- 
 sons, Esquire, to be Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, and 
 Captain ; David F. Sill, First Lieutenant ; Christopher 
 Ely, Second Lieutenant ; Elisha Wade, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company, Sixth Regiment. — John Tyler, Esq., 
 to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixth Regiment, and 
 Captain; Elnathan Rossiter, First Lieutenant ; Ebenezer 
 Brewster, Second Lieutenant ; Joseph Hilyard, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company, Sixth Regiment. — Samud Prentice, Esq., 
 to be Major of the Sixth Regiment, and Captain ; James 
 Eldridge, First Lieutenant ; Richard Hewet, Second 
 Lieutenant ; Oliver Babcock, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company, Sixth Regiment. — William Coit, Cap- 
 tain ; Jedediah Hide, First Lieutenant ; James Day, 
 Second Lieutenant; William Adams, Junior, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company, Sixth Regiment. — James Chapman, Jun., 
 Captain ; Christopher Darrow, First Lieutenant ; John 
 Raymond, Jr, Second ; George Lattimore, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company, Sixth Regiment. — Waterman Cleft, Cap- 
 tain ; William Edmond, First Lieutenant ; John McGre- 
 gor, Second Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Morgan, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company, Sixth Regiment. — Edward Molt, Cap- 
 tain : Benjamin Throop, Jr., First Lieutenant ; Jeremiah 
 Halsey, Second Lieutenant ; Nathan Peters, Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company, Sixth Regiment. — Samtiel Gale, Cap- 
 tain; Josiah Baldwin, First Lieutenant; Elisha Lee, 
 Second Lieutenant ; David Nevins, Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company, Sixth Regiment. — John Ely, Captain ; 
 Abraham Waterhouse, First Lieutenant ; Martin Kirt- 
 land, Second Lieutenant; Israel Doan, Ensign. 
 
 Tenth Company, Sixth Regiment. — Abel Spictr, Cap- 
 tain ; Isaac Gallop, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Williams, 
 Second Lieutenant; William Latham, Ensign. 
 
 Rev. Stephen Johnson, Chaplain of the Sixth Regiment. 
 
 Philip Turner, Surgeon ; Thomas Fosdick, Benjamin El- 
 lis, Surgeon's Mates, Sixth Regiment. 
 
 Whereas this Assembly have ordered one-fourth part of 
 their Militia to be enlisted and equipped for the defence 
 and safety of this Colony, and appointed Officers to com- 
 mand the same, and as some of the Officers so appointed 
 may fail to accept said trust, or by death or otherwise 
 others may be wanted : 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be desired, and he is hereby desired and empow- 
 ered to appoint Officers to fill up any such vacancy that 
 shall happen, and commission them accordingly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Captain Joseph Trum- 
 bull be appointed, and he is hereby appointed Commissary 
 General, to take care of the Rations purchased at Salem, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ! 
 
 by Brigadier-General Spencer, or any others that shall be 
 sent for our inhabitants enlisting or assembling for the spe- 
 cial defence and safety of this Colony, and take care that 
 the same are distributed among them; and take advantage 
 of any opportunity to purchase thereabouts any further 
 supply, when to be had on belter terms than to be pur- 
 chased and had from this Colony ; to purchase the same as 
 there shall be occasion, and inform, from time to time, his 
 doings therein for the directions of the Commissaries em- 
 ployed in this Colony. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint Oliver Wolcott, Henry 
 Champion, Thomas Mumford, Jedediah Strong, Esquires, 
 Captain Jeremiah Wadsworth, Thomas Howel, Samuel 
 Squier, Esquires, Messrs. Amasa Keys and Hezckiah Bis- 
 sell, Commissaries, to supply all necessary Stores and Pro- 
 visions for the Troops now to be raised for the defence of 
 this Colony. 
 
 On Report of the Committee to consider how far the 
 Commissaries shall bo instructed to procure Provisions and 
 other Supplies for the immediate use of the men now to be 
 raised for the defence of the Colony, it is now 
 
 Resolved, That Joseph Trumbull, Esquire, Commissary- 
 General, immediately purchase one hogshead of New- 
 England Rum, and one hundred Tin Kettles ; and that 
 Captain Jeremiah Wadsworth procure, as soon as may be, 
 one hundred Tin Kettles, and also fifty barrels of Pork, 
 also fifty bushels of Peas and Beans, and immediately for- 
 ward said Peas and Beans to the Commissary-General, 
 and also procure two hundred hundred weight of Bread ; 
 and that Mr. Hczekiah Bissell procure sixty barrels of 
 Pork, and two hundred and forty hundred weight of Bread ; 
 and that the Commissaries in Litchfield County procure 
 twenty barrels of Pork, and eighty hundred weight of Bread, 
 and that the Commissaries for the County of New-Haven, 
 Neiv-London, and Fairfield, each procure fifty barrels of 
 Pork, and two hundred hundred weight of Bread. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That William Pitkin, Tho- 
 mas Seymour, Oliver Ellsivorth, and Ezekiel Williams, 
 Esquires, or any three of them, be a Committee with full 
 power, and they, or any three of them, are hereby fully 
 empowered to examine, liquidate, adjust, settle, and give 
 needful orders for the payment of the several accounts of 
 the expenses that have, or may be incurred, relative to 
 assembling, equipping, supplying, encouraging, or paying 
 wages to such of the inhabitants as may enlist for the de- 
 fence of this Colony for the current year ; said Committee 
 to proceed therein according to such order, rules, and direc- 
 tions, as shall from time to time be given by this Assembly 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of 
 Pay-Table be and they are hereby directed and empow- 
 ered to take Bonds, with sufficient sureties, payable to the 
 Governour and Company of this Colony, of every Com- 
 missary appointed, to provide Stores and Provisions for the 
 Troops now raising for the defence of the Colony ; and in 
 such Bond every Commissary shall be obliged, faithfully 
 and justly, to dispose of the money he shall receive for 
 the purpose aforesaid, and to account with the Committee 
 of Pay-Table for the same. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the chief Officers and 
 Captains of the several Companies to be enlisted, shall be 
 the Paymasters to their respective Companies, and that 
 the Committee of the Pay-Table be and they are hereby 
 directed and empowered to take Bonds, with sufficient sure- 
 ties, payable to the Governour and Company of this Colony, 
 of every Captain or other person who shall undertake to act 
 as Paymaster to any one of said Companies now to be en- 
 listed ; and in such Bond, every Paymaster shall be obligated 
 faithfully and justly to dispose of the money he shall re- 
 ceive for the purpose aforesaid, and to account to the Com- 
 mittee of the Pay-Table for the same ; and such Paymaster 
 shall be allowed one and a half per cent, for said service. 
 
 Whereas, a sum of Money is necessary for payment of 
 incident charges of Government : 
 
 Be it therefore enacted by the Governour, Council, and 
 Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the 
 authority of the same, That there be forthwith imprinted 
 the sum of fifty thousand Pounds, Bills of Credit on this 
 Colony, equal to lawful money, of suitable denominations 
 
 7 
 
419 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 420 
 
 as the Committee herein appointed shall direct, and of the 
 same tenour with the late impression of Bills of Credit of 
 this Colony, without interest, payable at or before the tenth 
 day of May, 1777, dated the ninth day of May, 1775. 
 William Pitkin, George Wyllys, Elisha Williams, Ben- 
 jamin Payne, and Thomas Seymour, Esquires, or any three 
 of them, are appointed a Committee for the purpose afore- 
 said, to take care that said Bills be imprinted with all con- 
 venient speed, and to sign and deliver the same to the 
 Treasurer of this Colony, taking his receipt therefor. And 
 the said Committee shall be sworn to a faithful discharge of 
 their trust, and the Treasurer is hereby directed to pay out 
 said Bills according to the orders of Assembly. And for 
 providing an ample and sufficient Fund to call in, sink, and 
 discharge the aforesaid sum, to be emitted as aforesaid, 
 
 Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That a Tax of 
 seven pence on the pound be, and is hereby granted and 
 ordered to be levied on all the Polls and Rateable Estate 
 in this Colony, according to the list thereof, to be brought 
 into this Assembly in October, 1775, with the additions ; 
 which Tax shall be collected and paid into the Treasury 
 of this Colony by the tenth day of May, 1777 ; which Tax 
 may be discharged by paying the Bills of this Colony of 
 this emission, or lawful money ; and the Treasurer of this 
 Colony is hereby ordered and directed to send forth his 
 Warrants for collecting the same accordingly. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration what 
 disposition is best to be made of the Colony Powder, hav- 
 ing made their Report, which has been accepted, it is now 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Jabez Huntington, of Wind- 
 ham, take into his care all the Powder that is lodged in the 
 County of Windham, and that Mr. Winthrop Saltonstall 
 take into his care the Powder lodged in the Town o( New- 
 London, and that Jabez Huntington, Esquire, of Norwich, 
 take into his care the Powder lodged in the Town of Nor- 
 wich, and that twenty-eight half-barrels of the Powder, 
 lodged at New-Haven, be sent to the County of Fairfield, 
 and committed to the care of Thaddeus Burr, Esq. ; and 
 that fourteen half-barrels of the Powder lodged at New- 
 Haven be sent to the County of Litchfield, to the care 
 of Lynde Lord, Esq., of Litchfield, and the remainder of 
 the Powder lodged at Neiv-Haven, be taken into the care 
 of Jonathan Fitch, Esq., of New-Haven. And the afore- 
 said persons are ordered to deliver out the same according 
 to such orders as shall from time to time be given them 
 respectively by the General Assembly of the Colony ; or in 
 case of some sudden and extraordinary emergency, by the 
 Selectmen of the respective Towns where the same is 
 lodged, taking their receipts therefor. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That if any more Powder 
 shall be brought into the Colony, for the use and defence 
 thereof, a suitable proportion thereof be committed to the 
 care of John Lawrence, Esq., of Hartford, and the re- 
 mainder thereof to be distributed into the several Counties 
 in some suitable proportion, and committed to the care of 
 the gentlemen before named, to be disposed as aforesaid. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint and direct Robert Fair child, 
 Esq., and Captain Daniel Judson, to inquire after and take 
 into their care, for the use of the Colony, whatever Stores, 
 of the camp or military kind, belonging to said Colony, as 
 may be found with the heirs of Theophilus Nichols, Esq., 
 deceased, late a Commissary for this Government, or in the 
 hands of any other person in Stratford ; and cause any 
 Arms which need, to be forthwith repaired, and make re- 
 port to next Assembly. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint Mr. Jedediah Strong to make 
 inquiry at Albany, whether any Arms belonging to this 
 Colony, and left there during the last War, yet remain 
 there, and if any, how many, and in whoso custody. He 
 is also to receive and give proper receipts in behalf of this 
 Colony for the same, and cause the same to be transported 
 into this Colony as soon as conveniently may be, and make 
 report of his doings in the premises to the next General 
 Assembly. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint Daniel Lyman, Enos Allyn, 
 Thomas Howel, Dudley Woodbridge, Joseph Denison 
 the second, Stephen Babcock, Gurdon Saltonstall, Tho- 
 mas Mumford, John Lay, Esquires, Captain John Deshon, 
 Captain Richard Dickinson, and Mr. John McCurdy, a 
 Committee, to take into consideration the best method and 
 
 means of securing and defending our Sea-coast, Ports, and 
 Shipping therein, and to state the facts, and report their 
 opinion thereon to the Assembly in May next, jointly or 
 severally, without expense to this Colony. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Colonel Gurdon Sal- 
 tonstall, Samuel Mott, Esq., and Captain John Deshon, 
 be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee, forthwith 
 to prepare Carriages, and other necessary apparatus for the 
 Cannon at New-London, in this Colony, so that they may- 
 be put into the best order for use, in case of necessity for 
 defence. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Gover- 
 nour be, and he is hereby desired, authorized, and em- 
 powered, to give to Brigadier-General Spencer an order to 
 the Colonels of the six Regiments under his command, to 
 send to their respective Captains, to forward the enlistment 
 of the inhabitants and men, for the special defence and 
 safety of this Colony, and to hold themselves in readiness 
 to march on the shortest notice ; and the four Regiments 
 commanded by Brigadier Spencer and Putnam, and Colo- 
 nels Hinman and Parsons, or such part of them as his 
 Honour the Governour shall order, do forthwith get into 
 readiness and march forward to Boston, or such place or 
 places adjoining near thereto as shall be ordered. 
 
 Considering the dark and gloomy aspect of Divine Provi- 
 dence over this Colony and land, and that it is the indis- 
 pensable duty of every People, suffering under the afflic- 
 tive chastisements of a righteous God, with deep repentance, 
 supplication, and amendment of life, to endeavour, by all 
 the ways which God has prescribed, to avert his anger and 
 incline him to become reconciled to his People, 
 
 It is therefore Resolved by this Assembly, That it be re- 
 commended to all the Ministers of the Gospel in this Co- 
 lony, that they earnestly endeavour to dissuade their several 
 congregations from all excess and all diversions which may- 
 be improper in the present day of distress, and that both 
 they and their people cry mightily to God, that he would 
 be pleased to spare his People, and be gracious unto them, 
 and visit them with his loving kindness and tender mercies, 
 and not give up his heritage to reproach, but preserve unto 
 them their great and important rights and privileges, and 
 guide and prosper the Publick Councils of this Colony and 
 land, and in their hour of difficulty and distress, graciously 
 manifest his power in the deliverance and salvation of his 
 People, to the glory of own name. 
 
 This Assembly being informed by Charles Webb, Esq., 
 Colonel of the Ninth Regiment of Militia in this Colony, 
 that Clap Raymond of Norwalk, in said Regiment, Lieu- 
 tenant of a Company of Militia, in the Parish of Wilton, 
 in said Norwalk, of which Matthew Mead is Captain, hath, 
 ever since said Mead was established and commissioned as 
 Captain of said Company, wholly refused to obey the 
 orders of said Captain, or do his duty as Lieutenant of said 
 Company, in any respect ; 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the aforesaid Clap 
 Raymond be notified to appear before the General Assem- 
 bly, to be holden at this place on the second Thursday of 
 May next, to answer unto said information, and be dealt 
 with thereupon as the wisdom of said Assembly shall di- 
 rect. And that in the mean time the said Clap Raymond 
 be, and he is hereby, suspended from the exercise of his 
 office of Lieutenant of the Company aforesaid, and the 
 Secretary of this Colony is hereby directed and authorized, 
 by warrant under his hand, to give notice to said Clap 
 Raymond that he appear and answer as aforesaid. 
 
 An Act to repeal an Act, entitled An Act in further ad- 
 dition to an Act of this Colony, entitled an Act concern- 
 ing Book Debts. 
 
 Whereas a further continuance of said Act in force at 
 this time may prove very inconvenient and prejudicial : 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Represent- 
 atives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
 of the same, That the said Act be repealed, and the same 
 is hereby repealed and made void. 
 
 An Act to exempt, for a limited time, the persons of 
 Debtors from being imprisoned for Debt. 
 Whereas, in the present situation of our publick affairs it 
 will be prejudicial to tho Colony to confine persons in Jail 
 for Debt ; 
 
421 
 
 ■ I 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 422 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 tentatives in General Court assembled, and by the autho- 
 rity of the same, That during the continuance of this Act, 
 no person shall be imprisoned or confined, or held in Prison, 
 on any attachment or execution for Debt ; and in every case 
 wherein any Debtor is released out of Prison by virtue of 
 this Act, who was imprisoned by virtue of an execution for 
 Debt, the Creditor may take out an alias execution against 
 the estate of such Debtor ; and the Clerk of the Court, or 
 the authority before whom the judgment was rendered, is 
 hereby authorized to issue such alias execution, upon being 
 certified by the Sheriff* that such Debtor was released out 
 of Prison without satisfying the Debt, by virtue of which 
 alias execution the lawful fees for the former service and 
 commitment may be collected, as well as the Debt. This 
 Act to continue in force until the rising of the General As- 
 sembly in October next. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Joseph Gurnsey and others, in- 
 habitants of the Parish of Westbury, in the Town of Wa- 
 terbury, shewing to this Assembly that they have, with 
 great care and expense, applied themselves to the use of 
 arms and military exercises for a considerable time, have 
 gained considerable skill in military exercises and the art 
 of war, and praying this Assembly to constitute them a spe- 
 cial and distinct Military Company, &c, as per Memorial 
 on file ; 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Memorialists be, 
 and they are hereby, constituted and made a distinct Mili- 
 tary Company, and shall be distinguished by the name of 
 the Nineteenth Company in the Tenth Regiment in this 
 Colony, with power, under the direction of the Field Offi- 
 cers, to receive and enlist in the room of those that shall 
 be removed by death or otherwise from said Company, pro- 
 vided the enlistment and enrolment aforesaid be made from 
 the two Military Companies in the Parish of Westbury, in 
 said Town of Waterbury, and that that enlistment and enrol- 
 ment do not reduce the number of men in the two Military 
 Companies aforesaid below the number by law established ; 
 and that said Company be, and they are hereby, consti- 
 tuted with all the powers, privileges, and advantages, and 
 under the same regulations that other Companies by law 
 do enjoy ; and the Colonel, or chief Officers of said Regi- 
 ment, is hereby directed and empowered by himself, or such 
 officer as he shall appoint, to lead said company to the choice 
 of their Officers on their being first formed and enlisted. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of John Sutliff, Jun., and others, in- 
 habitants of the Society of Northbury, in the Town of Wa- 
 
 terbury, shewing to this Assembly that there are within the 
 limits of the West Company or Trainband in said Society, 
 the major part of which have evidently discovered them- 
 selves inimical to the Constitution of this Colony, &.C., 
 and under Commissioned Officers wholly disaffected to the 
 American cause, praying to be annexed to the new Com- 
 pany or Trainband in said Northbury, lately established by 
 this Assembly, &c, as per Memorial on file ; 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Tlwmas Matthews and 
 Timothy Judd, Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed 
 a Committee to inquire how far said Commissioned Officers 
 are inimical to, or disaffected with, the American cause, 
 and all matters contained in said Memorial, and make re- 
 port to the next General Assembly. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Joseph Monson of New-Haven, 
 praying for permission to transport in the Sea-Flower, to 
 the West-Indies, twenty-six head of Cattle, by him pur- 
 chased for that purpose, before laying the embargo by this 
 Assembly ; 
 
 Resolved, That said Monson have liberty, and he is here- 
 by permitted, to transport said Cattle in said vessel to the 
 West-India Islands. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Joseph White, of Weathersjield, 
 in Hartford County, shewing that before any embargo was 
 laid by this Assembly, he had procured twenty Cattle and 
 necessary provisions for them, and eighty barrels of Pork, 
 to be laden on board a vessel he owns, called the Schooner 
 Fox, commanded by James Mitchell, and destined on a 
 voyage to the West-Indies, and that said Cattle remain on 
 his hands at great expense and loss, &ic, praying for liberty 
 to export said Cattle in said vessel, &ic, as per Memorial 
 on file, dated May 3, 1775; 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Memorialist, upon 
 his taking out said eighty barrels of Pork, except so much 
 as is necessary for sea-stores, have liberty, and liberty is 
 given to him. to export said twenty Cattle in said vessel to 
 the West-Indies, any thing in said Act laying an embargo 
 notwithstanding. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Hezekiah Smith, shewing that 
 he had planned a voyage to the West-Indies, &.c. ; 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the said Hezekiah 
 Smith have liberty, and liberty is given and granted to him 
 to ship the said fourteen Cattle to the West-Indies on board 
 the vessel whereof he is master, the said embargo lately 
 laid by this Assembly notwithstanding. 
 
 This Assembly was adjourned by proclamation without 
 day. George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, April 27, 1775. 
 
 W hereas the Continental Congress did resolve in the 
 words following, viz : " And we further agree and associate 
 that we will have no Trade, Commerce, Dealings, or In- 
 tercourse whatever, with any Colony or Province in North 
 America which shall not accede to, or which shall hereaf- 
 ter violate this Association," &tc. 
 
 And whereas the Parliament of Great Britain, in pur- 
 suance of their plan for subjugating and distressing the 
 Colonies, have passed a Bill for depriving our brethren in 
 New-England of the benefit of Fishing on their own Coasts ; 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That all Exportations from this City to Que- 
 beck, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any 
 part of the Fishing Coasts or Fishing Islands, ought, in 
 the opinion of this Committee, immediately to be suspend- 
 ed ; and that it be accordingly recommended to every 
 Merchant immediately to suspend all Exportations to those 
 places, until the Continental Congress shall give further 
 orders therein. By order of the Committee of the City 
 and Liberties of Philadelphia. 
 
 Jonathan B. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 STEPHEN" HOPKINS TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir: "Yesterday. Mr. John Brown, one of the principal 
 merchants of this Town, being at Newport, as an agent of 
 
 this Colony appointed by the General Assembly to pur- 
 chase provisions for the use of this and your Government, 
 was seized upon in a freight or packet boat coming to Pro- 
 vidence. He was carried and confined on board a Man-of- 
 War lying in Newport, and about three hundred barrels of 
 flour in that packet and another freight boat, taken by the 
 Ship-of-War. It is said the captures are to be sent to 
 Boston for condemnation. 
 
 We are greatly alarmed at this open force and hostility, 
 and cannot but expect that the worst of treatment will be 
 offered to our agent. We have thought proper to send 
 you this notice, to the end that you may detain all such of 
 the King's Officers, or others, in his immediate service, as 
 may be in your hands, to answer and be accountable for 
 the conduct and treatment which may be had and acted to 
 Mr. Brown, and such as may be captured with him in the 
 said two vessels ; and that you would, on your part, in the 
 common cause, do your utmost to make reprisals of per- 
 sons to stand as security in like manner ; not doubting but 
 you will cheerfully do those things which, by the laws of 
 Nature and Nations, are justifiable to be done to those who 
 put themselves in a state of war with others. 
 
 We are sorry to inform you that the first struggle which 
 hath happened in our Colony, hath been unfavourable; an 
 event which could not have come to pass, but by the faith- 
 lessness of some of the Members of our Assembly, who 
 must have revealed their proceedings, although the oath of 
 God was upon them to secrecy. 
 
 Reprisals, recommended by the Continental Congress, 
 and sanctioned by the several Colonies, appears to be a 
 
 # 
 
423 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 421 
 
 good remedial provision, and in this instance highly neces- 
 sary to be put in practice ; and we shall not fail ourselves 
 to make use of it at every opportunity, and make the life 
 of every Crown Officer in our power security for the safety 
 of John Brown, and those captured with him. 
 
 I am, Sir, for myself, and in behalf of all the true friends 
 of freedom in this Colony, your friend and servant, 
 
 Step. Hopkins. 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, at Concord, or elsewhere. On express by 
 Doctor IV m. Bo won. 
 
 COLONEL ISAAC LEE TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Farmington, April 27, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir: In consequence of the alarming scenes 
 that have occurred of late, by advice of the Field Officers 
 and others of the Fifteenth Regiment, in this Colony, I gave 
 orders for the whole Regiment under my command to be 
 prepared with arms and ammunition, and cartridges, and 
 every thing necessary for the defence of the Country ; and 
 to hold themselves ready to march at the shortest notice. 
 There appeared such a spirit of zeal in the soldiers for an 
 immediate march, that it was with difficulty that they were 
 prevented, until they might have orders from the Captain- 
 General, or the General Assembly. It appeared to us to 
 be attended with very dangerous consequences, and to have 
 a tendency to ruin the State, to march in such independent 
 Companies, and ought by no means to be adopted but in 
 a case of absolute necessity. On being assured by (as we 
 thought) good authority, that more Troops were arrived, 
 &c, gave orders for one-fifth of the Regiment to meet at 
 the parade of the First Society, on the 26th of April in- 
 stant, at ten o'clock in the morning. About one hundred 
 and twenty able-bodied men appeared, and being divided 
 into two Companies, I led them to the choice of their 
 officers, &ic. The First Company made choice of Captain 
 Neadiah Hooker for their Captain, and Lieutenant Peter 
 Curtis, First Lieutenant, Sergeant David Mather, Second 
 Lieutenant, Sergeant Amos .... Ensign. I then 
 led the Second Company to a choice, and they made 
 choice of Captain Asa Bray for their Captain, Lieutenant 
 Joseph Byington, First Lieutenant, Sergeant Amos Beech- 
 er, Second Lieutenant, Sergeant Ambrose Sloper, Ensign, 
 &tc, on which they were ordered to hold themselves in 
 readiness to march when they should receive orders from 
 the Captain-General, or the General Assembly, he, and 
 then dismissed, and desired them to attend the business of 
 their respective farms until further orders, he. 
 Certified by your Honour's humble servant, 
 
 Isaac Lee, Jr., Colonel. 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Captain- 
 General of His Majesty's Troops in the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, &{C. 
 
 N. B. There is also provisions contracted for — enough 
 at least for twenty days, as also teams and carriages. 
 
 JEDEDIAH HUNTINGTON TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JUN. 
 
 Cambridge, Thursday, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I came into this place through Roxbury, last 
 evening, and find great numbers of Troops, or rather armed 
 men, in much more confusion than I expected, but perhaps 
 with as little as possible, in this disordered state of the 
 Massachusetts. Most of the soldiers here are inhabitants 
 of this Province, who are now enlisting in a regular man- 
 ner. General Ward is at Roxbury ; General Putnam is 
 Commander-in-chief at this place. They have both of them 
 too much business upon their hands. I wish our General 
 Officers, as soon as appointed, might immediately repair to 
 Head Quarters ; they will, at this crisis of Provincial poli- 
 ticks, be very cordially accepted, and be of eminent service. 
 
 The Committee of Safety, who are the primwn mobile 
 in the military movements, are crowded with business. It 
 is expected by many, that the inhabitants of Boston will 
 have leave to come out this day, with their effects, provided 
 they leave their arms and provisions. It is said that pork 
 sold there yesterday for a pistareen per pound, and milk 
 for a pistareen per quart. Many are suspicious that the 
 General intends to deceive them till he get possession of 
 their arms. An experienced Engineer deserted to the 
 
 Castle the 25th instant. Mr. Josiah Quincy is arrived 
 from London, in a very low state of health, and not ex- 
 pected to live. The Restraining Act is come by the same 
 ship. The reinforcements from England were not to sail 
 till the middle of April. I will, if possible, enclose you a 
 Salem paper. I expected to have seen brother Joseph by 
 this time. Your affectionate brother, 
 
 Jei>. Huntington. 
 
 Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Junior. 
 
 committee of safety to the selectmen of boston. 
 
 Cambridge, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your letter of the 25th instant came to 
 hand last evening, or you should have had an answer soon- 
 er. We feel for you with the keenest sensibility. Nothing 
 on our part shall be wanting. Our wish is, to know when 
 you are to be permitted to come out ; and at what time. 
 We shall encourage the wagoners to go in. We have no 
 desire to injure or molest the person or property of any one 
 who inclines to take refuge in Boston ; and so soon as we 
 know the day appointed for you to come out, and the time 
 limited therefor, we shall take care that our part is per- 
 formed with that punctuality which we are determined ever 
 to observe in all cases where the honour of our Country, or 
 the safety of our beloved countrymen is concerned. We 
 desire that we may be furnished, without delay, with an 
 authenticated copy of your engagements with the General, 
 and such other information as is necessary for us. 
 We are, gentlemen, he. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON. 
 
 Cambridge, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : It is here currently reported, that General 
 Gage gives out publickly that the Povincials fired upon 
 his detachment before the Troops fired upon the Provin- 
 cials. Such a report occasions astonishment and resent- 
 ment, as there is the clearest evidence, not only that the 
 Troops fired first at Lexington, and killed eight men there 
 before our people fired one gun, and then marched several 
 miles further, to Concord, and killed two men and wounded 
 several others, before one gun was fired in that place by 
 our men. He is a man, we trust, of too much honour to 
 propagate such a false account, and has been scandalously 
 deceived by his officers. 
 
 We. think it probable that ten days may suffice for re- 
 moving your persons and most valuable effects. We hope 
 you will take care that your agreement is expressed in the 
 most unequivocal terms. We take it that it is not expected 
 that we suffer any persons to remove into Town, besides 
 such as mean to take up their residence there. 
 
 We are, he. 
 
 boston committee to the committee of safety. 
 
 Boston, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Agreeably to your desire expressed in your letter 
 of this date, we send you the following, which contains 
 what has passed this day between his Excellency General 
 Gage, and the Committee, respecting the inhabitants re- 
 moving from the Town of Boston. We presume there 
 will be a speedy application for passes, as there are a con- 
 siderable number already who have given in their names, 
 according to his Excellency's prescription, and therefore 
 apprehend wagoners may be encouraged to come in as 
 soon as may be. 
 
 It is with great satisfaction we observe your determina- 
 tion not to injure or molest the person or property of any 
 one who inclines to take refuge in Boston, and hope you 
 have made proclamation for them to come in accordingly ; 
 and that as soon as you know the time appointed for us to 
 remove out of the Town, you are so kindly disposed to as- 
 sist us all in your power under our perplexed circum- 
 stances. 
 
 We could not give you an earlier answer, as your letter 
 did not come to hand till late this afternoon. 
 
 1 am, respectfully, in behalf of the Committee, your 
 most obedient humble servant, John Scollay. 
 
 To Doctor Jos. Warren, Chairman of the Committee of 
 
 Congress. 
 
425 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 426 
 
 P. S. We beg you will proclaim in every Township, 
 that all persons desirous of coming into Boston with their 
 effects, may come without molestation ; and that we may 
 be authorized immediately to send five or six persons, or 
 gentlemen's servants, to ride through the different Towns 
 or Parishes, with open letters to the families of such people 
 as are desirous to come to Boston, to give them proper no- 
 tice. You will favour us with an answer as soon as possi- 
 ble. I am, as above, your most humble servant, 
 
 John Scollav. 
 
 Town-Meeting, Boston, April 27, 1775. 
 The Committee waited on his Excellency General Gage, 
 with the Papers containing the account of the Arms de- 
 livered to the Selectmen, and the Return made them by 
 the Constables of the Town, relative to the delivery of 
 Arms in their respective Wards. After long conversation 
 on the subject of the inhabitants removing themselves and 
 effects from the Town, his Excellency being obliged to at- 
 tend to other business, left the affair to be settled with 
 Brigadier General Robertson, who, after further conference, 
 and reporting the substance of it to General Gage, return- 
 ed to the Committee, and declared to them that General 
 Gage gives liberty to the inhabitants to remove out of 
 the Town, with their effects ; and desires that such in- 
 habitants as intend to remove, would give their names to 
 the Selectmen, and signify whether they mean to convey 
 out their effects by land or water, in order that passes may 
 be prepared ; for which passes application may be made to 
 General Robertson any time after eight o'clock to-morrow 
 morning ; such passes to be had as soon as persons want- 
 ing them shall be ready to depart. 
 
 DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Cambridge, April 27, 1775. 
 
 My Dear Sir: Our friend Quincy just lived to come 
 on shore to die in his own Country ; he expired yesterday 
 morning. His virtues rendered him dear, and his abilities 
 useful to his Country. 
 
 The wicked measures of the Administration have at 
 length brought matters to a crisis. I think it probable that 
 this rage of the people, excited by the most clear view of 
 the cursed designs of the Administration, and the barba- 
 rous effusion of the blood of their countrymen, will lead 
 them to attack General Gage, and burn the ships in the 
 harbour. 
 
 Lord Chatham and our friends must make up the breach 
 immediately, or never. If any thing terrible takes place, 
 it will not do to talk of calling the Colonies to account for 
 it ; but it must be attributed to the true cause — the un- 
 heard-of provocation given to this people. They will 
 never talk of accommodation until the present Ministry 
 are entirely removed. You may depend the Colonies will 
 sooner suffer depopulation than come into any measures 
 with them. 
 
 The next news from England must be conciliatory, or 
 the connexion between us ends, however fatal the conse- 
 quences may be. Prudence may yet alleviate the misfor- 
 tunes, and calm the convulsions into which the Empire is 
 thrown, by the madness of the present Administration. 
 May God Almighty direct you. If any thing is proposed 
 which may be for the honour and safety of Great Britain 
 and these Colonies, my utmost efforts will not be wanting 
 to effect a reconciliation. I am, in the utmost haste, sur- 
 rounded by fifteen or twenty thousand men, your most 
 obedient servant, Jos. Warren. 
 
 To Arthur Lee, Esquire, London. 
 
 P. S. The Narrative sent to Doctor Franklin contains 
 a true state of facts ; but it was difficult to make the peo- 
 ple willing that any notice should be taken of the matter by 
 way of narrative, unless the Army and Navy were taken 
 or driven away. J. W. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM QUEBECK, APRIL 27, 1775. 
 
 The Governour's Commission from the King was read 
 here on Monday, the 24th instant. He has very ample 
 powers ; he chooses all the Members of the Council him- 
 self, and can discharge them at pleasure ; can oblige what 
 number of His Majesty's subjects in Canada he pleases to 
 
 march against any enemy, or supposed enemy, when he 
 shall think fit ; can build forts, or do any thing else with 
 the people's money, and demolish them at pleasure. In 
 short, he is possessed of absolute and despotick power, 
 only with this difference, (if it is any,) that the majority 
 of the Council (who hold their seats as before-mentioned) 
 must approve of his measures. The Council consists of 
 twenty-three persons, seven of them Roman Catholicks. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday, at about one o'clock, Mann Page, Junior, 
 Esquire, one of the Representatives for Spottsylvania, 
 arrived here in twenty-four hours from Fredericksburgh, 
 being charged by a number of people from different Coun- 
 ties, now assembling there, to inquire whether the gun- 
 powder had been replaced in the publick magazine, the 
 removal of which had spread a general alarm, and greatly 
 exasperated all ranks of people. Expresses had been sent 
 into several Counties, and it was expected that upwards of 
 two thousand men would be assembled in Fredericksburgh 
 by this evening ; and the Militia of Caroline were ordered 
 to meet to-morrow at ten o'clock, to be in readiness to 
 join those of the upper Counties. Mr. Page returned 
 again in the evening, and carried a letter from the Honour- 
 able the Speaker, to endeavour to pacify the people ; and 
 as that gentleman sets out to-morrow by land to attend the 
 General Congress, we hear he proposes meeting them ; 
 and it is hoped, from his great influence, that he will be 
 able to prevail on them to return home, and rest satisfied 
 with the Governour's promise that the powder shall be 
 given up when there is occasion for it. The independent 
 Companies of Caroline and Spottsyhania, we hear, have 
 determined to escort the Delegates from this Colony to 
 Hooe's Ferry, on Potomack. 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR FRANKLIN. 
 
 Perth-Amboy. 
 
 By His Excellency William Franklin, Esq., Captain- 
 General, Governour, and Commander-in-Chief in and 
 over the Province of New-Jersey, and Territories 
 thereon depending, in America, Chancellor and Vice- 
 Admiral in the same, fyc. : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 Whereas I have lately received despatches from one of 
 His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, containing 
 matters of great importance to the Colony, in the present 
 situation of publick affairs, and calculated to restore that 
 harmony between Great Britain and her American Colo- 
 nies so essential to the interest and happiness of both ; and 
 being desirous of communicating the same as early as pos- 
 sible to the General Assembly of this Colony, in order to 
 give them an opportunity of using their best endeavours 
 towards effecting so desirable a purpose ; I have, there- 
 fore, thought fit, and by and with the advice and consent 
 of His Majesty's Council, do hereby appoint the said Gen- 
 eral Assembly to meet at the City of Burlington, on Mon- 
 day, the 15th day of May next ; of which all His Majes- 
 ty's subjects concerned therein are required to take notice, 
 and govern themselves accordingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal at arms, at the City of 
 Perth-Amboy, the twenty-eighth day of April, in the 
 fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King 
 George the Third, Annoq. Domini one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and seventy-five. William Franklin. 
 By His Excellency's command : 
 
 Charles Pettit, D. Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF PERTH-AMBOY, 
 NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 At a meeting of the inhabitants of the North Ward of 
 the City of Perth-Amboy, on Friday, the 28th of April, 
 1775: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That James Parker, Stephen 
 Skinner, and Jonathan Deare, Esquires, or any two of them, 
 be a standing Committee of Correspondence for the North 
 Ward of this City. 
 
427 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 428 
 
 A copy of a Letter from the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence of Princeton, signed by Jonathan D. Sergeant, 
 Esquire, Clerk to the said Committee, transmitted by the 
 Committee of Woodbridge, and by them directed to the 
 inhabitants of this City, was read, wherein, after mention- 
 ing the very alarming intelligence lately received, a Pro- 
 vincial Congress for this Province is proposed to be held 
 on the 5th day of May next ; and a meeting of the inhabi- 
 tants being now called, that their sense might be taken on 
 the necessity and propriety of choosing Deputies to attend 
 the said Congress : 
 
 The question was thereupon put, whether Deputies 
 shall be sent or not, and carried in the affirmative unani- 
 mously. 
 
 James Parker, Stephen Skinner, and Jonathan Deare, 
 Esquires, were then nominated as Deputies to attend the 
 said Congress to represent this City, and were unanimously 
 chosen ; and it is requested that they, or any one or more 
 of them do attend the said Congress accordingly. 
 
 It is also agreed by the inhabitants now assembled, that 
 the expenses of the Deputies who shall attend the said 
 Congress be defrayed by this City. 
 
 It is also requested that Mr. Deare acquaint the Com- 
 mittees of Princeton and Woodbridge of the proceedings 
 of this meeting. By order of the meeting : 
 
 John Thomson, Clerk. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 New-York, April 28, 1775. 
 To the Freeholders and Freemen of the City and County 
 of New-York : 
 
 We regret, gentlemen, the necessity we are under of 
 addressing you upon this occasion, and perceive with 
 anxiety the disorder and confusion into which this City 
 lias been unfortunately involved. 
 
 From cool and temperate counsels only, good conse- 
 quences may be expected ; nor can union (so essential to 
 the success of our cause) be preserved, unless every mem- 
 ber of society will consent to be governed by the sense of 
 the majority, and join in having that sense fairly and can- 
 didly ascertained. 
 
 Conscious that the powers you conferred upon us were 
 not adequate to the present exigency of affairs, we were 
 unanimously of opinion that another Committee should be 
 appointed ; and well knowing that questions of the highest 
 moment and the last importance would come under their 
 consideration, and call for their determination, we thought 
 it most advisable that it should consist of a large number, 
 in order, by interesting many of weight and consequence in 
 all publick measures, they might meet with the more advo- 
 cates, receive" less opposition, and be attended with more 
 certain success. 
 
 The names of one hunched persons were mentioned by 
 this Committee ; you were left at liberty to approve or re- 
 ject them, and appoint others in their room ; and that your 
 sense might be the better taken, polls in each Ward were 
 directed to be opened. What could be more fair? 
 
 By all means, gentlemen, let us avoid divisions; and in- 
 stead of cherishing a spirit of animosity against one another, 
 let us join in forwarding a reconciliation of all parties, and 
 thereby strengthen the general cause. 
 
 Many, no doubt, have become objects of distrust and sus- 
 picion, and, perhaps, not without reason ; you have now 
 an opportunity of trying them. It surely never can be 
 good policy to put it out of their power to join us heartily; 
 it is time enough to reject them when they refuse us their 
 aid. In short, gentlemen, consider that our contest is for 
 liberty; and therefore we should be extremely cautious 
 bow we permit our struggles to hurry us into acts of vio- 
 lence and extravagance inconsistent with freedom. 
 
 Permit us to entreat you to consider these matters 
 seriously, and act with temper as well as firmness; and, 
 by all means, join in the appointment of some Committee, 
 to whom you may resort for counsel, and who may rescue 
 you from tumult, anarchy, and confusion. 
 
 We take the liberty, therefore, of recommending it to 
 you to go to the usual places of election in each of your 
 Wards, on Monday next at nine o'clock in the morning, 
 and then and there give your voices for a Committee of one 
 hundred ; to consist of such persons as you may think most 
 
 worthy of confidence and most capable of the arduous task. 
 Being also fully persuaded of the necessity of a Provincial 
 Convention being summoned with all possible expedition, 
 we recommend it to you, at the same time, to choose 
 twenty Deputies to represent this City and County in such 
 Convention, to meet here on the 22d day of May next. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 COMMITTEE FOR THE CITY OF NEW-YORK TO THE SEVERAL 
 COUNTIES IN THE PROVINCE. 
 Committee Chamber, New-York, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The distressed and alarming situation of 
 our Country, occasioned by the sanguinary measures adopt- 
 ed by the British Ministry, (to enforce which the sword 
 has been actually drawn against our brethren in the Mas- 
 sachusetts,) threatening to involve this Continent in all the 
 horrours of a civil war, obliges us to call for the united aid 
 and counsel of the Colony at this dangerous crisis. 
 
 Most of the Deputies who composed the late Provincial 
 Congress held in this City, were only vested with powers 
 to choose Delegates to represent the Province at the next 
 Continental Congress, and the Convention having executed 
 that trust, dissolved themselves. It is therefore thought 
 advisable by this Committee, that a Provincial Congress 
 be immediately summoned to deliberate upon, and from 
 time to time to direct such measures as may be expedient 
 for our common safety. 
 
 We persuade ourselves that no arguments can now be 
 wanting to evince the necessity of a perfect union ; and 
 we know of no method in which the united sense of the 
 people of the Province can be collected, but in the one 
 now proposed. We therefore entreat your County hear- 
 tily to unite in the choice of proper persons to represent 
 them at a Provincial Congress to be held in this City on 
 the 22d of May next. Twenty Deputies are proposed for 
 this City, and in order to give the greater weight and in- 
 fluence to the councils of the Congress, we could wish the 
 number of Deputies from the Counties may be consider- 
 able. 
 
 We can assure you, that the appointment of a Provin- 
 cial Congress, approved of by the inhabitants of this City 
 in general, is the most proper and salutary measure that 
 can be adopted in the present melancholy state of this Con- 
 tinent ; and we shall be happy to find that our brethren in 
 the different Counties concur with us in opinion. By or- 
 der of the Committee : Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New-York, April 28, 177o. 
 
 On the 18th of instant, April, the humane and benevo- 
 lent General Gage ordered a select number of about twelve- 
 hundred of his Grenadiers and best Troops, in a most 
 secret manner, to march up the country as far as Concord, 
 (as supposed) to seize Colonel Hancock and Mr. Samuel 
 Adams. The first exploit they performed was in their 
 way to Lexington ; they found about thirty men exercis- 
 ing, and, without any provocation, fired upon them, (for 
 about fifteen minutes,) killed six men, and wounded seve- 
 ral when they were retreating as fast as possible ; then the 
 Troops proceeded on their way to Concord. On the road 
 they killed a man on horseback, and killed geese, hogs, 
 cattle, and every living creature they came across ; they 
 came to the house where said Hancock and Adams lodged, 
 (who luckily escaped them ;) they searched the house, and 
 when they could not find them, these barbarians killed the 
 woman of the house and all the children in cool blood, and 
 then set the house on fire. 
 
 Alas ! would not the heathen, in all their savage bar- 
 barity and cruelty, blush at such horrid murder, and worse 
 than brutal rage? Is this the bravery of British Troops? 
 Is this the part of a truly great commander? Is this the 
 native courage and intrepidity of English soldiers, so much 
 boasted of? Is it not rather the ferocity of a mad wild 
 beast, from whom they cannot be supposed to differ only 
 in shape ? Let every American hear and abhor ; let every 
 inhabitant consider what he is likely to suffer if he falls 
 into the hands of such cruel and merciless wretches ; what 
 miseries and calamities shall we not be subjected to, if we 
 
429 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1715. 
 
 430 
 
 submit to the unrighteous and tyrannical claims of the Par- 
 liament, of taking what we call our own, when and in what 
 manner they please, without our consent ; don't this teach 
 us that a body of men, as well as a particular person, may 
 tyrannically oppress ? Let every American consider what 
 interest have we in George the Third, or what inheritance 
 have we in the Parliament of Great Britain. Have they 
 not declared that all the New-England Colonies are rebels, 
 and have ordered and commanded their blood-thirsty sol- 
 diers to cut the throats of men, women, and children, and 
 are they not at this instant endeavouring to carry their 
 bloody decrees into execution ? And how long (besure 
 not a great while) before the rest of the Americans will 
 meet with the same, unless they tamely give up their all 
 into their hands, to be taken by them as they please, 
 without the Colonies' consent ; but God be thanked, the 
 soldiery have met with a check. And for what is all this 
 rage and fury ? For no other cause but that we are slow 
 to believe the power of Parliament is omnipotent, and that 
 they have a right to dispose of us and all we have as they 
 please, without our consent. Surely no man in his senses, 
 or that hath any notion of preserving his person or proper- 
 ty, but what will, without hesitancy, resolve and determine 
 to sell his life as dear as he can, rather than submit to 
 such a slavish and abject condition. Therefore, my coun- 
 trymen, think, and by thinking you will necessarily be led to 
 determine that now or never you may be free ; if once you 
 lose this opportunity and submit, it is not probable you 
 will ever have another. If any should say we had better 
 try conciliatory measures, and again petition for relief from 
 the King and Parliament, I ask, to what purpose can it 
 be ? Have not particular Colonies tried petitioning by 
 themselves, and have not all the Colonies united in a pe- 
 tition for relief? And to what effect? Have they not 
 been disdainfully and contemptuously trampled upon, and 
 treated with scorn, and called nothing but factious com- 
 plaints ? Doth it not plainly appear, that both the King 
 and the Ministry are so fixed and determined at all hazards 
 to destroy American liberty, as that it is to as little purpose 
 to complain, or reason with them, as it is to reason with 
 irrational creatures ? Therefore it seems there is nothing 
 for us to do, but to appeal unto God in the use of what 
 force and strength we have in defence of our liberties and 
 properties, and rely on his Almighty aid for help to repel 
 the tyrant's rage. An American. 
 
 THOMAS BROWN TO COLONEL GEORGE PITKIN. 
 
 Cambridge, April 28, 1775, 3 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 This minute arrived from Bosto7i Mr. Henderson Inches, 
 with the agreeable news that the Governour had opened 
 the gates, and given all the people that have a mind to 
 move out, notice to give in their names to the Selectmen ; 
 and they are to have a guard to guard them out ; and they 
 are to have thirty wagons to move their effects ; and when 
 they return, thirty more to go in. The inhabitants are to 
 resign their arms, and the Tories to have liberty to move 
 in with their effects. And he furthermore brings advice 
 by the last vessel from England, that when the Regiment 
 of Light-Horse were going to embark, the populace rose 
 and prevented their embarkation ; and the General Officers 
 that came away, were obliged to go on board incognito ; 
 but he further says the Ministry have ordered ten thousand 
 Troops more to be sent, but they will not be here until the 
 last of May; and being in haste, shall subscribe myself 
 your most humble servant, Thomas Brown. 
 
 To Colonel George Pitkin. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE 
 CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 28, 1775. \ 
 
 " Resolved unanimously, That the following Letter be 
 authenticated by the President of this Congress, and de- 
 livered to Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, Colonel Josiah Bart- 
 lett, and Major Samuel Hobart, Esquires, Committee from 
 the Convention of the Colony of New-Hampshire, as an 
 answer to their Letter of the 26th instant." 
 
 Gentlemen: It is with pleasure we have received your 
 letter above mentioned, and by a Committee of this Con- 
 
 gress have had a conference with your respectable Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 We find the fullest conviction in the minds of the in- 
 habitants of our sister Colonies, as well as of this, that by 
 their immediate and most vigorous exertions, there is the 
 greatest prospect of establishing their liberties and saving 
 their Country ; and that without such exertions, all must 
 be lost. 
 
 It is the opinion of this Congress, as already communi- 
 cated, that a powerful army on our side must at once cut 
 out such a work for a tyrannical Administration, as, under 
 the great opposition which they meet with in England, 
 they cannot accomplish ; and that their system of despot- 
 ism must soon be shaken to the foundation. But should 
 they still pursue their sanguinary measures, the Colonies 
 will then be able to make a successful stand. We have 
 the utmost confidence in your patriotick Colony, whose in- 
 habitants have signalized themselves in joining their breth- 
 ren in this ; and I hope to see the New-Hamj)shire Gov- 
 ernment, which has been exposed to the corruption of a 
 British Ministry, soon placed upon such a footing as will 
 be best calculated to promote the true interest of the same, 
 and to prevent in future such unhappy disputes as have 
 taken place with the Mother Country. We have just re- 
 ceived an agreeable account of the conduct of our brethren 
 in New- York, and have delivered a copy of the letter to 
 your Committee. 
 
 We sincerely thank you for the late measures taken by 
 your Convention at Exeter, and are fully persuaded that 
 the Congress of the Colony, which is to meet on the 17th 
 of May, will take such effectual steps as the present emer- 
 gency of publick affairs requires, and the Continent of 
 America must necessarily approve at large. 
 
 LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEWPORT, RHODE-ISLAM;. 
 
 Roxbury, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Notwithstanding your many neglects; notwithstanding 
 my many avocations, I once more salute you, jacta est aha. 
 What folly could have induced General Gage to act a part 
 so fatal to Britain. It is all over with them ; their wither- 
 ing laurels will soon be plucked from their brows by the 
 rapacious Bourbon. I pity the madness which effected 
 their destruction. 
 
 You have, no doubt, been informed of the affair of Wed- 
 nesday the 19th. Is it not truly amazing, that such a body 
 of Regulars, so thoroughly appointed, with artillery, &c, 
 should be defeated and put to flight by a handful of raw, 
 undisciplined peasants? We have lost but forty-one, and 
 but few, not exceeding ten, wounded ; they have near 
 three hundred killed, wounded, and missing. Our coun- 
 trymen swarm to our defence from all quarters. We are 
 busily organizing our Troops, and shall soon have a well- 
 constructed army in the field of thirty thousand men. 
 Gage and his Troops are immured within the walls of 
 Boston ; and what is a delay to our satisfaction, our friends 
 are entrapped by them. We have some hopes they will 
 be liberated this day. General Gage has proposed, upon 
 their surrendering their arms, that they march out. They 
 surrendered their arms yesterday. 
 
 Poor Quincy, alas ! he is no more. He returned to his 
 native Country, pressed the beloved soil, and died. We 
 did not see him ; he breathed his last the night before last, 
 at Cape Ann. 
 
 We have had an express by the way of Connecticut, en- 
 closing transcripts from letters sent lately to New-York. 
 Such a vile system of slavery is preparing for us as might 
 make a Bomitian blush. Thank God, our enemies will 
 assuredly be defeated. 
 
 GOVERNOUR HOPKINS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS PROVIN- 
 CIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Providence, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Mr. Joseph Brown and Mr. Moses 
 Brown, of this place, principal merchants, and gentlemen 
 of distinction and probity, will wait upon you with this 
 letter. Their brother, Mr. John Brown, of this Town, 
 merchant, was, two days ago, forcibly taken at Neivport 
 in a packet, as he was coming from thence with a quantity 
 of flour which he had purchased there. He was carried 
 
431 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 432 
 
 on board a Sliip-of-YVar and confined ; and we have since 
 heard that he was sent round to Boston with the Hour. 
 
 I request you to give to the bearers any aid and assist- 
 ance in your power, for procuring the relief and discharge 
 of their brother. Jn my letter of yesterday to the Con- 
 gress, the measure of reprisal in this instance was recom- 
 mended, and if it may be, I wish it may be pursued. 
 
 I am your friend and humble servant, 
 
 Step. Hopkins. 
 
 President of the Congress in Massachusetts. 
 
 JAMES ANGELL TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir : At the request of his Honour the Deputy Govern- 
 our, I have undertaken to answer yours of the 26th in- 
 stant. 
 
 We, Sir, sensibly feel the distresses of our brethren in 
 the Massachusetts- Bay, and can only say, that, as Briga- 
 dier of the three Battalions under my command in the 
 County of Providence, I will furnish you, upon any alarm, 
 with six hundred men ; but the situation of matters is such, 
 occasioned partly by our Assembly's not appointing officers 
 for the fifteen hundred men which they ordered to be raised 
 for your assistance, and partly by the seizure made by the 
 Man-of-War at Newport of three hundred barrels of Hour 
 bought by this Colony for supplying our Army, that it will 
 be impossible for our forces immediately to proceed to join 
 your Army, unless they go destitute of provision, which, 
 we imagine here, would rather be a burden than a help to 
 our friends. However, men are enlisting very fast, and 
 when our Assembly meets here, which will be next week, 
 you may rely on it that our forces will, as fast and as soon 
 as possible, march to your assistance. I am, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, James Angell. 
 
 Z. ANDREWS AND T. FREEMAN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, April 28, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : The anxiety we feel upon seeing the present 
 situation of affairs, will be our apology for troubling you 
 with a letter, the design of which is to convey you intelli- 
 gence that might, with more propriety, come to you from 
 other persons. 
 
 Deputy Governour Sessions received your letter re- 
 questing assistance, which we have seen a copy of yester- 
 day. The Assembly have adjourned, after passing a simple 
 vote that fifteen hundred men, with suitable stores, should 
 be raised at Government's expense ; and leaving the matter 
 there. Nobody at present thinks himself authorized to 
 enlist men, and therefore, scarce any thing in that way has 
 been done. Mr. John Broivn is taken prisoner on board 
 a Man-of-War, and a quantity of flour which he had pur- 
 chased at Newport is seized, and it is, with him, to sail in 
 a sloop for Boston immediately, if he is not already gone. 
 
 Our Assembly meets here on Wednesday next, and then 
 we hope to see something done in compliance with your 
 request; but we do absolutely despair of any thing being 
 done before, if then. We are sorry to say it, from our 
 hearts ; but fearing you might rely too much upon this 
 Government, we thought it our indispensable duty to give 
 you this information. The gentlemen who attended our 
 Assembly as Delegates from your Congress well know 
 where the difficulty lies, and which we hope will be re- 
 moved next week. 
 
 We observed one clause in your letter respecting the 
 artillery, upon which we beg leave to observe, that we 
 have heavy cannon, if such are wanted; but if field- 
 pieces are most required, we believe that more than four 
 or five cannot be ready to come to you, which are now pre- 
 paring with all possible despatch. We are, Sir, with great 
 respect, your obedient humble servants, 
 
 Zeph. Andrews, Lieut, of Grenadiers. 
 Thos. Freeman, Lieut, of Light-Infantry. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO STEPHEN HOPKINS. 
 
 Watertown, April 28, 1775. 
 Sir: It is with the deepest concern we find Mr. Broivn, 
 that valuable friend of the cause of America, betrayed into 
 
 the hands of our common enemies; and every measure for 
 his release that can be pursued by us, shall most earnestly 
 be adopted. 
 
 We have ordered Samuel Murray, son of the Mandamus 
 Counsellor, and such Officers of General Gage's Army as 
 are prisoners of war, not disabled from travelling, to be 
 immediately sent, with a sufficient guard, to Providence ; 
 and I think it best that Murray and Officers should write 
 to their friends in Boston, and acquaint them that Mr. 
 Brown's friends have the same advantage over them as 
 General Gage hath over Mr. Brown. 
 
 We beg leave to suggest to you the critical situation of 
 the Colony at the present time, which disables the Con- 
 gress from immediately seizing every Crown Officer in the 
 Government. Boston is closed, and the numerous inhabit- 
 ants so obnoxious to our enemies, are imprisoned therein. 
 Several of our seaports are blockaded with shipping, and 
 threatened with destruction if they join the Army. Under 
 this situation, the inhabitants of those places most in dan- 
 ger, are day and night removing their furniture and effects ; 
 and we hope soon to see it generally done. Should we, 
 therefore, seize the Crown Officers as proposed, it may 
 hurl on us and our seaports sudden destruction, before 
 they have an opportunity of saving themselves. We had 
 it in contemplation to send a letter to the General, ac- 
 quainting him that we should treat the Crown Officers with 
 severity if Mr. Brown should be so treated by him; but 
 we are apprehensive it would produce an unhappy, rather 
 than good effect, as he has a greater number of our friends 
 than we have of his. We desire you to give us your fur- 
 ther sentiments of the matter. If any other way is left 
 wherein the Congress can save Mr. Brown, it shall be rea- 
 dily pursued. We are, &ic. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 28, 1775. \ 
 
 Whereas, a worthy friend to the liberties of America. 
 Mr. John Brown, of Providence, hath been lately seized, 
 and with two other persons, carried on board a British 
 Ship-of-War at Newport : 
 
 Ordered, That Samuel Murray and two such Officers 
 of General Gage's Army, as are now prisoners of war, and 
 not disabled from travelling on account of their wounds, 
 be immediately sent under a sufficient guard to Providence , 
 and delivered to Hon. Stephen Hopkiiis, Esquire, or other 
 friends of said Mr. Brown; to be made such use of as 
 they shall think proper, for obtaining the liberty of the said 
 Mr. Brown. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO STEPHEN HOPKINS. 
 
 Watertown, April 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The above is a copy of an Order and Letter which 
 passed this Congress yesterday, since which we have re- 
 ceived from Boston copies of sundry Votes of that Town to 
 Gen. Gage, upon the subject of a license, for the inhabitants 
 to remove with their effects into the country ; and by his an- 
 swers it appears that he has consented to suffer such inhab- 
 itants as have inclination therefor, to leave the place with 
 their effects, excepting fire-arms, which are to be delivered 
 at Faneuil Hall, to the Selectmen of the Town, and the 
 name of the owner to be placed on them ; and the Gen- 
 eral expects, on the other hand, a Proclamation from Con- 
 gress, giving liberty to all inhabitants of the Colony having 
 inclination therefor, to remove, with all their effects, into 
 Boston. Some of the inhabitants have already left the 
 Town, by permission of the General ; and under these cir- 
 cumstances, should we issue the Order which has passed 
 in Congress, it may put a stop to this unexpected favour- 
 able event, and prevent the emancipation of many thou- 
 sands of friends to America. We nevertheless propose to 
 detain the prisoners of war; and if the General should not 
 forfeit his plighted faith, to use all expedition in getting out 
 the families and effects of our friends from Boston, that we 
 may be at liberty to use our prisoners, and every other 
 means in our power, for the release of Mr. Brown, as was 
 intended. We have just heard that the passages to and from 
 Boston are again stopped ; but the occasion of this extra- 
 ordinary manoeuvre, we cannot yet learn. 
 
 We are, with great respect, Sic. 
 To the Honourable 5. Hopkins, Esq., of Providence. 
 
433 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 434 
 
 LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE 
 SEVERAL TOWNS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Cambridge, April 28. 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The barbarous murders committed on our 
 innocent brethren on Wednesday the 19th instant, have 
 made it absolutely necessary that we immediately raise an 
 Armv to defend our wives and children from the butcher- 
 ing hands of an inhuman soldiery, who, incensed at the 
 obstacles they met with in their bloody progress, and en- 
 raged at being repulsed from the field of slaughter, will, 
 without doubt, take the first opportunity in their power to 
 ravage this devoted Country with fire and sword. We 
 conjure, therefore, by all that is dear, by all that is sacred, 
 that you give all assistance possible in forming the Army. 
 Our all is at stake. Death and devastation are the certain 
 consequences of delay ; every moment is infinitely precious ; 
 an hour lost may deluge your Country in blood, and entail 
 perpetual slavery upon the few of your posterity who may 
 survive the carnage. We beg and entreat, as you will an- 
 swer it to your Country, to your own consciences, and, 
 above all, to God himself, that you will hasten and encou- 
 rage, by all possible means, the enlistment of men to form 
 the Army, and send them forward to Head Quarters at 
 Cambridge, with that expedition which the vast importance 
 and instant urgency of the affair demands. We are, &c. 
 
 NEWBURYPORT COMMITTEE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 COMMITTEE OF WAR. 
 
 Newburyport, April 23, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Mr. Christian Febiger, the bearer, has been a re- 
 sident in this Town about three weeks. He came last from 
 New-Haven, in Connecticut, and from what acquaintance 
 we have had with him, it appears that he is a person well 
 acquainted with the art military, and professes that since he 
 is a Dane, he is willing to serve in the American Army for 
 pay. He appeared very ready to assist in our late alarm. 
 
 In behalf of the Committee. 
 
 Jona. Titcomb. 
 To the Honourable the Chairman of the Committee of War. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF SANDBORNTON TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Sandbornton, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The messenger who bears this waits upon 
 you to request your advice at this critical and alarming 
 juncture. We are in a state almost totally destitute of the 
 proper means of defence. People among us are extremely 
 uneasy and greatly alarmed. We have made repeated 
 trials to furnish ourselves with ammunition, but without 
 success. We therefore request such advice as you in your 
 wisdom shall think fit, and such assistance as you may 
 please to grant. 
 
 We are encouraged to make this application, as we 
 understand the Province Store is opened, and a barrel of 
 Powder brought to Canterbury. We can assure you that 
 it will be applied to no other use but our Country's defence, 
 being determined to resist all hostile attempts against our 
 sacred and invaluable privileges to the last extremity. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 John Sandborn, 
 Aaron Sandborn, 
 Caleb Gilman. 
 To the Honourable Congress convened at Exeter. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 [Read before Congress, May 19, 1775.] 
 
 Hartford, April 28, 1775. 
 Sir : The alarming situation of publick affairs in this 
 Country, and the late unfortunate transactions in the Prov- 
 ince of the Massachusetts-Bay, have induced the General 
 Assembly of this Colony, now sitting in this place, to ap- 
 point a Committee* of their body, to wait upon your Ex- 
 cellency, and to desire me, in their name, to write to you, 
 relative to those very interesting matters. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Colony are intimately connected 
 
 * Doctor Johnson and Oliver Wolcott, Esquire. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 with the people of your Province, and esteem themselves 
 bound, by the strongest ties of friendship, as well as of 
 common interest, to regard with attention whatever con- 
 cerns them. You will not, therefore, be surprised that your 
 first arrival at Boston, with a body of His Majesty's Troops, 
 for the declared purpose of carrying into execution certain 
 Acts of Parliament, which, in their apprehension, were un- 
 constitutional and oppressive, should have given the good 
 people of this Colony a very just and general alarm. Your 
 subsequent proceedings in fortifying the Town of Boston, 
 and other military preparations, greatly increased their ap- 
 prehensions for the safety of their friends and brethren. 
 They could not be unconcerned spectators of their suffer- 
 ings in that which they esteemed the common cause of 
 this Country ; but the late hostile and secret inroads of some 
 of the Troops under your command, into the heart of the 
 Country, and the violences they have committed, have 
 driven them almost to a state of desperation. They feel 
 now, not only for their friends, but for themselves, and their 
 dearest interests and connections. 
 
 We wish not to exaggerate; we are not sure of every 
 part of our information, but by the best intelligence that 
 we have yet been able to obtain, the late transaction was 
 a most unprovoked attack upon the lives and property of 
 His Majesty's subjects ; and it is represented to us that such 
 outrages have been committed as would disgrace even 
 barbarians, and much more Britons, so highly famed for 
 humanity as well as bravery. 
 
 It is feared, therefore, that we are devoted to destruction, 
 and that you have it in command and intention to ravage 
 and desolate the Country. If this is not the case, permit 
 us to ask, why have these outrages been committed ? Why 
 is the Town of Boston now shut up? To what end are 
 all the hostile preparations that are daily making? And 
 why do we continually hear of fresh destinations of Troops 
 to this Country ? The people of this Colony, you may 
 rely upon it, abhor the idea of taking up arms against the 
 Troops of their Sovereign, and dread nothing so much as 
 the horrours of a civil war. But, sir, at the same time we 
 beg leave to assure your Excellency, that as they appre- 
 hend themselves justified by the principle of self-defence, 
 they are most firmly resolved to defend their rights and 
 privileges to the last extremity ; nor will they be restrained 
 from giving aid to their brethren, if any unjustifiable attack 
 is made upon them. 
 
 Be so good, therefore, as to explain yourself upon this 
 most important subject, so far as is consistent with your 
 duty to our common Sovereign. Is there no way to pre- 
 vent this unhappy dispute from coming to extremities ? Is 
 there no alternative but absolute submission, or the desola- 
 tions of war? By r that humanity which constitutes so 
 amiable a part of your character, and for the honour of our 
 Sovereign, and the glory of the British Empire, we en- 
 treat you to prevent it if possible. Surely it is to be hoped 
 that the temperate wisdom of the Empire might even yet 
 find expedients to restore peace, that so all parts of the 
 Empire may enjoy their particular rights, honours, and im- 
 munities. Certainly this is an event most devoutly to be 
 wished ; and will it not be consistent with your duty to 
 suspend the operations of war on your part, and enable us 
 on ours to quiet the minds of the people, at least till the 
 result of some further deliberations may be known? 
 
 The importance of the occasion will no doubt sufficiently 
 apologize for the earnestness with which we address you, 
 and any seeming impropriety which may attend it, as well 
 as induce you to give us the most explicit and favourable 
 answer in your power. 
 
 I am, with great esteem and respect, in behalf of the 
 General Assembly, Sir, your most obedient servant. 
 
 To his Excellency Thomas Gage, Esq. 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Boston, April 29, 1775. 
 Sir : I transmit you herewith a circumstantial account 
 of an unhappy affair that happened in this Province on the 
 nineteenth instant, between His Majesty's Troops and the 
 people of the country, whereby you will see the pitch their 
 leaders have worked them up to, even to commit hostilities 
 upon the King's Troops when an opportunity offered. It 
 
435 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 436 
 
 has long been said that this was their plan, and so it has 
 turned out. 
 
 I am, with regard and esteem, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Thos. Gage. 
 
 To the Honourable Governour Trumbull. 
 
 A circumstantial Account of an Attaclc that happened on 
 the \9th April, 1775, on His Majesty's Troojii, by a 
 ninnber of the People of the Province of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay. 
 
 On Tuesilay the 18th of April, about half-past ten at 
 night, Lieutenant Colonel Smith, of the Tenth Regiment, 
 embarked from the Common, at Boston, with the Grena- 
 diers and Light-Infantry of the Troops there, and landed 
 on the opposite side; from whence he began his march to- 
 wards Concord, where he was ordered to destroy a maga- 
 zine of military stores, deposited there for the use of an 
 Army to be assembled in order to act against His Majesty 
 and his Government. The Colonel called his officers to- 
 gether, and gave orders that the Troops should not fire 
 unless fired upon ; and after marching a few miles, detached 
 six Companies of Light-Infantry, under the command of 
 Major Pitcairn, to take possession of two bridges on the 
 other side of Concord. Soon after, they heard many sig- 
 nal guns, and the ringing of alarm-bells repeatedly, which 
 convinced them that the country was rising to oppose them, 
 and that it was a preconcerted scheme to oppose the King's 
 Troops, whenever there should be a favourable opportunity 
 for it. About three o'clock the next morning, the Troops 
 being advanced within two miles of Lexington, intelligence 
 was received that about five hundred men in arms were 
 assembled, and determined to oppose the King's Troops ; 
 and on Major Pitcairn' s galloping up to the head of the 
 a ivanced Companies, two officers informed him that a man 
 (advanced from those that were assembled) had presented 
 his musket, and attempted to shoot them, but the piece 
 Hashed in the pan. On this the Major gave directions to 
 the Troops to move forward, but on no account to fire, nor 
 even to attempt it without orders. When they arrived at 
 the end of the village, they observed about two hundred 
 armed men drawn up on a green, and when the Troops 
 came within one hundred yards of them, they began to file 
 off towards some stone walls on their right flank ; the Light- 
 Infantry observing this, ran after them. The Major in- 
 stantly called to the soldiers not to fire, but to surround and 
 disarm them. Some of them who had jumped over a wall, 
 then fired four or five shot at the Troops, wounded a man 
 of the Tenth Regiment, and the Major's horse in two 
 places, and at the same time several shots were fired from 
 a meeting-house on the left. Upon this, without any order 
 or regularity, the Light-Infantry began a scattered fire, and 
 killed several of the country people, but were silenced as 
 soon as the authority of their officers could make them. 
 
 After this, Colonel Smith marched up with the remainder 
 of the detachment, and the whole body proceeded to Con- 
 cord, where they arrived about nine o'clock, without any 
 thing further happening ; but vast numbers of armed peo- 
 ple were seen assembling on all the heights. While Colonel 
 Smith, with the Grenadiers and part of the Light-Infantry, 
 remained at Concord to search for cannon, &ic, there, he 
 detached Captain Parsons, with six light companies, to 
 secure a bridge at some distance from Concord, and to pro- 
 ceed from thence to certain houses, where it was supposed 
 there was cannon and ammunition. Captain Parsons, in 
 pursuance of these orders, posted three companies at the 
 bridge, and on some heights near it, under the command 
 of Captain Laurie, of the Forty-Third Regiment, and with 
 the remainder went and destroyed some cannon-wheels, 
 powder, and ball. The people still continued increasing 
 on the heights, and in about an hour after, a large body of 
 them began to move towards the bridge. The light com- 
 panies of the Fourth and Tenth then descended and joined 
 Captain Laurie. The people continued to advance in great 
 numbers, and fired upon the King's Troops ; killed three 
 men, wounded four officers, one sergeant, and four pri- 
 vates ; upon which (after returning the fire) Captain Laurie 
 and his officers thought it prudent to retreat towards the 
 main body at Concord, and were soon joined by two com- 
 panies of Grenadiers. When Captain Parsons returned 
 with the three Companies over the bridge, they observed 
 
 three soldiers on the ground, one of them scalped, his head 
 much mangled, and his ears cut off', though not quite dead — 
 a sight which struck the soldiers with horrour. Captain 
 Parsons marched on and joined the main body, who were 
 only waiting for his coming up to march back to Boston. 
 Colonel Smith had executed his orders, without opposition, 
 by destroying all the military stores he could find. Both 
 the Colonel and Major Pitcairn having taken all possible 
 pains to convince the inhabitants that no injury was intended 
 them, and that if they opened their doors when required, 
 to search for said stores, not the slightest mischief should 
 be done. Neither had any of the people the least occa- 
 sion to complain ; but they were sulky, and one of them 
 even struck Major Pitcairn. 
 
 Except upon Captain Laurie at the bridge, no hostilities 
 happened from the affair at Lexington, until the Troops 
 began their march back. As soon as the Troops had got 
 out of the Town of Concord, they received a heavy fire 
 on them from all sides — from walls, fences, houses, trees, 
 barns, &tc, which continued, without intermission, till they 
 met the First Brigade, with two field-pieces, near Lexing- 
 ton, ordered out under the command of Lord Percy to sup- 
 port them. Upon the firing of the field-pieces, the people's 
 fire was for a while silenced ; but as they still continued to 
 increase greatly in numbers, they fired again, as before, 
 from all places where they could find cover, upon the whole 
 body, and continued so doing for the space of fifteen miles. 
 
 Notwithstanding their numbers, they did not attack openly 
 during the whole day, but kept under cover on all occasions. 
 The Troops were very much fatigued ; the greater part of 
 them having been under arms all night, and made a march 
 of upwards of forty miles before they arrived at Charles- 
 toivn, from whence they were ferried over to Boston. 
 
 The Troops had above fifty killed, and many more 
 wounded: reports are various about the loss sustained by 
 the country people; some make it very considerable, others 
 not so much. 
 
 Williamsburgh, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Account of an Attaclc upon a body of the King's Troops, 
 by a number of People of the Province of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, on the \ 9th of April, transmitted by Gene- 
 ral Gage to Lord Dunmore, Governour of Virginia. 
 General Gage having received intelligence that a con- 
 siderable magazine of military stores was forming at Con- 
 cord, for an Army which was to assemble there in order to 
 act against His Majesty and his Government, thought pro- 
 per to order the Grenadiers and light companies of the 
 Regiments at Boston, under the command of Lieutenant 
 Colonel Smith, of the Tenth Regiment, to march to the 
 Town of Concord, and to destroy all the military stores 
 they might find there. Pursuant to these orders Lieutenant 
 Colonel Smith crossed, about ten o'clock at night, from the 
 Common to the opposite side, and began his march towards 
 Concord, having first given strict charge to all his officers 
 that they should, on no account, suffer any of their men to 
 fire upon any inhabitants, unless they were first attacked by 
 them. The advanced guard, consisting of six companies 
 of Light-Infantry, under Major Pitcairn, had proceeded to 
 within two miles of Lexington, when they received intelli- 
 gence that five hundred men were drawn together, and 
 seemed determined to oppose the Troops; at the same 
 time many signal guns were fired from different places, 
 bells were set ringing, and the country every where alarm- 
 ed. As the party under Major Pitcairn advanced towards 
 Lexington, a man presented his piece at the officer in the 
 front, but it flashed in the pan ; and when the party reached 
 the end of the village, they discovered about two hundred 
 men under arms, and drawn up on a green, who waited 
 till the Troops came within about one hundred yards of 
 them, and then filed off to their right, and posted them- 
 selves behind some stone walls. Upon which the soldiers 
 ran up towards them, and Major Pitcairn called out to them 
 not to fire, but to surround and disarm them ; but the 
 others having got over the walls, fired from behind them 
 four or five shot at the Troops, which wounded a man of 
 the Tenth Regiment, and the Major's horse in two places ; 
 at the same time several shot were fired from a meeting- 
 house adjoining. Upon this, without any order or regu- 
 larity, the soldiers began a scattered fire, and killed several 
 
437 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c. ; APRIL, 1775. 
 
 438 
 
 of the country people, but they were soon stopped by their 
 officers. 
 
 Colonel Smith came up with the rest of the detachment, 
 and they proceeded together to Concord, where they ar- 
 rived about nine o'clock in the morning, and while he was 
 putting his orders into execution, in destroying the maga- 
 zine which was found there, he detached a party of six 
 companies of Light-Infantry to secure a bridge at some 
 little distance from the Town, and to destroy some ammu- 
 nition which they were informed was in several houses 
 thereabouts. This detachment was commanded by Capt. 
 Parsons, of the Tenth Regiment, who, leaving three com- 
 panies at the bridge, with the remainder went in search of 
 and destroyed a quantity of powder, ball, and cannon- 
 wheels, which he found. In the mean time a great num- 
 ber of the country people assembled about this party, and 
 fired upon the three companies posted at the bridge — 
 killed three men, wounded four officers, one sergeant, and 
 four privates. The Troops returned the fire, and retreated 
 towards their main body at Concord, and were soon fol- 
 lowed by Captain Parsons and the other three Companies, 
 who. in passing over the bridge, found three soldiers lying 
 on the ground, one of whom had been scalped, his head 
 much mangled, and his ears cut off, though not quite dead. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Smith being joined by this party, 
 and having completed the business which had been the ob- 
 ject of this design, quitted Concord on his return to Boston; 
 but as soon as he had got without the place, he found him- 
 self attacked on all sides from the walls, houses, barns, 
 trees, and every place that afforded cover, and a heavy 
 fire continued upon the Troops until they were met by 
 Lord Percy with his Brigade and two field-pieces, upon 
 tne firing of which the country people concealed them- 
 selves, and ceased. But as soon as the Troops put them- 
 selves in march they were again attacked as before, and 
 without intermission, till the Troops reached Charlestown , 
 from whence they were ferried over to Boston. 
 
 The Troops made several halts and returned the fire of 
 the country people, who, however, kept themselves en- 
 tirely covered and concealed, and did not make the least 
 attempt to show themselves, or venture a close engagement. 
 The Troops lost fifty men killed, and many more are 
 wounded ; the loss sustained by the others is not known ; 
 some accounts make it very considerable, others little or 
 nothing. 
 
 ACCOUNT OF AN ATTACK ON THE INHABITANTS OF MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS BY THE BRITISH TROOPS, ACTING UNDER 
 THE ORDERS OF GENERAL GAGE, ON THE 19TH OF 
 APRIL. 1775. 
 
 Worcester, Massachusetts, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Americans, for ever bear in mind the battle of Lexing- 
 ton, where British Troops, unmolested and unprovoked, 
 wantonly, and in a most inhuman manner, fired upon and 
 killed a number of our countrymen, then robbed them of 
 their provisions, ransacked, plundered, and burnt their 
 houses! Nor could the tears of defenceless women, some 
 of whom were in the pains of childbirth, the cries of help- 
 less babes, nor the prayers of old age, confined to beds of 
 sickness, appease their thirst for blood, or divert them from 
 their design of murder and robbery ! 
 
 The particulars of this alarming event will, we are credi- 
 bly informed, be soon published by authority, as a Com- 
 mittee of the Provincial Congress have been appointed to 
 make special inquiry, and to take the depositions, on oath, 
 of such as are knowing to the matter. In the mean time, 
 to satisfy the expectation of our readers, we have collected 
 from those whose veracity is unquestioned the following 
 account, viz : 
 
 A few days before the battle, the Grenadier and Light- 
 Infantry Companies were all drafted from the several 
 Regiments in Boston, and put under the command of an 
 Officer, and it was observed that most of the transports 
 and other boats were put together, and fitted for immedi- 
 ate service. This manoeuvre gave rise to a suspicion that 
 some formidable expedition was intended by the soldiery, 
 but what or where, the inhabitants could not determine ; 
 however, the town-watches in Boston, Charlestoiun, 
 Cambridge, Sic, were ordered to look well to the landing 
 places. About ten o'clock on the night of the 18th of 
 April, the Troops in Boston were discovered to be on the 
 
 move in a very secret manner, and it was found they were 
 embarking in boats (which they privately brought to the 
 place in the evening) at the bottom of the Common ; ex- 
 presses sat off immediately to alarm the country, that they 
 might be on their guard. When the expresses got about 
 a mile beyond Lexington, they were stopped by about 
 fourteen officers on horseback, who came out of Boston 
 in the afternoon of that day, and were seen lurking in 
 by-places in the country till after dark. One of the ex- 
 presses immediately fled, and was pursued two miles by an 
 officer, who, when he had got up with him, presented a 
 pistol, and told him he was a dead man if he did not stop ; 
 but he rode on until he came up to a house, when, stop- 
 ping of a sudden, his horse threw him off. Having the 
 presence of mind to halloo to the people in the house, 
 "Turn out! turn out! I have got one of them," the offi- 
 cer immediately retreated as fast as he had pursued. The 
 other express, after passing through a stiict examination, 
 by some means got clear. 
 
 The body of the Troops in the mean time, under the 
 command of Lieutenant Colonel Smith, had crossed the 
 river, and landed at Phipps's farm. They immediately, 
 to the number of one thousand, proceeded to Lexnigton, 
 six miles below Concord, with great silence. A Company 
 of Militia, of about eighty men, mustered near the meeting- 
 house ; the Troops came in sight of them just before sun- 
 rise ; the Militia, upon seeing the Troops, began to dis- 
 perse ; the Troops then sat out upon the run, hallooing and 
 huzzaing, and coming within a few rods of them, the com- 
 manding officer accosted the Militia in words to this effect : 
 "Disperse, you damn'd rebels! damn you, disperse!" 
 Upon which the Troops again huzzaed, and immediately 
 one or two officers discharged their pistols, which were 
 instantaneously followed by the firing of four or five of the 
 soldiers, and then there seemed to be a general discharge 
 from the whole body. It is to be noticed they fired upon 
 our people as they were dispersing, agreeable to their com- 
 mand, and that we did not even return the fire ; eight of 
 our men were killed, and nine wounded. The Troops 
 then laughed, and damned the Yankees, and said they 
 could not bear the smell of gunpowder. A little after 
 this the Troops renewed their march to Concord, where, 
 when they arrived, they divided into parties, and went di- 
 rectly to several places where the Province stores were 
 deposited. Each party was supposed to have a tory pilot. 
 One party went into the jail yard, and spiked up and 
 otherwise damaged two cannon belonging to the Province, 
 and broke and set fire to the carriages. They then enter- 
 ed a store and rolled out about a hundred barrels of flour, 
 which they unheatled, and emptied about forty in the 
 river; at the same time others were entering houses and 
 shops, and unheading barrels, chests, &ic, the property of 
 private persons; some took possession of the Town- 
 House, to which they set fire, but was extinguished by our 
 people without much hurt. Another party of the Troops 
 went and took possession of the North bridge. About one 
 hundred and fifty Provincials, who mustered upon the 
 alarm, coming towards the bridge, the Troops fired upon 
 them without ceremony, and killed two upon the spot ! 
 (Thus did the Troops of Britain's King fire first at two 
 several times upon his loyal American subjects, and put a 
 period to ten lives, before one gun was fired upon them.) 
 Our people then returned the fire, and obliged the Troops 
 to retreat, who were soon joined by their other parties, but 
 finding they were still pursued, the whole body retreated 
 back to Lexington, both Provincials and Troops firing as 
 they went. During this time an express from the Troops 
 was sent to General Gage, who, thereupon, sent out a 
 reinforcement of about fourteen hundred men, under the 
 command of Earl Percy, with two field-pieces.* Upon 
 the arrival of this reinforcement at Lexington, just as the 
 retreating party had got there, they made a stand, picked 
 up their dead, and took all the carriages they could rind 
 
 * When the Second Brigade marched out of Boston to reinforce the 
 First, nothing was played by the Fifes and Drums but Yankee Doodle, 
 (which had become their favourite tune ever since that notable exploit, 
 which did such honour to the Troops of Britain's King, of tarring and 
 feathering a poor countryman in Boston, and parading with him 
 through the principal streets, under arms, with their bayonets fixed.) 
 Upon their return to Boston, one asked his brother officer how he 
 liked the tune now ? " Damn them, (returned he,) they made us dance 
 it till we were tired." Since which Yankee Doodle sounds less swe.t 
 to their ears. 
 
 * 
 
139 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 440 
 
 and put their wounded thereon; others of them, to their 
 eternal disgrace be it spoken, were robbing and setting 
 houses on fire, and discharging their cannon at the meet- 
 ing-house. Whilst they were thus employed, a number 
 of our people attacked a party of twelve of the enemy, 
 (carrying stores and provisions to the Troops,) killed one 
 of them, and took possession of their arms, stores, provi- 
 sions, &ic, without any loss on our side. The enemy 
 having halted about an hour at Lexington, found it neces- 
 sary to make a second retreat, carrying with them many of 
 their dead and wounded. They continued their retreat 
 from Lexington to Charlcstown with great precipitation ; 
 our people continued the pursuit,* firing till they got to 
 Charlestown Neck, (which they reached a little after sun- 
 set,) over which the enemy passed, proceeded up Bunker's 
 Hill, and the next day went into Boston under the pro- 
 tection of the Somerset Man-of-VVar of sixty-four guns. 
 
 A young man, unarmed, who was taken prisoner by the 
 enemy, and made to assist in carrying off" their wounded, 
 says that he saw a barber who lives in Boston, thought to 
 be one Warden, with the Troops, and that he heard 
 them say he was one of their pilots. He likewise saw the 
 said barber fire twice upon our people, and heard Earl 
 Percy order the Troops to fire the houses. He also in- 
 forms that several officers were among the wounded who 
 were carried to Boston, where our informant was dismissed. 
 They took two of our men prisoners in battle, who are now 
 confined in barracks. 
 
 Immediately upon the return of the Troops to Boston, 
 all communication to and from the Town was stopped by 
 General Gage. The Provincials, who flew to the assist- 
 ance of their distressed countrymen, are posted in Cam- 
 bridge, Charlestown, Roxbury, Watertown, &,c, and have 
 placed guards on Roxbury Neck, within gun-shot of the 
 enemy ; guards are also placed every where in view of the 
 Town, to observe the motion of the King's Troops. The 
 council of war, and the different Committees of Safety and 
 Supplies set at Cambridge, and the Provincial Congress 
 at fVatertown. The Troops in Boston are fortifying the 
 place on all sides, and a Frigate-of-War is stationed up 
 Cambridge River, and a sixty-four gun Ship between Bos- 
 ton and Charlestown. 
 
 Deacon Joseph Loring's house and barn, Mrs. Muni- 
 kill's house and shop, and Mr. Joshua Rond's house and 
 shop in Lexington, were all consumed. They also set fire 
 to several other houses, but our people extinguished the 
 flames. They pillaged almost every house they passed by, 
 breaking and destroying doors, windows, glasses, he, and 
 carrying off clothing and other valuable effects. It appear- 
 ed to be their design to burn and destroy all before them; 
 and nothing but our vigorous pursuit prevented their infer- 
 nal purposes from being put in execution. But the savage 
 barbarity exercised upon the bodies of our unfortunate 
 brethren who fell, is almost incredible. Not content with 
 shooting down the unarmed, aged, and infirm, they disre- 
 garded the cries of the wounded, killing them without 
 mercy, and mangling their bodies in the most shocking 
 manner. 
 
 We have the pleasure to say that, notwithstanding the 
 highest provocations given by the enemy, not one instance 
 of cruelty, that we have heard of, was committed by our 
 Militia; but listening to the merciful dictates of the Christian 
 religion, they " breathed higher sentiments of humanity." 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM SEVERAL INTERCEPTED LETTERS OF THE 
 SOLDIERY IN BOSTON. 
 
 Boston, April 28, 1775. 
 
 1 am well, all but the wound I received through the leg 
 by a ball from one of the Bostonians. At the lime I 
 
 * An American Soldier, who had received a wound in his broast in 
 panning General QagePt Troops, on the 19th of April, supported his 
 body against a troo. A brother Soldier came up to him, and offered 
 him assistance. " Pursue the enemy," said the wounded man. With 
 these words on his lips, he fell back and died. 
 
 A gentleman who travelled lately through Connecticut, informs us 
 that he mot with an old gentlowoman, who told him that alio had fitted 
 out and sent fivo sons and eleven grandsons to Huston, whon she hoard 
 of the engagement between tho Provincials and Regulars. The gen. 
 tleman askod her, if sho did not shod a tear at parting with them ? 
 "No, (said she,) I never parted with them with more pleasure." But 
 supposo, said the gentleman, they had all been killed. " I had rather 
 (said the noble matron) this had been the case, than that oiu of the n 
 had come back a coward." 
 
 wrote to you from Quebeck I had the strongest assurance 
 of going home, but the laying the tax on the New-Eng- 
 land people caused us to be ordered for Boston, where we 
 remained in peace with the inhabitants, till on the night of 
 the 18th of April twenty-one companies of Grenadiers 
 and Light-Infantry were ordered into the country about 
 eighteen miles, where, between four and five o'clock in the 
 morning, we met an incredible number of people of the 
 country in arms against us. Colonel Smith, of the Tenth 
 Regiment, ordered us to rush on them with our bayonets 
 fixed, at which time some of the peasants fired on us, and 
 our men returning the fire, the engagement begun. They 
 did not fight us like a regular army, only like savages, 
 behind trees and stone walls, and out of the woods and 
 houses, where in the latter, we killed numbers of them, as 
 well as in the woods and fields. The engagement began 
 between four and five in the morning, and lasted till eight 
 at night. I cannot be sure when you will get another 
 letter from me, as this extensive Continent is all in arms 
 against us. These people are very numerous, and full as 
 bad as the Indians for scalping and cutting the dead men's 
 ears and noses oft", and those they get alive, that are 
 wounded, and cannot get off the ground. 
 
 Boston, April 28, 1775. 
 The Grenadiers and Light-Infantry marched lbr Co/i- 
 cord, where were powder and ball, arms, and cannon 
 mounted on carriages ; but before we could destroy them 
 all, we were fired on by the country people, who, not 
 brought up in our military way, as ourselves, we were sur- 
 rounded always in the woods. The firing was very hot on 
 both sides. About two in the afternoon the Second Bri- 
 gade came up, which were four Regiments and part of the 
 Artillery, which were of no use to us, as the enemy were 
 in the woods ; and when we found they fired from the 
 houses, we set them on fire, and they ran to the woods 
 like devils. We were obliged to retreat to Boston again, 
 over Charles River, our ammunition being all fired away. 
 We had one hundred and fifty men wounded and killed, 
 and some taken prisoners ; we were forced to leave some 
 behind, who were wounded. We got back to Boston 
 about three o'clock next morning, and them that were able 
 to walk were forced to mount guard, and lie in the field. 
 I never broke my fast for forty-eight hours, for we carried 
 no provisions, and thought to be back next morning. 1 
 had my hat shot off my head three times, two balls went 
 through my coat, and carried away my bayonet by my 
 side, and was near being killed. The people of Roston 
 are in great trouble, for General Gage will not let the 
 Town's people go out. Direct for me to Chatham's divi- 
 sion of Marines. 
 
 Boston, April 30, 1775. 
 Dear Parents : Before this reaches you, you may 
 hear that our regiment has been engaged with the Pro- 
 vincials. The Grenadiers and Light-Infantry marched 
 about nine at night. At six next morning four hundred 
 and twenty-three soldiers, and forty-seven marines, in all 
 fifteen hundred, marched to reinforce the Grenadiers and 
 Light-Infantry, joined about one o'clock, and found them 
 not engaged, which they had been eight hours before ; for 
 we had two pieces of cannon, which made us march slow. 
 As soon as we came up we fired the cannon, which brought 
 them from behind the trees, for we did not fight as you did 
 in Germany, as we could not see above ten in a body, for 
 they were behind trees and walls, and fired at us, and then 
 loaded on their bellies. We had thirty-six rounds, which 
 obliged us to go home that night, and as we came along 
 they got before us and fired at us out of the houses, and 
 killed and wounded a great many of us, but we levelled 
 their houses as we came along. It was thought there 
 were about six thousand at first, and at night double that 
 number. The King's Troops lost in killed and wounded 
 one hundred and fifty, and the Americans five hundred 
 men, women, and children, for there was a number of 
 women and children burnt in their houses. Our regiment 
 has five killed and thirty-one wounded, particularly Col- 
 onel Bernard in the thigh, which all the regiment is sorry 
 for. The shot flew thick. I got a wounded man's gun, 
 and killed two of them, as I am sure of. We have been 
 busy in fortifying the Town ever since we engaged, and in 
 
441 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 442 
 
 a few days wc cxpoct a good many more Troops from 
 England, and then we shall surely burn the whole Coun- 
 try before us, if they do not submit, which I do not ima- 
 gine they will do, for they are an obstinate set of people. 
 Tell Bill if he comes to Boston he may have a wife in 
 every house he comes to, for the women are left at home 
 while the men go to fight the soldiers. They have formed 
 an army, and keep guard close to our works, so that our 
 centries can talk together at ease. We were engaged from 
 six to six. The whole Country is in arms against us, and 
 they are headed by two of the Generals that headed our 
 army last war ; their names are Ward and Putnam. 
 W e have a great deal of shipping, but they are of little 
 service, only to cover the Town, cannon and Troops, 
 except the small schooners that go up in the creeks and 
 destroy them, which they have done many of them. 
 There is no market in Boston, the inhabitants all starv- 
 ing ; the soldiers live on salt provisions, and the officers 
 are supplied by the men-of-war cutters, who go up the 
 creeks and take live cattle and sheep wherever they 
 find them. We vex the Americans very much, by cut- 
 ting down their liberty poles and alarm posts. We have 
 had a great many died in our Regiment last winter, so that 
 what with wounded men, and what have deserted, we have 
 not three hundred men ; and duty is so hard that we come 
 off guard in the morning, and mount picket at night. 
 
 Boston, April 25, 1775. 
 Honoured Mother: The rebels, when we came to 
 Concord, burnt their stores, fired upon the King's Troops, 
 and a smart engagement ensued. About two o'clock our 
 Brigade came up to them, where we engaged and contin- 
 ued fi"htin" and retreating towards Boston. The rebels 
 
 DO ° 
 
 were monstrous numerous, and surrounded us on every 
 side ; when they came up we gave them a smart fire, but 
 they never would engage us properly. We killed some 
 hundreds and burnt some of their houses. I received a 
 wound in my head. The Troops are in Boston, and sur- 
 rounded on the land side by the rebels, who are very numer- 
 ous, and fully determined to lose their lives and fortunes, 
 rather than be taxed by England. We had thirty-four 
 killed and wounded ; 1 suppose the King's Troops in all 
 about one hundred and sixty. In case they take Boston, 
 the Troops will retire on board the Men-of-War, and then 
 the Men-of-War will burn the Town, and remain till more 
 Troops come from England, and then conquer them ; so 
 their estates and lives will be forfeited. There are only 
 four thousand soldiers, and about fifty or sixty thousand of 
 them. 
 
 Boston, May 2, 1775. 
 Loving Brothers and Sisters: The 19th of April 
 the engagement happened, and my husband was wounded 
 and taken prisoner, but they use him well, and I am striv- 
 ing to get to him, as he is very dangerous ; but it is almost 
 impossible to get out or in, or to get any thing, for we are 
 forced to live on salt provisions entirely', and they are 
 building batteries round the Town, and so are we, for we 
 are expecting them to storm us, and are expecting more 
 Troops every day. My husband is now lying in one of 
 their hospitals, at a place called Cambridge, and there are 
 now forty or fifty thousand of them gathered together, and 
 we are not four thousand at most. It is very troublesome 
 times, for we are expecting the Town to be burnt down 
 every day, and I believe we are sold ; and I hear my hus- 
 band's leg is broke, and my heart is broke. 
 
 A SERIOUS ADMONITION TO THE INHABITANTS OF WIL- 
 LIAMSBURGH. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Va., April 29, 1775. 
 Friends and Fellow- Citizens : 
 
 Permit one who sincerely wishes the prosperity of his 
 Country, to address you on a subject of great importance, 
 which has engaged the attention of us all, though the effects 
 it has produced in our minds seem not to be of the same 
 impression. 
 
 Some, I find, consider the Governour's ordering the 
 removal of the powder from the magazine an illegal act, 
 that as such it might be resisted ; and the rage of patrio- 
 tism has been carried so far as even to occasion a tumult 
 directed to that end. What the consequences might have 
 
 been, I tremble to think of; and earnestly congratulate 
 you, and my Country in general, that a stop has been put 
 to this scene of confusion by the virtuous and zealous in- 
 terposition of some of our worthy inhabitants. I feel par- 
 ticular pleasure, too, in reflecting, that those who, in an 
 unguarded moment were for carrying things the farthest, 
 have not yet advanced so far as to be impenetrable to the 
 still voice of reason. Though we had committed our un- 
 ruddered bark to the mercy of a stormy ocean, we have 
 providentially recovered the firmer element, on which we 
 may tread in security and peace; and here let us rest. 
 
 Anxious, my friends, for every thing which is necessary 
 to our welfare, suffer me to observe, that even admitting 
 the powder which was removed to have been purchased 
 by this Country, (a fact I do not pretend to be acquainted 
 with,) yet the money given for that purpose could be con- 
 stitutionally given only to the King. The powder must 
 therefore be under his direction, to be employed indeed for 
 the benefit of the Country ; but how, and in what manner, 
 as long as our Government exists, is in the discretion of 
 the King, or of his Representatives. It is true, Kin^s 
 have sometimes violated the most sacred trust, and in the 
 course of their Government have chose rather to build on 
 a discretionary power originating in themselves, than on 
 that fiduciary and limited authority which is derived from 
 the people. Instances of this sort we have had, and fatal 
 instances we have had too of the resentment of the peo- 
 ple on account of their abused rights ; but no man ac- 
 quainted with that part of our history will, in his cooler 
 moments, think it right to fly in an outrageous manner in 
 the face of Government, upon every occasion when there 
 may be real cause of complaint. A decent representa- 
 tion of grievances ought certainly to precede, and much, 
 very much, ought to be borne before the people can be 
 justified in resorting to their natural power, in the reclaim- 
 ing of which so much disorder and confusion must neces- 
 sarily arise. 
 
 How frantick, then, would it appear in us to think of 
 acting on the idea of reverted power, and of appealing to 
 Heaven upon no other inducement than the Governour's 
 exertion of a right certainly vested in him by the Consti- 
 tution, which, for what we know, might have been neces- 
 sary to our welfare, and which, after the information his 
 Excellency has been pleased to give to the Corporation, 
 cannot, without the most causeless breach of good manners 
 to him as a man, and of that respect and decorum which 
 are due to him as our Governour, be conceived not to have 
 been so, at least in his Lordship's opinion. 
 
 Understanding, however, that though a stop has been 
 happily put to the commotions first occasioned by this affair, 
 there is still a leaven of discontent among a few of us. 
 which, without some seasonable address, might possibly 
 spread, and break out into fresh disorder; I hope it will be 
 taken in good part that I thus venture to commit my 
 sentiments to the examination of every friend of order. 
 
 I beg leave to conclude by observing, that whatever 
 opinions we may hold with respect to the British Parlia- 
 ment, I have never yet heard it doubted, whether we are 
 not bound to the King by the most sacred tie of allegiance : 
 and I trust we shall all join hand and heart in proving our- 
 selves, as we have always hitherto been, among the mos: 
 loyal of his subjects. Civis. 
 
 OFFICERS OF ALBEMARLE VOLUNTEERS TO COLONEL 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Charlottesville, April 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The County of Albemarle in general, and the 
 Gentlemen Volunteers in particular, are truly alarmed and 
 highly incensed with the unjustifiable proceedings of Lord 
 Dunmorc, who, we are informed, has clandestinely taken 
 possession of our ammunition lodged in the Magazine. 
 W T e should have attended at Frcdericksburgh. in order to 
 have proceeded to Williamsburgh to demand a return of 
 the powder, had the alarm reached us before an account 
 of security being given for its delivery. However, to as- 
 sure you and the world of our readiness and willingness to 
 resent any encroachment of arbitrary power, we now de- 
 clare to you, should it be necessary, that the First Com- 
 pany of Independents for Albemarle will attend in Wil- 
 liamsburgh, properly equipped, and prepared to enforce an 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 444 
 
 immediate delivery of the powder, (if not to be obtained 
 otherwise) or die in the attempt. With respect, we re- 
 main ready to obey your commands. 
 
 Charles Lewis, Captain. 
 Geokge Gilmer, Lieutenant, 
 John Marks, Second Lieutenant. 
 
 P. S. The Company will stand under arms all day on 
 Tuesday waiting your answer. 
 
 FREDERICKS BURGH (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Saturday, April 2D, 1775. 
 
 At a Council of one hundred and two Members, Dele- 
 gates of the Provincial Convention, Officers, and special 
 Deputies of fourteen Companies of Light-Horse, consist- 
 ing of upwards of six hundred well-armed and disciplined 
 men, friends of Constitutional Liberty and America, now 
 rendezvoused here in consequence of an alarm occasioned 
 by the Powder being removed from the County Magazine, 
 in the City of Williamsburgh, in the night of Thursday the 
 L 21st instant, and deposited on board an armed Schooner, 
 by order of his Excellency the Governour : 
 
 The Council having before them the several matters of 
 intelligence respecting this transaction, and particularly a 
 Letter from the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, 
 Speaker of the late House of Burgesses of Virginia, re- 
 ceived here last night by an express despatched to Wil- 
 liamsburgh for the purpose of gaining intelligence, inform- 
 ing that the gentlemen of the City of Williamsburgh and 
 neighbourhood have had full assurance from his Excellency 
 that this affair will be accommodated, and advising that the 
 gentlemen assembled here should proceed no further at this 
 time. This Council came to the following determination, 
 and offer the same as their advice to those publick spirited 
 gentlemen, friends to British Liberty and America, who 
 have honoured them by this appointment : Highly con- 
 demning the conduct of the Governour on this occasion, as 
 impolitick, and justly alarming to the good people of this 
 Colony, tending to destroy all confidence in Government, 
 and to widen the unhappy breach between Great Britain 
 and her Colonies, ill-limed and totally unnecessary, con- 
 sider this instance as a full proof, that no opinion which 
 may be formed of the good intentions of a Governour in 
 private life, can afford security to our injured and oppressed 
 Country ; but that obedience to arbitrary and ministerial 
 mandates, and the most tyrannical and oppressive system 
 of Government, must be the fatal line of conduct of all His 
 Majesty's present servants in America. At the same time 
 justly dreading the horrours of a civil war, influenced by mo- 
 lives of the strongest affection to our fellow-subjects of Great 
 Britain, most ardently wishing to heal our mutual wounds, 
 and therefore preferring peaceable measures, whilst the 
 least hope of reconciliation remains, do advise that the 
 several companies now rendezvoused here do return to 
 their respective homes; but considering the just rights and 
 liberty of America to be greatly endangered by the violent 
 and hostile proceedings of an arbitrary Ministry, and being 
 firmly resolved to resist such attempts at the utmost hazard 
 of our lives and fortunes, we do now pledge ourselves to 
 each other to be in readiness, at a moment's warning, to 
 reassemble, and by force of arms, to defend the Law, the 
 Liberty, and Rights of this or any sister Colony, from un- 
 just and wicked invasion. 
 
 Ordered, That expresses be despatched to the Troops 
 assembled at the Bowling Green, and also to the Compa- 
 nies from Frederick, Berkley, Dunmorc, and such other 
 Counties as are now on their march, to return them thanks 
 for their cheerful offer of service, and to acquaint them 
 with the determination now taken. 
 
 God save the Liberties of America. 
 
 The foregoing Determination of Council having been 
 read at the head of each Company, was cordially and 
 unanimously approved. 
 
 JOHN DICKINSON TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Fuirhill, April 29, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: The " immedicabile vulvitis" is at length 
 struck. The rescript to our Petition is written in blood. 
 The impious war of tyranny against innocence has com- 
 menced in the neighbourhood of Boston. 
 
 We have not yet received any authentiok accounts, but 
 1 will briefly mention the most material parts of the rela- 
 tions that have reached us. 
 
 General Gage having lately received despatches from 
 England, gave orders on Saturday, the 15th of this month, 
 that the Grenadiers and Light-Infantry should be excused 
 from duty until further orders. Some of the inhabitants of 
 the Town being alarmed by this circumstance, observed 
 between ten and eleven o'clock on Tuesday night follow- 
 ing, those bodies to be moving with great silence towards 
 that water which is usually crossed in going to Cambridge. 
 Notice of this movement was immediately conveyed into 
 the country. The Troops mentioned embarked in boats, 
 and landed at Cambridge, about four or five miles from 
 Boston. From thence they marched, on Wednesday the 
 19th, in the morning, to Lexington, about twelve miles 
 from Boston. At this place they found some Provincials 
 exercising. The commander of the party ordered them 
 to disperse. They did not. One of them said he was on 
 his own ground ; that they injured no person, and could 
 not hurt any one, for they had no ammunition with them. 
 The word was given, and the brave Britons, emulating no 
 doubt the glorious achievements of their ancestors, gallantly 
 gave fire upon those who were exercising, killed some, and 
 put the rest to flight. This victory was gained by the 
 Grenadiers and Light-Infantry, without the assistance of 
 any other corps, though their numbers, it is said, did not 
 exceed a thousand, and the Provincials amounted to at 
 least, as it is reported, twenty-five or thirty men ! 
 
 From Lexington the victors pursued their march to Con- 
 cord, about twenty miles from Boston, where they destroy- 
 ed a small Magazine, and set fire to the Court-House. By 
 this time two or three hundred of the inhabitants were col- 
 lected, and an engagement began. The Troops soon re- 
 treated, and lost two pieces of cannon, which they had 
 seized. 
 
 General Gage receiving intelligence of this engagement, 
 or of the murder at Lexington, between eight and nine 
 o'clock on Wednesday morning, sent out a Brigade under 
 Lord Percy, consisting of the Marines, the Welsh Fusileers, 
 the fourth, thirty-eighth, and forty-seventh Regiments, with 
 two field-pieces. The Grenadiers and Light-Infantry, 
 still retreating, met his Lordship advancing to their relief; 
 but the place of meeting is uncertain, supposed to be about 
 five or six miles from Boston. The numbers of the coun- 
 try people being also now increased, a very warm contest 
 ensued. The Provincials fought as desperate men. The 
 Regulars bore the attack awhile, still retreating, but at 
 length broke, and retired in the utmost confusion to a hill 
 called Bunker's Hill, not far from Charlestown, which place 
 is situated opposite to Boston, on the other side of Charles 
 River. About a mile from the hill, one vessel-of-war, if 
 not more, was stationed to cover the retreat into Charles- 
 town down to the water-side, in order to pass over to Bos- 
 ton. In the retreat of this one mile, it is said the Regulars 
 lost twelve officers and two hundred privates. The Pro- 
 vincials, afraid of the shipping's firing on Charlestown, and 
 of hurting the Town's people, stopped the pursuit. 
 
 On the whole, the accounts say the Regulars had about 
 five hundred men killed, and many are wounded and pri- 
 soners. The advices by several expresses are positive, that 
 Lord Percy is killed, which gives great and general grief 
 here, and also General Haldimand, the two first in com- 
 mand ; that a wagon loaded with powder and ball, another 
 with provisions, and the field-pieces attending the rein- 
 forcement, are taken. It is added that a party of three 
 hundred sent out to Marshjield , are cut off and taken to a 
 man. Several letters from Boston mention that the offi- 
 cers returned there, several of whom are wounded, declare 
 they never were in hotter service. The whole of the fight 
 lasted about seven hours. Part of it was seen from the 
 hill in Boston. 
 
 I cannot say 1 am convinced of the truth of all the par- 
 ticulars above-mentioned, though some of them are sup- 
 ported by many probabilities. But these facts I believe 
 you may depend on : that this most unnatural and inexpressi- 
 bly cruel war began with the butchery of the unarmed 
 Americans at Lexington; that the Provincials, incredible 
 as it may be at St. James or St. Stephen's, fought bravely ; 
 that the Regulars have been defeated with considerable 
 slaughter, though they behaved resolutely ; that a Tory 
 
445 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 446 
 
 dare not open his mouth against the cause of America, 
 even at New-York ; that the Continent is preparing most 
 assiduously for a vigorous resistance ; and that freedom, or 
 an honourable death, are the only objects on which their 
 souls are at present employed. 
 
 What human policy can divine the prudence of precipi- 
 tating us into these shocking scenes ? Why have we rashly 
 been declared rebels? Why have directions been sent to 
 disarm us ? Why orders to commence hostilities? Why 
 was not General Gage at least restrained from hostilities 
 until the sense of another Congress could be collected ? It 
 was the determined resolution of some, already appointed 
 Delegates for it, to have strained every nerve at that meet- 
 ing to attempt bringing the unhappy dispute to terms of 
 accommodation, safe for the Colonies, and honourable and 
 advantageous for our Mother Country, in whose prosperity 
 and glory our hearts take as large a share as any Minister's 
 of State, and from as just and as generous motives, to say 
 no more of them. 
 
 But what topicks of reconciliation are now left for men 
 who think as I do, to address our countrymen ? To recom- 
 mend reverence for the Monarch, or affection for the Mo- 
 ther Country ? Will the distinctions between the Prince 
 and his Ministers, between the People and their Repre- 
 sentatives, wipe out the stain of blood? Or have we the 
 slightest reason to hope that those Ministers and Repre- 
 sentatives will not be supported throughout the tragedy, as 
 they have been through the first act ? No. While we re- 
 vere and love our Mother Country, her sword is opening 
 our veins. The same delusions will still prevail, till France 
 and Spain, if not other Powers, long jealous of Britain's 
 force and fame, will fall upon her, embarrassed with an ex- 
 hausting civil war, and crush, or at least depress her ; then 
 turn their arms on these Provinces, which must submit to 
 wear their chains, or wade through seas of blood to a dear- 
 hought and at best a frequently convulsed and precarious 
 independence. 
 
 All the ministerial intelligence concerning us is false. 
 We are a united, resolved people ; are, or quickly shall be, 
 well armed and disciplined ; our smiths and powder-mills 
 are at work day and night; our supplies from foreign parts 
 continually arriving. Good officers, that is, well-expe- 
 rienced ones, we shall soon have, and the Navy of Great 
 Britain cannot stop our whole trade. Our Towns are but 
 brick and stone, and mortar and wood ; they, perhaps, may 
 be destroyed ; they are only the hairs of our heads ; if 
 sheared ever so close, they will grow again. We compare 
 them not with our rights and liberties. We worship as our 
 fathers worshipped, not idols which our hands have made. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your sincerely affectionate friend, 
 
 John Dickinson. 
 
 New. York, April 29, 1775. 
 The following publication, under the initial letters of my 
 name, having appeared in an English Paper of the 27th 
 of January, I take this opportunity to declare that it is al- 
 together a malicious forgery, calculated to inflame the 
 minds of my countrymen, and expose me to undeserved 
 suspicion and distrust. Oliver De Lancey. 
 
 " The following is a copy of a Letter written by O . . . .r 
 De L .... y to a person high in Administration : 
 " Sir : The Resolutions of the Congress will never be 
 observed ; the Delegates themselves are a-hamed of them, 
 and many are studying ways to elude them. The people 
 attached to Government, Sir, in this City, laugh at their 
 Resolutions, and the most flaming zealots despise them- 
 selves for passing them. On occasion of the Stamp Act 
 confederacies were formed, which treachery among them- 
 selves soon put an end to. There cannot be a doubt, Sir, 
 but a similar defection will soon show how little may be de- 
 pended on from the Resolutions of the Congress. In such 
 defection this City will take the lead, and in which my in- 
 fluence shall be exerted, and may be relied on. Five of 
 the Provinces are already preparing to violate their Reso- 
 lutions. 
 
 " I beg leave to say that Government are extremely mis- 
 taken, if they are alarmed at a Congress like that at Phil- 
 adelphia. I was born in this City, and am well acquainted 
 with the other Colonies, from whose opposition Govern- 
 ment has nothing to fear, except from Neiv-England ; and 
 
 as a dutiful subject to the Crown, J hope that they will 
 meet a punishment suitable to their rebellion. This Prov- 
 ince of New-York and Pennsylvania are most attached to 
 the Crown and Parliament ; and to the keeping them so, 
 I hope I have some merit, together with my relations and 
 connexions, of whom many are in the Assembly and Coun- 
 cil ; but notwithstanding, I would advise the keeping two 
 Regiments here. I was not in Town when the packet 
 arrived. Your favour I shall have the honour to answer per 
 next opportunity. The Deputies from this City in the 
 Congress were some of the meanest of the people. 
 '• New-York, Decsmbor 3, 1774." 
 
 At Mr. De Lancey's request, we have perused several 
 Letters from him to persons in England, which he declared 
 to us upon his honour were all he had written on political 
 subjects during the present disturbances. These Letters, 
 far from exciting violent measures against America, are cal- 
 culated to discourage all hostile proceedings, and represent 
 the Colonies as firmly resolved to submit to no Parliament- 
 ary taxation. James Doane, 
 
 John Jav. 
 
 New-York, April 29, 1775. 
 
 TO THE PCBLICK. 
 
 Westchester County, Now. York, April 29, 1775. 
 
 We, the subscribers, do hereby make this publick dec- 
 laration : That whereas we and several others in fVestcha- 
 ter County, having signed a certain number of Resolves, 
 which, at the time of our said signing, we deemed consti- 
 tutional, and as having a tendency to promote the interest 
 of our Country ; but since, upon mature deliberation and 
 more full knowledge of the matter, find not only injurious 
 to our present cause, but likewise offensive to our fellow- 
 Colonists : We do therefore thus publickly testify our ab- 
 horrence of the same, and declare ourselves friends to the 
 Colonies, and ever ready cheerfully to exert ourselves in 
 the defence and preservation of the same. 
 
 Jonathan Fowler, Esquire, 
 George Cornwell, Esquire. 
 
 letter from the committee of boston. 
 
 Boston, April 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We wrote you yesterday, and were in hopes of an 
 answer, more especially as we find you have this day wrote 
 a letter to Town, part of which has been communicated to 
 the Committee, upon which we beg leave to observe, that 
 it is very desirable to u? that you would comply with our 
 request of making proclamation or notification to such per- 
 sons as may incline to come into Boston with their effects, 
 as it must expedite the removal of our inhabitants, with 
 their effects, from the Town of Boston; but to determine 
 how many days will be necessary to effect this removal, is 
 utterly impracticable. Those persons who are here from 
 the country, and have left their effects behind, we desire 
 may be permitted to send their servants to put them up 
 and convey them to Boston without molestation ; and that 
 the Selectmen may be informed to whom they may direct 
 such persons to apply for permits. 
 
 You will receive this by the hands of Mr. Payne, who, 
 being one of the Committee, we refer you to him for more 
 particular information. We are, very respectfully, your 
 most humble servants, 
 
 John Scollay, Saml. Austin, 
 
 Ezek. Goldthwait. Edwd. Payne, 
 Thos. Marshall, John Pitts. 
 
 To Doctor Joseph Warren, Chairman of the Committee of 
 
 Congress. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COM- 
 MITTEES OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS. 
 
 Cambridge, April 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As many of the persons now in camp 
 came from their respective Towns, without any expecta- 
 tion of tarrying any time, and are now under the necessity 
 of returning, this is to desire that you would, with the 
 utmost haste, send other persons to supply their places 
 for a few days, until the enlistments are complete, and the 
 men sent down to us. We pray you immediately to set 
 about this business, as the most fatal consequences must 
 
1 17 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 418 
 
 follow, if we should be reduced to so weak a state as that 
 the Army under General Gage may be able to issue out of 
 the Town, and spread destruction through this Country, 
 and we think none can be unwilling to come for a few days 
 to relieve their brethren, who have been absent from their 
 families. We arc, &ic. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE SEVERAL TOWNS IN MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS. 
 
 Cambridge, April 29, 1775. 
 One half of the Militia and Minute-Men in your Town 
 are hereby ordered forthwith to march to the Town of 
 . , as we have information that General Gage 
 designs speedily to sally out of the Town of Boston with 
 a detachment of his Army. You are therefore not to lose 
 one moment's time, but come instantly to the support of 
 your brethren, and the half to hold themselves in com- 
 plete readiness to march upon the slightest notice. 
 We are, Ike. 
 
 SAMUEL THOMPSON TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Brunswick, Maine, April 29, 1775. 
 
 I this minute have an opportunity to inform you of the 
 state of our affairs at the eastward, that we are all staunch 
 for country, except three men, and one of them is de- 
 serted. The other two are in irons. As for the vessels 
 which attempted to convey stuff to our enemies, are stop- 
 ped, and 1 am about to move about two hundred of white 
 pine masts and other stuff" got for our enemies' use. Sir, 
 having heard of the cruel murders they have done in our 
 Province makes us more resolute than ever; and finding 
 that the sword is drawn first on their side, that we shall be 
 animated with that noble spirit that wise men ought to be, 
 until our just rights and liberties are secured to us. Sir, 
 my heart is with every true son of America, though my 
 person can be in but one place at once, though very soon 
 I hope to be with you on the spot. If any of my friends 
 inquire after me, inform them that I make it my whole 
 business to pursue those measures recommended by the 
 Congresses. We being upon the sea-coast, and in danger 
 of being invaded by pirates, as on the 27th instant, there 
 was a boat or barge came into our harbour and river, and 
 sounding as they went up the river. 
 
 Sir, as powder and guns are wanted in this eastern part, 
 and also provisions, pray Sir, have you thought something 
 on this matter against 1 arrive, which will be as soon as 
 business will admit. Sir, I am, with the greatest regard 
 to the country, at heart your ready friend and humble 
 servant, Samuel Thompson. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF LONDONDERRY, NEW- 
 HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Inhabitants of Londonderry, on 
 the 29th of April, Colonel Stephen Holland personally 
 appeared and made the following Declaration, upon which 
 the inhabitants of said Town voted unanimously, that it 
 was satisfactory to them for his past conduct. 
 
 Attest: John Bell, Town Clerk. 
 
 " Whereas through mistake, misunderstanding, misrepre- 
 sentation, or for reasons unknown to me, I am represent- 
 ed an enemy to my Country : to satisfy the publick, I 
 solemnly declare I never aided or assisted any enemy 
 to my Country in any thing whatsoever ; and that I 
 make this Declaration not out of fear of any thing I may 
 suffer, but because it gives me the greatest uneasiness to 
 think that the true sons of liberty, and real friends to 
 their Country, (from any of the first mentioned reasons,) 
 should believe me capable so much as in thought of injur- 
 ing or betraying my Country, when the truth is, I am 
 ready to assist my countrymen in the glorious cause of 
 liberty, at the risk of my life and fortune. 
 
 " Stephen Holland. 
 
 "Londonderry, April 29, 1775." 
 
 ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD TO COL. GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Frederickeburgh, April 30, 1775. 
 Sir: It is imagined, that the first thing which will come 
 on the carpet at the meeting of Congress, will be that of 
 
 establishing regular armies throughout the Continent on 
 pay. If such a thing should take place, there is not the 
 least doubt that you will have the command of the whole 
 forces in this Colony. In that case, 1 shall ever esteem 
 you as my best friend, if you will use your interest in pro- 
 curing me a commission ; or, should the power of appoint- 
 ing officers be vested in you, and you should think proper 
 to confer so great an honour on me, as qualifying me to be 
 one of your officers, you will find me, as I have always 
 been, ready to serve my Country gratis in the glorious 
 cause of liberty, at the risk of my life and fortune. 
 
 I am extremely glad to inform you, that, after a long 
 debate, it was at last agreed we should not march to Wil- 
 liamsburgh. I am, with respect, &tc. 
 
 Alexander Spotswood. 
 
 TO THE RESPECTABLE PUBLICK. 
 
 New- York, April 30, 1775. 
 Johannes Sleght, Chairman of the Committee of Ulster 
 County, has published me as an enemy to my Country 
 for selling Tea, in which is set forth, that all the Mer- 
 chants and Skippers had signed articles, in which they 
 agreed not to sell Tea. This is absolutely false, for there 
 are more which have not signed for the very reasons I had, 
 and the Committee knew that they had not all signed at 
 the time of publishing this piece of malice. It is known in 
 Kingston, that I was for maintaining the Association, and 
 that I offered to sign the third article, which I would abide 
 by, but that the Committee would not agree to it ; more- 
 over, that the Committee in Netv-York had determined 
 that no Tea should be sold, and that I would quit selling- 
 it. It was reported by one of the members of the Com- 
 mittee, on the day of meeting, that he had purchased Tea 
 at my house. Johannes Sleght continued drinking Tea 
 after the 1st of March, in direct violation of the Associa- 
 tion ; and John Beekman did confess at the meeting, that 
 he had a quantity of Tea, and intended that it should be 
 made use of in his family, contrary to the Association. 
 This I could not but consider as a great piece of chicanery, 
 that the sale of Tea should be prohibited, and others declare 
 that they would continue to use it in their families, when 
 the Association expressly mentions, that they shall not 
 purchase nor use it. I told those gentlemen that I would 
 refer the matter to the consideration of the Committee at 
 New- York, and would firmly adhere to their explanation 
 of the third article of the Association, which I must con- 
 fess I did not think prohibited the selling of Tea, and that 
 the Non-Consumption Agreement was only intended to 
 preserve the Non-Importation Agreement. The report 
 that I am unfriendly to the cause of liberty, and had given 
 an affront to the Committee of New-York, is a most vil- 
 lanous falsehood. And as it is agreed upon by the well 
 wishers of American liberty, not to purchase nor use any 
 Tea in their families, I am determined to abide by such their 
 agreement. Jacobus Low. 
 
 LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN NOW AT NEW-YORK TO THE 
 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE IN PORTSMOUTH, NEW- 
 HAMPSHIRE, DATED APRIL 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : At this time of general confusion through 
 the Colonies, nothing can give greater pleasure to every 
 well-wisher to his Country, than the unanimity that takes 
 place through the Continent, more especially at this City ; 
 as it is evident (from a number of private letters from Lon- 
 don) that Administration have put the greatest dependance 
 on the Yorkers breaking with the other Colonies. But not- 
 withstanding all the endeavours of designing men, I have 
 the pleasure to inform you, that by the notable struggles of 
 the sons of freedom, all difficulties are surmounted, and 
 nothing can equal the determined spirit of the people 
 here. Yesterday about six or seven thousand men were 
 out on the plain, among whom were some families who 
 have been in the opposition ; one and all unanimously voted 
 to defend their liberties, &c, at all hazards. They have 
 stopped clearing to the Custom-House, have taken all the 
 city arms and ammunition from the Hall and Magazine ; 
 every preparation is making to completely arm the inhabi- 
 tants ; great numbers of people are employed hauling the 
 cannon from the City to King's bridge, about fourteen 
 
449 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 450 
 
 -wiles, where they will immediately intrench. All denomi- 
 nations are under arms, and in high spirits. It is the 
 opinion of almost every one in this place that the Acts 
 oi' Parliament would have been repealed, had it not been 
 for the encouragement given Administration by this place, 
 that the Colonies would break their union. No people can 
 be more despised, nor more frightened than those here 
 who have been inimical to their Country, particularly the 
 eleven Members of the House. Mr. Riving ton has made 
 a recantation ; President Cooper has decamped ; and it was 
 with much difficulty the people were prevented from taking 
 the lives of those who they have considered as traitors to 
 their Country. All Government seems to be laid aside. 
 The City is now to be regulated by a Committee of Safety, 
 consisting of one hundred worthy men. Though there 
 was a number of large vessels, loaded with wheat and flour, 
 and cleared out, and many partly loaded ... It was 
 nobly done; immediately stopt every vessel. The New- 
 England men are held in the highest esteem for their 
 bravery, and people here are determined to supply provi- 
 sions, and march to their assistance when called lor. The 
 die is thrown, and every man of us, whether we are hearty in 
 the cause or not, must abide by the cast ; and as we are all 
 considered as rebels, (not by the Nation, but by a . . . 
 Ministry,) let us one and all (which they are determined 
 on this way) stand forth boldly ; which will most cer- 
 tainly, under God, insure us success, and that soon. 
 
 TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Killingsworth, April 30, 1775. ) 
 Nine o'clock, P. M. $ 
 
 Sir : This moment Captain Caldwell came over to me 
 from Guildford, where I have a vessel loaded for the West- 
 Indies, having all her cargo on board, consisting of forty 
 thousand lumber, twenty-three oxen, and one horse, hav- 
 ing on board no provisions but for the use of said vessel, 
 which was cleared at the Custom-House on the twenty- 
 fourth instant, and informed me that the honourable Gene- 
 ral Assembly have embargoed all vessels bound to the 
 II est-lndics with stock and other provisions. As I have 
 the good of my Country at heart, and pay the greatest re- 
 gard to the resolves and determinations of the Legislature 
 of this Colony, I would by no means do any thing that 
 should have the remotest appearance of acting counter to 
 their determinations ; but your Honour must be sensible 
 the unshipping my cattle and stores must be attended with 
 great loss, as the stock is by no means fit for a present 
 market. I humbly request my said vessel may be per- 
 mitted to sail, as I had not the least suspicion of an em- 
 bargo, and have only waited several days for a wind. I 
 would have waited myself on your Honour, but my pre- 
 sent indisposition would not permit ; and for the purpose 
 of obtaining permission, my son now waits on your Honour, 
 on whose goodness 1 greatly rely ; and am your Honour's 
 most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Theophilus Morgan. 
 
 General Assembly, April, 1775. I 
 In the Upper House. ^ 
 
 His Honour the Govemour is desired to grant a permit 
 to Mr. Theophilus Morgan, that his vessel may proceed 
 on its voyage according to the request in the within letter. 
 Test : George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Concurred in in the Lower House. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 < OMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE SELECTMEN OF BOSTON. 
 
 Cambridge, April 30, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Enclosed you have a Resolve of Con- 
 gress, which we hope will remove every obstacle to the re- 
 moval of our friends from Boston. The necessity of going 
 from this Town to Walertown, in order to lay the propo- 
 sals of this Committee before the Provincial Congress, we 
 hope will suggest to you an apology for any supposed de- 
 lay. But be assured that no person now in Boston is more 
 sensible of the distress, nor more desirous of relieving our 
 brethren there, than the members of this Committee. En- 
 couragement will be given to-morrow to the wagoners in 
 the country, to repair to Boston to give all possible assist- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 ance to our friends, in the removal of their effects. I 
 wrote yesterday to General Gage upon the subject, and re- 
 quested him to take into consideration the expediency of 
 restraining the country from sending in more than thirty 
 wagons at one time, but I have received no answer. If I 
 should receive any, the contents, so far as they respect my 
 ever-adored Town of Boston, shall be communicated to 
 you. We are, &c. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, April 30, 1775. 
 There is much probability that the last mail from Eng- 
 land for General Gage passed through Northampton, east- 
 ward or northward, yesterday about twelve o'clock. It may 
 be that it may pass up the river as far as Northfidd, be- 
 fore it steers its course from the sea-shore. Probably its 
 direction may be to Portsmouth or Salem. No one will 
 judge that it will attempt to enter Boston directly. No 
 doubt the bearer will be several times shifted before its 
 arrival to the place of destination. The people of North- 
 ampton yesterday knew nothing that there was any suspi- 
 cion of the mail's passing by land. The circumstances 
 which make up the evidence that a traveller who passed 
 this Town yesterday was the bearer of the mail, are too 
 many to be mentioned. He undoubtedly came from Hud- 
 so7i's River to Northampton, whether in a direct or oblique 
 course, is not yet made certain. The suspected bearer, 
 who was at Northampton, does not altogether answer the 
 description given in the New- York letter of the probable 
 bearer from them, but many think it more likely that they 
 would attempt to get the mail along by some acquainted 
 up the river, in the County of Cumberland, than by 
 Oliver De Lancey, Jun. 
 
 Quere. Whether it is not expedient to search every sus- 
 picious person passing as far northward as any road leading 
 from Connecticut River to Portsmouth. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Cambridge, April 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You have desired me to state the number 
 of cannon, Sic, at Ticonderoga. I have certain informa- 
 tion that there are at Ticonderoga eighty pieces of heavy 
 cannon, twenty brass guns, from four to eighteen pound- 
 ers, and ten to twelve large mortars. At Skeneslorough, 
 on the South-Hay, there are three or four brass cannon. 
 The Fort is in a ruinous condition, and has not more than 
 fifty men at the most. There are large numbers of small 
 arms, and considerable stores, and a sloop of seventy or 
 eighty tons on the lake. The place could not hold out an 
 hour against a vigorous onset. Your most obedient ser- 
 vant, Benedict Arnold. 
 Honourable Joseph Warren, and the honourable Committee 
 
 of Safety. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO NEW-YORK 
 COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cambridge, April 30, 1775. 
 
 It has been proposed to us to take possession of the For- 
 tress at Ticonderoga. We have a just sense of the im- 
 portance of that fortification, and the usefulness of those 
 fine cannon, mortars, and field-pieces which are there ; but 
 we would not, even upon this emergency, infringe upon the 
 rights of our sister Colony, Neiv- York. But we have de- 
 sired the gentleman, who carries this letter, to represent 
 the matter to you, that you may r give such orders as are 
 agreeable to you. 
 
 We are, with the greatest respect, your most obedient 
 servants, Joseph Warren, Chairman. 
 
 To Alexander McDousrall. 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF ICING WILLIAM COUNTY, 
 VIRGINIA. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders of the County of King 
 William, at the Court-House, on Monday the first of May, 
 Carter Braxton and William Aylctt, Esquires,-were unani- 
 mously chosen their Delegates to represent them in Con- 
 vention for one year, from the date hereof. 
 
451 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 452 
 
 A subscription being tlien opened for the relief of our 
 brethren in Massachusetts-Bay, and it being thought highly 
 necessary, at this important crisis, that supplies should be 
 sent to them, and money being the only means by which 
 
 that relief could be afforded with certainty, the sum of one 
 hundred and seventy-five Pounds was immediately contri- 
 buted, and it is expected that a much larger sum will be 
 given, when collections are made from the whole County. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Monday, May 1, 1775. 
 
 The House met pursuant to their adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gray and Mr. Hillegas wait on the 
 Governour, and acquaint him that a quorum of the Repre- 
 sentatives being met, they are ready to receive any busi- 
 ness his Honour may be pleased to lay before them. 
 
 Mr. Charles Thomson laid before the House a Letter 
 from William Bollan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur 
 Lee, Esquires, dated London, February 5, 1775, which 
 was read by order, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Sir: Our last letter informed you that the King had 
 declared his intention of laying the Petition before his two 
 Houses of Parliament. It has accordingly been laid before 
 each House, but undistinguished among a variety of letters 
 and other papers from America. 
 
 A motion made by Lord Chatham, to withdraw the 
 Troops from Boston, as the first step towards a conciliating 
 plan, was rejected ; and the Ministry have declared, in both 
 Houses, the determination to enforce obedience to all the 
 late laws. For this purpose, we understand that three 
 Regiments of Foot, one of Dragoons, seven hundred Ma- 
 rines, six Sloops-of-War and two Frigates, are now under 
 orders for America. 
 
 We think it proper to inform you that your cause was 
 well defended by a considerable number of good and wise 
 men in both Houses of Parliament, though far from being 
 a majority, and that many of the commercial and manufac- 
 turing parts of the Nation, concerned in the American 
 Trade, have presented, or, as we understand, are preparing 
 to present Petitions to Parliament, declaring their great 
 concern for the present unhappy controversies with America, 
 and praying expressly, or in effect, for healing measures, as 
 the proper means of preserving their commerce, now greatly 
 suffering or endangered. But the treatment the Petitions 
 already presented have hitherto received, is such as, in our 
 opinion, can afford you no reliance on any present relief 
 through their means. 
 
 As soon as we learned that the Petition of the Congress 
 was before the House of Commons, we thought it our duty 
 to support it, if we might be permitted so to do, as there 
 was no other opportunity for the numerous inhabitants of 
 the Colonies to be heard in defence of their rights. Ac- 
 cordingly we joined in a Petition for that purpose. Sir 
 George Savile kindly undertook to present it, but on pre- 
 viously opening the purport of it, as the order is, a debate 
 arose on the propriety of receiving it, and, on a division, 
 it was rejected by a great majority. 
 
 The following extract of a letter from General Gage to 
 Lord Dartmouth, as laid before Parliament, we think it our 
 duty to transmit, viz : 
 
 " December 15, 1774. — Your Lordship's idea of disarm- 
 ing certain Provinces would doubtless be consistent with 
 prudence and safety, but it neither is, nor has been practi- 
 cable, without having recourse to force, and being masters 
 of the Country." 
 
 It was thrown out in debate by a principal member of 
 Administration, that it would be proper to alter the Charters 
 of Connecticut and Rhode-Lland. 
 
 Enclosed we send you a copy of the Resolutions passed 
 in a Committee of the Whole House on Thursday last, 
 which are to be reported on Monday.* It is said thai these 
 
 * That it is the opinion of this Committee, that an humble Address 
 bo presented to His Majesty, to return His Majesty our most bumble 
 thanks for having be n most graciously pleased to communicate to this 
 House the several papers relating to the present state of the British 
 Colonies in America, which, by His Majesty's commands, have boen 
 laid before this House, and from which, after taking them into our most 
 sorious consideration, we find that a part of His Majesty's subjects, in 
 the Province of the Massachusetts-Buy, have procoedod so far to resist 
 the authority of the Supremo Legislature, that a rebellion at this time 
 actually oxists within the said Province, and we see, with the utmost 
 concern, that they have boen countenanced and encouraged by unlawful 
 combinations and engagements, entered into by Ilis Majesty's subjects 
 in several of the other Colonies, to the injury and oppression of many 
 of thoii innocent fcllow-subjocts, resident within the Kingdom of Great 
 
 Resolutions are to be the foundation of several Bills to be 
 brought in ; but the purport of these Bills we have not yet 
 learned with sufficient certainty. 
 
 We send you likewise a copy of Lord Chatham's first 
 motion in the House of Lords, and of his plan of a Bill for 
 settling the troubles between Britain and her Colonies, 
 both which were rejected on the first reading. 
 
 With great respect, we are, Sir, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servants, Wm. Bollan, 
 
 B. Franklin, 
 Arthur Lee." 
 
 The Members appointed to wait on the Governour 
 with the Message of the House, reported they had de- 
 livered the same according to order, and that his Honour 
 was pleased to say he should lay some business before the 
 House shortly. 
 
 The House adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 May 2, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. 
 
 The Governour, by Mr. Secretary, sent down a written 
 Message to the House, together with a copy of a Resolu- 
 tion of the House of Commons, passed the 20th of Feb- 
 ruary last, which were read by order, and are as they 
 respectively follow, viz : 
 
 A Message from the Governour to the Assembly. 
 Gentlemen : I have ordered the Secretary to lay before 
 you a Resolution! entered into by the British House of 
 
 Britain and the rest of His Majesty's Dominions. This conduct, on 
 their part, appears to us the more inexcusable, when we consider with 
 how much temper His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament have 
 acted in support of the laws and Constitution of Great Britain. To 
 declare that we can never so far desert the trust reposed in us as to re- 
 linquish any part of the sovereign authority over all His Majesty's 
 Dominions, which by law is vested in His Majesty and the two Houses 
 of Parliament, and that the conduct of many persons in several of the 
 Colonies during the late disturbances, is alone sufficient to convince us 
 how necessary this power is for the protection of the lives and fortunes 
 of all His Majesty's subjects ; that we ever have been, and always shall 
 be, ready to pay attention and regard to any real grievances of any of 
 His Majesty's subjects, which shall, in a dutiful and constitutional 
 manner, be laid before us ; and whenever any of the Colonies shall make 
 a proper application to us, we shall be ready to afford them every just 
 and reasonable indulgence ; but that at the same time we consider it as 
 our indispensable duty, humbly to beseech His Majesty that His Ma. 
 jesty will take the most effectual measures to enforce due obedience to 
 the laws and authority of the Supreme Legislature ; and that we beg 
 leave, in the most solemn manner, to assure His Majesty, that it is our 
 fixed resolution, at the hazard of our lives and properties, to stand by 
 His Majesty against all rebellious attempts in the maintenance of the 
 just rights of His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament. 
 
 Ayes, two hundred and ninety-six ; noes, one hundred and six. 
 
 Amendment proposed to leave out from the first [and] to the end of 
 the question, and insert [to assure His Majesty, that in order to fix the 
 true dignity of his Crown, and the authority of Parliament on a sure 
 foundation, we shall endeavour to recover the hearts of his subjects in 
 America, too many of whom are unhappily alienated from their usual 
 affection to their Mother Country, by endeavouring to remove all those 
 causes of jealousy and apprehension which have arisen from an unfor- 
 tunate management of His Majesty's affairs, and from acts of the last 
 Parliament, made without sufficient information of the true state of 
 America.] 
 
 Question put, that the words proposed to be left out stand part of 
 this question? Ayes, throe hundred and four; noes, one hundred and 
 five. 
 
 t The Resolution of the House of Commons. 
 
 Luna', 20" Die. Februarii, 1775. — The House in a Committee on the 
 American Papers, motion made and question proposed, 
 
 That it is the opinion of this Committee, that when the Governour, 
 Council, and Assembly, or General Court, of any of His Majesty's 
 Provinces or Colonies in America shall propose to make provision, 
 according to tho condition, circumstances, and situation of such Prov- 
 ince or Colony, for contributing their proportion to tho common de- 
 fence, (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the General 
 Court or General Assombly of such Province or Colony, and disposa- 
 ble by Parliament,) and shall engage to make provision also for the 
 support of the civil Government, and the administration of justico in 
 such Province or Colony, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be 
 approved by His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament, and for 
 so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear, in 
 respect of such Province or Colony, to levy any duty, tax, or assess- 
 ment, or to impose any further duty, tax, or assessment, except only 
 such duties as it may bo expodient to continue to levy or impose for 
 the regulation of Commerce, the nett produce of the duties last men- 
 tioned to be carriod to the account of such Province or Colony respec- 
 tively. 
 
453 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 454 
 
 Commons the twentieth of February last, relative to the 
 unhappy differences subsisting between our Mother Coun- 
 try and her American Colonies. You will perceive by 
 this Resolve not only a strong disposition manifested by 
 that august hody to remove the causes which have given 
 rise to the discontents and complaints of His Majesty's 
 subjects in the Colonies, and the dreadful impending evils 
 likely to ensue from them, but that they have pointed out 
 the terms on which they think it just and reasonable a final 
 accommodation should be grounded. 
 
 Let me earnestly entreat you, gentlemen, to weigh and 
 consider this plan of reconciliation held forth and offered 
 by the parent to her children, with that temper, calmness, 
 and deliberation, that the importance of the subject and 
 the present critical situation of affairs demand. Give me 
 leave to observe, that the Colonies, amidst all those com- 
 plaints which a jealousy of their liberties has occasioned, 
 have never denied the justice or equity of their contribu- 
 ting towards the burdens of the Mother Country, to whose 
 protection and care they owe not only their present opu- 
 lence, but even their very existence. On the contrary, 
 every state and representation of their supposed grievances 
 that I have seen, avows the propriety of such a measure, 
 and their willingness to comply with it. 
 
 The dispute, then, appears to me to be brought to this 
 point : Whether the redress of any grievances the Colonists 
 have reason to complain of, shall precede, or be postponed 
 to the settlement of that just proportion which America 
 should bear towards the common support and defence of 
 the whole British Empire. 
 
 You have, in the Resolution of the House of Commons, 
 which I have authority to tell you is entirely approved by 
 His Majesty, a solemn declaration that an exemption from 
 any duty, tax, or assessment, present or future, except such 
 duties as may be expedient for the regulation of Com- 
 merce, shall be the immediate consequence of proposals 
 on the part of any of the Colony Legislatures, accepted by 
 His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament, to make 
 provision, according to their respective circumstances, for 
 contributing their proportion to the common defence, and 
 the support of the civil Government of each Colony. 
 
 I will not do you so much injustice, gentlemen, as to 
 suppose you can desire a better security for the inviolable 
 performance of this engagement, than the Resolve itself, 
 and His Majesty's approbation of it gives you. 
 
 As you are the first Assembly on the Continent to whom 
 this Resolution has been communicated, much depends on 
 the moderation and wisdom of your counsels ; and you will 
 be deservedly revered to the latest posterity, if, by any 
 possible means, you can be instrumental in restoring the 
 publick tranquillity, and rescuing both Countries from the 
 dreadful calamities of a civil war. John Penn. 
 
 May 2, 1775. 
 
 A Remonstrance from a number of Farmers and Millers 
 in the County of Bucks, respecting an alteration of the 
 sizes of Flour-Barrels, was presented to the House and 
 read. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter received in 
 their recess from the Speaker of the House of Assembly 
 of the Colony of New- York, with sundry Papers therein 
 referred to, which were read by order, and the said Letter 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 "New-York, April 10, 1775. 
 " Sir : By an order of the General Assembly of this 
 Colony, I am directed to transmit you the enclosed papers 
 upon the subject of the unhappy situation of American 
 affairs ; they contain a List of Grievances, with the Reso- 
 lutions of the House in consequence thereof, and also a 
 Petition to the King, a Memorial to the House of Lords, 
 and a Representation and Remonstrance to the Commons 
 of Great Britain. I am also directed to request of you 
 to lay the same before the House of Assembly of your 
 Colony at their first meeting after the receipt hereof. I 
 shall only add that our Assembly stands adjourned until 
 the third day of May next, and that I am, respectfully, Sir, 
 your most humble servant, 
 
 " John Cruger, Speaker. 
 " To the Speaker of the General Assembly of the Province 
 of Pennsylvania." 
 
 May 3, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment, and taking into consideration the Governour's Mes- 
 sage of yesterday, with the Resolution of the House of 
 Commons attending it, after some debate thereon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Charles Thomson, 
 Mr. Brown, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Webb, Mr. Ewing, Mr. 
 Allen, Mr. Chreist, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Dougherty, Mr. 
 Hunter, and Mr. William Thompson, be a Committee to 
 essay and bring in a draught of an Answer to the said 
 Message. 
 
 May 4, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn* 
 ment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a 
 draught of an Answer to the Governour's Message reported 
 an Essay for that purpose, which being read by paragraphs, 
 and after some alteration, agreed to by the House, was 
 ordered to be transcribed. 
 
 The Answer of the House to the Governour's Message 
 being transcribed according to order, was again read, signed 
 by the Speaker, and follows in these words, viz : 
 
 Answer to the Governour's Message from the House. 
 
 May it please your Honour: We have taken into 
 our serious consideration your Message of the second in- 
 stant, and the Resolution of the British House of Com- 
 mons therein referred to. 
 
 Having " weighed and considered this plan with the tem- 
 per, calmness, and deliberation that the importance of the 
 subject and the present critical situation of affairs demand," 
 we are sincerely sorry that we cannot " think the terms 
 pointed out " afford " a just and reasonable ground for a 
 final accommodation " between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies. 
 
 Your Honour observes, " that the Colonies, amidst all 
 those complaints which a jealousy of their liberties has 
 occasioned, have never denied the justice or equity of con- 
 tributing towards the burdens of the Mother Country;" 
 but your Honour must know, that they have ever unani- 
 mously asserted it as their indisputable right, that all aids 
 from them should be their own free and voluntary gifts, 
 not taken by force nor extorted by fear. 
 
 Under which of these descriptions the " plan held forth 
 and offered by the parent to her children " at this time, 
 with its attendant circumstances, deserves to be classed, we 
 choose rather to submit to the determination of your Hon- 
 our's good sense, than to attempt proving by the enumera- 
 tion of notorious facts, or the repetition of obvious reasons. 
 
 If no other objection to " the plan " proposed occurred 
 to us, we should esteem it a dishonourable desertion of 
 sister Colonies, connected by an union founded on just mo- 
 tives and mutual faith, and conducted by General Councils, 
 for a single Colony to adopt a measure so extensive in 
 consequence, without the advice and consent of those 
 Colonies engaged with us by solemn ties in the same com- 
 mon cause. 
 
 For we wish your Honour to be assured, that we can 
 form no prospect appearing reasonable to us, of any lasting 
 advantages for Pennsylvania, however agreeable they may be 
 at the beginning, but what must arise from a communication 
 of rights and prosperity with the other Colonies ; and that 
 if such a prospect should be opened to us, we have too 
 sincere an affection for our brethren, and too strict a regard 
 " for the inviolable performance of" our "engagements," 
 to receive any pleasure from benefits equally due to them, 
 yet confined to ourselves, and which, by generously reject- 
 ing them at present, may at length be secured to all. 
 
 Your Honour is pleased to observe, that as we are " the 
 first Assembly on the Continent to whom this Resolution 
 has been communicated, much depends on the moderation 
 and wisdom of our counsels, and we shall be deservedly 
 revered to the latest posterity, if, by any possible means," 
 we "can be instrumental in restoring the publick tranquil- 
 lity, and rescuing both Countries from the dreadful calami- 
 ties of a civil war." 
 
 Your Honour, from your long residence and conversation 
 among us, must be persuaded that the people we represent 
 are as peaceable and obedient to Government, as true and 
 faithful to their Sovereign, and as affectionate and dutiful 
 to their superiour State, as any in the world ; and though 
 we are not inattentive to the approbation of " posterity," as 
 
455 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 456 
 
 it might reflect honour upon our Country, yet higher mo- 
 tives have taught us upon all occasions to demonstrate by 
 every testimony our devotion to our King and Parent State. 
 
 Still animated by the same principles, and most earnestly 
 desirous of enjoying our former undisturbed condition of 
 dependance and subordination productive of so many bless- 
 ings to " both Countries," we cannot express the satisfac- 
 tion we should receive " if, by any possible means," we 
 could " be instrumental in restoring the publick tranquilli- 
 ty." Should such an opportunity offer, we shall endea- 
 vour with the utmost diligence and zeal to improve it, and 
 to convince His Majesty and our Mother Country, that 
 we shall ever be ready and willing with our lives and for- 
 tunes to support the interests of His Majesty and that Coun- 
 try, by every effort that can be reasonably expected from 
 the most loyal subjects, and the most dutiful Colonists. 
 
 Until Divine Providence shall cause, in the course of 
 his dispensations, such a happy period to arrive, we can 
 only deprecate, and, if it be possible, strive by prudence 
 to avoid the " calamities of a civil war ;" a dreadful mis- 
 fortune, indeed, and not to be exceeded but by an utter 
 subversion of the liberties of America. Signed by order 
 of the House : John Morton, Speaker. 
 
 May 4, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Brown and Mr. John Jacobs wait 
 on the Governour and deliver the foregoing Answer to his 
 Message. 
 
 A Petition from a considerable number of the inhabi- 
 tants of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, was pre- 
 sented to the House and read, setting forth that the Peti- 
 tioners, deeply affected with a sense of the imminent dan- 
 gers to which this Province particularly and the Colonies 
 in general are exposed at this instant, are compelled, by the 
 first law dictated by nature, to endeavour to preserve them- 
 selves from utter destruction, and therefore look up to the 
 honourable House, the guardians of publick liberty, in whom 
 the people of this Province have reposed the highest trust, 
 for that protection which, under the favour of the Almighty 
 God, it is in their power to afford ; that the Petitioners in 
 this contest for freedom and all the blessings attending it, 
 have been greatly encouraged by the firmness, wisdom, and 
 publick spirit of the late and present House of Assembly; 
 and affairs being now reduced to extremity by the com- 
 mencement of a civil war on this Continent, which, in all 
 probability must, in its course, soon reach Pennsylvania, 
 the Petitioners most humbly and fervently beseech and 
 supplicate the honourable House to grant, raise, and apply 
 with all possible despatch, a sum of money, at least amount- 
 ing to Fifty Thousand Pounds, towards putting this Prov- 
 ince into a state of defence, in such manner as to the 
 House shall appear most proper and effectual. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 May 5, 1775. — The House met pursuant to their ad- 
 journment. 
 
 The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with 
 the Answer of the House to his Message of the second in- 
 stant, reported they had delivered the same according to 
 order. 
 
 The House resumed the consideration of the Petition 
 presented yesterday from the inhabitants of the City and 
 Liberties of Philadelphia, for aid from Government towards 
 putting the Province into a state of defence ; and after a 
 debate of some length, adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The House met at three o'clock P. M., and proceeded 
 to the consideration of the Petition from the inhabitants of 
 the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and after further 
 time spent therein, adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 May 6, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. Being acquainted that with Captain Osborne, who 
 arrived yesterday, came passenger Benjamin Franklin, 
 Esquire, late Agent for this Province in London : 
 
 Resolved, n. c. d., That the said Benjamin Franklin, 
 Esquire, be, and he is hereby added to the Deputies ap- 
 pointed by this House on the part of Pennsylvania, to at- 
 tend the Continental Congress expected to meet on the 
 10th instant in this City. 
 
 Resolved, n. c. d., That the Honourable Thomas Wil- 
 ling, Esquire, of Philadelphia, and James Wilson, Esquire, 
 of Carlisle, be also added to the said Deputies for this 
 Province. 
 
 Post Meridian, May 9, 1775. — The House resumed 
 the consideration of the Petition from the inhabitants of 
 the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and after some 
 time spent therein, adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 L T pon motion, the House resumed the consideration of 
 the Draught of Instructions to the Deputies for this Prov- 
 ince, brought in at the last sitting, which being consider- 
 ed, and, after some alterations, agreed to by the House, 
 was ordered to be transcribed. 
 
 A Petition from the Committee of the City and Liber- 
 ties of Philadelphia, respecting engagements they have 
 entered into for the publick security, whereby a consider- 
 able debt hath accrued, which cannot be discharged without 
 the aid of the Legislature, was presented to the House and 
 read. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 The Instructions to the Deputies appointed by this Prov- 
 ince to attend the Continental Congress being transcribed 
 according to order, were signed by the Speaker, and fol- 
 low in these words, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen : The trust reposed in you is of such a 
 nature, and the modes of executing it may be so diversified 
 in the course of your deliberations, that it is scarcely pos- 
 sible to give you particular instructions respecting it. 
 
 We shall, therefore, in general, direct that you meet in 
 Congress the Delegates of the several British Colonies, to 
 be held on the 10th instant, to consult together on the pre- 
 sent critical and alarming situation and state of the Colo- 
 nies, and that you exert your utmost endeavours to agree 
 upon and recommend such further measures as shall afford 
 the best prospect of obtaining redress of American griev- 
 ances, and restoring that union and harmony between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies so essential to the welfare and 
 happiness of both Countries. 
 
 You are directed to make report of your proceedings to 
 this House at their next sessions after the meeting of the 
 Congress. Signed by order of the House : 
 
 John Morton, Speaker. 
 
 May 9, 1775. 
 
 The House adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 May 11, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. 
 
 Taking again into consideration the Petition from the 
 Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, after 
 some debate, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Accounts do examine 
 the Funds of the Province, and report to the House what 
 sum they may immediately draw from thence. 
 
 The House adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Three o'clock, P. M. — The Committee of Accounts 
 reported that, upon examining the Provincial Funds, they 
 find the sum of Two Thousand Pounds at the disposal of 
 the House. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That George Gray, Michael Hillegas, and 
 Charles Humphreys, Esquires, or any two of them, are 
 hereby authorized and empowered to draw orders on Sam- 
 uel Preston Moore, Esquire, to the amount of Eighteen 
 Hundred Pounds, out of the Interest Money in his hands, 
 and on the Provincial Treasurer for the sum of Two Hun- 
 dred Pounds, out of the rents of the Province Island, to be 
 disposed of and applied towards discharging certain engage- 
 ments lately entered into for the publick security. 
 
 The House then adjourned to ten o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 May 12, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Mifflin, 
 Mr. Charles Thomson, Mr. Wynkoop, Mr. Wayne, Mr. 
 Slough, Mr. Ewing, Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Ed month, Mr. 
 Dougherty, Mr. Hunter, and Mr. William Thompson, or 
 
457 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MAY, 1775 
 
 458 
 
 a majority of them, do immediately use such measures to 
 provide Stores that may be necessary for the service of the 
 Province at this time, not exceeding in value the sum of 
 Five Thousand Pounds, as to them shall appear most ex- 
 pedient and effectual. 
 
 Joseph Galloivay, Esquire, having repeatedly moved in 
 Assembly to be excused from serving as a Deputy for this 
 Province in the Continental Congress, the House this day 
 took his motion into consideration, and do hereby agree 
 to excuse him from that service. 
 
 The House adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Three o'clock, P. M. — Ordered, That Mr. Wynkoop 
 and Mr. Edmonds wait on the Governour, and acquaint 
 
 him that the House incline to adjourn to Monday, the 19th 
 of June next, if his Honour has no objection thereto. 
 The House adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 May 13, 1775. — The House met pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. 
 
 The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with 
 the Message of last night, reported they had delivered the 
 same according to order, and that his Honour was pleased 
 to say, he had no objection to the adjournment proposed by 
 the House. 
 
 The House adjourned to Monday, the 19th of June 
 next, at four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 MF.ET1NGS OF INHABITANTS OF MORRIS COUNTY, NEW- 
 JERSEY. 
 
 Pursuant to an appointment of a meeting of the Free- 
 holders and Inhabitants of the County of Morris, agree- 
 able to notice given by the former Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, the said Freeholders and Inhabitants did meet 
 accordingly on Monday, the first day of May, Anno 
 Domini, 1775. 
 
 Jacob Ford, Esq., Chairman, 
 William De Hart, Esq., Clerk. 
 
 And came into the following Votes and Resolutions, to 
 wit : 
 
 That Delegates be chosen to represent the County of 
 Morris, and that the said Delegates be vested with the 
 power of legislation, and that they raise Men, Money, and 
 Arms for the common defence, and point out the mode, 
 method, and means of raising, appointing, and paying the 
 said Men and Officers, subject to the control and direction 
 of the Provincial and Continental Congress ; and that after- 
 wards they meet in Provincial Congress with such Coun- 
 ties as shall send to the same, jointly with them to levy 
 taxes on the Province, with full power of legislative au- 
 thority, if they think proper to exercise the same, for the 
 said Province, and the said Provincial Congress be subject 
 to the control of the Grand Continental Congress. 
 
 And they proceeded to elect the following persons to be 
 their Delegates as aforesaid, to wit : 
 
 William Winds, Esquire, William De Hart, Esquire, 
 Silas Condit, Peter Dickerson, Jacob Drake, Ellis Cook, 
 Jonathan Stiles, Esq., David Thompson, Esq., Abraham 
 Kitchell. 
 
 By order : William De Hart, Clerk. 
 
 And pursuant to the above appointment, the said Dele- 
 gates met at the house of Captain Peter Dickerson, at 
 Morristown, in the County of Morris, on the said first day 
 of May, 1775 : 
 
 Present : William Winds, Esquire, William De Hart, 
 Esq., Silas Condit, Peter Dickerson, Jacob Drake, Ellis 
 Cook, Jonathan Stiles, Esq., David Thompson, Esquire, 
 Abraham Kitchell. 
 
 William Winds, Esq., was unanimously chosen Chair- 
 man. Archibald Dallas was appointed Clerk. 
 
 Voted unanimously, That any five of the Delegates, 
 when met, be a body of the whole, and do make a board, 
 and that a majority of them so met should make a vote. 
 
 Voted unanimously, That Forces should be raised. 
 
 Then the Delegates adjourned till to-morrow, at nine 
 o'clock in the forenoon, to meet at the house of Captain 
 Peter Dickerson aforesaid. 
 
 Tuesday, Nino o'clock, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Pursuant to adjournment, the Delegates met. 
 
 Present: William Winds, Esq., William De Hart, Esq., 
 Silas Condit, Peter Dickerson, Ellis Cook, Jonathan 
 Stiles, Esq., David Thompson, Esq., Abraham Kitchell. 
 
 Voted, That three hundred men should be raised, ex- 
 clusive of Commissioned Officers. 
 
 Voted, That the said three hundred men be Volunteers. 
 
 Voted, That the three hundred men, so raised, shall be 
 divided in Five Companies, sixty men each. 
 
 Voted, That those Companies shall be commanded by 
 
 three Commissioned Officers, viz : a Captain and tw< 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Voted, That two Field Officers shall be appointed, and 
 that each of them shall supply the place of Captain in the 
 two first Companies. 
 
 Voted, That William Winds shall be Colonel. 
 
 At twelve o'clock adjourned, to meet at half an hour 
 after one o'clock in the afternoon. 
 
 Half past One o'clock. 
 
 Met, according to adjournment. All the Members pre- 
 sent. 
 
 Voted, That William De Hart, Esquire, shall be 
 Major. 
 
 Voted, That Samuel Ball, Joseph Morris, and Daniel 
 Budd shall be Captains. 
 
 Voted, That John Huntington be Captain-Lieutenant 
 in the Colonel's Company, and Silas Howell to be Captain- 
 Lieutenant in the Major's Company. 
 
 Voted, That the Captain of each Company shall ap- 
 point his Lieutenants. 
 
 Ordered, That the Captains shall discipline their men 
 at the rate of one day every week, and to continue the 
 same till further orders; and the times be appointed, and 
 the places of training affixed by the Captains. 
 
 Voted, That in case of any invasion or alarm, either in 
 this or any of the neighbouring Provinces, the said Officers 
 and men shall be called out to service by the Commanding- 
 Officer for the time being; and the said Officers and men 
 shall be paid as follows, viz : Captains, Seven Shillings, 
 Proclamation money, per day ; First Lieutenants, Six Shil- 
 lings per day ; Second Lieutenants, Five Shillings per clay ; 
 Sergeants, Three Shillings and Six Pence per day ; Pri- 
 vate men, Three Shillings per day, and found with Provi- 
 sions, Arms, and Ammunition; and when only in discipline 
 at home, the same wages, and to find themselves, and their 
 wages to be paid every two months. 
 
 Voted, That the following be the form of the Enlistinc 
 paper, to be signed by the recruits : 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do voluntarily enlist in the Com- 
 pany of Captain to be and serve 
 
 in the Regiment under the command of Colonel William 
 IVinds, in this or any of the neighbouring Provinces, 
 where we may be called, agreeable to certain Resolves, 
 made and entered into by the Delegates for the County of 
 Morris." 
 
 Ordered, That five hundred weight of Powder and a 
 ton of Lead be purchased and kept in a Magazine, for the 
 use of the new Regiment now to be raised for the County 
 of Morris. 
 
 Voted, That William De Hart, Esquire, be appointed 
 to purchase the said Powder and Lead. 
 
 Voted, That the Votes and Resolves of this meeting 
 shall be subject to the control of the Provincial and Conti- 
 nental Congresses, to take place after due notice being 
 given to us by either of the said Congresses, of their disap- 
 probation of all or any of our proceedings. 
 
 And the Delegates taking into consideration the unhap- 
 py circumstances of this Country, do recommend to the 
 inhabitants of this County capable of bearing arms, to pro- 
 vide themselves with Arms and Ammunition to defend 
 their Country in case of any invasion. 
 
459 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 460 
 
 Adjourned till the ninth day of this month, at nine o'clock 
 in the forenoon, to meet at the house of Captain Peter 
 Dickerson, in Morristown. 
 
 WOODBRIDGE (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE TO THE SEVERAL 
 COMMITTEES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 In Committee, Woodbridge, New-Jersey, ) 
 May 1, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen: We have received repeated intelligence 
 by expresses of your engaging and defeating the Regulars 
 under the command of General Gage, which is universally 
 credited in this Colony ; and we have the pleasure of as- 
 suring you, your conduct and bravery on that occasion is 
 greatly applauded and admired by all ranks of men. In 
 consequence of the intelligence, a Provincial Convention 
 will be held, as soon as the Members can possibly be con- 
 vened ; in the mean time the inhabitants are putting them- 
 selves in the best posture of defence, being determined to 
 stand or fall with the liberties of America. We have, for 
 some time past, feared the New-Yorkers would desert 
 American liberty, but are now fully convinced, by their 
 late spirited conduct, that they are determined to support 
 the grand cause. We also learn, with pleasure, that the 
 inhabitants of Pennsylvania and the other Southern Prov- 
 inces are firm, unanimous, and spirited. We have only to 
 add, that you have our unfeigned and hearty thanks for the 
 noble stand you have made, and our sincere and fervent 
 prayers for a speedy deliverance from all your calamities. 
 
 We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedi- 
 ent humble servants. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Moses Bloomfield, Chairman. 
 
 New- York, May 1, 1775. 
 This day the following gentlemen were chosen a Gene- 
 ral Committee for the City and County of Neic-York, in 
 the present alarming exigency : 
 
 Isaac Low, 
 Philip Livingston, 
 James Duane, 
 John Alsop, 
 John Jay, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 David Johnston, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lisponard, 
 William Walton, 
 John Broome, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John White, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roos?velt, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Lawrence Embree, 
 Samuel Jones, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Rodolphus Ritzma, 
 Lindley Murray, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lasher, 
 George Janeway, 
 Jamus Beekman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, 
 David Clarkson, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Garret Kotlotas, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 John M. Scott, 
 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 J. Van Courtlandt, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Peter Goelet, 
 John Marston, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 John Morton, 
 George Folliott, 
 Jacobus Lefferls, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. Brinckerhoff, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 Walter Franklin, 
 David Beekman, 
 William Seaton, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 William Laight, 
 Samuel Broome, 
 John Lamb, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templcton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Thomas Buchannan, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 The following twenty-one gentlemen were, at the same 
 time, chosen Deputies for the City and County of New- 
 York, to meet Deputies of the other Counties in Provincial 
 Congress, on Monday, the 21st of May, 1775 : 
 
 Leonard LiNponard, 
 Isaac Low, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 
 James Beekman, 
 John M. Scott, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 Samuel Verplanck, 
 David Clarkson, 
 George Folliott, 
 
 Joseph Hallet, 
 J. Van Courtlandt, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Richard Yates, 
 John Marston, 
 Walter Franklin, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 COUNCIL OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a Council held at the Council Chamber in the City 
 of New- York, on Monday, the first day of May, 1775, 
 Present: The Honourable Cadwalladcr Colden, Esquire, 
 His Majesty's Lieutenant Govemour, &.c, &ic, Mr. Walts, 
 
 Mr. De Lancey, Mr. Apthorp, Mr. Morris, Mr. Smith, Mr. 
 Wallace, Mr. White, Mr. Axtell, Mr. Crugcr, Mr. Jaun- 
 cey. 
 
 That the advice of the Council for the prorogation of 
 the Assembly may not be interpreted a neglect of the last 
 intimations of His Majesty's pleasure for restoring the tran- 
 quillity of the Empire, signified in the Earl of Dartmouth's 
 Letter of the 3d of March, the Council observed to his 
 Honour : 
 
 That there was, in the course of the last winter, a gene- 
 ral expectation in this Province of some signification to the 
 Colonies upon the contested subject of taxation and other 
 grievances, and an earnest desire in the people to maintain 
 their ancient union with, and dependance upon Great 
 Britain. 
 
 That if the Secretary of State's Letter had found the 
 Colony in this temper, there was room to hope, from the 
 explicit declarations contained in it, of His Majesty's most 
 gracious intentions of promoting a reconciliation between 
 the several branches of the Empire, that the Colonies 
 would have declared themselves upon its important con- 
 tents in some way favourable to the Union, which every 
 good subject to His Majesty so ardently desires, and which 
 the Council conceive the people of this Colony were dis- 
 posed most strenuously to promote. 
 
 That Lord Dartmouth's Letter arrived on the 24th of 
 April, the very day after the news reached us of the me- 
 lancholy event in the Massachusetts-Bay, of the 19th 
 April, which has thrown the Provinces into confusion, 
 kindled a flame that renders it impossible for the Repre- 
 sentatives of the people to give that attention to his Lord- 
 ship's Letter that is expected by His Majesty, until the 
 present ferments subside. 
 
 Astonished by accounts of acts of hostility in the mo- 
 ment of the expectation of terms of reconciliation, and now- 
 filled with distrust, the inhabitants of this City burst through 
 all retraints on the arrival of the intelligence from Boston, 
 and instantly emptied the vessel laden with Provisions for 
 that place, and then seized the City Arms, and in the 
 course of a few days distributed them among the multitude, 
 formed themselves into Companies, and trained openly in 
 the streets ; increased the numbers and power of the Com- 
 mittee before appointed, to execute the Association of the 
 Continental Congress; convened themselves, by beat of 
 drum, for popular Resolutions; have taken the keys of 
 the Custom-House by military force ; shut up the Port : 
 drawn a number of small cannon into the country ; called 
 all parts of the Colony to a Provincial Convention ; chosen 
 twenty Delegates for this City; formed an Association, 
 now signing by all ranks, engaging submission to Commit- 
 tees and Congresses, in firm union with the rest of the 
 Continent, and openly avow a resolution, not only to resist 
 the Acts of Parliament complained of as grievances, but to 
 withhold succours of all kinds from the Troops, and to 
 repel every species of force, whenever it may be exerted, 
 for enforcing the taxing claims of Parliament, at the risk of 
 their lives and fortunes. 
 
 In such a change of temper and conduct, (which has 
 entirely prostrated His Majesty's Government in this Prov- 
 ince,) there cannot be the least prospect of bringing the 
 Assembly to a deliberate consideration of the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth's Letter ; nor is there any foundation for the most 
 distant hope of accomplishing His Majesty's intentions, if 
 there is any farther irritation by the movements of the 
 Army, and fresh effusions of blood. And as it appears to 
 the Council to be of the last importance to the British 
 Empire, that the true state of the Colonies be immediately 
 made known to His Majesty, and also to the Commander- 
 in-chief of his forces on this Continent, the Council, moved 
 by their zeal for the interest of the Crown and the felicity 
 of His Majesty's subjects, recommend it to his Honour to 
 transmit, as soon as possible, the full information of the 
 late events in this Province, with assurances to General 
 Gage that the great end of the reconciliation, so explicitly 
 urged in the Secretary of State's Letter, cannot be accom- 
 plished, agreeable to His Majesty's expectations, unless he 
 can find means to remove the suspicion of his meditating 
 further operations on the part of the Army, that the people 
 may, with due composure of mind, attend to the terms 
 recommended by His Majesty for re-establishing the tran- 
 quillity of the Empire. 
 
461 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 462 
 
 PROCLAMATION EY GOVERNOUR COLDEN. 
 
 By the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, His 
 Majesty's Lieutenant Governour and Commander-in- 
 Chief of the Province of New-York, and the Terri- 
 tories depending thereon in America : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Whereas the General Assembly of this Province stands 
 adjourned to the third day of May instant : I have thought 
 fit for His Majesty's service to prorogue, and I do, by and 
 with the advice of His Majesty's Council, prorogue the 
 said General Assembly to the seventh day of June next, 
 of which all His Majesty's subjects concerned therein are 
 required to take notice, and govern themselves accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Fort George, 
 in the City of New-York, the first day of May, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the fifteenth year 
 of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by 
 the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
 King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 
 
 Cadwallader Colden. 
 
 By his Honour's command : 
 
 Sam. Bayard, Jun., Deputy Secretary. 
 
 God save the King. 
 
 TIMOTHY PICKERING, JUNIOR, TO THE COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY FOR MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Salem, May 1, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As a great number of men will soon be 
 out of employ within the limits of the First Regiment, in 
 Essex, it is thought by many highly expedient that they 
 should have an opportunity to enlist into the Army. I 
 imagine a Regiment may presently be enlisted, if field 
 officers be appointed ; and I beg leave to recommend Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel John Mansfield, of Lynn, as well qualified to 
 take the command of the proposed Regiment, and Captain 
 Israel Hutchinson, of Danvers, to be the second in com- 
 mand. The latter is an active man, of experience in war, 
 having made three campaigns; and both he and Colonel 
 Mansfield will, I am persuaded, be very acceptable to the 
 people. I do not think just now of a Major ; but as soon 
 as it is known that a Regiment is to be formed in the en- 
 virons of Salem, I doubt not but a sufficient number of 
 suitable persons will present themselves to fill all the va- 
 cant offices in the Regiment. I am, gentlemen, your most 
 humble servant, Tim. Pickering, Junior. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 BOSTON COMMITTEE TO DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Boston, May 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We wrote you the 29th ultimo, per Mr. Edivard 
 Payne, who left the Town yesterday morning. As Gen- 
 eral Gage thought that he could not, in his official capacity, 
 correspond with you on the subject you imparted to him, 
 he desired us to write you on it ; in conformity to which, 
 we say that you have, in a great measure, adopted the same 
 sentiments in your Resolves, which we are this day favour- 
 ed with in yours of yesterday, saving that part of it that 
 respects persons being sent from hence to carry into exe- 
 cution the desires of any of the inhabitants of the Province 
 now in Boston, respecting their bringing their effects from 
 the different parts of the Government where their dwelling 
 places are. In order to remove all difficulties, we do pro- 
 pose to give to persons to be sent from hence, either ser- 
 vants or others, passes to the office you have established, 
 desiring they may be furnished with passes for so long a 
 time as may be proper for them, according to the distance 
 they go ; that they may have liberty to procure any help 
 necessary for the conveyance of said effects, and that they 
 may pass and repass unmolested. 
 
 If the above be agreeable, please to favour us with an 
 answer by the bearer. We are, with respect and the great- 
 est regard and sincere affection, Sir, your most humble obe- 
 dient servants, John Scollay, Samuel Austin, 
 Thos. Marshall, John Pitts, 
 Timothy Newell, 
 
 To Doctor Joseph Warren. 
 
 LEMUEL WILLIAMS TO BENJAMIN AIKIN, ESQUIRE, IN 
 WATERTOWN. 
 
 Dartmouth, May 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I am desired to acquaint you that Mr. Samuel 
 Allen, (by the desire of the principal part of the inhabit- 
 ants of this place) is sent to you to know the minds of the 
 Provincial Congress, whether it is most proper at this time 
 for the Merchants in this place to send their Vessels and 
 Provisions to sea, or not. Your early proposing the same 
 to that respectable body, will much oblige your humble 
 servant, Lemuel Williams. 
 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Monday morning, 1775. 
 
 Mr. White, of Marhlehead, from Boston, who has been 
 an Addresser, was dismissed yesterday, after having been 
 taken in a vessel of his own, with salt, and carried up to 
 that place. He informs the inhabitants of Marhlehead, 
 that a transport arrived there yesterday with one hundred 
 and fifty Troops, and sailed from Ireland in company with 
 thirty-three more, which had on board eight Regiments, 
 three hundred and fifty Recruits, and one Regiment of 
 Dragoons. He parted with seventeen of them on Friday 
 last ; and it was supposed when they all arrived, that they 
 would be twelve thousand strong; but I cannot conceive 
 that there will be that number. Notwithstanding which, 
 it may be highly necessary to be ready for such an army. 
 This I have by a brother from Marhlehead, just arrived, 
 who received it from White, and thought it proper to 
 apprize you of it, to be communicated to Congress, if neces- 
 sary. He likewise adds an anecdote of a vessel in Mar- 
 hlehead, loaded with molasses, under custody of the Sloop- 
 of-War posted there, which the inhabitants boarded the last 
 night: they slipped her cables, and after running her into 
 the wharf, where a number of our men armed, were posted 
 to receive her, they unladed her cargo, and saved the 
 whole. 1 am, in much haste, Sir, your very humble ser- 
 vant, Elbridge Gerry. 
 
 Honourable President of the Congress. 
 
 PETITION OF JONATHAN BREWER. 
 
 To the Honourable the President and Members of the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay, notv sit- 
 ting in Watertown, in said Province. 
 
 The Petition of Jonathan Brticer, Esq., of Waltham. 
 humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your Petitioner having a desire of contributing al! 
 in his power for this Country's good, begs leave to propose 
 to this honourable House to march with a body of five hun- 
 dred Volunteers to Quebeck, by way of the Rivers Kenne- 
 beck and Chadier, as he humbly begs leave to apprehend 
 that such a diversion of the Provincial Troops into that part 
 of Canada, would be the means of drawing the Governour 
 of Canada with his Troops, into that quarter, and which 
 would effectually secure the Northern and Western Fron- 
 tiers from any inroads of the Regular or Canadian Troops. 
 This he humbly conceives he could execute with all the 
 facility imaginable. He therefore begs that this honour- 
 able Assembly would lake this his proposal into considera- 
 tion, and to act thereon as in their wisdom shall seem 
 meet. J. Brewer. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM HOLLAND, OF MAY 2, 1775, TO 
 THE REV. MR. WILLIAM GORDON, OF ROXBURY. 
 
 When the Parliament met, I was in hopes the manly 
 Address of the General Congress to the King, and that 
 to the People of England, would have opened their eyes, 
 and have led them to apply a remedy suitable to the dis- 
 ease ; but instead of that, what have they done ? Like true 
 quacks, they deal in inflammatories, and attempt to heal 
 by exasperating the evil they should cure. Of this nature 
 is Lord North's concession, the merit of which, (if it has 
 any) is wholly destroyed by the Restraining Bill. By this 
 they will further provoke those who are already sufficiently 
 enraged, and force the discarded useless fishermen to fly 
 to arms, and to fight against Administration, from a princi- 
 ple of hatred, as well as zeal for the publick. Never, sure, 
 were Ministers more infatuated than those headless beings 
 
463 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 464 
 
 who manage the aftairs of England ; and to tell you the 
 truth, it is like man like master with respect to the latter. 
 Don't you remember what Mr. T . . . . once told you 
 concerning his invincible obstinacy, as mentioned by a gen- 
 tleman who was much about his person when he was a 
 youth ? Has not all his conduct confirmed it ever since 
 "he mounted the Throne ? For I am persuaded he (as 
 tutored by the assuming favourite) and the junto, is at the 
 bottom of all these wild measures ; nor will they relinquish 
 them till they smart severely for their folly. Don Quix- 
 ote like, they are obstinately bent on fighting wind-mills ; 
 and no wonder if they get broken heads in the encounter. 
 Were they alone to smart, it were no great matter ; but the 
 mischief is, that I fear they will draw down irreparable evils 
 upon both Englands. Lord North is only a tool to do the 
 dirty work of his more dirty superiours ; and the precious 
 Parliament are, in their place, the tools to do his dirty 
 work in return, for the pay he gives them. They have 
 lately employed that old mungy jacobite Doctor, alias 
 Dictionary Johnson, alias the Rambler, to answer the Con- 
 gress, in a pamphlet entitled " Taxation no Tyranny" — 
 a piece full of sophistical quibbles, dressed out in pedantick 
 bombast language. I hope to see some good answer to it ; 
 and am pleased to see how effectually the authors of the 
 Monthly Review, in their last Review, {March,) have cut 
 him down in a few words. If you ever see that periodical 
 work on your side the water, it will give you pleasure to 
 read what they have said on the subject. If we may be- 
 lieve the papers, all things with you threaten war. In the 
 last it is affirmed the standard of liberty had been lately 
 erected at Salem, and that it was repaired to by numbers 
 in arms, determined to fight or die. Should the King's 
 Troops be worsted in any general action, of which I think 
 there is the greatest probability, what an uproar will it 
 make in England. And then let the Ministry stand clear. 
 If the Troops beat you, you can soon recruit. If they 
 gain five battles, and lose but one, it is over with them, so 
 great is the disadvantage under which they engage, besides 
 what arises from the circumstances of climate, and fighting 
 against those who fight, or are at least persuaded they fight 
 pro arts etfocis, and this upon their own ground. 
 
 The English Ambassador at the Hague applied to the 
 States to forbid their subjects supplying the Americans with 
 arms and ammunition. The States published a prohibition 
 under the penalty of a Thousand Guilders, that is, about 
 Ninety Pounds Sterling. I leave you to comment on this 
 at your leisure, and judge if, where the profits of a voyage 
 are so great as a voyage of that kind must be, it is not 
 worth the merchant's while to risk that sum. And to as- 
 sist you in your determination on that point, it is owned by 
 our Ambassador at this place, that a Dutch ship has lately 
 got into Virginia, where it has landed four hundred barrels 
 of powder and fourteen hundred stand of arms. France 
 was applied to to forbid its subjects furnishing you with 
 any military stores. France, it is well known, could easily 
 have crushed all such assistance by an express prohibition ; 
 but France knows better than to do it, and therefore only 
 tells its subjects, if they do it, it is entirely at their own 
 risk, which is plainly saying, if you will venture, you may. 
 Spain, when applied to, roundly refused to give any hin- 
 drance to her subjects supplying you ; and I dare say, from 
 present appearances, will soon act openly against England. 
 
 An article lately appeared in the English papers, that a 
 Prussian ship sailed from Stetten to some part of America, 
 with thirty field-pieces, a good store of powder, ball, and 
 small arms, and six or seven Prussian Generals, whose 
 names were mentioned at length. This begins to gain 
 great credit in this part of the world, and is now affirmed 
 to be true. It is said they were engaged for by an Ameri- 
 can agent at the Court of Berlin. That politick Prince, 
 too, is on the watch ; he bears no good will to the Court of 
 Ijondon ; and in case England should be engaged in a war 
 with her Colonies, will carve himself a handsome slice out 
 of a certain Electorate, or the world will be greatly mis- 
 taken. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN AMERICAN GENTLEMAN 
 AT PARIS, DATED MAY 2, 1775, TO HIS FRIEND IN 
 PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 1 find the French arc extremely attentive to our Ameri- 
 can politicks, and to a man strongly in favour of us ; whe- 
 
 ther mostly from ill-will to Britain, or friendship to the 
 Colonies, may be matter of doubt; but they profess it to 
 be upon a principle of humanity, and a regard to the natu- 
 ral rights of mankind. They say that the Americans will 
 be either revered or detested by all Europe, according to 
 their conduct at the approaching crisis; they will have no 
 middle character ; for in proportion as their virtue and per- 
 severance will render them a glorious, their tame submis- 
 sion will make them a despicable people. 
 
 GLOUCESTER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Gloucester, at the 
 Court-House, on Tuesday, the 2d of May, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved, That we will not ship a single Hogshead of 
 Tobacco to Great Britain, until the determination of the 
 Continental Congress respecting Exportation be known. 
 
 Resolved, That we deem the Resolution of our Com- 
 mittee last November, not to ship any Tobacco to Mr. 
 Norton's House, as still obligatory, the Ship Virginia 
 having arrived without the concessions then required. 
 
 Jasper Clayton, Clerk. 
 
 COUNCIL OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 At a Council held at the Palace, May 2, 1775. Pre- 
 sent : His Excellency the Governour, Thos. Nelson, Rich- 
 ard Corbin, William Byrd, Ralph Wormcley, Jr., Esquires, 
 John Camrn, Clerk, and John Page, Esquire. 
 
 The Governour was pleased to address himself to the 
 Board in the following manner : 
 
 Gentlemen: Commotions and insurrections have sud- 
 denly been excited among the people, which threatens the 
 very existence of His Majesty's government in this Colony ; 
 and no other cause is assigned for such dangerous measures, 
 than that the gunpowder, which had some time past been 
 brought from on board one of the King's ships to which it 
 belonged, and was deposited in the Magazine of this City, 
 has been removed, which, it is known, was done by my 
 order, to whom, under the constitutional right of the Crown 
 which I represent, the custody and disposal of all publick 
 stores of arms and ammunition alone belong. And whether 
 I acted in this matter (as my indispensable duty required) 
 to anticipate the malevolent designs of the enemies of order 
 and government, or to prevent the attempts of any enter- 
 prising negroes, the powder being still as ready and con- 
 venient for being distributed for the defence of the Country, 
 upon any emergency, as it was before, which I have pub- 
 lickly engaged to do, the expediency of the step I have 
 taken is equally manifest, and therefore it must be evident 
 that the same headstrong and designing people, who have 
 already but too successfully employed their artifices in de- 
 luding His Majesty's faithful subjects, and in seducing them 
 from their duty and allegiance, have seized this entirely 
 groundless subject of complaint, only to enslave afresh, and 
 to precipitate as many as possible of the unwary into acts 
 which, involving them in the same guilt, their corruptors 
 think may bind them to the same plans and schemes which 
 are unquestionably meditated in this Colony for subverting 
 the present, and erecting a new form of Government. 
 
 Induced by an unaffected regard for the general welfare 
 of the people whom I have had the honour of governing, 
 as well as actuated by duty and zeal in the service of His 
 Majesty, I call upon you, his Council, in this Colony, for 
 your advice upon this pressing occasion ; and I submit to 
 you whether a Proclamation should not issue conformable 
 to what I have now suggested ; and before our fellow-sub- 
 jects abandon themselves totally to extremities, which must 
 inevitably draw down an accumulation of every human 
 misery upon their unhappy Country, to warn them of their 
 danger, to remind them of the sacred oaths of allegiance 
 which they have taken, and to call up in their breasts that 
 loyalty and affection which upon so many occasions have 
 been professed by them to their King, their lawful sover- 
 eign ; and farther, to urge and exhort, in particular, those 
 whose criminal proceedings on this occasion have been, and 
 are still, so alarming, to return to their duty, and a due obe- 
 dience to the laws; and, in general, all persons whatsoever 
 to rely upon the goodness and tenderness of our most gra- 
 cious Sovereign to all his subjects, equally, and upon the 
 wisdom of his Councils, for a redress of all their real 
 
465 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS," &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 466 
 
 grievances, which redress can only be obtained by constitu- 
 tional applications; and, iastly,to enjoin all orders of peo- 
 ple to submit, as becomes good subjects, to the legal au- 
 thority of their Government, in the protection of which 
 their own happiness is most interested. 
 
 The Council thereupon acquainted his Excellency, that 
 as the matters he had been pleased to communicate to them 
 were of the greatest consequence, they desired time to de- 
 liberate thereon till the next day. 
 
 At a Council held at the Palace, May 3, 1775. Present : 
 His Excellency the Governour, Thomas Nelson, Richard 
 Corbin, William Byrd, Ralph Wormeley, Jr., Esquires, 
 John Camm, Clerk, and John Page, Esquire. 
 
 The Board resuming the consideration of the subject laid 
 before them yesterday by the Governour, advised him to 
 issue the following Proclamation ; and the same was ordered 
 accordingly. 
 
 By his Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour 
 General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, 
 and Vice-Admiral of the same : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Virginia, to wit: 
 
 Whereas there is too much reason to suppose that some 
 persons in the different parts of this Colony are disaffected 
 to His Majesty's Government, and by their weight and credit 
 with the people, are endeavouring to bring the Country 
 into such a situation as to afford them the fairest prospect 
 of effecting a change in the form of it, covering the wicked 
 designs under the specious appearance of defending their 
 liberties, and have taken advantage of the unhappy ferment 
 which themselves have raised in the minds of their fellow- 
 subjects, in prosecution of their dangerous designs to op- 
 pose the most undoubted prerogative of the King, which, 
 in a late instance, I thought it expedient to exert, by re- 
 moving on hoard His Majesty's Ship the Foivey, a small 
 quantity of Gunpowder, belonging to His Majesty, from 
 the Magazine in this City: I have thought fit, by advice 
 of His Majesty's Council, to issue this my Proclamation, 
 with a view of undeceiving the deluded, and of exposing 
 to the unwary the destruction into which they may be pre- 
 cipitated, if they suffer themselves to be longer guided by 
 such infatuated counsels. 
 
 Although 1 consider myself, under the authority of the 
 Crown, the only constitutional judge in what manner the 
 munition, provided for the protection of the people of this 
 Government, is to be disposed of for that end, yet, for 
 effecting the salutary objects of this Proclamation, and re- 
 moving from the minds of His Majesty's subjects the 
 groundless suspicions they have imbibed, I think proper to 
 declare that the apprehensions which seemed to prevail 
 throughout this whole Country, of an intended insurrection 
 of the Slaves, who had been seen in large numbers in the 
 night time about the Magazine, and my knowledge of its 
 being a very insecure depository, were my inducements to 
 that measure, and I chose the night as the properest season, 
 because I knew the temper of the times, and the misinter- 
 pretations of my design which would be apt to prevail if 
 the thing should be known. Acting under these motives, 
 1 certainly rather deserved the thanks of the Country, 
 than their reproaches. But whenever the present ferment 
 shall subside, and it shall become necessary to put arms 
 into the hands of the Militia for the defence of the people 
 against a foreign enemy or intestine insurgents, I shall be as 
 ready as on a late occasion to exert my best abilities in the 
 service of the Country. In the mean time, as it is indis- 
 pensably necessary to maintain order and the authority of 
 the laws, and thereby the dignity of His Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, I exhort and require, in His Majesty's name, all his 
 faithful subjects to leave no expedient unessayed which may 
 tend to that happy end. Such as are not to be influenced 
 by the love of order for its own sake, and the blessings it 
 is always productive of, would do well to consider the in- 
 ternal weakness of this Colony, as well as the dangers to 
 which it is exposed from a savage enemy, who, from the 
 most recent advices I have received from the frontier in- 
 habitants, are ready to renew their hostilities against the 
 people of this Country. But as, on the one hand, nothing 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 3 
 
 can justify men, without proper authority, in a rapid recur- 
 rence to arms, nothing excuse resistance to the Executive 
 power in the due enforcement of law ; so, on the other, 
 nothing but such resistance and outrageous proceedings 
 shall ever compel me to avail myself of any means that 
 may carry the appearance of severity. 
 
 Anxious to restore peace and harmony to this distracted 
 Country, and to induce a firmer reliance on the goodness 
 and tenderness of our most gracious Sovereign to all his 
 subjects equally, and on the wisdom of his Councils for a 
 redress of all their real grievances, which can only be ob- 
 tained by loyal and constitutional applications, I again call 
 upon and require all His Majesty's liege subjects, and espe- 
 cially all Magistrates and other officers, both civil and mili- 
 tary, to exert themselves in removing the discontents, and 
 suppressing the spirit of faction which prevail among the 
 people, that a dutiful submission to the laws of the land 
 may be strictly observed, which shall ever be the rule of 
 my conduct, as the interest and happiness of this Dominion 
 ever have been, and shall continue to be, the objects of my 
 administration. 
 
 Given under my hand, and the seal of the Colony, at 
 Williamsburg h, this third day of May, 1775, and in the fif- 
 teenth year of His Majesty's reign. Dunmore. 
 God save the King. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION FOR KENT COUNTY ON DELA- 
 WARE. 
 
 Dover, Tuesday, May 2, 1775. P. M. 
 
 The Committee met by adjournment, when the follow- 
 ing Letter was laid before them by the President of the 
 Committee of Correspondence for said County : 
 
 " I acknowledge to have wrote a piece (and did not sign 
 it) since said to be an extract of a Letter from Kent County 
 on Delaware, published in Humphreys's Ledger, No. 3. 
 It was not dated from any place, and is somewhat altered 
 from the original. I folded it up, and directed the same 
 to Joshua Fisher and Sons. I had no intention to have it 
 published, and further let them know, the author thought 
 best it should not be published, nor did I think they would. 
 I am sincerely sorry I ever wrote it, as also for its being 
 published, and hope I may be excused for this my first 
 breach in this way, and I intend it shall be the last. 
 
 " Robert Holliday." 
 To the Committee of Correspondence for Kent County on 
 
 Delaware. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this be not satisfactory, and 
 that Mr. Holliday be requested to attend the Committee 
 at their next meeting, on Tuesday the ninth instant, then 
 to give further satisfaction for the gross misrepresentation 
 of the people of this County, by said Letter, from which 
 an extract was published in Humphreys's Ledger. 
 
 Tuesday, May 9, P. M. 
 
 The Committee met according to adjournment, when 
 Mr. Holliday appeared, and offered to make the necessary 
 concessions for his conduct. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That a Committee be appointed 
 to draw up Mr. Holliday's concessions in writing. 
 
 This being done, Mr. Holliday waited on the Com- 
 mittee with his concessions, drawn up in the form of an 
 Address, as follows : 
 
 " To the Committee of Inspection for Kent County on 
 Delaware : 
 
 " Gentlemen : With sorrow and contrition for my weak- 
 ness and folly, I confess myself the author of the Letter 
 from which an extract was published in the third number 
 of Humphreys's Ledger, said to be from Kent County, on 
 Delaware, but at the same time do declare it was published 
 without my consent, and not without some alterations. 
 
 "I am now convinced the political sentiments therein 
 contained were founded in the grossest errour, more espe- 
 cially that malignant insinuation, that " if the King's Stand- 
 ard were now erected, nine out of ten would repair to it," 
 could not have been suggested but from the deepest insinu- 
 ation. True, indeed it is, the people of this County have 
 ever shown a zealous attachment to His Majesty's person 
 and Government, and whenever he raised his standard in 
 a just cause, were ready to flock to it; but let the, severe 
 
467 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MAY, 1775. 
 
 468 
 
 account I now render to an injured people witness to the 
 world, that none are more ready to oppose tyranny, or to 
 be first in the cause of liberty, than the inhabitants of Kent 
 County. 
 
 " Conscious that I can render no satisfaction adequate to 
 the injuries done my Country, 1 can only beg the forgive- 
 ness of my countrymen upon those principles of humanity 
 which may induce them to consider the frailty of human 
 nature. And I do profess and promise, that 1 will never 
 again oppose those laudable measures necessarily adopted 
 by my countrymen for the preservation of American free- 
 dom, but will co-operate with them to the utmost of my 
 abilities, in their virtuous struggle for liberty, so far as is 
 consistent with my religious principles. 
 
 " Robert Holliday." 
 
 May 9, 1775. 
 
 Voted satisfactory. 
 
 Published by order of the Committee, 
 
 Thomas Nixon, Jr., Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GKNTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA TO HIS FRIEND IN LONDON. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 2, 1775. 
 Do not we see the hand of Providence in the late re- 
 pulse of the National soldiery ? New-England men who 
 are justly noted for religious attentions, do say, that God 
 hath evidently appeared on their side, and fought for them ; 
 thus deriving powerful motives for perseverance and vigour 
 in a cause so favoured. And indeed the battle has been 
 the Lord's. He has wrought by few, as easily as he could 
 by many. 
 
 The Militia, it is said, threaten the siege of Boston, how- 
 ever difficult it may seem, and we have a report that Gen- 
 eral Gage is suffering the inhabitants to retire. This fore- 
 bodes the destruction of that City ; but the people of the 
 Colony contemplate that consequence, the bombardment 
 of their Coast- Towns, and the total stagnation of their 
 Fishery and Trade. These advices must strike terrour 
 into the British Ministry, and astonish all Europe. But 
 this comes of driving people to despair. Though I trust 
 you will have come away, yet I venture to risk a letter. 
 
 This is the last I shall write to you, till further advices 
 from you. Indeed means of conveyance will probably fail, 
 for we expect that the Congress (about to sit) will recom- 
 mend the total suspension of exportation at their first meet- 
 ing. This has already taken place at New-York. The 
 van of the New-England Militia has actually arrived there, 
 and will be joined by the inhabitants, who are arraying. 
 You may be assured that from Maryland north-eastward, 
 there is no scarcity of ammunition. Gunpowder abounds 
 in New-England. A proper magazine of victuals for six 
 months, and stores, (even tents for thirty thousand men,) 
 have been collected at Worcester, forty-five miles west of 
 Boston. 
 
 Our City affords thirty Companies, from fifty to one 
 hundred each, of trained bands, who daily practise the 
 manual exercise of the musket. Citizens may not perhaps 
 be so much esteemed as soldiers ; but it is the same through- 
 out the Country. 
 
 NEW-JERSEY COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 At a meeting of the New-Jersey Provincial Committee 
 of Correspondence (appointed by the Provincial Congress) 
 at the City of New-Jirunswick, on Tuesday, the second 
 day of May, Anno Domini, 1775, agreeable to summons 
 of Hendrick Fisher, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 Present : Hendrick Fisher, Samuel Tucker, Joseph 
 Borden, Joseph Biggs, Isaac Pearson, John Chetwood, 
 Lewis Ogden, Isaac Ogdtn, Abraham Hunt, and Elias 
 Boudinot, Esquires. 
 
 The Committee having seriously taken into consideration 
 as well the present alarming and very extraordinary conduct 
 of the British Ministry, for carrying into execution sundry 
 Acts of Parliament for the express purpose of raising a 
 revenue in America, and other unconstitutional measures 
 therein mentioned ; as also the several acts of hostility 
 that have been actually commenced for this purpose by the 
 Regular Forces under General Gage against our brethren 
 of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England ; 
 
 and not knowing how soon this Province may be in a state 
 of confusion and disorder, if there are not some effectual 
 measures speedily taken to prevent the same : This Com- 
 mittee are unanimously of opinion, and do hereby advise 
 and direct, that the Chairman do immediately call a Pro- 
 vincial Congress to meet at Trenton, on Tuesday the 
 twenty-third day of this instant, in order to consider of and 
 determine such matters as may then and there come before 
 them ; and the several Counties are hereby desired to nomi- 
 nate and appoint their respective Deputies for the same, as 
 speedily as may be, with full and ample powers for such 
 purposes as may be thought necessary for the peculiar exi- 
 gencies of this Province. 
 
 The Committee do also direct their Chairman to forward 
 true copies of the above minute to the several County Com- 
 mittees of this Province, without delay. 
 
 Hendrick Fisher, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee 
 Monday, 1st May, 
 
 Isaac Low, 
 Philip Livingston, 
 James Duane, 
 John Alsop, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 William Walton, 
 John Broome, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John White, 
 
 met at the Exchange, at six o'clock, 
 1775. Present : 
 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 John Berrian, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Lindley Murray, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lasher, 
 George Janeway, 
 James Beekman, 
 Richard Yates, 
 David Clarkson, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Garret Kettletas, 
 Fleazer Miller, 
 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 John M. Scott, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 John Van Cortlamlt, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Gerardus Duyckiuck, 
 John Marston, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 Walter Franklin, 
 David Beekman, 
 William Seaton, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 William Laight, 
 Samuel Broome, 
 John Lamb, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscouib, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Thomas Buciiannan, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Low was unanimously elected Chairman ; 
 Mr. Henry Bemsen, Deputy Chairman ; Mr. John Blagge, 
 Secretary; and Mr. Thomas Pettit, Messenger. 
 
 The following Address was received from Mr. Samuel 
 Broome and his Company, which was read in the words 
 following, viz : 
 
 "Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen : 
 
 " We wait on you by order of one hundred inhabitants 
 who have formed themselves into a Military Association 
 Company, in order to co-operate with their fellow-citizens 
 in carrying into effect the purposes of the General Asso- 
 ciation ; and we are desired to assure you that they have 
 great confidence in your wisdom and zeal, and are deter- 
 mined to be guided by your advice, and to support your 
 resolutions respecting the preservation of American liberty, 
 of the peace and good order of the City, the safety of 
 individuals (unless proscribed by you) and of private pro- 
 perty ; upon every occasion we will cheerfully take our 
 tour of duty ; and when our services are wanted you may 
 apply to Mr. Samuel Broome, who we have chosen to 
 command us." 
 
 Mr. Scott moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall, That 
 a Sub-Committee of four members for each Ward be ap- 
 pointed to offer the Association without delay to the inha- 
 bitants of this City and County, and that they take down 
 the names of such of them as shall not sign the Associa- 
 tion, and report their names to this Committee. 
 
 On the question, whether every person should be waited 
 on except the Lieutenant-Governour, carried in the affirm- 
 ative, by a great majority. 
 
 The following Rules for the government of this Com- 
 mittee in their debates and proceedings, were read, agreed 
 to, and ordered to be entered on their Minutes, viz : 
 
 1st. That the Chairman, and in his absence, the Deputy 
 Chairman, and in the absence of both, a Chairman to be 
 appointed pro tempore, shall preside at every meeting, 
 
469 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, tic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 470 
 
 and keep order and decorum, and that it shall be his duty 
 to sign all letters from the Board. 
 
 2d. That a Secretary shall be appointed who is not a 
 member of the Board. 
 
 3d. That all Addresses shall be made to the Chair, and 
 standing. 
 
 4th. That if more than one shall rise to speak at the 
 same time, the Chairman shall determine who shall first be 
 heard. 
 
 5th. That the substance of every motion which is 
 seconded, shall be entered on the Minutes. 
 
 6th. That no interruption shall be offered while a mem- 
 ber is delivering his sentiments. 
 
 7th. That every question shall be determined by a 
 majority of voices, and after a determination, the same 
 question shall not be resumed, but with the consent of a 
 majority at a subsequent meeting. 
 
 8th. That when a question shall be determined, the 
 names of the members shall be entered as they shall vote, 
 on each side. 
 
 9ih. That the Committee shall meet every Monday at 
 six o'clock in the evening, and on application of any five 
 members the Chairman, or in his absence the Deputy, and 
 in the absence of both, the Secretary, shall call a special 
 meeting, printed notice whereof to be left at the residence 
 of each member. 
 
 10th. That, for the despatch of business and to prevent 
 interruptions, the doors, at our meetings, shall be shut, 
 and that no act, proceeding, or debate of the Committee 
 shall be published or divulged, except to a member, unless 
 leave shall be first given by the Committee. 
 
 11th. That when the Chairman and Deputy Chairman 
 shall be out of Town, the five first members named on the 
 list of the body, who may be in Town, shall be at liberty to 
 open Letters directed to the Committee, and that the con- 
 tents of such Letters shall not be communicated but to a 
 member, without leave of the Committee. 
 
 12tb. That every member after appearing shall keep his 
 seat, and not leave the Committee without the consent of 
 the Chairman. 
 
 13th. That no question shall be determined the day that 
 it is agitated, if one-third of the members then present 
 desire it to be postponed to the next meeting. 
 
 14th. That no member shall be at liberty to speak more 
 than twice to the same point without leave of the Board. 
 
 15th. That at every staled weekly meeting, these 
 Rules shall be publickly read previous to the proceeding 
 upon business. 
 
 Whereas it appears by the publick Papers that all Ex- 
 portation from Philadelphia to Quebeck, A ova-Scotia, 
 Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any part of the Fishing 
 Coasts or Fishing Islands are suspended, and that it be 
 accordingly recommended to every Merchant immediately 
 to suspend all Exportation to those places until the Conti- 
 nental Congress shall give further orders therein : 
 
 Resolved, That the above measure be recommended by 
 this Committee to the Merchants and Inhabitants of this 
 City and County, and that henceforth no Provisions or 
 other necessaries be sent from this Port to the Army or 
 Navy at Boston, and that the Committee of Philadelphia 
 be requested to establish the same restriction, until the 
 Continental Congress shall give further orders therein. 
 
 Ordered, That the above be published. 
 
 Ordered. That Mr. Scott, Mr. Van Schaack, and Mr. 
 McDougall be a Sub-Committee to draft and report an 
 Answer to Captain Samuel Broome's Address. 
 
 Mr. McDougall moved, seconded by Mr. Scott, that a 
 Sub-Committee be appointed to devise ways and means to 
 purchase Arms, Ammunition, and Provisions in our exi- 
 gency, and that they report the same without delay to this 
 Committee. 
 
 Carried unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Remsen, Mr. Van Zandt, Mr. Mc- 
 Dougall, Mr. Randall, Mr. Lispenard, Mr. Van Dam, Mr. 
 Sands, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Scott, Mr. Duryee, Mr. Yates 
 and Mr. Curtenius be a Committee for the above pur- 
 pose. 
 
 The Committee adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Tuesday morn- 
 ing, nine o'clock, May 2, 1775. Present : 
 
 Isaac Low, William Goforth, Cornelius Clopper, 
 
 Pliilip Livingston, Isaac Roosevelt, John Rcade, 
 
 James Duane, Jacob Van Voorhies, John Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Isaac Sears, Jeremiah Piatt, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 
 Alex. McDougall, Comfort Sands, Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 
 Thomas Randall, Robert Benson, John Marston, 
 
 Leonard Lispenard, William W. Gilbert, Thomas Marston, 
 William Walton, John Berrian, Richard Sharpe, 
 
 John Broome, John De Lancey, Hamilton Young, 
 
 Joseph Hallett, Frederick Jay, David Beekman, 
 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, William W. Ludlow, William Seaton, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, John B. Moore, Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Abraham Walton, Lancaster Burling, William Laight, 
 Henry Remsen, John Lasher, Samuel Broome, 
 
 Peter T Curtenius, George Janeway, John Lamb, 
 
 Abraham Brasher, James Beekman, Daniel Phcnix, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, Richard Yates, Anthony Van Dam, 
 
 Abraham Duryee, Thomas Smith, Daniel Dunscomb, 
 
 Joseph Bull, James Desbrosses, John Imlay, 
 
 Francis Lewis, Augustus Van Home, Oliver Templeton, 
 
 Joseph Totten, Eleazer Miller, Cornelius P. Low, 
 
 Thomas Ivers, Garret Kcttletas, Thomas Buchannan, 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, Benjamin Kissam, Petrus Byvanck. 
 Theophilus Anthony, John M. Scott, 
 
 Mr. Duane moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall, that 
 the Committee come into the following Resolution, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to every 
 inhabitant to perfect himself in Military Discipline, and be 
 provided with Arms, Accoutrements, and Ammunition as 
 directed by law. 
 
 Carried unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolve be immediately made 
 publick by a handbill. 
 
 Mr. Goforth moved, seconded by Mr. Lamb, that a 
 Committee be appointed to move all the Cannon out of 
 Town that are private property, and to provide every thing 
 necessary thereto, and that a particular account be taken 
 of them, and the names of the proprietors. 
 
 Carried unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Sears, Captain Randall, Mr. 
 Lamb, Mr. A. P. Lott, Mr. Brasher, and Mr. Goforth 
 be a Sub-Committee for the above purposes. Names 
 added : Mr. Berrian, Mr. Sands, Mr. Byvanck. 
 
 Mr. Lamb, seconded by Mr. McDougall, made a motion 
 in the words following, viz : 
 
 Whereas it is essentially necessary in the present posture 
 of our affairs, that the true state of this City should be 
 known in regard to what quantity of Arms and Ammuni- 
 tion can be procured for our defence : 
 
 I move that a Sub-Committee of Inspection be appointed 
 for that purpose, and to make inquiry of the inhabitants 
 what Military Stores and Arms they have for their own 
 use, and for sale, and that the said Committee be desired to 
 report the same to this Board with all convenient speed. 
 
 Which being unanimously agreed to; 
 
 Ordered, That the same be referred to the Committees 
 appointed for carrying about the Association in the differ- 
 ent Wards, and that the same consist of the following per- 
 sons, viz : 
 
 Montgomerie Ward. — Joseph Bull, John Berrian, David 
 
 Beekman, Petrus Byvanck. 
 Sotjth Ward. — Thomas Randall, Frederick Jay, John 
 
 Lasher. 
 
 Dock Ward. — Gabriel H. Ludloxc, Nicholas Hoffman. 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, and Abraham Brinkerhoff. 
 
 West Ward. — Jacob Van Voorhies, Peter T. Curtenius. 
 William TV. Gilbert, John Van Cortlandt. 
 
 North Ward. — Captain Fleming, John TfTiite, Robert 
 Benson, John Anthony. 
 
 Out Ward. — John M. Scott, George Janeway, Corne- 
 lius P. Low, Jeremiah Piatt, Benjamin Helme. 
 
 East Ward. — Thomas Ivers, John Imlay. Oliver Tem- 
 pleton, John Broome, Joseph Hallett, Augustus Van 
 Home, Daniel Phenix. 
 
 Mr. Duane moved, seconded by Mr. McDougall, that 
 the Committee come into the following Resolution, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his 
 Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, to explain the motives 
 which, at this alarming juncture, have obliged the inhabit- 
 ants to appoint the present Committee for their safety and 
 preservation, and to assure his Honour that this Committee 
 will at all times exert their utmost endeavours to promote 
 good order, and support the Civil Magistrates as far as 
 
471 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 472 
 
 shall be compatible with the melancholy exigency of our 
 publick affairs. 
 
 Carried unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That the following gentlemen be a Committee 
 for the above purpose, viz : Mr. Duane, Mr. Scott, Mr. 
 John Jay, Mr. Van Schaack, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Mc- 
 Dougall, Mr. Low, and Mr. Lewis. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of Correspondence and 
 Intelligence be appointed, and that it consist of the follow- 
 ing persons, viz : Mr. Low, Mr. Van SchaacJc, Mr. Kis- 
 sam, Mr. Scott, Mr. Jones, Mr. P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Mr. Van Cortlandt and Mr. McDougall, who are desired 
 to transmit to England, and to the Committees of the prin- 
 cipal Cities on this Continent, copies of the Association 
 entered into in this City, with such further acts and resolu- 
 tions of this Committee for advancing the common cause, 
 as they shall direct to be published. 
 
 The Committee adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 ASSOCIATION OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New-York, May 4, 1775. 
 
 The following Association was set on foot here last 
 Saturday, April 29, and has been transmitted, for signing, 
 to all the Counties in the Province, and signed by most of 
 the men of this City : 
 
 " Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties 
 of America depend, under God, on the firm union of its 
 inhabitants, in a vigorous prosecution of the measures 
 necessary for its safety, and convinced of the necessity of 
 preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend a disso- 
 lution of the powers of Government : We, the Freemen, 
 Freeholders, and Inhabitants of the City and County of 
 New- York, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of 
 the Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked 
 by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 do, in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become 
 slaves; and do associate, under all the ties of religion, 
 honour, and love to our Country, to adopt and endeavour 
 to carry into execution whatever measures may be recom- 
 mended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by 
 our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving 
 our Constitution and opposing the execution of the several 
 arbitrary and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament, 
 until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, 
 on constitutional principles, (which we most ardently de- 
 sire,) can be obtained ; and that we will, in all things, 
 follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the 
 purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good 
 order, and the safety of individuals and private property." 
 
 GQVERNOUR WANTON TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 
 RHODE^ISLAND. 
 
 Newport, May 2, 1775. 
 To the General Assembly of the English Colony of 
 Rhode-Island, fyc, to be held at Providence, within 
 and for said Colony, on the first Wednesday in May, 
 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: As indisposition prevents my meeting you 
 in the General Assembly, that candour I have so often ex- 
 perienced from the Representatives of the freemen of this 
 Colony encourages me to hope that you will excuse my 
 personal attendance at this Session. Since the last Session 
 of the General Assembly at Providence, 1 have had the 
 honour of receiving a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, 
 one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, dated 
 Whitehall, the 3d of March, 1775, enclosing the Resolu- 
 tion of the House of Commons, respecting the provision 
 which they expect each Colony or Province in America 
 to make for the common defence, and also for the civil 
 Government and the administration of justice in such Colo- 
 ny, both which I have directed to be laid before you, and 
 also a letter from the Committee of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, which are all the publick letters I have received 
 during the recess. 
 
 As the dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies 
 is now brought to a most alarming, dangerous crisis, and 
 this once happy Country threatened with all the horrours 
 and calamities of a civil war, 1 consider myself bound by 
 
 every tie of duty and affection, as well from an ardent 
 desire to see a union between Britain and her Colonies 
 established upon an equitable, permanent basis, to entreat 
 you to enter into the consideration of the Resolution of the 
 House of Commons, and also his Lordship's Letter which 
 accompanied that Resolution, with the temper, calmness, 
 and deliberation which the importance of them demands, 
 and with that inclination to a reconciliation with the Parent 
 State which will recommend your proceedings to His Ma- 
 jesty and both Houses of Parliament. 
 
 The prosperity and happiness of this Colony is founded 
 on its connexion with Great Britain, " for if once we are 
 separated, where shall we find another Britain to supply 
 our loss ? Torn from the body to which we are united by 
 Religion, Liberty, Laws, and Commerce, we must bleed 
 at every vein." 
 
 Your Charter privileges are of too much importance to 
 be forfeited ; you will, therefore, duly consider the inter- 
 esting matters now before you with the most attentive 
 caution ; and let me entreat you not to surfer your proceed- 
 ings for accommodating these disputes, which have already 
 too long subsisted between both Countries, to have the least 
 appearance of anger or resentment ; but that a kind, respect- 
 ful behaviour towards His Majesty and both Houses of 
 Parliament accompany all your deliberations. 
 
 1 shall always be ready to join with you in every mea- 
 sure which will secure the full possession of our invaluable 
 Charter privileges to the latest posterity, and prevent the 
 good people of this Colony from that ruin and destruction 
 which, in my opinion, some of the orders of the late As- 
 sembly must inevitably involve them in, if they are not 
 speedily repealed ; for, besides the fatal consequences of 
 levying war against the King, the immense load of debt 
 that will be incurred, if the late Resolutions for raising an 
 Army of Observation of fifteen hundred men within this 
 Colony be carried into execution, will be insupportable, 
 and must unavoidably bring on universal bankruptcy 
 throughout this Colony. 
 
 If I have the honour of being re-elected, I shall, as I 
 ever have done, cheerfully unite with you in every pro- 
 ceeding (which may be consistent with that duty and alle- 
 giance which I owe to the King and the British Constitu- 
 tion) for increasing the welfare and happiness of this Gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 I am, with great respect and esteem, gentlemen, your 
 most humble servant, J. Wanton. 
 
 PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Providence, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The bearer hereof, John Lascell, hath been ap- 
 pointed by the Committee of Inspection for this Town to 
 ride as a special post between this and Cambridge, Rox- 
 bury, &lc. He will return on Friday next. We have only 
 to inform you that the General Assembly of this Colony 
 meet here to-morrow, for the purpose of an annual elec- 
 tion, &,c, in which session the melancholy situation of your 
 Colony in particular, and of America in general, will be 
 seriously attended to. What will be the result, God Al- 
 mighty only knows ; we wish and expect the best. Should 
 any thing occur demanding particular notice, you will 
 please to intimate it. 
 
 We are, Sir, with unfeigned affection, your friends and 
 brethren, James Angell, 
 
 J. Varnum, 
 Ezekl. Cornell. 
 
 President Committee of Safety at Cambridge. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN CONNEC- 
 TICUT TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED MAY 2, 
 1775. 
 
 I received your esteemed favour of the 24th April, and 
 observe your fears respecting the times, which are truly 
 distressing ; however, 1 feel no apprehensions from General 
 Gage's ever being able to penetrate into the country thus 
 far, if he was even reinforced with fifty thousand men. In 
 the last conflict there never was more than two hundred and 
 fifty men engaged with the Troops, who made out to kill, 
 wound, and take prisoners, upwards of two hundred of his 
 
473 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 474 
 
 men, with the loss of thirty-seven at most, which would 
 not have been even so many, but the ardour of the country 
 people led them between the flank guards and main body 
 several times, which exposed them to certain death, being 
 between two fires. 
 
 Our Assembly has sent two gentlemen to General Gage, 
 to give him to understand that if he means to continue his 
 hostile proceedings, he must expect all the country armed 
 against him, determined to repel force with force to the last 
 man ; and I believe the prudent General will not venture 
 his bones forty miles out in the country, with all the aid 
 expected over this summer. The people in this country 
 and Massachusetts, &,c, are in high spirits, and fear him 
 not, but wish he would try one expedition more into the 
 country. 
 
 NATHANIEL FREEMAN TO DR. BENJAMIN CHURCH. 
 
 Sandwich, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Yours, enclosing the Resolve of the Committee 
 of Safety, as to securing the boats, &ic, has been received. 
 I have secured all the boats in this part of the Country 
 that will be of service to the Colony, and have given Col. 
 Cobb orders to secure those below, which, I presume, by 
 this time is done. We hauled the boats ashore, and hid 
 them in swamps, sand, and wood, which was all that could 
 be done here. Any farther orders from the honourable 
 Committee in the cause of God and my Country, I am 
 ready to execute with the greatest pleasure. And am, Sir, 
 your very humble servant, Nathl. Freeman. 
 
 Doctor Church. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of directions from the 
 Committee of Safety, I sent an officer, on whom I could 
 depend, to the house of Governour Hutchinson, who 
 brought off all the papers he could find in that house, but 
 I was informed that Colonel Taylor, of Milton, had lately 
 taken several trunks out of the Governour's house not many 
 days ago, in order to save them from being plundered. I 
 immediately sent another messenger to Colonel Taylor for 
 all the papers that belong to Governour Hutchinson, which 
 he had in possession ; he sent me for answer, he did not 
 know of any papers that belong to Doctor Hutchinson, 
 but just now comes and informs me that there are several 
 trunks in his house, which he took as aforesaid, which he 
 expects will be sent for very soon, and suspects there may 
 be papers in the trunks ; and if it is thought proper two or 
 three judicious persons be sent to break open and search 
 for papers, he will give them his assistance. This, gentle- 
 men, is submitted to the consideration of the honourable 
 Committee. I have, gentlemen, the honour to subscribe 
 myself your most ohedient humble servant, 
 
 Jno. Thomas. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE GOV- 
 ERNOUR OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Cambridge, May 2, 1775. 
 
 We yesterday had a conference with Dr. Johnson and 
 Colonel Wolcott, who were appointed by your Assembly 
 to deliver a letter to, and hold a conference with, General 
 Gage. We feel the warmest gratitude to you for those 
 generous and affectionate sentiments which you entertain 
 towards us. But you will allow us to express our uneasi- 
 ness on account of one paragraph in your letter, in which a 
 cessation of hostilities is proposed. We fear that our breth- 
 ren in Connecticut are not even yet convinced of the cruel 
 designs of Administration against America, nor thoroughly 
 sensible of the miseries to which General Gage's Army 
 have reduced this wretched Colony. We have lost the 
 Town of Boston, and we greatly fear for the inhabitants of 
 Boston, as we find the General is perpetually making new 
 conditions, and forming the most unreasonable pretensions 
 for retarding their removal from that garrison. Our sea- 
 ports on the eastern coasts are mostly deserted. Our 
 people have been barbarously murdered by an insidious 
 enemy, who, under cover of the night, have marched into 
 the heart of the country, spreading destruction with fire 
 and sword. No business but that of war is either done or 
 
 thought of in this Colony. No agreement or compact with 
 General Gage will in the least alleviate our distress, as no 
 confidence can possibly be placed in any assurances he can 
 give to a people whom he has first deceived in the matter, 
 taking possession of and fortifying the Town of Boston, and 
 whom he has suffered his Army to attack in the most in- 
 human and treacherous manner. Our relief now must 
 arise from driving General Gage, with his Troops, out of 
 the Country, which, with the blessing of God, we are de- 
 termined to accomplish, or perish in the attempt, as we 
 think an honourable death in the field, whilst fighting for 
 the liberties of all America, far preferable to being butch- 
 ered in our own houses, or to be reduced to an ignominious 
 slavery. 
 
 We must entreat that our sister Colony, Connecticut, 
 will afford, immediately, all possible aid, as at this time 
 delay will be attended with all that fatal train of events 
 which would follow from an absolute desertion of the cause 
 of American liberty. Excuse our earnestness on this 
 subject, as we know that upon the success of our present 
 contest depend the lives and liberties of our Country and 
 succeeding generations. We are, &c. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MR. VOSE, AT MILTON. 
 
 Cambridge, May 2, 1775. 
 I am directed to let you know that Mr. Boyce applied 
 to this Committee for a prisoner, who is a paper-maker, 
 and was then at Worcester, and agreed to pay the expenses 
 of removal, &c. In consequence of this application, the 
 prisoner has been removed to his mills, but he refuses to 
 pay the charges, (as Colonel Barrett informs.) The 
 Committee consider themselves as ill treated, and are de- 
 termined to remove the prisoner from Mr. Boyce' s, and 
 tender him to you upon the same conditions, desiring your 
 immediate attendance. We are, &c. 
 
 RICHARD DERBY, JUN., TO GENERAL WARD. 
 
 Ipswich, May 2, 1775, Five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Sir : I am now on my way from Newburyport to Salem, 
 from whence I proposed sending the following advice per 
 express, but meeting with an opportunity by one of your 
 officers, I embrace it, and inform you that about two 
 o'clock this afternoon Captain John Lee arrived at New- 
 bury from Bilboa, in twenty-nine days, and informed 
 me that on the 14th of last month, in longitude forty-five 
 degrees from Ijondon, he spoke a vessel from Plymouth, 
 in England, who informed him that three days before he 
 parted with a fleet of sixty sail of transports bound for 
 Boston, under the command of Admiral Lord Howe, hav- 
 ing on board twelve thousand Hessian Troops. He saw 
 and read the London papers down to the 12th of March, 
 from which, and by the Captain of the vessel, he learnt 
 that twenty-seven Commissioners were on board the fleet, 
 and that they were directed, if possible, to adjust matters ; 
 if not, they were ordered to risk every thing to penetrate 
 into the Country; if not able to effect this, then to burn 
 and destroy all in their power. Burgoyne was near sail- 
 ing, with four thousand Hanoverians, for Quebeck, and a 
 number of regiments are gone to the Southern Colonies. 
 The Ministry had quieted the Prussian Monarch, by pay- 
 ing him all his demands. France and Spain had objected 
 against any Prussians coming this way. 
 
 This is the purport of what 1 had from the Captain, 
 who is a man of veracity. I advised the gentlemen at 
 Newbury to collect what further they could, and inform 
 you. Please to inform the Court of this matter. I am, &c, 
 
 Richard Derby, Jun. 
 
 P. S. Captain Lee could not obtain leave to bring any 
 English paper, but only to read them. 
 
 RICHARD GLOVER TO MATTHEW TILGHM AN. 
 
 London, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The high station which you hold, and the distin- 
 guished character you bear in your Country, must apolo- 
 gize for me, who, trusting to. your liberal sentiments, use 
 the freedom of troubling you with this application. It is 
 suggested by a sense of justice, and the certain knowledge 
 
475 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 476 
 
 that I am singly possessed of the means to vindicate a 
 friend of yours and mine — 1 mean Mr. William Mollcson, 
 the most eminent trader to your Province, who hath been 
 more than once unwarrantably traduced in the American 
 prints. For these twelve months past, that gentleman, 
 upon the subject of dispute between this Kingdom and its 
 Colonies, hath not taken a single step without my privity 
 and advice. If, therefore, his conduct hath, in any shape, 
 been erroneous, I am bound in justice to transfer the blame 
 from him to myself. He was the first person to whom I 
 imparted, in confidence, my anxiety at the consequences 
 which I early foreboded from such a dispute. It was about 
 the beginning of last May. He asked my opinion of call- 
 ing a general meeting of the Merchants in that season. I 
 answered in the negative, alleging that the Resolutions of 
 the Congress to be held in September should first be known, 
 and the Parliament assembled here, whence the only lights 
 could proceed to regulate a conduct without doors, which 
 might promise success ; and for that desirable purpose, all 
 attempts should be laid aside which might imply the least 
 mixture of party ; that the subject was too serious and 
 important for any tincture of that kind, and that the inter- 
 val should be filled up by his communication of intelligence 
 to proper quarters from time to time, and endeavour to 
 lay, if possible, a foundation for conciliatory measures. His 
 unwearied vigilance and attention to this plan, the weight 
 which his discreet proceedings acquired, led me once to 
 hope for a happier issue than, to my grief and disappoint- 
 ment, I have seen. 
 
 The same feelings at length produced impatience in him ; 
 an earlier meeting of the Merchants than I wished, was 
 the effect of his zeal. Upon their express invitation, I had 
 the honour to attend them, and rendered all the little as- 
 sistance in my power. Mr. Molleson was among the fore- 
 most in diligence and activity ; and I, who had been his 
 original adviser and partaker in all his proceedings for such 
 a length of time, without interruption, must be a competent 
 witness to the sincerity of his ardour, and his unshaken 
 fidelity of conduct. 
 
 Sir, this narrative of mine deserves some regard, because 
 1 am known not to be under the influence of any party. 
 What I am, whoever pleases to read may judge. 1 neither 
 court nor fear any set of men on either side of the Allan- 
 tick. Truth is my pursuit ; the prosperity of all my wish ; 
 and that each may contribute to that end, is my prayer. 
 
 As this letter contains no secret, be pleased to use it in 
 any shape, as may best conduce to its design of defeating 
 misrepresentation, and of doing justice. 1 have the honour 
 to remain, Sir, your most obedient and most humble ser- 
 vant, Richard Glover. 
 
 To the Hon. Matthew Tilghman, Esquire. 
 
 KARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE COVERNOUR OF GEORGIA. 
 
 Whitehall, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have received your Letters, numbered from 35 
 to 41, and have laid them before the King. 
 
 The grounds upon which Masters of Ships, who were 
 Midshipmen, and acted as Master's Mates on board the 
 Fleet in the last war, claim each two thousand acres of 
 Land, in virtue of the Royal Proclamation, refers to facts 
 of which I have no official information. Whenever the 
 Lords of the Admiralty shall, upon a proper application to 
 them by those claimants, certify the facts on which they 
 state their claims, I will not fail to receive His Majesty's 
 pleasure upon their case. In the mean time, the matter 
 must rest upon the opinion I think very properly adopted 
 by yourself and the Council. 
 
 I have already so repeatedly expressed to you my sen- 
 timents of the present disorders in America, and the sense 
 I have of your meritorious conduct, in the prudent and 
 proper measures you have pursued for preventing, as far 
 as you are able, the contagion from spreading itself through 
 the Province of Georgia, that I have nothing to add on 
 that subject, but to express my wishes that the steps I have 
 taken for your support will encourage the f iends of Gov- 
 ernment to resist the violences that are threatened, and 
 preserve the publick peace in all events. I am, Sir, your 
 most obedient humble servant, Dartmouth. 
 
 Sir James Wright. Haronet. 
 
 EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF NORTH- 
 CAROLINA. 
 
 Whitehall, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your Letters of the 26th of January and 10th of 
 March, numbers 27 and 28, the latter of which I received 
 only yesterday, contain matter of very great importance. 
 
 The Addresses from the four Counties of Guilford, 
 Dobbs, Rowan, and Surry, breathe a spirit of loyalty to 
 the King, and attachment to the authority of Great Bri- 
 tain, which cannot be too much encouraged ; and it will be 
 necessary that you lose no time in acquainting the inhab- 
 itants of those Counties, that these testimonies of their duty 
 and affection have been most graciously received by His 
 Majesty ; that His Majesty will not fail to afford them 
 those marks of his royal favour which such a meritorious 
 conduct appears to deserve ; and that, as soon as the neces- 
 sary forms will admit, His Majesty's clemency towards the 
 insurgents in 1770, will be extended, in a Proclamation of 
 general pardon to all, except Herman Husbands. In the 
 mean time, it is His Majesty's pleasure that you do pursue 
 every step that may improve so favourable a symptom in 
 the present state of general phrenzy ; and perhaps you 
 will not find it difficult, through the channel of some res- 
 pectable persons in those Counties, to procure proper 
 associations of the people in support of the Government. 
 Such a measure cannot fail to cast a damp upon the machi- 
 nations of faction, and disconcert any desperate measure 
 they may have in contemplation. 
 
 1 hope we may yet avoid the fatal necessity of drawing 
 the sword; but it is prudent to provide, as far as we are 
 able, against every possible mischief ; and therefore you 
 will do well to consider in time, whether it may not be 
 practicable, in such an event, to embody and lead forth, in 
 support of Government, such of the men in those Coun- 
 ties as are able to bear arms. If matters should come to 
 this issue, it is the King's pleasure that you hold out to 
 gentlemen of interest and leading amongst them, assur- 
 ances of His Majesty's favour in granting them such com- 
 missions as shall be suitable to their rank and station ; and 
 every other encouragement and advantage allowed to any 
 other troops in His Majesty's service, as far as is consist- 
 ent with the established rules of the Army. 
 
 I confess to you, Sir, that this appears to me to be a 
 matter of so much importance, that I cannot too earnestly 
 recommend it to your attention, and that no time may be 
 lost, in case of absolute necessity. 
 
 I have received His Majesty's commands to write to 
 General Gage, to apprize him of this favourable circum- 
 stance, and to instruct him that he do, upon application 
 from you, send some able and discreet officer to you, in 
 order to concert the means of carrying so essential a service 
 into effect; and, if necessary, to lead the people forth 
 against any rebellious attempts to disturb the publick peace. 
 
 There are several other matters in your letters which 
 will require consideration and instruction ; but, as the 
 mail for Charleslown will be made up to-night, I can 
 only for the present add, that I am, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Dartmouth. 
 
 His Excellency Gov. Martin, North- Carolina. 
 
 AMELIA COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of the County of Ame- 
 lia, at the Court-House thereof, on Wednesday, the 3d of 
 May, 1775: 
 
 William Archer, Esquire, was chosen Chairman for 
 the day. 
 
 It appearing to this Committee that the Militia of this 
 County, since the expiration of the late Militia Laws, hath 
 been totally neglected ; and it being indispensably neces- 
 sary for the internal security of the County, that the same 
 be properly and regularly disciplined, and that Patrollers 
 in every neighbourhood be constantly kept on duty : 
 
 Resolved, That application be made to the Lieutenant 
 of this County, to direct forthwith a general muster of the 
 Militia of the County ; that he do his utmost to carry into 
 execution the Law made in the year 1738, for embodying 
 and disciplining the Militia of this Colony ; that he give 
 all the countenance and encouragement in his power to the 
 
477 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 478 
 
 Ollicers who are recruiting or embodying independent Com- 
 panies, agreeable to the Resolution of the Convention of 
 the 25th day of March last. 
 
 Resolved, That every member of this Committee open 
 a subscription for raising half a pound of Gunpowder and 
 one pound of Lead, by voluntary donation from each tit li- 
 able person in this County, agreeable also to the said Re- 
 solution of the 25th. 
 
 Resolved, That John Tabb and Everard Meade, or 
 either of those gentlemen, be appointed immediately, to 
 purchase, for the use of this County, eight hundred pounds 
 of Gunpowder, and three thousand two hundred pounds of 
 Lead at least, for which we, and every of us, oblige our- 
 selves to pay. 
 
 Resolved, That every member of this Committee have 
 in readiness a stand of Arms and Ammunition, agreeable 
 to the said Resolution of the 25th. 
 
 Resolved, That the Ammunition, when purchased, be 
 lodged in the care of Mr. John Tabb, at his store, Mr. 
 Thomas G. Peachy, Mr. Samuel Sherwin, Mr. Thomas 
 Williams, Mr. Gabriel Foulkes, Mr. John Pride, with 
 each one hundred pounds of Powder and four hundred 
 pounds of Lead ; and with Mr. James Scott, at this Court- 
 House, two hundred pounds of Powder and eight hundred 
 pounds of Lead. 
 
 Resolved, That publick notice be given to the Free- 
 holders of this County, to meet and choose Delegates at 
 next Court, to represent them in Convention for one year. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee be adjourned till the 
 fourth Thursday in this month. 
 
 John Pride, Cleric. 
 
 NEW-KENT COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for New-Kent County, 
 at the Court-House, the 3d day of May, 1775: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That Lord Dunmore's conduct 
 in removing the Powder from the Magazine of this Colony 
 on board an armed vessel, at the time and in the manner 
 it appears to have been done, was an ill-advised and arbi- 
 trary step, tending to disquiet the minds, and endanger the 
 safety of His Majesty's loyal subjects of this Colony in 
 general, and of the inhabitants of the City of Williams- 
 burgh in particular. 
 
 Resolved, That his Lordship's verbal answer to the Ad- 
 dress of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of 
 the City of Williamsburgh, was unsatisfactory and evasive ; 
 and that his Lordship's not returning the Powder agreeable 
 to their request, and the known desire of the people of this 
 Colony, is a sufficient proof that he was influenced by the 
 worst motives. 
 
 Resolved, That this and other parts of his Lordship's 
 conduct which have lately transpired, evince him to be an 
 enemy to liberty and the true interests of this Colony, and 
 a zealous supporter of tyranny and despotism over the peo- 
 ple who have the unhappiness to live under his Govern- 
 ment, and that he has thereby forfeited all title to their 
 confidence. 
 
 Resolved, That the City of Williamsburgh are entitled 
 to the ready and cheerful assistance of this County, in case 
 they should be in danger from any invasion or insurrec- 
 tion . 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee are due 
 to the Committee of Hanover, for communicating their Or- 
 der of the 2d instant ; that this Committee are sensible of 
 the dangers that threaten us from the Governour's conduct, 
 as well as from other quarters, and will co-operate with a 
 majority of the Counties of this Colony in such measures 
 as shall be adopted for their defence and preservation. 
 
 It appearing to this Committee that a body of armed 
 men from the County of Hanover have marched through 
 this County, in order to make reprisals upon the King's 
 property to replace the Gunpowder taken from the Maga- 
 zine : 
 
 Resolved, That such proceedings make it particularly 
 necessary for the inhabitants of this County to prepare for 
 their defence, against any dangers that may ensue in conse- 
 quence cf it, by keeping their Arms in the best order, and 
 the greatest readiness to act on any occasion. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this County immediately to form a Company of Volunteers, 
 
 to be assembled at the lower part of this County, ready to 
 act on any emergency, as may be found necessary. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 William Smith, Clerk. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Cumberland County, 
 held on Wednesday, the 3d of May, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the thanks of this Com- 
 mittee, and of all the inhabitants of this County, are justly 
 due to Captain Charles Scott, and his Independent Com- 
 pany, for their spirited offers of their service in defending 
 this Colony against wicked invaders, and their cheerful ap- 
 pearance at this place to day, in readiness to march forwards 
 on a late alarm ; and that this Committee, in behalf of 
 themselves and their constituents, do accordingly present 
 to the said Captain Scott, and his Company, their most 
 cordial thanks as aforesaid. 
 
 George Carrington, Chairman. 
 
 EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO THE GOVERNOUR OF PENN- 
 SYLVANIA. 
 
 Whitehall, May 3, 1775. 
 Sir: I have received your letter of the 28th of Febru- 
 ary, and have laid it before the King. I have only to say 
 that it gave His Majesty great concern to find that there is 
 yet no appearance in Pennsylvania of a disposition in the 
 people to return to a just sense of their situation, and of 
 the fatal consequences of their longer continuing in a state 
 of disobedience to the authoiity of the Supreme Legisla- 
 ture. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Dartmouth. 
 
 Deputy Governour Penn. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 3, 1775. 
 On Saturday last we had a meeting in this City of the 
 Military Associators, when it was determined that each 
 Ward should be formed into one or more Companies; the 
 Officers to be chosen in the respective Wards. Two 
 troops of Light-Horse are now raising. Two companies 
 of expert Riflemen, and two companies of Artillery-men 
 are forming. We have six pieces of brass artillery, and 
 several light iron ones. Our Provincial arms, powder, &,c, 
 are all secured. Three Provincial Magazines are forming. 
 In short, Mars has established his empire in this populous 
 City ; and it is not doubted but we shall have, in a few 
 weeks from this date, four thousand men, well equipped, 
 for our defence, or for the assistance of our neighbours. 
 
 MEETING OF INHABITANTS OF ACQUACKANONK, ESSEX 
 COUNTY, NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 Township of Acquackanonk, in said County, held at Mr. 
 James Leslie 1 s, near Acquackanonk Bridge, on Wednesday, 
 the 3d day of May, Anno Domini 1775, an Association 
 was then and there entered into and subscribed by the 
 Freeholders and Inhabitants of said Township, being ver- 
 batim the same as that entered into by the Freeholders 
 and Inhabitants at Newark, in said County. The following 
 gentlemen, in number twenty-three, were then chosen or 
 elected a General Committee, agreeable to said Associa- 
 tion. 
 
 Michael Vreeland, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Henry Garretse, Peter Peterse, John Berry, Robert 
 Drummond, Esquires, Captain Francis Post, Thomas Post, 
 Daniel Niel, Richard Ludlow, Captain Abraham Godwin, 
 John Spier, Jacob Van Riper, Lucas Wessels, Francis 
 Van Winkle, Cornelius Van Winkle, Henry Post, Junior, 
 Doctor Walter Degraw, John Peer, Jacob Garretse, Jacob 
 Vreeland, Abraham Van Riper, Stephen Ryder, Doctor 
 Nicholas Roche, Committee Clerk. 
 
 Of the same number were chosen the following Dele- 
 gates to attend the Provincial Convention to be held at 
 Trenton the 23d instant, agreeable to the aforesaid Asso- 
 ciation, to represent said Township : Henry Garretse, 
 Robert Drummond, Michael Vreeland, and John Berry, 
 Esquires. 
 
479 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 480 
 
 Peter Peterse, Esquire, Daniel Niel, Richard Ludlow, 
 Thomas Post, and Doctor Nicholas Roche, are appointed 
 a Committee of Correspondence for said Township. 
 
 Daniel Niel, Deputy Chairman to the General Commit- 
 tee, and Richard Ludlow, Deputy Clerk. 
 
 ADDRESS OF ISAAC WILKINS. 
 
 New-York, May 3, 1775. 
 
 My Countrymen: Before I leave America, the land I 
 love, and in which is contained every thing that is valuable 
 and dear to me — my wife, my children, my friends, and pro- 
 perty; permit me to make a short and faithful declaration, 
 which 1 am induced to do neither through fear, nor a con- 
 sciousness of having acted wrong. An honest man and 
 a Christian hath nothing to apprehend from this world. 
 God is my judge, and God is my witness, that all I have 
 done, written, or said, in relation to the present unnatural 
 dispute between Great Britain and her Colonies, pro- 
 ceeded from an honest intention of serving my Country. 
 Her welfare and prosperity were the objects towards which 
 all my endeavours have been directed. They still are the 
 sacred objects which I shall ever steadily and invariably 
 keep in view. And when in England, all the influence 
 that so inconsiderable a man as I am can have, shall be 
 exerted in her behalf. 
 
 It has been my constant maxim through life to do my 
 duty conscientiously, and to trust the issue of my actions to 
 the Almighty. May that God in whose hands are all 
 events, speedily restore peace and liberty to my unhappy 
 Country. May Great Britain and America be soon united 
 in the bands of everlasting amity, and when united may 
 they continue a free, a virtuous, and happy Nation to the 
 end of time. 
 
 I leave America, and every endearing connection, be- 
 cause I will not raise my hand against my Sovereign, nor 
 will I draw my sword against my Country ; when 1 can 
 conscientiously draw it in her favour, my life shall be cheer- 
 fully devoted to her service. Isaac Wilkins. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Wednesday morn- 
 ing, nine o'clock, May 3, 1775. Present : 
 
 Isaac Low, Francis Bassett, Garret Kettletas, 
 
 James Duanc, Victor Bicker, Eleazcr Miller, 
 
 John Alsop, John White, Benjamin Kissain, 
 
 John Jay, Theophilns Anthony, Cornelius Clopper, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, William Goforth, John Reade, 
 
 Alex. McDougall, William Denning, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 
 Thomas Randall, Isaac Roosevelt, Gerardus Duyekinck, 
 
 Leonard Lispenard, Jacob Van Voorhies, Peter Goelet, 
 
 William Walton, Jeremiah Piatt, Thomas Marston, 
 
 Joseph Hallett, Comfort Sands, Jacobus Lefferts, 
 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, William W. Gilbert, Abrain. Brinkurhoff, 
 
 Nicholas Hoffman, Gabriel W. Ludlow, Benjamin Helme, 
 
 Abraham Walton, Nicholas Roosevelt, Evert Banker, 
 
 Peter Van Schaack, Edward Fleming, Robert Ray, 
 
 Henry Remsen, Frederick Jay, Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius, William W. Ludlow, .Samuel Broome, 
 
 Abraham Brasher, John B. Moore, John Lamb, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, Rodolphus Ritzma, Daniel Dunscomb, 
 
 Abraham Duryee, John Lasher, John Imlay, 
 
 Joseph Bull, George Janeway, Oliver Templeton, 
 
 Francis Lewis, James Beekman, Lewis Pintard, 
 
 Thomas Ivers, Richard Yates, Cornelius P. Low, 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, Thomas Smith, Thomas Buchannan, 
 
 John Anthony, Augustus Van Home, Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 A Letter dated Neiv-York, May 3, 1775, from John 
 Cruger and Jacob Walto?i, Esquires, received and read, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 New-York, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: At the desire of the gentlemen who presented the 
 Association to us, we have committed to writing our reasons 
 for not signing it, which we have thought proper to com- 
 municate to you in order to be laid before the Committee. 
 
 It appears to us that signing this paper would involve us 
 in the greatest inconsistency. As we were elected Repre- 
 sentatives in General Assembly for this City and County, 
 we conceive that the faithful performance of this impor- 
 tant trust requires of us a free, unbiased exercise of our 
 own judgment. To submit this to the control of any power 
 on earth would, in our opinion, be deserting that trust; but 
 to engage implicitly to approve and carry into execution 
 the regulations of an) other body would justly expose us to 
 the reproach of our own conscience, the censure not only of 
 
 our constituents but of the whole world. In our legislative 
 capacity we have already transmitted to the King and both 
 Houses of Parliament, representations of our grievances. 
 We have, to the utmost of our power, framed these in such 
 a manner as we thought would be most likely to ensure 
 them success by procuring a redress of our complaints, 
 healing the present unhappy differences, and fixing for the 
 Colonies a permanent Constitution upon principles of liber- 
 ty and a lasting union with the Mother Country. These 
 representations were a long time in agitation, and a state 
 of our grievances, with the Resolutions of the House 
 thereon, were publickly known to our constituents, and no 
 disapprobation of our proceedings ever signified to us. 
 Upon mature reflection, and after revolving our conduct 
 with the most impartial deliberation, we cannot but approve 
 what we have done, and will therefore patiently wait for 
 the event, which will, we hope, be productive of much 
 benefit not only to this Colony, but to the cause of American 
 liberty in general ; at least we have the fullest testimony 
 of our consciences for the uprightness of our intentions. 
 
 We can with the greatest truth declare our approbation 
 of any Association for preserving the peace and good 
 order of the City and Province, and for the protection of 
 personal safety and private property, and so far are we 
 from giving the least countenance to the claims of Parlia- 
 ment to a right of taxing the Colonies, that we will contri- 
 bute to the utmost of our power in measures necessary for 
 preventing its being carried into execution. The preserva- 
 tion of the Constitution, which we are convinced gives us a 
 right to an absolute exemption from Parliamentary taxation, 
 we have most ardently at heart, and we shall at all times 
 strenuously co-operate in opposing every violation of it. 
 These reasons, with the publick manifestation of our princi- 
 ples contained in the representation of the General Assem- 
 bly to the King and Parliament, we are persuaded must be 
 satisfactory to every reasonable man. But to engage for an 
 indiscriminate approbation of the measures of others, and 
 that before we know them, would be to prejudge matters of 
 the utmost importance, and to preclude us from the exer- 
 cise of our own judgments, and that free deliberation without 
 which our legislative powers would be a mere sound, and 
 thereby to betray a trust which we are under the most 
 solemn engagements to preserve free and inviolate, and of 
 which we cannot be divested until the period of the dissolu- 
 tion of the House. As the signing of this Association, 
 therefore, would in effect be to deprive ourselves of our 
 legislative powers, we cannot but suppose, from the tenor 
 of it, an exemption of us is implied in it. 
 
 With the most anxious concern for the distresses of the 
 inhabitants of the Massachusetts- Bay, and the most sincere 
 wishes for their relief, and the liberty and prosperity of all 
 the Colonies, 
 
 We are, Sir, your most humble servants, 
 
 John Cruger, 
 Jacob Walton. 
 To Mr. Isaac Low, Chairman of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, seconded by Mr. Duane, made a 
 motion in the words following : 
 
 Whereas this Committee is informed that the Postmas- 
 ter has discharged the Eastern Post-rider: 
 
 I therefore move, Mr. Chairman, that a Sub-Committee 
 be immediately appointed to wait on the Postmaster, to 
 know the true state of the matter ; and that they report his 
 answer in writing. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Walton and Benjamin Kissam, 
 Esquires, be a Committee for the above mentioned purpose. 
 
 Mr. Lamb, seconded by Mr. Brasher, made a motion 
 in the words following, viz: 
 
 Whereas it has been confidently asserted that a consi- 
 derable body of the British soldiery are ordered to this 
 City from England; in consequence of which a number of 
 Troops from Connecticut have lately marched into this 
 City, with a view of aiding and assisting us in preparing 
 for our defence : 
 
 1 therefore move, that the thanks of this body be imme- 
 diately presented to the officers and men for their kind 
 offers of assistance, a conduct that is equally expressive of 
 their anxious solicitude for our safety, as of a noble zeal in 
 the service of our common Country, in this day of difficulty 
 and danger. 
 
481 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 482 
 
 Which being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lamb, Mr. Brasher, Mr. Ritzma, 
 Captain Fleming, Captain Scars, Mr. S. Broome, Mr. 
 Duane, and Mr. McDougall, be a Committee for the above 
 purpose. 
 
 The Chairman having acquainted this Board that four 
 gentlemen from Philadelphia were desirous of a confer- 
 ence with some of the members, on the subject of our 
 publick affairs at this alarming juncture, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee consist of the following 
 gentlemen for that purpose, viz : Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. 
 Remsen, Mr. Lewis, Mr. J. Jay, Mr. Yates, Mr. Low, 
 Mr. Young, Mr. S. Broome, Mr. P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Mr. Van^Zandt, Mr. A. Walton, Mr. Buchannan, and 
 Mr. Pintard. 
 
 A Letter, dated New-Windsor, 29th April last, signed 
 by James Clinton and others, inhabitants of Ulster County, 
 was presented to this Committee by Mr. Robert Boyd, 
 Jun., requiring our advice and assistance in procuring 
 Arms and Ammunition for their poor. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee do earnestly recom- 
 mend it to the gentlemen who have subscribed the said 
 letters, and to their fellow-subjects in general, to adopt and 
 sign an Association similar to that which has so cheerfully 
 and- generally been entered into by the inhabitants of the 
 City, and to perfect themselves in military discipline as 
 soon as possible ; that with respect to purchasing Arms, this 
 Committee will give all the advice in their power, but it 
 will be necessary to raise money for that purpose by vo- 
 luntary contributions in their County for equipping their 
 poor inhabitants. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on the Postmaster 
 to inquire whether he had discharged the Eastern Post- 
 rider, 
 
 Report, that they have waited on him accordingly, and 
 upon asking the Postmaster whether he had discharged 
 the said Post-rider, he answered he had, and assigned the 
 following reasons for doing it, viz : That the four last mails 
 between New-York and Boston have been stopped, the 
 mails broken open, many of the letters taken out and pub- 
 lickly read, some of which were detained and others sent 
 open to the General Post Office in this City, and that the 
 riders informed him that it was not safe for them to travel 
 with the mail ; in consequence of which, they were dis- 
 missed by him until they could carry the mail with safety 
 as heretofore. And we report also, that on Mr. Foxcroffs 
 request, we left with him the order of this Committee, 
 which was certified by the Chairman. 
 
 Ordered, That the subject-matter of this Report be 
 referred to the Committee of Correspondence and Intelli- 
 gence, and that they make a report thereof at the next 
 meeting of this Committee. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Tliursday morn- 
 ing, nine o'clock, 4th May, 1775. Present: 
 
 Isaac Low, 
 James Duane, 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 
 John White, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Robert Benson, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 John Lasher, 
 George Janeway, 
 James Beekman, 
 Richard Yates, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 
 John M. Scott, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. BrinkerhofF, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Petrus Byvanck, 
 Thomas Ivers. 
 
 New. York Committee Chamber, May 3, 1775. 
 The Postmaster having, for the present, discharged the 
 Eastern Post-riders, the General Committee have directed 
 us, their Sub-Committee of Intelligence, to devise the best 
 ways and means for continuing a correspondence with the 
 Eastern Colonies: It is, therefore, our opinion, that the 
 present Eastern Post-riders be employed to depart from 
 this City on the usual days, and to go the usual stages; 
 and the publick is hereby informed that Mr. Ebenezer 
 Hazard has undertaken to receive and forward Letters 
 from this City. 
 
 From information received by the Committee from Con- 
 necticut, it will be necessary (in order to prevent Letters 
 from being opened by the Committees on the road) that 
 they be inspected here by some well known member of 
 the General Committee, and by him endorsed with his 
 name, as one of the Committee of New-York. 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, - 
 Benj. Kissam, 
 Alexr. McDougall, 
 Peter Van Schaack. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Sears, Captain Randall, and 
 Captain Fleming be a Committee to procure proper judges 
 to go and view the ground at or near King's Bridge, and 
 report to this Committee, with all convenient speed, whe- 
 ther it will answer the purposes intended by it. 
 
 Ordered, That the Accounts against the Committee of 
 Sixty be procured by Mr. Pettit and the Secretary, and 
 that a return thereof be made to this Committee. 
 
 The Committee adjourned until to-morrow morning. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 31 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 [Read before Congress, May 19, 1775.] 
 
 Boston, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I am to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 
 the 28th April last, in behalf of the General Assembly of 
 your Colony, relative to the alarming situation of publick 
 affairs in this Country, and the late transactions in this 
 Province. 
 
 That this situation is greatly alarming, and that these 
 transactions are truly unfortunate, are truths to be regretted 
 by every friend to America, and by every well-wisher for 
 the peace, prosperity, and happiness of this Province. 
 The intimate connexion and strong ties of friendship be- 
 tween the inhabitants of your Colony and the deluded 
 people of this Province, cannot fail of inducing the former 
 to interpose their good offices to convince the latter of the 
 impropriety of their past conduct, and to persuade them to 
 return to their allegiance, and to seek redress of any sup- 
 posed grievances in those decent and constitutional me- 
 thods, in which alone they can hope to be successful. 
 
 That Troops should be employed for the purpose of 
 protecting the Magistrates in the execution of their duty, 
 when opposed with violence, is not a new thing in the 
 English or any other Government. That any Acts of the 
 British Parliament are unconstitutional or oppressive, I 
 am not to suppose ; if any such there are, in the apprehen- 
 sion of the people of this Province, it had been happy for 
 them if they had sought relief only in the way which the 
 Constitution, their reason, and their interest, pointed out. 
 
 You cannot wonder at my fortifying the Town of Bos- 
 ton, or making any other military preparations, when you 
 are assured that, previous to my taking these steps, such 
 were the open threats, and such the warlike preparations 
 throughout this Province, as rendered it my indispensable 
 duty to take every precaution in my power for the protec- 
 tion of His Majesty's Troops under my command against 
 all hostile attempts. 
 
 The intelligence you seem to have received, relative to 
 the late excursion of a body of Troops into the Country, 
 is altogether injurious, and contrary to the true state of 
 facts. The Troops disclaim with indignation the barbarous 
 outrages of which they are accused, so contrary to their 
 known humanity. I have taken the greatest pains to dis- 
 cover if any were committed, and have found examples of 
 their tenderness, both to the young and the old ; but no 
 vestige of their cruelty or barbarity. It is very possible 
 that in firing into houses, from whence they were fired 
 upon, that old people, women, or children, may have 
 suffered ; but if any such thing has happened, it was in 
 their defence, and undesigned. 
 
 I have no command to ravage and desolate the Country ; 
 and were it my intention, I have had pretence to begin it 
 upon the sea-ports, who are at the mercy of the fleet. For 
 your better information, I enclose you a narrative of that 
 affair, taken from gentlemen of indisputable honour and 
 veracity, who were eye-witnesses of all the transactions of 
 that day. The leaders here have taken pains to prevent 
 any account of this affair getting abroad but such as they 
 
■183 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 484 
 
 have thought proper to publish themselves : and to that 
 end the post has been stopped, the mails broke open, and 
 letters taken out ; and by these means the most injurious 
 and inflammatory accounts have been spread throughout 
 the Continent, which has served to deceive and inflame the 
 minds of the people. 
 
 When the Resolves of the Provincial Congress breathed 
 nothing but war; when those two great and essential pre- 
 rogatives of the King, the levying of Troops and disposing 
 of the Publick Moneys, were wrested from him ; and when 
 magazines were forming, by an assembly of men unknown 
 to the Constitution, for the declared purpose of levying 
 war against the King, you must acknowledge it was my 
 duty, as it was the dictate of humanity, to prevent, if possi- 
 ble, the calamities of a civil war, by destroying such maga- 
 zines. This, and this alone, I attempted. 
 
 You ask, why is the Town of Boston now shut up ? I 
 can only refer you for an answer to those bodies of armed 
 men who now surround the Town, and prevent all access 
 to it. The hostile preparations you mention, are such as 
 the conduct of the people of this Province has rendered it 
 prudent to make, for the defence of those under my com- 
 mand. You assure me the people of your Colony abhor 
 the idea of taking arms against the Troops of their Sover- 
 eign ; I wish the people of this Province (for their own 
 sakes) could make the same declaration. 
 
 You inquire, is there no way to prevent this unhappy 
 dispute from coming to extremities ? Is there no alterna- 
 tive but absolute submission, or the desolations of war? I 
 answer, I hope there is. The King and Parliament seem 
 to hold out terms of reconciliation, consistent with the 
 honour and interest of Great Britain, and the rights and 
 privileges of the Colonies. They have mutually declared 
 their readiness to attend to any real grievances of the Colo- 
 nies, and to afford them every just and reasonable indul- 
 gence which shall, in a dutiful and constitutional manner, 
 be laid before them ; and His Majesty adds, it is his ardent 
 wish that this disposition may have a happy effect on the 
 temper and conduct of his subjects in America. I must 
 add, likewise, the Resolution of the 27th February, on the 
 grand dispute of taxation and revenue, leaving it to the 
 Colonies to tax themselves, under certain conditions. Here 
 is surely a foundation for an accommodation, to people who 
 wish a reconciliation rather than a destructive war be- 
 tween Countries so nearly connected by the ties of blood 
 and interest ; but I fear the leaders of this Province have 
 been, and still are, intent only on shedding blood. 
 
 I am much obliged by your favourable sentiments of my 
 personal character, and assure you, as it has been my con- 
 stant wish and endeavour hitherto, so 1 shall continue to 
 exert my utmost efforts to protect all His Majesty's liege 
 subjects under my care in their persons and property. You 
 ask, whether it will not be consistent with my duty to sus- 
 pend the operations of war on my part ? 1 have commenced 
 no operations of war, but defensive ; such you cannot wish 
 me to suspend, while I am surrounded by an armed Coun- 
 try, who have already begun, and threaten further to prose- 
 cute an offensive war, and are now violently depriving me, 
 the King's Troops, and many others of the King's subjects 
 under my immediate protection, of all the conveniences and 
 necessaries of life, with which the Country abounds. But 
 it must quiet the minds of all reasonable people, when I 
 assure you that I have no disposition to injure or molest 
 quiet and peaceable subjects ; but on the contrary, shall 
 esteem it my greatest happiness to defend and protect them 
 against every species of violence and oppression. 
 
 I am, with great regard and esteem, Sir, your obedient 
 and humble servant, Thus. Gage. 
 
 The Hon. Governour Trumbull. 
 
 TO THE PRINTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS SPY. 
 
 Mr. Thomas : The piece in your last, signed 'Thomas 
 Gage, is replete with such notorious falsehoods, calumny, 
 and evasion, that I scarce know whether it admits of any 
 animadversion, to make it appear most false, abusive, and 
 irritating to every honest mind ; neither would it come into 
 my heart to say any thing upon it, were it not that there 
 are, even to this day, those that will speak so far favour- 
 ably of him as to suggest that they do not think it is his 
 doings so much as some others, that things are carried 
 
 on as they are ; and he is under a necessity of doing 
 as he does, or he would endanger his own life to his 
 master, &ic. 
 
 Let us, then, take a short view of what he has done, and 
 see whether we have any reason to conceive a favourable 
 opinion of him, any thing better than that he is a most in- 
 imical, malicious, and blood-thirsty man. It is well known 
 what a calumniating, malicious letter he sent to England 
 about this Province, when Bernard was Governour here ; 
 that was certainly a most officious piece of malice ; he was 
 under no necessity of doing that. It is as manifest that he 
 knew what he was undertaking when he came over last 
 year, that it was to carry most arbitrary, unrighteous 
 schemes into execution. Let it be that he was persuaded 
 to believe that he should meet with no very powerful oppo- 
 sition, and that he would not have undertook, if he had 
 known what opposition would have been ; this will argue 
 his baseness, and not any goodness ; a disposition to tram- 
 ple upon the weak, and to set up power instead of right- 
 eousness, and to cast truth to the ground. As soon as he 
 arrived, the first specimen of his goodness was to strike out 
 thirteen Counsellors, very worthy men. Soon after this he 
 dissolved the General Assembly, without even suffering 
 them to have any pay for their service. 
 
 The next thing he did remarkable, was his sending in 
 the night and plundering the magazine at Charlestown. 
 Soon after this he went to intrenching and fortifying upon 
 the Neck, and it would be tedious to enumerate all the 
 falsehoods he publickly told about this to President Ran- 
 dolph, to the Town of Boston, and to sundry Committees ; 
 telling them that he was not about to hurt the Town by it, 
 to stop the avenues ; that he could not fortify it stronger 
 than nature had formed, &ic, he. It would be endless to 
 enumerate all the robberies, abuses, and insults, which his 
 Troops have committed against the inhabitants of Boston, 
 and passengers ; the tarring and feathering, quarrelling 
 with the watch, shooting at children passing quietly in the 
 street, violently taking away men's substance from them 
 and detaining it, knocking them down and leaving them 
 half dead; all this before the Concord expedition, and all 
 justified by the humane Thomas Gage. As to the Can- 
 cord expedition and Lexington battle, they are too well 
 known by the publick to be the most barbarous, savage 
 conduct of the Troops, to admit of any illustration. The 
 most barbarous Indians, I presume, would be ashamed of 
 such conduct. It is not to be wondered that his Troops 
 deny what they have done ; for it is no new proverb that 
 they who steal will lie, and much more ; they that rob will 
 murder, in a most savage manner; and Thomas Gage owns, 
 in his letter, that he sent out his men to destroy, and yet 
 says he has " commenced no war but defensive !" 
 
 Upon the whole, it is the well' known character of the 
 Devil to deceive by fair pretences, lie, and destroy ; which 
 character is most amply exemplified in what is above 
 related. But the Devil did speak the truth twice — I do 
 not know that this man has once ; so I will leave him for 
 the present. 
 
 CERTIFICATE TO EBENEZER BRADJSH, JUNIOR, ESQUIRE. 
 OF CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Cambridge, May 3, 1775. 
 Whereas Ebenezer Bradish, Jun., Esq., of Cambridge. 
 has been represented as a person unfriendly to the just 
 rights and liberties of his Country, and by withdrawing him- 
 self from Cambridge and retiring to Boston, on the day of 
 the late unhappy commencement of hostilities between the 
 Troops under the command of General Gage and the in- 
 habitants of this Province, he has increased the publick 
 suspicions against him, whereby he is rendered more odious 
 and disagreeable to his countrymen : 
 
 Therefore, to remove from the minds of our beloved 
 friends and countrymen all groundless apprehensions, and to 
 do justice to Mr. Bradish, we, the subscribers, having 
 made due inquiry into the cause of his going to Boston at 
 the time aforesaid, and of his conduct since, do say that we 
 are satisfied that Mr. Bradish had no desire by that means 
 to do any injury to his Country, but on the contrary his 
 design was friendly, and his conduct justifiable ; and we 
 recommend it to all persons to conduct towards Mr. Bra- 
 dish as a gentleman who is not unfriendly to the rights and 
 
485 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 486 
 
 privileges of his countrymen, so far as we are able to dis- 
 cover, upon strict inquiry into his late conduct. 
 
 Seth Pomeroy, General, of Northampton. 
 
 Thomas Legate, Colonel, of Leominster. 
 
 Elisha Porter, Colonel, of Hadley. 
 
 John Patterson, Colonel, of Lenox. 
 
 Henry Herrick, Colonel, of Beverly. 
 
 Levi Shephard, Major, of Northampton. 
 
 Jonathan W. Austin, Major, of Chelmsford. 
 
 Thomas Williams, Captain, of Stockbridge. 
 
 Ebenezer Sayer, Colonel, of Wells. 
 
 Jesse Leavenworth, of New-Haven. 
 
 N. B. Whereas a report has been unjustly spread abroad 
 that it was not the Regulars but our people who took the 
 goods lost out of my house ; this is to certify to all good 
 people, that the said report is false, and never came from 
 me, and that 1 am certain my house was not only shot at 
 but plundered by the Regulars. Ebenezer Bradish. 
 
 May 11, 1775. 
 
 ORDERS TO BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, May 3, 1775. 
 Sir : Confiding in your judgment, fidelity, and valour, 
 we do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you Colo- 
 nel and Commander-in-Chief over a body of men not ex- 
 ceeding four hundred. Proceed with all expedition to the 
 western parts of this and the neighbouring Colonies, where 
 vou are directed to enlist those men, and with them forth- 
 with to march to the Fort at Ticonderoga, and use your 
 best endeavours to reduce the same, taking possession of 
 the cannon, mortars, stores, he, also the vessel and the 
 other cannon and stores upon the Lake. You are to bring 
 back with you such of the cannon, mortars, stores, he, as 
 you shall judge may be serviceable to the Army here, leav- 
 ing behind what may be necessary to secure that post, with 
 a sufficient garrison. You are to procure suitable provi- 
 sions and stores for the Army, and draw upon the Commit- 
 tee of Safety for the same, and to act in every exigency 
 according to your best skill and discretion for the publick 
 interest, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant. 
 Benjamin Church, Chairman Com. of Safety. 
 
 By order : Wm. Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 To Benedict Arnold, Esquire, Commander of a body of 
 Troops on an expedition to subdue and take possession 
 of the Fort of Ticonderoga, he 
 
 Weymouth, May 3, 1775. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety now sitting at 
 Cambridge, the Petition of the Selectmen of Brain- 
 tree, Weymouth, and Hingham, humbly showeth: 
 That the several Towns to which they respectively be- 
 long are in a defenceless state, and, as we apprehend, in 
 great danger of an attack from the Troops now in Boston, 
 or from the Ships in the harbour, more especially as they 
 are now or soon will be in want of fresh provisions. That 
 we have been at the trouble and expense of keeping up a 
 military watch in each Town for this fortnight past, an 
 expense which we are by no means able to bear, and which 
 is no real defence to us ; besides all that has been said, the 
 inhabitants of said Towns have been, and are still likely to 
 be in our present situation, almost constantly kept in a tu- 
 mult and disorder, and unable to keep about their business, 
 to their great damage. 
 
 Your Petitioners, therefore, humbly pray your Honours to 
 take our distressed state into your wise and serious consid- 
 eration, and grant us at least the return of those men that 
 have enlisted in the service from our several Towns, or such 
 other relief and protection as in your wisdom you shall 
 think fit ; and your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever 
 pray. James Peniman, ~"| 
 
 Norton Quincy, i Selectmen of 
 Edmund Soper, [ Braintree. 
 Jonathan Bass, J 
 
 James Humphrey, ^ 0 ; ^ j> 
 o xt I selectmen of 
 
 saml. Kingman, > 1X7 ^ J 
 T? n I Weymouth. 
 
 L.BR. L/OLSON, J 3 
 
 Benj. Cushing, ) Selectmen of 
 Joseph Andrews, ) Hingham. 
 
 New-Castle, May 3, 1775. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President, 
 and the Honourable the other Members of Congress for 
 the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, in Concord 
 assembled, the Petition of James Cargill humbly 
 showeth : 
 
 That your Petitioner was chosen yesterday to take com- 
 mand of the Liberty-men in New- Castle, and on viewing 
 their state finds them almost destitute of ammunition, and 
 chiefly unable to supply themselves, as their greatest de- 
 pendance was on lumber trade, which is now stopped ; and 
 we find there is no town stock to supply them, and those 
 of them that would gladly buy for themselves know not 
 where it is to be had. Therefore prays that you would take 
 our condition into your wise consideration, and if in your 
 wisdom you should judge it best to grant us any supply out 
 of the publick stock, that you would send it to us by the 
 bearer, Lieutenant John Farley ; and your Petitioner, as in 
 duty bound, shall ever pray, he. James Cargill. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, in Congress assembled, May, 1775 : 
 May it please your Honours : 
 
 The Association in Eastham (which, at present, consists 
 of about ninety persons, and is increasing) finding the Town 
 of Eastham (though urged thereto) have not complied with 
 the Resolve made and passed in Provincial Congress, at 
 Concord, the 31st of March, 1775, in regard to paying in 
 their money to the Receiver-General, immediately called 
 a meeting of the Association, voted to hire what money 
 was not collected of the Association, and have accordingly 
 paid in the whole of our part of the Province Tax to the 
 Constables, viz : Captain Job Crocker, who was Collector 
 for the year 1774, and Mr. Jonathan Linnelye, the third, 
 who is Collector for the present year. As they are both 
 members of this Association, they have engaged to trans- 
 mit the same to Henry Gardner, Esquire, of Stow, with- 
 out delay. 
 
 N. B. It is voted by the Association, as their desire, 
 that the Orders, Resolves, and Recommendations of the 
 Provincial Congress for this Town may be directed in fu- 
 ture to some one of this Committee, as they are not always 
 made publick if they fall into the hands of some men in 
 this Town. Per order of the Association : 
 
 Thomas Paine, 
 
 Isaac Sparrow, 
 
 Thomas Twining, > ^ , 
 rT T ' | Correspondence. 
 
 Heman Linnell, t 
 
 John Davis, J 
 
 Committee of 
 
 PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS TO THE CON- 
 TINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress, May 11, 1775.] 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, { 
 May 3, 1775. \ 
 
 To the Honourable American Continental Congress, to be 
 convened at Philadelphia on the tenth of May instant. 
 
 May it please your Honours : The Congress of this 
 Colony, impressed with the deepest concern for their Coun- 
 try, under the present critical and alarming state of its 
 publick affairs, beg leave, with the most respectful submis- 
 sion whilst acting in support of the cause of America, to 
 request the direction and assistance of your respectable 
 Assembly. 
 
 The enclosed packet, containing the copies of Deposi- 
 tions which we have despatched for London, also an Ad- 
 dress to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, and a Letter to 
 our Colony Agent, Benjamin Franklin, Esq., are humbly 
 submitted to your consideration. 
 
 The sanguinary zeal of the Ministerial Army to ruin and 
 destroy the inhabitants of this Colony, in the opinion of 
 this Congress, hath rendered the establishment of an Army 
 indispensably necessary. We have accordingly passed an 
 unanimous resolve for thirteen thousand six hundred men 
 to be forthwith raised by this Colony, and proposals are 
 made by us to the Congress of New-Hampshire, and Gov- 
 ernments of Bhode-Island and Connecticut Colonies, for 
 furnishing men in the same proportion. 
 
487 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1115. 
 
 488 
 
 The sudden exigency of our publick affairs precluded 
 the possibility of waiting for your direction in these impor- 
 tant measures, more especially as a considerable reinforce- 
 ment from Great Britain is daily expected in this Colony, 
 and we are now reduced to the sad alternative of defending 
 ourselves by arms, or submitting to be slaughtered. 
 
 With the greatest deference we beg leave to suggest that 
 a powerful Army, on the side of America, hath been con- 
 sidered by this Congress as the only means left to stem the 
 rapid progress of a tyrannical Ministry. Without a force 
 superiour to our enemies, we must reasonably expect to be- 
 come the victims of their relentless fury; with such a force 
 we may still have hopes of seeing an immediate end put to 
 the inhuman ravages of mercenary Troops in America, and 
 the wicked authors of our miseries brought to condign 
 punishment, by the just indignation of our brethren in 
 Great Britain. 
 
 We hope that this Colony will at all times be ready to 
 spend and be spent in the cause of America. It is never- 
 theless a misfortune greatly operating to its disadvantage, 
 that it has a great number of sea-port towns exposed to 
 the approach of the enemy by sea, from many of which 
 the inhabitants have removed, and are now removing their 
 families and effects to avoid destruction from ships of war. 
 These, we apprehend, will be generally distressed from 
 want of subsistence, and disabled from contributing aid for 
 supporting the forces of the Colony, but we have the 
 greatest confidence in the wisdom and ability of the Con- 
 tinent to support us, so far as it shall appear necessary for 
 supporting the common cause of the American Colonies. 
 
 We also enclose several Resolves [passed this day] for 
 empowering and directing our Receiver-General to borrow 
 the sum of one hundred thousand Pounds, lawful money, 
 and to issue his notes for the same, it being the only 
 measure which we could have recourse to for supporting 
 our forces ; and we request your assistance in rendering 
 our measures effectual, by giving our notes a currency 
 through the Continent. 
 
 Jos. Warren, President pro tern. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 26, 1775. $ 
 
 To the Inhabitants of Great Britain : 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Subjects : Hostilities are at 
 length commenced in this Colony by the Troops under com- 
 mand of General Gage; and it being of the greatest im- 
 portance that an early, true, and authentick account of this 
 inhuman proceeding should be known to you, the Congress 
 of this Colony have transmitted the same, and from want 
 of a session of the honourable Continental Congress, think 
 it proper to address you on the alarming occasion. 
 
 By the clearest depositions relative to this transaction, it 
 will appear that on the night preceding the nineteenth of 
 April instant, a body of the King's Troops, under com- 
 mand of Colonel Smith, were secretly landed at Cambridge, 
 with an apparent design to take or destroy the military and 
 other stores provided for the defence of this Colony, and 
 deposited at Concord; that some inhabitants of the Colony, 
 on the night aforesaid, whilst travelling peaceably on the 
 road between Morton and Con-cord, were seized and greatly 
 abused by armed men, who appeared to be officers of Gene- 
 ral Gage's Army ; that the Town of Lexington by these 
 means was alarmed, and a company of the inhabitants mus- 
 tered on the occasion ; that the Regular Troops, on their 
 way to Concord, marched into the said Town of Lexing- 
 ton, and the said Company, on their approach, began to 
 disperse ; that notwithstanding this, the Regulars rushed on 
 with great violence, and first began hostilities by firing on 
 said Lexington Company, whereby they killed eight and 
 wounded several others; that the Regulars continued their 
 fire until those of said Company, who were neither killed 
 nor wounded, had made their escape ; that Colonel Smith, 
 with the detachment, then marched to Concord, where a 
 number of Provincials were again fired on by the Troops, 
 two of them killed, and several wounded, before the Pro- 
 vincials fired on them ; and that these hostile measures of 
 the Troops produced an engagement that lasted through 
 the day, in which many of the Provincials, and more of the 
 Regular Troops, were killed and wounded. 
 
 To give a particular account of the ravages of the 
 
 Troops as they retreated from Concord to Charlestown, 
 would be very difficult, if not impracticable ; let it suffice 
 to say, that a great number of the houses on the road were 
 plundered and rendered unfit for use ; several were burnt ; 
 women in childbed were driven by the soldiery naked into 
 the streets ; old men, peaceably in their houses, were shot 
 dead ; and such scenes exhibited as would disgrace the 
 annals of the most uncivilized Nation. 
 
 These, brethren, are marks of ministerial vengeance 
 against this Colony, for refusing, with her sister Colonies, a 
 submission to slavery. But they have not yet detached us 
 from our Royal Sovereign. We profess to be his loyal 
 and dutiful subjects, and so hardly dealt with as we have 
 been, are still ready, with our lives and fortunes, to defend 
 his person, family, crown, and dignity. Nevertheless, to 
 the persecution and tyranny of his cruel Ministry we will 
 not tamely submit; appealing to Heaven for the justice of 
 our cause, we determine to die or be free. 
 
 We cannot think that the honour, wisdom, and valour of 
 Britons will suffer them to be longer inactive spectators 
 of measures in which they themselves are so deeply in- 
 terested ; measures pursued in opposition to the solemn 
 protests of many noble Lords, and expressed sense of con- 
 spicuous Commoners, whose knowledge and virtue have 
 long characterized them as some of the greatest men in the 
 Nation ; measures executing contrary to the interest, Pe- 
 titions, and Resolves of many large, respectable, and opu- 
 lent Counties, Cities, and Boroughs, in Great Britain; 
 measures highly incompatible with justice, but still pursued 
 with a specious pretence of easing the Nation of its burden ; 
 measures which, if successful, must end in the ruin and 
 slavery of Britain, as well as the persecuted American 
 Colonies. 
 
 We sincerely hope that the great Sovereign of the Uni- 
 verse, who hath so often appeared for the English Nation, 
 will support you in every rational and manly exertion with 
 these Colonies, for saving it from ruin ; and that in a consti- 
 tutional connection with the Mother Country, we shall soon 
 be altogether a free and happy people. 
 
 Per order : Jos. Warren, President pro tern. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 26, 1775. ] 
 
 To the Hon. Benjamin Franklin, Esq., London : 
 
 Sir : From the entire confidence we repose in your faith- 
 fulness and abilities, we consider it the happiness of this 
 Colony that the important trust of agency for it, on this 
 day of unequalled distress, is devolved on your hands ; and 
 we doubt not your attachment to the cause of the liberties 
 of mankind will make every possible exertion in our be- 
 half a pleasure to you, although our circumstances will 
 compel us often to interrupt your repose by matters that 
 will surely give you pain. A single instance hereof is the 
 occasion of the present letter ; the contents of this packet 
 will be our apology for troubling you with it. From these 
 you will see how and by whom we are at last plunged into 
 the horrours of a most unnatural war. Our enemies, we 
 are told, have despatched to Great Britain a fallacious 
 account of the tragedy they have begun ; to prevent the 
 operation of which to the publick injury, we have engaged 
 the vessel that conveys this to you as a packet in the service 
 of this Colony, and we request your assistance in supply- 
 ing Captain Derby, who commands her, with such neces- 
 saries as he shall want, on the credit of your constituents 
 in Massachusetts-Bay. But we most ardently wish that 
 the several papers herewith enclosed may be immediately 
 printed and dispersed through every Town in England, 
 and especially communicated to the Lord Mayor, Alder- 
 men, and Common Council of the City of London, that 
 they may take such order thereon as they may think proper ; 
 and we are confident your fidelity will make such improve- 
 ment of them as shall convince all who are not determined 
 to be in everlasting blindness, that it is the united efforts of 
 both Englands that must save either. But that whatever 
 price our brethren in the one may be pleased to put on their 
 constitutional liberties, we are authorized to assure you that 
 the inhabitants of the other, with the greatest unanimity, 
 are inflexibly resolved to sell theirs only at the price of 
 their lives. Signed by order of the Provincial Congress : 
 Jos. Warren, President pro tern. 
 
489 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 490 
 
 [No. 1.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 
 We, Solomon Brown, Jonathan Loring, and Elijah 
 Sanderson, all of lawful age, and of Lexington, in the 
 County of Middlesex, and Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, in New-England, do testify and declare, that on the 
 evening of the eighteenth of April instant, being on the 
 road between Concord and Lexington, all of us mounted 
 on horses, we were, about ten of the clock, suddenly sur- 
 prised by nine persons, whom we took to be regular offi- 
 cers, who rode up to us mounted and armed, each having 
 a pistol in his hand ; and after putting pistols to our breasts, 
 and seizing the bridles of our horses, they swore that if we 
 stirred another step we should be all dead men ; upon which 
 we surrendered ourselves. They detained us until two 
 o'clock the next morning, in which time they searched and 
 greatly abused us ; having first inquired about the maga- 
 zine at Concord, whether any guards were posted there, 
 and whether the bridges were up ; and said four or five 
 regiments of Regulars would be in possession of the stores 
 soon. They then brought us back to Lexington, cut the 
 horses' bridles and girths, turned them loose, and then left us. 
 
 Solomon Brown, 
 Jonathan Loring, 
 Elijah Sanderson. 
 
 Middlesex, April 25, 1775: 
 
 Jonathan Loring, Solomon Broivn, and Elijah Sander- 
 son, being duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made 
 solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by them 
 subscribed. Before us, Wm. Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 I, Elijah Sanderson, above named, do further testify and 
 declare, that I was in Lexington Common the morning of 
 the nineteenth of April aforesaid, having been dismissed 
 by the officers above-mentioned, and saw a large body of 
 Regular Troops advancing towards Lexington Company, 
 many of whom were then dispersing. I heard one of the 
 Regulars, whom I took to be an officer, say, " damn them, 
 we will have them ;" and immediately the Regulars shouted 
 aloud, run, and fired on the Lexington Company, which 
 did not fire a gun before the Regulars discharged on them. 
 Eight of the Lexington Company were killed while they 
 were dispersing, and at considerable distance from each 
 other, and many wounded ; and although a spectator, I nar- 
 rowly escaped with my life. Elijah Sanderson. 
 
 31 iddlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 Elijah Sanderson, above named, being duly cautioned 
 to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth 
 of the above deposition by him subscribed. 
 Before us, Wm. Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. £ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, by 
 lawful authority, duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed, Jo- 
 siah Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three 
 of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of 
 Middlesex, and that full faith and credit are to be given to 
 their transactions as such. In witness whereof I have here- 
 unto affixed my name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of 
 April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 [No. 2.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 I, Thomas Price Willard, of lawful age, do testify and 
 declare, that being in the house of Daniel Harrington, of 
 said Lexington, on the nineteenth instant, in the morning, 
 about half an hour before sunrise, looked out of the win- 
 dow of said house and saw (as I suppose) about four hun- 
 dred of Regulars, in one body, coming up the road, and 
 
 marched toward the north part of the common, back of the 
 meeting-house of said Lexington ; and as soon as said Reg- 
 ulars were against the east end of the meeting-house, the 
 commanding officers said something, what 1 know not ; but 
 upon that the Regulars ran till they came within about 
 eight or nine rods of about a hundred of the Militia of 
 Lexington, who were collected on said common, at which 
 time the Militia of Lexington dispersed ; then the officers 
 made a huzza, and the private soldiers succeeded them. 
 Directly after this an officer rode before the Regulars to 
 the other side of the body, and hallooed after the Militia 
 of said Lexington, and said, " Lay down your arms, damn 
 you ; why don't you lay down your arms ?" and that there 
 was not a gun fired till the Militia of Lexington were dis- 
 persed. And further saith not. 
 
 Thomas Price Willard. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 The within named Thomas Price Willard personally 
 appeared, and after due caution to testify the whole truth 
 and nothing but the truth, made solemn oath to the truth 
 of the written deposition by him subscribed. 
 Before us, Wm. Reed, 
 
 Jona. Hastings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. 5 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify that Wm. Reed, Jona. 
 Hastings, and Duncan Ingraham, Esquires, are three of 
 His Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and 
 that full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions 
 as such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my 
 hand and seal this twenty-sixth of April, one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 3.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 
 Simon Winship, of Lexington, in the County of Mid- 
 dlesex, and Province of Massachusetts-Bay, New-England, 
 being of lawful age, testifieth and saith, that on the nine- 
 teenth of April instant, about four o'clock in the morning, 
 as he was passing the publick road in said Lexington, 
 peaceably and unarmed, about two miles and a half dis- 
 tant from the meeting-house in said Lexington, he was 
 met by a body of the King's Regular Troops, and being 
 stopped by some officers of said Troops, was commanded 
 to dismount. Upon asking why he must dismount, he was 
 obliged by force to quit his horse, and ordered to march in 
 the midst of the body ; and being examined whether he 
 had been warning the Minute-Men, he answered no, but 
 had been out, and was then returning to his father's. Said 
 Winship further testifies that he marched with said Troops 
 until he came within about half a quarter of a mile of said 
 meeting-house, where an officer commanded the Troops 
 to halt, and then to prime and load. This being done, the 
 said Troops marched on till they came within a few rods 
 of Captain Parker's Company, who were partly collected 
 on the place of parade, when said Winship observed an 
 officer at the head of said Troops flourishing his sword, 
 and with a loud voice giving the word fire ; which was in- 
 stantly followed by a discharge of arms from said Regular 
 Troops. And said Winship is positive, and in the most 
 solemn manner declares, that there was no discharge of 
 arms on either side till the word fire was given by said 
 officer as above. Simon Winship. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 Simon Winship, above named, appeared, and after due 
 caution to testify the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, 
 made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by 
 him subscribed. Wm. Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 
491 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 492 
 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that Wm. Reed and Jo- 
 siah Johnson, Esquires, are two of His Majesty's Justices 
 for the County of Middlesex, and that full faith and credit 
 is to be given to their transactions as such. In witness 
 whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal this 
 twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 4.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 I, John Parker, of lawful age, and commander of the 
 Militia in Lexington, do testify and declare, that on the 
 nineteenth instant, in the morning, about one of the clock, 
 being informed that there were a number of Regular Offi- 
 cers riding up and down the road, stopping and insulting 
 people as they passed the road, and also was informed that 
 a number of Regular Troops were on their march from 
 Boston, in order to take the Province Stores at Concord, 
 ordered our Militia to meet on the common in said Lexing- 
 ton, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be dis- 
 covered, nor meddle or make with said Regular Troops 
 (if they should approach) unless they should insult us ; and 
 upon their sudden approach, I immediately ordered our 
 Militia to disperse and not to fire. Immediately said Troops 
 made their appearance, and rushed furiously, fired upon 
 and killed eight of our party, without receiving any provo- 
 cation therefor from us. John Parker. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 The above named John Parker personally appeared, 
 and after being duly cautioned to declare the whole truth, 
 made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition, by 
 him subscribed. Before us, Wm. Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. 5 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that Wm. Reed, Josiah 
 Johnson, and Wm. Stickney, Esquires, are three of His 
 Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middle- 
 sex, and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given 
 to their transactions as such. In witness whereof I have 
 hereunto set my name and seal this twenty-sixth day of 
 April, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 5.] 
 
 Lexington, April 24, 1775. 
 I, John Robbins, being of lawful age, do testify and say, 
 that on the nineteenth instant, the Company under the com- 
 mand of Captain John Parker being drawn up (sometime 
 before sunrise) on the green or common, and I being in 
 the front rank, there suddenly appeared a number of the 
 King's Troops, about a thousand, as I thought, at the dis- 
 tance of about sixty or seventy yards from us, huzzaing 
 and on a quick pace towards us, with three officers in their 
 front on horseback, and on full gallop towards us ; the fore- 
 most of which cried, " Throw down your arms, ye villains, 
 ye rebels ;" upon which said Company dispersing, the 
 foremost of the three officers ordered their men, saying, 
 " Fire, by God, fire ; at which moment we received a very 
 heavy and close fire from them ; at which instant, being 
 wounded, I fell, and several of our men were shot dead by 
 one volley. Captain Parker's men, I believe, had not then 
 fired a gun. And further the deponent saith not. 
 
 John Robbins. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775: 
 
 1, John Robbins, within named, appeared, and being duly 
 cautioned to testify the truth, and nothing but the truth, 
 made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition, 
 subscribed by his special order, he being so maimed and 
 wounded that he thought he could neither write his name 
 nor make his mark. Before us, Wm. Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. 5 
 1, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed and 
 Josiah Johnson, Esquires, are two of His Majesty's Jus- 
 tices for the County of Middlesex, and that full faith and 
 credit is to be given to their transactions as such. In wit- 
 ness whereof 1 have hereunto affixed my name and seal 
 this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 6.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 We, Benjamin Tidd, of Lexington, and Joseph Abbott, 
 of Lincoln, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of 
 Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, of lawful age, do 
 testify and declare, that on the morning of the nineteenth 
 of April instant, about five o'clock, being on Lexington 
 common, and mounted on horses, we saw a body of Regu- 
 lar Troops marching up to the Lexington Company which 
 was then dispersing. Soon after the Regulars fired first a 
 few guns, which we took to be pistols from some of the 
 Regulars who were mounted on horses, and then the said 
 Regulars fired a volley or two before any guns were fired 
 by the Lexington Company. Our horses immediately 
 started and we rode off. And further saith not. 
 
 Benjamin Tidd, 
 Joseph Abbott. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775: 
 
 Benjamin Tidd and Joseph Abbott above named, being 
 duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath 
 to the truth of the above deposition by them subscribed. 
 
 Wm. Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. 3 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, by 
 lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that Wm. Reed, Josiah 
 Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three of His 
 Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middle- 
 sex, and that full faith and credit is to be given to their trans- 
 actions as such. In witness whereof 1 have hereunto 
 affixed my name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, 
 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 Charlestown, May 2, 1775. 
 
 [No. 7.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 We, Nathaniel Mullekin, Philip Russell, Moses Har- 
 rington, Junior, Thomas and Daniel Harrington, William 
 Grimer, William Tidd, Isaac Hastings, Jonas Stone, Jr., 
 James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, 
 Joshua Reed, Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John 
 Chandler, Jun., Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, 
 Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Wiriship, Simeon 
 Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington the third, Joshua 
 Reed, Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Wil- 
 lington, John Hosmcr, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, 
 Isaac Durant, and TJiomas Headly, Jun., all of lawful age, 
 and inhabitants of Lexington, in the County of Middlesex, 
 and Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, in New-England, 
 do testify and declare, that on the nineteenth of April in- 
 stnnt, about one or two o'clock in the morning, being 
 informed that several officers of the Regulars had, the 
 evening before, been riding up and down the road, and had 
 detained and insulted the inhabitants passing the same ; 
 and also understanding that a body of Regulars were march- 
 ing from Boston towards Concord, with intent (as it was 
 supposed) to take the stores belonging to the Colony in 
 that Town, we were alarmed; and having met at the place 
 of our Company's parade, were dismissed by our Captain. 
 John Parker, for the present, with orders to be ready to 
 attend at the beat of the drum. We further testify and 
 
493 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 494 
 
 declare, that about five o'clock in the morning, hearing our 
 drum beat, we proceeded towards the parade, and soon 
 found that a large body of Troops were marching towards 
 us. Some of our Company were coming up to the parade, 
 and others had reached it; at which time the Company 
 began to disperse. Whilst our backs were turned on the 
 Troops we were fired on by them, and a number of our 
 men were instantly killed and wounded. Not a gun was 
 fired by any person in our Company on the Regulars, to 
 our knowledge, before they fired on us, and they continued 
 firing until we had all made our escape. 
 
 Nathanijl Mullekin, Joshua Reed, Jr., John Smith, 
 
 Philip Russell, Joseph Simonds, Mos. Harrington 3d., 
 
 Mos. Harrington, Jr., Phineas Smith, Joshua Reed, 
 
 Thomas Harrington, John Chandler, Jr., Ebenozer Parker, 
 
 Daniel Harrington, Reuben Lock, John Harrington, 
 
 William Grimer, Joel Viles, Enoch Willington, 
 
 William Tidd, Nathan Reed, John Hosmer, 
 
 Isaac Hastings, Samuel Tidd, Isaac Green, 
 
 Jonas Stone, Jr., Benjamin Lock, Phineas Stearns, 
 
 James Wyman, Thomas Winship, Isaac Durant, 
 
 Thad. Harrington, Simeon Snow, Thos. HeadUy, Jr. 
 John Chandler, 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775: 
 
 .\athnniel Mullekin, Philip Russell, Moses Harrington, 
 Jim., Thomas Harrington, Daniel Harrington, William 
 Grimer, William Tidd, Isaac Hasting, Jonas Stone, Jr., 
 James Wyman, Thaddeus Harrington, John Chandler, 
 Joshua Reed, Jun., Joseph Simonds, Phineas Smith, John 
 Chandler, Jun., Reuben Lock, Joel Viles, Nathan Reed, 
 Samuel Tidd, Benjamin Lock, Thomas Winship, Simeon 
 Snow, John Smith, Moses Harrington, 3d, Joshua Reed, 
 Ebenezer Parker, John Harrington, Enoch Willington, 
 John Hosmer, Isaac Green, Phineas Stearns, Isaac Du- 
 rant, and Thomas Headley, Jun., above named, being duly 
 cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to 
 the above deposition, as containing nothing but the truth as 
 subscribed by them. William Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 D Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 Charlestown, ss. 
 
 1, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, by 
 lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson and William Stickney, are three of His 
 Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that 
 full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as 
 such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name 
 and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini 
 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No 8.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 We, Nathaniel Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Mun- 
 roe, Jun., John Winship, Solomon Peirce, John Muzzy, 
 Abner Mead, John R ridge, Junior, Ebenezer Bowman, 
 William Munroe 3d, Micah Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, 
 Samuel Hastings, and James Brown, of Lexington, in the 
 County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 
 in New-England, and all of lawful age, do testify and say, 
 that on the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, 
 about one or two o'clock, being informed that a number of 
 Regular Officers had been riding up and down the road, 
 the evening and night preceding, and that some of the 
 inhabitants as they were passing had been insulted by the 
 officers, and stopped by them ; and being also informed 
 that the Regular Troops were on their march from Boston, 
 in order as it was said, to take the Colony Stores then 
 deposited at Concord, we met on the parade of our Com- 
 pany in this Town ; and after the Company had collected 
 we were ordered by Captain John Parker, who com- 
 manded us, to disperse for the present, and to be ready to 
 attend the beat of the drum ; and accordingly the Company 
 went into houses near the place of parade. We further 
 testify and say, that about five o'clock in the morning, we 
 attended the beat of our drum, and were formed on the 
 parade. We were faced towards the Regulars, then march- 
 ing up to us, and some of our Company were coming to 
 the parade with their backs towards the Troops, and others 
 
 on the parade began to disperse, when the Regulars fired 
 on the Company before a gun was fired by any of our Com- 
 pany on them ; they killed eight of our Company, and 
 wounded several, and continued iheir fire until we had all 
 made our escape. 
 
 Nath'l Parkhurst, 
 
 Jonas Parker, 
 
 John Munroe, Jun., 
 
 John Winship, 
 
 Solomon Peirce, 
 
 John Muzzy, 
 
 Abner Mead, 
 
 John Bridge, Jun., 
 Ebenezer Bowman, 
 William Munroe 3d. 
 Micah Hagar, 
 Samuel Sanderson, 
 Samuel Hastings. 
 James Brown. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 Nathaniel Parkhurst, Jonas Parker, John Munroe, Jr., 
 John Winship, Solomon Peirce, John Muzzy, Abner Mead. 
 John Bridge, Jun., Ebenezer Bowman, William Munroe, 
 third, Micah Hagar, Samuel Sanderson, Samuel Hastings, 
 and James Brown, above named, being duly cautioned to 
 testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of 
 the above deposition, by them subscribed. 
 
 W illiam Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick. 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby cer- 
 tify all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three 
 of His Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and 
 that full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions 
 as such. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my 
 name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno 
 Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [ No. 9. ] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 
 I, Timothy Smith, of Lexington, in the County of Mid- 
 dlesex and Colony of Massachusetts-Ray, in New-Eng- 
 land, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, that on 
 the morning of the nineteenth of April instant, being at 
 Lexington common as a spectator, I saw a large body of 
 Regular Troops marching up towards the Lexington Com- 
 pany, then dispersing, and likewise saw the Regular Troops 
 fire on the Lexington Company, before the latter fired a 
 gun. I immediately ran, and a volley was discharged at 
 me, which put me in imminent danger of losing my life. I 
 soon returned to the common, and saw eight of the Lex- 
 ington men who were killed, and lay bleeding, at a con- 
 siderable distance from each other, and several were wound- 
 ed ; and further saith not. Timothy Smith. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 Timothy Smith, above named, being duly cautioned to 
 testify the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above 
 
 deposition, by him subscribed. 
 
 William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Wm. Stickney. 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 Charlestown, ss. 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby cer- 
 tify all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three 
 of His Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, 
 and that full faith and credit is to be given to their transac- 
 tions as such. In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed 
 my name and seal, this twenty-sixth of April, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [ No. 10. ] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 We, Levi Mead and Levi Harrington, both of Lexing- 
 ton, in the County of Middlesex, and Colony of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, in New-England, and of lawful age, do testify 
 
495 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 496 
 
 and declare, that on the morning of the nineteenth of April, 
 being on Lexington common as spectators, we saw a large 
 body of Regular Troops marching up towards the Lexing- 
 ton Company, and some of the Regulars on horses, whom 
 we took to be officers, fired a pistol or two on the Lexing- 
 ton Company, which was then dispersing. These were 
 the first guns that were fired, and they were immediately 
 followed by several volleys from the Regulars, by which 
 eight men were killed, and several wounded. 
 
 Levi Mead, 
 
 Levi Harrington. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25, 1775 : 
 
 Levi Harrington and Levi Mead above named being 
 duly cautioned to testify the whole truth, made solemn oath 
 to the truth of the above deposition by them subscribed. 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 William Stickney, 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. J 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify all whom it doth or 
 may concern, that William Reed, Josiah Johnson, and 
 William Stickney, Esquires, are three of His Majesty's 
 Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, and 
 that full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions 
 as such. In witness whereof 1 have hereunto affixed my 
 name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini 
 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 11.] 
 
 Lexington, April 25, 1775. 
 I, William Draper, of lawful age, and an inhabitant of 
 Colrain, in the County of Hampshire, and Colony of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, in Neiv-England, do testify and declare, 
 that being on the parade of said Lexington, April 19th 
 instant, about half an hour before sunrise the King's Regu- 
 lar Troops appeared at the meeting-house of Lexington. 
 Captain Parker's Company, who were drawn up back of 
 said meeting-house on the parade, turned from said 
 Troops, making their escape by dispersing ; in the mean 
 time the Regular Troops made a huzza and ran towards 
 Captain Parser's Company, who were dispersing, and im- 
 mediately after the huzza was made the commanding 
 officer of said Troops (as I took him) gave the command 
 to the said Troops, " Fire ! fire ! damn you, fire I" and im- 
 mediately they fired before any of Captain Parker's Com- 
 pany fired, I then being within three or four rods of said 
 Regular Troops ; and further saith not. 
 
 William Draper. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 25th, 1775: 
 
 William Draper, above named, being duly cautioned to 
 testify the whole truth, made solemn oath to the truth of 
 the above deposition by him subscribed. Before us, 
 
 William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 William Stickney, 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. \ 
 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, by 
 lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 to all whom it doth or may concern, that William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three 
 of His Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and 
 that full faith and credit are to be given to their transac- 
 tions as such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed 
 my name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one 
 thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 12.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 I, Tliomas Fessenden, of lawful age, testify and declare, 
 that being in a pasture near the meeting-house at said 
 
 Lexington, on Wednesday last, at about half an hour before 
 sunrise, I saw a number of Regular Troops pass speedily 
 by said meeting-house on their way towards a Company 
 of Militia of said Lexington, who were assembled to the 
 number of about one hundred in a Company at the distance 
 of eighteen or twenty rods from said meeting-house, and 
 after they had passed by said meeting-house, I saw 
 three officers on horseback advance to the front of said 
 Regulars, when one of them being within six rods of the 
 said Militia, cried out " Disperse, you rebels, immediately;" 
 on which he brandished his sword over his head three 
 times ; meanwhile the second officer, who was about two 
 rods behind him, fired a pistol pointed at said Militia, and 
 the Regulars kept huzzaing till he had finished brandishing 
 his sword, and when he had thus finished brandishing his 
 sword, he pointed it down towards said Militia, and imme- 
 diately on which the said Regulars fired a volley at the 
 Militia, and then I ran off as fast as I could, while they con- 
 tinued firing till I got out of their reach. I further testify, 
 that as soon as ever the officer cried " Disperse, you 
 rebels," the said Company of Militia dispersed every way 
 as fast as they could, and while they were dispersing the 
 Regulars kept firing at them incessantly, and further saith 
 not. Thomas Fessenden. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 The within named Thomas Fessenden appeared, and 
 after due caution to testify the whole truth and nothing but 
 the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the within de- 
 position by him subscribed. 
 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 William Stickney, 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. ) 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, by 
 lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby certify 
 to all whom it may or doth concern, that William Reed, 
 Josiah Johnson, and William Stickney, Esquires, are three 
 of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of 
 Middlesex, and that full faith and credit is to be given to 
 their transactions as such. In witness whereof I have here- 
 unto affixed my hand and seal this twenty-sixth day of 
 April, Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 [No. 13.] 
 
 I, John Bateman, belonging to the Fifty-Second Regi- 
 ment, commanded by Colonel Jones, on Wednesday morn- 
 ing on the nineteenth day of April instant, was in the 
 party marching to Concord, being at Lexington, in the 
 County of Middlesex; being nigh the meeting-house in 
 said Lexington, there was a small party of men gathered 
 together in that place when our Troops marched by, and I 
 testify and declare, that I heard the word of command given 
 to the Troops to fire, and some of said Troops did fire, 
 and I saw one of said small party lay dead on the ground 
 nigh said meeting-house, and 1 testify that 1 never heard 
 any of the inhabitants so much as fire one gun on said 
 Troops. John Bateman. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 The above named John Bateman voluntarily, being 
 previously cautioned to relate nothing but the truth, made 
 solemn oath to the above deposition by him subscribed. 
 Before us, John Cummings, 
 
 Duncan Ingraiiam, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. £ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify that John Cummings 
 and Duncan Ingraham, Esquires, are two of His Majes- 
 ty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Middlesex, 
 and that full faith and credit is to be given to their transac- 
 tions as such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed 
 
497 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 498 
 
 my name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 14.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 We, John Hoar, John Whitehead, Abraham Garfield, 
 Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William Hosmer, John 
 Adams, and Gregory Stone, all of Lincoln, in the County 
 of Middlesex, Massachusetts- Bay, all of lawful age, do 
 testify and say, that on Wednesday last we were assembled 
 at Concord in the morning of said day, in consequence of 
 information received that a Brigade of Regular Troops 
 were on their march to the said Town of Concord, who 
 had killed six men at the Town of Lexington. About an 
 hour afterward we saw them approaching to the number, 
 as we apprehended, of about twelve hundred, on which 
 we retreated to a mill about eighty rods back, and the said 
 Troops then took possession of the hill where we were 
 first posted. Presently after this we saw the Troops mov- 
 ing towards the North Bridge, about one mile from the 
 said Concord meeting-house ; we then immediately went 
 before them and passed the bridge, just before a party of 
 them, to the number of about two hundred, arrived ; they 
 there left about one-half of their two hundred at the bridge, 
 and proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barrett's, 
 about two miles from the said bridge. We then seeing 
 several fires in the Town, thought the houses in Concord 
 were in danger, and marched towards the said bridge, and 
 the Troops who were stationed there observing our ap- 
 proach, marched back over the bridge, and then took up 
 some of the plank ; we then hastened our march towards 
 the bridge, and when we had got near the bridge they fired 
 on our men, first three guns, (one after the other,) and then 
 a considerable number more; and then, and not before, 
 (having orders from our commanding officer not to fire till 
 we were fired upon,) we fired upon the Regulars, and they 
 retreated. On their retreat through the Town of Lexing- 
 ton to Charlestown, they ravaged and destroyed private 
 property, and burnt three houses, one barn, and one shop. 
 
 John Hoar, Isaac Parks, 
 
 John Whitehead, William Hosmer, 
 Ab'm Garfield, John Adams, 
 Benjamin Munroe, Gregory Stone. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 The within named John Hoar, John Whitehead, Abra- 
 ham Garfield, Benjamin Munroe, Isaac Parks, William 
 Hosmer, John Adams, and Gregory Stone, appeared and 
 made solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition. 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 John Cummings, 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 Charlestown, ss. 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify, that William Reed, 
 John Cummings, Jonathan Hastings, and Duncan Ingra- 
 ham, Esquires, are four of His Majesty's Justices, and that 
 full faith is to be given to their transactions as such. In 
 witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal 
 this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand seven hun- 
 dred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 15.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 
 We, Nathan Barrett, Captain ; Jonathan Farrer, Joseph 
 Butler, and Francis Wheeler, Lieutenants ; John Barrett, 
 Ensign ; John Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, 
 Nathan Buttrick, Stephen Hosmer, Junior, Samuel Bar- 
 rett, Thomas Jones, Joseph Chandler, Peter Wheeler, 
 Nathan Peirce, and Edward Richardson, all of Concord, 
 in the County of Middlesex, in the Province of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, of lawful age, testify and declare, that on 
 Wednesday, the nineteenth instant, about an hour after 
 sunrise, we assembled on a hill near the meeting-house 
 in Concord aforesaid, in consequence of an information, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 32 
 
 that a number of Regular Troops had killed six of our 
 countrymen at Lexington , and were on their march to 
 said Concord ; and about an hour afterwards we saw them 
 approaching to the number, as we imagine, of about twelve 
 hundred ; on which we retreated to a hill about eighty rods 
 back, and the aforesaid Troops then took possession of the 
 hill where we were first posted. Presently after this we 
 saw them moving towards the North Bridge, about one 
 mile from said meeting-house ; we then immediately went be- 
 fore them, and passed the bridge just before a party of them, 
 to the number of about two hundred, arrived. They there 
 left about one-half of these two hundred at the bridge, and 
 proceeded with the rest towards Colonel Barrett's, about 
 two miles from the said bridge. We then seeing several 
 fires in the Town, thought our houses were in danger, and 
 immediately marched back towards said bridge, and the 
 Troops who were stationed there observing our approach, 
 marched back over the bridge, and then took up some of 
 the planks. We then hastened our steps towards the 
 bridge, and when we had got near the bridge, they fired 
 on our men, first three guns, (one after the other,) and then 
 a considerable number more ; upon which, and not before, 
 (having orders from our commanding officer not to fire till 
 we were fired upon,) we fired upon the Regulars, and they 
 retreated. At Concord, and on their retreat through Lex- 
 ington, they plundered many houses, burnt three at Lexing- 
 ton, together with a shop and a barn, and committed damage, 
 more or less, to almost every house from Concord to Charles- 
 toivn. Nathan Barrett, Nathan Buttrick, 
 
 Jonathan Farrer, Stephen Hosmer, Jr., 
 Joseph Butler, Samuel Barrett, 
 Francis Wheeler, 
 John Barrett, 
 John Brown, 
 Silas Walker, 
 Ephraim Melvin, 
 
 Thomas Jones, 
 Joseph Chandler, 
 Peter Wheeler, 
 Nathan Peirce, 
 Edward Richardson. 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 We, Joseph Butler and Ephraim Melvin, do testify and 
 declare, that when the Regular Troops fired upon our people 
 at the North Bridge in Concord, as related in the foregoing 
 deposition, they shot one, and we believe two, of our 
 people, before we fired a single gun at them. 
 
 Joseph Butler, 
 Ephraim Melvin. 
 
 Middlesex, 55., April 23, 177 5 : 
 
 The within named Nathan Barrett, Jonathan Farrer, 
 Joseph Butler, Francis Wheeler, John Barrett, John 
 Brown, Silas Walker, Ephraim Melvin, Nathan Buttrick, 
 Stephen Hosmer, Junior, Samuel Barrett, Thomas Jones, 
 Joseph Chandler, Peter JVheeler, Nathan Peirce, and Ed- 
 ivard Richardson, appeared and made solemn oath to the 
 truth of the above deposition by them subscribed. 
 
 Before us, Jonathan Hastings, 
 
 John Cummings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 Charlestown, ss. 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do hereby certify all whom it 
 may or doth concern, that Jonathan Hastings, John Cum- 
 mings, and Duncan Ingraham, Esquires, are three of His 
 Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that 
 full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as 
 such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my 
 name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 16.] 
 
 Concord, April 23, 1775. 
 1, Timothy Minot, Junior, of Concord, on the nineteenth 
 day of this instant, April, after that I had heard of the 
 Regular Troops firing upon Lexington men, and fearing 
 that hostilities might be committed at Concord, thought it 
 my incumbent duty to secure my family. After 1 had 
 secured my family, some time after that returning towards 
 my own dwelling and finding that the bridge on the north- 
 
499 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 500 
 
 em part of said Concord was guarded by Regular Troops, 
 being a spectator of what bad happened at said bridge, 
 declare that the Regular Troops stationed on said bridge, 
 after they saw the men that were collected on the westerly 
 side of said bridge march towards said bridge, then the 
 Troops returned towards the easterly side of said bridge, 
 and formed themselves, as I thought, for regular fight. 
 After that they fired one gun, then two or three more, 
 before the men that were stationed on the westerly part of 
 said bridge fired upon them. Timothy Minot, Jun. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 Doctor Timothy Minot, Junior, personally appeared, 
 and after due caution to testify the truth and nothing but 
 the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above 
 deposition by him subscribed. 
 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 John Cummings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, > 
 Charlestown, ss. 5 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify all whom it doth or 
 may concern, that William Reed, Jonathan Hastings, 
 John Cummings, and Duncan Ingraham, are four of His 
 Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that 
 full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as 
 such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my 
 name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 17.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 
 I, James Barrett, of Concord, Colonel of a Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Middlesex, do testify and say, 
 that on Wednesday morning last about daybreak I was in- 
 formed of the approach of a number of the Regular Troops 
 to the Town of Concord, where were some magazines be- 
 longing to this Province. When there was assembled 
 some of the Militia of this and the neighbouring Towns, 
 I ordered them to march to the North Bridge, (so called,) 
 which they had passed and were taking up. I ordered 
 said Militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but 
 not to fire on the King's Troops unless they were first 
 fired upon. We advanced near said bridge, when the said 
 Troops fired upon our Militia and killed two men dead on 
 the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first 
 firing of guns in the Town of Concord. My detachment 
 then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several 
 of the King's Troops. James Barrett. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 The above named James Barrett personally appeared, 
 and after due caution to testify the whole truth and nothing 
 but the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above 
 deposition by him subscribed. 
 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify all whom it doth 
 or may concern, that William Reed, Jonathan Hastings, 
 and Duncan Ingraham, Esquires, are three of His Majes- 
 ty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that full 
 faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as such. 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and 
 seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 18.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus 
 Bancroft, all of Concord, and James Adams, of Lexing- 
 
 ton, all in the County of Middlesex, all of lawful age, do 
 testify and say, that on Wednesday morning last, near ten 
 of the clock, we saw near one hundred of the Regular 
 Troops, being in the Town of Concord, at the North Bridge 
 in said Town, (so called,) and having passed the same, 
 they were taking up said bridge, when about three hun- 
 dred of our Militia were advancing towards said bridge in 
 order to pass said bridge, when, without saying any thing 
 to us, they discharged a number of guns on us, which killed 
 two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, 
 when we returned the fire on them, which killed two of 
 them and wounded several ; which was the beginning of 
 hostilities in the Town of Concord. 
 
 Bradbury Robinson, 
 Samuel Spring, 
 Thaddeus Bancroft, 
 James Adams. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 The withinnamed Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, 
 Thaddeus Bancroft, and James Adams, made solemn oath 
 to the truth of the within deposition by them subscribed. 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 William Stickney, 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. y 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that William 
 Reed, William Stickney, and Jonathan Hastings, Esqrs., 
 are three of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the 
 County of Middlesex, and that full faith and credit is and 
 ought to be given to their transactions as such. In witness 
 whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal this 
 twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 19.] 
 
 Concord, April 23, 1775. 
 I, James Marr, of lawful age, testify and say, that in 
 the evening of the eighteenth instant, 1 received orders 
 from George Hutchinson, Adjutant of the Fourth Regi- 
 ment of Regular Troops stationed at Boston, to prepare 
 and march, to which order I attended, and marched to Con- 
 cord, where I was ordered by an officer, with about one 
 hundred men, to guard a certain bridge there. While at- 
 tending that service, a number of people came along, in 
 order, as I suppose, to cross said bridge, at which time a 
 number of the Regular Troops first fired upon them. 
 
 James Marr. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 The above named James Marr appeared, and after due 
 caution to testify the truth and nothing but the truth, made 
 solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him 
 voluntarily subscribed. 
 
 Before us : Duncan Ingraham, 
 
 Jonas Dix. 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. ) 
 
 1, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify that Duncan Ingraham 
 and Jonas Dix, Esquires, are two of His Majesty's Jus- 
 tices for the County of Middlesex, and that full faith and 
 credit is to be given to their transactions as such. In wit- 
 ness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal, 
 this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand seven hundred 
 and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 20.] 
 
 Modford, April 25, 1775. 
 I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of His Majesty's own Re- 
 giment of Foot, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, 
 that on the evening of the eighteenth instant, under the 
 orders of General Gage, I embarked with the Light-Infan- 
 try and Grenadiers of the line, commanded by Colonel 
 
501 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 502 
 
 Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cambridge, from 
 whence we proceeded to Lexington. On our arrival at 
 that place, we saw a body of Provincial Troops armed, to 
 the number of about sixty or seventy men ; on our ap- 
 proach they dispersed, and soon after firing began ; but 
 which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our Troops 
 rushed on shouting and huzzaing previous to the firing, 
 which was continued by our Troops as long as any of the 
 Provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to 
 Concord. On a hill near the entrance of the Town, we 
 saw another body of Provincials assembled ; the Light- 
 Infantry Companies were ordered up the hill to disperse 
 them ; on our approach they retreated towards Concord. 
 The Grenadiers continued on the road under the hill towards 
 the Town. Six companies of Light-Infantry were ordered 
 down to take possession of the bridge which the Provin- 
 cials retreated over ; the Company I commanded was one ; 
 three Companies of the above detachment went forward 
 about two miles. In the mean time the Provincial Troops 
 returned, to the number of about three or four hundred. 
 We drew up on the Concord side of the bridge ; the Pro- 
 vincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged, and 
 gave the first fire. This was the first engagement after the 
 one at Lexington; a continual firing from both parties 
 lasted through the whole day. I myself was wounded at 
 the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the 
 greatest humanity, and taken all possible care of by the 
 Provincials at Medford. Edwd. Thoroton Gould, 
 
 Lieut. King's own Regt. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Middlesex County, April 25, 1775. } 
 
 Lieutenant Ed ward Thoroton Gould, aforenamed, per- 
 sonally made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration 
 by him subscribed. Before us : Thad. Mason, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Simon Tufts, 
 Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, 
 Quorum unus. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. J 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby cer- 
 tify to all whom it doth or may concern, that Thaddeus 
 Mason, Josiah Johnson, and Simon Tufts, Esquires, are 
 three of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, 
 for the County of Middlesex ; and that full faith and 
 credit is and ought to be given to their transactions as such, 
 both in Court and out. In witness I have hereunto affixed 
 my name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno 
 Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 ALEXANDER SCAMMELL TO JOHN SULLIVAN. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: Your leaving New- Hampshire at a 
 time when your presence was so extremely necessary to 
 cherish the glorious ardour which you have been so instru- 
 mental in inspiring us with, spread a general gloom in Dur- 
 ham, and in some measure damped the spirit of liberty 
 through the Province ; and nothing but the important busi- 
 ness in which you are embarked would induce us to dis- 
 pense with your presence with any degree of patience or 
 resignation. 
 
 But when the horrid din of civil carnage surprised us on 
 the 20th of April, the universal cry was — Oh ! if Major 
 Sulli van was here ! I wish to God Major Sulliva?i was 
 here ! ran through the distressed multitude. April Court, 
 which was then sitting, adjourned immediately. To arms ! 
 to arms ! was breathed forth in sympathetick groans. 
 
 I went express to Boston, by desire of the Congressional 
 Committee, then sitting at Durham, proceeded as far as 
 Bradford, where I obtained credible information that even- 
 ing. ^ Next morning 1 arrived at Exeter, where the Pro- 
 vincial Congress was assembling with all possible haste. 
 There I reported what intelligence I had gained : that 
 the American Army at Cambridge, Woburn, and Charles- 
 town, was more in need of provisions than men ; that fifty 
 thousand had assembled in thirty-six hours ; and that the 
 
 Regulars, who had retreated from Concord, had encamped 
 on Bunker's Hill, in Charlestoivn . 
 
 The Congress, upon this report, resolved that the Dur- 
 ham Company, then at Exeter, (armed complete for an 
 engagement, with a week's provisions,) should return home, 
 and keep themselves in constant readiness. All the men 
 being gone from the westward and southward of Newmar- 
 ket, and Men-of-War expected hourly into Portsmouth, it 
 was with the greatest difficulty your Durham soldiers were 
 prevailed upon to return. Six or seven expresses arrived 
 at Durham the night after our return ; some desiring us to 
 march to Kittcry ; some to Hampton; some to Ipswich, 
 he, which places, they said, sundry Men-of-War were 
 ravaging. The whole country was in a continual alarm ; 
 but suspecting that the Marines at Portsmouth might take 
 advantage of the confusion we were then in, and pay Dur- 
 ham a visit, we thought proper to stand ready to give them 
 a warm reception ; and supposing that your house and 
 family would be the first mark of their vengeance, although 
 I had been express the whole night before, I kept guard 
 to defend your family and substance to the last drop of my 
 blood. Master Smith being under the same apprehension, 
 did actually lay in ambush behind a warehouse, and came 
 very near sinking a fishing-boat anchored off in the river, 
 which he supposed heaped full of Marines. Men, women, 
 and children, were engaged day and night in preparing for 
 the worst. 
 
 Many Towns in this Province have enlisted Minute-Men, 
 and keep them under pay ; and the Congress, before this, 
 would actually have raised an army, had they not waited 
 for the General Court, which sits to-morrow, in order to 
 raise as much money as they can, to pay off their army 
 when raised. 
 
 I am extremely mortified that I am unable to join the 
 army at Cambridge. The particulars of the skirmish be- 
 tween the Regulars and Americans will, long before this, 
 have reached you. In longing expectation, your safe, hap- 
 py, and speedy return is hoped for by all your friends, but 
 by none more sincerely than your dutiful humble servant, 
 
 Alex. Scammell. 
 
 To John Sullivan, Esq., at Philadelphia or New- York. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF BRUNSWICK TO THE BOSTON COMMITTEE 
 OF CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Brunswick, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, 
 beg liberty to inform you with our situation, as we are 
 chosen by this Town to examine into the circumstances of 
 it; and finding the Town very deficient as to arms and 
 ammunition, have sent by water to Salem, but have just 
 had our money returned back, without arms or ammunition ; 
 and at present we have not more than a quarter of a pound 
 of powder to a man, throughout the Town, nor more than 
 one firelock to two men ; and in this defenceless state we 
 are obliged to apply to you to assist our trusty friend whom 
 we have sent, which is Captain Nathaniel Larrabee ; and 
 as we think it would be unsafe to transport powder by wa- 
 ter, we have ordered him to take only one hundred weight, 
 and for him to consult with you how and in what way it 
 would be safest to get arms and more powder down to us. 
 
 We should esteem it a favour to be informed by you by 
 way of letter, at every convenient opportunity, of our pub- 
 lick affairs. We are, gentlemen, yours ever to be com- 
 manded, Aaron Hinkley, Saml. Standwood, 
 Benj. Stone, James Curtis. 
 
 Norfolk (virginia) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of the County of Nor- 
 folk, at the Court-House of said County, on Thursday, 
 the 4th of May, 1775 : 
 
 The Resolves of the Convention held at the Town of 
 Richmond, on the 20th of March last, were read, and unan- 
 imously approved. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be pre- 
 sented to Thomas Neivton, Junior, and James Holt, Es- 
 quires, our worthy Delegates, for their faithful discharge 
 of the important trust reposed in them. 
 
 Having heretofore placed the highest degree of confi- 
 dence in the good intentions of our Chief Magistrate to- 
 
499 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MAY, 1775. 
 
 500 
 
 ern part of said Concord was guarded by Regular Troops, 
 being a spectator of what had happened at said bridge, 
 declare that the Regular Troops stationed on said bridge, 
 after they saw the men that were collected on the westerly 
 side of said bridge march towards said bridge, then the 
 Troops returned towards the easterly side of said bridge, 
 and formed themselves, as I thought, for regular fight. 
 After that they fired one gun, then two or three more, 
 before the men that were stationed on the westerly part of 
 said bridge fired upon them. Timothy Minot, Jun. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 Doctor Timothy Minot, Junior, personally appeared, 
 and after due caution to testify the truth and nothing but 
 the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above 
 deposition by him subscribed. 
 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 John Cummings, 
 Duncan Ingkaham, 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify all whom it doth or 
 may concern, that William Reed, Jonathan Hastings, 
 John Cummings, and Dunca?i Ingraham, are four of His 
 Majesty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that 
 full faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as 
 such. In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my 
 name and seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 17.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 
 I, James Barrett, of Concord, Colonel of a Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Middlesex, do testify and say, 
 that on Wednesday morning last about daybreak I was in- 
 formed of the approach of a number of the Regular Troops 
 to the Tow r n of Concord, where were some magazines be- 
 longing to this Province. When there was assembled 
 some of the Militia of this and the neighbouring Towns, 
 I ordered them to march to the North Bridge, (so called,) 
 which they had passed and were taking up. I ordered 
 said Militia to march to said bridge and pass the same, but 
 not to fire on the King's Troops unless they were first 
 fired upon. We advanced near said bridge, when the said 
 Troops fired upon our Militia and killed two men dead on 
 the spot, and wounded several others, which was the first 
 firing of guns in the Town of Concord. My detachment 
 then returned the fire, which killed and wounded several 
 of the King's Troops. James Barrett. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775 : 
 
 The above named James Barrett personally appeared, 
 and after due caution to testify the whole truth and nothing 
 but the truth, made solemn oath to the truth of the above 
 deposition by him subscribed. 
 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 Duncan Ingraham, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify all whom it doth 
 or may concern, that William Reed, Jonathan Hastings, 
 and Duncan Ingraham, Esquires, are three of His Majes- 
 ty's Justices for the County of Middlesex, and that full 
 faith and credit is to be given to their transactions as such. 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and 
 seal this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 18.] 
 
 Lexington, April 23, 1775. 
 We, Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, Thaddeus 
 Bancroft, all of Concord, and James Adams, of Lexing- 
 
 ton, all in the County of Middlesex, all of lawful age, do 
 testify and say, that on Wednesday morning last, near ten 
 of the clock, we saw near one hundred of the Regular 
 Troops, being in the Town of Concord, at the North Bridge 
 in said Town, (so called,) and having passed the same, 
 they were taking up said bridge, when about three hun- 
 dred of our Militia were advancing towards said bridge in 
 order to pass said bridge, when, without saying any thing 
 to us, they discharged a number of guns on us, which killed 
 two men dead on the spot, and wounded several others, 
 when we returned the fire on them, which killed two of 
 them and wounded several ; which was the beginning of 
 hostilities in the Town of Concord. 
 
 Bradbury Robinson, 
 Samuel Spring, 
 Thaddeus Bancroft, 
 James Adams. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 The withinnamed Bradbury Robinson, Samuel Spring, 
 Thaddeus Bancroft, and James Adams, made solemn oath 
 to the truth of the within deposition by them subscribed. 
 Before us, William Reed, 
 
 William Stickney, 
 Jonathan Hastings, 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 certify to all whom it doth or may concern, that William 
 Reed, William Stickney, and Jonathan Hastings, Esqrs., 
 are three of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the 
 County of Middlesex, and that full faith and credit is and 
 ought to be given to their transactions as such. In witness 
 whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal this 
 twenty-sixth day of April, Anno Domini one thousand 
 seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nath'l Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 19.] 
 
 Concord, April 23, 1775. 
 I, James Marr, of lawful age, testify and say, that in 
 the evening of the eighteenth instant, 1 received orders 
 from George Hutchinson, Adjutant of the Fourth Regi- 
 ment of Regular Troops stationed at Boston, to prepare 
 and march, to which order I attended, and marched to Con- 
 cord, where 1 was ordered by an officer, with about one 
 hundred men, to guard a certain bridge there. While at- 
 tending that service, a number of people came along, in 
 order, as I suppose, to cross said bridge, at which time a 
 number of the Regular Troops first fired upon them. 
 
 James Marr. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., April 23, 1775: 
 
 The above named James Marr appeared, and after due 
 caution to testify the truth and nothing but the truth, made 
 solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him 
 voluntarily subscribed. 
 
 Before us : Duncan Ingraham, 
 
 Jonas Dix. 
 
 Justices of the Peace. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. $ 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 duly admitted and sworn, do certify that Duncan Ingraham 
 and Jonas Dix, Esquires, are two of His Majesty's Jus- 
 tices for the County of Middlesex, and that full faith and 
 credit is to be given to their transactions as such. In wit- 
 ness whereof I have hereunto affixed my name and seal, 
 this twenty-sixth day of April, one thousand seven hundred" 
 and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 [No. 20.] 
 
 Medford, April 25, 1775. 
 
 I, Edward Thoroton Gould, of His Majesty's own Re- 
 giment of Foot, being of lawful age, do testify and declare, 
 that on the evening of the eighteenth instant, under the 
 orders of General Gage, I embarked with the Light-Infan- 
 try and Grenadiers of the line, commanded by Colonel 
 
501 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, k, MAY, 1775. 
 
 502 
 
 Smith, and landed on the marshes of Cambridge, from 
 whence we proceeded to Lexington. On our arrival at 
 that place, we saw a body of Provincial Troops armed, to 
 the number of about sixty or seventy men ; on our ap- 
 proach they dispersed, and soon after firing began ; but 
 which party fired first, I cannot exactly say, as our Troops 
 rushed on shouting and huzzaing previous to the firing, 
 which was continued by our Troops as long as any of the 
 Provincials were to be seen. From thence we marched to 
 Concord. On a hill near the entrance of the Town, we 
 saw another body of Provincials assembled ; the Light- 
 Infantry Companies were ordered up the hill to disperse 
 them ; on our approach they retreated towards Concord. 
 The Grenadiers continued on the road under the hill towards 
 the Town. Six companies of Light-Infantry were ordered 
 down to take possession of the bridge which the Provin- 
 cials retreated over ; the Company 1 commanded was one ; 
 three Companies of the above detachment went forward 
 about two miles. In the mean lime the Provincial Troops 
 returned, to the number of about three or four hundred. 
 We drew up on the Concord side of the bridge ; the Pro- 
 vincials came down upon us, upon which we engaged, and 
 gave the first fire. This was the first engagement after the 
 one at Lexington; a continual firing from both parties 
 lasted through the whole day. I myself was wounded at 
 the attack of the bridge, and am now treated with the 
 greatest humanity, and taken all possible care of by the 
 Provincials at Medford. Enwc Thoroton Gould, 
 
 Lieut. King's own Regt. 
 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Middlesex County, April 25, 1775. ) 
 
 Lieutenant Edward Thoroton Gould, aforenamed, per- 
 sonally made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration 
 by him subscribed. Before us : Thad. Mason, 
 
 Josiah Johnson, 
 Simon Tufts, 
 Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, 
 Quorum unus. 
 
 Province of Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 Charlestown, ss. 5 
 I, Nathaniel Gorham, Notary and Tabellion Publick, 
 by lawful authority duly admitted and sworn, hereby cer- 
 tify to all whom it doth or may concern, that Thaddeus 
 Mason, Josiah Johnson, and Simon Tufts, Esquires, are 
 three of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace, quorum unus, 
 for the County of Middlesex ; and that full faith and 
 credit is and ought to be given to their transactions as such, 
 both in Court and out. In witness I have hereunto affixed 
 my name and seal, this twenty-sixth day of April, Anno 
 Domini one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Notary Publick. 
 
 ALEXANDER SCAMMELL TO JOHN SULLIVAN. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: Your leaving New-Hampshire at a 
 time when your presence was so extremely necessary to 
 cherish the glorious ardour which you have been so instru- 
 mental in inspiring us with, spread a general gloom in Dur- 
 ham, and in some measure damped the spirit of liberty 
 through the Province ; and nothing but the important busi- 
 ness in which you are embarked would induce us to dis- 
 pense with your presence with any degree of patience or 
 resignation. 
 
 But when the horrid din of civil carnage surprised us on 
 the 20th of April, the universal cry was — Oh ! if Major 
 Sullivan was here ! I wish to God Major Sullivan was 
 here! ran through the distressed multitude. April Court, 
 which was then sitting, adjourned immediately. To arms ! 
 to arms ! was breathed forth in sympathetick groans. 
 
 I went express to Boston, by desire of the Congressional 
 Committee, then sitting at Durh am, proceeded as far as 
 Bradford, where I obtained credible information that even- 
 ing. Next morning I arrived at Exeter, where the Pro- 
 vincial Congress was assembling with all possible haste. 
 There I reported what intelligence I had gained : that 
 the American Army at Cambridge, Woburn, and Charles- 
 town, was more in need of provisions than men ; that fifty 
 thousand had assembled in thirty-six hours ; and that the 
 
 Regulars, who had retreated from Concord, had encamped 
 on Bunker's Hill, in Charlestoivn . 
 
 The Congress, upon this report, resolved that the Dur- 
 ham Company, then at Exeter, (armed complete for an 
 engagement, with a week's provisions,) should return home, 
 and keep themselves in constant readiness. All the men 
 being gone from the westward and southward of Newmar- 
 ket, and Men-of-War expected hourly into Portsmouth, it 
 was with the greatest difficulty your Durham soldiers were 
 prevailed upon to return. Six or seven expresses arrived 
 at Durham the night after our return ; some desiring us to 
 march to Kittcry ; some to Hampton; some to Ipswich, 
 &c, which places, they said, sundry Men-of-War were 
 ravaging. The whole country was in a continual alarm ; 
 but suspecting that the Marines at Portsmouth might take 
 advantage of the confusion we were then in, and pay Dur- 
 ham a visit, we thought proper to stand ready to give them 
 a warm reception ; and supposing that your house and 
 family would be the first mark of their vengeance, although 
 I had been express the whole night before, I kept guard 
 to defend your family and substance to the last drop of my 
 blood. Master Smith being under the same apprehension, 
 did actually lay in ambush behind a warehouse, and came 
 very near sinking a fishing-boat anchored off in the river, 
 which he supposed heaped full of Marines. Men, women, 
 and children, were engaged day and night in preparing for 
 the worst. 
 
 Many Towns in this Province have enlisted Minute-Men, 
 and keep them under pay ; and the Congress, before this, 
 would actually have raised an army, had they not waited 
 for the General Court, which sits to-morrow, in order to 
 raise as much money as they can, to pay off their army 
 when raised. 
 
 I am extremely mortified that I am unable to join the 
 army at Cambridge. The particulars of the skirmish be- 
 tween the Regulars and Americans will, long before this, 
 have reached you. In longing expectation, your safe, hap- 
 py, and speedy return is hoped for by all your friends, but 
 by none more sincerely than your dutiful humble servant, 
 
 Alex. Scammell. 
 
 To John Sullivan, Esq., at Philadelphia or Neiv-York. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF BRUNSWICK TO THE BOSTON COMMITTEE 
 OF CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 Brunswick, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, 
 beg liberty to inform you with our situation, as we are 
 chosen by this Town to examine into the circumstances of 
 it; and finding the Town very deficient as to arms and 
 ammunition, have sent by water to Salem, but have just 
 had our money returned back, without arms or ammunition ; 
 and at present we have not more than a quarter of a pound 
 of powder to a man, throughout the Town, nor more than 
 one firelock to two men ; and in this defenceless state we 
 are obliged to apply to you to assist our trusty friend whom 
 we have sent, which is Captain Nathaniel Larrabee ; and 
 as we think it would be unsafe to transport powder by wa- 
 ter, we have ordered him to take only one hundred weight, 
 and for him to consult with you how and in what way it 
 would be safest to get arms and more powder down to us. 
 
 We should esteem it a favour to be informed by you by 
 way of letter, at every convenient opportunity, of our pub- 
 lick affairs. We are, gentlemen, yours ever to be com- 
 manded, Aaron Hinkley, Saml. Standwood, 
 Benj. Stone, James Curtis. 
 
 Norfolk (virginia) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of the County of Nor- 
 folk, at the Court-House of said County, on Thursday, 
 the 4th of May, 1775 : 
 
 The Resolves of the Convention held at the Town of 
 Richmond, on the 20th of March last, were read, and unan- 
 imously approved. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be pre- 
 sented to Thomas Neivton, Junior, and James Holt, Es- 
 quires, our worthy Delegates, for their faithful discharge 
 of the important trust reposed in them. 
 
 Having heretofore placed the highest degree of confi- 
 dence in the good intentions of our Chief Magistrate to- 
 
503 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, rT?6, 
 
 501 
 
 wards his Majesty's most loyal and faithful subjects, the 
 good people of this Dominion, over whom he presides, 
 which we can safely affirm had gained him their universal 
 esteem and respect, with equal surprise and sorrow we 
 have seen in our publick Gazettes an extract of a Letter 
 said to be wrote by our said Chief Magistrate, on the 24th 
 of December last, to the Earl of Dartmouth, one of His 
 Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and most grossly 
 misrepresenting all the good people of this Colony, par- 
 ticularly the Magistrates, and those whom the people have 
 elected as Committees to be the guardians of their inesti- 
 mable rights and liberties. And as his Excellency has not 
 thought proper to disavow being the author of such Letter, 
 we must take it for granted that the extract published is 
 a faithful copy. We therefore think it our indispensable 
 duty, in justice to our own reputations, and that of our con- 
 stituents, who have honoured us with such marks of their 
 confidence and esteem, to refute so unjust and unmerited, 
 so defamatory and atrocious a charge. 
 
 First, then, we declare that we know of no instance 
 wherein anv Committee in this or the neighbouring Coun- 
 
 y DO 
 
 ties has assumed an authority to inspect the books, or any 
 other secrets of the trade of Merchants. We admit to 
 have known some instances where some Merchants, being 
 suspected of a breach of the Association, have voluntarily 
 offered some private letters and books to be inspected, in 
 order to acquit themselves of such charge. 
 
 He next says we stigmatize those we discover to have 
 transgressed what we hardly call the Laws of the Congress; 
 which stigmatizing, to use the words in the said extract, 
 " is no other than inviting the vengeance of an outrageous 
 and lawless mob to be exercised on the unhappy victims." 
 Several in this Borough and County have been held up for 
 publick censure for breaches of the Association, but no 
 vengeance of any mob or individual has been inflicted on 
 them, not even that fashionable one lately introduced by 
 the Troops under the command of General Gage; and we 
 could call upon sundry persons here who were thus stigma- 
 tized, to justify this assertion. 
 
 We wish his Excellency had deigned to name the Coun- 
 ty where the Committee had proceeded so far as to swear 
 the men of their Independent Company to execute all 
 orders which they should give them, as it is a piece of infor- 
 mation entirely new to us; as well as that of every other 
 County forming an Independent Company, for the avowed 
 purpose, (as he says) of protecting their Committees, and 
 to be employed against Government, if occasion require. 
 We hope all the dark plots of our most secret or declared 
 enemies will prove ineffectual in bringing matters to that 
 unhappy issue ; and we have so high an opinion of the vir- 
 tue of our countrymen, that we look upon the solemnity of 
 an oath altogether unnecessary to stimulate them to stand 
 forth firm and intrepid upon all just occasions, in support of 
 their civil and religious rights and liberties. 
 
 Whilst we were thus fondly flattering ourselves that we 
 had in his Excellency a most powerful advocate in order 
 to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting between 
 Great Britain and the Colonies, we leave the world to 
 judge what poignant sorrow we must feel on the discovery 
 that it was a vain delusion ; and that, instead of the good 
 offices we expected, he was all the time widening the 
 breach, by misrepresenting so greatly our conduct to those 
 in power ; and we now discover, from his Excellency's said 
 Letter, that his gentle and lenient conduct, which we were 
 too ready to attribute to the regard lie possessed, and which 
 we flattered ourselves he had for his Government, proceed- 
 ed only from his fears of the disgrace of a disappointment; 
 and we find, as soon as it was known that that Letter would 
 be made publick, the mask was thrown off; and the first 
 step taken to open the eyes of the people, was the seizing 
 of the Gunpowder in the publick Magazine, in the most 
 secret manner. How far such a manoeuvre is justifiable, 
 is not our intention at present to inquire into, that being a 
 point on which the publick will undoubtedly undertake to 
 judge for themselves; but we cannot help giving it as our 
 opinion, that his Excellency's answer to the Address of the 
 respectable Corporation of the City of Williamsburgh, on 
 that occasion, is highly disrespectful and evasive. And 
 now, my countrymen, let us, by our steady perseverance 
 in virtue and unanimity, convince his Excellency, when he 
 says that every step we take must inevitably defeat its own 
 
 purpose, that he (to ttsc the phrase of our late truly wor- 
 thy and noble Governour) has not augured right. 
 
 We thought ourselves under the indispensable necessity 
 of making the foregoing strictures on the above-mentioned 
 Letter, lest our silence might be construed by our country- 
 men, or others, into a tacit confession of our guilt ; and now 
 we submit to the publick how far his Excellency merits the 
 continuance of that unlimited confidence heretofore placed 
 in him. The tribute of our respect we are still willing to 
 pay him as our Chief Magistrate, and the representative 
 of our most gracious Sovereign, to whom we shall always 
 pay all due obedience. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk send a copy of these proceed- 
 ings to Messrs. Dixon and Hunter, and Mr. John Hunter 
 Holt, to be published ; and they are desired to publish 
 them in their next Gazettes. 
 
 Benjamin Crooker, Clerk. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, .May 4, 1775. 
 
 The Town of York being somewhat alarmed by a Let- 
 ter from Captain Montague, commander of His Majesty's 
 ship the Foivey, addressed to the Honourable Thomas JW- 
 son, Esquire, President of His Majesty's Council in Vir- 
 ginia ; and a copy of said Letter being procured, a motion 
 was made that the copy should be laid before the Commit- 
 tee, and considered. The copy was read, and is as follows : 
 
 Fowey, May 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have this morning received certain information, 
 that his Excellency the Lord Dunmore, Governour of Vir- 
 ginia, is threatened with an attack at daybreak this morn- 
 ing, at his Palace at Williamsburgh, and have thought 
 proper to send a detachment from His Majesty's Ship un- 
 der my command, to support his Excellency; therefore 
 strongly pray you to make use of every endeavour to pre- 
 vent the party from being molested or attacked, as, in that 
 case, I must be under a necessity to fire upon this Town. 
 
 To the Honourable Thomas Nelson, from 
 
 George Montague. 
 
 The Committee, together with Captain Montague's Let- 
 ter, taking into consideration the time of its being sent, 
 which was too late to permit the President to use his influ- 
 ence had the inhabitants been disposed to " molest and 
 attack" the detachment ; and further considering that Col- 
 onel Nelson, who, had this threat been carried into execu- 
 tion, must have been a principal sufferer, was, at that very 
 moment, exerting his utmost endeavours in behalf of Gov- 
 ernment, and the safety of his Excellency's person, unani- 
 mously came to the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Montague, in threatening to fire 
 upon a defenceless Town, in case of an attack upon the 
 detachment, in which said Town might not be concerned, 
 has testified a spirit of cruelty unprecedented in the annals 
 of civilized times; that, in his last notice to the President, 
 he has added insult to cruelty ; and that, considering the 
 circumstance already mentioned, of one of the most con- 
 siderable inhabitants of said Town, he has discovered the 
 most hellish principles that can actuate a human mind. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this Town, and of the County in general, that they do not 
 entertain or show any other mark of civility to Captain 
 Montague, besides what common decency and absolute 
 necessity require. 
 
 Resolved, That the Clerk do transmit the above pro- 
 ceedings to the publick Printers, to be inserted in the Vir- 
 ginia Gazettes. 
 
 William Russell, Clerk to Committee. 
 
 town-meeting, upper freehold, (monmouth county) 
 new-jersey. 
 Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, May 4, 1775. 
 This day, agreeable to previous notice, a very consider- 
 able number of the principal inhabitants of this Township 
 met at Imlay's Town : 
 
 John Lawkence, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 When the following Resolves were unanimously agreed 
 to : 
 
 Resolved, That it is our first wish to live in union with 
 Great Britain, agreeable to the principles of the Consti- 
 
505 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 506 
 
 tution; that we consider the unnatural civil war which we 
 are about to be forced into, with anxiety and distress ; but 
 that we are determined to oppose the novel claim of the 
 Parliament of Great Britain to raise a revenue in Ame- 
 rica, and risk every possible consequence rather than sub- 
 mit to it. 
 
 Resolved, That it appears to this meeting that there are 
 a sufficient number of Arms for the people. 
 
 Resolved, That a sum of money be now raised to pur- 
 chase what further quantity of Powder and Ball may be 
 necessary ; and it is recommended that every man capable 
 of bearing arms enter into Companies to train, and be pre- 
 pared to march at a minute's warning; and it is further 
 recommended to the people that they do not waste their 
 Powder in fowling or hunting. 
 
 A subscription was then opened, and One Hundred and 
 Sixty Pounds instantly paid into the hands of a person ap- 
 pointed for that purpose. The Officers of four Companies 
 were then chosen, and the meeting broke up in perfect 
 unanimity. Elisha Lawrence, Clerk. 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, NEWARK, NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 Newark, New-Jersey, May 4, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 Township of Newark, in New- Jersey, on Thursday, the 
 4th day of May, A. D. 1775: 
 
 Doctor William Burnett in the Chair. 
 
 An Association having been entered into and subscribed 
 by the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Town, a 
 motion was made and agreed to, that the same be read. 
 The same was accordingly read, and is as follows : 
 
 " We, the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Township 
 of Newark, having deliberately considered the openly 
 avowed design of the Ministry of Great Britain to raise a 
 revenue in America; being affected with horrour at the 
 bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts-Bay for car- 
 rying that arbitrary design into execution ; firmly convinced 
 that the very existence of the rights and liberties of Ame- 
 rica can, under God, subsist on no other basis than the 
 most animated and perfect union of its inhabitants ; and 
 being sensible of the necessity, in the present exigency, of 
 preserving good order, and a due regulation in all publick 
 measures, with hearts perfectly abhorrent of slavery, do 
 solemnly, under all the sacred ties of religion, honour, 
 and love to our Country, associate and resolve, that w e 
 will, personally, and as far as our influence can extend, 
 endeavour to support and carry into execution whatever 
 measures may be recommended by the Continental Con- 
 gress, or agreed upon by the proposed Convention of De- 
 puties of this Province, for the purposes of preserving and 
 fixing our Constitution on a permanent basis, and opposing 
 the execution of the several despotick and oppressive Acts 
 of the British Parliament, until the wished-for reconcilia- 
 tion between Great Britain and America, on constitu- 
 tional principles, can be obtained. 
 
 " That a General Committee be chosen by this Town for 
 the purposes aforesaid, and that we will be directed by, 
 and support them in all things respecting the "common 
 cause, the preservation of peace, good order, the safety of 
 individuals, and private property." 
 
 Voted, That Isaac Ogden, Esquire, Captain Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, Bethuel Pierson, and Caleb Camp, be the 
 Deputies to represent said Township in the Provincial 
 Congress referred to in the said Association. 
 
 The General Committee also mentioned in the said As- 
 sociation, was then chosen, consisting of forty-four. 
 
 Agreed, That the powers delegated to the Deputies and 
 General Committee, continue until the expiration of five 
 weeks after the rising of the next Continental Congress, 
 and no longer. 
 
 Agreed, That the General Committee have power to 
 appoint one or more Sub-Committees, to act on any emer- 
 gency. Isaac Longworth, Town Clerk. 
 
 The General Committee immediately convened, and 
 elected Lewis Ogden, Esquire, Chairman, Doctor William 
 Burnett, Deputy Chairman, and Elisha Boudinot, Esq., 
 Clerk of the said General Committee. 
 
 Agreed, That the above-named Lewis Ogden, Esquire, 
 
 Doctor William Burnett, Elisha Boudinot, Esquire, Isaac 
 Ogden, Esquire, and Mr. Isaac Longuorth, be a Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence for said Town. 
 
 Elisha Boudinot, Clerk to Committee. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK 
 TO HIS CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON, DATED MAY 4, 
 1775. 
 
 The General Committee of One Hundred have stopped 
 all supplies to Boston, Newfoundland, and all the Fishing 
 Coasts, after the example of Philadelphia. The members 
 of His Majesty's Council have sent a copy of the Minutes 
 of their proceedings to the Committee this morning, with 
 liberty to communicate the purport of them. The min- 
 utes (which are the outlines of a letter to be transmitted 
 by this packet) contain a just and true account of the 
 circumstances which took place on the news of an engage- 
 ment ; acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Lord 
 Dartmouth of the 24th of March, wherein he hints at a 
 plan of accommodation being to be offered ; in answer to 
 which they give their opinion explicitly, that no terms will 
 be attended to in the present ferment; and unless General 
 Gage ceases hostilities, it will be in vain to make proposals 
 of any kind. In short, that this and all other Provinces are 
 resolved, not only to refuse submission to the late and pre- 
 sent Acts of Parliament, but to oppose, at the risk of their 
 lives and fortunes, all those who come to enforce them. 
 
 New-York, M;iy 4, 1775. 
 We hear that the Post, having been interrupted, the 
 Postmaster (who has hitherto, without legal authority, 
 been appointed from home, and as a conveniency, permit- 
 ted here unquestioned) has discharged the riders, the 
 expense of which he has no longer a fund to support. An 
 office for this necessary business will doubtless be put under 
 proper regulations by the Continental Congress, and no 
 more be permitted to return to the rapacious hands of 
 unauthorized intruders, since it would be the most con- 
 temptible pusillanimity to suffer a revenue to be raised from 
 our property to defray the expense of cutting our throats ! 
 We hear Mr. William Goddard, who has been a great suf- 
 ferer, with many others, by the malpractices of an illegal 
 holder of this office, is now on a journey to the Eastward, 
 in order to put the business under proper regulations to be 
 laid before the Congress. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Hartford, May 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 2d of May instant, is received. 
 You may be informed from our letter to Brigadier-General 
 Putnam, what is already done by our General Assembly, 
 and need not fear our firmness, deliberation, and unanimity 
 to pursue the measures which appear best for our common 
 defence and safety, and in no degree to relax our vigilant 
 preparations for that end, and to act in union and concert 
 with our sister Colonies, and shall be cautious of trusting 
 promises which may be in the power of any one to evade. 
 We hope no ill consequences will attend our embassy to 
 General Gage. 
 
 Should be glad to be furnished with the evidences duly 
 authenticated concerning the attack on the 19th of April 
 last, at Lexington, which it is presumed you have taken. 
 Though we are at a distance from the distressing scene 
 before your eyes, yet are most sensibly affected with the 
 alarming relations of them. 
 
 I am, in behalf of the Governour and Company, Sir. 
 your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 To the Honourable Joseph Warren, Esquire. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GOVERNOUR 
 TRUMBULL. 
 
 Cambridge, May 4, 1775. 
 
 The distressed situation into which a wicked and despo- 
 tick Administration have involved this Country, will justify 
 us in your eyes, as we presume, in our present most earn- 
 est and pressing desire that you will immediately send us 
 three or four thousand men of your establishment, in order 
 
503 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 501 
 
 wards his Majesty's most loyal and faithful subjects, the 
 good people of this Dominion, over whom he presides, 
 which we can safely affirm had gained him their universal 
 esteem and respect, with equal surprise and sorrow we 
 have seen in our publick Gazettes an extract of a Letter 
 said to be wrote by our said Chief Magistrate, on the 24th 
 of December last, to the Earl of Dartmouth, one of His 
 Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, and most grossly 
 misrepresenting all the good people of this Colony, par- 
 ticularly the Magistrates, and those whom the people have 
 elected as Committees to be the guardians of their inesti- 
 mable rights and liberties. And as his Excellency has not 
 thought proper to disavow being the author of such Letter, 
 we must take it for granted that the extract published is 
 a faithful copy. We therefore think it our indispensable 
 duty, in justice to our own reputations, and that of our con- 
 stituents, who have honoured us with such marks of their 
 confidence and esteem, to refute so unjust and unmerited, 
 so defamatory and atrocious a charge. 
 
 First, then, we declare that we know of no instance 
 wherein anv Committee in this or the neighbouring Coun- 
 ties has assumed an authority to inspect the books, or any 
 other secrets of the trade of Merchants. We admit to 
 have known some instances where some Merchants, being 
 suspected of a breach of the Association, have voluntarily 
 offered some private letters and books to be inspected, in 
 order to acquit themselves of such charge. 
 
 He next says we stigmatize those we discover to have 
 transgressed what we hardly call the Laws of the Congress; 
 which stigmatizing, to use the words in the said extract, 
 " is no other than inviting the vengeance of an outrageous 
 and lawless mob to be exercised on the unhappy victims." 
 Several in this Borough and County have been held up for 
 publick censure for breaches of the Association, but no 
 vengeance of any mob or individual has been inflicted on 
 them, not even that fashionable one lately introduced by 
 the Troops under the command of General Gage ; and we 
 could call upon sundry persons here who were thus stigma- 
 tized, to justify this assertion. 
 
 We wish his Excellency had deigned to name the Coun- 
 ty where the Committee had proceeded so far' as to swear 
 the men of their Independent Company to execute all 
 orders which they should give them, as it is a piece of infor- 
 mation entirely new to us; as well as that of every other 
 County forming an Independent Company, for the avowed 
 purpose, (as he says) of protecting their Committees, and 
 to he employed against Government, if occasion require. 
 We hope all the dark plots of our most secret or declared 
 enemies will prove ineffectual in bringing matters to that 
 unhappy issue ; and we have so high an opinion of the vir- 
 lue of our countrymen, that we look upon the solemnity of 
 an oath altogether unnecessary to stimulate them to stand 
 forth firm and intrepid upon all just occasions, in support of 
 their civil and religious rights and liberties. 
 
 Whilst we were thus fondly flattering ourselves that we 
 had in his Excellency a most powerful advocate in order 
 to accommodate the unhappy disputes subsisting between 
 Great Britain and the Colonies, we leave the world to 
 judge what poignant sorrow we must feel on the discovery 
 that it was a vain delusion ; and that, instead of the good 
 offices we expected, he was all the time widening the 
 breach, by misrepresenting so greatly our conduct to those 
 in power; and' we now discover, from his Excellency's said 
 Letter, that his gentle and lenient conduct, which we were 
 too ready to attribute to the regard he possessed, and which 
 we flattered ourselves he had for his Government, proceed- 
 ed only from his fears of the disgrace of a disappointment; 
 and we find,, as soon as it was known that that Letter would 
 be made publick, the mask was thrown off; and the first 
 step taken to open the eyes of the people, was the seizing 
 of the Gunpowder in the publick Magazine, in the most 
 secret manner. How far such a manoeuvre is justifiable, 
 is not our intention at present to inquire into, that being a 
 point on which the publick will undoubtedly undertake to 
 judge for themselves ; but we cannot help giving it as our 
 opinion, that his Excellency's answer to the Address of the 
 respectable Corporation of the City of WiUiamsburgh, on 
 that occasion, is highly disrespectful and evasive. And 
 now, my countrymen, let us, by our steady perseverance 
 in virtue and unanimity, convince his Excellency, when he 
 says that every step we take must inevitably defeat its own 
 
 purpose, that he (to use the phrase of our late truly wor- 
 thy and noble Governour) has not augured right. 
 
 We thought ourselves under the indispensable necessity 
 of making the foregoing strictures on the above-mentioned 
 Letter, lest our silence might be construed by our country- 
 men, or others, into a tacit confession of our guilt ; and now 
 we submit to the publick how far his Excellency merits the 
 continuance of that unlimited confidence heretofore placed 
 in him. The tribute of our respect we are still willing to 
 pay him as our Chief Magistrate, and the representative 
 of our most gracious Sovereign, to whom we shall always 
 pay all due obedience. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk send a copy of these proceed- 
 ings to Messrs. Dixon and Hunter, and Mr. John Hunter 
 Holt, to be published ; and they are desired to publish 
 them in their next Gazettes. 
 
 Benjamin Crooker, Clerk. 
 
 WiUiamsburgh, Virginia, May 4, 1775. 
 The Town of York being somewhat alarmed by a Let- 
 ter from Captain Montague, commander of His Majesty's 
 ship the Fowey, addressed to the Honourable Thomas kel- 
 son, Esquire, President of His Majesty's Council in Vir- 
 ginia ; and a copy of said Letter being procured, a motion 
 was made that the copy should be laid before the Commit- 
 tee, and considered. The copy was read, and is as follows : 
 
 Fowey, May 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have this morning received certain information, 
 that his Excellency the Lord Dunmore, Governour of Vir- 
 ginia, is threatened with an attack at daybreak this morn- 
 ing, at his Palace at WiUiamsburgh, and have thought 
 proper to send a detachment from His Majesty's Ship un- 
 der my command, to support his Excellency; therefore 
 strongly pray you to make use of every endeavour to pre- 
 vent the party from being molested or attacked, as, in that 
 case, I must be under a necessity to fire upon this Town. 
 
 To the Honourable Thomas Nelson, from 
 
 George Montague. 
 
 The Committee, together with Captain Montague's Let- 
 ter, taking into consideration the time of its being sent, 
 which was too late to permit the President to use his influ- 
 ence had the inhabitants been disposed to " molest and 
 attack" the detachment ; and further considering that Col- 
 onel Nelson, who, had this threat been carried into execu- 
 tion, must have been a principal sufferer, was, at that very 
 moment, exerting his utmost endeavours in behalf of Gov- 
 ernment, and the safety of his Excellency's person, unani- 
 mously came to the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Montague, in threatening to fire 
 upon a defenceless Town, in case of an attack upon the 
 detachment, in which said Town might not be concerned, 
 has testified a spirit of cruelty unprecedented in the annals 
 of civilized times; that, in his last notice to the President, 
 he has added insult to cruelty ; and that, consideiing the 
 circumstance already mentioned, of one of the most con- 
 siderable inhabitants of said Town, he has discovered the 
 most hellish principles that can actuate a human mind. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this Town, and of the County in general, that they do not 
 entertain or show any other mark of civility to Captain 
 Montague, besides what common decency and absolute 
 necessity require. 
 
 Resolved, That the Clerk do transmit the above pro- 
 ceedings to the publick Printers, to be inserted in the Vir- 
 ginia Gazettes. 
 
 William Russell, Clerk to Committee. 
 
 town-meeting, upper freehold, (monmouth county) 
 new-jersey. 
 
 Monmouth County, Upper Freehold, May 4, 1775. 
 This day, agreeable to previous notice, a very consider- 
 able number of the principal inhabitants of this Township 
 met at Imlay's Town : 
 
 John Lawrence, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 When the following Resolves were unanimously agreed 
 to : 
 
 Resolved, That it is our first wish to live in union with 
 Great Britain, agreeable to the principles of the Consti- 
 
505 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 506 
 
 tution ; that we consider the unnatural civil war which we 
 are about to be forced into, with anxiety and distress ; but 
 that we are determined to oppose the novel claim of the 
 Parliament of Great Britain to raise a revenue in Ame- 
 rica, and risk every possible consequence rather than sub- 
 mit to it. 
 
 Resolved, That it appears to this meeting that there are 
 a sufficient number of Arms for the people. 
 
 Resolved, That a sum of money be now raised to pur- 
 chase what further quantity of Powder and Ball may be 
 necessary ; and it is recommended that every man capable 
 of bearing arms enter into Companies to train, and be pre- 
 pared to march at a minute's warning; and it is further 
 recommended to the people that they do not waste their 
 Powder in fowling or hunting. 
 
 A subscription was then opened, and One Hundred and 
 Sixty Pounds instantly paid into the hands of a person ap- 
 pointed for that purpose. The Officers of four Companies 
 were then chosen, and the meeting broke up in perfect 
 unanimity. Elisha Lawrence, Clerk. 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, NEWARK, NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 Newark, New-Jersey, May 4, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 Township of Newark, in New- Jersey, on Thursday, the 
 4th day of May, A. D. 1775: 
 
 Doctor William Burnett in the Chair. 
 
 An Association having been entered into and subscribed 
 by the Freeholders and other Inhabitants of said Town, a 
 motion was made and agreed to, that the same be read. 
 The same was accordingly read, and is as follows : 
 
 " We, the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Township 
 of Newark, having deliberately considered the openly 
 avowed design of the Ministry of Great Britain to raise a 
 revenue in America; being affected with honour at the 
 bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts-Bay for car- 
 rying that arbitrary design into execution ; firmly convinced 
 that the very existence of the rights and liberties of Ame- 
 rica can, under God, subsist on no other basis than the 
 most animated and perfect union of its inhabitants ; and 
 being sensible of the necessity, in the present exigency, of 
 preserving good order, and a due regulation in all publick 
 measures, with hearts perfectly abhorrent of slavery, do 
 solemnly, under all the sacred ties of religion, honour, 
 and love to our Country, associate and resolve, that we 
 will, personally, and as far as our influence can extend, 
 endeavour to support and carry into execution whatever 
 measures may be recommended by the Continental Con- 
 gress, or agreed upon by the proposed Convention of De- 
 puties of this Province, for the purposes of preserving and 
 fixing our Constitution on a permanent basis, and opposing 
 the execution of the several despotick and oppressive Acts 
 of the British Parliament, until the wished-for reconcilia- 
 tion between Great Britain and America, on constitu- 
 tional principles, can be obtained. 
 
 " That a General Committee be chosen by this Town for 
 the purposes aforesaid, and that we will be directed by, 
 and support them in all things respecting the "common 
 cause, the preservation of peace, good order, the safety of 
 individuals, and private property." 
 
 Voted, That Isaac Ogden, Esquire, Captain Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, Bethuel Pierson, and Caleb Camp, be the 
 Deputies to represent said Township in the Provincial 
 Congress referred to in the said Association. 
 
 The General Committee also mentioned in the said As- 
 sociation, was then chosen, consisting of forty-four. 
 
 Agreed, That the powers delegated to the Deputies and 
 General Committee, continue until the expiration of five 
 weeks after the rising of the next Continental Congress, 
 and no longer. 
 
 Agreed, That the General Committee have power to 
 appoint one or more Sub-CominitteeSj to act on any emer- 
 gency. Isaac Long worth, Town Clerk. 
 
 The General Committee immediately convened, and 
 elected Lewis Ogden, Esquire, Chairman, Doctor William 
 Burnett, Deputy Chairman, and Elisha Boudinot, Esq., 
 Clerk of the said General Committee. 
 
 Agreed, That the above-named Lewis Ogden, Esquire, 
 
 Doctor William Burnett, Elisha Boudinot, Esquire. Isaac 
 Ogden, Esquire, and Mr. Isaac Longuorth, be a Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence for said Town. 
 
 Elisha Boudinot, Clerk to Committee. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK 
 TO HIS CORRESPONDENT IN LONDON", DATED MAY 4, 
 1775. 
 
 The General Committee of One Hundred have stopped 
 all supplies to Boston, Newfoundland , and all the Fishing 
 Coasts, after the example of Philadelphia. The members 
 of His Majesty's Council have sent a copy of the Minutes 
 of their proceedings to the Committee this morning, with 
 liberty to communicate the purport of them. The min- 
 utes (which are the outlines of a letter to be transmitted 
 by this packet) contain a just and true account of the 
 circumstances which took place on the news of an engage- 
 ment ; acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Lord 
 Dartmouth of the 24th of March, wherein he hints at a 
 plan of accommodation being to be offered ; in answer to 
 which they give their opinion explicitly, that no terms will 
 be attended to in the present ferment ; and unless General 
 Gage ceases hostilities, it will be in vain to make proposals 
 of any kind. In short, that this and all other Provinces are 
 resolved, not only to refuse submission to the late and pre- 
 sent Acts of Parliament, but to oppose, at the risk of their 
 lives and fortunes, all those who come to enforce them. 
 
 New-York, May 4, 177."). 
 We hear that the Post, having been interrupted, the 
 Postmaster (who has hitherto, without legal authority, 
 been appointed from home, and as a conveniency, permit- 
 ted here unquestioned) has discharged the riders, the 
 expense of which he has no longer a fund to support. An 
 office for this necessary business will doubtless be put under 
 proper regulations by the Continental Congress, and no 
 more be permitted to return to the rapacious hands of 
 unauthorized intruders, since it would be the most con- 
 temptible pusillanimity to suffer a revenue to be raised from 
 our property to defray the expense of cutting our throats ! 
 We hear Mr. William Goddard, who has been a great suf- 
 ferer, with many others, by the malpractices of an illegal 
 holder of this office, is now on a journey to the Eastward, 
 in order to put the business under proper regulations to be 
 laid before the Congress. 
 
 GOVERN OUR TRUMBULL TO DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Hartford, May 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 2d of May instant, is received. 
 You may be informed from our letter to Brigadier-General 
 Putnam, what is already done by our General Assembly, 
 and need not fear our firmness, deliberation, and unanimity 
 to pursue the measures which appear best for our common 
 defence and safety, and in no degree to relax our vigilant 
 preparations for that end, and to act in union and concert 
 with our sister Colonies, and shall be cautious of trusting 
 promises which may be in the power of any one to evade. 
 We hope no ill consequences will attend our embassy to 
 General Gage. 
 
 Should be glad to be furnished with the evidences duly 
 authenticated concerning the attack on the 19th of April 
 last, at Lexington, which it is presumed you have taken. 
 Though we are at a distance from the distressing scene 
 before your eyes, yet are most sensibly affected with the 
 alarming relations of them. 
 
 I am, in behalf of the Governour and Company, Sir, 
 your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 To the Honourable Joseph Warren, Esquire. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GOVERNOUR 
 TRUMBULL. 
 
 Cambridge, May 4, 1775. 
 
 The distressed situation into which a wicked and despo- 
 tick Administration have involved this Country, will justify 
 us in your eyes, as we presume, in our present most earn- 
 est and pressing desire that you will immediately send us 
 three or four thousand men of your establishment, in order 
 
507 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 508 
 
 to enable us to secure a pass of the greatest importance to 
 our common interest, and which the enemy will certainly 
 possess themselves of as soon as their reinforcement arrive; 
 and if they once get possession, it will cost us much blood 
 and treasure to dislodge them, but may now be secured by 
 us if we had a force sufficient, without any danger. There- 
 fore we earnestly repeat our request for three or four thou- 
 sand men for the present purpose, with all possible despatch, 
 and supported with all necessary stores of ammunition and 
 provision ; and would beg that they may be forwarded in 
 Companies or Regiments, as fast as they can be got ready. 
 This will make it easier to the Troops, and to the country 
 through which they may pass, and may probably be of more 
 essential service to our common cause. We are, &,c. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF TOPSHAM, IN LINCOLN COUNTY, TO THE 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Topsham, May 4, 1775. 
 This is to inform the Honourable Congress that the 
 Town of Topsham is almost destitute of powder and flints ; 
 and we desire that your honourable body would direct Mr. 
 Prince Rose, the man we have sent for powder, to some 
 place where he can get about sixty or seventy weight of 
 powder, and you will oblige the inhabitants of Topsham, 
 who are true friends to liberty and friends to our Country. 
 In behalf of the inhabitants of Topsham , 
 John Fulton, 
 James Beveridge, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE NEW- 
 YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cambridge, May 4, 1775. 
 It is with the highest satisfaction this Committee received 
 your letter of the 2d instant, expressive of your tender 
 care and sympathy with this Colony under our alarming 
 situation. All we can write on this occasion is, that the 
 exigency of our affairs requires all the assistance which 
 your better judgment shall dictate. We rest assured that 
 your zeal for the common safety will inspire you to do 
 every thing that is proper for the safety and preservation 
 of the unalienable rights of America. We are, &ic. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN PITTS- 
 FIELD TO AN OFFICER AT CAMBRIDGE, DATED MAY 
 
 4, 1775. 
 
 I have the pleasure to acquaint you that a number of 
 gentlemen from Connecticut went from this place last 
 Tuesday morning, having been joined by Colonel Easton, 
 Captain Dickinson, and Mr. Brown, with forty soldiers, 
 on an expedition against Ticondcroga and Crown Point, 
 expecting to be reinforced by a thousand men from the 
 Grants above here, a post having previously taken his de- 
 parture to inform Colonel Ethan Allen of the design, and 
 desiring him to hold his Green- Mountain boys in actual 
 readiness. The expedition has been carried on with the 
 utmost secrecy, as they are in hopes of taking those forts 
 by surprise. We expect they will reach those forts by 
 Saturday next, or Lord's day at farthest. The plan was 
 concerted at Hartford last Saturday, by the Governour 
 and Council ; Colonel Hancock, and Mr. Adams, and 
 others from our Province being present. Three hundred 
 Pounds were drawn immediately out of the Treasury for the 
 aforesaid purpose, and committed to those gentlemen that 
 were here. We earnestly pray for success to this impor- 
 tant expedition, as the taking those places would afford us 
 a key to all Canada. Should success attend this expedi- 
 tion, we expect a strong reinforcement will be sent from 
 the western part of Connecticut to keep those forts, and to 
 repair and fortify them well. 
 
 We have had much work here of late with the Tories ; 
 a dark plot has been discovered of sending names down to 
 General Gage; in consequence of which, and the critical 
 situation of this Town, we have been obliged to act with 
 vigour, and have sent Mr. Jones and Mr. Graves to 
 Northampton Jail, where they now lie in close confine- 
 ment, and have sent a hue and cry after Major Stoddard 
 and Mr. Little, who have fled to New-York for shelter. 
 We hope it will not be long before they are taken into 
 custody and committed to close confinement. Our Tories 
 are the worst in the Province ; all the effect the late and 
 present operations have had upon them is, they are mute 
 and pensive, and secretly wish for more prosperous days 
 to toryism. 
 
 As to your important operations, sir, you have the fer- 
 vent prayers of all good men that success may attend 
 them. I hope God will inspire you with wisdom from 
 above in all your deliberations, and your soldiers with 
 courage and fortitude, and that Boston will be speedily 
 delivered into your hands, the General thereof, and all the 
 King's Troops, that the den of thieves, that nest of robbers, 
 that asylum for traitors and murderers, may be broke up, 
 and never another red coat from England set foot on these 
 shores. 
 
 4 
 
 Selectmen. 
 
 COLONEL THOMAS GILBERT TO HIS SONS. 
 
 Boston, May 4, 1775. 
 
 On the 27th of April, I left the Ship, took passage on 
 board a packet sloop on the first instant, in health arrived 
 here, where I expect to stay till the Rebels are subdued, 
 which I believe will not be long first, as the Ships and 
 Troops are daily expected. My greatest fears are, you will 
 be seduced or compelled to take arms with those deluded 
 people. Dear sons, if those wicked sinners, the Rebels, 
 entice you believe them not, but die by the sword rather 
 than be hanged as Rebels, which will certainly be your 
 fate sooner or later if you join them, or be killed in battle, 
 and will be no more than you deserve. 1 wish you in J3os- 
 ton, and all the friends to Government. The Rebels have 
 proclaimed that those friends may have liberty, and come in ; 
 but as all their declarations have hitherto proved, I fear, 
 false, this may be so. Let Buggies know his father wants 
 him here. You may come by water from Newport. If 
 here the King will give you provisions and pay you wages : 
 but by experience you know neither your persons nor estates 
 are safe in the country, for as soon as you have raised any 
 thing, thay will rob you of it, as they are more savage 
 and cruel than heathens, or any other creatures, and, it is 
 generally thought, than devils. You will put yourselves out 
 of their power as soon as possible. This is from your 
 affectionate father, Thos. Gilbert. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED MAY 5, 1775. 
 
 It has been long the object of Administration to tra- 
 duce your Province, representing it as inimical to the sys- 
 tem of opposition to their measures, so universally adopted 
 in the other Colonies. To obviate this calumny, the friends 
 of America have had little opportunity of vindicating you, 
 because the intelligence from New-York comes here gen- 
 erally to persons absolutely devoted to the mandates of a 
 very wicked Administration. The mercantile connections 
 of Nciv- York, as far as my knowledge extends, are as little 
 friendly to American liberty as any I know. I wish it was 
 in my power to point out your friends, for I do not mean 
 to expose your enemies, who make themselves conspicuous 
 enough. 
 
 The Troops from Ireland, destined to shackle the jBoi- 
 tonians, and with them every American, are about sailing. 
 The three Generals, Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, have 
 sailed. Hoioe is well known in America; Clinton is the 
 son of one of your former Governours ; these are both 
 men of character — they go on this business with much re- 
 luctance ; but they were told, you must do this or starve. 
 As to Burgoyne, I am not master of language enough to 
 express the horrible blackness of his character. Refer to 
 the letters of Junius to the Duke of Grafton, to which I 
 will add but one anecdote, for the truth of which you may 
 be assured ; that he (Burgoyne) declared, when those let- 
 ters were published, if he could find out the author, he 
 would assassinate him. Governour Tryon goes off" in a 
 day or two to strengthen the ministerial party with you, 
 and has the command of money to bribe. A word to the 
 wise. Major Skene has deceived the Ministry, in persua- 
 ding them that he can bribe all the Members of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, for which purpose he has been sent off to 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 The ministerial plan is undoubtedly to reduce every 
 American to the most degraded state of absolute bondage 
 and servitude. The two modes by which they hope to 
 accomplish their end, are, using force and violence in Neu- 
 
509 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 510 
 
 England ; and with bribery and other artifices, to divide 
 the rest of the Colonies from the common cause ; for this 
 end New- York is not mentioned in the lately passed Act of 
 Parliament for restraining the trade of Virginia, Maryland, 
 &lc. This grant, however, I cannot view in any other light 
 than that of a tyrant, who might allow me to eat, but at the 
 same time would put me to death if 1 went to a certain 
 place where only I could get any thing to eat ; for all con- 
 nection whatsoever is cut off between New- York and the 
 other Colonies. There is not in nature a clearer truth to 
 me, than that if America is firmly united, and determined 
 to encounter every difficulty rather than submit to the 
 tyranny that is at this moment planned for them all without 
 distinction by the present Ministers, it will be impractica- 
 ble for the scheme to succeed. Without taking into the 
 account the uncertainty of war, where the battle is not 
 always to the strong, the natural and self-evident reasons 
 for determining so absolutely in this question, are so clear 
 and decisive, that it would be more absurd than any scep- 
 lick ever was yet to doubt it. I therefore conclude, the 
 yeomanry at large, in the Government of New- York, will 
 steadily persevere in maintaining their rights, and firmly 
 unite with the other Colonies in whatever measures the 
 grand Continental Council at Philadelphia may think best 
 to adopt; notwithstanding the attempts to disunite you by 
 a few men, who, for a golden gratuity, will sell themselves, 
 their Country, and posterity, to tyranny, in hopes they 
 may be the under-execulioners. It is confidently said here, 
 that Doctor Cooper's reward for what he has been doing 
 and writing against his Country, will be the American 
 Bishoprick, which is certainly to be established as soon as 
 you are subdued. Parson Vardell is here, the agent for 
 this business, I am told, and if so, no doubt expects a 
 deanery to be added to his present appointments. Your 
 persecutions will be complete, when the religious is added 
 to the military. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Friday, 5th May, 
 1 775. Present : 
 
 Philip Livingston, William Goforth, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Isaac Low, William Denning, Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 
 John Alsop, Isaac Roosevelt, Peter Goelet, 
 
 John Jay, Jacob Van Voorhies, Thomas Marston, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, Jeremiah Piatt, Jacobus Lofferts, 
 
 Alex. McDougall, Comfort Sands, Richard Sharpe, 
 
 Leonard Lispenard, Robert Benson, Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 
 William Walton, William W. Gilbert, Benjamin Helme, 
 
 John Broome, John Berrian, Walter Franklin, 
 
 Joseph Hallett, Gabriel W. Ludlow, David Beekman, 
 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, Nicholas Roosevelt, William Seaton, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, Edward Fleming, Evert Banker, 
 Abraham Walton, John De Lancey, Robert Ray, 
 Henry Remsen, Frederick Jay, Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius, William W. Ludlow, William Laight, 
 Abraham Brasher, John B. Moore, Samuel Broome, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, Lancaster Burling, John Lamb, 
 Joseph Bull, John Lasher, Daniel Plienix, 
 
 Francis Lewis, George Janeway, Anthony Van Dam, 
 
 Joseph Totten, Richard Yates, Daniel Dunscomb, 
 
 Thomas Ivers, Thomas Smith, John Imlay, 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, Augustus Van Home, Oliver Tcmpleton, 
 John Anthony, Eleazer Miller, Luwis Pintard, 
 
 Francis Basset, Benjamin Kissam, Cornelius P. Low, 
 
 Victor Bicker, John M. Scott, Thomas Buchannan, 
 
 John White, Cornelius Clopper, Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 Theophilus Anthony, John Reade, 
 
 Mr. McDougall, from the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence and Intelligence, reported a draft of a Circular Letter 
 to the different Colonies, which being read and approved of, 
 
 Ordered, That copies be engrossed and forwarded ac- 
 cordingly by the Committee of Correspondence. 
 
 A Letter, dated Richmond County, 2d May, 1775, from 
 Paul Micheau and others, advising of their having appoint- 
 ed Deputies to attend the Provincial Congress, received 
 and read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Duyckinck and Mr. Denning be a 
 Sub-Committee to attend the sales of a parcel of Cutlery, 
 the property of Henry Johns, imported in December last. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Seaton, Mr. Duyc- 
 kinck, and Mr. G. fV. Ludlow, be a Committee to wait on 
 every gentleman chosen to represent this City and County 
 in Provincial Congress, and to request their strict attend- 
 ance at the time appointed ; and if any of them should 
 decline to accept and execute that trust, to make report 
 
 thereof to this Committee ; and that they also wait on those 
 gentlemen who have been chosen of this Committee and 
 have not attended, to request their attendance ; and if any 
 of them should decline, to make report also of their names 
 to this Committee. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, from the Committee of Correspondence, 
 reported a draft of an answer to the address of Captain 
 Samuel Broome and his Company ; which being approved 
 of, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be engrossed, signed by the 
 Chairman, and presented to Captain Broome. 
 
 A Letter, dated Annapolis, May 1, 1775, from Mattheiv 
 Tilghman, enclosing a Resolution of their Provincial Con- 
 vention, suspending all Exportation to Quebeck, Neiu found- 
 land, Nova-Scotia, &c, received and read. 
 
 Mr. Kissam, from the Committee of Correspondence, 
 reported and read the draft of a Letter to the Lord Mayor 
 and Corporation of London, which being approved of, 
 
 Ordered. That copies be engrossed, signed, and for- 
 warded. 
 
 A Letter, dated Albany, 3d May, 1775, from the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence, received and read. 
 
 Ordered, That as Messrs. Adams and Hancock are 
 daily expected in this City, the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence and Intelligence wait on them, and request a private 
 conference on the subject-matter of the above letter. 
 
 Mr. Berrian, seconded by Mr. Jay, moved that the 
 tenth rule of this Committee be amended : that instead of 
 every proceeding or debate of this Committee being kept 
 secret, every thing may be divulged except such particu- 
 lar matters as shall be enjoined from the Chair to be kept 
 private. 
 
 Which being unanimously agreed to, 
 Ordered, That the said amendment be accordingly 
 made. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to Monday, 8th instant. 
 
 CIRCULAR LETTER FROM THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO 
 THE SEVERAL COLONIES. 
 
 New. York, May 5, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: At a time when the most vigorous exer- 
 tions are most absolutely necessary for the defence of Ame- 
 rican liberty against the depredations of ministerial power ; 
 and the blood of our brethren in the Massachusetts has been 
 actually shed for daring to maintain the rights of English- 
 men ; the inhabitants of this City and County have, in the 
 most explicit manner, as you may perceive by the enclosed 
 Association, resolved to stand and fall with the freedom of 
 the Continent. 
 
 We are confident that our constituents are sincere in the 
 strong assurances they have given us, that while we con- 
 tinue in office, they will be guided by our advice and direc- 
 tion. We have thought it necessary to advise the with- 
 holding supplies from the British Fisheries on the Ameri- 
 can Coasts, and to cease all exports to those Colonies which 
 at this alarming juncture refuse to unite in the common 
 cause. The expediency of this measure is too evident to 
 need elucidation, and will doubtless procure us many heartv 
 advocates in Britain for the redress of our grievances. 
 Besides which, we have resolved to withhold all provisions 
 and necessaries from the Army and Navy at Boston. 
 
 Our late Committee of Observation thought proper to 
 recommend the appointment of a Provincial Congress; in 
 consequence of which our constituents have chosen twenty- 
 one Deputies to meet at this City, on the 22d instant, 
 those who may be appointed for that purpose in the other 
 Counties of this Colony. For your further satisfaction on 
 these matters, we beg leave to refer you to the enclosed 
 papers, to require you to communicate the substance of 
 this information to your next neighbours, and to assure you 
 that in our department we will watch incessantly for the 
 publick safety. By order of the Committee: 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble ser- 
 vant, Henry Remsen, Deputy Chairman. 
 
 TO THE LORD MAYOR AND CORPORATION OF LONDON. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New-York, May 5, 1775. 
 
 My Lord and Gentlemen : Distinguished as you are 
 
511 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 512 
 
 by your noble exertions in the cause of liberty, and deeply 
 interested in the expiring commerce of the Empire, you 
 necessarily command the most respectful attention. The 
 General Committee of Association for the City and County 
 of New-York beg leave, therefore, to address you, and the 
 capital of the British Empire, through its Magistrates, on 
 the subject of American wrongs. Born to the bright inherit- 
 ance of English freedom, the inhabitants of this extensive 
 Continent can never submit to the ignominious yoke, nor 
 move in the galling fetters of slavery : the disposal of their 
 own property with perfect spontaneity, and in a manner 
 wholly divested of every appearance of constraint, is their 
 indefeasible birthright. This exalted blessing they are 
 resolutely determined to defend with their blood, and trans- 
 fer it uncontaminated to their posterity. 
 
 You will not then wonder at their early jealousy of the 
 design to erect in this land of liberty a despotism scarcely 
 to be paralleled in the pages of antiquity, or the volumes 
 of modern times; a despotism consisting in power assumed 
 by the Representatives of a part of His Majesty's sub- 
 jects, at their sovereign will and pleasure to strip the rest 
 of their property. And what are the engines of Adminis- 
 tration to execute this destructive project ? The duty on 
 tea ; oppressive restraints on the commerce of the Colo- 
 nies ; the blockade of the Port of Boston; the change of 
 internal police in the Massachusetts and Quebeck ; the 
 establishment of Popery in the latter, the extension of its 
 bounds ; the ruin of our Indian commerce by regulations 
 calculated to aggrandize that arbitrary Government; uncon- 
 stitutional admiralty jurisdictions throughout the Colonies ; 
 the invasion of our right to a trial in the most capital cases 
 by a jury of the vicinage ; the horrid contrivance to screen 
 from punishment the bloody executioners of ministerial 
 vengeance; and, not to mention the rest of the black cata- 
 logue of our grievances, the hostile operations of an Army, 
 who have already shed the blood of our countrymen. The 
 struggles excited by the detestable Stamp Act have so 
 lately demonstrated to the world that the Americans will 
 not be slaves, that we stand astonished at the gross impolicy 
 of the Minister. Recent experience has evinced that the 
 possessors of this extensive Continent would never submit 
 to a tax by pretext of legislative authority in Britain; 
 disguise, therefore, became the expedient; in pursuit of the 
 same end, Parliament declared their absolute supremacy 
 over the Colonies, and have already endeavoured to exer- 
 cise that supremacy in attempting to raise a revenue under 
 the specious pretence of providing for their good Govern- 
 ment and defence. Administration, to exhibit a degree of 
 moderation, purely ostensible and delusory, while they 
 withdrew their hands from our most necessary articles of 
 importation, determined, with an eager grasp, to hold the 
 duty on tea as a badge of their taxative power. Zealous 
 on our part for an indissoluble union with the Parent State, 
 studious to promote the glory and happiness of the Empire, 
 and impressed with a just sense of the necessity of a con- 
 trolling authority, to regulate and harmonize the discordant 
 commercial interests of its various parts, we cheerfully 
 submit to a regulation of commerce by the Legislature of 
 the Parent State, excluding in its nature every idea of tax- 
 ation. 
 
 Whither, therefore, the present machinations of arbitrary 
 power infallibly tend, you may easily judge ; if unremit- 
 tedly pursued, as they were inhumanly devised, they will, 
 by a fatal necessity, terminate in a total dissolution of the 
 Empire. The subjects of this Country will not, we trust, 
 be deceived by any measures conciliatory in appearance, 
 while it is evident that the Minister aims at a solid revenue 
 to be raised by grievous and oppressive Acts of Parlia- 
 ment, and by fleets and armies employed to enforce their 
 execution. They never will, we believe, submit to an auc- 
 tion in the Colonies, for the more effectual augmentation of 
 the revenue, by holding it up as a temptation to them, that 
 the highest bidders shall enjoy the greatest share of govern- 
 mental favour. This plan, as it would tend to sow the 
 seeds of discoid, would be far more dangerous than hostile 
 force, in which we hope the King's Troops will ever be, as 
 they have already been, unsuccessful. Instead of those 
 unusual, extraordinary, and unconstitutional modes of pro- 
 curing levies from the subject, should His Majesty gra- 
 ciously be pleased upon suitable emergencies, to make 
 
 requisitions in ancient form, the Colonies have expressed 
 their willingness to contribute to the support of the Em- 
 pire ; but to contribute of their voluntary gift as English- 
 men. And when our unexampled grievances are redressed, 
 our Prince will find his American subjects testifying on all 
 proper occasions, by as ample aids as their circumstances 
 will permit, the most unshaken fidelity to their Sovereign, 
 and inviolable attachment to the welfare of his realm and 
 Dominions. 
 
 Permit us further to assure you, that America is grown 
 so irritable by oppression, that the least shock in any part 
 is, by the most powerful and sympathetick affection, instan- 
 taneously felt through the whole Continent ; that Pennsyl- 
 vania, Maryland, and New-York, have already stopped their 
 exports to the Fishing Islands, and those Colonies which 
 at this dangerous juncture have refused to unite with their 
 brethren in the common cause, and all supplies to the 
 Navy and Army at Boston; and that probably the day is 
 at hand when our Continental Congress will totally shut 
 up our Ports. The minions of power here may now inform 
 Administration, if they can ever speak the language of 
 truth, that this City is as one man in the cause of liberty ; 
 that to this end our inhabitants are almost unanimously 
 bound by the enclosed Association ; that it is continually 
 advancing to perfection by additional subscriptions ; that 
 they are resolutely bent on supporting their Committee, 
 and the intended Provincial and Continental Congresses ; 
 that there is not the least doubt of the efficacy of their 
 example in the other Counties; in short, that while the 
 whole Continent are ardently wishing for peace on such 
 terms as can be acceded to by Englishmen, they are inde- 
 fatigable in preparing for the last appeal. That such are the 
 language and conduct of our fellow-citizens, will be further 
 manifested by a representation of the Lieutenant-Gover- 
 nour and Council, of the first instant, to General Gage, at 
 Boston, and to His Majesty's Ministers, by the packet. 
 
 Assure yourselves, my lord and gentlemen, that we speak 
 the real sentiments of the confederated Colonies on the 
 Continent, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, when we declare, 
 that all the horrours of civil war will never compel Ame- 
 rica to submit to taxation by authority of Parliament. 
 
 A sincere regard to the publick weal and the cause of 
 humanity, a hearty desire to spare the further effusion of 
 human blood, our loyalty to our Prince, and the love we 
 bear to all our fellow-subjects in His Majesty's Realm and 
 Dominions, and a full conviction of the warmest attach- 
 ment in the capital of the Empire to the cause of justice 
 and liberty, have induced us to address you on this momen- 
 tous subject, confident that the same cogent motives will 
 induce the most vigorous exertions of the City of London 
 to restore union, mutual confidence, and peace to the 
 whole Empire. 
 
 We have the honour to be, my lord and gentlemen, 
 your most obedient, and affectionate fellow-subjects, 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman, 
 John Jsy, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 John Alsop, 
 Philip Livingston, 
 James Duane, 
 Gerarclus Duyckinck, 
 William Seaton, 
 Wm. W. Ludlow, 
 Cornelius Cloppor, 
 Abrm. Brinkerhoff, 
 Henry Remson, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 David Bookman, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Gabriel II. Ludlow, 
 William Walton, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 Samuel Broome, 
 John D" Lancey, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 John Reade, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 George Janeway, 
 John White, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 
 John Lasher, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Richard Yates, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 Jacobus Left'orts, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Samuel Vcrplanck, 
 
 Rudolphus Ritzma, 
 John Morton, 
 Joseph Hallelt, 
 Robert Benson, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Leonard Lispeuard, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 P. V. It. Livingston, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 John Imlay, 
 Eloazer Miller, Jun., 
 
 John Broome, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 John Anthony, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 William Goforth, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 James Beekman, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 William Denning, 
 John Borrian, 
 Benjamin Holme, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 Daniel Dunsoomb, 
 John Lamb, 
 Richard Sharp, 
 John Morin Scott, 
 Jacob Van Voorhics, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Peter Goelet, 
 Gerrct Ketletas, 
 Thomas Buchaiman, 
 J. Desbrosses, Jan., 
 Potrus Byvanck, 
 Law rence Embroo. 
 
 To the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, the Alder- 
 men, and Common Council of the City of London. 
 
513 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 514 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE NEW-YORK ASSEMBLY TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 New. York, May 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir: In the recess of the General Assembly we, who 
 are members of it, cannot avoid addressing your Excellency 
 on a subject of the utmost importance. 
 
 We have long seen, with the greatest anxiety, the pro- 
 gress of the unhappy contest between Great Britain and 
 the Colonies ; and as we have ardently wished for a cordial 
 reconciliation, so we have, to the utmost of our power, en- 
 deavoured to pursue the means of attaining so desirable an 
 end. While we were looking up to this object, encouraged 
 to hope for the attainment of it by the assurances we had 
 that a spirit of reconciliation was prevailing in the Mother 
 Country, we were extremely alarmed at the late melan- 
 choly transactions in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay , 
 ending in actual bloodshed. The immediate effect occa- 
 sioned by the intelligence of such important events, was a 
 general agitation in the minds of the people here, which 
 has since subsided into a fixed, confirmed resolution, to 
 withhold all supplies and succours from the Troops under 
 your Excellency's command, while they are at the same 
 time associating and arming to put themselves in a state of 
 defence. 
 
 Alarmed as we are by the ruinous consequences which 
 must inevitably follow the prosecution of hostile measures, 
 and anxiously affected with the calamities of an unnatural 
 civil war, we are induced most earnestly to entreat your 
 Excellency, in behalf of the Colonies, (which, however 
 tenacious of their rights and liberties, and jealous of every 
 infringement of them, can be exceeded in loyalty and 
 affection for out most gracious Sovereign by none of his 
 subjects,) that your Excellency will, as far as may be con- 
 sistent with your duty, immediately order a cessation of 
 further hostilities, until His Majesty can be apprised of the 
 situation of the American Colonies. From such a request 
 we entertain the most favourable expectations, when we 
 reflect on the humanity and clemency which distinguish 
 your Excellency's character, and which must render a 
 conflict between Britons and Americans a subject of the 
 most disagreeable nature to you. While we consider the 
 state of mind which prevails among the people here, we 
 cannot but mention their apprehensions at the report of the 
 destination of some Troops for this place ; should this 
 really be the case, we must express our wish that it might 
 also be consistent with your Excellency's duty, that no 
 military force might land or be stationed in this Province. 
 
 It behooves us to acquaint your Excellency that two of 
 the members of His Majesty's Council of this Province 
 have this day sailed in the Packet for England; and we 
 flatter ourselves that the indulgent Father of his People 
 will be moved by the distressed situation of his American 
 subjects, and that he will permit a negotiation to take 
 place, which may prevent the further effusion of blood, 
 and open a door for a lasting accommodation of present 
 disputes. We are your Excellency's most obedient hum- 
 ble servants, 
 
 John Cruger, 
 
 Fred. Philips, 
 
 Jacob Walton, 
 
 Daniel Kissam, 
 
 P. Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Simon Boerum, 
 
 John Coe, 
 
 James Jauncey, 
 Zeb. Williams, 
 Benj. Seaman, 
 John Rapalje, 
 Samuel Gale, 
 Christoph. Billopp, 
 Samuel Wells. 
 To his Excellency General Gage. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF WORCESTER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 [Worcester, May 5, 1775.] 
 The Selectmen of Worcester humbly pray that you 
 would let them know what establishment you have made 
 for a Post, or Post-riders from Worcester to the Army, 
 &c, that they may conduct themselves agreeable to your 
 orders and the publick weal. 
 
 We also beg your direction what regard we shall pay to 
 Governour Gage's precept for calling a General Assembly, 
 to be held in Boston, on the 31st day of May next. We 
 think a similarity of conduct of every Town in the Prov- 
 ince best, and know not how to obtain it but by your 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. it. 
 
 direction. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, the 
 Selectmen of Worcester. Per order : 
 
 Joshua Bigelow. 
 To the Honourable President of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 and the Honourable Members thereof, now assembled 
 
 at Watertown. 
 
 PETITION TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 An address to the Provincial Congress, or any gentleman 
 that is a Storekeeper for the Congress, from us, the out- 
 skirts of the settlements on Sheepscot River and Deer's 
 River, (without the limits of any Town,) under the 
 command of Charles Glidden, Senior. 
 Gentlemen: It is our humble petition to you to sup- 
 ply us, your petitioners, with powder and ball, or lead, in 
 order to be ready furnished to attend any alarm or call to 
 assist in vindication of our American cause; and entreating 
 your compliance with and fulfilment of this our address, 
 will encourage our hearts, and raise up our spirits to a high- 
 er pitch of courage, and shall ever subscribe ourselves your 
 obliged friends, and ready to serve. 
 
 Charles Glidden, John Byenton, 
 
 Nathan Deasell, John Decker, 
 
 Timothy Ferrin, 
 Jeremiah Brand, 
 Obadiah North, 
 Benjamin Kenney, 
 Charles Glidden, Jr., 
 Michael Glidden, 
 Ebenezer Grover, 
 Thomas Grover, 
 Stephen Grover, 
 Benjamin Dow, 
 Samuel Ball, 
 John Ball, 
 
 Meires Carr, 
 John Phillbrick, 
 Benjamin Stickncy, 
 Ephraim Brown, 
 Mason Wottles, 
 James Reics, 
 William Byenton, 
 Ezekicl Stearns, 
 James Murphy, 
 Jacob Rowell, 
 Thos. Cunningham, 
 James Shepard, 
 
 Timothy Ferrin, 
 Joseph Rodgers, 
 William Carr, 
 Samuel Parum, 
 Ebenezer Phillbrick, 
 Jeremiah Brand, 
 Moses Cope, 
 Jonathan Heath, 
 David Hutchins, 
 Oliver Peselen, 
 Ezekiel Peselen, 
 Isaac Heath, 
 Andrew Glidden. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HON. ENOCH FREEMAN, 
 ESQ.., TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Falmouth, May 5, 1775. 
 
 We have lately heard that the Penobscot Indians are 
 highly exasperated at Captain Goldthwaite, for suffering 
 the Tender to dismantle the Fort there, and carry off the 
 powder; that the truck trade is stopped, as we are inform- 
 ed ; and that there was a number of men round about there 
 going to take Goldthwaite, for delivering up the Fort, into 
 their custody, but what they intend to do with him I don't 
 hear. Perhaps it would be prudent for the Congress to 
 send down there and secure the Indians in our interest, by 
 keeping the truck trade open, supplying them powder, or 
 any other method in their wisdom, upon mature considera- 
 tion, they may think best. A hint on this head is enough. 
 
 The Selectmen of this Town have this moment agreed 
 with one Mr. Jabez Matthexvs and one David Dinsmore, 
 of New- Gloucester, to go over to Quebeck, to make dis- 
 covery whether any Canadians are in motion to come on 
 our back settlements, or to excite the Indians to do it ; 
 and I have wrote to Mr. Remington Holby, of Vassalbo- 
 rough, to procure one or two to go with them as hunters. 
 And they are charged to be cautious not to let the Cana- 
 dians have reason so much as to suspect their business ; 
 and they will depend on your endeavouring to get the 
 Congress to order them adequate satisfaction out of the 
 publick fund. If they discover any evil designs, we shall 
 be glad to know it, that we may prepare accordingly for 
 our defence. If they find there is no design upon us, it 
 will be a great satisfaction to this eastern country. 
 
 I could write a good deal in favour of sending such an 
 embassy, but as my time is almost wholly taken up on pub- 
 lick matters, I have little time to spare. 
 
 PETITION OF TIMOTHY LANGDON TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Georgetown, May 5, 1775. 
 To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, the Petition of Timothy Langdon humbly 
 shoivcth : 
 
 That upon the second day of May instant, a Committee 
 of Safety for ten Towns in the County of Lincoln, met at 
 Pownalsborough, and, amongst other matters, took under 
 consideration the expediency of removing the King's masts. 
 
 33 
 
515 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 516 
 
 being now in the dock in Georgetown; when it was unani- 
 mously voted that it was inexpedient to remove them. 
 
 That on the fourth day of May instant, a meeting of the 
 Committees of Inspection for a number of Towns in the 
 County of Lincoln, was held in Georgetown, and after 
 duly considering of all matters respecting the King's masts, 
 were of opinion that all persons be forbid to work upon 
 said masts, or aid in any manner in fitting them for the 
 King's use. 
 
 That Edward Parry, Esquire, who had procured those 
 masts more than a year since, had promised the Commit- 
 tee that no person should ship those masts for him, but 
 there they should remain in the dock in Georgetown. The 
 Committees of Inspection were then of opinion, that it was 
 inexpedient to remove the masts from the Dock. 
 
 That while the Committees of Inspection were met, 
 Colonel Samuel Thompson, of Brunswick, in the County 
 of Cumberland, appeared with twenty armed men, and 
 when he had heard of the result of the Committees, he 
 seized upon the body of Edward Parry, Esquire, and 
 kept him in custody till he gave bonds in two thousand 
 Pounds to tarry in this Town till the pleasure of Congress 
 shall be known respecting him, and also obliged the said 
 Edward to pay for the victuals and drink of him the said 
 Thompson and his men, amounting to the sum of forty-two 
 Shillings, lawful money. 
 
 That the said Edward Parry has ever behaved himself 
 as a peaceable member of society, and he declared to the 
 Committees, that had he known there was any order 
 of Congress respecting the masts, he would not have con- 
 cerned himself with them. Wherefore, your petitioner, at 
 the request of, and as Clerk to the Committee of Inspec- 
 tion, humbly prays the honourable Congress that they 
 would take the matters of fact above stated under consid- 
 eration, and that orders be sent to Messrs. Dummer Sewall 
 and Jordan Parker, the bondmen for said Parry, that he 
 the said Parry may be released from his confinement, and 
 they the said Dummer and Jordan released from their 
 bonds; and your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever 
 pray, Sec. Tim. Langdon. 
 
 JAMES GOWEN AND OTHERS TO GENERAL WARD. 
 
 Kittery, May 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Captain Johnson Moulton, the bearer hereof, who 
 has been a number of years in the service of this Province 
 the last war, and performed to general satisfaction of all 
 parties, and it appearing by the disposition of our men, who 
 are acquainted with him in the service, that he will be the 
 most likely to raise a regiment of good effective men, there- 
 fore do recommend him to your Honour (if you think pro- 
 per) for a Colonel's commission. 
 
 And are your Honour's assured friends and humble ser- 
 vants, James Gowen, 
 
 Benj. Chadbourn, 
 Nathan Lord, Jun. 
 
 N. B. There is a considerable number of good men 
 enlisted already, with a view of said Moulton's being their 
 Colonel. 
 
 The Hon. Artemas Ward, Esquire.. 
 
 THOMAS CHASE TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, May 5, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : General Thomas desires you would send 
 a Committee to examine the trunks of Thomas Hutchinson, 
 as they have sent for them, and the General has directions 
 from you not to permit them to go to Boston till your 
 Committee had examined them. I am, in behalf of his 
 Excellency the General, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Thos. Chase, Major Brig. 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GENERAL THOMAS. 
 
 Boston, May 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir: This Committee are of opinion, that it is the 
 order of the Provincial Congress that the effects of all per- 
 sons whatsoever should be permitted to go into Boston 
 without search or detention, and therefore the trunks of 
 Governour Uutchinson are not to be detained or injured. 
 We are,.Sic. 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY LORD DUNMORE. 
 
 By His Excellency the Bight Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour 
 General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and 
 Vice-Admiral of the same. 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Virginia, to wit: 
 
 Whereas I have been informed, from undoubted au- 
 thority, that a certain Patrick Henry, of the County of 
 Hanover, and a number of deluded followers, have taken 
 up arms, chosen their Officers, and, styling themselves an 
 Independent Company, have marched out of their County, 
 encamped, and put themselves in a posture of war, and 
 have written and despatched letters to divers parts of the 
 Country, exciting the people to join in these outrageous 
 and rebellious practices, to the great terrour of all His Ma- 
 jesty's faithful subjects, and in open defiance of law and 
 Government ; and have committed other acts of violence, 
 particularly in extorting from His Majesty's Receiver 
 General the sum of Three Hundred and Thirty Pounds, 
 under pretence of replacing the Powder I thought proper 
 to order from the Magazine ; whence it undeniably appears 
 that there is no longer the least security for the life or pro- 
 perty of any man: Wherefore, I have thought proper, 
 with the advice of His Majesty's Council, and in His 
 Majesty's name, to issue this my Proclamation, strictly 
 charging all persons, upon their allegiance, not to aid, abet, 
 or give countenance to the said Patrick Henry, or any 
 other persons concerned in such unwarrantable combina- 
 tions, but on the contrary to oppose them and their designs 
 by every means; which designs must, otherwise, inevitably 
 involve the whole Country in the most direful calamity, as 
 they will call for the vengeance of offended majesty and 
 the insulted laws to be exerted here, to vindicate the con- 
 stitutional authority of Government. 
 
 Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony, at 
 William sburgh, this 6th day of May, 1775, and in the 
 fifteenth year of His Majesty's reign. Dunmore. 
 God save the King. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA, 
 DATED MAY 6, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday the County Committee met from nineteen 
 Townships, on the short notice they had. About three 
 thousand men have already associated. The arms return- 
 ed amount to about fifteen hundred. The Committee have 
 voted five hundred effective men, besides commissioned 
 officers, to be immediately drafted, taken into pay, armed 
 and disciplined, to march on the first emergency ; to be 
 paid and supported as long as necessary, by a tax on all 
 estates, real and personal,, in the County ; the returns to 
 be taken by the Township Committees, and the tax laid 
 by the Commissioners and Assessors ; the pay of the offi- 
 cers and men nearly as usual in times past. This morning 
 we meet again at eight o'clock : among other subjects of 
 inquiry this day, the mode of drafting, or taking into pay, 
 arming, and victualing immediately the men,. and the choice 
 of field and other officers, will, among other important mat- 
 ters, be the subject of deliberation. The strength or spirit 
 of this County perhaps may appear small, if judged of by 
 the number of men proposed ; but when it is considered 
 that we are ready to raise fifteen hundred or two thousand, 
 should we have support from the Province ; and that inde- 
 pendent, and in uncertain expectation of such support, we 
 have voluntarily drawn upon this County a debt of about 
 Twenty-Seven Thousand Pounds per annum, I hope we 
 shall not appear contemptible. We make great improve- 
 ment in military discipline ; it is yet uncertain who may go. 
 
 N&w-York, May 6, 1775. 
 Many printed copies of a letter to the regular soldiers of 
 Great Britain, now on service in America,, were, on the 
 4th instant, distributed among the soldiers in the barracks 
 in this City. The purport of this letter was to prove that 
 soldiers of Great Britain could not legally be sent to Ame- 
 rica, without the consent of the Legislature of the Colony 
 where they were sent ; that in the Colonies soldiers were 
 not subject to the military laws of England, nor could be 
 
517 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MAY, 1775. 
 
 518 
 
 punished or held by them ; but that any officer who should 
 presume to inflict any pains or penalties on, or to detain a 
 soldier in America, on authority of a law of England not 
 adopted by the Legislature in America, would himself be 
 liable to severe punishments, and might be prosecuted by 
 any soldier he should so punish or detain. 
 
 The next day, after the roll was called, (which was an 
 hour before the usual time,) the men were ordered to march 
 and form a circle ; after which, Captain .... made the 
 following elegant oration : 
 
 " Soldiers, I make no doubt but you saw and have read 
 the printed handbills which were thrown over our gates the 
 last evening; those that have not, I particularly desire they 
 will ; they will see the licentiousness of the people, and 
 the intention of that paper. I say it is with a design of 
 endeavouring to draw you from your duty, degrading the 
 Regiment ; and what is worse, persuading you to destroy 
 your souls and bodies. Look on your lappels, and I think 
 I am certain it will put you in remembrance never to be 
 guilty of either. You may depend that these disputes will 
 be soon settled, in such a manner, and upon such terms, 
 that all the deserters must be given up, and you may be 
 certain that they will be hanged like so many dogs. These 
 very rebels who decoy you, will be the first to deceive 
 for their own purposes. I forgot to mention to you a cir- 
 cumstance which Captain .... wrote to me in this let- 
 ter, (showing it ;) and for your satisfaction I will read the 
 paragraph, to show you what you are to expect, if you are 
 taken by any of those rebels and barbarians : ' Three com- 
 panies of Light-Infantry were posted at a bridge, but a'fter 
 a vigorous defence were dislodged by so great a number of 
 inhabitants or rebels, (I cannot say which,) coming upon 
 them ; they left behind them one killed and three wound- 
 ed. Three scoundrels were so barbarous, that nothing but 
 savages could have equalled it ; two of these wounded men 
 were scalped; besides this, one of them had his ears cut 
 off, and eyes picked out. Such unheard-of barbarity could 
 never be performed before by any civilized Nation.' " 
 
 So, my brother soldiers of the Eighteenth Regiment, con- 
 gratulate me on my happy escape ; I could not bear such 
 confinement ; I was never used to it before, though I 
 have been a soldier near twenty years. I am now in good 
 pay, where you may be soon, if you will follow my exam- 
 ple ; make haste, and come all to me, and you shall be 
 taken good care of. A Deserter. 
 
 New.York, Tuesday, May 9, 1775. 
 Saturday evening last, the 6th instant, arrived here from 
 the eastward, on their way to the Continental Congress at 
 Philadelphia, the Honourable John Hancock, Thomas 
 Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and Robert Treat 
 Paine, Esquires, Delegates for the Province of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay; and the Honourable Eliphalet Dyer, Roger 
 Sherman, and Silas Deane, Esquires, Delegates for the 
 Colony of Connecticut. They were met a few miles out 
 of Town by a great number of the principal gentlemen of the 
 place, in carriages and on horseback, and escorted into the 
 City by near a thousand men under arms. The roads 
 were lined with greater numbers of people than were ever 
 known on any occasion before. Their arrival was an- 
 nounced by the ringing of bells, and other demonstrations 
 of joy. They had double centries placed at the doors of 
 their lodgings. 
 
 On Monday morning, the above gentlemen, with Philip 
 Livingston, James Duane, John Alsop, and Francis Lew- 
 is, Esquires, Delegates for this City ; Colonel William 
 Floyd, for Suffolk, and Simon Boerum, Esq., for King's 
 County, in this Province, set out for Philadelphia, attend- 
 ed by a great train to the North River ferry, where two or 
 three sloops and a number of other vessels were provided ; 
 and it is said about five hundred gentlemen crossed the 
 ferry with them, among whom were two hundred of the 
 Militia under arms. 
 
 The Delegates were received at the ferry by a number 
 of gentlemen from Newark, in New-Jersey, Captain Al- 
 len, at the head of his troop of Horse, and Captain Rut- 
 gers, at the head of his company of Grenadiers, (which 
 were allowed by the gentlemen present to be as complete 
 companies as they had seen.) The whole proceeded to 
 Newark, where an entertainment was provided, and a 
 
 number of patriotick toasts were drank. After dinner they 
 were escorted to Elizabethtown, and on their way were 
 met by the gentlemen and militia of that place. 
 
 Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, May 6, 1775. 
 
 The following is a copy of a paper found among those 
 of the late Josiah Quincy, Esquire, delivered to him, sign- 
 ed by an intimate acquaintance of mine, an eminent mer- 
 chant in London. William Gordon. 
 
 " The Quebeck Bill recalls to my mind some considera- 
 tions, which lead me to think that it is fraught with infi- 
 nitely more mischief to Britain and America, than most 
 of its opposers are aware of ; and that the planners and 
 promoters of this Bill will, in the end, be found to have 
 advanced the interest of France to the destruction of that 
 of Britain, in a much more eminent degree than has hith- 
 erto been done by the very worst Minister that ever lived. 
 
 " The late Thomas Mollis, Esquire, well known in Ame- 
 rica on account of his many liberal benefactions, gave the 
 following account of himself to a gentleman from whom I 
 had it, viz : That the said Thomas Hollis had always the 
 worst opinion of Lord Bute's principles ; and believing him 
 to have no attachment either to George the Third, or his 
 family, did, when the last peace, (that is, of Paris,) was 
 negotiating, at his own expense, send abroad a gentleman, 
 whose sole business it was to watch every motion, and dis- 
 cover every secret relating to this peace. The gentleman 
 thus sent by Mr. Hollis so far succeeded as to discover 
 that there were four secret articles ; and Mr. Hollis enu- 
 merated the four following to my friend, and he to me, very 
 soon after the peace, and long before any one of them was 
 ever talked of being carried into execution : 
 
 " 1. That a Popish Bishop was to be fixed by the King 
 in Canada. 
 
 " 2. That the Popish Religion was to be established 
 there. 
 
 "3. That the bounds of Canada were to be fixed. 
 
 " 4. That Canada, when thus fixed, was to be given 
 back to the French. 
 
 " Now, Sir, when this account was first related to me, as 
 it was long before any thing of this kind was agitated, I 
 own I did not believe it possible that Bute could be bold 
 enough to make such an infamous treaty, and therefore was 
 at a loss how to controvert an authority so good, or to dis- 
 pute an evidence which was so circumstantial ; but I own, 
 as I have now lived to see three of those secret articles ex- 
 ecuted, I firmly believe that the fourth will be as strictly 
 observed ; and that Canada restored to the French, thus 
 fixed and improved, will enable France to distress our Col- 
 onies, and in the end give a mortal stab to the trade, the 
 liberty, and glory of Britain. When I see either King, 
 Ministers, or People, plan, execute, or acquiesce in mea- 
 sures so evidently ruinous to their own true interest, I am 
 at a loss to discover what are the leading principles on 
 which such infatuation is founded. No sagacity can sug- 
 gest any adequate motives. 
 
 " N. B. When Lord Bute was at Venice, he attended 
 mass constantly in a publick manner." 
 
 COPY OF AN INTERCEPTED LETTER, DATED MONTREAL, 
 MAY 6, 1775. 
 
 Dear Finlay : Since your departure we have had many 
 disagreeable things happened here, and news of worse from 
 Boston, which have given me great uneasiness on your 
 account, for fear you should fall into their hands, and be 
 detained till matters are settled between them and the Mo- 
 ther Country, which desired event, I am afraid, is now far 
 distant, since hostilities are commenced ; but 1 hope you 
 heard the shocking news in time to take such measures as 
 to avoid any danger. 
 
 In the night of the 30th of April,* some malicious and 
 mischievous person or persons disfigured the King's bust 
 on the parade, by blacking its face, hanging a chaplet of 
 potatoes about its neck, with a wooden cross and a label, 
 on which was wrote, " Le Pape de Canada ou le sot An- 
 glois," (the Pope of Canada and the fool of England,) 
 with an intent, no doubt, of creating jealousies, animosities, 
 
 * The Quebeck Act took effect in Canada on the first of May, 1775. 
 
519 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, MAY, 1775. 
 
 520 
 
 and disturbances amongst the people, particularly between 
 the English and Canadians; and I am sorry to tell you 
 they have met with great success. 
 
 Early the next morning, when it was discovered, the 
 commanding officer sent two Sergeants to clean the bust 
 and take off the chaplet, label, and cross. The new Judges 
 and conservators of the peace were then consulted, but 
 they took no immediate measures on the occasion, except 
 sending an account of the transaction to the Governour. 
 The military first took up the matter, and blamed the En- 
 glish inhabitants, throwing many reflections on them, par- 
 ticularly the Committee, who, some amongst them, were 
 absolutely charged with the fact, which has occasioned 
 great uneasiness, and I am afraid will be attended with bad 
 consequences. The Canailians also point them out as the 
 authors; so that you may judge a subscription of One Hun- 
 dred Pounds Sterling was entered into by the Merchants, 
 &c, at the Coffee-House, as a reward to any person who 
 should discover the offender. The military gentlemen also 
 subscribed Fifty Guineas for the same purpose ; and ad- 
 vertisements were made out and published by both parties 
 the next day, by beat of drum. In the course of the pub- 
 lication two frays happened. Mr. Belestre was standing 
 at a corner of a street with a number of others, when the 
 advertisement was read, and he observed that whoever did 
 it deserved to be hanged ; upon which young Franks ob- 
 served they did not hang people for such trifles, and that 
 it was not worth the trouble, which incensed Belestre, who 
 abused Franks, and took him by the nose, which Franks 
 returned with a blow that knocked him down, and cut his 
 forehead ; somebody then interposed and parted them ; 
 both parties applied to the Judges, but neither could get 
 satisfaction. Belestre being the aggressor, could not get 
 Franks bound over, and he could not Belestre, but for what 
 reason I cannot tell. The next day Franks was appre- 
 hended and committed to prison, not for the assault, but on 
 Belestre's affidavit, for the expressions he made use of 
 about the crime, which I mentioned before, and bail was 
 refused; however, the day following the Judges sent him 
 notice, that upon consideration they had agreed to take 
 bail, but he refused to give any, and is now in prison wait- 
 ing for an answer from the Governour, to a state of the 
 case he sent to his father. 
 
 The other affair happened between Ezekiel Solomons, 
 the Jew, and Pallieur ; the latter accused the Jews of 
 having disfigured the bust, upon which some words ensued, 
 and Solomons knocked him down ; he has been apprehend- 
 ed, and has given bail. 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT OK THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Portsmouth, May 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We have received intelligence that Mr. Edward 
 Parry, of this Town, together with Mr. John Barnard 
 and Mr. Wilson, are now confined in irons in the County 
 of Lincoln; for what cause we have not been able to ex- 
 plore. But from the past conduct of Mr. Parry in this 
 Town, we are convinced he never merited such treatment ; 
 and that it cannot but meet with the disapprobation of 
 your Congress, which have constantly manifested, in all 
 their proceedings, a contrary temper. 
 
 We trust that Congress will exert their influence to pro- 
 cure the immediate release of that gentleman ; and wish 
 that humanity and candour may distinguish all our noble 
 struggles in the cause of liberty. 1 am your most obedient 
 servant. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Wm. Whipple. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY AT CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 In General Assembly, Providence, May 6, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Your favour of yesterday we received by 
 express this morning. We are now pursuing every method 
 in our power to have our men in readiness to take the field 
 as early as possible ; and you may rest assured that we will 
 exert ourselves upon this important occasion ; and that the 
 Army we have voted to be raised, which is to consist of 
 fifteen hundred men, will be supplied with all necessary 
 stores and ammunition ; and one company is to be furnish- 
 ed with six three-pounders. As soon as they are in readi- 
 ness we will give you the earliest information thereof, that 
 they may be disposed of in such a manner as will best serve 
 our common interest. I am, with great respect, gentlemen, 
 your most humble servant. By order of the House : 
 
 Metcalf Bowler, Speaker. 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 Members of the House of Representatives of the Prov- 
 ince of New-Hampshire, at a Session began and held at 
 Portsmouth, in said Province, on Thursday, the 4th day 
 of May, 1775 : 
 
 Somersworth. — Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire. 
 Portsmouth. — Mr. Jacob Sheafe, Captain Woodbury 
 
 Langdon, Captain John Langdon. 
 Dover. — Otis Baker, Esquire, Captain Caleb Hodg- 
 
 don, Captain Josiah Moulton. 
 Hampton. — Mr. Josiah Moulton, Junior. 
 Hampton Falls. — Meshech Weare, Esquire, John Gid- 
 
 ding, Esquire. 
 Exeter. — Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, Esquire. 
 New-Castle. — Mr. Henry Prescott. 
 Rye. — Mr. Samuel Jenness. 
 Kingstown. — Colonel Josiah Bartlett, Esquire. 
 Newington. — Major Richard Downing, Esquire. 
 Stratham. — Deacon Stephen Boardman. 
 Londonderry. — Colonel Stephen Holland, Esquire. 
 Greenland. — Colonel Clement March, Esquire. 
 Durham. — Ebenczer Thompson, Esquire. 
 Newmarket. — Colonel Joseph Smith, Esquire. 
 Southampton. — Captain Eliphalet Merrill. 
 Chester. — Jo/in Webster, Esquire. 
 Plastow and Hampstead. — Mr. John Calef. 
 Salem and Pelham. — Mr. Jacob Butler, Junior. 
 Hollis. — Colonel John Hale, Esquire. 
 Merrimack. — Captain John Chamberlin. 
 Nottingham-West and Litchfield. — Wiseman Clag- 
 
 get, Esquire. 
 Kensington. — Major Nathaniel Hcaly, Esquire. 
 Rochester. — Deacon James Knowles. 
 Barrington. — Mr. Joshua Foss. 
 
 Amherst and Bedford. — Mr. Paul Dudley Sargent. 
 Winchester. — Colonel Samuel Ashley, Esquire. 
 Keene. — Captain Isaac Wyman. 
 Charlestown. — Mr. Elijah Grout. 
 Plymouth. — Colonel John Fenton, Esquire. 
 Oxford. — Israel Morey, Esquire. 
 Lyme. — Greene, Esquire. 
 
 Thursday, May 4, 1775, A. M. 
 A number of the elected Members met, and were ad- 
 journed by the Deputy Secretary to Friday, the 5th in- 
 stant, at eleven of the clock in the forenooon. 
 
 Friday, May 5, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Jonathan War- 
 ner, Peter Gillman, and John Sherburne, Esquires, came 
 into the Assembly Chamber and administered the usual 
 oaths to the Members present, and then returned. 
 
 The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Jonathan Warner, 
 Peter Gillman, and John Sherburne, Esquires, came from 
 the Council Board with a message from his Excellency, 
 that it was his Excellency's pleasure that the House pro- 
 ceed to the choice of a Speaker, and present him to the 
 Chair for approbation. 
 
 The House then proceeded to the choice of a Speaker, 
 and unanimously chose the Honourable John Wentworth, 
 Esquire. 
 
 Voted, That Jacob Sheafe, Esquire, Captain Woodbury 
 Langdon, Otis Baker, and Wiseman Clagget, Esquires, be 
 a Committee to inform his Excellency that the House had 
 made choice of the Honourable John Wentworth. Esquire, 
 for their Speaker. 
 
521 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF KEW-HAMPSHIKE, MAY, 1775. 
 
 522 
 
 The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Jonathan Hor- 
 ner, Peter Gillman, and John Sherburne, Esquires, came 
 from the Board and informed the House that his Excellen- 
 cy approved of the Honourable John Wentworth, Esquire, 
 as Speaker of the House, and that his Excellency required 
 the attendance of the Speaker and all the Members in the 
 Council Chamber. 
 
 The Speaker and House immediately waited on his Ex- 
 cellency in the Council Chamber, where his Excellency 
 was pleased to make a Speech to both Houses, after which 
 they returned to their Chamber. 
 
 Voted, That Meshech JVeare. Esquire, be Clerk to this 
 House. 
 
 The Honourable Meshech JVeare, Esquire, the Clerk 
 elect of this House, being absent, 
 
 Voted, That Ebenezer Thompson, Esquire, be Clerk 
 pro tempore to this House, who was sworn to the faithful 
 discharge of his trust by Wiseman Ctagget, Esquire. 
 
 Voted, That the following Rules be observed by this 
 House, viz : 
 
 First. That whoever shall, by any misbehaviour in 
 speech or action, justly offend any of the Members of this 
 House, shall be admonished, fined, or imprisoned, as the 
 House shall see meet. 
 
 Stcond. That no Member speak twice to any matter 
 in debate before the House, until every Member have 
 liberty to speak once to the same matter, if he should see 
 cause. 
 
 Third. That every Member direct his speech to the 
 Speaker, and not to one another ; and when any Member 
 has a mind to speak to any matter in debate, he shall stand 
 up and ask leave of the Speaker, and not speak without 
 his consent, and shall be silent at his command ; but if the 
 Member speaking thinks such command unseasonable or 
 unreasonable, the Speaker shall take a vote of the House 
 thereon, to which such Member shall submit on pain of 
 forfeiting such sum as the House shall determine. 
 
 Fourth. That whenever it happens there are as many 
 votes on the one side of the question as on the other with- 
 out the Speaker, that then the Speaker make the casting 
 vote. 
 
 Fifth. That if the Speaker be absent, the House may 
 choose a Speaker pro tempore, that the business of the 
 House may be carried on without delay. 
 
 Sicth. That if any Member, after being qualified and 
 entered, shall absent himself at any time without leave 
 from the House, he shall be liable to be fined at the dis- 
 cretion of the House. 
 
 Seventh. That if any Member of this House shall by 
 the major part of the House be thought unfit and not quali- 
 fied for said place, it shall be in the power of the House 
 to dismiss such person, giving to the Town or Precinct 
 notice to choose another person to fill up such vacancy. 
 
 Eighth. That every Bill to be passed in this House 
 be read three times, and that there be two adjournments of 
 this House before any Bill be passed into an Act. 
 
 Ninth. That the Speaker and eighteen Members be a 
 House to do business. 
 
 Tenth. That no vote that is passed in this House shall 
 be reconsidered by a less number than was present when it 
 passed. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Speaker, Doctor Gidding, Mr. Clag- 
 get, Mr. Langdon, and Colonel Bartlett, be a Committee 
 to make a draft for an Answer to his Excellency's Speech, 
 and lay the same before the House as soon as may be. 
 
 Saturday, May 6, 1775, A. M. 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Speaker communicated to the House a Letter di- 
 rected to him and signed by the Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives of JSew- York, requesting the same to be 
 laid before this House, together with a List of Grievances 
 and Resolutions of that House in consequence thereof, and 
 also a Petition to the King, a Memorial to the House of 
 Lords, and a Representation and Remonstrance to the 
 Commons of Great Britain; all which were read, and are 
 on file. 
 
 Mr. Baker, Mr. Langdon, and Doctor Gidding being 
 appointed a Committee yesterday to wait on his Excellen- 
 
 cy and desire he would be pleased to favour the House 
 with a copy of his Speech to both Houses, was omitted 
 to be entered then, as also that Mr. (t urner brought a copy 
 of his Excellency's Speech and delivered it to the Speaker, 
 as follows : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, arid of the Assembly : 
 
 As I cannot doubt but you will exercise your usual dili- 
 gence in despatching the ordinary business of the Legisla- 
 ture, it becomes unnecessary for me particularly to urge 
 your attention to that subject. You may be assured that 
 1 will give all the facility in my power to every measure 
 that may be found conducive to the publick good ; for as 
 it heretofore hath been, so shall it constantly remain the 
 invariable object of my warmest wishes and ambition, to 
 promote the happiness and prosperity of His Majesty's 
 Government and subjects of New- Hampshire. 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 
 It is incumbent on me at this time to recommend to you 
 to grant the necessary supply for the support of His Ma- 
 jesty's Government for the current year; but 1 doubt not 
 you will cheerfully make proper provision for that purpose. 
 The Treasurer's accounts for the year past, 1 shall order 
 to be prepared for your inspection. 
 
 We cannot but view with inexpressible concern the 
 alarming pitch to which the unfortunate dispute between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies is daily advancing. A 
 matter of such a momentous nature, which fills every hu- 
 mane mind with the deepest anxiety and affliction, and 
 wherein this Province is unhappily involved, cannot, 1 pre- 
 sume, fail of engaging your most serious attention. It is 
 therefore my duty, at such a critical and important moment, 
 to call, in the most earnest and most solemn manner, upon 
 you, gentlemen, who are the only constitutional and legal 
 Representatives of the people, to direct your counsels to 
 such measures as may tend to secure their peace and safety. 
 
 On the wisdom, candour, and moderation of your de- 
 liberations it will greatly depend to avert the calamities 
 that must naturally attend a continuance of this unhappy 
 contest ; and I trust your conduct will be guided by such 
 principles as shall effectually lead to a restoration of the 
 publick tranquillity and a perfect re-establishment of an 
 affectionate reconciliation with our Mother Country, upon 
 a solid, equitable, and permanent foundation. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, and of the Assembly: 
 
 Connected as we are with our Parent State by the 
 strongest ties of kindred, religion, duty, and interest, it is 
 highly incumbent upon us, in this time of general disquie- 
 tude, to manifest our loyalty and attachment to the best of 
 Sovereigns, and our firm and unshaken regard for the Bri- 
 tish Empire ; and I have full confidence that those great 
 considerations will influence every part of your conduct. 
 You may entirely rely on my most ardent zeal to co-ope- 
 rate with you in whatever constitutional means may be 
 found necessary to accomplish that most essential object to 
 the well-being of this Province — a restoration of our har- 
 mony with Great Britain. J. Wentworth. 
 
 New.Hainpshire Council Chamber, ) 
 May 5, 1775. \ 
 
 The Honourable Theodore Atkinson came from the 
 Board and delivered the following written Message from 
 his Excellency: 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 
 The Speaker, Mr. Gidding, and Mr. Langdon, three 
 of your Members, came to me last evening as a Committee 
 from the House, desiring a short adjournment. I am 
 always disposed to show every indulgent regard in my 
 power to the wishes of the House ; but when I consider 
 what uneasiness prevails at present among your constitu- 
 ents, of which I dare say you are not insensible, and that 
 they must look to your counsels for relief from their fears 
 and jealousies, I think it my duty to recommend to you to 
 consider the matter, and if you should be of opinion that 
 you will better consult the interests of your constituents by 
 continuing to sit, I doubt not but your own private con- 
 cerns will readily give way to the publick welfare. 
 
 J. Wentworth. 
 
 New-Hampshire Council Chamber, ) 
 May 6, 1775. $ 
 
523 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 521 
 
 Upon reading and considering the aforegoing Message, 
 
 Voted, That the following be presented to his Excel- 
 lency as an Answer thereto : 
 
 May it please your Excellency: In answer to your 
 Message of this day in consequence of a verbal Message 
 to your Excellency from the House last evening by the 
 Speaker, Mr. Gidding, and Mr. Langdon, requesting a 
 short adjournment, we would observe, that we think it not 
 only very necessary for our private interest, at this par- 
 ticular season of the year, but especially for the interest 
 of the Province in general at this peculiarly alarming crisis, 
 that this House should be adjourned to some time early in 
 June next, in order that we may in the mean time have an 
 opportunity of fully consulting our constituents respecting 
 the several weighty matters necessary to be considered by 
 the House the present session. 
 
 The Deputy Secretary came from the Board and said 
 it was his Excellency's pleasure to adjourn the General 
 
 Assembly to Monday, the 12th day of June next, and 
 accordingly, in His Majesty's name, adjourned the Gene- 
 ral Assembly to that time, and delivered to the Speaker 
 the following written Message from his Excellency: 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly: 
 
 In consequence of your representation to me, in answer 
 to my Message of this day's date, that it will be expedient 
 for you, as well for the accommodation of your own private 
 affairs as to give an opportunity of consulting your constitu- 
 ents on the matters necessary to be considered by you in the 
 present session, that the House should be adjourned for a 
 short time, I have thought fit to adjourn the General As- 
 sembly, and it is accordingly adjourned to Monday, the 12th 
 day of June next, at ten o'clock in the morning, then to 
 meet at the State-House in Portsmouth for the despatch of 
 the publick business. J. Wentworth. 
 
 New-Hampshiro Council Chamber, \ 
 May 6, 1775. \ 
 
 THOMAS JEFFERSON TO DOCTOR WILLIAM SMALL. 
 
 May 7, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Within this week we have received the 
 unhappy news of an action of considerable magnitude be- 
 tween the King's Troops and our brethren of Boston, in 
 which, it is said, five hundred of the former, with the Earl 
 of Percy, are slain. That such an action has occurred is 
 undoubted, though perhaps the circumstances may not have 
 reached us with truth. This accident has cut off our last 
 hope of reconciliation, and a phrenzy of revenge seems to 
 have seized all ranks of people. It is a lamentable cir- 
 cumstance that the only mediatory power acknowledged 
 by both parties, instead of leading to a reconciliation has 
 divided people, should pursue the incendiary purpose of still 
 blowing up the flames, as we find him constantly doing in 
 every speech and publick declaration. This may perhaps 
 be intended to intimidate into acquiescence ; but the effect 
 has been most unfortunately otherwise. A little knowledge 
 of human nature, and attention to its ordinary workings, 
 might have foreseen that the spirits of the people here 
 were in a state in which they were more likely to be pro- 
 voked than frightened by haughty deportment. And to 
 fill up the measure of irritation, a proscription of individuals 
 has been substituted in the room of just trial. Can it be 
 believed that a grateful people will suffer those to be con- 
 signed to execution, whose sole crime has been the develop- 
 ing and asserting their rights? Had the Parliament pos- 
 sessed the power of reflection, they would have avoided a 
 measure as impotent as it was inflammatory. When I saw 
 Lord Chatham's Bill, I entertained high hope that a recon- 
 ciliation could have been brought about. The difference 
 between his terms and those offered by our Congress might 
 have been accommodated, if entered on by both parties 
 with a disposition to accommodate. But the dignity of Par- 
 liament, it seems, can brook no opposition to its power. 
 Strange that a set of men who have made sale of their 
 virtue to the Minister, should yet talk of retaining dignity ! 
 But I am getting into politicks, though I sat down only to 
 ask your acceptance of the wine, and express my constant 
 wishes for your happiness. Th. Jefferson. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COMMIT- 
 TEE OF SAFETY, CORRESPONDENCE, AND PROTECTION, 
 IN ALBANY. 
 
 In Committco of Safety, Cambridgo, ) 
 May 7, 1775. i 
 
 Sir : We have received your important and very agree- 
 able letter of the first of May current, by the worthy Cap- 
 tain Ten Eyck. While we lament the effusion of the blood 
 of our friends and fellow-countrymen, shed by more than 
 brutal cruelty, and urged on by the corrupt administration 
 of a British Minister of State, yet, amidst all our sorrows 
 on that melancholy occurrence, we rejoice greatly at the 
 bright prospect lying before us, in the unanimity of the 
 Colonies on this extended Continent. We have the highest 
 satisfaction in the assurances from you, that the City of 
 Albany continues firm and resolute to co-operate with their 
 brethren in New-York, and in the several Colonies on the 
 Continent, in their opposition to the Ministerial plan now 
 
 prosecuting against us, and that the City have unanimously 
 appointed a Committee of Safety, Protection, and Corres- 
 pondence, which we esteem as a necessary measure to bind 
 us all in one indissoluble bond of union in the common 
 cause of the American Colonies. Be assured, sir, that we 
 shall ever esteem it as our honour and interest to corres- 
 pond with you at all times on matters tending to promote 
 the common good. Suffer us to say that we have the 
 greatest pleasure in your information that the extensive 
 County of Albany will follow your laudable example, and 
 the important aid the general cause will receive from our 
 sister Colony New-York. The enclosed, you may depend 
 upon it, is a well authenticated account of the late engage- 
 ment in this Colony, and supported by a great number of 
 affidavits. Permit us to say that you may rely upon the 
 resolution of the people of this Colony to exert themselves 
 in every possible way, and have long since devoted their 
 lives and fortunes in the glorious cause of liberty and their 
 Country, and that they never can give up their stand to 
 oppose despotism and tyranny, while they have such full 
 assurances from their sister Colonies, that they are equally 
 engaged in the defence of the natural and constitutional 
 rights of Americans. The blood of our neighbours, untimely 
 poured out, cries aloud to the survivors to defend the Ame- 
 rican rights for which they bled and died. We have their 
 wounds fresh in mind ; and while the Colonies are united, 
 we have the fullest assurances (under God) of the saha- 
 tion of our Country. 
 We are, &zx. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COLONEL 
 
 JAMES SCAMMON. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, } 
 May 7, 1775. $ 
 
 We are informed by the Field Officers of the First and 
 Second Regiments, together with a number of gentlemen 
 of note in the County of York, that it would be most 
 agreeable that Captain Johnson Moulton should have the 
 command of the Regiment to be raised in that County. 
 The Committee, taking these matters into their most serious 
 consideration, and the necessity of an Army being formed 
 as soon as possible, as the salvation of the Country must 
 depend (under God) on our union and exertions ; and not- 
 withstanding, sir, you have received orders for enlisting a 
 Regiment, with a prospect of having the command of the 
 same, yet we flatter ourselves that you will, when you view 
 the importance of completing the Army , the delay that may 
 arise in your quarter should you not consent to come under 
 Mr. Johnson Moulton, you will cheerfully comply and rest 
 satisfied, as we conceive it is the interest of your Country 
 yon aim at, and not any emolument or honours that maj r 
 respect you as an individual. We doubt not, from these 
 considerations, you will be actuated by that zeal and ardour 
 in the cause of your Country that shall promote its truest 
 interest, and that we shall soon be informed that the Regi- 
 ment intended to be raised in the County of York is com- 
 pleted to the satisfaction of officers and men. 
 
 We are, &c. 
 To Colonel James Scammon. 
 
525 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 526 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY ADMIRAL GRAVES. 
 
 By Samuel Graves, Esq., Vice-Admiral of the Blue, 
 and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Ships and 
 Vessels employed, and to be employed, in the River St. 
 Lawrence, &c. 
 
 Whereas I have received information that a vessel is ar- 
 rived at Marblehead with a very considerable quantity of 
 money on board from a Spanish wreck, which must by all 
 means be prevented from falling into the hands of the 
 Rebels : You are therefore hereby required and directed to 
 sail in His Majesty's Schooner, under your command, to 
 Marblehead, without a moment's delay of time, and bring 
 the vessel into Boston Harbour with the money, or remove 
 the money into the Diana without delay, and let the vessel 
 follow you hither. 
 
 Given under my hand on board His Majesty's Ship Pres- 
 ton, at Boston, the 7th of May, 1775. 
 
 Samuel Graves. 
 
 To Lieut. Graves, Commander of His Majesty's Schooner 
 Diana. 
 
 By command of the Admiral : G. Sefferina. 
 
 COMMON COUNCIL OF WILLIAMS BURGH, VIRGINIA. 
 
 At a Court of Common Council for the City of Wil- 
 liamsburgh, held the eighth day of May, 1775: 
 
 Whereas it hath been represented to this Hall, that on 
 the fourth instant, in the night time, some person or persons 
 unknown, had broke into the publick Magazine, and taken 
 from thence sundry Fire-Arms belonging to His Majesty : 
 
 We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of the 
 said City, being desirous to maintain peace, order, and good 
 government, do hereby declare our abhorrence of such 
 unlawful proceeding, and do require the inhabitants to use 
 their utmost endeavours to prevent the like outrage in fu- 
 ture, and exhort all persons who may be in possession of any 
 of the said Arms, to return the same immediately, to be re- 
 placed in the Magazine. 
 
 And it having been recommended to this meeting, by 
 the Governour and Council, to appoint a guard to protect 
 the said Magazine, they are of opinion that they have no 
 authority to lay any tax for that purpose, but that if some 
 trusty person should be appointed by his Excellency the 
 Governour to be keeper thereof, and care taken to strengthen 
 it with proper bars, there probably would be a stop put to 
 violences of that nature ; and they do humbly recommend 
 to his Excellency Mr. Gabriel Maupin, who lives near the 
 Magazine, as a person worthy of that trust. 
 
 Matthew Davenport, Town Clerk. 
 
 SUSSEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Sus- 
 sex, at the Court-House, Monday, 8th of May, 1775: 
 
 Present : David Mason, Augustine Claiborne, Michael 
 Blow, Henry Gee, John Cargill, William Nicholson, 
 miliam Blunt, Robert Jones, John Peters, John Mason, 
 Jr., James Jones, George Rieves, Richard Parker, and 
 George Booth, gentlemen. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be given 
 to the Rev. Mr. Campbell, for his excellent prayer of this 
 morning, prior to the Committee entering upon business. 
 
 This Committee taking into consideration a paragraph 
 which appeal's in the publick newspapers, said to be ex- 
 tracted from a letter written to Lord Dartmouth, one of 
 His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, by Lord Dun- 
 more, Governour of Virginia, on the twenty-fourth day of 
 December last : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, as their opinion, That the said 
 extracts (being fraught with calumny, falsehoods, and illibe- 
 ral reflections against the good people of this Colony in 
 general, who are now,, and for some time past have been, 
 contending for their dearest rights in the most decent and 
 orderly manner) can be no other than a wicked and detest- 
 able forgery, or the work of some dirty ministerial syco- 
 phant, intending to widen our present unhappy differences 
 with the Mother Country, and impress the people of this 
 Colony with unfavourable sentiments of a ruler who, they 
 are unwilling to believe, would so meanly forfeit that gene- 
 
 ral esteem he had, by a mild and pacific k administration, 
 so generally acquired. With this opinion of the said ex- 
 tracts, this Committee cannot forbear, however reluctantly, 
 to observe, that a late manoeuvre in seizing the powder in 
 the publick magazine of this Colony, and privately con- 
 veying it away in the night, together with his evasive answer 
 to the addresses of the Corporation of the City of Wil- 
 liamsburgh, presented to his Lordship upon that occasion, 
 but too plainly point out to this Colony that the first Ma- 
 gistrate has swerved from the line of conduct which has 
 hitherto marked his administration, and impressed this 
 Committee with an idea that his private wishes are un- 
 favourable to the welfare of this Colony, and the liberties 
 of mankind. No other motives, we presume, could have 
 actuated him to the commission of an act conceived in 
 secrecy and brought forth in darkness ; the design of which 
 was evidently to render (at least as far as in his power so 
 to do) this Colony defenceless, and lay it open to the at- 
 tacks of a savage invasion, or a domestick foe, which a late 
 Proclamation threatens us with, and which his Excellency 
 could not be ignorant of. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it is absolutely necessary 
 that this County be put into the best posture of defence 
 possible ; and to that end, that a meeting of the people be 
 convened at the following places, on the following respec- 
 tive days, that is to say: those that muster under Captains 
 Moore, Judkins, and Mason, at Brown's Quarter, on Tues- 
 day the sixteenth instant ', those that muster under Cap- 
 tains Jones, Smith, Hill, and Marrable, at the High-Hills 
 on the seventeenth ; and those that muster under Captains 
 Nicholson, Parker, Reeves, Irby, and Harrison, at the 
 plantation lately belonging to Captain James Jones, on the 
 nineteenth ; and that they, and every of them, do bring 
 with them to the said several meetings what arms they and 
 every of them have. And this Committee do earnestly 
 request the Field-Officers and Captains to attend the said 
 several meetings, in order to animate the people in the pre- 
 sent time of danger to compliance of the Resolutions of 
 the late Convention. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That we, the members of this 
 Committee now present, and every of us, will, in order to 
 raise a sufficient sum of money to purchase Ammunition, in 
 this time of imminent danger, pay, by way of contribution 
 for that purpose, the sum of ten Pounds, current money, on 
 or before the first day of June next. And as we doubt not 
 but the absent members of this Committee will do the same 
 for themselves, therefore Messrs. John Cargill, Jas. Jones, 
 and George Reeves, are requested immediately to purchase 
 ammunition for the use of this County, to the amount of 
 two hundred Pounds, current money, the present members 
 engaging to indemnify them in such purchase; and that they 
 make report of their proceedings to the next Committee. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That a Committee of Intelli- 
 gence and Correspondence be appointed, of the following 
 persons, that is to say : Messrs. Blow, Peete y Nicholson, 
 Cargill, Gee, David Mason, Claiborne^ and Blunt ; that 
 upon they, or any one of them, receiving an alarm, he or 
 they do forthwith fall upon the best method in his or their 
 power, to give notice of such alarm throughout this County, 
 and also to some one or more of the Committees of South- 
 ampton and Brunswick, fixing upon the most convenient 
 place for the people to rendezvous at, being guided therein 
 by the quarter threatened most with an invasion, insurrec- 
 tion, or other attack. 
 
 Ordered, That the proceedings of this day be transmitted 
 by the Chairman, as soon as may be convenient, to the 
 press, in order to their publication. 
 
 Michael Blow, Chairman. 
 
 MECKLENBURG H COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a general meeting of the Freeholders of Mecklen- 
 burgh County, convened on Monday, the 8th day of May, 
 1775, at the Court-House of said County, in order to elect 
 a Committee, pursuant to a Resolution of the American 
 Continental Congress : The better to secure a due obser- 
 vation of the Association entered into by said Congress, 
 the Freeholders then proceeded to the choice of a Com- 
 mittee, and elected into the office the following gentlemen, 
 viz : John Speed, Bennett Goode, William Lucas, Henry 
 Speed, Francis Rujjin, Lewis Burwell, Robert Burton, 
 
527 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 528 
 
 Edmund Taylor, Clcverious Coleman, Thacker Burwett, 
 Sir Peyton Skipwith, Benjamin Whitehead, George Bas- 
 kcrville, Beuben Vaughan, Joseph Speed, John Tabb, 
 John Jones, William Leigh, Bobert Ballard, Samuel 
 Hopkins, Junior, and John Ballard, Junior. 
 
 John Speed, Esq., was unanimously chosen Chairman, 
 and Mr. Isaac Holmes, Clerk of this Committee. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That every member of this Com- 
 mittee exert his endeavours to enlist Volunteer Soldiers, 
 agreeable to the Resolution of the late Provincial Conven- 
 tion. 
 
 It being too late in the day to proceed on business, the 
 Committee adjourned to Saturday, the 13th of May, 1775. 
 
 Saturday, May 13, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met according to adjournment, and came 
 to the following Resolves : 
 
 The Resolves of the Convention held at the Town of 
 Richmond, the 20th of March, 1775, were read, and unani- 
 mously approved of. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be pre- 
 sented to Robert Burton and Bennett Goode, Esquires, 
 our worthy Delegates, for their faithful discharge of the 
 important trust reposed in them. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the removal of the Gun- 
 powder out of the Magazine, by express orders of Lord 
 Dunmore, is truly alarming ; and that by his answer for 
 such conduct to the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, and 
 Common Council of the City of Williamsburgh, on that 
 important occasion, he has highly forfeited all title to the 
 confidence of the good people of Virginia. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk send copies of these Resolves 
 to each of the Printers, and they are desired to publish 
 them in their next Gazettes. 
 
 Isaac Holmes, Clerk. 
 
 PRINCE GEORGE (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Prince George's 
 County, held at Blandford, on Monday, the 8th of May, 
 1775, the following Resolutions were entered into, viz: 
 
 Resolved, nem. con., That every Merchant, Trader, or 
 other person, importing any Goods, Wares, or Merchan- 
 dise into this County, before he lands the same ought to 
 produce to the Chairman of this Committee a certificate 
 from the Chairman of the Committee of the County, 
 Town, or City, from whence the said Goods, Wares, or 
 Merchandise were re-shipped, that the same were imported 
 into this Colony before the first day of February. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of Intelligence, consisting 
 of Benjamin Harrison, of Brandon, David. Meade, Rich- 
 ard K. Meade, Hubbard Wyatt, Peter Eppes, James 
 Cocke, Nathaniel Harrison, John Baird, Bobert Boyd, 
 William McWhann, Richard ' Bland, Junior, Theodorick 
 Bland, Junior, Nathaniel Baines, Thomas Bonner, and 
 John Raines, Senior, be appointed to convey any alarm, 
 as speedily as possible, to the adjacent Counties; and that 
 the same mode be recommended to every County in this 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above Resolutions be 
 transmitted to the Printer, and he is desired to publish 
 them as soon as possible. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Hartwell Raines, Secretary. 
 
 At a Committee held for the County of Prince George, 
 the 8th of May, 1775. Present: twenty Members. 
 
 The following Letter from the Committee of the Bo- 
 rough of Norfolk to the Chairman of this Committee, was 
 read, viz : 
 
 Norfolk, May 1, 1775. 
 
 A charge was laid before the Committee for Norfolk- 
 Borough, that Mr. James Marsden had purchased of Cap- 
 tain Fazakerly one puncheon of Linens, imported since 
 the 1st of February, and that he had furnished him with 
 twenty barrels of Pork. Upon inquiry, it appeared that 
 Mr. Marsden knew nothing about the Linens, but furnished 
 Captain Fazakerly with the Pork by order of Captain 
 Charles Alexander. 
 
 As there may have been some foundation for the charge, 
 
 I am directed by this Committee to request you will please 
 to inquire of Captain Alexander for what consideration he 
 gave the order. William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 Captain Charles Alexander being requested, did attend 
 the Committee, and made the following confession, viz: 
 
 That he had himself purchased the Linens inadvertently, 
 without considering the consequence of violating the Reso- 
 lutions of the Continental Congress, to which he acknow- 
 ledged he ought to have paid agreeable regard ; and he is 
 extremely sorry for having thus incurred the displeasure of 
 the good people of America, and thereby forfeited that 
 good opinion which he would be always happy to have, 
 and those favours which he might otherwise have hoped to 
 have enjoyed from them. He also confesses that Mr. 
 Marsden was acquainted with the circumstances of the said 
 goods being imported contrary to the terms of the Asso- 
 ciation, subsequent to the said Alexander's purchasing of 
 them ; and that the said Marsden paid the Pork to the 
 order above-mentioned, knowing that it was for part of the 
 price of the said Linens, and afterwards sent the said Lin- 
 ens, and a parcel of Shoes, with an invoice thereof, ac- 
 companied with a Letter, to Humphrey Richards, factor for 
 the said Alexander, in Blandford, signed Marsden, Max- 
 well, and Company. And the said Alexander further says, 
 that the order he gave on Mr. Marsden to pay the Pork 
 to Captain Fazakerly, was a conditional order, to pay Cap- 
 tain Fazakerly, in case the Convention then sitting should 
 consent to the sale of the said goods, as there was then a 
 Petition before the Convention for that purpose. Captain 
 Alexander has further voluntarily agreed to re-ship the 
 Linens, and a parcel of Shoes (under the same circum- 
 stances) remaining unsold, at his own cost, or store them 
 under the inspection of the Committee ; and that the profits 
 arising upon such part thereof as are already sold, amount- 
 ing to ... . shall be lodged in the hands of this Com- 
 mittee, for the use of, and forthwith to be sent to the poor 
 of Boston. Chas. Alexander. 
 
 The above examination was transmitted to the Commit- 
 tee of the Borough of Norfolk ; in consequence of which 
 the following Letter from the Committee of the said Bo- 
 rough, directed to the Chairman of the Committee of 
 Prince George, the 3d day of July, 1775, when twenty- 
 four of the members were present, Richard Bland, Es- 
 quire, in the Chair, was read : 
 
 Norfolk, May 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As Captain Alexander is within your ju- 
 risdiction, the Committee of this Borough are clearly of 
 opinion that they have no authority to take up the matter 
 with respect to his conduct, but only as far as relates to 
 Mr. Marsden. It is therefore the request of this Commit- 
 tee, that you will please to resume the consideration of 
 Captain Alexander's conduct, and take such steps therein 
 as you may think proper. With respect to the part Mr. 
 Marsden took in the matter, Captain Alexander denies 
 that he was in any wise concerned, and that the facts con- 
 tained in your letter have been mistaken by you. His tes- 
 timony here directly contradicts his testimony before you. 
 We therefore send you his examination, taken in writing, 
 and repeatedly read and assented to by him. We shall 
 be glad to be favoured with your answer. 
 
 William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 Captain Alexander's Examination at Norfolk Bo- 
 rough. 
 
 Question. Did Mr. Marsden know of your purchasing 
 the Linens, &tc, from Captain Fazakerly 1 
 
 Answer. I cannot tell positively, but think he did not 
 know of my purchase. 
 
 Q. Did Mr. Marsden pay the Pork to your order, 
 knowing that it was for part of the purchase of the said 
 Linens ? 
 
 A. He did not. 
 
 Q. Did Mr. Marsden send the Linens, and a parcel of 
 Shoes, with an invoice thereof, accompanied with a letter, 
 to Mr. Humphrey Richards, signed Marsden, Maxwell, 
 and Company, or not ? 
 
 A. He did not, but there was a letter directed to me, 
 written by Mr. Marsden's young man, (John Elm) in their 
 name 
 
 Q. Was the condition respecting the consent of the 
 
529 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 530 
 
 Convention for Captain Fazakcrly to sell his Goods, ex- 
 pressed in the order, or not ? 
 
 A. It was not, but was only agreed to verbally between 
 the Captain and myself. 
 
 The said Charles Alexander having had proper notice, 
 and failing to attend ; and the Committee taking into their 
 consideration the aforesaid Letter and Examination, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said Charles Alexander 
 has infringed the Tenth Article of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and that he be held up to the publick as inimical to 
 America, agreeable to the Eleventh Article of the Conti- 
 nental Association ; and it is recommended to the good 
 people of America to break off all dealings with the said 
 Charles Alexander, his Factors, or Agents. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Hartwell Raines, Secretary. 
 
 LOUISA COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee held for the County of Louisa, at the 
 Court-House, the 8th of May, 1775: 
 
 The Committee being fully sensible of the benefits that 
 may redound to the community in general from the spirit- 
 ed behaviour of Captain Patrick Henry, and the other 
 Officers and Gentlemen Soldiers of the Volunteer Compa- 
 ny of Hanover, in procuring satisfaction for the Gunpowder 
 taken out of the Colony's Magazine, beg leave to return 
 them our most hearty thanks. 
 
 Thomas Walker, 
 
 William White, 
 
 James Dabney, 
 
 Charles Barrett, 
 
 Samuel Ragland, 
 
 William Pettus, 
 
 Waddy Thompson, 
 
 Garritt Minor, 
 Thos. Johnson, Jun., 
 Thos. Johnson, Sen., 
 Nathl. Anderson, 
 John Crutchfield, 
 Robert Anderson, 
 Charles Smith. 
 
 Signed hy the whole Committee, except one, who was 
 absent. Henry Garritt, Clerk. 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders of the County of West- 
 chester, at the White-Plains, on Monday, the 8th day of 
 May, 1775, pursuant to a general notice for that purpose, 
 they did appoint a Committee of ninety persons for the 
 said County, and determined that any twenty of them 
 should be empowered to act for the said County, and then 
 appointed the following persons (nominated by the said 
 Committee) to represent the said County in Provincial Con- 
 vention, viz : 
 
 Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Graham, James Van Cort- 
 landt, Stephen Ward, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cort- 
 landt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., 
 Robert Grahum, William Paulding. 
 
 The Committee then signed an Association, similar to 
 that which was signed in the City of New-York, and ap- 
 pointed Sub-Committees to superintend the signing of the 
 same throughout the County. 
 
 By order of the Committee: 
 
 James Van Cortlandt, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Monday, May 8, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDoug.ill, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lisponard, 
 William Walton, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 John White, 
 Theophilns Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Lawrence Embree, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Mooro, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lasher, 
 Georgo Janeway, 
 David Clarkson, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 Thomas Buchannan, 
 
 John M. Scott, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 John Marston, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 John Lamb, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, seconded by Mr. Scott, moved in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 Whereas it is necessary for the maintenance of the liber- 
 ties of this and the neighbouring Colonies, that every per- 
 son in this City and County who now have Arms or Am- 
 munition, or other articles which will be wanted for our 
 defence, to dispose of, or may import any of those articles 
 for sale, should make the same known to some friend of 
 the Country. And whereas, the disposal of any of those 
 articles to any person other than such who will put them 
 into the hands of men well-affected to the liberties of Ame- 
 rica may tend to enslave this Country, I therefore move 
 that this Committee come into the following Resolutions, 
 viz : 
 
 1 . Resolved, That any person in this City or County 
 who have Arms, Ammunition, or the other articles neces- 
 sary for our defence, to dispose of, or shall import any of 
 those articles for sale, and shall not, within ten days after 
 the publication of these Resolutions, or in ten days after 
 the importation of such Arms, Ammunition, &c, aforesaid, 
 inform the Chairman or Deputy Chairman of this Commit- 
 tee of the quantity and quality of the same, he shall be 
 held up to the publick as an enemy to this Country. 
 
 2. Resolved, That any person in this City or County, 
 who shall, during the unhappy contest with our Parent 
 State, dispose of any Arms, Ammunition, or other articles 
 aforesaid, to any person, knowing or having reason to be- 
 lieve such person to be inimical to the liberties of America, 
 or shall put those articles in the hands of any such person, 
 or any other person, knowing or having reason to believe 
 that they are to be used against those liberties, he shall be 
 held up as an enemy to this Country. 
 
 Which being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be published in handbills. 
 
 Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Clarkson, made a motion 
 in the words following, viz : 
 
 I move that the Committee address his Honour the Lieu- 
 tenant Governour, requesting that he would immediately 
 apply to General Gage to give orders, in case any Troops 
 should arrive here from Great Britain or Ireland, that they 
 encamp on Statcn Island, and not be permitted to land in 
 this City ; and that in case any Troops should arrive here 
 before an answer can be had from General Gage, that in 
 that case his Honour would apply to the Commanding Of- 
 ficer of such Troops, requesting that they may be landed 
 and encamped on Staten Island. 
 
 Which being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That an Address be accordingly drawn up and 
 ingrafted in the former Address ordered to be presented to 
 his Honour. 
 
 A Letter, dated Newark, 5th May, 1775, from the 
 Committee of Correspondence, received and read. 
 
 A Letter, dated Suffolk County, 5th May, 1775, from 
 William Smith, received and read. 
 
 Mr. Scott, from the Committee of Correspondence, 
 reported the draught of a Letter in answer to one of the 
 3d instant from Albany, which being read and approved of, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be engrossed and forwarded. 
 
 The Committee adjourned till to-morrow, the 9th instant. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Tuesday, 9th of 
 May, 1775. Present : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, Chairman, pro tern. 
 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Theophilns Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 
 William \V. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 Rodolphus Ritzma, 
 John Lasher, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Aug. Van Home, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 David Beekman, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 John Lamb, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Thomas Buchannan, 
 Petrus Byvanck, 
 Francis Bassetl, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence be 
 directed, without delay, to draught and report to this Board 
 a Resolution for regulating the conduct of the Owners, 
 Masters, and Mates, of such Vessels as shall depart from 
 this Port with Provisions. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. 
 
 34 
 
531 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 532 
 
 A Letter, dated Kingsland District, Tryon County, 19lli 
 April, 1775, from William Petri, received and read. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence be 
 directed to draught and report an Answer to the above 
 Letter. 
 
 Mr. Lamb, seconded by Mr. McDougall, moved in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 As the Firelocks belonging to this City are at present 
 only fitted with ordinary wooden rammers, and conse- 
 quently cannot be of much use in case of necessity., I move 
 that a Sub-Committee be appointed to wait ou the Cor- 
 poration, to request that they will give directions to have 
 them fitted with Steel Rammers. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Curtenius, and Mr. 
 Rilzma, be a Committee for the above purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter to the Lord Mayor of Lon- 
 don be published in Monday's Paper. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That the Chairman return the 
 thanks of this Committee to Mr. Sharpe, for delivering a 
 number of Arms gratis to the inhabitants of this City. 
 
 Committee adjourned until to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 The Committee met by adjournment, JVednesday, May 
 10, 1775. Present: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 John Broome, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 (iabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John White, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 
 William Denning, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Lawrence Embree, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Rodolphus Ritzma, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lasher, 
 George Janeway, 
 James Beekman, 
 David Clarkson, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 John M. Scott, 
 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Peter Goelet, 
 John Marston, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 David Beekman, 
 William Seaton, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Samuel Broome, 
 John Lamb, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 •Cornelius P. Low, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McDougall and Mr. Kissam be di- 
 rected to draught a Letter to the gentlemen in Delegation 
 for this City and County, requesting the advice and direc- 
 tion of the Continental Congress now silling at Philadel- 
 phia, with respect to the conduct to be observed by the 
 inhabitants of this City toward any Troops that may arrive 
 bere. 
 
 In pursuance of the above Order, Mr. Kissam reported 
 and read the draught of a Letter to the above gentlemen 
 at Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be engrossed and forwarded. 
 
 Mr. Scott, from the Committee of Correspondence, re- 
 ported the draught of an Address to his Honour the Lieu- 
 tenant-Governour, which being read and approved of, 
 
 Ordered, That copies thereof be engrossed, and that 
 Mr. De Lancey, Captain Randall, and Mr. J&hn Marston 
 be a Sub-Committee to wait on his Honour to know when 
 be would be pleased to receive the said Address. 
 
 The Committee 
 llth of May, 1775 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 William Walton, 
 John Broome, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Nicholas 'Hoffman, 
 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Poter Van Schaack, 
 Houry Remsen, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryco, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Oliver Temploton, 
 Thomas Ivors, 
 
 met by adjournment, on Thursd-ay, the 
 . Present : 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 Krancis Bassett, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 John B. Moore, 
 
 G ^orge Janeway, 
 James Beekman, 
 Gerret Ketletas, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 Jacobus Van Zand), 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 Benjamin Hehno, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Thomas Buchannan. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That the Circular Letter of this 
 Board to the neighbouring Colonies be printed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. John Broome, Mr. Benson, and 
 Mr. Phenix, be a Sub-Committee to convey the earliest 
 intelligence to the Committees of the several Counties in 
 this Province of all such matters as they shall judge neces- 
 sary to communicate, and they are hereby authorized to 
 transmit such intelligence without previously laying it be- 
 fore this Committee for their approbation. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 the Physicians and others in this City and County, who 
 are in the practice of Innoculating for the Small Pox, be 
 requested immediately to desist from Innoculating in this 
 City and County., until the sense of this Committee be sig- 
 nified to the contrary ; and that this Resolution be publish- 
 ed in the several Newspapers in this City. 
 
 The Committee adjourned till to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Committee met by adjournment, Friday, May 12, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 William Walton, 
 John Broome, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 John Anthony, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John White, 
 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Goforth, 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 John Lasher, 
 James Beekman, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Gerret Ketletas, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 John M. Scott, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 
 Jacobus Van Zaiult, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Peter Goelet, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff. 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 Walter Franklin, 
 David Beekman, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart. 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Thomas Buchannan, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 George Janeway. 
 
 A Letter, dated Albany, 8th May, 1775, from the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence, received and read. 
 
 Captain Randall, from the Committee appointed to wait 
 on his Honour the Lieutenant-Governour, to know when it 
 would be his pleasure to receive the Addressiol this Com- 
 mittee, reported that his Honour would be ready to receive 
 the Address to-morrow at twelve o'clock., at Jamaica. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr- C. P. Low, Mr. Van Dam, Colonel 
 Walton, Captain Randall, Mr. De Lancey, Mr. T. Mars- 
 ton., Mr. Van Schaack, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Duyckinck, Mr. 
 Templeton., Mr. Beekman, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Scott, Mr. 
 Remsen, Mr. Duryee, Mr. A. Walton^, and Mr. F. Jay, be a 
 Committee to present the sajd Address; and that they be 
 charged to apply to the principal people of the Towns of 
 Jamaica, Hempstead, and Oyster Bay, to represent to them 
 the necessity of their joining with their countrymen in 
 sending Delegates to the Provincial Congress. 
 
 A Letter, dated Philadelphia, llth May, 1775, from 
 Mr. Barclay, received and read ; referred to the Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence to answer. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, seconded by Mr. Fleming, moved that 
 the Committee of Correspondence be directed to draught 
 and report, without delay, two Resolutions relative to the 
 conduct proper to be observed by the citizens to those who 
 do not sign the Association, and to direct that no inhabitant 
 of this City and County be treated as an enemy to his 
 Country, but by the determination of the Continental or 
 Provincial Congress, or by tins Committee. 
 
 Committee adjourned to Monday, 15th May, 1775. 
 
 At a Speeial Meeting of the Committee, Sunday, 14th 
 May, 1775. Present: 
 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John White, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 
 William Goforth, 
 William Denning, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Robert Benson, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Nicholas Rooseyelt, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Rodolphus Ritzma, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lashor, 
 James Beekman, 
 
 Samuel Verplanck. 
 Richard Yates, 
 Gerret Ketletas, 
 John Van Cortlandt, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff. 
 Benjamin Helme. 
 David Beekman, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart. 
 William Laight. 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 John Imlay, 
 Cornelius Peter Low, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 
533 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &cc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 534 
 
 Ordered, That the Address from this Committee, as 
 presented yesterday to Lieutenant-Governour Colden, with 
 liis Answer now read, be published. 
 
 Whereas, it is strongly suspected that the Man-of-War 
 now in this Harbour is supplied from some part of the 
 Jersey and Staten Island, with Provisions and other neces- 
 saries, with intent to ship the same to Boston for the use 
 of the Army and Navy : 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence write 
 to such of the neighbouring Committees, as also to such 
 persons as they shall think necessary, requesting them to 
 use all possible means for preventing the same. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow afternoon, at 4 o'clock. 
 
 To the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, 
 Lieutenant-Governour and Commander-in-Chief of 
 His Majesty's Colony of New-York, and the Ter- 
 ritories thereon depending, in America, fyc. : 
 The Humble Address of the General Committee of As- 
 sociation for the City and County of New- York : 
 May it please your Honour: 
 
 It frequently happens, under every form of Govern- 
 ment, that the measures of Administration excite the just 
 jealousies of the people, and that the same measures pur- 
 sued divest them of all confidence in those in whose hands 
 the ordinary executive powers are lodged. In such a state 
 of things it is natural for the people to cast their eyes upon 
 those of their fellow sufferers on whose abilities and in- 
 tegrity they can rely, and to ask their advice and direction 
 for the preservation of all that is dear and valuable to 
 them. 
 
 That such is the frame and temper of our inhabitants, 
 you have had the fullest opportunity to know in the course 
 of that residence with which you have lately honoured us. 
 
 This City and County, as well as the rest of the Colo- 
 ny, have exercised the greatest patience in waiting, though 
 in vain, for a redress of the many unconstitutional and op- 
 pressive burdens under which this whole Continent has 
 groaned for several years past. To their inexpressible 
 grief they have found that the most dutiful applications 
 for redress have not only been rejected, but have been 
 answered by reiterated violations of their rights. 
 
 You cannot, therefore, wonder, Sir, that at this most in- 
 teresting crisis, when their all is at stake, and when, under 
 the authority of Administration, the sword has been drawn, 
 though unsuccessfully, against their brethren of the Massa- 
 chusetts, for asserting those invaluable rights which are the 
 common inheritance of Britons and Americans, that the 
 City and County of New- York have proceeded to asso- 
 ciate in the common cause, and to the election of a Com- 
 mittee and Delegates in Congress, to represent them in 
 their claims, and to direct their counsels and conduct for 
 the preservation of those inestimable privileges to which 
 the great Creator, the order of their being as rational 
 creatures, and our happy Constitution, have given them an 
 undoubted title. 
 
 To this important end they have unanimously invested 
 us, their Committee, with a trust, which we are determined, 
 with the best of our abilities and most faithfully to dis- 
 charge ; and in the execution of which we think it our in- 
 dispensable duty to declare: 
 
 That our constituents, while they cheerfully yield that 
 the Legislature of the Parent State may make provisions 
 in their nature merely calculated to regulate the Trade of 
 the Empire ; yet they claim as their indefeisible birthright 
 a total exemption from all taxes, internal and external, by 
 authority of Parliament, and from every aid to the Crown, 
 but on royal requisitions to their Representatives in Assem- 
 bly, constitutionally convened, and freely deliberating and 
 determining upon every such requisition. 
 
 That they never can, nor will submit to the establish- 
 ment of unconstitutional admiralty jurisdictions ; but will 
 ever regard them as engines that may be employed for the 
 most tyrannical purposes. 
 
 That they are determined never to part with their pre- 
 cious, and lately invaded right, of trial by peers of their 
 vicinage, in any case whatsoever. 
 
 That they look with the utmost dread on every expe- 
 dient by authority of Parliament, or otherwise, that may- 
 tend to secure from condign punishment offenders against 
 
 the most essential rights of human nature, by removing 
 them for their trial to places distant from the scene of per- 
 petration, at the discretion of a Governour or Commander- 
 in-Chief. 
 
 That they esteem, and therefore will by every lawful 
 means oppose the late oppressive restraints upon Com- 
 merce, as subversive in their nature of the liberties of 
 America. 
 
 That they regard the hostile blockade of the Port of 
 Boston, the attack upon the venerable Charter rights of 
 the Massachusetts, the extension of the bounds of Quc- 
 beck, the establishment of Popery and an arbitrary form 
 of Government in that Province, and the exclusive privi- 
 leges virtually given to it in the Indian trade, as so many 
 steps of an ill-judging Administration, that most eminently 
 endanger the liberty and prosperity of the whole Empire. 
 
 That they view with inexpressible horrour, the bloody 
 standard erected in the Eastern parts of the confederated 
 Colonies, and feel, as in their own bodies, every stroke 
 which their brave compatriots have received from the hand 
 of their fellow-subjects cruelly and unnaturally armed 
 against them by mistaken ministerial severity. 
 
 In short, that they are determined to equip themselves 
 for maintaining, with successful bravery and resolution, the 
 unquestionable rights of Englishmen. 
 
 Permit us at the same time, Sir, to assure you in their 
 behalf, that though they are arming with great diligence 
 and industry, it is not with design to oppose, but to 
 strengthen Government in the due exercise of constitu- 
 tional authority. It is to be in a state of readiness to repel 
 every lawless attack by our superiours, and to prevent the 
 anarchy and confusion to which ministerial misconduct has 
 evidently paved the way. It is to defend the liberties of 
 the subject, and to enable your Honour, and those in office 
 under you, efficaciously to administer the just Government 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Your Honour cannot but see the sudden transition of 
 the inhabitants of this Capital from a state of tumult, occa- 
 sioned by hostilities committed against their brethren, to 
 tranquillity and good order, as the consequence of our 
 appointment. It is our ardent wish, Sir, that the same tran- 
 quillity and good order may be permanent. We look for- 
 ward, therefore, with deep concern at the expected arrival 
 of Troops from Great Britain; an event that will probably 
 be attended with innumerable mischiefs. Their presence 
 will doubtless revive the resentment of our inhabitants at 
 the repeatedly avowed designs of subjugating the Colonies 
 by military force. Mutual jealousies may break out into 
 reciprocal violence. Thousands will, in that case, be 
 poured in upon us from our other Counties and the neigh- 
 bouring Colonies, who, we are well assured, have resolved 
 to prevent this City from being reduced to the present 
 situation of Boston. Thus, instead of being a secure gar- 
 rison-town and place of arms, as is vainly expected by 
 some, the streets of Xeic-York may be deluged with blood. 
 Such a destructive evil, we are well assured, your Honour 
 will do every thing in your power to avert. Permit us 
 then, Sir, to beseech you to apply to Great Britain for 
 orders that such Troops as may arrive from Great Britain 
 or Ireland do not land or encamp in this City and Coun- 
 ty; and in case of their arrival before your Honour shall 
 receive the General's answer, to solicit their commanding 
 officer to the same purpose. 
 
 Give us leave, Sir, to conclude by assuring you, that we 
 are determined to improve that confidence with which the 
 people have honoured us, in strengthening the hands of 
 the civil Magistrate, in every lawful measure calculated to 
 promote the peace and just rule of this Metropolis, and 
 consistent with that jealous attention which, above all 
 things, we are bound to pay to the violated rights of 
 America. 
 
 We are, Sir, with the greatest respect, your Honour's 
 most obedient and humble servants. 
 
 Ordered unanimously by the Committee : 
 
 Henry Remsen, D. Chairman. 
 New.York, May 11, 1775. 
 
 His Honour s Ansiver. 
 
 Gentlemen: I have the best authority to assure you, 
 that our most gracious Sovereign and both Houses of Par- 
 liament have declared their readiness to afford every jusf 
 
535 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MAY, 1775. 
 
 536 
 
 and reasonable indulgence to the Colonies, whenever they 
 should make a proper application on the ground of any 
 real grievances they may have to complain of. This dec- 
 laration has been followed by a Resolution of the House 
 of Commons, which it was expected would have manifest- 
 ed the justice and moderation of Parliament, and a dispo- 
 sition to comply with every wisli of the subjects in Ame- 
 rica. They offer to forbear every kind of taxation or 
 assessment on America, except such as are necessary for 
 the regulation of Commerce, and only require that the 
 Colonies should make provision by such ways and means 
 as are best suited to their respective circumstances, for con- 
 tributing a proportion to the common defence of the Em- 
 pire, and for the support of their own civil Government 
 and the administration of justice. His Majesty's Ministers 
 did not doubt this temper in Parliament would meet with 
 such a return on the part of the Colonies as would lead to 
 a happy issue of the present disputes, and to a re-establish- 
 ment of publick tranquillity on grounds of equity, justice, 
 and moderation. Is it not, then, to be lamented as the 
 most unfortunate event, that the patience of the people 
 was exhausted at the moment of this prospect of a peace- 
 able and happy accomplishment of all their wishes? Will 
 not those in whom they now confide yet endeavour to ob- 
 tain it ? Must this Country, till now happy and flourishing 
 beyond parallel, be involved in the dreadful calamities ever 
 attendant on civil war, while there remains one possible 
 means untried, by which so great, so cruel an evil might be 
 averted? You tell me, gentlemen, that the people have 
 lost all confidence in the ordinary officers of Government, 
 and that they have cast their eyes upon you for advice and 
 direction. 1 cannot divest myself of the most affectionate 
 concern for the welfare, the peace, and prosperity of the 
 people over whom I have so long presided as the imme- 
 diate representative of their august Sovereign ; with whom 
 I have lived the term of a long life, and among whom I 
 leave all that is dear and valuable to me.* I am impelled 
 by my duty, and a most zealous attachment to the interest 
 and safety of this people, to exhort you not to irritate the 
 present enraged state of their minds, nor suffer them to 
 plunge into labyrinths from whence they can neither ad- 
 vance nor retreat, but through blood and desolation. 
 
 His Majesty's Ministers have, in the strongest terms, 
 expressed the satisfaction with which the King received 
 the assurances of the loyalty and affection of his faithful 
 subjects in this Government, and of their ardent desire for 
 a permanent reconciliation with the Mother Country. I 
 cannot, then, conceive upon what grounds a suspicion is 
 entertained that the City of New- York is to be reduced to 
 the present stale of Boston. I have not had the least in- 
 timation that any Regular Troops were destined for this 
 Province. It is proper that General Gage should know 
 your sentiments on this subject, and I shall embrace the 
 first opportunity of communicating your request to him. 
 At the same time I think there is reason to suspect that 
 this report has been invented to facilitate the introduction 
 of an armed force from Connecticut, which, I am told, is 
 meditated. Will not the apprehension of such a design 
 rouse you, gentlemen, and every virtuous citizen, to avert, 
 by every means in your power, a measure so humiliating, 
 so dangerous to the honour, safety, and freedom of this 
 Colony ? 
 
 1 have beheld with inexpressible anxiety the state of 
 tumult and disorder which raged in the Metropolis of this 
 Province ; and 1 am sorry that a recent instance, since your 
 appointment, revives the threatening prospect of insecurity 
 to which the inhabitants are reduced. I exhort you to 
 carry into effect the assurances you give me, that you are 
 determined to improve that confidence with which the 
 people have honoured you, in strengthening the hands of 
 the civil Magistrates. Let this be done immediately, and 
 with impartial firmness on every, occasion ; that the houses, 
 persons, and property of your fellow-citizens may not be 
 attacked and insulted with impunity, and every degree of 
 domestick security and happiness sapped to the foundation. 
 
 Cadwallader Colden. 
 
 May 13, 1775. 
 
 • To know what confidence this Colony ought to put in tho assur- 
 ar.eos given to our Committoe by a certain p TRon who fills a high 
 post in this Govornm rot, it will be sufficient to read the extracts of the 
 letters ho wrote to tho Ministry, and which have been exhibited before 
 tho Parliament. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Captain- 
 General and Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's 
 Forces in the Colony of Connecticut: 
 May it please your Honour: 
 
 We, your Honour's dutiful Petitioners, inhabitants of that 
 part of the society of Jiidgebury which is within the Town- 
 ship of liidgefield, beg leave humbly to represent, that in 
 the present important struggle for the preservation of the 
 rights and liberties of this Country, a large number of the 
 inhabitants of this Parish have appeared firmly attached to 
 the common cause, and adopted the measures concerted by 
 the General Congress and recommended by our worthy Rep- 
 resentatives in the General Assembly; whilst the Town, 
 as a body, have rejected and protested against said measures. 
 That as we presume this was a reason why the appointment 
 of a Captain of a Company in the Forces now raising for 
 the defence of this Colony fell upon a member of this 
 rather than of the fiist society in the Town, but that the 
 man appointed (Lieutenant Abraham Gray) hath declined 
 taking a commission in the present service, yet that as he 
 was not one of those who had openly and publickly mani- 
 fested a concurrence with us, and with the Country in 
 general, in pursuing the measures recommended by the 
 General Congress, we conceive his refusal cannot be reason- 
 ably construed as any evidence of backwardness among us 
 to engage in the present service. 
 
 We therefore humbly pray that the commission may not 
 be transferred to any person out of this part of the Town, 
 especially as we conceive there are men among us as well 
 qualified to hold it as may be found elsewhere ; and we beg 
 leave particularly to mention Ichabod Doolittle as a man, 
 in our apprehension, very suitable for the office, and humbly 
 pray your Honour to appoint him to take the commission 
 of a Captain, which the said Lieutenant Gray hath declined ; 
 and your Honour's Petitioners shall ever pray. 
 
 Daniel Colby, Timothy Benedict, 
 
 David Rockwell, Nathan Stevens, 
 Isaac Keeler, Jonah Foster, 
 
 Samuel Bennet, Nathaniel Stevens. 
 
 Samuel Keeler, Jr., Abraham Gray, 
 Zachariah Stearns, Nathan Foster, 
 Samuel Northrup, William Forester, 
 Bartholomew Weed, Azor Hurlbert, 
 Matthew Northrup, Jeremiah Birchard, 
 Thomas Frost, Jr., Abijah Rockwell. 
 Isaiah Birchard, 
 Ridgcbury, in Ridgefield, May 8, 1775. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF MALDEN AND CHELSEA. 
 
 Maiden, May 8, 1775. 
 
 The Joint Committee of Maiden and Chelsea met. 
 
 Voted, That Captain John Dexter, Tfiomas Hills, and 
 Jonathan Williams, be a Committee to wait on General 
 Ward, and inform him that Doctor Samuel Danforth, of 
 Boston, passes backwards and forwards to that place ; and 
 from his well known conduct and behaviour, we have reason 
 to suspect his attachment to our most righteous cause ; like- 
 wise his screwing Hay, and moving it down to \\ innesimtnet 
 Ferry, in order to be removed to Boston; and that the 
 Committee has taken care that said Hay shall be removed 
 to some more secure place. 
 
 John Dexter, Chairman. 
 
 Hartford, Connecticut, May 8, 1775. 
 We have the pleasure to acquaint the publick that a 
 Constitutional Post-Oflice is now rising on the ruins of the 
 Parliamentary one, which is just expiring in convulsions. 
 Mr. William Goddard, encouraged by the friends of liberty 
 at New- York, hath engaged a faithful rider to proceed from 
 Mr. John Holt's office on Thursday next, with the- Eastern 
 mails for Philadelphia, and Colonies southward. The first- 
 mentioned gentleman is arrived here, and will proceed this 
 day for the Provincial Congress at Walertoicn, and the 
 camp near Boston, in order to complete the important 
 business of his journey, having had the satisfaction of seeing 
 Constitutional Posts and Postmasters established in every 
 considerable Town which he hath visited. The patriotick 
 conduct of the General Assembly of this Colony hath 
 greatly contributed to the success of Mr. Goddard's enter- 
 
537 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 538 
 
 prise, and it is not doubted but the institution will be 
 patronised and properly regulated by the Continental Con- 
 gress. Several of the old Postmasters have resigned their 
 appointments and engaged in the new plan, and others may 
 follow their example. Messrs. Peets and Hard, and Adams 
 and Hyde, are also employed as riders in the service of 
 their Country. 
 
 GODDARD S POST-OFFICES. 
 
 Persons aj)j)ointed to reccice and forward Letters, fyc. 
 
 Cambridge, Mass. Mr. James Winthrop. 
 
 Worcester, " Mr. Isaiah Thomas. 
 
 Springfield, " Mr. Moses Church. 
 
 Newport, R. Island, The Committee. 
 
 Providence, " - 
 
 New-London, Conn. Mr. Nathaniel Shaw. 
 
 Hartford, " Mr. William Ellery. 
 
 Middletown, " Mr. Wcsly Hobby. 
 
 New-Haven, " Mr. Elias Beers. 
 
 Fairfield, " Thaddeus Burr, Esq. 
 
 Stamford, b Mr. Ebenezer Weed. 
 
 Norwalk, '•' The Committee, who will ap- 
 point a Postmaster. 
 
 New-York, N. Y. Mr. John Holt* 
 
 Newark, New-Jersey, Mr. William Camp. 
 
 Eliza'town, " Mr. He Hart. 
 
 Woodbridge, " Capt. Nathaniel Heard. 
 
 Brunswick, '•' John Dennis, Esq. 
 
 Princeton, :< Mr. Baldwin. 
 
 Trenton, " The Committee. 
 
 Bristol, Penn. Mr. Charles Besconer. 
 
 Philadelphia " Mr. William Bradford. 
 
 Wilmington, Del. Mr. Hcmpjield. 
 
 * A Constitutional Post-Office is now kept at J. Holt's Printing Office 
 in Water Street, near the Coffee-House, New-York, where Letters are 
 received in, and carefully despatched by riders who may be depended 
 upon for the faithful performance of duty, and execution of the most 
 important trusts that business may require, as none but men of pro- 
 perty and approved characters, will be employed. 
 
 The Posts for Philadelphia and the Southwestern Colonies set out 
 about eight o'clock every Monday and Thursday morning, proceed that 
 day, through the Towns of Newark, Elizabeth/own, Rahwuy, Wood- 
 bridge, Bonumtown, Piscataway, and Brunswick, to Princeton, where 
 they meet and exchange mails with the Posts from Philadelphia, who 
 p :ss through Frankfort, Bristol, Trenton, and Maidenhead. These 
 Posts the next day (Tuesday) return with the m iils to the above office 
 in New-York, and to Mr. Bradford's, at the Coffee-House in Philadel- 
 phia ; from whence other Posts set out for the Westward and East- 
 ward at the usual times. Those from New. York for the Eastward, set 
 out about nine o'clock on Monday, about noon on Thursday, and return 
 to New-York with the Eastern mails, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 
 
 Tho rates of postage for the present, are the same that they used to 
 be under the unconstitutional Post-Office, and accounts are car; fullv 
 kept of all the moneys received for Letters, as well as expended on 
 r:ders, &c. That where rates and rules are affixed, and offices regularly 
 established throughout the British Colonies, by each Provincial and by 
 the Continental Congress, what shall be done before that time may be 
 taken into the account, and properly adjusted. 
 
 The subscriber having at all times acted consistently, and to the 
 utmost of his power in support of the English Constitution and the 
 rights and liberties of his countrymen, the inhabitants of the British 
 American Colonies, esp :cially as a printer, regjrdless of his own personal 
 sif tyor private advantage; and having always, both by speech and 
 publications from his press, openly, fully, and plainly denied the right 
 of the British Parliament to tax, or make laws to bind Americans, in any 
 case whatsoever, without their own free consent ; and done his utmost 
 to stimulate his countrymen, with whom he is determined to stand or 
 fall, to assert and defend their rights against the encroachments and 
 unjust claims of Great Britain and every other power; and as he has, 
 by this conduct, incurred the displeasure of many men in power, and 
 been a very great sufferer (the greatest, he believes, in this Country; 
 by the stoppage and obstruction given to the circulation of his news- 
 papers by the Post-Office, which has long been an engine in the hand 
 of the British Ministry to promote their schemes of enslaving the 
 Colonics and destroying the English Constitution, (the very institution 
 and existence of this office afforded the Ministry one of the most plau- 
 sible arguments in favour of their pretended rig'it to tax the Colonies, 
 and was a precedent of their admission of that right, and of the exercise 
 of it ;) and as the Colonies are at length roused to defend their rights, 
 and in particular to wrest the Post-Office from the tyrannical hands 
 which have long held it, and put it on a constitutional footing; and 
 many gentlemen among the most hearty and able friends to America, 
 in this and the neighbouring Colonics, both in and out of the Conti, 
 nental Congress, having encouraged the subscriber to hope that they 
 think him a proper person to hold the office of Postmaster in this Col- 
 ony, with the business of which he is well acquainted, and will favour 
 his application for the same : He humbly requests the favour, concur- 
 rence, and assistance of the honourable Convention of Deputies for 
 this Colony, in his appointment to the said office, the duties of which 
 it will be his constant care to discharge with faithfulness, and to gene- 
 r il satisfaction, ever grateful for favours conferred, and studious to 
 deserve them. John Holt. 
 
 Baltimore, Maryland, 
 Annapolis, " 
 Georgetown on ^ f( 
 the Potomack, 5 
 
 Alexandria, Virginia, 
 Dumfries, " 
 Fred'kseurgh, " 
 Norfolk, " 
 Will'msburgh, " 
 
 Mr. Goddard's Office. 
 Mr. Samuel H. Howard. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Richardson. 
 
 Mr. James Hendricks. 
 Mr. Richard Graham. 
 Capt. George Weedon. 
 William Davits, Esq. 
 The Committee, who will ; 
 point a Postmaster. 
 
 post riders. 
 
 From Falmouth to Portsmouth, Mr 
 
 From Portsmouth to Cambridge, Mr. Trobh. 
 From Cambridge to Hartford, Messrs. Adams and 
 Hyde. 
 
 From Hartford to New-York, Messsrs. Feet and 
 Hurd. 
 
 From New-York to Philadelphia, Mr. James J an 
 Brocket. 
 
 From Cambridge to Providence, Newport and New- 
 London, Messrs. Feter and Benjamin Mumford. 
 
 From New-London to New-York, lower road, Messrs. 
 Feet and Hurd. 
 
 From Cambridge to Providence, Norwich and New- 
 London, Mr. Nathaniel Bushel/. 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Boston, May 8, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir : The printed paper which I now send 
 you, was brought to me by a kind neighbour who picked it 
 up in the street, and as it is mine by the gift of the finder 
 of it, I have thought it my duly to send it unto you, that so, 
 as the Province is interested in it, it may by you be commu- 
 nicated to the Provincial Assembly over which you preside. 
 
 This " Circumstantial Account," as it is called, of the late 
 engagement, has been so privately printed that some of their 
 own officers have not the knowledge of it ; and as this is 
 the account which is most probably sent home, it is here 
 currently reported that above thirty depositions upon oath, 
 to the truth of it, have been sent along with it. 
 
 You will see, by this account, that the people of our 
 Province are represented as the blamable causes of all that 
 occurred. They attacked ; they fired first ; they committed 
 cruelties. The British Soldiers only did their duty ; and 
 having done it, they did not properly retreat, but marched 
 back to Charlestown. 
 
 1 wish you, sir, and the Provincial Congress, the happiest 
 direction from above in all your counsels and managements 
 for the publick weal, and prosperity and the blessing of the 
 Lord of Hosts in the prosecution of them; and am, with 
 my most cordial respects to yourself and all our Delegates 
 with you, your faithful friend and most obedient servant, 
 
 Samuel Mather. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF WORCESTER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 Worcester, Massachusetts, May ij, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the inhabitants of the 
 Town to take into their consideration what is requisite to be 
 done with a number of people who have shown themselves 
 disaffected to their Country, do report: 
 
 That in their humble opinion, as William Cambtll has 
 broke through his engagements with the fathers of the 
 people, and presumed to go out of the Town and Prov- 
 ince before the Resolve of the Provincial Congress was 
 known, in order to injure the good people of this place, 
 and has been, and by his conduct still appears to be, an 
 inveterate enemy to the rights and privileges of this Coun- 
 try, notwithstanding his declarations to the contrary, he 
 should be sent to Wateriown or Cambridge, to be dealt 
 with as the honourable Congress or the Commander-in- 
 Chief shall think necessary, it being judged highly improper 
 that he should tarry any longer in this Town. 
 
 And whereas Mr. Samuel Paine, of Worcester, has been 
 found guilty of propagating a report, viz : " that the goods. 
 Sic, taken out of the dwelling house of Ebenezer Bradish, 
 of Menotomy, was not taken by the Regular Troops, but 
 by our people; and furthermore, that our Troops quartered 
 
539 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 540 
 
 in College were lousy and deserted by hundreds ;" the in- 
 habitants of the Town of Worcester assembled, 
 
 Resolve, That said Paine be sent to Watertown or Cam- 
 bridge with William Cambell, under the care of Captains 
 Jonas Hubbard and Edivard Craft, to be dealt with as the 
 honourable Congress or Commander-in-Chief shall, upon 
 examination, think proper. Joshua Bigelow, 
 
 Per order Selectmen of Worcester. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress in Watertown, or 
 Commander-in-Chief at Cambridge. 
 
 Worcester, Massachusetts, May 9, 1775. 
 1, Gardner Chandler, of lawful age, do testify and say, 
 that on the sixth instant, being in my garden, Samuel Paine 
 '•ame to me, (being the first time I had seen him since he 
 came from Cambridge.) I asked him what news. He told 
 me none but what we had here. I then asked him how 
 matters were at Mr. B radish's house ; he said that the 
 Hampshire Soldiers had got possession of it, and of all that 
 was in it. 1 then mentioned the things that were lost the 
 first day ; he said they were not taken by the Regulars, 
 hut by our people. 1 asked him if the Soldiers did not 
 come off ; he said he heard they did in great numbers ; and 
 that he was told that the men were so close stowed in the 
 Colleges that they were lousy. 
 
 Gardner Chandler. 
 
 Worcester, ss., May 9, 1775: 
 
 The within named Gardner Chandler, after due caution, 
 made oath to the truth of the within written affidavit taken 
 before me. Robert Goddard, 
 
 Justice oj the Peace. 
 
 SPOTTSYLVANIA COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee for the County of Spottsylvania, held 
 at the Town-House in Fredericksburgh, on Tuesday the 
 ninth of May, 1775: Present twenty-six members: 
 Fielding Lewis, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 The Committee having before them a copy of the pro- 
 ceedings of Captain Patrick Henry, and other gentlemen, 
 officers and volunteers under his command, concerning the 
 Powder taken from the County Magazine, cordially approve 
 of the same, and unanimously vote them their thanks for 
 their prudent, firm, and spirited conduct on that occasion. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the easy acquisition of the 
 Powder from the County Magazine in the City of Williams- 
 burgh, by order of his Excellency the Governour, and the 
 convenient situation of that City with respect to the Navy, 
 render it unsafe to continue the publick Treasury at that 
 place, and that it is the opinion of this Committee that the 
 same ought to be removed to a place of greater safety. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Chairman, Charles Dick, James 
 Mercer, Charles Mortimer, and George Thornton, gentle- 
 men, do write to the Treasurer, requesting him to call a 
 Convention of the Delegates for this Colony as soon as 
 possible. Alexander Dick, Clerk. 
 
 ORANGE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 May 9, 1775. 
 
 The Committee for Orange County met on Tuesday 
 the ninth of May. Taking into their consideration the re- 
 moval of the Powder from the publick Magazine, and the 
 compensation obtained by the Independent Company of 
 Hanover; and observing also that the receipt given by 
 ( laptain Patrick Henry to his Majesty's Receiver-General 
 refers the final disposal of the Money to the next Colony 
 Convention, came to the following Resolutions : 
 
 1 . That the Governour's removal of the Powder lodged 
 in the Magazine, and set apart for the defence of the Coun- 
 try, was fraudulent, unnecessary, and extremely provoking 
 to the people of this Colony. 
 
 2. That the resentment shewn by the Hanover Volun- 
 teers, and the reprisal they have made on the King's pro- 
 perty, highly merit the approbation of the publick, and the 
 thanks of this Committee. 
 
 .'}. That if any attempt should be made, at the ensuing 
 Convention, to have the Money returned to His Majesty's 
 Receiver-General, our Delegates be, and they are hereby 
 
 instructed, to exert all their influence in opposing such at- 
 tempt, and in having the Money laid out in Gunpowder for 
 the use of the Colony. 
 
 4. That the following Address be presented to Captain 
 Patrick Henry, and the gentlemen independents of Han- 
 over : 
 
 " Gentlemen : We, the Committee for the County of 
 Orange, having been fully informed of your seasonable and 
 spirited proceedings in procuring a compensation for the 
 Powder fraudulently taken from the County Magazine by 
 command of Lord Dunmore, and which it evidently appears 
 his Lordship, notwithstanding his assurances, had no inten- 
 tion to restore, entreat you to accept their cordial thanks for 
 this testimony of your zeal for the honour and interest of 
 your Country. We take this occasion also to give it as our 
 opinion, that the blow struck in the Massachusetts Govern- 
 ment is a hostile attack on this and every other Colony, 
 and a sufficient warrant to use violence and reprisal, in all 
 cases where it may be expedient for our security and 
 welfare." James Madison, Chairman. 
 
 James Taylor, Thomas Barbour, 
 
 Zachariah Burnley, Rowland Thomas, 
 James Madison, Jr., William Moore, 
 James Walker, Lawrence Taliaferro, 
 
 Henry Scott, Thomas Bill. 
 
 HANOVER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting appointed and held for Hanover County, 
 at the Court-House, on Tuesday, the 9th of May, 1775 : 
 Present: John Syme, Samuel Overton, William Crunch, 
 Meriwether Skelton, Richard Morris, Benjamin Ander- 
 son, John Pendleton, John Robinson, Nelson Berkeley, 
 and George Dabney, Junior. 
 
 Agreeable to a Resolution of the Committee held at 
 Newcastle, the 2d instant, setting forth that they being 
 fully informed of the violent hostilities committed by the 
 King's Troops in America, and of the danger arising to 
 the Colony by the loss of the publick Powder, and of the 
 conduct of the Governour, which threatens altogether ca- 
 lamities of the greatest magnitude and most fearful con- 
 se juences to this Colony ; and therefore recommending 
 reprisals to be made upon the King's property, sufficient to 
 replace the Gunpowder taken out of the Magazine : It 
 appears to this Committee that the Volunteers who march- 
 ed from Newcastle to obtain satisfaction for the Gunpow- 
 der, by reprisal or otherwise, proceeded on that business as 
 follows, to wit : 
 
 That an Officer, with sixteen men, was detached to seize 
 the King's Receiver-General, with orders to detain him ; 
 and this, it was supposed, might be done without impeding 
 the progress of the main body. The said Receiver-Gen- 
 eral not being apprehended, owing to his absence from 
 home, the said detachment, according to orders, proceeded 
 to join the main body on its march to Williamsburgh, and 
 the junction happened on the 3d instant, at Doncastle's 
 Ordinary, about sunset. A little after sunrise next morn- 
 ing, the Commanding Officer being assured that proper 
 satisfaction, in money, should be instantly made, the Vol- 
 unteers halted, and the proposal being considered by them, 
 was judged satisfactory as to that point ; and the following 
 Receipt was given, to wit: 
 
 " Doncastle's Ordinary, New-Kent, May 4, 1775. 
 " Received from the Honourable Richard Corbin, Esq., 
 His Majesty's Receiver-General, £330, as a compensation 
 for the Gunpowder lately taken out of the publick Magazine 
 by the Governour's order ; which money I promise to 
 convey to the Virginia Delegates at the General Congress, 
 to be under their direction laid out in Gunpowder for the 
 Colony's use, and to be stored as they shall direct, until 
 the next Colony Convention, or General Assembly, unless 
 it shall be necessary, in the mean time, to use the same in 
 defence of this Colony. It is agreed, that in case the next 
 Convention shall determine that any part of the said money 
 ought to be returned to His Majesty's Receiver-General, 
 that the same shall be done accordingly. 
 
 " Patrick Henry, Junior." 
 
 It was then considered, that as a General Congress would 
 meet in a few days ; and probably a Colony Convention 
 would shortly assemble, and that the reprisal now made 
 
541 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 542 
 
 would amply replace the Powder, with the charges of trans- 
 portation, the Commanding Officer wrote the following 
 Letter, and sent it by express : 
 
 May 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The affair of the Powder is now settled, so as to 
 produce satisfaction to me, and I earnestly wish to the Col- 
 ony in general. The people here have it in charge from 
 the Hanover Committee, to tender their services to you 
 as a publick officer, for the purpose of escorting the pub- 
 lick Treasury to any place in this Colony, where the 
 money would be judged more safe than in the City of 
 Williamsburg h. The reprisal now made by the Hanover 
 Volunteers, though accomplished in a manner least liable 
 to the imputation of violent extremity, may possibly be the 
 cause of future injury to the Treasury. If, therefore, you 
 apprehend the least danger, a sufficient guard is at your 
 service. I beg the return of the bearer may be instant, 
 because the men wish to know their destination. 
 
 With great regard, I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 Patrick Henry, Junior. 
 To Robert Carter Nicholas, Esq., Treasurer. 
 
 To which an answer was received from the said Mr. 
 Nicholas, importing that he had no apprehension of the 
 necessity or propriety of the proffered service. For which 
 reasons, and understanding moreover, from others, that the 
 private citizens of Wifliamsburgh were in a great measure 
 quieted from their late apprehensions for their persons and 
 property, the Volunteers judged it best to return home, 
 and did so accordingly, in order to wait the further direc- 
 tions of the General Congress, or Colony Convention.* 
 
 It appears also to this Committee, that before and on 
 the march, strict orders were repeatedly given to the \ oI~ 
 unteers to avoid all violence., injury, and insult, towards the 
 persons and property of every individual ; and that in exe- 
 cuting the plan of reprisal on the persons of the King's 
 servants, and his property, bloodshed should he avoided, if 
 possible ; and that there is the strongest reason that the 
 foregoing orders respecting private persons and property, 
 were strictly observed. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee do approve of the pro- 
 ceedings of the Officers and Soldiers of the Volunteer 
 Company, and do return them their sincere thanks for their 
 services on the late expedition ; and also that the thanks of 
 this Committee be given to the many Volunteers of the 
 different Counties, who joined and were marching, and 
 ready to co-operate with the Volunteer Company of this 
 County. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk do transmit a copy of these 
 proceedings to the Printers, and desire that they will be 
 pleased to publish the same in their Gazettes as soon as 
 possible. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Bartlett Anderson, Clerk. 
 
 extract of a letter from a gentleman in bucks 
 county, to his friend in philadelphia, dated 
 may 9, 1775. 
 
 Our Committee met yesterday. From their Resolves, 
 (a copy of which I enclose you,) you will find they have 
 adopted your plan, and recommend our associating into 
 companies to learn the military exercise of arms. Some 
 Townships have already begun, and many others, animated 
 with the same zeal for the welfare of their Country, will, 
 I trust, readily fall in w T ith the plan, a knowledge of which, 
 we have great reason to fear we shall soon be called on to 
 give a proof of. The unanimity, prudence, spirit, and firm- 
 ness, which appeared in the deliberations of yesterday, do 
 honour to Bucks County, and will, I hope, in some measure, 
 wipe off those aspersions we too deservedly lay under. 
 
 A large number of the inhabitants being assembled, the 
 
 * Hanover, May 12, 1775. — Yesterday, Patrick Henry, one of the 
 Delegates for this Colony, escorted by a number of resp:etable young 
 gentlemen. Volunteers from this and King William and Caroline Coun- 
 ties, set out to attend the General Congress. They proceeded with him 
 as far as Mrs. Hooe's Ferry, on the Poto.mack, by whom they .were most 
 kindly and hospitably entertained ; and also provided with boats and 
 hands to cross the river. And after partaking of this lady's benefi- 
 cence, the bulk of the Company took their leave of Mr. Henry, salu- 
 ting him with two platoons and repeated huzzas. A guard accompa- 
 nied that worthy gentleman to the Maryland side, who saw him safely 
 landed ; and committing him to the gracious and wise Disposer of all 
 human events, to guide and protect him whilst contending for a resti. 
 tution of our dearest rights and liberties, they wished him a safe jour, 
 ney, and happy return to his family and friands. 
 
 Resolves of the day were made publick, w ho testified their 
 highest approbation of the conduct of the Committee, and 
 unanimously voted them the- thanks of the County. 
 
 A disciple of those species of creatures called Tories, 
 being formally introduced to a tar barrel, of which he was 
 repeatedly pressed to smell, thought it prudent to take leave 
 abruptly, lest a more intimate acquaintance with it should 
 take place. 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of the County of Bucks. 
 held at the house of Richard Leedom^ May 8, 1775: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That we do heartily approve of 
 the Resolves of the late Provincial Convention, held at 
 Philadelphia, the 23d day of January last, and do earn- 
 estly recommend it to the observation of the inhabitants of 
 this County. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That notwithstanding the disap- 
 probation we have hitherto shown to the prosecution of any 
 violent measures of opposition, arising from the hopes and 
 expectations that the humanity, justice, and magnanimity 
 of the British Nation would not fail of affording us relief: 
 being now convinced that all our most dutiful applications 
 have hitherto been fruitless and vain ; and that attempts are 
 now making to carry the oppressive Acts of Parliament into 
 execution by military force, we do therefore earnestly re- 
 commend to the people of this County to form themselves 
 into Associations in their respective Townships, to improve 
 themselves in the military art, that they may be rendered 
 capable of affording their Country that aid which its par- 
 ticular necessities may at any time require. 
 
 Joseph Hart^ John Kidd, Joseph Kirkbride, James 
 Wallace, and Henry Wynkoop, or any three of them, are 
 appointed as Delegates to meet in Provincial Convention, 
 if any should be found necessary. 
 
 The Committee request all persons who have taken sub- 
 scriptions for the relief of the poor of Boston, as soon as 
 possible to collect and pay the same into the hands of the 
 Treasurer, Henry Wynkoop, that it may be speedily ap- 
 plied towards the benevolent purpose for which it was 
 intended ; and at the same time, to give those who have 
 not subscribed an opportunity to contribute also. 
 
 By order of the Committee: 
 
 Henry Wynkoop, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 TO THE PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Bedford, May 9, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Not long since we were favoured with 
 your letter of the 18th ultimo, enclosing the melancholy 
 news of a number of Troops being ordered for America ; in 
 consequence of which we advertised a meeting of the Coun- 
 ty Committee, when the following Resolves were unani- 
 mously entered into : 
 
 At a meeting of the General Committee of the County 
 of Bedford, held at Bedford, the 9th day of May, 1775, in 
 pursuance of a notice for that purpose from the Committee 
 of Correspondence for the said County : 
 
 George Woods, Esquire, Chairman. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this County will imme- 
 diately form themselves into Military Associations, and pie- 
 pare themselves, in order to defend their lives, liberties, and 
 properties, from any illegal attempts made against them. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That each Township in this 
 County shall be immediately notified to assemble them- 
 selves at a certain day and place most convenient for that 
 purpose, and then and there, by ballot or otherwise, choose 
 Officers in their respective Townships. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said Officers, when 
 chosen, shall make out a Roll, and each man shall subscribe 
 his name in said Roll; and that the Captain shall imme- 
 diately transmit a copy thereof to the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence at Bedford. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the Committee of this 
 County shall purchase all the Powder and Lead in any 
 store that may be had within the said County, and have the 
 same put up in some safe Magazine in the Town of Bed- 
 ford, for the use of the said Soldiers ; and that each Com- 
 pany shall, by subscription, make up a proportionable part 
 
543 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 541 
 
 ol' the same ; which Ammunition shall not be distributed 
 without the orders of the Committee of Correspondence of 
 the said County, or until it shall be thought necessary by 
 this Committee, or a majority of them. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That each Company in this 
 County shall use their utmost endeavours to purchase or 
 provide all the Ammunition they can, so that no person in 
 the said Company shall have less than one pound of Pow- 
 der, and Lead in proportion. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That as soon as the said Com- 
 panies are formed, they and each of them shall be sub- 
 ject to military regulations and discipline, in the same 
 manner as any other of His Majesty's Troops are, (corpo- 
 real punishment only excepted.) 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That in case any person or per- 
 sons in this County shall refuse to subscribe himself in a 
 roll of some Company in the said County, in order to de- 
 fend the cause of liberty now contending for, or by any 
 ways or means whatever discourage or disunite the said 
 Associations, that then he or they so offending shall be im- 
 mediately reported by some of the officers of their respec- 
 tive Townships, to the Committee of Correspondence at 
 Bedford, in order that such steps may be taken as by the 
 said Committee may be thought most prudent ; and that, 
 in the mean time, no person or persons within the said 
 County shall, directly or indirectly, have any dealing or 
 commerce, by either buying or selling, borrowing, or lend- 
 ing to or with any of the said offenders. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That all persons within this 
 County that are not at present provided with Guns, Swords, 
 or Tomahawks, in case of ability shall provide for them- 
 selves; and in case of inability, that the Captain of each 
 Company shall immediately transmit their names, or their 
 number, to the Committee of Correspondence at Bedford, 
 that proper measures may be taken in order to provide for 
 them. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That each Township shall meet 
 and choose their Officers, and make return agreeable to 
 the above Resolves, within the space often days from this 
 date. By order of the Committee of Correspondence : 
 
 David Espy, Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ULSTER COUNTY, NEW-YORK, 
 DATED MAY 9, 1775. 
 
 A great revolution in political measures has taken place 
 in this County since we received a copy of the Association 
 entered into by your City, with which many of us have 
 ever been desirous to harmonize, especially in such pro- 
 ceedings as were conformable to the general sense of your 
 inhabitants. On this principle, as well as from a full con- 
 viction of preventing the anarchy and confusion which at- 
 tend a dissolution of the powers of Government, and of 
 uniting with our fellow-subjects in adopting some general 
 plan for obtaining a redress of grievances, on constitutional 
 principles, forwarding the wished-for reconciliation between 
 Great Britain and America, and preserving peace and 
 good order, the safety of individuals and private property ; 
 I say, concurring with you unanimously, so far as 1 have 
 heard, in these good purposes, the inhabitants of several 
 Precincts met yesterday, and cheerfully agreed to bury in 
 oblivion all past differences that had happened from dis- 
 cordant sentiments respecting the mode proper to be pur- 
 sued for obtaining a redress of those grievances we have all 
 so loudly complained of, and heartily to join with you in 
 the measures you had taken for restoring internal harmony, 
 peace, and concord, to our convulsed Country, on the brink 
 of being overwhelmed with every species of the most out- 
 rageous violence, anarchy, and confusion. 
 
 Never were meetings so numerous, general, calm, dispas- 
 sionate, orderly, or unanimous. In effecting these salutary 
 dispositions, Mr. Mason, Pastor of the Sccedcrs' Congrega- 
 tion in New-York, has great merit, for his repeated exhorta- 
 tions to the people of his sect here, (to whom he preached at 
 this juncture,) zealously inculcating the doctrines of peace, 
 order, and benevolence, reprehending all acts of violence, 
 outrage, and licentiousness, and exerting all his other influ- 
 ences for enforcing those objects on this occasion. I hope 
 the good seed he has sown will take firm root, produce a 
 British constitutional plant, and long continue to bear fruit 
 worthy of the husbandman that scattered it. May it never 
 
 be blasted by the noxious shade of a superincumbent tree, 
 or the poisonous exhalations of surrounding shrubs ; bui 
 thrive and flourish, and spread a benign farina, impregnating 
 every variety of its species with its virtues, far and near. 
 
 It is the ardent wish of my heart, that both the ensuing 
 Continental and Provincial Congress of this Colony, under 
 the influences of a genuine spirit of patriotism and love for 
 this Country, may seriously and calmly consider of and 
 recommend such measures only as will tend to obtain for 
 us a redress of our grievances on constitutional principles ; 
 lay a foundation for our speedily having confirmed to us, 
 in the most extensive latitude our local circumstances will 
 admit of, the pure and unmutilated constitutional rights and 
 privileges of free Englishmen, as established at the glorious 
 and happy Revolution, on a basis solid and permanent ; and 
 whilst they are firmly actuated by these views and endea- 
 vours, 1 hope they may glow with every sentiment of affec- 
 tion, veneration, and regard for their Parent State, and give 
 every testimony of it, by pursuing and recommending, with 
 all their power, the most healing and conciliatory measures. 
 In these sentiments I am happy in being joined by many, 
 and most of the serious, considerate, sensible freeholders in 
 this County. God send us a good deliverance. 
 
 JOEL CLARK TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Farmington, May 9, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honour: I have been too long 
 a soldier to feel my breast unmoved at the sound of my 
 neighbours beating to arms. I feel too much for my dis- 
 tressed and injured Country to see the dangers which 
 threaten it without wishing to share them with my coun- 
 trymen ; and I partake too much of the spirit of tho.;e 
 ancestors we boast, not to offer my services at this crisis 
 in any way inconsistent with honour and fidelity to my 
 Country. I take the freedom to address your Honour as 
 the Captain-General of this Colony, and tender therefore 
 my services. I served in the ranks at the age of fifteen, 
 in the reduction of Louisburg, in '45. I served in every 
 other station in the last war, until I was appointed to the 
 command of a Company in the three last years before the 
 peace ; in all which stations I appeal to those in the service 
 for my conduct. Once I received the General's thanks for 
 my service in a command of four hundred men, in 1760, 
 and the additional pay of a Captain in the regular service. 
 Now this don't argue either the want of skill or readiness 
 in me of doing my duty. When I saw last winter the ap- 
 pointment of Field Officers by the honourable Assembly, 
 of the Regiment I belong to, 1 had thoughts which I sup- 
 pressed. The gentlemen I have no objection to. They may 
 make a figure in peace, and they may make a figure in war. 
 They have never had experience. I now see the danger 
 to which my Country is reduced ; and my love to that, and 
 duty to your Honour, demand this offer of my service. I 
 do not apply for want of bread or business of my own. I 
 have enough of both, and a property to defend. The pre- 
 sent union of hearts and hands of all ranks of people in the 
 cause, renders it needless for me to take up your Honour's 
 time. When dangers were represented in the alarm in 
 September last, I raised a Company at some expense of my 
 own, and was in readiness to march at the confirmation of 
 the news. I know not whether it is in your Honour's 
 power to give me a proper appointment in the service, but 
 I shall always be satisfied in having done my duty in this 
 address to your Honour, and am, with much respect, your 
 Honour's most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 Joel Clark. 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Captain-General of the Forces 
 in the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 P. S. If your Honour will condescend to inquire of 
 Generals Wooster, Spencer, Putnam, and Colonels Ward, 
 JVadsworth, Waterbury, Champion, &tc, for my charac- 
 ter, &.c, I shall esteem it as a favour: also Mr. Root, a 
 Representative. 
 
 THOMAS HOWELL TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-Haven, May 9, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir: I have been informed that I had the 
 honour to be nominated by the honourable General Assem- 
 
545 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 546 
 
 bly as a Commissary to provide for the Troops now raising 
 in the defence of the Colony. I sincerely thank the As- 
 sembly for this mark of respect. I have the interest of 
 the Colony, its rights and privileges, at heart, as much, I 
 believe, as any man. But as there has been for some time 
 past an unhappy dispute in this Town, and by which we 
 have, in some measure, been thrown into parties ; and as 
 one parly has made (as I am told) an unfair representation 
 against me, I think it my duty, when the interest of my 
 Country is at stake, to sacrifice private interest to the pub- 
 lick good. Upon that principle, sir, I have to inform you 
 that I am willing to resign the office of Commissary, and I 
 conceive it will conduce to the peace of the Town to 
 have Mr. Jonathan Filch appointed. He may, perhaps, 
 reconcile all parties, which is the desire of, Sir, your hum- 
 ble servant, Thomas Howell. 
 
 SHEFFIELD (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for the 
 Town of Sheffield, on Tuesday, the ninth day of May, 
 1775: 
 
 Complaint being made to this Committee that John 
 Westover, Job Westover, and Noah Westover, had, in vari- 
 ous instances, contravened the doings and Resolutions of 
 the General and Provincial Congresses ; and that the said 
 John, Job, and Noah, were enemies of American liberty; 
 it was thereupon ordered, that the Clerk cause the said 
 John, Job, and Noah, to be notified to attend before this 
 Committee on Friday next, at one o'clock, afternoon, at 
 the house of Mr. Daniel Dewey, in this Town, to answer 
 to the aforementioned complaint. 
 
 Voted, To adjourn this meeting till Friday next at one 
 o'clock in the afternoon, then to meet at the house of Mr. 
 Daniel Dewey. 
 
 Friday, May 12, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met according to adjournment. 
 
 John Westover and Job Westover appeared before the 
 Committee; Noah Westover not being to be found, has 
 not been notified. The Committee took into considera- 
 tion the complaint against the said John and Job; and 
 Captain Daniel Lawrence, his wife, Messrs. Jonathan 
 JVestovcr and Joseph Kingman, being adduced as wit- 
 nesses, it appeared from their evidence (among many other 
 matters) that the said John hath affirmed that the late Con- 
 tinental Congress, in their doings, were guilty of rebellion 
 against the King ; and that the said Job hath affirmed that 
 the Parliament of Great Britain had a right to tax the 
 Americans ; and that each of them had said many things 
 disrespectful of the said Congress, and the Provincial Con- 
 gresses. The following question being, during the course 
 of the examination, put to the said John and Job, viz : 
 " If an engagement should unfortunately happen between 
 the British and American Armies, which they would choose 
 should prevail ?" the said John answered, that the question 
 was so difficult he could not give a direct answer. The said 
 Job, in answer to said question, said that he supposed the 
 consequences of a victory on the side of the American 
 Army would be more prejudicial to this Country than the 
 contrary. During the time the several matters aforesaid 
 were under the consideration of the Committee, and before 
 any resolution was had thereon, the said John voluntarily 
 and solemnly engaged, that at no time hereafter will he do 
 any thing detrimental to the cause now contended for by 
 this Country ; and that so far as he understands the true 
 intent and meaning of the doings of the Continental and 
 Provincial Congresses, he will not violate the same in any 
 particular. 
 
 The following motion was then made and seconded, 
 Vi hether the foregoing declaration of the said John is satis- 
 factory to this Committee ? It passed in the affirmative. 
 
 The following motion was then made and seconded, 
 Whether the said Job is an enemy of American liberty ? It 
 passed in the affirmative unanimously. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That the said Job Westover is 
 an enemy of American liberty, and that it is the duty of 
 all those who wish well to the cause of freedom, from hence- 
 forth to break off all dealings with the said Job. 
 
 Voted, That the Clerk do procure the foregoing pro- 
 ceedings with regard to said John and Job Westover, to be 
 inserted in the American Oracle of Liberty. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. h. ; 
 
 A GENTLEMAN AT P1TTSFIELD, IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY, TO 
 AN OFFICER IN CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Pittsfield, Massachusetts, May 9, 1775. 
 
 In my last 1 wrote to you of the Northern Expedition ; 
 before this week ends, we are in raised hopes here of hear- 
 ing that Ticonderoga and Crown Point are in our hands. 
 Solomons, the Indian King of Stockbridge, was lately at 
 Colonel Eastons of this Town, and said there that the 
 Mohawks had not only given liberty to the Stockbridge 
 Indians to join us, but had sent them a belt, denoting that 
 they would hold five hundred men in readiness to join us 
 immediately on the first notice ; and that the said Solomons 
 holds an Indian post in actual readiness to run with the 
 news as soon as they shall be wanted. Those Indians 
 would be of great service to you should the King's Troops 
 march out of Boston, as some think they undoubtedly will 
 upon the arrival of their recruits, and give us battle. Our 
 Militia this way, Sir, are vigorously preparing for actual 
 readiness Adjacent Towns and this Town are buying arms 
 and ammunition. There is a plenty of arms to be sold at 
 Albany as yet ; but we hear, by order of the Mayor, Sec, 
 no powder is at present to be sold there. The spirit of 
 liberty runs high there, as you have doubtless heard by 
 their post to our Head Quarters. 1 have exerted myself 
 to disseminate the same spirit in King's District, which has 
 of late taken surprising effect. The poor Tories of Kinder- 
 hook are mortified and grieved, and are wheeling about, 
 and begin to take the quick step. New-York Government 
 begins to be alive in the glorious cause, and to act with 
 great vigour. 
 
 1 fervently pray, Sir, that our Council of War may be 
 inspired with wisdom from above, to direct the warlike 
 enterprise with prudence, discretion, and vigour. O ! may 
 your councils and deliberations be under the guidance and 
 blessing of Heaven ! Since I began to write, an intelli- 
 gent person, who left Ticonderoga, Saturday before last, 
 informs me, that having went through there and Crown 
 Point about three weeks ago, all were secure : but on his 
 return, he found they were alarmed with our expedition, 
 and would not admit him into the Fort ; that there were 
 twelve soldiers at Crown Point, and he judged near two 
 hundred at Ticonderoga ; that those Forts were out of re- 
 pair, and much in ruins ; that it was his opinion our men 
 would undoubtedly be able to take them ; and that he met 
 our men last Thursday, who were well furnished with 
 cattle, and wagons laden with provisions, and in good spirits, 
 who he supposed would arrive there last Sabbath day, and 
 he doubted not but this week they would be in possession 
 of those Forts. He informed them where they r might ob- 
 tain a plenty of ball ; and there are cannon enough at 
 Crown Point, which they cannot secure from us. That he 
 saw the Old Sow, brought from Cape Breton, and a number 
 of good brass cannon, at Ticonderoga. Should this expe- 
 dition succeed, and should the Council of War send up 
 their orders for the people this way to transport by land 
 twenty or thirty of the best of the cannon to Head Quar- 
 ters, I doubt not but the people in this country would do 
 it with all expedition. We could easily collect a thousand 
 yoke of cattle for the business. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF LYNN TO THE MAS- 
 SACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Lynn, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The bearer, Captain Barker, will bring 
 before your Honour Mr. Josiah Martin, as a person whom 
 we have considered to have acted as an enemy to the Prov- 
 ince, and have sent the evidences that appeared against 
 him. John Mansfield, Chairman. 
 
 Evidences names : Harthorn Ramsdell, John Bancroft, 
 William French, James Bancroft. 
 
 JOSIAH MARTIN TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Cambridge, May 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety: 
 
 I was sent from Lynn by a guard of soldiers to be ex- 
 amined, and am sorry that myself or any other faithful and 
 loyal subject to his Country should be treated as I am. 
 Methinks it would give a check to the spirit of an Alex- 
 ander. Humanity is the least we may expect of one 
 another. Your true and loyal Whig, Josiah Martin. 
 
547 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 518 
 
 PETITION FROM COIIASSET. 
 
 Cohusset, May 9, 1775. 
 The Selectmen of the District o/Cohasset humbly shew: 
 
 That to their great satisfaction they find that the idea of 
 Counties, Towns, and Districts, are in a great measure lost 
 in a general conference for the safety of the whole, and that 
 this Committee, on whom are the eyes of the Government, 
 in various instances granted protection to such parts of the 
 sea-coasts as were most exposed. Your Petitioners there- 
 fore beg leave to say, that they are in a defenceless state, 
 and that they are exposed to be ravaged by the crews of 
 every ship or vessel whose inclination leads them to plunder ; 
 that they have kept up a military watch from the twentieth 
 of April last to this time, and which is absolutely necessary 
 to be continued for the safety not only of said District, and 
 the Towns adjoining, but of the whole. They therefore 
 pray that they may have liberty to raise, on the same foot- 
 ing that men are raising in our neighbourhood, and have a 
 Company, and that they may do duty in this place until 
 the safety of the whole shall require their removal. 
 
 And, as in duty bound, shall pray. 
 
 Isaac Lincoln, } 0 7 . . 
 
 K ( selectmen of 
 
 Abel K.ent, > r , , , J 
 
 rp t V Lonasset. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED MAY 10, 1775. 
 
 Before you receive this you will probably have determined 
 the fate of both parts of the British Empire in that vener- 
 able assembly, the Continental Congress. We have no 
 fears for you, but the infatuation of the Ministry here gives 
 us as much to apprehend as ever. It is still the full persua- 
 sion of all the courtiers (and I almost think of the greatest 
 part of the Nation) that notwithstanding all your seeming 
 firmness and hostile preparations, you will submit to any 
 thing rather than contend with us. A very short time will 
 now determine that matter, for there is no appearance of 
 any relaxation here. We wait for the great event with the 
 most anxious and distressing impatience. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE VOLUNTEER COMPANY OF WILLIAMS- 
 BURGH, VIRGINIA. 
 
 At a meeting of the Volunteer Company of the City 
 of Williamsburgh, on the tenth day of May, 1775, the 
 following Address was unanimously agreed to, and ordered 
 to be published. John Brown, Cleric. 
 
 To the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and Volunteers who so 
 generously offered their assistance to the City of Wil- 
 liamsburgh, on a late alarming occasion: 
 Gentlemen: A quick sensibility to insults offered our 
 Country, and a determined resolution to risk every thing 
 in support of its honour and interest, are ruling motives in 
 the breast of every patriot. To these we ascribe your late 
 movement towards the Metropolis, where certain incidents, 
 sufficiently alarming at this juncture, had attracted the at- 
 tention of all our worthy countrymen. We are happy in 
 being able to convince you, that there is at present no 
 necessity for their vigorous interposition ; but the zealous 
 alacrity with which you proffered your assistance, as it 
 shows a sincere devotion to the publick good, must be 
 highly pleasing to your fellow-countrymen, and demands 
 our warmest thanks and acknowledgments. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED NEW-YORK, MAY 10, 1775. 
 
 When the news of the engagement between the Provin- 
 cials and the Regulars arrived here, Doctor Cooper, with 
 several others, (led on board the Man-of-War, and have 
 since sailed for Europe, so that the City is almost cleared 
 of Tories, and the few which remain are ashamed and 
 afraid. A soldier who had deserted from the Welsh Fusi- 
 leers was among the forces which came to assist us from 
 New-England ; some of the soldiers in the barracks saw 
 him, and told the officers. He was taken and confined ; 
 but when his New-England Captain heard of it, he went 
 to the barracks, called for the commanding officer, and de- 
 manded his man. The officer told him he was a deserter ; 
 
 the Captain replied he did not care, he would have him, 
 as he had promised to protect him. An officer who was 
 standing by, said, if he was the commanding officer he 
 would take him prisoner. The Captain replied, he might, 
 but he would be the dearest prisoner he ever had, and 
 swore the barracks should be in a flame in one hour if they 
 attempted such a thing. However, the commanding officer 
 thought proper to deliver up the man ; and the very next 
 day two sentinels deserted from the Governour's door. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 Kingston, Ulster County, New- York, May 10, 1775. 
 
 When the characters of gentlemen who have acted in a 
 publick capacity are impeached, (especially (hose who have 
 taken upon them the execution of the measures of the last 
 Continental Congress,) how disagreeable the task may be, 
 it behooves every one who is a friend to truth, honesty, 
 and liberty, to consider it as their duty, and incumbent on 
 them, with all their efforts to support the proceedings of 
 those gentlemen. This County in general, and Kingston 
 in particular, have distinguished themselves by a ready 
 compliance with the Association of the Congress, and some 
 spirited measures to render them effectual ; but as every 
 flock contains some bad sheep, so the article of Tea has 
 discovered the infected persons amongst us. The simile 
 is just, and the cure used for the one, must be applied to 
 the other, viz: a separation of the clean from the unclean. 
 This has been done ; the Committee of this Town have, 
 after many friendly advices and entreaties, which proved 
 in vain, been led to the disagreeable necessity of publish- 
 ing Mr. Jacobus Low, merchant of this Town, all which 
 have not as yet wrought a reformation of his conduct. 
 He lately published a piece in vindication of his conduct, 
 the like of which is not to be paralleled ; it not only con- 
 tains scurrilous and abusive language, but gross false- 
 hoods. 
 
 First, he begins, " Johannes Sleght, Chairman of the 
 Committee of Ulster County, has published me as an enemy 
 of my Country, for selling Tea, in which it is set forth, that 
 all the Merchants and Skippers had signed articles in which 
 they agreed not to sell Tea." This, he says, " is absolute- 
 ly false, for there are more who have not signed for the 
 very reasons I had, and the Committee knew that they 
 had not all signed at the time of publishing this piece of 
 malice." 
 
 The Committee are surprised at Mr. Low's ignorance 
 and stupidity, since he has as well incurred the displea- 
 sure of the friends of liberty in the City of New-York, as 
 here, by his non-compliance with his brethren, merchants 
 in this Town. But it appears that he will endeavour to 
 heap sin upon sin, to cure a wound by a fresh bruise ; that 
 is, by committing a crime and leading the guiltless in the 
 execution thereof. 
 
 The Committee still say, that every Merchant and Skip- 
 per in this Town, who were possessed of East-India Tea 
 for sale, had signed the said articles before the publication, 
 which they are ready to prove by the original in their cus- 
 tody, (Jacobus Loiv only excepted.) They also deny 
 that Johannes Sleght was Chairman for the County of 
 Ulster, (as he says,) but only for the Town of Kingston. 
 They also deny that any malice was shown unto him ; bvit 
 that r on the contrary, he was solicited, advised, and en- 
 treated to quit selling Tea, as the other merchants had 
 done, to prevent a publication, which then proved abortive. 
 As for the assertion of its being known in Kingston that 
 said Low had offered to sign the Third Article of the As- 
 sociation, is even contradicted by his own advertisement, 
 for he still adheres to the consumption of it. 
 
 As for the matters he asserts to have been reported in 
 and by the Committee, is absolutely false ; here the world 
 may discover the wickedness of his heart, by endeavouring 
 to punish others for his own crimes. In short, it is impo- 
 sing on the publick to answer every part of so base a piece 
 of wilful and false publication, from a man who was treated 
 with so much lenity as he was from this Committee. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Johannes Sleght, Chairman. 
 
 N. B. Since the publication of Mr. Low, this Committee 
 has been augmented to the number of seventeen, and have 
 re-elected Johannes Sleght Chairman. 
 
549 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 550 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, PKOVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND. 
 
 At a Town-Meeting held at Providence, on the tenth 
 day of May, A. D. 1775, by adjournment, Nicholas Cooke, 
 Esquire, Moderator: 
 
 Voted, That it be and it is hereby recommended to the 
 honourable Town Council at their next session to establish 
 a Watch in this Town of six men each night, agreeable to 
 law, and to appoint a Master or Warden to set said Watch, 
 and to have the oversight and direction thereof, for six 
 months from this time; and that the said Town Council be 
 desired to meet to settle said Watch on Friday next ; and 
 it is recommended to said Council that each person have 
 the liberty to watch in their turn, or to furnish a person in 
 his room, and on failure thereof to pay Three Shillings for 
 each neglect. 
 
 Voted, That six persons be appointed to examine into 
 the state of the inhabitants of this Town, and to make 
 report of all such that are provided with Small-Arms and 
 accoutrements agreeable to law, and of all such that are 
 not provided agreeable to law w T ith Small- Arms, &tc, and 
 of all persons that in their judgments are not of ability to 
 supply themselves, saving and excepting all those that are 
 or may be enlisted. 
 
 The following persons are appointed to make the exami- 
 nation, to wit : Nathaniel H heaton, Benjamin Thurber, 
 David Lawrence, Paul Allen, Benoni Pearce, and Bar- 
 nard Eddy, and that the same be made on Saturday next. 
 
 Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Monday next, 
 two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: I have just received a letter from the 
 Committee of Inspection for the Town of Providence, de- 
 siring me to inform them if the Committee of Safety have 
 transmitted to their friend in London an account of the 
 battle at Lexington, and have informed that the Colony 
 have appointed a Committee of Safety, who has the direc- 
 tion of the Troops ; therefore letters to this place on that 
 subject should be directed to said Committee of Safety. 
 1 should be glad to know what answer I may return them. 
 ] am unacquainted with the proceedings of Congress, or the 
 Committee of Safety, relative to that matter. If you will 
 be pleased to send me an answer by the first opportunity, 
 it will oblige your most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 John Thomas. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety in Cambridge. 
 
 TOWN- MEETING, BRISTOL, MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 May 10, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable the Members of the Provincial Con- 
 gress of the Massachusetts-Bat : 
 
 On the second day oi May, 1775, at a legal meeting of 
 the Fieeholders and other Inhabitants of the Town of Bris- 
 tol, the following Articles were agreed to : 
 
 First. Whereas we wrote to your Honours last March 
 a little sketch of our circumstances, and that we would put 
 ourselves as soon as possible into military order, and then 
 inform your Honours more particularly of our strength in 
 regard to arms and ammunition : therefore we would now 
 inform your Honours that we have endeavoured to put 
 ourselves into military order and discipline as well as we 
 were capable. We make out three Companies, each 
 Company consisting of about sixty training soldiers exclu- 
 sive of officers, which officers were chosen by vote of 
 the several Companies in the training field. As to arms, 
 the most of us have got guns, but we are in very low 
 circumstances in regard to ammunition — powder espe- 
 cially; we have used several means to provide ourselves 
 with powder, but it has happened to be to no purpose. 
 Therefore if it is possible that your Honours can point out 
 to us any way of relief in this particular we shall take it 
 as a very great favour ; we apprehend that we are very 
 unsafe to be destitute of ammunition ; as our Town borders 
 on the sea, we are much exposed to our enemies. 
 
 Second. Voted unanimously, That Mr. Thomas Brac- 
 ken be, and we hereby empower him to be, our agent and 
 attorney in all matters whatsoever, in our name and stead 
 to contract for any articles that our said attorney shall 
 
 think necessary for this Town : by whom we hope to re- 
 ceive advices from your Honours how we shall conduct in 
 all matters. We remain, with earnest prayer to Almighty 
 God, for a blessing upon your Honours' persons, and upon 
 your Honours' proceedings in behalf of this Province, your 
 Honours' most dutiful, most obedient, and most humble 
 servants. By order and in behalf of the Town of Bristol : 
 
 Samuel Oates, } 
 
 Robert Given, > Committee-Men. 
 
 Thomas Boyd, ) 
 
 George Rodgers, ) 0 , . , 
 
 Tt ' f selectmen of 
 
 hos. Johnston, > „ . . , J 
 
 t tt \ Bristol. 
 James Huston, ) 
 
 William Barnes, Toum Clerk. 
 
 TIMOTHY PICKERING TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Salem, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : It appearing highly expedient that a Regi- 
 ment should be formed from Salem and its environs, with 
 a view to serve the general cause, I took the liberty of 
 recommending Colonel Mansfield and Captain Hutchinson 
 Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel of it. They then appear- 
 ed to me the most suitable persons that could be found 
 willing to fill these places, and I am still of the same opin- 
 ion. I should not give you any further trouble about the 
 matter, if I did not think Colonel Hutchinson was suffering 
 unjustly by means of Colonel Herrick ; the latter, as Mr. 
 Hutchinson informs me, declared himself well pleased with 
 his appointment, and heartily, in appearance, congratulated 
 him upon it ; and yet, with might and main is now endeavour- 
 ing to supplant him, and he builds his hopes of succeeding, 
 it seems, not upon Colonel Hutchinson's inefficiency, nor 
 upon his own superiour ability and merit, but upon a foun- 
 dation which a man of honour, I think, would reject with 
 disdain : Colonel Herrick, truly, has friends in Court ! an 
 admirable plea for his advancement ; incontestable evidence 
 of his merit ! I should not have opened my lips to Colonel 
 Herrick's disadvantage, had he not, in a manner which 
 appears to me most ungenerous, endeavoured to supplant 
 Colonel Hutchinson, and otherwise treated him with great 
 incivility, to use a gentle word. What I have said, gen- 
 tlemen, is grounded wholly upon Colonel Hutchinson's 
 account of the matter ; but from the manners and charac- 
 ter of the gentleman, I cannot suffer myself to doubt his 
 veracity. Nevertheless, if I am misinformed, I will readily 
 ask Colonel Herrick's pardon. I should not, gentlemen, have 
 presumed to intrude myself upon you, if Colonel Hutch- 
 inson himself had had an opportunity of laying the affair 
 before you ; but as he failed of this, I thought myself 
 bound in justice to support him, and to express my indig- 
 nation, and to bear my testimony against the indecent attack 
 by which a post well deserved, and fairly obtained, was 
 attempted to be wrested from him. This letter, if it comes 
 to Colonel Herrick's knowledge, will doubtless offend 
 him ; but if it be necessary to expose it, I do not wish it 
 should be concealed. Yet I am desirous of the friendship 
 of all men ; but in the innocency and integrity of my heart, 
 I wrote my first letter in favour of Colonel Hutchinson and 
 Colonel Mansfield; in the same spirit I have written this, 
 and if a gentleman is offended with me for doing my duty, 
 I can bear his resentment or reproaches with patience. I 
 had like to have forgot to add, though it is of importance, 
 and what, for the good of the common cause, I am bound 
 to say, that it is probable the Regiment will be much dis- 
 satisfied if the Lieutenant-Colonel be displaced ; and one 
 Company, I am informed, have already expressed great 
 uneasiness about it. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 servant, Timothy Pickering, Jun. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HON. ENOCH FREEMAN, 
 ESQ,., TO SAMUEL FREEMAN, WATERTOWN. 
 
 Falmouth, May 10, 1775. 
 We are in confusion ; though Colonel Thompson wrote 
 us he had laid aside the scheme of coming here to take 
 the Ship Canceaux, yet he appeared yesterday on the back 
 of the Neck. I cannot help thinking but that it is a very 
 imprudent action, and fear it will bring on the destruction of 
 
551 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 552 
 
 the Town ; for we can make no defence against a Man-of- 
 War, and, undoubtedly, in a short time there won't be a 
 house standing here. 
 
 Pray let Congress be informed of this affair, and let us 
 know whether Thompson had such orders ; and pray the 
 Congress to give us some direction, for we are in such 
 confusion nobody seems to be rational. 
 
 NEW-KENT COUNTY ( VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for New-Kent County, 
 at the Court-House, the ] Lth day of May, 1775 : 
 
 The Committee taking into consideration Lord Dun- 
 more's Proclamation, dated the third day of this month, 
 said to be issued with the advice of His Majesty's Coun- 
 cil, wherein the inhabitants of this Colony are indiscrimi- 
 nately charged, in general terms, with dissatisfaction to His 
 Majesty's Government, and a design to effect a change in 
 the form of it, think it necessary lor themselves and their 
 constituents to declare their sentiments. And accordingly, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That unfeigned loyalty to His 
 Majesty's person and Government, as by law established, 
 and a due obedience to the laws of our Country, are the 
 ruling principles of the inhabitants of this County; and 
 that the suggestion on which the said Proclamation appears 
 to be founded, so far as it respects the inhabitants of this 
 County, is an injurious reflection upon them, and has no 
 foundation in truth. At the same time we are determined, 
 for ourselves and posterity, to support and maintain the 
 rights and privileges of British subjects, which we are en- 
 titled to, against any tyrannical attempts whatever. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolutions of this Committee, en- 
 tered into on the third of this month, and the first Resolu- 
 tion entered into this day, be sent to the Printers to be 
 published. By order of the Committee : 
 
 William Smith, Clerk. 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Pursuant to notice given by the Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for the County of Somerset, in 
 New-Jersey, the Freeholders of the County met at the 
 Court-House the 11th day of May, 1775 : 
 
 Hendrick Fisher, Esq., chosen Chairman, 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen, Clerk. 
 
 1. Resolved, That the several steps taken by the Bri- 
 tish Ministry to enslave the American Colonies, and espe- 
 cially the late alarming hostilities commenced by the Troops 
 under General Gage against the inhabitants of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, loudly call on the people of this Province to 
 determine what part they will act in this situation of affairs ; 
 and that we therefore readily consent to elect Deputies for 
 a Provincial Congress, to meet at Trenton on Tuesday, 
 the 23d instant, agreeable to the advice and direction of 
 the Provincial Committee of Correspondence. 
 
 2. Resolved, That the number of Deputies shall be 
 nine, and that they shall be chosen by ballot. 
 
 Adjourned for an hour. 
 
 Four o'clock, the people re-assembled. 
 
 Hendrick Fisher, John Roy, Esquires, Mr. Frederick 
 Frelinghuysen, Mr. Enos Kelsey, Peter Schenck, Jonathan 
 D. Sergeant, Nathaniel Airs, William Patterson, and 
 Abraham Van Nest, Esquires, are appointed Deputies for 
 this County, who, or any five of them, are hereby empow- 
 ered to meet the Deputies from the other Counties in Pro- 
 vincial Congress, at Trenton, on Tuesday the 23d instant, 
 and to agree to all such measures as shall be judged neces- 
 sary for the preservation of our constitutional rights and 
 privileges. 
 
 Resolved, That the Deputies for this County be in- 
 structed, and they are hereby instructed to join with the 
 Deputies from the other Counties, in forming such plan for 
 the Militia of this Province, as to them shall seem proper; 
 and we heartily agree to arm and support such a number of 
 men as they shall order to be raised in this County. 
 
 Resolved, That this County will pay the expenses of 
 their Deputies who shall attend the Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That Messrs. Tobias Van Norden and Daniel 
 Blackford be added to the Committee of Observation for 
 the Township of Bridgewater. By order: 
 
 Frederick Frelinghuysen, Clerk. 
 
 RECANTATIONS OF MR. BAILEY, MR. M'MASTER, AND MR. 
 ACHINCLOSS. 
 
 Whereas, I the subscriber, have, for a long series of 
 time, both done and said many things that I am sensible 
 has proved of great disadvantage to this Town and the 
 Continent in general ; and am now determined by my 
 future conduct to convince the publick that I will risk my 
 life and interest in defence of the constitutional privileges 
 of this Continent, and humbly ask the forgiveness of my 
 friends and the Country in general for my past conduct. 
 
 P. Bailey. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 11, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, I the subscriber, have, for a long series of 
 time, both done and said many things that I am sensible 
 has proved of great disadvantage to this Town and the 
 Continent in general ; and am now determined by my 
 future conduct to convince the publick that I will risk my 
 life and interest in defence of the constitutional privileges 
 of this Continent, and humbly ask the forgiveness of my 
 friends and the Country in general for my past conduct. 
 
 James McMaster. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 11, 1775. 
 
 Whereas my past conduct hath made an ill impression 
 upon the minds of many of the inhabitants of this Town 
 and Province ; and as many view me unfriendly to the 
 rights and liberties of British America, I hereby declare 
 that I am heartily sorry that any part of my conduct should 
 have given uneasiness to any of the friends of America; 
 and hereby engage to aid and assist in supporting the com- 
 mon cause of America to the utmost of my power ; and I 
 hope my future conduct will render me worthy of the 
 friendship and protection of this Country. 
 
 Thos. Achincloss. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 22, 1775. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GENERAL THOMAS. 
 
 Cambridge, May 11, 1775. 
 The Captains Caleb Wright and John Holmes, of the 
 County of Berkshire, now report verbally, that your Ex- 
 cellency is willing that about sixty of Colonel Fellows's 
 men, who have not enlisted, may have liberty to return 
 home, they having first the consent of this Committee. 
 We have conferred with his Excellency General Ward, 
 upon the subject, and are of opinion that no liberty ought 
 to be granted to any for that purpose until the camps are 
 so far strengthened as that all who were called in upon the 
 late alarm may have liberty to return ; and as the Troops 
 from Connecticut are very soon expected, we think that 
 these, with others which are daily coming in, will strength- 
 en our hands so far as to relieve those who want to return 
 to their homes. We are, &tc. 
 
 LETTER FROM FALMOUTH, MASS., TO A GENTLEMAN IN 
 WATERTOWN, DATED MAY 1], 1775. 
 
 Sir: It may not be disagreeable to you to have a more 
 particular account of the solemn scene that has been acted 
 here for two or three days past, than it can be expected 
 common fame will give you. 
 
 Last Tuesday morning, Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, 
 of Brunswick, with about fifty armed men, with each a 
 small bough of spruce in his hat, and having a spruce pole, 
 with a green top on it for a standard, landed on the back 
 part of our Neck, at a place called Sandy Point, where is 
 a thick grove of trees. In that place they lay, unknown 
 to the people of the Town, seizing and detaining several 
 persons that happened to pass that way, till about one 
 o'clock, when Captain Mowat, the Surgeon of his ship, 
 and the Reverend Mr. Wiswal, taking a walk that way for 
 their pleasure, were seized and made prisoners. As soon 
 as the master of the ship (one Hogg) heard of it, he wrote 
 to Colonel Freeman, that if Captain Mowat and the other 
 prisoners were not delivered up in an hour or two, (I do 
 not certainly know the time,) he would lay the Town in 
 ashes. You can hardly conceive the consternation, confu- 
 sion, and uproar that immediately ensued. Our women 
 were, I believe, every one of them in tears, or praying, or 
 
553 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 554 
 
 screaming; precipitately leaving their houses, especially 
 those whose husbands were not at home, and widows hur- 
 rying their goods into countrymen's carts, never asking their 
 names, though strangers, and carrying their children either 
 out of Town, or up to the south end, according to the greater 
 or less irritability of their nerves. Some persons bed-rid, 
 or in childbed, were hastily removed, with no small danger 
 of their lives. Several gentlemen of the Town, who could 
 attend it, and I among the rest, immediately repaired to 
 Colonel Thompson's camp : and after obtaining leave of 
 the advance guard, were permitted to speak with him. We 
 endeavoured to persuade him to deliver up the prisoners, 
 by all the rational arguments we could think of, but he ap- 
 peared inflexible, and even furious. Here and there one 
 in the Town (none but Tories however) were at first for 
 rescuing the prisoners by our Militia ; but the general voice 
 of the Town was to observe a strict neutrality, excepting 
 persuasives and arguments. 
 
 Colonel Phinney, of Gorham, Colonel of the Minute- 
 Men, being in Town, and fearing a rescue, or for some 
 other reason, sent out for his men, 1 suppose without asking 
 the advice of any body ; and soon afterwards sent word 
 that they need not come into Town. Night was coming 
 on, and the weather cool and windy, which endangered the 
 health of some of the gentlemen, at least in the open field. 
 It was therefore agreed by Colonel Freeman and his ad- 
 visers, at the desire of Mowat, and by the free consent of 
 Thompson, that the company of Cadets should escort the 
 party and the prisoners to Mr. Marston's, in order that a 
 consultation might be further held there. The two com- 
 panies remained embodied before the door. Colonel 
 Thompson remained unwilling to deliver up tbe prisoners, 
 insisting much that Divine Providence had thrown them 
 into his hands, and that it was open and settled war be- 
 tween the Colonies and Britain. But he was more and 
 more convinced that the whole force of the Town was 
 against him, and found himself disappointed of a reinforce- 
 ment that he expected to meet him here ; so that by about 
 nine o'clock in the evening he was much cooled ; and the 
 prisoners giving their parole that they would deliver them- 
 selves into his hands at nine the next morning, General 
 Preble and Colonel Freeman pledging themselves for them, 
 he consented to set them at liberty. Upon which Mowat, 
 having expressed his gratitude to the Town in strong terms, 
 went aboard, and dismissed a number of our people, whom 
 the master had, during the afternoon, caught in boats and 
 made prisoners. But when Colonel Thompson's men found 
 that he had given Mowat his liberty, they were hard to 
 pacify. Not only Colonel Phinney's Minute-Men, but 
 most of the Militia from Gorham, Scarborough, Cape 
 Elizabeth, and Stroudwater, in the whole amounting, it is 
 said, to six hundred, came into Town before morning, highly 
 enraged at Captain Mowat's being dismissed, and seem- 
 ingly determined to destroy his ship. Wednesday morn- 
 ing, when it was found that Mowat would not deliver him- 
 self up, the Army took and made prisoners of General 
 Preble and Colonel Freeman, threatening to treat them in 
 the same manner as they would treat Mowat, if they had 
 him. Even their children were not permitied to speak with 
 them, and they had no dinner that day. All the officers of 
 the companies then present agreed to resolve themselves 
 into a Committee of War ; and after some hesitation they 
 admitted the officers of our companies on the Neck, into the 
 Committee ; in which Committee a vote was passed by a 
 considerable majority, that Captain Moivat's ship ought to 
 be destroyed. In the next place they appointed a Commit- 
 tee out of their number, to consider in what manner it 
 should be done. This Committee have not yet reported 
 as I can find ; but they have proceeded to call men before 
 them who were suspected of being Tories, to question them, 
 to draw promises from them, and especially to draw money 
 and provisions from them. The Reverend Mr. Wiswal 
 delivered himself up very willingly, and seemed rather im- 
 patient till they had him with them ; saying to some that 
 passed by his door, he was ready to die at any time, as he 
 knew he was in a good cause — the cause of the church of 
 England. 
 
 The Committee interrogated him concerning his politi- 
 cal principles. He declared an abhorrence of the doctrine 
 of passive obedience and non-resistance, and that he thought 
 
 Great Britain had no right to tax America internally ; but 
 as to the late Acts of Parliament, he had not examined 
 them, and did not choose to give his opinion concerning 
 them. 
 
 Old Mr. Wyer had a file of men sent after him, who, 
 holding a pistol to his breast, forced him to go before the 
 Committee; and when there he was interrogated whether 
 he had said, " the Militia ought to rescue Captain Mowat V 
 to which he answered in the affirmative ; also, whether he 
 did not think it an imprudent speech ? to which he answer- 
 ed, yes ; also, whether he were of the same mind now ? 
 He answered, no, as matters are circumstanced ; then 
 whether he would say any thing again against the body of 
 men in Town ? He said, no. The Committee soon agreed 
 to dismiss him, and one of them said he was not worth their 
 notice. He thanked the gentlemen for their civility, made 
 a low bow, and departed. Captain Steward called to the 
 crowd before the door, to make way for Mr. Wycr, and told 
 them out of the window the Committee had dismissed him 
 as unworthy of their notice. 
 
 Captain Pote was fetched before the Committee, with- 
 out making any resistance, though he had made formidable 
 preparations to defend himself. It is reported that the 
 Committee made him give them, for the benefit of the body, 
 about fifty Pounds, (old tenour,) in cash and provision?, 
 and that they have bound him in a bond of two thou- 
 sand Pounds, to appear at the Congress of the Province, 
 and give an account of himself to them. They taxed 
 General Preble some barrels of bread and a number of 
 cheeses, and two barrels of rum for each company then in 
 Town, which he readily gave them, Wednesday afternoon, 
 in value about ten Pounds, lawful money. JVednesday 
 evening they made out a bill of one hundred and fifty- 
 eight Pounds, lawful money, against Preble and Freeman, 
 to satisfy the body for their time and trouble in the expedi- 
 tion ; but I hear they have dropped that demand. 
 
 Yesterday morning they entered the house of Captain 
 Coulson, and they use it as a barrack. The men made so 
 free with a barrel of ^Sciv-Enghnid rum, which they found 
 in the cellar, that some of them were quite, and others 
 almost drunken. 
 
 Between meetings yesterday, Calvin Lombard, being 
 raised with liquor, went down to the water side and fired a 
 brace of balls at Mowat's ship, which penetrated deep in 
 its sides. The fire was answered from a fusee on board, 
 but with no aim to do execution. Captain Mowat imme- 
 diately wrote to Colonel Freeman to deliver up Calvin, 
 and to raise the militia to dispel the mob from the country, 
 as he called them, assuring him that otherwise he must fire 
 upon the Town. This threw the Town again into a pan- 
 ick, but we had, notwithstanding, a pretty full meeting in 
 the afternoon. 
 
 Yesterday they hauled Captain Coulson' s boat up to the 
 house, where it remained till just now, three quarters after 
 twelve, when near a hundred men hauled it up through the 
 streets and into Captain Pearson's back lot, down almost 
 to the Cove. It is reported that Mowat sent word, or 
 wrote on shore last evening, that he had bought that boat 
 of Coulson, and paid for it, and that if it were not returned 
 immediately, or speedily, he would fire upon the Town. 
 He doubtless saw it hauled away just now, but he has not 
 fired as yet ; and here I sit writing at my desk in the old 
 place, being fully convinced that Mowat never will fire 
 upon the Town, in any case whatever. My house is turn- 
 ed into a kind of barrack. Several have removed bedding 
 and other goods into it. We are full at nights. I don't 
 know why people think themselves so safe here, unless it 
 be because my wife is not yet much affrighted. 
 
 This morning the Committee sent to Deacon Titcomb 
 for one hundred pounds of bread, who returned for answer 
 that he had no bread but what he wanted for himself; but 
 if the company would go out of Town immediately, he 
 would give it them. Colonel Phinney promised that he 
 would do his utmost endeavour to get them out of Town 
 to-day ; therefore the bread was delivered. 
 
 Friday, 3 o'clock. — They have just hauled another boat 
 over to Back Cove, and left it with the former. The boat 
 belongs to the ship. They have this day carried off Mr. 
 Tyng's Bishop, a piece of plate said to be worth five hun- 
 dred Pounds, (old tenour,) and his laced hat ; but they say 
 
555 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 556 
 
 they only take these tilings as pawns, to make the owners 
 behave better, or to that purpose. 
 
 Friday, 6 o'clock. — The Gorham Company being the 
 only one that remained here since Wedneday evening, ex- 
 cepting Thompson, are now gone out of Town, being urged 
 and coaxed to it by Colonel Phinney. The Town thinks 
 itself greatly relieved by it. 
 
 These companies paid no regard to the fast yesterday. 
 1 cannot find that any of them attended publick worship, 
 except one ; nor any of their officers, except Colonel Phin- 
 ney. He was sent for to Back Cove by Colonel Mitchell 
 and Colonel Merrill, who were vexed at the proceedings 
 of the armament, and came to give advice. But Thomp- 
 son would not wait on his senior. 
 
 The soldiery thought nothing too bad to say of the Fal- 
 mouth gentry. Some of them were heard to say as they 
 walked the streets yesterday, " this Town ought to be laid 
 in ashes." 1 find the plan was concerted beforehand on 
 purpose to humble Falmouth, for its arrogance in sending 
 a message to Thompson last week, to dissuade him from 
 coming to take the ships. He then wrote to Colonel Free- 
 man that he had wholly laid aside his design ; and being 
 reminded of it, his answer was, " there is policy in war." 
 
 Saturday, A. M. — Thompson is not gone, as we sup- 
 posed last night. The ship has sent out a little vessel with 
 a swivel, to interrupt him. If he had gone last night he 
 would have been destroyed. Your friend and servant. 
 
 P. S. Being disappointed last Saturday of sending the 
 above, I am now able to add something more. Captain 
 Mowat sent a letter to the Town on Saturday, informing 
 them that he had heard that fort guns were going to be 
 brought in and replaced, in order to destroy his ship ; and 
 demanding of the Town to return his boats, and drive out 
 of Town the cowardly mob that was here. The Select- 
 men warned a Town-Meeting, to meet at eight o'clock, 
 Monday morning. They met accordingly, and gave Mowat 
 such an answer as pleased him : " That the Town disap- 
 proved of the proceedings of the armed body, but that we 
 were unable to resist them." 
 
 The Reverend Mr. IViswal went on board ship on Sa- 
 turday ; and Sabbath morning sent to his Wardens that he 
 should not preach in the church, but that they might come 
 on board if they pleased, and hear him. None went. 
 Some say he has taken a final leave of his people ; how it 
 is I cannot yet find out. His family remains here, and he 
 is gone to Portsmouth ; some say and think to get himself 
 a settlement there. His people seem to be universally set 
 against him, except a few high Tories, and wish never to 
 see his face any more. 
 
 Yesterday Mowat and Coulson and their ships departed 
 for Portsmouth. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF DEER ISLAND TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 Deer Island, Lincoln County, May 11, 1775. 
 Sirs : We, who are the Committee of this Town, do desire 
 to make our complaint unto you, and will inform you in 
 what poor circumstances we are at this time; and would 
 beg your assistance, as we are without powder and ball, and 
 no way to get any, as our wood and lumber will not sell at 
 any price ; and, gentlemen, we are in great want for corn 
 and pork, and shall s ffer, unless we have help from you, 
 and unless the ports are opened and trade goes on. And, 
 gentlemen, if you will be so kind unto us as to help us, we 
 will make you full satisfaction for the same when we can 
 sell our lumber. We would inform you that there is on 
 this Island about three hundred souls, and we beg that you 
 would consider what a poor condition we must be in. 
 Gentlemen, we can't purchase either corn or pork at any 
 rate whatsoever, and hope that your love and regard for 
 your brethren, and true sons of liberty, will send us speedy 
 relief. . And, gentlemen, in complying with the above, you 
 will greatly oblige your humble servants, 
 
 Nathan Dow, Robert Nason, 
 
 Francis Haskell, Samuel Raynek, 
 Covitney Babidge, Isaiah Crockett. 
 Thomas Thomson. 
 To the Hon. Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE 
 COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Watortown, May 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We are directed by the Congress of this 
 Colony, who are just informed that two men-of-war, the 
 Asia, and one other, with three or four companies of Troops 
 on board, sailed yesterday from Boston for your place, to 
 give you the earliest notice thereof. 
 
 It is supposed that they have orders to secure the am- 
 munition and military stores in the Fort of your City, &c, 
 and your noble exertions in the common cause have given 
 the Congress reason to think that a timely information rela- 
 tive to the matter, would be important to you. The post 
 is now in waiting, which prevents us from indulging an in- 
 clination of enlarging. We are, respectfully, gentlemen, 
 
 &.C., Elbridge Gerry, ) r, >.. e 
 
 T T, r ' I Committee of 
 
 James Warren, 
 
 Benjamin Lincoln, 
 To the Committee of Inspection of New-York. 
 
 Congress. 
 
 COMMITTEE AT TICONDEROGA TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 10, 1775. 
 To the Provincial Congress now sitting at Watertown: 
 
 This is to certify, that previous to Colonel Benedict Ar- 
 nold's arrival to the Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 a Committee sent from the Colony of Connecticut, fur- 
 nished with money for the purpose of reducing and garri- 
 soning said Forts, had, with the assistance of seventy men 
 from the Massachusetts, and one hundred and forty from 
 the New-Hampshire Grants, marched within a few miles 
 of Ticonderoga, and this morning, at daybreak, took pos- 
 session of said Fort, and have given the command thereof 
 into the hands of Colonel Ethan Allen. And said Arnold 
 refuses to give up his command, which causes much diffi- 
 culty ; said Arnold not having enlisted one man, neither do 
 we know that he has or could do it. And as said Com- 
 mittee have raised the men, and are still raising supplies 
 for the purpose of repairing said Forts, taking the armed 
 sloop, and defending this Country and said Forts, we think 
 that said Arnold's farther procedure in this matter highly 
 inexpedient, both in regard to expense and defence. 
 
 James Easton, Edward Mott, 
 Epap. Bull, Noah Phelps. 
 Committee of War for the Expedition against Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: 1 have to inform you with pleasure unfelt 
 before, that on break of day of the tenth of May, 1775, 
 by the order of the General Assembly of the Colony of 
 Connecticut, took the Fortress of Ticonderoga by storm. 
 The soldiery was composed of about one hundred Green 
 Mountain Boys, and near fifty veteran soldiers from the 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Bay. The latter was under 
 the command of Colonel James Easton, who behaved with 
 great zeal and fortitude, not only in council, but in the as- 
 sault. The soldiery behaved with such resistless fury, that 
 they so terrified the King's Troops that they durst not 
 fire on their assailants, and our soldiery was agreeably dis- 
 appointed. The soldiery behaved with uncommon rancour 
 when they leaped into the Fort ; and it must be confessed 
 that the Colonel has greatly contributed to the taking of 
 that Fortress, as well as John Brown, Esq., Attorney at 
 Law, who was also an able counsellor, and was personally 
 in the attack. I expect the Colonies will maintain this 
 Fort. As to the cannon and warlike stores, I hope they 
 may serve the cause of liberty instead of tyranny, and I 
 humbly implore your assistance in immediately assisting 
 the Government of Connecticut in establishing a garrison in 
 the reduced premises. Colonel Easton will inform you at 
 large. From, gentlemen, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, Ethan Allen. 
 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Province of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, or Council of War. 
 
557 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 558 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I wrote you yesterday that arriving in the 
 vicinity of this place, I found one hundred and fifty men 
 collected at the instance of some gentlemen from Connect- 
 icut (designed on the same errand on which I came) headed 
 by Colonel Ethan Allen, and that I had joined them, not 
 thinking proper to wait the arrival of the Troops I had 
 engaged on the road, but to attempt the Fort by surprise ; 
 that we had taken the Fort at four o'clock yesterday 
 morning without opposition, and had made prisoners, one 
 Captain, one Lieutenant, and forty odd privates and subal- 
 terns, and that we found the Fort in a most ruinous condi- 
 tion and not worth repairing ; that a party of fifty men were 
 gone to Crown Point, and that I intended to follow with as 
 many men to seize the sloop, &c, and that I intended to 
 keep possession here until I had farther advice from you. 
 On and before our taking possession here, I had agreed with 
 Colonel Allen to issue further orders jointly, until I could 
 raise a sufficient number of men to relieve his people; on 
 w hich plan we proceeded when I wrote you yesterday, since 
 which, Colonel Allen, finding he had the ascendancy over 
 his people, positively insisted I should have no command, 
 as I had forbid the soldiers plundering and destroying pri- 
 vate property. The power is now taken out of my hands, 
 and I am not consulted, nor have I a voice in any matters. 
 There is here at present near one hundred men, who are in 
 the greatest confusion and anarchy, destroying and plunder- 
 ing private property, committing every enormity, and pay- 
 ing no attention to publick service. The party I advised 
 were gone to Crown Point, are returned, having met with 
 head winds, and that expedition, and taking the sloop, 
 (mounted with six guns,) is entirely laid aside. There is 
 not the least regularity among the Troops, but every thing 
 is governed by whim and caprice; the soldiers threatening 
 to leave the garrison on the least affront. Most of them 
 must return home soon, as their families are suffering. 
 Under our present situation, I believe one hundred men 
 would retake the Fortress, and there seems no prospect of 
 things being in a better situation. I have therefore thought 
 proper to send an express, advising you of the state of 
 affairs, not doubting you will take the matter into your 
 serious consideration, and order a number of Troops to join 
 those I have corning on here, or that you will appoint some 
 other person to take the command of them and this place, 
 as you shall think most proper. Colonel Allen is a proper 
 man to head his own wild people, but entirely unacquainted 
 with military service ; and as I am the only person who has 
 been legally authorized to lake possession of this place, I 
 am determined to insist on my right, and I think it my duty 
 to remain here against all opposition, until I have further 
 orders. I cannot comply with your orders in regard to the 
 cannon, &c, for want of men. I have wrote to the Gov- 
 ernour and General Assembly of Connecticut, advising them 
 of my appointment, and giving them an exact detail of 
 matters as they stand at present. I should be extremely 
 glad to be honourably acquitted of my commission, and that 
 a proper person might be appointed in my room. But as 
 I have, in consequence of my orders from you, gentlemen, 
 been the first person who entered and took possession of 
 the Fort, I shall keep it, at every hazard, until I have 
 further advice and orders from you and the General As- 
 sembly of Connecticut. 
 
 I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 P. S. It is impossible to advise you how many cannon 
 are here and at Crown Point, as many of them are buried 
 in the ruins. There is a large number of iron, and some 
 brass, and mortars, &ic, lying on the edge of the Lake, 
 which, as the Lake is high, are covered with water. The 
 confusion we have been in has-prevented my getting proper 
 information, further than that there are many cannon, shells, 
 mortars, &lc, which may be very serviceable to oar Army 
 at Cambridge. B. A. 
 
 EDWARD MOTT TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS . 
 
 Shorehara, May 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I would congratulate you on the surrender 
 of the Garrison of Ticonderoga to the American forces. 
 
 The affair was planned and conducted after the following 
 manner. A number of the principal gentlemen of the As- 
 sembly at Hartford, on Friday, the twenty-eighth of April, 
 conversing on the distressed condition of the people of Bos- 
 ton, and the means necessary to relieve them, fell on the 
 scheme to take that Fortress, that we might have the ad- 
 vantage of the cannon that were there, to relieve the p o- 
 ple of Boston. 1 told the gentlemen that in my opinion 
 it might be taken by surprise with a few men, if properly 
 conducted. On which they desired me, if I was willing lo 
 serve my Country in that way, to join Captain Noah Phelps, 
 of Simsbury, and Mr. Bernard Romans, on that design, 
 and furnished us with three hundred Pounds in cash, from 
 the Treasury, and desired us to go forward to the upper 
 Towns, and search into the situation of said Garrison, and, 
 if I thought proper, to proceed to take possession of the 
 same. On which we collected to the number of sixteen 
 men in Connecticut, and proceeded forward till we came to 
 Colonel Easton's, at Pittsjield, and there consulted with 
 Colonel Easton and John Brown, Esq., who, after they 
 heard our plan of operation, agreed to join us; and, after 
 informing them that we intended raising our men on the 
 Grants for the aforesaid purpose, as it would be difficult to 
 raise and march a number of men through the country any 
 distance, without our plans being discovered, Colonel Easton 
 and Mr. Broivn told us that the people on the Grants 
 were poor, and at this time of year it would be difficult to 
 raise a sufficient number of men there to take and hold said 
 Garrison, whereupon Colonel Easton offered to raise men 
 in his own Regiment for the aforesaid purpose, to join with 
 the Green Mountain Boys. On which I set out with him 
 for the Town of Jericho, where Colonel Easton raised be- 
 tween forty and fifty men, and proceeded to Bennington, 
 at which place the men arrived the next day. At which 
 place a Council of War was called, Colonel Easton being 
 Chairman, it was voted that Colonel Allen should send 
 forward parties to secure the roads to the northward, to 
 prevent all intelligence from arriving before us. On Sun- 
 day evening, the seventh of this instant, (May) we arrived 
 at Castleton, where, the next day, was held a Council of 
 War by a Committee chosen for that purpose, of which 
 Committee I had the honour to be Chairman. After de- 
 bating and consulting on different methods of procedure in. 
 order to accomplish our designs, it was concluded and voted 
 that we would proceed in the following manner, viz: That 
 a party of thirty men, under the command of Captain 
 Herrick, should, on the next day, in the afternoon, pro- 
 ceed to Skenesborongh, and take into custody Major Skene 
 and his party, and take possession of all the boats that 
 they should find there, and in the night proceed up the 
 Lake to Shoreham, with the remainder of our men, which 
 was about one hundred and forty, who were under the com- 
 mand of Colonel Ethan Allen, and Colonel James Easton 
 was his second, and Captain Warner the third in command ; 
 as these three men were the persons who raised the men, 
 they were chosen to command, and to rank according to 
 the number of men that each one raised. We also sent 
 off Captain Douglass, of Jericho, to proceed directly to 
 Panton, and there consult his brother-in-law, who lived 
 there, and send down some boats to Shoreham, if possible, to 
 help our people over to the Fort. All this was concluded 
 should be done, or attempted, and voted universally. After 
 this affair was all settled, and the men pitched on to go in 
 each party, all were preparing for their march, being then 
 within about nine miles of Skenesborough, and about 
 twenty-five miles, the way we went, from Ticonderoga. 
 
 Colonel Arnold arrived to us from you with his orders. 
 We were extremely rejoiced to see that you fully agreed 
 with us as to the expediency and importance of taking pos- 
 session of those garrisons, but were shockingly surprised 
 when Colonel Arnold presumed to contend for the com- 
 mand of those forces that we had raised, who we had as- 
 sured should go under the command of their own officers, 
 and be paid and maintained by the Colony of Connecticut. 
 But Mr. Arnold, after we had generously told him our 
 whole plan, strenuously contended and insisted that he had 
 a right to command them and all their officers, which bred 
 such a mutiny among the soldiers which had nearly frus- 
 trated our whole design, as our men were for clubbing their 
 fire-locks and marching home, but were prevented by Col- 
 
559 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1715. 
 
 560 
 
 onel Allen and Colonel Eastern, wlio told them that he 
 should not have the command of them, and if he had, their 
 pay would he the same as though they were under their 
 command; but they would damn the pay, and say they 
 would not he commanded by any others but those they 
 engaged with ; and after the Garrison was surrendered, 
 Mr. Arnold again assumed the command of the Garrison, 
 although he had not one man there, and demanded it of 
 Colonel Alien, on which we gave Colonel Allen his orders 
 in writing, as follows, viz: 
 
 " To Colonel Ethan Allen. 
 
 " Sir : Whereas, agreeable to the power and authority to 
 us given by the Colony of Connecticut, we have appointed 
 you to take the command of a party of men, and reduce 
 and take possession of the Garrison at Ticonoleroga, and 
 the dependencies thereto belonging, and as you are now 
 in actual possession of the same, you are hereby required 
 to keep the command and possession of the same, for the 
 use of the American Colonies, until you have further orders 
 from the Colony of Connecticut, cr the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 " Signed by order of the Committee of War : 
 
 " Edward Mott, Chairman.'" 
 
 Colonel James Easton was of great service both in coun- 
 cil and action, and in raising men for the above expedition, 
 and appeared to be well qualified to be not only a Colonel 
 of the Militia at home, but to command in the field. And 
 also John Brown, Esq., of Pittsfield, we recommend as 
 an able counsellor, and full of spirit and resolution, as well 
 as good conduct; wish they may both be employed in the 
 service of their Country equal to their merit. 
 
 I have the pleasure to add, that on Wednesday morning 
 last, the tenth of this instant (May) about the break of day, 
 our men entered the gate, till when they were undiscovered, 
 and in the most courageous and intrepid manner darted like 
 lightning upon the guards, so that but two had time to snap 
 their fire-locks at us, and in a few minutes the Fortress, 
 with its dependencies, were delivered into our hands. There 
 are about forty soldiers taken prisoners of war, including 
 officers and excluding those taken at Skenesborough. Not 
 one life lost in these noble acquisitions. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, in haste, your most obedient humble 
 servant, Edward Mott, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee of War. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress, or to the Council 
 
 of War for the Province of Massachusetts-Day. Per 
 
 favour of Colonel James Easton. 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the Governour and Company 
 of the English Colony of Connecticut in New-England, 
 in America, holden at Hartford, in said Colony, on the 
 second Thursday of May, being the eleventh day of said 
 month, and continued by several adjournments until the 
 thirty-first day of the same month, Annoque Domini 
 1775: Present: 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour; 
 the Honourable Matthew Grisivold, Esq., Deputy Govern- 
 our ; Jabez Hamlin, Elisha Sheldon, Eliphalet Dyer, 
 Jabez Huntington, William Pitkin, Roger Sherman, Wil- 
 liam Samuel Johnson, Abraham Davenport, Joseph Spen- 
 cer, Oliver Wolcott, James Abraham Hilhouse, Esquires, 
 Assistants. 
 
 Representatives or Deputies of the Freemen of the 
 several Towns are as follow, viz : 
 
 Hartford. — Colonel John Pitkin, Col. Samuel Wyllys. 
 Weathersfield. — Major Thomas Belding. 
 East-Windsor. — Mr. William Wolcott, Colonel Erastus 
 Wolcott. 
 
 Symseury. — Captain Judah Holcomb, Mr. Asahal Hol- 
 comb. 
 
 Windsor. — Captain Henry Allen, Captain Jonah Phelps. 
 Farmington. — Captain Isaac Lee, Mr. Jonathan Root. 
 Suffield. — Mr. Alexander King, Captain John Leavitt. 
 East-Haddam. — Mr. Daniel Brainard, Mr. Jabez Chap- 
 man. 
 
 Stafford. — Capt. Isaac Pinney, Captain Samuel Davis. 
 Haddam. — Captain Joseph Brooks, Mr. Joseph Smith. 
 Colchester. — Mr. Henry Champion, Dr. John Watrous. 
 Somers. — Mr. Reuben Sikes, Captain Emery Pease. 
 Hebron. — Captain Benjamin Bucl, Captain Obadiah 
 Hosford. 
 
 Glastenbury. — Captain Jonathan Wells, Mr. Ebenezer 
 Plummer. 
 
 Middletown. — Col. Matthew Talcott, Mr. Titus Hosmer. 
 Bolton. — Mr. Benjamin Trumbull, Mr. Seth King. 
 Tolland. — Capt. Solomon Wells, Captain Samuel Chap- 
 man. 
 
 Willington. — Maj. Elijah Fenton, Capt. Timothy Pearl. 
 Enfield. — Major Nathaniel Terry, Mr. Nathaniel Cha- 
 pin. 
 
 Chatham. — Mr. David Sage, Mr. Ebenezer White. 
 New-Haven. — Mr. Samuel Bishop, Captain Jonathan 
 Fitch. 
 
 Durham. — Colonel James Wadsworth, Mr. Daniel Hall. 
 Guilford. — Colonel Andrew Ward, Mr. John Burgess. 
 Derby. — Captain John Holbrook, Mr. Joseph Hull. 
 Waterbury. — Mr. Joseph Hopkins, Colonel Jonathan 
 Baldwin. 
 
 Milford. — Captain John Fowler, Mr. Ephraim Strong. 
 
 Branford. — Captain Edward Russell, Mr. Daniel Page. 
 Wallingford. — Mr. Samuel Beach, Captain Thaddeus 
 Cook. 
 
 New-London. — Mr. Richard Law, Mr. William Hil- 
 house. 
 
 Norwich. — Mr. Benjamin Huntington, Mr. Samuel Hun- 
 tington. 
 
 Stonington. — Mr. Charles Phelps, Mr. Nathaniel Minor. 
 Killing worth. — Captain Elnathan Stevens, Capt. John 
 Pier son. 
 
 Groton. — Mr. Thomas Mumford, Mr. Nathan Gallop. 
 Preston. — Captain Roger Sperry, Colonel John Tyler. 
 Lyme. — Mr. Marshfeld Parsons, Mr. Ezra Selden. 
 Saybrook. — Captain John Ely. 
 
 Fairfield. — Mr. Jonathan Sturgess, Captain Samuel 
 Squier. 
 
 Stratford. — Captain Robert Fairchild, Captain Ichabod 
 Lewis. 
 
 Stamford. — Col. Charles Webb, Col. David Waterbury. 
 Danbury. — Colonel Joseph Piatt Cook, Mr. Thomas Tay- 
 lor, Junior. 
 Ridgefield. — Mr. Lemuel Morehouse. 
 Reading. — Mr. William Haivlcy. 
 Norwalk. — Mr. Thomas Belding. 
 
 New-F airfield. — Mr. Ephraim Hubbel, Captain Nehe- 
 
 miah Beardslee. 
 Greenwich. — Major John Mead, Mr. Peter Mead. 
 Newtown. — Mr. Joseph Beach. 
 
 Windham. — Colonel Jcdediah Elderkin, Mr. Ebenezer 
 Devotion. 
 
 Lebanon. — Colonel William Williams, Mr. Jonathan 
 
 Trumbull, Junior. 
 Mansfield. — Colonel Experience Storrs, Mr. Nathaniel 
 
 Atwood. 
 
 Woodstock. — Captain Elisha Child, Captain Samuel 
 McClellen. 
 
 Coventry. — Captain Ebenezer Kingsbury, Mr. Jeremiah 
 Ripley. 
 
 Canterbury. — Mr. David Payne, Mr. Eliashib Adams. 
 Killingly. — Mr. Stephen Crosby, Capt. Eleazar Warren. 
 Pomfret. — General Israel Putnam, Mr. Elisha Lord. 
 Ashford. — Captain Benjamin Sumner, Captain Ichabod 
 Ward. 
 
 Plainfield. — Captain James Bradford, Mr. William 
 Robinson. 
 
 Voluntown. — Major James Gordon, Mr. Robert Hun- 
 ter. 
 
 Litchfield. — Mr. Jedediah Strong, Major David Welch. 
 Woodbury. — Mr. Daniel Sherman, Captain Increase 
 Moseley. 
 
 Salisbury. — Colonel Joshua Porter, Captain Abel Camp. 
 Kent. — Mr. Ephraim Hubbel, Junior, Captain Eliphalet 
 Whittlesey. 
 
561 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 562 
 
 Canaan. — Mr. Asahcl Bebee, Captain Samuel Forbes. 
 Sharon. — Major Ebenezcr Gay, Mr. James Pardee. 
 New-Milford. — Major Samuel Canfield, Captain »S7ier- 
 
 man Boardman. 
 Goshen. — Colonel Ebenezer Norton, Captain Samuel 
 
 Nash. 
 
 New-Hartford. — Major Abel Merrill, Mr. Zebulon 
 Merrill. 
 
 Cornwall. — Mr. Heman Swift, Captain Thomas Porter. 
 Torrington. — Major Epaphras Sheldon, Mr. Noah Mar- 
 shall. 
 
 Harwinton. — Mr. Josiah Phelps, Mr. Mark Prindle. 
 Westmoreland. — Captain Zebulon Butler, Major Eze- 
 kiel Pierce. 
 
 William Williams, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives ; Richard Law, Esquire, Clerk. 
 
 An Act in further addition to an Act entitled an Act for 
 forming and regulating the Militia, and for the en- 
 couragement of military skill, for the better defence of 
 this Colony. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Govcrnour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authori- 
 ty of the same, That the Town of Westmoreland shall be 
 one entire Regiment, distinguished and called by the name 
 of the Twenty-Fourth Regiment, and shall be under the 
 same rules and orders, and have the same powers, privi- 
 leges, and advantages, as other Regiments of this Colony 
 by law have. 
 
 An Act in further addition to an Act entitled An Act for 
 forming and regulating the Militia, and for the en- 
 zouragement of military skill, for the better defence of 
 this Colony. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authori- 
 ty o f the same, That the Towns of Middletoivn and Chat- 
 ham shall be one entire Regiment, distinguished and called 
 by the name of the Twenty-Third Regiment, and shall be 
 under the same rules and orders, and have the same powers, 
 privileges, and advantages as other Regiments of this Colo- 
 ny by law have. 
 
 An Act in addition to an Act made and passed at a Gene- 
 ral Assembly holden at Hartford, on the second Wed- 
 nesday of January, 1774, incorporating and consti- 
 tuting the Town o f Westmoreland. 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authori- 
 ty of the same, That the bounds of the Town of West- 
 moreland be, and they are hereby extended westward until 
 they meet with the line lately settled with the Indians at 
 Fort Stanwix, commonly called the Stanwix Line, bound- 
 ing north and south on the north and south lines of this 
 Colony; and the inhabitants on said tract of land annexed 
 as aforesaid are hereby incorporated with said Town of 
 Westmoreland, and the same is hereby annexed to the 
 County of Litchfield, to be under the same regulations 
 and restrictions as are in and by said Act incorporating 
 said Town of Westmoreland provided. 
 
 Whereas a sum of Money is necessary for payment of 
 incident charges of Government : Be it enacted by the 
 Governour, Council, and Representatives in General Court 
 assembled, and by the authority of the same, That there 
 be forthwith imprinted the sum of Fifty -Thousand Pounds, 
 Bills of Credit on this Colony, equal to lawful money, of 
 suitable denominations, as the Committee herein appointed 
 shall direct, and of the same tenour with the late emission 
 of Bills of Credit of this Colony, without interest, paya- 
 ble at or before the first day of June, Anno Domini 1778, 
 dated the first day of June, 1775 ; and Jabez Hamlin, 
 William Pitkin, George Wyllys, Elisha Williams, Benja- 
 min Payne, Thomas Seymour, and Jesse Root, Esquires, 
 or any three of them, are appointed a Committee for the 
 purpose aforesaid, to take care said Bills be imprinted with 
 all convenient speed, and to sign and deliver the same to 
 the Treasurer of this Colony, taking his receipt therefor, 
 and the said Committee shall be sworn to a faithful dis- 
 charge of their trust ; and the Treasurer is hereby directed 
 to pay out said Bills according to the order of Assembly. 
 And for providing an ample and sufficient Fund to call 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. J 
 
 in, sink, and discharge the aforesaid sum to be emitted as 
 aforesaid : Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That 
 a Tax of Seven-Pence on the Pound be, and is hereby 
 granted and ordered to be levied on all the polls and rate- 
 able estate in this Colony, according to the list thereof, to 
 be brought into this Assembly in October, 1776, with 
 the additions; which Tax shall be collected and paid into 
 the Treasury of this Colony by the first day of June, 
 Anno Domini 1778 ; which Tax may be discharged by 
 paying the Bills of this Colony of this emission, or lawful 
 money. And the Treasurer of this Colony is hereby or- 
 dered and directed to send forth his warrants for collecting 
 the same accordingly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Embargo laid by 
 the General Assembly at their session in April last, be 
 continued on the several articles mentioned in the Act of 
 said Assembly laying said Embargo, until the first day of 
 August next, and the same is continued by this Assembly ; 
 and his Honour the Governour is desired to issue his 
 Proclamation accordingly: provided, nevertheless, that his 
 Honour the Governour, by and with the advice of the 
 Council, be, and is hereby empowered to discontinue such 
 Embargo, in whole or in part, at any time when it may be 
 judged proper and expedient. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That there be provided 
 ninety Marque or Officers' Tents, and five hundred Tents 
 for private Soldiers, and also Cloth for forty-eight marque 
 tents and four hundred and sixty tents for private soldiers ; 
 one thousand and ninety-eight iron Pots that will contain 
 about ten quarts each, unless a number of tin Kettles are 
 already provided, in which case the number of pots be 
 reduced to the number that will remain after deducting 
 said kettles, but if the number of pots cannot be procured, 
 then the defect to be supplied with tin kettles ; and one 
 thousand and ninety-eight Pails ; two brass Kettles that 
 will contain from eight to twelve gallons, for the use of 
 each Company ; two thousand and five hundred wooden 
 Bowls, in the whole ; four Frying Pans for the use of each 
 Company ; six thousand quart Rundlets ; sixty Drums, and 
 one hundred and twenty Fifes, all for the use of said 
 Troops ; six Standards, one for each Regiment, distin- 
 guished by their colour as follows, viz : for the first yel- 
 low, for the second blue, for the third scarlet, for the fourth 
 crimson, for the fifth white, and for the sixth azure ; a 
 Medicine Chest and apparatus to the value not exceeding 
 Forty Pounds, for each Regiment, under the direction of 
 the respective Surgeons, with a capital set of Instruments 
 for the use of the whole corps on each particular destina- 
 tion, and that whatever of medicine, apparatus, and instru- 
 ments are left or not used, be returned for the use of the 
 Colony; about seventy Books, each in quarto, consist- 
 ing of one quire of paper, covered with cartridge paper ; 
 two reams of writing paper immediately ; also ten reams 
 of paper for making cartridges ; and also one Cart or Wagon 
 for each Company. 
 
 And it is further resolved by this Assembly, That the 
 allowance of Provisions for said Troops be as follows, viz : 
 three-quarters of a pound of Pork, or one pound of Beef, 
 and also one pound of Bread or Flour, with three pints of 
 Beans to each man per day, the beef to be fresh two days 
 in the week ; and also half a pint of Rice or a pint of In- 
 dian-Meal, and also six ounces of Butter ; also three pints 
 of Peas or Beans to each man per week ; also one gill of 
 Rum to each man upon fatigue per day, and not at any 
 other time ; Milk, Molasses, Candles, Soap, Vinegar, 
 Coffee, Chocolate, Sugar, Tobacco, Onions in their season, 
 and Vegetables be provided for said Troops, at the dis- 
 cretion of the General and Field Officers. 
 
 And it is further resolved by this Assembly, That One 
 Shilling and Six Pence shall be paid to each of said men 
 who shall supply themselves with three pounds of Ball, 
 also Three Shillings for a pound of Powder, and Three 
 Pence for half a dozen Flints ; in case of failure such 
 defect to be supplied by the Selectmen of each Town re- 
 spectively out of the Town Stock, and in case of further 
 failure the deficiency of three pounds of ball, one pound 
 of powder, and six flints to each man, shall be supplied 
 out of the stock of ammunition belonging to this Colony, 
 and the Treasurer is hereby directed to order the same 
 accordingly. Those Troops who march Eastward to be 
 supplied out of the Colony stock at New-London, Nor- 
 
563 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 561 
 
 uich, Windham, or Mansfield; and that the account of 
 powder, ball, and flints that shall be supplied by the several 
 Towns, shall be adjusted by two Assistants or Justices of 
 the Peace, and delivered to the Selectmen of such respec- 
 tive Towns, who shall present the same to the Committee 
 of the Pay-Table, who shall give an order on the Trea- 
 surer to pay the sum due to such Selectmen accordingly ; 
 and that the Paymaster of each Company shall take a 
 particular account of the powder, ball, and flints that each 
 person belonging to such Company shall provide for him- 
 self, and shall procure an order on the Treasurer from the 
 Committee of the Pay-Table for the sums due for the same 
 according to the rates aforesaid, and such Paymaster shall 
 receive and pay the same to each person to whom it is due 
 accordingly; and that five thousand of the flints that belong 
 to this Colony shall be sent to New-London, and five 
 thousand of ditto to Norwich, ten thousand of ditto to Wind- 
 ham, five thousand of ditto to remain at New-Haven, three 
 thousand of ditto be sent to Fairfield, and two thousand 
 be sent to Litchfield, and delivered to the Keepers of the 
 Colony Stores in those places ; and that one ton of the ball 
 belonging to the Colony, in the care of the Treasurer, be 
 forthwith sent to Windham. 
 
 An Act for encouraging the Manufacturing Fire- Arms 
 and Military Stores within this Colony, for the safety 
 and defence thereof 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the authori- 
 ty of the same, That there be procured, as soon as may 
 be, three thousand stands of Arms for the use of this Colo- 
 ny, of the following dimensions, viz : the length of the 
 barrel of the gun three feet and ten inches, the diameter 
 of the bore from inside to inside three-quarters of an inch, 
 the length of the blade of the bayonet sixteen inches, the 
 length of the socket four inches and one-quarter ; that the 
 barrels of the guns be of a suitable thickness, with iron 
 ramrods, with a spring in the lowest loop to secure the 
 ramrod ; a good substantial lock, and a good stock well 
 mounted with brass, and marked with the name or initial 
 letters of the maker's name. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That a bounty of Five Shillings shall be given for every 
 stand of Arms, including a good lock, that shall be manu- 
 factured within this Colony by or before the twentieth day 
 of October next ; provided the same be not made for or 
 sold to any person not belonging to this Colony; and also 
 that a bounty or premium of One Shilling and Six Pence 
 be given for every good Gun-lock that shall be made and 
 manufactured within this Colony by or before the twentieth 
 day of October next ; and that all such arms made and 
 manufactured in this Colony by or before the twentieth day 
 of October next, shall be purchased by this Colony at a 
 reasonable price over and above the premium or bounty 
 aforesaid. 
 
 And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That William Williams, William Hilhouse, Titus Hosmer, 
 Ichabod Lewis, Ebenezer Norton, and Erastus Wolcott, 
 Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee 
 to procure said Fire-Arms to be made and completed ac- 
 cording to the direction of this Act ; and said Committee 
 are hereby ordered and directed forthwith to make inquiry 
 what number of fire-arms and gun-locks may probably be 
 made and furnished in the several parts of this Colony by 
 the twentieth day of October next, and report the same to 
 his Honour the Governour as soon as may be. And said 
 Committee are also hereby empowered and directed to re- 
 ceive such sums of money out of the publick Treasury as 
 may be necessary to pay for the arms that shall be made 
 and completed pursuant to this Act by the time limited as 
 aforesaid, with the bounty and premium aforesaid ; and the 
 Treasurer of this Colony is hereby ordered and directed to 
 pay the same accordingly. And said Committee are here- 
 by directed to pay the same to the several persons to whom 
 it is due pursuant to this Act, according to the orders and 
 directions they shall receive from the General Assembly of 
 this Colony for that purpose, and receive and secure such 
 arms so purchased for the use and benefit of this Colony. 
 
 And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That a bounty or premium of Ten Pounds shall be given 
 for every fifty pounds weight of Saltpetre that shall be 
 
 made and manufactured from materials found in this Colo- 
 ny within one year next after the rising of this Assembly, 
 and so in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity. And 
 also that a bounty or premium of Five Pounds shall be 
 given for every hundred pounds weight of Sulphur that 
 shall be made and manufactured within this Colony from 
 materials found in any of the British Colonies on the Con- 
 tinent of America within one year next after the rising of 
 this Assembly, and so in proportion for a greater or lesser 
 quantity. 
 
 An Act for Regulating and Ordering the Troops that 
 
 are or may be raised for the defence of this Colony. 
 
 Whereas God in his providence hath been pleased in 
 great mercy to bestow upon the inhabitants of this Colony 
 all the rights, liberties, and immunities of the free and 
 natural-born subjects of the Realm of England, which 
 have been established and confirmed by a sacred compact, 
 and secured by a Royal Charter — which rights, liberties, 
 and immunities were the birthright of our brave, virtuous, 
 and religious ancestors whilst in England, who, rather than 
 submit to religious or civil tyranny, chose to leave their 
 pleasant seats and all their happy prospects in their native 
 Country, bravely encountered the danger of untried seas 
 and coasts of a howling wilderness, barbarous men and 
 savage beasts, at the expense of their ease and safety of 
 their blood, their treasure, and their lives, transplanted and 
 reared the English Constitution in these wilds upon the 
 strong pillars of civil and religious liberty, and having led 
 the way by their great example, bequeathed their inesti- 
 mable purchase as a sacred and inalienable legacy to their 
 posterity, who have ever since united the sincerest loyalty 
 to their Sovereign and the warmest affection for their elder 
 brethren in England with the enjoyment of their aforesaid 
 rights, liberties, and immunities ; nor have they till lately 
 been thought incompatible: 
 
 And whereas since the close of the last war the British 
 Parliament, claiming a power of right to bind the people of 
 America by Statute in all cases whatsoever hath, in some 
 Acts, expressly imposed taxes upon them ; and in others, 
 under various pretences, but in fact for the purpose of rais- 
 ing a Revenue, hath imposed rates and duties payable in 
 these Colonies, established a Board of Commissioners with 
 unconstitutional powers, and extended the jurisdiction of 
 Courts of Admiralty, not only for collecting said duties, 
 but also for the trial of causes merely arising within the 
 body of a County : 
 
 And whereas, in consequence of other Statutes, Judges, 
 who before held only estates at will in their offices, have 
 been made to depend on the Crown alone for their salaries ; 
 and Standing Armies kept up in time of peace ; and it has 
 been lately resolved in Parliament that, by force of a Sta- 
 tute made in the thirty -fifth year of the reign of King Henry 
 the Eighth, Colonists may be transported to England and 
 tried there upon accusations for treason and misprision, or 
 concealment of treasons committed or alleged to be com- 
 mitted in the Colonies ; and by a late Statute such trials 
 have been directed in cases therein mentioned : 
 
 And whereas three Acts of Parliament have been pass- 
 ed, by one of which the Port of Boston is shut up, and 
 thousands reduced from affluence to poverty and distress ; 
 by another the Charter of the Province of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay is subverted and destroyed ; and by the third, 
 under pretence of the impartial administration of justice, 
 all hope of justice is taken away in certain cases : 
 
 And whereas another Statute hath been made, by which 
 the Roman Catholick Religion is established, the equita- 
 ble system of English laws abolished, and a tyranny exer- 
 cised in the Province of Ojuebeck, to the great danger of 
 the neighbouring Colonies ; and also in the present session 
 of Parliament another Act is passed, by which the Neu-- 
 England Colonies are in a great measure deprived of their 
 Trade and Fishery — the blessings which God and nature 
 have indulged them, being thus attempted by force to be 
 wrested from them : 
 
 And whereas all our humble, dutiful, and loyal Petitions 
 to the Throne for redress of grievances, have been treated 
 with contempt, or passed by in silence by His Majesty's 
 Ministers of State and the refusal to surrender our just 
 rights, liberties, and immunities, hath been styled rebellion, 
 and Fleets and Armies haye been sent into a neighbouring 
 
565 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 566 
 
 Colony to force them to submit to slavery, and awe the 
 other Colonies to submission, by the example of vengeance 
 inflicted on her ; who have, besides the usual calamities and 
 insults that proceed from standing armies, fortified the 
 Town of Boston, driven the peaceable inhabitants from 
 their dwellings, and imbrued their hands in the blood of 
 our countrymen ; all which acts and measures have rela- 
 tion to all the British Colonies, in the principles from which 
 they flow, and are evidently intended to force or terrify 
 them into a submission to Parliamentary taxation, or at 
 least into a surrender of their property at the pleasure of 
 the British Parliament, and in such proportions as they 
 shall please to prescribe, with which we must comply, or 
 lie at the mercy of those who cannot know our situation and 
 circumstances, and will be interested to oppress and en- 
 slave us; our liberty, our lives and property, will become 
 precarious and dependant on the will of men over whom 
 we can have no check or control ; religion, property, per- 
 sonal safety, learning, arts, publick and private virtue, so- 
 cial happiness, and every blessing attendant on liberty, will 
 fall victims to measures advanced and pursued against us, 
 whilst shameless vice, infidelity, irreligion, abject depend- 
 ance, ignorance, superstition, meanness, scurrility, and the 
 whole train of despotism present themselves to our view in 
 melancholy prospect : 
 
 And whereas, although this Assembly wish for no new 
 rights and privileges, and desire only to preserve their 
 ancient Constitution, as it has been understood and prac- 
 tised upon from the beginning ; freely yielding to the Bri- 
 tish Parliament the regulation of our external commerce, 
 for the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of 
 all the Dominions of our Sovereign to the Mother Coun- 
 try, and the commercial benefits of its several members, 
 excluding every idea of taxation for raising a revenue with- 
 out our consent, and claiming only a right to regulate our 
 internal police and Government, and are most earnesly de- 
 sirous of peace, and deprecate the horrours of war ; yet, 
 when they see military preparations against them at hand, 
 and the hopes of peace and harmony placed at a greater 
 distance ; being fully determined never to make a voluntary 
 sacrifice of their rights, and not knowing how soon Parlia- 
 mentary and Ministerial vengeance may be directed against 
 them immediately, as it is now against the Province of 
 Massachusetts-Bat/, who are suffering in the common cause 
 of British America ; trusting in the justice of their cause, 
 and the righteous providence of Almighty God, for the 
 restoration of quiet and peace, or success in their efforts 
 for their defence, have thought it their duty to raise Troops 
 for the defence of this Colony : 
 
 And whereas it is necessary that such Troops, both offi- 
 cers and soldiers, should be made acquainted with their 
 duty, and that Articles, Rules, and Regulations should be 
 established to preserve order, good government, and dis- 
 cipline in the Army, agreeable to the mild spirit of our 
 Constitution, and not according to the severities practised 
 in Standing Armies : 
 
 Therefore, be it enacted by the Govcrnour, Council, and 
 Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by au- 
 thority of the same : Article i. That all officers and sol- 
 diers not having just impediment shall diligently frequent 
 divine service and sermon, in the places appointed for as- 
 sembling the Regiment, Troop, or Company to which they 
 belong ; and such as wilfully absent themselves, or being 
 present behave indecently or irreverently, shall, if commis- 
 sioned officers, be brought before a Regimental Court Mar- 
 tial, there to be publickly and severely reprimanded by the 
 President ; if non-commissioned officers or soldiers, every 
 person so offending shall, for his first offence, forfeit One 
 Shilling, to be deducted out of his wages ; for his second 
 offence, he shall not only forfeit One Shilling, but be con- 
 fined not exceeding twenty-four hours, and for every like 
 offence shall suffer and pay in like manner ; which money 
 so forfeited shall be applied to the use of the sick soldiers 
 of the Troop or Company to which the offender belongs. 
 
 Art. ii. That whatever non-commissioned officers and 
 soldiers shall use any unlawful oath or execration, shall 
 incur the penalties expressed in the first Article ; and if a 
 commissioned officer be thus guilty of profane cursing or 
 swearing, he shall forfeit and pay for each and every such 
 offence the sum of Four Shillings, lawful money. 
 
 Art. hi. That any officer or soldier who shall behave 
 
 himself with contempt or disrespect towards the General 
 or Generals, or Commander-in-Chief, or shall speak words 
 tending to his or their hurt or dishonour, shall be punished 
 according to the nature of his offence, by the judgment of 
 a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. iv. That any officer or soldier who shall begin, 
 excite, cause, or join in any meeting or sedition in the Re- 
 giment, Troop, or Company to which he belongs, or in any 
 other Regiment, Troop, or Company of the forces of this 
 Colony, either by land or sea, or in an party, post, detach- 
 ment, or guard, on any pretence whatsoever, shall suffer 
 such punishment as by a General Court Martial shall be 
 ordered. 
 
 Art. v. That any officer, non-commissioned officer, or 
 soldier, who being present at any meeting or sedition, does 
 not use his utmost endeavours to suppress the same, or, 
 coming to the knowledge of any mutiny or intended muti- 
 ny, does not, without delay, give information thereof to the 
 commanding officers, shall be punished by order of a Gen- 
 eral Court Martial according to the nature of his offence. 
 
 Art. vi. That any officer or soldier who shall strike his 
 superiour officer, or draw or offer to draw, or shall lift up 
 any weapon or offer any violence against him, being in the 
 execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, or 
 shall disobey any lawful command of his superiour officer, 
 shall suffer such punishment as shall, according to the na- 
 ture of his offence, be ordered by the sentence of a Gen- 
 eral Court Martial. 
 
 Art. vii. That any non-commissioned officer or soldier 
 who shall desert, or without leave of his commanding offi- 
 cer absent himself from the Troop or Company to which 
 he belongs, or from any detachment of the same, shall, 
 upon being convicted thereof, be punished according to the 
 nature of his offence, at the discretion of a General Court 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. viii. That whatsoever officer or soldier shall be 
 convicted of having advised or persuaded any other officer 
 or soldier to desert, shall suffer such punishment as shall 
 be ordered by the sentence of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. ix. That all officers of what condition soever shall 
 have power to part and quell all quarrels, frays and dis- 
 orders, though the persons concerned should belong to 
 another Regiment, Troop, or Company, and either order 
 officers to be arrested, or non-commissioned officers or sol- 
 diers to be confined and imprisoned, till their proper supe- 
 riour officers shall be acquainted therewith ; and whoever 
 shall refuse to obey such officer, though of an inferiour 
 rank, or shall draw his sword upon him, shall be punished 
 at the discretion of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. x. That no officer or soldier shall use any re- 
 proachful or provoking speeches or gestures to another, nor 
 shall any officer or soldier presume to send a challenge to 
 any person to fight a duel ; and whoever shall, knowingly 
 and willingly, suffer any person whatsoever to go forth 
 to fight a duel, or shall second, promote, or carry any 
 challenge, shall be deemed a principal therein ; and what- 
 soever officer or soldier shall upbraid another for refusing 
 a challenge shall also be considered as a challenger, and all 
 such offenders in any of these or such like cases, shall be 
 punished at the discretion of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xi. That every officer commanding in quarters, or 
 on a march, shall keep good order, and to the utmost of his 
 power redress all such abuses or disorders which may be 
 committed by any officer or soldier under his command : 
 if upon any complaint made to him of officers or soldiers 
 beating or otherwise ill treating any person, or of commit- 
 ting any kind of riot to the disquieting of the inhabitants 
 of this Continent, he the said commander who shall refuse 
 or omit to see justice done on the offender or offenders, 
 and reparation make to the party or parties injured, as far as 
 the offender's wages shall enable him or them, shall, upon 
 due proof thereof, be punished as ordered by a General 
 Court Martial, in such manner as if he himself had com- 
 mitted the crimes or disorders complained of. 
 
 Art xii. That if any officer shall think himself to be 
 wronged by his Colonel, or his Commanding Officer of 
 the Regiment, and shall, upon due application made to 
 him, be refused to be redressed, he may complain to the 
 General or Commander-in-Chief of the forces of this Col- 
 ony, in order to obtain justice, who is hereby required to 
 examine into said complaint and see that justice be done. 
 
567 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 5(>8 
 
 Art. xiii. That if any inferiour officer or soldier shall 
 think himself wronged by his Captain or other officer com- 
 manding the Troop or Company to which he belongs, he 
 is to complain thereof to the Commanding Officer of the 
 Regiment, who is hereby required to summon a Regimental 
 Court Martial for the doing justice to the complainant, 
 from which Regimental Court Martial either party may, if 
 he think himself still aggrieved, appeal to a General Court 
 Martial ; but if, upon a second hearing, the appeal shall 
 appear to be vexatious and groundless, the person so ap- 
 pealing shall be punished at the discretion of the General 
 Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xiv. That whatsoever non-commissioned officer 
 or soldier shall be convicted at a Regimental Court Mar- 
 tial of having sold, or designedly, or through neglect, wast- 
 ed the Ammunition, Arms, or Provision, or other Military 
 Stores delivered out to him to be employed in the service 
 of this Colony, shall, if an officer, be reduced to a private 
 sentinel, and if a private soldier, shall suffer such punish- 
 ment as shall be ordered by a Regimental Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xv. That all non-commissioned officers and sol- 
 diers who shall be found one mile from the camp, without 
 leave in writing from their Commanding Officer, shall suf- 
 fer such punishment as shall be inflicted on him or them 
 by the sentence of a Regimental Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xvi. That no officer or soldier shall be out of his 
 quarters or camp without leave from their Commanding 
 Officer of the Regiment, upon penalty of being punished, 
 according to the nature of his offence, by order of a Regi- 
 mental Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xvii. That every non-commissioned officer or sol- 
 dier shall retire to his quarters or tent at the beating of the 
 retreat, in default of which he shall be punished according 
 to the nature of his offence, by order of the Commanding 
 Officer. 
 
 Art. xviii. That no officer, non-commissioned officer, 
 or soldier, shall fail of repairing at the time fixed, to the 
 place of parade or exercise, or other rendezvous appointed 
 by the Commanding Officer, if not prevented by sickness 
 or some other evident necessity, or shall go from the said 
 place of rendezvous, or from his guard, without leave from 
 his Commanding Officer, before he shall be regularly dis- 
 missed or relieved, on penalty of being punished according 
 to the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regi- 
 mental Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xix. That whatsoever commissioned officer shall 
 be found drunk on his guard, party, or other duty, under 
 arms, shall be cashiered for it ; any non-commissioned officer 
 or soldier so offending, shall suffer such punishment as shall 
 be ordered by the sentence of a Regimental Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xx. That whatsoever sentinel shall be found sleep- 
 ing upon his post, or shall leave it before he shall be regu- 
 larly relieved, shall suffer such punishment as shall be or- 
 dered by the sentence of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xxi. That any person belonging to the Troops of 
 this Colony, who, by discharging of fire-arms, beating of 
 drums, or by any other means whatever, shall occasion false 
 alarms in camp or quarters, shall suffer such punishment as 
 shall be ordered by the sentence of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xxii. That any officer or soldier who shall, with- 
 out urgent necessity, or without leave of his superiour offi- 
 cer, quit platoon or division, shall be punished according to 
 the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regimental 
 Court Martial. 
 
 Akt. xxiii. That no officer or soldier shall do violence 
 or offer any insult or abuse to any person who shall bring 
 provisions or other necessaries to the camp or quarters of 
 the Army ; any officer or soldier so offending shall, upon 
 complaint being made to the Commanding Officer, suffer 
 such punishment as shall be ordered by a Regimental Court 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xxiv. That whatsoever officer or soldier shall 
 shamefully abandon any post committed to his charge, or 
 shall speak words inducing others to do the like in time of 
 an engagement, shall suffer death immediately. 
 
 Art. xxv. That any person belonging to the forces 
 raised, or that may be raised for the defence of this Colo- 
 ny, who shall make known the watchword to any person 
 who is not entitled to receive it according to the rules and 
 discipline of war, or shall presume to give a parole or 
 watchword different from what he received, shall suffer 
 
 death, or such other punishment as shall be ordered by the 
 sentence of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xxvi. That whosoever belonging to the forces 
 raised, or that may be raised for the defence of this Colo- 
 ny, shall relieve the enemy in Money, Victuals, or Ammu- 
 nition, or shall knowingly harbour or protect an enemy, 
 shall suffer such punishment as by a General Court Martial 
 shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxvii. That whosoever belonging to the forces 
 already raised, or that may be raised for the defence of this 
 Colony, shall be convicted of holding correspondence with, 
 or of giving intelligence to, the enemy, either directly or 
 indirectly, shall suffer such punishment as by a General 
 Court Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxviii. That all Publick Stores taken in the ene- 
 my's camp or magazines, whether of Artillery, Ammuni- 
 tion, Clothing, or Provisions, shall be secured for the use 
 of the Colony. 
 
 Art. xxix. That if any officer or soldier shall leave 
 his Post or Colours, in time of an engagement, to go in 
 search of plunder, he shall, upon being convicted thereof 
 before a General Court Martial, suffer such punishment as 
 by said Court Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxx. That if any Commander of any Post, In- 
 trenchment, or Fortress, shall be compelled by the officers 
 or soldiers under his command to give it up to the enemy, 
 or to abandon it, the commissioned officers, non-commis- 
 sioned officers, or soldiers, who shall be convicted of having 
 so offended, shall suffer death, or such other punishment 
 as shall be inflicted upon them by the sentence of a Gen- 
 eral Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxi. That all sutlers and retailers to a camp, 
 and all persons whatsoever serving with the forces already 
 raised, or that may be raised for the defence of this Colony 
 in the field, though not enlisted soldiers, are to be subjected 
 to the same orders, rules, and regulations, to which the offi- 
 cers and soldiers are or shall be subjected. 
 
 Art. xxxii. That no General Court Martial shall con- 
 sist of less than thirteen, none of which shall be under the 
 degree of a commissioned officer ; and the President of each 
 and every Court Martial, whether General or Regimental, 
 shall have power to administer an oath to every witness, in 
 order to the trial of offenders ; and the members of all 
 Courts Martial shall be duly sworn by the President, and 
 the next in rank on the Court Martial shall administer the 
 oath to the President. 
 
 Art. xxxiii. That the members both of General and 
 Regimental Courts Martial shall, when belonging to different 
 Corps, take the same rank which they hold in the Army ; 
 but when Courts Martial shall be composed of officers of one 
 Corps, they shall take their ranks according to their com- 
 missions by which they are mustered in the said Corps. 
 
 Art. xxxiv. That all the members of a Court Martial 
 are to behave with calmness, decency, and impartiality, 
 and in giving of their votes are to begin with the youngest 
 or lowest in commission. 
 
 Art. xxxv. That no Field Officer shall be tried by any 
 person under the degree of a Captain ; nor shall any pro- 
 ceedings or trials be carried on, excepting between the 
 hours of eight in the morning and three in the afternoon, 
 except in cases which require an immediate example. 
 
 Art. xxxvi. That the commissioned officers of a Regi- 
 ment may, by the appointment of their Colonel or Com- 
 manding Officer, hold Regimental Courts Martial for the 
 inquiry into such disputes or criminal matters as may come 
 before them, and for the inflicting corporeal punishments 
 for small offences, and shall give judgment by the majority 
 of votes ; but no sentence shall be executed till the Com- 
 manding Officer (not being a member of the Court Martial) 
 shall have confirmed the same. 
 
 Art. xxxvii. That no Regimental Court Martial shall 
 consist of less than five officers, excepting in cases where 
 that number cannot be conveniently assembled, when three 
 may be sufficient, who are likewise to determine by the 
 majority of voices, which sontence is to be confirmed by 
 the Commanding Officer, not being a member of the Court 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxviii. That every officer commanding in any 
 Fort, Castle, or Barrack, or elsewhere, where the Corps 
 under his command consists of detachments from different 
 Regiments, or of independent Companies, may assemble 
 
569 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 570 
 
 Courts Martial for the trial of offenders, in the same man- 
 ner as if they were Regimental, whose sentence is not to 
 he executed till it shall be confirmed by the said Command- 
 ing Officer. 
 
 Art. xxxix. That no person whatsoever shall use me- 
 nacing words, signs or gestures, in the presence of a Court 
 Martial then sitting, or shall cause any disorder or riot so 
 as to disturb their proceedings, on the penalty of being pun- 
 ished at the discretion of the Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xl. That to the end that offenders may be brought 
 to justice, whenever any officer or soldier shall commit a 
 crime deserving punishment, lie shall, by his Commanding 
 Officer, if an officer, be put in arrest ; if a non-commis- 
 sioned officer or soldier, be imprisoned till he shall be 
 either tried by a Court Martial, or shall be lawfully dis- 
 charged by proper authority. 
 
 Art. xli. That no officer or soldier who shall be put 
 in arrest or imprisonment, shall continue in his confinement 
 more than eight days, or till such time as a Court Martial 
 can be conveniently assembled. 
 
 Art. xlii. That no officer commanding a Guard, or 
 Provost Marshal, shall refuse to receive or keep any pri- 
 soner committed to his charge by an officer belonging to 
 the forces aforesaid, which officer shall, at the same time, 
 deliver an account in writing, signed by himself, of the 
 crime with which the said prisoner is charged. 
 
 Art. xliii. That no officer commanding a Guard, or 
 Provost Martial, shall presume to release any prisoner com- 
 mitted to his charge, without proper authority for so doing ; 
 nor shall he suffer any prisoner to escape, on the penalty 
 of being punished for it by the sentence of a General Court 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xliv. That every Officer or a Provost Martial to 
 whose charge prisoners shall be committed, is hereby re- 
 quired, within twenty-four hours after such commitment, or 
 as soon as he shall be relieved from his guard, to give, in 
 writing, to the Colonel of the Regiment to whom the pri- 
 soner belongs, (where the prisoner is confined upon the 
 guard belonging to the said Regiment, and that his offence 
 only relates to the neglect of duty in his own Corps,) or to 
 the Commander-in-Chief, their names, their crimes, and 
 the names of the officers who committed them, on the 
 penalty of being punished for his disobedience or neglect, 
 at the discretion of a General Court Martial. 
 
 Art. xlv. And if any officer under arrest shall leave 
 his confinement before he is' set a liberty by the officer who 
 confined him, or by a superiour power, he shall be cash- 
 iered for it. 
 
 Art. xlvi. That whatsoever commissioned officer shall 
 be convicted before a General Court Martial of behaving 
 in a scandalous, infamous manner, such as is unbecoming 
 the character of an officer and a gentleman, shall be dis- 
 charged from the service. 
 
 Art. xlvii. That all officers, conductors, matrosses, 
 drivers, or any other persons whatsoever, receiving pay or 
 hire in the service of the Artillery of this Colony, shall be 
 governed by the aforesaid Rules and Articles, and shall be 
 subject to be tried by Court Martial in like manner with 
 the officers and soldiers of the Troops. 
 
 Art. xlviii. That for offences arising amongst them- 
 selves, or in matters relating solely to their own Corps, the 
 Courts Martial may be composed of their own officers; but 
 where a number sufficient of such officers cannot be assem- 
 bled, or in matters wherein other Corps are interested, the 
 officers of Artillery shall sit in Courts Martial with the 
 officers of the other Troops. 
 
 Art. xlix. That all crimes not capital, and all disorders 
 and neglects which officers and soldiers may be guilty of 
 to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, 
 though not mentioned in the Articles of War, are to be 
 taken cognizance of by a General or Regimental Court 
 Martial, according to the nature or degree of the offence, 
 and be punished at their discretion. 
 
 Art. l. That no Courts Martial shall order any offender 
 to be whipped or receive more than thirty-nine stripes for 
 one offence. 
 
 Art. ti. That the Field Officers of each and every 
 Regiment are to appoint some suitable person belonging to 
 such Regiment, to receive all such Fines as may arise 
 within the same for any breach of any of the foregoing 
 Articles, and shall direct the same to be carefully and pro- 
 
 perly applied to the relief of such sick, wounded, or neces- 
 sitous soldiers as belong to such Regiment, and such per- 
 sons shall account with such officer for all Fines received, 
 and the application thereof. 
 
 Art. lii. That all members sitting in Courts Martial 
 shall be sworn by the President of said Courts, which Pre- 
 sident shall himself be sworn by the officer in said Court 
 next in rank; the oath to be administered previous to their 
 proceeding to the trial of any offender, in form following, 
 viz : " You, A B, swear that you will well and truly try and 
 impartially determine the cause of the prisoner now to be 
 tried, according to the Rules for Regulating the Forces 
 raised or to be raised for the defence of the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, so help you God." 
 
 Art. liii. That all persons called to give evidence in 
 any case before a Court Martial, who shall refuse to give 
 evidence, shall be punished for such refusal at the discre- 
 tion of such Court Martial ; the oath to be administered 
 in the form following, viz : " You swear the evidence you 
 shall give in the case now in hearing shall be the truth, the 
 whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God." 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the military officers in 
 the several Towns, that were concerned in assembling or 
 furnishing w ith Ammunition any of the inhabitants of this 
 Colony who marched in the late alarm, either eastward or 
 westward, are hereby ordered and directed to deliver to the 
 Selectmen of such respective Towns, where any expense 
 has been occasioned thereby, a particular account of the 
 names of the persons who marched under arms as afore- 
 said, for the relief of people in distress, and have since 
 returned ; and also of the time every such person was 
 detained, from the first of his march till his return ; and 
 also the quantity of Ammunition every such person was 
 supplied with from any Colony or Town stock. And the 
 Selectmen of all such respective Towns are hereby order- 
 ed and directed to collect a particular account of the ex- 
 penses for provision, carriage, &,c, that has incurred by 
 means aforesaid, in such Town severally, with the names 
 of the persons who advanced the same, or to whom the 
 satisfaction may be due. And such Selectmen are also or- 
 dered and directed to lay before the Committee of the Pay- 
 Table a particular account of the quantum of each article 
 of expense for provision, time of those that marched, mo- 
 ney advanced, he. ; which Committee of the Pay-Table 
 are hereby ordered and directed to settle and adjust such 
 accounts, and allow what shall be just and reasonable ; the 
 pay of the officers respectively, and wages of the men, to 
 be the same as in the present establishment, and give to 
 such Selectmen an order on the Treasurer for payment of 
 the same. And such Selectmen are hereby directed to 
 receive and pay the same accordingly to each of the per- 
 sons to whom it is due ; and such Selectmen are also here- 
 by ordered and directed to receive back of such persons 
 who marched in the service aforesaid, and have returned, 
 such articles of Ammunition as they received from any 
 Colony or Town stock, and see the same duly returned 
 accordingly. And in case such Ammunition or part there- 
 of shall not be returned, the value of such proportion so 
 detained by each of said persons who received the same, 
 shall be deducted out of the sum allowed to him respec- 
 tively for his service aforesaid. 
 
 Whereas there is convincing evidence that a design is 
 formed by the British Ministry of making a cruel invasion 
 from the Province of Quebeck upon the Northern Colo- 
 nies, for the purpose of distressing our lives and liberties, 
 and some steps have actually been taken to carry said de- 
 sign into execution : And whereas several inhabitants of 
 the Northern Colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticon- 
 deroga, immediately exposed to incursions, impelled by a 
 just regard for the defence and preservation of themselves 
 and their countrymen from such imminent dangers and 
 calamities, have taken possession of that post and of Croun 
 Point, in which were lodged a quantity of Cannon and 
 Military Stores, that would certainly have been used in the 
 intended invasion of these Colonies, and have also taken 
 into their custody a number of officers and soldiers who 
 were holding and keeping said Posts, and of their own 
 motion have sent them into this Colony ; and as this Colo- 
 ny has no command of said Posts, now in possession of 
 people of several Colonies, it is impracticable for said offi- 
 
571 
 
 COiMNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 572 
 
 cers and soldiers to return to said posts, and the dictates of 
 humanity require that said officers and soldiers, with their 
 families, should he provided for and supported while they 
 continue in this Colony : it is therefore, 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Col. Erastus Wolcott, 
 Captain Samuel Wadsworth, Captain Ezckiel Williams, 
 ami Mr. Epaphras Hull, Henry Allyn, Esquire, Colonel 
 Fisher Gay, Col. Matthew Talcott, Col. James Wadsworth, 
 Captain Jonathan Wells, Ebenezer White, Esquire, and 
 Colonel Jonathan Humphrey be, and they, or any three 
 of them, are hereby appointed a Committee, and are or- 
 dered and instructed, at the expense of this Colony, to 
 take care of and provide for said officers and soldiers, with 
 their families at present, and see that they be treated with 
 humanity, kindness, and respect, according to their rank 
 and station, and encourage, assist, and advise said soldiers 
 in procuring such profitable labour and business as they 
 may be capable of, wherever said soldiers can find persons 
 willing to entertain and give them employment, until, by 
 the advice of the Continental Congress or otherwise, this 
 Assembly shall take further order concerning them, and 
 that the Commander-in-Chief make a proper return, under 
 his hand, to said Committee, of the corps that are under his 
 command. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the form for Commis- 
 sions for the Field-Officers in the service for the special 
 defence and safety of this Colony, shall be as follows, and 
 the Governour and Secretary are desired and directed to 
 sign the same : 
 
 " Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 "Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Captain- General and 
 Governour -in- Chief in and over His Majesty's Eng- 
 lish Colony in New-England in America, 
 
 " To Benjamin Hinman, Esquire, greeting : 
 
 " By virtue of the power and authority to me given, and 
 by the Royal Charter to the Governour and Company of 
 the said Colony, under the great seal of England, 1 do, by 
 these presents, reposing especial trust and confidence in 
 your loyalty, courage, and good conduct, constitute and ap- 
 point you, the said Benjamin Hinman, to be Colonel of the 
 Fourth Regiment of the inhabitants enlisted and assembled 
 for the special defence and safety of His Majesty's said 
 Colony. You are, therefore, to lead, conduct, order, and 
 exercise said Regiment in the service aforesaid, and to 
 keep them in good order and discipline, hereby command- 
 ing them to obey you as their Colonel, and yourself to 
 observe and follow such orders and instructions as you shall 
 from time to time receive from me or the Commander-in- 
 Chief of the said Colony for the time being, or other your 
 superiour officers, according to military rules and discipline, 
 pursuant to the trust reposed in you. 
 
 "Given under my hand and the publick seal of the said 
 
 Colony at , the first day of May, in the 
 
 fifteenth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the 
 Third, Anno Domini 1775." 
 
 Resolved, further, That the form for Warrants for the 
 Officers on the Staff be as follows, and the Governour is 
 directed to sign the same : 
 
 "Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour and Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Colony of Connect- 
 icut in New-England, in America, 
 " To Rev. Cotton Mather Smith, greeting : 
 
 " Reposing especial trust and confidence in your loyalty, 
 piety, ability, integrity, and good conduct, 1 do hereby ap- 
 point you, the said Cotton Mather Smith, Chaplain of the 
 Fourth Regiment of the inhabitants enlisted and assem- 
 bled for the special defence and safety of His Majesty's 
 said Colony ; and do hereby authorize and empower you 
 to exercise the several acts and duties of your office and 
 station as Chaplain of the said Regiment, which you are 
 faithfully to perform in a due and religious discharge there- 
 of, according to the important trust reposed in you, for 
 which this is your warrant. 
 
 " Given under my hand and seal at arms, in . . , 
 in the Colony aforesaid, this twentieth day of May, in the 
 fifteenth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the 
 Third, Anno Domini 1775." 
 
 " Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour and Com- 
 mander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's English 
 Colony of Connecticut in New-England, in Ame- 
 rica, 
 
 " To Lemuel Wheeler, Gentleman, greeting : 
 
 " I do, by these presents, resposing especial confidence 
 in your loyalty, skill, and good conduct, appoint you, the 
 said Lemuel Wheeler, to be Physician and Surgeon in the 
 Fourth Regiment of inhabitants enlisted and assembled for 
 the special defence and safety of His Majesty's said Colony ; 
 and 1 do hereby authorize and empower you to exercise 
 your said office in a due discharge of the duties thereof, 
 which you are carefully and diligently to attend as a Phy- 
 sician as aforesaid, according to the trust reposed in you, 
 for which this is your sufficient warrant. 
 
 " Given under my hand and seal at arms, at . . , 
 in said Colony, the twentieth day of May, 1775, in the 
 fifteenth year of His Majesty's reign." 
 
 " Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 "Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Governour and Com- 
 mander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of 
 Connecticut in New- England, in America, 
 
 " To , Gentleman, greeting : 
 
 "I do, by these presents, reposing especial trust and con- 
 fidence in your loyalty, fidelity, and good conduct, consti- 
 tute and appoint you, the said , to be 
 
 Commissary in the . . . Regiment of the inhabitants 
 enlisted and assembled for the special defence and safety 
 of His Majesty's said Colony ; and you having first given 
 bond, with sufficient surety for a faithful discharge of your 
 trust, I do authorize and empower you to exercise your 
 said office in a due performance of the duties thereof in the 
 Regiment aforesaid, keeping proper accounts, and the same 
 render on oath when required, according to the trust repos- 
 ed in you, for which this is a sufficient warrant. 
 
 " Given under my hand and seal at arms, in ... , 
 the . . day of May, A. D. 1775, in the fifteenth year 
 of His Majesty's reign." 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of the 
 Pay-Table be directed to give orders on the Treasurer of 
 this Colony for payment to all such persons who have ac- 
 tually expended moneys or given their written obligations 
 therefor, more than to the amount of what is equitably due 
 to them for their personal service in obtaining possession of 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, upon their exhibiting their 
 accounts, and having them liquidated and approved by said 
 Committee; and also, that said Committee be, and they 
 are hereby further directed to receive the accounts of the 
 cost and expenses, both of men and provisions, incurred in 
 taking and securing said Fortresses, by any inhabitants of 
 this Colony, or any others by them engaged and employed, 
 digest the same into proper form, and lay the same before 
 this or some future Assembly, for their equitable considera- 
 tion and allowance. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That all accounts of dis- 
 bursements made by order or direction of this Assembly 
 relative lo the present extraordinary emergencies of Gov- 
 ernment, be laid before the Pay-Table Committee already 
 appointed, to be by them examined, settled, and adjusted ; 
 and said Committee are hereby directed to draw all need- 
 ful orders on the Treasurer for the payment thereof. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That each non-commissioned 
 officer and soldier belonging to any military company or 
 trainband in this Colony, shall be paid out of the Colony 
 Treasury Six Pence for each half day he shall attend and 
 perform military exercises, and Twelve Pence for each day 
 lie shall attend and perform regimental exercise, in obe- 
 dience to a law of this Colony passed at the session of the 
 General Assembly in October last ; and that the Clerk of 
 each of said Companies shall make out duplicate and at- 
 tested Rolls of such non-commissioned officers and soldiers 
 as performed military exercises as aforesaid, and deliver the 
 same to the Captain, or, in his absence, to the chief officer 
 of such company whereof he is Clerk, and said Captain 
 or chief officer shall present said Roll to two assistants, or 
 two Justices of the Peace, to be by them examined and 
 approved, which Rolls, when approved, shall, by such au- 
 thority, be noted thereon accordingly, one of which Rolls 
 shall be delivered to such officer, and the other held by said 
 
573 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 574 
 
 authority ; and thereupon said authority shall draw an 
 order on the Treasurer of this Colony, payable to such Cap- 
 tain or chief officer, who shall receive the money due them 
 of the Treasurer, and pay the same to each non-commis- 
 sioned officer and soldier as shall be due according to said 
 Roll. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin, Mat- 
 thew Talcott, and Titus Hosmer, Esquires, be and they 
 are hereby appointed a Committee to provide such stores of 
 Lead as they shall judge necessary for the use of this Col- 
 ony ; and that said Committee may be effectually able to 
 execute their said trust, they are authorized and directed, 
 on behalf of this Colony, to contract for, purchase, or take 
 the Lead Ore that is or may be raised out of the Lead 
 Mines in Middletown, and cause any and greater quantities 
 of Ore to be dug out of said mine, and by the best and 
 most prudent ways and means they can, to procure said 
 Ore to be refined and fitted for the use of this Colony, and 
 to erect any furnace or building necessary for that purpose ; 
 and that said Committee have power and authority to take 
 and receive out of the Colony Treasury from time to time, 
 any sum or sums of money that shall be found necessary 
 to enable them to procure said Lead, or purchase said Lead 
 Ore, and smelt, refine, and separate the lead therefrom, 
 not exceeding the sum of Four Hundred Pounds, lawful 
 money, in the whole ; and the Colony Treasurer is ordered 
 to pay and advance the said sum of money to the said 
 Committee, or their order, accordingly, always provided 
 that the owner or owners of said mine or ore shall have 
 reasonable allowance and be duly compensated for any loss, 
 hurt, or damage, that he or they may or shall sustain or 
 suffer by reason of the premises. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Commander-in- 
 Chief for the time being, of the Forces raised in this Col- 
 ony, at their respective destinations, be authorized and 
 empowered, and they are hereby empowered to procure a 
 suitable Armourer or Armourers to repair any Fire-Arms 
 that may be damaged in the service, as occasion may call 
 for, and lay the account thereof before the Committee of the 
 Pay-Table, who are hereby directed to draw orders on the 
 Treasurer for the payment thereof. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee of the 
 Pay-Table be directed to repair the Arms belonging to this 
 Colony in the hands of the Treasurer, and deliver out as 
 many of them as may be wanted, to the inhabitants enlist- 
 ed for the special defence of this Colony, and have them 
 appraised, and take proper receipts therefor. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Samuel Mott, Esquire, 
 be and he is hereby appointed Engineer, forthwith to repair 
 to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to assist and act in said 
 capacity, and to take rank as a Lieutenant-Colonel among 
 the Troops raised for the defence of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Thaddeus Burr, Esq., 
 of Fairfield, and Charles Church Chandler, Esq., of Wood- 
 stock, be a Committee to engage and employ, at the pub- 
 lick expense of this Colony, two News-Carriers to perform 
 regular stages from Fairfield to Woodstock, and from 
 Woodstock to Fairfield, passing through the Towns of 
 Windham and Lebanon, in such manner that they severally 
 arrive in Hartford every Saturday ; and that they forward 
 all proper intelligence to Fairfield and Woodstock, with 
 all convenient speed; also, that Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., 
 of Neiu-London, be a Committee to engage and employ 
 two News-Carriers at the expense of the Colony, to per- 
 form regular stages from Woodstock to New-Haven, on 
 the Fairfield stage, and from New-Haven to Woodstock, 
 in such manner that they severally arrive in New-London 
 every Saturday ; and that they forward all proper intelli- 
 gence each way every Monday morning, with all conve- 
 nient despatch ; and that Thaddeus Burr, Esquire, of 
 Fairfield, Charles Church Chandler, Esquire, of Wood- 
 stock, and Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq., of New-London, be 
 a Committee to forward, at the publick expense of this 
 Colony, all such extraordinary and important intelligence 
 which shall be received from time to time at either place, 
 as they shall judge proper and necessary ; the aforesaid 
 regulations to continue in force until the rising of the As- 
 sembly in October next, and no longer. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint the Honourable Matthew 
 Griswold, Esquire, and the Honourable Eliphalet Dyer, 
 Jabez Huntington, and Samuel Huntington, Esquires, Wil- 
 
 liam Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Junior, Jedediuh Elder- 
 kin, Joshua West, and Benjamin Huntington, Esquires, a 
 Committee to assist his Honour the Governour when the 
 Assembly is not sitting, to order and direct the marches 
 and stations of the inhabitants enlisted and assembled for 
 the special defence of the Colony, or any part or parts of 
 them, as they shall judge necessary, and to give orders from 
 time to time for furnishing and employing said inhabitants 
 so enlisted with every matter and thing that may be need- 
 ful to render the defence of the Colony effectual. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Commissions or- 
 dered by the Special Assembly in April last, to the respec- 
 tive Officers appointed to enlist men for the defence ot the 
 Colony, shall be dated May 1 , 1775, and the Secretary 
 ordered to fill them up accordingly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Warrants to the 
 Staff Officers, viz: Chaplain, Surgeon, and Surgeon's 
 Mates for each Regiment enlisted and formed for the spe- 
 cial defence and safety of this Colony, shall be dated the 
 20th day of May, 1775, and his Honour the Governour is 
 directed to fill the same accordingly. 
 
 This Assembly grants to Major-General Wooster the 
 sum of Four Pounds per month, to assist and enable him 
 to provide a proper Secretary for the necessary service of 
 such Department. 
 
 This Assembly grants to Brigadier Generals Spencer and 
 Putnam, respectively, as they shall find necessary, the sum 
 of Four Pounds per month, to assist and enable them to 
 provide proper Secretaries for the necessary service of their 
 respective Departments. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Commissaries ap- 
 pointed by this Assembly for supplying the inhabitants 
 raised for the defence of the Colony, shall be allowed one 
 and a half per cent, commission on all supplies purchased 
 and paid for by order of the Assembly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin and 
 Jesse Root, Esquires, be added to, and they are hereby 
 appointed of the Committee to sign the Bills of Publick 
 Credit on this Colony, ordered to be emitted by the Gen- 
 eral Assembly holden at this place by special order of his 
 Honour the Governour, on the 26th day of April last, any 
 three of said Committee to execute the trust aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That five hundred pounds 
 of Powder be immediately borrowed by the Committee of 
 the Pay-Table, from the Town stocks of the adjacent 
 Towns, and put into the hands of Colonel James Easton, 
 to be transported with the utmost expedition to Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga, to be there used for the present 
 and immediate defence of those Posts, till the Resolves of 
 the Continental Congress may be carried into execution ; 
 and that an order be drawn by the Committee ol Pay-Table 
 on the Colony Treasurer, in favour of said Colonel Easton, 
 for Two Hundred Pounds, lawful money, to be improved 
 by him in defraying the expenses of transporting said Pow- 
 der and other necessary purposes, for the immediate support 
 and security of said Fortresses, rendering his account 
 therefor. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the pay of the Adju- 
 tants in the Forces assembled for the defence of this Col- 
 ony shall be the sum of Six Pounds per month ; and that 
 such Adjutants shall sustain and receive pay for that office 
 only ; and it is further resolved that the pay of the First 
 Lieutenants of the Colonels' Companies in each Regiment, 
 respectively, shall be Six Pounds per month. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint David Johnson, Junior, Sec- 
 ond Lieutenant in the Second Company in the Fourth 
 Regiment, to be enlisted and assembled for the special de- 
 fence of this Colony, in the room of David Bissell, super- 
 seded. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint Major Jabez Thompson to be 
 Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in 
 this Colony, in the room of Lieutenant-Colonel Gould, re- 
 signed. 
 
 Captain William Douglass, Major of the Second Regi- 
 ment, in room of Major Thompson, promoted. 
 
 Gold Selleck Silliman, Esq., to be Colonel of the Fourth 
 Regiment, in room of Colonel , resigned. 
 
 Captain Ichabod Lewis to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Fourth Regiment, in the room of Gold Selleck Silliman, 
 Esq., promoted. 
 
575 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 576 
 
 Thomas Belding, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Sixth Regiment, in the room of Matthew Talcott, Esq., 
 resigned. 
 
 John Chester, Esq., to be Major of the Sixth Regiment, 
 in the room of Thomas Belding, Esq., promoted. 
 
 John Mead, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Ninth 
 Regiment, in the room of Vavid Waterbury, resigned. 
 
 Stephen 11. John, Esq., to be Major of the Ninth Regi- 
 ment, in room of John Mead, Esq.. promoted. 
 
 William Williams, Esq., to be Colonel of the Twelfth 
 Regiment, in room of Joseph Spencer, Esq., resigned. 
 
 Henri/ Champion, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Twelfth Regiment, in room of William Williams, Esq., 
 resigned. 
 
 Dyer Throop, Esq., to be Majorof the Twelfth Regiment. 
 
 Matthew Talcott, Esq., to be Colonel of the Twenty- 
 Third Regiment. 
 
 Captain Comfort Sage to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Twenty-Third Regiment. 
 
 Captain John Penfield to be Major of the Twenty-Third 
 Regiment. 
 
 Zebulon Butler, Esq., to be Colonel of the Twenty- 
 Fourth Regiment. 
 
 Nathan Denison, Esq., to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Twenty-Fourth Regiment. 
 
 William Judd, Esq., to be Major of the Twenty-Fourth 
 Regiment. 
 
 Oliver Smith, Esq., to be Major of the Eighth Regi- 
 ment, in room of Major Charles Phelps, Esq., resigned. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of John Sutliff, Junior, and others, 
 Inhabitants of the Society of Norlhbury, in Waterbury, 
 showing to this Assembly that they live within the limits of 
 the West Military Company or Trainband, in said Society, 
 and that the major part of said Company, both Officers and 
 Soldiers, are totally disaffected to the general cause of 
 American liberty, and that they altogether refuse to adopt 
 the measures advised by the Continental Congress, but 
 publickly speak and act in direct opposition thereto : 
 
 Upon which a Committee, viz : Thomas Matthews and 
 Timothy Judd, Esquires, were appointed, who have made 
 their Report to this Assembly, and the same being also 
 accepted : 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Captain and En- 
 sign of said West Military Company or Trainband, in the 
 Society of North bury, in said Waterbury, be and they are 
 hereby cashiered and dismissed from their respective mili- 
 tary offices ; and the Colonel of the Regiment said Com- 
 pany is part of is hereby directed to lead said Company to 
 the choice of a Captain and an Ensign, and other needful 
 officers, and make return to this Assembly. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Nathaniel Niles, of Norwich, in 
 the County of New-London, shewing to this Assembly that 
 it is of importance that the manufacturing of Iron Wire, upon 
 which the Woollen and Cotton Manufactories so greatly 
 depend, should be set up and carried on with the greatest 
 expedition, which the Memorialist is willing to undertake 
 and pursue, upon proper encouragement, and hath made 
 some progress therein, &ic, as per Memorial on file : 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Huntington, 
 Samuel Huntington, and Elijah Backus, Esquires, all of 
 Norwich, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee 
 to examine into the matters contained in said Memorial, 
 and the expenses of erecting proper works for the manu- 
 facturing of Iron Wire ; and what encouragement may be 
 properly given the Memorialist therefor; and if said Com- 
 mittee, upon due examination, shall judge it reasonable and 
 expedient, they are hereby empowered to draw their order 
 on the Colony Treasurer for any sum not exceeding Three 
 Hundred Pounds to be paid by said Treasurer, who is 
 hereby directed to pay the same to the Memorialist, upon 
 his giving good security to the acceptance of said Commit- 
 tee, that said sum shall be improved solely for the setting 
 up and carrying on said Manufactory ; and that the princi- 
 pal sum so received shall be repaid at the expiration of four 
 years after received, without any interest thereon. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Secretary of this 
 Colony be directed to send to the Towns of Torrington 
 and New-Hartford, to return to this Assembly, in October 
 next, the whole of their Lists, the exemption that hath 
 been granted to the Society of Torringford notwithstand- 
 
 ing ; and also to all the rest of the Towns in this Colony 
 that are incorporated, that have not yet sent in their Lists. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint Elisha Sheldon, Esq., Colo- 
 nel Samuel H'yllys, Mr Ezra Selden, Mr. William 1 lav- 
 ley, Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Junior, and Major Samuel 
 Canfeld, to audit and adjust the Colony Accounts with John 
 Lawrence, Esq., the present Treasurer of this Colony. 
 
 Whereas the situation of publick affairs are such at pre- 
 sent, that the attention of the publick is called off from 
 private matters to things of greater importance ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of all private business 
 of a civil and disputable nature, be referred over to the ses- 
 sion of this Assembly in October next. 
 
 This Assembly grants to his Honour Governour Trum- 
 bull, the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Pounds, for the 
 first half of his salary the current year. 
 
 This Assembly grants to the Honourable Deputy Gov- 
 ernour Griswold the sum of Fifty Pounds, for the first half 
 of his salary the current year. 
 
 This Assembly grants to John Laurence, Esq., the sum 
 of One Hundred and Eighty Pounds, for his salary the 
 year past as Treasurer of this Colony. 
 
 This Assembly grants to George Wyllys, Esq., Secretary 
 of this Colony, the sum of Twenty Pounds, for his salary 
 the year past. 
 
 This Assembly is adjourned by Proclamation, he, until 
 the Governour shall see cause to call it to meet together 
 again. Test : George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 In the Lower House : 
 
 Mr. Hosmer, Colonel Wolcott, Colonel Elderkin, and 
 Mr. Sturgess, are appointed a Committee to join the Com- 
 mittee from the Honourable Upper House, to consider what 
 Intelligence, Papers, and Documents are material and ne- 
 cessary to be transmitted and communicated to the Conti- 
 nental Congress at Philadelphia ; and likewise take into 
 their consideration what matters and things relative to the 
 late hostile transactions, it is expedient to make publick, 
 and report make. Test : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House : 
 
 Jabez Hamlin, Esquire, is appointed to join the Com- 
 mittee of the Lower House in the affair above-mentioned. 
 Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 To the Honourable the General Assembly now sitting in 
 Hartford. 
 
 We, your Honours' Committee appointed to consider 
 what Intelligence, Papers, and Documents are material and 
 necessary to be transmitted and communicated to the Con- 
 tinental Congress now sitting at Philadelphia ; and likewise 
 what matters and things relative to the late hostile transac- 
 tions it is expedient to make publick, beg leave to report 
 our opinion : 
 
 First. That it is material and necessary that copies of 
 the Letter wrote by his Honour the Governour to General 
 Gage, at the request and in behalf of the Assembly, and 
 of General Gage's answer to said Letter, and of his Nar- 
 rative of the proceedings of the Troops on the 18th and 
 19th of April last, accompanied with a Letter from his 
 Honour the Governour, should be prepared and transmitted 
 to Colonel Eliphaltt Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas 
 Deane, Esquires, Delegates from this Colony to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, to be made use of at their discretion ; the 
 Narrative from the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts- 
 Bay, and the Depositions taken by and received from them, 
 being, as we are well informed, already sent to said Con- 
 tinental Congress, we are of opinion it is not necessary to 
 forward from hence. 
 
 Secondly. That a concise and true Narration of the late 
 hostile attack made by the Troops under the command of 
 General Gage upon the inhabitants of the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay, with the Depositions to support and 
 confirm the same, should be prepared for the press, and be 
 printed and dispersed through this Colony ; and we farther 
 beg leave to submit it to the consideration of the As- 
 sembly, whether it would not answer some good purpose, 
 if the Narrative of said transactions received from General 
 Gage, were printed and published with the Narrative and 
 proofs aforesaid. Per order: J. Hamlin. 
 
577 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 578 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 I.N PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 London, May 12, 1775. 
 
 I did not, unlil this day, receive your kind favour of 
 March 17, which confirmed the agreeahle intelligence of 
 the decisive victory of the sons of liberty in JSew-York, 
 over the pitiful and mercenary supporters of despotism. 
 
 The Remonstrance of their Assembly to the House of 
 Commons, Mr. Burke, the agent, is to present next Mon- 
 day, the 15th instant. I fancy you may take it for granted, 
 the Ministry are determined it shall not be received ; but if 
 their minds should change before that time, it will be 
 received only to be condemned, by ordering it to lay on the 
 table, which is almost as slighting a mode of procedure as 
 refusing to receive it. Thus are applications treated, when 
 made in the very manner the Ministers themselves have 
 pointed out. In short, nothing will please, but an absolute 
 and total submission, at the shrine of despotism, of the lives, 
 liberties, and property, of yourselves and posterity to end- 
 less generations. 
 
 Whether these things are not worthy of contending for, 
 even unto death, I leave you to judge, who may enjoy 
 the blessings of them, or feel the curse of wanting them 
 forever. The advantages of commerce are now, for the 
 first time in this Kingdom, held at naught by our wick- 
 ed Ministers ; as they suppose commerce enlarges the 
 ideas of men in general, and gives more aversion to tyran- 
 ny than confined employment ; therefore, the trade of poor 
 old England is to be buried in the same grave with Ame- 
 rica n liberty. 
 
 The merchants and manufacturers you well know, how- 
 ever, before this, have bestirred themselves in the American 
 cause ; but as they did not really feel, their exertions were 
 not earnest enough to command success. For my own 
 part, I am convinced this business can never be settled 
 without bloodshed, unless you are tame enough to give up 
 every thing that can be held dear in this world, viz : civil 
 and religious liberty, to absolute tyranny ; because 1 know 
 the Ministers, or, in plain words, their master, Lord Bute, 
 has ordained it shall be. In my mind, there should not be 
 one moment's hesitation about the choice : we can die but 
 once, and never on a better occasion than in the cause of 
 God, and the rights of mankind. The friends of liberty 
 in this Country, who are really numerous, look to you 
 with wonderful attention. They expect much good from 
 your virtue ; and, in my judgment, when the first engage- 
 ment happens in America, a flame will burst out here 
 that must overwhelm the contrivers of all this mischief. 
 The eyes of all Europe, are upon you; and I believe we 
 should have had a foreign war before this, but France and 
 Spain wait to see the business first fairly begun in Ame- 
 rica. However, this day the foreign mail brings certain 
 intelligence of twelve Spanish Men-of-War arriving at 
 Cadiz from the Mediterranean, which has occasioned 
 much speculation among the politicians, and horrible gri- 
 maces among the ministerial gentry. I am no enthusiast : 
 but still I am convinced that this American business is in 
 the hand of Providence, to make you a great and wonderful 
 Empire. Every circumstance is in your favour, and I have 
 no doubt of your sagacity and virtue in taking advantage 
 thereof. 
 
 We suppose, by this time, all the Troops for Boston 
 have left Ireland — seven Regiments of Infantry and one 
 of Horse ; the Foot may be about three thousand effec- 
 tive men, and the Horse from two to four hundred. The 
 Cavalry, if they arrive (for probably many will die on the 
 passage) cannot be fit for service this summer. Next week 
 Sir George Savile in the House of Commons, and Lord 
 Camden in the House of Lords, are each of them to pre- 
 sent a Petition from the inhabitants of Quebcck, praying 
 for the repeal of the Quebeck Government Act, when 
 each of them, in their several Houses, will make a motion 
 for that purpose. 
 
 From what knowledge I have of America, it appears to 
 me an absolute certainty that the ministerial plan of slavery 
 that is formed for you can never succeed, if you continue 
 unanimous, and determine to resist, even unto death, rather 
 than resign your liberties. Depend on your own efforts, 
 and leave the issue to Providence, which," as the guardians 
 of virtue, will certainly make your efforts successful. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 RICHMOND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee elected for the County of Richmond, 
 meeting by an adjournment from the 10th of this instant, 
 at the Court-House of this County, on the 12th of May. 
 1775, present Landon Carter, Esquire, Chairman, and a 
 very full bench of the Members : 
 
 The Committee appointed on the 10th instant, having 
 brought in their Report, according to the order of that day, 
 the same was received and read, and is as follows: 
 
 Your Committee, taking into consideration, according to 
 order, the late Address of his Excellency the Governour 
 to the Council, on the 2d of this instant, and the Procla- 
 mation issued in consequence of their advice on the 3d 
 instant, think themselves indispensably bound to their con- 
 stituents to vindicate them from the groundless aspersions, 
 and very unjust accusations with which a part of this 
 community are therein charged, and which are only calcu- 
 lated to induce a belief that the people of this Country are 
 meditating a plan to change the present form of Govern- 
 ment. They have, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That the late commotions in some parts 
 of this Country, alluded to in the Address and Proclama- 
 tion, arose from a full conviction of a cruel and determined 
 plan of Administration to enslave these Colonies, which 
 has been manifested in various instances, and of which the 
 late proceedings of his Excellency, in removing the Pow- 
 der from the Magazine, with the several circumstances 
 attending the same, appear evidently to be a part. 
 
 2d. That our repeated and dutiful applications for 
 redress of grievances, our patient endurance under a long 
 course of irritating and oppressive measures, and our most 
 solemn declarations " that our utmost wish was a restitu- 
 tion of the rights which we enjoyed until the year 1763,'" 
 are convincing proofs of our attachment to the Constitu- 
 tion, our loyalty to our Sovereign, and our love of order. 
 
 3d. That the whole of his Excellency's conduct respect- 
 ing the unhappy disputes between the Colonies and the 
 British Ministry, especially the groundless and injurious 
 charges alleged against the people of this Colony, in his 
 Address to the Council, and in his Proclamation of the 
 3d of this instant, (May,) are unjustifiable and inimical, and 
 therefore he has justly forfeited the confidence of the peo- 
 ple of this Colony. 
 
 4th. That the Members of His Majesty's Council who 
 advised the above-mentioned Proclamation, acted incon- 
 sistently with that wisdom, justice, and generosity which 
 ought to characterize them as legislators, judges, and natives 
 of the most distinguished in the Colony ; and we do declare, 
 that we find ourselves deeply affected that those who should 
 be mediators between the executive power and the peo- 
 ple, should concur in fixing a stigma on their fellow-sub- 
 jects, so unjust and so undeserved. 
 
 5th. That in order to remove these atrocious aspersions, 
 and to convince the world of our firm attachment to the 
 Constitution as it existed before the year 1763, we hereby 
 solemnly pledge ourselves to support it at the hazard ot 
 our lives and fortunes. 
 
 Every Resolve contained in the foregoing being distinct)} 
 read, and separately considered, was passed nemine contra- 
 dicente'. 
 
 Ordered, That these proceedings of this day, as soon 
 as may be convenient, be transmitted to the Press for the 
 satisfaction of the publick. 
 
 William Smith, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY LORD DUNMORE. 
 
 By His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour- 
 General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and 
 Vice- Admiral of the same : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Virginia, to wit : 
 
 Whereas the General Assembly stands prorogued to the 
 first Thursday in September next, but it is judged expe- 
 dient and necessary that they should be sooner convened 
 I have therefore thought proper, by this Proclamation, in 
 His Majesty's name, to appoint the first Thursday in the 
 next month for that purpose ; at which time their attend- 
 
 7 
 
579 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 580 
 
 ance is accordingly required at the Capitol, in the City of 
 fVilliamsburgh, for the despatch of publick business. 
 
 Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony, at 
 Jl'il/iamsburgh aforesaid, this 12th day of May, in the fif- 
 teenth year of His Majesty's reign. Dunmore. 
 God save the King. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Whereas the following false reports have been indus- 
 triously propagated, with the malicious design of injuring 
 my character with the publick, viz: that I had insulted 
 the Delegates of the present Congress at Bristol, and 
 declared that they were an unlawful body of men, and 
 that the Magistrates ought to disperse them ;" and " that I 
 have wrote letters to the Ministry inimical to America:*' 
 Now in justice to my own reputation, and that the good 
 people of this Province may not be deceived by such 
 groundless falsehoods, I do declare that these reports are 
 malicious and without the least foundation ; and that how- 
 ever easy it might have been to establish a correspon- 
 dence with Administration, was I capable of entertaining a 
 thought inimical to the Country where all I hold dear and 
 valuable is fixed, and where 1 am determined to spend the 
 remainder of my life, yet I have, neither directly nor indi- 
 rectly any such correspondence, nor ever wrote a sentiment 
 to any man in Great Britain injurious to the rights and 
 freedom of America, nor ever recommended any measure 
 whatever to be pursued in respect to the present dispute 
 between the two Countries. And I do hereby call on the 
 author or authors of these false reports to make good their 
 malicious charges, or to take that blame to themselves which 
 such malevolence deserves. 
 
 All that I have to request of my countrymen on this or 
 the like occasions is, that they will deal with so much can- 
 dour and justice towards me as to discredit any malevolent 
 reports, until the authors shall exhibit some proof in sup- 
 port of their charges : and this I trust no good man will 
 think unreasonable, as he cannot but be aware that the 
 most innocent may be condemned, unless this great rule of 
 justice be observed. Joseph Galloway. 
 
 Trcvose, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1775. 
 
 and in consequence thereof, the Provincial Congress have 
 made a Resolution, the purport of which is nearly similar 
 to the above agreement, in confidence that said agreement 
 would be punctually adhered to ; but by sad experience we 
 find the inhabitants of Boston are not permitted to leave 
 the Town according to the agreement, and nothing to pre- 
 vent, that we know of, but the cruel exertion of despotick 
 power : Therefore it is humbly submitted to the Committee 
 of Safety, whether it is not advisable to suspend the afore- 
 said Resolution of Congress until they are fully satisfied 
 the above agreement is punctually fulfilled, and in the mean 
 time to apprehend and seize all Crown officers and known 
 enemies to the liberties of the Colonies, to be liberated 
 when it may be judged reasonable by the Congress ; and 
 also to recommend the like mode of conduct to our sister 
 Colonies. S. Osgood, Major of Brigade. 
 
 May 12, 1775. 
 
 Bergen County, New-Jersey, Committee Chamber, > 
 
 May 12, 1775. \ 
 
 Besolved, That John Fell, Esquire, Theunis Dei/, 
 Esquire, Thomas Broivn, Esquire, Peter Zabriskie, Esq., 
 John Demarcst, Esquire, Mr. Samuel Berry, Mr. Corne- 
 lius Van Vorst, Mr. Isaac Noble, Mr. Aarent J. Schuy- 
 ler, Mr. Jacob Terhune. Doctor Abraham Van Boskirk, 
 John Van Boskirk, Esquire, Mr. Gabriel Ogdcn, Mr. 
 Jost Zabriskie, and Mr. Gabriel Van Orden, be a Stand- 
 ing Committee of Correspondence for this County, and 
 that any five of them, of which the President or Vice 
 President to be one, have power to act. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above Resolve be printed 
 in the Neiv- York Newspapers. 
 
 By order of the Committee : John Fell, Chairman. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Correspondence for 
 Bergen County, New- Jersey, May 12, 1775 : 
 
 Present : John Fell, Theunis Bey, Thomas Brown, 
 John Demarcst, Esquires, Messrs. Cornelius Van Vorst, 
 Isaac Noble, Jacob Terhune, Doctor Abraham Van Bos- 
 kirk, JohnVan Boskirk, Esquire, Messrs. Gabriel Ogden, 
 Jost Zjabriskie, and Gabriel Van Orden: 
 
 John Demarcst, Esquire, chosen President ; Mr. Gabriel 
 Van Orden, chosen Vice-President. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above proceedings be 
 published in the New- York Newspapers. 
 
 By order of the Committee of Correspondence : 
 
 John Demarest, President. 
 
 PETITION OF JOHN SAWYER AND OTHERS TO THE MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Congress norv sitting at Watertown, 
 
 the humble Petition of us the subscribers, ivhose yunncs 
 
 are underwritten, humbly shewcth, cy-c. 
 
 Whereas your petitioners have lately settled in the east- 
 ern parts, and are in great distress for want of provisons and 
 ammunition, by reason of the lumber failing of sale, and 
 the great drought last summer, that our crops being cut 
 short, and being in great distress for fear of the enemy, as 
 we have news from Cooper shewing that the Indians on the 
 Cape are building forty Indian canoes, and it is expected 
 that the Governour of Halifax has hired the Indians to 
 come along shore and kill us and our families, and take our 
 creatures, and we have nothing to defend ourselves with but 
 our hands, as there is no powder of any value among us, 
 (we also fear the tenders coming to get our cattle :) 
 
 Your humble petitioners therefore beg your assistance, 
 and grant us some relief, and send us some com and other 
 necessaries of life, and some powder, balls, flints, and a 
 few small arms, that we may have wherewithal to defend 
 ourselves and fight for our lives and liberties, which we pray 
 God to give us strength and courage, as long as we have 
 life, in the defence of our Country, provided your Honours 
 should order us any support. 
 
 We, your petitioners, bind ourselves to pay forthwith 
 the interest and charges in sending, as soon as lumber will 
 have any sale, and trading revive. 
 
 We, your petitioners, beg your serious consideration, and 
 as in duty bound we shall ever pray. 
 
 John Sawyer, Andrew Herrick, Samuel Robset, 
 
 Jacob Trussel, Shadrach Watson, Joshua Herrick, 
 
 James Dodge, William Reed, Enoch Blasdel, 
 
 Samuel Watson, Robert Dougherty, Moses Eaton, 
 
 Abncr Dodge, Daniel Black, Ebenezer Eaton, 
 
 Nehemiah Allen, John Herrick, Nathaniel Allen, 
 
 John Black, James Fly, Benjamin York, 
 
 Moses Black, Samuel Cousons, George Goodwin, 
 
 Samuel Hale, Samuel Herrick, Ebenezer Herrick, 
 
 Joshua Trussel, Joseph Bapson, John Dod<;e, 
 
 William Obee, Stephen G;itchell, John Carter, 
 
 Jonathan Clay, Cornelius Morgan, James Carter. 
 Ebenezer Hinkley, 
 
 There being in the Town in number that are able to bear 
 arms seventy, but living at a great distance, and not having 
 time to assemble at this time, the vessel just ready to sail, 
 we would beg for the whole. 
 
 May 12, 1775. 
 
 TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Whereas an agreement has been made between General 
 Gage and the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, for the 
 removal of the persons and effects of such of the inhabi- 
 tants of the Town of Boston as may be so disposed, (ex- 
 cepting their fire-arms and ammunition,) into the country, 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Amesbury, May 12, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Mr. John Currier has enlisted about forty soldiers, 
 who are ready to march, provided he may be their Cap- 
 tain, (and upon this condition they enlisted,) and we can 
 recommend him to be a person of good character, and con- 
 ducted very well in the last war, and that he has been 
 steady and faithful in the affairs of the Town he has been 
 chosen to serve in ; and we desire that he may be enlisted 
 to the office that his soldiers expected him to have ; and 
 further, we expect that he will shortly enlist more men to 
 fill his Company. And as we lately received a letter from 
 the Congress, recommending to us to be assisting and en- 
 couraging the enlisting of soldiers, we have done our 
 
581 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 582 
 
 endeavours in promoting and encouraging the same, and 
 
 are still ready to do all in our power to forward all necessaries 
 
 recommended to us. 
 
 Sir, we are your humble and obedient servants, 
 
 Caleb Pilsbuky, ) c, , . r A ?„ , , 
 x c ' > selectmen of Amesbury. 
 
 JOSIAH SaBGEANT, 5 
 
 In Committee of Supplies Chamber, } 
 Watertown, May 12, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen: The Congress having resolved that the 
 Army should be supplied with such goods, wares, and mer- 
 chandise as shall appear necessary by the Colony, and 
 not as has been by Sutlers, we have procured some articles 
 that are wanted, and sent them, with a copy of the Re- 
 solves, to one of the Deputies of the Commissary at Cam- 
 bridge, Mr. Browne ; but we think that it will be found 
 necessary to have Deputies for this business only, as it must 
 take up the whole time of one person to deliver goods to 
 two Regiments only, and keep good accounts against the 
 soldiers, more especially as the accounts must be exhibited 
 to the Captains, that they may deduct them on making up 
 the muster-roll. As the Commissary is now confined with 
 sickness to his chamber, we desire you to appoint a Deputy 
 for the particular business, that the goods procured by us 
 may be received by him, and immediately disposed of to 
 the soldiers, who are much in want thereof. 
 
 David Cheeveb, 
 One of the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 In Committee of Supplies Chamber, ) 
 Watertown, May 13, 1775. \ 
 
 Sib: We shall be glad to know how the matter is cir- 
 cumstanced with respect to the Colony Arms which were 
 lent to the Scholars, that proper measures may be pursued 
 to get them in. Pray send a line by the bearer. 
 
 We are truly your friends, he, he. 
 
 David Cheeveb, per order. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 swear they are worth whatever sum is in the recognizance, 
 and no doubt it will be an enormous sum. Mr. Smith was 
 this day taken with a writ of one hundred thousand 
 Pounds damages. But I need not descend into particulars ; 
 every part of their conduct appears that they not only want 
 the jurisdiction of this quarter, but also to rob every man of 
 his property. 
 
 And, gentlemen, it is by your friends here thought ad- 
 visable that the Sheriff, with a party of fifty men, or there- 
 abouts, should come up and take us who are in confine- 
 ment, and also as many of these rascals as possible, as there 
 will be no strength to oppose you, there being but eighteen 
 men in the Fort. It is surprising what a pusillanimous 
 temper must prevail amongst the people in general to suffer 
 the peace and welfare of a whole County to be destroyed 
 by such a handful of villains. But let the people be called 
 upon by the Sheriff, and certainly they will not refuse to 
 come. If such a step be thought best, it ought to be 
 managed with secrecy and despatch. Pray send off an 
 express by Tuesday night to us with advice, for if we are 
 not taken off we must give bail, if it can be had, and the 
 thoughts of so doing is no small mortification after hanging 
 out so long. I have no time to say any more, but ac- 
 knowledge myself your humble servant, 
 
 James Cavet. 
 To Arthur St. Clair, John Carnaghan, William Lochey, 
 
 Esquires, and all our brethren inclusive. 
 
 P. S. I must beg your pardon and patience also for 
 writing so long an epistle, but I had almost forgot to ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of your favour of the 9th, and also 
 to inform you that Mr. Scott is bound by the Sheriff to 
 appear here next court, and I suppose will share the same 
 fate of Hanna and myself. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Roxbury, May 12, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I find no establishment made by the Con- 
 gress for such officers as Adjutant and Quartermasters Gen- 
 eral, which officers are as necessary, in a large encampment, 
 as almost any whatever ; and where any number of Regi- 
 ments are posted in camp, there cannot be a proper regu- 
 lation of duty without such. I should be glad to be ad- 
 vised whether I may be allowed to give any encouragement 
 to any suitable persons for such office, that they will receive 
 any reward in future if they will undertake it. And as I 
 understand there are a number of the Rules for the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army printed, and are now at Cambridge, 
 should be glad a number may be forwarded by the bearer 
 for the use of the Camp in Roxbury. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with due respect, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Jno. Thomas. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety. 
 
 james cavet to abthur st. claib and othebs. 
 
 Pittsburgh, May 13, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I am sorry that it is so much in my power 
 to doubt the Governour's attention to this unhappy Coun- 
 try. We have not had, since our confinement, the least 
 account from him, and I think it is beyond a doubt he got 
 our packet. Our express is returned, and says he gave the 
 letters to Doctor Plunket at Susquehannah, who would 
 certainly send them. Our situation, and that of the well 
 affected inhabitants of this place, is become almost in- 
 tolerable : it is impossible for any person to conceive the 
 cruel mode of proceedings at this place, unless those who 
 are unhappy enough to be eye-witnesses thereof. Mr. 
 Smith, in particular, will, (if not by some means prevent- 
 ed,) in a short time be absolutely ruined. Mr. Hanna 
 and myself will, at this court, be confined in the guard- 
 room of Fort Dunmore, if we don't give bail, and God 
 knows whether it will be in our power so to do, for we are 
 informed, by some of our friends, that none other will be 
 acceptable but those who will come into open court and 
 
 DOCTOR ELEAZEB WHEELOCK TO GOVEENOUB TBUMBULL. 
 
 Dartmouth College, May 13, 1775. 
 
 Much honoubed and bespected Sib: Your favour of 
 17th ultimo duly arrived. Mr. Dean is not yet returned ; 
 I am now daily expecting him, with one of my English 
 pupils, who has resided with the Tribe at St. Francis ever 
 since last August, to learn their language. I have no sus- 
 picion of any publick design of hostilities in any of the 
 Northern Tribes ; but we are lately alarmed with accounts 
 that several of our own people have been authorized by 
 General Gage to go to Canada and collect a party there 
 to join them in distressing us at a time which they shall 
 think favourable for their purpose. The bearer, Mr. 
 Smith, who is a tutor of this college, and a young gen- 
 tleman to be depended upon, can give you the account, 
 which I suppose you have likely already had, for substance, 
 from Esquire Curtis, of this place. 
 
 But we are many of us more alarmed by the rash, pre- 
 cipitant, and headlong conduct of a number among us who 
 have been honoured with His Majesty's commissions, civil 
 and military, but have of late openly and publickly given 
 them up, and that only upon this principle, viz: that His 
 Majesty has forfeited his Crown, and that all commissions 
 from him are therefore vacated of course ; and have ac- 
 cordingly appointed a set of officers of their own choosing, 
 and appear to be plunging themselves and their dependants 
 as far and as fast as they can into a state of anarchy. They 
 assume to themselves the right of treating their fellow men 
 in a rough and sovereign manner, seizing, stopping, con- 
 trolling, and examining strangers and others in such a hos- 
 tile manner as tends to inspire a general fear in all sorts ; 
 e. g., two of my scholars, a few days ago, were peace- 
 ably and inoffensively travelling from college home, when 
 they were, by a ruffian, stopped in the road, who presented 
 a gun cocked at their breasts, and swore by God they were 
 dead men if they did not immediately tell him who they 
 were, where they were going, and what their business was ; 
 and this without milder or other introduction to his inquiry. 
 And it is feared, if a speedy stop cannot be put to this 
 evil, murders, and frequent ones, too, will ensue ; and that 
 they will prove themselves really to be what these Colo- 
 nies have been so injuriously charged with being, and bring 
 the fiercest rage of a Northern Army upon these infant 
 frontiers, and justify them in savage cruelties, prevent 
 any testimonial of our Governour in our favour, and draw 
 away the strength of the Provinces below us from our de- 
 
583 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775- 
 
 584 
 
 fence, which he may have no occasion to do if we behave 
 ourselves soberly, adhere firmly to our Constitution, though 
 at the same time, as individuals, are helping our brethren 
 as much as our feeble state will allow. And 1 would 
 humbly propose whether this case, as the evil seems to be 
 spread wide in part of this Province, and in the new coun- 
 tries adjoining in New-York Province, be not worthy to be 
 communicated for the consideration of the Continental Con- 
 gress, who can put a stop to it, if any can. 
 
 I also fear much evil from the unprovoked, harsh, cruel, 
 and worse than savage threats given out by some against 
 my Indian boys, which have already occasioned fear in 
 some of them ; and 1 fear, if it be not stopped, will produce 
 some unfavourable accounts from them to their friends ; 
 this evil I am constantly guarding against as much as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 I have lately received letters from my honoured patrons 
 in London, of February 17th, replete with expressions of 
 friendship to this institution, but with assurances that no 
 further publick aids are to be expected by me from that 
 side the water till this publick controversy between them 
 and us be amicably settled, which they suggest no present 
 grounds of encouragement to expect ; nor do they think 
 fit in their publick and united capacity to write a word of 
 politicks, but as private friends some of them express their 
 great friendship to the religious and civil liberties of Ame- 
 rica, and their apprehensions that if the sword should be 
 drawn in the controversy on this side the water, it will be 
 soon theirs also. 
 
 I would humbly propose to your Honour, and if you 
 shall think proper, to your honourable Assembly, whether — 
 considering the surprising progress of this institution under 
 the smiles of Heaven hitherto, and the fair prospect not 
 only of its great utility to the general and charitable design 
 of it, but also as it is, and likely may long be, an important 
 barrier against the present threatening mischiefs of a North- 
 ern enemy — it may not be thought worthy your charitable 
 recommendation of it to the charity and benevolence of the 
 Continental Congress, to be by them recommended to the 
 favour and notice of the pious and charitable of these 
 Colonies. 
 
 This may greatly serve the interests of this institution 
 in its present infant, feeble, and deserted state, and not only 
 so, but raise it higher in the esteem of the savage Tribes, 
 which are its first object, and enable me to increase its in- 
 fluence to the good purposes of preserving and increasing 
 that peace and friendship which at present subsists between 
 us and them, and seems to be of very great importance to 
 both. My printed Narrative may give you and other gen- 
 tlemen some short account of the progress and present 
 slate of it, by which you may be able to judge for your- 
 selves of the propriety and expediency of what I here 
 propose. All which I do, with the greatest cheerfulness and 
 confidence, submit to your wise, prudent, and friendly de- 
 termination. I would not have any thing published or sent 
 abroad which I have hinted, so as to expose my friends at 
 home, who, I find, are cautious in that matter. 1 am, my 
 honoured and dear Sir, with much esteem and respect, 
 your Honour's most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Eleazer Wheelock. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THOMAS FRASER TO GEORGE 
 ERVING, IN BOSTON, DATED LONDON, MAY 13, 1775. 
 
 L thank you most heartily for the great trouble you have 
 given yourself in sending our house, as well as myself, so 
 particular an account of the state of your present unfortu- 
 nate Country. Sorry, very sorry am I to find so many 
 thousands of its inhabitants act as if they were infatuated, 
 and determined, as much as in them lays, that every thing 
 shall be in confusion. I have for many months flattered 
 myself there was no chance that any blood would be shed 
 on account of the present disagreeable contest. I still 
 hope the wide breach may be healed without proceeding 
 to such extremities, but really I have now my fears. How- 
 ever, trusting that an over-ruling Providence will order 
 every thing for the best, I will patiently wait the event. I 
 am sorry that your trade, as well as ours, is so much inter- 
 rupted ; when it will be otherwise I cannot say. Your 
 brig, the Harmony, lies in our river, and what is to be 
 done with her I cannot say; on her arrival, our J. L. sent 
 
 his servant with a note to Lord North, acquainting him 
 that the vessel was come, and that he was ready to wait 
 upon his Lordship. I am surprised he has not sent a line ; 
 it is probable he may have forgot it. Mr. Lane sends to 
 him again to-morrow. I am the more surprised he has not 
 desired him to come to his house, because he read your 
 letter with great attention, and expressed his uneasiness that 
 the friends of good order laboured under so many incon- 
 veniences, which he wished might be avoided in future. 
 You have before been informed of his Lordship saying he 
 was glad your brig was gone forward, because it gave him 
 an opportunity of well considering the application you have 
 made. From his silence, I should apprehend he doth not 
 mean the scheme should be put in execution. He hinted 
 to Mr. Lane, that if permission was given, we must apply 
 to the Admiralty. In short, I wish you success in all your 
 engagements ; but whether or no you and I may have rea- 
 son to have desired that Captain Shayler might come fully 
 loaded with merchandise from hence, is a point that 1 can- 
 not determine. You must allow that affairs are in a very 
 critical situation ; and although a civil war may never break 
 out, yet there has been a great appearance of one. If you 
 should for once lose the profit you expected to make by 
 the Harmony, I hope it will be amply made up to you 
 when matters get settled ; then there may be some comfort 
 in executing our friends' commissions. You may believe 
 me when I say I have experienced very little satisfaction 
 for these two years past, and scarce know what course to 
 take with the little business we have left. I trust that 
 when matters once get settled, that Administration will 
 take proper notice of those who have ventured so much to 
 serve them ; your friends here will not be backward in 
 promoting your interest on every occasion. 
 
 I have neither time nor abilities to enter into the minutiae 
 of things as I could wish. I have a great respect for Mr. 
 Erving, and hope there will ever be a lasting friendship 
 subsisting between us. What the Americans will think of 
 the Restraining Act of the Fishery, &c., I cannot tell ; I 
 should think it must bring about universal confusion and 
 anarchy, or a happy and speedy settlement ; this last I 
 earnestly wish may take place. Mr. Lane proposes, when 
 he sees Lord North, to desire him to destroy your letter; 
 though, as it had been in his possession many weeks before, 
 presume it can signify but little, especially as I am pretty 
 confident the contents of your letter will never be known 
 to the publick. I am, with great respect, Sir, your most 
 humble servant, Thomas Fraser. 
 
 TIMOTHY LADD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Goffstown, N. H., May 13, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: After my regards to your Honours with 
 freedom, whereas it is thought there will be a number of 
 soldiers called for out of this Province for the assistance 
 and defence of North America, for our privileges and 
 liberties ; 1 would inform your Honours that if occasion 
 should call for a number, I am ready to serve your Hon- 
 ours in this Government and my Country, for the de- 
 fence of our privileges and the enjoyment of liberty in 
 America. 
 
 If your Honours should call for me, I am ready to serve 
 my Country with all freedom and assistance that 1 am 
 capable of; as 1 think it is the duty of all well-wishers to 
 liberty and the North America. Wishing success to lib- 
 erty, so I subscribe myself your well-wisher and humble 
 servant, Timothy Ladd. 
 
 To the Honourable Congress sitting at Exeter. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 14, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: My last was the 11th instant per express, 
 since which a party of men have seized on Crown Point, 
 in which they took eleven prisoners, and found sixty-one 
 pieces of cannon serviceable, and fifty-three unfit for ser- 
 vice. I ordered a party to Skenesborough, to take Major 
 Slcenc, who have made him prisoner, and seized a small 
 schooner, which is just arrived here. I intend setting out 
 in her directly, with a batteau and fifty men, to take pos- 
 session of the sloop, which, we are advised this morning 
 
585 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 586 
 
 by the post, is at St. John's, loaded with provisions, &ic, 
 waiting a wind for this place. Enclosed is a list of cannon, 
 Sic, here, though imperfect, as we have found many pieces 
 not included, and some are on the edge of the lake, cov- 
 ered with water. I am, with the assistance of Mr. Ber- 
 nard Romans, making preparation at Fort George for trans- 
 porting to Albany those cannon that will be serviceable to 
 our Army at Cambridge. I have about one hundred men 
 here, and expect more every minute. Mr. Allen's party 
 is decreasing, and the dispute between us subsiding. I am 
 extremely sorry matters have not been transacted with 
 more prudence and judgment ; I have done every thing in 
 my power, and put up with many insults to preserve peace 
 and serve the publick. I hope soon to be properly releas- 
 ed from this troublesome business, that some more proper 
 person may be appointed in my room ; till which I am, 
 very respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, Mr. Romans concludes 
 going to Albany to forward carriages for the cannon, 
 &c, and provisions, which will be soon wanted. I beg 
 leave to observe he has been of great service here, and I 
 think him a very spirited, judicious gentleman, who has the 
 service of the Country much at heart, and hope he will 
 meet proper encouragement. B. A. 
 
 TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, NOW 
 SITTING AT WATERTOVVN. 
 
 Falmouth, May 14, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir : The Committee of Correspondence in 
 this Town beg leave to inform you, that some time past 
 we received advice from Georgetown, that Colonel Thomp- 
 son was fitting two vessels there with design to attempt the 
 taking the King's ship Canceaux, stationed in this harbour, 
 commanded by Captain Mowat, a gentleman whose con- 
 duct since he has been here has given no grounds of sus- 
 picion he had any design to distress or injure us; but on 
 the other hand has afforded his assistance to sundry vessels 
 in distress. As we thought such an attempt had the appear- 
 ance of laying the foundation for the destruction of this 
 Town, the Committee of Correspondence met, and wrote 
 to the Committee of Correspondence at Georgetown, 
 desiring they would prevent their coming ; we also wrote to 
 Colonel Thompson desiring him to desist from such an 
 attempt, as it would throw this Town into the greatest con- 
 fusion imaginable; we sent an express, and received his 
 answer that he had dropped the design of coming. But on 
 Monday night he landed upwards of sixty men on the 
 back side of a neck of land joining this Town, who came 
 there in a number of boats, and lay undiscovered till about 
 the middle of the next day ; at which time Captain Mowat, 
 the Doctor of the ship, and Parson Wisival, were taking 
 a walk on said neck, when a detachment from Colonel 
 Thompson's party rushed from their concealment, surround- 
 ed the gentlemen, and made them prisoners, and conducted 
 them to the Colonel, who was with the main body on the 
 back side of the neck. Captain Hogg, who now commanded 
 the ship, immediately clapped springs on his cabels, she lay- 
 ing within musket shot of the Town, and swore if the gen- 
 tlemen were not released by six o'clock, he would fire on 
 the Town. He fired two cannon, and although there 
 were no shot in them, it frightened the women and chil- 
 dren to such a degree, that some crawled under wharves, 
 some ran down cellar, and some out of Town. Such a 
 shocking scene was never presented to view here. The 
 gentlemen who were in custody were conducted to a pub- 
 lick house, where Captain Mowat declared if he was not 
 released it would be the destruction of the Town. Every 
 gentleman present used his utmost endeavours to accom- 
 modate the matter. Colonel Thompson consented that a 
 Committee should be chosen, consisting of officers from his 
 party, and gentlemen from the Town, to consult in what 
 manner the affair could be accommodated ; but as it was 
 late, the Committee chose to defer the consideration of it 
 till next morning. Captain Moxvat then requested he 
 might go on board his ship that night ; and he would pawn 
 his word and honour he would return next morning, at 
 what time, and at what place should be appointed. Col- 
 onel Thompson consented, provided Colonel Freeman, and 
 Brigadier Preble, would pass their words, and that the 
 
 several gentlemen should return according to their promise, 
 and also pawn their word and honour if the gentlemen 
 failed coming, that they would deliver themselves up and 
 stand by the consequences ; which was consented to. Cap- 
 tain Moivat not coming according to promise, which was 
 to have been at nine o'clock next morning, the sponsors 
 appeared according to promise, and were confined. Captain 
 Mowat wrote to them, and let them know he had fully 
 determined to have complied with his promise, but he 
 had sent his man on shore to carry some dirty linen to 
 his washing-woman, and to bring off some clean ; that 
 said man made oath, that two of the body, under arms, 
 one of which swore, by all that was sacred, the moment 
 he came on shore he should have what was in his piece, 
 and the other that he should never return on board again 
 with his life: and that two more of his men made oath, they 
 heard several of the men under arms say, the moment he 
 came on shore they would have his life ; this was what he 
 wrote to plead an excuse for not complying with his pro- 
 mise. Colonel Thompson told the two gentlemen under 
 confinement, that he must have some provision and re- 
 freshment for his men, which they procured to the amount 
 of thirteen or fourteen Pounds, lawful money, on which 
 they were dismissed. About ten o'clock, he sent an ac- 
 count to them for time and expense, amounting to one hun- 
 dred and fifty-eight Pounds and eighteen Shillings, lawful 
 money, and gave them till next morning nine o'clock to re- 
 turn an answer, which they did in the negative. He said 
 he would have satisfaction before he left the Town. He 
 then seized all the goods he could find belonging to Captain 
 Coulson and William Tyng, Esquires. They also carried 
 off one boat belonging to Coulson, and one other to Cap- 
 tain Mowat. They also obliged Captain Rote to furnish 
 them with some provisions, and a small matter of cash. 
 They also brought one man on his knees for speaking disre- 
 spectfully of the Colonel and his men. Colonel Thompson, 
 we doubt not, is a true friend to his Country, and a man of 
 courage and resolution ; but as our Town lays so much 
 exposed to the Navy, that had he succeeded in his attempt, 
 (which there was not the least probability of,) it must have 
 proved the destruction of this Town and the country back, 
 which is now in the greatest distress for want of provisions. 
 We have only related plain facts, that the honourable 
 members of the Provincial Congress may not be imposed 
 on with false accounts, to whom please to communicate this 
 letter. We are, with great esteem, gentlemen, your most 
 obedient servant, Jedediah Preble, Chairman. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF FALMOUTH TO THE 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Falmouth, May 15, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : We, the Committee of 
 Correspondence in Falmouth, would beg leave to represent 
 to your Honours the situation and circumstances of this 
 Town and County, and if there is any impropriety in our 
 doing it, your candour will excuse it. 
 
 The alarming attempt of Colonel Thompson to take the 
 Ship Canceaux, Captain Henry Mowat commander, now 
 in this harbour, has occasioned great uneasiness in this 
 Town, as it has a tendency to bring on us certain ruin, 
 by the Admiral resenting it in such a manner as to block 
 up our harbour before the time; and we have no force 
 to oppose or prevent it; no fortifications, no ammunition, 
 no cannon ; and if provisions are stopped from coming in 
 here, the Town is ruined, as well as the country, which 
 depends upon the Town for supplies, of which at present 
 there is a great scarcity. We think Colonel Thompson' s 
 attempt was rash and injurious, if not unjustifiable, as we 
 cannot learn he had any authority from you or the Con- 
 gress. We are sure it was contrary to the will and without 
 any orders from his superiour officers in the militia, though 
 solicited for by him ; and the people here seemed to be 
 laid under contribution by them to subsist his men. 
 
 We hope care will be taken that every attack upon our 
 enemies through the Province shall be conducted by proper 
 officers, orderly, regularly, and with proper authority, lest 
 it should occasion a civil war among ourselves. 'Tis true, 
 in defending ourselves, which may be sudden, immediate 
 and resolute opposition, in the best manner that can be sud- 
 denly thought of, should be adopted ; but we are afraid 
 
587 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 588 
 
 that if any number of men at any time, and in any man- 
 ner, may collect together, and attack any thing, or any 
 person they please, every body may be in danger. Sat 
 vcrbum sapienti. 
 
 We are also concerned lest a good deal of confusion 
 should arise from a number of our young men in the coun- 
 try possessing themselves of the enlisting papers lately 
 printed, some calling themselves Colonels, some Majors, 
 appointing their own officers, Adjutants, Chaplains, Chirur- 
 geons, &ic, &.C., without having, as we can learn, any writ- 
 ten orders for so doing ; for they seem to contend already 
 who shall be chief officers, and they are uncertain whe- 
 ther the men they enlist are to be stationed here for de- 
 fence, or to march to Cambridge to make up the Standing 
 Army. 
 
 Enlisting papers, we understand, were sent to General 
 Preble, but he not having any written orders did not act in 
 the affair. If the Army can be completed without drawing 
 men from hence, as we have all along been made to under- 
 stand was the case, we cannot help thinking it would be 
 most prudent ; however, we shall not be backward if there 
 is real occasion for men; and in that case we humbly submit 
 whether it would not be best some person or persons 
 should be appointed to conduct the affair according to 
 orders. We hope we shall be excused for thus troubling 
 your Honours, as we were solicited to do it by a number of 
 gentlemen. We are, with great veneration, your Honours' 
 most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Enoch Freeman, per order. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Prov- 
 ince of the Massachusetts Bay, Cambridge. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watortown, ) 
 May 18, 1775. \ 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Tho7npson have the following 
 Letter sent him. 
 
 " Sir : This Congress has received information that the 
 Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Falmouth, 
 on hearing that you were about making an attack on the 
 Canceaux man-of-war, lying in the harbour of that Town, 
 desired you to forbear any proceedings of that kind, which 
 you promised to do, but that you afterwards took the Cap- 
 tain of said ship-of-war, and detained the Honourable Je- 
 dediah Preble and Enoch Fret man, Esquire, as hostages 
 for the return of the said Captain, and that you levied 
 contributions of money and other tilings from the subjects 
 there, and look a boat belonging to the said Canceaux. 
 
 " Though this Congress approves of your general zeal for 
 this Country, yet it appears that your conduct in taking 
 the Captain of the ship against your promise, and your 
 levying money, or other tilings of the people, is by no 
 means justifiable, and it is therefore expected that you 
 attend the next Congress that shall be held in this Colony, 
 and do your character justice in this matter, and that you 
 return said boat, and stay all further proceedings of this 
 kind in the mean time." 
 
 Williamsburgh, Va., May 19, 1775. 
 
 On Monday last, May 15, 1775, Captain Montague's 
 detachment of Marines took their departure from this City, 
 and are returned on board the Fowey. 
 
 The same clay a Council was held at the Capitol, after 
 the breaking up of which, the following Address was made 
 publick: 
 
 " To all the good People of Virginia : 
 
 " We, His Majesty's faithful subjects, the Council of 
 this Colony, deeply impressed with the most sincere regard 
 for the prosperity of our Country, and the welfare of all 
 its inhabitants, and being desirous, by our example, and by 
 every means in our power, to preserve the peace and good 
 order of the community, can no longer forbear to express 
 our abhorrence and detestation of that licentious and ungo- 
 vernable spirit that is gone forth, and misleads the once 
 happy people of this Country. 
 
 " The Council recommend it to all orders of men to 
 consider seriously what will be the probable consequence 
 of such a conduct as hath been lately pursued, and whether 
 a redress of the grievances complained of will not be more 
 likely to be obtained by gentle, mild, and constitutional 
 
 methods, than by such intemperate behaviour, which must 
 tend to exasperate and inflame, rather than reconcile the 
 differences that now unhappily subsist. 
 
 " The Council wish, upon this occasion, that all odious 
 distinctions may be laid aside, and that they may be con- 
 sidered not as a separate body of men, and having a dis- 
 tinct interest from the rest of their countrymen and fellow- 
 subjects, but, in the light in which they have always re- 
 garded themselves, as the watchful guardians of the rights 
 of the people, as well as of the prerogative of the Crown. 
 They are most of them natives of this Country, they have 
 families, they have property, and they trust they have in- 
 tegrity too, which are the best securities men can give to 
 any society for the faithful discharge of their duty. 
 
 " Let, then, their exhortations have proper weight and 
 influence among the people ; and they plight their faith 
 that they will join heartily with them in the use of such 
 means as shall be judged most salutary and conducive for 
 enforcing obedience to the laws, and supporting the Con- 
 stitution of their Country, under which it has flourished 
 from its infancy, and for obtaining a happy and speedy 
 conclusion to all our troubles. 
 
 " As his Excellency the Governour hath issued his 
 Proclamation for the speedy meeting of the General As- 
 sembly, the Council are happy in finding an opportunity 
 will be given the people of representing their grievances 
 in the manner prescribed by the Constitution. 
 
 " Signed by order of the Members of the Council : 
 " John Blair, Cleric of the Council." 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of 
 Chester, at the Borough of Chester, May 15, 1775, An- 
 thony Wayne, Esquire, in the chair, the following Resolves 
 were made, viz : 
 
 Whereas the British Parliament, instead of hearing our 
 just complaints or showing the least regard to the dutiful 
 and loyal Petition of the late Continental Congress in 
 behalf of America, have proceeded to fresh acts of tyranny 
 and oppression, which, added to an Address of both Lords 
 and Commons to His Majesty, declaring the inhabitants of 
 the Province of Massachusetts-Bay to be in a state of open 
 rebellion, and several of the other Colonies encouragers of 
 the same, have induced the soldiery under the command of 
 General Gage, at Boston, to commence a civil war, by 
 wantonly firing upon and murdering a number of the inha- 
 bitants of that Province : And whereas the said Address 
 militates equally against all the inhabitants of the other 
 Colonies, who have the virtue to refuse obedience to laws 
 and measures destructive to the best rights and liberties of 
 America, which, if suffered to take effect, must inevitably 
 reduce these Colonies to a state of abject slavery, from 
 which, in all probability, no human efforts would ever he 
 able to rescue them ; and although we will not yield to 
 any of our fellow-subjects in point of duty and loyalty to 
 our most gracious Sovereign, yet we cannot be so far neg- 
 ligent of our own happiness as totally to neglect providing 
 for our common safety : 
 
 Therefore resolved unanimously, 1st. That it is the in- 
 dispensable duty of all the freemen of this County imme- 
 diately to form and enter into Associations for the purpose 
 of learning the military art ; and that they provide them- 
 selves with proper Arms and Ammunition, to be ready in 
 case of emergency to defend our liberty, property, and 
 lives, against all attempts to deprive us of them. And we 
 solemnly engage to promote such Associations to the utmost 
 of our power. 
 
 2d. Resolved, nem. con., That no Powder be expended 
 in this County, except on emergent occasions, and the 
 store and shop-keepers are requested not to dispose of any, 
 except to some one or more of this Committee, who are 
 ordered to purchase the same. 
 
 3d. Resolved, nem. con., That this Committee, confiding 
 in the wisdom and virtue of the Continental Congress now 
 sitting in Philadelphia, will adopt, and use their utmost 
 endeavours to carry into execution, all such measures as 
 the said Congress shall recommend for the preservation of 
 American liberty. 
 
 4th. Resolved, nem. con., It is earnestly recommended 
 to every subscriber in this County for the relief of the poor 
 
589 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1773. 
 
 590 
 
 in Boston, that they immediately pay the same, as it is 
 much wanted for the benevolent purposes intended. 
 
 5th. Resolved, nem. con., That each member of this 
 Committee will give his attendance at the Borough of 
 Chester on the 31st of this instant, at ten o'clock, A. M., 
 in order to consult the Justices, Grand Jury, and Board of 
 
 Commissioners and Assessors, on ways and means to pro- 
 cure a proper quantity of Arms and Ammunition for the 
 use of this County. 
 
 The Committee then adjourned to the time and place 
 above-mentioned. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Francis Johnston, Secretary. 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW JERSEY. 
 
 Votes and Proceedings of the General Assembly of the 
 Colony of Xtiv-Jersey, at a sitting begun at Burlington, 
 Monday, May 15, 1775, and continued until the twentieth 
 day of the same month ; being the first sitting of the Fourth 
 Session of the Twenty-Second Assembly of A ew- Jersey. 
 
 NAMES OF THE REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 Citu of Perth- Amboy. — Cortland Skinner, Speaker, 
 John Combs. 
 
 Middlesex. — John WctheriU, Azariah Dunham. 
 Monmouth. — Edward Taylor, Richard Lawrence. 
 Essex. — Stephen Crane, Henry Garritse. 
 Somerset. — Hendrick Fisher, John Ray. 
 Bekgen. — Theunis Dcy, John Demarest. 
 Morris. — -Jacob Ford, lillliam Winds. 
 City of Burlington. — James Kinsey, Thomas P. Heiv- 
 lings. 
 
 County of Burlington. — Henry Paxon, Anthony Sykes. 
 Gloucester. — John Hinchman, Robert F. Price. 
 Salem. — Grant Gibbon, Benjamin Holme. 
 Cape May. — Jonathan Hand, Eli Eldridge. 
 Hl xterdon. — Samuel Tucker, John Mthelm. 
 Cumberland. — John Sheppard, Theophilus Elmer. 
 Sussex. — Nathaniel Pettit, Joseph Barton. 
 
 Burlington, Monday, May 15, 1775. 
 Pursuant to his Excellency's several prorogations of the 
 General Assembly from time to time till this day, the House 
 met. 
 
 Azariah Dunham, Esq., being duly returned a Repre- 
 sentative to serve in the General Assembly for the County 
 of Middlesex, and now attending, was admitted into the 
 House, and took the usual oaths, and made and subscribed 
 the declaration by law appointed, before Cortland Skinner, 
 Esq., thereto authorized by dedimus potestatem. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dunham do take his seat in the 
 House. 
 
 The House adjourned till three P. M. 
 The House met. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wetherill do wait 
 upon his Excellency and acquaint him that a sufficient num- 
 ber of Members to constitute a House are met, and are 
 ready to receive any thing he may please to lay before 
 them. 
 
 Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter to him from 
 William Bollan, Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, 
 Esquires, dated London, December 24, 1774; which was 
 read. 
 
 Mr. Speaker also laid before the House a Letter to him 
 from the Honourable John Cruger, Esquire, Speaker of the 
 House of Representatives of the Province of New-York, 
 enclosing their Petition to the King, the Memorial to the 
 House of Lords, and a Representation to the House of Com- 
 mons, a List of Grievances, and the Resolutions entered 
 into by the General Assembly there, on the eighth of March 
 last; all which were read. 
 
 Mr. Fisher reported that Mr. Wetherill and himself 
 waited upon his Excellency with the message of the House 
 according to order, and that his Excellency was pleased to 
 say that the House should hear from him to-morrow morn- 
 ing. 
 
 The House adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, May 16, 1775. 
 
 The House met and adjourned rill three P.M. 
 The House met. 
 
 A Message from his Excellency by Mr. Deputy Secre- 
 tary Pettit : 
 
 Mr. Speaker : His Excellency is in the Council Cham- 
 ber, and requires the immediate attendance of the House. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and, with the 
 House, went to wait upon his Excellency ; and being re- 
 turned, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and reported that 
 the House had waited on his Excellency, who was pleased 
 to make a Speech to the Council and House of Assembly, 
 of which Mr. Speaker said he had, to prevent mistakes, 
 obtained a copy. And the same, by order of the House, 
 was read, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, and Gentlemen of the As- 
 sembly : 
 
 The sole occasion of my calling you together at this time, 
 is to lay before you a Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons, wisely and humanely calculated to open a door for 
 the restoration of that harmony between Great Britain 
 and her American Colonies, on which their mutual welfare 
 and happiness so greatly depend. 
 
 This Resolution having already appeared in the publick 
 papers, and a great variety of interpretations put upon it, 
 mostly according to the different views and dispositions by 
 which men are actuated, and scarcely any having seen it in 
 its proper light, I think I cannot, at this critical juncture, 
 better answer the gracious purposes of His Majesty, nor 
 do my Country more essential service, than to lay before 
 you as full an explanation of the occasion, purport, and in- 
 tent of it, as is in my power. By this means you, and the 
 good people you represent, will be enabled to judge for 
 yourselves, how far you ought or ought not to acquiesce 
 with the plan it contains, and what steps it will be prudent 
 for you to take on this very important occasion. 
 
 You will see in the King's answer to the joint Address 
 of both Houses of Parliament on the seventh of February, 
 how much attention His Majesty was graciously pleased to 
 give to the assurance held out in that Address, of the readi- 
 ness of Parliament to afford every just and reasonable in- 
 dulgence to the Colonies, whenever they should make a 
 proper application on the ground of any real grievance they 
 might have to complain of. This Address was accordingly 
 soon after followed by the Resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons, now laid before you, a circumstance which afforded 
 His Majesty great satisfaction, as it gave room to hope for 
 a happy effect, and would, at all events, ever remain an 
 evidence of their justice and moderation, and manifest the 
 temper which has accompanied their deliberations upon that 
 question, which has been the source of so much disquiet to 
 the King's subjects in America. 
 
 His Majesty, ardently wishing to see a reconciliation of 
 the unhappy differences by every means through which it 
 may be obtained, without prejudice to the just authority of 
 Parliament, which His Majesty will never suffer to be vio- 
 lated, has approved the Resolution of his faithful Com- 
 mons, and has commanded it to be transmitted to the Gov- 
 ernours of his Colonies, not doubting that this happy 
 disposition to comply with every just and reasonable wish 
 of the King's subjects in America, will meet with such a 
 return of duty and affection on their part, as will lead to a 
 happy issue of the present dispute, and to a re-establish- 
 ment of the publick tranquillity on those grounds of equity, 
 justice, and moderation, which this Resolution holds forth. 
 
 What has given the King the greater satisfaction in this 
 Resolution, and the greater confidence in the good effects 
 of it, is, his having seen that, amidst all the intemperance 
 into which a people, jealous of their liberties, have been 
 unfortunately misled, they have nevertheless avowed the 
 justice, the equity, and the propriety of subjects of the 
 same State contributing, according to their abilities and 
 situation, to the publick burdens ; and this Resolution, it is 
 thought, holds no proposition beyond that. 
 
 It would probably be deemed unjust to suppose that any 
 of the King's subjects in the Colonies can so far forget the 
 
591 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 592 
 
 benefits they have received from the Parent State as not 
 to acknowledge that it is to her support-, held forth at the 
 expense of her blood and treasure, that they principally 
 owe that security which hath raised them to their present 
 state of opulence and importance. In this situation, there- 
 fore, justice requires that they should, in return, contribute 
 according to their respective abilities to the common de- 
 fence ; and their own welfare and interest demand that civil 
 establishment should be supported with becoming dignity. 
 
 It has been the care, and it is the firm determination of 
 Parliament to see that both these ends are answered, and 
 their wisdom and moderation have suggested the propriety 
 of leaving to each Colony to judge of the ways and means 
 of making due provision for these purposes, reserving to 
 themselves a discretionary power of approving or disap- 
 proving what shall be offered. 
 
 The Resolution neither points out what the civil estab- 
 lishment should be, nor demands any specifick sum in aid 
 of the publick burdens. In both these respects it leaves 
 full scope for that justice and liberality which may be ex- 
 pected from Colonies that, under all their prejudices, have 
 never been wanting in expressions of an affectionate attach- 
 ment to the mother Country, and a zealous regard for the 
 general welfare of the British Empire ; and therefore the 
 King trusts that the provision they will engage to make 
 for the support of civil government, will be adequate to the 
 rank and station of every necessary officer, and that the 
 sum to be given in contribution to the common defence 
 will be offered on such terms, and proposed in such a way, 
 as to increase or diminish according as the publick burdens 
 of Great Britain are from time to time augmented or re- 
 duced, in so far as these burdens consist of taxes and duties 
 which are not a security for the National Debt. 
 
 By such a mode of contribution, the Colonies will have 
 full security that they can never be required to tax them- 
 selves, without Parliament's taxing the subjects in Great 
 Britain in a far greater proportion ; and it may be relied upon, 
 that any proposition of this nature, made by any of the Colo- 
 nies, and accompanied with such a state of their faculties 
 and ability, as may evince the equity of the proposal, will 
 be received with every possible indulgence ; provided it be 
 at the same time unaccompanied with any declarations, and 
 unmixed with any claims which will make it impossible 
 for the King, consistently with his own dignity, or for Par- 
 liament, consistently with their constitutional rights, to re- 
 ceive it. But it is not supposed that any of the Colonies 
 will, after this example of the temper and moderation of 
 Parliament, adopt such a conduct. On the contrary, the 
 pleasing hope is cherished that the publick peace will be 
 restored, and that the Colonies will enter into the conside- 
 ration of the Resolution of the House of Commons with that 
 calmness and deliberation which the importance of it de- 
 mands, and with that good will and inclination to a recon- 
 ciliation, which are due to the candour and justice with 
 which Parliament has taken up this business, and at once 
 declared to the Colonies what will be ultimately expected 
 from them. 
 
 It has been already observed that the King entirely ap- 
 proves the Resolution of the House of Commons, and I 
 have His Majesty's commands to say, that a compliance 
 therewith by the General Assembly will be most graciously 
 considered by His Majesty, not only as a testimony of their 
 reverence for Parliament, but also as a mark of their duty 
 and attachment to their Sovereign, who has no object nearer 
 to his heart than the peace and prosperity of his subjects 
 in every part of his Dominions. At the same time I must 
 tell you His Majesty considers himself as bound, by every 
 tie, to exert those means the Constitution has placed in his 
 hands for preserving that Constitution entire, and to resist, 
 with firmness, every attempt to violate the rights of Par- 
 liament, to distress and obstruct the lawful commerce of 
 his subjects, or to encourage in the Colonies ideas of inde- 
 pendence inconsistent with their connexion with Great 
 Britain. 
 
 Here, gentlemen, you have a full and candid state of the 
 disposition and expectations of His Majesty and the Parlia- 
 ment. They require nothing of America but what the 
 Colonies have repeatedly professed themselves ready and 
 willing to perform. A hue Assembly of this Province, in 
 their Petition to the King in 1766, express themselves 
 thus : (i As no danger can approach Britain without giv- 
 
 ing us the most sensible alarm, so your Majesty may be 
 assured, that with filial duty we shall ever be ready to 
 afford all the assistance in our power, and stand or fall with 
 that Kingdom from which we boast our descent, and to 
 which we are attached by the strongest ties of duty, grati- 
 tude and affection." And in a subsequent Petition they 
 say: " Very far it is from our intentions to deny our subor- 
 dination to that august body, (the Parliament,) or our de- 
 pendance on the Kingdom of Great Britain. In these 
 connexions, and in the settlement of our liberties under the 
 auspicious influence of your Royal House, we know our 
 happiness consists; and, therefore, to confirm those con- 
 nexions, and to strengthen this settlement, is at once our 
 interest, duty, and delight." 
 
 Similar declarations have been repeatedly made in other 
 Colonies. The following vote was passed in the Assembly 
 of Pennsylvania, to wit : " The House, taking into con- 
 sideration the many taxes their fellow-subjects in Great 
 Britain are obliged to pay towards supporting the dignity 
 of the Crown, and defraying the necessary and contingent 
 charges of the Government, and willing to demonstrate the 
 fidelity, loyalty, and affection of the inhabitants of this 
 Province to our gracious Sovereign, by bearing a share of 
 the burden of our fellow-subjects, proportionable to our 
 circumstances, do, therefore, cheerfully and unanimously 
 resolve that three thousand Pounds be paid for the use of 
 the King, his heirs and successors, to be applied to such 
 uses as he in his royal wisdom shall think fit to direct and 
 appoint." And the said three thousand Pounds was after- 
 wards paid into His Majesty's Exchequer by the Agent of 
 the Province accordingly. 
 
 Nor can I avoid mentioning what was done in the Con- 
 vention of Committees from every County in Pennsylvania, 
 who met in July last for the express purpose of giving in- 
 structions to their Representatives in Assembly on this very 
 subject. Several of these instructions manifest such a 
 candour and liberality of sentiment, such just ideas of the 
 importance of our connexion with Great Britain, and point 
 out so rational a method to be pursued for obtaining a re- 
 dress for the supposed grievances, (previous to any attempts 
 to distress the trade of that Kingdom,) that it is greatly to 
 be regretted that the conduct of America, in a matter of 
 such vast importance to its future welfare, had not been 
 regulated by the principles and advice they suggested. 
 In those instructions, speaking of the powers Parliament 
 had claimed and lately exercised, the Convention say : 
 " We are thoroughly convinced they will prove unfailing 
 and plentiful sources of dissensions to our mother Country 
 and these Colonies, unless some expedients can be adopted 
 to render her secure of receiving from us every emolument 
 that can, in justice and reason, be expected; and us secure 
 in our lives, properties, and an equitable share of commerce. 
 Mournfully revolving in our minds the calamities that, 
 arising from these dissensions, will most probably fall on us 
 and our children, we will now lay before you the particular 
 points we request of you to procure, if possible, to be finally 
 decided, and the measures that appear to us most likely to 
 produce such a desirable period of our distresses and dan- 
 gers." Then, after enumerating the particular Acts of 
 Parliament, which they consider as grievances, and desire 
 to have repealed, they add : " In case of obtaining these 
 terms, it is our opinion that it will be reasonable for the 
 Colonies to engage their obedience to the Acts of Parlia- 
 ment, commonly called the Acts of Navigation, and to every 
 other Act of Parliament declared to have force at this time 
 in these Colonies, other than those above mentioned, and 
 to confirm such Statutes by Acts of the several Assemblies. 
 It is also our opinion that, taking example from our mother 
 Country in abolishing the Courts of Wards and Liveries, 
 tenures in capite, and by Knights' service and purvey- 
 ance, it will be reasonable for the Colonics, in case of ob- 
 taining the terms before mentioned, to settle a certain 
 annual revenue on His Majesty, his heirs and successors, 
 subject to the control of Parliament, and to satisfy all 
 damages done to the East-India Company. This our idea 
 of settling a revenue, arises from a sense of duty to our 
 Sovereign, and of esteem for our mother Country. We 
 know and have felt the benefits of a subordinate connexion 
 with her. We neither are so stupid as to be ignorant of 
 them, nor so unjust as to deny them. We have also expe- 
 rienced the pleasures of gratitude and love, as well as 
 
593 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 594 
 
 advantages from that connexion. The impressions are not 
 erased. We consider her circumstances with tender con- 
 cern. AVe have not been wanting, when constitutionally 
 called upon, to assist her to the utmost of our abilities, inso- 
 much that she has judged it reasonable to make us recom- 
 penses for our over-strained exertions : and we now think 
 we ought to contribute more than we do to the alleviation 
 of her burdens. Whatever may be said of these proposals 
 on either side of the Atlantick, this is not a time either for 
 timidity or rashness. We perfectly know that the great 
 cause now agitated is to be conducted to a happy conclu- 
 sion only by that well-tempered composition of counsels 
 which firmness, prudence, loyalty to our Sovereign, respect 
 to our Parent State, and affection to our native Country, 
 united, must form." " In case of war, or in any emergency 
 of distress, we shall also be ready and willing to contribute 
 all aids within our power. And we solemnly declare, that on 
 such occasions, if we, or our posterity, shall refuse, neglect, 
 or decline thus to contribute, it will be a mean and mani- 
 fest violation of a plain duty, and a weak and wicked deser- 
 tion of the true interests of this Province, which ever have 
 been, and must be, bound up in the prosperity of our 
 Mother Country. Our union, founded on mutual compacts 
 and mutual benefits, will be indissoluble ; at least more 
 firm than an union perpetually disturbed by disputed rights 
 and retorted injuries." I could quote several more passages 
 from these instructions, which are expressive of the same 
 honest and generous sentiments with regard to Great Bri- 
 tain, but I shall only make one more extract, and that 
 respecting the mode which they recommended to be pur- 
 sued for the redress of grievances, viz : " But other con- 
 siderations have weight with us. We wish every mark of 
 respect to be paid to His Majesty's administration. We 
 have been taught, from our youth, to entertain tender and 
 brotherly affections for our fellow-subjects at home. The 
 interruption of our commerce must greatly distress great 
 numbers of them. This we earnestly desire to avoid. We 
 therefore request that the Deputies you shall appoint may 
 be instructed to exert themselves at the Congress, to induce 
 the Members of it to consent to make a full and precise 
 state of grievances, and a decent, yet firm claim of redress, 
 and to await the event before any other step is taken. It 
 is our opinion that persons should be appointed and sent 
 home to present this stale and claim at the Court of Great 
 Britain." After mentioning their confidence in the intended 
 General Congress, and their resolution to abide their deter- 
 minations for the sake of unanimity, they declare that it is 
 " with a strong hope and trust that they will not draw this 
 Province into any measure judged by us, who must be 
 better acquainted with its state than strangers, highly inex- 
 pedient. Of this kind, we know any other stoppage of trade, 
 but of that with Great Britain, will be. Even this step we 
 should be extremely afflicted to see taken by the Congress, 
 before the other mode, above pointed out, is tried." 
 
 Happy would it have been at this day, in all probability, 
 if some such healing measure had been pursued. Some 
 plan of union, or proposal of " a mutual compact" for " mu- 
 tual benefit," was the grand object which every honest man 
 in the Colonies had at heart. An imperfect one (if not too 
 glaringly so) was better than none, as it would, if it had 
 answered no other purpose, have laid a foundation for ne- 
 gotiation and treaty. It has been lately observed in Par- 
 liament, "That it does not appear the Colonies w r ere 
 seriously inclined to come into any reasonable terms of ac- 
 commodation, as no body was authorized to make any 
 proposals to that effect." 
 
 However, it can be of little avail now to animadvert on 
 past transactions. Who has been most in the right or most 
 in the wrong, can never be satisfactorily decided. Many 
 things will ever happen in the course of a long continued 
 dispute, which good men of both parties must reflect on 
 with pain, and wish to have buried in oblivion. In the 
 present situation of affairs we should only look forward, and 
 endeavour to fall on some expedient that may avert the 
 impending danger. To effect this desirable purpose, a plan 
 is now formed and recommended to you by His Majesty, 
 containing terms greatly corresponding with the avowed 
 sentiments of many of the Colonies, and which, I think, 
 can only want to be rightly understood in order to be gene- 
 rally adopted. It does not require from the people of this 
 Country any formal acknowledgment of the right of. taxa- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 tion in the Parliament. It waives all dispute on that head, 
 and suspends the exercise of it forever, if so long the Colo- 
 nies shall perform their part of the contract. It does not 
 even require as a preliminary that the Non-Importation and 
 Non-Exportation Agreements shall be abolished. It comes 
 before you in the old accustomed manner, by way of requi- 
 sition, being approved and adopted by the King, who has 
 directed his several Governours to signify to the respective 
 Assemblies his desire that they should grant such aids for 
 the common defence, and the support of Government within 
 the Colonies, as shall appear to them just and equitable, 
 and proportionate to their abilities. His Majesty and the 
 Parliament, 'tis true, are to judge whether the aids which 
 each Colony may offer are worth acceptance, or adequate 
 to their respective abilities, as they did during the course of 
 the last war, very much to the satisfaction of those Colo- 
 nies who exerted themselves ; often making them a com- 
 pensation " according as their active vigour and strenuous 
 efforts respectively appeared to merit." The necessity of 
 some such supreme judge is evident from the very nature 
 of the case, as otherwise some Colonies might not contribute 
 their due proportion. During the last war I well remember 
 it was ardently wished by some of the Colonies that others 
 who were thought to be delinquent might be compelled, 
 by Act of Parliament, to bear an equal share bf the pub- 
 lick burdens. It appears, by the minutes of Assembly, in 
 March and April, 1758, that some of the neighbouring 
 Colonies thought New-Jersey had not, at that time, con- 
 tributed its due share towards the expenses of the war, and 
 that President Reading (the then Commander-in-Chief of 
 the Colony) was of the same opinion. And since my ad- 
 ministration, when the Assembly, in 1764, was called upon 
 to make provision for raising some Troops on account of 
 the Indian war, they declined doing it for some time but 
 ;< on condition a majority of the Eastern Colonies, as far as 
 to include Massachusetts-Bay, should come into His Ma- 
 jesty's requisition on the occasion." But as none of the 
 Assemblies of the New-England Governments thought 
 themselves nearly concerned, nothing was granted by them, 
 and the whole burden of the expeditions then carried on 
 fell upon Great Britain and three or four of the middle 
 Colonies ; with which this Colony was dissatisfied, and the 
 Assembly complained of it in one of their Addresses to me 
 on the occasion. But what fully evinces that there is no 
 design of oppression or extortion in the proposed reserva- 
 tion in His Majesty and his Parliament of the right of ap- 
 proving the aids which may be offered by the Colonies, is 
 His Majesty's gracious assurance that the propositions on 
 this head will be received with every possible indulgence. 
 The moneys raised by the several Colonies as their propor- 
 tion to the common defence, is made subject to the disposal 
 of Parliament, as in justice it ought, as they furnish the 
 whole sum which may be wanted for that necessary pur- 
 pose, according to the estimates annually laid before them 
 by the Crown, besides making provision for the civil list 
 and National Debt, towards which the Colonies are not 
 asked to contribute. The Army and Navy establishment, 
 it is well known, is necessarily increased since the extension 
 of the British Dominions in America. The whole Ame- 
 rican civil and military establishment, as paid by Great 
 Britain, after the peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, was, it is said, 
 only £70,000 sterling ; but since the last peace, it amounts 
 to upwards of £350,000. As this great additional expense 
 was chiefly incurred on an American account, it cannot but 
 be reasonable that America should pay some part of it. 
 To remove every objection that other taxes may be raised 
 upon America, under the colour of regulations on com- 
 merce, the produce of all such duties is to be carried to the 
 account of that Province where it is to be levied. 
 
 We have now, thank Heaven, a happy opportunity of 
 getting entirely rid of this unnatural contest, by only com- 
 plying with what 1 think has been fully proved and ac- 
 knowledged to be our indispensable duty. Wherever a 
 people enjoy protection, and the other common benefits of 
 the State, nothing can be more reasonable than that they 
 should bear their share of the common burden. 
 
 It is much to be lamented that there is so much truth in 
 the observation, that mankind generally act, not according 
 to right, but according to the present interest, and most ac- 
 cording to present passion. In the present case there are 
 no difficulties but what may be easily surmounted, if men 
 
595 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 596 
 
 come together sincerely dis|K>sed to serve their Country, 
 unbiased by any sinister views or improper resentments. 
 This, gentlemen, I trust will be found to be your dispo- 
 sition in this most alarming situation of publick affairs. 
 Let me conjure you, however, not to come to any precipi- 
 tate resolutions respecting the plan of accommodation now 
 communicated to you. I have no objection to give you 
 any time you may think necessary for the due considera- 
 tion of it. It is. indeed, a concern of a more interesting 
 nature than ever before came under the consideration of 
 an American Assembly. If it is adopted, all will yet be 
 well. If it is totally rejected, or nothing similar to it pro- 
 posed, or made the basis of a negotiation, it will necessarily 
 induce a belief of what has been lately so often mention- 
 ed in publick, "That it is not a dispute about modes of 
 taxation, but that the Americans have deeper views, and 
 mean to throw off all dependance upon Great Britain, 
 and to get rid of every control of their Legislature." Should 
 such sentiments ever prevail, they cannot but have the most 
 fatal effects to this Country. 1 am, however, fully con- 
 vinced that the body of the people in the Colonies do not 
 even entertain a wish of the kind. Rather than lose the 
 protection of Great Britain, America, were it ever so con- 
 stitutionally and allowedly independent, would find it for its 
 advantage to purchase that protection at an expense far 
 beyond what Great Britain would ever think of requiring 
 while we show her that regard and obedience to which she 
 is justly entitled, and which our own interest and safety 
 should prompt us to show, if there were no other consider- 
 ations. 
 
 Taxation being the principal source of the present dis- 
 orders, when that important point is once settled, every 
 other subject of complaint which has grown out of it will, 
 no doubt, of course, be removed ; for you may rely, gen- 
 tlemen, that notwithstanding the many inimical and op- 
 pressive designs which the jealousies and suspicions of 
 incensed people have attributed to Government, yet it is 
 evident, from the whole tenour of the letters which I have 
 had the honour to receive from the King's Ministers, that 
 His Majesty and they have nothing more at heart than to 
 have these unhappy differences accommodated on some 
 just and honourable plan, which shall at the same time 
 secure the liberties of the people, without lessening the 
 necessary power and dignity of Parliament. 
 
 God grant that the Colonies may manifest the same 
 laudable disposition, and that a hearty reconciliation and 
 harmony may take place of the present confusion and dis- 
 sension. Wm. FllANKLIN. 
 Council Chamber, May 16, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Deputy Secretary laid before the House the copy 
 of an Address to the King from the Lords and Commons 
 of Great Britain, of the 7th of February, 1775, together 
 with His Majesty's Answer ; also, a copy of a Resolution 
 of the Honourable House of Commons of Great Britain, 
 of the 20th of February last; all which were read. 
 
 Ordered, That his Excellency's Speech and the said 
 Papers be read a second time. 
 
 Mr. Tucker laid before the House a printed Pamphlet 
 lately received from Great Britain, entitled " The Parlia- 
 mentary Register, No. 5," containing, among other things, 
 a Paper entitled " An extract of a Letter from Governour 
 Franklin to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Perth-Amboy, 
 February I, 1775 ; received February 28," in these words, 
 viz : 
 
 " The General Assembly of this Province are now sit- 
 ting, being convened on the 1 Ith of last month, in order to 
 transact the publick business. 
 
 " At the opening of the session I had some hopes of 
 prevailing on the House of Representatives not to approve 
 of the proceedings of the General Congress held at Phil- 
 adelphia, for which purpose a paragraph of my speech was 
 particularly calculated. But the Delegates from this Prov- 
 ince took the alarm, and used their utmost endeavours with 
 the members to persuade them to give their approbation to 
 those proceedings, as otherwise one grand end the Con- 
 gress had in view would be entirely frustrated, namely: the 
 preserving an appearance of unanimity throughout the Col- 
 onies, without which they said their measures could not 
 have that weight and ullicacy with the Government and 
 people of Great Britain, as was intended. 
 
 " The scheme, however, met with some opposition in 
 the House, every member proposing to defer the consider- 
 ation of it to a future time, or to give their approbation to 
 only some parts of the proceedings of the Congress ; but 
 by the artful management of those who espoused the mea- 
 sure, it was carried through precipitately the very morning 
 it was proposed, as your Lordship will see by a copy of 
 their Resolutions now enclosed, which were all previously 
 prepared for the purpose." 
 
 Which Extract was read, and ordered to be read a sec- 
 ond time. 
 
 Mr. Crane had leave of absence upon special occasion. 
 The House adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morn- 
 ing. — 
 
 Wednesday, May 17, 1775. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 His Excellency's Speech, together with the Papers ac- 
 companying the same, were read the second time, and com- 
 mitted to a Committee of the Whole House. 
 
 Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter to him from 
 John Smith, Esquire, Treasurer of the Eastern Division, 
 dated Perth-Amboy, May 13, 1775, setting forth that he 
 had attended the Justices and Freeholders of Middlesex, 
 with the sum of Nine Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety- 
 Eight Pounds and Three Shillings, to be sunk according to 
 law on the Wednesday preceding ; but that no sufficient 
 number to constitute a Board had attended ; and praying 
 that an act of Assembly may immediately pass to cancel 
 and burn said Bills; which Letter was read, and ordered a 
 second reading. 
 
 The House adjourned till three, P. M. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 The House, according to Order, resolved itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole House on His Excellency's 
 Speech and the Papers accompanying the same, and after 
 some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, 
 and Mr. Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported 
 that the Committee had gone through the matters to them 
 referred, and had come to one Resolution, which he was 
 ready to report whenever the House will please to receive 
 the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be made immediately. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Fisher reported the Resolution of the 
 Committee, as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to his 
 Excellency in answer to his Speech ; to which the House 
 agreed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Wetherill, Mr. Kinsey, 
 Mr. Paxon, and Mr. Lawrence, be a Committee to pre- 
 pare and bring in the draught of an Address to his Excel- 
 lency, in answer to his Speech. 
 
 Joseph Barton, Esquire, being duly returned a Repre- 
 sentative in Assembly for the County of Sussex, and now 
 attending, was admitted into the House, and took the usual 
 oaths, and made and subscribed the Declaration by law 
 appointed, before Cortland Skinner, Esquire, authorized 
 by dedimus potcstatum. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Barton do take his seat in the 
 House. 
 
 The House adjourned till ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, May 18, 1775. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 The printed Paper, entitled " An Extract of a Letter 
 from Governour Franklin to the Earl of Dartmoxith, dated 
 Perth-Amboy, February 1, 1775; received February 28," 
 was read the second time. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hinchman, Mr. Mehelm, Mr. Combs, 
 Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Holme, be a Committee to prepare 
 and bring in the draught of a Message to his Excellency, 
 to request his Excellency would be pleased to inform this 
 House whether the said Extract is authentick or not. 
 
 The House adjourned till three, P. M. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 Mr. Hinchman, from the Committee appointed this 
 morning, brought in the draught of a Message to his Ex- 
 cellency, according to order ; which was read, amended, 
 agreed to, and ordered to be engrossed. 
 
597 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 598 
 
 The engrossed Message to his Excellency was read and 
 compared, and the same is as follows, viz : 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dey and Mr. Hewlings do wait 
 upon his Excellency with the following Message : 
 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 A printed Pamphlet lately received from Great Britain, 
 entitled " The Parliamentary Register, l\o. 5," has been 
 laid before this House, containing, among other things, a 
 Paper entitled "An Extract of a Letter from Governour 
 Franklin to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Pcrth-Amboy, 
 February 1, 1775 ; received February 28," in these words: 
 
 " The General Assembly of this Province are now sit- 
 ting, being convened on the 1 1th of last month, in order to 
 transact the publick business. 
 
 " At the opening of the session I had some hopes of 
 prevailing on the House of Representatives not to approve 
 of the proceedings of the General Congress held at Phil- 
 adelphia, for which purpose a paragraph of my speech was 
 particularly calculated. But the Delegates from this Prov- 
 ince took the alarm, and used their utmost endeavours with 
 the members to persuade them to give their approbation to 
 those proceedings, as otherwise one grand end the Con- 
 gress had in view would be entirely frustrated, namely : the 
 preserving an appearance of unanimity throughout the Col- 
 onies, without which they said their measures would not 
 have that weight and efficacy with the Government and 
 people of Great Britain, as was intended. 
 
 " The scheme, however, met with some opposition in 
 the House, every member proposing to defer the consider- 
 ation of it to a future time, or to give their approbation to 
 only some parts of the proceedings of Congress ; but by 
 the artful management of those who espoused the measure, 
 it was carried through precipitately the very morning it was 
 proposed, as your Lordship will see by a copy of their 
 Resolutions now enclosed, which were all previously pre- 
 pared for the purpose." 
 
 We request your Excellency will be pleased to inform 
 this House whether the said Extract contains a true repre- 
 sentation of the words or substance of the Letter, or any 
 part of the Letter by your Excellency written relative to 
 the proceedings of the last session of Assembly. 
 
 By order of the House : 
 
 Richard Smith, Clerk. 
 
 House of Assembly, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Fisher, from the Committee on the Address to his 
 Excellency, brought in a draught ; which was read, and 
 ordered a second reading. 
 
 Mr. Deputy Secretary Pettit laid before the House His 
 Majesty's royal approbation of two Acts of Assembly of 
 this Province ; and also His Majesty's royal disallowance 
 of one other Act, in these words, viz : 
 
 " At the Court at St. James's, the 20th day of February, 
 1775. Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty, 
 Lord President, Duke of Queensbury, Duke of Newcastle, 
 Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Rochford, Earl of Dartmouth, 
 Viscount Falmouth. 
 
 • : Whereas, by commission under the great seal of Great 
 Britain, the Governour, Council, and Assembly of His 
 Majesty's Colony of New-Jersey are authorized and em- 
 powered to make, constitute, and ordain Laws, Statutes, 
 and Ordinances for the publick peace, welfare, and good 
 government of the said Colony, which Laws, Statutes, and 
 Ordinances are to be as near as conveniently may be, agree- 
 able to the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom, and are to 
 be transmitted to His Majesty for his royal approbation or 
 disallowance : And whereas, in pursuance of the said pow- 
 ers, two Acts were passed in the said Colony in the last 
 session of the General Assembly there, which have been 
 transmitted, entitled as follows, viz: 
 
 " An Act for striking One Hundred Thousand Pounds in 
 Bills of Credit, and directing the mode for sinking the same. 
 
 " An Act for the relief of Abner Hatfield, an insolvent 
 debtor. 
 
 " Which Acts, together with the representation from the 
 Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations thereupon, 
 having been referred to the consideration of a Committee 
 of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy 
 Council for Plantation Affairs, the said Lords of the Com- 
 
 mittee did this day report as their opinion to His Majesty, 
 that the said Acts were proper to be approved. His Ma- 
 jesty taking the same into consideration, was pleased, with 
 the advice of his Privy Council, to declare his approbation 
 of the said Acts; and pursuant to His Majesty's royal plea- 
 sure thereupon expressed, the said Acts are hereby con- 
 firmed, finally enacted, and ratified accordingly ; whereof 
 the Governour or Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's 
 said Colony of New-Jersey, for the time being, and all 
 others whom it may concern, are to take notice and govern 
 themselves accordingly. G. Chetwynd." 
 
 " At the Court at St. James's, the 20th day of February, 
 1775. Present : The King's Most Excellent Majesty, 
 Lord President, Duke of Quetnsbury, Duke of Newcastle, 
 Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Rochford, Earl of Dartmouth, 
 Viscount Falmouth. 
 
 " Whereas, by commission under the great seal of Great 
 Britain, the Governour, Council, and Assembly of His 
 Majesty's Colony of New- Jersey are authorized and em- 
 powered to make, constitute, and ordain Laws, Statutes, 
 and Ordinances for the publick peace, welfare, and good 
 government of the said Colony, which Laws, Statutes, and 
 Ordinances are to be as near as conveniently may be, agree- 
 able to the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom, and are to 
 be transmitted for His Majesty's royal approbation or dis- 
 allowance : And whereas, in pursuance of the said pow- 
 ers, an Act was passed in the said Colony in the last session 
 of General Assembly, and transmitted, entitled as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 " An Act for lowering the interest of Money to Six per 
 Cent, within this Colony. 
 
 " Which Act, together with a representation from the 
 Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations thereupon, 
 having been referred to the consideration of a Committee 
 of the Lords of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy 
 Council, the said Lords of the Committee did this day re- 
 port as their opinion to His Majesty, that the said Act ought 
 to be disallowed. His Majesty, taking the same into con- 
 sideration, was pleased, with the advice of his Privy Coun- 
 cil, to declare his disallowance of the said Act; and pur- 
 suant to His Majesty's royal pleasure thereupon expressed, 
 the said Act is hereby disallowed, declared void, and of 
 none effect ; whereof the Governour or Commander-in- 
 Chief of His Majesty's said Colony of New-Jersey, for 
 the time being, and all others whom it may concern, are to 
 take notice and govern themselves accordingly. 
 
 " G. Chetwynd." 
 
 The House adjourned till 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, May 19, 1775. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 The Address to his Excellency was read the second 
 time, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House. 
 
 The House accordingly resolved itself into a Committee 
 of the Whole House on the Address, and after some time 
 spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the Chair, and Mr. 
 Fisher, Chairman of the Committee, reported that the 
 Committee had gone through the Address, and had made 
 sundry amendments to the same ; and by leave of the 
 House Mr. Fisher reported the Address with the amend- 
 ments ; which were read ; and the Address being further 
 amended in the House, was agreed to. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address as amended and agreed 
 to, be engrossed. 
 
 The House adjourned till three, P. M. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 The engrossed Address to his Excellency was read and 
 compared. 
 
 Ordered, nem. con., That Mr. Speaker do sign the 
 same. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Tucker and Mr. Hinchman do wait 
 upon his Excellency, and desire to be informed when his 
 Excellency will be attended by the House with their Ad- 
 dress. 
 
 Colonel Ford had leave of absence on urgent business. 
 
 Mr. Tucker reported that Mr. Hinchman and himself 
 waited on his Excellency according to order, and that his 
 Excellency was pleased to say the House should hear from 
 him. 
 
599 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 600 
 
 The House adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow morn- 
 ing. _ 
 
 Saturday, May 20, 1775. 
 
 The House met. 
 
 A Message from his Excellency, hy Mr. Deputy Secre- 
 tary Pettit : 
 
 G entlemen : 
 
 As the Honourable Samuel Smith, Esquire, has resigned 
 his office of Treasurer of the Western Division, I now in- 
 form you that I have, with the advice of the Council, 
 appointed Joscjjh Smith, Esquire, to that office ; which 
 appointment, I doubt not, will be to your satisfaction. 
 
 Wm. Franklin. 
 
 Burlington, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Which was read ; and thereupon a certified copy of the 
 Bond entered into by the said Joseph Smith, Esq., being 
 laid before the House, executed according to law, 
 
 Resolved, That this House is entirely satisfied with the 
 security therein mentioned. 
 
 It also appearing that the late Treasurer hath paid into 
 the hands of the said Joseph Smith, Esquire, the sum of 
 Six Thousand One Hundred and Sixty-Six Pounds Four- 
 teen Shillings and Eight Pence, the balance of the said 
 late Treasurer's accounts, as settled by the Committees of 
 the Council and this House, together with all books, pa- 
 pers, fee, belonging to the Colony : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this House that the 
 late Treasurer's Bond be taken off the files, cancelled, and 
 delivered to him. 
 
 It also appearing that the Chest heretofore used for keep- 
 ing the publick money, &ic, is private property, 
 
 Ordered, That the present Treasurer do procure a pro- 
 per and strong Iron Chest for that purpose ; and upon his 
 exhibiting an account of the expense thereof, 
 
 Resolved, That this House will make provision to defray 
 the said expense. 
 
 A Message from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Secre- 
 tary Pettit : 
 Mr. Speaker: 
 
 His Excellency is in the Council-Chamber, and requires 
 the immediate attendance of the House. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Speaker left the Chair, and with the 
 House went to wait upon his Excellency in the Council- 
 Chamber, when he addressed the Governour in the words, 
 or to the effect following : 
 
 " I am ordered by the House of Assembly to deliver to 
 your Excellency their Address, which being different from 
 my sentiments, I think it necessary thus publickly to de- 
 clare it ; a step I should not have taken, had I been permit- 
 ted to enter my dissent on the Minutes of the House." 
 
 Having delivered the Address, and being returned, Mr. 
 Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported that the House 
 had waited on Ms Excellency with their Address, in these 
 words, viz : 
 
 To his Excellency William Franklin, Esquire, Captain- 
 General, Governour, and Commander-in-Chief in and 
 over His Majesty's Colony of Nova-Oksarea, or New- 
 Jersey, and Territories thereon depending in America, 
 Chancellor and Vice- Admiral in the same, fyc. 
 
 The humble Address of the Representatives of the said 
 Colony, in General Assembly convened: 
 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We, His Majesty's loyal and dutiful subjects, the Repre- 
 sentatives of the Colony of New-Jersey, in General As- 
 sembly convened, have taken under our consideration your 
 Excellency's Speech at the opening of the session, together 
 with the Resolution of the House of Commons accompa- 
 nying the same, containing a proposition for accommodating 
 of the unhappy differences at present subsisting between 
 our Parent Country and the Colonies. 
 
 As the Continenial Congress is now sitting to consider of 
 the present critical situation of American affairs ; and as 
 this House has already appointed Delegates for that pur- 
 pose, we should have been glad that your Excellency had 
 postponed the present meeting until their opinion could 
 be had upon the Resolution now offered for our considera- 
 
 tion, and to which we have no doubt that a proper atten- 
 tion will be paid ; more especially as we cannot suppose 
 you to entertain a suspicion that the present House has the 
 least design to desert the common cause, in which all Ame- 
 rica appears to be both deeply interested and firmly united, so 
 far as separately, and without the advice of a body in which 
 all are represented, to adopt a measure of so much impor- 
 tance. Until this opinion is known, we can only give your 
 Excellency our present sentiments, being fully of opinion 
 that we shall pay all proper respect to, and abide by, the 
 united voice of the Congress on the present occasion. 
 
 Your Excellency is pleased to tell us that this llesolu- 
 tion " has had a variety of interpretations put on it ;" " that 
 scarcely any have seen it in its proper light ;" and you 
 proceed to give us that explanation of the design and occa- 
 sion, which you apprehend will enable us and our constitu- 
 ents to judge how far the plan it contains ought to be ac- 
 quiesced in, and what steps it may be prudent to take in 
 the present situation. We confess that your Excellency 
 has put a construction on the proposition, which appears 
 to us to be new; and if we would be of the opinion that 
 the Resolution "holds no proposition beyond the avowal 
 of the justice, the equity, and the propriety of subjects of 
 the same State contributing, according to their abilities and 
 situation, to the publick burden," and did not convey to us 
 the idea of submitting the disposal of all our property to 
 others in whom we have no choice, it is more than proba- 
 ble that we should gladly embrace the opportunity of set- 
 tling this unhappy dispute. 
 
 Most Assemblies on the Continent have, at various 
 times, acknowledged and declared to the world their wil- 
 lingness not only to defray the charge of the administration 
 of justice, and the support of the civil Government, but 
 also to contribute, as they have hitherto done when consti- 
 tutionally called upon, to every reasonable and necessary 
 expense for the defence, protection, and security of the 
 whole British Empire ; and this Colony in particular hath 
 always complied with his Majesty's requisitions for those 
 purposes. And we do now assure your Excellency that we 
 shall always be ready, according to our abilities and to the 
 utmost of our power, to maintain the interests of His Ma- 
 jesty and of our Parent State. If, then, your Excellency's 
 construction be right, and if a proposal "of this nature" 
 will, as you are pleased to inform us, be received hy His 
 Majesty with every possible indulgence, we have hopes 
 that the declaration we now make will be looked on by His 
 Majesty and his Ministers, not only to be similar to what is 
 required from us, but also to be a " basis of a negotia- 
 tion" on which the present differences may be accommo- 
 dated — an event which we most ardently wish for. 
 
 We have considered the Resolution of the House of 
 Commons. We would not wish to come to a determination 
 that might be justly called precipitate, in the present alarm- 
 ing situation of affairs ; but if we mistake not, this Reso- 
 lution contains no new proposal. It appears to us to be 
 the same with one made to the Colonies the year preceding 
 the passing of the late Stamp Act; at least it is not mate- 
 rially different therefrom. America then did not comply 
 with it ; and though we are sincerely disposed to make use 
 of all proper means to obtain the favour of His Majesty 
 and the Parliament of Great Britain, yet we cannot, in 
 our present opinion, comply with a proposition which we 
 really apprehend to give up the privileges of freemen ; nor 
 do we want any time to consider whether we shall submit 
 to that which, in our apprehension, will reduce us and our 
 constituents to a state little better than that of slavery. 
 
 By the Resolution now offered, if assented to, we think 
 we shall be, to all intents and purposes, as fully and effectu- 
 ally taxed by our fellow-subjects in Great Britain, where 
 we have not any representation, as by any of the late Acts 
 of the British Parliament under which we have been ag- 
 grieved ; of which we have complained; and from which 
 we have prayed to be relieved; and that, too, in a much 
 greater degree, perhaps, than by all those Acts put together. 
 We cannot consent to subject the property of our consti- 
 tuents to be taken away for services and uses, of the pro- 
 priety of which we have no right to judge, while to us are 
 only left the ways and means of raising the money. We 
 have always thought and contended, that we had a right to 
 dispose of our property ourselves ; and we have always 
 cheerfully yielded our assistance to His Majesty in that 
 
601 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF NEW-JERSEY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 602 
 
 way, when the exigencies of affairs required us so lo do, 
 and he has condescended to ask it from us. It is the freedom 
 of granting, as well as the mode of raising moneys, which 
 this House cannot voluntarily part with, without betraying 
 the just rights of the Constitution. The present Resolu- 
 tion seems to require us to raise a proportion which a Par- 
 liament of Great Britain may at any time think fit to grant. 
 At this time we cannot form any judgment, either of the 
 extent of the proposition, or of the consequences in which 
 the good people of the Colony may be involved by our 
 assent to a provision so indeterminate ; for it appears to 
 us to be impossible to judge w hat proportion or share the 
 people can bear, until we know what situation they will be 
 in when any sum is intended to be raised. 
 
 Upon the whole, though sincerely desirous to give every 
 mark of duty and attachment to the King, and to show- all 
 due reverence to the Parliament of our Parent State, we 
 cannot, consistent with our real sentiments, and the trust 
 reposed in us, assent to a proposal big with consequences 
 destructive to the publick welfare ; and hope that the jus- 
 tice of our Parent Country will not permit us to be driven 
 into a situation, the prospect of w hich fills us with anxiety 
 and horrour. 
 
 There may be much truth in the observation, " that 
 mankind generally act not according to right, but according 
 to present interest, and most according to present passion." 
 Yet we trust that our conduct on the present occasion is 
 neither influenced by the one nor the other; and we per- 
 suade ourselves that your Excellency is so well acquainted 
 with the people you govern, that it is quite unnecessary for 
 us to make use of any means to convince you of the injus- 
 tice of the charge, " that the Americans have deeper views, 
 and mean to throw of all dependance on Great Britain, 
 and to get rid of every control of their Legislature." 
 
 We heartily pray that the supreme Disposer of events, 
 in whose hands are the hearts of all men, may avert the 
 calamities impending over us, and influence our Sovereign, 
 his Ministry, and the Parliament, so as to induce them to 
 put a stop to the effusion of the blood of the Colonists, 
 who wish always to look upon their fellow-subjects in Great 
 Britain as their brethren, and are really desirous to pro- 
 mote their interests and happiness upon any reasonable 
 terms ; and it will give us great p'easure to find your Ex- 
 cellency amongst those who, by just and proper representa- 
 tions of the dispositions of the inhabitants of these Colo- 
 nies, shall assist in settling of the present unhappy differ- 
 ences. By order of the House : 
 
 Cortland Skinner, Speaker. 
 House of Assembly, May 19, 1775. 
 
 To which his Excellency was pleased to make the follow- 
 ing Answer: 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 1 have done my duty. I lost no time in laying before 
 you the propositions I had received lor an amicable accom- 
 modation of the present unhappy differences. I gave you 
 as full and candid an explanation of them as I was autho- 
 rized or enabled to do. Whether those propositions or 
 my explanation of them did or did not contain any thing 
 new, is but little to the purpose. The question is, whether 
 they ought or ought not to be approved, either in whole or 
 in part, or be made the ground of a negotiation ; and 
 whether, in the latter case, every Assembly on the Conti- 
 nent ought not to take some active measures to effect an 
 end so desirable. In stating the matter to you, I could 
 have no suspicion that you did not think yourselves com- 
 petent to the business, and were necessarily to wait the 
 determination of another body. It was but the last session 
 you assured me that you would not " suffer any of the 
 rights vested in you by the Constitution to be wrested out 
 of your hands by any person or persons whatsoever." I 
 shall forbear to point out the inconsistency of this Address 
 w ith that declaration. Nor shall I aim to convince you of 
 the wrong ideas you have formed of those propositions. 
 Were they ever so rightly understood, or ever so well ap- 
 proved by you, yet, to judge by your own declaration, it 
 could be of no avail. The times are indeed greatly alter- 
 ed. I shall be happy to see some proper attempts made 
 to mend them. My representations and endeavours, from 
 the first commencement of this unnatural dispute to this 
 day, have not been, nor shall they ever be, wanting to- 
 
 wards effecting a reconciliation. 1 am persuaded that if a 
 disposition of this sort is manifested, and the proper steps 
 are pursued by those who have it in their power to take the 
 lead in this important affair on the part of America, it may 
 be easily accomplished to mutual satisfaction. His Ma- 
 jesty, I am sure, would wish to avoid the shedding of the 
 blood of his American, as much as that of his British sub- 
 jects. They must be all equally dear to him, if they are 
 equally dutiful. The Americans, in general, have been, 
 and I hope will ever prove as well disposed to His Majesty 
 and Family, as the subjects of any other part of the Do- 
 minions. 
 
 The House adjourned till three, P. M. 
 The House met. 
 
 His Excellency having laid before the House a copy of 
 the Resolution of the honourable the House of Commons 
 of Great Britain, of the 20th of February, 1775, con- 
 taining a plan formed for the accommodation of the unhap- 
 py differences between our Parent State and the Colonies ; 
 which plan, under the present circumstances, this House 
 could not comply with and adopt ; and yet this House 
 being desirous of making use of all proper means to effect 
 a reconciliation, do recommend it lo their Delegates to lay 
 the same plan before the Continental Congress for their 
 consideration. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Mehelm and Mr. Elmer do go to 
 the Council, and inquire whether they have any business 
 before them ; if not, that this House proposes to apply to 
 his Excellency for a dismission. 
 
 Mr. Mehelm reported that Mr. Elmer and himself waited 
 on the Council accordingly, who said they had nothing 
 before them. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher and Mr. Lawrence do wait 
 upon his Excellency, and acquaint him that the House hav- 
 ing gone through the business, is desirous of a dismission. 
 
 Mr. Fisher reported, that Mr. Lawrence and himself 
 waited upon the Governour accordingly, who was pleased 
 to say the House should hear from him presently. 
 
 A Message from his Excellency by Mr. Deputy Secre- 
 tary Pettit. 
 
 A Message to the Assembly. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 It has been my unhappiness almost every session du- 
 ring the existence of the present Assembly, that a majority 
 of the members of the House have suffered themselves 
 to be persuaded to seize on every opportunity of arraign- 
 ing my conduct, or fomenting some dispute, let the occa- 
 sion be ever so trifling, or let me be ever so careful to 
 avoid giving any just cause of offence. This, loo, has 
 been done with such an eagerness in the promoters of it as 
 can only be accounted for on a supposition that they are 
 either actuated by unmanly private resentment, or by a 
 conviction that their whole political consequence depends 
 upon a contention with their Governour. Such effusions 
 of ill-humour have never yet, however, nor is it likely thev 
 ever will, produce any benefit to the Province; on the con- 
 trary, they have occasioned great delays and obstructions 
 to the publick business, and consequently been attended 
 with very considerable expense to the people. 
 
 In this light, and in no other, can I look upon the pro- 
 ceedings of your House with respect to the matter men- 
 tioned in your Message of Thursday. A member receives 
 a pamphlet from England, containing, as is pretended, an 
 extract of a letter from me to the Secretary of State. What 
 does he do with it ? Does he come to me, or does he w rite 
 to me on the subject, or does he even request any other 
 person to inquire of me whether the extract is genuine or 
 not? No, he treasures it up, till the House meets; but either 
 through motives of shame or fear, he does not choose to 
 appear openly in the affair himself. He looks around for 
 some person to take the odium of the intended business off 
 his hands, and presently finds one exactly fitted to his pur- 
 pose. The pamplet is accordingly laid before the Assem- 
 bly, the extract is read, inserted at large on the Minutes, 
 ordered a second reading, and after it had been on record 
 two days, the House at length thought proper to send me 
 a message requesting 1 would be pleased to inform them 
 " whether the said extract contains a true representation of 
 the words or substance of the letter, or any part of the 
 
603 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 604 
 
 letter by me written relative to the proceedings of the last 
 session of Assembly." 
 
 If such a procedure does not manifest a premeditated 
 affront, and an intention to do me a personal injury, let 
 any man judge, who considers the several steps which have 
 been taken in this affair, the many falsehoods which have 
 been industriously propagated respecting the contents of 
 the letter, and the present turbulent state of the Province. 
 
 Some, if not all of you, must have known that the pamph- 
 let though called the Parliamentary Register, was not a 
 publication authorized by Parliament, or of any more au- 
 thority than a common magazine or newspaper. Nor can 
 I doubt but that some of you must have seen or heard that 
 what was lately published in that work, as the Speech of 
 the Earl of Chatham, was publickly denied by his Lordship. 
 It is well known to be as much the practice in England to 
 write and publish speeches which were never spoke, as it 
 is in America to publish extracts of letters which were 
 never wrote by the persons to whom they are attributed. 
 
 Besides, gentlemen, as to the particular extract in ques- 
 tion, I cannot but flatter myself that I am not so remark- 
 able for writing nonsense and contradictions, but that you 
 might have at least doubted the genuineness of the extract 
 when you saw on the very face of it so glaring an absur- 
 dity as could not be supposed to have come from the pen 
 of any man of common sense. Would you not have 
 thought me extremely deficient in the common marks of 
 respect which is due from one gentleman to another, and 
 much more from one branch of the Legislature to another, 
 had I seen a pretended extract of a letter, said to be wrote 
 by you to your Agent, or from him to you, containing evi- 
 dent nonsense and absurdity, and should order it to be read 
 in Council, and entered on the minutes without making any 
 inquiry as to the authenticity of it, until two days after ? 
 Would you not have construed such conduct into a designed 
 affront, or suspected that it was calculated to expose you 
 to ridicule, or to promote some intended injury, more 
 especially in times so circumstanced as the present. 
 
 I cannot think that you have the least right to a sight of 
 any part of my correspondence with the King's Ministers, 
 and I am convinced that you would deem it a very impro- 
 per request, were 1 to ask you to communicate to me your 
 correspondence with the Agent of this Province, at the 
 Court of Great Britain. I will, however, thus far comply 
 with your request as to assure you that " the said extract 
 does not contain a true representation of the words or sub- 
 stance of my letter;" but had you, before you suffered it 
 to be entered on your Minutes, applied to me, either in 
 a private or publick way, I should have had not the least 
 scruple to have let you seen the whole of what I wrote 
 " relative to the proceedings of the last session of Assem- 
 bly." It has ever been my rule, as it is my duty, to repre- 
 sent matters exactly in the light as they appear to me from 
 the best information I can obtain at the time of writing my 
 despatches. If I afterwards find that I have been mista- 
 ken in any thing, I never fail to rectify the mistake as soon 
 as discovered. 
 
 On the whole, gentlemen, I have very particular reasons 
 to complain of the treatment I have received on account 
 of this pretended extract. Great pains have been taken 
 to propagate an idea that I wrote a letter to England 
 inimical to the Province or to America in general. After 
 it is produced nothing of the kind appears, nor should I 
 have the least objection to the publication of my whole 
 correspondence with the King's Ministers. You have on 
 your Minutes a copy of a letter from Lord Shelburne, 
 which will shew that the representations I made of the dis- 
 position and conduct of the people of this Province, at the 
 time of the Stamp Act, a time somewhat similar to the 
 present, were, to use his Lordship's words, " much to its 
 honour." My sentiments respecting the present transac- 
 tions I have no scruple to declare do not entirely coincide 
 with those of either party. But I trust that those who 
 know me best will do me the justice to allow that no office 
 or honour in the power of the Crown to bestow, will ever 
 influence me to forget or neglect the duty I owe my Coun- 
 try, nor the most furious rage of the most intemperate 
 zealots induce me to swerve from the duty I owe His Ma- 
 jesty. Wm. Franklin. 
 
 1. Resolved, That the laying of the Parliamentary 
 Register before this House, containing a publication said 
 to be an extract of a Letter from Governour Franklin to 
 Lord Dartmouth, so far from doing or carrying an appear- 
 ance of intending an injury to the character of his Excel- 
 lency, or deserving of those personal reflections contained 
 in his Message to the House of this day, had, in the opin- 
 ion of this House, a tendency to do him real service, by 
 giving him an opportunity of exculpating himself from the 
 charge of writing the said Letter or extract, if the charge 
 had been groundless. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Kinsey, Mr. Tucker, 
 Mr. Paxon, and Mr. Hinchman, be a Committee to con- 
 sider of the said Message, and make report to the next 
 sitting of Assembly. 
 
 On the question, Whether the House agrees to the said 
 Resolutions or not ? It passed in the affirmative : 
 
 Yeas. 
 Mr. Combs, 
 Mr. Wetherill, 
 Mr. Dunham, 
 Mr. Taylor, 
 Mr. Lawrence, 
 Mr. Garritse, 
 Mr. Fisher, 
 Mr. Rey, 
 
 Nay. Mr. Barton. 
 
 Yeas. 
 Mr. Dey, 
 Mr. Demarest, 
 Mr. Winds, 
 Mr. Kinsey, 
 Mr. Hewlings, 
 Mr. Paxon, 
 Mr. Sykes, 
 Mr. Hinchman, 
 
 Yeas. 
 Mr. Holme, 
 Mr. Hand, 
 Mr. Eldridge, 
 Mr. Tucker, 
 Mr. Mehelm. 
 Mr. Sheppard, 
 Mr. Elmer, 
 Mr. Pettit. 
 
 A Message from his Excellency, by Mr. Deputy Sec- 
 retary Pettit. 
 
 Mr. Speaker : His Excellency is in the Council Cham- 
 ber, and requires the immediate attendance of this House. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Speaker, with the House, waited upon 
 his Excellency, who was pleased to prorogue the General 
 Assembly to the 20th day of June next, then to meet at 
 Burlington. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Monday, 15th 
 May, 1775. Present : 
 
 Isaac Low, 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Leonard Lispenard, 
 John Broome, 
 Joseph Hullett, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 John Anthony, 
 John Whito, 
 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 William Gof'orth, 
 William Denning, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Berrian, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 John Lasher, 
 George Janeway, 
 James Bookman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, 
 David G'larkson, 
 
 Gerret Ketletas, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 John Reade, 
 J. Van Cortlandt, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Gerardns Duyckinck, 
 John Marston, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abram. Brmkerhoff, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 David Boekman, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 William Laight, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 John Imlay. 
 
 A Letter, dated Philadelphia, 13th May, 1775, from 
 John Lamb, received and read. 
 
 Mr. P. V. B. Livingston, from the 
 respondence reported and read, the dra 
 
 Committee of Cor- 
 ft of an Answer to 
 
 a Letter, dated Tryon County, 19th April, 1775: also an 
 Answer to one received from Thomas Barclay, dated Phi- 
 ladelphia, May 11th, 1775, which being approved of, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be forwarded. 
 
 Mr. Remsen moved, seconded by Mr. Laight, in the 
 words following : 
 
 Whereas the inhabitants of this City have reposed a 
 trust of great importance in this Committee, which we are 
 bound in honour to discharge with fidelity ; and as the pur- 
 poses of our appointment may in a great measure be defeated 
 unless the members are in a situation to be assembled on 
 sudden emergencies ; I therefore move that it be 
 
 Resolved, That no member do absent himself out of 
 Town longer than forty-eight hours at a time, without 
 leave first obtained from the Committee, or from the 
 Chairman ; and that every member be served with a copy 
 of this Resolve. 
 
 The following Address was presented by Captains Lash- 
 er, Ritzma, Stockholm, Banker, Fleming, and Lott : 
 
 We, the subscribers, who, by the unanimous consent and 
 approbation of many of our fellow-citizens, have formed dif- 
 
605 
 
 CORRESPOi\DEx\CE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 606 
 
 ferent companies of Foot, in order to co-operate wiilj the 
 rest of our fellow-citizens in carrying into execution the 
 General Association of the late Continental Congress, do 
 hereby offer our service to the General Committee, cheer- 
 fully to take our tour of duty in such military services as 
 the Committee may direct, and to be otherwise subservient 
 to the end of their appointment. 
 
 John Lasher, Chris. Banker, 
 
 Rodol. Ritzma, Edward Fleming, 
 
 Andrew Stockholm, Abraham P. Lott. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence be 
 directed to draft an Answer to the above Address. 
 
 Committee Chamber, New. York, May 15, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That copies of the Association be lodged at 
 the following places in the respective Wards in this City, 
 to wit : 
 
 In the South-Ward, at the house of Mr. John Lasher; 
 
 Dock- Hard, at the house of Mr. Gerardus Duijckinck ; 
 
 East- Ward, at the house of Mr. John Imlay ; 
 
 West-Ward, at the house of Mr. Peter T. Curtenius ; 
 
 North- Ward, at the house of Mr. John White ; 
 
 Montgomerie-Ward, the house of Mr. Petrus Byvanck ; 
 
 Out- Ward , at the house of Mr. Thomas hers ; 
 To the intent, that all such persons who have not yet 
 subscribed the Association, may with the greater conveni- 
 ence do it. And it is hereby recommended to them to 
 make their subscriptions as speedily as possible, as returns 
 of all such as decline are to be made to the Committee. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, May 15, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We have this moment received by express 
 from Albany, the within authentick intelligence of the 
 fortress of Ticonderoga having been surprised and taken 
 by a detachment of Provincials from Connecticut and the 
 .Massachusetts-Bay. And as we do not conceive ourselves 
 authorized to give any opinion upon a matter of such im- 
 portance, we have thought proper to refer it to the Con- 
 gress ; and that the people of Albany may be acquainted 
 with the sentiments of that Assembly as early as possible, 
 their express, who is the bearer hereof, will carry any 
 despatches the Congress may think proper to send on the 
 occasion to the City of Albany, by a short route from Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 We have already wrote to the Committee of Albany in 
 answer to their letters to us, referred to in the enclosed ; 
 but it seems our letters were not come to hand. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your obedient 
 humble servants. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 The Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, President of 
 
 the Continental Congress. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 Albany, May 12, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We applied to you on the third instant, 
 for your advice on an application to us for supplying with 
 provisions, &c, some Troops from Connecticut, on their 
 intended attack against Ticonderoga, &c, and it is to our 
 great regret that we have hitherto received no answer, 
 although we pressed it, and have since wrote to you on the 
 subject, by Colonel Schuyler, since which time frequent 
 applications have been made to us on the same subject; 
 and as we are unacquainted with the sentiments of our 
 Colony on this very important enterprise, we have declined 
 interfering. 
 
 We have just now received the original of the enclosed 
 copy ; by its contents you will see that they have succeed- 
 ed in surprising Ticonderoga, and that a requisition is made 
 for men and provisions in order to enable them to repair 
 and hold that fortress. Mr. Brown, who was personally 
 in the action, brought the letter, and made the demand, 
 says, that the prisoners were on their way to this City ; 
 but that unless they are immediately assisted, they are 
 afraid they will be obliged to abandon the fort, and leave 
 the artillery behind, of which there are about two hundred 
 
 pieces, great and small. He is dissatisfied with our answer, 
 and went away abruptly, though we told him the circum- 
 stances we were in, and that we would immediately despatch 
 an express to you. We hope you will no longer keep us 
 in suspense. 
 
 As the Troops in Canada will probably endeavour to 
 retake it, the consequence of this enterprise will probably 
 involve the northern parts of this Colony in the horrours 
 of war and devastation, and therefore we earnestly call on 
 you to furnish us with your advice in this alarming crisis, 
 immediately, by Captain Barent Ten Eyck, who is sent 
 express. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Committee of the City of Albany. 
 
 Abraham Yates, Jun., Chairman. 
 Mr. Isaac Lou-, Chairman of the Committee, New-York. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I have the inexpressible satisfaction to 
 acquaint you that at day-break of the tenth instant, pur- 
 suant to my directions from sundry leading gentlemen of 
 Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, I took the fortress 
 of Ticonderoga, with about one hundred and thirty Green 
 Mountain Boys. Colonel Easton with about forty-seven 
 valiant soldiers, distinguished themselves in the action. 
 Colonel Arnold entered the fortress with me side by side. 
 The guard was so surprised, that contrary to expectation 
 they did not fire on us, but fled with precipitancy. We 
 immediately entered the fortress, and took the garrison 
 prisoners, without bloodshed, or any opposition. They 
 consisted of one Captain, and a Lieutenant and forty-two 
 men. 
 
 Little more need be said. You know Governour Carle- 
 ton of Canada will exert himself to retake it; and as your 
 County is nearer than any other part of the Colonies, and 
 as your inhabitants have thoroughly manifested their zeal 
 in the cause of their Country, I expect immediate assist- 
 ance from you both in men and provisions. You cannot 
 exert yourselves too much in so glorious a cause. The 
 number of men need be more at first, till the other Col- 
 onies can have time to muster. I am apprehensive of a 
 sudden and quick attack. Pray be quick to our relief, and 
 send us five hundred men immediately — fail not. From 
 your friend and humble servant, 
 
 Ethan Allen, Commander of Ticonderoga. 
 Abraham Yates, Chairman of the Committee, Albany. 
 
 newbdrgh (new-york) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the major part of the Committee of 
 Correspondence and Observation, for the Precinct of New- 
 burgh, in Orange County, New-York, met agreeable to 
 adjournment, at the house of Martin Wyganh, on Mon- 
 day, the 15th of May, 1775 : Wolver lacker, was chosen 
 Chairman, Cornelius Hasbrouch, Clerk. 
 
 This Committee, taking into consideration the present 
 most alarming situation of our publick affairs, occasioned 
 by the bloody measures of a wicked Ministry ; and consi- 
 dering the great utility of a General Association being fully 
 signed by every male person, from the age of sixteen and 
 upwards in this Province ; and whereas we have reason to 
 lament that a nuir 3er of persons in this Precinct are so 
 lost to the preservation of themselves and their Country, 
 that they refuse, or neglect to sign the Association with the 
 rest of their neighbours, fellow-sufferers, and countrymen 
 in this Precinct : 
 
 1 . Resolved, That this Committee, in their several Dis- 
 tricts, as they, or the major part of them shall agree respec- 
 tively, be, and are hereby appointed to wait on such person 
 or persons who have neglected and refused to sign the 
 said Association, and in the most friendly manner to invite 
 them to sign the same. 
 
 2. Resolved, That in case any person or persons, being 
 males, and of the age aforesaid, shall refuse to sign the 
 same, or does not come in and sign the same, on or before 
 the 29th of this instant, he or they shall, and are hereby 
 deemed enemies to their Country. 
 
 3. Resolved, That any person or persons refusing as 
 aforesaid, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that no 
 person or persons whatsoever shall have any kind of con- 
 
607 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, MAY, 1775. 
 
 608 
 
 nection or dealings with such person or persons whatso- 
 ever; and that whosoever shall have any such connection, 
 ought to be treated in like manner, and be considered as an 
 enemy to his Country, notwithstanding he or they may 
 have signed the Association. 
 
 4. Rtsohed, And we do recommend it to all our neigh- 
 bouring and adjacent Towns, Precincts, Counties, and 
 Provinces, that they will, in like manner treat such persons 
 as aforesaid. 
 
 5. Resolved, That the names of such person or per- 
 sons, who shall refuse as aforesaid, shall be made publick 
 in the Newspapers. 
 
 6. Resolved, That any person or persons owning Ne- 
 groes in this Precinct shall not, on any account whatever, 
 suffer his or their Negro or Negroes to be absent from his 
 dwellinghouse or farm, after sun-down, or send them out 
 in the day time off their farm without a pass ; and in case 
 any Negroes shall be found absent, contrary to the above 
 Resolve, (except it be in return with his or their masters 
 team,) shall be apprehended by any person or persons' 
 whatsoever, and brought forthwith before any two or more 
 of this Committee, who shall cause them to receive thirty- 
 five lashes, or any number less, as the said Committee shall 
 judge proper. 
 
 7. Resolved, That the above Resolves of the Com- 
 mittee shall be subject to the control of the Provincial 
 and Continental Congresses, to their approbation and dis- 
 approbation. 
 
 8. Resolved, That we will truly adhere to and obey what- 
 ever Resolutions the Continental and Provincial Congresses, 
 or either of them shall resolve and direct, with respect to 
 this Precinct or other matters which are to be observed in 
 genera], until such times as His Majesty, and his Lords 
 and Commons shall repeal and disannul all their present 
 tyrannical acts and measures, and again restore us to our 
 former liberties and privileges, which, by law and nature 
 we are entitled to, as natural born subjects. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 WoLVER EcKER. 
 
 PROVIDENCE (RHODE-ISLAND) TOWN-MEETING. 
 
 At a Town-Meeting held at Providence, by adjourn ment, 
 on Monday, the fifteenth day of May, A. D. 1775, Mr. 
 Joseph Brown, Moderator : 
 
 Voted, That the doings of the Town Council, on the 
 matter of the Watch, be approved and accepted, and that 
 Mr. Zephauiah Andrews be, and is hereby appointed to 
 build a guard-house and three watch-boxes in this Town, 
 agreeable to the vote of the Town Council establishing a 
 Watch, and that the said Mr. Andrews advise with Messrs. 
 John Brown and Jonathan Arnold on that matter. 
 
 Voted, Thai the master of the Watch, together with 
 John Brown and Jonathan Arnold, have full power to 
 direct what instrument or instruments the Watch shall be 
 provided with from time to time. 
 
 Voted unanimously, That the Committee who were ap- 
 pointed by the Town, at their last meeting, to inquire into 
 the state and preparation of the several inhabitants of this 
 Town, in respect to Fire-Arms and other military stores and 
 accoutrements required by law, as they are not prepared to 
 make their report at this meeting, be, and they are hereby 
 directed to make their report to Colonel John Mathewson, 
 Edward Thurber, and Jonathan Arnold, who are appoint- 
 ed by the Town a Committee to receive the same ; and 
 they, together with the aforesaid Committee, are hereby 
 appointed and empowered to purchase, at the expense and 
 on account and risk of the Town, such and so many Arms 
 as shall appear to them necessary to supply all able-bodied 
 men who are by said Committee deemed unable to provide 
 for themselves, and furnish such supplies of military stores 
 and accoutrements as they judge necessary, under certain 
 rules and restrictions to be by them made. And that the 
 said Committee make their report to the Town as soon as 
 they have completed the business assigned them in this 
 vote, together with the regulations which shall be by them 
 made as aforesaid. 
 
 And it is farther voted. That the said Committee do, 
 as soon as may be after receiving the Report of the first 
 Committee as aforesaid, furnish each Captain of the Mi- 
 litia Companies in this Town with lists of those persons 
 
 who live within the limits of their respective Companies, 
 that are able to provide themselves with Arms, &tc, as the 
 law requires; and that upon receipt thereof it is recom- 
 mended to them to strictly adhere to the law, and cause all 
 such to provide themselves, or exact their fines for each 
 deficiency. 
 
 Voted, That Major Truman and Mr. Paul Allen be a 
 Committee to make up the whole of the Town's stock of 
 Powder and Lead, or procure the same to be made into 
 Cartridges as soon as may be, at the expense of the Town, 
 and when so made, return the same to the Captains of the 
 several Military Companies in this Town. 
 
 Voted, That the vote passed in town-meeting on the 
 last Tuesday of August, be reprinted in the Providence 
 Gazette. 
 
 Worcester, Muy 24, 177."). 
 The week before last, the Falcon, sloop-of-war, was 
 cruising about Cape Cod, and meeting with a wood sloop 
 in ballast, seized her, but promising the Skipper to release 
 him and his vessel if he would give information of any 
 vessel that was just arrived from the West-Indies with a 
 cargo on board ; he at length told the Captain of the Fal- 
 con that there was a sloop at Dartmouth, which had just 
 arrived; whereupon the Captain of the Falcon, instead of 
 releasing the wood sloop, armed and manned her, and sent 
 her in search of the West-lndiaman. They found the 
 vessel lying at anchor, but her cargo was landed ; how- 
 ever, they seized her and carried her off, after putting part 
 of their crew and some guns and ammunition on board. 
 Notice of this getting on shore, the people fitted out a 
 third sloop, with about thirty men and two swivel-guns, and 
 went in pursuit of these royal pirates, whom they came up 
 with at Martha's Vineyard, where they lay at anchor, at 
 about a league's distance from each other ; the first surren- 
 dered without firing a gun ; our people, after putting a 
 number of hands on board, bore down upon the other, 
 which, by this time, had got under sail ; but the people in 
 the Dartmouth sloop coming up with her, the pirates fired 
 upon them ; the fire was immediately returned, by which 
 three of the pirates were wounded, among whom was the 
 commanding officer. Our people boarded her immedi- 
 ately, and having taken both sloops, carried them into 
 Dartmouth, and sent the prisoners to Cambridge ; from 
 thence nine of them were yesterday brought to this Town. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEWPORT, RHODE- ISLAND, 
 DATED MAY 10, 1775. 
 
 Last Friday the Falcon, Captain Lindscy, took two 
 sloops at Bedford, with intention of sending them to the 
 Islands near the Vineyard, to carry from thence a parcel 
 of sheep to Boston. The Bedford people resented this 
 conduct in such a manner as to immediately fit out two 
 sloops, with thirty men on board, and last Saturday retook 
 them both, with fifteen men on board. In the action there 
 were three of the men-of-war sailors badly wounded, one 
 of whom is since dead. The other thirteen they immedi- 
 ately sent to Taunton Jail. 
 
 groton (Massachusetts) committee. 
 
 Groton, May 15, 1775. 
 The inhabitants of Groton in town-meeting assembled, 
 the Reverend Samuel Dana offered that to t he Town with 
 regard to his political principles and conduct with which 
 the Town voted themselves fully satisfied, and that he 
 ought to enjoy the privileges of society in common with 
 other members; and we hope this, with the following by 
 him subscribed, will be fully satisfactory to the publick. 
 
 Oliver Prescott, Isaac Farnsworth, 
 James Prescott, Moses Child, 
 Josiah Sartell, 
 Committee of Correspondence for Groton. 
 
 " 1, the subscriber, being deeply affected with the miseries 
 brought on this Country by a horrid thirst for ill-got wealth 
 and unconstitutional power; and lamenting my unhappi- 
 ness in being left to adopt principles in politicks different 
 from the generality of my countrymen, and thence to con- 
 duct in a manner that has but too justly excited the jealousy 
 
609 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 610 
 
 and resentment of the true sons of liberty against me, 
 earnestly desirous at the same lime to give them all the 
 satisfaction in my power, do hereby sincerely ask forgive- 
 ness of all such for whatever 1 have said or done that had 
 the least tendency to the injury of my Country, assuring 
 them that it is my full purpose, in my proper sphere, to 
 unite with them in all those laudable and fit measures that 
 have been recommended by the Continental and Provin- 
 cial Congresses, for the salvation of this Country, hoping 
 my future conversation and conduct will fully prove the 
 uprightness of my present professions. 
 
 " Samuel Dana. 
 
 "Groton, May 22, 1775." 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOVERNOUR GAGE TO LORD 
 DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, MAY 15, 1775. 
 
 They have been enlisting among the country people as 
 many men as could be collected at forty shillings a man, 
 and we are told they are enlisting them in the other Prov- 
 inces. If they proceed in their movements it seems im- 
 possible to be long before we again come to blows ; and 
 from the beginning 1 have perceived it was the wish and 
 design of the leaders here to bring affairs to that crisis ; 
 but so to manage it as to bring the rest of the Colonies to 
 support them. It is astonishing how they have duped the 
 whole Continent. 
 
 TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Prov- 
 ince of the Massachusetts-Bay: 
 
 The Petition of William Bent and others, humbly 
 sheweth : 
 
 That from various hands we, the subscribers, have ob- 
 tained beating orders, and have respectively enlisted a 
 company of men, consisting of fifty-six privates; and being 
 all from the same neighbourhood, and doing duty along our 
 seacoast, we are desirous of being immediately formed 
 into a regiment. 
 
 And we beg leave most earnestly to move to your 
 Honours, that Colonel Lemuel Robinson, of Dorchester, 
 may be appointed to take the command of us as our Col- 
 onel. From the acquaintance we have with this gentle- 
 man, and from his known military character, we are induced 
 to think that he is highly worthy the honour and the trust, 
 and therefore are very desirous of being under his com- 
 mand. 
 
 Besides, we are concerned for the honour of the County 
 of Suffolk. Present appearances render it suspicious that 
 there are not gentlemen enough in said County sufficiently 
 capacitated to command the Companies raised in it — a 
 thought too degrading. And we are apprehensive that we, 
 or a part of us, shall be put under the command of officers 
 from other Counties; which will be very disagreeable, not 
 only to us, but to our Companies also. 
 
 We therefore pray, that for the honour of the County, 
 and for the peace and good order of our Companies, Colonel 
 Lemuel Robinson may have the command of us. And as 
 in duty bound, will ever pray. 
 
 William Bent, 
 
 Elijah Vose, 
 
 Seth Turner, 
 
 John Vinton, 
 
 Silas Wild, 
 
 Jacoe Gould, 
 
 Joseph Trefont, 
 
 Jotham Loring, 
 
 James Lincoln, 
 
 Job Cushing, 
 
 May 15, 1775. 
 
 Milton. 
 Braintree. 
 
 Weymouth . 
 
 ^ Hingham. 
 Cohasset. 
 
 Ham Durant, and William Pierse, now enlisted soldiers in 
 the Provincial service, were all of them apprentices to your 
 petitioners, and have attained so great a knowledge in the 
 art of paper making, that their attendance on that business 
 is absolutely necessary to its being carried on ; that they 
 have done the principal part of the work at your petition- 
 ers' mills for two years past ; and unless they are released 
 from the service they are now in, it is impossible for your 
 petitioners to continue this so useful and necessary branch 
 of American manufactures. Wherefore, the petitioners 
 pray that the said John Salter, James Calder, William 
 Durant, and William Pierse, may be, by order of this 
 honourable Congress, dismissed as soon as may be from the 
 service of the Provincial Army. And your petitioners, as 
 in duty bound, shall ever pray. John Boice, 
 
 Hugh McLean. 
 
 May 15, 1775. 
 
 JOSEPH PRIME AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Berwick, May 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : This day, on our waiting on Major Wood, 
 on his march to Head-Quarters, we are informed that one 
 Alexander Scammell is appointed Major of the Regiment 
 now raising in the County of York. Mr. Scammell lives 
 in New -Hampshire, and has no property in Berwick or 
 the County of York. We being military officers in said 
 County of York, not attending the County meeting in ad- 
 vising to the field officers, do approve of the choice at said 
 meeting, that is, Johnson Moulton, First Colonel ; J. S. 
 Scammon, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Daniel Wood, Major. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with esteem, yours, &tc. 
 
 Joseph Prime, Joseph Pray, Jun., 
 
 Jona. Hamilton, Jun., Mark Lord. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, fcc, &tc. 
 
 PETITION OF JOHN BOICE AND HUGH M'LEAN. 
 
 To the Honourable the Congress of the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay, assembled at Watertown : 
 
 The Petition of John Boice and Hugh McLean, of 
 Milton, humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your petitioners carry on the business of manufac- 
 turers of Paper at Milton, which has been deemed of great 
 utility to the publick ; that John Salter, James Calder, Wil- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 39 
 
 JEDEDIAH PREBLE TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Falmouth, May 15, 1775. 
 Honoured Gentlemen : These wait on you by Colonel 
 Phinney, who brought me all the papers necessary for 
 enlisting a Regiment in the County of Cumberland. I 
 advised with the Committee of Correspondence, who was 
 of opinion it would be difficult for our County to spare a 
 Regiment to be moved out of the Province of Maine, as 
 we lay much exposed to the Navy by sea, and the Indians 
 and French on our back settlements, if they should be em- 
 ployed against us ; but should be glad to do every thing in 
 our power for the defence of our just rights and dearer 
 liberties. Our men are zealous in the cause of their Coun- 
 try, and ready to venture every thing for the defence of it. 
 Colonel March informs me your Honours have appointed 
 him a Colonel, and gave him orders to raise a Regiment 
 in this County, and to appoint all his officers ; this he ac- 
 quainted me with after I had delivered Colonel Phinney 
 the papers back again, which he brought to me. It is im- 
 possible we can spare two Regiments out of this County, 
 and they have both made considerable progress ; am much 
 afraid there will be some difficulty in settling the affair. 1 
 am persuaded the men in general would prefer Colonel 
 Phinney, and so should I for that reason, as I look on 
 Colonel Phinney to be equal to Colonel March in every 
 respect. 
 
 Should have done myself the honour to have waited on 
 you in person, but am still in a poor state of health, and 
 so exercised with the gout that I cannot bear my shoes. 
 I purpose to visit the Camp whenever I am able to un- 
 dergo the fatigue of so long a journey. I wish courage 
 and conduct in our officers, resolution and a spirit of obe- 
 dience in our soldiery, and a speedy end of all our troubles. 
 I am your Honours' most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Jedediah Preble. 
 
 LETTER TO THE EASTERN INDIANS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 15, 1775. 
 
 Friends and good Brothers : We, the Delegates of 
 the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, being come together 
 in Congress to consider what may be best for you and our- 
 selves to do to get rid of the slavery designed to be brought 
 
611 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 612 
 
 upon us, have thought it our duty to write you the follow- 
 ing Letter : 
 
 Brothers, the great wickedness of such as should be 
 our friends, but are our enemies, (we mean the Ministry of 
 Great Britain,) have laid deep plots to take away our 
 liberty and your liberty. They want to get all our money ; 
 make us pay it to them when they never earned it ; to make 
 you and us their servants, and let us have nothing to eat, 
 drink, or wear, but what they say we shall, and prevent 
 us from having guns and powder to use and kill our deer 
 and wolves, and other game, or to send to you for you to 
 kill your game with, and to get skins and furs to trade with 
 us for what you want. But we hope soon to be able to 
 supply you with both guns and powder of our own making. 
 
 We have petitioned to England for you and us, and told 
 them plainly we want nothing but our own, and don't want 
 to hurt them ; but they won't hear us, and have great ships 
 and their men with guns to make us give up, and kill us, 
 and have killed some of our men; but we have drove them 
 back and beat them, and killed a great many of their men. 
 The Englishmen of all the Colonies, from Nova-Scotia to 
 Georgia, have firmly resolved to stand together and oppose 
 them. Our liberty and your liberty is the same. We 
 are brothers, and what is for our good is for your good ; 
 and we, by standing together, shall make those wicked men 
 afraid, and overcome them, and all be freemen. Captain 
 Goldthwait has given up Fort Powimll to our enemies. 
 We are angry at it, and we hear you are angry with him, 
 and we don't wonder at it. We want to know what you, 
 our good brothers, want from us of clothing or warlike 
 stores, and we will supply you as fast as we can. We will 
 do all for you we can, and fight to save you any time, and 
 hope none of your men, or the Indians in Canada, will 
 join with our enemies. You may have a great deal of good 
 influence on them. Our good brothers, the Indians at 
 Stockbridge, all join with us, and some of their men have 
 enlisted as soldiers, and we have given them that enlisted 
 each one a blanket and a ribbon, and they will be paid 
 when they are from home in the service, and if any of you 
 are willing to enlist we will do the same for you. We 
 have sent Captain John Lane to you for that purpose, and 
 he will show you his orders for raising one Company of 
 your men to join with us in the war with your and our 
 enemies. 
 
 Brothers, we humbly beseech that God, who lives above, 
 and who does what is right here below, to be your friend, 
 and bless you, and to prevent the designs of those wicked 
 men from hurting you or us. 
 
 Brothers, if you let Mr. John Preble know what things 
 you want, he will take care to inform us, and we will do 
 the best for you that we can. 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, PORTSMOUTH, NEW-H AMI' SHIRE. 
 
 Extracts of sundry Votes passed at a Town-Meeting 
 held at the North Meeting-House in Portsmouth, May 15, 
 1775: 
 
 Voted, That the Town will aid and assist the Commit- 
 tee that is or shall be chosen in behalf of this Town, to 
 preserve the peace and order of it, whenever the Com- 
 mittee shall judge occasion may require. 
 
 And that this Committee be fully empowered to inquire 
 touching any obnoxious persons who may flee to this Town 
 for an asylum, and that they shall judge whether it is ex- 
 pedient for any such refugees to reside here or depart from 
 it ; and any inhabitant of this Town who shall be obnox- 
 ious, shall be only accountable to the Committee for their 
 conduct. 
 
 Voted, That no other persons but the Committee shall 
 concern with any such refugees ; but if any person shall 
 know of any such obnoxious persons coming into Town, 
 the earliest notice thereof should be given the Committee. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee be empowered to call be- 
 fore them, and upon proper evidence to pass censure upon, 
 any inhabitants of this Town who shall dare to transgress 
 any of the preceding votes, or in any manner to disturb the 
 peace of the Town. 
 
 Voted, That it is recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this Town to refrain from purchasing any Lamb that shall 
 be killed before the first day of August next, and that they 
 kill no Lambs before that time. 
 
 Voted, That the Town recommend the use of fresh Fish 
 to the inhabitants, twice a week at least. 
 
 COMMITTEE AND SELECTMEN OF MAHLOW TO THE PROVIN- 
 CIAL COMMITTEE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Marlow, N. H., May 15, 1775. 
 We received.your letter inviting us to send a Deputy in 
 our behalf to represent us at a Congress at Exeter, on the 
 1 7th instant, to consult on the affairs of this Government, 
 and adopt such plan as may be most expedient to preserve 
 the rights and privileges of this and the otherColonies. After 
 notice, we met and considered the matters, and our own cir- 
 cumstances, and our poverty is such that at present we are 
 not able to support a Deputy at said Congress. But being 
 well-wishers to the continuance of our rights and privileges, 
 both civil and sacred, we have chosen us a Committee of 
 Correspondence with the other Committees of the other 
 Towns in said Province, and we do hereby acquaint you 
 of our free and voluntary will and resolution, with the 
 hazard of our lives and interests to assist in the defence of 
 the same with our neighbouring Colonies ; and we do here- 
 by commit and entrust the consulting of the measures to 
 be proceeded in to your wise and prudent conduct, under 
 God, considering him as the alone Governour of men under 
 him ; and we hope and trust that God will give wisdom and 
 understanding and strength according to the troubles and 
 trials of the day in which we now live : and in all things we 
 mean to pay our portion according to our ability, hoping 
 that God will help us so to do. 
 
 Samuel Guftin, 
 Nathaniel Hadley, 
 Elias Lewis, 
 Com. of Correspondence and Selectmen of Marlow. 
 
 To the Provincial Committee to be held at Exeter, in the 
 Province of New-Hampshire. 
 
 P. S. We should be glad to be favoured with what 
 measures are concerted by the said Congress. 
 
 town of alstead to the new-hampshire congress. 
 
 Alstead, N. H., May 15. 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We received a letter from the former 
 Convention requesting us to assist by sending a man to 
 represent us. We should gladly have embraced the privi- 
 lege were we in a capacity: but our ability is such that we 
 look upon ourselves as not able to maintain a man to sit in 
 Congress, but have proceeded so far in town-meeting, 
 duly warned, to choose a Committee to correspond with 
 our sister Towns, and to draw a letter to forward our 
 doings, joining with the Town of Marlow in this pro- 
 cedure, which are as follows, viz : 
 
 Made choice of Nathaniel Sartell Prentiss, Oliver 
 Shepherd, and Simon Brooks, as a Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, and voted to abide by the proceedings of a Con- 
 vention at the risk of our all, trusting in their wisdom and 
 sagacity (under God) that their endeavours and proceed- 
 ings will happily extricate us out of the alarming evil that 
 we either feel or fear ; which w ill be the constant prayer 
 and wish of your friends and brethren in one common 
 cause, the inhabitants of Alstead. 
 
 By a vote of the Town chose Mr. Oliver Shepherd to 
 forward these our proceedings immediately, and make 
 return. In behalf of the Committee : 
 
 Nathaniel Prentiss, Town Clerk. 
 To the Honourable the Delegates from the several Towns 
 
 in this Province now sitting at Exeter, New- Hampshire. 
 
 AUGUSTA COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the inhabitants of that part of Augusta 
 County that lies on the west side of the Laurel Hill, at 
 Pittsburgh, the 16th day of May, 1775, the following 
 gentlemen were chosen a Committee for the said District, 
 viz : George Croghan, John Campbell, Edward Ward, 
 Thomas Smallman, John Cannon, John McCullaugh, Wil- 
 liam Gee, George Valandingham, John Gibson, Horsey 
 Penticost, Edward Cook, William Crauford, Hevereux 
 Smith, John Anderson, Havid Rodgers, Jacob Vunmelre, 
 
613 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 614 
 
 Henry Enoch, James Ennis, George JHIJson, William 
 J'ancc. David Shepherd, William Elliot, Richmond Wil- 
 lis. Samuel Sample, John Ormsbey, Richard McMaher, 
 John Nevill, and John Sweringer. 
 
 The foregoing gentlemen met in committee, and resolved 
 that John Campbell, John Ormsbey, Edivard Ward, Tho- 
 mas Smallman, Samuel Sample, John Anderson, and Deve- 
 rtux Smith, or any four of them, be a Standing Committee, 
 and shall have full power to meet at such times as they 
 shall judge necessary, and in case of any emergency, to 
 call the Committee of this District together, and shall be 
 vested with the same power and authority as the other 
 Standing Committees and Committees of Correspondence 
 are in the other Counties within this Colony. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the cordial and most grate- 
 ful thanks of this Committee are a tribute due to John 
 Harvie, Esquire, our worthy Representative in the late 
 Colonial Convention held at Richmond, for his faithful dis- 
 charge of that important trust reposed in him ; and to John 
 Nevill, Esquire, our other worthy Delegate, whom nothing 
 but sickness prevented from representing us in that re- 
 spectable Assembly. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Committee have the 
 highest sense of the spirited behaviour of their brethren in 
 yew-England, and do most cordially approve of their 
 opposing the invaders of American rights and privileges to 
 the utmost extreme, and that each member of this Com- 
 mittee, respectively, will animate and encourage their 
 neighbourhood to follow the brave example. 
 
 The imminent danger that threatens America in gene- 
 ral, from Ministerial and Parliamentary denunciations of 
 our ruin, and is now carrying into execution by open acts 
 of unprovoked hostilities in our sister Colony of Massachu- 
 setts, as well as the danger to be apprehended to this 
 Colony in particular from a domestick enemy, said to be 
 prompted by the wicked minions of power to execute our 
 ruin, added to the menaces of an Indian war, likewise said 
 to be in contemplation, thereby thinking to engage our 
 attention, and divert it from that still more interesting ob- 
 ject of liberty and freedom, that deeply, and with so much 
 justice, hath called forth the attention of all America ; for 
 the prevention of all, or any of those impending evils, it is 
 
 Resolved, That the recommendation of the Richmond 
 Convention, of the 20th of last March, relative to the 
 embodying, arming, and disciplining the Militia, be immedi- 
 ately carried into execution with the greatest diligence in 
 this County, by the officers appointed for that end ; and 
 that the recommendation of the said Convention to the 
 several Committees of this Colony, to collect from their 
 constituents, in such manner as shall be most agreeable to 
 them, so much money as shall be sufficient to purchase 
 half a pound of gunpowder, and one pound of lead, flints, 
 and cartridge paper, for every tithable person in their 
 County, be likewise carried into execution. 
 
 This Committee, therefore, out of the deepest sense of 
 the expediency of this measure, most earnestly entreat 
 that every member of this Committee do collect from each 
 tithable person in their several districts the sum of Two 
 Shillings and Six-Pence, which we deem no more than 
 sufficient for the above purpose, and give proper receipts 
 to all such as pay the same into their hands ; and the sum 
 so collected to be paid into the hands of Mr. John Camp- 
 bell, who is to give proper security to this Committee, or 
 their successors, for the due and faithful application of the 
 money so deposited with him for the above purpose, by or 
 with the advice of this Committee, or their successors ; 
 and this Committee, as your representatives, and who are 
 most ardently labouring for your preservation, call on you, 
 our constituents, our friends, brethren, and fellow-sufferers, 
 in the name of God, of every thing you hold sacred or 
 valuable, for the sake of your wives, children, and unborn 
 generations, that you will, every one of you, in your seve- 
 ral stations, to the utmost of your power, assist in levying 
 such sum, by not only paying yourselves, but by assisting 
 those who are not at present in a condition to do so. We 
 heartily lament the case of all such as have not this small 
 sum at command in this day of necessity ; to all such we 
 recommend to tender security to such as Providence has 
 enabled to lend them so much ; and this Committee do 
 pledge their faith and fortunes to you, their constituents, 
 that we shall, without fee or reward, use our best endeav- 
 
 ours to procure, with the money so collected, the ammu- 
 nition our present exigencies have made so exceedingly 
 necessary. 
 
 As this Committee has reason to believe there is a quan- 
 tity of Ammunition destined for this place for the purpose 
 of Government, and as this country, on the west side of 
 the Laurel Hill, is greatly distressed for want of ammuni- 
 tion, and deprived of the means of procuring it, by reason 
 of its situation, as easy as the lower Counties of this Colony, 
 they do earnestly request the Committees of Frederick, 
 Augusta, and Hampshire, that they will not suffer the am- 
 munition to pass through their Counties for the purposes of 
 Government, but will secure it for the use of this destitute 
 country, and immediately inform this Committee of their 
 having done so. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee do approve of the Re- 
 solution of the Committee of the other part of this Coun- 
 ty, relative to the cultivating a friendship with the Indians ; 
 and if any person shall be so depraved as to take the life 
 of any Indian that may come to us in a friendly manner, 
 we will, as one man, use our utmost endeavours to bring 
 such offender to condign punishment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Standing Committee be directed to 
 secure such Arms and Ammunition as are not employed in 
 actual service, or private property, and that they get the 
 same repaired, and deliver them to such Captains of Inde- 
 pendent Companies as may make application for the same, 
 and taking such Captain's receipt for the arms so delivered. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of fifteen Pounds, current money, 
 be raised by subscription, and that the same be transmitted 
 to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esq., for the use of the Depu- 
 ties sent from this Colony to the General Congress. Which 
 sum of money was immediately paid by the Committee 
 then present. 
 
 Mr. John Campbell reported, from the Select Committee 
 for considering the grievances, as Instructions to the Dele- 
 gates, which he read in his place, and handed it to the 
 Clerk's table, where it was again read, and is as follows : 
 
 To John Harvie and George Rootes, Esquires. 
 
 Gentlemen : You being chosen to represent the people 
 on the west side the Laurel Hill in the Colonial Congress 
 for the ensuing year, we, the Committee for the people 
 aforesaid, desire you will lay the grievances hereafter men- 
 tioned before the Congress at their first meeting, as we 
 conceive it highly necessary they should be redressed, to 
 put us on a footing with the rest of our brethren in the 
 Colony. 
 
 1st. That many of the inhabitants in this part of the 
 County have expended large sums of money, and supplied 
 the soldiers in the last Indian war with provisions and other 
 necessaries, many of whom have expended all they had ; 
 and though, at the same time, we bear a grateful remem- 
 brance of the good intentions of the late Colonial Congress, 
 so feelingly and generously expressed in their Resolves, 
 yet the unhappy situation we are reduced to by the pay- 
 ment of those supplies being delayed, involves this new 
 and flourishing country in extreme poverty. 
 
 2d. That the maintaining a garrison at this place, when 
 there is no other method used for supplying them with pro- 
 visions, but by impressing from the inhabitants of the coun- 
 try, ought to be considered. 
 
 3d. That this country, joining the Indian Territory and 
 the Province of Qjucbeck, (which by its late change of Con- 
 stitution is rendered inimical to liberty,) lies exposed to the 
 inroads of the Savages and the Militia of that Province ; 
 and should the Ministry or their emissaries be able to stir 
 up either of them against the Colonies, this country will 
 be in need of support to enable them to provide against, 
 and withstand any attempt that may be made on their civil 
 or religious liberties. 
 
 4th. That for want of freeholders we cannot get legal 
 Grand Jurors, which are necessary for the well government 
 of the country. 
 
 5th. That the unsettled boundary between this Colony 
 and the Province of Pennsylvania, is the occasion of many 
 disputes. 
 
 6th. That the collecting the duty on skins and furs, 
 for which a commission hath lately been sent up here, will 
 banish the Indian Trade from this place and Colony. 
 
 Which Report being agreed to, 
 
615 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 616 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That a fair copy be drawn off and 
 delivered to our Delegates as tlieir instructions. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing proceedings be certified by 
 the Clerk of this Committee, and published in the Vir- 
 ginia Gazette. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 James Berwick, Clerk. 
 
 DOCTOR FRANKLIN TO DOCTOR PRIESTLEY, IN LONDON. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 16, 1775. 
 Dear Friend : You will have heard, before this reaches 
 you, of a march stolen by the Regulars into the country by 
 night, and of their expedition back again. They retreated 
 twenty miles in six hours. 
 
 The Governour had called the Assembly to propose Lord 
 North's paeifick plan, but, before the time of their meet- 
 ing, began cutting of throats. You know it was said he 
 carried the sword in one hand, and the olive branch in the 
 other; and it seems he chose to give them a taste of the 
 sword first. 
 
 He is doubling his fortifications at Boston, and hopes to 
 secure his Troops till succour arrives. The place, indeed, 
 is naturally so defensible, that 1 think them in no danger. 
 
 All America is exasperated by his conduct, and more 
 firmly united than ever. The breach between the two 
 Countries is grown wider, and in danger of becoming 
 irreparable. 
 
 I had a passage of six weeks, the weather constantly so 
 moderate that a London wherry might have accompanied 
 us all the way. I got home in the evening, and the next 
 morning was unanimously chosen by the Assembly of Penn- 
 sylvania a Delegate to the Congress now sitting. 
 
 In coming over, I made a valuable philosophical dis- 
 covery, which I shall communicate to you when I can get 
 a little time. At present am extremely hurried. 
 
 Yours, most affectionately, B. Franklin. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF WESTMORELAND, 
 PENNSYLVANIA. 
 
 At a general meeting of the inhabitants of the County 
 of Westmoreland, held at Hanna's Town the 16th day of 
 May, 1775, for taking into consideration the very alarming 
 situation of this Country, occasioned by the dispute with 
 Great Britain : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the Parliament of Great 
 Britain, by several late Acts, have declared the inhabitants 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay to be in rebellion, and the Min- 
 istry, by endeavouring to enforce those Acts, have at- 
 tempted to reduce the said inhabitants to a more wretched 
 slate of slavery than ever before existed in any state or 
 country. Not content with violating their constitutional 
 and chartered privileges, they would strip them of the rights 
 of humanity, exposing lives to the wanton and unpunishable 
 sport of a licentious soldiery, and depriving them of the 
 very means of subsistence. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That there is no reason to doubt 
 but the same system of tyranny and oppression will (should 
 it meet with success in the Massachusetts- Bay) be extended 
 to every other part of America : it is therefore become the 
 indispensable duty of every American, of every man who 
 has any publick virtue or love for his Country, or any 
 bowels for posterity, by every means which God has put 
 in his power, to resist and oppose the execution of it; that 
 for us we will be ready to oppose it with our lives and for- 
 tunes. And the better to enable us to accomplish it, we will 
 immediately form ourselves into a military body, to consist 
 of Companies to be made up out of the several Townships 
 under the following Association, which is declared to be the 
 Association of Westmoreland County : 
 
 Possessed with the most unshaken loyalty and fidelity 
 to His Majesty, King George the Third, whom we acknow- 
 ledge to be our lawful and rightful King, and who we wish 
 may long be the beloved Sovereign of a free and happy 
 people throughout the whole British Empire ; we declare 
 to the world, that we do not mean by this Association to 
 deviate from that loyalty which we hold it our bounden 
 duty to observe ; but, animated with the love of liberty, it 
 b no less our duty to maintain and defend our just rights 
 
 (which, with sorrow, we have seen of late wantonly vio- 
 lated in many instances by a wicked Ministry and a cor- 
 rupted Parliament) and transmit them entire to our pos- 
 terity, for which purpose we do agree and associate 
 together : 
 
 1st. To arm and form ourselves into a Regiment or Re- 
 giments, and choose officers to command us in such propor- 
 tion as shall be thought necessary. 
 
 2d. We will, with alacrity, endeavour to make ourselves 
 masters of the manual exercise, and such evolutions as may 
 be necessary to enable us to act in a body with concert ; 
 and to that end we will meet at such times and places as 
 shall be appointed either for the Companies or the Regi- 
 ment, by the officers commanding each when chosen. 
 
 3d. That should our Country be invaded by a foreign 
 enemy, or should Troops be sent from Great Britain to 
 enforce the late arbitrary Acts of its Parliament, we will 
 cheerfully submit to military discipline, and to the utmost 
 of our power resist and oppose them, or either of them, 
 and will coincide with any plan that may be formed for the 
 defence of America in general, or Pennsylvania in par- 
 ticular. 
 
 4th. That we do not wish or desire any innovation, but 
 only that things may be restored to, and go on in the same 
 way as before the era of the Stamp Act, when Boston grew 
 great, and America was happy. As a proof of this dispo- 
 sition, we will quietly submit to the laws by which we have 
 been accustomed to be governed before that period, and 
 will, in our several or associate capacities, be ready when 
 called on to assist the civil magistrate in carrying the same 
 into execution. 
 
 5th. That when the British Parliament shall have re- 
 pealed their late obnoxious Statutes, and shall recede from 
 their claim to tax us, and make laws for us in every instance, 
 or when some general plan of union and reconciliation has 
 been formed and accepted by America, this our Association 
 shall be dissolved ; but till then it shall remain in full force ; 
 and to the observation of it, we bind ourselves by every 
 thing dear and sacred amongst men. 
 
 No licensed murder ! no famine introduced by law ! 
 
 Resolved, That on Wednesday, the twenty-fourth instant, 
 the Township meet to accede to the said Association, and 
 choose their officers. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia on Tuesday, 16th 
 May, 1775. 
 
 Present : The Honourable John Penn, Esq., Governour, 
 James Tifghman, Andrew Allen, Esquires. 
 
 The Governour acquainted the Board that eight Cayuga 
 Indians came to Town on Saturday last from Canasadego, 
 on the Cayuga branch of Susquehannah, on some business 
 with this Government, and that he now proposed to hear 
 what they had to say. 
 
 Whereupon the Board agreed that they should be imme- 
 diately sent for, and they were accordingly introduced. 
 
 The Governour then acquainting them that he was ready 
 
 to hear them, , addressing himself to the 
 
 Governour, first went through some short usual ceremonies 
 of clearing the throat and heart, and opening the ears, Stc, 
 and then producing a belt of wampum, spoke as follows, 
 viz: That three of their company who were present as the 
 nearest surviving relations of the old Seneca Sohaes, who 
 lived for many years with his family and connexions on a 
 tract of land within the manor of Conestogo, in Lancaster 
 County ; that the old man, with his family and relations, 
 were several years ago murdered there by some wicked 
 men belonging to this Government ; and that the said tract 
 of land, containing about five hundred acres, now became 
 the property of his three relatives present, one of whom is 
 Sohaes's brother ; that they had come down at this time to 
 see their brother Onas, and to make sale of the said land 
 to him. That the land is very rich, and worth a great deal 
 of money ; but as their brother Onas was himself well 
 acquainted with its value, they desired he would purchase 
 it from them, for such a price as he thought reasonable, and 
 they would be entirely satisfied. 
 
 He then delivered the belt of wampum to the Governour, 
 and told him that he had finished what he had to say. 
 
 The Governour thereupon acquainted the Indians that 
 
617 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 618 
 
 lie and his Council would take their Speech into consider- 
 ation, and give tliein an answer on Thursday morning. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia on Thursday, 1 8th 
 May, 1775. Present : The Honourable John Penn, Esq., 
 Governour, William Logan, Benjamin Chew, Andrew Al- 
 len, Edward Shippcn, Jr., Esquires. 
 
 The eight Cayuga Indians being sent for, attended at the 
 Board in order to receive the Governour's answer to their 
 Speech on Tuesday last, which the Governour in part de- 
 livered to them ; but as it appeared to the Board that the 
 Indians did not clearly and fully comprehend his meaning, 
 the person who undertook to interpret to them, not being 
 sufficiently acquainted with their language, and the Indians 
 expressing great dissatisfaction on being informed that this 
 land had already been purchased and paid for, it was agreed 
 that Isaac Still, a Delaware Indian interpreter, should be 
 immediately sent for, to interpret the Governour's answer 
 to the Indians in Council, on Saturday morning next. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia on Saturday, 20th 
 May, 1775. Present: The Honourable John Penn, Esq., 
 Governour, William Logan, James Tilghman, Andrew 
 Allen, Edward Shippen, Jr., Esquires. 
 
 The eight Cayuga Indians, by the desire of the Gov- 
 ernour, again attended the Board, with the Indian inter- 
 preter, Isaac Still, and having taken their seats, the Speaker 
 repeated over the Speech he had delivered to the Governour 
 on Tuesday last, which was the same in substance as 
 entered on the Minutes of that day, and the Governour 
 relumed them his answer, which was fully explained to 
 them by Isaac Still, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " Brethren : The tract of land you mention, consist- 
 ing of five hundred acres, part of the Conestogo Manor 
 where old Sohaes dwelt, was included in a purchase long 
 s nee made from the Indians; notwithstanding which I agree 
 that Sohaes and his family had the proprietary's permis- 
 sion to live thereon as long as they chose to remain in the 
 inhabited part of the country. 
 
 " Some time after the death of Sohaes, and all his family 
 that resided there, in the year 1766, there was a treaty 
 held at Fort Stanwix, to which 1 was invited by Sir Wil- 
 liam Johnson, in order to treat with the Indians concerning 
 the purchase of a large tract of land, part of which lay in 
 the King's Government, and part in the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania. At this treaty the last great Indian purchase 
 was made, for which I then paid the Indians ten thousand 
 Dollars. But before the treaty was finished, Sir William 
 Johnson informed me that the Indians expected to be paid 
 for the five hundred acres of land, part of the Conestogo 
 Manor, where Sohaes dwelt. I accordingly agreed to pay 
 them for it. The price agreed on was two hundred Pounds, 
 York money, or five hundred Dollars, the value of which 
 was then delivered in goods to Togaiaio, the Cayuga Chief, 
 to be distributed as he thought proper ; and the deed I now 
 show you for the land I bought of the Indians at that 
 treaty, signed by the Chiefs of the Six Nations, expressly 
 includes this five hundred acres of land. Having therefore 
 already purchased the lands twice, it cannot reasonably be 
 expected that I should pay for it again. However, as you 
 have come from a great distance, under an expectation of 
 selling this land, and perhaps did not receive so great a por- 
 tion of the goods I delivered at Fort Stanwix as should have 
 been paid to the relatives of Sohaes, and to show you the 
 desire I have to preserve peace and friendship with the 
 Indians, and that when they pay me a visit they should 
 not go away dissatisfied, I am willing to make you a present, 
 which I hope you will think a generous one. I there- 
 fore desire you will accept of these three hundred Dollars." 
 A belt. 
 
 The Indians accordingly very gladly accepted the three 
 hundred Dollars, and signed a receipt for the same on the 
 back of the deed executed at Fort Stanwix, expressing it 
 to be in full satisfaction of all claims of Sohaes's family to 
 the said five hundred acres of land. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, by adjournment, Tues- 
 day, 16th May, 1775. Present, forty-seven Members. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, from the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence, reported the draft of an answer to a Letter received 
 from Elisha Lawrence, dated 9th May, 1775, which being 
 read and approved of, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be forwarded. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Ward Com- 
 panies of Militia for the City and County of New-York, 
 to enroll their men in the different beats, so that they may 
 be in readiness to take their tour of duty as a Military 
 Night Watch for this City, and it is recommended to the 
 men in the different Wards to appear punctually for that 
 purpose. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Committee, on Wednesday, 
 17th May, 1775. Present, forty-seven Members. 
 
 A Letter, dated Philadelphia, 17th May, 1775, from 
 the gentlemen in delegation for this Colony, enclosing an 
 extract of the Minutes of the Continental Congress, respect- 
 ing the conduct to be observed by the inhabitants of this 
 City towards any Troops that may arrive here, received 
 and read. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be published. 
 
 An Affidavit of Charles Murray, Captain of the sloop 
 Modesty, respecting the seizing Guns and Powder on board 
 the said sloop, by His Majesty's ship-of-war Kingfisher, 
 was read. 
 
 Resolved, That his worship the Mayor of this City, be 
 furnished with a copy of the Affidavit of Captain Charles 
 Murray, and be requested to procure a conveyance of it 
 to Captain Montague of His Majesty's Ship Kingfisher, 
 and to desire his answer on the subject matter of the said 
 Affidavit. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 16, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed we send you the advice of the 
 Congress on the subject on which you requested it ; and 
 lest the advice to remove the Military Stores might be 
 construed to extend to those belonging to the Crown, we 
 think it prudent to suggest to you, that the contrary con- 
 struction is the true one. 
 
 You would have received this advice before, had not 
 sundry circumstances not material, or perhaps proper to 
 explain, concurred in deferring it till now. 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 
 James Duane, Lewis Morris, 
 Francis Lewis, Philip Livingston, 
 John Jay, John Alsop. 
 
 In Congress, Monday, May 15, 1775. 
 
 The City and County ofNetv- York, having through their 
 Delegates applied to the Congress for their advice how to 
 conduct themselves with regard to the Troops expected 
 there ; the Congress took the matter into their most serious 
 deliberation, and came to the following Resolution: 
 
 " That it be recommended for the present to the inha- 
 bitants of New- York, that if the Troops which are expected 
 should arrive, the said Colony act on the defensive, so long 
 as may be consistent with their safety and security ; that 
 the Troops be permitted to remain in the barracks so long 
 as they behave peaceably and quietly, but that they be not 
 suffered to erect fortifications, or take any steps for cutting 
 off the communication between the town and country ; 
 and that if they commit hostilities, or invade private pro- 
 perty, the inhabitants should defend themselves and their 
 property, and repel force by force ; that the warlike stores 
 be removed from the Town ; that places of retreat, in case 
 of necessity, be provided for the women and children of 
 New-York ; and a sufficient number of men be embodied, 
 and kept in constant readiness for protecting the inhabi- 
 tants from insult and injury." 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 ERASTUS WALCOTT AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 16, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We were yesterday informed of the suc- 
 cess of an expedition undertaken, and set on foot by some 
 individuals of this Colony, in a secret manner, against 
 
619 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 620 
 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, the particular account of 
 which you will have received before this comes to hand. 
 Immediately on receipt of this news, an express was 
 despatched from hence to the Continental Congress for 
 their advice in this important matter. Posts were also sent 
 to Albany, to the Committee of Correspondence for that 
 City, requesting them to afford their aid in maintaining 
 that pass till the opinion of the Colonies can be known. 
 
 We understand an expedition against the same place 
 hath been undertaken under the authority of your Prov- 
 ince ; but the adventure being set on loot by some private 
 gentlemen in this Colony, and success having attended 
 their enterprise before the forces from the Massachusetts 
 Bay came up, some question arose about the right to com- 
 mand and hold this important pass. We consider all the 
 Colonies, and the New-England Colonies especially, as 
 brethren united together in one joint interest, and pursuing 
 the same general design, and that whatever expedition in 
 furtherance of the grand designs may be undertaken by 
 any one of the Colonies, or body of men in either of them, 
 ought to be considered as undertaken for the joint benefit 
 of the whole confederate Colonies, and the expenses of the 
 enterprise, and cost of maintaining and defending the same, 
 is to be borne by all in proportion to their abilities. 
 
 This is not a time for the Colonies to contend about 
 precedency, but we hope all will wish to put out a helping 
 hand, and mutually afford each other all necessary assist- 
 ance against our common enemy. Some parts of your 
 Province are more conveniently situated to furnish men, 
 Sic, for maintaining our possession. We doubt not you will 
 exert yourselves to secure every advantage which may arise 
 from this successful attempt, in which we hope the City 
 and County of Albany, and the Colony of Connecticut 
 will co-operate with you, but of this we cannot assure you, 
 as our calls are very many. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 
 Erastus Wolcott, Samuel Bishop, 
 William Williams, Samuel H. Parsons. 
 Committee of Correspondence for Connecticut. 
 Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. 
 
 P. S. We hope you will not omit any thing you can do, 
 as 'tis uncertain what Neiu-York will undertake without 
 the consent of the General Congress, &c. 
 
 JOSEPH WARREN TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Cambridge, May 16, 1775. 
 
 My dear Sir: Every thing here continues the same 
 as at the period of my writing a short time ago. Our 
 military operations go on in a very spirited manner. Gen- 
 eral Gage had a reinforcement of about six hundred Ma- 
 rines the day before yesterday ; but this gives very little 
 concern here. It is not expected that he will sally out of 
 Boston at present, and if he does, he will but gratify thou- 
 sands who impatiently wait to avenge the blood of their 
 murdered countrymen. The attempt he has made to throw 
 the odium of the first commencement of hostilities on the 
 people here, has operated very much to his disadvantage, 
 as so many credible people were eye witnesses of the whole 
 affair, whose testimonies are justly supposed of infinitely 
 greater weight than any thing he has brought or can bring 
 in support of his assertion. My private opinion is, that he 
 is really deceived in this matter, and is led (by his officers 
 and some other of the most abandoned villains on earth, 
 who are natives of this Country, and who are now shut 
 up with him in Boston) to believe that our people actually 
 began the firing; but my opinion is only for myself ; most 
 people are satisfied not only that he knows that the Regu- 
 lars began the fire, but also that he gave his orders to the 
 commanding officer to do it. Thus by attempting to clear 
 the Troops from what every one is sure they were guilty 
 of, he has brought on strong suspicions that he himself is 
 guilty of having preconcerted the mischief done by them. 
 Indeed his very unmanly conduct, relative to the people of 
 Boston, in detaining many of them, and contriving new 
 excuses for delaying their removal after they had given up 
 their fire-arms upon a promise of being suffered to leave 
 town and carry with them their effects, has much lessened 
 his character confirmed formed suspicions. 
 
 The Continental Congress is now sitting. I suppose 
 
 before I hear from you again, a new form of Government 
 will be established in this Colony. Great Britain must 
 now make the best she can of America. The folly of her 
 Minister has brought her into this situation. If she has 
 strength sufficient even to depopulate the Colonies, she 
 has not strength sufficient to subjugate them. However, 
 we can yet without injuring ourselves offer much to her. 
 The great national advantages derived from the Colonies 
 may, I hope, yet be reaped by her from us. The plan for 
 enslaving us, if it had succeeded, would only have put it 
 in the power of the Administration to provide for a num- 
 ber of their unworthy dependants, whilst the Nation would 
 have been deprived of the most essential benefits which 
 might have arisen from us by commerce; and the taxes 
 raised in America would, instead of easing the Mother 
 Country of her burdens, only have been employed to bring 
 her into bondage. 
 
 I cannot precisely tell you what will become of General 
 Gage; I imagine he will at least be kept closely shut up 
 in Boston. Perhaps you will very soon hear something 
 further relative to these things. One thing I can assure 
 you has very great weight with us; we fear if we push 
 this matter as far as we think we are able — to the destruc- 
 tion of the Troops and Ships-of-War — we shall expose 
 Great Britain to those invasions from foreign Powers, 
 which we suppose it will be difficult for her to repel. 
 
 In fact, you must have a change in men and measures 
 or be ruined. The truly noble Richmond, Rockingham, 
 Chatham, Shelburne, with other Lords, and the virtuous 
 and sensible minority in the House of Commons, must 
 take the lead. The confidence we have in them will go a 
 great way ; but I must tell you that those terms which 
 would readily have been accepted before our countrymen 
 were murdered, and we in consequence compelled to take 
 arms, will not now do. 
 
 Every thing in my power to serve the united interest of 
 Great Britain, shall be done ; and I pray that you, your 
 brother, and Mr. Sayre, (to whom I beg you would make 
 my most respectful compliments,) would write fully, freely, 
 and speedily, to me, and let me know what our great and 
 good friends in the House of Commons think expedient 
 and practicable to be done. 
 
 God forbid that the Nation should be so infatuated as to 
 do any thing further to irritate the Colonies ; if they should, 
 the Colonies will sooner throw themselves into the arms of 
 any other power on earth, than ever consent to an accom- 
 modation with Great Britain. That patience which I 
 frequently told you would be at last exhausted, is no lon- 
 ger to be expected from us. Danger and war are become 
 pleasing ; and injured virtue is now armed to avenge her- 
 self. I am, my dear Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Jos. Warren. 
 
 To Arthur Lee, Esq., London. 
 
 P. S. Please to let Mr. Sayre and Sheriff Lee know 
 that I shall write to them by the first opportunity. This 
 will be handed you by our good friend Mr. Barrell, who 
 will give you a more particular account of our publick 
 affairs. J. W. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS TO THE CONTINEN- 
 TAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, i 
 May 16, 1775. \ 
 
 " Resolved, That Doctor Benjamin Church be ordered to 
 go immediately to Philadelphia, and deliver to the Presi- 
 dent of the Honourable American Congress there now- 
 sitting, the following application, to be by him communicated 
 to the Members thereof ; and the said Church is also di- 
 rected to confer with the said Congress respecting such 
 other matters as may be necessary to the defence of this 
 Colony, and particularly the state of the Army therein." 
 
 May it please your Honours : 
 
 That system of Colony administration which, in the 
 most firm, dutiful, and loyal manner, has been in vain re- 
 monstrated against by the representative body of the Uni- 
 ted Colonies, seems still, unless speedily and vigorously 
 opposed by the collected wisdom and force of all America, 
 to threaten ruin and destruction to this Continent. 
 
 For a long time past this Colony has, by a corrupt Ad- 
 ministration in Great Britain and here, been deprived of 
 
621 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 622 
 
 the exercise of those powers of government, without which 
 a people can be neither rich, happy, nor secure. The whole 
 Continent saw the blow pending, which if not warded off 
 must inevitably have subverted the freedom and happiness 
 of each Colony. The principles of self-defence, roused 
 in the breasts of freemen by the dread of impending slave- 
 ry, caused to be collected the wisdom of America in a 
 Congress, composed of men who, through time, must, in 
 every land of freedom, be revered among the most faithful 
 asserters of the essential rights of human nature. 
 
 Tin's Colony was then reduced to great difficulties, being 
 denied the exercise of civil Government, according to our 
 Charter, or the fundamental principles of the English Con- 
 stitution, and a formidable Navy and Army (not only 
 inimical to our safety, but flattered with the prospect of 
 enjoying the fruit of our industry) were stationed for that 
 purpose in our Metropolis. The prospect of deciding the 
 ijuestion between our Mother Country and us by the 
 sword, gave us the greatest pain and anxiety ; but we have 
 made all the preparation for our necessary defence that 
 our confused state would admit of; and as the question 
 equally affected our sister Colonies and us, we have de- 
 clined, though urged thereto by the most pressing neces- 
 sity, to assume the reins of civil Government without their 
 advice and consent ; but have hitherto borne the many dif- 
 ficulties and distressing embarrassments necessarily resulting 
 from a want thereof. 
 
 We are now compelled to raise an Army, which, with 
 the assistance of the other Colonies, we hope, under the 
 smiles of Heaven, will be able to defend us and all Ame- 
 rica from the further butcheries and devastations of our 
 implacable enemies. But as the sword should, in all free 
 States, be subservient to the civil powers; and as it is the 
 duty of the Magistrates to support it for the people's ne- 
 cessary defence, we tremble at having an Army (although 
 consisting of our own countrymen) established here, with- 
 out a civil power to provide for and control them. 
 
 We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our 
 distressed state before the representative body of the Con- 
 tinent, and humbly hope you will favour us with your most 
 explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the 
 powers of civil Government, which we think absolutely 
 necessary for the salvation of our Country ; and we shall 
 readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for 
 the Colonies, or make it our great study to establish such a 
 form of Government here, as shall not only most promote 
 our own advantages, but the union and interest of all Ame- 
 rica. 
 
 As the Army now collecting from different Colonies is 
 for the general defence of the rights of America, we would 
 beg leave to suggest to your consideration the propriety of 
 your taking the regulation and general direction of it, that 
 the operations of it may more effectually answer the purposes 
 designed. Jos. Warren, President pro tern. 
 
 Attest: Samuel Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 To the Hon- the Continental Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF BROWNFIELD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Brownfield, May 16, 1775. 
 Gentlemen ; There are five or six families of Indians 
 hunting at Androscoggin, about twenty-five miles north of 
 my house. Several of the women and youngsters were 
 at my house last week ; one of them expressed much con- 
 cern about the times ; said their men could not hunt, eat, 
 nor sleep; keep calling together every night; courting, 
 courting, courting, every night, all night. O, strange 
 Englishmen kill one another. I think the world is coming 
 to an end. Mrs. Brown asked which side they would 
 fight. Answered, why should we fight for t'other country, 
 for we never see t'other country ; our hunting is in this 
 country. One of them said her brother was a Colonel; 
 she wished she could see him ; she would tell him not to 
 fight lor t'other country, but to fight for this country. One 
 of the party is gone to Canada. They wanted powder, 
 but got none. Some of them were painted ; and as it was 
 the first time they came in paint, it surprised some of our 
 women. I thought it best you should know of their con- 
 cern and uneasiness, and that one was gone to Canada. 
 The bearer, Mr. Holt, is used to the woods; has been a 
 
 hunting this spring where they are; if necessary will goto 
 them. 
 
 At this day it appears to me to be necessary for every 
 man to be supplied with arms, kc. We have in this Town 
 ten guns, shot, twenty pounds of powder, and half a hundred 
 of lead. James Holt, James Haywood, and myself, are a 
 Committee in behalf of this Town, and was to provide every 
 thing necessary. I have been to Portsmouth to purchase, 
 but could not ; my business called me immediately home. 
 Now Mr. Holt sets out to apply to you for relief. If he 
 can be supplied, we will stand accountable, and stand ready 
 to serve our Country. The bearer has served long in the 
 last war; was at Nova-Scotia in 1755 ; was in the siege 
 at Fort Bosajure: has given repeated evidence he can 
 stand fire, and is now ready to serve his Country, if re- 
 quired. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servant, Henry Young Brown. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Cumberland County, 
 held on Wednesday, the 17th of May, 1775: 
 
 Mr. Chairman opened the business of the day by laying 
 before the Committee informations lately received by ex- 
 press from the Northward, respecting the Government of 
 New- York, amongst which is a Resolution of the Mary- 
 land Provincial Convention, for immediately suspending 
 all Exportations from that Province to Quebeck, Nova- 
 Scotia, Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any part of the 
 Fishing Coasts, or Fishing Islands, and to the Town of 
 Boston, until the Continental Congress shall give farther 
 directions thereon : Whereupon the Committee, after the 
 maturest deliberation, came to the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Committee doth heart- 
 ily approve of the said Resolution of the Maryland Pro- 
 vincial Convention, as well concerted upon the view of the 
 present conjuncture of affairs, and doth recommend it as a 
 proper rule of conduct to all men. 
 
 Resolved, That the present alarming situation of Ame- 
 rican affairs, especially in the Province of Nciv- York, 
 renders it absolutely necessary that a Colony Convention 
 be immediately called ; and this Committee do recommend 
 it to Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, in the most earnest 
 terms, to call a Colony Convention as speedily as possible, 
 provided the General Assembly now called to meet on the 
 first Thursday in June, shall be proiogued to a farther 
 day. 
 
 The following Address to the inhabitants of the lower 
 parts of Virginia, was proposed , and unanimously agreed to : 
 
 Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 We, the Committee for the County of Cumberland. 
 taking into our serious consideration the unremitting efforts 
 of despotick Administration to effect the total subversion 
 of American liberty, aided by the wicked and venal tools 
 of corruption, who are endeavouring, by the basest misrep- 
 resentations and falsehoods, to effect an unnatural division 
 between the Mother Country and her Colonies, covering 
 their wicked design under the specious pretence of dutv 
 and attachment to our gracious Sovereign, and the sacred 
 laws of the British Empire ; and also to the unhappy 
 situation to which you will be reduced in case of a hostile 
 invasion of this Colony, do, for ourselves and our constit- 
 uents, (should such a distressing circumstance take place.) 
 most cordially invite you to remove so many of your wives 
 and children into this County as the inhabitants thereof 
 can conveniently entertain, where they will meet with the 
 best protection and accommodations we are able to afford. 
 
 George Carrington, Chairman. 
 
 cecil county (Maryland) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Cecil County, at Elk 
 Ferry, on the 17th day of May, 1775: 
 
 In consequence of an information being made, that 
 Charles Gordon, Attorney-at-Law in Cec?7 County, had 
 treated with great disrespect, and maliciously aspersed the 
 Continental Congress, the Provincial Convention, and the 
 Committee of this County ; and had, at divers times, and 
 by sundry ways and means, vilified their proceedings ; a 
 Summons thereupon issued from the Committee, command- 
 ing his appearance to answer to the above charge ; to which 
 
623 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 624 
 
 Summons lie returned the following verbal answer, as ap- 
 pears by affidavit : 
 
 " On the 1 7th day of May, 1 775, personally came William 
 Savin before me the subscriber, one of his Lordship's Jus- 
 tices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, and made oath 
 on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he served 
 Mr. Gordon with a copy of the within Summons in time 
 for him to have observed it ; and that he told him (this 
 deponent) that he would not meet, and if the Committee 
 wanted him they must come to his plantation, but not inside 
 his yard gate ; that he asked why they did not come them- 
 selves, or send some of their head men ; that upon bis 
 (this deponent) saying he believed unless he did not com- 
 ply with their request, they would all come, he, Mr. Gor- 
 don, said he was ready to receive them ; that his plantation 
 was large enough to hold them all, but they must not come 
 inside his yard gate, or there would be lives lost. Mr. 
 Gordon said he had said, and does still say, that they are 
 a parcel of damned scoundrels of the Committee, and that 
 if they have any thing to say to him, they must come to 
 him, for he was at their defiance." 
 
 Sworn before David Smith. 
 
 Whereupon the Committee entered into the following 
 Resolve, viz : 
 
 Whereas Charles Gordon, Aitomey-at- Law in Cecil 
 County, hath treated this Committee with great contempt 
 and insolence ; and the general tenour of his conduct for a 
 long time hath been such, as in our opinions declares him 
 to be an enemy to the common cause of liberty for which 
 we are contending ; and whereas he hath this day been duly 
 summoned to appear before this Committee and answer 
 unto the above charge, to which Summons he returned an 
 impertinent and insolent answer, even menacing this Com- 
 mittee with destruction if they attempt to proceed any 
 farther against him : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That he lie under the imputation of being 
 an enemy to this Country, and as such we will have no 
 dealings or communication with him, nor permit him to 
 transact any business with us, or for us, either in a publick 
 or private capacity, which shall be commenced after the 
 date hereof, until he appears before this Committee and 
 satisfies them with respect to the above charge ; and we 
 do earnestly recommend it to all the good people of this 
 County to observe the same line of conduct. 
 
 Resolved, That the above be published. 
 
 James Veazey, Junior, Chairman. 
 John Veazey, 3d, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 20, 1775. 
 
 On Wednesday evening last, May 17, arrived here John 
 Brown, Esquire, from Ticonderoga, express to the Gen- 
 eral Congress, from whom we learn, that on the beginning 
 of this instant, a company of about fifty men from Connecti- 
 cut and the western part of Massachusetts, and joined by 
 upwards of one hundred from Bennington, in New-York 
 Government, and the adjacent Towns, proceeded to the 
 eastern side of Lake Champlain, and on the night before 
 the 11th current, crossed the Lake with eighty-five men, 
 (not being able to obtain craft to transport the rest) and 
 about daybreak invested the Fort, whose gate, contrary to 
 expectation, they found shut, but the wicker open, through 
 which, with the Indian war-whoop, all that could, entered 
 one by one, others scaling the wall on both sides of the 
 gate, and instantly secured and disarmed the sentries, and 
 pressed into the parade, where they formed the hollow 
 square ; but immediately quitting that order, they rushed 
 into the several barracks on three sides of the Fort, and 
 seized on the garrison, consisting of two officers and up- 
 wards of forty privates,* whom they brought out, disarmed, 
 put under guard, and have since sent prisoners to Hartford, 
 in Connecticut. All this was performed in about ten min- 
 utes, without the loss of a life, or a drop of blood on our 
 side, and but very little on that of the King's Troops. 
 
 In the Fort were found about thirty barrels of flour, a 
 few barrels of pork, seventy odd chests of leaden ball, 
 computed at three hundred tons, about ten barrels of pow- 
 der, in bad condition, near two hundred pieces of ordnance, 
 of all sizes, from eighteen-pounders downwards, at Ticon- 
 
 * A party of the Twenty-Sixth, commanded by Captain Delaplace. 
 
 deroga and Crown Point, which last place, being held only 
 by a Corporal and eight men, falls of course into our 
 hands. 
 
 15y this sudden expedition, planned by some principal 
 persons in the four neighbouring Colonies, that important 
 pass is now in the hands of the Americans, where we trust 
 the wisdom of the Grand Continental Congress will take 
 effectual measures to secure it, as it may be depended on 
 that Administration means to form an army in Canada, 
 composed of British Regulars, French, and Indians, to 
 attack the Colonies on that side. 
 
 Mr. Brown brought intercepted letters from Lieutenant 
 Malcolm Fraser, to his friends in New-England, from 
 which appear, that General Carleton has almost unlimited 
 powers, civil and military, and has issued orders for raising 
 a Canadian Regiment, in which, Mr. Fraser observes, the 
 officers find difficulty, as the common people are by no 
 means fond of the service. He likewise remarks, that all 
 the King's European subjects are disaffected at the partial 
 preference given to the late converts to loyalty, as he 
 phrases it, to their utter exclusion from all confidence, or 
 even common civility. Matters are indeed in such a situa- 
 tion, that many, if not most of the merchants, talk of 
 leaving the Province. 
 
 Mr. Broivn also relates, that two regular officers of the 
 Twenty-Sixth Regiment, now in Canada, applied to two 
 Indians, one a head warriour of the Cavghnawaga tribe, 
 to go out with them on a hunt to the south and east of the 
 Rivers St. Lawrence and Sorrel, and pressing the Indians 
 farther and farther on said course, they at length arrived 
 at Cohass, where the Indians say they were stopped and 
 interrogated by the inhabitants, to whom they pretended 
 they were only on a hunt, which the inhabitants (as the 
 Indians told Mr. Broivn) replied must be false, as no hun- 
 ters used silver (bright) barrelled guns. However, the 
 Cohass people dismissed them all ; and when they return- 
 ed into the woods, the Indian warriour insisted on knowing 
 what their real intention was, and they told him that it was 
 to reconnoitre the woods to find a passage for an army to 
 march to the assistance of the King's friends in Boston. 
 The Indian asked where they would get the army ? They 
 answered, in Canada, and that the Indians in the upper 
 Castles would join them. The Chief, on this, expressed 
 resentment, that he, being one of the head men of the 
 Caughnawaga tribe, should never have been consulted in 
 the affair. But Mr. Brown presumed the aversion of this 
 honest fellow and his friends to their schemes, was the rea- 
 son of their being kept from their knowledge. 
 
 The conductors of this grand expedition are to be Mon- 
 sieur St. Luke le Come, the villain who let loose the 
 Indians on the prisoners at Fort William Henry, and one 
 of his associates. 
 
 Watertown, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Yesterday Colonel Easton arrived at the Provincial 
 Congress in Watertown from Ticonderoga, and brings the 
 glorious news of the taking of that place by the American 
 forces without the loss of a man ; of which interesting 
 event we have collected the following particulars, viz : 
 
 Last Tuesday se'night about two hundred and forty 
 men from Connecticut and this Province, under Colonels 
 Allen and Easton, arrived at the Lake near Ticonderoga ; 
 eighty of them crossed it, and came to the Fort about the 
 dawn of day. The sentry was much surprised at seeing 
 such a body of men, and snapped his piece at them ; our 
 men, however, immediately rushed forward, seized and con- 
 fined the sentry, pushed through the covered way, and all 
 got safe upon the parade, while the garrison were sleeping 
 in their beds. They immediately formed a hollow square, 
 and gave three huzzas, which brought out the garrison ; an 
 inconsiderable skirmish with cutlasses or bayonets ensued, 
 in which a small number of the enemy received some 
 wounds. The commanding officer soon came forth ; Col- 
 onel Easton clapped him upon the shoulder, told him he 
 was his prisoner, and demanded, in the name of America, 
 an instant surrender of the Fort, with all its contents, to 
 the American forces. The officer was in great confusion, 
 and expressed himself to this effect : damn you, what — 
 what does all this mean? Colonel Easton again told him 
 that he and his garrison were prisoners. The officer said 
 that he hoped he should be treated with honour. Colonel 
 
625 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 626 
 
 Easton replied he should be treated with much more hon- 
 our than our people had met with from the British Troops. 
 The officer then said, he was all submission, and imme- 
 diately ordered his soldiers to deliver up all the arms, in 
 number about oue hundred stands. As they gave up their 
 arms, the prisoners were secured in the hollow square. 
 
 The American forces having thus providentially got pos- 
 session of this important fortress, found in it upwards of 
 one hundred pieces of cannon, several mortars, and a con- 
 siderable quantity of shot, stores, and some powder. 
 
 After this acquisition, a detachment of our Troops was 
 despatched to take possession of Crown Point, where there 
 is a considerable number of cannon. Another detachment 
 was sent to Skenesborough, where they took Major Skene 
 and his family, with a number of soldiers, and several small 
 pieces of cannon. 
 
 Colonel Easton met several hundred men from the west- 
 ern parts of this Province, on their way to Ticonderoga. 
 They were on the same expedition, not knowing the Fort 
 was taken till they met Colonel Easton. Part of them 
 pursued their march, in order to secure and garrison the 
 Fort. 
 
 The prisoners, to the number of about one hundred, in- 
 cluding negroes, &tc, were brought off by John Brown, 
 Esquire. Colonel Allen was left commander of the Fort. 
 
 The officers and soldiers in this important expedition 
 behaved with the utmost intrepidity and good conduct, and 
 therefore merit the highest applauses of their grateful 
 Country. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee-Chamber, May 17, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, by some misapprehension or mistake of the 
 Seventh Resolve of the late Provincial Convention, sundry 
 Lambs have been lately brought into market and purchased 
 by some of the inhabitants of this City : In order, there- 
 fore, to rectify such mistake, and as much as possible to 
 preserve and promote the breed of Sheep, it is ordered that 
 said Resolve be re-published in all the Newspapers ; and 
 the Committee do earnestly request all persons to discour- 
 age a practice which has so pernicious a tendency to de- 
 prive us of wool, one of the most material and necessary 
 articles of manufacture. 
 
 " Resolved unanimously, That from and after the first 
 day of March next, no person or persons should use in his, 
 her, or their families, (unless in cases of necessity,) and on 
 no account to sell to the butchers, or kill for the market, 
 any Sheep under four years old ; and where there is a ne- 
 cessity for using any mutton in their families, it is recom- 
 mended to them to kill such as are the least profitable to 
 keep." Isaac Melcher, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 An account of the commencement of Hostilities between 
 Great Britain and America, in the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bat; . By the Reverend Mr. William 
 Gordon of Roxrury, in a Letter to a Gentleman in 
 England, dated May 17, 1775. 
 
 My dear Sir : I shall now give you a letter upon pub- 
 lick affairs. This Colony, judging itself possessed of an 
 undoubted right to the chartered privileges which had been 
 granted by our glorious deliverer, King William the Third, 
 and finding that the Continent was roused by the measures 
 and principles of Administration, was determined upon pro- 
 viding the necessary requisites for self-defence, in case there 
 should be an attempt to support the late unconstitutional 
 Acts by the point of the sword, and upon making that 
 resistance which the laws of God and nature justified, and 
 the circumstances of the people would admit, and so to 
 leave it with the righteous Judge of the world to settle the 
 dispute. Accordingly the Provincial Congress, substituted 
 by the inhabitants in lieu of the General Assembly, which 
 could not convene but by the call of the Governour, pre- 
 pared a quantity of stores for the service of an army, 
 whenever the same might be brought into the field. These 
 stores were deposited in various places; many of them at 
 Concord, about twenty miles from Charlestown, which lies 
 on the other side of the river, opposite to Boston, answer- 
 ing to Southwark, but without the advantage of a bridge. 
 It was apprehended by numbers, from the attempt made to 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 surprise some cannon at Salem on the 26th February, that 
 there would be something of the like kind in other places ; 
 and many were uneasy, after the resolutions of the Parlia- 
 ment were known, that any quantity of stores was within 
 so small a distance of Boston, while there was no regular 
 force established for the defence of them. Several were 
 desirous of raising an army instantly upon hearing what 
 had been determined at home; but it was judged best upon 
 the whole not to do it, as that step might be immediately 
 construed to the disadvantage of the Colony by the ene- 
 mies of it, and might not meet with the unanimous appro- 
 bation of the Continental Congress. 
 
 Here I must break off for a few minutes to inform you, 
 by way of episode, that on the 30th of March, the Gov- 
 ernour ordered out about eleven hundred men to parade it 
 for the distance of five miles, to Jamaica Plains, and so 
 round by the way of Dorchester back again ; in perform- 
 ing which military exploit, they did considerable damage 
 to the stone fences, which occasioned a Committee's being 
 formed, and waiting upon the Provincial Congress, then at 
 Concord, on the point of adjourning, which prevented 
 their adjournment, and lengthened out the session till the 
 news of what Parliament had done reached them on April 
 2d, by a vessel from Falmouth, which brought the account 
 before the Governour had received his despatches, so that 
 obnoxious persons took the advantage of withdrawing from 
 Boston, or keeping away, that they might not be caught by 
 the General, were orders for that purpose given him from 
 home, as there is much reason to suppose was the case, 
 from a hint in an intercepted letter of Mr. Mauduii's to 
 Commissioner Hallowell, and from subsequent intelligence. 
 The Tories had been for a long while filling the officers 
 and soldiers with the idea, that the Yankees would not 
 fight, but would certainly run for it, whenever there was 
 the appearance of hostilities on the part of the Regulars. 
 They had repeated the story so often, that they themselves 
 really believed it, and the military were persuaded to think 
 the same in general, so that they held the country people 
 in the utmost contempt. The officers had discovered, espe- 
 cially since the warlike feat of tarring and feathering, a 
 disposition to quarrel, and to provoke the people to begin, 
 that they might have some colour for hostilities. This cast 
 of mind was much increased upon the news of what Par- 
 liament had resolved upon ; the people, however, bore 
 insults patiently, being determined that they would not 
 be the aggressors. 
 
 At length the General was fixed upon sending a detach- 
 ment to Concord, to destroy the stores, having been, I 
 apprehend, worried into it by the native Tories that were 
 about him, and confirmed in his d esign by the opinion of 
 his officers, about ten of whom, on the 18th of April, pass- 
 ed over Charlestotcn Ferry, and by the neck through Rox- 
 bury, armed with swords and pistols, and placed them- 
 selves on different parts of the road in the night to prevent 
 all intelligence, and the country's being alarmed ; they 
 stopped various persons, threatening to blow their brains 
 out, ordering them to dismount, he. The Grenadier and 
 Light-Infantry Companies had been taken off duty some 
 days, under pretence of learning a new exercise, which 
 made the Bostonians jealous ; one and another were con- 
 firmed in their suspicions by what they saw and heard on 
 the 18th, so that expresses were forwarded to alarm the 
 country, some of whom were secured by the officers on 
 the road ; the last had not got out of Town more than 
 about five minutes, ere the order arrived to stop all persons 
 from leaving the Town. An alarm was spread in many 
 places, (to some the number of officers on the road to 
 Concord proved an alarm ;) however, as there had been 
 repeated false ones, the country was at a loss what to 
 judge. On the first of the night, when it was very dark, 
 the detachment, consisting of all the Grenadiers and Light- 
 Infantry, the flower of the army, to the amount of eight 
 hundred or better, officers included, the companies having 
 been filled up, and several of the inimical torified natives, 
 repaired to the boats, and got into them just as the moon 
 rose, crossed the water, landed on Cambridge side, took 
 through a private way to avoid discovery, and therefore 
 had to go through some places up to their thighs in water. 
 They made a quick march of it to Lexington, about thir- 
 teen miles from Charlestown, and got there by half an hour 
 after four. 
 
627 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 
 
 628 
 
 Here I musl pause again, to acquaint you that in the 
 morning of the 19th, before we had breakfasted, between 
 eight and nine, the whole neighbourhood was in alarm ; the 
 Minute-men (so called from their having agreed to turn 
 out at a minute's warning) were collecting together; we 
 had an account that the Regulars had killed six of our 
 men at Lexington; the Country was in an uproar; another 
 detachment was coming out of Boston; and I was desired 
 to take care of myself and partner. I concluded that the 
 Brigade was intended to support the Grenadiers and Light- 
 Infantry, and to cover their retreat, in which I was not 
 mistaken. The Brigade took out two cannon, the detach- 
 ment had none. Having sent oft' my books, which 1 had 
 finished packing up the day before, conjecturing what was 
 coming on from the moment I had heard of the resolutions 
 of Parliament, though I did not expect it till the reinforce- 
 ment arrived, we got into our chaise, and went to Ded- 
 ham. At night we had it confirmed to us, that the Regu- 
 lars had been roughly handled by the Yankees, a term of 
 reproach for the IS ew- En glanders, when applied by the 
 Regulars. The Brigade under Lord Percy marched out, 
 playing, by way of contempt, Yankee Doodle; they were 
 afterwards told, that they had been made to dance to it. 
 
 Soon after the affair, knowing what untruths are propa- 
 gated by each party in matters of this nature, I concluded 
 that I would ride to Concord,, inquire for myself, and not 
 rest upon the depositions that might be taken by others. 
 Accordingly I went the last week. The Provincial Con- 
 gress have taken depositions, which they have forwarded 
 to Great Britain; but the Ministry and pretended friends 
 to Government, will cry them down, as being evidence 
 from party persons and rebels ; the like may be objected 
 against the present account, as it will materially contra- 
 dict what has been published in Boston, though not ex- 
 pressly, yet as it is commonly supposed, by authority ; 
 however, with the impartial world, and those who will not 
 imagine me capable of sacrificing honesty to the old, at 
 present heretical, principles of the Revolution, it may have 
 some weight. 
 
 Before Major Pitcairn arrived at Lexington signal guns 
 had been fired, and the bells had been rung to give the 
 alarm ; but let not the sound of bells lead you to think of 
 a ring of bells like what you hear in England; for they 
 are only small sized bells, (one in a Parish,) just sufficient 
 to notify to the people the time for attending worship, &,c. 
 Lexington being alarmed, the train band or Militia, and 
 the alarm men (consisting of the aged and others exempt- 
 ed from turning out, excepting upon an alarm) repaired in 
 general to the common, close in with the meeting-house, 
 the usual place of parade ; and there were present when 
 the roll was called over about one hundred and thirty of 
 both, as I was told by Mr. Daniel Harrington, clerk to 
 the company ; who further said, that the night being chilly, 
 so as to make it uncomfortable being upon the parade, 
 they having received no certain intelligence of the Regu- 
 lars being upon their march, and being waiting for the 
 same, the men were dismissed, to appear again at the beat 
 of drum. Some who lived near, went home, others to the 
 publick house at the corner of the common. Upon infor- 
 mation being received about half an hour after, that the 
 Troops were not far off", the remains of the company who 
 were at hand collected together, to the amount of about 
 sixty or seventy, by the time the Regulars appeared, but 
 were chiefly in a confused state, only a few of them being 
 drawn up, which accounts for other witnesses making the 
 number less, about thirty. There were present as specta- 
 tors, about forty more, scarce any of whom had arms. The 
 printed accounts tell us, indeed, that they observed about 
 two hundred armed men. Possibly the intelligence they 
 had before received had frightened those that gave the 
 account to the General, so that they saw more than dou- 
 ble. The said account, which has little truth in it, says, 
 " that Major Pitcairn galloping up to the head of the ad- 
 vanced companies, two officers informed him, that a man 
 (advanced from those that were assembled) had presented 
 his musket, and attempted to shoot them, but the piece 
 flashed in the pan." 
 
 The simple truth, I take to be this, which I received 
 from one of the prisoners at Concord in free conversation, 
 one James Marr, a native of Aberdeen, in Scotland, of 
 the Fourth Regiment, who was upon the advanced guard, 
 
 consisting of six, besides a sergeant and corporal : They 
 were met by three men on horseback before they got to 
 the meeting-house a good way ; an officer bid them stop ; 
 to which it was answered, you had better turn back, for 
 you shall not enter the Town ; when the said three per- 
 sons rode back again, and at some distance one of them 
 offered to fire, but the piece flashed in the pan without 
 going off. I asked Marr whether he could tell if the 
 piece was designed at the soldiers, or to give an alarm ? 
 He could not say which. The said Marr further declared, 
 that when they and the others were advanced, Major Pit- 
 cairn said to the Lexington Company, (which, by the by, 
 was the only one there,) stop, you rebels ! and he supposed 
 that the design was to take away their arms; but upon 
 seeing the Regulars they dispersed, and a firing commen- 
 ced, but who fired first he could not say. The said Marr, 
 together with Evan Davies of the Twenty-Third, George 
 Cooper of the Twenty-Third, and William McDonald of 
 the Thirty-Eighth, respectively assured me in each other's 
 presence, that being in the room where John Batcman, of 
 the Fifty-Second, was, (he was in an adjoining room, too 
 ill to admit of my conversing with him,) they heard the 
 said Bateman say, that the Regulars fired first, and saw 
 him go through the solemnity of confirming the same by 
 an oath on the bible. 
 
 Samuel Lee, a private in the Eighteenth Regiment, 
 Royal Irish, acquainted me, that it was the talk among 
 the soldiers that Major Pitcairn fired his pistol, then drew 
 his sword, and ordered them to fire; which agrees with 
 what Levi Harrington, a youth of fourteen last Novem- 
 ber, told me, that being upon the common, and hearing the 
 Regulars were coming up, he went to the meeting-house, 
 and saw them down in the road, on which he returned to 
 the Lexington Company ; that a person on horseback rode 
 round the meeting, and came towards the company that 
 way, said something loud, but could not tell what, rode a 
 little further, then stopped and fired a pistol, which was 
 the first report he heard, then another on horseback fired 
 his pistol ; then three or four Regulars fired their guns ; 
 upon which, hearing the bullets whistle, he ran off, and 
 saw no more of the affair. 
 
 Mr. Paid Revere, who was sent express, was taken and 
 detained some time by the officers, being afterwards upon 
 the spot, and finding the Regulars at hand, passed through 
 the Lexington Company with another, having between 
 them a box of papers belonging to Mr. Hancock, and 
 went down a cross road, till there was a house so between 
 him and the company as that he could not see the latter; 
 he told me likewise, that he had not got half a gun-shot 
 from them before the Regulars appeared ; that they halted 
 about three seconds; that upon hearing the report of a 
 pistol or gun, he looked round, and saw the smoke in front 
 of the Regulars, our people being out of view because of 
 the house; then the Regulars huzzaed and fired, first two 
 more guns, then the advanced guard, and so the whole 
 body. The bullets flying thick about him, and he having 
 nothing to defend himself with, ran into a wood, where he 
 halted, and heard the firing for about a quarter of an hour. 
 
 James Brown, one of the Lexington Militia, informed 
 me, that he was upon the common ; that two pistols were 
 fired from the party of the soldiers towards the Militia- 
 men as they were getting over the wall to be out of the 
 way, and that immediately upon it the soldiers began to 
 (ire their guns ; that being got over the wall, and seeing 
 the soldiers fire pretty freely, he fired upon them, and 
 some others did the same. 
 
 Simon Winship of Lexington, declared, that being upon 
 the road about four o'clock, two miles and an half on this 
 side of the meeting-house, he was stopped by the Regu- 
 lars, and commanded by some of the officers to dismount, 
 or he was a dead man ; that he was obliged to march with 
 the said Troops until he came within about half a quarter 
 of a mile of the said meeting-house, when an officer 
 commanded the Troops to halt, and then to prime and 
 load ; which being done, the Troops marched on till they 
 came within a few rods of Captain Parker's Lexington 
 Company, who were partly collected on the place of pa- 
 rade, when said IVinship observed an officer at the head 
 of said Troops flourishing his sword round his head in the 
 air, and with a loud voice giving the word fire ; the said 
 H'inshij} is positive that there was no discharge of anus 
 
629 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 630 
 
 on either side, until the word fire was given by the said 
 officer as above. 
 
 I shall not trouble you with more particulars, but give 
 you the substance as it lies in my own mind, collected 
 from the persons whom I examined for my own satisfac- 
 tion. The Lexington Company upon seeing the Troops, 
 and being of themselves so unequal a match for them, 
 were deliberating for a few moments what they should do, 
 when several dispersing of their own heads, the Captain 
 soon ordered the rest to disperse for their own safety. 
 Before the order was given, three or four of the regular 
 officers, seeing the company as they came up on the 
 rising ground on this side the meeting, rode forward one 
 or more, round the meeting-house, leaving it on the right 
 hand, and so came upon them that way ; upon coming up 
 one cried out, " you damned rebels, lay down your arms ;" 
 another, " stop, you rebels ;" a third, " disperse, you rebels," 
 &.c. Major Pitcairn, I suppose, thinking himself justified 
 by Parliamentary authority to consider them as rebels, per- 
 ceiving that they did not actually lay down their arms, 
 observing that the generality were getting off, while a few 
 continued in their military position, and apprehending there 
 could be no great hurt in killing a few such Yankees, which 
 might probably, according to the notions that had been 
 instilled into him by the tory party, of the Americans 
 being poltrons, end all the contest, gave the command to 
 fire, then fired his own pistol, and so set the whole affair 
 agoing. The printed account says very different; but what- 
 ever the General may have sent home in support of that 
 account, the publick have nothing but bare assertions, and 
 I have such valid evidence of the falsehood of several 
 matters therein contained, that with me it has very little 
 weight. The same account tells us, that several shots 
 were fired from a meeting-house on the left, of which I 
 heard not a single syllable, either from the prisoners or 
 others, and the mention of which it would have been 
 almost impossible to have avoided, had it been so, by one 
 or another among the numbers with whom 1 freely and 
 familiarly conversed. There is a curious note at the bot- 
 tom of the account, telling us, that notwithstanding the fire 
 from the meeting-house, Colonel Smith and Major Pit- 
 cairn, with the greatest difficulty kept the soldiers from 
 forcing into the meeting-house, and putting all those in it 
 to death. Would you not suppose that there was a great 
 number in the meeting-house, while the Regulars were 
 upon the common on the right of it, between that and the 
 Lexington Company ? Without doubt. And who do you 
 imagine they were ? One Joshua Simonds, who happened 
 to be getting powder there as the Troops arrived; besides 
 whom, 1 believe there were not two, if so much as one ; 
 for by reason of the position of the meeting-house, none 
 would have remained in it through choice but fools and 
 madmen. However, if Colonel Smith and Major Pit- 
 cairns humanity prevented the soldiers putting all those 
 persons to death, their military skill should certainly have 
 made some of them prisoners, and the account should have 
 given us their names. To what I have wrote respecting 
 Major Pitcairn, I am sensible his general character may 
 be objected. But character must not be allowed to over- 
 throw positive evidence when good, and the conclusions 
 fairly deduced therefrom. Besides, since hearing from 
 Mr. Jones in what shameful abusive manner, with oaths 
 and curses, he was treated by the Major at Concord, for 
 shutting the doors of his tavern against him and the Troops ; 
 and in order to terrify him to make discoveries of stores ; 
 and the manner in which the Major crowed over the two 
 four-and- twenty pounders found in the yard, as a mighty 
 acquisition, worthy the expedition on which the detach- 
 ment was employed, I have no such great opinion of the 
 Major's character ; though, when he found that nothing 
 could be done of any great importance by bullying, blus- 
 tering, and threatening, he could alter his tone, begin to 
 coax, and offer a reward. It may be said this Jones was a 
 jailer; yes, and such a jailer as I would give credit to, 
 sooner than the generality of those officers that will degrade 
 the British arms, by employing their swords in taking away 
 the rights of a free people, when they ought to be devoted 
 to a good cause only. There were killed at Lexington 
 eight persons — one Parker of the same name with the 
 Captain of the company, and two or three more, on the 
 common ; the rest on the other side of the walls and 
 
 fences while dispersing. The soldiers fired at persons who 
 had no arms. Eight hundred of the best British Troops 
 in America having thus nobly vanquished a company of 
 non-resisting Yankees while dispersing, and slaughtering a 
 few of them by way of experiment, marched forward in 
 the greatness of their might to Concord. The Concord 
 people had received the alarm, and had drawn themselves 
 up in order for defence; upon a messenger's coming and 
 telling them that the Regulars were three times their num- 
 ber, they prudently changed their situation, determining to 
 wait for reinforcements from the neighbouring Towns, 
 which were now alarmed ; but as to the vast numbers of 
 armed people seen assembling on all the heights, as related 
 in the account, 'tis mostly fiction. The Concord Company 
 retired over the north bridge, and when strengthened re- 
 turned to it, with a view of dislodging Captain Laurie, 
 and securing it for themselves. They knew not what had 
 happened at Lexington, and therefore orders were given 
 by the commander not to give the first fire. They boldly 
 marched towards it, though not in great numbers, (as told 
 in the account,) and were fired upon by the Regulars, by 
 which fire a Captain belonging to Acton was killed, and I 
 think a private. The Reverend Mr. Emerson of Concord, 
 living in the neighbourhood of the bridge, who gave me 
 the account, went near enough to see it, and was nearer the 
 Regulars than the killed. He was very uneasy till he 
 found that the fire was returned, and continued till the Reg- 
 ulars were drove oft". Lieutenant Gould, who was at the 
 bridge, and was wounded and taken prisoner, has deposed 
 that their Regulars gave the first fire there, though the 
 printed narrative asserts the contrary ; and the soldiers 
 that knew any thing of the matter, with whom I conversed, 
 made no scruple of owning the same that Mr. Gould de- 
 posed. 
 
 After the engagement began, the whole detachment col- 
 lected together as fast as it could. The narrative tells us, 
 that as Captain Parsons returned with his three companies 
 over the bridge, they observed three soldiers on the ground, 
 one of them scalped, his head much mangled, and his ears 
 cut off, though not quite dead ; all this is not fiction, 
 though the most is. The Reverend Mr. Emerson in- 
 formed me how the matter was, with great concern for its 
 having happened. A young fellow coming over the bridge 
 in order to join the country people, and seeing the soldier 
 wounded and attempting to get up, not being under the 
 feelings of humanity, very barbarously broke his skull, and 
 let out his brains with a small axe, (apprehend of the toma- 
 hawk kind,) but as to his being scalped and having his ears 
 cut off, there was nothing in it. The poor object lived an 
 hour or two before he expired. The detachment, when 
 joined by Captain Parsons, made a hasty retreat, finding 
 by woful experience that the Yankees would fight, and 
 that their numbers would be continually increasing. The 
 Regulars were pushed with vigour by the country people, 
 who took the advantage of walls, fences, &c, but those 
 that could get up to engage were not upon equal terms 
 with the Regulars in point of number any part of the day, 
 though the country was collecting together from all quar- 
 ters, and had there been two hours more for it, would pro- 
 bably have cut off both detachment and Brigade, or made 
 them prisoners. The soldiers being obliged to retreat with 
 haste to Lexington, had no time to do any considerable 
 mischief. But a little on this side Lexington Meeting- 
 House where they were met by the Brigade, with cannon, 
 under Lord Percy, the scene changed. The inhabitants 
 had quitted their houses in general upon the road, leaving 
 almost every thing behind them, and thinking themselves 
 well off in escaping with their lives. The soldiers burnt 
 in Lexington three houses, one barn, and two shops, one 
 of which joined to the house, and a mill-house adjoining 
 to the barn ; other houses and buildings were attempted to 
 be burnt, and narrowly escaped. You would have been 
 shocked at the destruction which has been made by the 
 Regulars, as they are miscalled, had you been present with 
 me to have beheld it. Many houses were plundered of 
 every thing valuable that could be taken away, and what 
 could not be carried off was destroyed ; looking-glasses, 
 pots, pans, &c, were broke all to pieces; doors when not 
 fastened, sashes and windows wantonly damaged and de- 
 stroyed. The people say that the soldiers are worse than 
 the Indians ; in short, they have given the Country such 
 
631 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1773. 
 
 632 
 
 an early specimen of their brutality as will make the inha- 
 bitants dread submission to the power of the British Min- 
 istry, and determine them to fight desperately rather than 
 have such cruel masters to lord it over them. The Troops 
 at length reached Charlestown, where there was no attack- 
 ing them with safety to the Town, and that night and the 
 next day crossed over in boats to Boston, where they con- 
 tinue to be shut up; for the people poured down in so 
 amazing a manner from all parts, for scores of miles round, 
 (even the grey-headed came to assist their countrymen,) 
 the General was obliged to set about further fortifying the 
 Town immediately at all points and places. 
 
 The proceedings of April 19th have united the Colony 
 and Continent, and brought in Neic-York to act as vigor- 
 ously as any other place whatsoever ; and has raised an 
 army in an instant, which are lodged in the several houses 
 of the Towns round Boston till their tents are finished, 
 which will be soon. All that is attended to, besides plough- 
 ing and planting, &ic, is making ready for fighting. The 
 non-importations and non-exportations will now take place 
 from necessity, and traffick give place to war. 
 
 We have a fine spring, prospects of great plenty ; there 
 was scarce ever known such a good fall of lambs ; we are 
 in no danger of starving through the cruel acts against the 
 New-England Governments ; and the men who had been 
 used to the fishery, (a hardy generation of people,) Lord 
 North has undesignedly kept in the Country to give strength 
 to our military operations, and to assist as occasion may 
 require : thanks to a superiour wisdom for his blunders. 
 The General is expecting reinforcements, but few have 
 arrived as yet; the winds, contrary to the common run at 
 this season, instead of being easterly, have been mostly the 
 reverse. When the reinforcement arrives, and is recovered 
 of the voyage, the General will be obliged in honour to 
 attempt dislodging the people, and penetrating into the 
 country : both soldiers and inhabitants are in want of fresh 
 provisions, and will be like to suffer much, should the Pro- 
 vincial Army be able to keep the Town shut up on all 
 sides, excepting by water, as at present. 
 
 The General engaged with the Selectmen of Boston, 
 that if the Town's people would deliver up their arms into 
 their custody, those that chose it should be allowed to go 
 out with their effects. The townsmen complied, and the 
 General forfeited his word, for which there will be an after 
 reckoning, should they ever have it in their power to call 
 him to an account. A few have been allowed to come out 
 with many of their effects ; numbers are not permitted to 
 come out, and the chief of those who have been, have been 
 obliged to leave their merchandise and goods (linen and 
 household stuff, cash and plate excepted) behind them. 
 You must look back to the origin of the United Provinces, 
 that you may have an idea of the resolution of this people. 
 May the present struggle end as happily in favour of Ame- 
 rican liberty, without proving the destruction of Great 
 Britain. We are upon a second edition of King Charles 
 the First's reign, enlarged. May the dispute be adjusted 
 before the times are too tragical to admit of it. Both offi- 
 cers and privates have altered their opinion of the Yankees 
 very much since the 18th of April. 
 
 The detachment while at Concord disabled two twenty- 
 four-pounders, destroyed their two carriages and seven 
 wheels for the same, with their limbers ; sixteen wheels for 
 brass three-pounders, and two carriages, with limber and 
 wheels for two four-pounders ; five hundred pounds of ball 
 thrown into the river, wells, and other places ; and broke 
 in pieces about sixty barrels of flour, half of which was 
 saved. Cannot be certain of the number that were killed. 
 Apprehend, upon the whole, the Regulars had more than 
 one hundred killed, and one hundred and fifty wounded, 
 besides about fifty taken prisoners. The country people 
 had about forty killed, seven or eight taken prisoners, and 
 a few wounded. 
 
 N. B. I never saw the printed account till Monday, so 
 that I was not directed by it in any of my inquiries when 
 at Lexington and Concord. The General, I am persuaded, 
 gave positive orders to the detachment not to fire first, or I 
 am wholly mistaken in my opinion of him. The prison- 
 ers at Worcester, Concord, and Lexington, all agreed in 
 their being exceedingly well used. "The policy of the 
 people would determine them thereto, if their humanity 
 did not. 
 
 Worcester, May 17, 1775. 
 A great number of that arch traitor Hutchinson's letters 
 have lately fell into the hands of our people. By them 
 is discovered the diabolical plans that have been laid to 
 enslave this Country, and show to the world what an inde- 
 fatigable slave he has been to his masters the Ministry, and 
 their grand master the Devil. These letters will, undoubt- 
 edly, be soon made publick. A correspondent at Roxbury 
 has favoured us with the following extract from one of them, 
 to General CI age, then at New- York : 
 
 «• Boston, July 23, 1771. 
 
 "Sir: I have the honour of your letter of the 15th. 
 Yesterday a vessel arrived, which left London on the 24th 
 of May. I have letters to the 22d. Parliament rose the 
 9th, and nothing done as to America. I send you a pas- 
 sage of a letter from Sir Francis Bernard. 1 have the 
 honour to be, very respectfully, &c. 
 
 " Sir: It appears to me to be a matter of great impor- 
 tance to His Majesty's general service, and to the real in- 
 terest of the Colony, that the discord beginning between 
 New-York and us should be encouraged. I wrote some 
 time ago to Mr. Colden upon this subject, but he rather 
 declined concerning himself in it. There is certainly a 
 strong aversion, which nothing but the confederacy against 
 Great Britain could have conquered. This has too much 
 the appearance of Machiavelian policy ; but it is justifi- 
 able, as it has the most obvious tendency to save the Col- 
 onies from ruining themselves, as well as distressing the 
 Mother Country. If Pennsylvania could be brought to 
 take part with New-York, I think the business would be 
 done. I must beg the favour of you not to suffer this letter 
 to come under any other than your own observation. I 
 have the honour to be," &£C. &.c. 
 
 NORTH BOROUGH COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE TO 
 GENERAL WARD. 
 
 Northborough, May 17, 1775. 
 Sir: We, the Committee of Correspondence for the 
 Town of Northborough, have taken into our custody Mr. 
 Ebenezer Cutler, late of Groton, but now of this Town, 
 who, from his conduct, appears to us to be an avowed ene- 
 my to his Country. He has set at naught and despised all 
 the Resolutions, &,c. of the Continental and Provincial 
 Congresses, and also utterly refuses to act in any defence 
 of his now perishing Country whatever ; and as he has, from 
 his past conduct, ever since we have been struggling for the 
 liberties of our Country, appeared in the eyes of the pub- 
 lick to be aiding and abetting in defeating the plans of the 
 good people of this Province, and has been riding from 
 one part of this Province to the other, and, in our opinion, 
 for no good design, we think it highly necessary to send 
 him to the Council of War, to know whether he may (as 
 he deserves) have a pass to go into Boston. We also 
 enclose the substance of two evidences concerning said 
 Cutler. By order of the Committee of Correspondence : 
 
 Gillam Bass, Clerk. 
 
 To the Hon. General Artemas Ward, Esq., or Council of 
 War now sitting at Cambridge. 
 
 N. B. General Ward, we apprehend, is well acquainted 
 with the character and conduct of said Cutler. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Portsmouth, May 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir : A brig from Biddeford, in England, arrived this 
 day, the master of which has just been with the Commit- 
 tee, and acquaints them that his orders are to take on board 
 six masts, of about sixteen inches diameter. 
 
 We are informed that the ship lately built at Casco Bay, 
 which arrived in the harbour this morning, is come with 
 the intention to load masts, which are now ready for her. 
 The opinion of the Congress touching the propriety of 
 shipping the masts, is desired as soon as may be. 
 
 We have heard that part of the Troops from England 
 arrived yesterday at Boston. I am, by order of the Com- 
 mittee, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 H. Wentworth, Chairman. 
 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress, at Exeter. 
 
633 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 634 
 
 NEWCASTLE (DELAWARE) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Newcastle, on Delaware, ss : 
 
 Whereas, the Committee chosen in the several Hun- 
 dreds of the County of Newcastle, did, at their meeting on 
 the third day of May instant, take " into consideration the 
 present distressed and defenceless situation of the inhabit- 
 ants of this County, and the unhappy circumstances of 
 their brethren in the other Colonies ;" and did therefore 
 " resolve unanimously, that a sum of Money be imme- 
 diately raised for establishing a fund for procuring and pro- 
 viding the necessary means for our and their protection and 
 support ;" and further, " that the sum of one shilling and 
 six pence in the Pound, be collected from each taxable in- 
 habitant in the County, according to the County rate", as 
 well estates as those resident, for the purposes aforesaid," 
 to be collected by the members of the said Committee : 
 
 And whereas the said Committee have found a difficulty 
 in collecting the said Money: We, the subscribers, Jus- 
 tices of the Peace and Grand Jurymen for the County 
 aforesaid, do hereby engage, under the solemn ties of vir- 
 tue, honour, and love of our Country, that, in order to 
 remedy the inconvenience which the Committee aforesaid 
 have met with in the collection of the said Money, we and 
 each of us will, at the Levy Court next to be held for this 
 County, vote for, and to the utmost of our power promote 
 the laying a Tax of one shilling and six pence in the 
 Pound, upon the " taxables, as well estates as those resi- 
 sident," in this County, for the purposes aforesaid, in addi- 
 tion to the tax which may be necessary for the current 
 expenses of the County ; out of which additional tax all 
 sums of money already, or which may hereafter be paid in 
 compliance with the said Resolves of the Committee, are 
 to be deducted, and credit given for them to the persons 
 who have paid or may pay the same, respectively. 
 Wilness our hands, this 18th day of May, 1775. 
 George Monroe, John Jones, 
 Morton Morton, John Evans, 
 William Hemphill, Thomas Cooch, 
 Thomas Kean, David Finney, 
 
 George Evans, James Latimer, 
 
 William Anderson, R. Cantwell, 
 John James, John Malcolm, 
 
 Robert Kirkwood, George Craghead, 
 David Howell, John Stapler, 
 
 John Hyatt, William Patterson, 
 
 John Taylor, Samuel Patterson, 
 
 William Read, Thomas McKim, 
 
 William Clark, Grand Jurymen. 
 
 John McKinley, Chairman. 
 
 It being found quite impracticable to raise the sums of 
 money that were necessary for the purposes aforemention- 
 ed, in so short a time as the urgency required, in the usual 
 legal ways, therefore the Committee were obliged to adopt 
 the aforegoing method, as appearing the most speedy, ef- 
 fectual, and equitable manner of raising the same ; and it 
 is hoped that all lovers of their Country will readily pay 
 their several quotas to the Committee-men of their respec- 
 tive Hundreds, who have undertaken to collect the same 
 without any fees or commissions, as the money is imme- 
 diately wanted. 
 
 Each of the Committee of Correspondence are required 
 to be diligent in collecting, as speedily as possible, what 
 money has been subscribed and not paid towards the relief 
 of our suffering brethren at Boston, and to apply to such 
 as have not before contributed to their support, as their 
 situation is at present most deplorable. 
 
 few minutes for their affairs, which is truly a business of 
 the last consequence to them, threatening them with no 
 less than absolute ruin. 
 
 We have an account that Lord Dunmore has been 
 obliged to abandon his Government ; it is the only piece 
 of good news has reached us since the disputes with Great 
 Britain took so serious a turn; but I doubt the truth of it. 
 
 The Pittsburgh Court is now sitting ; whether they do 
 business or not, 1 have not heard. The proposition for the 
 relief of Cavet and Hanna, though I believe it practicable 
 enough, I would do nothing in without the Governour's 
 concurrence, as it might be attended with serious conse- 
 quences. 
 
 Yesterday we had a County meeting, and have come to 
 resolutions to arm and discipline, and have formed an As- 
 sociation, which 1 suppose you will soon see in the papers. 
 God grant an end may be speedily put to any necessity for 
 such proceedings. I doubt their utility, and am almost as 
 much afraid of success in this contest, as of being van- 
 quished. 1 am, with much respect, dear Sir, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Ar. St. Clair. 
 Joseph Shippen, Junior, Philadelphia. 
 
 ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO JOSEPH SHIPPEN, JUN. 
 
 Ligonier, May 18, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: I yesterday received the enclosed letter from 
 Mr. Cavet, with the contents of which I request you will 
 make the Governour acquainted. You see Hanna and he 
 are very uneasy, which is really not to be wondered at, as 
 they have been now upwards of three months in confine- 
 ment, for paying obedience to his Honour's Proclamation, 
 and have not had a single line from any person about Gov- 
 ernment, or any directions how to conduct themselves. 
 The Governour in these times must be occupied by objects 
 of much greater magnitude ; but I wish he could spare a 
 
 NEWARK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the General Committee of Association 
 for the Township of Newark, in New-Jersey, on Thurs- 
 day, the 18th day of May, 1775: 
 
 The Committee taking into consideration the Resolu- 
 tions of the Committees of Netv- York and other Prov- 
 inces, relative to the suspension of all exportation to Qjit- 
 beck, Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and Newfoundland, or any 
 part of the Fishing Coasts and Fishing Islands ; and highly 
 approving the same, do resolve that it be recommended to 
 the gentlemen Traders of this Town, that they stop all ex- 
 portations to the said places ; and also to our constituents 
 in general, that they do not supply any person whatsoever 
 with any kind of Exports, which they have reason to be- 
 lieve are designed for either of those places, nor any of the 
 King's ships or boats with provisions clandestinely ; nor in 
 any manner whatsoever that may counteract any Resolu- 
 tions that have been made by the Committee of Neic- 
 York. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Lewis Ogden, Chairman. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO DELEGATES FROM NEWARK IN CONGRESS 
 OF NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 At a meeting of the General Committee of Association 
 held at Newark, the 18th day of May, 1775: 
 
 The following Instructions to Isaac Ogden and Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, Esquires, Messrs. Bethuel Pierson and Ca- 
 leb Camp, the Deputies elected to represent said Town in 
 Provincial Congress, were unanimously agreed on : 
 
 Gentlemen : The great, the important crisis which will 
 determine the fate of America, seems hastily approaching ; 
 a crisis in which not only you, the fond wives of your 
 bosoms, the infants of your tenderest solicitude ; but mil- 
 lions of your posterity yet unborn, and every thing that is 
 near and dear to you, worthy your wish, or meriting your 
 care, are deeply interested ; a crisis which will decide 
 whether this Continent shall be governed by the unlimited 
 will of a Senate in which it has no voice ; by a power 
 without the right, over which it can have no influence or 
 control ; whether it shall be forever bound in wretched, 
 relentless chains of slavery, or whether the glorious sun of 
 constitutional liberty shall still enlighten this horizon, and 
 permanently shine, unclouded with the tainted breath of 
 despotism. 
 
 To you, gentlemen, is delegated by the inhabitants of 
 this Town one of the most important trusts in their power, 
 which nothing less than tyrant necessity could have urged 
 them to grant, or you to accept ; a necessity which, with 
 hearts glowing with affection, overflowing with loyalty to 
 our Sovereign, we unfeignedly lament. 
 
 We need not, we mean not, gentlemen, to wish you ad- 
 ditional firmness in the common cause ; your being chosen 
 to this trust sufficiently approves your principles and steady 
 regard to the duties, the great interests of your delegation ; 
 nor need we advise that you carry with you that spirit of 
 
635 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 636 
 
 harmony, that firmness with moderation, which we are 
 happy to say animates this part of the Province ; and as 
 we have the pleasure and reason to expect that the interests 
 of the general weal, on constitutional ground, will he the 
 constant line of your conduct ; that you will keep this goal 
 steadily in view ; so wc do not wish to bind you with an 
 embarrassing chain of restrictions, much less do we pre- 
 sume to dictate measures to the Provincial Congress ; but 
 shall only lay before you some outlines of a plan which we 
 desire you to propose to the wisdom of that Convention. 
 
 Money has been aptly called the sinews of war ; so may 
 it also the anima that enlivens, that braces and gives firm- 
 ness to the nerves of our Constitution. In the alarming 
 exigency rising before us, there will probably be occasion 
 for a publick fund ; and we could wish, as the whole Prov- 
 ince is equally interested, that the burden should be also 
 equal. We conceive, when the necessary sum is fixed by 
 the Congress, that the present Quota Bill, by which the 
 proportion of taxes in the several Counties for the support 
 of Government, he, has been ascertained, will be a just 
 scale to regulate the present occasion ; and perhaps the 
 Assessors and Collectors in the several Townships may, in 
 general, be proper persons to conduct the like business, 
 leaving it in the option of such Towns as may incline to 
 make a special choice of new officers for this purpose. 
 
 We consider it advisable that a certain number of men 
 be immediately raised, disciplined, well accoutred with 
 arms and ammunition, and prepared in every respect for an 
 instant service. 
 
 That as men who go volunteers will be most likely to 
 be hearty in the service, and the disagreeable measure of 
 draughting from the Militia may thereby be prevented, a 
 roll be opened in every Town where it can be advanta- 
 geously, for the enlistment of Volunteers, to be prepared 
 as above-mentioned, for every emergency ; that the Con- 
 gress appoint the commandant and all the field-officers, and 
 that the General Committees of those Towns where any 
 company or companies shall be raised, have the appoint- 
 ment of the Captains and subalterns; that one or more 
 proper persons be empowered by the Congress to sign and 
 affix a pioper seal to the commissions, agreeable to such 
 appointment ; that the Volunteers, on their enlistment, sub- 
 scribe certain articles, to oblige themselves, under certain 
 penalties, (to be ascertained by the Congress, similar to 
 the Mutiny Bill, if thought proper,) to be obedient to their 
 officers, and to prevent desertion ; that proper persons be 
 appointed for a Treasurer of said fund, and for a Paymas- 
 ter-General, giving the necessary security, he ; that the 
 pay for the officers and men be fixed by the Congress ; 
 and that the said Volunteers, from the day of their enlist- 
 ment, be in discipline at least so much time as may amount 
 to one day in a week ; and also such further time, not ex- 
 ceeding days in the whole, per week, as shall be 
 
 judged expedient by the said General Committees; that 
 sufficient arms and ammunition for such Volunteers as are 
 unable to furnish themselves therewith, and provisions for 
 emergent occasions, be provided ; and that every Volunteer 
 entrusted with the arms, he, belonging to the Province, 
 be obligated to return them to the Commanding Officer, 
 when called for, except such as may be lost in the service, 
 &.c. ; that magazines of powder and other necessary mili- 
 tary stores be formed in such parts of the Province as shall 
 be judged most advantageous for emergencies ; that Com- 
 missioners be appointed to direct and regulate any contin- 
 gent business which cannot be ascertained with precision by 
 the Congress ; that Muster-Masters be appointed to review 
 the companies, and to take care that none but able-bodied 
 men be continued on the rolls ; nor any apprentice or servant 
 enlisted, without his master's consent in writing ; that a pro- 
 per number of field-pieces be provided, and one or more 
 Artillery Companies raised and disciplined. As exigencies 
 may happen which may require a greater force than the num- 
 ber of Volunteers to be raised as aforesaid, that the Congress 
 recommend it to the Militia Captains throughout the Prov- 
 ince to procure such persons as are capable of teaching 
 military discipline, to be paid out of the publick fund ; and 
 
 that their men be exercised at least times per week ; 
 
 that it be recommended by the Congress to the several 
 Towns or Counties throughout the Province, who have not 
 already done it, to appoint General Committees to enter 
 into and subscribe an Association of similar import to that 
 
 adopted by this County. We are, gentlemen, your hum- 
 ble servants. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Lewis Ogden, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met Thursday, the 18th of May, 1775. 
 Present : 
 
 Isaac Low, Victor Bicker, Cornelius Clopper, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, John White, John Reade, 
 
 Alex. McDougall, Theophilus Anthony, John Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Thomas Randall, William Goforth, Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 
 Leonard Lispenard, Comfort Sands, Peter Goclet, 
 
 William Walton, Robert Benson, Thomas Marston, 
 
 John Broome, William W. Gilbert, Jacobus Lefferts, 
 
 Joseph Hallett, John Berrian, Richard Sharpe, 
 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, Gabriel W. Ludlow, Hamilton Young, 
 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, Edward Fleming, Abram. BrinkerhofF, 
 
 Nicholas Hoffman, John De Lancey, Benjamin Holme, 
 
 Abraham Walton, Frederick Jay, Walter Franklin, 
 
 Peter Van Schaack, William W. Ludlow, Evert Banker, 
 
 Henry Remsen, John B. Moore, Robert Ray, 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius, John Lasher, Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Abraham Brasher, George Janeway, William Laight, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, Jamus Beekraan, John Lamb, 
 
 Abraham Duryee, Samuel Verplanck, Anthony Van Dam, 
 
 Joseph Totten, Richard Yates, Daniel Dunscomb, 
 
 Thomas Ivers, Augustus Van Home, John Imlay, 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, Gcrret Kettletas, Oliver Templcton, 
 
 John Anthony, Benjamin Kissam, Thomas Buchannan. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel JValton, Colonel Tjispenard . 
 Colonel Beelcman, Major Van Dam, Mr. Brasher, Mr. 
 Lasher, Mr. Fleming, and Mr. Curtenius, be a Committee 
 for instituting a Military Night Watch in this City, to con- 
 sist of forty men, each with an officer to command them, 
 and that they report the mode to this Committee with all 
 convenient speed. 
 
 Ordered, That the following Letter be immediately 
 despatched to his Honour the Governour of Cormecticut, 
 to wit : 
 
 New-York, May 18, 1775. 
 Sir : As we have great reason to expect the arrival of 
 Troops from Britain, to be quartered in this Province, we 
 thought it a necessary piece of precaution to ask of the Con- 
 tinental Congress a line of conduct for our inhabitants on that 
 event. We have received their directions on that head, as 
 appears by the enclosed. We have also been informed that 
 our brethren of Connecticut, attentive to the common cause, 
 and kindly tendering the safety of this City in its present 
 defenceless state, are upon the point of marching a con- 
 siderable body of Troops into it with intent to assist us in 
 securing it against any attempt to reduce it to the condition 
 of a garrison-town or place of arms. We have on this head 
 to request your Honour, should those Troops be about to 
 march, to direct their encampment on the Western fron- 
 tiers of your Colony, if your Honour should think it expe- 
 dient they should proceed so far, until some plan can be 
 properly settled with our Provincial Congress, who are to 
 meet on the 22d instant, so as to place their introduction, 
 if necessary, on such a basis as will produce perfect con- 
 cord and unanimity, and most effectually answer the valu- 
 able ends of so friendly a succour. 
 
 To His Honour Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire. 
 Directions for a Military Watch in the City of New- 
 
 YoRK. 
 
 First. That a guard be mounted every evening at eight 
 o'clock, at the City-Hall, consisting of not less than fortv 
 men properly officered. 
 
 Second. That detachments be made from the said guard 
 to patrole the streets every two hours, under the command 
 of a non-commissioned officer, accompanied by a constable 
 or other civil officer, who may be directed by a Magistrate 
 to attend from nine o'clock in the evening until five o'clock 
 in the morning. 
 
 Third. That they pay particular attention that no Pro- 
 visions be exported from this City; and if any persons are 
 discovered exporting Provisions contrary to the Resolves 
 of this Committee, to take particular notice of them, and 
 endeavour, by persuasion and other peaceable methods, to 
 prevent it, and that they make a report thereof. 
 
 Fourth. That the patroles do not challenge persons, 
 boats, he, but watch their motions, if suspected, and by 
 all means endeavour to prevent outrage on person or pro- 
 perty, and report the perpetrators. 
 
637 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 638 
 
 Fifth. That no unnecessary and wanton alarm be given 
 to our fellow-citizens, either by filing of guns, beating of 
 drums, or otherwise, in the night, but that all their opera- 
 tions be conducted with that manly prudence and discre- 
 tion becoming citizens zealous to support their freedom 
 without tumult and disorder. 
 
 Sixth. That the commanding officer of the guard dis- 
 miss his guard at five o'clock in the morning, and report in 
 writing by ten o'clock, to the Chairman, Deputy, or Chair- 
 man pro tempore, all extraordinary occurrences which may 
 have happened during the time of his being on duty, signed 
 by himself. Abm. Brasher, Edward Fleming, 
 
 John Lasher, Alex. McDougall. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Committee, 19th of May 
 1775: 
 
 The Chairman produced a Letter delivered him by his 
 Worship the Mayor, in answer to a Resolution of yester- 
 day, requesting him to furnish Captain Montague with a 
 copy of Charles Murray's Affidavit. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Van Schaack, 
 Mr. Hclme, Mr. Jones, Mr. Ritzma, Mr. Murray, and Mr. 
 Smith, be a Committee to inquire into the merits of Cap- 
 tain Montague's plea for having seized the Powder, &c, 
 on board of Captain Murray's Vessel, and report their 
 opinion thereon to the Committee at their next meeting. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, May 20, 1775. Present 
 forty-six Members. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Van Dam, Mr. Burling, Mr. Tot- 
 ten, and Mr. Laight, be a Committee to form an estimate 
 of what Stores may be necessary to forward to Albany. 
 
 Mr. Charles McEvers exhibited a complaint in writing 
 against Mr. John Anderson. 
 
 A Letter from the Continental Congress, dated May 
 18, 1775, enclosing a Resolve of that Board, was received 
 and read. 
 
 Mr. McDougall reported the draft of a Letter to the 
 Committee at Albany, which being approved of, 
 Ordered, That the same be forwarded. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF PALATINE DISTRICT, TRYON COUNTY, NEW- 
 YORK, TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 May 18, 1775. 
 
 We are so peculiarly circumstanced in this County, re- 
 lating to the present struggle for American liberty, that we 
 cannot longer defer laying the situation of this County 
 before you. The District we represent has been foremost 
 in avowing its attachment to liberty, and approving the 
 method of opposition adopted in America, and are now 
 signing an Association similar to what has been signed in 
 other Counties in this Province, and we hope in a few 
 days to have I he pleasure to transmit it down for the press. 
 The County being extensive, it takes a considerable time 
 before the people who are favourable to the cause can be 
 got to sign ; for we have caused copies of the Association 
 to be dispersed in divers parts of the County. This 
 County has, for a series of years, been ruled by one family, 
 the different branches of which are still strenuous in dis- 
 suading people from coming into Congressional measures, 
 and even have, last week, at a numerous meeting of the 
 Mohawk District, appeared with all their dependants armed 
 to oppose the people considering of their grievances ; their 
 number being so large, and the people unarmed, struck 
 terrour into most of them, and they dispersed. We are 
 informed that Johnson-Hall is fortifying by placing a parcel 
 of swivel-guns round the same, and that Colonel Johnson 
 has had parts of his regiment of Militia under arms yes- 
 terday, no doubt with a design to prevent the friends of 
 liberty from publishing their attachment to the cause to the 
 world. Besides which we are told that about one hun- 
 dred and fifty Highlanders, (Roman Catholicks,) in and 
 about Johnstown, are armed and ready to march upon the 
 like occasion. We have been informed that Colonel John- 
 son has stopped two New-England 'ers, and searched them, 
 being, we suppose, suspicious that they came to solicit aid 
 from us or the Indians, whom we dread most, there being 
 a current report through the County that they are to be 
 made use of in keeping us in awe. 
 
 We recommend it strongly and seriously to you to take 
 it in your consideration, whether any powder and ammu- 
 nition ought to be permitted to be sent up this way, unless 
 it is done under the inspection of the Committee, and con- 
 signed to the Committee here, and for such particular shop- 
 keepers as we in our next shall acquaint you of. We are 
 determined to suffer none in our District to sell any but 
 such as we approve of, and sign the Association. When 
 any thing particular comes to our knowledge relating to the 
 Indians, (whom we shall watch,) or any other thing inter- 
 esting, we shall take the earliest opportunity in communi- 
 cating the same to you. And as we are a young County, 
 remote from the Metropolis, we beg you will give us all 
 the intelligence in your power. We shall not be able to 
 send down any Deputies to the Provincial Congress, as we 
 cannot possibly obtain the sense of the County soon enough 
 to make it worth our while to send any, but be assured we 
 are not the less attached to American liberty. For we 
 are determined, although few in number, to let the world 
 see who are, and who are not such : and to wipe off the 
 indelible disgrace brought on us by the Declaration signed 
 by our Grand Jury and some of our Magistrates, who, in 
 general, are considered by the majority of the County as 
 enemies to their Country. In a word, gentlemen, it is our 
 fixed resolution to support and carry into execution every 
 thing recommended by the Continental Congress, and to 
 be free or die. 
 
 COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE COMMITTEE OF SCHE- 
 NECTADY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Guy Park, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have, for some days past, heard of many 
 threats from the publick, that gives us reason to apprehend 
 that the persons or properties of gentlemen of the first 
 consideration, both with respect to station and property, 
 would have been insulted in this County, and myself in 
 particular, under colour of a gross and notorious falsehood, 
 uttered by some worthless scoundrels, respecting my inten- 
 tions as Superintendent of Indian Affairs. To gentle- 
 men of sense and moderation, these malicious, ill-founded 
 charges ought to be self-evidently false ; my duty is to pro- 
 mote peace, and my office of the highest importance to the 
 trade and frontiers. But as these reports are daily in- 
 creasing, it becomes me, both as a subject and a man, to 
 disavow them, and until I can find out and chastise the 
 author, to assure the publick of their mistake, and to in- 
 form them that it has rendered it my duty for self-preser- 
 vation so necessary, that 1 have taken precaution to give 
 a very hot and disagreeable reception to any persons that 
 shall attempt to invade my retreat; at the same time that 
 I have no intention to disturb those who choose to permit 
 me the honest exercise of my reason and duties of my 
 office, and requesting that you will immediately cause this 
 to be made publick to the Albany Committee, I remain, 
 gentlemen, your very humble servant, G. Johnson. 
 
 AUTHENTICK ACCOUNT OF THE TAKING OF FORTRESSES AT 
 TICONDEROGA AND CROWN POINT, BY A PARTY OF THE 
 CONNECTICUT FORCES. 
 
 New-York, May 18, 1775. 
 Captain Edward Mott and Captain Noah Phelps set out 
 from Hartford on Saturday, the twenty-ninth of April, 
 in order to take possession of the fortress of Ticonderoga, 
 and the dependencies thereunto belonging. They took with 
 them from Connecticut sixteen men unarmed, and marched 
 privately through the country till they came to Pittsfield, 
 without discovering their design to any person, till they fell 
 in company with Colonel Ethan Allen, Colonel Easton, 
 and John Brown, Esq., who engaged to join themselves to 
 said Mott and Phelps, and to raise men sufficient to take 
 the place by surprise if possible. Accordingly the men 
 were raised, and proceeded as directed by said Mott and 
 Phelps, Colonel Ethan Allen commanding the soldiery. 
 On Tuesday they surprised and took the fortress, making 
 prisoners the commandant and his party. On Wednesday 
 morning they possessed themselves of Crown Point ; taking 
 possession of the ordnance stores, consisting of upwards of 
 two hundred pieces of cannon, three mortars, sundry how- 
 itzers, and fifty swivels, &tc. 
 
639 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 17:5. 
 
 640 
 
 Ethan Allen, fearful of an attempt from Governour Car- 
 Icton to retake the place, lias written to the Committee of 
 Albany for a supply of five hundred men and provisions; 
 the Committee, however, not perceiving themselves com- 
 petent to determine on a matter of so much importance, 
 requested the advice of our General Committee, who re- 
 ferred them, and immediately despatched an express, to the 
 Congress now sitting in Philadelphia. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE MERCHANTS OF MONTREAL. 
 
 St. John's, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: 1 have the pleasure to acquaint you that 
 Lakes George and Champlain, with the fortresses, artillery, 
 &.c, particularly the armed sloop of George the Third, 
 with all water carriages of these Lakes, are now in posses- 
 sion of the Colonies. I expect the English Merchants, as 
 well as all virtuous disposed gentlemen, will be in the inte- 
 rest of the Colonies. The advanced guard of the Army 
 is now at St. Johns, and desire immediately to have a per- 
 sonal intercourse with you. Your immediate assistance as 
 to provisions, ammunition, and spirituous liquors, is wanted 
 and forthwith expected, not as a donation, for I am em- 
 powered by the Colonies to purchase the same; and I desire 
 you would forthwith, and without further notice, prepare 
 for the use of the Army those articles to the amount of 
 five hundred Pounds, and deliver the same to me at St. 
 Joint's, or at least a part of it almost instantaneously, as 
 the soldiers press on faster than provisions. I need not 
 inform you that my directions from the Colonies are not to 
 contend with, or any way injure or molest the Canadians 
 or Indians; but, on the other hand, treat them with the 
 greatest friendship and kindness. You will be pleased to 
 communicate the same to them, and some of you immedi- 
 ately visit me at this place, while others are active in de- 
 livering the provisions. 
 
 I write in haste, and am, gentlemen, your obedient hum- 
 ble servant, Ethan Allen. 
 To Mr. James Morrison and the Merchants that are friendly 
 
 to the cause of liberty in Montreal. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, 
 DATED MAY 18, 1775. 
 
 We hear from Hali fax that the people have at last shewn 
 they have spirit. It seems the agents for procuring forage 
 for the expected regiment of Dragoons had taken, without 
 the consent of the owner, and were shipping for Boston, a 
 great quantity of hay, on which the people set fire to, and 
 wholly destroyed it. And when that work was finished, 
 they attempted the like by the King's Magazines, which 
 they several times filed, but they were extinguished by the 
 people from the ships-of-war lying there, who made a brisk 
 fire on the people, and prevented them from effecting their 
 design. The fugitives from Boston are gone for Halifax, 
 
 but the people say no d d Tories shall be allowed to 
 
 breathe in their air, so that these devils can't find a resting 
 place there, which was the only place on the Continent 
 that they ever dared to hope they might stay in. 
 
 COLONEL STARK TO THE NEW- HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Mcdford, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : About the twenty-ninth of April last, a 
 Committee sent from Provincial Congress of the Province 
 of New- Hampshire to the Provincial Congress of the Prov- 
 ince of Massachusetts-Bay , having discretionary instruc- 
 tions from said Congress, advised to raise a Regiment from 
 the Province of Neiv-Hampshire as soon as possible, under 
 the Constitution and establishment of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, but to be deemed as part of the quota of men of 
 the Province of New-Hampshire, and that New-Hampshire 
 Congress would establish said measures. In consequence 
 of which, a number of officers of the Province of New- 
 Hampshire convened, and made choice of their field-offi- 
 cers for said Regiment, who have raised the same, fifty-four 
 of whom are now present at Mcdford, exclusive of drum- 
 mers and fifers, and the remainder are hourly expected ; 
 and as a great number of those already here (who expect- 
 ed, when they enlisted, to draw arms from the Provincial 
 stocks) are destitute of the same, and cannot be furnished, 
 
 (as no arms are to be procured here at present,) must 
 inevitably return from whence they came, unless they are 
 supplied from some quarter speedily. I humbly pray that 
 you would maturely consider our defenceless situation, and 
 adopt some measure or measures whereby they may be 
 equipped. In confidence of your immediate compliance 
 with the above request, I am, in the Country's common 
 cause, your most obedient and devoted humble servant, 
 
 John Stark. 
 
 N. B. The gentleman who presents this to the Conven- 
 tion, can give you particular information as to our present 
 situation. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE NEW- HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO GOVERN- 
 OUR WENTWORTH. 
 
 May it jjlease your Excellency : 
 
 Governour Gage, in a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, 
 dated 27th January, 1775, informed the British Ministry 
 that your Excellency had applied to him for two Regiments 
 of the British Troops, to be stationed at Portsmouth ; and 
 as it evidently appears, at this alarming period, that the 
 British Troops are ministerial tools, sent to America to 
 endeavour to enforce unconstitutional and tyrannical Acts 
 of the British Parliament, by fire, sword, and famine, and 
 as we humbly conceive it is your Excellency's duty, in 
 your political capacity, to guard and defend the lives, liberty, 
 and properties of the inhabitants of this Province, your 
 Excellency's sending for Troops to destroy the lives, liber- 
 ties, and properties you have solemnly engaged to defend 
 and protect, conveys to our minds such shocking ideas, that 
 we shall rejoice to find what is represented to be fact in 
 said letter, to be farce. But as we have such information, 
 duty to ourselves and constituents, obliges us humbly to 
 desire your Excellency to give us such evidence as will 
 enable us to know and inform our constituents what to 
 expect. 
 
 We are, &ec., Sz.c. 
 
 CAROLINE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a Committee held for the County of Caroline, on 
 Friday, the nineteenth of May, 1775, the Committee 
 having taken into their most serious consideration his Ex- 
 cellency Lord Dunmore's Letter, dated the twenty-fourth 
 of December last, to Lord Dartmouth, His Majesty's Sec- 
 retary of State for the American Department ; also his 
 Lordship's Proclamation, and a Letter wrote by a certain 
 Captain Montague to the Honourable Thomas Nelson, Esq., 
 (which were severally published in the Gazettes,) think it 
 their indispensable duty to remonstrate against the illiberal 
 aspersions which are most injuriously thrown out against 
 our constituents, as part of the community, and also to de- 
 clare our abhorrence of the brutal disposition that dictated 
 the menaces contained in the said Montague's Letter: 
 Therefore, Resolved, 
 
 1st. That his Lordship's Letter, if founded on the infor- 
 mation of others, fully evinces to us their unfriendly and 
 inimical disposition towards this Country, and his wishes to 
 perpetuate the unhappy dispute between Great Britain 
 and America, which we so fervently and ardently desire to 
 terminate on constitutional principles. We cannot forbear 
 adverting to that part of his Lordship's Letter, where he 
 asserts that armed Companies in some Counties are formed, 
 and sworn to enforce the order of the Committees directly 
 in open defiance of the legal prerogative of the Crown. 
 Such proceedings as these, we are apprehensive, never had 
 existence, or we should have had as early intelligence of 
 them as his Lordship. 
 
 2d. That diat part of his Lordship's Proclamation w here- 
 in he charges some persons with being disaffected to His 
 Majesty's Government, and endeavouring to effect a change 
 in it, under the appearance of defending their liberties, con- 
 tains an accusation totally groundless, and cannot be meetly 
 applied to the people of this Colony, who ever were, and 
 in future wish to be, distinguished for their loyalty to our 
 most gracious Sovereign, whom we sincerely pray may ever 
 enjoy his reign in peace, happiness, and glory. We think 
 ourselves extremely ill-treated by his Lordship, while we 
 are aiming to preserve that liberty and freedom which the 
 God of nature originally gave, and our ancestors have 
 
64: 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 642 
 
 handed down to us, to be charged with disaffection to His 
 Majesty's Government. On a review of li is Lordship's 
 conduct, we cannot avoid suspecting his design in removing 
 the gunpowder (more especially in the night) was rather 
 to deprive this Colony of it, than to be used for suppress- 
 ing any insurrection. 
 
 3d. That Captain Montague's threat of firing upon the 
 defenceless Town of York, bespeaks such a base and dia- 
 bolical disposition, that he ought to be contemned and de- 
 spised by all men of spirit and humanity. We therefore 
 recommend it to our constituents, not to show the said 
 Montague any mark of civility or respect whatsoever. 
 
 Samuel Hawes, Jr., Clerk. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Williamsburgh, May 19, 1775. 
 
 There are few attempts in life so unlikely to give uni- 
 versal satisfaction as those that are brought before the all- 
 scrutinizing eye of the publick; for although a man be so 
 fortunate as to please some, he may, on the other hand, 
 offend many. And there are few men, possessed of a tole- 
 rable knowledge of men and manners, but what must be, 
 on the least attentive consideration, assured of the truth of 
 this thesis. How careful, then, ought that man to be, who 
 makes his appearance in the publick papers, in knowing 
 that he is embarked, if not in an unoffending, yet a righteous 
 cause. Thus equipped, he may fearlessly pass the rock of 
 criticism, if not with eclat, with that, at least, which affords 
 more permanent felicity — the heartfelt commendation of 
 a good conscience. These animadversions lead me to a 
 few strictures on our truly great and worthy Governour's 
 Proclamation of the sixth of this instant. 1 confess, in the 
 first place, that it is with the most pungent sorrow I find 
 that justice, and the great cause of America's inherent 
 rights, make it indispensably necessary, in these unhappy 
 days, that nothing should pass unnoticed that is not dignified 
 by the sacred signature of truth, and which, through the 
 malversation of bad and designing men, might have the 
 baneful tendency of extending the unnatural breach between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies, and bring on the additional 
 displeasure of our gracious King. Of such a tendency 
 appears our Governour's Proclamation of the above date, 
 particularly aimed at Patrick Henry, Jun., Esquire, his 
 Country's and America's unalterable and unappalled great 
 advocate and friend. As most of the good people of this 
 Country may have seen this unparalleled Proclamation, I 
 shall not take up much of their or your time, in a very 
 minute recital of it ; suffice it to say, that the whole must 
 appear a Ministerial trick, calculated to please some, to 
 delude others, and, what is of more serious and alarming 
 consequence, (similar to one of his other laudable efforts,*) 
 to prejudice and detract from the great American cause, by 
 effecting a disunion amongst the friends of it, as the only 
 possible means of obtaining success to Ministerial machina- 
 tions. The degenerate tools of lawless power may applaud 
 his Lordship's ingenuity, but the honest, virtuous, and 
 upright sons of constitutional liberty will reprobate the 
 want of that candour and nobleness of spirit, which can 
 alone give effulgence to high birth or exalted station, and 
 deprived of which, either the one or the other must, 
 in the reflection of the virtuous mind, (to use the great 
 Mr. Pope's words,) appear but as so much " leather or 
 prunella." There are, however, representations of the 
 conduct of the said Mr. Henry, and his deluded followers, 
 (as his Lordship is pleased, fashionably, to call them,) so 
 exceedingly inconsonant to my idea of the case, that his 
 Lordship must pardon me if I should, for the sake of jus- 
 tice, attempt to set the matter in a different and less partial 
 point of view. His Lordship observes, " That the said 
 Mr. Henry, with a number of deluded followers, had taken 
 up arms, chosen their officers, and, styling themselves an 
 Independent Company, had marched out of their County, 
 encamped, and put themselves into a posture of war, and 
 had written letters, &c, to the great terrour of all His 
 Majesty's faithful subjects, and in open defiance of law and 
 Government ; and have committed other acts of violence, 
 particularly in extorting from his Receiver-General the sum 
 
 • See his Lordship's Letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 
 twenty.fourth of December last. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 4 
 
 of three hundred and thirty Pounds, tinder pretence of re- 
 placing the powder he (the Governour) thought proper to 
 order from the Magazine ;" whence, adds his Lordship, " it 
 undeniably appears that there is no longer the least security 
 for the life or property of any man." Would not strangers 
 to this manoeuvre of Mr. Henry be induced readily to 
 believe, from this Proclamation of his Lordship, that his 
 conduct in the affair of the powder was directly consistent 
 with the greatest rectitude; and, on the contrary, that Mr. 
 Henry's behaviour was, in the extreme, impolitical, dis- 
 orderly, and base ? But let such first recur to the many- 
 poor subterfuges that Ministerial vicegerents have lately 
 been drove to, and then they will not be greatly astonished 
 at the contents of his Lordship's Proclamation. 
 
 The powder which was removed from the Magazine in 
 the City of Williamsburgh, under cover of the night, (a 
 time most friendly and best adapted to dark and insidious 
 designs,) appears clearly to have been, if not the perma- 
 nent and exclusive property of this Colony, at least so 
 intended for its direct emolument and protection, by an Act 
 of Assembly, passed in the first year of King George the 
 First's reign, entitled, "An Act for erecting a Magazine ;" 
 that his Lordship's removal of it on board one of His Ma- 
 jesty's armed vessels, just at that alarming and critical time, 
 was, in my view, illegal, and a competent declaration of 
 his hostile and inimical designs against this unhappy Coun- 
 try, and sufficient, of itself, to have roused the good people 
 of it from that lethargick state of security into which the 
 great appearance of his Lordship's friendship had lulled 
 them ; and farther, to have placed themselves in such a 
 posture of defence as might enable them to guard against 
 the impending blow which this step of his Lordship plainly 
 told them was but too fast approaching. The inhabitants 
 of Williamsburgh, justly alarmed and incensed at such 
 behaviour from his Lordship, like men determined to sup- 
 port their constitutional rights and property in opposition 
 to every 7 act of violence under Heaven against them, take 
 up arms, and are about to demand restitution of the pow- 
 der, when they are dissuaded from such a step by gentlemen 
 in whom great confidence is placed, who persuade them to 
 lay down their arms, and return to their respective homes ; 
 assuring them at the same time, that every pacifick endeavour 
 should be made in order to have the powder replaced in 
 the Magazine. They then convened a common hall, and 
 in a very respectful manner, address his Lordship on the 
 impropriety of his conduct in the affair of the powder ; 
 entreating him at the same time to return it again to the 
 Magazine, and thereby restore peace and order to the in- 
 habitants of the Town. To which said address his Lord- 
 ship was pleased to return a verbal answer, (being, it is 
 said, peculiarly happy in expressing his sentiments with 
 ease and propriety that way,) whereby it most evidently 
 appears that his Lordship expressly avows the impropriety 
 of his conduct in the removal of the powder, in promising, 
 upon his " word and honour," that in case there should be 
 an insurrection of the slaves, which he acknowledges there 
 was cause to apprehend, he would then return the powder, 
 on being allowed a half hour to do it in. The inconsis- 
 tency of such an answer is so plain, that it needs no com- 
 ment. In short, several gentlemen, who were dissatisfied 
 with such an evasive, contradictory, and affrontive answer, 
 wait on his Lordship in person, and entreat him, as the 
 representative of His Majesty here, as the Chief Magis- 
 trate, and, above all, as a friend to peace and order, to 
 return the powder, and thereby quiet the fears and appre- 
 hensions of the people, which he now positively refuses to 
 do; assigning, as a reason for his strange and unwarrantable 
 conduct, that the people of Williamsburgh had been in 
 arms. 
 
 But attend to his subsequent conduct, and see if it ac- 
 cords with those pompous professions of regard for peace, 
 order, and good government, and the happiness of the 
 people (who are so unhappy as to be under his rule) which 
 he would induce a belief are the grand objects of his care 
 and study. Conscious that the people would no longer 
 acquiesce in a behaviour in one moment so disingenuous 
 and evasive, iu another so disrespectful and irritating, he 
 determined to fling off the mask, and bid defiance to their 
 utmost efforts to regain the powder ; and therefore imme- 
 diately began to arm his menial servants, who were, by 
 
643 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee., MAY, 1775. 
 
 644 
 
 their lord and master's example, taught to look upon and 
 treat the good people of this Country with the greatest 
 indignity and contempt. Add to all this, that we had just 
 heard that many of our worthy and nohle friends, the guar- 
 dians and zealous supporters of our liberty, were on the 
 black list of American victims, destined to sacrifice, in order 
 to appease those sanguinary wretches in power; and that, 
 farther, we had received the long-feared and melancholy 
 news, that the sword was now drawn by the King's Troops 
 against our brethren the Bostonians, who were then bleed- 
 ing in the common cause. Thus unhappily circumstanced 
 on all sides, what does Mr. Henry to deserve those inglo- 
 rious epithets, which are, though obscurely, yet most cer- 
 tainly aimed principally at him, not only by his Lordship's 
 candid and liberal Address to the Council, previous to the 
 issuing of a former Proclamation, but by those also in 
 exalted station, who, it was hoped from their affinity to our 
 wrongs, and having received their birth here, would have 
 entertained sentimentsof a more generous and liberal kind, 
 of those who are the produce of the same Country, and 
 in loyalty and attachment to their gracious Sovereign, not 
 an iota, 1 trust, inferiour to them. I repeat, what does Mr. 
 Henry (matters being thus situated) to deserve the censure 
 of his countrymen? Why, like the vigilant guardian and 
 protector of their constitutional rights and liberties, he was 
 resolved, with proper assistance, by the force of arms, to 
 effect a restitution of the powder, or an equivalent thereto, 
 which had been, by low fraud and artifice, removed out of 
 the Country's possession, and which he now was sorry to 
 find pacifick measures were not likely to accomplish. This 
 gentleman, therefore, by the advice and determination of 
 the Hanover Committee, held at Newcastle the second in- 
 stant, accompanied by many of his respectable and worthy 
 countrymen, set out from Newcastle on their way to the 
 capital, and were joined on their way down by several 
 spirited gentlemen from different Counties. With what 
 prudence and penetration Mr. Henry took his measures, and 
 what they eventually produced, may be fully known by a 
 reference to a publication of his conduct at large, in the 
 proceedings of the Committee of Hanover County on the 
 ninth instant; and, as the matter stands represented there, 
 and which is incontroverlibly consistent with the real truth 
 of the case, how then does his Lordship get his intelligence 
 that this movement of Mr. Henry was to the great " ter- 
 rourof all His Majesty's faithful subjects?" From whence 
 does he learn that Mr. Henry had committed <; acts of vio- 
 lence?" Have any of those terrified " faithful subjects," 
 on whom those acts of violence were committed, preferred 
 their complaints before his Lordship, in order to obtain re- 
 dress? Or are these words inserted only to heighten or 
 aggravate this supposed guilty conduct of Mr. Henry, in 
 the opinion of those who cannot be, in all probability, from 
 the remoteness of their situation, furnished with an impar- 
 tial and fair state of the case ? The guilty, perhaps, might 
 fear and tremble at an apprehension of the just vengeance 
 of the incensed people, roused and provoked as they were 
 by reiterated acts of oppression and tyranny ; but whether 
 the innocent Americans (of which, 1 thank Heaven, there 
 is by far the greater majority) were terrified and frightened 
 by this attempt of Mr. Henry to regain their property, I 
 leave the candid part of mankind to determine, from the 
 publication of the proceedings of the many Committees 
 which have sat on this occasion, as may be seen in the 
 papers subsequent to this step taken by Mr. Henry. 
 
 Thus much I have thought proper to lay before the 
 publick, in vindication of the conduct of a gentleman who 
 is now absent, and, as the advocate and steady friend of his 
 Country, contending, 1 doubt not, for all that is precious 
 and worth the preserving, to those who are by nature free, 
 and who, by their laws and Constitution, have an indubi- 
 table right to remain so, in opposition to every power on 
 earth to make them otherwise. 
 
 Had his Lordship, at this perplexed and unhappy junc- 
 ture of affairs, steadily pursued that noble line of right 
 which prudence and his duty had marked out to him ; had 
 he evinced from his actions, in accordance to his profes- 
 sions, that the happiness of the people which he ruled was 
 his great object and care ; had he, like a good, virtuous, 
 and great man, stepped in as a mediator in this unnatural 
 struggle between Great Britain and her Colonies, and at- 
 tempted to close, rather than by disingenuous misrepresent- 
 
 ations, to widen the breach, I trust he would still have 
 continued to receive that grateful tribute of applause which 
 the people here have, on some late occasions, so cordially 
 offered up to him. Hut from his late conduct, as held up 
 to the world, what confidence can they place in him who has 
 declared himself to be (and his actions manifest he is not in 
 jest) their opposed and dangerous enemy ? Brutus. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE MANOR OF CORTLANDT, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 Manor of Cortlandt, May 19, 17?."). 
 
 Gentlemen: The dangerous innovations and infringe- 
 inents attempted by certain mercenary Ministerial tools and 
 infamous traitors (in this Manor) to their Country, who 
 assume to themselves the name of loyalists, on the liberties 
 of their fellow-subjects, have greatly alarmed the impartial 
 friends of liberty herein. A fool, says an author, has great 
 need of title ; it teaches men to call him Count and Duke, 
 and to forget his proper name of fool. 
 
 In a day when American pulse beats high for liberty ; 
 when it is the subject of almost every publick paper, as 
 well as topick of discourse, it might justly have been ex- 
 pected that no American would be so hardy as to violate 
 the rights of his fellow-subjects ; and if any such monster 
 should appear in this land of liberty, that there would not 
 be wanting advocates for so glorious and important a cause, 
 as to expose those of its members who are trampling on 
 the sacred rights of the people. 
 
 I have waited with great impatience, expecting that 
 some able hand would have undertaken the benevolent task 
 to warn you to beware of the conduct of some of the basest 
 villains that ever disgraced any society, and draw the atten- 
 tion of the inhabitants to its danger ; but finding that 
 although now some months are elapsed since the com- 
 mencement of the measures of these traitors, fee, yet none 
 has appeared to sound the friendly alarm to the very indo- 
 lent inhabitants, I have attempted what I so ardently 
 wished might have been done by some more able hand. 
 While we are straining every nerve to baffle foreign at- 
 tempts to enslave us, surely it must be very criminal in the 
 descendants of Britons, who ought to love life and liberty 
 alike, to be so assiduous in exerting themselves to enslave 
 their fellow-subjects. 
 
 It may not be improper to inform you, gentlemen, of the 
 springs and motives which induce these principal movers 
 to forget their duty to God, their fellow-countrymen, and 
 their posterity. 
 
 They, anxious to secure to themselves and their poster- 
 ity power and authority, and to engross some offices or 
 pensions from or under the Crown, have made a sacrifice 
 of all publick virtue on the altar of self-interest. This 
 desperate spirit it was that induced these traitors or merce- 
 nary hirelings to exert their influence to bring about the 
 detestable measures proposed by a certain paper handed 
 about here last winter, entitled " The Loyalists' Test."' 
 But, happily for this Manor, this very dangerous scheme 
 was disconcerted by some lovers of loyalty and liberty. 
 For the men who would make such inroads on the liberties 
 of the people, as they were aiming at, to gratify their thirst 
 for power, and give Administration a high idea of their 
 influence in this Manor, would, from the same principle, 
 exert every nerve of influence to carry any ministerial man- 
 date into execution, at the expense of the liberties of their 
 fellow-countrymen. 
 
 Can any judicious American son of liberty behold these 
 traitors of their Country without the utmost abhorrence, by 
 whose influence the more illiterate, and those who are unac- 
 quainted with the principles of the present dispute, are so 
 besotted as to resign their liberties into the hands of the most 
 ambitious and designing fellows, who are aiming to make a 
 merit with the Ministry by enslaving their fellow-country- 
 men, and to aggrandise themselves and their posterity ? 
 Surely he cannot. If Charles the First deserved the axe, 
 and James the Second the loss of his Kingdom, for chang- 
 ing the Constitution, and thereby trampling on the rights 
 of their subjects, I leave you, my countrymen, to judge 
 what punishment would be adequate to the crimes of these 
 loyalists and their tools, who are aiming at the same by 
 a sacrifice of all publick virtue, and the liberty of their 
 Country. An Inhabitant. 
 
645 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 646 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES. 
 
 Cambridge, May 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Mr. Benedict Arnold having been author- 
 ized and empow ered to raise and furnish a number of men, 
 not exceeding four hundred, to proceed against and reduce 
 the garrison at Ticonderoga, with its dependencies, has, 
 we find, in consequence of said commission, been supplied 
 with fifteen oxen, by Mr. Thomas Wells Dickason ; and 
 this Committee being informed by said Dickason} that 
 the Committee of Supplies wanted a certificate of said 
 order and appointment, that they may with propriety dis- 
 charge the order of said Arnold on the Committee of 
 Safety, have handed this, presuming it may be sufficient 
 to satisfy the Committee of Supplies of his (said Arnold's) 
 appointment. We would observe that the above-mention- 
 ed cattle are at Viewport. You will give such directions 
 respecting them as to you in your wisdom shall seem 
 meet. We are, he. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Crown Point, May 19, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: My last was of the 14th instant, by Mr. 
 Romans, via New-Haven. I then acquainted you of the 
 occasion of delay in not carrying your orders into execu- 
 tion. The afternoon of the same day, being joined by 
 Captains Broicn and Oswald, with fifty men, enlisted on 
 the road, they having taken possession of a small schooner 
 at Skenesborough, we immediately proceeded on our way 
 for St. John's, and at eight o'clock, P. M., the 17th instant, 
 arrived within thirty miles of St. John's ; the weather prov- 
 ing calm, manned out two small batteaus with thirty-five 
 men, and the next morning, at six o'clock, arrived at »SV. 
 John's, surprised and took a sergeant and his party of 
 twelve men, the King's sloop, of about seventy tons, with 
 two brass six-pounders and seven men, without any loss 
 on either side. The Captain was gone to Montreal, and 
 hourly expected with a large detachment for Ticonderoga, 
 a number of guns and carriages for the sloop, which was 
 just fixed for sailing ; add to this, there was a Captain of 
 forty men at Chamblee, twelve miles distant from iSif. 
 John's, who was expected there every minute with his 
 party ; so that it seemed to be a mere interposition of Provi- 
 dence that we arrived at so fortunate an hour. We took 
 such stores on board as were valuable, and the wind prov- 
 ing favourable, in two hours after we arrived, weighed an- 
 chor for this place, with the sloop and four of the King's 
 batteaus, having destroyed five others ; so that there is not 
 left a single batteau for the King's Troops, Canadians, or 
 Indians, to cross the Lake in, if they have any such inten- 
 tion. 
 
 1 must, in justice to Colonel Allen, observe that he left 
 Crown Point soon after me for St. John's, with one hun- 
 dred and fifty men, and on my return met him five leagues 
 this side, and supplied him with provisions, his men being 
 in a starving condition. He informed me of his intention 
 of proceeding on to St. John's with eighty or one hundred 
 men, and keeping possession there. It appeared to me a 
 wild, impracticable scheme, and provided it could be car- 
 ried into execution, of no consequence, so long as we are 
 masters of the Lake, and of that I make no doubt, as I am 
 determined to arm the sloop and schooner immediately. 
 
 I wrote you, gentlemen, in my former letters, that I 
 should be extremely glad to be superseded in my command 
 here, as I find it next to impossible to repair the old fort 
 at Ticonderoga, and am not qualified to direct in building 
 a new one. I am really of opinion it will be necessary to 
 employ one thousand or fifteen hundred men here this sum- 
 mer, in w hich I have the pleasure of being joined in senti- 
 ment by Mr. Rojnans, who is esteemed an able engineer. 
 I am making all possible provision for wheel-carriages to 
 cany such cannon, he. to Albany as can be spared here, 
 and will be serviceable to our army at Cambridge. 
 
 I must refer you for particulars to the bearer, Captain 
 Jonathan Brown, who has been very active and service- 
 able, and is a prudent, good officer ; and I beg leave to 
 observe I have had intimations given me, that some persons 
 had determined to apply to you and the Provincial Con- 
 gress, to injure me in your esteem, by misrepresenting mat- 
 ters of fact. I know of no other motive they can have, 
 
 only my refusing them commissions, for the very simple 
 reason that I did not think them qualified. However, gen- 
 tlemen, I have the satisfaction of imagining I am employed 
 by gentlemen of so much candour, that my conduct will 
 not be condemned until I have the opportunity of being 
 heard. I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your 
 most devoted and very humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold. 
 To the Committee of Safety, Cambridge. 
 
 P. S. Enclosed is a memorandum of such cannon, he. 
 as I intend sending to Cambridge, also of such as are here. 
 By a return from Montreal to General Gage, I find there 
 are seven hundred and seventeen men in Canada, of the 
 Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Regiments, including seventy 
 which we have taken prisoners. 
 
 A List of Cannon, <J-c, taken at Crown Point. 
 
 2 iron 24-pounders, 
 
 1 do. do. useless, 
 
 1 brass do. serviceable, 
 
 4 iron 18-pounders, not examined, 
 but appear good, 
 14 iron 12-pounders, do. 
 4 French do. useless, 
 8 12 and 18 do. not examined, 
 
 but appear good, 
 7 long 9-pounders, double forti- 
 fied, good, 
 12 long 9-pounders, serviceable, 
 
 2 do. do. mounted, 
 
 33 G and 9-pounders, useless, 
 7 9 and 12 do. do. 
 2 long 6 do. good, 
 
 2 short 6 do. bad, 
 
 3 do. do. not examined, 
 3 do. do. useless, 
 1 English 13-inch mortar, ' 
 
 1 French do. 
 
 2 do. 8-inch do. 
 2 8-inch howitzers. 
 
 Ill 
 
 r <£ 
 
 Kg 
 
 A List of Cannon, cj-c, taken at Ticonderoga. 
 
 3 18-pounders, good, 
 2 French do. bad, 
 2 12-pounders, good, 
 
 6 12 do. 
 
 good, 
 2 12 do. 
 
 12 9 
 
 59 
 18 6 
 
 9 4 
 
 1 6 
 
 N. B 
 
 do. 
 do. 
 do. 
 do. 
 do. 
 
 double fortified, 
 
 useless, 
 
 good, 
 
 bad, 
 
 bad, 
 
 good, 
 
 good, 
 
 19 swivels, good, 
 2 wall pieces, good, 
 2 French 12-pounders, bad, 
 1 13-inch mortar, and bed, good, 
 1 7 do. do. good, 
 
 1 7-inch howitzer, good. 
 
 86 
 
 28 iron truck wheels, 
 10 carriages, fit for use. 
 
 I shall send to Cambridge the 24-pounders, 12 and 6-pound- 
 crs, howitzers, &c, as directed by Colonel Gridley. Four brass how- 
 itzers in the edge of the Lake, and covered with water, cannot be come 
 at at present. BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Return of Ordnance Stores found at Ticonderoga. 
 
 Species of Stores. 
 
 Mortars, iron, and iron beds, 
 
 Iron ordnance, dismounted. 
 
 Brass do. 
 Petards, brass, 
 Portfires, - . 
 
 do. 
 
 Ladles with staves, copper, 
 
 Ladles without staves, 
 Ladles for swivels, - 
 Linlstocks with corks, 
 Do. without, . 
 Slow match, - 
 
 r 
 
 Shot, 
 
 Powder, whole barrels, 
 Shells, 
 
 Round, 
 
 Fixed to wooden bolts 
 Quilted grape, - - 
 
 Ball | 
 
 Quilted grape, 
 
 Do. . . 
 
 Fusees, fixed 
 
 Flints, 
 
 Leaden aprons, 
 
 Crow-bar, 
 
 Some other articles of little note. 
 Engineers' stores, none. 
 
 Quality. Quantity 
 
 13-inch 
 64 do. 
 18 lbs. 
 13 
 12 
 9 
 6 
 4 
 4 
 
 Patareroes 
 3 lbs. 
 
 18 lbs. 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 4 
 
 18 lbs. 
 12 
 9 
 6 
 4 
 12 
 
 8 9-in. how. 
 Lead, tons 
 Iron, lbs. 
 
 6 lbs. 
 Swivel 
 Damaged 
 Royal 
 Grenades 
 13-inch 
 8 do. 
 Royal 
 Cohorns 
 Sorts 
 Sorts 
 
 4 
 1 
 
 12 
 14 
 6 
 23 
 29 
 3 
 2 
 2 
 42 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 12 
 2 
 9 
 
 100 
 
 550 
 240 
 
 1,430 
 
 1C5 
 68 
 9 
 
 3,700 
 100 
 
 20 
 28 
 6 
 
 906 
 166 
 168 
 128 
 240 
 30,000 
 27 
 1 
 
 By me, 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 13, 1775. 
 
 B. ROMANS, Engineer. 
 
647 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 648 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONORESS. 
 
 May 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir : It appears to me absolutely necessary that the Re- 
 giments be immediately settled ; the officers commission- 
 ed ; the soldiers numbered and paid, agreeable to what has 
 been proposed by the Congress — if we would save our 
 Country. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 A. Ward. 
 
 J. Warren, Esq., President of the Congress at Watertown. 
 
 JAMES RUSSELL TO JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Charlestown, May 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I yesterday, by Major Fuller, Mr. Whiitcmore, 
 and Mr. Bliss, received a Resolve of the Congress ap- 
 pointing them a Committee to call on me to know whether 
 1 have any of the publick moneys in my hands. In an- 
 swer thereto, I would desire you, Sir, to inform the Provin- 
 cial Congress, that the light money for several years past 
 since the increase of light-houses, and more especially 
 since the obstructions of the last year upon our trade, has 
 not been sufficient to defray the expense of said houses ; 
 and I have consequently been under a necessity to apply 
 the money arising from the Impost for that purpose. Ever 
 since I received the favours of my Country, in being cho- 
 sen to the Impost Office, I have done all in my power in 
 the discharge of my duty therein to their satisfaction. The 
 means of procuring oil, by the unhappy and increasing 
 troubles of our Country, appearing very uncertain and pre- 
 carious, I have endeavoured to purchase as large a stock 
 as I could : and as the Impost Bill expired the first of 
 March last, the publick moneys I have in my hands will 
 not be more than sufficient to enable me to pay for the oil 
 contracted for to complete for the present year. 
 
 Your most humble servant, James Russell. 
 
 Joseph Warren, Esq., President Provincial Congress. 
 
 ABIJAH BROWN TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Watertown, May 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Agreeable to your order I have removed 
 the cannon under my care at Waltham, to the Town of 
 Watertown, and have delivered them to the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the same Town ; and shall have my 
 company in readiness to march to Cambridge to-morrow 
 morning. I am, gentlemen, with much respect, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, Abijah Brown. 
 To the Hon. the Committee of Safety, at Cambridge. 
 
 PETITION OF BENJAMIN THOMPSON. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Col- 
 ony of Massachusetts-Bay : 
 
 The Petition of Benjamin Thompson, Esq., of Concord, 
 in the Province of New-Hampshire, humbly sheweth : 
 That on Monday, the 15th instant, your petitioner was 
 taken up and confined in this Town, upon suspicion of 
 being inimical to the liberties of this Country; and that in 
 consequence of his being taken up, the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence for the Town, after having given publick 
 notice of the time and place of hearing, and desired all 
 persons that could give evidence to attend, proceeded to an 
 examination of the affair, agreeable to the recommendation 
 of the Honourable Provincial Congress. But as no per- 
 son appeared to lay any thing of consequence to his charge ; 
 and as the Committee were not pleased either to acquit or 
 condemn him ; and as his own personal safety, as well as 
 the quiet and satisfaction of the publick, but more espe- 
 cially of the poople of New-Hampshire, depends on his 
 having an acquittance after the most publick, thorough, 
 and impartial examination, your petitioner humbly prays 
 that the Committee of Safety would be pleased to take the 
 matter into consideration, and examine the same; and that 
 
 they would be pleased to give notice of the time and place 
 of hearing, not only to the people of Neiv-Hampshire, and 
 others that are in the Army at Cambridge, or elsewhere, 
 but also that the publick in general, and the inhabitants of 
 the Town of Concord, in the Province of New-Hampshire, 
 and the adjacent Towns in particular, be desired to attend 
 or send in depositions of what they know relative to the 
 affair. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever 
 pray, &ic, Benj. Thompson. 
 
 Woburn, May 19, 1775. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 May 19, 1775. — A Committee of Safety was appointed 
 by the Congress, consisting of the following persons, viz : 
 Honourable Matthew Thornton, Doctor Josiah Bartlctt, 
 Esquire, Captain William Whipple, Nathaniel Folsom, 
 Esquire, and Ebenezcr Thompson, Esquire. 
 
 May 23, 1775. — The Committee of Safety was empow- 
 ered by vote of the Congress to recommend persons they 
 think proper for Chaplains, Surgeons, and Surgeons' Mates, 
 and also to procure proper forms for enlisting Soldiers. 
 
 May 24, 1775. — Israel Morey and Samuel Ashley, 
 Esquires, Captain Josiah Moulton, and Reverend Samuel 
 Webster, were added to the Committee of Safety; and said 
 Committee was empowered to issue orders for enlisting 
 men sufficient for one Regiment, in the same manner as is 
 practised in the Massachusetts-Bay, and receive returns of 
 men enlisted as is done there. 
 
 Accordingly, the same day the Committee gave orders 
 to Winborn Adams of Durham, Winthrop Rowe of Ken- 
 sington, Henry Elkins of Hampton, Samuel Gilman of 
 Newmarket, Philip Tilton of Kingston, Benjamin Tit- 
 comb of Dover, Jonathan Wentworth of Somersworth, 
 Jeremiah dough of Canterbury, James Norris of Epping, 
 and Zaccheus Clough of Poplin, to enlist each a Compa- 
 ny; which orders, &ic, were of the forms following: 
 
 " In Committee of Safety, ) 
 "Exeter, . . . 1775. J 
 
 "To 
 
 " Sir : You are hereby empowered immediately to en- 
 list a Company, to consist of sixty-two able-bodied and 
 effective men, well accoutred, including Sergeants, as Sol- 
 diers in the New-Hampshire service, for the preservation 
 of American liberty, and cause them to pass muster as soon 
 as possible. Chairman." 
 
 "Exeter, . . . 1775. 
 
 " Whereas you have this day received orders for enlist- 
 ing sixty-two Soldiers well accoutred, including Sergeants, 
 for the Neiv-Hampshire service, for the preservation of the 
 liberties of America, you are hereby acquainted that the 
 commission of a Captain in said service shall be made out 
 for you as soon as you have completed the said enlistment, 
 and you will also be allowed to nominate two Subalterns 
 to serve under you, who will receive commissions accord- 
 ingly, if the Committee shall approve of them. 
 
 "By order of the Committee of Safety: 
 
 " Chairman." 
 
 The Enlistment. 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do hereby severally solemnly 
 engage and enlist ourselves as Soldiers in the New-Hamp- 
 shire service for the preservation of the liberties of Ame- 
 rica, from the day of our enlistment to the last day of 
 December next, unless the service should admit of a dis- 
 charge of a part or the whole sooner, which shall be at the 
 discretion of the Committee of Safety, and we hereby 
 promise to submit ourselves to all the orders and regula- 
 tions of the Army, and faithfully to observe and obey all 
 such orders as we shall receive from time to time from our 
 Officers. 
 
 " . . . . 1775." 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 At a Convention of Deputies from the several Towns 
 in the Province of Neiv-Hampshire, met at Etetcr, the 
 17th day of May, 1775, the following persons from the 
 
 Towns, Parishes, and places respectively annexed to the 
 several names being returned to sit as Members in this 
 Convention, took their seats accordingly, viz: 
 
 Portsmouth. — Captain William Whipple, Captain Wil- 
 
619 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 650 
 
 Ham Pcarn, Samuel Cults, Esquire, Samuel Sherburne, 
 
 Captain Pierce Long. 
 Newington. — Richard Downing, Esquire, Samuel Faban. 
 Greenland. — Clement March, Esquire, Major William 
 
 Weeks, Captain Nathan Johnson. 
 Hampton. — Captain Josiah Moulton, Josiah Moulton, 3d. 
 Exeter. — General Nathaniel Folsom, Colonel Nicholas 
 
 Oilman, Colonel Enoch Poor. 
 Stratham. — Deacon Stephen Boardman, Samuel Lane, 
 
 Esquire. 
 
 Southampton. — Benjamin Broim. 
 Rye. — Samuel Knowlcs, Nathan Goss. 
 Newcastle. — 
 
 Newmarket. — Captain Jeremiah Folsom, Mr. Edward 
 Parsons. 
 
 Chester. — Stephen Morse, Captain Robert Wilson. 
 Hampton-Falls. — Colonel Meshech Weare, Reverend 
 Pain J] innate. 
 
 o 
 
 Seabrook. — Henri/ Robie. 
 
 Northampton. — Doctor Levi Dearborn, David Masten, 
 
 Captain Abraham Drake. 
 Kensington. — Captain Ezekiel Worthen. 
 Epping. — Rev. Josiah Steams, David Lawrence, Esq. 
 Brentwood. — Samuel Dudley, Esquire, William Morrill, 
 
 Esquire. 
 Poplin. — Stephen Sleeper. 
 
 Kingston and Hawk. — Josiah Bartlctt, Esquire. 
 
 East Kingston. — Nathaniel Batchelder, Esquire, Major 
 
 Jacob Gale. 
 Sandown. — Jethro Sanborn, Esquire. 
 Pembroke. — David Gillman. 
 Deerfield. — Reverend Timothy Upham. 
 Bow. — Benjamin Noycs. 
 Hampstead. — Jonathan Carlton. 
 Plaistow. — Major Joseph Welsh. 
 Atkinson. — John Webster, Daniel Poor. 
 Newtown. — Joseph Bartlctt, Esquire. 
 New-Salem. — Caleb Dusten. 
 Pelham, — James Gibson. 
 
 Nottingham. — Major Joseph Cilley, Lieutenant Thomas 
 Bartlett. 
 
 Epsom. — John Mc Clary, Esquire. 
 Raymond. — John Dudley, Esquire. 
 Candia. — Samuel Moore, Esquire. 
 
 Londonderry. — Matthew Thornton, Esquire, Mr. James 
 
 McGregor. 
 Concord. — Timothy Walker, Junior. 
 C anterbury. — Reverend Abel Forster, Captain Jeremiah 
 
 Clough. 
 
 Chichester. — Captain John Cram. 
 
 Dunbarton. — Colonel W 
 
 Loudon. — Natha?i Batchelder, Esquire. 
 
 Northwood. — Sherburne Blake. 
 
 Meredith. — Ebenezer Smith, Esquire. 
 
 Durham. — George Frost, Esquire, Ebenezer Thompson, 
 
 Esquire. 
 Madbury. — John Wingate. 
 Lee. — Joseph Sias, Esquire, Smith Emerson. 
 Sanbornton. — Daniel Sanborn, Esquire. 
 Moultonborough. — Adam Brown. 
 Gilmanton. — Antepas Gilman. 
 
 Rochester. — Deacon James Knowles, Colonel John 
 
 McDuffee. 
 Wakefield. — Nathaniel Balsh. 
 
 Dover. — Capt. Shadrach Hodgdon, Capt. Stephen Evans. 
 Somersworth. — Ichabod Rawlings, Esquire, Captain 
 
 James Garvin. 
 Litchfield. — Captain John Parker. 
 Henniker. — Timothy Gibson. 
 Cockbourn. — Captain Abijah Learned. 
 Dunstable. — Jonathan Lovewell, Esquire, Joseph Ayers, 
 
 Noah Loveivell. 
 Merrimack. — Jacob McGaw. 
 Boscawen. — Captain Henry Gerrish. 
 Goffstown. — Moses Reille. 
 North-Ipswich. — Richard Stephen Farrar. 
 Amherst. — Paul Dudley Sergeant, Moses Parsons. 
 Bedford. — James Martin. 
 Temple. — Reverend Samuel Webster. 
 Dunbarton. — Captain Caleb Page. 
 Hopki nton. — Reverend Elijah Fletcher. 
 
 Barrington. — Lieutenant Samuel Hayes. 
 Windham. — Lieutenant John Dinsmore. 
 Wilton. — Jonathan Martin, Jacob Abbot. 
 Mason. — Amos Daken. 
 Weare. — Samuel Page. 
 
 Nottingham West. — Captain Abraham Page. 
 Lyndsborough. — Ep. Putnam. 
 New-Boston. — Thomas Wilson. 
 
 Hollis. — Colonel John Hale, Deacon Enoch Noyes. 
 
 Samuel Hobart, Esquire. 
 Peterborough. — William Smith. 
 
 Plymouth, Campton, Rumney, and Newchester. — 
 
 Abel Webster. 
 Lyme. — Jonathan Child. 
 Cockermouth. — Samuel Haselton. 
 Orford. — Israel Morey, Esquire, Nathaniel Rogers. 
 Hanover. — John Wheelock. 
 Lebanon. — Nehemiah Eastabrook. 
 Thornton. — Matthew Thornton, Esquire. 
 Plainfield. — Francis Stnith. 
 Westmoreland. — Joseph Willbore. 
 Fitz willi am. — Reverend Benjamin Bridgeham. 
 Swansey. — Samuel Hill. 
 Dublin. — Joseph Greenwood. 
 Keene and Surry. — Timothy Ellis. 
 Claremont. — Oliver Ashley. 
 Cornish. — Samuel Chase, Esquire. 
 
 Packerfield. — Dr. Nathaniel Breed, Eleazer Tivitchcll. 
 
 Walpole. — Thomas Sparhawk. 
 
 Winchester. — Samuel Ashley, Esquire. 
 
 Salisbury. — Matthew Pettingill. 
 
 Ch arlestown. — William Haywood. 
 
 Haverhill. — Captain Ejjhraim Weston. 
 
 Piermont. — Captain Richard Young. 
 
 Landaff. — Captain Nathaniel Hovey. 
 
 Wednesday, May 17, 1775. 
 
 The Members being called over and seated, proceeded 
 as follows : 
 
 Voted, That the Honourable Matthew Thornton, Esq., 
 be President. 
 
 Voted, That Ebenezer Thompson, Esq., be Secretary. 
 
 Voted, That as Ebenezer Thompson, Esquire, the elect- 
 ed Secretary, is not present, Samuel Cutis, Esquire, be 
 Secretary pro tempore. 
 
 At the desire of the Convention, the Reverend Mr. 
 Stearns made a prayer. 
 
 Voted, That those Members who did not produce cer- 
 tificates be allowed to sit in Convention until the adjourn- 
 ment ; and if they do not then produce them, to be ex- 
 cluded. 
 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Stearns, Colonel Fol- 
 som, Mr. President, George Frost, Esquire, Mr. Wheelock, 
 Mr. Sparhawk, and the Reverend Mr. Webster, be a Com- 
 mittee to draw up Rules to be observed by the Members 
 of this Convention while sitting, and present them as soon 
 as may be. 
 
 Voted, That the aforesaid Committee, together with 
 Mr. Whipple and Mr. Cutts, be a Committee to report 
 what they think necessary to be done about establishing a 
 Post-Ofhce. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, eight o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Thursday, May 18, 1775, A. M. 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the following Rules be adopted and ob- 
 served by the Members of this Convention while sitting : 
 
 " 1st. That no person speak without asking leave of, 
 and addressing himself to the President. 
 
 " 2. That no Member speak while another is speaking. 
 
 " 3. That no Member should speak a second time upon 
 a point, if another person who has not spoke before, should 
 desire to speak. 
 
 " 4. That no Member make a new motion upon a point, 
 until that which is under consideration is determined. 
 
 " 5. That there he silence among the other Members 
 while any one is speaking. 
 
 " 6. That no Member absent himself more than half an 
 hour without permission from the President. 
 
 " 7. That on any matter of importance under considera- 
 
651 
 
 INEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1115. 
 
 652 
 
 lion of tliis body, on the request of the Members of ten 
 Towns, the determination thereof shall be put off to the 
 next day of sitting. 
 
 " 8. That no Member speak without standing up." 
 
 A Letter being received from Hunking Wcntworth, 
 Esquire, Chairman of a Committee at Portsmouth, the 
 same was read and ordered to lay. 
 
 Voted, That a Post-Office shall be established at Ports- 
 mouth, and that Samuel P cnhallow , Esquire, shall be Post- 
 master, and that he, together with the Members from 
 Portsmouth, shall be a Committee to agree with a Post 
 Rider or Riders. 
 
 Voted, That Joh?i Hale, Esquire, be empowered in be- 
 half of this Convention to proceed immediately to the City 
 of Albany, or any other place he thinks proper, for the 
 purpose of procuring Fire-Arms and Gunpowder for the 
 use of this Province ; and as the scarcity of money and 
 suddenness of the occasion hinders this Convention from 
 supplying Colonel Hale with cash for the said purpose, if 
 Colonel Hale can obtain credit for said articles, this Con- 
 vention pledges their honour and faith to pay said money 
 at the time agreed by Colonel Hale and the vender or 
 venders of the same. 
 
 Voted, That a number of men be raised in this Prov- 
 ince to join in the common cause of defending our just 
 rights and liberties. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Bartlctt, Captain Whipple, Col- 
 onel Folsom, Mr. President, Reverend Mr. Webster, Rev- 
 erend Mr. Stearns, Colonel Nicholas Oilman, Captain 
 Page, Moses Parsons, Mr. Whcelock, Mr. Rollings, Rev- 
 erend Mr. Farrar, Mr. Morey, Mr. Gregor, and Colonel 
 Ashley, be a Committee to prepare and bring into this 
 Convention a plan of ways and means for furnishing 
 Troops, he. 
 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Wingate, Reverend 
 Mr. Fletcher, and Mr. Samuel Sherbum, be a Committee 
 to prepare a draught to be sent to the several Towns in 
 this Province, respecting disputes about Tories. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, May 19, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President being necessarily absent, 
 
 Voted, That Sa7nuel Cutis, Esquire, be President pro 
 
 tempore. 
 
 A Petition of Major Andreiv Mc Clary, praying redress 
 of sundry grievances : read and ordered to lay for consider- 
 ation. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel John Stark, requesting a supply 
 of Fire-Arms for the Soldiers under his command ; read 
 and ordered to be put under the consideration of the Com- 
 mittee of Ways and Means. 
 
 1. Voted unanimously, That the good and wholesome 
 Laws of this Province be faithfully supported, and that all 
 persons assist the Justices thereof in the due execution of 
 their office. 
 
 2. That in these times of general distress, it is recom- 
 mended to the inhabitants of this Province, that they en- 
 courage all Religious Worship, and that they, by all means, 
 discountenance all manner of vice, and especially the pro- 
 fanation of the Sabbath, which is and has been a growing 
 evil, and that all officers exert themselves for the above 
 purpose. 
 
 3. That it is enjoined on all Planters and Farmers that 
 they pay the strictest attention to Agriculture, that, with 
 the blessings of kind Heaven, the sore calamities of famine 
 may not be added to our present distress; and that to en- 
 courage the Woollen Manufactory, they kill no Lambs 
 before the first of August next ; likewise that they raise as 
 much Flax as possible. 
 
 4. That as the Linen and Woollen goods will be much 
 in demand, it is recommended that those who have abilities 
 employ all persons who are acquainted with those manu- 
 factures ; likewise, that extravagance and dissipation of 
 every kind be discountenanced. 
 
 5. That encouragement be given for the making of Salt- 
 petre, by granting a Bounty of One Shilling per pound for 
 the first hundred weight ; and that the said Bounty be con- 
 tinued as long as this Congress shall think proper. 
 
 C. That whereas many persons, who, through inadver- 
 
 tency, wilful malice, or immoderate heat, have thrown out 
 many opprobrious expressions respecting the several Con- 
 gresses, and the methods of security they have thought 
 proper to adopt, and thereby have made themselves obnox- 
 ious to the inhabitants of this Province, it is therefore re- 
 commended that the Committees of the several Towns 
 have a watchful eye over all such persons ; and they shall 
 be the proper persons only to take cognizance thereof, and 
 that their result be final ; and that proper complaint being 
 made to either of the Committee, they make the most 
 speedy and critical inquiry thereof, in order to prevent riots 
 and mobs, and that they discountenance the same. 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment, 
 
 The Convention being informed that a Committee from 
 the Convention of the Massachusetts-Bay were wailing to 
 deliver a message to this Convention, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. President, Colonel Folsom, Colonel 
 Bartlctt, Captain Whipple, Mr. Cutts, Mr. Stearns, and 
 Captain McDuffee, be a Committee to wait on those 
 gentlemen, and introduce them into the Convention, and 
 further converse with them relative to their mission. 
 
 The Honourable Joseph Gcrrish, Esquire, and Colonel 
 Ebcnezcr Sawyer, a Committee from the Massachusetts 
 Congress, were introduced and delivered a Letter to the 
 President from the President of the Congress, together 
 with a copy of an application by them made to the Conti- 
 nental Congress, both of which are on file. 
 
 Voted, That the Selectmen of the respective Towns 
 where the persons enlisted under Colonel Stark, who are 
 destitute of Fire-Arms, belong, be desired to procure the 
 same and forward them to the persons so destitute, and if 
 such Towns cannot furnish them, Colonel Stark, or any of 
 the Officers under him, are desired to purchase the same, 
 and upon a just account thereof being rendered to this 
 Convention, it shall be allowed and paid. And Colonel 
 Stark is desired, as soon as circumstances will permit, to 
 transmit to this Convention what shall be done in conse- 
 quence of this Vote ; and every Soldier supplied as afore- 
 said is required to give a receipt for such Fire-Arm that 
 he will, at his dismission from the service, return the same, 
 or have the value thereof deducted out of his wages. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Enoch Poor, Captain Ezekiel 
 Worthen, and Colonel Nicholas Gilman, be a Com- 
 mittee to fix immediately on Carriages fit for the field 
 eight Cannon, out of such as they think most serviceable 
 among those that may be found for that purpose. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, May 20, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment, and came to the follow- 
 ing Resolutions, viz : 
 
 Whereas by the late Acts of the British Parliament, 
 and conduct of the Ministers in pursuance thereof, it ap- 
 pears very evident that a plan is laid and now pursuing to 
 subjugate this and the other American Colonies to the 
 most abject slavery, and the late hostilities committed by 
 the British Troops in our sister Colony of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, leaves us no doubt in determining that no other 
 way is left us to preserve our most darling rights and ines- 
 timable privileges but by immediately defending them by 
 arms. Reduced, therefore, by this most terrible necessi- 
 ty, this Convention, after the most solemn deliberations 
 thereon, have, 
 
 1. Resolved, That it is necessary to raise immediately 
 two thousand effective Men in this Province, including 
 Officers and those of this Province already in the service, 
 and that the time from their enlistment continue to the 
 last day of December, unless the Committee of Safety 
 should judge it proper that a part or the whole be dis- 
 charged sooner. 
 
 2. That every Member pledge his honour and estate, 
 in the name of his constituents, to pay their proportion of 
 maintaining and paying the Officers and Soldiers of the 
 above number while in their service. 
 
 3. That application be made immediately to the Conti- 
 nental Congress for their advice and assistance respecting 
 means and ways to put the above plan into execution. 
 
 4. That the establishment of Officers and Soldiers shall 
 be the same as in the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
653 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 654 
 
 5. That the Selectmen of the several Towns and Dis- 
 tricts within this Colony be desired to furnish the Soldiers, 
 who shall enlist from their respective Towns and Districts, 
 with good and sufficient Blankets, and render their accounts 
 to the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 6. That if it should appear that the above number of 
 men is not our full proportion with the other Governments, 
 that this Convention will be ready to make a proper addi- 
 tion for that purpose. 
 
 Voted, That the thanks of this Convention be given to 
 the persons who took away and secured for the use of this 
 Government, a quantity of Gunpowder, from the Castle 
 called Ifilliam and Mary, in this Province. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Thornton, Colonel Barthtt, Cap- 
 tain Whipple, Colonel Folsom, and Ebcnezer Thompson, 
 be a Committee of Safety, and that their Instructions be 
 deferred until next week. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Nicholas GUman, Samuel Cults, 
 Esquire, Ichabod Rawlings, Esquire, Mr. Timothy Walker, 
 Junior, Doctor John Giddingc, Mr. Thomas Sparhaick, 
 and Colonel John Hale, be a Committee of Supplies, and 
 t'.iat the giving them necessary Instructions be deferred 
 until next week. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Nicholas Oilman and Mr. Poor 
 be a Committee to sell any quantity of Gunpowder, not 
 exceeding four barrels, to such frontier Towns in this 
 Province as they shall think most need it. 
 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Stearns, the Reverend 
 Mr. IVebster, and Mr. Josiah Moullon the third, be a Com- 
 mittee to make a draught of a Letter in answer to one re- 
 ceived from the Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, as 
 also a Letter to the Continental Congress, and lay the same 
 before this Convention as soon as may be. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday next, three o'clock in the after- 
 noon. 
 
 Monday, May 22, 1775, P. M. 
 AI ct according to adjournment. 
 The President being absent, 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Folsom be President pro tempore. 
 The Secretary being absent, 
 
 Voted, That Thomas Sparhawk be Secretary pro tem- 
 pore. 
 
 Voted, That John Ackerman be brought before this 
 body for examination. 
 
 Voted, That the examination of John Ackerman, Ben- 
 jamin Hart, and John Pierce, be referred to the Commit- 
 tees of Portsmouth, Greenland, and Rye, and that if they 
 find any thing worthy of notice, they make report to this 
 body as soon as may be. 
 
 Voted, That John Ackerman he committed to Jail, and 
 there remain until to-morrow morning. 
 
 Voted, That Major Samuel Hobart and Mr. Enoch 
 Poor be Muster Masters for the present, and that they 
 repair to Cambridge, as soon as may be, and the places 
 thereabouts in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 and regularly muster all the men enlisted in the several 
 Companies in the Regiment commanded by Colonel John 
 Stark, and that no men be accepted but those who are 
 able-bodied effective men ; also to inquire if any other 
 men are enlisted by any other person or persons, and 
 muster them, if any there be, and receive such only as 
 are good effective men, and inform the Officers by whom 
 such men are enlisted, that they immediately repair to the 
 Committee of Safety at Exeter, there to represent the 
 matter and receive instructions. 
 
 Voted, That it be left discretionary with the Muster 
 Masters, how long men that have already enlisted into the 
 Province service unarmed, shall continue there ; and that 
 those gentlemen are desired to make inquiry where Pro- 
 visions, Chirurgeon's Instruments, and Medicine can be 
 procured, and upon what terms ; also that they be desired 
 to obtain the Rules of the several Committees of Safety 
 and Supplies; and further to inform the Committee or Con- 
 gress that there is a Post Office established at Exeter, and 
 to know if their Post Rider, who comes to Haverhill, will 
 proceed to the Post Office here ; and report to the Con- 
 vention as soon as may be. 
 
 Voted, That the two thousand men this body have 
 agreed to raise be equally divided into three Regiments. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Fcnton be desired personally to 
 appear and inform this body concerning the subject-matter 
 of his Letter to the people of the County of Grafton. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow eight o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Tuesday, May 23, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Voted, That the Secretary prepare a List of the Dele- 
 gates to keep a proper account of their daily attendance. 
 
 Voted, That there be a Post Office in Exeter. 
 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Farrar, Mr. Sparhau-k. 
 and Mr. Edicard Parsons, be added to the Committee for 
 preparing a Letter to the Continental Congress. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Nathaniel Folsom be appointed 
 to take the general command of the men that may be 
 raised, or are already raised in this Government, for this 
 season. 
 
 Voted, That Josiah Moulton, 3d, be added to the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies. 
 
 Voted, That there be procured some suitable person to 
 officiate as Chaplain to each Regiment in the service. 
 
 Voted, That there be a Surgeon and Surgeon's Mate 
 procured for each Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That it be left to the Committee of Safety to 
 recommend persons they think proper for Chaplains, Sur- 
 geons, and Surgeon's Mates. 
 
 Poled, That the Committee of Safety procure proper 
 forms for enlisting Soldiers, &c. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Nicholas Gilman be Treasurer and 
 Receiver-General of this Colony, and that he, with two 
 sufficient sureties, give bond to the Honourable Matthew 
 Thornton, Esq., President of this Congress, or his succes- 
 sor in that office, for the faithful discharge of his trust. 
 
 Voted, That there be raised, levied, and paid by the 
 inhabitants of this Province, in the same proportion as was 
 last used in levying and proportioning the Taxes of this 
 Province, the sum of Three Thousand Pounds, lawful 
 money, and paid unto Nicholas Gilman, Esq., of Eveter, 
 as Treasurer appointed by this Convention, by the first day 
 of November next. 
 
 Voted, That all Officers and Soldiers employed in the 
 service shall be taxed as other persons are, according to 
 their ability. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Wednesday, May 21, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety recommend three 
 persons for Field-Officers in the Regiment now to be 
 raised. 
 
 Voted, That it be recommended to the several Towns 
 in this Government to encourage Manufactures in general, 
 and that of Fire-Arms in particular. 
 
 Voted, That there be added to the Committee of Safety 
 one from the County of Hillsborough, one from Cheshire, 
 and one from Grafton. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Enoch Poor be the first in command 
 in the Second Regiment to be raised, under Colonel Fol- 
 som; Captain John McDuffee to be second, and Captain 
 Joseph Cillcy the third. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Cutts, Mr. Wheelock, and Mr. Walk- 
 er, be a Committee to examine into the state of our late 
 Treasurer, Doctor Giddinge's Account. 
 
 Voted, That Israel Morey, Esq., be one of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Josiah Moulton be one of the 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. James McGrcgory be added to the 
 Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Voted, That the same forms for enlisting men in the 
 several parts, to be used here as in the Massachusetts-Bay . 
 mutatis mutandis. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety be empowered to 
 issue orders for enlisting men sufficient for one Regiment, 
 in the same manner as is practised in the Massachusetts- 
 Bay ; and receive returns of men enlisted, in the same 
 manner as there. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, eight o'clock in the morning. 
 
655 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1175. 
 
 656 
 
 Thursday, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 fooled, That Messrs. Samuel Shcrburn, Pierce Long, 
 John Dudley, Esq., be a Committee to bring in a draught 
 empowering the Committee of Safety and Committee of 
 Supplies to act in the recess of this Congress ; and also to 
 recommend to this body some suitable person for a Com- 
 missary. 
 
 Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Farrar and the Rev. Mr. 
 Steams be added to the above-mentioned Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Moses Emerson, Esq., be Commissary for 
 the Army. 
 
 Voted, That the Congress sit by adjournment from day 
 to dav, till the return of the Committee from Cambridge. 
 
 Friday, May 26, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, The following Instructions to the Committee of 
 Safety : That the Committee of Safety be empowered and 
 directed, in the recess of the Congress, to take under their 
 consideration all matters in which the welfare of the Prov- 
 ince in the security of their rights shall be concerned, ex- 
 cept the appointment of the Field-Officers, and take the 
 utmost care that the publick sustain no damage; and that 
 they act in the following manner : 
 
 1st. That they see to it that whatever plans have been 
 determined upon by the Congress to be immediately carried 
 into execution, which have not been entrusted to the man- 
 agement of any particular persons or Committee, shall be 
 executed by such persons, and in such ways, as the Com- 
 mittee shall judge best. 
 
 2d. If any exigence not provided for by the Congress re- 
 quires immediate attention — such as marching Troops raised 
 to repel an invasion in any part, or directing the motions of 
 the Militia within the Province, or without the Province, 
 with their own consent for the same purpose ; or make use 
 of any special advantage for securing Military Stores, or 
 securing any important Post, or preventing our enemies 
 from securing advantageous Posts, or from obtaining Mili- 
 tary Stores or Provisions — immediately they shall take the 
 most prudent and effectual method to accomplish the above 
 and similar purposes. 
 
 3d. That they be and hereby are empowered and direct- 
 ed to apply to the Committee of Supplies for the necessary 
 Stores, Provisions, &.C., for the effectual carrying the afore- 
 said Instructions into execution. 
 
 Voted, That a copy of Colonel Fenton's Letters which 
 have been read in Congress ; also, a copy of a Letter from 
 the Congress to Colonel Fenton, be sent to the Towns of 
 Portsmouth, Greenland , and Rye. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That a Company, not exceeding sixty men, in 
 the Northwesterly parts of this Colony, be forthwith en- 
 listed, to be ready to act as occasion may require ; that at 
 present a small party of them, not exceeding ten men at a 
 time, be employed to guard the passes and gain intelligence ; 
 and that those only who are in actual service shall be un- 
 der pay ; and that the enlisting and further directing them 
 be referred to the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Supplies be empowered 
 and directed to furnish the Commissary with whatever Mil- 
 itary Stores and Provisions the Committee of Safety shall 
 think necessary. And that they and each of them be em- 
 powered to take up such Stores, &c., on the faith of TlTis 
 Colony, on the best terms, and from such person or per- 
 sons as they can procure them ; and also that they, or the 
 major part of them, be empowered to borrow, on the faith 
 of this Colony, any sum not exceeding Ten Thousand 
 Pounds, lawful money, as the Committee find necessary, 
 to answer the directions from the Committee of Safety. 
 And this Convention, for themselves and constituents, plight 
 their faith and estates to said Committee of Supplies, as 
 their bondmen to all intents and purposes, for the payment 
 of whatever sum they hire or borrow in consequence of 
 this Vote. 
 
 Adjourned to Wednesday, ten o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Wednesday, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the division of the two thousand men raised 
 
 and to be raised in this Colony, into Regiments and Com- 
 panies, be referred to the Committee of Safety, for them 
 to report their opinion to the Congress as soon as may be. 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee of Safety reported as their opinion, that 
 the two thousand men be divided into three Regiments, and 
 each Regiment into ten Companies, as equally as can con- 
 veniently be done. 
 
 Voted, That the foregoing Report be received, and that 
 the Regiments and Companies be divided accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That the enlisting men in this Colony by per- 
 sons belonging to any other, is a wrong measure, and ought 
 to be discouraged. 
 
 A Petition being read, signed by twelve persons, praying 
 that James Read, Esq., might not be commissioned in the 
 Army, as he had, heretofore, shown himself inimical to the 
 liberty of his Country ; and no person appearing to prove 
 or enforce the Petition, voted that it be dismissed. 
 
 Voted, That the thanks of this Congress be given to the 
 party who this day have removed sundry Cannon from the 
 sea-coast in this Colony, to the Town of Portsmouth, and 
 to Doctor Hall Jackson in particular, for assisting in the 
 matter and bringing us the intelligence. 
 
 Voted, That Major Hobart be Muster-Master to muster 
 Captain Adams's Company. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, eight o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That two Companies, as soon as they can be 
 properly mustered and equipped, be sent to guard the sea- 
 coast for the present. 
 
 Voted, That the two Companies first equipped and mus- 
 tered, be sent to guard the sea-coast. 
 
 Voted, That there be three Field-Officers appointed for 
 each Regiment, exclusive of the General Officers. 
 
 The complaint of Joseph Reille against Major Hobart, 
 read and considered. 
 
 Voted, That the Petition or complaint be dismissed. 
 
 Voted, That Major Hobart be empowered to administer 
 the same oath to Soldiers in the common service, as has 
 been taken in the Massachusetts service. 
 
 Voted, That James Reed, Esq., be appointed Colonel 
 of a Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That Israel Gilman, Esq., be appointed Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel of Colonel Reed's Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That Nathan Hale be Major of the aforesaid 
 Regiment. 
 
 Whereas in the course of the present disputes it may 
 be necessary to import on the risk of the Colony a quan- 
 tity of Military Stores: 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 hereby are empowered and directed to import or cause to 
 be imported from any place whatever, such and so many 
 Stores aforesaid, not exceeding the value of three thousand 
 Pounds, lawful money, and the same to risk at their discre- 
 tion, with or without making insurance on the vessels or 
 cargoes which may be so employed, sent out, or imported. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety be empowered to 
 give out Enlisting Orders to ten persons to enlist each a 
 company of sixty-two Soldiers, including non-commis- 
 sioned officers, to make a Regiment, to be under the com- 
 mand of Colonel James Reed. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Portsmouth, together 
 with Captain Ezekiel Worthen, be desired to provide a 
 number of Fascines ; and also to procure proper Carriages 
 for those Guns removed from Jerry's Point; and also such 
 other materials as they may think necessary for erecting a 
 Battery to hinder the passage of Ships up lo the Town; 
 and also that they endeavour, if it can be done with secrecy 
 and safety, to get what Shot may be at the Fort at New- 
 castle : and that all those matters be done with the utmost 
 secrecy the matter will allow of, and then determine upon 
 some suitable place for a Battery, where the materials, when 
 completed, may suddenly be removed to. 
 
 Whereas his Excellency the Govemour of this Colony, 
 in calling a General Assembly, to meet at Portsmouth in 
 February last, required three new Towns that had never 
 sent Members before to elect persons to represent them in 
 said Assembly, and as said Assembly are to sit by adjourn- 
 
657 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 658 
 
 ment on the 12th instant, this Congress are of opinion that 
 the Goveruour's assuming the right of sending to such new 
 Towns, as he thinks fit without concurrence of the other 
 branches of the Legislature, is unconstitutional and subver- 
 sive of the rights and privileges of the good people of this 
 Colony, and the establishing such a precedent may leave 
 room for some designing Governour to occasion a very 
 partial representation of the people by sending to small 
 Towns, and omitting large ones with many other evils : 
 
 Therefore do resolve further, That it is the opinion of 
 Congress, that the persons called and elected as aforesaid, 
 ought not to be allowed a seat in the House of Represent- 
 atives of this Colony. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 2, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Supplies be desired to 
 apply, and obtain the quantity and quality of the Powder 
 brought from the Fort William and Mary, also take it into 
 their possession, and lay the state of it before the Com- 
 mittee of Safety. 
 
 Adjourned till three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment, three o'clock, P. M. 
 An Address to the inhabitants of this Colony, voted 
 and is on file. 
 
 Saturday, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, An Address to the Congress of New-York re- 
 specting the Fort at Ticonderoga, and our sending Men 
 upon the Frontiers, Sic. 
 
 Voted, An Address to the Congress at Watertown re- 
 specting the same. 
 
 Voted, An Address to the Colony of Connecticut re- 
 specting the same. 
 
 Voted, An Address to the Continental Congress re- 
 specting the Fort at Ticonderoga, &lc. 
 
 Voted, An Address to our Delegates, John Sullivan 
 and John Langdon, Esquires, respecting the same. 
 
 Copies of all which on file. 
 
 Voted, That John Stark be the Colonel of the First 
 Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That Isaac Wyman be Lieutenant-Colonel of 
 the same Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That Andrew Mc Clary be Major of the Third 
 Regiment. 
 
 Voted, That Thursday fortnight be recommended as a 
 day of Fasting and Prayer in this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That General Folsom. as Brigadier-General and 
 first commander of the New-Hampshire Forces, under 
 the Commander-in-Chief of the New-England Army, be 
 allowed the same wages as a Brigadier-General shall receive 
 in the Massachusetts service, both as General and comman- 
 der of a Regiment, while in actual service, and that he have 
 no particular Regiment of his own, but equally command 
 all the Neiv-Hampshire Forces ; and that ten Companies 
 of the Regiment, of sixty-two men each, now at Medford, 
 in the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, be the first or 
 oldest Regiment. 
 
 Whereas, at the particular desire of the people on the 
 western frontiers of this Colony, a vote was passed by 
 this Congress the 26th instant, to raise a Company of sixty 
 men, under such directions and restrictions as is therein 
 expressed ; and at their special request it is now thought 
 necessary to alter that establishment, and augment the 
 number : 
 
 Therefore, voted, That a Company of sixty men be 
 raised of the inhabitants of said frontiers, to be commis- 
 sioned by the Committee of Safety ; and that they, and two 
 Companies out of the two thousand men raised in this 
 Colony, be stationed as soon as the Committee of Sup- 
 plies procure Stores for them, by the Committee of Safety 
 on said frontiers, and remain until further orders. 
 
 Monday, June 5, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment, three o'clock, P. M. 
 But few Members present, adjourned till to-morrow, at 
 eight o'clock. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. , 
 
 Tuesday, Juno 6, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That all Officers and Soldiers of the New- 
 Hampshire Army, now raising for the defence and security 
 of the rights and liberties of this and our sister Colonies in 
 America, shall each and every of them (excepting the 
 General Officers,) repeat and take the following oath, viz: 
 
 " I, A B, swear I will truly and faithfully serve in the 
 New-Hampshire Troops to which I belong, for the defence 
 and security of the estates, lives, and liberties of the good 
 people of this and the sister Colonies of America, in op- 
 position to ministerial tyranny by which they are or may 
 be oppressed, and to all other enemies and opposers what- 
 soever ; that I will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of 
 said Army, observe and obey the General and other offi- 
 cers set over me, and disclose and make known to said 
 officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts, and designs 
 whatsoever, which I shall know to be made against said 
 Army, or any of the English American Colonies. So help 
 me God." 
 
 Voted, To raise one Artillery Company, to be at Ports- 
 mouth. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety look out and 
 commission the best men they can find, as officers of the 
 said Artillery Company. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Whereas a vote passed on the third instant, respecting 
 General Folsom's wages, and that of ranking Colonel 
 Stark's Regiment: Voted, That that part of said vote, 
 which respects General Folsom's wages, be reconsidered ; 
 and instead thereof, voted that General Folsom, as chief 
 commander of the New-Hampshire Forces, under the 
 Commander-in-Chief of the New-England Forces, be 
 allowed the wages of a Colonel of a Regiment, and such 
 other allowances as this Convention may think proper here- 
 after. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Elkins's Company be for the pre- 
 sent placed upon the sea-coast. 
 
 Voted, That the Proclamation for a Fast on the 22d 
 instant be sent to the press, and from thence sent to all 
 the Towns in the Colony. 
 
 Voted, That the Artillery Company consist of sixty- 
 five men, including officers, to be at Portsmouth. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety appoint Muster 
 Masters. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Wednesday, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That every transaction which this Convention 
 thinks expedient should be kept as a profound secret, we 
 do hereby solemnly promise and oblige ourselves strictly 
 to conform to, and not communicate upon any pretence 
 whatsoever, unless by leave of this Congress. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Thursday, June 8, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, An Address to the inhabitants of this Colony be 
 sent to the press, respecting lenity by creditors to their 
 debtors, Sic. 
 
 Colonel Hale returned, got no Powder or Small-Arms, 
 but gives us great encouragement that we shall have some 
 soon from the Southern Colonies ; and that Powder is made 
 at Philadelphia in such quantities, that two hundred barrels 
 is made in a day ; and that Provisions are plenty and cheap 
 in Connecticut, and that quantities are now transporting to 
 Cambridge. 
 
 Adjourned till three o'clock. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Page and Colonel Stark, from 
 Dunbarton, have a hearing before this Convention the 
 second day of sitting, after adjournment, for any time longer 
 than from Saturday lo Monday. 
 
 Voted, That the sum of Fifty Pounds be paid by the 
 Treasurer of this Colony to any inhabitant of said Colony 
 who shall manufacture the largest quantity of Saltpetre, 
 not less than one hundred weight, within one year from this 
 
659 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 660 
 
 date : also the sum of six pence per pound for every pound 
 above ten pound (excepting that person who receives the 
 bounty of fifty Pounds) manufactured by any person within 
 said Colony, in the said year, and that the Committee of 
 Supplies be directed and empowered to examine any quan- 
 tity offered, and to draw on the Treasurer agreeable to this 
 Resolve, or some other Committee who shall be particu- 
 larly empowered for this purpose. 
 
 Whereas a number of the Towns of this Colony have 
 not yet paid into the hands of George Jaffrey, Esq., their 
 Province Tax : 
 
 Resolved, That the Constables and Collectors of said 
 Towns be, and hereby are directed to pay said money into 
 the hands of Colonel Nicholas Oilman, Receiver-General 
 for the Colony of New- Hampshire, who is authorized to 
 receive and give receipts for the same. 
 
 Voted, That Deacon Samuel Books be Postmaster for 
 this Town. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Friday, June 9, 1775. 
 Voted, That Ebenczcr Thompson, Esquire, and Colonel 
 Nicholas Oilman, be a Committee to procure the plates, 
 and see the Notes struck off. Adjourned to three o'clock. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General of this Colony, 
 appointed by this Congress, be hereby empowered to give 
 his notes of hand on the faith of the Colony, payable to 
 the possessor, for the sum of Ten Thousand and Fifty 
 Pounds, of the present currency, or lawful money, to be 
 paid into the Treasury aforesaid by a Tax on the polls and 
 estates of the inhabitants of this Colony, in the following 
 manner, viz : four thousand Pounds to be paid by the 
 twentieth December, which will be in the year of our Lord 
 
 1776, and six per cent, interest from the date; and the 
 sum of three thousand Pounds the twentieth December, 
 
 1777, and three thousand and fifty Pounds the twentieth 
 December, 1778. And the said notes shall be struck by 
 copper-plate, to be engraved under the direction of this 
 Congress for the several sums following, to complete said 
 sum of Ten Thousand and Fifty Pounds, viz : Six thou- 
 sand Pounds in Forty Shilling notes ; three thousand Pounds 
 in Twenty Shilling notes ; nine hundred Pounds in Six 
 Shilling notes, and one hundred and fifty Pounds in One 
 Shilling notes ; and the form of said notes to be in the fol- 
 lowing words, with such other devices as may be ordered 
 by the Congress, viz : 
 
 " Colony of New-Hampshire, ) 
 No. . June 20, 1775. \ 
 
 "The possessor of this note shall be entitled to receive, 
 
 out of the Treasury of this Colony, the sum of 
 
 Shillings, lawful money, on the twentieth of December, 
 177-, with interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum ; 
 and this note shall be received in all payments at the Trea- 
 sury at any time after the date hereof, for the principal sum, 
 
 without interest, if so paid before the said twentieth day of 
 December, A. D. 177-. 
 
 S. T. N. O. 
 
 And the Treasurer or Committee who shall number the 
 same, shall fill the blank left for time of payment in a num- 
 ber of bills sufficient to complete four thousand Pounds, 
 with the figure 6, and number to complete three thousand 
 Pounds with the figure 7, and the remainder witli the figure 8. 
 And the said Notes, when brought unto said Receiver-Gen- 
 eral and paid by him, shall, after the said time fixed for 
 payment, be burnt to ashes in the presence of the Congress 
 of this Colony. 
 
 3,000 40s. is £6,000 
 
 3,000 20s. is 3,000 
 
 3,000 6s. is 900 
 
 3,000 Is. is 150 
 
 £10,050 lawful money. 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Saturday, June 10, 177 j. 
 
 Voted, That all Bills of Credit on the faith of the Colo- 
 ny of the Massachusetts-Bay, have a free currency in this 
 Colony of New-Hampshire. 
 
 Voted, That the President of the Congress be empowered 
 to sign any papers in the recess of the Congress, which it 
 is necessary should be signed by hirn as President, and in 
 particular the commissions to all officers appointed for the 
 Army belonging to this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That one month's wages be paid to all the offi- 
 cers and soldiers in the pay of this Colony as soon as may 
 be, and that prior thereto the Paymaster administer to 
 each of the said officers and soldiers the oath appointed by 
 this Congress. 
 
 Voted, That George Frost, Esq., be one of the Com- 
 mittee with Ebenezer Thompson, Esq., instead of Colonel 
 Nicholas Oilman, to procure the plate, see the money struck 
 off, signed, and delivered to the Receiver-General. 
 
 This body having taken into consideration the great stag- 
 nation of Trade, and the difficulty to which their constituents 
 are reduced by the unhappy dispute with Great Biitain, 
 as to the turning either their real or personal estates into 
 cash, think it necessary to recommend for the present all 
 possible lenity and forbearance in creditors towards those 
 who may stand indebted to them, but that they avoid mul- 
 tiplying suits at law, and especially the carrying them to 
 such length as the levying execution on real estates, which 
 must, in this case, in our apprehension, be sold much below 
 their real value. We most particularly recommend this 
 lenity and forbearance in reference to such who have or 
 may engage as officers and soldiers in the defence of the 
 invaded rights and liberties of America ; and we further 
 recommend to debtors all possible care and endeavour to 
 discharge to the utmost of their power all just demands 
 upon them. 
 
 Adjourned to the twenty-seventh instant. 
 
 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Anne Arundel Coun- 
 ty, at Pigg Point, on Saturday, the twentieth of May, at 
 the request of Mr. David JVeems, Jr. ; Joseph Galloway, 
 Esq., in the Chair. Present: Mr. Thomas Tillard, Tho- 
 mas Deale, Marmaduke Wyvlll, Thomas Tongue, Robert 
 Brown, William Tillard, Edward Tillard, Samuel Har- 
 rison, and John Stewart. 
 
 Mr. Wcems desired to know if he might procure some 
 articles that he had occasion for. of any of the masters 
 of ships, particularly an anchor and cable of Captain David 
 Carcaud, of the Ship Industry. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that 
 Mr. Weems, nor any other person, can, consistent with the 
 letter and spirit of the Association of the Continental Con- 
 gress, purchase or receive the same. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Carcaud cannot sell, or in any 
 manner dispose of, or land the aforesaid anchor and cable, 
 or any rigging, sails, or other goods he may have on board 
 
 his ship, to any person within the Province of Maryland, 
 or any part of America. 
 
 Ordered, That this be printed in the Maryland Gazette. 
 
 J. Stewart, Clerk. 
 
 Newcastle, Delaware, May 20, 1775. 
 This day, agreeable to appointment, the Captains and 
 Subaltern Officers of Newcastle County met at Christiana 
 Bridge to choose Commanders, when the following gentle- 
 men were chosen, viz : 
 
 For the Upper Division. 
 
 James McKinley, Esq., Colonel ; 
 
 James Latimer, Esq., Lieutenant Colonel ; 
 
 Thomas Duff, Esq., Major. 
 
 For the Lower Division. 
 
 Thomas Gooch, Esq., Colonel ; 
 Samuel Patterson, Lieutenant Colonel ; 
 Gunning Bedford, Major. 
 
661 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 662 
 
 TO THE DELEGATES OF NEW-JERSEY IN THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 [Read before Congress May 27, 1775.] 
 
 House of Assembly, New-Jersey, ) 
 May 20, 1775. \ 
 
 His Excellency having laid before the House a copy of 
 the Resolution of the honourable House of Commons of 
 Great Britain, of the twentieth of February, 1775, con- 
 taining a plan formed for the accommodation of the unhappy 
 differences between our Parent State and the Colonies, 
 which plan, under the present circumstances, this House 
 could not comply with and adopt; and yet this House, being 
 desirous of making use of all proper means to effect a re- 
 conciliation, do recommend it to their Delegates to lay the 
 same plan before the Continental Congress for their consi- 
 deration. 
 
 A true copy from the Journals : 
 
 Richard Smith, Clerk of Assembly. 
 
 COLONEL GUT JOHNSON TO THE MAGISTRATES AND OTHERS 
 OF PALATINE, ETC., TRYON COUNTY, N. Y. 
 
 Guy Park, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: I have lately had repeated accounts that 
 a body of New-Englanders or others were to come to 
 seize and carry away my person, and attack our family, 
 under colour of malicious insinuation that I intend to set 
 the Indians upon the people. Men of sense and character 
 know that my office is of the highest importance to promote 
 peace amongst the Six Nations, and prevent their entering 
 into any such dispute. This I effected last year when they 
 were much vexed about the attack made upon the Shawa- 
 nese, and I last winter appointed them to meet me this 
 month, to receive the answer of the Virginians. And all 
 men must allow, that if the Indians find their council fire 
 disturbed, and their Superintendent insulted, they will take 
 a dreadful revenge. It is therefore the duty of all people 
 to prevent this, and to satisfy any who may have been 
 imposed on, that their suspicions, and the allegations they 
 have collected against me, are false and inconsistent with 
 my character and office. 
 
 I recommend this to you as highly necessary at this time, 
 as my regard for the interest of the Country, and self-pre- 
 servation, has obliged me to fortify my house, and keep men 
 armed for my defence, till these idle and ridiculous reports 
 are removed. You may lay this letter before such as are 
 interested in those matters. I am, gentlemen, your hum- 
 ble servant, G. Johnson. 
 To the Magistrates and others of Palatine, Canajoharie, 
 
 and the Upper Districts. 
 
 COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE MAGISTRATES OF SCHE- 
 NECTADY AND ALBANY. 
 
 Guy Park, May, 1775. 
 Gentlmen : As the peace and happiness of the Coun- 
 try are objects that every good man should have at heart, 
 I think it highly necessary to acquaint you, that for a few 
 days I have been put to the great trouble and expense of 
 fortifying my house, and keeping a large body of men for 
 the defence of my person; and have received repeated 
 accounts that either the New-Englanders, or some persons 
 in or about the City of Albany or Town of Schenectady, 
 are coming up, to a considerable number, to seize and im- 
 prison me on a ridiculous and malicious report that I intend 
 to make the Indians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect. 
 The absurdity of this apprehension may easily be seen by 
 men of sense ; but as many credulous and ignorant persons 
 may be led astray and inclined to believe it, and as they 
 have already sent down accounts, examinations, &tc., from 
 busy people here, that I can fully prove to be totally devoid 
 of all foundation, it is become the duty* of all those who 
 have authority or influence, to disabuse the publick, and 
 prevent consequences which I foresee with very great con- 
 cern, and most cordially wish may be timely prevented. 
 Any differences in political ideas can never justify such 
 extravagant opinions ; and I little imagined that they should 
 have gained belief amongst any order of people who know 
 my character, station, and the large property I have in the 
 country, and the duties of my office, which are to preserve 
 tranquillity amongst the Indians, hear their grievances, &c, 
 
 and prevent them from falling upon the trade and frontiers. 
 These last were greatly threatened by the Indians on ac- 
 count of the disturbances last year between the Virginians 
 and Shawanese; during which, my endeavours prevented 
 the Six Nations from taking a part that would have sensibly 
 affected the publick ; and I appointed last fall that the Six 
 Nations should come to me this month, in order to receive, 
 amongst other things, final satisfaction concerning the lands 
 said to be invaded by the Virginians, who have now sent 
 me their answer. In the discharge of this duty, I likewise 
 essentially serve the publick. But should I neglect myself, 
 and be tamely made prisoner, it is clear to all who know 
 any thing of Indians, they will not sit still and see their 
 Council fire extinguished, and Superintendent driven from 
 his duty, but will come upon the frontiers, in revenge, with 
 a power sufficient to commit horrid devastation. It is there- 
 fore become as necessary to the publick, as to myself, that 
 my person should be defended. But as the measures I am 
 necessitated to take for that purpose may occasion the pro- 
 pagation of additional falsehoods, and may at last appear 
 to the Indians in a light that is not for the benefit of the 
 publick, I should heartily wish, gentlemen, that you could 
 take such measures for removing these apprehensions, as 
 may enable me to discharge my duties (which do not inter- 
 fere with the publick) without the protection of armed 
 men and the apprehension of insult; and as the publick 
 are much interested in this, I must beg to have your answer 
 as soon as possible. I am, gentlemen, your most humble 
 servant, G. Johnson. 
 
 To the Magistrates and Committee of Schenectady, and 
 to the Mayor, Corporation, he, of Albany; to be for- 
 warded by the former. 
 
 CENERAL ASSEMBLY OF RHODE-ISLAND. 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Whereas the Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, 
 sacrificing the glory and happiness of their Sovereign, and 
 the good of Britain and the Colonies, to their own ambi- 
 tious and lucrative views, have entered into many arbitrary 
 illegal resolutions, for depriving His Majesty's subjects in 
 America of every security for the enjoyment of life, liberty, 
 and property ; and have sent, and are still sending, Troops 
 and Ships-of-War into these Colonies, to enforce their tyran- 
 nical mandates, and have actually begun to shed the blood 
 of the innocent people of these Colonies ; in consequence 
 whereof, this Assembly, at the session held on the twenty- 
 second of April last, passed an Act for raising fifteen hun- 
 dred men, as an Army of Observation, and to assist any of 
 our sister Colonies : 
 
 And whereas the Honourable Joseph Wanton, Esquire, 
 then Governour of this Colony, did enter a Protest against 
 the said Act, conceived in such terms as highly to reflect 
 upon the General Assembly, and upon the united opposi- 
 tion of all America, to the aforesaid tyrannical measures : 
 And whereas the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath neg- 
 lected 1o issue a Proclamation for the due observation of 
 Thursday, the eleventh of May instant, as a day of fast- 
 ing and prayer, agreeable to an Act passed at the said ses- 
 sion : And whereas the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., hath 
 been elected to the office of Governour of this Colony for 
 the present year, and been duly notified by this Assembly, 
 notwithstanding which, he has not attended at this General 
 Assembly, and taken the oath required by law : And where- 
 as the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath positively refused 
 to sign the commissions for the officers appointed to com- 
 mand the Troops so ordered to be raised. By all which 
 he hath manifested his intention to defeat the good people 
 of these Colonies in their present glorious struggle to trans- 
 mit inviolate to posterity those sacred rights they have re- 
 ceived from their ancestors: 
 
 Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and 
 by the authority thereof it is enacted, That the Deputy- 
 Governour and Assistants be, and they are hereby forbid to 
 administer the oath of office to the said Joseph Wanton, 
 Esq., unless in free and open General Assembly, according 
 to the unvaried practice of this Colony, and with the assent 
 of such Assembly ; that until the said Joseph Wanton, 
 Esq., shall have taken the oath of office as aforesaid, it 
 shall not be lawful for him to act as Governour of this Col- 
 ony in any case whatever ; and that every act done by him, 
 
663 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 664 
 
 in the precedent capacity of Govcrnour, shall be null and 
 void in itself, and shall not operate as a warrant or discharge 
 to any person acting by his order or under his authority. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That Henry Ward, Esq., Secretary of the Colony, be and 
 he is hereby directed and fully authorized and empowered 
 to sign the commissions for all officers, civil and military, 
 chosen by this Assembly, as well those going in the service 
 aforesaid, as others ; he receiving therefor, out of the gen- 
 eral Treasury, two shillings and eight pence for each com- 
 mission. And that such commission so signed, with the 
 Colony seal affixed, shall be as full and effectual warrants 
 to every and all such officers so chosen, for the faith- 
 ful discharge of his and their duty, as If the same were 
 signed by a Governour of this Colony, duly elected and 
 engaged according to law ; any law, custom, or usage, to 
 the contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That bis Honour the Deputy Governour be requested, and 
 fully authorized and empowered, to call the General As- 
 sembly together upon any emergency, to meet at such time 
 and place as he shall think tnost fit for the interest of the 
 Colony. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF MASSACHUSETTS TO GENERAL 
 PREBLE. 
 
 Cambridge, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir: This Committee received your favour of the 15th 
 instant, touching the raising men for the service of this 
 Colony, and note your just observations on the subject. 
 
 The Committee, after the Resolutions of the Congress 
 for the establishing an Army of 13,600 men, thought the 
 exigencies of the times, and the exposed situation of the 
 several Towns near Boston, made it absolutely necessary 
 that the Army should be immediately raised, and that for 
 the facilitating of this important business, it was expedient 
 orders should be issued to such men as are recommended 
 as proper persons for such important trusts. Accordingly 
 orders were issued to as many Colonels as were sufficient 
 to complete said Army ; but from the delay which appeared 
 in the Army's being formed, by the slow progress made in 
 the enlisting men, and the exposed situation of the Colony 
 camp, by the going off of numbers from time to time, it 
 was rendered necessary that further orders should be issued 
 for completing the Army with all possible speed ; and, in 
 consequence of that determination, among others, Colonel 
 March received orders for the enlisting of a Regiment for 
 the service of this Colony, and, we understand, has made 
 some considerable progress in enlisting men for said service. 
 We are also informed by your Honour, that Colonel Phin~ 
 ney has received enlisting orders from you, and has engaged 
 in the business of enlisting men to complete a Regiment. 
 And we are further informed by your Honour, that it is 
 impracticable that two Regiments should be raised in the 
 County of Cumberland ; and being told by Colonel Phin- 
 ney that many of the men that would be raised in your 
 County, could not be supplied by the Towns, from which 
 they are enlisted, with fire-arms and blankets, this Com- 
 mittee, taking into consideration the exposed situation of 
 your County, and the probability of the Army's being com- 
 pleted without drawing men from those parts of the Colony 
 which are more immediately exposed, would recommend, 
 Sir, that you would use your influence that a stop be put to 
 the raising any men in your County, until it may be known 
 by the various returns from the several Colonels authorized 
 for the raising Regiments, whether it may be necessary to 
 take any men from your County ; and should this necessity 
 take place, of raising a Regiment in your County, this Com- 
 mittee will endeavour to give you such early intelligence 
 as may be necessary. The request of this Committee to 
 your Honour, we flatter ourselves will not be conceived by 
 you as carrying in it the least disrespect to Colonel March 
 or Colonel Phinncy, but solely from the probability of the 
 Army's being complete, without taking men from those 
 parts of the Colony which are more immediately exposed. 
 We should be glad to see your Honour at Head-Quarters ; 
 hope your health will soon admit, and with you join in the 
 hope of soon seeing a speedy end to the great difficulties 
 this distressed Colony now labours under. 
 
 We are, S' r . w ' ln great respect, your Honour's humble 
 servants. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO CONFER 
 WITH THE CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Exeter, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : In obedience to the orders of the Congress, we 
 have executed the commission betrusted us, and find the 
 General disposed to concur in every measure that shall con- 
 duce to the publick good. Enclosed, Sir, is their Resolve 
 of Congress. We can add no more than giving you ac- 
 count of their seizing a number of masts in Portsmouth, 
 destined for the Navy. Their firmness, resolution, and 
 unanimity, gives us great pleasure, and are, Sir, with the 
 highest respect, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Joseph Gerrish, 
 Ecenezer Sawyer. 
 To the President of the Congress of the Massachusetts 
 
 Colony, if sitting, and if not, to the Chairman of the 
 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 In Provincial Convention at Exeter, ( 
 May 20, 1775. $ 
 
 Whereas by the late Acts of the British Parliament, and 
 conduct of the Ministers in pursuance thereof, it appears 
 very evident that a plan is laid and now pursuing, to subju- 
 gate this and the other American Colonies to the most 
 abject slavery ; and the late hostilities committed by the 
 British Troops in our sister Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, leaves us no doubt in determining that no other way- 
 is left us to preserve our most darling rights, and inestima- 
 ble privileges, but by immediately defending thern by arms. 
 Reduced, therefore, by this most terrible necessity, this 
 Convention, after the most solemn deliberations, have 
 
 Resolved, That it is necessary to raise immediately two 
 thousand effective men in this Province, including officers, 
 and those of this Province that are already in the service, 
 and that the time of their enlistment continue to the last 
 day of December next, unless the Committee of Safety- 
 should judge it proper that a part or the whole be discharged 
 sooner. 
 
 That every member pledge his honour and estate in the 
 name of his constituents, to pay their proportion for the 
 maintenance and pay of the above officers and soldiers 
 while in service. 
 
 That application be made immediately to the Continen- 
 tal Congress, for their advice and assistance respecting 
 means and ways to put the above plan into execution. 
 
 That the establishment of the officers and soldiers shall 
 be the same as in the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Agreed, That the Selectmen of the several Towns and 
 Districts within this Colony, be desired to furnish the sol- 
 diers, who shall enlist from their respective Towns and 
 Districts, with good and sufficient blankets, and render their 
 account to the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 That if it should appear that the above number of men 
 is not our full proportion with other Governments, that this 
 Convention will make a proper addition for that purpose. 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 REVEREND WILLIAM GORDON TO DOCTOR J. WARREN. 
 
 Jamaica Plains, May 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Shall be obliged to you would you stop any letters 
 directed for me that may be brought by the post, and send 
 them by the bearer, who will pay the postage. Should the 
 Committee approve of sending me Hutchinson's loose let- 
 ters, with the letter books, on Monday, will apply myself 
 to sorting them according to date, reading them over, and 
 notifying every thing that shall appear to me of impor- 
 tance to be laid before the publick. Your very humble 
 servant, and brother in the same common cause, 
 
 William Gordon. 
 
 letter from four mohawks to the oneidas, trans- 
 lated from the mohawk into english. 
 
 Written at Guy Johnson's, May, 1775. 
 
 This is your letter, you great ones or Sachems. Guy 
 Johnson says he will be glad if you get this intelligence, you 
 Oneidas, how it goes with him now, and he is now more 
 certain concerning the intention of the Boston people. Guy 
 Johnson is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the Bos- 
 
6G5 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 GG6 
 
 Immm. We Mohaicks are obliged to watch him constantly. 
 Therefore we send you this intelligence that you shall know 
 it, and Guy Johnson assures himself, and depends upon 
 your coming to his assistance, and that you will without 
 fail be of that opinion. He believes not that you will 
 assent to let him suffer. We therefore expect you in a 
 couple of days' time. So much at present. We send but 
 so far as to you Oneidas, but afterward perhaps to all the 
 other Nations. We conclude and expect that you will 
 have concern about our ruler, Guy Johnson, because we 
 are all united. Aren Kannenzaron, 
 
 Johannes Tegarihoge, 
 Deyagodeaghnaweagh. 
 
 Joseph Brant, 
 
 Guy Johnson's Interpreter. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE OF TRYON COUNTY, NEW- 
 YORK, ON THE LETTER OF COLONEL GUY JOHNSON, OF 
 MAY 20, AND THE LETTER FROM THE MOHAWKS. 
 
 In Committee, Tryon County, May 21, 1775. 
 
 1. That it is the opinion of this Commitee that the Li- 
 llians who signed the letter never would have presumed to 
 write or send the same, if they had not been counte- 
 nanced. 
 
 2. That as we have unanimously adopted the proceed- 
 ings of the Grand Continental Congress, and mean vir- 
 tuously to support the same, so we feel and commiserate 
 the sufferings of our brethren in the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 and the other Colonies in America, and that we mean 
 never to submit to any arbitrary and oppressive acts of any 
 power under Heaven, or to any illegal and unwarrantable 
 action of any man or set of men. 
 
 3. That as the whole Continent has approved of the 
 actions and proceeding of the Massachusetts-Bay, and 
 other of the Provinces of New-England, we do adopt 
 and approve of the same. Wherefore we must and do 
 consider that any fortification or armed force raised, to be 
 made use of against them, as evidently designed to over- 
 awe and make us submit. 
 
 4. That Colonel Johnson's conduct in raising fortifica- 
 tions round his house, keeping a number of Indians and 
 armed men constantly about him, and stopping and search- 
 ing travellers upon the King's highway, and stopping our 
 communication with Albany, is very alarming to this Coun- 
 ty, and is highly arbitrary, illegal, oppressive, and unwar- 
 rantable ; and confirms us in our fears, that his design is 
 to keep us in awe, and oblige us to submit to a state of 
 slavery. 
 
 5. That as we abhor a state of slavery, we do join and 
 unite together under all the ties of religion, honour, jus- 
 tice, and a love for our Country, never to become slaves, 
 and to defend our freedom with our lives and fortunes. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF PALATINE DISTRICT, TRYON COUNTY, TO 
 THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Upon the alarming news that expresses were gone to 
 call down the Upper Nation of Indians to Colonel John- 
 son's, we caused ourselves to be convened this day, to take 
 the state of this County into consideration ; upon which 
 we have determined to order the inhabitants of this District 
 to provide themselves with sufficient arms and ammuni- 
 tion, and to be ready at a moment's warning. We are 
 sorry to acquaint you that all communication with your 
 County is entirely stopped by Colonel Johnson, who has 
 five hundred men to guard his house, which he has forti- 
 fied, under pretence that he is afraid of a visit of the New- 
 Englandmen, as will appear by a copy of a letter we 
 intercepted this morning. We have not fifty pounds of 
 powder in our District, and it will be impossible for you to 
 help us to any till the communication is opened, not a man 
 being suffered to pass without being searched. To-morrow 
 is to be a meeting of Canajoharie District, when we expect 
 they will adopt congressional measures very heartily, and 
 we purpose to have a meeting of the Committees of both 
 Districts, and propose the question, whether we will not 
 open the communication by force ; if which question is 
 determined in the affirmative, we shall despatch another 
 express to you, acquainting you with the day, when we 
 hope you will be on your way up with some ammunition. 
 
 We have just sent off an express to the German Flats, 
 and Kingsland Districts, desiring them to unite with us and 
 give us their assistance ; which Districts, or at least a great 
 majority of them, we are credibly informed, are very hearty 
 in the present struggles for American liberty. We are, 
 gentlemen, perhaps in a worse situation than any part of 
 America is at present. We have an open enemy before 
 our faces, and treacherous friends at our backs, for which 
 reason we hope you will take our case into your immediate 
 consideration, and give us an answer by the bearers, who 
 go express by the way of Schoharie, as we dare not trust 
 them any other way. . They have orders to wait for an 
 answer. We have reason to think that a great many of 
 the Indians are not satisfied with Colonel Johnson's con- 
 duct, for which reason we have thought it would not be 
 improper to send a couple of men, well acquainted with 
 the Indian language, to dissuade them from coming down. 
 And we think it would be of service to us if you could 
 send two also, who are able to make the Indians sensible 
 of the present dispute with the Mother Country and us. 
 We have the pleasure to acquaint you, that we are very 
 unanimous in our District, as well as in Canajoharie, and 
 we are determined by no means to submit to the oppres- 
 sive acts of Parliament, much less to Colonel Johnson* 
 arbitrary conduct. 
 May 21, 1775. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED BOSTON, MAY 21, 1775. 
 
 You request my writing freely, which I must be cautious 
 of, for reasons which will naturally occur to you. As to 
 the inhabitants removing, they are suffered to go out under 
 certain restrictions. This liberty was obtained after many 
 town meetings, and several conferences between their Com- 
 mittee and General Gage. The terms mutually agreed 
 to were, " that the inhabitants should deliver up all their 
 arms to the Selectmen." This was generally done, though 
 it took up some days. On this occasion the inhabitants 
 were to have had liberty to remove out of Town, with 
 their effects, and during this, to have free egress and 
 regress. But mark the event : the arms being delivered, 
 orders were issued by the General, that those who inclined 
 to remove must give in their names to the Selectmen, to 
 be by them returned to the Military Town Major, who 
 was then to write a pass for the person or family applying, 
 to go through the lines, or over the ferry ; but all mer- 
 chandise was forbid ; after a while, all provisions were 
 forbid ; and now all merchandise, provisions, and medicine. 
 Guards are appointed to examine all trunks, boxes, beds, 
 and every thing else to be carried out ; these have pro- 
 ceeded to such extremities, as to take from the poor peo- 
 ple a single loaf of bread, and half pound of chocolate ; 
 so that no one is allowed to carry out a mouthful of provi- 
 sions ; but all is submitted to quietly. The anxiety indeed 
 is so great to get out of Town, that even were we obliged 
 to go naked, it would not hinder us. But there are so 
 many obstructions thrown in the way, that I do not think 
 those who are most anxious will be all out in less than 
 two or three months — vastly different from what was 
 expected, for the General at first proposed, unasked, to 
 procure the Admiral's boats to assist the inhabitants in the 
 transportation of their effects, which is not done, and there 
 are but two ferry-boats allowed to cross. They have their 
 designs in this, which you may easily guess at. We suffer 
 much for want of fresh meat. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, May 21, 1775. 
 
 The General requests the ordnance hereafter mentioned 
 may be immediately procured and sent to Head-Quarters, 
 viz: thirty twenty-four pounders — if the whole number 
 cannot be obtained, the number be made up with eighteen 
 pounders, double fortified ; ten twelve-pounders ; eighteen 
 nine-pounders ; and ordnance stores for the above can- 
 non, viz : twenty-one thousand and six hundred pounds of 
 powder, and eighty balls for each cannon ; fifteen hundred 
 stand of arms; twenty thousand pounds musket powder; 
 forty thousand pound of lead ; and also seventeen hundred 
 pots. J. Ward, Secretary. 
 
667 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 668 
 
 JAMES SULLIVAN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 New-Hampshire, May 21, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: This will be handed to you by Mr. 
 Scammdl who I have recommended as major of the Coun- 
 ty of York Regiment. 
 
 I trouble you early, to let you know that the Regiment 
 in the County of Cumberland will have not more than one 
 gun to three men, and expect to be armed by the Prov- 
 ince. If the Colony does not intend to arm them, I appre- 
 hend that notice thereof should be immediately given to 
 Colonel March. It may be thought best to bring no men 
 from that part of the Colony. I am, with much vener- 
 ation, your very humble servant, James Sullivan. 
 To Joseph Warren, President of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, May 21, 1775. 
 
 This Committee have often contemplated the mode of 
 ascertaining the method of completing the several Regi- 
 ments, and find no clear and explicit rule to their satisfac- 
 tion, and therefore beg leave to suggest to the honourable 
 Congress of this Colony whether a return from a muster- 
 master, that such or such a Regiment had such a number 
 of privates who had passed muster, would not be a good 
 rule for ascertaining when a Regiment may be said to be 
 full, and submit the consideration of the same to the hon- 
 ourable Congress. We are, &tc. 
 
 PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of a Special Committee for the County of 
 Prince William, held at the house of Thomas Young, in 
 the Town of Dumfries, on Monday, the 22d day of May, 
 1775. Present: Foushee Tebbs, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 Messrs. William Grayson, Thos. Blackboum, Henry Lee, 
 Andrew Leitch, Richard Graham, William Brent, John 
 Brett, John McMillian, Henry Peyton, John Peyton, 
 Hugh Brent, James Tripolett, Synaugh Helen, William 
 Tebbs, Thomas Atwell, William Carr, Jesse Ewell, and 
 Cuthbert Harrison. 
 
 A Proclamation by his Excellency Lord Dunmore, with 
 the advice of His Majesty's Council, having appeared in 
 the publick papers, charging a certain Patrick Henry, and 
 his followers, with rebellious practices, for extorting from 
 the Receiver-General the sum of three hundred and thirty 
 Pounds, in satisfaction for the Powder his Lordship thought 
 proper to remove from the publick Magazine in Williams- 
 burgh ; 
 
 This Committee having taken the said transaction into 
 their serious consideration ; and it appearing to them Com 
 the Address of the Corporation of the City of Williams- 
 burgh, on the removal of the Powder, wherein a claim is 
 made, as restitution is required, and no right in Govern- 
 ment by his Excellency at that time alleged, which we 
 conceive he would naturally and necessarily have done if 
 any such had existed ; and having also been informed from 
 respectable authority, that assurance had been given to 
 several gentlemen in Williamsburgh, by his Lordship, that 
 if no disturbances were raised the Powder should be re- 
 turned : for these and other reasons which might be given, 
 they are of opinion that the Powder removed from the 
 publick Magazine in Williamsburgh, did of right belong to 
 this Colony. 
 
 This Committee being further of opinion that the late 
 violent and hostile proceedings of His Majesty's Troops in 
 the Massachusetts-Bay, in attempting to seize the military 
 stores of that Colony, would have justified reprisals of a 
 much greater magnitude : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, unanimously, That the thanks of 
 this Committee are justly due to Captain Patrick Henry, 
 and the Gentlemen Volunteers who attended him, for their 
 proper and spirited conduct on that alarming occasion. 
 
 By order: Evan Williams, Clerk. 
 
 BUCKINGHAM COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee of the County of Buckingham desire it 
 may be known to the inhabitants of the lower Counties, 
 
 that should any of them, in the impending struggle for our 
 dearest rights, be driven from their habitations, that the 
 people of Buckingham are disposed to give the most 
 friendly reception to as many of the wives, children, and 
 slaves of those their brethren, as their situations severally 
 will permit; as also to join them with their whole strength 
 to restore them to the peaceable and quiet enjoyment of 
 their possessions. 
 
 Farther, that if any of their said brethren would choose, 
 by way of precaution, to make settlements and cultivate 
 grain in Buckingham, that, coming with recommendations 
 from their County Committees, they may have lands as- 
 signed them, and continue on them as their own, until a 
 cessation of the present troubles ; also, that their stocks 
 shall be equally welcome to the woods and fields of the said 
 County, except such part only as may propagate the mur- 
 rain, which, as endangering the common means of subsist- 
 ence, may be equally dangerous to all parties. The Com- 
 mittee of Buckingham do not doubt but their sentiments 
 upon the matter in question will be general throughout the 
 interiour Counties. 
 
 Published by order of the Committee, held at the Court- 
 House, the 22d of May, 1775. 
 
 Rolfe Eldridge, Clerk. 
 
 MIDDLESEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Mid- 
 dlesex, on Monday, the 17th of April, 1775 : 
 
 A complaint was lodged against one Thomas Haddin, 
 an inhabitant of said County, for refusing to sign the Con- 
 tinental Association, and reviling the same : Whereupon 
 the Committee ordered him to be summoned to appear be- 
 fore them this 22d of May ; and it plainly appearing that 
 he had been summoned, but that he not only refused to 
 appear, but expressed himself in terms of the highest con- 
 tempt, both of the Association and Committee : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the said Thomas Haddin be 
 held forth to the publick as an enemy to American lib- 
 erty. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above be sent to the 
 Printers of the Virginia Gazette, and that they be re- 
 quested to print the same. 
 
 Lodowick Jones, Clerk to Committee. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF CHARLES COUNTY, 
 MARYLAND. 
 
 At a meeting of the Inhabitants of Charles County, in 
 Port-Tobacco Town, on Monday, the 22d day of May, 
 1775: 
 
 Captain George Dent, Chairman, and 
 
 John Gwinn, Clerk. 
 Resolved unanimously, That George Dent, Samuel 
 Hanson, William Smallwood, Josias Hawkins, Francis 
 Ware, Joseph H. Harrison, Tliomas Stone, Daniel Jeni- 
 fer, Robert T. Hooe, John Dent, Samuel Love, Thomas 
 Hanson Marshall, Philip R. Fendall, Samuel Hanson, of 
 Samuel, William Harrison, and John H. Stone, be and 
 are by this meeting appointed Deputies to represent this 
 County in any General Convention to be held for this 
 Province ; and that any five or more of them have power 
 and authority to act for and bind this County. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 John Gwinn, Clerk. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN PHILA- 
 DELPHIA TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLIAMSBURGH, VIRGINIA, 
 DATED MAY 22, 1775. 
 
 We know the plan of Ministry is to bring the Canadians 
 and Indians down upon us; for this reason the Provincial 
 Troops of Connecticut and Massachusetts have wisely 
 taken, by a brave coup de main, possession of the forts at 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point. In the former they got 
 two hundred pieces of large cannon, some field-pieces, 
 swivels, powder, &.c. &c. The Congress have directed 
 New- York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, to remove 
 these stores, &z.c, to the south end of Lake George, and take 
 strong posts there, to intercept the communication and 
 march of Canadian and Indian forces into these Colonies. 
 
669 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 670 
 
 The taking of Ticonthroga last war cost Great Britain 
 many thousand lives, and an immense expense : but now 
 it lias been taken from them, though strong and well gar- 
 risoned, by the bravery and enterprise of a few Provincials, 
 and at a very small expense. 
 
 There never was a more total revolution at any place 
 than at New-York. The Tories have been obliged to fly. 
 The Province is arming ; and the Governour dares not call 
 his prostituted Assembly to receive Lord North's foolish 
 plan. Two of the Delanceijs, Watts, Cooper, Rivington, 
 Colonel Philips, and the rest of the Tory leaders, are fled ; 
 some to England, and some to private places in the coun- 
 try, where they are not known. The Congress have ad- 
 vised the Yorkers to make provision for carrying their 
 women and children into the country, and to remove their 
 warlike stores before the arrival of the Troops there, whom 
 they are not to suffer to encamp, or commit with impunity 
 any hostilities against the people. 
 
 The latest and best accounts from Boston make the loss 
 of Regulars, in killed and wounded and missing, one thou- 
 sand men. The Provincial loss was trifling. Ten thousand 
 men are now encamped before the Town, between which 
 and the country there is no intercourse. General Gage 
 refuses to let the people out ; in consequence of which their 
 distress presently must be grievous indeed. The besieging 
 army keep the one besieged in constant alarm ; so that it is 
 said that they rest neither night nor day. Every day is 
 expected to bring two thousand men more from Ireland, 
 and seven Regiments to New- York, where the Tories had 
 informed Ministry they would be well received. But now, 
 behold, they come to a Country universally hostile, and 
 in arms, to receive them. Connecticut has twelve thousand 
 men in arms ; the Jerseys a good many ; and this Province 
 at least ei^ht thousand. There are two thousand in this 
 City, well-armed and disciplined. In short, every Col- 
 ony this way is well prepared for war, and appear to be 
 secure against any force likely to be sent against them. It 
 would seem as if the Southern Colonies were alone vulner- 
 able at present, and this should be remedied as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 It seems the bill for restraining the Trade of the Colo- 
 nies is not to have force until a certain time after its arrival 
 in North America ; so that in this instance the whole power 
 of the Legislature is given to Ministry ; for it will depend 
 on them when the Act shall arrive here, since they may 
 send it when, or never, as they please. 
 
 We find, by the late accounts, that Ministry will be more 
 puzzled than they imagine, to accomplish their detestable 
 purposes against us. A gentleman of the strictest veraci- 
 ty writes, that the embarkment from England has been 
 delayed, by the impossibility of getting seamen for the 
 ships ; but, he adds, let not this delay your vigorous efforts 
 for defence. From Ireland we learn that the people there 
 have interposed to prevent the embarkment ; and that a 
 contest has happened, in which several lives were lost on 
 both sides. 
 
 The other day, General Gage hearing that all the Pro- 
 vincial Troops, except fifteen hundred, were retired to sign 
 an Association prepared for them at some distance from the 
 encampment, marched with his whole force out of Boston; 
 but seeing the fifteen hundred Provincials drawn up in or- 
 der for battle, and disliking their countenance, he returned 
 within his lines. 
 
 A man-of-war's tender at Rhode-Island lately seized a 
 vessel loaded with provisions for the Army at Boston ; and 
 the country people, in boats, attacked and took both the 
 provisions, vessel, and tender, having wounded the Lieu- 
 tenant of the man-of-war, and taken his men prisoners, 
 whom they conveyed captives into the country. Thus you 
 see our infant struggles on the water are not unsuccessful. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES AT PHI- 
 LADELPHIA, TO THE PROVINCIAL COMMITTEE OF THAT 
 COLONY. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 22, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We take this early opportunity of inform- 
 ing you by Captain Partridge, that the Congress, upon 
 hearing of the forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point 
 being seized by the people of New-England, to prevent 
 General Carhion, with his Canadians and Indians taking 
 
 possession of them to annoy our frontiers ; and finding, by 
 about thirty Indian Chiefs now in Philadelphia, as well as 
 by persons sent to sound the dispositions of all the several 
 Indian Nations, that such a design is really on foot ; and 
 that General Johnson, the Superintendent for Indian affairs, 
 has really endeavoured to persuade the Indians to enter 
 into a war with us ; and that many other steps have been 
 taken by a bloody-minded and cruel Ministry, to induce 
 those hereditary enemies of America to fall upon and 
 butcher its inhabitants ; we say, upon those things appear- 
 ing to the Congress, they have ordered the above forts to 
 be demolished, and the warlike stores to be removed, and 
 another fort to be erected and maintained at the lower 
 part of Lake George, if the Committee of New-York shall 
 think it necessary, and to call upon all the New-England 
 Governments to give assistance, if required by Netv-York. 
 We earnestly entreat you, for the honour of the Province, 
 if such a requisition be made, to give them every possible 
 assistance to preserve our people from the incursions of a 
 barbarous and savage enemy. 
 
 We are sorry, gentlemen, that honour will not permit us 
 to give you the least information respecting our proceed- 
 ings. We can only say that all the Colonies are firmly 
 united, and are preparing for the worst. We hope that 
 you will, in imitation of the other Colonies, proceed to 
 choose your officers, and establish your Militia upon the 
 new plan which has been adopted by every Colony upon 
 the Continent. We shall bring with us Governour Went- 
 wortKs letters to Lord Dartmouth, for twelve months 
 past, that you my judge whether he is your friend, as 
 he pretends, or whether he is not rather your inveterate 
 enemy. 
 
 Gentlemen, we are, with great respect, your most obe- 
 dient servants, John Sullivan, 
 
 John Langdon. 
 
 To the Provincial Committee of New-Hampshire. 
 
 P. S. We earnestly entreat you to prevent our General 
 Court from making any application to Great Britain for 
 redress of grievances, as that would draw all America upon 
 our Province, it being agreed that no one shall make terms 
 without the advice and consent of the whole. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, Monday, 2-3d of 
 May, 1775. Present: 
 
 Isaac Low, 
 Henry Remsen, 
 David Johnston, 
 P. V. B. Livingston, 
 David Beekman, 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John Broome, 
 John Imlay, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 John Anthony, 
 John B. Moore, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Peter Van Schaack, 
 Gerret Ketletas, 
 John De Lancey, 
 Joseph Hallett, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Benjamin Kissam, 
 William Walton, 
 Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 William Laight, 
 James Beekman, 
 John M. Scott, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 John Lasher, 
 Richard Yates, 
 Augustus Van Home, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Thomas Marston, 
 Samuel Verplanck, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Nicholas Hoffman. 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, 
 Peter Goelet, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 Robert Benson, 
 John Lamb, 
 Harcules Mulligan, 
 Theophilus Anthony 
 Abraham Walton, 
 Robert Ray, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 Petrus Byvanck. 
 William Denning, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 John Berrian, 
 William Goforth, 
 Thomas Buchannan, 
 David Clarkson, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 Peter T. Curtenius. 
 
 Mr. Laight, from the Sub-Committee appointed to make 
 an estimate of materials necessary to be forwarded to Al- 
 bany, made a Report thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be forwarded. 
 
 Mr. McDougall, seconded by Mr. Lamb, moved in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 That two members of this Committee be sent to the 
 Deputies of the County of Albany, now in this City, to 
 confer with them whether the County of Albany can fur- 
 nish men to garrison Ticonderoga, till the Stores there are 
 removed to the south side of Lake George, agreeable to a 
 Resolution of the Continental Congress. 
 
 Mr. De Lancey, seconded by Mr. Scott, moved for an 
 amendment of the above Motion, in the words following, 
 viz: by leaving out all the latter part of the said Motion, 
 from the words " be sent," and substituting in its room : 
 
671 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, MAY, 1775. 
 
 672 
 
 be desired to wait on the Provincial Convention, without 
 delay, and lay before them the Recommendation of the 
 Continental Congress relative to applying to the neighbour- 
 ing Colonies for Forces. 
 
 And the question being put thereon, it was carried in the 
 affirmative, as follows, viz: 
 
 For the Amendment. Against the Amendment. 
 
 Mr. Remsen, Mr. Lefferts, Mr. Livingston, 
 
 Mr. Johnston, Mr. Helme, Mr. J. Broome, 
 
 Mr. D. Beekman, Mr. Van Dam, Mr. Imlay, 
 
 Mr. Dunscomb, Mr. Van Home, Mr. Sands, 
 
 Mr. Templeton, Mr. Bassett, Mr. F. Jay, 
 
 Mr. Moore, Mr. Bogart, Mr. Berrian, 
 
 Mr. Randall, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Goforth, 
 
 Mr. Smith, Mr. G. W. Ludlow, Mr. J. Anthony, 
 
 Mr. Van Schaack, Mr. J. Roosevelt, Mr. Lasher, 
 
 Mr. Ketletas, Mr. Goelet, Mr. Burling, 
 
 Mr. Do Lancey, Mr. Benson, Mr. Bicker, 
 
 Mr. Hallett, Mr. T. Anthony, Mr. McDougall, 
 
 Mr. Young, Mr. A. Walton, Mr. Yates, 
 
 Mr. G. H. Ludlow, Mr. Ray, Mr. Buchannan, 
 
 Mr. Banker, Mr. W. W. Ludlow, Mr. Van Zandt, 
 
 Mr. Clopper, Mr. Byvanck, Mr. Lamb, 
 
 Mr. Duyckinck, Mr. Duryee, Mr. Denning, 
 
 Mr. Kissam, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. T. Marston, 
 
 Mr. W. Walton, Mr. Van Voorhies, Mr. Brinkerhoff, 
 
 Mr. Laight, Mr. Verplanck, Mr. Phenix, 
 
 Mr. J. Beekman, Mr. Fleming, Mr. Mulligan, 
 
 Mr. Scott, Mr. Curtenius. Mr. Gilbert, 
 
 Mr. Totten. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Berrian and Mr. Laight be a 
 Sub-Committee to wait on Mr. Anderson, to know whether 
 he chooses to give any answer to Mr. McEvers's written 
 application to this Committee, which was served upon him 
 last Sunday morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Brinkerhoff, Ketletas, Sands, 
 F. Jay, Bull, and Curtenius, be a Committee to inquire 
 what quantity of Blankets, Ravens Duck, Osnaburghs, 
 Bussia Sheeting, Tin Plates, and Coarse Cloths, are in 
 this City, and to request the favour of the possessors not 
 to part with them for a few days, until the Provincial Con- 
 gress shall determine on the expediency of detaining them 
 for our own use. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to Monday, 29th May, 1775. 
 
 NEW-YORK. COMMITTEE TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-York, May 22, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: I am directed by the General Com- 
 mittee of Association for this City and County, to transmit 
 to your Honour the enclosed authentick copy of a Reso- 
 lution of the Continental Congress, received by express ; 
 and to inform your Honour, that in consequence thereof, 
 we immediately shipped to Albany one hundred barrels of 
 pork ; and that a Select Committee has been appointed to 
 purchase and forward, without delay, cordage, oakum, pitch 
 gins, and every other necessary that may be wanted from 
 hence, to carry into execution the aforesaid Resolution. 
 We have also, by express, desired our brethren at Albany 
 to give their aid and assistance. I have the honour to be, 
 most respectfully, your Honour's most obedient and hum- 
 ble servant, Henry Remsen, Dep. Chairman. 
 
 Honourable Governour Trumbull. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN, AND COMMONALTY 
 OF ALBANY TO THE COMMITTEE FOR PALATINE DISTRICT, 
 TRYON COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Albany, May 22, 1775. 
 
 We this day received yours, without date, directed to the 
 Magistrates and Committee of Albany and Schenectady, 
 and to the Mayor, Corporation, &ic, of Albany, wherein 
 you write that you have received repeated accounts that 
 either the JSew-Englanders, or some persons in or about 
 this City or the Town of Schenectady, are coming up, to a 
 considerable number, to seize and imprison you, on a ridicu- 
 lous and malicious report that you intend to make the In- 
 dians destroy the inhabitants, or to that effect, and that 
 you, in consequence thereof, have been put to the great 
 trouble and expense of fortifying your house, and keeping 
 a large body of men for the defence of your person, &ic. 
 
 You proceed and say, that the absurdity of this appre- 
 hension may easily be seen by men of sense, but that as 
 many credulous and ignorant persons may be led astray, 
 and inclined to believe it, Ike, it is become the duty of all 
 those who have authority or influence to disabuse the pub- 
 
 lick, and prevent consequences which you foresee with 
 very great concern. 
 
 We are very sorry to learn from you that any groundless 
 reports should have arisen, and be propagated to your pre- 
 judice, considering your character, station, and the large 
 property you have in the County. And we trust that you 
 are so well acquainted with the nature and duties of your 
 office, that you will pursue the dictates of an honest heart, 
 and study the interest, peace, and welfare of your Coun- 
 try ; in which case we presume you need not be appre- 
 hensive of any injury in your person or property. Neither 
 can we learn nor conceive that there either is or has been 
 any intention of taking you captive, or offering you any in- 
 dignity whatever, either by the New-England people or 
 any of the inhabitants of this City, or any one else ; and we 
 have but too much reason to think that these groundless 
 reports have been raised and industriously propagated, in 
 your own phraseology, by some busy people in your Coun- 
 ty, to rouse up the Indians from their peaceful habitations, 
 and take up arms against such of our American brethren 
 as are engaged on the part of America in the unhappy 
 contest between Great Britain and her Colonies. 
 
 As it appears from your letter that you consider the 
 station wherein you are placed, as Superintendent of Indian 
 affairs, to be of the highest importance to the publick, we 
 hope that you will use all possible means in your power to 
 restore peace and tranquillity among the Indians, and as- 
 sure them that the report propagated prejudicial to you or 
 to them is totally groundless of any just foundation, and 
 that nothing will afford His Majesty's subjects in general a 
 greater satisfaction, than to be and continue with them on 
 the strictest terms of peace and friendship. 
 
 ALBANY, NEW-YORK, COMMITTEE TO COL. GUY JOHNSON. 
 
 Committee Chamber, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Several letters have been handed to us, addressed 
 to the Magistrates of Schenectady and Mayor and Corpo- 
 ration of Albany, some of which you requested to be com- 
 municated to us, whereby we, with great concern, observe 
 you are much alarmed with apprehensions of evil intentions 
 against your family, and self in particular, from a body of 
 New-Englanders or people from those parts, so as to put 
 you under the necessity of fortifying yourself for safety. 
 From what cause these terrible ideas have sprung, we are 
 entirely ignorant. If any real ones, you must be better 
 acquainted with them than we are ; however, we do assure 
 you that the first and last knowledge of such designs have 
 come to us from you, and of course must have originated 
 somewhere near you. We are not ignorant of the impor- 
 tance of your office as Superintendent, and have been per- 
 fectly easy with respect to any suspicions of the Indians 
 taking a part in the present dispute between Great Britain 
 and her Colonies, knowing them to be a people of too 
 much sagacity to engage with the whole Continent in a 
 controversy that they can profit nothing by, and which 
 would throw them into endless war and misery. As long 
 as they are peaceable, they need not be under apprehen- 
 sions of hostilities commencing against them. 
 
 We have been some time ago informed that there was to 
 be a Congress at your house of the Indians, and hope such 
 methods may be taken then as will give them a just sense 
 of the nature of the present disturbances, and that they may 
 govern themselves by such a line of conduct as will appease 
 the minds of such persons in your County as may be un- 
 easy on their account. 
 
 The information we have from time to time received, 
 very lately from travellers passing by your house, has given 
 us some pain, as we find the communication betwixt this 
 and your County in a manner stopped, insomuch that no 
 person is permitted to pass without undergoing a strict ex- 
 amination. These proceedings will, if not speedily stop- 
 ped, raise the resentment of the people, we fear, and cause 
 them to undertake such acts as will not be in the power of 
 any authority to restrain. We would, therefore, be glad, 
 and permit us to recommend it seriously to your attention, 
 that you would leave the communication free, and disperse 
 your guards, and not interfere with the meetings of the 
 people, intended solely to concert measures for the preser- 
 vation of their liberties, in conjunction with the other 
 Counties of this and the rest of His Majesty's Colonies. 
 
673 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 674 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, > 
 May 22, 1775. $ 
 
 :i Resolved, That the following Narrative of the excur- 
 sion and ravages of the King's Troops, under the com- 
 mand of General Gage, on the nineteenth of April last, 
 together with the Depositions taken by order of the Con- 
 gress to support the truth of it, be sent to the press for 
 publication. Samuel Freeman, Secretary." 
 
 A Narrative of the Eicursion and Ravages of the King's 
 Troops, under the command of General Gage, on the 
 nineteenth of April, 1775; together with the Deposi- 
 tions taken by order of Congress to support the truth 
 of it. Published by authority. 
 
 On the nineteenth day of April, one thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-five, a day to be remembered by all 
 Americans of the present generation, and which ought, 
 and doubtless will be handed down to ages yet unborn, the 
 Troops of Britain, unprovoked, shed the blood of suudry 
 of the loyal American subjects of the British King in the 
 field of Lexington. Early in the morning of said day, a 
 detachment of the forces under the command of General 
 Gage, stationed at Boston, attacked a small party of the 
 inhabitants of Lexington and some other Towns adjacent, 
 the detachment consisting of about nine hundred men, com- 
 manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith : the inhabitants of 
 Lexington, and the other Towns were about one hundred, 
 some with and some without fire-arms, who had collected 
 upon information that the detachment had secretly march- 
 ed from Boston on the preceding night, and landed on 
 Phipps's farm in Cambridge, and were proceeding on their 
 way with a brisk pace towards Concord, as the inhabitants 
 supposed, to take or destroy a quantity of stores deposited 
 there for the use of the Colony ; sundry peaceable inhabi- 
 tants having the same night been taken, held by force, and 
 otherwise abused on the road, by some officers of General 
 Gage's Army, which caused a just alarm, and a suspicion 
 that some fatal design was immediately to be put in exe- 
 cution against them. This small party of the inhabitants 
 was so far from being disposed to commit hostilities against 
 the Troops of their Sovereign, that, unless attacked, they 
 were determined to be peaceable spectators of this extra- 
 ordinary movement ; immediately on the approach of Col- 
 onel Smith with the detachment under his command, they 
 dispersed ; but the detachment, seeming to thirst for blood, 
 wantonly rushed on, and first began the hostile scene by 
 firing on this small party, by which they killed eight men 
 on the spot, and wounded several others before any guns 
 were fired upon the Troops by our men. Not contented 
 with this effusion of blood, as if malice had occupied their 
 whole souls, they continued the fire, until all of this small 
 party who escaped the dismal carnage were out of the 
 reach of their fire. 
 
 Colonel Smith, with the detachment, then proceeded to 
 Concord, where a part of this detachment again made the 
 first fire upon some of the inhabitants of Concord and the 
 adjacent Towns, who were collected at a bridge upon this 
 just alarm, and killed two of them, and wounded several 
 others, before any of the Provincials there had done one 
 hostile act. Then the Provincials, roused with zeal for the 
 liberties of their Country, finding life and every thing dear 
 and valuable at stake, assumed their native valour, and 
 returned the fire, and the engagement on both sides began. 
 Soon after, the British Troops retreated towards Charles- 
 town, having first committed violence and waste on publick 
 and private property, and on their retreat were joined by 
 another detachment of General Gage's Troops, consisting 
 of about a thousand men, under the command of Earl 
 Percy, who continued the retreat. The engagement lasted 
 through the day ; and many were killed and wounded on 
 each side, though the loss on the part of the British 
 Troops far exceeded that of the Provincials. 
 
 The devastation committed by the British Troops on 
 their retreat, the whole of the way from Concord to Charles- 
 town, is almost beyond description ; such as plundering and 
 burning of dwelling-houses and other buildings, driving into 
 the street women in child-bed ; killing old men in their 
 houses unarmed. Such scenes of desolation would be a 
 reproach to the perpetrators, even if committed by the 
 most barbarous Nations; how much more when done by 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ' 
 
 Britons famed for humanity and tenderness! and all this 
 because these Colonies will not submit to the iron yoke of 
 arbitrary power. 
 
 DEPOSITIONS TAKEN BY ORDER OF THE CONGRESS. 
 [For Depositions No. 1. to No. 20. inclusive, see Folio 489-501.] 
 
 A paper having been printed in Boston, representing that 
 one of the British Troops killed at the bridge at Concord, 
 was scalped and the ears cut off from the head ; supposed 
 to be done in order to dishonour the Massachusetts people, 
 and to make them appear to be savage and barbarous, the 
 following deposition was taken, that the truth may be known. 
 
 [No. 21.] 
 
 Concord, May 11, 1775. 
 We, the subscribers, of lawful age, testify and say, that 
 we buried the dead bodies of the King's Troops that were 
 killed at the North Bridge in Concord, on the nineteenth 
 day of April, 1775, where the action first began, and that 
 neither of those persons were scalped, nor their ears cut 
 off, as has been represented. Zachariah Brown, 
 
 Thomas Davis, Jr. 
 
 Zachariah Brown and Thomas Davis, Jr., personally 
 appeared before me, and made oath to the above declara- 
 tion. Duncan Ingraham, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 [No. 22.] 
 
 Hannah Adams, wife of Deacon Joseph Adams, of the 
 second Precinct in Cambridge, testifieth and saith, that on 
 the nineteenth day of April last past, upon the return of 
 the King's Troops from Concord, divers of them entered 
 our house by bursting open the doors, and three of the 
 soldiers broke into the room in which I then was laid on 
 my bed, being scarcely able to walk from my bed to the 
 fire, and not having been to my chamber door from my 
 being delivered in child-birth to that time. One of said 
 soldiers immediately opened my curtains with his bayonet 
 fixed, and pointing the same to my breast. I immediate- 
 ly cried out, " for the Lord's sake don't kill me." He re- 
 plied, "damn you." One that stood near, said, "we 
 will not hurt the woman if she will go out of the house, 
 but we will surely burn it." I immediately arose, threw a 
 blanket over me, went out, and crawled into a corn-house 
 near the door, with my infant in my arms, where I remained 
 until they were gone. They immediately set the house on 
 fire, in which I had left five children and no other person ; 
 but the fire was happily extinguished when the house was 
 in the utmost danger of being utterly consumed. 
 
 Hannah Adams. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., Cambridge, Second Precinct, ) 
 May 17, 1775: $ 
 Hannah Adams, the subscriber of the above deposition, 
 personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the 
 same. Before me, 
 
 Jona. Hastings, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 [No. 23.] 
 
 Cambridge, May 19, 1775. 
 
 We, Benjamin Cooper and Rachel Cooper, both of Cam- 
 bridge aforesaid, and of lawful age, testify and say, that in 
 the afternoon of the nineteenth day of April last, the 
 King's Regular Troops, under the command of General 
 Gage, upon their return from blood and slaughter which 
 they had made at Lexington and Concord, fired more than 
 one hundred bullets into the house where we dwell, through 
 doors, windows, Sic. ; then a number of them entered the 
 house where we and two aged gentlemen were, all unarmed. 
 We escaped for our lives into the cellar ; the two aged gen- 
 tlemen were immediately most barbarously and inhumanly 
 murdered by them, being stabbed through in many places, 
 their heads mauled, sculls broke, and their brains beat out 
 on the floor and walls of the house. And further saith not. 
 
 Benjamin Cooper, 
 Rachel Cooper. 
 
 Middlesex, ss., May 19, 1775 : 
 
 The above named Benjamin Cooper and Rachel Cooper 
 appeared, and after due caution, made solemn oath to the 
 truth of the above deposition by them subscribed. 
 
 Before me, Jonas Dix, Justice of the Peace. 
 
675 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 676 
 
 RAVAGES OF THE KINg's TROOPS ON THE NINETEENTH 
 OF APRIL, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to estimate the damages done 
 at Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord, by the King's 
 Troops on the 19th day of April, 1775, having attended 
 that service, heg leave to report : 
 
 That the devastation made hy fire and robbery on said 
 day, by said Troops, is as follows, viz: 
 
 The damage to the buildings in Cambridge, estimated 
 according to the best skill and judgment of your Commit- 
 tee, after viewing the same, amounts to £76 5a-. dd. 
 
 The value of the goods and chatties that were destroyed 
 or taken out of said houses, or near the same, by the estima- 
 tion of those persons, (by their several accounts exhibited) 
 on oath, who lost the same, amounts to £1036 6s. 3d. 
 
 The value of the goods and chatties that were destroyed 
 or taken out of said bouses, or near the same, by the esti- 
 mation of those persons, by their several accounts exhi- 
 bited, who left the same, but were not sworn to by reason 
 of some being absent, or some other inconveniences that 
 attended the same, amounts to - £72 6s. lOd. 
 
 Damage done to the meeting-house and school-house in 
 the north-west precinct, in said Cambridge, estimated by 
 your Committee, amounts to - - £0 13s. 4d. 
 
 Vessels, linen, and cash belonging to the church of 
 said precinct, taken out of the house of Joseph Adams, 
 deacon of said church, as by his account exhibited on 
 oath, amounts to .... £16 16s. 8d. 
 
 Total, £1202 8s. Id. 
 
 Damages sustained in Lexington, viz: 
 
 The following buildings destroyed by fire, with cash, 
 utensils, and other moveables, either burnt in the same, or 
 carried away, estimated by the owners of said premises, as 
 by their accounts exhibited on oath, £891 8s. 6d. 
 
 Damage to other buildings in said Town, estimated as 
 the buildings in Cambridge, amounts to £32 1 8s. Id. 
 
 Damage (by robbing of said Troops) by sundry inhabi- 
 tants, as by their several accounts on oath, £760 18s. 2d. 
 
 Damage sustained by other inhabitants, as their several 
 accounts exhibited, but not on oath, for the reasons afore 
 mentioned, amounts to £74 4s. 2d. 
 
 Damage to meeting-house in said Town, £l 12s. Od. 
 
 Total, £1761 Is. 5d. 
 
 Damage sustained in Concord, viz: 
 
 The buildings estimated as above, - £2 12s. Od. 
 
 Damage sustained by sundry inhabitants in manner afore- 
 said, under oath, amounts to - - £209 16s. lOd. 
 
 Damage by other inhabitants, not under oath, for rea- 
 sons aforesaid, amounts to - - £59 Is. 9d. 
 
 Damage to sundry door-locks broke to His Majesty's 
 Jail, in said Town, by account exhibited on oath, by the 
 under keeper of said jail, amounts to £3 6s. Od. 
 
 Total, £274 16s. Id. 
 
 Abraham Fuller, } 
 
 Ichabod Goodwin, > Committee. 
 
 Oliver Whitney, }- 
 
 SAMUEL BULLARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY, 
 
 Sherburn, May 22, 1773. 
 
 Gentlemen : A harmony between officers and privates 
 was never more necessary to promote the general good 
 than at this present period. Permit me for a moment to 
 suggest to you, what appears to me in its consequences 
 very detrimental to that unanimity hinted above. A ser- 
 geant and private soldier informed me this day, that Col- 
 onel Jacob Miller, of Ilollistoivn, was likely to be dis- 
 charged from his command in the Regiment. I must say, 
 gentlemen, this information gave me great pain, when I 
 consider him as a brave and resolute man, a good soldier, 
 and a person who made no interest to obtain the command 
 he held. He is universally esteemed by all who personally 
 
 know him, and was chosen agreeably to the direction of 
 the Committee of Safety, as declared by Colonel Pierce, 
 moderator of the corps of officers at the time of choice. 
 Consider, gentlemen, the apparent consequences which are 
 likely to ensue should Colonel Miller be discharged. 1 
 am credibly informed that three or four companies that 
 are raised and are raising will refuse serving in the Re- 
 giment, and perhaps be the means of ruining the Regi- 
 ment entirely. 1 thought it my duty to communicate the^e 
 hints for the good of my Country, which 1 hope will be a 
 sufficient apology for this address. I am, gentlemen, your 
 most obedient servant, Samuel Bullard. 
 
 TO THE PROVINCI VL CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 In Committee of Supplies, Watertown, ( 
 May 22, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: The letters which we have this day received from 
 General Ward, through your Honourable Congress, carry 
 with them such ungenerous treatment as this Committee 
 could not conceive that it had merited. We, Sir, are con- 
 scious to ourselves of having discharged the heavy duty of 
 our office to the utmost of our power with fidelity, and we 
 think if your General has any consideration he must ac- 
 knowledge it ; nevertheless, after he knew that we had 
 issued an advertisement for collecting the Colony Arms in 
 the Essex Gazette, instead of assisting us in the matter, 
 the Congress is troubled with the affair, as if their Com- 
 mittee was incapable of transacting such a trivial under- 
 taking. 
 
 But what we think most hardly of is the affair of the 
 plank. We received a memorandum, and ordered it to be 
 provided immediately ; the owner of the mills had not pro- 
 cured them yesterday, but engaged to have them in readi- 
 ness by Tuesday morning, which we directed the boatman 
 to apprise the General of. We shall, in justice to ourselves, 
 expect an explanation of this matter, when the affairs of 
 the Colony can be a little settled, from the General; and 
 in the interim think it necessary to remove any unfair sug- 
 gestions from the minds of the members of your Honour- 
 able Congress. Being, Sir, with respect, your humble ser- 
 vant, David Cheever, per order. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE PROVIN- 
 CIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, \ 
 May 22, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: This Committee having received from Captain 
 Benedict Arnold, by letter of the 11th of May, instant, 
 information respecting the reduction of Ticondcroga, and 
 the situation of that fortress in many respects, beg leave 
 to lay said letter before the Honourable Congress, that 
 they may proceed thereon in such manner as to them in 
 their wisdom shall seem meet. This Committee apprehend 
 it to be out of their province in any respect whatever. 
 
 We are, with due respect, your Honours' obedient hum- 
 ble servants, J. Palmer, Chairman. 
 To the Honourable President of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 now sitting at Watertown. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Watertown, May 22, 1775. 
 
 Sir: This Congress have this day received your letter 
 of the eleventh instant, informing the Committee of Safety 
 of the reduction of the fort at Ticondcroga, with its depen- 
 dencies which was laid before this Congress by said Com- 
 mittee. We applaud the conduct of the Troops, and 
 esteem it a very valuable acquisition. 
 
 We thank you for your exertions in the cause, and con- 
 sidering the situation of this Colony at this time, having a 
 formidable Army in the heart of it, whose motions must be 
 constantly attended to, and as the affairs of that expedition 
 began in the Colony of Connecticut, and the cause being 
 common to us all, we have already wrote to the General 
 Assembly of that Colony to take the whole matter respect- 
 ing the same under their care and direction, until the advice 
 of the Continental Congress can be had in that behalf, a 
 copy of which letter we now enclose you. 
 We are, &ic. 
 
677 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 678 
 
 EARL OF DARTMOUTH TO GO VERNOUR TRYON. 
 
 Whitehall, May 23, 1775. 
 Sir: In a very short lime after you embarked upon 
 your return to your Government, the Petition to the King, 
 the Memorial to the House of Lords, and the Representa- 
 tion to the House of Commons of the Assembly of Neic- 
 York, upon the subject matter of the grievances they 
 complain of, in various instances, of the exercise of the 
 constitutional authority of Parliament, were received ; and 
 Mr. Burke having delivered to me the Petition to the 
 King, I had the honour to present it to His Majesty, who 
 was pleased to receive it with the most gracious expres- 
 sions of regard, and attention to the humble request of his 
 faithful subjects in New-York, who have on this occasion 
 manifested a duty to His Majesty, and a regard for the 
 authority of the Parent State, which, had they not in the 
 Memorial to the House of Lords, and in the Representa- 
 tion to the House of Commons, been unfortunately blended 
 with expressions containing claims which made it impossi- 
 ble for Parliament, consistent with its justice and dignity, 
 to receive them, might have laid the foundation of that 
 conciliation we have so long and so ardently wished for. 
 
 I will, however, still hope (and I am strengthened in that 
 hope by private advices received to day from Pennsylva- 
 nia) that the Resolution of the House of Commons of the 
 27th of February will remove all obstacles to the restora- 
 tion of the publick tranquillity ; and 1 am commanded by 
 the King to say that nothing can give greater satisfaction 
 to the Royal breast than to see us again a happy and united 
 people. 
 
 Should such an event take place it will be, and ought 
 in justice to be, attributed in great measure to the mode- 
 ration aud good disposition which has appeared in the As- 
 sembly of ^ew-York ; and whilst they continue firm, the 
 body of people must soon be convinced how equally vain 
 and improper it is to insist upon claims inconsistent with 
 their dependance on the authority of Parliament, and that 
 the only constitutional method of obtaining redress for any 
 grievances they may have to complain of, is through the 
 channel of their legal Representatives in Assembly. I am, 
 Sir, your most obedient humble servant, Dartmouth. 
 
 Governour Tryon. 
 
 THE CRISIS, NO. XIII. 
 
 London, May, 1775. 
 
 Every Englishmo7t must deplore the ill success, and 
 abhor the unworthy treatment, which attended the two late 
 conciliatory plans in relation to America. Pregnant with 
 good sense, benevolence, and sound reason, they will do 
 eternal honour to the wisdom, justice, policy, and human- 
 ity of the heads and hearts that formed them. How dif- 
 ferent was the plan of North ! Crafty, mean, insidious, 
 impolitick, irrational, shallow, and (like himself and coad- 
 jutors) beneath contempt. This was not treating with 
 America, but insulting her; every step against her hitherto 
 has been founded in the greatest inhumanity, the grossest 
 ignorance, and the worst policy. I will proceed to prove 
 my assertion, and defy the whole cabal of ministerial 
 slaughtermen to confute me. I do not call upon the 
 master butcher, because he can only be considered (after 
 the part he has acted by asserting) an executive, and not 
 as a rational master in this business. 
 
 First, then, for the humanity of these proceedings : let 
 it be granted only, as it must, that the Crown stands in 
 the same relation to America as a parent to her child, and 
 my first assertion proves itself. Have any gentle, tender, 
 sensible means been used to reconcile her? Have not her 
 humble remonstrances, proposals, submissions, and suppli- 
 cations, been treated with contempt ? Not suffered to lie 
 on the table of a British House of Commons? Have 
 they been deemed worthy of a thought by her pious Sover- 
 eign ? Has she not been branded with the ignominious 
 name of rebel by Act of Parliament, for no other reason, 
 (1 mean no true one,) than because she has wisely and 
 calmly deliberated upon, remonstrated against, and steadily, 
 but not tumultously, resented the repeated injuries she 
 has received ? 
 
 As to riots by mobs, they are not to be imputed to her 
 as treason and rebellion. America, as a Nation most un- 
 constitutionally oppressed, has hitherto only deliberated 
 
 upon her sufferings. She has not acted. My Lords Suf- 
 folk, Potnfret, Radnor, Apsley, and Sandwich, they have 
 not acted. It is as yet no treason, my Lords, to think, to 
 advise, to fear, and to prepare. You cannot, you dare 
 not move to annul, as you may wish, the statute of treasons 
 in America. The Americans have as good a right to that 
 as your Lordships. I mean, as yet, my Lords, because I 
 am not quite satisfied that, even in the present smuggled 
 and corrupt Parliament, the boldest and most venal prosti- 
 tute durst make so dangerous a trial upon the patience and 
 long sufferance of this Kingdom. 
 
 I will now inform your Lordships, that it is contrary to 
 the Law of Nations to attempt the destruction even of the 
 most inveterate enemy by famine, until he has been first 
 solemnly summoned to submit. Have the Americans ever 
 yet been (though, if men, they shortly will be) in arms? 
 Have they yet had a prospect of any other terms than 
 such as would make them slaves ? Will they be weak 
 enough to submit to such conditions ? The preliminaries 
 hitherto proposed have been founded in oppression, not in 
 reason ; they are fit for brutes, not men. The lenient, 
 the compassionate I\orth, has treated America like the 
 assassin of an alley ; with his knife at her throat, he has 
 humanely left it at her choice to strip herself, for fear she 
 should be stripped by him. Why have the Ministry had 
 recourse at first to this inhuman scheme of famine ? They 
 fear the Army will relent, when they find they must wade 
 through the blood of their own countrymen. Their present 
 General ( Gage ) has, to his honour, declined the bloody 
 task. Even a foreigner, to whom the same command was 
 offered, has revolted at the thought. Is not this stratagem 
 of starving freemen into slavery, the most inhuman, as well 
 as the most cowardly of all others, especially when it is 
 considered that all the remonstrances of these unhappy 
 sufferers have been rejected? I should insult the reader's 
 understanding by waiting for a reply. I therefore come 
 to the next ingredient in the American persecution — igno- 
 rance. 
 
 I must first remark, that some of their wise Lordships 
 were for having Maryland and Virginia, very remote in- 
 land countries, prohibited from the Fishery. Thus far 
 have some of the great and sage counsellors of this Nation 
 been ignorant even of the situation of that part of their 
 fellow-creatures whom they wish to involve in the most 
 dreadful of all calamities — famine. But the very scheme 
 itself is impracticable ; these wretched people cannot be 
 totally destroyed, either by butchery or famine ; their num- 
 bers are great and formidable ; in such a vast extent of 
 country their resources will be endless ; they are not desti- 
 tute of arms already, and they will be supplied with more 
 in spite of our vigilant fleet. They have all the materials 
 necessary for war in the bowels of their Country ; they 
 have artists, handicraftsmen, manufacturers, and mechan- 
 icks of all sorts ; cattle of all kinds ; fruit of the earth in 
 vast abundance ; fine streams and rivers, though no doubt 
 Administration, for the sake of consistency, will give strict 
 orders, and pay highly for the poisoning of these ; but that 
 will not easily be effected ; these people in general know 
 the use of arms ; they have perseverance, courage, reso- 
 lution, and, above all, most prophetick Lord Sandwich ! 
 they have virtue, which can never be overcome. Should 
 our Army strike and fall, the hatred, enmity, and revolt of 
 America, is fixed forever ; they never will submit to lick 
 the tyrant hand which has once been raised against their 
 liberties, their properties, and their lives. Under the 
 above considerations, the present scheme of Government 
 must seem impracticable ; if so, or if, from rancour and 
 resentment it has been viewed but partially, it is the gross- 
 est ignorance to pursue it. Should Heaven interpose on 
 the side of justice, we shall perceive our error too late. 
 But were our attempts by sword or famine sure of success, 
 Government is only destroying its own vitals. 
 
 What, then, is the policy of this unnatural war? It is 
 like the war between the belly and the other members ; 
 the whole State must feel its consequence. Shallow North 
 told his House of Commons (for it is his) that the imports 
 from the American Continent were inconsiderable. Now, 
 my Lord, you ought to know (and in honour you should 
 have declared) that the imports of that part of America 
 into our Sugar Colonies, were the very life of them ; neither 
 planters nor negroes can subsist without them, particularly 
 
679 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1715. 
 
 680 
 
 in the prohibited, interdicted article of fish, which, when 
 salted, is their general food. Your Lordship, by your 
 war and your intended famine, has effectually starved and 
 ruined all the passive and obedient Sugar Colonies, as well as 
 your declared enemies in America. Thus a most valuable 
 fishery, a considerable sugar trade, and thousands (perhaps 
 millions) of innocent and brave lives will be sacrificed by 
 a narrow-minded Ministry to wicked views and insatiable 
 resentments, in the reign of a monarch born a Briton ! 
 An ancient Pict, or a wild Indian, savage in their natures, 
 would blush and shudder at such proceedings. With the 
 Colonies and trade the revenue must sink. If royal 
 profusion and ministerial corruption were to sink likewise, 
 it would be well ; but they will still attempt to draw blood 
 from the most impoverished veins. The commercial, the 
 landed interest, the publick bank, at last, must feel the 
 shock. Then, perhaps, when famine threatens at our own 
 doors, the British lion will be roused. Then, for I will 
 prophesy in my turn, comes a revolution, fatal to minions, 
 pensioners, placemen, knaves, and tyrants; but happy for 
 the Nation, if, from the ashes of all these pests, the rights 
 of suffering and insulted Englishmen can be once more 
 established. We shall find it to our cost in vain to send 
 English soldiers ; none but Scotch will do the business 
 against English breasts. I am of opinion, let the wishes 
 of the Ministry be what they will, that if every officer who 
 goes upon this assassination were a Burgoyne, he would 
 be disappointed of the blood he pants for, his command 
 will be sinecure, and his victory a brave and virtuous de- 
 sertion. All who deserved the name of soldiers, would 
 throw down their arms, and embrace their gallant and 
 happy countrymen. An English army will not, and a 
 navy cannot destroy the liberties of America; the Minis- 
 try, who wish to deceive the Nation, are, as they frequently 
 are, deceived themselves ; they cannot execute their plan 
 without extraordinary and successive, almost perpetual 
 drafts of forces. Should the patient spirit of this King- 
 dom rise at such a time in arms, and France and Spain 
 add to the horrours of a civil war, even in the midst of 
 these calamities it will be some consolation, that the ad- 
 visers, abetters, and detestable heads of these diabolical 
 measures, cannot long escape the vengeance of an injured 
 people. 
 
 WILLIAM HOOPER TO SAMUEL JOHN JOHNSTON, IN NORTH 
 CAROLINA. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Dear Johnston ; The close attention which I am com- 
 pelled to pay to the business of the Congress, scarce gives 
 me an opportunity to pay my duty to my friends. As we 
 meet at nine A. M. and sit till four P. M., you will readily 
 conceive that the little leisure we have is not sufficient for 
 the common functions of life and exercise to keep us in 
 health. While I am writing I encroach upon Congress 
 hours, and if 1 could furnish you with any thing interest- 
 ing it might be some apology for the transgression. But 
 the strict secrecy which is enjoined upon the members, 
 leaves us at large to communicate nothing worthy atten- 
 tion that happens within the walls of the State-House. 
 Let it suffice, that the most perfect harmony subsists among 
 the members. 
 
 The character of the New-Yorkers is no longer sus- 
 picious. They take a forward and an active share in the 
 opposition ; all ranks of people among them are embarked 
 in the common cause, and are sacredly resolved to preserve 
 the cargo or perish with the ship. The few Tories among 
 them are silent ; the cry of liberty is irresistible. The 
 , who are never happy except when dabbling 
 in faction, have met a just reward for their misguided zeal, 
 and have been compelled (six of them) to seek protection 
 on board a King's ship. Rivington follows their fortunes, 
 and his printing shop, which forged calumny and sedition 
 for the whole Continent, is shut up. Nine-York, must 
 now become the seat of war. The taking of Ticondcro^ 
 ga will divert the attention of Government to that quarter, 
 and the New-Yorkers will not long be suffered to be in- 
 different spectators of its operations. Believe me, I do 
 not think they wish to be. Their City is filled with 
 armed men, whom they have raised and disciplined, to be 
 called into action when hostilities begun on the part of 
 
 Lord North's troops shall render it necessary. Govern- 
 ment has sent them the Asia, man-of-war, we suppose to 
 protect their trade, or rather to give spirit to the Tories ; 
 but that day is past; they are sunk, never to rise again. 
 
 This City has taken a deep share in the insurrection 
 which is so generally diffused through the Continent. 
 Men, women, and children feel the patriotick glow, and 
 think every man in a state of reprobation beyond the power 
 of heavenly mercy to forgive, who is not willing to meet 
 death rather than concede a tittle of the Congress creed. 
 
 Quakerism has received a shock from which it will never 
 recover. An attempt to restrain the other sects in their 
 spirited conduct, has only shown the weakness of their 
 efforts, and the insignificancy of their numbers, when in 
 competition with those who think and act differently from 
 them. The Testimony, to their eternal dishonour, accom- 
 panied with the proceedings of the Neiv-YorJc Assembly, 
 gave encouragement to Administration to adopt the present 
 compulsory measures, which, at this hour, we all lament ; 
 for certain it is, till those got to hand, the plan prepared 
 by the Administration was conciliatory. 
 
 If it should be thought expedient to raise troops in each 
 Colony, and money of course must be supplied, from 
 whence must it come in our Province ? Would the Pro- 
 vincial Convention think it prudent to emit for that pur- 
 pose, or are not the circumstances such as to leave no 
 alternative to their choice ? Whether this, or what, will be 
 recommended, is still in suspense. This, however, is cer- 
 tain, that it will be necessary that a Convention should be 
 held immediately upon the return of the Delegates. I 
 would, therefore, advise Mr. Harvey to warn the several 
 Counties immediately to elect Representatives to sit in 
 Convention, and I would propose that each County should 
 send ten at least. This is consistent with the New-York 
 policy, which thereby has given strength to the cause, by 
 interesting so many in the protection of it. Every man, 
 let his property be ever so small, has still his rights to 
 preserve, and claims a share in the publick consultation, 
 which must eventually affect him. Such a step with us 
 would be prudent. The spirit wants more in Psorth- Caro- 
 lina, I think; perhaps you may think ten too many. 
 
 Heives sends you the newspapers. Pray make my com- 
 pliments acceptable to every branch of your worthy family. 
 Remember me affectionately to Mr. Iredell. I refer you 
 to James Charlston for every thing which is not related in 
 the newspapers. Only let me add to the members of the 
 Committees, that a resolve has passed the Congress, and 
 ordered to be published, that no vessel shall be suffered to 
 load for Newfoundland, St. John's, or Nova-Scotia, to sup- 
 ply the British fisheries there, or any where else along the 
 coast of America. This is much to be noticed ; it is a just 
 retaliation for restraining the American fishery. 
 
 Hewcs orders me to Congress that he may have an 
 opportunity to despatch his vessel; and as Caswell is indis- 
 posed I must obey, and thereby save your patience a 
 further trial. I am your affectionate friend and obedient 
 humble servant, Wiluam Hooper. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, May 25, 1775. 
 Last Tuesday evening, May 23d, the Honourable Pey- 
 ton Randolph, Esquire, escorted all the way from Ruffin's 
 Ferry by a troop of thirty-six of the IVilliamsburgh Volun- 
 teers, and met a little way out of Town by the rest of the 
 company, arrived safe at his house in this City, amidst the 
 acclamations of the inhabitants, from the General Congress 
 at Philadelphia ; and next morning they presented him 
 with the following Address, as a tender of their best ser- 
 vices at this dangerous and alarming period : 
 
 To the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire: 
 
 We, the members of the Volunteer Company in Wil- 
 liamsburgh, embodied to support the constitutional rights 
 and liberties of America, are exceedingly alarmed to hear, 
 from report, that the same malevolent demons from whom 
 have originated all the evils of America, are now exerting 
 their utmost treachery to ensnare your life and safety. The 
 friends of liberty and mankind have never escaped the fury 
 of arbitrary despots. No wonder, then, that you should be 
 selected as a proper victim to be sacrificed to the malice of 
 the present Administration. 
 
681 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 682 
 
 Permit us, therefore, (attached to you by the noble ties 
 of gratitude and fellow-citizens,) to entreat you in the 
 warmest manner to be particularly attentive to your own 
 safety, as you regard the interests of this Country. We 
 now proffer to you our services, to be exerted at the ex- 
 pense of every thing a freeman ought to hold dear, as you 
 may think most expedient, in the defence of your person 
 and constitutional liberty, and will most cheerfully hazard 
 our lives in the protection of one who has so often encoun- 
 tered every danger and difficulty in the service of his coun- 
 trymen. May Heaven grant you long to live, the father 
 of your Country and the friend to freedom and humanity. 
 
 To which he was pleased to return the following Answer: 
 Gentlemen : The affection you have expressed for me 
 demands the warmest returns of gratitude. I feel very 
 sensibly the happiness resulting from the kind attention of 
 my worthy fellow-citizens to my security and welfare. 
 Your apprehensions for my personal safety arise from re- 
 ports which, I hope, have no foundation. Such unjust and 
 arbitrary proceedings would bring on the authors of them 
 the resentment and indignation of every honest man in the 
 British Empire. 1 shall endeavour to deserve the esteem 
 you have expressed on this occasion, and shall think it the 
 greatest misfortune that can attend me if ever my future 
 conduct should give you any reason to be displeased with 
 the testimony you have now offered of your approbation. 
 
 WESTMORELAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Westmoreland Coun- 
 f, held at the Court-House the -23d of May, 1775, pre- 
 sent the Rev. Ttiomas Smith, Chairman, and fifteen other 
 members of said Committee. 
 
 This Committee having taken into consideration the 
 Address of the citizens of Williamsburgh, presented to his 
 Excellency the Governour, on the 21st of April last, and 
 his Excellency's verbal answer thereto, as also his Lord- 
 ship's Speech to the Council, the 2d of May, and the 
 Proclamation issued the next day, in consequence of the 
 advice given him by a majority of the said Council, look 
 upon themselves as indispensably bound to declare their 
 sentiments thereon, as well to expose the inimical measures 
 of men in high office, for a long time steadily pursued 
 against the just rights of a loyal people, as to take off the 
 odium they have endeavoured by some late proceedings to 
 fix upon this Colony. 
 
 The seizing the powder, confessedly placed in the Maga- 
 zine for the defence and protection of this Colony, by order 
 of his Excellency the Governour, was a step by no means 
 to be justified, even upon the supposition of its being lodged 
 there from on board a man-of-war, as his Lordship has in 
 his Proclamation asserted, although in his verbal answer to 
 the Address of the citizens of Williamsburgh, he has ta- 
 citly acknowledged the powder to belong to the Country, 
 by agreeing to deliver it up : that is, the same powder they 
 demanded as the Country's; and we have been informed 
 that the Country had powder in the Magazine, which cannot 
 now be found there : We therefore consider the removing 
 the powder privately, and when that part of the Country 
 was, as his Lordship confesses, in a very critical situation, 
 to be a part of that cruel and determined plan of wicked 
 administration to enslave the Colonies, by first depriving 
 them of the means of resistance, and do Resolve, 
 
 1st. That the dissatisfaction discovered by the people of 
 this Country, and late commotions raised in some parts 
 thereof, proceeded, not as his Lordship in his Proclama- 
 tion has injuriously and inimically charged, from a dis- 
 affection to His Majesty's Government, or to a design of 
 changing the form thereof, but from a well grounded alarm, 
 occasioned altogether by the Governour's late conduct, 
 which clearly evinced his steady pursuit of the above men- 
 tioned ministerial plan to enslave us. 
 
 2d. That so much of his Excellency's Proclamation 
 which declares " the real grievances of the Colony can be 
 only obtained by loyal and constitutional applications," is 
 an insult to the understanding of mankind, inasmuch as it 
 is notorious that this and the other Colonies upon the Con- 
 tinent have repeatedly heretofore made those applications, 
 which have ever been treated with contumely, and as his 
 Lordship, since the late unhappy differences between 
 
 Great Britain and the Colonies have subsisted, hath de- 
 prived us of the constitutional mode of application, by re- 
 fusing to have an Assembly. 
 
 3d. That so far from endeavouring or desiring to subvert 
 our ancient, and to erect a new form of Government, we 
 will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, support and de- 
 fend it, as it existed and was exercised until the year 1763, 
 and that his Lordship, by misrepresenting the good people 
 of this Colony, as well in his letter to the British Minister as 
 in his late Proclamation, has justly forfeited their confidence. 
 
 4th. That His Majesty's Council, who advised the 
 Proclamation before-mentioned, have not acted as tbey 
 were bound to do from their station in Government, which 
 ought to have led them to be mediators between the first 
 Magistrate and the people, rather than to join in fixing an 
 unjust and cruel stigma on their fellow-subjects. 
 
 5th. That the thanks of this Committee are justly due 
 to the Delegates of the late Continental Congress, and to 
 the Delegates from this Colony particularly, for their pru- 
 dent, wise, and active conduct, in asserting the liberties of 
 America; and that the design of Government which, in 
 some instances, we are informed, has already been carried 
 into execution, to deprive them of all offices, civil and 
 military, tends manifestly to disturb the minds of the peo- 
 ple in general ; and that we consider every person advising 
 such a measure, or who shall accept of any office or pre- 
 ferment, of which any of the noble asserters of American 
 liberty have been deprived, as an enemy to this Country. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk transmit a copy of the forego- 
 ing Resolutions to the Printer as soon as conveniently may 
 be, in order that the same may be published in the Ga- 
 zette. James Davenport, Clerk Com' tee. 
 
 At a Committee held for Westmoreland County, May 
 23, 1775, 
 
 Resolved, That every Merchant or Factor who shall 
 import European Goods into this County from any other 
 Colony or District, shall, before he be permitted to sell 
 such Goods, produce to the Chairman, or any one of the 
 Committee, a certificate from the Committee of the Colony, 
 County, or District from whence such Goods were pur- 
 chased, of their having been imported agreeable to the 
 terms of the Association of the Continental Congress. 
 
 James Davenport, Clerk. 
 
 TALBOT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Talbot 
 County, on the 23d of May, 1775, at the Court-House of 
 the said County, 
 
 The Rev. Mr. John Gordon, Chairman. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Observation in Balti- 
 more Town, bearing date May 20, 1775, and signifying that 
 the Ship Johnston, belonging to Mr. Gi/dart, of Liverpool, 
 was loaded with Salt and Dry Goods, by the house of Messrs. 
 Ashton, and bound to Chesapeake Bay, was read. 
 
 In consequence whereof, a deputation, consisting ot 
 eleven gentlemen, was appointed to wait on Mr. James 
 Braddock, a^ent and store-keeper for Mr. Gildart, owner 
 of the said Ship Johnston, to advise him of the information 
 received, to request him to give a satisfactory account and 
 state of all goods now in his hands, and not to assist or 
 countenance, directly or indirectly, the landing of any 
 goods from the said ship, or in any way to promote the 
 sale thereof. On the whole, the deputation aforesaid had 
 it in charge to require an answer from Mr. Braddock, as to 
 the part he meant to act on this occasion, and whether he 
 would comply with their requisition, and to report the same 
 to the Committee on Tuesday, the 30th instant, on which 
 day they agreed to meet, unless the deputation should 
 think it necessary to call a Committee sooner, in which 
 case they were requested to give publick notice. 
 
 On the 30th instant the Committee, as above, met ac- 
 cording to appointment, when the deputation aforesaid 
 appeared, and reported that they went to Mr. Braddock's 
 store, but not finding him at home, they left a copy of the 
 letter from the Committee of Baltimore Town, together 
 with a copy of the order of this Committee, to be delivered 
 to him when he should return. 
 
 In consequence of this Mr. Braddock appeared before 
 the Committee, and informed them "that he did espect 
 
683 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, iic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 684 
 
 the Ship Johnston shortly to arrive in Miles River, but that 
 he had no advice, nor had any reason to believe (except 
 from the aforesaid letter from the Baltimore Town Com- 
 mittee) that the said ship would bring either Dry Goods or 
 Salt." 
 
 Mr. Braddock did likewise, at the same time, volunta- 
 rily enter into the following engagement and promise : 
 "That if the Ship Johnston, or any other vessel having on 
 board any Goods or Merchandise prohibited by the Ame- 
 rican Association, shall come addressed to him, or to any 
 other agent or factor for Mr. Qildart, he will, in such an 
 event, neither directly nor indirectly receive, nor assist in 
 landing, storing, or following the said Goods or Merchan- 
 dise, but that, on the contrary, he will, immediately and 
 forthwith, give notice of the arrival of the said ship or 
 other vessel to the above mentioned deputation, or to some 
 four of them, (who are appointed to go on board such ship 
 or vessel, and to examine the papers, viz: the manifest, 
 the cockets, and log-book,) and that he would give direc- 
 tions for the immediate return of any ship or vessel address- 
 ed to him, without breaking bulk." 
 
 Mr. Braddock delivered, at the same time, to the Com- 
 mittee an inventory of the Goods he has now on hand, 
 with which they declared themselves satisfied for the pre- 
 sent. 
 
 On the same day information being made to the Com- 
 mittee that Mr. Brascup, ta vein-keeper at Talbot Court- 
 House, had, on Tuesday, the 23d of May, served up a 
 Lamb at his table, he was accordingly called before the 
 Committee to give an account of his conduct; and upon 
 his informing them that he had not purchased more than 
 two or three Lambs, which he had been assured were yean- 
 ed before the first day of January, and on his promise that 
 he would not, for the future, purchase any more Lambs 
 without a certificate from the seller that they had been 
 yeaned, either before the first day of January or after the 
 first of May, the Committee were satisfied, and dismissed 
 Mr. Brascup. 
 
 Ordered, That the above proceedings be published in 
 the Maryland Gazette. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Robert Wilson, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 ROBERT HANNA AND OTHERS TO GOV ERNOUR PENN. 
 
 Pittsburgh, May 23, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honour: Shortly after our con- 
 finement here we wrote you in what manner we have been 
 treated by the court of Fort Dunmore, as 'tis called, and 
 also enclosed a list of actions brought against us for acting 
 in our office, with the writs of adjournment from and to 
 Staunton; but we have the greatest reason to believe it 
 has not yet come to your hands, by reason of our receiving 
 no answer. We have ever since remained, and now are in 
 jail bounds, though often threatened with close confine- 
 ment. We, with the assistance of one of our brethren 
 now in the same state with us, (namely, Thomas Scott,) 
 would inform your Honour as follows, viz: The said Scott 
 was recognised on the thirteenth of November last past, to 
 appear at the next court then to be holden at this place ; 
 notwithstanding the appearance was made accordingly, and 
 no court held, yet the recognisance was continued; and 
 since, the body of said Scott was arrested by armed force, 
 with five writs, one at the suit of the King, and four civil 
 processes, for acting by virtue of your Honour's commis- 
 sion of the peace ; to which process the said Scott appeared 
 here at court the sixteenth instant, and upon the said recog- 
 nisance, was adjudged by the court to be bound in five 
 hundred Pounds, with two sureties in two hundred and fifty 
 Pounds each, to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, and 
 in particular not to act as a Magistrate by any authority de- 
 rived from Pennsylvania. On refusing to give such bail, 
 on account of the latter clause in particular, though suffi- 
 cient bail for the prison bounds was tendered, was ordered, 
 and put into close jail with murderers and thieves, and 
 there detained about one hour ; but on a motion to the court, 
 made by Mr. Harvic, was admitted to prison bounds bail. 
 
 In consequence of the disagreeable circumstances we 
 now labour under, and more especially those of us who 
 have families, we look upon it absolutely necessary to send 
 the bearer hereof express, (who is ordered to wait your 
 
 answer.) praying your immediate instructions, whether we 
 shall give the bail required by this court, break the bounds, 
 or in what manner we shall be enlarged, or conduct our- 
 selves to your Honour's satisfaction, and the interest of the 
 Government, to which we are closely attached. 
 
 Sir, the unhappy situation to which this Country is at 
 present reduced by the proceedings of the Virginians, has 
 rendered it impossible for us to collect any sum of money 
 whatever ; and our ready cash being nearly exhausted in 
 defence of the cause, lays us under the necessity of apply- 
 ing to your Honour for the sum of fifteen Pounds, which 
 we were obliged to promise to said express for his services, 
 which we hope you will order him paid before he leaves 
 Town, and also enclose such other sums of money as you 
 may think sufficient to defray the past expenses, and answer 
 the present necessities of your Honour's most obliged and 
 very humble servants, Robert Hanna, 
 
 James Cavet, 
 Thomas Scott. 
 To the Honourable John Penn, Esq., Governour and Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of the Province of Pennsylvania, &tc. 
 
 ROBERT HANNA AND OTHERS TO GOVERNOUR PENN. 
 
 Pittsburgh, Muy 23, 1775. 
 May it please your Honour: Messrs. Hanna and 
 Cavet, who were apprehended and taken into custody the 
 twenty-second of last February, as you have been already 
 informed by despatches forwarded to you by them imme- 
 diately for that purpose ; and we are sorry to find that they 
 have not as yet received any reply to their letters on that 
 subject, although they are now upwards of three months 
 confined to prison bounds at this place, to the great preju- 
 dice of their persons and families, by pretended authority 
 from the Government of Virginia, which did, and still 
 continues to tyrannize over this unhappy part of your 
 Province, but more especially over us, who beg leave to 
 address your Honour on this pressing occasion, for we are 
 aimed at in a particular manner as the objects of their re- 
 sentment, therefore are doomed to utter ruin and destruc- 
 tion, if they by any means can accomplish their aim. They 
 are not satisfied with imprisoning our persons, (of which 
 every one of us has participated in turn,) but insult and 
 domineer over us as well in open court as every where 
 else opportunity serves. They have procured a number of 
 litigious law suits, entered against every one of us, for act- 
 ing as Magistrates by authority from the Government of 
 Pennsylvania, as well before, as since Lord Dunmore and 
 his tools usurped the jurisdiction of this distressed part of 
 the Province ; the Militia continuing to kill our cattle and 
 hogs, just as it suits them, without any questions asked of 
 the owners, or satisfaction offered. 
 
 They likewise take upon themselves to determine our 
 title to lands, as well between this and Jjigonier, as beyond 
 this place, by a jury of twelve men of their own choosing, 
 without allowing the defendant the privilege of objecting 
 to any of that number; notwithstanding Magistrates of their 
 own appointment could be procured on the ground to testify 
 some of these select men were the sworn enemies of the 
 defendants. 
 
 This was actually the case with Mr. Devereux Smith. 
 the third instant, when Connolly in the like manner dispos- 
 sessed him of a tract of land some miles eastward of this 
 place, and declared it should be the property of one (Jeorge 
 Sly ; and, in six days afterwards, the Sheriff broke open 
 Mr. Smith's door, and gave the said Sly possession. In 
 short we are deemed and treated like degraded beings that 
 are nowise entitled to the common right of mankind; and 
 the very name of a Pennsylvanian is sufficient to render 
 any man odious at this day now-a-days. 
 
 To conclude, we are worried out with repetitions of ty- 
 ranny and oppression, and greatly injured in bodies, minds, 
 and estates ; in the meantime we are, with sincere attach- 
 ments to your Honour's person and Government, your 
 Honour's most humble and most devoted servants, 
 
 Robert Hanna, ./Eneas Mackat, 
 James Cavet, Thomas Scott. 
 Devereux Smith, 
 To John Penn, Esquire, Governour of the Province of Penn- 
 sylvania, Sic. 
 
 P. S. As we find ourselves so deeply engaged in law- 
 
685 
 
 NEW- JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 686 
 
 suits, brought against us for acting as Magistrates, both 
 before and since Lord Dunmore extended the jurisdiction 
 this length, we were obliged to employ Mr. John Harvie 
 to appear in our behalf in all the actions already brought 
 on account of Government. We therefore humbly hope 
 you will be pleased to honour a draft amounting to thirty 
 Pounds, our money, drawn by us in favour of said Harvie 
 on you ; to be paid when it may come to hand, which 
 will oblige us all. 
 
 NATHANIEL WALES, JUN., AND OTHERS, TO THE SPEAKER 
 OF THE ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 New-York, M ly 23, 1775. 
 Sir: We arrived in this city last evening, and have the 
 satisfaction to inform you that the Committee of New- 
 York have complied with the direction of the Continental 
 Congress, as to furnishing our forces at Ticonderoga with 
 provision. 
 
 The Provincial Convention of this Province are now 
 sitting, but have not got through the business of examining 
 certificates, &,c. ; we have not therefore as yet laid our ap- 
 pointment before them. We have had a personal con- 
 ference with Mr. Fierce, an eminent English merchant of 
 Montreal, express to the Continental Congress, with intel- 
 ligence of a most interesting nature. He informs us that 
 all the French officers of Canada are now in actual pay 
 under General Carleton. That St. Luke le Come, who 
 was Superintendent of all the Indians in Canada while it 
 was in the hands of the French, and is father-in-law of Mr. 
 Campbell, who is Superintendent under His Majesty, has 
 sent belts to Northern Tribes, as far up as the Falls of 
 St. Mary and Michilimackinack, to engage them to take 
 up arms against the New-England Colonies, but the event 
 of that embassy is not yet known. That a similar appli- 
 cation has been made to the tribes nearer to the frontiers 
 of the English settlements, but with little success, as not 
 more than forty Indians could be found that would engage 
 in the measures ; that the plan of operations in Canada is 
 to procure the savages to join with the Canadians in hos- 
 tilities against the rebels of Nevj-England. 
 
 Mr. Pierce gives it as his opinion that the Canadians, 
 viz : the plebeians, will not, but with the utmost reluctance, 
 engage against the Colonists, but that the nobles are our 
 bitter enemies. He also says that General Carleton was 
 expected at Montreal in a day or two after he left that 
 place, which was the eleventh May instant, and that he was 
 to take up his residence there for this summer. 
 
 We are now about to take up lodgings in the heart of 
 the City, where we shall have an opportunity of conversing 
 with the citizens, and learn their true spirit. The Provin- 
 cial Convention of New- Jersey meet this day ; we propose 
 to wait on them some time this week. 
 
 We can at present give you no just account of the state 
 of the cause of liberty in this City, but hope, from the little 
 information we have already had, that there will not be so 
 general a defection as we apprehended. 
 
 We are, with due respect, your most obedient servants, 
 Nathaniel Wales, Jr., 
 Thaddeus Burr, 
 Pierpoint Edwards. 
 
 To the Honourable William Williams, Esq., Speaker of 
 the House of Assembly, Connecticut.. 
 
 extract of a letter from ticonderoga to a gen- 
 tleman IN HARTFORD, CONN. , DATED MAY 23, 1775. 
 
 1 shall endeavour to give you a very concise journal of 
 matters here since the twelfth instant. 
 
 May 1 1. — We set sail from Skenesborough in a schooner 
 belonging to Major Skene, which we christened Liberty. 
 
 Sunday 13. — Arrived at Ticonderoga, from whence, 
 after some preparations, we set sail for Crown Point. 
 
 Monday 14. — Contrary winds retarded our voyage, and 
 the day drew to a close when we anchored at Crown 
 Point. 
 
 Tuesday 15. — Contrary winds. Colonel Arnold, with 
 thirty men, took the boat and proceeded on for St. Johns, 
 leaving to Captain Sloan the command of the vessel with 
 the sailors, and to me the command of the soldiers on board. 
 About twelve o'clock, while beating down, we espied a 
 boat ; sent out our coxswain to bring her in. It proved 
 to be the French post from Montreal, with Ensign Mo- 
 land on board. We examined the mail, and among other 
 things, found an exact list of all the regular Troops in the 
 Northern Department, amounting to upwards of seven hun- 
 dred. 
 
 Wednesday 16. — A fair gale. We overtook Colonel Ar- 
 nold in the boat, took him on board, and at night arrived 
 within thirty miles of St. John's, when the wind fell and 
 the vessel was becalmed. We immediately armed our two 
 boats, manned them with thirty-five men, and determined, 
 by dint of rowing, to fetch St. John's, and take the place 
 and the King's sloop by surprise at break of day. 
 
 Thursday 17. — After rowing hard all night, we arrived 
 within half a mile of the place at sunrise, sent a man to 
 bring us information, and in a small creek, infested with 
 numberless swarms of gnats and musquetoes, waited with 
 impatience for his return. The man returning, informed 
 us they were unapprised of our coming, though they had 
 heard of the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. We 
 directly pushed for shore, and landed at about sixty rods 
 distance from the barracks; the men had their arms, but 
 upon our briskly marching up in their faces, they retired 
 within the barracks, left their arms, and resigned themselves 
 into our hands. We took fourteen prisoners, fourteen stands 
 of arms, and some small stores. We also took the King's 
 sloop, two fine brass field-pieces, and four boats. We de- 
 stroyed five boats more, lest they should be made use of 
 against us. Just at the completion of our business, a fine 
 gale arose from the north ; we directly hoisted sail, and re- 
 turned in triumph. About six miles from St. John's, we 
 met Colonel Allen with four boats and ninety men, who de- 
 termined to proceed and maintain the ground. This scheme 
 Colonel Arnold thought impracticable, as Montreal was 
 near, with plenty of men, and every necessary for war. 
 Nevertheless, Colonel Allen proceeded and encamped on 
 the opposite side of the lake, or river, as it is there called ; 
 the next morning he was attacked by two hundred Regulars, 
 and obliged to decamp and retreat. 
 
 Friday 18. — Returned again to Crown Point, from thence 
 to Ticonderoga. 
 
 Saturday 19. — Encamped at Ticonderoga. Since that 
 time nothing material has happened. It is Colonel Arnold's 
 present design that the Sloop Enterprise, as she is called, 
 and the Schooner Liberty, shall cruise on the Lake, and 
 defend our frontiers, till men, provisions, and ammunition 
 are furnished to carry on the war. 
 
 NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Extracts from the Journal of Proceedings of the Provin- 
 cial Congress of New- Jersey, held at Trenton on the 
 23d of May, 1775. 
 List of Deputies who attended : 
 
 Bergen. — John Fell, John Demarest, Hendrick Kuyper, 
 Abraham Van Boskirk, Edo Merselius. 
 
 Essex. — Henry Garritse, Michael Vreeland, Robert 
 Drummond, John Berry, William P. Smith, John 
 Stites, John Chetwood, Abraham Clark, Elias Boudi- 
 not, huac Ogden, Philip Van Cortlandt, Bethuel 
 Ptirson, Caleb Camp. 
 
 Middlesex. — Nathaniel Heard, William Smith, John 
 Dunn, John Lloyd, Azariah Dunham, John Schur- 
 man, John Wetherill, David Williamson, Jonathan 
 Sergeant, Jonathan Baldwin, Jonathan Deare. 
 
 Morris. — William Winds, William De Hart, Jonathan 
 Stiles, Peter Dickerson, Jacob Drake, Ellis Cook. 
 Silas Condit. 
 
 Somerset. — Hendrick Fisher, John Roy, Peter Schenck, 
 Abraham Van Neste, Enos Kelsey, Jonathan D. Ser- 
 geant, Frederick Frelinghuysen, William Paterson. 
 
 Sussex. — Archibald Stewart, Edward Dumont, William 
 Maxwell, Ephraim Martin. 
 
 Monmouth.. — Edward Taylor. Joseph Saltar. Robert 
 
687 
 
 NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 688 
 
 Montgomery, John Holmes, John Covenhoven, Daniel 
 Hendrickspn, Nicholas I'an Brunt. 
 
 Hunterdon". — Samuel Tucker, John Mehelm, John 
 Hart, John Stout, Jasj>er Smith, Thomas Lowry, 
 Charles Stewart, Daniel Hunt, Ralph Hart, Jacob 
 Jennings, Richard Stevens, John Stephens, Junior, 
 Thomas Stout, Thomas Jones, John Rasset. 
 
 Burlington. — Joseph Borden, Isaac Pearson, Colin 
 Campbell, Joseph Read, John Pope. 
 
 Gloucester. — John Cooper, Elijah Clark, John Sparks. 
 
 Cumberland. — Samuel Fithian, Jonathan Elmer, Tho- 
 mas Eiving. 
 
 Salem. — Andrew Sinnickson, Robert Johnson, Samuel 
 
 Dick, Jacob Scoggin, James James. 
 Cape-May. — Jesse Hand. 
 
 Tuesday, May 23, 1775. 
 The Provincial Congress having been appointed to con- 
 vene this day at Trenton, a large number of the Deputies 
 accordingly assembled ; and the day was spent in examin- 
 ing and comparing the Certificates of election of the seve- 
 ral Members present. 
 
 Wednesday, May 24, 1775. 
 The Congress proceeded to the choice of a President, 
 when Hendrick Fisher, Esquire, was duly elected ; Jona- 
 than D. Sergeant, Esquire, was chosen Secretary, and 
 William Paterson, Esquire, and Mr. Frederick Frcling- 
 huysen, his Assistants. 
 
 Inasmuch as the business on which this Congress are 
 now assembled, and is likely to engage their deliberations, 
 appears to be of the highest moment, and may, in the 
 event, affect the lives and properties, the religion and liber- 
 ties of their constituents, and of their remotest posterity, it 
 unquestionably becomes the representative body of a Chris- 
 tian community to look up to that all-powerful Being, by 
 whose providence all human events are guided, humbly 
 imploring his divine favour, in presiding over and directing 
 their present councils towards the re-establishment of order 
 and harmony between Great Rritain and her distressed 
 Colonies ; and that he would be graciously pleased to suc- 
 ceed the measures that may be devised as most conducive 
 to these desirable ends : It is, therefore, 
 
 Ordered, That the President do wait upon the Minis- 
 ters of the Gospel in this Town, and, in behalf of this 
 Congress, request their alternate attendance and service 
 every morning at eight o'clock, during the session, in order 
 that the business of the day may be opened with prayer 
 for the above purposes. 
 
 The President opened to the Congress the important 
 occasion of their meeting ; recommended the utmost de- 
 liberation in determining on the measures to be pursued in 
 defending those inestimable rights and privileges to which, 
 by our happy Constitution, the inhabitants of this Province 
 are justly entitled ; and that due care might be taken to 
 support the established civil authority (so far as might con- 
 sist with the preservation of their fundamental liberties) 
 for the maintenance of good order and the undisturbed ad- 
 ministration of justice. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration the present 
 unhappy contest between Great Rritain and these Colo- 
 nies, which they determined to be of such a nature, and 
 had arrived to such a crisis, that this Convention had be- 
 come absolutely necessary, in order to provide such ways 
 and means for the security of the Province, as the exigen- 
 cies of the times require ; and, at the same time, declared 
 that they had assembled with the profoundest veneration 
 for the person and family of His sacred Majesty George 
 the Third, firmly professing all due allegiance to his right- 
 ful authority and Government. 
 
 Whereas a majority of the several legislative Represent- 
 atives of this Colony, in General Assembly convened at 
 Perth- Amboy, in January last, was instructed and author- 
 ized by their constituents to elect and appoint Deputies to 
 represent this Province in the Continental Congress now 
 sitting in the City of Philadelphia : And whereas the said 
 General Assembly accordingly did elect and appoint Ste- 
 phen Crane, James Kinsey, William Livingston, John De 
 Hart, and Richard. Smith, Esquires, for that purpose : 
 And whereas some of the Counties of this Colony omitted 
 
 so to instruct and authorize their said legislative Represent- 
 atives, who, notwithstanding, cordially joined in the said 
 election and appointment : This Congress do, therefore, 
 heartily approve of the said Stephen Crane, James Kinsey, 
 William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard Smith, 
 as Representatives of this Province in the said Continental 
 Congress ; and do also sincerely thank the House of As- 
 sembly for the laudable regard they have shown for the 
 rights and liberties of the good people of this Province, in 
 timely adopting the Continental Association, and resolving 
 in favour of the Resolutions and Proceedings of the late 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 And it is unanimously agreed and Resolved, That it will 
 be most eligible for the inhabitants of each respective 
 County in this Colony, whenever a Continental Congress 
 shall be again necessary, to appoint and empower Depu- 
 ties to meet in Provincial Congress, for the purpose of 
 electing Delegates to represent this Province in such Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That all Votes be taken from the Counties 
 respectively, so that the Vote of each County be taken as 
 one. 
 
 The Congress having considered the application of about 
 two hundred of the inhabitants of the Township of Shrews- 
 bury, in the County of Monmouth, calling themselves As- 
 sociators of the said Township, do unanimously advise that 
 the persons appointed by the said present Associators as 
 their Committee, do immediately advertise a meeting of 
 the inhabitants of the said Township of Shrewsbury, in 
 order to choose a Committee of Observation for the said 
 Township, and adopt the Association recommended by the 
 Continental Congress; and after such choice and adoption, 
 to elect Deputies, one or more, to represent them in this 
 Congress. And that the persons who shall be so elected, 
 by a majority of the inhabitants attending the said meeting 
 of the Township, be received as members of this Congress. 
 And in case of the refusal or neglect of the Township so to 
 do, then this Congress do advise the said Committee of the 
 present Associators to send a Deputy or Deputies for them- 
 selves to this Congress; and do direct the said Committee 
 to make and certify their report to this Congress of what 
 shall have been done in this behalf. 
 
 Thursday, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Samuel Tucker, Esquire, was elected Vice-President, by 
 a plurality of votes. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of a written 
 Message to the Continental Congress, which, after certain 
 amendments, was approved and ordered to be entered, and 
 a copy to be made and signed by the President ; which 
 Message is in the words following, viz : 
 
 In Provincial Congress of New-Jersey, ) 
 Trenton, May 25, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen : In the present very alarming crisis, we 
 have been appointed by the several Counties of this Prov- 
 ince as their Deputies, to meet in Provincial Congress. 
 
 We are accordingly now convened in this place, with 
 dispositions the most heartily to concur, to the utmost of 
 our abilities, in the common cause of America. Yet we 
 think it not advisable to enter into any measures of conse- 
 quence, until some general plan may be agreed upon and 
 recommended by you. 
 
 In this first instance of such Assembly in the Colony, 
 without any precedent among ourselves to direct us, and, 
 at the same time, anxiously concerned to make our Pro- 
 vincial measures consistent with that plan which may be 
 devised and recommended by the Continental Congress, 
 we have judged it necessary to address ourselves to you, 
 for such advice and assistance as you, in your wisdom, may 
 think proper to favour us with. For this purpose we have 
 deputed two of our members, William P. Smith and Elius 
 Boudinot, Esquires, the bearers hereof, whom we recom- 
 mend to the Congress, requesting you will furnish us, by 
 them, with such directions concerning the line of conduct 
 in which we ought to act, as will prevent any measures we 
 may adopt from marring or obstructing the general views 
 of the Congress, or disappointing your expectations. 
 Signed by order: 
 
 Hendrick Fisher, President. 
 
 To the Members of the Continental Congress. 
 
689 
 
 NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 690 
 
 Friday, May 26, 1775. 
 
 The Continental Congress having resolved unanimous- 
 ly, "That all exportations to Quebeck, Nova-Scotia, the 
 Island of St. John's, Newfoundland, Georgia, (except the 
 Parish of St. JoAn's) and to East and West Florida, im- 
 mediately cease; and that no Provisions of any kind, or 
 other necessaries, be furnished to the British Fisheries on 
 the American coasts, until it be otherwise determined by 
 the Congress :" 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That this Congress do earnestly 
 recommend to the good people of this Province, that they 
 do most religiously adhere to the said Resolution ; and that 
 the Secretary do publish this Resolve in one or more of the 
 publick Newspapers. 
 
 The Committee appointed for opening a correspondence 
 with the Provincial Congress of New-York, reported a 
 draught of a Letter for that purpose ; which was read, ap- 
 proved, and ordered to be entered, and a copy to be made 
 out and signed by the President ; which Letter was in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen : We, the Deputies appointed by the in- 
 habitants of New-Jersey to meet in Provincial Congress, 
 are now convened here, for the purpose of pursuing such 
 measures as may be thought most expedient in the present 
 unhappy situation to which the Colonies are reduced, and 
 which the peculiar exigencies of the times may require. 
 As nothing can tend more to ensure success to the steps 
 which may, at this critical juncture, be adopted by the 
 several Provinces, than a uniform plan of conduct, we con- 
 ceived it necessary to look up to the Continental Congress 
 for their advice and direction, which we have accordingly 
 applied for, and hope soon to receive. We also think it of 
 consequence that a correspondence should be established 
 with you and our other sister Colonies, and a free commu- 
 nication be had, from time to time, of such measures as may 
 be judged most conducive to the interest of the common 
 cause ; and we request to be favoured with such intelli- 
 gence as may occur to you worthy of attention, and of 
 which our situation may probably deprive us. 
 
 Monday, May 29, 1775. 
 Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, one of a Committee from 
 the Assembly of Connecticut to this Congress, attended 
 with certain propositions and instructions, which were re- 
 ceived and read, and ordered to be referred for further 
 consideration. 
 
 Messrs. Daniel Hcndrickson and Nicholas Van Brunt, 
 from the Township of Shrewsbury, in the County of Mon- 
 mouth, produced a certificate that the said Township had 
 chosen a Committee of Observation pursuant to the direc- 
 tions of the Continental Congress, and that they had elected 
 these gentlemen as Deputies to represent the said Town- 
 ship in this Congress. The said certificate was allowed 
 and filed. 
 
 Tuesday, May 30, 1775. 
 
 WiUiam P. Smith and Elias Boudinot, Esquires, the 
 Committee sent by this Congress with a Message to the 
 Continental Congress, returned with a written Answer, im- 
 porting that the Congress were not as yet prepared to give 
 any advice on the state of this Province, and promising the 
 same as soon as they should be prepared. 
 
 Jonathan D. Sergeant, Esquire, having resigned his 
 office of Secretary to this Congress, WiUiam Paterson, 
 Esquire, was chosen Secretary, and Mr. Frederick Fre- 
 linghuysen Deputy Secretary. 
 
 The Congress received a Letter from the Provincial 
 Congress of New- York, in answer to theirs of the 26th 
 instant, importing their readiness to establish a correspond- 
 ence with us, and a free communication of such measures 
 as may from time to time be judged conducive to promote 
 the common cause. 
 
 Wednesday, May 31, 1775. 
 
 The Petition of Robert Murray and John Murray, set- 
 ting forth their sincere contrition for violating the Conti- 
 nental Association, and their determined resolution for the 
 future strictly to observe the same, &c, was read, and or- 
 dered a second reading. 
 
 The Petition of Robert and John Murray was read a 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 second time ; and, being now considered, it was unani- 
 mously resolved, that the petitioners, having made the best 
 satisfaction in their power for their former breach of the 
 General Continental Agreement, and expressed their reso- 
 lution strictly to adhere to the same in future, ought to be 
 restored to the favourable regard of their Country ; and 
 the said Robert and John Murrey are accordingly restored 
 to all the civil and commercial privileges which they here- 
 tofore enjoyed in this Province. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the form 
 of an Association, which was reported in the morning ; 
 and, after certain amendments, approved the same, and or- 
 dered it to be entered, which is in the words following : 
 
 " We, the subscribers, freeholders and inhabitants of the 
 
 Township of , in the County of , and 
 
 Province of New-Jersey, having long viewed with concern 
 the avowed design of the Ministry of Great Britain to 
 raise a revenue in America; being deeply affected with 
 the cruel hostilities already commenced in the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay for carrying that arbitrary design into execution ; 
 convinced that the preservation of the rights and privileges 
 of America depends, under God, on the firm union of its 
 inhabitants, do, with hearts abhorring slavery, and ardently 
 wishing for a reconciliation with our Parent State, on con- 
 stitutional principles, solemnly associate and resolve, under 
 the sacred ties of virtue, honour, and love to our Country, 
 that we will personally, and as far as our influence extends, 
 endeavour to support and carry into execution whatever 
 measures may be recommended by the Continental and 
 our Provincial Congresses, for defending our Constitution, 
 and preserving the same inviolate. 
 
 " We do also further associate and agree, as far as shall 
 be consistent with the measures adopted for the preserva- 
 tion of American freedom, to support the Magistrates and 
 other civil officers in the execution of their duty, agreeable 
 to the laws of this Colony ; and to observe the directions of 
 our Committee, acting according to the Resolutions of the 
 aforesaid Continental and Provincial Congresses ; firmly 
 determined, by all means in our power, to guard against 
 those disorders and confusions to which the peculiar cir- 
 cumstances of the times may expose us." 
 
 Resolved, That copies of the above Association be im- 
 mediately sent to the Committees of Observation or Cor- 
 respondence in the several Counties in this Province, which 
 have not already associated in a similar manner, in order 
 that the same may be signed by the several inhabitants, 
 accompanied with the following Letter, to be signed by the 
 President : 
 
 Gentlemen : Anxiously desirous to promote, as far as 
 possible, an union among the inhabitants of this Colony , 
 we have thought proper to recommend to them the en- 
 closed Association, which we desire may be immediately 
 signed by the good people of your Township ; that at a 
 time when our most valuable privileges are invaded, we 
 may, in a uniform manner, make our defence, and prevent 
 the evils to which our unhappy situation exposes us. 
 
 Thursday, June I, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare the draught of an 
 answer to Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, reported the same, 
 which was read, approved, and ordered to be entered, and 
 a copy thereof to be delivered, signed by the President ; 
 which is in the words following : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, ) 
 June 1, 1775. \ 
 
 Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, from the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, having laid before this Congress sundry papers, 
 containing, among other things, the appointment of a Com- 
 mittee by the House of Representatives of said Colony, 
 for the purpose of procuring intelligence of the true state 
 of this Province, giving information of the state of the said 
 Colony of Connecticut, and for cultivating harmony and 
 good correspondence with this Province ; and this Congress 
 having read and considered the same, take this method of 
 expressing their highest satisfaction with the spirited con- 
 duct and proceedings of the said Colony of Connecticut, 
 and do hereby request the said Mr. Edivards to assure the 
 Honourable House of Representatives of that Colony, that 
 
691 
 
 NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 692 
 
 the Province of New-Jersey will most heartily co-operate 
 with them in the general measures now pursuing for the 
 common defence of the rights of America, and will, with 
 great pleasure, cultivate that harmony and good correspond- 
 ence with our brethren of Connecticut, which they so earn- 
 estly desire ; that t his Congress are now engaged in set- 
 tling a plan for putting the Province in the best state of 
 defence in their power, and are ready to pursue such other 
 methods and directions as shall be recommended to them 
 by the Continental Congress, from whom they are daily 
 expecting advice for this purpose ; and whenever any par- 
 ticular measure shall be finally settled and concluded upon 
 by this Province, the House of Representatives of Con- 
 necticut shall have the earliest intelligence. 
 
 Friday, June 2, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from Pierpoint Edwards, Esquire, requesting 
 copies of such of the Resolves and Proceedings of this 
 Congress as respected the regulation of the Militia, the 
 raising of men and money, for the common defence 
 of America, was received and read ; to which the following 
 answer was returned, viz : 
 
 Sir : The Congress received your polite letter of this 
 morning, and are sorry that the Militia Bill and other mat- 
 ters now before them are not so far completed that they 
 can comply with your request, in giving you extracts from 
 them to take with you to the Honourable House of As- 
 sembly of the Colony of Connecticut. You may, how- 
 ever, be assured, that when the Congress rises, a copy of 
 such proceedings as shall be necessary to be communicated, 
 will be transmitted to the Speaker of your Honourable 
 House. We are, &c. 
 
 Saturday, June 3, 1775, P. M. 
 The draught of a plan for regulating the Militia of this 
 Colony, which was reported in the morning, was read 
 a second time ; and, after sundry amendments, was ap- 
 proved, and ordered to be entered ; which is in the words 
 following : 
 
 The Congress, taking into consideration the cruel and 
 arbitrary measures adopted and pursued by the British 
 Parliament and present Ministry for the purpose of sub- 
 jugating the American Colonies to the most abject servi- 
 tude ; and being apprehensive that all pacifick measures for 
 the redress of our grievances will prove ineffectual, do 
 think it highly necessary that the inhabitants of this Prov- 
 ince be forthwith properly armed and disciplined for de- 
 fending the cause of American freedom. And further 
 considering that, to answer this desirable end, it is requisite 
 that such persons be entrusted with the command of the 
 Militia as can be confided in by the people, and are truly 
 zealous in support of our just rights and privileges, do re- 
 commend and advise that the good people of this Province 
 henceforward strictly observe the following Rules and 
 Regulations, until this Congress shall make further order 
 therein : 
 
 1st. That one or more Companies, as the case may re- 
 quire, be immediately formed in each Township or Corpo- 
 ration ; and, to this end, that the several Committees in this 
 Province do, as soon as may be, acquaint themselves with 
 the number of male inhabitants in their respective Districts, 
 from the age of sixteen to fifty, who are capable of bearing 
 arms, and thereupon form them into companies, consisting, 
 as near as may be, of eighty men each ; which companies 
 so formed shall, each by itself, assemble and choose, by 
 plurality of voices, four persons from among themselves, of 
 sufficient substance and capacity, for its officers, namely, 
 one Captain, two Lieutenants, and an Ensign. 
 
 2d. That the officers so chosen appoint for their respect- 
 ive companies fit persons to be sergeants, corporals, and 
 drummers. 
 
 3d. That as soon as the companies are so formed, the 
 officers of such a number of companies as shall by them 
 be judged proper to form a Regiment, do assemble and 
 choose one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, a Major, and 
 an Adjutant, for each Regiment. 
 
 4th. That each Captain, as soon as elected, furnish him- 
 self with a Mnster-Roll, after the form following, to be 
 signed by every person under his command, viz: 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do voluntarily enlist ourselves in 
 
 the company of , in the Township of , 
 
 in the County of , under the command of Colo- 
 nel , (if a Colonel shall be chostn at the time of 
 
 subscribing,) and do promise to obey our officers in such ser- 
 vice as they shall appoint us, agreeable to the rules and or- 
 ders of the Provincial Congress. Witness our hands, &.c." 
 
 5th. That the persons so enlisted meet under the direc- 
 tion of their officers, in such manner, and at such times and 
 places, as shall by them be judged necessary for their im- 
 provement in military discipline ; and that each whole com- 
 pany do assemble at least once a month for the same pur- 
 pose ; and that a general muster or review of the whole 
 Regiment be had as often, and at such times, as the Field 
 Officers shall appoint. 
 
 6th. That each person enlisted be equipped as soon as 
 possible with arms and ammunition, in such manner as by 
 the Field Officers of such Regiment shall be directed. 
 
 7th. That due obedience be paid to the officers, and 
 strict attention observed in learning the military exercise. 
 
 8th. That where Companies and Regiments are already 
 formed, and officers chosen and appointed, the same be 
 continued, provided that they do adopt such further rules 
 and orders respecting the signing of a muster-roll, days of 
 meeting and reviews, as are hereinbefore contained ; and 
 that where part only of the officers are already appointed 
 and chosen, they do proceed to elect such other officers as 
 remain yet to be chosen, in conformity to the rules herein 
 contained. 
 
 The Congress taking into consideration the spirited ex- 
 ertions of the Counties of Morris, Sussex, and Somerset, 
 in raising Minute-Men, do approve of and thank them for 
 their zeal in the common cause, and w ill take the same into 
 further consideration at their next meeting. 
 
 The draught of an Ordinance for raising a sum of money 
 for the purpose therein mentioned, after sundry amend- 
 ments, was approved, and ordered to be entered, in the 
 words following : 
 
 Whereas it has become absolutely necessary, in the pre- 
 sent dangerous and extraordinary state of publick affairs, 
 in which the usual resources of Government appear to be 
 insufficient for the safety of the people, and in which the 
 good people of this Province have therefore thought proper 
 to choose Deputies in this present Congress, that a fund be 
 provided for the use of the Province, we, the said Depu- 
 ties, being persuaded that every inhabitant is willing and 
 desirous to contribute his proportion of money for so im- 
 portant a purpose, do, pursuant to the powers entrusted to 
 us by the people, Resolve and direct, that the sum of Ten 
 Thousand Pounds, proclamation money, be immediately 
 apportioned and raised for the use aforesaid, the same to be 
 apportioned, laid out and disposed of, in such manner as 
 hereinafter is directed. 
 
 2. And it is resolved and directed, That the part and 
 proportion of the said sum to be raised in the County of 
 Bergen be six hundred and sixty-four Pounds eight Shil- 
 lings ; and that the part and proportion of Essex be seven 
 hundred and forty-two Pounds eighteen Shillings ; and that 
 the part and proportion of Middlesex be eight hundred and 
 seventy-two Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence; and 
 that the part or proportion of Somerset be nine hundred 
 and four Pounds two Shillings; and that the part or pro- 
 portion of Monmouth be one thousand and sixty-nine 
 Pounds two Shillings and eight Pence ; and that the part 
 or proportion of Morris be seven hundred and twenty-three 
 Pounds eight Shillings ; and that the part or proportion of 
 Sussex be five hundred and ninety-three Pounds five Shil- 
 lings and four Pence ; and that the part or proportion of 
 Hunterdon be one thousand three hundred and sixty-three 
 Pounds sixteen Shillings and eight Pence ; and that the 
 part or proportion of Burlington be one thousand and sev- 
 enty-one Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence ; and 
 that the part or proportion of Gloucester be seven hundred 
 and sixty-three Pounds two Shillings and eight Pence ; 
 and that the part or proportion of Salem be six hundred 
 and seventy-nine Pounds twelve Shillings; and that the 
 part or proportion of Cumberland be three hundred and 
 eighty-five Pounds six Shillings and eight Pence ; and that 
 the part or proportion of Cape-May be one hundred and 
 sixty-six Pounds eighteen Shillings. 
 
 3. And, in order that the said sum may be duly raised, 
 
693 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 694 
 
 It is further resolved and directed. That the same be 
 apportioned by persons hereafter to be appointed by the 
 Committees of the several Townships in this Colony, in 
 which apportionment all certainties shall be rated one-fifth 
 less than the sums they are respectively directed to be rated 
 at by the fourth section of an Act of the General Assembly 
 of this Colony, made and passed in the tenth year of the 
 reign of his present Majesty, entitled " An Act to settle the 
 quotas of the several Counties in this Colony for the levying 
 Taxes ;" and that all lands, horses, cattle, and other taxables, 
 be valued as in the above-mentioned Act is directed ; which 
 said apportionment shall be made and delivered to the per- 
 sons to be appointed by the several Committees in each 
 Township, at or before the first day of August next ensuing. 
 
 And it is further resolved and directed, That the per- 
 sons who shall be appointed for apportioning the same as 
 aforesaid in the several Townships of each County, to that 
 end do meet together on the first Monday in July next, at 
 such place as by the laws of this Colony have been ap- 
 pointed for the Assessors to meet in for the like purpose ; 
 and then and there settle and divide to each Township with- 
 in their County its quota of the sum hereinbefore directed 
 to be raised in the County. 
 
 4. And it is further resolved and directed, That the 
 several Committees in each Township of the Colony shall 
 appoint fit persons to collect the same, who, upon receiving 
 the said apportionment, shall immediately collect and pay 
 the same to such person or persons as the several Commit- 
 tees in each County may hereafter appoint ; or, where 
 there is no County Committee, to such person or persons 
 as the several Township Committees shall jointly appoint. 
 
 5. And it is further resolved and directed, That after 
 the part or proportion of each County shall have been ap- 
 portioned and received by the County Collector, he shall 
 and do pay the same, or any part or parts thereof, to the 
 County Committee, or to their order, signed by their Chair- 
 man, by their vote, the same to be disposed of by them in 
 such manner as they in their discretion shall think most 
 proper to answer the said exigencies. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Mr. Tucker, Mr. Daniel 
 Hunt, Mr. Frelinghuyscn, Mr. I. Pearson, Mr. Dunham, 
 Mr. Schurman, Mr. John Hart, Mr. Borden, Mr. Dcare, 
 Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Schenck, Mr. Ralph Hart, and Mr. 
 Heard, or any three of them, in conjunction with the Presi- 
 dent or Vice-President, be a Committee of Correspond- 
 ence, with power to convene this Congress. 
 
 BE.VEOICT ARNOLD TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETT AT 
 CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 ;Pcr express.) Crown Point, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : My last was of the 19th instant, by Cap- 
 t?in Jonathan Brown. I then advised you of my taking 
 possession of the King's sloop, &c. ; and that, on the 
 13th instant, on my return from St. John's, Colonel E. 
 Allen, with about eighty or one hundred men, passed me 
 with intention of making a stand at St. John's; and not 
 being able to dissuade him from so rash a purpose, I sup- 
 plied them with provisions, &ic. Yesterday he arrived at 
 Ticondcroga, with his party, and says that on the evening 
 of the 18th instant he arrived with his party at St. John's, 
 and hearing of a detachment of men on the road from 
 Mortreal, laid in ambush for them ; but his people being 
 so much fatigued, (when the party were about one mile 
 distant,) thought proper to retreat, and crossed the lake at 
 St. John's, where they continued the night. At dawn next 
 day they were, when asleep, saluted with a discharge of 
 grape-shot from six field-pieces, and a discharge of small 
 arms from about two hundred Regulars. They made a 
 precipitate retreat, and left behind them three men. Im- 
 mediately on this advice I proceeded here with the sloop 
 and schooner, well armed as possible under our circum- 
 stances, and eighty men, which, with the party here before, 
 makes near one hundred and fifty men, with whom I am 
 determined to make a stand here to secure the cannon, it 
 being impossible to remove them at present. 1 am in 
 hourly expectation of two or three hundred men more ; 
 most of those here are enlisted. Colonel Allen's men are 
 in general gone home. 
 
 As the Regulars have good information of our strength 
 and movements, 1 am apprehensive of their paying us a 
 visit, provided they can get batteaus from Montreal to St. 
 John's. I shall make every possible preparation to give 
 them a warm reception. I have commissioned Captain 
 John Sloan in the sloop, and Captain Isaac Mathues in the 
 schooner. I have wrote to New-York for a number of 
 gunners and seamen to man the two vessels, being in great 
 want of them. At present obliged to stay on board one of 
 them myself. 
 
 As soon as a sufficient number of men arrives, I shall 
 lose no time in carrying your orders into execution in re- 
 gard to the cannon, &.c. This morning, very luckily, an 
 escort of provisions (five barrels of pork and thirty barrels 
 of flour) arrived here as a present from Albany, under the 
 rare of Captain Elisha Phelps. The last barrel of our 
 pork being abroach, I have ordered fifty barrels of pork 
 and one hundred of flour from Albany, which I expect 
 soon ; prior to which I bought fifteen oxen and thirty bar- 
 rels of flour, which is all the provisions purchased as yet. 
 The people who have enlisted are promised the same 
 bounty as is given in the Massachusetts-Bay. A sum of 
 money will be requisite to carry matters into execution. 1 
 
 have one hundred and sixty Pounds, found in the sloop ; 
 but as it was the Captain's property, do not choose to make 
 use of it at present. I have sent to Albany repeatedly for 
 powder, and can get none ; have only one hundred and fifty 
 pounds here, which I brought from Concord. I beg you 
 will order a quantity to be forwarded here immediately. I 
 have wrote to Connecticut, but can have no dependance 
 from that quarter, as it is very scarce there. 
 
 I hope some gentleman will soon be appointed in my 
 room here, who is better able to serve the publick than I 
 am. Interim, I am, gentlemen, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety at Cambridge. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, one of Colonel Allen's 
 party, who was taken prisoner at St. John's, has made his 
 escape, and says, that on the 19th instant there were four 
 hundred Regulars at St. John's, who expected to be joined 
 by more men, and were making all possible preparation to 
 cross the lake and retake Crown Point and Ticonderoga. 
 I have sent expresses to Fort George and Skenesborough, 
 to rally the Country. You may depend, gentlemen, these 
 places will not be given up unless we are overpowered by 
 numbers, or deserted by Providence, which has hitherto 
 supported us. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE PROVIN- 
 CIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, ) 
 May 23, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : There appears to be some considerable 
 difficulty in the adjustment of General Ward's Regiment, 
 so far as it respects the first that may have command under 
 him in his Regiment. The circumstances we would beg 
 leave to lay before your Honours : Colonel Joseph Hen- 
 shaw came down Lieutenant-Colonel of a Minute Regi- 
 ment, under General Ward, and still expects to hold his 
 command under General Ward in said Regiment, upon the 
 present establishment, as he was early applied to by the 
 Committee for that purpose ; Colonel Jonathan Ward 
 came down Lieutenant-Colonel under General Ward, of 
 the Standing Militia, and likewise expects to hold his com- 
 mand under General Ward, in the present establishment, 
 having given out enlisting orders to the Captains in said 
 Regiment. Seven Captains in said Regiment desire that 
 Colonel Hard may be appointed, as appears by a cer- 
 tificate under their hands. This Committee have applied 
 to General Ward to determine which of said Colonels 
 should have the command, but he declines to act in the 
 affair. We therefore thought it proper to make this short 
 representation to your Honours, that you might, in your 
 wisdom, put a speedy end to said controversy. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 To the Hon. Provincial Congress in Watertown. 
 
695 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 696 
 
 PETITION OF JOHN MERRILL. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress now at Water- 
 town : The Petition of the subscriber humbly sheweth : 
 That there is now at Topsham a company of able-bodied 
 men, the number about sixty, who have mostly good effect- 
 ual fire-arms, but they have very little, or most of them no 
 powder, on which account they are supposed to be in great 
 danger from the Indians, as well as other ways ; this is 
 therefore to pray your Honours to give some directions 
 where may be had about fifty or sixty pounds of powder, 
 for which the cash shall be paid by your very humble ser- 
 vant, John Merkill. 
 W.t.rtown, May 23, 1775. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF WALTHAM TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY 
 AT CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 Waltham, May 23, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : In obedience to a letter we received from 
 you with respect to Mr. Millicant, we have made particular 
 inquiry into Mrs. Millicant's passing to and repassing from 
 Boston, and after the most critical inquiry, we find Mrs. 
 Millicant went only once to Boston, to bring her little chil- 
 dren out of Boston, which were at Mrs. Newman's, before 
 the engagement ; and from a particular inquiry into that 
 affair, are persuaded she conveyed no intelligence to our 
 enemies, that can be any ways detrimental to the important 
 cause in which we are engaged ; and from Mr. Millicant's 
 known integrity, uprightness, and good conduct, since he 
 has been with us, we cannot but suppose the information 
 you received of Mr. Millicant's conveying intelligence to 
 our enemies, was from a person either prejudiced against, 
 or entirely unknown to him, and so suspected him to be 
 our enemy, because he is on the half-pay list. However, 
 we shall be on the watch, and very careful that no intelli- 
 gence be conveyed to our enemies by Mr. Millicant, or 
 any other person in this Town. We are, gentlemen, with 
 due deference, your humble and obedient servants, 
 Jonas Dix, ^| 
 Nath. Bridge, {Selectmen of 
 Josiah Brown, [ Waltham, 
 John Clark, J 
 
 TEWKESBURY (MASS.) COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION. 
 
 Tewkesbury, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Whereas Mr. Timothy Brown, of this Town, has been 
 suspected of being an enemy to the liberties of America : 
 We, the Committee of Inspection of said Tewkesbury, hav- 
 ing heretofore taken the matter under our inspection, and 
 had the said Brown upon examination before us, and found 
 no proof of the late charges laid against him, we set up 
 notifications desiring any person that had any thing to offer 
 by way of evidence against the said Brotvn's character, to 
 offer it to us ; and again having met this day upon adjourn- 
 ment, and had the said Brown again upon examination, 
 and still no further evidence against the said Brown appears, 
 but he declares himself a friend to the liberties of his Coun- 
 try, and that he will use the utmost of his endeavours to 
 defend the same; therefore we would inform the publick, 
 that unless some absolute proof be brought against him, 
 the said Brown ought not to be treated as an enemy, but 
 as a friend to our just rights and liberties. 
 
 Isaac Kitteridge, Jacob Shed, 
 Nathaniel Heywood, Eldad Worcester, 
 David Bayley, Ezra Kendall, 
 
 Eb'zer Whittemore, 
 
 Committee of Inspection for Tewkesbury. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO JOHN SULLIVAN AND JOHN 
 LANGDON, ESQUIRES, AT PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 Exeter, May 23, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Although it is painful to us to have occa- 
 sion to realize the necessity of deciding by the sword the 
 present controversy with Great Britain, yet we trust you 
 will know with satisfaction that, in the fullest representa- 
 tive body this Province ever had, it was unanimously voted 
 to raise a body of men for the purposes of general defence. 
 As we conclude you have been already sufficiently apprised 
 of the hostile conduct of the Army under General tinge, 
 
 we can assure you that the whole Colony seems to be of 
 one heart and one soul ; so that even those who had been 
 formerly inactive, are now soberly awake and active. The 
 blood of their brethren has roused them. 
 
 We could have desired to consult a General Congress, 
 if time had allowed, before we had taken such an important 
 step as raising a military force. But the case seemed too 
 plain to be doubted, and loo urgent to be delayed. We 
 have resolved to raise forthwith two thousand men. How 
 shall we pay them, you are sensible, must now be one 
 question. 
 
 We trust, as you know the state of the Colony, that 
 you will enter into the full importance of the question. We 
 desire you will do your utmost to forward some plan in 
 which we may be able to discharge our engagements. We 
 must, gentlemen, press you on this article. The little cash 
 we ever had, is by one means or another almost entirely 
 drained off. The most are ready to join, and are willing 
 to expend one half, if they may preserve the other. Yet 
 we seem to have no method left but borrowing, and we 
 don't know that we can borrow, unless we issue a pioper 
 currency ourselves, or have a currency on a general plan, 
 or can borrow in some of the other Colonies. 
 
 With regard to what is further necessary to regulate the 
 general policy of the Colonies, you will find our situation 
 and views, so far as we have formed any, in our enclosed 
 letter to the Congress. You may rely upon it that if any 
 general regulations of the Province are thought necessary 
 or best, we shall be ready to receive the same, and govern 
 ourselves accordingly. 
 
 Gentlemen, we commit ourselves and you, the honourable 
 body of which you are members, and the cause of liberty 
 and justice throughout America and the world, to the all- 
 directing Mind, and subscribe, with much esteem, your 
 most obedient servant. 
 
 To the Honourable John Sullivanand John Langdon, Es- 
 quires, Members for this Colony of New-Hampshire in 
 the Continental Congress. 
 
 THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Received and read before Congress June 2, 1775.] 
 
 Exeter, May 23. 1775. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen: British America being be- 
 trusted to your wisdom, the proposal of those plans, by 
 which, as by a pole star, it may steer in the tempest occa- 
 sioned by the arrogant claims, the haughty threats, and 
 unnatural attacks of the British Ministry, it is reasonable 
 for you to expect, and for each Colony to choose, that 
 whatever important step is taken by any of the Colonies, 
 the consequence of which reaches the whole, you should 
 receive the earliest authentick intelligence of the measure 
 itself, together with the facts and motives leading to it, that 
 it may be either diverted, forwarded, or ripened, so as to 
 harmonize with whatever extensive plan the great Fountain 
 of wisdom, and Friend of justice shall inspire the guardians 
 of our common rights. 
 
 Long has America mourned to find those she wishes to 
 revere, adopting one plan after another to strip her of the 
 blessings of freedom, deaf to all her pleas for justice. 
 
 The counsels of America, united in that illustrious body, 
 the late Continental Congress, we hoped, that, by denying 
 ourselves, we should scatter the mists which hid the path 
 of justice from the eye of Britain ; but with pain we have 
 learned that firmness is insolence, and that the most calm 
 resolution to be free is treason in the new Ministerial lan- 
 guage. 
 
 In spite of the gathering storm, we yet resolved, if pos- 
 sible, to avoid the last retreat of the injured — an appeal to 
 God by the sword ; but at length plain and pressing facts 
 constrain us to believe that our enemies mean to deny us 
 every other ; though, to our view, the thought is shaded deep 
 in horrours. 
 
 Not long since the alarm sounded through this Colony, 
 that the insidious foe, though continually speaking of peace, 
 had begun a scene of bloodshed and devastation on the 
 lives and property of our brethren in the Massachusetts. 
 
 Listening only to calls of humanity, without waiting for 
 consultations, with all the speed of common interest and 
 friendship, we generally run to their aid; but we come to 
 
697 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 698 
 
 be only witnesses, as yet, of the scenes of pillage and of 
 slaughter, perpetrated by the sons of violence. The enemy 
 were retreated. Our situation obliged us to return, not to 
 neglect the cause, but that we might prosecute, by united 
 and consistent counsels, with steady firmness. 
 
 As soon as convenience would allow, being directed by 
 our brethren of this Colony to act for them in the present 
 exigence, which seems not to allow time for consulting 
 America at large, feeling for ourselves, our friends, and our 
 Country, we have determined to exert our utmost efforts 
 in defence of the common cause of America, and for the 
 present have resolved to raise the nutnber of two thousand 
 men, (including officers,) to be employed as occasion shall 
 require, under the regulation of this Convention, until we 
 have the advice of the Continental Congress, to whose 
 superintendence we choose to submit. We have, in conse- 
 quence, engaged to provide for the pay of the above number, 
 until the last day of December next. 
 
 We beg leave to suggest that this will, of course, intro- 
 duce a vast expense. We will not conceal that the circu- 
 lating cash in this Province is very small, in but a trifling 
 proportion, as we suppose, to the necessary demand on this 
 occasion. We ask the advice and assistance of the Con- 
 gress w ith regard to the best method of carrying the abov e 
 vote into execution. We desire to have the benefit of 
 some general plan for bills of credit, or that we may act 
 with the advice of the Congress in issuing such ourselves; 
 or that we may be pointed to such other methods as shall 
 appear just and equal, in apportioning the expense of the 
 common cause. 
 
 Although we ardently wish that, if possible, a connection 
 may yet be preserved between Great Britain and these 
 Colonies, founded on the invariable principles of justice, 
 and the general principles of the British Constitution, yet 
 we are entirely disposed to respect, and willing to submit 
 to any plan of further uniting the Colonies, for the purpose 
 of common security and defence. 
 
 We will not conceal that many among us are disposed to 
 conclude, that the voice of God and Nature, to us, since 
 the late hostile design and conduct of Great Britain, is, that 
 we are bound to look to our whole political affairs. 
 
 We have not yet largely and fully consulted with one 
 another on this article, but have only acted with the single 
 view of the plain necessity of certain steps to be taken, to 
 secure us from the ruin which the British Ministry have 
 prepared for us. We trust we shall keep this alone in view 
 until we hear the united plan of the Colonies in the General 
 Council, which we pray and trust may be under the influ- 
 ence of Heaven. 
 
 By order of the Convention of the Colony of Neiv- 
 Hampshire. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 To the Honourable Members of the Congress now sitting 
 in the City of Philadelphia. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Province of New-Hampshire, in Provincial Convention, > 
 Exeter, May 23, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen: We acknowledge the honour of an inter- 
 view with your Committee, the Honourable Joseph Gerrish, 
 Esquire, and Colonel Ebenezer Saivyer, and the intelligence 
 by them communicated to us ; and, in way of reply, would 
 inform you, that in consideration of the present alarming 
 state of the Colonies in general, and your Province in par- 
 ticular, we have determined to raise, for the common de- 
 fence and safety, two thousand men, including officers and 
 those already employed in the publick service, belonging to 
 this Province ; to be raised and qualified as soon as may be, 
 and more, if it shall appear to be our proportion, as soon 
 as a proper estimate can be made. And in respect to such 
 other matters as your Committee had in commission to us, 
 we shall take them into our serious consideration ; as they 
 are matters of so great importance we cannot immediately 
 determine respecting them, but would wait the advice 
 and direction of the General Congress, to which we are 
 about immediately to apply, as we find you have done. 
 We would beg leave to assure you that the people of this 
 Province appear to be heartily engaged in the common 
 
 cause, and at all hazards determined to stand by and sup- 
 port it, relying on Divine Providence for success. 
 By order of Convention : 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 To the Honourable Congress of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 COLONEL JOHN FENTON TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 23, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: I this moment received your letter of the 
 twenty-third instant. I do assure you, gentlemen, I men- 
 tioned the matter respecting the IndiaJis coming down on 
 our frontiers, in my letter to the people of the County of 
 Grafton, as a matter of opinion only, nor have I the least 
 clue or circumstance to guide me in these sentiments but 
 mere opinion. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble 
 servant, John Fenton. 
 
 P. S. I wrote that letter to the people of the County of 
 Grafton out of absolute friendship and regard to the County. 
 
 Portsmouth, April 26, 1775. 
 To the People of the County of Grafton, from a real 
 
 Jriend, who sincerely wishes their ivell doing: 
 
 For God's sake pay the closest attention to the sowing 
 and planting your lands, and do as much of it as possible, 
 not only for your own and families' subsistence, but to sup- 
 ply the wants of your fellow-men down country ; for you 
 may be assured that every kind of distress, in the provi- 
 sion way, is coming upon them. 
 
 Let nothing induce you to quit your farming business. 
 Mind no reports ; and do not think of coming down country 
 to fight. There are enough without you ; therefore your 
 diligence in farming will much more serve your Country 
 than coming to assist us. Much depends on the back set- 
 tlements raising plenty of grain. 
 
 I am informed that should the people from the back set- 
 tlements take up arms, a number of Indians and Canadians 
 will fall upon them ; but that if they remain quiet they will 
 not. This I inform you of from the love 1 bear you, and 
 give it you as a sincere friend should do. 
 
 John Fenton. 
 
 Exeter, June 27, 1775. 
 Colonel Fentotis compliments to the President of the 
 Congress, requests to know if it will be convenient to be 
 called before them to-morrow morning ; if so, he begs he 
 may be informed, as his family are only waiting to know 
 what is to become of him, before they quit this Province. 
 
 In Congress, Exeter, June 30, 1775. 
 Upon a full hearing of sundry complaints against Colonel 
 John Fenton : 
 
 Voted, That the said Colonel John Fenton is an enemy 
 to the liberties of America. 
 
 July 1, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Josioh Moulton be desired to take 
 four men and an officer out of Captain Elkins's Company 
 at Hampton, and convey Colonel John Fenton to Head- 
 Quarters of the New-Hampshire Forces, and deliver him 
 to General Nathaniel Folsom, there to be confined till 
 further orders. 
 
 PETITION OF CAPTAIN DELAPLACE. 
 
 To the Honourable the General Assembly of the Govern- 
 our and Company of the English Colony of Connect- 
 icut, in New-England, in America, now convened at 
 Hartford. 
 
 The memorial of William Delaplace, a Captain in His 
 Majesty's Twenty-sixth Regiment, and commandant of the 
 Fort and Garrison of Ticonderoga, in behalf of himself and 
 the officers and soldiers under his command, beg leave to 
 represent our difficult situation to your Honours, and peti- 
 tion for redress. 
 
 Your memorialist would represent, that on the morning 
 of the tenth of May instant, the Garrison of the Fortress 
 of Ticonderoga, in the Province of New-York, was sur- 
 prised by a party of armed men under the command of one 
 
699 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 700 
 
 Ethan Allen, consisting of about one hundred and fifty, 
 who had taken such measures effectually to surprise the 
 same, that very little resistance could be made, and to whom 
 your memorialists were obliged to surrender as prisoners ; 
 and overpowered by a superiour force, were disarmed, and 
 by said Allen ordered immediately to be sent to Hartford, 
 in the Colony of Connecticut, where your memorialists now 
 are detained as prisoners of war, consisting of officers, for- 
 ty-seven private soldiers of His Majesty's Troops, besides 
 women and children. That your memorialists being igno- 
 rant of any crime by them committed, whereby they should 
 be thus taken and held, also are ignorant by what authority 
 said Allen thus took them, or that they are thus detained in 
 a strange country, and at a distance from the post assigned 
 them ; thus know not in what light they are considered by 
 your Honours, consequently know not what part to act; 
 would therefore ask your Honours' interposition and pro- 
 tection, and order that they be set at liberty, to return to the 
 post from whence they were taken, or to join the Regiment 
 to which they belong ; or if they are considered in the light 
 of prisoners of war, your Honours would be pleased to sig- 
 nify the same to them, and by whom they are detained, 
 and that your Honours would afford us your favour and 
 protection during the time we shall tarry in this Colony; 
 and your memorialists shall ever pray. 
 
 William Delaplace, 
 Captain Commandant Ticondcroga Fort. 
 Hartford, May 24, 1775. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watcrtown, ) 
 May 24, 1775. \ 
 
 Friends and Fellow- Countrymen : 
 
 With great satisfaction we bear publick testimony of 
 your disposition to serve the glorious cause in which Ame- 
 rica is now engaged, evidenced by your readiness to sup- 
 ply on the credit of the Colony many necessary articles 
 for the use of the Army, and in various other ways ; by 
 which you have given convincing proofs that you are 
 heartily disposed to maintain the publick liberty. The 
 cause, we have not the least doubt, if you continue to exert 
 yourselves in conjunction with our sister Colonies, will 
 finally prevail. 
 
 This Congress have opened a subscription for one hun- 
 dred thousand Pounds, lawful money, for which the Re- 
 ceiver-General is directed to issue notes on interest at the 
 rate of six per cent, per annum, payable in June, 1777; 
 and as it is of the utmost importance that the money be 
 immediately obtained, that the publick credit may not 
 suffer, we most earnestly recommend to such of you as 
 have cash in your hands, which you can spare from the 
 necessary supplies of your families, that you would lend 
 the same to the Colony ; by which you will put it in our 
 power to carry into effect the measures undertaken for the 
 salvation of the Country. 
 
 That the Army should be well supplied with every 
 article necessary for the most effectual military operations, 
 you must all be sensible, and that if we should fail herein 
 it may prove ruinous and destructive to the community, 
 whose safety (under God) depends upon their vigorous 
 exertions. 
 
 As you have already, in many instances, nobly exerted 
 yourselves, this Congress have not the smallest doubt but 
 that you will with great cheerfulness crown all by furnish- 
 ing as much cash as will be necessary for the good pur- 
 poses aforementioned ; especially when it is considered 
 that there are now no ways of improving money in trade, 
 and that there is the greatest probability the other Colo- 
 nies will give a ready currency to the notes, which will 
 render them in one respect at least on a better footing than 
 any other notes heretofore issued in this Colony. 
 
 If you should furnish the money that is now needed 
 you will perform a meritorious service for your Country, 
 and prove yourselves sincerely attached to its interests. 
 But if an undue caution should prevent your doing this 
 essential service to the Colony, the total loss both of your 
 liberties and that very property which you by retaining it 
 affect to save, may be the unhappy consequence ; it being 
 past all controversy that the destruction of individuals must 
 be involved in that of the publick. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HON. ENOCH FREEMAN. 
 
 Falmouth, May 24, 1775. 
 
 You informed me that the last Provincial Conuress did 
 me the honour to choose me one of the Committee of 
 Safety for the Province. You may acquaint that Com- 
 mittee that were my health and capacity equal to my in- 
 clination to serve the publick, I should cheerfully attend 
 that service without delay ; but at present I cannot possi- 
 bly go up. Yet if 1 can be of any service to the common 
 cause in the mean time, in these exposed parts of the 
 Country, my utmost endeavours shall not be wanting, and 
 as soon as I can find myself able, purpose to come up. 
 
 It would, perhaps, be convenient for the publick, that 
 some person or persons here should be appointed, whose 
 business it should be to execute the orders of the Congress 
 and Committee of Safety, and to communicate back to 
 them, from time to time, intelligence and occurrences that 
 may affect the publick, without the trouble of getting a 
 quorum of Committee and Selectmen together, who live 
 at a distance, which often causes great delay ; and my time 
 is so often taken up in one publick affair and another, 
 that I am obliged to neglect my own business to my great 
 damage. 
 
 If the Congress should allow the Regiment raised here 
 in this County to be stationed among us for our defence, it 
 will be necessary that some body should have the care of 
 them, besides their own officers, to employ them in such a 
 manner as shall be most for the safety of the whole. 
 
 In this service 1 think I might be of as much or more 
 service to the publick than if I were to go up to the Com- 
 mittee ; and as the gentlemen there are more acquainted 
 with the circumstances of that part of the Province than 
 I am, I should be of the less advantage to them, and I 
 presume 1 am more acquainted with this part of the Prov- 
 ince, and, with their concurrence, may be of more service 
 to the publick here, than there ; for here new emergencies 
 may and do often arise, which require immediate attention. 
 
 I heard to-day that lately there were a number of In- 
 dians up Androscoggin River consulting what side to take, 
 but could not agree among themselves. 'Tis pity but 
 somebody here should be employed to negotiate with 
 them, or any other Indians, as opportunity should offer. 
 
 A man from Deer Island, near Penobscot, was here this 
 afternoon, and gives a melancholy account of the distress 
 the people are in that way, for want of bread, owing to the 
 stoppage of trade. He heard that several children had 
 died of hunger. What will become of them God only 
 knows ; we are not able to help them or ourselves. I 
 don't know what can be done for them or us, without some 
 vessel of superiour force to the tenders should be provided 
 to bring bread-kind among us. 
 
 I just now heard that Colonel John Cox was taken on his 
 passage to New- York with spars, and carried into Boston. 
 
 WORCESTER COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Worcester, May 24, 1775. 
 Whereas the meeting of the Convention of this County 
 stands adjourned to the second Tuesday in June next, but 
 as the honourable Provincial Congress have resolved that 
 it will be expedient for the several Committees of Corres- 
 pondence to render a true statement of the conduct of their 
 respective Towns and Districts, on the fourth Wednesday 
 of this instant, May, especially with regard to their out- 
 standing Provincial rates : Agreeable thereto the Com- 
 mittees of Correspondence for the several Towns and Dis- 
 tricts in this County, are hereby requested to meet at the 
 Court-House in Worcester, on Wednesday next, at ten 
 o'clock in the forenoon. Several matters of importance 
 require a general attendance. Such Towns as have voted 
 for a County Treasurer are desired to send in their votes 
 to said Convention on said day. 
 
 William Young, Chairman. 
 
 Worcester, Massachusetts, May 24, 1775. 
 It having been thought highly expedient, at this exi- 
 gency of our publick affairs, that every person among us 
 who is known to be an enemy to the rights and privileges 
 of this Country, and has been aiding or abetting to the 
 cursed plans of a tyrannical ruler and an abandoned Min- 
 
roi 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 02 
 
 istry, sliould be disarmed, and rendered as incapable as 
 possible of doing further material mischief to this distressed 
 Province, the Tories in this Town were notified to appear 
 with their arms and ammunition on Monday last. They 
 accordingly appeared, and after surrendering their arms 
 to the Committee of Correspondence, and being strictly 
 ordered not to leave the Town or to meet together, with- 
 out a permit, were dismissed. 
 
 woburn (.Massachusetts) committee. 
 Whereas the Committee of Correspondence for the 
 Town of fVoburn, authorized by the honourable Provin- 
 cial Congress to examine into the principles and conduct of 
 any person suspected of being inimical to the liberties of 
 this Country, have examined Major Benjamin Thompson, 
 of Concord, in the Piovince of New- Hampshire, being 
 brought before them, suspected of being thus inimical. 
 And whereas the said Committee have summoned certain 
 evidences, who they supposed could give light into the 
 matter, to attend, which evidence failed of so doing : This 
 is therefore to inform all persons who are knowing to the 
 sa d Major Thompsons conduct, that the Committee have 
 adjourned to Monday, the 29th day of May next, at three 
 o'clock, afternoon, at the meeting-house, where said evi- 
 dence are desired to attend, as the Committee think them- 
 selves bound to dismiss and recommend the said Thomp- 
 son, unless something more appears against him than w hat 
 they have heard. Samuel Wyman, Chairman. 
 
 May 24, 1775. 
 
 COMMITTEES OF SAFETY OF PORTSMOUTH, GREENLAND, 
 AND RYE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of Safety of the Towns 
 of Portsmouth, Greenland, and Rye, concerning the exami- 
 nation of one John Ackerman, upon a suspicion of the said 
 John Ackerman 1 s being inimical to the liberties and privi- 
 leges of this Country, suspected to be giving and receiving 
 intelligence from the British Troops, for which purposes 
 of inquiry the said Ackerman was sent from the Provincial 
 Congress in Exeter, to their Committees ; and after a tho- 
 rough examination of the said Ackerman, Benjamin Hart 
 and John Reise, who were represented to them by said Con- 
 gress as having sent the said Ackerman into the country: 
 It appears to the said Committees that the said Ackerman 
 was sent into the country as aforesaid for personal safety, to 
 give intelligence of any armed men coming to Portsmouth, 
 as the peculiar stations of some persons gave suspicion of 
 some design against them, and that it was for no other 
 end that the said Ackerman was sent, as appears from 
 their particular examination upon oath, had before us, the 
 said Committees, and they were accordingly dismissed. 
 
 By order of the Committee for Portsmouth : 
 
 H. Wentworth, Chairman. 
 
 By order of the Committee for Greenland : 
 
 John Haven, Chairman. 
 
 By order of the Committee for Rye : 
 
 Joseph Parsons, Chairman. 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 24, 1775. 
 
 Portsmouth, May 23, 1775. 
 This certifies that the bearer, Mr. John Folsom, brought 
 a prisoner, viz : John Ackerman, from the Provincial Con- 
 gress at Exeter, before the Committee of Safety for the 
 Town of Portsmouth, who ordered a guard to be kept on 
 him till examination to-morrow, ten o'clock, A. M. 
 Committee Hall, Tuesday, 4 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Neal McIntyre, Secretary. 
 
 RICHMOND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 In Committee, May 25, 1775. 
 In Committee, London Carter, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 As His Majesty's Council have judged it proper to publish 
 an admonitory address to the community at large, we 
 should think ourselves wanting in respect to the delibera- 
 tions of that honourable Board not to consider it with the 
 strictest attention. We have done so accordingly ; and as 
 we find that the matter of the address is not only exception- 
 able, but are farther informed that it is industriously circu- 
 
 lated amongst the people, together with a proposition lately 
 made in the House of Commons by Lord North, which 
 covers the most insidious and dangerous views, under an 
 artful guise of wisdom, humanity, and peace, we should be 
 wanting in a much higher duty to ourselves and our con- 
 stituents, should we fail to animadvert on both with freedom 
 and decency. We cannot, then, think, 
 
 First. That the mild professions of regard for the pros- 
 perity and welfare of this Country, in the first part of the 
 address, are consistent with the passionate expressions of 
 detestation and abhorrence for that spirit in the people by 
 which alone the liberties of this Country can be secured. 
 We confess we are entire strangers to any licentious and 
 ungovernable spirit prevailing. If the honourable gentle- 
 men mean to brand the late commotions with these appel- 
 lations, we are compelled to observe that no person can so 
 unjustly and uncharitably construe them, unless he entirely 
 turn aside from the violent and provoking measures which 
 justify them ; for it cannot be expected that the people 
 should continue quiet when every violence is offered to 
 their privileges and prosperity, or that they should tamely 
 suffer the foundation of their Constitution to be overturned 
 by a too scrupulous adherence to its form. 
 
 Second. That inviting and exhorting to mild and con- 
 stitutional modes of application clearly implies, that they 
 esteem our former proceedings in this respect violent and 
 irregular. The justice of this charge we leave to be de- 
 cided by the world, who are in possession, and who have 
 given ample testimony in favour of the many suppliant, 
 wise, and firm applications, which have been addressed to 
 the several branches of the British Legislature. 
 
 Third. We allow all due weight to the pledges of their 
 friendship, which the Honourable Council have among us ; 
 and we hope that their integrity may ever be an effectual 
 antidote to the influence of that servile and baneful spirit 
 which we are authorized (by the explicit declarations of 
 many independent and respectable members of both Houses 
 of Parliament) to say, prevail extensively in this age, with 
 men in office. 
 
 With respect to the proposition of Lord North, above- 
 mentioned, insultingly called, by ministerial tools, the 
 olive branch, we are of the opinion that it offers no kind of 
 redress (even if the Colonies should submit) of any one of 
 the many grievances under which they now labour ; for in 
 the only instance in which a seeming redress is proposed, 
 (that of taxation,) the Parliament of Great Britain is to 
 settle the quantum to be raised by each Colony, and the 
 application thereof, the Colonies determining only on the 
 mode of levying. This by no means is relief to them, 
 but in fact puts them in a worse situation than ever, as 
 they thereby will fully acknowledge the absolute power of 
 the British Parliament : and we are still to have the sword 
 hung over our heads, ready to fall on such as shall in any 
 instance disoblige the Minister, or refuse to obey his dic- 
 tates. Lord North himself declared his intention was only 
 to divide the Colonies, and thereby the more easily subdue 
 them. The selecting out Governour Pownall's speech alone, 
 approving the motion, when so many excellent speeches 
 were made exposing the measure, and setting its treachery 
 and absurdity in a clear and evident light, is a certain proof 
 of the design of the King's officers here to mislead the good 
 people of this Colony. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Le Roy Peachy, Clerk. 
 
 LANCASTER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee of the County of Lancaster, on the 25th 
 day of May, 1775, taking into consideration his Excellency 
 Lord Dunmorc's Address to the Council, and their recom- 
 mendation and Proclamation issued in consequence thereof, 
 hold they are necessarily bound to justify themselves and 
 their constituents from such cruel imputations and asser- 
 tions, and that such Proclamation must tend to excite a 
 belief of an intention to change the Government, or raise 
 convulsions in the state. 
 
 That the behaviour of some of the people in this Col- 
 ony, alluded to, originated in a full assurance of the deter- 
 mined bloody plan to enslave the Colonies, manifested in 
 various instances and ungracious encroachments, and more 
 particularly and immediately in his Excellency's clandes- 
 
703 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 704 
 
 tine removal of the powder from the publick Magazine of 
 the Colony. 
 
 That his Excellency's ill-founded and injurious charge, 
 to criminate the body of the people in this Colony, is hostile, 
 and cannot be justified ; therefore, he has forfeited the con- 
 fidence of the inhabitants of this Country. 
 
 That those members of His Majesty's Council who re- 
 commended and assisted in such Proclamation, and also 
 since gave their advice to the good people of this Coun- 
 try, prefaced with cruel and indecent allegations, manifestly 
 implying seditious and rebellious actions, tending to raise 
 bitter dissensions and animosities, acted without prudence, 
 policy, moderation, or generosity ; and we are most sensi- 
 bly grieved, that those whose duty and high department 
 should warm them to every mode of reconciliation, should 
 not only countenance, but themselves become incendiaries 
 to fix, by their publication, a stigma by such an unmerited 
 stricture on their brethren and fellow sufferers. 
 
 That our application for redress of grievances so justly 
 founded, so often and vainly repeated ; our long sufferance 
 and forbearance under such unfellovv-feeling, unrelenting 
 measures, and our ardent wishes and endeavours for a re- 
 conciliation, by the restitution of our just rights and privi- 
 leges, as we enjoyed them in the year 1763, evinces our 
 attachment to our once happy Constitution, and our alle- 
 giance to our gracious Sovereign. 
 
 We, in order to exculpate ourselves and our constituents 
 from such heinous maledictions, and to convince the world 
 of our upright intentions, pledge ourselves to support the 
 Constitution, and His Majesty King George the Third, in all 
 his just rights and prerogatives, with our lives and fortunes. 
 
 Published by order of the Committee. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Norfolk, Va., May 25, 1775. 
 The inhabitants of the Borough of Norfolk, in town- 
 meeting assembled, being informed that Captain Collins, of 
 the Magdalen armed schooner, is endeavouring to dispose 
 of a sloop seized by him, lately belonging to John Bow- 
 doin, Esquire, of the Eastern Shore'; and being also fur- 
 ther informed, that the said Collins has made application 
 to some persons for the purchase of a pilot boat, probably 
 with an intention to convert her into a tender, to distress 
 the trade of this or some other Colony : The inhabitants of 
 this Borough are therefore determined to give no encour- 
 agement to him, or any such men, nor purchase any of 
 their prizes from them, nor in the least contribute to their 
 emolument by bidding for the plunder of our countrymen ; 
 nor will we sell any pilot boat or any other vessel to them 
 for their hostile purposes, nor in any respect have any kind 
 of dealings with them. And the inhabitants of this Bo- 
 rough, assembled as aforesaid, do further resolve, to have 
 no dealing with any person that, in spite of the ties of 
 duty and attachment to his Country, shall counteract these 
 our resolutions, by granting any assistance for the destruc- 
 tion of our rights and properties, or of any other of the 
 good people of the confederated Colonies. And we invite 
 all persons to accede to this resolution. 
 
 Test : William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Williamsburgh, M ty 25, 1775. 
 Whilst we are almost involved in all the terrours of a 
 civil war; whilst the injured genius of America cries aloud 
 for justice ; and whilst the only measures by which an ac- 
 commodation can be procured meet with a most daring 
 and unjust opposition from some of our most distinguished 
 men, who should rather be the principal promoters of it: 
 can I, without doing violence to reason, avoid exclaiming 
 against the inhumanity of the action? Were they English- 
 men, I should only say that they could not divest them- 
 selves of that partiality for their native Country, almost 
 inherent in our nature, and of consequence had imbibed 
 wrong principles; but for Americans, both born and brought 
 up among us, to sell their Country for a smile, or some 
 ministerial office, what language is sufficient to express the 
 indignation, the contempt, which such conduct must natu- 
 rally create in every viituous breast. Alas! Great Bri- 
 tain, thy vices have even extended to America. So small 
 
 an isle is become insufficient to contain such innumerable 
 pollutions. Americans ! the torrent as yet is but small ; 
 only a few are involved in it ; it must be soon stopped, or 
 it will bear all before it with an impetuous sway. The 
 warlike Coriolanus, after he had fought many great and 
 memorable battles in the service of his Country, after he 
 had opposed in Carioli, an extensive city, all its inhabi- 
 tants, as valiantly as ever extravagant fiction represents 
 Hector to have done in the Grecian camp ; 1 say, after he 
 had performed such meritorious actions for his Country, 
 when he found himself treated contemptuously, and ban- 
 ished from the city for taking up arms against his Country 
 in his own defence, has all his former glory sullied. In 
 what light, then, must we look on our countrymen, who 
 espouse the side of the infamous Ministry ? The conclu- 
 sion is obvious. Pity for the despicable wretches bids me 
 cease to draw it. Voluntarils. 
 
 Kent-County upon Delaware, May 25, 1775. 
 The Militia Officers of above twenty Companies, chosen 
 in the several Districts throughout said County, met toge- 
 ther at Dover; and that the business of the day might be 
 conducted with order and regularity, they chose Captain 
 John Haslet, Chairman, and Lieutenant Mark McCall, 
 Clerk. 
 
 The following Association was then drawn up, and unani- 
 mously approved and subscribed, viz : 
 
 " We, whose names are hereunto written, Military Offi- 
 cers, duly elected and chosen by the good people of the 
 several Hundreds and Districts of the County of Ken 
 upon Delaware, pursuant to the direction and recommen- 
 dation of the Committee of Inspection for said County, do 
 hereby jointly and severally, for ourselves and each of us, 
 solemnly promise and engage, by the sacred ties of honour 
 and love for our Country, that we and each of us will, to 
 the utmost of our abilities, well and faithfully execute the 
 important offices conferred upon us by our fellow-subjects, 
 and in our military and every other capacity, at the risk of 
 our lives and fortunes, defend the liberties and privileges of 
 America, as well natural as constitutional, against all inva- 
 ders, or such as may attempt any the least violation or in- 
 fringement of them. 
 
 " And we do further, in manner aforesaid, promise and 
 agree, that we, and each of us, will subject ourselves to 
 such pains, penalties, military punishments, and disgrace, 
 as Courts Martial, to be constituted from time to time of 
 the officers of our own body, shall or may inflict on any of 
 us offending against the rules of military discipline, or con- 
 travening, in word or deed, the true interest of America. 
 or the spirit and principle of this Association." 
 
 The Convention next proceeded to divide the County 
 into two Divisions, each division to contain one Regiment 
 of men, and then chose the necessary Field-Officers for 
 each Regiment, viz : 
 
 For the Upper Regiment. 
 The Honourable Casar Rodney, Esq., Colonel ; 
 Thomas Collins, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel ; arid 
 Mr. French Battel!, Major. 
 
 For the Lower Regiment. 
 John Haslet, Esquire, Colonel ; 
 William Rhodes, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and 
 Mr. Robert Hodgson, Major. 
 
 They then settled an uniform plan of their future con- 
 duct, with rules to be observed in every Company ; and 
 broke up in perfect harmony. 
 
 Published by order of the Convention : 
 
 Mark McCall, Clerk. 
 
 ARTHUR ST. CLAIR TO GOVERNOUR PENN. 
 
 Ligonier, May 25, 1775. 
 Sir: An express from Pittsburgh, with despatches for 
 your Honour, having called here this morning, I embrace 
 the opportunity to inform your Honour that a commis- 
 sion is come up from Virginia to collect the Colony duty 
 on all peltries exported from that place, and that notice 
 has been given to the traders there to conduct themselves 
 accordingly. I think they will find some way to evade 
 paying it, and those that are not yet come in, will cer- 
 
705 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 706 
 
 tainly carry them past. 'Tis a shocking tiling that people 
 should be obliged to such shift, and the trade of the Prov- 
 ince be destroyed, by the obstinacy and caprice of one man. 
 I flatter mvself, however, it will not be of long continu- 
 ance. Lord Dunmore's seizing the magazine has raised 
 such a ferment that he will not probably visit the frontiers 
 soon, and by the prorogation of his Assembly, the invasion 
 law, under which it seems the garrison of the fort was kept 
 up, will expire; I think the ninth of next month is its pe- 
 riod, and 1 am informed Connolly is preparing to decamp. 
 
 We have nothing but masters and Committees all over 
 the country, and every thing seems to be running into the 
 greatest confusion. If some conciliating plan is not adopted 
 by the Congress, America has seen her golden days ; they 
 may return, but will be preceded by scenes of horrour. An 
 Association is formed in this County for defence of Ameri- 
 can liberty. I got a clause added, by which they bind 
 themselves to assist the civil Magistrates in the execution of 
 the laws they have been accustomed to be governed by. 
 
 Hanna and Cavet are still pressing me to do something 
 for their relief, and are very desirous they should be brought 
 off by force ; their project was, that writs should be issued 
 against them, and that the Sheriff should take a posse with 
 him and bring them away, and make prisoners at the same 
 time of their persecutors. I believe 'tis very practicable, 
 but I gave them to know that without positive directions 
 from your Honour I would advise no such step, and that I 
 thought you would not direct any that might have a ten- 
 dency to embroil the Provinces. However, it is no won- 
 der that they are uneasy ; they have been long confined, 
 and must have suffered considerably by it. 
 
 Lord Dunmore has issued a Proclamation, disclaiming 
 the proceedings of the Surveyors in taking entries of lands, 
 and ordering them to return the money received for them, 
 but has spared their names ; but I have seen none of them ; 
 they were spirited away, it seems, as fast as they appeared. 
 
 If the Fort should be evacuated next month, pray, Sir, 
 would it be proper to endeavour to get possession of it, or 
 to raze it? That may possibly be done by themselves. 
 
 Mr. Connolly has sent out for some of the principal men 
 of the Indians to come and receive the prisoners, and the 
 Pittsburgh Committee have petitioned the General Con- 
 gress to hold a treaty with the Western Tribes. I have 
 the honour to be, Sir, your Honour's most obedient and 
 most humble servant, Arthur St. Clair. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, ) 
 May 25, 1775. $ 
 
 To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the 
 
 English Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 Brethren : By a minute of the Grand Continental Con- 
 gress, of the eighteenth of May, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, a copy of 
 which we do herewith transmit you, we are informed that 
 Ticonderoga hath been taken by sundry inhabitants of the 
 Northern Colonies ; and from the minute aforesaid we are 
 assured that this measure was for the common safety of the 
 American Colonies. 
 
 In pursuance of the directions contained in that minute, 
 we have given the necessary orders for removing the can- 
 non and stores taken at that important fortress to the south 
 end of Lake George, and for securing them there ; and we 
 have appointed Messrs. John N. Bleeker, Henry I. Bo- 
 gart, George Palmer, Dirk Swart, and Peter Lansing, 
 superintendents of this business. 
 
 There is no doubt but that our brethren of Connecticut 
 will feel great reluctance at the idea of ordering any of 
 their troops to march within the bounds of this Colony, 
 for the purpose of defending the fort of Ticonderoga and 
 the cannon and stores above-mentioned at Fort George. 
 But we pray you to cast away all fears of offending us upon 
 this occasion. We shall be happy to hear that you have 
 placed a part of your forces in these posts, with intent to 
 defend them, until they shall be relieved by troops from 
 this Colony. 
 
 In further pursuance of the directions of the Grand Con- 
 gress, we have ordered provisions to be conveyed to Ticon- 
 deroga and Lake George, and we shall continue to furnish 
 such supplies as we shall deem necessary. 
 
 You will be pleased, gentlemen, to appoint trusty com- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ^ 
 
 manders over your forces destined for the purposes above- 
 mentioned ; and we do assure you of our willingness that 
 they shall take the command at those places while garri- 
 soned by your troops. We beg leave to assure you that 
 in this and all other matters we will pay the highest atten- 
 tion to every recommendation of the Grand Continental 
 Congress, and that we have the honour to be, gentlemen, 
 your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 John McKesson, ) o , • 
 u ' > Secretaries. 
 
 KOBERT JOENSON, J 
 
 P. S. We pray you to use every effort to preserve and 
 improve the present peaceable disposition of the Canadians 
 and Indians, for which purpose we think it will be neces- 
 sary to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any incur- 
 sions from being made into the Province of Quebeck. 
 
 In Congress, Thursday, May 18, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, there is indubitable evidence that a design is 
 formed by the British Ministry of making a cruel invasion 
 from the Province of Quebeck upon these Colonies, for 
 the purpose of destroying our lives and liberties, and some 
 steps have actually been taken to carry the said design into 
 execution : and whereas several inhabitants of the Northern 
 Colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, immedi- 
 ately exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for 
 the defence and preservation of themselves and their coun- 
 trymen from such imminent danger and calamities, have 
 taken possession of that post in which was lodged a quantity 
 of cannon and military stores that would certainly have 
 been used in the intended invasion of these Colonies : this 
 Congress earnestly recommend it to the Committees of the 
 Cities and Counties of New-York and Albany, immediately 
 to cause the said cannon and stores to be removed from Ti- 
 conderoga to the south end of Lake George ; and, if neces- 
 sary, to apply to the Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, and Connecticut, for such an additional body 
 of forces as will be sufficient to establish a strong post at that 
 place, effectually to secure the said cannon and stores, or so 
 many of them, as it may be judged proper to keep there, 
 and that an exact inventory be taken of all such cannon 
 and stores, in order that they may be safely returned when 
 the restoration of the former harmony between Great Bri- 
 tain and the Colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, 
 shall render it prudent and consistent with the overruling 
 law of self-preservation. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 Charles Thompson, Secretary. 
 
 New-York, May 20, 1775. — A true copy: 
 
 Henry Remsen, Dep. Chairman. 
 
 COLONEL SPENCER TO THE ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Hartford, May 25, 1775. 
 Colonel Spencer returns his hearty thanks to the Hon- 
 ourable General Assembly now sitting at Hartford, for the 
 undeserved honours that have been conferred upon him 
 from time to time, and particularly that he has had the 
 honour for some time to command the Twelfth Regiment 
 of Militia in this Colony. And he begs leave to assure your 
 Honours that he always has been and still is ready to serve 
 your Honours, according to his ability, in any place to 
 which he has been appointed, so far as may be in his 
 power; but as his late appointment in the Colony service 
 forbids that attendance to the duty of a Colonel as afore- 
 said, as the circumstances of the times require, he humbly 
 begs leave to lay down his said office of Colonel ; and sub- 
 scribes himself your Honours' most obedient and most hum- 
 ble servant, Joseph Spencer. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CON- 
 GRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 25, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Your letter of the 17th instant, with the 
 enclosed Resolve of the Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, was delivered to me by Colonel Easton, 
 and communicated to the General Assembly, who have 
 desired me to return their congratulations on the reduction 
 of Ticonderoga, a fortress truly important, and to assure 
 
707 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 177'. 
 
 708 
 
 you they entertain a proper sense of the merit of those 
 officers and soldiers by whose bravery and good conduct it 
 was achieved. As this advantage was gained by the united 
 counsels and enterprise of a number of private gentlemen 
 in your Province, New-Hampshire, New-York, and this 
 Colony, prompted only by a zeal for the liberty of their 
 Country, without publick authority, (to our knowledge,) 
 and is of great and general importance to the United Colo- 
 nies, it was thought best to take the advice of the Conti- 
 nental Congress upon the manner of treating it in future, 
 both by the General Assembly of this Colony and the Com- 
 mittee of New- York, as well as by you. Despatches were 
 accordingly sent to Philadelphia, and the intention of the 
 Continental Congress thereupon hath been this day receiv- 
 ed by express, with a letter from the Committee of Netv- 
 York, copies of which enclosed are herewith sent you. By 
 them you will see the present custody of that fortress is 
 committed to the Province of New-York, with the assist- 
 ance of the New-England Colonies, if needed. 
 
 The General Assembly of this Colony behold your situa- 
 tion with concern, and a fixed resolution to contribute every 
 thing in their power to your defence and preservation, and, 
 as far as pertains to them, are willing and desirous you 
 should have the benefit of such artillery as may be spared 
 from the fortresses of Crown Point and Ticonderoga; but 
 as they do not consider themselves as entitled to the com- 
 mand of those places, they cannot take upon themselves 
 to give orders for the removal of the heavy cannon that 
 may be spared without the concurrence of the other Colo- 
 nies, in them. 
 
 The necessity of securing and maintaining the posts on 
 the lakes for defence of the frontiers, becomes daily more 
 evident from the iterated intelligence we receive of the plan 
 formed by our enemies to distress us by inroads of Cana- 
 dians and savages, from the Province of Quebeck, upon 
 the adjacent settlements. The enclosed copy of a letter 
 from our Delegates attending at New-York, to communi- 
 cate measures with the Provincial Congress in that City, 
 throws an additional light on this subject, and is thought 
 worthy to be communicated to you ; and whilst the designs 
 of our enemies against us fill us with concern, we cannot 
 omit to observe the smiles of Providence upon us in reveal- 
 ing their wicked plans, and hitherto prospering the attempts 
 of the Colonies to frustrate them. With a humble reliance 
 on the continuance of Divine favour and protection in a 
 cause of the justice of which a doubt cannot be enter- 
 tained, the General Assembly of this Colony are ready to 
 co-operate with the other Colonies in every exertion for 
 their common defence, and to contribute their proportion 
 of men and other necessaries for maintaining the posts on 
 the frontiers, or defending or repelling invasions in any 
 other quarter, agreeable to the advice of the Continental 
 Congress. I am, gentlemen, in behalf of the General 
 Assembly of this Colony, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 The Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have had the honour of being informed 
 by your Committee, that the Honourable Congress have 
 niade choice of me as Lieutenant-General of the Massa- 
 chusetts Army, and desire to know whether 1 would accept 
 that trust. I am sensible of the great importance of the 
 office, and of my inability of discharging that duty ; but 
 since you have done me the honour of appointing me to 
 that important office, shall accept of the same, and attend 
 the Congress to-morrow. I am, gentlemen, with the most 
 profound respect, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Thomas. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress. 
 
 LETTER FROM DOCTOR JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Watertown, May 25, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Upon my arrival here just this minute, I 
 had the pleasure of being informed that our worthy friend 
 Colonel Arnold, not having had the sole honour of redu- 
 cing Ticonderoga and Crown Point, determined upon an 
 expedition against St. John y s, in which he happily suc- 
 
 ceeded. The letters were directed to the Committee of 
 Safety, but were supposed to be necessary to be laid before 
 this Congress. I have not seen them yet, but you will 
 have the particulars from the bearer. 
 
 I have also received a letter from the Congress at New- 
 Hampshire, informing me of a resolve to raise forthwith 
 two thousand men, and more if it should be necessary. 
 The Troops, at least one Company of them, with a train 
 of artillery from Providence, are in the upper end of Rox- 
 bury. To say the truth, I find my health much mended 
 since this morning. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 servant, J. Warren. 
 
 P. S. You will be kind enough to communicate the 
 contents of this letter to General Room, as I love to give 
 pleasure to good men. 
 
 committee of malden to committee of safety. 
 
 Maiden, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : This may certify that Mr. Ebenczer Pratt, 
 Mr. John Nichols, Mr. John Barrett, and Mr. John Ni- 
 chols, Jr., are persons who may be confided in, that they 
 will not take any advantage of a pass which has been ob- 
 tained for them from Samuel Graves, Vice-Admiral of the 
 Blue, to the disadvantage of the common cause, in which 
 we are all engaged, desiring, at the same time, that you 
 will lay them under such restrictions, in every respect, as 
 you shall judge necessary. 
 
 Signed by order and in the name of the Selectmen, the 
 Committee of Correspondence and Inspection of the Town 
 of Maiden. Peter Thacher, 
 
 Benjamin Blaney, 
 Elisha Story. 
 Honourable Committee of Safety, sitting in Cambridge. 
 
 PETITION FROM THE INHABITANTS OF MACHIAS TO THE 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Machias, May 25, 1775. 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay: 
 
 Gentlemen: With the highest satisfaction we now con- 
 sider you as the guardians of this extensive and wealthy 
 Province ; and relying on your wisdom, the wisdom of the 
 Continental Congress, the justice of our cause, and the 
 tender mercy of our fathers' God, we promise ourselves, in 
 due time, a happy deliverance from the iron chains of ty- 
 ranny, which were forming for us, and from servitude equal 
 to Egyptian bondage. 
 
 As a part, therefore, of your charge, we, the distressed 
 inhabitants of Machias, beg leave to approach your presence, 
 and to spread our grievances at your feet. We dare not 
 say we are the foremost in supporting the glorious cause of 
 American liberty ; but this we can truly affirm, that we have 
 done our utmost to encourage and strengthen the hand of 
 all the advocates for America with whom we have been 
 connected ; that we have not even purchased any goods of 
 those persons whom we suspected to be inimical to our 
 Country, except when constrained by necessity ; and that 
 none on the Continent can more cheerfully risk all that is 
 dear to them on earth, when called, in support of those 
 precious privileges which God and our venerable ancestors, 
 as a most invaluable legacy, have handed down to us. We 
 must now inform your Honours, that the inhabitants of this 
 place exceed one hundred families, some of which are very 
 numerous, and that Divine Providence has cut off all our 
 usual resources. A very severe drought last fall prevented 
 our laying in sufficient stores ; and had no vessels visited us 
 in the winter, we must have suffered. Nor have we this 
 spring been able to procure provisions sufficient for carry- 
 ing on our business ; our labourers are dismissed, some of 
 our mills stand still, almost all vessels have forsaken us, our 
 lumber lies by us in heaps, and, to complete our misfortunes, 
 all our ports are to be shut up on the first of July next. 
 We must add, we have no country behind us to lean upon, 
 nor can we make an escape by flight ; the wilderness is im- 
 pervious, and vessels we have none. To you, therefore, 
 honoured gentlemen, we humbly apply for relief; you are 
 our last, our only resource ; and permit us to say again, 
 you are our guardians, and we rejoice and glory in being 
 subject. Pardon our importunity. We cannot take a 
 denial, for, under God, you are all our dependance ; and if 
 
709 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 710 
 
 you neglect us, we are ruined. Save, dear Sirs, one of 
 your most flourishing settlements from famine and all its 
 horrours. We ask not for charity; we ask for a supply to 
 be put into the hands of Messrs. Smith and Stillman, or 
 any other person or persons your wisdom may point out, 
 who shall obligate themselves to pay the whole amount in 
 lumber, the only staple of our country. 
 
 That God may long preserve you, and make you happily 
 instrumental in his hand, in restoring all the sweets of peace 
 and liberty to this much injured Country, and even to 
 Great Britain herself, is the constant and fervent prayer 
 of, gentlemen, your most humble petitioners. 
 
 John Longfellow, Bradbury Merrill, Stephen Young, 
 
 Abraham Clark, Samuel Millberry, William Bodwin, 
 
 James Flinn, John Watts, John Chaloner, 
 
 Amos Boynton, Samuel Barnum, Benj. Gooch, Jr., 
 
 B. D. J. Underwood, James Colbroth, Jonathan Brown, 
 
 John Sinkler, Jonas Farnsworth Joseph Clifford, 
 
 William Chaloner, Eleazer Hathaway, Joseph Sealey, Jr., 
 
 William Albee, Ezekicl Foster, George Sealey, 
 
 Daniel Hill, Solomon Littlefield, John Chase, 
 
 Nathan Longfellow, Jacob Libby, Ephraim Chase, 
 
 James Lyon, Lodowick Holway, Beriah Rice, 
 
 James Elliott, Micajah How, Israel Andrews. 
 
 Timothy Young, Benjamin Gatchell, 
 
 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY 
 TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, ) 
 County of Cumberland. \ 
 
 To the Honourable the Representatives of the several 
 Towns in said Colony, in General Congress assembled : 
 
 May it please your Honours : We, the Committees of 
 Correspondence of the several Towns in said County, beg 
 leave to represent to your Honours the circumstances of 
 this County in this day of struggle and danger. In the 
 first place we confess our Towns have, in general, heretofore, 
 been negligent in providing arms and ammunition according 
 to law, until distress came upon us from our mother Coun- 
 try, and then were debarred from having them from thence 
 where we were wont to purchase them ; since which we 
 have not been able to furnish ourselves. And in the next 
 place we are in a distressed situation with respect to provi- 
 sion for our people to subsist upon till their new crops come 
 in, owing, in part, to their last year's crops being cut short 
 by the drought, and so many of our people not being 
 farmers, but lumbering sailors, &£c, together with the diffi- 
 culty and danger there now is of getting any from the 
 Southern Governments, owing to their carefulness to keep 
 a sufficient supply for their own people in this day of ex- 
 pense, and the hazard of having it taken by the men-of- 
 war and tenders, could we procure any of them ; and where 
 to fly for relief, but to your Honours, we know not. Not- 
 withstanding these difficulties, we can with pleasure say 
 that the people of this country almost universally are 
 zealous in the cause of constitutional liberty, and have ex- 
 erted themselves in complying with the recommendations 
 of the Congresses, and particularly in raising a Regiment of 
 hardy and spirited men for the service of the Colony, who 
 have been exercising every day, as we understand, for some 
 time past, and expected to be sent for to the Army ; till 
 lately we have the satisfaction to hear the Army is like to 
 be complete without them. We would likewise represent 
 to your Honours, that we are exposed to our enemies by 
 sea and land ; by sea, our sheep and cattle on the islands 
 and shores are exposed to be ravaged by every little tender 
 that may be sent to get fresh meat for their fleet and army ; 
 and by land, we may be alarmed by the inroads of our old 
 enemies, the Indians and French, though we hope better 
 things from them. 
 
 Wherefore we pray your Honours to take our plain 
 and just representation into consideration, and, if possible, 
 find out some way whereby we may be supplied with some 
 arms, ammunition, and provisions, and that the Regiment 
 enlisted here may be stationed among us, and subsisted at 
 the charge of the publick, for our defence, until they shall 
 be more wanted elsewhere, (in which case they will be 
 ready to march on the first notice,) and while here, to be 
 employed in such a manner as may be most for our safety 
 and advantage, and that they may pass muster here by 
 some person who may be appointed "for that purpose. Your 
 Honours' favourable answer to our request will much oblige 
 
 this County in whose behalf we are your Honours' most 
 obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jedediah Preble, Chairman. 
 
 THOMAS BARNARD TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR 
 SALEM. 
 
 Salem, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : A suspicion of being inimical to those 
 with whom we are connected in society, and whom we es- 
 teem and love, cannot but give severe pain to a generous 
 mind. 
 
 Unhappily I have been viewed by my countrymen in a 
 light so disagreeable. The Address which I signed to Gov- 
 ernour Hutchinson, upon his leaving this Province, I signed 
 with no party views; with no design whatever of injuring 
 that Country, with the prosperity of which my dearest hu- 
 man interests are closely connected ; but with strong hopes 
 of promoting the lasting peace and welfare of my native 
 land. But I own my fond expectations arising therefrom 
 have been disappointed. The cause of America I look 
 upon as capable of full defence by the voice of justice and 
 the British Constitution, and shall be ever ready to support 
 it in that way which the united wisdom of the Continent 
 shall dictate. 
 
 Such are my sentiments, and upon the strength of them 
 I would request of my countrymen to throw the veil of 
 charity and forgiveness over any incautious action of mine, 
 which may have led them to think unfavourably of me, 
 and to grant me a place in their esteem, which 1 shall ever 
 think myself happy in deserving. 
 
 Thomas Barnard, Jr. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 25, 1775. 
 Resolved unanimously, That the foregoing declaration of 
 the Reverend Thomas Barnard, Jr., now laid before the 
 Committee, is fully satisfactory, and we hope will remove 
 any ill impressions that may have been made on the minds 
 of the good people of this Province in consequence of his 
 addressing Governour Hutchinson, and cause them to look 
 upon him as a friend to his Country. 
 
 Richard Derby, Jr., Chairman. 
 
 Charlestown, S. C, May 26, 1775 
 We are informed that the inhabitants of this Town lately 
 presented a memorial to the General Committee, setting 
 forth the dearness and alarming scarcity of grain ; and that 
 the Committee, after having made a full inquiry into the 
 facts, have resolved that it is their opinion that no Indian 
 corn should be exported from this Province, except by 
 persons who may have plantations in Georgia, for their 
 own immediate use upon such plantations ; nor any rice, 
 except to complete the lading of such vessels as had actu- 
 ally taken on board part of their intended cargoes of rice 
 before the twenty-fourth instant, until the General Assem- 
 bly, or the Provincial Congress, shall take the matter under 
 their consideration, and come to some determination there- 
 upon. 
 
 We are also informed that the General Committee hav- 
 ing been applied to by Captain Heslope, of the Brigantine 
 Hannah, lately arrived from Liverpool with about eight 
 thousand bushels of salt, for permission to cast the said 
 cargo of salt overboard into Hog-Island Creek, as if it was 
 only common ballast, and not merchandise ; after having 
 duly considered every circumstance, and being fully satis- 
 fied that the said cargo was shipped at Liverpool as mer- 
 chandise, with an intent to put the American Association 
 at defiance, and putting the virtue of the inhabitants of this 
 Colony to the test, have resolved that it was their opinion 
 that the said cargo " ought to be forthwith sent back ;" and 
 we hear that Captain Heslope, finding too late the effects 
 of his owner's folly and presumption, is preparing to return 
 to Liverpool with their full cargo. 
 
 LOUDOUN COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Loudoun County, held 
 at Leesburgh on Friday, May 26, 1775. Present : Francis 
 Peyton, Esq., Josias Clapham, Thomas Lewis, Anthony 
 Russell, John Thomas, George Johnston, Thomas Shore, 
 
711 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, k, MAY, 1775. 
 
 712 
 
 James Lane, Jacob Reed, Levcn Powell, William Smith, 
 Robert Jamison, llardage Lane, and John Lewis, gen- 
 tlemen. 
 
 The Committee, taking into consideration the conduct of 
 the Governour relative to the powder which was, by his 
 express orders, taken secretly out of the publick Magazine 
 belonging to this Colony, in the night of the twentieth ult., 
 and carried on board the Magdaline Schooner: 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That his Lordship, by 
 this and other parts of his conduct which have lately trans- 
 pired, has not only forfeited the confidence of the good 
 people of this Colony, but that he may be justly esteemed 
 an enemy to America; and that as well his excuse pub- 
 lished in his Proclamation of the fourth instant, as his verbal 
 answer to the Address presented him on that occasion by 
 the City of Williamsburgh, are unsatisfactory and evasive, 
 and reflect, in our opinion, great dishonour on the General 
 Assembly and inhabitants of this Colony, as from the latter 
 a suspicion may be easily deduced, that the Representatives 
 of the people are not competent judges of the place wherein 
 arms and ammunition, intended for the defence of the Colo- 
 ny, may be safely lodged, and that the inhabitants (unlike 
 other subjects) cannot, in prudence, be trusted with the 
 means necessary for their protection from insurrection, or 
 even invasion ; so in the former a very heavy charge is 
 exhibited against the best men among us, of seducing their 
 fellow-subjects from their duty and allegiance ; a charge, 
 we are confident, not founded in reality, and which, we be- 
 lieve, is construed out of the discharge of that duty which 
 every good man is under, to point out to his weaker coun- 
 trymen, in the day of publick trial, the part they should 
 act, and explain, on constitutional principles, the nature of 
 their allegiance, the ground of which we fervently pray 
 may never be removed, whose force we desire may never 
 with reason be relaxed, but yet may be subservient to con- 
 siderations of superiour regard. 
 
 The Committee being informed by some of the officers 
 who commanded the Troops of this County that marched 
 on the above occasion, that the reason of their marching no 
 farther than Fredericksburg h was, their having received 
 repeated requests from the Honourable Peyton Randolph, 
 Esq., to return home, assuring them that the peaceable 
 citizens of Williamsburg h were under no apprehensions of 
 danger, either in their persons or properties ; that the pub- 
 lick treasury and records were perfectly safe ; and that 
 there was no necessity for their proceeding any further ; 
 three of the other Delegates appointed to the Continental 
 Congress, the only civil power we know of in this great 
 struggle for liberty, being of the same opinion. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That under such circum- 
 stances we approve the conduct of the said Officers and 
 Troops. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That we cordially ap- 
 prove the conduct of our countryman, Captain Patrick 
 Henry, and the other volunteers of Hanover County, who 
 marched under him, in making reprisals on the King's pro- 
 perty for the trespass committed as aforesaid, and that we 
 are determined to hazard all the blessings of this life rather 
 than suffer the smallest injury offered to their persons or 
 estates, on this account, to pass unrewarded with its equal 
 punishment. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That it be recommended 
 to the Representatives of this County, as the opinion of this 
 Committee, that they by no means agree to the reprisals, 
 taken as aforesaid, being returned. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk transmit immediately a copy 
 of the preceding Resolves to the Printers of the Virginia 
 and Pennsylvania Gazettes, to be published. 
 
 By order of the Committee, 
 
 George Johnston, Clerk. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Now- York, ) 
 May 26, 1775. $ 
 
 Brf.thren : Having received a minute of the Grand Con- 
 tinental Congress, of which we send you a copy herewith, 
 we wrote a letter to the Governour and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, of which we also send you a copy. 
 
 We do not doubt of your ready concurrence in the mea- 
 
 sures recommended by that august body, in which we do 
 entirely acquiesce. 
 
 We pray you to act on this occasion with prudence and 
 expedition, especially as we have received intimation from 
 our brethren in Connecticut that they cannot send a suffi- 
 cient force for the purposes mentioned to them in our letter : 
 and we beg leave to assure you that we are affectionately 
 your friends and brethren in the generous cause of freedom. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To Joseph Warren, Esq., and others, the Committee of 
 
 Safety for the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 THE SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF ALBANY 
 TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 [Read before Congress June 3, 1775.] 
 
 Albany Committee-Chamber, ) 
 May 26, 1775. J 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received a letter from the New- 
 York Committee, of the twentieth inst., enclosing the Re- 
 solution of the Continental Congress of the eighteenth in- 
 stant. We have likewise received some material information 
 from the north and westward, which we shall now lay before 
 you. And first respecting our western intelligence. We 
 are so much crowded with business and despatches from dif- 
 ferent quarters, that we cannot so copiously enlarge on every 
 different subject as we could wish ; we shall therefore only 
 state the necessary facts to you, interspersed with such re- 
 marks as we conceive of consequence. 
 
 The first of our intelligence from the west was, that the 
 Indians were exceedingly uneasy, and more of them daily 
 coming in to Colonel Johnson's place at Guy Park, occa- 
 sioned, as he alleges, by reason of a report in his neighbour- 
 hood, that the New-England people, with some others, 
 intended seizing and taking him captive to New-England, 
 and by this means extinguish the Indian council fire. And 
 that this was to be done in consequence of another report 
 that Colonel Johnson was setting up the Indians to destroy 
 the inhabitants, &.c. 
 
 Next we received a letter wrote by four Mohawks to the 
 Oneidas, whereof we enclose you a copy, translated from 
 the Mohawk into English, No. 2. 
 
 Next we received a letter from the Committee of Pala- 
 tine District, in Try on County, whereof we enclose you a 
 copy, No. 3 ; our answer to which you have enclosed, 
 No. 3, a. 
 
 Next, five persons from Tryon County here, who made 
 oath of their being stopped in the road at Colonel Johnson's 
 on the seventeenth instant ; we enclose copy of the affi- 
 davit, No. 4. 
 
 On the same day we also received from the Committee 
 of Schenectady a copy of Colonel Johnson's letter to them, 
 dated the eighteenth, which you have enclosed, No. 5, and 
 to which the Schenectady Committee wrote him an answer, 
 whereof we have no copy. 
 
 Next we received copy of a letter from Colonel Johnson 
 to the Magistrates and others of Palatine, Canajoharie, 
 and the upper Districts, dated twentieth instant, which you 
 have enclosed, No. 6; and of the answer to which we have 
 no copy. 
 
 Next we received copy of another letter from Colonel 
 Johnson, without a date, directed to the Magistrates, &ic, 
 of Schenectady, and the Mayor and Corporation, &ic, of 
 Albany, which you have enclosed, No. 7; whereupon we 
 wrote him a letter, dated the twenty-third instant, copy 
 whereof you have enclosed, No. 8., and one to the same 
 effect was wrote to him, on the same subject, by the Cor- 
 poration here. 
 
 Next we received copy of the speech of the Mohawks, 
 interpreted by the Reverend Mr. Kirkland, on the twentieth 
 instant, whereof you have a copy enclosed, No. 9 ; whereto 
 we wrote an answer, datid twenty-third instant, and ap- 
 pointed two persons of our Committee, to wit, Gilbert 
 Marselis and Peter Schuyler, to go to the Mohawks, with 
 Mr. Martin Lydias as an interpreter ; enclosed you have 
 a copy thereof, No. 10. 
 
 Next we received a reply from the Mohawks to our 
 answer, dated the twenty-fifth ; a copy whereof you have 
 enclosed, No. 11, wherein is contained the reply of the 
 Indians, and the Sub-Committee's answer thereto. 
 
713 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, MAY, 1775. 
 
 714 
 
 We shall now proceed to communicate our northern in- 
 telligence, the substance of which you will fully collect from 
 Col. Arnold's letter to us, dated twenty-second inst., where- 
 of we enclose you a copy, No. 12. Second : Col. Arnold's 
 letter to Captain Noah. Lee, dated the twenty-third in- 
 stant, whereof we enclose you a copy, No. 13. Third: 
 We yesterday received the Quebeck mail opened, and sent 
 to us bp some of our people from above, and such letters 
 as were already opened, were inspected by two of our mem- 
 bers, who made an extract of such passages in them as 
 respected their publick commotions, a copy of which ex- 
 tract we enclose you, No. 14. 
 
 We shall now lake notice of the New-York Commit- 
 tee's letter to us. of the twentieth instant, enclosing the Re- 
 solution of the Continental Congress, from which we find 
 that the reduction of Ticonderoga by our forces, is ap- 
 proved of, and recommending us to proceed with all pos- 
 sible despatch with a sufficient body of forces, fee, to the 
 northward, to remove the cannon and stores from Ticon- 
 deroga to the south end of Lake George. We are now 
 busy to raise two Companies, each Company composed of 
 fifty men, in order to go upon said expedition, who we ex- 
 pect will be in readiness to march in two or three days. 
 But, gentlemen, there are a number of very material diffi- 
 culties that immediately arise. We have no ammunition ; 
 all the powder already gone up, with what we can possibly 
 collect yet among us, will not amount to above two hun- 
 dred and fifty pounds ; and with so small a quantity it is 
 impossible for us to do any thing of consequence, nor can 
 we possibly conceive how the Provincial forces can main- 
 tain these northern posts, or withstand the attack of the 
 British Troops from Quebeck, who are, from the best in- 
 telligence we can collect, preparing, as fast as possible, to 
 come down, in order to take these places from us; an 
 enterprise which, if by them undertaken and completed, will 
 introduce our enemies into the very bowels of our Country. 
 We beg of you, gentlemen, without delay, to take these 
 important matters into your most serious and immediate 
 consideration, and afford us the necessary assistance in this 
 our distressed situation, and send us up, with all possible 
 speed, a sufficient quantity of powder, without which nothing 
 can possibly be done. We likewise stand in need of blankets, 
 pitch, tar, oakum, nails, spikes, gin, ropes, camp-kettles, 
 intrenching tools, &c, and some rice, oat-meal, and barley, 
 &:c. ; also for the sloop and schooner, two mates, two gun- 
 ners, two gunner's mates, two boatswains, and eighteeen 
 seamen, agreeable to Colonel Arnold's list, (copy enclosed,) 
 No. 15, all which you'll be pleased to cause to be sent up 
 to us with all possible despatch. 
 
 We would beg of you, likewise, to take into considera- 
 tion some mode or plan for raising and paying our forces ; 
 the one which we have adopted here, pro hdc vice, until 
 vou conclude upon a better one, we enclose you a copy of, 
 No. 16. 
 
 We would mention another matter to you, which, in our 
 humble opinion, requires your immediate consideration ; that 
 as the vessel from St. John's has lately been taken by our 
 forces, and whereof the Continental Congress have had no 
 intelligence, on the eighteenth instant, when they entered 
 into the Resolution respecting Ticonderoga, and removing 
 the stores and cannon from thence to Lake George, whether 
 it would not be expedient to fortify the latter instead of the 
 former, as Ticonderoga is by far the strongest and most 
 important fortress. 
 
 We beg the favour of you that you will, immediately 
 after your perusal of this our letter, and the papers here- 
 with sent, be pleased to forward the same to the Conti- 
 nental Congress by the most speedy and eligible mode of 
 conveyance. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, you most obedient servants. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Crown Point, May 26, 1775. 
 Honourable Gentlemen : I here communicate to you 
 a copy of a letter I sent by Mr. Winthrop Hoit and Cap- 
 tain Abraham Nimham, a friendly Stockbridge Indian, to 
 the several Tribes of Indians in Canada. 
 
 M Head. Quarters of the Army. Crowr. Point, ) 
 May 24, 1775. S 
 
 " By advice of council of the officers, I recommend our 
 trusty and well-beloved friend and brother, Captain Abra- 
 ham Nimham, of Stockbridge, as our ambassador of peace 
 to our good brother Indians of the four Tribes, viz: the 
 Hocnawagoes, the Sivagachcs, the Canesadaugans, and 
 the Saint Fransauas. 
 
 " Loving brothers and friends : I have to inform you 
 that George the Third, King of England, has made war 
 with the English Colonies in America, who have ever till 
 now been his good subjects; and sent his army and killed 
 some of your good friends and brothers at Boston, in the 
 Province of the Massachusetts-Buy. Then your good 
 brothers in that Province, and in all the Colonies of Eng- 
 lish America, made war with King George, and have begun 
 to kill the men of his army, and have taken Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point from him, and all the artillery, and also 
 a great sloop which was at St. John's, and all the boats in 
 the lake, and have raised, and are raising two great armies ; 
 one is destined for Boston, and the other for the fortresses 
 and department of Lake Champlain, to fight the King's 
 Troops that oppose the Colonies from Canada ; and as 
 King George's soldiers killed our brothers and friends in a 
 time of peace, 1 hope, as Indians are good and honest 
 men, you will not fight for King George against your 
 friends in America, as they have done you no wrong, and 
 desire to live with you as brothers. I was always a friend 
 to Indians, and have hunted with them many times, and 
 know how to shoot and ambush like Indians, and am a 
 great hunter. 
 
 " 1 want to have your warriours come and see me, and 
 help me fight the King's Regular Troops. You know they 
 stand all along close together, rank and file, and my men 
 fight so as Indians do, and I want your warriours to join 
 with me and my warriours, like brothers, and ambush the 
 Regulars: if you will, I will give you money, blankets, 
 tomahawks, knives, paint, and any thing that there is in 
 the army, just like brothers; and I will go with you into 
 the woods to scout ; and my men and your men will sleep 
 together, and eat and drink together, and fight Regulars, 
 because they first killed our brothers ; and will fight against 
 us; therefore I want our brother Indians to help us fight; 
 for I know Indians are good warriours, and can fight well 
 in the bush. You know it is good for my warriours and In- 
 dians too to kill the Regulars, because they first began to 
 kill our brothers in this Country without cause. 
 
 " Ye know my warriours must fight, but if you our bro- 
 ther Indians do not fight on either side, we will still be 
 friends and brothers ; and you may come and hunt in our 
 woods, and come with your canoes in the lake, and let us 
 have venison at our forts on the lake, and have rum, bread, 
 and what you want, and be like brothers. 
 
 " I have sent our friend, Winthrop Hoit, to treat with you 
 on our behalf in friendship ; you know him, for he has lived 
 with you, and is your adopted son, and is a good man ; 
 Captain Nimham, of Stockbridge, and he will tell you 
 about the whole matter more than I can write. I hope 
 your warriours will come and see me. So I bid all my 
 brother Indians farewell. Ethan Allen, 
 
 " Colonel of the Green Mountain Boys." 
 
 This, gentlemen, is a copy of the letter I have sent the 
 Indians; I hope it may have a good effect. I thought it 
 advisable that the Honourable Assembly should be informed 
 of all our politicks. And am, gentlemen, with the greatest 
 respect, your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 Ethan Allen. 
 
 The Honourable General Assembly. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Crown Point, May 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: My last was of the 23d instant; I then 
 advised you of the situation of matters here, since which 
 there has been no material alteration. Very few men have 
 arrived. We have fixed the sloop with six carriage and 
 twelve swivel guns ; the schooner with four carriage and 
 eight swivels. Both vessels are in good order, and toler- 
 ably well manned. Eight gentlemen having arrived from 
 Hartford, who are seamen, I have sent two ten-inch iron 
 
715 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 716 
 
 mortars, and two eight-inch brass mortars, and two eight- 
 inch howitzers, to Ticonderoga, to be forwarded to Fort 
 George. 
 
 You may depend on my sending the cannon from this 
 place as soon as possible. There are three thirteen-inch 
 iron mortars here — beg to know what 1 shall do with them. 
 1 have received large donations of flour, pork, peas, &ic, 
 from Albany — near seventy barrels — and I am informed 
 there is a large quantity on the road from that place, and a 
 quantity supplied from Connecticut. 
 
 The advice I received from Butterjield, and communi- 
 cated in the postscript of my last, of the 23d instant, 
 proves to be premature. I have good intelligence from a 
 batteau immediately from St. John's, which place she left 
 on the 19th instant, that the Regulars were returned to 
 Chamblee. I am, with great respect, gentlemen, your obe- 
 dient servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 To the Commitee of Safety, Cambridge. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE MASS AC HITS ETTS CONGRESS TO THE 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ill Provincial Congress, at Watertown, ) 
 May 26, 1775. \ 
 
 " Resolved, That the following Letter be sent to the 
 Provincial Congress of the Colony of Neiv-York, now 
 sitting in that Colony." 
 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed are copies of a letter from Col- 
 onel Arnold, and a list of military stores at Ticonderoga, 
 foe. You cannot fail to observe that Mr. Arnold, for the 
 defence of this Colony, is endeavouring that such ordnance 
 as he judges can be spared from that quarter, should be 
 transported to the army in this Colony. This step is taken 
 in consequence of orders given by our Committee of Safe- 
 ty. Perhaps this may appear to you extraordinary, but 
 we trust you will candidly overlook such a mistake (if it is 
 one,) being made in the hurry and confusion of war ; and 
 we most solemnly declare to you, that this Congress, and 
 the inhabitants of this Colony, are at the utmost remove 
 from any disposition or design to make any the least in- 
 fraction upon, or usurpation of the jurisdiction of any of 
 our sister Colonies. And if any of those cannon, &lc, 
 taken at the Lake Champlain, should happen, through the 
 exertions of enterprising spirits, to be brought within the 
 allowed limits of this Colony, and come to our use, we 
 shall hold ourselves accountable for them to the Repre- 
 sentatives of the Continent; and whenever they shall in- 
 form us that they are more needed for the general defence 
 at any other part of the Continent than in this Colony, we 
 shall endeavour that they be removed thither with the utmost 
 despatch. As to the expediency and policy of endeavour- 
 ing to maintain those old fortresses near Lake Champlain, 
 or abating them, and erecting others in some other places 
 upon the same lake, or abandoning those posts, and bring- 
 ing off all the ordnance and warlike stores in those posts, 
 we conceive that the advice of the Continental Congress 
 ought to be obtained, and we have therefore addressed them 
 in the most pressing manner, being of opinion that the 
 maintaining a post there is absolutely necessary for the 
 defence of your, and all the New-England Colonies. 
 
 Gentlemen and brethren, could you have seen the hor- 
 rid devastation and carnage in this Colony, committed by 
 ministerial Troops, those sons of violence, who have got 
 some footing in this Colony, the breach of a most solemn 
 treaty with respect to the inhabitants of Boston, when they 
 had surrendered their arms, and put themselves wholly in 
 the power of a military commander, relying upon his faith, 
 then pledged, that they should immediately depart the 
 Town with their effects as stipulated, which was no sooner 
 done than they were positively refused permission to carry 
 out the most valuable part of those effects, but their persons 
 detained under the most idle pretences, and suffered only 
 to scatter from their prison a few in a day, hardly to be 
 seen or noticed ; we say, gentlemen, could you see and re- 
 alize these scenes of distress, you could not refrain one 
 moment from doing every thing in your power to prevent 
 the like distress from happening to your metropolis, and 
 availing yourselves of every article, which an enemy can 
 improve with the least advantage to themselves, for effecting 
 the like desolation, horrours, and insults on the inhabitants 
 of your City and Colony, or which might enable you to 
 
 make the most effectual defence. Have you not, gentle- 
 men, divers of those articles as it were under your hand? 
 If you should delay securing them until they should be out 
 of your power, and within a few days you should behold 
 those very materials improved in murdering you, and your- 
 selves perishing for the want of them, will not your chagrin 
 and regret be intolerable ? Brethren, pardon our impor- 
 tunity. It is our own case. Don't we daily behold Castle 
 William, and realize the ample warlike provisions and ap- 
 paratus therein, held by our enemies, to our infinite and inex- 
 pressible mortification ? We wish to heaven that you may be 
 timely admonished by the consequence of our delay. 
 
 JOSEPH HAWLEY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Watertown, May 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : The Congress have directed a Commit- 
 tee, of which I have the honour to be Chairman, to apply 
 to you forthwith for copies of the commission, and every 
 paper containing the appointment of Colonel Benedict 
 Arnold, to a secret warlike enterprise to the westward ; of 
 the instructions given him by you ; of your engagements to 
 him in behalf of this Colony ; and authority to raise a Re- 
 giment to be in the pay of this Colony, if any such author- 
 ity was given him by you ; his orders respecting the ord- 
 nance at Ticonderoga, and places on Lake Champlain; and 
 every thing necessary to give the Congress a full under- 
 standing of the relation Colonel Arnold then stood, and 
 now stands in to this Colony, and send them as soon as 
 possible to us by Captain Broivn. I am, gentlemen, with 
 the greatest respect, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Hawley. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 BENJAMIN GREENLF.AF TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Newburyport, May 26, 1775. 
 Sir : 1 yesterday received your letter of the 19th instant, 
 informing me that the Provincial Congress had done me 
 the honour of choosing me a member of the Committee 
 of Safety, and that they requested my attendance without 
 delay. I readily exert myself on every occasion that pre- 
 sents, as far as I am able, to promote such measures as have 
 a tendency to relieve the Country from its present difficul- 
 ties and embarrassments ; but my ill state of health forbids 
 my attending closely to business, and therefore disqualifies 
 me to act in that department with advantage to the pub- 
 lick or myself, for which reason I have to entreat the indul- 
 gence of the Congress while I ask to be excused from that 
 service ; assuring them I cannot be an indifferent observer 
 of scenes that are now acting; but as I have hitherto attend- 
 ed to our publick affairs as far as my health would permit, 
 almost to the total neglect of my own personal concerns, 1 
 shall continue to do so, if my life is spared, until this land 
 obtains a complete deliverance from the hands of tyranny 
 and oppression ; but then it must be in a sphere wherein I 
 shall not be liable to so much confinement and solicitude 
 as I must necessarily submit to as a member of that Com- 
 mittee. I am, with respect, Sir, your most humble ser- 
 vant, B. Greenleaf. 
 To Mr. Freeman, Secretary of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CON- 
 GRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, May 26, 1775. 
 The Committee of Safety beg leave to represent to your 
 Honours the conduct of Jonathan Brewer, of Waltham. 
 Said Brewer was recommended to this Committee as a 
 suitable person to take orders to enlist a Regiment on the 
 present establishment, and accordingly received ten sets of 
 orders from this Committee for that purpose. Since that, 
 various complaints have been made to us relative to his 
 conduct. When he gave out his enlisting orders he made 
 proclamation that he had received orders to enlist a Regi- 
 ment of Rangers, and gave some of his Captains written 
 orders accordingly, directly contrary to the orders he re- 
 ceived from this Committee, and in that way drew off men 
 from the companies and regiments, which occasioned great 
 uneasiness and frequent complaints. He has, without any 
 orders or directions, taken into his service two horses — one 
 
717 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 718 
 
 belonging to Colonel Jones, the other to Colonel Taylor — 
 and has kept them for several weeks past. He has also 
 given a lease of part of Colonel Jones's real estate, without 
 the least pretence of right, and taken security therefore in 
 his own name. 
 
 Although this Committee were first induced to give the 
 said Brewer enlisting orders for raising a Regiment, from 
 the character they had of him as being courageous, and 
 experienced in war, &c, they are now fully convinced, 
 from the evidence they have since had of the low artifices 
 and impositions he has made use of to obtain the small 
 number of men he has returned, his seizing private pro- 
 perty and converting it to his own use, in a manner that 
 cannot by any means be justified, and which we fear will 
 be improved by our inveterate enemies to the dishonour 
 and detriment of this Colony, he is unworthy of confidence. 
 Upon the whole, we apprehend he has not only disqual- 
 ified himself for serving this Colony, as a Colonel of a 
 Regiment, but ought immediately to be dealt with in such 
 a manner as you in your wisdom shall think proper. 
 We are, &:c. 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertown, May 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We received your favour of the 23d in- 
 stant, wherein you inform us of your determination to raise 
 immediately two thousand men for the common defence of 
 America. 
 
 It gives us the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to ob- 
 serve the present concordant temper and disposition so 
 prevalent throughout the several Colonies, in support of 
 their common rights. Such a remarkable unanimity, under 
 the smiles of a kind Providence, can scarcely fail of suc- 
 ceeding to the utmost of our sanguine wishes. We trust, 
 gentlemen, our cause is just and right; and that to submit 
 to the vassalage and slavery of an unconscionable Adminis- 
 tration, would not only be ignominious, but highly deroga- 
 tory to the spirit and resentment of free and loyal Ameri- 
 cans ; and although the horrours and devastation of war are 
 highly deprecated by us, yet pressing necessity urges to 
 the utmost of our exertion, in the preservation of every 
 thing dear to us, (even life itself,) by a resolute opposition 
 to our unw r earied and unnatural enemies. We therefore 
 earnestly request you, gentlemen, to forward with all speed 
 those Troops you are raising, to co-operate with us against 
 the common enemy, hoping, under the Divine protection, 
 to convince even the British Parliament of their unreason- 
 able, rash, and inconsiderate proceedings against a most 
 injured and cruelly oppressed people. We are, gentlemen, 
 with sincere affection, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 By order: Joseph Warren, P res' t pro tern. 
 
 To the Hon. Congress of New-Hampshire Colony. 
 
 BENJAMIN BULLARD AND OTHERS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Cambridge, May 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We, the subscribers, being highly dissatis- 
 fied with the alteration that is likely to take place respect- 
 ing the field-officers in Colonel Nixon's Regiment, as we 
 took out enlisting orders under Colonel John Nixon, Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Jacob Miller, and Major Nathaniel Cud- 
 worth, with the expectation that they were to be the esta- 
 blished field-officers of the Regiment, especially as we were 
 at the choice of said gentlemen, and knowing the choice 
 to be fair and above board ; and every gentleman present 
 appeared to be pleased with the same ; therefore, we think 
 it a great grievance that, after they had been at the trouble 
 of recruiting, and had almost filled up our respective com- 
 panies before we had any notice of any design to make an 
 alteration in the leaders of said Regiment. And further, 
 that we were to come to a new choice with men that were 
 not nominated with us, to be in our corps as Captains. 
 And furthermore, that several Lieutenants should act in 
 behalf of their Captains, they being not present ; and one 
 Lieutenant saying at the same time he had no thought of 
 tarrying in the Army. All which we think to be sufficient 
 reasons that the first choice stands fair, and the last the 
 contrary. Therefore, as we are earnest to be in the service 
 
 in the defence of our Country, (if the last choice is estab- 
 lished,) beg leave to have the privilege of joining in some 
 other Regiment. And as in duty bound shall ever prav. 
 
 Benj. Bullard, Captain, 
 John Leland, Captain, 
 Thos. Drurv, Captdin, 
 Thaddeus Russell, Captain. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety. 
 
 FREDERICK COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Besohed unanimously, That the thanks of this Commit- 
 tee be presented to the Reverend Charles Minn Thruston 
 and Colonel Isaac Zane, who represented this County in 
 the late Convention, from a just sensibility of a faithful 
 discharge of the trust reposed in them. 
 
 Besohed unanimously, That this Committee do recom- 
 mend to the Representatives of this County to use their 
 influence in the ensuing session of Assembly, to procure 
 adequate satisfaction to the officers and soldiers who bravely 
 ventured their lives in defence of their Country, in the late 
 expedition against the Indians ; and also to those who ad- 
 vanced their property on the credit of the publick, for the 
 support of the Army. 
 
 Whereas, it is expected that proposals will be made to 
 the Assembly, on behalf of Administration, to levy a cer- 
 tain sum of money annually, disposable by Parliament : it 
 is therefore earnestly recommended to our Representatives 
 to oppose such proposal to the utmost of their abilities, and 
 to express their determined resolution to reject any propo- 
 sition whatever which may be offered, while an armed force 
 remains on this Continent, for the purpose of compelling 
 submission to Parliamentary mandates ; and every requisi- 
 tion for levying money on their constituents, coming through 
 any other channel than the official servants of the Crown, 
 the use to which such moneys are to be applied being al- 
 ways expressed in such requisitions. And we would have 
 it understood, as the sense of this Committee, that no mea- 
 sures with Administration, which may affect the liberties of 
 America, ought to be agreed to on behalf of this Colony, 
 without the concurrence of our sister Colonies. 
 
 Besohed unanimously, That the several arbitrary and 
 illegal Proclamations lately issued by Lord Dunmore, his 
 seizure of the Colony Powder, and his gross misrepresent- 
 ations of the state of this Colony to the Ministry, render it 
 highly necessary to regard with peculiar attention whatever 
 comes through his hands. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk transmit a copy of the above 
 to the publick Printer. William Heth, Clerk. 
 
 May 27, 1775. 
 
 prince george's county (Maryland) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Prince George's County, at the house of Bichard Games, 
 in Piscataway, on Saturday, the 27th day of May, 1775, 
 were present nineteen members. 
 
 Thomas Baily failing to appear, according to former re- 
 ference, with the evidence proposed from Baltimore, the 
 Committee proceeded to consider the charges against him ; 
 and as it appeared from the said Baily's own declaration, 
 that he was informed at Alexandria, before he landed the 
 Salt, that the ship-load of Salt which arrived at Baltimore, 
 consigned to Doctor John Stevenson, was declared to be 
 illegally imported, and ordered to be destroyed ; they do 
 resolve, that the said Thomas Baily has committed a wilful 
 violation of the Continental Association, by selling and land- 
 ing the Salt imported in the Sally, Captain Moate. 
 
 The Committee being informed that Mr. John Baynes, 
 of Piscataivay, has killed a Lamb, contrary to the Resolve 
 of the Provincial Convention, held at Annapolis, in De- 
 cember last, Messrs. Luke Marbury and George Diggs 
 were sent to inform him that the Committee desired his 
 immediate attendance. Mr. Baynes appeared, and being 
 informed as above, acknowledged that he had killed a 
 Lamb, and conceived that he had not thereby violated the 
 Continental Association, which he purposed to adhere to, 
 and thought it superiour to the Provincial Convention, 
 which he conceived was only intended to carry the Re- 
 solves of the Continental Congress into execution. 
 
 Besohed, That the said Mr. Baynes, in killing the said 
 Lamb, has violated the Resolve of the Provincial Conven- 
 
719 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 720 
 
 tion ; that such measures may be of mischievous conse- 
 quence, as tending to a create a disregard to publick regu- 
 lations, formed for preserving the liberties of America. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of these proceedings be signed 
 by the Chairman, and sent to be published in the Mary- 
 land Gazelle. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Josias Beall, Chairman. 
 
 ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: You have doubtless received the advice 
 of the Continental Congress, relative to the important for- 
 tress and pass of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. We 
 esteem it necessary to be guided by their opinion in every 
 important transaction, and have great satisfaction in their 
 approbation of the capture made of those posts; and their 
 advice relating to removing the cannon, Sic, to the south 
 end of Lake George, and making a stand there, must pro- 
 bably be complied with, unless they, upon further consid- 
 eration, shall alter their opinion, and advise to making the 
 stand at one or both the aforesaid forts, which this House 
 and Assembly judge to be much more expedient, on many 
 obvious accounts, and have several days since signified their 
 opinion to our Delegates at said Congress ; and for these 
 and other reasons, hope for their concurrence. 
 
 The bearer, Captain Phelps, who has been very active 
 and useful in the captures, is just arrived with important 
 advices from Colonel Arnold, of an expected attack speed- 
 ily from Governour Carlelon, and is charged with the same 
 advices from Mr. Arnold to you. In consequence of 
 them, and the imminent danger the people there are ex- 
 posed to, our Assembly have just ordered five hundred 
 pounds of our pittance of powder to be forthwith sent to 
 them ; and also four companies to march for their present 
 relief, and have advised the New-York Provincial Con- 
 gress of this step ; and also are now despatching advice of 
 the same to the Continental Congress ; and also again set- 
 ting forth the advantage of maintaining a post at Ticonde- 
 roga or Crown Point, and suggesting our wishes that they 
 reconsider their advice. In the mean time you may be 
 assured that we have no just claim to the acquisition or the 
 command of them, as in the least degree to interfere with 
 any measures you may think proper to adopt relating to 
 them, and consider what we have done as a small and tem- 
 porary relief. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, in the name and behalf of the House 
 of Representatives, your most obedient and very humble 
 servant. By order : Wm. Williams, Speaker. 
 
 CIRCUMSTANTIAL ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE AT CHELSEA, 
 HOG ISLAND, ETC., IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 On Saturday, May 27, 1775, a party of the American 
 Army at Cambridge, to the number of between two and 
 three hundred men, had orders to drive oft" the live stock 
 from Hog and Noddle Islands, which lie near Chelsea, 
 Winnesimmel, on the northeast side of Boston Harbour. 
 From Chelsea to Hog Island, at low water, it is but about 
 knee high, and from that to Noddle's Island about the same. 
 The stock on the former belonging to Mr. Oliver Wendell, 
 at Boston, and Mr. Jonathan Jackson, at Newburyport ; 
 that on Noddle's Island was owned by Mr. Williams, of 
 Boston, who hires the island. 
 
 About eleven o'clock, A. M., between twenty and thirty 
 men went from Chelsea to Hog Island, and from thence to 
 Noddle's Island, to drive off the stock which was there, 
 but were interrupted by a schooner and sloop despatched 
 from the fleet in Boston Harbour, and forty Marines, who 
 had been stationed on the island to protect the live stock. 
 However, they sent off two fine English stallions, two colts, 
 and three cows, killed fifteen horses, two colts, and three 
 cows, burnt a large barn full of salt, hay, and an old farm- 
 house. By this time they were fired on from the schooner 
 and sloop, and a large number of Marines in boats, sent 
 from the several men-of-war ; upon which they retreated 
 to a ditch on the marsh, and kept themselves undiscovered 
 till they had an opportunity to lire on the Marines, when 
 tbey shot down two dead, and wounded two more, one of 
 whom died soon after. They then retreated to Hog Island, 
 where they were joined by the remainder of their party 
 
 from Chelsea, and drove off all the stock thereon, viz: 
 between three and four hundred sheep and lambs, some 
 cows, horses, &ic. During this there were firings between 
 the Provincials and the schooner, sloop, boats, and Ma- 
 rines, on the other island. 
 
 Having cleared Hog Island, the Provincials drew up on 
 Chelsea Neck, and sent for a reinforcement of three hun- 
 dred men and two pieces of cannon, (four-pounders,) which 
 arrived about nine o'clock in the evening ; soon after which 
 General Putnam went down and hailed the schooner, and 
 told the people that if they would submit they should have 
 good quarters, which the schooner returned with two can- 
 non shot ; this was immediately answered with two cannon 
 from the Provincials: upon this a very heavy fire ensued 
 from both sides, which lasted till eleven o'clock at night, 
 when the fire from the schooner ceased ; the fire from the 
 shore being so hot that her people were obliged to quit her 
 and take to the boats, a great number of which had been 
 sent from the ships to their assistance, and also a large re- 
 inforcement of Marines sent to Noddle's Island, with two 
 twelve-pounders. 
 
 The schooner being thus left, drove ashore, where, about 
 break-of-day, the Provincials carried some hay under her 
 stern, and set her on fire, the sloop keeping up a small 
 fire upon them ; at which time a heavy cannonading was 
 begun at Noddle's Island Hill, with the twelve-pounders, 
 upon the Provincials ; also General Putnam kept a heavy 
 fire upon the sloop, which disabled her much, and killed 
 many of her men, so that she was obliged to be towed off 
 by the boats, when the firing ceased, except a few shot 
 which were exchanged between the party at Chelsea, and 
 the Marines on Noddle's Island. Thus ended this long 
 action, without the loss of one Provincial, and only four 
 wounded, one of whom was wounded by the bursting of 
 his own gun, and another only lost his little finger. The 
 loss of the enemy amounted to twenty killed, and fifty 
 wounded. The Provincials took out of the schooner four 
 double fortified four-pounders, twelve swivels, chief of her 
 rigging and sails, many clothes, some money, &c, which 
 the Sailors and Marines left behind, they having quitted 
 in great haste. 
 
 COMPLAINT AGAINST LIEUT. COLONEL ABIJAH BROWN. 
 
 Waltham, May, 1775. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety now assembled at 
 Cambridge, Province of the Massachusetts-Bay: 
 
 Whereas a number of the inhabitants in and about Wal- 
 tham, in the County of Middlesex and Province aforesaid, 
 having a deep sense of their obligations to the Honourable 
 Committee for their services, upon information given, look 
 upon themselves in duty bound, to represent to them in 
 this publick manner, the repeated and publick insults and 
 abuses that the Honourable Committee and Congress are 
 from day to day treated with by one Abijah Brown, who 
 calls himself Lieutenant-Colonel, who, from time to time, 
 and in different company, in the most publick manner upon 
 the road, and in publick houses, where company of strangers 
 or town's people are on any occasion assembled, taking 
 such opportunity to declare, though in such profane lan- 
 guage that we must be excused from repeating, viz : that 
 the Congress had no power to do as they did ; for all the 
 power was and would be in the Army ; and if the Congress 
 behaved as they did, that within forty-eight hours the Army- 
 would turn upon the Congress, and they would settle mat- 
 ters as they pleased ; that there would be nothing done 
 but what would be done by the Army ; and with respect 
 to the General and Committee, that they had no more right 
 or power to give their orders to remove the cannon and 
 stores from Waltham, than one John Stewart, who is a 
 poor unhappy man, that is non compos mentis ; hereby rep- 
 resenting the General and Committees as a set of idiots and 
 lunaticks, in order to lessen and bring into contempt the 
 power and authority of the Province, at this very important 
 day. This conduct, from one assuming rank in the Army, 
 in and about Head-Quarters where the Army is, and his 
 reasons for such conduct, we leave every one to judge for 
 himself, Sec. 
 
 We therefore would humbly pray that your Honours 
 would be pleased to take into your consideration this very- 
 dangerous matter, before it is too late, and before the seeds 
 
721 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 722 
 
 of discord and mutiny have taken loo deep root, and take 
 such steps to put an end to it, as well as to him, with regard 
 to his being any way concerned in the Army, as your 
 Honours in your wisdom shall see fit. Abler Sanders, John 
 Sanders, Jedediah White, Peter Ball, Eleazer Bradshaw, 
 SfCv of Waltham, and Captain Abijah Child, now in the 
 Army, stand ready, upon any day that your Honours may 
 appoint, to appear and give your Honours the fullest proofs 
 of what is here set forth, though this is but in part. 
 
 Jonas Dix, ~1 
 Nath'l Bridge, ! Selectmen of 
 Josiah Brown, j Waltham. 
 John Clark, J 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, ) 
 May 27, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen : This Committee having received informa- 
 tion from sundry persons, Selectmen of the Town of Wal- 
 tham, respecting the conduct of Major Abijah Brown, of 
 said Waltham, informing that he, the said Brown, at sun- 
 dry times and in sundry places, did utter many things dis- 
 respectful and reflecting on the conduct of said Provincial 
 Congress, the several Committees, and upon the General 
 of the Colony Army, this Committee, apprehending that 
 any determination on this case is out of the department of 
 this Committee, beg leave to refer this matter, with the 
 evidences respecting the same, to your Honours, that you 
 may be furnished with such light as may enable you to de- 
 termine thereon, as to you in your wisdom shall seem meet. 
 We are your Honours' most obedient humble servants, 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 May, 1775. \ 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine into the complaint 
 against Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, beg leave to make the 
 following Report, viz : 
 
 That after a full hearing of the allegations and proofs 
 for and against said Brown, on the complaint of some un- 
 known persons, through the Selectmen of Waltham, to this 
 honourable Congress, we are of sentiment that an unhappy 
 controversy has existed in said Town, relating to publick 
 affairs, in which said Brown has exerted himself very earn- 
 estly in favour of the cause of liberty, by which means 
 he has disgusted several persons, who have since endeav- 
 oured therefor to censure and stigmatize him as being an 
 officious, busy, and designing man ; and, unhappily, it ap- 
 pears that Mr. Brown has associated in taverns indiscrimi- 
 nately with many persons, in discourse with whom he at 
 some limes inadvertently expressed himself, which he could 
 not strictly justify himself in, and that it is evident those 
 disaffected antagonists of Mr. Brown had taken the advan- 
 tage of his halting purely from revenge ; and the Commit- 
 tee adjudge, from the whole of the evidence for and against 
 said Brown, that he is injuriously treated by the secret 
 resentments of designing persons, and that he ought to be 
 reinstated to the esteem and countenance of every friend 
 to the liberties of this Country. Per order: 
 
 Richard Perkins, Chairman. 
 
 the Massachusetts congress to the continental 
 congress. 
 [Read in Congress June 2, 1775.] 
 
 Watertown, May 27, 1775. 
 May it please your Honours : Enclosed are copies 
 of a letter from Colonel B. Arnold, (dated Crown Point, 
 May 19th,) and a list of military stores at Ticonderoga, 
 &ic. It seems that the step Colonel Arnold is taking in 
 transporting into this Colony part of the ordnance taken 
 at Lake Champlain, is in consequence of orders given him 
 by our Committee of Safety ; and if they had considered 
 the proposal in a calmer season, perhaps they might have 
 thought it would have been proper previously to have con- 
 sulted our brethren of the Colony of New- York ; certain 
 it is, that this Colony is in the most pressing need of the 
 ordnance which Colonel Arnold is transporting hither. On 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 this occasion, we beg leave most solemnly to assure your 
 Honours that nothing can be more abhorrent to the temper 
 and spirit of this Congress and the people of this Colony, 
 than any attempt to usurp on the jurisdiction of any of 
 our sister Colonies, which, upon a superficial consideration 
 of this step, there may seem to be some appearance of. 
 But we assure ourselves that such is the candour and 
 generous sentiments of our brethren of New- York, as 
 that we may rest secure that they will readily overlook 
 this mistake, (if it is one,) committed in the haste of 
 war, and which may be naturally attributed thereto. And 
 if any of the cannon should arrive within the limits of this 
 Colony we shall hold ourselves accountable for them to 
 your Honours, or any succeeding Representatives of the 
 Continent. 
 
 May it please your Honours, permit us to observe, that 
 in our opinion nothing can be more obvious than the infi- 
 nite importance to the safety of the inhabitants of the 
 Colonies of New- York, New-Hampshire, and even Con- 
 necticut, than maintaining, holding, and effectually securing 
 the post at Ticonderoga, or some spot near the southwest 
 end of Lake Champlain ; for if that post is abandoned, the 
 whole of Lake Champlain will be commanded by the Gov- 
 ernment of Canada, and the command of that water will 
 amazingly facilitate all such descents upon these Colonies, 
 whether greater or less, which Administration shall see fit 
 to order. But if that post should be held by the Colo- 
 nies, all such attempts for the destruction of the Colonies, 
 may be vastly obstructed, if not wholly defeated. We 
 have, therefore, the most full confidence that your Honours 
 will immediately take these matters into your most serious 
 consideration, and make such order thereon as will appear 
 most fit and reasonable, and most conducive to the general 
 safety. 
 
 We would further humbly suggest that we stand in need 
 of large quantities of gunpowder, and it is impossible to 
 obtain that article from any quarter this way ; we therefore 
 most earnestly entreat your Honours that some effectual 
 measures may be devised that we may be supplied with 
 that most necessary means of defence ; and we find that 
 the deficiency of that article prevails in all the Colonies. 
 We most earnestly press this matter, as the salvation of 
 these Colonies depends so much thereon. We would not 
 presume to dictate to your Honours, but would quere 
 whether it would not be prudent to advertise all Nations 
 of the opportunities they now have to dispose of that article 
 in America, as the best market. 
 
 We have the strongest persuasion that the settled plan 
 of the British Administration is to break the chain of 
 union of the Colonies at New-York ; and we are sure that 
 the evidence of such design, and their machinations for 
 that purpose, cannot escape your attention. 
 
 We confide in the wisdom and vigilance of your Hon- 
 ours to devise such measures as (under God) will effect- 
 ually defeat a plan so fatal, and which, if effected, will be 
 the destruction of all the Colonies. We are, with the 
 greatest respect, yours, &tc. 
 
 By order of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 Joseph Warren, Pres't pro tern. 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE ASSEMBLY OF 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Watertown, May 27, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed are copies of a letter from Col- 
 onel Arnold, dated May 19, 1775, and a list of military 
 stores at Ticonderoga, he. We wrote to you (of the 
 17th instant) relative to that fortress, &c, and were desi- 
 rous that you would give such orders relative thereto as to 
 you should seem meet ; but we are of opinion that the 
 advice of the Continental Congress should be had thereon 
 as soon as may be, and also the particular advice of the 
 Provincial Congress of New-York, to each of whom we 
 have wrote upon this matter. Those fortresses being within 
 the jurisdiction of the Colony of New-York, we are of 
 opinion that it is necessary to consult them upon a matter 
 in which they are so greatly interested. 
 
 We have appointed and directed Colonel Joseph Hen- 
 shaw to repair to you, and consult with you upon the affair 
 of that fortress, the maintenance of which we think of the 
 utmost importance to the security of New-York and the 
 46 
 
723 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 724 
 
 New-England Colonies. His instructions will be laid before 
 you, and we have no doubt you will take such measures 
 relative thereto as will promote the general safety of these 
 Colonies. 
 
 To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO COL. BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Watertown, May 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We have, this day, with pleasure, received your 
 letter to the Committee of Safety, of the 19th instant, by 
 Captain Brown, and return you our hearty thanks for 
 your exertions in the publick cause, and fully agree with 
 you that the interposition of Providence, in this and many 
 other instances, is apparent, for which we have the great- 
 est cause for thankfulness. 
 
 We are clearly of opinion that keeping Ticonderoga is 
 a matter of great importance, and we make no doubt the 
 honourable Continental Congress will take that affair imme- 
 diately under their wise consideration, and give all neces- 
 sary orders therefor, as we have addressed them most 
 earnestly on the subject. 
 
 You inform us that you have had intimations that some 
 persons were determined to apply, in order to injure your 
 character. If any such applications should be made here, 
 you may be assured we shall be so candid as not to suffer 
 any impressions to your disadvantage, until you shall have 
 opportunity to vindicate your conduct. 
 
 We enclose a Resolve of this Congress, appointing and 
 directing Colonel Joseph Henshaxu to repair to Hartford, 
 and consult with the General Assembly there, upon this 
 important matter, by which you will see the resolution this 
 Congress has taken relative thereto. 
 
 We would just add, that the letter you refer to, of the 
 14th instant, by Colonel Romans, has not come to hand, 
 so that no order can be taken thereon. We are, &ic. 
 
 To Colonel Benedict Arnold, Ticonderoga. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO COLONEL HENSHAW, DELEGATE TO CON- 
 NECTICUT AND CROWN POINT. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 May 27, 1775. \ 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Joseph Henshaiv be appointed 
 and directed to repair to Hartford, and inquire whether 
 provision is made by the General Assembly of the Colony 
 of Connecticut for securing and maintaining the fortress at 
 JHconderoga and the adjacent posts; and if that Assembly 
 has made provision for that purpose, the said Colonel Hen- 
 shaiv proceed directly to Ticonderoga and acquaint Col- 
 onel Arnold that it is the order of this Congress that he 
 return, and render accounts of his expenses in that expe- 
 dition, in order that he may be honourably discharged; but 
 if Colonel Henshaw shall find that such provision is not 
 made, and the General Assembly not sitting, that he pro- 
 ceed to Ticonderoga, and inform Colonel Arnold that it 
 is the order of this Congress that he continue there, with 
 such a number of forces as said Colonel Henshaw shall 
 judge necessary, for the purpose. Nevertheless, if the 
 said Colonel Henshaw shall find the General Assembly 
 sitting, and have not made such provision, that he consult 
 with them touching this important matter, and take their 
 proposals, and immediately make report to the Congress 
 of this Colony. 
 
 COLONEL HENSHAW TO DR. J. WARREN. 
 
 Watertown, May 28, 1775. 
 Sir : I cannot proceed on my journey to Hartford and 
 Crown Point through want of the papers sent last even- 
 ing to Cambridge by Mr. Gill, to be attested. Mr. Gill 
 promised to bring me a horse and sulkey to proceed on as 
 far as Leicester, where I shall take a horse of my own, 
 there being none that may be obtained here. If he has 
 not provided me with a horse and sulkey already, he knows 
 where to do it, having your directions ; therefore you will 
 please to forward the papers, with a horse and sulkey, by 
 Mr. Gill, when I shall instantly proceed. I am your most 
 obedient servant, Jos. Henshaw. 
 
 MINUTES OF COLONEL JOSEPH HENSHAw's JOURNEY TO 
 CONNECTICUT. 
 
 May 28, 1775. — At noon set off from Watertown for 
 Hartford and Ticonderoga. 
 
 Wednesday noon. — Arrived at Hartford ; delivered the 
 letter to the Governour and Council, with whom had a 
 conference respecting the fortress at Ticonderoga, before 
 dinner. 
 
 P. M. — Attended the House, with whom conferred on 
 the same subject, and desired a conference by a Commit- 
 tee, which was granted, and a joint Committee of the 
 Council and House appointed for that purpose ; from whom 
 I understood that intelligence had been received from the 
 Continental Congress and New-York, which had been 
 forwarded to the Provincial Congress since my departure, 
 that the Continental Congress had recommended to New- 
 York to maintain the fortress, and remove such cannon as 
 may not be wanted, &ic. ; that New-York had requested 
 Connecticut to provide for the safety of the post till Nerv- 
 York could take it on themselves ; that in consequence 
 thereof Connecticut had ordered one thousand men to Ti- 
 conderoga, under Colonel Hinman, with artificers, and five 
 hundred pounds of powder, provisions, &c, and were 
 about to send up an engineer; that four Companies were 
 raising in Albany for the same purpose ; that considering 
 the intelligence received by our Congress since my depar- 
 ture, it was the unanimous opinion of the Committee it 
 would be advisable to return immediately there before I 
 proceeded to Ticonderoga, as it would not make more 
 than two or three days difference, and it was probable the 
 Congress would have some fresh instructions to furnish me 
 with from said intelligence ; that Connecticut expects we 
 shall not draw off our forces, but leave them to co-operate 
 with theirs for the defence of the post ; that a Colonel and 
 two Majors are appointed over the Connecticut forces, &tc. 
 
 Thursday, June 1. — Waited till noon for Capt. Brown, 
 who was to meet me at Hartford, and then proceed to 
 Ticonderoga, but he not coming, I wrote to Colonel Ar- 
 nold, and left the letter, with others, for Captain Brown to 
 take on his arrival at Hartford, and proceed to Ticonde- 
 roga, when I set off for the Congress. 
 
 COLONEL HENSHAW TO COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Hartford, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir : By Captain Brown I would advise you of my 
 consulting the General Assembly of this Colony respecting 
 the fortress at Ticonderoga. They have ordered Colonel 
 Hinman to take the command there with one thousand 
 men, and four Companies raising at Albany, artificers, &tc, 
 to repair and defend that post. It is expected you will 
 continue with Colonel Allen, and put the place in the 
 best posture of defence you are able, and guard against 
 any surprise from the enemy till the succours arrive, and 
 you receive further directions from the Congress. I should 
 have proceeded from hence to Ticonderoga, but some 
 events taking place since my departure from the Congress, 
 makes it necessary for me to repair immediately thither. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Henshaw. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF PARTRIDGE FIELD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Partridgefield, May 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Selectmen of the Town of Par- 
 tridgefield having received a message from the Provincial 
 Congress, dated at Concord, March 3.1, 1775, requiring the 
 speedy payment of some money to Henry Gardner, Esq., 
 of Stow, they immediately warned a town-meeting, and 
 the inhabitants being assembled, and taking into considera- 
 tion the present circumstances of the Town, they unani- 
 mously voted that, considering the present circumstances 
 of the Town, they were not able to pay the tax required 
 of them by the Provincial Congress ; and also voted that 
 the Town Clerk should write to the Congress, and give 
 them some information concerning the present circum- 
 stances of the Town — a specimen of which is as follows, 
 viz: This Town is but new, and but few people in it, and 
 the generality of them are people of low fortunes ; and it 
 
725 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 726 
 
 is not long since we were at great expense (for us) in set- 
 tling a Minister in the Town ; and as our farms are mostly 
 new, and our land not quick to produce a crop, we are 
 obliged every year to buy a great part of our provision ; 
 and this year especially, as the blast and vermin destroyed 
 a great part of our grain the last year. We have no Town 
 stock of ammunition, nor do we know how to procure it, 
 as all the money we can get must go to purchase the ne- 
 cessaries of life. I am apt to think there is as many men 
 gone and going from this Town in defence of the liberties and 
 privileges of America, as from any Town in this Province, 
 if not more, according to the number of people in this and 
 the other Towns. And sve should be as free with our 
 money as with our men, if we bad it, and could possibly 
 spare it. The taxes which the Great and General Court 
 of this Province was pleased to lay upon this Town, we 
 petitioned to be relieved of, and not altogether without 
 success. And we hope the Congress will be graciously 
 pleased to excuse us for not complying with their requisi- 
 tions, when it was not in our power to do it. 
 In the name and in behalf of the Town, 
 
 Nathaniel Stowell, Town Clerk. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress, held at TVa- 
 tertown. 
 
 CONDITION OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE, AS DELIVERED BY THEIR 
 DELEGATES TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAT 27, 
 
 1775. 
 
 The Delegates from }\ev:-Hampshire beg leave to in- 
 form the Committee, that two of the principal Towns in 
 that Colony, viz: Portsmouth aud Newcastle, are situate 
 on Piscataqua River, near the entrance of the harbour, 
 and are much exposed to naval attacks ; that those Towns 
 are about five miles distance from each other, Portsmouth, 
 the capital, lying farthest up the river, and not quite so 
 much exposed as Newcastle, which lies at the entrance, de- 
 fended only by a fort capable of mounting about thirty pieces 
 of cannon, in the rampart ; but the fortifications are ex- 
 tremely weak. That to defend the entrance of the harbour 
 against a naval force, would be extremely difficult, if not 
 impracticable ; that batteries might be erected between 
 those Towns, which, with booms, chains, k.c, might pos- 
 sibly secure Portsmouth from such attack ; that to defend 
 the pass, and secure the retreat of the inhabitants, will re- 
 quire at least fifteen hundred men. But as they have a well- 
 regulated Militia in that neighbourhood, which may suddenly 
 be called together for that purpose, they are of opinion 
 there will be no necessity of enlisting men at the Conti- 
 nental expense, especially as the Militia will readily agree 
 to serve in turn for the defence of those places. 
 
 They beg leave further to inform the Committee, that 
 there are sixteen Regiments of Foot, and two of Horse, in 
 that Colony, the Foot amounting in the whole to upwards 
 of sixteen thousand effective men, tolerably well provided 
 with arms and ammunition ; that the number of the Horse 
 is uncertain, and those but ill provided ; that great num- 
 bers of their Foot soldiers have been in actual service ; and 
 that out of those they are ready to raise and send to serve 
 in Massachusetts, so many as the Committee shall choose 
 to order ; that the number of their inhabitants are very 
 uncertain, as persons are continually emigrating from other 
 Colonies, and settling in that more than in any other of the 
 Northern Colonies ; that the persons thus emigrating are 
 extremely poor, for which reason the wealth of the Prov- 
 ince bears no proportion to the number of inhabitants. 
 
 With respect to the amount of their Exports and Im- 
 ports, no accurate account can be given, as the officers of 
 the Customs have long since refused to suffer the books to 
 be inspected. 
 
 RECANTATION OF EBENEZER LOVERIN. 
 
 Kensington, New-Hampshire, May 27, 1775. 
 
 Whereas I have offended the community in times past, 
 by refusing to equip myself with arms and ammunition, 
 and by my opposition to military orders, for which I am 
 sorry : 1 hereby engage to equip myself according to or- 
 ders, and be ready to take up arms in defence of my Coun- 
 try, in the present contest between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies. Ebenezer Loverin. 
 
 GOUVERNEUR MORRIS TO RICHARD HENRY LEE. 
 
 New-York, May, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: When I had the honour of your company 
 and acquaintance at Philadelphia, you made it a request 
 that I would exert my poor abilities in the honest endea- 
 vour to keep my fellow-citizens in the line of their duty, 
 their interest, and honour. I freely made you the promise, 
 and I did honestly and faithfully perform it. 
 
 I am informed that the Committee of this City have 
 drawn up a representation of Mr. Rivington's case, for the 
 animadversions of that respectable body of which you are 
 a member. The consequence of this step will undoubtedly 
 strike your mind ; it is the giving a new power to the Con- 
 gress. Our Association hath given them the Legislative, 
 and this now tenders them the Judicial supremacy. 
 
 The power of Government, as of man, is to be collected 
 from small instances ; great affairs are more the objects of 
 reflection and policy. Here both join. A mild and favour- 
 able sentence will conciliate the opinions of mankind; and 
 what is the force of opinion, a gentleman who has made it 
 his study to investigate the nature of Government, need 
 not be told. I will not pretend to offer you any reasoning 
 on this subject ; because it will be tedious to repeat things 
 which strike your mind at the first glance ; but I can venture 
 to assure you that a favourable sentence to this creature will 
 be highly agreeable to most men here. The history of his 
 conduct is simply this : His company, his acquaintances, 
 his friends, were warm advocates for the power of Govern- 
 ment ; indifferently wise, his mind took a wrong bias from 
 interest, deference for the sentiments of others, and oppo- 
 sition. A tool in prosperity, a cast-off in adversity r , he 
 solicits the assistance of that body which his press has as- 
 persed. Magnanimity will dictate to that body the true 
 line of conduct. 
 
 The liberty I take in writing to you, can only be excused 
 by the intention I have to do good ; this, I trust, will be a 
 sufficient apology for, Sir, your most obedient and humble 
 servant, Gov. Morris. 
 
 Richard Henry Lee, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 
 RICHARD HENRY LEE TO GOUVERNEUR MORRIS. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 28, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : The friends of virtuous liberty in Neiv-York 
 have certainly effected a most important change in the po- 
 litical system of that flourishing City. I congratulate you, 
 Sir, and your worthy associates, in this happy revolu- 
 tion. It is most certain that a profligate Ministry have 
 greatly relied on the assistance of your fine fertile Prov- 
 ince for carrying into execution their cruel system ; a sys- 
 tem by which existing millions, and millions yet unborn, 
 are to be plunged into the abyss of slavery, and of conse- 
 quence deprived of every distinction that marks the man 
 from the beast. But happily for the cause of humanity, 
 the Colonies are now united, and may bid defiance to tyran- 
 ny and its infamous abetters. 
 
 You will see that Mr. Rivington's case is involved in all 
 of a similar nature, which are to be determined on by the 
 Colony Conventions where the offence is committed. I 
 am sorry, for the honour of human nature,' that this man 
 should have so prostituted himself in support of a cause 
 the most detestable that ever disgraced mankind. But he 
 repents, and should be forgiven. It is not yet too late to 
 exert his powers in defence of the liberty and just rights of 
 a much injured Country. 
 
 I wish you happy, Sir, and I assure you that I am, with 
 singular esteem, your friend and countryman, 
 
 Richard Henry Lee. 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COLONEL 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Cambridge, May 28, 1775. 
 
 The expedition to Ticonderoga, &c, requiring secrecy, 
 the Congress of this Colony was not acquainted with the 
 orders you received from this Committee. It gives us great 
 pleasure to be informed by the express, Captain Brown. 
 that the success you have met with is answerable to your 
 spirit in the undertaking. We have now to acquaint you 
 that the Congress have taken up this matter, and given the 
 necessary directions respecting these acquisitions. It is, 
 
727 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 728 
 
 then, Sir, become your duty, and is our requirement, that 
 you conform yourself to such advice and orders as you shall 
 from time to time receive from that body. We are, &tc. 
 
 CHARLES COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Information being made to some of the members of the 
 Committee of this County, on Monday, the 29th of May, 
 that certain persons had imported, and were privately sell- 
 ing goods in a daring and direct violation of the Continen- 
 tal Association, a meeting of the Committee was imme- 
 diately called, and but few members attending, a general 
 meeting was publickly requested this day, when a very full 
 and respectable number attended at the Court-House, in 
 Port-Tobacco, to make inquiry into this affair; and it was 
 clearly and satisfactorily proved, that a certain John Bail- 
 lie, who last May came a passenger in the Ship Lady 
 Margaret, Captain William Noble, from Scotland, had 
 brought sundry Dry Goods with him, which appeared, by 
 the testimony of Baillie and Patrick Graham, living in 
 Port-Tobacco, to have been put on board and landed with- 
 out the consent or knowledge of the Captain, though Bail- 
 lie swore that Captain Noble knew of his having goods on 
 board the ship when he arrived in Wicomico. It also ap- 
 peared that Baillie, when he put these goods on board the 
 ship in Scotland, knew of the Continental Association, and 
 that Patrick Graham, in a secret manner, did assist and aid 
 him in taking them from on board the ship, and did privately 
 take them into his house, and secretly sell a part thereof, 
 for his own and Baillie's interest, to several people in this 
 County, without letting them know the circumstances un- 
 der which they were imported. Whereupon the Commit- 
 tee Resolved, That the said John Baillie and Patrick 
 Graham, for their infamous conduct, ought to be publickly 
 known and held up as foes to the rights of British Ame- 
 rica, and universally contemned as the enemies of Ameri- 
 can liberty ; and that every person ought henceforth to 
 break off all dealings with the said John Baillie and Pa- 
 trick Graham; and as the ship which brought the goods 
 had sailed, and there being no opportunity of shipping and 
 sending them back to Britain, the Committee further 
 
 Resolved, That such of the goods as are unsold, or can 
 be collected from the purchasers, shall be stored with and 
 kept by Mr. Ziephaniah Turner, until, and twelve months 
 after a general importation is agreed on by the Continental 
 Congress ; and that, where any of the goods which may 
 have been sold cannot be collected, the said Graham shall 
 deposite the amount of the sales thereof, in cash, to be 
 kept with the goods stored ; the whole at the risk of the 
 owners. Published by order of the Committee : 
 
 John Gwinn, Clerk. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met by adjournment, 29th May, 1~75. 
 Present : 
 
 Honry Remsen, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 Gjorge Jancway, 
 John White, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Evert Banker, 
 William Laight, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 P:tru8 Byvanck, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Co.nfort Sands, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 John Reade, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Abraham Walton, 
 
 Gabri 1 W. Ludlow, 
 John Morton, 
 William Seaton, 
 David Johnston, 
 John Imlay, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 John Broome, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 John Lasher, 
 John B. Moore, 
 John Anthony, 
 John Berrian, 
 Peter Van Sehaack, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 William Goforth, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 John Van Cortlandt, 
 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 William Walton, 
 Abraham Brasher, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Francis Bassott, 
 Gorrot Ketletas, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 Abraham Duryoe, 
 Peter T. Curtcnius, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John Lamb, 
 David Beekman, 
 Jeremiah Plutt. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Seaton, Mr. Imlay, Mr. Berrian, 
 and Mr. Phenix, be a Sub-Committee to observe the con- 
 duct of the proprietors of goods imported in the Snow Patty, 
 Captain Shcppard, from Liverpool, during her stay in this 
 port, and to permit her being supplied with water and 
 other necessaries for her departure, and also to procure two 
 trusty persons, inhabitants of this City, to continue on 
 board while she remains in this harbour ; that they desire 
 the Captain to depart from this port on or before Thurs- 
 day morning next, wind and weather permitting ; and 
 
 that he be further requested to make oath, that he will not 
 discharge any part of his cargo in this Province, and that 
 it be recommended to him to go back again agreeable to 
 the directions of the late Continental Congress. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to Monday, 5th June, 1715. 
 
 New- York Committee Chamber, ) 
 May 29, 1775. (, 
 
 Whereas, the publick service of the Colony may render 
 large supplies of the following articles absolutely necessary, 
 upon sudden emergencies, this Committee doth therefore 
 recommend to all our fellow citizens, who are possessed of 
 any Osnaburghs, Ravens Duck, brown Russia Sheeting, 
 brown Drilling, striped and plain Blankets, eight-quarter 
 green and spotted Rugs, coarse Woollens, barrelled Beef, 
 barrelled Pork, or tin Plates, not to dispose of them until the 
 Provincial Congress shall determine on the expediency of 
 detaining them for our own use. And it is also recommend- 
 ed, that the owners of said articles make reports of the 
 quantities that they have on hand, to the Chairman, Depu- 
 ty-Chairman, or Secretary of this Committee, within six 
 days from this date. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Henry Remsen, Deputy Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO OOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 In Provincial CongTess, New.York, ) 
 May 29, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: We have been honoured with the receipt of your 
 favour of the 27th instant, containing information, and en- 
 closing despatches relating to the important posts of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point. We are sorry to hear the im- 
 minent danger of the people at those posts, from a threat- 
 ened attack from Ouebeck, which might be attended with 
 the loss of them before any resolve of the Continental 
 Congress, for their preservation, could be carried into exe- 
 cution by our Colony. 
 
 Though therefore we agree, Sir, in opinion with your 
 Assembly, that the said fortresses are properly under the 
 direction of this Colony; yet we are satisfied that the 
 pressing and urgent necessity of the case, and our present 
 inability to take the command of those posts, fully justify 
 the arrangements mentioned in your letter, to have been 
 taken by your respectable body for their immediate de- 
 fence. 
 
 We are, therefore, far from considering them as an inva- 
 sion of this Colony, or an intermeddling with the service 
 entrusted to it, as you may collect from our former letter on 
 this subject ; but rather esteem them as a most friendly in- 
 terposition for the safety of our frontiers, and as the wise 
 improvement of your early intelligence, and your state of 
 readiness to provide against immediate danger. As in 
 consequence of these arrangements, and the succours we 
 may be able to supply till we are in a condition to take 
 that direction of the above-mentioned fortresses, which their 
 situation, and the determination of the Continental Con- 
 gress have allotted to us, we shall attend to a proper sup- 
 ply of provisions for the posts. We beg leave at the same 
 time to present you our unfeigned thanks for your most 
 friendly and seasonable reinforcement, from the burden of 
 which we shall, without loss of time, endeavour, in pur- 
 suance of further directions from the Continental Congress, 
 to relieve our brethren of Connecticut ; and should your 
 stock of ammunition permit the increase of that supply 
 which you have generously destined for that service, we 
 shall exert ourselves in replacing it as soon as we shall 
 have it in our power. 
 
 We are, with great respect, Sir, your Honour's, and the 
 General Court's most obedient and humble servants. 
 By order of the Congress: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of tho 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 J. TRUMBULL, JR., TO HIS BROTHER. 
 
 Hartford, May 29, 1775. 
 Dear Brother: I have received your letter per Bacon. 
 A little of politicks before I answer that. In consequence 
 of our last letters from Colonel Arnold, (copies of which 
 you will see before you have this,) we have sent off five 
 
729 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 730 
 
 hundred pounds of powder for Colonel Euston, with two 
 hundred Pounds in cash, and have given orders to four 
 companies to march immediately to the relief and support 
 of our people at Crown Point and Ticondtroga, and have 
 sent express to New-York and Philadelphia of our pro- 
 ceedings, that no jealousies may arise from our zeal and for- 
 wardness in this matter, which, without explanation, might 
 seem to militate with a resolution of Continental Congress. 
 Since these proceedings, have received a letter per express 
 from New-York Provincial Convention, desiring our assist- 
 ance for the support of those northern posts, until they can 
 be in readiness to defend them with their own Troops, 
 which, I understand, they are like to set on foot (this was 
 without any knowledge of what we have done) for relief 
 of Crown Point. They intimate their hopes that we will 
 not be concerned lest they take umbrage at our doing any 
 thing which we judge necessary for the general safety re- 
 specting those fortresses ; seem very cordial, and we hear 
 are well united. This intelligence I imagine will occasion 
 our ordering Colonel Hinman, with his whole Regiment 
 that way. The Deputy-Governour was consulting with 
 the Governour on the necessity of sending more assistance 
 to the support of our northern brethren, when Mr. Brown 
 arrived with the above letter from New- York. Intelligence 
 that way begins to brighten the prospect from that from 
 quarter. Our gentlemcu give us accounts of their having 
 full and free conferences with Committee of New- York 
 Convention, and give us favourable report from th m. 
 However, must not please ourselves loo much. 
 
 Our Assembly have agreed to a bounty of ten Pounds 
 per hundred weight on saltpetre, and five Pounds per hun- 
 dred weight on sulphur, for any quantity of either that may 
 be procured and made within the Colony for one year. 
 Have also agreed to a bounty of five Shillings each on all 
 fire- arms made within the Colony, and one Shilling and Six 
 Pence for each gun-lock so made, to continue till the -20th 
 of October next, and have promised to take on Govern- 
 ment account all the arms that can be made in this Colony 
 and offered to them for sale, till the said 20th October. 
 You will see by this we are not entirely wanting in our 
 duty. Colonel Parsons, I believe, will soon come your 
 way. He is very desirous of going to Boston; has the 
 same ideas you have of being stationed on his own ground. 
 I delivered your letter for Captain Wadsworth. He was 
 gone to Middlttown. You will receive no answer from 
 him per this post, and I am unable to say what they 
 have done; I believe they intend you shall purchase at 
 least for all the Troops coming your way, which, I ima- 
 gine, must be three thousand or upwards, though, in the 
 present incertitude of events, there are not so many under 
 orders for Boston. John Mumford has done wrong to 
 raise in your mind such ideas as your letter intimates. 
 The matter of purchasing beef is not yet adopted, and 
 don't know if it will ; also the method of paying. These 
 matters you must leave till you see us. You will then, 
 perhaps, understand our trim better than by writing. The 
 pay table is composed of Hilliam Pitkin, Thomas Sey- 
 mour, Oliver Ellsworth, and Ezekiel Williams, Esquires. 
 Our caution and fears respecting Ticonderoga, &.C., are 
 fully removed. A Committee is appointed to take care of, 
 and dispose of the officers, soldiers, kc, belonging to those 
 posts who are prisoners; they are all here. Albany would 
 not receive them. I don't imagine you will very soon see 
 the Troops out of Boston. In what way can they make 
 an impression upon your camp ? They seem to be attended 
 by some fatality in all their attempts hitherto ; however, 
 hope their ill success will not beget a security in our peo- 
 ple. I was in hopes there would be but little business for 
 sutlers. 
 
 I am glad to find per our letters from New-York, that 
 their Congress do not construe the resolution of Grand Con- 
 gress to intend an evacuation of Ticonderoga and Croicn 
 Point, but only a removal of such artillery, stores, &cc, as 
 necessary, to Fort George, and keep possession above. 
 For this purpose it is they desire our assistance. We have 
 been in great agitation lest they should immediately order 
 an abandoning those forts. New-York have sent a Com- 
 mittee to superintend the removal, &c, with a number of 
 men for the purpose, and materials, &c, for ship or sloop 
 building on the lakes. The Provincial Congress of New- 
 York seem much pleased with cur delegation to them, so 
 
 also do the people of the City, &ic. Mr. Low has failed 
 of the presidentship, which is given to Mr. Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, who, it is said, is a warm friend. They are 
 also much pleased with a full and free representation of 
 people, (for first time.) Their number consists of more 
 than one hundred. Your .affectionate brother. 
 
 J. Trlmbull, Jr. 
 
 NEVV-MILFORD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee of Observation for New-Milford, in the 
 County of Litchfield, Connecticut, having duly notified 
 Zechariah Ferris, Joseph Ferris, Jun., James Osborne, 
 Daniel Taylor, Nathaniel Taylor, and Hezekiah Stevens, 
 Jun., all of said New-Milford, to appear before said Com- 
 mittee this day, to give reason, if any they had, why they 
 and each of them should not be advertised as foes to the 
 rights of British America; and said said Zechariah Ferris, 
 Joseph Ferris, Jun., James Osborne, Daniel Taylor, and 
 Hezekiah Stevens, Jun., having neglected to appear, and to 
 give any satisfaction to said Committee ; and said Nathaniel 
 Taylor having appeared, and declared his opposition to the 
 doings of the Continental Congress ; and said Committee 
 having fully deliberated upon, and finding each of the afore- 
 named persons obstinately fixed in their opposition to the 
 doings of said Congress, and the now bleeding cause of 
 America ; thinks itself in duty bound to make this publica- 
 tion, that each of said persons may be universally neglected, 
 and treated as incorrigible enemies to the rights of British 
 America, according to the eleventh article of the Associa- 
 tion, entered into by said Congress. 
 
 By order of the Committee: 
 
 Samuel Canfield, Committee Clerk. 
 
 Litchfield, May 29, 1775. 
 
 N. B. Five other persons being also notified to appear 
 with the above, have made their retraction, and signed a 
 compliance in full, with the doings of the Congress, to the 
 acceptance of the Committee. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF NEW-HAVEN TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-Haven, May 29, 1773. 
 
 Sir : One of our number waits on your Honour with 
 this, to inform the General Assembly, through the channel 
 of your Honour, that we are now in possession of upwards 
 of sixty cannon, nine, six, and three-pounders, for the use 
 of the Colony, out of which a sufficient number may be 
 made use of for the defence of this Town, if the honour- 
 able General Assembly think proper to order a battery 
 built and carriages made for the guns, with suitable stores 
 of powder and ball to be provided. 
 
 We refer you to Mr. Ball for the particulars of the man- 
 ner of our being possessed of these cannon, which we think 
 a great acquisition, and shall esteem ourselves happy to 
 receive the directions of the honourable Assembly how 
 they are to be disposed of. We are, w r ith great respect, 
 your most obedient servants, 
 
 Jeremiah Atwater, ^ 
 Isaac Doolittle, > Selectmen. 
 James Gilbert, ) 
 Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq, 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I am desired to enclose to you a copy of 
 a letter from the Congress of New- York to this Assembly, 
 dated 25th instant, which you will receive herewith per Mr. 
 Brown, who is on his return from the Continental Con- 
 gress. The contents of the above mentioned letter were 
 immediately taken into consideration by this Assembly; in 
 consequence whereof, they came into the following resolu- 
 tions : That one thousand men, (including four hundred 
 which we had before ordered,) under command of Colonel 
 Hinman, should march as soon as possible to Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point, for the support and defence of those 
 fortresses. That they continue there until they are relieved 
 by the Province of New-York, or are otherwise ordered 
 by this Assembly. That Colonel Hinman take the com- 
 mand of our Troops on those station*. That the Troops 
 be furnished with one pound of powder, and three pounds 
 
731 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, MAY, 1775. 
 
 732 
 
 of bullets to cacli soldier. That Colonel Hinman be order- 
 ed to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any hos- 
 tile incursions from being made into the settlements of the 
 Province of Qucbeck, and that the Provincial Congresses 
 of New- York and Massachusetts-Day be advised of these 
 measures, and the New- York Congress be requested to 
 forward the necessary supplies for said Troops, and such 
 other supplies of ammunition as they shall judge necessary. 
 Advice of these resolutions is already sent forward to New- 
 York, per Mr. Colton, your express to Philadelphia. 
 
 It is matter of doubt with us whether the above-men- 
 tioned detachment of Troops, ordered by this Colony, will 
 be sufficient for the important purposes for which they are 
 destined ; but we recollect that Colonel Arnold is now on 
 the spot, with a commission (as we understand) to raise 
 a Regiment in the pay of your Province. We are not in- 
 Ibrmed how far he has proceeded in that design. If he 
 meets with success, we flatter ourselves that his Regiment, 
 joined with the Troops we have sent, will be able to main- 
 tain their ground, and keep possession of those important 
 posts. 
 
 We take the liberty to recommend to your consideration 
 the furnishing such additional supply of powder from you 
 as you shall think necessary, to be sent forwards for the 
 support of those northern posts. I am very sorry to have 
 it to say, that we are credibly informed there is not five 
 hundred pounds of powder in the City of New-York ; but 
 at the same time are advised that means are taking to sup- 
 ply them with that very important article. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 The Hon. Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Hartford, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Your favour of the 27th instant, by ex- 
 press, came safe to hand; the contents have been duly 
 considered, and in reply have the pleasure to acquaint you 
 that we had before received the resolve of the Congress at 
 New-York, with their request to send forward some forces 
 to the northward, to keep those important posts until such 
 time as they might be relieved by Troops from your Colony. 
 We have accordingly ordered one thousand Troops, under 
 command of Colonel Hinman, to march immediately to Ti- 
 condcroga and Crown Point, furnished with one pound of 
 powder and three pounds of ball, to each soldier, to continue 
 there until relieved by the Province of New-York, or are 
 otherwise ordered ; also sent forward, under the care of Col- 
 onel Easton, of Pittsjicld, five hundred weight of powder 
 for those fortresses; and forwarded advice of our doings to 
 the Provincial Congresses, both at Massachusetts and New- 
 York, just before the receipt of your letter, which renders 
 it unnecessary your express should go forward to the Con- 
 gress at Massachusetts-Bay. Colonel Hinman is directed 
 to exercise the greatest vigilance that no incursions be 
 made into the Province of Quebeck, to disturb the inhabi- 
 tants there. It is hoped that the Provincial Congress at 
 Neu'- York will forward the supplies of provisions, and 
 whatever may be thought necessary ; and that the people 
 in your Province, who are under the best advantage from 
 their situation, will spare no endeavours that may be bene- 
 ficial to preserve peace and harmony with the Indians, and 
 prevent their taking part against, but rather that they take 
 part for, the security of the liberties of these Colonies, 
 whereon their own happiness so much depends. 
 
 WILLIAM GILLELAND TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Near Crown Point, May 29, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As a lover of my liberty and my country, 
 1 beg leave to offer you my warmest congratulation on the 
 success of His Majesty's arms, under the prudent and 
 spirited conduct of Colonel Arnold and Mr. Ethan Allen, 
 in reducing the important posts at Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, and in seizing the armed sloop on this lake, and 
 all the officers, soldiers, and military stores. These ac- 
 quisitions 1 conceive to be highly advantageous to the Ame- 
 rican cause ; and we all ardently hope that you, gentlemen, 
 will order them to be sufficiently supported and defended ; 
 for which purpose I imagine that a thousand men (sailors, 
 
 engineers, and artillery-men, included) should be imme- 
 diately stationed at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Point 
 Aufere, and a sufficient number to man the sloop, the 
 schooner, and the large and small boats now in our posses- 
 sion, and which at present gives us the mastery of the 
 lake. Point Aufere is on the west side of this lake, 
 seven miles south of the Canada line, whereon was built 
 last summer a very strong stone and lime wall house, with 
 strong ball-proof brick, sentry boxes at each corner, com- 
 manding every inch of ground about the house, having in 
 them, and in a large dry cellar under the house, forty-four 
 port-holes. This may, at a small expense, be made a very 
 important post, by throwing up a breast-work, or by in- 
 trenching round the house, to be defended by a few pieces 
 of cannon, whereby every naval irruption that may be at- 
 tempted by the enemy, may be greatly obstructed, if not 
 entirely frustrated ; and we frontier inhabitants encouraged 
 to remain on our flourishing settlements, without being 
 alarmed at or exposed to the incursions of either the sol- 
 diery, the Canadians, or the Indians — the latter two of 
 whom I must say, at present, have all the appearance of 
 being neutrals, if not friends. 
 
 I must beg leave to observe to you, that there are now 
 in these parts a very considerable number of men under 
 the command of Mr. Ethan Allen, as brave as Hercules, and 
 as good marksmen as can be found in America, who might 
 prove immediately serviceable to the common cause, were 
 they regularly embodied, and commanded by officers of 
 their own choice, subordinate to whoever has or may be 
 appointed commander-in-chief, or to the instructions of 
 the Grand Congress. These men being excellent wood 
 rangers, and particularly acquainted in the wilderness of 
 Lake Champlain, would, in all likelihood, be more service- 
 able in these parts than treble their number of others not 
 having these advantages, especially if left under the direc- 
 tion of their present enterprising and heroick commander, 
 Mr. Allen. 
 
 I hope, gentlemen, you will pardon the freedom of this 
 address, since it goes to you from one very much interested 
 in the subject, having upwards of fifty families settled under 
 his protection, on the most remote frontier of this Prov- 
 ince, some of whom only ten miles south of the Canada 
 line, the first settlement ever made under the British Gov- 
 ernment on Lake Champlain. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect, 
 gentlemen, your most devoted and most obedient servant, 
 
 William Gilleland. 
 To the Hon. the Continental Congress. 
 
 New- York, May 29, 1775. 
 The martial spirit which prevails among the inhabitants 
 of Somerset County, in New-Jersey, truly merits the atten- 
 tion of the publick. We have certain intelligence that 
 they are forming themselves into companies, and daily ex- 
 ercising to become complete masters of the military dis- 
 cipline ; and, particularly, that the Township of Bridge- 
 ivater, in said County, met at Raritan, the 6th instant, and 
 chose Mr. Abraham Ten Eyck Captain, under whose com- 
 mand eighty-five volunteers immediately enlisted, to be in 
 readiness at an hour's warning to march for the assistance 
 of any neighbouring Colony, on any emergency. Their 
 pay and other necessaries are provided by said Township. 
 The other Counties and Townships, it is hoped, will follow 
 their example, as it may be necessary to repel force by 
 force, in order to secure our national rights and privileges. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress Juno 10, 1775.] 
 
 Crown Point, May 29, 1775. 
 Worthy Gentlemen : An abstract of the minutes of 
 Council from the Continental Congress, signed per Mr. 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary, has just come to hand, and 
 though it approves of the taking the fortresses on Lake 
 Champlain, and the artillery, he, I am nevertheless much 
 surprised that your Honours should recommend it to us to 
 remove the artillery to the south end of Lake George, and 
 there to make a stand ; the consequence of which must 
 mm the frontier settlements, which are extended at least 
 one hundred miles to the northward from that place. Pro- 
 
733 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 734 
 
 bably your Honours were not informed of tbose settle- 
 ments, which consist of several thousand families, who are 
 seated on that tract of country called the JSew- Hampshire 
 Grants. 
 
 The misfortune and real injury to those inhabitants, by 
 making the south end of Lake George the northernmost 
 point of protection, will more fully appear from the follow- 
 ing consideration, namely: It was at the special request 
 and solicitation of the Governments of the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut, that those very in- 
 habitants put their lives into the hand of their Govern- 
 ments, and made those valuable acquisitions for the Colo- 
 nies. By doing it they have incensed Governour Carleton 
 and all the ministerial party in Canada against them ; and 
 provided they should, after all their good service in behalf 
 of their Country, be neglected and left exposed, they will 
 be, of all men, the most consummately miserable. 
 
 The south promontory of Lake Champlain and Lake 
 George, as to a southern direction, are near the same, and 
 if we should give up the sovereignty of Lake Champlain, 
 we may as well give up the whoie. If the King's Troops 
 should be again in possession of Ticondcroga and Crcivn 
 Point, and command the lake, the Indians and Canadians 
 will be much more inclined to join with them, and make 
 incursions into the heart of our Country. But the Colo- 
 nies are now in possession and actual command of the lake, 
 Inning taken the armed sloop from George the Third, 
 which was cruising in the lake, and also seized a schooner 
 belonging to Major Skene, at South-Bay, and have armed 
 and manned them both for the protection of our Country, 
 and the Constitution and civil privileges and liberties 
 the r eof. 
 
 By a council of war beld on board the sloop, the 27th 
 instant, it was agreed to advance to the Point Aufere, with 
 the sloop and schooner, and a number of armed boats well 
 manned, and there make a stand, and act on the defensive, 
 and by all means command the lake and defend the fron- 
 tiers, and wait for the special directions of the honourable 
 Continental Congress, and govern ourselves accordingly. 
 We are now almost ready to sail to that station, which is 
 about six. miles this side of latitude forty-five degrees north. 
 A small force, with the armed vessels, will at present com- 
 mand the lake, and secure the frontiers. 
 
 The Canadians, all except the noblesse, and also the 
 Indians, appear at present to be very friendly to us ; and 
 it is my humble opinion, that the more vigorous the Colo- 
 nies push the war against the King's Troops in Canada, 
 the more friends we shall find in that country. Provided 
 I had but five hundred men with me at St. John's, when 
 we took the King's sloop, I would have advanced to Mon- 
 treal. Nothing strengthens our friends in Canada equal to 
 our prosperity in taking the sovereignty of Lake Cham- 
 plain ; and should the Colonies forthwith send an army of 
 two or three thousand men, and attack Montreal, we should 
 have little to fear from the Canadians or Indians, and would 
 easily make a conquest of that place, and set up the stand- 
 ard of liberty in the extensive Province of Quebeck, whose 
 limit was enlarged purely to subvert the liberties of Ame- 
 rica. Striking such a blow would intimidate the Tory 
 party in Canada, the same as the commencement of the 
 war at Boston intimidated the Tories in the Colonies. 
 They are a set of gentlemen that will not be converted by 
 reason, but are easily wrought upon by fear. 
 
 Advancing an army into Canada will be agreeable to our 
 friends ; and it is bad policy to fear the resentment of an 
 enemy. If we lie easy, and in a supine state, and Gov- 
 ernour Carleton exerts himself against us vigorously, as we 
 know he will, and who, by a legal Constitution, can oblige 
 our friends to assist him, he will, by slow degrees, discour- 
 age our friends, and encourage our enemies, and form those 
 that are at present indifferent, into combinations against us. 
 Therefore, the possible way to circumvent him and the 
 scheme of the Ministry, is to nervously push an army into 
 Canada. But if the wisdom of the Continent in Congress 
 should view the proposed invasion of the King's Troops 
 in Canada as premature or impolitick, nevertheless I hum- 
 bly conceive, when your Honours come to the knowledge 
 of the before-mentioned facts, you will at least establish 
 some advantageous situation towards the northerly part of 
 Lake Champlain, as a frontier, instead of the south pro- 
 montory of Lake George. 
 
 There are many advantages in forming the frontier near 
 the country of the enemy, as, first : it will be in our power 
 to ravage and make inroads into the heart of the enemy's 
 country, the same as they might easily do. were they in 
 possession and command of Lake Champlain. This advan- 
 tage will be of the utmost consequence, be it in the hands 
 of which party it will. Though it is now in our hands, to 
 give it up to them would be fatal to the interest of the Col- 
 onies, but more particularly to those who were instrumental 
 in the achievement of the supremacy of that lake. But 
 secondly : commanding the northerly part of the lake puts 
 it in our power to work our policy with the Canadians and 
 Indians. We have made considerable proficiency this way 
 already. Sundry tribes have been to visit us, and have 
 returned to their tribes to use their influence in our favour. 
 We have just sent Captain Abraham Nimham, a Stock- 
 bridge Indian, as our ambassador of peace to the several 
 tribes of Indians in Canada. He was accompanied with 
 Mr. Winthrop Hoit, who has been a prisoner with the In- 
 dians, and understands their tongue. I do not imagine, 
 provided we command Lake Champlain, there will be any 
 need of a war with the Canadians or Indians. 
 
 Pray pardon me on account of any impertinency or in- 
 accuracy in this composition, as it is but a rough draught, 
 wrote in great haste, from your Honours' ever faithful, most 
 obedient and humble servant, Ethan Allen. 
 
 To the Continental Congress. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Crown Point, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Your resolution of the 18th instant, and 
 recommendation of measures to the City of New- York and 
 Albany, in consequence of the taking possession of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, has this moment been delivered 
 me, as commanding officer here, the purport of which in- 
 duces me to believe the Committee of Safety of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay have not informed you of my appointment, 
 or instructions from them, which I have taken the liberty 
 to enclose; and, in consequence, arrived in the neighbour- 
 hood of Ticonderoga the 9th instant, where I met one Col- 
 onel Allen, with about one hundred men, raised at the 
 instance of some gentlemen from Connecticut, who agreed 
 we should take a joint command of the Troops. The next 
 morning, at four o'clock, we surprised the garrison and took 
 them prisoners, the particulars of which you have doubtless 
 heard. Some dispute arising between Colonel Allen and 
 myself, prevented my carrying my orders into execution, 
 until the 16th, when, being joined by fifty men of my own 
 Regiment, and a small schooner taken at Skenesborough , 
 which I immediately armed, and sailed for St. John's, in 
 quest of the sloop. The 17th, being becalmed within ten 
 leagues of St. John's, I manned out two small batteaus, 
 with thirty-five men, and, after rowing all night, at six 
 o'clock next morning landed at St. John's, and took a ser- 
 geant and his party of twelve men prisoners, the King's 
 sloop, of seventy tons, mounted with two brass six-pound- 
 ers, and seven men, and in two hours after left St. John's, 
 having previously taken on board such stores, &c, as were 
 valuable. Providence remarkably smiled on us, as a few 
 hours' delay would have ruined our design, a party of one 
 hundred and twenty men, with six pieces of cannon for the 
 sloop, being on their march from Montreal, at only twenty 
 miles distant ; add to this a party of forty men on a march 
 from Chamblee, twelve miles distant. Colonel Allen arrived 
 at St. John's the same evening, with one hundred men, 
 and being attacked the next morning by the Regulars, re- 
 treated, and left three men behind, two of which are since 
 arrived. 
 
 I have armed the sloop with six carriage and twelve 
 swivel-guns ; the schooner with four carriages and eight 
 swivels. I have sent to Lake George one brass twelve- 
 pounder, six large brass and iron mortars and howitzers, 
 and am making all possible preparation for transporting all 
 the cannon here, and as many as can be spared at Ticon- 
 deroga, to Fort George. 
 
 I must beg leave to observe, gentlemen, that the report 
 of Ticonderoga's being abandoned, have thrown the inhab- 
 itants here into the greatest consternation. There are about 
 five hundred families to the northward of Ticonderoga, 
 who, if it is evacuated, will be left at the mercy of the 
 
735 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775 
 
 736 
 
 King's Troops and Indians, and who have, part of them, 
 joined the Army, and cannot now remain neuter, to whom 
 a remove would be entire ruin, as they have large families 
 and no dependance but a promising crop on the ground. 
 1 need not add to this, gentlemen, that Ticonderoga is the 
 key of this extensive country, and if abandoned, leaves a 
 very extensive frontier open to the ravages of the enemy, 
 and to continual alarms, which will probably cost more than 
 the expense of repairing and garrisoning it. 
 
 I esteemed it my duty, as a servant of the publick, to 
 give you the foregoing hints, and hope the exigence of the 
 times will be a sufficient apology for the liberty I have 
 taken. 
 
 I have the honour to be, very respectfully, gentlemen, 
 your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold, Colonel, fyc. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Crown Point, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: I was equally surprised and alarmed this 
 day, on receiving advice, via Albany, that the Continental 
 Congress had recommended the removing all the cannon, 
 stores, Sic, at Ticonderoga, to Fort George, and evacua- 
 ting Ticonderoga entirely, which being the only key of 
 this country, leaves our very extensive frontiers open to the 
 lavages of the enemy ; and if put into execution, will be 
 the entire ruin of five hundred families to the northward of 
 Ticonderoga. I have wrote the Congress, and given my 
 sentiments very freely, with your instructions to me, as I 
 fancy they have had no intelligence of my appointment or 
 orders. 
 
 Colonel Allen has entirely given up the command. I 
 have one hundred and fifty men here, and expect in two or 
 three weeks to have my Regiment complete, and believe 
 they will be joined by a thousand men from Connecticut 
 and New-York. 1 have sent to Lake George six large 
 brass and iron mortars and howitzers, one brass and three 
 iron twelve-pounders, and shall pursue your orders with all 
 the despatch in my power. I am, gentlemen, with great 
 respect, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 May 29, 1775. \ 
 
 May it please your Honour: Yesterday, about three 
 of the clock, P. M., this Congress received your Honour's 
 most kind and friendly letter of the 25th instant, enclosing 
 a resolution of the Genera! Congress, of the 1 8th instant, 
 relating to Ticonderoga, the order of the General Com- 
 mittee of Association of New-Yorlc, for executing the said 
 resolution, and the letter from the Connecticut Delegates 
 at New-York ; each of which contain articles of intelli- 
 gence very important and interesting to all the New- 
 England Governments. But while we are consoled and 
 rejoiced to find that the General Congress is attentive to 
 the safety and general interests of the Colonies, we cannot 
 conceal from the General Assembly of your Colony, that we 
 should be to the last degree agitated, if we really supposed 
 that the said resolution of the General Congress, touching 
 Ticonderoga and said posts on Lake Champlain, was their 
 ultimatum, and that they would not reconsider that resolu- 
 tion. But as we cannot suffer ourselves to doubt of their 
 best intentions and great concern for the liberty and safety 
 of all the Colonies, we assure ourselves, that upon better 
 information, and knowledge more just, they will be fully 
 convinced of the great impolicy of abandoning Lake Cham- 
 plain, which we conceive they have in effect advised to, 
 although we confess their expressions are not the clearest. 
 But we are confirmed in our construction of the said reso- 
 lution, by the order taken by the General Committee of 
 New-York to execute the same. 
 
 May it please your Honour, permit us to acquaint you, 
 that as soon as possible after we had received advice of the 
 success of our people at Crown Point and St. John's, and 
 the taking of the armed sloop on that lake, by Col. Arnold's 
 letter, a copy whereof we have sent you by Col. Hcnshaw, 
 we sent an express to New- York and to the General Con- 
 gress, signifying to the General Congress and to the Con- 
 
 gress of New- York, in the strongest manner, our opinion of 
 the absolute necessity and great advantages of maintaining 
 the post of Ticonderoga. But as we conceived the reasons 
 and grounds of such an opinion were obvious and generally 
 known, we supposed that a detail of the arguments and 
 proofs was altogether unnecessary. But upon seeing the 
 resolution of the General Congress upon that important 
 matter, we were much surprised and concerned ; and in the 
 little time we have had to deliberate on the subject, we 
 have resolved to endeavour to suggest to your Honour and 
 your Assembly the reasons which at present occur to us, 
 which we apprehend make it evident that the maintaining 
 that post is not only practicable, and, under God, in the 
 power of the Colonies, but of inexpressible necessity, for 
 the defence of the Colony of New- York, and all the New- 
 England Colonies ; and having enumerated those reasons 
 as they occur, without consulting method or any orderly 
 arrangement, to submit them to your Assembly, most im- 
 portunately praying you, if your Honours approve them, 
 that you will, with the greatest despatch, communicate 
 them, with many more observations which your better 
 knowledge of facts will suggest, to the General Congress ; 
 and, if you should judge it advisable, also to the Congress 
 of Neiv- York ; conceiving that, in several respects, they 
 would go from you with more advantage, not only to Nuc- 
 York, but also to the General Congress, than from us. It 
 seems natural to compare the two stations proposed to be 
 maintained, viz : Ticonderoga and William Henry, in the 
 following manner, that is to say, with regard to the benefits 
 and advantages of the two stations which will arise for the 
 purposes of general defence and annoyance of the common 
 enemy, and with regard to the feasibility of maintaining 
 each place. 
 
 And, in the first place, as to the advantages of general 
 defence resulting from a post at Ticonderoga, beyond those 
 of William Henry - they are so great and many, that they 
 cannot be enumerated in an ordinary letter. In the view 
 of a post of observation, we beg leave to observe, that all 
 movements from Canada, intended against New-England 
 or New- York, by the way of Lake Champlain, whether 
 by scalping parties or large bodies, whether in the winter 
 or open seasons of the year, may almost certainly be dis- 
 covered so seasonably as that the blow may be generally 
 warded off ; whereas, if the post at William Henry be only- 
 kept, it is probable that three-fourths of the attempts on 
 the frontiers of New-York and New-England, by Cham- 
 plain, will never be known until executed. As to enter- 
 prises by any large body by the way of Champlain, it is clear 
 that they may be known much earlier from the former than 
 the latter station ; also, if it should become necessary and 
 just that the United Colonies should annoy the inhabitants 
 of Canada, and cause them to feel the grievousness of war 
 on their borders, (as it most certainly will, in case they en- 
 gage in the war upon us,) the two stations scarcely bear any 
 comparison; for if we abandon the post at Ticonderoga, 
 the enemy will infallibly seize it; and, in that case, what 
 annoyance can we give Canada by the way of Champlain, 
 by means of a fortified post at William Henry? If the 
 enemy hold Ticonderoga, they will effectually command 
 the whole of Lake Champlain. If the United Colonies 
 hold it, they will so far command that lake, as, by the way 
 of it, they will be able to make descents by small parties 
 upon great part of the country of Canada, and infinitely 
 distress them ; but from William Henry none can be made 
 without vast difficulty and risk. As to the advantages of 
 subsisting and defending a garrison, and maintaining a post 
 against the efforts of Canada, either at Ticonderoga or 
 Fort William Henry, we conceive that they are much in 
 favour of the former; for as to supplies of victuals for 
 either a garrison or an army stationed at one place or the 
 other, we conceive that, on the whole, they may be more 
 easily and certainly afforded to Ticonderoga than II illiam 
 Henry. We suppose that what should be sent from posts 
 on the westerly side of Hudson's River, may almost as 
 easily be transported to Ticonderoga as to William Henry ; 
 and as to such supplies as would go from posts eastward of 
 Hudson's River, they may be conveyed to the former place 
 with much more facility than the latter. And as to the 
 speed and certainty of marching succours for the relief of 
 a garrison at one place or the other, in case of an attack, 
 we suppose the advantages of Ticonderoga are vastly supe- 
 
737 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 738 
 
 riour to those of William Henry; for we cannot forbear 
 observing, that our brethren of Neiv-York Government, 
 settled on the westerly side of Hudson's River, have been 
 always rather slow in warlike efforts ; and if the succours 
 must go from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New- Hampshire, 
 or the northeasterly parts of New- York Governments, they 
 may be mustered and marched much sooner to the former 
 station than the latter. We have no doubt but, on a press- 
 ing emergency, a large body of men might be marched 
 from the middle of the County of Hampshire to Ticonde- 
 roga in six days ; but to gentlemen so well acquainted with 
 the geography of the two places, we need not dwell on this 
 part of the argument ; and, in short, we have no idea of 
 maintaining the one or the other of the two posts in time 
 of war with Canada, but either by constantly keeping an 
 army on the spot, or making a fort of sufficient strength for 
 a garrison to hold out against an attack until an army could 
 be marched from New-York or New-England, sufficient to 
 raise the siege ; the latter method we suppose most politick, 
 and quite practicable with regard to Ticonderoga. But 
 at the same time we beg leave just to hint, that a fortified 
 station, on the easterly side of South-Bay, or Lake Cham- 
 plain, opposite to Ticonderoga or Crown Point, or still 
 farther on, affords great advantages for the maintaining of 
 Ticonderoga, and defending the settlements on the easterly 
 side of Lake Champlain; and there is artillery enough to 
 spare to other places ; and if we abandon the land be- 
 tween the Lakes George and Champlain, we shall give the 
 enemy an opportunity to build at or near the points ; and 
 by that means we shall lose the whole of Lake Champlain, 
 and the shipping we now have on that lake, by which we 
 can command the whole of it, and keep the enemy at a 
 distance of a hundred miles from our English settlements, 
 near Otter Creek, &tc. ; but if that fortress should be main- 
 tained, we shall have those very settlements, with some 
 aids from the old settlements, to support it, which will not 
 be half the charge that it would be to maintain a sufficient 
 number of soldiers so far from their homes. We have there 
 about four or five hundred hardy men, with many families, 
 who, if those grounds should be abandoned, will be driven 
 from their settlements, and leave the Massachusetts and 
 Neio- Hampshire people naked, without any barrier, and 
 exposed to the Canadians and savages, who will have a 
 place of retreat at the point, as they had almost the whole 
 of the last war. By abandoning this ground, we give up 
 an acquisition which cost immense sums of money, the loss 
 of many lives, and five campaigns. 
 
 As to the expense of maintaining a fortress at Ticonde- 
 roga, this Colony will not fail to exert themselves to the 
 utmost of their power. 
 
 We are under the greatest obligations to your Honour 
 and the General Assembly, for the intelligence you have 
 given us ; and you may depend we shall not fail of convey- 
 ing to you all important intelligence with the greatest des- 
 patch. The interpositions of Divine Providence, in favour 
 of America, are very obvious, which demands our utmost 
 thankfulness. Enclosed is a brief narrative of some of 
 them. We are, &lc. 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 May 29, 1775. \ 
 
 " Resolved, That the following Letter be immediately 
 sent to the Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire." 
 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed are copies of Governour Trum- 
 bull's letter to this Congress, enclosing a resolution of the 
 Continental Congress, respecting the fortresses at Ticonde- 
 roga, Crown Point, he, and the resolution of the General 
 Committee of Association of New- York thereon, and a let- 
 ter from the Connecticut Delegates, from Neiv-York, to 
 their Assembly. 
 
 The measure taken by the Continental Congress, if car- 
 ried into execution, will, in our humble opinion,°affect those 
 Colonies east of Hudson River, in the highest degree. By 
 that you will see that all the lands and waters between the 
 south end of Lake George and Crown Point, together 
 with all Lake Champlain, will be left open for Canadians 
 and savages, if they should be so disposed, to ravage all 
 that country east, and distress all our new settlements. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 We have addressed the Continental Congress upon the 
 necessity of keeping a fortress at or near Ticonderoga, 
 and have also most pressingly desired the Colony of Con- 
 necticut to exert themselves to effect the maintaining such 
 a fortress. We have also written to New- York upon the 
 matter. 
 
 We now lay the same advice before you, that you may 
 have opportunity to take such measures as you shall think 
 proper. As your Colony is so deeply affected, you will, 
 from a concern for that, and a general regard for the com- 
 mon safety, which you have at all times appeared to have, 
 we trust, take the matter up, and, by decent and respectful 
 addresses to the Continental Congress, endeavour to pre- 
 vail with them to alter a measure so dangerous in its effects. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient and very hum- 
 ble servants, Jos. Warren, Pres't pro tern. 
 
 committee or sandwich to the provincial congress 
 
 OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Sandwich, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen : In consequence of com- 
 plaint made to the Committee of Correspondence of the 
 Town of Sandwich, by Messrs. Simeon Wing and Jesse 
 Barlow, we have thought it advisable to represent to your 
 Honours the circumstances of their vessels being taken by 
 Captain Linsey, of the Falcon, and retaken by a schooner 
 from Dartmouth, under command of Captain Egery, and 
 to beg some advice and order of the Congress may be 
 passed concerning it. Mr. Wing's vessel, commanded by 
 his son Thomas, has been plied as a wood boat to carry 
 wood to Nantucket from Sandwich, for some years past, 
 and it hath been the usual practice for them to settle with 
 the Custom-House once a year, the officer of which always 
 gave them their choice of paying twelve pence per trip, or 
 the whole at the year's end : and this hath been, we find on 
 examination, the common practice with other vessels that 
 have followed the same business at the same place. Upon 
 Captain Wing's returning from Nantucket, through the 
 Vineyard Sound, the sloop was taken by a barge from 
 said Captain Linsey's brig ; an Indian fellow on board of 
 Wing's vessel informed Captain Lindsey of said Barlow's 
 vessel, which had run a cargo lately from the West-In- 
 dies, and was laden with provisions in Buzzard's Bay. 
 Captain Linsey took possession of Captain Wing's ves- 
 sel, putling fourteen men on board, to proceed up the 
 bay and take Jesse Barlow's vessel, which they carried 
 off. The master of this latter vessel was taken with 
 Wing, being then on board as a passenger ; so that both 
 vessels, with all the crews, passengers, he, were cap- 
 tured, and proceeded to the cove to Captain Linsey. Mr. 
 Barlow made application to some people at Dartmouth, 
 who went with a sloop, one half of which Barlow ven- 
 tured, and retook both said vessels and men, with their 
 arms, he, and carried them into Dartmouth. Messrs. 
 Wing and Barlow applied to the Dartmouth people, who 
 took the vessels from them again. The people offered 
 them their vessels upon Wing's paying them eight dollars 
 and Barlow's paying ten dollars, with which they com- 
 plied, and Wing paid the money ; after which the Dart- 
 mouth people detained the vessels till the order of Con- 
 gress could be known, and now refuse to deliver up the 
 said vessels without Wing and Barlow's paying forty -five 
 dollars, and giving bonds of a very extraordinary nature, 
 to indemnify said Dartmouth people, he These are a 
 true state of facts, as nearly as we, after examination of 
 said Wing and Barlow, can ascertain ; and the said Wing 
 and Barloiv, thinking they ought to have their vessels 
 again without further difficulty, desire the Committee of 
 Correspondence of this Town to lay the matter before 
 you, and pray your orders, to which they profess their 
 readiness to submit and acquiesce in. 
 
 We are your Honours' very humble servants, the Com- 
 mittee of Sandwich. 
 
 Nathaniel Freeman, per order. 
 
 In Congress, Watertown, July 1, 1775. 
 The Committee appointed to take the Remonstrance 
 from the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of 
 Sandwich into consideration, have considered the same, 
 and report as follows, viz : 
 
739 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, ttc, MAY, 17:5. 
 
 740 
 
 Tliat the people of the Town of Dartmouth, mentioned 
 in said Remonstrance, who withhold said vessels from said 
 Wing and Barlow, be notified to appear the second Tues- 
 day of the next meeting of the House of Representatives, 
 in Watertown, to give their reasons why they withhold the 
 same, and that they be served with a copy of this Remon- 
 strance, and that Wing and Barlow be notified to attend 
 at the same time and place ; which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Per order, Ezra Richmond. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Salem, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Mr. Stephen Higginson, of this Town, 
 arrived here yesterday from London. The answers he 
 gave on his examination before the House of Commons, 
 and which were some time since printed in the newspa- 
 pers, have given umbrage to some persons in this place, 
 (and we hear in Marblchead also,) who imagine those an- 
 swers to be highly injurious to the Province, and given 
 with an intention to distress it. He this day appeared 
 before the Committee of Safety of this Town, and, upon 
 exhibition of the facts, the Committee, to a man, were 
 perfectly satisfied of his innocence and good intention rela- 
 tive to the matter complained of; but that every one might 
 be made easy, as the Town were to meet this day, it was 
 judged best to publish the whole to the inhabitants when 
 assembled, which was done accordingly to a full meeting, 
 and the Town thereupon expressed their satisfaction by a 
 vote, from which only three or four dissented, but many 
 did not vote at all ; and since the meeting was dissolved 
 we find that several remain dissatisfied, and desire the 
 matter may bs inquired into by the Provincial Committee 
 of Safety; we have, therefore, advised Mr. Higginson to 
 wait on you, that your decision may quiet the minds of the 
 people here and through the Country. We have stated 
 the facts above-mentioned as a necessary apology for 
 troubling you about a matter so extremely obvious. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants, 
 
 Rich, Derby, Chrti'n Com. of Safety. 
 Tim. Pickering, Jun., Town Clerk. 
 To the Provincial Committee of Safety. 
 
 COLONEL STARK TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Medford, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Yours of the 26th instant I have re- 
 ceived, and note the contents ; and as to the fire-arms for 
 the use of the Regiment under my command, the greatest 
 part of those who were destitute when I wrote to you, are 
 since furnished, and I am informed by the officers of the 
 several Companies, that the remainder will be equipped 
 very shortly; so I flatter myself that this difficulty (as to 
 my Regiment) will be soon surmounted. Yet, as to the 
 manner of procuring them, whether by the respective 
 Towns to which they belong, or by individuals, I cannot 
 at present inform you, as no account has yet come to hand. 
 But I would still beg leave to entreat you to take some 
 further notice of the Army. And, in the first place, con- 
 sider that a great part of the Regiment or Army here, are 
 destitute of blankets, and cannot be supplied by their 
 Towns, and are very much exposed ; some of whom, 
 for the want thereof, are much indisposed, and thereby 
 rendered unfit for duty. Secondly, that we are in very 
 great want of money, and that neither officers nor soldiers 
 can subsist much longer, without some, by any means. And 
 this I am well assured of, (from daily complaints which are 
 made to me,) that unless you, by some means, advance 
 some money to the Army directly, (as there is no room in 
 my mind to doubt that there is a very considerable sum in 
 ;he Province belonging thereto,) they will certainly return, 
 for they cannot nor will not continue. I would also re- 
 commend to your consideration the necessity of a sutler 
 or sutlers for the benefit of the Army ; and if it should be 
 thought necessary that there should be such, and if one can- 
 not be found in that Province who will undertake to supply 
 the Army upon reasonable terms, I know of a gentleman in 
 this Province that would gladly embrace the opportunity, if 
 applied to. I would likewise be glad there might be a chest 
 of medicine procured for the Regiment, and forwarded, as 
 it is wanted very much, and also armourer's tools. 
 
 According to your request, I have transmitted to the 
 Committee of Safety a regimental return of the men who 
 have enlisted under me into the service of the Province of 
 New- Hampshire, and who expect to be paid therefrom. 
 
 Your compliance with the above will greatly oblige 
 your's in the common cause, John Stark. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF PORTSMOUTH, N. H., TO THE COMMITTEE 
 OF NEWBL'RYPOKT. 
 
 Portsmouth, May 29, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We had two provision vessels seized at 
 the mouth of our harbour the last night, by the Scarbo- 
 rough, and upon application to Captain Barclay for their 
 release, find he has positive orders from the Admiral to 
 take possession of all vessels laden with provisions, salt, or 
 molasses, and send them to Boston, and says further, those 
 orders are circular through the Continent. 
 
 We give this earliest intelligence for your government, 
 and also inform you that the Canceavx, a small ship, of six 
 or eight guns, sails the first wind, to convoy the two vessels 
 already seized to Boston, and are sorry to find ourselves 
 unable to prevent it, as we have our harbour blocked up 
 by a twenty-gun ship, and have no vessel of force able to 
 retake them. One reason of our mentioning this circum- 
 stance, and sending an express this night with it, is, be- 
 cause we have just heard that you have an armed vessel in 
 your port. We have ordered two small vessels to cruise 
 off and on, and, if possible, give this intelligence to all 
 vessels bound to this or any other port, and trust you will 
 do the same. Your most obedient servants. By order of 
 the Committee: H. Wentworth, Chairman. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence of Newburyjjort. 
 
 Newburyport, May 30, 1775. 
 
 This letter was received this morning by the Committee 
 of this Town ; and as the Admiral's orders, herein men- 
 tioned, may affect every part of the Continent, we think it 
 our duty to send it forward to the Committee of Safety 
 for the Province, or to the Congress. 
 
 B. Greenleaf, per order. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts. 
 
 Portsmouth, N. H., May 30, 1775. 
 
 This day about thirty or forty men from on board the 
 Scarborough, man-of-war, now in this harbour, came on 
 shore at Fort William and Mary, and tore down great part 
 of the breast-work of said fort, and did other damage. 
 
 The day before this attempt, the Scarborough took two 
 provision vessels, loaded with corn, pork, flour, rye, &c, 
 coming in from Long-Island, which were for the relief of 
 this place, as the inhabitants are in great want of provisions ; 
 and notwithstanding the most prudent application of the 
 principal gentlemen of this Town, the Captain refused to 
 release them. O shocking situation. 
 
 Upon this refusal it was apprehended the most violent 
 outrages and tumults of the people would immediately fol- 
 low this detention of their provisions, the consequences of 
 which would be, most probably, very fatal to His Majesty's 
 subjects, by bringing into the most imminent danger the 
 lives and properties of his said subjects, which ought by all 
 means to be prevented, if possible. 
 
 Upon this unwarrantable transaction, the inhabitants of 
 this and the neighbouring Towns were greatly alarmed, and, 
 next morning, between five and six hundred men, in arms, 
 went down to the battery, called Jerry's Point, and brought 
 off eight cannon, twenty-four and thirty-two pounders, 
 being the whole that were there, weighing four thousand 
 eight hundred pounds each, and brought them up to this 
 Town. While they were taking off the above cannon, the 
 Canccaux, with a tender, set sail with the two provision 
 vessels for Boston. The next day the Town was full of 
 men from the country, in arms. 
 
 This uncommon exertion of arbitrary power immediately 
 alarmed the inhabitants, and the Committee of Safety hav- 
 ing met, a memorial was, by their approbation, presented 
 to the Governour and Council, who took every prudent 
 method in their power to pacify the people, aud to obtain 
 a release of the captures. His Excellency repaired on 
 
741 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 742 
 
 board the Scarborough, and informed the Captain that the 
 provisions were the property of some of the inhabitants, who 
 had before contracted for the same ; but the only answer he 
 could obtain was, " that Admiral Graves and the General 
 had forwarded orders to take every provision vessel that 
 should be met with, on every station, and to send them 
 forthwith to Boston for the supply of the Army and Navy." 
 Captain Barclay, the commander of the Scarborough, in- 
 formed two of the Committee at Fort William and Mary, 
 that his orders were such that he must even take all vessels 
 with salt or molasses, they being a species of provision, and 
 send them to Boston. 
 
 TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 Sir: If you are not too busy in granting passes to the 
 people of Boston, and in protecting the remains of your 
 Army, 1 beg the favour of addressing you once more. You 
 have lately risen above contempt. You have commenced 
 hostilities between Great Britain and America, in the Prov- 
 ince of Massachusetts-Bay. The heinousness and conse- 
 quences of this crime would have raised even a sentinel 
 into importance, and will serve, in spite of the natural in- 
 significance of your character, to "damn" even General 
 Gage " to everlasting fame." 
 
 Your attempt to prove that the Militia of Massachusetts 
 fired first in the late engagement at Lexington, if successful, 
 would add nothing to your cause. You acknowledge that 
 you sent your Troops out of Boston to destroy a magazine 
 of provisions and military stores at Concord. The invasion 
 of property, among all Nations, is justly deemed a declara- 
 tion of war. But, Sir, however contrary to your intention, 
 your account of the matter has served to entail double in- 
 famy upon the memories of those ministerial Troops that 
 fell in the battle, for it proves that they suffered not only 
 as murderers, but as thieves. Publick justice quickened 
 its steps, and their punishment trod upon the heels of their 
 crimes. We congratulate ourselves upon the history which 
 you have sent of that transaction to the Ministry. It will 
 certainly add weight to the depositions transmitted by 
 the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay ; for even 
 treachery itself, when it reads your account of the battle, 
 will be forced to acknowledge that it was begun by your 
 Troops, and that the ravages they committed flowed less 
 from provocations than from the natural barbarity of their 
 dispositions. 
 
 The reign of George the Third seems intended by Provi- 
 dence to establish the belief of the most miraculous parts 
 of the Scriptures. It requires less faith to believe the mira- 
 cle of Joshua, than that freemen will not fight in defence of 
 their liberty. It requires less faith to believe that an Egyp- 
 tian Army perished in the Bed Sea, in pursuit of a people 
 who had brought the greatest calamities upon their Country, 
 than to believe that a few Regiments of English soldiers, 
 three thousand miles from resources of all kinds, can subdue 
 a Continent eighteen hundred in extent, crowded with in- 
 habitants, all united to each other by the closest ties of inte- 
 rest and affection. You, too, Sir, have contributed your 
 share towards confirming a historical fact in the Bible. We 
 cease now to wonder that the soldiers who guarded our 
 Saviour's sepulchre, swore that his disciples stole his body 
 away while they slept. Your conduct shows that there is 
 nothing repugnant to the folly of human nature in this story. 
 Your letter to Governour Trumbull is a commentary upon 
 that passage of Scripture, and serves to prove that soldiers 
 are actuated by the same principles in all arbitrary Govern- 
 ments, and that their abilities do not equal their inclinations 
 in contriving falsehoods. 
 
 Where now is the martial spirit of your Army ? Where 
 are those dogs of war who panted so eagerly for the blood 
 of their countrymen? Alas! how are the mighty fallen! 
 No wonder they trembled and fled at the sight of a few 
 Companies of American Militia; for English courage can 
 dwell only in the society of justice and humanity. The 
 genius of Britain deserted her sons when she beheld them 
 fighting under the banners of slavery. No successes against 
 America can ever wipe away the stain they have brought 
 upon the British arms; for should the Colonies at last be 
 reduced, I will venture to predict that three hundred half 
 disciplined British Troops will never chase two thousand 
 well disciplined Americans twenty miles in six hours. 
 
 History is unfurnished with a character like yours. You 
 are cruel without inhumanity, unjust without avarice, and 
 artful without design. For Heaven's sake let experience 
 teach you wisdom, and lead you to truth. Let not your 
 talent for dissimulation prove your ruin. You have exer- 
 cised it hitherto in such a manner as to serve none but your 
 enemies, and injure none but your friends. One candid 
 acknowledgment of the strength and union of the Colonies, 
 and of the weakness of your Troops, in your letters to the 
 Ministry, will immediately restore peace and union to Bri- 
 tain and the Colonies. Junius Americantjs. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 April 5, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at the house of 
 Mr. Taylor, of Concord, on Wednesday, the 5th of April, 
 1775. Present ; 
 
 Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Colonel Palmer, Col. 
 Heath, Capt. White, Mr. Watson, J. Pigeon, Mr. Devens. 
 
 Voted unanimously, That the Committee of Supplies do 
 directly furnish this Committee with an exact account, in 
 writing, of all the Provisions and Stores, and the places of 
 their disposition. 
 
 Voted, That one piece of Cannon be sent to Colonel 
 Mitchell, of Bridgeuater. 
 
 April 14, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at Concord, at 
 the house of Mr. Taylor, on Saturday, the 14th of April, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 The Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Colonel Heath, 
 Captain White, Mr. Devens, Colonel Gardner, Mr. Wat- 
 son, Mr. Palmer. 
 
 Voted, That the Cannon now in the Town of Concord 
 be immediately disposed of within said Town, as the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies may direct. 
 
 Voted, That the Cannon-powder, now at Leicester, be 
 removed, one load at a time, to this Town, and made 
 into cartridges, under the direction of the Committee of 
 Supplies. 
 
 N. B. Mr. Devens acted as Clerk pro tempore. Colonel 
 Gardner this day was chosen as one of the Committee of 
 
 Safety, instead of Deacon Fisher, who resigned, in conse- 
 quence of the distance he lives. 
 
 April 17, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of Safety and Supplies, 
 at Mr. Taylor's house, in Concord, on Monday, 17th April, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 Committee of Safety. — Honourable John Hancock, 
 Esq., Colonel Heath, Colonel Palmer, Captain White, Mr. 
 Devens, Colonel Gardner, Mr. Watson, Colonel Orne, J. 
 Pigeon. 
 
 Committee of Supplies. — Colonel Lee, Mr. Gill, Mr. 
 Cheever, Mr. Gerry, Colonel Lincoln. 
 
 Voted unanimously, That application be made to Cap- 
 tain Hatch, for captain of the Artillery Company for Bos- 
 ton; and if he refuses, to offer it to Mr. Crafts, and so on 
 in order, as they stand in the Company. Also that Capt. 
 Bobinson, of Dorchester, be applied to as captain of the 
 Company of Dorchester ; and that Mr. Newall, of Charles- 
 town, be applied to ; that the Captain for the Marblehead 
 Company be not appointed until the Members fox Marble- 
 head make inquiry and report. That Capt. Timothy Bige- 
 low be applied to as captain of the Worcester Company, 
 and that Mr. Thomas Wait Foster, of Hadley, be applied 
 to as captain of the Company at Hadley. 
 
 Voted, That the two Four-Pounders now at Concord be 
 mounted by the Committee of Supplies; and that Colonel 
 Barrett be desired to raise an Artillery Company, to join 
 the Army when raised, they to have no pay until they join 
 the Army ; and also that an Instructor, for the use of the 
 cannon, be appointed, and to be put directly in pay. 
 
743 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 744 
 
 Voted unanimously, That six Pounds, lawful money, per 
 month, be for Captain's pay in the Artillery Companies ; 
 that the First and Second Lieutenants have four Pounds ; 
 the Lieutenant of fire-works to have three Pounds five Shil- 
 lings ; the Sergeants to have forty-two Shillings per month ; 
 the Corporals thirty-eight Shillings per month ; the com- 
 mon men thirty-six Shillings per month ; the Drummers 
 and Fifers thirty-eight Shillings per month ; also, that four 
 Shillings per week be allowed for their board. 
 
 Voted, That when these Committees adjourn, it be to 
 Mr. Wetherby's, at the Black-Horse, Menotomy, on Wed- 
 nesday, ten o'clock. 
 
 Voted, That the four Six-Pounders be transported to 
 Groton, and put under the care of Colonel Prescott. 
 
 Voted, That two seven-inch Brass Mortars be trans- 
 ported to Acton. 
 
 Voted, That the two Committees adjourn to Mr. Wether- 
 bi/s, at Menotomy, ten o'clock. 
 
 April 18, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of Safety and Supplies, 
 at Mr. Wctherby's, in Menotomy, on Tuesday, the 18th of 
 April, 1775. Present: 
 
 Committee of Safety. — Colonel Orne, Colonel Pal- 
 mer, Colonel Heath, Colonel Gardner, Mr. Devens, Mr. 
 Watson, Captain White, J. Pigeon. 
 
 Committee of Supplies. — David Cheever, Esq., Mr. 
 Gerry, Colonel Lee, Colonel Lincoln. 
 
 Voted, That the two brass Two-Pounders, and two brass 
 Three-Pounders.be under the care of the Boston Company 
 of Artillery and Captain Robinson. 
 
 Newton, April 17, 1775. 
 
 Captain Timothy Bigelow: 
 
 Sir : The Committee desired me to write you, to desire 
 the favour of your company next Wednesday, the nine- 
 teenth instant, at Mr. Wetherby's, at the Black-Horse, in 
 Menotomy, on business of great importance. 
 
 Sir, your most humble servant, J. Pigeon, Clerk. 
 
 P. S. The Committee meets at ten o'clock. 
 
 Voted, That all the Ammunition be deposited in nine dif- 
 ferent Towns in this Province : that Worcester be one of 
 them ; that Lancaster be one, (N. B. Colonel Whitcomb is 
 there;) that Concord be another; that Groton be another; 
 that Stoughtonham be another ; that Stow be another; that 
 Mendon be another; that Leicester be another; that Sud- 
 bury be the other. 
 
 Voted, That part of the Provisions be removed from 
 Concord, viz : Fifty barrels beef from thence to Sudbury, 
 with Deacon Plympton; one hundred barrels flour to ditto, 
 of which what is in the malt-house, in Concord, be part ; 
 twenty casks rice to ditto ; fifteen hogsheads molasses to 
 ditto ; ten hogsheads rum to ditto ; five hundred pounds 
 candles to ditto. 
 
 Voted, That there be by the Committee of Supplies 
 provided, six Ammunition Carts, one to be in each Town 
 where a Company of Matrosses is fixed. 
 
 Voted, That one Company of Matrosses be stationed at 
 Worcester ; one ditto at Concord ; one ditto at Stoughton- 
 ham ; one ditto at Stoughton ; one ditto at Stow; one ditto 
 at Lancaster. 
 
 Voted, That thirty-three rounds of Round-Shot, thirty- 
 three rounds of Grape-Shot, and thirty-three Canisters of 
 Langrage, be provided and lodged with each of the twelve 
 field-pieces belonging to the Province, together with one 
 hundred Cartridges of Powder, one hundred and sixteen 
 Tubes, one hundred Wads, together with all necessary ma- 
 terials. 
 
 Voted, That the Towns of Worcester, Concord, Stotv, 
 and Lancaster, be furnished with two iron Three-Pound 
 Cannon each. 
 
 Voted, That four hundred and fifty Four-Pound Cannon 
 Ball be carried from Stoughtonham to Sudbury. 
 
 Voted, That one ton of Grape-Shot be carried from 
 StoughtonJiam to Sudbury. 
 
 Voted, That one ton of Three-Pound Cannon Balls be 
 carried from ditto to ditto. 
 
 Voted, That one half the Two-Pound Cannon Ball, now 
 at Stoughtonham, exclusive of what is for the use of the 
 Matrosses, be carried to Sudbury. 
 
 Voted, That the vote of the fourteenth instant, relating to 
 the Powder being removed from Leicester to Concord, be 
 reconsidered, and that the Clerk be directed to write to 
 Colonel Barrett accordingly, and to desire he would not 
 proceed in making it up into cartridges. 
 
 Voted, That one half the Musket-Cartridges be removed 
 from Stow to Groton. 
 
 Voted, That the Musket-Balls, under the care of Col. 
 Barrett, be buried under ground, in some safe place; that 
 he be desired to do it, and let the Commissary only be in- 
 formed thereof. 
 
 Voted, That the Spades, Pick-Axes, Bill-Hooks, Shov- 
 els, Axes, Hatchets, Crows, and Wheelbarrows, now at 
 Concord, be divided, and one third remain in Concord, one- 
 third at Sudbury, and one third at Stow. 
 
 Voted, That five hundred Iron Pots be deposited at Sud- 
 bury, five hundred at Concord, and one thousand at l\ or- 
 cester. 
 
 Voted, That the two thousand Wooden Bowls be depo- 
 sited as the pots and the spoons, in same manner. 
 
 Voted, That the fifteen thousand Canteens be deposited 
 as the above. 
 
 Voted, That the Weights and Measures be put into the 
 Commissary's hands. 
 
 Voted, That two Medicinal Chests still remain at Con- 
 cord, at two different parts of the Town ; three of said 
 chests at Sudbury, in different parts of the Town ; six ditto 
 at Groton, Mendon, and Stow, two in each Town, and in 
 different parts ; two ditto in Worcester, one in each part of 
 the Town ; and two ditto at Lancaster ; that sixteen hun- 
 dred yards of Russia Linen be deposited in seven parts, 
 with the Doctors' chests ; that the eleven hundred Tents 
 be deposited in equal parts in Worcester, Lancaster, Gro- 
 ton, Stow, Mendon, Leicester, and Sudbury. 
 
 Voted, That these Committees adjourn to nine o'clock 
 instead of ten. 
 
 Voted, That the Papers belonging to the Committees be 
 lodged with Mr. Abraham Watson. 
 
 Newton, April 19, 1775, 
 
 Colonel Barrett: 
 
 Sir: The Committee have directed me to inform you, 
 that the cannon-powder which last Saturday you were de- 
 sired to have removed from Leicester, one load at a time, 
 and to make up into cartridges, they would not have you 
 send for, unless you have already ; but, if sent for, take 
 care of it ; but don't make it into cartridges. 
 
 I am, Sir, your humble servant, J. Pigeon, Clerk. 
 
 April 21, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, April 21st, 
 1775, the following form of Enlistment was adopted : 
 
 "I, A. B., do hereby solemly engage and enlist mysell 
 as a Soldier in the Massachusetts service, from the day ol 
 my enlistment to the last day of December next, unless the 
 service should admit of a discharge of a part or the whole 
 sooner, which shall be at the discretion of the Committee 
 of Safety ; and I hereby promise to submit myself to all 
 the orders and regulations of the Army, and faithfully to 
 observe and obey all such orders as I shall receive from 
 any superiour officer." 
 
 Resolved, That there be immediately enlisted, out of the 
 Massachusetts Forces, eight thousand effective men, to be 
 formed into Companies, to consist of a Captain, one Lieu- 
 tenant, one Ensign, four Sergeants, one Filer, one Drum- 
 mer, and seventy rank and file ; nine Companies to form a 
 Regiment, to be commanded by a Colonel, Lieut. Colonel, 
 and Major ; each Regiment to be composed of men suitable 
 for the service, which shall be determined by a Muster- 
 Master or Muster-Masters, to be appointed for that pur- 
 pose. Said officers and men to continue in the service of 
 the Province for the space of seven months from the time 
 of enlistment, unless the safety of the Province will admit 
 of their being discharged sooner ; the Army to be under 
 proper rules and regulations. 
 
 Voted, That the Field-Pieces be removed from Neu-bu- 
 ryport, and deposited, for the present, into the hands of 
 Captain Dexter, of Maiden. 
 
 Voted, That a Courier be immediately despatched to 
 Stoughton, to require the immediate attendance of Colonel 
 
745 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 746 
 
 Ruhard Gridley, and his son Scarborough Gridley, upon 
 this Committee. 
 
 J ottd, That a Courier be sent to command the attendance 
 of David Mason, now upon furlough at Salem. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Mason be ordered to provide one Field- 
 Piece with every implement necessary for action, and pro- 
 ceed forthwith to provide for the remainder, till the whole 
 are in a thorough state of preparation, unless otherwise 
 ordered ; the Cannon to be provided for are eight three- 
 pounders and three six-pounders. 
 
 Voted, That orders be given to Captain Dexter to con- 
 ceal the Cannon committed to his care. 
 Which was accordingly done. 
 
 Voted, The Resolve above written be so far reconsidered, 
 as that the Companies, rank and file, consist of fifty men 
 each, and that no further obligation be required of those 
 Companies who are adjudged to be firmly enlisted by their 
 respective officers. 
 
 Voted, That an establishment be proposed for the Troops 
 at an early day after the meeting of Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pigeon, the Commissary-General, 
 be directed to carry thirty-five barrels of Pork, and half a 
 barrel of hog's fat, from the Town of Salem to the Town of 
 Cambridge, by virtue of an order from Mr. William Bond. 
 
 Voted, That the General Officers be forthwith desired to 
 make a return of such Officers and Soldiers as are already 
 under sufficient engagements to serve in the Massachusetts 
 Army. 
 
 Voted, That the General Officers be desired, with all pos- 
 sible speed, to give in a list of such Officers as they shall 
 judge duly qualified to serve as Colonels, Lieutenant-Col- 
 onels, and Majors, for such a number of Regiments as shall, 
 with the officers and soldiers already engaged, make up an 
 army of eight thousand men. 
 
 Voted, That Major Bigelow be applied to, to furnish a 
 Man and Horse to attend the Surgeons, and convey Medi- 
 cines agreeable to their direction. 
 
 April 22, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 have the Stores belonging to the Colony removed from all 
 the sea-port Towns with all possible speed. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Foster be ordered to take the care 
 of the Cannon and Intrenching Tools at Mr. Bichardson's 
 Tavern. 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary-General be directed to in- 
 spect the Intrenching Tools, and if any are out of order, to 
 see them, with all possible speed, repaired. 
 
 April 24, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That General Ward be desired immediately 
 to direct all the Field-Officers of the Regiments of Minute- 
 Men, now in Cambridge, to attend the Committee of Safety 
 at their chamber, at Mr. Steward Hastings's house. 
 
 Besolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden 
 be, and hereby are absolutely forbidden to fire upon, or 
 otherwise injure any Seamen belonging to the Navy, under 
 the command of Admiral Graves, unless fired upon by them, 
 until the said inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden receive 
 orders from this Committee, or the General of the Provin- 
 cial Forces, to do so. 
 
 April 25, 1775. 
 
 Besolved, That the three Cannon now at Marlborough, 
 be brought to the Town of Waltham, and mounted on the 
 carriages prepared for them, till further orders. 
 
 Besolved, That Colonel Freeman, of Sandwich, be di- 
 rected to take such a number of Men as may be sufficient 
 for the purpose, and secure the Whale and such other Boats 
 at Cape Cod, as may be of use to this Colony. 
 
 Besolved, That Colonel Paul Dudley Sergeant, of New- 
 Hampshire, be desired forthwith to recommend ten per- 
 sons belonging to the Colony of New-Hampshire, to receive 
 beating orders for the enlistment of persons belonging to 
 said Colony, until they are discharged by this Committee, 
 or taken into the service of the Colony of New-Hamp- 
 shire. 
 
 Besolved, That it be recommended to the Provincial 
 Congress to reduce the Regiments so far as that the Com- 
 panies consist of fifty-nine men, including officers, and also 
 that they allow only two Lieutenants to a Company. 
 
 Besolved, That be ordered, with the Troop 
 
 of Horse under his command, to proceed forward as an 
 escort to the honourable Members of the Continental Con- 
 gress, on their way to Philadelphia, until they are met by 
 an escort from the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 April 26, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That an Express be sent ofTto General Preble, 
 at Falmouth, desiring his attendance at Cambridge, as a 
 general officer, or in his private capacity. 
 
 Ordered, That fifteen of the Prisoners at Concord be re- 
 moved from thence to Worcester Jail immediately. 
 
 Upon a motion made, Voted, That the Secretary of this 
 Committee be directed and empowered to sign any Papers 
 or writings in behalf of this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Ephraim Jones, Jail-keeper of Worces- 
 ter, be directed to receive fifteen Prisoners from the Jail in 
 Concord. 
 
 Voted, That this Committee recommend it to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, that they make an establishment for such 
 a number of Armourers as they may judge necessary for the 
 Forces belonging to this Colony. 
 
 Besolved, That as many men as are not already enlisted, 
 and incline to remain in the Army, immediately enlist, in 
 order that it may be ascertained what number may be still 
 necessary to be raised in each Town to complete the com- 
 plement of Troops for this Colony, and to forward to each 
 Town their remaining quota ; and the men that may now 
 enlist may be assured, that they shall have liberty to be 
 under the command of such officer as may be appointed by 
 the Committee of Safety, until the particular Regiment 
 and Companies are completed ; and the utmost care will be 
 taken to make every soldier happy in being under good 
 officers. 
 
 On the twenty-fourth of April it was resolved that the 
 inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden be, and hereby are ab- 
 solutely forbidden to fire upon or otherwise injure any Sea- 
 men belonging to the Navy, under the command of Admiral 
 Graves, unless fired upon by them, until the said inhabitants 
 of Chelsea and Maiden receive orders from this Committee, 
 or the General of the Provincial Forces, so to do : 
 
 Besolved, That the Resolve of the twenty-fourth instant, 
 respecting the inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden, be recon- 
 sidered, and ordered that it be immediately remanded ; also, 
 
 Besolved, That the inhabitants of Chelsea and Maiden 
 be hereby desired to put themselves in the best state of de- 
 fence, and exert the same in such manner, as, under their 
 circumstances, their judgments may direct. 
 
 The following Warrant, for supplying an Express on the 
 Colony service, was issued : 
 
 " To all Innkeepers, Taverners, and other persons whom 
 it may concern : 
 
 " You are desired to furnish the bearer, Mr. John GUI, 
 with all necessaries upon his journey to, and return from 
 Bhode-Island , as also with horses, if necessary, and to ex- 
 hibit your accounts to the Committee of Safety for this 
 Colony, he being an Express in the Colony service." 
 
 The following Certificate was given to Doctor Bond : 
 
 " In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, i 
 " April 26, 1775. I 
 
 "Doctor Nathaniel Bond, of Marblehead, having been 
 charged before this Committee with having acted an un- 
 friendly part to this Colony, the said Committee appointed 
 Joseph Warren, Esq., Colonel Thos. Gardner, and Lieut. 
 Colonel Joseph Palmer, as a Court of Inquiry, to examine 
 witnesses in the case, and hear and determine the same; and 
 upon full inquiry into the case, they are clearly of opinion 
 that said Bond's general behaviour has been friendly to 
 American liberty ; and though he may have discovered an 
 imprudent degree of warmth in some instances, yet we do 
 not find any proof of an inimical temper or disposition to 
 this Country, and therefore recommend him to the esteem 
 and friendship of his Country, that (as the errour which 
 occasioned his being brought before this Committee appears 
 to have been altogether involuntary, and was such as seve- 
 ral of our most firm friends were led into, by false rumours 
 spread, of the transactions of the nineteenth instant) no im- 
 pressions to the Doctor's disadvantage may remain on the 
 minds of any person whatsoever. 
 
 "Joseph Warren, Chairman." 
 
747 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 748 
 
 April 27, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, Tliat Captain Derby be directed, and he here- 
 by is directed, to make for Dublin, or any good port in Ire- 
 land, and from thence to cross to Scotland or England, and 
 hasten to London. This direction is, that so he may escape 
 all cruisers that may be in the chops of the Channel to 
 stop the communicating of the Provincial intelligence to 
 the Agent. 
 
 Voted, That it is the sense of this Committee that it 
 would promote the service, if two Majors be appointed to 
 each of the general officers' Regiments, and that it be re- 
 commended accordingly to the Provincial Congress. 
 
 A Letter, dated twenty-sixth instant, was sent to the 
 Colony o{ Rhode-Island ; and another, of the same tenour, 
 was sent to the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel John Glover take such effectual 
 methods for the prevention of intelligence being carried on 
 board the Lively, ship-of-war, Captain Bishop, command- 
 er, now lying in the harbour of Marblehead, or any other, 
 as may have a tendency to injure the most important cause 
 we are engaged in, and that he take such effectual methods 
 for carrying this order into execution, as shall appear best 
 calculated to effect this purpose. 
 
 April 28, 1775. 
 
 Voted., To recommend to the Colony Congress, now sit- 
 ting in Watertown, and it is recommended accordingly, to 
 make an establishment for Post-Riders between the Massa- 
 chusetts Forces and the Town of Worcester. 
 
 Also that the said Congress take such order as they may 
 think proper, to prevent any Town or District taking any 
 notice of his Excellency General Gage's precepts for call- 
 ing a General Assembly. 
 
 Doctor Warren was appointed to give the sentiments of 
 this Committee on Lord Dartmouth's Circular Letter to 
 the other Governments. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. President Langdon be, and he hereby 
 is appointed Chaplain of the Army in Cambridge, pro tern., 
 and that he be furnished with a copy of this vote. 
 
 Major Brown was appointed to give such repairs to the 
 Cannon at Waltham, as may be judged proper. 
 
 Ordered, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 provide Quarters for about one hundred and fifty men from 
 Connecticut, under the command of Major Brown. 
 
 Voted, That it is the sense of this Committee that no 
 Enlisting Orders be hereafter given out, unless a written 
 order is received from the respective Colonels. 
 
 Voted, That for the future, no order go out, to any men 
 that live in New-York Government, or any other Govern- 
 ment, for the enlisting of men for the service of this Prov- 
 ince. 
 
 Ordered, That the Cannon now in Medford be immedi- 
 ately brought to this Town, under the direction of Captain 
 Foster. 
 
 Voted, That General Thomas be desired to distribute 
 the Orders which he has received, some time since, for 
 enlisting a Regiment, to such Captains as he thinks proper. 
 
 Mr. Henderson Inches, who left BostoJi this day, attended, 
 and informed the Committee that the inhabitants of Boston 
 had agreed with the General, to have liberty to leave Bos- 
 ton with their effects, provided that they lodged their Arms 
 with the Selectmen of that Town, to be by them kept 
 during the present dispute ; and that agreeable to said agree- 
 ment, the inhabitants had, on the yesterday, lodged seven- 
 teen hundred and seventy-eight Fire-Arms, six hundred 
 and thirty-four Pistols, nine hundred and seventy-three 
 Bayonets, and thirty-eight Blunderbusses, with their Se- 
 lectmen. 
 
 Voted, That Doctor Warren, Colonel Palmer, and Mr. 
 Watson, be a Sub-Committee, to take the state of Boston 
 into consideration, and report as soon as may be. 
 
 April 29, 1775. 
 
 A Vote of Provincial Congress was read, respecting the 
 removal of the inhabitants of Boston; whereupon Colonel 
 Orne, Mr. Dcvens, and Captain White, were appointed a 
 Sub-Committee, to take the matter into consideration, and 
 report as soon as may be. 
 
 Voted, That orders be sent into the neighbouring Towns, 
 requiring one-half of the Militia to be immediately sent 
 into Roxbury and Cambridge, as a rc-enforccment to our 
 
 Army, and that the rest of the inhabitants hold themselves 
 in readiness to march at a minute's warning ; also, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Watson, Captain White, and Colonel 
 Gardner, be a Sub-Committee to report the Towns to be 
 sent to, the destination of the re-enforcements, and the ex- 
 presses to be despatched. 
 
 Voted, That the Secretary be directed to empower Ex- 
 presses to press as many Horses as they may have occasion 
 for. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Supplies, at Watertown, 
 be directed to attend this Committee immediately, and that 
 the Secretary write them accordingly. 
 
 Upon information that the supplies of Powder and Ball 
 at Watertown were in the keeping of the Commissary- 
 General, 
 
 Voted, That General Ward be desired to apply to the 
 Commissary for such a quantity of said Stores as he may 
 have occasion for. 
 
 Voted, That Dr. Isaac Foster be directed and empower- 
 ed to remove all the sick and wounded, whose circumstan- 
 ces will admit of it, into the Hospital, and to supply proper 
 beds and bedding, clothing, victuals, and furniture, with 
 every other article that he shall judge proper for said Hos- 
 pital, and that this be a sufficient order for him to draw on 
 the Commissary for such articles as he can supply, and to 
 draw orders on the Commissary for the payment of what- 
 ever expenses are necessary, for procuring the above-men- 
 tioned articles. 
 
 Voted, That the Secretary desire Messrs. Halls, printers, 
 at Salem, to print three hundred Letters, to be sent to the 
 several Towns in the Province. 
 
 Captain Benedict Arnold, with a Company, being ar- 
 rived here from Connecticut, 
 
 Ordered, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 provide suitable Quarters for said Company. 
 
 Upon motion made, Voted, That orders be given to Gen. 
 Thomas for seizing Governour Hutchinson's Papers. 
 
 A Letter from General Thomas, respecting some Compa- 
 nies of Minute-Men at Dartmouth, was read ; whereupon, 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Orne, Colonel Palmer, and Colo- 
 nel Gardner, be a Sub-Committee to consider and give di- 
 rections relative to the General's request. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Hancock, now at Worcester, was 
 read ; whereupon, 
 
 Voted, That four reams of Paper be immediately ordered 
 to Worcester by Mr. Barber, for the use of Mr. Thomas, 
 printer, he to be accountable. 
 
 Letter from Medford read ; whereupon, Voted, That the 
 Company now raised, hold themselves in readiness to march 
 at a minute's warning ; remaining in Medford till further 
 orders. 
 
 The Sub-Committee on Gen. Thomas's Letter, report- 
 ed, that it be ordered that Capt. Nathaniel Richmorid, with 
 any other Captain that can bring into the camp fifty-six 
 men, including Sergeants, that will enlist into the service of 
 this Colony, shall have the encouragement given by the 
 Provincial Congress, and shall immediately enter into pay 
 upon their enlistment. The critical situation of our publick 
 affairs demand the utmost exertion of the friends of Ame- 
 rica, and should remissness now appear, the consequences 
 may be fatal. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Watson be desired to make inquiry 
 with respect to the Colony Arms not in use, and that Cap- 
 tain Gutteridge, of the Indian Company, have such a num- 
 ber as is desired. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Gerrish be desired to send Major 
 Dunbar, now a prisoner at Head-Quarters, to Woburn, 
 under a strong guard, and order him to be there kept in safe 
 custody, till further orders from this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Hill and Company be furnished 
 with Provisions at any tavern they see fit to call at, in con- 
 veying Major Dunbar to a place of safety, at the expense 
 of the Province. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Brown, of Watertown, be desired, 
 upon any advice of the Troops coming out, to order the 
 Cannon to a place of safety, and that for that purpose he be 
 empowered to press horses, cattle, &ic. 
 
 April 30, 1775. 
 
 Captain Benedict Arnold, captain of a Company from 
 Connecticut, attended, and reports, that there are at Ticon- 
 
719 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1 775. 
 
 750 
 
 deroga eighty pieces of heavy cannon, twenty pieces brass 
 cannon, from four to eighteen-pounders, and ten or twelve 
 mortars ; at Skcnesboroiigh, on the South Bay, three or 
 four pieces of brass cannon ; the Fort, in a ruinous condition, 
 is supposed to have about forty or forty-five men, a number 
 of small arms, and considerable stores. A sloop of seventy 
 or eighty tons on the lake. 
 
 Voted, That an order be given to Major Bigeloiv, de- 
 siring him to have the Province Arms, either in Worcester 
 or Concord, immediately brought to this Town. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. John Chandler Williams be directed 
 to attend this Committee, that he may be employed as an 
 Express. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee appointed yesterday, to 
 consider the state of the Town of Boston, be now desired 
 to sit, and form a plan for the liberation of the inhabitants. 
 
 The Sub-Committee, on the removal of the inhabitants 
 from Boston, reported ; which report was accepted, and Dr. 
 Warren, Col. Palmer, and Col. Orne, were appointed to 
 wait upon the Congress with the proposals. 
 
 Voted, That two Offices be opened to deliver permits for 
 such persons as desire to enter Boston with their effects. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Samuel Gcrrish be appointed to 
 the office of granting permits, at the house of Mr. John 
 Greaton, of Roxbury. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel William Hcnshaiv be appointed to 
 the office of granting permits, at the sign of the Sun, in 
 Charlestown. 
 
 The following Orders were delivered to Col. Gerrish: 
 
 " You are hereby empowered, agreeably to a vote of the 
 Provincial Congress, to grant liberty that any of the in- 
 habitants of this Colony, who may incline to go into Bos- 
 tun with their effects, fire-arms and ammunition excepted, 
 have toleration for that purpose, and that they be protected 
 from any injury or insult whatsoever in their removal to 
 Boston. The following form of a permit is for your govern- 
 ment, the blanks of which you are to fill up with the names, 
 and number of the persons, viz : 
 
 " Permit A. B., the bearer hereof, with his family, con- 
 sisting of . . . persons, with his effects, fire-arms and am- 
 munition excepted, to pass unmolested into the Town of 
 Boston, between sunrise and sunset. 
 
 " By order of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 "Joseph Warren, Clerk, \no tern." 
 
 Voted, That Andrew Craigie be appointed to take care 
 of the Medical Stores, and to deliver them out as ordered 
 by this Committee ; and that the Secretary make out his 
 commission accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That it be recommended by this Committee to the 
 Council of War, that Mr. Joseph Pierce Palmer be appoint- 
 ed to the post of Quarter-Master General of the Army. 
 
 Whereas, proposals have been made by General Gage, 
 to the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, for the removal 
 of their persons and effects into the country, excepting 
 their arms and ammunition : 
 
 Resolved, That any of the inhabitants of this Colony, 
 who may incline to go into the Town of Boston with their 
 effects, fire-arms and ammunition excepted, have tolera- 
 tion for that purpose, and that they be protected from any 
 injury or insult whatsoever ; this Resolve to be immediately 
 published. 
 
 May 1, 1775. 
 
 T'oted, That the Quarter-Master General be directed 
 to clear that Chamber in Stoughton College, occupied by 
 >S'. Parsons, for a Printing Office for Messrs. Halls. 
 
 Whereas, many of our brethren of the Colonies of Con- 
 necticut and Rhode-Island are now with us, to assist in 
 this day of publick and general distress, in which we are 
 all deeply concerned : and, whereas, our brethren of said 
 Colonies have brought with them some of the Paper Cur- 
 rencies of their respective Colonies, which have not of late 
 had a currency with us, and for want of which our com- 
 mon interest may greatly suffer: 
 
 Resolved, That said Paper Currencies shall, from and 
 after the date hereof, be paid and received within this 
 Colony, in all payments, to all intents and purposes, in 
 the same proportion to silver as the same are paid and 
 received within the respective Colonies by which the same 
 have been issued. 
 
 Resolved, That Col. Palmer be a Committee to inquire 
 into the matter, to find what Colonies have such Currencies, 
 to alter the Resolve agreeably thereto, and to present the 
 same to the honourable Congress for their consideration. 
 
 Voted, That the Reverend Mr. Gordon have free access 
 to the Prisoners detained at Worcester and elsewhere, and 
 that all civil Magistrates and others be aiding and assist- 
 ing him in examining and taking depositions of them and 
 others. 
 
 May 2, 1775. 
 
 Doctor Warren, Colonel Palmer, and Colonel Gardner, 
 were appointed a Sub-Committee to confer with General 
 Ward, relative to the proposal made by Colonel Arnold, 
 of Connecticut, for an attempt upon Ticonderoga. 
 
 A number of Recantations, from the Town of Marble- 
 head, having been laid before the Committee for their opin- 
 ion as to the propriety of receiving them : 
 
 Voted, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that 
 said Recantations be received, and that the persons making 
 them be made acquainted with the Proclamation lately 
 issued by Congress, respecting those who may incline to 
 get into Boston ; and that it be recommended to the inhab- 
 itants of this Province that they be protected from all inju- 
 ries or insults whatsoever, so long as they adhere to their 
 several Recantations, now before this Committee, and con- 
 tinue to assist and abide by their Country, and the inhabit- 
 ants of Marb/chead in particular, in the important dispute 
 between Great Britain and America. 
 
 Voted, That two Muster-Masters he appointed, one at the 
 Camp in Cambridge, and one at the Camp in Roxbury. 
 
 Voted, That General Thomas be desired to give such 
 orders respecting the Whale-Boats at Falmouth, and other 
 parts southward, as he may judge proper. 
 
 Voted, That the Massachusetts Congress be desired 
 to give an order upon the Treasurer for the immediate 
 payment of one hundred Pounds, in cash ; and also order 
 two hundred pounds of Gunpowder, two hundred weight 
 of Lead Balls, and one thousand Flints, and also ten 
 Horses, to be delivered unto Captain Benedict Arnold, 
 for the use of this Colony, upon a certain service approved 
 of by the Council of War : said Arnold to be accountable 
 for the same, to this or some future Congress, or House of 
 Representatives of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That two Companies be raised in Brainiree, for 
 the immediate defence of the sea-coast of said Town ; the 
 said Companies to be joined to such Regiment in future as 
 they may be ordered to, should there be occasion, or dis- 
 charged from service as soon as the publick good would 
 admit of it ; and that Colonel Thayer be furnished with 
 two sets of enlisting papers for this purpose. 
 
 Voted, That General Thomas be, and he hereby is 
 directed and empowered to stop the Trunks mentioned to 
 be in Colonel Taylor's hands, until this Committee send 
 some proper persons to examine their contents. 
 
 Resolved, That agreeably to a Vote of Congress, Gen- 
 eral Thomas be directed and empowered to appoint suit- 
 able persons to accompany such people into the country as 
 may be permitted to bring their effects into Boston, upon 
 the conditions mentioned in the Proclamations posted up, 
 and that General Thomas give such general orders as he 
 may judge the common safety requires. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Arnold, appointed to a secret ser- 
 vice, be desired to appoint two Field-Officers, Captains, 
 &c, to be allowed the same pay during their continuance 
 in service as is established for officers and privates of the 
 same rank, who are ordered by the Congress of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay to be raised for the defence of the rights and 
 liberties of America ; the officers and privates to be dis- 
 missed by Colonel Arnold, or the Committee of Safety, 
 whenever they shall think proper. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Supplies be desired to 
 procure ten Horses for Colonel Arnold, to be employed on 
 a special service. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Isaac Bradish, Keeper of the Prison 
 in Cambridge, be supplied with Provisions out of the Colo- 
 ny Stores, for the support of the Prisoners under his care, 
 who have or may be committed by the orders of the Coun- 
 cil of War, or this Committee. 
 
 The Quarter-Master General having informed that some 
 persons unknown had made spoil of Liquors in the cellars 
 
 \ 
 
751 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 752 
 
 of General Brattle, and Mr. Borland, and others; where- 
 upon, 
 
 Voted, That lie be directed to take possession of those 
 Liquors, and other Stores, immediately, in all the houses 
 which are deserted, and that a particular account of such 
 stores be taken, and they then be committed to the care of 
 the Commissary-General. 
 
 May 3, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That two Companies be raised in the Towns of 
 Maiden and Chelsea, for the defence of the sea-coast of 
 said Towns, the said Companies to be joined to such Regi- 
 ments in future as they may be ordered to, should there be 
 occasion, or discharged from service as soon as the publick 
 good will admit of it. 
 
 Voted, That the Quarter-Master General be directed to 
 pay the strictest attention, that the Household Furniture, 
 of those persons who have taken refuge in the Town of 
 Boston, may be properly secured, and disposed of in places 
 of safety. 
 
 The following Orders were given Colonel Arnold, rela- 
 tive to an attempt upon Ticonderoga, viz : 
 
 To Benedict Arnold, Esquire, commander of a body of 
 Troops on an expedition to subdue and take possession 
 of the Fort of Ticonderoga : 
 
 Sir: Confiding in your judgment, fidelity, and valour, 
 we do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you Col- 
 onel and Commander-in-Chief over a body of men, not 
 exceeding four hundred, to proceed with all expedition to 
 the Western parts of this and the neighbouring Colonies, 
 where you are directed to enlist those men, and with them 
 forthwith to march to the Fort at Ticonderoga, and use 
 your best endeavours to reduce the same, taking possession 
 of the cannon, mortars, stores, &tc, upon the Lake ; you 
 are to bring back with you such of the cannon, mortars, 
 stores, &c, as you shall judge may be serviceable to the 
 Army here, leaving behind what may be necessary to 
 secure that post, with a sufficient garrison ; you are to pro- 
 cure suitable provisions and stores for the Army, and draw 
 upon the Committee of Safety for the amount thereof, and 
 to act in every exigence, according to your best skill and 
 discretion, for the publick interest, for which this shall be 
 your sufficient warrant. 
 
 Benj. Church, Jun., for Com. of Safety. 
 By order : William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 Cambridge May 3, 1775. 
 
 Moved and voted, That the Vote passed the second of 
 May, respecting the raising of two Companies in Brain- 
 tree, be reconsidered, and that the copy of said Vote, 
 together with the two Enlisting Papers, be ordered to be 
 returned into the hands of said Committee of Safety ; 
 
 And whereas, a Petition from the Towns of Braintree, 
 Weymouth, and Hingham, hath this day been presented to 
 this Committee, setting forth the exposed situation of those 
 Towns, and praying for such relief and protection as may 
 be thought proper : therefore, 
 
 Voted, That the Town of Braintree be hereby empow- 
 ered to raise one Company, the Town of Hingham another 
 Company, and the Town of Weymouth half of one Com- 
 pany, for the immediate defence of the sea-coasts of said 
 Towns ; the said Two Companies and a half to be joined 
 to such Regiment in future as they may be ordered to, 
 should there be occasion, or discharged from service on the 
 last day of December next, or sooner, if the publick safety 
 will admit of it, and that the Selectmen of said Towns be 
 furnished with a copy of this Vote, and one set of Beating 
 Orders, respectively. 
 
 May 4, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, as the opinion of this Committee, That the 
 publick good of this Colony requires that Government in 
 full form ought to be taken up immediately, and that a 
 copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Congress now 
 sitting at Watertown. 
 
 The Sub-Committee reported the draught of a Letter to 
 the Governour and Company of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut, requesting the speedy march of three or four thousand 
 of their men ; which was accepted, and ordered, that a fair 
 copy be transmitted immediately. 
 
 Voted, That William Cooper, Junior, be appointed a 
 Clerk to this Committee, in the room of Mr. Palmer, 
 appointed Quarter-Master General ; Samuel Cooper was 
 added as an Assistant. 
 
 Voted, That a Chest of Medicines be removed from 
 hence to Roxbury, under the care of General Thomas. 
 
 There having been eight Guns sent in for the use of the 
 Colony, Colonel Whitcomb and General Heath were ap- 
 pointed to appraise the same, who reported as follows, viz : 
 
 One Gun taken of Captain How, appraised at £2 00 0 
 
 One " " Joel Brigham, " 2 00 0 
 
 One « « John Baker, " 1 08 0 
 
 One " " Aaron Agar, " 2 08 0 
 
 One " " James Stone, " 1 04 0 
 
 One " " Asa Fay, " 1 10 0 
 
 One " Aaron Fay, " 1 01 4 
 
 One " " William Bethank, " 0 18 0 
 
 £8 09 4 
 
 Memorandum. — Colonel Jonathan Ward gave a receipt 
 for the above Guns, for which he made himself accountable, 
 which receipt is entered in the Minute-Book. 
 
 A Letter was reported for the Inhabitants of New- York ; 
 which was accepted, and a copy of the same put on file. 
 
 Draught of a Letter to the Governour and Company of 
 Rhode- Island, respecting the sending a number of Troops 
 immediately, was reported ; whereupon, 
 
 Voted, That the same be accepted, and transmitted by 
 an express. 
 
 Voted, That a Sub-Committee may be appointed to 
 wait upon the Council of War to recommend their giving 
 orders for a return of the enlisted men, and that they will 
 take order that such men as are enlisted, may be admitted 
 to join the Camp with all expedition, that so such men as 
 are far from home, and do not intend to enlist, may have 
 leave to depart as soon as it can be done with safety to the 
 Colony. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Gardner be appointed to lay this 
 Vote before the Council of War. 
 
 Voted, That it be recommended to the Council of War, 
 that six Companies of each of the two Regiments to be 
 raised in the County of Plymouth, be ordered to join the 
 Army at Roxbury, as soon as they are completed ; and that 
 the four other Companies of each of said Regiments, which 
 may be raised most contiguous to the sea-coast of said 
 County, be retained for the immediate defence of said sea- 
 coast, to be regulated by the Colonels of said Regiments, 
 until further orders. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Palmer and Colonel Cushing be 
 appointed to lay the foregoing Vote before said Council. 
 
 Advice being received that a number of Transports with 
 Troops are just arrived at Boston from England, Doctor 
 Church, Colonel Palmer, and Mr. Devens, were appointed 
 to confer with the Council of War upon the occasion. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Bricket be desired to take posses- 
 sion of all the Arms and Ammunition that he shall find in 
 Mr. Borland's house, and bring them to Head-Quarters. 
 
 May 7, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Committee, that great uneasi- 
 ness may arise in the Army by the appointment of Sur- 
 geons who may not be agreeable to the Officers and Sol- 
 diers in their respective Regiments : therefore, 
 
 Voted, That it be recommended to the Congress to 
 allow the Colonel of each Regiment to nominate the Sur- 
 geon for his Regiment ; the said Surgeon to nominate his 
 Mate ; and, unless there is some material objection made 
 against them, that they be accordingly appointed. 
 
 Mr. George Babcock, charged with the care of a House, 
 having complained that certain persons had come to said 
 House, and taken from thence considerable Furniture : 
 
 Voted, That this complaint be referred to Congress, and 
 that Mr. Cushing be desired to accompany said Babcock 
 there ; and that the above Vote he sent to the Council of 
 War for their approbation ; which Vote being sent, it was 
 approved of accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to 
 the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence for the 
 
753 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 754 
 
 Town of Sudbury, that they use their utmost influence 
 that the effects of Colonel Ezra Taylor, of that Town, 
 be secured from any injury whatsoever. 
 
 Ordered, That the Selectmen and the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the Town of Chelsea, be desired to 
 take such effectual methods for the prevention of any Pro- 
 visions being carried into the Town of Boston, as may be 
 sufficient for that purpose. 
 
 May 9, 1775. 
 
 Moved and Voted, That the Congress be desired to di- 
 rect their Secretary to furnish this Committee with copies 
 of all such Resolves as have passed the Congress, any 
 ways relative to the duty enjoined this Committee ; and 
 as the circumstances of this Colony are very different from 
 what they were at their first appointment, the Committee 
 would represent to the Congress that they apprehend it ne- 
 cessary that the whole of their duty may be comprised in 
 a new commission. 
 
 The Council of War having determined that two thou- 
 sand men are necessary to re-enforce the Army now at Rox- 
 bury, and that if possible the re-enforcement be brought into 
 camp the ensuing night, this Committee took the vote of 
 the Council of War into consideration : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the Commanding Officers of the Town 
 of Dorchester, Dedham, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, 
 Roxbury, Milton, Brainlree, Brookline, and Ncedham, im- 
 mediately muster one-half of the Militia, and all the Minute- 
 men under their command, and march them forthwith to the 
 Town of Roxbury. for the strengthening of the camp there. 
 
 A Firelock of Mr. Borland's was appraised by Colonel 
 Pahner and Colonel Orne, at forty shillings, and delivered 
 Colonel Sergeant, for which he is to be accountable. 
 
 A Vote passed, recommending it to the Provincial Con- 
 gress, that a Court of Inquiry be appointed for the trial of 
 accused persons. 
 
 Voted, That Daniel Taylor, of Concord, be desired to 
 send down to Cambridge about sixty Oars for boats, from 
 twelve to sixteen feet in length. 
 
 May 10, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That one Company of men be raised by the 
 District of Cohasset, for the immediate defence of the sea- 
 coast of said District, the said Company to be joined to 
 such Regiment in future as they may be ordered to, should 
 there be occasion, or discharged from service, as soon as the 
 publick good will permit it. 
 
 Voted, That Nathan Cushing. Esq., be desired forth- 
 with to engage four Armourers for the service of this Col- 
 ony, and order them immediately to repair to the Town of 
 Cambridge, with their tools and other matters necessary 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Whereas, the Council of War are of opinion, that many 
 Batteaus, Whale-boats, and other vessels, will immediately, 
 or very soon be wanted in Charles River, and other places ; 
 and as there are not a sufficient number of such vessels to 
 be now obtained ; it is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it would be of publick utility to have 
 one or more Master Carpenters immediately engaged in 
 that service ; and that this Resolve be immediately sent to 
 Congress for their consideration. 
 
 Mr. Daniel Taylor, of Concord, is empowered to im- 
 press a Carriage or Carriages for the bringing down Oars 
 from that Town to Cambridge. 
 
 Voted, That Orders be issued to the Colonels of the 
 several Regiments, to repair, with the men they have en- 
 listed, to Cambridge, immediately. 
 
 The Provincial Congress having resolved that the Gen- 
 eral Officers be directed forthwith to call in all the Soldiers 
 w ho are enlisted in the service of this Colony ; and that 
 they give immediate orders to all the enlisted Soldiers, and 
 all others now in the camp at Cambridge and Roxbury, 
 that they do not depart till the further orders of the Con- 
 gress: Whereupon, 
 
 Voted, That the following Letter be immediately sent 
 to the respective Colonels of the Army, viz : 
 
 Cambridge, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : As we are meditating a blow against our restless 
 enemies, we therefore enjoin you, as you would evidence 
 your regaid for your Country, forthwith, upon receipt of 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. / 
 
 this order, to repair to the Town of Cambridge, with the 
 men enlisted under your command.* We are, &:c. 
 
 Voted, That the following Letter, signed by Benjamin 
 Church, Junior, as Chairman of this Committee, be trans- 
 mitted to Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the Congress, 
 to be communicated, viz : 
 
 Sir : Conformable to order of Congress, the Committee 
 of Safety, with the Council of War, have issued orders to 
 the several Colonels, a copy of which we enclose you. 
 Upon receiving the Return, those who have completed 
 their Regiments will be commissioned, agreeably to the 
 direction of Congress. Those who find it impracticable to 
 fill their Companies, must be incorporated into other de- 
 fective Regiments, which is the only plan the Committee 
 find themselves able to suggest on this emergency ; but 
 should there finally be a deficiency, enlisting orders must 
 be given to others. Yours, &z.c. 
 
 On a motion made and seconded, Ordered, That Wil- 
 liam Goodwin have orders to fetch a number of Boats from 
 Charlestown, and likewise orders to press Teams for the 
 same purpose. 
 
 Mr. William Goodwin, of Charlestown, was directed 
 and empowered to take possession of a number of Boats 
 now at Charlestown, and likewise to press Teams wherever 
 they may be found, to convey said Boats to Cambridge, 
 directing the owners of such Teams to transmit their ac- 
 counts to this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Watson be directed and empowered 
 to remove to Cambridge the Boats now in Menotomy River, 
 and to impress what Carriages may be necessary. 
 
 The Commanding Officers of the neighbouring Regi- 
 ments were directed forthwith to repair to the Town of 
 Cambridge, with the men enlisted under their command. 
 
 The following Orders, relative to furnishing one of the 
 Expresses with Provisions, Horses, fcc, were issued, viz : 
 
 " To all Innkeepers, Taverners, and other persons whom it 
 may concern : 
 
 " You are desired to furnish the bearer, Mr. JohnChandler 
 Williams, with all necessaries upon his journey and return : 
 as also with horses, if necessary, and to exhibit the ac- 
 counts to the Committee of Safety for this Colony, as he is 
 now upon the Country service." 
 
 May 11, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. William Cooper, Junior, be and he 
 hereby is appointed a Clerk to Doctor Warren, President 
 of the Congress. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, \ 
 May 11, 1775. \ 
 
 Whereas, this Committee, as also the Council of War, 
 is frequently interrupted in very important business, by 
 hearing and determining matters relative to persons sup- 
 posed enemies to this Country, under various circumstances, 
 and other matters in which the publick good is affected, 
 which obstructs proceedings : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee apprehend, that if the 
 Provincial Congress of this Colony would erect a Court of 
 Inquiry, to hear and determine all such cases as relate to 
 persons apprehended and brought before them as enemies 
 to American liberty, and other cases which concern the 
 publick good, it would be of great publick advantage; and 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Vote be immediately transmitted to 
 said Congress for their consideration. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 * May 8, 1775. — An old Campaigner says, he knows by the move- 
 ments, that there is a stroke meditated somewhere, likely to be to-night ; 
 he thinks, a feint at the Neck to divert, and a large body to take the 
 ground on Dorchester Neck. 
 
 He advises to send a large body on Dorchester Neck, so as not to be 
 discovered from the Town, every night, and have a strong body in 
 Roxbury. If they should observe the Troops landing on Dorchester 
 Neck, to have force sufficient to cut them off entirely. We in Town 
 know nothing, nor are able to communicate, as the Tories and Troops 
 are very vigilant. 
 
 May 10, 1775. — Elijah Shaw declares, that General Gage's officers 
 have said in his hearing, that they shall soon come out; and that a sol- 
 dier requested him to convey him into the country, for the Troops 
 would soon make a push either towards Dorchester Neck or Chelsea ; 
 but he refused. Further declares that Earl Percy swears he will be 
 revenged on some of our men ; and further says that the Troops have 
 robbed him of eleven cows, three calves, a yearling heifer, forty-eight 
 sheep, sixty-one lambs, four hogs, and poultry, hay five tons, and almost 
 all 1 lis furniture. 
 
755 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 756 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, May 11, 1775. 
 The Captains William Good ridge and Charles De Bell 
 have applied to this Committee for assistance in Cash, to 
 enable them to enlist two Companies from the western parts 
 of this Colony, having liberty, as they say, from the Gen- 
 eral, for that purpose. We, thinking that the matter ought 
 to be laid before the Provincial Congress, have referred it 
 accordingly. We are, &.C. 
 
 May 12, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is 
 appointed Deputy Commissary to Mr. Pigeon, Commis- 
 sary-General. 
 
 Voted, That orders be given to Mr. Clarlc, Boat-build- 
 er, that he give such repairs to the Boats as may be judged 
 necessary. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Isaiah Thomas have Sixty Reams of 
 Printing Crown Paper, and Eight Reams of Printing Demy 
 Paper, supplied him by the Committee of Supplies, they 
 taking his obligation to be accountable to the Colony for the 
 amount thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Charles Miller be, and he hereby is 
 empowered and directed to impress any Horse he may have 
 occasion for on the service of the Province. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Joseph Cranch be, and he hereby is 
 appointed one of the Armourers for the Colony Forces. 
 
 The following is the Report of a Joint Committee ap- 
 pointed by the Committee of Safety and the Council of 
 War, for the purpose of reconnoitring the Highlands in 
 Cambridge and Charlestown, viz: 
 
 We have carefully examined the lands, and their situa- 
 tion, in regard of annoying and preventing the enemy from 
 passing into the country from Boston, and are of opinion 
 that the Engineers be directed to cause a Breastwork to be 
 raised near the bridge, by the Red House, at the head of 
 the Creek, near the road from Cambridge to Charlestown, 
 on the south side of said road ; also, a Breastwork raised 
 at the north side of the road, opposite to the said Red 
 House, and run in the same line as the fence now stands, 
 upon the declivity of the hill there ; also, a Redoubt on the 
 top of the hill, where the guard-house now stands, and three 
 or four nine-pounders planted there ; also, a strong Re- 
 doubt raised on Bunker's Hill, with cannon planted there, 
 to annoy the enemy coming out of Charlestown, also, to 
 annoy them going by water to Med ford. When these are 
 finished, we apprehend the country will be safe from all 
 sallies of the enemy in that quarter. All which is humbly 
 submitted. 
 
 Benjamin Church, 
 Chairman of Sub- Committee from Committee of Safety. 
 
 William Henshaw, 
 Chairman of Sub-Committee from Council of War. 
 
 The Committee of Safety having taken the foregoing 
 Report into consideration, apprehend the matter not to 
 belong to them officially ; and although they are persuaded 
 the Highlands above-mentioned are important, yet, not 
 being the proper judges what works are necessary to be 
 constructed to make said posts tenable, are of opinion that 
 the determination of this matter rests solely with the Coun- 
 cil of War. Benjamin Church, Jh., Chairman. 
 
 Ordered, That this Report be sent up to the Council 
 of War. 
 
 The Council of War having sent in to this Committee, a 
 proposal respecting the suspending the orders of Congress 
 respecting the removal of the persons and effects of the 
 Tories, and ordering the Crown Officers through the Con- 
 tinent to be apprehended : 
 
 Resolved, That the recommendation of the Council of 
 War, respecting the seizure of the servants and friends of 
 Government, improperly so called, and keeping them in 
 custody until General Gage shall have complied with the 
 condition proposed by him to the Town of Boston, and 
 accepted by them, be referred to Congress, for their deter- 
 mination thereon. 
 
 Voted, That this Committee adjourn to Congress, upon 
 matters of great importance. 
 
 May 13, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Isaac Foster be recommended to 
 the Council of War, as a suitable person to carry such 
 
 Provisions into the Town of Charlestown, for the use of the 
 inhabitants, as the General shall think proper to permit 
 to be carried in. 
 
 Voted, That General Thomas be desired to deliver out 
 Medicines to such persons as he shall think proper, for the 
 use of the sick Soldiers at Roxbury, until the Surgeons for 
 the respective Regiments are regularly appointed. 
 
 Voted, That the Provisions and Chest of Medicines be- 
 longing to Madam Vassal, now under the care of Colonel 
 Starks, be stored as Colonel Starks may direct, till further 
 orders ; and that the other packages may pass into Boston 
 or elsewhere. 
 
 Ordered, That the Commissary-General, or his Depu- 
 ty be, and he hereby is directed to supply Captain Ros- 
 seter with Provisions for thirteen men for eight days, said 
 men being discharged by recommendation of the Council of 
 War, and order of this Committee. 
 
 Whereas the Committee are informed, that a number of 
 men enlisted into the Colony Army, under Colonel Jona- 
 than Brewer, are now posted at Waltham, and are receiv- 
 ing Provisions from the publick stores : 
 
 Resolved, That the Commanding Officer of the Col- 
 ony Forces be desired to order said enlisted men at Wal- 
 tham, immediately to repair to Head- Quarters; and in case 
 of refusal, that orders be given for the prevention of their 
 being supplied with Provisions of any kind from the pub- 
 lick Magazines. 
 
 One Thomas Nicols, a negro, brought before this Com- 
 mittee on account of his suspicious behaviour for some time 
 past, having been examined : 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Council of 
 War to commit said negro, until there be further inquiry 
 into his conduct. 
 
 Mr. Solomon Shaw was appointed one of the Armour- 
 ers for the Army, and General Thomas was desired to ac- 
 commodate him with a suitable place at Roxbury, for car- 
 rying on his business. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Isaac Bradish, Keeper of the Jail 
 in Cambridge, be directed and empowered to confine one 
 Thomas Nicols, negro, till further orders. 
 
 May 14, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Commissary-General supply with 
 Provisions for six days, four men of Captain Williams' Com- 
 pany, and three men of Captain Noble's Company : — these 
 men came down with Colonel Patterson, and are returning 
 home, being dismissed. 
 
 Voted, That Capt. John Currier have one set of Beating 
 Orders for Colonel Fry's Regiment ; and in case it should 
 not be consented to by the Colonel, he agrees to join that 
 Regiment which shall be thought most convenient. 
 
 Mr. Andrew Craigie, Commissary of the Medicine, Stores, 
 &ic, was directed and empowered to impress Beds, Bedding, 
 and other necessaries for the sick, as they may be wanted, 
 giving the owners a receipt for such articles as he may take 
 for the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee 
 of Supplies to engage ninety-seven barrels of Tar, in the 
 Sloop Adventure, Samuel Foot master, just arrived at 
 Salem from Virginia, it being apprehended that the ser- 
 vice of the Colony requires said Tar being secured. 
 
 A Vote of the Council of War, desiring a supply of 
 Hoes and Brooms, was recommended to the Committee 
 of Supplies by this Committee. 
 
 The following was sent to the gentlemen the Selectmen 
 of the Town of Lynn: 
 
 Whereas Josiah Martin has, under guard, been brought 
 before this Committee, to be inquired of touching his con- 
 duct respecting his appearing in favour of carrying into 
 execution the tyrannical designs of Administration for the 
 enslaving of this Province : Upon examination of the evi- 
 dences produced, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Martin's conduct has, in some 
 instances, been unfriendly to his Country ; but that on his 
 being charged with the same, he has promised, with his life 
 and fortune, to stand for the defence of his Country ; and 
 that so long as he evidences this disposition by his conduct, 
 and does not any more attempt to go into the Town of Bos- 
 ton, that he be received into the favour of his countrymen, 
 and that no insult or injury be offered him or his property. 
 
757 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 758 
 
 The following Resolve, relative to the live-stock on the 
 islands, near Boston, passed this Committee, viz : 
 
 Resolved, As the opinion of this Committee, that all the 
 live-stock be taken from Noddle's Island, Hog Island, and 
 Snake Island, and from that part of Chelsea near the sea- 
 cost, and be driven back. And that the execution of this 
 business be committed to the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence and Selectmen of the Towns of Midford, Maiden, 
 Chelsea, and Lynn, and that they be supplied with such a 
 number of men as they shall need, from the Regiment 
 now at Medford. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Palmer and Colonel Qrne be 
 directed to apply to the Committee of Supplies, at Water- 
 town, for a particular account of the Ordnance and Mili- 
 tary Stores, and where the same are deposited, agreeably 
 to the request of t he Council of War. 
 
 Voted, That it is the opinion of this body, that all per- 
 sons escaping from their imprisonment, in the Town of 
 Boston, ought to be received and protected in the several 
 Towns in this and the neighbouring Colonies, except such 
 as are of principles inimical to the liberties of their Coun- 
 try, who are not to be received but on their first recanting 
 their said principles, and making their peace with their 
 countrymen to the satisfaction of the Selectmen, Commit- 
 tees of Inspection, &tc, in the Town to which they shall 
 apply : and that the wives and children of such persons who 
 shall choose to remain in Boston with General Gage, may 
 and ought to be treated with humanity and tenderness in the 
 several Towns they may go to dwell in, during the present 
 trouble^, and by no means to suffer the least injury, or meet 
 with the smallest mark of disrespect upon account of their 
 said husbands or fathers. 
 
 The Council of War, having recommended that forty 
 persons of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Fellows 
 have liberty to return to their several homes : 
 
 Resolved, That they be dismissed accordingly, and that 
 the Commissary-General be directed to supply said persons 
 with six days' provisions, to serve them on their return home. 
 
 This Committee, having been informed by the Commit- 
 tee of Supplies that they had secured as much Naval Stores 
 as Colonel Gridlcy of the Train had indented for: 
 
 Voted, That Captain Foot be permitted to deliver the 
 cargo, (Naval Stores not excepted,) agreeably to the bills 
 of lading he had signed for the same. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Jt'illiam Haskins be, and he hereby 
 is appointed first clerk to the Deputy Commissary-General. 
 
 The Council of War having recommended that Captain 
 Joseph Foster, Thomas Jenkins, James Lammans, John 
 Rutherford, Jonathan March, J. Mcnsh, J. Simmins, J. 
 Crost, of Colonel Porter s Regiment, who are not enlisted, 
 may be dismissed, they were accordingly dismissed, and 
 had an order on the Commissary-General for four days' 
 provisions each. 
 
 Voted, That Mattheiv Clark and five other persons, who 
 are repairing the Boats brought to this Town, be supplied 
 with Provisions while they are at work for the Colony. 
 
 May 15, 1775. 
 
 The Sub-Committee, appointed to apply to the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies for a particular account of the Ordnance 
 and Military Stores, reported, and handed into the Commit- 
 tee the following List, viz: 
 
 A List of Military Stores under the cart of Captain 
 Foster, viz : 
 
 At Cambridge : — pick axes, 460 : hatchets, 23 : seven- 
 inch shells, 298 : spades, 190 : pieces of cannon 24 : axes, 
 156: boxes of grape shot, 4l£: hogsheads of flints con- 
 taining 75,000, 2 : carpenter's tool chests, 2 : boxes of 
 axes, 4 : 4 barrels 1 cask leaden balls : boxes of small arm 
 cartridges, 18 : barrels of bomb fuses, 1 : barrels of matches, 
 1: chests of tin cannisters, 2: boxes of paper for car- 
 tridges, 1: nine-pound ball, 607: six-pound balls, 1123: 
 four-pound ditto, 200 : two-pound ditto, 800 : seven-inch 
 shells, 298: twenty-four pound ball, 122: three-pound 
 ditto, 620: l\o. 1 and 2 paper cartridges for cannon boxes, 
 2: one barrel containing four tube cannisters, 16 straps, 4 
 packs, 4 powder-horns, 5 skeins dry matches : 1 barrel of 
 cannisters filled with langrage, but no cartridges affixed to 
 them, lor 6 pounders: 4 casks, marked, paper cartridges 
 filled : 1 barrel, marked, 84 two-pound cartridges. 
 
 Under the care of Colonel Barrett and Captain Hey- 
 
 WOOJ). 
 
 Musket balls, 9,000: grape shot, 1,600: bar lead, 700 : 
 musket cartridges, about 3,000 weight : 3 barrels of band- 
 ages. 
 
 More at Cambridge, under the care of Captain Foster. 
 
 2 casks of tubes: 1 barrel, marked, 60 cases with flan- 
 nel cartridges for three pair single fortified guns: 2 barrels 
 containing case shot, part fuses and tubes : 1 barrel con- 
 taining a number of paper cartridges not filled : 2 casks of 
 cases with flannel cartridges, marked I. T. T. 
 
 Attest: Alexander Shepherd, Jun., 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 Moved and Voted, That the original list of Military 
 Stores be handed in to the Council of War ; and it w as 
 handed in accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That the Hampshire Companies, now at Med- 
 ford, if enlisted into this Colony's service, under Colonel 
 Stark or Colonel Sargeant, and properly equipped, shall 
 be provided with barracks; those of them, if any, who are 
 not, and do not choose to be enlisted, and are not equipped, 
 are to be furnished with provisions for their return. 
 
 Voted, That Captain John Walker of Worcester, who 
 came down to this Committee for liberty to go into Bos- 
 ton, upon the Proclamation issued by Congress, be appre- 
 hended, and confined as a prisoner of war, he being a half 
 pay officer, and under the orders of General Gage, and so 
 not included in said Proclamation. 
 
 Upon a motion made, the question was put, whether 
 Colonel Phipps be permitted to have a Cow, Calf, and a 
 load of Hay, go into the Town of Boston: passed in the 
 negative. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Nalcr Hatch, with the Maiden 
 Company, be assigned to Colonel Gardner's Regiment; 
 but they are to remain in Maiden until the special order of 
 Colonel Gardner shall be received for their attendance 
 elsewhere. 
 
 Voted, That nine Indians, of Colonel Porter s Regi- 
 ment, have liberty to return home, and that the Commis- 
 snry-General be directed to furnish them with six days' 
 Provisions for that purpose, the same having been recom- 
 mended by the Council of War. 
 
 Upon the application of Lady Frankland ',* Voted, that 
 she have liberty to pass into Boston with the following 
 goods and articles for her voyage, viz : 
 
 Six trunks ; 1 chest ; 3 beds and bedding ; 6 wethers ; 2 
 pigs ; 1 small keg of pickled tongues ; some hay ; 3 bags 
 of corn ; and such other goods as she thinks proper. 
 
 The following permit was granted : 
 
 To the Colony Guards : 
 
 Permit Lady Frankland of Hopkinton, with her attend- 
 ants, goods, and the provisions above mentioned, to pass to 
 Boston, by express order of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Benjamin Church, Jun., Chairman. 
 
 Head-Quarters, May 15, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That the Letters and writings from New-York, 
 via New-London, relative to the establishing a Post-Office 
 and Riders, for the service of the Colony, be sent to the 
 Congress. 
 
 Voted, That John Tucker, of Colonel Porters Regi- 
 ment, be dismissed from the service, and that he be fur- 
 nished by the Commissary with seven days' Provisions. 
 
 Voted, That Jonathan Blaisdel, of Amesbury, be ap- 
 pointed an Armourer for the Army. 
 
 * Hopkinton, May 15, 1775. — Lady Frankland presonts her com- 
 pliments to Doctor Warren, begs leave to acquaint him, she has sent in 
 a list of things necessary for her voyage to England; begs he would 
 use his interest with the Committee of Safety, that her request may 
 be granted, which will lay Lady F. under a very great obligation to 
 Doctor Warren, and on her return to New-England, if it is ever in her 
 power, will return the obligation with thanks. 
 
 Hopkinton, May 15, 1775. — Lady Frankland presents her compli- 
 ments to the Committee of Safety, begs leave to acquaint them, that 
 according to their request, she has sent in a list of things necessary 
 for her intended voyage, which obtained Lady F. will esteem as a 
 peculiar favour ; and begs she may have her pass t'oiThursday. 
 
 A list of things for Lady Frankland : — Six trunks ; one chest ; three 
 beds and bedding; six wethers; two pigs; one small keg of pickled 
 tongues ; some hay ; three bags of corn. 
 
759 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 760 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Borland's house be appropriated 
 for the use of the Committee of Safety ; and the Quarter- 
 Master General is directed to provide Quarters for the 
 Troops now lodged at said house. 
 
 Voted, That the Quarter-Master General be directed 
 to remove as many of the three Companies now at Mr. 
 Borland's, to the house of Doctor Kneeland, as the house 
 can accommodate, and that the three Companies in Mr. 
 Vassal's house be placed at Mr. Foxcroft's house, and 
 that Mr. Borland's house be cleared and cleansed as soon 
 as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Honourable 
 Congress, that the Records of the Probate Office for the 
 County of Middlesex, supposed to be at Mr. Danforth's 
 and Doctor Knecland's houses, be removed to Doctor Mi- 
 not's, at Concord, and, that the Records of the County, at 
 Mr. Foxcroft's office, be removed to said Minot's house. 
 
 The following Certificate was delivered to Mr. John 
 Goddard, viz : 
 
 "This is to certify, that "Sir. John Goddard has been 
 appointed by the joint Committees of Safety and Supplies 
 as Wagon-Master to this Colony, to convey such articles 
 of Stores from one part of this Colony to another as the 
 publick eKigencies shall require, under the direction of the 
 Commissary-General and Ordnance Store Keeper, and that 
 such other Wagoners or Drivers are to be employed, as 
 he shall recommend for that purpose." 
 
 The following Permit was given to Captain Walker: 
 
 " Permit Captain John Walker, now on his parole of 
 honour, to pass unmolested to his family at Worcester." 
 
 Mr. John Goddard, Wagon-Master, was directed and 
 empowered, in case of emergency, to impress such Wag- 
 ons and Cattle as shall be requisite for the publick ser- 
 vice. 
 
 Voted, That the clearing Mr. Borland's and Mr. Vas- 
 sal's houses be suspended till further orders. 
 
 Voted, That Thomas Austin, of Charlestown, be, and 
 hereby is appointed an Armourer for the Army. 
 
 Voted, That the above Vote, appointing Mr. Thomas 
 Austin one of the Armourer for the Army, be, and hereby 
 is reconsidered. 
 
 May 16, 1775. 
 
 In a Letter from Colonel James Barrett, of this day, it 
 is represented, that a prisoner now at Worcester is a Paper- 
 maker, and that Mr. James Boice, of Milton, is in want 
 of such a person in his Paper Manufactory ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Barrett be, and he hereby is 
 directed and empowered, to remove said prisoner from 
 Worcester to said Boice's Manufactory in Milton. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Hill, and four men, with four pri- 
 soners, have an order for Supplies on the Taverners and 
 Innholders in the Towns they pass through. 
 
 Whereas, it is recommended by the Council of War, 
 that fifty-four Whale-Boats be immediately provided for 
 the use of this Colony : 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of said Vote of the Council of 
 War be transmitted to the Committee of Supplies, and 
 that they be desired to procure and place said Boats, agree- 
 able to the recommendation of the Council of War. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Butler be desired to furnish those 
 men of his own Company with Arms, who are destitute 
 thereof. 
 
 By a Resolve of the Provincial Congress, the following 
 is the establishment for ten Companies of Matrosses : 
 
 Captain, - £6 ]0s. Od. per month. 
 
 Captain-Lieutenant, - 5 10 0 t; 
 
 First Lieutenant, - 4 10 0 " 
 
 Two Second Lieutenants, each, 3 12 0 " 
 
 Sergeants, each, - 2 10 0 " 
 
 Corporals, each, - - 2 6 0 " 
 
 Six Bombadiers, each, - 2 4 6 
 
 Six Gunners, each, - - 2 4 0 " 
 
 Thirty-two Matrosses, each, 2 3 0 " 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Gridley have one set of Beating 
 Orders, for a Company of Matrosses. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Azor Orne have one of the Col- 
 lege Arms, he giving a receipt for the same. 
 
 May 17, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, it is determined, in Council of War, that ten 
 Swivels be immediately provided for the use of the Army, 
 and delivered in Camp, zlJJambridge : 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing Vote be trans- 
 mitted to the Committee of Supplies, and that they be 
 desired to procure said Swivel-Guns accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That the three pieces of Cannon, with the 
 Stores, now at Waltham, be immediately removed to Wa- 
 tcrtown, near the bridge, by advice of the General ; and 
 that Mr. Elbridge Gerry, one of the Committee of Sup- 
 plies, be desired and empowered to remove the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Omc, Doctor Church, and Col- 
 onel Palmer, be a Committee to repair to the Provincial 
 Congress, and request, that forthwith the duty of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety be precisely staled, and that said Committee 
 be empowered by Congress to conduct in such manner as 
 shall tend to the advantage of the Colony ; and justify the 
 conduct of said Committee, so far as their proceedings are 
 correspondent with the trust reposed in them ; and to in- 
 form the Congress, t hat until the path of their duty is 
 clearly pointed out, they must be at a total loss how to 
 conduct, so as to stand justified in their own minds, and in 
 the minds of the people of this Colony. 
 
 Mr. William Beman, in Colonel Felloivs's Regiment, is 
 appointed by this Committee to act as an Armourer for the 
 forces posted at Roxbury. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Joseph Austin, of Charlestons, be 
 directed to attend upon the Committee of Safety, imme- 
 diately. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Fellows be directed to procure a 
 Shop and Tools, and every material necessary for an armour- 
 er, at Roxbury, to work immediately in the Colony service. 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary deliver Mr. Matthew 
 Clark sixty Oars, for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That the carrying any Hay into the Town of 
 Boston, on account of John Borland, Esq., be suspended 
 until further order from this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Stephen Hall be appointed to inspect 
 the College Walls, and see that they be kept in proper 
 repair. 
 
 Voted, That the Selectmen of Cambridge be directed 
 to supply General Ward with four half barrels of Powder, 
 for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Whereas, General Gage has not kept his agreement with 
 the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, but, notwithstand- 
 ing his said agreement, has prevented, and even refused 
 said inhabitants, with their effects, from moving into the 
 country : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Congress, 
 that they rescind their Resolution of the 30th ultimo, per- 
 mitting the inhabitants of this Colony to remove, with their 
 effects, into the Town of Boston, which Resolution na- 
 founded upon said agreement. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Omc and Colonel Palmer be 
 directed to attend the Congress, with the above Resolve. 
 
 Resolved, That in case of an alarm, this Committee will 
 repair to Coolidge's Tavern, in Watertown. 
 
 Upon a motion made, Voted, That Captain How be 
 directed to restore the six sets of Enlisting Papers, which 
 he this day took out without the consent of the Commit- 
 tee, by a fraud practised upon the Chairman. 
 
 Voted, That application be made to his Excellency 
 General Ward, that he would order Edward How under 
 guard, until this Committee can have a full hearing of his 
 case. 
 
 Whereas, one Mr. Mcllicant, of Waltham, who is an 
 officer in His Majesty's service, under half pay, is suspect- 
 ed, by means of his, said Mcllicant's, wife having free access 
 into and out of the Town of Boston, of communicating 
 such intelligence to our enemies as may have a tendency 
 to injure the important cause we are engaged in, and, in 
 some degree, defeat the plans forming for the salvation of 
 this Colony and Continent: Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen and Committee of Cor- 
 respondence of the Town of Waltham, be, and hereby are 
 directed and empowered to take such effectual methods for 
 the preventing any intelligence going into the Town of 
 Boston, by means of the abovesaid Mr. Mcllicant, or any 
 of his family, as to them, in their wisdom, shall seem 
 meet. 
 
761 
 
 .MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 762 
 
 Whereas, some of the Students of Harvard College are 
 in possession of Arms and Bayonets belonging to the Col- 
 ony, which were sent them for the purpose of their obtain- 
 ing skill in military discipline : 
 
 Voted, That they be and hereby are desired to cause 
 the same to be delivered, as soon as may be, to Mr. Wil- 
 liam Hunt, of this place ; and all other persons having in 
 possession Arms or Military Stores, of any kind, belonging 
 to the Colony as aforesaid, are also desired forthwith to 
 deliver the same to the said Mr. William Hunt. 
 
 And whereas, the Surgeons of the Massachusetts Forces 
 are in want of considerable quantities of Linen Rags, either 
 coarse or fine : 
 
 Voted, That the female friends to America, in the neigh- 
 bouring Counties, are hereby desired to send such quantities 
 of Rags as they can spare, to the Selectmen of their re- 
 spective Towns ; and the Selectmen are desired to cause 
 the same to be delivered at Cambridge, to Commissary 
 Craigie, at the Hospital ; and the expenses of transporta- 
 tion shall be paid by the Committee. 
 
 May 19. 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Captain John Lane have Enlisting Papers 
 delivered him, for raising a Company of Indians at the 
 Eastward. 
 
 The following Certificate was delivered Colonel Gerrish 
 for the Provincial Congress: 
 
 " Colonel SamuelGcrrish having satisfied this Committee 
 that his Regiment is full, we recommend to the Congress 
 that said Regiment be commissioned accordingly." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Newall proceed to Watertown, and 
 lodge the ten Swivel-Guns he has under his care, at Edward 
 Richardson's, innholder, in said Watertoun, it being re- 
 commended by General Ward. 
 
 The Committee of Correspondence of the Town of 
 Xorthborough having sent a certain Ebenezer Cutler to 
 this Committee for trial, upon complaint of his being an 
 enemy to this Country ; and this Committee not having 
 authority to act in the case, as they apprehend, do refer the 
 matter to Congress. 
 
 Col. Ebenezer Learned having satisfied this Committee 
 that his Regiment is full, it was recommended to the Con- 
 gress that said. Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 The following Letter of Directions to the several Col- 
 onels, was forwarded, viz : 
 
 Sir: The necessity of completing the Colony Army, 
 and the suspicions entertained by some of the officers who 
 have been engaged in recruiting men, oblige us to request 
 your immediate Return to this Committee of the number 
 of men enlisted in your Regiment, with the names of the 
 Officers of said Regiment, as the Congress have urged for 
 those Returns, that Commissions may be issued, and due 
 subordination take place. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. John Wood, of Roxbury, be and here- 
 by is appointed an Armourer for the Army. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Dike, of Bridgewater, be and here- 
 by is appointed an Armourer for the Army. 
 
 General Thomas was informed by Letter, that the Com- 
 mittee had appointed Messrs. Be man, Shaw, Wood, and 
 Dike, as Armourers for the Forces posted at Roxbury, and 
 was desired to acquaint the Committee if any further ap- 
 pointments were necessary. 
 
 \ otcd, That Doctor Church have an order for a Horse 
 and Sulkey, and a single Horse, for his journey to Phila- 
 delphia, upon the Province account. 
 
 \N hereas some persons have hinted that Samuel Barrett, 
 Esquire, of Boston, has, in some instances, been unfriendly 
 to his Country and the common cause of liberty, for which 
 this Colony now suffers and bleeds ; and as such sugges- 
 tions may have a tendency to injure him, we have inquired 
 into the conduct of the said Samuel Barrett, Esq., during 
 the unnatural contest between Great Britain and the Col- 
 onies, and from his acts and explicit declarations, we have 
 reason to think that he is friendly to the rights and liber- 
 ties of this his native Country, and we recommend him 
 accordingly. 
 
 May 20, 1775. 
 
 loted, That Captain Edward How, Ebenezer Cutler, 
 and I\icols, a black fellow, now under guard, be sent up to 
 
 Congress for examination and trial, and Captain White is 
 appointed to attend Congress with the above-named per- 
 sons. 
 
 Voted, That the General be desired to furnish a Guard 
 for the occasion. 
 
 Voted, That for the future no person having orders to 
 impress Horses, shall impress the Horse of Deacon Timo- 
 thy Winn, of Woburn, he and his horse being employed in 
 the Colony service. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, as 
 the contest now between Great Britain and the Colonies 
 respects the liberties and privileges of the latter, which the 
 Colonies are determined to maintain, that the admission of 
 any persons as Soldiers into the Army now raising, but only 
 such as are Freemen, will be inconsistent with the princi- 
 ples that are to be supported, and reflect dishonour on this 
 Colony; and that no Slaves be admitted into this Army 
 upon any consideration whatever. 
 
 Colonel Joseph Reed having satisfied this Committee 
 that his Regiment is full, a Certificate was given him of the 
 same ; and it was recommended to the honourable the 
 Provincial Congress that his Regiment might be commis- 
 sioned accordingly. 
 
 Colonel Read had thirteen sets of Regulations for the 
 Army delivered him by order. 
 
 May 22, 1775. 
 
 Whereas it appears to this Committee that no immediate 
 service renders it necessary that Riders should be kept in 
 pay at present : Therefore, 
 
 Voted, That all such Riders as have been employed by 
 this Committee be, from this day, discharged from said 
 service. 
 
 Miy 23, 1775. 
 
 This Committee find themselves much at a loss for a 
 rule by which to determine when a Regiment may be said 
 to be full, and beg leave to suggest to the honourable Con- 
 gress, whether a certificate from the Muster-Master, rela- 
 tive to the premises, will not be a good rule for ascertaining 
 when a Regiment is complete : and said Committee beg 
 instructions in the matter. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 Whereas, our enemies make frequent excursions to the 
 Islands and Sea-Coasts, from whence they plunder Hay, 
 Cattle, and Sheep, which not only greatly injures many in- 
 dividuals, but also the publick, and strengthens the hands 
 of our enemies : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Honourable 
 Congress to take take some effectual measure to secure 
 the stock on the Islands and Sea-Coasts, to prevent its fall- 
 ing into the hands of our enemies. 
 
 Whereas, this Committee have taken into their most se- 
 rious consideration the state of the Neiv-England Army, 
 proposed to be raised for the defence and security of the 
 lives, liberties, and property of the Americans, and find 
 that the several Colonies have not, collectively, raised more 
 than twenty-four thousand five hundred men, whereas thirty 
 thousand were supposed to be necessary; and the said 
 Committee also find a considerable number of officers of 
 Minute-men now at Head-Quarters, who, witli their men. 
 cannot find room for employment in the Army, upon the pre- 
 sent establishment of this Colony ; and as our enemies have 
 determined to distress us upon our Sea-Coasts, by taking 
 our vessels, with provisions, salt, molasses, &c, as well as 
 by plundering our Islands and Coasts of live stock, which 
 will require a greater number of men to guard said coasts 
 than was at first estimated ; and as said Army, or any part 
 thereof, may be disbanded at any future time, when the 
 publick safety will admit thereof ; and as the publick mili- 
 tary spirit runs high : it is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of these premises be 
 recommended to the honourable Congress ; and that Col- 
 onel Palmer be directed to attend said Congress with this 
 Resolve, in order to know whether they will make any ad- 
 dition to the present establishment. 
 
 May 24, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 supply John Carter and three others with Provisions, as 
 Armourers and Coopers, now in the Province service. 
 
763 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 764 
 
 Colonel Scammon having satisfied the Committee that 
 his Regiment was nearly full, a Certificate was given him 
 thereof; and it was recommended to the Provincial Con- 
 gress that his Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 General Thomas hav ing satisfied this Committee that his 
 Regiment was complete, a Certificate was given him there- 
 of; and it was recommended to the Provincial Congress 
 that his Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to Congress imme- 
 diately to take such order respecting the removal of the 
 Sheep and Hay from Noddle's Island, as they may judge 
 proper, together with the stock on the adjacent islands. 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary -General be directed to 
 supply twenty-five men of Captain Sprague's Company, 
 who are stationed at Chelsea. 
 
 May 26, 1775. 
 
 The Congress having passed a Resolve, that the house 
 of John Vassal, Esquire, be appropriated for the use of the 
 Committee of Safety : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Quarter-Master General be directed 
 to clear the said house immediately of the Soldiers now 
 lodged there, that it may be improved for that purpose. 
 
 Colonels Ward, and Gardner having satisfied this Com- 
 mittee that their Regiments were in good forwardness, a 
 Certificate to that purpose was given them ; and it was 
 recommended to the honourable Provincial Congress that 
 said Regiments be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Colonels Patterson and William Prescott having satis- 
 fied this Committee that their respective Regiments are 
 nearly full, a Certificate was given them of the same; and 
 it was recommended to the Provincial Congress that said 
 Regiments be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Colonels Cotton and Bridge having satisfied this Com- 
 mittee that their respective Regiments are full, a Certificate 
 was given them thereof ; and it was recommended to the 
 Provincial Congress that said Regiments be commissioned 
 accordingly. 
 
 Colonels Asa Whitcomb, Frye, and Doolitlle, having 
 satisfied this Committee that their respective Regiments 
 are nearly full, a Certificate was given them thereof; and 
 it was recommended to the honourable the Provincial Con- 
 gress that said Regiments be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Colonel Walker having satisfied this Committee that his 
 Regiment was complete, a Certificate was given him there- 
 of; and it was recommended to Congress that said Regi- 
 ment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Colonel Donaldson having satisfied this Committee that 
 his Regiment is in good forwardness, a Certificate was 
 given him thereof; and it was recommended to the hon- 
 ourable Congress that said Regiment be commissioned ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 May 27, 1775. 
 
 Colonel Mansfield having satisfied this Committee that 
 his Regiment is in good forwardness, he had a Certificate 
 thereof, and a recommendation to Congress that the Regi- 
 ment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Wesson, keeper of Thomas Oliver, Esquire's, farm, 
 had orders to secure any creatures that might be put into 
 his enclosures by ill-disposed persons, and to inform the 
 Committee thereof. 
 
 Voted, That agreeable to the recommendation of Gen- 
 eral Ward, Jacob Rhodes, of Charlestown, be empowered 
 to impress such Cattle as may be necessary for the removal 
 of two Boats from that Town to Cambridge. 
 
 Josejyh Smith, keeper of John Vassal, Esquire's, farm, 
 had orders to secure any creatures that might be put into 
 his enclosures by ill-disposed persons, and to inform the 
 Committee thereof. 
 
 May 28, 1775. 
 
 A number of Guns taken from some persons in Grafton, 
 were appraised by a Sub-Committee appointed for that 
 purpose, and delivered Luke. Drury, for the use of his 
 Company, and a receipt taken in the rough minutes, as, 
 reference thereto being had, will particularly appear. 
 
 May 29, 1775. 
 
 A number of Letters taken from Robert Temple, Esq., 
 by the Committee of Safety of Cohasset, were sent to this 
 Committee for examination, and though the Committee 
 think that the matter is not strictly within their commis- 
 sion, yet, considering that the present Congress must be 
 dissolved this day, and the good and safety of this Colony 
 may be affected by an immediate examination of said Let- 
 ters : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the matter be immediately taken up by 
 the Committee ; and as Mr. Temple is now attending, that 
 he be so directed respecting said Letters, as shall, after ex- 
 amination, appear necessary to promote the greatest good 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That a Committee be chosen to diaw up a Cer- 
 tificate for Mr. Temple, and an order for his receiving the 
 goods taken from him. 
 
 The Committee, appointed for that purpose, reported a 
 Certificate, which was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " Whereas the Committee of Inspection of the District of 
 Cohasset, have transmitted to us a number of Letters found 
 in the possession of Robert Temple, Esq. ; and this Com- 
 mittee having carefully inspected said Letters, and had the 
 said Mr. Temple before them, and examined him, both with 
 regard to his principles and conduct in the present contro- 
 versy between Great Britain and the Colonies in America : 
 And whereas, we think it the duty of this Committee, at 
 the same time that we applaud the vigilance of the Com- 
 mittee of Cohasset, who have stopped those Letters, and that 
 of the Town of Plymouth, who have sent two of their 
 members with Mr. Temple to this Committee, to do justice 
 to individuals; in consequence of which we Resolve, that 
 it be recommended to the Committee at Cohasset to deliver 
 Mr. Temple such articles of his as are now in their posses- 
 sion ; and likewise that they, and all others, consider and 
 treat him as a friend to the interest of this Country, and the 
 rights of all America." 
 
 Colonel Quincy, of Braintree, having proposed to this 
 Committee the erecting a small defensive work against the 
 depredations of our enemies, upon the farms in his neigh- 
 bourhood, they do refer the matter to the Council of War. 
 
 Colonel Fellows having satisfied this Committee that his 
 Regiment is full, he had a Certificate thereof, and a recom- 
 mendation that said Regiment be commissioned according- 
 ly, was given him for the honourable Congress. 
 
 It being expected that the present Congress will be dis- 
 solved this night, and hearing that one volume of copies of 
 Mr. Hutchinson's Letters are in the hands of Captain Mc- 
 Lanc, at the upper Paper-Mills, in Milton, which volume 
 may be of use to this Colony, if in the hands of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Reverend Mr. Gordon, of Roxbury, 
 be desired and empowered to receive from said Captain 
 McLane all such copies as are in his hands, or in any other 
 hands, and to be accountable to the present or some future 
 Congress for the same. 
 
 May 30, 1775. 
 
 Elisha Lettinwell was directed to proceed with two 
 Teams to Chelsea, and bring from thence the Cannon and 
 other Stores saved from the Schooner which has been 
 burned by our people, and to lodge said Stores in this 
 Town. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress of the Colony 
 of Massachusetts-Bay; assembled at Concord, Sa- 
 turday, April 22, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Richaud Devens, Chairman, 
 Mr. John Murray, Clerk. 
 Mr. Gerry represented to Congress, that a Letter from 
 Mr. tyuincy to Mr. Adams, had been delivered to him, 
 
 with a desire that it might be opened by Congress in Mr. 
 
 Adams's absence : 
 After some debate, 
 
 Ordered, That the Members present, belonging to the 
 Committee on the state of the Province, retire, open, and 
 peruse the said Letter, and report to Congress what parts 
 they think proper. 
 
 The Committee retired, and desired that the whole be 
 read in Congress ; 
 
765 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 766 
 
 Which being done, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be sent to Doctor Warren, to 
 be used at his discretion. 
 
 Adjourned to Watertown, at four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Watertown, 4 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Watson notify the Committee of 
 Safety of the time and place of our adjournment, and re- 
 quest their attendance with whatever plans they may have 
 in readiness for us ; and also notify the absent members 
 that are at Cambridge, and request their punctual attend- 
 ance. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel dishing, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to wait on the Selectmen for lib- 
 erty of the Meeting-House during the session of Congress 
 here. 
 
 They returned, and reported that the Selectmen readily 
 granted their request. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Colonel Gushing, Colonel 
 Barrett, Captain Stone, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. 
 Freeman, Mr. Watson, and Esquire Dix, be a Committee 
 to take Depositions, in perpetuam, from which a full account 
 of the transactions of the Troops under General Gage, in 
 their route to and from Concord, &tc, on Wednesday last, 
 may be collected, to be sent to England by the first ship 
 from Salem. 
 
 Adjourned to this place, to-morrow, at 7 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Sunday, April 23, 1775. 
 
 Congress met conformably to adjournment, and adjourn- 
 ed to the School-House. 
 
 Upon a Letter from General Ward, respecting the New- 
 Hamj)shire Troops, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it is necessary for the de- 
 fence of the Colony, that an army of Thirty Thousand Men 
 be immediately raised and established. 
 
 Resolved, That Thirteen Thousand Six Hundred Men 
 be raised immediately by this Province. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be a Commit- 
 tee to bring in a plan for the establishment of the Officers 
 and Soldiers necessary for the Army, to be raised at this 
 time, and that they sit immediately. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel dishing, Mr. Sulliva7i, Colonel 
 Whitcomb, and Mr. Durant, be added to the Committee 
 of Safety. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan be a Committee to wait 
 on the New-Hampshire Congress at Exeter, to inform them 
 of our Resolutions, and request their concurrence ; and that 
 Major Bliss go to Connecticut, and Deacon Rawson to 
 Rhode-Island, for the same purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan be a Committee to inform 
 the Committee from the Congress of New-Hampshire, now 
 waiting, of our Resolutions immediately. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Murray, Mr. Gill, and Captain 
 Stone, be a Committee to draught a Letter to each of the 
 Colonels, to be sent by the express. 
 
 Adjourned to this place, at two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon, 2 o'clock. 
 
 Congress met according to adjournment, and adjourned 
 to the Meeting-House. 
 
 Being there met, the Committee reported a draught of 
 a Letter to the Colonels, which was accepted, and ordered 
 to be copied by Captain Stone. 
 
 Mr. Gerry read in his place a Letter from Marblchead, 
 reporting that the British Man-of-War Lively was lying 
 off the Harbour of that Town ; representing that then- 
 means of defence were inadequate to repel attack ; and 
 asking direction and aid ; upon which, 
 
 Resolved, That the matter subside until further informa- 
 tion. 
 
 Doctor Warren read a Letter from the Committee of 
 Correspondence of Connecticut : 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Mr. Gill, and Doctor Tay- 
 lor, be a Committee to draught an Answer, and report im- 
 mediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Orne, Major Fuller of New- 
 ton, and Major Fuller of Middleton, be a Committee to 
 count and sort the voles for a President pro tempore. 
 
 The Committee reported that the vote was full for Doc- 
 tor Warren. 
 
 Colonel Palmer was chosen Secretary pro tempore. 
 
 The Committee reported a Resolve for the establishment 
 of the Army ; which being read, was referred for further 
 consideration. 
 
 A report was made of a draught of an Answer to the 
 Committee of Connecticut, which, after amendment, was 
 accepted. 
 
 Voted, That a Committee be appointed to draw up a 
 Narrative of the Massacre on Wednesday last. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. 
 Cushing, be that Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the Establishment of Forces, now imme- 
 diately to be raised, for the recovery and preservation of 
 our undoubted rights and liberties, be as follows, viz: 
 
 Per Month. 
 
 To each Colonel of a Regiment of 598 men, £15 00 
 
 To one Lieutenant-Colonel of such Regiment, 12 00 
 
 To a Major of such Regiment, - - - - 10 00 
 
 For a Captain of 59 men, including officers, 6 00 
 
 For two Lieutenants for such Company, each 4 00 
 
 For one Ensign for such Company, - - - 3 00 
 
 For one Adjutant for such Regiment, - - 5 10 
 
 For a Quarter-Master for such Regiment, - 3 00 
 
 For one Chaplain for such Regiment, - 6 00 
 
 For one Chirurgeon for such Regiment, - 7 10 
 
 For two Chirurgeon 's Mates, each - - - 4 00 
 
 For each Sergeant, - -- -- -- - 2 08 
 
 For each Corporal, ------- - 2 04 
 
 For each Drummer, - -- -- -- 2 04 
 
 For each Fifer, 2 04 
 
 For each Private Soldier, 2 00 
 
 Resolved, That besides the above, a Coat for a uniform 
 be given to each of the Non-commissioned Officers and 
 Privates, as soon as the state of the Province will admit of 
 it ; also, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the several Towns 
 and Districts within this Colony be desired to furnish the 
 Soldiers, who shall enlist from their respective Towns and 
 Districts, with good and sufficient Blankets, and render 
 their accounts to the Committee of Supplies, who are 
 hereby directed to draw on the Colony Treasurer for pay- 
 ment of the same. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning, in this 
 place. 
 
 Watertown, Monday, April 24, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Murray was appointed President 
 pro tempore, and Ichabod Goodwin, Spcretary pro tempore. 
 Jonas Dix, Esquire, was appointed Monitor. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry give the Express going to 
 the press, his orders for the Enlisting Papers. 
 
 Ordered, That the Enlisting Papers going to the press 
 be authenticated by the Secretary pro tempore. 
 
 Resolved, That six hundred of these Papers be printed, 
 and that the Congress Express wait for two hundred of 
 them. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety or Committee 
 of Supplies be empowered to impress Horses or Teams, 
 and direct the owners of them to send their accounts to the 
 Committee of Supplies; also, to empower other persons 
 to impress on special occasions. 
 
 Resolved, That the Establishment of the Army be print- 
 ed in Handbills, and that a copy of them be sent by the 
 Express who is going for the Enlisting Papers; and that 
 three hundred of them be printed immediately. 
 
 Moved, That a Member from each County be appointed 
 to attend the Committee of Safety, and let them know the 
 names of the Officers in said Counties, belonging to the 
 Minute-Men, and such as are most suitable for Officers in 
 the Army now raising. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln be appointed for the 
 County of Suffolk ; 
 
 Major Fuller for the County of Essex ; 
 
 Colonel Frescott for the County of Middlesex ; 
 
 Colonel Pomeroy for the County of Hampshire ; 
 
 Nathaniel Cushing, Esq., for the County of Plymouth , 
 
767 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 768 
 
 Daniel Davis, Esq., for the County of Barnstable ; 
 
 Colonel Daggct for the County of Brisol; 
 
 lvhabod Goodwin, Esq.. for the County of York; 
 
 Joseph Mayhcw, Esq., for the County of Dukes County ; 
 
 Major Bigeloiv for the County of Worcester; 
 
 Mr. Samuel Freeman for the County of Cumberland ; 
 
 Reverend Mr. John Murray for the County of Lincoln ; 
 
 Colonel John Patterson for the County of Berkshire ; and 
 
 Stephen llussey, Esq., for the County of Nantucket. 
 
 Ordered, That each of these Members attend the ser- 
 vice according to their appointment, or write to the Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Middleton, give a list 
 of the names of these Members to the Committee of 
 Safety. 
 
 Resolved, That when this Congress do adjourn, they 
 adjourn to three o'clock this afternoon, and the Members 
 are enjoined to attend punctually at that time. 
 
 Adjourned accordingly to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon, April 24, 1775. 
 
 Letters from Hartford, directed to the President of this 
 Congress, laid on the table, ordered to be read, and, after 
 reading them, were ordered to be immediately forwarded to 
 the Committee of Safety, then sitting at Cambridge. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be now appointed to exam- 
 ine the Records, and report such matters contained therein 
 as may be made publick, and such as shall remain secret at 
 present. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Brooks, Deacon Fisher, and Mr. 
 Freeman, be a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 Congress adjourned to eight o'clock, next morning, at 
 this place. 
 
 Tuesday, April 25, 1775, 8 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Congress met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Treasurer be inquired of respecting 
 the state of the Treasury. 
 
 Answered by said Treasurer in a general way, that for 
 the year 1773, it was supposed that about Twenty Thou- 
 sand Pounds was due, and that he had received about Five 
 Thousand Pounds. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be appointed to bring in a 
 Resolve how we may ascertain the number of Towns and 
 Districts which are delinquent. Passed in the negative. 
 
 Moved for a reconsideration, and passed negatively. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Report of what 
 they thought might be made publick of the Resolves, re- 
 ported, that nothing relative to our proceedings with the 
 Indiun Nations be known, and that other matters be left 
 at discretion with each Member. 
 
 Moved, That this matter subside for the present. 
 
 Leave of absence is granted Jcrathmiel Boivcrs, Esquire, 
 to return home. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, afternoon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Letter from Haverhill committed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Colonel Gerrish, and Major 
 Fuller, of Middleton, be a Committee for that purpose, 
 and to sit forthwith. 
 
 Moved, by the Committee of Safety, for two gentlemen 
 as Engineers, and an Establishment for them. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Jonas Dix, Esq., and Henry 
 Gardner, Esq., be a Committee for that purpose to bring 
 in a Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That a Resolve be submitted by the Commit- 
 tee of Safety, to reduce the Regiments. 
 
 Moved, That the Companies in each Regiment be re- 
 duced from one hundred men each, to fifty-nine men, 
 including three officers — one Captain and two Subalterns ; 
 and passed unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 Moved, That each Regiment be reduced to ten of these 
 Companies ; and passed in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Orne, Colonel Palmer, and 
 Henry Gardner, Esq., be a Committee for regulating the 
 Regiments of the Army, and to sit forthwith. 
 
 A Letter from Salem was read, setting forth the expe- 
 diency of the Depositions we are now taking being for- 
 warded as fast as possible. The same was ordered to be 
 
 sent to the Committee for that purpose, at Lexington, im- 
 mediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the Memorial from Marblehead , with 
 the debate thereon, subside for the present. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Letters from Messrs. Nathaniel P. Sargca7it, Jr., Esq., and 
 Jonathan Webster, reported, That the Congress write to 
 the Town of Haverhill, acquaint them of the Letters re- 
 ceived from said Sargeant and Webster, and let them know 
 the important business of Congress requires the wisdom of 
 the whole Province ; and therefore desire, that in case 
 those gentlemen cannot attend, they would elect other 
 member or members to attend in their room ; and that the 
 Letter be directed to the Town Clerk. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 25, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : The Congress have this day received a Letter from 
 Nathaniel Peaslce Sargeant and Jonathan Webster, Esqrs., 
 acquainting them that the late dreadful fire in Haverhill, 
 together with some publick disturbances in said Town, 
 make it necessary they should be at home at this time. 
 The Congress apprehend, that the important business of 
 the Colonies requires that every Town should now be re- 
 presented ; therefore desire, that if, in case neither said 
 Nathaniel P. Sargeant or Jonathan Webster, Esqrs., can 
 attend, that the Town would elect one or more mem- 
 bers to attend in their room, that the wisdom of the whole 
 Colony may be collected at our hour of need. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock next day. 
 
 Wednesday, April 26, 1775, 8 o'clock, A. M. 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. President, Doctor Taylor, Mr. 
 Freeman, Henry Gardner, Esq., and Colonel Stone, be a 
 Committee to draught a Letter to our Agent in Great 
 Britain. 
 
 Ordered, That William Burbeck be and he is hereby 
 appointed an Engineer of the Forces now raising in this 
 Colony for the defence of the rights and liberties of the 
 American Continent; and that there be paid to the said 
 William Burbeck, out of the publick Treasury of this Col- 
 ony, during his continuance in that service, at the rate of 
 one hundred and fifty Pounds, lawful money, per annum. 
 And it is further Resolved, That from and after the time 
 when the said Troops shall be disbanded, during the life of 
 the said Burbeck, there be paid to him, out of the Treasu- 
 ry, the sum of ninety-seven Pounds six Shillings and 
 eight Pence, lawful money, annually. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Deacon Fisher, Col- 
 onel Orne, Mr. Batchclder, and Captain Brou-n, be a Com- 
 mittee to take into consideration the Letter laid on the 
 table by the Committee of Safety, from James Sullivan, 
 Esq., and the Committee to sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter drawn by the Committee, to 
 send to Doctor Franklin, as Agent, be copied and authen- 
 ticated by the President pro tempore. 
 
 The Depositions taken by the Committee for that pur- 
 pose, laid on the table, and ordered to be read. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee make Duplicates of the 
 same, and Captain Stone, Jonas Dix, Esq., Colonel Tyng, 
 Colonel Divight, Captain Whittcmorc, Major Fuller, and 
 Mr. Freeman, assist as scribes in that business. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letters and Papers just now re- 
 ceived from Rhode-Island, by Doctor Perkins, be sent to 
 the Committee of Safety now sitting in Cambridge, by him, 
 and that he have leave to go home for a few days. 
 
 Resolved, That Richard Gridley, Esquire, be and he 
 hereby is appointed Chief Engineer of the Forces now 
 raising in this Colony for the defence of the rights and lib- 
 erties of the American Continent ; and that there be paid 
 to the said Richard Gridley, out of the publick Treasury 
 uf this Colony, during his continuance in that service, at 
 the rate of one hundred and seventy Pounds, lawful 
 money, per annum. And it is further Resolved, That 
 from and after the time when (he said Forces shall be dis- 
 
769 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 770 
 
 banded, during the life of the said Gridley, there be paid 
 to him out of the said Treasury, the sum of one hundred 
 and twenty-three Pounds, lawful money, per annum. 
 
 Ordered, That the duplicates lay on the table till the 
 Narrative comes in. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Freeman, Doctor Taylor, Deacon 
 Cheever, Doctor Baylies, and Colonel Farley, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider the state of the eastern parts of this 
 Province at large in regard to supplying them with Am- 
 munition, and to sit forthwith. 
 
 The Committee made the following Report, which was 
 accepted : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, > 
 April 26, 1775. $ 
 
 Whereas, representation has been made to this Congress, 
 that several of the Towns in the eastern parts of the Col- 
 ony are deficient in such supply of ammunition, as is neces- 
 sary they should, at this day, be furnished with, for the 
 safety and defence of the Colony in general, and that part 
 of it in particular ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 are hereby directed, forthwith to take some effectual mea- 
 sures to procure such a quantity of Powder and Ball as will 
 appear to them to be necessary for the use of this Colony, 
 under the present alarming situation of our publick affairs ; 
 and, in particular, that they immediately send to the Colo- 
 nies of Connecticut and Rhode-Island for so much Powder 
 as they shall think necessary, and when procured, to de- 
 liver so much of it to the order of the Selectmen of such 
 deficient Towns, and in such quantities, as they may think 
 will be proportional to the exigencies of each Town respec- 
 tively, and to the safety and defence of the Colony in 
 general ; such Towns to pay for the supplies which they 
 may receive of said Committee, according to the nett ex- 
 pense of procuring the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Cutts, lchabod Goodwin, and 
 Deacon Fisher, be appointed to proportion the Powder that 
 is recommended to be sold to the Towns of York, Welles, 
 Biddeford, Boothbay, and Sandford, and to sit forthwith. 
 
 The Committee presented the following Report, which 
 was accepted : 
 
 Whereas, the Towns of York, Welles, Boothbay, and 
 Biddeford, have applied to this Congress, setting forth the 
 dangerous situation they are in, being seaports, and there- 
 by exposed to the ravages of the enemy, although but a 
 small force should be sent to attack them by sea ; and like- 
 wise showing that they have not ammunition sufficient 
 wherewith to make defence, should they be thus attacked; 
 and considering them, as they ought to be, part of the whole, 
 and should they suffer, that the whole must be affected : 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recommended to 
 the Selectmen of the Towns of Marblehead, Salem, and 
 Newburyport, that they forthwith sell, out of their Town 
 stock, four half barrels of Powder each, to said Towns of 
 York, Welles, Biddeford, and Boothbay, to put the inhabi- 
 tants thereof in some tolerable state of defence ; and should 
 the Towns of Marblehead, Salem, and Newburyport, be 
 under the necessity of having the quantities which they 
 have delivered to the said Towns of York, Welles, Booth- 
 bay, and Biddeford, replaced, in that case the Congress 
 will give orders for the same as soon as may be. The Pow- 
 der to be apportioned according to the number of inhabi- 
 tants in the said Towns, as also to Sandford, said Town 
 having made application for supplies of the same kind. 
 
 Ordered, That the Rev. James Murray, Major Fuller, 
 and Jonas Dix, Esq., be a Committee to return the thanks 
 of this Congress to the Reverend Ministers who have gen- 
 erously offered to supply the Army as Chaplains, each a 
 month in rotation. 
 
 Ordered, That at three o'clock to-morrow, this Congress 
 will take into consideration some effectual method of sup- 
 plying the Treasury. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon How have leave to return home, 
 but is to return to his duty immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the copies of the Order to the Honour- 
 able Richard Derby, Esq., for fitting out his Vessel for a 
 Packet, be taken and authenticated by the President pro 
 tempore. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Richard Derby, Esqr's, 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Orders to the Treasury, be also authenticated by the Pre- 
 sidentpro tempore. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies, directed to 
 draught the Letter to our Agent in Great Britain, be re- 
 quested to send the same with the papers now preparing 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Holten, Doctor Baylies, Captain 
 Whittemore, Colonel Dwight, and Mr. Kollock, be a Com- 
 mittee to take the recommendation of the Committee of 
 Safety into consideration, with respect to the Army now 
 forming. 
 
 Moved, That when this Congress do adjourn, that they 
 adjourn to seven o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 Adjourned accordingly. 
 
 Thursday, April 27, 1775, i 
 Seven o'clock, A. M. $ 
 
 Met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Goodman inquire of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, whether any provision is made for a Post 
 or Posts, to ride from the Army to Worcester, agreeably to 
 a request from the Selectmen of that Town ; and also to 
 procure a Writ for calling a General Assembly in May next, 
 issued from General Gage for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary pro tempore take Extracts 
 from the Minutes of the Resolves of this Congress, and 
 authenticate the same, and deliver them to the men now 
 in waiting from York and Welles, for the purpose of obtain- 
 ing some Powder. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in a 
 Resolve, with regard to the seaports in the County of 
 Essex. 
 
 Whereupon Mr. Gerry offered the following : 
 
 Whereas, hostilities have been commenced in this Colony 
 by Great Britain, and the sword may remain unsheathed 
 for a considerable time : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is earnestly recom- 
 mended to the Committees of the seaport Towns in the 
 County of Essex, that they use their utmost endeavours to 
 have all the effects of the inhabitants of their respective 
 Towns removed as soon as possible ; that the Congress 
 highly approves of the conduct of said Towns, in wearing 
 a pacifick appearance, until their effects shall be secured ; 
 that the Congress consider it as absolutely necessary for 
 said inhabitants to be in readiness to go into the country on 
 the shortest notice, and to avoid mixing with our enemies, 
 as thereby their own lives will ever be in imminent danger, 
 when the Colony and the Continent shall attack such ene- 
 mies. And it is also recommended to them that their ap- 
 plication to Congress for advice, and this Resolve in conse- 
 quence thereof, be kept a secret, that their effects may be 
 more easily removed. 
 
 Ordered, That three o'clock next Tuesday be assigned 
 to take up the matter in the Resolve brought in by Mr. 
 Gerry. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. President, Col. Orne, Doctor Tay- 
 lor, Major Fuller, of Middleton, and Captain Goodman, 
 be a Committee to confer with the Officers of the Army 
 relative to the reduction of their pay. 
 
 Colonel Dwight was appointed to wait on the Committee 
 of Safety, and acquaint them with the names of the Officers 
 in the Regiments of Minute-Men in Worcester County. 
 
 Mr. Hale appointed to the same business, in the County 
 of Hampshire. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Kingsbury, Doctor Holten, and 
 Deacon Stone, be appointed to inquire and endeavour to 
 get an exact account of the men killed, and wounded, and 
 murdered, in the late scene, on the nineteenth instant. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for, to take up the 
 matter of supplying the Treasury. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed for that pur- 
 pose, to consist of five, and to be chosen by written votes. 
 
 Ordered, That two be added to this Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Holten, Mr. Bidlen, and Captain 
 Batchelder, be appointed to sort and count the votes. 
 
 Ordered, That nine o'clock be assigned for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Patridge, Captain Greenleaf, and 
 
771 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1773. 
 
 772 
 
 Doctor Baker, be appointed to consider the Petition from 
 Gorham, and to sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Whitemore, Mr. Freeman, and 
 Doctor Baylies, assist as scribes the Committees, in taking 
 fair copies of the Depositions in order for the Press, and to 
 sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Jonas Dix, Esq., William Stickney, Esq., 
 and Deacon Stone, be appointed to take true copies of the 
 Depositions, and have them signed by the Deponents, and 
 authenticated by the Justices and Notary Publick. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hubbart have leave to go home a 
 few days. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, April 28, 1775. 
 
 Met conformably to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. President, Col. Gerrish, Mr. Gerry, 
 Doctor Holten, and Mr. Gill, be appointed to confer with 
 the gentlemen from New- Hampshire, and are desired to 
 lay the Letters just received from New- York, dated April 
 nineteenth, before them. 
 
 Ordered, (at the desire of the Secretary pro tempore,) 
 that he be excused from that service, after another is ap- 
 pointed in that place. 
 
 Accordingly Mr. Samuel Freeman was appointed to that 
 office, pro tempore. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 April 28, 1775. I 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed to confer with 
 the Committee who this day arrived here from the Colony 
 of New-Hampshire, have leave to report to this Congress a 
 draught of a Letter, which they have prepared as an answer 
 to one received from the Convention of the said Colony 
 of New-Hampshire, dated twenty-sixth instant. 
 
 The said draught was accordingly reported, read, and 
 unanimously accepted, and ordered to be authenticated by 
 the President, and delivered to Colonel Nathaniel Folsom, 
 Colonel Josiah Bartlett, and Major Samuel Hobart, Esq., 
 the Committee from thesaid Convention of New-Hampshire, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 "Gentlemen: It is with pleasure we have received 
 your letter, above mentioned, and by a Committee of this 
 Congress, have had a conference with your respectable 
 Committee. 
 
 "We find the fullest conviction in the minds of the in- 
 habitants of our sister Colonies, as well as of this, that by 
 their immediate and most vigorous exertions, there is the 
 greatest prospect of establishing their liberties, and saving 
 their Country, and that, without such exertions, all must be 
 lost. 
 
 " It is the opinion of this Congress, as already communi- 
 cated, that a powerful Army on our side must at once cut 
 out such a work for a tyrannical Administration, as, under 
 the great opposition which they meet with in England, they 
 cannot accomplish, and that their system of despotism must 
 soon be shaken to the foundation. But should they still 
 pursue their sanguinary measures, that the Colonies will 
 then be able to make a successful stand. 
 
 « We have the utmost confidence in your patriotick Col- 
 ony, whose inhabitants have signalized themselves, in join- 
 ing their brethren in this, and hope to see New- Hampshire, 
 and every other Government which has been exposed to 
 the corruption of a British Ministry, soon placed upon such 
 a footing as will be best calculated to promote the true inte- 
 rest of the same, and to prevent, in future, such unhappy 
 disputes as have taken place with the mother Country. 
 
 '•' We have just received an agreeable account of the con- 
 duct of our brethren in New-York, and have delivered a 
 copy of the letter to your Committee. 
 
 " We sincerely thank you for your measures, taken in 
 Convention at Exeter, and are fully persuaded that the 
 Congress of your Colony, which is to meet on the seven- 
 teenth of May, will take such effectual steps as the present 
 exigencies of publick affairs require, and the Continent of 
 America must necessarily approve." 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary authenticate a copy of a Let- 
 ter this day received from Governour Hopkins, of Rhodc- 
 hland, and deliver the same to the above mentioned Com- 
 mittee from New- Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dickerson, Doctor Holten. and Col- 
 onel Gerrish, be a Committee to wait upon the Committee 
 
 from New-Hampshire to the Committee of Safety of this 
 Colony, now sitting at Cambridge, to consult with them 
 respecting the Neiv-Hampshire Forces, now at Cambridge. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Gard- 
 ner, be a Committee to take into consideration a Letter this 
 day received from the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esq.. 
 dated Providence, April 27, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Crane, Mr. Grout, and Mr. Fisher, 
 be a Committee to take into consideration the expedien- 
 cy of establishing Post-Riders between the Massachusetts 
 Forces and the Town of Worcester. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Crane, Mr. Grout, and Mr. Fisher, 
 be a Committee to take into consideration the propriety of 
 recommending to the several Towns and Districts in this 
 Colony, that they take no notice of the Precepts lately 
 issued by General Gage, for calling a General Assembly. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Newton, Mr. Goodman, 
 Doctor Taylor, Doctor Baylies, and Major Brooks, be a 
 Committee to prepare a form of a Commission for the 
 several Officers of the Army now forming in this Province. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Doctor Taylor, and Benja- 
 min Aiken, Esq., be a Committee to prepare a draught of 
 Rules and Regulations, to be in future observed by the 
 several Members of this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed in the forenoon, to take into 
 consideration a Letter received from the Honourable Ste- 
 phen Hopkins, Esq., reported. 
 
 The Report was accepted, and ordered to lie on the 
 table, for the present. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to introduce 
 the Honourable Delegates from the Convention at Exeter, 
 in New- Hampshire, to the Committee of Safety, apply to 
 said Committee for an authentick aceount of what transac- 
 tions have certainly taken place with respect to the libera- 
 tion of our friends in Boston, and report as soon as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Dexter, Major Brooks, Doctor 
 Taylor, Captain Batchelder, and Captain Greenlcaf, be a 
 Committee to bring in a Resolve, empowering the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies to procure such Provisions, Military 
 Stores, and other Stores, as they shall judge necessary for 
 the Army now forming in this Colony, during its establish- 
 ment. 
 
 It was Moved, That the sense of this Congress be taken, 
 whether it would be expedient to reduce the Pay of the 
 Field-Officers of the Army. After much debate, the ques- 
 tion was put, and it passed in the affirmative, by a large 
 majority; whereupon it was determined, that the Pay of 
 the Chief Colonel be reduced from fifteen Pounds to twelve 
 Pounds, and that the Lieutenant-Colonels and Majors be 
 reduced in the same proportion. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Newton, Colonel Dex- 
 ter, and Captain Little, be a Committee to bring in a Re- 
 solve for that purpose. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, April 29, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on the New-Hamp- 
 shire Committee to the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, 
 and to make inquiry respecting the liberation of the in- 
 habitants of Boston, reported, that they had attended that 
 business, and had brought from the Committee of Safety a 
 number of papers, which contain the proceedings of the 
 Town of Boston with General Gage, in respect to moving 
 the inhabitants and their effects. 
 
 And that the Committee of Safety, having taken the 
 substance of them into consideration, desired they might 
 be returned to them, and that the Congress would not pass 
 any resolve respecting them until they had come to some 
 resolve concerning them ; therefore, 
 
 Ordered, That the subject-matter of said Papers be re- 
 ferred to the consideration of the said Committee of Safety ; 
 they to make report to this Congress as soon as may be. 
 
 On a motion made, Ordered, That the day appointed 
 for the first meeting of the County Committees, which 
 was the first Wednesday in May next, be postponed to the 
 fourth Wednesday in May next. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a draught of Rules 
 and Regulations to be observed by this Congress, reported ; 
 
773 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, APRIL, 1775. 
 
 774 
 
 tlie Rules were read, and severally accepted, and are as 
 follow, viz : 
 
 "1. No Member shall speak out of his place, nor 
 without standing up, and applying to the President for 
 leave, and shall sit down as soon as he is done speaking. 
 
 "2. No Member, speaking by leave of the President, 
 shall be interrupted by another, but by rising up to speak 
 to order. 
 
 " 3. No Member shall speak more than twice to one 
 question, without first obtaining leave of Congress, nor more 
 than once, until others have spoken that shall desire it. 
 
 " 4. Whenever any Member shall have liberty from the 
 President to make a motion, and such motion shall be 
 seconded by another, the same shall be received and con- 
 sidered by the Congress, and not otherwise. 
 
 " 5. No Member shall declare or question whether it 
 be a Vote or not. 
 
 " 6. No grant for Money, or other thing, shall be made, 
 unless there be a time before assigned for that purpose. 
 
 ;< 7. No Vote shall be reconsidered when a less number 
 is present in Congress than there was when it passed. 
 
 " 8. No Member shall nominate more than one person 
 for a Committee, provided the person so nominated be 
 chosen. 
 
 " 9. No Member shall be obliged to be upon more than 
 two Committees at a time, nor Chairman of more than one. 
 
 ••' 10. That no Member be permitted to stand up, to the 
 interruption of another, while such other Member is speak- 
 ing." 
 
 Ordered, That the Monitors of this Congress be, and 
 they are hereby directed to see that the foregoing Rules 
 are observed by the several Members of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter and Resolve, prepared to be 
 sent to the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esq., of Rhode- 
 Island, be recommitted for a suitable addition, and the 
 Committee to sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, The Hon. Mr. Dexter be a Committee to bring 
 in a Resolve, expressive of the Vote of this Congress for 
 altering the first meeting of the County Committees. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, em- 
 powering the Committee of Supplies to procure Provisions 
 and Military Stores, reported ; the Report was read and 
 accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, \ 
 "April 29, 1775. $ 
 
 ■ Rcsolred, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 they hereby are empowered to purchase every kind of 
 Military Stores, Provisions, and all other supplies which 
 they shall judge necessary for the use of the Forces of 
 this Colony, during the establishment of an Army for its 
 defence, or until it shall be otherwise ordered, by this or 
 some future Congress, or House of Representatives, on 
 the credit of the Colony, and draw for suitable sums from 
 the Treasury for payment of the same. Also to deposite 
 the said Stores in such places as they, in consultation with 
 the Generals of the Colony, shall judge proper ; and to 
 deliver such and so many of said Stores to the Commis- 
 sary-General, from time to time, as he shall judge needful 
 to supply the Army. Likewise, said Committee of Sup- 
 plies are hereby empowered to employ such and so many 
 Assistants as they shall judge necessary, to be paid as afore- 
 said ; said Committee of Supplies to be accountable, when 
 called upon, for their doings to this, or some future Con- 
 gress, or House of Representatives of this Colony." 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an addition to a 
 Letter to the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, re- 
 ported ; which addition was read and accepted. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, with 
 respect to reducing the Pay of the Field-Officers, reported 
 the following ; which was read and accepted, and ordered 
 to be signed by the Secretary-, and transmitted to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 "April 29, 1775. \ 
 
 " W hereas, the reducing of the several Regiments to 
 be raised in the Provincial service, from one thousand men 
 in a Regiment to five hundred and ninety, makes the ser- 
 
 vice of the said Field-Officers of said Regiments less bur- 
 densome : therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That the Pay of said Field-Officers be re- 
 duced one-fifth part from the first establishment, and that 
 said Field-Officers' pay in said service of this Province to 
 the last day of December next, unless dismissed before, 
 shall be as follows, viz : A Colonel's pay twelve Pounds per 
 month ; a Lieut. Colonel's pay nine Pounds twelve Shil- 
 lings per month ; a Major's pay eight Pounds per month." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Rawson, Doctor Dunsmore, and 
 Colonel Davis, be a Committee to wait on the Committee 
 of Safety, now sitting at Cambridge, to inform them of the 
 deep concern this Congress feel on account of the state 
 and situation of the Cannon, and desire information re- 
 specting the disposition of them, and that this Committee 
 forthwith proceed on this business. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will now proceed to choose 
 a Committee to consider some method of supplying the 
 Treasury. 
 
 Ordered, That Esquire Greenleaf, and Mr. Hall, (in 
 the room of Doctor Holten and Mr. Batchelder,) be of 
 the Committee to count and sort the votes. 
 
 The absent Members ordered to be called in. 
 
 The Honourable Mr. Dexter, who was appointed to 
 bring in a Resolve expressive of the Vote of this Congress 
 for altering the first meeting of the County Committees, 
 reported ; which Report being read and amended, was 
 accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 " Whereas, this Congress, on the twelfth day of this in- 
 stant, April, appointed a Committee for each County, to 
 receive from the Committees of Correspondence in such 
 Counties a state of the conduct of the Towns and Dis- 
 tricts with respect to their having executed the Continen- 
 tal and Provincial measures, for the preservation of this 
 Country from slavery : And whereas the distressed cir- 
 cumstances of the Colony may probably render it very 
 inconvenient that so great a number of Members should be 
 absent from the Congress on the first Wednesday of May 
 next, the day mentioned for their first meeting: 
 
 " Therefore, Resolved, That the first meeting of said 
 Committees be postponed to the fourth Wednesday in said 
 month, and it is recommended to the several Committees 
 of Correspondence to render a true state of the conduct 
 of their respective Towns and Districts, on the said fourth 
 Wednesday of May accordingly, and especially with re- 
 spect to their outstanding Province Rates ; any thing con- 
 tained in the former Resolve of this Congress, differing 
 herefrom, notwithstanding." 
 
 Ordered, That the several County Committees be, and 
 they hereby are, directed to inform the Committees of 
 Correspondence of the several Counties of the purport of 
 the foregoing Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be, and he hereby is, 
 directed to notify the Chairman of each of the said County 
 Committees of the purport of the said Resolve. 
 
 The Committee appointed to count and sort the votes 
 for a Committee to consider on some method for supplying 
 the Treasury, reported that the following gentlemen were 
 chosen, viz : 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Murray, Colonel Dexter, Colonel 
 Gerrish, Mr. Gill, Mr. Gerry, Captain Stone, and Cap- 
 tain Greenleaf. 
 
 On a motion made by the Reverend Mr. Murray that 
 he might be excused from serving on the above Commit- 
 tee, and having offered his reasons therefor, the question 
 was put, whether he be excused, agreeably to his request, 
 from serving on said Committee ; and it passed in the 
 affirmative. 
 
 The Congress then made choice of Doctor Taylor to 
 serve on said Committee, in the room of Mr. Murray, who 
 hath been excused. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, April 29, 1775. 
 
 The President having received a Letter from Messrs. Nich- 
 olas Brown and Joseph Brown, dated Providence, April 
 27, 1775, desiring that this Congress would observe secrecy 
 in respect to the capture of their brother, John Brown, at 
 Newport, on the 26th instant : And also another from the 
 Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esquire, dated Providence, 
 April 27th, 1775, presented the same to this Congress ; 
 which being read, 
 
775 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 776 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Colonel Gerrish, and Doc- 
 tor Taylor, be, and they hereby are appointed a Com- 
 mittee to confer with the abovesaid Josej>h Broun, who 
 now waits the further advice of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That said Committee be, and they are here- 
 by authorized to consider what is proper to be done, and 
 make report forthwith. 
 
 The President likewise received a Letter from Worces- 
 ter, enclosing one from Neiv-York, dated April 24, 1775, 
 which gave information of the arrival of a Packet there, 
 with despatches for General Gage, and recommended that 
 care be taken to intercept the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Grout be directed to carry the 
 Letter, last mentioned, to the Committee of Safety, now 
 sitting at Cambridge. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, seven o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, April 30, 1775. 
 The Committee appointed yesterday to wait on the 
 Committee of Safety, reported that they had attended the 
 business to which they were appointed, and brought from 
 said Committee the following account : 
 
 " In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, ) 
 " April 29, 1775. \ 
 
 " Agreeably to the order of the Provincial Congress, 
 this Committee have inquired into the state and situation 
 of the Cannon and Ordnance Stores, with the provision 
 made for the Companies of Artillery, and beg leave to 
 report as follows, viz : 
 
 " In Cambridge, six three-pounders complete, with am- 
 munition, and one six-pounder. 
 
 " In Watertown, sixteen pieces of artillery, of different 
 sizes. The said six-pounder and sixteen pieces will be 
 taken out of the way, and the first mentioned six pieces 
 will be used in a proper way of defence. 
 
 " Captain Foster is appointed to command one of the 
 Companies of Artillery, and ordered to enlist said Com- 
 pany. 
 
 " Captain William Lee, of Marblchead , has been sent 
 for to take the command of another, and several other 
 persons have been sent for to take the command of other 
 Companies. Joseph Warren, Chairman." 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Grout be directed to request of 
 the Committee of Safety a Report respecting the inhabi- 
 tants of Boston. 
 
 A motion was made for an addition to the Committee of 
 Safety, and after some debate, the matter was ordered to 
 subside. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to twelve o'clock this day. 
 
 The Congress met at twelve o'clock, and adjourned to 
 half after one. 
 
 Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and adjourned 
 to half after three. 
 
 At which time the Congress met again. 
 
 Ordered, That another express be immediately sent to 
 the Committee of Safety to procure their result with re- 
 spect to moving out the inhabitants of Boston. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mosely be directed to repair 
 forthwith to Cambridge, on this errand. 
 
 The President was then directed to write a short Letter 
 to said Committee on this important purpose. The Letter 
 i.s as follows : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, April 30, 1775. 
 
 " Sir: I am directed to inform you, that it is with re- 
 gret this Congress find themselves obliged to send to the 
 Committee of Safety a third messenger, to request their 
 immediate Report on the subject of the removal of the 
 poor inhabitants of Boston. 
 
 " To wait for that Report the Congress have suspended 
 all proceedings on that matter, and sat in almost impatient 
 expectation, by several adjournments, since seven o'clock 
 this morning. I am obliged to request your answer by 
 this express, without loss of time, that the Congress may 
 then see what it is their duty to conclude on. I have the 
 honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servant, John Murray. 
 
 " To Joseph Warren, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee 
 of Safety." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bit, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. Bul- 
 len, be a Committee to inquire into the conduct of the 
 several Towns relative to the prisoners of war. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve, relative to altering the time 
 of meeting of the County Committees, be printed in the 
 Salem Gazette, and in the Massachusetts Spy. 
 
 A Committee from the Committee of Safety offered to 
 this Congress a Resolve respecting the liberation of the 
 inhabitants of Boston, which being read, and amended, was 
 accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Waterfown, ) 
 April 30, 1775 S 
 
 " Whereas, an agreement has been made between Gen- 
 eral Gage and the inhabitants of the Town of Boston, for 
 the removal of the persons and effects of such of the inha- 
 bitants of the Town of Boston as may be so disposed, ex- 
 cepting their fire-arms and ammunition, into the country: 
 
 " Besolved, That any of the inhabitants of this Colony, 
 who may incline to go into the Town of Boston, with their 
 effects, fire-arms and ammunition excepted, have toleration 
 for that purpose, and that they be protected from any injury 
 and insult whatsoever, in their removal to Boston, and that 
 this Resolve be immediately published." 
 
 " P. S. Officers appointed for giving permits for the above 
 purpose are, one at the sign of the Sun, at Charlestoun. 
 and another at the house of Mr. John Greaion, Jun., at 
 Roxbury." 
 
 Ordered, That attested copies of the foregoing Resolve 
 be forthwith posted up at Roxbury, Charlestown, and Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolution of Congress, relative to 
 the removal of the inhabitants of Boston, be authentica- 
 ted, and sent to the Selectmen of Boston, immediately 
 to be communicated to General Gage, and also be pub- 
 lished in the Worcester and Salem Papers. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Lothrop, 
 Mr. Holmes, and Colonel Farley, be a Committee to consi- 
 der what steps are necessary to be taken, for the assisting 
 the poor of Boston in moving out with their effects to 
 bring in a Resolve for that purpose, and to set forthwith. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, seven o'clock. 
 
 Monday, May 1, 1775. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider what 
 steps are necessary to be taken with respect to assisting 
 the poor of Boston in moving out with their effects, re- 
 ported ; the Report was recommitted for amendment, and 
 Captain Smith, of Granby, Colonel Mosely, Captain Good- 
 ridge, and Major Smith, were added to the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Patridge, Doctor Baylies and Mr. 
 Greenleaf, be a Committee to inspect the Papers of this 
 Congress, and consider what would be proper to furnish 
 the Printer with for publication, and make report. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inspect the Papers of the 
 Congress, reported several extracts of Letters for publica- 
 tion, which are ordered to be delivered to Mr. Hall, of 
 Salem, for that purpose. 
 
 On a motion made, that the sense of the Congress be 
 taken on this question, viz: Whether the Commissions to 
 be given for the Officers of the Army, now forming in this 
 Colony, shall be signed by the President of the Congress : 
 the question was put, and it passed in the affirmative. 
 
 Congress then adjourned to three o'clock, this afternoon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A Letter brought from Northampton, by express, from 
 Major Hawley, respecting the bearer of despatches from 
 General Gage, was read. 
 
 On which, Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Esquire 
 Gardner and Major Gooding, be a Committee to take the 
 same into consideration, and report. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Letter from Major Hawley, reported, that the most likely 
 way of detecting the bearer of despatches for Governour 
 Gage, was, to forward the said Letter by Major Gooding, 
 to the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, that they may 
 take order thereon. 
 
 Which Report was accepted, and the said Letter, to- 
 gether with two anonymous Letters from London, were 
 ordered to be sent to the said Committee of Safety. 
 
777 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 778 
 
 Moved, That William Read, Esq., be admitted in this 
 House, to represent to this Congress the sufferings lie met 
 with on the 19th April last, at Lexington. 
 
 The question being put, after debate had thereon, it 
 passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Bragdon, Captain Dix, and 
 Mr. Gill, be a Committee to confer with the above named 
 Esquire Read, and to make report of their conference. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in an 
 order of this House, for leave to the several Members of 
 this Congress to pass the Guards of the Colony Army 
 without molestation. 
 
 Mr. Gerry accordingly brought in an order for this pur- 
 pose, and after debates had thereon, it was ordered to be 
 recommitted. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a form of a Com- 
 mission for the Colony Officers, reported. 
 
 The form which they reported was read, and accepted, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 u The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 '•To Greeting: 
 
 '■ We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your cour- 
 age and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute 
 
 and appoint you, the said to be of 
 
 the Regiment of foot raised by the Congress 
 
 aforesaid, for the defence of said Colony. You are, there- 
 fore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a 
 
 in leading, ordering and exercising the said 
 
 in arms, both inferiour officers and soldiers, 
 
 and to keep them in good order and discipline; and they 
 
 are hereby commanded to obey you as their , 
 
 and you are yourself to observe, and follow, such orders 
 and instructions as you shall, from time to time, receive 
 from the General and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 
 raised in the Colony aforesaid for the defence of the same, 
 or any other your superiour officers, according to military 
 rules and discipline in war, in pursuance of the trust reposed 
 in you. By order of the Congress: 
 
 " President pro tern. 
 
 the .... of .... A. D. 1775. 
 " Secretary pro tern." 
 
 Ordered, That a fair copy of the foregoing form of a 
 Commission be taken, and transmitted to the press; and 
 that one thousand copies thereof be printed. 
 
 Mr. Gerry again reported the form of a Pass for the use 
 of the Members of this Congress ; which was accepted, 
 and six hundred of them ordered to be printed. It is as 
 follows : 
 
 " To the Guards of the Colony Army. 
 " Pursuant to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress, you 
 are hereby ordered to permit . . . . , a Member of said 
 Congress, to pass and repass at all times. 
 
 " Secretary." 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 May 1, 1775. \ 
 
 Resolved, That the General Officer of the Army of this 
 Colony be, and he hereby is directed to sign a sufficient 
 number of blank Passes for Members of this Congress, and 
 to deliver the same to the Secretary. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider of mea- 
 sures for assisting the poor of Boston to move out of said 
 Town, having amended their Report, again reported : which 
 Report being read, was accepted, and one hundred and fifty 
 copies thereof ordered to be printed, and a copy forthwith 
 transmitted to the Committee of Donations in Boston, and 
 that Mr. Gill take the charge of transmitting the same. 
 
 The Report is as follows, viz : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, > 
 May 1, 1775. \ 
 
 " Whereas, the inhabitants of the Town of Boston have 
 been detained by General Gage, but at length, by agree- 
 ment, are permitted to remove, with their effects, into the 
 country ; and as it has been represented to this Congress, 
 that about five thousand of said inhabitants are indigent, 
 and unable to be at the expense of removing themselves : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recom- 
 mended to all the good people of this Colony, and espe- 
 cially to the Selectmen, and Committee of Correspond- 
 
 ence most convenient to Boston, that they aid and assist 
 such poor inhabitants with teams, wagons, &ic, as shall 
 procure a certificate from the Committee of Donations 
 that they are unable to remove themselves; and it is fur- 
 ther recommended to the Selectmen of the several Towns 
 specified in the schedule annexed, to provide for said in- 
 habitants, in the best and most prudent way, until this, or 
 some future Congress shall take further order thereon; and 
 that the said Selectmen receive, support, and employ their 
 proportion of said inhabitants, assigned them in said sche- 
 dule, and no other ; and render their accounts to this or 
 some future Congress, or House of Representatives, for 
 allowance ; which reasonable accounts shall be paid out of 
 the publick Treasury. And it is further recommended to 
 the Committee of Donations, to apply said donations for 
 the removal of said inhabitant?, and for their support whilst 
 removing ; and in case that is insufficient, it is further re- 
 commended to said Committee of Donations, that they 
 make up said deficiency, and lay their accounts before the 
 Congress for allowance, which reasonable expense shall be 
 paid out of the publick Treasury of the Colony. And it 
 is further Resolved, That the inhabitants of Boston thus 
 removed, shall not, in future, be considered as the poor of 
 said Town into which they remove ; and it is to be under- 
 stood, that if the number of the poor who shall be removed 
 in consequence hereof, should surpass or fall short of the 
 number herein calculated, the distribution of them shall be 
 increased or diminished, in proportion to this regulation : 
 
 County of Suffolk. 
 
 Wrentham, persons, 89 
 
 Stoughtonham, " 32 
 
 Med way, " 38 
 
 Bellingham, " 25 
 
 Walpole, " 31 
 
 
 
 215 
 
 Middlesex County 
 
 
 Concord, 
 
 persons, 
 
 66 
 
 Marlborough, 
 
 a 
 
 80 
 
 Billerica, 
 
 ft 
 
 54 
 
 Framingham, 
 
 tt 
 
 63 
 
 Chelmsford, 
 
 tt 
 
 49 
 
 Sherburne, 
 
 tt 
 
 31 
 
 Sudbury, 
 
 tt 
 
 85 
 
 Weston, 
 
 tt 
 
 41 
 
 Westford, 
 
 tt 
 
 45 
 
 Littleton, 
 
 it 
 
 41 
 
 Hopkinton, 
 
 a 
 
 42 
 
 Stow, 
 
 tt 
 
 36 
 
 Groton, 
 
 tt 
 
 61 
 
 Pepperel, 
 
 tt 
 
 34 
 
 Townsend, 
 
 tt 
 
 26 
 
 Natick, 
 
 tt 
 
 20 
 
 Dracut, 
 
 a 
 
 35 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 it 
 
 29 
 
 Holliston, 
 
 tt 
 
 34 
 
 Tewksbury, 
 
 tt 
 
 28 
 
 Acton, 
 
 tt 
 
 32 
 
 Dunstable, 
 
 tt 
 
 30 
 
 Lincoln, 
 
 it 
 
 29 
 
 Wilmington, 
 
 n 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 1016 
 
 Berkshire County. 
 Sheffield, persons, 
 Great-Barrington " 
 Stockbrirlge, " 
 Pittsfield, « 
 New-Marlborough, 
 Egremont, " 
 Richmond, " 
 Lenox, " 
 Tyringham, " 
 Lanesborough, " 
 Sandisfield, " 
 Williamstovvn, " 
 East-Hoosock, " 
 
 54 
 24 
 25 
 31 
 30 
 13 
 23 
 16 
 13 
 32 
 23 
 20 
 10 
 
 314 
 
 Plymouth County. 
 
 Brige water, persons, 81 
 
 Abington, " 22 
 
 Halifax, " 12 
 
 
 
 115 
 
 Bristol County. 
 
 
 Taunton, 
 
 persons, 
 
 103 
 
 Rehoboth, 
 
 <( 
 
 129 
 
 Dartmouth, 
 
 tt 
 
 113 
 
 Norton, 
 
 tt 
 
 47 
 
 Mansfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 30 
 
 Attleborough, 
 
 tt 
 
 75 
 
 Raynham, 
 
 tt 
 
 31 
 
 Easton, 
 
 tt 
 
 35 
 
 Berkley, 
 
 tt 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 588 
 
 Hampshire 
 
 Comity. 
 
 
 Springfield, persons, 
 
 68 
 
 Wilbraham, 
 
 tt 
 
 31 
 
 Northampton, 
 
 
 70 
 
 Southampton, 
 
 tt 
 
 25 
 
 Hadley, 
 
 tt 
 
 30 
 
 South Hadley, 
 
 ie „ 
 
 23 
 
 Amherst, 
 
 << 
 
 34 
 
 Granby, 
 
 <( 
 
 17 
 
 Hatfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 35 
 
 Whately, 
 
 tt 
 
 13 
 
 Williamsburgh, 
 
 tt 
 
 9 
 
 Westfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 50 
 
 Deerfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 36 
 
 Greenfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 24 
 
 Shelburn, 
 
 tt 
 
 14 
 
 Conway, 
 Sunderland, 
 
 it 
 
 17 
 
 tt 
 
 19 
 
 Montague, 
 Northfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 18 
 
 tt 
 
 26 
 
 Brimfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 44 
 
 South-Brimfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 26 
 
 Monson, 
 
 tt 
 
 23 
 
 Pelham, 
 
 it 
 
 25 
 
 Greenwich, 
 
 tt 
 
 24 
 
 Blandford, 
 
 it 
 
 19 
 
 Leverett, 
 
 tt 
 
 4 
 
 Palmer, 
 
 tt 
 
 25 
 
 Granville, 
 New-Salem, 
 
 tt 
 
 44 
 
 it 
 
 22 
 
 Belchertown, 
 
 a 
 
 28 
 
 Colrain, 
 
 tt 
 
 17 
 
 Ware, 
 Warwick, 
 
 tt 
 
 13 
 
 tt 
 
 10 
 
 Bernardston, 
 
 it 
 
 14 
 
 Murraysfield, 
 
 tt 
 
 17 
 
779 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 780 
 
 Charlemont, persons, 12 Shrewsbury, persons, 
 
 Worthington, " 6 Luncnburgh, " 
 
 Shutesbury, " 14 Fitchburgh, 
 
 Chesterfield, " 22 Uxbridge, " 
 
 Southwick, " 19 Harvard, " 
 
 West-Springfield, " 72 Dudley, " 
 
 Ludlow, " 10 Bolton, " 
 
 1069 U P ton > " 
 — Sturbridge, " 
 
 Leominster, " 
 
 persons, 82 Hardwick, " 
 
 103 Holden, 
 
 76 Weston, 
 
 99 Douglass, 
 
 35 Grafton, « 
 
 35 Petersham, " 
 
 98 Royalston, 
 
 " 36 Westminster, " 
 
 31 Athol, 
 
 20 Templeton, « 
 " 48 Princeton, " 
 " 14 Ashburnham, " 
 " 42 Winchendon, " 
 9 Northbridge, M 
 32 
 36 
 
 38 Whole number, 
 25 
 
 Worcester County 
 W orcester, 
 Lancaster, 
 Mendon, 
 Brookfield, 
 Oxford, 
 Charlton, 
 Sutton, 
 Leicester, 
 Spencer, 
 Paxton, 
 Rutland, 
 Oakham, 
 Hutchinson, 
 Hubbardston, 
 New-Braintree, 
 Southborough, 
 Westborough, 
 Northborough, 
 
 32 
 51 
 19 
 
 36 
 50 
 32 
 48 
 20 
 45 
 38 
 55 
 26 
 35 
 22 
 38 
 38 
 
 8 
 31 
 20 
 25 
 24 
 12 
 
 9 
 13 
 
 1586 
 ■1903 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Patridge, Mr. Lothrop and Doc- 
 tor Baylies, be directed to assist the Secretary in copying 
 the foregoing Report, he. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with William Read, 
 Esq., reported the following, (presented to them by Wm. 
 Read, Esq., of Lexington, in behalf of Joseph Loring, J. 
 Loring, Jan., Widow Mulliken, and Joseph Pond,) viz: 
 
 "Joseph Loring, Joseph Loring, Jun., Widow Lydia 
 Mulliken, and Joseph Pond, had their houses, furniture, pro- 
 visions, and all apparel, burnt by Gen. Gage's Troops in the 
 late battle, whereby they are reduced to a state of abject 
 poverty. William Read, Esquire, prays, in behalf of the 
 above distressed inhabitants of Lexington, that they may 
 have a present relief from the honourable Congress of one 
 hundred and sixty pounds of Pork, in order to prevent 
 their starving." 
 
 Whereupon, Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies 
 be, and they are hereby directed to deliver to said William 
 Read, Esq., or to his order, for the use of the said Joseph 
 Loring, Joseph Loring, Jun., Widow Mulliken, and Joseph 
 Pond, one barrel of Pork. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hollock, Colonel How and Cap- 
 tain White, be a Committee to consider what is proper to 
 be done, with respect to furnishing the Army with some 
 present necessaries. 
 
 All the Committees were enjoined to sit. 
 
 Adjourned until to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That another President be chosen pro tern., 
 and that he be chosen by nomination. 
 
 Colonel Warren was then nominated and chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Patridge, Doctor Taylor and Mr. 
 Dix, be a Committee to wait on Colonel Warren, to inform 
 him of said choice. 
 
 Colonel Warren accordingly attended, and after offering 
 his reasons for excuse, Moved, that a Committe be appoint- 
 ed to wait on Doctor Joseph Warren, informing him of the 
 absence of the Reverend Mr. Murray, who has lately offi- 
 ciated as President, and to know if he can now attend the 
 Congress in that station. Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Dunsmore be a Committee for 
 that purpose ; who accordingly waited upon Doctor War- 
 ren, and received the following reply : 
 
 "Cambridge, May 2, 1775. 
 
 " Doctor Warren presents his best respects to the hon- 
 ourable the Provincial Congress : informs them that he 
 will obey their order, and attend his duty in Congress in 
 the afternoon." 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Colonel Warren, Hon. 
 Mr. Dexter, Mr. Gill, and Capt. Brown, of Abing ton, be 
 
 a Committee to consider the propriety of taking measures 
 for securing the records of those Counties which are more 
 immediately exposed in this day of danger. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Dexter, Colonel 
 Warren, and Mr. Gill, be a Committee to prepare a 
 draught of a Letter to the Delegates of Congress, now in 
 Connecticut, giving them instruction with respect to the 
 arrival at this Colony of two gentlemen from the Assembly 
 of Connecticut, with an address to General Gage, and a 
 commission to treat with him respecting a cessation of hos- 
 tilities, he. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, of Oakham, Deacon 
 Rawson, and Major Puller, of Newton, be a Committee 
 to draw up the form of an oath to be taken by the Officers 
 and Soldiers of the Army, now forming in this Colony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what might be 
 proper to be done with respect to furnishing the Army 
 with some present necessaries, reported. 
 
 The Report was read, and ordered to lie on the table for 
 the present. 
 
 A Letter from Manchester, to Doctor Taylor, respecting 
 a computation of the Taxes paid by Great Britain and 
 America, kc, was read: Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Deacon Cheever, and 
 Captain Stone, be a Committee to take the said Letter into 
 consideration, and make report. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare a Letter 
 to the Delegates of this Congress at Connecticut, reported : 
 which Report being read, was unanimously accepted, and is 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 "Gentlemen: Although this Congress entertain the 
 highest opinion of the virtue and publick spirit of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, and have not the smallest doubt 
 of the attachment of the General Assembly of that Colony 
 to the glorious cause of freedom, now threatened with total 
 destruction by a corrupt Ministry ; yet the arrival of two 
 gentlemen, of the first character, from that Colony, with an 
 address to General Gage, and a commission to treat with 
 him on the subject of American grievances, and to propose, 
 as we are informed, a cessation of hostilities, at a time 
 when that gentleman can be considered in no other light 
 than as an instrument in the hands, and under the absolute 
 direction of Administration, to subjugate, and for that de- 
 testable purpose, to spread slaughter and destruction among 
 His Majesty's loyal subjects ; of his disposition to do which, 
 he has recently given a flagrant, proof in massacring a 
 number of innocent people, who were in the peace of God 
 and the King; and by other acts of injustice and cruelty, 
 we cannot but be greatly alarmed for the consequences. 
 Any interruptions of that happy union of the Colonies 
 which has taken place, would prove of the most fatal ten- 
 dency, and we cannot but view every kind of negotiation 
 between any Colony and the chief instrument of ministerial 
 vengeance here, as being likely to operate towards such an 
 interruption. We apprehend that things are now reduced 
 to such a state, that nothing but an immediate recourse to 
 arms, and a steady and persevering exertion in military 
 operations can possibly prevent our destruction, and that a 
 recourse to any other method is, at best, nugatory and vain. 
 
 " Any proposals, either to Parliament, to the Ministry, or 
 to their Agents here, made separately by a single Colony, 
 may produce most tremendous events with regard to Ame- 
 rica; and we apprehend nothing could be more pleasing to 
 our enemies than the making such proposals. We are so 
 deeply impressed with the sense of the importance and 
 absolute necessity of a thorough union of the Colonies, and 
 particularly with respect to the raising and supporting an 
 Army, to act with the utmost vigour at this alarming crisis; 
 and so fearful of any measures taking place, whereby the 
 common cause may be endangered, that we have unani- 
 mously concluded it necessary to suggest to you our fears 
 respecting the effects of this embassy from Connecticut to 
 Gage ; and we expect you will make a proper representa- 
 tion of the sentiments of this Congress to their Assembly, 
 in hopes that you will receive such an explanation of their 
 motives, and such assurances of their intention immediately 
 to co-operate with this Colony, as may remove every 
 gloomy apprehension, and confirm us in that high estima- 
 tion in which we have ever held the respectable Colony of 
 Connecticut. 
 
781 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 782 
 
 " P. S. If the Assembly is dissolved, it is expected that 
 you will tarry to treat with the next Assembly. 
 " To Jedediah Foster, Timothy Daniehon, and John 
 
 Bliss, Esquires." 
 
 On motion made, 
 
 Ordered, That at three o'clock this afternoon, this 
 Congress do take into consideration the Precepts issued by 
 General Gage for calling a General Assembly. 
 
 Resohed, That Captain Goodman be directed to take 
 the charge of transmitting, forthwith, the Letter to the 
 Delegates of this Colony, now in Connecticut. 
 
 Ordered, That a postscript be added to said Letter, in- 
 structing said Delegates that if their Assembly should be 
 dissolved, they tarry there, to treat with the new Assem- 
 bly. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A Letter was presented to this Congress by Esquire 
 Aikin, from Mr. Lemuel Williams, dated Dartmouth, May 
 1st, 1775, to said Aikin, which was read: Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Batchelder, Esquire Dix, Colonel 
 Furley, Mr. Greenleaf, and Mr. Bent, be a Committee 
 to take the said Letter into consideration, and report as 
 soon as may be, and that Esquire Aikin be desired to at- 
 tend on said Committee. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of the Precepts 
 for calling a General Assembly, be referred to Thursday 
 next, at ten o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Cheever, Colonel Warren, Mr. 
 GUI, Honourable Mr. Dexter, and the President, be a 
 Committee to bring in a Resolve, for the purpose of grant- 
 ing liberty to such persons in Boston as incline to send 
 into the country for their effects, that so another obstacle 
 may be removed to the liberating of the inhabitants of 
 Boston. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, President Warren, Hon. 
 Mr. Dexter, Colonel Warren, and Colonel Gerrish, be a 
 Committee to forward an express to the honourable Con- 
 tinental Congress, with authenticated copies of the Depo- 
 sitions and Address to the inhabitants of Great Britain, 
 and Letter to Mr. Franklin, lately sent to Great Britain, 
 per Captain Derby, of Salem ; also, to send another original 
 set of said papers by said express, to be forwarded by the 
 vessel in the Southern Colonies, to London, and to report 
 an application to be sent by said express to the Continen- 
 tal Congress. 
 
 Colonel Learned moved, that the sense of this Con- 
 gress might be taken, whether the Regiment he is now 
 raising, may be a Regiment of Grenadiers. The matter 
 was ordered to subside. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee be 
 appointed, to take into consideration the expediency of 
 drafting a certain proportion of the Town's stock of Pow- 
 der, &c, from such Towns as they shall think proper, for 
 the present supply of the Army now establishing in this 
 Colony. The matter was ordered to subside until the 
 Congress had passed upon a Report for giving license to 
 such persons in Boston as incline to send into the country 
 for their effects ; which Report was read, amended, and ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 2, 1775. 
 " Resolved, That such inhabitants of this Colony as have 
 repaired to the Town of Boston, there to take up their 
 resideuce, and have effects in the other Towns of this 
 Government, be permitted, each of them, to send out a 
 servant or other person, without arms, to put up and trans- 
 port into the said Town of Boston, any such goods or 
 effects, excepting arms and ammunition ; and that the 
 officers appointed for granting permits at Roxbury and 
 
 Charlestoicn, be, and hereby are directed to provide a 
 suitable attendant to each person so sent out, whose busi- 
 ness it shall be to continue with him till he returns, and 
 that permits, agreeable to the intention of this Resolve, be 
 
 granted." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Freeman, Doctor Taylor, Mr. 
 Lewis, Colonel Dwight, and Esquire Gardner, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider what measures are proper to be taken 
 
 for liberating those persons who were taken prisoners by 
 the Troops under the command of General Gage, on the 
 1 9th of April. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise ways and means for 
 supplying the Treasury, reported, as to the first step, and 
 asked leave to sit again.* 
 
 All the Committees were enjoined to sit. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Wednesday, May 3, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Cheever be desired to make 
 application to the Reverend Doctor Cooper, to request 
 that he would officiate as Chaplain to this Congress during 
 its session in this place. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. 
 Paine, be a Committee to forward the Proclamations for a 
 Fast into the country as soon as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That this last mentioned Order be reconsider- 
 ed ; and thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who were appointed at 
 Concord for dispersing the Proclamations, be required to 
 perform their duty with all possible expedition. 
 
 On the application from the Committee of Safety rela- 
 tive to supplying Col. Arnold with one hundred Pounds, 
 and sundry VVarlike Stores, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Greenleaf, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Pa- 
 tridge, be a Committee to take said application into con- 
 sideration, and report. 
 
 The Committee on the application from the Committee 
 of Safety reported. The Report was read and acceptec!, 
 and is as follows: 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775. 
 " Resolved, That the within request of the Committee of 
 Safety be granted, and that the Committee of Supplies be, 
 and they hereby are directed to furnish Colonel Benedict 
 Arnold with ten Horses, two hundred pounds of Gun- 
 powder, two hundred pounds of Lead Balls, and one thou- 
 sand Flints, at the expense of the Colony ; and that said 
 Committee draw upon Henry Gardner, Esquire, Receiver- 
 General, for one hundred Pounds, in favour of said Ar- 
 nold, and take his receipt for the whole, said Arnold to be 
 accountable therefor to this or some other Congress, or 
 future House of Representatives." 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Doctor Holten, Mr. 
 Dix, Colonel Farley, and Doctor Taylor, be a Committee 
 to ascertain the power of the Committees of Supplies and 
 of Safety, and to see whether it be necessary that they be 
 invested with other powers than they now have. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in the form of a Re- 
 solve, empowering the Treasurer to borrow a certain sum 
 of Money, and the form of a Note to be by him given to the 
 lender, &lc, reported. The Report was amended, read, 
 and accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 empowered and directed to borrow the sum of One Hun- 
 dred Thousand Pounds, lawful money, and issue Colonv 
 securities for the same, payable with annual interest, at six 
 per cent., June 1st, 1777 ; and that the Continental Con- 
 gress be desired to recommend to the several Colonies to 
 give a currency to such securities. 
 
 Resolved, That the Securities given by the Receiver- 
 General for the Moneys borrowed by him, in pursuance of 
 the aforegoing Resolve, be in the form following, viz : 
 
 " No. ... The ... day of A. D. 177 . 
 
 " Borrowed and received of A. B. the sum of 
 
 Pounds, lawful money, for the use and service of the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay ; and in behalf of said 
 Colony, I do hereby promise and oblige myself and my suc- 
 cessors in the office of Treasurer or Receiver-General, to 
 repay to the said A. B., or to his order, on the first day or 
 
 + The Committee appointed to devise ways and means for supplying 
 the Treasury, beg leave to report, as the first step, that the Receiver 
 General be empowered and directed to borrow the sum of One Hun- 
 dred Thousand Pounds, and issue Colony securities in the form fol- 
 lowing, payable with annual interest, at six per cent., in the year 
 177 ; and that when the subscription is filled up, the Continental 
 Congress be desired to recommend it to the several Colonies, to give a 
 currency to such securities in all payments whatsoever, and that a 
 Resolve pass for that purpose. The Committee ask leave to sit again. 
 
 S. Dexter, per order 
 
783 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 784 
 
 June, 1777, the aforesaid sum of Pounds, 
 
 lawful money, in Spanish milled dollars, at six shillings 
 each, or in the several species of coined silver and gold 
 enumerated in an act for ascertaining the rates at which 
 coined silver and gold, English half-pence and farthings, 
 may pass within this Government, and according to the 
 rates therein mentioned, with interest, to be paid annually, 
 at six per cent. 
 
 A. 13, ) Witness my hand, 
 
 CD, i £ H.G. 
 E. F. ) 
 
 The Committee on the Letter from Mr. Lee to Doctor 
 Taylor, reported verbally, that a copy of said Letter be 
 forwarded to our Members of the Continental Congress. 
 
 Upon a motion, the question was put, whether the above 
 Report be accepted, and passed in the negative. 
 
 Resolved, That in all orders for impressing Horses and 
 Carriages, the Horses and Carriages of the Members of 
 this Congress be excepted, and that a copy of this Resolve 
 be sent to the Committee of Safety and Committee of 
 Supplies. 
 
 Ordered, That at three o'clock this afternoon, the Con- 
 gress will take into consideration the propriety of establish- 
 ing pay for a Brigade Major. 
 
 Ordered, That at five o'clock this afternoon, the Con- 
 gress will come to the choice of a Committee of three 
 persons (by ballot) to procure a Copperplate for printing 
 the Colony Notes, and to countersign them. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who reported a Resolve 
 relative to borrowing Money, Sic, bring in a Resolve that 
 no note be given by the Receiver-General for a less sum 
 than four Pounds. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve that 
 no note be given by the Receiver-General for any sum 
 less than four Pounds, reported ; the Report was amended 
 and accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 " Whereas, inconveniences may arise by the Receiver- 
 General issuing notes for small sums : 
 
 <: Therefore, resolved, That the Receiver-General be, 
 and he hereby is, directed not to issue any notes for a less 
 sum than four Pounds, lawful money." 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to take into 
 consideration the advance pay to the Soldiers, was taken 
 up and read, but as part of the Report is superseded by a 
 Resolve in the morning : 
 
 " Therefore, ordered, That the Report be recommitted, 
 and that part thereof which hath been superseded be left 
 out, and that each Soldier be allowed twenty Shillings, 
 lawful money, advance. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Parker, Colonel Howe, and 
 Colonel Farley, be a Committee to take into consideration 
 the propriety of establishing pay for a Brigade Major. 
 
 The above Vote was reconsidered. 
 
 The Committee appointed to report the form of an Oath, 
 reported ; the Report was read, and recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller and Captain Brown, of 
 Watertown, be a Committee to count and sort the votes 
 for a Committee to procure a Copperplate for printing 
 the Colony Notes, and to countersign them. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that the Honourable Samuel Dexter, Esquire, Doctor 
 Joseph Warren, and Mr. Moses Gill, were chosen. 
 
 Mr. Cheevcr, who was appointed to wait on the Reve- 
 rend Doctor Cooper, and desire his attendance on this Con- 
 gress to officiate as their Chaplain, reported, that he had 
 attended the service assigned him, and that the state of the 
 Doctor's affairs was such that he could not attend, accord- 
 ing to the desire of the Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to report a Letter to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, reported ; the Report was read and 
 accepted, and ordered to be copied, and forwarded as soon 
 as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Davis be desired to wait on the 
 Reverend Mr. Gordon, and desire that he would attend 
 on this Congress, and officiate as their Chaplain during 
 their session in the Town of If'atcrtoum. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to take under con- 
 sideration the advance pay to the Soldiers, reported ; the 
 Report was recommitted, and Captain Stone and Doctor 
 Taylor added to the Committee. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider what 
 measures are proper to be taken for liberating those persons 
 who were taken prisoners by the Troops, under General 
 Gage, on the nineteenth of April, reported a Resolve ; 
 which was read and accepted, and Ordered, that any 
 Member who desires a copy may have one.* The Re- 
 solve is as follows : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, ) 
 "May 3, 1775. \ 
 
 " Whereas, a number of the inhabitants of this Colony 
 were taken prisoners by the Troops, under the command 
 of General Gage, on the nineteenth of April last, and are 
 by him so held : 
 
 " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Congress, that 
 an application be sent to General Gage, signed by the 
 wives or nearest relations of such prisoners, and the Se- 
 lectmen of the Towns to which they respectively belong, 
 desiring that he would discharge their friends from their 
 said imprisonment ; and they are empowered hereby to 
 offer to send in to the General an equal number of his 
 Troops, now in the hands of this people, who were taken 
 prisoners on the aforesaid nineteenth of April, upon his 
 liberating their friends as aforesaid." 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, May 4, 1775. 
 
 Colonel Davis, who was appointed to wait upon the 
 Reverend Mr. Gordon, to desire that he would officiate 
 as Chaplain to this Congress, reported that he had waited 
 upon Mr. Gordon, and that Mr. Gordon informed him 
 that he would attend accordingly. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to take into con- 
 sideration the advance pay to the Soldiers, again reported ; 
 which Report was read, amended, and accepted, and order- 
 ed to be authenticated, and sent forthwith to Head-Quar- 
 ters. It is as follows : 
 
 " Whereas, the distressed state of this Colony, at this 
 alarming crisis, calls for its utmost exertions that the Army 
 now to be raised be forthwith completed : 
 
 " Therefore, resolved, That each non-commissioned Offi- 
 cer and Private Soldier, who has or shall enlist himself into 
 the service of this Colony, shall have twenty Shillings paid 
 him out of the Receiver-General's Office, as an advance ; 
 and that the Commanding Officer of each Regiment, who 
 shall be empowered to act as Muster-Master for his said 
 Regiment, shall draw from the Receiver-General's Office 
 the sum of twenty Shillings for each Non-commissioned 
 Officer and Private Soldier in his said Regiment, and pay 
 the same, according to the tenour of this Resolve, as soon 
 as said men shall have enlisted themselves and be duly 
 sworn, and give his bond (with sufficient surety) to the 
 Receiver-General therefor ; said bond to be discharged by 
 a receipt produced by said Officer from each Non-commis- 
 sioned Officer and Private Soldier, that he has received the 
 same." 
 
 On application made to this Congress for an order on 
 the Committee of Supplies for one barrel of Powder, for 
 the use of the inhabitants of Falmouth, in Casco-Bay : 
 
 Ordered, That this matter be referred to the said Com- 
 mittee of Supplies; they to act thereon as they think best. 
 
 The Order of the Day moved for. 
 
 The absent Members were ordered to be called in. 
 
 On a motion made, that a Committee be appointed to 
 bring in a Resolve containing a reconsideration of a Re- 
 solve passed by this Congress at Concord, the first of April 
 
 * In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775. 
 The Committee who wore appointed hy this Congress to consider 
 what measures are proper to be taken for liberating those persons who 
 were taken prisoners by the Troops under (Jenoral Gage, on the nine- 
 teenth of April, bog leave to report, they arc of opinion, that if an 
 application were sent to General Gage, signed by the wives or near- 
 est relations of such prisoners, and the Selectmen of tho Towns to 
 which they respectively belong, who are empowered hereby to offer to 
 send in those names, it would be the most effectual method which 
 could be taken for their roleaso ; but if such application should be un- 
 successful, they think it would be highly cxpodiont for this Congress 
 to consent to an exchange of prisoners ; further, to take such measures 
 in assistance to the friends of thoso unhappy captives as, in their 
 wisdom, they may think will be proper to bo taken for that purpose. 
 
785 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 786 
 
 last, giving it as their opinion, that "if Writs should be 
 issued for calling a General Assembly, to be held on the 
 last Wednesday of May next, that the several Towns in 
 this Colony ought to obey such precepts," and to bring in 
 a Resolve recommending to the several Towns and Dis- 
 tricts in this Colony not to obey such precepts : after a long 
 and serious debate, the question was put, and it passed in 
 the affirmative. For the question 94 ; the whole number 
 of the House 107. 
 
 Colonel Warren, Mr. Gerry, Colonel Gerrish, Doctor 
 Holten, and Colonel Mandell, were accordingly appointed 
 for this purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, of Framingham, Mr. 
 Bent, and Major Fuller, be a Committee to examine the 
 returns of the several Towns and Districts' stocks of Pow- 
 der, and to bring in a Resolve recommending to such 
 Towns as they think proper, which are not immediately 
 exposed, to furnish the Towns of Falmouth and Arundel 
 with one barrel of Powder each. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, this afternoon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That General Putnam and Colonel Porter, 
 who were, with others of the Committee of Safety, ap- 
 pointed by the said Committee of Safety and the Council 
 of War to lay some special matters before this Congress, 
 be admitted into this House, and that Colonel Warren, 
 Mr. Devens, and Colonel Gerrish, be a Committee to in- 
 troduce them. 
 
 The left hand front Pew was assigned them to sit in. 
 
 The absent Members were directed to attend. 
 
 The said Committee having accordingly attended this 
 Congress, they informed the Congress, that the gentlemen 
 delegated by the Assembly of Connecticut, to execute an 
 embassy to General Gage, had come out of Boston with 
 Letters from him to the Assembly of Connecticut, of which 
 they thought it proper to inform this Congress, that they 
 might take order thereon if they thought fit. Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Colonel Warren, Doctor 
 Holten, Colonel Gerrish, Colonel Palmer, Doctor Baylies, 
 Doctor Taylor, Mr. Gardner, Mr. Patridge, Mr. Gerry, 
 and Mr. Mills, together with the Committee from the Com- 
 mittee of Safety and Council of War, be a Committee to 
 hold a conference with the said Delegates from Connecticut, 
 and to attend forthwith. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the conduct of 
 the several Towns, relative to the prisoners of war, reported. 
 Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wyman apply to the Committee of 
 Safety, desiring that they would take such measures with 
 respect to the Colony Stores, and two Regular Officers, with 
 their waiters, now at Woburn, as will remove the necessi- 
 ty of keeping so large a guard as is now placed there to 
 guard the same. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with the Connecticut 
 Delegates, reported, that they had conferred with them on 
 the subject of their embassy, and of the Letter to their 
 Assembly from General Gage; but that they thought it in- 
 consistent with their honour, and the interest of the Colo- 
 nies, to open it; but that they would use their influence 
 when they returned, to have the contents of it communi- 
 cated to this Colony. 
 
 Moved, That the Delegates from Connecticut be desired 
 to attend this Congress. 
 
 After debate, the matter was ordered to subside. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Colonel Warren, Colonel 
 Dicight, Mr. Gerry, and Colonel Holten, be a Committee 
 to return the compliments to the gentlemen from Connect- 
 icut, for their patient attendance to the inquiry made of 
 them by this Congress, respecting their embassy to General 
 Gage. 
 
 Moved, That the Resolve passed yesterday, respecting 
 advance pay for the Soldiers, be reconsidered, so far as it 
 respects Muster-Masters, and that two Muster-Masters be 
 appointed by this Congress. 
 
 After debate, the matter was ordered to subside. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Gerry, and Colonel 
 llairen, be a Committee to prepare a Letter to the As- 
 sembly of Connecticut, respecting their late application to 
 General Gage. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Mr. Mills, Captain Mc- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. = 
 
 Cobb, Doctor Perkins, Colonel Grout, and Mr. Kollock, be 
 directed to copy the Depositions of the late hostile pro- 
 ceedings of General Gage's Troops, to be transmitted to 
 Connecticut. 
 
 Adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, May 5, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Stickncy and Mr. Webster be 
 added to the Committee who were appointed to examine 
 the Returns, and Districts' stock of Powder, 8cc, May 4, 
 A. M. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Batchelder, and 
 Doctor Holten, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, re- 
 lative to an obstruction to the removing the inhabitants of 
 Boston, as expressed in a Letter to this Congress from the 
 Selectmen of Boston, and other papers ; and that said Re- 
 solve, when passed, together with the Resolve that passed 
 this Congress the second instant, giving license to those 
 persons in Boston who incline to send a servant out for 
 their effects, be authenticated and transmitted to General 
 Ward. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to bring in two 
 Resolves respecting General Gage's Writs for calling an 
 Assembly, reported ; both of which were read and accepted, 
 and are as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, this Congress did, at their session at Concord, 
 on the first day of April last, resolve, as their opinion, that 
 if Writs be issued (in form as the law directs) for calling 
 a General Assembly, to be held on the last Wednesday of 
 May next, that such Writs should be obeyed, &tc. And 
 whereas, many reasons now prevail, to convince us that 
 consequences of a dangerous nature would result from the 
 operation of that Resolution : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Vote and Resolution be recon- 
 sidered, and it is hereby reconsidered and declared null and 
 void. 
 
 Whereas, his Excellency General Gage, since his arrival 
 in this Colony, hath conducted as an instrument in the hands 
 of an arbitrary Ministry to enslave this people, and a de- 
 tachment under his command have of late been ordered to 
 the Town of Concord, to destroy the publick Stores de- 
 posited in that place for the use of the Colony : and where- 
 as, by this clandestine and perfidious measure, a number of 
 respectable inhabitants of the Colony, without any provoca- 
 tion, have been illegally, wantonly, and inhumanly slaugh- 
 tered by the Troops : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said General Gage hath, by these 
 means, and many others utterly disqualified himself to serve 
 this Colony as a Governour, and in every other capacity, 
 and that no obedience ought, in future, to be paid by the 
 several Towns and Districts in this Colony to his Writs 
 for calling an Assembly, or to his Proclamations, or any 
 other of his acts or doings ; but that, on the other hand, he 
 ought to be considered and guarded against as an unnatural 
 and inveterate enemy to this Country. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gardner, Colonel Dwight, and 
 Colonel Warren, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, 
 recommending the several Towns and Districts in this Col- 
 ony, to choose Delegates for a new Provincial Congress, 
 to be held on the last Wednesday of the present month. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare the 
 form of an Oath, to be taken by the Officers and Soldiers 
 of the Army now raising in this Colony, reported; which 
 Report was ordered for the present to subside. 
 
 The Committee who were this day appointed to bring 
 in a Resolve for the purpose of removing an obstruction to 
 the liberating the inhabitants of Boston, reported ; which 
 Report was ordered to be recommitted, and that Mr. Gill 
 and Mr. Patridge be added to the Committee. 
 
 The Committee who were yesterday appointed to pre- 
 pare a Letter to the Assembly of Connecticut, reported a 
 Letter, which was read, amended, and accepted, and is as 
 follows : 
 
 To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut: 
 
 Gentlemen : The Delegates appointed by your respect- 
 able Assembly, to treat with General Gage on the late un- 
 happy events which have occurred in this Colony, have 
 favoured us with a conference, and communicated the sub- 
 stance of their interview with him. We are greatly alarmed 
 
787 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 788 
 
 at the unparalleled wickedness of our unnatural enemies, 
 in endeavouring to persuade our sister Colony that the in- 
 habitants of this first commenced hostilities ; a suggestion 
 which we cannot but think will appear absurd, when the 
 great inequality of the Lexington Company, and detach- 
 ment of Regular Troops which attacked them, is coolly con- 
 sidered. But to put this matter in the clearest light, we beg 
 leave to enclose you the copies of depositions, taken by 
 order of this Congress and despatched for London, con- 
 taining the most incontestable evidence that the King's 
 Troops first fired upon and killed several of the inhabitants 
 of this Colony, before any injury was offered to them. 
 We also enclose you the copies of an Address to the in- 
 habitants of Great Britain, and of a letter to our Colony 
 Agent, and think it expedient to suspend the publication 
 of the address and letter, until they shall have had their 
 effect in England. 
 
 The experience which we have had of General Gage, 
 hath fully convinced us that hut little dependance can be 
 placed in his professions. Whilst he has been collect- 
 ing his forces, fortifying our capital, and in every other 
 respect preparing for war, we have been amused with 
 his pretension to benevolence and kindness, evidently cal- 
 culated to retard the measures which we were necessarily 
 pursuing for self-defence. And we are constrained to de- 
 clare, that should he be at any future time possessed of 
 forces superiour to those raised for opposing him, we 
 should, from his past conduct, have no hopes of escaping 
 the heaviest vengeance which ministerial tyranny could 
 devise, assisted by the most inveterate enemies to man- 
 kind in general, and of this their native Country in par- 
 ticular. 
 
 On the exertions of the Colonies and blessings of Heaven, 
 we alone can depend for safety and support ; and it is clearly 
 the opinion of this Congress, that the establishment of a 
 powerful army is the best and only measure left to bring 
 the present disputes to a happy issue. 
 
 It is evidently the business of the General to subjugate 
 these and the other Colonies ; and we think there are the 
 most convincing proofs, that, in order to effect it, he is con- 
 stantly aiming to suspend their operations for defence until 
 his re-enforcements shall arrive. But although we have 
 been under great apprehensions with respect to the advan- 
 tages which the conference of Connecticut with General 
 Gage may give our enemies, yet we have the greatest con- 
 fidence in the wisdom and vigilance of your respectable 
 Assembly and Colony, as well as of our other sister Col- 
 onies, and have reason to hope, that while he fails in his 
 intentions to lull and deceive this Continent, he can never 
 accomplish his designs to conquer it. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Letter be fairly copied and 
 authenticated, and committed to the care of Col. Dwight, 
 together with the copy of the Depositions respecting the 
 late hostile proceedings of General Gage's Troops, attested 
 by the Secretary, to be delivered by Colonel Dwight to 
 the Governour and Company of Connecticut, as soon as 
 may be. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee who were to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of removing an obstruction to the liberating the 
 inhabitants of Boston, again reported; which Report being 
 read and accepted, it was ordered that Mr. Patridgc carry 
 the same immediately to Mr. Ward. It is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the following Letter be sent to Gen- 
 eral Ward, and a copy of the same to the Selectmen of 
 Boston : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir : By the enclosed papers you will see that the libe- 
 ration of our good friends in Boston is greatly obstructed ; 
 therefore, Sir, you are directed to examine into the matter, 
 and give such orders as shall be effectual for the future ; 
 strictly to execute the resolutions of this Congress, respect- 
 ing permits into the country, and protection of all persons 
 thus permitted ; and also communicate your doings hereon 
 to the Selectmen of Boston with all possible despatch, that 
 our friends may not be detained any longer ; and also that 
 you give directions to your officers, carefully to execute 
 the resolves of Congress in all matters in which they are 
 
 to act, without any levity, or indecency of expression or 
 behaviour. 
 
 To the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire. 
 
 P. S. The pass given by the Selectmen must be in strict 
 conformity to the resolve of Congress, viz : That the 
 bearer is sent out to put up and transport into the Town 
 of Boston, the goods and effects of such persons as l)3\e 
 repaired to Boston, there to take up their residence. 
 
 On a Petition from Charles Glidden and others, for a 
 supply of Powder, &£c. : 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor inform said Glidden, now 
 in waiting, that this Congress would gladly comply with 
 their request, did not the present exigencies of the Colony 
 make it necessary that all their stock of Ammunition be 
 retained in the Colony Magazine. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to bring in a He- 
 solve, recommending the choice of Delegates for a new 
 Provincial Congress, reported the following, which was read 
 and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas the term for which this present Congress was 
 chosen, expires on the thirtieth instant, and the exigencies 
 of our publick affairs render it absolutely necessary, for the 
 safety of this Colony, that a new Congress be elected and 
 convened, to consider of and transact the publick affairs 
 thereof : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to 
 the several Towns and Districts in this Colony, that they 
 each of them do forthwith elect and depute as many Mem- 
 bers as to them shall seem necessary and expedient, to rep- 
 resent them in a Provincial Congress, to be held at the 
 meeting-house in Watertown, on the thirty-first day of May 
 instant, to be chosen by such only as are qualified by law 
 to vote for Representatives in the General Assembly, and 
 to be continued by adjournment from day to day, as they 
 shall see cause, until the expiration of six months from 
 their being first convened on the thirty- first of this instant, 
 May, and no longer, and consult, deliberate, and resolve 
 upon such further measures as, under God, shall be effectual 
 to save this people from impending ruin, and to secure those 
 inestimable liberties derived to us from our ancestors, and 
 which it is our duty to preserve for posterity. 
 
 Ordered, That this last mentioned Resolve, together 
 with the Resolve passed in the forenoon, respecting General 
 Gage's precepts, be printed in handbills, and that Major 
 Fuller, Captain Batcheldcr, and Esquire Dix, be a Com- 
 mittee to get the same printed and dispersed to the several 
 Towns and Districts in this Colony. 
 
 The gentlemen who were appointed Delegates for this 
 Colony, to the Colony of Connecticut, reported, that they 
 had attended the business to which they were appointed, 
 and had brought a letter from the Speaker of the Connect- 
 icut Assembly, which they laid before this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the Vote which passed in Congress this 
 day, respecting a Petition made by Charles Glidden and 
 others, for Powder and Ball, be reconsidered, and that the 
 Committee of Supplies be, and hereby are desired to fur- 
 nish the said Charles Glidden, for the use of the subscri- 
 bers to said Petition, one half barrel of Powder, and 
 such a quantity of Lead as will be proper and propor- 
 tional thereto. 
 
 Resolved, That the Assembly of Connecticut be supplied 
 with the Rules and Regulations which have been recom- 
 mended to be observed by the Army now raising in this 
 Colony. 
 
 On a motion made by Captain McCobb, that some mea- 
 sures might be taken to preserve a number of large Masts, 
 Plank, &.C., now lying in Kennebeck River, and to prevent 
 their being carried to Halifax, where they might be used 
 to the injury of this Country : 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration thereof be referred to 
 the Committee of Safety, and that Captain McCobb be de- 
 sired to attend the said Committee, and give them all the 
 information he can, relative thereto. 
 
 A Resolution of the Committee of Safety, giving it as 
 their opinion, that Government in full form ought to be 
 taken up immediately, was read : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of this matter be refer- 
 red to Tuesday next, at three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Adjourned until to-morrow morning, nine o'clock. 
 
789 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 790 
 
 Saturday, May 6, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be, and they 
 are hereby empowered to procure Powder, in such quanti- 
 ties as they shall think necessary, not only at Connecticut 
 and Rhode-Island, but at New- York, or any other Colony 
 on the Continent. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sawyer, Captain Stone, and Doctor 
 Tai/lor, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the pur- 
 pose of appointing two Officers (one in each Camp) of 
 the Colony Army, whose business it shall be to pass muster 
 on the Soldiers, and draw for them, out of the Treasury, 
 their half month's pay. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Colonel Dexter, Colonel 
 fi'arren, Doctor Holten, and Mr. Mills, be a Committee 
 to take into consideration the Letter received yesterday 
 from the Speaker of the General Assembly of Connecticut. 
 
 A form of a Pass, and Resolve thereon, brought in by 
 Colonel Warren, was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " To the Guards of the Colony Army : 
 " Pursuant to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 vou are hereby ordered to permit , a Member 
 
 of said Congress, to pass and repass, with his company, at 
 
 all times. , President pro tern. 
 
 " May . . . , 1775." 
 
 Resolved, That the General Officer of the Army of this 
 Colony be, and hereby is directed to give orders to his Offi- 
 cers to pay obedience to all Permits of the foregoing form, 
 signed by the President of this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Dwight proceed with the Let- 
 ters and Depositions, as ordered by this Congress, with all 
 possible speed, to Hartford, there to tarry (if, at his dis- 
 cretion, he thinks necessary) until he receives an answer to 
 said Letter, and a copy of the Letter sent by General 
 Gage to the Assembly at Connecticut; and to inform the 
 said Assembly of the alteration made by this Congress in 
 the pay of the Field-Officers of the Army now raising in 
 this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Whiting, Major Fuller, Colonel 
 Thurston, Doctor Taylor, Colonel Field, Doctor Sawyer, 
 and Colonel Warren, be a Committee to bring in a Re- 
 solve containing a reconsideration of the Resolve passed 
 yesterday, respecting the choice of Delegates for a new 
 Congress, so far as to determine what Towns should send 
 Members, and how many Members each Town and District 
 ought to send. 
 
 This last Order was reconsidered : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Rauson, of Mendon, Colonel Gard- 
 ner, Mr. Thurston, Esquire Davis, and Mr. Sawyer, be a 
 Committee to take into consideration an equal representa- 
 tion of this Colony, and report thereon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thurston, Esquire Dix, and 
 Mr. Lothrop, be a Committee to take into consideration 
 the form of an Establishment for the Train, and report a 
 Resolve thereon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for the 
 appointment of Muster-Masters, reported. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock this afternoon be assigned 
 for choosing two Musters-Masters, and that they be chosen 
 by ballot. 
 
 Col. Lincoln brought in a Resolve empowering the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies to import Military Stores from such place, 
 and in such manner and quantities, as they shall judge pro- 
 per; which was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, in the course of the present disputes with 
 Great Britain, it may be necessary to import, on the risk 
 of the Colony, many kinds of Military and other Stores : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 hereby are empowered and directed to import, or cause to 
 be imported from any place whatever, such and so many 
 Stores aforesaid, as they shall judge necessary for the de- 
 fence of the Colony, and the same to risk at their discre- 
 tion, with or without making insurance on the vessels and 
 cargoes which may be so sent out or imported. 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolve be kept an absolute and 
 entire secret by every Member of this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That four o'clock this afternoon be assigned 
 to consider if any method can be taken for settling the ap- 
 pointment of the Field-Officers. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Order of the Day was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dix, Mr. Gill, and Doctor Sawyer, 
 be a Committee to sort and count the votes for two Muster- 
 Masters ; who reported, that General John Whitcomb and 
 Colonel Benjamin Lincoln were unanimously chosen. 
 
 The Report of the Committee respecting the appoint- 
 ment of Muster-Masters, was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That General John Whitcomb and Colonel 
 Benjamin Lincoln be, and hereby are appointed Muster- 
 Masters in the Massachusetts Army, whose business it shall 
 be to pass muster on every Soldier that shall be enlisted 
 into said Army, and by no means to accept of any but 
 such as are able-bodied effective men ; and also examine if 
 their Arms and Accoutrements are in proper order. And 
 said Muster-Masters are hereby directed and empowered 
 to receive from Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-General, 
 or his successors in office, twenty Shillings, lawful money, 
 for each and every Non-commissioned Officer and Private 
 Soldier thus mustered and sworn, who shall appear with 
 their Arms and Accoutrements; and shall give Bonds to 
 said Receiver-General, with sufficient surety, for such 
 Moneys drawn out of the Treasury ; and shall forthwith 
 pay out said sum of twenty Shillings as advance pay to 
 each and every Non-commissioned Officer and Private 
 Soldier ; and on producing Receipts from them to said Re- 
 ceiver-General, said Bonds shall be cancelled. 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of the Pay of the Mus- 
 ter-Masters be referred to some future time. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thurston and Mr. Sawyer be 
 a Committee to apply to the Committee of Safety for a list 
 of all such persons to whom they have given encourage- 
 ment to receive Commissions as Field-Officers of the Army 
 now raising in this Colony ; and they are directed to in- 
 quire of said Committee of Safety what Field-Officers they 
 expect will be most likely to succeed in filling up their 
 Regiments. 
 
 Ordered, That Esquire Rawson, Mr. Patridge, Major 
 Brooks, Mr. Webster, Colonel Mosely, Mr. Bliss, and 
 Captain Stone, be a Committee to inquire what number of 
 Province Arms there are in the Province, and in what 
 place ; and in particular, that they apply to the Committee 
 of Supplies to know what number of Fire-Arms they have 
 procured, and how they have disposed of them. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider the 
 form of an Establishment for the Train, reported verbally, 
 that the pay was, in their opinion, reasonable ; but as to 
 the number of Matrosses, they were not proper judges. 
 The Establishment was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 An Establishment for the Company of Tram, as fixed 
 upon by the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Per month. 
 
 1 Captain, £6 10 
 
 2 Lieutenants, each - -- -- -- 410 
 
 1 Lieutenant Fire- Worker, - -- -- 310 
 
 4 Sergeants, each - -- -- -- 2 10 
 
 4 Corporals, each - 2 06 
 
 32 Matrosses, each 2 03 
 
 1 Drummer, - -- -- -- -- 2 06 
 
 1 Fifer, 2 06 
 
 46 men, officers included, in each Company of Matross- 
 es ; a blanket and coat, as for rest of the Army. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 Adjourned until to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, May 7, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 are hereby empowered and directed to procure at Connecti- 
 cut, Rhode-Island, New-York, or any other Colony on 
 the Continent, such a number of Fire-Arms and Bayonets 
 for the use of this Colony, as they shall think necessary. 
 
 The Committee appointed to make application to the 
 Committee of Supplies, to know what number of Fire- 
 Arms they had procured, reported verbally, that they had 
 not procured any. 
 
 On an application made to this Congress by Captain 
 Benjamin Dunning, of Harpswell, for Powder, this Con- 
 gress passed the following Resolve, viz: 
 
791 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 792 
 
 Whereas the District of Harpswell, in the County of 
 Cumberland, lies exposed to the ravages of the enemies, 
 and is unprovided with a supply of Powder : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of 
 the Town of Haverhill, that they deliver to Captain Nehe- 
 miah Curtis and Mr. Benjamin Dunning, for the use of 
 the said District of Harpswell, one barrel of Powder, they 
 paying for the same ; which shall be replaced (if needed) 
 as soon as the Colony Magazine can be supplied. 
 
 Adjourned to twelve o'clock this day. 
 
 Met at twejve o'clock, and adjourned to four o'clock, 
 P. M. 
 
 Met at four o'clock, and adjourned until to-morrow morn- 
 ing, nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, May 8, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Patridge, Mr. Mills, 
 Mr. Whiting, Captain Stone, Colonel Howe, Colonel 
 Mandell, Colonel Mosely, Colonel Pierce, and Colonel 
 Thurston, be a Committee to transcribe the Narrative of the 
 proceedings of the King's Troops on the 19th ultimo, to- 
 gether with Depositions thereof accompanying, to be trans- 
 mitted to Mr. Thomas for immediate publication. 
 
 A Letter from a number of the inhabitants of the Town 
 of Hopkinton, was read : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Colonel Foster, and 
 Deacon Rawson, be a Committee to prepare an Answer 
 to the Selectmen of that Town, giving the opinion of the 
 Congress on the subject thereof. 
 
 The form of an Oath, to be administered to the Offi- 
 cers and Private Soldiers of the Army now raising in this 
 Colony, was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That all Officers and Soldiers of the Massa- 
 chusetts Army now raising for the defence and security of 
 the rights and liberties of this and our sister Colonies in 
 America, shall each and every of them, excepting only 
 the General Officers, repeat and take the following Oath, 
 viz : 
 
 " I, A, B, swear I will truly and faithfully serve in the 
 Massachusetts Army, to which I belong, for the defence 
 and security of the estates, lives, and liberties of the good 
 people of this and the sister Colonies in America, in oppo- 
 sition to Ministerial tyranny, by which they are or may be 
 oppressed, and to all other enemies and opposers whatso- 
 ever ; that I will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of 
 said Army, observe and obey the Generals and other Offi- 
 cers set over me, and disclose and make known to said 
 Officers all traitorous conspiracies, attempts and designs 
 whatsoever, which I shall know to be made against said 
 Army, or any of the English American Colonies. So help 
 me God." 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Colonel Gerrish, and 
 Colonel Foster, be a Committee to prepare the form of 
 an Oath to be administered to the General Officers. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Esquire Dix, and Col- 
 onel Foster, be a Committee to draw up a Resolve recom- 
 mending to the Committees of Correspondence of the 
 several Towns and Districts in this Colony, and to the Se- 
 lectmen of Towns and Districts who have no such Commit- 
 tees, to take effectual care to discover all such persons in 
 their respective Towns, who will not give them an assurance 
 of their good intentions and regard to the interest of this 
 Country ; and also to recommend to the people of this 
 Colony to take effectual measures to oblige all who are 
 liable by law to appear in arms in the Militia, to appear 
 when properly called upon by their Officers. 
 
 Resolved, That the Muster-Masters be and hereby are 
 empowered and directed to administer the Oath to the Offi- 
 cers and Private Soldiers of the Army now raising in this 
 Colony, agreeably to the form prescribed by this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare a Letter 
 to the Selectmen of the Town of Hopkinton, reported the 
 following ; which was read and accepted, and ordered to be 
 dated, signed, and delivered to the messenger in waiting : 
 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the 7th instant was duly 
 considered in Congress. We cannot but regret that any 
 persons who have heretofore evidenced their attachment to 
 the rights and liberties of their Country, should, in this day 
 
 of trial and hazard, be so far influenced by an inordinate 
 attachment to their personal safety, or the security of their 
 property, as to desert the common interest, and basely re- 
 fuse to contribute of their wealth, or assist personally in 
 that struggle which they are conscientiously led to approve. 
 Nevertheless, gentlemen, such is the peculiar delicacy of 
 our situation, that true policy suggests we should act with 
 extreme caution respecting these fugitives. A violation of 
 the natural right of an individual to remove his person and 
 effects wherever he pleases, would ill become those who 
 are contending for the inalienable right of every man to 
 his own property, and to dispose of it as he pleases. We 
 would likewise suggest, that should we restrain any inhabi- 
 tant from conveying his goods to Philadelphia, our brethren 
 there might justly arraign us of selfishness in such a trans- 
 action ; and it would evidence such a distinction of interests 
 in the two Colonies, as might have a tendency to disunite 
 us, at a time when the safety of the whole must ultimately 
 depend upon the firmest confederacy. We are aware of 
 the mischiefs too general a removal might produce ; but we 
 have so much confidence in the disinterested virtue of our 
 countrymen, as to indulge hopes that Mr. Barrett's exam- 
 ple will not become infectious. 
 
 We highly approve the steady patriotism and manly 
 jealousy of our brethren in Hopkinton. and are, gentlemen, 
 with much esteem, yours, &tc. 
 
 Ordered, That the President pro tern., Doctor Church. 
 Doctor Taylor, Doctor Holten, and Doctor Dunsmore, be 
 a Committee to examine such persons as are or may be 
 recommended for Surgeons for the Army now forming in 
 this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the persons recommended by the Com- 
 manding Officers of the several Regiments, be appointed 
 as Surgeons to their respective Regiments, provided they 
 appear to be duly qualified, upon examination. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Correspondence in 
 Portsmouth, dated May 6, was received by a messenger 
 express. 
 
 The Messenger was admitted on the floor. 
 
 Ordered, That said Letter be committed for an answer, 
 to Doctor Church, the President, and Captain Fester. 
 
 A Letter from General Ward was read : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Danielson, Doctor Church, Col- 
 onel Foster, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. Rawson, be a Committee 
 to take the subject thereof into consideration, and report. 
 
 Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Patridge. 
 
 The Committee on the Letter from Portsmouth, in Neiv- 
 Hampshire, reported the following Answer; which was 
 read and accepted, and ordered to be copied and sent. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Congress have considered the subject 
 of your express ; are surprised that a gentleman of the 
 character you have mentioned, should have such just reason 
 to complain of unmerited severity from any of our brethren 
 in this Colony. From a regard to justice, as well as to 
 your recommendation, gentlemen, we shall not fail to make 
 immediate inquiry into this transaction ; and if any outrage 
 has been offered to innocent persons, the perpetrators, you 
 may be assured, will be properly censured, and the suffer- 
 ers meet with all that redress which it may be in the power 
 of this Congress to obtain. Be assured, gentlemen, we 
 shall be studious to maintain that character for humanity, 
 which we would wish may ever be the characteristiek of 
 Americans; and cannot but applaud those generous and 
 benevolent sentiments which influenced you in your appli- 
 cation. We are, &tc. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare the form 
 of an Oath to be taken by the General Officers, reported ; 
 the consideration whereof was referred to some future 
 time. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mnscly and Major Bliss be, and 
 are hereby empowered and directed to collect all the Prov- 
 ince Arms which are in the County of Hampshire ; and 
 that Doctor William Whiting be empowered and directed 
 to collect all the Province Arms which are in the County 
 of Berkshire. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Trucman Wheeler, of Great 
 Barrington, be desired to assist Doctor Whiting in collect- 
 
793 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 794 
 
 ing the Province Arms which are in the County of Berk- 
 shire. 
 
 Mr. Sawyer informed the Congress, that General Whit- 
 comb, on account of his various avocations, could not ac- 
 cept the office of Muster-Master to which lie has been 
 appointed: Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will now proceed to the 
 choice of another person, by ballot, in his room, and that 
 Mr. Sawyer, Esquire Dix, and Major Fuller, be a Com- 
 mittee to sort and count the votes. 
 
 On a Motion made, Resolved, That this last Resolve be 
 reconsidered, and that to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock, 
 be assigned for the choice of a Muster-Master, in the room 
 of General Whitcomh, who declines that trust. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Bliss, Deacon Whitney, and Col- 
 onel Patterson, be a Committee to give notice to such 
 Members of this Congress as are now at Cambridge and 
 Roxbury, and other absent Members whom they can noti- 
 fy, that a matter of the greatest importance is to be taken 
 into consideration at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon, 
 and to direct their attendance at that time. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to bring in a Re- 
 solve recommending the disarming certain persons in the 
 Colony, reported ; which Report was read, amended, and 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, there are divers persons now in this Colony, who 
 have, by their conduct, discovered themselves to be ene- 
 mies to the rights of mankind, and the interest of America : 
 and whereas, our very peculiar situation renders it abso- 
 lutely necessary, not only to discriminate them from tho^e 
 who have shewn a disposition to be friendly to their Coun- 
 try, but also to put it out of their power to join with the 
 open and avowed enemies of America, in their endeavours 
 to subjugate their countrymen to the full operations of the 
 tyrannical system of the British Administration, and the 
 ruin and destruction concerted by the British Parliament 
 against these Colonies: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to 
 the several Committees of Correspondence in the several 
 Towns and Districts where such Committees reside, and 
 to the Selectmen of such Towns and Districts as have not 
 appointed them, to inquire into the principles and conduct of 
 such suspected persons ; and that they cause all such to be 
 disarmed, who do not give them full and ample assurances, 
 in which they can with safety confide, of their readiness to 
 join their countrymen on all occasions in defence of the 
 rights and liberties of America ; and likewise that they take 
 effectual steps to put it out of the power of such persons 
 to obstruct, by any means whatever, the measures which 
 shall be taken for the common defence ; and it is also here- 
 by recommended to the good people of this Colony, that 
 they take effectual care to secure obedience to the several 
 Resolves of Congress for the regulation of the Militia, and 
 cause a due regard to be paid to the orders of the several 
 Military Officers who have been elected by the suffrages 
 of the sev eral Companies and Regiments, agreeably to the 
 Resolves of Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Doctor Taylor and Mr. 
 Webster, be a Committee to get the Resolve last men- 
 tioned, printed and dispersed through the several Towns 
 and Districts in this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who were appointed to 
 take into consideration the subject-matter of the Letter 
 from General Ward, now send a written Message (by the 
 Messenger in waiting) to the General, informing him, that 
 lh c y are considering the same, and will make report as soon 
 as possible. 
 
 Ordtred, That said Committee sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher be added to said Commit- 
 tee, in the room of Mr. Bliss, who is going to Cambridge 
 on other business of the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Doctor Taylor and Mr. 
 Webster, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, recom- 
 mending to the inhabitants of this Province, to save their 
 Straw. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mosely, Esquire Davis, Colonel 
 Walker, Deacon Hovey, Mr. Lewis, Captain McCobb, and 
 Major Smith, be a Committee to confer with the Com- 
 mittee of Safety with respect to settling the appointment 
 of Field-Officers, and to sit forthwith. 
 
 Mr. Gerry (by leave of Congress) brought in a Resolve, 
 
 empowering the Committee of Supplies to furnish Com- 
 missaries with necessaries for the Army, he. ; which was 
 recommitted. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 General Ward, reported an Answer thereto, which was 
 amended and accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 " In C'o::gross, Watertown, May 8, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: This Congress received your letter of this clay, 
 and the complaint enclosed, informing, that several per- 
 sons, falsely pretending to have your order to search tor 
 fire-arms, have committed robbery on private property . 
 We have taken the matter seriously into consideration, and 
 are of opinion, that such criminals ought to meet with con- 
 dign punishment. 
 
 " The persons suspected to be the offenders are, one 
 Saunders, Samuel Mallows, Jacob Whittenwre, Edward 
 Bugby, and Ebenezer Smith, all of Roxbury, with two 
 other persons, unknown : therefore, Sir, you are directed to 
 apprehend the abovesaid persons, by a number of men 
 under your command, and cause them to be carried beiore 
 the Committee of Safety, who are hereby empowered and 
 directed to examine them, touching their offence, and search 
 for, and, if possible, to find the goods, and direct that they 
 are immediately replaced Com whence they were taken. 
 
 " And if on examination the said persons are found 
 guilty of the said robbery, the Committee of Safety are 
 hereby directed to imprison them till the further order of 
 Congress." 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee just now appointed, to 
 confer with the Committee of Safety respecting the appoint- 
 ment of Field-Officers, be instructed to inquire into the 
 state of the Army at Cambridge and Roxbury; and, il 
 they find the numbers reduced, as is reported to this Con- 
 gress, that they advise the Committee of Safety to send out 
 immediately for re-enforcements. 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of the expediency of 
 assuming Government, which was to have been entered 
 upon to-morrow afternoon, be postponed to Friday next, 
 at three o'clock, P. M. ; and that the Committee who 
 were just now appointed to confer with the Committee of 
 Safety, be directed to give notice hereof to the several 
 Members of this Congress, who are now at Cambridge and 
 Roxbury. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, May 9, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Resolved, That tlie Receiver-General be, and he is here- 
 by directed to give publick notice of the Resolve lately 
 passed by this Congress, for borrowing Money on the 
 credit of the Colony, and assign certain time and place 
 when he will attend that business. 
 
 The Congress granted permission to Colonel Trumbull 
 to have a copy of the Resolve of this Congress relative to 
 the inhabitants moving out of Boston. 
 
 Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-General, requested that 
 this Congress would excuse him from serving any longer in 
 that office. 
 
 The consideration thereof was ordered to subside for tht 
 present. 
 
 Mr. Gerry brought in again a Resolve respecting the 
 supply of the Soldiers; which was accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it hath frequently happened that Sutlers, whilst 
 permitted to supply Soldiers in the service of this Colony , 
 have vended their goods at extravagant rates, and thereby , 
 in a great measure, deprived the families of such Soldiers 
 of the benefit of their wages : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies 
 he, and they hereby are directed and empowered to pm- 
 chase and supply the Commissary for the time being, with 
 such Goods, Wares, and Merchandise as they shall at any- 
 time judge necessary for supplying the Colony Forces, 
 and to draw on the publick Treasury therefor. And the 
 Commissary aforesaid, as also his Deputies, who shall be 
 accountable to him, are hereby directed and empowered tc 
 supply, at the first cost, the soldiers who shall belong to the 
 Regiments in which they shall be stationed, with such arti- 
 cles as their respective Captains shall at any time order ; 
 and to keep and render to the Captains aforesaid, true and 
 
795 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 796 
 
 exact accounts thereof at any time before the making up of 
 the Muster Rolls : and the said Captains are hereby direct- 
 ed to give orders for such articles only as they judge neces- 
 sary for their respective soldiers, not exceeding one half of 
 the wages that shall at any time be due to them, and to 
 cause the same to be deducted from their wages on making 
 up the muster rolls. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, the President, Colonel 
 Dexter, Colonel Warren, and Mr. Gerry, be a Committee 
 to prepare a spirited application to General Gage, respect- 
 ing his treatment of the inhabitants of Boston. 
 
 Ordered, That the same gentlemen be a Committee to 
 consider what provision shall be made for furnishing such 
 enlisted Soldiers as are unprovided with Fire-Arms, with 
 such effective Fire-Arms as are necessary for them to carry 
 into the field. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Barrett, Doctor Tlolten, and 
 Colonel Danielson, be a Committee to take into consider- 
 ation a printed false account of the late excursion of the 
 King's Troops to Concord. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Far/ey, Doctor Molten, and Col- 
 onel Danielson, be a Committee to sort and count the 
 votes for a Muster-Master. 
 
 The Committee appointed to sort and count the votes 
 for a Muster-Master, in the room of Colonel John Whit- 
 comb, who declined accepting that trust, reported that Col- 
 onel Asa Whitcomb was chosen. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee he 
 appointed to take into consideration, the expediency of 
 restraining the people of this Colony from supplying the 
 inhabitants of Boston with Provisions. 
 
 After debate, the question was put, and it passed in the 
 negative. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 On a motion made, that the Resolve passed yesterday, 
 assigning Friday next, three o'clock, P. M., lor the con- 
 sideration of the expediency of assuming Government, be 
 reconsidered, and that an earlier day be assigned for that 
 purpose : 
 
 The question was put, and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be added to the Com- 
 mittee appointed to take into consideration an equal repre- 
 sentation of this Colony, in the room of Mr. Raivson, 
 absent. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Satvyer, Colonel Foster and Mr. 
 Dix, be a Committee to take into consideration the expe- 
 diency of establishing Post-Offices and Riders in this Col- 
 ony. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare a Re- 
 monstrance to General Gage, reported. The Report was 
 ordered to lie on the table until the further orders of this 
 Congress. 
 
 The same Committee, agreeably to their appointment, 
 reported a Resolve relative to furnishing those enlisted 
 Soldiers with Fire-Arms who are unequipped therewith ; 
 which, after debate, was ordered to be recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, of Framingham, be added 
 to the Committee who was appointed to consider of some 
 measures to be taken with respect to the County Records, 
 in the room of Mr. Brown, of Abington, now absent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of establishing Post-Offices and Riders, in this Colony, 
 reported ; whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration thereof be 
 referred till to-morrow morning, ten o'clock. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the false account 
 of the late excursion of the King's Troops, reported ; 
 which Report being read, amended, and completed, was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, a printed paper, said to be a circumstantial 
 account of an attack which happened on the 1 9th of April, 
 1775, on His Majesty's Troops, by a number of the peo- 
 ple of the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay, has been 
 read in this Congress ; which contains, among many false- 
 hoods, the following paragraph, viz: 
 
 " When Captain Parsons returned with the three Com- 
 panies over the bridge, [at Concord,] they observed three 
 
 soldiers on the ground, one of them scalped, his head much 
 mangled, and his ears cut off, though not quite dead." 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Barrett be, and hereby is direct- 
 ed to make strict inquiry of the persons who saw the three 
 soldiers aforementioned lying at the said bridge, and also 
 of those who buried them, and take their depositions, that 
 so the truth or falsity of the aforesaid assertion may be as- 
 certained. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of some method 
 for furnishing those Soldiers with Fire-Arms who are not 
 therewith equipped, again reported. 
 
 The Report was read, and is as follow s, viz : 
 
 Whereas, a few of the inhabitants of this Colony, who 
 are enlisted into its service, are destitute of Fire-Arms and 
 Bayonets, and other accoutrements : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the several Towns and 
 Districts in this Colony be, and hereby are directed and 
 empowered to examine into the state of the equipment of 
 such inhabitants of their respective Towns and Districts 
 as are, or may be enlisted into the service of this Colony ; 
 and where any are deficient in Arms or Accoutrements as 
 aforesaid, it is recommended to the Selectmen to supply 
 them out of the Town Stock ; and in case of a deficiency 
 there, to apply to such inhabitants of their respective 
 Towns and Districts, as in their opinions can best spare 
 their Arms or Accoutrements, and to borrow, or purchase 
 the same for the use of said inhabitants so enlisted : and 
 the Selectmen are also directed to take a bill from such 
 persons as shall sell their Arms and Accoutrements in the 
 name of this Colony, and receipts from the soldiers to 
 whom they shall cause them to be delivered, and render the 
 same to the Committee of Supplies for this Colony : and 
 each soldier so supplied, shall pay (or the use of such Arms 
 and Accoutrements, out of his wages, the sum of six shil- 
 lings ; and if he does not return the said Arms and Accou- 
 trements, there shall be deducted from his wages, at the 
 time of making up the muster-roll, the full value of said 
 Arms and Accoutrements, as appraised by the Selectmen, 
 at the time of borrowing or purchasing the same. And it 
 is strongly recommended to such inhabitants of the Colony 
 as the Selectmen as aforesaid shall apply to for Arms and 
 Accoutrements, that they supply the Colony with the same. 
 
 And as many Arms in this Colony which are now use- 
 less may, by small repairs, be rendered fit for service, 
 
 Resolved, That a sufficient number of Armourers, not 
 exceeding twenty, be appointed by the Committee of Safety , 
 to mend and repair such Arms as shall be brought to them 
 by the Soldiers enlisted into the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Major Fuller, anil Mr. 
 Batchelder, be a Committee to get this Resolve publish- 
 ed and dispersed. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, May 10, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to confer with 
 the Committee of Safety upon the general state of the 
 Army, be directed particularly to confer with them on the 
 propriety of removing the whole or part of the Cannon and 
 Stores now at Cambridge, further back into the country. 
 
 Resolved, That the General Officers be, and are hereby 
 directed, forthwith, to call in all the Soldiers who are al- 
 ready enlisted in the service of this Colony ; and that they 
 give immediate orders to all the enlisted Soldiers, and all 
 others now in the Camp at Cambridge and Roxbury, that 
 they do not depart till the further orders of this Congress. 
 
 A Petition from the Committees of Correspondence and 
 the Committees of Inspection for the Town of Pownal- 
 borough, was preferred by Joseph Ihikham. 
 
 Ordered, That this Petition lie on the table. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve passed by this Congress 
 the 23d ultimo, recommending to the Selectmen of the 
 several Towns in this Colony to furnish each Non-com- 
 missioned Officer and Private Soldier with a Blanket, be 
 fairly copied by the Secretary, and printed in a handbill, 
 and sent to the Selectmen of the several Towns and Dis- 
 tricts in the Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition from Pownalborough just 
 now read, be delivered to Mr. Joseph Tinkham, agreeably 
 to his request. 
 
797 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 798 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Doctor Taylor, and Doc- 
 tor Holten, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 proceedings of the Town of Bristol, presented to this 
 Congress by Mr. Thomas Bracket, in behalf of said Town. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, recom- 
 mending to the inhabitants of this Colony to save their 
 Straw, reported ; which Report was read and accepted, and 
 ordered to be copied and sent to the Printer of the Cam- 
 bridge Newspaper, and to the Printer of the Worcester 
 Newspaper for publication, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it will be indispensably necessary that large 
 quantities of Straw be provided for the use of the Army 
 now forming for the defence and protection of this Colony : 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, And it is hereby strongly recommended to all 
 such inhabitants of this Colony as have or may have of 
 that article by them, that (as they regard the lives and 
 health of their brethren, who engage to the service above- 
 said) they take immediate care the same be preserved for 
 the purpose above mentioned. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Foster, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. 
 Pickering, be a Committee to transcribe the Depositions 
 taken by a Committee of this Congress, of the proceedings 
 of the Troops, under command of General Gage, the 19th 
 ultimo, and that they transmit them to Mr. Hall, at Cam- 
 bridge, to be published in a pamphlet, and that said Com- 
 mittee agree with him for the expense of publication. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Barrett attend the business to 
 which he was yesterday appointed, of inquiring into the 
 truth or falsity of a paragraph taken from a printed account 
 of the action of the King's Troops on the 19th ultimo. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some measures 
 for securing the County Records, reported. The Report 
 was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed for each 
 County, on the 12th of April last, be instructed to take 
 proper measures for securing the Records of the several 
 Counties, where they are exposed. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of the expediency 
 of establishing Post-Offices, kc, reported. 
 
 The Report was recommitted, for the purpose of set- 
 tling the rates of Postage, and taking into consideration 
 some method of establishing Post-Offices. Mr. Hall, of 
 Medford, and Mr. Cross, were added to the Committee ; 
 also, Mr. Batchelder, in the room of Mr. Dix. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve for accepting the establish- 
 ment for the Train, which passed this Congress the 6th 
 instant, be reconsidered ; and that Colonel Mandell, Cap- 
 tain Baker, Doctor Taylor, Major Perley, and Colonel 
 Coffin, be a Committee to take into consideration the pro- 
 priety of establishing a Regiment of the Train; and that 
 they sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Mr. Gerry, and Col- 
 o lei Foster, be a Committee to take into consideration a 
 Resolve of the Committee of Safety, recommending to this 
 Congress to establish a Court of Inquiry. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Richard Gridlcy be and hereby 
 is directed forthwith to recommend to the Committee of 
 Safety, for Officers of the Train of Artillery, such persons 
 as he thinks are qualified for that appointment. 
 
 On a complaint of the Selectmen of the Town of Wor- 
 cester, against Samuel Pain and Jftlliam Campbell, prison- 
 ers from that Town ; Ordered, That said Prisoners be 
 committed to the care of Captain Brown, or such persons 
 as he shall appoint, to be kept in custody till the further 
 orders of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to transcribe the 
 Depositions of the late proceedings of the King's Troops, be 
 directed to prepare a Narrative thereof, as an introduction 
 to said Depositions; which are ordered to be printed. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Colonel Warren, Colonel 
 Gerrish, Mr. Dix, and Doctor Perkins, be a Committee 
 to inquire into the complaint made by the Selectmen of the 
 Town of Worcester against Samuel Pain and William 
 Campbell, and report to this Congress. 
 
 The consideration of the Remonstrance to General Gage 
 was resumed, and the same was accepted, and ordered to 
 be authenticated, and sent forward. 
 
 It is as follows, viz: 
 
 "In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 10, 1775. 
 
 <; To his Excellency General Gage : 
 
 " Sir : This Congress have received frequent intelli- 
 gence, that their brethren, the inhabitants of the Town of 
 Boston, have to contend, in their removal therefrom, with 
 numerous delays and embarrassments, contrary to the sti- 
 pulation proposed and agreed to between your Excellency 
 and the Selectmen of that Town. 
 
 " We think it our duty to remonstrate to your Excellen- 
 cy, that from the papers communicated to us by the said 
 Selectmen, it appeared, that the inhabitants were pro- 
 mised, upon surrendering their arms, that they should be 
 permitted to leave the Town, and carry with them their 
 effects. The condition was immediately complied with on 
 the part of the people ; since which, though a number of days 
 have elapsed, but a very small proportion of the inhabitants 
 have been allowed to take the benefit of your covenant. 
 
 " We would not affront your Excellency by the most 
 distant insinuation, that you intended to deceive and dis- 
 arm the people by a cruel act of perfidy. A regard to 
 your own character, as well as the fatal consequences 
 which will necessarily result from the violation of your 
 solemn treaties, must be sufficient reasons to deter a gen- 
 tleman of your rank and station from so injurious a design. 
 But your Excellency must be sensible, that a delay of jus- 
 tice is a denial of it, and extremely oppressive to the peo- 
 ple now hHd in duress. 
 
 " This Congress, though not the original party in the 
 treaty, have taken every step in their power to facilitate 
 the measure; and, in the whole of their conduct, have 
 endeavoured to evidence a disposition to act upon the prin- 
 ciples of humanity and good faith ; and still indulge hopes, 
 that the confidence of the inhabitants of Boston in your 
 Excellency's honour and faithfulness, is not misplaced, and 
 that, notwithstanding any disagreeable occurrences, natu- 
 rally resulting from the confused state of the Colony, which 
 this Congress have discountenanced, and endeavoured to 
 rectify, your Excellency will no longer suffer your treaty 
 with a distressed people, who ought by no means to be 
 effected thereby, to be further violated." 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration 
 the expediency of establishing a Regiment of the Train, 
 reported. Part of the Establishment reported, was ac- 
 cepted ; the consideration of the residue was referred to a 
 future time. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve, which this Congress pass- 
 ed at Concord, the 13th ultimo, directing the Committee of 
 Safety to engage a suitable number of persons for forming 
 six Companies of the Train, be so far reconsidered, as that 
 it be, and hereby is Resolved, That the Committee of Safety 
 be directed to engage a suitable number of persons, and 
 form ten Companies of the Train for the artillery already 
 provided by this Colony, to enter immediately on constant 
 discipline, and be in readiness to enter the service of the 
 Colony ; and that said Committee be, and they are herebv 
 empowered to draw on the publick Treasury, for said Com- 
 panies, a suitable consideration for their services. 
 
 The Petition of Timothy Langdon was read, and order- 
 ed to lie on the table till some of the eastern Members 
 should be present. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be directed, pursuant to a 
 request of the Committee of Safety, to furnish them with 
 copies of all such Resolves as have passed the Congress, 
 in any ways relative to the duty enjoined them. 
 
 The Secretary pro tempore represented to the Congress, 
 that the multiplicity of the business of his office was such, 
 as made it necessary that he should have some assistance. 
 Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, of Oakham, assist him 
 in that service. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the 
 Army, and to settle the appointment of the Field-Officers, 
 reported a Letter from Head-Quarters. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the complaint 
 of the Selectmen of the Town of Worcester against Sam- 
 uel Pain and William Campbell, reported; which Report 
 
799 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 800 
 
 was accepted, and ordered to be transmitted and delivered 
 to Captain Jonas Hubbard and Mr. Edward Crafts, who 
 exhibited the above complaint, together with a printed 
 Resolve of Congress, lately passed, for disarming the dis- 
 affected inhabitants of the Colony. 
 The Report is as follows, viz : 
 
 " The Committee appointed to hear the complaints ex- 
 hibited by the Selectmen of Worcester against William 
 Campbell and Samuel Pain, have attended that service ; 
 heard the parties, and beg leave to report : That we find 
 the charges against them proved by depositions, and con- 
 ceded by them ; and that William Campbell has been guilty 
 of leaving the Town of Worcester without a permit from 
 the Selectmen, contrary to his own engagements. 
 
 " And that the said Samuel Pain has, in one instance, 
 propagated reports with regard to our Massachusetts sol- 
 diers' rifling the house of Mr. Bradish, instead of the 
 regular Army ; and that those which were quartered in the 
 colleges were lousy, and deserted in great numbers; which, 
 however indiscreet, does not appear to us to be done with 
 any bad design ; and that he ought to be dismissed imme- 
 diately ; and that the said Campbell may be returned to the 
 Town of Worcester, to be dealt with by the Committee of 
 Correspondence of that Town, agreeably to a Resolve of 
 this Congress, passed the 8th instant. The matter, how- 
 ever, we think, not important enough to be brought before 
 this Congress." 
 
 The consideration of the Petition of Timothy Langdon 
 was again resumed, and ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain McCobb, Mr. Leu-is, and Doc- 
 tor Perkins, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 several applications made to this Congress from the eastern 
 parts of the Province, for Arms and Ammunition. 
 
 Adjourned until to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, May 11, 1775, A. M. 
 
 The Petition of James Cargill, of New- Castle, com- 
 mitted to the Committee who were appointed to consider 
 the applications to this Congress for Ammunition, &lc. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 several applications to this Congress for a supply of Ammu- 
 nition, &c, reported. The Report was recommitted, and 
 the Committee directed to inspect the list of Returns of the 
 Town's stock of Powder, &lc, that it may be known whe- 
 ther this Congress can, with prudence, recommend to any 
 Town which may be stocked therewith, to supply those 
 Towns which are destitute. 
 
 Adjourned to twelve o'clock, this day. 
 
 Noon. 
 
 Congress met agreeably to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the several appli- 
 cations made to this Congress for Ammunition, and to 
 inspect the list of Returns, &tc. reported. The Report 
 was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the Towns of Falmouth and Arundel, and the 
 District of Cape Elizabeth, being seaport places, and 
 much exposed to the rage of our enemies, and not having 
 a sufficient quanity of Gunpowder to defend themselves 
 in case of any long attack ; and the Town of Andover 
 being well stocked with Gunpowder, and not so much ex- 
 posed : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, And it is hereby recommended to the Select- 
 men of the Town of And over, that they deliver to Mr. 
 Josej)h McLellan, of Falmouth, two half barrels of Gun- 
 powder for the use of the Town of Falmouth ; also, de- 
 liver to Mr. Zebulon Trickey, of Cape Elizabeth, one half 
 barrel of Gunpowder for the use of said Cape Elizabeth ; 
 also, deliver to Mr. John Hovey, of Arundel, two half 
 barrels of Gunpowder for the use of said Arundel; they 
 paying them for said Powder, which shall be replaced, if 
 needed, as soon as the Colony Magazine can be supplied. 
 
 Whereas, the Towns of Brunswick, Pownalborough , 
 Bristol, and Ncivcastle, being seaport places, in the east- 
 ern parts of this Colony, and much exposed to the rage 
 and incursions of our unnatural enemies, and not having a 
 sufficient quantity of Gunpowder to defend themselves, in 
 case of any attack ; and the Towns of Marlborough, Sud- 
 bury, and Framingham, being well stocked with Gunpow- 
 der, and not so much exposed : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, And it is hereby recommended to the Select- 
 men of the above mentioned several Towns, that they de- 
 liver, as follows, viz : The Selectmen of Sudbury, one 
 half barrel of Gunpowder to Nathaniel Larrabee, for the 
 use of Brunswick; the Selectmen of Marlborough, two 
 half barrels of Gunpowder — one to Joseph Tinhliam. for 
 the use of Pownalborough, the other to Lieutenant John 
 Farley, for the use of Newcastle ; the Selectmen of 
 Framingham, one half barrel of Gunpowder to Thomas 
 Bracket, for the use of Bristol; they paying them for said 
 Powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the 
 Colony xMagazine can be supplied. 
 
 Ordered, That each person, now in waiting, w ho has 
 made application to this Congress for Powder, be served 
 with a copy thereof. 
 
 Information being made to this Congress, that two Men- 
 of-War, with Troops, had sailed from Boston to New- 
 York, with a design, as it is supposed, of frustrating a de- 
 sign of the inhabitants of that Colony and Connecticut, to 
 secure the Arms and Ammunition now in the fort at Neic~ 
 York : 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Colonel Warren, and Col. 
 Lincoln, be a Committee to prepare a Letter to the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence of New-York, informing them of 
 the sailing of said Men-of-War, and inserting such articles 
 therein, as will put the people upon their guard against 
 any attempt that may be made against them by said Ships. 
 
 Ordered, That this Committee prepare said Letter, and 
 forward it forthwith, without wailing to report to this Con- 
 gress; said Committee laying before this Congress, as soon 
 as may be, a copy of said Letter. 
 
 Adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Met at four o'clock, according to adjournment, and ad- 
 journed to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, May 12, 1775. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be appointed, to consider the 
 expediency of recommending to the Selectmen of the 
 several Towns in the Colony, to furnish such as may enlist 
 in their respective Towns with necessaries for their march 
 to Head-Quarters. 
 
 The question was put, and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Colonel Warren, and 
 Mr. Sullivan, be a Committee to take into consideration 
 an extract of a Letter from the Honourable Enoch Free- 
 man, Esquire, of Falmouth, to Samuel Freeman. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Colonel Warren, and 
 Mr. Sullivan, above mentioned, be a Committee to take 
 into consideration the expediency of taking measures for 
 raising a company or two of Indians. 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, be, 
 and is now assigned for the purpose of choosing some per- 
 son to preach a sermon to the Congress on the 31st May 
 instant. 
 
 Resolved, That all persons who have the care of any 
 Prisoners detained at Concord, Lexington, or elsewhere, 
 be and hereby are directed to give the Rev. Mr. Gordon 
 free access to them, whenever he shall desire it ; and it is 
 recommended to all civil Magistrates and others, to be aid- 
 ing and assisting him in examining and taking Depositions 
 of them and others, without exception. 
 
 Ordered, That the establishment for a Train of Artillery 
 be recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan be added to the Commit- 
 tee appointed for revising the commissions of the Commit- 
 tee of Safety and Committee of Supplies, in the room of 
 Doctor Holten, absent. 
 
 Resolved, That the several Committees be enjoined to 
 sit, and that this Congress be adjourned to this afternoon, 
 three o'clock. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider measures for es- 
 tablishing Post-Offices and Post-Riders, reported. After 
 some debate, the matter was ordered to subside for the pre- 
 sent. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 The absent Members were ordered to be called in. 
 
801 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775, 
 
 802 
 
 It was then moved, that the sense of the Congress be 
 taken on this question, viz : Whether there is now existing 
 in this Colony a necessity of taking up and exercising the 
 powers of Civil Government in all its parts? 
 
 After some debate, it was 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will now form itself into 
 a Committee of the Whole House, for consideration of the 
 question in debate. 
 
 The Commiltee having considered thereon, the Presi- 
 dent, on a motion made, resumed the chair. 
 
 The Committee then, by the Honourable Joseph Warren, 
 Esquire, their chairman, reported: "That a Committee 
 be raised, for the purpose of reporting to the Congress an 
 application to the Continental Congress, for obtaining their 
 recommendation for this Colony to take up and exercise 
 Civil Government as soon as may be, and that the Com- 
 mittee be directed to ground the application on the neces- 
 sity of the case ;" which Report being read, was accepted, 
 by a very large majority: Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Doctor Church, Mr. 
 (Jerry, Colonel Warren, Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Daniel- 
 son, and Colonel Lincoln, be a Committee to prepare an 
 application agreeable to said Report. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Quin-cy, of Braintree, to the 
 President, was read : Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That General Ward be, and hereby is direct- 
 ed to order four respectable Officers to escort the President 
 of this Congress to Colonel Qidncy, at Braintree, to-mor- 
 row morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Mr. Goodwin, and Dea- 
 con Whitney, be a Committee to estimate the damages 
 done at Concord, Lexington, and Cambridge, by the 
 King's Troops on the 19th ultimo, so far as respects pri- 
 vate property only. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. 
 Leu-is, be a Committee to take into consideration a Letter 
 from the Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esquire, dated May 
 10, 1775, to his son, Mr. Samuel Freeman. 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report 
 of the Committee who were appointed to bring in a Re- 
 solve respecting the establishment of Post-Offices and Post- 
 Riders, be resumed to-morrow morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Resolved, That the Establishment for a Train of Artil- 
 lery, which has been accepted by this Congress, be re- 
 considered, and that the following Report for such an 
 establishment be accepted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the following Establishment be made for 
 ten Companies of Malrosses : 
 
 Captain, ... £Q \0s.0d. per month. 
 Captain-Lieutenant, - - 5 10 0 " 
 First-Lieutenant, - - 4 10 0 " 
 Two Second-Lieutenants, each 3 12 0 " 
 Sergeants, each - - 2 10 0 " 
 Corporals, each - - 2 06 0 " 
 Six Bombardiers, each - 2 04 6 " 
 Six Gunners, each - - 2 04 0 " 
 Thirty-two Matrosses, each 2 03 0 " 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, May 13, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of Top- 
 sham, in the County of Lincoln, respecting their being 
 supplied with Powder, was read ; and 
 
 Ordered, That the same be committed to Captain 
 McCobb, Mr. Lewis, and Doctor Taylor. 
 
 The Order of the Day, respecting the further consider- 
 ation of the Report of the Committee appointed to bring 
 in a Resolve respecting the establishing Post-Offices, &c, 
 was taken up, and the blanks for Postmasters being filled 
 up, ordered to subside till the Report on the Letter from 
 the Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esquire, was read. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 Letter from the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esquire, dated 
 May 10th, reported; and, after a long debate thereon, was 
 ordered to be recommitted for amendment. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be appointed to count and 
 sort the votes for a Committee to be chosen, by ballot, to 
 appoint Post-Riders. Time assigned for that purpose, 
 three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. I 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for, to choose a gen- 
 tleman to preach the sermon on the 31st May. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be chosen to count and sort 
 the votes. Colonel Warrtn, Captain Jennison, and Major 
 Bliss, were chosen. 
 
 The Committee chosen to count and sort the votes, re- 
 ported that the Rev. Dr. Langdon was chosen. 
 
 Moved, That a Commiltee of three persons be appoint- 
 ed, to wait on the Rev. Dr. Langdon, and acquaint him 
 that this Congress have made choice of him to preach a 
 sermon to the Congress of this Colony on the 31st instant, 
 and desire his compliance therewith. Colonel Gerrish, 
 Mr. Pitts, and Doctor Sawyer, were chosen accordingly. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Resolve, respect- 
 ing the taking a third set of the Depositions relative to the 
 battle of Lexington, reported ; which Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That William Read, William Sticktuy, 
 Thaddeus Mason, Jonathan Hastings, Jonathan Cummins, 
 Josiah Johnson, Duncan Ingraham, Jonas Dix, and Si- 
 meon Tufts, Esquires, be, and they hereby are required to 
 take a third set of the Depositions relative to the battle of 
 Lexington, similar to the two sets already by them taken ; 
 and they are empowered to summon, or cause to be sum- 
 moned, such inhabitants of this Colony as they shall think 
 proper, to attend them at any time and place in this coun- 
 try which they shall direct, for the purposes mentioned ; 
 and all such persons as shall be summoned by the Justices 
 aforesaid, are hereby directed punctually to obey their 
 summons. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Sawyer, 
 be a Committee to take into consideration a Letter from 
 Mr. John Peck, respecting his confinement, to the Select- 
 men of Boston, and the said Selectmen's Letter to this 
 Congress on the same subject. 
 
 The Committee reported their amendment of the Re- 
 port on the Honourable Enoch Freeman's Letter. Referred 
 to the afternoon. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Report of the Committee respecting the Honour- 
 able Enoch Freeman, Esquire's Letter, wa3 taken up, 
 amended, and accepted. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 the Selectmen of the Town of Topsham, reported. The 
 Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the Town of Topsham, being a seaport place, 
 in the eastern part of the Colony, and much exposed to the 
 rage and incursions of our unnatural enemies, and not hav- 
 ing a sufficient quantity of Gunpowder to defend them- 
 selves in case of an attack, and the Town of Wrentham 
 being well stocked with that article : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be and hereby is recommended to the 
 Selectmen of the above-said Town of Wrentham, to deli- 
 ver one half barrel of Gunpowder to Mr. Prince Rose, for 
 the use of the Town of Topsham, he paying them for said 
 Powder, which shall be replaced, if needed, as soon as the 
 Colony Magazine can be supplied. 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of the Day, on the subject of 
 Post-Riders, be now taken up; when Captain Jonathan 
 Brown, Jonas Dix, Esq., and Deacon Chcever, were chosen 
 a Committee to count and sort the votes for a Committee to 
 establish Post-Riders ; which Committee was chosen, and 
 the blanks in the Resolve, respecting Post-Offices, being 
 filled up with said Committee's names, the Resolve was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, that Post- 
 Riders be immediately established, to go from Cambridge, 
 and to ride the following roads, viz : To Georgetown, in 
 the County of Lincoln; to Haverhill; to Providence; to 
 Woodstock, by Worcester; and from Worcester to Great 
 Barrington, by Springfield ; and to Falmouth, in the 
 County of Barnstable. And that Post-Offices be kept 
 as followeth, viz: one at Cambridge ; one at Salem; one 
 at Ipswich; one at Haverhill; one at Newburyport ; one 
 at Kennebunk, or Welles ; one at Sandwich ; one at Fal- 
 mouth, in the County of Cumberland; one at Georgetoum, 
 County of Lincoln; one at Worcester; one at Spring- 
 
♦ 
 
 803 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1771 
 
 80 1 
 
 field; one at Great Harrington; one at Plymouth ; and 
 one at Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable. 
 
 And it is further resolved, That Mr. James Winthrop 
 be appointed Postmaster for the Town of Cambridge; Mr. 
 Edward Morris, for Salem; Mr. James Foster, for Ips- 
 wich; Mr. Simeon Greenough, for Haverhill; Mr. Bulk- 
 ley Emerson, for Newburyport ; Captain Nathaniel Kim- 
 ball, for Kennebunk ; Mr. Samuel Freeman, for Falmouth, 
 in Cumberland ; Mr. Jo/m H ood, for Georgetown ; iVJr. 
 Isaiah Thomas, for Worcester; Mr. Moses Church, for 
 Springfield ; Doctor William Whiting, for GVe«* jSw- 
 rington; Mr. Joseph Nye, third, for Sandwich; William 
 Watson, Esquire, for Plymouth; and Mr. Moses Stcift, 
 for Falmouth, in Barnstable. 
 
 And that Captain Jonathan Brown, Jonas Dix, Esq., 
 and David Chcevcr, Esquire, be a Committee to give 
 directions for the setting off and returning of the Posts in 
 their several routes, and to appoint the number of Riders, 
 and to agree with them. And to agree also with the Post- 
 masters for their services. And that the Rates of and Du- 
 ties for Postage of Letters, &,c, be as follows, viz : 
 For any distance not exceeding - - 60 miles, 0s. h^d. 
 Upwardsof 60 miles, and not exceeding 100 "08 
 Upwards 100 " " " 200 " 0 10£ 
 
 Upwards 200 " " " 300 " 1 1 
 
 Upwards 300 " " " 400 " 1 4 
 
 Upwards 400 " ,: " 500 " 1 6* 
 
 Upwards 500 " " " 600 " 1 9~ 
 
 Upwards 600 " " " 700 "20 
 
 Upwards 700 " " " 800 " 2 2£ 
 
 Upwards 800 " " « 900 "25 
 
 Upwards 900 " " " 1,000 "28 
 
 The above rates to be paid in lawful money of this 
 Colony. 
 
 The above Rates are for the Postage of a Single Letler. 
 They are to be doubled for all Double Letters ; trebled 
 for all Treble Letters; and for every ounce weight four 
 times as much to be charged as for a Single Letter ; and 
 that the Postmasters be accountable to the aforesaid Com- 
 mittee for what they shall receive. And that the forego- 
 ing Rules and Orders continue until the Continental Con- 
 gress, or the Congress, or future House of Representatives 
 of this Colony, shall make some further order relative to 
 the same. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draw a Resolve respecting 
 a Court of Inquiry, reported; and, 
 
 Ordered, That Monday, at three o'clock in the after- 
 noon, be assigned for taking the same into consideration. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, May 14, 1775. 
 Met, and adjourned to twelve o'clock. 
 At twelve o'clock met, and adjourned to three o'clock. 
 At three o'clock met again. 
 
 Moved, That a Committee be appointed to apply to the 
 Committee of Safety for a list of such persons as they 
 have given Listing Orders to, that this Congress may com- 
 mission such as they think proper without delay. 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of this matter 
 be referred until to-morrow morning. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, May 15, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Resolved, That four o'clock, in the afternoon of this 
 day, be assigned for making choice of two persons, Mem- 
 bers of this Congress, to attend the Provincial Congress 
 of New-Hampshire, on Wednesday next. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for, and read. 
 
 Resolved, That David Checver, Esquire, for reasons 
 by him offered, be excused from serving in the business to 
 which he was appointed by a Resolvo of this Congress, 
 passed the twelfth instant, for establishing Post Offices and 
 Post-Riders; and that Mr. William Greenleaf, Joseph 
 Greenleaf, Esquire, and Mr. John Pitts, be added to the 
 Committee therein appointed. 
 
 Resolved, That five o'clock, this afternoon, be assigned 
 for the choice of a person to serve on the Committee of 
 Supplies, in the room of Colonel Lee, deceased. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare an 
 application to the. Continental Congress, be directed to 
 
 insert a clause therein, desiring that the said Congress 
 would take some measures for directing and regulating the 
 American Forces. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Introduction to 
 the Depositions relating to the late affair at Lexington, re- 
 ported. The same was recommitted, for the purpose of 
 examining it, to find if the Narrative contained in the said 
 Introduction be supported by the Depositions, and to add 
 such other Depositions as may be procured. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Colonel Field, and Mr. 
 Bttllen, be a Committee to examine the Letters of Gov- 
 ernour Hutchinson, lately discovered, and report to this 
 Congress such Letters and Extracts as they think it will 
 be proper to publish. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Mr. Sawyer, and Ma- 
 jor Bliss, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 subject of a Letter, read in Congress, from William Wai- 
 son, Esquire, to Colonel Warren and Mr. Lolhrop. 
 
 Colonel Barrett, who was appointed to take a Deposi- 
 tion at Concord, reported; the Deposition reported was 
 ordered to be committed to the Committee who were ap- 
 pointed to prepare an Introduction to the Depositions. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration 
 Extracts of a Letter from the Honourable Enoch Freeman, 
 Esquire, reported a Letter to the Eastern Tribes of Indians ; 
 which was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated, and 
 sent to Mr. John Lane, to be communicated to them. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Letter from 
 William Watson, Esquire, of Plymouth, reported the fol- 
 lowing Resolve; which was accepted, and ordered to be 
 printed, and dispersed to the several Towns in the Colony, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 "Whereas, some of the inhabitants of this Colony, and 
 most of them such as have been inimical to the Constitu- 
 tion and interest of the same, are now (after having united 
 themselves with our enemies in reducing us to the distresses 
 and difficulties we are labouring under) taking steps to re- 
 move themselves and effects out of this Colony into the 
 Government of Nova-Scotia and elsewhere, in order to 
 avoid their proportion of the burdens necessarily incurred 
 for our defence : to prevent which, it is 
 
 " Resolved, That no person be, from this time, permitted 
 to move bis Goods and Effects out of this Colony, unless 
 he shall obtain the permission of the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence of the Town he belongs to, or (if no such Com- 
 mittee be there appointed) of the Selectmen, or the ma- 
 jority of them, under their hands, for that purpose, but by 
 the leave of this or some future Congress. And the seve- 
 ral Committees of Correspondence, or Selectmen, where 
 there are no such Committees, are hereby directed to be 
 very vigilant in observing the motions of all such persons 
 whom they may have reason to suspect, and to see that 
 this Resolve be carried into full execution." 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Extracts of a 
 Letter from the Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esquire, re- 
 ported a Resolve respecting an Embassy to Canada; which 
 being read, and amended, was accepted, (and a copy or- 
 dered to be authenticated and sent to the Selectmen of 
 Falmouth,) and is as follows, viz: 
 
 "Whereas, it is absolutely necessary for the interest 
 and safety of this Colony, in its present unhappy situ- 
 ation, that the most certain intelligence from Canada of 
 the designs and manoeuvres of the inhabitants of that 
 Colony should be obtained as speedily as possible : And 
 whereas, the Selectmen of the Town of Fahnouth having 
 been alarmed by reports, which had prevailed in the eastern 
 parts of the Colony, that the Canadians would soon attack 
 them on their frontiers, and thereby bring not only them- 
 selves, but the whole Colony, into a still more deplorable 
 situation : and judging it of the utmost importance, that 
 the truth or falsity of such reports should be known without 
 delay, have employed Mr. Jabez Matthews and Mr. David 
 Dinsmorc to go across the woods to Qucbcck, in order 
 to observe the motions of the people there, and, as far as 
 possible, to gain a knowledge of their intentions ; 
 
 " Therefore, resolved, That this Congress do approve 
 of the care and attention of the Selectmen of Falmouth to 
 the general interest of the Colony. 
 
805 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 8 or, 
 
 " And it is hereby recommended to the said Selectmen, 
 that they transmit the intelligence that they may receive 
 by them, together with the expenses of the said Embassy, 
 to this, or some future Congress of this Colony, with all 
 convenient speed, that the account of their expenses may 
 be adjusted and allowed out of the Treasury of the Col- 
 ony." 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to bring in a 
 Resolve for establishing a Court of Inquiry, was read ; and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 "Whereas, it appears to this Congress that a want of a 
 Hue and regular execution of Justice in this Colony has 
 encouraged divers wicked and disorderly persons not only 
 to commit outrages and trespasses upon private property 
 and private persons, but also to make the most daring 
 attacks upon the Constitution, and to unite in their endea- 
 vours to disturb the peace and destroy the happiness and 
 security of their Country : and whereas, this Congress 
 conceive it to be their indispensable duty to take effectual 
 measures to restrain all disorders and promote the peace 
 and happiuess of this Colony, by the execution of Justice 
 in criminal matters : therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That a Court of Inquiry be immediately 
 erected, consisting of seven persons, to be chosen by 
 this Congress, whose duty it shall be to hear all com- 
 plaints against any person or persons for treason against 
 the Constitution of their Country, or other breaches of the 
 publick peace and security, and to determine and make 
 up judgment thereon, according to the laws of this Prov- 
 ince, and those of reason and equity : no judgments to be 
 made up or punishments inflicted in consequence of them, 
 unless in such cases where five of the Judges so appointed 
 were agreed ; any three of said Judges to have power, 
 upon complaint made, to cause any person or persons com- 
 plained of to be imprisoned until the said Court can be 
 convened to hear the same, or for any further orders of 
 Congress which may be thought necessary; five of said 
 Judges to be a quorum, and to be vested with the full 
 powers of the Court, and to meet and sit in such place or 
 places as they shall agree on. 
 
 " Resolred, That be, and they 
 
 hereby are appointed as Judges of the said Court of In- 
 quiry, to execute the trust agreeably to the above Re- 
 solve." 
 
 After debate, the question was put, whether said Report 
 be accepted? And it passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who reported a Letter 
 to the Eastern Tribes of Indians, be directed to prepare in- 
 structions to Mr. John Lane, who is appointed to commu- 
 nicate the Letter to them, and enlist a Company of them 
 in the service of the Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. GUI, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. How, be 
 a Committee to sort and count the votes for two persons, 
 Members of this Congress, to repair to the Congress of the 
 Province of New-Hampshire. 
 
 The Committee last mentioned, reported, that the Hon- 
 ourable Joseph Gerrish, Esq., and Colonel Ebcnczer Saw- 
 yer, were chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Dexter, Colonel Warren, and 
 Colonel Foster, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for 
 supplying the Soldiers with two Twenty Shilling Bills each, 
 for a month's advance pay, and they are directed to draw 
 up a form for said Bills, and employ an Engraver to pre- 
 pare a plate for engraving the same without delay ; and 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow morning, ten o'clock, be as- 
 signed for the consideration of the Report of said Com- 
 mittee thereon. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare an 
 application to the Continental Congress, sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. How, be 
 a Committee to sort and count the votes for a Member of 
 the Committee of Supplies, in the room of Colonel Lee, 
 deceased. 
 
 The Committee last mentioned, reported that Mr. John 
 Pitts was chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Barrett, Esquire Rawson, and 
 Mr. Webster, be a Committee to take into consideration a 
 Petition to this Congress from Mr. Boice and Mr. McLean, 
 of Milton. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Colonel Warren, and Mr. 
 Jamison, be a Committee to draw up some instructions to 
 the Delegates appointed to go to the Congress of New- 
 Hampshire. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, May 16, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Grcenleaf, and Cap- 
 tain Die, be a Committee to apply to the Committee of 
 Safety for a list of such persons as they have given Listing 
 Orders to, and, in particular, a list of such as have com- 
 pleted, or nearly completed their respective Regiments, and, 
 as far as can be speedily obtained, the number of men each 
 Officer has enlisted, that this Congress may commission 
 such persons as they think proper, without delay. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Messrs. Boice and McLean, reported. A long debate was 
 had thereon, and it was finally determined that the Peti- 
 tioners have leave to withdraw 7 their Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Captain Stone, Colonel 
 Farley, Major Brooks, and Doctor Rawson, be a Com- 
 mittee to take into consideration a verbal information of the 
 capture of three Vessels, by a King's Cutter, at Dartmouth, 
 and the retaking two of them, and fifteen Marines, prisoners. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Henry Gardner, Esq., having renewed his request that 
 this Congress would excuse him from serving the Colony 
 in the office of Receiver-General : 
 
 Resolved, That the determination of this matter be re- 
 ferred until to-morrow morning, ten o'clock ; and if Mr. 
 Gardner should then insist on being excused, that then the 
 Congress will proceed to the choice of some other person 
 to supply his place. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an application to 
 the Continental Congress, reported the following, which 
 was read, paragraph by paragraph, and accepted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Church be ordered to go imme- 
 diately to Philadelphia, and deliver to the President of the 
 honourable American Congress, there now sitting, the fol- 
 lowing application, to be by him communicated to the Mem- 
 bers thereof. And the said Church is also directed to confer 
 with the said Congress, respecting such other matters as 
 may be necessary to the defence of this Colony, and par- 
 ticularly the state of the Army therein. [See Folio 620.] 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare Instructions to the 
 Delegates who are going to Neiv- Hampshire, reported the 
 following, which w as accepted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Honourable Joseph Gerrish, Esquire, 
 and Colonel Ebenezer Saicyer, who are, by this Congress, 
 chosen a Committee to wait on the Delegates of the Colony 
 of New-Hampshire, are hereby empowered and directed to 
 take such methods, and make such application to the said 
 Congress, as shall, in the judgment of said Committee, ap- 
 pear most conducive to the union of the Colonies, and the 
 most direct way to induce said Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire to raise their proportion of men to defend the Colo- 
 nies. 
 
 And it is also Resolved, That the said Committee be 
 furnished with a copy of the application of this Congress 
 to the Honourable Members of the Continental Congress, 
 which the said Committee is directed to deliver to the Pre- 
 sident of the Congress of that Colony, and to do all that 
 they can to procure the approbation of that Colony to our 
 assuming Government, and to communicate to said Con- 
 gress such of the proceedings of this Congress as they shall 
 think conducive to the good of the whole. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Delegates be furnished with a 
 copy of the Establishment for the Massachusetts Army, 
 Rules and Regulations for the same, and form of the Oath 
 for the Officers and Soldiers. 
 
 A Letter from Col. Thomas Legate, dated Cambridge, 
 16th May, 1775, was read, and committed to Col. Foster, 
 Mr. Parker, and Mr. Bliss. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for sup- 
 plying the Soldiers with two Twenty Shilling Bills, for a 
 month's advance pay, again reported. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Major Bliss, and Mi . 
 Bent, be a Committee to sort and count the votes for a 
 
807 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 808 
 
 Member of this Congress to go to Philadelphia, with the 
 application of this Congress to the Continental Congress. 
 
 The Committee reported that Doctor Benjamin Church 
 was chosen. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Iietter from Colonel Legate, reported ; which Report, being 
 read and amended, was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it is of the utmost importance that the men 
 who shall he enlisted into the Artillery Company should 
 be well qualified for that employment ; and it being impos- 
 sible to enlist the men for the Artillery at large in the Col- 
 ony so soon as the service requires: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Officers of the Artillery be allowed 
 to enlist the men from the several Regiments already en- 
 gaged, when the men are willing to engage in that service, 
 until the whole Artillery establishment shall be completed. 
 Always provided, that such enlistments shall be no preju- 
 dice or hindrance to the Officers with whom such men are 
 already enlisted, in entitling them to their respective com- 
 missions, and that not more than four men be taken from 
 any one Company. And the Officers of the Train of Ar- 
 tillery are directed to use their endeavours to enlist as many 
 (who are not under any previous engagement in the Army) 
 as they can speedily ; and the Officers from whose Regi- 
 ment or Company any person is enlisted into the Train of 
 Artillery, are also directed to fill up their said Regiment or 
 Company with all convenient speed, by enlisting other 
 Soldiers in the place of those enlisted into the Train of Ar- 
 tillery. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Mr. Pitts, Doctor Taylor, 
 the President, and Mr. Batcheldcr, be a Committee, to con- 
 sider what measures it would be expedient to take, relative 
 to the prisoners in Boston, and the inhabitants which are 
 there kept in duress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to apply to the Committee of 
 Safety for a list of Officers, Sec, reported verbally, that 
 they had no other list than what they had before sent to 
 the Congress ; that they had received no returns, and knew 
 not how many had enlisted, or whether any Regiments were 
 completed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Barrett, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. 
 Fuller, be a Committee to take into consideration a Pe- 
 tition from the inhabitants of Canaan and Norridgewoclc , 
 on Kennebeck River, and report. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider the in- 
 formation from Dartmouth, reported. The Report was 
 recommitted for further examination and inquiry into the 
 affair. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Freeman and Doctor Holtcn be 
 added to the Committee appointed to examine Hutchinson's 
 Letters. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Wednesday, May 17, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from Edward Mott to this Congress, dated 
 11th May, 1775, giving an account of the taking of the 
 Fortress at Ticonderoga, was read, together with a Letter 
 from Ethan Allen. Also an application from Col. Easton 
 and others; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Mr. Sullivan, and Doc- 
 tor Ilohc.n, be a Committee to introduce Colonel Easton 
 to this House, to give a narrative of that transaction, and 
 that each Member have liberty to ask him any questions. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. President, Doctor Taylor, Colonel 
 Foster, Doctor Holtcn, and Mr. Cross, be a Committee to 
 take the same into consideration and report. 
 
 A Resolve from the Committee of Safety, relative to the 
 seizing the servants and friends to Government, (improperly 
 sa called,) was read, and ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the 
 purpose of considering the expediency of making out a 
 Commission to General Ward. 
 
 The Congress appointed two other Monitors, viz : Mr. 
 John Hale and Captain Woodbridge Brown. 
 
 The Resolve and form of an Oath to be taken by the 
 General Officers, were read, amended, and accepted, and 
 are as follow, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the General Officers of the Massachu- 
 setts Army, now raising for the defence and security of the 
 rights and liberties of this, and our sifter Colonies in Ame- 
 rica, shall, each and every of them, repeat, take, and sub- 
 
 scribe the following Oath, to be administered by .... , 
 
 viz : 
 
 "I, A. B., do solemnly swear, that, as a General Officer 
 in the Massachusetts Army, I will well and faithfully exe- 
 cute the office of a General, to which I have been appointee!, 
 according to my best abilities, in defence and for the secu- 
 rity of the estates, lives, and liberties, of the good people 
 of this, and the sister Colonies in America, in opposition 
 to Ministerial tyranny, by which they are, or may be op- 
 pressed, and to all other enemies and opposers whatsoever. 
 That I will adhere to the Rules and Regulations of said 
 Army, established by the Congress of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, observe and obey the Resolutions and Orders which 
 are, or shall be passed by said Congress, or any future Con- 
 gress, or House of Representatives, or legislative body of 
 said Colony, and such Committees as shall be by them au- 
 thorized for that purpose ; and that I will disclose and make 
 known to the authority aforesaid, all traitorous conspiracies, 
 attempts, and designs whatsoever, which I shall know to be 
 made, or have reason to suspect are making, against the 
 Army, or any of the English American Colonies." 
 
 Ordered, That Jonas Dix, Esq., be directed to take 
 Depositions, relative to the destruction of private property 
 by the King's Troops, on the nineteenth ultimo, and their 
 driving women in child-bed out of their houses, and killing 
 old men unarmed. 
 
 Henry Gardner, Esq., informed the House that he was 
 willing to continue to serve this Colony in the office of 
 Receiver-General. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kolloclc, Deacon Nichols, and Mr. 
 Rawson, be a Committee to consider what steps are proper 
 to be taken for the relief of such of the inhabitants of Bos- 
 ton as come over to Chcrlcstown, who are not able to take 
 care of themselves. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the account of 
 taking the Fortress of Ticonderoga, reported the following 
 Resolve, and Letter to the Assembly of Connecticut, which 
 were accepted, and the Letter ordered to be authenticated 
 and sent forward : 
 
 Gentlemen : We have the happiness of presenting our 
 congratulations to you on the reduction of that important 
 fortress, Ticonderoga. We applaud the conduct of both 
 the officers and soldiers, and are of opinion, that the advan- 
 tageous situation of that fortress makes it highly expedient 
 that it should be repaired, and properly garrisoned. In the 
 mean time, as we suppose that there is no necessity for 
 keeping all the cannon there, we should be extremely glad 
 if all the battery cannon, especially brass cannon, which 
 can be spared from that place, or procured from Crown 
 Point, (which we hope by this time is in the hands of our 
 friends,) may be forwarded this way, with all possible expe- 
 dition, as we have here to contend with an Army furnished 
 with as fine a train of artillery as ever was seen in America. 
 And we are in extreme want of a sufficient number of can- 
 non to fortify those important passes, without which we can 
 neither annoy General Gage, if it should become neces- 
 sary, nor defend ourselves against him. 
 
 We therefore must most earnestly recommend this very 
 important matter to your immediate consideration ; and we 
 would suggest it, as our opinion, that the appointing Col- 
 onel Arnold to take charge of them, and bring them down, 
 with all possible haste, may be a means of settling any dis- 
 putes which may have arisen between him and some other 
 officers, which we are always desirous to avoid, and more 
 especially at a time when our common danger ought to unite 
 us in the strongest bonds of unity and affection. 
 We are, gentlemen, Sic. 
 
 This Congress having received authentick intelligence 
 that the Fort at Ticonderoga is surrendered into the hands 
 of Colonel Ethan Allen and others, together with the Ar- 
 tillery and Artillery Stores, Ammunition, &c, thereunto 
 belonging, for the benefit of these Colonies, occasioned by 
 the intrepid valour of a number of men under the com- 
 mand of the said Colonel Allen, Colonel Easton of the 
 Massachusetts, and others ; and by the advice and direction 
 of the Committee for that expedition, the said Colonel 
 Allen is to rernain in possession of the same and its depen- 
 dencies, until further order: 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do highly approve of the 
 same ; and the General Assembly of the Colony of Con- 
 
809 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 810 
 
 necticut are hereby desired to give directions relative to 
 garrisoning and maintaining the same, for the future, until 
 the advice of the Continental Congress can be had in that 
 behalf. 
 
 And as this Colony is in want of some Battering Can- 
 non for their defence immediately, it is further Resolved, 
 That the President of this Congress be desired to write to 
 the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut, desir- 
 ing that they would give order for the immediate removal 
 of some of those Cannon to this Colony, for the purpose 
 aforesaid. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition from 
 the inhabitants of Canaan and Norridgewock, reported. 
 
 The question being put, Whether the Report shall be 
 accepted ? it passed in the negative. 
 
 Thereupon, Resolved, That the Petitioners have leave 
 to withdraw their Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Mr. Sullivan, and Cap- 
 tain Farley, be a Committee to prepare a Commission for 
 General Ward. 
 
 Tiie Committee appointed to consider of the verbal in- 
 formation from Dartmouth, reported verbally, "Thatlhe 
 inhabitants of Dartmouth be advised to conduct themselves 
 (with respect to the prisoners they have taken) agreeably 
 to the direction of the Committee of Inspection for that 
 Town." 
 
 After a long debate, it was moved that the consideration 
 of this matter should subside. 
 
 And the question being put, it passed in the affirmative. 
 
 And the matter accordingly subsided. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to inform the 
 gentlemen from Dartmouth, of the determination of the 
 Congress, respecting the information from Dartmouth, 
 and the reason thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to revise the 
 Commission of the Committee of Safety, sit forthwith, 
 and report as soon as may be. That Mr. Sullivan be ex- 
 cused, and that Colonel Foster and Deacon Fisher be 
 added to this Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Church be allowed one Servant 
 to attend him in his journey to Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letters relative to taking the For- 
 tress of Ticonderoga, be delivered to the Committee of 
 Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare an 
 Establishment for Post-Offices, &tc, be directed to bring 
 in a Resolve, for the purpose of empowering the Commit- 
 tee, who were appointed to agree with the Post-Riders, 
 fee, to take Bonds of the Postmasters, and appoint oaths 
 to be taken by the Postmasters and Post-Riders ; and that 
 Colonel Foster be excused, and Captain Stone and Mr. 
 Greenleaf be added to the Committee. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, May 18, 1775, A. M. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to revise the Re- 
 solves respecting the Committee of Safely, reported : 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, That three o'clock, in the after- 
 noon, be assigned for the choice of a Committee of Safety, 
 to consist of thirteen Members, and for the further consi- 
 deration of said Report. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Rawson, Mr. Bullen, and Col- 
 onel Farley, be a Committee to consider the practicability 
 of employing Chaplains for the Army out of the number 
 of Clergy of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Mr. Gardner, and Mr. 
 Sullivan be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, recom- 
 mending it to the inhabitants of this Colony not to choose 
 any person to represent them in Congress, who has a Com- 
 mission in the Army. 
 
 The Committee made the following Report ; which was 
 read : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 18, 1775. 
 Whereas, in all free States, the sword should be subser- 
 vient to, and under the control of the civil powers of 
 Government ; from whence arises the impropriety of the 
 Officers of the Army of this Colony being members of the 
 Congress to be held therein : and whereas, it is absolutely- 
 
 necessary that every Officer of the Army aforesaid con- 
 stantly attend his duty therein : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recom- 
 mended to the several Towns in this Colony that they do 
 not return to the next Congress, to be held here, any Offi- 
 cer of the Army, as a member of said Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Middleton, Mr. Whitti- 
 more, and Mr. Bliss, be a Committee to wait upon the 
 Honourable James Russell, Esq., Impost-Master, to know 
 if he has any Publick Moneys, now in his hands. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Sullivan, and Col- 
 onel Warren, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, re- 
 commending to the inhabitants of this Colony to make no 
 purchases, nor receive any conveyances of Estates, from the 
 Mandamus Counsellors, or other inveterate enemies to the 
 rights of this Country, and that they have no dealings of 
 any kind with such persons. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gardner, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. 
 KoUock, be a Committee to consider and inquire into the 
 subject-matter of a Resolve of the Committee of Safety 
 respecting Lady Frankland. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Foster, Doctor 
 Holten, Mr. Bragdon and Captain Batchelder, be a Com- 
 mittee to take into consideration a Letter from the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for the Town of Falmouth, and 
 such parts of a Letter from the Honourable Enoch Free- 
 man, Esq. to the Secretary, as he may communicate. 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown, Mr. Bayley, and Cap- 
 tain Baker, bs a Committee to sort and count the votes 
 for a Committee of Safety. 
 
 The Committee appointed to count and sort the votes 
 for a Committee of Safety, reported that the following 
 gentlemen were chosen, viz: 
 
 Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Capt. Benjamin White. 
 Doctor Joseph Warren, Col. Joseph Palmer, 
 Doctor Benjamin Church. Mr. Richard Devens. 
 Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. John Pigeon, 
 
 Colonel Azor Orne, Hon. Benj. Greenleaf, 
 
 Mr. Nathan Cushing, Doct. Samuel Holten. 
 
 Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., 
 
 The Report was recommitted for filling up the blanks. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Doctor Taylor, and Colo- 
 nel Davis, be a Committee to inquire where the Treasurer 
 may procure Money for the Muster-Masters, to supply the 
 Soldiers with advance pay. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider the 
 Resolve of the Committee of Safety respecting Ladv 
 Frankland, reported as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Resolution of 
 the Committee of Safety, respecting the removal of Lady 
 Frankland, with her effects, from Hopkinton to Boston. 
 have attended to that service, and ask leave to report facts 
 as the Committee find them, viz : 
 
 That Mrs. Frankland hath with her now going into Bos- 
 ton, four horses, two chaises, one phaeton, six oxen, two 
 carls, five sheep, one swine, about four hundred of hay, two 
 barrels and one hamper filled with bottled wine, one keg of 
 tongues, six trunks and several small boxes, containing 
 chiefly men and women's wearing apparel, sheeting and 
 other linens, three beds, with their furniture ; one gun, one 
 pistol, and one sword, one flask, with a small quantity of 
 powder and lead ; about ten bushels of Indian corn, and 
 one canister, with a small quantity of tea. 
 
 As a number of people at or near the place where the 
 above articles are confined, appear to be greatly irritated a: 
 Mrs. Frankland's proceeding to Boston, the Committee 
 think it their duty to report facts. Which is submitted. 
 
 Per order: Henry Gardner. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, That Mr. Craft be and hereby 
 is directed forthwith to attend this Congress. 
 
 Mr. Craft accordingly attended ; and having heard the 
 allegations against him, and having made his defence, with- 
 drew. 
 
 The Congress then Resolved, That he should be gently 
 admonished by the President, and be assured that the 
 
811 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 812 
 
 Congress were determined to preserve their dignity and 
 power over the Military. 
 
 Mr. Craft was again called in, and the President politely 
 admonished him, agreeably to the Resolve of Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That Lady Frank/and be permitted to go 
 into Boston with the following articles, viz: seven trunks; 
 all the beds, and furniture to them ; all the boxes and crates ; 
 a basket of chickens, and a bag of corn ; two barrels and 
 a hamper ; two horses and two chaises, and all the articles 
 in the chaise, excepling arms and ammunition ; one pha- 
 eton, some tongues, hams and veal, and sundry small bun- 
 dles. 
 
 Which articles having been examined by a Committee 
 from this Congress, she is permitted to have them carried 
 in without any further examination. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, May 19, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Bond be and hereby is directed 
 to appoint a Guard of six men to escort Lady Frank/and 
 to Boston, with such of her effects as this Congress have 
 permitted her to carry with her; and Colonel Bond is di- 
 rected to wait on General Thomas with a copy of the Re- 
 solves of this Congress respecting Lady Frankland. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Ezekicl Hall, of this Town, be 
 recommended to the Generals of our Colony Army, in 
 order to have such aid as they can afford him in going into 
 or out of Boston, or sending some suitable person there, 
 which appears to be necessary, in order to save some of 
 his valuable effects, which there is reason to fear were ex- 
 posed by the late fire. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren wait on General Ward, 
 directing him to attend this Congress forthwith, to receive 
 his Commission ; and also on the Committee of Safety, for 
 a list of such Colonels and other Officers as they shall 
 report to be prepared for receiving their Commissions. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of 
 Connecticut, was read, respecting the taking of Ticonde- 
 roga : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry prepare an answer thereto, 
 informing them what steps this Congress have taken rela- 
 tive to that affair. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Perkins and Captain Baker be 
 added to the Committee who were appointed to inquire 
 where the Treasurer can borrow money. 
 
 Resolved, That all persons who may have any Goods 
 or Chattels belonging to Lady Frankland, now in their 
 custody, which are not mentioned in the Resolve of this 
 Congress for allowing her, with certain effects, to go into 
 Boston, be and hereby are directed to permit her to send 
 them to Hopkinton, or dispose of them in any way agree- 
 able to her, not inconsistent with the Resolves of this Con- 
 gress 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what steps may 
 be taken for the relief of such of the inhabitants of Boston 
 as come over to Charlestown, he, reported : Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Cheever, Colonel Davis, and 
 Captain E. Withington, be a Committee to bring in a list 
 of names of persons to fill up the blank in said Report. 
 
 Mr. Gerry reported an Answer to a Letter from the 
 Committee of Correspondence of Connecticut, which was 
 accepted. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor llolten, Mr. Whittemore, and 
 Major Bliss, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 Representation made to this Congress by Colonel Warren, 
 by desire of General Ward, of the necessity there is that 
 the Army should be immediately supplied with Iron Pots, 
 as well as an additional stock of Powder ; as also for pro- 
 viding a Mouse for the abode of Joseph Trumbull, Esquire, 
 of Connecticut, and another for the Chairman and the other 
 Members of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Representation made to this Congress by Colonel Warren, 
 by desire of General Ward, made the following Report : 
 
 That they applied to the Committee of Supplies respect- 
 ing the want of Iron Pols for the use of the Army ; and 
 also of an additional stock of Powder, and received for 
 answer, that Mr. Gerry would wait upon the Congress this 
 
 afternoon, and inform them respecting the same. And said 
 Committee beg leave further to report, as their opinion, 
 that a Resolve be brought in empowering Joseph Trum- 
 bull, Esquire, of Connecticut, to use and improve the house 
 of John Borland, Esquire, late of Cambridge, until further 
 orders of this Congress, or some future Congress, or House 
 of Representatives; and also a Resolve empowering the 
 Committee of Safety to use and improve the house of John 
 Vassall. Esquire, late of Cambridge, until further orders of 
 this Congress, or some future Congress, or House of Repre- 
 sentatives; said houses to be improved as above expressed, 
 as soon as General Ward shall provide for the soldiers in 
 said houses in some other places. 
 
 The Report of the Committee for revising the Commis- 
 sions of the Committee of Safety, after being read, para- 
 graph by paragraph, was amended and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the former Congresses of this Colony have 
 chosen, and by divers Resolutions have empowered, John 
 Hancock, Esquire, Doctor Joseph Warren, Doctor Benja- 
 min Church, Captain Benjamin White, Colonel Joseph 
 Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Jr., 
 Mr. John Pigeon, Colonel Azor Orne, Nathan Cushing. 
 Esq., Colonel William Heath, Colonel Thomas Gardner, 
 Colonel Asa Whitcomb, Mr. Edward Durant, and Mr. 
 James Sullivan, to be a Committee of Safety ; and by 
 virtue of the authority of that office, on certain occasions, 
 to cause to be assembled the Militia of this Colony, for the 
 defence of the inhabitants thereof; and which Committee 
 of Safety are, by the Resolutions of said Congresses, em- 
 powered to do several other acts for the service of the Col- 
 ony, as by the Journals and Records of said Congresses 
 appears : 
 
 It is Resolved, That whatever the said Committee of 
 Safety, or any of them, have done pursuant to the said 
 Resolutions of said Congress, shall be held good and valid, 
 and that the said inhabitants of said Colony shall be held 
 thereby, as well according to the true intent and meaning 
 of said Resolutions, as according to the strict letter thereof. 
 
 And whereas, there appears to be still a deficiency of 
 power in said Committee, considering the particular exi- 
 gencies of the Colony, and it being necessary to have their 
 Commission as concise and explicit as possible, which can 
 be done only by consolidating the powers intended by the 
 several Resolutions of this as well as the former Congresses, 
 to be given them ; it is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That all and every Resolution now in force 
 respecting the said Committee of Safety, shall be and 
 hereby are repealed, revoked, and rendered null and void. 
 
 And it is also Resolved, That the Honourable John 
 Hancock, Esquire, Doctor Joseph Warren, Doctor Benja- 
 min Church, Captain Benjamin White, Colonel Joseph 
 Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Mr. 
 John Pigeon, Colonel Azor Orne, Honourable Benjamin 
 Greenleaf, Esquire, Mr. Nathan Cushing, Doctor Samuel 
 Holtcn, and Honourable Enoch Freeman, Esq., be a Com- 
 mittee of Safety for this Colony hereafter, until some fur- 
 ther order of this or some future Congress or House of 
 Representatives of this Colony shall revoke their or either 
 of their appointment. 
 
 And it is also Resolved, That the said Committee of 
 Safety shall be, and hereby are empowered, when they shall 
 think it necessary, in defence of the lives and properties of 
 the inhabitants of this Colony, to assemble such and so 
 many of the Militia thereof, and them to dispose and place 
 where, and detain so long, as the said Committee of Safety 
 shall judge necessary, and to discharge said Militia when 
 the safety of this Colony will admit of it ; and the Officers 
 of the said Militia are hereby enjoined to pay strict obe- 
 dience to the orders and directions of the said Committee 
 of Safety. 
 
 And it is also Resolved, That the said Committee of 
 Safety shall be, and hereby are empowered to direct the 
 Army of this Colony to be stationed where the said Com- 
 mittee of Safety shall judge most conducive to the defence 
 and service of the Colony; and the General, and other Of- 
 ficers of the Army, are required to render strict obedience 
 to such orders of said Committee ; provided always, that it 
 shall be in the power of this, or any future Congress, to 
 control any order of the said Committee of Safety, respect- 
 ing this or any other matter. 
 
813 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 811 
 
 And whereas, the former Committee of Safety were, by 
 a Resolve of this Congress, empowered to nominate per- 
 sons to this Congress to be commissioned to be officers in 
 the Army now establishing for the defence of this Colony ; 
 and said Committee having already given orders to a num- 
 ber of persons to enlist men for that purpose: 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety now appointed 
 proceed in that matter, that such officers, where the Regi- 
 ments are completed, may be commissioned by this Con- 
 gress ; and if any Regiment should be nearly completed, 
 and the officers thereof ready to be commissioned, agree- 
 ably to the Resolve of this Congress, during the time be- 
 tween the dissolution of this Congress and the meeting of 
 t he next, the said Committee shall have power to fill up 
 and deliver out Commissions to them ; and blank Commis- 
 sions, signed by the President of this Congress, and attest- 
 ed by the Secretary, shall be delivered to the said Com- 
 i ni i lee for this purpose. 
 
 And it is also Resolved, That any five of the said Com- 
 mittee be a quorum, with full power to transact any busi- 
 ness which the Committee, by the Resolves above, are 
 empowered and vested with authority to do. 
 
 Ordered, That Letters be sent to the Honourable Ben- 
 jamin Greenleaf, Esquire, and the Hon. Enoch Freeman, 
 Esquire, informing them of their being chosen Members of 
 the Committee of Safety, and requesting their attendance 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. John Pigeon be, and he hereby is 
 appointed and empowered as a Commissary for the Army 
 of this Province, to draw from the Magazines which are or 
 may be prov ided for that purpose, such Provisions and other 
 stores, as from time to time he shall find necessary for the 
 Army : and he is further empowered to recommend to the 
 Congress such persons as shall be necessary, and as he 
 shall think qualified, to serve as Deputy Commissaries ; 
 and said Deputy Commissaries, when confirmed by the 
 Congress for the time being, shall have full power to act in 
 said office, and are to be accountable to the Commissary 
 for their doings ; also, said Commissary is empowered to 
 contract with and employ such other persons to assist him 
 in executing his office, as shall be by him found necessary ; 
 and his contracts for necessaries to supply the Army during 
 the late confused state of the Colony, shall be allowed ; 
 and the Committee of Supplies are hereby directed to ex- 
 amine, and if they find thein reasonable, considering the 
 exigencies of the times, to draw on the Treasury for pay- 
 ment of the same. 
 
 The form of a Commission for General Ward was read, 
 amended, and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay to the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire, 
 greeting : 
 
 " We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your 
 courage and good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute 
 and appoint you, the said Artemas Ward, to be General 
 and Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces raised by the 
 Congress aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other 
 American Colonies. You are, therefore, carefully and 
 diligently to discharge the duty of a General, in leading, 
 ordering, and exercising the said Forces in arms, both in- 
 feriour Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good 
 order and discipline ; and they are hereby commanded to 
 obey you as their General ; and you are yourself to ob- 
 serve and follow such orders and instructions as you shall, 
 from time to time, receive from this or any future Congress, 
 or House of Representatives of this Colony, or the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, so far as the said Committee is empow- 
 ered, by their commission, to order and instruct you for 
 the defence of this and the other Colonies, and to demean 
 yourself according to the military rules and discipline, es- 
 tablished by Congress in pursuance of the trust reposed in 
 you. By order of the Congress : 
 
 " President pro tern. 
 
 " .... the .... of .... A. D. 1775. 
 
 " Secretary pro tern." 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Captain Stone, and 
 Mr. U ebstcr, be a Committee to get the Depositions and 
 Narrative of the late excursion of the King's Troops to 
 
 Concord, printed in a pamphlet, on the best terms they 
 can ; and that they forward one pamphlet to each Town 
 and District in the Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That there be a blank left in the Commis- 
 sions to be given the Officers of the several Regiments of 
 the Colony Army, for the rank of the Regiment, and that 
 
 be a Committee to settle the ranks 
 
 of the Regiments, when the Regiments are completed. 
 
 Resolved, That the same Committee be directed to 
 bring in a Resolve, settling the rank or number of the Re- 
 giments, according to the rank or age of the Counties from 
 whence the majority of the Regiments shall come. 
 
 Resolved, That the rank of the Regiments, where there 
 are more than one in each County, be according to the 
 rank which those Regiments formerly sustained in the old 
 arrangement, from which they are taken, provided that can 
 be ascertained ; and where that cannot be determined, the 
 rank to be determined by lot. 
 
 Resolved, That the Commissions be all of one date, and 
 that the rank of the Officers be determined by this Con- 
 gress, or by a Committee Horn this Congress at some 
 future lime. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Samuel Gcrrish have a Com- 
 mission for a Colonel in the Army, and that the oath be 
 administered to him by Mr. Gardner, the Receiver-Gen- 
 eral; also, that Commissions, as Captains, issue for Richard 
 Dodge, Jacob Gerrish, and William Rogers; Commissions 
 to bear date the 19th May. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, Ma}' 20, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Doctor Holten, and 
 Major Brooks, be a Committee to confer with Mr. Revert, 
 respecting his proposal for an alteration in the value of the 
 Colony 7 Notes, which have been ordered to be struck off'. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thurston, Esquire Aikin, and 
 Mr. Crane, be a Committee to take into consideration a 
 Petition from a number of the inhabitants of Deer Island. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the case of the 
 prisoners in Boston, and the inhabitants which are there 
 kept in duress, reported. The Report was read and ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas this Congress did, on the 30th of April last 
 past, pass a Resolve for permitting such inhabitants of the 
 Colony to remove into Boston, "with their effects, fire- 
 arms and ammunition excepted," as should incline thereto ; 
 it being in consequence of General Gage's promise to the 
 inhabitants of Boston, that upon resigning their arms and 
 ammunition they should have liberty to remove from said 
 Town with their effects : And whereas but a small propor- 
 tion of the said inhabitants of Boston have been hitherto 
 permitted to leave the Town, and those only to bring their 
 clothing and household furniture, they being constrained to 
 leave their provisions and all their other effects : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That General Ward be, and he hereby is 
 directed to order the Guards in future not to suffer any pro- 
 visions or effects, excepting furniture and clothing, to be 
 carried into the Town of Boston, so long as the said Gen- 
 eral Gage shall suffer the persons or effects of the inhabi- 
 tants of said Town, contrary to his plighted faith, to be 
 restrained. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Revere, 
 brought in the following Resolves, which were accepted, 
 and the Secretary directed to erase from the Minutes the 
 Resolve which passed this Congress for issuing Colony 
 Notes often Shillings each : 
 
 Whereas this Congress did, on the fourth day of this in- 
 stant, May, pass a Resolve in the following form, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That each Non-commissioned Officer and Pri- 
 vate Soldier, who has or shall enlist himself into the service 
 of this Colony, shall have twenty Shillings paid him out of 
 the Receiver-General's office, as advance pay, and that the 
 Commanding Officer of each Regiment, who shall be, and 
 hereby is empowered to act as Muster-Master to his said 
 Regiment, shall draw from the Receiver General's office 
 the sum of twenty Shillings for each Non-commissioned 
 Officer and Private Soldier in his said Regiment, and pay 
 the same, according to the tenor of this Resolve, as soon 
 as said men have enlisted themselves, and been duly sworn, 
 and give his Bond, with sufficient sureties, to the Receiver- 
 
815 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1773. 
 
 816 
 
 General therefor ; said Bond to be discharged by a receipt 
 produced by said Officer from each Non-commissioned Offi- 
 cer and Private Soldier, that lie has received the same. 
 
 And whereas this Congress have, by a subsequent Re- 
 solve, superseded the appointment of the Muster- Masters 
 aforementioned, and directed that Colonel Benjamin Lin- 
 coln and Colonel Asa Wldtcomb, be appointed Muster- 
 Masters in the Massachusetts Army, whose business it shall 
 be to pass muster on every Soldier that should be enlisted 
 into the said Army, and by no means to accept of any but 
 such as are able-bodied and effective; men, and also to ex- 
 amine their Arms and Accoutrements, fkc, that they are in 
 proper order ; and said Muster-Masters are thereby directed 
 and empowered to receive from Henry Gardner, Esquire, 
 Receiver-General, twenty Shillings, lawful money, for each 
 and every Non-commissioned Officer and Private Soldier 
 then mustered and sworn, and as shall appear with their 
 Anns, &.c, and shall give Bond to said Receiver-General, 
 with sufficient sureties for such moneys drawn out of the 
 Treasury, and shall forthwith pay out said sum of twenty 
 Shillings advance pay, to each and every Non-commissioned 
 Officer and Private Soldier, and on producing receipts from 
 them to said Receiver-General, said Bonds shall be can- 
 celled : And whereas it is found thai sufficient ready cash 
 cannot be obtained so soon as it will be needed for the pur- 
 pose aforesaid : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That each Non-commissioned Officer and Pri- 
 vate Soldier aforesaid, (if he will accept the same,) shall, 
 instead of twenty Shillings advance pay, upon the muster 
 aforesaid, receive forty Shillings advance pay in three Notes, 
 on interest from the Receiver-General, to be paid in one 
 year from the date of said Notes ; and that for all such sums 
 as the said Col. Lincoln and Col. W/titcomb shall receive 
 of the Receiver-General in Notes as aforesaid, they give 
 Bonds, and that such Bonds be discharged by receipts, as 
 in and by the last mentioned Resolve is directed. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Major Hawley, General 
 Whitcomb, Mr. Gerry, Colonel Palmer, Colonel Lincoln, 
 and Colonel Foster, be a Committee to consider what mea- 
 sures are proper to he taken, for organizing the Massachu- 
 setts Army in the most effeclaal and ready manner. 
 
 Resolved, That for the payment of advance pay to the 
 Massachusetts Army, there be issued by the Receiver- 
 General, on the credit of this Colony, a sum not exceeding 
 Twenty-Six Thousand Pounds, lawful money, in Notes of 
 the following denominations, viz: of Twenty Shillings, of 
 Eighteen, Sixteen, Fifteen, Fourteen, Twelve, Ten, Nine, 
 and of Six Shillings ; to be four thousand three hundred 
 and thirty-three of each denomination, and no more; and 
 to be of the form following, viz : 
 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 No. May 25, 1775. 
 
 The possessor of this Note shall be entitled to receive, 
 out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, the sum of 
 Shillings, lawful money, on the twenty- 
 fifth day of May, Anno Domini 1776, with interest, at the 
 rate of six per cent, per annum. And this Note shall be 
 received in all payments at the Treasury, at any time after 
 the date hereof, for the principal sum, without interest, if 
 so paid before the said 25th day of May, Anno Domini 
 
 1776. 
 
 Receiver- General. 
 
 Which Notes shall be received in all payments in this 
 Colony ; and no discount or abatement shall be made there- 
 on in any payment, trade, or exchange whatsoever. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the practicability 
 of providing Chaplains for the Army, reported. 
 
 The Report was read, and recommitted. 
 
 The Petition of Benjamin Thompson to the Committee 
 of Safety, was read, and ordered to subside. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider the 
 practicability of providing Chaplains, was again read, ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it is necessary that Chaplains should be ap- 
 pointed in the Massachusetts Army, under the command of 
 the Honourable Artemas Ward, Esquire, which, if appoint- 
 
 ed on the establishment made by this Colony, will greatly 
 enhance the Colony debt : 
 
 And whereas, it has been represented to this Congress, 
 that several Ministers of the Religious Assemblies within 
 this Colony have expressed their willingness to attend the 
 Army aforesaid in the capacity of Chaplains, as they may 
 be directed by this Congress : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to 
 the Ministers of the several Religious Assemblies within 
 this Colony, that, with the leave of their several Congrega- 
 tions, they attend said Army in their several Towns, to the 
 number of thirteen at one lime, during the time the Army 
 shall be encamped ; and that they make known their Re- 
 solutions to the Congress thereon, or to the Committee of 
 Safety, as soon as may be. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the President be desired to 
 deliver to General Ward the Commission prepared for him 
 by this Congress, as General and Commander-in-Chief of 
 the Massachusetts Forces. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Brooks, Colonel Mitchell, Es- 
 quire Rawson, Esquire Dix, and Major Bliss, be a Com- 
 mittee to examine the prisoner at the door, brought from 
 Head-Quarters, and report some order to be taken thereon. 
 
 The President communicated to Congress the request of 
 the Selectmen of Boston, that the Congress would permit 
 Mr. Ball to carry two loads of Hay into Boston, one for 
 himself and one for another person, (Lieutenant-Governonr 
 Oliver:) Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the messenger in waiting be dismissed. 
 
 Resolved, That only the Colonels of each Regiment 
 should attend this Congress to receive their Commissions, 
 unless they should be indisposed, or otherwise necessarily 
 prevented ; in which case the next Field-Officer may apply 
 for his Commission, and Commissions for the inferiour Of- 
 ficers in his Regiment. 
 
 The Honourable Mr. Dexter having, by order of Con- 
 gress, administered the Oath to General Ward, bis Com- 
 mission was delivered to him by the President. 
 
 The following Commissions were likewise delivered, viz : 
 
 To Thomas Cogswell and John Wood, Captains, under 
 command of Colonel Gerrish. 
 
 Ephraim Doolittle, Colonel ; Ebenezer Learned, Colo- 
 nel ; Joseph Reed, Colonel; James Bricket, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, under Colonel James Fry ; Calvin Smith, Major, 
 under Colonel Joseph Read. 
 
 Danforth Keys, Lieutenant-Colonel, Jonathan Holman, 
 Major, under Colonel Ebenezer Learned. 
 
 Ebenezer Clap, Lieutenant-Colonel, under Colonel Jo- 
 seph Read. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Captains 
 of Col. Fry's Regiment, agreeably to a list exhibited. 
 
 Resolved, That nine o'clock next Tuesday morning, be 
 assigned for taking into consideration the expediency of 
 giving Lieutenants' Commissions to the Subaltern Officers. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock next Tuesday afternoon, 
 be assigned to consider a Motion made by Colonel Doolit- 
 tle, for appointing a Muster-Master for the enlisted Com- 
 panies at Northfield. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown and Esquire Dix be a 
 Committee to procure a Guard over the prisoners from 
 Head-Quarters ; and that the Guard who conducted them 
 from thence be now released. 
 
 Adjourned until to-morrow afternoon, at four o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, May 21, 1775. 
 
 Met at four o'clock, and adjourned until to-morrow 
 morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, May 22, 1775. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition from the inhabitants of 
 Deer Island, reported as follows, vise: 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of a number of the in- 
 habitants of Deer Island, so called, in the County of Lin- 
 coln, beg leave to report : That they have made inquiry of 
 the bearer of the Petition, Major Low, and find that the 
 people there are greatly in want of provisions, and ought 
 to be relieved ; but whether it will be best to remove them 
 from the Island, or to supply them with one hundred and 
 lifty bushels of Corn, one hundred bushels of Potatoes, two 
 barrels of Pork, twenty Cod-lines, with leads and hooks, 
 and a small quantity of Salt, we submit to the Congress. 
 
817 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 818 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of this Report be de- 
 ferred until there is a fuller House. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what measures 
 should be adopted in relation to the Estates of persons un- 
 friendly to the Country, reported the following Resolve, 
 which was accepted, and ordered to be published in the 
 Newspapers printed in Cambridge and Salem: 
 
 Whereas a number of men, some of whom have, in times 
 past, by the good people of this Province, been raised to 
 the highest places of honour and trust, have become inimi- 
 cal to this Colony ; and merely on principles of avarice, 
 have, in conjunction with the late Governour Hutchinson, 
 been trying to reduce all America to the most abject state 
 of slavery ; and, as well to avoid the just indignation of the 
 people as to pursue their diabolical plans, have fled to Bos- 
 ion and other places for refuge : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That those persons, among whom are the 
 Mandamus Counsellors, are guilty of such atrocious and 
 unnatural crimes against their Country, that every friend 
 to mankind ought to forsake and detest them, until they 
 shall evidence a sincere repentance, by actions worthy of 
 men and christians ; and that no person within this Colony 
 shall take any Deed, Lease, or Conveyance whatever, of 
 the Lands, Houses, or Estates of such persons. And it is 
 hereby recommended to the Committee of Inspection, in 
 every Town in this Colony, to see this Resolve fully en- 
 forced, unless in such cases as the Congress shall otherwise 
 direct. 
 
 A Letter was received from General Ward, recommend- 
 ing that the Ordnance, Arms, and Ammunition mentioned 
 in the following List, be immediately procured and sent to 
 Head-Quarters, for the supply of the Army of Massachu- 
 setts, viz : 
 
 Thirty Twenty-Four-Pounders, and if that number of 
 Cannon cannot be obtained, that the weight of metal be 
 made up with Eighteen-Pounders, double fortified ; ten 
 Twelve-Pounders ; eighteen Nine-Pounders ; twenty-one 
 thousand six hundred pounds of Powder, and eighty Balls 
 for each gun ; one thousand five hundred Stands of Arms ; 
 twenty thousand pounds of Musket Powder ; forty thou- 
 sand pounds of Lead ; seventeen hundred Iron Pots. 
 
 This Congress having requested the Reverend Doctor 
 Langdon to deliver a Sermon before the next Massachu- 
 setts Congress, at their meeting in this place on the last 
 fVednesday of this month, and he having signified that he 
 will comply with such request : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the desire of this Congress, that the 
 Reverend Ministers of the Gospel in this Colony would as- 
 semble at that time, agreeable to their ancient custom, and 
 hold a Convention as usual, if they think proper, as, in the 
 opinion of this Congress, the cause of religion, and the 
 political interest of this Colony, ma)' be served by such 
 meeting. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary cause the foregoing Resolu- 
 tion to be published in the Newspapers as soon as may be. 
 
 A Letter was received from the Committee of Safety, 
 enclosing a communication from Colonel Benedict Arnold, 
 giving information of the surrender of I^iconderoga. 
 
 Ordered, That the following Letter to Colonel Arnold, 
 reported by a Committee, be accepted, signed by the Secre- 
 tary, and forwarded in the name and behalf of this Con- 
 gress, as soon as may be. [See the Letter, Folio 676.] 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Hale, and Mr. 
 Kollock, be a Committee to take into consideration a Let- 
 ter communicated this day by the President from the Hon- 
 ourable James Russell, Commissioner of Imposts, dated 
 Charlestoivn, May 19 ; and, in particular, to inquire into 
 Mr. Russell's right of making the contract therein men- 
 tioned, and the circumstances of it, and report as soon as 
 may be. 
 
 Tuesday, May 23, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 Brovmfield , reported, that they find by the bearer of the 
 Letter that the, inhabitants have some Arms, Powder, &c, 
 and are not in danger, except from Indians, who are friendly 
 at present ; and the state of our affairs calls for such large 
 supplies, that the consideration of their request be deferred 
 till the sitting of the next Congress. 
 
 The Report was accepted, and Mr. Israel Hohart was 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 directed to inform the bearer of the Letter of the action of 
 Congress thereon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve respect- 
 ing the depredations of the British Troops on the Islands 
 and Sea-Coasts, reported as follows : 
 
 Whereas, the Troops and Forces under the command of 
 General Gage and Admiral Graves are frequently plun- 
 dering and making depredations on the Islands and Sea- 
 Coasts of this Province, from whence they plunder or pur- 
 chase Hay, Cattle, Sheep, and many other things, to the 
 injury not only of individuals, but also to the great damage 
 of the publick, and thus strengthen the hands of our ene- 
 mies : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Towns 
 and Districts on the Sea-Coasts of this Colony, and to all 
 those persons living on the several Islands on said Coasts, 
 that they remove their Hay, Cattle, Sheep, he, that are 
 exposed to those ravages, and cannot be sufficiently guard- 
 ed, so far into the country as to be out of the way of those 
 implacable enemies to this people ; also, that it be recom- 
 mended to the Committees of Correspondence in each Town 
 and District, and to the Selectmen, where no such Com- 
 mittee is chosen, that they take effectual care that this Re- 
 solve be immediately and strictly put into execution ; and 
 that all persons who refuse to comply with the aforegoing 
 Resolve shall be held as incorrigible enemies to the rights 
 and liberties of this Country. 
 
 This Report being read and amended, 
 
 Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be re- 
 ferred to the next Provincial Congress. 
 
 Whereas Edward How hath been brought before this 
 Congress, and charged with crimes committed in the camp ; 
 and as this Congress do adjudge the Head-Quarters of the 
 Army to be the most suitable and proper place to try the 
 said Edward How, and determine what is adequate to his 
 demerits : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Edward How be sent under a 
 guard to Head-Quarters, and that he be there dealt with 
 as the nature of his offence doth require. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown be directed to see that 
 the said How is sent to Head-Quarters with a copy of the 
 foregoing Resolve. 
 
 Whereas Thomas Nicols, a negro man, hath been brought 
 before this Congress, and there being no evidence to prove 
 any matters or things alleged against him : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Thomas be sent to the Town 
 or District where he belongs, and that the Committee of 
 Correspondence, or Selectmen of said Town or District, 
 take such care of the said Thomas, that he may be dealt 
 with as they, in their judgment, shall think proper. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Kingsbury be directed to ap- 
 point some persons to conduct the above-mentioned negro 
 to Natick, agreeably to the foregoing Resolve. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what further mea- 
 sures are necessary to be taken for the organization of the 
 Army, presented their Report; which was read, accepted, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed on the twentieth May current, 
 to consider what further orders are necessary to be taken 
 and passed, that the Army now raising by this Province 
 for the necessary defence thereof may be effectually offi- 
 cered and organized, have attended that service, and beg 
 leave to report, that they are humbly of opinion that, for 
 the end aforesaid, it is necessary that, over and above the 
 General already appointed for said Army, and commissioned 
 by Congress, the following Officers (not yet ordered by 
 Congress) should be chosen and commissioned, to wit : one 
 Lieutenant-General, two Major-Generals, four Brigadier- 
 Generals, two Adjutant-Generals, and two Quarter-Master- 
 Generals ; and that this Congress, before they shall rise, 
 and as soon as shall be convenient, proceed to choose and 
 commission such Lieutenant-General; but that the choice 
 of the rest of the Officers above specified, should be referred 
 to the beginning of the first session of the next Congress. 
 And they beg leave to subjoin, as their opinion, that it will 
 be proper that such Brigadier-Generals should be chosen, 
 and taken of and from among the Colonels who may be 
 commissioned by Congress. 
 
 All which is humbly submitted by your Committee, who 
 ask leave to sit again. Joseph Hawley, per order. 
 
 5-2 
 
819 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 820 
 
 Wednesday, May 24, 1775. 
 
 Ebenezer Cutler* of Northborough, having been brought 
 before this Congress on complaint of sundry persons, for 
 uttering sundry expressions against the liberties of the good 
 people of this Colony, and the same having been inquired 
 of by a Committee, who reported, among other matters, 
 that all the expressions of which he is accused were uttered 
 some time ago ; and that the said Ebenezer had requested 
 that he might have the same privilege of going into the 
 Town of Boston, without his effects, as other persons have, 
 by the order of Congress : 
 
 The Report was accepted, and it was thereupon Re- 
 solved, That he have liberty for so doing. 
 
 Mr. Gerry, from the Committee to consider the pro- 
 priety of appointing some additional Armourers, reported 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 "Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be empow- 
 ered and directed to appoint such and 30 many Armourers, 
 in addition to those already appointed, as may be wanted 
 by the Army of this Colony, not exceeding fifteen, in- 
 cluding those already appointed ; and that the said Ar- 
 mourers, as also those already appointed by the Committee 
 of Safety, shall each receive four Pounds per month, and 
 be entitled to billeting as Soldiers, they providing their own 
 tools ; and the said Armourers are hereby directed to keep 
 true accounts of the expense of repairing the Fire-Arms 
 of such Soldiers whose Fire-Arms are repaired in order to 
 qualify them to pass muster. And the Committee of Sup- 
 plies be, and hereby are empowered and directed to dis- 
 charge such as are, or may hereafter be appointed, when 
 they shall think it for the interest of the Colony so to do." 
 
 The Report being read, and amended, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Whittemore, Captain Dwight, and 
 Mr. Kollock, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the 
 appointment of a number of Armourers as aforesaid, and 
 for the establishment of their Pay. 
 
 It being made to appear to this Congress that the major 
 part of the Committee appointed to effect the Removal of 
 the Poor of the Town of Boston to the place to which they 
 are destined, are removed out of the Towns of Charles- 
 town and Roxbury, to which they belonged : 
 
 Resolved, That Messrs. Isaac Foster, Nathaniel Gor- 
 ham, Edward Goodwin, John Frothingham, Joseph Hop- 
 kins, Colonel Joseph Williams, Mr. Nathaniel Patten, 
 Major Nathaniel Ruggles, Mr. Noah Parsons, Deacon 
 William Gridley, Lewis Fay, and James Bradish, Jun., 
 or any three of them, (being present,) be a Committee 
 for all the purposes and with all the powers to which the 
 said Committee were appointed. 
 
 And it being also made to appear that said Committee 
 cannot proceed unless further provision be made in that 
 behalf: 
 
 Therefore Resolved, That said Committee, or any three 
 
 * Water. town, May 22, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the case of Ebenezer Cutler, 
 do find, by full proof, that said Cutler has proved himself very inimical 
 to his Country, by speaking many things very disrespectful of the Con- 
 tinental and Provincial Congresses, and acting against their resolves ; 
 and by saying he would assist Gage; calling such, damned fools who 
 signed the Town Covenant, or Non-consumption Agreement; saying, the 
 Acts of the Parliament were just and righteous, (meaning those which 
 tended to take away our liberties;) and many other ways has manifested 
 his enmity to this Country, for which he, said Cutler, deserves severe 
 punishment ; but he pleading the Resolve of this Congress to tolerate 
 such of the inhabitants of this Colony as were so minded to go into 
 Boston, are humbly of the opinion he, said Ebenezer Cutler, have the 
 privilege of said R solve. All which we submit to the Congress. 
 
 Not accepted. Edward Mitchell, Chairman. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Wh.ircas Ebenezer Culler, of Northborough, hath been brought be- 
 fore this Congress, charged with endeavouring to subvert the Constitu- 
 tion, and by words, from time to time, for many months past, in various 
 places, stirring up the people to assist in the execution of the lato Acts 
 of Parliament, encouraging the people not to submit to the measures 
 proposed by the Continental and Provincial Congresses for extricating 
 these Colonies out of the difficultijs brought upon them by the mea- 
 sures of tho British Administration ; whioh oharges, with others of the 
 like nature, boing proved to be true, this Congress do adjudge the said 
 Ebenezer Cutler to bo an implacable enemy to the liberties of his 
 Country : thoroforo, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Ebenezer be committed to close confinement 
 
 in the common Jail at , until the further ordor of this or a 
 
 future Congress ; and tho keeper of said Jail is horeby directed to re- 
 ceive and detain him accordingly, and is hereby 
 
 dircoted to lea that this Resolve bj ciriied into execution. 
 
 Not accepted. 
 
 of them, shall have full power to procure, upon the credit 
 of this Colony, in the most frugal manner, as much Pro- 
 vision as they shall find necessary to support those poor 
 persons to the places of their destination ; and the said 
 Committee are further empowered to procure Teams to 
 carry such persons and their effects to those places ; and 
 if such Teams cannot be hired, to impress them for that 
 service ; and all the charges arising by the measures before 
 directed shall be paid out of the Donations to the Poor 
 of said Town of Boston, now in the hands of the Com- 
 mittee who were appointed to receive and dispose thereof; 
 and if that should be insufficient, the remainder shall be 
 paid by this Colony. And the Committee hereby ap- 
 pointed to the service aforesaid, are hereby directed to lay 
 before the next Congress an account of the charges arising 
 in pursuance of the above commission, that whatever shall 
 appear to be reasonable and just may be liquidated and 
 allowed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Joseph Cushing, Mr. Ellis, and 
 Mr. Crane, be a Committee to fill up and deliver to the 
 Colonels of each Regiment the Commissions for the Offi- 
 cers of their respective Regiments, when said Committee 
 shall be notified by the Secretary of this Congress that 
 the Congress have approved of the persons to be commis- 
 sioned ; and that blank Commissions be put in the hands 
 of said Committee, properly authenticated, for that pur- 
 pose ; and that when said Commissions are filled up, they 
 be delivered by said Committee to the Colonel, on his ap- 
 plying for the same, he engaging he will not deliver such 
 Commissions to the respective Officers until they shall 
 have taken the oath appointed to be taken by them by 
 order of this Congress; and that William Holden, Esq., 
 be appointed to administer the oath to the Officers sta- 
 tioned at Roxbury, and James Prescolt, Esquire, be ap- 
 pointed to administer the oath to the Officers stationed at 
 Cambridge, 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the 
 Inhabitants of the Massachusetts-Bay, relative to an issue 
 of Notes by said Colony, reported. The Address was read, 
 and accepted. 
 
 Thursday, May 25, 1775. 
 The Committee ordered to inspect the several Towns 
 and Districts' stocks of Powder, and consider what Towns 
 are well stocked, and what proportion they could spare for 
 the publick service, have attended that business, and beg 
 leave to report the following proportion, viz : 
 
 Weston, barrels, 
 Westford, 
 
 Groton, " 
 Townsend, " 
 Dracut, " 
 Stow, " 
 
 Plymouth County. 
 
 Bridgevvater, barrels, 
 Middleborough, " 
 
 Worcester County. 
 
 1 
 
 04 
 l 
 
 04 
 l 
 
 o* 
 
 Suffolk County. 
 
 Roxbury, barrels, 3 
 
 Medficld, « 
 
 Wrentham, " 
 
 Stoughton, " 
 
 Medway, " 
 
 Walpole, " 
 
 Essex County. 
 
 Marblehead, barrels, 
 
 Newburyport, " 
 
 Newbury, " 
 
 Andover, " 
 
 Haverhill, " 
 Bradford, 
 
 Boxford, " 
 
 Middlesex County. 
 
 Cambridge, barrels, 
 
 Charlestown, " 
 
 Marlborough, " 
 
 Framingham, " 
 
 Littleton, " 
 
 Chelmsford, " 
 
 Sudbury, " 
 
 Daniel Thurston, per order. 
 Upon the foregoing Report, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who brought in said Re- 
 port be directed to bring in a Resolve in conformity there- 
 to, and that it be inserted in the Resolve that the Towns 
 shall be respectively paid for what Powder is drawn from 
 their several Towns stock, or have it replaced ; and that 
 
 2 Worcester, 
 
 barrels, 
 
 1 
 
 2 Lancaster, 
 
 u 
 
 1 
 
 OJ Mendon, 
 
 (( 
 
 24 
 
 04 Brookfield, 
 
 ct 
 
 3 
 
 Oxford, 
 
 (C 
 
 14 
 
 Charlton, 
 
 ti 
 
 04 
 
 3 Sutton, 
 
 et 
 
 24 
 
 3$ Loicester, 
 3 Westborough, 
 
 it 
 
 1 
 
 <c 
 
 1| 
 
 2 Shrewsbury, 
 
 tt 
 
 24 
 
 04 Lunenburgh, 
 
 (< 
 
 1 
 
 1 4 Bolton, 
 
 « 
 
 ] 
 
 2 Total, 
 
 
 68* 
 
821 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 822 
 
 each Town be notified of the quantity respectively to be 
 taken from its stock. 
 
 Samuel Freeman, Sec'y pro tern. 
 
 The Committee reported a Resolve, as directed ; which 
 was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " Resolved, That there be draughted out of the Town 
 stocks of Powder, from each respective Town before 
 named, the quantity of Powder affixed to the name of 
 the Town, for the use of the Army, in the defence of the 
 Colony, and that it be replaced as soon as the state of the 
 Colony Magazine will admit of it, or otherwise paid for in 
 money; and that the Selectmen of each Town be forth- 
 with served with an account of the draught made on their 
 Town, and that they immediately deliver it to the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies, or their order. 
 
 The Committee of Safety having represented to this 
 Congress that considerable difficulty exists in the adjust- 
 ment of General Ward's Regiment, in consequence of the 
 pretensions of Colonel Joseph Henshaw and Colonel Jona- 
 than Ward to the post of Lieutenant-Colonel in said Re- 
 giment, it was Ordered, That said representation, as also 
 the Memorial of Colonel Henshaw, setting forth his claims 
 to said post, be referred to a Committee. The Committee 
 having considered the matter, reported a Resolve ; which 
 was accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 Resolved, as the opinion of this Congress, That Colonel 
 Ward is best entitled to receive the Commission as Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel of the Regiment, which right was disputed 
 by Lieutenant-Colonel Henshaw. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Dexter be desired 
 to attend his duty on the Committee for countersigning the 
 Treasurer's Notes immediately. 
 
 Mr. Dexter transmitted the following Letter to the Con- 
 gress, which was read : 
 
 Dedham, May 25, 1775, P. M. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen : I was under a necessity to 
 come home last evening. Had I been at Congress to-day, 
 and been as unwell as I am at present, I should have very 
 poorly performed my duty respecting the Notes. I found 
 myself so indisposed this morning that I ventured to con- 
 clude to tarry till to-morrow morning at home. I am in- 
 clined to attend the business, and, sick or well, will endea- 
 vour to be early at Watertoxvn for that purpose. 
 
 With much regard, I am, gentlemen, your very humble 
 servant, S. Dexter. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of several persons at Roxbury, reported verbally, 
 That it is the opinion of the Committee that the said Pe- 
 tition be sent to General Thomas, and that he be directed 
 to inquire into the causes of the complaint therein con- 
 tained, and take proper measures for their redress. 
 
 The Report was accepted. 
 
 The Committee to whom was referred an application 
 from the Officers of the Army respecting absconding Sol- 
 diers, reported. The Report was read and accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas application hath been made to this Congress, 
 by some of the Officers of the Army, that some effectual 
 method may be taken for the speedy return of absconding 
 Soldiers, or such as shall tarry beyond the time limited by 
 furlough : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recom- 
 mended to the Committees of Correspondence in the sev- 
 eral Towns and Districts in this Colony, or to the Select- 
 men, where no such Committees are appointed, that they 
 take effectual care that such absconding or delinquent Sol- 
 diers be immediately sent back to their respective Regi- 
 ments. 
 
 Friday, May 26, 1775. 
 The Honourable Joseph Haivley, from the Committee 
 appointed to prepare a Letter to the Provincial Congress 
 of JSeu>- York, now sitting in that Colony, reported; the 
 Letter was accepted, and ordered to be forwarded. [See 
 Folio 715.] 
 
 The Committee to whom was referred the Letter of the 
 Honourable James Russell, reported the following Resolve, 
 which was accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That the Honourable James Russell, Esq., be, 
 and he hereby is directed, immediately to call in all the 
 
 publick Moneys committed to his care as Impost Officer, 
 and pay the same to Henry Gardner, Esq., the Receiver- 
 General of this Province. 
 
 It having been represented to this Congress, that it would 
 be agreeable to the inhabitants of the Colony of New- 
 llampshire, that the Post-Rider on the road from Cam- 
 bridge to Haverhill should extend his route to the Town 
 of Exeter, to meet the Post-Rider from Portsmouth to that 
 place, and a Post-Office having been appointed at Exeter 
 by the inhabitants of New-Hampshire : 
 
 Resolved, That the route of the Post-Rider from Cam- 
 bridge be extended to said Exeter, so long as it shall 
 be found to be expedient, or until the Massachusetts or 
 New-Hampshire Congress, or future House of Represen- 
 tatives, shall otherwise order. 
 
 Whereas it appears to this Congress, that although divers 
 able-bodied and effective men who have enlisted into the 
 Massachusetts Army, are either not furnished with Arms 
 and Accoutrements, or with such only as are insufficient f r 
 use, yet that it will be for the publick service that such 
 men be accepted : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve of this Congress passed the 
 6th instant, be so far reconsidered, that the Muster-Mas- 
 ters be, and they hereby are directed to accept of all such 
 able-bodied and effective men, and muster them accordingly, 
 any thing contained in the aforementioned Resolve to the 
 contrary notwithstanding; and the several Muster-Masters 
 be, and hereby are directed to make a return to this or 
 some future Congress, or House of Representatives, of the 
 names of such Soldiers as shall be found deficient in Arms 
 and Accoutrements, and also of the names of the Towns 
 to which they shall belong respectively. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the foregoing Resolution be 
 sent to each Muster-Master. 
 
 Upon a representation of the Committee of Safety that 
 Mr. Jonathan Brewer, of Waltham, has, contrary to the 
 orders of the said Committee, undertaken to enlist a Com- 
 pany of Rangers, has made use of artifices and impositions 
 to obtain said enlistments ; and that he has also seized and 
 retained possession of horses and certain real estate, the 
 private property of various individuals, and converted the 
 same to his own use, whereby he has disqualified himself 
 for the command of a Regiment; it was 
 
 Ordered, That the matter be referred to Dr. Perkins, 
 Mr. Kollock, and Mr. Bent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of the charges 
 alleged against Mr. Jonathan Brewer, by the honourable 
 Committee of Safety, having attended that service, beg 
 leave to report the defence of said Brewer, viz : That he, 
 the said Brewer, absolutely denies the charge of seducing 
 men belonging to other corps to enlist in his Regiment, or 
 any of the Companies thereof. As to the taking the horses 
 of Colonels Jones and Taylor, he acknowledges his thus 
 doing, and thinks himself justified therein, by furthering the 
 service of the Province in which he was engaged ; that he 
 had used them some time past in that way, and on Satur- 
 day last past had returned Jones's horse. 
 
 He also owns the leasing part of said Jones's estate, and 
 taking security, which security, he says, was in the keep- 
 ing of one Captain Butler; that he had proceeded in the 
 affair merely from a principle of saving the improvement of 
 one Mr. Jennison, (whose lands were contiguous to those 
 of said Jones,) and which were exposed, by a neglect of 
 said Jones in keeping up sufficient fences. Said Jennison 
 (as Breiver says) supposing if he would thus dispose of 
 the above leased land to him, he could fence and improve 
 it without molestation. And that the Committee can pro- 
 ceed no further, unless they are enabled, by hearing the full 
 of the evidence supposed to support the complaint. 
 
 Per order: Richard Perkins, Chairman. 
 
 Monday, May 29, 1775. 
 
 The Committee to whom were referred the Papers re- 
 lating to Jonathan Brewer, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Papers respecting Jonathan Breiver 
 be transmitted by the Secretary to the Committee of Safe- 
 ty, to be by them acted upon in such a manner as they 
 think fit, so far as to determine on the expediency of re- 
 commending, or not recommending him, to this Congress, 
 as an Officer of the Army now raising in this Colony. 
 
823 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 821 
 
 RETURN OF COLONEL READ'S REGIMENT, MAY 18, 1775. 
 
 Joseph Read, Colonel ; Ebenezer Clapp, Lieutenant-Col- 
 onel; Calvin Smith, Major ; Ilezckiah Chapman, Chap- 
 lain ; John Holden, Adjutant ; William Jennison, Quar- 
 termaster ; Levi IVillard, Surgeon ; Joseph Adams, 
 Surgeon's Mate. • 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Oliver Pond, W. Messenger, Elias Bacon. 
 Samuel Payson, Royal Kollock, Enoch Ilewens. 
 Andrew Peters, Levi Aldrich, William Daling. 
 William Briggs, Simeon Leach, Jed. South worth. 
 Seth Bullard, Thomas Potter, Ezekiel Plympton. 
 Samuel Warren, Joseph Cody, Geo. Whipple. 
 David Baeheller, Benjamin Fairer, Robert Taft. 
 Samuel Cobb, Japheth Daniels, Amos Ellis. 
 Moses Knap, Nehemiah While, Benjamin Capron. 
 Edward Seagrove, Job Knapp, Peter Taft. 
 
 Officers, 30; Men, 564 ; Total, 594. 
 
 W ate; town, May 24, 1775. 
 
 Received the Commissions for the officers above-men- 
 tioned. Joseph Read, Colonel. 
 
 CENERAL WARD'S REGIMENT. 
 
 Jonathan Ward, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Edward Barnes, 
 Major; Timothy Bigelow, Second Major; James Hart, 
 Adjutant ; William Boyd, Quartermaster. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Josiah Fay, 
 
 Seth Washburn, Joseph Livermore, Lowning Lincoln. 
 
 Job dishing, Ezra Beaman, Asa Rice. 
 
 Daniel Barnes, William Morse, Paul Brigham. 
 
 James Miller, Abel Perry, Aaron Abby. 
 
 Luke-Drury, Asaph Sherman, Jonas Brown. 
 
 Jonas Hubbard, John Smith, William Gales. 
 
 Samuel Wood, Timothy Brigham, Thomas Seaver. 
 
 Moses Wheelock, Thomas Bond, Obadiah Mann. 
 Total, Officers and Privates, 440. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That Commissions be given out to General 
 Ward's Regiment, agreeable to the above List. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 COLONEL LEARNED's REGIMENT. 
 
 J. Danforth Keys, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Jonathan Holl- 
 man, Major; Bannister, Adjutant. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Peter Harwood, Asa Danforth, Benjamin Pollard. 
 
 Adam Martin, Abel Mason, Benjamin Felton. 
 
 John Granger, Matthew Gray, Stephen Gorham. 
 
 Joel Greene, David Prouty, Thomas Fish. 
 
 Samuel Billings, Barnabas Sears, John Howard. 
 
 Win, Campbell, Reuben Davis, William Polly. 
 
 Arthur Doggett, Jonathan Caroll, 
 
 Nathaniel Healy, Salem Town, 
 
 Samuel Curtis, Samuel Learned, 
 
 Isaac Bolster, John Hasleton, 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That Commissions be given to the Officers of 
 Col. I*earned's Regiment, agreeable to the above list. 
 
 COLONEL WALKER'S REGIMENT, MAY 23, 1775. 
 
 Timothy Walker, Colonel ; Nathaniel Leonai /!, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel; Abel Mitchell, Major; Mason Shaw, Adjutant; 
 Daniel Park, Surgeon ; Jacob Fuller, Quartermaster. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 John Perry, John Paine, James Bucklin. 
 
 Silas Cobb, Isaac Smith, Isaac Fisher. 
 
 Macy Williams, Samuel Lane, John Cook. 
 Caleb Richardson, Enoch Robinson, Solomon Stanley. 
 Oliver Soaper, Simeon Cobb, Thomas Williams. 
 Saml. Tubbs, Jun., John Shaw, Joel Stubbs. 
 
 Samuel Bliss, Aaron Walker, Joseph Allen. 
 Francis Liscomb, Matthew Randall, Seth Pratt. 
 Peter Pitts, Zebedoe Raidcan. Henry Brings. 
 
 John King, Noah Hall, Abin. Hathaway. 
 
 Total, Officers and Privates, 562. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, M.iy 24, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Officers of Colonel Walker's Regi- 
 ment be commissioned, agreeable to the foregoing list. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL SCAMMON'S REGIMENT, MAY 23, 1775. 
 
 Johnson Molton, Lieutenant-Colonel ; David Wood, Ma- 
 jor ; George Madison, Adjutant ; Samuel iSasson, Quar- 
 termaster. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Philip Hubbard, 
 Jesse Dormon, 
 Joshua Bragdon, 
 Samuel Darby, 
 Jeremiah Hill, 
 Tobias Farrell, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Jedediah Goodwin, 
 Daniel Merill, 
 Morgan Lues, 
 James Donncll, 
 Samuel Merill, 
 Thomas Cattes, 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 James Roberts. 
 Joseph Pettingil 
 Moses Sweet. 
 Joshua Frafton. 
 Peter Page. 
 Parker Foster. 
 Nathan Lord. 
 Edward Low. 
 Jer. Littlefleld. 
 William Frost. 
 
 Ebenezer Sullivan, Thomas Butler, 
 Jonathan Nowell, Thomas Nowell, 
 Samuel Sawyer, William Cupont, 
 Samuel Lather, William Furnell, 
 Total rank and file, 512. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 2, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be given to the Officers of 
 Colonel Scammon's Regiment, (except those Captains who 
 have already received their commissions,) agreeable to the 
 above list. Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL PRESCOTT's REGIMENT, MAY 25, 1775. 
 
 William Prescott, Colonel ; John Robinson, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel ; Henry Wood, Major ; William Green, Adju- 
 tant. 
 
 Captains. Captains. Captains. 
 
 Henry Farwell, Asa Lawrence, AbijahWyman, 
 
 Hugh Maxwell, Elpt. Dinsmore, Timo. Woodward, 
 
 John Nutting, Samuel Patch, Joseph Moor. 
 
 Joshua Parker, Oliver Parker. 
 
 Total, Officers and Soldiers, 483. 
 
 Wm. Green, Adjutant. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 26, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be given to Colonel Wil- 
 liam Prescott' s Regiment, agreeable to the above list. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 22, 1775. 
 
 It is recommended to the honourable the Provincial 
 Congress, that Samuel Patch, in Colonel William Pres- 
 cott's Regiment, be commissioned as a Captain ; and 
 Zachary Walker and Joshua Brown, as Lieutenants in 
 said Company. Wm, Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 23, 1775. 
 It is recommended to the honourable the Provincial 
 Congress, that the following Officers in Colonel Prescott's 
 Regiment be commissioned, viz: 
 
 Ebenezer Spalding First Lieutenant, Thomas Rogers Se- 
 cond Lieutenant, in Captain Parker's Company. 
 
 John Williams First Lieutenant, Thomas Spalding Second 
 Lieutenant, in Captain Lawrence's Company. 
 
 Benjamin Ball Second Lieutenant, in Captain FarweWs 
 Company. 
 
 John Mosher Second Lieutenant, in Captain Nutting's 
 Company. 
 
 Thomas Cummings Second Lieutenant, in Captain Wy- 
 
 man's Company. 
 Joseph Baker Second Lieutenant, in Captain Gilbert's 
 
 Company. William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Juno 25, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the above 
 Officers. Attest : Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL COTTON'S REGIMENT, STATIONED IN ROXBURY. 
 
 Sta If Officers. — Dr. William Thomas, Surgeon; John 
 Thomas, Surgeon's Mate ; John Cotton, Junior, Quar- 
 termaster; Joshua Thomas, Adjutant. 
 
825 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 826 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Thomas Mayhew, 
 Earl Clap, 
 John Bradford, 
 John Brigham, 
 Joshua Benson, 
 Isaac Wood, 
 Peleg Wadsworth, 
 Amos Wade, 
 Jno. Bradford, 
 Edw. Hammond, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 Nathaniel Lewis, 
 Isaac Pope, 
 Jesse Sturtefant, 
 Edward Sparrow, 
 Wm. Thompson, 
 Abiel Tounshend, 
 Seth Drew, 
 Archelaus Cole, 
 Andrew Sampson, 
 Timothy Ruggles, 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Benjamin Warren. 
 Charles Church. 
 Thomas Sampson. 
 Nehemiah Cobb. 
 James Smith. 
 Foxwell Thomas. 
 Joseph Sampson. 
 Lemuel Wood. 
 Judah Allen. 
 Nathan Sears. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, M.iy 2G, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That Commissions be delivered the Officers 
 of Colonel Cotton's Regiment, agreeable to the above list. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 27, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to Ichabod 
 Aldcn, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Ebenezer Sprout, 
 Junior, Major, of Colonel Theophilus Cotton's Regiment. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 COLONEL FRy's REGIMENT, MAY 26, 1775. 
 
 James Fry, Colonel; James Brickett. Lieutenant-Colonel; 
 Thomas Poor, Major; Daniel Hardy, Adjutant ; Tho- 
 mas Kilteridge, Surgeon ; Benjamin Foster, Quarter- 
 master ; Benjamin Vamum, Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 Benj. Farnham, 
 Samuel Johnson, 
 David Chandler, Isaac Abbot. 
 Nathaniel Herrick, Eliphalet Bodwill 
 John Robinson, Benjamin Pearly. 
 Thomas Stickney, Eliphalet Hardy. 
 Timothy Johnson, Nathaniel Eaton. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Thomas Poor, < 
 
 Benjamin Ames, 
 John Davis, 
 William Pearly, 
 Nathaniel Gage, 
 James Sawyer, 
 Jonathan Evans, 
 John Courier, 
 Jonas Richardson, 
 William Hudson, 
 
 Cyrus Marble. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 William Read, Samuel Brown, Solomon Shaw. 
 Josiab Hayden, Zachariah Gurney, Joseph Cole, Jr. 
 Daniel Lothrop, Ephraim Jackson, Abner Howard. 
 
 Elisha Crooker, Jacob Rogers. 
 
 Total, Officers and Privates, 596. 
 
 COLONEL BRIDGE S REGIMENT. 
 
 Moses Parker, Lieutenant-Colonel ; John Brooks, Major ; 
 Joseph Fox, Adjutant. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 John Stickney, Elijah Danforth, John Levis. 
 John Batchelder, Eben. Damon, James Bancroft. 
 Peter Coburn, Josiah Foster, Eben. Varnum. 
 Benjamin Walker, John Flint, Eben. Fitch. 
 
 Eben. Bancroft, Nathaniel Holman, Samuel Brown. 
 John Ford, Isaac Parker, Jonas Parker. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 27, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be given to the Officers ot 
 Colonel Bridge's Regiment, agreeable to the above named 
 list. Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 colonel Mansfield's regiment. 
 
 John Merritt, Reuben Evans. 
 Wells Chasse, .... Reed. 
 
 .... Fox, 
 
 Ballard Foller, 
 
 Whole number, 556. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 8, 1775. 
 Ordered, That a Commission be delivered to Thomas 
 Poor, Esquire, as Major of the Regiment of Colonel Fry. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 colonel Patterson's regiment. 
 Field Officers. — John Patterson, Colonel ; Seth Read, 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel ; Jeremiah Cady, Major. 
 Staff Officers not returned. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Samuel Shelton, John Bacon, Nahum Powers. 
 
 William Wyman, Samuel Chapin, Enos Parker. 
 
 Joseph Moss, William Boudin, 
 
 Samuel Sloan, Zebediah Sabins, 
 
 Charles Dibbell, Simeon Smith, Peter White. 
 
 William Goodrich, David Pixley, 
 
 David Noble, Joseph Wilche, Josiah Wright. 
 
 Thomas Williams, Orange Stoddard, Ashley. 
 
 Nathan Watkins, William Clark, Samuel Wilcocks. 
 Total, 496. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 27, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers of Colonel Patterson's Regiment, agreeable to the 
 above list. Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 general john thomas's regiment. 
 John Bayley, Jun., Lieutenant-Colonel ; Thomas Mitchell, 
 John Jacobs, Majors ; Lemuel Gushing, Surgeon ; Gad 
 Hitchcock, Surgeon's Mate ; Luther Bayley, Adjutant ; 
 Adam Bayley, Quartermaster. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. 
 
 James Allen, Jacob Allen, 
 Amos Turner, Prince Studson, 
 Saml. Stockbridge, At wood Motte, 
 Nathl. Winslow, Joshua Jacobs, 
 Fred. Chamberlain, John Turner, Jr., 
 Eleazer Hamblin, Amos Shaw, 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Perez Warren. 
 Joshua Barstow. 
 Caleb Nicholson. 
 Nathl. Chitonson. 
 John Seavill. 
 Increase Robinson. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Ezra Newell, 
 Enoch Putnam, 
 Ebenezer Francis, 
 Asa Prince, 
 Benjamin Kimball, 
 Thomas Barnes, 
 Adn. Richardson, 
 John Low, 
 Gideon Foster, 
 Nathan Brown, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Zadock Buffington, 
 John Dodge, 
 James Bancroft, 
 John L T pton, 
 Job Whipple, 
 Nathaniel Cleaves, 
 Francis Fox, 
 Stephen Wilkins, 
 Bill. Porter, 
 Ephraim Emerson. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 John Reese. 
 Benjamin Craft. 
 James Matthews. 
 Simeon Tufts. 
 Benjamin Gardner. 
 Joseph Herrick. 
 Frederick Breed. 
 Archel. Batchelor. 
 Harfail White. 
 . . . . Downing. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 27, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Cap- 
 tains of Colonel Mansfield' s Regiment, agreeable to the 
 above list. Saml. Freeman, Secretury pro tern. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers, Lieutenants, and Ensigns of Col. Mansfield' s Regi- 
 ment, agreeable to the above list. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 colonel danielson's regiment, may 27, 1775. 
 
 Timothy Danielson, Colonel ; William Shepherd, Lieute- 
 nant-Colonel ; David Leonard, Major ; William Too- 
 good, Adjutant ; William Young, Quartermaster ; Da- 
 vid Shcphard, Surgeon. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensign". 
 
 Sylvanus Walker, Esau Coburn, 
 
 Enos Chanin, Samuel Flower, Luke Day. 
 Joseph Thompson, Caleb Keep, John Carpenter. 
 Warham Parks, J. Shepperd, Jr., Richard Falley. 
 Libbeus Ball, Samuel Bancroft, Levy Dunham. 
 
 Paul Langdon, Daniel Cadwell, 
 
 Gideon Burst, 
 
 John Farguison, David Hambleton, 
 
 Jonathan Bardwell, William Gillmore, Moses-How. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, May 27, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be given to Col. Timothy 
 Danielson's Regiment, agreeable to the above list. 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 COLONEL FELLOWS'S REGIMENT, MAY 31, 1775. 
 
 Field Officers. — John Fellou-s, Colonel ; Nathan Eager, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel ; Benjamin Tupjjer, Major. 
 
 Captains. 
 William King, 
 Jonathan Allen, 
 Israel Chapin, 
 William Baron, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Samuel Brewer, 
 Oliver Lyman, 
 Perez Bardwell, 
 John Hubbard. 
 
 Ensigns. 
 Gamaliel Whiting. 
 Jonathan Stearns. 
 William Watson. 
 Michael Loomis. 
 
827 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 828 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Solomon Deming. 
 Everton Bostwick. 
 Daniel Kirkland. 
 
 Samuel Allen. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. 
 
 Moses Soul, Noah Allen, 
 Robert Webster, Christ. Banister, 
 Ebr. Pomeroy, .... Wallis, 
 Abel Thayer, Joseph Warner, 
 Ebenezcr Webber, S. Bartlett, 
 Simeon Hazelton, George Blake, 
 
 Total Officers and Soldiers, 548. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watcrtown, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers of Colonel Fellows' s Regiment, agreeable to the above 
 list. Saml. Fkeeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL THOMAS GARDNER S REGIMENT. 
 
 W illiam Bond, Lieut. Colonel ; Michael Jackson, Major. 
 
 Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 William Maynard, Joseph Muier. 
 Josiah Warren, Aaron Richardson. 
 Nathan Smith, John George. 
 Caleb Brooks, Samuel Cutter. 
 BartholomewTroWjThomas Miller. 
 Josiah Swan, John Child. 
 Solomon Bowman, Jedediah Thayer. 
 Ebenezer Brattle, Stephen Frost. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Thomas Downy, 
 Phineas Cook, 
 Nathan Fuller, 
 Jsaac Hall, 
 Josiah Harris, 
 Abner Craft, 
 Abijah Child, 
 Benjamin Lock, 
 
 Moses Draper, 
 
 Nailor Hatch, 
 
 The Committee of Safety hereby certify the honourable 
 Congress, that they approve the above named Officers, and 
 recommend it to the honourable Congress, that they be 
 commissioned accordingly. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, Juno 2, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers of Colonel Gardner's Regiment, agreeable to the 
 above list. Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 Camp No. 2, Cambridge, June 30, 1775. 
 This may certify, that we, the subscribers, being chosen 
 Officers of a Minute Company, in Bolton, have taken or- 
 ders to raise a Company in the present Army ; and having 
 fifty-three able-bodied, effective men, fit for service, in our 
 Company, and having done duty in Colonel Whitcomb's 
 Regiment from our first taking out orders, we desire that 
 we may be commissioned under the above said Colonel, 
 which was the expectation of the Company. 
 
 Benjamin Hastings, Captain. 
 
 Jonathan Haughton, Lieutenant. 
 
 Jonathan Meriam, Second Lieutenant. 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 30, 1775. 
 
 It is recommended to the honourable the Provincial 
 Congress, that Sajnuel West, above named, be commis- 
 sioned as Second Lieutenant, in Captain Aimer Cranston's 
 Company, in Colonel Asa Whitcomb's Regiment. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL DOOLITTLE'S REGIMENT, JUNE 12, 1775. 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Joel Fletcher, John Wheeler, Jonas Proctor. 
 
 Adam Wheeler, Elijah Stearns, Adam Maynard. 
 
 John Holman, John Bowkin, David Poor. 
 
 John Jones, Samuel Thompson, 
 
 Robert Oliver, Thomas Grover, Abraham Pennel. 
 
 Abel Wilder, Jonas Allen, Daniel Pike. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 12, 1775. 
 The within mentioned Captains and Subalterns in Col. 
 Doolitile's Regiment are recommended to be commissioned. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers of Col. Doolittle's Regiment, agreeable to the above 
 list. Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL ASA WHITCOMB'S REGIMENT, JUNE 3, 1775. 
 
 Captains. 
 John Fuller, 
 Eph. Richardson, 
 James Burt, 
 David Wilder, 
 Andrew Haskell, 
 Robert Lan<;ley, 
 Agrippa Wells, 
 Jonathan Davis, 
 Abner Cranston, 
 Edmond Bemis, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Ebenezer Bridge, 
 Seth Hayward, 
 Ebenezer Woods, 
 Jonathan Quits, 
 John Kindrick, 
 Sylvanus Smith, 
 Jacob Poole, 
 Elisha Fallum, 
 John Wyman, 
 John Hore, 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Jared Smith. 
 Ephraim Boynton. 
 Jabez Keep. 
 Timothy Boutall. 
 Jonathan Sawyer. 
 Ephraim Smith. 
 Ezekiel Foster. 
 John Meed. 
 Benjamin West. 
 David Foster. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 9, 1775. 
 
 We recommend to the honourable the Provincial Con- 
 gress, that the within Officers, belonging to Colonel Whit- 
 comb's Regiment, may be commissioned, if the Congress 
 have no objection. Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 In Congress, Juno 10, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the gentlemen above named be com- 
 missioned. Jas. Warren. 
 
 Cambridge, Juno 30, 1775. 
 
 A list of the Staff Officers and Commissioned Officers, in 
 Col. Asa Whitcomb's Regiment, not commissioned. 
 
 Staff. — Jeremiah Gage, Adjutant ; Jeremiah Laughton, 
 Quartermaster ; William Dunsmore, Doctor. 
 
 Samuel West, Second Lieutenant in Captain Abner 
 Cransto?i's Company, in the place of him that was killed at 
 the fight at Charlestown. 
 
 N. B. I have a full Regiment, exclusive of Benjamin 
 Hastings, who has fifty-three in his Company ; and he has 
 done duty with me, and declines joining any other Regi- 
 ment; and I desire that the Officers of that Company, viz : 
 Benjamin Hastings, Captain ; Jonathan Haughton, Lieu- 
 tenant : Jonathan Meriam, Second Lieutenant, may be 
 commissioned, and join my Regiment. 
 
 Asa Whitcomb. 
 
 COLONEL WOODBRIDGE's REGIMENT, JUNE 16, 1775. 
 
 Abijah Brown, Lieutenant-Colonel ; William Stacy, Major. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Reubn. Dickinson, Zaccheus Croaker, Dal. Shay. 
 Noadiah Leonard, Zariah Smith, Samuel Gould. 
 Stephen Pearl, Aaron Rowley, Abner Pease. 
 
 David Cowden, 
 
 John Cowls, 
 
 Ichabod Dexter, Tho. Goodenough, John Mayo. 
 
 John King, 
 
 Seth Murray Total, 363. 
 
 In Committee of Safely, Cambridge, June 21, 1775. 
 Colonel Woodbridgc having satisfied this Committee 
 that the above eight Companies are in good forwardness, 
 it is recommended to the honourable Congress that said 
 Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 21, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Officers 
 of Col. Woodbridge's Regiment, agreeable to the above 
 list. Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 In Committee of Safety. Cambridge, July 3, 1775. 
 It is recommended to the honourable the Provincial Con- 
 gress, that Asa Barnes be commissioned as a Captain in 
 Col. Woodbridge's Regiment, Caleb Smith as Lieutenant 
 in said Company, Timothy Bead as Second Lieutenant; 
 also William Smith as Third Lieutenant, and Oliver Wag- 
 get as Second Lieutenant in Captain King's Company, of 
 said Woodbridge's Regiment. 
 
 William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL JOHN GLOVER's REGIMENT, JUNE 15, 177"). 
 
 Captiins. 
 
 William Lee, 
 William Curtis, 
 William Bacon, 
 Thomas Grant, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 John Glover, 
 Robert Harris, 
 William Mills, 
 William Bubier, 
 
 Ensigns. 
 Edward Archbald. 
 Thomas Courts. 
 Suard Lee. 
 Ebenezer Graves. 
 
829 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 830 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 Joshua Orne. 
 J. Devereaux, Jr. 
 Nathaniel Pearce. 
 Robert Nimblett. 
 Edward Holman. 
 Geonje Lignerass. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. 
 
 Joel Smith, John Bray, 
 
 Nich. Broughton, John Stacey, 
 William Bleeker, Nathaniel Clark, 
 John Merritt, Joshua Prentice, 
 John Selmon, Isaac Collyer, 
 Francis Simonds, William Russell, 
 
 Total number of men, 505. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 22, 1775. 
 
 The above Officers being approved of by this Committee, 
 are recommended to the honourable Congress to be com- 
 missioned. N. Gushing, per order. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 23, 1775. 
 Ordered, That the Officers in the above list be com- 
 missioned, except Captain William Lee, his Lieutenant, 
 and Ensign. Sam. Fkeeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL NIXON'S REGIMENT. 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Thomas Drury, William Maynard, James Muier. 
 Samuel McCobb, Benjamin Patten, John Briggs. 
 
 John Nixon, Colonel. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 16, 1775. 
 
 The above Officers are approved of, and recommended 
 to the honourable Congress to be commissioned. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 In Provincial Congress, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered out to the 
 above named Officers, in Colonel Nixon's Regiment. 
 
 Attest : Sam. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the follow- 
 in? Officers in Colonel Nixon's Regiment, viz: Ebenezer 
 If inship, Captain ; William Warren, Lieutenant ; Richard 
 Buckminster, Ensign. Sam. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL JONATHAN BREWER'S REGIMENT. 
 
 William Buckminster, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Nathan. Cud- 
 worth, Major. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Isaac Gray, Thos. Willington, .... Wilson. 
 
 Edward Blake, Abm. Tuckeman, John Ermes. 
 
 John Black, Benjamin Gales, John Patrick. 
 
 Daniel Whiting, Obadiah Dewey, 
 
 Thaddeus Russell, Nathl. Maynard, Nathaniel Reeves. 
 
 Aaron Haynes, Elisha Brewer, 
 
 Benjamin Bullard, Aaron Gardiner, 
 
 Joseph Stebbins, 
 
 Total number of men, 371. J. Brewer, Colonel. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 17, 1775. 
 Colonel Jonathan Brewer having satisfied this Com- 
 mittee that there are three hundred and twenty-one men 
 in the eight Companies mentioned above, it is recommend- 
 ed to the honourable Provincial Congress that said Brew- 
 er's Regiment may be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Wm. Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 17, 1775. 
 Ordered, That a Commission be delivered to each of the 
 Officers within named, except Capt. Joseph Stebbins, who 
 has but twenty-one men in his Company. 
 
 Sam. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL ROBINSON S REGIMENT. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 William Bent, 
 Silas Wild, 
 Elijah Vose, 
 Jacob Gould, 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Job Cushing, 
 Jotham Loring, 
 James Lincoln, 
 Seth Turner, 
 
 Captains. 
 John Vinton, 
 Peter Procrit, 
 Truant Brantry, 
 
 Total, rank and file, 466. 
 
 Captains. 
 
 Amos Waldridge, 
 Peter Ingersoll, 
 Levi Rounsevall, 
 Malcomb Henry, 
 Jonathan Dan forth, 
 Isaac Colton, 
 Jona. Bardwell, 
 Abiathar Angel, 
 John Packard, 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Ithiel Mungar, 
 Silas Goodrich, 
 Henry Rice, 
 John Gray, 
 Joseph McNall, 
 John Wright, 
 William Gillmore 
 Isaac Warren, 
 David Brewer, 
 David 
 
 Ensigns. 
 
 James Blodgett. 
 
 Thomas Burnham. 
 
 Lemuel Taber. 
 
 David Lackett. 
 
 Lewis Boen. 
 
 Nathl. Alexander. 
 , Moses Howe. 
 
 Simeon Learned. 
 
 Jonathan Allen. 
 Brewer, Colonel. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 17, 1775. 
 
 These certify the Honourable Congress, that Colonel 
 David Brewer has satisfied this Committee that there are 
 in the nine Companies mentioned near five hundred men. 
 It is therefore recommended to Congress that said Brewer's 
 Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Wm. Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 17, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the several 
 Officers above mentioned. Sam. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL GERRISH's REGIMENT, JUNE 22, 1775. 
 
 Loarnmi Baldwin, Lieut. Colonel ; James Wessen, Major ; 
 Christian Ftbiger, Adjutant ; Michael Farley , Quarter- 
 master ; David Jones, Surgeon. 
 
 Captains. Lieutenants. Ensigns. 
 
 Richard Dodge, Robert Dodge, Paul Dodge. 
 Barnabas Dodge, Matthew Fairfield, Joseph Knight. 
 Thomas Cogswell, Moses Danton, Amos Cogswell. 
 Timothy Corey, Thos. Cummings, Jonas Johnson. 
 Samuel Sprague, Joseph Cheever, William Oliver. 
 John Baker, Jr., Joseph Pettingill, Mark Cressy. 
 
 Thomas Mighill, Thomas Pike, 
 
 Samuel Gerrish, Colonel. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 22, 1775. 
 It is recommended to the honourable Congress that the 
 above mentioned Officers in Colonel Gerrish's Regiment, 
 not already commissioned, may now receive their Com- 
 missions. William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 COLONEL MOSES LITTLE'S REGIMENT, JUNE 26, 1775. 
 
 Isaac Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel ; James Collins, Major. 
 
 Second Lieutenants. 
 
 Thomas Brown. 
 Daniel Collins. 
 Aaron Parker. 
 James Lord. 
 
 COLONEL DAVID BREWER'S REGIMENT, JUNE 17, 1775. 
 
 Rufus Putnam, Lieutenant-Colonel; Nathaniel Daniel- 
 son, Major; Thomas Weeks, Adjutant; Ebenezer Wash- 
 burn, Quartermaster. 
 
 Captains. First Lieutenants. 
 
 Jacob Gerrish, Silas Adams, 
 Nathaniel Warner, John Burman, 
 Nathaniel Wade, Joseph Wedkins, 
 Abraham Dodge, Ebenezer Low, 
 John Baker, Caleb Thompson, Daniel Draper. 
 
 Ezra Lunt, Moses Kent, N. Montgomery. 
 
 Benjamin Perkins, James Whittemore, William Stickney. 
 Gideon Parker, Joseph Everly, Moses Trask. 
 Joseph Robey, Shubael Gorham, Enoch Parsons. 
 Timothy Brinard, Paul Lunt, Amos Atkinson. 
 
 Total number of men, 582. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 26, 1775. 
 
 This Committee recommend to the honourable the Pro- 
 vincial Congress that the above named Officers, in Colonel 
 Little's Regiment, may be commissioned. 
 
 Wm. Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Officers 
 of Colonel Little's Regiment, agreeable to the above list. 
 Attest : Sam. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 Cambridge Camp, June 30, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress at Watertown : 
 Mr. Stephen Jenkins and Mr. Thomas Hodgkins are 
 recommended, the former for Adjutant, and the latter for 
 Quartermaster, in the Regiment of which I have the com- 
 mand, and the honourable Congress are prayed to appoint 
 those gentlemen to said offices accordingly. 
 
 Moses Little, Colonel. 
 
 Accepted and passed. 
 
831 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 832 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS OF RICHMOND COUNTY, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders of the County of Rich- 
 mond, at Richmond Town, in the said County, on the first 
 day of May, in the year of our Lord 1775, agreeable to a 
 publick notice of such meeting : 
 
 Benjamin Seaman, Esquire, Chairman, 
 Paul Micheau, Clerk. 
 
 The Freeholders of the said County, taking into consi- 
 deration the distressed and alarming state of the Colonies, 
 and the necessity of a Provincial Congress, did unanimous- 
 ly elect and appoint Messrs. Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortclyou, Richard Conner, and Richard Law- 
 rence, or the major part of them, to represent the said 
 County of Richmond at the next Provincial Congress in- 
 tended to be held in the City ot New-York on the 22d 
 day of May instant. 
 
 Signed by order of the said Freeholders: 
 
 Paul Micheau, Clerk of County of Richmond. 
 
 RICHMOND (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 Richmond County, May 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Yours of the 28th ultimo we received, 
 and, agreeable to your request, convened the Freeholders 
 of the County of Richmond yesterday, to consider of the 
 alarming and dangerous situation the Province is in, being 
 fully persuaded that no time should be lost, as every hour 
 threatens us with inevitable ruin. The necessity of the 
 case requires we should unite in forming a Provincial Con- 
 gress, and appoint Deputies without delay. The said 
 Freeholders were unanimously of opinion, that the present 
 exigency of affairs required their adopting the measures 
 recommended by your Committee, and appointed us, the 
 subscribers, for that purpose, who will give our attendance 
 accordingly. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants, 
 
 Paul Micheau, Richard Conner, 
 John Journey, Richard Lawrence. 
 Aaron Cortelyou, 
 
 To Mr. Isaac Low, Chairman of the Committee of Neiv- 
 York. 
 
 meeting of inhabitants OF orangetown, NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of 
 Orangctoivn, in the County of Orange, at the house of 
 Mr. Yoast Mabic, in the said Town, on Wednesday, the 
 third day of May, A. D. 1775 : 
 
 Jacob Conklin, Esquire, Chairman, 
 Dr. Thomas Outwater, Clerk. 
 Resolved, nem. con., That Colonel Abraham Lent and 
 John Mating, Esquire, be the Deputies for this Town, to 
 represent us at the Provincial Congress proposed to be held 
 in the City of New- York on the 22d day of this instant, 
 and that we will abide by and observe such measures as 
 the said Congress shall, from time to time, direct or re- 
 commend. By order of the meeting: 
 
 Jacob Conklin, Chairman. 
 Thomas Outwater, Clerk. 
 
 MEETING OF COMMITTEES OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the several Committees of Correspond- 
 ence from the different Towns in the County of Suffolk, 
 at the County Hall, the 5th of May, 1775 : 
 William Smith, Chairman. 
 
 The letter from the Chairman of the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence of Nciv-Yor k, recommending to this County 
 to choose Deputies to meet Deputies from all t lie Counties 
 in this Province in General Congress, in '.he City of New- 
 York, on Monday, 22d of May instant, being read, 
 
 Voted, nem. con., That Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, 
 John Sloss llobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 li llommedicu, Thomas Wickham, and James Havens, or 
 any three of them, be Deputies for this County, who are 
 hereby fully empowered to meet the Deputies from the 
 other Counties in this Province, in Provincial Congress, in 
 
 Ne iv- York or elsewhere, on the 22d day of this instant, 
 to deliberate upon, and, from time to time, to direct such 
 measures as shall be expedient for our common safely, and 
 the preservation of our rights and privileges ; the said 
 Deputies to act for one year, unless peace and harmony 
 between the Colonics and Great Britain be sooner re- 
 stored, or other persons chosen in their stead. 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Wm. Smith, Chairman. 
 
 SUFFOLK COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE 
 OF BROOKHAVEN. 
 
 County Hall, May 5, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We beg leave to inform you that the 
 Committees from the several Towns in this County, here 
 met, have chosen seven persons to represent this County 
 at the Provincial Congress, to be held at New-York the 
 22d of this instant, and should be glad of your concurrence 
 therein. The Association Agreement, so generally entered 
 info in New-York by all parties, is herewith sent to you, 
 hoping you will sign the same, and take such measures as 
 you judge proper to let the inhabitants of your Town have 
 an opportunity to sign. If your Town approve of our 
 choice, you will signify it to one of the Deputies, and if 
 you think proper to choose a Deputy, it will be very agree- 
 able to this Committee. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Wm. Smith, Chairman. 
 
 To Captain Nathan Woodhull, Richard JVoodhull, Jona- 
 than Thompson, John JVoodhull, Selah Strong, Tho- 
 mas Helmes, Esquires, Major Benjamin Floyd, and Mr. 
 Samuel Thompson, of Brookhaven. 
 
 WESTCHESTER COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE. 
 
 We, who are this clay appointed as a Committee for the 
 County of Westchester, do certify that Gouvcrneur Morris, 
 Lewis Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, 
 Joseph Drake, Fhilip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, 
 David Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, Robert Graham. 
 and William Paulding, were chosen to be the Deputies 
 from this County to the Provincial Convention of the 
 Province of New-York. 
 
 Witness our hands, the eighth day May, in the year 
 of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 Gilbert Drake, Chairman. 
 
 David Dan, Jona. G. Tompkins, Thomas Thomas, 
 
 Jum^s Harmer, Jona. G. Graham, Gcorg: Comh, 
 
 Micah Townsend, Jonathan Piatt, Samuel Drake, 
 
 Lewis Morris, Gilbert Thorn, Michael Hays, 
 
 Samuel Crawford, James Vaiian, Benoni Piatt, 
 
 F. Van Cortlandt, Robert Bloomer, Samuel Haviland, 
 
 Benjamin Lyon, William Miller, Joshua Ferris. 
 Miles Oakley, 
 
 MEETING OF THE FREEHOLDERS OF GOSHEN PRECINCT, 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the 
 Precinct of Goshen, in the County of Orange, and Colony 
 of New- York, assembled at the house of Mr. Isaac Nico/l, 
 Inn-holder, in the Town of Goshen, on Wednesday, the 
 10th day of May, 1775: 
 
 Peter Clowes, Chairman. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That as the present critical 
 situation of affairs makes it necessary for a Provincial Con- 
 gress to he held, that Michael Jackson, Peter Cloivcs, 
 Benjamin Tustcn, and William Allison, or any two of 
 them, do attend therein at the City of Neiv- York, on the 
 22d day of this instant, May, as Delegates for this Pre- 
 cinct. By order of the meeting: 
 
 Balth. De Heart, Clerk. 
 
 MEETING OF COMMITTEES OF ULSTER COUNTY, NEW-YOItk . 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of the several Towns 
 and Precincts in the County of Ulster, elected and ap- 
 pointed to meet in Provincial Convention, at the City of 
 Neiv- York, on the 22d day of May instant, or at such 
 other time and place as may be agreed on, held at Ncw- 
 Paltz, at the house of Mrs. Ann Dubois, in the County 
 aforesaid, the 11th day of May, 1775, the following per- 
 
833 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1T75. 
 
 834 
 
 sons appeared as Committees for the different Towns and 
 Precincts, viz : 
 
 Kingston. — Abraham Van Keuren, Johannes Snyder, 
 Esquire, Egbert Dumond, Esquire, Oke Sudani, Ja- 
 cobus Van Goesbeck. 
 Awsley. — Adrian IVynkoop, Esquire, Captain John Fan 
 
 Deusen, Matthew Ten Eyck, Charles Be Witt, Esq. 
 Marbletown. — Matthew Cantine, Levi Pawling, John 
 Cantine, David Bevier, Cornelius E. Wynkoop, Esqr's. 
 Rochester. — Andries Be Witt, Esq., Jacob Hombeck, 
 Esq., Johannes Schoonmakcr, Joachim Schoonmaker, 
 Jacobus Van Wagenon, Andries Bevier. 
 Wallkill. — William Wilkin, Francis Byrns. 
 New-Windsor. — Captain James M. Claghry, John Ni- 
 
 colson, Esquire, Colonel James Clinton. 
 Newburgh. — Col. Jonathan Hasbrouck, John Robinson, 
 
 Benjamin Birdsell. 
 New-Marlborough. — Lewis Du Bois, Benjamin Car- 
 penter, Esq., Joseph Morey. 
 Nkw -Paltz. — Jacob Hasbrouck. Joseph Hasbrouck, Jo- 
 hannes A. Hardenbergh, Andries Lafever, Esquire, 
 Abraham Donaldson, Esquire. 
 Shawangunk. — Jacobus Bruyn, Johan. Jansen, Matthew 
 Rea, Benj. Smedes, Esquires, Capt. Thomas Jansen, Jr., 
 Major Johannes Hardenbergh, Dirck Roosa. 
 Hanover. — Dr. Charles Clinton, Alexander Trimble, 
 Arthur Parks, William Jackson, Abimael Young. 
 Charles De Witt, Esquire, being unanimously chosen 
 and appointed Chairman, the business of the day was open- 
 ed, when Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, Colonel James 
 Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Esquire, Dr. Charles Clinton, 
 Christopher Tappen, John Nicolson, and Jacob Horn- 
 heck, Esquires, were nominated, and unanimously chosen 
 and appointed Deputies for the said County, to serve in 
 Provincial Convention, at the City of New-York, on the 
 22d day of May instant, or at such other time and place 
 as may be agreed on, in order to adopt and endeavour to 
 carry into execution whatever measures may be recom- 
 mended by the Continental Congress, or resolved upon by 
 our Provincial Convention, for the purpose of preserving 
 our Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several 
 arbitrary and oppressive acts of the British Parliament, 
 until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, 
 on constitutional principles, can be obtained ; with such 
 further power to declare the sense of this County relative 
 to the grievances and oppressions under which His Majes- 
 ty's American subjects now groan, and to consult such 
 measures as may tend to the preservation of the rights and 
 liberties of America. And the Deputies hereby appointed 
 are instructed (when met in Provincial Convention) to 
 move that a day be set apart for publick fasting and prayer 
 throughout the Colony, to implore Divine aid in restoring 
 a happy reconciliation between the Mother Country and 
 her American Colonies. 
 
 Ordered, That the proceedings of this day be signed 
 by the Chairman, and that the same be published in the 
 Xeic-York Journal. Ch. De Witt, Chairman. 
 
 To Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. James Clinton, Eg- 
 bert Dumond, Esq., Dr. Charles Clinton, Christopher 
 Tappen, John Nicolson, and Jacob Hombeck, Esqr's. 
 
 meeting of freeholders of haverstraw (new-yohr) 
 precinct. 
 
 Whereas, it is proposed that a Provincial Convention of 
 Deputies, Com the different Cities and Counties in this 
 Province, should meet in the City of New-York, on the 
 22d day of this instant, in order to deliberate and direct 
 such measures as may be thought necessary for the pre- 
 servation of our rights and liberties, we, the freeholders 
 and inhabitants of the Precinct of Haverstraw, in the 
 County of Orange, being met, do unanimously choose 
 John Coc and David Pye as Deputies to represent the 
 said Precinct, and do authorize and empower the said 
 John Coe and David Pye to represent the said Precinct 
 in the said Convention, and to act, transact, and direct all 
 such measures as shall be thought necessary for the pur- 
 poses aforesaid. By order of the said meeting : 
 
 Johannes Isa Blanvelt, Moderator. 
 
 May 12, 1775. 
 
 MAMICOTING COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 May 13, 1775. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Precinct of Mamicoting met to- 
 gether, and chose a Committee ; likewise they all signed 
 the Association, and are determined to stand by the same. 
 And whereas we were destitute of militia officers hitherto, 
 the following officers were chosen, viz : Jacob Rutson De 
 Witt, Captain; Abraham Cuddeback, Junior, First Lieu- 
 tenant ; Robert Cook, Second Lieutenant ; Samuel King, 
 Ensign. We, the Committee, do think it proper to send 
 you the account of our proceedings. Although Benja- 
 min Depuy, Esquire, of our Precinct, joined the County 
 Committee, yet it was before we were formed into a Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 Whereas, we are a frontier Company, if an Indian war 
 should happen to break out, difficulties may arise by the 
 officers lacking authority: we therefore petition the gen- 
 tlemen of the Congress that the nominated officers may be 
 authorized to act as in commission. And whereas, there 
 are several poor men in our Precinct, who are able and 
 willing to fight for their rights and liberty, and not capable 
 of providing themselves either with arms or ammunition : 
 we, therefore, further petition that you, gentlemen, will 
 take it into consideration, and provide for such poor people ; 
 and you will oblige your humble petitioners. By order of 
 the Committee : John Young, Chairman. 
 
 To the Chairman of the Provincial Congress, convened 
 
 in the City of New- York. 
 
 MEETING OF CHARLOTTE COUNTY (nEW-YORk) COM- 
 MITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee in the Townships of 
 11 hite-Creek, Cktmden, Adingtown, Manchester, Dorset, 
 Rupert, Pollett, and Wells, in the County of Charlotte, 
 Province of Neiv-York, for choosing two Delegates to 
 meet at the Convention at New-York, the 22d instant: 
 Be it known, that John Williams and William Marsh 
 were elected for the purpose above mentioned, as witness 
 our hands, this 12th day of May, 1775. 
 Signed by the Committee : 
 
 Hamilton IMcCallister, Jona. Willard, 
 John Williams, Smith Smith, 
 
 William Marsh, Caleb Smith, 
 
 Joshua Conkey, Jos. McCracken, 
 
 Nathan Hawley, John Batus, 
 
 Samuel Rose, James Heard, 
 
 John Nesbett, Cephas Kent. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 53 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF CORNWALL (NEW-YORk) 
 
 precinct. 
 
 Blooming Grove, May 15, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders of the Precinct of 
 Cornwall, in Orange County, held at the house of John 
 Brewster, on the 15th of May, 1775, convened agreeably 
 to advertisement: After choosing Jesse Woodhull, Esq.. 
 Moderator, and Thomas Moffat, Clerk, a letter was then 
 read, signed by Isaac Low, Chairman of the Committee 
 of New- York, recommending the choosing of Deputies in 
 the several Counties in this Province, to represent them 
 in Provincial Congress on the 22d instant. The meeting 
 then proceeded deliberately, and chose Israel Seely, Jesse 
 Woodhull, Esquire, and Jeremiah Clark, (or any one of 
 them,) Deputies for this Precinct for the purposes afore- 
 said, as part of the representation of the County of Orange. 
 
 Jesse Woodhull, Chairman. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF DUTCHESS COUNTY TO THE NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 We, the subscribers, do hereby certify, that at a County 
 meeting, in consequence of notifications for that purpose, 
 held at Poughkeepsie, on Tuesday, the 16th May, 1775, 
 Dirck Brinkerhoff, Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah Piatt, 
 Richard Montgomery, Ephraim Paine, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, and Jonathan London, Esquires, and Messrs. Gys- 
 bert Schenck, Melancthon Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett, 
 were, by a majority of voices, elected Deputies for the 
 term of six months, to represent the County of Dutchess 
 
835 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 836 
 
 in the Provincial Convention to be held at the City of 
 New- York, on the 22d instant. 
 
 Roswell Hopkins, 
 Bev. Robinson, 
 James Smith, 
 Abraham Bocker, 
 
 Ananias Cooper, 
 Jacob Swartwout, 
 Jonathan Lewis, 
 Egbert Benson. 
 
 Cornelius Humphrey, 
 
 VOTE OF FIRST COMPANY IN BROOKHAVEN, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Brookhaven, May 17, 1775. 
 Whereas, the Committees of the several Towns within 
 the County of Suffolk met at the County-Hall on the 5th 
 of May, 1775 ; and whereas Brookhaven was not repre- 
 sented by a Committee at said meeting, the several Com- 
 mittees thought fit to write a letter to the inhabitants of 
 said Brookhaven, signifying their desire that they should 
 unite with the other Towns in choosing a Deputy to unite 
 with the seven Deputies which they had chosen to repre- 
 sent this County at the Provincial Congress, to be held at 
 New- York, on the 22d day of this instant : 
 
 Now we, the residents within the limits of the First 
 Company of Militia of said Town, do, in conjunction with 
 the other Companies in said Township, choose Selah 
 Strong, Esquire, as one of the Deputies to represent said 
 In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our 
 
 County 
 names. 
 
 Nathan Woodhull, 
 Jonathan Thompson, 
 Nathaniel Roe, 
 Richard Woodhull, 
 Samuel Thompson, 
 Selah Strong, Jun., 
 Caleb Brewster, 
 Nath'l Roe, Jun., 
 Philip Roe, 
 John Roe, 
 
 Thomas Smith, 
 Alex. Hawkins, 
 David Hawkins, 
 Simeon Hawkins, 
 Alex. Hawkins, Jun., 
 Jacob Hawkins, 
 Edmund Smith, 
 Samuel Davis, 
 Joseph Hawkins, 
 Isaac Davis. 
 
 VOTE OF SECOND COMPANY IN BROOKHAVEN, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Brookhaven, May 17, 1775. 
 
 There being met the Second Company of the above- 
 said Town, whereof Ebenezer Miller is Captain, and were 
 desired that all such as were willing to be represented in 
 the Provincial Convention, to be held at New-York, the 
 22d of this month, would manifest it by setting their votes 
 or names to this paper. Selah Strong, Esquire, being the 
 man chosen to represent us. 
 
 Capt. Ebenezer Miller, Joshua Davis, 
 Lieut. Woodhull, Samuel Philips, Jun.. 
 
 Ensign Davis, William Philips, 
 
 Noah Hallock, Israel Davis, 
 
 David Davis, Andrew Miller, 
 
 Merrit Smith Woodhull, Henry Woodhull, 
 Joseph Philips, James Woodhull, 
 
 Timothy Norton, Jun,, Gilbert Woodhull, 
 Azel Jarritt, Jacob Eaton, 
 
 Edmond Robinson, Fortunatus Taylor, 
 
 Daniel Bales, 
 Martin Brown, 
 Elisha Davis, 
 Silas Davis, 
 Timothy Davis, 
 
 Josiah Hallock, 
 Spiser Davis, 
 Josiah Woodhull, 
 William Miller, 
 Gilbert Davis, 
 
 Richard Davis, 
 Jeffry Woodhull, 
 Chapman Davis, 
 Noah Hallock, Jun., 
 Joseph Brown, Jun., 
 Mica Skidmore, 
 Rynear Vanhoosen, 
 Justis Jno. Woodhull, 
 Joseph Brown, 
 Thomas Robinson, 
 Dr. Theoph. Philips, 
 Thomas Balis, 
 Rosel Hubberd, 
 Joseph Davis, 
 
 The above names signed in the presence of us : 
 
 Wissell Sill, Clerk, 
 Ebenezer Miller, 
 Joseph Brown. 
 
 VOTE OF THIRD COMPANY IN BROOKHAVEN, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Brookhaven, May 17, 1775. 
 
 There were called together the Third Company, com- 
 manded by Captain Nathan Rose. 
 
 The question being put, whether they were for appointing 
 a Deputy in this Town to join the other Deputies of this 
 County, to meet the Provincial Convention, to be held the 
 twenty-second of this instant May, in New-York, to con- 
 sult the general good of this Colony; passed in the affirm- 
 ative nemine contradicente. 
 
 Then the question was put, whether Selah Strong, Esq., 
 should be the man to represent this Town, in joining with 
 the other Deputies of this County, in Provincial Conven- 
 tion, to be held in New-York, the twenty-second of this 
 
 instant ? Passed, without one dissenting voice, in the affirm- 
 ative, to which they have affixed their names. 
 
 Capt. Nathan Rose, William Baker, Daniel Jones, 
 
 Lieut. Thos. Rose, Bcnaiah Hubbard, Francis Barto, Jr. 
 
 John Marvin, Samuel Dayton, John Smith, 
 
 Jehiel Weed, Richard Hulse, Stephen Satterly, 
 
 Matthew Woodruff, Joseph Terry, Nathaniel Brewster, 
 
 Thaddeus Cole, Jeffery Brewster, Isaac Robbins, 
 
 Robert Hawkins, Mordecai Homan, Jr. 
 
 Jedediah Marvin, 
 Ephraim Smith, 
 Thomas Avery, 
 Jesse Rose, 
 Isaac Woodruff, 
 Ezekiel Hedges, 
 Isaiah Moger, 
 Ebenezer Homan, 
 
 Ebe'zer Homans, Jr., Ananias Smith, 
 Nathaniel Finck, Micajah Lane, 
 
 Ezekiel Homan, 
 Daniel Rose, 
 Mordecai Homan, 
 Nathaniel Smith, 
 Joseph Sweasy. 
 
 Mord. Homan, 3d. 
 Matthew Marvin, 
 Reynold Finck, 
 Joseph Homan, 
 Jonah Tucker, 
 Nathan Rose, Jun., Matthew Beale, 
 
 We, the underwritten persons, were present when the 
 above and within persons subscribed their names, and were 
 freeholders and inhabitants within the Town of Brookhaven. 
 
 William Smith, 
 Nath'l Woodhull, 
 Josiah Smith. 
 
 VOTE OF FOURTH COMPANY IN BROOKHAVEN, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Brookhaven, May 16, 1775. 
 
 Met the Fourth Company of Brookhaven, whereof Da- 
 vid Mulford is Captain, and were desired to manifest, by 
 their votes, whether they were desirous to be represented 
 in the Provincial Convention, to be held at New-York, the 
 twenty-second of this instant, P. M.; then, who should rep- 
 resent them. 
 
 Voted, That Selah Strong, Esq., be the person to rep- 
 resent them. Passed without contradiction, to which we 
 have subscribed our names. 
 
 W. Brewster, Lieut. 
 E. Davis, Qu^naster. 
 
 C. Moger, Ensign. 
 J. Howel, Sergeant. 
 N. Norton, Serg't. 
 
 D. Mulford, Clerk. 
 James Overton, 
 Benjamin Woodhull, 
 Mordecai Homan, 
 Stephen Randal, 
 John Albeen, 
 Isaac Smith, 
 Jonathan Bonjamin, 
 Palmer Overton, 
 Benjamin Gerrard, 
 William Davis, 
 William Edwards, 
 James Moger, 
 Samuel Tallmadge, 
 Bennet Dayton, 
 James Tucker, 
 Luke Pritchard, 
 Gershom Terry, 
 Joseph Garrard, 
 
 Daniel Roe, 
 Jonathan Johnes, 
 Job Mulford, 
 Ludly Clarke, 
 William Still, 
 William Gerrard, Jr. 
 Nehemiah Hulse, 
 Daniel Swezey, 
 Isaac Swezey, 
 John Turner, 
 Nathaniel Overton, 
 John Arnold, 
 Jonathan Jones, 
 Daniel Petty, 
 Gershom Brown, 
 Brewster Terry, 
 Nathan Davis, 
 James Orsborn, 
 Justus Overton, 
 Paul Hulse, 
 Wm. Clarke, Sen., 
 Joseph Seward, Jun., 
 Arthur Moger, 
 Joseph Terry, 
 
 William Swezey, 
 Gillum Davis, 
 Selah Brown, 
 Goldsmith Davis, 
 Zopher Davis, 
 John Leek, 
 William Clark, Jr , 
 Daniel D.ivis, Jr., 
 Ebenezer Dayton, 
 Abel Swezey, 
 James Swezey, 
 Francis Hallit, 
 Messenger Overton, 
 Isaac Davis, 
 Timothy Wood, 
 Wm Brewster, Jr., 
 James Sell, 
 Benjamin Petty, 
 Christopher Swezey, 
 Enos Bishop, 
 Eleazer Bellows, 
 Samuel Satterly, 
 James Swezey, Jr. 
 
 Those of the contrary mind : 
 
 J. Homan, Sergeant. David Overton, Zach. Hawkins, Jr., 
 Nath. Longbottom, Timothy Lane. 
 
 The above dissenters professed to be nothing against or 
 for the vote, but stand as neutrals. 
 
 Note. — The whole of the names in both lists were put 
 down at their desire, in presence of us, 
 
 Ebenezer Dayton, 
 John Woodhull, 
 William Smith. 
 
 AN ADDRESS FROM JAMES RIVINGTON TO THE HONOURABLE 
 DELEGATES AT THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Whereas the subscriber, by the freedom of his publica- 
 tions during the present unhappy disputes between Great 
 Britain and her Colonies, has brought upon himself much 
 publick displeasure and resentment, in consequence of which 
 his life has been endangered, his property invaded, and a 
 regard to his personal safety requires him still to be absent 
 from his family and business ; and whereas it has been 
 ordered by the Committee of Correspondence for the City 
 of New- York, that a report of the state of his case should 
 be made to the Continental Congress, that the manner of 
 his future treatment may be submitted to their direction ; 
 he thinks himself happy in having at last for his judges, 
 gentlemen of eminent rank and distinction in the Colonies, 
 from whose enlarged and liberal sentiments, he flatters him- 
 self that he can receive no other than an equitable sentence, 
 unbiased by popular clamour and resentment. He humbly 
 
837 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Stc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 838 
 
 presumes that the very respectable gentlemen of the Con- 
 gress now sitting at Philadelphia, will permit him to de- 
 clare, and, as a man of honour and veracity, he can and 
 does solemnly declare, that however wrong and mistaken 
 he may have been in his opinions, he has always meant 
 honestly and openly to do his duty as a servant of the 
 publick. Accordingly his conduct, as a printer, has always 
 been conformable to the ideas which he entertained of 
 English liberty, warranted by the practice of all printers 
 in Great Britain and Ireland for a century past, under 
 every Administration; authorized, as he conceives, by the 
 laws of England, and countenanced by the declarations of 
 the late Congress. He declares that his press has been 
 always open and free to all parties, and for the truth of this 
 fact appeals to his publications, among which are to be 
 reckoned all the pamphlets, and many of the best pieces 
 that have been written in this and the neighbouring Colonies 
 in favour of the American claims. However, having found 
 that the inhabitants of the Colonies were not satis6ed with 
 this plan of conduct, a few weeks ago he published in his 
 paper a short apology, in which he assured the publick that 
 he would be cautious, for the future, of giving any further 
 offence. To this declaration he resolves to adhere, and he 
 cannot but hope for the patronage of the publick so long 
 as his conduct shall be found to correspond with it. It is 
 his wish and ambition to be an useful member of society. 
 Although an Englishman by birth, he is an American by 
 choice, and he is desirous of devoting his life, in the busi- 
 ness of his profession, to the service of the Country he has 
 adopted for his own. He lately employed no less than 
 sixteen workmen, at near one thousand Pounds annually ; 
 anJ his consumption of printing paper, the manufacture of 
 Pennsylvania, New-York, Connecticut, and the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, has amounted nearly to that sum. His exten- 
 sive foreign correspondence, his large acquaintance in Eu- 
 rope and America, and the manner of his education, are 
 circumstances which, he conceives, have not improperly 
 qualified him for the station in which he wishes to continue, 
 and in which he will exert every endeavour to be useful. 
 He therefore humbly submits bis case to the consideration 
 of the honourable gentlemen now assembled in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, and begs that their determination may be 
 such as will secure him, especially as it is the only thing 
 that can effectually secure him in the safety of his person, 
 the enjoyment of his property, and the uninterrupted pro- 
 secution of his business. James Rivington. 
 May 20, 1775. 
 
 TOWN MEETING IN BROOKLYN, NEW-YORK. 
 Brooklyn, Kings County, Nassau Island, May 20, 1775. 
 
 At a general Town Meeting, regularly warned, the Ma- 
 gistrates and Freeholders met, and voted Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Esq., into the Chair, and Leffert Lefferts, Esq., Clerk. 
 
 Taking into our serious consideration the expediency and 
 propriety of concurring with the freeholders and freemen 
 of the City and County of New- York, and the other Coun- 
 ties, Townships, and Precincts, within this Province, for 
 holding, continuing, and maintaining a Provincial Congress 
 of Deputies, chosen out of the whole Province, to advise, 
 consider, consult, watch over, protect, and defend, at this 
 very alarming crisis, all our civil and religious rights, liber- 
 ties, and privileges, according to their collective prudence: 
 
 After duly weighing and considering the unjust plunder 
 and inhuman carnage committed on the property and per- 
 sons of our brethren in the Massachusetts, who, with the 
 other Neiv-England Colonies, are now deemed, by the 
 Mother Country, to be in a state of actual rebellion, by 
 which declaration England hath put it beyond their own 
 power to treat with ]\tw-England, or to propose or receive 
 any terms of reconciliation, until those Colonies will submit 
 as, or shall become a conquered Country; the first effort 
 to effect which was by military and naval force ; the next 
 attempt is to bring a famine (a dreadful engine of war) 
 amongst them, by depriving them of both their natural and 
 acquired right of fishing — natural by their situation, ac- 
 quired by their joint exertions to acquire the sovereignty 
 of those fisheries : Further, contemplating the very unhap- 
 py situation to which the powers at home, by oppressive 
 measures, have driven all the other Protestant Provinces, 
 (in which we are included,) we have all evils in their power 
 
 to fear, as they have already declared all the Provinces 
 aiders and abettors of rebellion : It remains only with the 
 infallibility and omnipotency of Parliament, to determine 
 how the Crown of England can propose to, or accept of 
 any conditions of accommodations from any of these Pro- 
 testant Provinces : Therefore, 
 
 1st. Resolved, That Henry Jl'illiams and Jeremiah 
 Remsen, Esquires, be now elected, chosen, and deputed by 
 us, and in our behalf, Deputies for this Township, to meet 
 and associate with all the Deputies of the Cities, Counties, 
 Townships, and Precincts, within this Province of New- 
 York, in a Provincial Convention, intended to be holden 
 in the City of New- Yor k on Monday next, the twenty- 
 second day of this present instant, May, and so to continue 
 to meet from time to time, and at all times, according to 
 the adjournments of the said Provincial Convention, and 
 then and there to consider, consult, agree, determine, act, 
 and do all prudential and necessary business accordingly. 
 
 2d. Resolved, That we, confiding in the wisdom and 
 equity of said Convention, collectively, do consent, agree, 
 and conclude to observe, abide by and fulfil, all necessary 
 and warrantable acts, associations, orders, and directions, as 
 the said Provincial Congress shall, in their prudence, require, 
 direct, and enjoin. 
 
 Signed by order of the Town Meeting : 
 
 Leffert Lefferts, Clerk. 
 
 COMMITTEE FROM CONNECTICUT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New- York, Friday Morning, nine o'clock, ) 
 May 21, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : As we are much indisposed, think it most prudent 
 to set out for Connecticut, and shall leave this City at two 
 o'clock this afternoon. If the Convention have any com- 
 mands to the Governour and Company of that Colony, 
 we shall be proud of the honour of executing them. Mr. 
 Edwards will go afterwards to New-Jersey, and, on his way 
 to Connecticut, will wait on the Convention of this Province 
 for further intelligence, and will give them such informa- 
 tion as lies in his power. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Nathaniel Wales, 
 Thaddeus Burr. 
 The Honourable Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq. 
 
 MEETING OF COMMITTEES FOR KINGS COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Flatbush, May 22, 1775. 
 At a meeting held this twenty-second day of May, of 
 the several Deputies of the different Townships in Kings 
 County, for the purpose of electing Delegates to represent 
 the County of Kings in Provincial Congress, now held in 
 the City of New- York, agreeable to said meeting, they 
 have and hereby do appoint Richard Stilwell, Theodorus 
 Polhemus, John Lefferts, Nicholas Covenhoven, Johannes 
 E. Lott, John Van Der Bilt, Henry Williams, and Jere- 
 miah Remsen, Esquires, Delegates, or any three of them, 
 to represent and fully to act in behalf of the before men- 
 tioned County, in Provincial Congress before named, now 
 held in the City of New- York. 
 
 Abraham E. Lott, Secretary. 
 
 MEETING OF FREEHOLDERS AT JAMAICA, NEW-YORK. 
 
 At a meeting of a number of the Freeholders of Queens 
 County, at Jamaiea, on the 22d day of May inst., pursuant 
 to publick notice thereof given, I certify that the following 
 persons, to wit: Col. Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Daniel Rapelje, Esq., Zebulon Williams, Esquire, 
 Samuel Townsend, Esq., Joseph French, Esq., Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Thomas Hicks, Esq., and Cap- 
 tain Richard Thome, were unanimously chosen and elected 
 Deputies for the said County, to meet in Provincial Con- 
 gress with the Deputies from the other Counties within 
 this Province. Given under my hand this 22d day of 
 May, 1775. Danl. Kissam, Chairman. 
 
 Vote of the Town of Jamaica, in Queens County, New- 
 York, on the expediency of choosing a Deputy ; pre- 
 
839 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1715. 
 
 840 
 
 sentcd to the Provincial Congress on the 21st day of 
 
 April, 1775. — [See Folio 356.] 
 
 No Committee — No Deputy. 
 
 Adam Lawrence. John Doughty, A. Van Noorstrout, 
 
 Johannes Polhemus, Nathaniel Highy, Daniel Lawrence, 
 
 Joseph Oldfiold, Richard Betts, Capt. Goorgo Dunbar, 
 
 Tunis Bargin, Tunis Covert, 
 
 Charles Aiding, Nicholas Lamberson, 
 
 John Lamberson, Simeon Lamberson, 
 
 John Smith, William Pettet, 
 
 John Troup, Johan. Williamson, 
 
 Powel Auibcnnan, Obadiah Hinckman, 
 
 Johannes Lott, Jacob Bargin, 
 
 Johannes Suedeker, Nicholas Ludlam, 
 
 Joseph Colder, Bcrnardus Ryder, 
 
 Abraham Ditinus, Philip Piatt, 
 
 Jeconiah Valentine, Nathaniel Mills, Jr., 
 
 William Cornell, Johannes Blderd, 
 
 Isaac Amberman, Peter Noorstrout, 
 
 Lucas Eldord, Garret Noorstrout, 
 
 Stephen Lott, Garret Durland, Jr., 
 
 William Welling, Garret Durland, Sr., 
 
 Nich. Van Ausdoll, Jacob Lott, 
 
 Lucas Bergen, Nathl. Townscnd, 
 
 John Wiggins, Garret Snedokcr, 
 
 Obadiah Mills, Derrick Bargin, 
 
 Aury Ramson, Stephen Clements, 
 
 John Williamson, A. Van Noorstrout, 
 
 Cornelius Beanet, Nathaniel Mills, Sr., 
 
 Nicholas Jones, Matthias Lamberson, 
 
 S :ml Doughty, George Rierson, 
 
 Daniel Ramson, John Ramson, 
 
 John Forster, Stephen Highy, 
 
 Thomas Betts, John Ramson, Sen., 
 John B 3n.net, 
 
 Henry Highy, 
 Benj imin Doughty, 
 William Watts, 
 John Watts, 
 William Golden, 
 Timothy Cornell, 
 John Van Leew, 
 Jabesh Woodruff, 
 Joseph Van Brunt, 
 John Rovvlan, 
 Hope Mills, 
 Benj. Whitehead, 
 Nehemiah Carpenter, 
 Hemlrick Emmons, 
 R. Ilimson, Jamaica, 
 John Bargin, 
 Dow Ditmus, 
 Evert Van Wickley, 
 William Thatford, 
 Anthony Ramson, 
 John Noorstrout, 
 Garret Lotting, 
 Ludlam Smith, 
 Samuel Forster, 
 Isaac Leffert, 
 Rueloff Duryee, 
 Johannes Polhemus, 
 J. French, Esq.— 94. 
 
 C iptain Rutgers, 
 John Skidmore, 
 Robert Hinckman, 
 Waters Smith, 
 William Ludlam, 
 Abraham Kettletas, 
 Jonas Fredrick, 
 William Steed, 
 John Mills, 
 Isaac Bayley, 
 Increase Carpenter, 
 John Cockle, 
 Isaac Hendrickson, 
 John Innes, Sen., 
 Elias Bayley, 
 Aaron Hendrickson, 
 Robert Denton, 
 John Smith, 
 Jacob Wright, 
 Nicholas Smith, Sr., 
 William Messenger, 
 Nicholas Everitt, 
 Peter Smith, 
 John Brimner, 
 Daniel Tuthill, 
 H. Hendrickson, Sr., 
 .Daniel Everitt, 
 John Brush, 
 1 jaae Roads, 
 
 For a Deputy. 
 
 John Roads, 
 Jonah Roads, 
 A. Hendrickson, 
 Whited Skidmore, 
 Christopher Ryder, 
 Amos Denton, 
 Samuel Skidmore, 
 Noah Smith, 
 Daniel Bayley, 
 Wait Smith, 
 John Thurston, 
 Hope Roads, 
 Samuel Messenger, 
 John J. Skidmore, 
 Jacques Johnson, 
 Nehemiah Everitt, 
 Increase Carpenter, 
 Joseph Higby, 
 Andrew Oackly, 
 Moses Higby, 
 Jacob Forster, 
 Daniel Ludlam, 
 Saml. Higby, cooper, 
 II. Hendrickson, Jr., 
 Cornelius Losce, 
 Daniel Smith, 
 Samuel Higby, Jr., 
 Jonathan Thurston, 
 
 Nathaniel Smith, 
 Ephraim Mnrston, 
 J. Hendrickson, Jr., 
 Othniel Smith, 
 Samuel Smith : 
 William Creed, 
 Nehemiah Carpenter, 
 John Skidmore, Jr., 
 Thomas Denton, 
 Benjamin Everitt, 
 John Van Leow, 
 Benjamin Creed, 
 Isaac Mills, 
 Nicholas Smith, Jr., 
 Benj. Hinckman, 
 David Lamberson, 
 Nathaniel Box, 
 William Creed, Jr., 
 Ephraim Bayley, 
 Obadiah Smith, 
 Jacob Carpenter, 
 Nehemiah Carpenter, 
 Joshua Carpenter, 
 Richard Roads, 
 John Messenger, 
 Joseph Robinson, 
 Thomas Wiggins, 
 Jacob Duryee. — 85. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I take the liberty to advise you that, on 
 the 13th instant, having proceeded from this place to Si. 
 John's, with a party of my Regiment, of thirty-five men, 
 1 surprised and took prisoners a sergeant and his party of 
 twelve men, the King's sloop, of seventy tons and seven 
 men, . mounted with two brass six-pounders, and in two 
 hours after weighed anchor with the sloop, &c, and pro- 
 ceeded for this place. Six leagues this side of St. John's, 
 met one Colonel Allen, with a party of near one hundred 
 men, who were determined to proceed to St. John's, and 
 make a stand there. Not being able to dissuade them from 
 iheir rash design, I supplied them with provisions. They 
 then proceeded to *SV. John's, and the next morning were 
 attacked by about two hundred Regulars, with six field- 
 pieces, and were obliged to make a precipitate retreat, with 
 the loss of three men killed or taken. The party arrived 
 here last evening. 
 
 I am now fixing the sloop with six carriages and ten 
 swivels; the schooner with four carriages and six swivels, 
 and am determined to proceed to Crown Poi7it, and make 
 a stand there, in order to secure the cannon, near one hun- 
 dred pieces, at that place. We are in great want of a num- 
 ber of seamen, gunners, carpenters, &tc, for both vossels. 
 Our safety, in a great measure, depends on them, (the ves- 
 sels,) as they will be able to command the lake, if properly 
 manned. Enclosed is a list of men wanted immediately, 
 which I beg the favour of you, gentlemen, to ship and send 
 
 up here without loss of time, furnishing them with such 
 things as you judge necessary. 1 have judicious able com- 
 manders for both vessels, and want only mates, gunners, 
 marines, &ic. Annexed is the wages I propose giving, but 
 must refer that to your direction ; and any sums you are 
 kind enough to advance for the above purpose, I will give 
 a draft for on the Committee of Safety at Cambridge, being 
 fully empowered for that purpose. We have only one 
 hundred and fifty pounds of good powder for both vessels, 
 and one hundred men. I have wrote repeatedly to Albany 
 for powder, and must once more entreat you, gentlemen, if 
 not forwarded, to send me as soon as possible ten or twelve 
 hundred weight of powder. If the seamen, Sic, are not 
 to be procured at Albany, I beg the favour of you to for- 
 ward this letter to the Committee of Safety at New-York, 
 and you will much oblige, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Benedict Arnold, 
 
 Commander at Ticonderoga. 
 To the Committee of Safety at Albany. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Crown Point, May 23, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: My last was of the 19th instant, per Cap- 
 tain Oswald. I then advised you of my taking possession 
 of the King's sloop, fee, at St. John's, and that, on the 
 18th instant, I met Colonel Allen, with eighty or one hun- 
 dred men, who were proceeding to St. John's, with inten- 
 tion to make a stand there ; and not being able to dissuade 
 them from their rash purpose, I supplied them with pro- 
 visions, &ic. Yesterday he returned to Ticonderoga, with 
 his party, and says, that on the evening of the 18th he 
 arrived at St. John's, and hearing of a detachment of men 
 on the road from Montreal, lay in ambush for them ; but 
 his party being so much fatigued, when the detachment 
 were at about two miles distance, he thought proper to re- 
 treat, and crossed the lake at St. John's, where they con- 
 tinued the night, and at dawn of day were saluted with a 
 discharge of grape-shot from six field-pieces, and a dis- 
 charge of small arms from about two hundred Regulars. 
 They made a precipitate retreat, and left three men behind. 
 Immediately on this intelligence I proceeded for this place 
 with the sloop and schooner, as well armed as possible un- 
 der our circumstances, and eighty men, which, with the 
 party here before, makes near one hundred and fifty men, 
 with whom I am determined to make a stand here to secure 
 the cannon, &c. As the Regulars have got advice ot our 
 strength and movements, I am apprehensive of their paying 
 us a visit, provided they can get batteaus from Montreal to 
 St. John's. I shall make every possible preparation to give 
 them a warm reception. We have plenty of ball of every 
 kind, but have no more than one hundred and fifty pounds 
 of powder here. I have wrote repeatedly to Albany for 
 powder, and can get none. I must entreat you, gentlemen, 
 to send me four or five hundred weight as soon as possible. 
 Out of twenty-six barrels found here there is not one pound 
 good. 
 
 I am, with great esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 The Hon. General Assembly of Connecticut. 
 
 P. S. This will be delivered you, gentlemen, by Cap- 
 lain Phelps, who has been very serviceable here, whom I 
 must refer you to for particulars. Must beg leave to ob- 
 serve, I think it highly necessary for Connecticut to send 
 here immediately fifteen hundred men at least, with good 
 arms, ammunition, &c. 
 
 Gentlemen: Since writing the above, one of Colonel 
 Allen's party, taken at St. John's, made his escape on the 
 19th instant, and says there were then four hundred Regu- 
 lars at St. John's, making all possible preparation to cross 
 the lake, and expected to be joinod by a number of In- 
 dians, with a design of retaking these places, &tc. I have 
 sent to alarm the country for fifty miles below Skene* 4 
 borough, and fifty miles below Fort George, towards Al- 
 bany. The men from that distance will be sufficient for 
 the present, if we arc well supplied with powder. We are 
 making all possible preparation, and I hope, with the smiles 
 of Providence, to keep our ground, if not overpowered by 
 numbers. I am, gentlemen, yours, &.c, 
 
 B. Arnold. 
 
841 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 842 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO CAPTAIN NOAH LEE. 
 
 Crown Point, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I am this minute advised by one of Colonel Allen's 
 party, who was taken prisoner and made his escape from 
 St. John's on the 18th instant, that there were then arrived 
 at that place four hundred Regulars, and more expected, 
 besides the Indians, who were repairing the boats, with a 
 design to cross the lake, and, if possible, to retake Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga. It is my hearty desire that every 
 man within fifty miles of Skenesborough, who can be of 
 service, would immediately repair to Ticonderoga or Crown 
 Point, and bring all the powder that can be found, and as 
 many spades, pick-axes, and hoes, as they have. Let this 
 letter be forwarded down the country, that they may send 
 up provisions to supply the families of the upper Towns, 
 who are obliged to come forward this way. Let them bring 
 all the good arms they have. 
 
 Benedict Arnold, Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Captain Noah Lee. 
 
 P. S. We have only one hundred and fifty men here 
 and at Ticonderoga. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO THE COMMITTEE OF PALATINE 
 DISTRICT. 
 
 Committee-Chamber, Albany, May 23, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We received yours of the 21st instant, 
 and can assure you that we sympathise with you in your 
 distressed and distracted situation ; but at the same time 
 must rejoice to find you so warmly engaged amidst the op- 
 position you meet with, in the grand plan of operation gene- 
 rally, nay almost universally adopted through the Colonies, 
 for the preservation of our liberty, and security of our pro- 
 perty. Enclosed you have a copy of a letter we have 
 sent to Colonel Guy Johnson. We have sent also a Com- 
 mittee to join a Committee from Schenectady to wait upon 
 bin) to know the reasons of his military preparations, and 
 the source from whence those apprehensions he has from 
 an assault from the Neiv-England people arose ; an answer 
 to the speech of the Indian speech, (a copy of which you 
 have enclosed,) and an interpreter to translate it for him, 
 and to make the Indians sensible of the nature of the dis- 
 pute between the Mother Country and the Colonies. 
 
 You complain of a scarcity of ammunition amongst you. 
 We are very sorry that though there was a free communi- 
 cation between you and us, we have it not in our power at 
 present to afford you any assistance in that particular, as 
 the New-England people have carried off almost every 
 pound of powder that can be spared, though we under- 
 stand that the Committee of Schenectady have some ; but 
 be assured that we will afford you every assistance that is 
 in our power to give, and shall rejoice to walk hand in 
 hand with you in every thing that shall tend to your par- 
 ticular advantage in so critical a situation, and promote the 
 grand the general cause, which thousands of our neigh- 
 bouring brethren are strenuously supporting, at the expense 
 of their lives and estates. We cannot at present advise 
 you to force a direct communication between you and us, 
 as it may be attended with bad consequences, and perhaps 
 it may be effected without such a risk as you must run in 
 the attempt. 
 
 We have heard, several weeks ago, that Colonel Guy 
 Johnson had appointed last winter to have a general Con- 
 gress with the Indians this spring. We have wrote a letter 
 to the Reverend Samuel Kirldand, missionary among the 
 Oneida Indians, to use his influence with them to maintain 
 peace and harmony with the white people. 
 
 A Speech of the Mohawks to the Magistrates and Com- 
 mittee of the Town of Schenectady, and Mayor, Cor- 
 poration, and Committee of the City of Albany, &c, 
 delivered by Little Abraham : 
 
 Brothers : Our present situation is very disagreeable 
 and alarming, what we never expected ; therefore desire to 
 know what is designed by the reports that are spread amongst 
 us. We hear that companies and troops are coming from 
 one quarter to another, to molest us ; particularly, that a 
 large body are hourly expected from New-England to ap- 
 prehend and take away by violence our Superintendent 
 
 and extinguish our council fire ; for what reason we know 
 not. 
 
 Brothers : We desire you would inform us, if you know 
 of any such design on foot, whether by the New-England 
 people, or in your vicinity, and not deceive us in this mat- 
 ter, for the consequence will be important and extensive. 
 
 Brothers: We shall support and defend our Superin- 
 tendent, and not see our council fire extinguished. We 
 have no inclination or purpose of interfering in the dispute 
 between Old England and Boston ; the white people may 
 settle their own quarrels between themselves ; we shall 
 never meddle in those matters, or be the aggressors, if we 
 are let alone. We have, for a long time, lived in great 
 peace with one another, and we wish ever to continue so ; 
 but should our Superintendent be taken from us, we dread 
 the consequences: the whole Confederacy would resent it, 
 and all their allies; and as reports now are, we should not 
 know where to find our enemies ; the innocent might fall 
 with the guilt)'. We are so desirous of maintaining peace, 
 that we are unwilling the Six Nations should know the 
 bad reports spread amongst us, and threats given out. 
 
 Brothers: We desire you will satisfy us as to your 
 knowledge of the foundation of these reports, and what 
 your news is, and not deceive us in a matter of so much 
 importance. Abraham, Chief. 
 
 [Interpreted by Samuel Kirldand, Missionary, May 20, 
 1775.] 
 
 An Answer to a Speech of Little Abraham, a Mohawk, to 
 the Magistrates and Committee of the Town of Schenec- 
 tady, and Mayor, Corporation, and Committee of the 
 City of Albany: 
 
 Brothers: We are sorry that any reports spread 
 amongst you should alarm you or make you uneasy. We 
 know of no troops or companies coming from any quarter 
 to molest you, or to apprehend and take away by violence 
 your Superintendent, or extinguish your council fire. We 
 have not heard, nor do we know, the New-England, people 
 ever intended to molest you or your Superintendent ; nor 
 do we believe it ; for they are our friends, and they are 
 your friends, and will do neither of us injury. 
 
 Brothers : We cannot, however, pass over in silence 
 what probably may have given rise to such reports. We 
 understand that two persons passing on their own business, 
 were detained by jour Superintendent, they being Hew- 
 England men, which is against our laws ; perhaps this may 
 have occasioned the report. 
 
 Brothers : We are extremely well satisfied to learn that 
 you have no inclination or purpose to interfere in the dis- 
 pute between Old England and America, for you must 
 not understand that it is with Boston alone ; it is between 
 Old England and all her Colonies ; the people here are 
 oppressed by Old England, and she sends over Troops 
 among us to destroy us ; this is the reason our people are 
 all in alarm to defend themselves. They intend no hostilities 
 against you ; do you continue peaceable, and you need 
 apprehend no danger ; it is a dispute wherein you have 
 nothing to do ; don't you disturb any of our people, and 
 depend upon it they will leave you in peace. 
 
 Brothers: As we have always lived in strict friendship, 
 so we mean to continue to live in peace, not only with our 
 brethren, the Mohawks, but all the Six Nations, for which 
 reason we desire our brethren to give ear to no reports that 
 may prevail. You can at any time satisfy yourselves more 
 fully, if you choose to send down to us one or more of your 
 Nation, any of whom we shall always be glad to see, to 
 talk with them on these affairs. 
 
 Answer of the Mohawks to the Speech of the Magis- 
 trates, &c, of Albany and Schenectady. 
 
 Guy Park, May 25, 1775. 
 Present : Gysbert Marselis, Peter P. Schuyler, John 
 Visher, John Roseboom, Chris. Yates, of the Committee. 
 Colonel Johnson, Superintendent, Colonel Daniel Claus. 
 William Allen, Esquire, of Philadelphia, with several 
 other gentlemen. 
 
 Abraham, Chief of the Mohawks, Speaker. 
 Brothers : We are glad to meet you here at this our 
 fire-place, where we meet to transact business. You are 
 
843 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 844 
 
 our old friends, and we heard you came now to answer our 
 speech. We have attended to your answer, and now ac- 
 quaint you that the reports we had rendered it necessary to 
 send you such a speech, to prevent the dangerous conse- 
 quences that might ensue. 
 
 We are extremely glad to hear your speech, which is 
 very peaceable, and it gives us pleasure, because we would 
 not willingly quarrel with a people with whom we have 
 been so long at peace ; and this must have happened, if 
 the news we heard had been true ; for we have but one 
 head, and that is Colonel Johnson, our Superintendent. 
 We heard that there were designs against him, and we must 
 protect him ; we cannot do without him ; so that if there 
 are no designs against him, we shall be easy in our minds ; 
 for though we have long heard of disputes between the 
 English and the people here, we do not think proper to 
 interfere. 
 
 You all know that during Sir William Johnson's life- 
 time, and since, we have been peaceably disposed ; but we 
 were greatly alarmed at the report of a design against Col- 
 onel Johnson; for he is our property, and we shall not part 
 with him. We desire you will hearken to us, and that you 
 will believe we speak our minds. We likewise hope you 
 are sincere. But one thing alarms us much, and we hope 
 it is not true. There was a report that you have stopped 
 some powder ; you know we get this and other things from 
 our Superintendent ; and we are hunters, and must have 
 powder. If we lived as you do, it would not have been 
 so great a loss ; but we must have ammunition, and if it is 
 stopped, we shall have reason to doubt your sincerity, and 
 to suspect that you do not regard us or our words. We 
 have both given fair assurances, and hope no doubt remains 
 between us, otherwise it might be bad. We are pleased 
 to hear you say that you are willing to communicate freely 
 with us ; this we like, and this is the place where we do 
 business ; we will at all times listen to whoever you send 
 here, in the presence of our Superintendent. This is the 
 truth, brothers, and agreeable to the customs of our ances- 
 tors, which we shall follow. 
 
 The gentlemen of the Committee, after retiring for some 
 little time, returned and gave the following Answer: 
 
 Brothers : We are very glad to hear you speak, and 
 hear you confirm the old friendship of our forefathers, which 
 we intend to abide by, and thank you for the same. 
 
 Brothers : The reports you have heard of in regard to 
 the powder, we also hope to be false, and assure you that 
 we shall acquaint, on our return, our old and wise men 
 about the same, and do our endeavours to prevent any such 
 things for the future ; and you may depend upon it, that 
 whenever we have any business with you, that we shall 
 apply here at your council fire, where we hope to meet 
 you in the presence of your Superintendent ; and that we 
 shall always keep the communication free and open as is 
 usual. 
 
 To which the Mohawk answered : 
 
 Brothers : We are glad both our speeches are so 
 agreeable, and hope that you are not surprised to hear us 
 say we cannot spare Colonel Johnson ; for besides his being 
 our Superintendent, the love we have for the memory of 
 Sir William Johnson, and the obligations the whole Six 
 Nations are under to him, must make us regard and pro- 
 tect every branch of his family, whom we include in our 
 speech. 
 
 We now find there have been several false reports on 
 both sides ; we hope that concerning the powder is one of 
 them ; we shall therefore explain the same truly to the rest 
 of our Confederacy, and we expect that you will, on your 
 part, explain the truth immediately to all the white people 
 east and west, as we mean to do the same among the In- 
 dians. 
 
 COMMITTEE FROM CONNECTICUT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, May 24, 1775. 
 Sir : The House of Representatives of the Colony 
 of Connecticut have appointed us a Committee on their 
 behalf to wait on the " Provincial Convention of this Prov- 
 ince, in order to procure intelligence of the measures 
 that may be adopted by said Convention, respecting the 
 common cause of the British Colonies ; to communicate 
 
 a true state of the measures taken by said Colony ; and 
 to cultivate the friendship and harmony which subsists be- 
 tween this Province and that Colony :" we therefore take 
 the liberty, through you, to communicate the business of 
 our appointment to the Provincial Convention of this Prov- 
 ince, and to inform them that we are at Mrs. Blau's, op- 
 posite the Exchange, and should esteem it a favour to be 
 furnished from time to time with accounts of the steps taken 
 by the Convention, " that respect the general cause of the 
 British Colonies ;" and that we are ready, on our part, " to 
 communicate a true state of the measures adopted by the 
 Colony of Connecticut," and to use all means in our 
 power " to cultivate and improve the friendship subsisting 
 between this Province and said Colony." 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Nathaniel Wales, 
 Thaddetjs Burr, 
 Pierpont Edwards. 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I enclose you the Resolves of the Continental 
 Congress respecting the measures they conceive more im- 
 mediately necessary for the defence and safety of your 
 City and Province, and which, it is expected, will be car- 
 ried into execution with all possible despatch, and with as 
 much secresy, as to the particular operations intended, as 
 the nature of the service will possibly admit of. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress New- York. 
 
 In Congress, May 25, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and forti- 
 fied at or near King's Bridge, in the Colony of New- York ; 
 that the ground be chosen with a particular view to pre- 
 vent the communication between the City of New-York 
 and the country from being interrupted by land. 
 
 2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the High- 
 lands on each side of Hudson's River, and Batteries erect- 
 ed in such manner as will most effectually prevent any 
 vessels passing, that may be sent to harass the inhabitants 
 on the border of said river ; and that experienced persons 
 be immediately sent to examine said river, in order to dis- 
 cover where it will be most advisable and proper to obstruct 
 the navigation. 
 
 3. That the Militia of New-York be armed and trained, 
 and in constant readiness to act at a moment's warning, 
 and that a number of men be immediately embodied and 
 kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give protection 
 to the inhabitants in case any insult should be offered 
 by the Troops that may land there, and to prevent any 
 attempts that may be made to gain possession of the City, 
 and interrupt its intercourse with the country. 
 
 4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy 
 the several Posts above mentioned, and also that already 
 recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well 
 as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed 
 the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by 
 such officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and 
 regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until 
 further order is taken by this Congress ; provided also, 
 that if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion 
 that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the 
 several services above recommended, that the said Con- 
 gress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Con- 
 gress as soon as may be. 
 
 5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial Con- 
 gress, that, in raising those forces, they allow no bounties or 
 clothing, and that their pay shall not exceed the establish- 
 ment of the New- England Colonies. 
 
 6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial 
 Congress aforesaid, that the Troops be enlisted to serve 
 until the last day of December next, unless this Congress 
 shall direct that they be sooner disbanded. 
 
 7. That it be recommended to the Congress aforesaid 
 to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their 
 
845 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 840 
 
 defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earnest endea- 
 vours of the Congress to accommodate the unhappy dif- 
 ferences between Great Britain and the Colonies, by con- 
 ciliatory measures, will be successful. 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 CONGRESS OF NEW-JERSEY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, NewJersey, Trenton, > 
 May 26, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen: We, the Deputies appointed by the inha- 
 bitants of this Province, to meet in Provincial Congress, 
 are now convened here for the purpose of pursuing such 
 measures as may be thought expedient in the present un- 
 happy situation to which the Colonies are reduced, and 
 which the peculiar exigencies of the times may require. 
 As nothing can tend more to ensure success to the steps 
 that may at this critical juncture be adopted by the several 
 Provinces, than a uniform plan of conduct, we conceived 
 it necessary to look up to the Continental Congress for 
 their advice and direction, which we have accordingly 
 applied for, and hope soon to receive. We also think of 
 consequence, that a correspondence should be established 
 with you, and our other sister Colonies, and a free com- 
 munication be had from time to time of such measures as 
 may be judged most conducive to the interest of the com- 
 mon cause ; and request that we may be favoured with 
 such intelligence as may occur to you worthy of atlention, 
 and of which our situation may probably deprive us. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 
 Hendrick Fisher, President. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New-York. 
 
 SAMUEL TUDER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York. 
 
 The Petition of Samuel Tuder, Captain, and the other 
 Officers of the Independent Company of Artillery in 
 the City of New-York, humbly sheweth: 
 That they have made considerable progress in forming, 
 training and exercising the said company ; and natter them- 
 selves that, if properly supplied, they may, at this critical 
 period prove of signal service to the Province. There are 
 no carriages for even such cannon as they have pitched 
 on to use until brass field-pieces be provided. Quite des- 
 titute of ammunition, and the necessary apparatus, they 
 cannot exert themselves with that effect for the defence of 
 the Colony, which they are emulous of contributing to. 
 They therefore pray you will take the matter into consi- 
 deration, and grant such relief in the premises as you in 
 your wisdom shall think fit. Samuel Tuder, 
 
 In behalf of the Independent Company of Artillery . 
 New-York, May 26, 1775. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELE- 
 GATES IN THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, May 26, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Upon considering the present state of 
 these Colonies, it naturally occured to this Congress that 
 an uncommon levy of money will soon be necessary for 
 Continental service, and that therefore an universal paper 
 currency may probably become the subject of consider- 
 ation in your respectable body. To this scheme it may 
 naturally be objected, that it will be imprudent in one Col- 
 ony to interpose its credit for the others. On the other 
 hand, it is clearly impossible to raise any sum adequate to 
 the service, by tax ; and the necessary intercourse of ex- 
 penditures throughout the Colonies will be obstructed by 
 separate emissions on the respective credits of the several 
 Colonies, which cannot, in their nature, gain universal cir- 
 culation. We have this important subject under serious 
 deliberation, and are still at a loss for the best expedient 
 most effectually to answer the purpose. We have there- 
 fore appointed a Committee of our body to give it their 
 closest attention, and to report their opinion to us with all 
 possible despatch ; the result of which and our final re- 
 solution thereon, we shall communicate to you without loss 
 of time. In the mean time, should this matter be now in 
 contemplation in the Continental Congress, we earnestly 
 
 request that its determination may be so postponed as to 
 furnish an opportunity of acquainting you with our more 
 mature sentiments on this most important point. 
 
 We beg leave, through our Delegates, to inform the 
 grand representative body of the Continent, that we have, 
 in the best manner in our power, executed their order to 
 the Committee of New-York and Albany, respecting the 
 Post at Ticonderoga, and for further satisfaction, inclose 
 copies of our proceedings on that subject. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most 
 obedient humble servants. 
 
 EXTRACTS OF INTERCEPTED LETTERS, ENCLOSED IN A 
 LETTER FROM THE ALBANY COMMITTEE TO PROVINCIAL 
 CONGRESS OF NEW-YORK, DATED MAY 26, 1775. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Lieutenant George Cupbarge, 
 of the Twenty-Sixth Regiment, to Mr. Cupbarge, at 
 Belleville, in Ireland, dated at Montreal, 1st of 
 May, 1775. 
 
 " I am apt to think our Regiment will be sent very soon 
 to serve against the rebellious New-England 'ers." 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Randle Meredith, dated 
 Montreal, 2d May, 1775, to Mr. John Rowe, Mer- 
 chant in Boston. 
 
 " I am sorry to find the Government intend to put their 
 detestable measures in execution. God only knows the 
 event. I feel for your situation, but yet have some faint 
 hopes a plan of reconciliation may be adopted before blood 
 is spilt. The English in this country are in a deplorable 
 situation, being deprived of all their liberties and privileges, 
 and are afraid to speak or act relative to publick affairs. 
 Our brethren below must pity us, and our only hopes are, 
 that if Providence ordains that they succeed in their just 
 demands, they will then exert themselves to obtain redress 
 for us, our wills being good, but dare not act, being few in 
 number, and our little attempts have been treated with dis- 
 dain by the tools of power at home." 
 
 An anonymous Letter to Mr. Gomus, at .Boston, dated 
 
 Caldwell Place, 26th April, 1775. 
 
 " There is a passage, that the Governour's Commission 
 was read on Monday, and that he has power to raise a 
 Canadian Regiment, and send it where he pleases." 
 
 Extract of a Letter dated Quebeck, April 21th, 1775, 
 from John McCord to Lieutenant James Pettegrew, 
 of the Tenth Regiment. 
 
 " We are impatient for the Packet ; there are rumours 
 here of bad news ; have heavy fears for our friends at Bos- 
 ton on both sides the question. I pray God to grant peace 
 on almost any terms. The blood of British subjects is very 
 precious ; would gladly hope a method will still be found 
 out to prevent the spilling of any." 
 
 ABRAHAM LOTT TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Mr. Lott having received an order from the Purser of 
 His Majesty's Ship Asia to supply the said ship with sun- 
 dry provisions, takes the liberty herewith to hand the same, 
 and to request the favour, that the Honourable Congress 
 will be pleased to signify their opinion, whether the order 
 shall be complied with, and whether he shall be at liberty 
 to supply the said ship with such other provisions as she 
 may from time to time have occasion for, for her own use, 
 during her stay in this Colony. 
 
 City of New-York, May 27, 1775. 
 To the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 27, A. D. 1775. 
 Gentlemen : The General Assembly of this Colony, 
 now sitting in this place, having received intelligence of 
 the imminent danger of the people at Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, by reason of a threatened attack from the 
 Province of Quebeck, in a letter from Colonel Arnold, 
 who, at present, commands there, of the 23d instant, a 
 copy of which we send you enclosed, which may deprive 
 the Colonies of those important posts, before the resolve 
 of the Continental Congress respecting them could be car- 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, MAY, 1775. 848 
 
 847 
 
 ried into execution in your Province ; have, from the press- 
 ing and urgent necessity of the case, given orders that 
 five hundred pounds of powder should be sent there, and 
 that four companies of one hundred men each should march 
 immediately for support and defence of the men there, and 
 for the security and defence of the artillery and stores there, 
 until they may be removed and secured agreeable to the 
 resolve of the Continental Congress, or until relieved by 
 your Province. 
 
 This Assembly acquiesce in the resolve of Congress, 
 that puts the said fortresses under the direction of the 
 Province of New- York ; and in the steps they have now 
 taken, would by no means be considered as invading the 
 Province, or intermeddling with the service entrusted to the 
 Province of New- York ; but, as they first had the intelli- 
 gence of their danger, and had Troops ready which might 
 be spared for the present, they thought it their duty to pro- 
 vide against the present danger until you might be advised 
 of their situation, and take such measures as your wisdom 
 and prudence shall suggest for their safety and defence. 
 
 1 am, in behalf of the General Assembly of Connecticut, 
 with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 and humble servant, Jonathan Tkumbull. 
 
 The Honourable Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Your favour of the 25th instant, May, 
 came safe per Mr. Brown. This Assembly have entered 
 into the consideration of its contents, and have come into 
 the following resolutions in consequence thereof: 
 
 That one thousand men, (including those four compa- 
 nies which were before sent forward,) under command of 
 Colonel Benjamin Hinman, march as soon as possible to 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, for the support and de- 
 fence of those fortresses ; and that they there continue till 
 they are relieved by the Province of New- York, or are 
 otherwise ordered by this Assembly. That Colonel Hin- 
 man take the command of our troops destined to those 
 stations. That the troops be furnished with one pound of 
 powder and three pounds of bullets to each soldier. That 
 Colonel Hinman be ordered to keep up the strictest vigi- 
 lance to prevent any hostile incursion from being made 
 into the settlements of the Province of Qiiebeck ; and that 
 the Provincial Congresses of New-York and Massachu- 
 setts-Bay be advised of these measures, and the Neiv- 
 York Congress be requested to forward the necessary sup- 
 plies for said troops, and such further supplies of ammuni- 
 tion as they shall judge necessary. 
 
 The above transactions will manifest the readiness with 
 which this Assembly have complied with your desires. I 
 am, with great truth and regard, in behalf of the Govern- 
 our and Company of Connecticut, gentlemen, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New-York. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO NEW-yORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, May 39, 1775. 
 
 Memorandum of Men, &fc, wanted for the ensuing sum- 
 mer, viz: 1200 men, including B. Arnold's Regiment of 
 400 men : 100 men of the train of artillery : 10 caulkers : 
 25 ship-carpenters : 2 gun-smiths : 2 surgeons, and their 
 mates : 20 men for ten teams : 20 masons and black- 
 smiths : 25 house-carpenters — the latter may doubtless be 
 found among the privates who enlist, except the master 
 workmen : 100 tents, with proper equipage: 600 hatchets : 
 100 narrow axes: 50 broad axes: 50 pickaxes: 200 spades: 
 200 wooden shovels, shod: 50 hoes : 100 camp kettles : 
 200 wooden canteens : arms, blankets, &c, for the men. 
 
 I observe the Committee of New- York intend forwarding 
 a number of articles, for which reason I have omitted them. 
 
 Sundry necessaries for transporting the Cannon over Lake 
 George, viz : 
 To be built on Lake George, 2 flat-bottom boats, forty 
 feet long, twelve wide, and four deep, with strong knees, 
 well timbered, and of four-inch oak plank — these may 
 be built at Sparden's, where there is timber and a saw 
 
 mill handy : 1 flat-bottom boat, of same size and construc- 
 tion, to go between Ticonderoga and the Landing, or Lake 
 Champlain: 4 gins, the triangles fifteen feet long — the 
 wood may be procured here : 8 falls for the gins, of three 
 and a half inch white rope, made of the best hemp : 1 
 coil two and a half inch rope, 1 coil two inch rope, 1 coil 
 one and a half inch rope, 100 fathoms each : 4 pieces 
 raven duck: 10 barrels pitch: 4 barrels tar: 500 pounds 
 oakum: 40 pounds sewing twine: 10 dozen sail and roll 
 rope needles : 1 dozen palms : 3 seines, thirty fathoms long, 
 capped twelve feet and arms six feet deep, made of large 
 twine, the meshes one and a half inches wide, which will 
 probably supply the Army with fish, as they are very 
 plenty and good : 1 barrel twenty penny nails : I barrel 
 ten penny nails : 1 barrel four penny nails : 2 dozen nail 
 hammers, with other necessary tools for the house and 
 ship carpenters — iron may be supplied from Skenes- 
 borough ; steel will be wanted — 4 pair strong wheels, 
 wanted between Lakes George and Champlain, that will 
 carry three tons weight : 4 pair strong wheels wanted at 
 Fort George. 
 
 N. B. Common cart wheels will answer (if good) for 
 most of the small cannon : there will probably be wanted 
 at Fort George, 10 good teams of four yoke of oxen each, 
 to bring up provisions, fcc, and take such cannon and 
 mortars to Albany as may be wanted by our Army at New- 
 York or Cambridge : 8 yoke of good oxen will be want- 
 ed at Ticonderoga — these may probably be procured in 
 the neighbourhood, of which Colonel Webb may inform 
 himself. Benedict Arnold, 
 
 Colonel and CommdH at Ticonderoga, fyc. 
 
 Secretary of State's Office, Whitehall, May 30, 1775. 
 
 A report having been spread, and an account having 
 been printed and published, of a skirmish between some of 
 the people in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay and a 
 detachment of his Majesty's troops, it is proper to inform 
 the publick, that no advices have as yet been received in 
 the American Department of any such event. 
 
 There is reason to believe that there are despatches 
 from General Gage on board the Sukey, Captain Brown, 
 which, though she sailed four days before the vessel that 
 brought the printed accounts, is not yet arrived.* 
 
 LETTER FROM ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 London, Tuesday, May 30, 1775. 
 As a doubt of the authenticity of the account from Sa- 
 lem, touching an engagement between the King's Troops 
 and the Provincials in the Massachusetts-Bay , may arise 
 
 * London, June 1, 1775. — The publick are requested to attend one 
 moment to the conduct of Ministry, and they will forever detest their 
 duplicity. A massacre is attempted by the King's mercenaries in 
 America; the peaceable inhabitants of the Town of Concord are 
 wantonly fired on, and many are inhumanly murdered. Ministr}', 
 unable to contest the proofs adduced in confirmation of this infamous 
 transaction, caused the foregoing paragraph to bo inserted in the Ga. 
 zette. 
 
 To what does this shuffling State production amount ? Is the Ame. 
 rican massacre less true because no accounts of it have been received 
 at the- Secretary's Office ? Is this a time to talk of departments, when 
 human blood, when the blood of our brethren is poured out like water 
 by a detachment of his Majesty's troops ? Are we to pay attention to 
 trivial formalities, when the sword is drawn, and the hands of the 
 King's troops are uplifted to cut the throats of our brethren ? Is 
 this a time to talk of the routine of office ? If the news received, 
 of a detachment of his Majesty's troops having glutted themselves 
 with blood, if this news is untrue, why do Ministry not contradict it ? 
 And, if it be true, what have they to say? Shall we adopt their lan. 
 guage, and call a bloody massacre a trifling skirmish ? Or are we 
 not to believe that cither massacre or skirmish hath happened, be- 
 cause the American Department hath not as yet received thoso advices 
 from General Gage which are on board the Sukey ? The matter of fact 
 is, that Ministry are so confounded at the arrival of the news, that it 
 will require some time before they can furbish up their account of th« 
 matter. Bronzed as they are, and now all over besprinkled with the blood 
 of our brethren, it still requires some tiino before facts can be falsified, 
 or tho truth wholly explained away. The Court Gazette may talk of 
 advices on board the Sukei/, (which will never arrive,) but there are 
 better advices which have arrived, wherein it is incontestably prove<l 
 that the King's troops have pillaged tho houses, set fire to tho stores, 
 and slaughtered the inhabitants of the Town of Concord. That a de. 
 tachment of his Majesty's regular troops, after a commission of these 
 crimes, should be forced to run away and shelter under the guns of a 
 man-of-war, was rather an unfortunate circumstance. If a wish re- 
 mains to be accomplished, it is, that in case a similar massacre should 
 be altemptrd, an English man-of-war may not bo disgraced by afford- 
 ing protection to a banditti who are enlisted into his Majesty's service 
 for other purposes than that of butchering his subjects. 
 
849 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 850 
 
 from a paragraph in the Gazette of this evening, I desire 
 to inform all those who wish to see the original affidavits 
 which confirm that account, that they are deposited at the 
 Mansion House, with the Right Honourable the Lord 
 Mayor, for their inspection. Arthur Lee, 
 
 Agent for the House of Representatives of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 JAMES E ASTON TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY, AND COUNCIL OF WAR, IN CAMBRIDGE AND 
 WATERTOWN, MASS. 
 
 Pittsfield, May 30, 1775. 
 May it please your Honours : When I arrived ex- 
 press from Ticonderoga to the honourable Provincial 
 Congress and Committee of Safety at Watcrtoxm and 
 Cambridge, I represented to those two honourable Boards 
 that the reduction of that important fortress had took its 
 rise in the General Court of the Colony of Connecticut, as 
 it was also mentioned in the letter from Captain Mott to 
 those two honourable Boards aforesaid ; upon which the 
 Congress passed a resolve, and the President of the Con- 
 gress was ordered to write to the said General Assembly, 
 desiring them to garrison and fortify those late acquisitions, 
 and also to bring down some of the cannon to our head 
 quarters at Cambridge. When I arrived at the Assem- 
 bly and delivered the letter to the Governour, his Honour 
 told me that the Assembly had not, as an Assembly, taken 
 the matter up, but that it had its origin in private persons 
 belonging to the Assembly. However, it was immediately 
 attended to, and a Committee of both Houses was appoint- 
 ed to take the matter under consideration, and did so, but 
 did not report till Captain Mott came from the Continental 
 Congress with the approbation of that honourable body in 
 the taking and maintaining the fortress aforesaid. The 
 Council have detained me till farther intelligence can be 
 had from the Congress at Neiv-York, and Mr. Shephard 
 is sent in my stead. 1 am, however, sent on my way with 
 all haste for Ticonderoga, without receiving said intelli- 
 gence, on account of the great danger that fortress is in of 
 being besieged in a short time. By order of the aforesaid 
 Assembly, I have sent forward five hundred pounds of 
 powder under a proper guard, and shall this day hasten 
 after it with all expedition. 
 
 I expect no provision from Connecticut will be made for 
 me and the men that were with me from this Province at 
 the taking of said fort, which were about fifty, and about 
 one hundred who have gone as a re-enforcement, except the 
 paying them till about this time. Though Connecticut 
 will raise men, and assist in the defence of that fortress, yet 
 they expect that our Congress will properly officer and or- 
 ganize the men they send, and also pay them. 
 
 It is a o reed on all hands the fortress must be maintain- 
 ed, as it is of infinite importance to the general cause. I 
 have no doubt but very violent attempts will soon be made 
 to wrest it out of our hands. As I have about one hundred 
 and fifty men now at that fort, and shall be able to fill up a 
 Regiment in a few days' time, I would just hint to your 
 Honours, that I should be willing to serve my Country in 
 the capacity I stand in at home, as head of a Regiment 
 on this northern expedition. Should you see fit to gratify 
 me with the command of a Regiment for the fortifying and 
 garrisoning said fortress, you may depend on my most 
 faithful exertions to defend it to the last extremity, against 
 the whole weight of Canada, and most punctual observance 
 of all your orders. And I shall be ready to make such 
 farther acquisitions as shall be in my power, consistent 
 with wisdom and prudence, for the safety of what are al- 
 ready made, that you in your wisdom shall direct. 
 
 As to other regimental officers, Capt. Israel Dickenson 
 and John Brown, Esq., have distinguished themselves very 
 highly, both in council and action, and in my humble opinion 
 are well qualified to command in the field. In a word, gen- 
 tlemen, what is now wanted is, that you put that fortress into 
 the best posture of defence, in conjunction with Connecti- 
 cut ; that you properly officer one or more Regiments, as 
 there must be order and command in all armies ; that you 
 nominate a Commander-in-Chief, and forward pay with all 
 expedition. I hope to receive an answer to this without 
 any unnecessary delay. Should you see fit to appoint a 
 Chaplain to attend us, I recommend to you the Reverend 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. I 
 
 Thomas Allen, of this place, as a suitable person, who is 
 well known to General Pomeroy. I am, gentlemen, your 
 humble servant, James Easton. 
 
 To the honourable Provincial Congress at fVatertovm, and 
 the honourable Committee of Safety at Cambridge. 
 
 N. B. It is necessary that provisions for the Troops be 
 provided immediately, and also a number of military laws 
 lately made by the Congress. J. E. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 30, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We received your favour of the 26th in- 
 stant, and have the pleasure of informing you that the 
 manner in which you have executed your trust was very 
 acceptable to the Congress, to whom we communicated it. 
 We shall pay a particular attention to what you say on the 
 subject of a paper currency, since we are well apprized 
 both of its difficulty and importance ; and we wish you to be 
 speedy in your determinations upon it, as it may throw 
 some light upon the subject that we may otherwise want. 
 You see by the order of the Congress heretofore sent you, 
 that they have trusted to your prudence the appointment 
 of officers. As we have the pleasure to hear that the prin- 
 cipal people in every County have stepped forth on this 
 important occasion, we make no doubt that they will con- 
 tinue the same conduct, and not refuse to accept those 
 commands which we imagine you will see the propriety of 
 placing in no other hands, both on account of the influence 
 they will have among yourselves, and the effect it may 
 probably have in England. If, gentlemen, there is any 
 thing that you may think serviceable to you, either on the 
 subject of the above resolves, or any other, you will oblige 
 us by a free communication of your thoughts upon the 
 same, to which, you may be persuaded, we will pay the 
 greatest deference. We would just hint, that if there are 
 any Counties in which no Committees have been chosen, 
 as we are informed there are, that it would be proper to 
 recommend that they be immediately elected, as the num- 
 bers interested will give strength to the cause. We observe 
 that Tryon County has not sent Deputies to your Conven- 
 tion, and would submit it to your consideration, whether it 
 would not be proper to send them a message, suggesting 
 the inconvenience attending such conduct, and the necessity 
 it will lay you under of breaking off all connexion with 
 them. 
 
 We should be glad to have a particular account from 
 you of any measures that you may have taken to establish 
 Port Beder. And are, gentlemen, with great respect, 
 your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jas. Duane, Lewis Morris, 
 John Alsop, Robt. Livingston, Jun. 
 Geo. Clinton, Phil. Livingston. 
 To the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Hartford, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the 27th inst., by express, 
 came safe to hand ; the contents have been duly considered, 
 and in reply have the pleasure to acquaint you that we had 
 before received the resolve of the Congress of New- York, 
 with their request to send forward some forces to the north- 
 ward, to keep those important posts, until such time as 
 they might be relieved by Troops from your Colony. We 
 have accordingly ordered one thousand Troops, under 
 command of Colonel Hinman, to march immediately to 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, furnished with one pound 
 of powder and three pounds of ball to each soldier, to con- 
 tinue there until relieved by the Province of New-York, 
 or are otherwise ordered ; also, sent forward, under the care 
 of Colonel Easton, of Pittsfield, five hundred weight of 
 powder for those fortresses, and forwarded advice of our 
 doings to the Provincial Congresses, both at Massachusetts 
 and New-York, just before the receipt of your letter, 
 which renders it unnecessary your express should go for- 
 ward to the Congress at Massachusetts-Bay. Colonel 
 Hinman is directed to exercise the greatest vigilance that 
 no incursions be made into the Province of Quebeck, to 
 disturb the inhabitants there. It is hoped that the Provin- 
 cial Congress at New-York will forward supplies of provi- 
 
851 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 852 
 
 sions, and whatever may be thought necessary; and that 
 the people in your Province, who are under the best ad- 
 vantage, from their situation, will spare no endeavours that 
 may be beneficial to preserve peace and harmony with the 
 Indians, and prevent their taking part against us, but rather 
 that they take part for the security of the liberties of these 
 Colonies, whereon their own happiness so much depends. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, in behalf of the Gov- 
 ernour and Company of the Colony of Connecticut, gentle- 
 men, your obedient and humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Thumbull. 
 
 Sam' I Stringer, Esq., Chairman of Committee at Albany. 
 
 JONATHAN PARSONS, JUN., TO THE NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 St. John's, Newfoundland, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As liberty is the blessing, and ought to be 
 the care of all men, I need no other apology for this letter, 
 than to acquaint you I am an American, of Newburyport, 
 New -England. On my arrival here, the 19th instant, 
 from the Mediterranean, I was informed of the care you 
 had taken with regard to the exportation of bread and flour 
 to this Island, especially in the instance of Capt. Taverner, 
 commander of a ship belonging to Isaac and Benjamin 
 Lester, of Pool, in England, and loaded by T. Beach, of 
 New- York; which Lesters are noted enemies to American 
 liberty, as appears by the petition of the Town of Pool 
 for an exclusive right to the fishery on the Banks of New- 
 foundland, &tc, of which petition 1 am informed they were 
 the principal promoters, the contents of which you have 
 undoubtedly seen. I am able to inform you that, notwith- 
 standing your care relative to said ship, she arrived the 
 24th instant at Trinity, in this Island; and the necessities 
 of the people here for bread and flour are so great, that I 
 doubt not you will have numbers of vessels on your coast, 
 under various pretexts, to get bread and flour to supply 
 them. They are now at their wits end to find means to 
 acquire the necessaries of life; yet such is their inveterate 
 enmity against the Americans, that they cannot help breath- 
 ing out their malice at every opportunity, where their 
 interest is not immediately affected. Last Saturday a 
 schooner arrived here, belonging to Salem, in New-Eng- 
 land, from a fishing voyage ; the merchants immediately 
 sent the crier through the Town, to notify a meeting at 
 seven that evening, which was adjourned to Sunday, to 
 consult on the mailer. It seems they were in hopes to get 
 some hold of her from some Acts of Parliament relative to 
 the regulation of the fishery in this Island, but finding their 
 expectations fail them, that they could not get her seized, 
 nor prevent an entry, they mustered their forces, seized 
 upon and sent her to sea; and what is more surprising to 
 me is, (if I am rightly informed,) that upon a promise of 
 indemnification, they obtained an order from the Judge of the 
 Admiralty for this extraordinary procedure, and that after 
 her being admitted to a legal entry in the Custom-House. 
 
 This, gentlemen, is the breath they breathe, and this 
 conduct is but the overflowing of that inveterate enmity 
 they have imbibed at the Americans, for their defending 
 that Constitution by which the throne is established, and 
 the rights of the people secured ; I say the overflowing, 
 because they cannot live without you, and are under the 
 greatest obligations to keep their enmity smothered as 
 much as possible. If they are denied bread and flour from 
 the Southern American Governments, the Newfoundland 
 fishery must break up. Canada is too uncertain to depend 
 on for any supplies; that Country, with which I am ac- 
 quainted, is mostly low, and altogether clay land. If the 
 season is good, they generally have great crops; but if they 
 have too much or too little rain, they must have supplies 
 from abroad, or starve themselves : this the people here are 
 sensible of, and are trying all methods they can to obtain 
 present supplies from the Southern Governments, as they 
 have no intelligence how Canada may be stocked at pre- 
 sent. Would it not be surprising to see men breathing out 
 slaughter and death at the Americans, petitioning the Con- 
 tinental Congress to supply them with bread and flour ; and 
 pleading their not joining with the Pool men in the petition 
 abovementioned, as a reason why the prayer of their peti- 
 tion should be granted? Yet such I expect will be the 
 case, if the Canada market fails them, and the Govern- 
 ments to the southward are vigilant to watch the motions 
 
 of those vessels which make excursions to obtain bread and 
 flour by delusive evasions, many of which I expect will 
 soon make the experiment. However, gentlemen, though 
 I have already been drawn to a greater length than I at 
 first intended, I must, in faithfulness to several gentlemen, 
 beg your indulgence a little longer. Messrs. Robert and 
 Benjamin Jenkins have at all times publickly declared 
 their fixed determination to do nothing to the prejudice of 
 the American cause. Mr. Robert Bulley is also our stead- 
 fast friend, and I doubt not but we have many more in this 
 Town and Island ; but as I never saw this Island till a few 
 days past, I cannot give you their names. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with sentiments of esteem, your and 
 our Country's friend and humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Parsons, Ji n. 
 To the Committee of Safety for the City of New- York. 
 
 P. S. If you judge the above representation deserves 
 your attention, 1 would gladly contribute to remove the 
 difficulty you must labour under, by not being able to place 
 any confidence in the testimony of a stranger; must, there- 
 fore, in that case, beg the favour of your writing a letter, 
 directed to the Honourable Benjamin Greenleaf, Esquire, 
 at Newburyport, New-England, to be communicated to the 
 Committee of Safety for that place, whose joint testimony 
 will doubtless set my character in its true light. An}' use 
 may be made of the above which may tend to promote the 
 publick good. Yours, as above, 
 
 J. Parsons, Jln. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR SALEM. 
 
 Salem, May 30, 1775. 
 Whereas, we the subscribers, did some time since sign an 
 Address to Governour Hutchinson, which though prompt- 
 ed to by the best intentions, has, nevertheless, given great 
 offence to our Country ; we do now declare that we were 
 so far from designing by that action to show our acqui- 
 escence in those acts of Parliament so universally and justly 
 odious to all America, that, on the contrary, we hoped we 
 might in that way contribute to their repeal, though now, 
 to our sorrow, we find ourselves mistaken. And we do 
 now further declare, that we never intended the offence 
 which this Address has occasioned ; that if we had foreseen 
 such an event we should never have signed it ; as it always 
 has been, and now is, our wish to live in harmony with our 
 neighbours, and our serious determination to promote, to the 
 utmost of our power, the liberty, the welfare, and happi- 
 ness of our Country, which is inseparably connected with 
 our own. 
 
 John Nutting, Francis Cabot, 
 
 N. Goodale, N. Sparhawk, 
 
 Andrew Dalgleish, Nathaniel Dabney, 
 Thomas Barnard, William Pickman, 
 
 E. A. Holyoke, C. Gayton Pickman, 
 
 William Pyncbon, John Turner. 
 Ebenezer Putnam, 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Salem, May 30, 1775. 
 
 The declaration, of which the above is a copy, being 
 presented and read, it was voted unanimously that the 
 same was satisfactory, and that the said gentlemen ought 
 to be received and treated as real friends to this Country. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Rich ABD Derby, Jun., Chairman. 
 
 JOSHUA UPHAM TO THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE 
 OF THE TOWN OF BROOKFIELD. 
 
 May 20, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Having been informed by one of your 
 body that my attendance was expected at this time, in order 
 that you inquire, under a late resolve of the Provincial 
 Congress, into my political principles and conduct ; in com- 
 pliance with your request I now make my appearance ; 
 and as written are much less liable to be misconceived, 
 misapplied, and misrepresented, than parole declarations, 
 I have chosen to declare myself in that way. 
 
 It is indeed a great misfortune at any time, but more 
 especially at this, to be deemed an enemy to one's Country. 
 I not only deny the charge, but abhor the character. I 
 shall not, however, pretend that I have in general approved 
 
853 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 854 
 
 of the measures pursued by the Colonies to obtain redress 
 of grievances, nor do I arrogantly set up my own private 
 judgment against the publick judgment of my Country, as 
 infallibly right. I can truly say that I shall rejoice at the 
 salvation of the Country, even though the same be obtained 
 by the very measures which have appeared to me to be 
 improper, and not likely to be successful. But to inquire 
 freely into the propriety of every publick measure, (pro- 
 vided the same, when established, be not resisted,) I have 
 ever held as an inalienable right, and what, in a great mea- 
 sure, constitutes the freedom of an Englishman. 
 
 I have ever deemed it the duty, as well as wisdom of 
 the individuals of every community, to submit and conform 
 to the sense and opinion of the majority of the members 
 of that community ; always reserving to themselves, and 
 saving entire and inviolate, the rights of conscience, private 
 judgment, and freedom of speech. Therefore I have not 
 resisted such measures as have been approved of by the 
 majority of the people, whether agreeable to my private 
 judgment or not. Upon the same principles I now declare, 
 that I mean and intend to submit to what I find to be the 
 sense and resolution of the majority of my countrymen, 
 and expect to bear an equal share and proportion of such 
 publick charge and expense as shall be deemed by such 
 majority necessary to extricate this Country out of its 
 present alarming and critical situation ; nor is there any 
 thing I hold so dear, in comparison of my Country's 
 good, that 1 would not risk in its defence — even life itself, 
 if necessary. 
 
 Therefore, as submission, or allegiance and protection, 
 are reciprocal duties and obligations, which ought ever to 
 subsist and take place with equal and mutual force between 
 rulers and those over whom they are appointed to rule, I 
 must expect, and shall depend upon it, that I am to be pro- 
 tected and secured in my person, family, and property, from 
 all violent attacks upon either ; which protection and secu- 
 rity, so far as it is within your power to afford me, I now 
 ask, and doubt not but I shall obtain the same ; which con- 
 cludes me, gentlemen, your most respectful friend and fel- 
 low-countrymen, Joshua Upham. 
 
 In Committee of Correspondence, Brookfield, ) 
 May 30, 1775. £ 
 
 The foregoing declaration being read and considered, and 
 vote asked of said Committee, and also of a number of 
 the inhabitants of the Town then present, whether said 
 declaration be satisfactory; it passed in the affirmative nemine 
 contradicente. 
 
 By order, Joshua Dodge, Chairman. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE COM- 
 MITTEE OF SUDBURY. 
 
 Cambridge, May 30, 1775. 
 
 This Committee have taken into their consideration the 
 conduct of Ezra Taylor, Esq., in going into the Town of 
 Boston, and tarrying there a considerable time, since the 
 important nineteenth of .<4pn7 last ; and after examining him 
 as to his conduct, have dismissed him, and verbally advised 
 him to remain in the Town of Sudbury, as what we judged 
 best for him and the publick. Gentlemen, your good sense 
 will easily suggest your duty. We are, he. 
 
 would be so kind to the Province as to appoint some certain 
 criterion, or signal, by which a true alarm may be distin- 
 guished from a false one. If by this we are able to suggest 
 any thing for the good of the Province, we are happy, and 
 are, with great respect and devotion, gentlemen, your hum- 
 ble servants, John Holmes, ) c , r 
 o d f Selectmen of 
 
 OAMUEL 1 ARK, > ti 7 • 
 
 Gilbert Dench, \ Hopkmton. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF HOPKINTON TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 May 30, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable the Delegates of the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay, in General Congress assembled: 
 
 Whereas there has been a false alarm this day spread 
 here in this part of the Province, whereby the people have 
 been called off from their labour, and much loss and ex- 
 pense incurred ; and judging that unless such things can be 
 prevented, husbandry will entirely be neglected : Where- 
 fore this Town have chosen a Committee of Safety, to 
 consist of five persons, whose names are as follow, viz : 
 Gilbert Dench, Samuel Park, Ebenezer Clafin, Samuel 
 Hayden, and Jonathan Hull, who are to determine when 
 it is necessary for the people of this Town to march on any 
 alarm ; and hereby desire that the first intelligence may 
 be conveyed to one of them. We also desire that you 
 
 COMMITTEE FOR MANCHESTER TO THE COMMITTEE FOR 
 CHEBACCO. 
 
 Manchester, May 30, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: A letter has been Just received from Cam- 
 bridge by express, from General Ward to the Committee 
 for Salem, of which we subjoin a copy. As no particulars 
 appear, we think it prudent to notify you thereabout, and 
 inform you that there are eight tenders cruising around 
 us, six of which are gone to Salem, their decks filled with 
 boats, &ic. We desire you to forward the report to Ipswich, 
 as it is uncertain where the mischief will fall. 
 
 By order of the Committee of Correspondence for Man- 
 chester. 
 
 The following is a copy of the General's Letter : 
 
 " Head-Quarters, Cambridge, May 29, 1775. 
 
 " Sir : By information just received from Boston, I ap- 
 prehend the enemy intend to make an attack some where 
 this night ; therefore would have your people in readiness 
 to act on the shortest notice if there should be occasion. 
 
 " I am, &tc, Artemas Ward." 
 
 Captain Marston sent the above to the Committee for 
 Chebacco, about half past ten o'clock. 
 
 Ipswich, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I received the within intelligence about 
 one of the clock this day, and thought proper to let you 
 know what I have received. John Baker, Colonel. 
 To the Committee of Correspondence in Nexvburyport. 
 
 Newburyport, May 30, 1775, half past four o'clock. 
 Gentlemen: Having just received the above informa- 
 tion from Ipswich by express, we forward it to you with- 
 out delay. 
 
 Per order of the Committee : B. Greenleaf. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence of Hampton. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN IN 
 PHILADELPHIA, DATED MAY 31, 1775. 
 
 I cannot let Captain Hazlewood depart without sketch- 
 ing a few lines to you. You will find by the papers that 
 we have received an account from Salem of the defeat of 
 Colonel Smith, and the precipitate retreat of Lord Percy, 
 by the animated resistance of the brave Bostonians. This 
 intelligence, so contrary to the expectations of Govern- 
 ment, who have daily announced the Americans cowards, 
 has panick-struck Administration and their tory dependants, 
 and has exhilarated the spirits of the sons of America in 
 this metropolis, and the friends to freedom, in the most 
 exalted manner. It is impossible to describe the shame and 
 vexation which are visibly depicted in the countenances of 
 North and his tyrannical abetters. They are constrained 
 to acknowledge that the Regulars began the attack, and 
 equally forced to admit the intrepidity of our countrymen ; 
 but what alarms them most is the expectation of hourly re- 
 ceiving advice of the whole of General Gage's Army being 
 cut off, or meanly sheltering themselves on board the men- 
 of-war, or in the castle. God grant their total extirpation ! 
 Government has not yet received any despatches from the 
 General ; she has craved a suspension of animadversions 
 on the news, until she can refute, or is compelled to authen- 
 ticate it. In the mean time stocks have had a shock, and 
 the people every where denounce vengeance against Bute, 
 Mansfield, North, Sandwich, and their ignominious adhe- 
 rents. I impatiently wait the next intelligence, as I have 
 no doubt we shall hear of farther significant manifestations 
 of American prowess, founded on that principle which God 
 and their right will inspire them with. 
 
855 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 856 
 
 MECKLENBURGH (nORTH-CAROLINa) RESOLUTIONS.* 
 Charlottotown, Mecklonburgh County, May 31, 1775. 
 
 This day the Committee of this County met, and passed 
 the following Resolves : 
 
 Whereas by an Address presented to His Majesty by 
 both Houses of Parliament in February last, the American 
 Colonies are declared to be in a state of actual rebellion ; 
 we conceive that all Laws and Commissions confirmed by, 
 or derived from the authority of the King or Parliament, 
 are annulled and vacated, and the former civil Constitution 
 of these Colonies for the present wholly suspended. To 
 provide in some degree for the exigencies of this County, 
 in the present alarming period, we deem it proper and 
 necessary to pass the following Resolves, viz: 
 
 i. That all Commissions, civil and military, heretofore 
 
 * THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE RY THE CITIZENS OF MECKLENBURGH 
 COUNTY, NORTH-CAROLINA, ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF MAY, 1775, WITH 
 ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS J PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNOUR, UNDER THE 
 AUTHORITY AND DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF TnE STATE OF 
 NORTH-CAROLINA. 
 
 Report and Resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, at the ses. 
 sion of 1830-'31, upon which this publication is predicated. 
 
 The Committee to whom it was referred to examine, collate, and ar- 
 range in proper order sucli parts of the Journals of the Provincial As- 
 semblies of North-Carolina as relate to the Declaration of American 
 Independence; also such documents as relate to the Declaration of 
 Independence made by the patriotick men of Mecklenburgh in May, 
 1775; and also such measures as relate to the same cause, adopted by 
 the freemen of Cumberland County, previous to the fourth of July, 
 177G, in order to the publication and distribution of such documents, 
 having performed the duty assigned them, respectfully report : 
 
 That upon an attentive examination of the Journals of the Provin. 
 cial Assembly of North-Carolina, which met at Halifax in the month 
 of April, 1776, the Committee are of opinion, that no selection could 
 l>2 made from the said Journal to answer the purpose of the House, 
 liut as every thing relating to that period must be interesting to those 
 who value the blessing of national independence, the Committee re- 
 commend that the whole of the Journal be printed, and receive the 
 same extended distribution which the Resolution of the House contem. 
 plates for the proceedings in Mecklenburgh and Cumberland. This 
 course is deemed by the Committee the more proper, because the Jour- 
 nal is now out of print, and it is highly probable that the copy in the 
 possession of the Committee is the only one now extant. 
 
 Your Committee have also examined, collated, and arranged all the 
 documents which have been accessible to them, touching the Declara- 
 tion of Independence by the citizens of Mecklenburgh, and the pro- 
 ceedings of the freemen of Cumberland. 
 
 By the publication of these papers it will be fully verified, that as 
 early as the month of May, 1775, a portion of the people of North. 
 Carolina, sensible that their wrongs could no longer be borne, without 
 sacrificing both safety and honour; and that redress, so often sought, 
 so patiently waited for, and so cruelly delayed, was no longer to be 
 expected, did, by a publick and solemn act, declare the dissolution of 
 the ties which bound them to the Crown and people of Great Britain, 
 and did establish an independent, though temporary Government, for 
 their own control and direction. 
 
 This first claim of independence evinces such high sentiments of 
 valour and patriotism, that we cannot, and ought not lightly to esteem 
 the honour of having made it. The fact of the Declaration should 
 be announced, its language should be published and perpetuated, and 
 the names of the gallant Representatives of Mecklenburgh, with whom 
 it originated, should be preserved from an oblivion which, should it 
 involve them, would as much dishonour us, as injure them. If the 
 thought of independence did not first occur to them, to them, at least, 
 belongs the proud distinction of having first given language to the 
 thought; and it should be known, and, fortunately, it can still bo 
 conclusively established, that the Revolution received its first impulse 
 towards independence, however feeble that impulse might have been, 
 m North-Carolina. The Committee are aware that this assertion has 
 elsewhere been received with doubt, and at times met with denial ; and 
 it is, therefore, believed to be more strongly incumbent upon the House 
 to usher to the world the Mecklenburgh Declaration, accompanied with 
 such testimonials of its genuineness, as shall silence incredulity, and 
 with such care for its general diffusion, as shall forever secure it from 
 being forgotten. And in recounting the causes, the origin, and the 
 progress of our revolutionary struggle, till its final issue in acknow- 
 ledged independence, whatever the brilliant achievements of other States 
 may have been, let it never be forgotten, that at a period of darkness 
 and oppression, without concert with others, without assurances of 
 support from any quarter, a few gallant North.Carolinians, all fear of 
 consequences lost in a sense of thoir Country's wrongs, relying, under 
 Heaven, solely upon themselves, nobly dared to assert, and resolved to 
 maintain that independence, of which, whoever might have thought, 
 nono had then spoken; and thus earned. for themselves, and for their 
 fellow-citizens of North.Carolina, the honour of giving birth to the 
 first Declaration of Independence. 
 
 The Committee respectfully recommend tho adoption of the follow, 
 ing Resolutions. 
 
 All of which is submitted. Thomas G. Polk, Chairman. 
 
 John Bragg, 
 Evan Alexander, 
 Louis D. Henry, 
 Alex. McNeill. 
 
 Resolved, That his Excellency the Govcrnour be directed to causo 
 to bo published in pamphlet form the above Report, and the accompany- 
 ing documents, in the manner and order following, viz : After the Re- 
 port, first, the Mecklenburgh Declaration, with the NamoB of tho Dele- 
 gates composing the meeting ; second, the Certificates, testifying to 
 the circumstances attending the Declaration; third, the Proceeding! 
 
 granted by the Crown, to be exercised in these Colonies, 
 are null and void, and the Constitution of each particular 
 Colony wholly suspended. 
 
 ii. That the Provincial Congress of each Province, 
 under the direction of the great Continental Congress, is 
 invested with all legislative and executive powers within 
 their respective Provinces, and that no other legislative or 
 executive power does, or can exist, at this time, in any of 
 these Colonies. 
 
 in. As all former laws are now suspended in this Prov- 
 ince, and the Congress have not provided others, we judge 
 it necessary, for the better preservation of good order, to 
 form certain rules and regulations for the internal govern- 
 ment of this County, until laws shall be provided for us 
 by the Congress. 
 
 of the Cumberland Association ; and that he be further directed to 
 have reprinted in like manner, separate and distinct from the above, 
 the accompanying Journal of the Provincial Assembly, held at Hali. 
 fax in one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. 
 
 Resolved, further, That after publication, the Governour be in- 
 structed to distribute said documents as follows, to wit: Twenty copies 
 of each to the Library of the State ; to each of the Libraries at the 
 University, ten copies ; to the Library of the Congress of the United 
 States, ten copies ; and one copy to each of the Executives of the 
 several States of the Union. 
 
 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 May 20, 1775. 
 Col. Thomas Polk, 
 Ephraim Brevard, 
 John Ford, 
 Richard Barry, 
 Abraham Alexander, 
 J. McKnitt Alexander, 
 Hezekiah Alexander, 
 Adam Alexander, 
 Charles Alexander, 
 
 — Names of the Delegates present. 
 Hezekiah J. Batch, James Harris, 
 John Phifer, William Kennon, 
 
 Henry Downs, William Graham, 
 
 Ezra Alexander, John Queary, 
 
 Zacheus Wilson, Sen., Robert Irwin, 
 Waightstill Avery, John Flenniken, 
 Benjamin Patton, David Reese, 
 Matthew M'Clure, Richard Harris, Sen. 
 Neil Morrison, 
 
 Abraham Alexander was appointed Chairman, and John McKnitt 
 Alexander Clerk. The following Resolutions were offered, viz : 
 
 1. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abetted, or in 
 any way, form or manner, countenanced the unchartered and danger, 
 ous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy 
 to this Country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights 
 of man. 
 
 2. Resolved, That we, the citizens of Mecklenburgh County, do 
 hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the 
 Mother Country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to 
 the British Crown, and abjure all political connection, contract, or 
 association with that Nation, who have wantonly trampled on our 
 rights and liberties, and inhumanly shed the blood of American pa. 
 triots at Lexington. 
 
 3. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and inde- 
 pendent people ; are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self- 
 governing Association, under the control of no power other than that 
 of our God and the general government of the Congress ; to the main- 
 tenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other 
 our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred 
 honour. 
 
 4. Resolved, That as wc now acknowledge the existence and con- 
 trol of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this County, 
 we do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each and every of 
 our former laws ; wherein, nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain 
 never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, immunities, or 
 authority therein. 
 
 5. Resolved, That it is further decreed, that all, each, and every 
 military officer in this County, is hereby reinstated in his former com- 
 mand and authority, he acting conformably to these regulations. And 
 that every Member present, of this delegation, shall henceforth be a 
 civil officer, viz : a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a " Com. 
 viittee.man," to issue process, hear and determino all matters of con- 
 troversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union 
 and harmony in said County ; and to use every exertion to spread 
 the love of country and fire of freedom throughout America, until a 
 more general and organized Government be established in this Pro- 
 vince. 
 
 After discussing tho foregoing Resolves, and arranging by-laws and 
 regulations for the government of a Standing Committee of Publick 
 Safety, who were selected from these Delegates, the whole proceedings 
 were unanimously adopted and signed. A Select Committee was then 
 appointed to draw a more full and definite statemont of grievances, 
 and a more formal declaration of independence. Tho Delegation then 
 adjourned about two o'clock, A. M., May 20. 
 
 A. 
 
 FROM THE RALEIGH REGISTER OF APRIL 30, 1819. 
 
 •It it not probably known to many or our readers, that the citizens or Mecklenburgh 
 County, in thin Suite, made n Declaration of Independence more than a year before 
 Congress made theirs. The following document on the subject has lately come to 
 Oil bunds of the Editor from unquestionable authority, and is published that it may 
 go down to posterity. 
 
 North-Carolina, Mecklenburgh County, May 20, 1775. 
 
 In tho spring of 1775, the leading oharaoters of Mecklenburgh 
 County, stimulated by that enthusiastick patriotism which elevates 
 the mind above considerations of individual aggrandizement, and 
 scorning to shelter themselves from tho impending storm, by submis- 
 sion to lawless power, etc., &.C., held several detached meetings, in 
 each of which the individual scutiments were, "that tho cause of Bos. 
 
857 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 858 
 
 iv. That the inhabitants of this County do meet on a 
 certain day appointed by this Committee, and having formed 
 themselves into nine Companies, viz : eight in the County, 
 and one in the Town of Charlotte, do choose a Colonel 
 and other military officers, who shall hold and exercise 
 their several powers by virtue of this choice, and indepen- 
 dent of the Crown of Great Britain and former Constitu- 
 tion of this Province. 
 
 ##**##** 
 
 [Then follows a number of Resolves, for the preserva- 
 tion of peace, and the administration of justice ; in order 
 to which, proper persons are to he chosen, empowered to 
 hear and determine all matters of controversy, or in cases 
 of felony, to commit persons convicted, to close confine- 
 ment ; and to answer all the purposes of regular Govern- 
 
 ton was the cause of all ; that their destinies were indissolubly con. 
 nected with those of their Eastern fellow.citizens; and that they must 
 either submit to all the impositions which an unprincipled, and to 
 th?m an unrepresented, Parliament might impose; or support their 
 brethren who were doomed to sustain the first shock of that power, 
 which, if successful there, would ultimately overwhelm all in the com. 
 mon calamity." Conformably to these principles, Colonel Thomas 
 Polk, through solicitation, issued an order to each Captain's Company 
 in the County of Meckleuburgh, (then comprising the present County 
 of Cabarrus,) directing each Militia Company to elect two persons, 
 and delegate to them ample power to devise ways and means to aid 
 and assist their suffering brethren in Boston, and also generally to 
 adopt measures to extricate themselves from the impending storm, and 
 to secure unimpaired their inalienable rights, privileges, and liberties, 
 from the dominant grasp of British imposition and tyranny. 
 
 In conformity to said order, on the nineteenth of May, 1775, the 
 said Delegation met in Charlotte, vested with unlimited powers; at 
 which time official news, by express, arrived of the battle of Lexing- 
 ton on that day of the preceding month. Every Delegate felt the 
 value and importance of the prize, and the awful and solemn crisis 
 which had arrived; every bosom swelled with indignation at the 
 malice, inveteracy, and insatiable revenge, developed in the late attack 
 at Lexington. The universal sentiment was : let us not flatter our. 
 selves that popular harangues or resolves, that popular vapour will 
 avert the storm, or vanquish our common enemy ; let us deliberate ; 
 lit us calculate the issue — the probable result ; and then let us act 
 with energy, as brethren leagued to preserve our property, our lives, 
 and, what is still more endearing, the liberties of America. Abraham 
 Alexander was then elected Chairman, and John McKnitt Alexander 
 Clerk. After a free and full discussion of the various objects for which 
 the Delegation had been convened, it was unanimously ordained : 
 
 1. Resolved, That whoever directly or indirectly abetted, or in any 
 way, form, or manner, countenanced the unchartered and dangerous 
 invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to 
 this Country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights 
 of man. 
 
 2. Resolved, That we, the citizens of Mecklenburgh County, do 
 hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the 
 Mother Country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to 
 the British Crown, and abjure all political connection, contract, or 
 association with that Nation, who have wantonly trampled on our 
 rights and liberties, and inhumanly shed the innocent blood of Ame- 
 rican patriots at Lexington. 
 
 3. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and inde- 
 pendent people ; are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self, 
 governing Association, under the control of no power other than that 
 of our God and the general government of the Congress ; to the main, 
 tenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other 
 our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred 
 honour. 
 
 4. Resolved, That as we now acknowledge the existence and control 
 of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this County, we do 
 hereby ordain and adopt, as a rule of life, all, each and every of our 
 former laws; wherein, nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain 
 never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, immunities, or 
 authority therein. 
 
 5. Resolved, That it is also further decreed, that all, each, and 
 every military officer in this County, is hereby reinstated to his former 
 command and authority, he acting conformably to these regulations. 
 And that every Member present of this Delegation shall henceforth be 
 a civil officer, viz : a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a " Com. 
 mittee.man," to issue process, hear and determine all matters of con- 
 troversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, and 
 union, and harmony, in said County ; and to use every exertion to 
 spread the love of country and fire of freedom throughout America, 
 until a more general and organized Government be established in this 
 Province. 
 
 A number of by-laws were also added, merely to protect the Asso- 
 ciation from confusion, and to regulate their general conduct as citi. 
 zens. After sitting in the Court-House all night, neither sleepy, hun. 
 gry, nor fatigued, and after discussing every paragraph, they were all 
 passed, sanctioned, and decreed, unanimously, about two o'clock, A. 
 M., May 20. In a few days, a deputation of said Delegation con. 
 vened, when Captain James Jack, of Charlotte, was deputed as ex- 
 press to the Congress at Philadelphia, with a copy of said Resolves 
 and Proceedings, together with a Letter addressed to our three Repre- 
 sentatives there, viz : Richard Caswell, William Hooper, and Joseph 
 Hughes, under express injunction, personally, and through the State 
 representation, to use all possible means to have said proceedings sanc- 
 tioned and approved by the General Congress. On the return of Cap- 
 tain Jack, the Delegation learned that their proceedings were indi- 
 vidually approved by the Members of Congress, but that it was deemed 
 premature to lay them before the House. A joint letter from said 
 three Members of Congress was also received, complimentary of the 
 
 ment, till that shall be settled by the Grand Congress. 
 Provision is likewise made for the collection of Taxes, to 
 be paid into the hands of Committees ; appointment of 
 collectors, removable at the pleasure of their constituents, 
 and to indemnify them for the money paid to the Com- 
 mittee.] 
 
 The 16th Resolve is, 
 
 xvi. That whatever person shall hereafter receive a Com- 
 mission from the Crown, or attempt to exercise any such 
 Commission heretofore received, shall be deemed an enemy 
 to his Country; and upon information to the Captain of the 
 Company in which he resides, the Company shall cause him 
 to be apprehended, and upon proof of the fact, committed 
 to safe custody, till the next sitting of the Committee, who 
 shall deal with him as prudence shall direct. 
 
 zeal in the common cause, and recommending perseverance, orcer. 
 and energy. 
 
 The subsequent harmony, unanimity, and exertion in the cause of 
 liberty and independence, evidently resulting from these regulation!:', 
 and the continued exertion of said Delegation, apparently tranquillized 
 this section of the State, and met with the concurrence and high 
 approbation of the Council of Safety, who held their sessions at New- 
 bern and Wilmington, alternately, and who confirmed the nomination 
 and acts of the Delegation in their official capacity. 
 
 From this Delegation originated the Court of Inquiry of this Coun- 
 ty, who constituted and held their first session in Charlotte — they then 
 held their meetings regularly at Charlotte, at Colonel James Harris's, 
 and at Colonel Phifer's, alternately, one week at each place. It was 
 a Civil Court founded on military process. Before this judicature, all 
 suspicious persons were made to appear, who were formally tried and 
 banished, or continued under guard. Its jurisdiction was as unlimited 
 as loryism, and it decrees as final as the confidence and patriotism 
 of the County. Several were arrested and brought before them from 
 Lincoln, Rowan, and the adjacent Counties. 
 
 [The foregoing is a true copy of the papers on the above subject, 
 left in my hands by John McKnitt Alexander, deceased. I find it 
 mentioned on file, that the original book was burned, April, 1S00 ; 
 that a copy of the proceedings was sent to Hugh Williamson, in New- 
 York, then writing a history of North-Carolina, and that a copy was 
 sent to General W. R. Davie. J. McKnitt. 
 
 B. 
 
 State of North-Carolina, Mecklenburgh County : 
 
 I, Samuel Henderson, do hereby certify, .that the paper annexed was 
 obtained by me from Major William Davie, in its present situation, 
 soon after the death of his f.ither, General William R. Davie, and 
 given to Doctor Joseph McKnitt by me. In searching for some par- 
 ticular paper, I came across this, and knowing the handwriting of 
 John McKnitt Alexander, took it up and examined it. Major Davie 
 said to me (when asked how it became torn) his sisters had torn it, not 
 knowing what it was. Given under my hand, this 25th of November, 
 1830. Sam. Henderson. 
 
 [yov.— To this certificate of Doctor Henderson is annexed the copy of the paper A, 
 originally deposited bv John McKnitt Alexander in the hands of General Davie, whose 
 name seems to have been mistaken by Mr. Jrfftrton for that_ of Governour Casu-t.t. 
 This paper is somewhat torn, but is entirely legible, and constitutes the u solemn and 
 
 Eositive proof of authenticity" which Mr. Jej^erjon required, and w hich would doublh ss 
 ave been satisfactory, had it been submitted to him.] 
 
 c. 
 
 CAPTAIN JACK'S CERTIFICATE. 
 
 Having seen in the newspapers some pieces respecting the Declara- 
 tion of Independence by the people of Mecklenburgh County, in the 
 State of North. Corolina, in May, 1775, and being solicited to state 
 what I know of that transaction, I would observe, that for some time 
 previous to, and at the time those Resolutions were agreed upon, I re. 
 sided in the Town of Charlotte, Mecklenburgh County ; was privy to a 
 number of meetings of some of the most influential and leading charac- 
 ters of that County on the subject, before the final adoption of the Re- 
 solutions, and at the time they were adopted. Among those who ap- 
 peared to take the lead, may be mentioned Hezekiah Alexander, who 
 generally acted as Chairman, John McKnitt Alexander, as Secretary, 
 Abraham Alexander, Adam Alexander, Major John Davidson, Major, 
 afterwards General William Davidson, Colonel Thomas Polk, Ezekiel 
 Polk, Doctor Ephraim Brevard, Samuel Martin, Duncan Ochletree, 
 William Willson, Robert Irvin. 
 
 When the Resolutions were finally agreed on, they were publickJv 
 proclaimed from the Court-House door in the Town of Charlotte, and 
 received with every demonstration of joy by the inhabitants. 
 
 I was then solicited to be the bearer of the proceedings to Congress. 
 I set out the following month, say June, and in passing through Salis- 
 bury, the General Court was sitting ; at the request of the Court I 
 handed a copy of the Resolutions to Colonel Kennon, an attorney , 
 and they were read aloud in open Court. Major William Davidson, 
 and Mr. Avery, an attorney, called on me at my lodgings the evening 
 after, and observed, they had heard of but one person, (a Mr. Beard, i 
 but approved of them. 
 
 I then proceeded on to Philadelphia, and delivered the Mecklenburgh 
 Declaration of Independence, of May, 1775, to Richard Caswell and 
 William Hooper, the Delegates to Congress from the State of Nortn- 
 Carolina. 
 
 I am now in the eighty-eighth year of my age, residing in the County 
 of Elbert, in the State of Georgia. I was in the Revolutionary War, 
 from the commencement to the close. 
 
 I would further observe, that the Reverend Francis Cummins, a 
 Presbyterian Clergyman, of Greene County, in this State, was a stu- 
 dent in the Town of Charlotte at the time of the adoption of the Reso- 
 lutions, and is as well, or perhaps better acquainted with the proceed- 
 ings at that time, than any man now living. 
 
 Colonel William Polk, of Raleigh, in North-Carolina, was living 
 with his father, Thomas, in Charlotte, at the time I have been speak- 
 
859 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 860 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 In Committee, Chester, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Whereas it appears very necessary, in order to avert the 
 evils and calamities which threaten our devoted Country, 
 to embody ourselves and make all the military preparations 
 in our power; and it appears absolutely impossible to carry 
 this laudable design into execution, without observing the 
 greatest order, harmony, and concord, not only under the 
 laws of civil Government, but also while under arms and 
 on actual duty. We, therefore, unanimously recommend 
 the following Association to be entered into by the good 
 people of this County: 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do most solemnly resolve, pro- 
 mise, and engage, under the sacred ties of honour, virtue 
 
 ing of, and although then too young to be forward in the business, yet 
 the leading circumstances 1 have related cannot have escaped his 
 recollection. James Jack. 
 
 Signed this 7th of December, 1819, in presence of 
 
 Job Weston, C. C. O., 
 
 James Oliver, Attorney-at-Law. 
 
 C 2. 
 
 North-Carolina, Cabarrus County, November 29, 1830: 
 
 We, the undersigned, do hereby certify, that we have frequently 
 heard William S. Alexander, deceased, say that he, the said William 
 S. Alexander, was at Philadelphia on mercantile business, in the early 
 part of the summer of 1775, say in June ; and that on the day General 
 Washington left Philadelphia to take the command of the Northern 
 Army, he, the said William S. Alexander, met with Captain James 
 Jack, who informed him, the said William S. Alexander, that he, the 
 said James Jack, was there as the agent or bearer of the Declaration 
 of Independence made in Charlotte, on the twentieth day of May, sev- 
 enteen hundred and seventy-five, by the citizens of Mecklenburgh, then 
 including Cabarrus, with instructions to present the same to the Dele- 
 gates from North-Carolina, and by them to be laid before Congress, 
 and which he said he had done ; in which Declaration the aforesaid 
 citizens of Mecklenburgh renounced their allegiance to the Crown of 
 Great Britain, and set up a Government for themselves, under the 
 title of The Committee of Safety. Given under our hands the date 
 above written. Alphonso Alexander, 
 
 Amos Alexander, 
 J. McKnitt. 
 
 D. 
 
 Lexington, Georgia, November 16, 1819. 
 
 Dear Sir: The bearer, the Honourable Thomas W. Cobb, has sug- 
 gested to me that you had a desire to know something particularly of 
 the proceedings of the citizens of Mecklenburgh County, in Norlh-Caro. 
 Una, about the beginning of our Revolutionary War. 
 
 Previous to my becoming more particular, I will suppose you re- 
 member the Regulation business, which took its rise in or before the 
 year 1770, and issued and ended in a battle between the Regulators 
 and Governour Tryon, in the spring of 1771. Some of the Regulators 
 were killed, and the whole dispersed. The Regulators' conduct was 
 a "rudis indigestaque moles," as Ovid says about the beginning of 
 creation; but the embryotick principles of the Revolution were in 
 their temper and views. They wanted strength, consistency, a Con- 
 gress, and a Washington at their head. Tryon sent his officers and 
 minions through tho State, and imposed the oath of allegiance upon 
 the people, even as far up as Mecklenburgh County. In theyoar 1775, 
 after our Revolution began, the principal characters of Mecklenburgh 
 County met on two sundry days, in Queen's Museum, in Charlotte, to 
 digest Articles for a State Constitution, in anticipation that tho Prov- 
 ince would proceed to do ao. In this business, the leading characters 
 were, the Reverend Hezekiah James Hatch, a graduate of Princeton 
 College, an elegant scholar, Waightstill Avery, Esquire, attorney-at- 
 ]aw, Hezekiah and John McKnitt Alexander, Esquires, Colonel Thos, 
 Polk, &c, &c. 
 
 Many men, and young men, (myself one,) before Magistrates, abjured 
 allegiance to George the Third, or any other foreign Power. At 
 length, in the same year, 1775, I think, at least positively before July 
 4, 1776, the males generally of that County met on a certain day in 
 Charlotte, and from the head of the Court-House stairs proclaimed In- 
 dependence on English Government, by their herald, Colonel Thomas 
 Polk. I was present, and saw and heard it, and as a young man, and 
 then a student in Queen's Museum, was an agent in theso things. I 
 did not then take and keep the dates, and cannot, as to date, be so par- 
 ticular as I could wish. Captain James Jack, then of Charlotte, but 
 now of Elbert County in Georgia, was sent with the account of theso 
 proceedings to Congress, then in Philadelphia, and brought back to 
 the County the thanks of Congress for their zeal, and the advice of 
 Congress to bo a littlo more patient, until Congress should take the 
 measures thought to be best. 
 
 I would suppose, Sir, that some minutos of theso things must bo 
 found among tho records of the first Congress, that would perfectly 
 settle their dates. I am perfectly sure, being present at tho whole of 
 thorn, they wore beforo our National Declaration of Indopcndonce. 
 
 Honourable Sir, if tho above few things can afford you any gratifica- 
 tion, it will add to tho happiness of your friend and humble servant, 
 
 Francis Cummins. 
 
 Hon. Nathaniel Macon. 
 
 E. 
 
 Vesuvius Furnace, October 4, 1830. 
 
 Dear Sir : Agroeably to your roquost, I will givo you tho details of 
 the Mecklenburgh Declaration of Independence, on tho 20th of May 
 1775, as well as I can rocolloct after a lapse of fifty-five years. I was 
 then a lad about half grown, was present on that occasion, (a looker on.) 
 
 During tho winter and spring preceding that evont, several popular 
 meetings of tho people were held in Charlotte, two of which I attend- 
 
 and love to our Country, that we will use our utmost en- 
 deavours to learn the military exercise, and promote har- 
 mony and unanimity in our respective Companies ; that 
 we will strictly adhere to the rules of decency during duty ; 
 that we will pay a due regard to our Officers ; that we will, 
 when called upon, support with our utmost abilities the 
 civil Magistrate in the execution of the laws for the good of 
 our Country ; and that we will at all times be in readiness 
 to defend the lives, liberties, and properties of ourselves 
 and fellow-countrymen against all attempts to deprive us of 
 them." 
 
 Information being lodged with this Committee that Wil- 
 liam Moore, Esq., has expressed himself in terms inimical 
 to the liberties of America, and derogatory to the Conti- 
 
 ed; papers were read, grievances stated, and publick measures dis- 
 cussed. As printing was not then common in the South, the papers 
 were mostly manuscript ; one or more of which was from the pen of 
 the Reverend Doctor Reese, then of Mecklenburgh, which met with gen- 
 eral approbation, and copies of it circulated. It is to be regretted that 
 those and other papers published at that period, and the journal of their 
 proceedings are lost. They would show much of the spirit and tone 
 of thinking, which prepared them for the measures they afterwards 
 adopted. 
 
 On the 20th of May, 1775, besides the two persons elected from 
 each Militia company, (usually called Committee-men,) a much larger 
 number of citizens attended in Charlotte than at any former meeting, 
 perhaps half the men in the County. The news of the battle of Lex- 
 ington, the 19th of April preceding, had arrived. There appeared 
 among the people much excitement. The Committee were organized 
 in the Court-House, by appointing Abraham Alexander, Esq., Chair- 
 man and John McKnitt Alexander, Esquire, Clerk or Secretary to the 
 meeting. 
 
 After reading a number of papers as usual, and much animated dis- 
 cussion, the question was taken, and they resolved to declare them- 
 selves independent. One among other reasons offered, that the King 
 or Ministry had, by proclamation or some edict, declared the Colonies 
 out of the protection of the British Crown ; they ought, therefore, to 
 declare themselves out of his protection, and resolve on independence. 
 That their proceedings might be in due form, a Sub-Committee, con. 
 sisting of Doctor Ephraim Brevard, a Mr. Kennon, an attorney, and 
 a third person, whom I do not recollect, were appointed to draft their 
 Declaration. They retired from the Court-House for some time, but 
 the Committee continued in session in it. One circumstance occurred 
 I distinctly remember : a member of the Committee, who had said but 
 little before, addressed the Chairman, as follows: "If you resolve on 
 independence, how shall we all be absolved from the obligations of the 
 oath we took to be true to King George the Third, about four years 
 ago, after the Regulation battle, when we were sworn, whole Militia 
 companies together. I should be glad to know how gentlemen can 
 clear their consciences after taking that oath." This speech produced 
 confusion. The Chairman could scarcely preserve order, so many 
 wished to reply. There appeared groat indignation and contempt at 
 the speech of the member. Some said it was nonsense; others, that 
 allegiance and protection were reciprocal; when protection was with- 
 drawn allegiance ceased ; that the oath was only binding while the 
 King protected us in the enjoyment of our rights and liberties, as they 
 existed at the time it was taken, which he had not done, but now de- 
 clared us out of his protection, therefore was not binding. Any man 
 who would interpret it otherwise, was a fool. By way of illustration, 
 (pointing to a green tree near the Court-House) stated, if he was sworn 
 to do any thing as long as the leaves continued on that troc, it was so 
 long binding ; but when the leaves fell, he was discharged from its 
 obligation. This was said to be certainly applicable in the present 
 case. Out of respect for a worthy citizen, long since deceased, and his 
 respectable connexions, I forbear to mention names ; for, though he 
 was a friend to the cause, a suspicion rested on him in the publick 
 mind for some time after. 
 
 The Sub-Committee appointed to draft the Resolutions, returned, 
 and Doctor Ephraim Brevard read their report, as near as I can recol- 
 lect, in the very words we have since seen them several times in print. 
 It was unanimously adopted ; and shortly after, it was moved and se- 
 conded to have proclamation made, and the people collected, that tho 
 proceedings be read at the Court-House door, in order that all might 
 hear them. It was done, and they were received with enthusiasm. It 
 was then proposed by some one aloud, to give three cheers and throw 
 up their hats. It was immediately adopted, and the hats thrown. 
 Several of them lit on the Court-Houso roof ; the owners had some 
 difficulty to reclaim them. 
 
 The foregoing is all from personal knowledge. I understood after- 
 wards, that Captain James Jack, then of Charlotte, undertook, on tho 
 request of tho Committee, to carry a copy of their proceedings to Con- 
 gress, which then sat in Philadelphia ; and on his way, at Salisbury, 
 the tiino of Court, Mr. Kennon, who was one of tho Committee who 
 assisted in drawing the Declaration, prevailed on Captain Jack to get 
 his papers, and have them read publickly ; which was done, and the 
 proceedings mot with general approbation. But two of the lawyers, 
 John Dunn and a Mr. Booth, dissented, and asserted they were trea. 
 sonable, and endeavoured to have Captain Jack detained. Ho drew 
 his pistols, and threatened to kill tho first man who would interrupt 
 him, and passed on. The news of this reached Charlotte in a short 
 time after, and tho Executive of the Committoe, whom they had in- 
 vested with suitable powers, ordered a party of ten or twelve armed 
 horsemen to bring said lawyers from Salisbury; when they were 
 brought, and the case investigated before the Committee. Dunn, on 
 giving security and making fair promises, was permitted to return, and 
 Booth was sentenced to go to Camden, in South-Carolina, out of tho 
 sphere of his influence. My brother, George Graham, and tho late Colo- 
 nel John Carruth, were of the party that wont to Salisbury ; and it is dis. 
 tinctly romomberod that when in Charlotte they camo homo at night, 
 in order to provide for their trip to Camden ; and that they and two 
 others of the party took Booth to that place. This was tho first mill- 
 
861 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 862 
 
 nental Congress ; and as a special Committee is now ap- 
 pointed to examine into the affair, the publick are desired 
 to suspend their judgment until Mr. Moore has had an 
 opportunity either to exculpate himself from the charge, or 
 make proper acknowledgment to his Country. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Francis Johnson, Secretary. 
 
 TO LORD SANDWICH. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 31, 1775. 
 My Lord: I congratulate your Lordship on an instance 
 of American cowardice, which your Lordship had so pro- 
 phetically foretold.* The instance I allude to is to be found 
 
 tary expedition from Mecklenburgh in the Revolutionary War, and be- 
 lieved to be the first any where to the South. Yours, respectfully, 
 
 J. Graham. 
 
 Dr. Joseph McKt. Alexander, Mecklenburgh, N. C. 
 
 F. 
 
 EXTRACT FROM THE MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. HUMPHREY HUNTER. 
 
 Orders were prcsontly issued by Colonel Thomas Polk, to the several 
 Militia companies, that two men, selected from each Corps, should 
 meet at the Court-House on the 19th of May, 1775, in order to consult 
 with each other upon such measures as might be thought best to be 
 pursued. Accordingly, on said day a far larger number than two out 
 of each company were present. There was some difficulty in choosing 
 the Commissioners. To have chosen all thought to be worthy, would 
 have rendered the meeting too numerous. The following were select- 
 ed, and styled Delegates, and are here given, according to my best re- 
 collection, as they were placed on roll : Abram Alexander, Senior, 
 Thomas Polk, Richard Harris, Senior, Adam Alexander, Richard Bar. 
 ry, John McKnitt Alexander, Neil Morrison, Hezekiali Alexander, He. 
 ;< kinh J. Balch, Zacheus Wilson, John Phifer, James Harris, William 
 Kennon,John Ford, Henry Downs, Ezra Alexander, William Graham, 
 John Qneary, Charles Alexander, Waitstill Avery, Ephraim Brevard, 
 Benjamin Patton, Matthew McClure, Robert Irwin, John Flenniken, 
 and David Reese. 
 
 Abram Alexander was nominated, and unanimously voted to the 
 Chair. John McKnitt Alexander and Ephraim Brevard were chosen 
 Secretaries. The Chair being occupied, and the Clerks seated, the 
 House was called to order, and proceeded to business. Then a full, a 
 free, and dispassionate discussion obtained, on the various subjects for 
 which the delegation had been convened, and the following Resolu- 
 tions were unanimously ordained : 
 
 1st. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abetted, or in any 
 way, form, or manner, countenanced the unchartered and dangerous 
 i.ivasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an enemy to this 
 Country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights of man. 
 
 2d. Resolved, That we, the citizens of Mecklenburgh County, do 
 hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the 
 Mother Country, and hereby absolve ourselves from all allegiance to 
 the British Crown, and abjure all political connexion, contract, or asso- 
 ciation, with that Nation, who have wantonly trampled on our rights 
 and liberties, and inhumanly shed the blood of American patriots at 
 Lexington. 
 
 3d. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and inde- 
 pendent people ; are, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and self- 
 governing Association, under the control of no power other than that 
 of our God and the general government of the Congress ; to the main- 
 tenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other our 
 mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honour. 
 
 4th. Resolved, That as we now acknowledge the existence and con- 
 trol of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this County, we 
 do hereby ordain and adopt, as a rule of life, all, each and every of our 
 former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the Crown of Great Britain never 
 can be considered as holding rights, privileges, immunities, or authority 
 therein. 
 
 5th. Resolved, That it is further decreed, that all, each and every 
 military officer in this County, is hereby reinstated in his former com. 
 inand and authority, he acting conformably to these Regulations. And 
 that every member present, of this Delegation, shall henceforth be a 
 civil officer, viz : a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a " Com- 
 mittee-man," to issue process, hear and determine all matters of con- 
 troversy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union, 
 and harmony in said County ; and to use every exertion to spread the 
 love of country and fire of freedom throughout America, until a more 
 general and organized Government be established in this Province. 
 
 Those Resolves having been concurred in, by-laws and regulations 
 for the government of a Standing Committee of Public Safety were 
 enacted and acknowledged. Then a Select Committee was appointed, 
 to report on the ensuing day a full and definite statement of grievances, 
 together with a more correct and formal draught of the Declaration of 
 Independence. The proceedings having been thus arranged, and some- 
 what in readiness for promulgation, the Delegation then adjourned until 
 to-morrow, at twelve o'clock. 
 
 The 20th of May, at twelve o'clock, the Delegation, as above, had 
 convened. The Select Committee were also present, and reported 
 agreeably to instructions, viz : a statement of grievances, and formal 
 draught of the Declaration of Independence, written by Ephraim Bre- 
 vard, Chairman of said Committee, and read by him to the Delegation. 
 The Resolves, By-Laws, and Regulations, were read by John McKnitt 
 Alexander. It was then announced from the Chair, Are you all agreed 1 
 There was not a dissenting voice. Finally, the whole proceedings were 
 read distinctly and audibly at the Court-House door, by Colonel Thomas 
 Polk, to a large, respectable, and approving assemblage of citizens who 
 were present, and gave sanction to the business of the day. A copy of 
 all those transactions were then drawn off, and given in charge to Cap- 
 tain James Jack, then of Charlotte, that he should present them to 
 Congress, then in session in Philadelphia. 
 
 On that memorable day I was twenty years and fourteen days of age, 
 * March 16, 1775. See Vol. I. 1681. 
 
 in General Gage's circumstantial account, or narrative of 
 the attack or battle at Lexington and Concord, in the Prov- 
 ince of Massachusetts-Bay, in which he gives a clear and 
 impartial account of the barbarity of the Americans, as well 
 as that of their cowardice. I make no doubt but the Yan- 
 koos will pretend not to believe it, especially the barbarity, 
 which is not quite so clear ; but as to the cowardice, it is so 
 incontestably proved, that they themselves will not under- 
 take to deny, if they do not own it. The General, in this 
 sensible and masterly performance, says a man had ad- 
 vanced from the Provincials assembled at Lexington, and 
 attempted to shoot the Regulars by snapping his gun, which 
 flashed in the pan ; and that on the attack of the Troops 
 at Concord bridge, after some of them had fallen, and they 
 
 a very deeply interested spectator, recollecting the dire hand of oppres- 
 sion that had driven me from my native clime, now pursuing me in this 
 happy asylum, and seeking to bind again in the fetters of bondage. 
 
 On the return of Captain Jack, he reported that Congress, indivi- 
 dually, manifested their entire approbation of the conduct of the Meck- 
 lenburgh citizens, but deemed it premature to lay them officially before 
 the House. 
 
 Note. — The forgoing extract is copied from a manuscript account of the Revolu- 
 tionary War in the South, addressed by the writer to a friend, who had requested his- 
 torical information upon this subject. Mr. Hunter was in the battle of Canitteny and 
 has given an interesting narrative of the circumstances connected with the death < : 
 Baron lie Kalb. The manuscript gives the biography of the writer, from which it 
 appears he was a native of Ireland, and born on the l J th of May, 1755, and at an early 
 age emigrated from his native land to the Province of North-Carolina. 
 
 Additional Papers. — From the Raleigh Register, February 18, 1820. 
 
 MECKLENBURGH DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 When this Declaration was fiist published in April last, some doubts were expressed 
 in the Eastern papers as to its authenticity, (none of the Histories of the Revolution 
 having noticed the circumstance.) Colonel William Polk, of this City, (who, though 
 n mere youth at the time, was present at the meeting which made the Declaration, 
 and whose father being Colonel of the County, appears to have acted a conspicuous 
 part on the occasion,) obstrving this, assured us of the correctness of the facts gene- 
 ral! \, though he thought there were errours as to the name of the Secretary, &c, and 
 shid that lie should probably be able to correct these, and throw some further light 
 on the subject, by inquiries amongst some of his old friends in Mecklenburgh Coun- 
 ty. He has accordingly made inquiries, and communicated to us the following Do- 
 cuments as the result, which, we presume, will do away all doubts on the subject. 
 
 CERTIFICATE. 
 
 State of North-Carolina, Mecklenburgh County : 
 
 At the request of Colonel William Polk, of Raleigh, made to Major- 
 General George Graham, soliciting him to procure all the information 
 that could be obtained at this late period, of the transactions which 
 took place in the County of Mecklenburgh, in the year 1775, as it re- 
 spected the people of that County having declared Independence ; of 
 the time when the Declaration was made ; who were the principal 
 movers and leaders, and the members who composed the body of Pa- 
 triots who made the Declaration, and signed the same : 
 
 We, the undersigned citizens of the said County, and of the several 
 ages set forth opposite to each of our names, do certify, and on our 
 honour declare, that we were present in the Town of Charlotte, in the 
 said County of Mecklenburgh, on the 19th day of May, 1775, when two 
 persons elected from each Captain's Company in said County, appeared 
 as Delegates, to take into consideration the state of the Country, and 
 to adopt such measures as to them seemed best, to secure their lives, 
 liberty, and property, from the storm which was gathering, and had 
 burst upon their fellow-citizens to the Eastward, by a British Army, 
 under the authority of the British King and Parliament. 
 
 The order for the election of Delegates was given by Colonel Tho- 
 mas Polk, the commanding officer of the Militia of the County, with 
 a request that their powers should be ample, touching any measure that 
 should be proposed. 
 
 We do further certify and declare, that to the best of our recollection 
 and belief, the delegation was complete from every company, and that 
 the meeting took place in the Court-House, about 12 o'clock on the 
 said 19th day of May, 1775, when Abraham Alexander was chosen 
 Chairman, and Doctor Ephraim Brevard Secretary. That the Dele- 
 gates continued in session until in the night of that day ; that on the 
 20th they again met, when a Committee, under the direction of the 
 Delegates, had formed several Resolves, which were read, and which 
 went to declare themselves, and the people of Mecklenburgh County, 
 free and independent of the King and Parliament of Great Britain — 
 and that, from that day thenceforth, all allegiance and political rela- 
 tion was absolved between the good people of Mecklenburgh, and the 
 King of Great Britain; which Declaration was signed by every mem- 
 ber of the Delegation, under the shouts and huzzas of a very large as- 
 sembly of the people of the County, who had come to know the issue 
 of the meeting. We further believe, that the Declaration of Indepen- 
 dence was drawn up by the Secretary, Doctor Ephraim Brevard, and 
 that it was conceived and brought about through the instrumentality 
 and popularity of Colonel Thomas Polk, Abraham Alexander, John 
 M'Knitt Alexander, Adam Alexander, Ephraim Brevard, John Phifer, 
 and Hezekiah Alexander, with some others. 
 
 We do further certify and declare, that in a few days after the Dele- 
 gates adjourned, Captain James Jack, of the Town of Charlotte, was 
 engaged to carry the Resolves to the President of Congress, and to our 
 Representatives — one copy for each ; and that his expenses were paid 
 by a voluntary subscription. And we do know that Captain Jack exe- 
 cuted the trust, and returned with answers, both from the President 
 and our Delegates in Congress, expressive of their entire approbation 
 of the course that had been adopted, recommending a continuance in 
 the same ; and that the time would soon be, when the whole Continent 
 would follow our example. 
 
 We further certify and declare, that the measures which were adopt- 
 ed at the time before mentioned, had a general influence on the people 
 of this County to unite them in the cause of liberty and the Country, 
 at that time ; that the same unanimity and patriotism continued unim- 
 paired to the close of the war ; and that the Resolutions had considerable 
 effect in harmonizing the people in two or three adjoining Counties. 
 
 That a Committee of Safety for the County were elected, who were 
 clothed with civil and military power, and under their authority sev. 
 
863 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 864 
 
 began their retreat, they observed soldiers dead on the 
 ground, one of them scalped and his ears cut off, though 
 not quite dead ; from which it is very clear that one or 
 more of the Provincials had the cowardice to go in amongst 
 the Regular Troops, and cut off the ears of a soldier that 
 had fallen, though not quite dead. 
 
 This, my Lord, may seem no less odd than true, for it 
 is fully proved ; for unless the soldier's ears had been cut off 
 whilst among the body of Regulars, they could not possibly 
 have known it, as they do not pretend, nor the Provincials 
 believe, that they ever regained any ground they had re- 
 
 eral disaffected persons in Rov>an and Tryon (now Lincoln County) 
 were sent for, examined, and conveyed (after it was satisfactorily proven 
 they were inimical) to Camden, in South Carolina, for safekeeping. 
 
 We do further certify, that the acts passed by the Committee of 
 Safety, were received as tho civil law of the land in many cases, and 
 that Courts of Justico for the decision of controversies between the 
 people were held, and we have no recollection that dissatisfaction ex- 
 isted in any instance with regard to the judgments of said Courts. 
 
 We are not, at this late period, able to give the names of all the 
 Delegation who formed the Declaration of Independence ; but can 
 safely declare as to the following persons being of tho number, viz : 
 Thomas Polk, Abraham Alexander, John M'Knitt Alexander, Adam 
 Alexander, Ephraim Brevard, John Phifer, Hezekiah James Balsh, 
 Benjamin Patton, Hezekiah Alexander, Richard Barry, William Gra- 
 ham, Matthew M'Clure, Robert Irwin, Zacheus Wilson, Neil Morrison, 
 John Flenniken, John Queary, Ezra Alexander. 
 
 In testimony of all and every part herein set forth, we have here- 
 unto set our hands. Geo. Graham, aged 61, near 62. 
 
 Wm. Hutchinson, 68. 
 Jonas Clark, 61. 
 Robert Robinson, 68. 
 
 from john simeson to colonel william polk. 
 
 " Providence, January 20, 1820. 
 " Dear Sir : After considerable delay, occasioned partly to obtain 
 what information I could, in addition to my own knowledge of the 
 facts in relation to our Declaration of Independence, and partly by a 
 precarious, feeble old age, I now writo to you in answer to yours of the 
 24th ult. 
 
 " I have conversed with many of my old friends and others, and all 
 agree in the point, but few can state the particulars; for although our 
 County is renowned for general intelligence, we have still some that 
 don't read the publick prints. You know, in the language of the day, 
 every Province had its Congress, and Mecklenburgh had its County Con- 
 gress, as legally chosen as any other, and assumed an attitude until 
 then without a precedent ; but, alas ! those worthies who conceived 
 and executed that bold measure, are no more ; and one reason why so 
 little new light can be thrown on an old truth, may be this— and I ap- 
 peal to yourself for the correctness of the remark — we, who arc now 
 called Revolutionary men, were then thoughtless, precipitate youths ; 
 we cared not who conceived the bold act, our business w.is to adopt and 
 support it. Yourself, sir, in your eighteenth year and on the spot, your 
 worthy father, the most popular and influential character in the Coun- 
 ty, and yet you cannot slate much from recollection. Your father, as 
 commanding officer of the County, issued orders to the Captains to ap- 
 point two men from each company to represent them in the Commit- 
 tee. It was done. Neill Morrison, John Flenniken, from this Com- 
 pany ; Charles Alexander, John M'Knitt Alexander, Hezekiah Alex, 
 under, Abraham Alexander, Esq., John Phifer, David Reese, Adam 
 Alexander, Dickey Barry, John Queary, with others, whose names I 
 cannot obtain. As to tho names of those who drew up the Declara- 
 tion, I am inclined to think Doctor Brevard was the principal, from 
 his known talents in composition. It was, however, in substance and 
 form, like that great national act agreed on thirteen months after. 
 Ours was towards tho close of May, 1775. In addition to what I have 
 said, the same Committee appointed three men to securo all the mili- 
 tary stores for the County's use — Thomas Polk, John Phifer, and Jo- 
 soph Kennedy. I was under arms near the head of tho line, near Col- 
 onel Polk, and heard him distinctly road a long string of grievances, 
 the declaration, and military order above. I likewise hoard Colonel 
 Polk have two warm disputes with two men of the County, who said 
 the measures were rash and unnecessary. He was applauded and they 
 silenced. I was then in my 22d year, an enemy to usurpation and 
 tyranny of every kind, with a retentive memory, and fond of liberty, 
 that had a doubt arisen in my mind that the act would be controverted, 
 proof would not have been wanting ; but I comfort myself that none 
 but the solf-important poace-party and blue-lights of tho East, will 
 have tho assurance to oppose it any further. The biographer of Pa- 
 trick Henry, (Mr. Wirt) says he first suggested independence in tho 
 Virginia Convention ; but it is known they did not reduce it to action — 
 so that it will pass for nothing. The Courts likewise acted indepen- 
 dently. I myself heard a dispute take place on the bench, and an acting 
 Magistrate was actually taken and sent to prison by an order of tho 
 Chairman. 
 
 "Thus, Sir, havo I thrown together all that I can at this time. I 
 am too blind to writo fair, and too old to writo much sense — but if my 
 deposition before tho Supreme Court of tho United States would add 
 more weight to a truth so well known here, it should be at tho servico 
 of my fellow-citizens of tho County and State generally. 
 
 " 1 am, Sir, your friend and humblo servant, 
 
 " John Simeson, Sen." 
 
 " P. S. I will give you a short anecdote. An aged man near me, on 
 being asked if he knew any think of this afT.iir, replied, " Och, aye, 
 Tam Polk declared independence lang before any body else." This old 
 man is 81." 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF ISAAC ALEXANDER. 
 
 I hereby certify that I was present in Charlotte on the 19th and 20th 
 days of May, 1775, when a regular deputation from all the Captains' 
 companies of Militia in tho County of Mecklenburgh, to wit: Colonel 
 Thomas Polk, Adam Alexander, Lieutenant-Colonel Abram Alexander, 
 John M'Knitt Alexander, Hezekiah Alexander, Ephraim Brevard and 
 a numbor of others, who mot to consult and tako measures for tho poaco 
 
 treated over; and besides, my Lord, as proof, if his ears 
 had been cut off after they had retreated, and left him on 
 the ground which the Provincials had gained, the King's 
 Troops could not possibly have seen him to prove it. 
 Another instance, my Lord ; one of them had the cow- 
 ardice to strike Major Pitcairn at the head of his Troops ; 
 so that, my Lord, I think I have very fully proved to your 
 Lordship at least, (and for which I hope to be rewarded,) 
 the clearest and most flagrant instances of American cow- 
 ardice, and which, I think, is quite sufficient to satisfy your 
 Lordship, that a few more Troops, in addition to those 
 
 and tranquillity of the citizens of said County, and who appointed 
 Abraham Alexander their Chairman, and Doctor Ephraim Brevard 
 Secretary ; who, after due consultation, declared themselves absolved 
 from their allegiance to the King of Great Britain, and drew up a de- 
 claration of their independence, which was unanimously adopted ; and 
 employed Captain James Jack to carry copies thereof to Congress, 
 who accordingly went. These are a part of the transactions that took 
 place at that time, as far as my recollection serves mo. 
 
 Isaac Alexander. 
 
 October 8, 1830. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF SAMUEL WILSON. 
 
 State of North-Carolina, Mecklenburgh County: 
 
 I do hereby certify, that in May, 1775, a Committoe or Delegation 
 from the different Militia Companies in this County, met in Charlotte; 
 and after consulting together, they publickly declared their indepen- 
 dence on Great Britain, and on her Government. This was done beforo 
 a large collection of people, w ho highly approved of it. I was then and 
 there present, and heard it read from the Court-House door. Certified 
 by me. Sam'l Wilson. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF JOHN DAVIDSON. 
 
 Beaver Dam, October 5, 1830. 
 
 Dear Sir : I received your note of the 25th of last month, rrquir- 
 ing information relative to the Mecklenburgh Declaration of Indepen. 
 dence. As I am, perhaps, the only person living who, as a member of 
 that Convention, and being far advanced in yoars, and not having my 
 mind frequently directed to that circumstance for some years, I can 
 give you but a very succinct history of that transaction. There were 
 two men chosen from each Captain's company, to meet in Charlotte, to 
 take the subject into consideration. John M'Knitt Alexander and 
 myself were chosen from one company ; and many other members 
 were there that I now recollect, whoso names I deem unnecessary to 
 mention. When the members met, and were perfoctly organized for 
 business, a motion was made to declare ourselves independent of the 
 Crown of Great Britain, which was carried by a largo majority. Doc- 
 tor Ephraim Brevard was then appointed to give us a sketch of the De- 
 claration of Independence, which he did. James Jack was appointed 
 to lake it on to the American Congress, then sitting in Philadelphia, 
 with particular instructions to deliver it to the North-Carolina Delega- 
 tion in Congress, {Hooper and Caswell.) When Jack returned, he 
 stated that the Declaration was presented to Congress, and the reply 
 was, that they highly esteemed the patriotism of the citizens of Meck- 
 lenburgh ; but they thought the measure too premature. 
 
 I am confident that the Declaration of Independence by the peopla 
 of Mecklenburgh was made publick at least twelve months before that 
 of the Congress of tho United States. 
 
 I do certify that the foregoing statement, relative to the Mecklen- 
 burgh Independence, is correct, and which I am willing to bo qualified 
 to, should it be required. Yours respectfully, John Davidson. 
 
 Dr. J. M. Alexander. 
 
 LETTER FROM J. G. M. RAMSEY. 
 
 Mecklenburgh, T. October 1, 1830. 
 
 Dear Sir : Yours of tho 21st ultimo was duly received, lu answer 
 I have only to say, that little is in my possession on the subject alluded 
 to which you have not already seen. Subjoined are the certificates of 
 two gentlemen of this County, whose respectability and veracity are 
 attested by their acquaintances here, as well as by the accompanying 
 testimonials of the Magistrates in whose neighbourhood they reside. 
 With this you will also receive extracts from letters on the same sub. 
 ject from gentlemen well known to you, and to the Country at large. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, yours, &c. J. G. M. Ramsey. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF JAMES JOHNSON. 
 
 I, James Johnson, now of Knox County, Tennessee, hut formerly of 
 Mecklenburgh County, North-Carolina, do hereby cortify, that to the 
 best of my recollection, in tho month of May, 1775, there were soveral 
 meetings in Charlotte concerning tho impending war. Being young, 
 I was not called on to take an active part in the same; but one thing I 
 do positively remember, that she {Mecklenburgh County) did meet and 
 hold a Convention, declared independence, and sent a man to Phila- 
 delphia with tho proceedings. And I do further certify, that I am well 
 acquainted with several of the men who formed or constituted said 
 Convention, viz: John M'Knitt Alexander, Hezekiah Alexander, Abra- 
 ham Alexander, Adam Alexander, Robert Irwin, Neill Morrison, John 
 Flenniken, John Queury. 
 
 Certified by me this 11th day of October, 1827. 
 
 James Johnson, in my seventy third year. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF ELIJAH JOHNSON AND JAMES WILIIITE. 
 
 Wo, Elijah Johnson and James Wilhite, acting Justices of tho Poaco 
 for tho County of Knox, do certify, that we havo been a long time 
 well acquainted with Samuel Montgomery and James Johnson, both 
 residonls of Knox County ; and that they aro entitled to full credit, 
 and any statement they may make to implicit confidence. 
 
 Given under our hands and^eals this 4th day of October, 1830. 
 
 Elijah Johnson, (seal.) 
 James Wilhite, (seal.) 
 Justices of the Peace for Knox County. 
 
 Kotc.—Mr. Moutgomen/t certificate docs uot purport to state the facts a* having 
 eonie under his own personal observation. It is therefore omitted in this publication. 
 
865 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, MAY, 1775. 
 
 866 
 
 already here in command of General Gage, (who have 
 shown so much bravery as to suffer a single cowardly Ame- 
 rican or two, to enter into the Army and cut off the ears 
 of a soldier that had fallen in battle,) will be sufficient to 
 frighten all the inhabitants out of America, whereby your 
 Lordship, and the rest of the junto, will have an opportu- 
 nity of amply serving your faithful friends, in the glorious 
 cause of despotism and arbitrary power, by granting to them 
 the lands and estates of these refugees. In doing which, 
 I should not forget to remind your Lordship to remember 
 your faithful, humble servant, An Expectant. 
 
 COLONEL GEORGE WASHINGTON TO GEORGE WILLIAM FAIR- 
 FAX, ENGLAND. 
 
 Philadelphia, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Before this letter will come to hand, you 
 must undoubtedly have received an account of the engage- 
 ment in the Massachusetts-Bay , between the Ministerial 
 Troops (for we do not, nor can we yet prevail upon our- 
 selves to call them the King's Troops) and the Provincials 
 of that Government. But as you may not have heard how 
 tiiat affair began, I enclose you the several affidavits which 
 were taken after the action. 
 
 General Gage acknowledges that the detachment under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Smith was sent out to destroy private 
 property ; or, in other words, to destroy a magazine, which 
 self-preservation obliged the inhabitants to establish. And 
 he also confesses, in effect at least, that his men made a 
 very precipitate retreat from Concord, notwithstanding the 
 re-enforcement under Lord Percy; the last of which may 
 serve to convince Lord Sandwich, and others of the same 
 sentiment, that the Americans will fight for their liberties 
 and property, however pusillanimous in his Lordship's eyes 
 they may appear in other respects. 
 
 From the best accounts 1 have been able to collect of 
 that affair, indeed from every one, I believe the fact, stripped 
 of all colouring, to be plainly this : that if the retreat had 
 not been as precipitate as it was, (and God knows it could 
 not well have been more so,) the Ministerial Troops must 
 have surrendered or been totally cut off ; for they had not 
 arrived in Charlestown, under cover of their ships, half an 
 hour, before a powerful body of men from Marblehead and 
 Salem was at their heels, and must, if they had happened 
 to be up one hour sooner, inevitably have intercepted their 
 retreat to Charlestotvn. Unhappy it is, though, to reflect 
 that a brother's sword has been sheathed in a brother's 
 breast, and that the once happy and peaceful plains of 
 America are either to be drenched with blood, or inhabited 
 by slaves. Sad alternative ! But can a virtuous man hesi- 
 tate in his choice ? 
 
 I am, with sincere regard and affectionate compliments 
 to Mrs. Fairfax, dear Sir, yours, Sic. 
 
 WORCESTER (MASSACHUSETTS) CONVENTION. 
 
 May 31, 1775. 
 
 The Convention met according to adjournment, at the 
 Court-House in Worcester. 
 
 Mr. William Young was elected Chairman pro tempore, 
 and Jeduthan Baldwin Clerk pro tempore. 
 
 Voted, That the Rev. Mr. Chaplain be desired to open 
 this Convention with prayer. 
 
 Voted, To pass over counting the votes for County 
 Treasurer. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Hezekiah Ward, Mr. Padleford, 
 and Mr. Joshua Bigelow, be a Committee to draw up a 
 Remonstrance to the Provincial Congress, that no man be 
 allowed to have a seat therein who does not vote away his 
 own money for publick purjtoses, in common with the other 
 members, and with his constituents. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to take into 
 consideration the subject of allowing those who are inimical 
 to the Country, to exercise the right of voting in Town 
 meetings. 
 
 Resolved, That the erecting of a Paper-Mill in this Coun- 
 ty would be of great publick advantage ; and if any person 
 or persons will undertake the erecting of such Mill, and 
 the manufacture of Paper, that it be recommended to the 
 people of the County to encourage the undertaking by 
 generous contributions and subscriptions. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 REPRESENTATION OF ROBERT TEMPLE TO THE COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Plymouth, May 31, 1775. 
 I, Robert Temple, of Ten Hills, near Charlestotvn, New- 
 England, do declare, that I have received no injury to my 
 property, nor have I been under any apprehensions of 
 danger to either my person or property from the Troops 
 that are under the command of General Ward; but it is a 
 fact that I have been so threatened, searched for, attacked 
 by the name of tory, an enemy to this Country, and treated 
 in such a manner, that not only my own judgment, but that 
 of my friends, and of almost the whole of the Town where 
 I lived, made it necessary or prudent for me to fly from my 
 home. I am confident that this is owing to the wickedness 
 of a few, very few, who have prejudiced some short-sighted 
 people against me, who live too far from my abode to be 
 acquainted with my proper character. I am confirmed in 
 this opinion from the kind protection that my wife and 
 family have received, and continue to receive from General 
 Ward, as well as from the sentiments which the Committee 
 of Safety have been pleased to entertain of me. 
 
 R. Temple. 
 
 STEPHEN NYE TO NATHANIEL FREEMAN. 
 
 Sandwich, May 31, 1775. 
 Sir: I would give you a relation of Captain Linsey's 
 proceeding at the islands since your going from here. On 
 Sunday he received a re-enforcement by a schooner from 
 Boston, and proceeded from thence to the west end of 
 the island, where they took off about two hundred sheep, 
 chiefly from Tucker's Island, which belonged to John 
 Wing; from thence they came down to the cove, and 
 ordered the sheep there to be yarded, which was accord- 
 ingly dene, but it being near night they concluded to leave 
 them in the yard till morning. They rudely insulted, 
 abused, and threatened the people for their backwardness 
 in assisting them. In the night, word was brought off to 
 Falmouth of the above proceeding, by Nye, who went im- 
 mediately back to take care of his family, on which a num- 
 ber of men, well equipped, immediately went on the island. 
 Before their arrival at the cove the sheep were turned out 
 of the yard into the woods. The people from the ship had 
 been on shore, and on finding the sheep were gone, were 
 still more enraged, and took all the arms they could find, 
 six calves and the hogs, and carried them off. When the 
 people from Falmouth got to the cove, which was before 
 day, they placed themselves in the bushes, and lay undis- 
 covered. In the morning the boat came on shore with the 
 doctor, boatswain, he, whom they might have taken had 
 they not expected the captain ashore soon ; however, the 
 boat soon went back without going to the house, and both 
 vessels immediately weighed anchor and went down to 
 Holmes's Hole, where they lay last night at anchor. Cap- 
 tain Bassett is now on the island, with about fifty men, and 
 will tarry to guard the stock until we have the advice of 
 the Congress what method is best to take. By the best 
 account, there is not less than four thousand sheep, and be- 
 tween two and three hundred horned cattle, and a number 
 of horses, on the Island of Naushan, and perhaps nigh as 
 many on the other islands. It is generally judged that 
 fifty or sixty men, placed on the island at Tarpaidin Cove. 
 would guard the above stock. It is certainly impracticable 
 to bring it off ; and it must most certainly either be de- 
 stroyed where it is, or fall into the hands of our enemies ; 
 which is best, the Congress must judge. Their determina- 
 tion we should be glad of as soon as possible, for we fear 
 the men now there will be impatient to come off unless 
 they are put under pay. Captain Bassett is perhaps the 
 best officer that can be placed there ; his courage and con- 
 duct have been heretofore well approved, and he is more- 
 over well acquainted with the ground on the island, which 
 must certainly be of great advantage. There went a num- 
 ber of men from this town, some of whom are, we con- 
 clude, now on the island. We hope the Congress will let 
 us have their advice and determination as soon as possible, 
 and pray that in all their determinations they will be coun- 
 selled by the Supreme Counsellor ; and are, Sir, your hum- 
 ble servants, Stephen Nye. 
 To Colonel Nathaniel Freeman, to be communicated to 
 Congress. 
 
867 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, MAY, 1775. 
 
 868 
 
 SELECTMEN OF SCARBOROUGH TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Representatives in Congress assem- 
 bled, the 3lst of M ay, 1775: 
 The Selectmen of the Town of Scarborough, for and in 
 behalf of said Town, humbly showcth: 
 That the said Town of Scarborough thought themselves 
 not able to support the charge of a Member in said Con- 
 gress at present, said Town having no money to pay any 
 tax whatever. Our lumber was our chief trade in this 
 Town ; that being done, we are in great distress for want 
 of money and provisions. Our crops are very short the last 
 year, and under present circumstances, little or no supplies 
 brought from the Southern Colonies, makes it distressing. 
 
 But we doubt not of your Honours' great wisdom in 
 consulting the good of the whole Colony ; and though this 
 Town has no Representative in Congress, we look upon 
 ourselves in duty bound to conform to the Resolves ol the 
 honourable Congress, and shall ever be willing to exert 
 ourselves to the utmost to support good government and 
 defend our just rights and privileges. We have only to add 
 our prayers that God may bless and prosper your counsels, 
 and in the end confirm to us that liberty which our forefa- 
 thers came into these regions to enjoy. 
 
 We beg leave to subscribe ourselves, as in duty bound, 
 your obedient humble servants, 
 
 Reuben Fogg, ^ 
 
 Peter Libeee, > Selectmen. 
 
 Joshua Fabyan, ) 
 
 SELECTMEN OF EDGARTOWN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable the Members of the Provincial Con- 
 gress to be held at Watertown^ on the 3\st day of 
 May instant: 
 
 Gentlemen: Agreeable to the recommendation of the 
 late honourable Provincial Congress, we have caused the 
 Freeholders and other Inhabitants of Edgartown, qualified 
 by law to vote for Representatives in the General Assem- 
 bly, to meet, in order to elect and depute a Member or 
 Members to represent them in a Provincial Congress 1o be 
 held at Watertown, on the said 31st day of May instant, 
 but did not elect or depute any Member or Members for 
 the purpose aforesaid ; because it was thought inexpedient, 
 on account of the peculiar situation and circumstances of 
 this small and much exposed Town ; being situated on 
 an Island, the communication to the main land not only 
 difficult but dangerous, and frequently surrounded by armed 
 vessels, by reason of the advantageous situation, and con- 
 venient harbour suitable for their reception; by reason 
 whereof, a man-of-war is for the most part stationed here, 
 to the great detriment and terrour of the inhabitants, and 
 apprehensive that in case they publickly manifest any 
 great degree of forwardness, with regard to the publick's 
 unhappy affairs of this Province, that some fatal conse- 
 quence may ensue, being thus exposed. We are fully 
 convinced that the inhabitants of this place have a most 
 sincere regard for the Congress, and mean to follow and 
 pursue their recommendations from time to time cheerfully 
 with punctuality, consistent with their safety under their 
 situation. We are therefore led to think that the situation 
 of this people at this time deserves much pity and some in- 
 dulgence. All which is humbly submitted in behalf of 
 said Town of Edgartown. 
 
 Thomas Cooke, 
 
 Ebenezer Smith, 
 
 Selectmen. 
 
 PETITION OF INHABITANTS OF BERWICK TO THE MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable the Delegates of the Colony of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay in Provincial Congress at Water- 
 town convened: 
 
 The Petition of the Inhabitants and Freeholders of Ber- 
 wick, in the County of York, in town-meeting con- 
 vened, humbly showcth : 
 
 That the harbours of York and Kittery, within the said 
 County, lie entirely open to our now known enemies, and 
 the lives and properties of the inhabitants thereof and the 
 
 neighbouring Towns along the sea-coast exposed to the 
 ravages and depredations of the enemy. 
 
 And that the remaining part of the inhabitants of this 
 and the remaining Towns labour under the disagreeable 
 situation (for want of arms and ammunition) of being inca- 
 pable to defend themselves, wives, and children, and pro- 
 perties, should a descent be made by the King's Troops on 
 this coast, which your Petitioners have the greatest reason 
 to fear will inevitably be the event. 
 
 Your Petitioner-, therefore, humbly pray this honour- 
 able House, in their great wisdom, to take the premises into 
 serious consideration, and that they would be pleased to 
 despatch one or more of the Companies now in the servic e 
 of this Colony, in order to assist in guarding and defending 
 this coast, or enable them, by raising more Troops for the 
 Colony service, in some measure to guard and defend them- 
 selves. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever 
 pray, kc, kc. By order of the Town : 
 
 Nahum Marshall, Town Cleric. 
 
 Berwick, May 31, 1775. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF BEDFORD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress convened at Wa- 
 tertown, May 31, 1775: 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received the Resolve of the late 
 Provincial Congress, signifying the necessity of a new 
 Congress, and recommending to us that we elect one or 
 more Members to represent us therein, which hath been 
 laid before our Town, at a general meeting called for that 
 purpose ; but as the Town is small, and hath of late been 
 visited with sickness and death, as well as the general ca- 
 lamities of our times, and apprehending it not necessary to 
 multiply the number of Members, we hope to be excused, 
 as we did not obtain a major vote of the Town to send one. 
 Notwithstanding, we do highly approve of, and are well 
 sensible of the expediency of such a Congress at this im- 
 portant crisis, and will freely comply with all the wise and 
 salutary measures thereof relative to us. 
 
 So, wishing Divine influence and blessings on your en- 
 deavours for the peace and safety of this Province, at this 
 alarming day, we subscribe ourselves yours, &tc. 
 
 In the name and by order of the Selectmen of Bedford : 
 Stephen Davis, Town Cleric. 
 
 LETTER FROM THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO GEN- 
 ERAL WARD. 
 
 Exeter, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir: In order to commission the Officers belonging to 
 the New-Hampshire Regiments, the Congress have thought 
 it absolutely necessary that Colonel Stark should appear 
 before them ; therefore should take it as a favour, that you 
 grant him leave for that purpose. 
 
 To his Excellency General Ward. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO COLONEL STARK. 
 
 Exeter, May 31, 1775. 
 Sir: As some difficulties have arisen in settling the Re- 
 giment under your command, the Congress, as you will 
 see by the enclosed vote, have thought proper that you 
 should immediately, without loss of time, repair to this 
 Town, to receive their orders, and give a more particular 
 account of the state of the Troops under your care. 
 To Colonel John Stark, Esq. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Portsmouth, May 31, 1775. 
 Sir: We beg leave to inform you that this day eight 
 pieces of cannon were removed from Jersey Point to this 
 Town, and that threats are thrown out by the Captain ol 
 the man-of-war, that in case he hears of any preparation of 
 rafts, or any other means being used to annoy him, he shall 
 come up with his ship to fire upon the Town. We would 
 submit it to the wisdom of the Congress, whether these 
 guns should not be immediately placed in some convenient 
 battery to prevent this mischief, and whether a Committee 
 should not be forthwith employed for this purpose. The 
 guns are six twenty-four and two thirty-two-pounders. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JUNE, 1775. 870 
 
 869 
 
 And it is absolutely necessary that we be provided with 
 ammunition and carriages, Sic, to save them, of w hich we 
 are entirely destitute. 
 
 I am, by order of the Committee, your most humble 
 servant, H. Wentworth. Chairman. 
 
 To Matthew Thornton, Esq., President of the Congress 
 at Eieter. 
 
 MESH EC H WEARE TO THE NEW- HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress for the Province of New- 
 Hampshire, convened at Exeter, May 31, 1775: 
 Gentlemen: As you have now under your considera- 
 tion the important affair of raising Troops, and appointing 
 them to proper stations, as well for (he safety and defence 
 of this Province, as for promoting the common cause at this 
 critical and alarming season, we doubt not but you will 
 kindly receive intimations from any number of persons of 
 things which appear to them of great importance ; we 
 therefore beg leave to represent, from frequent alarms we 
 have had, and from authentick advice from General Ward. 
 that a number of armed cutters are sailed from Boston, 
 for what design is unknown. We apprehend it to be ab- 
 solutely necessary that a proper proportion of the Troops 
 to be raised in this Province be immediately assigned for 
 the defence of our sea-coasts ; and permit us to suggest, 
 that if a proper number of Troops for this purpose were 
 ordered to be raised in the Towns near the sea-coasts, it 
 would greatly facilitate the raising the men immediately, 
 and be a great help for procuring immediate supplies, and 
 we can conceive will be much more service to the common 
 cause than sending our men elsewhere. It will also be a 
 great discouragement to men enlisting to be sent to a dis- 
 tance, at the same time that they leave their friends and 
 substance exposed by their absence, when they themselves 
 might be more advantageously employed for their defence. 
 
 We therefore pray that a proper quota of men may be 
 assigned, and Officers for enlisting them, for this service, as 
 soon as may be, which we submit to your wisdom and de- 
 termination. Meshech Weare. 
 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 At the request of many persons who represented to me 
 that the general mind of the people in the Towns near the 
 sea-coast, is as above represented, and that much uneasi- 
 ness is in their minds until some provision be made for their 
 defence, I subscribe, on their behalf, to save the time of 
 collecting a great number of subscribers. M. W. 
 
 WIN BORN ADAMS TO THE N EW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Gentlemen : By a message from Portsmouth, I am 
 desired to go there to-morrow with my Company, to assist 
 in endeavouring to destroy the men-of-war in our harbour. 
 As my Company were enlisted under your direction, I 
 think it my duty to wait your order on any movement, 
 therefore have sent the bearer, and desire your direction 
 in this affair, which I shall endeavour to obey. And am, 
 with great respect, your very humble servant, 
 
 Winborn Adams. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Committee of Safety at 
 Exeter. 
 
 P. S. The plan proposed to execute the aforesaid affair 
 1 have not heard in particular, only that it was thought the 
 deck might be commanded with small arms from the shore, 
 while she was set on fire by rafts sent down by water. 
 
 CHARLES JOHNSON TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress convened at Exeter: 
 
 Gentlemen: We hereby inform you that we sent a 
 scouting party towards Canada, which party returned on 
 Saturday last, by whom we have the following informa- 
 tion : 
 
 They give us to understand that, by the best information 
 that could be got, there is a body of Indians now lying on 
 the west side of the Lake Champlain, nearly opposite to 
 the mouth of Onion River. What the particular number 
 
 of them is, we cannot certainly determine ; but by the best 
 information, not less than four or five hundred. And fur- 
 thermore, that the day before the scouting party left the 
 mouth of Onion River, they were informed there were ten 
 canoes of Indians from Canada, who joined said party. 
 And, moreover, that Governour Carleton, of Quebeck, is 
 enlisting men in Canada; and also, he has sent to those 
 tribes of Indians whom General Montcalm had with him 
 at the reduction of Fort William and Henry. The same 
 party give account of the taking Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point by our parties of the Southern Government. 
 
 Now, gentlemen, as to the situation of these parts. How 
 near the borders of the enemy we are, every one knows who 
 is acquainted with the boundaries of our own Province. 
 As to the position of defence, we are in difficult circum- 
 stances; we are in want of both arms and ammunition. 
 There is but very little, or none worth mentioning, perhaps 
 not one pound of powder to twenty men, according to cal- 
 culation, and not the one-half of our men have arms. Now, 
 gentlemen, we have all reason to suspect, and really look 
 upon ourselves in imminent danger of the enemy, and at 
 this time in no capacity for a defence, for want of arms 
 and ammunition. And, moreover, we have not a sufficient 
 number of men to defend these our frontiers, without some 
 assistance from the lower Towns, which assistance, gentle- 
 men, we humbly conceive should necessarily be here, in 
 order to act upon the first alarm. 
 
 We, gentlemen, refer the matter to your mature con- 
 sideration, whether it is not necessary to give us assistance, 
 that we may be ready in case of invasion. We have, gen- 
 tlemen, a number of men in these parts of the Country 
 who have not any real estate, who will certainly leave us, 
 unless some assistance be given ; and who are ready to 
 assist, and stand by our cause with their lives, provided en- 
 couragement be given them. 
 
 If, gentlemen, you shall think it necessary to raise forces 
 to defend this our Province, if you will give orders in what 
 manner assistance shall be procured, please to inform us 
 as expeditiously as the nature of things will allow. There 
 is no doubt of enlisting numbers, without distressing or 
 much interfering with the lower Towns near the sea-coasts, 
 provided we have the platform to act upon. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with all due respect, your humble 
 servants. In behalf: Chas. Johnston, 
 
 Clerk to the Committee of the Northern Regiment 
 in the County of Grafton. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED AT WATERTOWN, DATED 
 LONDON, JUNE 1, 1775. 
 
 The intelligence by Captain Derby, of the defeat of 
 General Gage's men under Lord Percy, by the Americans, 
 on the 19th of April last, has given very general pleasure 
 here, as the newspapers will testify. 'Tis not with cer- 
 tainty that one can speak of the disposition of people in 
 England with respect to the contest with America; though 
 we are clear that the friends of America increase every 
 day, particularly since the above intelligence. 
 
 It is believed the Ministers have not as yet formed any 
 plans in consequence of the action of April 19th. They 
 are in total confusion and consternation, and wait for Gen- 
 eral Gage's despatches by the Sukey, Captain Broivn. 
 The talk of the day is, that more troops and ships are to 
 be sent immediately ; but this, it is thought, cannot be done 
 without calling the Parliament to raise more money. If it 
 should be attempted, much disturbance may be expected 
 in England. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN NEW-YORK, DATED 
 LONDON, JUNE 1, 1775. 
 
 It is my indispensable duty to inform my countrymen on 
 your side the water of whatever resolutions are formed on 
 this side injurious to your sacred rights, that you may be 
 timely on your guard to defeat the pernicious attempts of 
 that implacable and tyrannical Administration. My intelli- 
 gence is founded on the best information, and therefore full 
 credence ought to be paid to it. 
 
 On the arrival of the news of the defeat and retreat of 
 the detachments under Lord Percy and Colonel Smith, 
 this great city was agitated to its centre. The friends to 
 
871 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 872 
 
 America rejoiced at the noble victory of the Bostonians, 
 and its enemies were abashed at their courage. The news 
 flew rapidly, and soon caught the ear of an unwise and 
 deluded King. Administration were alarmed at the unex- 
 pected success of the Provincials, and were at a loss what 
 lies to fabricate which would destroy the force of the qual- 
 ifications which accompanied the intelligence. Runners 
 were sent to every part of the City, who were authorized 
 to deny the authenticity of the facts; and so distressed was 
 Government, that they officially requested a suspension of 
 belief, until despatches were received from General Gage. 
 No advice is received yet from that quarter. In the mean 
 time frequent ministerial councils were held without any 
 conclusive determinations until yesterday, when His Ma- 
 jesty presided at one of them. The King, after having 
 heard the news read, asked what mode should be pursued 
 to support the dignity of the Nation, retrieve the honour 
 of the British arms, and annihilate the American opposi- 
 tion ? Lord North replied, that there were thirty thousand 
 Troops in Quebeck and Canada, ready to march to Boston 
 for General Gage's relief; that more men-of-war should be 
 sent out, and that the Admiral should have positive orders 
 to seize provision vessels for the due supply of the Navy 
 and Army. He observed, that from the natural formation 
 of the entrance into Boston, with the precautions taken by 
 the General, there was no apprehension of any attack, for 
 in fact it could not be stormed. Upon this futile opinion, 
 instructions were immediately despatched to Gage, to order 
 the regulars from Quebeck, and to march the militia of 
 Canada, as well as to obtain the necessary supply of pro- 
 visions by seizing the American vessels at sea, or in the 
 harbours. To facilitate this accursed plan, the General is 
 to assure the officers of the King's determination to pro- 
 mote them; and to stimulate the soldiers to acts of butchery, 
 their pay is to be increased, to which purpose fifty thousand 
 Pounds were sent off last night to Boston. 
 
 The General has positive orders to destroy the maga- 
 zines, to spike the cannon, to order the riot act to be read, 
 and to set up the King's standard immediately. What 
 infatuation possesses this Nation ! You and I, who know 
 the strength of America and the consolidated union of its 
 inhabitants, must laugh at their threats, and despise their 
 shallow schemes. But whilst they are forming this im- 
 practicable plan of extracting thirty thousand Troops from 
 Canada, they dread the arrival of the Packet ; because, 
 however they would dupe the credulous inhabitants of 
 England with fallacious contradictions of the facts an- 
 nounced, they cannot help believing that General Gage 
 and his Army are even now either cut off, or ignominiously 
 constrained to retreat into the castle, or on board the men- 
 of-war. 
 
 Such also is the terrour of Administration, that they have 
 despatched some of the nobility and gentry throughout 
 England to contradict the Boston news, in order to quiet 
 the landed gentlemen, cajole the manufacturing cities, and 
 prevent the dreaded effects on the stocks. But alas ! these 
 are temporary, ineffectual expedients; for the next Ameri- 
 can intelligence will arouse the supine landed and manu- 
 facturing interest, and a vital stab will be given to the 
 funds. This Nation has passed her meridian splendour. 
 America, by her virtue and her numbers, will permanently 
 establish her rights, and be the blessed means of extirpa- 
 tion of this most flagitious Ministry, and of establishing the 
 British throne in wisdom and clemency. 
 
 This evening some of the principal Common Council- 
 men meet, to revive and effectually equip the military of 
 London, which consists of eight thousand men, in order to 
 co-operate with the Americans in forcing a relinquishment 
 of the present infernal politicks, and in supporting consti- 
 tutional liberty throughout the British Dominions. 
 
 sincerely espouse the great cause contended for by you ; 
 and who ardently wish that the noble stand you have made 
 in defence of these rights, to which, as men and British sub- 
 jects we are entitled, may be crowned with success. The 
 distresses our brethren must unavoidably experience by 
 enforcement of the late acts of a cruel and vindictive Min- 
 istry, deeply affect us. The unhappy division amongst us 
 has hitherto prevented our contributing to their support ; 
 but have now the pleasure to transmit you, by the Juliana, 
 Captain Stringham, bound to New-York, a small contri- 
 bution of sixty-three barrels of rice, and one hundred and 
 twenty-two Pounds sterling, in specie, under the care of 
 John Eaton Le Conte. Esq., which we desire you will 
 please to appropriate towards the relief of those who have 
 lately left the Town of Boston. We hope soon to be en- 
 abled by our friends who reside at a distance from Savan- 
 nah, to send you a further token of our regard for you, and 
 those whose misfortunes must increase with the oppressive 
 measures now pursued by Administration against America. 
 
 I have the honour to be, on behalf of the contributors 
 gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 W. Jones. 
 
 To the gentlemen of the Committee for receiving Dona- 
 tions for the relief of the distressed inhabitants of Bos- 
 ton. 
 
 INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF ALBEMARLE TO THE W1L- 
 LIAMSBURGH VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Charlottesville, Virginia, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The first Company of Independents for 
 the County of Albemarle are highly pleased with the 
 resolves of the gentlemen volunteers in JVilliamsburgh, 
 and have been truly alarmed at the late arbitrary proceed- 
 ings carried on in that city. We think that every apos- 
 tate to the American cause should be properly stigmatized. 
 We coincide with you in opinion, that the landing any 
 armed force in this Colony, will not only be a dangerous 
 attack, but a sufficient cause to justify us, with our coun- 
 trymen, in any opposition; and we are determined, at all 
 events, to act on that occasion as men of spirit ought to do 
 in defence of their natural rights and country's cause. 
 
 With great respect, we remain, gentlemen, your humble 
 servants, 
 
 Charles Lewis, Caytain. 
 
 George Gilmer, > r . 
 
 T j.. ' > Lieutenants. 
 
 John Marks, 5 
 
 w. j ones to the committee of donations, boston, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Savannah, Juno 1, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Although the inhabitants of Georgia have 
 unfortunately drawn on themselves the censure of her sis- 
 ter Colonies, by not adopting those measures which the 
 wisdom of the General Congress have pointed out for the 
 preservation of the liberties of America; yet, we flatter 
 ourselves you will believe there are many among us who 
 
 TO RICHARD HENRY LEE. 
 
 Easton, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: An ancient, and accounted a long- 
 headed man, in these parts, has dropped some hints de- 
 vising a scheme of reconciliation between the Mother 
 Country and the Colonies, which I think worthy of con- 
 sideration ; and I am persuaded your zeal for a reconcilia- 
 tion is such, that you will lend an ear to healing proposi- 
 tions, let them come from what quarter they may ; other- 
 wise, you would be unworthy of the eminence of character 
 you possess for republican candour of sentiment. 
 
 He observed, " suppose the Congress were to offer as 
 much to the Crown as all the duties amount to by a proper 
 estimate ;" meaning such duties as we agree they have a 
 right to lay, as regulations of trade, and that exempt from 
 all impositions by the Crown, called running, which might 
 easily be assessed on each Province, by having recourse to 
 their books of entry, and making, at the same time, an 
 allowance for what are run, which is thought to be as much 
 again ; and besides this, to offer a number of forces, well 
 disciplined, in case of requisition, as was the case in the 
 last two wars ; so many hundred or thousand from each 
 Province, according to its importance, and ship, pay, and 
 victual and clothe the same, or some, or all, as Congress 
 judges best ; and the same to continue for a certain season, 
 or during an expedition, as was the case in the attack in 
 the last war, on Carthagcna and Havana. At least, the 
 most strenuous endeavours ought to be made, in some way or 
 other, to effect an accommodation, considering what lament- 
 able confusion and distress must attend the quarrel, if it 
 continues any length of time ; and the idea of aiming at 
 independence at present, affords the most frightful of all 
 
873 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 874 
 
 prospects, whilst the Mother Country lias such power on 
 the ocean. Your unknown friend and humble servant, 
 
 Philopatria. 
 
 P. S. I had like to have forgotten the venerable sage 
 would have insisted that all the obnoxious Acts of Parlia- 
 ment should be repealed at the same time that the above 
 offers should be made ; the one to be made the inseparable 
 condition of repealing the other; and in the space of ten, 
 fifteen, or twenty years, an additional quantity of troops 
 and money might be offered, in case of pressing requisi- 
 tions from home, according as the Colonies flourish, and 
 trade increases ; but still the mode of raising, as well as 
 the quantity, to be wholly left in the power of the Colonial 
 Assemblies. And to confess the truth, the within letter, 
 on account of your reputed eloquence in the Congress, I 
 direct to you, as it is the more likely you will thereby have 
 more influence on that august assembly, though you are 
 under no obligation, but may still pursue your opinions. 
 
 NEW- YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES IN THE CON- 
 TINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Road in Congress June 3, 1775 ] 
 In Provincial Congress at New- York, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We this morning received despatches from 
 Albany, Waiertovm, and Hartford, which contains, as 
 you will observe, very important intelligence. We think 
 it our duty, through you, to lay it before the Continental 
 Congress ; and for that purpose have prepared copies of 
 the several papers which were received as aforesaid. We 
 shall make no comments on them, being convinced that 
 your own good understanding and knowledge of the state 
 of these Colonies will render any such attempt useless. 
 
 Our business proceeds with great heaviness, for want of 
 the sinews of war, which we have not, neither have we 
 any powder. Money we cannot have, until we receive the 
 directions of your body, as you will easily believe. Be- 
 sides this, we would be extremely happy to know that your 
 body had taken into their serious consideration the several 
 circumstances of the associated Colonies ; and that they, 
 in their wisdom, had assigned the several quotas of men 
 and money to each. This information will guide our de- 
 liberations to a proper object, for the want of which our 
 present attention is distracted, by the uncertainty of what 
 shall be determined with respect to this Colony. 
 
 We have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient and humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates at the Continental Congress, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 MEMORIAL OF JOHN SPARDING TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable the President and Members of the 
 Provincial Congress now assembled at New-York : 
 
 The Memorial of J ohn Sparding, living at Ticonderoga 
 Landing, the north end of Lake George, June 1, 1775, 
 humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your memorialist has, for upwards of six years 
 past, been at a great expense in providing boats and car- 
 riages for the ease and convenience of persons travelling 
 this way with their baggage and effects, over the lake and 
 carrying place, at an easy rate ; likewise providing batteaus 
 on Lake Champlain, for the conveniency of gentlemen and 
 others travelling to Canada. The unhappy differences now 
 subsisting between the Colonies and the Mother Country, 
 have put a stop to any business your memorialist was former- 
 ly engaged in. Your memorialist has, ever since the tenth 
 day of May, (the day on which the fort at Ticonderoga was 
 taken,) assisted with his boats, men, &ec, in transporting the 
 troops, with their baggage and provisions, over Lake 
 George and the carrying place, upon no other security 
 than a verbal agreement with Colonel Arnold, for twenty 
 shillings, currency, per day, for a perryaugre capable of 
 crossing the lake with seventy men, besides a quantity of 
 provision, and a batteau for carrying expresses ; and when 
 there was not a sufficient loading for the perryaugre, to 
 have the privilege of conveying such private property as 
 might offer, of which your memorialist is at present de- 
 
 prived ; your memorialist having likewise carted the great- 
 est part of the baggage and provisions over the carrying 
 place, the whole amount of which, to this clay, is near 
 seventeen Pounds. And as the gentlemen appointed here 
 have this day intimated to your memorialist that his teams 
 are not to be any more employed, they having brought 
 teams over the lake for said service ; your memorialist, 
 therefore, trusting in the known justice and humanity of 
 the gentlemen in New-York, who scorn to let any individ- 
 ual surfer, which must inevitably be the case of your me- 
 morialist, unless your goodness prevents it, by confirming 
 the agreement made by Colonel Arnold: your memo- 
 rialist therefore humbly hopes, as he has done his utmost 
 endeavour for the good of the common cause, and is dis- 
 abled at present from providing for his family, you will take 
 the same into consideration. And your memorialist will 
 ever pray. J. Sparding. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN NEW-YORK, FROM A 
 GENTLEMAN IN THE PROVINCIAL CAMP, DATED JUNE 1 . 
 
 1775. 
 
 When our people were engaged in taking the stock, 
 &ic, from Noddle and Hog Islands, the King's Troops 
 made an attack upon them. On Hog Island the combat 
 began about five o'clock in the afternoon, and continued 
 almost incessantly till midnight. The attack was made 
 with cannon, swivels, and small arms, from an armed 
 schooner, sloop, and eight or ten barges, upon our people, 
 who had small arms only, but were very advantageously- 
 posted by Colonel Putnam, who got to them just in season 
 to station and command them properly. He placed them 
 in a ditch, up to their waists in water, and covered by the 
 bank to their necks. The schooner, sloop, and boats, full 
 of men, came within twelve or fifteen rods of them, and 
 gave our people a fine opportunity to place their shot well. 
 About midnight the fire ceased a little, and our people re- 
 treated to the main land, where they were soon after joined 
 by Captain Foster, with two field-pieces, which were plar.i- 
 ed on the way of JVinnesimit ferry. At daylight the com- 
 bat was renewed ; as the schooner passed the ferry way, 
 she was briskly attacked by our people with the field-pieces 
 and small arms, which soon clearing her deck, she drifted 
 on shore, where our people set fire to her, and she blew 
 up, notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of the people 
 in the boats, &c, to tow her off and save her from destruc- 
 tion. In this they exposed themselves much to our fire, 
 and suffered greatly. When they found the schooner was 
 lost, they with difficulty rowed off the sloop, much dis- 
 abled, and retired to their den ; and thus ended the combat 
 at about seven o'clock in the morning. In the afternoon 
 {Sunday) our people got out of the wreck twelve four- 
 pounders, six swivels, and every thing else that was valua- 
 ble, without molestation. They afterwards removed or 
 destroyed from both the islands all the stock, Sic, viz : 
 about five or six hundred sheep, thirty horses, about as 
 many cattle, a large quantity of hay, and burned all the 
 barns and houses. 
 
 All this was done in sight, and as we may say under the 
 noses of the whole fleet and army at Boston, without mo- 
 lestation. The killed of the enemy, (viz : General Gage's 
 crew of enemies to the English Constitution,) they them- 
 selves allow to be more than one hundred, besides wound- 
 ed ; others, who have good opportunity to know, say their 
 killed and wounded exceed three hundred ; and I believe 
 they have suffered as much as in their precipitate flight 
 from Lexington, on the memorable 19th of April. Our 
 killed, none ; wounded, three. Heaven apparently and 
 most evidently fights for us, covers our heads in the day 
 of battle, and shields our people from the assaults of our 
 common enemies. What thanks can speak our gratitude. 
 
 These interpositions, and our determined resolutions, 
 may perhaps make our haughty enemies glad to quit their 
 unjust possessions, for a cooler and more calm retreat in 
 some distant quarter of the globe, and leave us peaceably 
 to enjoy those rights and liberties which God in our nature 
 has given us as our inalienable right, and which they are 
 most unjustly endeavouring to wrest from us by violence. 
 
 The men-of-war's cruisers are out, with orders to take 
 all vessels with provisions, or any kind of West-India 
 goods. Two men-of-war lying in Portsmouth River, have 
 
875 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 876 
 
 taken two corn sloops bound in there to supply the necessi- 
 ties of the place, and were about sending them to Boston. 
 Governour IV ait worth went on board to solicit their dis- 
 charge, and represented the necessity of the Town, but 
 without effect. This proceeding has so exasperated the 
 people, that not a single Tory is left in the Province, and 
 some of the most bigoted have quitted the cause, declared 
 for the people, and join them in their most spirited mea- 
 sures, &iC. 
 
 An important expedition was on foot, but as we have 
 received no news of its success, we fear it has miscarried. 
 
 DECLARATION OF ALEXANDER WALKER. 
 
 Salem, June 1, 1775. 
 W hereas I, the subscriber, did some time since sign an 
 Address to Governour Hutchinson, which has given just 
 cause of resentment to this Town and Country ; I do now 
 declare, that at the same time of signing said Address, I 
 did suppose it might serve the Colonies, but am convinced 
 of my error, and am sorry for the offence I have given ; 
 and stand ready as any other, as far as in me lies, to sup- 
 port the rights and liberties of this Country. 
 
 Alexander Walker. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 3, 1775. 
 The foregoing Declaration being presented and read, 
 voted unanimously that the same is satisfactory. 
 
 Attest: R. Derby, Jun., Chairman. 
 
 TO THE AMERICANS. 
 
 Salem, Massachusetts, June 1, 1775. 
 
 We are now called by the providence of God to fight 
 for those precious liberties which were handed down to us 
 by our heroick and venerable ancestors. Our present cir- 
 cumstances are unhappy, but our prospect is great and 
 glorious. God hath in a signal manner favoured our right- 
 eous cause, covered our heads in the day of battle, miracu- 
 lously given us the victory over our enemies, and shewn us 
 his salvation. So very remarkably hath Heaven appeared 
 on our side, that I hope our murderous enemies will no 
 longer dare to oppose what God approves. 
 
 We greatly lament that we are driven by tyranny to 
 shed human blood. It would give us infinitely greater 
 pleasure to make our enemies free and happy, than to tri- 
 umph in victory. As a testimony of this disposition, we 
 have given freedom to the soldiers who were well inclined, 
 that we have taken in the late engagement. And it is our 
 ardent wish and prayer to Almighty God, that these Col- 
 onies may be enabled to give freedom and happiness to our 
 oppressed land and Nation, without injury to any person, 
 and the once happy union between Britons and Americans 
 be restored, and both forever live together as brethren. 
 
 An American. 
 
 % REV. SAMUEL LANGDON TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 June 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We, the Pastors of the Congregational Churches 
 of the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay , in our present annual 
 Convention, gratefully beg leave to express the sense we 
 have of the regard shown by the honourable Provincial 
 Congress to us, and the encouragement they have been 
 pleased to afford to our assembling as a body this day. 
 Deeply impressed with sympathy for the distresses of our 
 much injured and oppressed Country, we are not a little 
 relieved in beholding the Representatives of this people, 
 chosen by their free and unbiased suffrages, now met to 
 concert measures for their relief and defence, in whose 
 wisdom and integrity, under the smiles of Divine Provi- 
 dence, we cannot but express our entire confidence. As 
 it has been found necessary to raise an Army for our safety, 
 and our brave countrymen have so willingly offered them- 
 selves to this hazardous service, we are not insensible of the 
 vast burden that their necessary maintenance must devolve 
 upon the people. We therefore cannot forbear, upon this 
 occasion, to oiler our service to the publick, and to signify 
 our readiness, with the consent of our several congrega- 
 tions, to officiate, by rotation, as Chaplains to the Army. 
 
 We devoutly commend the Congress, and our brethren 
 in arms, to the guidance and protection of that Providence, 
 
 which, from the first settlement of this Country, has so re- 
 markably appeared for the preservation of its civil and re- 
 ligious rights. Sam'l Langdon, Moderator. 
 To the Honourable Joseph Warren, Esq., President of the 
 Provincial Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, &c. 
 
 At the Convention of the Ministers of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, June 1, 1775 : 
 
 The Convention, taking into consideration the method 
 of furnishing the Army with Chaplains, agreeably to the 
 offer they have made to the honourable Congress, think it 
 most expedient that a sufficient number of persons should 
 be chosen out of their members by the Officers of the Army, 
 to officiate statedly, rather than by quick rotation in that 
 character; and the Convention depend that the parochial 
 duties of those Ministers who shall serve in the Army, will 
 be performed by their brethren in the vicinity. 
 
 A true copy. Test: Amos Adams, Scribe. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF LUNENBURG H TO DOCTOR JOHN TAYLOR. 
 
 Lunenburgh, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We have received the resolve of the Provincial 
 Congress, that there be draughted out of the town stock 
 of powder from Lunenburgh, two half barrels for the use 
 of the Army. Now, Sir, we here represent the circum- 
 stances, the greater part of which you have a knowledge 
 of. You may remember that the Town granted twenty- 
 five Pounds to supply the town stock of ammunition, but 
 by reason of the scarcity of powder we have never obtained 
 it ; and at the time of the alarm at Concord, we were obliged 
 to open the town stock to furnish those that marched on 
 that occasion, (which was upwards of one hundred men,) 
 and if we should take out the two half barrels, we should 
 not have above thirty pounds of powder left in the town 
 stock. Now, Sir, we desire to know if the Congress, 
 under these circumstances, will excuse us from taking out 
 the two half barrels, and if not, we are ready to comply 
 with the resolve. Please to write to us as soon as may- 
 be ; in the mean time we remain yours, &tc. 
 
 By order of the Selectmen, George Kimball, 
 
 Toivn Clerk. 
 
 To Dr. John Taylor, Member of Congress. 
 
 N. B. If you know of any powder to be sold, please to 
 inform us. 
 
 PETITION OF WILLIAM TALMAN AND OTHERS TO THE MAS- 
 SACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Dartmouth, June 1, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at 
 
 Watertown : 
 The Petition of us the subscribers humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your petitioners have, at great expense, fitted out 
 some vessels for whaling voyages, and one or two with lumber 
 for the West Indies, some of which are now ready for the 
 sea, and being advised thereto by the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence of this Town, and not being restricted therefrom by 
 the Continental or Provincial Congress, the advice or direc- 
 tions of which we determine to abide by in this affair; not- 
 withstanding which some people manifest an uneasiness that 
 we should send our vessels to sea, and will not be satisfied 
 unless we have the advice of the honourable the Provincial 
 Congress, now sitting, thereon, which will quiet the minds 
 of the people, and give them and us satisfaction relative to 
 said matter. Therefore, your petitioners pray your advice 
 and direction thereon; and as in duty bound shall ever pray. 
 
 William Talman, Isaac Howland, Lemuel Williams, 
 
 G. Church, John Alden, Joseph Russell, Jr., 
 
 John Williams, Joseph Russ II, Barnabas Russell, 
 
 Loonanl Jarvis, David Shepherd, Seth Russell, 
 
 John Howl.ind, William Claghorn, Patrick Maxficld, 
 
 Zadock Maxfield, Abraham Smith, Daniel Smith. 
 Uriah Ray, Jr., 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO NEW- HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertown, Juno 1, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We send you enclosed a copy of a letter 
 from Colonel Arnold, commander of the Troops at Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, together with a copy of a letter 
 
877 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 878 
 
 from the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 
 Colony of Connecticut, by which you will be acquainted 
 with the present situation of those fortresses, and the mea- 
 sures necessary to be taken for serving and defending so 
 valuable acquisitions. You will doubtless agree with us in 
 sentiment, that it is a matter of the greatest importance that 
 those places remain in our possession, in order to secure 
 our frontiers from the depredations of our enemies, if they 
 should attempt to attack us from that quarter, of which 
 there appears to be great danger. It was the agreement 
 of this Colony that four hundred men, and one hundred 
 Pounds of money, should be raised for the reduction of the 
 place, and it is our determination to contribute our full pro- 
 portion towards securing the acquisition. 
 
 By the letter from the Speaker of the House of Repre- 
 sentatives for Connecticut, you will find that that Colony 
 have voted to send immediately to their assistance four 
 companies and five hundred weight of powder, and we 
 suppose that the Troops are upon their march there. 
 
 And we most earnestly request that you would continue 
 your endeavours, likewise, for the speedy and effectual se- 
 curity of the aforementioned places, which, considering the 
 importance of the affair, and the ready disposition which 
 you have discovered for the defence of the common cause, 
 leaves us no room to doubt of your compliance therewith. 
 
 Joseph Warren, President. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire . 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO ASSEMBLY OF CONNECTICUT. 
 
 Watertown, June 1, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We gratefully acknowledge the receipt 
 of your favour of the 27th ultimo. We fully concur in 
 opinion with you, that maintaining a post at Ticonderoga 
 or Croxvn Point, is of the utmost importance ; therefore 
 take particular satisfaction that you have, on this subject, 
 so early and repeatedly expressed your minds to the Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 By private intelligence, of the 29th ultimo, sent to 
 Captain Joseph Trumbull, we are informed that the Pro- 
 vincial Congress of Neiv-York do not understand the 
 resolve of the Continental Congress, concerning said for- 
 tresses, to extend so far as wholly to disseminate them ; 
 but so far only as to supply any fortifications that may be 
 built at the south end of Lake George. Which resolve, 
 in this sense of it, they are with despatch executing ; there- 
 fore, in our present distressing situation, we have post- 
 poned sending further assistance to Captain Arnold, espe- 
 cially since New-York have not requested it. 
 To the Hon. William Williams, Speaker of the House of 
 
 Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 appears important that shall come first to my knowledge. 
 Please to direct for me at Lebanon. I congratulate you 
 on the union and increasing harmony of these North- Ame- 
 rican Colonies, and the wonderful concurrence and coinci- 
 dence of counsels among them. May our hearts he united 
 in humble thankfulness therefor. I am, with great truth 
 and regard, gentlemen, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 To the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 GOVERNOUR OF CONNECTICUT TO MASSACHUSETTS CON- 
 
 GRESS. 
 
 Hartford, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your letter of the twenty-ninth of May, 
 per Sheppard, is received, and observe your agitation occa- 
 sioned by the resolution of the General Congress touch- 
 ing Ticonderoga and Crown Point. It was looked on in 
 the same light here, and hath been repeatedly mentioned 
 to the Delegates from Connecticut, that removing from 
 Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George would 
 expose great part of the frontiers to invasion and distress, 
 and a fort at the latter scarcely tenable. The expressions 
 of the resolution are not clear. The Provincial Con- 
 gress at New-York take them to mean no more than the 
 removing the supernumerary cannon and stores from those 
 two fortresses to the south end of Lake George, but not 
 to leave or abandon those two important posts. Mine of the 
 29th of May, per Mr. Brown, informs what hath been re- 
 solved here, which is fully approved by the Provincial Con- 
 gress at New- York. They express their concern to keep and 
 maintain " the important posts of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point." We have received intelligence from Albany of 
 the readiness of that City and County to afford their ut- 
 most assistance for securing those important posts for the 
 common defence of our rights and liberties. Our General 
 Assembly was closed last evening. I shall be attentive to 
 your intelligence, and will communicate to you all that 
 
 JOSEPH KELLY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety and Gentlemen 
 of the Congress, now sitting at Exeter, in and for 
 the Province of New-Hampshire : 
 
 The Petition of Joseph Kelly, of Nottingham-West, 
 in said Province, humbly sheueth: 
 
 That your petitioner has, by orders from the Committee 
 of Safety at Cambridge, raised a number of men for the 
 preservation of the liberties of America, and has been at 
 some considerable expense in providing arms and fitting 
 them for said service ; some of which men are now at Med- 
 ford, some at Cambridge, and the others wait for orders when 
 and where to march. That your petitioner verily thought 
 he was serving God and his Country in so doing; notwith- 
 standing, Major Hubbert told your petitioner we were not 
 looked upon as friends by this Congress, for no other rea- 
 son, that your petitioner knows of, than only because the 
 soldiers at Cambridge refused to be mustered by said Hub- 
 bert, as they said they well knew him to be an enemy to 
 the common cause; which your petitioner had no other 
 hand in than to persuade the soldiers to be easy and not 
 to treat the said Hubbert ill, and to tell him the minds of 
 the people, and prevent any disorder in the camp. Your 
 petitioner prays the men may be taken into the service of 
 this Province, and put under some officers who they shall 
 agree cheerfully to go under, or that they may not be re- 
 strained of their liberty of joining with any other Prov- 
 ince, when they are willing to serve their Country to the 
 utmost of their power in the common cause ; which is the 
 prayer of, gentlemen, your hearty and sincere well-wisher, 
 
 t , Joseph Kelly. 
 
 June 1, 1775. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 2, 1775. 
 The spirit of opposition to the arbitrary and tyrannical 
 acts of the Ministry and Parliament of Britain, hath dif- 
 fused itself so universally throughout this Province, that 
 the people, even to its most extended frontiers, are inde- 
 fatigable in training themselves to military discipline. The 
 aged, as well as the young, daily march out under the ban- 
 ners of liberty, and discover a determined resolution to 
 maintain her cause even until death. In the Town of 
 Reading, in Berks County, Pennsylvania, there had been 
 some time past three Companies formed, and very forward 
 in their exercise ; since, however, we are well informed a 
 fourth Company have associated under the name of the 
 Old Man's Company. It consists of about eighty Ger- 
 mans, of the age of forty and upwards. Many of them 
 have been in the military service in Germany. The per- 
 son who, at their first assembling, led them to the field, is 
 ninety-seven years of age ; has been forty years in the 
 regular service, and in seventeen pitched battles ; and the 
 drummer is eighty-four. In lieu of a cockade, they wear 
 in their hats a black crape, as expressive of their sorrow 
 for the mournful events which have occasioned them, at 
 their late time of life, to take arms against our brethren, 
 in order to preserve that liberty which they left their na- 
 tive Country to enjoy. A correspondent, who lately saw 
 them perform their exercise for several hours, says, they 
 discovered such a sober firmness in their countenances, and 
 such vigour and address in handling their arms and per- 
 forming their evolutions, as filled him with the highest re- 
 spect and esteem for this truly venerable band. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF TRYON COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 June 2, 1775. 
 
 Palatine District. — Christopher P. Yates, John Frey, 
 Andrew Fink, Andrew Reeber, Peter Waggoner, Dan- 
 iel McDou<rall, Jacob Klork, George Ecker, Jr., Har- 
 
879 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE. PROCEEDINGS, fee, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 880 
 
 menus Van Slyck, Christopher W. Fox, Anthony Van 
 Veghten. 
 
 I snajoharie District. — Nicholas Herkimer, Ebenezer 
 Cot, William Stebcr, John Moore, Samuel Campbell, 
 Samuel Clyde, Thomas Henry, John Pickard. 
 
 K ingslani) and German Flatts Districts. — Edward 
 Hall, William Petri/, John Petry, Augustine Hess, 
 Frederick Orendorf, George Wentz, Michael Ittig, 
 Frederick Fox, George Herkimer, Duncan McDou- 
 gall, Frederick Helmer, John Frink. 
 
 Mohawk District. — John Morlctt, John Bliven, Abra- 
 ham Van Home, Adam Fonda, Frederick Fisher, 
 Sampson Simmons, William Schuyler, Volkert Veeder, 
 James McMaster, Daniel Lane. — 42. 
 
 Christopher P. Yates was chosen Chairman. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF TRYON 
 COUNTY, NEW-YORK, TO COL. GUY JOHNSON. 
 
 According to the example of the Counties in this and 
 the neighbouring Colonies, the people of the District we 
 represent have met in a peaceable manner to consider of 
 the present dispute with the Mother Country and the Co- 
 lonies, signed a General Association, and appointed us a 
 Committee to meet in order to consult the common safety 
 of our rights and liberties, which are infringed in a most 
 enormous manner, by enforcing oppressive and unconstitu- 
 tional Acts of the British Parliament, by an armed force 
 in the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Was it any longer a doubt that we are oppressed by the 
 Mother Country, and that it is the avowed design of the 
 Ministers to enslave us, we might, perhaps, be induced to 
 use argument to point out in what particulars we conceive 
 that it is the birthright of English subjects to be exempted 
 from all taxes, except those which are laid on them by 
 their Representatives, and think we have a right, not only 
 by the laws and Constitution of England, to meet for the 
 purpose we have done. Which meeting we probably 
 would have postponed awhile, had there been the least 
 kind of probability that the Petition of the General As- 
 sembly would have been noticed more than the united pe- 
 tition of almost the whole Continent of America, by their 
 Delegates in Congress ; which, so far from being anywise 
 complied with, was treated with superlative contempt by 
 the Ministry, and fresh oppressions were, and are, daily 
 heaped upon us. Upon which principles, principles which 
 are undeniable, we have been appointed to consult methods 
 to contribute what little lies in our power to save our de- 
 voted Country from ruin and devastation ; which, with the 
 assistance of Divine Providence, it is our fixed and deter- 
 mined resolution to do; and, if called upon, we shall be 
 foremost in sharing the toil and danger of the field. We 
 consider New-England suffering in the common cause, and 
 commisserate their distressed situation ; and we should be 
 wanting in our duty to our Country and to ourselves, if 
 we were any longer backward in announcing our determi- 
 nation to the world. 
 
 We know that some of the members of this Committee 
 have been charged with compelling people to come into 
 the measures which we have adopted, and with drinking 
 treasonable toasts. But as we are convinced that these 
 reports are false and malicious, spread by our enemies with 
 the sole intent to lessen us in the esteem of the world, and 
 as we are conscious of being guilty of no crime, and of 
 having barely done our duty ; we are entirely unconcerned 
 as to any thing that is said of us, or can be done with us. 
 We should, however, be careless of our character, did we 
 not wish to detect the despicable wretch who could be so 
 base as to charge us with things which we never have en- 
 tertained the most distant thoughts of. We are not igno- 
 rant of the very great importance of your office, as Super- 
 intendent of the Indians, and, therefore, it is no more our 
 duty than inclination to protect you in the discharge of 
 the duty of your proper province, and we meet you with 
 pleasure, in behalf of ourselves and our constituents, to 
 thank you for meeting the Indians in the upper parts of 
 the County, which may be the means of easing the people 
 of the remainder of their fears on this account, and prevent 
 the Indians committing irregularities on their way down to 
 
 Guy-Park. And we beg of you to use your endeavours 
 with the Indians to dissuade them from interfering in the 
 dispute with the Mother Country and the Colonies. We 
 cannot think that, as you and your family possess very 
 large estates in this County, you are unfavourable to Ame- 
 rican freedom, although you may differ with us in the 
 mode of obtaining a redress of grievances. Permit us 
 further to observe, that we cannot pass over in silence the 
 interruption which the people of the Mohawjc District met 
 in their meeting ; which, we are informed, was conducted 
 in a peaceable manner ; and the inhuman treatment of a 
 man whose only crime was being faithful to his employers, 
 and refusing to give an accouni of the receipt of certain 
 papers to persons who had not the least colour of right to 
 demand any thing of that kind. We assure you, that we 
 are much concerned about it, as two important rights of 
 English subjects are thereby infringed, to wit : a right to 
 meet, and to obtain all the intelligence in their power. 
 
 TO MR. JOHN HOLT. 
 
 New.York, June 2, 1775. 
 Sir : We have seen with that satisfaction which we be- 
 lieve every British Const itulionist must feel at beholding 
 your name on the Address which you printed against un- 
 lawful Standing Armies. You have clone right ; for the 
 abetters of despotism cannot legally prosecute, though they 
 may censure and dislike you for your honest boldness in 
 conveying, through the channel of your press, the instruc- 
 tion which was much wanted concerning deserters. 
 
 That in the Colonies no soldier can be lawfully detained 
 against his will, or punished in any case by military officers, 
 under colour of any act of the British Parliament only ; 
 that now all soldiers are under the sole protection of the 
 civil power of such of the British Colonies where they 
 may be respectively stationed ; and that whether the sol- 
 diers choose to remain in or desert from the King's service, 
 it is highly criminal and absurd in us not to protect thein 
 in their civil rights against the oppression of their tyranni- 
 cal masters, or the usurpations of unlawful courts-martial. 
 All these, Sir, are self-evident truths. And yet our citi- 
 zens were alarmed on Saturday last, by a party of soldiers 
 who sallied out of our barracks, seized a deserter in the 
 street, and forcibly dragged him to their hold, where, it is 
 said, the officer who received him swore the deserter should 
 be " shot or whipped to death." A quiet application (too 
 quiet, doubtless) was made to one of the officers ; for, the 
 deserter is still detained, and may be very soon transported 
 elsewhere. Not long ago a deputation of four men from 
 a Connecticut detachment, which did not stay here, was 
 very differently received at the same barracks by an officer 
 of the same corps. A deserter was peremptorily demand- 
 ed there, and the officer immediately delivered him to the 
 deputation. Shall we behave with less spirit than our 
 neighbours ? Must we be reduced to call on them for 
 assistance ? 
 
 The audacious attack on the person of the deserter, vio- 
 lently taken by the soldiery on Saturday last, was certain- 
 ly intended to keep as long as possible in their state of 
 delusion, the soldiery, who begin to doubt the local force 
 of the abominable edict, under pretence of which many 
 of their comrades have been most iniquitously " shot or 
 whipped to death !" And shall destruction be the lot of 
 men who would avoid shedding the blood of their brethren, 
 our own blood, and fly to us for protection against that 
 unnatural command ? God forbid ! 
 
 As military men cannot now exercise over the soldiers 
 stationed in this Colony any lawful authority independent 
 of our own established courts of judicature, we think it 
 very necessary to inform you, that many of our fellow- 
 citizens, ancient sons of liberty, as well as ourselves, ex- 
 pect that some orthodox casuist amongst your readers will 
 speedily determine, and without evasion, whether or not 
 to apprehend deserters in defiance of our laws, be out of 
 the line of that peaceable behaviour which the Continen- 
 tal Congress lately fixed as the criterion of our future 
 operations respecting the Regulars who are permitted to 
 remain in our barracks ; and if yea, what must be done 
 for the safety of those who have been apprehended, and 
 for our own? A Club of Concressionists. . 
 
881 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 882 
 
 NO STANDING ARMY IN THE BRITISH COLONIES; OR, AN 
 ADDRESS TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE COLONY OF 
 NEW-YOKE AGAINST UNLAWFUL STANDING ARMIES. 
 
 " Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the keeping a 
 Standing Army in these Colonies, in times of peace, with- 
 out the consent of the Legislature of the Colony in which 
 such Army is kept, is against law." — Proclamation of the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 Brethren, Friends, and Countrymen : 
 
 The sanguinary schemes of the present Administration 
 have been sealed with the approbation of the late ministe- 
 rial Parliament. Every vessel that came to this or the 
 neighbouring ports, since the proceedings of our late Con- 
 gress were published in London, brought us fresh intelli- 
 gence of the hostile measures resolved on against us. 
 More regiments are to be sent over, some of which will 
 be stationed in this metropolis and in New- Jersey, to sup- 
 port the King's friends, to intimidate and divide us, to be 
 a check on the Southern Colonies, and, if judged practica- 
 ble, to prevent their relieving our suffering brethren of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay . 
 
 These particulars, and many more, have, doubtless, come 
 to the knowledge of that body, commonly styled our Re- 
 presentatives ; and yet, amongst the objects of real com- 
 plaint, resolved as such by that Assembly, in their late 
 catalogue of grievances, we do not read any of the ruin- 
 ous consequences of an act of Parliament, which was 
 solely machinated to extort the submission of all the Bri- 
 tish Colonies to every parliamentary, or. what is synony- 
 mous, to every ministerial mandate, though ever so ruinous. 
 Bui it may be predicted that, sooner or later, this act will 
 have the intended effect, should its not appearing to press 
 upon us in a direct manner render us so inattentive, or so 
 very selfish as to suffer its continuing to be enforced with 
 impunity. 
 
 This introduction must point out to you, that the act, or 
 rather edict here alluded to, is that which was made for ex- 
 tending to all the British Colonies on this Continent the 
 acts of Parliament relating to mutiny and desertion in Great 
 Britain, as likewise to maintain the discipline of His Ma- 
 jesty's Army, so styled, instead of its true descriptive name, 
 the British, or National Army — an impropriety of the 
 greatest importance to a free people, justly jealous of their 
 honour, and conscious of their real dignity ! But, to the 
 manifest danger of the national liberty, this is little attend- 
 ed to by military men ; too many of whom, from a field- 
 marshal to a drummer, mistake the true sense of that 
 phraseology, which, when at first used, was meant but as a 
 complaint, and appeared, as it really was, perfectly harm- 
 less, before our Kings kept a Standing Army. Erroneous 
 notions on this head are now big with ruin, it being not 
 unfrequent to find in the military order a commissioned, as 
 well as a non-commissioned varlet, ignorant enough to 
 believe that he eats the King's bread, and is bound, for 
 that very reason, implicitly to obey any command he re- 
 ceives from his superiours, who eat the same bread! As 
 men of this stamp never inquire with whose bread the King 
 himself is fed, it is judged very necessary, at this critical 
 juncture, to awaken the attention and sensibility of many 
 men of liberal principles, who serve in the British Army 
 and Navy, some of whom inadvertently mention the King, 
 and even address him, as their master. 
 
 The enemies to our Constitution, well knowing the fatal 
 effects of the illusion which this old prejudice never fails 
 to produce in the minds of the vulgar, surreptitiously pro- 
 vided themselves with the Extension Edict, before (though 
 not long before) the late Parliament issued their inquisito- 
 rial sentences against the people of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 That edict demonstrates to you by what means the Min- 
 istry have determined to conduct their conspiracy against 
 our liberty. Surely, this is a grievance of the first magni- 
 tude. 
 
 The American newspapers have informed you since 
 that time, that Courts-Martial have dared to decree various 
 punishments, which have been inflicted on soldiers in Ame- 
 rica ; but, though such Courts-Martial acted under colour 
 of that same illegal edict, we do not learn that any of their 
 members, or the deluded victims that became their accom- 
 plices by executing the felonious sentences, have been in- 
 dicted for their respective crimes ! Nay. have not such 
 
 Fourth Seeues. — Vol. ii. J 
 
 unlawful Courts-Martial been suffered in our metropolis to 
 exercise the same illegal authority ? 
 
 About the beginning of the last war, an Administration, 
 which had formed no design against our liberty, acted on 
 very different principles, to prevent the mutiny and deser- 
 tion of the British forces in North America. The Min- 
 ister sent circular directions to most of the American Gov- 
 ernours, for procuring temporary acts, which, as they mani- 
 festly tended to- the welfare and safety of the whole Bri- 
 tish Empire, were cheerfully granted. The Legislatures 
 to which such applications were made, extended to their 
 respective territories the acts of Parliament for punishing 
 mutiny and desertion, &c. Those acts afterwards re- 
 ceived the Royal assent; but the legal force of every such 
 temporary act has long since expired. They were granted 
 with the same caution that acts of a similar nature pass in 
 Great Britain, where the Lords and Commons know, that 
 the national liberty might be easily destroyed should they 
 declare acts of such importance, perpetual. The Legisla- 
 ture can give no lawful authority to such acts of perpetual 
 duration, any more than they can lawfully surrender the 
 liberties of the people. These have, in reserve, an ina- 
 lienable right to ratify, or annual every act of their dele- 
 gates to legislative assemblies. 
 
 The fair proceedings of the Administration above men- 
 tioned, are of publick notoriety. They not only prove, in 
 the most authentick manner, that Administration then be- 
 lieved the British Parliament had no right to bind us in 
 all cases whatsoever, but that the King and his Ministers 
 were solicitous to demonstrate the uprightness of their in- 
 tentions — that they would not violate any of our constitu- 
 tional rights, by attempting to bind us in any case what- 
 soever, without our legal consent. 
 
 The anti-British junto, being sensible the legal expira- 
 tion of those temporary acts of the Colonies was an invin- 
 cible obstacle to their projects of depredation, so artfully 
 conducted themselves in, and out of Parliament, that their 
 dark designs were not suspected. For this reason, the 
 patriotick minority, who did not think that more regi- 
 ments were intended to be sent over to America, made 
 little or no opposition to the Extension Edict. This shows 
 you, my brethren, how cautious you ought to be of your 
 friends themselves. They may be sincere, but thev do not 
 feel ! 
 
 Let us see now what our late venerable Congress did 
 for us — they who felt with us the innumerable evils that 
 are inseparable from a Standing Army not dependant on 
 ourselves. Their ninth resolve expressly declares, that 
 to keep such Army is unlawful, and consequently pro- 
 claims the nullity of the Extension Edict, in the compre- 
 hensive words which are prefixed to this address, although 
 the consequence which results from the truth contained in 
 them, being founded on the self-evident principles of univer- 
 sal jurisprudence, that respectable authority might have 
 been omitted here, without the least danger. This conse- 
 quence is acknowledged by the uniform proceedings of 
 every civilized Country relative to distributive justice, as 
 well as in the judgment of every person who is not in a 
 state of insanity. Whatever is done any where against 
 law, cannot be supported there, by law. It is a mere nul- 
 lity. 
 
 We have often been astonished at the superlative effron- 
 tery of ministerial hirelings ; and yet, it is improbable any 
 caviller of that tribe will be so irreverent and scurrilous as 
 to urge, that the ninth resolve of the Congress does not 
 affect the extension edict. However, should you meet with 
 that wretch, read to him, and intrench yourselves within 
 the tenth resolve in their Bill of Rights, from which the 
 following quotation is inserted here, to support the ninth 
 resolve, and several other parts of this address, to wit : 
 
 " All and each of which," that is to say, the rights 
 mentioned in the nine preceding resolves, " the aforesaid 
 Deputies, in behalf of themselves and their constituents, 
 do claim, demand, and insist on, as their indubitable rights 
 and liberties, which cannot be legally taken from them, 
 altered, or abridged by any power whatever, without their 
 own consent, by their Representatives, in their several 
 Provincial Legislatures. 
 
 " In the course of our inquiry we find many infringe- 
 ments and violations of the foregoing rights, which, from 
 an ardent desire that harmony and a mutual intercourse of 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 884 
 
 affection and interest may be restored, we pass over for the 
 present, and proceed to state such acts and measures as 
 have been adopted since the last war, which demonstrate a 
 system formed to enslave America." 
 
 Now, can a fair reasoner assert that, notwithstanding the 
 declared illegality of the infringements alluded to in the 
 preceding quotation, the declaration implies, that the Con- 
 gress admitted the legal operation of any such act, till it 
 should be repealed ? That it is to be so understood, 
 though the whole of the proceedings shows that it is 
 feared there will be a civil war, unless they be repealed ? 
 Though the repeal be solicited, not to annul such acts, 
 (they being all illegal, and every one of them, whether 
 enumerated or not, being consequently null and void,) but 
 " to restore harmony," that is, to prevent that civil war 
 which is justly feared, unless the violences which have 
 been already committed to enforce those unlawful, illegal, 
 and null acts, be discontinued ? 
 
 If those men who, solemnly appealing to God and the 
 equity of mankind for the justice of our cause, declared 
 to you and the other members of the British Nation that 
 " to keep a Standing Army in these Colonies without our 
 consent, is against law," had justified the least suspicion of 
 their admitting that it was not against law to punish, with- 
 out our consent, mutiny and desertion in such unlawful 
 Standing Army: Believe me, my dear, devoted coun- 
 trymen, the most iniquitous Administration that can be 
 conceived, the present Administration itself, never would 
 wish to obstruct their proceedings. „ 
 
 The Extension Act is unlawful, illegal, and null, being 
 made to support the discipline of an unlawful Standing 
 Army : and should a Standing Army be made lawful in any 
 Colony, (which God avert,) the Extension Act would, ne- 
 vertheless, remain unlawful, illegal, and null in that Colo- 
 ny, until the Legislature should have given it their local 
 lawfulness, legality, and therefore existence. But you 
 have no reason to fear this ; for self-preservation will effect- 
 ually prevent the most abandoned traitor from making a 
 motion of that tendency in any American legislative as- 
 sembly, against the safety of a people protected by the 
 British Constitution. 
 
 Regardless of every principle of justice and policy, the 
 British Parliament are trying against our liberty experi- 
 ments which, if hazarded against the people under their 
 immediate legislative authority, would infallibly involve 
 Great Britain in a civil war, and might produce another 
 revolution there. The King is vested with the supreme 
 command of all the forces of the Nation, wherever they 
 may be stationed ; but he has no legal coercive authority 
 any where over the soldiers or sailors, otherwise than by 
 local laws, made from time to time, to that effect. And, 
 as the safety of every constitutional right depends on the 
 limitation of that authority, the other branches of the Le- 
 gislature grant him but temporary acts, for maintaining the 
 discipline of the army and navy, by coercive laws, and for 
 restraining or enlarging the power of Courts-Martial in both 
 these departments, within the limits of that Legislature by 
 which they are granted. 
 
 The limited duration of those laws being as short as it 
 appears, from occasional circumstances, to be consistent 
 with the publick safety, the treasonable designs of Admin- 
 istration may be counteracted with more facility than if 
 such laws were perpetual. After the legal expiration of 
 those acts, the King's lawful authority over the national 
 forces expiring of course, can he punish, or detain any 
 body in that service, since Courts-Martial arc abolished by 
 law, as they now are in the British Colonies ? And if the 
 King would attempt to retain them in his own service, how 
 could he accomplish it before he had usurped an arbitrary 
 power over the purses of the people? Could he satisfy ca- 
 pricious demands, which would increase in proportion to 
 the knowledge that every man in his army and navy would 
 have of the embarrassments of their master? No! for 
 those salutary limitations are solely intended to preserve 
 inviolate our rights of opening or shutting up our purses, 
 as we think fit. They have till now prevented such usur- 
 pations, which, to exercise with safety, is the ultimate end 
 of every other usurpation that ever was exercised by any 
 tyrant in the world. It was but to attain that end the 
 selfish Parliament of Great Britain have so flagitiously 
 exceeded the limits of lawful power. 
 
 If you admit, as lawful, the extension illegally decreed 
 by a ministerial Parliament, and machinated but as a pro- 
 visional edict to insure the success of measures resolved on, 
 relatively to the proscription of the Bostonians, and other 
 proscriptions in petto ; if you only tolerate its illegal ope- 
 ration any longer, the King will not experience those diffi- 
 culties which would thwart his arbitrary projects in Great 
 Britain, were his usurpations to begin there. His Pailia- 
 rnent might pay us the compliment of renewing the exten- 
 sion and other temporary acts of their own sole legislation, 
 for the sole purpose of raising a revenue to lighten their 
 own burdens, which luxury and corruption have already 
 prodigiously increased, and which your tameness will in- 
 crease to a degree which it is now beyond the power of cal- 
 culators to ascertain. But you may rest assured that, in a 
 very short time, Administration will sport with your liberties, 
 and, soon after, with those of the whole British Empire. 
 The opprobrious and degrading denomination of Province, 
 which now is but an innocent and unmeant misapplication 
 of a foreign word adopted in our language, will significantly 
 describe the real state of every British Colony, and, indeed, 
 of every Shire in Great Britain and Ireland. Never forget 
 that about two years ago a crowned miscreant compelled 
 the states of Sweden, the Parliament of that Country, to 
 release him from his coronation oath ! His success may 
 tempt others to commit the same sacrilege. 
 
 Our enemies are now terrified at the superiority of 
 strength which the justice of our cause gives us over them 
 in the present contest. They will be amazed at the effect 
 of their flimsy artifices, if, by tolerating the extension 
 edict, we stupidly subject ourselves to a set of men upon 
 whom we can have no check; who, having exempted 
 themselves and their tools from the power of our tribunals, 
 will drag before theirs, such of us who may indicate the 
 least inclination to a better change. Then, our disguised 
 friends, and our open foes, united in the British Parlia- 
 ment, will, with iron hands and unfeeling hearts, " bind us 
 in all cases whatsoever." We shall be in the condition of 
 the Swedes, French, Spaniards, and most other Nations, 
 where, now and then, an honest man may regret the loss of 
 his natural rights, but where an attempt to recover them 
 would be next to madness. 
 
 It will be a melancholy reflection to us, perhaps for 
 many years, that no strictures have yet been tendered 
 respecting the destructive tendency of the extension edict. 
 It is expected that the tried patriotism of our ablest writers 
 will inspire them to hold it up to publick view in its most 
 minute circumstances. The silence now complained of 
 dismays our friends, and secretly elates our enemies on the 
 other side of the water; it may, in some measure, excul- 
 pate the Magistrates and Grand-Juries, who have not 
 yet brought to justice any of the persons who are liable to 
 be prosecuted in their respective districts for crimes com- 
 mitted there, under the unlawful sanction of Parliamentary 
 edicts. 
 
 But, every such edict, or illegal act of Parliament, being 
 void and null in law, respecting its operation amongst us, 
 it clearly follows, that all the robberies and burglaries com- 
 mitted by Custom-House Officers and others, under colour 
 of several edicts of a similar nullity ; that all the murders 
 and violences perpetrated under the directions of illegal 
 Courts-Martial ; that the oppression of the soldiers, who 
 now are legally under the sole protection of the civil power 
 of the British Colonies on this Continent, where they are 
 unlawfully stationed by a despotick Administration ; and 
 that the enormities which Custom-House Officers, and il- 
 legal Courts of Admiralty or Vice-Admiralty, or which the 
 deluded soldiery in the ministerial service, have already 
 committed, or may hereafter commit, shall be wholly charge- 
 able to the pusillanimous, or treasonable connivance of 
 the Colonists themselves, if such crimes remain unnoticed 
 by those whose sworn, and therefore whose indispensable 
 duty it is, to bring them to light and trial. 
 
 0 my countrymen, will you cease to incur the con- 
 tempt of the world ? Will you no longer continue the jest 
 of your enemies? Listen no more to trembling delin- 
 quents, who artfully whisper to you, that your Courts of 
 Justice would quash such indictments. For God's sake, 
 do justice to the understanding and integrity of your 
 Judges. Consider, and you will clearly see, that were 
 they as corrupt as we know them to be otherwise, they 
 
885 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 886 
 
 would not dare, at this juncture, to betray their iniquitous 
 partiality. Nay, the most profligate member of our As- 
 sembly, though he could depend on the concurrence of a 
 majority of the same corrupt principles, would not dare 
 now to abuse representation so far as to move for a bill 
 tending to screen, directly or indirectly, under the illusory 
 declaration of your assent, manifested by them only, any of 
 the obnoxious acts which the late Congress reprobated, as 
 demonstratory of " a system formed to enslave America." 
 
 Timid well-wishers to their Country may object, that 
 our zeal will be frustrated by an unprincipled Governour; 
 that, not daring with a high hand to impede the prosecu- 
 • tion of criminals, protected by himself, he will stretch pre- 
 rogative even to the pardon of irremissible crimes, none of 
 which are more so than those by which our sacred Consti- 
 tution is endangered. But, may not the well known fate 
 of a Portcus check traitors, by convincing them that they 
 cannot always shelter themselves under the wings of pre- 
 rogative? And should this prove ineffectual, our holy re- 
 ligion teaches us, that no worldly consideration ought to 
 deter the just from doing his duty. Our Committees, and, 
 what is much safer, Colonial Conventions, vested with dis- 
 cretionary powers, will, at last, bafBe the arts of ministe- 
 rial tools, and work our political salvation. 
 
 If there be amongst us a conscientious lawyer, he cer- 
 tainly will point out to the officers of the unlawful Standing 
 Army, stationed in the British Colonies, the imminent 
 danger they run by detaining soldiers in North America, 
 under the illegal extension edict. As to pettifoggers, we 
 know they are seduced by the prospect of a plentiful har- 
 vest, and that self-interest, not justice, determines them to 
 act, whatever side they undertake to defend. If the 
 Minister do not value these enough to retain them in his 
 service for supporting the unlawful acts, they will of course 
 rejoice at the almost innumerable actions of a civil nature 
 which may be grounded on the local nullity of Parliamen- 
 tary edicts, and commenced by soldiers for unjust deten- 
 tion, loss of time, and unpaid labour; or for various tres- 
 passes, unjustifiable before tribunals which follow the 
 British system of law. 
 
 All injuries sustained by any person in this Colony, in 
 consequence of the same unlawful sanction, maybe re- 
 dressed, and the same offences will be prevented for the 
 future, if we have but sense and firmness enough to apply 
 as we should, and where we should. It is never too late 
 to do our duty. Let us trust the event to the omnipotent 
 Ruler of the universe, and He will reward our persever- 
 ance. 
 
 If, through ignorance or inattention, any of you ever 
 gave a verdict in contradiction to the fundamentals of jus- 
 tice; if he admitted the force of any act of Parliament to 
 which your own Colonial laws have given no such force, 
 that man must be very unhappy whenever he reflects on 
 the injustice he has occasioned ; but he is guiltless — he 
 deserves compassion. It is far different with jurymen, who 
 knew the local nullity of acts of Parliament, and by their 
 verdicts authorized their illegal operation. Those jurymen, 
 and the judges who designedly suffered it — who have sup- 
 pressed the warnings and instructions which they ought to 
 have given, and strengthened with their eloquence — have 
 been bribed. Whether hope, fear, avarice, or any other 
 worldly motive influences such judges and jurymen — they 
 have been bribed. They stand guilty before God and 
 man, of wilful and corrupt perjury. 
 
 Do not believe, my dear countrymen, that, infatuated as 
 the junto may be, they hope that the Continental Associa- 
 tion can be dissolved by the external, the seeming defection 
 of any Colony, were it even ours, which is nearly central, 
 and the most liable to such suspicions. A Governour may 
 bribe the majority of an Assembly, who fancy that they 
 represent a people not virtuous enough to exercise their 
 rights of choosing their representatives and elective officers 
 by ballot. Illegal warrants may be issued, and remain 
 unquashed for a considerable time, to bewilder the bulk of 
 the people with the innumerable doubts which, it is evi- 
 dent, will arise from the untried illegality of those proceed- 
 ings ; to intimidate and oppress, till the bench determine 
 the question; and, in the mean while, to deter the injured 
 from prosecuting such daring conspirators. 
 
 He may bribe a few trading justices, and seduce other 
 sons of corruption and power, who hold, or expect to hold 
 
 magistracy or other offices during pleasure, and are as much 
 afraid of Colonial Conventions as the Minister is of Con- 
 tinental Congresses. But he cannot bribe the body of 
 the people, in whom, originally and finally, lies the sover- 
 eign power, represented for their benefit only by one 
 single person. 
 
 All the Colonies, nay, the internal force of any single 
 Colony, can punish a few venal officers for abusing the au- 
 thority with which they are entrusted by their superiours, 
 who are themselves subordinate to another superiour, like- 
 wise entrusted by, and (as glorious experience shows) ac- 
 countable, as well as every one of his dependants, to the 
 people at large, whether they meet in one single spot, or 
 in their respective Districts. The patriotick spirit of the 
 American Britons cannot be subdued. They will exer- 
 cise their constitutional right to hold Conventions for their 
 safety ; a right which cannot be questioned, without open- 
 ly denying the legal title of the Hanoverian line of our 
 Kings to the British Crown. Therefore, my dear coun- 
 trymen, do not basely relinquish that sacred right, when 
 you ought to exercise it. You know that, should you be 
 oppressed by a wicked knot of traitors, you will be deliver- 
 ed by your happier neighbours as soon as their assistance 
 is required. 
 
 The arch fiend to our Constitution knows all this. The 
 Colonies which delegated members to the late Congress, 
 have already appalled him, that insolent, cruel, and cow- 
 ardly wretch, who, a year ago, declared by his wicked 
 trumpet, that he would not relent " till he saw you pros- 
 trate at his feet !" Your Congress made him stoop to 
 proposals, which he well knows you will reject with dis- 
 dain. He means but to divide and betray you, whom he 
 despairs to subjugate by force. However, he will send 
 more Troops, more indeed than he thinks it is prudent 
 now to divulge. But it is not solely in that re-enforcement 
 he confides. Will you believe it, my dear devoted coun- 
 trymen, it is in his opinion of your folly. I shall reveal to 
 you his grand secret — the only resource left him to extort 
 your compliance. 
 
 Now that the vices of the Nation have reduced to a state 
 of impotence the small portion of virtue which still re- 
 mains in the British Parliament, he hopes that a supersti- 
 tious reverence for that body, degenerate as it is, will con- 
 tinue to betray you into absurdities, and an inconsistent 
 passiveness. He still hopes that your inattention to the 
 extension edict will enable him at last to defeat your united 
 forces. Your supineness justifies him in believing, and per- 
 suading his associates, that you will always tolerate the 
 operation of that destructive edict, which is sufficient in 
 itself to put all the others in force. 
 
 Can we, without feeling the severest stings of self- 
 reproach, reflect on the many crimes which, since the ex- 
 tension act was quietly enforced, our inattention has em- 
 boldened Custom-House Officers and other sons of tyranny 
 to commit? Oh ! had criminal prosecutions been instituted 
 in that Country where the first felony or the first degrada- 
 tion of human nature was committed, in defiance of our 
 laws, and under the usurped authority of Courts-Martial, 
 or rather, immediately after their first unwarrantable sen- 
 tence was known ! had soldiers been duly protected 
 against their tyrannical masters, robberies and murders 
 might have been prevented ; our brethren at Boston could 
 not be dragooned ; we might long ago have defied the com- 
 binations of the parricidal junto, whose aim is to destroy our 
 Constitution ! We should no longer fear their dethroning 
 our King, and fixing his crown on the head of a race of 
 tyrants whom a patriotick Parliament justly proscribed 
 about ninety years ago, as irreconcilable foes to the natu- 
 ral rights of the British Nation ! With truth and security 
 we might tell the arch fiend, " What do you think of venal 
 Parliaments now ?" 
 
 Since no sophistry can delude an incorrupted American 
 jury ; since the joint efforts of the ministerial hirelings can- 
 not, without our connivance, hold up before the eyes of 
 the soldiers the veil which hides from them the knowledge 
 of their civil rights, let us instruct those deluded victims ; 
 let us openly protect them against their oppressors. If we 
 adopt this pacifick mode of resistance, which no political 
 casuist who has subscribed to the Revolution creed can 
 disapprove, the Minister may send over as many Regiments 
 as he pleases ; the intended instruments of our ruin will 
 
S87 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 883 
 
 but add to our strength and prosperity. As soon as they 
 know it is against law to detain them in the Army, the 
 ministerial army, there will be no obstacle to their deser- 
 tion. Then, but not before, sycophants, paid to calumni- 
 ate and betray the British Colonies, will in vain attempt to 
 persuade the instructed and less credulous soldiers that we 
 shall deliver them up to facilitate our reconciliation with the 
 British Parliament, who will not hear of any proposal of 
 accommodation, unless this, their sine qua non condition, be 
 first complied with . If we adopt this generous measure, we 
 shall enjoy the purest pleasure that can affect freemen — 
 that of rescuing our fellow-creatures, our brethren, from 
 disgraceful bondage. And if experience can teach us 
 wisdom, we shall so cautiously grant temporary acts for 
 preventing mutiny and desertion, should ever the safety of 
 the British Empire make it again necessary to grant such 
 acts, that the abominable project of reducing us into a state 
 of slavery, by the means of a Standing Army, cannot enter 
 the head of any future Minister. 
 
 The virtuous part of the British Officers themselves 
 impatiently wait for this manifestation of our prudence. 
 They will secretly rejoice, as Britons, at the mutiny and 
 desertion of whole battalions, whatever they may do in 
 their publick character to the contrary. And General 
 Gage, whom his weakness and incapacity recommended 
 to a perfidious Administration, who emulously extol his 
 abilities, though they would not have employed him if a 
 sensible man, of an established military reputation, had 
 accepted the dishonourable command ; that General, whom 
 they have decorated but as a bound victim, may be brought 
 to justice, and answer for the many crimes which his thirst 
 of power inspired him to perpetrate, or patronize, as the 
 most acceptable offerings which could propitiate to him his 
 tutelar Deity at St. James's. 
 
 It is not yet too late to pursue this plan of philanthropy 
 and self-defence ; but we must exert ourselves with activi- 
 ty and constancy. If we lose time, the soldiers, not know- 
 ing the local nullity of an edict made for the purpose of 
 detaining them against law, on an unnatural service which 
 they abhor, will be afraid of being treacherously delivered 
 up, in case they desert. They will not cease to be awed 
 by illegal Courts-Martial, though if they were properly 
 instructed they would not fear, but despise, the authority 
 usurped by those Courts ; and the soldiers who have been 
 injured by them, or by any military officer, would obtain 
 legal redress, should they make proper application. 
 
 If we suffer them to be misled by a sacrilegious interpre- 
 tation of their military oath, from which they are released 
 as soon as the Army is kept against law ; if we scandalous- 
 ly forsake thein, in vain shall we cry out to them in the 
 strain of the Roman Patriot, 
 
 Whither, oh ! whither do you madly run ? 
 Tis not that Britons, with avenging flame, 
 Might burn the rival of the British name ; 
 But that the Stuarts should their vows enjoy, 
 And George, with impious hand, himself destroy ! 
 
 When they are ordered to butcher us, and destroy our 
 habitations, then they will not listen to us ; self-preserva- 
 tion, and even revenge, must impel them to imbrue their 
 hands in our blood, and our destruction or slavery, attend- 
 ed with the curses of posterity, may be the fatal conse- 
 quences of our infatuation, in neglecting to seize an oppor- 
 tunity to vanquish our enemies without shedding the blood 
 of our friends. An Anti-Despot. 
 
 ROBERT AND JOHN MURRAY TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ncw.York, June 2, 1775. 
 Sir : Herewith you have a memorial to the Congress 
 now assembled, together with a copy of the papers laid be- 
 fore the Continental Congress. We should take it as a 
 favour, if you would lay the whole before the gentlemen as 
 soon as possible. Your compliance will much oblige your 
 humble servants, Robert & John Murray. 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Congress. 
 
 Memorial of Robert Murray and John Murray to the 
 Honourable the Provincial Congress of New-York. 
 Gentlemen : The annexed papers are copies of what 
 
 we laid before the honourable Continental Congress, in 
 
 consideration of which they came to the following Resolu- 
 tion : 
 
 " In Congress, May 27, 1775. 
 
 " Upon motion, the Memorial of Robert Murray and 
 John Murray, desiring to be restored to their former situa- 
 tion, with respect to their commercial privileges, was taken 
 into consideration, and after some time spent thereon, 
 
 " Resolved, That where any person hath been, or shall 
 be, adjudged by a Committee to have violated the Conti- 
 nental Association, and such offender shall satisfy the Con- 
 vention of the Colony where the offence was or shall be 
 committed, or the Committee of the Parish of St. John's, 
 in the Colony of Georgia, if the offence be committed 
 there, of his contrition for his offence, and sincere resolu- 
 tion to conform to the Association for the future, the said 
 Convention or Committee of the Parish of St. John's afore- 
 said, may settle the terms upon which he may be restored 
 to the favour and forgiveness of the publick, and that the 
 terms be published. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 From the foregoing it appears, that to procure restora- 
 tion to publick favour, we have no tribunal but yours to 
 appeal to. The annexed papers exhibit a full state of our 
 case, which we humbly submit to your consideration, not 
 doubting but that in your wisdom you will afford us such 
 relief as will be consistent with humanity and the publick 
 good. Robert Murray. 
 
 John Murray. 
 
 June 2, 1775. 
 
 MEMORIAL OF ROBERT AND JOHN MURRAY TO THE CONTI- 
 NENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 To the. Honourable the Continental Congress now sitting 
 
 at Philadelphia : 
 The Memorial of Robert Murray and John Murray, 
 
 of the City of New- York, Merchants, humbly shew- 
 
 eth : 
 
 That the memorialists being owners of the ship Dutchess 
 of Gordon, and expecting she would be in London by the 
 time their orders could arrive there, did, on the 7th of Sep- 
 tember last, by a letter to Philip Sansom, direct him to 
 put certain articles on board the said ship, on account of 
 the memorialists, together with what freight he could pro- 
 cure for her, and to despatch her immediately for New- 
 York, as may appear by an extract of the letter hereunto 
 annexed, marked No. 1. 
 
 That the memorialists, so far from entertaining any de- 
 sign to counteract the measures recommended by the late 
 Continental Congress, did, as soon as they were informed 
 thereof, countermand the above-mentioned orders, except 
 as to such goods as might, in consequence thereof, have 
 actually become the property of the memorialists and their 
 partner, the said Philip Sansom ; for the truth of which 
 they beg leave to refer to the annexed extract of a letter 
 to the said Philip Sansom, dated the 5th of October, 1774, 
 marked No. 2. 
 
 That in pursuance of the above directions, there were 
 shipped on board the Beulah, (a vessel belonging to the 
 memorialists) at London, sundry goods, on account of the 
 memorialists and their partner, with which goods the said 
 vessel sailed for New-York on the 5th or 6th day of De- 
 cember last, and arrived there the 16th or 17th of February 
 following. 
 
 That on the arrival of the said vessel and cargo, which 
 happened after the time limited by the Congress for the 
 continuance of our importations, the memorialists having 
 no intention to land their goods contrary to the terms of the 
 Association, would have cheerfully submitted to what they 
 conceived to be the spirit and design thereof, and were 
 therefore willing, and did offer to unload their cargo and 
 ship it in another bottom, under the inspection of some 
 of the Committee here, and to send it to some place not 
 within the restriction imposed by the Congress ; and the 
 memorialists beg leave to refer to the annexed copy of their 
 letter, sent to the Committee upon this subject, marked 
 No. 3, containing more at large their proposal, and the 
 reasons on which it was founded. 
 
 The memorialists beg leave further to observe, that they 
 did verily believe their construction of this part of the 
 
889 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 890 
 
 Association was consistent with tlie spirit and design there- 
 of; and had the Committee here been of that opinion, such 
 a mode of compliance would have greatly alleviated the 
 loss of the memorialists, as they might, in that case, have 
 shipped their cargo away in a small vessel, instead of send- 
 ing it in a vessel not above one-third full. 
 
 That, reduced, as they thought, to an unnecessary hard- 
 ship, and chagrined with the disappointment, the memo- 
 rialists rashly formed the design of secretly landing some 
 small part of the cargo, and were so imprudent as to carry 
 the same into execution. That before a discovery was 
 made thereof, and at a time when the memorialists had 
 great reason to suppose the place where the goods were 
 deposited would not be discovered, to wit: the 13th of 
 March last, they made a declaration of the fact, and offered 
 to give the Committee a full account of the particulars, on 
 oath, which they accordingly did on the 15th of the same 
 month, when all the goods landed had been delivered up 
 to the Committee of Elizabethtown, and the disposition 
 thereof submitted entirely to the directions of the Com- 
 mittees at Nav-York ; all which particulars will more 
 fully appear from Holt's New-York Journal, of the 23d 
 March, hereunto also annexed, to which the memorialists 
 refer. 
 
 The memorialists having proceeded thus far, and mani- 
 fested their intention to satisfy the publick in any reason- 
 able way that could be expected, as well as to express their 
 contrition for the hasty and imprudent measure they had 
 taken ; and to prevent their future commercial intercourse 
 with others from becoming the means of other infractions 
 of the Association, the memorialists did shut up their 
 store, discontinue all trade, shut up their own goods under 
 the seals of certain persons here, transfer their commis- 
 sion business to others, and give up their wharf as free for 
 the use of the navigation of this City, until they should be 
 relieved in the premises by the interposition of the Con- 
 gress. As vouchers of these facts, the memorialists refer 
 to the annexed printed publications, marked No. 5 and 
 No. 6. 
 
 The foregoing is a true state of the facts relative to this 
 unhappy affair in which the memorialists are involved ; and 
 as their commercial concerns were large and extensive, at 
 least amounting to £50,000 per annum, this total derelic- 
 tion of business has become an immense loss to them ; and 
 if unrelieved, cannot but terminate in their ruin. 
 
 That Mr. Philip Sansom, their partner, who has been 
 distinguished for his warm attachment to American liberty, 
 though not concerned in the indiscreet step taken by the 
 memorialists, is yet involved in all its fatal consequences. 
 That besides the weight of distress and sufferings to which 
 the memorialists themselves have been exposed, not only 
 from their great losses, but the resentment of an incensed 
 people, their present situation must be attended with a train 
 of evils to the innocent who are connected with them in 
 business ; their creditors must suffer ; those who depended 
 on their large commercial business for bread, are turned out 
 of employ, and the publick deprived of the advantages 
 which necessarily flow from a continuance of their trade 
 and commerce. 
 
 That the memorialists presume the American Congress, 
 from the great and important ends of the Convention, will 
 move only on publick principles, and therefore think it im- 
 proper to address their tender and benevolent feelings, not 
 doubting but every generous and humane sentiment to- 
 wards the memorialists, which is consistent with the pub- 
 lick good, will have their due influence in a determination 
 of this subject, in which the memorialists are so deeply 
 interested. 
 
 Permit them, then, to hope that this august and respect- 
 able body, from a consideration of the conduct of the me- 
 morialists in this affair ; from their utmost endeavours to 
 atone, in some measure, for their indiscretion ; from the 
 great and complicated distress they have already sustained ; 
 from the circumstance that the innocent are deeply involved 
 in their sufferings ; and that a continuation of their suffer- 
 ings can only perpetuate their calamities, without advanc- 
 ing the important ends of publick safety, will, in their wis- 
 dom, reinstate the memorialists in their former situation, 
 with respect to their commercial privileges. 
 
 Robt. Murray, 
 John Murray. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO PHILIP SANSOM, DATED NEW- 
 YORK, SEPTEMBER 7, 1774. 
 
 As we expect the Dutchess will be with you by the time 
 this reaches thy hands, we have thought it most prudent to 
 order out some bulky articles, such as we apprehend will 
 pay a good freight, in consequence of which, we have now 
 enclosed thee a list of such articles as we would have thee 
 send out in her immediately, with what freight offers. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO PHILIP SANSOM, DATED OCTO- 
 BER 5, 1774. 
 
 The foregoing is a copy of our last, per the Thetis, to 
 the contents of which refer you. She sailed the 2d cur- 
 rent, since which we find it to be the sense of the Congress, 
 that all orders that are gone may be suspended or counter- 
 manded ; in consequence of which, we desire that all our 
 orders sent may be countermanded, except such as are al- 
 ready become our property. Those we would have you 
 ship immediately, by the first vessel for this port, giving the 
 preference to one of our own, if there. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 February 20, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We being sole owners of the Ship Beu- 
 lah, from London, do propose, (with your approbation,) 
 that the ship be regularly entered at the Custom-House ; 
 in which case we pledge to you our word and honour, that 
 no part of the goods shall be landed in this Province; but 
 the same shall be forthwith reshipped and sent off in some 
 other bottom. If it shall be thought more satisfactory, we 
 consent that any number of your body be on board the 
 ship while here, to see that the above engagement is strictly 
 observed. 
 
 This proposition, we think, must appear reasonable, as 
 being not inconsistent with the resolution of the Congress ; 
 and therefore we are led to hope it will meet not only with 
 your approbation, but that of the inhabitants of this City 
 in general. The Congress having been silent as to what 
 bottom the goods shall be returned in, probably meant to 
 expose the owners of the ship and cargo to as little incon- 
 venience as possible, by leaving that matter to their discre- 
 tion, which, from the terms in which their resolve is ex- 
 pressed, seems evidently to be the case. Their words are : 
 " If any goods, wares, or merchandises, shall be imported 
 after the first day of February, the same ought forthwith 
 to be sent back again without breaking any of the pack- 
 ages thereof." This, we conceive, manifestly declares that 
 the goods, (which are the object of this resolve,) are to be 
 imported after the first day of February; but as there can- 
 not be a legal importation without an entry at the Custom- 
 House, it follows that such entry is presupposed and im- 
 plied in their resolution ; and the more especially, as they 
 direct that the packages shall be sent back unopened ; for, 
 as opening the packages without an entry, would make the 
 ship liable to a seizure, the Congress could hardly have 
 thought such rash conduct in the owners to be probable ; 
 and, therefore, from this prohibitory clause, they must have 
 considered the goods as in a situation in which the pack- 
 ages might be lawfully opened, which plainly includes the 
 idea of a previous entry at the Custom-House. By per- 
 mitting, therefore, such entry under the guards proposed, 
 we think that not only the letter, but the spirit and inten- 
 tion of the resolution of the Congress will be fully com- 
 plied with. 
 
 It has, and probably may again be insisted on against 
 this construction of the resolve, that the first article of the 
 Association prohibits the importation of goods from Great 
 Britain, &ic, after the first day of December ; and there- 
 fore, that it must be absurd to suppose the Congress could 
 intend an importation after the first day of February, in the 
 sense we contend for, as it would imply a contradiction. 
 Whatever force there may appear to be in this argument at 
 first view, it is entirely taken off by the explanatory clause 
 in the tenth article, which declares, that in case any mer- 
 chant, trader, or other persons, shall import any goods after 
 the first day of December, and before the first day of Febru- 
 ary, the same ought forthwith, at the election of the owner, 
 to be either reshipped or delivered up to the Committee 
 
891 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &cc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 892 
 
 of the County, &ic. That an importation, in the proper 
 and legal sense of the word, is here meant, cannot admit 
 of a douht, since neither of the alternatives imposed on the 
 owner, of reshipping or delivering the goods to the Com- 
 mittee, can possibly take place without an actual unloading 
 of the cargo, for which purpose an entry was absolutely 
 necessary, and therefore must have been intended by the 
 Congress. 
 
 As to the objection that proper evidences cannot be 
 given to the neighbouring Colonics, that the goods are sent 
 back unless they go in the same bottom, we think it must 
 be effectually removed, by having the matter transacted 
 under the inspection of some of the Committee, in the way 
 we propose. Besides, we cannot help observing, that the 
 grand object of the Congress seems to have been the send- 
 ing the goods back ; and as it must be immaterial in what 
 vessel they are carried, this may well account for their 
 leaving that circumstance to the discretion of the owner. 
 And as we are disposed to comply not only with the ex- 
 press words of the Congress, but likewise with the very 
 spirit thereof, we shall therefore think ourselves ill used, if 
 we are obliged to carry the goods back in the same bottom, 
 which will be laying a very heavy burthen on, that we and 
 many more believe was not intended by the Congress. 
 
 We have no objection to your publishing this letter, as 
 we are free the publick should have an opportunity of 
 judging thereof. We may further inform you, that the 
 proprietors of the goods are quite free that they be reship- 
 ped in the manner here proposed. 
 
 Murray, Sansom, & Co., 
 Wm. M. Bossell. 
 
 JOHN LAMB TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As I embarked very early in the cause of 
 liberty, and have ever defended the rights of America by 
 every means in my power, so 1 am still actuated, both by 
 principle and inclination, to exert myself to the utmost of 
 my abilities, in preserving the freedom of my country ; and 
 as it is highly probable that troops will soon be raised in 
 this Colony, I take the liberty to tender you my best ser- 
 vices. Should you think me worthy your confidence, I 
 flatter myself that my future conduct will evince it has not 
 been placed on an improper object. At the same time, I 
 must beg leave to observe, that I should incline to serve in 
 the Artillery department, having made that branch of mili- 
 tary science more particularly my study. 
 
 I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most 
 humble servant, John Lamb. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Colony of 
 New- York. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Crown Point, Juno 2, 1775. 
 
 Respectable Gentlemen : Before this time you have 
 undoubtedly received intelligence not only of the taking 
 the fortified places on Lake Champlain, but also the armed 
 sloop and boats therein, and the taking possession of a 
 schooner, (the property of Major Skene,) which we have 
 armed and manned, and of the conversion of them, with a 
 large train of artillery, to the defence of the liberty and 
 constitutional rights of America. You have likewise been 
 undoubtedly informed that the expedition was undertaken 
 at the special encouragement and request of a number of 
 respectable gentlemen in the Colony of Connecticut. The 
 pork forwarded to subsist the Army by your Honours' di- 
 rection, evinces your approbation of the procedure; and as 
 it was a private expedition, and common fame reports that 
 there arc a number of overgrown tories in the Province, 
 your Honours will the readier excuse me in not first taking 
 your advice in the matter, lest the enterprises might have 
 been prevented by their treachery. It is here reported 
 that some of them have been lately savingly converted, 
 and that others have lost their influence. If, in those achieve- 
 ments, there be any thing honorary, the subjects of your 
 Government, viz: the New-Hampshire settlers, are justly 
 entitled to a large share, as they had a great majority of 
 numbers of the soldiery, as well as the command in making 
 those acquisitions ; and as your Honours' justify and ap- 
 
 prove the same, I desire and expect your Honours already 
 have, or soon will lay before the Grand Continental Con- 
 gress, the great disadvantage it must inevitably be to the 
 Colonies to evacuate Lake Champlain, and give up to the 
 enemies of our Country those invaluable acquisitions, the 
 key of either Canada or of our Country , according as which 
 party holds the same in possession and makes a proper im- 
 provement of it. The key is ours as yet, and provided the 
 Colonies would suddenly push an Army of two or three 
 thousand men into Canada, they might make a conquest 
 of all that would oppose them in the extensive Province 
 of Qucbcck, except a re-enforcement from England should 
 prevent it. Such a diversion would weaken General Gage 
 or insure us of Canada. I wish to God America would, 
 at this critical juncture, exert herself agreeable to the in- 
 dignity offered her by a tyrannical Ministry. She might 
 rise on eagles' wings, and mount up to glory, freedom, and 
 immortal honour, if she did but know and exert her strength. 
 Fame is now hovering over her head. A vast continent 
 must now sink to slavery, poverty, horrour, and bondage, 
 or rise to unconquerable freedom, immense wealth, inex- 
 pressible felicity, and immortal fame. 
 
 I will lay my life on it, that with fifteen hundred men and 
 a proper train of artillery, I will take Montreal. Provided 
 I could thus be furnished, and if an Army could com- 
 mand the field, it would be no insuperable difficulty to take 
 Qucbeck. This object should be pursued, though it should 
 take ten thousand men to accomplish the end proposed ; 
 for England cannot spare but a certain number of her 
 Troops. Nay, she has but a small number that are disci- 
 plined, and it is as long as it is broad ; the more that are 
 sent to Quebeck, the less they can send to Boston, or any 
 other part of the continent. And there will be this un- 
 speakable advantage in directing the war into Canada, that, 
 instead of turning the Canadians and Indians against us, 
 (as is wrongly suggested by many,) it would unavoidably 
 attach and connect them to our interest. Our friends in 
 Canada can never help us till we first help them, except in 
 a passive or inactive manner. There are now about seven 
 hundred regular Troops in Canada. I have lately had 
 sundry conferences with the Indians ; they are very friendly. 
 Captain Abraham Ninham, a Stockbridgc Indian, and Mr. 
 Winthrop Hoit, who has sundry years lived with the Caugh- 
 nawagoes in the capacity of a prisoner, and was made an 
 adopted son to a motherly squaw of that tribe, have both 
 been gone ten days to treat with the Indians, as our am- 
 bassadors of peace and friendship. I expect, in a few weeks, 
 to hear from them. By them I sent a friendly letter to the 
 Indians, which Mr. Hoit can explain to them in Indian. 
 The thing that so unites the temper of the Indians to us, 
 is our taking the sovereignty of Lake Champlain. They 
 have wit enough to make a good bargain, and stand by the 
 strongest side. Much the same may be said of the Ca- 
 nadians. They have no personal controversy with us, but 
 act on political principles. If we evacuate Lake Chain- 
 plain and retire to Lake George, Governour Carlcton can 
 by intrigue, and will not fail to draw them into his interest. 
 If we hold the supremacy, we shall do the same, for cun- 
 ning and power are but the same thing, be it exercised by 
 either Carlcton or us: but cunning without power can hold 
 no equal contest with that which is armed with it. 
 
 It may be thought that to push an Army into Canada 
 would be too premature and imprudent. If so, I propose 
 to make a stand at the Isle-au-]Soii, which the French 
 fortified by intrenchment the last war, and greatly fatigued 
 our large Army to take it ; it is about fifteen miles this side 
 St. John's, and is an island in the river, on which a small 
 artillery placed would command it. An establishment of a 
 frontier so far north, would not only better secure our own 
 frontier, but put it into our power better to work our policy 
 with the Canadians and Indians; or, if need be, to make 
 incursions into the territory of Canada; the same as they 
 could into our Country, provided they had the sovereignty 
 of Lake Champlain, and had erected head quarters at or 
 near Skcncsborongh. Our only having it in our power thus 
 to make incursions into Canada, might probably be the very 
 reason why it would be unnecessary so to do, even if the 
 Canadians should prove more refractory than I think for. 
 Lastly, with submission, I would propose to your Honours 
 to raise a small regiment of Rangers, which I could easily 
 do, and that mostly in the Counties of Albany and Char- 
 
893 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, JUNE, 1775. 894 
 
 lolte, provided your Honours should think it expedient to 
 grant commissions, and thus regulate and put the same under 
 pay. Probably your Honours may think this an impertinent 
 proposal ; it is truly the first favour I ever asked of the 
 Government, and if it be granted, I shall be zealously am- 
 bitious to conduct for the best good of my Country and the 
 honour of the Government. 
 
 I subscribe myself, gentlemen, with due respect, your 
 Honours' most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Ethan Allen. 
 
 P. S. In the narrative contained in the enclosed was too 
 materially omitted the valour and intrepidity of Colonel 
 James Easton, and forty-six veteran soldiers from the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, who assisted in taking of Ticonderoga. 
 Colonel Easton is just returned from the Provincial Con- 
 gress of the Massachusetts-Bay to this place, and expects 
 he will soon have the command of a Regiment from that 
 Province. Yours, 8cc. E. A. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS TO 
 THE INHABITANTS OF QUEBECK. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 2, 1775. 
 Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 The Parent of the universe has divided this earth among 
 the children of men, and drawn out the line of their habi- 
 tations. The great God having ordained that all our joys 
 and sorrows here below should proceed from the effect of 
 human actions upon human beings, our situation has drawn 
 together this great bond of natural dependance, and ena- 
 bled us to deal out injuries and kindness to each other. 
 We consider you as our friends, and we feel for you the 
 affection of brothers. 
 
 The great question between Britain and her Colonies 
 is, whether they are subjects, or whether they are slaves. 
 The rights delivered down to us from our forefathers, the 
 venerable laws of our Country, have subjected our own 
 property to our own disposal, nor hath any earthly power 
 a right to take it away. Mankind ought to be governed 
 by the dictates of justice, not by the hand of oppression. 
 The peaceable enjoyment of what we yet call our own, and 
 that liberty which confers on every man the right of ador- 
 ing his God in the manner which he humbly thinks most 
 agreeable to the Divine nature — these are the objects of 
 all our labours and all our cares. Ministerial tyranny hath 
 endeavoured, throughout all these Colonies, to rend from 
 us the dearest rights of humanity; and in the defence of 
 those rights some persons have taken certain forts in this 
 Colony, which are near your frontiers. We have heard 
 that others have made an attack upon the post of St. 
 John's, an attempt without our counsel or participation. 
 And although we have taken measures for the defence of 
 our own fortresses, yet our only intention is to prevent any 
 hostile incursions upon us by the troops of your Province. 
 Confident that the enemies of our King and his people will 
 take every opportunity to excite jealousies and discord 
 amongst us, we beseech you not to be imposed on by their 
 artifices, but call to your remembrance the complicated 
 horrours of a barbarous war. Avoid those measures which 
 must plunge us both into distress, and instead of consenting 
 to become miserable slaves, generously dare to participate 
 with your fellow-subjects in the sweets of that security 
 which is the glorious lot of freedom. We are, with sincere 
 affection, your brethren and friends. 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck. 
 
 GENERAL GREENE TO JACOB GREENE, ES^. 
 
 Rhode-Island Camp, June 2, 1775. 
 
 I arrived in camp on Saturday last, and found it in great 
 commotion. A few days longer in the state of excitement 
 in which 1 found our Troops, would have proved fatal to 
 our campaign. The want of government, and of a cer- 
 tainty of supplies, had thrown every thing into disorder. 
 Several Companies had clubbed their muskets in order to 
 march home. I have made several regulations for intro- 
 ducing order and composing their murmurs ; but it is very 
 difficult to limit people who have had so much latitude, 
 without throwing them into disorder. The Commissaries 
 
 had been beaten off at my arrival, and were about return- 
 ing home the next day. I believe there never was a person 
 more welcome, who was so little deserving, as myself. 1 
 wish you would forward Colonel Varnum's Regiment ; he 
 will be a welcome guest in camp. I expect much from 
 his and his troops' example. 
 
 WILLIAM LITHGOW TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress noiv assembled 
 at Watertown, fyc, the humble Petition of William 
 Lithgow shews to your Honours : 
 That he is an inhabitant of Georgetown, on Kennebeclc 
 River, and comes in behalf and at the request of said Town, 
 to let your Honours know that we are in daily expectation 
 of being plundered by cutters or armed vessels, and thus 
 exposed to our enemy's insults ; therefore humbly pray that 
 your Honours would grant us one or two barrels or half 
 barrels of powder, or such a quantity as in your wisdom 
 may seem meet, as our town stock of powder, upon due 
 examination, is found not to exceed thirty pounds. And. 
 as in duty bound, shall ever pray. Wm. Lithgow. 
 
 Wat.rtown, June 2, 1775. 
 
 COL. RICHARD GR1DLEY TO THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Cambridge, June 2, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I am very sensible you are engaged in a 
 multiplicity of business of consequence, but I shall think 
 my self blameable in my duty if I do not urge, in the strongest 
 terms, the necessity there is of providing an establishment 
 for an ordnance store-keeper, conductors, and clerks, to take 
 care to keep accounts of the stores as they receive them 
 and deliver them, and also to make an establishment for a 
 company of artificers to make beds for mortars, and car- 
 riages for guns, and platforms, and mending wheelbarrows, 
 and keeping tools in repair, &lc. 
 
 The want of such establishments hinders greatly the 
 progress of the works, which I think is of great importance, 
 and beg you will please to use your interest with the Con- 
 gress, that such establishments be made immediately, if you 
 think proper. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with respect, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Richard Gridley. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 2, 1775. 
 The above not being within the department of this Com- 
 mittee, they refer the same to the honourable Congress of 
 the Colony. Benj. White, Chairman. 
 
 NATHANIEL SHAW TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 New-London, June 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The bearer, Mr. John Stale, applied to 
 me for a quantity of powder for the use of your Province, 
 but am sorry to inform you that article is very scarce in this 
 Colony, and not to be purchased. What I have imported 
 is on Government account, and by letters from New-YorTc 
 I have lately received, it is not to be had in that Province, 
 neither in Rhode-Island. I expect a large quantity, but 
 from its not arriving, I begin to suspect that either the 
 cruisers in the channel, or the negotiation between Great 
 Britain and the States, has prevented it. If I should have 
 a larger quantity arrive than should be wanted in this Col- 
 ony on Government account, I will give you the offer of it ; 
 but at the same time I would recommend to you that you 
 make no dependance on having any from me. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant, 
 
 Nath'l Shaw, Jr. 
 
 To Matthew Thornton, President of the Provincial Con- 
 vention of New-Hampshire. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES IN THE 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Exeter, June 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed we send you an address to your 
 Congress, relating to their order for the demolition of the 
 fort at Ticonderoga. The taking that garrison by the Col- 
 onists, and hopes of keeping it, have very much encouraged 
 the frontiers of this and the neighbouring Colonies. The 
 
895 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 896 
 
 continual accounts received from Canada, by scouts sent 
 from our frontiers, and otherwise, keep them under the most 
 terrible apprehensions of being ravaged by the Canadians 
 and Indians. The late determination of your Congress has 
 much increased it, as the destroying that fortress leaves 
 such an opening to the excursions of our enemies. We 
 desire your vigilance in a critical review of that matter. 
 
 Our circumstances appear daily more and more alarming. 
 The men-of-war stop all provision vessels coming into our 
 harbour, and send them to Boston ; and the Captain of the 
 Scarborough has shewn his orders to a Committee- who 
 waited upon him, to stop all provisions, salt, molasses, &.C., 
 coming to us. Since which several hundred armed men, 
 in the day time, went down to the entrance of our harbour, 
 in open sight of the men-of-war, and brought from a point 
 of land there a number of large cannon, and deposited 
 them at Portsmouth for the present, where preparations 
 are making for mounting and fitting them for action. A 
 number of men are now making a battery on Kitttry Point; 
 and if we had a sufficiency of ammunition, should hope 
 soon to be able to command our harbour. 
 
 We would desire you, if any arms or gunpowder can be 
 procured in the Southern Governments, to procure them, if 
 possible, on such terms as you can make, with which the 
 Colony will endeavour punctually to comply. The diffi- 
 culty of land-carriage we would surmount, as the want 
 thereof must exclude every other difficulty. We have 
 wrote to you on the pressing occasion we have for a paper 
 currency, or some other, to answer our urgent necessity ; 
 and still must desire that you do all in your power that 
 some plan be formed, or directions given us by your Con- 
 gress for that purpose. 
 
 Enclosed we send you a copy of a vote of Council, rela- 
 tive to stopping provisions, &c. We would have you en- 
 deavour to keep a constant correspondence with the Con- 
 gress or Committee of Safety, at Exeter, and inform us of 
 every thing you think essential. 
 
 In behalf of the Provincial Congress: 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 NEW- HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 [Road in Congres?, June 21, 1775.] 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Exeter, ) 
 June 2, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen : A late order of your very respectable 
 Congress, for the demolition of the fortress at Ticonderoga, 
 and removal of the artillery from thence, has very much 
 damped the expectation of the people in this Colony, 
 arising from the security our frontiers hoped to receive by 
 the check the Canadians and savages might receive in any 
 incursions on us, by a good garrison there. We are heartily 
 disposed to, and shall readily obey all the orders and di- 
 rections you give us ; and on this occasion would not pre- 
 sume to complain or dictate, but most humbly (o suggest, 
 that all the land and waters between the south end of Lake 
 George and Crown Point, together with all Lake Cham- 
 plain, will be left open for Canadians and savages (if they 
 should be disposed, which we very much fear) to ravage 
 all the country east. Our new settlements, extended on 
 Connecticut River for a hundred miles, are very defence- 
 less in every respect, and under terrible apprehensions, from 
 the accounts of the warlike preparations making in Canada 
 against the Colony. 
 
 The reasons which directed your order in this matter, 
 we are unacquainted with, but would wish a review thereof; 
 and if you should then think it best that the former order 
 be countermanded, we hope it will be a service to the com- 
 mon cause ; otherwise, shall concur in your determination 
 of that as well as all other matters that concern the welfare 
 of America. 
 
 In behalf of the Provincial Congress aforesaid, I am, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 To the Honourable Continental Congress. 
 
 CONGRESS OK NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Exeter, Now. Hampshire, June 2, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : 1 am directed by the Provincial Congress 
 now convened in this Town, to advise you that the Reso- 
 
 lution of the Continental Congress, respecting the demo- 
 lition of the fortress at Ticonderoga, is just come to hand ; 
 that we have taken the same into consideration, and as we 
 esteem that fortress to be at a place truly important to the 
 welfare of all these Northern Colonies in general, and to 
 this Colony in particular, the thoughts of its demolition 
 casts a damp on the spirits of our people, as we appre- 
 hend our western frontiers will be thereby greatly exposed 
 to the depredations of the Canadians and Indians, if (as 
 we have reason to fear) they r should incline to annoy us. 
 And not being acquainted with the reasons for passing that 
 order, we have thought it our duty to entreat that respect- 
 able body again to take that matter into their consideration, 
 And, if they shall think proper, to order that the said for- 
 tress may be kept in possession of the Colonies ; and we 
 would earnestly entreat your concurrence with us in said 
 request. At the same time you may be assured that no 
 Colony on this Continent is, or can be more determined 
 than we are, to abide by the determination of that respect- 
 able body. 
 
 In behalf of the Provincial Congress aforesaid, I am, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 To the President of the Congress at New- York. 
 
 P. S. By an enclosed Resolve of this body, you will 
 find we are providing against any attempt from Canada on 
 our adjacent frontier. We earnestly desire your approba- 
 tion of this measure, and concurrence with it, by adding 
 such numbers of troops from your Colony, as in your wis- 
 dom and concern for the general good, you may think 
 proper. M. T. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF PORTSMOUTH TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CON- 
 GRESS. 
 
 Portsmouth, June 2, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : On the preservation of the peace and 
 good order of this Town, is the only security that this Com- 
 mittee have, whereby they expect to carry into execution 
 any measures which the Provincial Congress may resolve 
 upon; therefore find ourselves necessitated to desire you 
 would be pleased to regulate all future movements of any- 
 bodies of armed men from one Town to another, as many- 
 inconveniences and losses to the publick are sustained 
 thereby, especially at this time, when so many idle and 
 false reports are spread, by which the good people of this 
 Province are alarmed, and assemble together for the defence 
 of the grand cause in which we are all embarked. We are 
 fearful our enemies will improve every opportunity to in- 
 crease these alarms, and make them so familiar to us as to 
 put us off our guard, and then may strike some fatal blow. 
 
 We find this Town labours under many difficulties pecu- 
 liar to seaports, and which our friends in the country are 
 free from. The stagnation of trade, and the return of our 
 shipping, increases the number of our people, who, for want 
 of employment, readily fall into disorders, and when num- 
 bers are once collected, it is very difficult to persuade them 
 to disperse, until they exceed the bounds of reason. We 
 have great reason to believe that our invaders are endea- 
 vouring to promote alarms to harass the country, and to 
 prevent our agriculture, by calling off and diverting our 
 attention from that great, and, at this time, particularly 
 necessary duty. 
 
 Any resolves Congress may pass upon our request, it 
 is desired that copies of the same be sent to every Com- 
 mittee in every Town, besides being published in the pub- 
 lick prints, as it is necessary it should be known in the 
 most publick manner, and as soon as possible. We submit 
 our request to your wisdom, wishing you Divine assistance 
 in your consultations for the publick weal. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 H. Wentworth, Chairman. 
 To the Honourable Congress at Exeter. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Charlestown, Saturday, June 3, 1775. 
 Resolved, That this Congress do earnestly recommend 
 to all their constituents, the promotion of union and har- 
 mony by all means in their power. That to this purposB 
 
897 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 898 
 
 all those things be avoided which tend to promote disaffec- 
 tion between the people, utterly discountenancing all na- 
 tional reflections, and engaging to be watchful and diligent 
 that the laws for the peace and good order of the Colony 
 be observed inviolate as far as may be. 
 
 Wednesday, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolve be printed, and made 
 publick. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 ASSOCIATION 
 
 Unanimously agreed to in the Provincial Congress of 
 South-Carolina, on Saturday, June 3, 1775. 
 The actual commencement of hostilities against this 
 Continent, by the British Troops, in the bloody scene on 
 the 19th of April last, near Boston ; the increase of arbi- 
 trary impositions from a wicked and despotick Ministry, 
 and the dread of instigated insurrections in the Colonies, 
 are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed people to the 
 use of arms. We, therefore, the subscribers, inhabitants 
 of South- Carolina, holding ourselves bound by that most 
 sacred of all obligations — the duty of good citizens towards 
 an injured Country : and thoroughly convinced that, under 
 our present distressed circumstances, we shall be justified 
 before God and man in resisting force by force, do unite 
 ourselves under every tie of religion and honour, and asso- 
 ciate as a band in her defence, against every foe ; hereby 
 solemnly engaging, that whenever our Continental or Pro- 
 vincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth 
 and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure 
 her freedom and safety. This obligation to continue in 
 full force until a reconciliation shall take place between 
 Great Britain and America, upon constitutional princi- 
 ples ; an event which we most ardently desire. And we 
 will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the 
 Colonies, who shall refuse to subscribe to this Association. 
 
 Subscribed by every member present, on the fourth day 
 of June, 1775. 
 
 Certified by Henry Laurens, President. 
 
 Norfolk (virginia) committee. 
 
 Committee-Chamber, Norfolk, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Present : Mr. Chairman and twenty Members. 
 
 The Committee being informed that the Ship Molly, 
 Captain Mitchcson, has lately arrived from Great Britain, 
 laden with a large quantity of goods from Messrs. Eilbeck, 
 Ross, and Company ; and the circumstances of the impor- 
 tation appearing very suspicious, and inducing this Com- 
 mittee to believe there was an intention thereby to coun- 
 teract the Association : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That agreeably to the Association, 
 the said ship ought, on or before Tuesday morning next, to 
 return directly back with the said goods ; and that a copy 
 of the invoice ought to be delivered to the Sub-Committee 
 which this Committee shall appoint ; and that a Certificate, 
 properly authenticated, that the said goods have been ac- 
 tually relanded in Great Britain, ought also to be produced 
 to this Committee by the said Eilbeck, Ross, and Compa- 
 ny, as soon as the said Certificate can be produced and 
 transmitted to their hands. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolution be published. 
 
 William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 Committee Chamber, June 4, 1775. 
 
 Present : Mr. Chairman and twenty-two Members. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That it be published at the 
 same time with the Resolution of yesterday, that Mr. Ross 
 and Mr. Eilbeck did this day wait on this Committee, and 
 produced their invoice of goods shipped on board the Mol- 
 ly ; and that it did not appear to this Committee that the 
 said goods were shipped by order of the said Ross or Eil- 
 beck, but on their account, by Mr. Chambers, of White- 
 haven. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 William Davies, Secretary. 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. 57 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We have received your several letters, 
 and communicated such of your papers to the Congress as 
 were intended for their inspection. Your plan for raising 
 money we are much pleased with, though we have some 
 doubt of its being adopted ; however, as the reasons on 
 which it is founded appear to us to be conclusive, we shall 
 use our endeavour to carry it through. Till the success is 
 known, you will, we dare say, see a propriety in keeping 
 the whole secret. We observe with pleasure the atten- 
 tion of our Colony to Indian affairs, as they are really of 
 the highest importance. Should you conceive the interpo- 
 sition of the Congress necessary, you will let us know the 
 mode in which you think it will be most effectual. 
 
 You inquire whether the direction relative to the Militia 
 of Neio-York was intended to extend farther than that City 
 and County. In answer to this we must inform you, that 
 it was the design of the Congress that the whole Province 
 should be well armed and disciplined. 
 
 We wish to hear that you have received some supply of 
 powder, as we fear that none is to be purchased here, the 
 people conceiving they have not a sufficient stock for their 
 own defence. We believe, however, that Connecticut will 
 take care to supply their Troops at Ticonderoga with that 
 article, as the command of that post is for the present vested 
 in their officers, owing to your repeated declaration of your 
 inability to furnish the arms and ammunition necessary for 
 its defence. 
 
 We think it an object of great consequence to know in 
 whom you would wish to vest the command of the Conti- 
 nental Army in our Province, which is to be maintained at 
 the general charge, and hope you will not be at a loss to fix 
 on men among yourselves who may be entrusted with that 
 important charge. As General Officers will, in all proba- 
 bility, be shortly appointed by this Congress, your express 
 should return immediately, with a warm recommendation of 
 those persons in our Province who you think may safely be 
 trusted with the first and second commands, as Major and 
 Brigadier Generals. If possible let us have an answer to 
 this by Tuesday morning, drawn up in such a manner that, 
 if necessary, it may be offered to the Congress, with the 
 reasons on which such choice is founded. We know of 
 nothing farther that may require your attention, unless it 
 be to recommend a profound secresy with respect to any 
 advice we may offer, particularly on the subject of this 
 letter, though we conceive that your own prudence will 
 render any such recommendation unnecessary. If you 
 wish for any other directions, pray be speedy and explicit 
 in your application. 
 
 We remain, with great respect, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servants, 
 
 James Duane, Francis Lewis, 
 
 R. R. Livingston, Jr., William Floyd, 
 Philip Schuyler, Simon Boerum, 
 
 John Alsop, Henry Wisner. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New- York. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, Monday, 3d of June, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 Henry Remsen, 
 George Janeway, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Abrm. Brinkerhoff, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 Edward Fleming,. 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 
 A Letter, dated New-York, 3d June, 1775, from Mr. 
 George Folliott, received and read ; in which he declines 
 representing this City and County in Provincial Congress. 
 
 Mr. Lamb, seconded by Mr. De?ining, moved in the 
 words following, viz: as Mr. George Folliott has declined 
 serving as a member of the Provincial Congress, and of 
 this Committee, I move that this Committee do proceed 
 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Petrus Byvanck, 
 William Denning, 
 John Imlay, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Thomas I vers, 
 John Anthony, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 John Lamb, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 John Berrian, 
 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 John Morton, 
 William Goforth, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 James Beekman, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 William Laight, 
 John Lasher, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 William W. Gilbert. 
 
S99 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 900 
 
 to the nomination to serve in his stead, both in the Pro- 
 vincial Congress and in this Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Isaac Sears be nominated by this 
 Committee for the approbation of the freeholders and free- 
 men of this City and County, to represent them in Pro- 
 vincial Congress in the room of Mr. George Folliott, who 
 declines serving. And that Mr. William Bedlow and Mr. 
 John Woodward, be also nominated as members of this 
 Committee instead of the said Mr. Folliott, and of Mr. 
 Samuel Jones, who never has attended. 
 
 Ordered, That a poll be opened at the City-Hall, on 
 Thursday, the 8th instant, at nine o'clock in the morning, 
 to elect the above persons, or such others as may be ap- 
 proved of for the above purposes. 
 
 At which time the Freeholders and Freemen are request- 
 ed to attend. The poll will be under the inspection of 
 Messrs. R. Ray and Evert Banker, and the Vestrymen of 
 the North Ward. 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR COLDEN. 
 
 By the Honourable Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, 
 His Majesty's Lieutenant-Governour and Commander- 
 in-Chief of the Province of New- York, and the Ter- 
 ritories defending thereon in America: 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 Whereas the General Assembly of this Province stands 
 prorogued to the seventh day of June instant : I have 
 thought fit, for His Majesty's service, to prorogue, and I do, 
 by and with the advice of His Majesty's Council, farther 
 prorogue the said General Assembly to the fifth day of 
 July next; of which all His Majesty's subjects concerned 
 therein are required to take notice, and govern themselves 
 accordingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Fort George, 
 in the City of New- York, the third day of June, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the sixteenth year 
 of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by 
 the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland, 
 King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 
 
 Cadwallader Colden. 
 
 By his Honour's command, 
 
 Samuel Bayard, Jun., D. Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 JAMES R1V1NGTON TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Friday Morning, 10 o'clock. 
 
 Sir : Having been just now informed that my case has 
 been referred to the judgment of the gentlemen of the 
 Provincial Congress of this City, and that it may probably 
 be considered by them this morning, I have been employed 
 the little time allowed rne, to copy and enclose the letter 
 from the gentlemen of the Netv- York Committee, and my 
 own address to the Delegates in the Continental Congress, 
 and added a newspaper, in which is inserted my address to 
 the publick, that the gentlemen of the very respectable 
 Board over which you have the honour to preside, may be 
 acquainted with the whole proceedings in the matter. 
 
 Your continuance of my suit, and your friendly media- 
 tion on this occasion, will everlastingly oblige, Sir, your 
 most obedient servant, James Rivington. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF NEW-YORK TO THE CONTINENTAL CON- 
 GRESS. 
 
 Gentlemen: The agitation of this Town respecting 
 Mr. Rivington, as a printer, has given this Committee 
 much concern. Some of the warm friends of liberty seem 
 not to be fully satisfied that his former offences, as they 
 were against the whole Continent, are within our authority ; 
 and we are concerned that nothing less than a determina- 
 tion of the General Congress will give full satisfaction on 
 that head, much less secure him in his person and proper- 
 ty. We have therefore resolved to refer his case to your 
 respectable body, and would beg leave strongly to urge it 
 as a subject of their consideration. We have adopted 
 temporary expedients ; but as they are merely temporary 
 in effect, as far as concerns him, we beg the direction of 
 that body, whose determination we doubt not will be a law 
 
 to the Continent. His transgressions are known to your 
 whole body. He has subscribed our Association, and we 
 know not that he has since his subscription done any thing 
 contrary to its true intent and meaning. Those expedients 
 we have gone into to preserve present peace and good 
 order will appear from the enclosed. We pray the direc- 
 tions of the Congress on this matter, and are, he. 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, June 3, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of this Town have appointed a person 
 to act as Postmaster here, as also a Post-Rider under the 
 direction and control of said Committee, until the Legis- 
 lature of this Colony, or the Continental Congress, shall 
 be pleased to make other regulations and appointments. 
 
 A number of the inhabitants of Plymouth went a few 
 days ago to Nantucket, in whale-boats, and took from 
 thence eight hundred barrels of flour, the property of a 
 merchant at Dartmouth, and which is supposed was in- 
 tended to be smuggled into Boston, for supplying the 
 Ministerial Army. 
 
 Last week the company of the train of Artillery lately 
 raised here, all well accoutred, with four excellent field- 
 preces, marched to join the American Army near Boston ; 
 they made a very military appearance, and are, without 
 exception, as complete a body of men as any in the King's 
 Dominions. The other companies raised here, and in the 
 adjacent Towns, as also several from the south Counties, 
 all able-bodied men, and well armed, have marched to the 
 American camp. Several companies of the Connecticut 
 forces have also passed through this Town, to join their 
 brethren. 
 
 Twelve pieces of battering cannon, eighteen and twen- 
 ty-four pounders, with a quantity of ordnance stores, were 
 sent from hence to the American camp a few days since. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO HENRY GARDNER. 
 
 Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 3, 1775. 
 Sir : For the absolute necessity of paying the Colony 
 forces immediately, (having been duly considered by this 
 Congress, and not being able to make necessary payment 
 to prevent the Troops from returning home without your 
 being present,) you are therefore directed, upon the receipt 
 of this order, immediately to repair to this place, and make 
 the utmost despatch in completing the signing of the Bills 
 wanted for the above purpose. 
 Signed by order of the Congress : 
 
 Saml. Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 To Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-General. 
 
 P. S. The Congress is just informed that a gentleman 
 at Salem has five hundred Pounds, which he is willing to 
 lend the Province, which would be of the greatest impor- 
 tance, to pay immediately to the soldiers, and might pre- 
 vent the greatest mischiefs. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF ARUNDEL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Province of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, in New-England, now sitting : 
 The Committee of the Town of Arundel, in said Prov- 
 ince, sendeth greeting: 
 
 Whereas, a sloop belonging to the said Town of Arundel, 
 about three weeks ago sailed out of this harbour, and dis- 
 posed of her cargo at Plymouth, and having received her 
 effects, upon her return was seized and carried into Bos- 
 ton, and there detained by General Gage for some time, 
 and her effects taken into his custody, for which he paid 
 near the prime cost. After which a proposal was made to 
 the master of said sloop by the officers of the Troops to 
 enlist into the Governour's service, with a promise of a 
 large reward for his service therein. The master being 
 now under confinement, and knowing of no means of ob- 
 taining his liberty, now thought this proposal the only way 
 to make his escape, and obtain his liberty, and therefore 
 complied with the same, and accordingly received orders to 
 sail immediately for Annapolis, to bring a quantity of hay 
 and other stores for the use of the Troops in Boston. A 
 number of the King's arms, with cartridges, were put on 
 
901 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 902 
 
 board, and two young men (one named Josiah Jones and 
 the other Jonathan Hicks) were put on board, one or both 
 of whom as supercargo in the above employment, with a 
 packet of letters, orders, and other papers. The master 
 then being prepared to go out, sailed directly for this port, 
 and arrived in this harbour the 2d instant, with the persons, 
 letters, &tc, as above mentioned, who were immediately 
 carried before the Committee of this Town, and after ex- 
 amination of both, it was agreed by the Committee, and 
 they have accordingly sent the persons and papers under 
 guard to this honourable Provincial Congress now sitting, 
 for examination, and to be dealt with as they in their united 
 wisdom shall think just. The master and mate of said 
 sloop we have hereby sent, by whom an account of the 
 whole affair will be given. 
 
 Bexj. Durrell, Jonathan Stone, 
 James Burnham, John Hovey, 
 Thos. Wiswall, 
 
 Committee of the Town of Arundel. 
 
 Arundel. June 3, 1775. 
 
 Watertown, June 9, 1775. 
 I, the subscriber, being of lawful age, do testify that, 
 being in a coasting sloop belonging to Arundel, and on my 
 return from Plymouth, was taken by a cutter belonging to 
 Admiral Graves's squadron, in Boston, and carried into 
 that port, and there detained several days ; and being soli- 
 cited by Admiral Graves's Secretary to enter into His Ma- 
 jesty's service, and knowing no other way wherein 1 could 
 possibly make my escape but by entering into said service, 
 to go to Windsor, in Nova-Scotia, for hay and other things ; 
 and having one Josiah Jones put on board as factor, and 
 being ready to sail, I desired of the Captain of our convoy 
 leave to sail, but he told me I must not sail till to-morrow, 
 at ten o'clock, as there were a number of other vessels in 
 the same employ, and should all sail together. I then de- 
 sired leave of Mr. Jones to haul off into the road, and 
 obtained leave. It being dark, I got consent of our factor, 
 Mr. Jones, to sail ; I therefore embraced the opportunity, 
 and immediately sailed for Arundel, where I arrived in 
 about twenty-four hours, and delivered up Mr. Jones, and 
 one Jonathan Hicks, who was introduced on board my 
 sloop by Mr. Jones, but for what purpose I cannot tell. 
 And further saith, that Mr. Jones desired me to oil and 
 clean the fire-arms that were put on board to defend our- 
 selves, as he said the rebels might attack us on our passage. 
 
 Samuel Smith. 
 
 Mr. Ephraim Perkins : Boston, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You will immediately proceed with the Sloop 
 Molly, under your command, to Windsor, in the Bay of 
 Funda. and receive such orders as Mr. Jones will give you 
 respecting your cargo, making every despatch that is pos- 
 sible, taking care to touch at no other harbour unless it be 
 absolutely necessary. Jos. Goldthwait, for 
 
 VVm. Sherriff, 
 Deputy Quartermaster General. 
 
 Boston, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Jones: You will proceed to Windsor, in Nova- 
 Scotia, with the Sloop Polly, Ephraim Perkins master, 
 and, immediately upon your arrival there, you will apply 
 to Messrs. Day and Scott for a cargo, as specified in the 
 letter herewith transmitted to them ; and in case they should 
 not be there when you arrive, you will immediately hire 
 an express and forward the letter to them at Halifax. And 
 I trust in your diligence in receiving the cargo, and making 
 every despatch in your power on your return to this port. 
 And you are further to observe, that you are not, upon 
 your return, to put into any harbour upon the eastern 
 coast, without being forced to by absolute necessity. 
 
 Sir. I am your most obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. Sherriff, Dep. M. General. 
 
 Boston, May 30, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : The bearer, Mr. Josiah Jones, with the 
 Sloop Polly, Ephraim Perkins, master, is chartered for 
 Hindsor, in Nova-Scotia, in order to receive from you 
 hay and oats. I am therefore to desire you will use every 
 endeavour to despatch him as soon as possible, agreeable 
 
 to my letter, wrote you via Halifax, the 29th instant. 
 Please to forward the enclosed by express to Annapolis. 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 VVm. Sherriff. 
 To Messrs. Day and Scott, at Windsor, Nova-Scotia. 
 
 Boston, May 29, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: I have received your obliging favour, and 
 return you many thanks for the trouble you have taken, 
 and readiness you have shown, in giving your assistance, so 
 necessary at present, for the good of the service. The 
 hay will be most acceptable, and I am in hopes Captain 
 Perkins's vessel has taken a part on board, as he promised 
 me she should return immediately, and I will send you an- 
 other one as soon as possible. I shall want three or four 
 thousand tons of hay, and I wish, with all my heart, poor 
 Annapolis could furnish it ; but all it can furnish I will 
 take ; and if they are industrious they may get a great deal 
 of money for their vegetables, poultry, butter, eggs, &ic, 
 &c, and may come directly into this port without any ex- 
 pense whatever, and will be sure to find every encourage- 
 ment and assistance that can be given them. On the other 
 hand, if they give themselves airs, and follow the cursed 
 example of these madmen, they will easily consider how 
 readily Government can chastise them, and they may rely 
 upon it they will, and that immediately too. But I hope 
 they will consider their interest better, and make all the 
 money they can ; they never will have a fairer opportunity. 
 
 I have wrote to Messrs. Day and Scott, at Halifax, 
 respecting tonnage, and have desired them to consult with 
 you about the quantity that may be procured at Annapolis, 
 as they are to furnish the remainder from Windsor and 
 that neighbourhood. 
 
 Procure hay-screws, and at any rate, and the whole should 
 be carried to a particular place most convenient for that 
 purpose, as also for shipping of it. You have not advised 
 me in what manner I am to make you remittances for ex- 
 penses to be incurred in the above service, therefore shall 
 expect it per next. We are in the same situation as when 
 I wrote you last, except the addition of twelve hundred 
 Troops, lately arrived from England, three Regiments of 
 Horse, and eight other Regiments are hourly expected, 
 when I hope you will hear better accounts from us. I am 
 hurried to death, therefore have only time to add my com- 
 pliments to all friends, and to wish you every happiness, 
 being truly, dear Sir, your faithful and obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. Sherriff. 
 Thomas Williams, Esquire, Storekeeper of Ordnance at 
 
 Annapolis Boyal. 
 
 P. S. If you can add to the quantity of old hay, pray 
 do, and don't mind the expense. W. S. 
 
 LOAMMI BALDWIN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, June 3, 1775. 
 
 His Excellency General Ward, having been pleased to 
 approve of a proposal made for taking some surveys of the 
 ground between us and our enemies, and as some mathe- 
 matical instruments are wanting to enable us to complete 
 the same, this is, therefore, humbly to desire that the hon- 
 ourable Provincial Congress would grant leave for such 
 instruments as are wanting for said purpose to be taken 
 out of the apparatus belonging to Harvard College, to be 
 returned as soon as said surveys shall be finished. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Loammi Baldwin. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Exeter, June 3, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Having undoubted intelligence of the at- 
 tempts of the British Ministry to engage the Canadians and 
 savages in their interest in the present controversy with Ame- 
 rica, and of actual movements in Canada in consequence 
 thereof, we have thought it necessary that measures should be 
 immediately taken to defend and quiet the minds of the peo- 
 ple more especially exposed in the frontiers, and accordingly 
 have resolved to send a number of Troops as soon as may 
 
903 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1715. 
 
 S04 
 
 be ; three companies, for the present, to be employed where, 
 and in sucb manner as may best answer that important end. 
 We thought it expedient to give you the earliest intelli- 
 gence of what we have done in this way, earnestly praying, 
 and nothing doubting, but that you will concur in such mea- 
 sures as in your wisdom you shall judge reasonable and 
 necessary for the defence and safety of the back settlements, 
 for whom both you and we must very sensibly feel. 
 
 We furthermore think it suitable just to suggest, that we 
 have some apprehension lest our military manoeuvres on the 
 frontiers should raise a jealousy in the minds of the Cana- 
 dians, and awaken their fears of direct intentions of hos- 
 tilities against them. We should give them the most posi- 
 tive assurance upon this head, that we desire nothing more 
 than our own security, and that it is our most hearty wish 
 to remain on steady terms of friendship with them. And 
 in order to the more regular, harmonious, and effectual 
 prosecution of the important object aforesaid, as also other 
 valuable purposes that we conceive it may answer, we would 
 humbly move for a conference by a Committee, with a Com- 
 mittee from you, at such time and place as you shall please 
 to appoint, and to consider of an address to be forwarded 
 to the Canadians, and put it in the power of this Congress 
 to join with you, and, if it might be, the other Neiv-Eng- 
 land Colonies and Neiv-York, that this negotiation might 
 answer the most effectual purpose. 
 
 By order of Congress, I am your most obedient humble 
 servant, Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON TO 
 HIS FRIEND IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JUNE 4, 1775. 
 
 From business you naturally expect 1 should descend 
 to news and politicks. Of the former we should have had 
 a dearth, had it not been for the arrival of Captain Darby 
 with the account of the Lexington affair, which has greatly 
 agitated the people and confounded the Ministry, who fain 
 would suppress the account, or disbelieve it ; but notwith- 
 standing we are without despatches from General Gage, it 
 has full credit with many, and friends are daily added to 
 the American cause. Even Hutchinson is become a con- 
 vert. 1 hope he will live to make amends for all the harsh 
 things he has said and wrote against America. 
 
 The virtue and spirit of your City is highly spoken of, 
 and your strict adherence to the rules of the Congress does 
 you honour. The duplicity of Netv- York will ever render 
 them suspected. The many and repeated assurances given 
 to the Ministry by their quondam leaders, will justify a sus- 
 picion, which the conduct of some of the merchants and 
 traders confirms, that they would adopt any means to break 
 through or elude the Association. 
 
 One avenue, indeed, seems to have been unguarded by 
 the Congress, through which they may attempt to break 
 the Association with impunity, and that is, by importing 
 goods and manufactures from the Island of Guernsey, where 
 large quantities of goods, suitable to the American con- 
 sumption, have been landed. Now, as a friend to America, 
 I would fain hold forth to the publick view every secret at- 
 tempt to frustrate and destroy your present Association, 
 which I consider as your grand bulwark. I would recom- 
 mend it to the sons of liberty in Neiv-York, to be watchful 
 and circumspect of all arrivals from that quarter, as goods 
 or manufactures imported from thence are as much English 
 as those manufactured in Great Britain itself, to which it 
 is so contiguous. To guard against such attempts you may, 
 if you think proper, communicate my fears to the real 
 friends of America and all congressional measures. 
 
 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY ( MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Anne 
 Arundel County and City of Annapolis, on the fourth day 
 of June, 1775, in the said City, 
 
 Mr. Charles Wallace, Chairman. 
 A charge having been made on oath, before the Com- 
 mittee, that Thomas Chijichasc, of this City, butcher, on 
 the twenty-third day of May last, had killed several Lambs, 
 he was ordered to attend. He appeared, and confessed the 
 fact, alleging, as an excuse, that lie understood that there 
 was no absolute prohibition by tho Continental Congress, 
 
 and that the scarcity of provisions at that time would plead 
 for him, as what he did was from a desire of supplying the 
 many strangers in Town ; but as he had since been informed 
 that such procedure was contrary to a resolve of a Provin- 
 cial Convention, he would take care to offend in that manner 
 no more, and hoped the Committee would forgive him. 
 
 The sense of the Committee being taken on the above, 
 they declared it a breach of the resolve of the Provincial 
 Convention respecting the killing of Lambs; but, all cir- 
 cumstances considered, they were of opinion he ought to 
 be forgiven. 
 
 Ordered, That these proceedings be published in the 
 Maryland Gazette. G. Duvall, Clerk. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New.York, June 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As I am ordered by the Continental Con- 
 gress to liquidate the accounts of the people employed in 
 the reduction of Ticonderoga, that they may be paid ; and 
 as Messrs. Allen and Warner were concerned, there will 
 be money due to them ; and as they are in want of some, I 
 could wish you to advance them thirty Pounds, and to make 
 it a Continental charge, for which I shall debit them in their 
 account with the publick. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable Members of the New-York Provincial 
 
 Congress. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE CANADIANS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, June 4, 1775. 
 To our worthy and respectable Countrymen and Friends, 
 the French People of Canada, greeting : 
 Friends and Fellow-Countrymen : You are undoubt- 
 edly more or less acquainted with the unnatural and un- 
 happy controversy subsisting between Great Britain and 
 her Colonies, the particulars of which, in this letter, we do 
 not expatiate upon, but refer your consideration of the jus- 
 tice and equitableness thereof on the part of the Colonies, 
 to the former knowledge that you have had of this matter. 
 We need only observe, that the inhabitants of the Colonies 
 view the controversy on their part to be justifiable in the 
 sight of God, and all unprejudiced and honest men that 
 have or may have opportunity and ability to examine into 
 the merits of it. Upon this principle those inhabitants de- 
 termine to vindicate their cause, and maintain their natural 
 and constitutional rights and liberties at the expense of their 
 lives and fortunes, but have not the least disposition to 
 injure, molest, or any way deprive our fellow-subjects, the 
 Canadians, of their liberty or property. Nor have they 
 any design to wage war against them ; and from all intima- 
 tions that the inhabitants of the said Colonies have received 
 from the Canadians, it has appeared that they were alike 
 disposed for friendship and neutrality, and not at all disposed 
 to take part with the King's Troops in the present civil war 
 against the Colonies. We were nevertheless surprised to 
 hear that a number of about thirty Canadians attacked our 
 reconnoitring party, consisting of four men, fired on them, 
 and pursued them, and obliged them to return the fire. 
 This is the account of the party which has since arrived at 
 Head-Quarters. We desire to know of any gentlemen Ca- 
 nadians, the facts of the case, as one story is good till 
 another is told. Our general order to the soldiery was, 
 that they should not, on pain of death, molest or kill any 
 of your people. But if it shall appear, upon examination, 
 that our reconnoitring party commenced hostilities against 
 your people, they shall suffer agreeable to the sentence of 
 a court-martial ; for our special orders from the Colonies 
 are, to befriend and protect you, if need be ; so that if you 
 desire their friendship, you are invited to embrace it, for 
 nothing can be more undesirable to your friends in the 
 Colonies, than a war with their fellow-subjects the Cana- 
 dians, or with the Indians. You are very sensible that 
 war has already commenced between England and the 
 Colonies. Hostilities have already begun ; to fight with 
 the King's Troops has become a necessary and incumbent 
 duty ; the Colonies cannot avoid it. But pray, is it neces- 
 sary that the Canadians and the inhabitants of the English 
 Colonies should butcher one another? God forbid. There 
 is no controversy subsisting between you and them. Pray 
 
905 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 906 
 
 lei old England and the Colonies fight it out ; and you, 
 Canadians, stand by and see what an arm of flesh can do. 
 We are apprehensive that the conduct of your people, be- 
 fore complained of, had not a general approbation, and are 
 still confident that your Country, as such, will not wage war 
 with the Colonies, or approve the aforesaid hostile conduct 
 of your people, as we conceive it to be impolitick to the last 
 degree for the Canadians to enter into a bloody war with- 
 out either a provocation or motive, and when, at the same 
 time, every motive of interest, virtue, and honour, are ready 
 at hand to dissuade you from it. In fine, we conclude Saint 
 Luke, Captain McCoy, and other evil-minded persons, 
 whose interest and inclination it is that the Canadians and 
 the people of those Colonies should cut one another's 
 throats, have inveigled some of the baser sort of ) our peo- 
 ple to attack our said reconnoitring party. We expect, 
 gentlemen, as to these particulars, you will in good time 
 inform us; and subscribe ourselves your real friends, 
 
 Ethan Allen, 
 At present the principal Commander of the Army. 
 
 James Easton. 
 
 A copy of the foregoing letter was this day sent to Mr. 
 Ji'alker, our trusty friend at Montreal, per favour of Mr. 
 Jeffere, whose fidelity is unquestionable; and it is wholly 
 left with Mr. Walker to make its contents the most publiclc 
 that he possibly can, whether by printing it and translating 
 it into French, &.c. We furthermore thought it expedient 
 your Honours should have a copy communicated to you. 
 
 Yours at command, Ethan Allen, 
 
 James Easton. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 ELBRIDGE GERRY TO THE MASSACHUSETTS DELEGATES IN 
 THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertown, June 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : A publick express for your honourable 
 body gives me opportunity to hand you information of the 
 affairs of this Province. From the confusion in which the 
 engagement at Lexington threw the people, they are now 
 beginning to recover, and I hope, by the speedy assistance 
 of some form of Government, that the measures which 
 will be necessary for defence, will not only be practicable, 
 but executed here with success. The spirit of the people 
 is equal to our wishes, and if they continue as they began, 
 it will be as familiar to fight as to pursue the dangers 
 of the ocean. We want assistance by ammunition and 
 money. A full supply of these would render Lord North 
 and his myrmidons as harmless as they are infamous. We 
 have stripped the seaports of canvass to make tents ; and 
 it is of great importance to possess ourselves of about five 
 hundred pieces of ravens duck, to keep the soldiers in 
 health. I should be glad if the bearer could obtain it on 
 the credit of our vote, as we want all of our specie to 
 send out of the Government for other purposes ; but I am 
 doubtful whether you can assist us in this matter, although 
 very important, as the great objects of your attention must 
 take up your whole time. 
 
 Government is so essential that it cannot be loo soon 
 adopted ; and although no argument can be necessary to 
 convince you of so plain a truth, yet it may not be amiss 
 to hint a matter which can only be discovered by being 
 where it has taken place. The people are fully possessed 
 of their dignity from the frequent delineation of their 
 rights, which have been published to defeat the ministe- 
 rial party in their attempt to impress them with high no- 
 tions of Government. They now feel rather too much 
 their own importance, and it requires great skill to produce 
 such subordination as is necessary. This takes place prin- 
 cipally in the Army. They have affected to hold the mili- 
 tary too high, but the civil must be first supported ; and 
 unless an established form of Government is provided, it 
 will be productive of injury. Every day's delay will 
 make the task more arduous. 
 
 We want, also, a regular General to assist us in dis- 
 ciplining the Army, which, in twelve months' time, and 
 perhaps less, by frequent skirmishes, may be brought to 
 stand against any troops, however formidable they may 
 be with the sounding names of Welsh Fusileers, Grena- 
 diers, &.C. And although the pride of our people would 
 
 prevent their submitting to be led by any General not an 
 American, yet 1 cannot but think that General Lee might 
 be so established as to render great service by his presence 
 and counsels with our officers. I should heartily rejoice 
 to see this way the beloved Colonel Washington, and do 
 not doubt the New-England Generals would acquiesce in 
 showing to our sister Colony, Virginia, the respect which 
 she has before experienced from the Continent, in making 
 him Generalissimo. This is a matter in which Dr. War- 
 ren agrees with me, and we had intended to write you 
 jointly on the affair. 
 
 The letter from our Joint Committees and the Gene- 
 rals to the Congress, will come before you, and nothing 
 further is necessary on this head. I remain, gentlemen, 
 with great respect, your obedient servant, 
 
 Elbridge Gerry. 
 
 To the Honourable Members of the Continental Congress 
 from Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 GEN. WARD AND OTHERS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, June 4, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : We beg leave to rep- 
 resent to you the peculiar distresses of this Colony, being 
 assured that you will, as the wise guardians of the lives, 
 liberties, and properties of the whole of this extensive 
 Continent, attend to the several circumstances of all who, 
 under God, look up to you for protection and deliverance. 
 
 Our capital is filled with disciplined troops, thoroughly 
 equipped with every thing necessary to render them formi- 
 dable. A train of artillery, as complete as can be con- 
 ceived of; a full supply of arms and ammunition ; and an 
 absolute command of the harbour of Boston, which puis 
 it in their power to furnish themselves with whatever they 
 shall think convenient by sea, are such advantages as must 
 render our contest with them in every view extremely diffi- 
 cult. 
 
 We suffer at present the greatest inconveniences from a 
 want of a sufficient quantity of powder ; without this every 
 attempt to defend ourselves or annoy our enemies, must 
 prove abortive. We have taken every step to avail our- 
 selves of this article, by drawing into our general maga- 
 zines whatever could be spared from the respective Towns 
 of this Colony ; but the frequent skirmishes we have had 
 have greatly diminished our stock, and we are now under 
 the most alarming apprehensions that, notwithstanding the 
 bravery of our troops, (whom we think we can, without 
 boasting, declare are ready to encounter every danger for 
 the preservation of the rights and liberties of America,) 
 we shall, barely for want of the means of defence, fall at 
 last a prey to our enemies. 
 
 We, therefore, most earnestly beseech you, that you 
 would warmly recommend it to the other Colonies, to 
 send whatever ammunition they can possibly spare forth- 
 with to our relief. The manner of recommending this 
 matter we submit to your superiour judgment ; we only 
 beg leave to suggest, that an immediate supply is of the 
 last importance to us, and that a discovery of our weak- 
 ness in this particular, before we receive assistance, may 
 be fatal, not to us only, but to the liberties of the whole 
 Continent; whereas, with a full supply of arms and am- 
 munition, we might, with the common blessings of Provi- 
 dence, baffle the designs of our enemies, and be greatly 
 instrumental in bringing our present disputes to a happy 
 issue. We are your Honours' most obedient servants, 
 
 Art. Ward, General of the Massachusetts Forces. 
 
 Jos. Warren, Chairman of the Comm. of Safety. 
 
 Moses Gill, Chairman of the Comm. of Supplies. 
 
 P. S. We beg what powder you can possibly spare 
 may be immediately conveyed to us by land in the way 
 least liable to be suspected by any persons who may cor- 
 respond with the enemy. 
 
 MRS. BOWDOIN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Dorchester, June 4, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Mr. Bowdoin has just received the enclosed 
 depositions, and being in a very weak state, desires me to 
 inform you, that for some time past the Falkland Sloop-of- 
 
907 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 90S 
 
 War, commanded by Captain Linsey, lias been cruising 
 about the islands called Elizabeth Islands, near Martha's 
 
 Vineyard. That the said sloop's boats liave divers times 
 tanded armed men on the said islands, who have abused 
 the inhabitants, stove their boats, and by force taken away 
 a considerable part of their property, as may more fully ap- 
 pear by the said depositions. 
 
 It is humbly apprehended if about one hundred armed 
 men were properly posted on the said islands, they would 
 tie a sufficient force to defend the inhabitants, and protect 
 their stock of cattle and sheep, which is very considerable, 
 and which has hitherto every year furnished divers parts 
 
 >f this Colony with fat sheep and cattle for provisions, and 
 particularly with a large quantity of wool for our home 
 manufacture. 
 
 I beg leave to make this representation that you may 
 take such measures as your wisdom shall dictate ; and am, 
 most respectfully, in Mr. Boicdoiiis behalf, who is part 
 owner of one of said islands, gentlemen, your most obedi- 
 ent humble servant, Elizabeth Bowdoin. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety. 
 
 depositions. 
 
 1, Elisha Nye, innholder, living on one of the Elizabeth 
 Islands, commonly called Naushan, and near to Tarpaulin 
 Cove, testifieth and sayeth, that some time about the fifth 
 ■n May the sloop-of-war called the Falkland, commanded 
 by Captain Linsey, came into the cove, and as soon as 
 The vessel had come to anchor, the Captain came on shore 
 with his boat's crew, all armed, and came to the house, and 
 -aid unto the deponent, You need not be scared; upon 
 which I told him it was enough to scare any body to see 
 so many men come on shore armed ; and the women are 
 all fled, and to where I knew not. Upon which Captain 
 Linsey told me to call them in, for he did not mean to 
 hurt any body ; upon which promise I and my family were 
 satisfied. Soon after, the Captain asked me to walk with 
 him, which 1 complied with, and in the course of the 
 walk he demanded to know what stock I had, and added, 
 to tell him right, for if I did not, he would lake all that 
 he met; upon which I gave him the account. Then the 
 Captain told me, (the deponent,) if I sold any one of them 
 he would take the remainder by force; upon which 1 told 
 hirfi if he were here when they were fit for market, he 
 might have them by paying the price I used to have. Soon 
 after which he went to Rhode-Island, and returned back 
 in a few days ; after which he used to pass and re-pass the 
 island almost every day, mostly in company with the Doc- 
 tor of the ship, leaving down the fence repeatedly, which 
 iet the cattle often mix together, which 1 told the Doctor 
 was a great damage. The Doctor's answer was, then you 
 may put it up yourselves, for 1 will not; and often talked 
 in an abusive, insulting manner, that he (the Doctor) would 
 soon take what he wanted without any pay. On the twenty- 
 sixth instant a sloop came into the cove with about twenty 
 passengers — men, women, and children — in great distress for 
 provisions, and made application to me for supplies. Cap- 
 tain Linsey, knowing that, (his boat having boarded her,) 
 sent his boat on shore and forbid me letting them have any. 
 Then I advised them to apply to Captain Linsey, and see 
 if they could not prevail upon him to let them have some. 
 Accordingly they went. Afterwards the Captain of the 
 sloop told me that he absolutely refused them, and said, 
 damn the dog that would let them have any, and if they 
 were not gone immediately they would sink them ; upon 
 which they set sail immediately without any supplies. 
 
 And further, the deponent declareth that the Doctor 
 came on shore, and said that the Captain's orders were that 
 I should go with him and destroy all the boats on the island. 
 I told him I could not go upon such business as that. He 
 said he would send me on board the ship if I did not go; 
 upon which I found I must comply, and accordingly went 
 with him, and saw him (the Doctor) stave three boats. 
 On the twenty-ninth, about eight o'clock in the evening, 
 he (the said Doctor) came on shore, and told me he had 
 come for my sheep ; upon which I told him they were out 
 m the pasture, and I could not get them into the pen, it be- 
 Dg dark, but would fetch them in as early in the morning 
 as he pleased. The answer from the Doctor was, damn you, 
 what did you turn them out for ; the reason 1 told him was 
 
 that they had got out their own sheep, and did not say 
 any thing more about when they should want mine, and I 
 thought it best the sheep should be let out to feed. Upon 
 which the said Doctor said to me, Damn your eyes, go on 
 board the ship, and I'll see what they were turned out for. 
 I told him 1 would not, but would go and try to get the 
 sheep up ; well, damn you, make haste; and swung his 
 sword over my head. But upon trial I found it so dark I 
 could not get them in ; but on my return was informed that 
 he (the Doctor) had sent on board for more help to carry 
 me and my brother on board the ship. Upon which, with 
 the abuses and threats I had received before, thought it 
 time to make my escape, which 1 did, to the main land, and 
 begged the assistance of the people, who readily came to 
 my assistance ; and when I returned, which was about three 
 o'clock in the morning, some of my family told me they 
 had been ashore, armed, and had taken all my calves, be- 
 ing seven in number ; two of the poorest and smallest they 
 sent ashore in the morning, the others, with four sheep 
 they had some days before, they carried oft* without paying 
 any thing for them. And I do further declare the abuses 
 and threats I received from Captain Linsey and the Doctor 
 is the occasion of my moving off the island and leaving my 
 interest. And I declare that 1 never refused Captain Linsey, 
 or any other person belonging to a sloop-of-war, entertain- 
 ment in my house, or supply of provisions that I had on 
 my farm that I could spare. And I further declare, that on 
 the night of the twenty -ninth instant aforesaid, the Doctor, 
 as my wife informs me, came on shore and demanded my 
 gun with his sword in his hand, which she delivered to him, 
 and have not seen it since, though the only weapon of de- 
 fence that I had on the island. The value of the sheep, 
 calves, and gun, which they took from me, and the use of 
 my horse and well, are as follows, viz: — 
 
 Four sheep, value £2 16s.; three calves two months 
 old, value £3 6s.; four quarters of veal, weight sixty 
 pounds, sold before and delivered, 16s. ; one gun, taken 
 out of my house by the Doctor of the ship, of great 
 value, £3 ; riding my horse, and use of my well, £3. 
 
 Elisha Nye. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., May 31, 1775: 
 
 Then the within and above named Elisha ]\ye made 
 oath to the within and above named deposition and account 
 as the truth, and by him subscribed. Before me, 
 
 Thos. Smith, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 We, the subscribers, testify and say, that on the 29th 
 day of May, 1775, Captain Linsey, commander of a ship- 
 of-war, then at Tarpaulin Cove, came with a number of 
 armed men and landed on one of the Elizabeth Islands, 
 called Rcskatemeth, and came to the place where the men 
 that owned part of the stock on said island were shear- 
 ing their sheep, and demanded the sheep, saying and pro- 
 mising that he would pay for them, and give the full value 
 of the sheep, or words to that purpose ; but the owners of 
 said sheep told him that they were unwilling to part with 
 them, but if he would take them, they should not molest 
 him, as most of the owners of the sheep were of the people 
 called Quakers, and that they would not be concerned in 
 defending themselves or their interest by force of arms, but 
 would treat him with civility ; but said Captain, with his 
 men, took said sheep, and carried them away, some shorn, 
 and many not shorn. The sheep were hurried away in 
 such a manner that we could not take an account of the 
 numbers with exactness, but according to the best of our 
 judgment, the numbers and value of the sheep are as fol- 
 low, viz : 
 
 Took from Joseph Tucker and Sons ninety-three sheep, 
 value £68 8s., lawful money ; took from Jeremiah Robin- 
 son seventeen sheep, value £12 4s. 10c/., lawful money; 
 took from William and Elisha Robinson twenty-four 
 sheep, value £14 Ss., lawful money; took from Ebenezer 
 Meiggs seventy-two sheep, value £51 15s. 6d., lawful 
 money. 
 
 John Tucker, Elisha Robinson, 
 
 Jeremiah Robinson, Ebenezer Meiggs. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., May 31, 1775: 
 
 Then the above named Ebenezer Meiggs made oath to 
 the truth of the above written, by him subscribed, and the 
 above named John Tucker, Jeremiah Robinson, and Elisha 
 
909 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE.. 177.5. 
 
 910 
 
 Robinson, being of the people called Quakers, affirmed to 
 the truth of the above written, by them subscribed. 
 
 Before me : Thomas Smith, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Daniel Egry, of Dartmouth, says, that last Sabbath, a 
 Whaleman went through Robinson's Hole into the Sound; 
 just at the eastward lay three tenders, who fired upon the 
 schooner. The master then ordered the schooner about 
 a<rain, and run into the Hole ; all the people then left the 
 vessel, by the master's orders. The officer of a barge 
 then came on board, and snapped his pistol at the master, 
 which did not go off, though well primed, and all the rest 
 of the barge's crew cocked their pistols, but were ordered 
 by the officer not to fire. The people of the three tenders 
 swore they would have all the stock on the island, having 
 forced the tenants to give an inventory thereof, and intend- 
 ed to seize five vessels to carry them off, and pursued one 
 vessel which hove in sight. The name of the island is 
 Xaushan, and owned by Mr. Boivdoin ; suppose there are 
 three thousand sheep on the island, and a large stock of 
 cattle. It is supposed they intended to rob the several 
 islands near, on which islands it is supposed there were 
 ten thousand sheep, beside cattle. 
 
 May 10, 1775. 
 
 POLITICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 London, June 5, 1775. 
 
 In the course of animadversion upon our dispute with 
 America, the principle, " that wheresoever the supreme 
 power of legislation is vested, there also centres the supreme 
 power of taxation," has been (it is thought) fully proved 
 to the conviction of every unbiased reader; and, indeed, 
 the Americans themselves seem so thoroughly convinced 
 of it, as to have given up the distinction not only between 
 interna! and external taxation, but also the difference be- 
 tween the legislative and taxing power; well knowing that 
 they who can tax will rule, and those who can rule must 
 and will tax ; the act of taxation being an essential act of 
 dominion and sovereignty, without which no Government 
 can subsist, or maintain its authority. 
 
 The rebellious Americans depend upon their numbers 
 and distance from us; but we hope they will be of but 
 little service to them, for there are other ways and means 
 of distressing them, besides our meeting them in the field. 
 Their wealth is the source of their rebellion ; and our Min- 
 istry have already wisely begun to reduce them to reason 
 by lessening it ; and when they find themselves so blocked 
 up by sea that nothing can go to or come from them with- 
 out falling into our hands ; or, if that will not do, that their 
 vessels and properties are seized, and, if occasion requires, 
 their coasts plundered, their towns and ports reduced to 
 ashes, &c, poverty and distress will by degrees break in 
 upon them ; and though they have got a great Army, they 
 will see their ruin daily approaching without being able 
 to prevent it. If, therefore, they still persist in their re- 
 bellion, contrary to their own interest, and contrary to all 
 the feelings of humanity for their fellow-subjects, but in a 
 more particular manner, contrary to the compassion they 
 ought to have for their wives and children, all the evils and 
 calamities that arise from it will, in the sight of God and 
 man, lie at their door ; and even the cries of the injured 
 orphan and widow, that will go up to Heaven upon that 
 account, will go up against them. 
 
 ■ apgs 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, June 5, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the businesb of this Committee has been much 
 obstructed arid embarrassed by necessary inquiries into the 
 circumstances of Goods imported here from other Prov- 
 inces : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That for the future, whenever goods 
 shall be imported into this Province from any of the neigh- 
 bouring Colonies, the importer do produce a certificate 
 from the Chairman of the Committee from whence such 
 goods are sent, signifying their- importation within the rules 
 of the Congress, or do produce a qualification taken before 
 some Magistrate of the identity of such goods, of the 
 time of their importation into this Country, and vessel in 
 
 which they were imported; in failure whereof no sue: 
 goods be permitted to be landed or sold within the limits 
 of this City and Liberties. 
 
 By order of the Committee for the City and Liberties 
 of Philadelphia. Jonathan B. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 TO GENERAL BURGOYNE. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 5, 1775. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, though a stranger to your person, but 
 not wholly unacquainted with your character, to address 
 you on your arrival. Glad should I be to offer the la 
 guage of congratulation ; but the love of my Country for- 
 bids. Unhappy situation ! that virtue must restrain the 
 plaudits with which she hath been used to meet the accom- 
 plished Burgoyne. 
 
 With the manly openness of a soldier you have delivered 
 your sentiments in the Senate ; you have wished that the 
 bravery of every "military man" in America "maybe 
 judged by the test of compassion ;" you have chosen "ar- 
 gument," if admitted to intercourse in America, " before 
 activity in the line of your profession." The precious op- 
 portunity that you desire is granted ; the fertile, the once 
 peaceful, the free shores of America have received you ; a 
 people delighting in freedom of inquiry, susceptible of the 
 force of solid argument, capable of refuting sophistry, would 
 gladly meet you on this first ground of your choice, with 
 candour enough to admire the copiousness of your elo- 
 quence, though possessed with too much judgment to mis- 
 take it for argument. We desire not to meet you reason- 
 ing " to the best of your power in the line of your profes- 
 sion," because the issues of war are dreadful and uncertain ; 
 and though you have been victorious in a "cause" whicii 
 it was honourable " to fight for, to bleed, and to die for," 
 yet in this, we apprehend, whether victor or vanquished, 
 you will " find" nothing but " sorrow and remorse." 
 
 When Chairman of the Select Committee on East In- 
 dia affairs, you declared, " that the most infamous designs 
 had been carried into execution by perfidy and murder ; 
 that the East India Princes held their dignities on the pre- 
 carious condition of being the highest bribers ; and that no 
 claim could be admitted, however just on their part, with- 
 out being introduced by enormous sums of rupees. Your 
 noble nature started from the horrid scene ; the ghost of 
 Omich und could not have thus appalled you. And can 
 you, Sir, be instrumental to enslave and oppress, not effem- 
 inate East Indians, but the sons of Englishmen 1 Can 
 you imbrue your hands in brothers' blood, or stoop to the 
 infamous designs of perfidy ? Can you wish that claims 
 the most just should not be admitted, unless the fallacious 
 scheme of the treasury be adopted ? Forbid it every enno- 
 bling sentiment of the human breast ! No, Sir, satisfied 
 with the glorious laurels that adorned your brow, let the 
 peaceful olive twine around them ; so shall Britain and 
 America in future time bless the man who felt that 
 bravery and compassion were associate virtues. 
 
 A PENNSYLV VNI AN. 
 
 WILLIAM DUER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Fort Millar, June 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I esteem it a duty which I owe to the Province to 
 inform you that my apprehensions with respect to the 
 designs of the people in this County to stop the courts of 
 justice, were not ill founded. A party of the people on 
 the Neiv- Hampshire Grants, strengthened by some persons 
 of desperate fortunes and bad characters in the western dis- 
 tricts, had formed a resolution of abolishing the law ; and to 
 effect their purpose, had actually marched on their way to 
 Fort Edward. Yesterday fortnight I had intelligence of 
 their design, and by a lucky incident put a stop to their 
 proceedings, at least for the present. 
 
 Captain Mott, who is the bearer of this, was marching 
 his company to join the forces at Ticonderoga. I men- 
 tioned to him the intelligence I had received, and applied 
 to him for his assistance. This gentleman coincided with 
 myself in opinion of the absolute necessity there was oi 
 keeping up at least the shadow of order and justice, and 
 detained his company at Fort Edivard in order to protect 
 the Bench. The riotous party getting information of this 
 unlooked for relief, desisted from their attempt. 
 
911 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 912 
 
 As Captain Mutt is on his way to j our Congress, I 
 esteem myself bound in gratitude to mention his alacrity 
 in supporting good order within our Province, not doubt- 
 ing but such a line of conduct will recommend him to your 
 attention. I have likewise to submit it again to your con- 
 sideration, whether it might not be proper for the Provin- 
 cial Congress to make publick their sentiments with respect 
 to the courts of justice. However daring many of the 
 people are in this County, I scarcely imagine they would 
 dare to counteract the avowed opinions of the Congress. 
 It is merely owing to chance, and Captain MotCs conduct, 
 that this last Court was not broke up ; and should this at- 
 tempt once succeed, it will not be an easy matter to restore 
 order amongst a people of so turbulent a spirit. Our 
 County will then be reduced to a worse dilemma than any 
 other. We shall not only have to oppose the incursions 
 of the enemy on the frontiers, but shall be torn to pieces 
 with intestine anarchy and confusion. I am conscious, 
 from the knowledge 1 have of your personal character, of 
 your aversion to such proceedings, and have therefore 
 thought it advisable to write to you on the subject. Your 
 interposition in this matter may save the spilling of blood 
 the next Court, for so long as I know it to be the sense of 
 the Country that the courts of justice should be support- 
 ed, and that I have the honour of sitting as one of the 
 Judges, I shall endeavour to keep them open even at the 
 risk of my life. I am, Sir, with respect, your obedient 
 humble servant, Wm. Duer. 
 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 Provincial Congress at New- York. 
 
 COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO THE COMMITTEE OF TKYON 
 COUNTY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Thompson's, Cosby's Manor, June 5, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: I have received the paper signed Chris. 
 P. Yates, Chairman, on behalf of the Districts therein 
 mentioned, which 1 am now to answer, and shall do it 
 briefly, in the order you have stated matters. As to the 
 letter from some Indians to the Oneidas, 1 really knew 
 nothing of it till I heard such a thing had been by some 
 means obtained from an Indian messenger ; and from what 
 I have heard of its contents, 1 can't see any thing material 
 in it, or that could justify such idle apprehensions ; but I 
 must observe that these fears among the people were talked 
 of long before, and were, I fear, propagated by some mali- 
 cious persons for a bad purpose. 
 
 As to your political sentiments, on which you enter in 
 the next paragraph, 1 have no occasion to enter on them 
 or the merits of the cause. I desire to enjoy liberty of 
 conscience and the exercise of my own judgment, and that 
 all others should have the same privilege ; but, with regard 
 to your saying you might have postponed the affair, if 
 there had been the least kind of probability that the peti- 
 tion of the General Assembly would have been noticed 
 more than that of the Delegates, I must, as a true friend 
 to the Country, in which I have a large interest, say, that 
 the present dispute is viewed in different lights, according 
 to the education and principles of the parties affected ; 
 and that, however reasonable it may appear to a consider- 
 able number of honest men here, that the petition of the 
 Delegates should merit attention, it is not viewed in the 
 same light in a country which admits of no authority that 
 is not constitutionally established ; and I persuade myself 
 you have that reverence for His Majesty, that you will pay 
 due regard to the Royal assurance given in his speech to 
 Parliament, that whenever the American grievances should 
 be laid before him by their constitutional Assemblies, they 
 should be fully attended to. 1 have heard that compulsory 
 steps were taken to induce some persons to come into your 
 measures, and treasonable toasts drank ; but 1 am not willing 
 to give loo easy credit to flying reports, and am happy to 
 hear you disavow them. 
 
 1 am glad to find my calling a Congress on the frontiers 
 gives satisfaction ; this was principally my design, though I 
 cannot sufficiently express my surprise at those who have, 
 either through malice or ignorance, misconstrued my in- 
 tentions, and supposed me capable of setting the Indians 
 on the peaceable inhabitants of this Country. The inte- 
 rest our family has in this Country and my own, is con- 
 siderable, and they have been its best benefactors ; any 
 
 malicious charges, therefore, to their prejudice, are highly 
 injurious, and ought to be totally suppressed. 
 
 The office 1 hold is greatly for the benefit and protec- 
 tion of this Country, and on my frequent meetings with the 
 Indians depends their peace and security ; I therefore can- 
 not but be astonished to find the endeavours made use of 
 to obstruct me in my duties, and the weakness of some 
 people in withholding many things from me, which are in- 
 disputably necessary for rendering the Indians contented ; 
 and I am willing to hope that you, gentlemen, will duly 
 consider this and discountenance the same. 
 
 You have been much misinformed as to the origin of the 
 reports which obliged me to fortify my house and stand on 
 my defence. I had it, gentlemen, from undoubted authori- 
 ty from Albany, and since confirmed by letters from one 
 of the Committee at Philadelphia, that a large body of 
 men were to make me prisoner. As the effect this must 
 have on the Indians might have been of dangerous conse- 
 quences to you, (a circumstance not thought of,) I was 
 obliged, at great expense, to take these measures. But 
 the many reports of my stopping travellers were false in 
 every particular, and the only instance of detaining any 
 body was in the case of two New-England men, which I 
 explained fully to those of your body who brought your 
 letter, and wherein I acted strictly agreeable to law, and as 
 a magistrate should have done. 
 
 I am very sorry that such idle and injurious reports meet 
 with any encouragement. I rely on you, gentlemen, to 
 exert yourselves in discountenancing them ; and I am hap- 
 py in this opportunity of assuring the people of a Country 
 1 regard, that they have nothing to apprehend from my 
 endeavours, but that I shall always be glad to promote 
 their true interests. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your humble servant, 
 
 G. Johnson. 
 
 extract of a lettkr to a gentleman in new-york, 
 dated hartford, connecticut, june 5, 1775. 
 Mr. Hide, the Boston post, reports that a vessel bound 
 to London, on board of which Mr. Robert Temple, a high- 
 flying tory, was passenger, sprang a leak soon after her de- 
 parture, and put into Plymouth, (Neiv- England,) to refit. 
 That the people took Temple prisoner, sent him to the camp 
 at Cambridge, secured his papers, and opened a great num- 
 ber of letters, many of which were from officers of the 
 Army at Boston. That those letters in general are full of 
 complaints and expressions of uneasiness. Some of the 
 officers desire and entreat to sell out, others say they are 
 fighting in a bad cause, and apprehensive of a mutiny ; 
 others mention a difference between the General and the 
 Admiral, and that the Army in general are disheartened and 
 uneasy ; other letters are full of invectives against the poor 
 
 Yankees, as they call us. We hear the Provincial Con- 
 gress will keep Temple as a hostage ; but I hope they will 
 let the vessel go with the above letters. 
 
 JAMES CURGENVEN TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-Haven, June 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I beg permission to acquaint your Honour that I 
 am appointed Collector of the Customs for the port of 
 New-Haven, vice Peter Harrison, Esquire, deceased; and 
 that on the second instant, when 1 arrived within your 
 Government, some people showed a great dislike to my 
 taking upon me the duty of my office. But by the inter- 
 position of several gentlemen concerned in trade, and my 
 informing them that I should wait on your Honour as soon 
 as I had recovered from the fatigues of the voyage, they 
 appeared to be satisfied. 
 
 I look on it a respect due to your Honour, that I should 
 satisfy you as to the legality of my appointment, as well as 
 necessary that I should take the oaths prescribed by law 
 previous to my entering upon the execution of my duty ; 
 but as my ill state of health will not admit of my taking a 
 journey at present, and as I have already taken the oath of 
 office before the Board of Customs, I hope this will be ad- 
 mitted as a sufficient apology. And some persons having 
 suggested that your Honour would refuse to administer the 
 oaths appointed to be taken by officers of the Crown in 
 similar cases with mine, I take the liberty to request that 
 your Honour will be pleased to inform me by a line, if you 
 
913 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 914 
 
 have any objection to administer them. Your condescen- 
 sion herein will lay me under the most lasting obligations. 
 
 I am, with the greatest respect, Sir, your Honour's most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 James Curgenven. 
 The Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of His 
 Majesty's Colony of Connecticut, he, he, he 
 
 I, James Curgenven, do sincerely promise and swear, 
 that I will be faithful, and bear true allegiance to His Ma- 
 jesty George the Third. So help me God. 
 
 I, James Curgenven, do swear that I do, from my heart, 
 abhor, detest, and abjure, as impious and heretical, that 
 damnable doctrine and position that Princes, excommuni- 
 cated or deprived by the Pope or any authority of the See 
 of Rome, may be deposed or murdered by their subjects or 
 any other whatsoever. And I do declare that no foreign 
 prince, person, prelate, state, or potentate, hath, or ought 
 to have, any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence, 
 or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within the Realm of 
 Great Britain. So help me God. 
 
 I, James Curgenven, do solemnly, in the presence of God, 
 profess, testify, and declare, that I do believe that in the 
 Sacraments of the Lord's Supper there is not any transub- 
 stantiation of the elements of bread and wine in the body 
 and blood of Christ, at or after the consecration thereof by 
 any person whatsoever, and that the invocation or adora- 
 tion of the Virgin Mary, or any other Saint, and the sacri- 
 fice of the Mass; as they are now used in the Church of 
 Rome, are superstitious and idolatrous. And I do solemn- 
 ly, in the presence of God, profess, testify, and declare, 
 that I do make this declaration, and every part thereof, in 
 the plain and ordinary sense of the words read unto me, as 
 they are commonly understood by English Protestants, 
 without any evasion, equivocation, or mental reservation 
 whatsoever, and without any dispensation already granted 
 me for this purpose by the Pope, or any authority or per- 
 son whatsoever, or without any hope of any such dispensa- 
 tion from any authority or person whatsoever, or without 
 thinking that 1 am or can be acquitted before God or 
 man, or absolved of this declaration, or any part thereof, 
 although the Pope or any other person or persons, or pow- 
 er whatsoever, should dispense with or annul the same, or 
 declare that it was null and void from the beginning. 
 
 I, James Curgenven, do truly and sincerely acknowledge, 
 profess, testify, and declare, in my conscience, before God 
 and the world, that our sovereign Lord, King George, is law- 
 ful and rightful King of this Realm, and all other His Majes- 
 ty's Dominions and Countries thereunto belonging. And 
 I do solemnly declare, that I do believe, in my conscience, 
 that not any of the descendants of the person who pretend- 
 ed to be Prince of Wales during the life of the late King 
 James the Second, and since his decease, pretended to be, 
 and took upon himself the style and title of King of Eng- 
 land, by the name of James the Third, or of Scotland, by 
 the name of James the Eighth, or the style or title of King 
 of Great Britain, hath any right or title whatsoever to the 
 Crown of this Realm, or any other Dominions thereunto 
 belonging. And 1 do renounce, refuse, and abjure any 
 allegiance or obedience to any of them ; and I do swear 
 that I will bear faith and true allegiance to His Majesty 
 King George, and him 'will defend to the utmost of my 
 power against all traitorous conspiracies and attempts what- 
 soever, which shall be made against his person, crown, or 
 dignity. And I will do my utmost endeavour to disclose 
 and make known to His Majesty and his successor all trea- 
 sons and traitorous conspiracies which I shall know to be 
 against him or any of them. And I do faithfully promise, 
 to the utmost of my power, to support, maintain, and de- 
 fend the succession of the Crown against the defendants 
 of the said James, and against all persons whatsoever, 
 which succession, by an Act intituled " An Act for the fur- 
 ther limitation of the Crown, and better securing the rights 
 and liberties of the Subjects," is and stands limited to the 
 Princess Sophia, Electoress and Dutchess Dowager of 
 Hanover, and the heirs of her body being Protestants. 
 And all these things I do plainly and sincerely acknowledge 
 and swear, according to these express words by me spoken, 
 according to the plain common sense and understanding of 
 the same words, without any equivocation, mental evasion, 
 
 or secret reservation whatsoever. And I do now make 
 this recognition, acknowledgment, abjuration, renunciation, 
 and promise, heartily, willingly, and truly, upon the true 
 faith of a Christian. So help me God. 
 
 June 9, 1775. JaMES Curgenven. 
 
 Camp Cambridge, June 5, 1775. 
 The Petition of the subscribers, Soldiers in the Company 
 commanded by Captain Drury, humbly showeth : 
 That your petitioners, with the utmost concern, find 
 themselves shifted out of Colonel Nixen's Regiment into 
 that of Colonel Gardner's, contrary to our inclination, and 
 repugnant to the promise made us at our enlisting. We, 
 therefore, beg that your Excellency would be pleased to 
 continue us in the Regiment we engaged to serve in, and 
 not to be removed for the future only to serve the malevo- 
 lent disposition of our Captain ; and, as in duty bound, 
 shall ever pray. 
 
 Brigham Eaton, 
 William Clark, 
 Simeon Rogers, 
 Joseph Jennings, 
 Ebenezsr James, 
 Josiali Waite, 
 Azariah Walker, 
 Amos Gates, 
 Peter Sabin, 
 
 Windsor Stone, 
 Samuel Ordway, 
 Simon Stow, 
 Josiah Bent, 
 Francis Stow, 
 Joseph Brown, 
 Joseph Stow, 
 Abijah Abbot, 
 John Stacy, 
 
 David Waite, 
 George Gates, 
 Joseph Goynit, 
 Benjamin Clark, 
 Joseph Seaver, 
 Samuel Everdean, 
 Isaac Heminway, 
 Henry Gates, 
 Nehemiah Wright. 
 
 To his Excellency General Ward, he 
 
 To the Colony Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, in 
 
 New- England : 
 We, the subscribers, Captains in the Regiment whereof 
 James Scammon, Esq., is Colonel, humbly showeth : 
 That whereas there is no provision made for the money 
 that we, our subalterns, and soldiers, have advanced for 
 their support, from the time of enlistment to their arrival at 
 Cambridge, humbly pray, in behalf of ourselves, he, that 
 your Honours would, in your wisdom, contrive some way 
 that is most agreeable for their being refunded the several 
 sums they have advanced. And your petitioners, as in duty 
 bound, will ever pray, he 
 
 Philip Hubbard, 
 
 Jesse Dorman, 
 
 Joshua Bragdon, 
 
 Jeremiah Hill, 
 
 Tobias Fernald, Jun., 
 Samuel Sayer, 
 Samuel Leighton, 
 Samuel Darby. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 TOWN MEETING IN CONWAY, NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 At a legal meeting held by the inhabitants of Conway, 
 on the fifth day of June, 1775, the following Votes were 
 passed : 
 
 Voted, That Col. Andrew McMullen, Capt. Timothy 
 Walker, Capt. David Page, Lieut. James Osgood, and 
 Ensign Joshua Heath, be a Committee at and in behalf of 
 the Town, in any matter respecting the present time of 
 difficulty. 
 
 Voted, That the Town will aid and assist the above 
 Committee that is chosen in behalf of the Town to pre- 
 serve the peace and order of it, whenever the Committee 
 shall judge occasion. 
 
 Voted, That this Committee be fully empowered to in- 
 quire touching any obnoxious person who may flee to this 
 Town for an asylum, and that they shall judge whether it 
 is expedient for any such refugee to reside here, or depart 
 from it ; and any inhabitant of this Town who shall be ob- 
 noxious, shall be only accountable to the Committee for 
 their conduct. 
 
 Voted, That no other person but the Committee shall 
 concern with any such refugees ; but if any person shall 
 know of any such obnoxious person coming into Town, the 
 earliest notice thereof shall be given the Committee. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee be empowered to call be- 
 fore them, and upon proper evidence to pass upon any 
 inhabitants of the Town, who shall dare to transgress any 
 of the preceding Votes, or in any manner to disturb the 
 peace of the Town. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee shall make application to 
 the Congress of this Province for arms and ammunition that 
 are wanting in this Town, and for men for a scouting guard 
 for our safety. Richard Eastman, Town Clerk. 
 
 58 
 
915 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, lie., JUNE, 1775. 
 
 916 
 
 TO THE MINISTER. 
 
 London, Juno 6, 1775. 
 
 The sword of civil war is at last unsheathed. You are 
 astonished ; for you believed those sagacious counsellors, 
 who assured you that the Americans were cowards. You 
 were persuaded that what you are pleased to call " firmness" 
 in the King, and "steadiness" in his Ministers, were alone 
 sufficient to stifle that thing called "liberty," which, having 
 fled from this island, took shelter in America. You find, 
 my Lord, you were deceived, and from that fatal hour in 
 which the hostile sword glittered in America, every ship 
 will bring fresh proof of your error. I know the Americans, 
 my Lord, better than any of your military informers. You 
 are deceived, abused, wretchedly abused, and you will find 
 your errour when it is too late. Just God ! I lose all pa- 
 tience when I recollect the incredible absurdity of your con- 
 duct ; the paltry, shallow, contemptible system of politicks, 
 by which every transaction of your Ministry hath been 
 governed. With regard to America, you have struggled 
 under an universal cloud of infatuation, and the arguments 
 of your treasury slaves in support of your tyranny are a 
 continued burlesque on argumentation. You have been 
 equally unlucky, my Lord, in your pensioned scribblers, 
 the two celebrated Doctors, who, unfortunately for your 
 Lordship, are, in truth, most scurvy politicians. 
 
 But, my Lord, I will, for the present, waive all other 
 matters of discussion, and confine myself to the topick of 
 the day. America, my Lord, America! You shudder at 
 the sound. 1 marvel not ; it will be your destruction. Your 
 present game, my Lord, depends entirely on your ability 
 to persuade the people of England that their fellow-subjects 
 in America are in a state of rebellion. The people of Eng- 
 land are less liable to mistake declamation for argument 
 than any people in Europe. The people of England know 
 that to resist illegal exertions of power is not rebellion. If 
 you, my Lord, have presumed to stretch the power of the 
 Crown, or of the Parliament, beyond its legal bounds, you 
 are a rebel to the People and a traitor to your Country. 
 You have dared to tax America, an unrepresented part of the 
 King's Dominions. That taxation and representation are 
 inseparable, is the avowed opinion of the first lawyer in the 
 Kingdom. It is not only an opinion, but a glaring axiom 
 of the Constitution ; and if you dare deny it, my Lord, I 
 thus publickly declare you an errant traitor to your Coun- 
 try. America is not represented, and therefore cannot be 
 taxed but by themselves ; and whatever may be your pre- 
 sent position, I pledge my credit with the publick, that I 
 will bring you or your advocates to acknowledge the truth 
 of this position. If, therefore, you have presumed to tax 
 America illegally ; if you have sent an Army to enforce 
 laws unconstitutionally enacted, the Americans are not in a 
 state of rebellion. On the contrary , they deserve our prayers 
 and assistance ; and you, my Lord, are the arch rebel 
 against whom all our vengeance should be directed. I am 
 unexpectedly interrupted, and I must therefore beg leave 
 to conclude myself, my Lord, yours, &,c. 
 
 PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 Charlestown, Tuesday, June 6, 1775. 
 Resolved, That the following gentlemen, viz : Sir Ed- 
 mund Head, Bart., David Dcas, Esq., Mr. John Fuller- 
 ton, Mr. John Wagner, Mr. Josiah Smith, Jr., Mr. Joseph 
 Dill, Robert Williams, Jr., Esq., Mr. Thomas Eveleigh, 
 John Scott, Esq., of Broad-street, Major William Savage, 
 Mr. Edward Lightwood, Captain Alexander Gillon, Alex- 
 ander Rose, Esq., Mr. George Abbott Hall, Mr. Barnard 
 Beclcman. Captain Edward Blake, Doctor Peter Fayssoux, 
 Captain Simon Tufts, Captain John Scott, Mr. James Fa- 
 gartic, Mr. William Johnson, Mr. James Carsan, Joshua 
 Ward, Esq., Mr. Samuel Eegare, Mr. Charles Johnston, 
 and Mr. John Horlbcck, be a Committee to receive the 
 signatures of all the inhabitants of Charlestown, to the As- 
 sociation entered into on the third instant, and signed on 
 the fourth by every member of this Congress. And that 
 it be recommended to them to complete the subscriptions 
 as speedily as possible, and make a return of the names of 
 such as decline to sign the said Association, to the General 
 Committee. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 CHESTER COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 In Committee, Chester County, June 6, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to appointment, in the 
 Township of Charlestown, and proceeded to examine into 
 the charge lodged against William Moore, Esquire, setting 
 forth that he was inimical to the liberties of America, and 
 that he had expressed a design to oppose the present As- 
 sociation. 
 
 Mr. Moore being ill, was waited on by two of the Com- 
 mittee, with copies of the several charges exhibited against 
 him, to which, after due consideration, he returned the fol- 
 lowing answer, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen : I have read the different charges against 
 me, which have been laid before you, and am extremely 
 sorry for any unguarded expression therein contained that 
 may have dropped from me ; for believe me, I have no 
 interest but what is in America. I wish well to every 
 individual in it, and pray that its liberties may be preserved 
 to the latest times. I also further declare that I have of 
 late encouraged, and will continue to encourage, learning 
 the military art, apprehending the time is not far distant 
 when there may be occasion for it. 
 
 I hope, gentlemen, this will be satisfactory to you. I 
 am now an old man, and cannot possibly entertain a thought 
 but what is friendly to America, in which I am to leave 
 my family and all that is dear to me ; and the short time I 
 have to live, I wish to seek peace with all men. 
 
 Witness my hand this 6th of June, 1775. 
 
 Wm. Moore. 
 
 To Anthony Wayne, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of 
 Chester County. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, nem. con., That William Moore, 
 Esquire, has made a proper acknowledgment, and given a 
 satisfactory answer to this Committee : Therefore, 
 
 Ordered, That this proceeding be published, to the end 
 that Mr. Moore's person and property may remain free 
 from injury on account of any thing that has heretofoie 
 been alleged against him respecting publick matters. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Lewis Gronow, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 6, 1?7j. 
 
 May it please your Honour: We take leave to en- 
 close a Resolution of the Grand Congress, of the 31st of 
 May, and at the same time to present you our acknow- 
 ledgments for the letter which we had the honour to re- 
 ceive from you, dated the 29th. 
 
 Be assured, Sir, that we are most gratefully sensible of 
 the cheerfulness with which the Government of Connecticut 
 has exerted itself to support the important posts of Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga, until our abilities may enable us 
 to execute that trust which the Continental Congress has, 
 on that subject, thought proper in the first instance to re- 
 pose in us. 
 
 In compliance with the requisitions made upon us, we 
 have expedited our orders for the several things contained 
 in the enclosed lists, at the bottom whereof are accounts of 
 the several articles already sent for that service, and the 
 persons employed in it. 
 
 We are sorry to present you with the very disagreeable 
 intelligence that we have not a sufficient quantity of powder 
 in this Colony to enable us at present to contribute in the 
 least towards supplying those forts with that article ; a cir- 
 cumstance which is the more distressing, as we have great 
 reason to believe that a considerable quantity will be re- 
 quired for the defence of the northern frontier. 
 
 We pray your Honour to believe that we feel the 
 utmost desire of co-operating with our sister Colonies in 
 executing the Resolves of the Congress, and that we are, 
 with great respect, your Honour's most obedient humble 
 servants. 
 
 Per order, and in behalf of the Provincial Congress : 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Hon. Jonathan Trumb ~" r-1 ^-'- -v 
 
 c- •nccticV 
 
917 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 918 
 
 FREDERICK WEISSENFELS AND OTHERS TO NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 New. York, June 6, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As we have ever been heartily attached 
 to the cause of our Country, so we are now ready to en- 
 gage in the defence of its rights ; and as we understand 
 Troops are soon to be raised in this Province, we think it 
 a duty incumbent on us to offer our service. 
 
 Should you think proper to confide in us, and appoint 
 us, respectively, to the command of a company, we shall 
 study to conduct ourselves in such a manner as to merit 
 your approbation. 
 
 We are, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most 
 humble servants, 
 
 Fredk. Weissenfels, Garret Roorback, 
 Marinus Willett, Jacobus Wynkoop, 
 Gershom Mott, James Alner, 
 
 John Johnson, John Quackenbos. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of the Province of 
 New- York. 
 
 PIERPONT EDWARDS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I am now on my way to Connecticut ; shall there- 
 fore be much obliged to the Congress of this Province for 
 giving me the fullest information of the measures they have 
 adopted, that I may communicate them to the House of 
 Representatives of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 As it will be impossible for me to give them an accurate 
 account, relying merely on memory, I shall esteem it a fa- 
 vour to be furnished with attested copies of those parts of 
 the Minutes of the Congress which contain the most im- 
 portant Resolutions and Orders. 
 
 I intend to set out to-morrow morning, and shall esteem 
 myself happy in having an opportunity to execute any 
 commands that the Congress may have to the Eastward. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Pierpont Edwards. 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 KINGSTON, (ULSTER COUNTY, NEW-YORK,) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Kingston, June 6, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Whereas, there is a dispute now subsist- 
 ing between me and you, gentlemen of the Committee of 
 this Town ; and considering that unanimity is necessary for 
 the preservation of our rights and liberties at this critical 
 juncture, the welfare of individuals, and for my own in- 
 terest in particular, 1 do most earnestly request, if it be 
 possible, that we may come to an amicable reconciliation, 
 by the following concessions: 
 
 First. That I am very sorry so great a misunderstand- 
 ing has so long subsisted between us, respecting the dif- 
 ference in opinion of the Resolves of the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Secondly. I earnestly entreat that the gentlemen of the 
 Committee will forgive me all the offences and transgres- 
 sions, wherein I have offended and injured them in their 
 respective reputations or characters, either in their publick 
 or private capacities. Jacobus Low. 
 
 At a Meeting of the Committee of the Town of 
 Kingston, in Ulster County, on the sixth day of June, 
 1775: 
 
 It is hereby certified to all whom it may concern, that 
 Mr. Jacobus Low, of said Town of Kingston, personally- 
 appeared before us, and did make all such reasonable satis- 
 faction (by publick concession) as was required relative to 
 his former conduct. And we recommend to the publick, 
 that from henceforth he may again be received as a friend 
 to the liberties and privileges of British- America. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Johannes Sleght, Chairman. 
 
 I am both disposed and willing to forgive all injuries 
 and damages which 1 have sustained in consequence of 
 divers advertisements. Jacobus Low. 
 
 CAPT. HENRY B. LIVINGSTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Claremont, June 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Yesterday I received my warrant (which permits 
 me the liberty I now take) from Captain Shehlen, a mem- 
 ber of the Committee appointed for Dutchess County. It 
 was not without surprise I received a commission inferiour 
 to that I have been honoured with. But the reflection, 
 that the Congress will undoubtedly supply places of higher 
 rank with more experienced officers, soon rid me of the 
 disagreeable sensations my degradation had excited, and 
 determined me to accept of the commission offered, with a 
 fixed resolution to be as useful to my Country as the sta- 
 tion I am placed in will allow me. I have this day en- 
 listed ten men, and have provided quarters and provisions 
 for my whole complement, at the rate of eight shillings 
 per week for each man. The men I have enlisted bear 
 good characters, and to appearance are healthy, lively, and 
 of robust constitutions ; proper persons will be appointed 
 to inspect them by Saturday next. Few of them will 
 be able to furnish shoes, stockings, arms, &ic. You 
 will infinitely oblige me if you would lay this matter be- 
 fore the Congress, and use your endeavours to get arms 
 sent to us as expeditiously as possible, as the disciplining 
 them will be much retarded for want of them. I can en- 
 list many who have those necessaries, but this will take up 
 more time, and perhaps hinder me from getting men so fit 
 for action as those I now have A fifer, I believe, cannot 
 be found in this part of the Country; a drummer I have 
 engaged. The rest of my task shall, with all diligence, 
 be performed. Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Henry B. Livingston. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the 
 Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a full meeting of the Delegates from the several 
 Towns in the County of Cumberland, Colony of New- 
 York, convened at Westminster, June 6, 1775 : 
 
 The County of Cumberland having received certain in- 
 telligence from Mr. Isaac Loiv, Chairman of the Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence at New- York, that it is the desire 
 of the said respectable Committee of Correspondence at 
 New- York, that the sense of the people in said County of 
 Cumberland should be fully known with regard to the hos- 
 tile measures that are using by the British Parliament to 
 enforce the late cruel, unjust, and oppressive Acts of the 
 said British Parliament, through the British Colonies in 
 America : We, the Delegates from the several Towns and 
 Districts in said County of Cumberland, being chosen by 
 the freeholders and inhabitants of the same, to exhibit to 
 the Provincial Congress the sense and voice of the people 
 with regard to the unjust proceedings of the British Par- 
 liament, &lc, do pass the following Resolves: 
 
 1. Resolved, nem. con., That the late Acts of the Bri- 
 tish Parliament, passed in order to raise a revenue in 
 America, are unjust, illegal, and diametrically opposite to 
 the Bill of Rights, and a fundamental principle of the Bri- 
 tish Constitution, which is, " that no person shall have his 
 property taken from him without his consent." 
 
 2. Resolved, nem. con., That we will resist and oppose 
 the said Acts of Parliament, in conjunction with our breth- 
 ren in America, at the expense of our lives and fortunes, 
 to the last extremity, if our duty to God and our Country 
 require the same. 
 
 3. Resolved, nem. con., That we think it needless to 
 pass many resolves exhibiting our sentiments with regard 
 to the unhappy controversy subsisting between Great Bri- 
 tain and America. Let it suffice, therefore, that we fully 
 acquiesce with what our brethren have lately done at New- 
 York, in their late Association ; and it is hereby resolved 
 that the late Association entered into at New- York is per- 
 fectly agreeable to the sentiments of the freeholders and 
 inhabitants of this County, and that they fully acquiesce in 
 the same. 
 
 4. Resolved, nem. con., That this County is at present 
 in a very broken situation with regard to the civil authority. 
 We therefore sincerely desire that the advice of the hon- 
 ourable Congress may be by our Delegates transmitted to 
 us, whereby some order and regularity may be established 
 
919 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 920 
 
 among us. We therefore should take it as a favour if the 
 honourable Congress would particularly recommend to us 
 in this County some measures to be pursued by us the in- 
 habitants of the same ; for we are persuaded their advice 
 herein would have great weight to influence our people uni- 
 versally to pursue such measures as would tend to the peace, 
 safety, and good order of this County for the future. 
 
 5. Resolved, nem. con., That we, the inhabitants of this 
 County, are at present in an extremely defenceless state 
 with regard to arms and ammunition. We sincerely desire 
 the honourable Provincial Congress would consider us in 
 this respect, and from their generosity and goodness would 
 do what in them lies for our relief in the premises. We 
 have many brave soldiers, but, unhappily for us, we have 
 nothing to fight with. 
 
 6. Resolved, nem. con., That in pursuance of the Hon- 
 ourable Isaac Low's (Chairman of the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence) request for this County to send Delegates to 
 the City of New-York, in order to ascertain the sentiments 
 of the people in the County concerning the unconstitu- 
 tional measures lately adopted by the British Parliament 
 against the Americans in general, and some other matters, 
 and so forth, we do hereby vote and resolve, that Colonel 
 John Hazehine, Doctor Paul Spooncr, and William Wil- 
 liams, Esquire, be our Delegates to meet and join the other 
 respectable Delegates convened at New-York, to represent 
 the affairs of this County in said Congress, at the City of 
 New-York. John Hazeltine, 
 
 Chairman of the County of Cumberland Congress 
 and Committee of Correspondence. 
 
 JAMES EASTON TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Crown Point, June 6, 1775. 
 
 Respectable Gentlemen: It is of the utmost impor- 
 tance to the United Colonies to cultivate harmony and 
 friendship with the Canadians and their Indians. I have 
 painfully exerted myself to procure and secure it. Have 
 sent you a copy of a letter Colonel Allen and myself 
 wrote to the Canadians. It appears to me of importance 
 that your Honours should be acquainted with the state of 
 policy and of facts. You will discern by perusing the en- 
 closed, that a party of Canadians made an attack upon our 
 reconnoitring party. Since that, Mr. Ferris, an inhabitant 
 of the New-Hampshire Grants, has been at Montreal, and 
 returned to this place. He is a man I can confide in, and 
 informs that Saint LukeLaCorne, who acted many barbari- 
 ties towards our people last war, (for which he was saint- 
 ed,) has been using his utmost influence to excite the Cana- 
 dians and Indians to take part in the war against the United 
 Colonies, and that he and Captain McCoy, who command- 
 ed the Canadians' attack, have made but little proficiency. 
 Most of the said party of Canadians were appointed offi- 
 cers, but could procure but very few soldiers, and not one 
 Indian. Saint Luke advises that some in every Parish be 
 immediately executed, except they will join the King's 
 Troops. There are lately come to St Johns near two 
 hundred Regulars, and joined Captain McCoy's party of 
 about fifty Canadians, who have been mentioned as assail- 
 ants on the reconnoitring party ; they are there fortifying. 
 
 I still retain my sentiments, that policy demands that 
 the Colonies advance an Army of two or three thousand 
 men into Canada and environ Montreal. This will inevi- 
 tably fix and confirm the Canadians and Indians in our 
 interest. Nothing gives me so much concern, as the mis- 
 taken policy in our worthy Congresses and Assemblies, 
 who, for want of the real knowledge of certain facts, ima- 
 gine that to push an Army thither would offend the Cana- 
 dians, and incense them against the Colonies. The armed 
 vessels are advanced to the north part of the lake to com- 
 mand it, and consequently to guard the frontier settlements 
 thereon. 
 
 We hear that Colonel Ilinman is appointed Commander- 
 in-Chief of this department, and is marching hither with a 
 thousand men. This is joyful tidings to us; we hope it 
 will prove true ; for we cannot long conduct our Army, 
 without it be regularly organized with officers, and under 
 pay. I am, gentlemen,, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, James Easton. 
 To the Hon. Provincial Congress, Committee of Safety, 
 
 or the Council of War, at Watertown and Cambridge. 
 
 STAMFORD (CONNECTICUT) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Stamford, June 6, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for the 
 Town of Stamford, held in said Stamford on Tuesday, the 
 6th day of June, 1775, personally appeared Silvanus 
 Whitney, of said Stamford, before said Committee, and 
 made Hie following confession : Whereupon, the Commit- 
 tee passed sentence against him, agreeable to the direction 
 of the Continental Congress. His punishment being greater 
 than he was able to bear, he requested the liberty to ad- 
 vertise himself, and offering to deliver up the unfortunate 
 Tea to be burnt, the Committee were of opinion that it 
 would satisfy the publick, who are requested to accept of 
 the following concession as a satisfaction for his crime. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 John Hait, Jun., Clerk. 
 
 to the publick. 
 Whereas T, the subscriber, have been guilty of buying 
 and selling Dohea Tea, since the first of March last past, 
 whereby I have been guilty of a breach of the Association 
 entered into by the Continental Congress ; and sensible of 
 my misconduct, do, in this publick manner, confess my 
 crime, and humbly request the favour of the publick to 
 overlook this my transgression, promising for the future to 
 conduct myself as a true friend to my Country. And in 
 testimony of my sincerity, I do now deliver up the whole 
 of the Tea I have on hand unto the said Committee of In- 
 spection, to be by them committed to the flames. 
 
 Silvanus Whitney. 
 
 A short Narrative of the execution of the unfortunate 
 Tea above-mentioned. 
 
 About eight o'clock in the evening, a gallows was erect- 
 ed in the middle of the street opposite Mr. Weed's tavern ; 
 a large concourse of people soon collected, and were joined 
 by a number of the soldiery quartered in the Town. A 
 grand procession soon began to move. In the first place, 
 a large guard under arms, headed by two Captains, who 
 lead the van, with the unfortunate Tea hung across a pole, 
 sustained by two unarmed soldiers. Secondly, followed 
 the Committee of Observation. Thirdly, the spectators 
 who came to see the great sight. And after parading 
 through part of the principal streets, with drums beating 
 and fifes playing a most doleful sound, they came to the 
 gallows, where the common hangman soon performed his 
 office, to the general satisfaction of the spectators. As it 
 was thought dangerous to let the said Tea hang all night, 
 for fear of an invasion from our Tea-lovers, a large bonfire 
 was made under it, which soon reduced it to ashes ; and, 
 after giving three loud huzzas, the people soon dispersed 
 to their respective homes, without any bad consequences 
 attending. 
 
 The owner of the aforesaid Tea attended during the ex- 
 ecution, and behaved himself as well as could be expected 
 on the occasion. 
 
 EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. 
 
 Cambridge, New-England, June 6, 1775. 
 
 This being the day agreed on for the exchange of Pri- 
 soners, between twelve and one o'clock Doctor Warren 
 and Brigadier General Putnam, in a phaeton, together with 
 Major Dunbar and Lieutenant Hamilton, of the Sixty- 
 Fourth, on horseback, Lieutenant Potter,.ot the Marines, 
 in a chaise, John Hilton, of the Forty-Seventh, Alex- 
 ander Campbell, of the Fourth, John Tyne, Samuel 
 Marcy, Thomas Parry, and Thomas Sharp, of the Ma- 
 rines, wounded men, in two carts, the whole escorted 
 by the Weathcrsfield Company, under the command of 
 Captain Chester, entered the Town of Charlestown, and 
 marching slowly through it, halted at the ferry, where, 
 upon a signal being given, Major Moncrief landed from 
 the Lively, in order to receive the prisoners, and see his 
 old friend, General Putnam. Their meeting was truly 
 cordial and- affectionate. The wounded privates were soon 
 sent on board the Lively; but Major Moncrief and the 
 other officers returned with General Putnam and Doctor 
 Warrant, to the house of Doctor Foster, where an enter- 
 tainment was provided for them. 
 
921 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 922 
 
 About three o'clock a signal was made by the Lively, 
 that they were ready to deliver up our prisoners ; upon 
 which, General Putnam and Major Moncrief went to the 
 ferry, where they received Messrs. John Peck, James 
 Hewes, James Brewer, and Daniel Preston, of Boston, 
 Messrs. Samuel Frost and Sctli Russell, of Cambridge, Mr. 
 Joseph Bell, of Danvers, Mr. Elijah Scaver, of Roxbury, 
 and Ccesar Augustus, a negro servant to Mr. Tileston, of 
 Dorchester, who were conducted to the house of Captain 
 Foster, and there refreshed ; after which the General and 
 Major returned to their company, and spent an hour or two 
 in a very agreeable manner. Between five and six o'clock, 
 Major Moncrief, with the officers that had been delivered 
 to him, were conducted to the ferry, where the Livcly's 
 barge received them. After which, General Putnam, with 
 the prisoners that had been delivered to him, &z.c, returned 
 to Cambridge, escorted in the same manner as before. The 
 whole was conducted with the utmost decency and good 
 humour, and the IVeathersficld Company did honour to 
 themselves, their officers, and their Country. The regu- 
 lar officers expressed themselves as highly pleased. Those 
 who had been prisoners acknowledged the genteel, kind 
 treatment they had received from their captors. The 
 privates, who were all wounded men, expressed, in the 
 strongest terms, their grateful sense of the tenderness which 
 had been shewn them in their miserable situation ; some of 
 them could do it only by their tears. It would have been 
 to the honour of the British arms, if the prisoners taken 
 from us could, with justice, have made the same acknow- 
 ledgment. It cannot be supposed that any officers of rank, 
 or common humanity, were knowing to the repeated cruel 
 insults that were offered to them ; but it may not be amiss 
 to hint to the upstarts concerned, two truths, of which they 
 seem to be totally ignorant, viz : that compassion is as essen- 
 tial a part of the character of a truly brave man as daring; 
 and that insult offered to a person entirely in the power of 
 the insulter, smells as strongly of cowardice as it does of 
 cruelty. 
 
 DECLARATION OF JOHN PRENTICE. 
 
 Londonderry, N. H., Juno G, 1775. 
 Whereas I, the subscriber, was so unfortunate some time 
 since as to sign an address to the late Governour Hutchin- 
 son, so universally and so justly deemed an enemy to Ame- 
 rican liberty and freedom, I hereby, in this publick manner 
 declare, that at the time I signed the said address, I intended 
 the good of my Country and that only; but finding, to my 
 sorrow, it had not that but quite a contrary effect, I hereby 
 renounce the same address in every part, and hope my in- 
 jured and affronted fellow-countrymen will overlook my 
 past misconduct, as I am ready to assist them in their strug- 
 gles for liberty and freedom, in whatever way I shall be 
 called upon by them. John Prentice. 
 
 King's Arms Tavern, Cornkill, London, June 7, 1775. 
 
 At a special meeting this day of several members of the 
 Constitutional Society, during an adjournment, a gentleman 
 proposed that a subscription should he immediately entered 
 into by such of the members present who might approve 
 the purpose, for raising the sum of one hundred Pounds, 
 to be applied to the relief of the widows, orphans, and 
 aged parents of our beloved American fellow-subjects, who, 
 faithful to the character of Englishmen, preferring death to 
 slavery, were, for that reason only, inhumanly murdered by 
 the King's Troops at or near Lexington and Concord, in 
 the Province of MassacJiusetts-Bay , on the nineteenth of 
 last April. 
 
 Which sum being immediately collected, it was there- 
 upon 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Home do pay to-morrow, into the 
 hands of Messrs. Brownes and Collison, on the account of 
 Doctor Franklin, the said sum of one hundred Pounds, 
 and that Doctor Franklin be requested to apply the same 
 to the above mentioned purpose- 
 
 London, June 7, 1775. 
 A commercial correspondent has obliged us with the 
 several quantities of wheat and flour imported at Bristol 
 
 from the following Provinces, from the first of January, 
 1775, to the twenty-seventh of April last. 
 
 Barrels of Flour. Bushels of Wheat. 
 
 From New- York, - 5,523 71,122 
 " Maryland, - 7,594 91,888 
 " Philadelphia, - 8,045 35,967 
 " Virginia, - - 1,252 42,155 
 
 22,414 241,812 
 
 Suppose five bushels of wheat goes to a barrel of flour, 
 which being added to the sum total of the wheat, makes 
 353,882 bushels, which is the produce of 17,694 acres, at 
 twenty bushels per acre ; and the value of the same, at 
 five shillings per bushel, amounts to £88,470 10s. The 
 bread, rye, rice, and Indian corn, are omitted, and likewise 
 wheal, barley, and oats, imported from Holland, Germany. 
 and Ireland, at Bristol. 
 
 During the abovesaid period, twenty ships were cleared 
 out from Bristol for North America, with nothing but bal- 
 last, viz : 
 
 For New- York, - - 7 Virginia, - - 3 
 
 " Maryland, - - 3 South Carolina, 3 
 
 " Philadelphia, - 3 North Carolina, 1 
 
 N. B. The quantity of American provisions imported at 
 Bristol, is scarce a fourth of what is imported at London. 
 Liverpool, Lancaster, and throughout the other parts of 
 England; and therefore when the Non-Exportation Agree- 
 ment from America takes place, with the present scarcity 
 and almost dearth of our own corn this year, a famine may 
 be dreaded before next spring, if the present American 
 disputes are not previously settled. 
 
 Charlestovvn, South-Carolina, June 8, 1775. 
 The Association signed by the Provincial Congress, and 
 recommended by them as a proper instrument to be subscri- 
 bed to at this juncture by persons of all persuasions, was, in 
 a few days, with the greatest avidity and cheerfulness, sign- 
 ed also by almost every man in this Town ; in short, such 
 is here the spirit for liberty and freedom, that of the very 
 few who objected, there were only two who were hardy 
 enough to ridicule, or treat it with contempt, viz : Laughlin 
 Martin and John Dealey, on which account they drew on 
 themselves the resentment of the populace. Yesterday they 
 were carted through the principal streets of this Town, in 
 complete suits of tar and feathers. The very indecent and 
 daring behaviour of the two culprits in several instances, oc- 
 casioned their being made publick spectacles of. After hav- 
 ing been exhibited for about half an hour, and having made 
 many acknowledgments of their crime, they were conducted 
 home, cleaned, and quietly put on board of Captain Las- 
 ley's ship, lying wind-bound for Bristol. We hear that, 
 upon the intercession of Martin s friends, and his repeated 
 promises of future good behaviour, he is allowed to come 
 on shore and follow his business as usual. 
 
 To the Honourable Members o f the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence at Charlestown, the humble Petition of Mi- 
 chael Hubart shoivcth : 
 
 That upon the second day of June, your petitioner be- 
 ing in the house of Thomas JSicoll, in King-street, a certain 
 James Dealey came in, and said there was good news come 
 to Town. Being asked what it was, he answered that a 
 number of arms was sent over to be distributed amongst the 
 Negroes, Roman Catholicks, and Indians. Upon which 
 your petitioner replied, he thought it was very bad news 
 that Roman Catholicks and savages should be permitted to 
 join and massacre christians. Upon which Dealey struck 
 his breast, and swore " he was a Roman Catholick, and that 
 he had arms, and would get arms, and use them as he 
 pleased.'^ Your petitioner went home to his house, and 
 shortly after came in said Dealey and a certain Laughlin 
 Martin, and A. Reed. 
 
 After sitting down a little, Laughlin Martin arose and 
 said, " So, Mr. Hubart, you'll not allow Roman Catholicks 
 to carry guns." Your petitioner answered that his circum- 
 stances were too small to forbid any party or sect to carry 
 
923 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 921 
 
 arms. Martin then damned your petitioner for a false-faced 
 villain, and declared he would believe Dealey sooner than 
 me ; at the same time ordered said Dtaley to drag your 
 petitioner out of the house and pull him to pieces, at the 
 same time standing with a drawn cutteau in his hand, swear- 
 ing if he did not, that he (Martin) would have blood him- 
 self. Dealey then dragged your petitioner into a shop in 
 front of the house, holding him by the throat, until released 
 by the aforesaid Reed. But, upon being released, said 
 Martin came up with his cutteau drawn, threatening to put 
 your petitioner to immediate death, when your petitioner, 
 falling upon his knees, begged his life; your petitioners' 
 wife and children begging at the same time to spare the life 
 of their father and husband. Your petitioner then arose 
 and went into the next room, but was still followed by Mar- 
 tin, who vowed to God if your petitioner did not beg pardon 
 of Dealey, he would that instant cut off his head. Upon 
 which your petitioner, to save his life, did ask his (Dealey's) 
 pardon. 
 
 Martin then declared he was a Roman Catholiclc, and 
 vowed to God to cut off the head of any person who said 
 he should not carry arms. After which said Martin called 
 for some drink, and drank of it with Dealey and Reed; and 
 one of his toasts was, " Damnation to the Committee and 
 their proceedings." 
 
 Your petitioner has prosecuted them as the law directs ; 
 but as the times appear to be very troublesome, and num- 
 bers of enemies both to the Protestant interest and the pre- 
 sent cause are lurking amongst us, your petitioner hopes 
 that you will inquire into such parts of the transaction as 
 concerns the publick ; and your petitioner, as in duty bound, 
 shall ever pray. Michael Hubart. 
 
 Secret — tar and feather him. 
 
 Passed the Secret Committee and ordered to be put in 
 execution. 
 
 On the back of the petition is written, in the real hand- 
 writing of William Henry Drayton, the Chairman of the 
 Secret Committee, the following, viz : Locldin Martin.* 
 James Dealey.-f^, 
 
 * To land and be discharged, upon his expressing his contrition in the 
 most publick manner, 
 t Send away. 
 
 § During the events which took place about this time, and of which 
 mention has been made, it is of some consequence to observe, that in 
 the course of June of this year, Laughlin Martin and James Dealey, 
 having behaved in a very improper manner respecting the General Com- 
 mittee and their proceedings, as well as respecting the Association ; 
 and having threatened Michael Hubart with death, unless he begged 
 their pardon for having justified the conduct of the Committee, he sent 
 a petition, respecting the affiir, to the Committee of Correspondence 
 of Charlestown. This Committee immediately transferred it to the Se- 
 cret Committee of five, who having considered the same, ordered botli 
 Martin and Dealey to be tarred and feathered. [| The order was promptly 
 put in execution by suitable agents, and they were both stripped of their 
 clothes, tarred, feathered, and carted through the streets of Charlestown, 
 affording the first instance of such a spectacle in this Colony. This 
 being done, the Secret Committee sent them on board a ship ready to 
 Sail for England; Laughlin Martin was, however, permitted to laud 
 again, and was discharged, on expressing his contrition in a publick 
 manner, but James Dealey, for an example, was sent away. These 
 summary measures have been supposed by writers to have proceeded 
 from the intemperate zeal of the populace, and there can be no doubt 
 hut many of them took their rise from that source ; but there can be 
 as little doubt this first commencement of so ludicrous and disgraceful 
 a punishment owed its origin in South-Carolina to this very case. And 
 that it was sanctioned and directed by the Secret Committee is equally 
 clear, as the case is specially noted in the minuscriptof William Henry 
 Drayton, who was Chairman of that Committee, as having been done 
 by the sanction of the same, and the original petition of Hubart, with 
 the orders of the Secret Committee thereon, one of them in the known 
 hand-writing of the Chairman, Mr. Drayton, is now in the possession 
 of the writer of these Memoirs. We need go no farther for authority 
 to show what vast power and confidence were lodged in this Secret 
 Committee of five, and particularly in the abilities, prudence, and enter- 
 prise of its leading members, William Henry Drayton, Arthur Middle, 
 ton, and Charles Cotesworih Pirickncy. And had the revolution not 
 taken place, but colonial affairs had settled down in a rebellion, there 
 can be no doubt but these distinguished patriots would have been marked 
 out as early victims to private persecution and British vengeance. For 
 the councils of this Committee were not paralyzed by timid opposition, 
 as often happened in the Provincial Congress, Council of Safety, and 
 General Committee. It was only necessary that the emergency should 
 arise, calling on the Committee to act, for thorn to direct the blow, and 
 it often fell before the cause of it could have been surmised. Hence 
 the lead and tono which this Secret Committee gave to publick opinion 
 and to publick operations, was great and decisive, and they much tended 
 to concentrate the publick energies into a firm and manly opposition. — 
 Drayton. 
 
 || The Brit ish Fortv-Seventh Regiment, under the command of Lieutetiluit-Cuionel 
 Krs'j't, coTnn.i nc-tl tins lingular punishment on one of the inhabitants of the Town of 
 Bllterica, in the State of Mtusnc/iutettt, on the eighth <,( March, 1775. See the London 
 Remembrancer for 1775, nage 62. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN NEW-YORK, 
 DATED NORTH-CAROLINA, JUNE 7, 1775. 
 
 We are much alarmed here with the intentions of Ad- 
 ministration ; and unless affairs take a turn in our favour 
 very shortly, we shall expect the worst effort of its villany, 
 that of spiriting up an enemy among ourselves, from whose 
 barbarity, if roused, the most dreadful consequences will 
 follow. Our Governour has sent his family to New-York, 
 and being greatly disgusted with the people of Newbern, 
 has taken up his residence in Fort Johnston, at the mouth 
 of Cape Fear River, which he has chosen as a place 
 of retreat from popular complaints. Our brethren in the 
 Colonies may be assured that we never shall be bribed, by 
 the benefit of an exclusive trade, to desert the common 
 cause. 
 
 WORCESTER COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of a great majority of the Committee of 
 Worcester County, at the Court-House, at Snoio Hill 
 Town, on Wednesday, the 7th June, 1775: 
 
 Benton Harris, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 
 1st. Resolved unanimously, That we owe and acknow- 
 ledge most faithful and perfect duty and allegiance to His 
 Majesty King George the Third, rightful King of Great 
 Britain, &c; that we are actuated by the most loyal and 
 sincere attachment to his person, the most fervent zeal 
 for the support of his Crown and dignity ; and that, when 
 constitutionally required, we are ready to expend our lives 
 and fortunes in his service. 
 
 2d. Resolved unanimously, That we feel ourselves bound 
 by the strongest ties of love and affection to our fellow- 
 subjects in the Mother Country, and that we most ardently 
 wish for a speedy, cordial, and permanent reconciliation 
 and union with them ; but we do further resolve, that we 
 will, to the utmost of our power, oppose the detested min- 
 isterial plan for enslaving us — a plan calculated to divest us 
 of every privilege which can render life valuable or desir- 
 able; that we are incontestably entitled to all the rights and 
 liberties of Englishmen; that, as we received them from 
 our glorious ancestors without spot or blemish, we are de- 
 termined to transmit them pure and unsullied to our pos- 
 terity. 
 
 3d. Resolved unanimously, That we will, from time to 
 time, as often as shall be found necessary, contribute cheer- 
 fully for the support and relief of our distressed brethren 
 in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, now actually expe- 
 riencing the fullest extent of ministerial vengeance and 
 tyranny, and groaning under the horrouis of war, in defence 
 of their and our common rights and liberties. 
 
 The following Letter from Mr. Dixon Quinton, an inha- 
 bitant of this County, relative to a quantity of Salt im- 
 ported contrary to the Resolves of the Continental Con- 
 gress, was produced and read, to wit : 
 
 " June 1st, 1775. 
 " Sir: I have bought forty bushels of Liverpool Salt, at 
 two shillings per bushel ; and if you have occasion for any, 
 you may have it as I bought. Please to write me a line 
 whether you will take any or no, that I may dispose of it 
 to other people. From your humble servant, 
 
 " Dixon Quinton." 
 
 " To Mr. James Houston, this." 
 
 Likewise Mr. Thomas Lambdcn, an inhabitant of this 
 County, and crier of said County Court, being called 
 before the Committee, and full proof being made that he 
 had declared "all those who took up arms, or exercised 
 agreeable to the Resolves of the Provincial Convention at 
 Annapolis, to be rebels," and that, in conversation relative 
 to a quantity of Salt being thrown into the water by the 
 Baltimore Committee, the said Thomas Lambdcn had de- 
 clared, " that the Committee were a parcel of damn'd ras- 
 cals, and would not be easy until some of them were 
 hanged up ;" and further, that in conversation relative to a 
 report that the Ships and Troops were about to be recalled 
 from Boston, the said Thomas Lambdcn had declared, 
 " that he should be very sorry they should be withdrawn, 
 until the Bostonians were fully humbled:" 
 
925 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 926 
 
 It is, therefore, unanimously Resolved, That we hold the 
 said Dixon Quint on and Thomas Lambden to be ene- 
 mies to their Country ; that we are determined immediate- 
 ly to break off all dealings and intercourse with them, and 
 with every person who shall have any connexion with them, 
 or either of them ; and do recommend to every attorney of 
 this Province not to bring or prosecute any action at law, 
 nor to appear or plead for them, or either of them, on any 
 trial, until they shall make such proper acknowledgments, 
 and show such genuine marks of repentance and reforma- 
 tion as shall be satisfactory to a majority of this Commit- 
 tee. 
 
 Resolved, That these proceedings be immediately print- 
 ed in the Maryland Gazette. 
 A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 Test: Robert Dennis, Clerk. 
 
 DELAWARE ASSEMRLT. 
 
 Monday, June 5, 1775. 
 
 The House met, pursuant to their adjournment, and ad- 
 journed till ten o'clock, on Wednesday, A. 31. 
 
 Wednesday, June 7, 1775, A. M. 
 
 The House met, pursuant to their adjournment, and the 
 Speaker assumed the Chair. 
 
 The Speaker informed the House that, during the recess 
 of this House, he had received a Letter from the Speaker 
 of the House of Assembly at New-York, enclosing a List 
 of Grievances, with the Resolutions of the House in con- 
 sequence thereof; also, a Petition to the King, a Memorial 
 to the House of Lords, and a Representation and Remon- 
 strance to the Commons of Great Britain, which he now 
 laid before the House. 
 
 On motion, by order, 
 
 The same were read, and ordered to be filed among the 
 Records of this House. 
 
 The House being informed by the Delegates appointed 
 to represent this Colony in the Grand Continental Congress 
 now held at Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylva- 
 nia, that the said Congress are unanimously of opinion, 
 that it is absolutely necessary, for the preservation of the 
 lives, liberties, and properties of the good people of the 
 twelve United Colonies, and of the Parish of St. John's, 
 in Georgia, to have an armed force, at their general ex- 
 pense, sufficient for repelling and defeating all hostile at- 
 tempts by arms to deprive them of the same, took the same 
 into their most serious consideration, and unanimously ap- 
 proved thereof. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the inhabitants of 
 this Government be chargeable and charged with their 
 quota or share of said expense, to be ascertained by the 
 Congress, and that this House will provide the same by all 
 ways and means in their power. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the sum of Five 
 Hundred Pounds be drawn for by the Speaker, upon the 
 Trustees of the several Loan Offices of this Government, 
 according to the Proportion Act, to be paid to Mr. Speaker, 
 Thomas McKean, and George Read, Esquires, towards 
 the share of this Colony of the expense aforesaid ; and that 
 the same be hereafter replaced in the said Offices by the 
 Assembly. 
 
 Then the House adjourned till the twenty-first day of 
 August next. 
 
 GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL BURGOYNE IN BOSTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 7, 1775. 
 My dear Sir: We have had twenty different accounts 
 of your arrival at Boston, which have been regularly con- 
 tradicted the next morning ; but as I now find it certain 
 that you are arrived, I shall not delay a single instant ad- 
 dressing myself to you ; it is a duty I owe to the friend- 
 ship I have long and sincerely professed for you ; a friend- 
 ship to which you have the strongest claims from the first 
 moments of our acquaintance. There is no man from 
 whom I have received so many testimonies of esteem and 
 affection ; there is no man whose esteem and affection could, 
 in my opinion, have done me greater honour. I entreat and 
 conjure you, therefore, my dear Sir, to impute these lines not 
 to a petulant itch of scribbling, but to the most unfeigned 
 
 solicitude for the future tranquillity of your mind, and for 
 your reputation. I sincerely lament the infatuation of the 
 times, when men of such a stamp as Mr. Burgoyne and 
 Mr. Howe can be seduced into so impious and nefarious a 
 service by the artifice of a wicked and insidious Court and 
 Cabinet. You, Sir, must be sensible that these epithets 
 are not unjustly severe. You have yourself experienced 
 the wickedness and treachery of this Court and Cabinet. 
 You cannot but recollect their manoeuvres in your own 
 Select Committee, and the treatment yourself, as Presi- 
 dent, received from these abandoned men. You cannot 
 but recollect the black business of »S'r. Vincent's, by an 
 opposition to which you acquired the highest and most 
 deserved honour. I shall not trouble you with my opin- 
 ion of the right of taxing America without her own con- 
 sent, as I am afraid, from what I have seen of your speeches, 
 that you have already formed your creed on this article : 
 but 1 will boldly affirm, had this right been established by 
 a thousand statutes ; had America admitted it from time 
 immemorial, it would be the duty of every good English- 
 man to exert his utmost to divest Parliament of this right, 
 as it must inevitably work the subversion of the whole 
 Empire. The malady under which the state labours is 
 indisputably derived from the inadequate representation of 
 the subject, and the vast pecuniary influence of the Crown. 
 To add to this pecuniary influence and incompetency of 
 representation, is to insure and precipitate our destruction. 
 To wish any addition can scarcely enter the heart of a citi- 
 zen who has the least spark of publick virtue, and who is 
 at the same time capable of seeing consequences the most 
 immediate. I appeal, Sir, to your own conscience, to your 
 experience and knowledge of our Court and Parliament ; 
 and I request you to lay your hand upon your heart, and 
 then answer with your usual integrity and frankness, whe- 
 ther, on the supposition America should be abject enough 
 to submit to the terms imposed, you think a single guinea 
 raised upon her would be applied to the purpose (as it is 
 ostentatiously held out to deceive the people at home) of 
 easing the Mother Country ; or whether you are not con- 
 vinced that the whole they could extract would be applied 
 solely to heap up still further the enormous fund for cor- 
 ruption which the Crown already possesses, and of which 
 the most diabolical use is made? On these principles I 
 say, Sir, every good Englishman, abstracted of all regard 
 for America, must oppose her being taxed by the British 
 Parliament. For my own part, I am convinced that no 
 argument (not totally abhorrent from the spirit of liberty 
 and the British Constitution) can be produced in support 
 of this right. But it would be impertinent to trouble you 
 upon a subject which has been so amply, and, in my opi- 
 nion, so fully discussed. 
 
 I find, by a speech given as yours in the papers, that 
 it was by the King's positive command you embarked in 
 this service. 1 am somewhat pleased that it is not an 
 office of your own seeking, though, at the same time, 1 
 must confess that it is very alarming to every virtuous citi- 
 zen, when he sees men of sense and integrity (because of 
 a certain profession) lay it down as a rule implicitly to 
 obey the mandates of a Court, be they ever so flagitious. 
 It furnishes, in my opinion, the best arguments for the total 
 reduction of the Army. But I am running into a tedious 
 essay, whereas I ought to confine myself to the main 
 design and purpose of this letter, which is to guard you 
 and your colleagues from those prejudices which the same 
 miscreants who have infatuated General Gage, and still 
 surround him, will labour to instil into you against a brave, 
 loyal, and most deserving people. The avenues of truth 
 will be shut up to you. I assert, Sir, that even General 
 Gage will deceive you, as he has deceived himself. I do 
 not say he will do it designedly ; I do not think him capa- 
 ble. But his mind is so totally poisoned, and his under- 
 standing so totally blinded by the society of fools and 
 knaves, that he no longer is capable of discerning facts 
 as manifest as the noon-day sun. 1 assert, Sir, that 
 his letters to the Ministry (at least such as the publick 
 have seen) are one continued tissue of misrepresentation, 
 injustice, and tortured inferences from misstated facts. I 
 affirm, Sir, that he has taken no pains to inform himself of 
 the truth ; that he has never conversed with a man who 
 has had the courage or honesty to tell him the truth. 
 I am apprehensive that you and your colleagues may fall 
 
927 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 928 
 
 into the same trap; and it is the apprehension that you may 
 be inconsiderately hurried, by the vigour and activity you 
 possess, into measures which may be fatal to many inno- 
 cent individuals; may hereafter wound your own feelings; 
 and which cannot possibly serve the cause of those who 
 sent you, that has prompted me to address these lines to 
 you. I most devoutly wish that your industry, valour, and 
 military talents, may be reserved for a more honourable 
 and virtuous service against the natural enemies of our 
 Country, (to whom our Court are so basely complacent,) 
 and not in ineffectual attempts to reduce to the wretchedest 
 state of servitude the most meritorious part of your fel- 
 low-subjects. I say, Sir, that any attempts to accomplish 
 this purpose must be ineffectual. You cannot possibly 
 succeed. No man is better acquainted with the state of 
 this Continent than myself. I have ran through almost 
 the whole Colonies, from the north to the south, and from 
 the south to the north. I have conversed with all orders 
 of men, from the first estated gentlemen to the lowest 
 planters and farmers, and can assure you that the same 
 spirit animates the whole. Not less than one hundred and 
 fifty thousand gentlemen, yeomen, and farmers, are now in 
 arms, determined to preserve their liberties or perish. 
 
 As to the idea that the Americans are deficient in cour- 
 age, it is too ridiculous and glaringly false to deserve a 
 serious refutation. I never could conceive upon what this 
 notion was founded. I served several campaigns in Ame- 
 rica last war, and cannot recollect a single instance of ill- 
 behaviour in the Provincials, where the Regulars acquitted 
 themselves well. Indeed, we well remember some instan- 
 ces of the reverse, particularly where the late Colonel 
 Grant (he who lately pledged himself for the general 
 cowardice of America) ran away with a large body of his 
 own Regiment, and was saved from destruction by the 
 valour of a few Virginians. Such preposterous argu- 
 ments are only proper for the Rigbys and Sandwiches, from 
 whose mouths never issued, and to whose breasts truth and 
 decency are utter strangers. 
 
 You will much oblige me in communicating this letter to 
 General Hoive, to whom I could wish it should be consi- 
 dered in some measure addressed, as well as to yourself. 
 Mr. Howe is a man for whom I have ever had the highest 
 love and reverence. I have honoured him for his own 
 connexions, but above all for his admirable talents and good 
 qualities. I have courted his acquaintance and friendship, 
 not only as a pleasure, but as an ornament ; 1 flattered 
 myself that I had obtained it. Gracious God! is it pos- 
 sible that Mr. Howe should be prevailed upon to accept of 
 such an office ! That the brother of him, to whose memo- 
 ry the much injured people of Boston erected a monu- 
 ment, should be employed as one of the instruments of 
 their destruction. But the fashion of the times, it seems, 
 is such as renders it impossible he should avoid it. The 
 commands of our most gracious Sovereign are to cancel 
 all moral obligations, to sanctify every action, even those 
 that the satrap of an Eastern despot would start at. 
 
 I shall now beg leave to say a few words with respect 
 to myself, and the part I act. I was bred up from my in- 
 fancy in the highest veneration for the liberties of mankind 
 in general. What I have seen of Courts and Princes con- 
 vinces me, that the power cannot be lodged in worse hands 
 than in theirs ; and of all Courts, I am persuaded that ours 
 is the most corrupt and hostile to the rights of humanity. 
 I am convinced that a regular plan has been laid (indeed 
 every act since the present accession evinces it) to abolish 
 even the shadow of liberty from amongst us. It was not 
 the demolition of the tea, it was not any other particular act 
 of the Bostonians, or of the other Provinces which con- 
 stituted their crimes ; but it is the noble spirit of liberty 
 pervading the whole Continent which has rendered them 
 the objects of ministerial and royal vengeance. Had they 
 been notoriously of another disposition ; had they been 
 homines ad scrvitudinem parates, they might have made as 
 free with the property of the East-India Company as the 
 felonious North himself, with impunity. But the Lords 
 of St. James's, and their mercenaries of St. Stephen's, 
 well know, that as long as the free spirit of this great 
 Continent remains unsubdued, the progress they can make 
 in their scheme of universal despotism will be but trifling. 
 Hence it is that they wage inexpiable war against Ameri- 
 ca, la short, this is the last asylum of persecuted Liberty. 
 
 Here, should the machinations and fury of her enemies 
 prevail, that bright goddess must fly off from the face of 
 the earth, and leave not a trace behind. These, Sir, are 
 my principles ; this is my persuasion ; and, consequently, I 
 am determined to act. 1 have now, Sir, only to entreat, 
 that whatever measures you pursue, whether those which 
 your real friends (myself amongst them) would wish, or 
 unfortunately those which our accursed misrulers shall dic- 
 tate, you will still believe me to be personally, with the 
 greatest sincerity and affection, 
 
 Yours, C. Lee. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTED. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 7, 1775. 
 
 The Committee last evening having requested as many 
 members as conveniently could to meet this day at the 
 Coffee-House, to inquire concerning an information given, 
 that Captain Robert Torrans had imported and sold Irish 
 Linens some time about the first of May last, in direct vio- 
 lation of the Association of the Congress: 
 
 Mr. Blair McClenaghan, in whose vessel Captain Tor- 
 rans sailed, gave the following affidavit, made by the Cap- 
 tain : 
 
 "On the fifth day of June, 1775, before the subscribing 
 Justice, cometh Robert Torrans, Master of the Ship Duke 
 of York, lately arrived at the City of Philadelphia, and 
 maketh oath on the Holy Gospels, and saith, that Mr. 
 Blair McClenaghan, of said City, merchant, was not privy 
 to, nor interested in any goods or merchandise lately im- 
 ported in said vessel from Ireland; and that Blair McClen- 
 aghan aforesaid was not privy to, nor aiding or assisting, 
 nor consenting to the sale, landing, or putting on shore at 
 Philadelphia, or elsewhere in America, said goods or mer- 
 chandise so imported. Robert Torrans. 
 
 "Taken and sworn before me: George Bryan." 
 
 1. Resolved, That Mr. McClenaghan appears to this 
 Committee to be liable to no censure or suspicion with re- 
 gard to the importation, landing, or sale of goods in said 
 vessel, and that he has done his duty in discharging Cap- 
 tain Torrans from his employ. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Messrs. Harbison and Dean call at 
 Captain Torrans's lodgings, and inquire if he is in Town, 
 and request his attendance immediately. 
 
 3. Messrs. Harbison and Dean report, that Captain Tor- 
 rans has not been at his lodgings since yesterday morning. 
 
 4. Resolved, That as Captain Torrans cannot now be 
 found, the consideration of his conduct, and further pro- 
 ceedings of the Committee thereon, be deferred to next 
 meeting of the Committee. 
 
 June 9. — The Committee resumed the consideration of 
 Captain Robert Torrans, late of the Ship Duke of York : 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That Captain Torrans has wil- 
 fully and knowingly violated the Association of the Con- 
 gress, and that it is the duty of this Committee to advertise 
 his conduct, agreeable to the eleventh Resolution of the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New. York, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The multiplicity of business brought be- 
 fore us by the Continental Congress, and a short adjourn- 
 ment of our body from Saturday till Tuesday morning, 
 have rendered it impossible for us to give a more early at- 
 tention to your favour of the 26th ultimo. 
 
 We have little to say upon the principal subject of your 
 letter, as we conceive that the Provincial Congress of both 
 Colonies are concluded from any discretionary provision 
 relative to the ordnance and other stores taken at Croicn 
 Point and Ticonderoga, of which you must be fully con- 
 vinced by the acts of the Continental Congress on that 
 subject, copies of which are enclosed. 
 
 We are fully apprised of the dangerous consequences 
 that would await this capital of our Colony, either from 
 supineness or a confidence in the honour of those who, 
 being the avowed instruments of ministerial vengeance, we 
 cannot expect will hold any faith with us. Whatever arti- 
 cles we are now possessed of, that may be used to the 
 
929 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 930 
 
 injury of this City in particular, or of the Continent in 
 general, we shall be studious to prevent, if possible, from 
 falling into the hands of our enemies. In sympathizing 
 with you for the unhappy Town of Boston, we shall do 
 every thing in our power to prevent this City from being 
 reduced to the same deplorable situation, and shall watch- 
 fully attend to every means of defence which our present 
 or future circumstances may enable us to improve. 
 
 We are, gentlemen and brethren, with great respect and 
 sincere affection, your most obedient humble servants, 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To Joseph Warren, Esquire, and the Committee of Safety 
 for the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 DONALD McLEOD TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Committee for the 
 City and County of New- York, in Assembly or body 
 convened : The Petition of Donald McLeod, Esq., 
 late from Scotland, humbly sheiveth : 
 
 That your petitioner, from a deep sense of the favours 
 conferred on himself, as well as those shown to many of 
 his countrymen when in great distress after their arrival 
 into this once happy City, is moved by a voluntary spirit 
 of liberty to offer himself in the manner and form follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 That your said petitioner understands that a great 
 many Companies are now on foot to be raised for the 
 defence of our liberties in this once happy land, which he 
 thinks to be a very proper maxim for the furtherance of 
 our rights and liberty; that your said petitioner (although 
 he has nothing to recommend himself but the vanity of 
 calling himself a Highlander, from North-Britain ) flat- 
 ters himself that if this honourable Committee were to 
 giant him a commission, under their hand and seal, that 
 he could, without difficulty, raise one hundred Scotch 
 Highlanders in this City and the neighbouring Provinces, 
 provided they were to be put in the Highland dress, and 
 under pay during their service in defence of our liberties. 
 Therefore, may it please your Honours to take this peti- 
 tion under your serious consideration ; and should your 
 Honours think proper to confer the honour upon him as 
 to have the command of a Highland Company, under the 
 circumstances proposed, your petitioner assures you that no 
 person shall or will be more willing to accept of the offer 
 than your humble petitioner. Donald McLeod. 
 
 New- York, June 7, 1775. 
 
 BENJAMIN LINDSAY TO NEW-VORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 New- York, June 7, 1775. 
 Captain Benjamin Lindsay acquaints the gentlemen of 
 the Committee that he arrived here yesterday from Provi- 
 dence, and has brought with him a letter to the Commit- 
 tee, and informs them that application has been made 
 to him by the Committee and people of that Town to 
 bring back with him a load of flour and other necessaries, 
 of which they stand much in need, and of the former are 
 at present much necessitated, owing to the uncommon 
 large supplies that Town has contributed to the Provin- 
 cial Army. And Captain Lindsay can assure the Com- 
 mittee, from repeated trials, he can go and come from that 
 place through the back part of ^'arragansett, so as en- 
 tirely to evade the vigilance of the men-of-war stationed 
 at Newport, besides his being well manned and completely 
 armed and able to resist any attacks from their boats, or 
 otherwise. He therefore requests the concurrence of the 
 Committee, as also to take on board a parcel of flour and 
 other necessaries that Mr. Curtenius informs him he has 
 in care for the poor of Boston, and which may easily be 
 forwarded by land to the Provincial Camp, Mr. Curtenius 
 having applied to him for that purpose. 
 
 BENJAMIN LINDSAY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New- York, June 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 I am very sorry that any difficulties should arise from 
 the flour that was to be shipped by Captain Coffin. As 
 Mr. Cook and I came from Providence together, and as 
 I found that I could not take all the flour on board my 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 own vessel, so we agreed that he should procure another 
 vessel, and Mr. Cook applied to Mr. Vixson to procure 
 the flour for us ; and when Mr. Vixson understood how 
 matters were circumstanced, he provided the effects, and 
 we were to sail together. Gentlemen, if you will take it 
 into consideration, and, believe me, it is for the same pur- 
 pose as mine is, for the Committee of Providence, and to 
 supply our camp, or rather called Provincial Camp. This 
 I certify and declare to, with my hand, that there is no 
 other intent in this matter. Benjamin Lindsay. 
 
 SELECTMEN OF LANCASTER TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress noiv holden at 
 Watertown, in the Province of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay: 
 
 We, the subscribers, do request and desire that you 
 would be pleased to direct or inform this Province in gen- 
 eral, or the Town of Lancaster in particular, what is best 
 to be done with the estates of those men who are gone 
 from their estates to General Gage, and are now with him 
 in Boston ; and who shall take possession of such houses 
 and lands as belong to such men as are with General 
 Gage, and to whose use they shall improve them, whether 
 for the Province or the Town where said estate is. 
 
 Ebenezer Allen, ~i 
 
 Cyrus Fairbank, > Selectmen. 
 
 Samuel Thurston, ) 
 
 Lancaster, June 7, 1775. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF BELFAST, ETC., TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Penobscot, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We, the subscribers, being duly appoint- 
 ed a Committee by the inhabitants settled on Penobscot 
 River, the inhabitants of Belfast, Majabigwaduce, and 
 Benjamins River, to make a representation to you of the 
 difficulties and distress the said inhabitants are under in 
 respect to the scarcity of corn and ammunition, occasioned 
 by the interruption of vessels which they depended upon 
 for their supplies, and also the impediments in the exporta- 
 tion from the seaport Towns from different Committees, 
 after the said articles have been purchased : We accord- 
 ingly herewith send you the votes of said inhabitants, pass- 
 ed by them at a general meeting, on Tuesday, the 6th day 
 of June instant, which we are to pray your consideration 
 of, being encouraged thereto from the many instances of 
 favour and assistance which the Province have heretofore 
 afforded to this infant settlement ; and without some at this 
 time, we have real cause to apprehend that these promising 
 settlements may be broken up. We are further to assure, 
 you that the said inhabitants are ready, with their lives and 
 all they have, to support the cause which this Country is 
 engaged in, in defence of their liberties and privileges, and 
 will hold themselves in readiness for that purpose. The 
 said Committee are also to inform you that it was repre- 
 sented at the said meeting that the establishment of Fort 
 Pou-nall is nearly expired ; that the commander of the 
 said fort, in obedience to the commands of the Governour, 
 delivered to his order the artillery and some arms belonging 
 to the said fort ; that he also delivered to our own inhabi- 
 tants in the different parts of this vicinity, upon their appli- 
 cation, some arms and ammunition, reserving only a small 
 quantity of each for the use of the soldiers belonging to 
 said garrison, which occasions the said fort at this time to 
 be very bare in those respects. We are also to represent 
 to you that the Town of Belfast is in want of about one 
 dozen stands of arms, which is not practicable to be got 
 here. All which we are enjoined to lay before you, gen- 
 tlemen, who represent the Province in this unhappy time, 
 and to pray you to take the same into your consideration, 
 and give them such relief as, upon mature deliberation, you 
 judge expedient. 
 
 We are, in behalf of the said inhabitants, gentlemen, 
 your most humble servants, 
 
 Tho. Goldthwait, Edmund Moores, 
 John Tufts, Benjamin Shute, 
 
 Jonathan Buck, Oliver Crary. 
 To the Honourable Gentlemen assembled at Cambridge in 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
931 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 932 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at 
 Watektown : 
 
 The Petition of Davis and Coverly, late of Boston, 
 humbly showeth : 
 
 That whereas your petitioners have a quantity of Eng- 
 lish goods in Boston; that Mr. Henry Barnes, of Marl- 
 borough, now in Boston, has quantities of English goods 
 at said Marlborough, near the same quality, and is willing 
 to make an exchange for the same: We therefore beg 
 leave of this honourable Congress that we, your petition- 
 ers, be allowed to make the exchange ; and, as in duty 
 hound, shall ever pray. Davis & Coverly. 
 
 W.itertown, June 7, 1775. 
 
 RESOLVES OF ft ANOVER (VIRGINIA) VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 At a meeting of the Hanover Volunteer Company on 
 the 8th of June, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved, That this Company approve of the spirited 
 resolution of the Jt'illiamsburgh Volunteers of the 25th 
 ult., and that they are determined, at the risk of their lives, 
 to aid and assist in protecting the liberties of this Country 
 against all arbitrary measures whatsoever. 
 
 Resolved, That the expedition undertaken by this Com- 
 pany in making reprisals on the King's property for pow- 
 der removed from the Country's magazine by the command 
 of the Governour, proceeded from a sincere attachment to 
 the liberties of their Country; and it is with heartfelt satis- 
 faction that their conduct is so generally approved by their 
 worthy countrymen. 
 
 Signed by order of the Company : 
 
 James Overton, Clerk. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 8, 1775. 
 
 This morning the three Battalions of this City and Li- 
 berties, consisting of fifteen hundred men, the Artillery 
 Company of one hundred and fifty, (with two twelve and 
 four six-pound brass field-pieces,) a troop of Light-horse, 
 several companies of Light- Infantry, Rangers, and Rifle- 
 men, in the whole above two thousand men, marched to the 
 commons, and having joined in brigade, went through the 
 manual exercise, firings, and manoeuvres, (with a dexterity 
 scarcely to have been expected from such short practice,) 
 in the presence of the honourable members of the> Conti- 
 nental Congress, and several thousand spectators, among 
 whom were a great number of the most respectable inhabi- 
 tants of this City. 
 
 ABRAHAM CLARK TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Elizabethtown, New-Jersey, June 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You have now sent you six quarter casks and two 
 half barrels of powder. The quarter casks I got at Neiv- 
 Brunswick, and the two half barrels, containing one hun- 
 dred and five pounds, I got at Woodbridgc; for each of 
 which I gave receipts that I received them to be forward- 
 ed to the Provincial Camp near Boston, agreeable to a re- 
 quisition from them. There was no more to be obtained ; 
 they had sold the most of their stores to the inhabitants. 
 You will be so kind as to send a receipt of the same tenour 
 of those I gave, that I may show them the stores are for- 
 warded agreeable to my promises. I am, Sir, your humble 
 servant, Abraham Clark. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress June 10, 1775.] 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 8, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We take the liberty to intrude on the pa- 
 tience of your most respectable body, by enclosing a letter 
 which we have this instant received from our brethren in 
 the Massachusetts-Bay . When we inform you that it is 
 utterly impracticable for us to procure what they have re- 
 quested, you will certainly excuse a freedom which is dic- 
 tated by an attention to the publick safety. How necessary 
 it is to provide some remedy to this pressing necessity, we 
 will not presume to mention. Our duty hath compelled us 
 to relate to you the facts. They speak for themselves 
 loudly ; and a most entire confidence in your wisdom pre- 
 cludes us from saying any thing farther on the subject. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, most faithfully and respectfully, 
 your fellow-labourers and countrymen. 
 
 By order and in behalf of the Provincial Congress: 
 Volkert P. Douw, Vice-President . 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL WARD AND OTHERS TO NEW-YORK CONGREbS. 
 
 Camp, June 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Your noble exertions in the common 
 cause, your zeal for the maintenance of the rights of Ame- 
 rica, and the sympathizing concern with which we know 
 you look on our sufferings, encourages us to represent to 
 you the distressing state of this Colony. 
 
 Our capital is filled with disciplined troops, thoroughly 
 equipped with every thing necessary to render them formi- 
 dable; a train of artillery as complete as can be conceived 
 of; a full supply of arms and ammunition ; and an absolute 
 command of the harbour of Boston, which puts it in their 
 power to furnish themselves with whatever they shall think 
 convenient by sea, are such advantages as must render our 
 contest with them in every view extremely difficult. 
 
 We suffer at present the greatest inconveniences from 
 a want of a sufficient quantity of powder ; without this, 
 every attempt to defend ourselves, or annoy our enemies, 
 must prove abortive. We have taken every step to avail 
 ourselves of this article, by drawing into our general maga- 
 zines whatever could be spared from the respective Towns 
 of this Colony ; but the frequent skirmishes we have had 
 has greatly diminished our stock, and we are now under 
 the most alarming apprehensions, that notwithstanding the 
 bravery of our troops, (whom we think we can, without 
 boasting, declare are ready to encounter every danger for 
 the preservation of the liberties and rights of America,) we 
 shall basely, for the want of means of defence, fall at last a 
 prey to our enemies. We, therefore, most earnestly be- 
 seech you that you would, if possible, afford us some relief 
 in this respect, by lending or selling to us some part of the 
 powder in your Colony. We readily conceive the unwil- 
 lingness with which you must part with so necessary an 
 article at this time. We know you have not the quantity 
 you would wish to keep for your own use. We apply to 
 you, not because we suppose you have a surplusage, but 
 because we are in the most distressing want. We beg, 
 therefore, that we may not be suffered to perish. We have 
 taken such steps as we have great reason to hope will, in a 
 short time, furnish us with powder, and if we can be assist- 
 ed till that arrives, we doubt not but that we shall be able 
 to baffle the designs of our enemies, and be greatly instru- 
 mental in preserving the rights and liberties of all America. 
 We must request that whatever aid you shall find it in your 
 power to give us, may be in the most secret manner, as a 
 knowledge of our deficiency in the article of powder before 
 we are supplied, might be attended with the most fatal 
 consequenoes. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your affectionate 
 brethren and very humble servants, 
 
 Ahtemas Ward, 
 General of the Massachusetts Army. 
 Joseph Warren, 
 Chairman of the Committee of Safety. 
 Moses Gill, 
 Chairman of the Committee of Supplies. 
 To the Hon. Congress for the Colony of New- York. 
 
 P. S. We beg what powder you can possibly spare may 
 be immediately conveyed to us by land, in the way least 
 liable to be suspected by any persons who may correspond 
 with the enemy. 
 
 To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Congress for the 
 
 Colony of New-York, in body convened: 
 The Petition of Donald McLeod, Esquire, late from 
 Scotland, most humbly showeth : 
 
 That yesterday your said petitioner presented a petition 
 before this honourable body, and as to the contents of 
 which he begs leave to give reference. That since, a ship 
 arrived from Scotland, with a number of Highlanders pas- 
 sengers. That your petitioner talked to them this morn- 
 ing, and after informing them of the present state of this 
 
933 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 934 
 
 as well as the neighbouring Colonies, they all seemed to 
 be very desirous to form themselves into companies, with 
 the proviso of having liberty to wear their own country 
 dress, commonly called the Highland habit, and moreover 
 to be under pay for the time they are in the service for the 
 protection of the liberties of this once happy Country, but 
 by all means to be under the command of Highland offi- 
 cers, as some of them cannot speak the English language. 
 That the said Highlanders seem very desirous of being 
 commanded by your petitioner, provided an answer shall 
 be given them very soon, as their intention is not to stay 
 here any considerable time. That the said Highlanders 
 are already furnished with guns, swords, pistols, and High- 
 land dirks, which, in case of occasion, is very necessary, as 
 all the above articles are at this time very difficult to be 
 had. Therefore, may it please your Honours to take all 
 and singular the premises under your serious and immedi- 
 ate consideration ; and as your petitioner wants an answer 
 as soon as possible, he further prays that as soon as they 
 think it meet, he may be advised. And your petitioner, 
 as in duty bound, shall ever pray, 
 
 Donald McLeod. 
 
 City of New. York, June 8, 1775. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee met, by adjournment, 8th June, 1775. 
 Present : 
 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Ab. BrinkerhofF, 
 Wm. D 'lining, 
 John Berrian, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 John Morton, 
 William Laight, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Abraham Durvee, 
 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 William Goforth, 
 Lancaster Burling, 
 Petrus Byvanck, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 John Imlay, 
 Peter T. Curtenius, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Thomas Ivers, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 
 Evert Banker, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Gerret Kettletas, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Jacobus Lefferts, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Alex. McDougall, 
 John M. Scott, 
 James Beekman, 
 John Van Corllandt. 
 
 In pursuance of an order of this Committee at their last 
 meeting, a poll was this day opened at the City-Hall, for 
 the electing a Deputy to represent this City and County 
 in Provincial Congress, in the place of Mr. George Fol- 
 liott, who declined serving ; and also of two members to 
 serve in this Committee, in the room of the said George 
 Folliott, and of Samuel Jones, who never has attended. 
 And by a return of the said poll, it appears that Mr. Isaac 
 Scars was elected by a large majority as a Deputy, and 
 Mr. William Bedlow and Mr. John Woodward as mem- 
 bers of this Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the Chairman of this Board grant no 
 certificates for licensing the exportation of Goods from this 
 City and County to any port or place out of this Colony, 
 unless due proof, in writing, on oath, be produced to him, 
 that the said Goods were not imported contrary to the 
 tenour or true intent and meaning of the General Conti- 
 nental Association. 
 
 Ordered, That John lmlay, John Berrian, Thomas 
 Buchannan, William Goforth, Joseph Bull, Abraham P. 
 Lott, Cornelius Clopper, and Evert Banker, be a Sub- 
 Committee to inspect and examine into the Cargoes of any 
 vessels which may arrive in this Port, suspected of having 
 goods on board not admissible. 
 
 Ordered, That Daniel Phenix, Captain Bedlow, Wil- 
 liam Denning, and John Woodward be added to the above 
 Committee. 
 
 BROOKHAVEN (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
 the Town of Brookhavcn, in the County of Suffolk, and 
 in the Province of New-York, on the 8th day of June, 
 1775 : Then by a large majority of votes, were chosen and 
 elected sixteen persons as a Committee of Observation, to 
 represent said Town, and to deliberate on other matters 
 relative to our present political welfare. Agreed that the 
 last Tuesday in June be appointed as a day for the above 
 named Committee to meet. 
 
 The Committee met, pursuant to appointment, at Co- 
 ram, on the 27th of June, 1775. Present : John Woodhull, 
 Esquire, Thomas Helme, Esq., Mr. John Robinson, Mr. 
 Thomas Fanning, Lieut. William Brewster, Mr. Noah 
 Hallock, Mr. Joseph B roivn, Mr. John Woodhull, Jim., 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Roe, Jun., Captain Jonathan Baker, Mr. 
 Daniel Roc, and Mr. Samuel Thompson, of the Manor of 
 St. George's; Mr. William Smith and Mr. Jonah Hulse, 
 of the Patentship of Moriches; Capt. Josiah Smith. 
 
 Then proceeded, and chose John Woodhull, Esquire, 
 Chairman, and Mr. Sa7nuel Thompson Clerk, and entered 
 into the following Votes and Resolutions : 
 
 First. Resolved, nemine contradicente, That we express 
 our loyalty to His Majesty King George the Third, and 
 acknowledge him as our rightful Lord and Sovereign, as 
 settled on Revolution principles, being of legal descent from 
 the illustrious house of Brunswick, to the utter exclusion 
 of the family of the Stuarts, who, by their despotick and 
 tyrannical principles, were deservedly banished and ren- 
 dered unfit to sway the British sceptre. 
 
 Second. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Com- 
 mittee that the above Resolution was the opinion of the 
 Continental Congress that set last year; and is also the 
 opinion of the Continental Congress and our Provincial 
 Congress now sitting ; and that it is also the opinion of 
 very far the greater part of the English inhabitants of this 
 most extensive Continent. 
 
 Third. Resolved, unanimously, That it is the opinion of 
 this Committee that the several acts passed in the British 
 Parliament for the express purpose of raising a revenue in 
 America ; also, the acts for stopping the Port of Boston ; for 
 altering their Charter and Government ; for establishing the 
 Roman Catholick religion, and abolishing the equitable 
 system of English laws, and erecting in their stead French 
 despotick Government, in Canada ; — as also the act for re- 
 straining the New-England fishery, and many other acts of 
 a similar nature ; and further declaring they have power 
 vested in them to make laws binding on us in all cases 
 whatsoever, are contrary to the Constitution, and subver- 
 sive of our legal rights as English freemen and British 
 subjects. 
 
 Fourth. Resolved, nemine contradicente, That we will 
 use our utmost endeavours, as far as in us lies, and we will 
 earnestly recommend it to our constituents, strictly and in- 
 variably to abide by and adhere to the determinations and 
 resolutions of the honourable the Continental Congress, and 
 also strictly to comply with the injunctions of our Provin- 
 cial Convention, which (under God) we hope is the most 
 effectual means to obtain a redress of our present publick 
 grievances, and save us from impending ruin. 
 
 Fifth. We do unanimously make this our apology to the 
 respectable publick, and to our several Congresses in par- 
 ticular, that we have come so late into Congressional mea- 
 sures, and hope a veil may be cast over our past conduct, 
 for we can assure the publick in general that our remissness 
 was not for want of a patriotick spirit in a number of our 
 individuals, but because that opposition ran so high in some 
 parts of this Town, that an attempt of this kind would per- 
 haps have answered no valuable purpose, but we verily 
 believe that the past opposition arose in a great measure 
 from want of better information. 
 
 Sixth. It is unanimously resolved by us at this meeting, 
 that we will keep a strict watch that no Provisions or ne- 
 cessaries be transported from within the bounds of our con- 
 stituents, so as designedly or accidentally to fall into the 
 hands of those we have just cause to esteem and treat a? 
 our enemies. 
 
 Seventh. Ordered, That the resolves and proceedings 
 of this Committee be printed by Mr. John Holt. 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 John Woodhull, Chairman. 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO NEW- 
 YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 AVestminster, June 8, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir: Having received certain advice from 
 Mr. Isaac Low, Chairman of the honourable Committee 
 of Correspondence at Neva- York, that it is the desire of 
 the said Committee that this County of Cumberland should 
 send Delegates to the City of Neic-York, to consult with 
 the very respectable members of the Provincial Congress, 
 what measures are best to be pursued in this distressing and 
 very alarming situation of this Province ; we hereby in- 
 form your Honour that the inhabitants of the several Towns 
 in said County of Cumberland immediately assembled, (at 
 
935 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 936 
 
 the earliest notice from Mr. Low,) and all of us, inhabitants 
 of the same County, were unanimously disposed to send 
 Delegates to the City of New-York, in order to consult 
 what measures are proper to be taken in this alarming 
 situation of our publick affairs. 
 
 We hereby return our most sincere thanks to the honour- 
 able Committee of Correspondence, for the favourable no- 
 tice they have taken of us in this far-distant, infant County. 
 
 You, Sir, and the honourable Provincial Congress, may 
 be assured (although the minions and tools of power may 
 assert to the contrary) that we, in this County, are almost 
 to a man resolute and fully determined, (under God,) 
 as much as in us lies, to vindicate and maintain those 
 liberties, both civil and religious, which, by the laws of God 
 and the British Constitution, we are clearly entitled to. 
 
 We detest and abhor those arbitrary, tyrannick, and san- 
 guinary measures which the British Parliament are most 
 industriously pursuing against the American Colonies, in 
 order to dragoon them into compliance of certain late de- 
 testable acts of Parliament, replete with horrour, and re- 
 pugnant to every idea of British freedom, and which have 
 a direct tendency to reduce the free and brave Americans 
 into a state of the most abject slavery and vassalage. 
 
 We, therefore, think it our indispensable duty to God, 
 our Country, and ourselves, at the expense of our lives and 
 fortunes, (if called,) to the last extremity, to join with our 
 brethren in America in general, and most vigorously to op- 
 pose and resist the said detestable measures and proceed- 
 ings. Confidently relying upon the wisdom and integrity 
 of the honourable Provincial and Continental Congresses, 
 we are determined to pursue, at all times, such salutary 
 measures as they in their wisdom and prudence shall ad- 
 vise to. 
 
 We would earnestly request that you, Sir, would exert 
 your influence with the members of the honourable Con- 
 gress, that this poor infant County, at present in a very 
 defenceless state, might have some relief from Neiv- York. 
 We esteem it a privilege, and a peculiar happiness, that 
 we are in a Government, rich, opulent, and flourishing, and 
 abundantly able to afford assistance to a needy but indus- 
 trious people, who are settling a rude and uncultivated wil- 
 derness, but at the same time are heartily disposed to pro- 
 mote the grand American cause. 
 
 Sir, we would flatter ourselves, and humbly hope that 
 the honourable Congress will assist our Delegates in pro- 
 curing arms and ammunition, which are so very necessary 
 for us at this important crisis. Sir, you may rely upon it 
 that our people in general are spirited, resolute, and active, 
 in the defence of our dear-bought rights and liberties, and 
 will not flinch, if called, generously to spill our blood to 
 oppose and resist ministerial tyranny and oppression. 
 
 Therefore, wishing this Province all imaginable prospe- 
 rity, happiness, and success, we, in behalf of the freeholders 
 and inhabitants of this County of Cumberland, subscribe 
 ourselves your most obedient humble servants, &,c. 
 
 John Hazeltine, 
 Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence 
 and County of Cumberland Congress. 
 
 To the Hon. P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 Honourable Provincial Congress now convened at the 
 City of Neio-York. 
 
 PETITION OF SENIOR CLASS RHODE-ISLAND COLLEGE, TO 
 THEIR PRESIDENT, ETC. 
 
 College in Providence, June 8, 1775. 
 To the Reverend President, Honourable Professor, and the 
 rest of the Honourable Corporation of Rhode-Island 
 College : the dutiful Petition of the St7iior Class : 
 Most worthy Patrons : Deeply affected with the dis- 
 tresses of our oppressed Country, which now most unjustly 
 feels the baneful effects of arbitrary power, provoked to the 
 greatest height of cruelty and vengeance by the noble aud 
 manly resistance of a free and determined people, permit 
 us, gentlemen, to approach you with this our humble and 
 dutiful petition, that you would be pleased to take under 
 your most serious consideration the propriety of holding 
 the ensuing Commencement in a publick manner as usual ; 
 whether such a celebration of that anniversary would be in 
 conformity to the eighth article of the Association, formed 
 
 by the Grand American Congress, and which all the Colo- 
 nies are now religiously executing, and that you would be 
 pleased to signify unto us your resolution respecting the 
 same, that we may govern ourselves accordingly. 
 
 Signed by Committee in behalf of the Senior Class. 
 
 Josiah Read, 
 Andrew Law, 
 James Fulton. 
 
 answer to the petition of the senior class. 
 
 College Library, June 9, 1775. 
 To the Committee of the Senior Class: 
 
 Gentlemen : Your dutiful and reasonable petition has 
 been duly attended to ; and permit us to assure you that it 
 gives us no small satisfaction, that the present members of 
 this institution, and particularly the respectable Senior Class, 
 are so sensibly affected with the distresses of our Country 
 in its present glorious struggles for liberty. We rejoice that 
 you are so ready to sacrifice that applause to which your 
 abilities would entitle you at a publick Commencement. 
 And though by this means you may be deprived of an ad- 
 vantageous opportunity to give proof of \our abilities in 
 pleading the righteous cause of liberty, for which your pre- 
 decessors, in this institution, have been justly celebrated, 
 yet you have hereby given us a convincing proof of your 
 inviolable attachment to the true interest of your Country. 
 Be assured that we shall most heartily concur in this, and 
 every other measure which has been or may be adopted by 
 the Grand American Congress, as well as the Legislature of 
 this Colony, in order to obtain a most ample redress of all 
 our grievances, and deem it the greatest honour to which a 
 noble and generous mind can aspire, to contribute in any 
 degree towards a restoration and re-establishment in our 
 Country, of all those liberties and privileges, both civil and 
 religious, which the Almighty Father of the Universe ori- 
 ginally granted to every individual of the human race, and 
 which all ought to enjoy till by law forfeited ; which reason 
 claims; which the right of soil, obtained of the natives by 
 free purchase, settles upon us ; which our charters ensure 
 to us, and which have been recognised by Great Britain, 
 and guarantied to us by the faith of the English Nation. 
 These inestimable rights and privileges our Country has for 
 many years enjoyed, the source of its present wealth and 
 strength, more than its fertile soil or healthy climate. By 
 the cruel and wanton invasion and violation of these, she 
 now bleeds in almost every vein ; and finally, it is these that 
 her noble sons, the illustrious American patriots, prompted 
 as well as justified by the examples of heroes in all ages, 
 are now prepared to defend, by the same means which have 
 hitherto preserved the liberties of Great Britain, and raised 
 to royal dignity the House of Brunsivick. 
 
 And though the din of arms, and the horrours of a civil 
 war, should invade our hitherto peaceful habitations, yet 
 even these are preferable to a mean and base submission to 
 arbitrary power and lawless rapine. 
 
 Institutions of learning will doubtless partake in the com- 
 mon calamities of our Country, as arms have ever proved 
 unfriendly to the more refined and liberal arts and sciences ; 
 yet we are resolved to continue College orders here as usual, 
 excepting that the ensuing Commencement, by the advice 
 of such of the Corporation as could be conveniently con- 
 sulted, will not be publick. 
 
 James Manning, President. 
 David Hoell, Philos. Professor. 
 
 GOVKRNOUR TRUMBULL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 8, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Since my letter of the first instant, I have 
 received three Resolves from the honourable Continental 
 Congress ; the copies enclosed will show you their ultimate 
 determination touching the fortresses on Lake Champlain, 
 agreeable to our desires, set right by taking the sloop at 
 St. John's. 
 
 I take encouragement that the Indians of the Six Na- 
 tions will prove friendly, from the speeches and answers to 
 and from the Magistrates, Sec, of Albany and Schenectady, 
 with the Indians at Guy Park, May 25, 1775 ; too long to 
 copy at this time, received this day. 
 
 From Albany and places adjacent, six companies, con- 
 
937 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 938 
 
 sisting of fifty men each, and one of a hundred men, are 
 gone and going to the above-mentioned fortresses. 
 
 The Albanians appear spirited in defence of our rights. 
 
 Enclosed letter from Colonel Arnold came enclosed to 
 me, with desire to forward it to you. 
 
 I am, with truth and regard, gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachusetts- 
 
 Bay. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watcrtown, Juno 8, 1775. 
 To the Moheakounuck Tribe of Indians, living in and 
 about Stockbridge : 
 
 Brothers: We this day, by the Delegate from Stock- 
 bridge, first heard your friendly answer to our speech to 
 you by Captain William Goodrich ; which answer we are 
 told you made to us immediately, by a letter which we have 
 not yet received. We now reply. 
 
 Brothers ! you say that you were once great, but are now 
 little, and that we once were little, but are now great. The 
 Supreme Spirit orders these things. Whether we are little 
 or great, let us keep the path of friendship clear, which our 
 fathers made, and in which we have both travelled to this 
 time. 
 
 The friends of the wicked counsellors of our King fell 
 upon us, and shed some blood, soon after we spoke to you 
 last by our letter; but we, with a small twig, killed so many, 
 and frightened them so much, that they have shut them- 
 selves up in our great Town, called Boston, which they 
 have made strong. 
 
 We have now made our hatchets, and all our instruments 
 of war, sharp and bright. All the chief counsellors who 
 live on this side of the great water, are sitting in the Grand 
 Council-House in Philadelphia. When they give the word, 
 we shall all, as one man, fall on and drive our enemies out 
 of their strong fort, and follow them till they shall take 
 their hands out of our pouches, and let us sit in our Coun- 
 cil-House as we used to do, and as our fathers did in old 
 times. 
 
 Brothers! though you are small, yet you are wise. Use 
 your wisdom to help us. If you think it best, go and smoke 
 your pipe with your Indian brothers towards the setting of 
 the sun, and tell them all you hear, and all you see, and 
 let us know what their wise men say. 
 
 If some of your young men should have a mind to see 
 what we are doing here, let them come down and tarry 
 among our warriors. We will provide for them while they 
 are here. 
 
 Brothers! when you have any trouble, come and tell it 
 to us and we will help you. 
 Signed by order of Congress: 
 
 Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 To Capt. Solomon Uhhaunnauivaunmut, Chief Sachem of 
 the Moheakounuck Tribe of Indians at Stockbridge. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH COMMITTEE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Portsmouth, Jane 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir: A mail containing a quantity of letters were last 
 night sent from on board the man-of-war to Eleazer Rus- 
 sell, Esq., in whose hands they now remain. Mr. King 
 waits on the Congress to request their determination on this 
 matter, and will give them what further information they 
 require. We must entreat Mr. King may return to Town 
 this night, as the people will be impatient for their letters. 
 
 I am, by order of the Committee, Sir, your most humble 
 servant, Thos. Hart, Chairman. 
 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress at Exeter. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Exeter, June 8, 1775. 
 
 Whereas the present alarming and very critical situation 
 of this Colony has occasioned this Congress to raise a 
 number of Soldiers to defend the same, and the extreme 
 scarcity of money in the Colony makes it very difficult to 
 raise a sufficiency for supplying said Soldiers, and as there 
 is a considerable sum in the Treasury of this Colony raised 
 on the polls and estates of the inhabitants thereof: it is 
 
 Resolved, That Ichabod Rollings, Esq., Col. Bartlett, 
 Ebcn. Thompson, Mr.Cilley, Major Welch, David Gilman, 
 
 and Captain Evans, be a Committee, in the name of this 
 Congress, to call upon the Honourable George Jaffrty, 
 Esquire, for the balance due from him to the Colony, as 
 Treasurer aforesaid, and that they receive from him said 
 money, and give him such security as shall be sufficient for 
 justifying his payment of the same, which they are hereby 
 empowered to do, and are authorized to assure said Trea- 
 surer, that the exigence of the Colony is such that no ex- 
 cuse or delay of the same will be admitted ; and make 
 return of your doings. 
 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, June 9, 1775. 
 
 We are informed that the Association lately subscribed 
 by the Provincial Congress, and recommended by them as 
 proper to be signed by all the inhabitants, meets with the 
 greatest success. In the course of four days it has been 
 signed by almost every man in Charlestown ; none having 
 refused that we hear of, except a few gentlemen under pe- 
 culiar circumstances. 
 
 We also learn, that the Provincial Congress have deter- 
 mined to raise two Regiments of Foot, and one of Horse, 
 immediately; and also to put the Militia upon a respect- 
 able footing, to which the people most cheerfully accord : 
 and we have the satisfaction of knowing, that the Colony 
 will very speedily be put in a good posture of defence. 
 
 The Provincial Congress have resolved to lay up proper 
 quantities of rice and flour in granaries in divers parts of 
 the Colony ; and have appointed Commissioners for pur- 
 chasing these articles, and carrying these resolutions forth- 
 with into execution. They have also prohibited the fur- 
 ther exportation of rice and corn for three months. 
 
 MEETING OF LANCASTER (VIRGINIA) VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 At a meeting of the Volunteer Company of Lancaster 
 County, on Friday, June 9, 1775: 
 
 Resolved, That every Member of this Company do re- 
 turn thanks to the worthy Captain Patrick Henry and the 
 Volunteer Company of Hanover, for their spirited conduct 
 on a late expedition, and they are determined to protect 
 him from any insult that may be offered him on that ac- 
 count, at the risk of life and fortune. 
 
 Resolved, That we are determined to defend our wor- 
 thy Speaker, and the rest of our worthy Delegates, who 
 have so nobly exerted themselves in the cause of Ameri- 
 ca ; and all other friends to American liberty, whom the 
 abandoned tools of Administration may dare to attack. 
 
 Resolved, That notice be given to the Volunteer Com- 
 pany of the City of Williamsburgh that this Company bind 
 themselves by the sacred ties of honour and love for their 
 Country, to join them on the smallest warning, and march 
 to any part of the Colony in defence of liberty, and that 
 they concur with them in opinion that landing any foreign 
 forces at this time in this Country will be a dangerous 
 attack on the liberties of the same ; and therefore if any 
 such should be landed, they are determined, with the assis- 
 tance of their countrymen, immediately to oppose them. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the aforesaid Resolutions be 
 transmitted to Mr. John Pinkney, and that he be desired 
 to print the same in his Gazette as soon as convenient. 
 
 WILLIAM WILLIAMS AND OTHERS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Westminster, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We, the subscribers, beg leave most humbly to 
 shew, that being deeply impressed with the great impor- 
 tance of having a Regiment duly prepared, at the least 
 notice, in this County, in order to keep under proper sub- 
 jection Regulars, Roman Catholicks, and the Savages at 
 the northward, as also to be ready at all times to defend 
 our rights and privileges against Ministerial tyranny and 
 oppression, seeing hostilities have already commenced, and 
 the sword is actually drawn in order to enforce certain 
 tyrannick and arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, 
 replete with horrour, and repugnant to every idea of Bri- 
 tish freedom; we, the loyal inhabitants of this County, 
 glowing with true martial ardour, and willing, with the 
 utmost cheerfulness and alacrity, to unsheath the sword in 
 defence of the lives and properties of the good people of 
 this ancient and truly respectable patriotick Colony of 
 
939 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 940 
 
 Ncto-Y&rk, beg leave to offer our services in the defence 
 of this Province, and America in general. We therefore, 
 with due submission, propose cheerfully and with the utmost 
 gratitude to accept (if your honourable Congress shall think 
 proper) commissions from this honourable Provincial Con- 
 gress, viz: Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Major. 
 
 We determine to be entirely under the command and 
 order of the Provincial Congress, hoping we shall truly merit 
 the favours of said Congress, and be useful instruments in 
 serving this ancient and honourable Colony of New- York, 
 us also the common grand American cause. 
 
 Sir your assisting us in this our humble request, and pre- 
 senting to us the above-mentioned Commissions, would 
 much oblige your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Wm. Williams, 
 Benjamin Waite, 
 
 JoAB HoiSINGTON. 
 
 To the Honourable P. V. B. Livingston, President of the 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
 N. B. We hope to raise a Regiment of good active enter- 
 prising soldiers in this County, which we hope will reflect 
 honour on this Colony. The arrangement of said com- 
 missions we desire might be according to the following 
 order : Major William Williams, our Delegate, to be first 
 Colonel ; Major Benjamin Wait, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and 
 Captain Joab Hoisington, Major. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Crown Point, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen: I am informed by Colonel 
 Easton that you are well satisfied with the economy and 
 enterprising spirit of a number of the sons of liberty, who, 
 animated with the glorious example of the brave action at 
 Concord, were inspired to make those acquisitions to the 
 United Colonies of which your Honours have received in- 
 telligence, viz: the sovereignty of Lake Champlain, and the 
 fortresses thereon, with an armed sloop and all the boats on 
 the lake, and also took into possession a schooner, which 
 was the property of Major Skene, and furnished it out for 
 war. These armed vessels are at present abundantly suffi- 
 cient to command the lake. The making these acquisi- 
 tions has greatly attached the Canadians, and more espe- 
 cially the Indians, to our interest. They have no personal 
 prejudice or controversy with the United Colonies, but act 
 upon political principles, and consequently are inclined to 
 fall in with the strongest side. At present ours has the ap- 
 pearance of it, as there are at present but about seven 
 hundred regular Troops in all the different Posts in Canada. 
 Add to this the consideration of the imperious and haugh- 
 ty conduct of the Troops which has much alienated the 
 affections of both the Canadians and Indians from them. 
 Probably there may soon be more Troops from England 
 sent there, but at present you may rely on it that Canada 
 is in a weak, and almost helpless condition. Two or three 
 thousand men, conducted by intrepid commanders, would 
 at this juncture make a conquest of the ministerial party in 
 Canada, with such additional numbers as may be suppo- 
 sed to vie with the re-enforcements that may be sent from 
 England. Such a plan would make a diversion in favour 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay , who have been too much bur- 
 dened with the calamity that should be more general, as 
 all partake of the salutary effects of their merit and valour 
 in the defence of the liberties of America. There would, 
 furthermore, be this unspeakable advantage in directing the 
 war into Canada, that it would unite and confirm the Ca- 
 nadians and Indians in our interest; and as England can 
 spare but a certain number of her Troops, therefore the 
 more she sends to defend her interest in Canada, which 
 at present is languid and weak, the less she can send to 
 Boston, or any other part of the Continent. By gaining 
 the sovereignty of Canada, would intercept the design of 
 the Quebeck Bill, and greatly discourage the Ministry, who 
 dote much on the efficacy of it. 
 
 I woidd to God America would exert herself in propor- 
 tion lo the indignity offered her by a tyrannical Ministry. 
 She might mount on eagles' wings to glory. Fame is now 
 hovering over her head. A vast Comment must either sink 
 to bondage, ignominy, and exquisite honour, or rise trium- 
 phant above the shackles of tyranny to immortal fame. 
 
 I hope, gentlemen, you will use your influence in for- 
 
 warding men, provision, and every article for the Army 
 that may be thought necessary. Blankets and provisions 
 are scarce. 1 might have added the article of powder. 
 It ought to be observed that the Colonies must first help 
 their friends in Canada, and then it will be in their power 
 to help them again. 
 
 I subscribe myself your Honours' most obedient servant, 
 
 Ethan Allen. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, or the Council of War, at Watertown and 
 Cambridge. 
 
 proclamation by covernour carleton. 
 By his Excellency Guy Carleton, Captain-General and 
 Governour-in- Chief in and over the Province of Que- 
 beck, and the Territories depending thereon, in Ame- 
 rica, Vice-Admiral of the same, and Major-General 
 of His Majesty's Forces, commanding the Northern 
 District : 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 Whereas, a rebellion prevails in many of His Majesty's 
 Colonies in America, and particularly in some of the neigh- 
 bouring ones : and whereas, many of the said rebels have, 
 with an armed force, made incursions of late into this Prov- 
 ince, attacking and carrying away from thence a party of 
 His Majesty's Troops, together with a parcel of stores, and 
 a vessel belonging to His Majesty, and are at present ac- 
 tually invading this Province with arms, in a traitorous 
 and hostile manner, to the great terrour of His Majesty's 
 subjects, and in open defiance of his laws and Government ; 
 falsely and maliciously giving out, by themselves and their 
 abetters, that their motives for so doing are to prevent the 
 inhabitants of this Province from being taxed and oppressed 
 by Government, together with divers other false and sedi- 
 tious reports, tending to inflame the minds of the people, 
 and alienate them from His Majesty: To the end, there- 
 fore, that so treasonable an invasion may be soon defeat- 
 ed ; that all such traitors, with their said abetters, may be 
 speedily brought to justice, and the publick peace and 
 tranquillity of this Province again restored, which the ordi- 
 nary course of the civil law is at present unable to effect, 
 1 have thought fit to issue this Proclamation, hereby de- 
 claring, that until the aforesaid good purpose be attained, 
 1 shall, in virtue of the powers and authority to me given 
 by His Majesty, execute martial law, and cause the same 
 to be executed throughout this Province, and to that end, 
 1 shall order the Militia within the same to be forthwith 
 raised ; but as a sufficient number of commissions to the 
 several officers thereof cannot be immediately made out, I 
 shall, in the mean time, direct all those having any militia 
 commissions from the Honourable Thoinas Gage, the Hon- 
 ourable James Murray, Ralph Burton, and Frederick 
 Haldimand, Esquires, heretofore His Majesty's Govern- 
 ours in this Province, or either of them, to obey the same, 
 and execute the powers therein mentioned, until they 
 shall receive orders from me to the contrary; and I do 
 accordingly, in His Majesty's name, hereby require and 
 command all his subjects in this Province, and others 
 whom it may concern, on pain of disobedience, to be aid- 
 ing and assisting such commissioned officers, and others 
 who are or may be commissioned by me, in the execution 
 of their said commissions for His Majesty's service. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal of arms, at Montreal, 
 this ninth day of June, 1775, in the fifteenth year of the 
 reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by the 
 grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland. 
 King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 
 
 Guy Carleton. 
 
 By his Excellency's command : 
 
 H. T. Cramahe. 
 
 COVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CON- 
 TINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have received your letters of the 31st May and 
 1st June, enclosing the resolves of the honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress of the same dates. By a wonderful coin- 
 cidence of counsels the first was nearly complied with 
 before the receipt of it. 
 
941 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 042 
 
 Colonel Benjamin Hinman is appointed to the com- 
 mand of the troops at Ticonderoga, consisting of one thou- 
 sand men from this Colony, well armed, and furnished 
 with one pound of powder and three pounds of ball to 
 each man, with flints sufficient ; besides this we have also 
 sent there about eight hundred pounds of powder. Col- 
 onel Hinman is a gentleman, in whom we trust full confi- 
 dence may be placed. On giving my orders to him, (dated 
 99th of May, 1775,) instructed him to keep up the strictest 
 vigilance to prevent any hostile incursions from being made 
 into the settlements in the Province of Quebeck. 
 
 In compliance with the other resolution of Congress, I 
 have appointed a Commissary to receive at Albany, and 
 forward the supplies of provisions for the forces on Lake 
 Champlain, with directions to him, with advice of Colonel 
 Hinman, to employ such others under him as that service 
 shall appear to require. 
 
 1 am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obedi- 
 ent humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 To Hon. John Hancock, Esquire. 
 
 the Committee of Safety, for raising a company of Ran- 
 gers in the Province of the Massachusetts- Bay, for the 
 defence of the liberties of America. And that your peti- 
 tioner, judging said men to be greatly wanted, exerted 
 himself to raise a company, and expended upwards of 
 twelve Pounds, lawful money, in effecting the same, and 
 marched them from the remotest part of this Province, 
 greatly against the minds of the inhabitants where they 
 came from, on account of the commotions to the north- 
 ward ; but as your petitioner was under no regular estab- 
 lishment from authority to go that way, 1 marched my men 
 forward towards Head-Quarters at Cambridge, and came 
 as far as Worcester, where they now, by my orders, remain. 
 1 do, therefore, at the earnest request of the Committees 
 and principal inhabitants of sundry Towns from whence 
 they came, earnestly pray this honourable Congress that I 
 may be regularly appointed, by the authority of this Prov - 
 ince, to march with my company to Ticonderoga, for the 
 safely and protection of the inhabitants in the northwest- 
 ern frontiers of this Prov ince. And your petitioner, as in 
 duty bound, shall ever pray. Abiathar Angel. 
 
 ABIATHAR ANGEL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertown, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir : I take this method to communicate 
 to you my present unhappy situation, viz: that I have a 
 company of men now lying at Worcester, which 1 enlisted 
 and brought from the remotest parts of this Province, 
 many of them having been in the expedition to Ticonde- 
 roga, and now enlisted as Rangers in the service of this 
 Province ; and whereas, as matters have turned, there is 
 not such an establishment. 
 
 I came off myself in the alarm after the battle of Con- 
 cord, from my house, one hundred and forty miles from 
 here, and here staid many days a volunteer, on my own 
 expense ; but seeing nothing of importance speedily to be 
 done, and that there was a regular establishment on foot 
 for a standing army, I received orders from David B reiver, 
 of Kingston, from under the hand of the honourable Com- 
 mittee of Safety, for enlisting a company of Rangers into 
 the service of this Province ; and judging the men to be 
 greatly wanted, I exerted myself in speedily raising and 
 equipping said company, and have expended above twen- 
 ty Pounds for said purpose, and marched my men away, 
 greatly against the minds of the inhabitants from whence 
 they came, on account of the commotions to the westward. 
 But being under no regular establishment to go that way, 
 1 marched my men forward, and came as far as Worcester ; 
 there halted last Sunday, and came forward myself, pre- 
 viously hearing of some difficulties attending Colonel Brew- 
 er's establishment, of which you, Sir, are not unapprised. 
 1 have been now in waiting ever since Tuesday last, en- 
 deavouring to obtain some orders and directions from the 
 honourable Congress in regard to my situation. The situ- 
 ation of about fifty men, who have, most of them, been 
 in the service near six weeks at Ticonderoga, without re- 
 ceiving the least consideration for the same, surely demands 
 some attention ; for them to be now disbanded, when they 
 have laid out of their business for the season, will be almost 
 the ruin of many ; and as they are so greatly wanted to 
 the westward, 1 have petitioned the House for orders to 
 march them to Ticonderoga, but have received as yet no 
 orders thereon. I most earnestly entreat you, Sir, to have 
 some regard to my situation, and use your influence for my 
 relief. 
 
 I am, Sir, your sincere friend, and most obedient ser- 
 vant, Abiathar Angel. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Prov- 
 ince of Massachusetts-Bay: 
 The Petition and Remonstrance of Abiathar Angel, 
 
 of Lanesborough, in the County of Berkshire, 
 
 humbly showeth : 
 
 That the petitioner came off from his home, one hun- 
 dred and forty miles from this place, a volunteer, in the 
 alarm after the battle of Concord, and here staid several 
 days on his own expense, and seeing nothing of impor- 
 tance to be speedily done, and that there was a regular 
 establishment on foot for a standing army, received orders 
 from Captain David Brewer, signed by the Chairman of 
 
 JOHN LANE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Fort Pownall, June 9, 1775. 
 Sir : I have proceeded agreeable to my orders, as you 
 will see by the enclosed journal, and have got one of the 
 chiefs to go as an ambassador, attended by three young 
 men, as far as Falmouth, and I am in hopes to be able to 
 get them as far as Watertown. I could not have thought 
 that they had been so hearty in the cause, and are very 
 ready to assist us, if occasion requires. The Canada In- 
 dians are all of the same mind. The Indians are now 
 here, and we shall go to Casco-Bay to-morrow, when I 
 shall write more fully. I am, Sir, with respect, your much 
 obliged servant, John Lane, 
 
 Honourable Joseph Warren, Esquire. 
 
 The following is my journal to Penobscot, in behalf oi 
 the honourable Provincial Congress : 
 
 Monday, May 22, 1775. — 1 received my orders from 
 the Congress, by James Sullivan, Esquire, Monday, and 
 proceeded to Falmouth, where 1 arrived on the 24th cur- 
 rent, and applied to Colonel Preble and the gentlemen 
 belonging to the Committee for that place, who supplied 
 me with some stores for the Indians. On Sunday, the 
 28ih of said month, set sail for Penobscot, and arrived at 
 Boothbay the same day. Monday morning sailed abou: 
 ten miles towards Penobscot, and meeting with a sloop at 
 sea, commanded by David Hanwood, bound for Penob- 
 scot, which I got on board of and proceeded. Tuesday. 
 the 30th, arrived at a place called Ou-Vs-Head, at the 
 mouth of Penobscot-Bay. The 31st set sail to go up the 
 Bay, and got up to the fort. 
 
 The first of June, when I waited on Colonel Gold- 
 thivait, and acquainted him of my business, who was 
 willing to do every thing in his power for the good of the 
 Province, and offered me all the assistance possible to 
 forward my business, and any sort of provision or clothing 
 that I should want for the Indians, which 1 accepted, and 
 ordered the interpreter of the fort to go with me to assist 
 in my business. The second day of June I went up the 
 river, accompanied by said interpreter and an Indian of 
 the Penobscot tribe, and got up to the Truck-House the 
 same day : there met a number of this tribe, and informed 
 them of my business, among whom was an Englishman, 
 belonging to the St. Francois tribe, who gave me the great- 
 est assurance of his utmost abilities to engage the St. Fran- 
 cois tribe in our behalf, and doubted not but he could 
 accomplish it; and I think this Englishman is a man 
 of truth, by the conversation I had with him, and may be 
 relied on. On the third I had some discourse with them, 
 when they agreed to go up to their village to bring their 
 chiefs down to the Truck-House, to know their minds re- 
 specting going to the westward. Sunday, the fourth, four 
 of their chiefs, accompanied by a number of Indians, came 
 to the Truck-House, and after my making known my pro- 
 posals to them, they told me they fully understood the 
 nature of the thing, and, after some talk, agreed to send one 
 of their chiefs as an ambassador, and three of the young 
 
CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 944 
 
 men lo attend him as far as Falmouth, with me, and one 
 Mr. Andrew Oilman, who came in with them, who also 
 agreed to go with me. 
 
 On the sixth, attended the meeting of said river, Bel- 
 fast, Benjamin's River, and Majabiguaducc, who are 
 all ready, on notice, and repaired to the fort, waiting for 
 the Indians to come down the river to go to Casco with 
 me at the same lime. 1 informed Colonel Goldthwait 
 what success 1 had met with, and who proved to me of 
 his being contrary to what had been represented by some 
 evil-minded person respecting his delivering up the can- 
 non to the Governour; and I am sensible, in my own mind, 
 lie could not have acted to the contrary, not because he 
 was obliged to obey the Governour's orders, but that there 
 was not sufficient ammunition to defend it.* And I am 
 further convinced, by the conversation I had with him, he 
 is ready to give all the assistance in his power for the good 
 of the Province, and has been a great help to me in my 
 tour this way ; and I don't know of any person better 
 qualified to act in the office he holds for the good of the 
 poor in that part, for I am sure neither I nor the Indians 
 could have been accommodated upon the river elsewhere. 
 He assures me that, by the advice of Congress, he will 
 still keep up the fort and pay the soldiers off, and wait for 
 the pay till its convenient for them, although at this time 
 there is twelve months pay due to the garrison, and which 
 he has paid off to the soldiers and some of the officers. 
 And I don't think that he ought by any means to lay 
 under the scandalous report that has been spread abroad 
 about his delivering the cannon. 
 
 Remainder per another opportunity. 
 
 EL1SHA HEWES TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Penobscot River, June 9, 1775. 
 
 To Joseph Warren, Esquire, President of the Provin- 
 cial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 Sir : 1 have had the pleasure of being well acquaint- 
 ed with your uniform and unalterable principles, from 
 the first instant of your publickly engaging in the glorious 
 cause which you now so nobly lead on in the defence of. 
 Should your high appointment and the complicated situa- 
 tion of affairs under your inspection and direction, render 
 my scrawl too minute for your notice, I shall not won- 
 der. I now live on Penobscot River, about twenty-three 
 miles above Fort Pownall; the settlement is very new — the 
 first man that pitched in my neighbourhood has not been 
 there more than five years. 'Tis true Captain John Buck 
 began near ten years ago, but he lives not more than eight 
 miles above the fort, the inhabitants being settled about 
 twenty miles above him. I find this a country very good 
 ibr both tillage and grass, though at present covered with 
 a fine growth of pine, spruce, cedar, hemlock, &z.c, and 
 some oak. The river excels for fish of various kinds, and 
 easy navigation for the largest of vessels. The people are 
 firmly attached to the Constitution you preside in defence 
 of, and I am confident will support it to the last moment 
 of their lives, being willing in general to encounter any 
 difficulty rather than yield to that band of tyrants whose 
 plodding pates have long been projecting methods to en- 
 slave us. 
 
 I am confirmed in this opinion by an anecdote or two 
 that have come to my knowledge since my residence 
 on this river, for I live in the neighbourhood of Colonel 
 Thomas Goldthwait, who was a member of our Assem- 
 bly (as you may remember) for many years, and particu- 
 larly in the year 1762; from whom I had the following 
 story: Richard Jackson, Esq., was then agent for our 
 Province. The Colonel says that then, in some of the pri- 
 vate letters which he wrote after his appointment, he inti- 
 mated his fears that it would not be in his power to do the 
 Province much service, as there was a principle prevailing 
 in England at that time to render the Colony Assemblies 
 useless. The Colonel also says, that Mr. Bollan (who 
 was agent before Mr. Jackson) was continually warning 
 the General Court of this principle then prevailing in Eng- 
 land, and yet no doubt you remember both these gentle- 
 men were turned out of their agency upon a suspicion 
 that they were not in the interest of the Province. Cer- 
 tainly they were faithful as touching the most important 
 
 * Only about 600 pounds of powder. 
 
 matter, whatever part of their conduct might give umbrage 
 to their constituents. And there seems to be some degree 
 of similarity in the case of the above gentleman and Col- 
 onel Goldthwait ; for one of your members, viz: Captain 
 John Lane, who is now here, says the Congress had re- 
 ceived very unfavourable accounts of the Colonel's con- 
 duct; whereas, on a fair and impartial examination, it will 
 appear that Colonel Goldthwait has been a steady, uniform 
 friend to our Constitution. 
 
 Should the Almighty prosper us so as to bring on an 
 accommodation, among other grievances I think the Green- 
 ivich Hospital money, exacted from our American seamen, 
 to be a very capital one. I hope the Congress will com- 
 passionate the case of this infant settlement, as we have 
 not got to the years of tillage and raising our own bread and 
 clothing, and like to be shut from the privilege of importing. 
 We could now manufacture our own clothing, but are des- 
 titute of wool and flax, which is a very great grievance. 
 
 There is an island in the mouth of the river, owned by 
 Isaac Winsloic, Esquire, as he saith, which contains six or 
 seven thousand acres. 1 first settled on it ; there are ten 
 or twelve families, of good Connecticut men, who are hearty 
 in our cause, and should hold what they have taken in their 
 own right ; the rest should be deemed forfeit. This is my 
 private opinion, made publick to none but you. 
 
 Pray excuse the want of order in these hints from, hon- 
 ourable Sir, your humble servant, in haste, 
 
 Elisha Hewes. 
 
 P. S. I have wrote by this opportunity to Joseph Hcwes, 
 Esq., in the Continental Congress; we are brothers' chil- 
 dren, and were brought up together in the same family. 
 Your favour in forwarding is prayed by, Sir, &ic. 
 
 JOSEPH HAWLEY TO THE HONOURABLE JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 Northampton, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: In my letter sent yesterday in great haste, 
 I suggested some broken hints respecting Ticonderoga. I 
 am still in agonies for the greatest possible despatch to 
 secure that pass. I don't call it an acquisition, for it don't 
 merit that epithet; nor can it, until more is done for main- 
 taining it than I have yet heard of. It is clear that it is 
 necessary we should lake precisely the same measures for 
 retaining that post, as if the country of Canada was in the 
 full possession of the French. Nay, 1 believe we have 
 more to fear from that quarter than if France alone held 
 Canada. I think there is much reason to apprehend that 
 Britain and France will, and do act jointly against America, 
 and nothing more probable than that they design, in their 
 partition of America, that the Province of Quebcck, as lately 
 defined, shall be ceded or given up to France. 1 most 
 heartily wish that every member of our Congress, yea, 
 every inhabitant of the Province, had a true idea of the 
 infinite importance and consequence of that station. If 
 Britain, while they are in hostility against New-England , 
 hold that post, they will, by means thereof, be able to do 
 more to vanquish and subdue us from that quarter, than they 
 will be able to do in all other parts of the continent; yea, 
 more than they could do in all other parts of the globe. If 
 Britain should regain and hold that place, they will be 
 able soon to harass and waste, by the savages, all the bor- 
 ders of New-England, eastwards of Hudson's River and 
 southeast of Lake Champlain and the River St. Lawrence, 
 and shortly, by the Lake Champlain, to march an army to 
 Hudson's River, to subdue the feeble and sluggish efforts 
 of the inhabitants on that river, and so to connect Montreal 
 and Neio- York ; and then Ncw-Engla7id will be wholly 
 environed by sea and land, east, west, north, and south. 
 The chain of the Colonies will be entirely and irreparably 
 broken; the whole Province of Neic- 1 ork will be fully 
 taken into the interest of Administration ; and this very pass 
 of Ticonderoga is the post and spot where all this mischief 
 may be withstood and resisted ; but if that is relinquished 
 or taken from us, desolation must come in upon us like a 
 flood. I am bold to say, (for I can maintain it,) that the 
 General Congress would have not advised to so destructive 
 a measure, if they had recommended and prescribed that 
 our whole Army, which now invests Boston, should in- 
 stantly decamp, and march with all the baggage and artil- 
 lery to Worcester, and suffer Gage's Army to ravage what 
 
945 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 94G 
 
 part of the country they pleased. Good God! what could 
 be their plan. 11 they intend defence, they ruust be unac- 
 quainted with the geography of the country, or never ad- 
 verted to the matter. The design of seizing that post was 
 gloriously conceived; but to what purpose did our forces 
 light there, if they are now to fly away from there. Cer- 
 tainly to no good purpose, but to very bad and destructive 
 purposes ; for by this step General Carleton is alarmed. 
 Whereas if this step had not been taken, his proceedings 
 might have been slow and with some leisure ; but now, if 
 he is worthy of command, he will exert himself to the ut- 
 most, and proceed with despatch. If we maintain the post, 
 the measure of taking it was glorious. If we abandon it, 
 the step will turn out to have been a destructive one. 
 
 I am informed that Connecticut have ordered five hundred 
 men for that place. What number they have proposed that 
 this Province should send, [ have not heard. I hope that 
 a moment's time will not be lost before a proper number 
 get on their way thither, if it is posssible that they can be 
 furnished with so much ammunition as will make them of 
 anv service when they shall arrive there. I shan't presume 
 to say any more, what more 1 conceive to be fittest for this 
 service ; perhaps I went too far on that head in my last. 
 Instead of seeing men march eastward from the County of 
 Berkshire, (as they have within these two days.) I hope to 
 see some marching westward for Ticonderoga. I think it 
 would be best to importune Connecticut to spare some more 
 gunpowder to that place, we paying them for a part or all 
 of it, as they have had a late arrival of at least two tons 
 since they sent five hundred pounds for that place. All 
 that I can say on that head is, that they and we must do as 
 wel' as we can. As to supplies of victuals, there can be 
 no difficulty of procuring a sufficiency on Hudson's River 
 and in Berkshire County, if proper persons, with the need- 
 ful, are appointed for that purpose. 
 
 I think, Sir, that Connecticut have good pretensions to 
 appoint the commanding or chief officer there, and hope, 
 Sir, that we shall not make any difficulty about it, but fully 
 cede that prerogative to them. 
 
 1 purpose to set out for Congress the day after to-morrow ; 
 but as the case of Ticonderoga calls for the greatest des- 
 patch, 1 could not endure the loss of a day before 1 com- 
 municated more of my mind to you. You will use these 
 hints, Sir, as you please. 
 
 i am, Sir, with great truth and best regards, your Honour's 
 friend and most humble servant, Joseph Hawley. 
 
 Honourable Joseph Warren, Esq., at Jt atertoivn. 
 
 Whitehall, June 10, 1775. 
 Lieutenant Aunn, of the Navy, arrived this morning at 
 Lord Dartmouth's, and brought letters from General Gage, 
 Lord Percy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, containing the 
 following particulars of what passed on the nineteenth of 
 April last between a detachment of the King's Troops in 
 the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, and several parties of 
 rebel Provincials, viz : 
 
 General Gage having received intelligence of a quantity 
 of military stores being collected at Concord, for the avowed 
 purpose of supplying a body of troops to act in opposition 
 to His Majesty's Government, detached, on the eighteenth 
 of April at night, the Grenadiers of his Army, and the 
 Light-Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Smith, of the Tenth Regiment, and Major Pitcairn, of the 
 Marines, with orders to destroy the said stores; and the 
 next morning eight Companies of the Fourth, the same 
 number of the Twenty-Third and Forty-Ninth, and some 
 Marines, marched under the command of Lord Percy, to 
 support the other detachment. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Smith finding, after he had advanced 
 some miles on his march, that the country had been alarmed 
 by the firing of guns and ringing of bells, despatched six 
 Companies of Light-Infantry, in order to secure two bridges 
 on different roads beyond Concord, who, upon their arrival 
 at Lexington, found a body of the country people under 
 arms, on a green close to the road ; and upon the King's 
 Troops marching up to them, in order to inquire the reason 
 of their being so assembled, they went off in great confu- 
 sion, and several guns were fired upon the King's Troops 
 from behind a stone wall, and also from the meeting-house 
 and other houses, by which one man was wounded, and 
 Fourth Series. — Vol.ii. ( 
 
 Major Pitcairn' s horse shot in two places. In consequence 
 of this attack by the rebels, the troops returned the fire and 
 killed several of them. After which the detachment marched 
 on to Concord without any thing further happening, where 
 they effected the purpose for which they were sent, having 
 knocked off the trunnions of three pieces of iron ordnance, 
 burnt some new gun carriages and a great number of car- 
 riage-wheels, and thrown into the river a considerable quan- 
 tity of flour, gunpowder, musket-balls, and other articles. 
 Whilst this service was performing, great numbers of the 
 rebels assembled in many parts, and a considerable body of 
 them attacked the Light-Infantry, posted at one of the 
 bridges, on which an action ensued, and some few were 
 killed and wounded. 
 
 On the return of the Troops from Concord, they were 
 very much annoyed, and had several men killed and wound- 
 ed by the rebels firing from behind walls, ditches, trees, 
 and other ambushes; but the brigade, under the command 
 of Lord Percy, having joined them at Lexington with two 
 pieces of cannon, the rebels were for a while dispersed ; 
 but as soon as the troops resumed their march, they began 
 to fire upon them from behind stone walls and houses, and 
 kept up in that manner a scattering fire during the whole 
 of their march of fifteen miles, by which means several 
 were killed and wounded ; and such was the cruelty and 
 barbarity of the rebels, that they scalped and cut off the 
 ears of some of the wounded men who fell into their hands. 
 
 It is not known what numbers of the rebels were killed 
 and wounded, but it is supposed that their loss was con- 
 siderable. 
 
 General Gage says that too much praise cannot be given 
 to Lord Percy for his remarkable activity during the whole 
 day ; and that Lieutenant-Colonel Smith and Major Pit- 
 cairn did every thing that men could do, as did all the 
 officers in general, and that the men behaved with their 
 usual intrepidity. 
 
 Return of the Commission, Non-commission Officers, and 
 Rank and File, killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing, 
 on the 19th of April, 1775: 
 
 Fourth, or the King's own Regiment : Lieut. Knight, 
 killed; Lieutenant Gould, wounded and prisoner; three 
 sergeants and one drummer wounded ; five rank and file 
 killed, twenty-one w T ounded, and eight missing. 
 
 Fifth Regiment : Lieutenant Thomas Baker, Lieutenant 
 William Cox, Lieutenant Thomas Hawkshaw, wounded; 
 five rank and file killed, fifteen wounded, and one missing. 
 
 Tenth Regiment: Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Smith, 
 Captain Lawrence Parsons, and Lieutenant Wald Kelly, 
 killed ; Ensign Jeremiah Lester, wounded ; one rank and 
 file killed, thirteen wounded, and one missing. 
 
 Twenty-Third Regiment : Lieut. Colonel Berry Ber- 
 nard, wounded ; four rank and file killed, twenty-six wound- 
 ed, and six missing. 
 
 Thirty-Eighth Regiment : Lieutenant William Suther- 
 land, wounded ; one sergeant wounded ; four rank and file 
 killed, and eleven wounded. 
 
 Forty-Third Regiment : Lieutenant Hull, wounded and 
 prisoner; four rank and file killed, five wounded, and two 
 missing. 
 
 Forty-Seventh Regiment: Lieutenant Donald Mc Cloud 
 and Ensign Henry Baldwin, wounded ; one sergeant wound- 
 ed, five rank and file killed, and twenty-one wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Second Regiment : one sergeant missing, three 
 rank and file killed, and two wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Ninth Regiment : three rank and file killed, and 
 three wounded. 
 
 Marines : Captain Souter, and Second Lieutenant Mc- 
 Donald, wounded ; Second Lieutenant Isaac Potter, mis- 
 sing; one sergeant killed, two wounded, and one missing; 
 one drummer killed, twenty -five rank and file killed, thirty- 
 six wounded, and five missing. 
 
 Total : One Lieutenant-Colonel killed ; two Lieutenant- 
 Colonels wounded ; two Captains wounded ; nine Lieu- 
 tenants wounded ; one Lieutenant missing ; two Ensigns 
 wounded ; one Sergeant killed, four wounded, two missing ; 
 one Drummer killed, one wounded; sixty-two rank and file 
 killed, one hundred and fifty-seven wounded, and twenty- 
 four missing. 
 
 N. B. Lieutenant Isaac Potter reported to be wounded 
 and taken prisoner. Thomas Gage. 
 
947 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 948 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 London, June 12, 1775. 
 
 When tne news of a massacre first arrived, the pensioned 
 writer of the Gazette entreated the publick " to suspend 
 their judgment, as Government had received no tidings of 
 the matter." It was added " that there was every reason to 
 expect despatches from General Gage, by a vessel called 
 the Sulccy." 
 
 The publick have suspended their judgment ; they have 
 waited the arrival of the Sukey; and the humane part of 
 mankind have wished that the fatal tale related by Captain 
 Derby might prove altogether fictitious. To the great 
 grief of every thinking man, this is not the case. We are 
 now in possession of both the accounts. The Ameiicans 
 have given their narrative of the massacre; the favourite 
 official servants have given a Scotch account of the skirmish. 
 In what one material fact do the two relations, when con- 
 trasted with each other, disagree? The Americans said 
 " that a detachment of the King's Troops advanced towards 
 Concord ; that they attempted to secure two bridges on dif- 
 ferent roads beyond Concord ; that when they reached Lex- 
 ington, they found a body of Provincials exercising on a 
 green ; that on discovering the Provincial Militia thus em- 
 ployed, the King's Troops called out to them to disperse, 
 damned them for a parcel of rebels, and killed one or two, 
 as the most effectual method of intimidating the rest." This 
 the writer of the Scotch account in the Gazette styles, 
 " marching up to the rebels to inquire the reason of being 
 so assembled." Both relations, however, agree in this, that 
 a question was asked ; the pensioned varnisher only say- 
 ing that it was asked in a civil way, attended with the loss 
 of blood. 
 
 Thus far, then, the facts, in every material circumstance, 
 precisely agree ; and as yet, we have every reason to be- 
 lieve that the Salem Gazette is to the full as authentiek as 
 our Government paper, which, as a literary composition, 
 is a disgrace to the Kingdom. 
 
 The Salem Gazette assured us that the King's Troops 
 were compelled to return from Concord ; that a handful of 
 militia put them to rout, and killed and wounded several as 
 they fled. Is this contradicted in the English Gazette? 
 Quite the contrary ; it is confirmed. The Scotch account 
 of the skirmish acknowledges that, " on the hasty return of 
 the Troops from Concord, they were very much annoyed, 
 and several of the men killed and wounded." The Scotch 
 account also adds, "that the Provincials kept up a scatter- 
 ing fire during the whole of the march of the King's Troops 
 of fifteen miles, by which means several of them were 
 killed and wounded." If the American Militia " kept up 
 a scattering fire on the King's Troops, of fifteen miles," 
 the Provincials must have pursued, and the Regulars must 
 have fled, which confirms the account given in the Salem 
 Gazette, wherein it is asserted that the Regulars " were 
 forced to retreat." Whether they marched like mutes at a 
 funeral, or whether they fled like the relations and friends 
 of the present Ministry who were amongst the rebel army 
 at the battle of Cullodon, is left entirely to the conjecture 
 of the reader; though it should seem that a scattering fire, 
 poured in upon a retreating enemy for fifteen miles together, 
 would naturally, like goads applied to the sides of oxen, 
 make them march oft* as fast as they could. 
 
 The Scotch account, in our English Gazette, relates dread- 
 ful things respecting " the cruelty and barbarity of the rebels, 
 who scalped and cut off the ears of some of the wounded 
 men." If the publick have any aversion to being imposed 
 upon, they need only refer to the affidavits of the Lieuten- 
 ants, and the rest of the King's force, who were wounded 
 and taken prisoners. In those affidavits the parties freely, 
 and of their own accord make oath, that " although the 
 King's Troops began the bloody business, and thus provoked 
 the Provincials to a rage that might have justified merciless 
 revenge, yet the Provincials behaved with unparalleled mo- 
 deration, and had exercised every virtuous office humanity 
 could suggest to such of the King's Troops as had fallen 
 into their hands." Whether, therefore, is the greater credit 
 to be paid, to the oaths of the parties who experienced this 
 tenderness, or to the naked assertion of a pensioned var- 
 nisher, who trumps up a Scotch account of the matter, 
 manifestly to serve the purpose of Ministry, by glossing 
 over murders, for the perpetration of which their heads 
 should instantly be struck oft". The Gazette writer con- 
 
 cludes his narrative, by informing the publick that General 
 Gage says " that too much praise cannot be given to Lord 
 Percy for his remarkable activity during the whole day." 
 
 The publick will think this a very singular kind of com- 
 pliment. The preceding part of the narrative had told a 
 story about the troops marching, or, in plainer English, re- 
 treating from Lexington; they did not halt, but continued 
 their retreat for fifteen miles. What then are we to under- 
 stand by the " remarkable activity of Lord Percy?" His 
 personal bravery is too well known to leave room for sus- 
 picion that he ever would shew " remarkable activity" in 
 retreating. Yet the Scotch account in the Gazette leaves 
 the compliment so ambiguous, that an invidious reader 
 might suppose Lord Percy made it, like the swift-footed 
 Achilles, with a light pair of heels. It is not surprising 
 that General Gage should wish to pay his court at North- 
 umberland house ; but when he pays another compliment, 
 as he cannot write himself, he should entrust a better hand 
 than the pensioned compiler of the Gazette. 
 
 To reason on the facts, which are now indisputable, is a 
 task which will better suit some future opportunity. The 
 publick have but to ponder on the melancholy truths thus 
 attested by Government. The sword of civil war is drawn, 
 and if there is truth in Heaven, the King's Troops un- 
 sheathed it. Will the English Nation much longer suffer 
 their fellow-subjects to be slaughtered ? 
 
 It is a shameful fallacy to talk about the supremacy of 
 Parliament. It is the despotism of the Crown, and the 
 slavery of the people, which the Ministry aim at. For re- 
 fusing those attempts, and for that only, the Americans have 
 been inhumanly murdered by the King's Troops. 
 
 Englishmen ! weigh these things with deliberation ; make 
 the case your own. If the massacre of brethren will not 
 open your eyes, they deserve to be forever shut against your 
 welfare. Away with the canting piety of a Court ! Away 
 with the affected candour of tools in office ! Ministry are 
 so candid that they would disguise the truth, and so pious 
 that they would take the sacrament as barbarians keep ca- 
 rousals, and drink of the cup, if it was but filled with the 
 libations of the blood of freemen. 
 
 STRICTURES ON THE GAZETTE ACCOUNT OF THE ACTION 
 BETWEEN THE PROVINCIALS AND THE REGULARS, NEAR 
 BOSTON. London, June, 1775. 
 
 We must give the Ministry credit for the little cunning 
 of putting General Gage's name to the end of the whole 
 account, when in truth it was to the return only. This is 
 a trick, or, as Lord Sandwich would say, a " take in," and 
 suits at once their genius and their capacity. The truth is. 
 that the whole was culled out of a variety of letters by 
 two Secretaries, their Sub-Secretaries, and office Clerks. 
 Though I do not conceive General Gage to be a Cccsar or 
 a Wolfe, yet I know him incapable of writing such stuff as 
 is here indirectly imputed to him. 
 
 The Ministry were exceedingly puzzled between the 
 shame of being themselves obliged to refute the charge of 
 cowardice, which they have been so forward to urge against 
 the Americans, and the reproach of having commenced a 
 civil war, by a wanton and unprovoked murder of the peo- 
 ple. Of two evils, the Ministry chose the least ; and, as 
 men who have neither wisdom nor veracity generally cor- 
 rect one extravagance by another, a small body of those 
 cowardly poltron Americans, millions of whom were to 
 fly before the face of the Regulars, are represented as 
 daring enough to attack the flower of General Gage's 
 Army. 
 
 The Gazette tells us, " that General Gage detached in 
 the night the Grenadiers and Light-Infantry of his army, 
 to destroy some stores at Concord." 
 
 Every one knows that this description comprehends the 
 best and most active troops of the whole body. They 
 have the advantage, too, of stealing a march upon the peo- 
 ple. We might have expected some enterprise and ex- 
 ploit of moment and magnitude, equal to the preparation, 
 the secrecy, and confidence of this expedition. But, alas ! 
 the trunnions of three old iron ordnance are the vast ob- 
 ject of this mighty achievement. Some flour, musket- 
 balls, and gunpowder, were also thrown into the river. I 
 should be glad to know what motive could induce the 
 King's Troops to throw away articles so useful to them- 
 
949 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 950 
 
 selves, but the distress occasioned by — a precipitate re- 
 treat ? 
 
 However, the Ministry go on to inform us, " that whilst 
 this prodigious service was performing, the rebels assem- 
 bled, and a considerable body of them attacked the Light- 
 Infantry posted at one of the bridges, on which an action 
 ensued." Well, and who were defeated ? Not a word of 
 that, but — " a few were killed and wounded." These das- 
 tardly Americans march up and attack the best of the 
 Regulars, advantageously posted ; and we are left to con- 
 clude, from their continuing to annoy, kill, and wound the 
 troops on their return (as it is generally termed) from Con- 
 cord, that the Light-Infantry were driven from their post 
 and defeated. All this we should readily admit, on the 
 credit of the Gazette, had not the former assurances of the 
 Ministry, that the Americans were too cowardly ever to 
 face the Regulars, rendered it utterly incredible. 
 
 But let us accompany the Army in its return, and we 
 find them met by Lord Percy, at Lexington, with sixteen 
 companies and the Marines, amounting in all to about 
 twelve hundred men, with two pieces of cannon. We have 
 now almost the whole army that was collected at Boston, 
 under so active a leader as Lord Percy, with the assistance 
 of Colonel Smith and Major Pitcaim, " doing every thing 
 (so says the Gazette) that men could do," and two pieces 
 of cannon. We may now expect that not a man of the 
 unheaded poltron Provincials will be left alive. Not quite 
 so bad. The Gazette tells us dryly, that " the rebels were 
 for a while dispersed." 
 
 They were so dispersed, however, that " as soon as the 
 troops resumed their march," (not their flight,) they began 
 again to fire upon them, and continued it during the whole 
 of fifteen miles march, " by which means several were kill- 
 ed and wounded." 
 
 If this was not a flight, and if Lord Percy's activity was 
 not in running away, 1 should be glad to know where were 
 the flanking parties of this army on its march, with all this 
 Light-Infantry ? Would any commanding officer suffer such 
 an enemy to continue killing and wounding his troops, from 
 stone-walls and houses, if it was not a defeat and flight ? 
 Would they have left so many of their wounded to fall into 
 the enemy's hands? I feel for the honour of the British 
 Troops, though the Ministry do not. This Gazette will 
 proclaim their disgrace throughout all Europe ; and yet I 
 think, that when the military lend themselves to fight 
 against the freedom of their fellow-subjects, they deserve 
 to be both disgraced and defeated. 
 
 Take, then, the whole of this account as it stands, and 
 to what does it amount, but that General Gage's Army 
 having marched out of Boston in the night, was attacked 
 by the Militia, hastily assembled, without a leader, and was 
 driven back, with the loss of sixty-five killed, one hundred 
 and eighty wounded, and twenty-eight taken prisoners, 
 making in all two hundred and seventy-three. 
 
 In the mean time the Ministers, who have thus involved 
 us in disgrace and blood, are perfectly unconcerned. They 
 comfort themselves with throwing out some shameful re- 
 flections on the Americans, and boast of the activity of 
 their officers and the intrepidity of their troops. They have 
 not sense to perceive, that the more they exaggerate the 
 bravery and conduct of the Regulars, the more they extol 
 their opponents, whom they and their Scotch tools have 
 been traducing, both publickly and privately, as the most 
 abject cowards. What must the resolution of that Militia 
 be, which could drive these active and intrepid Regulars, 
 with loss and confusion, back into their intrenchments ? 
 In fact this superiority does not arise from any difference 
 between the English and the Americans, but from the 
 one contending in the cause of tyranny, and the other in 
 that of liberty. It never has entered into the hearts of 
 these wretched Ministers and their tools, to feel or conceive 
 the enthusiasm and valour which so good and noble a cause 
 inspires. Is it not, therefore, wonderful that they should 
 not foresee its effects ? 
 
 The charge of scalping is of the same complexion with 
 those which they have constantly made, and which we have 
 as constantly found to be false. It is like those of Bernard 
 and Hutchinson, made in such general terms that it cannot 
 have a particular refutation. Had they mentioned the 
 names of those men who were thus treated, we might then 
 have sought them out to refute the falsehood ; but no, they 
 
 content themselves with saying, the Provincials "scalped 
 and cut off the ears of some of the wounded ;" which I 
 very sincerely believe to be an infamous falsehood, because 
 we have had affidavits from several of the wounded prison- 
 ers, acknowledging the kindest treatment ; and it is most 
 certain that General Ward sent word to General Gage, 
 " that his surgeons were at liberty to come into the Pro- 
 vincial camp and attend the wounded prisoners, if General 
 Gage had more confidence in them than in the Provincial 
 surgeons." The publick will hardly believe that so fair 
 and generous an enemy could be guilty of barbarity and 
 cruelty, because an unfair and ungenerous Ministry are 
 their accusers. 
 
 The Gazette tells us " that the Troops, on seeing some 
 Provincials drawn up at Lexington, marched up to them." 
 For what purpose do you think, gentle reader? to ask the 
 civilest question in the world, " the reason of their being 
 so assembled." But the Militia not being apprised of their 
 very civil intentions, " went off in great confusion ;" and 
 yet, to our utter astonishment, we are in the next line told 
 that this confounded and flying enemy immediately began 
 an attack upon the victorious Regulars, wounding one man, 
 and, what was an inexpiable offence, shot a Scots officer's 
 Scots poney ! It is, I believe, the first time in the world 
 that one army marched up to another to " ask questions." 
 We have heard of Parthians wounding as they fled, but I 
 did not know this was the American method. Surely they 
 might have told a more plausible story, to make us believe 
 the Americans were the aggressors ; but the Ministry have 
 so often imposed on our credulity, that they think any thing 
 will suffice. The presumption arising from this very de- 
 tail, compared with that of Lieutenant Gould's affidavit, 
 and the positive oaths of a variety of witnesses, render it 
 unquestionable that the King's Troops began the fire, and 
 that, too, upon a small body of Provincials who were dis- 
 persing. 
 
 The whole of this business is shocking in itself, danger- 
 ous in its consequences ; nor can any thing comfort us under 
 the evils attending it, but a trust that the wicked authors of 
 it will soon be brought to condign punishment. 
 
 I am of opinion that children unborn will not alone have 
 occasion to lament the bloody and inhuman carnage of 
 Lexington. Some men, whose advice has tended to pro- 
 duce so unhappy a scene, and whose abilities have since 
 been prostituted in misrepresenting and reviling their coun- 
 trymen, may have cause to join in the general lamentation. 
 
 The hypocritical eye of Mr. H may once more weep, 
 
 and even Coriolanus* may shed a tear from a different 
 cause than that of virtuous compunction. Coriolanus' s 
 friend and adviser, the late Major of Brigade, will meet 
 with a reception worthy of his treachery ; and the noble 
 Lord who has been his dupe, will find that he has bestow- 
 ed rewards on a person unworthy of his confidence. His 
 engagement to bribe the Members of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and to raise ten thousand men to join the Parlia- 
 mentary Army, showed the extremity of impudence. He 
 must have known that he was deceiving the Secretary of 
 State, and his Lordship ought to be ashamed of his own 
 puerile credulity. The solicitations of modest virtuous 
 merit, have by him been often rejected, and the most for- 
 ward and wicked incendiaries countenanced and promoted. 
 Coriolanus has been extremely liberal in charging his coun- 
 trymen with treason and rebellion. I shall not lose so 
 much time as to discuss this question with him. It would 
 necessarily lead me to the examination of the right of taxa- 
 tion. 
 
 All the disorders of America have arisen from that 
 source, and I defy him to derive them from any other. If 
 the Parliament have not a right to tax America, they have 
 no right to send troops to compel submission. If compul- 
 sion be attempted, resistance is justifiable. The greatest 
 authorities that ever this Country produced might be cited 
 to prove this. I forbear mentioning the names of Sidney 
 and Locke, of Chatham, and Camden. Their doctrines 
 are obsolete, and too uncourtly for the ear of a young di- 
 vine, newly flattered with the pomp of a professorship in 
 divinity, and gratified with the more substantial acquisition 
 of two hundred Pounds a year. I appeal to Judge Black- 
 stone; he cannot be suspected of partiality in favour ol the 
 people in opposition to sovereign power. In his seventh 
 * A writer for the Ministry in the publick papers. 
 
95 i 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 952 
 
 chapter, which treats of the rights of persons, he says, 
 " All oppressions which may happen to spring from any 
 branch of the sovereign power, must necessarily be out of 
 the reach of any stated rule or express legal provision ; but 
 if ever they unfortunately happen, the prudence of the 
 times must provide new remedies upon new emergencies." 
 And again, " It is found by experience that whenever the 
 unconstitutional oppressions even of the sovereign power 
 advance with gigantick strides, and threaten desolation to a 
 State, mankind will not be reasoned out of the feelings of 
 humanity, nor will sacrifice their liberty by a scrupulous 
 adherence to those political maxims which were originally 
 established to preserve it." " Whenever necessity and the 
 safety of the whole shall require it, they will exert those 
 inherent though latent powers of society, which no climate, 
 no time, no constitution, no contract can ever destroy or 
 diminish." A fuller and plainer justification of resistance 
 on certain occasions cannot be penned ; and that the occa- 
 sions have offered which call forth the exertion of those 
 " inherent though latent powers of society," is very evi- 
 dent, from the convulsions into which all America is 
 thrown. 
 
 The American gentlemen, in their petition to Parlia- 
 ment last year, which has done them infinite honour, and 
 which he ought to remember with shame, very justly ob- 
 serve, that " no history can show, nor will human nature 
 admit of an instance of general discontent, but from a 
 general sense of oppression. As there is now no legal 
 provision against such oppression left untried, every Prov- 
 ince having in vain, first separately and then unitedly, peti- 
 tioned and remonstrated, they are compelled into a contest 
 the most shocking and unnatural, with a parent State which 
 has ever been the object of their veneration and their 
 love." 
 
 The present Administration and the rest of the friends 
 of arbitrary power and non-resistance, have been prema- 
 ture in declaring this contest rebellion. The event must 
 prove whether it may not be called the necessary step to 
 a revolution. I hope that this Nation may have wisdom 
 and virtue enough to prevent it, by a total and immediate 
 repeal of all the offensive acts, and by resting satisfied with 
 the monopoly of the American trade, which is all that the 
 one ought to require, or the other submit to. But it seems 
 the honour of Parliament must not be hurt. They have 
 declared that these are terms they will not be satisfied 
 with. This is a difficulty that Lord North will be so good 
 as to obviate for me. The necessity of the case has al- 
 ways been thought a sufficient justification for a departure 
 from such resolutions, which, if not impracticable, never 
 can compensate for the miseries and calamities which must 
 be the consequence of an attempt to carry them into exe- 
 cution. " If (says Lord North, in his speech on what he 
 called his conciliatory motion) it should seem to be aban- 
 doning the high ground taken in the address, or be contrary 
 to the assurances so frequently given that no terms should 
 be held out to America previous to her submission, this is 
 nothing but what is common. The greatest Powers have 
 done it. In the war of the Succession it was a fundamen- 
 tal point that no Prince of the house of Boifrbon should 
 ever sit on the throne of Spain. This .was several times 
 repeated, and in the most solemn manner. Such politicks 
 are necessary to gain or to animate allies.* Yet all the 
 powers which composed this confederacy yielded, and a 
 Prince of the house of Bourbon did sit, and one of the 
 same house does now sit on the throne of Spain. In the 
 Spanish war of 1739, we declared that we could never 
 treat with Spain, until she had given up the point of 
 search. Yet peace was made without her giving up the 
 point, and the search continued." Lord North added to 
 these many other instances in which great Powers had 
 abandoned their pretensions. His Lordship will, I hope, 
 for the sake of stopping the farther effusion of blood, and 
 for the sake of making us a happy, powerful, and united 
 people, add another example to his catalogue. I shall 
 trouble Coriolanus with but one more observation, which, 
 to a clergyman, may have some weight. If he should be 
 as fortunate as Dr. Johnson, and get an addition to his 
 pension ; if he should succeed his worthy friend and 
 patron, the President of the College in which he is a 
 
 * Or to endeavour to intimidate the Colonies into a surrender of 
 every thing that is dear and valuable to then), 
 
 professor ; if he should attain the summit of all spiritual 
 honours in this kingdom, even the See of Canterbury, it is 
 worthy of his consideration whether there may not be 
 
 Some chosen curse, 
 
 Some hidden thunder in the stores of Heaven, 
 Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the man 
 Who owes his greatness to his Country's ruin. 
 
 TO THE PEOFLE OF ENGLAND. 
 
 London, June, 17?.">. 
 
 I am a plain man, and you must therefore expect to 
 hear plain truths. Silence would now be a crime. 
 
 You have but two choices left, and if you have not wis- 
 dom to choose wisely, or virtue to act as wisdom dictates, 
 you will deserve to sink under the evils which this very 
 moment hang suspended, ready to crush you by their fall. 
 
 Continue these tory Ministers at your helm, and after 
 having been accustomed for ten years to the news of unna- 
 tural carnage, you will have the satisfaction of seeing the 
 whole Continent of America totally wrested from you, or, 
 what is equally hurtful, their affections entirely estranged. 
 Your commerce, of course, must decay, and your enemies 
 will have cause to rejoice in your destruction. 
 
 Or, if you prefer your own welfare to the emoluments 
 and gratification of your tory Ministers, drive them from 
 their offices, and prevail on Lord Chatham to take the 
 reins of Government. He will offer the Americans the 
 terms proposed by their Congress, namely, to be governed 
 as in the late reigns ; and the Americans must gladly accept 
 these terms from whig Ministers, or else all England, to a 
 man, will zealously be their enemies. This pen has often 
 fought their battles, because 1 think them injured by the 
 common enemy of our liberties ; but let them refuse to be 
 governed by a whig Administration, according to whig prin- 
 ciples, and I will be their most violent opposer. 1 think 
 they ought not to trust tory Ministers, though they should 
 offer ever such fair terms, because they are not to be trust- 
 ed. Enemies to freedom, they must be enemies to Ame- 
 rica. But if whigs govern, America may depend on their 
 favour, for they have fought one battle, and our hearts are 
 with them. It may truly be said, that if this Nation is 
 saved from ruin, it will be by American virtue, for I fear 
 there is none left in England. The sun of Liberty is set- 
 ting here, but Englishmen may yet be warmed by its rays 
 from America, since they have courage to bleed for free- 
 dom. 
 
 The Gazette styles them rebels ; the Ministry honoured 
 them with that appellation long before they drew the sword. 
 I say " honoured them," because I think it an honour to be 
 termed rebels by such men. 
 
 Is it rebellion to defend freedom ? If your Juries were 
 attacked, if Magna Charta in any shape was to be daringly 
 violated, would you not yourselves draw the sword ? Could 
 you then be properly styled rebels ? Certainly you could 
 not. Can you hesitate in the choice of the only alternatives 
 left you by Heaven? Can you read the accounts from 
 America without horrour? Are you not shocked when 
 your imagination presents to your view Englishmen shed- 
 ding English blood ? Do you wish for the continuance of 
 such unnatural, horrid carnage ? If the idea of this detes- 
 table civil-war does not excite the most generous feelings 
 for your brave countrymen, (now driven almost to madness 
 by the obstinate perseverance of tories,) you have lost the 
 humanity, you have degenerated from the virtue of your 
 ancestors. 
 
 Are the Ministry to be gratified longer with the ability 
 of involving you still deeper in this ruinous contention ? 
 Will you allow them to prosecute this bloody, unnatural 
 war, any longer? They talk of embodying the Militia, in 
 order to be able to send more mercenaries to America ; 
 ought they not rather to lose their heads, for having sent 
 those which are already there ? Has not enough of Eng- 
 lish blood been shed ? Must more be spilled? Are they 
 to add a fresh list of murders to the black account ? If the 
 idea of such repeated massacres does not awaken your 
 feelings, England ought to be deserted by the few whigs, 
 whose hearts glow with indignation; they should fly to Ame- 
 rica, where liberty is idolized, and tyranny detested. 
 
 Have not Ministry, by every measure hitherto adopted, 
 made what was bad, still worse? Did the bills of spring 
 
953 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 954 
 
 1774, or those of spring 1775, answer any good purpose? 
 Did they not add fuel to the flame ? 
 
 If, then, you have found Ministers so very unequal to the 
 task they have undertaken, can you be so very weak as to 
 trust any longer to their management ? You would not 
 surely wish to become habituated to the recital of battles, 
 in which English hlood must be shed by Englishmen. You 
 have now heard of above two hundred of your soldiers 
 killed and wounded. The Gazette informs us, that the 
 loss of the Provincials was much greater; in all, lost to 
 England above five hundred men. 
 
 And as a salve General Gage informs us, that " the men 
 behaved with their usual intrepidity :" if so, I have been 
 mistaken in my opinion of English soldiers. If they can 
 be brought to fight with ardour against their countrymen, 
 who are standing forward in the most glorious of all causes, 
 that of their Country, they should never be known, hence- 
 forward, by any other name than " mercenaries." 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED FALMOUTH, ENGLAND, JUNE 10, 1775. 
 
 We have received the melancholy news of hostilities 
 being commenced in America, between the King's Troops 
 and the Provincials, which will be attended, 1 fear, with 
 fatal consequences to both parties. 1 was in hopes the 
 armed force on both sides would have conducted them- 
 selves with such prudence as to prevent bloodshed until 
 affairs could have been amicably settled, but now I fear an 
 accommodation is by this means removed at a distance. 
 Our Ministry have carried matters with too high a hand, 
 and been too arbitrary in their determinations; they are 
 greatly blamed (even by those who are of the same senti- 
 ments in respect to taxing the Americans) for sending any 
 Troops to the Colonies. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CHARLESTOWN, SOUTH-CAR- 
 OLINA, DATED JUNE 10, 1775. 
 
 Our Congress has done hard duty this week, and are 
 still sitting. They have resolved to raise two Regiments 
 (each seven hundred and fifty men) of Foot, and another 
 of Horse to consist of four hundred and fifty, exclusive of 
 officers. The command of one Regiment is to be given to 
 Mr. Gadsden, as Chief Colonel, and Isaac Huger as 
 Lieutenant-Colonel ; the other officers are to be deter- 
 mined on this evening. About two hundred gentlemen, I 
 am informed, are candidates for commissions in our Pro- 
 vincials. 
 
 We are informed the Whigs and Tories in Georgia are 
 disputing with each other, and that Governour Wright is 
 much alarmed for his safety. The officers of the Grenadiers 
 Company in that Colony, on receiving some orders from 
 Governour Wright, positively refused to pay any attention 
 thereto, threw down their commissions, and declared they 
 would fight in defence of their liberties. 
 
 Officers of the First and Second Regiments of Infantry, 
 and of the Regiment of Horse Rangers. 
 
 Field Officers of the First Regiment. — Christopher 
 Gadsden, Colonel; Isaac Huger, Lieutenant-Colonel; 
 Owen Roberts, Major. 
 
 Field Officers of the Second Regiment. — William 
 Moultrie, Colonel ; Isaac Motte, Lieutenant-Colonel ; 
 Alexander Mcintosh, Major. 
 
 Captains of the First and Second Regiments. — Charles 
 Cotesworth Pinclcney, Barnard Elliott, Francis Marion, 
 Jf'illiam Catlell, Peter Horry, Daniel Horry, Adam 
 McDonald, Thomas Lynch, William Scott, John Barn- 
 well, Nicholas Eveleigh, James McDonald, Isaac Harles- 
 ton, Thomas Pinclcney, Francis Huger, William Mason, 
 Edmund Hyrne, Roger Parker Saunders, Charles Motte, 
 Benjamin Cattell. 
 
 First Lieutenants in the First and Second Regiments. 
 — Anthony Ashby, James Ladson, Richard Singleton, 
 Thomas Elliott, William Olyphant, John Vanderhorst, 
 Robert Armstrong, John Blake, Glen Drayton, Richard 
 Shubrick, Richard Fuller, Thomas Lessesne, Benjamin 
 Dickenson, William Charnock, John Moat, Joseph Joor, 
 James Peronneau, John A. Walter, Thomas Moultrie, 
 Alexander McQueen. 
 
 Field Officers of the Regiment of Rangers. — William 
 Thomson, Lieutenant-Colonel ; James Mayson, Major. 
 
 Captains of the Rangers. — Samuel Wise, Eli Kershaw, 
 Edward Richardson, Ezekiel Polk, Robert Goodwin, 
 Thomas Woodward, John Caldwell, Moses Kirkland. 
 John Purvis. 
 
 First Lieutenants of the Regiment of Rangers. — John 
 Lewis P. Imhoff, Charles Heatley, Allen Cameron, Rich- 
 ard Winn, John Donaldson, Hugh Middleton, Lewis Du- 
 tarque, Francis Boy akin, Samuel Watson. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK CONCRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: The enclosed Resolution of this Congress 
 I am directed to transmit you, and to desire you will order 
 it to be executed in as expeditious and secret a manner as 
 possible, referring to your judgment the most suitable places 
 for landing it, and where there will be the least risk of in- 
 terruption from the ships-of-war. You will please to con- 
 sign it to the Committee of Correspondence in each place, 
 with a direction to forward the flour to the Army as soon 
 as possible. 
 
 1 have it also in charge to recommend to you that the 
 flour be transported in small quantities, as there may be 
 danger of the enemy. I am, gentlemen, your most obedi- 
 ent servant, John Hancock, President. 
 To the Honourable Members of the Provincial Congress of 
 
 New- York. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We are now to acknowledge the honour 
 of your despatches of the 7th instant. 
 
 We have long foreseen the difficulties you must be re- 
 duced to for want of money. They will not be lessened 
 by the resolutions of the Congress of yesterday, recom- 
 mending it to you to procure and forward five thousand 
 barrels of flour for the use of the Army at Boston. 
 
 We communicated the paragraph of your letter, in which 
 you complain, that unless the Congress shall make some 
 speedy order with relation to the levying of money, it will 
 be impossible for you to comply with their farther requests. 
 They, however, seem persuaded that their note of credit, 
 Which accompanies the order for the supply, will remove 
 every obstruction ; and relying on your zeal for the com- 
 mon cause, they hope you will be able to throw in this 
 provision, which we are apprehensive will soon become 
 highly necessary. 
 
 We may venture to hint to you, that the emission of 
 paper money will be discussed on Monday, and we expect 
 in the course of next week to be able to present you with 
 a determination of this important business, which will free 
 us from much anxiety. 
 
 We shall not fail to attend to what you suggest concern- 
 ing the Indians. This is an object to our Colony of the 
 highest moment, and we hope in due time will be consi- 
 dered by the Congress. We think the Indians will not be 
 disposed to engage in this unhappy quarrel, unless deceived 
 and deluded by misrepresentations, and this, with vigilance 
 and care on our part, can be prevented. As one step to- 
 wards it, which we much applaud, are the assurances you 
 have given the Superintendent of his safety. From the 
 temper and customs of the Indians, they would illy brook 
 the extinguishing of their council fire ; and had it been 
 damped by any violence to Colonel Johnson's person or 
 property, they must have been alarmed and very probably 
 excited to extremities. 
 
 It is much to be lamented that we are still destitute of 
 ammunition. The Government of Connecticut have been 
 more provident, or more fortunate, and will be able to sup- 
 ply the forces at Ticonderoga with powder. 
 
 We commend your caution in directing two letters to us 
 upon the subject of general officers to command our Troops. 
 What we wrote to you was in the character of your own 
 immediate Delegates, and with a view to discover the 
 sense of our Colony, that we might, when this matter came 
 to be debated in Congress, be fortified with your opinion 
 and arguments, which, having obtained, we shall, to the 
 utmost of our power, enforce your recommendations. 
 
955 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 956 
 
 Your remarks on l lie resolution of the Continental Con- 
 gress relative to taking post at King's Bridge appear to us 
 to be conclusive; we shall, however, lay them before our 
 body as soon as the other important matters under consi- 
 deration shall be determined. 
 
 We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Philip Livingston, William Floyd. 
 James Duane, John Alsop. 
 Francis Lewis, 
 To the Provincial Congress at New-York. 
 
 the Charter. As to giving a credit to our Provincial note, 
 and regulating the Army, you will hear further from the 
 Congress soon. The bearer carries a recommendation to 
 the other Colonies to supply you with all the powder they 
 can safely spare. 
 
 In great haste, I ain, with respect, your most humble 
 servant, Thomas Gushing. 
 
 Mr. Elbridge Gerry, Watertown. 
 
 P. S. Pray let me hear from you soon concerning my dear 
 Country. Must refer you for particulars to Dr. Church. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: In consequence of your application to 
 this Congress for advice respecting a form of Government 
 to be adopted in the Massachusetts-Bay, under your pre- 
 sent circumstances, I am directed by the Congress to trans- 
 mit you their Resolution thereon, which is here enclosed. 
 
 I am also to inform you that the Congress have been so 
 pressed with business that they have been prevented deter- 
 mining upon the other matters mentioned in your letters to 
 them, but they will very soon come under their considera- 
 tion, and their resolutions thereon shall be forwarded you. 
 
 I also enclose you a Resolve of Congress for furnishing 
 our Army with flour. This you will keep secret, at least 
 as far as the nature of it will admit, as the publication may 
 give an alarm, which may prevent the good effects of it. 
 
 Last evening Mr. Fessenden, your express, arrived with 
 your despatches of June 4th, which I shall this morning 
 lay before the Congress, and when considered by Con- 
 gress, their determinations shall be immediately transmit- 
 ted to you. 
 
 I am, with much esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 humble servant, John Hancock, President. 
 
 To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, Massachu- 
 setts-Bay. 
 
 In Congress, Friday, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That no obedience being due to the Act of 
 Parliament for altering the Charter of the Colony of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, nor to a Governour or Lieutenant-Govern- 
 our who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour 
 to subvert, that Charter, the Governour and Lieutenant- 
 (iovernour are to be considered as absent, and these offi- 
 ces vacant ; and as there is no Council there, and the in- 
 conveniences arising from the suspension of the powers of 
 Government are intolerable, especially at a time when 
 General Gage hath actually levied war, and is carrying on 
 hostilities against His Majesty's peaceable and loyal sub- 
 jects of that Colony ; that in order to conform as near as 
 may be to the spirit and substance of the Charter, it be 
 recommended to the Provincial Congress to write letters to 
 the inhabitants of the several places which are entitled to 
 representation in Assembly, requesting them to choose 
 such Representatives ; and that the Assembly, when cho- 
 sen, should elect Counsellors ; which Assembly and Coun- 
 cil should exercise the powers of Government, until a 
 Governour of His Majesty's appointment will consent to 
 govern the Colony according to its Charter. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 
 THOMAS CUSHING TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 Sir: Doctor Church will bring with him a vote of the 
 Congress advising our people to consider the Governour 
 and Lieutenant-Governour as absent, and their offices va- 
 cant ; and further recommending it to the Provincial Con- 
 gress to issue letters to all such places as are entitled to a 
 representation, to choose Representatives, who, when con- 
 vened, are advised to choose Counsellors, agreeable to the 
 Charter; which Assembly, together with the Counsellors 
 that may be chosen, are advised to carry on the affairs of 
 Government until a Governour of His Majesty's appoint- 
 ment will consent to govern according to the directions of 
 
 ROBERT TREAT PAINE TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 My dear Sir : I cannot express to you the surprise and 
 uneasiness 1 received on hearing the Congress express re- 
 specting the want of gunpowder; it always was a matter 
 that lay heavy on my mind ; but the observation I made 
 of your attention to it, and your alertness and perseve- 
 rance in every thing you undertake, and your repeatedly 
 expressing it as your opinion that we had probably enough 
 for this summer's campaign, made me quite easy. I rely 
 upon it, that measures are taken in your parts of the Con- 
 tinent to supply this defect. The design of your express 
 will be zealously attended to, I think. 1 have seen one of 
 the powder-mills here, where they make excellent pow- 
 der, but have worked up all the nitre. One of our members 
 is concerned in a powder-mill at New-York, and has a man 
 at work making nitre. I have taken pains to inquire into 
 the method. Doctor Franklin has seen saltpetre works at 
 Hanover and Paris; and it strikes me to be as unnecessa- 
 ry, after a certain time, to send abroad for gunpowder as for 
 bread, provided people will make use of common under- 
 standing and industry ; but for the present we must import 
 from abroad. Major Foster told me at Hartford he sus- 
 pected he had some land that would yield nitre ; pray con- 
 verse with him about it. Doctor Franklin's account is 
 much the same as is mentioned in one of the first of the 
 American magazines; the sweepings of the streets and 
 rubbish of old buildings are made into mortar, and built 
 into walls, exposed to the air, and once in about two 
 months scraped, and lixiviated, and evaporated. When I 
 can describe the method more minutely I will write you ; 
 mean while give me leave to condole with you the loss of 
 Colonel Lee. Pray remember me to Colonel Orne, and 
 all other our worthy friends. Pray take care of your im- 
 portant health, that you may be able to stand stiff as a 
 pillar in our new Government. 
 
 I must now subscribe, with great respect and affection, 
 your humble servant, R. T. Paine. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CON- 
 GRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : By order of the Congress I transmit to you the 
 enclosed Resolutions passed by the Congress this morning. 
 The necessity of the present emergency requires a speedy 
 compliance with the first, respecting the supply of powder 
 to the Army ; and I need not inform you, that the nature 
 of the service requires that it should be done with as much 
 secrecy as possible. If there are any supplies of powder 
 to be purchased in your Colony, you will readily see the 
 propriety of engaging it for the use of the Continental 
 Army, and informing the General of the Army thereof, as 
 well as, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 To the President of the Provincial Congress, or Commit- 
 tee of the Colony of Nciv-Hampshirc. 
 
 P. S. I am directed by the Congress to request you will 
 please to transmit to them, as soon as may be, an estimate 
 of the powder, arms, and ammunition in your Colony, in- 
 cluding private as well as publick stocks. Your humble 
 servant, &ic. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES. 
 [Road in Congress June 14, 1775.] 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: A certain Captain Coffin being suspected 
 of taking on board his vessel provisions for the Army and 
 
957 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 958 
 
 Navy at Boston, though consigned to persons at Rhode- 
 Island, we have thought proper to delay his voyage until 
 we have the sentiments of the General Congress on the 
 subject. Our reason of suspicion is this, that it hath been 
 intimated to us, that Messrs. Lopez and Roam, to whom 
 great part of the cargo is assigned, are commissioned to 
 supply those articles to the Army and Navy, which is 
 done, as is alleged, by suffering vessels which contain pro- 
 visions to lie in the harbour unladen until seized by a ship- 
 of-war, according to agreement for that purpose. 
 
 We should have made inquiry and order in the premises, 
 but that one of our sister Colonies being concerned, it 
 might tend to create divisions among us at a time when 
 unanimity is so necessary to the publick safety. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vants. By order of the Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To the New- York Delegates at the Continental Congress. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Ill Provincial Congress, New- York, June 10, 1775. 
 Sir: Since our former letters to your Company on the 
 subject of gunpowder, by application to a neighbouring 
 Colony we have procured a quantity, which we cheer- 
 fully spare, as we apprehend it will be most acceptable to 
 our brethren of the Massachusetts-Bay. For the more 
 speedy despatch, we would ask the favour of you to issue, 
 out of your most easterly magazine, six hundred and fifty- 
 five pounds weight, and forward to the American camp at 
 Boston, and we shall immediately replace it, the like quan- 
 tity being already on the way to your Colony. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient and humble servants. 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of Connecticut. 
 
 P. S. As we have given a receipt for the powder to 
 our neighbouring Colony, you will please to direct the like 
 to be given us. 
 
 ROBERT BOYD, JUN., TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-Windsor, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of a resolve of this hon- 
 ourable Convention, passed the 6th instant, Mr. Henry 
 Watkeys hath waited on me for the purpose of fixing a 
 plan for making muskets, bayonets, &c, agreeable to said 
 resolve; and after mature deliberation on the subject, I find 
 that the expense of manufacturing a gun-barrel, bayonet, 
 and steel rammer, (which are the parts Mr. Watlceys 
 would assign me,) will amount to thirty-two shillings cur- 
 rency; this, I think, will be the extent, but dare not fix it 
 lower previous to making trial. Gentlemen, it would give 
 me particular pleasure to have a manufactory of this kind 
 established in this Province ; and believe me, that if you 
 shall be pleased to appoint me as one to bear a part in 
 the execution thereof, I will exert my utmost skill in en- 
 deavouring to give satisfaction, both respecting price and 
 quality ; but must remind you, gentlemen, that in order to 
 facilitate the business, it will be necessary to fix machine- 
 ry, and provide a number of tools not necessary in other 
 business, the expense of which will amount to about one 
 hundred Pounds ; this sum will be requisite previous to 
 the undertaking; and if a" contract can be obtained for one 
 thousand barrels, &.c, the money advanced shall be dis- 
 counted on the first payment; if, on the contrary, it shall 
 be judged by the honourable Congress inexpedient to 
 prosecute the plan proposed, the sum advanced must be 
 considered as sunk. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with due esteem, your most obedient 
 and humble servant, Robert Boyo, Junior. 
 
 The Honourable the Provincial Congress for the Colony of 
 
 New-York, now convened in the City of New-York. 
 
 Crown Point, June 10, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress of North- 
 America, held at Philadelphia: 
 
 Colonel Ethan Allen ; Major Samuel Elmore, of the Con- 
 necticut Farms; Colonel James Easton, of Pittsfield ; 
 Captain Seth Warner; Captain Hezekiah Balding; 
 
 Captain Ebenezer Marvin; Captain Remember BuLa 
 Captain George White; Captain James Noble, com- 
 mandant at this place ; Captain Amos Chappie ; Captain 
 Wait Hopkins; Captain Joseph McCracken ; Captain 
 John Grand ; Captain Barnabas Barnum ; Captain 
 James Wills; Lieutenant Ira Allen ; Lieutenant Oliver 
 Parmerly; Isaac Hitchcock, Commissary ; Stephen Bay, 
 clerk to Major Elmore. 
 
 Honoured Sirs: We, whose names are prefixed above, 
 do in council approve of and nominate Colonel Ethan Al- 
 len, Captain >Se^ Warner, and Captain Remember Baker, 
 to meet you in Congress, to consult and have your advice 
 upon this move, which we have understood that you have 
 approved ; we are now in possession of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point. And this day, at five o'clock, our armed 
 sloop and schooners arrived here and furnished us with in- 
 telligence, that about three hundred of the Regular forces 
 were at St. John's, fortifying and intrenching upon the 
 Grants, near this place. We think it might be practicable, 
 in case of emergency, to raise about five hundred men, in 
 case (as they are poor) of encouragement. Colonel Allen 
 has behaved, in this affair, very singularly remarkable for 
 his courage, and must, in duty, recommend him to you and 
 the whole Continent. 
 
 A number of gentlemen, among whom were Major El- 
 more, of Connecticut, and Colonel Easton, of Pittsfield, 
 contributed, as a present, to a number of Indians of the 
 Caughnawagas and Captain Ninham, of Stockbridge, 
 largely, out of their own pockets, who ask no fee nor re- 
 ward ; it was given upon their assurance of friendship. 
 The majority of us have seen the marks of his abuse that 
 he had received at St. John's from the Regulars ; they 
 assure us, (and we believe that the Indians will meddle in 
 no way,) that they understand this affair to be a family 
 dispute. Samuel Elmer, President. 
 
 ELISHA HEWES TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Fort Pownall, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Sir: I expect my letters, sent by Cap- 
 tain Buck, will reach you before Captain Lane, who will 
 be impeded with his charge. I hope none will rob him of 
 the honour he alone deserves (under the smiles of Heaven) 
 for the success he has met with in his tour up our river. 
 I hope we shall have more of his company, if our troubles 
 continue; you cannot send a man that can act more for 
 the service and interest of the Country. I dare not ask a 
 written answer to this, or mine by Buck, but a few words 
 will be highly acceptable to, Sir, your very humble ser- 
 vant, Elisha Hewes. 
 To Joseph Warren, Esquire, President of the Provincial 
 
 Congress. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF CONWAY TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Conway, June 10, 1775. 
 Sir: Last Monday we had a Town-meeting; a copy of 
 the same will be shown to you by Mr. Burbank, one of 
 our Committee ; and as he is not acquainted with any 
 of the Congress, we have recommended him to you, and 
 hope you will direct and assist him in the business he is 
 sent upon. Sir, it is needless to mention any thing con- 
 cerning our situation on the frontiers of this Province, for 
 it is well known to you, and most part of those gentlemen 
 appointed and chosen for the Congress. But although 
 we are at such a distance from you, we are willing to do 
 every thing in our power in support of the common cause ; 
 but, under our present situation, we are neither able to 
 defend ourselves or assist you, if there should be occasion, 
 for reasons which we shall mention. In the first place, 
 there is a number of our men enlisted and gone into the 
 service, we think about fourteen or fifteen, from this Town. 
 The most part of those who are left have no provision to 
 support themselves and families, but what they must bring 
 from some seaport, and but very few have any money to 
 purchase ; and not more than half of the Town have got 
 any arms, and those who have got arms have scarcely any 
 ammunition. Therefore, as Mr. Burbank and myself are 
 appointed to make application for arms and ammunition, 
 we thought, as you were the one man, to make our first 
 
959 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 960 
 
 application lo you ; and are confident you will do what 
 you can, that he may have such warlike stores as he wants, 
 if they are to be had, or to assist and advise him what 
 steps to take so that we may be provided ; and that he 
 may be despatched back as soon as possible : for we have 
 reason to be suspicious of the Indians, and, were we able, 
 would keep a scout in the woods daily, to discover their 
 motions ; but without the assistance of the Province, of 
 ourselves we are not able; for there are so many of our 
 young men enlisted, that all the men that are left are not 
 sufficient to carry on our farming. Therefore, we shall be 
 under the necessity of asking or petitioning the Congress 
 for some men, to be employed as a scouting party, to guard 
 this quarter of the frontiers; but we are afraid these mat- 
 ters will be omitted until it is too late. We shall esteem 
 it a favour if the Congress will give us directions what to 
 do, or what steps to take, for we are fully determined to 
 adhere strictly to all orders that may come from the Con- 
 gress. 
 
 We expected to have been called upon to send a mem- 
 ber to the Congress, but we suppose our being at such a 
 distance left us to be forgot. We shall come down as 
 soon as Burbank returns. Any arms or ammunition that 
 we want, we are ready to make over our estates for secu- 
 rity, but as to money, at present we have none. 
 
 In hopes, Sir, you will do and assist us all you can, I 
 subscribe myself, your obedient humble servant, 
 
 Signed in behalf of the Town and Committee : 
 
 Andrew McMullen. 
 
 To Colonel M. Thornton. 
 
 TRYON COUNTY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Tryon County, on 
 Sunday, the eleventh of June, 1775, at the house of Gosen 
 Van Alstyn: Upon reading Letters from the Provincial 
 Congress, dated the thirty-first of May, and third of June, 
 1775, recommending the appointing of Deputies to meet in 
 Congress with the Deputies of the different Counties at 
 New-York, the question being put, whether any should be 
 sent down ? was carried in the affirmative. 
 
 This Committee having great confidence in the integrity 
 and ability of Christopher P. Yates and John Malett, Es- 
 quires, do resolve that the said Christopher P. Yates, and 
 John Malett, be appointed, and are accordingly appointed, 
 to be Deputies to attend the Provincial Congress without 
 delay, and to act, in conjunction with the members of that 
 body, upon the very alarming and calamitous situation of 
 British America. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Nicholas Herkimer, Chairman pro tern. 
 Andrew Finck, Jun., Clerk. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress June 19, 1775 ] 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 11, 1775. 
 Resolved unanimously, That the following address be im- 
 mediately transmitted to the honourable American Congress 
 now sitting at Philadelphia. 
 
 May it please your Honours : The situation of any 
 Colony or People, perhaps, was never before such as made 
 it more necessary for fully exercising the powers of civil 
 government than the present state and situation of the Col- 
 ony of the Massachusetts-Bay . 
 
 The embarrassments, delays, disappointments, and ob- 
 structions, in executing every undertaking necessary for the 
 preservation of our lives, and, much more, of our property, 
 are so great and many, as that they cannot be represented 
 or enumerated ; and that is chiefly to be attributed to our 
 want of a settled civil polity or government. Besides, 
 every thing necessary for the abovesaid most important pur- 
 poses, which is, in some degree, effected, is done in the 
 most expensive manner, in that although the times we are 
 fallen into, and the prospects before us are such as require 
 the utmost economy ; yet nothing of the kind can be pre- 
 served in our present state. 
 
 There are, in many parts of the Colony, alarming symp- 
 toms of the abatement of the sense in the minds of some 
 people of the sacredness of private property, which is 
 plainly assignable to the want of civil government ; and 
 
 your Honours must be fully sensible that a community of 
 goods and estate will soon be followed with the utter waste 
 and destruction of the goods themselves. Besides, the 
 necessity of civil government appears more and more ap- 
 parent, from the extreme difficulty of maintaining the pub- 
 lick peace without it ; although we can truly say, much fewer 
 enormities and breaches of the peace have happened among 
 us, than it was natural to expect from the contemplation of 
 such a state as we have been cast into. 
 
 May it please your Honours, the pressing weight of our 
 distresses has necessitated the sending a special post to ob- 
 tain your immediate advice upon this subject, and we do 
 most earnestly entreat that you would, as soon as possible, 
 despatch the messenger with such advice. 
 
 Our former application to you, of the sixteenth of May 
 last, has rendered it unnecessary that we should further en- 
 large upon the subject ; and to prevent repetition, we beg 
 leave to refer you to our letter of that date. 
 
 The Army under the command of General Gage, we 
 estimate to amount to at least five thousand men, well ap- 
 pointed, under the command of Generals of character and 
 experience, and prepared with every thing necessary for 
 action, exclusive of the additional strength derived from 
 negroes, which the General has taken into his service, and 
 disaffected Americans ; and we have great reason to appre- 
 hend a re-enforcement of at least eight regiments of Foot, 
 and one of Horse, may be hourly expected. We enclose 
 a copy of an intercepted letter from Major Shcrriff, which 
 exhibits to you one ground of that apprehension. 
 
 We have had under our consideration the propriety and 
 necessity of augmenting our Army, notwithstanding our 
 great embarrassments, and though we have not yet adopted 
 it, nothing perhaps but the more ample provision of the 
 neighbouring Colonies will relieve that necessity. 
 
 The depredations and piracies frequently committed on 
 our sea-coasts, and the little trade which remains to us, 
 whereby, among other capital articles, the importation of 
 ammunition and provision is almost totally obstructed, and 
 threatens our ruin, has also occasioned our contemplating 
 steps to prevent these inconveniences, by fitting out a num- 
 ber of armed vessels, with suflicient strength to encounter 
 their small though numerous cutters. 
 
 We shall only add, that as the seat of war and all the 
 attendant distresses have, for the present, taken their prin- 
 cipal residence here, we should consider it as a happy event 
 if you should think proper to adjourn to some part of the 
 Continent not so far distant, that the advice and aid of the 
 Continent may be more expeditiously afforded upon any 
 emergency. 
 
 We have, may it please your Honours, the honour to be 
 your most obedient humble servants, 
 By order of Congress : 
 
 Joseph Hawlev, Vice-President. 
 Attest : Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN VIRGINIA, DATED JUNE 12, 1775. 
 
 We have had the news of the skirmish at Concord be- 
 tween the King's Troops and the Provincials for some time 
 past; and yesterday it was confirmed by an express from 
 General Gage to Government, in the Sukcy, Capt. Broicn. 
 The first advice many (especially the Court party) threw 
 away, declaring it to be an absolute lie, and wished Govern- 
 ment would secure the person who brought it, although we 
 had the Salem paper brought by Captain John Derby, who 
 said that the account was as particular as could be collected 
 at the time of his departure ; but now they believe it to 
 their shame, that eighteen hundred disciplined troops ran 
 away from a handful of brave Yankees. 1 believe that 
 seven-eighths of this Country would willingly fight for us 
 against the King's Troops, if it were possible for them to 
 get to you. The Americans bear the greatest applause 
 here of any people in the world, and 1 hope they may now 
 stand firm, for it is not in the power of Government tosei d 
 out any more troops. I had the honour of being sent for 
 by Sir John Warren, who is nephew to the late Admiral, 
 and a great friend to America, with whom I breakfasted. 
 We had all the American affairs over, and he positively de- 
 clared there were not seven thousand of the King's Troops 
 both in England and Ireland ; and he hoped the Ameri- 
 
961 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 962 
 
 cans would stand firm to each other, and then they might 
 have the affair settled as they liked ; for, says he, it is im- 
 possible for this Country to do without you, neither can 
 they subdue you. 
 
 ON THE DISTURBANCES IN AMERICA. 
 
 London, June 12, 1775. 
 Whether this is the best of possible worlds, is a point with 
 which the politician has nothing to do ; he must take men 
 as they are, and, till the period of the millenium arrives, 
 wars and tumults will possess their full number of pages in 
 the history of mankind. A too eager love of peace, the 
 child of pusillanimity, will be generally found a prelude to 
 the most destructive scenes of blood and slaughter. When- 
 ever unavoidable danger presents itself, prudence directs us 
 to face it boldly. Shall our humanity induce us to leave 
 the contest, so big with danger, to our immediate descend- 
 ants? Forb'id it justice and paternal affection. The pro- 
 bability of success, which is now on our side, will be against 
 them. Yet, shall we give up the sovereignty in America, 
 their right of inheritance, and the . price of so many cares 
 and of so much blood and treasure, without some struggle? 
 Though they, if the contest was deferred till their day, 
 might probably fail and involve the British Empire in ruin, 
 vet we, by a spirited conduct, now may shelter them from 
 the danger, and procrastinate the event. 
 
 The Bostonians have been guilty of numberless acts of 
 rebellion, which have no other real foundation than their 
 opinion that they can resist with success. On the slightest 
 occasion, large bodies of men appear in arms, with the 
 avowed intention of fighting the King's Troops. Let them 
 have their humour. In every essential point of view they 
 are the enemies of Great Britain, and their insults must 
 not be forgiven because they are dangerous — so dangerous, 
 that suppose them defeated, suppose them suing for forgive- 
 ness with all the humility which may be expected from 
 their present insolence, they must not be forgiven ; they can 
 never be again entitled to the protection and encouragement 
 of the Mother Country. Their soil and climate, their grow- 
 ing manufactories of iron and wool, their ship-building, and 
 even their industry, are our natural, our irreconcilable ene- 
 mies. The Colonists must not only be defeated, but, as far 
 as it is in our power, the Colonies destroyed. This may 
 be done without much of that carnage which is so dreaded 
 by us. The steady and inflexible regulations of policy, by 
 which every source of trade or manufactures must be cut 
 off from the Northern Colonies, and every possible encou- 
 ragement given to settlements in warmer latitudes, can alone 
 effect it. Indigo, rice, rum, sugar, cotton, silk, and the 
 various productions of the tropicks, are commodities we 
 want, and the habits of life in southern climates will forever 
 
 Srevent their interfering with our laborious manufactories, 
 lutual wants are the true foundation of trade and political 
 friendship, and Colonies established without this permanent 
 view, have ever been the ruin of the Mother Country. We 
 waut nothing from the Colony most dangerous to us, but 
 provisions and lumber for the islands ; and these it will fur- 
 nish, even were it in a much less cultivated and improved 
 state than it now is. 
 
 The Americans are fond of repeating their arguments, 
 though it seems agreed on all sides that it is time that ac- 
 tion should commence. 1 shall not, therefore, enter into 
 those reasons by which a Mother Country may be justified 
 in ruining a Colony which has been found prejudicial to 
 her ; they deny the debt of gratitude, by asserting that we 
 raised and supported them from motives of interest alone. 
 Admit this to be true, we raised them at an immense ex- 
 pense, with permanent views of political advantage. They 
 are now found to be not barely detrimental, but highly 
 dangerous to us. The same policy will teach us to destroy 
 that which we have been mistaken in defending and sup- 
 porting. This cannot be done without much private injury 
 and publick calamity, but in disputes of this magnitude 
 they are unavoidable. In the management of natural con- 
 cerns, the lesser evil must be resolutely chosen, and to listen 
 to the complaints of unavoidable evil is a dangerous hu- 
 manity, and will have the same effect as the most con- 
 temptible weakness. Shall we, to avoid the effusion of 
 human blood, give up the sovereignty of America without 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ( 
 
 a blow ? What kind of philanthropy must that be which 
 can resolve on this, and survey, with a steady eye, the 
 dreadful prospects of calamity and ruin which will imme- 
 diately overwhelm the British Empire, if, by our tameness, 
 or by American resolution, the Colonies are torn from us. 
 Expedients, in a dispute so rooted as this is, were always 
 ridiculous, and are now by all parties given up. What 
 trivial nonsense are affidavits, to prove who fired first. The 
 moment the Americans attempted to raise troops, with the 
 avowed intention of resisting Government by force, the first 
 bullet should have been fired ; and that we have so long de- 
 ferred it is an errour, for which we shall be severely pun- 
 ished. We ought, long ere now. to have been as unanimous 
 as the Americans in perceiving that the voice of necessity, 
 and the great vortex of human affairs, is too powerful to be 
 confined by the forms of a constitution. The sword alone 
 can decide this dispute, and he is a traitor to his Country 
 who does not contribute every thing in his power to pre- 
 vent the ruin of the British Empire, which will immedi- 
 ately take place if we are defeated. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Charlestown, Monday, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That any person having violated or refused 
 obedience to the authority of the Provincial Congiess, shall, 
 by the Committee of the District or Parish in which such 
 offender resides, be questioned relative thereto ; and upon 
 due conviction of either of the offences aforesaid, and con- 
 tinuing contumacious, such person shall, by such Commit- 
 tee, be declared and advertised an enemy to the liberties of 
 America, and an object of the resentment of the publick ; 
 and that the said Committee shall be supported in so doing. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants 
 of the Parishes of *S'f. Philip and St. Michael, when they 
 attend Divine service in places of publick worship, to take 
 with them their fire-arms and ammunition. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Charlestown, June 12, 1775. 
 
 The Provincial Congress having received an intimation 
 that certain persons have already bought up, and others are 
 now buying up, Indian Corn, with design to take advantage 
 of the times, have 
 
 Resolved, That such engrossing is intolerable, and ought 
 not to be suffered in this time of scarcity. 
 
 Resolved, also, That such persons as may have bought 
 up Indian Corn, ought not to sell it an advanced price, and 
 that proper information ought immediately to be laid be- 
 fore the Congress or General Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Resolves be forthwith 
 printed, and made publick. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 SOME THOUGHTS ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE BRITISH 
 EMPIRE, AND THE CONTROVERSY BETWEEN GREAT BRI- 
 TAIN AND THE AMERICAN COLONIES. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 12, 1775. 
 As all lawful Government is founded in compact, it be- 
 hooves those who claim authority, to prove that they have it. 
 English Government is territorial, that is, it is limited to 
 certain districts of territory ; and owning lands within these 
 limits gives a right to participate in the Government; and 
 those who own the lands have a right to fix the terms on 
 which others may reside within the jurisdiction. This princi- 
 ple seems to be founded on the law of nature, and therefore 
 those who are not freeholders are justly bound by the laws 
 of the land, though they have no vote in electing members 
 of Parliament, and not on the principle of virtual represen- 
 tation ; yet they have this security, that the freeholders and 
 other inhabitants are governed by the same laws. 
 
 A civil society or state is a number of proprietors of land 
 within certain limits, united by compact or mutual agree- 
 ment for making laws, and appointing persons to execute 
 those laws for their common benefit. 
 
 The British Empire consists of such societies, subject 
 to one King, each having a distinct legislature : such is the 
 
963 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, tic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 964 
 
 Realm or G rent Britain, the Realm of Ireland, and each 
 English Colony in America. 
 
 This doctrine of distinct Dominions or States, subject to 
 the same Crown, is not a new doctrine, but was known in 
 the English Nation long before the settlement of the Ame- 
 rican Colonies, as is well known to all who are acquainted 
 with the English history. One instance of this kind will 
 appear by the following extract from a petition presented to 
 the King of England by the inhabitants of the County 
 palatine of Chester, in the year 1450, wherein they say: 
 " The said County is and hath been a County palatine, as 
 well before the conquest of England as continually since, 
 within which County you and all your noble progenitors, 
 since it came into your hands, have had your High Courts 
 of Parliament, and no possessionem or inheritors within the 
 said County be not chargeable or liable, nor have not been 
 bounden, charged, nor hurt of their bodies, liberties, fran- 
 chises, lands, goods, nor possessions, within the same Coun- 
 ty, but by such laws as they have agreed unto; and also, 
 they have no Knights, Citizens, nor Burgesses, nor ever 
 had of the said County to any Parliament holden out of the 
 said County, whereby they might by any way of reason 
 be bounded," he. Whereupon the King discharged them 
 from paying a subsidy granted by act of the Parliament 
 of England held at Westminster, notwithstanding that 
 County was expressly named in the act. 
 
 Whence, then, doth the Parliament of Great Britain 
 derive the authority it claims to make statutes to bind the 
 people of the Colonies in America, and other Dominions 
 of the Crown not within that Realm, nor represented in 
 that Parliament, but who have Parliaments of their own ? 
 Is this claim founded in compact ? Where is the evidence 
 of such a compact? The landholders in America are not 
 incorporated with those of Britain for the purpose of legis- 
 lation, nor does their being owners of real estates in Ame- 
 rica (to any amount) entitle them to a voice in the election 
 of any members of the British Parliament. Should it be 
 said that the Colonists were subjects of the Crown of Eng- 
 land, and members of that State before their emigration, 
 and therefore must continue so unless they can show that 
 they are discharged by some express agreement ; it may 
 be answered, that their compact as members of that State 
 was, in the nature of it, limited to their continuance in that 
 Realm, and consequently was discharged by their emigra- 
 tion. Should it be farther inquired, how is it that they 
 continue subjects of the Crown of England or Great Bri- 
 tain since their emigration, if their relation to that State 
 was dissolved ? I answer, that the people of each Colony, 
 either before or soon after their emigration, entered into 
 particular compacts with the Kings of England to con- 
 tinue in allegiance to them, their heirs, and successors, and 
 also as to their particular forms of Government, which ap- 
 pears by Charters, royal Proclamations, and the laws and 
 regulations in each Colony, made by the mutual consent of 
 the King and the people. But it may be further objected, 
 that the British Parliament hath, from time to time, made 
 laws to bind the Colonies, which have been acquiesced in 
 for more than a century past, by which it appears that it 
 was mutually understood that the Parliament had authority 
 to make such laws. To which it may be answered, that 
 when the Parliament of England first attempted to exer- 
 cise legislative authority over the Dominions of the Crown 
 out of that Realm, their authority was denied by Ireland, 
 Virginia, and the ancient Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay. The last mentioned Colony refused and neglected to 
 y ield any obedience to the acts of Parliament for regulating 
 the Plantation trade in the reign of King Charles the Se- 
 cond, from the year 1660 to 1675, when the King wrote 
 to the Governour and Company of that Colony, requiring 
 their conformity to said acts ; to which they returned an 
 answer, that they had not conformed to them because they 
 judged them to be an infringement of their rights, for that 
 the authority of the Parliament was limited by the four 
 seas; but as His Majesty had signified to them that it was 
 his pleasure that they should conform to said regulations, 
 they had enjoined obedience to them by an act of their 
 own ; for which the King, in another letter, returned them 
 his thanks. This shows how some of the Colonies under- 
 stood the Constitution while some persons were living who 
 were active in settling the terms of it. Now, can the con- 
 
 formity of some individuals in the Colonies to acts of Par- 
 liament, from motives of necessity or convenience, be con- 
 strued as the consent of the Colonies to the authority of the 
 Parliament to make laws to bind them? Some suppose 
 there is a superintending power in the British Parliament 
 over the Colonics, resulting from the nature of colonization 
 and their relation to the parent State, especially for regu- 
 lating and restraining their trade. But how can parental 
 authority be applied to support or illustrate such a princi- 
 ple ? A parent has a natural right to govern his children 
 during their minority and continuance in his family, but 
 has no such authority over them after they arrive at full 
 age, and are settled in families of their own. A mutual 
 affection, friendship, and regard to each other's interests 
 ought always to subsist between parents and children, and 
 likewise between parent States and their Colonies, but no 
 connexion in Government but what is founded in mutual 
 compact. Nor can the arbitrary demands or exactions of 
 any parent States from their Colonies, be a foundation to 
 determine what is right in the present case. 
 
 It has been urged as a reason why the Colonies should 
 acknowledge a right in the British Parliament to make 
 laws to regulate their trade, that no Colony Legislature is 
 competent for that purpose, their authority being confined 
 to the limits of their respective Colonies. But if the au- 
 thority of the British Parliament is limited to that Realm, 
 it is no more competent to make a law to extend without 
 the limit of its jurisdiction than a Colony Legislature. But 
 it is further said that Great Britain, by her Navy, has 
 power to enforce obedience to her laws of trade and navi- 
 gation, therefore the people of the whole Empire must sub- 
 mit to them ; and that she protects their trade, and there- 
 fore it is reasonable that she should regulate it so as may 
 be most conducive to the good of the Nation. To which 
 it may be replied, that upon the two last mentioned con- 
 siderations the people of the Colonies have, for about a 
 century past, cheerfully consented to the operation of such 
 acts of the British Parliament as are limited to the regula- 
 tion of their external commerce for the mutual advantage of 
 Great Britain and her Colonies, and seem still disposed 
 to persevere in the same line of conduct, so that no contro- 
 versy will be likely to arise on that subject but what may 
 relate to the justice or utility of particular regulations ; and 
 the only way to remove that ground of controversy is, for 
 the Legislature of each Colony to confirm, by their own acts, 
 all such laws of trade as are to be executed within their 
 respective jurisdictions ; which doubtless they would readily 
 agree to, and by that means the acts of trade would be 
 more strictly observed. But as the present inquiry is, 
 whether the British Parliament hath authority to make 
 laws to bind the people of the Colonies in any case without 
 their consent, it may be well to consider that there is an 
 important distinction between authority to command, and 
 power to enforce submission, and also between an equitable 
 claim in Great Britain to receive a compensation from the 
 Colonies for protecting their trade, and her having a legis- 
 lative authority over them to compel them to make that 
 compensation in any particular way without their consent. 
 And why has not the Parliament as good a right to compel 
 them to make such compensation by laws imposing duties 
 on their imports and exports, as by restraining their trade? 
 But if all lawful Government is founded in compact, the 
 Parliament cannot have right in either case to make laws 
 to bind the people of the Colonies without their consent. 
 
 According to Lord Somer's opinion, the right of the 
 people to share in legislation is so necessary for the pre- 
 servation of the society, that they cannot part with it even 
 by their own consent. Take the opinion of that celebrated 
 author in his own words: "Amongst all the rights and 
 privileges appertaining unto us, that of having a share in the 
 legislation, and being to be governed by such laws as we our- 
 selves shall choose, is the most fundamental and essential, 
 as well as the most beneficial ; for thereby we are enabled 
 to make such successive and continual provisions as to the 
 preservation of the society, and the promoting either the 
 temporal or eternal welfare of the subject, as shall be found 
 expedient, he. No man or society of men have power to 
 deliver their preservation, or the means of it, to the abso- 
 lute will of any man, and they will have always a right 
 to preserve what they have not power to part with." 
 
965 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 966 
 
 Should it be inquired, what is the constitutional con- 
 nexion between these several distinct States which com- 
 pose the British Empire? it may be answered, they are 
 all united under one Crown, subjects of the same Prince, 
 whose person, crown, and dignity, they are all obliged to 
 maintain and defend to their utmost ability, against all ene- 
 mies and opposers whatsoever; therefore the enemies of 
 any one of the Dominions of the Crown are the common 
 enemies of all the subjects of the Crown, and it is the duty 
 of all to afford their aid for common defence in time of war, 
 and to be prepared for it in time of peace. Also, the su- 
 preme executive and one branch of the legislative authority 
 being lodged in the Crown, a similarity in the laws and 
 administration of justice is thereby preserved in all the 
 several Dominions. Also, the King's subjects have a com- 
 mon right to participate in all privileges and immunities in 
 any of the Dominions of the Crown, if they remove from 
 one jurisdiction to another, unless that right be abridged by 
 some positive law. 
 
 This union of Great Britain and the Colonies, under 
 the same Crown, differs from the case of Hanover, which 
 is at present subject to the same King, who holds that 
 Dominion by a different title, and not as King of Great 
 Britain. So that if he should resign the British Crown, 
 his right of dominion over Hanover would remain, but not 
 over the American Colonies; for they agreed, with the 
 Kings of England to be subject to them, their heirs, and 
 successors, which will oblige them to be subject to the King 
 of England for the time being, so long as it may be sub- 
 servient to the great end of civil Government — the publick 
 good. The union of Great Britain and the Colonies into 
 one State is, from their situation, impracticable, and every 
 beneficial purpose may, by a prudent administration, be 
 well answered by their union in the Crown, while they 
 continue distinct jurisdictions for civil Government. 
 
 The Legislature of each Dominion can grant the neces- 
 sary aids for common defence, and agree to laws for regu- 
 lating trade and other matters of general concern, which 
 will bind the people within their respective jurisdictions. 
 Their common safety and interest will induce them to agree 
 to what may appear to be for the publick good ; and to 
 facilitate this agreement among the Colonies, Delegates 
 may be chosen by their respective Assemblies, to meet in 
 general Congress, to agree on such matters as shall be re- 
 ferred to their consideration, and report their opinion to the 
 several Colony Legislatures for their final determination. 
 Thus all may co-operate for their common benefit and 
 security, while all enjoy equal privileges and immunities : 
 and the British Empire, by a due attention to the true 
 principles of the Constitution, may become the most pow- 
 erful, happy, and glorious, of any in the world. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, Monday, 12th June, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Oliver Templeton, 
 Cornelius Clopper, 
 AVilluim Bedlow, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Abm. Brinkerhoff, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 
 John Lasher, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 William W. Gilbert, 
 John Woodward, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Benjamin Helme, 
 George Janeway, 
 John Lamb, 
 Petrus Byvanck, 
 William Goforth, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 David Beekman, 
 Hamilton Young, 
 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 James Desbrosses, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 John Imlay, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Aug. Van Home, 
 William Laight, 
 William Walton, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 John M. Scott, 
 Theophilus Anthony. 
 
 A Letter, dated New-London, 7th June, 1775, from 
 II. Parsons, enclosing a copy of a Letter from Portsmouth, 
 dated May 29, 1775, received and read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Henry Remsen pay unto Mr. Isaac 
 Sears the sum of twenty-three Pounds five Shillings and 
 ten Pence, out of the money paid into his hands, and re- 
 ceived of Messrs. Murrays by Mr. Kissam. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Bull, Templeton, and Fleming 
 be a Sub-Committee to attend the sales of two packages of 
 goods in the possession of Gray and Blakic, and also of 
 two bales and a trunk in the possession of Benjamin Booth. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs Ray and Scott be a Sub-Com- 
 mittee to wait on his Worship the Mayor, to request him 
 
 to give orders for the removal of some soldiers' wives and 
 children, infected with the small-pox, out of this City, and 
 to take measures to prevent their becoming a Parish 
 charge. 
 
 Ordered, That John Lamb, William Laight, Joseph 
 Bull, and George Janeway be a Committee to wait on 
 Dr. Betts, to inquire into the truth of his having lately 
 inoculated for the small-pox. 
 
 COMMITTEES IN ULSTER COUNTY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Newburgh, June 12, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of a resolve in Provincial 
 Congress, passed the 7th instant, where it is declared that 
 whenever doubts should arise in the minds of individuals 
 relative to the resolutions and recommendations of either 
 the Continental or our Provincial Congresses, it is the duty 
 of such persons to apply to your Board for an explanation 
 thereof: Therefore, gentlemen, willing to walk in the path 
 of duty, as far as we have knowledge of the same, we, in 
 behalf of the Committees for the Precincts of New-Marl- 
 borough, Newburgh, and New-Windsor, do hereby apply 
 for an explanation of the words in your resolve of the 
 29th of May last, which is as follows: "And that such 
 persons in those Counties or Districts who have not ap- 
 pointed Committees, as shall be appointed by the members 
 of this Congress, respecting such Counties and Districts 
 respectively," kc. As we cannot ascertain what ideas the 
 honourable Congress means to convey by these words, 
 they will pardon the freedom we take in requesting an ex- 
 planation. We are at a loss, also, what is intended in the 
 resolve of the Congress of the 31st of May last, where it is 
 recommended to the inhabitants of this Colony in general 
 to provide arms, kc, and to use all diligence in acquiring 
 knowledge in the military art, and, if necessary, to join 
 themselves into companies for the purpose aforesaid. With 
 all due deference to the honourable Congress, we humbly 
 conceive that the words " if necessary" leaves the matter 
 indifferent whether the inhabitants of this Colony do form 
 themselves into companies or not ; if they do not, we beg 
 to be informed which way we are to acquire the art recom- 
 mended. 
 
 Gentlemen, your answer to our requests will much 
 oblige a number of your constituents, as also your humble 
 servants, Benjamin Carpenter, 
 
 Chairman of New- Marlborough. 
 Samuel Brewster, 
 Chairman of New- Windsor. 
 Isaac Belknap, 
 Chairman pro tern, for Neivburgh. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Colony of 
 New- York, now convened in the City of New-York. 
 
 ALEXANDER McDOUGALL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 New- York Provincial Congress, June 12, 1775. 
 
 The President of your Congress, the General, and Chair- 
 man of the Committee of Supply for your Province, wrote 
 to our Congress a few days since, complaining greatly of 
 the want of powder, and earnestly soliciting our assistance. 
 
 We had it not then in our power to give it, but applied 
 to our neighbours, and procured from them a small supply, 
 which, together with all we could purchase, amount to six 
 hundred and fifty-five pounds. 
 
 Our Congress wrote by this day's post to Governour 
 Trumbull, requesting him to send this quantity to your 
 camp from one of his eastern magazines, and that we would 
 forward the above to replace it, to any Town in his Colony. 
 At nine o'clock this night it will move hence in a wagon, 
 accompanied by four or six trusty men ; for it is necessary 
 that no parade should be made on the road, to prevent a 
 conclusion that this article is wanted with you. They will 
 be directed to travel always at night, and put up in the 
 day. It will be necessary in the way through that Colony, 
 to inquire of Governour Trumbull whether he can comply 
 with our request; if he can, to order what is on its way to 
 such place as he shall think proper. If not, a disposition 
 should be made to convey the article through Connecticut 
 to your camp. I shall order it to be left with a safe Com- 
 mittee in Connecticut. 
 
967 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Lc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 9G8 
 
 ALEXANDER McDOUG ALL TO JOSEPH WARREN. 
 
 New-York, Juno 12, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : Your favour to our Congress on the subject 
 of powder, filled us with great distress, which was greatly 
 increased by our utter inability to supply you. We, how- 
 ever, wrote immediately to Jersey, where we procured a 
 small quantity, which, with all we could purchase here, 
 amount to six hundred and fifty-five pounds. The Con- 
 gress wrote by this day's post to Governour Trumbull, to 
 supply you with this quantity out of one of his easterly 
 magazines, and we would replace. 
 
 For this purpose two wagons set off with the above, or 
 to be forwarded to you, in case he can't comply with our 
 request. 
 
 I am, Sir, in the utmost haste, your very humble servant, 
 
 Alex. McDougall. 
 
 To Joseph Warren, Esq. 
 
 ALEXANDER McDOUGALL TO THE COMMITTEE FOR GREEN- 
 WICH, CONNECTICUT. 
 
 New. York, June 12, 1775. 
 Sir: This accompanies six hundred and fifty-five pounds 
 of powder, which you are requested to forward, with the 
 letter to Mr. Warren, to Hartford, there to be subject to 
 the direction of your Governour, unless he should order 
 the powder to be deposited in some magazine in your 
 Colony before it reaches that place. Please to give Mr. 
 Willett a receipt for the quantity of barrels, and the weight. 
 It will be most expedient that the conveyance be at night, 
 for reasons too obvious to be mentioned, but which Mr. 
 JVillctt will explain, if necessary. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great truth and regard, your humble 
 servant, Alexander McDougall. 
 
 P. S. The barrels should always be coopered before 
 they are changed from cart to cart, and if they want coop- 
 ering, it should be done with wooden tools. 
 
 Greenwich, June 13, 1775, five o'clock, P. M. 
 Received the above, and forwarded the same from Com- 
 mittee to Committee to Hartford, and if the Governour 
 thinks best, to the Army at Cambridge. The powder is 
 contained in two whole barrels, two half barrels, and four- 
 teen quarter casks. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 Nehemiah Mead, 
 John Mackay, 
 Amos Mead, 
 Titus Mead, 
 To the Committee at Stamford, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Stamford, June 13, 1775, eight o'clock, P. M. 
 Received from the Committee of Greenwich the quan- 
 tity of powder as before desired. By us : 
 John Hait, 
 Samuel Broker, 
 Peter Hait, 
 Samuel Hutton, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Newport, Rhode-Island, June 12, 1775. 
 
 On Monday last the Honourable General Assembly of 
 this Colony met at East- Greenwich, and passed the follow- 
 ing Act : 
 
 " This Assembly, at the Session held at Providence on 
 the first Wednesday in May last, having passed an Act 
 prohibiting his Honour the Deputy Governour and the As- 
 sistants, from administering the oath of office to the Hon- 
 ourable Joseph Wanton, Esq., who was elected Governour 
 of this Colony for the present year ; and declaring all acts 
 by him done in the pretended capacity of Governour, null 
 and void, until he shall be engaged in open General As- 
 sembly, and with the consent of the General Assembly, 
 &tc: and the said Joseph Wanton having appeared before 
 this Assembly, and demanded that the oath of office be 
 administered to him ; and this Assembly having taken the 
 same into consideration, do vote and resolve, and it is voted 
 and resolved, that the said Joseph Wanton hath not given 
 satisfaction to this Assembly, and that the said recited Act, 
 passed at the last Session, continue and be in force until 
 
 the rising of the General Assembly at the next Session ; 
 and that this Act be immediately published, by inserting a 
 copy thereof in the Newport Mercury, and Providence 
 Gazette." 
 
 Colony of Rhode-Island, &ic. 
 
 The above is a true copy of an Act passed by the Gen- 
 eral Assembly, at the Session held at East-Greenwich, on 
 the second Monday in June, A. D. 1175. 
 
 Witness: Henry Ward, Secretary. 
 
 Whitehall, London, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Lieutenant-General Gage, in his letters to the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, dated June 12, 1775, gives an account that 
 the Town of Boston continued to be surrounded by a large 
 body of rebel Provincials, and that all communication with 
 the country was cut off; that the rebels had been burning 
 houses, and driving sheep off an island that has easy com- 
 munication with the main land, which drew on a skirmish 
 with some Marines, who drove the rebels away ; but that 
 an armed schooner, that had been sent between the inland 
 and the main land, having got on shore at high water, 
 there was no possibility of saving her, for as the tide fell, 
 she was left quite dry, and burned by the rebels. Two 
 men were killed, and a few wounded. 
 
 The first embarkation of Troops from Ireland, consisting 
 of three Regiments of Infantry and one of Light Cavalry, 
 had arrived at Boston; and General Gage had published 
 a Proclamation, offering His Majesty's pardon to all per- 
 sons who should immediately lay down their arms, (except 
 Samuel Adams and John Hancock,) declaring all per.-on? 
 to be traitors who should aid and assist, or hold any cor- 
 respondence with the rebels ; and ordering martial law to 
 be in force within the Province of Massachusetts-Bay, so 
 long as the present unhappy occasions shall necessarily re- 
 quire it. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL GAGE TO LORD 
 DARTMOUTH. 
 
 Boston, June 12, 1775. 
 It has been mentioned to your Lordship, that the disaf- 
 fected generally receive very quick intelligence of what is 
 doing at home, and that those who have committed them- 
 selves most notoriously in acts of treason and rebellion, fled 
 upon the arrival of a ship from England, some days before 
 the Nautilus and Falcon sloops reached this place with 
 your despatches. From what lias passed, your Lordship 
 will judge that a plan for rebellion has been long conceived, 
 and the people's minds ripened for it, and it is now too 
 open and manifest to need the opinion of the law officers. 
 1 hear that the rebels, after surprising Ticonderoga , made 
 incursions and commenced hostilities upon the frontier of 
 the Province of Quebcck, which will justify General Carh- 
 ton to raise bodies of Canadians and Indians to attack them 
 in return ; and we need not be tender of calling on the 
 Savages, as the rebels have shown us the example, by 
 bringing as many Indians down against us here as they 
 could collect.* 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOUR GAGE. 
 
 By His Excellency the Honourable Thomas Gage, Es- 
 quire, Governour and Commander-in-Chief, in and over 
 His Majesty's Province of Massachusetts-Bay, and 
 Vice- Admiral of the same : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 
 Whereas, the infatuated multitude, who have long suf- 
 fered themselves to be conducted by certain well known 
 incendiaries and traitors, in a fatal progression of crimes 
 against the constitutional authority of the State, have at 
 
 ♦It is a singular fact that the first intelligence of the capture of 
 Ticonderoga was communicated to General Gage through a letter from 
 Doctor Joseph Warren to Mr. John Scollay, dated May 17th, at Wa- 
 tertown, just one month before he was slain at Bunker' s.llill. A copy 
 of the lottor was procured by General Gage, and sent by him to Lord 
 Dartmouth. The following is an extract; 
 
 " Thus a war is begun, which I have frequently said to you and 
 others would, if not timely prevented, overturn tho liritish Empire; but 
 I hopo, after a full conviction both of our ability and resolution to 
 maintain our rights, Britain will act with that wisdom which is so ab- 
 solutely necessary for her preservation ; this I most heartily wish, as 
 I feel a warm affection still for tho Parent State." Sparks's Washing, 
 ton. Vol. 3, p. 510. 
 
969 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1175. 
 
 970 
 
 length proceeded to avowed Rebellion ; and the good ef- 
 fects which were expected to arise from the patience and 
 lenity of the King's Government have been often frustra- 
 ted, and are now rendered hopeless, by the influence of the 
 same evil counsels; it only remains for those who are in- 
 vested with supreme rule, as well for the punishment of the 
 guilty, as the protection of the well-affected, to prove they 
 do not bear the sword in vain. 
 
 The infringements which have been committed upon the 
 most sacred rights of the Crown and People of Great Bri- 
 tain, are too many to enumerate on one side, and are all 
 too atrocious to be paliated on the other. All unpreju- 
 diced people, who have been witnesses of the late transac- 
 tions in this and the neighbouring Provinces, will find, upon 
 a transient review, marks of premeditation and conspiracy, 
 that would justify the fulness of chastisement ; and even 
 those who are least acquainted with facts, cannot fail to 
 receive a just impression of their enormity, in proportion 
 as t hey discover the arts and assiduity by which they have 
 been falsified or concealed. 
 
 The authors of the present unnatural revolt, never dar- 
 ing to trust their cause or their actions to the judgment of 
 an impartial publick, or even to the dispassionate reflec- 
 tion of their followers, have uniformly placed their chief 
 confidence in the suppression of truth ; and while indefati- 
 gable and shameless pains have been taken to obstruct 
 every appeal to the real interest of the people of America, 
 the grossest forgeries, calumnies and absurdities that ever 
 insulted human understanding, have been imposed upon 
 their credulity. The press, that distinguished appendage 
 of publick liberty, and, when fairly and impartially em- 
 ployed, its best support, has been invariably prostituted to 
 the most contrary purposes; the animated language of an- 
 cient and virtuous times, calculated to vindicate and pro- 
 mote the just rights and interests of mankind, have been 
 applied to countenance the most abandoned violation of 
 those sacred blessings; and not only from the flagitious 
 prints, but from the popular harangues of the times, men 
 have been taught to depend upon activity in treason, for 
 the security of their persons and properties ; till, to com- 
 plete the horrid profanation of terms and of ideas, the 
 name of God has been introduced in the pulpits, to excite 
 and justify devastation and massacre. 
 
 The minds of men have been thus gradually prepa- 
 red for the worst extremities. A number of armed per- 
 sons, to the amount of many thousands, assembled on the 
 19th of April last, and from behind walls and lurking 
 holes, attacked a detachment of the King's Troops, who, 
 not suspecting so consummate an act of frenzy, unprepared 
 for vengeance, and willing to decline it, made use of their 
 arms only in their own defence. Since that period, the 
 rebels, deriving confidence from impunity, have added insult 
 to outrage ; have repeatedly fired upon the King's ships 
 and subjects, with cannon and small-arms ; have possessed 
 the roads, and other communications by which the Town 
 of Boston was supplied with provisions; and with a pre- 
 posterous parade of military arrangement, they affected to 
 hold the Army besieged ; while part of their body made 
 daily and indiscriminate invasions upon private property, 
 and, with a wantonness of cruelty ever incident to lawless 
 tumult, carry depredation and distress wherever they turn 
 their steps. The actions of the 19th of April are of such 
 notority as must baffle all attempts to contradict them, and 
 the flames of buildings and other property from the islands 
 and adjacent country, for some weeks past, spread a melan- 
 choly confirmation of the subsequent assertions. 
 
 In this exigency of complicated calamities, I avail my- 
 self of the last effort within the bounds of my duty, to 
 spare the effusion of blood ; to offer, and I do hereby, in 
 His Majesty's name, offer and promise his most gracious 
 pardon to all persons who shall forthwith lay down their 
 arms, and return to their duties of peaceable subjects, ex- 
 cepting only from the benefit of such pardon, Samuel 
 Adams and John Hancock, whose offences are of too fla- 
 gitious a nature to admit of any other consideration than 
 that of condign punishment. 
 
 And to the end that no person within the limits of this 
 offered mercy may plead ignorance of the consequences 
 of refusing it ; I, by these presents, proclaim not only the 
 persons above named and excepted, but also all their ad- 
 herents, associates, and abetters, (meaning to comprehend 
 
 in those terms, all and every person and persons, of what 
 class, denomination or description soever,) who have ap- 
 peared in arms against the King's Government, and shall 
 not lay down the same as afore-mentioned ; and likewise; 
 all such as shall so take arms after the date hereof, or who 
 shall in any wise protect or conceal such offenders, or assist 
 them with money, provisions, cattle, arms, ammunition, 
 carriages, or any other necessary for subsistence or offence ; 
 or shall hold secret correspondence with them by letter, 
 message, single or otherwise, to be Rebels and Traitors, 
 and as such to be treated. 
 
 And whereas, during the continuance of the present un- 
 natural rebellion, justice cannot be administered by the 
 common law of the land, the course whereof has for a long 
 time past been violently impeded, and wholly interrupted, 
 (from whence results a necessity of using and exercising the 
 Law-Martial,) I have therefore thought fit, by the autho- 
 rity vested in me by the Royal Charter to this Province, 
 to publish, and 1 do hereby publish, proclaim and order the 
 use and exercise of the Law-Martial, within and through- 
 out this Province for so long time as the present unhappy 
 occasion shall necessarily require ; whereof all persons are 
 hereby required to take notice, and govern themselves, as 
 well to maintain order and regularity among the peaceable 
 inhabitants of the Province, as to resist, encounter, and 
 subdue the Rebels and Traitors above described, by sucti 
 as shall be called upon for those purposes. 
 
 To these inevitable, but, I trust, salutary measures, it is a 
 far more pleasing part of my duty to add the assurance of 
 my protection and support to all who, in so trying a crisis, 
 shall manifest their allegiance to the King, and affection to 
 the Parent State; so that such persons as may have been 
 intimidated to quit their homes in the course of this alarm, 
 may return to their respective callings and professions, 
 and stand distinct and separate from the parricides of the 
 Constitution, till God in his mercy shall restore to his crea- 
 tures in this distracted laud that system of happiness from 
 which they have been seduced — the religion of peace, and 
 liberty founded upon law. 
 
 Given at Boston, this 12th day of June, in the fifteenth 
 year of the reign of His Majesty King George the Third, 
 by the grace of God, of Great-Britain, France, and Ire- 
 land, King, Defender of the Faith, &,c, Annoque Domi- 
 ni 1775. Thomas Gage. 
 By His Excellency's command: 
 
 Thomas Flucker, Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertow n, June 12, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : 
 
 The views of Administration having been made evident 
 by their conduct for some years past, and the late regula- 
 tions of civil and ecclesiastical polity of Quebeck having 
 already discovered an intention to make up of the Cana- 
 dians or Indians to reduce the Continent to slavery ; it has 
 been found absolutely necessary for the preservation of the 
 liberties of America to take possession of the important 
 pass of Ticonderoga, and to send forward a sufficient force 
 to hold the same against any attempt which may be made 
 to retake it, and to prevent General Carleton from sending 
 forces, by the way of the Lakes, to annoy and distress the 
 frontiers. But we apprehend there never has been any 
 intention to give the least disturbance to our brethren of 
 Canada, to whom we most sincerely wish the full and free 
 enjoyment of their civil and religious rights. 
 
 We humbly request that your Honours would take sucli 
 steps to prevent any false impressions which our enemies 
 may attempt to make on their minds, concerning our de- 
 signs, or to remove any such as have already been made, 
 as you in your wisdom shall think most expedient; as we 
 look upon it to be of the utmost importance that there 
 should be no jealousies subsisting between them and the 
 other Colonies ; and we have wrote to our sister Colonies 
 in New-England and to Neic-York, requesting they would 
 make a similar application to you respecting this matter 
 
 We are your most obedient humble servants- 
 To the Continental Congress. 
 
971 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 972 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of Massachu- 
 setts, now siding at Watehtown, within the County 
 of Middlesex, this twelfth day of June, 1775: 
 
 The Memorial of Henry Howell Williams humbly 
 she wet h : 
 
 That your memorialist hath, for eleven years last past, 
 dwelt on an island in Boston Bay, commonly called Nod- 
 dle's Island, at a very high rent, and in order to pay the 
 same was obliged to keep a large stock of horses, cattle, 
 sheep, he. ; and that during all the years aforesaid hath 
 paid very large taxes for said island, stock, &c, for the 
 support of Government; and hath always endeavoured 
 faithfully to discharge his duty, as a good member of so- 
 ciety, towards all men, and all that was theirs. That on 
 Saturday, the 27th day of May last, a number of armed 
 troops, commonly called Provincials, came on to said 
 island, by way of Hog Island, and did then and there kill 
 or carry away eight horses and three cows, part of the 
 aforesaid stock, and also burnt and destroyed one dwelling- 
 house and barn, with all the household goods therein con- 
 tained, wearing apparel, he. That on Monday, the 29th 
 of May, the same or another number of said armed troops, 
 came again on to said island, and then and there did burn 
 and destroy two other dwelling-houses, goods, he., and 
 three barns ; and at the same time did take away and 
 drive off from said island about five hundred old sheep, 
 and about three hundred and forty lambs, with between 
 thirty and forty head of horned cattle, the property of 
 your memorialist, together with a further number of horses, 
 hogs, &c, he. And that on Tuesday, the 30th day of 
 May aforesaid, they entered again on to said island, and 
 then and there proceeded and burnt your memorialist's 
 mansion house, with all the barns, corn-houses, and store 
 houses, stores, provisions, goods, house furniture, wearing 
 apparel, liquors, and utensils of all sorts, to a very con- 
 siderable amount and value. And on Saturday, the 10th 
 day of June, instant, entered again, and burnt and de- 
 stroyed the warehouse, the last building on said island, 
 by which means your poor memorialist is stripped almost 
 naked, and destitute of any place to lay his head, with a 
 very large family of children and servants, to the amount 
 of between forty and fifty in number, that are destitute of 
 any business or supplies but from your memorialist. 
 
 These are therefore to request your Honours will take 
 his most distressed circumstances into your wise considera- 
 tion, and make such order thereon as in your wisdom shall 
 seem meet, and, as in duty bound, will pray. 
 
 Henry Howell Williams. 
 
 SPRINGFIELD (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Springfield, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Committee of Correspondence for this 
 Town have signified to me, that many suspicions have 
 been conceived of me, in this and other parts of the Coun- 
 try, respecting my disposition and conduct, in regard to 
 our publick affairs ; and have therefore, agreeable to the 
 order of the Provincial Congress of the 8th of May last, 
 thought proper to inquire into the same, and have called 
 upon me for the assurance and satisfaction therein men- 
 tioned : in conformity to such request, I have assured said 
 Committee, and beg leave respectfully to assure the pub- 
 lick, that I have always conceived a most tender regard for 
 the liberty and privileges of my Country, and the greatest 
 concern at every prospect of its injury or oppression ; that 
 however I may, as very probably 1 have, committed many 
 errours and mistakes in the little part I have had in the 
 publick affairs of the Province, yet that 1 never entertained 
 a sentiment, or did any thing knowingly, that was unfriend- 
 ly to its interest, but always endeavoured, according to my 
 ability, with good conscience to promote it. 
 
 That wherein I have heretofore in any of those matters, 
 unhappily thought differently from many of my brethren, 
 I humbly apprehend I thought with modesty, and acted 
 with integrity, moderation, and decency, and in some good 
 degree as became one who realized the account he was to 
 give of his conduct. That as a private member of society, 
 1 have long since submitted myself to the publick sense 
 and opinion; that I have always conformed myself to the 
 regulations of the former Continental Congress ; that I 
 will by no means obstruct any measures that may be taken 
 
 for the common defence ; that I am determined to conform 
 myself to all such future regulations as may be dictated by 
 the wisdom of the Continent; and to join my countrymen, 
 on all occasions, according to my abilities, in defence of the 
 rights and liberties of America. 
 
 John Worthington. 
 
 In Committee of Correspondence, Sprinpfield, ) 
 June 12, 1775. \ 
 
 This Committee having examined John IVorthington, 
 Esq., with respect to his principles and conduct, agreeable 
 to the order of the Provincial Congress of the 8lh of May 
 last, and having received full and ample assurance of his 
 friendly disposition to his Country, and of his readiness 
 to join in defence of its rights and liberties; hereby declare 
 their full satisfaction and confidence therein; and recom- 
 mend him to the favourable opinion of the publick, and to 
 the treatment and respect due to a friend of his Country. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Nathaniel Brewer, Chairman. 
 
 N. B. This Town in town-meeting having heard him 
 on the same matters, voted themselves also satisfied there- 
 with. 
 
 COMMITTEES OF CHELMSFORD, ETC., MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Chelmsford, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, I, Timothy Brown of Teivksbury, have been 
 suspected as an enemy to the liberties of America, 1 do 
 hereby acknowledge that I have in times past said some- 
 thing (though with no inimical design) that were taken as 
 of an inimical nature. I am heartily sorry I said those 
 things, and desire the forgiveness of all persons that I 
 have offended thereby ; and do declare myself a friend to 
 the Charter privileges of my Country, and that I will use 
 all lawful endeavours to maintain and defend the same. 
 
 Timothy Brown. 
 
 The above written acknowledgment was accepted by the 
 Committee of Correspondence for the Towns of Chelms- 
 ford, Billerica, and Tcwksbury, and they do hereby re- 
 commend the above named Timothy Brown to the charity 
 and friendship of the good people through the Country. 
 
 In the name and by order of the Committee of said 
 Towns: Simeon Spalding, Chairman. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, now sitting at Watertown, in said 
 Province : 
 
 The Petition of the Committee of Safety for and in be- 
 half of the Town of Kittery, humbly shciveth : 
 That the Committee of Safety for this Town earnestly 
 desire the favour of making a representation to your Hon- 
 ours of the distresses and insults we are daily subjected to, 
 from the hands of our enemies, being constrained thereto 
 by the duty and regard we owe to said Town, our families, 
 and the community. 
 
 Such threatenings being sent on shore, by letters and 
 otherwise, from the Captains of the Scarborough and Can- 
 ceaux men-of-war, as would disgrace us as Englishmen 
 and rational beings, should we tamely pass over. We are 
 told, that our houses shall be beat down, and the inhabi- 
 tants made prisoners of, whenever it is in their power, with 
 all the horrours of bloodshed and butchery laid before us. 
 Three cannon-shot have already been fired upon the side 
 opposite to this Town, among the houses, but providen- 
 tially no lives lost. Although we keep a regular Watch, 
 night and day, we are in expectation every moment, on 
 the least pretence, of having our habitations and effects 
 demolished, and our persons seized as aforesaid. 
 
 We are already cut off from all provisions, salt, and mo- 
 lasses, by water; and notwithstanding our being in some 
 measure prepared to defend with musketry, we are desti- 
 tute of the necessaries for the use of cannon, of which we 
 have two very good ones, and a prospect of obtaining more, 
 having also a very advantageous place for a battery, under 
 some considerable improvement, erected by the late Sir 
 William Peppercll, on the news of the Chcbucta Fleets 
 appearing on the Nova-Scotia shore. The inhabitants are 
 willing and ready to exert themselves for the honour of 
 
973 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 974 
 
 the Province, as well as for the defence of themselves in 
 particular. 
 
 We of this Committee, looking upon the said Town as 
 very unhappy in such a defenceless situation, apply to 
 your Honours, as the guardians of our rights, and beg 
 leave to ask for supplies of powder and balls, for the use 
 of the battery proposed, as a defence against the ravages 
 of merciless men. If it should in your wisdom seem meet 
 to grant us this favour, humbly desire your advice how 
 far, and the manner in which we ought to proceed, as we 
 should be utterly against taking any steps that might inter- 
 rupt your deliberations. We ask not for this assistance 
 because we are intimidated or dismayed, but that we may 
 have an opportunity to distinguish ourselves in favour of a 
 cause that appears to us so just and reasonable on our 
 part, on the other to be fraught with cruelty and oppres- 
 sion beyond our abilities to set forth. Being reduced to 
 this alternative, either to fight or perish by famine, we 
 choose the first, if we can procure the rational means for 
 defence. We submit the matter to your goodness and 
 wisdom, and doubt not of your inclination to relieve us, if 
 our request appears reasonable to you, and consistent with 
 the general plan of operation. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Chas. Chauncy, Jun., Chairman. 
 
 Kittery, June 12, 1775. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Lebanon, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : When I left you I came to this Town, 
 qnd informed his Honour the Governour the distressing 
 situation I was in concerning the team, and his Honour 
 told me there was no difficulty ; that I must apply to Al- 
 bany, and they would pay me, and he would not have me 
 fetch any cannon without orders from the Continental Con- 
 gress, which advice I shall take. He also informed me 
 that I was appointed Commissary-General for the North- 
 ern forces, so that you cannot expect any cannon by any 
 of my assistance at present. I thought it my duty to let 
 you know it ; should be glad that this might be read in 
 Congress, as I thought my fidelity suspected. Gentlemen, 
 I am, with the greatest esteem, your very humble ser- 
 vant at command, Elisha Phelps. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM NEWFOUNDLAND, DATED 
 JUNE 12, 1775. 
 
 The necessities of the people here for bread are in- 
 creasing daily ; the labourers and fishermen have some time 
 been at short allowance, and I am informed that many 
 families here have not any to eat. The merchants have 
 despatched vessels to England, Ireland, and Quebeck, in 
 search for bread, and I doubt not many are gone and going 
 to America on the same errand ; but this is conjecture, 
 founded on the knowledge and solicitations to undertake 
 the voyage, of which I, being suspected and watched, can 
 get no certain intelligence. The minds of the merchants 
 are much agitated. As I transiently fall in company here, 
 where my particular sentiments are not so well known, I 
 hear merchants concerting schemes for their supplies, and 
 complaining that they must discharge their men ; then 
 cursing New-York, " the only place," say they, " we de- 
 pend on to assist us in subjugating the Americans ;" then 
 cursing the Continental Congress, and proposing the most 
 inhuman procedure, whenever they shall, fall into their 
 hands ; anon cursing the Poole Petition, and swearing they 
 had no hand in it ; that the Poole men had destroyed them. 
 " Howe ver," say they, " when General Burgoync arrives, 
 he will draw in New- York, and we shall yet bring Ame- 
 rica to terms ; but if he should fail, those Light-horse will 
 soon secure the Continental Congress ; our Troops will 
 march through the Country, and make them feel the ef- 
 fects of their obstinacy; they have no Regular Troops, 
 and what can they do with a few undisciplined men ? but, 
 damn them, what shall we do, if they are united; we shall 
 never be able to do any thing with them." This, gentle- 
 men, and much of the same nature, is the reward you have 
 from a sample of England; blessings God has given to 
 men, are secured to them. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED JUNE 13, 
 1775. 
 
 The troubles and misunderstandings between us and 
 the Colonies are very much felt here. Remittances are 
 unavoidably very long ; and this, added to a total depriva- 
 tion of trade, puts us in a dreadful situation, and has a 
 still worse appearance to look onwards. The very people 
 who first oppressed the Colonies here, in full assurance 
 that all they asked must be complied with, now say, 
 " What can we do ? We have gone too far, but cannot 
 recede." But I hope there are still left some able men, 
 whose humanity will lead them to step forward, and by 
 well-timed arguments will still adjust matters, and that we 
 shall again see that good opinion between both which has 
 hitherto made us great and powerful. This happy hour I 
 most ardently wish for. 
 
 GOVERNOUR MARTIN TO HENRY WHITE. 
 
 Cape Fear, North-Carolina, June 13, 1775. 
 
 My dear Sir: I take the liberty to enclose herewith a 
 letter to Mrs. Martin, whose safe arrival I am most anxious 
 to learn, the winds having been easterly almost ever since 
 her departure. 
 
 I shall be extremely obliged to you if you can contrive 
 to send me, with the royal standard I mentioned to you 
 some time ago, or without it if that is not to be had, a good 
 tent and markee, of the size of the Colonel's tent in the 
 Army, with a tent-bed to fit the boot of it, and furniture, 
 viz : mattress, bolster, and pillows ; to be sent by any ves- 
 sel bound to Cape Fear River, or in default thereof to New- 
 bern, directed to the care of Mr. Cornell. 
 
 I should rejoice to see a prospect of a happy termina- 
 tion of the present deplorable times, that more or less 
 threatens the happiness of every man throughout the Bri- 
 tish Dominions. 
 
 My compliments and warmest good wishes attend you 
 and Mrs. White and all your family; and I am, dear Sir, 
 ever yours, Jo. Martin. 
 
 The Honourable Henry White, Esq., New-York. 
 
 P. S. I forbear to give you your due additions on the 
 outside of my letter, to obviate prying curiosity. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELE- 
 GATES TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLI AMSBURGH, DATED PHI- 
 LADELPHIA, JUNE 13, 1775. 
 
 Notwithstanding the many accounts of the sailing of the 
 Troops from Ireland, a vessel has just arrived here from 
 Newry, in five weeks, the Captain of which says that none 
 had sailed ; and that just as he was coming away, orders 
 were said to have come to them to hold themselves in readi- 
 ness to embark for Gibraltar. 
 
 Colonel Skene (owner of the schooner taken on Lake 
 Champlain, whose son was also taken there, and is now 
 prisoner in Connecticut) is just arrived from London with 
 a commission to be Governour of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, but, private letters say, is charged with a power from 
 Administration to influence the members of the Congress 
 by arguments drawn on the Treasury, over which he has 
 unlimited power ; but as we have no occasion for his ser- 
 vices at the forts, and do not intend to deal in his reason- 
 ings, he remains a prisoner upon his parole, to keep within 
 eight miles of the city, between the two rivers, and not to 
 correspond with any person on political subjects. 
 
 As to the two engagements at the islands near Boston, 
 we are told, but not with a degree of confirmation, that the 
 last on Noddle's Island was a very serious business, near 
 fifteen hundred being engaged on each side, and that the 
 Regulars had two hundred killed and wounded, the loss on 
 the side of the Provincials being merely trifling. 
 
 I think we may finish in a fortnight, but can only guess, 
 without forming any precise judgment about it. 
 
 CAROLINE COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Mr. Purdie : Influenced by the best motives, and di- 
 vested of national prejudice, the Committee of Caroline 
 request you to publish the enclosed extracts. They mean 
 
075 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, tc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 976 
 
 nothing more by the publication than to excite in the breast 
 of their countrymen an honest indignation against the authors 
 of rhebr present calamities; to animate them to a manly 
 opposition against a ministerial system of politicks evidently- 
 calculated to enslave America ; to stimulate them to that 
 industry, and recommend that economy, which are requisite 
 to a discharge of their just debts; and to expose the insidi- 
 ous arts and designs oi \' British merchants and factors, who 
 seem highly pleased with a prospect of having the power 
 of seizing in an instant, with merciless rapacity, the property 
 of the poor and laborious Colonist, by means of an estab- 
 lishment of a more compendious course of law. 
 
 Samuel Hawes, Clerk. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from D. Cross, Glasgow, to James 
 Dunlop, merchant, Port-Royal, June 8, 1775: 
 1 believe also when your courts are opened, you will 
 meet with better and speedier justice than ever, and per- 
 haps a different mode of having it administered. That you 
 will see an immediate and heavy pressure, when this bap- 
 pens, upon certain classes of the debtors, and their property 
 brought to market; for I believe the late confusions will 
 have given to most individuals a character that is like a 
 stamp upon them, and will, I believe, occasion what I have 
 said taking place, in a very extensive degree. I besides 
 see in conversation, an uncommon backwardness still in 
 people's trusting their property in America, nor can 1 help 
 adopting and approving the sentiment, when 1 consider what 
 strong reasons they have for it. 
 
 To James Dunlop and Patrick Kennan, merchants, on 
 Rappahannock, June 13, 1775 : 
 
 Let your list of debts, your books, and every other docu- 
 ment and voucher you send to us, be all sworn to before a 
 proper magistrate ; take your assistants and book-keepers' 
 oaths also in the same manner, and study to make every 
 matter as authentick and firm as the nature of the things 
 will admit. You ought to have done this with the last list 
 of debts that you sent ; you cannot now err on the side of 
 too much precaution and care, for ascertaining things here- 
 after. You cannot suffer in taking paper money in pay- 
 ment, so far as you have occasion to pay it away again lor 
 debts that you owe; but beware of taking it farther, when 
 you find the. exchange affected much, or the difference be- 
 tween it and gold and silver considerable. 
 
 Mr. Dunlop, in his letter of the sixteenth of July, by 
 the Jean, in case the trade opens again, recommends to us 
 to put the collection of debts into other hands than the sale 
 of goods, each to be under a different firm. This appears 
 to us proper; and if Mr. Kennan is of the same opinion as 
 to his business, he will please to mention it, and each will 
 name the person he would choose to take charge of the 
 collection, and powers will, in proper time, be given. We 
 suppose yourselves would choose to take charge of the 
 sales, and of the apparent new business. 
 
 Mr. Morris and Mr. Walsh would be the proper people 
 to devolve the collection upon. If any others, let them be 
 named. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BALTIMORE, JUNE 13, 1775. 
 
 A. gentleman who last night came here from J1 illiams- 
 burgh, which place he left on Friday last, June 9th, brings 
 an account of Lord Dunmorc having the day before gone 
 on board a man-of-war, at York, with his lady and family. 
 The Assembly sent a deputation to invite him to return, 
 and assured him of protection, but he refused, and pretends 
 to be afraid of being assassinated. He had dismissed the 
 Indian hostages, and desired them to make the best of their 
 way to their own country. Two of them have since sur- 
 rendered themselves, the other is not yet found. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES IN CONTI- 
 NENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New. York, Juno 13, 177.1. 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of one of your resolves, we 
 appointed a Committee to view the post in the Highlands, 
 whose report, with a map thereto annexed, you have en- 
 closed, which is all we have as yet been able to do respect- 
 
 ing that matter. As soon as the proper measures on that 
 head are concluded, we will transmit them to you. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble ser- 
 vants. By order of the Congress: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 BENEDICT ARNOLD TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Crown Point, June 13, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As commanding officer here, I think it my 
 duty to acquaint you that having lately sent one Mr. Hoit, 
 an Indian interpreter, to Montreal and Caughnanaga, to 
 consult with some gentlemen of my acquaintance in the 
 former place, and with the Indians in the latter, to know 
 their intentions in the present dispute, he has returned witli 
 the agreeable intelligence that the Indians are determined 
 not to assist the King's Troops against us. They have 
 made a law, that if any one of their tribe shall take up arms 
 for that purpose, he shall immediately be put to death ; 
 this is confirmed by five of their chief men, who are now 
 here with their wives and children, and press very hard for 
 our Army to march into Canada, being much disgusted with 
 the Regulars. The Stockbridge Indians, whom 1 lately 
 sent to them with a belt of wampum and speech, confirm 
 the above. My friend in Montreal, a merchant and gen- 
 tleman of probity, writes that I may depend on the truth of 
 the above, and that great numbers of the Canadians haxe 
 expected a visit from us for some time, and are very impa- 
 tient of our delay, as they are determined to join us whem \ ei 
 we appear in the Country with any force to support them. 
 This I am confirmed in by a party of the Canadians, hav- 
 ing just returned from a short excursion to the lsle-au-Noii , 
 (Nut-]sland,) where a number of them offer to join us. 
 
 Governour Carleton, by every artifice, has been able to 
 raise only about twenty Canadians, and those of the nobles- 
 se, who are in expectation of places of profit or honour. He 
 is now at Montreal, and has threatened the English mer- 
 chants, if they will not defend it in case of an attack, he will 
 set fire to the city and retreat to Quebeck. There are now 
 in Canada, of the Seventh and Twenty-Sixth Regiments, 
 only five hundred and fifty effective men, who are quartered 
 in the following manner: At St. John's and Chamblee, 
 three hundred ; at Montreal, forty; at Lachine, twelve ; at 
 Trois Rivieres, forty ; at Qucbcck, one hundred and twenty : 
 and some small parties at out-posts. From the foregoing 
 matters of fact, which you may rely are undoubted, and 
 from my personal knowledge of the country and disposi- 
 tion of the Canadians, I beg leave to observe, that if the 
 honourable Congress should think proper to take possession 
 of Montreal and Qucbcck,\ am positive two thousand men 
 might very easily effect it ; for which purpose I beg leave 
 to recommend the following plan of operations: 
 
 The men to embark at Crown Point and proceed in the 
 sloop, schooner, batteaus, &ic, to within two miles of iS'f. 
 John's; seventeen hundred men to form a grand division, 
 of which one thousand to proceed directly to Montreal ; 
 the other division of seven hundred to cut off the commu- 
 nication between St. John's, Chamblee, and Montreal, and 
 the remainder to remain with the shipping to secure our 
 retreat, who will be able, by a diversion in favour of the 
 main body, until they show themselves off Montreal, whose 
 gates, on our arrival at that place, will be opened by our 
 friends there, in consequence of a plan for that purpose 
 already entered into by them. Of course Chamblee and 
 St. John's must fall into our hands, as well as Qiicbcck, 
 unless a number of troops should arrive there before this 
 plan can be carried into execution, the utility of which the 
 honourable Congress will be the best judges. But 1 must 
 beg to observe, it appears to me the reduction of those 
 places would discourage the enemies of American liberty, 
 and, in a great degree, frustrate their cruel and unjust plan 
 of operation, and be the means of iestoring that solid peace 
 and harmony between Great Britain and her Colonies, so 
 essential to the well being of both ; at least it will, in my 
 humble opinion, be more advantageous, and attended with 
 less expense, to reduce Qucbeck and keep possession, where 
 provisions of every kind are plenty, and a strong fortress 
 built to our hand, than rebuilding Ticonderoga, as it will 
 entirely deprive Great Britainof the lucrative branch, (the 
 fur trade,) and be an inexhaustible granary in case we are 
 
977 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 978 
 
 reduced to want, as there are annually shipped from Que- 
 beclc five hundred thousand bushels of wheat. I hope the 
 exigency of the times, and my zeal in the service of my 
 Country, will apologize for the liberty of giving my senti- 
 ments so freely on a subject which the honourable Congress 
 are doubtless the best judges of, but which they in their 
 hurry may not have paid that attention to the matter requires. 
 I beg leave to add, that if no person appears who will un- 
 dertake to carry the plan into execution, (if thought advi- 
 sable,) I will undertake, and, with the smiles of Heaven, 
 answer for the success of it, provided I am supplied with 
 men, &tc, to carry it into execution without loss of time. 
 1 must beg leave to refer you to the bearer, Captain Os- 
 wald, for particulars, who is entrusted with an imperfect 
 memorandum of such articles as are most wanted. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, gen- 
 tlemen, your most devoted humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold. 
 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress, now sitting 
 at Philadelphia. 
 
 P. S. The American Colonies in general are equally in 
 danger from Ca?iada, whether it remain in the hands of Bri- 
 tain, under the present form of its Government, or should 
 be restored to the French, which many suspect is intended 
 by the Ministry in England. But should Canada be placed 
 under a free Government, agreeable to the English Consti- 
 tution, like the other Colonies, we should forever after be 
 secure from any danger that way, as it would ever remain 
 an English Colony, even though by the treachery of the 
 British Ministry it should be given up to France; so that 
 this measure, though at first view it might seem like going 
 beyond our own province to invade the rights of Great Bri- 
 tain, yet a due regard to our own defence, as well as the 
 advantage of the inhabitants of that Country, makes it ne- 
 cessary. B. A. 
 
 Memorandum. 
 
 Propose, in order to give satisfaction to the different Col- 
 onies, that Colonel Hinman's Regiment, now on their march 
 from Connecticut to Ticondcroga, should form part of the 
 Army — say one thousand men ; 500 do. to be sent from 
 New- York, including one company of one hundred men 
 of the train of artillery, properly equipped ; 500 do. B. Ar- 
 nold's Regiment, including seamen and marines on board 
 the vessels: (no Green Mountain Boys.) The men, as many 
 as can be, to be supplied with bayonets, cartridge-boxes, 
 and powder-horns: 2 able engineers: 2 good armourers and 
 tools: ] 00 tents and markees : 1000 blankets, one Regi- 
 ment being already provided : proper camp-equipage, ket- 
 tles, cups, Sic, for one thousand men : 4 brass field-pieces 
 and carriages furnished : two 7 &t 8-inch brass mortars, do.: 
 shells and shot of every kind for do.: 2000 pounds of gun- 
 powder : 300 shovels and spades : 200 hoes : 200 pick- 
 axes: 200 narrow do. : 50 broad do.: 500 hatchets: 50 
 hand-saws, sorted: 10 crosscut do.: 10 whip do.: 5 reams 
 of cartridge paper: 10 pieces of raven's duck for sails: 50 
 pounds of sewing twine : needles, palms, &.c: match stuff, 
 slow : 6 sets of house and ship carpenter's tools : 6 sets of 
 harness for horses : necessary provisions for two thousand 
 men for two months. 
 
 COLONEL B. ARNOLD TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Crown Point, June 13, 1775. 
 Sir: I have the pleasure to acquaint your Honour, that 
 having lately sent one Hoit, and Indian interpreter, to Mon- 
 treal to consult with some gentlemen of my acquaintance 
 there, and with the Indians in Caughnawaga, to know 
 their intentions in the present dispute, he has returned with 
 the agreeable intelligence that the Indians are determined 
 not to assist the King's Troops against us, and have passed 
 a law that the first of their tribe who takes up arms against 
 us shall be punished with death. This advice is confirmed 
 by five chief men of their tribe who are now here with 
 their wives and children, and press very hard for our Army 
 to march into Canada, as they are much disgusted with 
 the Regular Troops. 
 
 Three Indians of the Stockbridge Nation whom I lately 
 sent to Caughnawaga, with a belt of wampum and a 
 speech, confirm the above, which my friend, a gentleman 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ri. ( 
 
 of probity in Montreal, writes me may be depended on, 
 and that great numbers of the Canadians have expected us 
 there for some time, and are impatient of our delay, being 
 determined to join us whenever we appear with a sulii- 
 cient force to support them. This I am confirmed in by 
 many of the Canadians themselves, having just returned 
 from an excursion down the lake, where I saw numbers of 
 them, who offered to join us. Governour Carleton has been 
 able by every artifice to raise no more than twenty Cana- 
 dians of the noblesse, who are in expectation of places of 
 profit or honour. He is much disgusted with the merchants 
 in Montreal, and has threatened them, if they will not 
 defend the City in case of an attack, he will set fire to it, 
 and retreat to Quebeck. He has in Canada only five hun- 
 dred and fifty effective men of the King's Troops, so that 
 it would be a very easy matter to possess ourselves of the 
 country if thought expedient. 
 
 I have wrote very fully on the subject to the honourable 
 Continental Congress, and sketched out a plan for taking 
 possession of the country if thought advisable by them, 
 which will not only deprive Great Britain of the lucrative 
 branch of the fur-trade, but secure to us an inexhaustible 
 granary, (as there is annually shipped at Qucbeck, five 
 hundred thousand bushels of wheat,) and may very possi- 
 bly be a means of discouraging the British Ministry in 
 their coercive measures, and restoring that peace and har- 
 mony between Great Britain and the American Colonies 
 so essential to the well-being of both. 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your Honour's most obedient 
 humble servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of the 
 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 P. S. The plan of our expedition to Canada, your Hon- 
 our will please not to disclose. B. A. 
 
 JOSEPH PALMER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Cambridge, June 13, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: There is very great distress in this camp 
 for want of tents or commodious barracks ; I therefore hum- 
 bly beg you will immediately take this important matter 
 into serious consideration. Perhaps if a number of houses, 
 contiguous to the parade, were hired of the owners by the 
 Colony, and solely appropriated as barracks, the soldiery 
 might be well accommodated; this, if recommended by 
 Congress, it is probable might be effected. The least delay- 
 in this affair, it appears to me, will be attended with very 
 bad consequences. I am, gentlemen, with the greatest re- 
 spect, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Joseph Palmer, Qjuartermaster General. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 13, 1775. 
 
 This Committee beg leave earnestly to recommend to 
 the Honourable Congress, that the above representation 
 from the Quartermaster General be taken into immediate 
 consideration, especially as the Committee, from their own 
 knowledge find the rooms too much crowded, and the 
 healths and lives of the soldiers thereby greatly exposed; 
 and if tents cannot be immediately furnished, that some bar- 
 racks be forthwith erected. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 N. B. It is presumed some lives are already lost from 
 their being thus crowded. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Co7igress now sitting in 
 Watertown: the Petition of Lemuel Trescott, of 
 Boston, humbly shewcth: 
 
 That before he left Boston he had, for a considerable 
 time, assisted at Faneuil Hall in teaching a number of 
 men the military art, and upon his arrival in the camp at 
 Cambridge, he was, by some gentlemen of the Committee 
 of Safety and Council of War, encouraged to raise a com- 
 pany out of those men, and to hope that a sufficient num- 
 ber of small-arms would be provided for them by the Col- 
 ony, as, by the stipulation with General Gage, (which was 
 consented to by the honourable Congress,) their own were 
 lodged with the Selectmen of Boston; that he has now 
 
979 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 980 
 
 forty men, including officers, who have home their share of 
 camp duty since the 17th of last month ; but the want of 
 fire-arms not only prevents their perfecting themselves in 
 military exercises, and is the reason why the company is 
 not now complete, but leads those who are enlisted to fear 
 they will soon be dismissed from the service : Your peti- 
 tioner therefore humbly prays the honourable Congress to 
 take this matter into consideration, and afford such relief to 
 a number of men whose situation is peculiarly distressing, as 
 in your wisdom and goodness you may deem meet; at the 
 same time assuring your Honours, that it will be their grand 
 aim to be as much distinguished by their exertions for the 
 common cause of their Country, as they have been by their 
 sufferings, and that, as in duty bound, shall pray, he. 
 
 Lemuel Trescott, in behalf of a Company. 
 
 Cambridge, June 13, 1775. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MASSACHU- 
 SETTS CONGRESS. 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, Juno 13, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : By a gentleman of undoubted veracity, 
 (who left Boston last Friday, and who had frequent op- 
 portunity of conversing with the principal officers in Gen- 
 eral Gage's Army,) we are informed there is a great pro- 
 bability there when the expected re-enforcement arrives 
 from Europe, that General Gage will secure some advan- 
 tageous posts near Boston, viz : Dorchester and Charles- 
 town. We are unacquainted with the importance of those 
 posts, but if this hint should be in any decree useful, it will 
 give us pleasure. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF EXETER, N. H., TO COMMITTEE OF CONWAY. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In compliance with your request, we have 
 agreed to spare you twenty-five pounds of powder out of 
 our small stock, which is all we can possibly spare at pre- 
 sent. Have advised Mr. Burbank to purchase lead, as we 
 suppose he will be able to procure that article without any 
 difficulty. As to arms, its out of power to supply you, nor 
 do we think they are to be had in the Province. If the 
 Indians should have any design to trouble our frontiers, 
 we flatter ourselves we shall have such notice of their de- 
 signs, as to be able to guard ourselves against them. We 
 have determined to employ three companies at present on 
 the frontier for the purposes of observation, which will, 
 we suppose, afford you both necessary information and se- 
 curity for the present. 
 
 You may rest assured that it was merely an oversight, 
 unless, as we rather suppose, the letter failed, that your 
 Town was not desired to send a Delegate to the Congress. 
 If you think proper, we think it quite suitable that you 
 choose some person or persons to represent you at the 
 next meeting of the Congress, which will be the 27th of 
 this month. 
 
 We have enclosed a copy of the letter on which the 
 other Towns have acted. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELE- 
 GATES TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLIAMSBURG H, DATED PHI- 
 LADELPHIA, JUNE 14, 1775. 
 
 Col. Washington has been pressed to take the supreme 
 command of the American Troops encamped at Roxbury, 
 and I believe will accept the appointment, though with 
 much reluctance, he being deeply impressed with the im- 
 portance of that honourable trust, and diffident of his own 
 (superiour) abilities. We have determined to keep ten 
 thousand men in Massachusetts-Bay, and five thousand in 
 different parts of the New-York Government, at the ex- 
 pense of the Continent ; and probably a larger sum of 
 money will be emitted in order to carry on the war, pre- 
 parations for which go on rapidly in this place. 
 
 It seems likely that some of the newly arrived Generals 
 were intended for the Southern Colonies, but no Troops 
 can be spared from Boston. The Provincials talk much 
 of storming that Town, and it is expected by many. 
 
 The Congress will sit long. Adjusting the expenses of 
 each Colony for the common cause, and settling proper 
 funds for the Army> are subjects fruitful of debate, and of 
 the utmost consequence.. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Subjects : 
 
 How fashionable soever might have been the doctrine of 
 passive obedience and non-resistance in those dark times of 
 ignorance and barbarism, when the laity had no more in- 
 struction than to repeat the Lord's prayer, nor the clergy 
 any more reading than would save them from hanging ; it 
 is, in this lettered and enlightened age, so generally ex- 
 ploded, that save a few Tories, who are pensioned out of 
 their consciences, or a few gowns and cassocks who are 
 looking for an American mitre, no man is fond of broach- 
 ing so gross an absurdity. It is certainly the voice of 
 unbiased, uncorrupted reason, that whatever one man has 
 a right to enjoy, no other man has a right to take from 
 him ; and that, consequently, the first has an undoubted 
 right to repel the invasion of the latter. And what does 
 it matter whether this invasion is made under the cha- 
 racter of king, highwayman, or robber? since it is not from 
 the person of the invader, but from the nature of the in- 
 vasion itself, that the injury receives its complexion, and 
 on which the right of the resistance is founded. And as 
 this is the undoubted right of all mankind, it is, with respect 
 to Englishmen, reduced to absolute certainty by a most 
 memorable clause in the Great Charter, whereby four out 
 of twenty-five Barons may show the King his miscarriage ; 
 and on his not amending it, may, with the residue of the 
 twenty-five and commonalty, redress themselves by force. 
 It is true the Americans have no Barons to shew the King 
 his miscarriage ; but the Barons appointed for that purpose 
 by Magna Charta being thereto appointed as representa- 
 tives of the people aggrieved, it is evident, from the nature 
 of our local circumstances, that we must have a right to ap- 
 point, in the room of such Barons, a representation for the 
 same purpose ; and that such representatives must have 
 the same right to lay our grievances before the throne, and 
 the aggrieved, in default of redress by the Prince, have a 
 right, in the same manner, to redress themselves. In the 
 light of this representation I consider the Continental Con- 
 gress, being expressly chosen to present our grievances to 
 His Majesty, and to supplicate him to remove our com- 
 plaints. To this purpose they are undoubtedly the Barons 
 of North- America, on whom the united confederated Col- 
 onies depend for counsel and protection, agreeable to the 
 security granted to the subjects by the 64th section of 
 Magna Charta above referred to, and which, it being pro- 
 bably in few of your hands, I choose to give you at large : 
 
 The Security for the Rights, Privileges, and Immunities 
 of Magna Charta. 
 Section 64. " And whereas we have granted all these 
 things for God's sake, and for the amendment of our Gov- 
 ernment, and for the better compromising the discord arisen 
 betwixt us and our Barons, we, willing that the same be 
 firmly held and established forever, do make and grant our 
 Barons the security underwritten, to wit: that the Barons 
 shall choose five-and-twenty Barons of the Realm, whom 
 they list, who shall, to their utmost power, keep, and hold, 
 and cause to be kept, the peace and liberties which we 
 have granted and confirmed by this our present Charter ; 
 insomuch that if we or our justice, or our bailiff, or any of 
 our ministers act contrary to the same, in any thing against 
 any person, or offend against any article of this peace and 
 security, and such our miscarriage be shown to four Barons 
 of the said five-and-twenty, those four Barons shall come 
 to us, or to our justice if we be out of the Realm, and 
 shew us our miscarriage, and require us to amend the same 
 without delay; and if we do not amend it, or if we be out 
 of the Realm, our justice do not amend it within forty days 
 after the same is shewn to us, or to our justice if we be 
 out of the Realm, then the said four Barons shall report 
 the same to the residue of the said five-and-twenty Barons, 
 and then those five-and-twenty Barons, with the common- 
 alty of England, may distress us by all the ways they can, 
 to wit : by seizing on our castles, lands, and possessions, 
 and by what other means they can, till it be amended, as 
 they shall judge, saving our own person, the person of our 
 Queen, and the persons of our children ; and when it is 
 amended, they shall be subject to us as before ; and who- 
 ever of the Realm will, may swear that, for the perform- 
 ance of these things, he will obey the commands of the 
 said five-and-twenty Barons, and that together with them, 
 
981 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 982 
 
 he will distress us to his power; and we will give publick 
 and free leave to swear, to all that will swear, and will 
 never hinder any one ; and for all persons of the Realm, 
 that of their own accord will'- swear to the said five-and- 
 twenty Barons, to distress us, we will issue our presents, 
 commanding thein to swear as aforesaid." 
 
 This, my countrymen, is the security granted to you and 
 me, and by this are confirmed all the rights and privileges 
 of an English subject, and which the present Administra- 
 tion seem determined to destroy. It may, indeed, be said, 
 that we do not belong to the Massachusetts-Bay, and that 
 New- Jersey is not attacked. But can you be so supine as 
 to suppose that you will continue to enjoy those inestima- 
 ble rights of Magna Charta, when other Colonies are bereft 
 of them ; and that the Massachusetts is the only Colony 
 to be punished ? Have they not done more for the parent 
 State than any Colony on the Continent ? Did they not 
 in the war before the last, with very little assistance, take 
 Cape-Breton, the Dunkirk of North-America, the giving 
 up of which procured a peace for the Mother Country ? 
 Did they not the last war send seven thousand Troops into 
 the field, under the King's General, until the final conquest 
 of Canada 1 Notwithstanding all this, you see their capi- 
 tal blocked up, their Charter mutilated, and an armed 
 force ready to execute the arbitrary measures of the Min- 
 ister, who covers himself under a purchased majority in 
 Parliament. Hostilities being actually begun in the Massa- 
 chusetts, you cannot expect to fare better than your sister 
 Colony. Your trade is already restrained, and you are 
 daily to expect open violence to enforce unconstitutional 
 taxation. Thus we have lived to see our most sacred 
 rights daringly invaded ; but we will not live to see them 
 destroyed. The wound by which our liberty falls ought 
 first to reach our hearts ; and the rich torrents of our blood 
 be shed as a libation on the pile of expiring freedom. 
 
 The power of the people can never be lost or impaired, 
 unless they are wanting to themselves. What they could 
 once do, they can and ought to do now. Let us therefore 
 cordially unite under the Continental Congress, and look to 
 them as the English formerly did to their Barons, and I am 
 confident in so good a cause we shall have the protection 
 of Heaven; which is the sincere desire, and prayer of 
 
 June 14, 1775. A Jersey Farmer. 
 
 WILLIAM DUER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 14, 1775. 
 Sir : My conduct before the Committee of Albany, 
 with relation to the northern frontier of this Colony, hath, 
 as I am informed, given rise to sundry insinuations deroga- 
 tory to my character as a gentleman, and as a friend to the 
 rights and liberties of America. Conscious, Sir, that my 
 bosom has never prompted a thought inimical to this Colo- 
 ny, I feel, on this occasion, the warmth of an innocent, 
 injured man. By the report industriously circulated to my 
 disadvantage, my person and property are deeply endan- 
 gered. At the same time, the facts on which such tales 
 are founded are of such a nature that it would be improper 
 to explain them to the world. 
 
 I do, therefore, Sir, most humbly entreat of your hon- 
 ourable House, that they would be pleased to appoint some 
 gentlemen as a Committee to examine into my conduct this 
 afternoon ; and that they will pardon any seeming improprie- 
 ty in naming a time for that purpose by me, which I am con- 
 fident will readily be done, when the House are informed 
 that my presence is absolutely necessary in the County 
 where I reside on Tuesday next, to hold a court there. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, with the highest respect, 
 your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 William Duer. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, New-York. 
 
 WILLIAM GODDARD TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New.York, June 14, 1775. 
 Sir: I beg the favour of you to take an early opportu- 
 nity to lay before the Provincial Congress the enclosed 
 papers, which are explanatory of a design formed by the 
 friends of freedom for annihilating the old Parliamentary 
 
 and Ministerial Post-Office in this Country, by the institu- 
 tion of a new one, on a constitutional basis, or such of them 
 as you may judge proper ; a design that, for obvious rea- 
 sons, hath met with the approbation and support of many 
 respectable Colonies, Cities, and Towns, both in New- 
 England and the Southern Governments, as far as North- 
 Carolina ; not doubting but the Representatives of the free 
 people of this great Province, now convened in this City, 
 will cheerfully co-operate in giving success to a measure of 
 such capital consequence to the publick welfare, and so 
 indispensable at this interesting crisis. 
 
 Being on my way to Philadelphia from the Eastern 
 Colonies, where I purpose to address the honourable Con- 
 tinental Congress on the subject of the American Post- 
 Office, which, I am persuaded, will, ere long, take that 
 matter into their serious consideration, and form such a 
 general plan as will prove extensively beneficial to all 
 America, I should be extremely glad to obtain the reso- 
 lutions of the Provincial Congress of New-York relative to 
 the business in question, previous to my departure, and as 
 expeditiously as possible. To prevent an imputation of 
 vanity and ostentation, it may be necessary for me to add, 
 that I engaged in this business with the advice and by the 
 desire of many gentlemen of the first character on this 
 Continent, and am happy in being made an instrument, 
 however humble, in promoting the interest of my native 
 Country. 
 
 I am, with great respect, Sir, your very bumble and 
 most obedient servant, William Goddard. 
 
 To the Honourable Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., 
 
 President of the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 12, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, As the opinion of this Congress, that Post- 
 Riders be immediately established, to go from Cambridge, 
 and to ride the following roads, viz : To Georgetown, in 
 the County of Lincoln ; to Haverhill ; to Providence; to 
 Woodstock, by Worcester; and from Worcester to Great 
 Barrington, by Springfield; and to Falmouth, in the 
 County of Barnstable. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 15, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That David Cheevcr, Esquire, for reasons by 
 him offered, be excused from serving in the business to which 
 he was appointed by a resolve of this Congress, passed the 
 12th instant, for establishing Post-Offices and Post-Riders; 
 and that Mr. William Greenleaf, Joseph Greenleaf, Es- 
 quire, and Mr. John Pitts, be added to the Committee 
 then appointed. 
 
 Joseph Warren, President pro tern. 
 
 Province of New-Hampshire, ) 
 In Provincial Congress, May 18, 1775. \ 
 
 Resolved, That a Post-Office be established in Ports- 
 mouth, and that Samuel Penhallow, Esq., of said Ports- 
 mouth, be appointed Postmaster; and that the members of 
 this Congress from Portsmouth be a Committee to agree 
 with a Post-Rider or Riders. s 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 Providence, May 30, 1775. 
 The General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut 
 and the Provincial Congresses of Massachusetts-Bay and 
 New-Hampshire having seconded the wishes and efforts of 
 the friends of freedom in the Southern Colonies, for abol- 
 ishing that ministerial engine, the unconstitutional Post- 
 Office, by the establishment of Posts and Post-Offices, on 
 constitutional principles ; the Committee of this Town have 
 judged it highly expedient and necessary, at this interesting 
 juncture, to co-operate with their brethren in the important 
 business in question : They have therefore appointed Mr. 
 John Carter to act as Postmaster here, and Mr. Peter 
 Mumford as Post-Rider, under the direction and control of 
 said Committee, until the legislature of this Colony or the 
 Continental Congress shall be pleased to make other regu- 
 lations and appointments. James Angell, Clerk. 
 
 Newport, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Whereas the intercourse between the Colonies hath for 
 some time been, and is now, interrupted by the Riders 
 
983 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 984 
 
 being dismissed by the Postmaster-General, and as there is 
 no person who acts as Postmaster in this Town ; therefore, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Nathaniel Otis be appointed to re- 
 ceive and deliver the Letters brought to, and to be sent 
 from tliis Town, under the direction of this Committee, 
 until the General Assembly of this Colony or this Commit- 
 tee shall order otherwise, and that he shall receive for each 
 Letter agreeable to the schedule delivered him by this 
 Committee, and that this Vote be published in the next 
 Newport Mercury. 
 
 Signed by order and in behalf of the Committee : 
 
 Thomas Bumneil, Clerk. 
 
 Stamford, May 5, 1775. 
 We, the subscribers, do fully approve of Mr. Goddard's 
 plan for establishing a constitutional Post-Office in Ame- 
 rica, and do therefore recommend Mr. Ebenezer Wad, of 
 said Stamford, to receive and forward all Letters, until the 
 business of the Post-Office shall be regulated by the Conti- 
 nental Congress. Signed in behalf of the Committee : 
 
 John Wait, Jr. 
 
 Nonvalk, May 7, 1775. 
 
 We, the subscribers, do fully approve of Mr. Goddard's 
 plan for establishing a constitutional Post-Office in Ame- 
 rica, and do therefore recommend Mr. John Bctts, of 
 Norwalk, to receive and forward all Letters, until the busi- 
 ness of the Post-Office shall be regulated by the Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 Samuel Gruman, ^ 
 Thaddeus Betts, > Committee. 
 Eliphalet Lockwood, ) 
 
 Middletown, May 7, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have seen as many of the Committee as I could 
 conveniently, and we have agreed to nominate, as a Post- 
 master for this Town, Mr. Wendy Hobby, a gentleman of 
 acknowledged ability and integrity, and known attachment 
 to the American cause, and one that possesses in a high 
 degree the confidence of the people of this Town. 
 
 I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, 
 
 Titus Hosmer. 
 Mr. William Goddard, at Hartford ; by express. 
 
 Hartford. May 7, 1775. 
 
 We, the subscribers, do fully approve of the plan for 
 establishing a constitutional Post-Office offered by Mr. 
 Goddard, and do recommend Mr. William Ellcry, of this 
 place, to receive and forward all Letters, until the business 
 of the Post-Office shall be regulated by the Continental 
 Congress. Samuel Wyllys, 
 
 Samuel Wadsworth, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 New London, June 6, 1775. 
 We, the subscribers, do fully approve of the plan for 
 establishing a constitutional Post-Office offered by Mr. W. 
 Goddard, and do recommend Mr. Boswell Saltonstall, of 
 this Town, to receive and forward all Letters, until the busi- 
 ness of the Post-Office shall be regulated by the Continen- 
 tal Congress. 
 
 Nathaniel Shaw, Jr., ) Committee of 
 John Deshon, ) Correspondence. 
 
 Elias Bears appointed Postmaster at New-Haven, and 
 Thaddeus Burr, Esq., at Fairfield, 
 
 SIEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Now. York, Juno 14, 1775. 
 Sir: We embrace the opportunity that now offers, to 
 acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 26th and 
 31st of May last, and of the 1st and 10th of June instant, 
 covering several important resolves of your respectable 
 body. We have, as far as in our power, endeavoured to 
 comply with these requisitions. Copies of some of our 
 proceedings have already been, and such as were not, are 
 now transmitted to our Delegates. Upon the receipt of 
 the resolution of the 9th of June, relative to the sending 
 five thousand barrels of flour for the use of the Continental 
 Army, we immediately appointed a Committee to carry it 
 into execution, as will appear from the enclosed resol ve ; 
 but it is at present uncertain whether we shall be able to 
 
 comply with it, flour being an article which hath gene- 
 rally sold for cash, and we being unable to offer better 
 security to the vender than the faith of our own body. 
 However, the Congress may rest assured that our best en- 
 deavours shall not be wanted to complete the order. 
 
 We find ourselves much embarrassed on a variety of 
 other occasions, for want of money ; many articles neces- 
 sary to be furnished are not to be got on credit, and you 
 must be sensible that to embody troops for the service, it is 
 absolutely necessary to have large sums in hand. Without 
 money we fear the service will suffer from our inability to 
 comply with the resolutions of the Congress. We have 
 already contracted a load of debts, and stretched our credit 
 to the utmost ; our zeal for the publick service therefore 
 leads us to wish a speedy advice on this important subject. 
 
 We are, Sir, most respectfully, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servants. 
 
 By order and in behalf of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, } 
 Die Lunse, 4to ho. P. M., June 12, 1775. $ 
 
 This Congress proceeded to the consideration of ways 
 and means to carry into execution the resolution, request, 
 and order of the Continental Congress of the 9th instant, 
 for supplying five thousand barrels of Flour for the use of 
 the Continental Army, and forwarding the same towards 
 the camp before Boston: And thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Isaac Sears, Abraham Walton, 
 and Joseph Hallctt be a Committee to purchase the said 
 quantity of Flour for the purpose aforesaid, or so much 
 thereof as they can obtain, and to ship and forward the 
 same, agreeable to the said resolution. 
 
 And it is now Resolved and agreed, neminc contradi- 
 cente, That every member of this Congress will be respon- 
 sible to Messrs. Sears, Walton, and Hallett, for their re- 
 spective proportions of all moneys they may disburse, or 
 hereafter be obliged to pay, by means of the purchase of 
 the said Flour, or of their appointment to comply with the 
 said resolution and request of the Continental Congress. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 John McKesson, Secretary. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THEIR DELEGATES IN THE CON- 
 TINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress, June 16, 1775.} 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, Juno 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Captain Thompson arrived here in a ship 
 from Cork last evening; and as we understood he had 
 reported that several regiments had sailed from thence for 
 Boston, and four other regiments embarked or embarking 
 for New-York, the Congress desired him to attend their 
 Board this morning, to examine him upon the subject. 
 
 Upon his attendance we took notes of the substance of the 
 intelligence he gave, and enclose a copy thereof to you, in 
 order that it may be laid before the Continental Congress. 
 
 We also intend to forward the intelligence to the Gov- 
 ernour of Connecticut, that he may forward the same to the 
 camp at Cambridge. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 By order and in behalf of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Delegates from the Colony of New- York at Con- 
 tinental Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 Captain Tlwrnpson arrived at New-York, Tuesday, 
 13th June, 1775; left Cove, in Ireland, 6th May last, and 
 informs that six regiments had sailed in twenty-four trans- 
 ports for Boston, one regiment of Horse included, which 
 sailed the 30th April. 
 
 Three regiments were embarked, and the fourth embark- 
 ing, to sail for Neiu-York first fair wind. The regiments 
 all full, seven hundred men each, filled by drafts from the 
 regiments that remain, their places being filled by new re- 
 cruits. The general report was, that these four regiments 
 were coming to New-York, and that some Captains and 
 other officers belonging to the Troops told Captain Thomp- 
 
985 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 986 
 
 $on, in person, that they were coming to New- Yorlc. One 
 regiment arrived at Cork (from Kilkenny) the day Capt. 
 Thompson sailed, which was the last regiment to embark 
 for New-York. Saw twelve large transports destined for 
 New- York ; he heard sixteen. One General Officer is to 
 come to New- York. 
 
 The Troops coming to New-York are to support peo- 
 ple's property, and to assist against mobs. The report in 
 Ireland was, that those Troops had been wrote for by 
 persons here. 
 
 The Troops in general disliked the service; some offi- 
 cers had sold out ; no ships-of-war coming with the trans- 
 ports ; a report in Ireland that nine new regiments were 
 to be raised. Heard that thirty thousand Prussians were 
 ready, at a minute's warning. That the people of Ireland 
 in general are well affected to the Americans, and are 
 averse to the Americans being taxed by the Parliament of 
 Great Britain. 
 
 Captain Mcllvaine, who sailed before Capt. Thompson, 
 for Philadelphia, has the number of the regiments coming 
 to America. 
 
 ft. S. MUMFORD TO JONATHAN TRUMBULL, JR. 
 
 New London, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : A master of one of my vessels (Capt. Ches- 
 ter) is this instant arrived from Philadelphia. He left Fri- 
 day last, and reports the arrival there of a ship from London. 
 on board of which was Major Skc?ie, bound for Quebeck ; 
 that on the Banks of Newfoundland they spoke a vessel, 
 which informed them we had taken possession of Ticonde- 
 roga, which disconcerted them to that degree, that the 
 Captain of the ship thought it unsafe to proceed to Que- 
 beck; therefore, as the Philadclphians are Friends, they 
 thought themselves safer there than in any of the Colonies. 
 On their arrival there the Major was put under guard by 
 order of the Congress. They find the ship has on board 
 seventy chests of arms, containing three thousand five hun- 
 dred, which were likewise secured, and a Committee from 
 the Congress were examining the letters found on the 
 Major, &.c, though he had hove overboard some of conse- 
 quence. I think this acquisition of consequence to us. I 
 wish we could thus secure a thousand such. 
 
 My most respectful wishes attend his Honour our Gov- 
 ernour, to whom please to communicate this intelligence, 
 as it may be depended on. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your very humble servant, 
 
 M. S. Mumford. 
 
 Mr. Jonathan Trumbull, Jun. 
 
 DEPUTY GOVEBNOUR COOKE TO CAPT. JAMES WALLACE. 
 
 East Greenwich, June 14, 1775. 
 Sir : Long have the good people of this Colony been 
 oppressed by your conduct in interrupting their lawful 
 trade, and preventing the importation of provisions neces- 
 sary for their subsistence. The acts of the British Parlia- 
 ment, already filled with restrictions of trade, oppressive 
 in the highest degree, seem by you to be thought too 
 lenient. Not controlled by those you affect to call your 
 masters, you have detained the persons and taken away 
 the property of His Majesty's American subjects, without 
 any warrant from the acts of trade, by which you have 
 greatly impeded the intercourse between this and the other 
 Colonies, as well as between the different parts of this 
 Colony. The inhabitants expecting the interposition of 
 the lawful authority of the Colony, have borne these out- 
 rages with a patience almost criminal. The Legislature 
 have heard their complaints, and, in consequence of an act 
 passed by the General Assembly this day, I demand of 
 you the reason of your conduct towards the inhabitants of 
 this Colony, in stopping and detaining their vessels ; and I 
 also demand of you that you immediately restore the two 
 packets belonging to some inhabitants of the Town of 
 Providence, and all other vessels belonging to the inhabi- 
 tants of this Colony, which you have taken and unjustly 
 detain. So long as you remain in the Colony, and demean 
 yourself as becomes your office, you may depend upon the 
 protection of the laws, and every assistance for promoting 
 the publick service in my power ; and you may also be 
 assured that the whole power of this Colony will be exert- 
 ed to secure the persons and properties of the inhabitants 
 
 against every lawless invader. An immediate answer is 
 requested to this letter. 
 
 1 am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Nicholas Cooke, Deputy Governour. 
 To James Wallace, Esq., Commander of His Majesty's 
 
 Ship Rose, at Newport. 
 
 captain Wallace's answer. 
 
 His Majesty's Ship Rose, Rhode-Island, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have received your letter of the 12th instant. 
 Although I am unacquainted with you, or what station you 
 act in, suppose you write in behalf of some body of people ; 
 therefore, previous to my giving an answer, I must desire 
 to know whether or not you, or the people on whose be- 
 half you write, are not in open rebellion to your lawful 
 sovereign, and the acts of the British legislature? 
 
 I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 James Wallace. 
 
 Nicholas Cooke, Esquire. 
 
 NEWPORT (RHODE-ISLAND) COMMITTEE TO EASTHAMPTON 
 (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Newport, Rhode-Island, June 14, 1775. 
 Sirs : This day we received a letter from the Committee 
 of Inspection at Barclay, advising us that Thomas Gilbert, 
 Eb. Philips, and Joseph Window, some short time since, 
 left that Town, in order to proceed from Newport to Long- 
 Island, to be inoculated. Mr. Conckling, of Southamp- 
 ton, informs us that they have taken the small-pox at one 
 of your hospitals. This is to request the favour of you 
 to be very cautious that neither of those persons be suffer- 
 ed to depart the hospital until they are perfectly well and 
 free from any infection, nor to suffer them to bring away 
 any of their clothing, nor even a single hair upon their 
 bodies, as they are all of them inveterate enemies of our 
 Country, and it is generally thought have taken this me- 
 thod to spread the small-pox, upon their return, in the 
 camp now before the Town of Boston. We rely upon 
 your vigilance in this most important matter, and are, most 
 respectfully, Sirs, your obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jonathan Otis, Chairman. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence at Easthampton. 
 
 P. S. It is further requested of you, that you keep said 
 persons at your inoculation-house, till you have an oppor- 
 tunity to send them to Nciv-London or Stonington, and 
 desire the favour of the Committee of said place yon may 
 send them to, to take care that they may be cleansed again 
 when they arrive there, and before they let them depart 
 from thence. 
 
 FALMOUTH COMMITTEE TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Falmouth, June 14, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir: These wait on you by Colonel Phiney, 
 who informs us he has ordered the men lately enlisted in 
 this County, to guard the sea-coasts and islands within 
 said County, to secure the cattle and sheep from the rav- 
 ages of cruisers from the Navy ; but as no provision is 
 made for their sustenance, it cannot be expected they can 
 continue to do duty without. We refer you to Colonel 
 Phiney for particulars. Four Indian chiefs arrived here 
 this day, with Captain Lane, from the Penobscot tribe. 
 We hope their expectations will be answered, which will 
 lay a foundation for the securing to our interest the whole 
 tribe. We are, honoured Sir, your most obedient humble 
 servants, Jedediah Preble, 
 
 Enoch Freeman. 
 Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., to be communicated. 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO THE 
 GENTLEMEN CHOSEN TO REPAIR TO T1CONDEROGA. 
 
 Watertown, June 14, 1775. 
 
 To Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James 
 Sullivan, Esquires : 
 
 You are directed to proceed, as soon as may be, to the 
 posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by the road through 
 the new settlements, called the New-Hampshire Grants; 
 
987 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 988 
 
 that you carefully observe the quality of the said road, and 
 judge of the feasibleness of transporting provisions by the 
 said road to the waters of Lake Champlain ; that you take 
 with you copies of the commission and instructions of the 
 Committee of Safety to Colonel Benedict Arnold, and 
 inform yourselves, as fully as you shall be able, in what 
 manner the said Colonel Arnold has executed his said 
 commission and instructions. 
 
 That you make and give to the said Arnold, and any 
 men whom he shall, by virtue of the said commission and 
 instructions, retain in the service of this Colony, such 
 orders as to you shall seem meet, provided always, that 
 vou do not authorize the said Arnold to engage and retain 
 in the pay of this Colony, as soldiers, a greater number 
 than that specified in his said commission and instructions, 
 and provided, that the said Arnold and his men whom he 
 has retained, are free and willing to continue at one or both 
 of the said posts, under the command of such chief officer 
 as is or shall be appointed by the Government of Connec- 
 ticut ; and in case you shall order such number of men to 
 be continued at or near the said posts, in the pay of this 
 Colony, as you shall judge it necessary there should be, 
 that you appoint a Committee of one or more persons, in 
 the pay of this Colony, to provide supplies for such men, 
 and a Commissary to deal out such supplies to them, 
 which Committee and Commissary you are to appoint in 
 writing under your hands. 
 
 And you are to determine and order respecting the said 
 Arnold's continuing in the commission and pay of this 
 Colony, as to you shall appear most for the general ser- 
 vice and safety, after having made yourselves fully ac- 
 quainted with the spirit, capacity, and conduct of the said 
 Arnold. 
 
 And in case you shall judge it proper to discharge the 
 said Arnold, that you direct him to return to this Colony, 
 and render his account of the disposition of the money, 
 ammunition, and other things which he received at his 
 setting out upon his expedition, and also of the charges he 
 has incurred, and the debts which he has contracted in be- 
 half of this Colony, by virtue of the commission and in- 
 structions aforesaid. And in case you shall find any men 
 at the said posts, properly retained and engaged there in 
 the service of this Colony, that you cause them and their 
 arms to be mustered, and that to such as shall pass muster 
 you pay out of the moneys which you shall receive from 
 our Receiver-General for that purpose, the same advance 
 pay as is by order of Congress paid to such men as are 
 retained and mustered to serve within this Colony; and in 
 case you shall not find any men at the said posts properly 
 engaged and retained in the service of this Colony, or that 
 the number which you shall find so retained shall be much 
 short of the number which said Arnold was empowered 
 to enlist, that then you, if you shall judge that the effec- 
 tual security of said posts shall require it, and if you shall 
 also find a proper person in those parts fit and suitable for 
 the command of four hundred men, or such less number 
 as together with such as you shall find ordered and posted 
 by any other Colony or Colonies, and shall also find that 
 soldiers can be raised in those parts so seasonably as that 
 thereby the effectual maintaining of the said posts may be 
 served or promoted, you are to appoint meet persons to 
 be officers and commanders for such a number of men as 
 you shall order to be enlisted, and give the necessary 
 orders for raising, enlisting, and maintaining them for such 
 term as you shall judge necessary for defence of said posts, 
 and also appoint some sufficient and faithful man as Muster- 
 master and Paymaster of such men, and leave sufficient 
 moneys in his hands for that purpose, taking proper receipts 
 and his security that the money so left shall be applied to 
 that use. 
 
 And you are to take a careful survey of the ordnance 
 and ordnance-stores at those posts, together with all other 
 articles necessary for the maintenance thereof, and report 
 the state thereof to this Congress. 
 
 And if you shall find it necessary to purchase powder 
 for the men who shall be retained there on the part of this 
 Colony, that you procure the same, and so much as you 
 shall judge needful, in the best and most expeditious way 
 you can, on the credit of this Colony. 
 
 And in general you are hereby fully empowered to do 
 every thing in behalf of this Colony for the effectual secu- 
 
 ring and maintaining those posts, which you shall judge 
 necessary, equal to the importance of the same. 
 
 You are further directed, when you shall have transact- 
 ed what you are by the foregoing instructions authorized 
 to do and transact at the posts aforesaid, by the very first 
 opportunity to advise the general American Congress 
 thereof, as also of your opinion of the necessity and im- 
 portance of maintaining the said posts for general defence 
 of these Colonies ; and when you shall have made your- 
 selves fully acquainted with the state and condition of the 
 said posts, and the dispositions and establishments which 
 you shall find are made for maintaining of them, if you 
 shall judge that any further provisions are necessary for 
 securing and maintaining them, you are directed fully and 
 respectfully to signify your thoughts thereon to the Gene- 
 ral Congress. 
 
 You are also directed to advise the General Convention 
 of the Colony of New-York, and the Governour of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, respectively, of what you shall 
 order and transact by virtue of the said instructions. 
 
 JOSIAH JONES AND JONATHAN HICKS TO MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Concord, June 14, 1775. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Mas- 
 
 sachusetts-Bay at Watertown : 
 
 Gentlemen : The sentiments of our hearts are such, 
 that we cannot but hope an honest declaration of them 
 will produce some alleviation of the difficulties to which 
 we are reduced. We faithfully acknowledge that we have 
 heretofore entertained opinions variant from those of our 
 fellow-countrymen in general ; not, however, in consenting 
 to the equity of every ministerial requisition or parliamen- 
 tary claim, but in supposing it inexpedient and unsafe for 
 us to bear arms against the power of Great Britain. If 
 for this we should incur the imputation of cowardice, yet 
 by no means let us be deemed traitors and enemies to our 
 Country. We can say before God and man, with perfect 
 sincerity, that we do most affectionately wish prosperity to 
 our native land, and to the inhabitants in general of these 
 American Colonies ; and that we are ready at any time 
 and at all times, so far as our abilities extend, to do any 
 thing within the limits of justice that appears to us to be 
 subservient to this important end. With the strictest regard 
 to truth we affirm, that it was merely with a view of avoid- 
 ing danger, and not from any want of friendship to our 
 Country's cause and interest, that we of late took up our 
 residence in the Town of Boston ; and we are not conscious 
 of having offended our American brethren in any other in- 
 stance of our conduct. Could we now have our liberty 
 and be permitted to live securely in the country, we should 
 be ready to bind ourselves under the most solemn obliga- 
 tions never directly or indirectly to oppose, or in any re- 
 spect knowingly to disserve the cause in which the people 
 are so seriously engaged. If we should be so unhappy as 
 not to discern the propriety and prudence of any measures 
 by them adopted for the security of their lives, liberties, 
 and properties, yet we are ready to submit to the united 
 wisdom of this whole Continent, and to acquiesce in the 
 judgment of our superiours, so far, at least, as in no degree 
 to counteract their resolutions. 
 
 What we earnestly request, therefore, is, that the hon- 
 ourable Congress would take what we thus faithfully offer, 
 under their candid consideration, and devise means for our 
 liberation, that we may so serve our Country at least as to 
 support ourselves, by our own industry, without being a 
 publick charge. If we may not be wholly released from 
 our confinement, it would be a favour most thankfully ac- 
 cepted, to have the privilege of the yard, as the season is 
 very warm. Whatever indulgences may be granted to us 
 shall always be remembered with the warmest gratitude 
 by, gentlemen, your very obedient humble servants, 
 
 Josiah Jones, 
 Jonathan Hicks. 
 
 MACHIAS COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Machias, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We, the faithful and distressed inhabitants 
 of Machias, beg leave once more, in the most respectful 
 
989 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 990 
 
 manner, to approach your presence, and spread before you 
 a just and full representation of our very critical situation. 
 
 On the 2d instant Captain Ichabod Jones arrived in this 
 river with two sloops, accompanied with one of the King's 
 tenders. On the 3d instant a paper was handed about for 
 the people to sign, as a prerequisite to their obtaining any 
 provisions, of which we were in great want. The contents 
 of this paper required the signers to indulge Captain Jones 
 in carrying lumber to Boston, and to protect him and his 
 property at all events ; but, unhappily for him, if not for 
 us, it soon expired, after producing effects directly contrary 
 in their nature to those intended. The next effort, in order 
 to carry these favourite points, was to call a meeting, which 
 was accordingly done. On the 6th the people generally 
 assembled at the place appointed, and seemed so averse to 
 the measures proposed, that Captain Jones privately went 
 to the tender and caused her to move up so near the Town 
 that her guns would reach the houses, and put springs upon 
 her cables. The people, however, not knowing what was 
 done, and considering themselves nearly as prisoners of 
 war in the hands of the common enemy, (which is our only 
 plea for suffering Captain Jones to carry any lumber to 
 Boston since your Honours conceived it improper,) passed 
 a vote that Captain Jones might proceed in his business as 
 usual without molestation ; that they would purchase the 
 provision he brought into the place, and pay him accord- 
 ing to contract. After obtaining this vote, Captain Jones 
 immediately ordered his vessels to the wharf, and distribu- 
 ted his provisions among those only who voted in favour 
 of his carrying lumber to Boston. This gave such offence 
 to the aggrieved party, that they determined to take Cap- 
 tain Jones, if possible, and put a final stop to his supply- 
 ing the King's Troops with any thing. Accordingly, they 
 secretly invited the people of Mispecka and Pleasant River 
 to join them ; accordingly, a number of them came, and 
 having joined our people in the woods, near the settle- 
 ments, on the 11th, they all agreed to take Captain Jones 
 and Stephen Jones, Esquire, in the place of worship, which 
 they attempted, but Captain Jones made his escape into 
 the woods, and does not yet appear; Stephen Jones, Esq., 
 only was taken, and remains as yet under guard. The 
 Captain and Lieutenant of the tender were also in the 
 meeting-house, and fled to their vessel, hoisted their flag, 
 and sent a message on shore to this effect : " That he had 
 express orders to protect Captain Jones; that he was de- 
 termined to do his duty, whilst he had life, and that if the 
 people presumed to stop Captain Jones's vessels, he would 
 burn the Town." Upon this, a party of our men went 
 directly to stripping the sloop that lay at the wharf, and 
 another party went off to take possession of the other sloop 
 which lay below, and brought her up nigh a wharf, and 
 anchored in the stream. The tender did not fire, but 
 weighed her anchors as privately as possible, and in the 
 dusk of the evening fell down, and came to within mus- 
 ket-shot of the sloop, which obliged our people to slip 
 their cable, and run the sloop aground. In the mean time, 
 a considerable number of our people went down in boats 
 and canoes, lined the shore directly opposite to the tender, 
 and having demanded her to surrender to America, re- 
 ceived for answer, "Fire, and be damn'd." They imme- 
 diately fired in upon her, which she returned, and a smart 
 engagement ensued. The tender at last slipped her cable, 
 and fell down to a small sloop, commanded by Captain To- 
 bey, and lashed herself to her for the remainder of the 
 night. In the morning of the 12th they took Captain 
 Tobey out of his vessel for a pilot, and made all the sail 
 they could to get off, as the wind and tide favoured; but 
 having carried away her main boom, and meeting with a 
 sloop from the Bay of Fundy > they came to, robbed the 
 sloop of her boom and gaft, took almost all her provisions, 
 together with Mr. Robert Avery, of Norwich, in Connec- 
 ticut, and proceeded on her voyage. Our people seeing 
 her go off in the morning, determined to follow her; about 
 forty men, armed with guns, swords, axes, and pitchforks, 
 went in Captain Jones's sloop, under the command of 
 Captain Jeremiah O'Brien, and about twenty, armed in 
 the same manner, and under the command of Captain 
 Benjamin Foster, went in a small schooner. During the 
 chase, our people built themselves breast-works of pine 
 boards, and any thing they could find in the vessels that 
 would screen them from the enemy's fire. The lender, 
 
 upon the first appearance of our people, cut her boats from 
 the stern, and made all the sail she could ; but being a 
 very dull sailer, they soon came up with her, and a most 
 obstinate engagement ensued, both sides being determined 
 to conquer or die. But the tender was obliged to yield ; 
 her Captain was wounded in the breast with two balls, of 
 which wounds he died next morning. Poor Mr. Avery 
 was killed, and one of the marines, and five wounded ; 
 only one of our men was killed, and six wounded, one of 
 whom has since died of his wounds. 
 
 The battle was fought at the entrance of our harbour, 
 and lasted for near the space of one hour. We have in 
 our possession four double-forlified three-pounders, and 
 fourteen swivels, and a number of small arms, which we 
 took with the tender, besides a very small quantity of am- 
 munition, &c. Thus we have given your Jionours as par- 
 ticular an account of this affair as possible ; we now apply to 
 you for advice, and for a supply of ammunition and pro- 
 visions, (the latter of which we have petitioned your Hon- 
 ours for already,) which, if we could be fully supplied 
 with, we doubt not but, with the blessing of Heaven, we 
 should be fully able to defend ourselves. We purpose to 
 convey the prisoners to Penalborough Jail, as soon as pos- 
 sible, there to await your orders. 
 
 We are, with deference, your Honours' most obedient 
 humble servants. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Geo. Stillman, Clerk. 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Cecil County, Maryland, June 15, 1775. 
 
 A regard to truth and reputation prompts me to expose 
 the falsehood and iniquity of a publication in Godclard's 
 Maryland Journal of the 24th of May. This account is 
 formally ushered into the world under the supposed pa- 
 tronage of the respectable Committee of Cecil County, 
 and has been copied in other papers to the northward. I 
 declare, however, in the most solemn manner, that no such 
 summons as is mentioned in the above publication, was 
 ever served upon me ; and I am at liberty to add, upon 
 the authority of Messrs. John Veazey, Junior, Chairman, 
 and John Veazey, the third, acting Clerk, that the pro- 
 ceedings of the Committee respecting me have not been 
 faithfully published, and have neither their sanction nor 
 consent. In short, the father of the child, like the framer 
 of the Qucbeck Bill, cannot be found, although he has 
 been diligently sought for; but his friends, it is hoped, will 
 not despair of his reformation, since he has the grace to 
 hide his face. Indeed, he blunders exceedingly in his pre- 
 sent attempts to rob me of my character, for he makes a 
 James Veazey Chairman, whereas there is no such man in 
 the County; but I forgive him, and sincerely wish him a 
 better head as well as a better heart. It is the lot of men 
 more worthy than me to have enemies ; I have mine, and 
 they have been industrious to make every one think as ill 
 of me as they do themselves. For this laudable purpose 
 they take advantage of the distraction of the times, and 
 would fain convince the world that I am an enemy to lib- 
 erty. Now, although I candidly own that my politicks 
 are not quite agreeable to theirs, yet I trust in the main 
 I am right ; I am deeply principled against the assumed 
 powers of the British Parliament to tax these Colonies, 
 and complain of, and have done as much to oppose their 
 late acts, as many of those who make turbulence and 
 clamour the test of patriotism. Charles Gordon. 
 
 TO THE PRINTER OF THE MARYLAND GAZETTE. 
 
 Please to inform Mr. Charles Gordon, (to save him the 
 trouble of any farther inquiry,) that the proceedings which 
 appeared against him in Mr. Goddard's Journal were trans- 
 mitted to Baltimore Town by the Committee of Charles- 
 town Hundred, to be printed in handbills, as the most 
 effectual way of carrying into execution the intention of the 
 County Committee, who directed that their resolves, re- 
 specting him, should be carefully published in every Hun- 
 dred through the County. We are sorry that the printer was 
 so inaccurate as to mistake the Chairman's christian name. 
 We also find that the preamble to the resolve (which, by 
 the by, is not set forth as the proceedings of the Commit- 
 
991 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 992 
 
 tee,) is worded somewliat different from that which stands 
 upon the Committee's minute-book, occasioned by our not 
 taking a copy of the preamble or summons, at the time 
 we copied the affidavit and lesolve. However, to do Mr. 
 Gordon all the justice be can require, we will give the pub- 
 lick an opportunity of judging for themselves how much 
 he was injured by that unfaithful publication, as he calls it, 
 and for that purpose, herewith send you an extract and ver- 
 batim copy of the proceedings from the Committee Mi- 
 nutes, signed with the Clerk's own hand, by which will also 
 appear what credit is due to Mr. Gordon's assertions. Your 
 inserting this, together with the proceedings in your next 
 paper, will much oblige your humble servants, 
 
 Pat. Hamilton, ~1 ^ ... r 
 
 r> Committee for 
 
 IN AT. Kamsey, I f^j , . J 
 
 T T , ' > Charlestown 
 
 John Hamilton, [ 7r , , 
 rn u Hundred. 
 
 1 hos. Hughes, J 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for Cecil County, at Elk- 
 Ferry, on the sixteenth clay of May, 1775, 
 
 John Veazey, Jun., Chairman: 
 
 Whereas great complaints have this day been made 
 against Charles Gordon, Esq., Attorney-at-Law, for that 
 he hath infamously reflected on the members of this Com- 
 mittee, and the Deputies of this County, who lately at- 
 tended the Provincial Convention: These are therefore 
 requiring the said Charles Gordon that he appear before this 
 Committee at the house of Thomas Savin, at Elk-Ferry, 
 to-morrow, at two o'clock, P. M., to answer unto said com- 
 plaint ; hereof fail not at your peril. Returnable to-morrow, 
 at two o'clock, P. M. John Veazey, 3d, 
 
 Acting Clerk. 
 
 To Charles C7on7o?i,Esq., Attorney-at-Law, near Warwick. 
 On which said Summons was thus endorsed, 
 
 Cecil County, ss. 
 
 On this seventeenth day of May, 1775, personally came 
 William Savin before me, the subscriber, one of his Lord- 
 ship's Justices of said County, and made oath on the Holy 
 Evangelist of Almighty God, that he served Mr. Gordon 
 with a copy of the within summons in time for him to have 
 observed it ; and that he told him (this deponent) that he 
 would not meet, and if the Committee wanted him they 
 must come to his plantation, but not inside his yard-gate ; 
 that he asked why they did not come or send some of their 
 head men; that upon his (this deponent) saying that he 
 believed if he did not comply with their request, that they 
 would all come, he (Mr. Gordon) said he was ready to re- 
 ceive them ; that his plantation was large enough to hold 
 them, but they must not come inside his gate, or there 
 would be lives lost ; that Mr. Gordon told him, that he had 
 said, and does still say, that there are a parcel of damned 
 scoundrels of the Committee, and that if they have any 
 thing to say to him, they must come to him, for he is at all 
 their defiances. Sworn before David Smith. 
 
 Which being taken into consideration, the Committee 
 came to the following determination : 
 
 Whereas Chas. Gordon, Attorney-at-Law, in this Coun- 
 ty, hath treated this Committee with great contempt and 
 insolence ; and whereas the general tenour of his conduct 
 hath, for a long lime past, been such as, in their opinions, 
 declare him to be an enemy to the general cause of liberty, 
 for which they are now contending ; and he hath this day 
 been duly summoned to appear and answer unto the above 
 charge, to which be hath returned an impertinent and inso- 
 lent answer, even menacing this Committee with destruc- 
 tion, if they attempted to proceed any further against him: 
 
 It is therefore Resolved, That the said Charles Gordon 
 lie under the imputation of being an enemy to this Country, 
 and as such, we will have no dealings or communication 
 with him, nor permit him to transact business with us 'or 
 for us, either in a publick or private capacity, which shall 
 be commenced after the date hereof, until he appear before 
 this Committee and fully satisfy them with respect to the 
 above charge ; and we do earnestly recommend to all the 
 good people of this County to observe the same line of 
 conduct. 
 
 Ordered, That this be published in each Hundred. 
 True copy from the Minutes : 
 
 John Veazey, 3d, Acting Clerk. 
 
 TO LORD NORTH. 
 
 London, June 15, 1775. 
 
 My Lord : Whilst I feel the deepest anguish and sensi- 
 bility for the loss of our hapless countrymen who lately fell 
 in the action with the Americans, near Boston, suffer me 
 to entreat you to stay the sword, and suspend any further 
 operations against the Colonies, until some happy concilia- 
 ting means may be devised, some fortunate expedient may 
 be hit upon, to heal the bleeding wounds and reunite us 
 again with that unfortunate and distracted Country. It <s, 
 my Lord, the sincere wish of every true friend of freedom, 
 who are too sensibly afflicted, adequately to express their 
 feelings on the above most melancholy event. 
 
 As a well-wisher to your Lordship and all mankind, I 
 entreat you, from every motive of humanity, to listen to 
 the dictates of sound reason and policy, and you cannot 
 fail of being convinced of the justice and expediency of a 
 measure so essentially requisite to stop the further effusion 
 of the blood of our countrymen, and prevent us from be- 
 ing engaged in all the borrours of a civil and intestine war ; 
 the bare apprehension of which, my Lord, fills me with the 
 most poignant anxiety, and makes me dread the impending 
 consequences with a torture of mind utterly impossible to 
 be described. 
 
 If, by those extraordinary exertions which have often pro- 
 ceeded from people contending for their liberties, or by any 
 of those accidents which have frequently decided the fate 
 of battles and of empires, taking the victory from the strong 
 and the race from the swift, we should be repulsed, to what 
 a state of humiliation should we be reduced? Such is the 
 insuperable absurdity of the measure, that whether victors 
 or vanquished, we are sure of being sufferers. 
 
 With ties so strong to bind us to each other, is it not 
 strange, is it not deplorable that we should differ? Do 
 they who talk of chastising our Colonies and reducing them 
 to obedience, consider how much we hazard when we dis- 
 solve those ties ? What, are we to substitute in their place 
 force and fear, which Tacitus wisely tells us are insecure re- 
 straints, and always succeeded by inveterate hatred? When 
 these consequences follow from the coercive measures we 
 are now pursuing, will the counsellors who have impelled 
 us to them by representations, (not, 1 am sure, very fair,) 
 defend us from their fatal effects ? 
 
 It is from experience only, my Lord, that men learn 
 wisdom; but, unhappily, sometimes the injury of the ex- 
 periment is irretrievable. We have too much reason, I 
 think, to apprehend that this will be the event of our pre- 
 sent contest with America. 
 
 I acknowledge I admire the bravery of our Troops. What 
 men can do they will do; but in a Country furnished with 
 fastnesses and defiles without number, intimately known to 
 the enemy you are to combat, where discipline is unavail- 
 ing or embarrassing, and valour useless, it requires more 
 than human power to succeed to any permanent purpose. 
 Heaven forbid that the bravery of such troops as the En- 
 glish should be so vainly, so fatally employed. They who 
 remember the fatal overthrow of Braddock by a few In- 
 dians in ambush, an overthrow incurred by the very disci- 
 pline in which he vainly put his trust, will be apt to doubt 
 the facility of reducing the Colonies by military force. They 
 who reflect that the united aid and efforts of all the Colo- 
 nies were necessary to give success to our arms in the late 
 war against the Canadians, will be still more doubtful of 
 this expedient. 
 
 But, my Lord, so much having been already said on the 
 subject, I will not take up more of your valuable moments, 
 which I am persuaded must now be fully employed. In- 
 dulge me, however, once more to entreat your most serious 
 attention to the true interest and happiness of this Coun- 
 try, aad to the welfare of our brethren in America ; so shall 
 you be revered and esteemed by all good men, your name 
 deservedly transferred with honour to posterity, and the 
 tribute of gratitude, affection, and esteem, be echoed from 
 every quarter of this great and extensive Empire. 
 
 Memento. 
 
 BRITISH SETTLEMENTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 New-York, June 15, 1775. 
 We have authority to communicate to the publick, from 
 his Excellency Mont ford Browne, Esq., Governour and 
 
993 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 994 
 
 Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Bahama Islands, 
 that his Excellency being possessed of several very exten- 
 sive and valuable tracts of land (as well by grants from the 
 Crown, as by purchase) situated on the banks of the River 
 Mississippi and Mobile, in West-Florida, to the amount of 
 one hundred and fifty thousand acres and upwards, (ex- 
 clusive of Dauphin Island, whose situation for trade is so 
 well known,) is desirous of encouraging all substantial plant- 
 ers or others, who wish to become settlers in those parts. 
 The fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, and most delight- 
 ful situation of those tracts, are so well known, that they 
 need no fuller description than that printed by his Excel- 
 lency for His Majesty, who has thought fit to order the in- 
 tended capital, on account of its rising consequence and 
 most convenient situation, to be removed from Fort Bute 
 to Browne's Cliffs, nearly opposite to that most beautiful 
 and populous Town called Point- Coupee, belonging to the 
 Spaniards. 
 
 For further particulars his Excellency refers the publick 
 to the printed reasons left with the printer hereof, in order 
 that those who are inclined to remove to that flourishing 
 Province may be well informed, and may, by application 
 to his Excellency, at New-Providence, be well assured of 
 meeting with every encouragement they can wish for or 
 desire. 
 
 Governour Browne's Reasons, as presented to the King, 
 for an immediate Civil Government in the British Do- 
 minions adjoining to the River Mississippi, in North- 
 America. 
 
 Whoever is conversant with the natural history of Ame- 
 rica, must be sensible, from the concurrent testimony of 
 writers, travellers, and engineers, that no country in the 
 universe exceeds the neighbourhood of the Mississippi in 
 fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, or convenience of situa- 
 tion. Both sides of the river, previous to the late peace, 
 in which the eastern was ceded to Great Britain, went 
 under the general name of Louisiana, and they have been 
 long celebrated, no less for the prodigious diversity than 
 the prodigious luxuriancy of their productions. They fre- 
 quently yield two annual crops of Indian corn, as well as 
 rice, and, with a little cultivation, would furnish grain of 
 every kind in the most flattering abundance. But their 
 value is not confined to the fertility of the meadows, or the 
 immensity of the champaign lands ; their timber is as fine 
 as any in the world, and the quantities of live-oak, ash, 
 mulberry, walnut, palm, cypress, and cedar, are equally as- 
 tonishing.* Yet what is still more astonishing, above a mil- 
 lion of acres are sufficiently clear on the English borders 
 to admit of instant habitation, and to answer all the purposes 
 of a Colony long improved. The advantages which they 
 offer are not remote, they are immediate ; they do not call 
 for the industry of years, like many of the senior Provinces 
 in America, but, on the first appearance of the settler, 
 present themselves to be enjoyed. The neighbourhood 
 of the Mississippi, besides, furnishes the richest fruits in 
 an infinite variety ; particularly grapes, oranges, lemons, and 
 olives, in the highest perfection. It abounds with silk, cot- 
 ton, sassafras, saffron, and rhubarb ; is particularly adapted 
 for flax and hemp, and the goodness of tobacco even equals 
 the Brazils; cochineal also, of the best quality, is found 
 in plenty on its banks, and indigo is at this moment a sta- 
 ple commodity, which commonly yields four cuttings to the 
 planter. In a word, whatever is rich or rare in the choicest 
 climates of Europe, seems natural to such a degree on the 
 Mississippi, that France, though she sent few or no emi- 
 grants into Louisiana but decayed soldiers, or the refuse of 
 her streets, (and these very poorly supplied with the imple- 
 ments of husbandry,) soon began to dread a rival in her 
 Colony, particularly in the cultivation of vines, from which 
 she prohibited the Colonists, under a very heavy penalty. 
 Yet soil and situation triumphed over all political restraints, 
 and the adventurers, at the end of the late war, were little 
 inferiour to the most ancient settlements of America in all 
 the modern refinements of luxury. From the success 
 attending the French settlers, under every possible disad- 
 vantage, it is evident that an establishment on the Missis- 
 
 * The Spaniards now cut down as much timber as they think proper 
 on the British side of the Mississippi, and send it away to the Havana, 
 for the use of their Navy, without interruption. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 sippi, favoured with the benign influence of a British Gov- 
 ernment, under which freedom and property are inviolably 
 sacred, would be productive of the happiest consequences, 
 especially as some arguments may be urged in support of 
 such a measure, which, perhaps, never before existed in a 
 case of colonization. 
 
 In the first place, contrary to the general principles of 
 new establishments, the Mother Country is neither to be 
 drained of a subject, nor the Government to incur the 
 minutest expense. To maintain these assertions, it must 
 be observed, that since the conclusion of the late war at 
 least twenty thousand families in the old English Colonies 
 have removed, on account of the extending population and 
 the barrenness of the soil, to the back settlements of their 
 respective Provinces. Their emigration has been incon- 
 ceivably injurious to the places which they have deserted, 
 and must be equally injurious to the interest of this King- 
 dom ; for in proportion as choice or necessity has detached 
 these people from an intercourse with the seats of trade, 
 they have been driven into manufactures. Agriculture, un- 
 doubtedly, is the grand mine of American opulence ; but 
 men must sacrifice their wishes to their wants; and such 
 articles as the back settler cannot purchase without much 
 difficulty or much loss, he will naturally attempt to make 
 for his own accommodation. His efforts at first may be awk- 
 ward, yet he will improve upon practice, and succeed at 
 last, where he only labours for convenience or utility. The 
 consequence is obvious ; consuming none of her commodi- 
 ties, he becomes commercially annihilated to the State ; 
 nor does the evil terminate even in such annihilation. His 
 example incessantly encourages the emigration of others, 
 and lays the foundation of that independency for America, 
 which is alone to be dreaded from her maturity in manufac- 
 tures, and which is big with so many dangers to the gene- 
 ral happiness of the British Empire. Was a civil Govern- 
 ment, therefore, formed on the Mississippi, great numbers 
 of these emigrants would immediately proceed to a situa- 
 tion so peculiarly calculated to the unbounded views of 
 commerce ; where, from necessitous farmers, they would 
 become considerable planters ; where, from being worse 
 than lost, they would speedily be recovered ; and instead 
 of hourly impairing, they would hourly add to the true 
 prosperity of this Kingdom. Yet numerous as the back 
 settlers of the old English Provinces are known to be, 
 they do not constitute by any means the only foundation 
 on which England may depend for the speedy establish- 
 ment of a flourishing Colony ; on the contrary, many thou- 
 sand foreign settlers in Louisiana, who have formed a 
 strong interest with the Indians, will directly place them- 
 selves under the protection of the British Government ;* 
 
 * Mr. John Durade, late a settler of great eminence on the Missis- 
 sippi, now residing at Pensaeola, wrote, in February, 1770, to Gov- 
 ernour Browne, in the following terms : " The cruelties committed by 
 the Spaniards, and their tyrannical yoke, are circumstances which 
 cannot fail of procuring to the English possessions, from their prox- 
 imity, an acquisition of many industrious families, who will be able to 
 transport their effects thither without risk, and are acquainted with 
 the soil and other circumstances. Germans and Acadians are equally 
 uneasy under their new masters ; the latter are settled near Manchack, 
 (a part of the British territory,) and would be the first to resort 
 thither." 
 
 Mr. Durade, in the same letter to Governour Browne, expatiates 
 upon the fertility of the country, the salubrity of the climate, and 
 the certain advantages which the proposed settlement would pro- 
 duce to Great Britain. He declared, that a man, his wife, and five 
 children, with two negroes, one wench, on a farm of eighteen acres, 
 may not only subsist very well, but make an annual saving, propor. 
 tioned to their industry. Hunting affords infinite assistance to the 
 inferiour inhabitants, wild cattle and deer abounding beyond belief, 
 and the rivers teeming in equal plenty with the most excellent fish. 
 Mr. Durade affirms, as an attested fact, that twenty negroes, such as 
 are usually employed, will yield a yearly profit of twenty thousand 
 French Livres, and deducting three thousand Livres for their mainte- 
 nance and mortality, seventeen thousand, or seven hundred and eighty 
 Pounds English, is the very least which the planter can reasonably 
 expect from their labour, even if they are employed but eight months 
 in the cultivation of Indigo. Mr. Durade adds, that many planters 
 who began only with one negro, have now from twenty to fifty on 
 their plantations, and requests Governour Browne, in case an English 
 Government is erected on the Mississippi, to intercede for a grant of 
 four thousand acres for him, together with an equal grant for a brother 
 of his. " Expedite the patents (says he) as soon as possible, that we 
 may immediately establish ourselves ; but if the settlement is not made, 
 we must decline the grant, as it will become useless." 
 
 Besides Mons. Durade's letter, Governour Browne received the fol- 
 lowing application from a body of the French, which quitted the west- 
 ern side of the Mississippi rather than be subject to Spain. They are 
 now at Pensaeola, waiting with the utmost impatience for an opportuni- 
 ty of putting themselves under the protection of our Government, and 
 
995 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, be, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 996 
 
 and, added to tlic certainty of this valuable increase, various 
 very opulent members of the community at home will 
 undertake, on their own entire risk, to collect emigrants 
 from Germany, from Italy, and different foreign Slates, 
 particularly the Greeks, and other distressed inhabitants on 
 the Mediterranean, to cultivate the banks of the English 
 Mississippi, where the luxuries of their respective Coun- 
 tries, which now take immense sums annually in specie from 
 Great Britain, may be raised as in any part of Europe. 
 
 Perhaps it may be remarked, that our American coloni- 
 zation is already sufliciently extensive, and that there is no 
 possibility of erecting new settlements without an essential 
 injury to the old ones : it cannot on this account be too fre- 
 quently enforced, that the establishment proposed by no 
 means interferes with the interest of the other Provinces ; 
 its chief excellence consists in producing what they are not 
 at all calculated to produce, and in furnishing those silks, 
 fruits, wines, and different delicacies which we are now 
 unavoidably compelled to purchase from strangers, to the 
 incredible injury of our manufactures. For this reason, 
 while the luxuries of life materially constitute the springs 
 of commerce, it is doubtless good policy to procure them 
 
 have already obtained lands on the British borders of the River, from 
 a full persuasion that we cannot long continue insensible to tho advan. 
 tages of so valuable a territory. 
 
 To Governour Browne : 
 
 Sir : As you are at the eve of leaving this Province, and returning 
 to England, we, possessors of lands on the borders of the River Missis- 
 sippi, take tho liberty to make you our representations, requesting, 
 Sir, you would be pleased to submit them to the British Government, 
 and to take any steps in this affair you shall think convenient. 
 
 The River Mississippi is now well known ; the very great advan. 
 tages which would result from a settlement on it are likewise so. A 
 very extensive and beneficial fur trade would inevitably fall into our 
 hands. This object alone deserves the highest consideration ; besides 
 Which the wholcsomencss of the climate, and its natural richness, 
 makes the planters certain of reaping a very great benefit from their 
 industry. And notwithstanding all these advantages, we dare not un. 
 dertake any settlement. 
 
 The want of a civil Government, supported by the military, is tho 
 only obstacle to this settlement, which would certainly be obviated by 
 the assistance of a Court of Justice and one Regiment; which, if oneo 
 granted, from that instant our unwearied zeal in settling on the borders 
 of the River would manifest itself. And this is certainly an epoch 
 which numbers of good subjects wish for with impatience, in order to 
 come over to His British M ijesty's Dominions ; as well those who have 
 lands, as those who want to purchase, of whom there is a great number, 
 would soon, by their industry and labours, render this a flourishing 
 Province, and, in time, of great importance to England. The greatest 
 part of the French, Acadian, and German planters are djtcrmincd to 
 free themselves from the Spanish yoke ; this makes them very desirous 
 to aya our settlements on the border of tho River in a condition fit for 
 them to settle there with safety, aud where they would find a place of 
 refuge to cover them from the oppressions and evil treatment they 
 daily experience from their new masters. Were it practicable for them 
 to remove their offects, they would long since have fled to Mobile or 
 I'cnsacola ; but their flight would have been their inovitablo ruin. 
 Their taking refuge in this settlement is very different, as thoy can 
 execute it without being perceived or molested by the jealousy and 
 tyranny of the Spaniards. Certainly no like enterprise could ever moet 
 with more favourable circumstances than these which offer; this set- 
 tlement could not possibly be formed in a better time. For, besides 
 what has passed between the French and Spaniards, which plainly 
 proves with what reluctance the former boar the yoke of the latter, 
 which they endeavour to shake off, it is to be considered that the 
 Spaniards are detested by the savages, who will always continue sin. 
 cero aud faithful allies to the French, to whatever place they retire, 
 which must strengthen tho English alliance with the savages. 
 
 To all these considerations we shall add one, which does not seem 
 to deserve less attention. The settlement in question once formed, wo 
 could erect warehouses, with goods of English manufactory, not only 
 fit for the uso of His British Majesty's subjects, but likewise for that 
 of tho Spaniards themselves, or such inhabitants as should remain un. 
 der their subjection, {French ships are no longer admitted, they are 
 forced to set off without unloading,) who would certainly come to bo 
 supplied therewith. No dry-goods arc allowed but such as are brought 
 from Spain; this circumstance enhances the prices about ninety per 
 cent. We could supply them much cheaper. 
 
 Your disposition to oblige and assist all those who request it, joined 
 to the personal interest you have in common with us in this affair, as- 
 sures us, Sir, that you will do all that lies in your power to procure 
 the success of this settlement. 
 
 We most sincerely wish you a prosperous voyage, and a happy arri- 
 val at England. And wo do assure you wo should be rejoiced to seo 
 you once more among us, and vested with new honours. 
 
 We have tho honour to be, &c. 
 
 Signed — Pierre Roitchon, Pore, //. Lagautrnis, Fils, Geroinc M-lu. 
 
 lick, Jaqurs Parade, Jean Dnrade, D'Oraioir-e, E. Bernard, r Tim. 
 
 merman*, P. Koachon, Fils, Lagoutry, Fils, Bichie, Vincent 
 
 La .Combe, Dennis Du Faud, B. Boulomois, Joseph Milan, Jean Bap. 
 
 tiste Cornillieu, Fourdas, Charles Blanchard, Lagoutrey, Pere, 
 
 Monsanto, Line, D. Milhet, J. Vincent, Locquet Delapommeraye, Vi. 
 cenzo Corona, I'. Aoslinn, Pere, Baptiste Olis, F. Ilochoit, J. Mon- 
 santo, Frcres, J. Monsanto, Freros. 
 
 To Mountfort Browne, Esq., Governour of West. Florida, &c. 
 
 To prove the certainty still further of foreign American Bottlers re. 
 moving to tho British Dominions on tho Mississippi, tho reader is pre- 
 
 on the most profitable terms ; it is doubtless good policy to 
 convert them into the means of opulence for the colonist 
 abroad, into the means of employment for the artisan at 
 home. On such a principle extravagance itself is made a 
 secondary virtue in the state; whereas, when we suffer 
 ready money to be taken from us by foreigners, for articles 
 which our own Dominions are able to supply, we sustain 
 an accumulated loss — we lose not only the value of the 
 commodity bought, but the labour of a subject who could 
 raise it ; we undermine the pillars of our national strength, 
 and build the greatness of a rival upon the ruin of our 
 evident prosperity. 
 
 Rut if the silk, the oil, the wines, and the numberless 
 other articles of luxurious consumption, which promise 
 such a liberal reward to the hand of industry in Louisiana, 
 are not sufficient to exalt the country in our esteem, let us 
 turn to the growth of hemp, an object materially necessary 
 for the use of the British Navy, in which the chief strength 
 of the British Empire is universally allowed to consist. 
 Hemp is so indispensably requisite for the purposes of trade 
 and navigation, that foreign Powers sell it to this Kingdom 
 at their own prices, and are consequently able at any time, 
 
 sented witli the following extract of a Report made to the Government 
 by Engineer Cambell, on the subject of Louisiana : 
 
 EXTRACT OF A REPORT MADE TO GOVERNMENT BV ENGINEER CAMBELL. 
 
 I was treated by tho French and Indians of every denomination with 
 hospitality and friendship. Their regret on our posts being deserted 
 was apparent and unanimous, and declared that were they at present 
 occupied, they would all remove to our side ; even their Priests ex- 
 pressed a desire of becoming British subjects. One of them assured 
 me that wore our settlements re-established, and admitting them the 
 privileges of religion, he would engage at a short notice to remove 
 three hundred French families into the Province of West-Florida, and 
 attach the different tribes of Indians to us in the strongest manner. I 
 visited Humas, Jansaws, and Alabamas, among whom I distributed 
 the few presents tent with me ; they showed me every mark of friend- 
 ship and distinction in their power, and solemnly promised an inviola- 
 ble alliance towards us. The Indians are to the full as civilized as 
 our peasants, are very industrious, and have been very useful to the 
 French, under whose direction they are entirely. Most of them speak, 
 good French; and I am fully convinced that their hatred to the Span- 
 iards is very pleasing to the French, the latter using their influence to 
 heighten it, and at the same time to attach them to us; they tell them 
 the French and English are one people, friends and brothers. They 
 very much encourage and establish religion among them, and tho In- 
 dians arc in general very devout. On their hearing the arrival of the 
 Spaniards, they assembled and waited on Mr. Aubrey, and in presence 
 of General O'Reiley, demanded tho reason why the French permitted 
 the Spaniards to possess the Province of Louisiana. He answered 
 them that as he had but few troops, the Spaniards wore too powerful 
 for him to oppose ; whereupon O'Rcilcy showed them the Spanish 
 Troops under arms ; they replied, his troops were of no consequence, 
 for that if the French chose to resist or expel, they would engage to 
 supply a sufficient force for that purpose. The most reput able of the 
 French, Dutch, and Acadian inhabitants desired to know if I could 
 give them any assurance when our posts could be re-establishod. I 
 told them they might rest assured that it would happen very soon, and 
 referred to my instructions from Government, and the motive of my 
 being sent up the River, as a confirmation of it. This created a gene- 
 ral satisfaction among them. 
 
 The establishment of proper posts would undoubtedly draw away 
 most of the inhabitants' of Louisiana, many of whom are rich, expe- 
 rienced planters ; and as to the few that would remain, we should have 
 all their produce on the most advantageous terms, in exchange for the 
 produce and manufactures of Britain; as Spain will never think of 
 supplying them on any other terms than sho does her other American 
 Colonics. Thus, while we preserve our right to a free navigation, and 
 give a necessary protection to our subjects, it is impossible to fail in 
 carrying off not only the produce of the country, but also the money 
 sent by Spain to defray their Government expenses, without the least 
 violation or infringement of treaty on our side ; for in this Province 
 the Spaniards' necessities compel them to meet us more than halfway, 
 and run every risk to be supplied by us. 
 
 We have an immense tract of the most f< rtile land on our side of 
 the Mississippi, the produce of Which does not interfere with that of 
 Great Britain. French wines have flourished in as groat perfection 
 there as in any part of France, on which accounts the inhabitants of 
 Louisiana were restrained under severe penalties from cultivating vines. 
 This shows that vvc might be supplied with a sufficient quantity of wino 
 from West-Florida, the growth of that country, in exchange for our 
 commodities. I am likewise, with certainty, assured that it is capable 
 of producing the best silk in abundance. These are advantages well 
 worthy that spirit of trade, from which the wealth and happiness of 
 our State in general derive their source. To expatiate further on this 
 matter is needless ; tho benefits to be derived from such an establish, 
 ment are too obvious to bo further enlarged upon. 
 
 But I must add, that no other country produces better or greater 
 quantities of indigo, cotton, rice, Indian corn, tobacco, and hemp ; 
 which, together with the fur and peltry trade, which can be easily se- 
 cured to ourselves by prudent management, are, in my opinion, advan- 
 tages infinitely superiour to those of the Spanish mines. 
 
 Thus far Engineer Cambell. 
 
 Engineer Putnam, who lately visited Louisiana, and published an 
 account of his expedition, coincides entirely with Mr. Cambell, and 
 naturally onough ascribes the impatience of the French under a Spanish 
 Government, among other causes, to the tyranny of General O'Reiley, 
 who, without any process whatsoever, ordered six o£ their chief inhabi- 
 tants to bo cxecutod upon his taking possession of the Country. 
 
997 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 998 
 
 by an interdiction of the traffick, to prove very formidable 
 enemies. The interdiction, indeed, is no way likely, yet 
 is possible ; and a wise Government should not depend 
 upon strangers for any commodity of consequence, which 
 may be raised in its own territories, and by raising which, 
 instead of relaxing, as is the present case, it must evidently 
 invigorate the sinews of the body commercial. On the 
 Mississippi, therefore, where the plenty of provision ena- 
 bles the Colonist with his Negroes, to work as cheap as in 
 any part of Europe, it would be highly advisable to encou- 
 rage the cultivation of hemp. It cannot be a question 
 whether a trading people should part with money or manu- 
 factures ; whether they should employ the subjects of other 
 Nations, or increase the opulence of their own ; nor can it 
 be a question which is most eligible, a losing commerce 
 with our neighbours, or a gaining one between themselves. 
 
 As this representation is not the exaggerated picture of 
 over-heated visionaries, who colour from report, but the 
 faithful face of fact, drawn from an accurate knowledge of 
 the country, enough is certainly said to prove the advan- 
 tages resulting from a civil establishment on the Missis- 
 sippi ; yet justice to the publick makes it necessary to add 
 some farther remarks ; and first, it may possibly be observed, 
 that the British Mississippi is already erected into British 
 Government, and is at this moment under the jurisdiction 
 of West-Florida : to this it is answered, that the chief bene- 
 fit arising from the possession of West-Florida, is the bar- 
 rier which it forms for the British Colonies against the 
 incursions of their neighbours. As an object of commer- 
 cial importance, it never has been, nor ever can be thought 
 of, unless some plan similar to the present, is adopted ; 
 because those places within the jurisdiction of that Gov- 
 ernment, which are chiefly calculated for trade, are the 
 very places to which it is wholly incapable of yielding 
 protection ; could it protect, the proposal of the new estab- 
 lishment would be impertinent. But Pensacola is at too 
 great and disadvantageous a distance for any settler on 
 the Mississippi to consider it as a protector; in the hour 
 of surprise, he may as well look for assistance from the 
 tower of London — he may be slaughtered long before the 
 least intimation of his danger can be communicated to his 
 defender ; and of course few, very few, will attempt to 
 improve a property so precarious, or bestow the efforts of 
 their industry where the fruits are continually liable to be 
 torn from their hands. 
 
 Till this Kingdom, therefore, shall think proper to afford 
 settlers on the Mississippi a sufficient protection in a civil 
 establishment of their own, the finest country, perhaps, in 
 the habitable world, will remain utterly useless to its real 
 sovereign ; nay, it will be worse than negatively prejudicial, 
 it will be positively injurious. It will furnish the object of 
 a rival state with endless springs of wealth, and enable 
 them to wrest an exhaustless traffick from the subjects of 
 the lawful proprietary. Whereas, by separating the Mis- 
 sissippi from West-Florida to which, as an appendage, it 
 must be of eternal inutility, and erecting it into a distinct 
 Government, Great Britain will secure the golden harvest 
 for herself ; will establish a more effectual barrier against all 
 possible encroachments on her Colonies ; maintain the sanc- 
 tity of her acknowledged dominion ; and, instead of fearing 
 inroads from her neighbours, will herself be in a situation 
 to command the repose of America. With the settlement 
 proposed, we shall be able, in any future difference with 
 Spain, to make an easy descent upon the enemy's hitherto 
 unattempted empire of Mexico. Without it, the Span- 
 iards will be able, in the first rupture, to take the Floridas 
 from us, which are only to be assisted through a tedious 
 passage by Jamaica;* consequently, if the sense of our 
 trading interest does not wake us to the propriety of the 
 measure, we should be roused by the sense of our apparent 
 danger. Apprehension itself should operate in the room 
 of policy, and we should at least guard the advantages we 
 possess, if we are even unwilling to extend the means of 
 our prosperity. 
 
 It is universally acknowledged, that the last war chiefly 
 resulted from the influence which the French acquired 
 with the Indians, whom they spirited up to continual rava- 
 
 • Engineer and Comptroller Mill, who reported upon the British 
 Mississippi to the Commissioners of the Customs at Boston, declares, 
 that without the settlement proposed, the Spaniards, in the first rupture 
 with us, must be in ample condition to deprive us of the Floridas. 
 
 ges of the English settlements. Whatever neighbour pos- 
 sesses this influence must always be in a capacity of annoy- 
 ing, as well as interested to annoy the British Dominions 
 in America; and Government, conscious of the danger, 
 incurs an expense, at this hour, much superiour to the 
 charge of an establishment on the Mississippi, to keep the 
 natives in good humour by little presents among their sev- 
 eral tribes ; a large present, however, from another Power 
 will make them instantly enemies. Now the Colony pro- 
 posed will effectually prevent their communication with 
 any other Power, and of course purchase a certain state of 
 tranquillity upon terms more moderate than we now buy a 
 precarious one. This circumstance is in itself an object of 
 the utmost importance to those who are acquainted with 
 the horrours of an Indian war. And surely, if it is pru- 
 dent to bribe the savages into good order, it must be a 
 greater degree of prudence to incapacitate them from of- 
 fending. If four thousand pounds a year, for argument sake, 
 is judiciously distributed to keep them peaceable, three 
 thousand pounds a year must be better distributed to re- 
 move the possibility of their being otherwise. Should the 
 plan recommended be pursued, every part of British Ame- 
 rica will be surrounded by a British force ; and those In- 
 dians who are alone able to be troublesome, precluded from 
 a connection with all interested tamperers. The effect will 
 necessarily cease where the cause is destroyed ; and instead 
 of a temporary calm, we shall not only gain an everlasting 
 security, but the prospect of a revenue, which the people 
 now possessing the trade already find approaching to half 
 a million annually of our circulation. In a political light, 
 consequently, as well as in a commercial view, the propo- 
 sition must be deemed highly important, especially when it 
 is known that three parts of the Mississippi produce is in 
 favour of the eastern or English side, and that the French, 
 Acadian, German, and native inhabitants can be furnished 
 with manufactures from Great Britain above one hundred 
 per cent, cheaper than from any market which is now acces- 
 sible to their intercourse.* The benefits of such a traffick, 
 therefore, multiply upon the imagination — for the opulence 
 of a rival is lessened by the very means which increases 
 our own ; and the Indians, who now hang like the sword of 
 Democles over our heads, become obviously interested to 
 support that Government which supplies them most advan- 
 tageously with European commodities. A reduction in 
 the price of any article necessary for their consumption, 
 must act as a perpetual gift; must rivet them eternally to 
 what may be properly called the giver, and, joined to the 
 impossibility of their communicating with the subjects of 
 other states, render the perpetration of those barbarities im- 
 possible which kindled the late flame of discord in Europe, 
 and marked every quarter of the globe with a lamentable 
 effusion of blood. Since our first efforts in colonization, 
 no crisis ever offered such a certainty of not only preser- 
 ving the peace of America on a permanent basis, but of 
 permanently increasing the commerce of this Kingdom. 
 Our genius at this moment seems peculiarly propitious. 
 Let us then eagerly improve the season which courts us to 
 be happy. Empires, as well as individuals, have their for- 
 tunate opportunities ; and perhaps if we neglect this, now 
 it is in our power, it may be utterly irrecoverable when we 
 wish to call it back. 
 
 The facility of navigation on the Mississippi is suffi- 
 ciently ascertained for all the purposes of commerce ; and 
 
 * To elucidate this point, it is proper to observe, that the Spaniards 
 buy all their goods necessary for the consumption of Louisiana, at 
 present, from the French. Supposing, therefore, that articles to the 
 amount of one hundred Pounds are bought in France ; the expense to 
 the Mississippi settler, through a Spanish channel, will be, first : 
 
 The original cost in France £100 0 0 
 
 Charges to Spain 12 10 0 
 
 Duty on entry of French Goods in Spain 43 0 0 
 
 Charges on reshipping in register ships 17 10 0 
 
 Freight and other charges on landing 10 0 0 
 
 Cost landed 183 0 0 
 
 Profit constantly laid on all European Goods 80 0 0 
 
 £263 0 0 
 
 Expense attending the same quantity of Goods from England : first, 
 
 The original cost £100 0 0 
 
 Freight and all charges 7 10 0 
 
 107 10 0 
 
 Profit 40 0 0 
 
 £147 10 0 
 
999 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1000 
 
 the lakes on the eastern side render the navigation still 
 easier to the subjects of this Kingdom than to those on the 
 opposite shore.* It is unnecessary, however, to dwell upon 
 the practicability of trading on that river, as the fortunes 
 acquired by the French settlers prove the fact unquestion- 
 ably ; and if France found the commerce highly advanta- 
 geous, though consisting chiefly of articles which she her- 
 self produced in great abundance, must it not be more 
 advantageous to this Kingdom, whose produce it does not 
 rival in the least, but to whom, in exchange for manufac- 
 tures, as the reader will remember already mentioned, it 
 presents those expensive luxuries of life which are not to 
 be obtained in her other Colonies, and which are now pur- 
 chased at an immense disbursement of absolute specie 
 from foreigners? When Louisiana was under the govern- 
 ment of the Fre?ich, the trade of the Mississippi was 
 esteemed, according to the most accurate accounts, as worth 
 three hundred thousand pounds a year. Twelve ships, 
 from a hundred and fifty to two hundred tons burden, with 
 wares and dry-goods from Europe and St. Domingo, scarce- 
 ly answered the consumption of the inhabitants; and the 
 intelligent may easily imagine that the estimate is not over- 
 rated, when the returns in peltry only, at the single port of 
 Neiv- Orleans, amounted annually to five millions of livres. 
 As, therefore, not only from our ability to undersell every 
 competitor, but from the peculiar happiness of situation in 
 a junction with the lakes, this traffick must chiefly centre 
 with the subjects of England. A very trifling duty on a 
 few articles, together with a part of the quit-rents, will be 
 amply sufficient to defray the charge of the new establish- 
 ment. The sole question then is, will England, who has 
 peopled so many deserts, protect a country ready peopled 
 to her hands ? She is not called upon for her citizens ; 
 she is only solicited to receive a nursery for thousands ; she 
 is not besought to do Florida an injury, but to distinguish 
 it by an essential obligation ; she is not requested to coun- 
 teract the interest of her old Provinces, but to provide for 
 their security. The Mississij)jn is at present virtually 
 dismembered from its seat of Government, and is, even to 
 speak favourably, without any manner of use. Dismem- 
 bering it formally, will make it of the utmost utility, both 
 to that Government and this Kingdom. The measure 
 offers every certainty of a prodigious gain, without any 
 possibility of the smallest loss ; and nothing is required of 
 the Parent State but to participate in the advantages, as an 
 incontestable method is pointed out of defraying the whole 
 expense. 
 
 A distinct establishment on the Mississippi in prefer- 
 ence to any other, is recommended for two very forcible 
 reasons : in the first place, a remoteness from the seat of 
 the Provincial Government impedes the administration of 
 justice ; and every difficulty in executing the laws excites 
 a spirit of disorder amongst the people. The present in- 
 surrection of the Regulators on the back settlements of 
 North- Carolina, sufficiently support the propriety of this 
 remark ; and perhaps the restoration of order would be but 
 little advanced, were the back settlers in that Colony in- 
 dulged with a subordinate tribunal for the speedy decision 
 of judicial complaints ; because these subordinate tribu- 
 nals cannot, in any civil case, determine upon property 
 where it exceeds ten pounds ; nor in any criminal case in- 
 flict a capital punishment on the blackest offender. The 
 consequence of so limited an authority is apparent : many 
 people will rather give up a legal right than contest it, 
 where the expenses attending even the certain success of 
 a suit, at the great distance of Pensacola from the Missis- 
 sippi, will most commonly exceed the value of what is re- 
 covered in litigation. The evil, however, will not termi- 
 nate here. Prosecutions, where life is affected, open a 
 source of continual dispute between the dependant and the 
 principal jurisdictions; at any rate they delay the sentence 
 after a conviction ; and if judges armod with sufficient 
 powers are sent out from the latter, to try on such occa- 
 sions, the innocent are liable to all the miseries of a long 
 imprisonment ; for, at the utmost, the courts cannot make 
 above two circuits in the year. The second reason for a 
 distinct Government is, the necessity of having the imme- 
 
 * Governour Browne declares, that in his expedition to the Missis- 
 sippi, he frequently went up the River at the most disadvantageous 
 seasons of the current, twenty. five or thirty miles a day, with eight 
 oars only. 
 
 diate representative of the sovereign, to encourage the ag- 
 gregation of settlers, and accelerate the attachment of the 
 Indians, who are superstitiously influenced by forms, and 
 never conceive that a country belongs to any European 
 prince without the positive residence of an acknowledged 
 substitute. If any settlement thereof takes place on the 
 British Mississippi, it should be subject to no control but 
 that of Great Britain herself; the importance of the object 
 deserves her own particular attention ; and the more sensi- 
 ble she seems of this circumstance, the more strongly emi- 
 grants will be induced to realize the truth of the present 
 representation. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : By order of the Congress I transmit 
 you the enclosed Resolutions, passed by the Congress this 
 morning. The necessity of the present emergency re- 
 quires a speedy compliance with the first, and I need not 
 inform you that the nature of the service requires it to be 
 done with as much secrecy as possible. 
 
 I am also directed by the Congress to request you will 
 please to transmit them, as soon as may be, an estimate 
 of the powder, arms, and ammunition in your Colony, in- 
 cluding private as well as publick stocks. By Dr. Church, 
 this morning, I forwarded you the resolution of Congress 
 respecting the mode of Government. I am your most 
 obedient servant, John Hancock, Presideiit. 
 
 To the Members of the Provincial Congress of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay. 
 
 P. S. The enclosed letters for the Lieutenant-Governour 
 of Rhode-Island, and the gentlemen of New-Hampshire, 
 please immediately on receipt to send off by express. 
 Pray don't fail. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GENERAL WOOSTER. 
 [Read in Congress June 19, 1775.] 
 In Provincial Congress, New.York, June 15, 
 
 Sir: You will see by the enclosed order, that this Con- 
 gress think it expedient to request you to march to this 
 Colony with the troops under your command. If you are 
 not at liberty to comply with the terms of this order until 
 you consult the Governour and Company of Connecticut 
 on this subject, we beg you would immediately despatch 
 this requisition to them, and transmit to us their determina- 
 tion as soon as possible. 
 
 As we have at present but few tents, we beg you would 
 order such as you have, to be sent to the place intended 
 for their encampment, and make such other dispositions for 
 the support of your troops as are in your power. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress : 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To Major-General Wooster, at Greenwich. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 15, \ 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of Mr. Fos- 
 ter's motion of yesterday; and whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That a message be immediately despatched 
 to Major-General Wooster, now commanding a body of 
 Troops in the southern part of Connecticut, requesting him 
 forthwith to march the said Troops, with their tents and 
 other necessaries, to the distance of five miles from this 
 City, to be subject to the orders and directions of the Con- 
 tinental or this Congress while the said Troops shall con- 
 tinue in this Colony. 
 
 And Resolved, That we will assist the Commissaries of 
 the said forces in procuring such necessaries for their ac- 
 commodation as shall be to be procured within this Co- 
 lony. A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 John McKesson, Secretary. 
 
 ADONIJAH STRONG TO THE ALBANY COMMITTEE. 
 
 Albany, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen ; I beg leave to lay before this Board my 
 information and request concerning the troops raised in and 
 
1001 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1002 
 
 for the Colony of Connecticut, for the special defence of 
 the same. 
 
 In the first place, it is provided by the said Colony, that 
 each officer and soldier (among other things) shall have 
 fresh meat two days in a week, butter, peas or beans, rice, 
 rum when on fatigue, beer, &c, expecting said troops 
 would be required at, or near by Boston, where it would 
 have been easy and convenient for us to have supplied 
 them according to said act. 
 
 In the next place, the ever to be revered patrons of 
 America (the Continental Congress) have directed one 
 thousand of our troops immediately to repair to Ticonde- 
 roga, there to be stationed until such time as they should 
 be relieved by forces from this Province — just at a time 
 after many of them were on their march according to their 
 first destination, Greenwich, and had to countermarch 
 through our Colony, and directly to Ticondtroga, and by 
 means of so tedious a march have already become some- 
 what sickly. And as the Continental Congress have ad- 
 vised this Province particularly to provide for said forces 
 at Ticondcroga during their stay, our Colony have, per- 
 haps, been the more remiss in their provisions ; and it 
 does not appear to me that there is sauce sufficient, nor 
 any fresh meat, butter, rum, beer, &.c, nor have I had in- 
 telligence that any is likely to be provided by this Prov- 
 ince. Therefore, I come before this Board for advice in 
 the premises ; at the same time giving assurance that the 
 publick faith of our Colony must not be violated, but it 
 must be fulfilled according to the encouragement given by 
 our Colony. Though pledged to soldiers, yet it is to 
 those in defence of what we tenaciously hold as sacred, 
 and to be prized above life. We therefore determine to 
 have it fulfilled according to the Act of our Assembly — if 
 not by this Province, by our Colony. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with great esteem, your very humble 
 servant, Adonijah Strong, 
 
 Dep. Commissary for said Troops. 
 
 To the Committee in and for the City and County of Al- 
 bany. 
 
 Albany, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You have enclosed, by order of the Com- 
 mittee, a request of Adonijah Strong, Deputy Commissary 
 to the Committee of this City and County. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your humble servant, 
 
 John Bay, Secretary pro tern. 
 To the Provincial Congress, New-York. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp at Greenwich, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have just received your favour of the 14th in- 
 stant, with enclosed affidavit; also Angus McDonald, 
 who shall be kept in such a state of security as may effec- 
 tually prevent any mischief that might otherwise be ex- 
 pected from him. Be good enough to give my compli- 
 ments to the gentlemen of the Congress, and tell them 
 that I am sorry you are obliged to send your prisoners so 
 far; I should be much better pleased to receive them with- 
 in a few miles of your City, especially as you so soon ex- 
 pect the arrival of the four Regiments from Ireland. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great esteem both for you and the gen- 
 tlemen of the Congress, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, David Wooster, Major- General. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the 
 
 Congress at New-York. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Greenwich, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I take this opportunity to acquaint your Honour 
 of the situation of the troops under my immediate com- 
 mand. One company of my Regiment, you are sensi- 
 ble, is ordered to Ticonderoga; five more are stationed 
 betwixt New-Haven and this Town, and four are in this 
 place. Colonel Waterbury's Regiment are all in this 
 Town and Stamford. The safety of the Country may 
 possibly require my marching to New- York before I can 
 have your orders. I would, therefore, beg of your Hon- 
 our to direct me to march my troops to Neiv- York upon 
 application made to me for that purpose by their Provin- 
 
 cial Congress. Your Honour will perhaps think it expe- 
 dient, when you read a letter which I have just received 
 from Mr. Sears, which is as follows : 
 
 "New-York, June 14, 1775. 
 
 "Dear Sir: The troops from Cork, destined for this 
 City, may be hourly expected. I have the pleasure to in- 
 form you that this day in Congress it was moved that 
 yourself and troops be requested to encamp within five 
 miles of this City. The motion was put off until to-mor- 
 row, at the intercession of the members for three Coun- 
 ties, and you may be assured it will be carried by a great 
 majority. I am, dear Sir, yours affectionately, 
 
 " Isaac Sears." 
 
 I have also this day received a letter from the Provin- 
 cial Congress at New-York, acquainting me that they 
 hourly expect the arrival of four Regiments from Ireland ; 
 they have also sent me a prisoner to be kept in safety, who 
 was employed by Major Small to raise troops for the pur- 
 pose of opposing the Colonies, and actually had enlisted 
 forty-three, which was made to appear to the Provincial 
 Congress. 
 
 I would also acquaint your Honour that all the military 
 stores which were at Turtle Bay have fallen into our 
 hands, consisting of too many articles to be enumerated in 
 a letter, among which there are about five hundred good 
 horse harnesses, a very considerable number of thirteen 
 and ten-inch carcasses, cohorns, and stinkpots, all well 
 charged ; a very great plenty of grape-shot ; cannon ball, 
 from twenty-four-pounders down to three, &ic, &.C.; a part 
 of which articles I shall keep with me, but the greater part 
 I shall send to New-Haven. 
 
 Your Honour cannot be unacquainted that provision?, 
 stores, &ic, can be forwarded along the Sound by water 
 with much greater despatch and vastly less cost to the 
 Colony than by land ; however, at present it is difficult, on 
 account of the tenders and cutters which are perpetually 
 about. We have at New-Haven a number of cannon; I 
 have with me all other kinds of military stores, except 
 powder, requisite for a guardacosta ; Mr. Colt, of New- 
 Haven, has a fine vessel very proper for the business. We 
 have in the Army a very sufficient number of men well 
 acquainted with the seas, and good resolute fellows, and it 
 is my opinion, that the additional cost to the Colony will 
 be nothing more than the hire of the vessel and the pow- 
 der ; that about a hundred of the men under my command 
 cannot be employed in any way so much to the advantage 
 of the Country. I am, Sir, your Honour's most obedient 
 humble servant, David Wooster. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour 
 
 of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Answer to a Speech to the Caughnawagas, or Canadian 
 Tribes of Indians, near Montreal, sent by the Stock- 
 bridge Indians — returned \bth June, 1775. 
 Brothers : You tell me you open your eyes. I open 
 your ears — I open your hearts ; so that you might see, 
 hear, and consider what I am going to say. Now I am 
 going to say the same to you — I open your eyes, your 
 ears, and make your heart strong, so that you might more 
 fully consider things. I also add, with this I wipe the tears 
 from your eyes that comes from the trouble that has hap- 
 pened to your young men. — Three strings of Wampum. 
 
 Brothers : You tell me that I must sit still, and have 
 nothing to do with this quarrel. I am glad to hear you; 
 1 shall do as you tell me. — A Belt. 
 
 Brothers : This is our road ; you tell me I clear the 
 road, and whenever I open my door I shall see your door 
 stand open ; and when you shall go out of your door, you 
 shall see my door stand open too. And you tell me, 
 when you hear any bad report of me, don't you lay it up ; 
 put it aside, and follow this road, and come and tell me of 
 it, and you will know whether it is so or not. Now, bro- 
 thers, I make this road more smooth, so that no one might 
 stumble on this way; I now open my door wider for you, 
 and whenever you go out of your door, you shall see my 
 door stand open wider for you. Whenever I hear any 
 bad report of you, I shall not lay it up ; but put it aside, 
 and go and tell you of it, and see whether it is so or 
 not. — A Belt. 
 
1003 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1001 
 
 Brothers, I am glad you keep in remembrance the 
 agreement of friendship that our fathers have made. Let 
 us hold that fast; let no one hreak that so as to divide us. 
 Now I make it more strong — now we must sit down under 
 our great tree, and smoke our pipes, and give praise to 
 the great God. It is he that made us all ; u^e are in 
 another way, now, from what we used to be, since we 
 began to worship this one God ; this is like one staff that 
 we both steady ourselves by. I shall do as you advise me 
 to do — I shall sit still — there are seven brothers of us — 
 (meaning seven tribes,) we are all agreed in this. Now 
 we say to you — I would have you sit still too, and have 
 nothing to do with this quarrel ; but be strong in your 
 hearts, and I intend to do the same. — A Belt. 
 
 A true copy. Attest: John Sergeant. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO WORCESTER (MASS.) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cambridge, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You are desired to see that the enclosed 
 Order be duly executed. I am, he. 
 
 Artemas Ward. 
 To the Standing Committee in the County of Worcester. 
 
 (General Order.) Cambridge, June 15, 1775. 
 
 That Samuel Murray be removed from the Jail in Wor- 
 cester to his father's homestead Farm, in Rutland, the 
 limits of which he is not to pass until further orders. And 
 all persons are hereby strictly forbidden to offer any vio- 
 lence to said Murray, so long as he continues in the peace 
 of God within those limits. 
 
 Joseph Ward, Secretary. 
 
 P. S. The above mentioned homestead Farm bounds 
 northwardly on the County road ; westvvardly, on Mr. 
 Buckminster's homestead ; southwardly, on Doctor John 
 Frink's homestead ; eastwardly, partly on land of Mr. 
 Clarke, and partly on land of Mr. Blake. 
 
 Published by order of the Committee : 
 
 William Young, per order. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Considering the exposed state of the fron- 
 tiers of some of the Colonies ; the danger that the inhabi- 
 tants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable apprehen- 
 sions from the military preparations making in several of 
 the other Colonies ; and the rumours that there are some 
 appearances of their getting themselves in readiness to act 
 in a hostile way ; this Congress have made application to 
 the Continental Congress, desiring them to take such mea- 
 sures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and conci- 
 liate the minds of the Canadia?is, and prevent such alarm- 
 ing apprehensions. We also have had the most disagree- 
 able accounts of methods taken to fill the minds of the 
 Indian Tribes adjacent to these Colonies with sentiments 
 very injurious to us ; particularly, we have been informed 
 that Colonel Guy Johnson has taken great pains with the 
 Six Nations, in order to bring them into a belief that it is 
 designed by the Colonies to fall upon them and cut them 
 off. We have, therefore, desired the Honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress that they would, with all convenient 
 speed, use their influence in guarding against the evil in- 
 tended by this malevolent misrepresentation, and we desire 
 you to join with us in such application. 
 
 Joseph Warren, President. 
 Honourable Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire. 
 
 WILLIAM STODDARD TO CAPTAIN JAMES LITTLEFIELD. 
 
 Boston, Juno 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your letter and the last, dated the 13th instant, by 
 Mr. Hopkins, I have received. I waited on the Admiral 
 this morning, and have got you a fishing pass for your boat 
 and three men, to come in and out of this harbour, which 
 I now send you. You will carefully observe the pass; 
 you must observe to go a fishing from Salem, before you 
 come up here, and then you may come in and go out. I 
 hope you will not meet with any obstruction at Salem ; 
 
 not forgetting, if in your power, to bring up veal, green 
 peas, fresh butter, asparagus, and fresh salmon. Mr. Allies 
 went away yesterday in the afternoon, by water, in order 
 to come to you, and we suppose he is with you before 
 this. I hope you have received a cloak, with a bag of 
 brown sugar, I sent over yesterday by Mr. Hopkins's son. 
 I have paid some of the ferrymen, and I shall pay them 
 all for their trouble, when I have done with them. Do 
 not pay them any thing ; if you have, let me know ; keep 
 that to yourself. Captain Hurley is here with his schoon- 
 er, from Penobscot, and has been here some time. I was 
 the other day in his company, and he asked after you ; he 
 desired to be remembered to you. I wish you would send 
 me last Monday's newspaper, and this day's paper. I 
 shall be much obliged to you, if you can, before you go 
 for Salem, send me some fresh butler, and half a bushel of 
 green peas. I now send you two dollars in this letter, 
 and an osnaburgh bag, by Mr. Hopkins's son, to put the 
 peas in. What other charges you are at I will settle with 
 you hereafter. I am obliged to you for the hint in coming 
 out. I will let you know more when you come up from 
 Salem. Let me hear from you before you go for Salem. 
 
 Give my compliments to Mr. Haynes, and all friends ; 
 all your friends desire to be remembered" to you at these 
 distressing times. Twenty-four sail of transports have 
 arrived here this week with Light-horses and Troops from 
 Ireland, and twenty-four more sail are coming. 
 
 Sir, your humble servant, Wm. Stoddard. 
 
 To Captain James Littlefield, Watertown. 
 
 TO THE SOLDIERS AND SEAMEN SERVING IN THE BRITISH 
 FLEET AND ARMY IN AMERICA. 
 
 Salem, June 15, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Your situation is very unhappy, being 
 dishonoured by the most infamous service, and under the 
 command of the most vile and miserable wretches that 
 ever disgraced the name of Briton. General Gage, to 
 his eternal infamy, has commenced a thief, robber, mur- 
 derer, and common butcher of his fellow-men ; he has 
 violated the most solemn compacts, and become an apos- 
 tate to every thing that is honourable or virtuous. You 
 never can forget the barbarous murders which Gage has 
 committed upon some of his own soldiers ; but we come 
 now to a character still more infamous, if possible, than 
 the above. Admiral Graves has added to the crimes of a 
 common pirate, that of forcing Americans, whom he hath 
 impressed, to act against their own countrymen. Turks 
 and Indians would scorn such rascally conduct, and surely 
 every British soldier and seaman must detest such au 
 odious scoundrel. Gentlemen, the Americans still enter- 
 tain a respect for you, consider you as their brethren, and 
 wish to live in harmony with you, and to make you free 
 citizens of America. May you soon be freed from the 
 service of tyrants, become the glorious defenders of free- 
 dom, and join with the victorious Americans. 
 
 Sydney. 
 
 SAMUEL LANGDON TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 A number of the members of the Corporation and Board 
 of Overseers of Harvard College, being met together at the 
 President's house, June 15, 1775, agreed upon the follow- 
 ing draught, viz : 
 
 " Whereas, in the present difficult situation of publick 
 affairs of this Colony, it is impracticable to call a meeting 
 of the Overseers of the College strictly agreeable to the 
 form and order appointed by the charter of said College : 
 And whereas, nevertheless, the present circumstances of 
 that seminary of learning require a meeting to be called 
 speedily : 
 
 " Agreed, That application be made to the honourable 
 Congress of this Colony, to know whether it would be any 
 way displeasing to them that a meeting should be ob- 
 tained of as many of the Overseers of Harvard College as 
 can be called together under the present circumstances of 
 the College and the Country, in order to join with the Cor- 
 poration in conferring Academical Degrees, at the approach- 
 ing season of the annual Commencement, on such candi- 
 dates as may offer themselves and be judged qualified for 
 the same, and to transact any other important matters rela- 
 
1005 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1006 
 
 tive to that society, and whether the honourable Congress 
 would countenance such a procedure." 
 
 At the same time the gentlemen present beg leave to 
 return their most grateful acknowledgments to the honour- 
 able Congress for the regard they have already shewn for 
 the interest of the College, in directing the removal of the 
 library and apparatus to a place of greater safety. 
 
 In the name of the gentlemen present, 
 
 Samuel, Langdon, President. 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 To the Hon. Joseph Warren, President of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay Congress, in VVatertown : (To be com- 
 municated to said Congress :) 
 
 Honoured Sir: It appears to me and others that there 
 are wanted in this Government some armed vessels to ward 
 off the distressing piratical blows that, without doubt, will 
 be struck by Admiral Samuel Graves's small men-of-war 
 and tenders, by taking from us our inward-bound provi- 
 sions, (molasses, salt, vessels, 8cc.,) as they have done, will 
 almost bring on a famine in our Army and on the inhabi- 
 tants ; for this Government always was ill able to support 
 itself with provisions, &.c, and now has in it an army to 
 feed, which will soon be felt and be distressing to its in- 
 habitants, and, I fear, will bring on discontent and murmur- 
 ings, which may be attended with bad consequences, to the 
 disadvantage of our embarkment in the ever to be com- 
 mended common cause. So hope that you will be enabled 
 to guard against every evil that might otherwise befall us if 
 we were not under the guardianship of Providence and your 
 wise councils. 
 
 I hear that there is a ship almost or quite ready to launch 
 at Danvers, of about three hundred tons ; that it is proba- 
 ble she will be a good sailer, and, by strengthening her with 
 some hanging knees, building a round-house and a top-gal- 
 lant, forecastle, Sic, would carry upward of thirty guns, and 
 fight the major part of her men between decks, &.c. By 
 inquiry there may be found good sailing vessels now hauled 
 up, that would in part answer our end for defence, and to 
 bring provisions from the Southern Governments for our 
 support. Some of them might be employed in bringing 
 powder and guns from some parts of the Spanish and 
 French Kingdoms, and might smuggle some from other 
 Powers, and saltpetre from others, where we could not get 
 it made into powder, and make it here, which would be to 
 our advantage to have it manufactured. 
 
 So wishing you the smiles of Heaven in all your under- 
 takings in the defence of our invaluable liberties, &c, &.c, 
 I remain, honoured Sir, your most humble and devoted 
 servant, S. L. 
 
 FALMOUTH COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Falmouth, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: Mr. Lane is returned here with four 
 of the Penobscot Tribe. We have furnished them with 
 carriages to convey them to you, and Mr. Lane with money 
 to pay their expenses. Orono, the chief man, seems to be 
 sensible, and hearty in our cause; he reserves what he 
 has chiefly to say till he comes to the Congress. We gave 
 them assurances that they might depend upon being pro- 
 vided for while there, as well as on their return back again ; 
 wished them a pleasant journey, and that the event might 
 be happy for them and us. We suppose Mr. Lane will 
 give an account of the expense, therefore we have sent 
 none. 
 
 Wishing success to our righteous cause, we are your 
 Honours' most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Jedediah Preble, 
 Chairman of the Committee of Correspondence. 
 Hon. Joseph Warren, President. 
 
 COL. READ TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Charlestown, Massachusetts, June 15, 1775. 
 Sirs : I beg leave to inform your body of my proceed- 
 ings in the business 1 have the honour to be entrusted with 
 in this difficult day. Gentlemen, on the second day of this 
 instant, June, I received verbal orders from General Folsom, 
 at Exeter, to repair to the westward part of the Province 
 
 of New- Hampshire, and to collect a number of men I had 
 there enlisted as volunteers for the defence of the liberties 
 of America, and in the service of said Province and cause, 
 all able-bodied, effective men, well equipped, to march to 
 Cambridge, and there to put myself and men under the 
 command of General Ward until further order. In obedi- 
 ence of which I immediately pursued my orders, and noti- 
 fied the men, and likewise I notified the Selectmen of the 
 Town of the vote of Congress, in regard to furnishing the 
 men with blankets. Notwithstanding what they and I 
 could do in that affair, my officers were obliged to leave a 
 number of enlisted men behind, as you will see by their 
 returns herewith enclosed. On the twelfth of June, I ar- 
 rived at Cambridge and waited on General Ward; he in- 
 formed me that Cambridge was so thronged with soldiers, 
 that he had given orders to Captains Spalding, Walker, « 
 and Crosby, to march to Medford. Then I repaired to 
 Medford, and there I met with Captains Hinds, Whitcomb, 
 Town, Hutchins, Man, Marcey, and Thomas. Whitcomb 
 and Thomas I took out of Colonel Stokes's Regiment for 
 the two Companies that were assigned me. Then I was 
 informed by Colonel Stark that Medford was so full of 
 soldiers that it was necessary for some to take other quar- 
 ters; then 1 applied to General Ward and received orders 
 in these words : 
 
 (General Orders.) " Head-Quarters, Juno 12, 1775. 
 
 "That Colonel Read quarter his Regiment in the houses 
 near Charlestown Neck, and keep all necessary guards be- 
 tween his barracks and the ferry, and on Bunker Hill. 
 
 " J. Ward, Secretary." 
 
 A copy per James Read. 
 
 Then, Sirs, I marched my Regiment from Medford to 
 Charlestown Neck, and, with the assistance of Mr. Tufts, 
 one of the Selectmen of Charlestown, I got my men into 
 good barracks, and then raised my guard, consisting of one 
 Captain, two subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, and 
 forty privates ; this ended the thirteenth day of June. 
 
 I beg leave to inform you that we are in great want of 
 an apothecary and chaplain. There is Doctor Abner Bar- 
 ker with us taking care of our sick, but hath no medicines 
 only by applying to Head-Quarters ; he is a man that hath 
 been acquainted with the business of an apothecary, and 
 he hath had the small-pox, and seems to be very kind and 
 helpful, and is willing to tarry if desired. 
 
 James Read. 
 
 To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety 
 at Exeter. 
 
 colonel read's letter in favour of captain colburn. 
 
 Fitzwilliam, Juno 8, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir : I beg leave to trouble you with one 
 word in favour of the bearer, Captain Colburn, that is to 
 inform you that he is one of the signers of the paper of 
 agreement to raise a Regiment under my command. And, 
 Sir, as my Regiment is filled up without him, and as I had 
 encouragement that any officer that had got men should be 
 taken notice of in the next Regiment ; and, Sir, as Captain 
 Colburn hath been an old officer in the last war, which he 
 is able to give and account for himself, 1 should take it as 
 a favour if your Honours, the Committee, would favour him 
 in the next Regiment as a Major, if agreeable to your 
 Honours ; at the same time would beg leave to subscribe 
 myself your Honours' obliged and ever humble servant at 
 command, James Read. 
 
 Service done by Andrew Colburn in the last war. 
 
 In the year 1755, I was at Oswego with General »S7aV- 
 ly's Regiment; in the year '56, at Fort Edward; in the 
 year '57, at Fort William Henry when taken ; in the year 
 '58, at Ticonderoga in the defeat ; in the year '59, I sus- 
 tained a commission in the Province service, and was at the 
 taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, with Colonel In- 
 gersoWs Regiment ; in the year '60, in Colonel RuggelVs 
 Regiment, at the taking the several forts on the lakes and 
 Montreal. For the year '61, 1 commanded Captain Cow- 
 dan's Company at Crown Point, and in the year '62, at 
 Crown Point; and in the year 1774, 1 received a Captain's 
 commission in this Government, in Colonei Reuben Rid- 
 ders's Regiment. 
 
1007 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1008 
 
 REGIMENTAL ORDERS. 
 
 Cliarlestown, June 14, 1775. 
 
 First. That each Captain, or commanding officer of each 
 company, immediately make a true return of all the men 
 they and their recruiting officers have enlisted, according 
 to a form given them by the Adjutant. 
 
 Second. That officers see that their companies are equip- 
 ped with ten pounds, at least, of powder and ball, and that 
 their fire-locks are kept in good order at all times, and 
 give their men special orders not to fire a gun on any ac- 
 count whatever, unless beset by the enemy. 
 
 Third. That each commander of a company embody all 
 his company, that are offfrom duty, twice a day, to exercise 
 them in the best manner for learning the art of war. 
 
 Fourth. That each officer give special orders to their sol- 
 diers that they do no damage to any of the houses where 
 ihey are quartered, or to any garden or grass in any part 
 of this town, on pain of being punished according to the 
 offence. 
 
 Fifth. That no soldier be allowed to stroll from his com- 
 pany, or pass from this encampment to Charlcstown Ferry, 
 or to any other encampment, without leave from their 
 officers. 
 
 Sixth. That the commanding officer of each company 
 cause the Rules and Regulations for the Army to be read 
 at the head of their respective companies forthwith, and it 
 is expected that all officers and soldiers govern themselves 
 accordingly. 
 
 Seventh. That the officers see that the men and barracks 
 are kept clean. 
 
 Eighth. That there be a guard paraded this afternoon 
 at six o'clock, of the same number of officers and soldiers 
 that are now on guard, to relieve Captain IVhitcomb and his 
 party, and that the Adjutant and Orderly Sergeants keep 
 a good roster, so that neither officer nor soldier be called 
 upon for duty out of their proper turn. 
 
 Ninth. That there be no noise in camp after nine o'clock 
 at night, but all repair to their lodgings or barracks. 
 
 Tenth. That Isphraim Stone is appointed Quartermas- 
 ter Sergeant until further orders. 
 
 James Read, Colonel. 
 
 (Regimental Orders.) Charlcstown, June 15, 1775. 
 
 The main guard of this day is to consist of one Captain, 
 two subalterns, four sergeants, four corporals, and forty pri- 
 vates. The captain of the main guard is to keep a trusty 
 sergeant with the sentries, in the street below the Guard- 
 House, to examine all passengers ; and let none pass without 
 showing proper passes in the day time, and none to pass 
 after nine o'clock at night, without giving the countersign ; 
 and no sentry is to set down on his post ; and when any 
 field officers pass them, to stand with their fire-locks rested. 
 No soldier to swim in the water on the Sabbath day, nor 
 any other day to stay in the water any longer than is neces- 
 sary to wash themselves. James Read, Colonel. 
 
 JOSEPH HABERSHAM TO PHILOTHEOS CHIFFELLE. 
 
 Savannah, Juno 16, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : The alarming height to which our disputes with 
 the Mother Country has at length arisen, and the many de- 
 testable arts that are made use of by our enemies to involve 
 us in one general scene of distress, are motives sufficient 
 to stimulate every honest man to use his best endeavours to 
 counteract the wicked designs of our enemies, which will 
 be a sufficient excuse for my troubling you with this, as it 
 conveys a piece of intelligence that 1 think very interesting, 
 and should, when thought proper, be made known to the 
 good people of your Province as well as our own. 
 
 Mr. John Stuart, who is now at Colonel Mulryne's house 
 at Thunderbolt, desired that the Colonel would wait on 
 some gentlemen who are in opposition to Government, as 
 it is called here, and beg that they would be so good as to 
 call on the Superintendent at his house yesterday, as he 
 wanted to have an opportunity of clearing himself of some 
 aspersions, and likewise to lay before us his letters with 
 respect to Indian affairs. Accordingly four or five of us 
 malcontents attended; when Mr. Stuart began with inform- 
 ing us that he had received letters by the last post from 
 Cliarlestown which made him very uneasy, as a report had 
 been circulated there that he had been tampering with cer- 
 
 tain Indians, at which he manifested not a little surprise. 
 He showed us the letter he received from Charlestoum, and 
 his answer to Colonel Hou arth, whom he has desired to 
 make the contents publick, and which he means a justifi- 
 cation of his conduct. So far every thing appeared to me 
 plausible ; but, unluckily for Mr. Stuart, he produces a 
 number of his letters to his Deputy, Mr. Cameron, and the 
 answers ; in one of which he writes thus : " I have received 
 information from General Gage that certain persons at the 
 northward have been tampering with the Six Indian Na- 
 tions, and endeavouring to alienate their affections from 
 His Majesty. I mention this to caution you against any 
 thing of the kind with you, and that you will use your in- 
 fluence to dispose those people to act in defence of His 
 Majesty and Government, if found necessary." Mr. Corne- 
 ll's answer was couched nearly in the following words, (I 
 do not differ, I am positive, as to the substance, though I 
 may in some of the words :) " That Mr. Stuart'' s interest 
 with the Indians was much greater, and that he was more 
 beloved by them than any other man ; and that he (Mr. 
 Cameron) had the vanity to think that he could head any 
 number he thought proper whenever called upon in sup- 
 port of His Majesty and Government." 
 
 Now, Sir, I shall leave you to make your own comments 
 on the above, though I will acquaint you with what I said 
 to him on its being read: that we were at no loss to know 
 what was meant by assisting or acting in defence of His 
 Majesty and Government, if found necessary ; for, as we 
 were not at war with the French or Spaniards, it could not 
 be against them that they were meant to act. Mr. Came- 
 ron further tells Mr. Stuart that the traders must by some 
 means or other get ammunition among them, or otherwise 
 they may become troublesome to him for the want of it. 
 I do not well know how far I am at liberty to make this 
 publick ; but as Mr. Stuart has wrote to Mr. Howarth, in 
 order to justify himself in the eyes of the people of Caro- 
 lina, I think, as a farther justification, he should produce his 
 letters to and from Cameron. Mr. Stuarfs letter that con- 
 tains the foregoing paragraph is dated about the middle of 
 January last, and is copied from among a number of others, 
 in a large book bound in calf. 
 
 You may give the Secret Committee intelligence of this, 
 and if they should think it of sufficient importance to claim 
 a demand from Mr. Stuart of these letters, and he should 
 then hesitate, and will not grant what they request, and it 
 should further be thought necessary, I can find lour persons 
 besides myself, to avow what I have said to be true, as any 
 thing of this kind should come well authenticated. 
 
 We are going on here tolerably well with respect to our 
 political proceedings, and 1 hope soon to convince the world 
 that Georgia will not take advantage of her sister Colonies 
 in the present disputes. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Joseph Habersham. 
 
 Philotheos Chiffelle, Esq. 
 
 TO GENERAL burgoyne. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your accession to a command upon this side the 
 Atlantick must necessarily engage the attention of Ame- 
 rica. A gay sparkler from the parade of St. James's may 
 attract the eye of the young and inexperienced; but when 
 the real Soldier and the able Senator appears, these little 
 meteors must die away, whilst a different class of men 
 mark the latter's conduct with determined circumspection. 
 If brave, he is humane; if worthy the seat he fills in the 
 legislature, he will not suffer his idea of promoting his 
 Country's welfare to be circumscribed by any partial, local 
 boundaries. If thus brave and wise, he will love valour 
 and freedom, and endeavour to kindle these glorious ema- 
 nations of virtue in every bosom. The temple of Liberty 
 fills all space, and the great and good of every age have 
 been the willing votaries to sacrifice at her altar. 
 
 It appears, Sir, that you have considered the grand 
 American question ; " real and virtual representation," ex- 
 ternal and internal taxes, " revenue and regulation," are 
 not with you novel ideas. I cannot suppose your " under- 
 standing confounded," or your "head dizzy with these dis- 
 tinctions ;" though you seem willing to consider them as 
 " rhetorical and sophistical," while you view " the Declara- 
 
1009 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1010 
 
 tory Act of the sixth of the present King" as the solemn 
 line by which your judgment is to be bounded, and beyond 
 which your researches must not presume to soar. Have 
 the Parliament of England, Sir, never been mistaken ? 
 Are they infallible? No, Sir. We know there existed laws 
 for the punishment of witchcraft, but true philosophy hav- 
 ing exploded that errour, the wisdom of succeeding times 
 repealed those statutes. The halcyon days of George the 
 Second broke that supposed subjection to the powers of 
 darkness. Forbid it, Heaven, that a more gloomy infatua- 
 tion should becloud the reign of George the Third. You 
 view "the Government" of England as "suspended," the 
 Parliament a phantom, the mere shadow of authority, as- 
 sembled only to lament a substance lost, and to propose 
 and subtilize questions of their own impotency. " Was this 
 the case, 1 should agree" with you, that the state of Bri- 
 tain was wretched indeed, and that she was about " revert- 
 ing lo her primitive insignificancy in the map of the world." 
 But, Sir, can any Government be suspended, when every 
 branch of authority the Constitution warrants her to ex- 
 ercise is acknowledged and obeyed — when she is only 
 restrained from putting in effect what she has no right to 
 attempt ? Were the powers granted to James the Second 
 by the Constitution resumed by that source from whence 
 they sprung, because the virtue of our ancestors would not 
 permit him to suspend acts of Parliament, violate Charters, 
 and introduce Popery ? Had that deluded man made the 
 line of the Constitution the path of his obedience, he would 
 not have had cause to lament the substance he lost, or sat 
 torpid at St. Germaine's, subtilizing questions of his own 
 impotency. 
 
 Wisdom and goodness flee every species of deception. 
 Suffer not yourself to be deceived. " The Congress of 
 Philadelphia" is not " the legislature to dispense the bless- 
 ings of Empire ;" it is composed of gentlemen met, by the 
 appointment of the freemen of America, to devise the most 
 probable schemes for cementing the Parent State and all 
 her blooming Colonies in the firmest band of union : such 
 an union as may make the most happy Nation of the earth, 
 and transmit its glory and freedom to the latest time. 
 Their intention is " to spare the blood of their fellow- 
 subjects ;" " to spare the treasures of the State ;" and, in 
 concert with Britain, to erect an Empire on the firm basis 
 of the Constitution, that shall survive until time shall be no 
 more. 
 
 In addressing you, I hope, Sir, nothing has or may fall 
 from my pen to injure the sacred cause of my Country, or 
 to disgust yourself. The language of freedom, as a mother 
 tongue, I must adopt, whilst the walk of abuse or offensive 
 personality shall be entirely unoccupied by 
 
 A Pennsylvania**, 
 
 account of province stores and provisions receiv- 
 ed, forwarded, issued, and what remained, at 
 albany, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Received at Albany, by different vessels from New-York 
 and Kingston, 200 barrels flour, 400 barrels pork, and 20 
 tierces rice ; bought on publick credit at Albany, 52 bar- 
 rels flour, and 14 barrels peas: In all, 252 barrels flour, 
 400 barrels pork, 14 barrels peas, and 20 tierces rice. 
 
 Forwarded from Albany to Fort George, 88 barrels flour, 
 136 barrels pork, and 12 barrels peas: Leaves 164 barrels 
 flour, 264 barrels pork, 2 barrels peas, and 20 tierces rice. 
 
 Issued or delivered out at different times, 25 barrels 
 flour, 9 barrels pork, and 2 barrels peas : Remains at Al- 
 bany, 14th June, 1775, 139 barrels flour, 255 barrels pork, 
 and 20 tierces rice. 
 
 Stores remaining: Five hogsheads rum, one cask naval 
 stores, one cask sails for scows, fourteen barrels pitch and 
 tar, five casks oakum, three boxes spades and shovels, one 
 box hoes, and four coil cordage. 
 
 N. B. About twenty wagons are constantly employed 
 on the publick credit of the Colony between Albany and 
 Fort George to carry stores and provisions to the latter as 
 fast as possible, and before I left Albany I received intelli- 
 gence that ten or twelve more wagons in and about the 
 Boght were preparing to come to Town for loads. The last 
 company of Colonel Hinmans Regiment, of Connecticut, 
 were to leave Albany the 15th instant; the other nine 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol.h. < 
 
 (consisting of near a hundred men each, as the Colonel 
 informed me) were mostly arrived at Fort George on the 
 1 2th instant, and some, as we heard, had already reached 
 Ticonderoga. Those Companies did not all draw provi- 
 sions at Albany, as they brought a sufficiency with them 
 from Connecticut to last them to Fort George, especially 
 pork, and I think two Companies did not draw any, but 
 the others I have supplied with flour only, and about two 
 barrels of pork. 
 
 Provisions requisite to victual fifteen hundred men for 
 three months, viz: 675 barrels flour, average 200 pounds 
 nett; 367 barrels pork, average 210 pounds ; 7,232 pounds 
 butter; 226 barrels peas, average 3 \ bushels; 1,206 gallons 
 rice, or eighteen tierces, average 8 bushels. 
 
 Sent off to Fort George fourteen carpenters, to build 
 batteaus. John N. Bleecker. 
 
 New-York, June 16, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Greenwich, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your Honour will receive enclosed a requisition 
 from the Provincial Congress at New-York. Captain 
 Sears, who arrived here last night about twelve o'clock, 
 informs me that the people of iSeir- York intend to quarter 
 the Troops in the City. I should be glad to be informed 
 how far I shall subject myself and the Troops under my 
 command to the direction of the Continental or Provincial 
 Congress ; whether, (if I proceed to New- York.) when 
 the Irish Troops arrive, I shall wait for directions from the 
 Continental Congress whether to oppose them or not. It 
 is my private opinion that they ought not to be suffered to 
 land. I wrote you yesterday for your direction about the 
 expediency of my marching to JSew-York. 
 
 I am, Sir, with due respect, your Honour's most obedi- 
 ent humble servant, David Wooster. 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq. 
 
 letter from an officer in boston to his friend in 
 england, dated june 16, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : As we are just now convoying with the 
 General's despatches clear off the coast, I thought that a 
 line or two to you by the same opportunity would not be 
 unwelcome. Nothing of consequence has happened at 
 Boston since the 19th of April, except a skirmish or two 
 between the enemy and some parties of Troops who went 
 a foraging for hay on certain islands in the harbour. The 
 rebels still continue the blockade. Their out-sentinels the 
 other day called to ours to send out the Light-Horse, that 
 they might beat them as they had beaten the Grenadiers 
 and Light-Infantry ; and single men of them have been so 
 impudent as to fire a musket at the King's ships. They 
 burnt a house the other day belonging to a Tory within 
 shot of the Admiral. They have taken Ticonderoga, in 
 which place were eighty pieces of cannon and a large quan- 
 tity of stores. It is reported they have got some of those 
 guns now before Boston. Before our lines in camp and 
 Roxbury the rebels amount to three or four thousand men. 
 At other Towns in the neighbourhood it is said there are 
 two-and-twenty thousand. All the Troops from Ireland 
 are arrived in good health, and the horses in excellent con- 
 dition. Only sixteen horses died in the passage, and they 
 brought forty spare ones. Sixteen of the transports which 
 were ordered from England to New-York, are, by the 
 General, ordered to Boston. With this addition our army 
 will amount to about ten thousand men, all in high spirits, 
 and terribly exasperated against the Provincials. On the 
 12th instant General Gage published a Proclamation, 
 offering a pardon, in the King's name, to all rebels who 
 shall forthwith come in and lay down their arms, excepting 
 only Hancock and Adams. No regard is paid to Lord 
 North's terms of accommodation. The word with the 
 Sons of Liberty, as the rebels style themselves, is, join or 
 die. I expect to hear of bloody work soon, as our Troops 
 are determined to lay all the Country waste as they go 
 with fire and sword. The prisoners have been all ex- 
 changed. The Merlin is at Marblehead. As soon as we 
 part from our convoy we are to proceed to New- York, and 
 from thence to Philadelphia, to put the Restraining Act 
 in execution. Thank God I keep health, &c. 
 
1011 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1012 
 
 PROCLAMATION BY THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 In rrovincia! Congress, Watortown, June 1G, 1775. 
 Resolved, Tliat the following Proclamation be signed 
 by the President, printed, and published throughout this 
 Colony : 
 
 BY THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 The confidence which our countrymen have reposed in 
 us, lays us under the strongest obligation to watch and 
 guard against all the malignant designs of their inveterate 
 enemies. 
 
 That the British Administration have formed, and have 
 been for several years executing a plan to enslave this and 
 the other American Colonies, is a proposition so evident, 
 that it would be an affront to the understanding of mankind 
 to adduce proofs in support of it. We shall therefore only 
 advert to those unhappy circumstances which have been 
 the immediate causes of plunging this People into the hor- 
 rours of war and desolation. When a Fleet and Army were 
 sent forth to deprive us of every thing that man holds dear ; 
 when the Capital of this Colony became a garrison, and 
 fortifications were erected upon the only land-entrance into 
 the Metropolis: when the Commander of the Army so far 
 manifested his designs against us, as to send out his Soldiers 
 in the night to remove the publick magazines of the Colo- 
 ny from their safe lodgment in the country, and place them 
 under the command of a Foreign Army; when he evi- 
 denced his enmity to the liberties of this Country, by send- 
 ing a detachment from that Army against the peaceahle 
 inhabitants of one of our principal Towns, only because 
 they were assembled quietly to concert measures to save 
 themselves from ruin ; when we were lately deprived of 
 the benefit of a legislative body; when the whole system of 
 distributive justice was so mutilated that there could be no 
 reason to hope for any advantages from it ; when an Act 
 of Parliament was passed, which the General of the Army 
 resolves to execute, by which our countrymen were given 
 up as a prey to a lawless soldiery, who were screened from 
 punishment here for the murders they might commit ; in 
 fine, when the Army and Navy breathed nothing but blood 
 and slaughter, and all our accounts from England but too 
 strongly proved the inhuman intentions of those in power: 
 it became us as men, as freemen, and Christians, to take 
 some steps to preserve our own lives and properties, as 
 well as to secure the inheritance, purchased at no less a 
 price than the blood of many thousands of our brave ances- 
 tors, entire and undiminished for succeeding generations. 
 The Congress whom this people then chose recommended 
 it to them to provide themselves with such articles for their 
 defence as the law of the land required, and further recom- 
 mended it to them to appropriate some part of their own 
 property for the purchasing such stores to be laid up in 
 publick magazines as might be useful for the general de- 
 fence, in case an attack should be made upon us by the 
 Army. The recommendation was cheerfully complied with, 
 and stores were procured in the most peaceable and quiet 
 manner, and deposited in magazines, where they were to 
 have continued without the least injury or disturbance to 
 any one, unless drawn out by necessity to save the Coun- 
 try from destruction. But the possibility of our making 
 resistance to the bloody schemes of our adversaries was 
 the source of continual terrour to the traitors, whose aim 
 was to enslave this Country ; and General Gage, after many 
 little pllferings, and several humiliating disappointments in 
 his attempt to rob the people, at length determined to de- 
 stroy the magazines at Concord ; he sent the Grenadiers 
 and companies of Light-Infantry of every regiment (about 
 one thousand in number) secretly by night over Charles 
 River. On their way some of the Officers captivated and 
 otherwise infamously abused several of the inhabitants; 
 and when the body arrived at Lexington meeting-house, 
 which was very early in the morning of the ever memora- 
 ble nineteenth of April, they in a most barbarous and infa- 
 mous manner fired upon a small number of the inhabitants, 
 and cruelly murdered eight men. The fire was returned 
 by some of the survivors, but their number was too incon- 
 siderable to annoy the Regular Troops, who proceeded on 
 their errand; and upon coming up to Concord, began to 
 destroy by fire and water the stores and magazines, until a 
 party of them again fired upon and killed two more of the 
 inhabitants, The native bravery of our countrymen could 
 
 now no longer be restrained ; a small party, consisting ot 
 about two or three hundred men, attacked them with such 
 spirit and resolution, as compelled them soon to retreat. 
 At Lc ting ton they met a re-en forcement of Regular 
 Troops, consisting of about eight hundred, with two field- 
 pieces, commanded by Lord Percy. This, however, did 
 not encourage them to keep their ground, but they con- 
 tinued their route towards Charles town, marking their way 
 with every species of desolation and cruelty which their 
 haste would permit. 
 
 The burning and robbing of houses, the abuses and bar- 
 barities offered to defenceless women and children, the 
 wanton slaughter of the aged and helpless, will be a per- 
 petual memorial of the base spirit which actuated the per- 
 petrators. 
 
 Upon their arrival at Charlestown our countrymen quit- 
 ted the pursuit, and the next day suffered them, without 
 annoyance, to pass the river and return to Boston. 
 
 This action of the Troops destroyed every hope of 
 coming to any accommodation with them ; we therefore 
 were compelled to raise an Army to prevent such bloody 
 excursions in future. An Army is therefore raised and 
 appointed for this purpose, and we are, with the greatest 
 reluctance, obliged to declare, that we have now nothing to 
 depend upon under God. to preserve America from slavery 
 and destruction but our arms ; to these we have been forced 
 to make our appeal, and by these we are determined to 
 maintain our rights. And we are obliged to declare, and 
 do now publickly declare, all persons who shall afford any 
 aid, assistance, or relief, or hold any manner of communi- 
 cation of any kind whatsoever with General Gage, Admiral 
 Graves, or the Army or Navy, or any one of those now 
 under their command, who are stationed in our Metropolis 
 and the Harbour of Boston or elsewhere, or any persons 
 who are known or shall hereafter be known to have afford- 
 ed such aid, or to have had such communication with them 
 or either of them, to be enemies and traitors to their Coun- 
 try, and they shall be proceeded against and treated as 
 such, excepting only such of the unhappy inhabitants of 
 Boston as have, by a treacherous and most infamous breach 
 offailii in General Gage, been prevented from removing 
 out of the Town of Boston, whose peculiar circumstances 
 this Congress will at all times make due allowance for, so 
 long as they shall avoid doing any thing to obstruct or 
 counteract such steps as this Congress shall think fit to 
 take; but the said inhabitants are strictly forbidden, what- 
 ever may be the consequence of their refusal, to be in any 
 the least degree instrumental in assisting the enemy, or 
 opposing the Country, as they would avoid the penalties 
 due to the enemies thereof. From a real tenderness to 
 our fellow-men, we most sincerely regret the unhappy situa- 
 tion of the Soldiers and Sailors in the Army and Navy now 
 stationed in the Town and Harbour of Boston, and assure 
 them, upon that faith which never has been, and we trust 
 never will be violated, that upon their quitting the infa- 
 mous service in which they are, (as we must in charity 
 suppose,) contrary to their own inclinations and principles, 
 engaged, we will receive them as brethren and fellow- 
 subjects, and protect them against every attempt that may 
 be made by our enemies to force them again into the dis- 
 graceful and inhuman service in which they now are em- 
 ployed. 
 
 And that our earnest desire to discover our tender re- 
 gard to our few misguided fellow-countrymen, and our 
 readiness to forgive even those who have knowingly offend- 
 ed, we do promise and engage a full, free pardon to all 
 persons who have fled to the Town of Boston for refuge, 
 and to the other publick offenders against the rights and 
 liberties of this Country, of what kind or denomination 
 soever, excepting only from the benefit of such pardon 
 Thomas Gage, Samuel Graves, and those Counsellors who 
 were appointed by mandamus, and have not signified their 
 resignation, viz ; Jonathan Sewell, Charles Paxton, Ben-> 
 jamin Hallowell, and all the natives of America not belong- 
 ing to the Navy or Army who went out with the Troops 
 on the 19th of April last, and were countenancing, aiding, 
 and assisting them in the robberies and murders then com- 
 mitted, whose offences are of too flagitious a nature to 
 admit of any other consideration than that of condign pun- 
 ishment : Provided they take the benefit hereof by making 
 a surrender of themselves to any General Officer belong- 
 
1013 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1773. 
 
 1014 
 
 in* to the Massachusetts Army, and subscribe a declaration America, who daily fall innocent victims to lawless power, 
 
 or 'theft readiness to comply with, support, and abide by Let me entreat you to rouse in defence of your rights and 
 
 all the resolutions and determinations which are already liberties, those rights and liberties which Heaven gave, and 
 
 made by this or any former Congress, or that shall here- for which your fathers bravely fought, and gloriously fell, 
 
 Selectmen, Committees of Correspodence, Committees of 
 Safety, and all other Officers of every Town in this Colo- 
 nv, that they use their utmost diligence to discover and 
 make known to this Congress any person or persons who 
 shall in any respect attempt to do any thing tending to 
 render ineffectual their designs and doings ; and we trust 
 that the God of Armies, on whom we rely for a blessing 
 upon our arms, which we have taken up in support of the 
 great and fundamental principles of natural justice and the 
 common and indefeasible rights of mankind, will guide and 
 direct us in our designs, and at last, in infinite goodness 
 to this his injured people, restore peace and freedom to 
 the American world. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress note sitting at 
 Watertown : 
 
 The Petition of Ebenezer Smith and Thomas Cook, 
 Selectmen of Edgartown, in behalf of said Edgar- 
 town, humbly shoueth : 
 
 That whereas the said Town of Edgartown is very small 
 and poor, the soil sandy, and not capable of producing the 
 article of bread-corn for the inhabitants yearly by far; 
 whereby many of the inhabitants are obliged to employ 
 themselves in the whaling employ for their support, which 
 at this time is rendered useless, by reason that the oil ob- 
 tained will not produce cash: and also the staple com- 
 modity of said Edgartown, which is the article of sheep's 
 wool, cannot be transported to the main land at this time, 
 with any degree of safety, by reason of the armed vessels 
 continually cruising betwixt said Edgartown and the main 
 land ; and your petitioners are well assured that there is 
 but very little cash in said Town, and that many of the 
 inhabitants are at this time in a considerable degree suffer- 
 ing for the article of bread-corn, and are by no means at 
 this present time capable of paying their publick taxes : 
 we therefore pray, in behalf of said Edgartown, that as 
 your petitioners have contracted with the Committee of self-preservation to 
 
 let me therefore beseech you to oppose, with uplifted hands 
 and stretched out arms, the cruel, bloody, and unnatural 
 tyranny of George the Third, and his diabolical tory 
 minions. Perdition, destruction, and all the miseries of a 
 tortured death, attend the wretch who calls himself an 
 Englishman, and yet can tamely see his brother, or fellow- 
 subject, perish through wanton cruelty, oppression, or the 
 sword. 
 
 No tyrant was ever more despotick and cruel than the 
 present Sovereign, who disgraces the seat of royalty in the 
 British Empire ; no Court ever more corrupt than his ; and 
 yet, O my countrymen, to this merciless and despotick 
 tyrant, and to his wicked and corrupt Ministry, you sacri- 
 fice your rights, and yield a peaceable submission. 
 
 Consider the gloomy, the dreadful prospect before you. 
 The plains of America are running with the blood of her 
 inhabitants ; the essence of the English Constitution de- 
 stroyed, and nothing but the form, the mere shadow of it 
 remains ; all the dear-bought liberties purchased and sealed 
 with the blood of your forefathers, wrested from you by 
 the polluted hands of an abandoned set of miscreants, sup- 
 ported and defended by a royal tyrant; and a dark cloud 
 of slavery, like a rising tempest, overspreads the land ; it 
 approaches swiftly, and at this moment threatens our de- 
 struction : it is therefore high time you should be roused 
 and awakened to a sense of your danger ; and by an appeal 
 to Heaven, by a glorious resistance, provide for your com- 
 mon safety. 
 
 This is the only way ; we have no other to prevent the 
 ruin that threatens us. If we are inattentive or inactive at 
 this time, our chains will be fast riveted, and liberty must 
 expire. Your petitions and remonstrances have been spurned 
 by the King, and you have now no remedy left but that of 
 entering into an association in defence of your common 
 rights, and the rights of America. They have set you a 
 noble example, an example worthy of Britons, an example 
 which you are bound by all the principles of justice and 
 follow; he must be blind that is not 
 
 Supplies to supply them with a number of yarn stockings, 
 that the same may answer in lieu of the money, as far as 
 the amount of said stockings ; as we conceive it will be of 
 great utility to said Town, by reason that the little money- 
 there is will be stopped in said Town, and the poor kept 
 at work in the manufacturing of the wool. And your peti- 
 tioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. 
 
 Thomas Cook, ) c . 7 „. 
 t-. a ■ > selectmen. 
 
 Ebenezer Smith, 5 
 
 Edgartown, June 1C, 1775. 
 
 convinced of this, and he is an abandoned wretch, an 
 enemy to mankind, who will not pursue the road. 
 
 Upon your virtue and resolution at this juncture, de- 
 pends the salvation of England and America ; it is now 
 in your power to prevent the further progress of despotism, 
 the butchery of your fellow-countrymen, and yourselves 
 from slavery and ruin. 
 
 When the humble supplications of an oppressed People 
 are treated with contempt, and a deaf ear turned to their 
 complaints; when their rights are daily invaded, their pro- 
 perty unlawfully wrested from them, and their blood inhu- 
 manly shed ; it is incumbent on them, it is a duty they owe 
 to God and their Country, to take the field and resist their 
 oppressors; to show themselves brave, when bravery is 
 required, and dare to be resolute in the hour of danger. 
 Remember, my fellow-countrymen, our predecessors led 
 the way ; the Americans have followed their noble exam- 
 ple, and we are bound to follow them. Where would have 
 been liberty and property, if it had not been for the virtue, 
 bravery, and resolution of our ancestors? They stood forth 
 in the glorious cause, and many of them secured it to pos- 
 terity by their blood. Shall we then tamely submit to have 
 those privileges, for which they fought and fell, ravished 
 from us by a lawless tribe of men, who call themselves 
 Senators or Ministers, and who, taking advantage of their 
 Prince, are laying waste their country, and speading deso- 
 lation through the land ? Shall it be said in after times, 
 that the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five 
 was less glorious than that of sixteen hundred and eighty- 
 eight ; and that as the age grew more and more enlight- 
 to the people of England. ene( j j t Decame more an( j more pusillanimous ? Forbid it 
 London, June 17, 1775. Heaven! 
 Friends and Fellow- Countrymen : Let me entreat y0Uj Q Englishmen, to rouse from that 
 Let me conjure you, by all you hold dear here and here- state of supineness in which you have so long lain; open 
 after, by all the ties of nature and justice, to rouse in your eyes to the danger that surrounds you, and stand forth 
 defence of your persecuted brethren and fellow-subjects in the defenders of American virtue and publick liberty. Havoc 
 
 COLONEL ISRAEL GILMAN TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COM- 
 MITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Charlestown, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I take this opportunity to inform you of 
 the state of Colonel Bead's Regiment now at Charlestou-n. 
 The Regiment is full officered ; the soldiery will appear by 
 the return ; there is good harmony in said Regiment. A 
 chaplain, surgeon, and armourer very much wanting in 
 said Regiment. 
 
 Gentlemen, I am, with respect, your most obedient, &lc, 
 
 Israel Gilman. 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety. 
 
 P. S. It is still times with the Regular Troops at pre- 
 sent; we expect they will make a push for Bunker's Hill 
 or Dorchester Neck very soon. 
 
1015 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1016 
 
 is now the cry at St. James's, and the dogs of war are let 
 loose to tear out the vitals of our brethren. America, 
 through the abandoned cruelty of an accursed Administra- 
 tion and an unrelenting King, is become a field of blood, 
 overspread with desolation and slaughter. It is in your 
 power to put an end to this horrid unnatural civil war ; it 
 must owe its extinction or continuance to you. If you are 
 virtuous, brave, and resolute, the lives, liberties, and pro- 
 perties of your fellow-subjects may be preserved, and your 
 Country saved from destruction : if, on the contrary, you 
 should be irresolute and pusillanimous at this time, (unwor- 
 thy the name of Englishmen,) thousand, many thousand 
 lives must be lost ; the liberties of England will be no more ; 
 and your property taken from you at the will and pleasure 
 of the Kins and his Ministers. 
 
 It can only be from the virtue and united efforts of Eng- 
 land and America, that the Constitution of Great Britain, 
 and all our invaluable privileges, can be preserved. Should 
 you remain quiet spectators of the present inhuman massa- 
 cres and destructive measures, you will deserve the worst 
 of slavery, and the cruelest punishment ever inflicted on a 
 people. 
 
 If you have any honour, if you have any virtue, or any 
 bravery, you will now stand forth and resist the tyrants; 
 you will demand the heads of those men who advised those 
 sanguinary, fatal, and ruinous measures; you will declare to 
 the world you will not consent to arbitrary invasions of your 
 liberties ; arbitrary dispensings with the laws ; and arbitrary 
 governing by an Army : that you owe no submission to a 
 King, beyond the bounds of law ; that your lives, liberties, 
 and estates shall not be disposed of at his pleasure; that you 
 are bound by the laws of God and man to resist a tyrant; 
 and that you will oppose all unjust violence, and those who 
 attempt the life of the Constitution, as the great enemies 
 of their Country. This has been practised in all ages ; and 
 all Nations determine, that Kings who invade the lives, 
 liberties, or properties of their subjects; that tear up the 
 foundations of publick freedom, and the sacred Constitu- 
 tion of their Country ; may be resisted, either by calling in 
 and joining with foreign assistance, or by taking arms in 
 defence of the laws and common liberty. This is what was 
 declared at the Revolution, and this is the foundation upon 
 which the people took arms in the time of Charles the 
 First. 
 
 The axe is now at the root of the tree ; the overthrow 
 of the Constitution is the great design of the King and his 
 Ministers, the open and avowed enemies to the natural 
 rights of mankind, who have already sufficiently proved to 
 the world that they mean the subversion of the universal 
 right of Christians and of subjects. Let those, my coun- 
 trymen, who plead for tyrants, submit to their power; but 
 let us esteem our liberty, religion, and property, equally 
 with our lives, every man's birthright by nature ; no Gov- 
 ernment ever received a legal authority to abridge or take 
 it away ; nor has God vested any single or confederated 
 power in any hands to destroy it ; and it is in defence of 
 those glorious privileges, these common rights, I have writ- 
 ten this paper ; and to preserve them unviolated by the 
 polluted hands of lawless tyrants, I would lay down my 
 life, for life is a burden in any other state than that of 
 freedom. 
 
 It is notoriously known, notwithstanding all the Royal 
 and Ministerial falsehoods which have been, and are daily 
 advanced to our disgrace ; it is known that we do not enjoy 
 undiminished, one single privilege purchased by the blood 
 of our ancestors, and confirmed to us by Magna Charta 
 and the Bill of Rights. Every man, then, who remains 
 passive at this time, is an enemy and traitor to his Coun- 
 try. I lose all kind of patience when I reflect upon the 
 melancholy situation of England, and America, and the 
 villanous principles of those men entrusted by the Sover- 
 eign with the management of the affairs of this once great, 
 free, and powerful Kingdom. I am fired with a just indig- 
 nation against the authors of our misfortunes ; and if I 
 appear too warm, 1 hope it will be imputed to my zeal 
 in the publick cause, and not to any malice or resentment 
 against individuals, for I here declare to have none. But I 
 most sincerely wish to stop the further effusion of human 
 blood, and would willingly sacrifice my life, could I wrest 
 my Country from the hands of parricides and traitors, and 
 from that destruction which now threatens it. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Charlcstown, ) 
 Saturday, June 17, 1775. \ 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress shall expire on the sixth 
 day of August next ; that a new election be made on Mon- 
 day the 7th and Tuesday the 8th days of August, except 
 in Charlcstown ; and that the new members then elected 
 do meet in General Congress at Charlestoum, on the first 
 day of December next, or sooner, if the General Commit- 
 tee shall think it expedient to summon them. 
 
 Resolved, That each Parish, or District, shall, at the 
 time of choosing Deputies to attend the Provincial Con- 
 gress, likewise choose a convenient number to form Com- 
 mittees in the said Parishes and Districts respectively, in 
 order to enforce the different Resolves of the Continental 
 and Provincial Congresses. By order of Congress: 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, AND 
 TO ALL OTHERS WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Suppose this Major, Colonel, or whatever he may be, 
 who is lately arrived from the Parliamentary Army at Bos- 
 ton, and says he sold out, should be a Spy sent from the 
 Generals to examine into the state of our affairs ; to fix on 
 the ground which can be occupied to most advantage by 
 an Army, Regiment, or party of Regulars ; to see whether 
 we are prepared to oppose their landing, or to prevent any 
 ships from coming opposite the City, which by threats to 
 fire upon it, might intimidate the inhabitants. Suppose 
 the Generals have resolved, if the landing at New- York 
 should prove too hazardous, on account of its vicinity to 
 Connecticut, to send the Troops here, and that he is sent 
 on purpose to assist and direct them in landing. Suppose 
 all, or any of these to be the true supposition, what then ? 
 Suppose be and the paroled Major (for I hear they are 
 much together) should, by their united counsels, fix and 
 recommend a plan for introducing a few Regiments to 
 Philadelphia, what then ? These are reasonable suppo- 
 sitions. Generals who could affect nothing by force, have 
 had recourse to stratagem, and may have again. I have 
 but one supposition more, the rest I leave to your virtue, 
 wisdom, and prudence : suppose the general desire of your 
 fellow-citizens to be " dent operam curatores selecti duccsq ; 
 militares ne quid civitas detrimenti capiat" — Quid tuml 
 I am, &lc. 
 
 JAMES DUANE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, Juno 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the .... by express 
 came to hand yesterday, and the papers you enclosed have 
 been communicated to the Congress, who cannot but ap- 
 prove of your generous and spirited conduct. 
 
 You have by this conveyance two packets from the Pre- 
 sident of the Congress, on the subjects to which they relate. 
 I need make no remark. 
 
 As it was found that you made no progress in raising 
 men, the Congress have thought fit that the posts directed 
 to be taken in our Government should immediately be oc- 
 cupied by the Troops of Connecticut, which are ready for 
 service, and unemployed. We enclose you, by order of 
 the Congress, a certified copy of their Resolution on that 
 head. 
 
 Your great complaint of the want of money will, I hope, 
 be soon removed. For your present satisfaction, we have 
 obtained leave of the Congress to inform you that the 
 General Committee of the whole body have reported a 
 Resolution to emit, in Continental paper currency, a sum 
 not exceeding the value of two millions of Spanish dol- 
 lars, for the redemption of which all the Colonies are to be 
 pledged. Upon revolving the effect of this Resolution, 
 you will find to agree in the main point — the stability of the 
 fund, with your own judicious system. We hope soon to 
 furnish you with the particulars of this important transac- 
 tion. We are likewise at liberty to acquaint you that the 
 Congress have agreed to raise, at the Continental expense, 
 a body of fifteen thousand men — ten thousand for the de- 
 fence of the Massachusetts, and the remainder to be em- 
 ployed in New-York for keeping open the communication 
 between the Northern and Southern Colonics ; and that 
 
1017 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, JUNE, 177.5. 
 
 1018 
 
 Colonel George Washington is appointed Captain-General 
 and Commander-in-Chief of all the forces raised and to 
 be raised in the common cause. You are under no further 
 obligation of secrecy on that subject, than to prevent their 
 being inserted in any newspaper, from which it is appre- 
 hended some prejudices might arise. 
 
 The letters for Governour Trumbull and General JVoos- 
 ter, relate to the removal of the Connecticut Troops into 
 our Government, and are to be forwarded with your des- 
 patches on that subject ; but they are only from their Dele- 
 gates, and not authoritative, the Congress having referred 
 it to you to make the application to that Government. 
 
 I have retired from the Congress at the request of my 
 brethren to send off these despatches ; for which reason I 
 have done the honour of subscribing myself, with the 
 greatest respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very 
 humble servant, James Duane. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress at Ncxc-York. 
 
 NEW- YORK CONGRESS TO TH FIR DELEGATES AT PHILA- 
 DELPHIA. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We are this day informed by Mr. Jeffrey, 
 of the Lord Hyde packet-boat, that the Mercury ship-of- 
 war was cruising off our coast, and is now at Sandy-Hook, 
 to order the transports from Ireland with Troops destined 
 to this City, to proceed immediately to Boston ; and did 
 on Tuesday last, about thirty leagues to the southeast of 
 Sandy-Hook deliver those orders to the Old Spy, man-of- 
 war, (now a transport with a part of the Forty-Fouith 
 Regiment on board,) who immediately altered her course. 
 
 Captain Jeffery told us he had this information both 
 from the officers of the troops on hoard of the Spy, and 
 from some of the officers of the Mercury man-of-war. 
 
 From this information, we are induced to conclude that 
 some capital stroke is meditated against our brethren of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay. We therefore, gentlemen, think it 
 our duty to despatch this information to you, that it may be 
 known to the Continental Congress. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your very humble servant, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 P. S. We enclose you copies of the two letters we have 
 despatched to General Wooster. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES TO COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 Chamber of Supplies, Watcrtown, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received your letter per express, 
 and in answer inform you that we have no horses at present 
 but what are unfit for use, or wanted for the expresses of 
 this Committee. We are informed that Colonel Gerrish 
 has a horse taken at Noddle's Island, and shall be glad that 
 you will take the same, if the intelligence is true, and give 
 us notice. We have received but ten out of twenty-eight 
 horses ordered by Congress to be delivered us, and are in- 
 formed that those left behind are some of the best; pray 
 take them if to be found, unless detained by the Generals. 
 We have sent to procure four, which shall be sent you as 
 soon as possible ; and are, with respect, gentlemen, your 
 humble servant, David Cheever, per order. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety. 
 
 P. S. We are sensibly concerned for the expense of pow- 
 der, as a great consumption by cannon may be ruinous on 
 our side. We think it proper to inform you that, exclusive 
 of thirty-six half barrels powder received from the Govern- 
 our and Council of Connecticut, there is only in the maga- 
 zine twenty-seven half barrels, and can be no more draughted 
 from the Towns, without exposing them more than they will 
 consent to be. 
 
 MACHIAS COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Machias, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Since the express left this, by whom we 
 transmitted an account of the taking of the Margaretta, 
 one of the King's tenders, we have discovered, upon 
 
 examining the papers, that both of Capt. Jones's sloops, of 
 about eighty tons each, were in the King's service ; and as 
 the people are now obliged to provide for their own safety 
 in the best manner possible, the Committee of Safety have 
 resolved, with the utmost expedition, to arm one of said 
 sloops, and to act on the defensive. We are deeply sensi- 
 ble of our own weakness and danger, and with becoming 
 deference we once more apply to your Honours for advice 
 and support, if we are judged worthy of your notice. Will 
 not a commission be necessary for those who take the lead 
 in this affair? 
 
 We are, gentlemen, very respectfully, Sic. 
 
 James Lyon, Chairman. 
 
 To the Honourable Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Account of an Engagement at Charlestown, beticcen 
 about three thousand of the King's Regular Forces, and 
 about half that number of Provincials, on Saturday. 
 the llth of June, 1775. 
 
 On Friday night, June the sixteenth, fifteen hundred of 
 the Provincials went to Bunker's Hill in order to intrench 
 there, and continued intrenching till Saturday at ten o'clock, 
 when two thousand Regulars marched out of Boston, landed 
 in Charlestown, and, plundering it of all its valuable effects, 
 set fire to it in ten different places at once ; then dividing 
 their Army, one part of it marched up in the front of the 
 Provincials' intrenchment, and began to attack the Provin- 
 cials at long shot; the other part of the Army marched 
 round the Town of Charlestown under cover of the smoke 
 occasioned by the Town. The Provincial sentries dis- 
 covered the Regulars marching upon their left wing. Upon 
 notice of this given by the sentry to the Connecticut forces 
 posted on that wing, Captain Nolton, of Ashford, with four 
 hundred of said forces, immediately repaired to and pulled 
 up a post and rail fence, and carrying the posts and rails to 
 another fence, put them together for a breastwork. Capt. 
 Nolton gave orders to the men not to fire till the enemy had 
 got within fifteen rods, and then not till the word was given. 
 At the word being given the enemy fell surprisingly. It 
 was thought, by spectators who stood at a distance, that 
 our men did great execution. The action continued about 
 two hours, when the Regulars on the right wing were put 
 into confusion and gave way. The Connecticut Troops 
 closely pursued them, and were on the point of pushing 
 their bayonets, when orders were received from General 
 Pomeroy for those who had been in action two hours to 
 fall back, and their places to be supplied by fresh forces. 
 These orders being mistaken for a direction to retreat, our 
 Troops on the right wing began a general retreat, which 
 was handed to the left, the principal place of action, where 
 Captains Nolton, Chester, Clarke, and Putnam, had forced 
 the enemy to give way and retire before them for some con- 
 siderable distance ; and being warmly pursuing the enemy, 
 were with difficulty persuaded to retire ; but the right wing, 
 by mistaking the orders, having already retired, the left, to 
 avoid being encircled, were obliged to retreat ; and, with the 
 main body, they retreated with precipitation across the 
 causeway to Winter Hill, in which they were exposed to 
 the fire of the enemy from their shipping and floating bat- 
 teries. 
 
 We sustained our principal loss in passing the causeway. 
 The enemy pursued our Troops to Jl inter Hill, where the 
 Provincials, being re-enforced by General Putnam, renewed 
 the battle with great spirit, repulsed the enemy with great 
 slaughter, and pursued them till they got under cover of 
 their cannon from the shipping, when the enemy retreated to 
 Bunker's Hill, and the Provincials to Jf inter Hill, where, 
 after intrenching and erecting batteries, they, on Monday, 
 began to fire upon the Regulars on Bunker's Hill, and on 
 the ships and the floating batteries in the harbour, when 
 the express came away. The number of Provincials killed 
 islDetween forty and seventy ; one hundred and forty wound- 
 ed : of the Connecticut Troops sixteen were killed ; no 
 officer among them was either killed or wounded, except 
 Lieutenant Grosvenor, who is wounded in the hand ; a 
 Colonel or Lieutenant-Colonel of the New-Hampshire 
 forces among the dead. It is also said that Doctor Warren 
 is undoubtedly among the slain. The Provincials lost three 
 iron six-pounders, some intrenching tools, and knapsacks. 
 
 The number of Regulars that first attacked the Provin- 
 
1019 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1020 
 
 cials on Bunker's Hill was not less than two thousand. 
 The number of Provincials was only fifteen hundred, who, 
 it is supposed, would soon have gained a complete victory, 
 had it not been for the unhappy mistake already mentioned. 
 The Regulars were afterwards re-enforced with a thousand 
 men. It is uncertain how great a number of the enemy 
 were killed or wounded; but it was supposed by spectators 
 who saw the whole action, that there could not be less than 
 fovir or five hundred killed. Mr. Gardner, who got out of 
 Boston on Sunday evening, says that there were five hun- 
 dred wounded men brought into that place the morning 
 before he came out. 
 
 This account was taken from Captain Elijah Hide, of 
 Lebanon, who was a spectator on Winter Hill during the 
 whole action. 
 
 GOVERNOUR WENT WORTH TO THEODORE ATKINSON. 
 
 Castle William and Mary, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Captain Barkley has this morning seized 
 the Sloop Kingfisher, Jonathan Eaton, master, laden with 
 thirteen hogsheads and three tierces of molasses, bound 
 from Newbury to Piscataqua, for breach of Acts of Trade. 
 This sloop run into Little Harbour and unloaded eight 
 casks into a gondola, without entering or reporting at the 
 Custom-House. Captain Barklcy sends information to the 
 Custom-House, and directions to have the vessel forthwith 
 libelled in the Court of Vice-Admiralty. This is not, there- 
 fore, any stoppage upon his general orders relative to pro- 
 vision vessels, &c, but would have taken place any time 
 heretofore. 1 therefore hope it will be so considered, and 
 occasion no disturbance in Town. 
 
 We shall rejoice exceedingly to see you in this our plea- 
 sant retirement, where we enjoy a good air, and have some 
 safety from unseasonable attacks. 
 
 J. Wentworth. 
 Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq., Portsmouth. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. 
 
 Philadelphia, Sunday Morning, June 18, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I have but a moment's time left to tell you 
 that your order for the duck, k,c, cannot be complied with, 
 there being not enough here to make it worth while to think 
 of sending, and indeed they are in want of the same arti- 
 cle here. I cannot inform you of the doings of Congress 
 in general, being under an injunction ; but I am thus far 
 indulged to mention, but by no means to be put in the 
 newspapers at present, that Colonel Washington is appoint- 
 ed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. 1 shall 
 sign his commission to-morrow, and he will depart in a few 
 days. He is a fine man. You will judge of the propriety 
 of the mode of his reception. Ten Companies of fine 
 Riflemen from this Province, Maryland, and Virginia, are 
 ordered to proceed immediately to your Army ; these are 
 clever fellows. The Committee of the whole Congress 
 have agreed upon a report for the immediate emission of 
 two millions of dollars upon the faith of the Continent. 
 Remember me to Mr. Gill, Pitts, Cooper, and all friends. 
 Adieu ; I am almost worn out. 
 
 I am your real friend, John Hancock. 
 
 Mr. Gerry, Watertown. 
 
 JOHN ADAMS TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. 
 
 Philadelphia, Juno 18, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I have at last obtained liberty, by a vote of 
 Congress, to acquaint my friends with a few of the things 
 that have been done. 
 
 The Congress have voted, or rather a Committee of the 
 whole House have unanimously agreed, that the sum of two 
 million dollars be issued in bills of credit, for the redemp- 
 tion of which, in a certain number of years, twelve Colonies 
 have unanimously pledged themselves. 
 
 The Congress has likewise resolved that fifteen thousand 
 men shall be supported at the expense of the Continent, 
 (ten thousand at Massachusetts, and five thousand at New- 
 Fo»7c,)and that ten Companies of Riflemen be sent immedi- 
 ately — six from Pennsylvania, two from Maryland, and two 
 from Virginia — consisting of sixty-eight privates in each 
 company, to join our Army at Boston. These are said to 
 
 be all exquisite marksmen, and by means of the excellence 
 of their firelocks, as well as their skill in the use of them, 
 to send sure destruction to great distances. 
 
 Gen. Washington is chosen Commander-in-Chief; Gen. 
 Ward the first Major-General ; and General Lee the second, 
 (the last has not yet accepted,) and Major Gates Adjutant- 
 General. Lee and Gales are experienced officers. We 
 have proceeded no further as yet. 
 
 I have never, in all my lifetime, suffered more anxiety 
 than in the conduct of this business. The choice of offi- 
 cers, and their pay, have given me great distress. Lee and 
 Gates are officers of such great experience and confessed 
 abilities, that I thought their advice, in a council of officers, 
 might be of great advantage to us; but the natural preju- 
 dices, and virtuous attachment of our countrymen to their 
 own officers, made me apprehensive of difficulties. But, 
 considering the earnest desire of General Washington to 
 have the assistance of these officers, the extreme attach- 
 ment of many of our best friends in the Southern Colonies 
 to them, the reputation they would give to our arms in Eu- 
 rope, and especially with the Ministerial Generals and Army 
 in Boston, as well as the real American merit of them both, 
 I could not withhold my vote from either. 
 
 The pay which has been voted to all the officers which 
 the Continental Congress intends to choose, is so large, that 
 I fear our people will think it extravagant and be uneasy. 
 Mr. Adams, Mr. Paine, and myself, used our utmost en- 
 deavours to reduce it, but in vain. 
 
 Those ideas of equality, which are so agreeable to us 
 natives of New-England, are very disagreeable to many 
 gentlemen in the other Colonies. They had a great opin- 
 ion of the high importance of a Continental General, and 
 were determined to place him in an elevated point of light. 
 They think the Massachusetts establishment too high for 
 the privates, and too low for the officers, and they would 
 have their own way. 
 
 1 hope the utmost politeness and respect will be shown 
 to these officers on their arrival. The whole Army, I think, 
 should be drawn up upon the occasion, and all the pride, 
 pomp, and circumstance of glorious war displayed ; no pow- 
 der burned, however. 
 
 There is something charming to me in the conduct of 
 Washington. A gentleman of one of the first fortunes upon 
 the Continent, leaving his delicious retirement, his family 
 and friends, sacrificing his ease, and hazarding all in the 
 cause of his Country ! His views are noble and disinte- 
 rested. He declared when he accepted the mighty trust, 
 that he would lay before us an exact account of his expenses, 
 and not accept a shilling for pay. The express waits. 
 
 Adieu. John Adam;-. 
 
 Mr. Gerry, Watertown. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Greenwich, June 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have just received a letter from the Provincial 
 Congress at New-York, a copy of which I enclose and 
 send you by express, who will also proceed to the Provin- 
 cial Camp with another to General ff'ard. Perhaps your 
 Honour will now think best to order the troops under my 
 command eastward instead of westward. 
 
 I am, in haste, your Honour's most obedient humble 
 servant, David Wooster, Major-General. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GENERAL WOOSTER. 
 
 Provincial Congress, New-York, June 17, 1775. 
 Sir: Being well informed that four Regiments, contain- 
 ing near three thousand effective men, were sailed in trans- 
 ports for this City, we take the liberty to request the assist- 
 ance of those brave sons of freedom who are under your 
 command. We are this instant further informed, that the 
 Mercury, ship-of-war, was cruising upon our coast, and 
 is now at Sandy-Hook, to order those transports to Bos- 
 ton immediately, and did, on Tuesday last, thirty leagues 
 to the southeast of the Hook, deliver her orders to the 
 Old Spy, man-of-war, now a transport, with part of the 
 Forty-Fourth Regiment on board, which immediately 
 altered her course. From hence we conclude that a very 
 capital stroke is meditated against our brethren of the 
 
1021 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1022 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay. You best can determine, Sir, whe- 
 ther it is proper, on this occasion, for the forces under j our 
 command to march westward. But we are led to believe 
 that it is of more important consequence to secure the 
 several passes, with which nature hath bounteously forti- 
 fied the eastern country, that if some unexpected chance 
 of war should prove fatal to us in the first contest, the 
 enemy may, by such means, receive a double check in 
 his career of vengeance. We beg you to transmit this 
 intelligence to the Provincial Camp with the utmost de- 
 spatch. We are, Sir, your most humble servants, 
 By order of the Provincial Congress : 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To Major-General JVooster, Greenwich. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER OF RANK TO 
 A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED BOSTON, JUNE 18, 
 1775. 
 
 We left Cork early in April, and after a very tedious 
 and disagreeable passage of seven weeks, arrived here on 
 the sixteenth day of this month. On our landing, we 
 found every thing in the utmost confusion, partly arising 
 from the murmurs of the soldiery; the difference of opin- 
 ion among the superiour officers ; the want of fresh provi- 
 sions ; the general unhealthiness of the troops; and, above 
 all, the misery of the wretched inhabitants, destitute of 
 food, raiment, or property. Whether it was an aggregate 
 of all these, or a weakness arising from a sea-sickness, 
 which commenced at the cove of Cork, and only left me 
 on my landing, 1 will not pretend to say, but 1 have been 
 tc tally confined to my room since last Saturday. Yester- 
 day morning the troops were ordered under arms at three 
 o'clock, on a boat being sent from one of the ships-of- 
 war to acquaiut us that the Provincials were raising 
 works in order to besiege us, and put us between cross 
 fires. Feeble as I was, I arose and dressed myself, and 
 went down to the Head-Quarters to offer my service. 
 There were two reasons, however, which prevented their 
 acceptance ; one was the state of my health, the other, 
 that the Regiment I belonged to was not ordered out. The 
 troops destined for that service were landed on the Charles- 
 town side, between eight and nine o'clock ; but on account 
 of the number of the Provincials, the troops did not begin 
 the attack for a considerable time. In the prodigious con- 
 fusion this place is now in, all I can tell now is, that the 
 troops behaved with the most unexampled bravery ; and 
 after an engagement of nearly five hours, we forced the 
 Provincials from their posts, redoubts, and intrenchments, 
 one by one. This victory has cost us very dear, indeed, 
 as we have lost some of the best officers in the service, 
 and a great number of private men. Nor do I see that 
 we enjoy one solid benefit in return, or are likely to reap 
 from it any one advantage whatever. We have, indeed, 
 learned one melancholy truth, which is, that the Ameri- 
 cans, if they were equally well commanded, are full as 
 good soldiers as ours ; and as it is, are very little inferiour 
 to us, even in discipline and steadiness of countenance. 
 This sudden, unexpected affair, has had, however, one 
 good effect upon me, for I find myself much better. 
 
 P. S. Since I wrote the above, I fell into a conversation 
 with a gentleman who was present in both actions, and who 
 told me that the King's Troops must have been totally 
 destroyed in each, had the Provincials known their own 
 strength, particularly on the former's return from Lexing- 
 ton to Boston, on the 19th of April."* 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, Jane 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: For the well ordering and regulating a Camp, 
 there are some officers necessary that I find no establish- 
 ment for, which, 1 suppose, was left by the former Con- 
 gress for an after consideration ; two, in particular, that I 
 
 * London, July 27, 1775. — The event of the Boston campaign may 
 now be easily guessed. At first, it seemed to turn upon the question, 
 whether the Colony irregulars would stand the phalanxes of Regular 
 Troops ? That has been proved too clearly to be denied. It is now a 
 question, which side will soonest be destroyed, and whether a victory 
 to the Regulars, in which they lost one thousand men, and killed two 
 hundred of the Provincials, is not the species of victory which will 
 6oon have all the effects of the severest defeat ? 
 
 find very necessary, viz: an Adjutant and Quartermaster- 
 General, the latter of which may make a great saving to 
 the Province, as he would have the particular charge and 
 control of all the camp utensils, inspection of quarters, 
 &.c, &tc, which he would be accountable for. It is an 
 office of great importance in many respects. Upon this 
 matter being recommended to the Honourable Congress, I 
 make no doubt they will be sensible of the utility of such 
 officers. I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your most 
 obedient servant, John Thomas. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES TO COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Supply Chamber, Watertown, Juno 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We were handed an express from you to 
 the several Towns, wherein you desire them to raise the Mili- 
 tia, which was not directed to us for any assistance : but Mr. 
 Gill desired us verbally, as by your order, to furnish horses 
 for the purpose, and despatch orders ; which was not in our 
 power, as we have no horses for our own necessary ex- 
 presses ; and as we apprehend its being w holly out of our 
 department, it would not have that influence which it might 
 have been expected from the Committee of Safety, whose 
 department only it will be considered, if we had any spare 
 horses to comply with such desire. We therefore hope, gen- 
 tlemen, you will not depend upon us, however disposed we 
 may be to assist for the publick safety, as it is out of our 
 power. Your most humble servants, 
 
 David Cheever, per order. 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 CIRCULAR TO THE SEVERAL TOWNS IN MASSACHUSETTS. 
 
 Chamber of Supplies, Watertown, June 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The welfare of our Country again induces 
 us to urge your exertions in sending to the magazine in 
 this place, what can be procured of the following articles, 
 viz: salt pork, beans, peas, vinegar, and blankets ; the prices 
 whereof, as well as the carting, shall be allowed according 
 to the custom of your place, which we desire you to cer- 
 tify. It is of the utmost importance that the Army should 
 be supplied agreeably to the Resolve of the Congress, more 
 especially with these articles ; the four first of which are 
 necessary for the subsistence as well as the health of the 
 men, and the others for their comfort. The occasion of 
 the deficiency in blankets is mostly owing to a number of 
 men enlisted from Boston, and other Towns which have 
 been vacated, and they all must be procured immediately, 
 or our worthy countrymen will suffer. 
 
 As the country affords every thing in plenty necessary 
 to subsist the Army, and we cannot, at present, obtain 
 many things but by your assistance, we assure ourselves 
 that you will act your parts as worthily as you have done, 
 and hope that the event of all our exertions will be the 
 salvation of our Country. David Cheever, 
 
 Per order of Comm. of Supplies. 
 
 To the Selectmen and Committee of Correspondence of 
 the Town of 
 
 COLONEL BARTLETT TO GENERAL FOLSOM. 
 
 Kingston, June 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: This moment one Mr. Moreton has come express 
 from Cambridge, and has brought a letter from the Conti- 
 nental to our Congress, which I shall send to the Presi- 
 dent. He came from thence last evening ; has rode all 
 night, and informs that the Regulars came out of Boston 
 yesterday to Charlestown, and had begun an engagement ; 
 that he is well assured that Charlestown is burnt, and that 
 our people were flocking down all last night to the Army. 
 I shall send to the President to be at Exeter to-morrow 
 morning. Desire that the rest of the Committee be notified. 
 Your prudence will direct you about marching our men. 
 In great haste I am, &.c. Josiah Bartlett. 
 
 To General Folsom. 
 
 Copy sent to Doctor Thompson, Captain JVhipple, Cap- 
 tain Moulton, Colonel McDuffee, and Committee of Safe- 
 ty, Newburyport. 
 
 Orders sent to Major Cilley, Captain Elkins, Captain 
 
102.5 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 177';. 
 
 1024 
 
 Ttowc, Captain Clough, Captain Adams, Captain Tilcomb, 
 Captain Oilman, Captain Went worth, Captain Tilton, and 
 Captain Norriss, to march their men without loss of time 
 to Cambridge, to join the Army. 
 
 PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Prince 
 Edward, at the Court-House, June 19, 1775: 
 
 Present : Colonel John Nash, Jun., Chairman for the 
 day ; John Morton, Robert Lawson, William Booker, 
 Francis Watkins, Obadiah Woodson, Thomas Flournoy, 
 James Allen, Senior, and Thomas Ha skins, Committee- 
 men. 
 
 The Committee, taking under their consideration his 
 Excellency Lord Dunmore's conduct in the removal of 
 the Powder from the publick magazine in the City of Jl il- 
 (iamsburgh, after the most mature deliberation, came to 
 the following Resolutions: 
 
 1. That, for ourselves and our constituents, we do 
 hereby publickly avow our unfeigned attachment and 
 affectionate loyalty to the sacred person of our most gra- 
 cious King, George the Third, and that we ardently pray 
 for nothing more than a speedy pacification between Great 
 Britain and her American Colonies, upon permanent, 
 constitutional, and generous principles, as the only proba- 
 ble means of preserving to us our inherent, legal, and just 
 lights and privileges — rights and privileges which His Ma- 
 jesty's subjects of Great Britain have ever laid claim to, 
 and have received the ample enjoyment of; and deprived 
 of which inestimable blessings, the Americans must, of 
 necessity, cease to be a free, happy, and flourishing 
 people. 
 
 2. Under these sentiments, and when exerting every 
 human effort to effect a reconciliation between us and the 
 Parent State, upon the grounds aforesaid, we can but lament 
 that his Excellency Lord Dunmore, as a representative of 
 our Sovereign here, whose duty it was to have given a fair 
 and impartial state to the Ministry of the disposition of the 
 people committed to his care and government, should, on 
 the contrary, delight, by disingenuous, illiberal, and vicious- 
 ly subtle representations, to keep up the unhappy ferment 
 between us and them ; the truth of which charge against 
 his Lordship appears but too clearly in his Letter to the 
 Earl of Dartmouth, on the 24th of December last, as pub- 
 lished in the different Gazettes on this Continent; tiie 
 authority of which said Letter his Lordship (as far as we 
 know) has never, as yet, thought proper to disavow. 
 
 3. That his Lordship's conduct in the removal of the 
 Powder from the publick magazine in the City of Williams- 
 burgh, under the cover of the night, in the manner it ap- 
 pears to have been done, at that critical juncture of affairs, 
 was as despotick, cruel, and unwarrantable, as his verbal 
 answer to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of 
 fVilliamsburgh, was unmanly, evasive, and affrontive; and 
 that, in conjunction with some other parts of his conduct, 
 it was a clear declaration of his inimical and hostile designs 
 against this Country; and thereby he has forfeited all 
 claim to the further confidence and respect of the good 
 people thereof. 
 
 4. We, therefore, under the above circumstances, and 
 having before us the proceedings of Captain Patrick Hen- 
 ry, do approve of the same, and unanimously vote him, 
 and the volunteers under his command, our cordial thanks, 
 for their firm, prudent, and spirited conduct, in obtaining 
 an equivalent for the Powder so unjustly removed out of 
 the publick magazine. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk do transmit a copy hereof to 
 Messrs. Dixon and Hunter, and entreat them to publish the 
 same in their Gazette. Ben. Lawson, Clerk. 
 
 FREDERICK COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Frederick County, June 19, 1775. 
 The late conduct of Patrick Henry, Esq., relative to his 
 making reprisals from the King's Receiver-General, for the 
 Powder so clandestinely taken from the Colony Magazine, 
 being laid before this Committee, they took the same into 
 consideration ; when it was 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That an express be immediately 
 
 despatched to Williamsburgh , with the following Address 
 to the Printer: 
 
 "Sir: We should blush to be thus late in our com- 
 mendations of, and thanks to Patrick Henry, Esquire, 
 for his patriotick and spirited behaviour in making repri- 
 sals lor the powder so unconstitutionally (not to use a 
 term more harsh, which perhaps it deserves) taken from 
 the publick magazine, could we have entertained a thought 
 that any part of the Colony would have condemned a 
 measure calculated for the benefit of the whole; but as we 
 are informed this is the case, we beg leave, through the 
 channel of your paper, to assure that gentleman, that we 
 did from the first, and still do, most cordially approve and 
 commend his conduct in that affair. The good people of 
 this County will never fail to approve and support him to 
 the utmost of their powers in every action derived from so 
 rich a source as the love of his Country. 
 
 " We heartily thank him for stepping forth to convince 
 the tools of despotism that freeborn men are not to be inti- 
 midated by any form of danger, to submit to the arbitrary 
 acts of their rulers ; and hope he knows us better than to 
 suppose any proclamated distinctions, respecting the pro- 
 perty of the powder, can ever make us condemn actions 
 so worthily achieved, or forsake the achievers; and more 
 fully to express our sentiments, we cannot but wish he had 
 proceeded to secure what arms and ammunition might 
 remain after the plunder of the magazine." 
 
 An Address from the Council, to the good people of this 
 Colony, being laid before the Committee, it was, after 
 mature deliberation, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the following be transmit- 
 ted to the publick Printer, in answer thereto : 
 
 " The Committee considering the very extraordinary 
 powers assumed and exercised by the Council of this Col- 
 ony, are induced the more attentively to investigate their con- 
 duct on this alarming crisis, and to express their abhorrence 
 and detestation of having the generous struggles for liberty 
 branded with the opprobrious terms of licentious and un- 
 governable. The peace and good order of the community 
 in their County (and they have been informed it is general 
 through the Colony) they will venture to say has been pre- 
 served inviolate, and the people as governable as in times 
 of the most profound tranquillity, unless frequent meetings 
 to perfect themselves in military exercises, and a steady re- 
 solution to oppose to the last extremity all invaders of their 
 just rights and liberties, be deemed a licentious and ungo- 
 vernable spirit. Then, indeed, they must glory that such a 
 spirit has gone forth ; and pledge their faith to their coun- 
 trymen that nothing but death shall rob them of their part 
 of it. 
 
 " This Committee has seriously considered, according to 
 the recommendation of the Council, the probable conse- 
 quences of the conduct which hath been lately pursued ; 
 and are of opinion it is the only method to obtain a redress 
 of their grievances. Every lenient measure, they think, has 
 already been tried, without success, (a circumstance with 
 which their Honours would seem to be unacquainted,) and 
 they have nothing left but tamely to submit, or resolutely 
 oppose ; of which two they hope the latter will be the 
 choice of every American. 
 
 " This Committee would have wished not to doubt the 
 integrity of the Council, nor to make any odious distinc- 
 tion from the important place they hold in the state ; but 
 when such odious epithets as licentious and ungovernable 
 are made use of to stigmatise men labouring in the glorious 
 cause of liberty, they must say, in their opinion, the 
 conduct of a man to whom they hold themselves and the 
 whole Colony much obliged for his patriotick behaviour, 
 they conceive it their duty to speak their minds without 
 disguise to any man, or set of men, under Heaven." 
 
 A copy from the Minutes : 
 
 William Heth, Clerk. 
 
 QUEEN ANNE COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Queen Anne's County, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the business of this Committee has been, and 
 is likely to be rendered very tedious and troublesome, by 
 inquiries into the circumstances of goods which have been, 
 and may be imported into this County from other Provinces 
 
1025 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1026 
 
 and Counties, as well with respect to the time of their 
 importation into America, as to the prime cost thereof. 
 
 Resolved, That we will not, and that no person of this 
 County ought to deal with any merchant, or other vender 
 of goods hereafter to be brought within this County, until 
 the said merchant or vender shall have produced to some 
 one or more of the Committee of this County a certifi- 
 cate from the Chairman of the Committee of the place 
 from whence the said goods shall be brought, that they 
 have been imported into America agreeable to the rules of 
 the Continental Congress, and also an invoice of the prime 
 cost of such goofls, attested by the Chairman aforesaid, or 
 some other disinterested member of that Committee, in 
 order that this Committee may be enabled to procure a 
 conformity to a resolve of the Provincial Convention re- 
 specting the advance on goods. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Edward Dowses, Jdn., Clerk. 
 
 BROOK WATSON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 19, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : It is my intention speedily to set forward on 
 my journey to Quebeck by the way of Lakes George and 
 Champlain, and to take with me Joseph Maria Tonnun- 
 cour, and Louis Perras, two young Canadians returning 
 to their parents, the former from England, the latter from 
 this City, where they have some time resided for the bene- 
 fit of education, also Daniel McKinsie my servant ; hence 
 I pray you to procure for me such letters as may facilitate 
 my journey; and I take leave to assure you, upon my hon- 
 our, that I will not take, or suffer those who accompany 
 me to take, any letters but such as I know to be merely 
 upon commercial or family subjects, and which 1 will most 
 readily submit to the inspection of the Provincial Congress, 
 if it shall be deemed necessary. 
 
 The only letters in my possession which have the ap- 
 pearance of containing political matters, are some addressed 
 to Lord Pitt, and others to General Carleton's lady ; the 
 former are from Lord Chatham, and came to me accom- 
 panied by the enclosed note from his Lordship. The latter 
 are from Lady Maria Carleton's mother and sisters on 
 mere family concerns. 
 
 With great respect and regard, I am, Sir, your faithful 
 humble servant, Brook Watson. 
 
 To P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provin- 
 cial Congress, New-York. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your favour of the 29ih May, have received, and 
 note the contents. Am also favoured with yours of the 6th 
 instant, enclosing the resolution of the Continental Con- 
 gress of the 3 1st May ; with the lists of articles ordered to 
 be sent to Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and the persons 
 employed in that service. W T e hope soon to hear you are 
 well supplied with the necessary article of powder, and are 
 able to furnish others with it. As to the supplies of our 
 Troops, the necessary provisions must be furnished from us 
 if not done by you. On application for fresh provisions 
 have ordered a drove of fat cattle to move forward to fur- 
 nish them with fresh beef for the present. You have en- 
 closed an extract of our act of Assembly directing the sup- 
 plies of our Troops. Am also to acknowledge your favour 
 of the 10th instant, wherein you mention the forwarding a 
 quantity of powder, which I am advised is arrived at Stam- 
 ford. Shall, agreeable to your desire, immediately forward 
 from hence the like quantity (six hundred and fifty-five 
 weight) to the camp at Cambridge. 
 
 The proceedings of your Provincial Congress of the 
 14tli instant, enclosing the intelligence given them by Cap- 
 tain Thompson, came safe to hand, a copy of which intel- 
 ligence have forwarded to the camp at Cambridge; and in 
 compliance with your request to Major-General Wooster, 
 have ordered seventeen hundred men under his command 
 to march immediately within five miles of the City of 
 New-York, subjected to the orders of the Continental 
 Congress and Provincial Congress in New- York. 
 
 Have appointed Captain Elisha Phelps commissary, 
 to receive at Albany and forward the supplies of pro- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ( 
 
 visions for the forces on Lake Champlain, agreeable to 
 a Resolve of the Continental Congress the first instant. 
 This gentleman was one of the first in taking possession of 
 those fortresses, and doubt not he will conduct with pru- 
 dence and to good satisfaction ; have directed him to cor- 
 respond with Colonel Hinman, to employ persons already 
 engaged, especially George Palmer, Esq., and in such 
 manner as to give no uneasiness to our friends in Albany. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your obedient and 
 most humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 To the Honourable P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President 
 of the Provincial Congress at New- York. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 19, 1775, 7 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Sir: Enclosed are copies of notes taken by the Provin- 
 cial Congress at New-York, of the intelligence brought by 
 Captain Thomson of the embarkation of four Regiments 
 from Ireland for New- York ; in consequence whereof Major 
 General Wooster is requested by that Congress to march 
 immediately within five miles of the City ; and the latter 
 informs me that Capt. Sears informed him that the people 
 of New-York intend to quarter our Troops in the City. 
 
 The military stores which were at Turtle-Bay have fal- 
 len into the hands of General Wooster, consisting of too 
 many articles to be enumerated : among which is about 
 five hundred good horse harnesses ; a very considerable 
 number of thirteen and ten inch carcasses ; stinkpots, all 
 well charged ; a very great plenty of grape shot ; cannon 
 balls, from twenty-four pounders down to three, &lc, &c. 
 
 The Provincial Congress of New-York forwarded for 
 the use of your camp at Cambridge, six hundred and six- 
 ty-five pounds of powder, which came as far as Stamford. 
 They desired the same quantity might be forwarded from 
 our eastern magazine. The Governour with his Council 
 here agreed on Saturday last to send from Norwich, im- 
 mediately after receiving your letter of Mr. Gerry, of 17th 
 June, seven and eight o'clock P. M. I sent to Norwich 
 direction to forward the same night and day. The remain- 
 der of Colonel Parsons' s Regiment were ordered to march 
 forthwith to join the rest at camp, with one pound of pow- 
 der, three pounds of ball, and six flints each. I have sent 
 to hasten them. 
 
 1 have this moment received advice from Col. Arnold, at 
 Crown Point, of 13th inst., that the Indians of the Caugh- 
 nawaga Tribe are determined not to assist the King's 
 Troops, and have passed a law that the first of their tribe 
 who takes up arms against us shall be put to death, which, 
 he says, is confirmed by five chiefs of that tribe. These, 
 with, their families, press hard for our Army to march into 
 Canada, as they are much disgusted with the regular troops. 
 Three Indians sent by him to Canada, it seems, have been 
 much abused by the regulars, and are returned, and confirm 
 that account. It is also confirmed, he says, by a gentleman 
 of probity at Montreal ; and that numbers of the Canadians 
 have expected our Army there, and are impatient of our 
 delay, being determined to join us as soon as sufficient force 
 appears to support them ; that Governour Carleton by 
 every art can raise no more thau twenty Canadians of the 
 noblesse ; that he threatens to burn Montreal if the mer- 
 chants will not defend the City in case of an attack ; that 
 he has only five hundred and fifty effective men, and thinks 
 it would be very easy to possess ourselves of the whole 
 country. 
 
 Colonel Hinman writes that he is in quiet possession of 
 Ticonderoga, and does not find that there are any enemies 
 about him. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, gentlemen, your obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 To the Honourable Joseph Warren, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, Watertown. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD. 
 
 Lebanon, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Yours of the 13th instant came to hand this day. 
 Am much obliged to you for the great care you have taken 
 to find out the disposition of the Canadians and Indian 
 Tribes relative to the present dispute between Great Bri- 
 
1027 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1028 
 
 tain and the Colonies ; and gives me great pleasure to find 
 they appear so friendly. I trust nothing will he wanting 
 on your part to continue the same. As to the plan pro- 
 posed for marching forces into Canada, you say the same 
 is laid before the Continental Congress, and if any thing of 
 that plan takes place, it will be with great propriety first 
 moved by them. At present the Army at Boston, and the 
 prospect of one arriving at New-York, forbids us thinking 
 of any expedition to Canada, though the great advantage 
 you propose by such an acquisition appears very evident 
 if it could be effected, consistent with other plans already 
 begun. I remain yours to serve, 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull. 
 Colonel Benedict Arnold, at Crown Point. 
 
 providence (rhode-island) town-meeting. 
 
 At a meeting held by adjournment, in Providence, on 
 the 19th day of June, 1775: 
 
 The Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Esq., Moderator. 
 
 Whereas, Mr. Paul Allen has made up the town stock 
 of powder into Cartridges, agreeable to a vote of the 
 Town on the 15th May last; and whereas the Captains of 
 the several Companies have not received the said Car- 
 tridges, in order to deliver the same to the inhabitants : It 
 is now therefore 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Paul Allen be desired to deliver out 
 said Cartridges to such of the inhabitants as he may think 
 will make a proper use of them ; and that he take a receipt 
 from every person for so many of said Cartridges as he 
 shall receive, promising to return the same on demand, (if 
 not used in the Colony's service,) at any time when the 
 Town may order a review ; or in case any of said Car- 
 tridges shall be missing when called for, to pay to the 
 Committee who may be appointed to make said review, 
 nine pence, lawful money, for every Cartridge which shall 
 be so missing, unless they have been used in the publick 
 defence ; the said forfeiture of nine pence for every Car- 
 tridge missing, if any, to be appropriated to purchase Am- 
 munition for the Town ; and that no one person receive 
 more than seventeen Cartridges to every fire-arm he may 
 have fit for use. 
 
 Newport, Rhode-Island, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Last Thursday the 15th instant, one of the Providence 
 packets, which had been arbitrarily seized by, and detained 
 as a tender to the men-of-war in this harbour, was sent up 
 the Bay, it is supposed to take a vessel which it was report- 
 ed had gone up the back side of Conanicut; but unluck- 
 ily she met with two armed vessels which fired upon her so 
 warmly that she was obliged to turn tail ; but not being 
 able to get off, the people stuck her ashore on the north 
 end of Conanicut, and left her ; she was immediately got 
 off, and carried away, most probably to be delivered to her 
 proper owner. This happened just before sunset. 
 
 proclamation by governour gage. 
 By the Governour — A Proclamation. 
 
 Whereas, notwithstanding the repeated assurance of the 
 Selectmen and others, that all the inhabitants of the Town of 
 Boston had, bona fide, delivered their Fire-Arms unto the 
 persons appointed to receive them, though I had advices at 
 the same time of the contrary ; and whereas I have had 
 since full proof that many have been perfidious in this re- 
 spect, and have secreted great numbers ; 
 
 I have thought fit to issue this Proclamation, to require 
 of those who have yet Fire- Arms in their possession imme- 
 diately to surrender them at the Court-House to such per- 
 sons as shall he authorized to receive them ; and hereby to 
 declare that all persons in whose possession any Fire- Arms 
 may hereafter be found, will be deemed enemies to His Ma- 
 jesty's Government. 
 
 Given at Boston, the nineteenth day of June, 1775, in the 
 fifteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord, George 
 the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, 
 and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &tc. 
 
 Thomas Gage, 
 
 J3y his Excellency's command : 
 
 Thomas Flucker, Secretary. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, June 19, 1775. 
 Sir: I must earnestly entreat the Congress to furnish 
 the train of artillery with a Company of Artificers imme- 
 diately, as the Army suffers greatly for want of them. 
 This ought to have been one of the first establishments, 
 and I hope the Congress will not delay the matter a day 
 longer. 
 
 1 am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Artemas Ward. 
 To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, at Watertown. 
 
 JOSEPH WARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, June 19, 1775. 
 Sir: The honourable Congress are hereby informed, that 
 in the late action many of the soldiers lost their blankets 
 and clothes ; they are now in a very suffering condition on 
 that account, and must, in order to fit them for duty, be im- 
 mediately supplied, especially with blankets ; and many that 
 were not in the action are destitute of blankets. It is re- 
 quested that the Troops may be supplied also with a large 
 number of spears or lances for defending the breastworks. 
 In the late action spears might have saved the intrench- 
 ment. By order of the General : 
 
 Joseph Ward, Secretary. 
 To the Hon. President of the Congress, at Watertown. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 19, 1775. 
 It being very desirous to obtain the most certain accounts 
 of the names and places of abode of the persons who have 
 been killed or wounded in the battle of Lexington, so called, 
 on the nineteenth of April past, and at any time since ; and 
 also of all such as may be killed or wounded at any future 
 time during the present unnatural contest between Great 
 Britain and the American Colonies, in order to transmit to 
 future generations the names of such who have gloriously 
 suffered in the cause of liberty and their Country ; to effect 
 which, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Congress to order that the Selectmen of the several Towns 
 and Districts in this Colony transmit, from time to time, to 
 this or some future Congress or House of Representatives, 
 the names and additions of all such persons who have been, 
 or may be killed or wounded as above, within their respec- 
 tive Towns and Districts, and that they severally cause the 
 same to be fairly entered upon their Town and District 
 books. Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress, Watertown. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 21, 1775. 
 
 Whereas the British Troops, under the command of Gen- 
 eral Gage, did, on the night preceding the nineteenth of 
 April, 1775, make a sudden excursion from the Town of 
 Boston into the country, with a design to plunder and de- 
 stroy the property of the inhabitants of this Colony, and 
 deprive them of the means of defence ; and did, very early 
 in the morning of said day, first fire upon, kill, and wound 
 several persons, who came suddenly together in the Town 
 of Lexington, being alarmed with the news of the approach 
 of said Troops ; in consequence of which, a bloody en- 
 gagement ensued between the Militia of several adjacent 
 Towns and said Troops, wherein several brave men fell, 
 dying gloriously in the cause of liberty and our Country, 
 and others were wounded; 
 
 In order that early and very authentick intelligence may 
 be obtained and transmitted to posterity of the names and 
 places of abode of all such persons as did then, have since, 
 or hereafter shall die, or receive wounds in their Country's 
 cause : 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of each Town and Dis- 
 trict of this Colony be ordered to transmit, from time to time, 
 to this or some future Congress or House of Representa- 
 tives, the names and titles, or addition, of all such persons 
 who have been or may be killed or wounded, as above, 
 
1029 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1030 
 
 belonging to their respective Towns and Districts ; and that 
 they severally cause the same to be fairly entered upon 
 their Town and District books, having previously caused 
 this Resolve to be recorded. 
 
 fortable support of our men until I hear from you, which I 
 pray may be as soon as possible. 
 
 I am, Sir, with proper regard to the Committee of Safety, 
 your and their humble servant, James McGrecohe. 
 
 To Colonel Thornton; to be communicated. 
 
 COLONEL JOHN STARK TO NEW- HA MPS HIKE CONGRESS. 
 
 Med ford, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I embrace this opportunity, by Colonel Holland, 
 to give you some particular information of an engagement 
 or battle, which happened on the seventeenth instant, be- 
 tween the British Troops and the Americans. On the six- 
 teenth instant, at evening, a detachment of about twenty- 
 five hundred men of the Massachusetts forces marched, 
 by the General's order, to make an intrenchment on a 
 hill in Charlcstown, called Charlestown Hill, near Boston, 
 where they intrenched that night without interruption, but 
 were attacked on the seventeenth, in the morning, by the 
 shipping in Charlestown River and batteries in Boston, 
 very warmly. Upon which I was required by the Gene- 
 ral to send a party, consisting of two hundred men, with 
 officers, to their assistance; which order I readily obeyed, 
 and appointed and sent Colonel Wyman commander of the 
 same ; and about two o'clock in the afternoon express 
 orders came for the whole of my Regiment to proceed to 
 Charlestown, to oppose the enemy, who were landing on 
 Charlestown Point. Accordingly we proceeded, and the 
 battle soon came on, in which a number of officers belong- 
 ing to my Regiment were killed, and many privates killed 
 and wounded. 
 
 The officers who suffered were, Major Mc Clary, by a 
 cannon-ball ; Captain Baldwin and Lieut. Scott, by small- 
 arms. The whole number, including officers, who were 
 killed and missing, fifteen ; those who were wounded, forty- 
 five ; killed, wounded, and missing, sixty. 
 
 By Colonel Read's desire, I transmit the account of the 
 sufferers in his Regiment who were in battle. Killed, three ; 
 wounded, twenty-nine ; missing, one ; killed, wounded, and 
 missing, thirty-three. 
 
 But we remain in good spirits as yet, being well satisfied 
 that where we have lost one, they have lost three. I would 
 take it as a favour if the Committee of Safety would imme- 
 diately recommend to the several Towns and Parishes in 
 the Province of Neiv- Hampshire, the necessity of stopping 
 and sending back all the soldiers belonging to the New- 
 Hampshire forces (stationed at Medford) they may find 
 there from the Army, not having a furlough from the com- 
 manding officer. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great respect, yours and the Country's, 
 to serve in the common cause, John Stark. 
 
 JAMES McGREGORE TO COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF NEW- 
 HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Medford, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I arrived here this morning at six o'clock, and the 
 commanding officers of our New-Hampshire Regiments 
 complained that they had a great number of wounded and 
 sick men, and no medicine to do them any service. I im- 
 mediately went to the Committee of Supplies at Watertown, 
 and informed them of our distressed situation ; they informed 
 me that they had no medicines to spare : but upon such a 
 representation as I had made to them being sent, the Gov- 
 ernment of New-Hampshire gave one of their own chests 
 of medicine, and expect they will replace them as soon as 
 possible. And if there is any more medicines to spare in 
 our Colony than will be judged sufficient for our own use, 
 they would beg you would let them have it, as they expect 
 it will be scarce. 
 
 As to finding provision for our men, I spoke with the 
 Committee of Supplies, and they told me that they would 
 not, for the present, let our people suffer for want of pro- 
 vision, but would be glad if we would look out for ourselves 
 as soon as possible. 1 have not as yet spoken to Mr. 
 Trumbull, and I believe it is hardly worth while, relative to 
 provision, as I think his terms are too high. I shall tarry 
 here while I can hear from you, and hope you will send 
 some one of the Committee of Supplies with cash as soon 
 as it possibly can be ready, as I am sensible it will be saving 
 to any person that goes to Connecticut to have cash with 
 them. I shall do every thing in my power for the com- 
 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, June 20, 1775. 
 
 On Saturday evening last, June 17, his Excellency the 
 Right Honourable Lord William Campbell, Governour-in- 
 Chief, &.c, of this Province, with his lady and family, ar- 
 rived here in the Scorpion, man-of-war, from England. His 
 Lordship was saluted on his arrival by the Tamar, man-of- 
 war, by Fort Johnson, and the several Forts in the Town, 
 and about one o'clock the next day his Lordship landed at 
 Champnei/s wharf, where he was received by several gen- 
 tlemen, as also by the Grenadier Company underarms ; the 
 Regiment of Militia were likewise under arms. From the 
 wharf his Lordship walked in procession, preceded by the 
 Grenadier Company, to the State-House, where his com- 
 mission was read and published in the Council-Chamber in 
 presence of some of the members of His Majesty's Council, 
 &ic. ; from whence he returned in the same order to the 
 Exchange, where it was again read ; after which his Lord- 
 ship and the whole company repaired to the State-House, 
 where a genteel entertainment was provided on the occasion. 
 
 The General Assembly of this Province, which was to 
 meet here yesterday agreeable to the last adjournment, is 
 prorogued by his Excellency the Governour to Monday the 
 tenth of July next, as per Proclamation. 
 
 COMMITTEES OF WILMINGTON DISTRICT, NORTH-C AROLINA. 
 
 At a general meeting of the several Committees of the 
 District of Wilmington, held at the Court-House in Wil- 
 mington, Tuesday, the 20th June, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved, That the following Association stand as the 
 Association of this Committee, and that it be recommended 
 to the inhabitants of this District to sign the same as speed- 
 ily as possible. 
 
 THE ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The actual commencement of hostilities against the Con- 
 tinent by the British Troops, in the bloody scene on the 
 nineteenth of April last, near Boston ; the increase of arbi- 
 trary impositions, from a wicked and despotick Ministry ; 
 and the dread of instigated insurrections in the Colonies, 
 are causes sufficient to drive an oppressed People to the 
 use of arms : We, therefore, the subscribers of Cumberland 
 County, holding ourselves bound by that most sacred of all 
 obligations, the duty of good citizens towards an injured 
 Country, and thoroughly convinced that under our dis- 
 tressed circumstances we shall be justified before you in 
 resisting force by force, do unite ourselves under every tie 
 of religion and honour, and associate as a band in her de- 
 fence against every foe ; hereby solemnly engaging, that 
 whenever our Continental or Provincial Councils shall de- 
 cree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice 
 our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety. 
 This obligation to continue in full force until a reconcilia- 
 tion shall take place between Great Britain and America, 
 upon constitutional principles, an event we most ardently 
 desire. And we will hold all those persons inimical to the 
 liberty of the Colonies who shall refuse to subscribe to tlus 
 Association ; and we will in all things follow the advice of 
 our General Committee, respecting the purposes aforesaid, 
 the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of 
 individual and private property. 
 
 Robert Rowan, Peter Messer, Sara. Hollingswortli. 
 
 M aurice Nowlan, Thomas Cabein, John Glendenin, 
 
 Theophilus Evans, Daniel Douse, William Carver, 
 
 Joseph De Lesline, James Dick, James Edmunds, 
 
 John Overler, John Stephenson, John Carraway, 
 
 Micaj ah Terrell, William Bathgate, William Herin, 
 
 John Wilson, Charles Stevens, David Evans, 
 
 Thomas Rae, John Parker, James Gee, 
 
 James Emmitt, Walter Murray, Benjamin Elwell, 
 
 Aaron Varden, William Gillespie, William White, 
 
 Oners West, Philip Herin, Joseph Greer, 
 
 George Fletcher, Robert Varner, Thomas White, 
 
 James Pearl, John Elwell, John Jones, 
 
 Lewis Barge, David Dunn, Robert Council, 
 
 Martin Leonard, Simon Bandy, James Giffy, 
 
 Thomas Moody, Robert Greer, Robert Carver, 
 
 Arthur Council, Joshua Hadley, Samuel Carver, 
 
 David Shephard, William Blocker, George Barnes. 
 
1031 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1032 
 
 ACCOMACK COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee held in Accomack Coun- 
 ty, on Tuesday, the 20th of June, 1775: 
 
 James Henry, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 Whereas the trade carried on in small vessels in any of 
 the rivers or creeks in this County, or goods imported by 
 any of the merchants or traders here from any port or 
 place in America, may be productive of very evil conse- 
 quences, if not under proper regulations : For remedy 
 whereof, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That every master or owner of 
 a vessel having any goods on board for sale, or any mer- 
 chant or trader residing here having imported any goods, 
 wares, or merchandise, from any part of America, shall not 
 sell any goods or merchandise, or part with the same in 
 exchange for any commodity whatever, unless they pro- 
 duce a certificate from the Committee of the County from 
 whence they were brought to this Committee, that the 
 same were imported into America agreeable to the terms 
 of the Association of the General Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolution be published in the 
 Virginia Gazette. John Powell, Clerk. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE OFFICERS OF THE INDE- 
 PENDENT COMPANIES OF FAIRFAX, ETC. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 20, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : 1 am now about to bid adieu to the com- 
 panies under your respective commands, at least for a 
 while. 1 have launched into a wide and extensive field, 
 too boundless for my abilities, and far, very far, beyond 
 my experience. I am called by the unanimous voice of 
 the Colonies to the command of the Continental Army — 
 an honour I did not aspire to ; an honour I was solicitous 
 to avoid, upon a full conviction of my inadequacy to the 
 importance of the service. The partiality of the Congress, 
 however, assisted by a political motive, rendered my rea- 
 sons unavailing, and I shall to-morrow set out for the camp 
 near Boston. 
 
 I have only to beg of you, therefore, before I go, (espe- 
 cially as you did me the honour to put your company under 
 my direction, and know not how soon you may be called 
 upon in Virginia for an exertion of your military skill,) 
 by no means to relax in the discipline of your respective 
 companies. 1 have the honour to he, &ic. 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 To the Officers of the Independent Companies of Fairfax, 
 
 Prince William, Fauquier, and Spottsylvania, Va. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 20, 1775. 
 Dear Brother: I am now to bid adieu to you, and to 
 every kind of domestick ease for a while. I am embarked 
 on a wide ocean, boundless in its prospect, and in which 
 perhaps no safe harbour is to be found. I have been call- 
 ed upon by the unanimous voice of the Colonies to take 
 the command of the Continental Army; an honour I neither 
 sought after nor desired, as I am thoroughly convinced that 
 it requires greater abilities and much more experience than 
 I am master of, to conduct a business so extensive in its 
 nature, and arduous in the execution. But the partiality 
 of the Congress, joined to a political motive, really left me 
 without a choice ; and I am now commissioned a General 
 and Commander-in-Chief of all the forces now raised, or to 
 be raised, for the defence of the United Colonies. That I 
 may discharge the trust to the satisfaction of my employers, 
 is my first wish ; that I shall aim to do it, there remains 
 little doubt ; how far I may succeed is another point : 
 but this I am sure of, that in the worst event I shall have 
 the consolation of knowing, if I act to the best of my judg- 
 ment, that the blame ought to lodge upon the appointers, 
 not the appointed, as it was by no means a thing of my 
 own seeking, or proceeding from any hint of my friends. 
 
 I am at liberty to inform you that the Congress, in Com- 
 mittee, have consented to a Continental currency, and have 
 ordered two millions of dollars to be struck for payment 
 of the Troops and other purposes, and have voted fifteen 
 thousand men as a Continental Army; which number will 
 be augmented, as the strength of the British Troops will 
 
 be greater than was expected at the time of passing that 
 vote. General Ward, General Lee, General Schuyler, 
 and General Putnam are appointed Major Generals under 
 me. The Brigadier Generals are not yet appointed. Major 
 Gates is made Adjutant-General. I expect to set out to- 
 morrow for Boston, and hope to be joined there in a little 
 time by ten companies of Riflemen from this Province, 
 Maryland and Virginia. For other articles of intelligence 
 I shall refer you to the papers, as the printers are diligent 
 in collecting every thing that is stirring. 
 
 I shall hope that my friends will visit and endeavour to 
 keep up the spirits of my wife as much as they can, as my 
 departure will, I know, be a cutting stroke upon her; and 
 on this account alone I have many disagreeable sensations. 
 I hope that you and my sister, although the distance is 
 great, will find so much time this summer as to spend a 
 little of it at Mount Vernon. 
 
 MEETING OF COMMITTEE AT BROAD CREEK, DELAWARE. 
 
 The new County proposed in the Delaware Government 
 not having yet obtained Representatives in Assembly, have 
 elected a very large Committee of respectable persons to 
 transact all their affairs, to preserve the peace and a con- 
 stitutional regard to the Sovereign, and to defend and secure 
 the natural, civil, chartered, and sacred rights of the peo- 
 ple. This Committee, at a meeting at Broad Creek, June 
 20, 1775, fifty members being present, came to the follow- 
 ing determinations, among many others: 
 
 Colonel John Dagworthy, Chairman. 
 
 That this Assembly, taking into serious consideration 
 the present distressed situation and unparalleled hardships 
 that our brethren at Boston are now suffering in conse- 
 quence of their determined resolution to support the great 
 cause of liberty, conceive ourselves, and all American free- 
 men, to be bound by all the principles of humanity and 
 justice to prevent them, if possible, from sinking under the 
 hand of ministerial oppression. 
 
 That though we had not a legal representation in the 
 Assembly of the three lower Counties on Delaware when 
 they were elected to represent us, yet confiding in the 
 known wisdom, prudence, and abilities of Ccesar Rodney, 
 Thomas McKean, and George Read, Esquires, whom our 
 brethren of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, have appointed 
 to represent them in the honourable Continental Congress, 
 now sitting at Philadelphia, we hereby do bind ourselves 
 and our constituents, by every thing that is sacred, col- 
 lectively and separately, to preserve and strictly enforce 
 and carry into execution whatever measures have or may 
 be recommended by them for the relief of our said brethren, 
 and for the preservation of the liberties of America, with 
 as much cheerfulness and zeal as though they had be.rn 
 appointed by us. 
 
 And we resolve that any artful or designing person or 
 persons whatsoever, that shall attempt to defeat the purpose 
 of this Association, shall be faithfully painted in their pro- 
 per colours, and be hung up in the publick prints, or be 
 otherwise stigmatized, and bear that load of odium that 
 such miscreants justly merit. 
 
 And further to support the union of the Colonies, on 
 which, under God, our safety depends, we unanimously 
 Resolve, That John Dagworthy, John Jones, John Ttn- 
 nant, John Collins, Simon Kollock, William Holland, 
 Samuel Slosse, Joshua Polk, Clement Bayley, William 
 Polk, John Mitchell, Peter Jlubbard, and Elijah Cannon 
 be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee, to meet 
 and correspond with the other Committees of this and the 
 other Governments, and that any seven of them may act. 
 
 And whereas disadvantageous conclusions may probably 
 be drawn from the conduct of the people here, with re* 
 spect to their entering into this Association at this late 
 period, this Committee does with pleasure embrace this 
 opportunity to satisfy our fellow-subjects in general, that 
 our backwardness in this affair has been totally and wholly 
 owing to the fluctuating or unsettled state of the lines or 
 boundaries between the two Governments of Pennsylva- 
 nia and Maryland, and not from the influence of any 
 Tories among us, or any disregard to the common cause. 
 But as these lines are now happily established, we hope to 
 evince to the world that we have as proper a sense, and as 
 
1033 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1115. 
 
 1034 
 
 becoming a zeal for the liberties of America, as our fellow- 
 subjects in the oilier parts of this Government. 
 
 A true extract from the Minutes: 
 
 Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 Head of Indian River, June 23, 1775. 
 
 N. B. In this new County military preparations for 
 self-defence against the bloody attacks of the infatuated 
 British Ministry are carried on with great spirit. It is ex- 
 pected we shall soon have fifteen hundred or more of a 
 well trained militia ; and the Committee are endeavouring 
 to obtain the necessary supplies of warlike stores. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN LONDON FROM PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, DATED JUNE 20, 1775. 
 
 We hear that the Congress intend to make two propo- 
 sals, to the following effect : 
 
 First. That they will submit to an absolute restriction 
 of their trade for the benefit of Great Britain, upon con- 
 dition that nothing further shall be required of them, it 
 being in their opinion a more advantageous offer than any 
 other they can make to the Mother Country; or, 
 
 Second. Thai it shall be agreed between Great Britain 
 and the Colonies, that the latter shall raise her full, equal, 
 and just proportion of revenue for the support of the whole 
 Empire, in a similar manner as the assessment is upon 
 Scotland. That if England raises twenty thousand Pounds 
 for every forty thousand Pounds levied on Scotland, so 
 America will bear her share. On this system the Colo- 
 nies cannot be taxed one farthing, without Great Britain 
 paying also a like proportion. In consideration of this, all 
 restraints on the American trade to be taken off. 
 
 One of these proposals must be accepted, or arms will 
 be the alternative. Colonel Washington, on his appoint- 
 ment to be Commander-in-Chief, refused any stipulated 
 salary, saying, he would not receive one farthing more than 
 his expenses. One thousand Riflemen are raised by order 
 of the Congress ; Pennsylvania sends four hundred, Mary- 
 land two hundred, and Virginia four hundred. Colonel 
 Ward, of New- England, is second in command, and Gates 
 (formerly a Major in His Majesty's service) is Adjutant- 
 General. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, 
 DATED PHILADELPHIA, JUNE 20, 1775. 
 
 However anxious the Americans are to preserve their 
 allegiance sacred and inviolate, they are also as solicitous 
 and determined to submit to no infringement on their con- 
 stitutional rights ; and for this reason solely, they have 
 taken arms to oppose the despotick system of an infamous 
 Administration, and the Grand Congress in this City are 
 accordingly making every necessary preparation to act with 
 vigour. As the scene of action is at present far removed 
 from hence, it is thought they will shortly adjourn to, or 
 depute a Council to sit at Hartford, in Connecticut. 
 
 They have passed a vote to strike off two millions of 
 dollars, (seven shillings and six pence, our currency,) to 
 answer present exigencies. Colonel George Washington, 
 a Delegate from Virginia, is, at the particular request of 
 the people in JSeiv- England, and with the unanimous con- 
 sent of the Congress, appointed Commander-in-Chief of 
 the Continental Forces, with a handsome salary per an- 
 num. The commission he received with pleasure, but 
 positively refused any pay, requiring only a reimbursement 
 of his actual expenses. Colonel Ward (who, I find, is 
 universally esteemed, and well known to be a good officer) 
 is second in command, and Mr. Gates (formerly a Major 
 in the King's service) is Adjutant-General. Colonel Lee 
 would not have refused a command, but the Congress did 
 not choose to trust him, on account of his professing a per- 
 sonal dislike to the King; but I think it is probable, if 
 there should be no hopes of accommodation, that his mili- 
 tary knowledge will induce them -to give him a com- 
 mission. 
 
 The Captains are allowed twenty dollars per month ; 
 Lieutenants and Ensigns, thirteen ; Non-Commissioned 
 Officers, eight ; Privates, six. 
 
 Although the petition presented to His Majesty last fall 
 was treated with contempt, nevertheless the Congress have 
 
 determined to try one more, which they are now preparing, 
 and I suppose will be forwarded as soon as its importance 
 will permit. It is confessedly said, and I have reason to 
 think the report is well founded, that they intend to make 
 two proposals to the following effect: 
 
 First. They will submit to a parliamentary restriction 
 of their trade, but to no commercial duties, for the purpose 
 of raising a revenue. In consideration of which, to be 
 totally exempt from all taxation by the British Legisla- 
 ture. 
 
 It is thought by them that the absolute control of their 
 trade would prove more beneficial to Britain than any 
 other mode of contribution ; but if nothing else than a reve- 
 nue will please, they will, 
 
 Secondly, Consent and agree, that whenever a grant is 
 made by the people in England and Scotland, they will 
 also give a full, equal, and just proportion towards the sup- 
 port of the whole Empire, upon condition of a free and 
 uninterrupted trade, as enjoyed by the subjects in Britain. 
 
 One of these proposals must be considered of as a 
 groundwork for an accommodation, or arms will be the 
 alternative. It is generally thought that the Congress will 
 concur with the act of Parliament, and stop all exports 
 from and after the 20th of July. I am much easier than 
 when I last wrote to you about the article of ammunition, 
 being now satisfied by the plan adopted that we shall have 
 full sufficient to act offensively. 
 
 The Congress have ordered one thousand more marks- 
 men, or, as we call them, Riflemen, to be raised, viz: 
 four hundred in Pennsylvania, four hundred in Virginia, 
 and two hundred in Maryland. These men are to be di- 
 vided in small parties, and scattered through the Army, 
 for the purpose of removing the officers, the good conse- 
 quences of which are too obvious to need pointing out. A 
 party of these men, at a late review, on a quick advance, 
 placed their balls in poles of seven inches diameter, fixed 
 up for the purpose, at the distance of two hundred and 
 fifty yards. 
 
 It is amazing to see the spirit of the Germans among 
 us. Thousands of them have served as soldiers in their 
 own Country. They speak with infinite pleasure of sa- 
 crificing their lives and property for the preservation of 
 liberty, which they know full well how to value, from its 
 deprivation by despotick Princes. 
 
 The Quakers, naturally fond of their interest, could not 
 bear the thought of having their property taken from them 
 without their consent, and have therefore taken arms, not- 
 withstanding the Publick Testimony, which was really the 
 work of about thirty of their elders. There are whole 
 companies of that Society daily under arms ; in particular 
 the Light-Infantry Company of the first Battalion in this 
 City is composed of them, in an uniform of light blue and 
 buff. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 20, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I am directed by the Congress to forward 
 you the enclosed Resolve, which passed yesterday, and to 
 request an immediate compliance therewith, so far as it 
 relates to the Troops in your Colony. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 John Hancock. 
 To the Provincial Congress or Committee of Neiv-Hamp- 
 shirc. 
 
 In Congress, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut be re- 
 quested to direct all the Forces raised in that Colony, not 
 employed at Ticonderoga and Croivn Point, or recom- 
 mended by this Congress to be marched into the Province 
 of JVtto- York, to be immediately sent to join the combined 
 Army before Boston; and it is earnestly recommended to 
 the Colony of Rhode-Island, and the Provincial Conven- 
 tion of New-Hampshire, to send immediately to the Army 
 before Boston, such of the Forces as are already embodied, 
 towards the quotas of the Troops agreed to be raised by 
 the New-England Colonies. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
1035 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1036 
 
 NEW- HAMPSHIRE DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS 
 AT EXETER. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Your favour of the 24th of May is now before us ; in 
 answer to which can only say, we easily conceive the 
 " painful sensation" that every honest man must feel when 
 he sees the unnatural conflict between Great Britain and 
 these Colonies rising to such a height. But when we con- 
 sider it not of our own seeking, but drove by the sons of 
 tyranny and oppression to the sad alternative of being made 
 slaves or appealing to the sword in defence of our just 
 liberties, cannot but think we shall stand justified before 
 God and man, in vigorously seizing the latter. 
 
 We are much pleased with the proceedings of New- 
 Hampshire, shewing their attachment to the common 
 cause, by raising so large a number of men for the de- 
 fence of America. We are very sensible of the inability 
 of our Province to support them, and the necessity of a 
 paper currency. 
 
 We are at liberty to inform you that the Committee of 
 the whole Congress have agreed to report a Continental 
 currency, which, no doubt, will be emitted immediately, 
 and forwarded for the payment of the Troops. 
 
 The Congress have appointed General Washington to 
 the command of the American Forces, who will set out 
 for the camp to-morrow or next day ; have also agreed 
 upon a Continental Army. The other proceedings of 
 Congress are not yet to be made publick, unless what ap- 
 pears in the prints. 
 
 It is impossible to conceive of a greater unanimity in the 
 Colonies than that which at present subsists, one and all 
 being determined to defend our rights to the last. May 
 the great Author of all things bless and assist us, is the 
 most ardent prayer of, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vants, John Sullivan, 
 
 if nt t<j t i7 John Langdon. 
 
 Matthew lhornton, L,sq. 
 
 P. S. Enclosed is an order for a general fast. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read bofore Congress, June 26, 1775.] 
 
 Lebanon June 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir: This acknowledges the receipt of your letter of 
 the 10th instant, and enclosed resolves. Am happy in 
 being able to inform you, that by advice of my Council, 
 appointed to act in the recess of the Assembly, convened 
 on the 7th instant, I had ordered fifty barrels of powder 
 from this Colony, containing one hundred and ten pounds 
 each, to be sent with all despatch and secrecy to the Ame- 
 rican Army before Boston, which reached them about Fri- 
 day last; and since the receipt of yours have ordered ten 
 barrels more, of the same quantity each, which moved the 
 19lh, and to proceed night and day; and wish it was in 
 our power to supply much more for the necessity of the 
 Army, and in compliance with the request of your wise, 
 firm and patriotick assembly, on whom, under God, the sal- 
 vation of America greatly depends. It is an unhappy 
 truth, that no supplies of that article are to be obtained in 
 this Colony. We have taken all care in our power to pro- 
 cure much larger quantities than we have yet received, but 
 daily hope to expect the arrival of some, yet fear it may 
 be intercepted by the vigilant malice of our enemies. 
 
 The New-York Congress informs us they have sent six 
 hundred and fifty-five pounds for the same purpose, which 
 I find has been detained at Stamford, for General Wooster's 
 Regiment, but the same quantity is to be immediately fur- 
 nished from the eastern part of the Colony, in addition to 
 what is already sent. Only eight hundred and forty pounds 
 have been imported into this Colony since our Delegates 
 left it. 
 
 I am not at present able to procure any accurate esti- 
 mate of powder, arms and ammunition. By the standing 
 law, every Town ought to have fifty pounds to every sixty 
 militia men, four pounds of bullets, and twelve flints; and 
 by an act of last October, a double quantity of powder is 
 ordered; but, I suppose, take one with another, we are 
 more than half deficient of a single supply. If they were 
 full, it would be about forty-four thousand seven hundred 
 pound. As to lead and flints, perhaps we have a tolerable 
 supply. 
 
 Have not yet been able to carry into execution your 
 resolve of collecting saltpetre and brimstone, and forward- 
 ing to the Provincial Congress of New- York, but shall 
 pay the greatest attention to it as fast as possible, but 
 expect no great quantity can be obtained. 
 
 The General Assembly of this Colony, at their last ses- 
 sion, offered very large premiums on saltpetre manufac- 
 tured in and of materials found within the same, for one 
 year; and on sulphur manufactured in this Colony from 
 materials found in any of them, viz: twenty pounds per 
 hundred weight of the first, and five for the second. Pro- 
 posals have been made to me by Mr. De Witt of Norwich, 
 with two of his friends near New- York, for speedily making 
 very large quantities of the saltpetre, if they could be as- 
 sisted with the loan of a sum sufficient to erect necessary 
 buildings, &c, for which they will give ample security. 
 This Colony having given such bounty, and the Assembly 
 not sitting, nothing can be done here in that way. Your 
 wisdom will direct what might be proper for you to do, if 
 application should be made; and your patriotism will cer- 
 tainly incline you to every thing your wisdom shall dictate 
 for the common good. If it is possible for Philadelphia or 
 any Southern Colony to spare any manufactured, or other 
 powder, to the Cambridge Army, it is and would be a most 
 necessary and acceptable thing. I fear for their supply, 
 where there is most important occasion. 
 
 You are doubtless possessed of every intelligence that is 
 attainable, and can better judge whether, notwithstanding 
 every shew and appearance to the contrary, the whole force 
 of the enemy will not be collected, and their utmost exer- 
 tions made to cut off the head of the snake ; if so, although 
 our men are ever so resolute or numerous, they can do 
 nothing without powder; and there must be a vast con- 
 sumption of it. A very great proportion must have been 
 expended in the several engagements which have already 
 happened, and we have just received the important (but 
 very imperfect) news of a vigorous attack on our Army, 
 on Friday night or Saturday morning last, in consequence 
 of their attempting to take possession of the important 
 posts at Bunker's Hill in Charlestown. Our forces have 
 been obliged to retreat, but on the whole suppose they 
 have suffered far less than their enemies. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 Honourable President of the Continental Congress. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN PROVI- 
 DENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, TO HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, 
 DATED JUNE 20, 1775. 
 
 You doubtless have been alarmed with divers accounts 
 of the contest which happened on the 17th instant, betw een 
 the King's Troops and our Army ; shall give you a narra- 
 tive in a few words, as the post now waits. 
 
 • On the evening of the 16th, Colonel Putnam took pos- 
 session of Bunker's Hill, with about two thousand men, 
 and began an intrenchment, which they had made some 
 progress in. At eight in the morning a party of Regu- 
 lars landed at Charlestown, and fired the Town in divers 
 places. Under cover of the smoke, a body of about five 
 thousand men marched up to our intrenchments, and made 
 a furious and sudden attack. They were driven back three 
 times ; and when they were making the third attack, one of 
 our people imprudently spoke aloud that their powder was 
 all gone ; which being heard by some of the regular offi- 
 cers, they encouraged their men to march up to the trench- 
 es with fixed bayonets, and entered them ; on which our 
 people were ordered to retreat, which they did with all 
 speed, till they got out of musket shot; they then formed, 
 but were not pursued ; in the mean time six men-of-war 
 and four floating batteries were brought up, and kept up a 
 continual fire on the causeway that leads on to Charles- 
 town ; our people retreated through the fire, but not with- 
 out the loss of many of the men. 
 
 Our loss is sixty men killed and missing, and about one 
 hundred and forty wounded. The brave Doctor Warren 
 is among the former, and Colonel Gardner among the lat- 
 ter. We left six field- pieces on the hill ; our people are 
 now intrenched on Pleasant Hill, within cannon shot of 
 Bunker's Hill. The loss of the King's Troops must be 
 very considerable ; the exact number we cannot tell. If 
 
1037 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1038 
 
 our people had been supplied with ammunition they would 
 have held possession most certainly. They have began 
 6ring on Roxbury with carcasses, to set it on fire, but have 
 not yet succeeded. Our people are in high spirits, and 
 are very earnest to put this matter on another trial. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF WAR FOR CONNECTICUT. 
 
 At a meeting of the Governour and Council, or Com- 
 mittee of War, called by his Honour, and held at Leba- 
 non, Wednesday, 7th June, 1775 : 
 
 Present, his Honour the Governour ; the Honourable 
 Deputy Governour Griswold ; Honourable Jabez Hun- 
 tington, William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Jedediah 
 Elderkin, Joshua West, Benjamin Huntington, Esquires. 
 
 fl illiam Williams was desired and appointed Clerk of 
 this Council. 
 
 His Honour laid before this Committee sundry Letters 
 newly received from the Honourable Committee of War, 
 the Committee of Safety, the Committee of Supplies for 
 the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, from Brigadier Gene- 
 rals Spencer and Putnam of the Connecticut Troops, at the 
 camp near Boston; all earnestly requesting a quantity of 
 Powder to be sent forthwith to supply their present neces- 
 sity, and engaging to pay for or refund it, &c, &ic. 
 
 This Committee taking the said requests into consider- 
 ation, and the circumstances of the case being considered, 
 do agree, direct, and order, that fifty whole barrels, contain- 
 ing about one hundred weight each of Gunpowder, belong- 
 ing to this Colony, be forthwith sent and forwarded to the 
 said camp, to the care and conduct of said Brigadier Gen- 
 erals Spencer and Putnam, viz : twenty barrels of that 
 under the care of Colonel Jabez Huntington at Norwich ; 
 twenty barrels of that under the care of Captain Jabez 
 Huntington of Windham; and ten barrels of that under 
 the care of Colonel William Williams of Lebanon; to be 
 sent ten barrels in a load, packed into common barrels, and 
 the vacant room to be filled with rye or other grain, and 
 gave orders to said gentlemen accordingly to forward the 
 same, signed by the Governour. 
 
 It was then moved by his Honour the Governour, that 
 Colonel Parsons' s Regiment, part of the troops lately raised 
 for defence, &£C, now stationed at New-London, or part of 
 them, should be sent and ordered to proceed to the camp 
 near Boston, &zc. 
 
 The motion was considered and largely discussed, and it 
 was, on the question, 
 
 Voted and Ordered, That said Colonel Parsons, with 
 the Company under his immediate command, and the Com- 
 pany under the command of Captain Chapman, in said 
 Regiment, be ordered to proceed to the camp aforesaid, 
 and join the Troops heretofore sent and stationed there by 
 the honourable Assembly. 
 
 Then, on motion of his Honour, Voted and Ordered, 
 That the General Officers of this Colony Troops order 
 such quantity of Fish and Hogs-lard, for the use of said 
 Troops at said camp, as they shall judge reasonable and 
 necessary. 
 
 And then the meeting was dismissed, near sun-setting. 
 
 William Williams, Clerk. 
 
 N. B. Captain Richard Dishon, of New-London, one 
 of the Committee appointed by the Assembly to provide 
 carriages for and mount the Cannon at New-London, kc, 
 being in Town, came, and moved for the opinion and advice 
 of this Committee, whether he should procure iron carriage- 
 wheels for said Cannon? And also, whether he should 
 mount and fix two small pieces, in the form necessary 
 and proper to be used as field-pieces, &ic. ? And on con- 
 sideration, it was signified to him, as the opinion of said 
 Committee on both said motions, that he should do so. 
 
 Saturday, June 17, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee at Lebanon, called by 
 his Honour the Governour : 
 
 Present, his Honour the Governour ; the Honourable 
 Deputy Governour Griswold ; Jabez Huntington, Satn- 
 uel Huntington, William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Je- 
 dediah Elderkin, Joshua West, Benjamin Huntington, 
 Esquires, 
 
 The Governour laid before this Committee sundry Let- 
 
 ters received since the last meeting, from the President of 
 the Continental Congress ; from our Delegates at said Con- 
 gress ; from Generals Spencer, Putnam, Sic, ike; request- 
 ing a further supply of Powder at the camp near Boston , 
 that Colonel Parsons's Regiment be sent there, &ic. 
 
 On motion by me for advice about the price of Gun- 
 Locks proposed to be made by Uri Hanks, of Mansfield, 
 and shewing one of them, &c, for which he demands 
 twelve shillings each, &c. And advised and Voted, That 
 if they cannot be had for less, that I engage them at that 
 price, t, e. fifty proposed to be made by the time, &ic. 
 
 On motion, Voted and Ordered, The remaining six 
 companies of Colonel Parsons's Regiment, now at New- 
 London, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Tyler, 
 march forthwith and join the camp near Boston, supplied 
 with ammunition, &.c, as others have been, and directed 
 Mr. Shaw (who was present) to supply them accordingly 
 out of the Colony Stores in his hands. 
 
 On motion, Voted and desired, Mr. Shaw (present) to 
 use his best endeavours to procure the quantity of Powder 
 heretofore ordered, and where it may be had, at the risk 
 of the Colony, and to lay in his account. 
 
 A motion for sending more Powder to the Army near 
 Boston, had been made and was negatived; was resumed, 
 and, on reconsideration, 
 
 Voted and Ordered, That ten whole barrels more be 
 sent to the care of Generals Spencer and Putnam ; and Col. 
 Jabez Huntington directed to send it from Norwich. 
 
 Many things discussed, &tc, and it being near night, 
 adjourned to Monday next, nine o'clock, A. M, 
 
 Monday, June 19, 1775, A. M.* 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 On motion, Agreed and Voted, That Mr. Bissell, Com- 
 missary, send down to our Army all the Cloth he has for 
 Tents, being sufficient for forty ; and that Captain Trumbull, 
 General Commissary, procure the rest on the place, and get 
 them all made by some of the poor tent-makers escaped 
 from Boston, i. e. enough to supply General Putnam' 's Re- 
 giment. 
 
 It was moved and represented that the colour of blue, 
 being ordered for the Standard of our Second Regiment, 
 cannot be obtained, &c. 
 
 Voted, That the colour of green be substituted in its 
 stead. 
 
 A Letter in answer to Colonel Wolcott and Mr. Strong, 
 of Litchfield, relating to supplying Colonel Hinman's Re- 
 giment at Ticondcroga, prepared and approved. 
 
 A Letter in answer to Letter of Colonel Hinman, pro- 
 posed and approved. 
 
 And the same to Colonel Arnold at Crown Point. 
 
 It was moved and represented that it would be a saving 
 of expense, and more healthy and agreeable to our Soldiers 
 near Boston, to be supplied with more fresh, and less salt 
 Provisions, &tc, and on consideration, it was agreed and 
 ordered that they be furnished with fresh Beef three days 
 per week, instead of two. 
 
 The manner of furnishing them with Beef is referred to 
 the discretion of the proper officers. 
 
 And also of Soap, &,c. 
 
 Moved, That some order be taken concerning a Com- 
 pany of Soldiers of this Colony now at the camp near 
 Boston, under the command of Captain John Perritt, 
 which is a supernumerary company, not raised by, or 
 under the establishment of the Colony. 
 
 Whereupon this Council, taking into consideration the 
 circumstances of said Captain and Company : 
 
 Do Resolve and Order, That said Captain and Com- 
 pany continue, and be improved in the common service 
 there, under such regulations as shall be made by the pro- 
 per officers of the Army ; and that they be supplied in 
 the same manner as the other Connecticut Troops, until 
 the General Assembly of this Colony shall have opportu- 
 nity to consider and give further, or other orders concern- 
 ing them. And that in the mean time it be recommended 
 that they be entitled to receive the same pay and allow- 
 ance, as the other Soldiers of this Colony. 
 
 This order to take place unless the General and other 
 
 *The news of the Charlestoicn engagement arrived here last night, 
 about ten o'clock. 
 
1039 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1040 
 
 proper officers of our Troops sliall judge their continu- 
 ance in said service unnecessary. 
 
 On motion, of the difficulties the Army are and must be 
 under for want of a General and Commander-in-Chief of 
 the whole body raised by different Colonies, Sic, and a 
 due subordination, on consideration, &.C., 
 
 Voted, That his Honour the Governour be advised to 
 give orders to our Oflicers and Soldiers to be subordinate 
 and yield obedience to the General and Commanding Offi- 
 cer of the Troops of the Massachusetts-Bay, while they 
 act in that Province, and until the Governour, with advice, 
 shall see fit to order otherwise. 
 
 A Resolve of the Congress of New- York, requesting 
 General Wooster's Regiment, and Colonel Waterbury's, to 
 march within five miles of the City of Ncic-York, (they 
 expecting Troops from Great Britain, ike.:) 
 
 Voted and Ordered, On consideration thereof, and of 
 General Wooster's request for direction, both laid before 
 this Board, viz : that said General, with seven of his Com- 
 panies, and all Colonel Waterbury's Regiment, march to 
 within five miles of the City of New-York, and into the 
 City, if properly requested ; and their conduct be under 
 the direction of the Continental Congress, and of the Con- 
 gress of the said Province of New-York, unless and until 
 he shall receive other and different orders. 
 
 Voted and Ordered, That two Companies of the said 
 General Woofer's Regiment march to New-London, and 
 be stationed there, instead of Colonel Parsons' s Regiment, 
 ordered to be removed from thence. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 An Order subjecting our Officers and Soldiers to the com- 
 mand of the Massachusetts Commander-in-Chief, during 
 their continuance in that Province, or until further orders, 
 was read and agreed to. 
 
 A Letter to General Ward, informing him thereof, and 
 enclosing a copy of said Order, read and approved. 
 
 A Letter to Deputy Governour Cook, of Rhode-Island, 
 informing him of the same, and moving him to do the 
 same respecting the Troops of that Colony, read and ap- 
 proved. 
 
 A Letter to the New-Hampshire Congress of the like 
 tenour, and for the same purpose, also read and approved. 
 
 A Letter to General Spencer enclosing a copy of said 
 order of subordination, &ic, read and approved. 
 
 And another to the same purpose, and copy to General 
 Putnam. 
 
 An order to General Wooster, to send two of his Com- 
 panies to New-London , and march with the remaining 
 seven, and all Colonel Waterbury's Regiment, to within 
 five miles of New- York, and be under the direction of the 
 General and Provincial Congresses, till further orders, read 
 and approved. 
 
 A Letter to said General Wooster, enclosing said orders, 
 See, prepared, read, and approved. 
 
 A Letter to our Delegates at Congress, prepared, pas- 
 sed, &c. 
 
 Voted, That his Honour be desired to send to Hartford, 
 and order the Powder which was coming from New- York, 
 and stopped at Stamford, if not come forward, to be sent 
 for and forwarded immediately to the Army near Boston. 
 
 And then adjourned without day. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Road in Congress June 27, 1775.] 
 In Provincial Congress, Watortown, June 20, 1775. 
 
 M ay it please your Honour: Having been favoured 
 with your Resolve respecting the assumption of Government 
 in this Colony, we seize the earliest opportunity to express 
 our grateful sentiments for that compassion, seasonable 
 exertion, and abundant wisdom, evidenced in your recom- 
 mendation to this people on that head ; and for the gene- 
 rous provision you have made for our support in our efforts 
 in defence of the common liberty and essential rights of 
 the whole Continent. As we are plunged into the accu- 
 mulated distresses of a domestick war, our constant atten- 
 tion to the calls of our brethren in the field will leave us 
 
 but little time to contemplate the acts of ordinary legisla- 
 tion : but as we are impressed with the indispensable neces- 
 sity of rescuing this people from the danger they are in of 
 falling into a state of anarchy, and that our publick resolu- 
 tions may be taken and executed with the greater despatch, 
 'we shall apply ourselves with all diligence to fulfil your 
 benevolent intentions, and establish the form of Govern- 
 ment recommended by your Honours, that so order and 
 Government may be restored to this disturbed community. 
 
 We think it our indispensable duty to inform you, that 
 re-enforcements from Ireland, both of Horse and Foot, 
 being arrived, (the numbers unknown,) and having good 
 intelligence that General Gage was about to take posses- 
 sion of the advantageous posts in Charlcstown and on Dor- 
 chester Point, the Committee of Safety advised that our 
 Troops should prepossess them if possible. 
 
 Accordingly, on Friday evening the 16th instant, this 
 was effected by about twelve hundred men. About day- 
 light on Saturday morning, their line of circumvallation, 
 on a small hill, south of Bunker's Hill, in Charlcstown, 
 was closed ; at this time the Lively, man-of-war, began to 
 fire upon them. A number of our enemy's ships, tenders, 
 cutters, scows or floating batteries, soon came up, from all 
 which the fire was general by twelve o'clock. About two 
 the enemy began to land at a point which leads out from 
 Noddle's Island, and immediately marched up to our in- 
 trenchments, from which they were twice repulsed ; but in 
 the third attack forced them. Our forces which were in the 
 lines, as well as those sent for their support, were greatly 
 annoyed on every side, by balls and bombs, from Copp's 
 Hill, the ships, scows, &c. At this time the buildings in 
 Charlcstown appeared in flames in almost every quarter, 
 kindled by hot balls, and is since laid in ashes. Though 
 this scene was almost horrible, and altogether new to most 
 of our men, yet many stood, and received wounds by 
 swords and bayonets before they quitted their lines. At 
 five o'clock the enemy were in full possession of all the 
 posts within the isthmus. 
 
 In the evening and night following, General Ward ex- 
 tended his intrenchments, before made at the stone-house, 
 over Winter Hill. About six o'clock, P. M., of the same 
 day, the enemy began to cannonade Roxbury from Bos- 
 ton Neck and elsewhere, which they continued twenty-four 
 hours, with little spirit and less efiect. 
 
 The number of killed and missing on our side is not 
 known, but supposed by some to be about sixty or seventy, 
 and by some considerably above that number. Our most 
 worthy friend and President, Doctor Warren, lately elected 
 a Major-General, is among them. This loss we feel most 
 sensibly. Lieutenant-Colonel Parker and Major Moore of 
 this Colony, and Major Mc Clary from New-Hampshire, 
 are also dead. Three Colonels, and perhaps one hundred 
 men, are wounded. The loss of the enemy is doubtless 
 great. By an anonymous letter from Boston, we are told 
 that they exult much in having gained the ground, though 
 their killed and wounded are owned about one thousand ; 
 but this account exceeds every other estimation. The num- 
 ber they had engaged is supposed to be between three and 
 four thousand. If any errour was committed on our side, 
 it was in taking a post so much exposed. 
 
 As soon as an estimate can be made of publick and 
 private stocks of gunpowder in this Colony, it shall be 
 transmitted without delay, which we are well assured will 
 be small, and by no means adequate to the exigence of our 
 case. We apprehend that the scantiness of our stock of 
 that article, cannot fail to induce your Honours still to give 
 your utmost attention to ways and means of procuring a 
 full supply of it. We feel ourselves infinitely obliged to 
 you for your past care in this respect. 
 
 We beg leave humbly to suggest, that if a Commander- 
 in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies should be 
 appointed, it must be plain to your Honours, that no part 
 of this Continent can so much require his immediate pre- 
 sence and exertions as this Colony. 
 
 We are, with great respect, your Honours' most obedient 
 
 and very humble servants, 
 
 By order of Congress : ■-. . 
 
 James Warren, President. 
 
 Attest: Sam'l Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 To the Honourable Continental Congress now sitting at 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
10 11 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1042 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO GENERAL WARD. 
 
 Watertown, June 20, 1775, nine o'clock. 
 Sir : This Congress, considering the present situation of 
 the enemy, and that of the division of our Army at Cam- 
 bridge, think proper to suggest to your serious consideration 
 whether it is not proper and expedient that there should 
 be an immediate draft of a Regiment or more from the 
 Roxbury Camp to that at Cambridge. Your good sense 
 will undoubtedly incline you to consult General Thomas 
 before you determine absolutely on this measure, but we 
 conceive the consideration of this matter ought not to be 
 delayed a moment. We are, 8£c. 
 
 To the Honourable General fVard. 
 
 To the Honourable, the Congress for the Colony of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay : 
 
 The Petition of the Selectmen of the Town o/Townshend, 
 humbly sheiveth : 
 
 That when the order of Congress came to us for part 
 of our town stock of powder, but two of our Selectmen 
 being present they inadvertently sent the whole ; by which 
 means we are almost destitute of powder, and being called 
 upon to keep in our horses, and to be in readiness for an 
 engagement, we know not what to do. But being informed 
 that there are two half barrels of powder at the Town of 
 Ashby, if we could obtain an order of Congress for Ashby 
 to deliver a part of that to us, we might be in a better situa- 
 tion ; but if we could be helped any way we should think 
 ourselves much obliged by your Honours, to which we look 
 upon ourselves in duty bound to obey. 
 
 By order of the Selectmen : 
 
 James Hoslev, Town Clerk. 
 
 Townshend, June 20, 1775. 
 
 RICHARD DERBY, JUN., TO CAPTAIN JAMES KIRKWOOD. 
 
 Salem, June 20, 1775. 
 Captain James Kirkwood : 1 received your letter this 
 moment, informing me that you were in want of a certifi- 
 cate from me that you had kept the Light-house, 8cc, 
 which 1 now enclose you. Yours, kc, 
 
 Richard Derby, Jun. 
 
 "This may certify, that Captain James Kirkivood has 
 had the sole care of keeping the Light-house on Thatch- 
 ers Island ever since it has been erected ; that he applied 
 to the General Court, when sitting here, June, 1774, for 
 his annual grant, and the House then voted him sixty 
 Rounds for the year then or about that time ending ; 
 which grant came up to the Board, but the sudden dis- 
 solution put an end to the matter. And 1 further certify, 
 that he has attended his duty (as far as I know) to general 
 acceptance, ever since the care of the lights were by the 
 Province committed to the care of Captain Ewing, Mr. 
 Allen, and myself. Mr. Ewing is shut up in Boston, and 
 Mr. Allen has been out of the Province near a year, so 
 that the burden is totally on me. I have the last week 
 sent down a quantity of oil, which has been in my care for 
 some months past, so that the lights are well supplied for 
 some time to come. If the lights are continued, wood 
 must be provided soon, as it can only be carried there in 
 the course of the summer. Whatever directions the Con- 
 gress may see fit to give in this matter, shall further govern 
 the conduct of their humble servant, 
 
 " Richard Derby, Jun." 
 
 EDWARD BUCKNAM AND SETH WALES TO COLONELS BAILEY 
 AND HDRD. 
 
 Lancaster, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Sirs : We sent out a scout of two men to Lake Man- 
 phremagog, in order to find two men that Mr. Benjamin 
 Saivyer said he had left at that lake, but found them not, 
 and they have returned back again. They saw at Lake 
 Memphrcmagog several Indians hunting, one of whom 
 was Black Ltwee, by name, who is very well known among 
 our people, in general, to be the most trusty and faithful to 
 his word of any Indian that ever came among us. He 
 tells our scout that he set out to pilot two regular officers 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. { 
 
 into Lower Coos last winter, and two other Indians with 
 them — but he was their chief pilot — in order to find out a 
 good road from Canada to Coos, as these men told him 
 their desire was to look out a road to Coos ; but after they 
 had set out on their journey, the regular officers told the 
 Indians they intended to come through that way with an 
 Army to take and destroy the people in those Towns on 
 this river; and when Lewee found out their desire, he 
 went back and left them. They made him promise and 
 swear he would not come in to us, and make known their 
 desire. He says there are near two thousand Regulars now 
 in Canada, and they are making all preparations they pos- 
 sibly can for war, determined to come against us late this 
 fall, and bring snow-shoes with them, and are now employ- 
 ing the Indians to make them. Lewee says they are con- 
 tinually inviting the Indians to join with them and fight 
 against us, and they will put them in officers, and oner 
 them money to take up arms, but they utterly refuse it. 
 The Regulars threaten to kill them, to scare them to take 
 up arms against us. Lewee says, the Indians and French 
 wait for nothing but an invitation from us to join with us, 
 which they would do immediately, and want us to send 
 an Army to take Qucbcck, and let them know when our 
 Army will meet them at Qutbtck, to take it. He says, 
 all Canada will rise to help take it. They determine not 
 to take their old laws again. If we will but join with 
 them, they will join with us. This Lewee says their head 
 man at Caughnawaga is an Englishman, very much for 
 New-England — his name is John Stacy ; he w ishes us 
 to send them word if we want them to assist us or not. 
 Lewee says he can raise five hundred Indians to assist us 
 any time. This John Stacy is their head man, and this 
 Lewee is next to him. Lewee says, he will do all he can 
 to help us; he will stay at this lake twenty days from the 
 time our scout left them, and this is the fourth day since, 
 and then he and the other Indians are going to Caughna- 
 waga, and if we desire it, he will cany a letter to their 
 head man, who can read English. And now we send 
 a man directly down to Coos, to let you know of these 
 affairs ; and as the Indians always spoke in your favour, 
 it would have more effect upon them were you to write 
 to them what our desire is, and whether you will have 
 them join us or not ; for they live in fear of being destroy- 
 ed by the Regulars, as there is but a handful of them. 
 This Lenec sa)s he will go to Canada for us, stay all 
 summer if we desire it, and let us know all the designs of 
 the French and Canadians, and Regulars, &,c. He pro- 
 poses the manner he will go in, that they might not mis- 
 trust him to be a friend to us; says he will take pait of his 
 hunt that he hath got at a time, and go into Canada and 
 sell that, as usual, and tell them that he hath got some 
 more moose skins in the woods, and must go and fetch 
 them, and so in like manner, as long as we should like to 
 have him go. We have got two men ready to go out to 
 Lewee immediately, if you think it best to send. This 
 scout went and came back again in five days, with a canoe. 
 If Colonel Bcaley should have a mind to go out himself and 
 see these Indians, cur men can carry you in a canoe, and 
 bring you back again. Your seeing them yourself will be 
 more satisfaction to yourself and to other people in general, 
 than sending by others. This Indian was afraid to let the 
 other Indians know what he told our men, lest they should 
 betray him in Canada. He says, now is the time to take 
 Quebcck. The Regulars are buying up and storing all the 
 provisions they can in Canada. 
 
 In the mean time, we remain your most humble ser- 
 vants, Edward Bucknam, 
 
 Seth Wales. 
 To Colonel Bailey and Colonel Hurd. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA SECRET COMMITTEE TO COL. MOULTRIE. 
 
 Charleetown, Juno 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir : By direction of the Committee, I enclose you two 
 orders, by which you will be supplied with a quantity of 
 ammunition, for the use of the two Regiments of Infantry 
 in the service of the Colony ; not doubting of your pru- 
 dence, they, however, think it their duty to recommend 
 that the greatest care be taken of it ; and as, in a great 
 degree, the new levies are strangers, and their principle 
 not certainly known, they cannot but intimate, that they 
 
1043 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1044 
 
 think it advisable, that no soldier should be placed sentry 
 over, or have any thing to do relative to the ammunition, 
 but such as are known friends to the liberties of America. 
 I am, Sic. Wm. H. Drayton, 
 
 Chairman of the Secret Committee. 
 
 To Colonel Moultrie. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Charlestown, S.C., June 21, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable William Henry Dray- 
 ton, the Honourable Captain Barnard Elliott, Colonel 
 Charles Finckney, Colonel James Parsons, Colonel Isaac 
 Motte, Colonel Stephen Bull, Colonel William Moultrie, 
 Major Owen Boberts, Captain Thomas Savage, Captain 
 John Huger, Miles Brewton, Thomas Ferguson, and Ga- 
 briel Capres, Esquires, be a Deputation to present to his 
 Excellency the Address of this Congress. 
 
 South-Carolina : 
 
 To His Excellency the Bight Honourable Lord William 
 Campbell, Governour and Commander-in-Chief in and 
 over the Province aforesaid: 
 
 The humble Address and Declaration of the Provincial 
 Congress : 
 
 We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Representatives 
 of the people of this Colony in Congress assembled, beg 
 leave to disclose to your Excellency the true causes of our 
 proceedings; not only that, upon your arrival among us, 
 you may receive no unfavourable impression of our con- 
 duct, but that we may stand justified to the world. 
 
 When the ordinary modes of application for redress of 
 grievances, and the usual means of defence against arbi- 
 trary impositions have failed, mankind generally have had 
 recourse to those that are extraordinary. Hence the origin 
 of the Coatinental Congress, and hence the present repre- 
 sentation of the people in this Colony. 
 
 It is unnecessary to enumerate the grievances of Ame- 
 rica ; they have been so often represented, that your Ex- 
 cellency cannot be a stranger to them. Let it therefore 
 suffice to say, that the hands of His Majesty's Ministers, 
 which have long lain heavy, now press us with intolerable 
 weight. We declare, that no love of innovation, no desire 
 of altering the Constitution of Government, no lust of in- 
 dependence, has had the least influence upon our councils. 
 But, alarmed and roused by a long succession of arbitrary 
 proceedings by wicked Administrations ; impressed with 
 the greatest apprehensions of instigated insurrections, and 
 deeply affected by the commencement of hostilities by the 
 British Troops against this Continent, solely for the pre- 
 servation and defence of our lives, liberties, and properties, 
 we have been impelled to associate and take up aims. 
 
 We sincerely deplore those slanderous informations and 
 wicked counsels by which His Majesty has been led into 
 measures which, if persisted in, must inevitably involve 
 America in all the calamities of civil war, and rend the 
 British Empire. We only desire the secure enjoyment 
 of our invaluable rights, and we wish for nothing more 
 ardently than a speedy reconciliation with our Mother 
 Country, upon constitutional principles. 
 
 Conscious of the justice of our cause, and the integrity 
 of our views, we readily profess our loyal, attachment to 
 our Sovereign, his Crown and dignity; and trusting the 
 event to Providence, we prefer death to slavery. 
 
 These things we have thought it our duty to declare, 
 that your Excellency, and through you, our august Sover- 
 eign, our fellow-subjects, and the whole world, may clearly 
 understand, that our taking up arms is the result of dire 
 necessity, and in compliance with the first law of nature. 
 
 We entreat and trust, that your Excellency will make 
 such a representation of the state of this Colony, and of 
 our true motives, as to assure His Majesty that, in the 
 midst of all our complicated distresses, he has no subjects 
 in his wide dominions who more sincerely desire to testify 
 their loyalty and affection, or who would be more willing 
 to devote their lives and fortunes in his real service. 
 
 By order of the Provincial Congress at Charlestown : 
 Henry Laurens, President. 
 
 June 20, 1775. 
 
 The Deputation being returned, the Honourable Mr. 
 Drayton reported, that they having delivered the Address 
 
 to the Governour, his Excellency was pleased to make the 
 following Answer : 
 
 Gentlemen : I know of no Representatives of the 
 people of this Province, except those constitutionally con- 
 vened in General Assembly, and am incompetent to judge 
 of the disputes which at present unhappily subsist between 
 Great Britain and the American Colonies. 
 
 It is impossible, during the short interval since my arri- 
 val, that I should have acquired such a knowledge of the 
 stale of the Province as to be at present able to make any 
 representation thereupon to His Majesty; but you may be 
 assured, that no representations shall ever be made by me 
 but what shall be consistent with truth, and with an earn- 
 est endeavour to promote the real happiness and prosperity 
 of the Province. William Campbell. 
 
 June 21, 1775. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Charlestown, S. C, i 
 Wednesday, June 21, 1775. £ 
 
 Whereas, the inhabitants of Poole, a seaport in the 
 English Channel, lost to all sense of honour, humanity, 
 and gratitude, have, by their late Petition to Parliament, 
 manifested themselves not only inimical to America, but 
 desirous to add to the heavy oppressions under which the 
 unfortunate and virtuous inhabitants of the four New-Eng- 
 land Governments labour, in consequence of their laudable 
 conduct in defence of the liberties of America, and of man- 
 kind : to testify our just resentment of so base and cruel a 
 conduct in the inhabitants of Poole, it is hereby 
 
 Besolved, That this Colony will not use or employ any 
 shipping belonging to that Port, or owned by any inhabi- 
 tant there, or carry on any transactions, or hold any com- 
 munication with that people. 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 FREDERICK COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation of Fre- 
 derick County, at the Court-House, on the twenty-first 
 day of June, 1775, 
 
 John Hanson, Esq., Chairman : 
 
 Besolved, That the Committee of Correspondence 
 chosen by the people on the 24th day of January last, 
 is the true and rightful Committee of Correspondence for 
 Frederick County, and shall act as such until superseded 
 by a new election. 
 
 That a Committee of Correspondence, conveniently 
 situated, may be chosen for each District: 
 
 Besolved, That Messrs. Thomas Sprigg Wootten, Bich- 
 ard Thompson, John Murdoch', Samuel William Magru- 
 der, and Itilliam Bailey, or any three of them, shall give 
 notice to the people of the Lower District to meet at Air. 
 Charles Hungcrfoi'd's, on the 30th instant, to elect a 
 Committee of Correspondence for said District, to consist 
 of five members ; that Messrs. John Hanson, Charles 
 Beatty, Conrad Grosch, William Beatty, and Stephen 
 Bamsburgh, or any r three of them, shall give notice to 
 the people of Frederick Town District to meet at the said 
 Town on the 3d instant, to elect a Committee of Cor- 
 respondence for the said District, to consist of five mem- 
 bers; that Messrs. Samuel Beal, John Steele, Jacob Funk, 
 Charles Swcaringen, and William Beard, or any three of 
 them, shall give notice to the people of Elizabeth Town 
 District to meet at said Town, on the 1st instant, to elect 
 a Committee of Correspondence for the said District, to 
 consist of five members ; that Messrs. Thomas Cresap, 
 Thomas Warren, Moses Bowlings, Ezekiel Cox, and 
 Thomas French, or any three of them, shall give notice 
 to the people of Old Town District, to meet at the said 
 Town on the 8th instant, to elect a Committee of Cor- 
 respondence for the said District, to consist of five mem- 
 bers ; that returns of such elections shall be made at the 
 next meeting of the Committee of Observation, and the 
 gentlemen so, to be chosen shall be members of the Com-, 
 inittee of Observation. 
 
 A Letter from the Delegates of Maryland, and a Re- 
 solve of the Congress enclosed therein, were read, requir- 
 ing two Companies of expert Riflemen to be furnished by 
 this County, to join the Army near Boston, to be there 
 employed as Light-Infantry, under the command of the 
 
1045 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 i046 
 
 chief officer of that Army, and proposing that the pay of 
 the Officers and Soldiers be as follows : 
 
 Corporal, per month, $7$ 
 Drummer, " 7£ 
 Privates, " 63 
 
 Captain, per month, $20 
 Lieutenant, " 13£ 
 Sergeant, " 8 
 
 That they find their own arms and clothes ; that each 
 Company consist of a Captain, three Lieutenants, four Ser- 
 geants, four Corporals, a Drummer, and sixty-eight Pri- 
 vates ; that the form of Enlistment be as follows : 
 
 "I, A. B., have, this day of , voluntarily en- 
 listed myself as a Soldier in the American Continental 
 Army, for one year, unless sooner discharged. I do bind 
 myself to conform, in all instances, to such rules and regu- 
 lations as are, or shall hereafter be, established for the 
 government of the said Army." 
 
 Resolved, That, agreeable to the requisition of the Con- 
 gress, and on the terms by them proposed, two Companies 
 of expert Riflemen be forthwith raised, and officered by 
 the following gentlemen : 
 
 Of the First Company. — Michael Cresap, Captain ; 
 Thomas Warren, Joseph Cresap, Jun., Richard Davis, 
 Jun., Lieutenants. 
 
 Of the Second Company. — Thomas Price, Captain ; 
 Otho Holland Williams, John Ross Key, Lieutenants — 
 another Lieutenant to be chosen by Captain Price, and 
 approved by the Committee. 
 
 That Messrs. John Hanson, Conrad Grosch, William 
 Beatiy, George Strieker, John Darnal, Upton Sheii- 
 dan, John Laicrence, Joseph Wood, Stephen Ramsburgh, 
 Lewis Kemp, Roger Johnson, Samuel Beall, and Abra- 
 ham Haaff, or any seven of them, be a Committee to in- 
 spect and review the said Companies when raised, and to 
 give recommendatory certificates to the several officers, to 
 be by them carried to the Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the collectors of money for the pur- 
 chase of Arms and Ammunition, shall severally pay to the 
 Committee of Correspondence all sums already received, 
 and shall continue to solicit subscriptions till the third 
 Tuesday in August next ; on which day they shall pay to 
 the said Committee the several sums which they shall have 
 collected, and produce fair copies of their subscription 
 papers, which shall be signed by them, and set up on the 
 Court-House door; that the Committee of Correspondence 
 shall pay to John Hanson, Esq., who is hereby appointed 
 Treasurer for the County, all sums of money which they 
 have received, or shall receive from the collectors afore- 
 said. 
 
 Resolved, That the collectors of money to defray the 
 expenses of the Maryland Delegates, shall immediately 
 pay to the Treasurer all sums of money which they have 
 already received, and they shall continue their collections, 
 and make another payment on the 15th instant, and the 
 Treasurer shall then transmit the whole to Charles Wal- 
 lace, Esq., of Annapolis, to be by him forwarded to the 
 Delegates at Philadelphia. 
 
 Resolved, That as the fourth Resolve that was resolved 
 at a meeting of the Committee on the 10th of May last, 
 is not complied with, it shall be carried into execution, and 
 returns made, agreeable to said Resolve, at the next meet- 
 ing of this Committee. 
 
 In consequence of an order of the Committee, issued 
 on the 11th of last May, the Reverend Mr. Rennet Allen 
 produced the Sermon that he preached on that day. 
 
 On motion, the Sermon was read, and the question put, 
 Whether the said Sermon be exceptionable? 
 
 Resolved in the negative. 
 
 Whereas, a Paper Mill is about being erected near Fre- 
 derick Toivn, and it being incumbent on us, at this time, 
 to give especial encouragement to country manufactories, 
 it is recommended to the people of this County that they 
 save all their Linen and Woollen Rags, and prefer the Paper 
 made here to any foreign manufacture whatsoever. 
 
 Resolved, That these proceedings be printed in the 
 Maryland Gazette and in the Maryland Journal. 
 
 The Committee adjourns till Friday, the 21st day of 
 August next. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Arch. Boyd, Clerk. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, Wednesday, the 21st 
 of June, 1775. Present : 
 
 Henry Remsen, John Lamb, David Beekman, 
 
 James Desbrosses, Oliver Templeton, Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 
 William Laight, Abraham Duryee, Eleazor Miller, 
 
 William Walton, Joseph Bull, John Broome, 
 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, Frederick Jay, Richard Sharpe, 
 
 Abm. Brinkerhoff, Theoph. Anthony, John Berrian, 
 
 William Bedlow, Benjamin Helme, John Lasher, 
 
 John White, Thomas Ivers, Victor Bicker, 
 
 Robert Ray, Abm. Walton, William Goforth, 
 
 Daniel Phenix, Win, W. Gilbert, Gabriel W. Ludlow; 
 
 Lewis Pintard, Hercules Mulligan, Edward Fleming, 
 
 John Imlay, John Anthony, Gerret Kettletas, 
 
 Win. Denning, Daniel Dunscomb, George Janeway. 
 
 Francis Bassett, Nicholas Bogart, 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that 
 no Insurance be made on the Cash shipped off by the Sub- 
 Committee appointed to appropriate the moneys raised by 
 subscription in this City, on account of the Colony. 
 
 A Letter, dated Philadelphia, 17th June, 1775, from 
 Joseph Reade, received and read. 
 
 A Letter, dated St. John's, Neivfoundland, 30th May, 
 1775, from Jonathan Parsons, Jun., giving an account of 
 the arrival of the Ship Sally, Captain Taverner, from this 
 Port, at Trinity, in Newfoundland, which said Captain 
 Taverner, before his sailing, made oath that he would proceed 
 immediately to Falmouth, or some other port in England, 
 and that he would by no means stop at Newfoundland, nor 
 at any of the Fishing Islands on the coast of America. 
 
 In pursuance of a recommendation of the Provincial 
 Congress to this Committee to purchase all the Saltpetre 
 in this City and County, and also to procure an account of 
 all the Brimstone and Sulphur therein, and to make a re- 
 port of the same to the said Congress, 
 
 Ordered, That Gerardus Duyckinck, Jacob Van Voor- 
 hies, and Eleazer Miller, be a Sub-Committee for the 
 above purpose. 
 
 New- York, June 21, 1775. 
 The General Committee for the City and County of 
 New-York having received intelligence that Andrew Ta- 
 verner, master of the Ship Sally, arrived in said vessel at 
 Trinity, in the Island of Newfoundland, the twenty-fourth 
 ultimo, they accordingly appointed William Walton, Esq., 
 Colonel Fleming, John Lamb, and John Broome, a Com- 
 mittee to wait on Theophilact Bache, to whom the said ship 
 was addressed, to inquire of him the reasons (if any he 
 knew) why the said Andrew Taverner did not proceed di- 
 rectly to Falmouth, or some other port in Great Britain, 
 as he had engaged under oath to use his utmost endeavours 
 to do : We, the said Committee, report, that pursuant to 
 our appointment we waited upon Mr. Bache, who produced 
 sundry vouchers, from which, together with his deposition 
 hereunto annexed, we fully believe the said Theophilact 
 Bache to be altogether innocent of having had any agency, 
 directly or indirectly, in causing the aforesaid vessel to pro- 
 ceed to Newfoundland, as above-mentioned. 
 
 Wm. Walton, Edward Fleming, 
 John Broome, John Lamb. 
 
 City of New-York, ss.: 
 
 Theophilact Bache, of the aforesaid City, merchant, of 
 lawful age, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that he 
 had no agency, either directly or indirectly, in causing the 
 Ship Sally (whereof Andreiv Taverner was master at the 
 time of her departure from this port) to proceed to New- 
 foundland, or any other place than Falmouth, or some other 
 port in Great Britain, but verily believed the said Taver- 
 ner intended to proceed directly to Falmouth, or some other 
 port in Great Britain as aforesaid. And further this de- 
 ponent saith, in order to impress upon the said Andrew 
 Taverner's mind the necessity of going straightway to Fal- 
 mouth, or some other port in Great Britain, he (this depo- 
 nent) reminded him of the solemnity of the oath he, the 
 said 1'averner, had taken, and also furnished him with a 
 copy of the same, and was greatly surprised upon hearing the 
 General Committee for this City and County had received 
 intelligence that the said Taverner was arrived at the land. 
 And further saith not. Theophilact Bache. 
 
 Sworn the twenty-third of June, 1775, before me, 
 
 D. Matthews. 
 
1047 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, JUNE, 1175. 
 
 1048 
 
 JOSEPH JOHNSON (.\ MOHEGAN INDIAN) TO NEW-YORK 
 CONGHESS. 
 
 New-York, June 21, 1775. 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Colony 
 o/New-York, the humble Petition of Joseph Johnson, 
 a licensed Preacher of the Gospel amongst seven dijfer- 
 ent Tribes of New-England Indians and the Oneidas, 
 humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your petitioner hath for several years been engaged 
 amongst the Indians — for some years as a schoolmaster 
 amongst the Oneidas, and since that time in preaching the 
 Gospel to several different Nations of New-England In- 
 dians, and to the Oneidas, and in endeavouring to persuade 
 the Indians to a civilized life, and to embrace the Christian 
 religion. Also your petitioner humbly sheweth, that a 
 number of Neiv-England Indians, of seven different tribes, 
 having become poor and few in number, were adopted by 
 the Oneida Nation, who gave them a tract of land to settle 
 on. That your petitioner, with a number of the said New- 
 England Indians, removed to the Oneida country to set- 
 tle on the lands given to them, and were very kindly re- 
 ceived, and had got corn-fields planted and gardens made: 
 That false reports were lately spread to the westward that 
 your petitioner, and the New-England Indians who were 
 with him, had removed to the westward, in pursuance of a 
 design formed by the people of New-England to settle in 
 that western country, and that they might thereby have an 
 opportunity of gaining the favour of the Upper Nations, and 
 bring them to their way of thinking: That the New-Eng- 
 land Indians were afraid that ill disposed persons, whose 
 hearts might be full of jealousy and prejudice, might induce 
 some of the distant Indian Nations to credit such false re- 
 ports, and set them at variance with, and cause them to fall 
 on and take up the hatchet against the new settled Indians : 
 That therefore the New-England Indians, with the con- 
 sent and advice of the Oneidas, thought best for their 
 safety, and the peace of the country, to return for the pre- 
 sent from whence they came, until the present troubles 
 shall be ended: That most part of the said New-England 
 Indians are returned, and that your petitioner, with three 
 others of the said Indians, are now on their way to the 
 eastward, intending to proceed by the way of New-London, 
 which is near their former place of abode : That your pe- 
 titioner and his three companions, sensible of the present 
 troubles and difficulties in every part of the country, are 
 fearful of travelling without a passport or a letter of safe 
 conduct, which may afford them peace and protection in 
 their journey, and are also so poor and destitute that they 
 are utterly unable to pursue their journey without the chari- 
 table aid and relief of the benevolent and the humane. 
 Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that a passport, or a 
 letter of safe conduct and protection, may be graciously 
 given to him for James Shattock, John Shesnck, Samuel 
 Tallman, and himself, to pass to Neiv-London, in Connec- 
 ticut, and also for such small sum to aid them in their 
 journey to New-London aforesaid, as to this honourable 
 Congress in their \visdom shall seem meet. And your pe- 
 titioner, on behalf of himself and his above named com- 
 panions, as in duty bound shall ever pray, &ic. 
 
 Joseph Johnson. 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT NEW-YORK 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, DATED JUNE 
 
 21, 1775. 
 
 A worthy young man, an Indian Preacher, with three 
 of his tribe, just arrived from the iSi'r Nations, were with 
 me this morning. They are come to wait upon our Pro- 
 vincial Congress, now sitting in this City, with the news 
 that the Indian Nations are determined not to act against 
 the Colonies. They also inform me that even the Cana- 
 dian Indians are our friends. The Continental Congress 
 have recommended it in the warmest manner to all the 
 Colonies, to observe the twentieth of next month as a Con- 
 tinental fast. A regular Army of seventy thousand men is 
 to be immediately raised. All ranks of people are in arms. 
 Seventeen regular companies are already formed in this 
 City, who have no pay, and provide themselves with uni- 
 forms, arms, and ammunition. Should the unhappy con- 
 
 test continue six months longer, it is very probable that we 
 will have near two hundred thousand bold, resolute men, 
 disciplined to as great perfection as any of His Majesty's 
 Troops. The Provincial Army, at present at Boston, con- 
 sists of twenty thousand men, and increases daily. Gen. 
 Wooster, the chief commander of the Connecticut Troops, 
 is soon to encamp near the City with two thousand men. 
 It is a gross calumny to say that we are aiming at indepen- 
 dency, for our political principles are the same that raised 
 the house of Hanover to the throne ; and were your Minis- 
 ters to adopt these principles, we would immediately lay 
 down our arms. 
 
 ALBANY (NEW-YORK) COMMITTEE TO THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 [Read before Congress, June 26, 1775.] 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, June 21, 1775. 
 To the Members of the Continental Congress: 
 
 Gentlemen : Mi 1 . Dirck Suart, a member of this Board, 
 who is just returned from Crown Point, brings the follow - 
 ing intelligence: that one Mr. Hay, who lives about ten 
 miles up Lake Champlain, came down to Croivn Point, 
 who told Colonel Arnold and others that he had been to 
 Montreal for some flour; that Governour Carleton had him 
 seized and confined for several days; that by the interposi- 
 tion of the English merchants of that place, he received 
 liberty to return home; and that the merchants who pro- 
 cured him the pass from the Lieutenant-Govemour, desired 
 him to go down to Crou-n Point and Ticonderoga with all 
 speed, and communicate to the commander of those for- 
 tresses that the French Caug-hnawuira Indians had taken 
 up the hatchet, but that they refused to go out upon any 
 scouts until nine of their men, who were then out, returned ; 
 and that Governour Carleton was giving them presents 
 daily. 
 
 We are very sorry to inform you that, from a number of 
 corroborating circumstances, we have but too much reason 
 to believe the above information to be true, and more espe- 
 cially as the Troops, which amount to about six hundred 
 men, suffer no persons coming up the lake to pass St. John's 
 if they can avoid it, where they are building floating batte- 
 ries and boats. Mr. Swart also acquaints us that Mr. Hay 
 said that Governour Carleton had asked the English mer- 
 chants to take up arms against the Yankees, to make use 
 of his own phraseology ; that the merchants refused ; upon 
 which he told them that he would set the Town on fire; 
 when the merchants said he was welcome to do so, and 
 added, they would carry as much fire as himself. Mr. Hay 
 also desired Mr. Swart, if he should happen to meet Mr. 
 Pierce, he should request him not to proceed, as the Eng- 
 lish merchants in Canada conceived it unsafe for him. 
 
 The forces above named are in no proper state of de- 
 fence, principally owing to the scarcity of powder; of which 
 article we have not yet been able to send up more, with the 
 supply we have received from New- York, than three hun- 
 dred and fifty pounds ; which quantity is altogether insuffi- 
 cient to answer the purposes intended, and of little service 
 in case of an attack. We can farther inform you this City 
 is not half supplied (nor frontier inhabitants) with either 
 powder or arms, for which applications have been, and daily 
 are making to us ; and as we have no prospect of any far- 
 ther supply from New-York, w-e beg to be assisted, if pos- 
 sible, from the low er Governments, with all the despatch 
 possible. 
 
 We should also desire that the command at the forts 
 mhdit be settled. Colonel Hinrnan, we understood, would 
 have taken the command ; but by his appointment from 
 Governour Trumbull, his orders are only to re-enforce the 
 garrisons and command his regiment ; upon which Colonel 
 Arnold refused to resign. We therefore conceive it highly 
 necessary that a matter of such importance should be set- 
 tled with all speed. The above we are also informed by 
 Mr. Swart, who was present and heard each read the other's 
 instructions. 
 
 We thought it our indispensable duty to acquaint you 
 of these matters, and therefore send them to you per 
 
 express. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants. By 
 order of the Committee : Samuel Stringer, 
 
 Chairman pro tempore. 
 
1049 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1050 
 
 CAPT. BENJAMIN CHAPMAN, OF THE ROYAL IRISH OR IStH 
 REGIMENT OF FOOT, TO A FRIEND IN IRELAND. 
 
 Boston, June 21, 1775. 
 I have further to inform you (though I know you to be 
 an advocate for the Americans) that their Grand Conti- 
 nental Congress have resolved, in order to force Great 
 Britain to confirm the wild claims they have set up, that 
 they will do their utmost to ruin the commerce of Ireland, 
 and starve their fellow-subjects in the West-Indies, who 
 never injured them. And in their address to the people 
 of Canada, after inviting them to join in their illegal oppo- 
 sition, they natter them with the enjoyment and prosperity 
 of a religion which, in their address to the people of Great 
 Britain, they themselves say is fraught with the most im- 
 pious and sanguinary tenets. Many of their Provincial 
 Conventions have resolved not to pay their debts to the Bri- 
 tish merchants, nor will they sutler any legal process to be 
 resorted to upon that account ; thus trampling on every prin- 
 ciple of humanity, candour, and common honesty. When 
 the unprejudiced eye of posterity shall cast a retrospect 
 view on those dark transactions, how will they be amazed 
 that a party could be found so shameless as to defend them 
 in Parliament. Matters about Boston wear a truly warlike 
 aspect. The Army of the rebels consists of at least fifteen 
 thousand men, and are daily increasing. They are, besides, 
 possessed of a considerable number of artillery : and when 
 we consider the enlhusiastick disposition of those infatua- 
 ted people ; that the pulpits and publick meetings breathe 
 nothing but sedition ; that the people are in the most slavish 
 subjection to the priests and demagogues; it can no longer 
 remain a matter of surprise if (to use their own phrase) 
 they resist even unto death. The Continental Congress 
 has been sitting since the tenth of May : their deliberations 
 are wonderfully secret; the few Resolves that have trans- 
 pired are mostly inflammatory ; their High Mightinesses 
 now appear in various capacities; they have erected them- 
 selves into a court of Star-Chamber, and have already tried 
 and passed sentence on several delinquents who have dared 
 to contravene their inquisitorial decrees ; in short, they are as 
 omnipotent in this quarter of the globe as any earthly power 
 can be. 1 will not hazard a conjecture on the steps that 
 may be pursued by Parliament on this important, this un- 
 paralleled crisis. America seems determined not to recede ; 
 should, therefore, Great Britain relax, I fear her laurels 
 will wither on her brows, and that her sun of glory will soon 
 set to rise no more. My knowledge of the Americans is 
 founded on long experience, from their own writings, and 
 from my intimacy with many of the first characters amongst 
 them ; rely upon it, their aim is independency. My Lords, 
 the planters in the South, have long plumed themselves on 
 the prospect of an approaching aristocracy ; whilst the level- 
 lers in the North already enjoy, by anticipation, their adored 
 republick. The honour and dignity of Great Britain, as 
 well as the securing the rights of Parliament, call for an 
 exertion of military power. I cannot fight in a more just, a 
 more noble cause ; every other consideration must give way 
 to this ; nor do I wish to quit America until her dependance 
 on the Parent State is effectually secured, and my much 
 injured Country's rights fixed on the most solid basis. 
 
 STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGKESS. 
 
 Stockbridge, June 21, 1775. 
 We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being soldiers 
 enlisted to serve in the Provincial Army during summer, beg 
 leave to lay this our request before you. We, in our more 
 serious hours, reflect with shame upon our aptness to drink 
 spirituous liquors to excess when we are under temptation ; 
 by which foolish conduct, when we are guilty of it. we 
 render ourselves unfit for usefulness and service to our fel- 
 low-men, and also disagreeable to those that have any thing 
 to do with us. We are sensible that we injure ourselves 
 more than any one else. When we get a taste, we must 
 some of us with shame say, that sometimes no interest of 
 our own will prevent us from procuring more, till we get too 
 much. We therefore desire you would, in your wisdom, do 
 something, during our residence there, that we may get so 
 much as will be good for us, and no more. We further desire 
 you to order the Paymaster-General to pay all our wages, 
 that is now or may be due to us when we are dismissed, 
 to Timothy Edwards or Jahiel Woodbridge, Esquires, 
 
 Delegates from the Town of Stockbridge, and to them 
 only or their order, that they may be enabled to provide for 
 us while we are here what we may necessarily want, and 
 bring all the rest home, that it may be altogether, and divide 
 it among us as we like. 
 
 JehoiaJcim Navnuptauk, 
 Abraham Koukpoot, 
 Moses Anhhheckhurinauhoot, 
 Cornelius Paupoumham, 
 William Natauksen, 
 John Oasauwampummunk, 
 Abraham Naunaumpretaunkey, 
 Benjamin Waunnehuaumel , 
 Daniel Wauyumpskeynunnaunt , 
 Jchoiakim Astoksim, 
 Samuel Squintrop, 
 Joseph Shackheakauwoh, 
 Jacob Tusnuk, 
 Thomas Hickimmun, 
 David Naunaivnecknauck , 
 Bill Notaukscn, 
 John Shepaunerwaunkun. 
 To the Hon. Joseph Warren, President of Provincial Con- 
 gress sitting at Watertown; to be communicated. 
 
 THOMAS TWINING TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGKESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay : 
 
 May it please your Honours: Deeply impressed 
 with a sense of the weighty task you have to perform, in 
 the management of our publick affairs at this difficult and 
 alarming crisis, and how necessary it is that many of your 
 deliberations and resolves should be kept a profound se- 
 cret from the enemies of our common liberties, whether 
 foreign invaders or our own domestick traitors ; and hum- 
 bly apprehending that one Mr. Amos Knowles, Jun., from 
 the Town of East ham, hath behaved in such a manner as 
 to give just ground to suspect his fidelity to his Country ; 
 and even to suppose him inimical thereto, your petitioner, 
 in behalf of himself and of the Association in Eastham, 
 thinking it a duty incumbent on him so to do, as a member 
 of society, begs leave to represent to your Honours, that 
 the said Knowles, who now hath a seat in said Congress, 
 hath been an op poser of the common cause of this Coun- 
 try, and hath frequently exclaimed against Congresses and 
 the present mode of opposition, as may appear by the pa- 
 pers herewith presented. And your petitioner, apprehend- 
 ing a known enemy to our Country ought not to be allowed 
 a seat in said Congress, lest he might thereby betray its 
 secret plans to our common enemy, humbly prays your 
 Honours to take the matter into consideration, and expel 
 him from said Congress, or otherwise deal with him as you 
 in your wisdom shall judge proper. And your petitioner, as 
 in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 Your petitioner begs leave further to represent, that the 
 said Knowles was one whom the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence of the Town of Eastham thought it their duty 
 to discriminate and disarm, in consequence of recommenda- 
 tions from the late Congress, but did not think it prudent 
 to attempt it, knowing said Knoivlcs had a considerable 
 party of similar principles and conduct, who had before 
 armed themselves to oppose some publick measures. 
 
 Thomas Twining. 
 
 To the Friends of Liberty, to whom the bearer hereof 
 shall apply himself: 
 This may certify, that we, the subscribers, do hereby 
 ask your advice and assistance on the important matters 
 that shall be laid before you by our worthy friend, Mr. 
 Thomas Twining, relating to the great and intolerable 
 difficulties between the Whigs and Tories in this Town. 
 Although we are a minority, our number of zealous friends 
 will, we hope, be thought sufficient to gain some notice. 
 Mr. Twining is one whose veracity may be relied on ; and 
 if by ibis messenger we gain no relief, we see nothing but 
 we must submit to the mercy of the Tories in this place. 
 
 Job Crocker, Thomas Gould, 
 
 Nathaniel Mayo, Eliakim Higgins, 
 Thomas Paine, John Davis. 
 Eastham, June 12, 1775. 
 
1051 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1052 
 
 Whereas it liatli happened that many transactions in 
 this Town, relating to our publick grievances hath been 
 carried on much to the contrary of the minds of many of 
 the inhabitants of this Town, by which it hath made many 
 parties and a great division in this Town, and we do look 
 upon it as a great judgment from Heaven upon us for our 
 sins ; wherefore it hath been moved by some, that each 
 party would meet and assemble together, to see if we could 
 not unite, both in love and unity, among ourselves with 
 our free countrymen, in standing with them for our rights, 
 liberty, and privileges. And accordingly the two parties 
 did agree, met, and assembled themselves together at the 
 South Meeting-House in Eastham, on the first day of 
 December, in the year one thousand seven bundled and 
 seventy-four, and then both parties mutually agreed to 
 choose a Committee out of each party, and accordingly 
 proceeded and chose two Committees, one out of each 
 party — seven out of one, and five out of the other — in order 
 to consult and draw up such resolves as they thought most 
 proper and best for peace and unity among ourselves and 
 free countrymen. Accordingly we, the subscribers, being 
 two Committees, did meet at the dwelling house of Mr. 
 Thomas Twining, in Eastham, on Tuesday, the sixth day 
 of December, one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 
 four, at nine o'clock in the morning, and then did resolve, 
 in the first place, to pass by and overlook all past conduct 
 among ourselves and towards our free countrymen, and for 
 all past injuries to be buried in oblivion towards all those 
 that will join in the following Resolves: 
 
 In the first place, we, the subscribers, do mutually agree 
 and resolve, that we will freely and willingly unite and join 
 with our free countrymen in defence of our sacred rights, 
 privileges, and liberties. 
 
 Secondly. We will unite and join our Continental, Pro- 
 vincial, and County Congresses, and with all others of our 
 Congresses, so far as shall be agreeable to the Continental 
 Congress. That we will do our utmost to uphold and 
 defend our liberties and rights. 
 
 Thirdly and lastly. We do and shall look upon all those 
 that will not stand for their rights, liberty, property, and 
 religion, as enemies to their Country, and shall ever deem 
 them so till there be a reformation found in them. 
 
 Fourthly. We desire that these our Resolves may be, 
 as soon as possible, published throughout the whole Con- 
 tinent. JONA. DoANE, JoNA. LlNNEL, Jr. 
 
 Edward Knowles, Wm. Myrick, Jr. 
 Samuel Doane, Jr., 
 
 At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
 the Town of Eastham, legally warned and assembled, at 
 the North Meeting-House, the 20th of February, A. D. 
 1775: Deacon Edward Knowles, Moderator. 
 
 The Assembly voted to dismiss the Committee of 
 Correspondence chosen at a meeting held at the South 
 Meeting-House, 22d February, 1774, for this Town, and 
 also voted to choose another, viz: Mr. Theophilus Hop- 
 kins, Capt. Edward Knowles, Capt. Amos Knowles, Jun., 
 Major Solomon Pepper, and Mr. John Yates. 
 
 Voted, also, the Town's disapprobation and dismission 
 of Messrs. Thomas Paine, Job Crocker, and Isaiah Hig- 
 gins, from any business as a Committee of Inspection, 
 (who were chosen by the County Congress at their last 
 meeting at Barnstable, for a Committee of Inspection for 
 this Town, to see that the Resolves of the Congresses and 
 Association are observed and put in execution.) 
 
 Also, voted to choose a Committee of three men, viz: 
 Messrs. Amos Knowles, Junior, Benjamin Iliggins, and 
 John Doane, as a Committee of Inspection, (to join with 
 a former Committee chosen at a meeting held at the South 
 Meeting-House, 3d of January, 1775,) to see that the Re- 
 solves of the Congresses and Association are observed and 
 put in execution. 
 
 The Town also voted their charge to the abovesaid Com- 
 mittee, that they strictly adhere to their office, and see that 
 all the Resolves of the Congresses are observed and put in 
 execution in this Town which are agreeable to the Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 And, also, voted to make null and void the vote which 
 passed in this Town, at a meeting held at the South Meet- 
 ing-House, 3d of January, 1775, for the Constables, viz: 
 
 Messrs. Job Crocker and Willard Knowles, Junior, to pay 
 the Province Tax assessed in their bills to Henry Gardner, 
 Esquire, of Stow, taking his receipt. 
 
 Attest: Gideon Baty, Town Clerk. 
 
 The within has been compared by the Committee of 
 Correspondence, and found to be a true copy of an attest- 
 ed copy of said meeting. 
 
 Isaac Sparrow, ^ 
 
 Joseph Cole, I Committee of 
 
 John Davis, f Correspondence. 
 
 Thomas Twining, J 
 
 Eastham, February 21, 1775. 
 
 Whereas it appears to us that a number of men in this 
 Town have been, and still are using their influence and 
 power in opposition to the measures adopted by the Ame- 
 ricans to recover, preserve, and maintain those rights and 
 privileges which our illustrious ancestors so nobly contend- 
 ed for, and have handed down to us as a fair inheritance : 
 Now, in order to free ourselves as much as possible from 
 the embarrassments of those men, and to convince the 
 world that we are determined to persevere in joining our 
 American brethren in their noble efforts to throw off the 
 yoke of tyranny, we think it highly expedient to form our- 
 selves into an Association. Therefore we, the subscribers, 
 mutually agree and associate ourselves under the name and 
 title of Freeholders and Freemen of the Association of the 
 Town of Eastham; and do hereby pledge our faith to 
 each other that we will abide by the Association resolves, 
 and recommendations of the Continental, our Provincial, 
 and this County Congresses, (so far as they are made pub- 
 lick,) to the utmost of our power; and also, that we will 
 abide by the regulations and regular votes, resolves, and 
 agreements that shall be hereafter made by this Associa- 
 tion for the purposes before mentioned, of recovering, se- 
 curing, and maintaining our just rights and privileges. 
 
 Witness our hands : 
 
 Thomas Linnel, Elnathan Snow, Thomas Paine, 
 
 Elkanah Young, Solomon Higgins, Isaiah Higgins, 
 
 Jonathan Twining, Prince Rogers, Thomas Twining, 
 
 John Cole, John Gould, Edmund Freeman, 
 
 Oliver Arey, Samuel Knowles, Asa Mayo, 
 
 Jesse Higgins, Theophilus Mayo, Jonathan Linnel, 
 
 Barnabas Twining, Isaac Young, Thomas Rogers, 
 
 Jud.is Rogers, Isaac Higgins, Moses Higgins, 
 
 Thomas Linnel, 3d, Isaac Hopkins, Gershom Cole, 
 
 Stephen Snow, James Rogers, Joshua Doane, 
 
 Edmund Snow, Isaac Sparrow, Jr., Joseph Cole, 
 
 Nathaniel Mayo, John Atwood, Thomas Brown, 
 
 Elkanah Higgins, Zaceheus Higgins, Isaac Sparrow, 
 Job Crocker, Gideon Freeman, Jonathan Linnel, 3d, 
 
 Prince Freeman, Samuel Rogers, Heman Linnel, 
 
 Joshua Cole, Princu Snow, Thomas Arey, 
 
 Thomas Rogers, Jr., John Linnel, David Higgins, 
 
 Jesse Kenny, Joseph Mayo, Jr., Eleaz. Freeman, Jr., 
 
 Joseph Hopkins, Jonathan Snow, Solomon Rogers, 
 
 Elkanah Cole, Joshua Gould, Jonathan Rogers, 
 
 Gideon Higgins, Joshua Knowles, Joshua Mayo, 
 
 Isaac Cole, Christian Remick, Josiah Knowles, 
 
 Elijah Twining, Simeon Higgins, Jr., Prince Twining, 
 
 Yates Nickerson, Eliakim Higgins, Joshua Crosby, 
 Philip Young, Reuben Colo, Bryan Martin, 
 
 Sylvanus Higgins, John Davis, Seth Higgins, 
 
 Freeman Higgins, Nathaniel Paine, Isaac Paine, 
 
 Christ. Reruick, Jr., David Rich, Nathaniel Cole, 
 
 Richard Cook, Joseph Pepper, Asa Nickerson, 
 
 Joseph Hurd, Enoch Linnel, Joseph Smith, 3d, 
 
 Theoph. Mayo, Jr., Daniel Cole, Jr., Zaceheus Higgins.Jr. 
 
 A true copy, examined : 
 
 Isaac Sparrow, Association Clerk. 
 
 Eastham, May 26, 1775. 
 
 We, the Committee of Correspondence for the Town 
 and Association of Eastham, in compliance with a Resolve 
 of the Provincial Congress of the 12th of April, 1775, 
 render to the Committee of Correspondence for the Coun- 
 ty of Barnstable the following, which is a true state of the 
 conduct of the Town of Eastham, with respect to their 
 having executed each plan recommended by the Continen- 
 tal and Provincial Congresses : 
 
 The Town of Eastham, at a legal meeting, voted that 
 the Constables for the year 1775 might pay the Province 
 money in their hands to Henry Gardner, Esquire, taking 
 his receipt ; but soon after, at a meeting at the North 
 Meeting-House, called by the Selectmen by the request of 
 Amos Knowles, Junior, Gideon Baty, Theophilus Hop- 
 
1053 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1054 
 
 tdm, Thomas Harding, David Young, Jonathan Doane, 
 Esquire, Amos Knowles, John Taylor, John Doane, Jun., 
 Benjamin Doane, and Samuel Doane, did reconsider the 
 said vote, and made it null and void ; but have since, in 
 consequence of a Resolve of the Congress, passed the 31st 
 of March, 1775, recommending to the several Towns and 
 Districts that they oblige their several Constables and Col- 
 lectors to pay the balances due from them to the Province, 
 &c, did vote that Mr. Job Crocker and Mr. Willard 
 Knowles, Junior, late Constables, pay the Province money 
 in their hands to Henry Gardner, Esquire, taking his re- 
 ceipt, and that Mr. Jonathan Linnel, 3d, and Mr. Jesse 
 Cole, Constables for the year 1774, should pay the Prov- 
 ince money assessed in their bills to Henry Gardner, Esq., 
 taking his receipt when it was collected. 
 
 Isaac Sparrow, 
 Joseph Cole, 
 Thomas Paine, 
 Committee of Correspondence for the Town of Eastham. 
 
 N. B. The Resolve for the above fell into the hands of 
 the Town Clerk, and never hath been communicated to 
 the publick, and we were not able to obtain it until this 
 day we were favoured with one from Colonel JSathaniel 
 Frenman, of Sandwich. 
 
 Eastham, May 26, 1775. 
 
 The following is a true state of the transactions of the 
 Town of Eastham, since February 22, 1774: 
 
 The Committee of Correspondence of the Town of East- 
 ham were first chosen by the freeholders and other inhabi- 
 tants of the Town, from twenty-one years old and upwards, 
 and have acted ever since in that capacity, without molesta- 
 tion, with this exception : At a meeting of the inhabitants 
 of the Town of Eastham, qualified by law to vote in town 
 meetings, called by the Selectmen, at the request of Amos 
 Knowles, Junior, and others, for the purposes of regulating 
 a vote of this Town, passed at a legal town meeting, di- 
 recting the Collectors for the year 1774, to pay the Pro- 
 vincial money assessed in their bills to Henry Gardner, 
 Esquire, of Stoiv, taking his receipt ; also, to dismiss the 
 Committee of Inspection, viz: Messrs. Thomas Paine, 
 Job Crocker, and Isaiah Higgins, appointed by the Coun- 
 ty Congress to see that the resolves and recommendations 
 of the several Congresses are put in execution in this Town, 
 and to choose others in their room ; and also to dissolve 
 the above Committee of Correpondence, and to choose 
 another in their room, did then and there presume to dis- 
 solve said Committee, and chose Messrs. Theophilus Hop- 
 kins, Edward Knowles, Amos Knowles, Junior, Solomon 
 Pepper, and John Yates, a Committee of Correspondence, 
 who have never appeared to act in that capacity. 
 
 The recommendations of the Provincial Congress for 
 choosing a Delegate came to hand on the evening of Fri- 
 day, the 19th instant ; and from the former conduct of our 
 Selectmen, the Committee of Correspondence thought it 
 best for them to call a meeting for the purpose of choosing 
 said member or members as above ; proceeded to notify 
 said meeting, by posting up in the usual places for notifi- 
 cations in this Town an exact copy of the recommendation 
 and resolve of said Congress, desiring the freeholders and 
 other inhabitants of the Town of Eastham, qualified to 
 vote for Representatives, to assemble at the South Meet- 
 ing-House in said Town, on Wednesday, the 24th of this 
 instant, May, at two o'clock, P. M., then and there to act 
 as they shall think proper. In compliance with the said 
 recommendation, the people met at the time and place, 
 and chose Captain Isaac Sparrow Moderator. The Town 
 Clerk was desired to take his place, and record the pro- 
 ceedings of said meeting, which he refused. The Town 
 then chose Mr. Thomas Paine to record the proceedings 
 of said meeting. The question being put, whether they 
 would choose a member to represent them in said Con- 
 gress, it passed in the affirmative ; when Mr. Amos 
 Knowles, Junior, was chosen by a majority of two votes, 
 including the votes of twelve persons whom the Committee 
 of Correspondence had agreed to discriminate from those 
 who were friendly to their Country, which thing was at- 
 tempted, but could not be done by reason of there being 
 so great a number of opposers. And whereas the said 
 Amos Knowles, Junior, is chosen as above, who, for ought 
 
 we know, may obtain a seat in Congress, we find ourselves 
 constrained to mention that three of us have heard him 
 accuse the Provincial Congress of acting in said capacity 
 from selfish views. Some other things of the like nature 
 we might mention, but for brevity's sake omit them. 
 
 Isaac Sparrow, 
 Joseph Cole, 
 Committee of Correspondence for the Town. 
 
 Thomas Twining, 
 Gideon Freeman, 
 Committee of the Association. 
 
 Eastham, June 16, 1775. 
 I, Jonathan Linnel, of Eastham, of lawful age, testify 
 that, on the eleventh of April last, at the house of Mr. Josiah 
 Myrick, I heard Amos Knowles, Junior, declare that what 
 the Continental Congress had done was worse than nothing. 
 Further saith not. Jonathan Linnel. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., June 16, 1775: 
 
 Then Jonathan Linnel, after being carefully examined 
 and cautioned to tell the whole truth, made solemn oath 
 to the within deposition, by him subscribed to, taken at the 
 desire of several inhabitants of the Town of Eastham, to 
 be used in their behalf at the Provincial Congress now sit- 
 ting at Watertown ; the adverse party, Mr. Amos Knowles, 
 Junior, being at Watertown aforesaid, not notified nor pie- 
 sent at the taking of this deposition. 
 
 Before me: 
 
 John Greenough, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Samitel Paine, of lawful age, testifieth and saith, on the 
 twenty-fourth day of May last, as he was walking with 
 Amos Knowles, Junior, that said Knoivles said to me, that 
 some measures the Congress had taken were as much tyran- 
 ny as those at home. Samuel Paine. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., June 16, A. D. 1775: 
 
 Then Samuel Paine, after being carefully examined and 
 cautioned to tell the whole truth, made solemn oath to the 
 truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed to, taken 
 at the desire of several of the inhabitants of the Town of 
 Eastham, to be used in their behalf at the Provincial Con- 
 gress now sitting at Watertown; the adverse party, Mr. 
 Amos Knowles, Junior, being at Wutertown aforesaid, not 
 notified nor present at the taking this deposition. 
 
 Before me : 
 
 John Greenough, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Eastham, June 15, 1775. 
 We, Joseph Cole and Isaac Sparroiv, both of Eastham, 
 of lawful age, testify, that in January last, we heard Amos 
 Knowles, Junior, exclaim against the Resolves of the 
 Provincial Congress, because they allowed the Towns to 
 send as many members to Congress as they thought pro- 
 per, because those Towns near the Congress could keep 
 more members at the Congress than those Towns that were 
 remote, and by that means they could carry points in the 
 Congress as they pleased, to serve their own sinister ends ; 
 and further saith not. Joseph Cole, 
 
 Isaac Sparrow. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., June 16, A. D. 1775: 
 
 Then Joseph Cole and Isaac Sparroiv, after being care- 
 fully examined and cautioned to tell the whole truth, made 
 solemn oath to the truth of the within deposition, by them 
 subscribed to, taken at the desire of several inhabitants of 
 the Town of Eastham, to be used in their behalf at the 
 Provincial Congress now sitting at Watertown; the ad- 
 verse party, Mr. Amos Knowles, Junior, being at Water- 
 town aforesaid, not notified nor present at the taking this 
 deposition. Before me : 
 
 John Greenough, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Eastham, June 15, 1775. 
 I, Jonathan Linnel, the 3d, of Eastham, of lawful age, 
 testify, that I have, at divers times, heard Amos Knowles, 
 Junior, of Eastham, exclaim against Congresses, and in 
 particular, some time in April last, did hear him say, if 
 
1055 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1056 
 
 this Province had chosen so many of the worst men in 
 said Province, and they had studied to do mischief, they 
 could not have done more mischief than the Continental 
 Congress had done, and that the Continental Congress 
 assumed more prerogative power than the British Parlia- 
 ment had done. Further saith not. 
 
 Jonathan Linnel, 3d. 
 
 Barnstable, ss., June 16, 1775: 
 
 Then Jonathan Linnet, the 3d, after being carefully ex- 
 amined and cautioned to tell the whole truth, made solemn 
 oath to the truth of the above deposition, by him subscribed 
 to, taken at the desire of several inhabitants of the Town 
 of Eastham, to be used in their behalf at the Provincial 
 Congress now silting at IVaterfown ; the adverse party, 
 Mr. Amos Knowles, Junior, being at IVatertown aforesaid, 
 not notified nor present at the taking this deposition. 
 
 Before me : 
 
 John Greenough, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 Report of a Committee of the Provincial Congress on the 
 Complaint against Amos Knowles. 
 The Committee appointed to consider the petition of 
 Thomas Twining, in behalf of himself and the Association 
 of Eastham, praying that Mr. Amos Knowles, Junior, a 
 member of this Congress, may be expelled his seat, after 
 flue notice given, have heard the parties and the allega- 
 tions. 
 
 It appears to this Committee, by depositions, and by the 
 evidence of persons present, that l\lr. Knowles has, at sun- 
 dry times and at divers places, expressed himself against 
 the Continental and Provincial Congresses, and has been 
 one of the heads of a large party in said Eastham, which 
 party have been esteemed by the other part of the people 
 in that Town, and by people in other Towns in that Coun- 
 ty, unfriendly to the publick measures taken by the people 
 of this Congress for the defence of their just rights and 
 liberties. 
 
 Mr. Knowles, in his defence, says, he has always been 
 friendly to his Country, but has differed in sentiments from 
 the people in his Town cf the other party, who call them- 
 selves Whigs, as to the mode of redress. That there has 
 been an unhappy party spirit prevailing there for some 
 time, appears. 
 
 And Mr. Knowles says, there is prejudice in the minds 
 of his opposers arising from thence, and desires he may 
 have opportunity of clearing his character nearer home, 
 where, he says, he can produce a plenty of evidence in his 
 favour. 
 
 This Committee are therefore of the opinion, that Mr. 
 KnovAes leave his seat in this House, and have opportunity 
 to procure the evidence he desires in his favour. 
 
 And as it appears the Town of Eastham are nearly di- 
 vided into parties, which may tend to the utter subversion 
 of peace and good order there, unless means may be found 
 for a happy settlement among them, this Committee there- 
 fore are further of the opinion, that the most likely method 
 for accomplishing that desired effect is, that all the good 
 people of Eastham, by their agents, chosen by themselves 
 for each party respectively, attend the next meeting of the 
 Committees of Correspondence for the County of Barn- 
 stable, with such evidence as they shall think proper, and 
 endeavour a friendly settlement ; and that it be recom- 
 mended to the said Committee of Correspondence, that 
 they use their best endeavours for the same ; and that the 
 present dispute respecting Mr. Knowlts's right to a seat, 
 in the mean while subside. 
 (Not accepted.) 
 
 REV. SAMUEL WEBSTER TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMIT- 
 TEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Temple, June 21, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: I mentioned to you Mr. Isaac Howe, of 
 New-Ipswich, as a person I imagined suitable to be ap- 
 pointed Quartermaster of Colonel Bead's Regiment. I 
 have since seen Mr. lloivc, and find he is willing to take 
 the place, which 1 was doubtful of when I found that the 
 wages was only three pounds per month. If you have not 
 appointed one before this reaches you, I hope you will 
 
 bear him in mind; he is, I think, a person of very good 
 capacity and property, has been in the Army, and has, as 
 he tells me, the approbation of Colonel Bead. He is of fair 
 character, and much used to publick business. 1 have said 
 enough for me, and I trust you will do right. Pray, gen- 
 tlemen, don't forget or neglect to give directions to the 
 Committee of Supplies to get ready, as soon as possible, 
 five hundred or one thousand bayonets. It is barbarous to 
 let men be obliged to oppose bayonets with only gun-barrels, 
 and perhaps no ammunition. If many are provided, they 
 will suit somewhere ; an armourer will soon fix the sight. 
 Enough may be found to make them, if they are set to 
 work. A man that was in the engagement on Saturday, 
 tells me they suffered egregiously for the want of bayonets, 
 as well as powder and ball. It was a pretty feint in the 
 Regulars to tell of attacking Dorchester, designing another 
 course. I find stories are spread that reflect on the vigi- 
 lance and even fidelity of those that led ; I hope they 
 were not disputing about rank. However this were, we 
 learn that some brave officers and men, as well as some 
 few cowards, have found their rank by death, a universal 
 leveller. I can scarce forbear being very serious and very 
 long; but as you are, or ought to be, 1 am sensible, very 
 busy, 1 have done, with only wishing that you may do al- 
 ways right, and that God will rewaid you, and pity and 
 save our distressed Country. With respect, 
 
 Samuel Webster. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety. 
 
 P. S. The drought is hardly so severe here as at Exeter, 
 but it is not thought there will be half a crop of hay. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Charlestown, S. C, ) 
 Thursday, June 22, 1775. \ 
 
 Besolved, That all Absentees holding estates in this 
 Colony, except the sick, those above sixty, and those un- 
 der twenty-one years of age, ought forthwith to return to 
 this Colony. 
 
 Besolved, That no persons holding estates in this Colo- 
 ny ought to withdraw from its service, without giving good 
 and sufficient reasons for so doing to this Congress, or, 
 during its recess, to the General Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the two foregoing Resolutions be print- 
 ed and made publick. 
 
 Peter Timothy, Secretary. 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE OF HENRICO COUNTY, VIRGINIA. 
 
 Friends and Fellow- Sufferers : 
 
 The threatened force of ministerial vengeance having 
 been at length exerted, the bloody standard erected, and 
 the sword reeking hot with the blood of your brethren in 
 the Massachusetts, threatening you with the same fate, 
 unless you prepare to repel its efforts ; there cannot want 
 any inducement for your making the most vigorous exer- 
 tions for that purpose. And I am sure there needs no argu- 
 ment to picture to you the horrours in which you may be 
 involved, if, by a fatal indifference, you should neglect to 
 provide against the machinations of your enemies, whether 
 external or internal. The justice of the great and com- 
 mon cause of America has been so fully and ably stated, 
 so universally allowed, and so feebly denied, that I cannot 
 suppose any of you ignorant thereof; and in that belief shall 
 not now take up any time in observing upon that head any- 
 other than the natural rights of all mankind, in the free en- 
 joyment of personal security, personal liberty, and private 
 property, together with the free disposal of the last men- 
 tioned right, which are totally subverted by the Assuming 
 power of the British Parliament, are motives sufficient to 
 justify opposition. I have for some time past observed the 
 conduct of a few among you ; and though their conduct has 
 not yet had the evil tendency of influencing that of others, 
 yet as the notoriety thereof may probably have a bad effect 
 unless guarded against in time, this has been one induce- 
 ment lor my addressing you upon that head, strengthened 
 by considering the bad policy of reposing publick confidence 
 in such men. And it is to your indifference upon that head 
 that I would guard you against, being sensible you have 
 hitherto left nothing undone whereby to preserve in com- 
 mon your rights and liberties ; and it is to such men, and 
 
1057 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1058 
 
 such only, whose consciences accuse them of not having 
 taken an active part in endeavouring to preserve and de- 
 fend the liberties of their Country, that I would retort the 
 whole force of my former arguments, happy that they 
 would work the desired effect. The good people of Vir- 
 ginia have ever been zealously attached to the present 
 royal family ; and you, gentlemen, have always borne an 
 active part, in conjunction with the rest of the Counties in 
 this Colony, in avowing and expressing your attachment 
 and allegiance upon every occasion. And notwithstanding 
 the artful suggestions of all internal enemies, sensible 1 am 
 that the good people of this Colony wish not any diminution 
 of the constitutional authority of the Crown, or to break off 
 that connexion with the Mother Country so essential to the 
 interests of both. Why, then, will persons pretending the 
 most zealous attachment and firmest adherence to the just 
 cause of America, and putting on professions foreign from 
 their hearts, stand forth and endeavour to gain the confi- 
 dence of a too much deluded people ? To what purpose, 
 other than that of exerting their weak efforts to destroy 
 that unanimity at present so conspicuous throughout this 
 Colony and America, can such persons put on such ap- 
 pearances? Ask such persons to enter themselves as 
 volunteers in the great cause of American freedom, and 
 they will tell you they have taken the oath of allegiance, 
 and cannot; or rather, I suppose, have taken an implicit 
 oath of passive obedience, and will not. Now let such 
 persons bear in mind the doctrine avowed by that very 
 authority which is now endeavouring to enslave us — I 
 mean the Parliament of Great Britain: "That an endea- 
 vour to subvert the Constitution of the Kingdom, by break- 
 ing the original contract between King and People, and 
 violating the fundamental laws, was sufficient for the Peo- 
 ple to preserve them in despite of any authority whatever." 
 Still more apparent, from a supposition that the Constitu- 
 tion is founded upon liberty, and if they do not depart from 
 their former principles, we may yet have the satisfaction of 
 distinguishing between our friends and enemies. 
 
 Thus, my countrymen, have I, by a sketch of the politi- 
 cal sentiments of this few, endeavoured to set them before 
 you in the clearest point of view ; and I could heartily wish 
 that some able pen had taken up the subject before me, 
 for which I have waited with great expectation for some 
 time past. But as it is of great concern that such persons 
 should receive every mark of discountenance and dises- 
 teem, they will, I hope, be carefully observed in future, 
 and not be suffered to enlarge upon that confidence already 
 entrusted in them, or to deviate from your own avowed 
 principles, laid down for them to act by — I mean your pro- 
 fessed determination of living and dying freemen. 
 
 Being influenced to this address by nothing but an ardent 
 zeal for the prosperity of the common cause, grammatical 
 errours will be unnoticed by you, and nothing regarded but 
 the intention of him who wishes at all times to prove him- 
 self A Friend to Liberty. 
 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, June 22, 1775. 
 Friends and Countrymen: 
 
 The British Ministry, with unrelenting rigour, continue 
 to persecute the brave Americans. Every device that 
 malevolence could suggest, they adopt to divide the Colo- 
 nies, who now groan under the rod of tyranny. You are 
 not strangers to the bill which has lately obtained the Royal 
 assent, for restraining the New-England Fishery, whose 
 chief support depends on that beneficial trade ; nor the ex- 
 emption of the Island of Nantucket, which lies about thirty 
 miles from the Massachusetts ; an island extremely well 
 calculated to refresh the British fishing vessels, and there- 
 by enable them to rob us of all the advantage arising from 
 that useful commerce. That island has never acceded 
 to the grand American Association, so highly necessary at 
 this important hour for baffling the insidious projects of 
 Bute, North, and Mansfield, with their disgraceful advo- 
 cates, who are traitors to the British Constitution, and ini- 
 mical to the rights of mankind. 
 
 The noble champions of freedom, the General Congress, 
 recommend to all the friends of America to exert the 
 greatest vigilance to prevent the people of Nantucket from 
 purchasing provisions or necessaries of any kind, except 
 from their neighbours, the people of the Massachusetts, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. n. ( 
 
 and not more of them than are really sufficient for the in- 
 habitants of the island. Notwithstanding, my countrymen, 
 the General Congress, in September last, resolved we should 
 not have any commercial intercourse with any American 
 who would not approve of that General Association, two 
 vessels from the Island of Nantucket have lately entered 
 within our capes to carry provisions and coal to those foes 
 to American liberty. With propriety, I conceive they 
 merit that appellation, as they never acceded to the re- 
 solves of the Congress. One is a large schooner called 
 the Diana, of one hundred tons, commanded by Captain 
 Forgers, which is gone up the Bay of Chesapeake to load 
 with Indian corn. The other is in James River, and 1 
 think a schooner of fifty tons, named the Little John, 
 Joshua Bunker, master; the captain of which applied to 
 one of our Representatives for a load of coal, who abso- 
 lutely refused to sell him one bushel, nobly resolving to 
 sacrifice his private interest whenever it clashes with the 
 liberties of America. Such is the unanimity in this Colo- 
 ny, that I think my countrymen will convince the Island 
 of Nantucket, and the venal wretches of Ministry, that 
 neither money nor menaces, with every invention their tor- 
 tured imagination may pursue, shall ever induce us to in- 
 fringe the resolves of that august assembly, or deviate from 
 the cause of America. 
 
 I am, with great sincerity, your friend and well-wisher, 
 
 A Virginian. 
 
 SAMUEL ADAMS TO ELBRIDGE GERRY. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 22, 1775. 
 
 Mr dear Sir: Our patriotick General Washington will 
 deliver this letter to you. The Massachusetts Delegates 
 have jointly given to him a list of the names of certain 
 gentlemen in whom he may place the greatest confidence. 
 Among these you are one. Major General Lee and Major 
 Mifflin accompany the General. They are a triumvirate 
 which will please the circle of our friends. Mifflin is Aid- 
 de-Camp to the General. I regret his leaving this City ; 
 but have the satisfaction of believing that he will add great 
 spirit to our Army. Time will not admit of my adding at 
 present more than that I am, your affectionate friend, 
 
 Samuel Adams. 
 
 Elbridge Gerry, Esq., Watertotvn. 
 
 GENERAL CHARLES LEE TO LORD BARRINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 22, 1775. 
 
 To the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Barrington, 
 His Majesty's Secretary at War : 
 
 My Lord : Although I can by no means subscribe to 
 the opinion of divers people in the world, that an officer 
 on half pay is to be considered in the service, yet I think 
 it a point of delicacy to pay a deference to this opinion, 
 erroneous and absurd as it is. 1 therefore apprize your 
 Lordship in the most publick and solemn manner, that I 
 do renounce my half pay from the date hereof. At the 
 same time, I beg leave to assure your Lordship, that when- 
 ever it shall please His Majesty to call me forth to any 
 honourable service against the natural hereditary enemies 
 of our Country, or in defence of his just rights and dignity, 
 no man will obey the righteous summons with more zeal 
 and alacrity than myself; but the present measures seem 
 to me so absolutely subversive of the rights and liberties 
 of every individual subject, so destructive to the whole 
 Empire at large, and ultimately so ruinous to His Majes- 
 ty's own person, dignity, and family, that 1 think myself 
 obliged, in conscience, as a citizen, Englishman, and sol- 
 dier of a free State, to exert my utmost to defeat them. 
 I most devoutly pray to Almighty God to direct His Ma- 
 jesty into measures more consonant to his interest and hon- 
 our, and more conducive to the happiness and glory of his 
 People. 
 
 I am, my Lord, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Charles Lee. 
 
 HORATIO GATES TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Traveller's Rest, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Dear General: Last night I was honoured by the 
 receipt of your obliging letter of 17th instant. I shall obey 
 
1059 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1060 
 
 your commands with all possible expedition, and hope to 
 be in Philadelphia Thursday next, and wish earnestly to 
 find you there. 1 must take the liberty to entreat it of 
 you, not to leave the Congress until you are provided, not 
 only with all the powers, but all the means their power 
 can bestow. If it is indispensably necessary you should 
 leave Philadelphia before I get there, I hope to find with 
 Colonel Harrison your positive and particular commands, 
 in regard to any business you may leave unsettled behind 
 you. The request for the riflemen was well received in this 
 Province, and in Maryland. Major Stevenson commands 
 one of the companies from hence, and I believe Captain 
 Morgan the other, both excellent for the service. Colonel 
 Cresap told me on Monday morning that his son had 
 eighty riflemen ready to march ; those go for one of the 
 companies from Maryland. Immediately upon the arrival 
 of your express, 1 despatched your packets to your brother 
 and Colonel Stephen. If their answers don't come in half 
 an hour, I will bring them with me. 
 
 My grateful thanks are most respectfully due to the Con- 
 gress, for the very handsome manner in which they con- 
 ferred their commission. 
 
 I will not intrude more upon that time which is now so 
 precious to you, only to assure you I will not lose a moment 
 in paying you my personal attendance. 
 
 With the greatest respect for your character, and the 
 sincerest attachment to your person, I am, dear General, 
 your most faithful and obedient humble servant, 
 
 Horatio Gates. 
 
 To the President and Members of the Provincial Congress 
 
 of the Province of New-York: 
 The Memorial of William Elphinston, Conductor of 
 Ordnance Stores, humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your memorialist was taken prisoner at Crown 
 Point, on the 11th of May last, by a detachment of the 
 Provincial Army. After which event, finding that those 
 persons who formerly were very desirous of purchasing 
 his bills, refused to purchase any more, he obtained a pass 
 for coming to New-York. Since his arrival here, he finds 
 that the Continental Congress have published a resolve 
 forbidding any one to negotiate bills for the pay of any 
 officer in the Army or Navy. By this means your memo- 
 rialist is reduced to the want of every thing. The nett 
 amount of your memorialist's pay is one guinea per week. 
 Therefore your memorialist earnestly entreats you will be 
 so good as to take his case into consideration, and to allow 
 him so much subsistence as to your wisdom and goodness 
 shall appear reasonable, until such time as permission is 
 granted for negotiating bills in the usual way. And your 
 memorialist, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &,c. 
 
 William Elphinston, 
 Conductor of Ordnance Stores. 
 
 New-York, June 22, 1775. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, June 22, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : According to a resolve 
 of the Honourable Continental Congress, concerning the 
 appointment of Commissaries, &ic, his Honour, Jonathan 
 Trumbull, Esq., Governour and Commander-in-Chief in 
 and over His Majesty's English Colony of Connecticut, 
 has appointed me to be Commissary for the Northern 
 Army, and commissionated me accordingly, to receive 
 at Albany, and forward the supplies of provisions for the 
 forces at Lake Champlain, from the Provincial Congress of 
 New- York. 
 
 Having arrived at Albany for that purpose, find Mr. 
 lileecker, commissary of the stores, (by yourselves already 
 provided,) absent; and no supplies for said Troops (as I 
 can understand) are in this place, but in Mr. Bleecker's 
 custody ; and his deputy refuses to resign said stores to 
 me, as he has no direction for the same. Therefore, it is 
 not in my power to forward supplies, fee, according to my 
 commission, and the resolve of the Continental Congress. 
 Beg leave to apply to you for advice in the premises, and 
 as the necessity of the case seems to require it, hope for a 
 speedy answer. Mr. Strong, acting commissary hereto- 
 fore, has purchased about thirty head of fat cattle for the 
 use of said Troops, and now draws on me for pay. I have 
 
 applied to the Committee in this place, but find no provi- 
 sion made for that purpose. Pray your Honours to send 
 money for the same, or to direct, as you in your wisdom 
 shall think proper. 
 
 Interim am your Honours' humble servant, 
 
 Elisha Phelps. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Convention for the Prov- 
 ince of New- York. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM WETHERSFIELD, CONNECTI- 
 CUT, TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JUNE 
 
 22, 1775. 
 
 Before this you must know, 1 conclude^ that there has 
 been a battle, in which fell the honourable, the noble Doc- 
 tor Warren. For fear you may not have the particulars, 
 1 will endeavour in part to relate to you how the affair was, 
 according to the best accounts I can gather by letters from 
 the camp. Last Friday afternoon orders were issued for 
 about eighteen hundred of the Provincial Troops, and two 
 hundred of the Connecticut, to parade themselves at six 
 o'clock, with one day's provision, equipped with packs, 
 blankets, &tc. Their orders were given at nine o'clock, 
 and they marched with their teams, trenching tools, Ike, 
 on Bunker's Hill, to heave up an intrenchment, which 
 you are sensible is near the water, ships, &.c. They 
 worked most surprisingly that night, and were discovered 
 at sunrise by a sailor from the mast-head. The British 
 Army commenced a heavy fire from Copp's Hill, near 
 Cutler's Church, in Boston, and from all the ships which 
 could be brought to play, which continued till near night. 
 
 About one o'clock, A. M., the Americans at Cambridge 
 heard that the Regulars were landing from their floating 
 batteries. The alarm was sounded, and they were ordered 
 down to the breastwork at Charlestown; and Captain 
 Chester writes me, that before it was possible for him to 
 get there, the battle had begun in earnest, and cannon and 
 musket balls were plenty about their ears. Chester and my 
 brother were both in the engagement. They re-enforced 
 our men that had left the breastwork in fine order, though 
 they passed through the cannonading of the ships, bombs, 
 chain-shot, ring-shot, he; but then their superiour number 
 of artillery and men, (for they were three to two,) forced 
 our men to retreat, after a warm engagement of an hour 
 and a half. Thank Heaven, but few of our men fell, con- 
 sidering the advantages they had over us, our men being 
 much fatigued with working at the intrenchments, and I 
 believe not in the best preparation to meet an enemy. 
 The British Troops, to their eternal disgrace, shame, and 
 barbarity, set Charlestown on fire with torches. 
 
 My brother says we were obliged to retreat to Prospect 
 Hill, (alias Winter Hill,) where we made a stand, and de- 
 clared we would all die before we would retreat any farther; 
 but the British Troops did not think fit to come out from 
 under the protection of their shipping. The loss of Ame- 
 ricans is supposed to be, of wounded, missing, and slain, 
 about one hundred and twenty. A large, genteel, well- 
 dressed gentleman, who first mounted our breastwork, was 
 overset by one of our impudent Americans, who took so 
 good aim as to prevent his ever mounting another, as he 
 tumbled him into the intrenchment just as he cried, " the 
 day is our own." 
 
 We greatly rejoice to hear of the coming of the good, 
 the brave, and great General Washington, and shall receive 
 him with open arms. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN AT STOCK- 
 BRIDGE TO A GENTLEMAN OF THE CONTINENTAL CON- 
 GRESS, DATED JUNE 22, 1775. 
 
 A firm foundation now turns up to view for the influence 
 of the Stockbridgc Indians amongst the Six Nations ; and 
 matters stand well with the Canadian Indians. If I had 
 time I would relate to you every particular of what befel 
 the messengers of our Indians to the Six Nations and the 
 Canadian Indians. To be short, they were taken and bound 
 hy the Regulars, and carried into Montreal, where, by a 
 Court-Martial, they were condemned to be hanged for a 
 slight suspicion that they were sent to engage the Indians 
 to fall upon the Regulars. This event turned much to our 
 advantage, and has fully fixed the minds of the Indians there 
 
1061 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1062 
 
 against the Regulars. High threatening words passed be- 
 tween the General and the Indian Sachems, who were 
 raised far and near on the occasion, and a wonderful spirit 
 of benevolence appeared towards the young men that were 
 taken by the Indians there. They told them in the strong- 
 est terms, that they would take their place, and would 
 die for them. The whole story is very affecting. The 
 Indian Sachems told the General : You have offered us 
 money to fight for you, but we would not take it, as we 
 would have nothing to do with your quarrel ; but now we 
 shall know who are our enemies. If you think it best for 
 you to hang these our brothers, that came a great way to 
 see us, do it ; but remember, we shall not forget it. Upon 
 these threaten ings they thought it best to let the prisoners 
 go, who got away with some difficulty. The Canadian 
 Indians farther told our Indians, that if they did fight at 
 all, they would fight against the Regulars, for they did not 
 like them. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF CORRES- 
 PONDENCE AT PLYMOUTH, TO THE COMMITTEE OF PRO- 
 VIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND, DATED JUNE 22, 1775. 
 
 We have a letter come to Town from Saco, giving an 
 account of two vessels with provisions from Gage, under 
 the protection of a tender, having arrived at that place in 
 order to exchange said provision for lumber. The Commit- 
 tee of that Town considered of the propriety of suffering 
 them to trade, and from necessity were obliged to admit 
 them ; after this they discovered great partiality in regard 
 to the persons with whom they contracted, which at once 
 created such uneasiness as to determine the people to seize 
 the two vessels, and fire the cutter, which, however, they 
 failed in. She hove up her anchors, proceeded down the 
 river some distance from the Town, where she again an- 
 chored ; but was soon so w r armly attacked from the shore 
 as to be obliged to slip her cables and push down ; in her 
 way she boarded a small coasting sloop, Captain Tobey, 
 from Sa7idwich, and obliged him to undertake the pilotage 
 of the vessel out of the river; but before getting out they 
 boarded a schooner, Captain Avery, from Norwich, and 
 took him also on board. In the mean time the people of 
 Saco fitted out two armed vessels, which pursued the ene- 
 my, and soon after getting clear of the land they discovered 
 and made for each other. The tender did not suppose them 
 to be armed till they approached each other, when the mas- 
 ter threatened to discharge a brace of balls through Cap- 
 tain Tobey unless he would swear to take up his gun in 
 defence of the vessel ; who replied, that as he engaged 
 only as a pilot, he should refuse. The master then excused 
 him, and threatened Avery in like manner, and he was 
 obliged to comply. The first volley from our armed ves- 
 sel killed poor Avery and the infernal Captain, which put 
 the people into such consternation that they descended 
 into the hold, cabin, &c, and were boarded and carried 
 into Saco. The number of men taken on board the tender 
 is not mentioned ; she had four three pounders, twelve 
 swivels, forty or fifty muskets, as many cutlasses, and a 
 number of pistols. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, June 22, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: I received your favour of the twentieth 
 instant, suggesting to my serious consideration whether it 
 is not proper and expedient to order a regiment or more 
 from the camp at Roxbury. I have this day, in company 
 with General Putnam, been over to Roxbury, and con- 
 sulted with Generals Thomas, Spencer, and Heath, who 
 are fully in opinion that they have no forces to spare, not- 
 withstanding we are re-enforced to-day by the arrival of 
 Colonel Glover's Regiment from Marblehead. But if the 
 honourable Congress still judge that it is best one regiment 
 or more should be ordered to this camp, it will be cheer- 
 fully complied with. It is thought best, if any regiment 
 be removed, it should be Colonel P arsons' s, of the Con- 
 necticut forces. 
 
 1 am, gentlemen, with respect, your most humble ser- 
 vant, Artemas Ward. 
 To the Honourable James Warren, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, sitting at Watertown. 
 
 B. GREENLEAF TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Newburyport, June 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We understand that you have desired our 
 Selectmen to send the Town stock of powder to Cambridge, 
 saving only one pound for each man. You, perhaps, are 
 not aware that we have lately delivered four half barrels 
 to the order of Congress, and six more to that of the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies, part of which we were encouraged to 
 hope should soon have been replaced. We have likewise 
 furnished our men, who have joined the Army and three 
 large parties who were volunterrs on the several alarms 
 that have been made, with cartridges sufficient for their 
 purpose, a considerable part whereof were never returned. 
 By these means our stock is so much reduced as to occa- 
 sion us great uneasiness, inasmuch as it must prevent our 
 executing some plans we had meditated for the publick 
 good ; besides, many of our inhabitants are apprehensive of 
 danger from cutters and other armed vessels, the Admiral 
 having, as it is said, given out some threats. We have been 
 at considerable expense in preparing some light cannon for 
 action, and we are now about erecting a small battery or 
 breastwork, with three or four heavier cannon, which can 
 be procured, to defend ourselves against any attacks by 
 water. But all that we have yet done, and are about to 
 do, will be to no purpose, unless we can have a few barrels 
 of powder ready at hand. We are therefore very loath to 
 part with the little we have, unless the publick cause ren- 
 ders it absolutely necessary, in which case we shall readily 
 give up the last ounce, the destruction of this Town being 
 a trivial matter in our estimation, compared with a final de- 
 feat of the Army. However, as it can at any time be con- 
 veyed to Cambridge in eight or nine hours from the time 
 of our having notice, we hope it may be agreeable to let it 
 remain here for the present, that so we may have the privi- 
 lege of using it in our own defence if there should be occa- 
 sion before it is wanted in the Army. I am, gentlemen, 
 your most obedient servant. 
 
 By order of the Committee of this Town : 
 
 B. Greenleaf. 
 
 STEPHEN HOOPER TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Newburyport, June 22, 1775. 
 
 Sir : In a letter I received yesterday from a Committee 
 in the Town of Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire, I am ac- 
 quainted with their having received fifty barrels of flour 
 from Baltimore for the use of your suffering brethren in 
 Boston, with directions to deliver the same to my order, 
 and that the flour now waits my pleasure. They also ac- 
 quaint me of their inclination to purchase it for the use of 
 their own Troops. I should therefore be glad to receive 
 the opinion of the Congress, relative to its disposal, as soon 
 as may be, as the aforementioned Committee wait my 
 answer. I am, &c. Stephen Hooper. 
 
 To the President of the Congress. 
 
 Cambridge, Juno 22, 1775. 
 Last Friday night a detachment from our Army began 
 an inlrenchment on an eminence below Bunker Hill, about 
 a mile to the northward of the centre of the Town of 
 Charlestown. The enemy appeared to be much alarmed 
 on Saturday morning, when they discovered our opera- 
 tions, and immediately began a heavy cannonading from a 
 battery on Copp's Hill, Boston, and from the ships in the 
 harbour. Our people, with little loss, continued to carry 
 on the works till one o'clock, P. M., on Saturday, when 
 they discovered a large body of the enemy crossing Charles 
 River from Boston. They landed on a point of land about 
 a mile eastward of our intrenchment, and immediately dis- 
 posed their Army for an attack ; previous to which they 
 set fire to the Town of Charlestown. It is supposed the 
 enemy intended to attack us under cover of the smoke 
 from the burning houses, the wind favouring them in such 
 a design ; while, on the other side, their Army was extended 
 northward towards Mistick River, with an apparent design 
 of surrounding our men within the works, and of cutting 
 off any assistance intended for their relief. They were, 
 however, in some measure, counteracted in this design, and 
 drew their Army into close order. As the enemy approach- 
 ed, our men were not only exposed to the attack of a very 
 
1063 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1061 
 
 numerous musketry, but to the heavy fire of the battery on 
 Copp's Hill, four or five men-of-war, several armed boats 
 or floating batteries in Miatick River, and a number of 
 field-pieces; notwithstanding which, our Troops within the 
 intrenchment, and at a breastwork without, sustained the 
 enemy's attacks with real bravery and resolution, killed and 
 wounded great numbers, and repulsed them several times ; 
 and after bearing for about two hours as severe and heavy 
 a fire as perhaps ever was known, and many having fired 
 away all their ammunition, they were overpowered by num- 
 bers and obliged to leave the intrenchment, retreating about 
 sunset to a small distance over Charlestown Neck. Our loss, 
 from the best information we can obtain, does not exceed 
 fifty killed, and about twenty or thirty taken prisoners. 
 
 The Town of Charlestown, supposed to contain about 
 three hundred dwelling-houses, a great number of which 
 were large and elegant, besides one hundred and fifty or 
 two hundred other buildings, are almost all laid in ashes. 
 
 The enemy yet remain in possession of Charlestown, and 
 have erected works for their defence on Bunker Hill. It 
 is said they have brought over some of their Light-horse 
 from Boston. 
 
 Our Troops continue in high spirits. They are fortify- 
 ing a very high hill about a mile and a half from this Town, 
 and within cannon-shot of the enemy on Bunker Hill. 
 
 GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Medford, June 22, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: I arrived here Tuesday morning, and im- 
 mediately waited on the Captain-General, who chose to 
 fix the New-Hampshire Troops in this quarter and Winter 
 Hill ; yesterday was taken up in providing barracks for the 
 companies just come in. 
 
 I am informed our Troops behaved gallantly in the late 
 engagement. The Continent has sustained a heavy loss in 
 Doctor Joseph Warren, who is missing, and it is said was 
 killed in the trench beyond Bunker Hill. Major McClary 
 was killed by an accidental shot from one of the ships some 
 time after our people had made their retreat. The whole 
 loss sustained by the Provincials is about seventy-five killed 
 and taken, and about one hundred and twenty-five wound- 
 ed — about twenty-five of them mortally. 
 
 I enclose you an account of the loss sustained by Colonel 
 Read's Regiment, and request that the sufferers may be 
 immediately supplied with their necessary clothing, &,c. 
 Colonel Stark was requested to make a like return of his 
 Regiment, but he has not yet done it ; he tells me he had 
 Gfteen men killed, and forty-five wounded. I shall send as 
 many of Colonel Poor's Regiment on duty to Winter Hill 
 this morning, as intrenching tools can be found for ; there is 
 a great scarcity of those things here. It is highly necessary 
 our Troops should have their tents as soon as possible ; they 
 have no shelter from the rain on Winter Hill. What tents 
 are finished, if but few, should be sent forward as soon as 
 possible, with as many spades, shovels, and pick-axes, as 
 can be got in readiness, and some bullets and flints. I can 
 get no regular account of the loss the King's Troops sus- 
 tained. One Mr. Bradford writes to Colonel Lincoln from 
 Hingham, the nineteenth instant; he says: " Yesterday I 
 came out of Boston at two o'clock, A. M. I heard the offi- 
 cers and soldiers say that they were sure they had a thou- 
 sand or more killed and wounded ; that they were carrying 
 the wounded men from four o'clock, Saturday, till I came 
 away. General Howe commanded the Troops. They buried 
 their dead at Charlestown. Among their dead was Major 
 Pitcairn ; a great many other officers are dead. There were 
 five thousand soldiers went from Boston; the soldiers and 
 officers exult very much upon taking our lines. 
 
 A messenger I sent to Head-Quarters for intrenching 
 tools is just returned, and informs me he cannot get one; 
 therefore must further urge the necessity of forwarding them 
 immediately. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Nathaniel Folsom. 
 To the Committee of Safety at Exeter. 
 
 P. S. According to your directions I inquired at Head- 
 Quarters the rank of the General Officers, and inform you 
 that Mr. Ward is Captain-General, Mr. Thomas Lieut. 
 General, and the other Generals are Major-Generals. 
 
 CHARLES CITI COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 June 23, 1775. 
 
 To the Gentlemen of the Committee and Freeholders of 
 Buckingham County, Virginia: 
 
 Gentlemen : Being fully sensible of the obligation we 
 are under to you, by your generosity and humanity in offer- 
 ing us an asylum in the bosom of your friendship, at a time 
 when all the evils of a civil war are precipitately approach- 
 ing; and knowing we must be involved by our situation in 
 much greater difficulties than you ; how can we longer 
 restrain the spring of gratitude within the compass of out- 
 own breasts ? 
 
 We observe, gentlemen, in our papers, an address from 
 you to the people in the lower part of the Country, in- 
 viting them to make use of your plantations for the safety 
 and refuge of their wives and little ones, with all things 
 they think fit to carry with them for their support. Such 
 an instance of tender and brotherly feeling must convey an 
 idea of the noblest disposition and unequalled affection in 
 you ; and such an example who would not, in every situa- 
 tion of life, anxiously endeavour to follow. 
 
 Permit us, then, gentlemen, in the fulness of our grati- 
 tude, to inform you how much we are obliged to you; and 
 that if the unhappy differences between us and our Parent 
 State should so increase as to compel us to the necessity of 
 accepting your offer, we shall, with the risk of our live?, 
 endeavour to secure your region from the tyranny now threat- 
 ened. So shall yours and ours enjoy the same blessing — 
 one safety — till our gracious Sovereign is again pleased to 
 communicate to all his people the generous language of 
 unity and peace. 
 
 That you may long enjoy every blessing this little life 
 can give, and that the impending dangers Almighty God 
 may yet vouchsafe to avert, is the ardent and daily prayer 
 of, gentlemen, your much obliged and most affectionate 
 country men. 
 
 By order of the Committee of Charles City County. 
 
 Win. G. Munford, 
 Samuel Harwood, 
 John Tyler. 
 
 albany committee to massachusetts congress. 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Brethren: We have received a vague and uncertain 
 account from your Colony, of an engagement which your 
 Troops have had with the enemies of our Country at or near 
 Charlestown. As we feel ourselves deeply interested in 
 every event affecting the general weal of America, it gives 
 us great pleasure that (though with the loss of many brave 
 men) you have been able, if our information be true, to 
 drive, with considerable loss, the tools of tyranny and op- 
 pression back to their asylum. Strongly impressed with 
 the warmest disposition to cultivate harmony with you, and, 
 if necessary, to afford you all the assistance in our power, 
 we have therefore sent you this by Mr. Price, in order to 
 receive from you a circumstantial detail of the late engage- 
 ment and its consequences. 
 
 May that God who has so often signally espoused our 
 cause in the arduous struggle for liberty and humanity, still 
 continue to you his gracious guidance and protection. 
 
 W e expect daily an attack upon Ticonderoga from Ca- 
 nada. 
 
 We are at a loss to know what must be done with the 
 donations collected in this City for the poor of Boston; and 
 beg to be informed by you, as the chief of the contributions 
 are in grain, whether we shall dispose of it here, and con- 
 vert it into cash, or otherwise wait your directions. 
 We are, brethren, your very humble servants. 
 By order of the Committee : Samuel Stringer, 
 
 Chairman pro tempore. 
 To the Provincial Congress of the Colony of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay if sitting, or otherwise to the Committee of 
 War at Cambridge or elsewhere. 
 
 Now. York, June 23, 1775. 
 Mr. Holt : The County of Cumberland, in this Prov- 
 ince, having been represented as inimical to the proceed- 
 ings of the late Continental Congress at Philadelphia, 
 and to the several Provincial Congresses since held in the 
 
1065 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1066 
 
 respective British Colonies in America, in defence of their 
 just rights and freedom ; you are desired to publish in the 
 New- York Journal the following Proceedings and Resolu- 
 tions of a General Committee, consisting of the Commit- 
 tees of a number of Towns, by which the whole County 
 was well represented at a meeting in October last. The 
 long delay of the publication was occasioned by some un- 
 fair practices of a small but mischievous party, together 
 with the remote situation of the County from the City of 
 New- York. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees from a number of 
 Townships in the County of Cumberland, and Province 
 of New- York, held at the County-Hall, at Westminster, 
 on the 19th and 20th of October, 1774, to consider a Let- 
 ter very lately received from Mr. Isaac Low, Chairman of 
 the Committee of Correspondence of New-York, dated 
 May 21st, 1774, to consult on measures proper to be taken 
 at this important day: present, eighteen Delegates from 
 twelve Towns. 
 
 Colonel John Hazeltine chosen Chairman. 
 
 After having read Mr. Chairman Low's Letter, and the 
 Act of the British Parliament in laying a duty or tax on 
 Tea, for the purpose of raising a revenue in America, the 
 Boston Port Bill, so called, and divers other late Acts of 
 the British Parliament; sundry debates being had thereon, 
 
 Voted, That John Grout, Esquire, Mr. Joshua Webb, 
 Doctor Paul Spooner, Mr. Edward, Harris, and Major 
 William Williams, be a Committee to take into considera- 
 tion the aforesaid Letter, and divers aforesaid Acts, and 
 report to this meeting. Who reported as follows: 
 
 This County being in its infant state, contending with 
 the hardships of subduing the wilderness, and converting it 
 into fruitful fields, being situated here in a corner, at a 
 considerable remove from the populous, civilized parts of 
 the Country, conceive they, by their own experience, in a 
 small degree feel the sufferings of their ancestors. 
 
 The first planters in America endured hunger, cold, 
 and other distresses, until they, by their arduous industry, 
 found suitable relief from their bountiful fields and their 
 own expenses ; and as the people of this County were 
 chiefly born in some one or other of the New-England 
 Provinces, and conceive them to be at least as loyal to the 
 King as any subjects he can boast of, are surptised to find, 
 by the late Acts of Parliament, that all Americans are de- 
 prived of that great right of calling that their own, which 
 they by their industry have honestly acquired ; are sur- 
 prised to find a power arise in Britain, which, with impu- 
 nity say, they have a right to bind the Colonies in all cases 
 whatsoever, and attempt to exercise that authority, by 
 taking, at their pleasure, the properties of the King's Ame- 
 rican subjects without their consent ; especially since some 
 of the former Kings of Great Britain by charter granted 
 to their subjects in New-England, their heirs, and assigns, 
 and all others who should settle within certain bounda- 
 ries, divided into Colonies, all the liberties and privileges 
 of natural free-born subjects of England; yet, notwith- 
 standing this, that such a power should arise under the 
 mere inspection of the King, unrebuked, to claim all 
 American property, and actually to take as much as they 
 please, in direct breach of the solemn compact between a 
 former King, on his part, and his successors, made with 
 the first planters of these Colonies, and others that after 
 should be born among them, or join them, or be born on 
 the seas when going thither; and we do not conceive those 
 whose rights are as aforesaid solemnly declared, are more 
 sacred in respect of the security of their property, than 
 the right of this and other Colonies whose rights are only 
 natural as British subjects ; for he who has nothing but 
 what another has power at pleasure lawfully to take away 
 from him, has nothing that he can call his own, and is, in 
 the fullest sense of the word, a slave — a slave to him who 
 has such power ; and as no part of British America stipu- 
 lated to settle as slaves, the privileges of British subjects 
 are their privileges, and whoever endeavours to deprive 
 them of their privileges is guilty of treason against the 
 Americans, as well as the British Constitution. There- 
 fore Resolved, 
 
 i. That as true and loyal subjects of our gracious Sover- 
 eign, King George the Third of Great Britain, &c, we 
 will spend our lives and fortunes in his service. 
 
 ii. That as we will defend our King while he reigns 
 over us, his subjects, and wish his reign may be long and 
 glorious, so we will defend our just rights, as British sub- 
 jects, against every power that shall attempt to deprive us 
 of them, while breath is in our nostrils, and blood in our 
 veins. 
 
 in. That considering the late Acts of the British Par- 
 liament for blocking up the Port of Boston, &ic, which we 
 view as arbitrary and unjust, inasmuch as the Parliament 
 have sentenced them unheard, and dispensed with all the 
 modes of law and justice which we think necessary to dis- 
 tinguish between lawfully obtaining right for property in- 
 jured, and arbitrarily enforcing to comply with their will, 
 (be it right or wrong.) we resolve to assist the people 
 of Boston in defence of their liberties to the utmost of our 
 abilities. 
 
 iv. Sensible that the strength of our opposition to the 
 late Acts consists in a uniform, manly, steady, and deter- 
 mined mode of procedure, we will bear testimony against 
 and discourage all riotous, tumultuous, and unnecessary 
 mobs which tend to injure the persons or properties of 
 harmless individuals ; but endeavour to treat those persons 
 whose abominable principles and actions show them to be 
 enemies to American liberty, as loathsome animals not (it 
 to be touched or to have any society or connection with. 
 
 v. Resolved, That we choose a Committee to corres- 
 pond with the other Committees of Correspondence of 
 this Province and elsewhere, and that Mr. Josfiva Webb, 
 John Grout, Esquire, Deacon John Sessions, Major Wil- 
 liam Williams, and Captain Jacob Hoisington, be a Com- 
 mittee as aforesaid. 
 
 vi. Resolved, That the thanks of this Committee be 
 given to the Committee of Correspondence in the capital 
 of this Province, for the notice they have taken of this 
 infant County. 
 
 vii. Resolved, That Mr. Chairman forward these Re- 
 solves to Mr. Low, Chairman of the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence at New-York, and communicate to him by 
 Letter the reasons why his Letter to the Supervisors of this 
 County was answered no sooner. 
 
 vni. Resolved, That Colonel Hazeltine, the Chair- 
 man, have the thanks of this Committee for his good ser- 
 vices as Chairman. 
 
 The above Report being divers times read, paragraph 
 by paragraph, 
 
 Voted, nemine contradicenic, That the same be accept- 
 ed as the sense of this meeting, and as their Resolves. 
 By order of the Convention : 
 
 John Hazeltine, Chairman. 
 
 COLONEL ARNOLD TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, June 23, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : The Congress of the 
 Colony of the Massachustt/s-Bay, on the fourteenth day 
 of June last, appointed Walter Spooner, Frederick Foster, 
 and James Sullivan, a. Committee to repair to the fortresses 
 of Ticonderoga and Croivn Point, on the Lake Champlain, 
 to inquire into the importance of holding those posts, and 
 also the method by which they may be maintained ; to estab- 
 lish there in the pay of said Colony, so many men to de- 
 fend the same posts as they should judge necessary, not 
 exceeding four hundred : And the said Committee were 
 also by said Congress directed, when they should have 
 made themselves fully acquainted with the situation and im- 
 portance of said posts, respectfully to signify their thoughts 
 thereon to your Honours. 
 
 Wherefore, by order of said Committee, I take leave to 
 inform you, that it is the opinion of said Committee, such 
 is the importance of these fortresses, that should they once 
 be in the hands of the enemies to America, the Colony 
 of New- York, together with the Neiv-England Colonies, 
 would be in continual danger of having depredations com- 
 mitted on them by the regular forces who would be pos- 
 sessed of those garrisons ; and should the Canadians and 
 savages, who, we hope, are not yet at enmity with us, be 
 inclined to take part with the Ministerial Army, the distress 
 of the Colonies before mentioned must be extremely great. 
 A garrison at the south end of Lake George, however 
 tenable, could be of but little service to the New-England 
 Colonies, because the most easy route for an army from 
 
1067 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1068 
 
 Quebeck into New-England would be through Lake Cham- 
 pain to South-Bay, from whence they might travel by land 
 through the new settlements of New- York into the New- 
 England Governments, and destroy the frontier towns on 
 their march, drive the farmers from their fields, prevent the 
 large supplies of wheat and other necessaries which may 
 soon be expected from these new settlements, send distress 
 and famine into the bowels of the country, and this all with- 
 out being on a right line within many miles of the south 
 end of Lake George. 
 
 I am also ordered by said Committee to signify to your 
 Honours, that it is the opinion of said Committee that the 
 defence of these fortresses must be supported by holding 
 the command of Lake Champlain, which they conceive 
 may be more easily done by having vessels of various con- 
 structions, well manned and armed, floating there ; for which 
 purpose the Committee have stationed four hundred men 
 there, which are all that the embarrassed circumstances of 
 our Colony can at present admit of, to co-operate with near 
 a thousand under the command of Colonel Hinman, who is 
 sent to those posts by the Government of Connecticut ; but 
 whether the forces now on the lake are sufficient for the 
 purposes aforementioned, your Honours' will judge. 
 
 B. Arnold. 
 
 To the Honourable the President and the Members of the 
 American Congress now sitting at Philadelphia. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 23, 1775. 
 Sir : I am to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 
 seventeenth June, enclosing the Resolve in Congress of the 
 sixteenth ; the recommendation of a fast : and Col. Dyer's 
 letter of the sixteenth. This express passing in haste can 
 only inform thereof, and mention that my letter of the 
 twentieth, which hope you will receive before this, will 
 inform of what is already done. Have enclosed the ad- 
 dress of the people of Great Britain to the inhabitants of 
 America, not knowing whether you have received it from 
 any other way. This express brings you intelligence from 
 camp near Boston. I sincerely condole the loss of the 
 worthy Doctor Warren, the unhappy burning of Charles- 
 town, &c. God grant wisdom, unanimity, and success, to 
 our American Councils and cause. Without time to en- 
 large or to write to our Delegates, to whom pray my com- 
 pliments, I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your most 
 obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull. 
 Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER ON BOARD ONE 
 OF THE KING'S SHIPS AT BOSTON, TO HIS FRIEND IN 
 LONDON, DATED JUNE 23, 1775. 
 
 On the evening of the sixteenth we were informed that 
 the Provincials were erecting a battery on the heights near 
 Charlestown, and that they intended from thence to bom- 
 bard the Town of Boston. Early on the seventeenth, we 
 were alarmed with an account that they had been at work 
 upon it all night, and had nearly completed it. We were 
 immediately ordered to land some battalions, and in the 
 mean time our great guns were fired against those who ap- 
 peared to be busily employed at the battery. Whether 
 our shot did not reach far enough to create any confusion 
 among them, or it was owing to their resolution, I cannot 
 say; but certain it is, that the moment they discovered the 
 landing of our Troops, they formed in order of battle, and 
 so far from retreating, as we expected, they marched to- 
 wards us with the utmost coolness and regularity. Nothing 
 can exceed the panick and apparent dislike of most of the 
 King's Troops to enter into this engagement; even at the 
 landing, several attempted to run away, and five actually 
 took to their heels in order to join the Americans, but were 
 presently brought back, and two of them were immediately 
 hung up in tcrrorem to the rest. They, for the most part, 
 openly express a dislike to the service in which they are 
 engaged, and nothing but the fear of military punishment 
 prevents their daily deserting. The Generals, perceiving 
 the strength and order of the Provincials, ordered a re- 
 enforcement to join the Troops already landed, but before 
 
 they came up, the cannonading on both sides began. The 
 Provincials poured down like a torrent, and fought like men 
 who had no care for their persons; they disputed every 
 inch of ground, and their numbers were far superiour to 
 ours. The King's Troops gave way several times, and it 
 required the utmost efforts of the Generals to rally them. 
 At the beginning of the engagement many of them abso- 
 lutely turned their backs, not expecting so hot a fire from 
 the Americans ; the latter feigned a retreat, in order, as we 
 suppose, to draw our Troops after them, and by that means 
 to cut them in pieces; and we are informed that General 
 Ward had a reserve of four thousand men for that purpose. 
 The King's Troops, concluding that the Americans quitted 
 the field through fear, pursued them under that apprehen- 
 sion, but did not proceed far enough to be convinced, by 
 that fatal experience which was, as we hear, designed for 
 them, of their mistake. The engagement lasted upwards 
 of four hours, and ended infinitely to our disadvantage. 
 The flower of our Army are killed or wounded. During 
 the engagement Charlestown was set on fire by the King's 
 Troops, in order to stop the progress of the Provincials, 
 who, after their sham retreat, returned to attack them ; but 
 I think it was a wanton act of the King's Troops, who 
 certainly, after they had joined the main body of our Army, 
 had no occasion to take that method of retarding the return 
 of the Americans, who, upon perceiving that General Ward 
 stood still with his reserve, laid aside their intentions. 
 
 Our Troops are sickly, and a great number are afflicted 
 with the scurvy, occasioned by the want of fresh provisions. 
 I heartily wish myself with you and the rest of my friends ; 
 and the first opportunity that offers I will sell out and re- 
 turn, for at the best only disgrace can arise in the service 
 of such a cause as that in which we are engaged. The 
 Americans are not those poltrons 1 myself was once taught 
 to believe them to be; they are men of liberal and noble 
 sentiments ; their very characteristick is the love of liberty ; 
 and though I am an officer under the King of Great Bri- 
 tain, I tacitly admire their resolution and perseverance, 
 against the present oppressive measures of the British Gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 To the Honourable President and Members of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, now sitting at Watertown : 
 The Petition of the Selectmen, Officers of the Militia, 
 
 and Committee of Correspondence of Manchester, 
 
 humbly sheweth : 
 
 That whereas, this Town labours under peculiar difficulty, 
 by reason of its being so situated as greatly exposes us to 
 the inroads of our merciless enemies, and we are thereby 
 reduced to the disagreeable necessity of keeping a constant 
 guard in several parts of the Town, for the defence of life 
 and property ; and having received information from Head- 
 Quarters in Cambridge, in which the necessity of keeping 
 a very strict guard is urged, in consequence whereof our 
 guards are doubled, that the malevolent intentions of those 
 who are indefatigable in their endeavours to distress us 
 may, if possible, be defeated, together with our numbers 
 being considerably lessened, as there is nigh one full com- 
 pany gone from hence into the service of our Country, has 
 increased our duty and made it more fatiguing; which, of 
 necessity, calls off men of every description, among others 
 farmers, whereby our agriculture is greatly impeded, and 
 which is now our principal dependance, as many of the 
 inhabitants are seamen, and the business on which they 
 entirely depend for the support of themselves and families, 
 being cut off; and the failure of the fishery, the chief 
 branch of business on which this Town depended, has 
 deprived us of the usual income by which we have been 
 in part enabled to pay our proportion of publick charges, 
 which are daily increasing, as also the charges of the Town, 
 that so affects us as to reduce us to great straits and diffi- 
 culties; and for this Town, under its present circumstances, 
 to put into pay a sufficient number of men to guard and 
 defend it against the invasions of our enemies, would be a 
 burden greater than we are able to bear: 
 
 We, your petitioners, therefore pray, that you would 
 take into your serious consideration the difficulties under 
 which we now labour, and grant us the privilege of raising 
 a company of men, or part of one, and the liberty of 
 choosing officers therefor, and quartered in the Town, for 
 
1069 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1070 
 
 its defence and security ; which company to be on the 
 Provincial Establishment, and to appertain to that Regi- 
 ment which may be posted nearest to us. 
 
 And thus having represented our case to this honoura- 
 ble Congress, we have a prevailing confidence that our re- 
 quest will meet with a favourable reception, and we receive 
 the end of our petition. The grant of which, your peti- 
 tioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 John Tewxbury, 
 
 Andrew Woodbury, 
 
 Eleazar Coupt, 
 
 John Lee, 
 
 Andrew Marsters, 
 
 Samuel Foster, 
 
 Eleazer Craft, 
 
 Jonathan Brown, 
 
 John Tewxbury, 
 
 Andrew Marsters, 
 
 Andrew Woodbury, 
 
 Joseph Whipple. 
 
 Manchester June 23, 1775. 
 
 ■ Selectmen. 
 
 Officers of 
 Militia. 
 
 Comm. of 
 Correspond- 
 ence. 
 
 Massachusetts congress to general ward. 
 
 In Congress, Watertown, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Sir: As it appears to this Congress highly probable that 
 the Army of our enemies will speedily make the utmost 
 efforts to force our lines and penetrate into the country, 
 they have judged it absolutely necessary for the strength- 
 ening of the Army before Boston, that the eight Compa- 
 nies now posted in the County of Plymouth, belonging 
 partly to General Thomas's Regiment, and partly to Colo- 
 nel Cotton's Regiment, should immediately join the said 
 Army. You are therefore directed, without delay, to give 
 the orders necessarry for the marching the said eight Com- 
 panies to the said Army, as soon as may be. 
 
 To General Ward. 
 
 GENERAL FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF 
 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Mcdford, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In my letter to you yesterday I acquaint- 
 ed you that on my arrival here, I immediately waited on 
 the Captain-General. He then ordered me to make re- 
 turn to him of the two Regiments, viz : Colonel Stark's 
 and Colonel Read's, of their situation and circumstances. 
 On my return here, I sent orders to the two Colonels to 
 make return of their respective Regiments to me ; Colonel 
 Read immediately obeyed the order, but Colonel Stark 
 repeatedly, and at last absolutely refused to comply. I 
 am well informed by Mr. Stark's best friends, that he does 
 not intend to be under any subordination to any person 
 appointed by the Congress of New-Hampshire to the gen- 
 eral command of the New-Hampshire Troops. I have 
 tried all conciliatory methods, both by personal conversa- 
 tion and the mediation of friends, but without effect ; in 
 consequence whereof, I this afternoon again waited on the 
 Captain-General at Head-Quarters, to take his orders on 
 the matter. He requested me to advise with the Com- 
 mittee of Safety of New-Hampshire on the business. As 
 Colonel Stark has received no commission as yet from 
 you, he thinks he does not properly come under his cogni- 
 zance. 
 
 Gentlemen, it is, I trust, unnecessary to hint to you, 
 that, without a proper subordination, it will be absolutely 
 impossible for me to execute the trust you have reposed in 
 me. In my last conversation with Stark, he told me he 
 could take his pack and return home, (and meant, I sup- 
 pose, to lead his men with him.) I represented to him 
 the dishonourable part he would thereby act towards both 
 Colonies. I have since made inquiry, and find he would 
 not be able to lead off many more than the supernumera- 
 ries of his Regiment, it still consisting of thirteen Compa- 
 nies. I think a Regiment might be formed of the men 
 who have been under his command, without his being ap- 
 pointed to the command of them. 
 
 I must do the justice to Lieutenant-Colonel Wyman to 
 say, he has behaved prudently, courageously, and very much 
 like a gentleman, and I think I could recommend him for 
 the command as soon as any person I know. 
 
 I think I shall never be able to do any thing with the 
 Regiment, unless you make new regulations in the field 
 officers, whom I would recommend should be taken out of 
 the Captains of that Regiment, which 1 apprehend would 
 facilitate the union of our troops. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Nathaniel Folsom. 
 
 ADDRESS OF COL. BAILEY TO THE NORTHERN INDIANS. 
 
 Newbury, June 23, 1775. 
 
 The present war is only between the King and a part 
 of the Lords and America. The Lords say, all America 
 shall become slaves or servants to them ; shall plough no 
 more than they say ; eat nor drink, nor wear, nor hunt, 
 only by their leave ; shall not kill deer, moose, beaver, or 
 any other thing, but by their consent. America say they 
 will ; and that the King, by the Lords' advice, has sent 
 red coats to kill us, if we will not be subject to what they 
 say. And we have thirty thousand men, with guns, great 
 and small, to fight in our defence; we only want to live 
 as we have heretofore ; we do not want to fight, if they 
 would let us alone. You are as much threatened as we ; 
 they want you to kill us, and then they will kill you, if 
 you will not serve them. Dteadful wicked men they 
 be ; they do not think there is any God that will punish 
 them by and by. If you have a mind to join us, I will 
 go with any number you shall bring to our Army, and you 
 shall each have a good coat and blanket, &c, and forty 
 shillings per month, let the time be longer or shorter. If 
 you will go to Canada and get what intelligence you can, 
 and bring it to me, at any place you shall set, I will meet 
 you myself, and pay you well; further, if you are any way 
 afraid of the Regulars, you and all those tribes shall have 
 protection here, or we will fight for you in your own coun- 
 try, if wanted ; but if you or the French, or any other In- 
 dians, fight against us, we know your country, and shall 
 be troublesome to you ; you know how we could fight last 
 war. But I know you will be friendly, and you may de- 
 pend upon us; we will pawn all we have for the most 
 strict observance of any agreement made with you. We 
 are now all brothers, and we will be so with you ; for one 
 God made us all, and all must meet before God in a little 
 while. 
 
 MEETING OF THE LIVERY OF LONDON IN COMMON-HALL. 
 
 London, Saturday, June 24, 1775, 
 
 This day came on, at Guildhall, the election of Sheriffs 
 for the City of London and County of Middlesex, and 
 other officers, for the year ensuing. At a quarter past one 
 o'clock, the Lord Mayor, attended by the two Sheriffs, 
 Recorder, and the Aldermen Bull, Lewes, Thomas, 
 Newnham, Hayley, Esdaile, Rawlinson, &.C., ascended 
 the Hustings, when the Common Crier opened the Court, 
 and the Aldermen below the Chair, who had not served 
 the office of Sheriff, were first put in nomination. The 
 principal show of hands appearing in favour of Aldermen 
 Hayley and Newnham, the Sheriffs declared the election 
 to have fallen on them. 
 
 The names of Hayley and Newnham were received 
 with the greatest applause, which was testified by almost 
 every one in the Hall holding up their hands. About 
 twelve people held up their hands for Alderman Rawlin- 
 son, and about seven for Alderman Thomas. 
 
 The Lord Mayor then came to the front of the Hus- 
 tings, and acquainted the Livery, that in consequence of 
 their Resolutions last Common-Hall, he waited on His 
 Majesty, in his corporate capacity, with their Address, &ic. 
 He then read the King's Answer, together with a Letter 
 he received a few days after from the Lord Chamberlain, 
 with his (the Lord Mayor's) Answer. 
 
 Mr. Saxby, the Chairman from the Livery at the Half- 
 Moon Tavern, then came forward, and made the following 
 motions : 
 
 1. That the Town Clerk do enter in the Records of 
 this City, the Letter from the Lord Chamberlain to the 
 Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, with his Lordship's 
 Answer. 
 
 2. That the thanks of this Common-Hall be given to 
 the Right Honourable John Wilkes, Lord Mayor, for his 
 
1071 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1072 
 
 very able, judicious, and spirited defence of the rights and 
 privileges of the Livery in Common-Hall assembled. 
 
 3. That a copy of the said Resolution be fairly tran- 
 scribed and signed by the Town Clerk, and by him de- 
 livered to his Lordship. 
 
 4. That whoever advised His Majesty to declare he 
 would not in future receive on the Throne any Address, 
 Remonstrance, and Petition, from the Lord Mayor, Alder- 
 men, and Livery of London, are enemies to the right of 
 the subject to petition the Throne, because such advice is 
 calculated to intercept the complaints of the People to 
 their Sovereign, to prevent a redress of grievances, and 
 alienate the minds of Englishmen from the Hanoverian 
 succession. 
 
 5. That it is the opinion of this Common-Hall, that 
 unless His Majesty hears the petitions of his subjects, the 
 right of petitioning is nugatory. 
 
 6. That the thanks of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and 
 Livery, in Common-Hall assembled, be given to the Right 
 Honourable the Earl of Effingham, for having, consistent 
 with the principles of a true Englishman, refused to draw 
 that sword which has been employed to the honour of his 
 Country, against the lives and liberties of his fellow-sub- 
 jects in America. 
 
 I. That the said Resolution be fairly transcribed and 
 signed by the Town Clerk, and by him delivered to the 
 Right Honourable the Earl of Effingham. 
 
 8. That an humble Address, Remonstrance, and Peti- 
 tion be presented to His Majesty, from the Lord Mayor, 
 Aldermen, and Livery of the City of Londoii, in Com- 
 mon-Hall assembled, on this important crisis of American 
 affairs. 
 
 9. To agree to the Address, Remonstrance, and Peti- 
 tion now read. 
 
 10. That the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, our 
 Representatives in Parliament, the Court of Aldermen, 
 the Sheriffs and Livery, in their Gowns, attended by the 
 Recorder and other City officers, be desired to present the 
 said Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, to His Majesty 
 sitting on his Throne. 
 
 II. That the Sheriffs, attended by the Remembrancer, 
 do wait on His Majesty on Monday next, to know his 
 Royal will and pleasure when he will receive on the 
 Throne the humble Address, Remonstrance, and Petition 
 of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, in Common- 
 Hall assembled. 
 
 12. That the said Address, Remonstrance, and Peti- 
 tion, be not presented to His Majesty but sitting on the 
 Throne. 
 
 The above motions being unanimously approved of, the 
 Hall was adjourned. 
 
 London, June 27, 1775. 
 Yesterday the Sheriffs went up to St. James's to know 
 His Majesty's pleasure when he would be pleased to per- 
 mit the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Common Council, and 
 Livery, to wait on him with their Petition, and Remon- 
 strance. His Majesty being at Kew, they went thither, 
 where they waited about three-quarters of an hour, when 
 His Majesty signified to them, by a Lord in waiting, that 
 they should go up to St. James's to-morrow for an answer. 
 They returned to the Mansion-House at nine o'clock. 
 
 London, July 4, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Livery of London, in Common- 
 Hall assembled : 
 
 The Lord Mayor acquainted the Livery that the Sheriffs 
 waited on His Majesty at St. James's on Wednesday last, 
 and that Mr. Sheriff Plomer addressed His Majesty as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " May it please your Majesty : 
 
 "We are ordered by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and 
 Livery of the City of London, in Common-Hall assem- 
 bled, to wait upon your Majesty, humbly to know your 
 Majesty's Royal will and pleasure when your Majesty will 
 be pleased to receive upon the Throne their humble Ad- 
 dress, Remonstrance, and Petition." 
 
 To which His Majesty answered : 
 
 " You will please to take notice, that I will receive their 
 
 Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, on Friday next, at 
 
 the levee." 
 
 Mr. Sheriff Plomer replied : 
 
 " Your Majesty will permit us to inform you, that the 
 Livery, in Common-Hall assembled, have resolved not to 
 present their Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, unless 
 your Majesty shall be pleased to receive it sitting on the 
 Throne." 
 
 To which His Majesty answered : 
 " I am ever ready to receive addresses and petitions ; 
 but I am the judge where." 
 
 The Lord Mayor then declared, that in consequence of 
 the order of the Livery that the Address, Remonstrance, 
 and Petition should not be presented to the King but sit- 
 ting on his Throne, the Sheriffs' Report to him, and Lord 
 Hertford's Letter, his Lordship had not attended His Ma- 
 jesty with the said Address. 
 
 Ordered, That His Majesty's Answer, now reported, 
 be entered in the books of the Livery of this City. 
 
 Resolved, That the King is bound to hear the Petitions 
 of his People, it being the undoubted right of the subject 
 to be heard, and not a matter of grace and favour. 
 
 Resolved, That His Majesty's Answer is a direct denial 
 of the right of this Court to have their Petitions heard. 
 
 Resolved, That such denial renders the right of peti- 
 tioning the Throne, recognized and established by the 
 Revolution, of no effect. 
 
 Resolved, That whoever advises His Majesty, directly 
 or indirectly, to refuse hearing the humble Address, Re- 
 monstrance, and Petition of this Court, on the Throne, is 
 equally an enemy to the happiness and security of the 
 King, and the peace and liberties of the People. 
 
 Ordered, That the Address, Remonstrance, and Peti- 
 tion which His Majesty refused to hear on the Throne, be 
 printed in the publick papers, and signed by the Town 
 Clerk. 
 
 Resolved, That the following Instruction be given to 
 our Representatives in Parliament: 
 
 " Gentlemen : You are instructed by the Livery in 
 Common-Hall assembled, to move immediately on the 
 next meeting of Parliament, for an humble Address from 
 the House of Commons to His Majesty, requesting to 
 know who were the advisers of those fatal measures which 
 have planted Popery and arbitrary power in America, and 
 have plunged us into a most unnatural civil war, to the 
 subversion of the fundamental principles of English lib- 
 erty, the ruin of our most valuable Commerce, and the 
 destruction of His Majesty's subjects; to know who 
 were the advisers of a measure so dangerous to His Ma- 
 jesty's happiness, and the rights of his people, as refusing 
 to hear the petitions and complaints of his subjects. You 
 are further instructed, gentlemen, to move for an impeach- 
 ment of the authors and advisers of those measures ; that, 
 by bringing them to publick justice, evil counsellors may 
 be removed from before the King, his Throne may be 
 established, the rights of the people be vindicated, and the 
 whole Empire restored to the enjoyment of peace, liberty, 
 and safety." 
 
 Ordered, That the said Resolution be fairly transcribed, 
 and signed by the Town Clerk, and by him delivered to 
 our Representatives in Parliament. 
 
 Ordered, That the Sheriffs do wait upon His Majesty, 
 and deliver into His Majesty's hand, in the name of the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery in Common-Hall as- 
 sembled, a fair copy of the Resolutions agreed to on Mid- 
 summer-day and this day, signed by the Town Clerk. 
 
 Ordered, That the Sheriffs, attended by Mr. Remem- 
 brancer, do to-morrow wait on His Majesty with the afore- 
 said Resolutions. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolutions of this day be printed in 
 the publick papers, signed by the Town Clerk. 
 
 Signed by order: Rix. 
 
 July 5, 1775. 
 
 The Sheriffs waited on His Majesty at St. James's, 
 when Mr. Sheriff Plomer addressed the King in the fol- 
 lowing words : 
 
1073 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1074 
 
 " May it please your Majesty : 
 
 11 We are ordered by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery 
 of the City of London, in Common-Hall assembled, to 
 wait upon your Majesty, humbly to deliver into your Ma- 
 jesty's hands, in their name, their Resolutions agreed to in 
 Common-Hall, on the 24th day of June last, and of the 
 4th instant." 
 
 Mr. Sheriff Plomer then delivered a copy of the Reso- 
 lutions only, but not the Address, Petition, and Remon- 
 strance, into the King's hand, which he received without 
 saying a word. The Address, Petition, and Remonstrance 
 was ordered by the Common-Hall to be given to the pub- 
 lick in print. 
 
 At a meeting of the Livery of London, in Common- 
 Hall assembled, on Saturday, the 24th of June, 1775: 
 
 A motion being made and question put, that an humble 
 Address, Remonstrance, and Petition be presented to His 
 Majesty, from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of 
 the City of London, in Common-Hall assembled, on this 
 important crisis of American affairs; the same was resolved 
 in the affirmative. 
 
 And an Address, Remonstrance, and Petition to the 
 king being produced, a motion was made that the same 
 be read ; and the question being put by Mr. Recorder, it 
 was resolved in the affirmative; whereupon, the same was 
 read, as follows : 
 
 To the King's Most Excellent Majesty : 
 The humble Address, Remonstrance, and Petition of the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery of London : 
 
 Most Gracious Sovereign : 
 
 We, your Majesty's most faithful subjects, the Lord 
 Mayor, Aldermen, Livery, he, of London, in Common- 
 Hall assembled, are compelled again to disturb your Ma- 
 jesty's repose with our complaints. 
 
 We have already expressed to your Majesty our abhor- 
 rence of the tyrannical measures pursued against our fel- 
 low-subjects in America, as well as of the men who secretly 
 advise, and of the Ministers who execute these measures. 
 
 We desire to repeat again, that the power contended for 
 over the Colonies, under the specious name of dignity, is, 
 to all intents and purposes, despotism ; and that the exer- 
 cise of despotick power in any part of the Empire, is in- 
 consistent with the character and safety of this Country. 
 
 As we would not suffer any man or body of men to 
 establish arbitrary power over us, we cannot acquiesce in 
 any attempt to force it upon any part of our fellow-sub- 
 jects. We are persuaded, that by the sacred unalterable 
 rights of human nature, as well as by every principle of the 
 Constitution, the Americans ought to enjoy peace, liberty, 
 and safety ; that whatever power invades these rights ought 
 to be resisted. We hold such resistance in vindication of 
 their constitutional rights, to be their indispensable duty to 
 God, from whom those rights are derived to themselves, 
 who cannot be safe and happy without them ; to their pos- 
 terity, who have a right to claim this inheritance at their 
 bands, unviolated and unimpaired. 
 
 We have already remonstrated to your Majesty, that 
 these measures were big with all the consequences which 
 could alarm a free and commercial people ; a deep, and 
 perhaps fatal, wound to commerce ; the ruin of manufac- 
 tures ; the diminution of the revenue, and consequent in- 
 crease of taxes ; the alienation of the Colonies, and the 
 blood of your Majesty's subjects. 
 
 Unhappily, Sire, the worst of these apprehensions is 
 now realized in all its horrour. We have seen, with equal 
 dread and concern, a civil war commenced in America by 
 your Majesty's Commander-in-Chief. Will your Majesty 
 be pleased to consider what must be the situation of your 
 people here, who have nothing now to expect from Ame- 
 rica but Gazettes of blood, and mutual lists of their slaugh- 
 tered fellow-subjects. 
 
 Every moment's prosecution of this fatal war may loosen 
 irreparably the bonds of that connection on which the glory 
 and safety of the British Empire depend. 
 
 It any thing could add to the alarm of these events, it 
 is your Majesty's having declared your confidence in the 
 wisdom of men, a majority of whom are notoriously bribed 
 to betray their constituents and their Country. It is the 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 misfortune of your Majesty, it is the misfortune and grief 
 of your People, to have a Grand Council and a Represen- 
 tative under an undue and dangerous influence — an influ- 
 ence which, though procured by your Ministers, is dan- 
 gerous to your Majesty, by deceiving you ; and to your 
 People, by betraying them. 
 
 In such a situation your petitioners are bound to declare 
 to your Majesty, that they cannot and will not sit uncon- 
 cerned ; that they will exert themselves, at every hazard, 
 to bring those who have advised these ruinous measures, to 
 the justice of this Country, and of the much injured Colo- 
 nies. 
 
 We have already signified our persuasion, that these 
 evils originate in the secret advice of those who are equally 
 enemies to your Majesty's title, and to the rights of your 
 People. Your petitioners are now compelled to say, that 
 your Throne is surrounded by men avowedly inimical to 
 those principles on which your Majesty possesses the 
 Crown, and this people their liberties. At a time of 
 such difficulty and danger, publick confidence is essential 
 to your Majesty's repose, and to the preservation of your 
 People. Such confidence cannot be obtained by Ministers 
 and advisers who want wisdom, and hold principles incom- 
 patible with freedom ; nor can any hope of relief be ex- 
 pected from a Parliament chosen under a national delusion 
 insidiously raised, by misrepresentations touching the true 
 state of America, and artfully embraced by a precipitate 
 dissolution. 
 
 Your petitioners, therefore, again pray and beseech 
 your Majesty to dismiss your present Ministers and ad- 
 visers from your person and councils forever ; to dissolve a 
 Parliament who, by various acts of cruelty and injustice, 
 have manifested a spirit of persecution against our brethren 
 in America, and given their sanction to Popery and arbi- 
 trary power; to put your future confidence in Ministers 
 whose known and unshaken attachment to the Constitu- 
 tion, joined to your wisdom and integrity, may enable your 
 Majesty to settle this alarming dispute upon the sure, hon- 
 ourable, and lasting foundations of general liberty. 
 
 And a motion being made, and question put, to agree to 
 the said Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, the same 
 was resolved in the affirmative. 
 
 Signed by order: Rix. 
 
 TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 24, 1775. 
 
 I believe you were not by nature void of humanity or 
 justice. I have even the charity to think, from what 1 
 have learned of your character, there was a portion of 
 these cardinal qualities mixed up with your clay. But I 
 know enough of the human heart to be thoroughly con- 
 vincedt hat it is possible for a good man to be corrupted, 
 and to become hardened against every honest, virtuous 
 impulse. 
 
 Interest, that demon which is perpetually tempting the 
 weakness of man, has prevailed over those conscientious 
 feelings, and betrayed you into irreparable guilt. 
 
 Perhaps you may have had the consolatory view, when 
 you accepted your present high command, of speedily, 
 and without bloodshed, conciliating this Country to the 
 desired state of vassalage, and by this means of quickly 
 reaping the rich reward of your glorious villany. If this 
 was your aim, how poignant must be the disappointment 
 you have met with, and how merited the punishment in 
 supposing yourself master of contingencies and director of 
 events, which is the character of divinity itself: but if it 
 be with you as I have represented, you are an instance of 
 great cruelty and depravity of heart, for your intention was 
 evidently to deprive three millions of people of their liber- 
 ties, and to annihilate all right in property. 
 
 Whatever may have been your sentiments in the begin- 
 ning, you have lately taken so destructive a part as to put 
 both your friends and enemies out of all doubt in respect 
 to your character. . How happened it, that in the course 
 of your letter-writing to Ministry, you never hazarded an 
 important conjecture which was confirmed by any subse- 
 quent event? That of one week was regularly refuted by 
 the experience of the next ? Was it the weakness of your 
 judgment that led you astray, or the desire of nattering the 
 
1075 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 107G 
 
 views of an abandoned Administration ? If it was tlie first, 
 you ought never to venture another, but confine yourself to 
 past events and the facts of the day; if the latter, you must 
 now be convinced, by what has already happened, of the 
 dreadful consequences which may flow from so vile a pros- 
 titution of your integrity. 
 
 I shall now take leave to recapitulate some parts of your 
 conduct, in order that it may he placed in a true point of 
 light with the ignorant and uninformed. 
 
 On the nineteenth day of April you sent a considerable 
 part of your Army from Boston to destroy a supposed 
 magazine at Concord. They landed early in the morning, 
 and marched into the Country with all that overweening 
 boastful presumption peculiar to young troops, ignorant 
 of real service. Adding insult to misfortune, they paraded 
 on their way to the sound of musick. Full of the idea of 
 the fame and honour to be acquired in that memorable 
 expedition, they treated their supposed weak and defence- 
 less enemy with scorn and derision. 
 
 Rut what happened ! According to your own relation of 
 that woful and eventful day, this holiday humour did not 
 last long. The same sun saw their offence and punish- 
 ment. Terrour and dismay, inspired by a few opponents, 
 seized upon the invincible host; they fled with a lucky and 
 almost miraculous precipitancy back again to Boston. 
 
 Rut in the tale you tell of this unlbrtunate maiden enter- 
 prise, you are accused of want of candour, indeed of mis- 
 representation of facts. You say, in your circular letters 
 to the several Governours to whom you have written, that 
 the people fired first : if they did, it reflects the highest hon- 
 our on their courage. They were but a handful to encoun- 
 ter so great a number. Rut although I have the highest 
 opinion of their spirit and resolution, it requires no uncom- 
 mon share of faith to credit this assertion ; it is against 
 probability, it is in the face of the most specifick and direct 
 testimony of a great variety of persons. 
 
 If the information I have received is well founded, your 
 orders were at that time the same as when you left Biitain — 
 not to strike the first blow. If this is the case, the cause 
 of this contrariety in the evidence of the Country and the 
 Army is sufficiently obvious; for it is as essential, perhaps, 
 for the officer who commanded the Troops that fired first 
 on the people to justify himself to you, as it is for you to 
 vindicate your conduct to your superiours. Here is a com- 
 bination of personal and particular interests to support the 
 fact alleged in your behalf, independent of general rea- 
 sons. Upon a fair and impartial state of the account, then, 
 1 cannot perceive that this motive for misrepresentation has 
 one answerable to it on the part of the Country. If Lord 
 Mansfield himself was to give his opinion on the reason of 
 the case, I think I could predict it would be unfavourable 
 to you. 
 
 Rut the intentional inaccuracy of that part of your let- 
 ters which gives an account of the loss your Troops sus- 
 tained in the action, is truly matter worthy of observation. 
 
 Your letter, calculated, as one would suppose, for the in- 
 formation of the Representatives of the Crown, says, that 
 more than fifty were killed in the action ; how many more, 
 may it please your Excellency ? Fifty more, sixty, or 
 seventy? Why did you thus leave them to the uncerlainty 
 of guess and conjecture, when, from the returns of your 
 officers, the loss must appear with the greatest exactness? 
 
 Rut, Sir, you are not only charged with the meanness of 
 artifice, but an open violation of your word. The times 
 are now so critically important as to require all the bold- 
 ness and plainness of truth ; in doing you all the justice 
 you merit, I am under the necessity of touching the honour 
 of your character. 
 
 When the. miserable inhabitants of that Town w hich had 
 been so long, and is to this day suffering under the weight 
 of ministerial vengeance, applied to you for permission to 
 leave it with their goods or effects, you gave your assent in 
 the presence and hoaring of many of your officers and seve- 
 ral private gentlemen, and formally pledged your word, too, 
 for the faithful performance : and what was the result of 
 this business? You not only shamefully qualified the 
 Province, by obliging the poorest fellow that went out to 
 pay his eleemosynary dollar to your Secretary for a permit, 
 but you did more : repenting of that part of your solemn 
 engagement which related to the transporting of the goods 
 or effects of the inhabitants, you submitted your Honour on 
 
 that head to a prostitute lawyer, who, very consistently, 
 gave it as his opinion, that effects meant nothing more than 
 wearing apparel and household furniture; that it did not 
 include moveables in general. It was upon this wretched 
 quibble you refused to let the inhabitants carry away all 
 their effects with them. 
 
 I have always been taught to believe the Army is the 
 school of honour. In this school you were educated and 
 nurtured : but I suspect you were an untoward boy, and 
 that the principles inculcated upon you made little or no 
 impression ; otherwise you never would, as a gentleman, 
 have consented to submit the plain obvious meaning of 
 your words to the interpretation of a contemptible, paltry 
 retailer of quirks and quibbles. You spoke in that busi- 
 ness as a gentleman ; and if you had need to explain your- 
 self in respect to a word of doubtful import, you should 
 have consulted Johnson's Dictionary. This would have 
 been a ireutleman-like authoritv. 
 
 It requires a considerable degree of acuteness and saga- 
 city in him who is about to do an unwarrantable or an unjust 
 act, to estimate the quantum of moral turpitude and guilt 
 contained in it. For it is not only the portion of it involved 
 in the first view of the crime such an one has to consider, 
 but the consequences which will flow from the act. You 
 prohibited the inhabitants of Boston from carrying out their 
 effects, in the manner I have mentioned ; in consequence 
 of which several families have been ruined by the late fire. 
 It is true, you could not foresee the accident ; but, never- 
 theless, the loss sustained by the owners of the goods has 
 happened in consequence of the violation of your word : 
 for if you had adhered to it, the owners of the merchan- 
 dise would have removed it, and thereby have prevented 
 the calamity which has befallen them. 
 
 I have hut a word or two more for you, by way of advice. 
 If you are still determined to act in the Swiss character 
 you have assumed, at least let your conduct savour of that 
 sort of honour which even a Swiss holds high. 
 
 Vertjs. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK COSfiP.ESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June St, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : By order of the Congress I enclose you 
 certain Resolves, passed yesterday, respecting those who 
 were concerned in taking and garrisoning Crown Point and 
 Ticonderoga. As the Congress are of opinion that the 
 employing the Green Mountain Roys in the American 
 Army would be advantageous to the common cause, as 
 well on account of their situation as of their disposition and 
 alertness, they are desirous you should embody them among 
 the Troops you shall raise. As it is represented to the 
 Congress that they will not serve under any officers but 
 such as they themselves choose, you are desired to consult 
 with General Schuyler, in whom the Congress are informed 
 those people place a great confidence, about the field offi- 
 cers to be set over them. 
 
 I arn, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 John Hancock, President. 
 To the Members of the Provincial Congress, New- York. 
 
 FIELD OFFICERS APPOINTED FOR THE THREE BATTAL- 
 IONS OF THE PHILADELPHIA MILITIA. 
 
 First Rattalion : John Dickenson, Esq., Colonel; John 
 duvalier, Lieutenant-Colonel; Jacob Morgan and Wil- 
 liam Coals, Majors. 
 
 Second Rattalion : Daniel Bobcrdeau, Esq., Colonel ; 
 Joseph Bccd, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel ; Doctor John Cox 
 and John Bayard, Majors. 
 
 Third Rattalion : John Cadwallader, Colonel ; J<dtn 
 Nivon, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Thomas Mifflin and Samuel 
 Meredith, Esquires, Majors. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, June 24, 1775. 
 Upon motion, Besolved, That if any Pilot, Shallop-, 
 man, or others, shall be found assisting in the conveyance 
 or introduction of Goods or Merchandise, contrary to the 
 Association of the late Congress, or in receiving on shore 
 or unloading from any vessel any goods which may have 
 been ordered out of the Port, such persons shall be deemed 
 
1077 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1078 
 
 enemies to the liberties of America, and will be held forth 
 to the resentment of the publick. And if any person, 
 privy to such measures, will disclose them, they shall re- 
 ceive the thanks of the Committee as real friends to their 
 Country. Extract from the Minutes: 
 
 J. B. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 BURLINGTON COUNTY (nEW-JERSEy) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the General Committee of Observation 
 for the County of Burlington, in the Province of New- 
 Jersey, at the house of John lmlay, in the Township of 
 Mansfield, June 24, 1775 : 
 
 The Deputies appointed for the County of Burlington 
 to attend a Provincial Congress at Trenton, in May last, 
 laid before the Committee an Association, recommended 
 by that body to the good people of this Province ; as also 
 certain Rules for regulating the new-raised Militia, and a 
 recommendation to raise the sum of Ten Thousand Pounds 
 for the use of the Province at this very critical situation 
 of publick affairs. 
 
 The Committee taking the said Papers into considera- 
 tion, after some time spent thereon, it was, on motion, 
 
 Resolved, 1st. That this Committee do heartily approve 
 of said Association, conceiving it to be of the utmost im- 
 portance towards the future well-being of this County, that 
 the Magistrates, and other civil officers of Government, 
 should be supported in the due execution of their respec- 
 tive offices, agreeable to the laws of this Colony ; and that 
 the good people of this County do make use of every means 
 in their power to guard against those disorders and confu- 
 sions, to which the peculiar circumstances of the times may 
 expose us. 
 
 Resolved, 2d. That as unanimity amongst all ranks of 
 people, in a virtuous opposition to the oppressive measures 
 of the British Ministry and Parliament, is the alone foun- 
 dation whereon we can hope, under Providence, for a deli- 
 verance from our present grievances, it is most earnestly 
 recommended and enjoined by this Committee to the good 
 people of the County of Burlington, that no person or 
 persons, on any pretence whatsoever, do attempt in the 
 least degree to injure or molest his or their neighbour, for 
 any supposed imposition or misconduct that they may have 
 been guilty of on account of the present calamitous times, 
 that is not cognizable by the laws of the Province ; but 
 that he or they do exhibit their complaint against such per- 
 son or persons before some member of this Committee, who 
 is hereby required to lay the same before the Chairman, 
 and desire a general meeting of the Committee, in order 
 that each party may have a fair hearing. 
 
 Resolved, 3d. That any person or persons in this Coun- 
 ty, who shall act contrary to the above mode of proceeding, 
 ought to be deemed a violator of the eleventh article of the 
 Continental Association, inimical to the British Constitu- 
 tion, and unfriendly to the liberties of America. 
 
 Resolved, 4th. That this Committee do approve of the 
 Rules recommended by the Provincial Congress, for the 
 good Government of the new-raised Militia, and desire that 
 the respective military officers in this County will conduct 
 themselves consistent therewith. 
 
 Resolved, 5th. That this Committee do approve of the 
 recommendation of the Provincial Congress to raise the 
 sum of Ten Thousand Pounds for the use of the Province 
 at this most critical and important moment, recommending it 
 to the good people of this County cheerfully to contribute 
 their apportionment of the same ; and as the Provincial 
 Congress have ordered the said money to be disposed of by 
 the respective County Committee, in such manner as they 
 in their discretion shall think most proper, this Committee 
 doth, in consequence thereof, most solemnly assure their 
 constituents that whatever money may be lodged in their 
 hands, or in the hands of the collector, shall be faithfully 
 disposed of according as they may think most beneficial for 
 the service of the County, and purposes intended by the 
 Provincial Congress ; and that, whenever the publick shall 
 desire it, they will cheerfully render a true and proper ac- 
 count ol their proceedings and disbursements, that every 
 member of the community may know that his contribution 
 has not been embezzled or wasted. 
 Signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Peter Tallman, Chairman. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New. Brunswick, June 24, 1775. 
 Sir : General Washington, with his retinue, is now here, 
 and proposes to be at Newark by nine to-morrow morning. 
 The situation of the men-of-war at New- York (we are in- 
 formed) is such as may make it necessary that some pre- 
 caution should be taken in crossing Hudson's River, and he 
 would take it as a favour if some gentlemen of your body 
 would meet him to-morrow at Newark, as the advice you 
 may there give him will determine whether he will con- 
 tinue his proposed route or not. 
 
 1 am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To Peter Van Brvgh Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 New- York Congress. 
 
 JOHN HART, JUNIOR, TO DR. CARRINGTON. 
 
 Stamford, June 25, 1775. 
 Sir : I had the good fortune this morning of intercepting 
 the following letter, which a regard to my Country induced 
 me to transcribe for your Honour's perusal ; and I am, Sir, 
 yours, John Hart, Jun. 
 
 To Doctor Carrington. 
 
 P. S. Doctor Whiting will discover how this letter was 
 intercepted. 
 
 New-York, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The. Republicans, by their Oliverian, Jesuitical, 
 and wicked practices and plots, have at length brought this 
 Country nigh to ruin ; and his most gracious Majesty's 
 true friends are plunged into a situation I do not very well 
 like. I tremble for the consequences ; it is what I never ex- 
 pected. But, Sir, if I may use a vulgar expression, we had 
 as good be hanged for an old sheep as a lamb. Many of 
 the friends to Government have been rewarded with pen- 
 sions and places, and doubt not but that you will make one 
 of that number if you persevere and continue to be as 
 faithful as you have been. The insults of the vulgar I 
 know ycu despise. 
 
 Self-preservation has dictated to us a piece of policy 
 which it may be well for you to practise. We at present 
 are all Whigs, and by our nominal profession, mean to 
 conceal our real principles and intentions, and abate the 
 fiery zeal of the pretended patriots and lovers of their 
 Country (as they falsely style themselves) until the arrival 
 of the King's Troops, which we hourly expect, and have 
 been promised by our friends at home, which will give us 
 an opportunity boldly to throw off the mask, and to act 
 vigorously in support of the rightful authority of His Ma- 
 jesty and the Parliament of Great Britain over as wicked 
 and vile a brood of rebels as ever disgraced any country 
 under Heaven; then shall we enjoy our day of triumph 
 and exultation over the vermin that have insulted, perse- 
 cuted, and derided us. Here will be a place of safety, an 
 asylum for you to fly to, and find safety in case the storm 
 should increase around and threaten you with destruction. 
 Here would I invite you with all your good friends; for I 
 make no doubt but the King's Troops will repel your cow- 
 ardly base Connecticut poltrons, the rebel Army, and slaugh- 
 ter them by hundreds if ever they should be so imprudent 
 as to risk a battle with disciplined, experienced, and regu- 
 lar troops. 
 
 McDonald being seized and sent to your army of saints, 
 at Greenwich, gives me not a little anxiety. I hear he has 
 made some discovery, and I fear he will be compelled to 
 make more by the rebels, unless we rescue him seasonably, 
 which we have in view. The first of July, at midnight, is 
 the time appointed for his deliverance. If you can procure 
 ten or twelve of the lower sort of those you know to be well 
 affected to Government, in such manner as to keep yourself 
 undercover, we will send about as many more to meet them, 
 at the jail in Fairfield, where I understand he is. 
 
 A word to the wise is sufficient. My hand writing you 
 know ; I shall not therefore affix my name. I have taken 
 such a method to convey this that 1 think there is no dan- 
 ger of its being intercepted. 
 
 I am, Sir, your humble servant, Incog. 
 
 P. S. If you send negroes, they will do, as they are 
 well affected to our cause. 
 
1079 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1080 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A MERCHANT IN BOSTON TO 
 HIS BROTHER IN SCOTLAND, DATED JUNE 24, 1775. 
 
 From the 19th of April to the 17th of June, nothing 
 very material has happened. On the 12th of June the 
 General issued a Proclamation, offering His Majesty's most 
 gracious pardon to all who would lay down arms and return 
 to their duty, except two of the ringleaders; and likewise 
 establishing martial law in this Province while this un- 
 natural rebellion exists ; but no regard was paid to this. 
 
 On the 17th instant, at daylight, it was observed by some 
 of the ships-of-war that the rebels had thrown up an in- 
 trencliment on a hill on the other side of the river, about 
 one mile from this Town. The alarm about this new move- 
 ment of theirs was general ; for from this, if they were 
 suffered to goon, they could beat down or burn the Town. 
 At nine o'clock, a battery on an eminence in this Town, 
 directly opposite to their works, began to play upon them, 
 but found they could not dislodge them. 
 
 The rebels fired a few shot into this Town, and then 
 desisted, for their shot did no execution. Eighteen hundred 
 of the best of the Troops were immediately ordered to em- 
 bark on board of boats, and go and engage them, under 
 the command of General Howe. About three o'clock 
 they landed on the other side about half a mile from the 
 rebels, under the cover of five or six ships-of-war, who 
 kept a continual fire on the ground betwixt the place of 
 landing and the enemy, who chose to lie close in their 
 breastworks all this time. As soon as the Troops had got 
 themselves in order they began to advance, cannonading 
 all the way till they came within gun-shot. Charlestown, 
 on the foot of the hill, consisting of about two hundred 
 houses, was set on fire by the fort on this side at the instant 
 the engagement began, whose flames raged in the most 
 rapid manner, being chiefly of wood. Sure I am nothing 
 ever lias or can be more dreadfully terrible than what was 
 to be seen and heard at this time ! The most incessant 
 discharge of guns that ever was heard with mortal ears, 
 continued for three quarters of an hour, and then the 
 Troops forced their trenches, and the rebels fled. 
 
 The place where the battle was fought is a peninsula of 
 a mile long, and a half broad, and the Troops drove them 
 over the neck and kept the island. All this was seen from 
 this Town. 
 
 A very small part of the enemy's intrenchments was 
 seen on this side, it being only thought to be the work of a 
 night ; but their chief breastworks were on the other side 
 of the hill ; it was found to be the strongest post that was 
 ever occupied by any set of men, and the prisoners that 
 were taken, say they were nine thousand strong, and had a 
 good artillery. Five cannons were taken. The spirit and 
 bravery that the British Troops exhibited on this occasion, 
 I suppose is not to be surpassed in any history ! But oh ! 
 the melancholy sight of killed and wounded that was seen 
 on that day ! In four hours after their landing, not less than 
 five hundred wounded were relanded here, and one hun- 
 dred and forty were left dead on the field, amongst whom 
 was a large proportion of brave officers, viz : thirty-six 
 killed and forty-four wounded; three hundred of the rebels 
 were killed, and thirty-six wounded left on the field, but 
 they carried off great numbers of their wounded in their 
 retreat. To the great satisfaction of all good men, Doctor 
 Warren was slain, who was one of their first and greatest 
 leaders. 
 
 Early next morning I went over and saw the field of 
 battle, before any of the dead were buried, which was the 
 first thing of the sort that 1 ever saw, and I pray God I 
 may never have the opportunity of seeing the like again. 
 The rebels are employed since that day fortifying all the 
 hills and passes within four miles, to prevent the Troops 
 from advancing into the country. We hourly expect the 
 Troops to make a movement against them, but they are 
 too few in number, not less than twenty thousand being 
 equal to the task. I cannot help mentioning one thing, 
 which serves to show the hellish disposition of the accursed 
 rebels : by parcels of ammunition that were left on the field, 
 their balls were all found to be poisoned. 
 
 Thus, brother, I have ondeavourod to give you a short 
 account of the desperate state of matters here since my 
 last, and shall sum up the whole with one single observa- 
 tion, viz: the delusion that reigns here is as universal and 
 as deeply rooted as can be found in the annals of mankind ; 
 
 and of all other rebellions that ever existed in the world, 
 it is the most unprovoked. I am, &c. 
 
 ORDER FOR A PUBLICS FAST BV THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watcrtown, June 24, 1775. 
 
 Whereas Almighty God, the just, good, and all-wise 
 Governour of the Universe, hath permitted Great Britain 
 to make an unnatural, cruel, and violent attack upon these 
 American Colonies, and, unprovoked, to murder, on the 
 ever-memorable 19th of April last, many of the innocent, 
 brave, and inoffensive inhabitants of this Colony, burning 
 houses, destroying the private property, and carrying ruin 
 and devastation through the country where they passed, 
 until they were obliged to take shelter in the Town of 
 Boston ; since which the Troops under General Gage 
 have not only shed the blood of many of our countrymen, 
 who fell bravely fighting on the 17th instant, but have acted 
 the part of savage incendiaries, by laying in ashes the Tow n 
 of Charlestown in this Colony : And whereas some late 
 oppressive Acts of the British Parliament, and designed by 
 them soon to be enforced upon the Americans ; and as 
 large re-enforcements of Troops are arrived and arriving to 
 join our enemies in Boston, which will probably induce 
 them to make another trial of military prowess to penetrate 
 into the country; and we being deeply impressed with a 
 sense of our absolute dependance upon the Lord of Hosts 
 and God of Armies for success in this important war, into 
 which we are driven bv our enemies, renounce all confi- 
 dence in our own strength, well knowing that the battle is 
 not to the strong; relying upon the justice of our cause, 
 and the Divine protection and assistance therein : 
 
 Do Resolve, That Thursday, the 13th day of July next, 
 be observed throughout this Colony as a day of publick 
 Fasting and Prayer, not only to humble ourselves before 
 God, on account of our many sins ; to implore his forgive- 
 ness ; to beg his blessing upon the labours of the field, that 
 he would be pleased to water the dry and thirsty earth with 
 plenteous showers of rain, that the poor may be satisfied 
 with bread, and that this year be crowned with goodness ; 
 to ask his blessing upon the various means used for the re- 
 covery and preservation of our rights ; humbly to request 
 that our Congress, those of the other Colonies, and espe- 
 cially the American Congress, be inspired with all that 
 wisdom that is necessary to direct them in this day of diffi- 
 culty and distress ; to petition the assistance of his Spirit, 
 to make us to bear and suffer whatever his holy and righte- 
 ous Providence may see fit to lay upon us ; but earnestly to 
 beseech the Divine direction and assistance in our military 
 operations, and that God would be pleased soon, very 
 soon, to bring our enemies to reasonable terms of accom- 
 modation, that not only a stop may be put to the wanton 
 effusion of human blood, but that Great Britain and these 
 Colonies may speedily again rejoice in the inestimable 
 blessings of peace, and the free and undisturbed exercise 
 of all those rights, liberties, and privileges, civil and reli- 
 gious, for the enjoyment of which our pious and venerable 
 ancestors braved every danger, (by which they have ren- 
 dered their memory dear to us, their posterity,) and set an 
 example worthy the imitation of all succeeding generations. 
 And all religious societies of every denomination are here- 
 by desired to observe and keep said clay in that solemn and 
 religious manner that becomes a people whose all is at 
 stake; who, while they are, with unremitting vigilance, 
 using those means for the salvation of their Country which 
 human wisdom point out, yet feel their absolute depend- 
 ance upon Him who superintends all the affairs of men, and 
 will make the cause of the righteous to prevail. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, Juno 24, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I am informed that Lieutenant Francis Cox, of 
 Captain Richardson's Company, in Colonel Mansfield's 
 Regiment, has deserted and left the service, and has carried 
 away a number of enlistments, and told the same men they 
 might go home, that no one had a right to stop them, al- 
 though they were mustered, sworn, and paid. Many of the 
 men are gone, and it is probable others will go. 
 
 Considering the present state of the Army, I would 
 humbly suggest whether it would not be advisable for the 
 
1081 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1082 
 
 honourable Congress to take some order respecting Lieute- 
 nant Cov and the said men, and make a publick example 
 of him, if not of them. I am your humble servant, in great 
 haste, Artemas Ward. 
 
 To Hon. James It'arren, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Lieutenant Cox lives in Salem. 
 
 GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp on Winter Hill, June 24, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The New-Hampshire Troops being sta- 
 tioned at a very important post on the outlines, and exposed 
 to the enemy's batteries, I yesterday applied to his Excel- 
 lency General Ward for heavy artillery, but he could not 
 supply me with any. I have this moment received a line 
 from him, wherein he requests me to apply to the Colony 
 of New- Hampshire for two twenly-four and two nine- 
 pounders, to be forwarded with all possible despatch. 
 
 1 therefore, under the greatest anxiety for the safety of 
 our Troops, earnestly entreat you to send the above men- 
 tioned cannon as soon as possible, fitted with carriages, as 
 we hourly expect the enemy will attempt to force our lines 
 before we have fully completed the intrenchments, which 
 are in considerable forwardness, and some cf the embrasures 
 completed, but have no cannon to mount in them. No 
 other cannon are suitable for the purpose. 
 
 By complying with the above request, you will, in all 
 probability, save the lives of many of your brave soldiers, 
 who have gallantly ventured their lives in the glorious 
 common cause, suffered the greatest fatigues and hardships, 
 and are now exposed where it is expected by the Engi- 
 neers that the enemy will endeavour to force our lines. 
 
 And also oblige your humble servant, 
 
 Nathaniel Folsom. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony of 
 
 Ne iv-Hampshire . 
 
 N. B. If nine-pounders can't be procured, I should be 
 glad to be supplied with two double fortified six-pounders. 
 
 JAMES MiGREGORE TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Medford, June 24, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Enclosed I send you a memorandum of 
 sundry articles that the General thinks is very much want- 
 ed here for the use of the New- Hampshire forces ; and 
 should be glad, if you think best, that the horses may be 
 forwarded here as soon as may be, as there is scarcely any 
 such thing as getting teams here, and likewise carriages 
 with them. Salt provision is very scarce here, but we 
 have been well supplied hitherto. 
 
 Colonel Hale has gone to Connecticut to forward provi- 
 sion ; Mr. Molton is to follow him with cash. The men 
 are very uneasy for want of a month's pay that was pro- 
 posed to be given them. 1 hope you will forward it as 
 soon as possible, and likewise some cash to me, as 1 am 
 left here, and many people calling on me, which is suffi- 
 cient to put a man of my patience almost distracted. I 
 always shall obey your directions with pleasure. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant, 
 
 James McGregore. 
 
 PROPOSED VINDICATION AND OFFER TO PARLIAMENT, 
 DRAWN UP IN A COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS, JUNE 25, 
 
 1775. 
 
 Forasmuch as the enemies of America in the Parliament 
 of Great Britain, to render us odious to the Nation, and 
 give an ill impression of us in the minds of other European 
 Powers, have represented us as unjust and ungrateful in 
 the highest degree ; asserting on every occasion that the 
 Colonies were settled at the expense of Britain ; that they 
 were, at the expense of the same, protected in their infan- 
 cy; that they now ungratefully and unjustly refuse to con- 
 tribute to their own protection, and the common defence of 
 the Nation ; that they aim at independence ; that they 
 intend an abolition of the Navigation Acts ; and that they 
 are fraudulent in their commercial dealings, and propose to 
 cheat their creditors in Britain by avoiding the payment 
 of their just debts : 
 
 And as by frequent repetition these groundless asser- 
 tions and malicious calumnies may, if not contradicted and 
 
 refuted, obtain farther credit, and be injurious throughout 
 Europe to the reputation and interest of the Confederate 
 Colonies, it seems proper and necessary to examine them 
 in our own just vindication. 
 
 With regard to the first, that the Colonies were settled 
 at the expense of Britain, it is a known fact that none of 
 the twelve United Colonies were settled, or even discover- 
 ed, at the expense of England. Henry the Seventh indeed 
 granted a commission to Sebastian Cabot, a Venetian, and 
 his sons, to sail into the Western Seas for the discovery of 
 new countries ; but it was to be " suis corum propriis sump- 
 tibus et evpensis," at their own costs and charges. They 
 discovered, but soon slighted and neglected, these North- 
 ern Territories, which were, after more than a hundred 
 years dereliction, purchased of the natives, and settled at 
 the charge and by the labour of private men and bodies of 
 men, our ancestors, who came over hither for that purpose. 
 But our adversaries have never been able to produce any 
 record, that ever the Pailiament or Government of Eng- 
 land was at the smallest expense on these accounts ; on the 
 contrary, there exists on the Journals of Parliament a so- 
 lemn declaration in 1642, (only tw enty-two years after the 
 first settlement of the Massachusetts, when, if such expense 
 had ever been incurred, some of the members must have 
 known and remembered it,) "that these Colonies had been 
 planted and established without any expense to the State."* 
 New-York is the only Colony, in the founding of which 
 England can pretend to have been at any expense, and 
 that was only the charge of a small armament to take it 
 from the Dutch, who planted it. But to retain this Colo- 
 ny at the peace, another at that time full as valuable, plant- 
 ed by private countrymen of ours, was given up by the 
 Crown to the Dutch, in exchange, viz : Surinam, now a 
 wealthy sugar Colony in Guiana, and which, but for that 
 cession, might still have remained in our possession. Of 
 late, indeed, Britain has been at some expense in planting 
 two Colonies — Georgia and Nova- Scotia ; but those are 
 not in our confederacy, and the expense she has been at 
 in their name has chiefly been in grants of sums unneces- 
 sarily large, by way of salaries to officers sent from Eng- 
 land, and in jobs to friends, whereby dependants might be 
 provided for, those excessive grants not being requisite to 
 the welfare and good government of the Colonies ; which 
 good government (as experience in many instances of oilier 
 Colonies has taught us) may be much more frugally, and 
 full as effectually, provided for and supported. 
 
 With regard to the second assertion, that these Colonies 
 were protected in their infant state by England, it is a no- 
 torious fact, that in none of the many wars with the Indian 
 natives, sustained by our infant settlements for a century 
 after our first arrival, were ever any troops or forces of any 
 kind sent from England to assist us; nor were any forts 
 built at her expense to secure our seaports from foreign in- 
 vaders ; nor any ships-of-war sent to protect our trade, til! 
 many years after our first settlement, when our commerce 
 became an object of revenue, or of advantage to British 
 merchants ; and then it was thought necessary to have a 
 frigate in some of our ports, during peace, to give weight 
 to the authority of Custom-House Officers, who were to 
 restrain that commerce for the benefit of England. Our 
 own arms, with our poverty, and the care of a kind Provi- 
 dence, were all this time our only protection ; while we 
 were neglected by the English Government, which either 
 thought us not worth its care, or, having no good will to 
 some of us, on account of our different sentiments in reli- 
 gion and politicks, were indifferent what became of us. On 
 the other hand, the Colonies have not been wanting to do 
 what they could in every war for annoying the enemies of 
 Britain. They formerly assisted her in the conquest of 
 Nova- Scotia. In the war before last, they took Louis- 
 bourgh, and put it into her hands. She made her peace 
 with that strong fortress, by restoring it to France, greatly 
 to their detriment. In the last war, it is true, Britain sent 
 a fleet and army, who acted with an equal army of ours, 
 in the reduction of Canada; and, perhaps, thereby did 
 more for us, than we, in the preceding wars, had done for 
 
 ♦Veneris, March 10, 1642. — Whereas the Plantations in New-Eng- 
 land have, by the blessing of the Almighty, had good and prosperous 
 success, without any publick charge to this State, and are now likely 
 to prove very happy for the propagation of the gospel in those parts, 
 and very beneficial and commodious to this Kingdom and Nation : 
 the Commons now assembled in PuHUment, &c, &.O., &c 
 
1083 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1084 
 
 her. Lei it be remembered, however, that she rejected 
 the plan we formed in the Congress at Albany, in 1754, 
 for our own defence, by an union of the Colonies — an union 
 she was jealous of, and therefore chose to send her own 
 forces; otherwise, her aid, to protect us, was not wanted. 
 And from our first settlement to that time, her military 
 operations in our favour were small, compared with the 
 advantages she drew from her exclusive commerce with 
 us. We are, however, willing to give full weight to this 
 obligation ; and as we are daily growing stronger, and our 
 assistance to her becomes of more importance, we would, 
 with pleasure, embrace the first opportunity of showing 
 our gratitude, by returning the favour in kind. Bui when 
 Britain values herself as affording us protection, we desire 
 it may be considered that we have followed her in all her 
 wars, and joined with her, at our own expense, against all 
 she thought fit to quarrel with. This she has requited of 
 us, and would never permit us to keep peace with any 
 Power she declared her enemy; though, by separate trea- 
 ties, we might well have done it. Under such circum- 
 stances, when at her instance we made nations our ene- 
 mies whom we might otherwise have retained our friends, 
 we submit it to the common sense of mankind, whether 
 her protection of us in these wars was not our just due, 
 and to be claimed of right, instead of being received as a 
 favour ? And whether, when all the parts of an Empire 
 exert themselves to the utmost in their common defence, 
 and in annoying the common enemy, it is not as well the 
 parts that protect the whole, as the whole that protects the 
 parts? The protection, then, has been proportionably 
 mutual. And whenever the time shall come that our 
 abilities may as far exceed hers as hers have exceeded 
 ours; we hope we shall be reasonable enough to rest satis- 
 fied with her proportionable exertions, and not think we 
 do too much for a part of the Empire, when that part does 
 as much as it can for the whole. 
 
 The charge against us, that we refuse to contribute to 
 our own protection, appears from the above to be ground- 
 less. But we further declare it to be absolutely false ; for 
 it is well known, that we ever held it our duty to grant 
 aids to the Crown, upon requisition, towards carrying on 
 its wars ; which duty we have cheerfully complied with, 
 to the utmost of our abilities ; insomuch that frequent and 
 grateful acknowledgments thereof by King and Parliament 
 appear on their records.* But as Britain has enjoyed a 
 most gainful monopoly of our commerce, the same, with 
 our maintaining the dignity of the King's representative in 
 each Colony, and all our own separate establishments of 
 Government, civil and military, has ever hitherto been 
 deemed an equivalent for such aids as might otherwise be 
 expected from us in time of peace. And we hereby de- 
 clare, that on a reconciliation with Britain, we shall not 
 only continue to grant aids in lime of war, as aforesaid, but 
 whenever she shall think fit to abolish her monopoly, and 
 give us the same privileges of trade as Scotland received 
 at the union, and allow us a free commerce with all the 
 rest of the world, we shall willingly agree (and we doubt 
 not it will be ratified by our constituents) to give and pay 
 into the Sinking Fund £100,000 sterling per annum, for 
 the term of one hundred years; which duly, faithfully and 
 inviolably applied to that purpose, is demonstrably more 
 lhan sufficient to extinguish all her present national debt, 
 since it will in that time amount, at legal British interest, 
 to more than £230,000,000. 
 
 But if Britain does not think fit to accept this propor- 
 tion, we, in order to remove her groundless jealousies that 
 we aim at independence, and an abolition of the Naviga- 
 tion Act, (which hath in truth never been our intention,) 
 and to avoid all future disputes about the right of making 
 that and other acts for regulating our Commerce, do here- 
 by declare ourselves ready and willing to enter into a cove- 
 nant with Britain, that she shall fully possess, enjoy, and 
 exercise that right for a hundred years to come ; the same 
 being bona fide used for the common benefit. And in case 
 of such agreement, that every Assembly be advised by us to 
 confirm it solemnly by laws of their own, which once made 
 cannot be repealed without the assent of the Crown. 
 
 ♦Journals of the House of Commons, on tho 4th of April, 1718; 
 38th January, 1756; 3d February, 1750; 16th and 19th of A/ay, 1757 ; 
 1st of June, 1758; 20th and 30th of April, 1759; 26th and' 31st of 
 March, and 28th of April, 1760 ; 9th and 80th of January, 1761 ; 22d 
 and 26th of January, 1762; and 11th and 17th of March, 1763. 
 
 The last charge, that we are dishonest traders, and aim 
 at defrauding our creditors in Britain, is sufficiently and 
 authentically refuted by the solemn declarations of the Bri- 
 tish merchants to Parliament, (both at the time of the 
 Stamp Act, and in the last session,) who bore ample testi- 
 mony to the general good faith and fair dealing of the 
 Americans, and declared their confidence in our integrity ; 
 for which we refer to their petitions on the Journals of 
 the House of Commons. And we presume we may 
 safely call on the body of the British tradesmen, who 
 have had experience of both, to say, whether they have 
 not received much more punctual payment from us than 
 they generally have from the members of their own two 
 Houses of Parliament. 
 
 On the whole of the above, it appears that the charge 
 of ingratitude towards the Mother Country, brought with 
 so much confidence against the Colonies, is totally without 
 foundation ; and that there is much more reason for retort- 
 ing that charge on Biitain, who not only never contributes 
 any aid, nor affords, by an exclusive commerce, any ad- 
 vantages to Saxony, her mother country ; but no longer 
 since than in the last war, without the least provocation, 
 subsidized the King of Prussia while he ravaged that 
 mother country, and carried fire and sword into its capi- 
 tal, the fine City of Dresden — an example we hope no 
 provocation will induce us to imitate. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONGRESS. 
 
 New- York, Sunday, June 25, 1775, } 
 Five o'clock, P. M. J 
 
 Sir: Upon my arrival here this afternoon, I was inform- 
 ed that an express was in Town from the Provincial camp 
 in Massachusetts-Bay ; and having seen, among other pa- 
 pers in his possession, a letter directed to you as President 
 of the Congress, 1 have taken the liberty to open it. I 
 was induced to take that liberty by several gentlemen of 
 New-York, who were anxious to know the particulars of 
 the affair of the 17th instant, and agreeable to the orders 
 of many members of the Congress, who judged it neces- 
 sary that I should avail myself of the best information in 
 the course of my journey. 
 
 You will find, Sir, by that letter, a great want of powder 
 in the Provincial Army, which 1 sincerely hope the Con- 
 gress will supply as speedily and as effectually as in their 
 power. One thousand pounds in weight were sent to the 
 camp at Cambridge, three days ago, from this City, which 
 has left this place almost destitute of that necessary article, 
 there being at this time, from the best information, not 
 more than four barrels of powder in the City of New- York. 
 
 I purpose to set off for the Provincial camp to-morrow, 
 and will use all possible despatch to join the forces there. 
 
 Please to make my compliments to the gentlemen of the 
 Congress, and believe me to be, Sir, your obliged friend 
 and obedient servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 The Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Ameri- 
 can Congress. 
 
 New-York, June 25, 1775. 
 
 George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in- 
 Chief of the Army of the United American Colonies : 
 To Philip Schuyler, Esquire, Major-Gcncral in the 
 said Army : 
 
 Sir : You are to take upon you the command of all the 
 Troops destined for the Nciv-York Department, and see 
 that the orders of the Continental Congress are carried 
 into execution with as much precision and exactness as 
 possible. For your better government therein, you are 
 herewith furnished with a copy of the instructions given to 
 me by that honourable body. Such parts thereof as are 
 within the line of your duty, you will please to pay par- 
 ticular attention to. Delay no time in occupying the sev- 
 eral posts recommended by the Provincial Congress of this 
 Colony, and putting them in a fit posture to answer the 
 end designed. Neither delay any time in securing the 
 stores which are or ought to have been removed from ihis 
 Cily by order of the Continental Congress. Keep a 
 watchful eye upon Govemour Tryon ; and if you find him 
 attempting, directly or indirectly, any measures inimical 
 to the common cause, use every means in your power to 
 frustrate his designs. It is not in my power at this time to 
 
1085 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1086 
 
 point out the mode by which this end is to be accomplish- 
 ed ; but if forcible measures are judged necessary, (respect- 
 in? the person of the Governour,) 1 should have no diffi- 
 culty in ordering them if the Continental Congress were not 
 sitting ; but as this is the case, and the seizing of a Governour 
 quite a new thing, and of exceeding great importance, I must 
 refer you to that body for direction, in case the Governour 
 should make any move towards increasing the strength of 
 the Tory party, or in arming them against the cause we are 
 embarked in. In like manner watch the movements of 
 the Indian Agent, (Colonel Guy Johnson,) and prevent, 
 as far as you can, the effect of his influence to our preju- 
 dice with the Indians. Obtain the best information you 
 can of the temper and disposition of those people, and 
 also of the Canadians, that a proper line may be marked 
 out to conciliate their good opinion, or facilitate any future 
 operation. 
 
 The posts on Lake Champlain, inc., you will please to 
 have properly supplied with provisions and ammunition ; 
 and this, I am persuaded, you will aim at doing on the 
 best terms, to prevent our good cause from sinking under 
 a heavy load of expense. 
 
 You w ill be pleased, also, to make regular returns to me 
 once a month, and to the Continental Congress, and often- 
 er, as occurrences may require, of the forces under your 
 command, of your provisions, stores, &ic, and give me the 
 earliest advices of every piece of intelligence which you 
 shall judge of importance to be speedily known. Your 
 own good sense must govern in all matters not pointed out, 
 as I do not wish to circumscribe you within narrow limits. 
 
 I remain, with great regard. Sir, your most obedient ser- 
 vant, Go. Washington. 
 
 GENERAL W ASHINGTON TO CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The rain on Friday afternoon and Sa- 
 turday, the advice of several gentlemen of the Jerseys 
 and this City, by no means to cross Hudson's River at 
 the lower ferry, and some other circumstances too trivial 
 to mention, which happened on the road, prevented my 
 arrival at this place until the afternoon of this day. 
 
 In the morning, after giving General Schuyler such or- 
 ders as, from the result of my inquiry into matters here, 
 appear necessary, I shall set out on my journey to the camp 
 at Boston, and shall proceed with all the despatch in my 
 power. 
 
 Powder is so essential an article, that I cannot help again 
 repeating the necessity of a supply. The camp at Boston, 
 from the best account I can get from thence, is but very 
 poorly supplied. At this place they have scarce any. 
 How they are provided in General booster's camp, I hav e 
 not been able yet to learn. 
 
 Governour Tryon is arrived, and General Schuyler di- 
 rected to advise you of the line of conduct he moves in. 
 I fear it will not be very favourable to the American cause. 
 
 I have only to add, that I am, with great respect and 
 regard, gentlemen, your most obedient and obliged hum- 
 ble servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., and the Hon. Members 
 of the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ticonderoga, June 25, 1775. 
 Mr. Holt: The following erroneous account of the 
 reduction of Ticonderoga, was published in Mr. Thomas's 
 Oracle of Liberty, the 24th of May last ; and as the wri- 
 ter of the account which follows it had no opportunity of 
 seeing it till very lately, he being up at the forts ever since 
 they were taken, he could not contradict it sooner. I beg, 
 therefore, you will republish it in your next journal, to- 
 gether with the account that follows it, which may be de- 
 pended on. I am, yours, &c« 
 
 "Cambridge, May 18, 1775. 
 
 " Yesterday Colonel Easton arrived at the Provincial 
 Congress in IVatertown, from Ticonderoga, and brings the 
 glorious news of the taking that place by the American 
 forces, without the loss of a man, of which interesting 
 event we have collected the following particulars, viz: 
 
 " Last Tuesday se'nnight, about two hundred and forty 
 meoj from Connecticut and this Province, under Colonel 
 
 Allen and Colonel Easton, arrived at the lake near Ticon- 
 deroga; eighty of them crossed it, and came to the fort 
 about the dawn of day. The sentry was much surprised 
 at seeing such a body of men, and snapped his piece at 
 them ; our men, however, rushed forward, seized and con- 
 fined the sentry, pushed through the covered way, and all 
 got safe upon the parade, while the garrison were sleeping 
 in their beds. They immediately formed a hollow «quare, 
 and gave three huzzas, which brought out the garrison, 
 and an inconsiderable skirmish with cutlasses or bayonets 
 ensued, in which a small number of the enemy received 
 some wounds. The commanding officer soon came forth : 
 Colonel Easton clapped him upon the shoulder, told him 
 he was his prisoner, and demanded, in the name of Ame- 
 rica, an instant surrender of the fort, with all its contents, 
 to the American forces. The officer was in great confu- 
 sion, and expressed himself to this effect : Damn you, 
 what — what does all this mean ? Colonel Easton again 
 told him that he and his garrison were prisoners. The offi- 
 cer said, that he hoped he should he treated with honou r . 
 Colonel Easton replied he should be treated with much 
 more honour than our people had met with from the Bri- 
 tish Troops. The officer then said, he was all submission, 
 and immediately ordered his soldiers to deliver up all the 
 arms, in number about one hundred stands. As they gave 
 up their arms, the prisoners were secured in the hollow 
 square. 
 
 '• The American forces having thus providentially got 
 possession of this important fortress, found in it upwards 
 of one hundred pieces of cannon, several mortars, and a 
 considerable quantity of shot, stores, and some powder. 
 
 " After this acquisition, a detachment of our Troops 
 was despatched to take possession of Croicn Point, where 
 there is a considerable number of cannon. Another de- 
 tachment was sent to Skentsborough, where they took 
 Major Skene and his family, with a number of soldiers, 
 and several small pieces of cannon." 
 
 As the above account of the reduction of Ticonderoga . 
 which, from its complexion, I suppose originated with that 
 very modest gentleman (Colonel Easton) himself, is so re- 
 plete with falsehood, and is so great an imposition on the 
 publick, that I think it my duty, in order to undeceive the 
 publick, and to do justice to modest merit, to give you a 
 candid detail of the whole matter, for the truth of which I 
 appeal to every officer and private who were present, which 
 is as follows : 
 
 Some gentlemen arrived in the JVew- Hampshire Grants 
 from Connecticut, with a design of seizing on the foitress 
 of Ticonderoga ; were there joined by a number of men, 
 among whom were Colonels Allen and Easton ; the for- 
 mer, with the assistance of Captain Warner, collected 
 about one hundred and fifty men, with whom they marched 
 to Castletown, twenty miles from Ticonderoga, where they 
 left Colonel Easton, and proceeded ten miles towards 
 Shorcham. The next da\ r Colonel Arnold arrived at Cas- 
 tletown from Cambridge. Having concerted in a similar 
 plan, and being commissioned by the Massachusetts Con- 
 gress to raise a regiment, he proceeded on to the parly 
 under the command of Colonel Allen. When Colonel 
 Arnold made know n his commission, 8cc, it was voted by 
 the officers present that he should take a joint command 
 with Colonel Allen, (Colonel Easton not presuming to 
 take any command.) When the party had marched to 
 Shorcham, two miles on the lake below Ticonderoga, 
 where they waited for batteaus to cross the lake, until mid- 
 night, and none arriving, Colonel Arnold, with much dif- 
 ficulty, persuaded about forty men to embark with him in 
 a batteau accidentally taken there, and landed half a mile 
 from the fort, and immediately sent back the batteau, which, 
 by reason of a violent storm of wind and rain, did not re- 
 turn until break of day, with a small boat, and near fifty 
 men in both. It was then proposed by some gentlemen 
 to wait open day and the arrival of the remainder of the 
 men, which amounted at that time to near one hundred. 
 This Colonel Arnold strenuously opposed, and urged to 
 storm the fort immediately, declaring he would enter it 
 alone, if no man had courage enough to follow him. This 
 had the desired effect; he, with Colonel Allen, headed the 
 party, and proceeded directly to the fort. When they 
 came within about ten yards of the gate, the sentry dis- 
 covered them, and made a precipitate retreat. He was. 
 
1087 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1088 
 
 pursued closely by Colonel Arnold, who was the first per- 
 son that entered the fort, and Colonel Allen about five 
 yards behind him. This I was an eye-witness of, being 
 only a few yards distant. Colonel Arnold immediately 
 ordered the men to secure the doors of the barracks, and 
 went himself, with Colonel Allen, to the commanding offi- 
 cer, Captain Ddaplncc, and desired him to deliver up his 
 arms, and he might expect to be treated like a gentleman ; 
 which he immediately complied with, as did the whole gar- 
 rison. 
 
 1 do not recollect seeing Colonel Easlon until nine 
 o'clock, and was told he was the last man that entered the 
 fort, and that not till the soldiers and their arms were se- 
 cured, be having concealed himself in an old barrack near 
 the redoubt, under the pretence of wiping and drying his 
 gun, which he said had got wet in crossing the lake ; since 
 which I have often heard Colonel Easton, in a base and 
 cowardly manner, abuse Colonel Arnold behind his back, 
 though always very complaisant before his face. Colonel 
 Arnold was soon made acquainted with the liberty he had 
 taken with his character ; and upon his refusing to give 
 proper satisfaction, I had the pleasure of seeing him heart- 
 ily kicked by Colonel Arnold, to the great satisfaction of 
 a number of gentlemen present, although he [Easton) was 
 armed with a cutlass, and a pair of loaded pistols in his 
 pocket. I am your humble servant, Veritas. 
 
 Hartford, July 28, 1775. 
 Having by accident seen in a paper styled the American 
 Oracle, of May 24, the paragraph relative to the taking 
 Ticonileroga by one Colonel Easton ; and being the com- 
 manding officer at that time, think I cannot, in justice to 
 myself, do less than contradict the many particulars therein 
 contained, knowing them to be totally void of truth. In- 
 deed, I am quite at a loss to conjecture what could incline 
 this same Colonel Easton to publish a conversation said to 
 be had with me, except he, knowing that I was a prisoner, 
 and restricted from giving any account at all of this affair, 
 took the advantage of my situation, in order to answer his 
 own purposes, at the total expense of his veracity ; for I 
 solemnly declare 1 never saw Colonel Easton at the time 
 the fort was surprised, nor had he and I any conversation 
 whatever relative thereto, then, or at any other time since. 
 
 William Delaplace. 
 
 to the printer. 
 
 The following is an address from the inhabitants upon 
 Lake Champlain, to the worthy Colonel Arnold, of New- 
 Haven, who, in April last, on the first alarm of the ravage 
 and bloodshed committed by the Ministerial Troops at 
 Lexington, fcc, marched, with his company of Cadets, from 
 New-Haven to the assistance of his bleeding countrymen. 
 
 On his march he concerted a plan for the reduction of 
 the very important fortresses Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, which he first communicated to a member of the 
 Committee of Correspondence for Connecticut, afterwards 
 by letter to the Governour of Connecticut, and immediately 
 after his arrival at Cambridge to the Provincial Congress 
 and Committee of Safety. They approving his plan, and 
 confiding in his judgment and fidelity, commissioned him 
 to reduce the same, which, by his vigilance and prudence, 
 he soon effected: and having also taken possession of the 
 King's sloop and batteaus, which were at St. John's, se- 
 cured the protection of all our frontiers in that quarter, and 
 obtained the command, without the loss of one man, of an 
 extent of country one hundred and sixty miles in length, 
 which, in the last war, cost the British Nation two millions 
 of money and two campaigns, under the command of some 
 of the best English Generals, in which many thousand 
 brave heroes fell. While we regret, and sensibly feel the 
 loss of a Warren, and many other worthy men, in the pre- 
 sent conflict, we have reason to rejoice that so many others, 
 and among them an Arnold, are preserved to us, who are 
 equally ready to risk their lives in defence of the rights 
 and liberties of their country. 
 
 It appears that envy or self-interested views has created 
 Colonel Arnold some enemies, who have, in his absence, 
 artfully endeavoured to misrepresent his conduct, and give 
 a blamable aspect to actions which, when fairly exam- 
 ined, will be found to merit the highest approbation of 
 
 his constituents and the publick, whose judgment, with 
 respect to the reports to his prejudice, it is hoped will be 
 suspended, till he can have an opportunity to vindicate bis 
 character. A. B. 
 
 To Benedict Arnold, Esquire, Colonel of a Massa- 
 chusetts Regiment, and Commander-in-Chief of an 
 Expedition to Lake Champlain, for talcing the For- 
 tresses on said Lake, and the armed vessel thereon, into 
 the possession and protection of the American Army. 
 We, the subscribers, the principal inhabitants on the said 
 lake, in behalf of ourselves, and on behalf of all the inha- 
 bitants contiguous thereto, amounting in number to about 
 six hundred families, deeply impressed with a sense of 
 your merit, and the weighty obligations which we lie under 
 to you in your military capacity, think it our duty to ad- 
 dress you in this publick manner, to testify our gratitude 
 and thankfulness for the uncommon vigilance, vigour, and 
 spirit, with which you have achieved those important con- 
 quests, so essentially necessary for our preservation and 
 safety from the threatened and much dreaded incursions of 
 an inveterate enemy. 
 
 The humanity and benevolence which you have exer- 
 cised towards the inhabitants of those parts most imme- 
 diately affected by the present convulsions, by supplying 
 them with provisions in their distress, render you no less 
 worthy our admiration, than your tenderness and polite 
 treatment of such prisoners as have fallen into your hands 
 entitle you to the most favourable opinion of some of the 
 regular officers, whose grateful sentiments thereon you 
 have already received. So you are likewise, in a peculiar 
 manner, entitled to our warmest thanks, since you have 
 thereby, and by the proofs they have had of your prudence 
 and valour, been the means of keeping our enemy and 
 their scouting parties at a distance from us, to which your 
 vigilance, in constantly employing such a number of boats 
 on the north part of this lake, hath not a little contributed. 
 
 The humane and polite manner with which you treated 
 your prisoners, insures to you the applause of all : you have 
 thereby shown your adversaries a bright example of that 
 elevation and generosity of soul, which nothing less than 
 real magnanimity and innate virtue could inspire. 
 
 By your vigilance and good conduct, we have been, un- 
 der Providence, preserved from the incursions and ravages 
 of an enraged enemy, to whose declared vengeance we lay 
 entirely exposed; and therefore we cannot help expressing 
 our sorrow at the approaching period of your removal 
 from us. 
 
 Convinced of your competency to the undertaking of 
 protecting us, we cannot help lamenting our situation on 
 the thoughts of losing you, being ignorant of the experience 
 or abilities of the gentleman appointed to succeed you. 
 We sincerely wish you rewards adequate to your merit, 
 and are, with the utmost gratitude, regard, and esteem, 
 Sir, your most obliged and most obedient servants. 
 
 [Signed by a number of the principal Inhabitants, on 
 behalf of themselves and the rest.] 
 
 Lake Champlain, July 3, 1775. 
 
 To the very respectable Inhabitants on Lake Champlain : 
 Gentlemen : Permit me to return you my most hearty 
 thanks for the polite and obliging address you have been 
 pleased to present me this day, which, as it convinces me 
 of your esteem and approbation of my conduct in a mili- 
 tary capacity, is more than an adequate recompense for the 
 poor services and protection I have been happy enough to 
 render you, which both duty and humanity required of me. 
 I am much pleased to have it in my power, in this publick 
 manner, to return you my sincere thanks for your support, 
 vigilance, and spirited conduct in the publick cause, and 
 cannot help regretting the necessity I am under of leaving 
 you so soon. 1 heartily wish you the protection of that 
 kind Providence which has so remarkably interposed in 
 your favour heretofore, and beg leave to assure you 1 shall, 
 at all times, be happy in hearing of the welfare of all the 
 inhabitants on Lake Champlain, but of my friends in par- 
 ticular; and am, with the greatest respect and esteem, gen- 
 tlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold. 
 
 Crown Point, July 4, 1775. 
 
1089 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1090 
 
 THADDEUS BURR TO GENERAL WOOSTER. 
 
 Fairfield, June 25, 1775 ; 12 o'clock. 
 Sir : Captain Jonathan Maltbie, who went express from 
 here last Sabbath, lias this flay returned from Watertown, 
 which place he left last Thursday, at four o'clock, after- 
 noon, and the intelligence brought by him being so direct, I 
 thought it my duty to forward it to you, which is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 Copy of a letter from Mr. Isaac Lothrop, one of the 
 Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 " Watertown, June 22, 1775. 
 
 " Before this reaches you, you will doubtless hear of the 
 engagement of last Saturday, between our Troops and 
 those of the Army at Boston; but lest you should not be 
 well informed, I will now undertake to give you as regular 
 an account as can at present be obtained. Last Friday even- 
 ing a detachment from the camp at Cambridge marched 
 to Charlestons, and there took possession of Breed's Hill, 
 about half a mile from the ferry ; their intrenching tools not 
 coming up in season, it was twelve o'clock before they be- 
 gan their works. As soon as daylight appeared they were 
 discovered from Boston, when the men-ol-war in the ferry, 
 the battery from Copp's Hill, and the floating batteries, kept 
 up a continual cannonading and bombarding, which fortu- 
 nately did but little execution, although our intrenchments 
 were very far from being completed. This continued till 
 about two o'clock, when a large Army of between four and 
 five thousand men, (as we since hear from Boston,) under 
 the command of General Howe, landed on the back of the 
 hill, and marched up with great seeming resolution towards 
 ou- lines. Our men reserved their fire till the enemy had 
 advanced very near, when a general engagement ensued. 
 The fire from our lines was so excessively heavy, and made 
 such a terrible slaughter, as obliged the enemy twice to 
 give way, although many of their officers stood in the rear 
 with their swords pointed at their backs, ready to run them 
 through. Our men kept up a continual blaze upon them 
 for about an hour, with such execution as is scarce credible. 
 The enemy then came on the flanks, marched up, and forced 
 their way over the ramparts with fixed bayonets, cutlasses, 
 and hand-grenades, which obliged our little brave Army, 
 consisting only of about five hundred men at most, to retreat. 
 
 "The Town of Charlestown was fired in various parts 
 during the action, and is now consumed to a wretched heap 
 of rubbish. I kept my ground at Watertown; but what 
 with the thundering of cannon and small arms, the confla- 
 gration of Charlestown, the wagons and horse-litters, with 
 the wounded men coming to the hospital in this Town, and 
 the streaming of expresses to and fro, exhibited such an 
 awful scene as I pray God Almighty I may never again 
 behold. The brave and worthy Doctor Warren was killed, 
 stripped, and buried within the intrenchment. 
 
 " Our numbers killed are not yet known ; but by the best 
 account I can obtain it will not much exceed fifty, and the 
 wounded short of a hundred. Several credible persons have 
 since made their escape by water from Boston, some of 
 whom 1 well know. The latest out says, that upwards of 
 fourteen hundred of the enemy were killed and wounded, 
 with eighty-four officers; and that twenty-eight of our men 
 were made prisoners, and the enemy had buried forty-one 
 of our dead. All agree that the loss of the enemy in killed 
 and wounded is more than one thousand. General Howe 
 says, you may talk of your Mindens and Fontenoys, &c, 
 but he never saw nor heard of such carnage in so short a 
 time. All the surgeons in the Army, with what they could 
 get in Boston, were not sufficient to dress the wounded. 
 Although they were twenty-four hours, night and day, in 
 removing them from Charlestown, with the assistance of 
 many of the inhabitants of Boston, whom they pressed into 
 the service, many died in the streets on their way to the 
 hospitals. 
 
 " N. B. Doctor Mather had his whole furniture, with his 
 library, plate, &tc, consumed in the fire at Charlestown." 
 
 I have employed Mr. Samuel Fenjield to go with this; 
 if you think it proper to forward this account to New-York, 
 he will be ready to serve you. 
 
 You will excuse my sending it open, as I think it best 
 for every one to know with what bravery our men have 
 acted, and how God in his providence seems to appear 
 for us. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. 69 
 
 Mr. Penfield will also hand you a paper from Cambridge, 
 which contains some particulars. 
 
 I am, in the utmost haste, Sir, your friend and humble 
 servant, Thaddeus Burr. 
 
 To General Wooster, at Greenwich. 
 
 The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bat, 
 To Andrew Gilman, Gentleman : 
 We, entertaining a good opinion of your prudence, cou- 
 rage, and good conduct, do appoint, and you, the said An- 
 drew Gilman. are hereby appointed to the honorary title 
 of Lieutenant ; and you are to be considered of that rank 
 not only among the good people of this Province, but also 
 among all our friends and brethren through the Continent ; 
 and we confide in your readiness to promote the common 
 cause of America among our good brothers the Indians of 
 the several tribes which you may have opportunity to be 
 acquainted with, as well as with the inhabitants of the Prov- 
 ince of Quebcck. By order of the Congress. 
 
 Watertown, June 25, 1775. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 25, 1775. 
 Resolved, That Lieutenant Andrew Gilman be and here- 
 by is ordered and instructed to use his utmost influence to 
 cultivate a friendly and peaceable disposition in the Indians 
 at St. Francois, and all other parts adjoining, and to give 
 intelligence of their temper and disposition from time to 
 time, as he shall have opportunity, and as the importance 
 of affairs may require; and also of the Canadians at Que- 
 beclc, and other adjacent parts of Canada, so often as it 
 may be in his power: for which service he shall receive a 
 proper reward. By order of Congress. 
 
 James Warren, President. 
 
 JOHN LANE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Watertown, June 25, 1775. 
 John Lane having been employed by the honourable 
 Congress to go to Penobscot to treat with the Indians there, 
 and the said Congress, in consequence of his services, hav- 
 ing resolved that he shall have a Captain's commission, 
 provided he enlist a company of fifty-six effective men to 
 join the Army at Cambridge ; and he being now going to 
 proceed on that business, humbly prays that your Honours 
 would direct the Receiver-General to pay him or his order 
 two months pay, as a Captain in the Colony service. 
 
 John Lane. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 25, 1775. 
 May it please tour Honour: From advices received 
 divers ways, we have the greatest reason to determine that 
 all the British Troops already destined, or that may yet be 
 ordered to America this season, will come to Boston, it 
 being evidently their design, if possible, to rout our Army 
 before that place, destroy all our magazines, and thereby to 
 strike terrour and faintness into the hearts of all the friends 
 to right and liberty throughout the Continent, to revive and 
 animate their scattered friends, and break the union of the 
 Colonies, and in that way insure final success to their 
 tyranny. This being undoubtedly the plan of our enemies, 
 it is of inexpressible consequence that the ground which 
 we have taken should, at all events, be maintained. Your 
 Honour is no doubt fully sensible that our Army, for the 
 present, is unavoidably checked with regard to offensive 
 operations, for a reason of which you are not unapprized, but, 
 however, we have the means of acting on the defensive. 
 
 As Boston is impregnable against every thing but great 
 artillery, very few Troops are sufficient to keep it ; and as 
 there are two passes at least, very distant from each other, 
 by which the enemy will probably attempt to advance into 
 the country, it is thereby necessary that we should throw our 
 Army into at least two grand divisions, each of which ought 
 to be able to withstand almost the whole strength of the ene- 
 my. Your Honour is acquainted that it was first supposed 
 to be necessary that thirty thousand men should be raised 
 
1091 CORRESPONDENCE, PRO( 
 
 and stationed to act. for tliis season, in the environs of Bos- 
 ton. Thirteen thousand six hundred was the number sup- 
 posed by our Congress to be this Colony's proportion of 
 such an Army, and that number we have, to our utmost, 
 been endeavouring fully to complete ; but because there are 
 deficiencies in our Regiments, as your Honour well knows 
 there always will be in such cases, in order to make that 
 quota good we have been obliged to increase the number 
 of the Regiments; but still there is a deficiency. And be- 
 cause of the inexpressible importance of having our Army 
 effectually strong, we are, with unremitted efforts, and by 
 every device, at vast expense, labouring to make that num- 
 ber fully complete, or rather to exceed it. 
 
 Mai/ it please your Honour: Because we are so vastly 
 apprehensive of the fatal consequences of a general defeat 
 of this Army to the whole American cause, and are so un- 
 utterably solicitous to have it effectually strengthened, we 
 have called in every individual of our levies, from all our 
 out-posts, to join the Army, although by that measure we 
 expose all our Towns on the sea-coast to the rage and 
 depredations of the enemy, and run the dreadful risk of 
 the best of our Towns being reduced to ashes, and taking 
 the miserable fate of Charhstown. 
 
 We beg leave to acquaint your Honour that it is most 
 clearly our opinion, and that we have the best grounds to 
 suppose, that as soon as the enemy have recovered a little 
 breath from their amazing fatigues of the seventeenth of 
 June, and the surprising losses which they then undoubtedly 
 sustained shall be made up by arrivals of new troops, which 
 is almost daily taking place, they will direct all their force 
 to some one point, and make the utmost efforts to force 
 our lines, destroy our magazines, and thereby strike general 
 terrour and amazement into the hearts of the inhabitants 
 of the whole Continent. 
 
 From this view of the case we cannot a moment longer 
 forbear addressing your Honour, and most earnestly sug- 
 gesting to the immediate consideration of your General 
 Assembly, not only the expediency, but indispensable ne- 
 cessity of an immediate augmentation of the Troops from 
 your Colony, for the more effectual strengthening of the 
 Army. What the number of the augmentation ought to 
 be, we most cheerfully submit to the good judgment of your 
 Assembly, not in the least doubting but their wisdom and 
 justice will direct and dispose them to do all that is proper 
 in so important a crisis as we really consider the present. 
 
 We need not express to your Honour the indispensable 
 necessity of despatch in making re-enforcements, nor the 
 propriety and advantage of marching any new levies, which 
 your Assembly may order with all possible speed, without 
 the first raised Companies waiting for the completion of 
 others; inasmuch as your Colony has here on the spot all 
 the proper officers to make the necessary disposition for 
 their reception, and as the season of their being of any 
 advantage for the support of our Army may be irrevocably 
 lapsed before their arrival, if the least unnecessary delay 
 should be indulged. 
 
 We have made a representation to the Lieutenant-Go- 
 vernour of Rhode- Island, similar to the foregoing, and are 
 about to make a like representation to the Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, and to send the same by special express. 
 
 We suppose the whole number of our enemy's land 
 forces, when joined with the four Regiments which were 
 ordered to New-YorTc, will amount to upwards of ten thou- 
 sand, exclusive of negroes and tories, who are every way 
 provided and furnished in the best manner for action. 
 
 We have the fullest confidence that your Honour's zeal 
 and ardour for the salvation of our Country, and the pre- 
 servation of our inestimable rights, will render any impor- 
 tunity unnecessary to induce you to take all the requisite 
 steps to effect the proposed augmentation for which we are 
 most solicitous. 
 
 To Governour Trumbull, 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE SELECT- 
 MEN OF BRADFORD. 
 
 Cambridge, Juno 25, 1773. 
 Gentlemen: It gives us great concern that we are 
 obliged to address you on a subject which we are convinced 
 must be disagreeable ; but tin; department we are placed in, 
 and the safety of this Colony, demand our exertion-;, which, 
 
 EEDINGS, tc, JUNE, 1715. 1092 
 
 with yours, will, we hope, put an end to all such disorders 
 as have taken place in the instance to which we would now 
 proceed. We are informed by Captain (Sage that a com- 
 pany of fifty men were enlisted under his command as 
 Minute-men, in the Town of Bradford, agreeable to a re- 
 commendation of the Provincial Congress ; and we find, by 
 said enlistment, they engaged to serve for the term of one 
 year from February, 1*775. We are also informed that 
 said men refused enlisting anew, agreeable to the late order 
 of Congress for establishing an army, but have, notwith- 
 standing, been doing duty in the camp, and it was expected 
 by their officers and this Committee, that they would con- 
 tinue in the service agreeable to their engagement; but to 
 our surprise we are informed that the whole of said Com- 
 pany, save two men, have scandalously deserted the cause 
 of their Country, and stained their own honour by leaving 
 the camp and returning home; by which conduct they have 
 forfeited all their pay, and set an example which, if fol- 
 lowed, must injure the important cause we are engaged in. 
 We therefore must, in the strongest terms, urge that you 
 use your influence in this matter in such way as shall tend 
 to bring those persons to such a sense of their bad con- 
 duct as may cause them to return to their duty ; for should 
 such base conduct not be put a stop to, how would our 
 character in this Colony appear to our brethren in the sis- 
 ter Colonies? We apprehend we need not say any thing 
 further to urge you to exert yourselves in this affair, but 
 that the importance of putting a stop to such proceedings 
 will be of sufficient weight with you to act such a part as 
 will do you honour and your country service. 
 We are, &c. 
 
 N. B. Should they return and continue in their duty, 
 they will no doubt be entitled to and receive pay for their 
 whole services. 
 
 GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 June 25, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: In my letter of the twenty-third instant, 
 I informed you that Colonel Stark refused subordination to 
 my orders ; but yesterday he made such submission as in- 
 duces me to desire you to pass over said letter, so far as it 
 relates to him, unnoticed. He has three supernumerary 
 Companies, one of which very lately joined his Regiment: 
 pray your orders with respect to them. In my letter of the 
 fourth instant I omitted mentioning that the Captain-Gene- 
 ral could as poorly supply me matrosses as artillery. 'Tis 
 needless to mention that a camp is insecure without artillery- 
 men in proportion to the battalion. The Nctv-Hampshire 
 forces, in their present station, are in a great measure inde- 
 pendent of the other forces, and, if occasion requires, the 
 few matrosses in our camp (scarcely sufficient to manage a 
 few small field-pieces) may be detached from us, and the 
 camp left entirely destitute. I therefore pray your judg- 
 ment whether it is not more eligible to draft out one half 
 the Artillery Company designed to be raised in Portsmouth, 
 to join your forces here, with a good Engineer, as soon as 
 may be. 
 
 If you cannot procure any expert gunner in New-Hamp- 
 shire, several persons have been recommended to me by 
 members of the Massachusetts Congress, who I believe 
 may be procured by proper encouragement. 
 
 I am your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Nathaniel Folsom. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony 
 of New-Hampshire. 
 
 extract of a letter from an officer of the army 
 in hoston to his friend in england, dated june 
 25, 1775. 
 
 When I left England, tho service on which I am now 
 come was even at that time irksome and disagreeable, but 
 now it is doubly so. The cause in which we are concerned 
 is entirely obliterated ; our disputes, as from man to man, 
 are of a private nature. The people of the country have, 
 by various methods, exasperated and enraged us ; and to 
 free ourselves from a situation so disagreeable and confined, 
 there is not any thing we would not attempt. I confess, 
 upon the grand basis of this business we all unanimously 
 
1093 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1094 
 
 acquit the Colonists, and every hour of the day pray Lord 
 North to head us. After the skirmish of the seventeenth, 
 we even commended the Troops of Putnam, who fought 
 so gallantly, pro arts et focis. When we marched to the 
 attack of their redoubt, they called out " Colonel Aber- 
 crombic, are the Yankees cowards ?" nor did they discharge 
 a gun until we were within fifteen yards. The fire on our 
 left wing was so hot that our Troops broke ; but the Gre- 
 nadiers, with uncommon fury, attacked the trenches, and 
 forced them, when our soldiers rallied again. We kept 
 possession of the intienchments till next morning, when 
 we marched into Boston; a sad remains of those glorious 
 fellows who were led into the field. Gen. Howe was three 
 limes in the field left by himself, so numerous were the 
 killed and wounded about him ; and alas ! I grieve to tell 
 you, that I fear nine out of ten of these gallant fellows will 
 die of their wounds. The loss of the Provincial Troops 
 is trifling in comparison to ours; and indeed another such 
 onset will be our ruin. A universal murmur now runs 
 through the Army, which ever most disagreeably invades 
 the General's ears. An Irish officer humorously said on 
 the occasion, that indeed we had gained but a loss. In 
 short, all you have yet sent by way of Troops to this Con- 
 tinent are but a mouthful. If you send more to add to us, 
 we may make them a dinner ; and you may continue to 
 supply them with a supper, and then it will be a good night. 
 Indeed, we may say with Falstaff, with great propriety, that 
 "they make us here but food for gunpowder." I wish all 
 these domestick animosities were settled, and also our pri- 
 vate ones ; but even in our promotions, glaring and unjust 
 partialities prevail. So very secret was the late action con- 
 ducted, that Generals Clinton and Burgoyne knew not of 
 it till the morning, though the Town did in general, and 
 Putnam in particular. This man served under Prussia, 
 and does honour to his master ; he is sixty-three, and brave 
 to the back bone. I hope better times, but these are really 
 sad ones. Adieu. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BOSTON TO A GENTLEMAN IN 
 SCOTLAND, DATED JUNE 25, 1775. 
 
 About a week ago the remainder of the fleet from Ire- 
 land arrived here with the Thirty-Fifth, Forty-Ninth, and 
 Sixty -Third Regiments of Foot, and Seventeenth of Light 
 Dragoons, all of whom, except part of the Forty-Ninth, 
 were landed. 
 
 At daylight on Saturday morning, the seventeenth in- 
 stant, I was awakened by some cannon fired from the Lively, 
 man-of-war, stationed at Charlestown Ferry. This firing 
 was occasioned by their seeing a great number of the rebels 
 at work, raising a redoubt on that height, at the back of 
 Charlestown, nearest to Boston, known by the name of 
 Bunker's Hill, which they had begun the night before, 
 and, by the help of facines, gabions, and other such mate- 
 rials, and by a great number of hands, they had got almost 
 completed. This firing from the Lively was almost imme- 
 diately put a flop to by the Admiral. In the mean time 
 the General ordered three pieces of brass cannon, (twenty- 
 four pounders,) to be mounted on a battery that had been 
 raised on Copp's Hill, at the north end, where he also sent 
 some howitzers, and a large quantity of ammunition of all 
 kinds. 
 
 At nine in the morning this battery opened, and continued 
 to annoy the rebels all the forenoon, as did also the Glas- 
 gow, man-of-war, who lay off the point at New-Boston. 
 At twelve o'clock the Light Infantry and Grenadiers, with 
 the Fifth, Thirty-Eighth, Forty-Third, and Fifty-Second 
 Regiments, embarked on board the transport boats at the 
 Long Wharf and at the north battery, and about half 
 past one landed on Charlestoivn Point, at the entrance of 
 Mistick River, covered by a heavy fire from the Lively, 
 and another man-of-war stationed off the north battery; 
 a large sloop and two floating batteries at Charlestown 
 Ferry; the battery from Copp's Hill ; a transport mount- 
 ing twenty guns, lying a little higher up, and the Glasgow, 
 man-of-war. They effected their landing without any loss, 
 and, after resting the men a lew minutes, marched on to 
 dislodge the rebels from some posts they had taken on the 
 back of the hill. 
 
 In half an hour after, the Forty-Seventh Regiment, part 
 of the Thirty-Fifth, and a battalion of Marines, followed, 
 
 and landed at the place where there formerly was a battery 
 in Charlestoivn. 
 
 At their landing, the Town of Charlestown was set on 
 fire by carcasses thrown from Copp's Hill battery, and the 
 Troops marched on, commanded by Generals Howe and 
 Clinton. 
 
 About three quarters past three, an excessively hot fire 
 commenced on the back of the hill, to dislodge a large 
 body of the rebels that had posted themselves behind some 
 fences, which they had made ball-proof by bushes, hay, 
 earth, &.c. This fire lasted about fifty minutes. As soon 
 as they had dislodged this body, one party of our men came 
 up on one side, and another on the other side of the re- 
 doubt, and stormed and carried it in a few minutes. From 
 this they pursued the rebels to the hill beyond, and having 
 drove them from that, forced them over Charlestown Neck. 
 All this they accomplished in about four hours, having 
 entire possession of the Neck by six o'clock. The whole 
 body of Troops engaged was about fourteen hundred. 
 
 In the redoubt the rebels had sixteen hundred men ; and 
 behind it and the fences, which they had fortified from that 
 to the water, about five thousand ; besides some thousands 
 more stationed on the hill behind, all of whom the Troops 
 forced to fly over the Neck. 
 
 The loss on both sides is supposed to be nearly equal ; 
 nor can we wonder it should be so, when we consider that 
 this handful of fourteen hundred men forced a redoubt de- 
 fended by sixteen hundred, who, had they behaved w ith any 
 tolerable degree of courage, and had but a small portion of 
 military skill, they might have defended against three times 
 their number. Our officers have suffered much, no less 
 than eighty-six being killed and wounded. Among the 
 killed of the rebels is Doctor Warren, who commanded at 
 the redoubt. The Troops are now busy in fortifying the 
 hill that commands Charlestown Neck ; and the rebels are 
 fortifying a hill about half way between that and Cambridge, 
 from which I expect to find them dislodged in a few days. 
 
 We hear nothing from the country, as this has put an 
 entire stop to the little communication we had before. 
 
 Had this post not been taken, it was the intention of the 
 rebels to have set fire to Boston that night ; instead of 
 which the whole Town of Charlestown is in ruins; their 
 leader and orator (Doctor Warren) is slain ; and they must 
 now be convinced that British Troops are capable of dri- 
 ving them from their strongest holds, though opposed by- 
 vast superiority of numbers. 
 
 GENERAL BURGOYNE TO LORD STANLEY. 
 
 Boston, Juno 25, 1775. 
 Boston is a peninsula, joined to the main land only by 
 a narrow neck, which, on the first troubles, General Gage 
 fortified ; arms of the sea and the harbour surround the 
 rest on the other side. On one of these arms, to the north, 
 is Charlestoivn, or rather was, for it is now rubbish, and 
 over it is a large hill, which is also (like Boston) a penin- 
 sula. To the south of the Town is a still larger scope of 
 ground, containing three hills, joining also to the main by a 
 tongue of land, and called Dorchester Neck. The heights, 
 as above described, both north and south, (in the soldier's 
 phrase,) command the Town; that is, give an opportunity 
 of erecting batteries above any that you can make against 
 them, and consequently are much more advantageous. It 
 was absolutely necessary we should make ourselves mas- 
 ters of these heights, and we proposed to begin with Dor- 
 chester ; because, from the particular situation of batteries 
 and shipping, (too long to describe, and unintelligible to you 
 if I did,) it would evidently be effected without any con- 
 siderable loss. Every thing was accordingly disposed ; my 
 two colleagues and myself, (who, by the by, have never 
 differed in one jot of military sentiment,) had, in concert 
 with General Gage, formed the plan. Howe was to land 
 the transports on the point ; Clinton in the centre ; and I 
 was to cannonade from the Causeway or the Neck ; each 
 to take advantage of circumstances. The operations must 
 have been very easy; this was to have been executed on 
 the 18th. On the 17th, at dawn of day, we found the 
 enemy had pushed intrenchments with great diligence 
 during the night, on the heights of Charlestown, and we 
 evidently saw that every hour gave them fresh strength ; it 
 therefore became necessary to alter our plan, and attack on 
 
1095 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1096 
 
 that side. HoUfe, as second in command, was detached 
 with about two thousand men, and landed on the outward 
 side of the peninsula, covered with shipping, without oppo- 
 sition ; he was to advance from thence up the hill which 
 was over Charlcstoitm, where the strength of the enemy 
 lay ; he had under him Brigadier-General Pigot. Clinton 
 and myself took our stand (for we had not any fixed post) 
 in a large battery directly opposite to Charlestoum, and 
 commanded it, and also reaching the heights above it, and 
 thereby facilitating Hoive's attack. Howe's disposition 
 was exceeding soldierlike ; in my opinion it was perfect. 
 As his first arm advanced up the hill they met with a thou- 
 sand impediments from strong fences, and were much ex- 
 posed. They were also exceedingly hurt by musketry 
 from Charlcstown, though Clinton and I did not perceive 
 it until Howe sent us word by a boat, and desired us to set 
 fire to the Town, which was immediately done ; we threw 
 a parcel of shells, and the whole was instantly in flames; 
 our battery afterwards kept an incessant fire on the heights; 
 it was seconded by a number of frigates, floating batteries, 
 and one ship-of-the-line. And now ensued one of the 
 greatest scenes of war that can be conceived : if we look 
 to the height, Howe's corps ascending the hill in the face 
 of intrenchments, and in a very disadvantageous ground, 
 was much engaged ; to the left the enemy pouring in fresh 
 troops by thousands, over the land ; and in the arm of the 
 sea our ships and floating batteries cannonading them ; 
 straight before us a large and noble Town in one great 
 blaze — the church-steeples being timber, were great pyra- 
 mids of fire above the rest ; behind us, the church-steeples 
 and heights of our own camp covered with spectators of 
 the rest of our Army which was engaged ; the hills round 
 the country covered with spectators ; the enemy all in anx- 
 ious suspense ; the roar of cannon, mortars, and musketry ; 
 the crash of churches, ships upon the stocks, and whole 
 streets falling together, to fill the ear; the storm of the 
 redoubts, with the objects above described, to fill the eye ; 
 and the reflection that, perhaps, a defeat was a final loss to 
 the British Empire in America, to fill the mind ; made 
 the whole a picture, and a complication of horrour and 
 importance beyond any thing that ever came to my lot to 
 be witness to. I much lament Tom's* absence ; it was a 
 sight for a young soldier that the longest service may not 
 furnish again; and had he been with me he would likewise 
 have been out of danger; for, except two cannon balls that 
 went a hundred yards over our heads, we were not in any 
 part of the direction of the enemy's shot. A moment of 
 the day was critical : Howe's left were staggered ; two 
 battalions had been sent to re-enforce them, but we per- 
 ceived them on the beach seeming in embarrassment what 
 way to march. Clinton then, next for business, took the 
 part without waiting for orders, to throw himself into a 
 boat to head them ; he arrived in time to be of service ; 
 the day ended with glory, and the success was most im- 
 portant, considering the ascendancy it gave the Regular 
 Troops ; but the loss was uncommon in officers for the 
 numbers engaged. Howe was untouched, but his Aid-de- 
 Camp, Sherwin, was killed ; Jordan, a friend of Howe's, 
 who came engage Ic de cceur, to see the campaign, (a 
 shipmate of ours on beard the Cerberus, and who acted as 
 aid-de-camp,) is badly wounded. Pigot was unhurt, but 
 he behaved like a hero. You will see the list of the loss. 
 Poor Colonel Abercrombie, who commanded the Grena- 
 diers, died yesterday of his wounds. Captain Addison, 
 our poor old friend, who arrived but the day before, and 
 was to have dined with me on the day of the action, was 
 also killed ; his son was upon the field at the same time. 
 Major Mitchell is but very slightly hurt; he is out already. 
 Young Chctwynd's wound is also slight. Lord Percy's 
 Regiment has suffered the most, and behaved the best ; 
 his Lordship himself was not in the action. Lord Rowden 
 behaved to a charm ; his name is established for life. 
 
 TO GENERAL BURGOYNE. 
 
 Sir: In reading the newspapers I find an extract of a 
 letter which it is said you wrote a few days after the battle 
 of Charlcstown, to a noble Lord in England; and I take 
 
 * His nephew, the Honour.'ihlu Thomas Stanley, Esquire, (and bro- 
 ther to Lord Stanley,) who is gone a volunteor to Boston in liis Ma- 
 josty's norvicc. 
 
 notice you close your narration of that important day's 
 work, by saying, " The day ended with glory." 
 
 As I am totally at a loss to know what part of the day"s 
 conduct was crowned with so much " glory" on your part, 
 permit me, Sir, to inquire, whether it was such a " glori- 
 ous " achievement for upwards of two thousand regular 
 disciplined troops, being the flower of the British Army, 
 headed by the most approved and experienced Generals, 
 with part of the train of artillery, supported and covered 
 with one ship-of-the-line, a number of frigates and floating 
 batteries, and a large battery on Copp'x Hill, in which 
 General Clin/on and you took your stand, and which com- 
 manded the Town, to dislodge a much inferiour number of 
 American Militia from a slender defence, which they had 
 but four hours to prepare, for it was twelve o'clock before 
 either spade or pickaxe entered the ground, and the Lively, 
 ship-of-vvar, fired upon them at four next morning, and soon 
 after the battery above mentioned began to play. 
 
 Was it, indeed, such a "glorious" action, with all this 
 tremendous apparatus of war, and under all these advan- 
 tageous circumstances, in the space of twelve hours to kill 
 seventy-seven, and wound two hundred and seventy-eight 
 Americans, (twenty-eight of whom were captivated,) and 
 take five small pieces of cannon, which they had not time 
 to place? Nor was all this effected till they had sustained 
 your fire from four o'clock in the morning till four o'clock 
 in the afternoon ; being then quite worn down with fatigue, 
 and their ammunition wholly expended, were obliged to 
 retreat. 
 
 Your representation of the transactions of that day does 
 the Americans an honour you never intended. All Europe 
 will revere the fortitude, and stand surprised at the firmness 
 and valour of this handful of brave, though undisciplined 
 men. 
 
 Or was it, indeed, such a " glorious " sight to view the 
 field strewed with the mangled corpses of a few brave and 
 virtuous Americans 1 Or to see the agonies and hear the 
 piercing shrieks and dying groans of Abercrombie, Pit- 
 cairn, and above a thousand others of those who were 
 brought hither to crush the rising liberty of America, but 
 who now lay weltering in their gore ? Or to behold the 
 inexpressible anguish of the widows and orphans made by 
 that day's wicked attempt to enslave America? 
 
 If such a scene as this is " glorious " in your eyes, Ame- 
 ricans are of opposite sentiments ; they lament the loss of 
 those brave Britons, whose life and blood should have been 
 reserved for a cause of justice against the natural enemies 
 of Englishmen. Americans mourn over the wounds you 
 compel them to give, and heartily sympathize with those 
 widows and orphans you forced them to make. 
 
 But perhaps it was your laying Charlestown in ashes 
 that has elated your mind, and led you to conclude that 
 " the day ended with glory." 
 
 Remember, Sir, any parricide, any assassin, the greatest 
 of villains, with proper materials, can set wooden buildings 
 on fire, especially when they themselves are as far out of 
 danger as you were at that time. 
 
 Was it indeed " glorious " to see whole streets falling 
 together in flaming ruins, owned by subjects second to 
 none for their loyalty to the Monarch of Britain, who, by 
 the way, have now sprung to their arms, determined to 
 check the bloody career of ministerial vengeance, or perish 
 in the attempt ? 
 
 Was there any necessity, from the exigency of the day, 
 for this wanton waste of English property, to the amount 
 of one hundred thousand Pounds sterling ? You yourself 
 acknowledge that neither Clinton nor you perceived any 
 firing from the Town of Charlcstown on the troops under 
 Lord Howe, nor did any body else see any; for I now 
 appeal to his Lordship's candour, whether it was possible 
 that his troops could have been annoyed by the Americans 
 from any of the houses in Charlcstown provided those 
 houses had been full of them ? The Town of Charlestown 
 was always in your power, and you might have set it on 
 fire at any hour when you pleased. 
 
 Would it not have been less inglorious to have reserved 
 it for the use of your own troops, who have since loaded you 
 with many a curse, while suffering in cold and rain for want 
 of being covered in those very buildings you destroyed ? 
 
 If this is your idea of " glory," 1 shall think that this, 
 and the martial soul you discover in lamenting the abduct 
 
1097 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sec, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1098 
 
 of your nephew, Thomas Stayiley, Esquire, because you 
 were out of the direction of the American shot, pretty 
 near of a piece. 
 
 Liberty, peace, and glory to both Countries, is the voice 
 of America. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL GAGE TO LORD 
 DARTMOUTH. 
 
 Boston, June 25, 1775. 
 
 The success, of which I send your Lordship an account 
 by the present opportunity, was very neces ary in our 
 present situation, and 1 wish most sincerely that it had not 
 cost us so dear. The number of killed and wounded is 
 greater than our forces can afford to lose. The officers, 
 who were obliged to exert themselves, have suffered very 
 much, and we have lost some extremely good officers. 
 The trials we have had show the rebels are not the despi- 
 cable rabble too many have supposed them to be, and I 
 find it owing to a military spirit, encouraged among them 
 for a few years past, joined with an uncommon degree of 
 zeal and enthusiasm, that they are otherwise. When they 
 find cover, they m^ke a good stand, and the country natu- 
 rally strong, affords it to them, and they are taught to assist 
 its natural strength by art, for they intrench and raise bat- 
 teries. They have fortified all the heights and passes 
 around this Town, from Dorchester to Medford or Mistick, 
 and it is not impossible for them to annoy the Town. 
 
 Your Lordship will perceive that the conquest of this 
 Country is not easy, and can be effected only by time and 
 perseverance, and strong armies attacking it in various 
 quarters and dividing then forces. Confining your ope- 
 rations on this side only is attacking in the strongest 
 part, and you have to cope with vast numbers. It might 
 naturally be supposed, that troops of the nature of the 
 rebel Army would return home after such a check as 
 they had got, and I hear many wanted to go off, but care 
 has been taken to prevent it ; for any man that returns 
 home without a pass, is immediately seized and sent back 
 to his Regiment. In all their wars against the French 
 they never showed so much conduct, attention, and perse- 
 verance as they do now. I think it my duty to let your 
 Lordship know the true situation of affairs, that Adminis- 
 tration may take measures accordingly. 
 
 The people's minds are kept so much heated and in- 
 flamed, that they are always ripe for every thing that is 
 extravagant. Truth is kept from them, and they are too 
 full of prejudices to believe it, if laid before them ; and so 
 blind and bigoted, that they cannot see they have exchang- 
 ed liberty for tyranny. No people were ever governed 
 more absolutely than those of the American Provinces now 
 are, and no reason can be given for their submission, but 
 that it is a tyranny they have erected themselves, as they 
 believe, to avoid greater evils. 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO THE EARL OF DARTMOUTH. 
 
 Whitehall, July 25, 1775. 
 This morning arrived Captain Chadds, of His Majesty's 
 ship Cerberus, with the following letter from the Honour- 
 able Lieutenaut-General Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, 
 one of His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State: 
 
 Copy of a Letter from the Honourable Lieutenant- Gen- 
 eral Gage to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Boston, 
 June 25, 1775. 
 
 My Lord : I am to acquaint your Lordship of an action 
 that happened on the 17th instant, between His Majesty's 
 Troops and a body of the rebel forces. 
 
 An alarm was given at break of day on the 17th instant, 
 by a firing from the Lively, ship of war; and advice was 
 soon afterwards received, that the rebels had broke ground, 
 and were raising a battery on the heights of the peninsula 
 of Charlestown, against the Town of Boston. They were 
 plainly seen at work, and in a few hours a battery of six 
 guns played upon their works. Preparations were instantly 
 made for landing a body of men to drive them off, and ten 
 companies of Grenadiers, ten of Light-Infantry, with the 
 Fifth, Thirty-Eighth, Forty-Third, and Fifty-Second bat- 
 talions made a third line. The rebels upon the heights 
 were perceived to be in great force, and strongly posted — 
 a redoubt thrown up on the 16th at night, with other 
 
 works, full of men, defended with cannon, and a large 
 bo/ly posted in the houses in Charlestown, covered their 
 right flank, and their centre and left were covered by a 
 breastwork, part of it cannon proof, which reached from 
 the left of the redoubt to the Mistick or Medford river. 
 
 This appearance of the rebels' strength, and the large 
 columns seen pouring in to their assistance, occasioned an 
 application for the Troops to be re-enforced with some com- 
 panies of Light-Infantry and Grenadiers, the Forty-Seventh 
 Battalion, and the First battalion of Marines, the whole, when 
 in conjunction, making a body of something above two thou- 
 sand men. These Troops advanced, formed in two lines, 
 and the attack began by a sharp cannonade from our field- 
 pieces and howitzers; the lines advancing slowly, and fre- 
 quently halting to give time for the artillery to fire. The 
 Light-Infantry was directed to force the left point of the 
 breastwork, to take the rebel line in flank, and the Grena- 
 diers to attack in front, supported by the Fifth and Fifty- 
 Second Battalions. These orders were executed with per- 
 severance, under a heavy fire from the vast numbers ol the 
 rebels; and notwithstanding various impediments before 
 the Troops could reach the works, (and though the left, 
 under Brigadier-General Pigot, who engaged also with the 
 rebels at Charlestown, which, at a critical moment was set 
 on fire,) the Brigadier pursued his point, and carried the 
 redoubt. The rebels were then forced from other strong 
 holds, and pursued till they were drove clear off the pen- 
 insula, leaving five pieces of cannon behind them. 
 
 The loss the rebels sustained must have been consider- 
 able, from the great numbers they carried off during the 
 time of action, and buried in holes, since discovered, ex- 
 clusive of what they suffered by the shipping and boats. 
 Near one hundred were buried the next day after, and thirty 
 found wounded in the field, three of whom are since dead. 
 
 I enclose your Lordship a return of the killed and 
 wounded of His Majesty's Troops. 
 
 This action has shown the superiority of the King's 
 Troops, who, under every disadvantage, attacked and de- 
 feated above three times their number, strongly posted and 
 covered by breastworks. 
 
 The conduct of Major-General Hotce was conspicuous 
 on this occasion, and his example spirited the Troops, in 
 which Major-General Clinton assisted, who followed the 
 re-enforcement. And in justice to Brigadier-General 
 Pigot, I am to add, that the success of the day must, in a 
 great measure, be attributed to his firmness and gallantry. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonels Nesbit, Abercrombie, Clarke : Ma- 
 jors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spendlove, Smelt, Mitchell, 
 Pitcairn, and Short, exerted themselves remarkably; and 
 the valour of the British officers and soldiers in general 
 was at no time more conspicuous than in this action. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &.c, Thomas Gage. 
 
 Return of the Officers, Non- Commissioned Officers, and 
 
 Privates, killed and wounded of His Majesty's Troops, 
 
 at the attack of the Redoubts and Intrenchments, on the 
 
 Heights of Charlestown, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Royal Regiment Artillery — Captain Huddlcston, Cap- 
 tain Lemoin, Lieutenant Shuttleworth, one Sergeant, eight 
 rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Fourth Foot — Captain Balfour, Captain West, Lieu- 
 tenant Barron, Lieutenant Brown, wounded ; one Ser- 
 geant, thirteen rank and file, killed ; one Sergeant, one 
 drummer and fifer, twenty-nine rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Fifth — Captain Harris, Capt. Jackson, Capt. Downes, 
 Capt. Marsden, Lieut. McClintock, Lieut. Croker, Ensign 
 Charleton. Ensign Ballaquire, wounded ; twenty-two rank 
 and file, killed ; ten Sergeants, two drummers and filers, one 
 hundred and ten rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Tenth — Captain Parsons, Captain Fitzgerald, Lieu- 
 tenant Pettigrew, Lieutenant Verner, Lieutenant Hamil- 
 ton, Lieutenant Kelly, wounded ; two Sergeants, five rank 
 and file, killed ; one drummer and fifer, thirty-nine rank 
 and file, wounded. 
 
 Eighteenth — Lieutenant Richardson, wounded ; three 
 rank and file, killed ; seven rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Twenty-Second — Lieut. Colonel Abercrombie, wound- 
 ed, and since dead. 
 
 Twenty-Third — Captain Blakeney, Lieutenant Beck- 
 with, Lieutenant Cochrane, Lieutenant Lenthall, wound- 
 
1099 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 100 
 
 ed ; two Serjeants, one drummer, eleven rank and file, 
 killed; two Sergeants, one drummer and filer, thirty-five 
 rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Thirty-Fifth — Lieutenant Baird, killed ; Capt. Drew, 
 Captain Lyon, Lieutenant Massay, Lieutenant Campbell, 
 wounded ; eighteen rank and file, killed ; two Sergeants, 
 two drummers, forty-one rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Thirty-Eighth — Lieutenant Dulton, killed ; Capt. Co- 
 kcr, Captain Boyd, Lieutenant Christie, Lieutenant House, 
 Lieutenant Myers, Ensign Sergeant, Ensign Sweney, Quar- 
 termaster Mitchell, wounded ; two Sergeants, twenty-three 
 rank and file, killed : four Sergeants, one drummer and 
 fifer, sixty-nine rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Forty-Third — Major Spe?idlove, Captain McKcnzie, 
 Lieutenant Robinson, Lieutenant Dalrymplt, wounded ; 
 two Sergeants, twenty rank and file, killed ; three Sergeants, 
 two drummers and fifers, seventy-seven rank and file, 
 wounded. 
 
 Forty-Seventh — Major Smelt, Captain Craig, Captain 
 England, Captain Alcock, Lieutenant England, wounded ; 
 Lieutenant Hilliard, Lieutenant Gould, wounded, since 
 dead; one Sergeant, fifteen rank and file, killed; three 
 Sergeants, forty-seven rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Second — Major Williams, wounded, since dead ; 
 Captain Addison, Captain Smith, Capt. Davidson, killed ; 
 Captain Nelson, Lieut. Higgins, Lieut. Thompson, Lieut. 
 Crawford, Ensign Chetwynd, Ensign Grceme, wounded ; 
 one Sergeant, twenty rank and file, killed; seven Sergeants, 
 seventy-three rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Ninth — Lieutenant Hayncs, wounded ; six rank 
 and file, killed ; twenty-five rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Sixty-Third — Lieutenant Dalrymple, killed ; Captain 
 Folliott, Captain Stopford, wounded ; one Sergeant, seven 
 rank and file, killed ; two Sergeants, one drummer, twenty- 
 five rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Sixty-Fifth — Captain Hudson, killed ; Major Butler, 
 Captain Sinclair, Lieutenant Paxton, Lieutenant Hales, 
 Lieutenant Smith, wounded ; one Sergeant, one drummer, 
 twenty-five rank and file, wounded. 
 
 First Battalion of Marines — Major Pitcairn, wounded, 
 since dead ; Captain Ellis, Lieutenant Shea, Lieutenant 
 Finnie, killed ; Captain Averne, Captain Chudleigh, Cap- 
 tain Johnston, Lieutenant Ragg, wounded ; two Sergeants, 
 fifteen rank and file, killed ; two Sergeants, fifty-five rank 
 and file, wounded. 
 
 Second Battalion Marines — Captain Campbell, Lieuten- 
 ant Gardiner, killed ; Captain Logan, Lieutenant Dyer, 
 Lieutenant Brisbane, wounded ; five rank and file, killed ; 
 one Sergeant, twenty-nine rank and file, wounded. 
 
 Officers attending on General Howe. 
 Sixty-Seventh — Capt. Shcrivin, Aid-de-Camp, killed. 
 Fourteenth — Lieutenant Bruce, killed ; Ensign Hesketh, 
 wounded. 
 
 Royal Navy — Lieutenant Jordcn, wounded. 
 
 Engineer — Lieutenant Page, wounded. 
 
 Volunteers, late Barre's — Lieutenant Alexander Camp- 
 bell, on half-pay, wounded. 
 
 Royal Artillery — Mr. Vance, wounded. 
 
 Fourth Foot — Mr. Dorans, wounded. 
 
 Thirty-Fifth— Mr. Maden, wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Second — Mr. Harrison, wounded. 
 
 Fifty-Ninth — Mr. Clarke, wounded. 
 
 Second Battalion Marines — Mr. Bowman, wounded. 
 
 Total — One Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, seven 
 Captains, nine Lieutenants, fifteen Sergeants, one drum- 
 mer, one hundred and ninety-one rank and file, killed ; 
 three Majors, twenty-seven Captains, thirty-two Lieuten- 
 ants, eight Ensigns, twenty Sergeants, twelve Drummers, 
 seven hundred and six rank and file, wounded. 
 
 N. B. Captain Downes, of the Fifth Regiment, and 
 Lieutenant Higgins, of the Fifty-Second, died of their 
 wounds on the 24th instant. 
 
 OBSERVATIONS ON THE GOVEHNM ENT ACCOUNT OF THE 
 LATE ACTION NEAK CH AHLESTOWN. 
 
 London, August 1, 1775. 
 
 There are two sorts of persons who always persevere 
 uniformly, and without shame, in one unvaried line of con- 
 duct, regardless of the contempt and detestation of man- 
 
 kind. The sorts I mean are the thorough virtuous and 
 the thorough scoundrel. 
 
 To one of these classes most evidently belong the Min- 
 isters who settled the account which they have given us in 
 last Tuesday's Gazette. 
 
 The action near Boston happened on the " 17th of 
 June ;" yet General Gage's letter is dated eight days after, 
 on the " 25th of June."'' 
 
 By this letter it appears that it has cost one thousand 
 and sixty-four of the Troops, killed and wounded, to de- 
 stroy a redoubt thrown up only the overnight, i. c., on the 
 16th of June. 
 
 The loss of the Provincials, the letter says, " must have 
 been considerable ;" yet, eight days after the action, the 
 General, though completely victorious, can tell us only of 
 " one hundred" buried, and " thirty" wounded. 
 
 But " they had carried off great numbers during the 
 time of action." Did they so? That is no great sign of 
 flight, confusion, and defeat. 
 
 But " they buried them in holes." Really ! Why, are 
 our soldiers buried in the air. 
 
 But " the King's Troops were under every disadvan- 
 tage." So truly it seems; for, in the same letter we are 
 told " that they had a proportion of field artillery, and 
 landed on the peninsula without opposition, and formed as 
 soon as landed, under the protection of some ships-of-war, 
 armed vessels, and boats, by whose fire the rebels were 
 kept within their works." 
 
 But " this action has shewn the superiority of the King's 
 Troops." Has it, indeed ! How? Why they (with a pro- 
 portion of field artillery, and with the assistance of ships, 
 armed vessels, and boats, and with the encouragement of 
 certain and speedy re-enforcements, if necessary) attacked 
 and defeated " above three times their own numbers." 
 What, three times their own numbers? Of whom, pray? 
 Of French or SjMinish Regulars ? No, of the Americans. 
 Of the Americans ! What, of those dastardly, hypocritical 
 cowards, who (Lord Sandwich knows) do not feel bold 
 enough to dare to look a soldier in the face ! Of those un- 
 disciplined and spiritless Yankee's, who were to be driven 
 from one end of the Continent to the other, with a single 
 Regiment! What, of those skulking assassins, who can 
 only fire at a distance, from behind stone-walls and hedges ! 
 Good God ! Was it necessary, to defeat these fellows, that 
 the Troops should be " spirited" by the example of Gen- 
 eral Hoive, assisted by General Clinton! And can it be, 
 that Lieutenant-Colonels Nesbit, Abercrombie, and Clarke ; 
 Majors Butler, Williams, Bruce, Spcndlove, Smelt, Mit- 
 chell, Pitcairn, and Short," should be forced to exert 
 themselves remarkably against such poltrons ! Is it possible 
 that this could be an affair in which " the valour of the 
 British officers and soldiers in general was as conspicuous 
 as at any time whatever ;" and notwithstanding all this, 
 that the success, in a great measure, should be attributed 
 to the firmness and gallantry of General Pigot ?" 
 
 Good God! is it come to this at last? Can the Regu- 
 lars, with all these exertions, only defeat three times their 
 own number of undisciplined cowards? and that, too, at 
 the expense of one thousand and sixty-four (that is, more 
 than one-half) killed and wounded, out of something above 
 two thousand. 
 
 Is every redoubt which the Americans can throw up in 
 a short summer night, to be demolished at this expense? 
 How many such victories can we bear? 
 
 Alas! when I read in the General's letter the regular 
 and formidable preparations for attack : " Ten companies of 
 Grenadiers, ten of Light-Infantry, with the Fifth, Thirty- 
 Eighth, Forty-Third, and Fifty-Second Battalions, with a 
 proportion of field artillery, under the command of Major- 
 General Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot;" and these 
 " landed on the peninsula under the protection of ships-of- 
 war, armed vessels, and boats," and their dreadful fire : 
 when 1 had read this, I concluded that the next lines 
 would inform me of the immediate and precipitate flight 
 of the Yankees. Judge, then, of my surprise, when I 
 read that (instead of being at all dismayed or struck with 
 the Sandwich panick) " large columns" of these cowards 
 " were seen pouring in to their assistance." 
 
 Well, but then comes " an application for the Troops to 
 be re-enforced with some companies of Light-Infantry and 
 Grenadiers, the Forty-Seventh Battalion, and the First 
 
1 101 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1102 
 
 Battalion of Marines." They will certainly, thought I, 
 scamper away now. Alas ! No. They stay and fight. 
 And to complete my astonishment, 1 cannot find in General 
 Gage's letter where our Troops were when he wrote, nor 
 what became of them after the action ; whether they are 
 returned to Boston, or have ventured to encamp without 
 the Town ; what prisoners they have taken ; what advan- 
 tages (besides five pieces of cannon) result from this bloody 
 action ; whether the war is now at an end, or what the 
 Troops propose to do next. 
 
 To be serious, I am, for my own part, convinced that 
 the event of this execrable dragooning is decided ; and 
 that hefore winter there will not be a single soldier of Lord 
 Bute's and Lord Mansfield s mercenary troops left upon 
 the Continent of America. 
 
 With what consolation those noble Lords will wipe away 
 the tears of the widow and orphans, (as well English as 
 American,) which these bloody Stuart measures have oc- 
 casioned, 1 cannot tell ; but I know that my eyes will gush 
 out with joy when they see the authors of our domestick 
 miseries receive (what 1 believe they will soon receive) 
 their just reward. 
 
 FURTHER OBSERVATIONS. 
 
 I have the highest idea of General Hoive's military cha- 
 racter, yet cannot help wondering how he came to suffer the 
 Provincials to escape, and even carry off their dead, when 
 drove from their strong lines ; for I conceive it very easy 
 to have destroyed the whole body, after dislodging them so 
 suddenly from their intrenchments, if Mr. Gage is suffered 
 to tell the story right: I can't help observing also, that I 
 never before heard of so many men, in proportion to the 
 number, being killed and wounded from redoubts made in 
 four hours, and from six pieces of cannon only in those 
 redoubts, to oppose above one hundred pieces. 1 therefore 
 suspect that the disagreeable scene is not unfolded. 
 
 One or both of the following conclusions must be drawn 
 from this narration : The Americans are either the cle- 
 verest fellows in the world at making strong lines in three 
 or four hours, or the most desperate enemy in defending 
 them ; for, by Mr. Gage's account, they killed and wounded 
 near half his army in marching up about three hundred 
 yards under a complete train of artillery, and all the fire of 
 ihe Navy to cover them ; which, by this account, is a new 
 instance of successful defence from one night's labour. 
 Hah, Gad ! by this rule the Americans will put our whole 
 Army into the grave or hospitals in three or four nights' 
 work, and an hour's fire in each morning. I do not remem- 
 ber precisely, but am apt to believe, that there were not so 
 many officers killed and wounded at the battle of Minden, 
 though the English Regiments sustained the force of the 
 whole French Army for a considerable time. A six-gun 
 battery, the production of a night's digging, had there been 
 ten thousand men to protect it, could never have made 
 such havock against a vast train of artillery, and the irre- 
 sistible fire of our ships, which would sweep all before them, 
 from every acre of that peninsula. But the true story is 
 not told : A Methodist Secretary, and a Scotch Printer, 
 can do more than our people; they pay off the sins of omis- 
 sion and commission of the day by a long prayer at night, 
 and thus settle accounts between God and the People in 
 an hour's devotion. 
 
 London, August 8, 1775. 
 
 The account of the late action between the Americans 
 and the Troops of General Gage, is one of the most eva- 
 sive and unsatisfactory that ever yet obtruded on the pub- 
 lick, even through the channel of a Ministerial paper; and 
 yet it is every way worthy of the victory which it affects 
 to describe. The General sent out " something above two 
 thousand men," of whom something above half (t. c. 1053) 
 are either killed or wounded. The General, however, 
 takes care not to mention how many hours were employed 
 in the prosecution of this hopeful business, but, neverthe- 
 less, pretends to tell us that great numbers of the enemy 
 were destroyed ; and seems to have employed his soldiers 
 in digging up such as were buried in holes, that he might 
 have power to ascertain the value of his conquest. 
 
 With all the vanity of a military man he praises the 
 conduct of the officers under his command ; but prudently 
 omits to say whether any such advantage has been gained 
 
 as may make up for the loss of one Lieutenant-Colonel, 
 two Majors, seven Captains, nine Lieutenants, fifteen Ser- 
 geants, one Drummer, one hundred and ninety-one rank 
 and file, killed ; and three Majors, twenty-seven Captains, 
 thirty-two Lieutenants, eight Ensigns, forty Sergeants, 
 twelve Drummers, and seven hundred and six rank and file 
 wounded, and unfit for service. In short, if every time the 
 General sends out his brace of thousands, the one half of 
 them should either drop, or be rendered useless, we shall 
 soon see an end to the war in America, but it cannot be 
 expected to terminate in our own favour. 
 
 The Ministry received this account several days before 
 it was announced, but were either unwilling or unable to 
 cook it up for the publick till after their despatches had been 
 sent away. The printer may rely on this assurance from 
 one whose private letters will always reach him unexam- 
 ined and uncastrated by the spies of Government. Gene- 
 ral Gage is but too well convinced that such another vic- 
 tory would oblige him to re-embark his Troops and sail 
 immediately for England, without attempting any farther 
 reduction of the Americans. 
 
 The Captain who brought these despatches from Boston, 
 was commanded to declare he had great news of the defeat 
 of the Americans, though he had assured many people in 
 the Towns through which he passed on his way to London, 
 that he was afraid the accounts he brought would throw 
 the whole Nation into disorder, and direct its vengeance on 
 the advisers of hostile measures in America. 
 
 Grenada, June 28, 1775. 
 
 On Monday, the 26th instant, his Honour the Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, sent the following Message to the Hon- 
 ourable House of Assembly: 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 
 I think it my duty to require, that the Address and Min- 
 utes of your House, in favour of the rebellious subjects in 
 America, be rescinded. This I hope will be done before 
 any other business is entered upon by your House. 
 
 I have the honour to be, &c. William Young. 
 
 St. George's, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Whereupon it was Resolved by the House, That a Mes- 
 sage be sent to his Honour, the Commander-in-Chief, 
 acknowledging, that an Address to His Majesty had passed 
 this House, in consequence of an unanimous Resolution for 
 that purpose ; that such Address was ordered to be engross- 
 ed and delivered to the late Speaker for the purpose of 
 presenting the same to the Throne, and is no longer consi- 
 dered to be in the power of this House ; that such Address 
 contained a renewal of the sentiments of this House, of 
 their attachment to His Majesty's Royal person, family, 
 and Government, and of their confidence under such aus- 
 pices, in the conduct of the Mother Country, towards this 
 Colony ; that the Address also deplored the mischiefs 
 already consequent on the unhappy contest subsisting be- 
 tween Great Britain and its Provinces on the Continent 
 of America, and pointed out some of the many evils of 
 which the continuance of such disputes were likely to be 
 productive of to these islands; and imploring His Majesty, 
 the father of all his People, to exert that influence which 
 he possessed from the attachment of his servants, and the 
 affection of his subjects, towards healing differences between 
 their countrymen and friends ; but contained no principles 
 or expressions tending to encourage or approve rebellion, 
 or a rebellious disposition, in any part of His Majesty's 
 extensive dominions ; and therefore hoping that his Hon- 
 our will not consider such an Address as any deviation from 
 that loyalty which they feel, are ready to manifest on all 
 occasions to His Majesty ; and that his Honour will please 
 to allow the continuance of the publick business of this 
 Colony, which requires the immediate attention of the 
 Legislature. 
 
 After which a Message was accordingly sent to his Hon- 
 our. 
 
 The following Resolutions were proposed, and passed 
 the House unanimously : 
 
 That this House are no less astonished than alarmed, to 
 find that the exercise of one of the most acknowledged and 
 indisputable rights of the subject, that of petitioning the 
 Sovereign for the redress of evils, which they either feel 
 
1103 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1104 
 
 or may foresee to be unavoidable, should bave drawn upon 
 lliem the displeasure of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 That they are at a loss to comprehend upon what prin- 
 ciples an Address to the King, couched (as they conceive) 
 in the most respectful terms, and breathing but those real 
 sentiments of loyalty with which this House is impressed, 
 should be construed as encouraging a spirit of disaffection, 
 or rebellion, in any part of His Majesty's dominions. 
 
 That the peremptory requisition to rescind the Minutes, 
 and a very loyal and dutiful Address to their Sovereign, 
 before the House proceeded on any other business, is a 
 very extraordinary and unheard-of exertion of power, de- 
 structive of the right of making the most decent repre- 
 sentations of the state of the Colony to the Sovereign, and 
 of every idea of freedom of conduct and debate, which 
 are not only the incontrovertible right of the House of Re- 
 presentatives, but essential to the welfare and good Govern- 
 ment of the Colony. 
 
 That this House cannot but in a particular manner lament 
 that there should be any interruption to their proceedings, 
 at a lime when, with the greatest appearance of harmony 
 among themselves, and a hearty concurrence on the part 
 of the other branches of the Legislature, they were actually 
 preparing so many useful laws and regulations, which were 
 become materially requisite for the re-establishment of pub- 
 lick credit, and for the preservation of the Colony from the 
 numerous calamities with which it has been long afflicted, 
 and which, without an immediate remedy, must speedily 
 tend to its total ruin ; but this House can never resolve to 
 attain even these desirable ends (were the means of doing 
 so still in their power) by the sacrifice of so essential and 
 inherent a right as that of petitioning their Sovereign for 
 the redress of grievances, or prevention of evils, either felt 
 or foreseen. 
 
 The same day his Honour dissolved the Assembly. 
 
 PROCLAMATION. 
 
 George the Third, by the grace of God o/"Great Bri- 
 tain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the 
 Faith : 
 
 Whereas, it is expedient and necessary that the present 
 House of Assembly, called for our said Island of Grenada 
 and the Grenadines, should be dissolved: We do there- 
 fore think fit to issue this our Royal Proclamation, to pub- 
 lish and declare to our loving subjects, that the said As- 
 sembly is dissolved, and be it, and it is hereby dissolved 
 accordingly. 
 
 Witness our trusty and well beloved William Young, 
 Esq., our Commander-in-Chief in and over our Islands 
 of Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent and Tobago, 
 Chancellor, Ordinary, and Vice-Admiral of the same, at 
 Grenada, this 26th day of June, in the year of our Lord, 
 1775, and the fifteenth of our reign. 
 
 William Young. 
 
 Grenada, duly published this 26th June, 1775. 
 
 John Porteus, Deputy Provost Marshal. 
 God save the King. 
 
 MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. 
 
 At a meeting of sundry gentlemen at Savannah, on 
 Monday, June 26, 1775, it was unanimously 
 
 Resolved, That the present Acts of Parliament tending 
 to raise a revenue in America, are grievances : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That we will do all that we legally 
 may to obtain redress of those grievances. 
 
 Resolved, That Friday, the 30th instant, June, at nine 
 o'clock, A. M., at the house of Mrs. Cuyler, be a day ap- 
 pointed for a meeting, in order to consult the most expe- 
 dient method to obtain redress. 
 
 TALBOT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 June 26, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of Observation for Talbot County desire 
 you to publish the following piece of intelligence: 
 
 On Monday, the 26th of June, the Ship Johnston, Cap- 
 tain Jones, from and belonging to Mr. James Gildart of 
 
 Liverpool, was spoke within the Chesapeake Bay by Cap- 
 tain Harding, of the Schooner Endeavour; when Captain 
 Jones informed Captain Harding that he was from Liver- 
 pool, and had on board a quantity of Salt. Captain Jones 
 being asked whether he had any thing more than Salt on 
 board, answered, yes, he had a few Dry-Goods. On being 
 asked further, how Mr. Gildart (who was well apprized of 
 the Association) would venture to send such articles to 
 America, Captain Jones replied, that three Generals and 
 twenty thousand soldiers had been ordered to America 
 some time before the above goods were shipped, and that 
 it was not doubted but all would be quiet by the time he 
 should arrive. 
 
 Captain Jones inquired of Captain Harding whether 
 he could land his Goods and Salt in Georgia ; but the next 
 day came with his Ship into the Eastern Ray, landed some 
 Servants he had on board, and soon after started down the 
 Ray. 
 
 The publick are cautioned to be under the watch, and 
 look out for the Ship Johnston; as there is reason to sus- 
 pect she is still hovering in some part of the bay, and will 
 attempt to land her Goods if she can find a convenient op- 
 portunity, notwithstanding the Captain's inquiring whether 
 it were practicable to land them in Georgia. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for Talbot 
 County, on Friday, the 7th of July, 1775 : 
 
 James Lloyd Chamberlaine, in the Chair. 
 
 Messrs. Thomas Harrison, William Hamilton, Rich- 
 ard Skinner, and Hugh Rice, four of the gentlemen de- 
 puted to go on board the Ship Johnston, and examine her 
 papers and log-book, appear and report : That on notice 
 from Mr. James Rraddock, agent and factor for Messrs. 
 James Gildart and John Gawilh and Co., of Liverpool, 
 merchants, in the night of the 27th of June last, they did, 
 in the morning of the 28th, get on board the said Ship 
 Johnston, then lying in the Western Ray, waiting the 
 return of her boat sent for the said deputation, and did 
 examine her manifest, cocket and log-book, by which they 
 found that she had on board Salt, fourteen Convicts, two 
 indented Servants, and Dry-Goods, as in the annexed sche- 
 dule ;* said by Mr. Rraddock to be shipped by Mr. James 
 Gildart, on account of the above-mentioned Gildart and 
 Gawith, and did give orders for her immediate return, per- 
 mitting her, however, to lay at Hamjiton Roads, in Vir- 
 ginia, to take in a recruit of bread and water. 
 
 They further report, that Mr. Rraddock applied to them 
 for leave to land the convicts and servants ; to which they 
 replied, that they could see nothing in the proceedings of 
 the Congress relative to convicts or servants, and therefore 
 could give no directions with regard to their being landed ; 
 but told him, if he chose to do it, it must be at his own 
 risk; on which Mr. Rraddock did land the said convicts 
 and servants, when they (the deputation) came on shore, 
 alleging in his justification, that servants had been a few 
 days before landed at Annapolis and Baltimore Town, 
 and were then advertised for sale. 
 
 They further say, that they charged Captain Jones of 
 the said Ship Johnston, to return immediately to the Port 
 of Liverpool, without breaking bulk, which be, the said 
 
 * A Schedule of the Goods on board the Ship Johnston, Captain Joxi*, 
 taken June 2tith, 1775. 
 
 No. 1. Bale, 10 pieces of Kendal cottons. 
 No. 2. Do. Do. 
 
 No. 3. Cask of nails, forty thousand 8^,' ten thousand 6d. 
 
 No. 4. Do. twenty thousand lOd ; ten thousand pump. 
 
 No. 5. Do. twenty thousand 20rf. 
 
 No. 6. Do. ten thousand 3dd. ; ten thousand scupper. 
 
 No. 7. Cask of hats, 4} dozen. 
 
 No. 8. Chest containing sixteen pieces of check linen; half a dozen 
 bed hunts, and fourteen dozen check handkerchiefs. 
 No. 9. Cask four pieces of sheeting. 
 No. 10. Bale, six pieces of oznahrigs. 
 No. 11. Do. six Do. 
 No. 12. Do. six Do. 
 
 No. 13. Chest, quantity thirty .two pieces of Irish linen. 
 No. 14. Do. of Haberdashery ; quantity, thirty.six pounds of pins, 
 three dozen ivory combs, five dozon horn combs, four pounds of thread. 
 Fifty crates of Virginia ware. 
 Four crates of stone bottles. 
 
 No. 15. Slops, quantity; jackets, shirts, and trowsors. 
 Twelve thousand four hundred bushels salt. 
 Fourteen men and women convicts. 
 
 Two indented servants. John Bracco, Clerk pro lem. 
 
1105 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1175. 
 
 1106 
 
 Captain, assured them he would do; and when they left 
 him, he stood down the hay. The deputation also say, 
 that Mr. Braddock, in their hearing, told the said Captain 
 he must proceed immediately on his return as aforesaid. 
 One of the deputation further saith he overheard the Cap- 
 tain, in private conversation with Mr. Braddock, remon- 
 strate that he could not land the Salt at Liverpool ; to 
 which Mr. Braddock replied, they might do as they would 
 with it, but that he (the Captain) must immediately carry 
 it back to the place from whence it came. 
 
 It is the unanimous opinion of this Committee, that the 
 said Messrs. James Gildart and John Gaivith, by sending 
 the said Goods to be landed in America, have been guilty 
 of a breach of the first Resolve of the American Associa- 
 tion, viz : " That if any Merchant, residing in Great Bri- 
 tain or Ireland, shall, directly or indirectly, ship any Goods, 
 Wares, or Merchandise, for America, in order to break the 
 Non-Importation Agreement, or in any manner contravene 
 the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it 
 ought to be made publick ; and on the same being so done, 
 we will not thenceforth have any commercial connexion 
 with such Merchants." 
 
 Resolved, therefore, for ourselves and our constituents, 
 That we will from henceforth break off all commercial 
 connection with the said Messrs. James Gildart and John 
 Gawith, and each of them, their and each of their agents, 
 factors and store-keepers. 
 
 Resolved, also, That agreeable to a determination of the 
 Provincial Convention, in December last, no Gentleman of 
 the Law ought henceforward to bring or prosecute any 
 suit whatever for the said Messrs. James Gildart and John 
 Gawith, or for either of them, their or either of their 
 agents, factors, managers, or store-keepers, as such. 
 
 The proceedings of the several Provincial Conventions 
 were read, and unanimously approved of. 
 
 Ordered, That the proceedings of this meeting be im- 
 mediately made publick, and printed in the Maryland 
 Gazette. 
 
 Signed per order : John Bracco, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee for the City and Liberties of Philadel- 
 phia will meet this afternoon, at six o'clock, at the Philo- 
 sophical Society's Hall. 
 
 In Committee, June 26, 1775. 
 
 A quantity of Salt, and a box of Wine-Glasses, having 
 been imported in the Ship Albion, Thomas Crippen, mas- 
 ter, from Liverpool, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the said Ship and Cargo ought to be 
 returned forthwith ; and that the Captain have notice there- 
 of immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the District Committee see the above 
 Resolution complied with. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Joseph Whittall, one 
 of the owners of the Ship Albion, does not appear to have 
 had any knowledge of, or concern in shipping the Salt, iic, 
 in said vessel. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Henry Cour, merchant, of Liver- 
 pool, in Great Britain, half owner of the Ship Albion, 
 has knowingly violated the Association of the American 
 Congress, by shipping the said Salt to America; and 
 that it is the duty of this Committee to advertise him 
 accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That Nicholas Ashton, Esq., of, or near Li- 
 verpool, in the County of Lancaster, in Great Britain. 
 owner of the above-mentioned Salt, has wilfully violated 
 the Association of the American Congress, by shipping the 
 said Salt to America ; and that it is the duty of this Com- 
 mittee to advertise his conduct herein. 
 
 Resolved luianimously, That agreeable to the Resolu- 
 tions of the Grand American Congress, it is the duty of 
 us, and of all our constituents, the inhabitants of the City 
 and Liberties of Philadelphia, from henceforth not to have 
 any commercial intercourse whatever with the said Henry 
 Cour and JSicholas Ashton; and it is recommended that 
 an inviolable regard be paid to this Resolution. 
 
 Extrart from the Minutes of the Committee of the City 
 and Liberties of Philadelphia : 
 
 Jonathan B. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 J. LAMB AND G. ROORBACK TO NEW-YORK C0NGRE9S. 
 
 New-York, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Pursuant to your order we immediately 
 waited on Mr. Evert Bancker, the Barrack-master, to re- 
 quest his delivering us the keys of the Barracks, when he 
 informed us that he had, in compliance with your order of 
 Thursday last, employed a proper person to get the Bar- 
 racks cleansed with the utmost expedition. But upon in- 
 specting into the matter this morning, we find there are 
 only four persons employed for that purpose ; and as there 
 are sixty rooms, all of which are extremely dirty, we are 
 of opinion that it will take them ten or twelve days at least 
 to get them effectually and properly cleansed. Besides, 
 there is a good deal of mason's and carpenter's work neces- 
 sary to be done, as they are much out of repair. 
 
 We are, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most 
 humble servants, John Lamb, 
 
 Garret Roorback. 
 To the Provincial Congress for the Colony of New-York. 
 
 JOSEPH FRENCH TO ROBERT BENSON. 
 
 Jamaica, Queen's County, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Yours of the twenty-second instant came safe to 
 hand ; in answer to which, I must acquaint you that I have 
 made it a rule in life, never to accept any office or place 
 of trust, unless I could acquit myself with honour. 
 
 Some time ago we had an election at Jamaica to send 
 members to Congress, and it was carried in the negative. 
 These same men have acquainted me if I attend in Con- 
 gress, I don't represent them, but the minority. As for my 
 part I have signed the Association in New-York, and expect 
 to abide by the consequence. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great esteem, your very humble servant, 
 
 Joseph French. 
 To Robert Benson, Secretary to the Provincial Congress. 
 
 New- York. 
 
 ROBERT R. LIVINGSTON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Claremont, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I beg leave, by your means, to inform the gentle- 
 men of the Provincial Congress, that yesterday I received 
 their favour of the twenty-second instant, and that my 
 powder-maker, who has brought with him from Philadel- 
 phia one hundred and eighty pounds of saltpetre, will begin 
 to work it up on Thursday. The mill consists of four mor- 
 tars and twelve pounders, and is well supplied with water. 
 
 I shall punctually comply with the Resolutions of the 
 Continental Congress transmitted to me, and will commu- 
 nicate them to my powder-maker, who has half the profits 
 of this business. 
 
 I remain, with the greatest respect to the gentlemen of 
 the Provincial Congress, their most humble servant, 
 
 Robert R. Livingston. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. 
 
 GOVERNOTJR TRUMBULL TO JOHN HANCOCK. 
 [Read before Congress, July 5, 1775,] 
 
 Lebanon, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I received your letter of the twentieth instant, 
 enclosing the resolve of Congress of the nineteenth ; the 
 Governour, and Committee to assist him in the absence of 
 the Assembly, came into a similar resolution the same day ; 
 orders were given, and your request answered. The re- 
 mainder of Colonel Parsons's Regiment are arrived in the 
 camp near Boston, and apprehend Major-General Wooster. 
 with seventeen hundred men, are at the place of their des- 
 tination, near ?seiv- York. The harmony of our councils 
 affords matter of rejoicing. May the Supreme Director of 
 all events give wisdom, stability and union in our counsels, 
 and success, and convince them who seek to deprive us of 
 our happy privileges and just rights, that all their attempts 
 are injurious and vain. 
 
 I am, with great truth and sincerity, Sir, your and the 
 Honourable Congress's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 The Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 0 
 
U07 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. H08 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO THE EARL OF DIJNMORE. 
 
 Boston, June 26, 1775. 
 
 This Town was alarmed on the seventeenth instant, at 
 break of day, by a firing from the Lively, ship-of-war, and 
 a report immediately spread that the rebels had broke 
 ground, and were raising a battery on the heights of the 
 peninsula of Charlestown, against the Town of Boston. 
 
 They were plainly seen, and in a few hours a battery of 
 six guns played upon their works. Preparations were in- 
 stantly made for landing a body of men, and some compa- 
 nies of Grenadiers and Light-Infantry, with some battalions 
 and field artillery, amounting in the whole to two thousand 
 men, under the command of Major-General Hoive and 
 Brigadier-General Pigot, were embarked with great expe- 
 dition, and landed on the peninsula without opposition, 
 under cover of some ships-of-war and armed vessels. 
 
 The Troops formed as soon as landed. The rebels upon 
 the heights were perceived to be in great force, and strongly 
 posted. A redoubt, thrown up on the sixteenth, at night, 
 with other works, full of men, defended with cannon, and 
 a large body posted in the houses of Cliarhstown, covered 
 their right, and their left was covered by a breastwork, 
 part of it cannon-proof, which reached from the left of the 
 redoubt to the Mistick River. 
 
 Besides the appearance of the rebels' strength, large 
 columns were seen pouring in to their assistance ; but the 
 King's Troops advanced. The attack began by a cannon- 
 ade, and notwithstanding various impediments of fences, 
 walls, &.c, and the heavy fire they were exposed to from 
 the vast numbers of rebels, and their left galled from the 
 houses of Charlestown, the Troops made their way to the 
 redoubt, mounted the works, and carried it. 
 
 The rebels were then forced from other strong holds, and 
 pursued until they were entirely driven off the peninsula, 
 leaving five pieces of cannon behind them. Charlestown 
 was set on fire during the engagement, and most part of it 
 consumed. The loss they sustained must have been con- 
 siderable, from the vast numbers they were seen to carry 
 oft* during the action, exclusive of what they suffered from 
 the shipping. About one hundred were buried the day 
 after, and thirty found on the field, some of whom are since 
 dead. About one hundred and ninety of the King's Troops 
 were killed, and a great many wounded. 
 
 This action has shown the bravery of the King's Troops, 
 who, under every disadvantage, gained a complete viclory 
 over three times their number, strongly posted and covered 
 by breastworks. But they fought for their King, their laws, 
 and constitution. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A BRITISH OFFICER IN BOS- 
 TON, DATED JUNE 26, 1775. 
 
 Four days ago I received an order to command three 
 armed vessels, and to put myself under the command of 
 General Gage; as soon as I did I was ordered to be ready 
 at six o'clock next morning, to cover a part of some Troops 
 which were to make an attack on a height on the left side 
 of Boston, and to flank a breastwork and a wood, which 
 was supposed had a number of men in it; but about seven 
 o'clock General Clinton sent to me not to proceed till farther 
 orders from him. Some little time after I was ordered up 
 to General Howe's camp to lie with the vessels on his right, 
 where I last night left them, having been relieved, as 1 had 
 not been in bed for four nights. 1 find, since I came down, 
 the reason of the attack not going on was, that the rebels 
 knew of our coming, and had seven or eight thousand men 
 ready to receive us. I own 1 could have wished it had 
 went on, as I had placed the vessels in such a situation as 
 must have mowed them down, and done great execution. 
 
 I am, Sic, 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRES3. 
 
 Huad-Quartcrs, Cambridge, June 26, 1775. 
 Sir: I have this day received by express a letter from 
 the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, from which I have made the following 
 extract, viz : 
 
 Philadelphia, June 20, 1775. 
 Sir: The enclosed Resolve, which passed yesterday, I 
 have, by order of Congress, forwarded to New- Hampshire, 
 
 Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, and now send to you for 
 your government. 
 
 I am directed by the Congress to inform you of their de- 
 sire that none of the Troops now before Boston, however 
 large their number, be disbanded, but retained by you in 
 the service until the further order of this Congress, or orders 
 from General Washington. 
 
 Resolved, That the Govemour of Connecticut be request- 
 ed to direct all the forces raised in that Colony, not em- 
 ployed at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, or recommended 
 by this Congress to be marched into the Province of New- 
 York, to be immediately sent to join the combined Army 
 before Boston ; and it is earnestly recommended to the Col- 
 ony of Rhode-Island, and Provincial Convention of New- 
 Hampshire, to send immediately to the Army before Boston 
 such of the forces as are already embodied, towards their 
 quotas of the Troops agreed to be raised by the New-Eng- 
 land Colonies. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 As there are many that are, and others that ought to be 
 engaged in the service, absent from the camp, 1 should be 
 very glad if Congress would take such steps as they in their 
 wisdom may judge best, to influence or oblige the Towns 
 to send back to camp such as have left it without leave, that 
 have received the Colony's money, and such as have not 
 engaged, but ought to be. Nearly a whole company from 
 Bradford, not being mustered and sworn, have left us with- 
 out leave. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Artemas Ward. 
 To the Honourable James Warren, Esquire, President of 
 
 the Provincial Congress sitting at Walertown. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF NORTHFIELD TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMIT- 
 TEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Northfield, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We think proper to acquaint you that 
 there are two small cannon belonging to the Massachusetts- 
 Bay left at Fort Bummer when that garrison wns dis- 
 mantled, and one at Fort Hinsdale, above Northfield, each 
 four pounders. If it should be judged that there might be 
 no occasion for them on the Western frontiers, they might 
 soon be conveyed to our Army if they should be wanted 
 there. If it should be proper to remove them from the 
 places where they now lie, we shall be ready at the first 
 notice to assist in conveying them to such place as shall 
 be appointed and directed to. 
 
 By order of the Committee of Correspondence at North- 
 field: Samuel Smith, Chairman. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety in Cambridge. 
 
 P. S. There is one double fortified cannon, a four-pounder, 
 at Fort Dummer, belonging to New- Hampshire. 
 
 PLYMOUTH COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress now silting at 
 Watertown, the Petition o f the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence for the Town of Plymouth humbly sheweth: 
 That your petitioners have this day received intelligence 
 that a vote passed your House the — instant, determining 
 to remove to Head-Quarters that part of Colonel Cotton's 
 Regiment which has been, by order of your most respect- 
 able body, stationed in this place, for the security and pro- 
 tection of the lives and property of this greatly exposed 
 and much threatened Town. We, your petitioners, have 
 lately received undoubted intelligence by one of our towns- 
 men, who has been taken by a tender and carried into 
 Boston, that Admiral Graves made particular inquiry into 
 the circumstances of this Town, and said that we were a 
 rebellious people, and that in consequence of our building 
 a fort in opposition to the King's Troops, it should not be 
 long before he would blow the Town about our ears. Your 
 petitioners are very sensible that should the Troops be called 
 away from this station, the Town of Plymouth, as well as 
 the adjacent villages, will lie open to the ravages of our 
 enemies, and that it will be no difficult matter for them to 
 plunder and destroy us. The poor of this Town are al- 
 ready much distressed by reason of the stop put to the 
 
1 109 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1110 
 
 fishery, and can scarcely subsist upon what they get out of 
 the clam banks and by fishing in boats ; and should they be 
 driven from their huts into the barren country that surrounds 
 us, they must (for aught we see) perish with hunger and 
 for want of habitations, there not being houses within twenty 
 miles sufficient to receive them. These poor people con- 
 sist principally of women and children, their husbands and 
 parents having enlisted themselves into the service of the 
 Colony. Your petitioners are very far from desiring to 
 create any unnecessary expense to the Colony, but, at the 
 same time, think it necessary that said Troops remain with 
 us; and are of opinion that, should they be withdrawn, the 
 Town will be immediately evacuated ; and, for the above 
 reasons, your petitioners, as in duty bound, &tc. 
 
 For and by order of the Committee of Correspondence 
 for the Town of Plymouth : 
 
 Andrew Croswell, Clerk. 
 Gamaliel Bradford, Jr. 
 John Gray. 
 
 P. S. The Committee of Correspondence for the Town 
 of Duxbury and Kingston, which lie on Plymouth Bay, join 
 in the general prayer of the above petition. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GEN. FOLSOM. 
 
 Exeter, June 26, 1775, Eleven o'clock, P. M. 
 Tfie Committee of Safety of the Colony of New-Hamp- 
 shire, to General Folsom, greeting : 
 
 Sir : Previous to the receipt of yours of the twenty- 
 second instant, we sent you flints, bullets, &tc, per Mr. 
 Gordon, which the Company has received. We now send 
 what intrenching tools we have prepared, also a quantity of 
 blanketing. As to what you wiite in yours of the twenty- 
 eighth instant, concerning Colonel Stark, the Congress will 
 meet to-morrow and shall lay it before them; shall imme- 
 diately provide and send a Surgeon for Read's Regiment ; 
 are preparing carriages for the cannon you request in yours 
 of the twenty-fourth instant, and, as soon as completed, shall 
 forward them without delay. The Muster-master will short- 
 ly be at Medford to pay off the forces ; by him will send 
 your commission ; have sent ninety-two tents, and shall, 
 within a week, forward sixty more. 
 
 We earnestly wish you the favour and protection of Hea- 
 ven, and are yours, &c. 
 
 By order of the Committee: 
 
 M. Thornton, Chairman. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF MASON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress 
 of New-Hampshire : 
 That whereas, Jason Russell and John Tarbell, both of 
 Mason, in said Province, did, in a felonious manner, on or 
 about the 20th of May last, retire to a pasture in said 
 Town belonging to Samuel Dana, of Groton, and took 
 from thence a three year heifer, and killed and converted 
 it to their own use ; whereupon, early notice being given 
 to the Committee for said Town, they met, and required of 
 the offenders full satisfaction therefor, but each of them 
 peremptorily refusing to comply therewith : The advice of 
 Committees from the neighbouring Towns being called in, 
 viz : New-Ipswich and Temple, and the criminals being 
 cited to appear before said Committees, not only neglected 
 to make their appearance before us, but, as we learn, have 
 fled to the Army; and finding ourselves unable to settle 
 the unhappy difficulty by reason of their escape, came 
 into the following Resolution, viz: 
 
 Resolved, To refer the matter to your judicious consider- 
 ation, begging that you will, in your wisdom, take cogni- 
 zance of the offence, and deal with them in this and in 
 such like case for the future. 
 
 Ephraim Adams, Chairman. 
 
 David Blodgett, Scribe. 
 
 Mason, June 26, 1775. 
 
 SIR JAMES WRIGHT TO GOVERN OUR GAGE. 
 
 Savannah, in Georgia, June 27, 1775. 
 Sir: I had the honour to write to your Excellency, of 
 the 7th instant, enclosed to Lieutenant-Governour Colden, 
 
 which I hope you have received ; and last nighl I received 
 a letter from Lord William Campbell, acquainting me that 
 he is going to send the Scorpion with letters to your Ex- 
 cellency, and which opportunity I now embrace ; and hope 
 some method may be fallen upon, that we may receive 
 frequent information of the state of things your way, as it 
 has the greatest effect and influence on the conduct of the 
 people in these Provinces, and may contribute much to his 
 Majesty's service. 
 
 The unhappy affair of the 19th of April, and some late 
 occurrences in the neighbouring Province, have at length 
 drawn and forced the people of this Province into the same 
 predicament with others ; and I now expect that, as far 
 as they possibly can, they will follow the example of them ; 
 and 1 see no probability of any tolerable quietude, unless 
 the prudence and moderation of the Continental Congress 
 should lay a foundation for it. 
 
 Your Excellency's order to Major Furlong, I have not 
 yet forwarded ; indeed, 1 have neither vessels nor money 
 to pay the expense of sending for them; and as things are 
 circumstanced at present, it is the opinion of the gentlemen 
 of the Council, that such a number might only inflame the 
 whole Province, and be liable to insults, if not worse ; for 
 we have no fort of defence for them to be in, or retire to ; 
 and they could neither awe or prevent any attempts against 
 them. This number, a year ago, might have been of great 
 use ; or, if things take a favourable turn, may, but not just 
 now r ; and it is our opinion, that not less than five times 
 that number could answer any effectual purpose ; and 
 therefore, I do not mean to forward it yet. But if your 
 Excellency could, for this length, and authorize me to 
 draw for the expense of putting up a temporary fort, I 
 think matters would soon wear a different aspect here ; but 
 without, neither law or government can be supported. And 
 I have neither men or money. And the Governours had 
 much better be in England than remain in America, and 
 have the mortification to see their powers executed by 
 Committees and mobs. And I am really amazed that 
 these Southern Provinces should be left in the situation 
 they are, and the Governours and King's Officers, and 
 friends to Government, naked and exposed to the resent- 
 ment of an enraged people. 
 
 Stuart has been obliged to take sanctuary in St. Augus- 
 tine. 
 
 1 shall hope for a full and clear answer from your Ex- 
 cellency, that I may know better how to conduct myself; 
 and have the honour to be, with respect and esteem, your 
 Excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 James Wright.* 
 
 To his Excellency General Gage. 
 
 * The above letter was withdrawn from the envelope, and the follow, 
 ing was substituted in its place, and forwarded by the Secret Commit- 
 tee at Charlestown, South-Carolina : 
 
 Savannah, in Georgia, June 27, 1775. — Sir : The unhappy affair of 
 the 19th of April, and some late occurrences in Carolina, have occa- 
 sioned this Province to put on an appearance, which I have the plea- 
 sure to assure your Excellency is by no means real ; and I am happy 
 that I can, with equal confidence, assure you that there is nothing 
 really formidable in the proceedings or designs of our neighbours of 
 South-Carolina, notwithstanding the lato address of their Congress to 
 Lord William Campbell, who being but just arrived, and, as your Excel- 
 lency knows, but inexperienced in affairs of Government, may think 
 them very serious, and express his apprehensions to you on the subject. 
 However unwilling I write this, yet the good of His Majesty's service 
 compels me to make this intimation to your Exoellency, lest you should 
 otherwise be disposed to believe that affairs are in extremity in these 
 Colonies, and act accordingly. 
 
 My private intercourse is so extensive in these Colonies, and I am 
 so well informed of the private sentiments of their leading men, that 
 I assure you no danger is to be apprehended from their designs; and 
 their measures, I am convinced, will quickly ohange, provided they are 
 left to do it in their own way. And upon the best information, joined 
 to certain knowledge of men and matters in Carolina and Georgia, I 
 am fully assured, that if any ships or troops were to be sent into these 
 parts, they would not only totally destroy the present favourable ap- 
 pearances, but in all probability would prove destructive to the good of 
 the service. Upon these ideas I have regulated my conduct; and I 
 have not, as yet, even dreamed of applying to Major Furlong; and I 
 firmly believe that I shall have no occasion to do it. 
 
 1 sincerely wish your Excellency success in your undertakings ; and 
 I have the honour to be, with perfect esteem, your Excellency's most 
 obedient and most humble servant, James Wright. 
 
 To his Excellency General Oage. 
 
 A facsimile signature of James Wright was affixed to this letter 
 by the Secret Committee ; and an impression of his seal having been 
 taken in clay, the new envelope carried the resemblance of Sir James 
 Wright's seal. — Drayton. 
 
1111 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1112 
 
 SIR JAMES WRIGHT TO ADMIRAL GRAVES. 
 
 Savannah, in Georgia, June 27, 177"). 
 
 Sir : Some time ago I had the honour to receive a letter 
 from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 1st of February 
 last, wherein he wrote me that an order was gone from the 
 Admiralty to you, Sir, to send me one of your cruisers, 
 hut none is yet arrived, nor have I heard any thing of it 
 since. And I am now to acquaint you, that four or five 
 boats, from the South-Carolina side of our inlet, have been 
 here for ten or twelve days past, full of armed men — it is 
 said near one hundred. We expect a vessel from London 
 every day, with a considerable quantity of gunpowder on 
 board ; and report says that these people mean to take it 
 out and carry it away ; and it is not in my power to pre- 
 vent it. And thus you see, Sir, that our port may, and in 
 short is, blocked up by our neighbours, and that they have 
 it in their power to plunder any thing that arrives here, 
 and do just what they please. I hope, therefore, that you 
 will be kind enough to give such immediate assistance as 
 may be in your power, to prevent such insults and attempts 
 as I have mentioned. 
 
 Pardon me, Sir, for saying that an armed schooner will 
 be of little use ; or any thing less than a sloop-of-war of 
 some force, and which, from Lord Dartmouth's letter, I 
 have been long expecting, and impatiently looking out for. 
 
 I doubt not but the situation we are in will strike you 
 in such a light, that you will see the propriety of immediate 
 assistance. 
 
 Another matter seems to be also necessary for His Ma- 
 jesty's service, viz: frequent accounts from yourself and 
 General Gage, with respect to the state of affairs your 
 way, as I find it has the greatest influence on the conduct 
 and proceedings of the people here ; and I have no way 
 by which this can be done, unless you are pleased to send 
 it by some of his Majesty's vessels under your command. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with perfect esteem, Sir, your 
 most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 James Wright.* 
 
 Admiral Graves. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CH ARLESTOWN, SOUTH- 
 CAROLINA, DATED JUNE 27, 1775. 
 
 We enclose you extracts of letters from Georgia and 
 Augusta, by which you may judge of our present state 
 relative to Indian affairs. It seems that General Gage has 
 corresponded with the Superintendent here on that subject, 
 and he with his Deputy in the Cherokee Nation. Mr. 
 Stuart, finding the matter suspected, left Charlestown, and 
 went to Georgia about the time of the sitting of the Con- 
 gress. Matters taking a turn in Georgia, lie found himself 
 obliged to produce his letters, since which he has escaped 
 to Florida, and thereby confirmed the suspicion of an in- 
 
 * The above letter was withdrawn from the envelope, and the fol- 
 lowing was substituted in its place by the Secret Committee in Charles- 
 town, and forwarded : 
 
 Savannah, in Georgia, June 27, 1775. — Sir: Some time ago I had 
 the honour to roceive a letter from the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 
 1st February last, wherein ho wrote to me that an order was gone from 
 the Admiralty to you, Sir, to send me one of your cruisers. It gives 
 me the highest pleasure to acquaint you that I now havo not any 
 occasion for any vessel of war ; and I am clearly of opinion that His 
 Majesty's service will be better promoted by the absence than the pre- 
 sence of vessels of war in this port. On this subject of military forces 
 being at present sent to this part of the Continent, I have written fully 
 to the General, and I beg leave to refer you, Sir, to that lettor, which 
 is of oqual date with this. 
 
 As I am persuaded it will \>n for the benefit of the service, that the 
 Southern Governours should have early information of important trans- 
 actions in your part of the Continent, I doubt not but that if you, Sir, 
 shall be of the same opinion, you will send such by some advice boat. 
 And if such vessel proceeds to Churlestou>n, my packet may there be 
 sent on shoro, and it will reach me by a secure land conveyance by ex- 
 press from the Post-Cffjce. 
 
 Perhaps Captain Tollemache may givo you, Sir, some little alarm 
 about two or threo canoes from South-Carolina, in this rivor, waiting, 
 as report says, to take some gunpowder from on board a vessel daily 
 expected to arrivo here. But I acquaint you, Sir, that they are sent upon 
 a smuggling party of goods into their own Colony, by private direc- 
 tions of their Committee. They moan to procure some gunpowder, 
 and I shall not bn displeased if, undor the uppoaranco of some vio- 
 lence, thoy purchaBo such an article, as it is intended to make good 
 the contract mado by Mr. Stuart and myself with the Indiana, both 
 Creeks and Cherolcees, tho latter of whom will be moro convenient for 
 the Carolinians than the p^opla of Georgia to supply. I havo the 
 honour to bo, with perfect esteem, Sir, your most humble and most 
 obedient servant, James Wright. 
 
 Admiral Graves. 
 
 A facsimile signature of James Wright was affixed to this lettor 
 by tau Secrot Committee. — Drat/ton. 
 
 tended Indian war. The other extract shows you the 
 present state of the Indian Nation. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from John Wilson, of Augusta, to 
 Messrs. Campbell and Son, dated June 15, 1775. 
 
 All the Cherokee traders have come down but two, and 
 have the pleasure to inform you that they have overpaid 
 their full cargoes. There is at present but very indifferent 
 talk in that Nation. They have lately killed two Vir- 
 ginians that had gone up there express, which I am afraid 
 will be the cause of war. Should (hat be the case, I shall 
 be badly off, having little powder in the fort. I am in- 
 formed that one of our traders was stopped by the Indians, 
 in order to bring a talk down. 
 
 Extract of a Letter from Joh?i Stuart to Mr. Cameron. 
 
 I have received information from General Gage, that 
 certain persons at the Northward have been tampering with 
 the Six Nations, and endeavouring to alienate their affec- 
 tions from His Majesty. I mention this to caution you 
 against any thing of the kind with you, and that you will 
 use your influence to dispose those people to act in defence 
 of His Majesty and Government, if found necessary. 
 
 Mr. Cameron's Ansivcr. 
 That Mr. Stuart's interest with the Indians was much 
 greater, and that he was more beloved by them than any 
 other man ; and that he (Cameron) had the vanity to think 
 that he could head any number be thought proper, when- 
 ever called upon in support of His Majesty and Govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Cameron is Stuart's principal Deputy. 
 
 ACCOMACK COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Accomack County, 
 at the Court-House, the 27th of June, 1775 : 
 
 Southey Simpson, Esquire, in the Chair. 
 
 A complaint having been made, that James Arbuckle, 
 a member of this Committee, had drawn a Map of the 
 Eastern Shore, and that the sea-coast was delineated there- 
 in, so as to furnish information to vessels to explore our 
 harbours ; and that the same had been delivered to his 
 Excellency the Governour for that purpose : 
 
 The said Arbuckle appeared voluntarily before the Com- 
 mittee, and acknowledged that he had drawn a draught or 
 Map of the internal part of the Eastern Shore, but denied 
 that he had illustrated any of the harbours, or marked any 
 of the soundings or shoals ; which he had delivered to Mr. 
 Andrew Syrowle, of Gosport. 
 
 Sundry witnesses were then called in, and duly sworn, 
 and by their testimony it appeared that the said Arbuckle 
 had shewn the said Map publickly to many of the inhabit- 
 ants of this County, before he parted with it ; that he had 
 drawn the same at the request of the Custom-House Offi- 
 cers, and, so far as relates to this County, from an old 
 draught which he had made some years ago; and that the 
 use the said officers told him they designed to make of it, 
 was to excuse themselves to his Excellency the Governour 
 from a suspicion of neglect in office. And it also appear- 
 ed that there were none of the harbours laid down with 
 such exactness as to give any new insight to any persons to 
 come into them ; and it appeared that the Governour is in 
 possession of the said Map. And it appearing farther, that 
 the said James Arbuckle has, as well heretofore as before 
 this Committee, expressed great uneasiness that he should 
 have been so imprudent as to have done any thing to alarm 
 his Country at this time : 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it is the opinion of this 
 Committee, that the said James Arbuckle is not intention- 
 ally guilty of any offence against American liberty. 
 
 A complaint having also been made against John Sher- 
 lock, of this County, that he has expressed himself in such 
 manner as to prove him an enemy to the liberties of this 
 Country ; and he being called upon to attend the Commit- 
 tee this day, refused, but wrote them an abusive and in- 
 sulting letter. 
 
 Several witnesses were then called upon and sworn, and 
 by their evidence, it appeared that he had, at sundry dif- 
 ferent conversations, declared, in substance, " that such 
 
1113 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 114 
 
 people as oppose the Ministerial measures with America, 
 are rebels; that he shall be employed hereafter in hanging 
 them ; and that if no hemp can be got, he has plenty of 
 flax growing." 
 
 It is therefore unanimously Resolved, That we hold the 
 said John Sherlock to be an enemy to American liberty ; 
 and that we are determined, immediately, to break off all 
 dealings and intercourse with him, and with every person 
 who shall have any connexion with him, until lie shall 
 make such proper acknowledgments, and show such genu- 
 ine marks of repentance and reformation, as shall be satis- 
 factory to a majority of this Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That these proceedings be immediately printed 
 in the Virginia Gazette. John Powell, Clerk. 
 
 Mr. Pinkney : At a meeting of the Committee of Ac- 
 comack County, held at the Court-House, on Tuesday last, 
 it was found necessary to hold up to publick contempt a 
 certain John Sherlock, of the said County, for having ex- 
 pressed himself, at sundry times, in the most daring and 
 insulting manner against the good people who have proved 
 themselves, by their behaviour, friends to American liberty. 
 
 Mr. Sherlock, instead of appearing before the Commit- 
 tee, agreeable to summons, wrote them an abusive, insult- 
 ing letter; whereupon the day next after the Committee 
 had proceeded against him agreeable to the rules of the 
 Association, part of the Independent Company of this 
 County went to his house, took, and carried him to the 
 Court-House, and, after a solemn trial, received from him, 
 under the Liberty Pole, his recantation ; a copy whereof 
 you have enclosed. Mr. Sherlock, at the Company's ap- 
 proach, took shelter in an upper room of his house, with 
 two loaded guns, but was prudent enough to decline making 
 use of them. 
 
 john Sherlock's recantation. 
 Whereas, I, the subscriber, have thoughtlessly and im- 
 prudently at sundry times expressed myself to the follow- 
 ing purpose : that such people as oppose the present min- 
 isterial measures respecting America are rebels, and that 
 I expect to be employed at a future day in hanging them ; 
 and if no hemp could be had I had flax enough ; and that 
 I wanted no greater bondage, under the name of liberty, 
 than to be bound by the Association ; and I have also 
 expressed myself very imprudently in calling the Indepen- 
 dent Company of this County an unlawful mob, and many 
 other idle and foolish words : I do hereby, in the most 
 solemn and serious manner, declare that at those times, 
 when I have held such language. 1 did not mean as much 
 as I said ; and 1 do hereby declare my most unfeigned sor- 
 row for what I have done or said, and in the most humble 
 manner ask the pardon of the said Independent Company, 
 [which was accordingly done by application being made to 
 each member of the said company respectively ;] and I 
 declare I look upon the said company as a very respectable 
 body of men, and, upon the most calm reflection, 1 declare 
 my opinion to be altered. I most heartily wish success to 
 this my native Country in her present honest struggle for 
 liberty with the Mother Country, and do here promise to 
 do all in my power to retrieve my character with my coun- 
 trymen. This acknowledgment and confession I make 
 freely and voluntarily, and desire the same may be pub- 
 lished in the publick papers. John Sherlock. 
 
 BEDFORD COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee for the County of Bed- 
 ford, the 27th day of June, 1775: The Committee being 
 apprehensive that the inhabitants of the lower parts of this 
 Colony may possibly (in the course of the present unhappy 
 dispute between Great Britain and her American Colo- 
 nies) be compelled to quit their habitations, wish it to be 
 known to them, that the inhabitants of this County will 
 cheerfully give them, and whatever they may think proper 
 to remove among us, the most cordial reception, afford them 
 every possible assistance, and that they shall freely parti- 
 cipate of any thing we possess. 
 
 Ordered, That the Clerk of this Committee do trans- 
 mit a copy of this Resolution to the printer, to be inserted 
 in the Virginia Gazette. 
 
 Roeert Alexander, Clerk. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: By the unanimous vote of this Congress, 
 I am directed to assure you that they have a high sense of 
 your services in the common cause of the United Colonies, 
 and to inform you of the appointment of the several Gen- 
 eral Officers to command the Continental Forces; a list of 
 whom I now enclose you. The subordinate officers to be 
 recommended by the Provincial Congresses to the General, 
 to whom commissions from this Congress are sent to be 
 filled up agreeable to such recommendation. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 
 To the Members of the Provincial Congress, New- York. 
 
 Officers appointed by the Congress. 
 George Washington, Esq., General and Commander-in- 
 Chief of all the Forces raised or to be raised for the defence 
 of American Liberty. 
 
 Artemas Ward, Esq., First Major-Gen eral. 
 
 Charles Lee, Esq., Second Major-General. 
 
 Philip Schuyler, Esq., Third Major-General. 
 
 Israel Putnam, Esq., Fourth Major-General. 
 
 Seth Pomeroy, Esq., First Brigadier General. 
 
 Richard Montgomery, Esq., Second Brigadier-General. 
 
 David Wooster, Esq., Third Brigadier-General. 
 
 William Heath, Esq., Fourth Brigadier-General. 
 
 Joseph Spencer, Esq., Fifth Brigadier-General. 
 
 John Thomas, Esq., Sixth Brigadier-General. 
 
 John Sullivan, Esq., Seventh Brigadier-General. 
 
 Nathaniel Greene, Esq., Eighth Brigadier-General. 
 
 Horatio Gates, Esq., Adjutant-General, and with the 
 rank of Brigadier-General. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO GOVEF.NOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New.York, June 27, 1775, Three o'clock, P. Ml 
 Sir : Last evening Captain Hoops, of Trenton, in New- 
 Jersey, informed me, that he had escorted to Elizabeth- 
 town four wagons with ninety-eight quarter casks of a 
 necessary article, packed in eight hogsheads, to be forward- 
 ed to Cambridge, which were then on their way for Hud- 
 son's River. This morning I had advice by express that 
 the wagons were within four miles of Bidl's Ferry, which 
 is nearly opposite to the north end of Neiv- York Island. 
 In consequence of which 1 despatched a boat with one of 
 the Neiv-York Committee, and twelve armed men, to 
 Bull's Ferry, to transport the baggage across the North- 
 River to King's Bridge. Two gentlemen of our Commit- 
 tee are gone by land to King's Bridge, to whose prudence 
 they are committed for conveyance into your Colony. 
 
 I thought it necessary to give you this information, and 
 submit it to you whether it may not be proper for you to 
 give the like orders as you did on a similar occasion, pro- 
 vided your circumstances will permit, and forward this in- 
 telligence to Cambridge. 
 
 I have the Honour to be, Sir, your most obedient ser- 
 vant, P. V. B. Livingston. 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq. 
 
 THOMAS HICKS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 27, 1775. 
 Sir: Last Saturday I received a copy of a resolve of 
 the Provincial Congress of the 22d instant, wherein I was 
 requested to take my seat in Congress on this day, or assign 
 my reasons for neglecting to attend. The latter, Sir, I 
 shall endeavour to do, by acquainting the Congress with 
 some of the circumstances of the election of Deputies of 
 Queen's County, and some subsequent transactions. 
 
 On the day of the election three gentlemen appeared 
 who declared they were charged with a message to the 
 freeholders assembled for the purpose of choosing Depu- 
 ties, from a very large number of freeholders of the Town- 
 ship of Hempstead, who had assembled a few days before 
 at Hempstead ; they had it in charge they said, to declare 
 there at that day, that the said freeholders were determined 
 to have nothing to do with the election of Deputies, but 
 that they were resolved to wait till they knew the effect of 
 the Petitions of the General Assembly of this Colony, or 
 
1115 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 11 16 
 
 words to that effect, as near as I can recollect. Upon 
 which, as there were not so many freeholders convened as 
 1 expected, I proposed that the separate Towns should 
 elect Deputies, but being overruled, 1 proposed that none 
 should be elected for Hempstead, to avoid the appearance 
 of obtruding Deputies on them ; this I thought was agreed 
 to by the gentlemen present. But after a little time a 
 gentleman (who I believe was not in the room at the lime 
 the last proposal was made) objected that in the latter case 
 the County woidd be partially represented, and urged the 
 appointment of Deputies for Hempstead ; this, after a lit- 
 tle while, was agreed to by a majority, and Captain Thome 
 and myself were named to represent Hempstead, and our 
 names were inserted in the list accordingly. 
 
 I saw myself placed in a very disagreeable situation, and 
 expressed my idea of it to the gentlemen present ; they did 
 not seem to see the embarrassment which I sensibly felt, 
 and therefore were not disposed to dispense with my ser- 
 vice. The bad state of my health, which obliges me to 
 avoid New- York as much as possible in the summer, from 
 long experience of the bad effect of the city air in that 
 season, also made me wish to be excused from a service 
 which I was convinced would very much impair it. 
 
 In this situation, I determined, however, to offer myself 
 to the Congress as a Deputy, if the people of Hempstead 
 were silent about it ; but I was soon informed that some of 
 the leading people had declared they did not believe I 
 would presume to represent them in Congress. Upon re- 
 ceiving this intelligence, I immediately went to Hempstead , 
 applied to a gentleman whom I took to be a leading man, 
 and desired him to consult the principal people of the Town, 
 and let me know as soon as might be whether 1 should 
 represent them or not. A very few days after I received 
 from him a letter, dated the 30lh May last, wherein he in- 
 ibrmed me that he had consulted as many persons in the 
 Township of Hempstead as the shortness of the time would 
 admit, who, lie said, seem fixed upon their former resolu- 
 tions not to appoint any Deputies to represent the Town 
 of Hempstead in Provincial Congress ; that the people 
 seemed to be much inclined to remain peaceable and 
 quiet ; that he had consulted the gentlemen I had desired 
 him to speak to in particular, who had desired him to give 
 me this information. Upon the receipt of this letter I 
 resolved to decline taking a seat at the Congress, from a 
 persuasion of the impropriety, and even injustice of trans- 
 acting business of so much consequence for people who 
 disavowed my authority. 
 
 This is a true state of facts as near as my memory will 
 serve me, and I flatter myself, Sir, it will sufficiently apo- 
 logize to the Congress for my conduct. 
 
 1 am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Thomas Hicks. 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 HERMAN ZEDTWITZ TO NEW-YOKK CONGRESS. 
 
 To the Honourable Members of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 at this time convened, in the City of New-York: 
 The Petition and humble Remonstrance of Herm an Zedt- 
 
 witz of the same City, Gentleman, most humbly shew- 
 
 eth : 
 
 That your petitioner is a German by birth, and hath 
 heretofore served as an officer in the King of Prussia's 
 Army, upwards of fourteen years. That through the course 
 of your petitioner's experience in the art of war, lie hath 
 found that a body of Riflemen, properly equipped, to pre- 
 cede the Grand Army, have been of great use to annoy 
 and confuse the enemy. That your petitioner being well 
 versed in the exercise of such men, would, with the appoint- 
 ment and sanction of this honourable board, undertake to 
 raise a Regiment, to contain six hundred able bodied men, 
 from Paxlon and other parts of the Province of Pennsyl- 
 vania, many of them already provided with their rifles, 
 and the whole number in a very short time might be com- 
 plete and ready to go on such service as should be found 
 necessary. That your petitioner hath known such a Re- 
 giment in the time of action to be of more service than any 
 three common Regiments, and is willing and desirous per- 
 sonally to explain to this honourable Board, at such time as 
 shall be appointed, the particular services of such a body of 
 
 men. That your petitioner hath very lately been in that 
 part of Pennsylvania before mentioned, and is well satis- 
 fied that if this honourable Board shall see fit to appoint, 
 or cause him to be appointed to the command of such a 
 Regiment, he could in a very short time complete the same, 
 and would use his most indefatigable endeavours at all times 
 to approve himself worthy of the honour conferred upon 
 him. And your petitioner most humbly requests that this 
 honourable Board will take the premises into consideration, 
 and appoint such time for hearing him further therein as 
 shall be found convenient, when he will most punctually 
 attend ; and in the mean time remains this honourable 
 Board's most dutiful and very devoted humble servant, 
 
 Herman Zedtwitz. 
 
 City of New.York, June 27, 1775. 
 
 EL1SHA PHELPS TO THE MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE Or 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Ticondoroga, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : After my kind respects to you all, when 
 I left Cambridge, 1 went to his Honour the Governour of 
 the Colony of Connecticut ; and he informed me he had 
 appointed me a Commissary for the Northern Army, which 
 1 cheerfully accepted, and thanked his Honour for the notice 
 he took of me. I then informed him of the orders Colonel 
 Arnold gave me, concerning the teams. He told me I 
 need not trouble myself, as York was to provide teams, 
 &c, and I could charge teams in common stock ; and the 
 pork you would pay for when I produced an order from 
 Colonel Arnold. As for news, 1 have nothing remarkable. 
 We have had some mutiny in this company, but I hope 
 now settled. The gentlemen Committee you sent, were 
 not treated with that esteem by some as I wish they had 
 been. I long to hear the particulars of the fight at Boston. 
 If you would furnish it I should take it as a great favour. 
 
 Gentlemen, I am with great esteem your very humble 
 servant, at command, Elisha Phelps. 
 
 To the respectable Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety 
 
 at Cambridge, for the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: This morning received your pressing in- 
 stance for an immediate augmentation of Troops from our 
 Colony. In consequence expresses are gone forth to call 
 our Assembly, to meet at Hartford on Saturday next. 
 Generals Washington and Lee are expected this day at 
 Hartford, on their way to the Army. The warriors from 
 Virginia and Pennsylvania are coming forward. Have 
 received this day a speech and belt from the Oneida In- 
 dians, and have enclosed their speech. 
 
 Colonel Hinman at Ticonderoga, writes the 19th instant : 
 " The enemy are fortifying at St. Jolm's, and last night 
 was informed that the Caughnawaga Indians have had a 
 war-dance, being brought to it by General Carleton." 
 
 Eight or nine hundred barrels of flour from the General 
 Congress for the Army are arrived safe at Norwich, and 
 more expected. Hope a report with us this morning is 
 true, that a large quantity of powder is arrived at New- 
 York, and a quantity for this Colony at New-London. 
 Every effort in our power for defence of the rights of the 
 Colonies will be used with diligence and without delay. 
 
 May the Supreme Director of all events give wisdom, 
 stability and union in all our counsels ; inspire our sol- 
 diery with courage and fortitude ; cover their heads in the 
 day of battle and danger; convince our enemies of their 
 mistaken measures, and that all attempts to deprive us of 
 our rights are injurious and vain. 
 
 I am, with great esteem and sincerity, gentlemen, your 
 most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull. 
 Honourable James Warren, Esq. 
 
 A Speech of the Chiefs and Warriors of the Oneida 
 Tribe of Indians, to the four New-England Provin- 
 ces, directed to Governour Trumbull ; and by him to 
 be communicated : 
 
 As our younger brothers of the New-England Indians, 
 (who have settled in our vicinity) are now going down to 
 
1 1 17 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1118 
 
 visit their friends, and to move up parts of their families 
 that were left behind, with this belt by them, we open the 
 road wide, clearing it of all obstacles, that they may visit 
 their friends and return to their settlements here in peace. 
 We Oneidas are induced to this measure on account of 
 the disagreeable situation of affairs that way ; and we hope, 
 by the help of God, that they may go and return in peace. 
 We earnestly recommend them to your charity through 
 their long journey. 
 
 Now we more immediately address you, our brother, the 
 Governour and the Chiefs of New-England. 
 
 Brothers! We have heard of the unhappy differences 
 and great contention betwixt you and old England. We 
 wonder greatly, and are troubled in our minds. 
 
 Brothers! Possess your minds in peace respecting us 
 Indians. We cannot intermeddle in this dispute between 
 two brothers. The quarrel seems to be unnatural ; you are 
 two brothers of one blood. We are unwilling to join on 
 either side in such a contest, for we bear an equal affection 
 to both of you, Old and Ncic- En gland. Should the great 
 King of England apply to us for our aid, we shall deny 
 him. If the Colonies apply, we will refuse. The present 
 situation of you two brothers is new and strange to us. 
 We Indians cannot find nor recollect in the traditions of 
 our ancestors the like case or a similar instance. 
 
 Brothers ! For these reasons possess your minds in peace, 
 and take no umbrage that we Indians refuse joining in the 
 contest ; we are for peace. 
 
 Brothers ! Was it an alien, a foreign Nation, which struck 
 you, we should look into the matter. We hope, through the 
 wise government and good pleasure of God, your distresses 
 niLy soon be removed, and the dark cloud be dispersed. 
 
 Brothers! As we have declared for peace, we desire 
 you will not apply to our Indian brethren in Neiv-Eng- 
 land for their assistance. Let us Indians be all of one 
 mind, and live in peace with one another, and you white 
 people settle your own disputes betwixt yourselves. 
 
 Brothers! We have now declared our minds; please 
 write to us that we may know yours. 
 
 We, the sachems, warriors, and female governesses of 
 Oneida, send our love to you, brother Governour, and all 
 the other chiefs in New-England. 
 
 Signed by William Sunoghsis, 
 
 Viklasha Watshaleagh, 
 
 William Kanaghquassea, 
 
 Peter Thaychcase, 
 
 G ermine Tgayavher, 
 
 Nickhes Ahsechose, 
 
 Thomas Yoghtanawca, 
 
 Adam Ohonwano, 
 
 Quedellis Agwerondongwas, 
 
 Handerchiko Tcgahpreahdyen, 
 
 Johnks Skeanendcr, 
 
 Thomas Teorddeatha. 
 Caughnawaga, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Interpreted and wrote by Samuel Kirkland , Missionary. 
 
 off all dealings with said Cook, and treat him as an enemy 
 to his Country and the liberties of America. 
 A true copy. By order of the Committee: 
 
 Wm. Ladd, Clerk for the day. 
 
 > ° 
 
 o 
 
 ?! 
 TO 
 
 TIVERTON AND LITTLE COMPTON (r. I.) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of Inspection for the 
 Towns of Tiverton and Little- Compton, held at the 
 dwelling-house of Gideon Wilcox, Esquire, on Saturday, 
 June 27th, 1775 : 
 
 Nathaniel Searle, Jun., Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Information being given to these Committees, that Abiel 
 Cook, of Little- Compton, had violated the seventh article 
 of the Continental Congress Association, and was thereby 
 endeavouring to feed and support the enemies of American 
 liberty, by selling some of his Sheep to go on board the 
 Swan, man-of-war, at Newport; the Sheep being stopped 
 at Forkland-Ferry, and said Cook ordered to attend the 
 Committees, he attended accordingly this day, and had 
 the effrontery to insult the Committees and his Country, 
 by declaring, that he had sold the Sheep to go on board 
 the man-of-war, and would do it again when any opportu- 
 nity should offer. 
 
 Voted, That the above Sheep be sent as a present to 
 the American Army near Boston. 
 
 Ordered, That the above be printed in the Newport 
 Mercury, that all friends to American liberty may break 
 
 GOVERNOUR COOKE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Providence, Rhode-Island, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I gave you a hint in my letter of yester- 
 day of our fitting out two armed vessels for the protection 
 of our trade. It looks very probable to me that if there 
 were a few vessels properly armed and manned along the 
 coast, in different parts, it would be a great means of pro- 
 tecting our own trade, and also of picking up many of the 
 provision vessels that they (the men-of-war) take this way, 
 and send round to Boston. Many of those vessels are 
 sent round with but five or six hands in each, and with 
 nothing more than a small-arm a piece, to defend them ; 
 and further, as the enemy think we have no force that dare 
 put out of our harbours, some of their store-ships come 
 without convoy, and there is a possibility that we might 
 pick up one of them if we had a vessel or two to cruise in 
 their way. These things are dropped, gentlemen, for your 
 consideration, from your most humble servant, 
 
 Nicholas Cooke. 
 To the Hon. James Warren, President of the Provincial 
 
 Congress of the Massachusetts Bay, Watertown. 
 
 EXTRACTS OF LETTERS RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA FROM 
 GENTLEMEN IN THE ARMY, DATED CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, 
 JUNE 27, 1775. 
 
 You will have heard of the battle on Bunker's Hill 
 before you receive this, but the accounts will be various. 
 Our people went on to take the ground, expecting every 
 day the enemy would take it, if we did not. They were 
 not well prepared ; however, they went on ; and at day- 
 break, before they had time to finish their work, they were 
 attacked, but General Howe gives them the praise of de- 
 fending their works as well as any men on earth could do ; 
 and had our troops who were to march up to their support, 
 behaved as well in coming to their posts as the others 
 did in defending theirs, they never would have lost their 
 ground, but the enemy must have been cut off. But the 
 low ground over which they were to pass was so conti- 
 nually raked by a constant fire from the ships and floating 
 batteries, with every kind of shot, that it rendered it im- 
 possible to bring a proper number of men over at that time 
 to their support; and after a most vigorous defence for some 
 hours, our men being employed the whole night before with- 
 out sleep or rest, and many having expended the ammunition 
 they had with them, they retreated, and left the ground 
 and unfinished lines to the enemy, where they are now 
 encamped and fortifying. Our people are encamped on 
 Prospect Hill, at about a mile distance, and have strong 
 lines thrown up from Cambridge River to Mistick River, 
 and are watching each other. We lost in the engagement 
 one hundred and seventy-nine men, killed and wounded : 
 fifty killed, thirty wounded and prisoners in Boston, and 
 the remainder of the one hundred and seventy-nine 
 wounded with us : the enemy lost one thousand on the 
 spot and dead of their wounds before last Wednesday, 
 and seven hundred then in the hospitals wounded. Many 
 such conquests would totally ruin the King's Troops. 
 
 Last Saturday the enemy cannonaded Boxbury, and en- 
 deavoured to burn the Town, but failed. Sunday General 
 Clinton sent a flag from his camp to ours with letters from 
 our prisoners; they say they are kindly treated, and have 
 their choice of Army or Town Surgeons, or both ; and 
 most of them are like to do well. Mr. P — cy is this day 
 arrived here from London; he came with Captain Jenkins 
 to Nantucket; an officer of the King's Army was passenger 
 with them, and is secured. Mr. P — eysays it was expected 
 by Administration that the Yankees would not fight ; that 
 the Army would get up the hill and down again, and that 
 would settle the whole controversy ; they will be much 
 chagrined when the account from here arrives. They are 
 like to have enough to do to keep France and Spain quiet 
 during the summer. Russia and the Porte are preparing 
 for war again; and Prussia, always ready, is looking on, 
 and laughing in his sleeve, and the States of Holland are 
 
1119 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 i 120 
 
 quarrelling w ith England t and have ordered all the Eng- 
 lish ships out of the Texel. 
 
 We have lost but few men compared with the loss the 
 enemy sustained ; ours will fall short of sixty killed; thirty 
 are prisoners, and about one hundred wounded. We have 
 the greatest reason to believe, from their own account, as 
 well as from many other concurring circumstances, that 
 their loss is not short of fifteen hundred killed and wound- 
 ed ; among the former are two Colonels, Majors Pitcaim 
 and Sheriff. The Royal Welsh Fusilcers have but seventy 
 privates and one Captain left alive. The Regulars say 
 that the battle of Mm/ten; or that on the Plains of Abra- 
 ham, did not exhibit equal scenes of blood in so short a 
 lime from so few men engaged. 
 
 They give out that we must have lost three thousand 
 men, as they conclude our loss must greatly exceed theirs. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir : 1 was lately applied to by the honourable Con- 
 gress to propose or recommend some person that would be 
 suitable for an Adjutant-General; in consequence Of which, 
 I wrote to Colonel William llenshaw, who is now in camp, 
 and will accept, if the post is properly dignified. I flatter 
 myself he will do us eminent service, if appointed. He 
 will probably be at the Congress this day. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Artemas Ward. 
 To the Honourable James Warren, Esquire, President of 
 
 the Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, June 27, 1775. 
 Sir: I have herewith enclosed a request from a number 
 of prisoners now in Boston, which I received yesterday, 
 P. M., by one of the Selectmen of Weymouth, to whom it 
 was sent from Mr. Scholay, of Boston. It was carried to 
 the Committee of Safety, and from them to General Ward, 
 who sent it to me, but think it not proper to determine this 
 matter without advice from the Congress, whose directions 
 I shall comply with. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 John Thomas. 
 To the Honourable James Warren, at Watertown. 
 
 Boston, June 23, 1775. 
 It is the desire of twenty-five persons from the country, 
 that were taken prisoners at Charlestown last Saturday, 
 and many of them dangerously wounded, that as they are 
 in great want of fresh provisions for their comfort, they 
 would have you go to Weymouth, or any other Town in 
 your neighbourhood, and recommend to the good people 
 there to send them some multon and other provisions as 
 may be suitable for them. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, June 26, 1775. 
 General Ward refers the above to the determination of 
 General Thomas, to conduct the affair as he may think 
 proper. J. Ward, Secretary. 
 
 longing to us fell into the enemy's hands, whereby we are 
 deprived of some necessary clothing, arms, &ic: As the loss 
 is considerable, we beg that (if it may be consistent with 
 the honour and dignity of the Congress, and the good of 
 the Country) they have an allowance for the same as your 
 Honours shall see fit ; and your petitioners, as in duty 
 bound, will ever pray. 
 
 Wm. Prescott, Isaac Abbott, 
 Ebenezer Bridge, Isaac Brown, 
 James Brickett, Jonathan Evans, 
 Henry Woods, Asa Lawrence, 
 Benjamin Ames, Abijah Wyman, 
 John Davis, Henry Farwei.l. 
 
 John Nutting, Peter Coburn, 
 Nathaniel Lakin, John Ford, 
 John Mosher, John Flint. 
 
 June 27, 1775. 
 
 Watertown, June 29, 1775. 
 The Committee appointed to consider the within Peti- 
 tion, beg leave to report that the petitioners have leave to 
 withdraw their petition. 
 
 COLONEL DAVID BREWER TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp at Roxbury, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have been informed that there is a num- 
 ber of books printed, containing the law martial for regu- 
 lating the Massachusetts Army, designed for the use of said 
 Army. If so, you will please send by the bearer, Sergeant 
 Bull, as many of said books as is designed, or shall be 
 thought necessary for my Regiment, as it is absolutely ne- 
 cessary the soldiers should know the law in order to keep 
 the same. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your obliged friend and humble ser- 
 vant, David Brewer. 
 
 TO THE honourable provincial congress. 
 
 The Petition of Officers belonging to Colonels Prescott, 
 Frye, and Biudges's Regiments, humbly shew cth : 
 That whereas in the late battle at Charlestoivn, on the 
 
 seventeenth of this instant, June, a number of things be- 
 
 massachusetts congress to continental congress. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 27, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : Were you now in the 
 Continental Army which invests Boston, it would beget 
 unutterable vexation and torment in your hearts, to behold 
 so large a body of so active brave men as that army con- 
 sists of, insulted by the fire and blaze of the enemy's cannon 
 and mortars from their lines, ships, and floating batteries ; 
 and the same brave men, although possessed of divers good 
 pieces of great ordnance, and willing, at any hazard, to im- 
 prove them, yet wholly restrained from returning any fire 
 of the kind, lest, by so doing, their little stock of gunpowder 
 should soon be exhausted, and they reduced to the fatal 
 necessity of laying down their arms or flying into the woods, 
 leaving their houses to be burnt, their fields wasted ; in 
 short to give up and abandon the just claims of all America, 
 and in effect to resign themselves and the lives of all the 
 children of liberty in this whole Continent, to the arbiirary 
 pleasure of a haughty Administration, instigated and influ- 
 enced by enraged tories of our own breeding. 
 
 Your minds will be still more agitated and alarmed, if 
 you knew our supplies of that article was so scanty as really 
 to beget doubts in your minds^whether the Army would be 
 able to sustain so many attacks as we have reason soon to 
 expect, without leaving them generally destitute of that 
 necessary part of ammunition, even if no other expense of 
 pow der should be made in the defence than by the use of 
 small arms. We cannot, therefore, delay one moment longer 
 acquainting your Honours with the state of this Army in 
 that respect, and in the most importunate manner begging 
 your immediate attention to this matter, and that the utmost 
 exertions be instantly made, at any hazard and expense, to 
 procure and send to this Army all the gunpowder which 
 can be obtained, either by manufacture, importation, seizures 
 of the enemy's ships, or in any other way, without stripping 
 individuals of their private stocks for their own personal 
 use ; and that every quantity which can in any way be ob- 
 tained, even if it shall not amount to more than one load for 
 one horse carriage, be sent by land with all possible speed 
 and safety to this Army. 
 
 We beg your Honours to realize that the force of all 
 the British Troops in America, or destined to America, is 
 levelled against this Army, and how shocking and terrible 
 the effects of a defeat and dispersion of this Army would 
 be, not only to this Colony, but to all the Continent. We 
 feel the warmest sentiments of gratitude to your Honours 
 for your great attention and care for the Army, expressed 
 in your appointment of able and experienced Generals to 
 command the same ; hut we beg your Honours to contem- 
 plate of what significance either officers or soldiers can be 
 for the intent of annoying the enemy or defending the 
 Country, without the necessary means. Besides, we ask 
 your Honours' pardon when we pray you to consider how 
 inexpressibly afflictive it must be to those honourable and 
 worthy gentlemen, appointed by your Honours, to arrive at 
 our Army, (which would be an honour to any General in 
 Europe, if they were well supplied,) to find that they had 
 not the necessary means of acting offensively, and the sup- 
 
1121 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1122 
 
 plies for defence so very slender, as to fill them with perpe- 
 tual solicitude and even anguish of spirit, lest by defending, 
 even with small arms, against frequent attacks, their ammu- 
 nition should be wholly spent, and they constrained to turn 
 their backs on their enemy ; when, if the Army was well 
 found with ammunition, they would be able, not merely to 
 defend themselves and their Country, but to bear down and 
 triumph over the enemy. 
 
 Your Honours, therefore, will be most certainly convinced 
 that nothing can so much merit your immediate and earnest 
 attention, as the ways and means of supplying this Army, 
 in the speediest manner, with the article of gunpowder. 
 We cannot find words to express the importance of this 
 proposal with sufficient emphasis. Our all very much de- 
 pends upon success in this particular, and we cannot forbear 
 repeating our request, that whatever quantity your Honours 
 may find it in your power in any way to avail yourselves 
 of, whether greater or less, may be sent forward with the 
 utmost expedition. 
 
 We humbly conceive that it cannot be by any means 
 prudent to venture an article of this importance any part 
 of the way by water, nor by land, without a sufficient guard, 
 as the same is in a manner as precious as our very blood. 
 
 This Colony is making the utmost efforts, running every 
 risk, and trying every experiment, and hesitating at no ex- 
 pense, to procure good supplies of the above-said most im- 
 portant article for this Army. Nothing can be more remote 
 from the temper of this Colony than to solicit the exertions 
 of the other parts of the Continent, with a view, in any 
 degree, to relax or render unnecessary our own utmost assi- 
 duity and endeavour ; but our foregoing importunate appli- 
 cations proceed only from the fullest conviction that the 
 largest contributions which the whole Continent is capable 
 of, and the most immediate, vigorous, and unremitted efforts 
 of every part of our Country, will be little enough, not to 
 say inadequate, to effect such a supply of that commodity 
 as the exigencies of the present crisis require. 
 
 The foregoing representation has been, by order of Con- 
 gress, considered by our Committee of Supplies, who fully 
 agree that nothing therein is expressed in too strong terms, 
 or deserves the epithet of high colouring. 
 
 We are, may it please your Honours, with the greatest 
 esteem and deference, your most obedient servants, 
 
 Joseph Hawley, 
 Elisha Portek, 
 Committee of Congress. 
 
 The foregoing letter is made by us as a Committee of 
 Congress, without its having been read publickly, (for rea- 
 sons which your Honours will not be at a loss about,) and 
 this by express order of Congress. 
 
 GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW- HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp on Winter Hill, June 27, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: Since my arrival here, the harmony and 
 willing obedience of the New-Hampshire Troops gives me 
 the most sensible pleasure. I have got them into tolerable 
 regulation, and shall, as far as in me lies, use my utmost 
 exertion to get them into the greatest good order and disci- 
 pline, which is so indispensably necessary in an army, and 
 still promote and preserve unanimity and concord amongst 
 them. 
 
 But to that end you are very sensible that they must 
 receive regular supplies. Such brave Troops as yours are, 
 deserve the best of living, or at least such as will conduce 
 to the preservation of their health, and render them capable 
 of undergoing fatigues and hardships. 1 would therefore 
 beg leave to intimate, that if part or the whole of the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies were constantly to attend the camp, 
 vested with discretionary power as to supplies, it would be 
 greatly advantageous to your forces, as it is impossible any 
 set of men can so well ascertain what properly belongs to 
 their department when absent as when present, and can 
 have their business carried on under their immediate inspec- 
 tion. The foregoing I esteemed myself in duty bound to 
 mention ; and leaving it to your well known wisdom and 
 prudence, I remain your very humble servant, 
 
 Nathaniel Folsom. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony 
 
 of New-Hampshire. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 PORTSMOUTH (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) COMMITTEE TO MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Portsmouth, June 27, 1775. 
 To the Rev. Samuel Langdon,D. D., to be communicated 
 to the Committee at Cambridge. 
 
 Honoured Sir: The Committee of Portsmouth having 
 detected the enclosed letter, have thought proper to trans- 
 mit a copy to you by way of caution, as we have heard 
 that James Henderson has been travelling about the country 
 lately to gain intelligence ; and lest he might be the cause 
 of more mischief to the American cause, we pray he may 
 be prevented. 
 
 We have some cannon, with good carriages, of twenty- 
 four and thirty-two pounders ; if you need them, please to 
 signify, and we will send them. 
 
 We are, with cordial esteem, Sir, your most humble ser- 
 vants, the Committee of Safety at Portsmouth, per their 
 order. George Gaines. 
 
 Copy of the above to be transmitted to the Committee 
 of Supplies. 
 
 Boston, June 22, 1775. 
 
 Dear Hugh : I take this opportunity of letting you know 
 of our welfare. We had a good deal of confusion last 
 Saturday, but we have great reason of thankfulness that the 
 Troops got the better of the people. It was one of the 
 boldest attacks almost of the age, as they had it very strong, 
 but they did not keep it fifteen minutes after the attack 
 begun ; and such firing I never heard — so constant. I saw 
 it all the time. There are a great many country people 
 killed, (amongst them is Doctor Warren,') and about thirty- 
 taken prisoners who are in Town. There is one of the second 
 fleet come in last night ; so I am in hopes the Troops will 
 be soon enabled to bring them to a sense of their duty. 
 
 If you have any apprehension of danger, 1 think you 
 had best come to Town. My love to Hannah, he. 
 
 I am yours. 
 
 The above letter came in a tender, directed to Hugh 
 Henderson, and was stopped by the Committee at Ports- 
 mouth ; it is supposed here to be wrote by James Henderson, 
 of Boston. 
 
 ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 A meeting of the Committee of Observation for Anne 
 Arundel County and City of Annapolis was requested by 
 Captain Charles Henzcll, on Wednesday, the twenty-eighth 
 day of June, 1775. 
 
 Present : Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Matthias Ham- 
 mond, John Bullen, Chas. Wallace, John Davidson, Wm. 
 Wilkins, Allen Quy7in, John Brice, and Doctor Richard 
 Tootell. 
 
 Mr. Charles Carroll in the Chair. 
 
 Captain Henzell having informed the Committee of his 
 arrival from London with goods on board the Adventure, 
 which was cleared, as appears by the cocket, for Maryland. 
 he being duly sworn, deposed that the following goods, and 
 no other, were shipped on board said vessel, to wit : two hun- 
 dred dozen Porter, one hundred Pipe-Staves in packs, two 
 thousand weight of Cheese, and forty-two chaldrons of Coal, 
 Winchester measure, which was to be disposed of at the 
 Island of Madeira, but through contrary winds he was pre- 
 vented from landing them there : and this deponent also 
 saith that he brought in with him about seventy persons, 
 consisting of passengers and servants. 
 
 It appearing to the Committee, from letters produced by 
 Captain Henzell, and by his and Joseph Eastman's deposi- 
 tions, that the Cheese, Porter, Pipe-Staves, and Newcastle 
 coal, were to be sold at Madeira, and the proceeds thereof 
 to be laid out in the purchase of Madeira Wine, he being 
 empowered to draw bills on London for so much as said 
 Wine should exceed the value of the above mentioned arti- 
 cles ; and it also appearing to the Committee that Cap- 
 tain Henzcll intended to bring to Maryland the cargo of 
 Wine aforesaid : being: interrogated whether he intended 
 to sell the said Wine in America, he declared on oath that 
 he did not, but proposed to carry the Wine to the London 
 market, and report the same here to the Custom-House. 
 Being asked whether he did not know, or had been informed 
 that the aforesaid Wine was subject to a duty, imposed by 
 
 1 
 
1123 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1124 
 
 Act of Parliament, and that consequently the importation 
 thereof was contrary to the Continental Association, he 
 answered that he did not know, nor had he been informed 
 that any duty was to be paid on the Wine thus imported, 
 and intended to be exported in the same bottom to London. 
 
 It appearing to the Committee that the above enumerated 
 articles of goods were shipped contrary to the Continental 
 Association, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said goods cannot be 
 landed, but be sent back forthwith. 
 
 The question being put, whether Capt. Henzcll should be 
 permitted to land his Servants? Resolved in the affirmative. 
 
 Captain Henzell, together with Mr. James Hutchings, 
 Jun., to whom the Servants were consigned, then engaged 
 and pledged their honour to the Committee that the goods 
 should be sent back forthwith. 
 
 Signed per order of the Committee : 
 
 G. Duvall, Clerk. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress, July 3, 1775.] 
 
 New-York, June 28, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I do myself the honour to acquaint you 
 that I parted with General Washington yesterday, at ten 
 o'clock, at New-Rochelle, at which place we were met by 
 Brigadier-General Wooster's and Colonel Waterbury's Re- 
 giments. Those arrived to within two miles of this Town, 
 about eight this morning, and got sheltered in barns and 
 out-houses. As soon as the weather (which is at present 
 wet and stormy) will permit, I propose to encamp them on 
 the south side of Sand Hill, which is nearly two miles from 
 hence. 
 
 1 have been so little in Town since my first arrival here, 
 that I have not yet had an opportunity to inform myself 
 of the Provincial Congress, of what progress has been 
 made in the execution of the different orders you were 
 pleased to send them. Individuals of that body inform me 
 there is very little powder in any part of this Colony; that 
 about sixteen hundred barrels of flour have already been 
 sent to different ports in the Massachusetts-Bay ; that the 
 remainder will be despatched with all possible speed. 
 
 I have prepared a letter, which I hope to forward to-day 
 to Colonel Hinman, requesting a return of the Troops un- 
 der his command ; their condition ; the post they occupy ; 
 a minute return of the stores of every kind, which he is 
 possessed of; and I have pointedly urged the necessity of 
 gaining intelligence from Canada, and cultivating a good 
 understanding with that people and the Indians. Reports 
 prevail here that the latter have accepted the hatchet 
 offered them by General Carleton, and that considerable 
 bodies of them have been seen going to Montreal; and 
 that even the Oneidas made part of them. Should this 
 be confirmed, too much despatch cannot be used in the 
 appointments of proper persons to counteract the meditated 
 evil — an evil of the most alarming nature. Some of those 
 accounts are said to have been made by Mr. Swift, a 
 young gentleman from Philadelphia, who passed through 
 here a few days ago on his way from Canada. 
 
 Eight transports with Troops are now at Sandy-Hook. 
 It is whispered by some that they mean to land. Others 
 affirm that they are going to Boston. I have taken mea- 
 sures to procure intelligence of their intentions, and shall 
 take every possible precaution to secure this City against 
 the evil consequences that would attend their landing, 
 should they be able to effect it. 
 
 General Washington, before we parted, desired me to 
 inform your Honours, that he thought it most advisable 
 that the commissions for the officers in the New-York De- 
 partment should be directly sent to me to be filled up. 
 
 I foresee, that unless a Commissary-General and a Quar- 
 termaster-General be appointed for this Department, that 
 the service will not only suffer, (from disputes already 
 rising,) but the waste of provisions that will be occasioned 
 by the want of the first, and the extra expenses in having 
 the necessary supplies forwarded to the different armies 
 through such a varioty of hands, for want of the last, will 
 enhance the expenses far, very far indeed beyond what 
 their appointments will be. On this head I can speak with 
 confidence, because I have had long experience. 
 
 Governour Try on, I have reason to believe, will not 
 
 create any trouble in his Government. It is said that he 
 laments, and is sincere, that the unhappy controversy has 
 been carried so far, and that he wishes a happy termination 
 of it on principles friendly to both. 
 
 Some of the German people in the County of Tryon, 
 and some few in other parts of this Colony, are said to be 
 unfriendly to us. I beg leave to hint, that an address from 
 their countrymen in Pennsylvania, in their own language, 
 distributed amongst them, would, I think, have a very salu- 
 tary effect. I wish some step taken to engage those peo- 
 ple, the rather as many of them live in the vicinity of the 
 Indians. 
 
 Be assured, honourable Sirs, that I shall omit nothing in 
 my power faithfully to discharge the important trust with 
 which you have honoured me. If, however, I should be 
 unfortunate, 1 hope your candour will impute it to that 
 want of abilities which I, with much truth and sincerity, 
 avowed previous to my appointment, unless you should 
 be convinced that any neglect of duty proceeded from 
 wickedness of heart. 
 
 I am, honourable Sirs, most respectfully, your obedient 
 humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable Continental Congress. 
 
 PETER T. CURTENIUS TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New- York, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Pursuant to your order, I have purchased, 
 on the publick credit, 261 pieces ravens duck, which is all 
 that is in Town ; also, 26 bell-tents, and 635 haversacks, 
 of Mr. Levy ; one bell and one officers' tent, from Captain 
 Devereux. I have delivered 137 pieces duck to the tent- 
 makers, out of which they have made 250 tents, which are 
 finished, and in my store. There remain 124 pieces duck 
 in my hands, which will make about 227 soldiers' tents 
 more. 
 
 I made an inquiry about blankets, and find them very 
 scarce, and what there is, are not of the right sort or size ; 
 particulars as under. Those I sent per Captain Wendell, 
 were two-point blankets, two of which sewed together will 
 make one good blanket, and therefore bought double the 
 quantity ordered. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient 
 servant, Peter T. Curtenius. 
 
 John Morton, 38 one-point blankets, four of which will 
 make one good blanket. 
 
 Abraham Brinkerhoff, 140 blankets ; one bale of them 
 are one-point, the remainder are 9 and 10-quarter rose 
 blankets, from 18 to 25 shillings a pair. 
 
 Joseph Totten, Lawrence Embree, J. Pearsall, Eleazer 
 Miller, and Alexander Robeson, have none but 8 and 9-4 
 rose blankets. 
 
 CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Manchester, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : To my great surprise I found sundry men 
 in our County of Charlotte about to form themselves into 
 a mob to stop the Court. They were from different parts 
 of the County ; and we have heard that some in the 
 County of Albany were about to join them, although many 
 were dissuaded from their proceedings ; yet some were on 
 their way to Fort Edward, to carry into execution their 
 evil design. But when they heard that Captain Mott, 
 from Connecticut, was at Fort Edward, with his company, 
 and Remember Baker and Robert Cochran, with an intent 
 to protect the Court, gave over their intended expedition. 
 Those men, I think, are mostly debtors, and design to put 
 a period to common law. Therefore, we do most humbly 
 pray that a resolve may be made at your honourable 
 Board, that will encourage and strengthen the well-mind- 
 ed, and weaken the ill-minded, without which we fear we 
 shall fall into the utmost confusion. 
 
 Many of our inhabitants were greatly alarmed by the 
 Congress ordering all the cannon to be removed from Ti- 
 condcroga, which would have laid us open to an enemy 
 from the Northward, and in that surprise, called the people 
 together, and chose a man to send to the Continental Con- 
 gress, alleging that they feared that some designing men 
 would make an ill use of their names, relative to the title 
 of our lands. 
 
 This last objection seems to weigh heavy in the minds 
 
1125 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1126 
 
 Committee-men. 
 
 of many, however groundless in the opinion of others ; 
 therefore, do pray your indulgence relative to the return 
 of the Association till we can better unite this people. 
 All which we shall submit to your wise deliberation. Only 
 beg leave to subscribe ourselves your most obedient and 
 humble servants, 
 
 William Marsh, 
 Samuel Rose, 
 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, New-York. 
 
 P. S. If it should be necessary to appoint officers for 
 the Army in this part, we think that Mr. Gideon Brunson, 
 and Mr. Potter, and Mr. Joseph Lockwood, suitable men, 
 and will accept. 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE ONEIDAS AND TUSCARORAS. 
 
 On the 28th of June, 1775, the Oneidas and Tuscaroras 
 assembled at the German Flats, where they were met by 
 the inhabitants of that District, and the Delegates from 
 Albany. The inhabitants of the Flats delivered to them 
 the following Speech : 
 
 Brothers: We are glad to have you here to return you 
 thanks. We should have been much pleased to have 
 spoken with you at the appointed place ; that is, by your 
 Superintendent, where of late you kept your council fire ; 
 but since his removing so far from us, we do not think it 
 wrong or imprudent to communicate our sentiments of 
 peace to you here. It is at this place, brothers, it has often 
 been done, and here again we renew it, and brighten the 
 old chain of peace and brotherly love. 
 
 Brothers : We cannot see the cause of your late council 
 fire, or Superintendent, going away from among us. We 
 did him no harm, and you well know that none of us ever 
 did, and you may depend on it there was no such thing 
 meant against him. He told our people he was going up 
 to Thompson's (Cosby's Manor) to hold a council fire with 
 our brothers, the Five Nations there. We helped him to 
 provisions to support you there, and every thing we had 
 that he wanted. But he is going away from among us, 
 and told some of our people that he would come back with 
 company which would not please us ; which, if true, it is 
 certain his intentions are bad ; and he may depend, that 
 whatever force he may or can bring, we regard not. 
 
 Brothers : Our present meeting does not arise from any 
 unfriendly thoughts we entertain of you, or from any fear 
 of ourselves. It is purely on account of the old friendship 
 which has so long been kept up between us ; that friend- 
 ship we want to maintain. It is that friendship which will 
 be an equal benefit to us. It is as much wanted on your 
 side as ours. 
 
 Brothers : We cannot too much express our satisfaction 
 of your conduct toward us, by your late proceedings with 
 the Superintendent, at the carrying place, for which we 
 are also obliged to you, and do not doubt but that your 
 conduct will be blessed with greater benefits than any other 
 of those who will hurry themselves into mischief, which 
 can never be of any other benefit to them, but sorrow for 
 the innocent blood that may be shed on an occasion where- 
 with they have no concern. We look to you, particularly, 
 to be men of more understanding than others, by the bene- 
 fits you have received in learning ; wherefore we confide 
 and trust the more freely in you, that you can communicate 
 to the other Tribes and Nations the errour they want to lead 
 you into ; and cannot doubt but your wisdom and influence 
 with the other Nations will be attended with that happy 
 success which will hereafter be a blessing to you and your 
 posterity. 
 
 Brothers : What we have said is supposed to be suffi- 
 cient to convince you that our meaning is for our joint 
 peace and friendship, in which we hope that we and our 
 children may continue to the end of time. 
 
 cials will be disappointed in their expectations of any as- 
 sistance from this quarter. 
 
 To his Excellency Guy Carleton, Esquire, Governour 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of Quebeck, 
 
 &iC, &.C, &.C. 
 
 Sir : As it has been found necessary to withdraw His 
 Majesty's Troops from this garrison, we, the subscribers, 
 think it our duty, in the present situation of affairs, to offer 
 our service in protecting the King's Magazines, as well as 
 our own property in this place ; and we do therefore hum- 
 bly entreat your Excellency to order the Militia of Que- 
 beck to be embodied, and to appoint such officers for the 
 purpose of protecting His Majesty's subjects here as to 
 you may seem expedient ; having the honour to be His 
 Majesty's most faithful subjects, and your Excellency's 
 most obedient humble servants. 
 
 ADDRESS OF ENGLISH MERCHANTS TO GENERAL CARLETON. 
 
 Quebeck, June 28, 1775. 
 The following is a copy of an Address unanimously 
 agreed to, and presented by the English Merchants at 
 Quebeck, to his Excellency General Carleton; a similar 
 one was, at the same time, presented by the French, as 
 also from the inhabitants of Montreal ; so that the Provin- 
 
 GENERAL GREENE TO JACOB GREENE, ES^. 
 
 Rhode-Island Camp, June 28, 1775. 
 
 The hurry I have been in, and the numerous employ- 
 ments I am called to, have left me no opportunity to write 
 to you. I regret it the less, as I am confident that you 
 have heard every day from the camp, and almost every 
 particular transaction here, with many that never were 
 transacted here or any where else. 
 
 The particulars of the late battle of Bunker's Hill have 
 been differently represented. Sometimes the enemy have 
 lost a hundred ; sometimes a thousand ; and now it is up 
 to fifteen hundred. I believe, from the best accounts I can 
 collect, that they suffered a loss nearly equal to the last 
 accounts. Many officers fell in the action. The Welsh 
 Fusileers, the finest Regiment in the English establish- 
 ment, is ruined ; there are but one Captain and eleven pri- 
 vates left in the Regiment. It is said, that if some Regi- 
 ments on our side had done their duty as well as others 
 did, the Regulars must have suffered a total defeat, and 
 would never have got possession of the intrenchments. 
 Upon the whole, I think we have little reason to complain. 
 There were but about fifty killed on our side, thirty made 
 prisoners, and sixty wounded. I wish we could sell them 
 another hill at the same price. 
 
 The Regulars are now encamped on Bunker's Hill and 
 our people on Prospect and Winter Hills, both strongly 
 intrenched. Our people are in good spirits, but regularity 
 and discipline are much wanted. Our own Troops are 
 raw, irregular, and undisciplined ; yet, bad as they are, 
 they are under much better government than any Troops 
 round about Boston. There are some officers in each 
 Regiment who exert themselves to bring the camp under 
 regulations. There are some Captains, and many subal- 
 tern officers, who neglect their duty ; some through fear 
 of offending their soldiers, some through laziness, and 
 some through obstinacy. This makes the task of the field- 
 officers very laborious. I have warned them of their negli- 
 gence many times, and am determined to break every one 
 for the future who shall lay himself open to it. 
 
 My task is hard, and fatigue great. I go to bed late, 
 and rise early. The number of applications you cannot 
 conceive of, without being present to observe the round of 
 business. But, hard as it is, if I can discharge my duty 
 to my own honour, and my Country's satisfaction, I shall 
 go through the toil with cheerfulness. My own officers 
 and soldiers are generally well satisfied; nay, I have not 
 heard one complaint. 
 
 The General Officers of the neighbouring camps treat 
 me with the greatest respect ; much more than my station 
 or consequence entitles me to. Were I to estimate my 
 value by the attention paid to my opinions, I should have 
 great reason to think myself some considerable personage. 
 But fatal experience teaches me every day, that mankind 
 are apt to pay deference to station and not to merit. There- 
 fore, when I find myself surrounded by their flattering at- 
 tentions, I consider them as due to my office, and not to 
 me. I shall study to deserve well, but cannot but lament 
 the great defects I find in myself to discharge, with honour 
 and justice, the important trust committed to my care. 
 You know I never made much parade, nor was ambitious 
 of raising people's expectation higher than I had reason to 
 hope my conduct would be answerable to. The world, in 
 
1127 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1128 
 
 general, aie loo good judges not to learn the true merits of 
 men, after being furnished with an opportunity to inspect 
 them. I hope God will preserve me in the hounds of mode- 
 ration, and enable me to support myself with proper dignity, 
 neither rash nor timorous, pursuing a conduct marked with 
 manly firmness, but never bordering on frenzy. 
 
 BIDDEl'ORD COMMITTEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONORESS. 
 
 Biddeford, June 28, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : As we have thought 
 proper to forward to your Honours, under convoy of the 
 bearers, Messrs. Noah Hooper and Etlgcomb Nason, a 
 person who calls himself Thomas Neal, we apprehend it 
 to be our duty, as a Committee of Inspection, to transmit 
 you an exact detail of our proceedings relative to him, that 
 lie may be disposed of as your Honours may judge expe- 
 dient : Therefore, beg leave to represent, that on Saturday 
 last the person in question arrived in this Town, and being 
 a stranger, some of the inhabitants were prepossessed with 
 a suspicion of his being a spy. The Committee, in con- 
 sequence, were immediately applied to. We attended, 
 when he submitted to an examination, and gave the follow- 
 ing account of himself, to wit: That he was a native of 
 Britain: had lived several years in America; had fre- 
 quently travelled, and was well acquainted in most of the 
 Southern Colonies, and had, previous to the present un- 
 happy crisis of the unnatural contest between Great Bri- 
 tain and her Colonies, acquired the birth of a steward on 
 board of His Majesty's ship Senegal, Captain Duddington, 
 commander; that he left England in said ship about ten 
 weeks since, fully persuaded, from the representations he 
 had then received, that the disturbance in America was 
 kindled by the breath of a faction by no means formida- 
 ble ; that it might be easily quelled, and was universally 
 disapproved by the cool and dispassionate of all denomina- 
 tions in the Colonies ; that the first American port they 
 touched at was Boston, when they soon had orders to re- 
 pair to Falmouth, in Casco Bay, at which place he had 
 been two weeks ; that on his arrival in America, found not 
 a faction, but the whole Continent joined in opposition to 
 Parliamentary measures ; that, therefore, he could not, in 
 conscience, continue in a service in which he must be 
 obliged to draw the sword against America ; for that reason 
 he had left the ship, and proposed going to Philadelphia, 
 where he has several friends and acquaintance; and that 
 he should have applied for a pass prior to his leaving Fal- 
 mouth, but that he imagined such application would be 
 attended with danger, as the ship lay in the harbour. 
 
 In order, if possible, to be more fully ascertained of the 
 truth of the above declaration, we next day despatched a 
 person to Falmouth, to wait on the Committee there, who 
 informed him that the Steward had departed the ship, and 
 that the Captain, supposing he had been detained by the 
 people, sent a message to Colonel Preble to demand a 
 restoration of him. The Colonel returned for answer, that 
 he knew nothing of him, but that he was seen a little be- 
 fore going out of Town. Colonel Preble likewise informed 
 the messenger sent by us, that he had had some conversa- 
 tion with this person, and heard him say he intended to 
 leave the ship for the reasons above mentioned. He hired 
 a horse a little without the Town of Falmouth, and came 
 publickly to this place. 
 
 The above, may it please your Honours, is a true ac- 
 count of what we have been able to collect relative to the 
 person in custody ; and as the people here are uneasy, and 
 still apprehensive that he may be inimical to the interests 
 of America, we have judged it most eligible that he should 
 be sent to the Congress, that your Honours may give such 
 farther orders concerning him as your wisdom may di- 
 rect, Richard Jordan, 
 
 Benj. Hooper, 
 Thos. Gillpatrick, 
 Committee of Inspection for the Town of Biddeford. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, Juno 28, 1775. 
 Whereas, the Honourable Provincial Congress did, on 
 the 26th instant, pass a Resolve, " That all the small-arms 
 
 that are or may be procured by the above order (men- 
 tioned in said Resolve) be delivered to the Committee of 
 Safety at Cambridge, they to give their receipt for the 
 same to the person from whom they receive them ; that 
 the same be delivered out to such officers as shall produce 
 orders therefor from the Hon. General Ward," &zc. 
 
 And whereas, the Honourable General Hard, in con- 
 sequence of that part of the above quotation which is 
 scored, has this day issued General Orders, in which are 
 the words: "And the Committee of Safety are hereby 
 ordered to deliver out arms to such commanding officers 
 as make apj>lication to them for the same :" 
 
 And whereas, this Committee apprehend that said Re- 
 solve does not empower the General to order them to 
 deliver said aims, but only to order his officers to receive 
 from this Committee such arms as they are ordered by the 
 honourable Congress to deliver to the General's orders to 
 his officers. 
 
 And whereas, the Committee apprehend, that it is of 
 vast importance that no orders are issued by the military, 
 or obeyed by the civil powers, but only such as are direct- 
 ed by the honourable representative body of the people, 
 from whom all military and civil power originates : And 
 though this Committee are satisfied that General Ward has 
 misunderstood said Resolve, and does not mean or intend 
 to set up the military power above the civil; yet, lest this 
 order of the General's should be adduced as a precedent 
 in future, we think it our indispensable duty to protest 
 asrainst the General's said order; notwithstanding which 
 
 0 .... ® 
 
 protest, we also think it our indispensable duty to deliver 
 said arms, agreeable to the spirit of said Resolve, and as 
 the exigency of the publick requires, and submit our con- 
 duct to the honourable Congress. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 To the Hon. Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 JOHN O'BRIEN TO THE MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Machias, June 28, 1775. 
 The Petition of John O'Brien, for and in behalf of the 
 Inhabitants o/Machias, humbly sheweth : 
 
 That the inhabitants of said Machias are a thousand 
 souls, who have not provision, or any method to procure it, 
 from the situation of the times ; that the provision already 
 made for their support by this Congress fills them with 
 gratitude, but is so small that it will not support them for 
 any length of time. The petitioner therefore prays that 
 said inhabitants may be supplied with some more provision, 
 in the same or like method as upon their former petition, 
 or they will be obliged to remove from their habitations. 
 And your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 John O'Brien. 
 To the Hon. Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GENERAL 
 FOLSOM. 
 
 In Committco of Safety, Exeter, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Doctor Ezra Green is appointed Surgeon of 
 Read's Regiment, if he will accept. We are informed he 
 is now with the Army. You will please to let him know 
 he is appointed. The cannon are getting ready with all 
 possible despatch. What you mention of the Artillery 
 company, is under consideration of Congress. 
 
 We have not time to add, as the bearer is waiting, and 
 in a great hurry, but shall write you fully by the Paymas- 
 ter, who will be with you this week. Please to see that 
 the enclosed is carefully delivered. We are, &jc 
 
 To General Folsom, Medford. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE HAGUE, DATED JUNE 
 29, 1775. 
 
 In a full assembly of the States General the 20th ultimo, 
 it was resolved, that orders be issued from the Admiralty 
 Board of their High Mightinesses the States General, to 
 the Sieur Van Stort, Vice-Admiral of the Dutch squadron 
 in the West-Indies, instructing him to give orders to all per- 
 sons under him, to their utmost power to seize and destroy 
 all ammunition, stores, and provisions, which may be found 
 
i 129 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 1 30 
 
 in any ship or ships bound from any of the Dutch settlements 
 in that quarter, or on board Dutch ships from any quarter, 
 which are bound to any port in the English American 
 Colonies, except such as are consigned either to the Gov- 
 ernours of New-England , Philadelphia, Neic-York, Hali- 
 fax, or Virginia; and that such captures shall be consi- 
 dered as lawful prizes, and be shared among the officers and 
 crews of those vessels concerned in taking them, the same 
 as those who are enemies to the States, but that the crews 
 (the captain, his chief mate, and supercargo, if any, ex- 
 cepted) be landed on the nearest Dominion of Great Bri- 
 tain, where such capture is made. Resolved, also, that 
 Sieur Van Stort make this known in every Dutch port or 
 harbour where he may touch. 
 
 "Ordered, that these resolutions be made known to his 
 Excellency Mr. York, the British Minister to the States; 
 and also a copy of the same be sent to the Dutch Resident 
 at London." 
 
 KXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CHARLESTOWN, SOUTH- 
 C VKOL1NA, TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED 
 JUNE 29, 1775. 
 
 Our place has rather the appearance of a garrison town 
 than a mart for trade; one company keeps guard all day, 
 and two every night. In our situation we cannot be too 
 watchful, and we may require much strength, for our 
 negroes have all high notions of their liberty; and we lately 
 learned by intercepted letters, and otherwise, that there 
 have been endeavours to set the Indians on us. Mr. 
 Stewart, the Superintendent of Indian affairs, is accused of 
 being the person who has forwarded this wicked design, and 
 he has fled for safety. 
 
 The Tories in Georgia are now no more ; the Province 
 is almost universally on the right side, and are about to 
 choose Delegates to send to the Congress. 
 
 FREE THOUGHTS ON THE PRESENT TIMES AND MEASURES ; 
 ADDRESSED TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 My Countrymen : In popular, mixed, and free Constitu- 
 tions, the fluctuation of power ought to be carefully mark- 
 ed, and diligently attended to, lest the different branches 
 arrogate to themselves rights and privileges not originally 
 inherent in them. To resolve such Constitutions to their 
 first principles, is the best criterion to judge of their purity. 
 If they will not stand this test, we may safely pronounce 
 them defective; and then our next inquiry should be, 
 where has the errour begun, or the violation originated ? 
 When this point is gained, like a skilful physician, who 
 reckons a competent knowledge of the distemper of his 
 patient half way towards his cure, we ought to exert our- 
 selves to combat the evil in its origin, and eradicate it out 
 of the political body. If lenitives should fail we should 
 have recourse to corrosives; for the political as well as the 
 human stale must sooner or later sustain a convulsion, if 
 the latent or obvious infirmities in its frame are not timely 
 removed. As prudence will ever guard against the one, 
 so it will endeavour to discover and heal the other. It is a 
 duty of the first importance, interwoven in the honest man's 
 constitution, and founded in that love for his Country 
 which, in the generous breast, supersedes all other consi- 
 derations ; it is a task Virginius has prescribed himself, and 
 which he will constantly execute, let what may be the con- 
 sequence. 
 
 In the present alarming situation of affairs between the 
 American Colonies and Great Britain, if the publick at- 
 tention were not wholly absorbed in the multiplicity of so 
 many more alarming objects, a late Proclamation* would 
 scarcely fail of attracting notice ; but though it be of an 
 inferiour nature, and more capable perhaps of exciting our 
 contempt than indignation, yet, my fellow-citizens, I think 
 it ought not to be suffered to pass unstigmatized. The 
 person who manifests an intention of doing you an injury in 
 your persons or properties, is perhaps a degree less crimi- 
 nal than the real aggressor, under the strict letter of the 
 law, but not a jot so in foro conscientice. Whoever, there- 
 fore, would dare circumscribe j r our privileges, or abridge 
 those rights which the laws of God, of nature, and reason, 
 and the liberties of the British Constitution have given 
 * Published the 28th of March last, by our Governour. 
 
 you, however dignified his station or exalted his condition, 
 ought to be dragged out to open and publick view, and 
 held up to the indignation of an injured, incensed people. 
 Soothed as we have been hitherto by the Earl of Dunmore's 
 vacant indifference, amidst the convulsions of this distress- 
 ed Country, if we did not consider him as a friend, we 
 never imagined him an enemy. But time, the great re- 
 vealer of secrets, has at last convinced us that we were 
 sadly mistaken. His letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, re- 
 plete with the most injurious misrepresentations and the 
 most notorious falsehoods ; his removal of the powder from 
 the magazine of the Country, at a time that the minds of 
 the people were alarmed with the justest apprehensions : 
 his offers to our slaves, and the general turbulence thereby 
 occasioned all over the Colony; his late Proclamation, 
 charging you, my countrymen, with disaffection to the pre- 
 sent form of Government, and a settled design of altering 
 it ; but above all, his late heroick transaction in setting a 
 trap in the magazine, with the express intention to murder 
 our incautious fellow-citizens ; all these circumstances put 
 together, leave no doubt, my dear countrymen, 1 hope, in 
 your breasts of the intentions and views of your Gov- 
 ernour. 
 
 A countryman put a snake, pinched with cold and ex- 
 piring with hunger, into his bosom. The snake no sooner 
 began to feel a genial warmth and a renovation of strength 
 from the fostering hand of its protector, than it displayed 
 the native malevolence of its constitution ; it bit the coun- 
 tryman, and if the kind protector did not expire of the 
 wound, it was rather owing to the soundness and vigour of 
 his constitution than to the leniency of the adder's tooth. 
 
 In whatever light I behold the late conduct of John 
 Earl of Dunmore, his disingenuity extorts my utmost con- 
 tempt. As the representative of the King, candour and 
 truth, at least, we had some reason to expect from him. 
 But, alas! how have we been disappointed. Witness the 
 above mentioned letter to the Earl of Dartmouth. As 
 freemen, I humbly think, also, we were entitled to every 
 species of freedom that a man in Great Britain claims. 
 The British subject claims it as his undoubted right to 
 associate with his fellow-citizens in a peaceable manner, 
 deliberate on his grievances, and he thinks it no very ex- 
 traordinary piece of presumption to petition the King for a 
 redress. This privilege is denied you by the Earl of Dun- 
 more. Your grievances he styles pretended, and the mea- 
 sures you have concerted to obtain a redress are termed 
 unjustifiable; consequently, my countrymen, this pageant 
 of State, this machine of Government, thinks it incumbent 
 on him to inhibit you the exercise of a right that the King 
 of Great Britain was never hardy enough to deny the 
 British Nation. If I behold him gloriously engaged in 
 clandestinely removing the powder from the magazine in 
 the night, how is it possible to refuse him the tribute of 
 my applause? Aided by your worthy compeer, Collins, 
 (no despicable auxiliary,) the fame of that night's transac- 
 tion will certainly, if gratitude is not banished the world as 
 well as virtue and honour, transmit your name, my Lord, 
 with undiminished lustre to future ages. How will it sound 
 in the annals of some future historian, that on such a night 
 the Right Honourable his Excellency John Earl of Dun- 
 more, Lieutenant-Governour and Commander-in-Chief of 
 Virginia and Vice-Admiral of the same, had gone pri- 
 vately in the night, and burglariously broke open the pub- 
 lick magazine of the Country, and stole thereout about 
 twenty barrels of gunpowder, lodged therein for the use 
 and exigence of the Colony? And lest any part of this 
 memorable transaction be forgot, I hope the historian will 
 not omit to mention that Captain Henry Collins, com- 
 mander of one of the King's armed vessels (the terrour of 
 oyster boats and fishing canoes) in the Bay of Chesapeake, 
 had aided and assisted, and valiantly co-operated with your 
 Lordship in that arduous and important exploit; that when 
 remonstrated with on what the Virginians thought an im- 
 prudent, improper, absurd, disingenuous step, you honour- 
 ably pledged your word that you would return the powder, 
 and remove every cause of discontent, and that then, al- 
 most in a breath, you basely violated your word ; that you 
 made use of such low, unmanly evasions and subterfuges, 
 to deceive the people of Virginia, as no one, unless totally 
 dead to every sense of shame and every manly exertion, 
 would have recourse to; that you have added the corrup- 
 
1131 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1132 
 
 tions of the worst of hearts to the blunders of the worst of 
 heads ; that having once gone wrong, you think it your 
 duty to persist in the road of errour; that as you have done 
 so,* recrimination you think is your best asylum ; and that 
 to avoid the importunity of a free expostulation, (too severe 
 a trial to the self-condemned,) your last retreat is the 
 Fowey. Tracing you, my Lord, through all the mazes 
 of your iniquity, 1 will drop the ridicule, and seriously ask 
 you if you can wonder that the people of this Colony have 
 withdrawn their confidence from you? Can any confidence 
 be reposed in a murderer? I know not how your Lordship 
 could reconcile to your feelings the idea of the secret assas- 
 sin, the dark murderer. But 1 believe there are very few 
 who do not rank you in that class. I care not whether the 
 incautious but brave young fellows who have fallen victims 
 to your dark plans, have expired of their wounds or not; 
 it is the intention of the agent that should regulate our 
 judgment of any action, and here you should stand self- 
 convicted. Will you, then, confess that evil counsellors 
 and pernicious advisers betrayed you into that diabolical 
 project ? Or that it was the machination of your own cor- 
 rupt heart ? Deviate, I conjure you, for once, into candour, 
 and make atonement for the many injuries you have done 
 this distressed Country; drive from your presence the rep- 
 tiles that have involved you in your present difficulties and 
 embarrassment with a brave and free people, who, I believe, 
 once esteemed you, and would doubtless continue to do so, 
 had you continued to merit their approbation ; candidly 
 acknowledge your faults, and you may yet mitigate the re- 
 sentment of the Virginians, but you can never recover 
 their esteem. 
 
 To what fatality, my Lord, can it be imputed that you, 
 who have been hitherto considered as an inoffensive, easy, 
 good natured man, should suddenly become black as the 
 Ethiop, and prostitute abilities never, indeed, designed to 
 shine in the superiour spheres of life, but which, in the calm 
 retreats of social converse, if properly managed, might 
 exempt you from censure ? Is the paltry emolument of the 
 government of Virginia so intrinsically considerable that 
 you must sacrifice your honour, your virtue, your reputa- 
 tion, (if you ever had any,) to the preservation of it ? Does 
 it necessarily follow as an indispensable conclusion, because 
 you have accepted an office from our most pious and gra- 
 cious Sovereign, that you must, chameleon-like, alter your 
 colour, your complexion, your sentiments, and, in short, 
 that you must become the very reverse of what you were 
 at the time of your investiture? Are not the strongest 
 marks of an overbearing influence discernible in your whole 
 conduct? Or must we impute the complexion of your po- 
 litical manoeuvres to a parity of sentiments in your royal 
 master? These are questions, my Lord, that the late 
 tenour of your conduct would require a solution of. It 
 rests with you to determine whether it needs any justifica- 
 tion. I shall urge you no further at present, but leave you 
 to brood in solitude, disappointed and baffled, as I wish you 
 and all the enemies of America ever may be, over half- 
 formed schemes of imaginary promotion, despicable as a 
 Bernard or a Hutchinson, and with JVoolsey's last consola- 
 tion : " Had I as industriously served my God as I have 
 my King, he would not now have forsaken me !" 
 
 Wonderful and unaccountable are, my dear fellow-citi- 
 zens, the works and dispensation of Providence ! By a 
 strange but noble species of alchymy, we perceive the great- 
 est possible good resulting from the greatest evil. The 
 Boston Port Bill, intended by a most abandoned Ministry 
 to intimidate and divide, has joined together in an indisso- 
 luble union the whole American Continent from the Bay 
 of Fundi/ to the Gulf of Florida. The famine bills to the 
 Northward were designed for the same purpose, as well as 
 the restraining bills, to operate in these Southern Colonies ; 
 but instead of answering the ends of their devisers, I trust 
 they will cover their guilty heads with ruin and confusion. 
 Tyrants I from my soul abhor, and whether individuals or 
 aggregate bodies, they are equally the objects of my detes- 
 tation. Oh ! if there is a God, and that there is all nature 
 cries aloud throughout her works, he must delight in virtue, 
 and that which he delights in must be happy. Your ex- 
 ertions for liberty, my countrymen, must be pleasing to the 
 great Creator of the Universe. Your cause, O Virginians, 
 
 * See tlio Govornour's reasons for loaving Williamsburg)), to rosido 
 on board the Fowey. 
 
 is the cause of virtue, of justice, and of truth. Never, then, 
 relinquish it but witb your latest breath, and let it be the 
 last glorious boast of your lives that you have transmitted 
 the precious inheritance inviolate to your sons. 
 
 VlBGINIUS. 
 
 Chester County, Pennsylvania, June 29, 1775. 
 At a meeting of several officers of several companies of 
 the Militia in the County of Chester, it was unanimously 
 agreed, for the better regulation of the military order of 
 said County, to have a general meeting of all the officers of 
 the several companies, to be held at the house of Richard 
 Cheney, Inn-keeper, in the Township of East Cain, on the 
 21st of July, at ten o'clock, A M., which will be the day 
 immediately after the Continental Fast, then and there to 
 divide this County into the most proper and convenient dis- 
 tricts, in order to form our several Battalions and choose 
 our Field-Officers. The gentlemen officers are therefore 
 hereby earnestly requested to attend for the abovesaid 
 purposes. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Whereas several persons, through a misapprehension of 
 the Resolves which have been entered into by the Provin- 
 cial Convention, relative to the killing of Sheep, have pur- 
 chased Ram Lamb in the market of this City, contrary to 
 the intent and meaning of said Resolve ; the Committee, 
 in order to prevent such mistakes in future, request the 
 publick will take notice that, agreeable to the purport of 
 the Resolve aforesaid, no Sheep of what denomination 
 soever may be killed or purchased under four years of age ; 
 and that the names of all persons who shall, after this, be 
 discovered to act in opposition to said Resolve, will be 
 published forthwith to the world. 
 
 Ordered, That notice be given in the publick papers to 
 all masters of vessels which may arrive in this port, that 
 the Committee of Inspection will meet every day at twelve 
 o'clock, at the Coffee-House, to receive a report of their 
 respective cargoes. And it is expected that no Captain 
 will fail to attend the Committee the first noon after his 
 arrival ; and that owners of vessels and consignees will di- 
 rect their Captains accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That the following Report of the District 
 Committee, No. 2, concerning the Ship Christopher, 
 Captain Edwards, from Gibraltar, be made publick, viz : 
 
 " We, the District Committee, No. 2, appointed to at- 
 tend the discharging a cargo of Salt from on board the Ship 
 Christopher, do report to the General Committee, that we 
 have attended said duty with care, and that we are fully 
 satisfied that no British Goods were imported in said ship, 
 nor the Association of the Congress in any wise violated." 
 
 Extract from the Minutes : 
 
 J. B. Smith, Secretary. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress, July 3, 1775.] 
 In Provincial Congress, New.York, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: In compliance with the Resolve of Con- 
 gress of the 10th of June, instant, we have wrote to the 
 proprietors of the Powder Mills in this Colony, requesting 
 them immediately to put their Mills in a condition to manu- 
 facture Powder lor the use of the Continent. 
 
 Upon inquiry we find that there can be purchased in 
 this City sixteen or twenty tons of Sulphur, winch we con- 
 ceive will be more than sufficient for the Saltpetre that 
 may be collected in the different Colonies. 
 
 If the Congress should be of this opinion, it will be ne- 
 cessary to give directions to the other Colonies not to send 
 to this City any Sulphur, but to direct their attention to 
 the article of Saltpetre only; of this article there are but 
 two hundred and fifty pounds to be purchased here at 
 present. 
 
 We submit this matter to the consideration of the Con- 
 gress, and are, gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress. 
 
1133 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1134 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONGRESS. 
 [Read in Congress July 1, 1775.] 
 
 New-York, June 29, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I did myself the honour to write you 
 yesterday, since which I have received some intelligence 
 which I think it my duty to lay before you. 
 
 A gentleman, a member of the Provincial Congress 
 here, is this afternoon arrived from Albany. He advises 
 that a few of the Oneida Indians are lately arrived at that 
 place, in a disposition very friendly to our cause; that they 
 have declared a desire that the Indians should be called 
 together at Albany, or in its neighbourhood ; that great 
 attention was paid them by the Albany Committee. As 
 so good an opportunity to conciliate their affections will, I 
 trust, be readily embraced by your Honours, I have ven- 
 tured to advise the Albany Committee to dismiss them 
 with presents, and assurances that they will speedily be 
 requested to meet persons appointed for the purpose of 
 holding a conference with them, either at Albany or any 
 other convenient place. 
 
 The troops on board the transports at Sandy-Hook, 
 from the best intelligence I am able to procure, are des- 
 tined for Boston; they have been detained to take in 
 water, and I am well assured that they are to sail to- 
 morrow. 
 
 Permit me, honoured Sirs, to request that I may be 
 favoured with a copy of the arrangement of the General 
 and Staff-Officers in your Army, of the pay allowed them, 
 and every other officer and soldier, and receive your orders 
 what allowance of provisions each man is to have per day, 
 that all troops under my command may be equally provided 
 for, to prevent uneasiness. Enclose a copy of my letter 
 to Colonel Hinman, commanding at Ticonderoga. 
 
 I am, honoured Sirs, respectfully, your most obedient 
 and most humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO COLONEL HINMAN. 
 
 New- York, June 28, 1775. 
 Sir: The honourable Continental Congress having been 
 pleased to appoint me to a Major-General's command in 
 the American Army, and being directed to take charge of 
 that part of it which is or may be employed in the Prov- 
 ince of New-York, I do myself the pleasure to advise you 
 thereof. 
 
 You will please with all expedition to make me a return 
 of the troops under your command and their condition, 
 specifying from which Colony they are, what number of 
 them are at Crown Point, what at Ticonderoga, the land- 
 ing on Lake George, and the south end of said lake, or at 
 any other post you may have occupied. And that the 
 service may not suffer for want of any thing necessary 
 with you, I beg of you to make me a very minute return 
 of the provision, cannon, ammunition, artillery stores, in- 
 trenching and pioneer tools, at every of the above men- 
 tioned places ; as also of the number of vessels on Lake 
 George, what kind they are, and their burden ; the same 
 of those on Lake Chanvplain. 
 
 As it is of the highest importance that good intelligence 
 of General Carleton's motions should be had, let me en- 
 treat you to spare no pains to procure the best accounts of 
 what he is about ; of the disposition of the Canadians and 
 Savages towards us; what posts are occupied against us; 
 if fortified, and how ; the number of men with which they 
 are garrisoned, whether of Canadians or Regular Troops; 
 and from time to time transmit me any intelligence you 
 may procure. Take every opportunity of giving the Ca- 
 nadians and Indians the strongest assurances of our friend- 
 ly sentiments towards them ; and if they should unfortu- 
 nately have entertained any that are unfavourable from 
 Mr. Allen's excursion into their country, try and eradicate 
 them by assurances that what he did was without any 
 orders ; and although I am convinced he meant to serve the 
 cause of America by what he did, yet it may be. well, if the 
 Canadians have taken umbrage at it, to inform them that 
 his conduct in that instance was disapproved of. 
 
 In military contests it behooves every commander to be 
 extremely diligent, careful, and circumspect to watch every 
 movement of his opponents ; this I have confidence you 
 will not by any means neglect any more than that of put- 
 
 ting yourself in the best posture of defence. And as it is 
 necessary to prepare against possible accidents, 1 would 
 have you take measures to secure a retreat to the south 
 end of Lake George or South-Bay, if at any time you 
 should be unhappily forced to so disagreeable a step. 
 1 am, Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Ph. Schuyler. 
 To Colonel Hinman, commanding at Ticonderoga. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir : As I propose that the troops from Connecticut 
 should encamp this morning, permit me to beg of you to 
 give orders that tents to the number of two hundred and 
 fifty, with the poles, be sent down as soon as possible to 
 the grounds the troops are to occupy. They will also be 
 in immediate want of fuel for dressing their victuals, and 
 for straw to lie on. 
 
 Pray be so good as to let me know at what hour you 
 think the tents can be at the place destined for the en- 
 campment. 1 am, Sir, respectfully your most obedient 
 humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President, &lc. 
 
 CHARLOTTE COUNTY (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting held at Fort Edward, June 29, 1775, to 
 choose three Delegates to represent the County of Char- 
 lotte at the Provincial Congress convened at the City of 
 New-York, with Doctor John Williams and William 
 Marsh, Esq., before chosen by a number of the inhabi- 
 tants of said County : 
 
 Be it known, that Doctor George Smyth, David Wat- 
 kins, and Archibald Campbell, Esquires, are duly elected, 
 and it is the sense of the inhabitants of the County afore- 
 said that the above named John Williams, William Marsh, 
 George Smyth, David Watkins, and Archibald Campbell, 
 they, or either of them, shall represent the said County 
 in the Provincial Congress at New- York. 
 
 Signed by order of the County Committee : 
 
 Archibald Campbell, Chairman. 
 
 JACOB BAYLEY TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Newbury, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Lately we received a desire from you to 
 send a member or two to the Provincial Congress at New- 
 York. We met and chose one, Sir, myself; but considering 
 our distance and the danger we might be in of a visit from 
 Canada, thought best that I do not yet attend until we 
 were prepared to meet with an enemy at home. I am 
 taking what pains I can to be prepared with arms and am- 
 munition, but as yet to but little purpose ; am still appre- 
 hensive of danger from Canada, and cannot be absent. I 
 have had intelligence from an Indian to be depended on, 
 who informs me that they shall be forced to take up arms, 
 if we do not help them by sending an army to Canada, 
 and say they are both threatened and flattered ; says that 
 the French and Indians will join us, and make no doubt 
 but Quebeck will be taken, (which is their desire,) but if 
 it is neglected much longer it may be fatal to them and us. 
 I have employed him to bring intelligence from Canada, 
 and must meet him myself, and shall transmit to you. I 
 should think that if orders were sent to me, I could raise 
 two or three hundred men from the neighbouring Govern- 
 ments, which must be necessary either for our defence or 
 to proceed to Canada. 
 
 If it is thought best to raise men, arms (at least two 
 hundred) and powder and flints must be sent. Mr. Har- 
 vy will inform more, and take care of whatever is sent. 
 Mean time I am endeavouring to supply ourselves from 
 seaports eastward. 
 
 We acknowledge with gratitude the notice taken of us 
 by you ; shall acquiesce in the measures which shall be 
 taken by you ; shall attend as soon as we are in a posture 
 of defence. 
 
 Wish prosperity to the cause of liberty and truth. Am, 
 gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 Jacob Bayley. 
 To the Provincial Congress for New-York Colony. 
 
1135 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 13G 
 
 New- York. June 29, 1775. 
 Ms. Holt I You are requested to publish the enclosed 
 Association, adopted and signed by a Dumber of the inha- 
 bitants of a Town in a neighbouring Colony, for the infor- 
 mation of the people of this City and Province. 
 
 Newtown, Fairfield County, ? 
 Colony of Connecticut, April 12, 1775. $ 
 
 Whereas, a considerable number of the inhabitants of 
 this Town have, in a publick meeting, passed certain Re- 
 solves in opposition to the Resolves of the Continental 
 Congress, (which have since been published in Mr. Riv- 
 ington's Paper,) we have thought it expedient in some 
 suitable way to make known our minds also respecting 
 those matters ; and therefore having subscribed the follow- 
 ing Resolves, desire they may be printed, with the several 
 names affixed : 
 
 We, the subscribers, do sincerely profess ourselves to 
 be liege subjects of King George the Third. But from 
 the best acquaintance with publick affairs that we have 
 been able to attain, cannot but be deeply apprehensive 
 that several Acts passed by the late British Parliament 
 relative to North-America are of a very unconstitutional 
 and oppressive nature in their tendency, directly subversive 
 of those precious rights and privileges to which the Colo- 
 nies have an indubitable claim, which Acts, therefore, are 
 of a very alarming nature ; and not being able to conceive 
 but that the measures come into, and recommended by the 
 late Continental Congress at Philadelphia, are very con- 
 sistent with our sworn loyalty to our King, and in the main 
 wisely calculated to obtain redress of said publick griev- 
 ances: we do, therefore, hereby signify our willingness and 
 purpose to be compliant in our several stations with the 
 Resolves of said Congress. 
 
 Newtown, Fairfield County 
 
 Richard Fainnan, 
 John Botsford, 
 Abraham Bennett, 
 David Judson, 
 John Qhandler, 
 Amos Botsford, 
 Caleb Baldwin, Jun., 
 Gideon Botsford, 
 Joseph Smith, Jun., 
 Ephraim Sherman, 
 Amos Northrop, 
 Ichabod Fairman, 
 Abm. Bennett, Jun., 
 David Curtiss, 
 Jabez Botsford, 
 Silas Hubbcl, 
 Abel Baldwin, 
 Elijah Botsford, 
 Henry Fairman, 
 Gid. Botsford, Jun., 
 Abraham Botsford, 
 Jonathan Northrup, 
 Aaron Gregory, 
 Cloment Botsford, 
 
 Richard Smith, 
 Ebenezer Smith, 
 Matthew Curtiss, Jr., 
 Benjamin Dunning, 
 PJli Dunning, 
 Abijah Dunning, 
 Piiilo Dunning, 
 Henry Peck, 
 Jared Dunning, 
 Samuel Brown, 
 Gideon Dunning, 
 James San ford, 
 Job Bunuel, 
 David Jackson, 
 Gershom Jackson, 
 Ephraim Jackson, 
 Silas Dunning, 
 David Jackson, Jun., 
 Rich. Fairman, Jun., 
 Joshua Northrup, 
 Enos Northrup, 
 Daniel Jackson, 
 Thomas Brooks, 
 
 February 13, 1775. 
 Joshua Hatch, 
 Joseph Wheeler, 
 Nathaniel Little, 
 Nathaniel Brisco, 
 Joel Basset, 
 Amos Smith, 
 Nathan Burritt, 
 Joseph Smith, 
 Thomas Bennett, 
 Eleazer Burritt, 
 Asa Cogswell, 
 James Faircbild, 
 Henry Wood, 
 George Terril, 
 Fitch Kimbcrly, 
 John Basset, 
 William Wright, 
 Josiah Bcardslee, 
 Nathaniel Cada, 
 Joseph Gunn, 
 Matthew Baldwin, 
 Silas Faircbild, 
 Amos Burritt. 
 
 guard against any surprise from our enemies; when it wa3 
 unanimously agreed (until the General Convention meets, 
 who no doubt will provide against every contingency) to 
 invite down, from a number of Counties, to the amount of 
 two bundled and fifty men, who are expected in a very 
 few days. Meanwhile, until they arrive, the neighbouring 
 Counties are kind enough to lend us their assistance, the 
 James City volunteers having furnished us with a guard 
 on Wednesday ; a party of the New-Kent volunteers did 
 duty last night, and this day we expect another detach- 
 ment from that County, as well as a number of the York 
 volunteers. 
 
 Early yesterday morning sailed from York town His Ma- 
 jesty's Ship Fowcy, and the Magdalen Schooner; which 
 last, we are informed, proceeded to England immediately, 
 with Lady Dunmore and the rest of the Govemour's fami- 
 ly, attended by his Lordship's Chaplain, the Reverend 
 Mr. Gwatkin. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN HARTFORD, 
 DATED FORT GEORGE, NEAR TICONDEUOG A, JUNE 29, 
 1775. 
 
 The reports from the northward are various; it is thought, 
 from the best accounts, that the Canadians will be very 
 reluctant to enter into the service against the Colonies, and 
 it is pretty certain that Gpneral Carleton has hanged two 
 or three of them for refusing, and speaking to discourage 
 others ; so that it is on the whole believed, that through 
 all the stratagems of tyranny, Carleton will dragoon a num- 
 ber of the Canadians and Indians into the service, and it 
 is generally believed he is making preparations to come 
 against us ; but some think otherwise, and that he is only 
 fortifying at St. John's, to prevent any incursions from us. 
 Doubtless a short time will discover which of these is the 
 truth. We have certain intelligence that Guy Johnson is 
 making all the interest possible to raise the Indians about 
 the Lakes and Oswegatchic against us. 
 
 Williamsburgh, June 30, 1775. 
 Last Friday there was a very full meeting of the in- 
 habitants of this City at the Court-House, convened there 
 by desire of our Representative, the Honourable I'eijton 
 Randolph, Esquire, to consider of the expediency of sta- 
 tioning a number of men here for the publick safety, as 
 well as to assist the citizens in their nightly watches, to 
 
 CUMBERLAND COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 To the Inhabitants of Cumberland County, Virginia : 
 The Address of the Committee of the said County, 
 convened on Friday, the 30th of June, 1775. 
 Dear Countrymen : In contemplation of securing your 
 dearest rights and liberties against the oppression of Great 
 Britain, you some months ago elected us, (subordinate to 
 those august bodies the Continental Congress and Provin- 
 cial Convention,) by your free and unbiased sufTrages, 
 guardians of these invaluable blessings. At a short period 
 after receiving this honour, we convened ourselves for the 
 purpose of discharging the important trusts so reposed in 
 us, and have, from time to time, devised such means for a 
 happy event of your weighty contest as the maturest de- 
 liberation could suggest. In return, you have ever paid 
 us the grateful tribute of entire confidence, testified by the 
 most implicit acquiescence and concurrence in whatever 
 we recommended. We with pleasure bear in mind a very 
 recent instance of your confidence, that of the lale speedy 
 and cheerful contribution of moneys requested of you for 
 the purpose of making military preparations; which, you 
 may depend, no means shall be untried for laying out for 
 the best advantage. We find, however, that you can still 
 contribute much to this preparation, by applying diligently 
 to making Saltpetre; this is an article much wanted, as an 
 ingredient for making Gunpowder. Your tobacco-houses 
 and stable floors are foundations from which Saltpetre may 
 be produced, with but little work, in great abundance and 
 perfection. We entreat you, therefore, to apply for the 
 most short and ready process, and lose no time in making 
 this necessary, but easily-procured, article. 
 
 We have been attentive to the movements of the cursed 
 instruments of your troubles; and, had any prospects of an 
 accommodation with the Parent State come within our view, 
 we should gladly have laid them before you ; but we must 
 now expressly tell you, that it is to be feared no such 
 event can be expected at all. Your enemies seem implac- 
 able in their determination to ruin American liberty, and, 
 with that view, suffer no engine to lie still which can be put 
 in motion by any manoeuvre, however mean, cowardly, and 
 detestable. For instances, we need only refer you to the 
 late conduct of that mercenary ministerial tool, Lord Dun- 
 more, within your own Colony; and be assured, that many 
 such hirelings are employed, and will be as long as means 
 can be supplied for paying them. In short, we must tell 
 you, that nothing can be expected for j our relief from the 
 virtue of a British Ministry or Parliament; though, true 
 it is, there are some members, in both Houses of the latter, 
 who, ashamed of the black deeds of their body, daily, to 
 their lasting honour, hold out their names as dissentients; 
 yet, unhappily for Britain, and America too, they are but 
 few. You may, indeed, at this time, consider yourselves 
 in a slate of civil war with Great Britain; for several 
 engagements have been had between her troops and the 
 brave inhabitants of your sister Colony of Massachusetts- 
 Ray. We have long since considered all the American 
 Colonies as united, in opposing the oppressive measures of 
 Great Britain; a blow, therefore, struck at one, is a blow 
 struck at all. Since matters have gone to such lengths 
 there, you must daily look for the invaders in your own 
 country, which is equally destined to destruction ; or 
 
1137 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1138 
 
 should the whole force of your enemies be bent on that, 
 or any other Colony, you must not think a march thither 
 too far. Believe us, when we tell you, that in your arms, 
 under Divine assistance, rests your security. We entreat, 
 you, therefore, by that regard you have for the safety of 
 your persons ; for your liberties, civil and religious ; for 
 every thing which can render your being on earth happy ; 
 by what is of more weighty consideration, that tender re- 
 gard you have for the happiness of your posterity, for end- 
 less ages to come ; under sanction of that confidence you 
 repose in us : that you, without delay, apply to your arms 
 as speedily as possible ; put them in the best condition ; 
 make yourselves acquainted with military discipline, and 
 stand in readiness for actual service, upon the shortest 
 warning ; put down every animosity from amongst your- 
 selves; pay obedience to officers properly appointed; let 
 no discontents, on account of their advancement, prevent 
 your attention to them, for now your movements must har- 
 monize. The time is arrived at which no private considera- 
 tion should interfere with the safety of the State ; observe 
 the old maxim, " United we stand, divided we fall." 
 
 We entreat you, with like earnestness, to preserve what 
 ammunition you have by you ; do not expend it on any 
 occasion whatever, except under the greatest necessity, for 
 you may depend that more will be wanted for your defence 
 than can shortly be procured. Pay attention to these our 
 entreaties, and fear not. 
 
 Your American brethren are firm ; you have many friends 
 in Great Britain and Ireland ; and, in the justness of your 
 cause, you may ; with confidence, look up to Heaven for as- 
 sistance ; in supplication of whose interposition to avert the 
 approaching scene of blood and destruction, we recommend 
 that you, universally, in compliance with the appointment 
 of the Grand Continental Congress, devote Thursday, the 
 twentieth day of July, to humiliation, fasting, and prayer. 
 
 George Carrington, Chairman. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELE- 
 GATES TO HIS FRIEND IN WILLIAMSBURG H, DATED PHI- 
 LADELPHIA, JUNE 30, 1775. 
 
 You will see that our enemies had little to boast of for 
 being able to force our Troops from Bunker's Hill. It is 
 no wonder they did so, with superiour numbers, ships-of- 
 war, floating batteries, and field artillery. Their loss has 
 certainly been very great, and now they dare not go from 
 under protection of their ships' cannon. Our Army now 
 before Boston amounts to about fifteen thousand effective 
 men, commanded by Generals Washington, Ward, Lee, 
 Putnam, Gates of Berkely, with several Brigadiers. In 
 New-York, we have now about four thousand; and they 
 are to be increased to five thousand, under the immediate 
 command of General Schuyler. The Canadians abso- 
 lutely refuse to join Carlelon, and the Indians assure us 
 they will observe a strict neutrality. Thus, we seem to 
 be well secured in the north against ministerial madness. 
 A faithful observance of the Association with us will surely 
 rouse the sleeping lion ere long, and bring exemplary pun- 
 ishment on the most abandoned Ministry that ever abused 
 mankind, and disgraced human nature. Sir William Mere- 
 dith has cheated the Liverpool men, and they are sending 
 out goods as usual ; but all their ships, yet arrived, have 
 been sent back. It will be necessary, however, to keep a 
 good look out to prevent their slipping in through other 
 doors less attentively watched than this place, and Charles- 
 town, in South-Carolina. 
 
 We are here confined to a constant and painful attend- 
 ance on business, from nine in the morning to four and 
 five, and sometimes six o'clock in the afternoon ; and, what 
 is more, have not the most distant prospect of rising yet. 
 
 We have sent to Virginia and Maryland for two com- 
 panies of riflemen from each Province, and six from this, to 
 join the Army before Boston. Two millions of dollars are 
 ordered to be struck upon the faith of the twelve United 
 Colonies, for the payment of the Continental Army. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received your letter of the 23d 
 instant, and are sorry to be informed of your being retard- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 ed by any difficulties in completing your levies. It would 
 be extremely imprudent to suggest the least hint of your 
 objections to the Congress. Be assured that the Northern 
 and some other Colonies are ready to raise men on al- 
 most any terms, and would be happy of an opportunity 
 of furnishing Troops without any allowance for bounty or 
 clothes. 
 
 Permit us earnestly to recommend to you to proceed in 
 this business with alacrity and despatch. The honour as 
 well as the interest of the Province is much concerned in 
 the success of this measure. Your neighbours of Connec- 
 ticut boast of their having raised their men in ten days' 
 time ; endeavour not to be behind hand with them. 
 
 We have the pleasure to acquaint you that a Conti- 
 nental currency is forming, and when completed, you will 
 be immediately supplied with a sum adequate to your 
 exigences. 
 
 If forces cannot be raised without bounties, we beg leave 
 to submit it to your consideration, whether it would not be 
 better to do it at the expense of the Province, or by ad- 
 vancing it on the credit of their pay, than lose this oppor- 
 tunity of signalizing your attachment to the cause, and 
 provide for a great number of your poor. 
 
 From the intelligence we have received of the state of 
 ammunition in your City and Province, we are apprehen- 
 sive that you are so destitute of powder as to be exposed 
 to very imminent danger in case of an attack, against which 
 we think it extremely necessary that provision be speedily 
 made. 
 
 We fear there are too many in New-York who flatter 
 themselves with safety and security from the removal of 
 the Troops. For our parts we consider it as a mere tem- 
 porary suspension of danger, and that this opportunity of 
 putting the Country in a posture of defence, is very fortu- 
 nate, and by all means to be improved. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most 
 obedient and humble servants, 
 
 Philip Livingston, William Floyd, 
 
 John Alsop, Robt. Livingston, Jun. 
 
 John Jay, 
 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Since writing the above, the Congress have re- 
 quested the Committee of Philadelphia immediately to 
 send forward fifty quarter-casks of powder ; it set out this 
 day consigned to the Committee at Elizabethtotvn, who will 
 send it to Dobb's Ferry. You are requested to provide for 
 its being immediately taken from thence and carried to 
 Albany, for the use of the Troops at Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, &c. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 1, 1775.] 
 
 New. York, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your letter of the 28th instant, which 1 received late last 
 night, enclosing the Resolutions of Congress of the pre- 
 ceding day, and copy of a letter from the Committee of 
 Albany, bearing date 20th June, 1775. 
 
 In obedience to the Resolutions of Congress, I shall 
 without delay repair to Ticonderoga. It will, however, be 
 necessary, previous to my departure from hence, that I 
 should take order to have the variety of articles, necessary 
 to carry into execution the views of the Congress, sent after 
 me with all expedition : this will probably detain me until 
 Monday. 
 
 The success of the intended operation will evidently 
 depend so much on despatch, that I am sorry I do not think 
 myself at liberty to move the Troops now here to Albany 
 without the immediate consent of Congress. At this place 
 I do not apprehend they can be wanted. At Albany they 
 would greatly facilitate and expedite the service, as well as 
 save expense by their assistance in the transportation of 
 stores and provisions, and by their aid in building boats, 
 carriages, &c, &c; and as they must ultimately go on this 
 service, the forces at Ticonderoga being vastly inadequate 
 to the enterprise, I wish for the sense of the Congress with 
 all possible despatch, and therefore I send this by express. 
 On a service of this kind, in which success will be attended 
 with such a variety of important and salutary consequen- 
 
1139 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1140 
 
 ces, I beg leave to suggest that every measure ought to be 
 pursued that has a probable tendency to it; and therefore 
 I hint that on a service in which we shall in all probability 
 be encountered by Indians, a body of riflemen would be of 
 vast utility. Perhaps I might be favoured with part at least 
 of those now levying in Pennsylvania. 
 
 I shall immediately despatch a trusty person, Mr. Walter 
 Livingston, to Governour Trumbull, for the two important 
 articles of money and ammunition, neither of which can, at 
 any rate, be procured here. The former is so much wanted 
 here, that 1 am under apprehensions that the service in 
 general may suffer, unless the Provincial Congress of this 
 place can have a supply speedily. 
 
 The appointments 1 recommended in mine of the 28th 
 are now become so pressingly necessary that I beg leave 
 again to recommend them to the attention of Congress. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, yours and the Con- 
 gress's most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President, &ic. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 30, 1775. 
 Sir : I do myself the honour to acquaint your respect- 
 able body, that late last evening I received some despatches 
 containing matters of the first importance. They were 
 accompanied by an order, the carrying of which into exe- 
 cution will require the aid of your body. 1 therefore wish 
 to meet with a small Committee at any time and place, and 
 the soonest possible, before whom I will lay such part of 
 my orders as will become the subject of your considera- 
 tion. 
 
 I am, Sir, with sentiments of respect and esteem, yours 
 and the gentlemen of the Congress's most obedient and 
 bumble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Ncxu- 
 
 York Provincial Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 New-York, June 30, 1775. 
 Sir: I enclose your Honour a copy of a Resolution of 
 the honourable the Continental Congress. I should have 
 been happy if either of the important articles mentioned 
 in it could have been procured here. The Provincial Con- 
 gress of this Colony have already pledged their faith and 
 fortunes for a very considerable debt, accrued on the pub- 
 lick account. They will, however, with that distinguished 
 zeal for the common cause, which has already done them 
 so much honour, do every thing in their power to carry 
 into execution the important views of the Continental 
 Congress, and furnish me with such articles as they shall 
 be able to procure here. I am, however, left under the 
 necessity of calling on your Honour for the aid of fifteen or 
 twenty thousand Pounds of your money, (the latter sum if 
 possible,) which I wish to have at Albany as soon as con- 
 veniently it may, and have therefore sent Walter Living- 
 ston, Esq., a member of the Provincial Congress here. 
 Into this gentleman's hands your Honour will please to put 
 the money, taking his receipt for the same ; and permit me 
 to entreat you, Sir, to give him an escort of some gentle- 
 men, to his father's (Col. Livingston') on Hudson's River. 
 Ammunition, that indispensably necessary article, cannot 
 be had here even in the smallest quantity; hence my de- 
 mand on your Honour must necessarily be considerable. 
 I wish I could possibly do with less than six tons of pow- 
 der. If any more can be spared you will doubtless send 
 it. This article I wish to have forwarded by land to any 
 part of Hudson's River. I shall immediately despatch a 
 trusty officer to Connecticut, to take charge of it. 
 
 I shall be extremely happy to receive a line from you, 
 the soonest possible, and by express, on the subject matter 
 of this application, directed to me at Albany, that I may 
 have it in my power to attempt other measures, should it 
 be out of your power to comply with this requisition. 
 
 I am, he, your Honour's most obedient and humble 
 servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Captain-General and 
 Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN LAMB TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, June 30, 1775. 
 Sir : As there is no appointment of a Second Lieutenant 
 in the arrangement of the Artillery Company proposed to 
 be under my command, I take the liberty to recommend 
 the bearer, Martin Johnson, as a proper person to be ap- 
 pointed to that station. Captain McDougall will shew 
 you the arrangement for the Artillery Company which lately 
 went from Rhode-Island to the Massachusetts-Bay ; from 
 which you will see the propriety of such an appointment. 
 It will likewise be proper to appoint a Lieutenant Fire- 
 worker ; but I do not at present know a proper person to 
 recommend. 
 
 I am, with the greatest respect, Sir, your most humble 
 servant, John Lamb. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 SAMUEL MOTT TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Fort George, June 30, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir : Two days ago by a kind hand of Provi- 
 dence I arrived in health at this place, and am this day 
 going for Ticonderoga and Crown Point. I have seen the 
 Honourable Judge Duer, of Charlotte County, one of New- 
 York Committee, and Colonel Sullivan and two others of 
 the Massachusetts Congress, who have been over to Ticon- 
 deroga, he, and told me of the very extraordinary ill con- 
 duct of Colonel Arnold, the particulars of which I suppose 
 your Honour will have from Colonel Hinman. I was ad- 
 vised by Judge Duer, and those from Massachusetts, to 
 write immediately down for Captain Robert Niles, of Nor- 
 wich, to come up and take command of one of the vessels, 
 as they are a very important part of our defence, and as I 
 could recommend him as a bold and able sea commander ; 
 but I thought your Honour the only proper judge of the 
 feasibility and propriety of such a measure, and also that 
 your Honour only could commission Captain Niles for that 
 service, if judged expedient. I have nothing in my depart- 
 ment of any importance to report to your Honour. Our 
 reports from the northward are various. I had a verb.il 
 message from the Rev. Mr. Kirkland, informing me that 
 Guy Johnson was doing all in bis power to stimulate the 
 Indian Nations against us ; but he did not think they would 
 in any measure be unanimous against us; yet he did not 
 doubt that a number from the several tribes might be raised 
 against us. After I have viewed Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, I shall report their state, with my opinion thereon, 
 to your Honour; and meanwhile am your Honour's most 
 obedient bumble servant, Samuel Mott. 
 
 His Honour the Governour. 
 
 WORCESTER COUNTY (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Standing Committee for the County 
 of Worcester, this 30th day of June, 1775 : 
 
 Voted, That in the present critical situation of our publick 
 affairs, when the Province is about assuming government, 
 and many persons, by undue methods, may be seeking 
 offices of profit and honour, we would offer for the consi- 
 deration of the respective Towns in this County, whether it 
 would not be expedient to instruct their several members 
 to be very vigilant, and inquire into the characters of such 
 as may be nominated for Counsellors ; and also that they 
 pitch on proper persons to recommend as respectable to 
 fill up the respective executive and military offices, and that 
 the substance of this vote be inserted in the Worcester 
 paper. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 11, 1775.] 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, June 30, 1775. 
 Sir : I have this day received your favour of the twenty- 
 second instant, in which you are so kind as to inform me of 
 the General Officers that the honourable Continental Con- 
 gress have appointed. 
 
 I wish, Sir, the appointments in this Colony may not 
 have a tendency to create uneasiness among us, which we 
 ought, at this critical time, to be extremely careful to avoid. 
 
 I have, Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of the commis- 
 sion as a Major-General, and do heartily wish that the 
 
1141 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1142 
 
 honour bad been conferred upon a person better qualified 
 to execute a trust so important. It would give me great 
 satisfaction if I thought myself capacitated to act with dig- 
 nity, and to do honour to that Congress which has exalted 
 me to be second in command over the American Army. I 
 hope they will accept my sincere desire to serve them, and 
 my most grateful acknowledgments for the honour conferred 
 upon me, and pray they may not be wholly disappointed in 
 their expectations. I always have been, and am still ready 
 to devote my life in attempting to deliver my native Coun- 
 try from insupportable slavery. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient humble 
 servant, Artemas Ward. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President of 
 Congress, &tc. 
 
 P. S. Colonel Gardner is wounded, I hope not mortally. 
 
 GENERAL WARD TO JOHN PIGEON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Sir : There are now on Prospect Hill nearly four thou- 
 sand men, who at present are obliged to come to the store 
 in college, for all the provisions they stand in need of. If 
 they can be supplied with provisions at the hill, it will tend 
 much to the safety of the lines there, for a great number of 
 the men are now obliged daily to leave the lines that they 
 may convey provisions to others upon the hill; and the 
 milk especially, when it is conveyed from the store in col- 
 lege to the hill, is unfit for any person in camp to eat ; 
 therefore, if possible, it must be altered. 
 
 I am, Sir, &.c, Artemas Ward. 
 
 To Mr. Commissary Pigeon. 
 
 GEN. THOMAS TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Major Wliite has procured a small number 
 of fire-arms, which 1 have presumed to stop in the camp at 
 Roxbury for your order; when received 1 shall always com- 
 ply with. We have a considerable deficiency of arms here. 
 If it be agreeable, I should be glad there may be directions 
 for the delivery of them here. I shall submit it to your 
 consideration ; and am your most obedient and very humble 
 servant, John Thomas. 
 
 GEN. HEATH TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp at Roxbury, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : A number of fire-arms were put under my 
 care last winter, which were afterwards ordered to Worces- 
 ter. The Committee of Safety, when sitting at Concord, 
 gave me assurances that I should have a number of them 
 for my Regiment, which 1 believe some of your Honours 
 will remember. They are since disposed of, as I am in- 
 formed, to other Regiments. A number of good arms are 
 now brought to camp ; a number of my Regiment, which 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Greaton can ascertain, have no arms. 
 I therefore earnestly request that you would be pleased to 
 give order for their being supplied from those now brought 
 to camp. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your humble ser- 
 vant, W. Heath. 
 Honourable Committee of Safety. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 30, 1775. 
 Whereas the honourable Provincial Congress has this 
 day passed a Resolve, appointing this Committee to be a 
 Committee to consider of a farther emission of Bills of 
 Credit, as mentioned in said resolve ; but this Committee, 
 feeling themselves unable to proceed in the business with- 
 out a more perfect know ledge of the emissions lately made, 
 both in quantity and circumstances of payment, and also for 
 want of sufficient knowledge of the demands made, or to 
 be made upon the Colony, do resolve that Colonel Palmer 
 attend the honourable Congress to-morrow, in order to ob- 
 tain all necessary light in the premises. 
 
 J. Palmer, Chairman. 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress now sitting at 
 Watertown. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES TO NEW-HAMP- 
 SHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Chamber of Supplies, Watertown, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We understand that you have signified, in 
 a letter to Mr. Langdon, the President of Harvard Col- 
 lege, that you had some cannon mounted, and would send 
 them if wanted. We therefore beg leave to inform you, 
 that orders have been sent us from the camp for three 
 twenty-four pounders more than we have now ready, and 
 that we apprehend it very important that they should be 
 forwarded as soon as may be. 
 
 We are respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient ser- 
 vants, David Cheever, per order. 
 
 Honourable Committee of Safety, New- Hampshire. 
 
 An Eulogium sacred to the memory of the late Major- 
 General Warren, who fell June 17, 1775, fghting 
 against the Ministerial Army at Boston. 
 When an amiable man, with a promising family of chil- 
 dren, perishes in the bloom of life, every friend to humanity 
 must share in the distress which such a calamity occasions 
 in the circle of his acquaintances. This distress is heightened 
 when we hear that the virtues of the man were blended 
 with the exalted qualities of a Patriot. We rise in our ex- 
 pressions of grief when we are told that he possessed not 
 only the zeal of a patriot, but the wisdom, the integrity, and 
 the eloquence of a Senator. But when we hear that these 
 shining qualities were crowned with the patience, the mag- 
 nanimity, and the intrepidity of a Warrior, we are led to con- 
 template one of the most august characters in human na- 
 ture. When such a man falls, grief is dumb, and eloquence 
 is obliged for a while to muse eulogiums which it cannot 
 express. 
 
 Such were our feelings upon hearing of the death of the 
 illustrious General Warren, who fell on the seventeenth of 
 June, at the head of a detachment of the American Army, 
 near Boston. It is impossible to do justice to his full-orb'd 
 character. He filled each of the numerous departments in 
 life that were assigned to him so well, that he seemed born 
 for no others. He had displayed, in the course of three 
 and thirty years, all the talents and virtues of the man, the 
 patriot, the senator, and the hero. He was unlike the 
 Spartan General only in not expiring in the arms of vic- 
 tory. But even in this unfortunate event he has served his 
 Country, for he has taught the sons of freedom in America, 
 that the laurel may be engrafted upon the cypress, and that 
 true glory may be acquired not only in the arms of victory, 
 but in the arms of death. 
 
 If our pleasures are exalted in proportion to the extent 
 and degrees of our benevolence, how shall we describe those 
 pleasures which the hero feels who performs the highest act 
 of benevolence to mankind, by dying in defence of the 
 liberties of his Country. He enjoys a prelibation, the most 
 like the joys of heaven that mortals can taste upon earth ; 
 he partakes of the nature and happiness of God. 
 
 Say, illustrious shade! what new resentments kindled in 
 thy bosom at the prospect of executing vengeance upon 
 the foes of liberty ? Say, what were the transports of thy 
 mind when the twice repulsed enemy fled before thy pow- 
 erful arms ? 
 
 But when, alas, borne down with numbers, thou wast 
 forced to retreat, and death showed his commission to the 
 ball that pierced thy bosom, say what joy thrilled after it at 
 the prospect of having thy brows encircled with the patriot's 
 crown of martyrdom ? Tell me, ye brave Americans who 
 beheld our hero fall, did he not, in his last moments, pour 
 forth his usual expressions of loyalty to the Crown of Bri- 
 tain, and his wonted prayers for the welfare of his Country ? 
 Did he not, in faltering accents, call upon his fellow-soldiers 
 to forget his death, and to revenge his Country's wrongs 
 alone ? Ah ! he breathes his last ! Crowd not too closely 
 on his shade, ye holy ministers of Heaven. Make room 
 for yonder spirit! It is the illustrious Hampden who flies 
 to embrace him, and, pointing to the wound that deprived 
 him of life in a conflict with arbitrary power above an hun- 
 dred years ago, he claims the honour of conducting him to 
 the regions of perfect liberty and happiness. 
 
 How ineffable are the delights of Heaven to a virtuous 
 lover of liberty. To behold the power of the Sovereign of 
 
1143 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1144 
 
 the Universe, directed by unerring wisdom, and limited by 
 the eternal laws of justice ! To see perfection in Govern- 
 ment, consisting in the happiness of every member that 
 composes it! To enjoy the most perfect freedom, and yet 
 to choose nothing but such things as are agreeable to the 
 will of the Supreme Being. These, blessed shade, now 
 constitute a part of thy enjoyments! Oh couldst thou tell 
 us what other pleasures now occupy thy capacious mind! 
 Dost thou still direct, by an invisible influence, the counsels 
 of thy native Colony ? Dost thou still inspire whole bat- 
 talions of thy countrymen with courage, and lead them on 
 to danger and glory ? These we know would be a happi- 
 ness suited to the benevolence and activity of thy spirit, 
 and we hope not an inferiour part of the happiness of 
 Heaven. But it is not for mortals to pry too minutely into 
 the secrets of the invisible world. 
 
 What a noble spectacle is the body of a hero, who has 
 offered up his life as a ransom for his Country! Come 
 hither, ye vindictive ministers, and behold the first fruits of 
 your bloody edicts. What atonement can you make to his 
 children for the loss of such a father, to the King for the 
 loss of such a subject, and to your Country for the loss of such 
 a member of society ? You may now recall your military 
 executioners. Here you may satiate your thirst for arbi- 
 trary power. You have slain its most implacable enemy. 
 
 Come hither ye mercenary wretches who are hired to 
 commit murder upon your fellow-subjects, and behold the 
 victim of your cruelty. You have no tears to shed over a 
 brother whom you have butchered, for you have given up 
 your title to humanity. You have ceased to be men, and 
 we have nothing to expect from you but the vices of slaves. 
 We only beseech you not to insult the body of our departed 
 hero. Spare the anguish of an aged mother, whose affec- 
 tion extends to the corpse of her beloved son. You have 
 nothing now to fear from his eloquence or his arms. Sheath 
 your swords. You have performed an exploit which has 
 filled up the measure of your infamy ; and while the name 
 of liberty is dear to Americans, the name of Warren will 
 fire our hearts, and nerve our arms against the execrable 
 mischiefs of Standing Armies. 
 
 Come hither ye American Senators, who are met to con- 
 sult for the safety and liberty of the United Colonies. Here 
 contemplate a spectacle that shall but I forget the digni- 
 ty of my auditors ; let the wounds of the breathless hero be- 
 fore your eyes address you. Melhinks I hear him call upon 
 you with an energy that should be irresistible, never to listen 
 to terms of accommodation with Great Britain that shall 
 deprive you of a single privilege of Englishmen. Oh, in- 
 terrupt not (methinks 1 hear him say) my present felicity 
 with the least apprehension that I have sold my life for a 
 country of slaves. 1 will listen with rapture to your wise 
 deliberations, but 1 will haunt the midnight hours of that 
 
 traitor w ho sues for peace or liberty with a bayonet at his 
 breast, or who suspends for a moment the execution of 
 vengeance upon the enemies of our Country. 
 
 Come hither ye military champions for American liberty 
 and glory, come and behold a spectacle that shall rouse in 
 your bosoms new principles of courage and ambition. Mark 
 the widening lustre of that path of glory which he trod. 
 But remember his ghost walks unrevenged among us. Ten 
 thousand Ministerial Troops cannot atone for his death. Let 
 not the remembrance of your former connection with them 
 enervate your arms, nor silence the clamours of justice in 
 your breasts. The enemies of liberty are no longer the 
 brethren of freemen. Whet your swords once more, and 
 let them never be returned to their scabbards till the mon- 
 ster tyranny is expelled from the British Empire, or till its 
 bounds are prescribed, and America remains the land of 
 perfect freedom and happiness. 
 
 Come hither, in the last place, ye American fathers and 
 mothers, and behold the sad earnests of arbitrary power ! 
 Behold your friend, your fellow citizen, one of the guar- 
 dians of your liberty, the pride of your Country, the pil- 
 lar of your hopes ; behold this illustrious hero covered with 
 blood and wounds ! But pause not too long in bedewing his 
 body with your tears. Fly to your houses, and tell your 
 children the particulars of the melancholy sight. Chill 
 their young blood with histories of the cruelty of tyrants, 
 and make their hair to stand on end with descriptions of 
 the horrours of slavery! Equip them immediately for the 
 field. Shew them the ancient charter of their privileges. 
 Point to the roofs under which they drew their first breath, 
 and shew them the cradles in which they were rocked. 
 Call upon Heaven to prosper their arms, and charge them 
 with your last adieu to conquer, or, like Warren, to die in 
 the arms of liberty and glory. 
 
 O, posterity, posterity, you will often look back to this 
 memorable era. You will transfer the epithets of rebels 
 and traitors from the loyal people of America to their just 
 originals. You will unfold every part of that system of 
 despotism which has been contrived for the British Em- 
 pire. You will show pious Kings misled by arbitrary Mi- 
 nisters, and pious Ministers misled by arbitrary Kings. Yen 
 will show that even the monarchs of Britain have shed 
 tears in prevailing upon their subjects to accept of their 
 hateful commissions, and at the same time have exulted in 
 the society of a few parricides at the prospect of seeing a 
 Continent deluged with the blood of freemen. O save 
 human nature from the worst of infamy, by turning your 
 eyes to the American Colonies. Here let your historians 
 and orators kindle with Roman or ancient British eloquence. 
 Prize the liberty we have transmitted to you. It cost us 
 much treasure and blood. It cost us, (oh, how high the 
 price,) it cost us a Warren's life ! 
 
 RHODE.ISLAND ASSEMBLY. 
 
 At the General Assembly of the Governour and Com- 
 pany of the English Colony of Rhode-Island, and Provi- 
 dence Plantations, in New-England, in America, begun 
 and holden at Providence, within and for the said Colony, 
 on the first Wednesday in May, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and fifteenth 
 of the reign of His Most Sacred Majesty George the 
 Third, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, and 
 so forth : 
 
 Present: The Honourable Darius Sessions, Esq., De- 
 puty-Governour ; John Collins, Esq. ; David Harris, Esq.; 
 John Suyles, Jan., Esq. ; Thomas WicJccs, Esq. ; Jona- 
 than Randall, Est). ; William Richmond, Esq. ; Assistants. 
 The Secretary. 
 
 Deputies from the several Towns. 
 Newport. — Mr. John Wanton (son of Gideon.) 
 Providence. — Stephen Hopkins, Esq., Mr. John Jcnckcs, 
 
 Mr. John Smith, Colonel John Mathewson. 
 Portsmouth. — Mctcalf Boivler, Esq., Jonathan Free- 
 born, Esq., Mr. Job Durfcc. 
 Warwick. — Mr. Jacob Greene, Mr. Thomas Holden, Mr. 
 
 John Low. 
 Westerly. — Joshua Babcock, Esq. 
 N ew-Shoreh am. — (None.) 
 
 North-Kingstown. — John Northup, Esquire, Sylvester 
 
 Gardner, Esq. 
 South-Kingstown. — John Potter, Esquire, Mr. Carder 
 
 Hazard. 
 
 East-Greenwich. — Mr. Job Gardner, Mr. Allen Johnson. 
 Jamestown. — (None.) 
 
 Smithfield. — Daniel Moivry, Jun., Esq., Stephen Whip- 
 ple, Esq. 
 
 Scituate. — Ezekiel Cornell, Esq., Mr. Rufus Hopkins. 
 Gloucester. — Silas Williams, Esq., Mr. Daniel Owen. 
 Charlestown. — Joseph Hoxsie, Esq., Mr. Samuel Kin- 
 yon. 
 
 West-Greenwich. — Williain Nichols, Esquire, Thomas 
 Gorton, Esq. 
 
 Coventry. — John Rice, Esq., Mr. NathaniclGreene, Jun. 
 Exeter. — George Pierce, Esq., Jeffrey Wilcox, Esq. 
 Middletown. — (None.) 
 
 Bristol. — Major-General Simeon Potter, William Brad- 
 ford, Esq. 
 Tiverton. — Captain John Cooke. 
 
 Little-Compton. — Captain Thomas Brownell, William 
 
 Richmond, Esq. 
 Warren. — Mr. Cromu-el Child. 
 
 Cumberland. — John Dexter, Esq., Jeremiah Whipple, 
 Esq. 
 
 Richmond. — George Webb, Esq., Mr. Richard Bailey, Jr. 
 
1115 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775, 
 
 1146 
 
 ( k \nston. — Captain Richard Searle, Mr. William Field . 
 Hopkinton. — Captain Abel Tanner, Mr. Thomas Wells, 
 the 3d. 
 
 Johnston. — Mr. Emmor Olney, Mr. Ebenezer Spragve. 
 IN'orth-Providence. — Mr. Joseph Olney, Major Thomas 
 Qlney. 
 
 Barrington. — Col. Nathan' I Martin, Mr. Thomas Allen. 
 
 The Honourable Metcalf Bowler, Esq., was chosen 
 Speaker, and Josias Lyndon, Esq., Clerk of the Lower 
 House. 
 
 The Company of Light-Infantry in the Town of New- 
 port having made choice of the following Officers, and 
 made return of them to the Governour and Council, to 
 wit : 
 
 Jabez Champlin, Captain ; Charles Spooncr, First- 
 Lieutenant ; Philip Moss, Second-Lieutenant ; Samuel 
 Spooner, Ensign ; 
 
 Upon consideration whereof, 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved by the Council, That the said 
 Officers be, and they are hereby, approved. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the General Treasurer 
 remove, with the Colony's treasure, to the Town of Pro- 
 vidence: and that, for the charge of his removing, together 
 with the extraordinary trouble he is likely to have in doing 
 the business of the said office during the present year, he 
 be allowed the sum of ninety Pounds lawful money, inclu- 
 ding his annual salary. 
 
 Whereas, the Secretary hath removed the Colony's Re- 
 cords and his office to the Town of Providence, and prayed 
 this Assembly, in case the removal be approved, to order 
 the expense thereof to be paid out of the General Trea- 
 sury : on consideration whereof, It is Voted and Resolved, 
 That the said removal of the Colony's Records be, and it 
 is hereby, approved; and that an account of the expense 
 thereof be laid before this Assembly. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Honourable Met- 
 calf Bowler, Esq., be, and he is hereby, appointed to re- 
 ceive the Town of Portsmouth's proportion of the Colony's 
 Arms, in the room of the Town-Treasurer, whose religious 
 principles will not admit of his receiving the same. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Colonel James Mitchell 
 Vamum, Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, and Colonel John 
 Mathewson, be, and they are hereby, appointed a Com- 
 mittee, to prepare a Bill for the regulation of the Army 
 ordered to be raised for the defence of the Colony ; that 
 they also prepare the form of a Commission for the Offi- 
 cers of the said Army ; and that they lay the same before 
 this Assembly. 
 
 It is Voted and, Resolved, That each of the gentlemen 
 appointed Delegates to represent this Colony in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, to be holden in the City of Philadelphia 
 on the tenth instant, draw the sum of sixty Pounds lawful 
 money out of the General Treasury, to bear their expenses. 
 
 An Act for embodying, supplying and paying, the Army 
 of Observation, ordered to be raised, for the defence of 
 the Colony. 
 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- 
 thority of the same it is enacted, That the fifteen hundred 
 men ordered to be raised by this Colony be formed into 
 one Brigade, under the command of a Brigadier-General, 
 and consist of three Regiments, each of which shall be 
 commanded by one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 one Major; that there be one Adjutant of Brigade, or Ad- 
 jutant-Major, for such purposes as appertain to that office ; 
 that there be one Adjutant, one Surgeon, one Surgeon's 
 Mate, ,and one Quartermaster to each Regiment ; that each 
 Regiment consist of eight Companies ; each Field Officer's 
 Company to be commanded, under such Field Officer, by 
 one Captain-Lieutenant, one Lieutenant, and one Ensign ; 
 and each of the other Companies by one Captain, one Lieu- 
 tenant, and one Ensign : and that one of the Companies 
 be a Train of Artillery, and have the use of the Colony's 
 field-pieces. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each Regiment be placed in the said Brigade upon 
 the flanks and in the centre by rotation, so that a perfect 
 equality in rank be preserved. And that a similar equality 
 be preserved among the Field Officers of the different 
 
 Regiments, by the Brigadier-General, in all the duties ol 
 a campaign. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each able-bodied effective man, who shall enlist into 
 the service, and find himself a Small-Arm, Bayonet, and 
 other Accoutrements, shall be allowed and paid forty Shil- 
 lings as a bounty ; and each able-bodied effective man, not 
 finding himself a Small-Arm, Bayonet, and other Accou- 
 trements, shall receive twenty-four Shillings as a bounty. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each Officer and Soldier shall receive the following 
 monthly wages, while in the service, to wit: each Colonel 
 fifteen Pounds, each Lieutenant-Colonel twelve Pounds, 
 each Major ten Pounds, the Adjutant of Brigade, or Adju- 
 tant-Major, nine Pounds, each Captain and Captain Lieu- 
 tenant six Pounds, each Lieutenant four Pounds, each 
 Ensign three Pounds, each Adjutant of a Regiment five 
 Pounds ten Shillings, each Surgeon seven Pounds ten 
 Shillings, each Surgeon's Mate four Pounds, each Quar- 
 termaster three Pounds, each Sergeant two Pounds eight 
 Shillings, each Corporal two Pounds four Shillings, each 
 Drummer and Fifer two Pounds four Shillings, and each 
 private man forty Shillings. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. 
 That each Field-Officer be allowed ten Shillings per week, 
 and each other Officer and Soldier six Shillings per week, 
 for billet, while in this Colony after enlistment, and before 
 the Regiments are embodied. And each Soldier shall also 
 have a Blanket and Knapsack given him by the Colony. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each Officer and Soldier be paid his wages, and the 
 weekly billet that shall be due, as soon as may be ; and 
 that one month's wages be paid in advance before the 
 Troops march out of the Colony. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That each Soldier be enlisted by signing the following En- 
 listment, to wit: 1, the subscriber, hereby solemnly engage 
 and enlist myself as a Soldier in His Majesty's service, and 
 in the pay of the Colony of Rhode-Island, for the preser- 
 vation of the liberties of America, from the day of my en- 
 listment, to the last day of December next, unless the ser- 
 vice admit of a discharge sooner, which shall be at the 
 discretion of the General Assembly ; and I hereby promise 
 to submit myself to all the orders and regulations of the 
 Army, and faithfully to observe and obey all such orders 
 as I shall receive from time to time from my officers. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. 
 That no officer or soldier be arrested, prosecuted, or de- 
 tained in jail, for any debt whatsoever less than fifteen 
 Pounds lawful money, due to one creditor ; and that everv 
 apprentice who shall enlist into the said Army shall be 
 entitled to the whole of the bounty, and one half of his 
 wages ; his master receiving the other half. 
 
 And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That for supplying the Troops with Arms, Provisions, kc, 
 five hundred barrels of Flour, three hundred barrels of 
 Pork, one hundred barrels of Beef, fifteen hundred Blan- 
 kets and Knapsacks, and fifteen hundred Small-Arms and 
 Bayonets, with suitable Accoutrements, be immediately 
 procured on the Colony's account. 
 
 And that the said Troops may be supplied with cloth- 
 ing and other necessaries, It is further enacted by the au- 
 thority aforesaid, That a Commissary be appointed, who 
 shall go sutler to the Troops, and have one and a half pet- 
 cent, upon all the business he shall transact. And such 
 Commissary is hereby directed and required to deliver 
 unto the soldiers such things as the Colony shall send for 
 the use of the Regiments at the prime cost, including all 
 charges that may accrue thereon ; provided that the said 
 officer deliver nothing to any soldier without an order from 
 the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company for 
 the time being to which such soldier belongs. And the 
 officers are hereby restricted and forbid drawing any order 
 or orders on the Commissary, exceeding the monthly 
 wages due to the soldier that applies for the same. 
 
 And it is further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That whoever shall be appointed Commissary and Sutler, 
 shall give security to the General Treasurer, in the penal 
 sum of two thousand Pounds, for the faithful performance 
 of his duty ; and shall not carry with him, on his own 
 account, any necessaries of the same kind with those that 
 
1117 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1148 
 
 shall be sent by the Government. And as such Commis- 
 sary may want assistance, he is hereby authorized to ap- 
 point a Deputy or Deputies under him ; lie being account- 
 able for the conduct of his Deputies. 
 
 And for the purposes aforesaid, Be it further enacted 
 by the authority aforesaid, That a Committee of Safety 
 be chosen by this Assembly, one of whom shall reside in 
 each County, excepting the County of Providence, which 
 shall have two, to furnish and pay the officers and soldiers 
 in such County ; and that each Committee-man shall give 
 bond with surety to the General Treasurer, in the sum of 
 one thousand Pounds lawful money, for the faithful dis- 
 charge of his trust. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the said Committee provide Arms, Tents, Provisions, 
 and every other Accoutrement necessary for the Army ; 
 and that they be allowed one and a half per cent, for 
 transacting the business. 
 
 And for supplying the General Treasury, Be it further 
 enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the sum of Twen- 
 ty Thousand Pounds, lawful money bills, be immediately 
 printed, and signed by the Honourable Mctcalf Bowler, 
 Esq., Henry Ward, Joseph Clarice, John Cole, and Tho- 
 mas Greene, Esquires; that all Bills under five Shillings 
 be signed by one of the Committee, and all the other Bills 
 by two of the Committee ; that the same shall be a lawful 
 tender in discharge of all contracts, debts, dues and demands, 
 whether of a publick or private nature ; that one half of 
 the said Bills shall be redeemed within two years, and the 
 other half within five years, from the time of the emission, 
 together with the interest thereon accruing, at the rate of 
 two and a half per cent, per annum, by a general tax to 
 be levied on the inhabitants of this Colony ; and that the 
 Bills shall be of the following value, to wit : 
 
 2,000 Bills of Forty Shillings each, £4,000 
 4,000 of Thirty Shillings, 6,000 
 
 4,000 of Twenty Shillings, 4,000 
 
 4,000 of Ten Shillings, 2,000 
 
 4,000 of Five Shillings, 1,000 
 
 4,000 of Four Shillings, 800 
 
 4,000 of Three Shillings, 600 
 
 6,000 of Two Shillings, 600 
 
 10,000 of One Shilling, 500 
 
 8,000 of Nine Pence, 300 
 
 8,000 of Six Pence, 200 
 
 £20,000 
 
 Which Bills shall be of the following form : " The pos- 
 sessor of this Bill shall be paid, by the Treasurer of the 
 
 Colony of Rhode-Island, lawful money, at the 
 
 rate of six. Shillings and nine Pence for one ounce of Sil- 
 ver, within five years from the date hereof, with interest at 
 two and a half per cent, per annum until paid. — By order 
 of Assembly. — Providence, the third day of May 1775." 
 And on the said Bill there shall he the same impression 
 and motto as on the lawful money Bills heretofore emitted. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Committee of Safe- 
 ty be, and they are hereby, appointed to receive the Colo- 
 ny's Arms, and distribute them where they are wanted, 
 amongst the soldiers that shall enlist into the Army of Ob- 
 servation ; that the said Committee, or any four of them, 
 be, and they are hereby, appointed, and fully empowered, 
 during the recess of the General Assembly, to fill up all 
 vacancies that shall happen amongst the officers that shall 
 he appointed by the General Assembly for the said Army ; 
 and that they procure all necessaries not particularly men- 
 tioned in the Act for raising said Army. 
 
 Both Houses being joined in a grand Committee, chose 
 the following Officers, to wit: 
 
 The Committee of Safety. 
 
 William Richmond, Esq., for the County of Newport. 
 
 Mr. John Smith and Daniel Tillinghast, Esq., for the 
 County of Providence. 
 
 John Northup, Esq., for the County of King's County. 
 
 William Bradford, Esq., for the County of Bristol. 
 
 Mr. Jacob Greene, for the County of Kent. 
 
 Officers of the Army of Observation. 
 
 Nathaniel Greene, Jim., Esq., Brigadier-General. 
 
 Peter Phillips, Esq., Commissary. 
 
 Thomas Church, Esq., Colonel of the Regiment to be 
 raised in the Counties of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Daniel Hitchcock, Esq., Colonel of the Regiment to 
 be raised in the County of Providence. 
 
 James Mitchell Varnum, Esquire, Colonel of the Regi- 
 ment to be raised in the Counties of King's County and 
 Kent. 
 
 William Turner Miller, Esquire, Lieutenant Colonel of 
 the Regiment to be raised in the Counties of Newport and 
 Bristol. 
 
 Ezekiel Cornell, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Re- 
 giment of Providence. 
 
 James Babcock, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Re- 
 giment of King's County and Kent. 
 
 John Forrester, Esq., Major of the Regiment of New- 
 port and Bristol. 
 
 Israel Angcll, Esq., Major of the Regiment of Provi- 
 dence. 
 
 Christopher Greene, Esq., Major of the Regiment of 
 King's County and Kent. 
 
 John Crane, Captain, and Joseph Balch, Captain-Lieu- 
 tenant of the Train of Artillery. 
 
 William Ladd, Captain-Lieutenant, Nathaniel Church, 
 Lieutenant, and Cornelius Briggs, Ensign, of the Colonel's 
 Company of the Regiment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Matthew Allen, Captain-Lieutenant, James Smith, Lieu- 
 tenant, and James Brown, Jun., Ensign, of the Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonel's Company of the Regiment of Newport and 
 Bristol. 
 
 John Topham, Captain-Lieutenant, George Tennant, 
 Lieutenant, and Stephen Tripp, Ensign, of the Major's 
 Company of the Regiment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Sioti Martindale, Captain, Benjamin Diamon, Lieuten- 
 ant, and James Child, the Second, Ensign, of a Company 
 in the Regiment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Thomas Tew, Captain, Jonathan Simmons, Lieutenant, 
 and Christopher Bcnnct, Ensign, of a Company in the Re- 
 giment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Jonathan Broivnell, Captain, Sylvanus Shaw, Lieuten- 
 ant, and Godfrey Brown, Ensign, of a Company in the 
 Regiment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Benjamin Scabury, Captain, Gilbert Manchester, Lieu- 
 tenant, and Israel Church, Ensign, of a Company in the 
 Regiment of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Simeon Thayer, Captain-Lieutenant, John Spurr, Lieu- 
 tenant, and William Potter, Ensign, of the Colonel's Com- 
 pany of the Regiment of Providence. 
 
 Stephen Kimball, Captain-Lieutenant, Jonathan Smith. 
 Lieutenant, and George Dorrance, Junior, Ensign, of the 
 Lieutenant-Colonel's Company of the Regiment of Provi- 
 dence. 
 
 John Field, Captain-Lieutenant, David Richmond, 
 Lieutenant, and Samuel Black, Ensign, of the Major's 
 Company of the Regiment of Providence. 
 
 Andrew Waterman, Captain, William Aldrich, Lieu- 
 tenant, and David Dexter, Junior, Ensign, of a Company 
 in the Regiment of Providence. 
 
 John Angell, Captain, Coggeshall Olney, Lieutenant, 
 and Stephen Olney, Ensign, of a Company in the Regi- 
 ment of Providence. 
 
 Christopher Olney, Captain, Ephraim Bowen, Junior, 
 Lieutenant, and Cyprian Sterry, Ensign, of a Company in 
 the Regiment of Providence. 
 
 Jeremiah Olney, Captain, Levi Tower, Lieutenant, and 
 Nathaniel Field, Ensign, of a Company in the Regiment 
 of I'rovidence. 
 
 Nathaniel Blackmar, Captain, Samuel Thornton, Lieu- 
 tenant, and Abraham Tourtcllot, Ensign, of a Company in 
 the Regiment of Providence. 
 
 Archibald Crary, Captain-Lieutenant, and John Singer 
 Dt tier, Lieutenant, of the Colonel's Company of the Re- 
 giment of King's County and Kent. 
 
 John Jloxsie, Captain-Lieutenant, Jonathan Bates, Ju- 
 nior, Lieutenant, and Joseph Holloway, Ensign, of the 
 Lieutenant-Colonel's Company of the Regiment of King's 
 County and Kent. 
 
 Edmund Johnson, Captain-Lieutenant, John Reynolds, 
 Lieutenant, John Holdcn, (Son of Charles,) Ensign, of the 
 Major's Company of the Regiment of King's County and 
 Knit. 
 
 Thomas Ilolden, Captain, Joseph Barton, Lieutenant, 
 
1 149 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1150 
 
 and Joseph Arnold, (son of Caleb,) Ensign, of a Company 
 in the Regiment of King's County and Kent. 
 
 Samuel Ward, Junior, Captain, Elijah Leivis, Lieuten- 
 ant, and Joshua Collins, Ensign, of a Company in the Re- 
 giment of King's County and Kent. 
 
 James Gardner, Captain, Thomas Phillips, Lieutenant, 
 and Samuel Bisscll, Ensign, of a Company in the Regi- 
 ment of King's County and Kent. 
 
 Christopher Gardner, Junior, Captain, Nathaniel Haw- 
 kins, Lieutenant, and William Potter, (son of Ichabod,) 
 Ensign, of a Company in the Regiment of King's County 
 and Kent. 
 
 John Randall, Captain, Oliver Clarke, Lieutenant, and 
 Stephen Wells, Ensign, of a Company in the Regiment of 
 King's County and Kent. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Committee of Safety 
 in the several Counties, be, and they are hereby appointed 
 Muster-Masters of the Troops now ordered to be raised, 
 for their respective Counties. 
 
 Whereas, the Ministry and Parliament of Great Britain, 
 sacrificing the glory and happiness of their Sovereign, and 
 the good of Britain and the Colonies, to their own ambi- 
 tious and lucrative views, have entered into many arbitrary, 
 illegal Resolutions, for depriving His Majesty's subjects in 
 America of every security for the enjoyment of life, liberty, 
 and property ; and have sent, and are still sending, troops 
 and ships of war into these Colonies, to enforce their tyran- 
 nical mandates, and have actually begun to shed the blood 
 of the innocent people of these Colonies ; in consequence 
 whereof, this Assembly, at the session held on the 22d day 
 of April last, passed an Act for raising fifteen hundred 
 men, as an Army of Observation, and to assist any of our 
 sister Colonies : 
 
 And whereas, the Honourable Joseph Wanton, Esquire, 
 then Governour of this Colony, did enter a protest against 
 the said Act, conceived in such terms as highly to reflect 
 upon the General Assembly, and upon the united opposi- 
 tion of all America, to the aforesaid tyrannical measures: 
 
 And whereas, the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath 
 neglected to issue a Proclamation for the due observation 
 of Thursday, the 11th of May instant, as a day of Fasting 
 and Prayer, agreeable to an Act passed at the said session : 
 
 And whereas, the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath 
 been elected to the office of Governour of this Colony for 
 the present year, and been duly notified thereof by this 
 Assembly; notwithstanding which he hath not attended at 
 this General Assembly and taken the oath required by 
 law : 
 
 And whereas, the said Joseph Wanton, Esquire, hath 
 positively refused to sign the commissions for the officers 
 appointed to command the Troops so ordered to be raised : 
 By all which he hath manifested his intentions to defeat 
 the good people of these Colonies in their present glorious 
 struggle to transmit inviolate to posterity those sacred rights 
 they have received from their ancestors : 
 
 Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and by 
 the authority thereof it is enacted, That the Deputy Gov- 
 ernour and Assistants be, and they are hereby forbid to ad- 
 minister the oath of office to the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., 
 unless in free and open General Assembly, according to the 
 unvaried practice in this Colony, and with the consent of such 
 Assembly : that until the said Joseph Wanton, Esq., shall 
 have taken the oath of office as aforesaid, it shall not be 
 lawful for hiin to act as Governour of this Colony in any 
 case whatever; and that every act done by him, in the 
 pretended capacity of Governour, shall be null and void 
 in itself, and shall not operate as a warrant or discharge to 
 any person acting by his orders, or under his authority. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That Henry Ward, Esquire, Secretary of the Colony, be, 
 and he is hereby directed, and fully authorized and em- 
 powered, to sign the Commissions for all officers, civil and 
 military, chosen by this Assembly, as well those going in 
 the service abovesaid, as others, he receiving therefor, out 
 of the General Treasury, two shillings and eight pence for 
 each commission. And that such commission so signed, 
 with the Colony seal affixed, shall be as full and effectual 
 warrant and warrants to every and all such officer and offi- 
 cers so chosen, for the faithful discharge of his and their 
 
 duty, as if the same were signed by a Governour of this 
 Colony, duly elected and engaged according to law; any 
 law, custom, or usage, to the contrary hereof in any wise 
 notwithstanding. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaiil, 
 That his Honour the Deputy Governour be requested, and 
 fully authorized and empowered, to call the General As- 
 sembly together upon any emergency, to meet at such 
 time and place as he shall think most for the interest of the 
 Colony. 
 
 Whereas, the Honourable Joseph Wanton, Esquire, who 
 is elected Governour of this Colony for the present year, 
 hath not attended this Assembly and taken the oath of of- 
 fice, and cannot, therefore, appoint a Naval Officer until he 
 shall be sworn in before the General Assembly : 
 
 Be it therefore enacted by this General Assembly, and 
 by the authority thereof it is enacted, That the Naval Of- 
 fice be kept by James Clarke, Esq., who hath for some 
 time past kept it, until further orders from this Assembly : 
 and that he account to this Assembly. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Committee of Safety 
 be, and they are hereby directed to make out the account 
 of the expenses of raising and equipping the fifteen hun- 
 dred men ordered to be raised by this Colony, as an Army 
 of Observation, and for the assistance of any of the neigh- 
 bouring Colonies, as soon as the said Troops are fully 
 equipped, and transmit the same to the Delegates of this 
 Colony at the Continental Congress, to be by them laid 
 before the Congress, that the Colonies which have not 
 been, or shall not be, at a proportionate expense in the de- 
 fence of our common lights, may contribute their propor- 
 tion towards reimbursing this Colony such part of the ex- 
 penses of raising and equipping the said fifteen bundled 
 men, as shall be more than this Colony's proportion towards 
 the common defence. 
 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the 
 authority thereof it is enacted, That the Lieutenant-Gen- 
 eral, Brigadier-General, and the Committee of Safety, be, 
 and they, or the major part of them, are hereby fully au- 
 thorized and empowered, to order and direct when and in 
 what manner the forces, or any part thereof, shall march 
 out of this Colony to the assistance of any neighbouring 
 Colony in distress. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Brigadier-General 
 draw up the several Regiments to be raised in this Colony, 
 either singly or together ; and that the Captains of the sev- 
 eral companies, not belonging to the field-officers thereof", 
 shall draw lots for their places and stations in the Regi- 
 ments aforesaid. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the form of a Commis- 
 sion to a Colonel of a Regiment in the Army of Observa- 
 tion, now laid before this Assembly, be, and the same is 
 hereby approved ; and that similar Commissions, tnutatis 
 mutandis, be issued to the other officers of said Army. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Speaker of the 
 Lower House be, and he is hereby requested to transmit 
 to the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the Colony 
 of Connecticut, and to the Committee of Inspection for the 
 City of New-York, copies of the Proceedings of this As- 
 sembly, relative to the present disputes between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the 
 authority thereof it is enacted, That any military officer 
 commissioned to command any part of the Army of Ob- 
 servation, be removed for any misbehaviour or neglect of 
 duty, and another appointed in his stead, by a General 
 Court Martial to be holden for that purpose. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Joshua Babcock, Esq., 
 be requested to carry the proceedings of this General As- 
 sembly, respecting the raising an Army of Observation, 
 &ic, to the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut ; and to request of them to transmit to this Assembly 
 their proceedings and transactions relative to the present 
 alarming crisis of affairs. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the following monthly 
 wages shall be allowed and paid unto the following respec- 
 tive officers and men in the Army of Observation ; that is 
 to say : 
 
1151 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1152 
 
 To the Brigadier-General, - - - - £20 0 0 
 In the Train of Artillery. 
 
 To the Captain, 9 0 0 
 
 Captain-Lieutenant, - -- -- - 740 
 
 First Lieutenant, - -- -- -- 580 
 
 Second Lieutenant, - -- -- - 3 12 0 
 
 Lieutenant Fire-worker, - -- -- 3 12 0 
 
 Two Bombardiers, each - -- -- 2 14 0 
 
 Two Sergeants, each - -- -- - 280 
 
 Four Gunners, each - -- -- - 260 
 
 Privates and Fifers, - -- -- - 240 
 
 This Assembly do Vote and Resolve, That an embargo 
 be set on all Provisions going out of this Colony, excepting 
 w hat shall be necessary for victualling vessels sailing out 
 of this Colony, and for the use of the Army ; and that this 
 Act be in force immediately. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That all business lying before 
 this Assembly unfinished, be, and the same is hereby re- 
 ferred to the next session ; that the Secretary publish the 
 publick Acts and Orders made and passed at the last and 
 present session, by beat of drum, in the Town of Provi- 
 dence, within ten days after the rising of this Assembly, 
 and within thirty, send copies thereof to the Sheriff of each 
 County in the Colony, by him to be transmitted to the 
 several Town Clerks in the County ; and that this Assem- 
 bly be, and hereby is adjourned until the second Monday 
 in Jane next, then to meet in East- Greenwich. 
 
 God save the King. 
 
 Published according to order, on Wednesday, the 17th 
 day of May, A. D. 1775. by 
 
 Henry Ward, Secretary. 
 
 At the General Assembly of the Governour and Com- 
 pany of the English Colony of Rhode-Island and Provi- 
 dence Plantations, in New-England, in America, begun 
 and holden, by adjournment, at East- Greenwich, within 
 and for the said Colony, on the second Monday in June, 
 in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five, and fifteenth of the reign of His Most Sacred 
 Majesty George the Third, by the grace of God, King of 
 Great-Britain, and so forth: 
 
 Present : The Honourable Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, 
 Deputy-Governour ; Samuel Dyre, Esq. ; Simeon Potter, 
 Esq. ; Ambrose Page, Esq. ; John Saylcs, Junior, Esq. ; 
 John Jepson, Esq. ; James Arnold, Junior, Esq. ; Jona- 
 than Randall, Esq. ; Peter Phillips, Esq. ; Joseph Haz- 
 ard, Esq. ; Thomas Church, Esq. ; Assistants. The Se- 
 cretary. 
 
 Deputies from the several Towns. 
 
 The Honourable Metcalf Bonder, Esquire, Speaker. 
 Newport. — Mr. John Wanton, (son of Gideon,) George 
 
 Hazard, Esq., Mr. John Tanner, Mr. Joseph Anthony. 
 Providence. — Mr. John Jenckes, Mr. John Smith, Col. 
 
 John Mathewson. 
 Portsmouth. — Mr. Job Durfee. 
 
 Warwick. — William Greene, Esq., Mr. Jacob Greene, 
 Captain Thomas Holden, Lieut. Col. John Low. 
 
 Westerly. — Joshua Babcock, Esq., Mr. James Rhodes. 
 
 New-Shoreham. — Mr. John Sa?ids. 
 
 :\(>KTH-KiNGSTOWN. — John Northup, Esquire, Sylvester 
 Gardner, Esquire. 
 
 South-Kingstown. — John Potter, Esq., Carder Haz- 
 ard, Esq. 
 
 East-Greenwich. — Mr. Job Gardner, Mr. Allen John- 
 son. 
 
 Jamestown. — Capt. Edward Hull, Capt. Samuel Carr. 
 Smithkield. — Daniel Mowry, Jun., Esq., Stephen Whip- 
 ple, Esq. 
 Scituate. — Rufus Hopkins, Esq. 
 
 Gloucester. — Silas Williams, Esq., Mr. Daniel Owen. 
 Charlkstown. — Joseph lloxsie, Esq., Mr. Samuel Kin- 
 yon. 
 
 West-Greenwich. — William Nichols, Esquire, Thomas 
 
 Gorton, Esq. 
 Coventry. — Nathaniel Greene, Jun., Esq. 
 Exeter. — George Pierce, Esq., Jeffery Willcox, Esq. 
 Middletown. — Mr. James Potter. 
 
 Bristol. — Major-General William Bradford, Benjamin 
 Bosworth, Esq. 
 
 Tiverton. — John Cooke, Esq. 
 
 Little-Compton. — Captain Thomas Brownell, William 
 Richmond, Esq. 
 
 Warren. — Mr. Cromel Child, Martin Luther, Esq. 
 
 Cumberland. — John Dexter, Jeremiah Whipple, Esq'rs. 
 
 Richmond. — George Webb, Esq., Captain Richard Bai- 
 ley, Junior. 
 
 Cranston. — Captain Richard Searle, Mr. William Field. 
 Hopkinton. — Captain Abel Tanner, Mr. Thomas Wells, 
 the 3d. 
 
 Johnston. — Mr. Emmor Olney, Mr. Ebenezer Sprague. 
 North-Providence. — Mr. Joseph Olney, Major Thomas 
 Olney. 
 
 Barrington. — Colonel Nathaniel Martin, Mr. Thomas 
 
 Allen. 
 
 Josias Lyndon, Esq., Clerk of the Lower House. 
 
 This Assembly, at the session held at Providence on the 
 first Wednesday in May last, having passed an Act prohibit- 
 ing his Honour the Deputy-Governour, and the Assistants, 
 from administering the oath of office to the Honourable 
 Joseph Wanton, Esq., who was elected Governour of this 
 Colony for the present year, and declaring all acts by him 
 done, in the pretended capacity of Governour, null and 
 void, until he shall be engaged in open General Assembly, 
 and with the consent of the General Assembly, &c. And 
 the said Joseph Wanton having appeared before this Assem- 
 bly, and demanded that the oath of office be administered 
 to him, and this General Assembly having taken the same 
 into consideration, do vote and resolve, and it is voted and 
 resolved, that the said Joseph Wanton hath not given satis- 
 faction to this Assembly ; that the said recited Act, passed 
 at the last session, continue and be in force until the rising 
 of the General Assembly at the next session, and that this 
 Act be immediately published, by inserting a copy thereof 
 in the Newport Mercury and Providence Gazette. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That his Honour the Deputy- 
 Governour be, and he is hereby requested to write to James 
 H'allace, Esq., commander of His Majesty's Ship Rose, now 
 in the harbour of Newport, and demand of him the reason 
 of his conduct towards the inhabitants of this Colony, in 
 stopping and detaining their vessels, and also to demand of 
 him the packets which he detains. 
 
 Whereas Mr. John Carter exhibited unto this Assembly 
 an account, by him charged against the Colony, for print- 
 ing fifty-eight thousand lawful Money Bills, sixteen hundred 
 Enlistments for the Army of Observation, the Proceedings 
 of this Assembly at the sessions in April and May last, &ic. 
 And the said account being duly examined, it is Voted and 
 Resolved, That the same be and hereby is allowed, and 
 that fifty-nine Pounds thirteen Shillings and five Fence, 
 lawful money, being the amount thereof, be paid the said 
 John Carter out of the general Treasury. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That no Soldier belonging to 
 the Army of Observation, raised by this Colony, be allowed 
 to take up of the Commissary any more than one third part 
 of his monthly wages for his own use; and that whatever 
 more the Commissary shall supply or pay to the Soldiers, 
 shall be at his own risk. 
 
 li is Voted and Resolved, That the allowance to the Sol- 
 diers in camp be as follovveth, to wit: one pound of bread, 
 one pound of beef or pork, a half-penny for vegetables, half 
 a gill of rice, one pint of milk, and one quart of beer per 
 day, and one pint of molasses per week. That once a week, 
 instead of meat, they have a pound of fish, an ounce of. 
 butter, and half a pint of vinegar: That if they have no 
 milk they be allowed a gill and a half of rice per day : 
 That if the half-penny per day for vegetables be not suffi- 
 cient, the Brigadier-General be empowered to increase the 
 same to a sufficient allowance, and that the Commissary 
 furnish them with the same quantity of soap as is allowed 
 by the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay to their Troops. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the following Rules and 
 Orders for regulating the Army of Observation raised by 
 this Colony, be and they are hereby approved, and that the 
 Secretary procure the same to be printed, and supply the 
 Brigadier-General, each Field Oflicer,the Commissary, and 
 each Commissioned Officer, with a copy thereof. 
 
 Whereas, the lust of power, which of old oppressed, per- 
 secuted, and exiled our pious and virtuous ancestors from 
 
1 153 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1154 
 
 their fair possessions in Britain, now pursues, with tenfold 
 severity, us, their guiltless children, who are unjustly and 
 wickedly charged with licentiousness, sedition, treason and 
 rebellion ; and being deeply impressed with a sense of the 
 almost incredible fatigues and hardships our venerable pro- 
 genitors encountered, who fled from oppression for the sake 
 of civil and religious liberty for themselves and their off- 
 spring, and began a settlement here on bare creation, at 
 their own expense ; and having seriously considered the 
 duty we owe to God, to the memory of such invincible 
 worthies, to the King, to Great Britain, our Country, our- 
 selves and posterity, do think it an indispensable duty, by 
 all lawful ways and means in our power, to recover, main- 
 tain, defend, and preserve, the free exercise of all those 
 civil and religious rights and liberties, for which many of 
 our forefathers fought, bled, and died, and to hand them 
 down entire, for the free enjoyment of the latest posterity : 
 And whereas the keeping a Standing Army in any of these 
 Colonies in times of peace, without the consent of the Le- 
 gislature of that Colony in which such an Army is kept, is 
 against law : And whereas such an Army, with a large Naval 
 Force, is now placed in the harbour of Boston, for the 
 purpose of subjecting us to the power of the British Par- 
 liament : And whereas we are frequently told by the tools of 
 Administration, dupes to ministerial usurpation, that Great 
 Britain will not, in any degree, relax in her measures, until 
 we acknowledge her "right to make laws binding upon us 
 in all cases whatsoever ;" and that if we refuse to be slaves, 
 if we persist in our denial of her claim, the dispute must 
 be decided by arms, in which it is said by our enemies " we 
 shall have no chance, being undisciplined, cowards, disobe- 
 dient, impatient of command, and possessed of that spirit 
 of levelling which admits of no order, subordination, rule, or 
 government :" And whereas from the Ministerial Army and 
 Fleet now at Boston, the large re-enforcement of Troops 
 expected, the late circular letters to the Goveinours upon 
 die Continent, the general lenour of intelligence from Great 
 Britain, and the hostile preparations making here, as also 
 from the threats and frequent insults of our enemies, we 
 have reason to apprehend that the sudden destruction of this 
 Colony r is in contemplation, if not determined upon : 
 
 And whereas the great law of self-preservation hath re- 
 quired our raising and keeping an Army of Observation and 
 defence, in order to prevent or repel any farther attempts 
 to enforce the late cruel and oppressive Acts of the British 
 Parliament, which are evidently designed to subject us and 
 the whole Continent to the most ignominious slavery : And 
 whereas, in keeping such an Army, it will be necessary that 
 the officers and soldiers in the same be fully acquainted 
 with their duty, and that the articles, rules, and regulations 
 thereof be made as plain as possible ; and having great con- 
 fidence in the honour and publick virtue of the inhabitants 
 of this Colony, that they will readily obey their officers, 
 and will cheerfully do their duly, when known, without 
 any such severe articles and rules (except in capital cases) 
 and cruel punishments, as are usually practised in standing 
 armies, and will submit to all such rules and regulations as 
 are founded in reason, honour, and virtue: 
 
 It is therefore Resolved, That the following Articles, 
 Rules and Regulations, for the Army raised by this Colony 
 for the defence and security of our lives, liberties, and estates, 
 be, and hereby are established and required to be strictly 
 adhered to by all officers, soldiers, and others concerned, as 
 they regard their own honour and the publick good ; and 
 upon the penalties and forfeitures hereinafter mentioned. 
 
 Article i. All Officers and Soldiers, not having just 
 impediment, shall diligently frequent divine service and 
 sermon in the places appointed for assembling of the Regi- 
 ment, Troop, or Company, to which they belong ; and such 
 as wilfully absent, themselves, or being present, behave in- 
 decently or irreverently, shall, if Commissioned Officers, 
 be brought before a Regimental Court-Martial, there to be 
 publickly and severely reprimanded by the President ; if 
 Non-Commissioned Officers or Soldiers, every person so 
 offending shall, for his first offence, forfeit one Shilling, to 
 be deducted out of his wages ; for the second offence he 
 shall not only forfeit one Shilling, but be confined, not ex- 
 ceeding twenty-four hours; and for every like offence, shall 
 suffer and pay in like manner; which money so forfeited 
 shall be applied to the use of the sick Soldiers of the Troop 
 or Company to which the offender belongs. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 7 
 
 Art. ii. Whatsoever Non-Commissioned Officer or Sol- 
 dier shall use any unlawful oath or execration, shall incur 
 the penalty of six Pence ; and if a Commissioned Officer 
 be thus guilty of profane cursing and swearing, he shall 
 forfeit and pay for each and every such offence the sum of 
 nine Pence, lawful money. 
 
 Art. hi. Any Officer or Soldier who shall behave him- 
 self with contempt or disrespect towards the General or 
 Generals, or Commander-in-Chief of the Rhode-Island 
 Forces, or shall speak words tending to his or their hurt or 
 dishonour, shall be punished according to the nature of his 
 offence, by the judgment of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. iv. Any Officer or Soldier who shall begin, excite, 
 cause, or join in any mutiny or sedition in the Regiment, 
 Troop, or Company, to which he belongs, or in any other 
 Regiment, Troop, or Company of the Rhode-Island Forces, 
 either by land or sea, or in any party, post, detachment, or 
 guard, on any pretence whatsoever, shall suffer such punish- 
 ment as by a General Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. v. Any Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or Sol- 
 dier, who being present at any mutiny or sedition, does not 
 use his utmost endeavours to suppress the same, or coming 
 to the knowledge of any mutiny or intended mutiny, does 
 not without delay, give information thereof to the com- 
 manding Officer, shall be punished by order of a General 
 Court-Martial, according to the nature of his offence. 
 
 Art. vi. Any Officer or Soldier who shall strike his 
 superiour Officer, or draw, or offer to draw, or shall lift up 
 any weapon, or offer any violence against him, being in the 
 execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, or shall 
 disobey any lawful commands of his superiour Officer, 
 shall suffer such punishment as shall, according to the na- 
 ture of his offence, be ordered by the sentence of a General 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. vii. Any Non-Commissioned Officeror Soldier who 
 shall desert, or without leave of his Commanding Officer, 
 absent himself from the Troop or Company to which he 
 belongs, or from any detachment of the same, shall, upon 
 being convicted thereof, be punished according to the nature 
 of his offence, at the discretion of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. viii. Whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall be con- 
 victed of having advised or persuaded any other Officer or 
 Soldier to desert, shall suffer such punishment as shall be 
 ordered by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. ix. All Officers, of what condition soever, shall 
 have power to part and quell all quarrels, frays, and dis- 
 orders, though the persons concerned should belong to 
 another Regiment, Troop, or Company, and either order 
 Officers to be arrested, or Non-Commissioned Officers or 
 Soldiers to be confined and imprisoned, till their proper Su- 
 periour Officers shall be acquainted therewith : and who- 
 ever shall refuse to obey such Officer, (though of an inferiour 
 rank,) or shall draw his sword upon him, shall be punished 
 at the discretion of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. x. No Officer or Soldier shall use any reproachful 
 or provoking speeches, or gestures to another, nor shall 
 presume to send a challenge to any person to fight a duel ; 
 and whoever shall knowingly and willingly suffer any per- 
 son whatsoever to go forth to fight a duel, or shall second, 
 promote, or carry any challenge, shall be deemed as a 
 principal ; and whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall upbraid 
 another for refusing a challenge, shall also be considered as 
 a challenger; and all such offenders, in any of these or 
 such like cases, shall be punished at the discretion of a 
 General Court-?*Iartial. 
 
 Art. xi. Every Officer commanding in quarters, or on 
 a march, shall keep good order, and, to the utmost of his 
 power, redress all such abuses or disorders which may be 
 committed by any r Officer or Soldier under his command ; 
 if upon any complaint made to him, of Officers or Soldiers 
 beating, or otherwise ill-treating any person, or of commit- 
 ting any kind of riot, to the disquieting of the inhabitants of 
 this Continent, he, the said Commander, who shall refuse 
 or omit to see justice done on the offender or offenders, and 
 reparation made to the party or parties injured, as far as 
 the offender's wages shall enable him or them, shall, upon 
 due proof thereof, be punished as ordered by a General 
 Court-Martial, in such manner as if he himself had com- 
 mitted the crimes or disorders complained of. 
 
 Art. xii. If any Officer shall think himself to be wronged 
 by his Colonel, or the Commanding Officer of the Regi- 
 
 3 
 
1 155 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 115G 
 
 ment, and shall, upon due application made to him, be re- 
 fused to be redressed, he may complain to the General, or 
 Commander-in-Chief of the Rhode- Island Forces, in order 
 to obtain justice, who is hereby required to examine into 
 said complaint and see that justice be done. 
 
 Art. ziii. If any inferiour Ollicer or Soldier shall think 
 himself wronged by his Captain, or other Officer command- 
 ing the Troop or Company to which he belongs, he is to 
 complain thereof to the Commanding Officer of the Regi- 
 ment, who is hereby required to summon a Regimental 
 Court-Martial for the doing justice to the complainant, from 
 which Regimental Court-Martial either party may, if he 
 thinks himself still aggrieved, appeal to a General Court- 
 Martial; but if, upon a second hearing, the appeal shall 
 appear to be vexatious and groundless, the person so appeal- 
 ing shall be punished at the discretion of the General Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 A rt. xiv. Whatsoever Non-Commissioned Officeror Sol- 
 dier shall be convicted at a Regimental Court-Martial of 
 having sold, or designedly, or through neglect, wasted the 
 Ammunition, Arms, or Provisions, or other Military Stores 
 delivered out to him to be employed in the service of this 
 Colony, shall, if an Officer, be reduced to a Private Sen- 
 tinel ; and if a Private Soldier, shall suffer such punishment 
 as shall be ordered by a Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xv. All Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers 
 shall be allowed the limits of one mile from the place of 
 encampment, unless the Commander-in-Chief shall think 
 proper to mark out shorter limitations. Every Officer or 
 Soldier found without those limits, without leave in writing, 
 shall suffer such punishment as shall be inflicted by a Regi- 
 mental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xvi. No Officer or Soldier shall lie out of his quar- 
 ters or camp without leave from the Commanding Officer 
 of the Regiment, upon penalty of being punished accord- 
 ing to the nature of his offence, by order of a Regimental 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xvii. Every Non-Commissioned Officer and Soldier 
 shall retire to his quarters or tent at the beating of the retreat : 
 in default of which, he shall be punished according to the 
 nature of his offence, by order of the Commanding Officer. 
 
 Art. xviii. No Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or 
 Soldier, shall fail of repairing at the time fixed, to the place 
 of parade, or exercise, or other rendezvous, appointed by 
 the Commanding Officer, if not prevented by sickness, or 
 some other evident necessity, or shall go from the said 
 place of rendezvous, or from his guard, without leave from 
 his Commanding Officer, before he shall be regularly dis- 
 missed or relieved, on penalty of being punished according 
 to the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regi- 
 mental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xix. Whatsoever Commissioned Officer shall be 
 found drunk on his guard, party, or other duty under arms, 
 shall be cashiered for it; any Non-Commissioned Officer 
 or Soldier so offending, shall suffer such punishment as shall 
 be ordered by the sentence of a Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xx. Whatsoever Sentinel shall be found sleeping 
 upon his post, or shall leave it before he shall be regularly 
 relieved, shall suffer such punishment as shall be ordered 
 by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxi. Any person belonging to the Rhode- Island 
 Army, who, by discharging of Fire- Arms, beating of Drums, 
 or by any other means whatsoever, shall occasion false alarms 
 m camp or quarters, shall suffer such punishment as shall be 
 ordered by fhe sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxn. Any Officer or Soldier who shall, without 
 urgent necessity, or without leave of his superiour Officer, 
 quit his platoon or division, shall be punished according to 
 the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regimental 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxiii. No Officer or Soldier shall do violence, or 
 offer any insult or abuse to any person who shall bring pro- 
 visions or other necessaries to the camp or quarters of the 
 Rhode-Island Army ; any Officer or Soldier so offending, 
 shall, upon complaint being made to the Commanding Offi- 
 cer, suffer such punishment as shall be ordered by a Regi- 
 mental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxiv. Whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall shame- 
 fully abandon any Post committod to his charge, or shall 
 speak words inducing others to do the like in time of an 
 engagement, shall suffer death immediately. 
 
 Art. xxv. Any person belonging to the Rhode-Island 
 Army, who shall make known the watchword to any person 
 who is not entitled to receive it, according to the rules and 
 discipline of war, or shall presume to give a parole or watch- 
 word different from what he received, shall suffer death, or 
 such other punishment as shall be ordered by the sentence 
 of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxvi. Whosoever, belonging to the Rhode-Island 
 Army, shall relieve the enemy with Money, Victuals, or 
 Ammunition, or shall knowingly harbour or protect an ene- 
 my, shall suffer such punishment as by a General Court- 
 Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxvii. Whosoever belonging to the Rhode-Island 
 Army, shall be convicted of holding correspondence with, 
 or of giving intelligence to the enemy, either directly or 
 indirectly, shall suffer such punishment as by a General 
 Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxviii. All Publick Stores, taken in the enemy's 
 camp or magazines, whether of Artillery, Ammunition, 
 Clothing, or Provisions, shall be secured for the use of the 
 Colony of Rhode-Island. 
 
 Art. xxix. If any Officer or Soldier shall leave his post' 
 or colours in time of an engagement, to go in search of 
 plunder, he shall, upon being convicted thereof before a 
 General Court-Martial, suffer such punishment as by said 
 Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxx. If any Commander of any Post, Intrench- 
 ment, or Fortress, shall be compelled by the Officers or 
 Soldiers under his command, to give it up to the enemy, or 
 to abandon it, the Commissioned Officer, Non-Commis- 
 sioned Officers, or Soldiers, who shall be convicted of hav- 
 ing so offended, shall suffer death, or such other punishment 
 as may be inflicted upon them by the sentence of a General 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxi. All Sutlers and Retailers to a camp, and all 
 persons whatsoever serving with the Rhode-Island Armv 
 in the field, though not enlisted Soldiers, are to be subject 
 to the Articles, Rules, and Regulations of the Rhode-is/and 
 Army. 
 
 Art. xxxii. No General Court-Martial shall consist of 
 a less number than thirteen, none of which shall be tmdf r 
 the degree of a Commissioned Officer, and the President 
 shall be a Field-Officer ; and the President of each and 
 every Court-Martial, whether General or Regimental, shall 
 have power to administer an oath to every witness, in order 
 to the trial of offenders ; and the Members of all Courts- 
 Martial shall be duly sworn by the President, and the next 
 in rapk on the Court-Martial shall administer the oath to 
 the President. 
 
 Art. xxxiii. The Members both of General and Regi- 
 mental Courts-Martial shall, when belonging to different 
 Corps, take the same rank which they hold in the Army : 
 but when Courts-Martial shall be composed of Officers of 
 one Corps, they shall take their ranks according to their 
 commissions, by which they are mustered in the said Corps. 
 
 Art. xxxiv. All the Members of a Court-Martial are 
 to behave with calmness, decency, and impartiality, and in 
 the giving of their votes, are to begin with the youngest or 
 lowest in commission. 
 
 Art. xxxv. No Field-Officer shall be tried by any per- 
 son under the degree of a Captain ; nor shall any proceed- 
 ings or trials be carried on excepting between the hours of 
 eight in the morning and three in the afternoon, except in 
 cases which require an immediate example. 
 
 Art. xxxvi. The Commissioned Officers of every Regi- 
 ment may, by the appointment of their Colonel or Com- 
 manding Officer, hold Regimental Courts-Martial for the 
 inquiring into such disputes or criminal matters as may come 
 before them, and for the inflicting corporal punishments for 
 small offences, and shall give judgment by the majority of 
 voices ; but no sentence shall be executed till the Com- 
 manding Officer (not being a member of the Court-Martial) 
 shall have confirmed the same. 
 
 Art. xxxvi i. No Regimental Court-Martial shall con- 
 sist of less than five Officers, excepting in cases where that 
 number cannot be conveniently assembled, when three may 
 be sufficient, who are likewise to determine upon the sen- 
 tence by the majority of voices, which sentence is to be 
 confirmed by the Commanding Officer, not being a member 
 of the Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxviu. Every Officer commanding in any Fort, 
 
1157 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1715. 
 
 1158 
 
 Castle, or Barrack, or elsewhere, where the Corps under 
 his command consists of detachments from different Regi- 
 ments, or of independent Companies, may assemble Courts- 
 Martial for the trial of offenders in the same manner as if 
 they were Regimental, whose sentence is not to be executed 
 till it shall be confirmed by the said Commanding Officer. 
 
 Art. xxxix. No person whatsoever shall use menacing 
 words, signs, or gestures, in the presence of a Court-Martial 
 then sitting, or shall cause any disorder or riot, so as to dis- 
 turb their proceedings, on the penalty of being punished at 
 the discretion of the said Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xl. To the end that offenders may be brought to 
 justice, whenever any Officer or Soldier shall commit a 
 crime deserving punishment, he shall, by his Commanding 
 Officer, if an Officer, be put in arrest ; if a Non-Commis- 
 sioned Officer or Soldier, be imprisoned till he shall be either 
 tried by a Court-Martial, or shall be lawfully discharged by 
 proper authority. 
 
 Art. xli. No Officer or Soldier who shall be put in 
 arrest or imprisonment, shall continue in his confinement 
 more than eight days, or till such time as a Court-Martial 
 can be conveniently assembled. 
 
 Art. xlii. No Officer commanding a guard, or Provost- 
 Marshal, shall refuse to receive or keep any prisoner com- 
 mitted to his charge by an Officer belonging to the Rhode- 
 Island Forces : which Officer shall, at the same time, 
 deliver an account in writing, signed by himself, of the 
 crime with which the said prisoner is charged. 
 
 Art. xliii. No Officer commanding a guard, or Provost- 
 Marshal, shall presume to release any prisoner committed 
 to his charge, without proper authority for so doing ; nor 
 shall he suffer any prisoner to escape on the penalty of 
 being punished for it by the sentence of a General Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xliv. Every Officer or Provost-Marshal, to whose 
 charge prisoners shall be committed, is hereby required, 
 within twenty-four hours after such commitment, or as soon 
 as he shall be relieved from his guard, to give in writing to 
 the Colonel of the Regiment to whom the prisoner belongs 
 (where the prisoner is confined upon the guard belonging 
 to the said Regiment, and that his offence only relates to 
 the neglect of duty in his own Corps) or to the Commander- 
 in-Chief, their names, their crimes, and the names of the 
 Officers who committed them, on the penalty of being pun- 
 ished for his disobedience or neglect at the discretion of a 
 General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xlv. And if any Officer under arrest shall leave 
 his confinement before he is set at liberty by the Officer 
 who confined him, or by a superiour power, he shall be 
 cashiered for it. 
 
 Art. xlvi. Whatsoever Commissioned Officer shall be 
 convicted before a General Court-Martial of behaving in a 
 scandalous, infamous manner, such as is unbecoming the 
 character of an officer and a gentleman, shall be discharged 
 from the service. 
 
 Art. xlvii. All Officers, Conductors, Gunners, Ma- 
 trosses, Drivers, or any other person whatsoever, receiving 
 pay or hire in the service of the Rhode-Island Artillery, 
 shall be governed by the aforesaid Rules and Articles, and 
 shall be subject to be tried by Courts-Martial in like man- 
 ner with the Officers and Soldiers of the Rhode-Island 
 Troops. 
 
 Art. xxviii. For differences arising amongst them- 
 selves, or in matters relating solely to their own Corps, the 
 Courts-Martial may be composed of their own Officers ; 
 but where a number sufficient of such Officers cannot be 
 assembled, or in matters wherein other Corps are interested, 
 the Officers of Artillery shall sit in Courts-Martial with the 
 Officers of the other Corps. 
 
 Art. xlix. A" crimes not capital, and all disorders and 
 neglects which Officers and Soldiers may be guilty of, to 
 the prejudice of good order and military discipline, though 
 not mentioned in the Articles of War, are to be taken 
 cognizance of by a General or Regimental Court-Martial, 
 according to the nature and degree of the offence, and be 
 punished at their discretion. 
 
 Art l. No Courts-Martial shall order any offender to be 
 whipped, or receive more than thirty-nine stripes for any 
 one offence. 
 
 Art. li. The Field-Officers of each and every Regi- 
 ment are to appoint some suitable person belonging to such 
 
 Regiment to receive all such fines as may arise within the 
 same, for any breach of any of the foregoing Articles, and 
 shall direct the same to be carefully and properly applied 
 to the relief of such sick, wounded, or necessitous Soldiers 
 as belong to such Regiment ; and such person shall account 
 with such Officer for all fines received and the application 
 thereof. 
 
 Art. lii. All Members sitting in Courts-Martial shall 
 be sworn by the President of said Courts, which President 
 shall himself be sworn by the Officer in said Court next in 
 rank ; the Oath to be administered previous to their proceed- 
 ing to the trial of any offender, in form following, to wit : 
 
 " You, A. B., swear that you will well and truly try, and 
 impartially determine the cause of the prisoner now to be 
 tried, according to the Rules for regulating the Rhode-Island 
 Army ; so help you God." 
 
 Art. liii. All persons called to give evidence in any 
 case before a Court-Martial, who shall refuse to give evi- 
 dence, shall be punished for such refusal at the discretion 
 of such Court-Martial ; the Oath to be administered in the 
 form following, to wit: 
 
 "You swear the evidence you shall give in the case 
 now in hearing, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and 
 nothing but the truth ; so help you God." 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Committee of Safety 
 be, and they are hereby directed to charter two suitable 
 Vessels for the use of the Colony, and fit out the same in 
 the best manner to protect the trade of this Colony : That 
 the said vessels be at the risk of the Colony, and be 
 appraised before they are chartered by Messieurs Joseph 
 Antony, Rufus Hopkins, and Cromel Child, or any two 
 of them, who are also to agree for the hire of the said 
 vessels : That the largest of the said vessels be manned 
 with eighty men, exclusive of officers, and be equipped 
 with ten guns, (four-pounders,) fourteen Swivel Guns, a 
 sufficient number of Small-Arms, and all necessary warlike 
 stores : That the small vessel be manned with a number 
 not exceeding thirty men : That the whole be included in 
 the number of fifteen hundred men, ordered to be raised in 
 this Colony, and be kept in pay until the first day of De- 
 cember next, unless discharged before by order of the Gene- 
 ral Assembly : That they receive the same bounty and pay 
 as the Land Forces, excepting that the First and Second 
 Lieutenants, and Master, receive the same pay as the First 
 Lieutenant of the Land Forces, and the under or petty 
 Officers the same as Sergeants of the Army : And that the 
 Lieutenant-General, Brigadier-General, and Committee of 
 Safety, or the major part of them, have the power of di- 
 recting and ordering said vessels; and in case it shall appear 
 to them that the officers and men of the said vessels can be 
 more serviceable on shore than at sea, to order them on 
 shore to defend the seaports in this Colony. 
 
 And it is further Voted and Resolved, That the follow- 
 ing Officers be and are hereby appointed to command the 
 said vessels, to wit: Of the largest vessel, Abraham Whip- 
 ple, commander, with the rank and power of Commodore 
 of both vessels. 
 
 John Grimes, First-Lieutenant. 
 
 Benjamin Seabury, Second Lieutenant. 
 
 William Bradford, of Providence, Master. 
 
 Ebenezer Flagg, Quartermaster, at the wages of four 
 Pounds, lawful money, per month. 
 
 Of the smallest Vessel. 
 Christopher Whipple, Commander. 
 William Rhodes, Lieutenant. 
 
 Whereas, William Potter, Esquire, presented unto this 
 
 Assembly the following Memorial, to wit : 
 
 To the Honourable the General Assembly of the Colony 
 of Rhode-Island, at the session to be holden in East- 
 Greenwich, on the second Monday in June, A. D. 
 1775: 
 
 I, William Potter, of South-Kingstown, in the County 
 of King's County, in the Colony aforesaid, humbly shew : 
 That at a Session of the General Assembly held at Provi- 
 dence, on the twenty-second day of April last, an Act was 
 passed for the raising, with all expedition and despatch, 
 fifteen hundred Men, as an Army of Observation, to repel 
 any insult or violence that might be offered to the inhabi- 
 tants ; and also, if necessary for the safety and preserva- 
 
1159 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 11 GO 
 
 tion of the Colonies, to march out of this Colony, and join 
 and co-operate with the Forces of the neighbouring Colo- 
 nies ; against which Act I, as one of the Upper House of 
 Assembly, together with Joseph Wanton, Esquire, the then 
 Governour, Darius Sessions, Esquire, the then Deputy- 
 Governour, and Thomas Wickes, Esq., then also one of 
 the same Upper House, did enter my Protest; which hath 
 given much uneasiness to the good people of this Colony. 
 To remove which, so far as respects myself, and as far as 
 in me lieth, I beg leave to observe, that a rough draught 
 was drawn up, and delivered to a person to be corrected ; 
 which Protest, as i he same now stands, appears to me to 
 be of a different import from my meaning at that time, 
 and which, through the hurry attending the business before 
 the House, was not so properly attended to as it might 
 have been, and in that haste was signed. It is true, I was 
 against the passing of the said Act at that time, as 1 con- 
 ceived the Trade, and particularly the Town of Newport, 
 would be greatly distressed, which a little longer time 
 might prevent ; and because it was known that the very 
 respectable Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut would 
 soon sit, of whose wise deliberations we might greatly 
 avail ourselves. These were the true reasons of my con- 
 duct, however the contrary may appear from the Protest 
 signed. No man hath ever been more deeply impressed 
 with the calamities to which America is reduced, by a 
 most corrupt Administration, than myself. No man hath 
 more exerted himself in private and publick life to relieve 
 ourselves from our oppressions ; and no man hath held 
 himself more ready to sacrifice his life and fortune in the 
 arduous struggles now making throughout America for the 
 preservation of our just rights and liberties; and in these 
 sentiments I am determined to live and die. Sorry I am 
 if any of the good people of this Colony should have con- 
 ceived otherwise of me ; and I greatly lament that the 
 unguarded expressions in that Protest should give cause 
 therefor. Should 1 from thence lose the confidence, just 
 hopes, and expectations of my countrymen of my future 
 conduct in the arduous American struggles, it might create 
 an uneasiness of mind for which nothing can ever com- 
 pensate. But should this publick declaration ease the 
 minds of my friends and the friends of liberty, and con- 
 vince them of my readiness to embark, to conflict with 
 them in every difficulty, and against every opposition, until 
 our glorious cause shall be established upon the most firm 
 and permanent basis, it will be a consideration that will 
 afford me the highest satisfaction that human nature is 
 capable of enjoying. I am, your Honours' most humble 
 servant, William Potter. 
 
 And the said Memorial being duly considered, 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the same be accepted ; 
 that it is satisfactory ; and that the said William Potter be, 
 and he is hereby, reinstated in the favour of this General 
 Assembly. 
 
 Both Houses being resolved in a Grand Committee, the 
 gentlemen whose names are set down in the subsequent 
 list were chosen to serve the Colony in the offices ascribed 
 to their names respectively, to wit: 
 
 William, Bradford, Esquire, Major-General of the 
 Forces of this Colony. 
 
 John Malbone, Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment of 
 Militia in the County of Newport. 
 
 James Angell, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 Joseph Noyes, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Nathaniel Martin, Esquire, Colonel of the Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Bristol. 
 
 John Waterman, Esquire, Colonel of the First Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 Chad Brovm, Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 Robert Brown, Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Stephen Potter, Esquire, Colonel of the Second Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 Christopher Lippitt, Esquire, Colonel of the Third 
 Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 f/eorgc ChampKn, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Regiment of Militia in the County of Newport. 
 
 Jabez Bowen, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First 
 Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 Jesse Champlin, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 First Regiment of Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Thomas Gray, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the Re- 
 giment of Militia in the County of Bristol. 
 
 John Low, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the First 
 Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 Elisha Moivrey, Jun., Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 George Peirce, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second 
 Regiment of Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Nathaniel Brown, Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Second Regiment of Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 John Colwell, Jun., Esquire, Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
 Third Regiment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 John Coolie, Esquire, Major of the Regiment of Mili- 
 tia in the County of Newport. 
 
 John Innis Clark, Esquire, Major of the First Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 Jesse Maxson, Esquire, Major of the First Regiment of 
 Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Benjamin Bcsworth, Esquire, Major of the Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Bristol. 
 
 Joseph Fry, Esquire, Major of the First Regiment ol 
 Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 John Fisk, Esquire, Major of the Second Regiment of 
 Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 Joshua Davis, Esquire, Major of the Second Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of King's County. 
 
 Archibald Kasso7i, Esquire, Major of the Second Regi- 
 ment of Militia in the County of Kent. 
 
 Joseph Knight, Esquire, Major of the Third Regiment 
 of Militia in the County of Providence. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That this General Assembly 
 will join with the other Colonies in establishing Post- 
 Officers and Post-Riders, in order to preserve an inter- 
 course between the different Colonies, w hich will prove so 
 beneficial to the publick as well as to individuals: And 
 that this Colony will, for the present, defray the expense 
 of Post-Riders throughout this Colony, upon the usual 
 Post Road. 
 
 It is further Voted and Resolved, That Post-Ofiices 
 be, and hereby are, established at the following places, to 
 wit: At Newport, Providence, Bristol, Warren, Tower- 
 Hill in South-Kingstown, and Westerly. And that the 
 following persons be, and hereby are, appointed Postmas- 
 ters, to wit : 
 
 For Newport, Mr. Nathaniel Otis; Providence, Mr. 
 John Carter; Bristol, Mr. Jonathan Russell; Warren, 
 Mr. Shubael Burr; Tower-Hill, Mr. Ray Sands; Wes- 
 terly, Mr. Joshua Babcock. 
 
 It is further Voted and Resolved, That the Rates and 
 Duties for Postage of Letters be as follows, to wit: 
 
 For any distance not exceeding 60 miles, - - Os. b\d. 
 Upwards of GO miles, and not exceeding 1 00 miles, 0 8 
 
 Upwards 100 " " " 200 " 0 10} 
 
 Upwards '200 " " " 300 " 1 1 
 
 Upwards 300 " " " 400 « 1 4 
 
 Upwards 400 " " " 500 " J 6i 
 
 Upwards 500 « " " 600 « 1 9 
 
 Upwards 600 " " " 700 " 2 0 
 
 Upwards 700 « " " 800 " 2 24 
 
 Upwards 800 « " " 900 " 2 5 
 
 Upwards 900 « " " 1000 "28 
 
 The above Rates to be paid in lawful money of this 
 Colony, and are for the postage of a Single Letter. They 
 are to be doubled for all Double Letters ; trebled for all 
 Treble Letters; and for every ounce weight four times so 
 much is to be charged as for a Single Letter. 
 
 It is further Voted and Resolved, That Mr. Peter Mum- 
 ford be, and he is hereby, appointed the Post-Rider from 
 Newport to Providence; and Mr. Benjamin Mumford the 
 Post-Rider from Newport to New-London. And that 
 they neither receive nor deliver any Letters from any 
 Post-Office heretofore established in this Colony. 
 
 It is further Voted and Resolved, That Messrs. Joshua 
 Babcock, John Jenckes, William Bradford, and Joseph 
 Anthony, be, and they are hereby appointed a Committee 
 
1161 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1162 
 
 to agree with the Postmasters and Post-Riders for their 
 service, and to give directions for the setting off and return 
 of the Post-Riders ; and that the Postmasters account to the 
 said Committee for what they shall receive. 
 
 It is further Voted and Resolved, That all Letters which 
 the Post-Rider, for the time being, may receive, directed for 
 the Town of Boston, shall be first post-paid, and submitted 
 to the examination of the Commander-in-Chief of the 
 American Forces at Cambridge, or of a Committee that 
 may be appointed by the Provincial Congress of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, before they are permitted to go into Bos- 
 ton; and that all Letters coming out of Boston, be submit- 
 ted to the like examination. 
 
 And it is further Voted and Resolved, That this Act 
 shall continue in force until this Assembly shall make some 
 further order relative to the same. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Letter written by his 
 Honour the Deputy-Governour, to James Wallace, Esq., 
 Commander of His Majesty's Ship Rose, and Captain 
 Wallace's answer, be published in the next Newport Mer- 
 cury, and Providence Gazette. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Ten Thousand Pounds, 
 in lawful money Bills of Credit, be struck off for the use 
 of the Colony ; that the same proportion of the different 
 Bills be printed ; that they be signed by the same persons 
 who signed the former emission, and in the same manner; 
 that they be completed and lodged in the General Treasu- 
 ry, as soon as may be : and that the Committee for signing 
 the Bills procure the paper. 
 
 The Return of the Officers chosen to command the Com- 
 pany of Light-Infantry, in the County of Providence, was 
 read in Council, and is as follows, to wit : 
 
 John Mathewson, Captain ; Jonathan Ellis, First Lieu- 
 tenant ; Thomas Truman, Second Lieutenant ; Asa Frank- 
 lin, Ensign. 
 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 hereby are approved. 
 
 The Return of the Officers chosen to command the Com- 
 pany of Light-Infantry in the Town of Gloucester, was 
 read in Council, and is as follows, to wit: 
 
 Timothy Wilmarth, Jun., Captain; David Richmond, 
 First Lieutenant ; Enos Smith, Second Lieutenant ; Abra- 
 ham Tourtellot, Ensign. 
 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 hereby are approved. 
 
 The Return of the Officers chosen to command the Com- 
 pany of Scituate Hunters, in the Town of Sciluate, was 
 read in Council, and is as follows, to wit : 
 
 Joseph Kimball, Jun., Captain ; Gideon Cornell, First 
 Lieutenant : Jonathan Smith, Second Lieutenant ; Ber- 
 tram Rounds, Ensign. 
 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 
 ft is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 hereby are approved. 
 
 An Act to prevent Desertion from the Army of Observa- 
 tion. 
 
 Whereas, some of the Soldiers of the Army ofObservation 
 raised by this Colony have shamefully deserted from the 
 encampment upon Jamaica Plains, in the Colony of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay : For the prevention whereof for the 
 future, 
 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- 
 thority thereof it is enacted, That a reward of thirty Shil- 
 lings, lawful money, be given and paid for the apprehend- 
 ing and securing any Soldier in the pay of this Colony, who 
 shall desert from his place of encampment, detachment, or 
 other post he may be stationed at ; and that every Soldier 
 so apprehended be sent back to his post or place of en- 
 campment, and delivered up to the Commanding Officer, 
 to be punished as the law for regulating the said Army 
 directs. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That in case any person shall harbour or secure any de- 
 serter or deserters from the said Army, or shall know of 
 his or their haunt or place of abode, and shall not give in- 
 formation thereof to some one of the Committee of Safety, 
 or to the Sheriff, his Deputy, or some other executive offi- 
 cer, the person so offending, upon due proof thereof being 
 
 made, shall forfeit and pay, as a fine, the sum of five 
 Pounds, lawful money, and costs of prosecution, for har- 
 bouring or concealing, and the sum of three Pounds, lawful 
 money, and costs of prosecution, for not giving information, 
 to be recovered by bill, plaint, or information ; and that 
 one third part of the said fines shall be paid to the inform- 
 ers, and the other two third parts be lodged in the Town 
 Treasury where such deserter is an inhabitant, to be paid 
 out for the support of the soldiers, or their families, who 
 may be disabled in the service. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the Committee of Safety, upon information being 
 given them by any Officer of the said Army, of a deserter 
 or deserters, with proper descriptions by which they may 
 be known, shall forthwith furnish the Sheriff, his Deputy, 
 or some other executive officer, with the name or names of 
 such deserter or deserters, with his or their marks or de- 
 scriptions, who is hereby commanded to make diligent 
 search after the person or persons so deserting, and to ap- 
 prehend and secure him or them, until he or they can be 
 conveyed back to his or their quarters. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the Sheriff, his Deputy, or any other officer, who shall 
 go in search of any deserter or deserters, may take what 
 aid and assistance they shall think necessary ; that all the 
 costs and charges of apprehending, securing, and returning 
 to his or their post, any deserter or deserters, shall be paid 
 by such deserter or deserters ; and that the wages of every 
 deserter shall stop from the day of desertion until his re- 
 turn to duty. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid. 
 That a copy of this Act be inserted in the Neivport Mer- 
 cury, and Providence Gazette. 
 
 The Return of the Officers chosen to command the Com- 
 pany of North- Providence Rangers, in the County of Pro- 
 vidence, was read in Council, and is as follows, to wit: 
 
 Joseph Olney, Captain ; Joseph Randall, Lieutenant ; 
 Thomas Olney, Junior, Ensign. 
 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 they are hereby approved. 
 
 Whereas, Thursday, the 20th day of July next, is re- 
 commended by the honourable the Continental Congress 
 to be observed as a day of Publick Fasting and Prayer 
 throughout the Colonies : It is, therefore, 
 
 Voted and Resolved, That his Honour the Deputy 
 Governour be, and he is hereby requested to issue a Proc- 
 lamation, to be published in the Neivport Mercury, and 
 Providence Gazette, earnestly recommending the same to 
 be religiously observed by the inhabitants of this Colony. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That his Honour the Deputy- 
 Governour be, and he is hereby requested to write an an- 
 swer to the Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at 
 the Continental Congress, and to transmit to them a copy 
 of the proceedings of this Assembly. - 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved. That the Secretary publish 
 the Acts and Orders now made and passed, by beat of 
 drum, in the Town of Providence, within ten days after 
 the rising of this Assembly ; and in thirty, send copie> 
 thereof to the several Sheriffs in this Colony, by them to 
 be transmitted to the Town Clerks of the Towns in their 
 respective Counties; and that this Assembly be, and here- 
 by is adjourned to the third Monday in August next, then 
 to meet in the Town of Providence. 
 
 God save the King. 
 
 Published according to order, on Tuesday, the 27th day 
 of June, A. D., 1775, by 
 
 Henry Ward, Secretary. 
 
 At the General Assembly of the Governour and Com- 
 pany of the English Colony of Rhode-Island and Provi- 
 dence Plantations, in New-England, in America, begun 
 and holden (in consequence of Warrants issued by his 
 Honour the Deputy-Governour) at Providence, within and 
 for the Colony aforesaid, on Wednesday, the twenty-eighth 
 day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-five, and fifteenth of the reign of His 
 Most Sacred Majesty George the Third, by the grace of 
 God, King of Great Britain, and so forth : 
 
1163 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 11G4 
 
 Present : The Honourable Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, De- 
 puty-Governour ; Ambrose Page, Esq. ; John Sayles, Jun., 
 Esq. ; John Jcpson, Esq. ; James Arnold, Jun., Esq. ; 
 Jonathan Randall, Esq. ; Peter Phillijjs, Esq. ; Joseph 
 Hazard, Esq. ; Assistants. The Secretary. 
 
 Deputies from the several Towns. 
 
 The Honourable Metcalf Bowler, Esquire, Speaker. 
 Newport. — Mr. John Wanton, (son of Gideon,) Mr. 
 
 Thomas Freebody. 
 Providence. — Mr. John Jenckes, Mr. John Smith, Col. 
 
 John Mathewson. 
 Portsmouth. — John Shearman, Esquire. 
 Warwick. — William Greene, Esq., Mr. Jacob Greene, 
 
 Colonel John Low. 
 Westerly. — Joshua Babcock, Esq., Mr. James Rhodes. 
 New-Shoreham. — (None.) 
 
 North-Kingstown. — John Northup, Esq., Major Syl- 
 vester Gardner. 
 
 South-Kingstown. — Carder Hazard, Esquire. 
 
 East-Greenwich. — Mr. Allen Johnson. 
 
 Jamestown. — Captain Samuel Carr. 
 
 Smithfield. — Daniel Mowry, Jun., Esq., Stephen Whip- 
 ple, Esquire. 
 
 Scituate. — Rufus Hopkins, Esquire. 
 
 Gloucester. — Silas Williams, Esq., Mr. Daniel Owen. 
 
 C harlestown. — (None.) 
 
 West-Greenwich. — William Nichols, Esquire, Thomas 
 
 Gorton, Esquire. 
 Coventry. — John Rice, Esquire. 
 Exeter. — George Peirce, Esquire. 
 
 MlDDLETOWN. (None.) 
 
 Bristol. — Major-General William Bradford, Major Ben- 
 jamin Bosworth. 
 Tiverton. — Major John Cooke. 
 
 Little-Compton. — Captain Thomas Browuell, William 
 
 Richmond, Esquire. 
 Warken. — Mr. Cromwel Child. 
 
 Cumberland. — John Dexter, Esq., Jeremiah Whipple, 
 Esquire. 
 
 Richmond. — George Webb, Esq., Capt. Richard Bailey. 
 Cranston. — (None.) 
 Hopkinton. — (None.) 
 
 Johnston. — Mr. Emmor Olney, Mr. Ebenezer Sprague. 
 North-Providence. — Mr. Joseph Olney, Major Thomas 
 Olney. 
 
 Barrington. — Col. Nathaniel Martin, Mr. Thomas Allen. 
 Josias Lyndon, Clerk of the Lower House. 
 
 In Council was read the Return of the Officers chosen to 
 command the company of Pawtuxet Rangers, in the Towns 
 of Warwick and Cranston, which is as follows, to wit: 
 
 Samuel Aborn, Captain ; Benjamin Arnold, First Lieu- 
 tenant; Rhodes Arnold, Second Lieutenant; Stephen 
 Greene, Ensign. 
 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 they are hereby, approved. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That six Companies, consist- 
 ing of sixty men each, including officers, be immediately 
 raised in this Colony, in addition to those already ordered 
 to be raised; that they be equipped with Arms, Ammuni- 
 tion, and all other necessaries ; that two Companies be added 
 to each Regiment now in the service of this Colony, and 
 encamped near Boston; that as soon as twenty men in a 
 company shall be raised, they be sent forward, under the 
 care of one commissioned officer, and the whole as soon as 
 possible ; that the same bounty and wages be allowed to 
 them as to those already raised; and that, to defray the 
 expense thereof, ten thousand Pounds, in lawful money 
 bills, be emitted, and signed in the same manner and pro- 
 portion as the first emission, excepting that the bills now 
 ordered to be emitted be signed in the following manner, 
 to wit: all the bills of five Shillings, and upwards, by three 
 signers ; and all under, by two signers. 
 
 An Act to repeal an Act, intituled, An Act for regulating 
 Appeals to His Majesty in Council, in Great Britain. 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the 
 authority thereof it is enacted, That the Act intituled an 
 
 Act for regulating Appeals to His Majesty in Council, in 
 Great Britain, be, and the same is hereby, repealed. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Act to prevent the 
 Honourable Joseph Wanton, Esq., from acting as Govern- 
 our of this Colony, until the oath of office shall be admin- 
 istered to him in open General Assembly, with the consent 
 of the Assembly, be, which was passed at the Session held 
 on the first Wednesday in May last, and continued by an 
 Act passed at the Session held on the second Monday in 
 June instant, be continued, and remain in force, until the 
 rising of this Assembly, at the next Session : and that a 
 copy of this Act be inserted in the Newport Mercury, and 
 Providence Gazette. 
 
 Whereas, it is absolutely necessary, for the well govern- 
 ing and exerting the force of an Army, that the same should 
 be under the direction of a Commander-in-Chief: 
 
 It is therefore Voted and Resolved, That the Army of 
 Observation raised by this Colony, during the operations of 
 the present campaign, be under the command and direc- 
 tion of the Commander-in-Chief of the combined Ameri- 
 can Army, stationed in the Province of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay ; and that the Secretary transmit a copy of this Act 
 to the Commander-in-Chief of the combined American 
 Army ; and to the Brigadier-General of the Rhode-Island 
 Troops. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved , That his Honour the Deputy - 
 Governour be, and he is hereby, requested to write an 
 answer to the Letter from the Governour of Connecticut ; 
 and to the Speech of the Oneida Tribe of Indians to the 
 four New-England Colonies. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Messrs. JabezChamplin, 
 James Angell, Metcalf Bowler, John Waterman, James 
 Rhodes, John Sands, Sylvester Gardner, John Hawkins, 
 Allen Johnson, Benjamin Underwood, Elisha Moxvry, 
 Jun., Rufus Hopkins, Asa Kimbal, Joseph Stanton, Jun., 
 Thomas Gorton, Stephen Potter, George Peirce, John 
 Barker, Benjamin Bosworth, John Cooke, Thomas Brow- 
 nel, Cromcl Child, John Dexter, George Webb, Richard 
 Searle, Abel Tanner, Emmor Olney, Thomas Olney, and 
 Thomas Allen, be, and they are hereby, appointed and 
 directed to take an account, as soon as may be, of the 
 Powder, Arms and Ammunition, in the several Towns in 
 this Colony in which they respectively dwell, including 
 private as well as publick stock: that they be, and hereby 
 are, directed and empowered to go to the house of each 
 person in their respective Towns, to take an account of the 
 Powder, Arms and Ammunition ; that they make report to 
 his Honour the Deputy-Governour, that he may transmit 
 an account thereof to the Continental Congress ; and also 
 make report to this Assembly, at the next Session : and 
 that in case any of the persons hereby appointed shall 
 refuse to serve, the members of the General Assembly, of 
 the Town in which the person so refusing dwells, appoint 
 another in his stead, who will undertake. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Committees of In- 
 spection in the several Towns in this Colony be, and they 
 are hereby, appointed to collect all the Saltpetre and Brim- 
 stone in the respective Towns wherein they dwell, at the 
 charge of the Colony, and send the same with all possible 
 despatch to the Committee of Inspection for the Town of 
 Providence, by them to be immediately forwarded to the 
 Provincial Congress at New-York. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Captain Joseph Stan- 
 ton, Jun., be, and he is hereby, appointed one of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety for the County of King's County, in 
 respect to the Soldiers now ordered to be raised by this 
 Assembly. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Gunner, and all the 
 Soldiers, at Fort George, be immediately discharged ; that 
 Mr. Thomas Freebody have the care of the Buildings on 
 Goat-Island, and let them out ; that he hale up the Fort- 
 boat, take particular care of her, and preserve her for the 
 use of the Colony ; that he procure the Cannon to he 
 brought over from the Fort to Newport; and that he ad- 
 vertise the Guns which were stolen from the Fort. 
 
 In Council was read the Return of the Officers chosen 
 to command the Providence Grenadier Company, and is 
 as fblloweth, to wit : 
 
 Jonathan Arnold, Captain; Zcphaniah Andreivs, First 
 
1165 
 
 RHODE-ISLAND ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 16b 
 
 Lieutenant; Ezekiel Burr, Second Lieutenant; Simeon 
 
 Thayer Ensign ; John Spurr, Adjutant. 
 Which being duly considered by the Council, 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the said Officers be, and 
 
 hereby are, approved. 
 
 Both Houses being joined in a Grand Committee, chose 
 the following Officers, to wit : 
 
 Officers to command the six additional Companies to the 
 Army of Observation. 
 
 Ebcnezer Flagg, Captain, Joseph Perry, Lieutenant, 
 Noel Allen, Ensign, of the Eighth Company, to be raised 
 in the Counties of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Thomas Gray, Captain, Lemuel Bailey, Lieutenant, 
 fVilliam Southworlh, Ensign, of the Ninth Company, to 
 be raised in the Counties of Newport and Bristol. 
 
 Levi Tower, Captain, Silas Tulbut, Lieutenant, Reu- 
 ben Sprague, Ensign, of the Ninth Company, to be raised 
 in the County of Providence. 
 
 Israel Gorton, Captain, James Williams, Lieutenant, 
 Joseph Harris, Ensign, of the Tenth Company, to be 
 raised in the County of Providence. 
 
 Ethan Clarke, Captain, Thomas Cole, Lieutenant, John 
 Woodmansie, Ensign, of the Ninth Company, to be raised 
 in the Counties of King's County and Kent. 
 
 Christopher Smith, Captain, Thomas Sweet, Lieuten- 
 ant, Oliver Tefft, Ensign, of the Tenth Company, to be 
 raised in the Counties of King's County and Kent. 
 
 Officers in the Trained Bands, or Companies of Militia. 
 
 Reuben Ballou, Ensign of the Second Company, in the 
 Town of Cumberland, in room of Levi Ballou, who refused. 
 
 Comfort Wheaton, Captain, Nehemiah Siveet, Lieuten- 
 ant, John Demont, Ensign, of the First Company, in the 
 Town of Providence. 
 
 Elijah Bacon, Captain, Nathaniel Frothingham, Lieu- 
 tenant, James Burrill, Ensign, of the Second Company, 
 in the Town of Providence. 
 
 Robert Potter, Captaiu, (in the room of Thomas Bis- 
 scll, Jun., who declined,) Timothy Deane, Lieutenant, 
 Samuel Thomas, Jun., Ensign, (in the room of Robert 
 Potter, advanced,) of the Third Company, in the Town 
 of North-Kingstown. 
 
 Joseph Jenckes Captain, Sylvanus Bucklin, Lieutenant, 
 Samuel Hills, Ensign, of the First Company, in the Town 
 of Smithfield. 
 
 Thomas Aldrich, Captain, Elijah Arnold, Lieutenant, 
 Peleg Arnold, Ensign, of the Second Company, in the 
 Town of Smithfield. 
 
 Nehemiah Smith, Captain, Job Mowry, Lieutenant, 
 Jamts Smith, Ensign, of the Third Company, in the 
 Town of Smithfield. 
 
 Mr. Solomon Southwick, Postmaster for Newport, in 
 the room of Mr. Nathaniel Otis, who is removed out of 
 the Colony. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Mr. Job Watson be, 
 and he is hereby, appointed a Post at Tower-Hill, to give 
 intelligence to the Northern Counties, in case any squadron 
 of Ships shall be seen off; that in case of an alarm, the 
 Northern Counties be, and they are hereby, ordered to 
 march to the Town of Providence ; that a Proclamation 
 be immediately issued by his Honour the Deputy-Govern- 
 our, commanding every man in the Colony, able to bear 
 arms, to equip himself completely with Arms and Ammu- 
 nition, according to law ; and that the Town of Providence 
 fix a beacon on the hill to the eastward of the said Town, 
 to alarm the country, in case of an invasion. 
 
 An Act for Enlisting one fourth part of the Militia of 
 the Colony as Minute-Men. 
 
 Be it enacted by this General Assembly, and by the au- 
 thority thereof it is enacted, That one quarter part of the 
 Militia of this Colony be enlisted as Minute-men, to meet 
 together, and exercise themselves in military discipline, 
 half a day, once in every fortnight ; and that the following 
 persons be, and hereby are, appointed in the several Towns 
 to enlist them, to wit : 
 
 Newport. — The Captains of the several Companies of 
 Militia. 
 
 Providence. — Messrs. John Demont, and Nathaniel Fro- 
 thingham. 
 
 Portsmouth. — Mr. Burrington Anthony. 
 
 Warwick. — Messrs. Malachi Hammet, Reuben Wight- 
 man, and Thomas Rice, (son of Thomas.) 
 
 Westerly. — Messrs. George Sheffield, Benjamin Hull. 
 and Joseph Stillman. 
 
 New-Shoreham. — The Captain of the Company of Mili- 
 tia. 
 
 North-Kingstown. — Messrs. Charles Tillinghast, Jona- 
 than Vaughan, and Ezekiel Gardner, Junior. 
 
 South-Kingstown. — Messrs. Peleg Babcock, and John 
 Wait. 
 
 East-Greenwich. — Messrs. Allen Johnston, and William 
 Arnold. 
 
 Jamestown. — The Captain of the Company of Militia. 
 
 Smithfield. — Messrs. Andrew Waterman, Luke Arnold. 
 and Peleg Arnold. 
 
 Gloucester. — Messrs. John Wells, Gideon Burgess, Aa- 
 ron Winsor, and Samuel Mayes. 
 
 Charlestown. — Messrs. Augustus Stanton, and Beriah 
 Lewis. 
 
 West-Greenwich. — Messrs. Eleazer Carr, Jeremiah 
 
 Austin, and John Mathewson, Junior. 
 Coventry. — Messrs. Archibald Kasson, Yelverton Wait, 
 
 Stately Hudson, and Benjamite Greene. 
 Exeter. — Mr. George Peirce. 
 
 Middletown. — The Captain of the Company of Militia. 
 
 Bristol. — Mr. Benjamin Bosworth. 
 
 Tiverton. — Messrs. Joseph Almy, and Pardon Cooke. 
 
 Little-Compton. — Mr. Peres Richmond. 
 
 Warren. — Mr. William Barton. 
 
 Cumberland. — Messrs. Elisha Waterman, and Elias 
 
 Philbrook. 
 Richmond. — Mr. Simeon Clarke, Junior. 
 Cranston. — Messrs. Andrew Harris, William Potter, and 
 
 the Captain of the Third Company. 
 Hopkinton. — Messrs. Thomas Wells, (the Third,) and 
 
 Oliver Davis. 
 
 Johnston. — Messrs. William Hatvkins, and Joseph Wa- 
 terman. 
 
 North-Protidence. — Mr. Job Olney. 
 Barrington. — Mr. Luther Martin. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That in case any of the persons hereby appointed shall 
 refuse to serve, the Deputies of the several Towns to 
 which they belong be, and they hereby are, empowered to 
 appoint others in their stead. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the following be the form of the Enlistment for the 
 said Minute-men, to wit : 
 " Colony of Rhode-Island, Sfc: 
 
 " We, the subscribers, voluntarily enlist ourselves to serve 
 as Minute-men, in the service of this Colony, to be under 
 the immediate command of our superiour Officers, and 
 subject to the law of this Colony for regulating the 
 Minute-men." 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the persons who are hereby appointed to enlist the 
 said Minute-men, return the names of the persons they 
 shall so enlist unto the Deputies who live within their re- 
 spective Regiments; that the said Deputies, or the major 
 part of them, be, and hereby are, empowered to form them 
 into Companies, each to consist of as many men as they 
 shall think proper and direct, and also to appoint Officers 
 over them ; and that they return the names of the Officers 
 they shall appoint to his Honour the Deputy-Governour. 
 to be commissioned by the Secretary, in the same manner 
 that the other Officers have been commissioned. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the said Minute-men march for the defence of the 
 Colony, when and as often as they shall be called upon by 
 the Colonel of the Regiment to which they respectively 
 belong; and that the Lieutenant-General and Major-Gen- 
 eral of the Colony be, and they are hereby, authorized and 
 empowered to march them out of the Colony, whenever 
 they, or either of them, shall think it necessary. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the following wages be allowed and paid out of the 
 General Treasury to the said officers and men, to wit: for 
 every time they shall meet and exercise, each Captain 
 shall receive two Shillings and six Pence lawful money ; 
 
1 167 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1168 
 
 each Lieutenant and Ensign, two Shillings, lawful money ; 
 and each other person one Shilling lawful money ; and 
 when they march for the defence of the Colony, or out of 
 the Colony, each Captain shall receive six Shillings lawful 
 money per day; each Lieutenant five Shillings lawful money 
 per day ; each Ensign four Shillings lawful money per day; 
 and each other person three Shillings lawful money per day; 
 and shall also be billeted at the charge of the Colony: and 
 that the Commanding Officer make his return once a month 
 to the Committee of Safety, and draw the money. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the several Independent Companies in this Colony, 
 or such of them as shall think proper, form themselves 
 into Companies of Minute-men, under the same regula- 
 tion and command as above mentioned, and exercise and 
 do duty in the same manner; and that they receive the 
 same pay and allowance. 
 
 And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 That the Secretary, as soon as may be, transmit copies of 
 this Act to the several Sheriffs in the Colony, who are 
 hereby directed to forward them by the first safe hands to 
 the persons appointed to enlist the said Minute-men in their 
 respective Counties. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Mr. John Martin be, 
 and he is hereby, appointed a Surgeon to the Rhode-Island 
 Brigade ; that he do all the services in said Brigade that 
 Lis capacity will admit of; and that he be allowed for the 
 same the monthly wages of nine Pounds lawful money. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That Captain John Grimes 
 be, and he is hereby, appointed Commander of the small 
 Sloop chartered by the Colony, in the room of Captain 
 Christopher Wliipple, who refused ; that all other vacan 
 cies, in either of the Sloops chartered by the Colony, be 
 filled up by the Committee of Safety; and that the Offi- 
 cers be commissioned by the Secretary of this Colony. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That when the places of any 
 commissioned Officers in the Army of Observation, raised 
 by this Colony, shall happen to be vacant, the Brigadier- 
 General of the said Army, with the advice of the Field- 
 Officers thereof, fill up all such vacancies with Officers ; 
 who shall have full power to act by virtue of such appoint- 
 ment, until his Honour the Deputy-Governour shall send 
 them Commissions, signed by the Secretary. 
 
 It is Voted and Resolved, That the Secretary publish 
 the Acts and Orders now made and passed by beat of drum, 
 in the Town of Providence, in ten days after the rising of 
 this Assembly, and within thirty send copies thereof to the 
 Sheriffs of the several Counties in this Colony, by them to 
 be transmitted to the Town-Clerks in their respective Coun- 
 ties ; and that this Assembly be, and hereby is, adjourned 
 until the third Monday in August next, then to meet in the 
 Town of Providence. 
 
 God save the King. 
 
 Published according to order, on Monday, the tenth day 
 of July, A. D. 1775, by 
 
 Henry Ward, Secretary. 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Monday, June 19, 1775, P. M. 
 Mr. Speaker, with twenty-three Members, met pursuant 
 to adjournment ; and a quorum not appearing, they ad- 
 journed to three o'clock to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 Tuesday, June 20, 1775. 
 
 A quorum met, pursuant to the adjournment of last 
 night. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Broxm and Mr. Edmonds wait on 
 the Governour, and acquaint him that the House are met, 
 pursuant to their adjournment, and ready to receive any 
 business he may be pleased to lay before them. 
 
 Wednesday, June 21, 1775. 
 
 The House met pursuant to their adjournment. 
 
 The Members appointed to wait on the Governour with 
 the Message of last night, reported they had delivered the 
 same according to order ; and that his Honour was pleased 
 to say, he had no business at present to lay before the 
 House. 
 
 A Petition from a number of inhabitants near Head's 
 Creek, in the Townships of Chestnut- Hill and Domcncing, 
 in Northampton County, was presented to the House, and 
 read, complaining of great inconveniences suffered by the 
 petitioners, from a saw-mill dam erected on the said creek, 
 obstructing the navigation thereof, and praying relief. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Mr. Speaker laid before the House a Letter from Benja- 
 min Franklin, Esquire, Agent for this Province in London, 
 dated the 15th of February last, enclosing a list of six Acts 
 of the General Assembly of this Province, presented to 
 His Majesty in Council the 14th of the same month, re- 
 spectively intituled and passed, as follows, viz: 
 
 No. 1. "An Act for the relief of Samuel Stveet, a lan- 
 guishing prisoner in the Gaol of Philadelphia j and Thomas 
 Bamford, a languishing prisoner in the Gaol of Lancaster 
 County, with respect to the imprisonment of their per- 
 sons;" passed the 28th of September, 1773. 
 
 No. 2. " An Act for the support of the Government of 
 this Province, and payment of the Publick Debts;" passed 
 the same day. 
 
 No. 3. " An Act to prevent counterfeiting the Paper 
 Moneys of other Colonies ;" passed the same day. 
 
 No. 4. "An Act to continue an Act intituled ' An Act 
 to amend the Act intituled An Act to prevent the ex- 
 portation of Bread and Flour not merchantable ;' " passed 
 the 23d of July, 1774. 
 
 No. 5. '•' An Act for lending the sum of Eight Hundred 
 
 Pounds to the several and respective Counties of Bedford, 
 Northumberland, and Westmoreland, for building a Court- 
 House and Prison in each of the said Counties;" passed 
 the same day. 
 
 No. 6. " An Act for the support of the Government of 
 this Province, and payment of the Publick Debts ;" passed 
 the 29th of September, 1774. 
 
 All which Acts are herewith most humbly presented this 
 14th day of February, 1775, by me, Henry Wilmot, Agent 
 for the Proprietaries of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Hillegas, 
 Mr. Rodman, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Wayne, Mr. Ross, Mr. 
 Swoope. Mr. Montgomery, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Hunter. 
 and Mr. Dougherty, be a Committee to prepare and bring 
 in a Bill for striking the sum of Twenty-Two Thousand 
 Pounds, in Bills of Credit, to be sunk by the excise on 
 spirituous liquors. 
 
 Thursday, June 22, 1775, P. M. 
 The House met, and adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare and bring in a 
 Bill for striking the sum of Twenty-Two Thousand Pounds, 
 in Bills of Credit, to be sunk by the excise on spirituous 
 liquors, reported an essay for that purpose, intituled " An 
 Act for the support of the Government of this Province, 
 and payment of the Publick Debts ;" which was read the 
 first time, and ordered to lie on the table for a second 
 reading. 
 
 Friday, Juno 23, 1775. 
 
 The Bill intituled " An Act for the support of the Gov- 
 ernment of this Province, and payment of the Publick 
 Debts," being read the second time, and debated by para- 
 graphs, was ordered to be transcribed for a third reading. 
 
 A Petition and Memorial from the Committee of the 
 City and Liberties of Philadelphia, was presented to the 
 House, and read, setting forth, that the petitioners, reflect- 
 ing upon the great and imminent danger to which the lib- 
 erties of America are exposed, by the open and declared 
 determination of the British Ministry to enforce certain 
 cruel and oppressive Acts of Parliament; and contempla- 
 ting those mournful events which have already happened, 
 as well as those which may happen, during this important 
 struggle, have been induced to form and recommend a 
 Military Association within this City and Liberties; that, 
 in forming such Association, they have extended their views 
 beyond a mere parade and useless show ; and animated 
 with a lively sense of the inestimable value of the bless- 
 ings of civil liberty themselves, they have endeavoured to 
 
1169 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1170 
 
 inculcate upon others the necessity of defending and sup- 
 porting them by actual service, if the exigency of publick 
 affairs should require it ; that, under these circumstances, 
 they find various difficulties, which require the aid and as- 
 sistance of the honourable House. Reposing, therefore, 
 the fullest confidence in the virtue and spirit of their Re- 
 presentatives, they beg leave to lay before them several 
 particulars, which seem, in a peculiar manner, to claim their 
 attention and regard, viz: 
 
 That, in the first place, there are great numbers of able- 
 bodied men, who have acquired some skill in the use of 
 arms, and, in case of necessity, would proceed to actual 
 service ; but their situation and circumstances in life (many 
 having families, and others not sufficient ability to support 
 themselves) forbid their entering into any engagements of 
 this nature ; and in case of an actual call, their ardour and 
 readiness to devote themselves to their Country's service 
 would be damped, if not extinguished, by the alarming 
 consideration of leaving their families subject to want at 
 home, and experiencing all the difficulties of unpaid Troops 
 while in the field. The petitioners, therefore, humbly sub- 
 mit to the honourable House, that as there is the highest 
 reason and justice that all the members of the community, 
 who are equally interested in the preservation and security 
 of our common liberties, should contribute to the assistance 
 and support of those who take a more active, laborious, 
 and dangerous part, it would be highly proper that a vote 
 of credit should be passed, ascertaining and promising suit- 
 able pay and subsistence to such officers and soldiers as 
 shall solemnly engage to go into actual service, if required ; 
 and who shall, in case of necessity and publick danger, 
 comply with such engagements, by meeting at any rendez- 
 vous appointed, and performing such military duty as shall 
 be deemed necessary, and may be demanded of them. 
 And that such provision may be extended to camp equi- 
 page, wagons for transporting baggage, and such other 
 necessaries as actual field duty shall require. That the 
 petitioners, on this subject, would only add, that the pro- 
 vision here requested, is no more than that made by the 
 Militia-laws in England, and the neighbouring Provinces, 
 in case of invasion or insurrection, and by all judicious and 
 sensible men deemed absolutely necessary, to give effica- 
 cy, spirit, vigour, and success to any military association 
 whatever. 
 
 That, in the second place, the petitioners beg leave to 
 lay before the honourable House the very naked and de- 
 fenceless state of this City and Harbour, now in its turn 
 become the frontier, and exposed to equal dangers and dif- 
 ficulties, from which it has, at different times, cheerfully 
 contributed to rescue the more distant parts of the Prov- 
 ince. Vain are all our military operations ; useless and 
 lost the sums of money generously given by this honourable 
 House for our defence, if a single ship of war may proceed, 
 without any interruption, to the very front of the City, and 
 impose such terms of surrendering our arms, or contribu- 
 tions of money and provisions, as will reduce us to the 
 melancholy alternative of a disgraceful compliance, or ex- 
 posing the City to certain destruction. That great quanti- 
 ties of large cannon and some stores lay in useless heaps 
 in various parts of this City, which skilful persons have 
 judged might, at no great expense, be so employed as to 
 make our situation much more secure than it is at present ; 
 besides which, there are many other devices calculated for 
 obstructing the passage of rivers and harbours, well worthy 
 of immediate attention, if some suitable provision could be 
 made for defraying the expense which would be incurred 
 by so essential a service. 
 
 That, in the third place, the petitioners earnestly recom- 
 mend to the patronage and assistance of the honourable 
 House, a manufacture of that valuable and necessary article, 
 Saltpetre. While dependant on a precarious supply from 
 beyond sea, and that under the restraints which our cruel 
 oppressors have laid or procured, our situation is truly 
 alarming ; but should success happily attend the infant 
 manufactory promoted and formed by the petitioners, it 
 may be extended so as to bid defiance to all the schemes 
 of our enemies to deprive us of the necessary means of 
 defence, and afford the fairest prospect of relief from our 
 present difficulties and distress. 
 
 Besides these particular objects, which, with all due 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. " 
 
 respect, the petitioners submit to the consideration of the 
 honourable House, they beg leave to add, that in times so 
 critical and important, when the fate of our Country, the 
 safety and security of all which can make life valuable or 
 desirable to a free citizen, is suspended ; when every day 
 brings with it some event of a most interesting nature, par- 
 ticular and unforeseen exigences and damages arise, which 
 require immediate attention, and incur an immediate ex- 
 pense. That the petitioners, therefore, submit to the con- 
 sideration of the House the necessity and propriety of 
 appointing persons out of their own body, or in conjunc- 
 tion with others, as a Committee of Safety and Defence, 
 with discretionary powers, upon the credit, and under the 
 control of the House, to act on such emergencies ; to ap- 
 propriate such publick moneys as may be already raised, 
 or to raise such further sums upon credit, or otherwise, as 
 the alarming situation of the Province may require. 
 
 Signed by order, and in behalf of the Committee of the 
 City and Liberties of Philadelphia. 
 
 Joseph Reed, Chairman. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 The House adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The House resumed the consideration of the Petition 
 and Memorial from the Committee for the City and Liber- 
 ties of Philadelphia ; and after some time spent therein, 
 adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, Juno 24, 1775. 
 
 A Member of this House, and one of the Deputies to 
 the Continental Congress, read in his place, and then pre- 
 sented at the table, a Resolve of the said Congress, in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 " In Congress, June 22, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Colony of Pennsylvania raise two 
 more Companies of Riflemen, and that these, with the six 
 Companies before ordered to be raised by them, making 
 eight Companies, be formed into a Battalion, under such 
 Field and under officers as shall be recommended by the 
 Assembly or Convention of the above Colony." 
 
 The House taking into consideration the foregoing Re- 
 solve relative to the manner of recommending Field and 
 other officers for the Battalion of Riflemen to be raised in 
 this Province by order of Congress, and to be in Continen- 
 tal pay, 
 
 Resolved, That the Members of the Congress deputed 
 by this Assembly, be a Committee to consider of and re- 
 commend proper persons for officers of the said Battalion. 
 
 A Petition from a number of the Officers of the Associa- 
 tion in the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, concurring 
 with, and recommending to immediate consideration, the 
 Petition and Memorial from the Committee of the said 
 City and Liberties, presented yesterday, was delivered at 
 the Chair, and read. 
 
 Ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 The House adjourned to Monday next, at ten o'clock, 
 A. M. 
 
 Tuesday, Juno 27, 1775. 
 
 A quorum met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 The Governour, by Mr. Secretary, sent down a verbal 
 Message, requiring a List of the Draughts and Certificates 
 of Assembly made payable out of the Supply Bill before 
 him ; and a List thereof being drawn at the table accord- 
 ingly, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bartholomew and Mr. Wayne wait 
 on his Honour and deliver the same. 
 
 The Members return, and report they had waited on 
 the Governour and delivered the said List according to 
 order. 
 
 The House adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The House resumed the consideration of the Petition 
 from the Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadel- 
 phia ; and after some debate thereon, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gray, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Hille- 
 gas, Mr. Charles Thomson, Mr. Rodman, Mr. Pearson, 
 Mr. Wayne, Mr. Ross, Mr. Montgomery, and Mr. Ed- 
 monds, be a Committee to consider of and report to the 
 
1171 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1172 
 
 House such measures as may be expedient for putting this 
 City and Province into a state of defence. 
 
 Wednesday, June 28, 1775. 
 The Governour, by Mr. Secretary, returned the Bill in- 
 tituled " An Act for the support of the Government of this 
 Province, and payment of the Publick Debts," with a writ- 
 ten Message to the House, which was read by order ; and 
 follows in these words, viz : 
 
 A written Message from the Governour to the House. 
 Gentlemen : It being unusual to make provision for the 
 discharge of the Orders drawn for the payment of the pub- 
 lick debts before the end of the year, at which time there 
 may probably be a sum sufficient for the purpose in the 
 Treasury, arising from the funds heretofore provided, I 
 cannot think it proper to give my consent to the Bill inti- 
 tuled " An Act for the support of the Government of this 
 Province, and payment of the Publick Debts." 
 
 John Penn. 
 
 June 28, 1775. 
 
 Upon consideration of the foregoing Message, 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Hillegas, Mr. 
 
 Pearson, and Mr. Ross, be a Committee to prepare and 
 
 bring in an Answer to the said Message. 
 The House adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration and 
 report to the House such measures as may be expedient 
 for putting this City and Province into a state of defence, 
 reported they had essayed a draught of some Resolves for 
 that purpose, which they presented to the Chair; and the 
 same being read by order, was referred for further con- 
 sideration. 
 
 The House adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morn- 
 ing. 
 
 Thursday, June 29, 1775. 
 
 The House met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Ferree and Mr. Eiving wait on 
 the Governour, and inquire at what hour to-day the House 
 shall attend him to enact into Laws the Bills that have 
 been returned with his assent. 
 
 The Members return, and report, that they had waited 
 on his Honour, and delivered their Message according to 
 order, and that the Governour was pleased to say, he should 
 be immediately ready to meet the House to pass the seve- 
 ral Bills which have been agreed on. 
 
 The House then taking into consideration the time of 
 adjournment, agreed to meet again on Monday, the 18th 
 of September next, with which the Speaker is desired to 
 acquaint his Honour when the House shall wait on him to 
 pass the Bills. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas join with the Members of 
 Council appointed by the Governour to compare the en- 
 grossed Bill with its original. 
 
 The Member reported he had assisted in collating the 
 engrossed Bill with its original, and found them to agree. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hillegas and Mr. Parker see the 
 Great Seal affixed to the said Bills after they are enacted 
 into laws, and deposite the same in the Rolls Office. 
 
 A Message by the Secretary. 
 " Sir : The Governour is in the Council Chamber, and 
 requires the attendance of the House, to enact into laws 
 the Bills returned with his assent." 
 
 Mr. Speaker then, with the whole House, waited on 
 the Governour ; and being returned from the Council 
 Chamber, the Speaker resumed the Chair, and reported, 
 that the House had waited on his Honour, and presented 
 three Bills, respectively intituled : " An Act to amend the 
 Act intituled, 'A supplement to the Act intituled, An Act 
 appointing Wardens for the Port of Philadelphia, and for 
 other purposes therein mentioned ; ' " " An Act for con- 
 firming the estate of Daniel Andrews, in and to certain 
 lands, in Amity Township, in the County of Berks;" and, 
 " An Act for confirming the estate of the heirs and repre- 
 sentatives of John Taylor, late of the County of Chester, 
 practitioner in physick, deceased, in a certain tract of land 
 in the Township of Bradford, in the said County." To 
 
 which Bills the Governour had been pleased to give his 
 assent by enacting the same into laws. 
 
 Mr. Speaker also reported, that he had acquainted his 
 Honour the House purposed to adjourn to the 18th of 
 September next, if the Governour approved thereof; to 
 which he was pleased to say, he had no objection to the 
 proposed time of adjournment. 
 
 The Members appointed to see the Great Seal affixed 
 to the said Bills, and deposite the same in the Rolls Office, 
 reported they had performed that service according to 
 order. 
 
 The House adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Committee appointed to strike the sum of Twenty- 
 Five Thousand Pounds in Bills of Credit, directed by the 
 Act intituled " A supplement to the Act intituled ' An Act 
 for erecting a new Jail, Workhouse, and House of Correc- 
 tion, in the City of Philadelphia,' " passed the eighteenth of 
 March last, produced to the Chair a receipt from Joseph 
 Fox, Esquire, one of the Commissioners of the County of 
 Philadelphia, for the said sum of Twenty-Five Thousand 
 Pounds in the said Bills of Credit to him paid agreeable 
 to the directions of the said Act. 
 
 The said Committee also produced two extra sheets 
 unsigned, which had been printed to supply any loss or 
 deficiency happening in the said Bills during the signing 
 and numbering the same ; which two extra sheets, con- 
 taining sixteen Bills of five Pounds each, and sixteen 
 Bills of fifty Shillings each, were burned by order of the 
 House, in the presence of the Members. 
 
 The House resumed the consideration of the Resolves 
 of the Committee appointed to consider of such measures 
 as may be expedient for putting this City and Province 
 into a state of defence, and after some time spent therein, 
 adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, June 30, 1775. 
 The House met pursuant to adjournment, and proceed- 
 ed in the consideration of the Resolves of the Committee; 
 which being put to the question, were agreed to by the 
 House, and follow in these words, viz : 
 
 1. Resolved, That this House approve the Association 
 entered into by the good people of this Province for the 
 defence of their lives, liberty, and property. 
 
 2. Resolved, That if any invasion or landing of British 
 Troops, or others, shall be made in this or the adjacent 
 Colonies during the present controversy, or any armed 
 ships or vessels shall sail up the River Delaware in a 
 hostile manner, and such circumstances shall render it ex- 
 pedient in the judgment of the Committee hereafter to be 
 appointed, for any number of the officers and private men 
 of the Association within this Colony to enter into actual 
 service for repelling such hostile attempts, this House will 
 provide for the pay and necessary expenses of such officers 
 and soldiers performing such military duty, while they are 
 in such actual service. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the Pay of the officers and privates, 
 while in such actual service, shall not exceed that of the 
 Army raised by the Congress of the United Colonies, for 
 the defence of the liberties of America. 
 
 4. Resolved, That this House do earnestly recommend 
 to the Board of Commissioners of the City and County of 
 Philadelphia, and of each County in this Province that 
 have not made the provision hereinafter mentioned, and 
 they are hereby enjoined, as they regard the freedom, 
 welfare, and safety of their Country, immediately to pro- 
 vide a proper number of good new Firelocks, with Bayo- 
 nets fitted to them ; Cartridge-boxes, with twenty-three 
 rounds of Cartridges in every box; and Knapsacks: not less 
 than fifteen hundred of each article for the City and County 
 of Philadelphia ; three hundred for the County of Bucks; 
 five hundred for the County of Chester; six hundred for 
 the County of Lancaster ; three hundred for the County 
 of York; three hundred for the County of Cumberland; 
 four hundred for the County of Berks; three hundred for 
 the County of Northampton ; one hundred for the County 
 of Bedford; one hundred for the County of Northumber- 
 land ; and one hundred for the County of Westmorclaml : 
 to be under the care of the Commanding Officers of the 
 Battalions of the said Counties, for the immediate use of 
 
1173 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA ASSEMBLY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1174 
 
 such Officers and Soldiers as shall be draughted from the 
 Battalions from time to time for actual service. And the 
 said Commissioners and Assessors shall produce their 
 accounts for the furnishing the Arms and Accoutrements 
 aforesaid to the Committee hereinafter appointed, which 
 being approved of by the said Committee, ihey shall draw 
 orders on the Treasurer for the payment thereof, and he 
 is hereby enjoined to pay the same out of the Bills to be 
 emitted by the Resolution of this House. 
 
 5. Resolved, That the Firelocks to be provided as afore- 
 said be of one size and bore, with steel Rammers, well fitted 
 to the same ; and that patterns of the said Firelocks, Ram- 
 mers, and Bayonets, be immediately made in the City of 
 Philadelphia, and sent to the different Counties. 
 
 6. Resolved, That this House do recommend to and 
 enjoin the Officers and Committees of each County in 
 this Province, to select a number of Minute-Men equal to 
 the Arms, &,c, provided for the same, to be in readiness, 
 upon the shortest notice, to march to any quarter, in case 
 of emergency. 
 
 7. Resolved, That provision be made for defending this 
 Province, and the City in particular, against the attacks of 
 armed vessels that may be sent to annoy them. 
 
 And whereas, the safety of a Country greatly depends 
 on having within itself the means of defence, and it appears 
 that sufficient quantities of Saltpetre may be collected, not 
 only for defence, but for other purposes : 
 
 8. Resolved, That the sum of twenty Pounds be paid 
 for every hundred weight of good merchantable Saltpetre 
 that shall be made and manufactured in this Province, and 
 delivered to the Committee of Safety hereinafter named, 
 within the space of three months from this time ; and that 
 the sum of fifteen Pounds be paid for every hundred weight 
 of good merchantable Saltpetre that shall be made and 
 manufactured in this Province and delivered to the said 
 Committee within the space of three months next follow- 
 ing; and so in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity. 
 
 9. Resolved, That John Dickinson, George Gray, 
 Henry Wynkoop, Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholo- 
 mew, George Ross, Michael Swoope, John Montgomery, 
 Edicard Biddle, William Edmonds, Bernhard Dougherty, 
 Samuel Hunter, William Thompson, Thomas Willing, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, John Cadwala- 
 der, Andrew Allen, Owen Biddle, Francis Johnston, 
 Richard Reily, Samuel Morris, Junior, Robert Morris, 
 Thomas Wharton, Junior, and Robert White, Gentlemen, 
 be a Committee of Safety for calling forth such and so 
 many of the Associators into actual service, when neces- 
 sity requires, as the said Committee shall judge proper; for 
 paying and supplying them with necessaries while in actual 
 service ; for providing for the defence of this Province 
 against invasion and insurrection ; and for encouraging and 
 promoting the manufacture of Saltpetre ; which said Com- 
 mittee are hereby authorized and empowered to draw 
 orders on the Treasurer hereinafter appointed for the 
 several purposes above mentioned. 
 
 10. Resolved, That any seven or more of the said Com- 
 mittee shall be a board for transacting the business afore- 
 said, or any part thereof. 
 
 And for carrying the foregoing Resolves into execution, 
 it is 
 
 11. Resolved, That Bills of Credit to the value of 
 Thirty-Five Thousand Pounds shall, on or before the first 
 day of August next, be prepared and printed on good 
 strong paper, under the care and direction of George 
 Gray, Joseph Parker, William Rodman, and Isaac Pear- 
 son, Esquires, or any three of them, at the charge of the 
 publick, to be defrayed out of the said Bills ; which Bills 
 shall be made and prepared in manner and form follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 According to the Resolves of the Assembly of Penn- 
 sylvania, made on the thirtieth day of June, in the fifteenth 
 year of His Majesty George the Third ; dated at Phila- 
 delphia, the twentieth day of July, one thousand seven 
 hundred and seventy-five. 
 
 And the said Bills shall have such escutcheons and de- 
 vices as the said George Gray, Joseph Parker, William 
 Rodman, and Isaac Pearson, shall think proper ; each of 
 which Bills shall be of the several and respective denomi- 
 nations following, and no other, viz : 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills of the sum of forty 
 Shillings. 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills of the sum of thirty 
 Shillings. 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills of the sum of twenty 
 Shillings. 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills of the sum of ten 
 Shillings. 
 
 And the said George Gray, Joseph Parker, William 
 Rodman, and Isaac Pearson, shall use their best care, 
 attention, and diligence, during the printing of the said 
 Bills, that the number and amount thereof, according to 
 their respective denominations aforesaid, be not exceeded, 
 nor any clandestine or fraudulent practice used by the 
 printer, his servants, or other persons concerned therein. 
 
 12. Resolved, That the said George Gray, Joseph Par- 
 ker. William Rodman, and Isaac Pearson, or any three of 
 them, after the said Bills are printed, shall deliver them 
 to the signers to be signed and numbered by parcels, for 
 which they shall take the receipts of the signers. 
 
 13. Resolved, That Sharp Delany, Lambert Cadwala- 
 der, Isaac Howell, James Meas, Adam Hubley, John 
 Benezet, Samuel Cadwalader Morris, Thomas Prior, God- 
 frey Twells, John Meas, John Purviance, and Willia7n 
 Allen, Junior, or any three of them, shall be the signers 
 of each and every of the said Bills. 
 
 14. Resolved, That when the same Bills shall be sign- 
 ed, they shall be delivered to Michael Hillegas, Esquire, 
 hereby appointed Treasurer, who shall give his receipt for 
 the same, and shall therewith pay off and discharge all 
 such draughts and certificates as shall be made by order of 
 Assembly, or the Committee of Safety aforesaid. 
 
 15. Resolved, That the Treasurer aforesaid shall give 
 bond with two sufficient sureties to John Morton and 
 Charles Humphreys, Esquires, in the sum of ten thou- 
 sand Pounds, for the faithful discharge of the trust reposed 
 in him. 
 
 And for the more certain paying, redeeming, discharging, 
 and sinking the said Bills of Credit hereby emitted : 
 
 16. Resolved, That a Tax on all estates, real and per- 
 sonal, within this Province, shall be raised and levied by 
 the respective Commissioners and Assessors of the several 
 Counties within this Province, in the same manner and 
 mode as the Provincial Tax, by the laws now in force, is 
 raised, levied, and recovered, and shall be paid to the Pro- 
 vincial Treasurer; which said Tax first mentioned shall 
 commence immediately after the sinking of the Bills of 
 Credit now remaining to be sunk of those sums granted to 
 the King during the course of the last war ; which Tax, 
 for the purposes aforesaid, the several Commissioners and 
 Assessors are enjoined and required to raise, levy, recover, 
 and pay, as they regard the freedom, welfare, and safety 
 of their Country. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety draw an order 
 on their Treasurer for fifty Pounds, payable to George 
 Ross, Esquire, and another order for the like sum, payable 
 to James Wilson, Esquire, for their services as Deputies of 
 this Province in the Continental Congress. 
 
 The House taking into consideration that many of the 
 good people of this Province are conscientiously scrupu- 
 lous of bearing Arms, do hereby earnestly recommend to 
 the Associators for the defence of their Country, and 
 others, that they bear a tender and brotherly regard to- 
 wards this class of their fellow-subjects and countrymen ; 
 and to these conscientious people it is recommended, that 
 they cheerfully assist, in proportion to their abilities, such 
 Associators as cannot spend their time and substance in 
 the publick service without great injuries to themselves 
 and families. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 The Memorial of Samuel Preston Moore, Esquire, was 
 again read, and after some debate, referred to the Com- 
 mittee of Accounts, to consider the service of the memo- 
 rialist, and report thereon at the next meeting. 
 
 The House adjourned to Monday, the 18th of Septem- 
 ber next, at four o'clock, P. M. 
 
1 175 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OK REPRESENTATIVES, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1176 
 
 NEW.HAMPSHIRE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
 
 Monday, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 And there being but a thin House, adjourned till to- 
 morrow, nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuosday, June 13, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Deputy Secretary came into the House, and in- 
 formed the House that Colonel IVtare had taken the oaths, 
 and was qualified as a Member of this House. 
 
 Meshcch IVearc, Esq., having been chosen Clerk to this 
 House, and now being present, the oath for the faithful 
 discharge of that office was administered to him by the 
 Speaker. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the matter re- 
 specting the admission of the Members called in from the 
 new Towns by virtue of the King's writ, made report as 
 on file ; which being read and considered, and after debate 
 thereon, the question was put, Whether the Members re- 
 turned for Plymouth, Or ford, and Lime, should be admit- 
 ted to a seat in tills House ? 
 
 It passed clearly in the negative. 
 
 Tuesday, June 13, 1775, P. M. 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Answer to the 
 Governour's Speech, laid before the House the following 
 draught of an Answer, viz : 
 
 May it phase your Excellency : 
 
 Our grateful acknowledgments are due to you for your 
 kind assurance given this House in your Excellency's 
 speech, that you will afford all the facility in your power 
 to every measure that may be conducive to the publick 
 good ; and that you will make the happiness and prosper- 
 ity of this Government the object of your warmest wishes 
 and constant pursuit. Your Excellency may be assured, 
 that we, in our department, will ever consult and steadily 
 pursue such measures as we may judge will be most likely 
 to promote the prosperity of this Province. We desire 
 the Treasurer's Accounts may be laid before us as soon as 
 may be, which we will immediately proceed to inspect. 
 
 It is with the most anxious concern we view the unhappy 
 controversy between Great Britain and her Colonies ra- 
 pidly advancing to the most serious issue ; a matter of such 
 a momentous, interesting nature, cannot fail of engaging 
 our most serious attention, while it fills us with the deepest 
 solicitude and distress. We most ardently wish it in our 
 power to effect, by any measures we could take, the resto- 
 ration of publick tranquillity, and the re-establishment of 
 the much-desired reconciliation with our Mother Country, 
 upon a just, solid, and permanent basis, that the blessings 
 of the British Constitution might thereby be diffused and 
 enjoyed through every part of this wide and extended Em- 
 pire. But we are apprehensive the settlement of the pre- 
 sent distressing difficulties is an object of such magnitude, 
 and a matter of such general concernment to all the Colo- 
 nies, as far exceeds our circumscribed power and influence. 
 As a variety of methods have been proposed, and mea- 
 sures pursued, in order to effect this desirable end, all of 
 which have hitherto proved ineffectual, we are entirely at 
 a loss to know what measures we can take that may afford 
 a prospect of success. Was it in our power to settle this 
 most unnatural, unfortunate contest, in a way consistent 
 with the true interest and rights of the whole Nation, our 
 calamities would be but of short duration ; and we trust, 
 had it been equally in the power of the Colonies, as it 
 ever was their wish, matters would never have proceeded 
 to such extremity. Intimately connected as we are with 
 the Parent State, by the strongest ties of kindred, religion, 
 laws, and interest, it ever must be our most sincere desire 
 and zealous endeavour to adopt and constantly pursue such 
 measures as may have the most likely tendency to strength- 
 en and perpetuate such connexion, and to promote the 
 general interest and happiness of the whole Empire. 
 
 With hearts deeply impressed with the most affection- 
 ate attachment to, and concern for, the interest and pros- 
 perity of Great Britain, as inseparably connected with our 
 own, we trust that our conduct will invariably manifest the 
 rectitude of our intention, and our sincere aim to restore 
 
 and establish peace and harmony between Great Britain 
 and her Colonies, and to advance the prosperity of both 
 Countries. 
 
 Voted, That the foregoing be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, in answer to his Speech at the open- 
 ing of the present General Assembly. 
 
 The Deputy Secretary brought down the following Mes- 
 sage from his Excellency, viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 
 When a general spirit of jealousy, alarm, and apprehen- 
 sion, have either banished the sober reason, or blinded the 
 cool judgment of men ; when the love of order and respect 
 to the laws, reverence and attachment to the ancient and 
 happy Constitution of this Province, seem wholly to have 
 deserted their seat, and disorder and confusion introduced 
 in their stead ; and when the people, as it were, seem to 
 have lost sight of any possible alternative but slavery or 
 civil war, and abandon the hope that there is yet remaining 
 of possibility of reconciliation with the Mother Country, I 
 think it incumbent upon me, in this most alarming and dan- 
 gerous situation, to recommend to your most serious con- 
 sideration the Resolution of the House of Commons of 
 the 27th of February last, which hath been approved by 
 His Majesty. There appears in this solemn Resolution so 
 great an affection, tenderness for your liberties, and readi- 
 ness to be reconciled, upon principles consistent with the 
 just rights and dignity of the Parent State, and the privi- 
 leges of the Colonies, as precludes the necessity of particu- 
 lar observations upon it; and 1 cannot but trust that it will 
 meet with the just and grateful return from you that may 
 be naturally expected from the wisdom which the hour of 
 serious reflection will call forth, and from the feelings which 
 calm consideration will produce ; and be finally productive 
 of those happy effects for which it lays so fair a founda- 
 tion. But as this is a subject of a most weighty nature to 
 the good people of this Province, the security of whose 
 lives and properties may rest upon the moment of your 
 decision as their Representatives, I cannot give a greater 
 instance of my duty to His Majesty, and of zeal for the 
 true interest of this Province, than by affording you time 
 for candid consideration, and an opportunity to take the 
 real, and, on this very serious occasion, I hope dispassion- 
 ate sentiments of your constituents, from whence my most 
 fervent prayers to Heaven are, that a disposition for recon- 
 ciliation may spring up. whose blossoms being mutual affec- 
 tion and a desire for peace and harmony, we may speedily 
 reap the blessed fruit of happy prosperity to this Province, 
 and perpetual glory to the united British Empire. 
 
 I do therefore adjourn the General Assembly, and it is 
 hereby adjourned accordingly, to Tuesday, the 11th day of 
 July next, then to meet at the State-House in Portsmouth, 
 in order to proceed to the consideration of this and the 
 other publick affairs of the Province. 
 
 In the mean time I most earnestly recommend it to you, 
 by all means in your power, to discourage and discounte- 
 nance all acts and measures tending to increase our difficul- 
 ties, by widening the breach between us and our Mother 
 Country, which unhappily but too much prevail throughout 
 the Province, and to use your best endeavours to cultivate 
 a quiet and peaceable disposition among your constituents. 
 
 J. W ENTWORTH. 
 
 New-Hampshire Council Chamber, June 13, 1775. 
 
 NEW.HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 In Committee of Sufety, June 15, 1775. 
 Captain Henry Ei.kjns, Sr : 
 
 You are hereby directed to man two whale-boats out of 
 your company, and keep them constantly cruising off and 
 on the coast, and direct them to acquaint all vessels bound 
 to Piscataqua, having Provisions, Salt, or Molasses on 
 board, that the man-of-war there has orders to seize them ; 
 and advise them to get into York, Newbury port, Hampton, 
 or Rye, as they may judge expedient. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 The Committee gave the Receiver-General orders to 
 deliver to Captain Henry Elkins twenty pounds of Gun- 
 powder, taking his receipt for the same, to be accounted 
 for. 
 
1 177 
 
 .NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 117b 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 16, 1775. 
 
 To the Committee of Supplies : 
 
 Gentlemen : You are desired, without delay, to pro- 
 cure at Cambridge, of Mr. Trumbull, or any other person 
 or persons, on the best terms you can, about one month's 
 provision for two thousand men, as part of your general 
 orders of the 8th of June, and deliver it to Mr. Moses 
 Emerson, our Commissary at Cambridge ; and also procure 
 for him sufficient store-houses there. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 16, 1775. 
 
 To the Committee of Supplies : 
 
 Gentlemen : We desire you to procure, as soon as you 
 can, five dozen of hatchets or small axes, and lodge four 
 dozen of them with the Commissary at Cambridge, and 
 keep the remainder in safe custody for the present. We 
 also desire you to fix a number of guard-houses for the ac- 
 commodation of the soldiers stationed on the coast, as you 
 shall see and judge needy, not exceeding six in number. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Orders given to Captain Jeremiah Clough, to muster his 
 Company on Wednesday, the 28th day of June instant, at 
 Canterbury, there to wait further orders. 
 
 Ordered, That Nathaniel Perkins, of Canterbury, pro- 
 vided he enlist as a soldier, shall be Armourer of Colonel 
 Poor's Regiment, and be allowed the same wages, including 
 that of a soldier, as is allowed Armourers in the Massachu- 
 setts service. 
 
 Received a Letter from Colonel Read, dated Charles- 
 town, June 15, 1775, with a Return of his Regiment, &c, 
 as on file. 
 
 Received a Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Gilman, 
 dated Charlestown, June 15, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, at Exeter, June 17, 1775. 
 To General Folsom : 
 
 Sir : You are required to order two of the companies in 
 Colonel Poor's Regiment, viz : Captain Adams's and Cap- 
 tain TUton's, to march, by the middle of next week, to join 
 the Army at or near Cambridge, in the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 there to receive further orders. 
 
 Matthew Thornton, Chairman. 
 
 June 18, 1775. — Upon receiving the news of the en- 
 gagement at Charlestown, directed Colonel Poor to order 
 all the companies in his Regiment, except Captain El- 
 kins's, to march immediately to Cambridge. 
 
 Received a Letter from the Continental Congress, dated 
 June 10, 1775, enclosing sundry of their Resolves. — Filed. 
 
 Wrote to Samuel Cults, Esquire, desiring him to procure 
 ten reams of the best Paper he could get, and send it here 
 to-morrow ; also, to engage all the Saltpetre and Brimstone 
 in Portsmouth, and to send the Saltpetre here as soon as 
 may be ; to employ as many hands as can be employed on 
 the tents, and to add eighty to the number already ordered. 
 
 Ordered the Selectmen or Committee of Slratham to 
 supply their men with Fire- Arms. 
 
 Ordered the Selectmen of Kingston to deliver Samuel 
 Philb rick six barrels of Powder, to be by him conveyed to 
 the Army. 
 
 June 19, 1775. — Received a Letter from the Chamber 
 of Supplies at Watertoxvn, dated the 18th of June, 1775, 
 by Mr. fVoods. — Filed. 
 
 Answered the above by same Messenger. — Copy filed. 
 
 Received from S. Cxitts, Esq., four reams and two quires 
 of Paper, and a Letter from him .by Mr. Young, who was 
 sent hence to him for the Paper. — Letter filed. 
 
 June 20, 1775. — Orders given Capt. Nicholas Gilman 
 to deliver Captain Benjamin Titcomb thirty pounds of Gun- 
 powder for the use of his Company, and to take his receipt 
 for the same. 
 
 Orders given Major Coffin to deliver Captain Titcomb 
 fifteen pounds of Bullets for the use of his Company, 
 taking his receipt for it. 
 
 Orders given Major Coffin to deliver Moses Meader, of 
 Captain Adams's Company, twenty Bullets, taking his re- 
 ceipt for them. 
 
 June 21, 1775. — Memorandum of sundry articles sent 
 to Cambridge by Mr. Nathaniel Gordon : 
 
 One cask Flints, quantity, 3200 ; five kegs Bullets, 
 weight, 113, 1 10, 62, 123, and 220 pounds each : 30 Tents 
 and poles, and pins for do. ; 10 barrels Powder, 100 pounds 
 each; 25 Tin Buckets; 7 Milled Blankets; 6 Oxen. 
 
 Ordered Mr. Commissary Emerson to proceed directly 
 to Cambridge, and to take into his custody all Stores there 
 belonging to this Colony, and to issue the same to our 
 Forces in the same manner as Stores of the same kind are 
 delivered to the Massachusetts Forces. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay Commissary Emer- 
 son eleven Pounds, by him to be accounted for, (£11.) 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay Jedcdiah Ro- 
 binson fifteen Pounds six Shillings, for a yoke of Oxen 
 purchased of him for our Army, (£15 6s.) 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Nathaniel Ordway 
 fourteen Pounds fourteen Shillings for do. (£14 14s.) 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay General Folsom 
 twelve Pounds fifteen Shillings for do. (£12 15s.) 
 
 Delivered Commissary Emerson eight quires out of the 
 Paper received of Mr. Cutts. 
 
 Gave Esquire Rice a receipt for two barrels of the Pow- 
 der sent by Mr. Gordon. 
 
 Received a Letter from Congress at IVatertoicn, dated 
 June 13th, 1775.— Filed. 
 
 Received a Letter from Mr. James McGregore, dated 
 Mcdford, June 19th, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 Received a Letter from Colonel Stark, dated Mcdford. 
 June 19th, 1775.— Filed. 
 
 June 23, 1775. — Received a Letter from General Fol- 
 som, dated Medford, June 22d, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 Wrote to the Selectmen of Newmarket, to send by Ni- 
 cholas Nichols four barrels of the Provincial Gunpowder 
 now in their custody, to be dealt out as the publick service 
 may require. 
 
 June 24, 1775. — Mr. Nichols returned from Newmar- 
 ket with one barrel of Gunpowder only. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay the Committee 
 of Supplies thirty Pounds lawful money, and to charge to 
 Colony account, (£30.) 
 
 In Committee of Safety, June 24, 1775. 
 To the Committee of Supplies: 
 
 Gentlemen: You are desired to send to Israel Morey. 
 Esq., at Orford, in the County of Grafton, twenty bar- 
 rels of Pork and twenty barrels of Flour, as soon as may 
 be, for the use of the soldiers to be employed in the North- 
 western frontiers of this Colony, and that the remainder 
 you have purchased that way be safely secured till further 
 orders. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Matthew Thornton, Chairman. 
 
 Ordered Nicholas Gilman, Esq., to deliver to Nathan 
 Goss thirty pounds of Gunpowder for the use of the Par- 
 ish of Rye. 
 
 June 26, 1775. — Received another barrel of Gunpow- 
 der from Newmarket. 
 
 Received a Letter from General Folsom per Mr. Emery. 
 dated June 23d, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 Received a Letter from Mr. McGregore per do., dated 
 June 24th, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 Received a Letter from General Folsom per Esquire 
 Tilton, dated June 24th, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 Directed Captain Elkins to order his boatmen to put 
 into the shoals, and bring to Hampton any Cannon-Shot 
 they may find there, if the people at the shoals will allow it 
 to be done. 
 
 Directed Lieutenant Bartlett to pick out two of the 
 largest, strongest, and hest Cannon that were taken from 
 Fort William and Mary last winter, and convey them to 
 Exeter as soon as possible, in order to their being sent to 
 the Army at Medford. 
 
 Answered General Folsom's Letter per Mr. Dearing. 
 who went with a horse team to Medford, with Blanketing, 
 Intrenching Tools, &tc. — Copy filed. 
 
 June 27, 1775. — Received a Letter from General Fol- 
 som, dated June, 1775. — Filed. 
 
1 179 
 
 NEW-HAMPSIIIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 180 
 
 Received a Letter from Continental Congress, dated June 
 20, 1775, with a Resolve of said Congress enclosed. — Filed. 
 
 June 28, 1775. — Wrote General Fohom per Stephen 
 Piper of Stratham. 
 
 June 29, 1775. — Received a Letter from General Fol- 
 som, dated 25th of June, 1775. — Filed. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, Juno 30, 1775. 
 To the Committee of Supplies : 
 
 Gentlemen : Inasmuch as you may find many things 
 necessary for the use of the Army which do not come 
 within the limits of any particular directions from this Com- 
 mittee, the procuring which articles may not admit so much 
 delay as to afford time for an application to the Committee 
 of Safety ; you are therefore desired, according to your 
 best judgment, and with the strictest attention to economy, 
 to procure such necessary articles, rendering an account for 
 allowance to the Committee of Safety at least once in ten 
 days of all articles so furnished. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Matthew Thornton, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Tuesday, June 27, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That two of our 24-pound Cannon, and two 
 other smaller Cannon, be forthwith fitted with carriages 
 and sent to our Army at Med ford; and that Ezekiel Wor- 
 then and Joseph Scius, Esquire, Captains Gawin and 
 Wingate, be a Committee to fit up the aforesaid Cannon 
 with proper implements for their use, and send them to the 
 Army with all possible despatch. 
 
 Voted, That General Folsom be desired to apprehend 
 Messrs. Jason Russell and John Tarbell, of Mason, a com- 
 plaint being exhibited to this Congress of their being guilty 
 of theft, and send them to the Committee of Safety in Ma- 
 son, in order that they may be tried, and, if convicted, pun- 
 ished for so heinous a crime. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That all the Provincial and County Records 
 that are now kept in the Town of Portsmouth, be removed 
 to some place of more safety. 
 
 Voted, That the Records be removed to Exeter, and 
 that Messrs. Samuel Brooks, John Mc Clary, and Noah 
 Emery, Esq., be a Committee to look out a place or places 
 in Exeter to put the Records in. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Thursday, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress heard Colonel Stark's complaint, and 
 dismissed the same. 
 
 Voted, That Joseph Welsh and Samuel Hobart, Esqrs., 
 be, and hereby are appointed Paymasters of the Troops 
 now employed by this Colony in the American Army, and 
 that they proceed, as soon as may be, to the Army, and 
 pay one month's wages to the Oflicers and Soldiers ; and 
 previous to the paying of the Soldiers, that they receive of 
 the Captain, or the Commanding Officer of each Company, 
 a complete Muster-Roll of their respective Companies, 
 upon oath, and return the same to this Congress, or to the 
 Committee of Safety ; and that they take a receipt for all 
 the money paid from each Officer and Soldier ; and further, 
 that they pay no Officer or Soldiers who have not taken 
 the oaths, and have been or shall be mustered by the Mus- 
 ter-Master as able-bodied, effective men ; also, that Joseph 
 Welsh, Esquire, assist the Muster-Master in mustering the 
 men unmustered at the Army ; and also, that they pay no 
 more than ten Companies in a Regiment, of sixty-six men 
 in a Company, including Oflicers. 
 
 Adjourned till three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That whereas it is necessary that the Officers 
 and Soldiers raised and to be raised in this Colony for the 
 preservation and defence of this and the other Colonies in 
 
 America should be fully acquainted with their duty, and 
 that the Articles, Rules, and Regulations be made as plain 
 as possible ; and having great confidence in the honour and 
 publick virtue of the inhabitants of this Colony, that they 
 will readily obey the Officers chosen and appointed by this 
 Congress, and will cheerfully do their duty when known, 
 without any such severe articles and rules, and cruel pun- 
 ishments (excepting in capital cases) as are usually prac- 
 tised in Standing Armies, and will submit to all such rules 
 and regulations as are founded in reason, honour, and vir- 
 tue : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the following Rules, Articles, and Regu- 
 lations, for our said Forces, be, and hereby are earnestly 
 recommended to be strictly adhered to by all Officers and 
 Soldiers, and others concerned, as they regard their own 
 honour and the publick good. The Rules and Articles of 
 War voted, are those voted in the Massachusetts Colony, 
 from No. 1 to 53, inclusive, and now printed. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel John Fenton is not a friend to this 
 Country. 
 
 Voted, That the Records and Files of the Secretary's 
 Office, and Clerk's Office of the Superiour Courts, be kept 
 at John Rice's, Esq. ; the Register of Deeds' Office to be 
 kept at Deacon Samuel Brooks's ; Register of Probates 
 Office to be kept at William Parker's, Jun., Esq. ; Infe- 
 riour Courts and Quarter Sessions Offices, Records, &c, 
 to be kept at Noah Emery's, Esquire. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Samuel Brooks, Captain Stephen 
 Evans, Major Weeks, Samuel Dudley, Esq., and Lieut. 
 Thomas Bartlett, be a Committee to remove the Records 
 to the above-mentioned places, as soon as may be. 
 
 Voted, That the Secretary, the Clerk of the Superiour 
 Court, the Register of Deeds, the Register of the Court 
 of Probates, and the Clerk of the Inferiour Court and 
 Quarter Sessions, be requested to accompany the Commit- 
 tee, with the several Records, to Exeter, and to keep them, 
 agreeable to a Resolve of this Congress, until further direc- 
 tions from said Congress ; and in case those gentlemen re- 
 fuse to go to Exeter and keep their respective offices there, 
 then the Committee are empowered to receive and give 
 receipt for the Records. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Friday, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That General Folsom's Commission be dated 
 the 24th of May, and that he rank as a Major-General. 
 
 Whereas, the Committee of Safety have appointed 
 Alexander Scammel to be a Brigade-Major : 
 
 Voted, That he have pay accordingly, which is to be 
 agreeable to what is paid in the Massachusetts Colony to 
 such an officer. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Samuel Brooks be of the Committee 
 of Supplies, instead of Colonel Nicholas Oilman. 
 
 Voted, That a Committee be appointed to take out of 
 the custody of Colonel John Fenton the Files and Records 
 of the Courts of Common Pleas, General Sessions of the 
 Peace, Courts of Probate for the County of Grafton ; and 
 that the same be delivered for safe keeping to Colonel John 
 Hurd; and that Colonel Bedel. Israel Morey, Esq., Mr. 
 Abel Webster, Capt. Mattheiv Thornton, and Capt. Wes- 
 ton, be a Committee for the purpose mentioned above. 
 
 Voted, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the 
 Justices of the several Courts of Common Pleas, Courts 
 of Judicature, and Quarter Sessions for the several Coun- 
 ties in this Colony, that they adjourn their respective Courts 
 by Proclamation, or otherwise, to the first day of the next 
 term of each of the said Courts, respectively, till further 
 advice of this Congress. 
 Adjourned till three o'clock. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Samuel Langdon have forty-two 
 pounds of the Colony Powder for his Company at Ports- 
 mouth, they paying for the same. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety, and they only, 
 shall draw orders on the Treasurer or Receiver- General, 
 for all and any sum or sums of money that shall be or is 
 already voted for the supplies of our Forces, and for the 
 payment of any necessary charges, as the said Committee 
 
1181 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1182 
 
 shall find occasion ; and the said Treasurer or Receiver- 
 General is hereby directed to pay no orders but such as 
 aforesaid ; and the said Committee of Safety are to be 
 accountable to this Congress for all the money drawn out 
 of the Treasury by their order. 
 
 Adjourned for one and a half hour. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Fenton be confined. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Fenton be confined in the jail of 
 this Town, till further orders from this Congress. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel John Fenton be supported like a 
 gentleman, at the expense of this Colony, till further orders 
 from this Congress. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Saturday, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel John Fenton be sent to Head- 
 Quarters of the New-Hampshire Forces. 
 
 Voted, That the Proclamation issued by the Continental 
 Congress, of the 12th instant, appointing the 20th of July 
 to be kept as a day of Fasting and Prayer, be printed and 
 sent to all the Towns in this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Moulton be desired to take four 
 men out of Captain Elkins's Company, and an Officer at 
 Hampton, and send Colonel Fenton to Head-Quarters, 
 agreeable to the vote of this Congress, as soon as may be. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety be, and hereby 
 are directed to answer that part of General FolsonCs Let- 
 ter relating to Matrosses, and to make such orders concern- 
 ing them as the said Committee shall think best. 
 
 Voted, That Messrs. Samuel Sherburne, Pierce Long, 
 Colonel Nicholas Gilman, and Ebenezer Thompson, Esq., 
 be a Committee to bring in a draught for an emission of a 
 further sum of Paper Notes. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Jeremiah Folsom, Major Childs, 
 Reverend Mr. Webster, Samuel Dudley, Esquire, Enoch 
 Hale, Esquire, Antipas Gilman, and Deacon Knowles, be 
 a Committee to bring in a plan in order to regulate the 
 Militia of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That a Committee be chosen to confer with the 
 Congress in Massachusetts ; and if they then see best, with 
 the Assembly in Rhode- Island and Connecticut, respecting 
 the information we have received of the situation of Ticon- 
 deroga, Crown Point, and Canada, and the frontiers of 
 Aew- York and Neiv- Hampshire, and endeavour to gain 
 such further intelligence as they can procure, of the situa- 
 tion of Canada, and the views of those Assemblies relative 
 to any plan of operations in those parts ; and the above 
 Committee proceed with the utmost expedition in the busi- 
 ness to which they are chosen ; and that Messrs. Jonathan 
 Child and Oliver Ashley be a Committee for the above 
 purposes. 
 
 Voted, That this Congress is adjourned till three o'clock, 
 Monday, P. M. 
 
 Monday, July 3, 1775, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on the Honourable 
 Theodore Atkinson and George Jaffrey, Esquires, reported 
 that they had received of the Honourable George Jaffrey, 
 Esq., the sum of one thousand five hundred and sixteen 
 Pounds four Shillings and eight Pence, Proclamation 
 money, and further reported, as on file. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee aforesaid deliver the money 
 brought from Mr. Treasurer Jaffrey, to Colonel Nicholas 
 Gilman, Receiver-General, appointed by this Congress, 
 and take his receipt therefor, and make report to this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Voted, That the thanks of this Congress be given to 
 the Honourable George Jaffrey, Esq., for his ready com- 
 pliance to pay into the hands of the Committee the pub- 
 lick money. 
 
 Voted, That the thanks of this Congress be given to 
 the Committee who received the publick money, for their 
 faithful and able discharge of the trust committed to them, 
 in demanding and receiving the Colony's money from the 
 Honourable George Jaffrey, Esquire. 
 
 A Letter from Doctor Wheelock, giving an account of 
 the state of matters in Canada, laid before the Congress ; 
 and after considering thereon, 
 
 Voted, That Timothy Bedel and Mr. John Wheelock 
 immediately proceed to the Congress of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay with a copy of said Letter, and further inform them 
 relative thereto. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That Noah Emery, Esq., be, and hereby is ap- 
 pointed Deputy Secretary of this Congress. 
 
 The Complaint and Petition of Enoch Bean, being read 
 and considered, it is referred to the Committee of Safety 
 of Gilmanton. 
 
 Voted, That the- Reverend Mr. Samuel Webster, Israel 
 Morey, Esq., and John McClary, Esq., be a Committee 
 to make a draught of a Vote for establishing and encou- 
 raging sundry Manufactures in this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Matthew Thornton and John 
 Dudley, Esq., be added to the Committee for bringing in a 
 plan for regulating the Militia. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety be, and hereby are 
 directed to draw on the Treasurer or Receiver-General for 
 one month's pay, to be paid to the widows and legal repre- 
 sentatives of such Officers and Soldiers as have been killed 
 in the service of this Colony, in the present unhappy war. 
 
 Voted, That the consideration of settling and officering 
 the Militia of this Colony, be postponed till further con- 
 sideration of this Congress. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Bartlett, Colonel Hurd, and the 
 Honourable Colonel Weare, be joined to the Committee 
 to bring in a draught for an emission of a further sum of 
 Paper Notes. 
 
 Voted, That a publick stock of Fire-Arms shall be pro- 
 vided for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That five hundred good Fire- Arms be provided, 
 and that a Committee of three Members of this body be 
 chosen to procure them, as soon as may be; and that Cap- 
 tain Jeremiah Folsom, Mr. Moses Parsons, and Captain 
 Stephen Evans, be the Committee for that purpose ; and 
 that they previously inquire how cheap they can procure 
 them, and make report as soon as may be to this Congress, 
 if sitting, or otherwise to the Committee of Safety, upon 
 whose approbation they are to procure the same ; also, that 
 the Committee of Safety be, and hereby are empowered 
 to advance out of the Treasury such sums as they shall 
 think proper, to the said Committee, for procuring mate- 
 rials for the purpose of making Fire-Arms, &ic. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, eight o'clock in the morning. 
 
 Wednesday, July 5, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Petition being read from the Town of Monadnock, No. 
 5, the Congress have taken the same under consideration : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the 
 said Town of Monadnock, No. 5, that they proceed to 
 choose, as soon as may be, the several Town Officers which 
 may be necessary for the internal government of said Town : 
 such as Selectmen, Constables, &ic, as are chosen in other 
 Towns in this Colony, at their annual Town-Meetings; 
 also, that they choose a Committee of Safety, or of Cor- 
 respondence, for said Town ; and also, that the said Town 
 (if occasion requires it) may use the money in the hands 
 of Mr. James Lewis, for the purpose of purchasing Fire- 
 Arms and Ammunition ; and for which money said Town 
 is to be accountable to this Colony or Congress, and 
 County of Cheshire, when demanded; and further, it is 
 Resolved, That Mr. Jonathan Frost be, and hereby is ap- 
 pointed by this Congress the Moderator of the first meeting 
 in said Town ; and that Messrs. Jonathan Frost, Benja- 
 min Tucker, and Thomas Biggs, be, and hereby are em- 
 powered to call said meeting. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General of this Colony, 
 appointed by the Congress, be hereby empowered to give 
 his notes of hand on the faith of the Colony, payable to 
 the possessor, for the further sum of Ten Thousand Pounds, 
 of the present currency, or lawful money, to be paid into the 
 Treasury aforesaid, by a tax on the Polls and Estates of the 
 inhabitants of this Colony, in the following manner, viz : 
 
 Two thousand Pounds to be paid by the 20th of Decem- 
 ber, which will be in the year of our Lord, 1776; and the 
 sum of three thousand Pounds by the 20th of December^ 
 
1183 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1184 
 
 1777; three thousand Pounds by the 20th of December, 
 1 778 ; two thousand Pounds by the 20th of December, 1779. 
 
 And the said Notes shall be printed off with printing 
 types, under the care and direction of the Hon. Meshech 
 IVearc, Esq., and Captain Pierce Long, being a Commit- 
 tee appointed by this Congress for that purpose. 
 
 Eight thousand Pounds of which first mentioned to carry 
 interest the same with those already emitted, and to be of 
 the following denominations, viz : 
 
 Three thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine Pounds, 
 to be in bills of three Pounds each ; two thousand and one 
 Pounds, in bills of thirty Shillings; nine hundred and 
 ninety Pounds fifteen Shillings, in hills of fifteen Shillings ; 
 six hundred and sixty-seven Pounds, in bills of ten Shil- 
 lings ; three hundred and thirty-three Pounds five Shillings, 
 in bills of five Shillings ; making, in the whole, the said 
 eight thousand Pounds. 
 
 The form of said Notes to be in the following words, 
 with such other devices as may be ordered by the Congress 
 or Committee, viz : 
 
 "Colony of New-Hampshire, No. — . 
 
 " The possessor of this Note shall be entitled to receive, 
 
 out of the Treasury of this Colony, the sum of 
 
 Shillings, lawful money, on the 20th of December, 177-, 
 with interest at the rate of six per cent, per annum ; and 
 this Note shall be received in all payments at the Treasury 
 at any time after the date hereof, for the principal sum, 
 without interest, if paid before the said 20th day of De- 
 cember, A. D. 177-. 
 li E. T. N. G" 
 
 And the Treasurer or Committee who shall number the 
 same, shall fill the blank left for time of payment, in a 
 number of bills sufficient to complete two thousand Pounds, 
 with the figure 6 ; and a number to complete three thou- 
 sand, with the figure 7; and three thousand Pounds, with 
 the figure 8. The remaining two thousand Pounds to be 
 small bills, of the following denominations, without interest, 
 viz : 
 
 One hundred Pounds, in bills of six Pence ; one hun- 
 dred and fifty Pounds, in bills of nine Pence ; three hun- 
 dred Pounds, in bills of one Shilling and six Pence; three 
 hundred and fifty Pounds, in bills of one Shilling and nine 
 Pence ; five hundred Pounds, in bills of two Shillings and 
 six Pence; six hundred Pounds, in bills of three Shillings, 
 making, in all, the said sum of two thousand Pounds. The 
 bills to be in the following form : 
 
 " Colony of New-H unpshire, ) 
 July 25, 1775. \ 
 
 " The possessor of this Note shall be entitled to receive, 
 out of the Treasury of this Colony, the sum of .... , 
 lawful money, on the 20th of December, 1779; and this 
 Note shall be received in all payments at the Treasury at 
 any time after the date hereof. 
 
 " E. T. N. G." 
 
 And all the above Notes, when redeemed, shall be con- 
 sumed to ashes, in the presence of the Representatives of 
 this Colony, or a Committee appointed by them for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, afternoon. 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Received a Petition from a number of gentlemen at 
 Portsmouth, respecting the removing of the several Re- 
 cords from the Town of Portsmouth to Exeter; which 
 being read and considered, 
 
 Voted, That the Vote be not reconsidered, as desired 
 by the petitioners. 
 
 Voted, That two Companies, not exceeding sixty-six 
 men each, including officers, be raised of the inhabitants of 
 this Colony, to be commissioned by the Committee of 
 Safety ; and that they be stationed as this Congress or 
 Committee of Safety shall think proper, 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Meshech Heart be of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety. 
 
 Voted, That the Honourable Meshech Weare, Esq., be 
 President pro tempore. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee at JS'twburijport have the 
 loan of two 24-pound, or 32, or 6-pound Cannon ; and the 
 Reverend Mr. Stearns and Mr. Webster be a Committee 
 to acquaint them of the same. 
 
 Voted, That it be, and hereby is recommended to the 
 Selectmen or Committee, to take an exact list of all the 
 Fire-Arms fit for use in their respective Towns and Parishes 
 in this Colony ; also, of what are wanting in each Town 
 and Parish, and lay the same before this Congress at their 
 next meeting, by their Delegates. 
 
 Voted, That this Congress be adjourned to eight o'clock 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Thursday, July 6, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Voted, That the Plate which was used in striking off 
 the ten thousand and fifty Pounds, be altered, by erasing 
 the date and disfiguring the devices upon the plates; and 
 that Ebenczer Thompson and George Frost, Esquire, be a 
 Committee to see it done, and then deliver the said Plates 
 to the Receiver-General, for the purpose of keeping the 
 same safe. 
 
 Voted and Resolved by this Convention, That any per- 
 sons who may be detected in counterfeiting and passing any 
 of the Treasurer's Notes of this Colony, shall, upon full 
 conviction of the crime before this or any future Conven- 
 tion of this Colony, be deemed an enemy or enemies to 
 their Country, and punished according to the discretion of 
 the said Convention before which he or they may be so 
 tried and convicted. 
 
 Adjourned till three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Met according to adjournment; 
 
 Voted, That the following Receipt be entered into this 
 book's record : 
 
 " Exeter, July 4, 1775. 
 " Received by virtue of the above Vote of the Provin- 
 cial Congress, from the Committee, the sum of fifteen hun- 
 dred and eleven Pounds two Shillings and eight Pence, 
 Proclamation money ; received into the Province Treasu- 
 ry." Nicholas Gilman, Receiver-General." 
 
 Voted, That Captain John Parker have orders to enlist 
 one of the Companies last voted to be raised in this Colo- 
 ny, and that Asa Pattee be recommended for his Lieu- 
 tenant. 
 
 Voted, That Captain James Osgood have orders to 
 enlist the other of said Companies, and that Captain Mat- 
 thew Thornton be recommended for his Lieutenant. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Pierce Long be excused as a 
 Committee-man, to take the care and direction of printing 
 off the Notes ordered by this Congress to be printed ; and 
 that Samuel Cutis, Esquire, be, and hereby is chosen and 
 appointed for that purpose, in the room and stead of said 
 Captain Long. 
 
 Voted, That this Congress be adjourned till to-morrow, 
 7 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to remove the publick Re- 
 cords, &.c, make the following Return, viz : 
 
 That they proceeded to Portsmouth the 4th and 6th 
 instant, received and brought to Exeter, and deposited in 
 the several places ordered by Congress, all the Records 
 and Rolls from the several offices (mentioned in their in- 
 structions which were shewn to them, excepting some 
 books of Charters, which the Hon. Secretary Atkinson in- 
 formed the Committee that Governour Wentu-orth had sent 
 for a few days since. 
 
 Whereas, this Congress have resolved it as their opinion, 
 that all the publick Records of this Colony were, in time 
 of danger, unsafe in the Town of Portsmouth, and that the 
 same should be removed to the Town of Exeter ; all which 
 Records have, in consequence thereof, been removed by a 
 Committee appointed for that purpose, as far as came to 
 their knowledge, except the books of Charters of the seve- 
 ral Towns, kept in this Colony : Therefore, it is now 
 
 Resolved, That the Honourable Theodore Atkinson, 
 Esq., Secretary of this Colony, is accountable to the peo- 
 ple for said Records, and that he ought, without delay, to 
 deliver the same to the said Committee. 
 
 Whereas, by a Vole of this Congress, of the 28th of 
 June last, the publick Records were ordered to be removed 
 to Exeter, as a place of safety ; and as the real intent of 
 the Vote may be mistaken, or not understood, it is now 
 
 Resolved, That it was the sole intent and meaning of 
 
U85 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1186 
 
 this Congress, in removing the aforesaid Records, that they 
 might be kept in a place of more security than they ap- 
 prehended Portsmouth to be, and not to fix them from 
 being removed again to Portsmouth, whenever the present 
 difficulty and danger may subside. 
 
 Voted, That Deacon Samuel Brooks, Noah Emery, 
 William Parker, Jun., and John Rice, Esq., be desired to 
 take care and keep in safety the respective Records lately 
 left in their custody, until the respective officers take charge 
 of them, or till further orders of this Congress. 
 
 Whereas, by and in consequence of a law of this Colo- 
 ny, considerable sums of Money have been paid by foreign 
 Vessels entering the Port of Piscataqua, which was, by said 
 law, to have been appropriated for purchasing Powder for 
 the use of the Colony : And whereas, a part thereof has 
 been lately paid by the executors of the testament of the 
 late Governour Benning Wentworth, to Samuel Livermore, 
 Esq., Attorney General ; and as the state of the Colony 
 now greatly needs said Moneys for providing Powder for 
 the defence of this Colony, according to the original inten- 
 tion of the aforesaid law : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That John third and Israel Morey, Esquire, 
 and Mr. Abel Webster, be a Committee to call upon and 
 receive the aforesaid Moneys of the said Samuel Liver- 
 more, Esq., and in behalf of this Congress to give him a 
 receipt therefor sufficient to indemnify him for the delivery 
 thereof. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee of Safety be desired to 
 write a Letter to the Continental Congress, and that the 
 President sign the same in the name and behalf of this 
 Congress, therein setting forth the state of our Forces, and 
 the situation of this Colony, &c. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee for procuring Fire-Arms be, 
 and hereby are directed to procure the same forthwith, on 
 the best terms they can. 
 
 Voted, That this Congress be adjourned to Tuesday, 
 the 22d day of August next, at three of the clock, after- 
 noon, to meet at this place ; and that if any thing should 
 happen in the mean time that the Committee of Safety 
 shall think of sufficient consequence, that they have power 
 to convene this Congress sooner. 
 
 Adjourned to August 22, 1775. 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 General Assembly begun and held at the Capitol in the 
 City of Williamsburgh, on Thursday, the first day of 
 June, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Lord 
 George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great Bri- 
 tain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, 
 Sac, Annoque Domini one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five. 
 
 On which day, being the first day of the meeting of 
 this General Assembly for the despatch of publick busi- 
 ness, pursuant to a Proclamation hereunto annexed, and 
 also to the Writs which had issued for that purpose, his 
 Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of Dunmore, 
 His Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour-General of the 
 Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice-Admiral of 
 the same, having made a Commission under his hand and 
 the seal of the Colony, hereunto also annexed, empower- 
 ing the Honourable Thomas Nelson, Richard Corbin, Wil- 
 liam Byrd, John Tayloe, Robert Carter, Robert Burwell, 
 and Ralph Wormeley, Esquires, John Camm, Clerk, and 
 John Page and Gawin Corbin, Esquires, to administer the 
 Oaths appointed to be taken by the Members returned to 
 serve in the General Assembly before they go into the 
 House of Burgesses, several of the said Commissioners 
 came about ten of the clock into the Council Chamber, 
 where the said Oaths are usually taken, and George Wythe, 
 Clerk of the House of Burgesses, attending according to 
 his duty, with a book containing a list of the names of 
 such Members as had been returned to serve in this Gene- 
 ral Assembly, and with the Writs for electing them, deli- 
 vered to him by the Clerk of the Secretary's office, the 
 said Commissioners administered the said Oaths to such of 
 the said Members of the House of Burgesses as appeared ; 
 which being done, the Members repaired to their seats in 
 the House of Burgesses. 
 
 After which, a Message was delivered by John Blair, 
 Esquire, Clerk of the General Assembly: 
 
 Gentlemen : The Governour commands this House to 
 attend his Excellency immediately in the Council Cham- 
 ber. 
 
 Accordingly the House went up to attend his Excellen- 
 cy in the Council Chamber, where his Excellency was 
 pleased to say to them : 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses: 
 
 You must return again to your House, and immediately 
 proceed to the choice of a Speaker. 
 
 And the House being returned, 
 
 Henry Lee, Esquire, one of the Members for the Coun- 
 ty of Prince William, addressing himself to the Clerk, 
 (who, standing up, pointed to him, and then sat down,) 
 moved that Peyton Randolph, Esquire, should take the 
 Chair of this House, as Speaker, which office he had 
 before filled with such distinguished abilities, steadiness, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 and impartiality, as had given entire satisfaction to the 
 publick ; and thereupon, 
 
 Mr. Randolph was elected without opposition, and was 
 taken out of his place by two Members, who led him from 
 thence to the Chair ; and having ascended the uppermost 
 step, and standing there, Mr. Randolph returned his thanks 
 to the House for placing him again in that elevated station, 
 and assured them, that as he had gained their favourable 
 opinion, of which their unanimous suffrages on this and 
 other occasions were a testimony equally convincing and 
 honourable, so he would studiously endeavour to preserve 
 it by a strict attention to, and a faithful discharge of, his 
 duty, in any department the publick should think him 
 worthy to serve them in ; adding, that he doubted not the 
 House would judge of his future conduct with their wonted 
 candour, and would support him with their assistance, more 
 especially necessary at this critical season. 
 
 And thereupon he sat down in the Chair; and then the 
 Mace (which before lay under the table) was laid upon 
 the table. 
 
 Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Governour, to 
 acquaint his Excellency that this House, in obedience to 
 his commands, have made choice of a Speaker, and to 
 know his pleasure when they shall attend to present him ; 
 and that Mr. Henry Lee and Mr. Treasurer do wait upon 
 his Excellency with the said Message. 
 
 They accordingly withdrew, and being returned, Mr. 
 Treasurer reported, that the Governour was pleased to say 
 he would send an answer by a messenger of his own. 
 
 A Message from the Governour by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker : The Governour commands this House 
 to attend his Excellency immediately in the Council Cham- 
 ber. 
 
 Accordingly Mr. Speaker elect, with the House, went 
 up to attend his Excellency in the Council Chamber ; and 
 he was pleased to declare his approbation of their choice. 
 
 Then Mr. Speaker did, in the name and on behalf of 
 the House, lay claim to all their ancient rights and privi- 
 leges, particularly a freedom of speech and debate, exemp- 
 tion from arrests, and protection for their estates ; and 
 lastly, for himself, requested that his errours might not be 
 imputed to the House. » 
 
 The Governour answered that he should take care to 
 defend them in all their just rights and privileges. 
 
 The House being returned, 
 
 Mr. Speaker reported, that the House had attended the 
 Governour in the Council Chamber, where his Excellency 
 was pleased to approve the choice they had made of him 
 to be their Speaker, and to grant and to allow to them, 
 upon petition of claim made by him to his Excellency, in 
 the name and on the behalf of the House of Burgesses, 
 all their ancient rights and privileges, particularly a freedom 
 of speech and debate, exemption from arrests, and protec- 
 tion for their estates. 
 
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 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1188 
 
 Mr. Speaker also reported thai the Governour was 
 pleased to make a speech to the Council and this House, 
 of which Mr. Speaker said he had, to prevent mistake, 
 obtained a copy ; which he read to the House, and is as 
 followeth, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Speaker, and 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 I have called you together to give you an opportunity 
 of taking the alarming state of the Colony into your con- 
 sideration, and providing remedies against the evils which 
 are increasing therein ; and I am induced to it at this time 
 particularly, as the declaration of the King and Parliament, 
 contained in the joint Address of the Lords and Commons, 
 on the 7th of February last, and His Majesty's Answer, 
 no longer admit of a doubt that your well-founded griev- 
 
 O JO 
 
 ances, properly represented, will meet with that attention 
 and regard which are so justly due to them ; so likewise 
 the Resolution of the House of Commons, which followed 
 on the 27th of the same month, will, 1 trust, have the 
 effect of removing the jealousy which has been the princi- 
 pal source of disquiet and uneasiness in the minds of the 
 people. Therefore I entertain the strongest hopes that 
 nothing will remain, after a just consideration of the nature 
 and tendency of that Resolution, to prevent your seriously 
 exerting yourselves to bring the disputes, which have un- 
 happily raged between the Mother Country and the Colo- 
 nies, to a good end ; to which the step already taken by 
 the House of Commons must be considered as a benevo- 
 lent, tender, and, I hope, auspicious advance on the part of 
 the Parent State. 
 
 It must now be manifest to all dispassionate people, that 
 the Parliament, the high and supreme legislature of the 
 Empire, far from having entertained thoughts so inconsist- 
 ent with the wisdom and publick virtue which have ever 
 distinguished that august body, of oppressing the people of 
 the Colonies, or of promoting the interest of one at the 
 expense of another part of their fellow-subjects, have only 
 been extending their care, that the whole, in consideration 
 of the enjoyment of equal rights, privileges, and advan- 
 tages, should be obliged, according to their abilities and 
 situation, to contribute that proportion towards the burdens 
 necessary for the support of their civil Government, and 
 for the common defence, which the subjects of the same 
 State cannot, with any justice, or consistent with their own 
 welfare, refuse to grant ; the principle of which having 
 never, I believe, been denied by the people of His Majes- 
 ty's Dominion of Virginia, I hope you will think it rea- 
 sonable now to acknowledge the propriety, and to engage 
 to fulfil your part of the obligation it concludes. 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 No specific sum is demanded of you for these purposes, 
 that (as I think obviously appears) your justice and libe- 
 rality may be left to their full scope, and that your gift, if 
 you should be induced to offer any, may be, in the corn- 
 pletest manner, free. The civil Government of this Coun- 
 try being already provided for, you will only have to de- 
 clare what proportion, and by what means, you are willing 
 to contribute towards the publick burdens of the State, 
 burdens to which the Mother Country hath cheerfully sub- 
 mitted, to secure the Colonies from the encroachments of 
 a dangerous and vigilant enemy. And 1 am warranted to 
 say, that as it is never intended to require you to tax your- 
 selves, without Parliament's taxing the subjects of Great 
 Britain on the same occasion, in a far greater proportion, 
 no prudence which you shall think necessary to observe 
 for your security in that particular can be disapproved of. 
 
 And I can likewise assure you, that if you should judge 
 fit to adopt the principle and imitate the example of jus- 
 tice, equity, and moderation in your proposals, which actu- 
 ated the House of Commons in their Resolution, declaring 
 at once what was ultimately expected of you, such a com- 
 pliance on your part will be considered by His Majesty 
 not only a testimony of your reverence for Parliament, but 
 also a mark of your duty and attachment to your Sover- 
 eign, who has no object nearer his heart than the peace 
 and prosperity of his subjects in every part of his Do- 
 minions. 
 
 I must recommend to you to fall upon means of paying 
 the officers and private men employed in repelling the late 
 invasion and incursions of the Indians, as I make no doubt 
 
 you will think their services on that occasion deserving of 
 your attention. 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, Mr. Speaker, and 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses: 
 
 You may be assured of my cheerful concurrence in all 
 measures, and ready assent to all laws which it may be 
 found expedient to adopt for the present peace, tranquilli- 
 ty, and advantage of the Country; and I hope you will 
 think it necessary to these ends, that the courts of justice 
 should forthwith be opened, in order that the laws may 
 again have their due course. 
 
 I cannot conclude without exhorting you, in the most 
 earnest manner, to enter upon the subject-matter now 
 recommended to you, with that patience, calmness, and 
 impartiality, which its great importance requires, and to 
 reflect upon the benefits this Country hath received from 
 the support given to it by the Parent State, which I hope 
 will animate your zeal, now you have it in your power, to 
 restore that harmony and mutual confidence which render- 
 ed both Countries so flourishing, and, in short, to pursue 
 your true interest, which will convert our present gloomy 
 apprehensions into prospects of peace, happiness, and last- 
 ing security. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Speech do lie upon the table, to 
 be perused by the Members of the House. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Speech be taken into consider- 
 ation to-morrow. 
 
 Friday, June 2, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 A Message from the Governour, by Mr. Blair: 
 Mr. Speaker : I am commanded by his Excellency the 
 Governour to deliver to your House the joint Address of 
 the Lords and Commons, on the 7th of February last, and 
 His Majesty's answer; and also the Resolution of the 
 House of Commons, on the 27th of the same month, re- 
 ferred to in the Speech of his Excellency to the Council 
 and this House. 
 
 And he presented the said Papers at the bar. 
 And the said Papers were read. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Papers do lie upon the table, 
 to be perused by the Members of the House. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, 
 
 The Speech of his Excellency the Governour to the 
 Council and this House was again read by Mr. Speaker. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, to assure his Lordship that we will 
 immediately take into our most serious consideration the 
 several important matters contained in his Excellency's 
 Speech to the Council and this House, and proceed with 
 that coolness and deliberation which ought ever to influence 
 the counsels of a free and loyal people. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour upon the said 
 Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed of Mr. Treasurer, Mr. 
 Mercer, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Munford, Mr. 
 Dandridge, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Cory, Mr. Fran- 
 cis Lightfoot Lee, Mr. Whitingc, and Mr. Charles Carter 
 of Stafford. 
 
 Ordered, That the Governour's Speech to the Council 
 and this House, and the Papers therein referred to, which 
 were ordered to lie upon the table, be referred to the said 
 Committee. 
 
 A Journal of the Proceedings of the Congress held at 
 Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 1774, was laid 
 before the House. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Journal do lie upon the table, 
 to be perused by the Members of the House. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday next, re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole House to con- 
 sider of the said Journal. 
 
 The Proceedings of the Convention of Delegates for 
 the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, 
 held at Richmond Town, in the County of Henrico, on the 
 20th day of March, 1775, were laid before the House. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Proceedings do lie upon the 
 table, to be perused by the Members of the House. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday next, 
 
1 189 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 14 90 
 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House to con- 
 sider of the said Proceedings. 
 
 Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill for ap- 
 pointing Commissioners to settle the accounts of the Militia 
 lately drawn out into actual service, and for making provi- 
 sion to pay the same ; and that Mr. Mercer and Mr. Mason 
 do prepare and bring in the same. 
 
 Saturday, June 3, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, requesting that his Lordship will be 
 pleased to communicate to this House the best information 
 he has had respecting the number of the Militia lately 
 drawn out into actual service in defence of this Colony, by 
 his Excellency's command, and the probable expense at- 
 tending the same ; and that his Lordship will inform this 
 House what Militia his Excellency has ordered on duty 
 since the conclusion of the late Indian expedition, and for 
 what purposes. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Mercer and Mr. Thomas Walker. 
 
 Monday, June 5, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 A Message from the Governour by Mr. Blair: 
 Mr. Speaker : I am commanded by the Governour to 
 lay before this House his Excellency's written Message in 
 answer to their Address relative to the Militia lately drawn 
 out into actual service, together with the other Papers 
 which the Message refers to. And he presented the same 
 at the bar; and the Message was read, and is as followeth, 
 viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 In answer to a Resolution of your House, brought to me 
 by two of your members, that an Address be presented to 
 me requesting me to communicate to you the best informa- 
 tion I have had respecting the number of the Militia lately 
 drawn out into actual service in defence of this Colony by 
 my command, and the probable expense attending the 
 same; and that I inform you what Militia I have ordered 
 on duty since the conclusion of the late Indian expedition, 
 and for what purposes: I can only from recollection (not 
 having been furnished with exact returns) acquaint you 
 that the body of militia which Colonel Andrew Lewis con- 
 ducted, and that with which I marched in person, amounted 
 together to about three thousand men, officers included ; 
 but I refer you to the Lieutenants of the Counties from 
 whence the Militia were draughted for that service, to the 
 Commanding Officers of the different Corps, and to the 
 Captains under them, from the returns and lists of whose 
 respective companies you will obtain the information in 
 regard of number and from that of expense, which you 
 require, in the best and most particular manner. 
 
 With respect to what Militia have been ordered on duty 
 since the conclusion of the Indian expedition : it was 
 thought requisite to continue a body of one hundred men 
 at a temporary fort near the mouth of the Great Kenhawa, 
 as well for taking care of the men who had been wounded 
 in the action between Colonel Andrew Lewis's division 
 and the Indians, as for securing that part of the back coun- 
 try from the attempts of straggling parties of Indians, who 
 might not be apprised of the peace concluded, or others of 
 the tribes which had not joined in it. It was likewise ne- 
 cessary to keep up a small body of men at Fort Dunmore, 
 in like manner for the security of the country on that side, 
 and also for guarding twelve Indian prisoners belonging to 
 the Mingo tribe, which had not surrendered or acceded to 
 the peace concluded only with the Shawanese ; and seven- 
 ty-five men were employed at this place for these purposes. 
 Twenty-five men were likewise left at Fort Fincastle, as a 
 post of communication between the two others ; and all to- 
 gether for the further purpose of forming a chain on the back 
 of the settlers, to observe the Indians until we should have 
 good reason to believe nothing more was apprehended from 
 them ; which, as soon as I received favourable accounts of, 
 I ordered the several posts to be evacuated, and the men 
 to be discharged. 
 
 I have ordered my letters to be laid before you for your 
 further information, which contain all the orders I gave for 
 the embodying and drawing out the Militia upon the occa- 
 sion of the Indian disturbances ; and likewise the substance 
 
 of the peace agreed to between me and the Indians, which 
 has not been formally ratified, that having been deferred to 
 a meeting intended to be held at Fort Dunmore this spring, 
 where all the Ohio Indians, for the greater solemnity, were 
 to be present, but which I have not been able to find lime 
 to proceed to. 
 
 If there be any thing further which the House shall re- 
 quire to be informed of, I shall be ready to give them all 
 the satisfaction in my power. Dunmore. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Message, and the Papers therein 
 referred to, do lie upon the table, to be perused by the 
 Members of the House. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported from the Committee appointed 
 to draw up an Address to be presented to the Governour, 
 that the Committee had drawn up an Address accordingly, 
 which they had directed him to report to the House ; and 
 he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it 
 in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as 
 followeth, viz : 
 
 My Lord : We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal 
 subjects, the Burgesses of Virginia, now met in General 
 Assembly, take this opportunity, which your Excellency 
 hath given us, to express our great concern at the alarm- 
 ing situation of our Country and those evils brought upon 
 us by a departure of His Majesty's Ministers from that 
 wise system of administration under the influence of which 
 the Colonies of North America had so long and happily 
 flourished. 
 
 However strangely this Country may have been mis- 
 represented, we do solemnly avow the firmest and most 
 unshaken attachment to our most gracious Sovereign and 
 his Government, as founded on the laws and principles of 
 our excellent Constitution, and we shall think ourselves 
 happy in giving His Majesty every future testimony of our 
 loyalty and affection. 
 
 We assure your Lordship that we will pursue the most 
 speedy measures for defraying the expenses of the late mili- 
 tary expedition against the Indians. That proper provision 
 has not yet been made for those gallant officers and sol- 
 diers who so nobly exposed their lives in defence of this 
 Country, cannot be justly imputed to any delay or neglect 
 on our part, this being the first opportunity your Lordship 
 hath been pleased to afford us of paying a proper attention 
 to their signal services and giving them their due reward. 
 
 The occlusion of our Courts of justice can only be 
 ascribed to a combination of untoward and distressing inci- 
 dents, which we have long and deeply lamented. These 
 Courts, my Lord, were established by different Acts of 
 our General Assembly. In order to enable the officers of 
 justice to receive such fees as were adequate to their ser- 
 vices, our ancestors judged it necessary to settle and limit 
 them by an express act of their Legislature. This law 
 had existed and been continued with various amendments, 
 such as the fluctuation of affairs made necessary, through 
 a long tract of time. The late House of Burgesses, in 
 May, 1774, finding that the Fee-Bill had expired just 
 before they were convened, and that other most valuable 
 acts were near expiring, proceeded to the continuance and 
 revival of them ; but their endeavours to discharge these 
 and other important duties to their Country were arrested 
 and cut short by a sudden and unexpected dissolution of ti e 
 Assembly. Since this, my Lord, our situation has under- 
 gone a total change. For just and well known reasons, 
 this Country, as well as our sister Colonies, have been 
 driven to the necessity of suspending their commerce 
 with Great Britain, Ireland, and the West-India Islands. 
 There still, however, remained within the line of former 
 parliamentary regulations, several other valuable branches 
 of export to different parts of the world, which we well 
 hoped would have enabled the inhabitants of this Coun- 
 try to discharge their debts more expeditiously than they 
 could have done by continuing their usual exports and ex- 
 ceeding imports to and from Great Britain, so that we 
 are convinced their creditors could have had no reasonable 
 cause of complaint. But we have now, my Lord, received 
 information, too well grounded it is to be feared, that these 
 resources are to be entirely shut up by an act of the Bri- 
 tish Parliament, cutting off all our trade with all other 
 parts of the whole universe, except the Islands of Great 
 Britain, Ireland, and the Wat-Indiet. 
 
1 191 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1192 
 
 Money, my Lord, is not a plant of the native growth of 
 this Country. If the people are totally restrained by the 
 hand of power from sending such produce of their estates 
 as they choose, and it is most for their general interest to 
 make, to foreign markets, in which alone it will command 
 u tolerable price, they are precluded from the necessary 
 proper means of discharging their debts. In such a situa- 
 tion we presume it may be submitted to your Lordship's 
 judgment, how far it would be consistent with prudence 
 and justice, or even humanity, for us to interpose legisla- 
 tive authority, in order to compel the Magistrates to open 
 the courts of civil jurisdiction, and thereby expose the 
 people to cruel exactions ; we rather think it will be better 
 to await the time when the returning wisdom and justice 
 of Great Britain may put it in our power to restore all 
 things to that channel in which they formerly flowed to 
 her aggrandizement, the prosperity and happiness of the 
 whole Empire. 
 
 We will, my Lord, proceed forthwith to consider farther 
 the state of the Country, the Address of the Lords and 
 Common's, and His Majesty's answer, together with the Re- 
 solution of the House of Commons, which you have laid 
 before us ; this we will endeavour to do with that calmness 
 and impartiality which their great importance may require ; 
 and we sincerely hope, as your Lordship conceives, that we 
 may find the propositions now made to us a benevolent, 
 tender, and auspicious advance on the part of the Parent 
 State towards bringing to a fortunate, and the most desira- 
 ble issue, all those disputes and dissensions which have so 
 unhappily prevailed. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicentc, That the House doth 
 agree with the Committee in the said Address to be pre- 
 sented to the Governour. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by the whole House. 
 
 Ordered, That the Gentlemen who drew up the said 
 Address do wait upon the Governour, to know his pleasure 
 when this House shall attend his Excellency to present 
 their Address. 
 
 Resolved, That the Governour's Speech be taken into 
 consideration to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House to take into consi- 
 deration the Governour's Speech. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inspect the 
 publick Magazine in this City, and inquire into the Stores 
 belonging to the same, and make report thereof to the 
 House. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed of Mr. Mercer, Mr. 
 Treasurer, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Munford, 
 Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Cary, Mr. 
 Francis Lightfoot Lee, Mr. Whitinge, Mr. Charles Car- 
 ter of Stafford, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Zane, Mr. Page, Mr. 
 Carrington, Mr. Digges, Mr. Banister, Mr. Thomas Wal- 
 ker, Mr. Travis and Mr. Norvcll. And they are to have 
 power to send for Persons, Papers and Records. 
 
 A Petition of the Presbytery of Hanover, in behalf of 
 themselves and all the Presbyterians in Virginia, and of all 
 Protestant dissenters elsewhere, was presented to the House 
 and read ; setting forth, that in or about the year 1738 
 many thousand Presbyterian families, relying upon the as- 
 surances of Government that they should enjoy the free 
 exercise of their religion, removed from the Northern Colo- 
 nies and settled in the Frontiers of this, forming a barrier 
 for the lower parts thereof; and taking notice of a bill for 
 granting a toleration to His Majesty's dissenting Protestant 
 subjects, which, in the year 1772, was presented to the 
 House, and afterwards ordered to be printed ; and pointing 
 out several objections thereunto ; and praying that no bill 
 may pass into a law but such as will secure to the Petition- 
 ers equal liberties and advantages with their fellow-subjects. 
 Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, desiring that he will be pleased to 
 direct the proper officer to lay before this House the amount 
 of the tonnage of one shilling and three pence sterling, 
 imposed on Ships and Vessels trading to this Colony, from 
 the year 1762. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Mercer and Mr. Hen- 
 ry Lee. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to 
 consider of the Journal of the proceedings of the Congress 
 held at Philadelphia, on the fifth day of September, 1774, 
 
 The House resolved itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee, that they had 
 come to several Resolutions, which they had directed him 
 to report when the House will please to receive the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be now received. 
 
 Mr. Cary accordingly reported from the said Committee 
 the Resolutions which they had directed him to report to the 
 House ; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered 
 in at the Clerk's table; where the same were read, and are 
 as followeth, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 the House be moved to come to the following Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That this House doth entirely and cordially 
 approve the Proceedings and Resolutions of the American 
 Continental Congress; and that they consider this whole 
 Continent as under the highest obligations to that very 
 respectable body, for the wisdom of their counsels, and 
 their unremitted endeavours to maintain and preserve invi- 
 olate the just rights and liberties of His Majesty's dutiful 
 and loyal subjects in America. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 the House be moved to come to the following Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the warmest thanks of this House, and 
 all the inhabitants of this Colony whom they represent, are 
 particularly due, and that this just tribute of applause be 
 presented to the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire, 
 Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Patrick Henry, 
 Junior, Richard Bland, Benjamin Harrison, and Kdmund 
 Pendleton, Esquires, the worthy Delegates deputed to re- 
 present this Colony in General Congress at Philadelphia, 
 the fifth day of September last, for their cheerful under- 
 taking and faithful discharge of the very important trust 
 reposed in them. 
 
 The said Resolutions being severally read a second time, 
 were, upon the question severally put thereupon, agreed to 
 by the House. 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicentc, That this House doth 
 entirely and cordially approve the Proceedings and Resolu- 
 tions of the American Continental Congress; and that they 
 consider this whole Continent as under the highest obliga- 
 tions to that very respectable body for the wisdom of their 
 counsels, and their unremitted endeavours to maintain and 
 preserve inviolate the just rights and liberties of His Ma- 
 jesty's dutiful and loyal subjects in America. 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicentc, That the warmest thanks 
 of this House, and all the inhabitants of this Colony whom 
 they represent, are particularly due, and that this just tri- 
 bute of applause be presented to the Honourable Peyton 
 Randolph, Esquire, Richard Henry Lee, George Wash- 
 ington, Patrick Henry, Junior, Richard Bland, Benjamin 
 Harrison, and Edmund Pendleton, Esquires, the worthy 
 Delegates deputed to represent this Colony in General 
 Congress at Philadelphia, the fifth day of September last, 
 for their cheerful undertaking and faithful discharge of the 
 very important trust reposed in them. 
 
 The other Order of the Day being read, 
 
 The House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole 
 House to consider of the proceedings of the Convention of 
 Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony 
 of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the County of 
 Henrico, on the twentieth day of March, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee that they had 
 come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to re- 
 port when the House will please to receive the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be now received. 
 
 Mr. Cary accordingly reported from the said Committee, 
 
i 193 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1194 
 
 the Resolution, which they had directed him to report to 
 the House ; which he read in his place, and afterwards de- 
 livered in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, 
 and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 the House be moved to come to the following Resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That this House doth entirely approve the 
 Proceedings and Resolutions of the Convention of Dele- 
 gates for the Counties and Corporations in the Colony of 
 Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the County of Hen- 
 rico, on the twentieth day of March, 1775; and that it be 
 recommended to all the good people of this Colony strictly 
 to conform to and observe the same. 
 
 The said Resolution being read a second time, was, upon 
 the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicente, That this House do en- 
 tirely approve the Proceedings and Resolutions of the 
 Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations 
 in the Colony of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the 
 County of Henrico, on the twentieth day of March, 1775 ; 
 and that it be recommended to all the good people of this 
 Colony strictly to conform to, and observe the same. 
 
 Address of the Council to the Governour. 
 To His Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of 
 
 Dunmore, His Majesty's Lieutenant and Govcrnour- 
 
 General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, 
 
 and Vice- Admiral of the same : 
 The humble Address of the Council: 
 
 My Lord: We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal 
 subjects, the Council of Virginia, now met in General As- 
 sembly, beg leave, to present our humble thanks to your 
 Excellency for your Speech at the opening of the Session, 
 and for giving us an opportunity to take the present alarm- 
 ing state of this Colony into our consideration, and provide 
 remedies against the increasing evils therein. Your doing 
 this so seasonably, and as soon as you were properly ap- 
 prised of what you thought would lay a firm foundation 
 for our proceeding with success in so desirable a work, we 
 cannot but regard as a proof of your attachment to the 
 welfare of this Dominion. 
 
 As this Country hath, for many years past, made ample 
 provision for the civil Government thereof, we have only 
 to declare our willingness to concur with the other branch 
 of the Legislature in such proportion and in such means 
 as they shall be willing to contribute towards the publick 
 burdens of the Stale. 
 
 The peace and good order of every Country depending 
 on the regular administration of justice, we are desirous 
 that the Courts should be forthwith opened, and that the 
 laws may again have their due course ; as such a step will 
 be instrumental in removing mischiefs of the greatest mag- 
 nitude and most destructive tendency. 
 
 To which His Excellency was pleased to return the fol- 
 lowing Answer. 
 Gentlemen: Your willingness to concur in measures 
 which, if adopted, will entirely compose the destructive 
 differences between this Country and Great Britain, and 
 restore the order and tranquillity of the Colony, cannot 
 but give His Majesty the most sensible pleasure, as the 
 opportunity of communicating to him such a proof of the 
 duty and loyalty of this branch of the Legislature of Vir- 
 ginia affords me the greatest satisfaction. 
 
 Tuesday, June 6, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 A Message from the Governour by Mr. Blair : 
 Mr. Speaker: I have received the Governour's com- 
 mands to lay before this House a written Message from his 
 Excellency, relative to the publick Magazine, together with 
 a paper therein referred to. And he presented the same at 
 the bar, and the Message was read, and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses: 
 
 1 have received a Paper, without date or signature, de- 
 siring I would direct the keeper of the Magazine to give 
 access to some persons, (I know not whom, the paper not 
 saying who they are,) appointed by the House of Bur- 
 gesses a Committee to examine into the state of the publick 
 Magazine. I send the said paper for the inspection of the 
 
 House, and beg to be informed whether the persons there 
 alluded to are authorized, as therein alleged, to desire 
 access to the Magazine. Dunmore. 
 
 The Paper referred to in the Message : 
 
 " My Lord : We, being appointed by the House of Bur- 
 gesses a Committee to examine into the state of the pub- 
 lick Magazine, wait upon your Lordship to desire that you 
 will be pleased to direct the keeper thereof to give us access 
 thereto, that we may be able to make a proper and full 
 report to the House. 
 
 " Before this Resolution was known to the people, we 
 understand that sundry persons, unknown to us, broke 
 open the Magazine, and took out several arms ; but we 
 assure your Lordship, that, so soon as this transaction was 
 known to the House, some of the members interposed, and 
 prevailed on such as were to be found, to return what they 
 had taken, and we have hopes that the rest may yet be 
 reclaimed, which we shall not neglect our endeavours to 
 effect." 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen who were appointed to 
 inspect the publick Magazine in this City, and inquire into 
 the Stores belonging to the same, do prepare an Answer to 
 the said Message, and that they withdraw immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Message, and the Paper therein 
 referred to, be referred to the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported from the Committee appointed to 
 prepare an answer to the Governour's Message, that the 
 Committee had prepared an Address accordingly, which 
 they had directed him to report to the House ; and he read 
 the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the 
 Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as fol- 
 loweth, viz : 
 
 My Lord: We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Burgesses of Virginia, having received your Lordship's 
 written message respecting the proceedings of the Com- 
 mittee appointed to examine the Magazine, have taken the 
 same under our consideration. The House, yesterday, as 
 what they thought a proper foundation of inquiry into the 
 many disturbances which had arisen in the Country, ap- 
 pointed Mr. Mercer, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. 
 Henry Lee, Mr. Munjord, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Nelson, 
 Mr. Jones, Mr. Carey, Mr. Francis Lighlfoot Lee, Mr. 
 Whiting, Mr. Charles Carter of Stafford, Mr. Braxton, 
 Mr. Zone, Mr. Page, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Digges, Mr. 
 Banister, Mr. Thomas Walker, Mr. Travis, and Mr. Nor- 
 vell, twenty-one of their members, to inquire into the state 
 of the publick magazine. Upon receipt of your Excel- 
 lency's message, they examined the steps their Committee 
 had taken, and received the following report : That the 
 Committee having convened, and judging it decent and 
 proper, in the first place, waited on your Excellency, who 
 by law hath the appointment of the keeper of the maga- 
 zine, to request that you would be pleased to direct him to 
 give them access thereto ; that finding some irregularities 
 had been committed, they also thought it prudent to men- 
 tion them to your Excellency, and inform you of their en- 
 deavours to have the arms, which had been taken out of 
 the magazine, immediately restored ; that, to avoid mis- 
 takes, they judged it most proper to reduce the intended 
 application to writing; that they then in a body, and in the 
 most respectful manner waited on your Excellency, and 
 by their Chairman delivered their request verbally, leaving 
 the written paper with your Lordship for your better in- 
 formation ; that your Excellency was pleased to receive it, 
 and promised to furnish them with the key of the maga- 
 zine as soon as you could procure it ; that the Committee 
 not hearing from your Lordship, their Chairman was direct- 
 ed to wait on you this morning, and was referred for answer 
 to a message you intended to send to the House. 
 
 We hope that your Lordship, upon revising these pro- 
 ceedings, will change your present sentiments, and think 
 with us, that there was no impropriety in the conduct o! 
 the Committee. Their application to your Excellency, 
 the House considers as proper and decent. The gentle- 
 men who composed the Committee must have been all 
 known to you; and had you conceived the least improprie- 
 ty in their procedure, it would have been kind in your 
 Lordship to have pointed it out to them. At the time this 
 Committee waited upon your Lordship, another Com- 
 
1195 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1 196 
 
 mittee attended, to inform you that this House had agreed 
 to an address in answer to your Lordship's speech ; this 
 message was delivered by one Committee, who, we pre- 
 sume, were not better known to your Lordship than the 
 members of the other. Though there was not an express 
 order of the House that the Committee should apply to 
 your Lordship for the purpose they did, yet we conceive 
 that such application was necessarily incident to the due 
 execution of the general order of the House to inquire 
 into the state of the magazine. 
 
 We feel very sensibly, my Lord, the weight of the in- 
 sinuation in your message ; but willing, upon all occasions, 
 and especially at this unhappy juncture, to avoid every kind 
 of controversy, we shall direct that your Excellency be 
 waited upon with the order of yesterday, before referred 
 to; and should any doubts still remain, we will endeavour 
 to remove them, on their being pointed out to us. 
 The said Answer being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Com- 
 mittee in the said Answer. 
 
 Resolved, That the gentlemen who prepared the said 
 Answer do wait upon his Excellency with the same. 
 A Message from the Governour by Mr. Blair : 
 Mr. Speaker: I have received the Governour's com- 
 mands to lay before this House a written Message from 
 his Excellency, relative to the Gunpowder which has been 
 removed from the publick Magazine by his Excellency's 
 order. And he presented the same at the Bar, and the 
 same was read, and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 The removing, by my order, of fifteen half-barrels of the 
 King's Powder, received from the Rippon, man-of-war, 
 from the publick magazine, has, I find, given great uneasi- 
 ness to the people. I was influenced in this by the best 
 motives; and as I have once ventured, and, if occasion 
 offered, should again venture my life in the service of this 
 Country, I had hoped the most favourable construction 
 would have been put upon my conduct. The magazine 
 was represented to me as a very insecure depository, and, 
 from experience, 1 find it so ;* all the arms which have 
 been kept there being now taken away: arms not pur- 
 chased at the expense of this Colony, but sent here by 
 His Majesty, from his Office of Ordnance, of which they 
 bear the mark. But in confidence that you are now met 
 to remove every grievance, and by your wisdom to estab- 
 lish the publick tranquillity on a sure foundation, I do 
 promise you, that as soon as I see the magazine in a proper 
 state for securing the Powder and other publick stores, I 
 will replace it, and at all times be ready, most willingly, 
 to do every thing my poor abilities are capable of for the 
 benefit of this Colony, in which 1 have lived, till of late, 
 in the greatest happiness. Dunmore. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Message be taken into con- 
 sideration to-morrow. 
 
 The other Order of the Day being read : 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the whole House, to take into consider- 
 ation the Governour's Speech. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council have directed me to lay be- 
 fore this House a copy of their proceedings upon a report 
 which had prevailed, relative to the Marines and Sailors 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship the Fowey. And he pre- 
 sented the same at the bar. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The said copy of the Council's Proceedings was read, 
 and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 It having been reported that the Marines and Sailors 
 
 * In the night of Saturday, tlio third instant, some young men got 
 into the puhlick magazine in this City, intending to furnish themselves 
 with arms, but were presently after surprised by the report of a gun, 
 which was so artfully placed (said to be contrived by Lord Dunmore) 
 that upon touching a string which was in thoir way, it went off, and 
 wounded three persons, but not mortally : one of them is terribly hurt 
 by sovcral small balls that entered bis arm and shoulder; another, by 
 tho loss of two ringers of his right hand, rendered incapable of follow- 
 ing his profession for suhsistonco ; tho other woundod very slightly. 
 There were two guns prepared for this horrible purpose, ono of which 
 was brought out next morning, and found to be double charged. On 
 Monday a Committoo was appointed by tho Honourable House of Uur- 
 gesses to examine the state of tho magazine, who have placed a guard 
 ever it till m >asures shall be concerted for its bettor security. 
 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship the Fowey, were expected 
 to be at the Palace this day, by the Governour's order, and 
 that the people of the City of Williamsburgh, and Counties 
 adjoining, were greatly alarmed thereat, and were deter- 
 mined to attack the said Marines and Sailors if they should 
 come, it was ordered that Richard Corbin and Robert 
 Carter, Esquires, wait on his Excellency, in the name of 
 the Council, to desire he would be pleased to give orders 
 for stopping them, and thereby prevent the great calamity 
 which was otherwise likely to ensue. Richard Corbin, 
 Esquire, reported, that the gentlemen appointed had, ac- 
 cording to order, waited on the Governour, who appeared 
 to be astonished at the report which had prevailed ; assured 
 them that he had given no orders for the Marines or Sailors, 
 nor did he know of its being intended by any body to send 
 them to the Palace, and that in case of any such design ho 
 would send to prevent it. 
 
 Ordered, That the thanks of this House be given to the 
 Council, for laying a copy of their Proceedings before the 
 House upon the report relative to the Marines and Sailors 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship the Fowey, and that Mr. 
 Cary, and Mr. Charles Carter of Lancaster, do acquaint 
 the Council therewith. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain James Innis, of the Volunteer 
 Company of the City of Williamsburgh, be desired to em- 
 ploy any number of men that he shall think sufficient, to 
 guard the publick Magazine in this City, until such time as 
 the House shall direct the guard to be discontinued, and 
 that Mr. Braxton do acquaint him therewith. 
 
 Wednesday, Juno 7, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for taking into con- 
 sideration the Governour's written Message, relative to the 
 Gunpowder which has been removed from the publick 
 Magazine by his Excellency's order, 
 
 The said Message was again read. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, to express to his Lordship our thanks 
 for his kind tender of services in behalf of this Colony, and 
 for restoring publick tranquillity on a sure and firm founda- 
 tion ; to assure his Lordship that we have the highest sense 
 of his services on the late Indian expedition, and sincerely 
 lament that any event should suspend the happiness which 
 his Lordship hath enjoyed among us; that, wishing a resto- 
 ration of peace and harmony, we had directed an inquiry 
 into the causes of the late great uneasiness given to tho 
 people, which we shall proceed on with that attention 
 recommended by his Lordship, and apply, on our parts, 
 remedies the best our abilities can suggest. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up an 
 Address, to be presented to the Governour upon the said 
 Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed, of Mr. Mercer, Mr. 
 Treasurer. Mr. Cary, Mr. Dandridge, Mr. Henry Lee, and 
 Mr. Munford. 
 
 Ordered, That the Governour's Message be referred to 
 the said Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the other Order of the Day, for the 
 House to resolve itself into a Committee of the whole 
 House to take into consideration the Governour's Speech, 
 be now read. 
 
 And the said Order being read accordingly, 
 
 Ordered, That the Governour's Speech, and the joint 
 Address of the Lords and Commons, on the seventh of 
 February last, and His Majesty's Answer, and also the Re- 
 solution of the House of Commons of the twenty-seventh 
 of the same month, referred to in the said Speech, which, 
 upon Friday last, were ordered to lie on the table, be re- 
 ferred to the said Committee. 
 
 Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee that they had 
 made some progress in the matter to them referred, and 
 that he was directed by the Committee to move that they 
 may have leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the whole House, to take into their 
 further consideration the Governour's Speech. 
 
1197 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1198 
 
 A Message from the Governour by Mr. Blair : 
 Mr. Speakek : I am commanded by the Governour to 
 lay before this House his Excellency's written Message in 
 answer to your Address of this day. And he presented the 
 same at the bar; and the said Message was read, and is as 
 followed), viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 In answer to your address of this day, I assure the 
 House, thai my message, to which it alluded, was intended 
 for proper information only, which I thought necessary ; 
 because as I would by no means infringe any rule of, or 
 omit any ceremony due to your House, I could not expect 
 but to be treated with the same attention ; and to give you 
 a proof of my desire to avoid every kind of controversy, 
 I have ordered the keys of the Magazine to be delivered 
 to the Committee appointed by your order of Monday. 
 
 DUNMORE. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported to the House that the Govern- 
 our having been waited on, pursuant to the order of Mon- 
 day last, to know his pleasure when he would be attended 
 by this House, had been pleased to appoint to be attended 
 to-morrow, at one of the clock in the afternoon, in the Coun- 
 cil Chamber. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported to the House that their Address 
 to the Governour of Monday last, desiring that he will be 
 pleased to direct the proper officer to lay before this House 
 the amount of tonnage of one shilling and three pence 
 sterling, imposed on ships and vessels trading to this Colony 
 from the year 1762, had been presented to his Excellency, 
 and that he had directed him to acquaint the House that he 
 would send an answer thereto by a messenger. 
 
 A Petition of William Fleming, of the County of Bo- 
 tetourt, was presented to the House and read, setting forth 
 that, in the year 1755, the petitioner entered into the ser- 
 vice of this Colony, and continued therein until the end of 
 the war, in 1763, when the Virginia Regiment was dis- 
 banded ; after which he supported himself and his family 
 by the practice of surgery, until he was called out on duty 
 the last year, under the command of Col. Andrew Lewis, 
 Lieutenant of the said County, and marched, with the 
 Troops there raised, against the Indian enemy on the fron- 
 tiers, where, in an engagement the tenth day of October, 
 the Petitioner was wounded in the breast and left arm, so 
 that he is unable to exercise his profession of a Surgeon ; 
 therefore praying the House to take his case into consider- 
 ation and grant him relief. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the con- 
 sideration of the Committee of Publick Claims, and that 
 they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, 
 with their opinion thereupon, to the House. 
 
 Thursday, June 8, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee of Publick 
 Claims, to whom the Petition of Abram Field, a soldier 
 wounded in the late engagement with the Indians, was re- 
 ferred, that the Committee bad examined the matter of the 
 said Petition, and had come to a Resolution thereupon, 
 which they had directed him to report to the House ; and 
 he read the Report in his place, and afterwards delivered it 
 in at the Clerk's table, where the Resolution of the Com- 
 mittee was read, and is as followeth, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 the said Petition is reasonable, and that the Petitioner ought 
 to be allowed the sum of Twenty Pounds for his present 
 relief, and the further sum of Ten Pounds per annum du- 
 ring his life, as a recompense for the wound lie received in 
 the defence of this Colony. 
 
 The said Resolution being read a second time, was, upon 
 the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of Twenty Pounds be paid to 
 Abram Field, a Soldier wounded in the late Indian expe- 
 dition, and that the sum of Ten Pounds per annum be paid 
 to him during his life. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Cary do carry the Resolution to the 
 Council, and desire their concurrence. 
 The Order of the Day being read, 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, take into 
 their further consideration the Govemour's Speech. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 
 Mr. Speaker : 1 am commanded by the Council to de- 
 liver to your House a written Message from his Excellency 
 the Governour, which was by him communicated to the 
 Council, to be by them sent to you ; and he presented the 
 same at the bar. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The written Message from his Excellency was read, and 
 is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 Being now fully persuaded that my person and those of 
 my family likewise, are in constant danger of falling sacri- 
 fices to the blind and unmeasurable fury which has so unac- 
 countably seized upon the minds and understanding of great 
 numbers of the people, and apprehending that at length 
 some among them may work themselves up to that pitch 
 of daringness and atrociousness as to fall upon me in the 
 defenceless state in which they know I am in the City 
 of f'Villiamsburgh, and perpetrate acts that would plunge 
 this Country into the most horrid calamities, and render the 
 breach with the Mother Country irreparable, I have thought 
 it prudent for myself, and serviceable for the Country, that 
 I remove to a place of safely ; conformable to which I have 
 fixed my residence for the present on board His Majesty's 
 Ship the Fowcy, lying at York. 
 
 It is not my intention to give the least interruption to the 
 sitting of the Assembly, but I hope they will proceed in the 
 great business which they have before them with diligence 
 and effect. I shall take care to make the access to me so 
 easy and safe, that the necessary communication between 
 me and the House may be attended with the least inconve- 
 nience possible : and I thought it would be more agreeable 
 to the House to send to me, from time to time, some of 
 their members, as occasion shall require, than to put all to 
 the trouble of moving, to be near me. 
 
 I hope the House will see my proceedings on this occa- 
 sion as they were really meant ; and 1 beg them to be assured 
 that I shall now be as ready to attend lo all the duties of 
 my office as I was before, and that I am perfectly disposed 
 to contribute all in my power, if opportunity be given me, 
 to restore that harmony, the interruption of which is likely 
 to cost so dear to the repose, as well as to the comforts of 
 every individual. Dunmore. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Message be referred to the con- 
 sideration of a Committee of the whole House. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will now resolve itself into a 
 Committee of the whole House, to consider of the said 
 Message. 
 
 The House accordingly resolved itself into the said Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee that they had 
 come to a Resolution, which they had directed him to re- 
 port to the House when the House will please to receive 
 the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be now received. 
 
 Mr. Cary accordingly reported the Resolution which the 
 Committee had directed him to report to the House ; which 
 he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the 
 Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth, 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 an Address be presented to his Excellency the Governour, 
 in answer to his written Message of this day, to represent 
 to his Lordship the probable tendency of his removal from 
 the Palace, and the propriety of his return : to assure his 
 Excellency that we view with horrour every design that 
 may be meditated against the person of his Lordship, his 
 very amiable lady or family ; promising one cheerful con- 
 currence in any proper measure for their future safety. 
 
 The said Resolution being read a second time, was, upon 
 the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour upon the said 
 Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed of Mr. Treasurer, Mr. 
 Mercer, Mr. Jones, Mr. Munford, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. 
 
1199 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1200 
 
 Dandridgc, Mr. Banister, and Mr. Francis Lightfoot 
 Lee, and they are to withdraw immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the said written Message be referred to 
 the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported from the Committee that they 
 had drawn up an Address accordingly, which they had di- 
 rected him to report to the House ; and he read the same 
 in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk's 
 table, where the same was read, and is as followed), viz : 
 
 My Loud: We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal sub- 
 jects, the Council and the Burgesses of Virginia, assure 
 your Excellency, that it is with the greatest concern we 
 lind that your Lordship, by your messages to them, enter- 
 tains any suspicions of the personal security of yourself or 
 family, as we can by no means suppose any of His Ma- 
 jesty's subjects in this Colony would meditate a crime so 
 horrid and atrocious as your Lordship seems to apprehend. 
 We are fearful the step your Lordship hath taken, in re- 
 moving from the Seat of Government, may conduce to a 
 continuance of great uneasiness, which hath of late so un- 
 happily prevailed in this Country. We cannot but express 
 our concern that your Lordship did not think proper to com- 
 municate the ground of your uneasiness to us, as from our 
 zeal and attachment to the preservation of order and good 
 government, we should have judged it our indispensable 
 duty to have endeavoured to remove every cause of dis- 
 quietude. In proof of the great respect we shall ever pay 
 to the representative of our most gracious Sovereign, and 
 to remove, to the utmost of our power, your Lordship's 
 apprehensions, we assure your Lordship that we will cheer- 
 fully concur in any measure that may be proposed proper 
 for the security of yourself and family. It is with much 
 anxiety we consider the very disagreeable situation of your 
 Lordship's most amiable lady and family, and should think 
 ourselves happy in being able to restore their perfect tran- 
 quillity, by removing all their fears. 
 
 We cannot, my Lord, but approve your intention of not 
 giving the least interruption to the important affairs on 
 which we are now assembled; and it is with much pleasure 
 we receive your Lordship's assurance of your disposition to 
 establish that harmony, so essential to the repose and com- 
 fort of every individual; but we must beg leave to observe 
 to your Lordship how impracticable it will be to carry on 
 the business of the session, with any tolerable degree of 
 propriety, or with that despatch the advanced season of the 
 year requires, whilst your Lordship is so far removed from 
 us, and so inconveniently situated. We therefore earnestly 
 entreat your Lordship, that you will be pleased to return 
 with your lady and family to the Palace, which we are per- 
 suaded will give the greatest satisfaction, and be the most 
 likely means of quieting the minds of the people. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Commit- 
 tee in the said Address to be presented to the Governour. 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen who drew up the said 
 Address do go to the Council, and acquaint them that this 
 House have agreed to an Address to the Governour, to 
 which they desire the concurrence of the Council. 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 Mr. Speaker : The Council have agreed to join with 
 this House in their Address to the Governour; and, in con- 
 sequence thereof, have made the necessary amendments, 
 and have appointed two of their Members, to join with 
 such of the Members of this House as may be appointed, 
 to present the same to his P^xcellency. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Wood, Mr. Attorney Gene- 
 ral, and Mr. Braxton. 
 
 Friday, June 9, 15 Goo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take 
 into their further consideration the Governour's Speech, 
 
 The House resolved itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee, that they had 
 made a further progress in the matters referred to them, and 
 
 that the Committee had directed him to move that they may 
 have leave to sit again. "u~%* 
 
 Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into their 
 further consideration the Governour's Speech. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported that two of His Majesty's Council 
 and the Members appointed by this House had, pursuant 
 to the order of yesterday, presented to his Excellency the 
 Governour, on board His Majesty's ship the Fou-cy, the 
 Address of the Council and this House ; and that he was 
 pleased to say that, as the subject of their Address was of 
 the utmost importance to the Colony, and to himself and 
 his family, he would take time to consider of it, and would 
 return an answer in writing after he had maturely delibe- 
 rated upon its contents. 
 
 Saturday, June 10, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The House resolved itself into a Committee of the 
 Whole House, to take into their further consideration the 
 Governour's Speech. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee, that they had 
 gone through the matter to them referred, and had come 
 to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report 
 when the House will please to receive the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be now received. 
 
 Mr. Cary accordingly reported from the said Committee 
 the Resolution, which the Committee had directed him to 
 report to the House ; which he read in his place, and after- 
 wards delivered in at the Clerk's table ; where the same 
 was read, and is as followeth, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, that 
 an Address be presented to his Excellency the Governour, 
 to inform him that we have taken into our consideration 
 the joint Address of the two Houses of Parliament, His 
 Majesty's Answer, and the Resolution of the Commons, 
 which his Lordship has been pleased to lay before us. 
 That wishing nothing so sincerely as the perpetual contin- 
 uance of that brotherly love which we bear to our fellow- 
 subjects of Great Britain, and still continuing to hope and 
 believe that they do not approve the measures which have 
 so long oppressed their brethren in America, we were 
 pleased to receive his Lordship's notification that a bene- 
 volent tender had at length been made by the British 
 House of Commons towards bringing to a good end our 
 unhappy disputes with the Mother Country ; that next to 
 the possession of liberty, we should consider such reconci- 
 liation the greatest of all human blessings. With these 
 dispositions we entered into consideration of that Resolu- 
 tion ; we examined it minutely; we viewed it in every 
 point of light in which we were able to place it ; and, with 
 pain and disappointment, we must ultimately declare it only 
 changes the form of oppression, without lightening its bur- 
 den. That we cannot close with the terms of that Resolu- 
 tion for these reasons : 
 
 Because the British Parliament has no right to inter- 
 meddle with the support of Civil Government in the Colo- 
 nies. For us, not for them, has Government been institu- 
 ted here. Agreeable to our ideas, provision has been made 
 for such officers as we think necessary for the administra- 
 tion of publick affairs ; and we cannot conceive that any 
 other legislature has a right to prescribe either the number 
 or pecuniary appointments of our offices. As a proof that 
 the claim of Parliament to interfere in the necessary provi- 
 sion for the support of civil government is novel and of a 
 late date, we take leave to refer to an act of our Assembly, 
 passed so long since as the thirty-second year of the reign 
 of King Charles the Second, intituled " An Act for raising 
 a publick revenue, and for better support of the Govern- 
 ment of this His Majesty's Colony of Virginia." This 
 act was brought over by Lord Culpepper, then Governour, 
 under the great seal of England, and was enacted in the 
 name of the " King's most excellent Majesty, by and with 
 the consent of the General Assembly." 
 
 Because, to render perpetual our exemption from an 
 unjust taxation, we must saddle ourselves with a perpetual 
 tax, adequate to the expectations, and subject to the dis- 
 posal of Parliament alone : whereas, we have a right to 
 
1201 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1202 
 
 give our money, as the Parliament does theirs, without 
 coercion, from time to time, as " publick exigences may 
 require." We conceive that we alone are the judges of 
 the condition, circumstances, and situation of our people, 
 as the Parliament are of theirs. It is not merely the mode 
 of raising, but the freedom of granting our money, for 
 which we have contended. Without this we possess no 
 check on the royal prerogative ; and what must be much 
 lamented by dutiful and loyal subjects, we should be stripped 
 of the only means, as well of recommending this country 
 to the favour of our most gracious Sovereign, as of strength- 
 ening those bands of amity with our fellow-subjects, which 
 we would wish to remain indissoluble. 
 
 Because, on our undertaking to grant money as is pro- 
 posed, the Commons only resolve to forbear levying pecu- 
 niary taxes on us, still leaving unrepealed their several acts 
 passed for the purposes of restraining the Trade and alter- 
 ing the form of Government of the Eastern Colonies ; ex- 
 tending the boundaries and changing the Government and 
 Religion of Quebeck ; enlarging the jurisdiction of the 
 Courts of Admiralty, and taking from us the right of Trial 
 by Jury ; and transporting us into other Countries to be 
 tried for criminal offences. Standing Armies, too, are still 
 to be kept among us ; and the other numerous grievances 
 of which ourselves and sister Colonies, separately and by 
 our Representatives in General Congress, have so often 
 complained, are still to continue without redress. 
 
 Because, at the very time of requiring from us grants of 
 money, they are making disposition to invade us with large 
 armaments by sea and land, which is a style of asking gifts 
 nut reconcilable to our freedom. They are also proceed- 
 ing to a repetition of injury, by passing Acts for restraining 
 the Commerce and Fisheries of the Provinces of New- 
 England, and for prohibiting the Trade of the other Colo- 
 nies with all parts of the world, except the Islands of Great 
 Britain, Ireland, and the West-Indies. This seems to 
 bespeak no intention to discontinue the exercise of this 
 usurped power over us in future. 
 
 Because, on our agreeing to contribute our proportion 
 towards the common defence, they do not propose to lay 
 open to us a free trade with all the world : whereas, to us 
 it appears just, that those who bear equally the burdens of 
 Government, should equally participate of its benefits. 
 Either be content with the monopoly of our trade, which 
 brings greater loss to us and benefit to them than the 
 amount of our proportional contributions to the common 
 defence; or, if the latter be preferred, relinquish the for- 
 mer, and do not propose, by holding both, to exact from 
 us double contributions. Yet we would remind Govern- 
 ment, that on former emergencies, when called upon as a 
 free people, however cramped by this monopoly in our re- 
 sources of wealth, we have liberally contributed to the 
 common defence. Be assured, then, that we shall be as 
 generous in future as in past limes, disdaining the shackles 
 of proportion when called to our free station in the general 
 system of the Empire. 
 
 Because the proposition now made to us involves the 
 interest of all the other Colonies. We are now represented 
 in General Congress by members approved by this House, 
 where our former union, it is hoped, will be so strongly 
 cemented, that no partial application can produce the 
 slightest departure from the common cause. We consider 
 ourselves as bound in honour, as well as interest, to share 
 one general fate with our sister Colonies, and should hold 
 ourselves base deserters of that union to which we have 
 acceded, were we to agree on any measures distinct and 
 apart from them. 
 
 To observe that there was, indeed, a plan of accommo- 
 dation offered in Parliament, which, though not entirely 
 equal to the terms we had a right to ask, yet differed but 
 in few points from what the General Congress had held 
 out. Had Parliament been disposed sincerely, as we are, 
 to bring about a reconciliation, reasonable men had hoped 
 that by meeting us on this ground, something might have 
 been done. Lord Chatham's bill, on the one part, and the 
 terms of the Congress on the other, would have formed a 
 basis for negotiation, which a spirit of accommodation on 
 both sides might, perhaps, have reconciled. It came re- 
 commended, too, from one whose successful experience in 
 the art of Government should have insured to it some 
 attention from those to whom it was tendered. He had 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 shown to the world, that Great Britain, with her Colonies, 
 united firmly under a just and honest Government, formed 
 a power which might bid defiance to the most potent ene- 
 mies. With a change of Ministers, however, a total change 
 of measures took place : the component parts of the Em- 
 pire have, from that moment, been falling asunder, and a 
 total annihilation of its weight in the political scale of the 
 world seems justly to be apprehended. 
 
 To declare that these are our sentiments on this impor- 
 tant subject, which we offer only as an individual part of 
 the whole Empire. Final determination we leave to the 
 General Congress now sitting, before whom we shall lay 
 the papers his Lordship has communicated to us. To their 
 wisdom we commit the improvement of this important ad- 
 vance : if it can be wrought into any good, we are assured 
 they will do it. To them, also, we refer the discovery of 
 that proper method of representing our well-founded griev- 
 ances, which his Lordship assures us will meet with the 
 attention and regard so justly due to them. For ourselves, 
 we have exhausted every mode of application which our 
 invention could suggest as proper and promising. We have 
 decently remonstrated with Parliament : they have added 
 new injuries to the old. We have wearied our King with 
 supplications: he has not deigned to answer us. We have 
 appealed to the native honour and justice of the British 
 Nation : their efforts in our favour have been hitherto inef- 
 fectual. What, then, remains to be done? That we com- 
 mit our injuries to the evenhanded justice of that Being 
 who doth no wrong, earnestly beseeching him to illuminate 
 the counsels, and prosper the endeavours of those to whom 
 America hath confided her hopes, that through their wise 
 direction we may again see reunited the blessings of lib- 
 erty, property, and union with Great Britain. 
 
 The said Resolution being read a second time, was, 
 upon the question being put thereupon, agreed to by the 
 House. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour upon the said 
 Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed, of Mr. Cary, Mr. 
 Treasurer, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Munford, Mr. Mercer, Mr. 
 Jones, Mr. Digges, and Mr. Nelson. 
 
 A Message from the Council, by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: His Excellency the Governour hath 
 desired the President to communicate to this House his 
 Answer to the joint Address of the Council and the House 
 of Burgesses, presented yesterday to his Excellency. And 
 he presented the said Answer at the bar. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The Governour's Answer was read, and is as follow- 
 eth, viz : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Council, Air. Speaker and 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 In answer to your joint Address, presented by your Depu- 
 ties yesterday, I acquaint you that it appears to me the 
 commotions among the people, and their menaces and 
 threats (an enumeration of which I forbear out of tender- 
 ness) have been of such publick notoriety, that you must 
 suppose many of His Majesty's subjects in this Colony, 
 whether they meditated or not, have at least manifested 
 such an inveteracy as justifies my suspicion that they would 
 not hesitate to commit a crime, which, horrid and atrocious 
 as it is, I had just ground to apprehend.* And when the 
 disposition which the House of Burgesses have shown to 
 me, the returns they have made to the respect and civility 
 which 1 have been forward to offer them, the countenance 
 they have given to the violent and disorderly proceedings 
 of the people, His Majesty's magazine having been forced 
 and rifled in the presence of some of the members of the 
 House of Burgesses, and, by the information of the Com- 
 mittee of the House appointed to inspect the magazine, no 
 other endeavours have been used than to prevail on the 
 
 * London, August 3, 1775. — Many persons have been at a loss to 
 account for Lord Dunmore's late conduct; but we have authority 
 to say, that the true reason of his Lordship's retiring on board the 
 Fowey, man-of-war, was an express from General Oage by the Otter, 
 sloop-of-war, which was despatched on the seventh of June, to acquaint 
 him of his intention of publishing the Proclamation, which appeared on 
 the twelfth, that he might secure himself from being soi2od and de- 
 tained as a hostage in the hands of the Americans, in «aee of the appre. 
 hension of Messrs. Adams and Hancock. 
 
1203 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1204 
 
 people to return the arms taken out, but not to commit the 
 persons in whose possession they were found, in order that 
 they might be brought to the punishment due to so heinous 
 an offence, no less against the peace and good order of the 
 Country than the dignity and authority of the King; when 
 a body of men assembled in the City of WUliamsburgh, 
 not only to the knowledge, but with the approbation of 
 every body, for the avowed purpose of attacking a party of 
 the King's forces, which, without the least foundation, it was 
 reported were marching to my protection, and which, if true, 
 ought to have been approved and aided, not opposed and 
 insulted, by all good and loyal subjects; when, especially, 
 the House of Burgesses, or a Committee of the House, 
 (which is the same,) has ventured upon a step fraught with 
 the most alarming consequences, in ordering and appointing 
 guards, without ever consulting me, to mount in the City 
 of WUliamsburgh, as is pretended, to protect the magazine, 
 but which may well be doubted, as there then remained 
 nothing therein which required being guarded ; but if other- 
 wise, this step nevertheless shows a design to usurp the 
 Executive power, which, if it be persisted in, subverts the 
 Constitution : I say, when these circumstances are duly 
 considered, I may submit it to your own judgment whether 
 I could reasonably expect any good effect from communi- 
 cating the ground of my uneasiness to you. 
 
 But as you are pleased, Gentlemen, now to assure me 
 that you will cheerfully concur in any measure that may be 
 proposed proper for the security of myself and family, I 
 leave to your own consideration whether that can be effected 
 any otherwise than by reinstating me in the full powers of 
 my office, as His Majesty's representative, by opening the 
 courts of justice and restoring the energy of the laws, which 
 is all the security requisite for all parties; by disarming all 
 independent companies, or other bodies of men, raised and 
 acting in defiance of lawful authority ; and by obliging those 
 who have taken- any of His Majesty's publick store of 
 arms, to deliver them up immediately ; and what is not less 
 essential than any thing, by your own example, and every 
 means in your power, abolishing that spirit of persecution, 
 which, to the disgrace of humanity, now reigns, and pursues 
 with menaces and acts of oppression all persons who differ 
 from the multitude in political opinion, or are attached from 
 principles and duty to the service of their King and Govern- 
 ment, by which means (the deluded people never hearing 
 but the disfigured side of a story) their minds are continu- 
 ally kept in that ferment, which subjects them for ever to 
 be imposed upon, and leads to the commission of many 
 desperate acts, and endangers the general safety. For the 
 more speedy accomplishment of these ends, and the great 
 object and necessary business of the sessions, I shall have 
 no objection to your adjourning to the Town of York, 
 where I will meet you, and remain with you till your busi- 
 ness be finished. 
 
 With respect to your entreaty that I should return to the 
 Palace, as the most likely means of quieting the minds of 
 the people, I must represent to you that unless there be 
 among you a sincere and active desire to seize this oppor- 
 tunity now offered to you by Parliament, of establishing the 
 freedom of your Country upon a fixed and known founda- 
 tion, and of uniting yourselves with your fellow-subjects of 
 Great Britain in one common bond of interest and mutual 
 assistance, my return to WUliamsburgh would be as fruitless 
 to the people as, possibly, it might be dangerous to myself. 
 But if your proceedings manifest that happy disposition, 
 which is to be desired ardently by every good friend to this 
 as well as the Mother Country, 1 assure you, in the warmth 
 of my heart, that I will return with the greatest joy, and 
 shall consider it as the most fortunate event of my life if 
 you give me an opportunity to be an instrument of pro- 
 moting your happiness, and a mediator between you and 
 the supreme authority, to obtain for you every explanation 
 of your doubts, and the fullest conviction of the sincerity 
 of their desire to confirm to you the undisturbed enjoyment 
 of your rights and liberty ; and I shall be well pleased, by 
 bringing my family back again, that you should have such 
 a pledge of my attachment to this Country, and of my 
 wishes to cultivate a close and lasting intimacy with the 
 inhabitants. Dunmore. 
 
 June 10, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That tho said Answer be taken into consi- 
 deration on Monday next. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, upon Monday next, 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to 
 take into consideration the Governour's Answer to the joint 
 Address of the Council and this House. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to inquire 
 into the causes of the late Disturbances and Commotions, 
 and report the same as they shall appear to them, to the 
 House. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed, of Mr. Cary, Mr. Trea- 
 surer, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Banister, Mr. Munford, Mr. 
 Jones, Mr. Charles Carter of Lancaster, Mr. Digges, 
 Mr. Whitinge, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Fra7icis Lightfoot Lee, 
 Mr. Wood, Mr. William Cabell, Mr. Braxton, and Mr. 
 Zane, and they are to have power to send for persons, 
 papers, and records. 
 
 Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a Bill for ap- 
 pointing an Agent ; and that Mr. Braxton and Mr. Trea- 
 surer do prepare, and bring in the same. 
 
 Monday, June 12, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 A Petition of the community of Christians, called Me- 
 nonitcs, was presented to the House, and read, setting forth, 
 that the Petitioners hold it to be contrary to the holy word 
 of God to swear in any matter whatsoever; so that they 
 cannot become witnesses in matters of controversy depend- 
 ing in any Court; nor can execute the office of executor 
 of any testament; nor undertake the administration of any 
 intestate's estates ; whereby they suffer many inconvenien- 
 ces ; and therefore praying, that they may have the same 
 liberty of affirming to the truth of any matter, as is indulged 
 to the people called Quakers, whose religious persuasion 
 that of the Petitioners nearly resembles. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Petition be referred to the con- 
 sideration of the Committee of Religion ; and that they do 
 examine the matter thereof, and report the same with their 
 opinion thereupon to the House. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee appointed to 
 draw up an Address, to be presented to the Covomour, 
 that the Committee had drawn up an Address accordingly ; 
 which they had direcled him to report to the House. And 
 he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered in 
 at the Clerk's table, where the same was read; and is as 
 followeth, viz : 
 
 My Lord: We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal sub- 
 jects, the Burgesses of Virginia, now met in General As- 
 sembly, have taken into our consideration the joint Address 
 of the two Houses of Parliament, His Majesty's Answer, 
 and the Resolution of the Commons, which your Lordship 
 has been pleased to lay before us. Wishing nothing so 
 sincerely as the perpetual continuance of that brotherly 
 love which we bear to our fellow-subjects of Great Britain, 
 and still continuing to hope and believe that they do not 
 approve the measures which have so long oppressed their 
 brethren in America, we were pleased to receive your 
 Lordship's notification, that a benevolent tender had at 
 length been made by the British House of Commons to- 
 wards bringing to a good end our unhappy disputes with 
 the Mother Country. Next to the possession of liberty, 
 my Lord, we should consider such a reconciliation as the 
 greatest of all human blessings. With these dispositions 
 we entered into the consideration .of that Resolution ; we 
 examined it minutely ; we viewed it in every point of light 
 in which we were able to place it ; and, with pain and dis- 
 appointment, we must ultimately declare it only changes 
 the form of oppression, without lightening its burden. We 
 cannot, my Lord, close with the terms of that Resolution, 
 for these reasons : 
 
 Because the British Parliament has no right to inter- 
 meddle with the support of civil Government in the Colo- 
 nies. For us, not for them, has Government been institu- 
 ted here. Agreeable to our ideas, provision has been made 
 for such officers as we think necessary for the administra- 
 tion of publick affairs ; and we cannot conceive that any 
 other legislature has a right to prescribe either the number 
 or pecuniary appointments of our offices. As a proof that 
 the claim of Parliament to interfere in the necessary pro- 
 visions for the support of civil Government is novel, and 
 of a late date, we take leave to refer to an Act of our As- 
 sembly, passed so long since as the thirty-second year of 
 the reign of King Charles the Second, intituled " An Act 
 
1205 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1206 
 
 for raising a publick revenue, and for the better support of 
 the Government of His Majesty's Colony of Virginia." 
 This act was brought over by Lord Culpepper, then Gov- 
 ernour, under the great seal of England, and was enacted 
 in the name of the " King's most excellent Majesty, by 
 and with the consent of the General Assembly." 
 
 Because, to render perpetual our exemption from an un- 
 just taxation, we must saddle ourselves with a perpetual 
 tax, adequate to the expectations, and subject to the dis- 
 posal of Parliament alone : whereas, we have a right to 
 give our money, as the Parliament do theirs, without coer- 
 cion, from time to time, as publick exigences may require. 
 We conceive that we alone are the judges of the condition, 
 circumstances, and situation of our people, as the Parlia- 
 ment are of theirs. It is not merely the mode of raising, 
 but the freedom of granting our money, for which we have 
 contended. Without this, we possess no check on the royal 
 prerogative ; and, what must be lamented by dutiful and 
 loyal subjects, we should be stripped of the only means, as 
 well of recommending this Country to the favours of our 
 most gracious Sovereign, as of strengthening those bands 
 of amity with our fellow-subjects, which we would wish to 
 remain indissoluble. 
 
 Because, on our undertaking to grant money, as is pro- 
 posed, the Commons only resolve to forbear levying pecu- 
 niary taxes on us, still leaving unrepealed their several Acts 
 passed for the purposes of restraining the Trade, and alter- 
 ing the form of Government of the Eastern Colonies ; 
 extending the boundaries, and changing the Government 
 and Religion of Quebeck ; enlarging the jurisdiction of the 
 Courts of Admiralty ; taking from us the right of Trial by 
 Jury, and transporting us into other countries to be tried 
 for criminal offences. Standing Armies, too, are still to be 
 kept among us, and the other numerous grievances, of 
 which ourselves and sister Colonies, separately and by our 
 Representatives in General Congress, have so often com- 
 plained, are still to continue without redress. 
 
 Because, at the very time of requiring from us grants of 
 money, they are making disposition to invade us with large 
 armaments by sea and land, which is a style of asking gifts 
 not reconcilable to our freedom. They are also proceed- 
 ing to a repetition of injury, by passing Acts for restraining 
 the Commerce and Fisheries of the Provinces of New- 
 England, and for prohibiting the Trade of the other Co- 
 lonies with all parts of the world, except the Island of 
 Great Britain, Ireland, and the West-Indies. This seems 
 to bespeak no intention to discontinue the exercise of this 
 usurped power over us in future. 
 
 Because, on our agreeing to contribute our proportion 
 towards the common defence, they do not propose to lay 
 open to us a free trade with all the world : whereas, to us 
 it appears just that those who bear equally the burdens of 
 Government should equally participate of its benefits ; 
 either be contented with the monopoly of our trade, which 
 brings greater loss to us and benefit to them than the 
 amount of our proportional contributions to the common 
 defence ; or, if the latter be preferred, relinquish the for- 
 mer, and do not propose, by holding both, to exact from us 
 double contributions. Yet we would remind Government, 
 that on former emergencies, when called upon as a free peo- 
 ple, however cramped by this monopoly in our resources of 
 wealth, we have liberally contributed to the common de- 
 fence. Be assured, then, that we shall be as generous in 
 future as in past times, disclaiming the shackles of propor- 
 tion when called to our free station in the general system 
 of the Empire. 
 
 Because the proposition now made to us involves the 
 interest of all the other Colonies. We are now repre- 
 sented in General Congress by members approved by this 
 House, where our former union, it is hoped, will be so 
 strongly cemented, that no partial applications can produce 
 the slightest departure from the common cause. We con- 
 sider ourselves as bound in honour, as well as interest, to 
 share one general fate with our sister Colonies ; and should 
 hold ourselves base deserters of that union to which we 
 have acceded, were we to agree on any measures distinct 
 and apart from them. 
 
 There was, indeed, a plan of accommodation offered in 
 Parliament, which, though not entirely equal to the terms 
 we had a right to ask, yet differed but in few points from 
 what the General Congress had held out. Had Parliament 
 
 been disposed sincerely, as we are, to bring about a recon- 
 ciliation, reasonable men had hoped, that by meeting us on 
 this ground, something might have been done. Lord Chat- 
 ham's Bill, on the one part, and the terms of Congress on 
 the other, would have formed a basis for negotiation, which 
 a spirit of accommodation on both sides might, perhaps, 
 have reconciled. It came recommended, too, from one 
 whose successful experience in the art of Government 
 should have insured it some attention from those to whom 
 it was tendered. He had shown to the world, that Great 
 Britain, with her Colonies united firmly under a just and 
 honest Government, formed a power which might bid de- 
 fiance to the most potent enemies. With a change of Min- 
 isters, however, a total change of measures took place. 
 The component parts of the Empire have, from that mo- 
 ment, been falling asunder, and a total annihilation of its 
 weight in the political scale of the world, seems justly to 
 be apprehended. 
 
 These, my Lord, are our sentiments on this important sub- 
 ject, which we offer only as an individual part of the whole 
 Empire. Final determination we leave to the General Con- 
 gress, now sitting, before whom we shall lay the papers your 
 Lordship has communicated to us. To their wisdom we 
 commit the improvement of this important advance ; if it 
 can be wrought into any good, we are assured they will do 
 it. To them, also, we refer the discovery of that proper 
 method of representing our well-founded grievances, which 
 your Lordship assures us will meet with the attention and 
 regard so justly due to them. For ourselves, we have ex- 
 hausted every mode of application which our invention 
 could suggest as proper and promising. We have decently 
 remonstrated with Parliament : they have added new inju- 
 ries to the old. We have wearied our King with applica- 
 tions : he has not deigned to answer us. We have appeal- 
 ed to the native honour and justice of the British Nation : 
 their efforts in our favour have been hitherto ineffectual. 
 What, then, remains to be done ? That we commit our in- 
 juries to the evenhanded justice of the Being who doth 
 no wrong, earnestly beseeching him to illuminate the coun- 
 sels, and prosper the endeavours of those to whom Ame- 
 rica hath confided her hopes, that through their wise direc- 
 tion we may again see reunited the blessings of liberty, 
 property, and harmony with Great Britain. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 Besolved, That the House doth agree with the Com- 
 mittee in the said Address, to be presented to the Govern- 
 our. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Munford, Mr. Braxton, Mr. 
 Jones, and Mr. Wood. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, 
 
 Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into consi- 
 deration the Governour's Answer to the joint Address of 
 the Council and this House. 
 
 Tuesday, June 13, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported, from the Committee appointed to 
 inspect the Magazine in this City and inquire into the 
 Stores belonging to the same, that the Committee had in- 
 spected the said Magazine, and inquired into the said Stores 
 accordingly ; and had directed him to report the same, as it 
 appeared to them, to the House; and he read the Report 
 in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk's 
 table ; where the same was read, and is as followeth, viz: 
 
 It appears to your Committee, from the deposition of 
 John Frederick Miller, keeper of the magazine, that in 
 June last there were thirty barrels of gunpowder, contain- 
 ing each about fifty weight, in indifferent order ; that, by 
 the Governour's directions, he sifted twenty-seven barrels, 
 out of which he made up twenty-six casks and better ; the 
 other three he left unsifted ; that the President soon 
 after sent the Governour, then ou the frontiers, eight of 
 those he had sifted, three hundred muskets, bayonets, 
 cartouch boxes, and canteens, which have never been 
 returned ; that one hundred and sixty of the said muskets 
 were furnished out of the palace, and soon after replaced 
 out of the magazine ; that the said Miller, by order of the 
 President, also delivered out about fifty stand of arms to some 
 gentlemen of this City, which h.ave not been returned. 
 
1207 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1208 
 
 That, about the middle of April last, the said Miller 
 delivered up the keys of the magazine to the Governour, 
 and he then left there twenty one barrels and a half of 
 powder, including t he three unsifted; three hundred and 
 forty-two new muskets, lately cleaned, and in complete 
 order; others that wanted but small repairs, and a large 
 number of old muskets, and other small guns, almost use- 
 less, and many other articles, which he could not enume- 
 rate. 
 
 It further appears to the Committee, from the deposi- 
 tions of the said Miller, and John Dixon, Esquire, Mayor 
 of this City, that they were in the magazine (soon after 
 the powder was said to be taken away) with his Excel- 
 lency, who then mentioned, that he had taken away fifteen 
 barrels of powder. They then saw eight barrels which 
 they understood was powder; one being open, appeared to 
 be dust of powder ; and, at the same time, they observed 
 that the cleaned muskets were without locks; and the said 
 Miller says his Excellency rebuked him for not taking 
 notice of that circumstance; and the said Dixon said he 
 observed some persons had b en in the magazine over 
 night, as he saw many arms lying in the yard of it ; and 
 his Excellency then told him, he had ordered the powder 
 to be buried in the magazine yard ; for though it was but 
 dust, yet, as he understood some persons went into the 
 magazine for arms in the night with a light, they might set 
 fire to the powder and injure the magazine. 
 
 Your Committee farther report, that before they pro- 
 ceeded to examine any witnesses, they waited on his Ex- 
 cellency, to request that he would be pleased to direct the 
 keeper of the magazine to give them access thereto; and 
 having received the keys three days after the first applica- 
 tion, they immediately proceeded to inspect the magazine, 
 and found therein nineteen halberts ; one hundred and 
 fifty-seven trading guns, in pretty good order, but very in- 
 different in the kind ; fifty-one pewter basons ; eight camp 
 kettles ; one hundred and eight new muskets without locks ; 
 about five hundred and twenty-seven old muskets, the 
 barrels very rusty, and the locks almost useless ; twelve 
 hundred cartouch boxes ; fifteeen hundred cutlasses with 
 scabbards; one hundred and seventy pistol holsters, and 
 one hundred and fifty old pistols, or thereabouts, with and 
 without locks ; fifty mallets ; two bundles of match rope ; 
 two hundred canteens; thirty-five small swords, in bad 
 order ; one tent and ten poles ; one hogshead of powder- 
 horns ; one hundred and twenty-seven bayonets ; and one 
 hundred knapsacks in the smith's shop, and that part of 
 the magazine called the armory ; also one half barrel of 
 dust and rotten powder ; one half barrel and a quarter of 
 unsifted powder, tolerably good, in the powder room, that 
 has no communication with the armory ; also, five half 
 barrels of loose powder, buried in a hole in the magazine 
 yard, the top of which (in quantity about two half barrels) 
 was totally destroyed by the late rains, the rest very damp, 
 but quite sound ; this, his Excellency acknowledged to 
 your Committee, was buried there by his orders. The 
 deficiency, this Committee suppose, is owing to the fifteen 
 half barrels which Captain Collins moved from the maga- 
 zine, as acknowledged in the Governour's message to this 
 House. 
 
 And your Committee farther report, that the morning 
 before they entered upon this business, some persons un- 
 known had broke into the magazine, and taken out arms, 
 part of which, upon the application of some of the mem- 
 bers of this House and other gentlemen, were restored. 
 And finding the respect paid by the people to the members 
 of this House, your Committee thought it most likely, to 
 prevent farther depredations, to request some gentlemen of 
 the Town to guard the magazine till application could be 
 made to his Excellency for leave of access thereto, which 
 your Committee immediately did, informing his Lordship 
 of the steps they had taken therein ; which he did not 
 object to. 
 
 That the doors and windows of the magazine now want 
 repairs, which, being done, your Committee are of opinion 
 that it will be sufficiently secure, it never having proved 
 otherwise since its first erection, now sixty years past, until 
 since the powder was taken by order of the Governour 
 aforementioned. 
 
 Your Committee also proceeded to inquire what arms 
 and ammunition had been, from time to time, deposited in 
 
 the magazine, and the disbursements thereof, but could 
 obtain no certain information respecting the same, the late 
 keeper being out of the Colony, and his predecessor dead ; 
 nor can your Committee find, although they have exam- 
 ined several persons most likely to be acquainted with such 
 facts, and applied personally to His Majesty's Receiver- 
 General for that purpose, that any powder had been lodged 
 in the magazine from on board the Rijrpon man-of-war, or 
 any of His Majesty's ships. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report do lie upon the table, to 
 be perused by the Members of the House. 
 
 Resolved, That a Message be sent to His Majesty's 
 Council acquainting them, that since his Excellency the 
 Governour hath been pleased to remove from the Palace, 
 the House are exceedingly apprehensive that the publick 
 Arms therein are too much exposed, and beg to be informed 
 whether in their opinion some proper method cannot be 
 taken to secure as well these Arms as those in the publick 
 Magazine. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Braxton and Mr. Treasurer do carry 
 the said Message to the Council. 
 
 A Petition of sundry persons of the community of Chris- 
 tians called Baptists, and other Protestant Dissenters, whose 
 names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House 
 and read ; setting forth, that the toleration proposed by the 
 bill ordered at a former session of General Assembly to be 
 printed and published, not admitting publick worship, except 
 in the day time, is inconsistent with the laws of England, 
 as well as with the practice and usage of the primitive 
 churches, and even of the English church itself; that the 
 night season may sometimes be better spared by the Peti- 
 tioners from the necessary duties of their callings; and that 
 they wish for no indulgences which may disturb the peace 
 of Government; and therefore praying the House to take 
 their case into consideration, and to grant them suitable 
 redress. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Petition do lie upon the table. 
 
 Mr. Braxton presented to the House, according to order, 
 a Bill for appointing an Agent ; and the same was received 
 and read the first time. 
 
 Resolved, That the Bill be read a second time. 
 
 The other Order of the Day being read, 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House, to take into consi- 
 deration the Governour's Answer to the joint Address of 
 the Council and this House. 
 
 Wednesday, June 14, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 Richard Bland, Esq., one of the Delegates from this 
 Colony to the General Congress at Philadelphia, acquaint- 
 ed the House that a petition of several persons in that part 
 of the County of Augusta, which is on the west side of the 
 Alleghany Mountain, addressed to the President and Gen- 
 tlemen of the Continental Congress, having been presented 
 to them, setting forth that the petitioners had grievously 
 suffered by the devastations of the Indians in the late war: 
 that, to avoid captivity by an enemy so insidious, cruel, 
 and savage, many of the petitioners having been obliged to 
 desert their habitation and retire to Forts, so that they could 
 not till the ground, now wanted bread, and supported them- 
 selves chiefly by the spontaneous productions of the earth ; 
 that the promising appearance of a plentiful crop had 
 encouraged them to bear these afflictions without repining, 
 and to hope for better times ; but that those fair prospects 
 would probably be delusive, unless effectual measures were 
 pursued to avert the calamities with which they were 
 threatened ; that Lord Dunmorc, after the expedition 
 against the Indians, promised to meet them at Pittsburgh 
 in the spring, and conclude a peace, and then restore the 
 hostages delivered to him, and discharge the captives; that 
 the Indians had been uneasy for some time because the 
 treaty was deferred ; that the Dclawares particularly were 
 very much dissatisfied, and repented that they had not 
 joined the Shawancsc in the war, since they found the 
 white people were not to be depended on ; that the com- 
 mandant in that quarter for Government had instructions, 
 as the petitioners were informed, to assemble the Indians 
 at that place so soon as he could, when the hostages and 
 prisoners would be delivered up ; and that the petitioners, 
 
1209 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1210 
 
 unable to discover the design of Government, apprehended 
 every evil from the threats of it to enfranchise the slaves, 
 on condition they would rebel against their masters: and 
 therefore praying the Congress, to which application was 
 made because it was thought the Provincial Assemblies 
 could not provide adequate remedies early enough, to take 
 the case of the petitioners into consideration, and appoint 
 Commissioners from this Colony and Pennsylvania, to at- 
 tend the meeting of the Indians, and co-operate with Gov- 
 ernment for the publick good; or, if the latter should fail, 
 to nominate persons for that purpose, and proceed without 
 them in the treaty, which is absolutely necessary. The 
 Congress referred the said Petition to the Delegates of this 
 Colony and Pennsylvania, who having considered the same, 
 and being of opinion that the matter ought to be commu- 
 nicated to this House, and submitted to their consideration, 
 Mr. Bland was directed by his colleagues to lay the same 
 before the House, which he thus did with all convenient 
 expedition. 
 
 The said information being immediately taken into con- 
 sideration. 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Walker, James Wood, Andrew 
 hie wis, John Walker, and Adam Stephen, Esquires, be ap- 
 pointed Commissioners to ratify the Treaty of Peace be- 
 tween this Colony and the Indians. 
 
 Ordered, That a Bill be brought in pursuant to the said 
 Resolution, and that Mr. Tieasurer and Mr. Dnndridge do 
 prepare and bring in the same. 
 
 Ordered, That it be an instruction to the gentlemen ap- 
 pointed to prepare and bring in the said Bill, that they have 
 power to receive a clause or clauses, to empower the said 
 Commissioners to join with such other Commissioners as 
 may be appointed by the Assembly of Pennsylvania, in 
 such manner as shall be judged most proper for conciliating 
 the friendship of the Indians, and perpetuating the peace 
 now subsisting between the said Indians and the Colonies. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee appointed to 
 inquire info the causes of the late Disturbances and Com- 
 motions, that the Committee had inquired accordingly, and 
 had directed him to report the causes of the said Distur- 
 bances and Commotions, as they appeared to them, to the 
 House ; and he read the Report in his place, and after- 
 wards delivered it at the Clerk's table, where the same 
 was read, and is as followeth, viz: 
 
 It appears to your Committee, by the testimony of Doc- 
 tor William Pasteur, that on Friday morning, the twenty- 
 third of April last, there was a commotion in the City of 
 WilHamsburgh, occasioned by the Governour's removing 
 some powder from the publick magazine; that a common 
 hall being assembled he attended ; an address was pre- 
 sented to his Excellency the Governour, and an answer 
 received, as published in the Virginia Gazette; that the 
 people, at the request of the Corporation, retired peaceably 
 to their habitations ; that, during the commotion, the Cap- 
 tains Foy, Montague, and Collins, walked the main street 
 unmolested ; that, in the morning of the twenty-third of 
 April, the said Pasteur, attending a patient at the Palace, 
 accidentally met with his Excellency the Governour, who 
 introduced a conversation relative to what had passed the 
 preceding day, and seemed greatly exasperated at the peo- 
 ple's having been under arms; when the said Pasteur ob- 
 served, that it was done in a hurry and confusion, and that 
 most of the people were convinced they were wrong. His 
 Lordship then proceeded to make use of several rash ex- 
 pressions, and said that though he did not think himself in 
 danger, yet understood some injury or insult was intended 
 to be offered to the Captains Foy and Collins, which he 
 should consider as done to himself, as those gentlemen 
 acted entirely by his particular directions ; that his Lord- 
 ship then swore by the living God, that if a grain of powder 
 was burnt at Captain Foy or Collins, or if any injury or 
 insult was offered to himself or either of them, that he 
 would declare freedom to the slaves, and reduce the City 
 of WilHamsburgh to ashes. His Lordship then mentioned 
 setting up the royal standard, but did not say that he would 
 actually do it, but said he believed if he did, he should 
 have a majority of white people, and all the slaves, on the 
 side of Government ; that he had once fought for the Vir- 
 ginians, and that, by God, he would let them see that he 
 could fight against them, and declared that in a short time 
 
 he could depopulate the whole Country. That his Excel- 
 lency desired the said Pasteur immediately to communicate 
 this to the Speaker and other gentlemen of the Town, for 
 that there was not an hour to spare : adding also, that if 
 Finnie and George Nicholas continued to go at large, what 
 he had said would, from some misconduct of theirs, be 
 carried into execution. That the said Pasteur immediately 
 communicated this matter to the Speaker and several other 
 gentlemen of the Town, and it soon became publickly 
 known; in consequence of which two of the principal gen- 
 tlemen of the City sent their wives and children into the 
 country. That bis Excellency at other times, more than 
 once, did say he should not carry these plans into execu- 
 tion unless he was attacked. That the inhabitants of Wil- 
 Hamsburgh were soon after informed, by an express from 
 Fredericksburgh, that the people in that part of the country 
 were in motion towards this City. That the next morning 
 after this report, the said Pasteur, attending a patient at the 
 Palace, again met accidentally with the Governour, who 
 declared to the said Pasteur, that if a large body of people 
 came below Rutin's Ferry, (a place about thirty miles from 
 this City,) he would immediately enlarge his plan and 
 carry it into execution; but said that he should not regard 
 a small number of men, adding, he then had two hundred 
 muskets loaded in the Palace. The said Pasteur saith, 
 that, to the best of his knowledge, at the time Lady Dun- 
 more and family removed from H illiamsburgh on board the 
 Fowey, man-of-war, then lying at York, the inhabitants of 
 this City were very peaceable. 
 
 It appears to your Committee, from the testimony of 
 Benjamin Waller, that the morning after the powder was 
 removed from the publick magazine, the people in the City 
 of WilHamsburgh were much alarmed, and assembled, some 
 with, and others without arms ; but when the Corporation 
 reported the Governour's answer to their Address, they, by 
 the persuasions of the Magistrates and other principal gen- 
 tlemen of the Town, dispersed and were quiet, except in 
 the evening, when a report prevailed that the Marines were 
 landed, and intended to attack the Town ; they expressed 
 great uneasiness, and went with their arms to the magazine 
 to guard it, but soon dispersed, except a few, who acted as 
 a patrol that night. That the next day Dr. Pasteur came 
 to the said Waller's house and informed him of the Govern- 
 our's threatening, that if himself, his family, or Captain Col- 
 lins, were insulted, he would declare liberty to the slaves, 
 and lay the Town in ashes ; and that the Governour had de- 
 sired him to communicate this his declaration to the Magis- 
 trates of the City, for that there was not an hour to lose. 
 That these declarations gave the said Waller and the other 
 inhabitants of the Town great uneasiness. That several 
 days afterwards his Excellency came to the said Waller s 
 house on some private business, and in the course of con- 
 versation his Lordship said that Captain Collins had only- 
 taken fifteen half barrels of powder from the magazine : 
 that some was not good, and others not full ; but that be 
 believed that one whole barrel might be got out of three 
 half barrels ; whereupon the said Waller took the liberty 
 to mention to his Lordship, that he was sorry to tell his 
 Excellency that he had lost the confidence of the people, 
 not so much for having taken the powder, as for the decla- 
 ration he made of raising and freeing the slaves ; to which 
 he answered, that he did say so, and made no secret of it. 
 and that he would do that or any thing else, to have de- 
 fended himself, in case he had been attacked. That his 
 Lordship farther observed, that some slaves had offered him 
 their service at the time the Hanover men were coming 
 down, but that he had sent them away. The said Ben- 
 jamin Waller farther says, that several young gentlemen of 
 the Town, and others, had formed themselves into a com- 
 pany, (by the name of an Independent Company,) to learn 
 the military exercise, and elected the Colonel of the Mi- 
 litia for their Captain, and that they usually mustered once 
 a week. That when his Excellency returned from the 
 Indian expedition last fall, many of the said company 
 waited upon him in their uniform, to congratulate his Lord- 
 ship on his return ; but the said Waller heard they were 
 coolly received. That said Waller says that he never 
 heard of any powder being lodged in the magazine from 
 the Rippon, man-of-war, until since the removal of the 
 powder, and then only from report, the truth of which bt 
 does not know. 
 
1211 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1212 
 
 It also appears to your Committee, from the testimony 
 of John Randolph, Esq., Attorney-General, of the City of 
 If illiamsburgh, that the morning after the removal of the 
 powder, many of the people were under arms at the Court- 
 House. That he does not recollect he heard the Governour 
 expressly say he would proclaim freedom to the slaves, but 
 is well satisfied such was his Lordship's intention, if it had 
 been necessary for him to take up arms in defence of his 
 person. That he does not recollect he ever saw any of the 
 people under arras (except on the removal of the powder) 
 but the volunteer company when exercising ; which com- 
 pany had been formed a considerable time before the dis- 
 turbance happened. That he thought Lady Dunmore had 
 no reason, but the timidity of her sex, to suspect any injury 
 would be done her or her family; nor did he know that 
 Lord Dunmore had just cause to apprehend danger, unless 
 he gave credit to the reports carried to him, which were of 
 such a nature as to justify an opinion that his person was 
 not safe. That he is of opinion, and that he informed the 
 Governour so when he, with other gentlemen, waited upon 
 him with the address of the House, that his person was 
 in no danger. That his Lordship was almost every day at 
 his, the said Randolph's, house, distant above a quarter of 
 a mile from the Palace, and in particular the evening of his 
 departure, and that his Lordship received no insult, as he 
 knows of, in passing to and from thence. The said Ran- 
 dolph says that he understood from the Governour, in case 
 armed people came to Williamsburgh, he would fix up the 
 royal standard to distinguish the friends of Government 
 from its foes ; and that if negroes, on that occasion, offered 
 their services, they would be received. That the Governour 
 informed him (by one of his servants) some negroes had 
 offered their service, but ordered his servant to bid them go 
 about their business. That the morning after the removal 
 of the powder, the said Randolph saw Captain Collins, Cap- 
 tain Foy, and, he believes, Captain Stretch, pass through 
 the people unmolested. 
 
 It also appears, by the testimony of John Dixon, Esq., 
 Mayor of the City of Williamsburgh, that, in the opinion 
 of the inhabitants, the Militia of the City being on an in- 
 different footing, and they having heard of an independent 
 company established at Norfolk, were desirous of forming 
 one in Williamsburgh, That such company was accord- 
 ingly formed, and, although he does not know the Gov- 
 ernour was ever present when they were exercised, the 
 said Dixon never heard he disapproved of it. That his 
 Honour the President, while the Governour was out on 
 the Indian expedition, directed the keeper of the publick 
 magazine to furnish the company with muskets. That a 
 Committee was chosen in the City, agreeable to the direc- 
 tions of the Congress, but not to act, as he knew of, under 
 the Committee. That upon the Governour's return from 
 the Indian expedition, one of the company waited upon 
 his Excellency, to inform him the company intended to 
 pay their compliments to him the next morning, before the 
 Palace, if agreeable to Lady Dunmore, who was'then in- 
 disposed; but his Lordship being out of the way, the per- 
 son who went, left his compliments of the above import. 
 That the next morning the said Dixon, as captain, with 
 part of the company, drew up in Palace-street, and paid 
 the usual compliments. That his Lordship did not come 
 out to meet them ; but some time afterwards there was a 
 message delivered by Mr. Rlair, from his Excellency, that 
 he would have done himself the pleasure of waiting upon 
 them, if they had staid a little longer, as he did not expect 
 they would have finished their exercise so soon. That the 
 morning after the powder was removed, many of the inha- 
 bitants being much alarmed, and greatly incensed against 
 Capt. Foy and Capt. Collins, assembled at the Court-House 
 under arms ; but docs not believe, nor has he heard any 
 injury or insult was intended to the Governour. That 
 some time after the Governour's answer to the address of 
 the Corporation was read, the people, upon the interposi- 
 tion of the Magistrates, and other gentlemen, were satisfied, 
 and returned home in quiet. That after the Governour 
 had declared what Captain Collins had done was by his 
 order, their resentment against Captain Collins subsided. 
 That the same evening the powder was removed a report 
 prevailed that a number of armed men from Captain Col- 
 linses schooner had landed at Bur well's Ferry, about four 
 miles from Williamsburgh, with design, as was supposed, 
 
 to remove the arms from the magazine ; whereupon many 
 of the inhabitants repaired to the magazine, to prevent 
 such design being executed ; but by the advice of some 
 gentlemen, they all dispersed except such as patrolled that 
 night. That the inhabitants appeared to be in perfect tran- 
 quillity, till a report was spread of his Excellency's throw- 
 ing out some threats respecting the slaves, when there 
 seemed to be great uneasiness ; but nothing more was done 
 but doubling the usual patrol. That after the alarm was 
 over the first day, he remembers to have seen Captain Foy 
 and Captain Montague walk the streets, and he believes 
 without insult ; and frequently saw them, Captain Collins 
 and other officers, do the same, without their swords, unmo- 
 lested by the inhabitants. 
 
 It also appears, by the testimony of Joseph Ilutchings, 
 Colonel of the Militia of the Borough of Norfolk, that 
 some years ago the inhabitants, judging it would be a 
 means of their greater security, proposed raising an inde- 
 pendent company, that, by their being more regularly 
 trained, they might be more capable of acting upon an 
 emergency ; that some time afterwards, his Excellency 
 Lord Dunmore being at Norfolk, the said Hutchings in- 
 formed him of the intention of the inhabitants, and asked 
 his advice how to act as to granting commissions, the 
 company intending to choose their own officers; that his 
 Lordship highly commended the proposal, advised the said 
 Hutchings to encourage and grant commissions to such 
 officers as might be chosen, and expressed his wishes that 
 the example might be followed throughout the Country. 
 That about two years afterwards his Lordship was again at 
 Norfolk, when the company was completely formed and 
 regimented ; and, having drawn them up, his Lordship 
 marched through the lines in order to review them, and 
 again expressed great satisfaction. 
 
 Your Committee then proceeded to examine several gen- 
 tlemen, merchants, natives of Great Britain, who reside 
 in different parts of this Colony, respecting the disposition 
 of its people, and its internal peace, the causes of the late 
 commotions, and the progress thereof; and it appears to 
 your Committee, from the depositions by them taken, as 
 follows : 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of Hugh Hamilton, of 
 the County of Westmoreland , that the Courts of this Colo- 
 ny have always proceeded in criminal business as usual, 
 but declined trying civil causes immediately on the lapse 
 of the Fee-Bill, which, together with the Non- Exportation 
 Agreement, was, in his opinion, the cause of stopping that 
 business, rather than an inclination of withholding justice, 
 his acquaintances having the same inclination to pay their 
 debts as before the stoppage of the Courts. That Com- 
 mittees had been chosen within these twelve months, 
 and independent companies formed in his and the neigh- 
 bouring Counties about the month of February last, for 
 the defence of the Colony, and that he never heard they 
 were designed to .protect the Committee. That, in his 
 County, the gentlemen have been at proper pains to pre- 
 serve order; and it has been recommended to the Militia 
 to acquire a knowledge of the military exercise. That the 
 people within his acquaintance have been very orderly, and 
 that he never saw any commotion before the powder was 
 taken from the magazine; that there was an alarm con- 
 cerning the slaves prior to this transaction, which was 
 greatly increased by the report of the Governour's inten- 
 tion to declare them free. That he never discovered the 
 smallest inclination in any of the inhabitants to be indepen- 
 dent of Great Britain; but, on the contrary, a most eager 
 desire for a connexion, as it stood prior to the acts of Par- 
 liament imposing taxes on America; and he is persuaded 
 a redress of grievances complained of would establish a 
 perfect tranquillity throughout this Colony, and produce a 
 reconciliation with the Parent State. 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of Thomas Mitchell, of 
 the County of Louisa, that the loss of the Fee-Bill is gene- 
 rally assigned, and, he believes, was the immediate cause 
 of stopping the civil proceedings in the courts of justice; 
 but apprehends their not being resumed is owing to the 
 commercial mode of opposition. That no independent 
 company was formed in the said County until the 8th of 
 May, 1775, or thereabouts, nor a Committee chosen until 
 some months after the Association entered into; and it is 
 his opinion the said company was raised with a view to put 
 
HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 the Colony into a state of defence, but believes it would 
 assist their Committee, if called on. That no commotions 
 have happened in the said County, but that the Govern- 
 our's declaration to give freedom to the slaves greatly in- 
 llamed the minds of those who believed it ; but does not 
 think that belief was general. That he does not think the 
 Colony wish to be independent of Great Britain, and is 
 satisfied a redress of the grievances complained of would 
 restore tranquillity and reconciliation. 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of James Lyle and Robert 
 Donald, of the County of Chesterjield, that the reason as- 
 signed for slopping the Courts in civil proceedings was the 
 expiration of the Fee-Bill ; and they are of opinion, that 
 their refusing to proceed now is owing to the adopted mode 
 of commercial opposition. That no independent company 
 was formed in Chesterjield till a few weeks ago, and that 
 they were intended for the general defence of the Coun- 
 try, and not, as they know, designed for the protection of 
 the Committee, or to be under their direction ; but they 
 believe they would protect the Committee, if required. 
 That the inhabitants were quiet and peaceable prior to the 
 removal of the powder, and were greatly alarmed and ex- 
 asperated at the Governour's declaration of giving freedom 
 to the slaves, since which uncommon diligence has been 
 used in training the Independent Company and the Militia 
 to arms; but the people have always behaved themselves 
 orderly, paying the greatest regard to the prudent advice 
 of their officers. That they have no reason to believe the 
 people wish an independence of Great Britain, and firmly 
 believe a redress of the present grievances would establish 
 general tranquillity throughout this Colony, and a recon- 
 ciliation with Great Britain. 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of Thomas Hodge and 
 James Robison, of King George County, Charles Yates 
 and Henry Mitchell, of Spottsylrania, and Robert Gil- 
 christ and Patrick Kennan, of Caroline, that the expiration 
 of the Fee-Bill was the immediate cause of stopping the 
 Courts in civil causes. That it has been since considered 
 as a political means of obtaining a redress of grievances, 
 by interesting the British merchants, who have property 
 here, in our behalf; and that, since it has been determined 
 to discontinue the exports, it has been thought necessary ; 
 but the Courts proceed in criminal cases as usual. That 
 Committees have been established to enforce the resolu- 
 tions of the General Congress, and independent companies 
 formed to learn the use of arms, at different periods : in 
 Spottsylvania some time last winter, in Caroline in Febru- 
 ary or March last, and in King George since the last 
 Colony Convention in March. Tiny do not know that 
 they were established to protect the Committees, hut believe 
 the defence of the Colony was the first and principal motive. 
 That some of the Independent Company of Spottsylvania 
 bave acted under the direction of their Committee, but the 
 Caroline company refused to enlist, unless they were to 
 he solely under the direction of officers of their own choos- 
 ih i. That there never were anv commotions amonc the 
 jieople till after the powder was removed from the maga- 
 zine, when, in consequence of that transaction, there was 
 a great assembly of armed men at Fredericksbursrh, and 
 adjacent places; but they were very orderly and peaceable, 
 and upon advice of a Council they appointed, and some of 
 the Delegates of this Colony, they all retired to their re- 
 spective homes. That about this time they understood the 
 Governour had made a declaration of freedom to the slaves, 
 which was not generally believed ; but as far as it gained 
 credit, it tended greatly to inflame the people. That they 
 do not believe any part of this Colony wish an indepen- 
 dence of Great Britain, though they cannot undertake to 
 judge of the views of individuals ; and they hope and think, 
 a redress of the present grievances would restore tran- 
 quillity here, and produce a reconciliation with the Parent 
 State. 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of Archibald Ritchie, of 
 the County of Essex, that the cause generally assigned for 
 stopping the proceedings of the Courts in civil causes (the 
 criminal proceedings going on as usual) was the expiration 
 of the Fee-Bill ; but that he believes the measure was politi- 
 cally adopted for carrying more effectually into execution 
 the purposes of the Association. That the volunteer com- 
 pany in the County of Essex was formed about three weeks 
 ago, not merely for protecting the Committees ; but believes 
 
 they would do so, if required. That previous to the seiz- 
 ure of the powder, the state of the Colony, as far as his 
 observation extended, was a general acquiescence in the 
 resolves of the Provincial and General Congress ; and 
 that in consequence thereof, no commotion happened in 
 that County. That he does not know of any one that 
 wishes independence of Great Britain; but, on his oath, 
 cannot say there are none such. That he has not the least 
 doubt, if the grievances complained of were redressed, 
 perfect tranquillity would be established between Great 
 Brituin and the Colonies. 
 
 It appears, from the testimony of Charles Duncan, of 
 the County of Chesterjield, near the Town of Peter sburgh 
 and Blanford, that the loss of the Fee-Bill, in his opinion, 
 was the immediate cause of the stop to the proceedings in 
 the Courts in civil causes, (the criminal going on as usual.) 
 That a volunteer company in the said County was formed 
 some time after the Convention at Richmond, and, in his 
 opinion, solely for putting the Country into a posture of 
 defence, without any regard to the protection of the Com- 
 mittee. That the state of the Colony, before the removal 
 of the powder, was peaceable and orderly ; and a strict 
 compliance with the resolves of the Continental and Pro- 
 vincial Congress was, he thinks, the cause of maintain- 
 ing that good order, so little to be expected in a country 
 deprived of so essential a part of its laws. That the removal 
 of the powder certainly occasioned the commotions com- 
 plained of, and he believes, so far as the Governour's de- 
 clarations gained credit, they contributed to those disturb- 
 ances : but there were none such in the neighbourhood 
 where he lives. That he never heard any person wish an 
 independence of Great Britain, and is clearly of opinion 
 a redress of the present grievances would immediately pro- 
 duce a hearty reconciliation. 
 
 It appears, by the testimony of Archibald Bryce, of the 
 County of Henrico, that the expiration of the Fee-Bill 
 was the reason assigned by the Court for stopping the 
 proceedings in civil cases (the criminal going on as usual ;) 
 and he believes the commercial mode of opposition is the 
 reason why the business of the Courts is not resumed. 
 That the suspension in civil proceedings took place in 
 June, 1774; and, some time in the fall, a Committee was 
 chosen, agreeable to an article of the General Association. 
 That the Independent Company of Henrico has not been 
 formed above six weeks, and he believes the principal 
 design of their institution was to put the Colony into a 
 proper state of defence. That he knew of no commotions 
 in the Country before the seizure of the powder ; and 
 as very few took up arms upon that occasion, he was in- 
 formed that at the request of one of the representatives of 
 the County they returned to their habitations. That he 
 thinks, as far as the Governour's declaration gained credit 
 with the people, it served to irritate their minds, and might 
 possibly be a means of continuing the commotions in the 
 Country. That he believes the Colony in general do not 
 wish an independence, and that a redress of grievances 
 would establish tranquillity, and produce a reconciliation. 
 
 It appears, by the testimony of Thomas Montgomery, 
 of the County" of Prince William, that, previous to the 
 powder's being seized, Committees of Correspondence and 
 of Observation, to carry into effect the resolutions of the 
 Congress, and volunteer companies, were formed; military 
 discipline was taught, arms and ammunition were indus- 
 trioujly procured. That upon the report of the Govern- 
 our's having seized the powder, many people marched 
 to Fredericksburgh ; where, upon a meeting of several 
 Counties, it was determined, in consultation, they should 
 return to their respective homes. That the Court pro- 
 ceeds in criminal cases. In civil cases, the proceedings 
 are stopped ; owing, as he thinks, to the expiration of 
 the Fee-Bill, but not to the determination against imports 
 and exports, which he thinks did not necessarily produce 
 that effect. Having observed the same inclination in the 
 people to do justice to their creditors as usual, he thinks 
 the above steps do not proceed from any inclination to 
 withhold justice. That no other commotions or disturb- 
 ances have happened in the County but what were pro- 
 duced by the alarm of seizing the powder; and these 
 subsided soon, and the people returned to their own 
 habitations. That the political measures are adopted by 
 all classes of men. That the Independent Company was 
 
1215 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1216 
 
 formed in that County about September, and its design was 
 io protect the Colony in general, and the County in par- 
 ticular ; and that he has heard it observed, this institution 
 would aid the execution of the resolutions of the Com- 
 mittee. That he believes few, if any persons in the Colo- 
 ny, wish an independence of Great Britain ; but, on the 
 contrary, is of opinion that a redress of grievances would 
 establish tranquillity here, and a perfect reconciliation with 
 the Mother Country, as he thinks they entertain not a 
 desire but of dependance on the Mother Country, on con- 
 stitutional principles. 
 
 It appears by the testimony of Archibald Govan, Tho- 
 mas Evans, John Johnson, and George Braikenridge, of 
 the County of Hanover, that proceedings in criminal cases 
 went on as usual. That all civil law proceedings (except 
 motions against Sheriffs and other publick officers) were 
 stopped in June, 1774. In November, a Committee, in 
 conformity to a regulation of the Congress, was chosen, to 
 carry into execution the American Association, and an Inde- 
 pendent Company enlisted, but not embodied. That, for 
 the interruption of suits in civil cases, they assign the ex- 
 piration of the Fee-Bill as the principal cause, and do not 
 attribute that measure to the adoption of the commercial 
 opposition, as this political measure took place some months 
 after the Courts had stopped their proceedings. That as 
 to the commotions, they say none have occurred, except 
 in one instance, which proceeded from the Governour's 
 seizing the powder, which was heightened and increased 
 by his threatening to enfranchise the slaves. That those 
 causes induced the Independent Company to choose their 
 officers, and march out about twenty miles towards Wil- 
 liamsburgh ; but how they conducted themselves on their 
 march, they can give no information. That they think the 
 independent companies were formed to put the Country 
 into a state of defence; yet they suppose they would have 
 aided the Committee. That the Colony, in their opinion, 
 desires not an independence of Great Britain; and that a 
 redress of the present grievances would re-establish tran- 
 quillity, and produce a reconciliation with the Parent State. 
 
 It appears to your Committee, from the testimony of 
 Andrew Sprowle, Archibald Campbell, and James In- 
 gram, of the County of Norfolk, and Samuel Donaldson, 
 of the County of Nansemond, that in these Counties the 
 Courts, as usual, proceed in criminal cases. For the causes 
 of stopping the proceedings in civil suits, they assign the 
 expiration of the Fee Bill as the primary one; but, as a 
 secondary cause, they think this measure was adopted to 
 carry the purposes of the Association more effectually into 
 execution, which, by distressing the mercantile part of the 
 British Nation, was intended to interest them in favour of 
 the Colony, and to produce in the end an accommodation. 
 That the Town of Norfolk, as yet, has no independent 
 company, but one formed before the existence of Commit- 
 tees, with the approbation of the Governour, and under his 
 commission. In Nansemond County, an independent com- 
 pany was formed in May last ; not for the avowed purpose 
 of protecting Committees, but in conformity to the direc- 
 tion of the last Convention. That before the seizure of 
 the powder, a general acquiescence under the resolutions 
 of the General and Provincial Congress marked the politi- 
 cal character of this Colony ; and, in the above mentioned 
 Counties, no commotions were excited by this conduct of 
 the Governour, since in neither did the report that an in- 
 surrection was intended by the slaves, produce that effect. 
 That they think it the universal wish to have a constitu- 
 tional dependance on Great Britain ; and that a redress 
 of grievances will immediately establish tranquillity, and be 
 productive of a reconciliation with the Parent State. 
 
 Ordered, That said Report do lie upon the table, to be 
 perused by the Members of this House. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon 
 the Bill for appointing Commissioners to settle the Accounts 
 of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, and for 
 making provision for paying the same : 
 
 Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself 
 into the said Committee. 
 
 The other Order of the Day being read, 
 
 Resolved, That this House will to-morrow resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the whole House, to take into con- 
 
 sideration the Governour's Answer to the joint Address of 
 the Council and this House. 
 
 Thursday, June 15, 15 Geo. Ill, 177."). 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 Mit. Speaker: I am commanded by the Council to 
 acquaint this House, that the Council do desire a present 
 free conference with this House in the Conference Cham- 
 ber, on the subject of your Message relative to the secu- 
 ring the publick Arms. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree to the free con- 
 ference desired by the Council. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and 
 acquaint them that the House doth agree to the conference 
 desired by them. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council have appointed three of 
 their Members to manage the conference desired with this 
 House, who are now in the Conference Chamber. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Bland, Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Cary, 
 Mr. Jones, Mr. Nelson, and Mr. Digges, do manage the 
 conference desired by the Council. 
 
 And they went to the conference. 
 
 And being returned, 
 
 Mr. Bland reported, that the Managers had attended 
 the conference, and that it was managed, on the part of 
 the Council, by Mr. Carter, who acquainted them that 
 the Council are of opinion the publick Arms are not 
 secure, and think it would be proper that an inventory of 
 them be taken ; and that an Address be presented to the 
 Governour to desire that he will consent to the removal of 
 them to a more secure place. 
 
 Resolved, That a free conference be desired with the 
 Council upon the subject-matter of the last conference. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council and 
 desire the said conference. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council do agree to the free con- 
 ference desired by this House, and have appointed three 
 of their Members to manage the same, who are now in 
 the Conference Chamber. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That the gentlemen who managed the last 
 conference do manage this conference. 
 
 Ordered, That it be an instruction to them, that they 
 acquaint the Managers for the Council that this House will 
 agree to join with the Council in an Address to be pre- 
 sented to the Governour, to desire that he will consent to 
 the removal of the publick Arms to a more secure place ; 
 and, moreover, that they propose to the Managers for the 
 Council that some measure may be taken to secure the 
 Arms in the mean time. 
 
 And the Managers went to the conference ; and being 
 returned, 
 
 Mr. Bland reported that the Managers had attended 
 the conference, and had acquainted the Managers for the 
 Council that this House would agree to join with the 
 Council in an Address to be presented to the Governour, 
 and had proposed to them that some measure may be 
 taken to secure the Arms in the mean time. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 
 Mr. Speaker : The Council desire a present free con- 
 ference with this House in the Conference Chamber, on 
 the subject-matter of the last conference. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That this House doth agree to the present 
 free conference desired by the Council. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and 
 acquaint them that the House doth agree to the conference 
 desired by the Council. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 Mr. Speaker : The Council have appointed two of 
 their Members to manage the conference desired by this 
 House, who are now ready in the Conference Chamber. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That the gentlemen who managed the last 
 conference, do manage this conference. 
 
i 21 7 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1218 
 
 And they went to the conference. 
 And being returned, 
 
 Mr. Bland reported, that the Managers for the Council 
 acquainted them that the Council do agree to join with 
 this House in an Address to be presented to the Govern- 
 our, to desire that he will consent to the removal of the 
 publick Arms to a more secure place, and have appointed 
 three of their Members to draw up the said Address, in 
 conjunction with such of this House as may be appointed ; 
 but that the Council do not approve of any measure to be 
 taken, before such Address be presented, for securing the 
 said Arms. 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen who managed the con- 
 ference be appointed a Committee to join with a Commit- 
 tee of the Council in drawing up the said Address. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole House, to take 
 into consideration the Governour's Answer to the joint Ad- 
 dress of the Council and this House, 
 
 Ordered, That the Report of the Committee appoint- 
 ed to inspect the publick Magazine, and inquire into the 
 Stores belonging to the same, which, on Tuesday last, 
 was ordered to lie upon the table, be referred to the said 
 Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report of the Committee appointed 
 to inquire into the causes of the late Disturbances and Com- 
 motions, which was yesterday ordered to lie upon the table, 
 be referred to the said Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the extract of a Letter from the Earl 
 of Dunmnre to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated Williams- 
 burgh, December 24, 1774, laid before the House of Com- 
 mons, which extract was this day presented to this House, 
 be referred to the said Committee. 
 
 Then the House resolved itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported from the Committee that they had 
 gone through the matter referred to them, and had come 
 to a Resolution, which they had directed him to report 
 when the House will please to receive the same. 
 Ordered, That the said Report be now received. 
 Mr. Cary accordingly reported from the Committee the 
 Resolution which the Committee had directed him to re- 
 port to the House, which he read in his place, and after- 
 wards delivered in at the Clerk's table, where the same 
 was read, and is as followelh, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that 
 an Address be presented to his Excellency the Governour, 
 in reply to his Lordship's written Message in answer to the 
 joint Address of the Council and this House, representing 
 to his Excellency the great concern the House was under 
 at receiving such a message ; giving to his Excellency a 
 true state of this Country ; the dispositions of the people 
 towards His Majesty and his Government ; stating, from the 
 evidence now produced to this Committee, the real causes 
 of the late unhappy disturbances, and the effects those dis- 
 turbances have produced ; representing the conduct of the 
 Committee appointed by the House to examine into the 
 slate of the publick Magazine in its proper light ; explain- 
 ing to his Excellency the views of this House in offering 
 to close with any proper measures he might have recom- 
 mended for the security of his person and family ; giving 
 his Excellency a faithful account of the proceedings of the 
 Convention lately held at Richmond, and the reasons for 
 the Resolutions then entered into ; observing the tendency 
 of his Lordship's representations of the inhabitants of this 
 Colony in his publick letters to the Secretary of State ; 
 the design of the Committees ; the origin of Independent 
 and Volunteer Companies, their true design, and the effects 
 they have produced ; representing how inconvenient and im- 
 proper it would be for the House to adjourn to Yorktown; 
 referring his Excellency to the former Address of the House 
 for the reasons why we cannot interpose our legislative au- 
 thority in respect to the Courts of Justice ; and why we can- 
 not approve the proposition made to us by Parliament ; again 
 to assure him, that in our opinion there cannot be the least 
 danger in his returning to the Palace with his family, and 
 that we are still willing and desirous of doing every thing 
 in our power for their most perfect security ; to inform his 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Excellency, as our opinion, that the best means of mediating 
 between the supreme authority and this Country will be to 
 make an impartial representation of what has happened 
 ever since his arrival in Virginia ; and to assure him in the 
 warmth of our hearts of the sincerest disposition on our 
 part to have the utmost harmony and most perfect tranquil- 
 lity restored. 
 
 The said Resolution being read a second time, was, upon 
 the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour upon the said 
 Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed, of Mr. Treasurer, Mr. 
 Bland, Mr. Cary, Mr. Digges, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, 
 and Mr. Munford. 
 
 Several other Members, having taken the oaths appointed 
 to be taken by Act of Parliament, and repeated and sub- 
 scribed the Test, took their places in the House. 
 
 Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Council, in- 
 forming them that it appears to this House, by the report 
 of their Committee, that the locks of upward of three hun- 
 dred Guns, lately in complete order in the publick Maga- 
 zine, have been taken off; that one hundred and eight of 
 these Guns are still in the Magazine, but are useless with- 
 out locks ; that this House requests the Council to join 
 them in an Address to his Excellency the Governour, de- 
 siring his Lordship will be pleased to communicate to the 
 Council and this House, whether the locks were taken off 
 by his Excellency's command ; and, if they were, that his 
 Lordship will be pleased to direct them to be returned to 
 the Magazine, which will be in a fit condition to-morrow 
 to receive them. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Mercer do carry the said Message 
 to the Council. 
 
 Friday, June 16, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole House upon 
 the Bill for appointing Commissioners to settle the Accounts 
 of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, and for 
 making provision to pay the same, 
 
 Ordered, That the Governour's written Message to this 
 House, and the Papers therein referred to, which, upon 
 Monday, the fifth day of this instant June, were ordered 
 to lie upon the table, be referred to the said Committee. 
 
 Then the House resolved Itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland reported from the Committee, that they had 
 made a progress in the Bill, and that he was directed by 
 the Committee to move that they may have leave to sit 
 again. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House, to consider further 
 of the said Bill. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported to the House that their Address of 
 Monday last had been presented to the Governour, and that 
 his Excellency gave him a written answer thereunto ; and 
 he delivered the said answer in at the Clerk's table, where 
 the same was read, and is as followeth, viz: 
 Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 It is with real concern I can discover nothing in your 
 Address that I think manifests the smallest inclination to, 
 or will be productive of a reconciliation with the mother 
 Country. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to his Excel- 
 lency the Governour, informing him the publick Magazine 
 is now in fit condition for the reception of Arms and Ammu- 
 nition, requesting his Lordship will be pleased to order the 
 Powder, lately removed from thence by his Excellency's 
 command, to be returned, agreeable to his promise. 
 
 To represent that it appears to this House, by a report 
 of a Committee appointed to inspect the Magazine, that 
 there are no Arms there fit for service ; that in these criti- 
 cal times an Indian war is not improbable, and an insurrec- 
 tion of slaves may possibly be encouraged solely by the 
 want of publick stores of Arms and Ammunition, which is 
 now become a fact of publick notoriety : that the Legisla- 
 
1219 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1220 
 
 ture of this Colony have long since established a very ample 
 fund for this necessary purpose, by granting His Majesty 
 one shilling and three pence sterling upon the tonnage of 
 vessels, which appears for several years to exceed three 
 thousand Pounds sterling per annum; that the House of 
 Burgesses heretofore, trusting that Government would pro- 
 vide moans so essential for the preservation of this Colony, 
 have not interfered in this business; but this House, finding 
 that though lliis want was known to Government more than 
 twelve months past, no means have been adopted to pro- 
 vide against it, conceive it their duty to remind Government 
 of this great grievance, and to request that two thousand 
 stand of Arms, five tons of Powder, and twenty tons of 
 Lead, at the least, and a sufficient quantity of other articles, 
 be immediately provided and lodged in the publick Maga- 
 zine for the defence of this Colony, in case of any invasion 
 or insurrection : assuring his Excellency that if the fund 
 aforementioned shall prove insufficient; this House will 
 cheerfully make further provision lor these purposes. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address, to be presented to the Govemour upon the 
 said Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed, of Mr. Mercer, Mr. 
 Cory, and Mr. Braxton. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer presented to the House, according to order, 
 a Bill for appointing Commissioners to ratify and confirm 
 the late Treaty of Peace with the Ohio Indians; and the 
 same was received and read the first time. 
 
 Resolved, That the Bill be read a second time. 
 
 Ordered, That the Bill be now read a second time. 
 
 The Bill was accordingly read a second time. 
 
 Resolved, That the Bill be committed to Mr. Treasurer, 
 Mr. Bland, Mr. Cary, Mr. Digges, Mr. Nelson, Mr. Jones, 
 and Mr. John Walker. 
 
 Saturday, June 17, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That this House be called over upon Monday 
 next. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for the House to re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole House to con- 
 sider further of the Bill for appointing Commissioners to 
 settle the Accounts of the Militia lately drawn out into 
 actual service, and for making provision to pay the same, 
 
 The House resolved itself into the said Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland reported from the Committee that they had 
 gone through the Bill, and made several amendments there- 
 unto, which they had directed him to report when the 
 House will please to receive the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report be now received. 
 
 Mr. Bland accordingly reported from the said Committee 
 the amendments which the Committee had made to the 
 Bill, and which they had directed him to report to the 
 House ; and he read the Report in his place, and after- 
 wards delivered the Bill, with the amendments, in at the 
 Clerk's table, where the amendments were once read 
 throughout, and then a second time, one by one ; and, 
 upon the question severally put thereupon, one of them 
 was disagreed to, and the rest were, with amendments to 
 several of them, agreed to by the House; and several 
 amendments were made by the House to the Bill. 
 
 Ordered, That the Bill, with the amendments, be en- 
 grossed. 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported from the Committee, appointed on 
 Wednesday, the seventh of this instant, June, to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour, that the Com- 
 mittee had drawn up an Address accordingly, which they 
 had dirocted him to report to the House ; and he read the 
 same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the 
 Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as follow- 
 eth, viz: 
 
 My Loro : We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal 
 subjects, the Burgesses of Virginia, return your Lordship 
 our sincere thanks for your kind tender of services expressed 
 in your Message to this House of the 6th instant ; as also for 
 your Lordship's assurance that you will do every thing in 
 your power to restore the publick tranquillity, upon a sure 
 and firm foundation. This House, my Lord, have the high- 
 
 est sense of the services you rendered to this Country on the 
 late Indian expedition ; and, while they reflect on this part 
 of your Lordship's conduct, sincerely lament that any event 
 should disturb the happiness which your Lordship is pleased 
 to say you have enjoyed among us. Wishing most ar- 
 dently for a restoration of that harmony which subsisted 
 between your Lordship and the People, we have directed 
 an inquiry into the cause of the late disturbances and com- 
 motions which have arisen in some parts of this Colony ; 
 and we assure your Lordship that we will proceed to inves- 
 tigate this matter with due attention, and apply, on our 
 parts, remedies the best our abilities can suggest. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Com- 
 mittee in the said Address to be presented to the Governour. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Ex- 
 cellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Wood, Mr. Jones, 
 and Mr. Zane. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council do agree to join with this 
 House in an Address to his Excellency the Governour, as 
 this House have desired, concerning the locks taken off some 
 of the Guns in the Magazine, and they have appointed two 
 of their Members, to join the Members which may be ap- 
 pointed by this House, to prepare the same. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Mercer, Mr. Cary, Mr. Mxmford, and 
 Mr. Jones, do join the Members appointed by the Council 
 to prepare the said Address. 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported from the Committee appointed 
 yesterday to draw up an Address, upon the Resolution of 
 this House, to be presented to the Governour, that the 
 Committee had drawn up an Address accordingly, which 
 they had directed him to report to the House ; and he read 
 the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it in at the 
 Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as followeth : 
 
 My Lord : We, His Majesty's most dutiful and loyal 
 subjects, the Burgesses of Virginia, beg leave to inform 
 your Lordship that the publick Magazine is now repaired, 
 and in fit condition for the reception of arms and ammuni- 
 tion. We therefore request your Lordship will be pleased 
 to order the powder lately removed from thence to be 
 returned, agreeable to your Lordship's promise contained 
 in your written message to this House. We farther beg 
 leave to inform your Lordship, that it appears to the House, 
 from the report of their Committee appointed to inspect 
 the publick magazine, that there are no arms therein fit for 
 service, at this critical time. My Lord, when your Excel- 
 lency assures us of the great probability of an Indian inva- 
 sion, at a time, too, when an insurrection of our slaves 
 may be encouraged merely from a notoriety of a total de- 
 ficiency in our publick stores of arms and ammunition, it 
 is a duty we owe to our Country and ourselves, to remind 
 your Lordship that the Legislature of this Colony have long 
 since made ample provision for the purchase of arms and 
 ammunition, and established a competent fund for that pur- 
 pose, by granting to His Majesty one shilling and three 
 pence sterling upon the tonnage of all vessels trading to this 
 Country. This fund, my Lord, has, for several years last 
 past, exceeded three thousand Pounds sterling per annum ; 
 and our predecessors, in former Assemblies, trusting that 
 Government would always make a necessary and adequate 
 provision in a matter so essential to the immediate and 
 future preservation of this Colony, have not interfered in 
 this business. But, my Lord, this House, finding a total inat- 
 tention in Government to this important provision, although 
 it must have appeared essential more than twelve months 
 ago, and still observing that no means are pursued to supply 
 a deficiency so alarming, now conceive it to be their duty, 
 not only to represent this grievance to your Lordship, but 
 also to request that you will be pleased to order that two 
 thousand stand of arms, five tons of powder, and twenty tons 
 of lead at least, with a sufficient quantity of other military 
 stores, be immediately provided for the defence of this 
 Colony, in case of any invasion or insurrection, and that the 
 same be lodged in the publick magazine. In case the fund 
 aforementioned shall prove deficient, this House assure your 
 Lordship that they will make such further or other provi- 
 sion as may be necessary to enable your Lordship to com- 
 ply with this request. 
 
1221 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1222 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Com- 
 mittee in the said Address to be presented to the Gov- 
 ernour. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to the 
 Governour by Mr. Vary, Mr. Braiton, Mr. livod, Mr. 
 Jones, and Mr. Zane. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council have agreed to the Ad- 
 dress prepared by a Committee of the Council and of this 
 House, and have appointed two of their Members to join 
 such Members as this House may appoint to present the 
 same to his Excellency. 
 
 And he presented the said Address at the bar. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The said Address was read, and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Mr Lord : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal sub- 
 jects, the Council and Burgesses of Virginia, beg leave 
 to represent to your Excellency, that as you have been 
 pleased to leave the Palace, we are very apprehensive the 
 publick Arms therein are too insecure and very much ex- 
 posed, and therefore hope your Lordship will be pleased 
 to order them to be removed, during your Lordship's 
 absence, to the publick magazine ; which is now, in our 
 opinion, a secure depository. 
 
 Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Coun- 
 cil in the said Address to be presented to the Governour. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Wood, Mr. 
 Jones, and Mr. Zane, in conjunction with the Members 
 appointed by the Council. 
 
 Monday, June 19, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 The Order of the Day being read, 
 Ordered, That the call of the House be adjourned till 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Mr. Bland presented to the House copies of several 
 Resolutions of the General Congress, which he delivered 
 in at the Clerk's table ; where the same were read, and 
 are as followeth, viz : 
 
 " Wednesday, May 17. — That all exportations to Qjue- 
 beck, Nova-Scotia, the Island of St. John's, Newfound- 
 land, and Georgia, except the Parish of St. John's, and 
 io Ei.it and West-Florida, immediately cease ; and that no 
 Provisions of any kind, or other necessaries, be furnished 
 to the British Fisheries on the American coasts, until it 
 be otherwise determined by the Congress." 
 
 " Monday, May 29. — That no Provisions or necessaries 
 of any kind be exported to the Island of Nantucket, except 
 from the Colony of Massachusetts- Bay, the Convention 
 of which Colony is desired to take measures for effectually 
 providing the said Island, upon their application to purchase 
 the same, with as much Provision as shall be necessary for 
 its internal use, and no more. The Congress deeming it of 
 great importance to North America that the British Fish- 
 ery should not be furnished with Provisions from this Con- 
 tinent through Nantucket, earnestly recommend a vigilant 
 execution of this Resolve to all Committees." 
 
 " Friday, June 2. — That no Bill of Exchange, Draught, 
 or Order of any Officer in the Army or Navy, their Agents 
 or Contractors, be received or negotiated, or any Money 
 be supplied to them by any person in America; that no 
 Provisions or necessaries of any kind, be furnished or sup- 
 plied to or for the use of the British Army or Navy in 
 the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and that no Vessel em- 
 ployed in transporting British Troops to America, or from 
 one part of North America to another, or warlike Stores 
 or Provisions for said Troops, be freighted or furnished 
 with Provisions, or any necessaries, until further orders 
 from this Congress." 
 
 The said Resolutions being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That this House doth approve of the same, 
 aod recommend it to the several Committees within this 
 Colony for carrying into execution the Continental Asso- 
 ciation, to be vigilant in seeing the said Resolutions strictly 
 complied with. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported, from the Committee appointed 
 on Thursday last to draw up an Address to be presented 
 
 to the Governour, that the Committee had drawn up an 
 Address accordingly; which they had directed him to re- 
 port to the House; and he read the same in his place, and 
 afterwards delivered it in at the Clerk's table, where the 
 same was read, and is as follow etli, viz: 
 
 My Lord : The House of Burgesses received your 
 Lordship's written Message of the tenth instant, in an- 
 swer to the joint Address of His Majesty's Honourable 
 Council and this House, with equal concern and amaze- 
 ment. We were totally unprepared for so severe and cruel 
 a return to the respectful application made to your Lord- 
 ship, solely dictated by our duty to His Majesty, and the 
 most earnest desire of contributing every thing in our 
 power towards promoting, as well your Lordship's own 
 happiness, as that of your lady and whole family; this 
 step we hoped would have proved the happy means of 
 restoring that tranquillity and harmony you were pleased 
 to flatter us with your earnest wishes to have established. 
 
 Who were the peculiar objects of your tenderness, that 
 you so kindly, in favour to them, declined a particular enu- 
 meration, we know not ; but are sorry that your Lordship 
 had so little feeling for the honour and integrity of this 
 House. You have now, my Lord, driven us to the disa- 
 greeable necessity of inquiring minutely into the causes of 
 the late disturbances in this Country. It is not with the 
 most distant inclination to give your Lordship the slightest 
 umbrage that we engage in so irksome a task, but purely 
 to do justice to our much injured Country, that we recur 
 to different and some distant transactions. 
 
 The charges of disloyalty and disaffection in our coun- 
 trymen to our most gracious Sovereign and his Govern- 
 ment, as insinuated in your Lordship's message, and some 
 other publick acts, are as grievous as they are unmerited. 
 W'ords, we know, are too often but empty sounds. We 
 appeal not to our professions, however sincere, but to facts 
 of publick notoriety. The loyalty of this His Majesty's 
 most ancient Colony, stands confessed, as recorded by 
 many of your worthy predecessors. We will presume to 
 carry your attention no further back than to the adminis- 
 tration of a Governour immediately preceding your Lord- 
 ship. Previous to his coming over to Virginia, there 
 had arisen some unhappy disputes between Great Britain 
 and the Colonies. His Majesty was graciously pleased to 
 send over to us, from his immediate presence, the truly 
 noble Lord Botetourt, who told us, that he had received 
 it in command from His Majesty to do justice, and main- 
 tain the rights of all his subjects. He cheerfully entered 
 upon the duties of his exalted station, in which he acted 
 as a true representative of his royal master, at once sup- 
 porting the dignity of his Crown, dispensing the utmost 
 justice, and diffusing benevolence throughout the Country. 
 By his exemplary conduct in all respects, he accomplished 
 what he deemed a glorious work : he gave us tranquillity 
 and happiness. Indeed, he was often heard to declare, 
 that the business of a Governour of Virginia was much 
 easier than he could have conceived, as he found that the 
 Government almost executed itself. Matters were not at 
 that time carried on and precipitated with so high a hand 
 on the other side of the water, as at present. This proba- 
 bly was owing to his minutely examining every subject to 
 the bottom himself — taking nothing upon trust; to his dis- 
 countenancing tale-bearers and malicious informers; and, at 
 last, making a faithful representation of things as he found 
 them. In a short, too short a time, for the happiness of 
 Virginia, it pleased God to remove him from us. 
 
 When we received the account of your Lordship's ap- 
 pointment, we indulged the pleasing hope that we should 
 again be made happy in a ruler ; and when you were 
 pleased to honour us with your presence, we vied with 
 each other in endeavouring to make your administration 
 easy and agreeable. Upon the report that your lady and 
 family were coming over to you, every one, we believe, 
 who heard it, was eager in expectation of an event which 
 was like to give addition to your happiness ; we received 
 her Ladyship and your children with every expression of 
 heartfelt joy, and have considered our countrymen as ex- 
 ceedingly happy in having such respectable pledges amongst 
 them. 
 
 Changes, my Lord, seldom happen without some suffi- 
 cient cause. If, therefore, you have, or think you have, 
 discovered any alteration in the sentiments or behaviour of 
 
1223 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1224 
 
 those you preside over, it may be worth your while, as 
 well as ours, to search out the reason of it. Respect, my 
 Lord, is not to be obtained by force from a free people. 
 If genuine, it must be a perfect volunteer; and nothing is 
 so likely to ensure it to one in your station as dignity of 
 character, a candid and exemplary conduct. We decline, 
 on th is occasion, a discussion of the subject unhappily in 
 dispute between Great Britain and the Colonies. We 
 presume not to interfere with your authority in summon- 
 ing or dissolving Assemblies, when, by advice of your 
 Council, you think there is proper occasion. What we 
 claim as an act of justice, is, that our conduct should be fairly 
 and impartially represented to our Sovereign. We do not 
 mean to insinuate that your Lordship would, designedly, 
 misrepresent facts ; but it is much to be feared that you 
 too easily give credit to some designing persons, who, to 
 the great injury of this community, possess much too large 
 a share of your confidence. 
 
 We have seen, my Lord, the copy of a letter you were 
 pleased to write to the Earl of Dartmouth, dated the 29th 
 of May, 1774. The design of the then Assembly was 
 entirely misconceived, and the ill impressions your Lord- 
 ship's letter may have made on the minds of His Majesty 
 and his Ministers, prove how dangerous it is, and how very 
 unjust it may be, to attempt penetrating the thoughts of 
 others, when they are not certainly known. Suspicions, 
 we humbly conceive, can never justify direct and positive 
 accusations. Men, we know, differ in religious sentiments ; 
 some may believe in the superintendence of a Providence, 
 and that the care, especially of Nations, is an object of 
 Divine goodness ; whilst others may think, or affect to 
 treat this, as well as other matters which our religion 
 teaches, as things merely chimerical. We have likewise 
 seen an authentick copy of extracts of another of your 
 Lordship's letters to the same noble Earl, dated the 24th 
 of December, 1774. The more injurious the unfavour- 
 able representations contained in this letter were likely to 
 be to this Country, the more careful we should have hoped 
 your Lordship would have been in examining the evidences 
 of the facts stated. Your Lordship had been pleased to rep- 
 resent, in the first letter, our House of Burgesses as fond 
 of having it thought that a determined resolution to deny 
 and oppose the authority of Parliament, always originates 
 with them. Whether this was intended to draw down the 
 particular resentment of Parliament on this Country, your 
 Lordship can best determine. They have, indeed, pro- 
 tested against the power of Parliament, when they thought 
 it extended contrary to the principles of the Constitution ; 
 but we do not know that they ever affected to take the 
 lead of the other Colonies in this, or any other measure. 
 The times of entering their protestations were merely acci- 
 dental, as circumstances happened ; and it is notorious, 
 that the subject of the present complaint had been under 
 the consideration of some of the other Colonies before the 
 Virginians took it up. 
 
 It would seem, from your Lordship's letter of the 24th 
 of December, that the Association adopted by the General 
 Congress was first recommended from Virginia; whereas 
 the truth is, that in Virginia nothing more was resolved 
 against, at first, than the importation and use of East-India 
 commodities. The General Non-Export and Non-Import 
 Agreement came first recommended to us from several of 
 the Northern Colonies ; this, we own, makes no difference 
 now, as the several Colonies have united in the Associa- 
 tion. It is only remarked, since this circumstance seems 
 to have been thought material, as no strong testimony of a 
 kind disposition in your Lordship towards this Country. 
 That Committees were chosen, in the several Counties, is 
 admitted : the design of them was to observe the conduct 
 of those who were inimical to the interest of the Country. 
 They were required to publish the names of all trans- 
 gressors, that the Country might know their friends from 
 their foes. This you were pleased to term " inviting the 
 vengeance of a lawless mob to be exercised upon the 
 unhappy victims." 
 
 You further represented these Committees as assuming 
 an authority to inspect the books, invoices, and all the 
 secrets of the trade and correspondence of merchants. 
 This, my Lord, was high colouring of assumed facts ; 
 which we, who inhabit different parts of the Country, 
 are strangers to. To close your narrative upon this head, 
 
 you were pleased to inform your noble correspondent, that 
 every " County in this Colony was arming a company of 
 men, whom they call an Independent Company, for the 
 avowed purpose of protecting their Committees, and to be 
 employed against Government, if occasion required ; and 
 that the Committee of one County had proceeded so far 
 as to swear the men of their independent company to exe- 
 cute all orders which should be given them from their Com- 
 mittee." These, my Lord, are things entirely without our 
 knowledge; and upon the strictest inquiry, we are con- 
 vinced they deserve no credit. There were a few compa- 
 nies of gentlemen formed, who were desirous of perfecting 
 themselves in military exercise; but we find not more than 
 six or seven throughout the whole Colony, which consists 
 of sixty-one Counties. This was done to distinguish them 
 from the militia at large ; the first and most considerable 
 of these, was instituted for the better protection of the in- 
 habitants of Norfolk Borough, and afterwards received 
 your Lordship's approbation so far that you expressed 
 the warmest wishes that the example might be followed 
 throughout the country, and gave commissions to their 
 officers. That these companies were connected with the 
 Committees, or that they were ever designed to act against, 
 or in any sort to interfere with, what you are pleased to 
 call Government, we do not know, or believe ; but, on the 
 contrary, we are verily persuaded that they were alwavs 
 ready and willing to exert themselves to support the 
 Laws and His Majesty's Government, to the utmost of 
 their power. 
 
 Your Lordship's assertion, that "the power of Govern- 
 ment was entirely disregarded, if not w holly overturned, 
 and that there was not a Justice of the Peace in Virginia 
 who acted except as a Committee-man," we cannot but 
 consider as highly unjust, and extremely injurious to us. 
 We have the greatest reason to believe, having it in full 
 proof, that the Magistrates throughout the Coiony duly 
 attended their respective Courts ; and though, for the rea- 
 sons assigned in our former Address to your Lordship, 
 they could not think themselves legally authorized to hear 
 and determine civil suits, yet we are persuaded, that their 
 former endeavours to preserve the peace and good order 
 of Government were not interrupted, but exerted in the 
 usual manner. The original cause of suspending the trials 
 of civil disputes was, as your Lordship observes, the want 
 of a Fee-Bill. This legal defect was much lamented, and 
 not used, that we know of, as a popular argument, by any 
 man of good sense ; nor did the inhabitants of this Country 
 join in what you are pleased to call an opprobrious measure, 
 to engage their " English creditors to join the clamours 
 of this Country." Your Lordship's assertion, that "not 
 a few did it to avoid paying their debts, in which many 
 of the principal people here are much involved," we can 
 only answer for ourselves in the negative ; and must con- 
 sider so indiscriminate a charge as extremely injurious. 
 We were so far from desiring to do injustice 16 creditors, 
 that it gave us great pain to observe that such a step was 
 thought necessary; and nothing but the hopes of being 
 relieved from the arbitrary system of Colony Government 
 attempted to he introduced, could have prevailed with us 
 to submit to a stoppage of our exports. The merchants 
 of London, in their written message, by a respectable 
 member of their body, to the Committee of the House 
 of Commons, have done us ample justice in this respect, 
 by representing, that they should have no uneasiness about 
 remittances from America, unless Parliament pursued such 
 means as were likely to prevent them. 
 
 The Congress, my Lord, we consider as instituted on 
 principles of publick necessity ; we do not deny our having 
 a proper respect for that body. We learn, from good 
 authority, that their humble and dutiful Petition to His 
 Majesty was graciously received, though it is with concern 
 we are told it has hitherto produced no good effect. But 
 that the inhabitants of Virginia treated with " marks of 
 reverence the laws of the Congress, which they never be- 
 stowed on their legal Government, or the laws proceeding 
 from it," is one of a great number of facts requiring proof ; 
 since we must take leave to say, with confidence, that His 
 Majesty's subjects of Virginia have been second to none 
 others, even to his dutiful and loyal subjects in any part of 
 his wide extended Dominions, in all due respect to his 
 Government, Governours, and all in authority under him. 
 
1225 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1226 
 
 We cannot but remind your Lordship of the General 
 Congress held in America, with the royal approbation, in 
 the last war. The united interest, indeed, of Great Bri- 
 tain and the Colonies, might have then demanded it. In 
 imitation of so laudable an example, America resolved on 
 a like measure, as equally, if not more necessary, at this 
 critical juncture. Your Lordship's account of the effects 
 the Association is likely to produce, considering it as a 
 matter of opinion, we are little concerned to interfere 
 with : time only can discover the consequences of it. 
 But your heavy charge against those called people of for- 
 tune, " that they supply themselves and negroes for two 
 or three years, to the distress of the middling and poorer 
 sort," must have proceeded from your giving too easy 
 credit to ill-founded reports. Some, but very few, may 
 have supplied themselves, as opportunity offered, for the 
 present year ; this, we believe, is the most that has been 
 done. And we are persuaded of a material mistake in 
 another respect, it being the general opinion, founded on 
 good grounds, that the middling and poorer sort will fare 
 much better than those of fortune, who have large num- 
 bers of slaves to provide for. Engaged on this topick, we 
 cannot refrain from observing how strangely our views 
 have been misrepresented. By the Association we in- 
 tend nothing that is illegal. We are only resolved to 
 be content with our homespun manufactures, however 
 mean in quality, unless things can be restored to their 
 former channel; the only security we desire for what we 
 know our excellent Constitution entitles us to. What 
 your Lordship is pleased to represent as the arbitrary pro- 
 ceedings of the Committees, we trust will produce none 
 of those very dreadful effects you have painted in such 
 alarming colours. The whole Colony, very few excepted, 
 is united; and from such union of sentiments, expectations 
 must be exceedingly sanguine, indeed, in supposing that 
 discord will arise. 
 
 How the proceedings of the General Convention, in 
 the month of March last, may have been represented, we 
 know not ; but, from the foregoing specimens, it is to be 
 presumed in no very favourable light. These meetings, 
 my Lord, unless it can be supposed that a whole Country 
 could entirely lose sight of its security and most essential 
 interests, were rendered absolutely necessary; first, by the 
 dissolution, and afterwards by repeated prorogations of the 
 General Assembly. Upon inquiry into the state of the Co- 
 lony, it was found that there had been almost a total inat- 
 tention to the proper training and disciplining of our Militia. 
 Various subsequent Acts of our Legislature, amendatory of 
 the law of 1738, had expired; the Act providing against 
 invasions and insurrections was near expiring, and it was 
 uncertain whether an opportunity would be given the Gene- 
 ral Assembly to revive it. Taking a further view of our 
 situation, it was found that our inhabitants were exposed 
 to the incursions of a barbarous and savage enemy. From 
 the best accounts received from Great Britain, there was 
 loo much reason to be convinced that His Majesty's Minis- 
 try were prosecuting the most rigorous and arbitrary mea- 
 sures towards subjugating the whole Continent of America 
 to their despotick rule; which measures, it was more than 
 probable, had been suggested from hence, and the other 
 Colonies : that a scheme, the most diabolical, had been 
 meditated and generally recommended by a person of great 
 influence, to offer freedom to our slaves, and turn them 
 against their masters. The Convention, to guard against 
 these dangers not clearly seen into before that time, recom- 
 mended a strict attention to the Militia Law of 1738 ; but, 
 thinking this defective in many essential points, and con- 
 sidering that, under this law, the whole Militia were not 
 obliged to exercise so frequently as might be necessary, it 
 was recommended that volunteer companies should be 
 formed in each County, for the belter defence and pro- 
 tection of the whole Country. These proceedings, accord- 
 ing to an usual style, it is more than probable, have been 
 represented as designed to oppose Government: whereas, 
 we are persuaded that nothing was farther from the inten- 
 tions of the Convention. A review of their resolutions 
 must convince every unprejudiced mind that the utmost 
 respect was paid to His Majesty aud his legal Government, 
 and that the Convention had much pleasure in expressing 
 their obligations to your Lordship for your late services. 
 The truth is, my Lord, that His Majesty's dutiful subjects 
 
 in this Colony have the utmost attachment to their Sover- 
 eign ; they admire, they love the Constitution, and will 
 risk every thing most dear and valuable in support of it. 
 These are principles imbibed in their infancy, and their 
 constant care is to inculcate them upon the minds of their 
 children; they meditate or design nothing in the least 
 offensive ; but, if it is expected that they should sit down 
 supinely, and submit to yokes which neither they nor their 
 forefathers were able to bear, they must acknowledge that 
 they have the sensibility and feelings of freemen actuating 
 them to a proper and justifiable defence of those rights 
 which are guarantied by the laws and principles of the 
 Constitution. 
 
 We have, my Lord, made the strictest and minutest in- 
 quiry into the causes of the late disturbances. We find, 
 from the examination of many respectable merchants, 
 natives of Great Britain residing in different parts of 
 this Colony, and from other gentlemen of character, that 
 the Country was in a perfect stale of tranquillity till they 
 received an account of your Lordship's removal of the 
 gunpowder from the publick magazine to one of His Ma- 
 jesty's ships-of-war, and of your irritating and most unjusti- 
 fiable threats. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Country, my Lord, could not be 
 strangers to the many attempts in the Northern Colonies 
 to disarm the people, and thereby deprive them of the only 
 means of defending their lives and property. We know, 
 from good authority, that the like measures were gene- 
 rally recommended by the Ministry, and that the export of 
 powder from Great Britain had been prohibited. Judge, 
 then, how very alarming the removal of the small stock 
 which remained in the publick magazine for the defence of 
 the Country, and the stripping the guns of their locks, 
 must have been to any people who had the smallest re- 
 gard for their security: the manner and lime of doing it, 
 made no small addition to the general apprehension of your 
 Lordship's views. The reason assigned by your Lordship 
 for taking this step, we should have thought the most like- 
 ly, at any other time, to have directed a very different con- 
 duct. We should have supposed that a well-grounded ap- 
 prehension of an insurrection of the slaves ought to have 
 called forth the utmost exertions to suppress it. The world 
 will probably judge your Lordship's method of doing this 
 the least likely to effect the necessary purpose. Your 
 Lordship having represented this powder as the King's 
 peculiar property, supposing it to have been brought from 
 one of his ships, we have made inquiry into that matter, 
 and cannot find that there ever was any powder brought 
 either from the Rippon or any other man-of-war ; so that 
 we presume your Lordship must have been misinformed 
 as to this fact since the powder was removed, as it was 
 not relied on in your answer to the Address of the Corpo- 
 ration of the City of Williamsburgh ; be this, however, as it 
 may, we conceive the case would not be materially altered. 
 We must remind your Lordship, that by a very ancient law 
 of this Country, enacted so long since as the thirty-second 
 year of the reign of His Majesty King Charles, the Se- 
 cond, for raising a publick revenue, and for the better 
 support of this Government, amongst other provisions, an 
 impost of one-half pound of gunpowder and three pounds 
 of leaden shot, or one shilling and three pence sterling, 
 was imposed on all ships or vessels coming into this Col- 
 ony. In the ninth year of the reign of Queen Anne, the 
 impost of one shilling and three pence on the tonnage of 
 vessels was continued, for port duties. It is evident, my 
 Lord, that the original and chief design of this particular 
 impost was to provide, from time to time, a proper-stock 
 of munition for the defence of the Country. We have 
 examined the produce of this fund for thirteen years past, 
 and find that it yielded in that time twenty-eight thousand 
 five hundred and three pounds, three shillings and nine 
 pence sterling; which, on an average, amounted to two 
 thousand one hundred ninety-two pounds eleven shillings 
 sterling per annum ; and it is observable, that for the four 
 last years it yielded considerably more than three thousand 
 pounds in each year. It may from hence be fairly submitted, 
 whether it was not incumbent on the Executive part of 
 Government to have provided, in the first place, from so 
 large and ample a fund, a proper stock of arms and ammu- 
 nition, which was so essentially necessary for the security 
 of the Country. If, my Lord, instead of applying a rea- 
 
1227 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1228 
 
 sonable part of this money to such necessary purposes, 
 the whole has been applied to other occasions of Govern- 
 ment, and powder and arms had been procured through 
 some other channel, we should presume that these, when 
 stored in the publick magazine, built at the expense of the 
 Country, and appropriated to the safe keeping of all mili- 
 tary stores, ought there to have remained till the exigen- 
 ces of the Country demanded them. 
 
 We find, my Lord, that the inhabitants of the City of 
 Williamsburgh, in the midst of which the magazine is situ- 
 ated, upon discovering that the powder was removed, the 
 time and manner of its being done — in the dead of the 
 night, under an escort of armed marines, commanded by 
 Captain Henry Collins, of the Magdalen — were exceeding- 
 ly alarmed ; that many of them were so exasperated that 
 they had recourse to arms, intending, as we understand, to 
 compel Captain Collins to restore the powder; but we 
 cannot discover that the least insult was intended to your 
 Lordship. We find that the Corporation of Williamsburgh 
 presented a decent and very respectful address to your 
 Excellency, desiring that you would be pleased to order 
 the powder to be returned ; and, on receipt of your verbal 
 answer, amongst other things avowing that it had been 
 removed by your orders, under which Captain Collins 
 had acted, and promising it should be returned in case of 
 an insurrection, the people assembled were soon appeased f 
 returned quietly to their respective homes, and perfect 
 tranquillity was restored in the City. That in the succeed- 
 ing night, on a report that a number of armed men had 
 landed at a ferry about four miles from this City, the inha- 
 bitants were again much alarmed ; but, upon the interposi- 
 tion of some gentlemen, they were quieted, and nothing 
 farther was done than strengthening the usual patrol for the 
 security of the City. We farther find, that on the next day, 
 when every thing was perfectly quiet, your Lordship sent 
 a message into the City by one of the Magistrates, which 
 you delivered with the most solemn asseverations, that if 
 any insult was offered to Captain Foy or Captain Collins, 
 you would declare freedom to the slaves, and lay the Town 
 in ashes ; and that you could easily depopulate the whole 
 Country. What could have provoked your Lordship to 
 this we cannot discover, as both Captain Foy and Captain 
 Collins-, and several other officers, had been frequently 
 seen walking pubhckly in the streets, and no one offered 
 either of them the least injury; nor can we discover any 
 reason to believe that any thing of the sort was intended. 
 The inhabitants, my Lord, could not but be exceedingly 
 alarmed at so cruel a threat ; many people considered it as 
 part of that general plan they had heard was recommend- 
 ed in England, and which was discovered by your Lord- 
 ship through accident ; they, however, did nothing more, 
 that we can learn, than continue their former patrols. 
 
 A report of these several matters having soon circulated 
 throughout almost the whole Country, with this addition, 
 that the most valuable guns in the magazine had been 
 stripped of their locks, and that the inhabitants of Hil- 
 liamsburgh were in the most imminent danger, the minds 
 of the people in general were much agitated ; they assem- 
 bled in different quarters, and a number of expresses were 
 sent to inquire and obtain a true state of things. It ap- 
 pears that during this general uneasiness, an account was 
 received from the northward of the engagement at Con- 
 cord. The General, it seems, had sent an armed force to 
 seize a Provincial magazine; this, your Lordship may sup- 
 pose, increased the apprehensions of our people, as it held 
 out to them an additional proof that the steps you had 
 taken formed a part of that general system adopted to ren- 
 der the Colonies defenceless. If, upon such alarms, when 
 the minds of the people were fretted to an extreme degree, 
 some irregularities were committed, the causes may be found 
 in those extraordinary attempts to stretch the powers of 
 Government so much beyond their ancient and constitu- 
 tional limits. 
 
 It gave the greatest concern, my Lord, to all acquainted 
 with your most amiable lady and her distinguished charac- 
 ter, to hear she had removed with her children to one of 
 the King's Ships. We have inquired into the cause of 
 this ; and though we do not pretend to prescribe to her 
 ladyship, yet we are persuaded, that had she known the 
 sentiments of all the people in this Colony, every uneasi- 
 ness would have been removed. We find, my Lord, that 
 
 from the great pains taken by the Magistrates, and other 
 inhabitants of the City of Williamsburgh, there could have 
 been no real ground for fear at the time of her ladyship's 
 removal, unless it was produced from your Lordship's 
 threats, which might have kept the minds of some of the 
 citizens in suspense. A few ladies, it appears, left the 
 City; but it was not through apprehensions of any other 
 danger than what your Lordship held over them. The 
 inhabitants certainly could have entertained no suspicions 
 of injury from their friends in the country, who had kindly 
 offered to come to their assistance ; so that it was in the 
 power of your Lordship alone to have removed her lady- 
 ship's uneasiness. 
 
 It gives us the greatest pain, my Lord, to find, in your 
 Excellency's Message, so determined a resolution to pursue 
 a couise the most likely to revive the uneasiness of the 
 people, and prevent that restoration of harmony so ardent- 
 ly wished for by all good men. 
 
 You are pleased to submit to our " judgment, whether 
 you could reasonably have expected any good effect from 
 communicating the ground of your uneasiness to us." We 
 give it as our opinion, that your Lordship had the greatest 
 reason, if you had viewed our conduct in its proper light, 
 to have expected the best effects from such communica- 
 tion. As we met your Lordship in General Assembly with 
 the sincerest disposition to do every thing in our power to 
 provide for the tranquillity of the Country, the reasons 
 assigned for your contrary apprehensions, we are persuaded, 
 must have been suggested to your Lordship by some de- 
 signing, malevolent informer. We can hardly suppose your 
 Lordship could have had any well-grounded fear of per- 
 sonal danger, when it is notorious that you appeared pub- 
 lickly as usual ; and it is in proof, that in the same night 
 which you left t';e Palace, you walked alone to the Attor- 
 ney General's, at the distance of upwards of a quarter of 
 a mile, and returned, unmolested ; and we cannot discover 
 that even the slightest insult was offered. If you judge of 
 the disposition of the House of Burgesses, as to publick 
 matters, from their declining to accept an invitation to dine 
 with your Lordship, (the instance of respect and civility 
 alluded to, and which you say you had been forward in 
 offering to them,) you have entirely mistaken their mo- 
 tives. A piece of civility of this sort had formerly its due 
 weight with us; but we had little reason to suppose that 
 such a ceremony would, at this time, be attended, on your 
 Lordship's part, with that cordiality which we thought we 
 had observed on former occasions. How could your Lord- 
 ship think of admitting to your table a set of men who. 
 together with the whole body of their constituents, you 
 had endeavoured to paint in such despicable and odious 
 colours? That the House of Burgesses ever countenanced 
 the violent and disorderly proceedings of the ueople, \\u 
 must, in justice to ourselves, take leave to deny. As to 
 the magazine's being rifled, which you are pleased to in- 
 sinuate was done with the approbation of this House, we 
 must say, that in this also the greatest injustice is done to 
 us. The House was sitting, closely engaged in publick 
 business, when this affair happened. Some of our mem- 
 bers, as we believe the truth is, upon hearing what was 
 going forward at the magazine, went up in hopes of pre- 
 venting it. We are informed that a great concourse of 
 people, from different parts of the country, were assem- 
 bled, and that many of the arms had been taken out of the 
 magazine. Several of the members, as private gentlemen, 
 remonstrated with all the people they met with against 
 such proceedings, and prevailed with them to return what 
 they had taken. When your Lordship was pleased to ac- 
 cuse the House of Burgesses of usurping the " Executive 
 power," from what happened on this occasion, we presume 
 it would have been well to have considered with what pro- 
 priety they could have interfered. Had they made an 
 order for apprehending the persons concerned, who were 
 unknown, it would have been fruitless, and, moreover, a 
 plain departure from the line of their authority. Such a 
 step your Lordship might, indeed, have justly censured as an 
 usurpation of the Executive power. Or, would your Lord- 
 ship have recommended to the individual members to have 
 acted as bailiffs, in seizing all offenders they met with '. 
 We never have, nor will we ever give countenance to such 
 unjustifiable proceedings as happened that day. 
 
 Your acquaintance, my Lord, with mankind, must sug- 
 
1229 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 12,30 
 
 gest to you the difficulty there is in restraining an incensed 
 multitude. Many people, the irritation of whose minds 
 had but lately subsided, we understand, had been again 
 greatly alarmed at a late unfortunate accident which hap- 
 pened to some inconsiderate young men, in their unlawful 
 attempt to furnish themselves with arms out of the maga- 
 zine ; an attempt, my Lord, which we condemn as highly 
 as your Lordship can. But whether some little apology 
 may not be suggested, from that universal anxiety which 
 all mankind have to prepare for the defence of their lives 
 and property, we will not determine. The point is deli- 
 cate, and we leave the world to judge of it. But the 
 means contrived, in pursuance of your Lordship's orders, 
 by which an unfortunate culprit might probably have been 
 hurried into eternity, without a moment's time for reflection, 
 we conceive can do no great honour to humanity, which, 
 we should have supposed, would have dictated the neces- 
 sity of at least giving publick notice that spring-guns were 
 prepared and fixed, which, it is imagined, would have an- 
 swered every purpose of security to the magazine. 
 
 Your Lordship's reflections on our Committee, and, 
 through them, upon this whole House, we think might have 
 been spared, after what passed early in the session. Had 
 the Committee misbehaved, we should not have been back- 
 ward in taking proper notice of it. When we received 
 your Lordship's very temperate message respecting their 
 conduct, we addressed your Excellency, in hopes, by hav- 
 ing matters properly explained, of removing all umbrage 
 you might have taken. Your Lordship's reply to this mes- 
 sage induced us to believe that you were satisfied ; but it 
 seems we must again enter on the same subject, or remain 
 exposed to the weight of your Lordship's censure. 
 
 Reflecting on what had happened, the House judged it 
 an indispensable duty they owed their constituents, to in- 
 quire into the state of the publick magazine; and, before 
 they knew of the late disturbances, appointed a Committee 
 for that purpose. The Committee, previous to their taking 
 any other step, waited upon your Excellency, and in the 
 most respectful manner desired that you would be pleased 
 to direct the keeper of the magazine to give them access 
 thereto. The key was delivered to them by your Lord- 
 ship's orders ; they at the same time informed your Ex- 
 cellency of the confusion that had happened ; and that they 
 had, to prevent the like depredations, requested some gen- 
 tlemen of the Town to guard the magazine, till proper 
 measures could be taken for its further security, which your 
 Lordship did not make the least objection to. There had 
 been, by your Excellency's permission, a considerable 
 quantity of copper money, belonging to the country, lodged 
 in the magazine. This was an additional reason for the 
 Committee's taking a precaution which your Lordship is 
 pleased to call " ordering and appointing guards, without 
 consulting you, to mount in the City of Williamsbiirgh" 
 and a design to usurp the " Executive power." The Com- 
 mittee did not pretend to any authority to mount guard ; 
 and had your Lordship disliked what they thought a pru- 
 dent step in the then confused state of things, it would 
 have been kind in your Lordship to have intimated as 
 much. Upon the Committee's inquiry, they found, indeed, 
 that there was little worth guarding in the magazine, the 
 powder having been all removed, except about five half 
 barrels, buried, by your Excellency's order, in the yard, 
 for what purpose we cannot conceive, and all the valuable 
 muskets having been spoiled of their locks. 
 
 Your Lordship speaks of a body of men assembled in 
 the City of Williamsburgh, not only to the " knowledge, 
 but with the approbation of every body, for the avowed 
 purpose of attacking a party of the King's forces, which it 
 was reported, though without foundation, was marching to 
 your Lordship's protection." We know of no men, my 
 Lord, assembled for the purpose you mention, though you 
 are pleased to say it was done with the " knowledge and 
 approbation of every body," in which number we suppose 
 the House of Burgesses were particularly designed to be 
 included. Upon the best information, the truth appears 
 to be this : An account was brought into the City in the 
 morning, that Captain Collins, of the Magdalen, had slip- 
 ped his cable, and was come up the river with a number of 
 boats, in which there were said to be a hundred armed 
 men at least, intended to be marched into the City. It 
 could not be conceived what was proposed by this manoeu- 
 
 vre : the City was quiet, and we believe no man in it sus- 
 pected that your Lordship could have the least apprehen- 
 sion that your person was in danger; nor had we the 
 smallest suspicion of your fears, till the receipt of your 
 former message, acquainting us of your removal. The 
 citizens, however, as well as others, were astonished, and 
 somewhat alarmed, not knowing what was intended. Your 
 Lordship may remember, that His Majesty's Council, from 
 their address to your Excellency, were not without their 
 apprehensions. A number of the inhabitants, and we sup- 
 pose some others, but how many we know not, assembled 
 under arms, that they might be prepared to defend the City 
 and its inhabitants, in case any thing hostile should be at- 
 tempted. This, we are convinced, was their only view. 
 Upon their being made acquainted with your Lordship's 
 answer to the Council, we understood that they all imme- 
 diately retired peaceably and quietly, without any disturb- 
 ance. The City was again at rest, and continued composed 
 till they heard of your Lordship's removal, with your fami- 
 ly, in the dead of night, as if you could have supposed that 
 any one would have attempted to offer you any obstruc- 
 tion, or to interfere with your inclination. This extraordi- 
 nary step, which none could account for, occasioned great 
 consternation in the City, and we believe would surprise 
 the whole world, were they acquainted with it. 
 
 We have already, my Lord, in a former address, of 
 which, according to custom, a copy was left with you, and 
 which you directed to have presented on a certain day, 
 long since passed, without your giving us an opportunity 
 of doing it, a=signed the reasons why we could not inter- 
 pose our legislative authority respecting the Courts of Jus- 
 tice. 
 
 The occasion and design of forming Independent Com- 
 panies at first, and the rise of Volunteer Companies after- 
 wards, we have already explained, and cannot see the 
 necessity of abolishing them. They are not designed to 
 interfere with your Lordship's full exercise of the legal and 
 constitutional powers of your Government, which we would 
 wish to have supported on all occasions ; and are of opin- 
 ion, that the laws in force are competent to that end. But 
 if it is expected that the Country should again be thrown 
 into a defenceless state, self-preservation, the first law of 
 nature, forbids it. If your Lordship were really appre- 
 hensive that your person was in danger, the tender of the 
 Council and this House, of their most effectual assistance 
 to remove every appearance of risk, we were hopeful would 
 have quieted all your fears. A proper guard, at the pub- 
 lick expense, would have been at your service, had you 
 judged it necessary. Your Lordship's declining to pro- 
 pose such a measure as we, consistent with our own 
 security, could accept, and demanding what you must have 
 known was not in our power to comply with, affords no 
 strong evidence of your inclination to restore tranquillity to 
 this Country. Those who have taken any of His Majes- 
 ty's publick store of arms, are open to the law, which has 
 its full operation as heretofore ; and we wish not to inter- 
 rupt its course. But surely your Lordship cannot expect 
 us, by any new act, which would be ex post facto in the 
 most odious sense of the words, to inflict other pains and 
 penalties for offences already committed. This, we con- 
 ceive, would be the greatest infringement of a fundamental 
 principle of our excellent Constitution. Such a practice 
 may, indeed, have obtained under another meridian, but it 
 is not, my Lord, of American growth. Whether that spirit 
 of persecution, which your Lordship has been pleased to 
 describe, prevails in this Country, we appeal to the evi- 
 dence which appears on our Journals. Were those, and 
 those only, to be considered as persecuted men, who, from 
 principles and duty, are attached to their King and his Gov- 
 ernment, we ourselves, my Lord, should fall under this 
 predicament, and perhaps may, with justice, think human- 
 ity disgraced by such proceedings. That some few people 
 may have been deluded, we shall not question. The 
 utmost pains, we know, have been taken, in different Colo- 
 nies, to alarm them with the " disfigured side of the Ameri- 
 can" story, and to render them deaf and blind to their true 
 interest and political salvation. So far as our example can 
 influence the people' of this Country in preserving their 
 loyalty to His Majesty, a proper respect to Government, 
 and the good order of society, your Lordship may be as- 
 sured that it shall be made as diffusive as possible. 
 
1231 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 4232 
 
 We have, my Lord, the sinccrest and most active desire 
 to seize every opportunity of establishing the freedom of 
 our Country upon a fixed " known foundation," and of 
 uniting ourselves with our fellow-subjects of Great Britain 
 in one common bond of interest and affection ; but we have 
 no " doubts" of what such freedom consists in ; it is writ- 
 ten as with a sun-beam on our hearts. We are equally 
 sensible of those essentials which alone can admit us to the 
 participation of a just proportion of the common interest ; 
 but for the variety of cogent reasons assigned in our ad- 
 dress in answer to your Lordship's speech, we cannot view 
 the proposal of the House of Commons in the same light 
 your Lordship seems to do. 
 
 The important business of the Assembly, my Lord, has 
 been not a little interrupted by your Excellency's removal 
 from the proper seat of your Government. As to your 
 Lordship's offer, that we might adjourn to the Town of 
 York, we think this would be extremely improper, on seve- 
 ral accounts : The Town of York could not afford tole- 
 rable accommodation for so numerous an assembly ; and, 
 what is of more consequence, we humbly conceive, that 
 this, and this place alone is established by law for hold- 
 ing our General Assemblies. If there are any hopes left 
 of your Excellency's compliance, we must reiterate our 
 request, that you will be pleased to return, with your fami- 
 ly, to the Palace, for the reasons assigned in our former 
 address. We feel most sensibly the disagreeable situation 
 your excellent lady must be in. But if, after all, your 
 Lordship is determined to persist in your resolution of 
 absence, we must endeavour to rest satisfied, conscious that, 
 whilst we have been solicitous to do justice to our constitu- 
 ents and ourselves, we have not been wanting in the respect 
 which is due to the representative of our most gracious 
 Sovereign. 
 
 We cannot, my Lord, but consider the Representatives 
 of the body of the people, when convened in Assembly, 
 as part of that great and general council which our Con- 
 stitution hath fixed lor advising our Governours in all mat- 
 ters respecting the publick weal. His Majesty's honourable 
 Council are especially appointed for this purpose. They 
 are well acquainted with our Constitution ; their duty to 
 His Majesty will urge them to support the prerogative of 
 the Crown, at the same time that their justice should lead 
 them to maintain the rights of the People. We, therefore, 
 (sincerely regarding your Lordship's tranquillity and hap- 
 piness, as well as the important interests of this whole com- 
 munity,) think ourselves loudly called upon to give it as 
 our best advice, that your Lordship will be pleased to ad- 
 vise with your proper and constitutional Council, in all 
 matters of importance, and not suffer yourself to be influ- 
 enced by designing men ; but that you will banish all such 
 Irom your presence, as the greatest enemies to your own 
 repose, and the real happiness of this extensive Country. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 
 Resolved nemine contradiccntc, That the House doth 
 agree with the Committee in the said Address to be pre- 
 sented to the Governour. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Braxton, Mr. Wood, Mr. 
 Jones, Mr. Zane, Mr. Page, and Mr. Berkeley. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported from the Committee, to whom 
 the Bill for appointing Commissioners to ratify and confirm 
 the late Treaty of Peace with the Ohio Indians was com- 
 mitted, that the Committee had gone through the Bill, and 
 made several amendments thereto, which they had directed 
 him to report to the House ; and he read the Report in his 
 place, and afterwards delivered the Bill with the amend- 
 ments in at the Clerk's table, where the amendments were 
 once read throughout, and then a second time, one by one, 
 and upon the question severally put thereupon, were, with 
 an amendment to one of them, agreed to by the House. 
 
 Ordered, That the Bill, with the amendments, be en- 
 grossed. 
 
 Mr. Braxton reported, from the Committee to whom the 
 Bill for appointing an Agent was committed, that the Com- 
 mittee had gone through the Bill, and made an amendment 
 thereunto, which they had directed him to report to the 
 House ; and he read the Report in his place, and after- 
 wards delivered the Bill, with the amendment, in at the 
 Clerk's table. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report be taken into considera- 
 tion to-morrow. 
 
 Tuesday, June 20, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for taking into consi- 
 deration the Report which was made from the Committee 
 to whom the Bill for appointing an Agent was committed, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report be taken into considera- 
 tion to-morrow. 
 
 The other Order of the Day being read, 
 
 Ordered, That the call of the House be further ad- 
 journed till to-morrow. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: I am commanded by the Council to 
 deliver to this House a Paper, which they have received 
 from the Governour, as his Excellency's answer to the last 
 joint Address of the Council and of this House. And he 
 presented the said Paper at the bar. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The said Paper was read, and is as followeth, viz : 
 
 Experience having shewn the insecurity of the publick 
 Magazine, and the Palace having hitherto been respected, 
 I think it improper to give any other orders than that the 
 arms belonging to the King, which have for so many years 
 been lodged, may still remain there, and that they may on 
 no account be touched without my express permission. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported that the joint Address of the Coun- 
 cil and this House of Saturday last, and the two Addresses 
 of this House of the same day, and likewise the Address 
 of yesterday to the Governour, had been severally present- 
 ed to his Excellency, who directed him to acquaint the 
 House that he had sent his answer to the first to the 
 Council, and delivered to him two Papers in answer to the 
 second and third Addresses ; which Papers he delivered in 
 at the Clerk's table, and which were read, and are in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 This Address, acknowledging the highest sense of the ser- 
 vices I rendered to this Country on the late Indian expe- 
 dition, though late,* will still, 1 hope, do credit to the justice 
 of the House of Burgesses. 
 
 As the care, custody, and disposal of publick stores of 
 ammunition, belong alone to the King's representative, 1 
 cannot consent to return the powder, lately removed from 
 the magazine, to Williamsburgh, which experience has de- 
 monstrated to me is an improper place for the residence of 
 the Governour; therefore as 1 could not attend to its pre- 
 servation, I could not consequently depend upon its being 
 in security there. The powder in question, besides, you 
 have already been acquainted, belonged to one of His Ma- 
 jesty's ships ; 1 am therefore in a particular manner account- 
 able for it; but, as I have before declared, 1 shall be ready 
 to apply it, if I find it wanted, for the protection of thu 
 Colony. 
 
 The duty upon the tonnage of all vessels trading to this 
 Colony has been applied, as I conceive the Act which im- 
 poses that duty authorizes, towards the regular and neces- 
 sary charges of Government ; which, without this fund, 
 could not have been supported, and therefore requires it all. 
 This Colony has hitherto been preserved from invasion and 
 insurrection by the care and attention of Government ; and 
 you have a very late instance of its exertion, through the 
 means of which the Country has been rescued from the de- 
 struction it was threatened with, which, as it proves the 
 contrary of an inattention to any matters essential to the pre- 
 servation of this Colony, so it exposes the injustice of your 
 present attempt, if it does not induce you to forbear others, 
 of bringing your legal and constitutional Government, at this 
 unhappy conjuncture, into discredit among the people. 
 
 As to your request that I order a certain quantity of arms, 
 powder, and other military stores, to be provided : when you 
 have complied with the requisition submitted to your con- 
 sideration, in consequence of the joint address of the Coun- 
 
 * One cannot help remarking the injustice of this insinuation, for thn 
 Journal of the House of Burgesses proves the Resolution for tiie Ad- 
 dress (to which the foregoing was intended as an answer) passed the 
 House upon rec( ipt of his Lordship's Message respecting the Powder, 
 the day beforo ha left the City ; and the Gazette, published the day he 
 went away, must have informed his Lordship of this generous disposi- 
 tion of the House. So, if the Address was really late, as his Lordship 
 conceives, the reason must be found in his Lordship's going from the 
 fcSoat of Government on board an armed vessel. — Fir. Oaz. 
 
1233 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1234 
 
 oil and House of Burgesses, offering to concur in any mea- 
 sure proper for my security, which requisition iias heen 
 taken no notice of; and when the legal executive power 
 of Government is restored, and 1 may with certainty rely 
 that arms, powder, and other military stores, will be em- 
 ployed no otherwise than as I shall direct, who, as His Ma- 
 jesty's representative, have the sole authority in the case, 
 then I shall be happy, with the means you furnish me, to 
 provide every thing ; and I promise you no attention shall 
 be neglected which may be requisite for securing the in- 
 habitants of Virginia from invasion and insurrection. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Papers in answer to the said 
 Addresses, be taken into consideration to-morrow. 
 
 Mr. Cary also reported, that his Excellency directed him 
 to acquaint the House, that he would send an answer to 
 the last Address if he should find that it required one. 
 
 Ordered, That the thanks of this House be given to 
 Captain James Innis, of the Volunteer Company of Wil- 
 liamsburgh, and the persons employed by him to guard 
 the pubhek Magazine in this City, for the alacrity, fidelity, 
 and activity with which they undertook and performed that 
 service, and that Mr. Braxton do acquaint him therewith. 
 
 Wednesday, June 21, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The House, according to order, proceeded to take into 
 consideration the Papers sent by the Governour in answer 
 to the Address of the Council and this House, and to the 
 Addresses of this House. 
 
 And the said Papers were read. 
 
 Resolved, That a free conference be desired with the 
 Council upon several important matters respecting the 
 state of this Colony, and the subject-matter of his Excel- 
 lency the Governour's Message in answer to the joint Ad- 
 dress of the Council and this House. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and 
 desire the said free conference. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council do agree to the free con- 
 ference desired by this House, and have appointed three of 
 their Members, who are now ready in the Conference Cham- 
 ber, to meet the Managers for this House. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to manage 
 the said conference. 
 
 And a Committeee was appointed of Mr. Bland, Mr. 
 Treasurer, Mr. Cary, Mr. Digges, Mr. Jones, and Mr. 
 Melton. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Managers for this House do lay 
 before the Managers for the Council the several Deposi- 
 tions taken by order of this House upon the inquiry into 
 the causes of the late disturbances, and that they commu- 
 nicate to them the Address of this House, requesting his 
 Lordship to return the Powder removed from the publick 
 Magazine, by his order, and that he would be pleased to 
 provide a proper quantity of Arms and Ammunition for the 
 necessary security and defence of this Country, together 
 with his Lordship's Answer thereto. To propose to the 
 Council to join this House in a proper Address to his Excel- 
 lencv, in reply to his Message in answer to their former joint 
 Address, and also on the subject of the several Papers to 
 be communicated to them. To represent to his Excellen- 
 cy how much the important business of the session hath 
 been impeded by his removal from the Palace, by which 
 the necessary and free access to his Lordship, which we 
 conceive the Constitution entitles us to, hath been cut off in 
 a great measure; that there are several bills of the last im- 
 portance to this Country now ready to be presented to his 
 Excellency for his assent, and that though both Houses, in 
 hopes of preserving that harmony which they wish ever to 
 subsist between the different branches of the Legislature, 
 have hitherto submitted to the great inconvenience of tra- 
 velling twelve miles, and going on board one of His Majes- 
 ty's ships, to deliver their several Addresses, yet they think 
 it would be highly improper, and a step not warranted by 
 any principle of the Constitution, to present their bills in 
 the same manner. That they therefore desire his Lordship 
 will be pleased to meet them in the Capitol, or, if he is de- 
 termined not to do this, that he would be pleased at least 
 to come on shore, and they will wait upon his Excellency 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. " 
 
 in Yorlctown, upon having his pleasure signified to them. 
 That as the advanced season of the year requires our speedy 
 return to our several Counties, we hope bis Lordship will 
 be pleased to give us his ultimate answer, as soon as prac- 
 ticable. 
 
 Then the names of the Managers were called over ; and 
 they went to the conference. 
 And being returned, 
 
 Mr. Bland reported, that the Managers had been at the 
 conference with the Council, and had laid before them the 
 several depositions taken by order of this House upon the 
 inquiry into the causes of the late disturbances, and com- 
 municated to them the Address of this House requesting 
 his Lordship to return the Powder removed from the pub- 
 lick Magazine by his order, and that he would be pleased 
 to provide a proper quantity of Arms and Ammunition for 
 the necessary security and defence of this Country, together 
 with his Lordship's answer thereto ; and proposed to the 
 Council to join this House in a proper Address to his Ex- 
 cellency, in reply to his Message in answer to their former 
 joint Address, and also on the subject of the several Papers 
 communicated to them. And that the Council agreed to 
 join this House in the said Address, and that the managers 
 for this House had drawn up a joint Address accordingly, 
 which was carried to the Council for their concurrence. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council have agreed to the joint 
 Address to be presented to the Governour, prepared by the 
 Committee of the Council and of this House. And he 
 presented the said Address at the bar. 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 The said Address was read, and is as followed), viz: 
 
 To His Excellency the Right Honourable Earl of Dun- 
 more, His Majesty's Lieutenant- Governour, General, 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony and Dominion 
 of Virginia, and Vice-Admiral of the same: 
 
 The joint Address of the Council and House of Bur- 
 gesses : 
 
 My Lor;) : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Council and House of Burgesses of Virginia, have 
 received your Lordship's answer to our joint Address, by 
 which we represented to your Excellency how very inse- 
 cure we thought the publick arms in the Palace since your 
 Lordship's removal from thence, and requested that your 
 Lordship would be pleased to order them to be stored in 
 the publick Magazine, judging this a repository of much 
 greater security. 
 
 You are pleased to tell us that experience hath shewn 
 the insecurity of the Magazine, and that as the Palace hath 
 hitherto been respected, you thought it improper to give 
 any other orders ; that the arms belonging to the King, 
 which have for so many years been lodged, may still re- 
 main in the Palace, and that they may on no account be 
 touched without your express permission. Though these 
 arms, my Lord, may be considered in some sort as belong- 
 ing to His Majesty, as the supreme head of this Govern- 
 ment, and that they are properly under your Lordship's 
 direction, yet we humbly conceive that they were origi- 
 nally provided, and have been preserved for the use of the 
 Country in case of emergency. 
 
 We would not wish to interfere with your Lordship's 
 authority, (of this disposition we presume our former ad- 
 dress afforded the strongest testimony,) but the reflection 
 that these arms are so much exposed that they may easily 
 be made the most improper and destructive use of, is to us 
 extremely alarming. 
 
 The Palace, my Lord, hath indeed been hitherto much 
 respected, but not so much out of regard to the building, 
 as the residence of His Majesty's representative. Had 
 your Lordship thought fit to remain there, we should have 
 had no apprehension of danger ; but, considering these 
 arms at present exposed to your servants, and every rude 
 invader, the security formerly derived from your Lord- 
 ship's presence cannot now be relied on. 
 
 In your Lordship's answer to an address of the House 
 of Burgesses, you are pleased to say, that experience has 
 demonstrated to you that the City of JVilUamsburgh is an 
 improper place for the residence of our Governour ; and 
 give it as a reason for not returning the powder according 
 to your own voluntary promise made to the House, that 
 
 8 
 
1235 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1286 
 
 you could not attend to its preservation, nor depend on its 
 security if returned to the Magazine. We should suppose, 
 my Lord, that your Excellency's attention to the arms 
 would be equally necessary for their security, as you know 
 die Palace stands on the edge of the City, and we should, 
 for this reason, imagine it more likely to be rifled than the 
 Magazine in the midst of it; besides, should it he thought 
 necessary, a proper guard might be kept at the Magazine, 
 which we did not think so decent to propose for your Lord- 
 ship's Palace. Our apprehensions, my Lord, have been 
 not a little increased by considering the several depositions 
 taken by order of the House of Burgesses ; we decline com- 
 menting upon them, but submit to the world from whence 
 the unhappy disturbances in this Colony took their rise. 
 We must, my Lord, once more entreat your Excellency 
 to order the arms to be removed to the publick Magazine. 
 
 We cannot, my Lord, decline representing to you that 
 the important business of this Assembly hath been much 
 impeded by your Excellency's removal from the Palace. 
 This step hath deprived us of the necessary and free access 
 to your Lordship, which we conceive the Constitution en- 
 titles us to. There are several bills of the last importance 
 to this Country now ready to be presented to your Excel- 
 lency for your assent. 
 
 We have hitherto, my Lord, in hopes of preserving that 
 harmony which we wish ever to subsist between all the 
 branches of our Legislature, submitted to the great incon- 
 venience of sending our members twelve miles to wait on 
 your Excellency on board one of His Majesty's ships-of- 
 war, to present our several addresses ; but we think it would 
 be highly improper, and too great a departure from the 
 constitutional and accustomed mode of transacting the busi- 
 ness of the Assembly, to meet your Excellency at any 
 other place than the Capitol, to present such Bills as have 
 there been agreed to by the Council and House of Bur- 
 gesses. We must therefore beseech your Excellency to 
 return to us; and as the advanced season of the year re- 
 quires our presence in our several Counties, we hope your 
 Lordship will be pleased to favour us with your speedy 
 and ultimate answer, that we may certainly know what to 
 depend upon. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That the House doth agree with the Council 
 in the said Address, to be presented to the Govemour. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his Ex- 
 cellency by Mr. Cary, Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Lewis, 
 and Mr. Christian, in conjunction with such of the Coun- 
 cil as shall be appointed to join in the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland do go to the Council, and 
 acquaint them that this House hath appointed four of their 
 Members to present the said Address to the Governour, in 
 conjunction with such of the Council as shall be appointed 
 for that purpose. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair : 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council have agreed to the Bill 
 intituled " An Act for appointing Commissioners to settle 
 the Accounts of the Militia lately drawn out into actual 
 service, and for making provision to pay the same," with- 
 out any amendment. 
 
 Ordered, That the call of the House be further adjourned 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole House upon the Bill to 
 revive an act, intituled " An Act for the better regulating 
 and disciplining the Militia." 
 
 And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning 
 ten of the clock. 
 
 Thursday, Juno 22, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 The Orders of the Day being read, 
 Ordered, That the call of the House be further adjourned 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House, to 
 whom the Bill to revive an act for reducing the several 
 acts of Assembly for making provision against Invasions 
 and Insurrections, into one act, was committed, be dis- 
 charged from proceeding upon said Bill. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Bill do lie upon the table. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of the Whole House, to 
 
 whom the Bill to revive an act intituled "An Act for the 
 better regulating and disciplining the Militia," was commit- 
 ted, be discharged from proceeding upon the said Bill. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Bill do lie upon the table. 
 
 Ordered, That the Order for taking into consideration 
 the Report which was made from the Committee to whom 
 the Bill for appointing an Agent was committed, be dis- 
 charged. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report do lie upon the table. 
 
 Mr. Cary reported, that the joint Address of the Council 
 and this House, of yesterday, to the Governour, had been 
 presented to his Excellency, who delivered to him an answer 
 thereunto, which he delivered in at the Clerk's table, and 
 which was read, and is in the words following, viz : 
 Gentlemen of the Council, and House of Burgesses : 
 
 I have already declared my intentions in regard to the 
 arms at the Palace, and I conceive the Council and House 
 of Burgesses are interfering in a matter which does not 
 belong to them. I should be glad to be informed who 
 they design by the terms "rude invaders," which they have 
 made use of. 
 
 The disorders in Williamsburgh and other parts of the 
 Country, drove me to the necessity of changing my place 
 of residence ; and if any inconvenience has arisen to the 
 Assembly on that account, I am not chargeable with it ; 
 but they have not been deprived of any necessary nor free 
 access to me. The Constitution invests me with an un- 
 doubted power to call the Assembly for the business of, to 
 any place in the Colony exigency may require. 
 
 Not having been made acquainted with the whole pro- 
 ceedings of the Assembly, I know of no bills of importance 
 which, if 1 were inclined to risk my person again among 
 the people, the Assembly have to present to ine, nor whe- 
 ther they be such as I could assent to. Dunmore. 
 
 Ordered, That a Message be sent to the Council, to 
 desire them to acquaint this House whether they have 
 agreed to the Bill intituled " An Act for appointing Com- 
 missioners to ratify and confirm the late Treaty of Peace 
 with the Ohio Indians ;" and that Mr. Mercer do carry the 
 said Message. 
 
 And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, 
 ten of the clock. 
 
 Friday, June 23, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 The Order of the Day being read, 
 Ordered, That the call of the House be further adjourned 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 Mr. Mercer reported, that he had, according to order, 
 attended the Council, and desired them to acquaint this 
 House whether they had agreed to the Bill intituled " An 
 Act for appointing Commissioners to ratify and confirm the 
 late Treaty of Peace with the Ohio Indians ;" and that the 
 Council will send an answer by a Messenger of their own. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker : I am commanded by the Council to 
 acquaint this House, that the Bill, intituled " An Act for 
 appointing Commissioners to ratify and confirm the late 
 Treaty of Peace with the Ohio Indians," is rejected. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Resolved, That a free conference be desired with the 
 Council on the subject-matter of the Treaty to be ratified 
 with the Indians. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Treasurer do go to the Council and 
 desire the said free conference. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported, that he had, according to order, 
 been at the Council, to desire a free conference, on the 
 subject-matter of the Treaty to be ratified with the Indians: 
 and that the Council will send an answer by a Messenger 
 of their own. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker: The Council do agree to a free confer- 
 ence with this House as desired ; and have appointed two 
 of their Members, who are now ready in the Conference 
 Chamber, to meet the Managers for this House. 
 
 And then the Messenger withdrew. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to manage 
 the said conference. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed of Mr. Treasurer, Mr. 
 Bland, Mr. Braxton, and Mr. Mercer. 
 
1237 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1238 
 
 Ordered, That the Paper intituled " Substance of the 
 Peace agreed to between the Earl of Dunmorc, Governour 
 of Virginia, on the part of that Colony, and the Corn 
 Stalk, on the part of the Shawanesc Indians, intended to 
 be ratified at a general meeting of the Ohio Indians at 
 Fort Dunmorc," referred to in the Governour's written 
 Message to this House, which, upon Monday, the fifth day 
 of this instant, June, was ordered to lie upon the table, 
 be communicated to the Council at the conference. 
 
 Then the names of the Managers were called over, and 
 they went to the conference. 
 
 And being returned, 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported that the Managers had been at 
 the conference with the Council, and communicated to 
 them the Paper intituled " Substance of the Peace agreed 
 to between the Earl of Dunmore, Governour of Virginia, 
 on the part of that Colony, and the Corn Stalk on the 
 part of the Shawanese Indians, intended to be ratified at 
 a general meeting of the Ohio Indians at Fort Dunmore," 
 and that the Council proposed that an Address should be 
 presented to the Governour, that his Excellency would ap- 
 point persons to ratify the Treaty with the Indians, and 
 recommended it to this House to vote a sum of Money, not 
 exceeding Two Thousand Pounds, for that business. 
 
 Mr. Attorney-General reported to the House that he had 
 shewn the engrossed Bills and Resolves to the Governour, 
 and that his Excellency was pleased to deliver to him a 
 written Message, which he read in his place, and which is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Mr. Speaker, and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses: 
 The bill for appointing Commissioners to settle the ac- 
 counts of the Militia lately drawn out into actual service, 
 and for making provision to pay the same, inasmuch as it 
 imposes duties upon slaves imported, I cannot assent to; 
 which, by the royal disallowance of an Act of Assembly 
 for that purpose, passed in the tenth year of his present 
 Majesty's reign, you must have been sensible of; and as 
 the bill has no suspending clause, though I made it my busi- 
 ness to intimate, by several of your members, to the House, 
 that, without such a clause, I could not pass an act for 
 emitting paper money, the miscarriage of a bill I had very 
 much at heart cannot be attributed to me. And if still 
 those objections can be removed, I should be happy to 
 concur in an act for the rewarding of the brave people 
 who are the particular objects of it, without delay. If not, 
 all I can do is to transmit the bill to His Majesty, and to 
 desire leave to assent to it ; though, in regard to the duty 
 upon slaves, I should not, I think, obtain it. 
 
 I see no objection to any other of your bills or resolves, 
 and I am therefore ready to give my assent to them when- 
 ever the House desires. If you have any other bills ready, 
 I must desire they may be sent in like manner, that the 
 whole may be passed together; and I must beg that your 
 Clerk may be ordered to lay before me a copy of the Jour- 
 nals of the House, before the time fixed for passing the bills. 
 
 Dunmore. 
 
 Resolved, That an Address be presented to the Gov- 
 ernour, in answer to his said written Message. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 an Address to be presented to the Governour, upon the 
 said Resolution. 
 
 And a Committee was appointed of Mr. Treasurer, Mr. 
 Bland, Mr. Mercer, Mr. Banister, Mr. Digges, and Mr. 
 Munford. 
 
 Mr. Treasurer reported, from the Committee appointed 
 to draw up an Address to be presented to the Governour, 
 that the Committee had drawn up an Address accordingly, 
 which they had directed him to report to the House ; and 
 he read the same in his place, and afterwards delivered it 
 in at the Clerk's table, where the same was read, and is as 
 followetb, viz : 
 
 Mr Lord : We, His Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, 
 the Burgesses of Virginia, cannot sufficiently express our 
 concern that your Lordship should be under any difficulty 
 in giving your assent to the bill for appointing Commis- 
 sioners to settle the accounts of the Militia lately drawn 
 out into actual service, and for making provision to pay 
 the same ; which hath received the approbation of the 
 other two branches of the Legislature. We beg leave to 
 
 remind your Excellency, that you particularly recommended 
 those brave people, who are the objects of this bill, to our 
 attention. Sensible of their important services, we seized 
 with much pleasure the first opportunity afforded us of 
 doing justice to their singular merit. Upon considering 
 the most probable ways and means of effecting this desira- 
 ble purpose, we soon found, from the extreme scarcity of 
 cash in the country, that there was no possible method of 
 doing it but by a speedy emission of paper money. The 
 opinion has since been confirmed by transactions during 
 the present meeting of the merchants, which have evinced, 
 that the scarcity is even greater than we at first supposed. 
 
 We do not find, my Lord, any thing in the bill which 
 contravenes any law, or royal instruction, which hath ever 
 been communicated to us. A suspending clause, we con- 
 ceive, would defeat the very purpose for which the bill was 
 intended ; as it would withhold that relief so immediately 
 necessary to the comfort and support of many of our poor 
 inhabitants, who are in the utmost distress for want of it. 
 
 In order to support the credit of our paper currency, 
 we thought it incumbent on us to establish such funds as 
 would effectually secure the redemption of it. In aid of 
 others, we were of opinion that a duty of ten per cent, on 
 slaves would be the least burdensome to the people. We 
 do not know that such a duty was ever objected to by His 
 Majesty ; on the contrary, we understand that a duly not 
 exceeding ten per cent, was perfectly agreeable to his royal 
 will and pleasure. The five pounds per poll on slaves im- 
 ported from the West-Indies was intended to prevent the 
 many tricks which had been practised in this Country to 
 avoid payment of all duties on such slaves, and amounts to 
 no more than ten per cent., valuing them at the moderate 
 average of fifty pounds current money. 
 
 We are pleased to find your Excellency approves the 
 other bills and resolves submitted to your inspection. All 
 others, which we propose to trouble your Lordship with, 
 we have consented may undergo the earliest examination, 
 and flatter ourselves that they will meet with the like ap- 
 probation. 
 
 We still hope, my Lord, that upon reconsidering the 
 matter, you will see sufficient reasons to alter your first 
 opinion respecting the Militia Bill, which we have much 
 at heart, considering it of the last importance. 
 
 We have before, in conjunction with his Majesty's Coun- 
 cil, intimated to your Excellency how very necessary a recess 
 is at this critical season, our harvest demanding our imme- 
 diate presence at home. We must, therefore, entreat your 
 Excellency to meet us at the Capitol to-morrow, in order 
 to give your assent to such bills and resolves as are ready 
 to be presented. We hope your Lordship cannot still en- 
 tertain any groundless fears that your person can be in the 
 least danger. If it is possible that you remain under such 
 a strange influence, we pledge you our honours, and every 
 thing sacred, for your security. Should your Lordship 
 decline complying with this just request, we hope you will 
 be pleased to grant your commission to the President of the 
 Council to give your assent to such bills and resolves as you 
 may approve, and we may' present to him. 
 
 Since it hath been customary' for our Governours to sig- 
 nify their pleasure as to adjournments, we wish not to take 
 things out of their old channel ; we therefore hope your 
 Excellency will at the same time express your approba- 
 tion that we adjourn ourselves to some convenient day in 
 October next, when our convenience will best admit an 
 absence from our homes, and the sickly season of the year 
 will be over. 
 
 We do not wish to conceal from your Excellency one 
 tittle contained in our Journals ; but a full and immediate 
 transcript of them would require more time than we can 
 possibly devote to the publick business at present. We 
 must observe, that this demand of us is unusual ; how- 
 ever, we have ordered all such of our proceedings as 
 have been printed, to be immediately transmitted to your 
 Lordship. 
 
 The said Address being read a second time, 
 Resolved, That this House doth agree with the Com- 
 mittee in the said Address to be presented to the Govern- 
 our. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Address be presented to his 
 Excellency by Mr. Attorney-General and Mr. Leuis. 
 
1239 
 
 HOUSE OF BURGESSES OF VIRGINIA, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1240 
 
 And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning 
 ten of the clock. 
 
 Saturday, June 24, 15 Goo. Ill, 1775. 
 Mr. Attorney-General reported, that the Address of 
 yesterday had been presented to the Governour, residing 
 on board the Foivey, one of His Majesty's ships-of-war 
 riding at anchor in York River, and that his Excellency 
 was pleased to deliver to him a written Answer thereto ; 
 which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at 
 the Clerk's table, and which is in the words following, viz: 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgesses : 
 
 As you have encumbered the bill for the payment of the 
 officers and men employed upon the Indian expedition 
 with an imposition which you know I could not assent to, 
 and omitted a form (in no wise tending to defeat the pur- 
 pose of the bill) which you were told I could not dispense 
 with, the blame of its not passing now into a law cannot 
 lie upon me ; but I must adhere to the reasons I yesterday 
 signified to you on this head. The well-grounded appre- 
 hension I had for believing my person not safe at Wil- 
 liamsburgh, has increased daily. 1 cannot therefore meet 
 you at the Capitol as you entreat ; but this day being 
 too far spent, I shall be ready to receive the House on 
 Monday, at twelve of the clock, at my present residence, 
 for the purpose of giving my assent to such acts as I shall 
 approve of. 
 
 Although the convenience of the members of the As- 
 sembly will always be a strong motive to determine me as 
 to the time of your meeting or separating, yet it becomes 
 necessary (from an expression in your Address, that you 
 wish not to take things out of their old channel, as if you 
 had such power) to assert the right of the Crown to 
 adjourn, prorogue, dissolve, or assemble you, as it is thought 
 fit by the Governour of the Colony. I do not mean, how- 
 ever, to oppose the request you make of being adjourned. 
 
 Dunmore. 
 
 The House proceeded to take the said written Answer 
 into consideration. 
 
 Resolved, That the House do now resolve itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole House, to take into considera- 
 tion the state of the Colony and the Governour's written 
 Answer to the Address of this House of yesterday. 
 
 Mr. Speaker left the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland took the chair of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Speaker resumed the chair. 
 
 Mr. Bland reported from the Committee, That the 
 Committee having taken into their serious consideration 
 the unhappy situation of this Colony, and considering the 
 many obstructions given to the due and regular prosecu- 
 tion of the important business before the General Assem- 
 bly by his Excellency the Governour, in first removing 
 from the Palace on board one of the King's ships, where- 
 by a free access "to him, and that necessary intercourse 
 between his Lordship and the other two branches of the 
 Legislature hath been in a great measure cut oft'; con- 
 sidering that his Lordship hath withstood the repeated 
 entreaties of the Council and Burgesses to return to the 
 seat of his Government ; and having this day received such 
 an answer from his Lordship as, when compared with his 
 different Messages and other parts of his conduct, con- 
 vinces them of his determination not to do any thing that 
 may be of advantage to this Colony, and particularly to 
 the inhabitants on our frontiers, by his requiring the House 
 to attend him on board the Fowey, man-of-war, in order to 
 present such bills as are now ready for his assent ; thought 
 it a duty highly incumbent on them, for themselves and 
 the whole body of their constituents, to make several 
 Resolves, in maintenance of their just rights and privileges, 
 and in hopes of removing those prejudices which have 
 been already, and may be again attempted to be excited in 
 the breasts of their most gracious Sovereign and of their 
 fellow-subjects in Great Britain. 
 
 The said Resolves being reported to the House, and 
 severally agreed to, are as follow : 
 
 Resolved nem. con. That his Lordship's Message, requir- 
 ing this House to attend him on board one of His Majes- 
 ty's ships-of-war, is a high breach of the rights and privi- 
 leges of this House. 
 
 Resolved nem. con. That the unreasonable delays thrown 
 
 into the proceedings of this House by the Governour, and 
 his evasive answers to the sincere and decent Addresses of 
 the Representatives of the People, give us great reason to 
 fear that a dangerous attack may be meditated against the 
 unhappy People of this Colony. It is therefore our opi- 
 nion, that they prepare for the preservation of their proper- 
 ty, and their inestimable rights and liberties, with the great- 
 est care and attention. 
 
 Resolved nem. con. That we do, and will, bear faith and 
 true allegiance to our most gracious Sovereign George the 
 Third, our only lawful and rightful King; that we will, at 
 all times, to the utmost of our power, and at the risk of 
 our lives and property, maintain and defend his Govern- 
 ment in this Colony, as founded on the established laws 
 and principles of the Constitution. 
 
 Resolved nem. con. That it is our most earnest desire to 
 preserve and strengthen those bands of amity with all our 
 fellow-subjects in Great Britain, which are so very essen- 
 tial to the prosperity and happiness of both Countries. 
 
 Resolved nem. con. That it is with the deepest concern 
 we find ourselves deprived of an opportunity of making 
 immediate provision for those gallant officers and soldiers 
 who so nobly defended this Country against the incursions 
 of the Indians, unless we would sacrifice their own and the 
 inestimable rights and privileges of all other inhabitants of 
 this Colony ; that as we have already endeavoured to 
 make the most ample provision for this necessary purpose, 
 so will we gladly seize every opportunity afforded us of 
 doing the utmost justice to those brave men, and all other 
 publick creditors. 
 
 Certain information having been received of the great 
 discontent of the Ohio Indians, by reason of the delay of 
 the ratification of the late Treaty of Peace concluded upon 
 by his Excellency the Governour, on the part of this Colo- 
 ny, and the Corn Stalk, on the part of the Indians, and 
 that the inhabitants on our frontiers are under just appre- 
 hensions of a renewal of an Indian war; and no steps 
 having been pursued by his Lordship for carrying on the 
 said Treaty, or delivering up the Indian hostages, agree- 
 able to the terms of the said Treaty : 
 
 Resolved, That the said Treaty he immediately entered 
 upon, and that George Washington, Thomas Walker, 
 James Wood, Andrew Lewis, John Walker, and Adam 
 Stephen, Esquires, or any three or more of them, be, and 
 they are hereby constituted and appointed Commissioners, 
 on the part and behalf of this Colony, to meet the Chiefs 
 or Headmen of the said Ohio Indians, as soon as the same 
 can be done, at such place as they shall find most proper, 
 to ratify and confirm the said Treaty on the part of this 
 Colony, and to demand and receive of the said Indians 
 the ratifications and full performance of the said Treaty on 
 their parts. And that Robert Carter Nicholas, Esquire, 
 Treasurer, or the Treasurer for the time being, shall, and 
 he is hereby directed and required, to pay all such expens- 
 es and charges, out of the publick money in his hands, as 
 may be incurred on account of such Treaty ; provided the 
 same do not exceed two thousand Pounds, for which the 
 said Commissioners shall account to the next General As- 
 sembly. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Mercer do carry the Resolution to 
 the Council, and desire their concurrence. 
 
 A Message from the Council by Mr. Blair: 
 
 Mr. Speaker : The Council have agreed to the Re- 
 solve for appointing Commissioners to ratify the Treaty 
 of Peace with the Ohio Indians, and for defraying the 
 expense thereof. 
 
 Whereas, several Companies of the Militia of this Co- 
 lony have been drawn out into actual service by command 
 of his Excellency the Governour, for the defence and pro- 
 tection of the Frontiers against the incursions and depre- 
 dations of the Indians, and there are now due several 
 large sums of Money, as well for the Pay of such Militia 
 as for Provisions, Arms, and other necessaries furnished 
 them ; and it will be a great saving to the Colony, as well 
 as case to the claimants, to have such Accounts adjusted 
 by Commissioners in the country: 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That Archibald Cary, William 
 Cabell, William Fleming, John Winn, and John Nicho- 
 las, Gentlemen, or any three or more of them, be, and 
 they are hereby, appointed Commissioners for the Counties 
 
1241 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1242 
 
 of Fincastle, Botetourt, Culpepper, Pittsylvania, Hali- 
 fax, and Bedford, and for that part of the County of Au- 
 gusta which lies to the eastward of the Alleghany Moun- 
 tains ; and that Richard Lee, Francis Peyton, Josias 
 Clapham, Henry Lee, and Thomas Blackburn, Gentle- 
 men, or any three or more of them, be, and they are 
 hereby, appointed Commissioners for the other Counties, 
 and for that part of the County of Augusta which lies to 
 the westward of the Alleghany Mountains, and for the 
 Provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania, to examine, 
 state, and settle the Accounts of the Pay of the Militia, 
 and of all Provisions, Arms, Ammunition, and other neces- 
 saries furnished the said Militia of the Counties for which 
 they are appointed Commissioners, and report the same to 
 the General Assembly. 
 
 And then the House adjourned till Thursday, the twelfth 
 day of October next, at ten of the clock in the morning. 
 
 Thursday, October 12, 15 Geo. Ill, 1775. 
 
 The House met according to the adjournment, but no 
 more than thirty-seven Members appearing, which was 
 not a sufficient number to proceed to business, 
 
 The House adjourned till the first Thursday in March 
 next. 
 
 Thursday, March 7, 16 Geo. HI, 1776. 
 
 The House met according to the adjournment, but no 
 more than thirty-two Members appearing, which was not 
 a sufficient number to proceed to business, 
 
 The House adjourned to the first Monday in May next. 
 
 Monday, May 6, 16 Geo. Ill, 1776. 
 
 Several Members met, but did neither proceed to busi- 
 ness nor adjourn, as a House of Burgesses. 
 
 NEW. YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 City of New- York, May 22, 1775. 
 A number of gentlemen, Deputies from several Counties 
 in this Colony, assembled at the Exchange, in the City of 
 New-York, for the purpose of forming a Provincial Con- 
 gress; but as they conceived there were not a sufficient 
 number of Members, they agreed to meet here at the Ex- 
 change to-morrow, at ten o'clock, A M. 
 
 At a meeting of a Provincial Congress for the Colony 
 of New- York, at the Exchange, in the City of New-York, 
 on Tuesday, the twenty-third day of May, 1775: 
 
 The Deputies of a majority of the Counties appearing, 
 they proceeded to the choice of the following Officers, who 
 were unanimously elected, viz: 
 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President ; Vol- 
 kert P. Douw, Esquire, Vice-President ; John McKesson, 
 Esq., and Mr. Robert Benson, Secretaries ; Thomas Petit, 
 Doorkeeper. 
 
 The Deputies for the City and County of New- York 
 produced the Poll List taken on the . . . day of ... . 
 last, in the several Wards of the said City, certified under 
 the hands of the Vestrymen of the respective Wards, and 
 others before whom they were taken, by which it appears 
 that the following persons were elected Deputies for the 
 said City and County, viz : 
 
 City and County of New-York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Isaac Low, Alexander McDougall, Leonard 
 Lispenard , Jos. Hallct, David Clarkson, Abraham Wal- 
 ton, Tliomas Smith, Abraham Brasher, Benjamin Kissam, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, John Morin Scott, John He Lancey, John 
 Van Cortlandt, James Beekman, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 Sam'l Verplanck, John Marston, Richard Yates, George 
 Folliott* and Walter Franklin. 
 
 The Deputies for the City and County of Albany pro- 
 duced a Certificate of the Committees of the City, and 
 nineteen out of twenty Districts of the County, by which 
 it appears that the following persons were elected Deputies 
 for the said City and County : 
 
 City and County of Albany. — Robert Yates, Walter 
 Livingston, Abraham Yates, Robert Van Rensselaer, Vol- 
 kert P. Douw, Henry Glenn, Jacob Cuyler, Abraham Ten 
 Broeck, Peter Silvester, Francis Nicoll, Dirck Swart.* 
 
 The Deputies of the County of Dutchess produced the 
 Certificate of the Judges and sundry of the Justices, and 
 two other persons, freeholders and inhabitants of the said 
 County, whereby it appears that the following persons were 
 elected Deputies for the said County for six months, viz : 
 
 Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Gilbert Liv- 
 ingston, Anthony Hoffman* Jona. London* Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Gysbert Schenck,* Richard Montgomeric* Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Ephraim Paine* Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 The Deputies for the County of Ulster produced the 
 Certificate of Charles De Witt, Esquire, Chairman of the 
 several Committees of all the several Towns and Precincts 
 in the said County, whereby it appears that the following 
 persons were elected Deputies for the said County, viz : 
 
 Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Esq., Christopher Tap- 
 
 pen, Charles Clinton * John Nicholson, and Jacob Horn- 
 beck. 
 
 The Deputies for the Precinct of Haverstraiv, in the 
 County of Orange, produced a Certificate of Johannes ha 
 Blauvelt, Moderator of a meeting of the freeholders and 
 inhabitants of the said Precinct, whereby it appears that 
 the following persons were elected Deputies for the said 
 Precinct, viz : 
 
 Haverstraw in Orange. — John Coe and David Pye. 
 
 The Deputies from Goshen Precinct, in the said County, 
 produced the Certificate of Balthazer De Haert, Clerk of 
 a meeting of the freeholders and inhabitants of the said 
 Precinct, whereby it appears that the following persons 
 were elected Deputies for the said Precinct, viz: 
 
 Goshen. — Michael Jackson,* Benj. Tusteen,* Peter 
 Clowes, and William Allison. 
 
 The Deputies for the County of Suffolk produced the fol- 
 lowing Certificates, to wit: The Certificate of Wm. Smith, 
 Esq., Chairman of the Committees of all the Towns in the 
 said County, except Brookhaven and Islip ; the Certifi- 
 cates of four Companies of the Militia of the said Town 
 of Brookhaven; and the Certificate of the inhabitants of 
 the said Town or District of Islip ;f whereby it appears that 
 the following persons were elected Deputies for the said 
 County for one year, to wit : 
 
 Suffolk County. — Col. Nathaniel Wood hull, Ezra 
 E'Hommedieu, John Sloss Hobart* Thomas Wickham, 
 Thos. Trcdwell* James Haven,* John Foster, and Selah 
 Strong. 
 
 The Deputies for the County of Westchester produced 
 the Certificate of the Committee of the said County, where- 
 by it appears that the following persons were elected Depu- 
 ties for the said County, viz: 
 
 Westchester County. — Gouvcmeur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, Jas. Holmes, David Day- 
 ton, John Thomas, Junior, Robert Graham,* and William 
 Paulding.* 
 
 The Deputies for the Township of Brooklyn, in King's 
 County, produced the Certificate of Lcffert Leffertse, Esq.," 
 chosen Clerk of a meeting of the Magistrates and Free- 
 holders of the said Township, whereby it appears that the 
 following persons were elected Deputies for the said Town- 
 ship, viz : 
 
 Brooklyn in King's County. — Henry Williams, Esq. 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Esq. 
 
 The Deputies for the County of Richmond produced a 
 Certificate of Paul Micheau, Clerk of the County of Rich- 
 mond, whereby it appears that the following persons were 
 (at a meeting of the Freeholders of the said County for 
 that purpose) elected Deputies for the said County, viz : 
 
 Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Rich'd Conner, Rich'd Laurence,* and Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 [Those gentlemen's names that are marked respectively 
 with an Asterisk, have not appeared, and are absent.] 
 
 Ordered, That the sense of this Congress, upon every 
 question, be taken and determined by a majority of the 
 
 t The Certificate of the Town of Islip was returned to Col. Wood, 
 hull, because it is annexed and subjoined to their Association. 
 
1243 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1244 
 
 votes of the Counties here represented ; and that for the 
 present the votes of the City and County of Neiv- York be 
 considered as four; the City and County of Albany as 
 three ; and that of each of the other Counties respectively 
 as two ; but that this arrangement shall continue only till 
 some other arrangement shall be made and agreed on by 
 this Congress. 
 
 The following Rules are agreed to, and resolved to be 
 the Rules of this Congress, viz: 
 
 1st. That the President, and in his absence the Vice- 
 President, and in the absence of both a President to be 
 appointed pro tempore, shall preside at every meeting, and 
 keep order and decorum, and that it shall be his duty to 
 sign all letters from this Congress. 
 
 2d. That all Motions and Addresses be made to the 
 Chair, and standing. 
 
 3d. That if more than one shall rise to speak at the same 
 time, the President shall determine who shall first be heard. 
 
 4th. That the substance of every Motion made and 
 seconded shall be entered on the Minutes. 
 
 5th. That no interruption shall be suffered while a Mem- 
 ber is delivering his sentiments. 
 
 6th. That every question shall be determined by a ma- 
 jority of voices, and alter the determination of any measure 
 or thing, the same question shall not be reassumed but 
 with the consent of a majority of the voices of this Board 
 at a subsequent meeting ; and that notice be given of the 
 motion for reassuniing such matter at least one day before 
 such motion be made, and notice thereof given to the Mem- 
 bers representing each County, who shall then be in the 
 City of New- York. 
 
 7th. That when any question shall be determined upon 
 a division, the names of the respective Counties shall be 
 entered as they shall vote on each side ; but any Member 
 for any County may be at liberty to have his name and dis- 
 sent from the vote of his County entered on the Minutes. 
 
 8th. That this Congress shall, from time to time, meet 
 on their own adjournments for the present. 
 
 9th. That for the despatch of business, and to prevent 
 interruptions, the doors at our meetings shall be shut, and 
 that none but Members be permitted to take copies of the 
 Proceedings of this Congress. 
 
 10th. That no question shall be determined on the day 
 that it is agitated, if three Counties shall request that it be 
 deferred to the next day. 
 
 11th. That no Member shall be at liberty to speak more 
 than twice to the same point, without leave of the Presi- 
 dent for the time then being. 
 
 12th. That no Member shall absent himself from this 
 Congress without leave of the Congress. 
 
 13th. That every Member of this Congress shall keep 
 secret all such matters, proceedings and things in this Con- 
 gress, as shall be enjoined from the Chair to be kept secret. 
 
 14th. That whenever the Proceedings of this Congress 
 shall be published at the close of this session, all the Mi- 
 nutes shall be published, and no part concealed unless such 
 as the unanimous voice of the Counties shall declare to be 
 of a secret or unimportant nature ; but that extracts of the 
 Proceedings may nevertheless be published from time to 
 time as the Congress shall think fit. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 5 ho. P. M., May 23, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benja- 
 min Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, and Walter Franklin. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Francis Nicoll,and Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Uumond, Esq., Christopher Tap- 
 pen, John Nicholson, Esq., and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Esq., David Pye, Esq., 
 William Allison, Esq., Mr. Peter Clowes, Col. Abraham 
 Lent, John Herring, Esq. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Esq., Thos. Tredwell, Esq., John Foster, 
 Ezra L'Hommedieu, Esq., Thomas Wickham, and Se- 
 lah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Esquire, 
 Lewis Graham, Esq., James Van Cortlandt, Esq., Ste- 
 phen Ward, Joseph Drake, Col. Philip Van Cortlandt, 
 Col. James Holmes, David Dayton, and John Thomas, 
 Junior. 
 
 For the Township of Brooklyn in King's County. — Henry 
 
 Williams, Esq., Jeremiah Remsen, Esq. 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 
 Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner. 
 
 The Deputies for Orange Town produced a Certificate 
 signed by Jacob Concklin, Esq., Chairman, and Thomas 
 Outivater, Clerk, at a meeting of the Freeholders and In- 
 habitants of Orange Town, there held on the third day of 
 May instant, whereby it appears that Colonel Abraham 
 Lent and John Herring, Esq., were unanimously chosen 
 Deputies to represent them in this Provincial Congress, to 
 be held at the City of New- York. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Abraham Lent and John Her- 
 ring, Esq., take their seats. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Low moved, and was seconded by Mr. Mor- 
 ris, that this Congress enter into a Resolution in the words 
 following, viz : 
 
 Resolved, as the opinion of this Congress, That implicit 
 obedience ought to be paid to every recommendation of the 
 Continental Congress for the general regulation of the As- 
 sociated Colonies; but that this Congress is competent to, 
 and ought freely to deliberate and determine on all matters 
 relative to the interna} police of this Colony. 
 
 And debates arising thereon, Mr. Scott, seconded by 
 Mr. Clarkson, moved for the Previous Question, to wit: 
 Whether the question on Mr. Low's motion shall be now 
 put ? And the said Previous Question being put, was de- 
 termined in the following manner, viz: 
 
 For the Previous Question. Against the Previous Question. 
 4 City and County of New. York. 2 Richmond County. 
 3 City and County of Albany. — 
 2 County of Dutchess. 2 
 2 County of Ulster. 
 2 County of Orange. 
 2 County of Suffolk. 
 2 King's County. 
 2 Westchester County. 
 
 19 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the question on Mr. Low's 
 motion be not now put. 
 
 A copy of a recommendation and direction from the Con- 
 tinental Congress, signed by their Secretary, bearing date 
 on the eighteenth instant, and certified by Henry Remsen, 
 Deputy Chairman of the Committee of New-York, to be 
 a true copy, relating to the Artillery and Stores now in 
 Ticonderoga, was handed to the President and read, and 
 is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " In Congress, Thursday, May 18, 1775. 
 " Whereas there is indubitable evidence that a design is 
 formed by the British Ministry of making a cruel invasion 
 from the Province of Oucbeck upon these Colonies, for the 
 purpose of destroying our lives and liberties, and some steps 
 have actually been taken to carry the said design into exe- 
 cution ; and whereas several inhabitants of the Northern 
 Colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonderoga, immedi- 
 ately exposed to incursions, impelled by a just regard for 
 the defence and preservation of themselves and their coun- 
 trymen from such imminent danger and calamities, have 
 taken possession of that post, in which was lodged a quan- 
 tity of cannon and military stores, that would certainly have 
 been used in the intended invasion of these Colonies : this 
 Congress earnestly recommend it to the Committees of the 
 Cities and Counties of New- York and Albany, immediately 
 to cause the said cannon and stores to be removed from 
 Ticonderoga to the south end of Lake George, and, if 
 
1245 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1246 
 
 necessary, to apply to the Colonies of New-Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts-Bay , and Connecticut, for such an additional 
 body of forces as will be sufficient to establish a strong post 
 at that place, effectually to secure the said cannon and 
 stores, or so many of them as it may be judged proper to 
 keep there ; and that an exact inventory be taken of all 
 such cannon and stores, in order that they may be safely 
 returned when the restoration of the former harmony be- 
 tween Great Britain and the Colonies, so ardently wished 
 for by the latter, shall render it prudent and consistent with 
 the overruling law of self-preservation. 
 "A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary. 
 
 "New-York, May 20, 1775. — A true copy : 
 
 " Henry Remsen, Deputy Chairman." 
 
 The President then gave some farther information rela- 
 ting to the matters mentioned in the said recommendation 
 from the Continental Congress, and particularly what had 
 been done by the Committee of the City and County of 
 New-York, and also enjoined and gave it in charge from 
 the Chair to the Members of this Congress, that the busi- 
 ness concerning the Artillery and Stores at Ticonderoga, 
 and every thing else relating thereto, is to be considered 
 and kept as matters of secrecy. 
 
 The subject matter of the said recommendation or direc- 
 tions from the Continental Congress was then taken in con- 
 sideration and debated ; and thereupon % 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will immediately comply 
 with the directions of the Continental Congress respecting 
 the Cannon and Stores at Ticonderoga, and the other mat- 
 ters recommended in their order of the eighteenth of May 
 instant: and 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. David Clarkson, Alexander 
 McDougall, Walter Livingston, Robert Yates, Henry 
 Glenn, Zephaniah Piatt, Egbert Dumond, Peter Clowes, 
 John Sloss Hobart, Paul Micheau, and Gouverneur Mor- 
 ris, be a Committee to report to this Congress, with all 
 convenient speed, the method best adapted to carry the 
 above Resolution into execution. 
 
 Benjamin Kissarn, Esq., dissented from the above Reso- 
 tion, and prayed his dissent might be entered on the Mi- 
 nutes. 
 
 Mr. McDougall moved, and was seconded by Mr. Gil- 
 bert Livingston, that two Members of this Congress be 
 directed to apply to all the Ministers in this City, who can 
 pray in English, and to request them to make such an 
 arrangement among themselves as will enable them alter- 
 nately to open the Congress every morning with prayer; 
 which was agreed to and ordered accordingly ; and 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Beekman and Mr. Brasher be a 
 Committee for that purpose. 
 
 The following gentlemen dissented, viz: Colonel Lispe- 
 nard, Mr. John Van Cortlandt, Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. Mi- 
 cheau, Mr. Walton, Mr. Cortelyou, Mr. Conner, Mr. 
 Journey, Mr. Low, Mr. Richard Yates, Mr. Gouverneur 
 Morris, Mr. Lewis Graham, Colonel Van Cortlandt, Mr. 
 Verplanck, Mr. De Lancey, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Clowes, 
 Mr. Cuyler, Colonel Holmes, Mr. Ward, and Mr. Thomas. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to this place at nine o'clock 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 Wednesday, 9 ho. A. M., May 24, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benja- 
 min Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, Jacob 
 Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van 
 Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Col. Abraham Ten Broeck, 
 and Major Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenber«h, James 
 
 Clinton, Egbert Dumond. Christopher Tappen, John 
 
 Nicholson, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 
 Clowes, William Allison, Abraham Lent, and John 
 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, and John Thomas, Junior. 
 
 For the Toivnship of Brooklyn in King's County. — Henry 
 Williams and Jeremiah Remsen. 
 
 For Richmond. County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner. 
 
 John Williams and William Marsh, from Charlotte 
 County, appeared in Congress and produced a Certificate 
 signed by fourteen gentlemen, the respective Committees 
 of White Creek, Camden, Arlington, Manchester, Dorset, 
 Rupert, Pawlett, and Wells, in Charlotte County, certi- 
 fying that the said John Williams and JVilliam Marsh are 
 appointed Deputies to attend this Congress. The same 
 was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That they take their seats. 
 
 Colonel Blackwell, Samuel Townshend, Esq., Messrs. 
 Joseph Robinson and Jonathan Lawrence, attending in 
 Congress, produced a Certificate of Daniel Kissam, Esq., 
 Chairman of a meeting of a number of the Freeholders of 
 Queen's County, met at Jamaica pursuant to publick notice, 
 certifying that Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Lau- 
 rence, Daniel Rapalje, Esq., Zcbiilon Williams, Esquire, 
 Samuel Toivnshend , Esq., Joseph French, Esq., Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Thomas Hicks, Esq., and Cap- 
 tain Richard. Thome, were unanimously chosen and elected 
 Deputies for the said County, to meet in Provincial Con- 
 gress with the Deputies from the other Counties in this 
 Colony. The same was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen appointed Deputies from 
 Queen's County, as they respectively attend, do take their 
 seats. 
 
 Mr. David Clarkson, Chairman of the Committee ap- 
 pointed yesterday to report the methods best adapted to 
 comply with the directions of the Continental Congress 
 respecting the Cannon and Stores at Ticonderoga, and the 
 other matters recommended in their order of the eighteenth 
 instant, delivered in the Report of the said Committee, 
 which was read. And the said Report being again read 
 by paragraphs, was approved of and ordered to be entered 
 on the Minutes, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 We do report that we conceive that it will be proper 
 to appoint persons in whom this Congress can confide, to 
 superintend the removal of the Cannon and Stores (men- 
 tioned in the Minutes of the Grand Continental Congress) 
 to the south end of Lake George : 
 
 That it will be proper to furnish supplies of Provisions 
 to the Garrisons now stationed, or hereafter to be stationed 
 at those places : 
 
 That it will be proper to appoint a Committee to esti- 
 mate the expense of these services, and a Committee to 
 consider of ways and means for providing moneys for the 
 purpose of defraying the same : And lastly, 
 
 That it will be proper to write a Letter to the Governour 
 and Company of the English Colony of Connecticut, on the 
 matters recommended in the Minute aforesaid. 
 
 The said Committee had also prepared, and then re- 
 ported a draft of the Letter above mentioned, which was 
 also read, adopted, and entered in the Minutes of the after- 
 noon. 
 
 Benjamin Kissam, Esq., dissented from the said Report 
 and Letter, and desired that his dissent might be entered 
 on the Minutes. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 4to ho. P. M., May 24, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 For the City and County of New- York.— Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 
1247 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1218 
 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, 
 Abraliam Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, 
 James Beekman, Samuel Yerplanck, Richard Yates, 
 David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissain, John 
 Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Esq., Abraham 
 Yates, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, 
 Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abraham Ten 
 Broeck, and Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dmnond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, and Jacob Horn beck. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 Clowes, William Allison, Abraham Lent, and John Her- 
 ring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., and William Paulding. 
 
 For Brooklyn in King's County. — Henry Williams and 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Esq. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Col. Jacob Black well, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Samuel Townshend, and Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams and William 
 Marsh. 
 
 The gentlemen who are Deputies from the City and 
 County of Albany, at the request of the Congress, recom- 
 mended, and the Congress nominated and appointed John N. 
 Blecker, Henry J. Bogcrt, George Palmer, Dirck Swart, 
 and Peter Lansing, of the County of Albany, or any one 
 or more of them, to superintend the removal of the Cannon 
 and Stores (mentioned in the Minutes of the Grand Con- 
 tinental Congress) to the south end of Lake George; and 
 in case of the inability or refusal of those gentlemen, this 
 Congress does authorize and request the Sub-Committee of 
 the City and County of Albany to appoint proper persons 
 lo superintend the removal of the said Cannon and Stores 
 to the place aforesaid. 
 
 A Letter to the President, subscribed by Nathaniel 
 Wales, Thaddeus Burr, and Pierpont Edwards, Esquires, 
 informing the Congress that they are a Committee from 
 the House of Representatives of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut, appointed to wait on this Congress in order to procure 
 intelligence of the measures that may be adopted by this 
 Congress respecting the common cause of the British Co- 
 lonies ; to communicate a true stale of the measures taken 
 by that Colony, and to cultivate the friendship and harmo- 
 ny which subsists between this Colony and the Colony of 
 Connecticut ; and informing that they are attending in New- 
 York for the purposes of their appointment; was read, and 
 filed; 
 
 And thereupon, Mr. Richard Yates and Mr. Morris 
 arc appointed a Committee to wait on those gentlemen 
 immediately, and to introduce them to this Congress. 
 
 Nathaniel Wales, Thaddeus Burr, and Pierpont Ed- 
 wards, Esquires, before mentioned as a Committee from 
 the House of Representatives of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut, being introduced into this Congress, produced their 
 Credentials, signed by the Honourable William JVilliams, 
 Esq., the Speaker, and Richard Law, Esq., the Clerk of 
 the said House of Representatives; and the same were 
 read. 
 
 Ordered. That Colonel Woodhull, Mr. Low, Mr. Scott, 
 Colonel Ten f{rocck,M\: McDougall, Mr. Richard Yates, 
 and Mr. Morris, be a Committee to confer with the said 
 Committee from the House of Representatives of the Co- 
 lony of Connecticut, on the subject-matter of their Letter 
 to this Congress, and of their commission from the said 
 House of Representatives, and to report thereon lo this 
 Congress. 
 
 Resolved. That this Congress will, before they rise, pro- 
 
 vide the best ways and means in their power, as Repre- 
 sentatives of the People, for the discharge of such money 
 as is now lent, or shall be subscribed or otherwise advanced 
 or supplied on the puhlick faith, to defray the charges that 
 are or shall be incurred in the present exigences of the 
 Colony, or that shall hereafter be expended or incurred by 
 recommendation of the Continental or of this Provincial 
 Congress. 
 
 Ordered, The last preceding Resolution be published in 
 the publick Newspapers. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration that part of 
 the Report of the Committee concerning the removal of 
 the Cannon and Stores, which relates to the estimate of the 
 expense of removing the same, and the ways and means 
 of raising money to defray the expense thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. David Clarkson, Alexander 
 McDougall, Walter Livingston, Jacob Cuyler, Henry 
 Glenn, Richard Montgomerie, Egbert Dumond, Peter 
 Clowes, John Sloss Hobart, Paul Micheau, Isaac Low. 
 and Gouverneur Morris, be a Committee for both those 
 purposes ; and that they make their reports on those re- 
 spective matters with all convenient speed. 
 
 The draught of the Letter to the Governour and Com- 
 pany of the Colony of Connecticut, being read, paragraph 
 by paragraph, was approved of, and ordered to be entered 
 in the Minutes; and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the 
 English Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 Brethren: By a minute of the Grand Continental 
 Congress, of the eighteenth of May, in the year of our 
 Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, a copy 
 whereof we do herewith transmit to you, we are informed 
 that Ticonderoga hath been taken by sundry inhabitants of 
 the Northern Colonies; and from the minute aforesaid, we 
 are assured that this measure was for the common safety of 
 the American Colonies. In pursuance of the directions 
 contained in that minute, we have given the necessary 
 orders for removing the Cannon and Stores (taken in that 
 important fortress) to the south end of Lake George, and 
 for securing them there ; and we have appointed John N. 
 Blecker, Henry J. Bogert, Dirck Swart. George Palmer, 
 and Peter Lansing, superintendents of this business. 
 
 There is no doubt but that our brethren in Connecticut 
 will feel great reluctance at the idea of ordering any of 
 their Troops to march within the bounds of this Colony, 
 for the purpose of defending the Fort of Ticonderoga, and 
 the Cannon and Stores above-mentioned at Fort George ; 
 but we pray you to cast away all fears of offending us on 
 this occasion. We shall be happy to hear that you have 
 placed a part of your forces in these posts, with intent to 
 defend them until they shall be relieved by Troops from 
 this Colon)'. 
 
 In further pursuance of the directions of the Grand Con- 
 gress, we have ordered provisions to be conveyed to Ticon- 
 deroga and Lake George, and we shall continue to furnish 
 such supplies as we shall deem necessary. 
 
 You will be pleased, gentlemen, to appoint trusty com- 
 manders over your forces destined for the purposes above 
 mentioned ; and we do assure you of our willingness that they 
 shall lake the command at those places while garrisoned by 
 your Troops. We beg leave to assure you, that in this and 
 all other matters we will pay the highest attention to every 
 recommendation of the Grand Continental Congress; and 
 that we have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient and humble servants. 
 
 P. S. We pray you to use every effort to preserve and 
 improve the present peaceable dispositions of the Cana- 
 dians and Indians, for which purpose we think it will he 
 necessary to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any 
 incursions from being made into the Province of Quebcck. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and sign- 
 ed by the President, and transmitted with all convenient 
 
 speed. 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen who are Deputies from 
 the City and County of Albany, be a Committee to pre- 
 pare a draught of a Letter lo John N. Blecker and the other 
 four Agents for superintending the removal of the Cannon 
 and Stores from Ticonderoga ; and also a draught of In- 
 
1249 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1250 
 
 structions to the said Agents ; and that tliey prepare and 
 bring in the same with all convenient speed. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Thursday, 9 ho. A. M., May 25, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Abra- 
 ham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Thomas 
 Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, James Van 
 Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston, and 
 Walter Franklin. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abraham Ten Broeck, 
 and Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 Clowes, William Allison, Colonel Abraham Lent, and 
 John Herring. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Colonel James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, 
 Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, 
 David Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, and William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Richard Still well , Theodorus Polhe- 
 mus, John Leffertse, Esquire, Nicholas Covenhoven, and 
 John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Jona- 
 than Lawrence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, 
 and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The draught of a Postscript to the Letter to be sent to 
 the Governour and Company of the English Colony of 
 Connecticut, was read, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " We pray you to use every effort to preserve and im- 
 prove the present peaceable dispositions of the Canadians 
 and Indians, for which purpose we think it will be neces- 
 sary to keep up the strictest vigilance to prevent any r in- 
 cursions from being made into the Province of Quebeck." 
 
 And the same being approved of and agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Postscript be added to the said 
 Letter. 
 
 The Committee appointed yesterday for that purpose, 
 brought in and reported a draught of a Letter, and also a 
 draught of Instructions to the Agents for superintending 
 the removal of the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga. 
 
 Mr. Low informed the Congress that he had been in- 
 formed that some of the inhabitants of the Northern Coun- 
 ties in this Colony have designs of making incursions into 
 the Province of Quebeck; and that therefore he moved, 
 (and was seconded by Abraham Yates, Esq.,) that a Letter 
 be wrote to the inhabitants of the Northern Counties, to 
 the same purport as the Postscript to the Letter to the 
 Governour and Company of Connecticut; and the same 
 being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Low, Mr. John Williams, Mr. 
 Marsh, Mr. Robert Yates, and Mr. Morris, be a Commit- 
 tee to prepare and report to the Congress a draught of such 
 Letter. 
 
 The Deputies for Ki ng's County produced a Certificate 
 subscribed by Abraham E. Lott, Clerk of a meeting of 
 the Deputies of the several Townships in King's County, 
 assembled at Flatbush, on the 22d day of May instant, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. " 
 
 whereby it appears that Richard StiUweU, Theodorus Pol- 
 hemus, John Leffertse, Nicholas Covenhoven, Johannes E. 
 Lott, John Vanderbilt, Henry Williams, and Jeremiah 
 Remsen, Esquires, or any three of them, are appointed 
 Deputies fully to represent and act in behalf of that Coun- 
 ty. The same was read, and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That those gentlemen take their seats. 
 
 A written Request from the gentlemen who are a Com- 
 mittee from the House of Representatives of the Colony 
 of Connecticut, requesting a conference with Mr. Scott and 
 Colonel Ten Broeck, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Colonel Ten Broeck have 
 leave to wait on the said Committee immediately. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Tom, from Queen's County, one of the 
 Deputies named in the Credentials from that County, filed 
 with the Secretaries, appeared in Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Tom take his seat. 
 
 The Reverend Doctor Auchmuty and the Reverend 
 Doctor Rodgers, attending at the door, were called in ; 
 and they delivered to the President an arrangement of the 
 Clergy, who, in compliance with the request of this Con- 
 gress, have agreed in the following order alternately to 
 attend at nine o'clock every morning, to open this Congress 
 with Prayer, viz : Doctor Auchmuty, Doctor Rodgers, Mr. 
 Gano, Mr. Inglis, Dr. Laidly, Mr. Mason, Mr. Treat, 
 Dr. Livingston, Mr. Bowden, Mr. Moore. 
 
 Messrs. Ten Broeck and Scott, who, with leave, went 
 to confer with Messrs. fVales, Burr, and Edwards, the 
 Committee of the House of Representatives of the Colony 
 of Connecticut, returned, and reported from their memory 
 to this Congress, that they had conferred with those gen- 
 tlemen, who informed them that they had detained Mr. 
 President's Letter to their Governour and Company, rela- 
 ting to Ticonderoga, till this Congress could be informed 
 of the following facts, to wit : 
 
 That their Assembly is not now sitting ; that their recess 
 was supplied by a Council of War, with limited powers ; 
 that the said Council have only authority to direct the 
 movements of their Troops, but not to appoint any com- 
 mand ; that their Assembly had destined three hundred 
 men to be quartered at Salisbury, who probably would be 
 allotted to assist in maintaining the fortress at Ticonderoga, 
 if necessary ; that the persons who had taken that post 
 were not any part of their regular troops, but adventurers ; 
 that among these, Colonel Arnold, from Massachusetts, 
 and Captain Douglass, who lives on the line between that 
 Colony and this, were present at the capture ; that Captain 
 Douglass was a principal, and had great merit in the suc- 
 cess of the enterprise ; that almost all the rest of the ad- 
 venturers were inhabitants of this Colony; that they were 
 confident their Council of War would not take upon them to 
 appoint any person to take the command of that post ; that 
 besides, they were apprehensive that the people now there 
 probably would dispute the delivering up that Fortress to 
 any person appointed by their Council of War; that it was 
 impossible for the said Council of War to grant us any 
 other assistance than the three hundred men above men- 
 tioned, which they judged insufficient to maintain that post ; 
 that Captain Douglass is guardian of the Stockbridge In- 
 dians, and has great influence over, and almost the entire 
 direction of them ; that he is a person of great influence 
 in that quarter ; that he had raised for the enterprise two 
 hundred men, at his own expense, and could, in ten or 
 twelve day r s, augment them to seven hundred, all of which, 
 except about one hundred, would be inhabitants of this 
 Colony ; that they recommended Captain Douglass as 
 meriting the attention of this Congress ; that they thought 
 it necessary for this Congress to appoint to the command 
 of the above-mentioned post; and that in that case their 
 Council of War would have it in their power to supply the 
 above-mentioned assistance for that service. 
 
 Which Report being made, Mr. Scott moved that the 
 Letter to the Governour and Company of the English 
 Colony of Connecticut, be withheld, and the subject-matter 
 thereof reconsidered. 
 
 This motion being seconded, a debate thereon arose ; 
 after which the question was put, Whether the said Letter 
 should be withheld, and the subject-matter thereof recon- 
 sidered ? 
 
 9 
 
1251 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1252 
 
 And on a division, the said question carried in the nega- 
 tive. 
 
 Dissentient. — Mr. Scott, Mr. Sacked, Mr. Nicholson, 
 Mr. Allison, Mr. Silvester, Mr. Henry Williams, Mr. 
 Hobart, Mr. Trcilwcll, Mr. Marsh, Mr. Beekman, Mr. 
 Tom, Mr. Van Rensselaer, and Doctor John Williams. 
 
 The draught of a Letter to the Agents for superin- 
 tending the removal of the Cannon and Stores from Ticon- 
 deroga, was read and approved ; and is in the words follow- 
 ing, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 25, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : By the recommendation of the Continen- 
 tal Congress respecting Ticonderoga, already forwarded to 
 the Committee of your County, and by our Resolution 
 thereon, you will readily perceive the expediency of ap- 
 pointing proper persons to superintend the business therein 
 mentioned, who will undertake it with cheerfulness, dili- 
 gence, and despatch. This Congress being convinced that 
 persons in the vicinage of Albany would be most proper to 
 put in execution the directions of the Congresses, left it to 
 the Deputies of your County, now here convened, to pro- 
 pose some fit men for the approbation of this Congress ; 
 and you, gentlemen, were accordingly nominated and ap- 
 pointed. We hope, therefore, that you will not hesitate, 
 but enter upon what is enjoined you by both Congresses 
 with all expedition ; and in doing of which, you will please 
 to have regard to the enclosed Instructions for your better 
 government. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants. 
 To Messrs. John N. Blceker and Henry J. Bogert, of the City 
 of Albany, and George Palmer and Dirck Sivarl, of Still- 
 water, and Peter Lansing, of Saratoga, in the County of 
 Albany. 
 
 N. B. You will please to be as secret as the nature of 
 this work will allow you. 
 
 The draught of Instructions to the said Agents was also 
 read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Instructions for John N. Bleeker, Henry J. Bogert, Dirck 
 Swart, George Palmer, and Peter Lansing, Commis- 
 sioners or Agents to superintend and put in execution the 
 recommendation of the Grand Continental Congress, of 
 the 18th of May, 1775, relative to Ticonderoga, &.c. 
 1st. You will immediately endeavour to have a meeting 
 together, if possible, and see which of you it will suit best, 
 and can most conveniently, reasonably, and expeditiously 
 discharge this trust reposed in you. 
 
 2d. After that is fixed upon among yourselves, that you 
 will then immediately repair to those places, either by your- 
 selves, or such fit persons as you know can and will com- 
 plete the business effectually and reasonably. 
 
 3d. It will be necessary that you have an Armourer or 
 Engineer, whose skill ought to determine which of the 
 cannon are useless, that such may remain where they be, 
 and no expense arise from them. 
 
 4th. One at least of you ought to attend from time to 
 time at the different stations, as occasion may require. 
 
 5th. You will please, whenever you employ labourers, 
 wagoners, or others in this service, that you engage none, 
 if it possibly can be avoided, but industrious and sober 
 men, and such as have or will sign the Association. 
 
 6th. You will agree with every man for the sum to be 
 allowed him for his wages, and show the resolution of this 
 Congress of yesterday respecting the mode of payment, 
 that no person may be ignorant of that point. You will 
 also keep books of accounts, and make exact entries, and 
 take just and true vouchers of all the expenses and pro- 
 ceedings, so that you may be able to swear as to the recti- 
 tude of your conduct for the satisfaction of the publick, 
 when thereunto required. 
 
 7th. You will endeavour, as much as in you lies, to cul- 
 tivate harmony and friendship between the New-England 
 Troops and all others that are or may be engaged by the 
 Northern Governments in those services, and such persons 
 as are or may be employed by this Government. 
 
 8th. That you will keep exact lists and inventories of all 
 such artillery, ordnance, and stores, likewise their condi- 
 tion, as you may find on your arrival at those posts, viz: 
 Ticonderoga and Lake George, of all such things as may 
 be left there or removed from there. 
 
 9th. You will be also careful in providing boats and ma- 
 terials for water-carriage, in transporting such cannon as 
 should, upon examination, be thought useful, to the south 
 end of Lake George. 
 
 10th. It may be necessary to inform you that there are 
 lately sent up from this City, for the use of the people at 
 the garrison, and others engaged in these services, one hun- 
 dred barrels of pork, and some stores and materials, of 
 which an inventory will be handed to you. You will take 
 all these things under your care, direction, and inspection, 
 and see that they are forwarded and properly used and 
 applied, according to the true intention ; and also procure 
 such other provisions, materials and things, as may be 
 deemed by you absolutely necessary to fulfil the design the 
 Grand Continental and this Congress have in view. 
 
 11th. It is the determination of this Congress not to 
 countenance any person to make any incursions into Can- 
 ada ; and in order to prevent, as much as in us lies, any 
 projects of that kind, you are hereby directed to withhold 
 any succours or support from any person or persons whom- 
 soever for such an expedition. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Letter and Instructions be en- 
 grossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted with 
 all convenient speed. 
 
 Benjamin Kissam, Esq., dissented to the said Letter and 
 Instructions, and desired that his dissent might be entered 
 on the Minutes. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till five o'clock, P. 31. 
 
 5 ho. P. M., May 25, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Abraham Walton, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David 
 Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin 
 Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston, and Walter 
 Franklin. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rennselaer, Henry Glenn, Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck, and Francis Nicoll. 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, James 
 Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, John 
 Nicholson, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 
 Clowes, William Allison, and Abraham Lent. 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, Joseph Drake, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas, 
 Junior, and William Paulding. 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, and John Vanderbilt. 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 
 Aaron Cortelyou, and Richard Conner. 
 For Queen's County. — Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Jo- 
 seph Robinson, anil Nathaniel Tom. 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The Committee appointed this morning to prepare a 
 draught of a Letter to the inhabitants of the Northern 
 Counties, to the same purport as the postscript to the Let- 
 ter to the Governour and Company of the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, reported such draught ; and the same being taken 
 into consideration, and amended, was unanimously changed 
 into a Resolution, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Whereas, the enemies of American liberty are indefati- 
 gable in their endeavours to disunite these Colonies ; and 
 in the prosecuting of this measure, evil-minded persons 
 may insinuate that the Northern Colonies have hostile in- 
 tentions againsl; our fellow-subjects in Canada: 
 
1253 
 
 .NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1254 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do most earnestly recom- 
 mend it to all persons whatsoever not to commit any hos- 
 tilities against the people of that country ; and do hereby 
 declare to the world, that we do consider every such step 
 as infamous, and highly inimical to all the American Colo- 
 nies. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolution be published. 
 
 Whereas, this Congress has resolved to comply with the 
 direction of the Continental Congress respecting the Can- 
 non and Stores at Ticonderoga, and the other matters 
 recommended in their Order of the ISth of May instant, 
 and wrote a Letter to the Governour and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, on that subject : 
 
 Resolved, That it is necessary that a Letter on the same 
 subject be wrote to the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, and 
 a like Letter to the Colony of New- Hampshire ; and 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who drew and reported 
 the draught of a Letter to the Governour and Company of 
 the Colony of Connecticut, be a Committee to prepare a 
 draught of a Letter to the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 and a draught of a like Letter to the Colony of Neic- 
 Hampshire ; and that they proceed to prepare and report 
 such draughts immediately. 
 
 Mr. Scott moved, and was seconded by Thomas Smith, 
 Esq., in the words following, to wit : 
 
 As this Colony has not as yet given that publick testi- 
 mony of their entire and cordial accession to the confede- 
 racy of the Colonies on this Continent, which has been 
 given by the other Colonies in their express approbation of 
 the proceedings of the last Continental Congress, I move 
 that it be Resolved, That this Congress do fully approve of 
 the proceedings of the said Congress. 
 
 Debates arose on the said motion, and it was thereupon 
 deferred for further consideration. 
 
 A Letter to the President from the Committee of the 
 Precinct of Mamacoting, in Ulster County, signed by John 
 loung, their Chairman, informing that they had chosen a 
 Committee, and signed the Association, and containing 
 some matters on the subject of Militia Officers, and other 
 things local to them, was read and filed. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Friday, 9 ho. A. M., May 26, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President ; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallet, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, Jas. Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard 
 Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kis- 
 sam, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City aiid County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck, and Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 -For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 Clowes, William Allison, Abraham Lent, and John 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L : Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, David Dayton, John 
 Thomas, Junior, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theo. Polhemus, John Leffertse, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Jo- 
 seph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Captain Asa Douglass, by a message in writing, direct- 
 ed and delivered to the President, requested to be admitted 
 to the Congress, to communicate a matter of some mo- 
 ment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Doorkeeper desire Mr. Douglass to 
 attend. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Yates moved, and was seconded by Col. 
 Woodhull, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 As hostile measures have been carried on in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Canada, I move that a Committee be appoint- 
 ed to draw up a Letter or Address, in order to convince 
 the Canadians that nothing hostile is intended against their 
 persons, liberty, or property. 
 
 And the same being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Morris, Mr. Scott, Mr. Smith, Mr. 
 Kissam, Mr. Hobart, Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. McDougall, 
 and Mr. Clarkson, be a Standing Committee of Corres- 
 pondence ; that the subject-matter of the last motion be 
 referred to that Committee, and that they prepare a draught 
 for the purpose above-mentioned, and report the same with 
 all convenient speed. 
 
 Captain Asa Douglass attending at the door, was called 
 in and heard ; and Messrs. Leivis Graham, Walter Living- 
 ston, Joseph Robinson, and Henry Williams, are appointed 
 a Committee to receive such further information from the 
 said Asa Douglass as he may have to communicate, and 
 to know what he expects of this Congress, and report the 
 same to this Congress. 
 
 Mr. Clarkson, Chairman of the Committee appointed 
 yesterday for that purpose, reported a draught of a Letter 
 to the Committee of Safety for the Colony of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay, and to the Committee of Correspondence 
 for the Colony of New-Hampshire ; and the same being 
 read and approved of, is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 2G, 1775. 
 
 Brethren : Having received a minute of the Grand 
 Continental Congress, of which we send you a copy here- 
 with, we wrote a letter to the Governour and Company of 
 the Colony of Connecticut, of which we also send you a 
 copy. We do not doubt of your ready concurrence in the 
 measures recommended by that august body, in which we 
 do entirely acquiesce. 
 
 We pray you to act on this occasion with prudence and 
 expedition, especially as we have received intimation from 
 our brethren in Connecticut, that they cannot send a suffi- 
 cient force for the purposes mentioned to them in our let- 
 ter ; and we beg leave to assure you that we are, affection- 
 ately, your friends and brethren in the generous cause of 
 freedom. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 To Joseph Warren, Esq., and others, the Committee of 
 Safety for the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 A copy of the above to the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence for the Colony of New-Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That two copies of the said Letter be en- 
 grossed, signed by the President, and transmitted with all 
 convenient speed ; one directed to Joseph Warren, Esq.. 
 and others, the Committee of Safety for the Colony of 
 Massachusetts-Bay; and the other to the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the Colony of New- Hampshire. 
 
 Benjamin Kissam, Esq., dissented from the said Let- 
 ters. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Low, Mr. Franklin, Mr. McDou- 
 gall, Mr. Morris, Mr. Verplanck, Mr. Richard Yates, 
 Colonel Ten Broeck, Mr. Tappen, Colonel Hoffman, Mr. 
 L'Hommcdicu, and Mr. Foster, be a Committee to take 
 into consideration the expediency of emitting a Continen- 
 tal Paper Currency, and to make report thereon with all 
 convenient speed. 
 
 A Letter to the Delegates representing this Colony in 
 the Grand Continental Congress, was prepared, read, and 
 approved of, and is in the words following, to wit ; 
 
1255 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1256 
 
 New.York, May 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Upon considering the present state of 
 these Colonies, it naturally occurred to this Congress that 
 an uncommon levy of money will soon be necessary for 
 Continental service, and that therefore an universal paper 
 currency may probably become the subject of consideration 
 in your respectable body. To this scheme it may natu- 
 rally be objected, that it will be imprudent in one Colony 
 to interpose its credit for the others. On the other hand, 
 it is clearly impossible to raise any sum adequate to the 
 service by tax ; and the necessary intercourse of expendi- 
 tures throughout the Colonies will be obstructed by sepa- 
 rate emissions on the respective credits of the several Co- 
 lonies, which cannot, in their nature, gain universal circula- 
 tion. We have this important subject under serious delibe- 
 ration, and are still at a loss for the best expedient most 
 effectually to answer the purpose. We have, therefore, 
 appointed a Committee of our body to give it their closest 
 attention, and to report their opinion to us with all possible 
 despatch ; the result of which, and our final resolution 
 thereon, we shall communicate to you without loss of time. 
 In the mean time, should this matter be now in contempla- 
 tion in the Continpnlal Congress, we earnestly request that 
 its determination may be so postponed as to furnish an op- 
 portunity of acquainting you with our more mature senti- 
 ments on this important point. 
 
 We beg leave, through our Delegates, to inform the 
 grand representative body of the Continent, that we 
 have, in the best manner in our power, executed their or- 
 der to the Committees of New- York and Albany, respect- 
 ing the post at Ticonderoga ; and for further satisfaction, 
 we enclose copies of our proceedings on that subject. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most 
 obedient humble servants. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted to the Delegates now repre- 
 senting this Colony in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That copies of the Proceedings of this Con- 
 gress, in pursuance of the Minutes of the Continental Con- 
 gress of the 18th May, instant, be transmitted to the Dele- 
 gates from this Colony at the Continental Congress. 
 
 Mr. Williams, from the Committee appointed to confer 
 with Asa Douglass, returned a Report in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 1 . The purport of Mr. Douglass's desiring to be heard 
 by this Congress, was to take the sense of this Congress 
 whether they would choose to receive the Letter he brought 
 from Colonel Allen for the Continental Congress, or whe- 
 ther he ought to proceed with the Letter to the Continen- 
 tal Congress. 
 
 2. He was requested by the Troops who took Ticon- 
 deroga, Crown Point, &ic, to solicit this Congress would 
 take their services into consideration, and reward them 
 with money or provisions, as they shall think meet. 
 
 3. He was desired by a number of the Officers of King's 
 District, to apply to this Congress to appoint him the Com- 
 mander of such forces as are or may be raised in that Dis- 
 trict. 
 
 4. He begs leave to inform this Congress that he has 
 expended eighteen Pounds, in advancing money to the 
 Troops, and in defraying the charges of his journey in 
 going to Ticonderoga and in coming here. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report lay on the table for the 
 perusal of the Members. 
 
 At the request of the Committee of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives of the Colony of Connecticut, 
 
 Ordered, That they be furnished with a copy of the 
 Report made by Colonel Ten Broeck and Mr. Scott, of 
 the conference between them, and of the determination of 
 this Congress thereon. 
 
 And a copy thereof was accordingly delivered. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock. 
 
 4to ho. P. M„ May 26, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, John De Lancey, 
 
 Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, 
 Thomas Smith, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van 
 Zandt, John Marston, Walter Franklin. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Junior, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, 
 Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry 
 Glenn, Abraham Ten Broeck, Francis Nieoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Colonel Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, Jacob Hombeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, David Pye, Peter 
 Clowes, William Allison, Abraham Lent, John Her- 
 ring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Col. Nathaniel Woodhull, Thomas 
 Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Thomas 
 Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, Colonel James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, 
 Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, 
 David Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, Robert Graham, 
 William Paulding. 
 
 For King's Comity. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Colonel Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Jo- 
 seph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Richard Thorne. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert Livingston (seconded by Mr. De Lancey ) 
 moved that a Committee, consisting of a Member from 
 each County, be appointed to draw up and report a proper 
 Resolve of this Congress recommending to the different 
 Counties in this Colony to form themselves into County 
 Committees, and also into Sub-Committees, for their re- 
 spective Townships and Districts, and recommending the 
 signing of the General Association. And also to prepare 
 and report to this Congress a draught of a Letter to be 
 sent to the Committees and other persons in the several 
 Counties for the above purposes, and with copies of such 
 Resolution ; which was unanimously agreed to. And 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. De Lancey, Mr. Silvester, Colonel 
 Hardenbergh, Mr. Gilbert Livingston, Mr. Allison, Mr. 
 John Williams, Mr. Tredwell, Mr. Zebulon Williams, Mr. 
 Micheau, Major Philip Van Cortlandt, Mr. Vanderbilt, 
 and Mr. Smith, be, and are hereby, appointed a Commit- 
 tee to prepare draughts of such Resolve and Letter as 
 above mentioned, and report the same with all convenient 
 speed. 
 
 Mr. Clarkson (seconded by Colonel Ten Broeck) 
 moved that every Member of this Congress be desired to 
 sign the General Association ; which was agreed to, and 
 approved of. 
 
 The following Members had leave of absence, viz: Mr. 
 John Thomas, Junior, till next Monday se'night ; Doctor 
 David Dayton till the same time ; Stephen Ward and 
 David Clarkson, Esq., respectively, until Monday next. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., May 27, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and open- 
 ed with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers. Present: 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, Ja- 
 cobus Van Zandt. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Henry Glenn, Abraham Ten Broeck, Fran- 
 cis Nicoll. 
 
1257 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1258 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zepbaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Mclancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Egbert Duinond, Christopher Tappen, John Nich- 
 olson, Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, Abraham Lent, John Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, Thomas Tred- 
 well, John Foster, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wick- 
 ham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, Rob. Graham, Win, Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Corlelyou, Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Richard Thome. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The Minutes, as far as the proceedings of Thursday 
 morning, were read. 
 
 A Letter from Abraham Lott, Esquire, Contractor for 
 supplying His Majesty's Ships in this Port, to this Con- 
 gress, (covering an order of this day from the Purser of 
 the Ship Asia for Provisions.) and requesting the favour 
 that this Congress will be pleased to signify their opinion 
 whether the order shall be complied with ; and, also, 
 whether he shall be at liberty to supply the said Ship with 
 such other Provisions as she may, from time to time, have 
 occasion for, for her own use, during her stay in this Colo- 
 ny, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Abraham Lott, Esquire, be at liberty to 
 comply with the order for Provisions now laid before the 
 Congress. And the Congress declare that Mr. Lott shall 
 be at liberty to furnish such other Provisions, as above 
 mentioned, to the said Ship Asia, for her own use, while 
 in this Port, he laying before this Congress (or the Gene- 
 ral Committee of New-York if this Board should not be 
 sitting) a list of the Supplies so made from time to time. 
 
 To this amendments were proposed, to wit, to add the 
 word first between the word he and the word laying, and 
 to obliterate the words so made. 
 
 And debates arising thereon, and the question being put 
 thereupon, it was carried against the amendment in the 
 manner following, viz : 
 
 For the Amendment. Against the Amendment. 
 
 2 Orange County. 3 Albany City and County. — 
 
 2 Dutchess County. — (Messrs. (Messrs. Walter Liv- 
 
 Hoffman and Piatt ingston. Swart, Van 
 
 dissented from their Rensselaer, and Rob. 
 
 County.) ert Yates, dissented 
 
 2 Ulster County. from their City and 
 
 2 Charlotte County. County.) 
 — 2 Suffolk County, 
 
 ti 2 Queen's County. 
 
 2 Richmond County. 
 
 2 Westchester County. — (Mr. 
 
 Drake dissented from 
 his County.) 
 2 King's County. 
 4 New- York City and Coun- 
 — ty. — (Dissentients to 
 
 17 the Vote of their City 
 
 and County: Messrs. 
 Smith, Brasher, Mc. 
 Dougall,Hallett, and 
 Beekman.) 
 
 Therefore this Congress declares that Mr. Lott shall be 
 at liberty to furnish such other Provisions as above men- 
 tioned, to the said Ship Asia, for her own use, while in 
 this Port, he laying before this Congress (or the General 
 Committee of New-York, if this Congress should not be 
 sitting) a list of the Supplies so made from time to time. 
 
 Mr. Smith, Chairman of the Committee appointed for 
 that purpose, reported a draught of a Resolve recommend- 
 ing to the different Counties in this Colony the signing of 
 the General Association, and the choosing of Committees 
 and Sub-Committees ; and also a draught of a Letter to be 
 sent to the Committees of each County for that purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration and 
 report on the expediency of a Continental Paper Curren- 
 
 cy, delivered in their Report ; which was read and re- 
 ceived ; and, 
 
 On motion of Mr. Morris, (seconded by Mr. Low,) 
 
 Ordered, That the subject-matter of the said Report 
 be resumed on next Tuesday morning at nine o'clock ; that 
 the doors be open for the Merchants and others, of this 
 City and Colony ; and that the Merchants of this City be 
 desired to attend at the bar of the House on that occasion. 
 
 Mr. Micheau has leave of absence till Wednesday next ; 
 Mr. Pye has like leave till Tuesday morning ; and Mr. 
 Drake has leave of absence all next week. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till Monday next at four 
 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Lunaj, 4to ho. P. M., May 29, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, John Morin Scott, 
 John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw. 
 Esq., Vice-President; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck, Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zepbaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysberl Schenck, Me- 
 lancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, John Nich- 
 olson, Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — Peter Clowes, William Allison. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Nicholas Coven- 
 hoven. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 Mr. Gysbert Schenck and Ephraim Payne, Esquire. 
 
 from Dutchess County, appeared in Congress. 
 Ordered, That they take their seats. 
 A Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-Jersey 
 
 to this Congress, dated at Trenton, on the 26th instant, 
 
 was read and filed, and is in the words following;, to wit : 
 
 "In Provincial Congress of New-Jerse}', > 
 " Trenton, May 26, 1775. \ 
 
 "Gentlemen: We, the Deputies appointed by the 
 inhabitants of this Province to meet in Provincial Con- 
 gress, are now convened here for the purpose of pursuing 
 such measures as may be thought expedient in the present 
 unhappy situation to which the Colonies are reduced, 
 and which the peculiar exigences of the times may re- 
 quire. As nothing can tend more to ensure success to 
 the steps that may at this critical juncture be adopted 
 by the several Provinces, than a uniform plan of conduct, 
 we conceived it necessary to look up to the Continental 
 Congress for their advice and direction, which we have 
 accordingly applied for, and hope soon to receive. We 
 also think it of consequence that a correspondence should 
 be established with you and our other sister Colonies, and 
 a free communication be had, from time to time, of such 
 measures as may be judged most conducive to the interest 
 of the common cause; and request that we may be favour- 
 ed with such intelligence as occurs to you worthy of atten- 
 tion, and of which our situation may probably deprive us. 
 
 " We are, gentlemen, your humble servants, 
 
 " Hendrick Fisher, President. 
 "To the Provincial Congress of New-York." 
 
1259 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1260 
 
 Ordered, That the said Letter be committed to the 
 Committee of Correspondence to prepare and report a 
 draught of an answer with all convenient speed. 
 
 A Letter from the Grand Continental Congress, signed 
 by John Hancock, Esquire, President, directed to this 
 Provincial Congress, and hearing date on the 26lh instant, 
 was read, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "Philadelphia, May 2G, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: I enclose you the Resolves of the Continental 
 Congress respecting the measures they conceive more im- 
 mediately necessary for the defence and safety of your 
 City and Province, and which, it is expected, will be car- 
 ried into execution with all possible despatch, and with as 
 much secrecy, as to the particular operations intended, as 
 the nature of the service will possibly admit of. 
 
 " I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 "John Hancock, President. 
 '■' To the President of the Provincial Congress, New- York." 
 
 The said Resolves of the Continental Congress men- 
 tioned in the above Letter were also read, and are in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 " In Congress, May 25, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and forti- 
 fied at or near King's Bridge, in the Colony of New- York ; 
 that the ground be chosen with a particular view to pre- 
 vent the communication between the City of New-York 
 and the country from being interrupted by land. 
 
 " 2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the High- 
 lands on each side of Hudson's River, and Batteries erect- 
 ed in such manner as will most effectually prevent any 
 vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants 
 on the border of said river; and that experienced persons 
 be immediately sent to examine said river, in order to dis- 
 cover where it will be most advisable and proper to ob- 
 struct the navigation. 
 
 "3. That the Militia of New-York be armed and train- 
 ed, and in constant readiness to act at a moment's warning, 
 and that a number of men be immediately embodied and 
 kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give protection 
 to the inhabitants in case any insult should be offered by 
 the Troops that may land there, and to prevent any at- 
 tempts that may be made to gain possession of the City, 
 and interrupt its intercourse with the country. 
 
 "4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy 
 the several Posts above mentioned, and also that already 
 recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well 
 as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed 
 the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by 
 such Officers as shall be thereunto appointed by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and 
 regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until 
 further order is taken by this Congress ; provided also, 
 that if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion 
 that the number proposed will not be sufficient for the 
 several services above recommended, that the said Con- 
 gress report their sentiments upon this subject to this Con- 
 gress as soon as may be. 
 
 " 5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial 
 Congress, that in raising those Forces, they allow no boun- 
 ties or clothing, and that their pay shall not exceed the 
 establishment of the Neic-Kngland Colonies. 
 
 " 6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial 
 Congress aforesaid, that the Troops he enlisted to serve 
 until the last day of December next, unless this Congress 
 shall direct that they be sooner disbanded. 
 
 " 7. That it be recommended to the Congress aforesaid 
 to persevere the more vigorously in preparing for their 
 defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earnest endea- 
 vours of the Congress to accommodate the unhappy dif- 
 ferences between Great Britain and the Colonies, by con- 
 ciliatory measures, will be successful. 
 
 "A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 "Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 A Letter of the 27th instant, by express, from the Hon- 
 ourable Jonathan Trumbull, Govemour of the Colony of 
 Connecticut, in behalf of the General Assembly of that 
 Colony, was read. 
 
 The copy of the Letter from Colonel Arnold, dated 
 
 Crown Point, May 23d, 1775, enclosed in the Letter 
 from Govemour Trumbull, was also read. 
 
 The Committee of Correspondence reported a draught 
 of an answer to the Letter from the Provincial Congress 
 of New-Jersey ; which was read and approved of, and is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We have received your letter of the 26th 
 instant, informing us that your body is formed. We agree 
 with you in opinion that nothing can tend more to ensure 
 success to the steps that may be taken by the several Colo- 
 nies, at this critical juncture, than a uniform plan of con- 
 duct ; and we are equally convinced, that to this end we 
 ought to look up to the Continental Congress for advice 
 and direction. We are ready to establish a correspond- 
 ence with you and our other sister Colonies, and a free 
 communication of such measures as may, from time to 
 time, be judged most conducive to the common cause. 
 Every intelligence to this end we shall most readily com- 
 municate. At the same time permit us to observe, that 
 either the directions of the Continental Congress or the 
 nature of a particular measure may render its secrecy abso- 
 lutely necessary. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 To the Provincial Congress of New- Jersey , at Trenton. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be engrossed, signed by the 
 President, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates representing 
 this Colony in the Grand Continental Congress, was pie- 
 pared, read, and approved, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You will be pleased to communicate to 
 the Continental Congress that we have received their let- 
 ter of the 26th instant, with the resolves of the 25th 
 therein enclosed, to which a proper attention will be given, 
 and the Continental Congress informed of the result in 
 due time. At the same time we beg leave to inform you 
 that there is no powder to be purchased in this City, and 
 scarce any in the whole Colony ; and that a very consider- 
 able number of the inhabitants are without arms. 
 
 We beg to be informed whether we could be supplied 
 with any powder from Philadelphia, or any other of the 
 associated Colonies. 
 
 Enclosed is a copy of a letter we received this after- 
 noon from Govemour Trumbull, of Connecticut, dated the 
 27th instant ; and also a copy of a letter to that Govern- 
 ment from Colonel Arnold, dated at Crown Point, on the 
 23d instant. 
 
 To-morrow morning we are to take in consideration the 
 expediency of a Continental Paper Currency, the result of 
 which will be communicated to you. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 To the New-York Delegates at Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted to the Delegates now repre- 
 senting this Colony in Continental Congress, by a messen- 
 ger for that purpose, and with all possible despatch. 
 
 The Committee of Correspondence (according to order) 
 brought in and reported a draught of a Letter to the Gov- 
 emour and General Court of Connecticut, in answer to the 
 Letter from Govemour Trumbull above mentioned; which 
 was read and approved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted with all convenient des- 
 patch. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee to report the ways and 
 means for removing the Cannon and Stores from Ticondc- 
 roga do, without delay, and as privately as possible, direct 
 one hundred barrels of Pork, two hundred barrels of Flour, 
 and twenty barrels of Rum to be sent forward to Albany, 
 towards supplying the Garrisons at Crown Point and Ti- 
 condcroga. 
 
 The draught of a Resolve reported by the Committee 
 appointed for that purpose, recommending the choosing of 
 Committees and Sub-Committees, and signing the Associa- 
 tion, being read and amended, was approved, agreed to, 
 and resolved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
1261 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1202 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended, and it is hereby ac- 
 cordingly recommended, to all the Counties in this Colony 
 (who have not already done it) to appoint County Com- 
 mittees, and also Sub-Comrnittees, for their respective Town- 
 ships, Precincts, and Districts, without delay, in order to 
 carry into execution the Resolutions of the Continental and 
 this Provincial Congress. And that it is also recommended 
 to every inhabitant of this Colony who has hitherto neglect- 
 ed to subscribe the General Association, to do it with all 
 convenient speed. And for these purposes, that the Com- 
 mittees in the respective Counties in which Committees 
 have been formed do tender the said Association to every 
 inhabitant within the several Districts in each County. 
 And that such persons in those Counties or Districts who 
 have not appointed Committees as shall be appointed by 
 the Members of this Congress, representing such Counties 
 and Districts respectively, do make such tender as afore- 
 said in such Counties and Districts respectively; and that 
 the said Committees and persons respectively do return the 
 said Association, and the names of those who shall neglect 
 or refuse to sign the same, to this Congress by the fifteenth 
 day of July next, or sooner, if possible. 
 
 The draft of a Letter to attend the said Resolution, and 
 recommending to carry the measures therein mentioned 
 into execution, was also read, amended, and approved of, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 New-York, May 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: You will see by the enclosed Resolution 
 of this Congress that it is recommended to such of the 
 Counties as have not already formed Committees, to do it 
 without delay ; and that such of the inhabitants of this 
 Colony as have hitherto neglected to subscribe the Gene- 
 ral Association, to do it, so as to enable you to make a 
 return within the time limited in the Resolution. 
 
 As the execution of this Resolve is committed to your 
 care, we request you to use your best endeavours to see 
 that this recommendation be complied with. It may, 
 nevertheless, be proper to inform you, that it is the sense 
 of this Congress that no coercive steps ought to be used to 
 induce any person to sign the Association. The propriety 
 of the measure, the example of the other Counties, and the 
 necessity of maintaining a perfect union in every part of 
 this Colony, it is presumed are sufficient reasons to induce 
 the inhabitants of your County to comply with this requisi- 
 tion. 
 
 Ordered, That five hundred copies of the said Resolve 
 and of the said Letter be printed, and that as many copies 
 of the said Letter as may be necessary be signed by the 
 President, and delivered, with the copies of the said Re- 
 solve, to the Members of this Congress, to be by them 
 directed. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., May 30, 1775. 
 The Congress met, pursuant to adjournment, and open- 
 ed with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gano. Present : 
 For (he City and County of New- York. — Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, Esquire, President ; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallet, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, Jacobus Van Zandt, James Beekman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, 
 Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, 
 John Van Cortlandt, John Marston. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esquire, Vice-President; Robert Yates, Abram. Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck, Francis Nicoll. 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim 
 Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert 
 Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 -For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, John Nicholson, Egbert Dumond, Christopher 
 Tappen, Jacob Hornbeck. 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, Wil- 
 liam Allison, Abraham Lent. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertes, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Lau- 
 rence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel 
 Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The mode of taking the Votes of this Congress for the 
 present, and the Rules, were read. 
 
 The Order for the business of the Day being read, the 
 Congress took into consideration the Report of the Com- 
 mittee on the expediency of a Continental Paper Currency: 
 which Report is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Your Committee do most humbly report, that baring 
 made the best inquiry which the short time would admit 
 of, they find that the proportion of Gold and Silver in this 
 Colony, compared with her sister Colonies, does vary ac- 
 cording to the price of Bills of Exchange in the several 
 Colonies, (owing to the relative quantity of Paper Money 
 circulating amongst them, their several debts, and the seve- 
 ral balances of their trade.) but that upon the whole there 
 is a smaller proportion of Gold and Silver in this Colony 
 than in several others. That as to the mode of raising 
 money for the exigency of our affairs, it will be impossible 
 to collect a sufficient sum without issuing a Paper Currency 
 of some sort or other. That the neighbouring Colonies of 
 Connecticut and New-Jersey are indebted to this Colony 
 in very considerable sums. That in the prosecution of 
 measures necessary for our defence, large sums of the 
 money levied or issued for that purpose must undoubtedly 
 centre in this Colony, as an exchange for the necessaries 
 of life and other articles which this Colony must furnish. 
 That considering the two facts last mentioned, it follows 
 clearly that this Colony will at first possess a much greater 
 proportion of the general Paper Currency than her sister 
 Colonies. That of consequence it is necessary that the 
 utmost precaution be used to give the highest credit to such 
 emission, in order to prevent the depreciation of it. That 
 it is also necessary 7 the Paper Currency, when emitted, 
 should be as much as possible general, that it may at once 
 answer the purpose for which it is instituted, and with 
 greater ease flow from one Colony to another, and pre- 
 serve the commercial equality of money. That the emis- 
 sion of Paper Currency in any considerable quantity will 
 necessarily tend to exclude from commercial circulation 
 the Gold and Silver now current, either by sending it to 
 Britain for payment of debts there, or by encouraging pri- 
 vate persons to secrete it. That if the emission be very 7 
 great, then exchange will undoubtedly rise, and conse- 
 quently the Paper Money 7 be depreciated. That these 
 considerations will abate the disposition of the inhabitants 
 of America to receive such Paper Money. That, there- 
 fore, whether it be a currency or not, will depend upon 
 the security which can be given for the repayment of it. 
 That the Gold and Silver being excluded, as is above 
 mentioned, a general Paper Currency 7 will naturally supply 
 the place of it, provided it can obtain a general credit. 
 
 After premising these things, your Committee proceed 
 to observe, that a Paper Currency being necessary, there 
 are but three modes by which it can be issued : 
 
 First. That every Colony should strike for itself the 
 sum apportioned by the Continental Congress ; 
 
 Secondly. That the Continental Congress should strike 
 the whole sum necessary, and each Colony become bound 
 to sink its proportionable part ; or, 
 
 Thirdly. That the Continental Congress should strike 
 the whole sum, and apportionate the several shares to the 
 different Colonies, every Colony become bound to dis- 
 charge its own particular part, and all the Colonies to dis- 
 charge the part which any particular Colony shall be 
 unable to pay. 
 
1263 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1264 
 
 Your Committee observe, upon the first mode, that if it 
 be followed, this Colony may not perhaps be under the 
 same necessity of receiving the emission of any Colony 
 which may appear unable to sink the money issued by it, 
 as in the other instances ; that therefore there may not on 
 that account be the same danger of subjecting this Colony 
 to the risk of losing moneys issued by its neighbours, and 
 circulating within this Colony. That, nevertheless, it is 
 highly probable the debts due to this Colony will be 
 eventually paid in the Paper Money so issued by the 
 Colonies of Connecticut and New-Jersey, or that such 
 moneys confined within the bounds of those Colonies will 
 be so depreciated, that the persons in trade who are pos- 
 sessed thereof will be rendered unable to pay their debts 
 in any other way. That your Committee have great rea- 
 son to believe that emissions of those Colonies will be 
 depreciated in such manner, by reason of the doubts which 
 will arise in men's minds about the sinking of them, where- 
 fore a very considerable loss will happen to this Colony 
 from receiving such money. That your Committee, ne- 
 vertheless, are of opinion that in order to answer the pur- 
 poses of striking such Paper Money in these Colonies, it 
 will be necessary for this Colony and all others to give a 
 general credit to every emission. Your Committee do 
 therefore disapprove of the first mode, because they con- 
 ceive that moneys issued in that way will not have the 
 necessary general credit aforesaid, but that this Colony in 
 particular will be under the necessity of receiving very con- 
 siderable sums of money from the Colonies of Connecticut 
 and New-Jersey, which those Colonies may not be able to 
 jepay; and if so, that then the circulation of such money 
 in this Colony will prevent the future admission of Gold 
 and Silver, and consequently raise the par of exchange 
 between this Colony and Great Britain, so as greatly to 
 distress the general commerce of this Colony, besides the 
 loss which must be sustained by those individuals who be- 
 come possessed of such depreciated moneys. 
 
 As to the second mode, your Committee observe, that it 
 will give much greater credit and currency to the moneys 
 so issued than the first, and consequently will better an- 
 swer the ends for which it is designed. That such credit 
 and currency will also, in a great measure, prevent the ac- 
 cumulation of it in this Colony, and dissipate it through 
 those channels of trade in which the Gold and Silver now 
 flow, so as to preserve the commercial equality of money 
 above stated. That, nevertheless, your Committee are of 
 opinion that if any default shall happen in sinking the mo- 
 neys issued by this mode, such default will be made by the 
 adjacent Colonies of Connecticut and New-Jersey, or one 
 of them, and that, therefore, although there are greater 
 advantages attending this mode than the former, yet it is 
 subject to all the same inconveniences with respect to this 
 Colony. 
 
 Your Committee do now observe, upon the last mode, 
 that it will be attended with the advantage of higher and 
 more universal credit than either of the former, and conse- 
 quently, as to the general cause, will best answer the great 
 end of its institution. That this advantage is attended with 
 a very great disadvantage as to this Colony, because this 
 Colony may by that means be subjected to the payment 
 of her own proportion, and also to a proportion of the part 
 of such Colony as may become bankrupt by her over exer- 
 tions in this controversy. Your Committee, however, do 
 conceive, that if any Colony or Colonies shall be deficient 
 in this respect, it will most probably be those which are im- 
 mediately adjacent to this. That the greater part of the 
 moneys designated for them to refund will necessarily cir- 
 culate in this Colony, and therefore in it the deficiencies 
 which shall so happen will be most sensibly felt. That in 
 such case, if the Colonies are generally pledged for each 
 other, and do severally perform their engagements, then 
 this Colony will be greatly relieved by sinking a part there- 
 of in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, &,c. That if 
 such engagements are not performed, this Colony will not 
 be in a worse situation by this than by either of the other 
 modes, but continue precisely in the same predicament. 
 
 Before your Committee determine their choice, they pray 
 leave to observe, that there are only two obstacles to an 
 emission of Paper Money : 
 
 First. To give it an immediate and ready currency ; 
 
 Secondly. To provide ways and means ibr sinking it. 
 
 As to the first, your Committee observe, that if the Con- 
 tinental Congress shall strike a Paper Currency, they have 
 no doubts but that it will be very readily received through- 
 out this Continent ; yet they have very great doubts whe- 
 ther the same determination ought to be made with respect 
 to moneys issued by a lesser authority. 
 
 As to the second point, your Committee observe, that 
 whenever a Paper Currency has been emitted, and obtained 
 a general credit, it will be a new bond of union to the As- 
 sociated Colonies, and every inhabitant thereof will be 
 bound in interest to endeavour that ways and means be 
 fallen upon for sinking of it. 
 
 Now, therefore, since moneys issued in the last of those 
 three modes above mentioned will afford higher security to 
 those who receive them, and of consequence obtain a more 
 ready, general, and confidential circulation, your Commit- 
 tee do approve of that mode. First, because it will most 
 effectually answer the end of its emission ; secondly, be- 
 cause most probably this Colony will not be burdened with 
 so great a proportion of it; thirdly, because the other 
 Colonies will be more deeply interested in preventing its 
 depreciation ; and, fourthly, because the losses to be appre- 
 hended by this Colony will be alleviated by the participa- 
 tion of others. 
 
 If this plan should be adopted, then, your Committee 
 are of opinion that it will be necessary the moneys issued 
 should, on one side, have some general device, and the 
 moneys proportioned to any particular Colony have the 
 arms, signature, &ic, of such Colony on the other side ; 
 and that the proportion now established be stated as a fixed 
 proportion to estimate, in case of deficiency in one Colony, 
 the aids of the others. 
 
 All which is most humbly submitted. 
 
 The said Report of the Committee being fully debated 
 and considered, and the question put thereon, whether the 
 Congress does agree with their Committee in the said 
 Report ? 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That this Congress 
 does agree with the said Committee in their Report. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Report be immedi- 
 ately transmitted to the Delegates representing this Colony 
 in the Continental Congress, and that the Committee of 
 Correspondence prepare and report a draft of a Letter to 
 be sent to the said Delegates with the said Report. 
 
 And the Committee of Correspondence having reported 
 a draught of such Letter to the said Delegates, the same 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New-York, May 30, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed you have a copy of the Report 
 of our Committee upon the expediency of a Paper Cur- 
 rency, and the approbation of that Report by this Con- 
 gress. Upon a perusal of it you will readily perceive the 
 impropriety of laying it before the Continental Congress. 
 We send it to show you our sense, and the reasons on which 
 it is founded, out of which you will select such for use as 
 you may think proper. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants. 
 To the Delegates for the Colony of New- York, now sit- 
 ting in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be engrossed, 
 and signed by the President, and transmitted with all con- 
 venient speed. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 5 ho. P. M., May 30, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President ; Alexander McDou- 
 gall, Abraham Walton, John De Lancey, James Beek- 
 man, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Thos. Smith. 
 Esquire, Benjamin Kissam, Esquire, John Morin Scott, 
 Esquire, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston. 
 
 For the Giiy and County of Albany. — Volkcrt P. Douvv, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abra- 
 ham Ten Brocck, and Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 
1265 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1266 
 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Me- 
 lancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, Esquire, Jacob Hornbeck, Esquire. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, Col. Abraham Lent. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Col. Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredvvell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Col. James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, 
 Major Philip Van Cortlandt, Colonel James Holmes, 
 Robert Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Col. Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph Robinson, Na- 
 thaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Scott moved that the subject matter of the Resolves 
 of the Continental Congress on the 25th of May instant, 
 and transmitted to this Congress, be immediately taken 
 into consideration. 
 
 And that part of the said Resolves which directs the 
 fortifying a Post at King's Bridge, was accordingly taken 
 into consideration. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Montgomerie, Mr. Glenn, Mr. 
 Robert Yates, Colonel Van Cortlandt, and Col. Holmes, 
 be a Committee to view the ground at or near King's 
 Bridge, and report to this Congress whether the ground 
 near King's Bridge will admit of making a Fortification 
 there that will be tenable ; and at what particular place the 
 grouud will admit of making the best and most tenable 
 Fortification ; and that they call to their assistance such 
 persons as they shall think necessary, and make report to 
 this Congress with all convenient speed. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration that part of 
 the Resolves of the Continental Congress which directs 
 the erecting of Fortifications in the Highlands on Hudson 
 River. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Clinton and Mr. Tappen be a 
 Committee (and that they take to their assistance such 
 persons as they shall think necessary) to go to the Highlands 
 and view the banks of the Hudson River there, and report 
 to this Congress the most proper place for erecting one or 
 more Fortifications ; and likewise an estimate of the ex- 
 pense that will attend erecting the same. 
 
 Mr. Kissam moved, and was seconded by Mr. Silvester, 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Forasmuch as a reconciliation between Great Britain 
 and these Colonies, on constitutional principles, is essen- 
 tial to the well-being of both Countries, and will prevent 
 the honours of a civil war, in which this Continent is now 
 about to be involved, it is therefore the indispensable duty 
 of this Congress to communicate to the Delegates of this 
 Colony in Continental Congress their sentiments respect- 
 ing the terms of such reconciliation: I therefore move, that 
 a Committee be appointed to prepare and state the terms 
 on which such reconciliation may be tendered to Great 
 Britain, consistent with the just liberties and freedom of 
 the subject in America, to the intent that the same, when 
 approved of by this Congress, may be laid before the said 
 Delegates as our sense on this important subject, to be 
 humbly submitted to their consideration. 
 
 And debates arising on the said motion, at the request of 
 the Deputies of the City and County of Albany, and the 
 Counties of Ulster, Suffolk, and Charlotte, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be deferred. 
 
 Mr. ClarJcson, from the Committee for that purpose, 
 reported an estimate of the expense of removing the Can- 
 non and Stores at Ticonderoga, which was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the same lie on the table for the perusal 
 of the Members. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dumond be desired to purchase 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. S 
 
 two hundred barrels of Flour at Kingston, in Ulster Coun- 
 ty, and have the same transported to Albany with all 
 possible despatch, and delivered to the agents appointed 
 by this Congress to superintend the removal of the Cannon 
 and Stores from Ticonderoga; and that Mr. Dumond 
 have leave of absence for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McDougall be desired to purchase 
 one hundred barrels of Pork, and have the same sent to 
 Albany with all possible despatch, to be delivered to the 
 same agents ; and that Mr. Dirck Swart have leave of 
 absence, to attend upon his agency in superintending the 
 removal of the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga, and 
 such other matters as are given in charge to him and the 
 other agents for that purpose, by instructions from this 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., May 31, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 
 with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Inglis. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David 
 Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John 
 Marston, Walter Franklin. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esquire, Vice-President; Abraham Yates, Peter Silves- 
 ter, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Abra- 
 ham Ten Broeck, Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony 
 Hoffman, Zephaniah Piatt, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Me- 
 lancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, Col. 
 James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, Wil- 
 liam Allison, Abraham Lent. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Col. Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan 
 Lawrence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Jo- 
 seph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The Petition of James Arden, Richard Outenbogert, 
 John West, and six other persons, setting forth their dis- 
 tresses, and praying for relief, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Petition lie on the table for the 
 perusal of the Members. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Report of the Committee to estimate the expense of re- 
 moving the Cannon and Stores at Ticonderoga, and their 
 Report on the ways and means for that purpose. 
 
 And after some time spent therein, 
 
 Resolved, That as Messrs. David Clarkson, Leonard 
 Lispenard, and Alexander McDougall, have offered to 
 become bound to Abraham Lott, Esquire, Treasurer of 
 this Colony, for all such money (not exceeding One Thou- 
 sand Five Hundred Pounds) as may be advanced to this 
 Congress by the said Treasurer for the present exigency, 
 all the Members of this Congress do agree to be responsi- 
 ble for their several proportions of such advance, in case 
 those gentlemen should be called upon for it. Except Mr. 
 Henry Williams, who dissents. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Resolves of the Continental Congress of the 25th of May 
 instant, and particularly that part of the third Resolve 
 
1267 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 1268 
 
 which directs that the Militia of New- York be armed and 
 trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment's 
 warning. And thereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants 
 of this Colony in general, immediately to furnish them- 
 selves with necessary Arms and Ammunition, to use all 
 diligence to perfect themselves in the military art, and, if 
 necessary, to form themselves into Companies for that 
 purpose, until the further order of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolve be printed in the News- 
 papers, and that five hundred copies thereof be printed in 
 handbills. 
 
 This Congress then proceeded to the consideration of 
 the residue of the third Resolve and of the fourth Resolve 
 of the Continental Congress. And thereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That in compliance with the Resolution of 
 the Continental Congress of the 25th instant, this Congress 
 will use all possible diligence in embodying men according 
 to the said Resolution. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, Col. Ten Broeck, 
 Colonel Holmes, Colonel Lent, Captain Hornbeck, Colo- 
 nel Blackwell, Colonel Brinckerhoff, Colonel Woodhull, 
 Mr. Polhemus, Mr. Micheau, Mr. John Williams, Mr. 
 Montgomerie, Mr. Hobart, and Mr. Morris, be a Com- 
 mittee to report an arrangement of the Troops to be em- 
 bodied for the defence of this Colony; and to report such 
 rules and regulations as would be proper to be established 
 by this Congress for the government of such Troops. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to be directed to some gentlemen 
 in Tryon County, was read and approved. 
 
 Ordered, That two copies thereof be engrossed, and 
 signed by the President ; and that one be directed and 
 sent to Christopher Yates, Esquire, and the other to Major 
 Jellis Fonda, in Tryon County. 
 
 Ordered, That Letters to the same purport be pre- 
 pared, signed by the President, and sent to the following 
 gentlemen, viz: To Colonel James Rogers, at Kent, in 
 Cumberland County; to Jacob Bayley, Esquire, at New- 
 bury, in Gloucester County; and to John Taplin, Esq., of 
 Neivbury, in Gloucester County; and that the draughts of 
 such Letters respectively be filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kissam's motion of yesterday be 
 deferred until to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho., June 1, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Laidley. Present : 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van 
 Brugb Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John 
 Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douvv, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Abraham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, 
 Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter Livingston, Ro- 
 bert Van Rensselaer, Abraham Ten Broeck, Francis 
 Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony 
 Hoffman, Zephaniah Piatt, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Me- 
 lancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson, Jacob Horn- 
 beck. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, Wil- 
 liam Allison, Abraham Lent. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredvvell, John Foster, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Major Richard Lawrence, from Richmond County, ap- 
 peared in Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That he take his seat. 
 
 A Letter, signed Joseph Warren, President, from the 
 Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, dated at 
 Watertown, May 26, 1775, to this Congress, was read. 
 
 The copy of a Letter from Benedict Arnold, mentioned 
 to be enclosed in the above, dated Crown Point, May ] 9, 
 1775, was read. 
 
 A Letter from Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, on behalf 
 of the Governour and Company of the Colony of Connec- 
 ticut, dated Hartford, May 29, 1775, was read. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee at the City of Albany. 
 dated May 26, 1775, covering the Papers therein mention- 
 ed, was read. 
 
 The several Papers referred to in the Letter from the 
 said Committee at Albany, were read. The particular 
 numbers and endorsements of them are as follows, to wit : 
 
 No. 2. A translation of a Letter from the Mohawk In- 
 dians to the Oneidas. 
 
 No. 3. A copy of a Letter from the Palatine District to 
 the Committee at Albany, dated May 18, 1775; and an 
 answer thereto, No. 3, a. 
 
 No. 4. Copy of affidavit of Hcndrick Eckler and four 
 other persons, dated May 19, 1775. 
 
 No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Colonel G. Johnson to 
 Committee at Albany, dated May 18, 1775. 
 
 No. 6. A copy of a Letter from Colonel G. Johnson 
 to the Magistrates of Palatine, Canajoharie, and other Dis- 
 tricts, dated May 20, 1 775. 
 
 No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Colonel G. Johnson to 
 the Committee of Schenectady, and the Mayor and Cor- 
 poration of Albany, without date. 
 
 No. 8. A copy of a Letter from the Committee of Al- 
 bany to Colonel Johnson, May 23, 1775. 
 
 No. 9. A copy of the Indian's Speech translated ; in- 
 terpreted May 20, received at Albany 22d May. 
 
 No. 10. A copy of an Answer to the Indian's Speech, 
 dated May 23. 
 
 No. 11. A copy of the Mohawk's Reply, dated May 
 25 ; a copy of the Committee's Speech in return ; and of 
 the Mohawk's concluding Speech. 
 
 No. 12. A copy of a Letter from Colonel Arnold to the 
 Committee of Albany, May 22. 
 
 No. 13. A copy of a Letter from Colonel Arnold to 
 Captain Noah Lee, dated at Crown Point, May 23. 
 
 No. 14. Extracts of sundry Letters from Qiiebcck; ex- 
 tracted May 25. 
 
 No. 15. A List of Officers and Men wanted for the two 
 vessels on the Lake. 
 
 No. 16. The method proposed by the Albany Com- 
 mittee for raising Men. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates representing 
 this Colony in Continental Congress to attend copies of all 
 the despatches this day received and before mentioned, 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New- York, June 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We this morning received despatches from 
 Albany, Watertown, and Hartford, which contain, as you 
 will observe, very important intelligence. We think it our 
 duty, through you, to lay it before the Continental Congress, 
 and for that purpose have prepared copies of the several 
 papers which we received as aforesaid. We shall make no 
 comments on them, being convinced that your own good 
 understanding, and the knowledge of the state of these Co- 
 lonies, will render any such attempts useless. Our business 
 proceeds with great heaviness for want of the sinews of 
 war, which we have not, neither have we any powder. 
 Money we cannot have until we receive the directions of 
 your body, as you will easily believe. Besides this, we 
 
1269 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1270 
 
 would be extremely happy to know that your body had 
 taken into their serious consideration the several circum- 
 stances of the associated Colonies, and that they in their 
 wisdom had assigned the several quotas of men and money 
 to each. This information will guide our deliberations to 
 a proper object, for the want of which our present attention 
 is distracted by the uncertainty of what shall be determined 
 with respect to this Colony. 
 
 H e have the honour to be, Gentlemen, with great respect, 
 your most obedient and humble servants. 
 To the New-York Delegates at the Continental Congress 
 
 at Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of this Letter be engrossed and 
 signed by the President, and transmitted (with copies of all 
 the despatches received this day) to the Delegates repre- 
 senting this Colony at the Continental Congress, by a mes- 
 senger for that purpose. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Sub-Committee of the City 
 and County of Albany, was read and approved of, and is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New-York, Juns 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Agreeable to the minute of the Grand Con- 
 gress, we (being unable, as you know, to garrison Ticon- 
 deroga, Croivn Point, or Fort George) made application 
 to the Eastern Colonies for their assistance. In our letter 
 to Governour Trumbull, of Connecticut, we desired him to 
 order Troops on that service, and informed him that it is 
 our intention that the commanding officer of those Troops 
 should be the commander of the forts by them garrisoned. 
 We moreover requested him to give orders to such officer 
 to use great diligence to prevent any inroads into Canada. 
 
 This morning we have received his Honour's and the 
 Assembly's answer, of which we send you a copy. You 
 will find that one thousand men are already on their way 
 to the frontier country. Their commanding officer is Col- 
 onel Hinman, wherefore we beg you will inform all persons 
 in that part of the country of his appointment. We have 
 at present no powder in this City, nor can we possibly tell 
 you when we shall have any. The reason of this uncer- 
 tainty is, that the British Ministry have taken measures to 
 prevent supplies of powder from coming to America from 
 any part of Europe. But you will easily see that though 
 such attempts may delay, they cannot prevent us from get- 
 ting some. Should the Indians again mention their uneasi- 
 ness on the subject of powder, it will, as we conceive, be 
 proper to mention to them the endeavours of Great Britain 
 to hinder both them and us from obtaining any. We have 
 received your despatches of the twenty-sixth ultimo, and 
 already forwarded copies to the Grand Congress. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants. 
 To Doctor Samuel Stringer, Chairman of the Sub-Com- 
 mittee of the City and County of Albany. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter to the Sub- 
 Committee at Albany be engrossed, signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted with all convenient despatch. 
 
 Mr. Low delivered a Petition of Captain Samuel Tudor, 
 on behalf of himself and the Independent Company of Ar- 
 tillery in the City of New- York, setting forth that they have 
 not any Carriages for such Cannon as they have pitched on 
 to use until brass Field-Pieces be provided, and that they 
 are destitute of Ammunition. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Samuel Tudor be desired to provide 
 Carriages, Rammers and Spunges, and such other things as 
 are necessary 7 for four Guns, for training his Company. 
 
 Mr. Eassam, with leave of the Congress, withdrew his 
 Motion of the thirtieth of May instant, in order to amend 
 the same. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morn- 
 ing. ' _ 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 2, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Mason. Present: 
 For the City and County of Neiv-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 
 David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John 
 Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter Liv- 
 ingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abraham 
 Ten Broeck, Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim 
 Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert 
 Schenck, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Col. Johannes Hardenbergh, John 
 Nicholson, Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, Abraham Lent, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, Robert Graham, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Van- 
 derbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Jeremiah Clarke, from Cornwall Precinct, Orange 
 County, produced a Certificate signed by Jesse Woodhull, 
 Esq., Chairman of a meeting of the Freeholders of Corn- 
 wall, in Orange County, whereby it appears that Israel 
 Seely, Jesse Wcodhxdl, Esquire, and Jeremiah Clarke, are 
 chosen and appointed Deputies for that Precinct, to repre- 
 sent them in this Provincial Congress as part of the repre- 
 sentation of the County of Orange. The said Certificate 
 was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Clarke take his seat. 
 
 A Letter from the Delegates representing this Colony in 
 the Continental Congress, bearing date on the thirteenth 
 day of May ultimo, was read. 
 
 Jacob Shafer, who was sent a messenger to Philadel- 
 phia, delivered in an account of his disbursements, amount- 
 ing to four pounds ten shillings four pence. 
 
 Ordered, That the President pay to the said Jacob Sha- 
 fer, for his disbursements and time, six pounds eight shil- 
 lings. 
 
 The Committee of Correspondence, according to order, 
 brought in and reported a draft of a Letter to the People 
 of Canada, both in French and English, which drafts were 
 read and approved of. 
 
 Ordered, That fifteen hundred copies of the said Letters 
 be printed in French, and five hundred copies in English, 
 with the name of the President printed to each of them, 
 and that they be transmitted to be distributed among the 
 People of Canada with all possible despatch. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Clarkson wait upon Abraham Lott, 
 Esq., Treasurer of this Colony, and obtain from him, on 
 loan, any such sum of Money as he may be able to lend out 
 of the Colony Treasury, that the same may be applied 
 towards the present exigences of the Colony ; and Mr. 
 Clarkson, for the present, give his Note to the Treasurer, 
 to be accountable to him for such sum as he may receive, 
 until farther security shall be given for the same. 
 
 Mr. Clarkson returned, and reported that he had obtained 
 Two Hundred Pounds from the Treasurer, upon his own 
 Note given for that sum. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Clarkson pay the said Two Hun- 
 dred Pounds to Dirck Swart, and take his receipt for the 
 same ; and 
 
 Resolved, That all the Members of this Congress do 
 agree to be responsible to Mr. David Clarksoyi for then- 
 several proportions of the said Two Hundred Pounds, until 
 Mr. Clarkson shall be repaid or otherwise secured for the 
 same. 
 
1271 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1272 
 
 Mr. Kissam moved (and was seconded) in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit : " Forasmuch as a reconciliation between 
 Great Britain and these Colonies, on constitutional prin- 
 ciples, is essential to the well being of both Countries, and 
 will prevent the horrours of a civil war, in which this Con- 
 tinent is now about to be involved, I move that a Commit- 
 tee be appointed to prepare a plan of such accommodation, 
 and report the same to this House." 
 
 And debates arising thereon, Mr. McDougall (seconded 
 by Mr. Brasher) moved for the Previous Question. 
 
 And the question being put, and the votes of the Counties 
 represented taken, it was carried against the Previous Ques- 
 tion in the manner following, to wit: 
 
 For the Previous Question. Against the Previous Question. 
 
 2 Ulster County. 2 King's County. 
 
 2 Orange County. 3 Albany City and County. 
 
 2 Suffolk County. 2 Richmond County. 
 
 2 Dutchess County. — Mr.* 2 Queen's County — Mr. Robinson dis- 
 — Hoffman dis- 2 Charlotte County. [senting. 
 
 8 senting. 2 Westchester County — Mr. Phil. Van 
 
 Cortlandt dissenting. 
 4 New-York — Dissentients : Messrs. 
 — Scott, McDougall, Van Zandt, 
 17 Brasher, Lispenard, Beekman, 
 
 Hallet, John Van Cortlandt. 
 
 The question was then put on the said motion, and it 
 was carried for the motion, in manner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Motion. Against the Motion. 
 
 3 Albany City and County. 2 Suffolk County. 
 2 King's County. 2 Ulster County. 
 2 Queen's County. 2 Orange County. 
 
 2 Richmond County. 2 Dutchess County — Mr. Hoff. 
 
 2 Westchester County — Philip — man dissenting. 
 
 Van Cortlandt dissenting. 8 
 2 Charlotte County. 
 
 4 New- York City and County. 
 
 17 
 
 Colonel Woodhull then moved, and was seconded by 
 Mr. Tredwctt, that an amendment be made to the said 
 motion, by adding thereto the following words, to wit : 
 " That we may be ready, if we shall think it necessary, to 
 communicate our sentiments upon that subject to our Dele- 
 gates at Philadelphia." Which amendment being read a 
 second time, was approved of and agreed lo. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That although we would by no means 
 presume to dictate to the General Continental Congress, 
 yet it is highly necessary that this House be prepared to 
 give our sentiments to our Delegates in the said Congress 
 upon such plan of accommodation ; and 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Scott, Mr. Morris, Mr. Low, Mr. 
 McDougall, Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Hobart, 
 Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. Silvester, Mr. Payne, Col. Wood- 
 hull, Mr. John Williams, Mr. Micheau,ax)d Mr. Tredwell, 
 be a Committee for that purpose, and do make report with 
 all convenient speed. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancoclc, Esquire, President of the 
 Continental Congress, being received, was read, and is in 
 the words following : 
 
 » Philadelphia, May 31, 1775. 
 " Sir : I am directed by the Congress to transmit to your 
 Convention their Resolve, and to desire an immediate com- 
 pliance with it, so far as it respects the furnishing batteaus, 
 provisions, stores, he. I am, Sir, your most humble ser- 
 vant, John Hancock, President. 
 " To the Honourable the President of the Provincial Con- 
 vention of New-York." 
 
 The Resolve of the Continental Congress received en- 
 closed in the above Letter, was also read, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 "In Congress, May 31, 1775. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut be re- 
 quested immediately to send a strong re-enforcement to the 
 Garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and that so 
 many of the Cannon and other Stores be retained as may be 
 necessary for the immediate defence of those Posts, until 
 the further order of this Congress ; and that the Provincial 
 Convention of New-York be informed of this Resolve, and 
 desired to furnish those Troops with Provisions and other 
 necessary Stores, and to take effectual care that a suffi- 
 cient number of Batteaus be immediately provided for the 
 Lakes." 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 "Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 The Committee appointed to view the ground near King's 
 Bridge, delivered in their Report, and a Map or Draught 
 of a place thereto annexed. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report lay on the table for the 
 perusal and information of the Members. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Ten Broeck and Mr. Dirck 
 Swart wait on Abraham Lott, Esquire, Treasurer of the 
 Colony, and obtain from him an order on the Loan Offi- 
 cers of the City and County of Albany, for a sum of Money, 
 to be applied for the publick exigences of the Colony, in 
 such manner as this Congress shall direct ; and that Colonel 
 Ten Broeck, for the present, give his Note to the Trea- 
 surer for such order, or the amount of the sum to be therein 
 mentioned, until farther security shall be given for the same. 
 
 Colonel Ten Broeck returned and produced to this Con- 
 gress an order on the Loan Officers at Albany, for the sum 
 of Seven Hundred Pounds, payable to Mr. Dirck Swart, 
 and informed that he had given his Note to the Treasurer 
 for that sum. 
 
 . Resolved, That all the Members of this Congress do 
 agree to be responsible to Colonel Abraham Ten Broeck 
 for their several proportions of the said Seven Hundred 
 Pounds, until Colonel Ten Broeck shall be repaid or other- 
 wise secured for the same. 
 
 In pursuance of the engagements made by this Congress 
 in their Letter to the Governour and General Court of Con- 
 necticut of the twenty-ninth ultimo, and of the Resolve of 
 the Continental Congress, bearing date on the thirty-first 
 May, directing that this Congress furnish Provisions and 
 Stores for the Garrisons at the Posts of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, it is conceived necessary to employ a Com- 
 missary at New-York, and Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, of the 
 City of New-York, merchant, being mentioned and es- 
 teemed a proper person to be Commissary, the Congress 
 sent for Mr. Curtenius, who attended; and being called in 
 by order of the Congress, he was informed by the President 
 that the Congress thought it necessary to have a Commis- 
 sary to provide and forward Provisions and Stores of sundry 
 kinds to the Commissioners at Albany, for the use of the 
 Garrisons at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and such other 
 parts or places as may be necessary ; and also to provide 
 and forward materials for the building of Batteaus, and to 
 provide Artificers and Mariners to proceed to Lake Cham- 
 plain. 
 
 That if he would accept of that trust he should purchase 
 such Provisions and Stores as the Congress should, from 
 time to time, direct ; and that he should be allowed a com- 
 mission of one and a half per cent., until he shall be sup- 
 plied with cash to purchase such Stores and Provisions with ; 
 and that after he is supplied with cash to purchase such 
 Stores and Provisions, and to pay all such disbursements as 
 may be necessary, that he shall be allowed a commission 
 of one per cent. 
 
 Mr. Peter T. Curtenius agreed to be Commissary, and 
 to accept and perform that trust and business for the com- 
 mission above mentioned: Whereupon it is 
 
 Resolved, That the said Peter T. Curtenius be and is 
 hereby appointed the Commissary to purchase, procure, 
 and provide such Provisions and Stores of every kind, and 
 to engage such Artificers and Mariners as he shall, from 
 time to time, be directed by this Congress, and to forward 
 the same to the said Commissioners at Albany, or any other 
 such place or places as he shall be directed by this Con- 
 gress, or by any Committee they may appoint for that 
 purpose. 
 
 And also Resolved, That the said Peter T. Curtenius 
 shall have for his services the commissions above mentioned, 
 beside all his disbursements : and 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress does agree to indemnify the 
 said Peter T. Curtenius for all his disbursements and com- 
 missions in the premises ; and that all the Members of this 
 Congress do agree to become responsible to the said Peter 
 T. Curtenius for their several respective proportions of all 
 disbursements that shall be made by him, and of all moneys 
 that shall become due to him as a Commissary, and in the 
 execution of the trust aforesaid, until he shall be repaid or 
 otherwise secured and indemnified for the same. 
 
 And it is further Resolved and Agreed, That for any 
 sums of money that shall be advanced or lent by the said 
 
1273 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1274 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius for the services aforesaid, lie shall be 
 allowed a lawful interest until the same shall be repaid. 
 
 Messrs. Clarlcson, Colonel Holmes, Thomas Smith, and 
 Colonel Lent, have leave of absence. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., June 3, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met. Opened with prayer by the Rev. 
 Mr. Treat. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of ]Sew-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Joseph Hallett, Abraham Walton, 
 Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James Beekman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, Benjamin Kissam, John Van Cort- 
 landt, and Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn, Abraham Ten Broeck, 
 and Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim 
 Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert 
 Schenck, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, John Nichol- 
 son, and Jacob Hornbeck. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, and Stephen Ward. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John LefFertse, 
 and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, and Richard Law- 
 rence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, and Richard Thome. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Col. Hardenbergh and Captain Hornbeck, from Ulster, 
 and Mr. Townshend, Captain Williams, and Mr. Thome, 
 have leave of absence. 
 
 Colonel Ten Broeck and three others, Members for Al- 
 bany, have leave of absence, they always leaving seven 
 Members. 
 
 The Congress ordered the stores, men, and things here- 
 after mentioned, to be provided by Peter T. Curtenius and 
 forwarded to Albany, and that the several articles for that 
 purpose, hereinafter mentioned, be provided by the Com- 
 missioners at Albany, that the whole may be forwarded to 
 the south end of Lake George, viz: 
 
 A List of Men and articles to be procured by Peter T. 
 Curtenius, and forwarded to the Agents at Albany: 
 
 Two mates for two vessels : 2 gunners : 2 carpenters capa- 
 ble of making carriages: 2 gunners' mates : 2 boatswains : 
 20 seamen : 200 barrels of pork: 10 barrels of pitch: 20 
 casks of rice : 4 barrels of tar : 500 pounds of powder, if 
 so much can be got: 1000 pounds of oakum : 100 shovels, 
 50 spades, 12 crowbars, and 50 pick-axes, to be marked 
 Netv-York: 3 casks of nails, one of 12d, 20d, and 24d, 
 each : 100 camp kettles. 
 
 The following articles to be procured at Albany : spikes : 
 agin: rope: 6 grindstones : cart boxes: 100 American 
 falling axes, marked New- York. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Report of the 
 Committee who viewed the ground at King's Bridge, and 
 places adjacent. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Report, with the Map 
 annexed thereto, be transmitted to the New-York Dele- 
 gates at Philadelphia, and that Mr. Morris and Captain 
 Montgomerie be a Committee for draughting a Letter to the 
 said Delegates on the subject matter of said Report. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence 
 
 draught an answer to Governour Trumbull's Letter, dated 
 May 29, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from James Ttivington, Printer, directed to this 
 Congress, as also a copy of his Address to the Continental 
 Congress, and a copy of his Letter to the General Com- 
 mittee of the City of New- York, were read, and the subject 
 matter taken into consideration. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be deferred. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Correspondence 
 draught an answer to the Letter of the Provincial Congress 
 of Massachusetts-Bay, dated Watertown, May 26, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Christopher Blundell be desired to 
 deliver one of the Gins under his care to Abraham P. 
 Lott, Esq., and Mr. Thomas hers, and take their receipt 
 for the same. 
 
 Whereas the Continental Congress, in their Resolution ot 
 the fifteenth ultimo, have recommended to the inhabitants 
 of this City, that if the Troops which are expected should 
 arrive here, this Colony act on the defensive so long as it 
 may be consistent with their safety and security : And 
 whereas the General Committee of the City and County 
 of New- York, in their Address to the Lieutenant-Govern- 
 our of this Colony, have requested that in case any Troops 
 from Great Britain should arrive here, that he would en- 
 deavour to procure orders from General Gage to prevent 
 their landing or encamping in this City and County : And 
 this Congress being informed that orders have been received 
 from the General for the embarkation of the Troops now in 
 this City: We do, therefore, as well in conformity to what 
 we conceive to be the spirit of the above order of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, as the intention of the above Address, 
 earnestly recommend it to the inhabitants of this City and 
 County, and all others, not to obstruct the embarkation of 
 the said Troops, but to permit them to depart this City 
 peaceably. 
 
 Ordered, That one thousand of the above Resolve be 
 printed in handbills. 
 
 In pursuance of the Letter from the Delegates for this 
 Colony, now at the Provincial Congress, of the 30th May. 
 1775, a draught of a Letter to the inhabitants of Tryou 
 County was read and approved of, and is in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We lately wrote to a few individuals oi 
 your County, representing the use and necessity of your 
 appointing Deputies to associate with us in this present 
 Convention, upon a presumption that you have already 
 chosen Committees with a view that our thoughts on the 
 subject might be made known to the publick, and the mea- 
 sure recommended carried into execution by a ready and 
 speedy compliance, at least of those who are friendly to 
 the liberties of the subject, and consequently foes to tyranny 
 and oppression. Since those letters were sent up to your 
 County, we yesterday received one from our Delegates in 
 the Grand Congress at Philadelphia, in which, among other 
 things, there is a paragraph in substance following : " That 
 if there are any Counties in which no Committees have 
 been chosen, as we are informed there are, that it would 
 be proper to recommend that they be immediately elected. 
 We observe that Tryon County has not sent up Deputies 
 to your Convention, and would submit it to your considera- 
 tion whether it would not be proper to send them a mes- 
 sage, suggesting the inconveniences attending such conduct, 
 and the necessity it will lay you under of breaking off all 
 connections with them. The day rapidly approaches which 
 will determine the important point of American freedom ; 
 and though there are but very few, comparatively speaking, 
 who still have not signified their union with their brethren 
 in this glorious cause, yet we would have every reasonable 
 effort used to increase the numbers of our friends, as it will 
 not only afford additional weight to the controversy, but 
 probably will most effectually destroy the expiring hopes 
 of our adversaries." 
 
 We once more call upon you, for your own reputation's 
 sake, for the love of your Country, and as you tender your 
 own happiness and welfare, the prosperity of the whole 
 Continent, and of the millions yet unborn, that you will 
 not separate from your brethren upon this momentous occa- 
 sion, who are embarked and deeply engaged in this grand 
 struggle. Permit us to entreat you not to omit or delay 
 
1275 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1276 
 
 ibis essential requisition, but co-operate with us cheerfully, 
 by redoubled vigilance and activity, and make up for your 
 long negligence and backwardness. Perhaps this will be 
 the last application to you, as the time is almost come that 
 we should be able to distinguish those who are inimical 
 among us. We should with reluctance be compelled to 
 hold your County up to the publick as a disjointed and dis- 
 affected part of the community. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants. 
 To Messrs. John Fry, Peter Wagener, Jacob Clock, An- 
 thony Van Veghten, Christopher Yates, and the rest of 
 the inhabitants of the County of Try on. 
 
 Ordered, That four copies thereof be engrossed, signed 
 by the President, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Colonel G. Johnson was also 
 read and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir : At a time when the American subjects on this 
 extensive Continent are almost with one voice and united 
 effort nobly exerting themselves in the glorious cause of 
 liberty, and endeavouring to reconcile the unnatural and 
 unhappy differences between the parent State and these 
 Colonies upon permanent and constitutional principles, we 
 cannot help lamenting that we have received disagreeable 
 accounts from your quarter, that there are individuals offi- 
 ciously interrupting the mode and measures conceived neces- 
 sary to bring about these salutary purposes. 
 
 On the one hand, you may depend upon it that we shall 
 discourage and discountenance every attempt against your 
 person and property, and shall use our utmost endeavours 
 to render them safe and secure; but on the other hand, we 
 expect you will not counteract any of the measures expe- 
 dient for the common weal recommended by the Continen- 
 tal or Provincial Congress, or by the Committees formed 
 or to be formed. Should you take so unfriendly a part, we 
 cannot answer for the consequences of such a conduct ; on 
 ihe contrary, if you and our Indian brethren under your 
 superintendence', do not interfere in this controversy, you 
 may promise yourselves all the protection that this House 
 can afford you. The dispute is become so serious now 
 that we cannot silently suffer our plan to be frustrated by 
 our own countrymen. We are, &c. 
 
 To Colonel Guy Johnson, fyc. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be signed by the President, 
 and transmitted. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve of this Board of the 26th 
 of May ultimo, respecting the People of Canada, be trans- 
 lated into French, and that a copy thereof in French, and 
 the copy of the Resolve in English, be prefixed to the 
 printed copies of the Letters to the People of Canada. 
 
 A Letter from John Lamb to this Congress was read. 
 
 Ordered, that the said Letter be referred to the Com- 
 mittee appointed to make an arrangement of the Troops to 
 be embodied in this Colony. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to next Tuesday morning nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., Juno 6, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Doctor Livingston. Present : 
 Volhert P. Douw, Esq., Vice-President. 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallet, Abra- 
 ham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, James Beekman, Samuel 
 Verplanck, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, John 
 Mars ton. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Robert Yates, Abra- 
 ham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Liv- 
 ingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Gysbert 
 Schenck, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — Peter Clowes, William Allison, Jere- 
 miah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Tho- 
 mas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Stephen Ward, David Dayton, 
 
 John Thomas, Jun. 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 
 John Vanderbilt. 
 For Richmond County. — (None.) 
 
 For Queen's County. — Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee at Albany to this Con- 
 gress being read, was in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "Albany Committee Chamber, June 2, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : In consequence of a letter from this 
 Committee to Governour Trumbull, dated 27th ult., we 
 received his answer of the 30th; whereof you have a copy 
 enclosed, and from which it appears that you have sent 
 them a resolve, with a request to send up forces to Ticon- 
 deroga, Sic. In consequence whereof one thousand of them 
 are now on their way. You will therefore be pleased to 
 send up, with all possible despatch, a sufficient supply of 
 provisions (except flour, peas and bread, which we can 
 supply them with) and other necessaries, for which pur- 
 pose we send you enclosed copy of a list from Colonel 
 Arnold's letter to us of the 29th ult. 
 
 " We have in the alarm above raised several companies 
 to go up to Ticonderoga, &c, two of which are on their 
 way up. This we did in consequence, first, of the resolu- 
 tion of the Continental Congress of the 18th ult. ; secondly 
 of the letter from the New- York Committee enclosing said 
 Resolve, dated 20th ult.; and thirdly, Colonel Arnold's 
 letter to us requiring immediate assistance. But on our 
 receipt of the above letter from Governour Trumbull, we 
 are in great doubts with respect to our men already raised 
 in this County, and those who stand ready to march up, as 
 we know not the nature of the resolve you have sent to 
 Governour Trumbull; and his letter contains a clause that 
 these one thousand forces are to continue at Ticonderoga, 
 &lc, until relieved by troops from this Colony, &tc. 
 
 "We should be extremely glad to have plain explicit 
 instructions from time to time, that we need not wander 
 astray, and act counter to your intentions and the general 
 good of the publick. 
 
 "There are some troops (twelve in number) taken by 
 the Provincial Forces from St. John's, who are now in this 
 City, and who daily call upon this Committee for the com- 
 mon necessaries of life, but can give the Commissioners or 
 Agents no directions in the premises, as their instructions 
 from you will not warrant them to supply them with pro- 
 visions, although they have been hitherto supplied out of 
 the Provincial store. But we would be glad of your reso- 
 lution on this matter, and let us know whether we should 
 supply these troops any longer, or leave them to be sup- 
 ported from the provisions here in the King's store; and, 
 upon the whole, what you would have us do with them, 
 as they are only a burden to us. 
 
 "Please to take these matters into your immediate con- 
 sideration, and send us your resolution in consequence 
 thereof; and you will oblige, gentlemen, your most humble 
 servant. By order of the Committee : 
 
 " Samuel Stringer, Chairman p. t." 
 
 The copy of a Letter from the Governour and Company 
 of Connecticut to said Committee at Albany ; and a list of 
 men, implements of war, and stores, from Colonel B. Ar- 
 nold, wanting at Ticonderoga, and enclosed by the Com- 
 mittee of Albany, were separately read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancock, Esq., President of the 
 Grand Continental Congress, dated Philadelphia, June 1, 
 1775, was read. 
 
 The Resolve of the Grand Continental Congress first 
 above mentioned was read, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 "In Congress, Thursday, June 1, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That it be recommended to the Government 
 of Connecticut, or the General of the Forces of that Colo- 
 ny, to appoint Commissaries to receive at Albany and 
 forward the Supplies of Provisions for the Forces on Lake 
 Champlain from the Provincial Convention of New- York ; 
 and that the said Convention do their utmost endeavours 
 in facilitating and aiding the transportation thereof from 
 thence to where the said Commissaries may direct." 
 
 "A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 "Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
1277 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1278 
 
 The Resolve to be transmitted to the Commander at 
 Ticonderoga was read, and is in the words following : 
 
 " In Congress, June 1, 1775. 
 
 " As this Congress has nothing more in view than the 
 defence of these Colonies, Resolved, That no expedition 
 or incursion ought to be undertaken or made by any Colo- 
 ny or body of Colonists against or into Canada; and that 
 this Resolve be immediately transmitted to the Comman- 
 der of the Forces at Ticonderoga. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 "Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 A draught of an answer to the Governourand Company 
 of Connecticut was read, and approved, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 6, 1775. 
 May it please your Honour : 
 
 We take leave to enclose a resolution of the Grand 
 Congress of the thirty-first of May, and at the same time 
 to present you our acknowledgment for the letter which we 
 had the honour to receive from you, dated the twenty- 
 ninth. Be assured, Sir, that we are most gratefully sensi- 
 ble of the cheerfulness with which the Government of 
 Connecticut has exerted itself to support the important 
 posts of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, until our abilities 
 may enable us to execute that trust which the Continental 
 Congress has on that subject thought proper in the first 
 instance to repose in us. 
 
 We are sorry to present you with the very disagreeable 
 intelligence that we have not a sufficient quantity of pow- 
 der in this Colony to enable us at present to contribute in 
 the least towards supplying those posts with that article, a 
 circumstance which is the more distressing as we have 
 great reason to believe that a very considerable quantity 
 will be required for the defence of the Northern Frontier. 
 
 In compliance with the requisition made upon us, we 
 have expedited our orders for the several things contained 
 in the enclosed list, at the bottom whereof is an account of 
 the several articles already sent for that service, and the 
 persons employed in it. 
 
 We pray your Honour to believe that we feel the utmost 
 desire of co-operating with our sister Colonies in executing 
 the resolves of the Congress ; and that we are, with great 
 respect, your Honour's most obedient and humble servants. 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour 
 
 of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Ordered, That the Powder which Mr. Peter T. Cur- 
 tenius has in his custody, be sent to the Committee at Al- 
 bany, to be by them retained, and that Mr. Curtenius write 
 to the Committee and acquaint them therewith. 
 
 Ordered, That the gentlemen who are Deputies for the 
 City and County of Albany, and Mr. Richard Laurence 
 be a Committee to prepare a draft of an answer to the 
 Letter this day received from the Committee at Albany; 
 and that they make report with all convenient speed. 
 
 Henry fVatkeys, a Gunsmith, was sent for by order of the 
 Congress, and attended ; after conversing with him on the 
 subject of making Gun-barrels, he agreed to go to New- 
 Windsor to consult with Mr. Robert Boyd about the forg- 
 ing of Gun-barrels and making Muskets. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Henry fVatkeys proceed to 
 ?\cw-JVindsor, and endeavour to fix a proper plan with 
 Robert Boyd, for carrying on Gun and Musket making, 
 and on his return report to this Board his proceedings in 
 the premises : and 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will defray the expenses 
 of the said Henry fVatkeys in his journey to New- If ind- 
 sor, or allow him such daily wages during that time as he 
 can usually earn at his trade. 
 
 A Letter from the Neiu-York Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, dated Philadelphia, June 3, 1775, was 
 received and read. 
 
 Mr. Scott (seconded by Mr. Morris) moved that that 
 part of the Letter of the New-York Delegates in the Con- 
 tinental Congress, dated on the 3d instant, which respects 
 the recommendation of a Major and Brigadier-General for 
 the Continental Army, be immediately taken into consi- 
 deration. 
 
 And debates arising thereon, it was postponed till the 
 morning at the request of the Deputies of Albany, Suffolk, 
 and Richmond Counties. 
 
 Dissentients — Albany, Col. Van Rensselaer, Mr. Cuy- 
 ler; Suffolk, Mr. Hoburt. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morn- 
 ing. _ 
 
 Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., June 7, 177o. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Bodin. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugli 
 Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abraham 
 Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James Beek- 
 man, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Benjamin 
 Kissam, John Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, John 
 Mars ton. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw. 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Henry Glenn, Peter Silvester, Walter 
 Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hofi- 
 man, Richard Montgomerie, Gysbert Schenck, Ephraim 
 Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — Peter Clowes, William Allison, and 
 Jeremiah Clark. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobait, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra LHommedieu, Tho- 
 mas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas. 
 Junior. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John LefFertse. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Morris, from the Committee for that purpose, re- 
 ported a draught of a Letter to the New-York Delegates 
 at the Continental Congress, on the subject of erecting a 
 Fortification at King's Bridge. The same was read and 
 approved of, and is in the words following: 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New-York, June 7, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Upon receiving the resolutions of the 
 Congress which relate to the fortifying King's Bridge. 
 &c, we appointed Committees to view those places. Our 
 Committee from King's Bridge made a report the third 
 instant, of which we send you a copy. We have only to 
 add, that by reason of the easiness of approach, which will 
 arise from the great irregularity of the ground on Manhat- 
 tan's Island, especially to the northward, no fortification can 
 be so constructed as to be tenable for any length of time ; 
 and even if such thing were practicable, yet if the enemy 
 are superiour in the field, then, as they must necessarily 
 command the rivers, such fortification might be reduced by 
 famine, if not otherwise to be taken. It follows, therefore, 
 that if the post is to be fortified, with a view to render it a 
 magazine or place of arms, that no part of the island is 
 properly adapted to that purpose. 
 
 Considering it in the light of a post for preserving the 
 communication between the city and country, upon a 
 supposition that the rivers are occupied by ships-of-war. 
 then if the place marked A were strong and capable o: 
 sustaining a regular siege, still a body of forces on the 
 island could as effectually cut off the communication in 
 many other places. On the other hand, if the enemy 
 should possess themselves of the post A, besides that it is 
 commanded by the two heights marked B, particularly 
 Tippett's Hill, yet it would by no means serve to cut 
 off the communication, because it would be easy to cross 
 Harlem River in boats, with a body of forces, in several 
 places, where no vessel-of-war could lay without being ex- 
 posed to fire from such very high grounds as to be quite 
 
1279 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1280 
 
 out of the reach of her artillery ; and also because that 
 river is fordable in places which are covered from any fire 
 which can be made from the said post. And not only 
 would the enemy's possession be ineffectual for their pur- 
 poses, it would also bring on them certain destruction ; for 
 that it would be very easy to cut oft* their retreat to the 
 Town, and, from the great elevation of ground above the 
 river, to prevent any relief which they would receive from 
 vessels-of-war ; wherefore, if we have the superiority in 
 the field, they would be with great ease driven from that 
 post, or starved in it. 
 
 This place, therefore, (the only one which can secure 
 the bridges,) being of little consequence to us, and of still 
 less to them, we are of opinion that it would be very 
 imprudent to fortify it at present, because the expense will 
 be much greater than after we have troops embodied, 
 who can perform much of the labour, and also for a reason 
 mentioned in the report of our Committee. 
 
 You will take notice, gentlemen, that we have no am- 
 munition, nor any Engineer — two most necessary imple- 
 ments of war, you will certainly acknowledge ; the first we 
 hope for from the endeavours of our merchants, the last 
 you will take some care to procure, if to be had amongst 
 you. 
 
 Be assured that we have the greatest willingness to obey 
 the resolutions of the Grand Congress ; and if in their wis- 
 dom they shall think fit to overrule the reasons which we 
 have offered, doubt not that we shall use our utmost efforts 
 to comply with their requisitions. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants. 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of this Letter be engrossed, signed 
 by the President, and, together with a copy of the Report 
 therein mentioned, and a copy of a Draught or Plan therein 
 mentioned, be transmitted by the first conveyance. 
 
 The Report above mentioned is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 We, your Committee appointed to view the ground in 
 the environs of King's Bridge, do most humbly report: 
 
 That in obedience to your commands we have examined 
 the heights in that neighbourhood, taking such assistance 
 as the shortness of the notice permitted us to procure, and 
 are of opinion that a post (capable of containing three hun- 
 dred men) erected on the high ground adjoining Mr. Hyatt's 
 house, marked A in the annexed map, will answer the pur- 
 pose proposed by the Continental Congress in their requi- 
 sition, so far as the occupying that bridge can contribute to 
 the keeping up a communication between the country and 
 this city ; lor we beg leave to observe, that an enemy may 
 land and seize on several posts in this island capable of 
 interrupting, though not totally cutting off that communica- 
 tion held up as a point of so much importance by the Con- 
 tinental Congress. We are farther of opinion that this work 
 should be constructed by troops when embodied and ready 
 to occupy it, your Committee being humbly of opinion it 
 would be the highest imprudence to erect a fortification 
 before we have the means of defending it. By this mode of 
 proceeding the expense will also be very much reduced. 
 We believe that though there be no water immediately on 
 the spot proposed for this post, yet means may be fallen upon 
 to cover those who go to a well sunk in the adjoining low 
 ground, near Mr. Hyatt's house, especially as we conceive 
 this post is not supposed to sustain any regular attack, or 
 of many hours' duration, without relief. We think fas- 
 cines the cheapest and best materials to face this work, and 
 that an abattis or fallen wood will contribute much to the 
 security of the post. With respect to the particular form 
 and dimensions, your Committee dare not venture (with- 
 out the assistance of an Engineer) to recommend any par- 
 ticular plan to your consideration, and therefore pray your 
 attention to provide a person of experience in this line of 
 military science. All which is most humbly submitted. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 James Van Cortlandt, Chairman. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, the Congress resumed 
 the consideration of the Letter from the Delegates of this 
 Colony at the Continental Congress; and after some time 
 spent therein the Congress unanimously resolved and agreed 
 that Colonel Philip Schuyler is the most proper person in 
 
 this Colony to be recommended as a Major-General, and 
 Richard Montgomerie, Esq., as a Brigadier-General. 
 
 And Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Mr. Morris be a 
 Committee to prepare and report the draft of a Letter to 
 our Delegates at the Continental Congress, informing them 
 of our sentiments on this subject, and the reasons of our 
 choice. 
 
 The Committee appointed for that purpose, reported a 
 draft of a Report of additional Artificers and Stores to be 
 forwarded to Ticondcroga. The same was read and agreed 
 to, and is in the words and figures following, to wit : 
 
 The Committee having considered the requisition on this 
 Colony made by Colonel B. Arnold, commandant at Ti- 
 conderoga, for provisions and stores, &.c, transmitted to this 
 Congress by the Committee of Albany, and at the same 
 time compared it with the list of supplies already ordered to 
 be sent, do report, that the following additional stores, &c, 
 ought to be provided and sent : 10 men of the train of 
 artillery : 12 ship carpenters and caulkers : 2 gunsmiths : 2 
 blacksmiths: 2 masons: 100 hatchets: 20 broadaxes: 50 
 spades : 50 hoes : the iron work for 4 gins and blocks ; 
 8 falls for do, of 4£ inch rope : 1 coil 2£ inch rope, 1 coil 
 2 inch rope, 1 coil 1£ inch rope, 100 fathoms each : 4 
 pieces ravens duck: 40 pounds sewing twine: 10 dozen 
 of sail and bolt rope needles : 1 dozen palms : 2 seines, 
 30 fathom long, capt 12 feet, and arms 6 feet deep, of 
 coarse twine, meshes 1£ inch square: 2 dozen of nail ham- 
 mers : 1 faggot of steel. 
 
 As to the oxen, carts, &ic, mentioned in the said requi- 
 sition, your Committee are of opinion that those can be 
 procured in the neighbourhood of that post. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be made and delivered 
 to Peter T. Curtenius, and that he be desired to obtain 
 the said Artificers, Men, and Stores, and forward the same 
 to Albany with all possible despatch. 
 
 The same Committee also reported a draft of a Letter 
 to the Committee of Albany, which was read and approved 
 of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 New. York Provincial Congress, June 7, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Before this conies to hand you will be 
 furnished with our directions, dated 1st instant. We are 
 convinced of the necessity of giving you explicit instruc- 
 tions respecting your conduct ; but the variety of business 
 in which this Congress has been engaged, and the time 
 which is necessarily taken up in our friendly intercourse 
 with the Continental Congress and the Colony of Connec- 
 ticut, does necessarily occasion at times an apparent delay 
 in our directions to you. 
 
 We highly approve of your zeal and activity in raising 
 troops, but request you not to proceed in making farther 
 levies until further orders. The two companies raised in 
 your County and already on their march, ypu will suffer 
 to proceed to join the forces at Ticonderoga ; but must 
 observe to you, that by the direction of the Continental 
 Congress, their pay will stand on the same footing with that 
 of the Eastern Colonies, without allowing bounties or cloth- 
 ing to the men ; and that they are to continue in the ser- 
 vice until the last day of December next, unless the Con- 
 tinental Congress shall direct that they be sooner disbanded. 
 
 Those companies who are under your direction formed, 
 and not sent up, you will continue in pay, if your engage- 
 ment with them will not justify your discharging them ; 
 and request that you send to this Congress a return of the . 
 officers and men in each company. 
 
 The troops taken at St. John's who are with you, should 
 remain at liberty, and they may probably be of service in 
 instructing your inhabitants the military exercise. If they 
 refuse earning their bread in this, or any other way, it is 
 however the intention of this Congress that they shall re- 
 ceive their subsistence out of the Colony provisions. 
 
 Enclosed we send you a copy of a letter from the Con- 
 tinental Congress, and their resolve respecting the appoint- 
 ment of Commissaries for receiving supplies of provisions 
 at Albany. 
 
 Enclosed is also a copy of a resolve of the Grand 
 Congress to discourage any incursions into Canada; but 
 this has in some measure been anticipated by a former 
 resolution of this House, already published, as well as 
 your request respecting our letter to Governour Trumbull 
 
1281 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1282 
 
 a copy of which has been sent you by Colonel Ten 
 liroeck. We are, &x. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter to the Com- 
 mittee of Albany be engrossed, signed by the President, 
 and transmitted. 
 
 The gentlemen appointed a Committee for that purpose, 
 reported draughts of two several Letters to the Delegates of 
 this Colony at the Grand Continental Congress, which were 
 severally read and approved, and are in the words follow- 
 ing, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congres9, New-York, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the third instant we have 
 received, and are happy to find that we have the honour 
 of your concurrence in our sentiments on the subject of 
 emitting a Paper Currency. We pray leave to add, that 
 unless your respectable body shall make some speedy 
 order with relation to the levying of money, it will be im- 
 possible for us to comply with their further requests. 
 Publick faith has been stretched as far as it will go, and 
 the pledge of a future fund to be hereafter devised, hath 
 been trusted to its full value. We have engaged ourselves 
 personally, and further we cannot proceed, unless every 
 private gentlemen amongst us will consent to sacrifice his 
 own property to the pressing calls made upon him by the 
 publick. 
 
 The importance, the necessity of attention to Indian 
 affairs, is deeply impressed on our minds, because our pub- 
 lick peace is more endangered by the situation of the bar- 
 barians to the westward of us, than it can be by any inroads 
 made upon the sea-coast. Britain will spare the last for 
 her own sake, and policy will teach her Ministers to light 
 up an Indian war upon our frontiers, that we may be driven 
 for protection to embrace their terms of slavery. To 
 obviate such evils will, we hope, occupy a considerable 
 share of your wise attention. We do not presume to dic- 
 tate any measure to you, being confident of your prudence 
 and knowledge ; at the same time we submit it to your con- 
 sideration whether it is proper to leave the management of 
 the numerous tribes of Indians entirely in the hands of per- 
 sons appointed and paid by the Crown. If it be not, then 
 you will best be able to determine the proper remedy for 
 this evil, and whether it will not be both politick and just to 
 nominate a Continental Superintendent of Indian affairs, 
 and provide ways and means to defray the expenses of his 
 office; or whether we may not have greater cause to appre- 
 hend danger from such appointment than by suffering these 
 things to flow in their former channel, seeing that the In- 
 dians have already declared their willingness to preserve 
 peace unless their Superintendent shall be molested. 
 
 We have hitherto received no sufficient supply of pow- 
 der or other ammunition for the defence of our Colony ; and 
 whilst we regret our present inability, we beg leave to assure 
 you, that if Connecticut can furnish a sufficient store for 
 the garrisons of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, (posts 
 which are necessary for our mutual protection,) as soon as 
 it is in our power we shall gladly replace the expenditure. 
 
 The extensive qualifications necessary to form the Gene- 
 ral, are far beyond the reach of our humble abilities, and 
 better fitted to the wisdom of the Continental Congress. 
 We feel ourselves under the deepest obligations to you for 
 enabling us to recommend persons to the offices of Major 
 and Brigadier-General. We are sensible of the extent of 
 this condescension, and are equally affected by the honour 
 of the trust, and our incapacity to execute it. 
 
 Courage, prudence, readiness in expedients, nice per- 
 ception, sound judgment and great attention, these are a 
 few of the natural qualities which appear to us to be pro- 
 per. To these ought to be added an extensive acquaint- 
 ance with the sciences, particularly the various branches of 
 mathematick knowledge, long practice in the military art, 
 and, above all, a knowledge of mankind. On a General 
 in America, fortune also should bestow her gifts, that he 
 may rather communicate lustre to his dignities than receive 
 it. and that his country in his property, his kindred, and 
 connexions, may have sure pledges that he will faithfully 
 perform the duties of his high office, and readily lay down 
 his power when the general weal shall require it. 
 
 Since we cannot do all that we wish, we will go as far 
 towards it as we can, and therefore you will not be sur- 
 prised to hear that we are unanimous in the choice of Colo- 
 
 Foubth Series. — Vol. ii. g 
 
 nel Philip Schuyler, and Captain Richard Montgomerie, 
 to the offices of Major and Brigadier-General. If we knew 
 how to recommend them to your notice more strongly 
 than by telling you that, after considering the qualifications 
 above stated, these gentlemen were approved of without a 
 single dissent, our regard to the publick service would cer- 
 tainly lead us to do it in the most forcible terms ; nor will 
 we enter into a minute detail of the character and situa- 
 tions of two gentlemen with whom our Delegates cannot 
 but be acquainted. In a word we warmly recommend 
 them, because we have no doubt but their appointment 
 will give general satisfaction. 
 
 We beg leave to assure you, gentlemen, that we are, &c. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: The Colonies of Massachusetts and Con- 
 necticut have formed their respective armies, and nomi- 
 nated to the general command of them; the supposition 
 that in case a Continental Army should be established by 
 authority of your respectable body, their officers will be 
 permitted to preserve their respective ranks, appears to us 
 highly probable. In this view, we think it not improba- 
 ble that we should be called on for a recommendation to 
 fill the offices in the military appointment of this Colony. 
 We take the liberty for the present to furnish you with our 
 sentiments on the appointment of a Major and Brigadier- 
 General ; and submit them to your superiour wisdom, either 
 for use or concealment. Our only motive is to prevent a 
 delay that might otherwise be occasioned by an opinion 
 you may entertain of the necessity of asking our senti- 
 ments on that subject. 
 
 Courage, prudence, readiness in expedients, nice percep- 
 tion, sound judgment, and great attention, these are a few 
 of the natural qualities which appear to us to be proper. 
 To these ought to be added, an extensive acquaintance 
 with the sciences, particularly the various branches of ma- 
 thematick knowledge, long practice in the military art, and, 
 above all, a knowledge of mankind. On a General in 
 America, fortune also should bestow her gifts, that he may 
 rather communicate lustre to his dignities than receive it, 
 and that his country in his property, his kindred, and con- 
 nexions, may have sure pledges that he will faithfully per- 
 form the duties of his high office, and readily lay down his 
 power when the general weal requires it. 
 
 Since we cannot do all that we wish, we will go as far 
 towards it as we can, and therefore you will not be sur- 
 prised to hear that we are unanimous in the choice of Colo- 
 nel Philip Schuyler and Captain Richard Montgomerie 
 to the offices of Major and Brigadier-General. If we 
 knew how to recommend them to your notice more strongly 
 than by telling you that, after considering the qualifications 
 above stated, these gentlemen were approved of without 
 a single dissent, our regard to the pubfick service would 
 certainly lead us to do it in the most forcible terms ; nor 
 will we enter into a minute detail of the characters and 
 situations of two gentlemen with whom our Delegates can- 
 not but be acquainted. In a word, we warmly recommend 
 them, because we have no doubt but their appointment 
 will give general satisfaction. 
 
 We beg leave to assure you, gentlemen, that we are, with 
 the profoundest respect, &c. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of each of the said Letters be 
 engrossed, and signed by the President, and transmitted to 
 the Delegates from this Colony in the Continental Con- 
 gress, by Joseph Stevens, as a messenger for that purpose ; 
 and that the President write a private Letter to the Dele- 
 gates, to inform them of the reason of sending both these 
 Letters, and requesting them to produce either, and sup- 
 press the other, as they may see fit. 
 
 Resolved, That whensoever doubts shall arise with re- 
 spect to the Recommendations or Resolutions of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, or of this Board, in the minds of private 
 persons, it is the duty of such persons to apply to this 
 Board for an explanation thereof; and that any attempts to 
 raise tumults, riots, or mobs, either under colour of a du- 
 bious interpretation of such Recommendations or Resolu- 
 tions, or for any other reasons or purposes, is a high infrac- 
 tion of the General Association, and tends directly to the 
 dissolution of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolution be published in the 
 
1283 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1T75. 
 
 1284 
 
 Newspapers; and that two thousand copies thereof he 
 printed in - handbills. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 4to ho. P. M., Juno 7, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of Neiv- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Benjamin Kissam, John 
 Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President; Abraham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck BrinckerhofF, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, and 
 Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — Peter Clowes and William Allison. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, and John Thomas. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, and John 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 and Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackvvell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, and Nathaniel Torn. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Montgomerie, Colonel Holmes, 
 and Mr. Hallett, be a Committee to examine the list of 
 sundry articles retained by the Merchants of New-York 
 at the request of the City Committee, and report whether 
 any and what part of those Goods may be necessary to be 
 retained for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Mr. Kissam reported a draught of a Letter to Joseph 
 Warren, Esq., and others, the Committee of Safety for the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay ; which was read, and 
 approved of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The multiplicity of business brought be- 
 fore us by the Continental Congress, and a short adjourn- 
 ment of our body from Saturday till Tuesday morning, 
 have rendered it impossible for us to give a more early at- 
 tention to your favour of the 26th ultimo. We have little 
 to say upon the principal subject of your letter, as we con- 
 ceive that the Provincial Congresses of both Colonies are 
 concluded from any discretionary provision relative to the 
 ordnance and other stores taken at Crown Point and Ti- 
 cond.eroga, of which you must be fully convinced by the 
 acts of the Continental Congress on that subject, copies 
 of which are enclosed. 
 
 We are fully apprised of the dangerous consequences 
 that would await this Capital of our Colony, either from 
 supineness, or a confidence in the honour of those who, 
 being the avowed instruments of ministerial vengeance, we 
 cannot expect will hold any faith with us. Whatever arti- 
 cles we are now possessed of that may be used to the injury 
 of this City in particular, or of the Continent in general, 
 we shall be studious to prevent, if possible, from falling into 
 the hands of our enemies. 
 
 In sympathizing with you for the unhappy Town of 
 Boston, we shall do every thing in our power to prevent 
 this City from being reduced to the same deplorable situa- 
 tion, and shall watchfully attend to every means of defence 
 which our present or future circumstances may enable us 
 to improve. 
 
 We arc, gentlemen and brethren, with great respect and 
 sincere affection, your most obedient humble servants. 
 To Joseph Warren, Esq., and the Committee of Safety 
 
 for the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, Watertown. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Letter be engrossed, signed 
 by the President, and transmitted by the first opportunity. 
 
 Captain Montgomerie, from the Committee appointed 
 for that purpose, brought in a Report of such parts of the 
 Goods retained by the Merchants of this City, at the re- 
 quest of the Committee of the City of New- York, as may 
 be necessary to be retained at the expense of the Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report lay on the table for the 
 perusal of the Members. 
 
 Whereas, James Rivington, of this City, Printer, hath 
 signed the General Association, and has lately published a 
 handbill declaring his intention rigidly to adhere to the said 
 Association ; and also asked the pardon of the publick, 
 who have been offended by his ill-judged publications : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the said James Rivington be 
 permitted to return to his house and family; and that this 
 Congress doth recommend it to the inhabitants of this Colo- 
 ny not to molest him in his person or property. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration the case of 
 Robert and John Murray, which lies before this Congress 
 by a general reference from the Continental Congress ; and 
 after some time spent therein, it was ordered to be deferred 
 for further consideration. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., June 8, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Moore. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Isaac 
 Roosevelt, John De Lancey, John Marston, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Benja- 
 min Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, 
 and Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, and 
 Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Le*vis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Co- 
 ven hoven, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 and Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County, — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 A Letter, dated Cambridge, June 4, 1775, from Arte- 
 mas Ward, General of the Massachusetts Army, Joseph 
 Warren, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, and Moses 
 Gill, Chairman of the Committee of Supplies, was read. 
 
 An answer to the said Letter was read, and approved, 
 and is in the words following, to wit ; 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, Juno 8, 1775. 
 
 Brethren and Countrymen: Your letter of the 4th 
 instant hath afflicted and astonished us. We did console 
 ourselves in our want of ammunition, with an assurance 
 that you were possessed of a very ample quantity for your 
 defence. We expected a supply with patience, because 
 we had a good hope that the absolute necessity would not 
 arise before it was provided against ; and incautiously, the 
 whole of what was in the Colony of New-York, hath been 
 so disposed of that there is not now one hundred weight 
 to be purchased for any price. We have forwarded your 
 
1285 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1286 
 
 letter to the American Congress, and hope that the Colony 
 of Pennsylvania may be able to succour you, though we 
 cannot. You have our warmest wishes in the great cause 
 of American liberty, and we pray you to believe that we 
 are firmly resolved to withstand the encroachments of Min- 
 isterial tyranny to the utmost of our abilities, and to labour 
 for the restoration of that harmony between these Colonies 
 and the parent State, which is essential to the peace, the 
 glory, the existence of the whole British Empire. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, 
 To the Hon. Artemas Ward, General of the Massachusetts 
 Army ; Joseph Warren, Chairman of the Committee of 
 Safety ; Moses Gill, Chairman of the Committee of Sup- 
 plies, at Cambridge, Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed, and 
 transmitted. 
 
 The President, with the leave of the Congress, left the 
 Chair, and went to Elizabethtown, to confer with the Com- 
 mittee there on the above-mentioned Letter from General 
 Ward ; and the Vice-President took the Chair. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the honourable the Continental 
 Congress, to attend a copy of the above-mentioned Letter 
 from General Ward and Messrs. Warren and Gill, was 
 read and approved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the Vice-President, and transmitted. 
 
 Whereas, by an Order of the Continental Congress of 
 the 15th of May ultimo, and the explanation of the Con- 
 tinental Delegates of this Colony accompanying the said 
 Order, it appears that the inhabitants of this City are di- 
 rected not to remove any Military Stores belonging to the 
 Crown : And whereas, this Congress is well informed that 
 some persons have lately seized and removed the Military 
 Stores belonging to the Crown at Turtle-Bay, this Con- 
 gress doth Resolve, That such a step is a direct breach of 
 the Continental Order, and tends to destroy the weight of 
 their and our authority, is inimical to the true interest of 
 the Colonies, and tends to involve this City in the utmost 
 confusion and distress : and also, 
 
 Resolved, That Messrs. Isaac Roosevelt, John Van 
 Cortlandt, Alexander McDougall, David Clarkson, Joseph 
 Hallett, Benjamin Kissam, Gouverneur Morris, and Isaac 
 Low, be a Committee to repair immediately to Turtle- 
 Bay, to signify this Resolution to the persons that may 
 be assembled there for the purpose aforesaid, and to order 
 them immediately to disperse, and desist from the further 
 execution of the said measure. 
 
 And Resolved also, That such of the said Stores as may 
 have been removed, be immediately replaced. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Jovis, 4to ho. P. M., June 8, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 Volkert P. Douw, Esq., Vice-President. 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Isaac Low, 
 Alexander McDougall, Joseph Hallett, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 David Clarkson, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Robert Yates, Abra- 
 ham Yates, Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Liv- 
 ingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Lan- 
 don, Gysbert Schenck, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Peter Clowes, William 
 Allison, Abraham Lent, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Ho- 
 bart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and Thos. 
 Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John 
 Thomas, Junior, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 
 Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, and John 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 and Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Scott, seconded by Mr. McDougall, moved in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 Mr. President, as 1 am of opinion that it is absolutely 
 necessary to dismantle the fort, and to secure certain im- 
 plements and other accommodations for war in this City, 
 to the end that they may not be hostilely used against us, 
 1 move that application be immediately made to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, to authorize this Congress to exercise a 
 discretionary power with respect to every measure that 
 may appear to us necessary to prevent the said fort and 
 other fortifications, implements, and accommodations for 
 war in this City, from being offensively used against it. 
 
 Debates arose on the said motion, and the question being 
 put thereon, it was carried in the negative, in the following 
 manner, to wit : 
 
 For the Motion. Against the Motion. 
 
 2 Orange County, 2 King's County, 
 
 2 Ulster County, 2 Richmond County, 
 
 2 Suffolk County, 4 New-York County, 
 
 2 Dutchess County, 3 Albany County, 
 
 2 Charlotte County. 2 Westchester County. 
 
 10 13 
 
 Mr. McDougall, Walter Livingston, Colonel Hoffman, 
 dissentients against the vote of the Counties they respect- 
 ively represent. 
 
 Mr. Kissam, from the Committee who went to Turtle- 
 Bay, reported, that the Committee went to Turtle-Bay, 
 and found no person there ; that having been informed that 
 sundry persons were at the house of David Devore, the 
 Committee went there, and found some persons there arm- 
 ed ; that upon informing them of the Resolve of this Con- 
 gress, in consequence of which the said Committee was 
 appointed, the persons there armed acknowledged that 
 some Military Stores had been removed from Turtle-Bay ; 
 and they did engage that the said Stores should be return- 
 ed, if carts were sent up to Turtle-Bay for that purpose. 
 And Mr. Kissam farther reported, that Mr. Low and him- 
 self had sent up cartmen with carts to Turtle-Bay, to carry- 
 back and replace the said Stores. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Report of the 
 Committee who were appointed to examine the list of the 
 Goods retained by the Merchants, at the request of the 
 Committee of the City of New- York ; and, after some 
 time spent therein, it was deferred till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thomas Wickham having the care of Gardner's Island, 
 which is much exposed to having the stock taken off by 
 armed vessels for the use of the King's Troops at Boston, 
 or elsewhere ; and the said Island being in a defenceless 
 state, desires the advice of this Board, whether he be per- 
 mitted to take pay for said stock, in case it is not in his 
 power to prevent their taking the same. 
 
 After some time spent in consideration thereof, it was 
 deferred for further consideration. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho., June 9, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David 
 Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin 
 Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston, Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 
1287 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, MAY, 1775. 
 
 1288 
 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, and 
 Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, William Allison, Abra- 
 ham Lent, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 John Leffertse, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 and Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Sears attending at the door, was called in, and 
 produced a Certificate from the General Committee of As- 
 sociation for the City and County of Neiv-York, signed by 
 Henry Remsen, Deputy' Chairman ; which being read, is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 New. York Committee Chamber, June 8, 1775. 
 
 In pursuance of an order of this Committee, at their 
 last meeting, a poll was this day opened at the City-Hall 
 for the election of a Deputy to represent this City and 
 County in Provincial Congress, in the place of Mr. George 
 Folliot, who declines serving ; and by a return of the said 
 poll, it appears that Mr. Isaac Sears was elected by a great 
 majority as a Deputy for the purpose above-mentioned. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 Henry Remsen, Dep. Chairman. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Certificate be filed, and that 
 Mr. Sears take his seat accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sears, Mr. De Lanccy, and Mr.Mc- 
 Dougall, be a Secret Committee to examine what quantity 
 of Saltpetre is in the hands of the Apothecaries in this 
 City, and to make report with all convenient speed. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report 
 of the Committee appointed to examine the list of Goods 
 retained by the Merchants of this City, at the request of 
 the General Committee ; and after some time spent therein, 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Montgomerie, Colonel Holmes, 
 Mr. Hallett, Mr. Brasher, Mr. Glenn, and Mr. Cuyler, be 
 a Committee to estimate and report to this Congress the 
 quantity of every article necessary for equipping three 
 thousand effective men, including officers ; and that they 
 make report with all convenient speed. 
 
 The Congress resumed the case of Robert and John 
 Murray; and after some time spent therein, 
 
 Ordered, That it be deferred for further consideration. 
 
 Mr. Sears informed this Congress, that the following 
 small quantities of Gunpowder, formerly delivered out of 
 the Magazines in this City for sale, yet remain unsold, to 
 wit : one hundred weight in the care of Messrs. Woodward 
 and Kip; one hunched weight in the care of Jeremiah 
 Piatt: one hundred pounds of damaged powder in the 
 care of Comfort Sands ; and fifty pounds do., in the care of 
 Messrs. Berrian and Fish ; about twenty pounds in the 
 care of Thomas Hazard. 
 
 Ordered, That those several gentlemen who have the 
 care of the said Powder, be respectively directed to keep 
 the whole now in their custody until the farther order of 
 this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That all the damaged Powder now in this 
 City, and also the damaged Powder at Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, be sent to the Powder-Mill near Hudson's 
 River, in Rhynbeck Precinct, to be remanufactured. 
 
 And the following Letter to the Commander-in-Chief at 
 Ticonderoga, and also the following Letter to the Commis- 
 sioners at Albany, appointed to superintend the removal 
 of the Cannon and Stores from Ticonderoga and Croivn 
 Point, being respectively read, were approved of. 
 
 And the said Letter to the said Commander-in-Chief is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Sir : This Congress have received credible information 
 that there is a very large quantity of damaged gunpowder 
 under your care at Ticonderoga, which can be so cured and 
 manufactured as to render it fit for use. There is a mill 
 erected near the east side of Hudson's River, in Rhynbeck 
 Precinct, in Dutchess County, for the purpose of making 
 gunpowder. We have therefore requested our Commis- 
 sioners at Albany, with all diligence and despatch, to send 
 the said damaged powder to that place ; and we request 
 that you will, on their application, assist in forwarding it ; 
 and that this matter may be kept as secret as possible. 
 
 By order and in behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 P. S. We enclose a Resolve of the Continental Congress, 
 certified by their Secretary, enclosed to us to be forwarded. 
 
 And the said Letter to the Commissioners at Albany, is 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We are well informed that there is a large 
 quantity of damaged gunpowder at Ticonderoga, w hich may 
 be rendered fit for use, and that there is a mill erected in 
 Rhynbeck Precinct, near Hudson's River, for that purpose. 
 That article is now become an object of great importance. 
 This Congress do therefore request, that you will, without 
 delay, give directions that all the damaged powder at Ti- 
 conderoga and Crown Point be immediately brought down 
 to the said manufactory ; and that you acquaint us with the 
 quantity which you shall have sent to the said manufactory. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 To Messrs. John N. Bleccker, Henry J. Bogert, George 
 
 Palmer, Dirck Swart, and Peter Lansing, at Albany. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of each of the said Letters be 
 engrossed, signed by the President, and transmitted with all 
 convenient speed ; and that a copy (certified) of the above 
 Order of this Congress for the removal of the said damaged 
 Powder, be enclosed to the Commander-in-Chief at Ticon- 
 deroga ; and also that a certified copy thereof be sent to 
 the said Commissioners at Albany. 
 
 Whereas, sundry Mills and other Manufactories for the 
 making of Gunpowder and Muskets, are now erected and 
 about to be erected within this Colony; and forasmuch as 
 all such Manufactories will greatly tend both to the imme- 
 diate defence and the future wealth of this Colony, 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That for every hundred weight of 
 good Gunpowder which, upon due proof, shall be certified 
 by the Committee of the County where any Powder-Mill 
 is or shall be erected, to have been manufactured within 
 this Colony, and to have been delivered to the said Com- 
 mittee, the bounty of five Pounds shall be paid to the manu- 
 facturer thereof, over and above the price of such Powder ; 
 and for every hundred good Muskets, of proof so certified, 
 the bounty of twenty Pounds ; the bounties abovesaid to 
 continue for twelve months from the date of this Resolve. 
 
 Mr. Tredwell made a motion, in the words following, to 
 wit : 
 
 As it may hereafter be necessary to dismantle the Fort 
 in this City, for the preservation of the inhabitants from 
 the insults of the soldiery, in case of the arrival of Troops 
 from Great Britain or Ireland; and as the Cannon and 
 other implements of war in the said Fort, and upon the 
 Battery, and in other parts of this City, will be necessary 
 for the completing those fortifications which the Continental 
 Congress have ordered us to erect ; and as, by an early 
 order from that respectable body, we conceive that we are 
 not at liberty to take possession of any of the King's muni- 
 tions or stores of war, I move that we do immediately des- 
 patch a Letter to the Continental Congress, praying their 
 most speedy advice and directions in the premises. 
 
 The said motion being seconded by Mr. Scott, debates 
 arose thereon ; and it was insisted by those Members who 
 opposed the motion, that it was the same in substance with 
 a motion made, voted on, and carried in the negative on 
 yesterday. 
 
 And the question being put thereon, Whether this mo- 
 tion is the same in substance with that of yesterday ? 
 
1289 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1290 
 
 It was carried in the affirmative, in the manner follow- 
 
 ing, viz : 
 
 That it is the same Motion. 
 
 3 Albany, 
 2 King's, 
 
 2 Westchester, 
 
 2 Richmond, 
 
 2 Suffolk, 
 
 4 New- York. 
 
 15 
 
 That it in not the same Motion. 
 2 Dutchess, 
 2 Orange, 
 2 Charlotte, 
 2 Ulster. 
 
 Queen's County Deputies being equally divided, could 
 not vote. 
 
 Mr. Tredwell, Colonel Hoffman, and Mr. Henry Wil- 
 liams, respectively, dissented from the votes of their respec- 
 tive Counties, and desired their dissents to be entered. 
 
 The President of this Congress, who went to Elizabeth- 
 town to confer with the Committee there on the subject- 
 matter of the Letter received yesterday from General 
 Ward, returned, and reported to this Congress, that the 
 Committee at Elizabet/itown have only eight quarter casks 
 of Gunpowder, which they are ready to spare for the Pro- 
 vincial Army of Massachusetts-Bay ; that the said Com- 
 mittee of Elizabethtoivn have expectations to obtain a far- 
 ther supply of Powder at Brunswick, which, if obtained, 
 shall be sent to New-York for the use of the said Provin- 
 cial Army of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary 
 of this Congress, give a receipt for the said eight quarter 
 casks of Powder; and also, that the said Commissary give 
 a receipt for such farther quantity of Powder as may be 
 received from the said Committee of Elizabethtoivn, or 
 from Brunswick, and put the same into the Powder-House 
 in this City, until the farther order of this Congress. 
 
 Mr. Scott moved, that the motion made by Mr. Tred- 
 well this day, as before entered on the Minutes, be taken 
 into consideration to-morrow ; and the same being seconded 
 by Mr. Tredwell, debates arose thereon ; and the question 
 being put, it was carried in the affirmative, in manner fol- 
 lowing, viz : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Suffolk, 2 King's. — Mr. Williams dissenting. 
 ■2 Onnge, 2 Richmond. 
 
 3 Albany, — 
 2 Charlotte, 4 
 
 2 Westchester, Queen's County Deputies being 
 
 2 Dutchess, equally divided, could not vote. 
 2 Ulster, 
 
 4 New-York. 
 
 19 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Van Cortlandt, Major Van Cort- 
 landt, and Colonel Van Rensselaer, be added to the Com- 
 mittee of Arrangement of the Troops to be raised in this 
 Colony ; and that the said Committee sit this afternoon. 
 
 Colonel Van Cortlandt and Mr. David Clarkson ob- 
 tained leave of absence for to-morrow. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho., June 10, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Doctor Rodgers. Present : 
 
 For the City and Coun ty of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, James Beekman, Sam'l Verplanck, Richard 
 Yates, Thomas Smith, Benj. Kissam, John Morin Scott, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston, andlsaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, and 
 Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Abraham Lent, and 
 Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, Thomas Tred- 
 well, and Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, Joseph Drake, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas, 
 Junior, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, Nicholas Coven- 
 hoven, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Richard Conner, 
 and Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The President informed the Congress that the Commit- 
 tee of Elizabethtoiim had been so alert as to send the ad- 
 dition of six quarter casks and two half barrels of Powder 
 for the use of the Massachusetts Army ; and a Letter from 
 Abraham Clarke, which attended the same, was read and 
 filed. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Powder, together with that re- 
 ceived yesterday, be committed to the care of Mr. McDou- 
 gall, to be forwarded ; and ordered that he purchase sucli 
 other quantity as he can get, for the same purpose, and 
 forward the whole in such a manner as he shall think most 
 safe and prudent. 
 
 Colonel Tusteen appeared in Congress as a Member for 
 Orange County, in pursuance of his election and return, 
 as appears by a Certificate formerly read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That he take his seat. 
 
 Ordered, That any Cooper in this City of New-York 
 be at liberty to go to Turtle-Bay, or any place adjacent 
 thereto, and cooper and put in order the Crown Stores 
 which were lately removed from thence, in such a manner 
 as Francis Stevens, Esq., shall direct. 
 
 The Mayor of the City of New-York attending at the 
 door, was called in, and informed the Congress that appli- 
 cation had been made to him respecting some Arms lately 
 taken out of the baggage-carts of the Troops lately em- 
 barking from this City ; and he delivered a Letter from his 
 Honour the Lieutenant-Governour to him on that subject ; 
 which was read : And thereupon, 
 
 Mr. Morris moved, and was seconded by Mr. Low, in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 I move that the Arms and Military Accoutrements taken 
 from His Majesty's Troops on Tuesday last, be restored ; 
 and for that purpose that a Resolve of the Congress be 
 made, as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That it is the sense of this Congress, that 
 every inhabitant of this Colony who is possessed of any 
 of the said Arms and Accoutrements, should immediately 
 deliver them to the Mayor of New-York; and that a 
 Committee be appointed to see that this Resolve be com- 
 plied with. 
 
 And debates arising on the said motion ; and the ques- 
 tion being put thereon, it was carried in the affirmative, in 
 the manner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 3 Albany, 2 Charlotte, 2 Orange. 
 2 Westchester, 2 Richmond, 2 Ulster. 
 2 King's, 2 Dutchess. — 
 2 Queen's, — 4 
 
 4 New-York, 19 
 
 Messrs. Scott, McDougall, Lispenard, and Sears, dis- 
 sented from New-York ; Mr. Tom from Queen's County ; 
 Mr. Tappen from Ulster; and Messrs. Landon, Payne, 
 and Sackett, from Dutchess County. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That it is the sense of this Con- 
 gress, that every inhabitant of this Colony who is possessed 
 of any of the said Arms or Accoutrements taken from His 
 Majesty's Troops on Tuesday last, should immediately de- 
 liver them to the Mayor of the City of New- York ; and, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Isaac Roosevelt, Mr. John De Lan- 
 cey, and Mr. John Marston, be a Committee to see this 
 Resolution complied with. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of this Resolve be delivered to 
 the Mayor of the City of New- York. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Governour Trumbull, of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, on the subject of our supply of 
 Powder to the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, was read, and 
 approved. 
 
1291 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1292 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and delivered to Mr. McDougall, to be for- 
 warded. 
 
 This Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 case of Robert and John Murray ; and the Memorial of 
 Robert and John Murray, on the subject of their breach 
 of the Association of the late Continental Congress, and 
 the several papers annexed to it, whereby they pray to be 
 restored to their former commercial privileges, being read, on 
 a reference thereof to us by the Continental Congress ; and 
 it appearing that they, the said Robert and John Murray, 
 have published a printed handbill expressing their contrition 
 for their said offence, and their resolution for the future strictly 
 to adhere to the said Association, and to the further orders 
 of the Continental Congress, the Provincial Congress of this 
 Colony, and the General Committee of Association for this 
 City and County, with a saving for the said Robert, (who 
 is one of the people called Quakers,) as to his religious 
 principles ; and they having voluntarily paid the expenses 
 that accrued for boat-hire, and otherwise, in the attendance 
 of the Committee of Observation, for the purpose of pre- 
 venting any goods from being landed from on board the 
 said ship Beulah; and they having also, by letter under 
 their hands, requested the Committee of Elizabethtown, in 
 New-Jersey, to keep in their custody, at the cost and risk 
 of them, the said Robert and John Murray, the several 
 goods by them landed from on board the said ship, contrary 
 to the said Association, until two vessels shall arrive from 
 London with goods into this Colony, after a general im- 
 portation from Great Britain to the Colonies shall take 
 place : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the said Robert and John 
 Murray shall be, and they are hereby fully restored to their 
 commercial privileges, and declared to be entitled to the 
 forgiveness of the publick. 
 
 Ordered, That Robert and John Murray may have a 
 copy of this Resolve. 
 
 Colonel Clinton and Mr. Tappen, who were a Commit- 
 tee to examine the banks of Hudson's River through the 
 Highlands, and report the most proper place for erecting 
 one or more fortifications, and an estimate of the expense 
 of erecting the same, delivered in their Report, with a Map 
 or Plan of the said River through the Highlands ; which 
 Report was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report lay for the perusal and 
 farther consideration of the Members of this Congress ; and 
 that a copy of the said Report, and of the said Map or 
 plan of Hudson's River, together with a Letter on that 
 subject to accompany the same, be forwarded to the Dele- 
 gates from this Colony at the Continental Congress ; and 
 that Colonel Clinton and Mr. Tappen be a Committee to 
 prepare and report a draught of such Letter. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Brasher, from the Committee appointed 
 to report an estimate of articles necessary to complete 
 three thousand effective men, including officers, delivered 
 in their Report and Estimate; which was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the same remain for farther consideration. 
 
 This Congress having this morning received intimation 
 that Provisions were lading on board of a vessel, whereof 
 one Cojjin is master, for the use of the Army and Navy at 
 Boston, a draught of a Letter to the Delegates from this 
 Colony at the Continental Congress, on that subject, being 
 prepared, was read and approved of. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and sent by the first conveyance. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock next Monday 
 afternoon. 
 
 Die Lunm, 4to ho. P. M., Monday, Juno 12, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Living >t^n, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Joseph Ilallett, Abraham Walton, 
 Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, James Beekman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, Thomas Smith, John 
 Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, and Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkerl P. Douw, 
 Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, Jacob 
 Cuylcr, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van 
 Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 man, Zephaniah Piatt, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, 
 Abraham Lent, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Thomas Tredwell. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, and John Leffertse. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Joseph Drake, James Holmes, 
 and Robert Graham. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Rich'd Conner, and Rich'd Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Samuel Townshend and Joseph 
 Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 The President informed this Congress that he had re- 
 ceived a Letter from the New-York Delegates at the Con- 
 tinental Congress, the contents and subject-matter whereof 
 ought to be kept a profound secret. And the said Letter 
 being read, is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : We are now to acknowledge the honour 
 of your despatches of the 7th instant. We have long 
 foreseen the difficulties you must be reduced to for want of 
 money. They will not be lessened by the resolution of 
 the Congress of yesterday, recommending it to you to 
 procure and forward five thousand barrels of flour for the 
 use of the Army at Boston. We communicated the para- 
 graph of your letter, in which you complain that unless the 
 Congress shall make some speedy order with relation to the 
 levying of money, it will be impossible for you to comply 
 with their farther requests. They, however, seem per- 
 suaded that their vote of credit, which accompanies the 
 order for the supply, will remove every obstruction ; and 
 relying on your zeal for the common cause, they hope you 
 will be able to throw in this provision, which we are ap- 
 prehensive will soon become highly necessary. We may 
 venture to hint to you, that the emission of paper money 
 will be discussed on Monday, and we expect, in the course 
 of next week, to be able to present you with a determina- 
 tion of this important business, which will free us from 
 much anxiety. We shall not fail to attend to what you 
 suggest concerning the Indians. This is an object to our 
 Colony of the highest moment, and we hope, in due time, 
 it will be considered by the Congress. We think the In- 
 dians will not be disposed to engage in this unhappy quar- 
 rel, unless deceived and deluded by misrepresentations ; 
 and this, with vigilance and care on our part, can be pre- 
 vented ; as one 'step towards it, which we much applaud, 
 are the assurances you have given the Superintendent of 
 his safety. From the temper and customs of the Indians, 
 they would illy brook the extinguishing of their council 
 fire; and had it been damped by any violence to Colonel 
 Johnson's person or property, they must have been alarm- 
 ed, and very probably excited to extremities. 
 
 " It is much to be lamented that we are still destitute of 
 ammunition. The Government of Connecticut have been 
 more provident, or more fortunate, and will be able to sup- 
 ply the forces at Ticonderoga with powder. 
 
 " We commend your caution in addressing two letters 
 to us upon the subject of General Officers to command our 
 Troops. What we wrote to you was in the character of 
 your own immediate Delegates, and with a view to discover 
 the sense of our Colony, that we might, when this matter 
 came to be debated in Congress, be fortified with your 
 opinion and arguments, which having obtained, we shall, 
 to the utmost of our power, enforce your recommendations. 
 
 " Your remarks on the resolution of the Continental 
 Congress relative to the taking post at King's Bridge, ap- 
 pears to us to be conclusive. We shall, however, lay them 
 before our body, as soon as the other important matters 
 under consideration are determined. 
 
 " We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, 
 gentlemen, your most humble servants, 
 
 " Phil. Livingston, Wm. Floyd, 
 " Fkancis Lewis, Jno. Alsop. 
 
 " Jas. Duane, 
 
 " To the Provincial Congress at New-York." 
 
1293 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1294 
 
 The President having also received a Letter from the 
 Continental Congress, desired that the contents and sub- 
 ject-matter thereof be kept a profound secret. And the 
 same was read, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 "Philadelphia, June 10, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : The enclosed resolution of this Congress 
 I am directed to transmit you, and to desire you will 
 order it to be executed in as expeditious and secret a 
 manner as possible, referring to your judgment the most 
 suitable places for landing it, and where there will be the 
 least risk of interruption from the ships-of-war. You will 
 please to consign it to the Committee of Correspondence 
 in each place, with a direction to forward the flour to the 
 Army as soon as possible. 
 
 " I have it also in charge to recommend to you that the 
 flour be transported in small quantities, as there may be 
 danger of the enemy. I am, gentlemen, ^our most obe- 
 dient servant, John Hancock, President. 
 " To the Honourable Members of the Provincial Congress 
 
 Of New-York.'' 
 
 The Resolutions mentioned in the above Letter from the 
 Congress being also read, are in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " In Congress, June 9, 1775. 
 " Resolved, That the Provincial Convention of New- York 
 be requested to convey, as soon as possible, to Providence, 
 in Rhode-Island, or to any port in the Government of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, five thousand barrels of Flour, for the use 
 of the Continental Army. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence at 
 Providence, and in the Government of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 where the said Flour may be carried, be desired to receive 
 and forward it to the camp before Boston, as soon as may 
 be, and to lodge such part thereof as cannot be immediately 
 sent thither, in places of security. 
 
 " Resolved, That this Congress will make provision for 
 defraying any expense incurred for this service. 
 
 "A true copy from the Minutes: 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 A Letter from Robert Boyd, at New-Windsor, dated 
 the 10th instant, on the subject of making Muskets, was 
 read and filed. 
 
 William Ustick, attending at the door, sent in a Bill of 
 Exchange, appearing by its date to be drawn at Boston, 
 on the 14th ultimo, May, on the said William Ustick, by 
 John Montrcson, in favour of Jonathan Hampton, for thirty 
 Pounds, New- York currency, endorsed by Jonathan Hamp- 
 ton to Jonathan Blake, and appearing to be accepted by 
 the said William Ustick, on the 3d day of June instant. 
 And the said William Ustick desired the sense of this 
 Congress, whether he could pay the said Bill consistent 
 with the Resolve of the Continental Congress of the 2d of 
 June instant. 
 
 And the said Resolve of the Continental Congress being 
 read, it is declared to be the sense and opinion of this 
 Congress, that the said Bill comes within the intent and 
 meaning of the said Resolve. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the consideration of 
 ways and means to carry into execution the Resolution, 
 Request, and Order of the Continental Congress of the 9th 
 instant, for supplying five thousand barrels of Flour for the 
 use of the Continental Army, and forwarding the same to- 
 wards the camp before Boston : And, thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Isaac Scars, Abraham Walton, 
 and Joseph Hallett, be a Committee to purchase the said 
 quantity of Flour for the purpose aforesaid, or so much 
 thereof as they can obtain, and to ship and forward the 
 same agreeable to the said Resolution. 
 
 And it is now Resolved and Agreed, nem. con., That 
 every Member of this Congress will be responsible to 
 Messrs. Sears, Walton, and Hallett, for their respective 
 proportion of all moneys that they may disburse, or here- 
 after be obliged to pay, by means of the purchase of the 
 said Flour, or of their appointment, to comply with the said 
 Resolution and Request of the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary 
 of this Congress, be directed to purchase, and he is hereby 
 directed to purchase three hundred barrels of Pork of such 
 persons as will sell the same, on the credit of this Congress, 
 
 and to forward the same to Albany, in parcels, with all 
 possible despatch. 
 
 Mr. Scott, from the Committee appointed to confer with 
 Mr. Price, of Montreal, reported a draught of a Letter to 
 the Merchants of Canada; which was read and approved, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Mr. Price, one of the inhabitants of your 
 Province, has signified to us the absolute necessity of keep- 
 ing up a communication between New- York and Canada, 
 by the establishment of a regular post. The friendly sen- 
 timents which we feel for our brethren in the northern parts 
 of this Continent, commanded our ready acquiescence in 
 those reasons which that gentleman assigned in favour of 
 such a communication as the necessary commercial inter- 
 course between you and the rest of the world seems evi- 
 dently to require. You may easily conceive that our ability 
 is equal to our wishes, to support that communication up to 
 Crown Point. To establish that place or Ticonderoga 
 for the exchange of the mails between your country and 
 ours, is the most proper expedient to obtain the end pro- 
 posed ; and the means of communication between Mon- 
 treal and the place to be agreed on for exchange of the 
 mails, rest entirely with you. Upon the first information 
 you may be pleased to afford us of an establishment in 
 your quarter, we shall not fail in conspiring with you by 
 a similar establishment on our part. 
 
 We should be extremely sorry should the misrepresenta- 
 tions of the enemies of America impress our brethren in 
 Canada with an opinion that the Confederated Colonies on 
 this Continent aim at independence. Our allegiance to 
 our Prince, and our attachment to the illustrious House of 
 Hanover, we rank among our most singular blessings. A 
 due subordination to Parliament, in matters for which they 
 alone are competent, we wish firmly to maintain. Our 
 resistance to Ministerial measures proceeds not either from 
 a desire to oppose the rightful authority of our Sovereign, 
 or the constitutional acts of the supreme Legislature of the 
 British Empire. But while we are contented that Great 
 Britain should enjoy that pre-eminence alone which pro- 
 perly belongs to the parent State, as individuals we are 
 resolved to stand on the same secure basis of liberty with 
 our fellow-subjects on the other side of the Atlantick, 
 which can never be obtained under taxations by authority 
 of Parliament. In prosecuting this idea of freedom, we in- 
 clude our brethren the inhabitants of the Province of Que- 
 beck, as far as will consist with the utmost of their wishes. 
 
 For a further evidence of the sincerity of our intentions, 
 we beg leave to refer you to Mr. Price, and to assure you 
 that we are, gentlemen and brethren, with the most undis- 
 sembled friendship, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Congress. 
 To the Gentlemen Merchants of the Province of Qjiebeck. 
 
 Ordered, That two copies of the said Letter be en- 
 grossed, signed by the President, and delivered to Mr. 
 Price unsealed, to be by him sealed at such time and place 
 as he shall think most prudent. 
 
 Ordered, That one half of the printed Letters to the 
 inhabitants of Quebeck be delivered to Mr. Price, and 
 that he be requested to have them distributed in the most 
 advantageous manner. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Martia, 9 ho. A. M., June 13, 1*75. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gano. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of Neic-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekrnan, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, John 
 Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, and Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Dirck Brinckerhoff, Anthony Hoff- 
 
1295 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1296 
 
 man, Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim 
 
 Payne, Gilbert Livingston, Gysbert Schenck, Melancton 
 
 Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 
 and John Nicholson. 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Abraham Lent, and 
 
 Jeremiah Clarke. 
 For Suffolk County. — Thomas Tredvvell, John Foster, 
 
 and Ezra L'Hoinmedieu. 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, James Van 
 
 Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, James 
 
 Holmes, Robert Graham, and William Paulding. 
 For King's County. — Jonathan E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, and John Van- 
 
 derbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Rich'd Lawrence, and Rich'd Conner. 
 
 For Oueeiis County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend, and Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Colonel Clinton and Mr. Tappen, a Committee for that 
 purpose, reported a draught of a Letter to the New- York 
 Delegates ; which was read and approved, and is in the 
 words following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 13, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : In consequence of one of your Resolves, 
 we appointed a Committee to view the Post in the High- 
 lands, whose Report, with a Map thereto annexed, you 
 have enclosed, which is all as yet we have been able to do 
 respecting that matter. As soon as the proper measures 
 on that head are concluded, we will transmit them to you. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with esteem, your most obedient and 
 humble servants. 
 
 To the New- York Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 
 The Report mentioned in the above Letter, is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 Your Committee, in obedience to your order of the 10th 
 ultimo, do most humbly report : That, taking to their assist- 
 ance Captain Samuel Bayard and Captain Erasmus Wil- 
 liams, they proceeded to the Highlands, and made a survey 
 of the ground adjoining to Hudson's River, for the purpose 
 mentioned in the said order, and do report it as their opin- 
 ion, that a Post, capable of containing three hundred men, 
 erected on the east bank of Hudson's River, marked A, 
 and another on the west side of said River, to contain two 
 hundred men, marked B, in the annexed map, will answer 
 the purpose proposed and directed by the Continental Con- 
 gress, as it is not only the narrowest part of the said river, 
 but best situated, on account of the high hills contiguous to 
 it, as well on the west as east side of the river which cover 
 those parts ; so that without a strong easterly wind, or the 
 tide, no vessel can pass it ; and the tide on said part of the 
 river is generally so reverse, that a vessel is usually thrown 
 on one side of the river or the other, by means whereof 
 such vessel lay fair and exposed to the places your Com- 
 mittee have fixed on. Your Committee are further of 
 opinion, thai the cheapest and best materials to face these 
 works, would be stone and lime, as there are plenty of stone 
 on the same, and adjoining to it; and lime can be had from 
 a little distance up the river. Your Committee beg leave to 
 observe, that they are informed that by means of four or five 
 booms chained together on one side of the river, ready to 
 be drawn across, the passage can be closed up, to prevent 
 any vessel passing or repassing. Your Committee are fur- 
 ther of opinion, that if the last measure should be adopted, 
 it would be requisite and highly prudent to place one or 
 two cannon at the mouth of the Highlands, under the care 
 and inspection of a faithful man, to alarm the Troops to be 
 embodied at the places proposed, in time of danger. Your 
 Committee are also further informed, and are of opinion, 
 that there is on the east side of the said river, near the 
 place fixed on in the said annexed map, marked A, a good 
 and convenient place to build a magazine for the lodgment 
 of gunpowder and other stores. We believe that though 
 there is no fresh water on the spot proposed for the east 
 post, yet a good spring is near it, so that it can be convey- 
 ed thereto with a very small expense. We think it would 
 be also necessary to build a number of small boats for 
 maintaining a communication between the two posts. 
 
 Your Committee are unable to make a true estimate of 
 the expense that will attend the erecting the said fortifica- 
 tions ; but from the best computation they are able to 
 make, it will at least amount to one thousand five hundred 
 Pounds. All which is most humbly submitted by your 
 Committee. James Clinton, 
 
 Christ. Tappen. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Letter to the New-York 
 Delegates be engrossed, signed by the President, and, to- 
 gether with a copy of the above Report, transmitted by 
 the first opportunity. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Letter from 
 Robert Boyd, and the Proposals of Henry Watkeys, rela- 
 ting to the making of Muskets and Bayonets ; and after 
 some time spent therein, 
 
 Resolved, Tha^Jihis Congress will agree with Robert 
 Boyd and HWfyf^atkeys, that they shall make one thou- 
 sand good Muskets, with steel ramrods and Bayonets with 
 scabbards, at the price of three Pounds fifteen Shillings, 
 New-York money, for each good Musket with a steel ram- 
 rod, and Bayonet with a scabbard, including the bounty 
 agreed to be allowed by this Congress ; and 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will immediately advance 
 the sum of one hundred Pounds, New-York money, to 
 assist them in procuring necessary tools and materials for 
 carrying on the said business ; and 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, Captain Montgome- 
 rie, and Colonel Clinton, be a Committee to treat with the 
 said Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, and agree with 
 them accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard and Mr. McDougall 
 be a Committee to agree with any person in this City for 
 importing, without delay, any quantity of Gunpowder not 
 exceeding thirty tons, allowing such importer one hundred 
 per cent, upon the first cost, lor the quantity to be import- 
 ed, he being at all charges and risk ; and the Powder to be 
 delivered in good and merchantable order. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Graham and Mr. Verplanck be 
 a Committee to confer with Messrs. Van Vleeck and Kip, 
 on the subject of making Saltpetre, and to know what en- 
 couragement they would expect from this Congress, for 
 carrying on a manufacture of Saltpetre. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McDougall apply to the General 
 Committee of New- York for two hundred Pounds of the 
 money raised by subscription ; and that when he has re- 
 ceived that sum, he pay one hundred Pounds thereof to 
 Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, to enable them to earn- 
 on the business of Musket and Bayonet making, after the 
 Conimitee for that purpose above-mentioned shall have per- 
 fected an agreement with them ; and that he pay the other 
 one hundred Pounds to the President of this Congress, to 
 expend in paying Messengers and other necessary disburse- 
 ments. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert Livingston has leave of absence for a few 
 days. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 9 ho., Juno 14, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Inglis. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benja- 
 min Kissam, John Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 John Marston, and Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Me- 
 lancton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 and John Nicholson. 
 
1297 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1298 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, 
 Abraham Lent, and Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Jarnes Tredwell, John Foster, and 
 Ezra L'Hommedieu. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip 
 Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, and 
 William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Theodorus Polhe- 
 mus, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Messrs. Christopher Miller and Patrick Dennis attend- 
 ing at the door, were called in ; when they informed this 
 Congress that they were requested by a number of the 
 Members of the Marine Society of this City, to inform this 
 Congress that they were about to form themselves into an 
 Artillery Company, and they had nominated Mr. Anthony 
 Rutgers, of this City, for their Captain ; and pray the ap- 
 probation of this Congress in the nomination. 
 
 The Congress having taken the same into consideration, 
 do unanimously approve of the nomination of Mr. Anthony 
 Rutgers to be Captain of the said company ; and recom- 
 mend to the said Society to nominate, for the approbation 
 of this Congress, such persons for their other officers as 
 may be confided in. 
 
 The Congress this day received sundry informations, that 
 one Angus McDonald is giving a bounty and enlisting men 
 to be employed against the liberties of the inhabitants of 
 this Country ; and therefore the Congress does appoint 
 Mr. McDougall to have the said Angus McDonald 
 brought before this Congress ; and they direct an order 
 to Colonel Lasher, signed by the President and counter- 
 signed by the Secretaries, to be issued and sent to Colonel 
 Lasher, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Colonel Lasher : 
 
 You are desired to furnish Mr. Alexander McDougall 
 with a Sergeant's guard, properly appointed, to attend him, 
 and in all things to obey him, immediately. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 Done in Congress : 
 
 John McKesson, 
 Robert Benson, 
 
 Captain Thompson, at the request of this Congress, at- 
 tended at the door, and being called in, gave the following 
 information in substance, to wit : 
 
 That he left Cove, near Cork, in Ireland, on the 6th of 
 May last ; that six Regiments had sailed in twenty-four 
 transports for Boston, including a Regiment of Horse ; 
 and three Regiments had embarked, and a fourth was 
 embarking, or ready to embark, for New-York ; that it 
 was reported that the Regiments coming to New- York 
 had been wrote for by persons here to support people's 
 property and assist against mobs. And the other parts of 
 the information given by Captain Thompson appears in 
 the short notes taken thereof and filed among the papers 
 of this Congress. 
 
 Thereupon, a draught of a Letter to the New-York 
 Delegates at Philadelphia, was read and approved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed 
 by the President, and, together with the notes of Captain 
 Thompson's information, sent by the first conveyance. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Governour of Connecticut, 
 was read and approved, and is in the words following, to 
 wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 14, 1775. 
 Sir : Captain Thompson arrived here in a ship from 
 Cork last evening, and as we understood he had reported 
 that several Regiments had sailed from thence for Boston, 
 and four other Regiments were embarked and embarking 
 for New- York, this Congress desired him to attend their 
 Board this morning, to examine him upon the subject. 
 Upon his attendance we took notes of the intelligence he 
 gave, and enclose a copy thereof to you, and beg you will 
 
 Secretaries. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. 
 
 forward the same to the Camp at Cambridge. We have 
 forwarded the intelligence to the Continental Congress; and 
 are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour 
 of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and, together with the notes of Captain 
 Thompson's information, be transmitted by the first con- 
 veyance. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to John Hancock, Esq., President 
 of the Continental Congress, was read and approved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter be engrossed, 
 signed by the President, and, together with a copy of the 
 Resolve therein mentioned, transmitted by the first con- 
 veyance. 
 
 William Duer, Esq., sent in a Letter to the President 
 and Congress ; which was read. He therein complains 
 of sundry insinuations against his conduct, with relation to 
 the Northern Frontier of this Colony ; and of such reports 
 having been industriously circulated as deeply to endanger 
 his person and property ; and praying that a Committee 
 may be appointed to examine into his conduct this after- 
 noon. 
 
 The Congress, considering that Mr. Duer must attend 
 a Court in Charlotte County, which is speedily to sit, and 
 cannot conveniently be held without his attendance, do 
 therefore appoint Mr. Montgomerie, Mr. Silvester, Mr. 
 Abraham Yates, Mr. Scott, Mr. Morris, Mr. Marsh, and 
 Mr. John Williams, a Committee to hear and examine into 
 the case of Mr. Duer, and report thereon to this Congress. 
 
 Mr. McDougall returned into Congress, and reported 
 that Angus McDonald, who had been armed and made 
 resistance when called on by him, was in custody of a Ser- 
 geant's Guard; and a Letter found in his custody from him 
 to Alexander McDonald, was read. 
 
 The said Angus McDonald being brought before the 
 Congress and examined, confessed that he had taken the 
 names of upwards of forty men who had promised to enlist 
 in a battalion, to wear Highland dress; and also confessed 
 sundry other matters, of which short notes are taken and 
 filed. 
 
 And the said Angus McDonald having consented vo- 
 luntarily to make oath to the substance of the informa- 
 tion by him given to this Congress, his affidavit was drawn, 
 and to which he subscribed and was duly sworn, and which 
 is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " City of New-York, ss. — Angus McDonald, of this 
 City, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evangelists of Al- 
 mighty God, deposeth and saith : That some time last fall this 
 deponent was at the Town of Boston, and had a conver- 
 sation with Major John Small upon the subject of raising a 
 Regiment in America, to serve against the inhabitants of 
 America in the present contest. That the plan laid for 
 that purpose was, that such officers as are now on half pay 
 in the several Colonies should be promoted in consequence 
 of enlisting such persons as had formerly served as soldiers 
 in this Country. That Major Small informed this deponent 
 that the deponent should be taken notice of, and promoted, 
 if the scheme should take place, and mentioned to this depo- 
 nent the being sutler to the regiment so raised. That this 
 deponent then told him that he was not possessed of suffi- 
 cient property to engage in that business, and therefore could 
 not accept of that; whereupon the said Major told this de- 
 ponent that he (deponent) should be taken notice of if called 
 upon ; and this deponent further saith, that in consequence 
 of the plan so laid, a number of men have engaged them- 
 selves in the service ; but that they have not yet received 
 any bounty money for their enlistment. And this deponent 
 further saith, that he verily believes many half-pay officers 
 are acquainted with the aforesaid plan. That the said plan 
 cannot take place without orders from home ; and this de- 
 ponent believes that no such orders will be obtained. That 
 Captain Alexander McDonald is also concerned in the said 
 scheme, and hath corresponded with Major Small on that 
 subject. That this deponent hath seen and read one of 
 the said Major Small's letters to the said Alexander Mc- 
 Donald, which letter came by iheAsia, man-of-war. That 
 
 n. 
 
 82 
 
1299 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1300 
 
 one encouragement held up to those soldiers who should 
 enlist was, that they should have each of them one hundred 
 acres of land when the troubles in America should be over. 
 That I he deponent does not believe any men are engaged 
 in the County of Albany, because that there is no person 
 there to engage them. That this deponent is unwilling to 
 serve against his countrymen and fellow-subjects in Ame- 
 rica, and is sorry the disturbances have risen to so great a 
 height. And further this deponent saith not. 
 
 " Angus McDonald. 
 " Sworn this 14th of June, 1775, before me: 
 
 " John McKesson, Notary Publick." 
 
 It appearing to this Congress by a Letter found in the 
 custody of Angus McDonald, and by the Deposition of 
 the said Angus McDonald, and by the examinations of 
 sundry witnesses before this Congress, that Alexander Mc- 
 Donald, now, or late of Richmond County, has been con- 
 certing measures and employing agents to enlist men to be 
 employed against the liberties of America, 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the said Alexander McDonald 
 be secured and kept in safe custody, and that all his papers 
 be secured and examined ; and that Messrs. Abraham 
 Brasher, Zephaniah Piatt, and Melancton Smith, be a 
 Committee for that purpose ; and that Colonel Lasher be 
 desired to send a Sergeant's Guard (with those gentlemen) 
 properly appointed, to attend them, and to obey Mr. Brasher 
 in all things. 
 
 Whereas, from the information of Captain Thompson, 
 received this day, there is reason to apprehend that Troops 
 may soon arrive here from Ireland ; and from the evidence 
 before this Congress, it appears that it would be very unsafe 
 and imprudent to permit or suffer so dangerous a person as 
 Angus McDonald to remain in this Colony, and enjoy 
 his liberty at this juncture : 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the said Angus McDonald 
 be sent to General Wooster's camp, with a request from 
 this Congress that he may be put in such a state of security 
 as may effectually prevent any mischief that might arise 
 from his being left at large. 
 
 And Ordered, That a request he sent to Colonel Lasher 
 to send a guard of twelve trusty men, properly equipped 
 and armed, to take the custody and charge of Angus Mc- 
 Donald, and to convey him to General Wooster's camp at 
 Greenwich, in Connecticut. And that the whole guard 
 go with the said Angus McDonald to King's Bridge; 
 that half of the guard be at liberty to return from thence, 
 and that the other half of the said guard proceed with the 
 said Angus McDonald, by the way of White Plains, to 
 General Wooster's camp. 
 
 A Letter to General Wooster, covering a copy of the 
 Affidavit of the said Angus McDonald, was read, and 
 approved of; and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 14, 1775. 
 
 Sir: From the enclosed affidavit you will be able to 
 collect the design of sending Angus McDonald to you 
 under guard. We have received information by Captain 
 Thompson, who arrived here last night from Cork, in Ire- 
 land, that four full Regiments have embarked in Ireland 
 for this City, and may be expected here every hour; we 
 therefore think it unsafe to suffer so dangerous a person 
 to enjoy his liberty at this juncture ; and beg leave to re- 
 commend it to you to put him in such a state of security 
 as may effectually prevent any mischief that might arise 
 from his being left at large. 
 
 We are, Sir, with great respect, your most humble ser- 
 vants. 
 
 To Major-General Wooster. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the said Letter to General 
 Wooster be engrossed, signed by the President, and trans- 
 mitted with the said Guards. 
 
 Mr. Foster (seconded by Colonel Clinton) moved in the 
 words following, to wit : 1 move that a message be imme- 
 diately despatched to Major-General Wooster, commanding 
 a body of Troops in the southern part of Connecticut, 
 requesting him forthwith to march the said Troops to the 
 distance of five miles of this City. 
 
 Agreeable to the tenth Rule of this Congress, at the 
 
 request of the Deputies of three Counties, to wit: the 
 Counties of Albany, Richmond, and Charlotte, 
 
 Ordered, That this matter be deferred till to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow at nine o'clock. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., June 15, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 
 with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Mason. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Rich- 
 ard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin 
 Kissam, Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and. County of Albany. — Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., Vice-President ; Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, 
 Jacob Cuyler, Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Ro- 
 bert Van Rensselaer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, 
 Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, 
 Ezra L'Hommedieu. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Van- 
 derbilt. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 A Letter from Ethan Allen, bearing date at Crown 
 Point, June 2d, instant, with a small addition wrote on the 
 cover, was read : 
 
 Also another Letter from Ethan Allen and James Eas- 
 ton, which appears to be a copy of a Letter by them sent 
 to the People of Canada, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Letters be filed. 
 
 Mr. Sears informed the Congress, that there is reason 
 to believe that there is Ammunition in a store near the 
 Battery, and delivered in a certificate of George Campbell, 
 which was read. 
 
 Ordered, That George Campbell and his servant maid, 
 Elizabeth Randon, be sent for. 
 
 Mr. Silvester, from the Committee appointed to examine 
 into the case of William Ducr, delivered in their Report, 
 which being read, is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Your Committee do report : That, agreeable to your 
 order of the day, they have made a full inquiry into Mr. 
 Ducr's case, which they conceive to be of a most delicate 
 nature. They are fully of opinion that insinuations against 
 his conduct, with relation to the Northern Fiontier of this 
 Colony, have by some means been circulated, which in their 
 nature deeply endanger his person and property. That 
 nevertheless they are fully convinced that those insinua- 
 tions are entirely groundless ; that they are altogether satis- 
 fied of his integrity and attachment to American liberty ; 
 and do therefore recommend him as really meriting the 
 publick countenance and protection of this Congress. The 
 above are the sentiments of your Committee, which is never- 
 theless submitted to the better opinion of the Congress. 
 
 By order: P. Silvester, Chairman. 
 
 New-York, June 14, 1775. 
 
 The Congress agree with the Committee in their said 
 Report; and Ordered, That it be recommended by this 
 Congress to all persons within this Colony, and other the 
 inhabitants of America, not to injure William Ducr, Esq., 
 either in his person or property. 
 
1301 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1302 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Clarkson and Mr. Vanderbilt, 
 wait on Mr. Alderman Filkin and desire him to get two 
 Constables and search a store near Bowden's house, to see 
 whether there is any Gunpowder lodged there contrary to 
 law, and to report to this Congress. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of Mr. Fos- 
 ter's motion of yesterday ; and thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That a message be immediately despatched 
 to Major-General Jiooster, now commanding a body of 
 Troops in the southern part of Connecticut, requesting him 
 forthwith to march the said Troops, with their tents and 
 other necessaries, to the distance of five miles from this City, 
 to be subject to the orders and directions of the Continen- 
 tal or this Congress, while the said Troops shall continue 
 in this Colony. 
 
 And Resolved, That we will assist the Commissaries of 
 the said Forces in procuring such necessaries for their ac- 
 commodation as shall be to be procured within this Colony. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Gen. JVooster on that subject 
 being read and approved of, is in the words following: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir: You will see by the enclosed order, that this Con- 
 gress think it expedient to request you to march to this 
 Colony with the Troops under your command. If you are 
 not at liberty to comply with the terms of this order until 
 you consult the Governour and Company of Connecticut 
 on this subject, we beg you would immediately despatch 
 this requisition to them, and transmit to us their determi- 
 nation as soon as possible. 
 
 \s we have at present but few tents, we beg you would 
 direct such as you have, to be sent to the place intended 
 for their encampment, and make such other disposition for 
 the support of your Troops as is in your power. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants. 
 To Major-General JVooster. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and, together with a certified copy of the 
 said order, transmitted by the first conveyance. 
 
 Mr. Sears had leave of absence for a few days. 
 
 Joseph Stephens delivered to the President his account, 
 amounting to twelve pounds, for. going a messenger to 
 Philadelphia at two different times. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 pay the said account, and take his receipt for the same. 
 
 Messrs. Clarkson and Vanderbilt returned, and report- 
 ed that Alderman Filkin, with a Constable, had attended 
 them; that they had searched Bowden's house and cellar, 
 and a store adjoining, and that they found no Powder or 
 Ammunition there. 
 
 Mr. Brasher, from the Committee appointed to go to 
 Staten Island, reported, that they had executed the order of 
 the Congress ; that they had searched the house of Alex- 
 ander McDonald, and found no papers relating to the rais- 
 ing of Troops ; that they did not find Alexander Mc- 
 Donald, and were informed that he is gone to Boston. 
 He also informed the Congress that the expense of the 
 boat, and provisions for the men who attended on the said 
 Committee, amounts to three pounds five shillings ; which 
 was disbursed by Mr. Melanclon Smith. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 repay Mr. Smith the said three pounds five shillings, and 
 take his receipt. 
 
 All which he did immediately. 
 
 The Memorial and Petition of Ebenezer Hazard, rela- 
 ting to a Post-Office, and praying to be appointed Post- 
 master, was read. 
 
 Also a Letter from JVilliam Goddard (covering several 
 large packages of Papers) on the same subject, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Verplanck, Roosevelt, and Rich- 
 ard Yates, be a Committee to take the said Petition, Let- 
 ter, and Papers into consideration, and report thereon to 
 this Congress w r ith all convenient speed. 
 
 Ordered, That no person whatsoever presume to inocu- 
 late for the Small-Pox within this Colony before the first 
 day of December next, and that the several Committees 
 within their respective Districts carefully observe that there 
 be a punctual compliance with this order. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of this order be published in the 
 Newspapers. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Marsh have leave of absence, and 
 it is agreed that Mr. Williams shall have a vote, and repre- 
 sent Charlotte County. 
 
 Ordered, That two Members of those present from Al- 
 bany County have leave of absence. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Jovis, 5 ho. P. M., June 15, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 Thomas Smith, Esq., obtained leave of absence during 
 the remainder of this week. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to meet at the City-Hall 
 at nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 16, 1775. 
 The Congress met at the City-Hall pursuant to adjourn- 
 ment. Opened with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Treat. 
 Present: 
 
 For the City and County of Xeiv- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Abra- 
 ham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, John 
 Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, 
 John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Ephraim Payne, Jonathan 
 Landon, Gysbert Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 
 John Nicholson. 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, 
 
 John Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, 
 Ezra L'Hommedieu. 
 
 For JJ 7 estchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert Graham, William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 John Leffertse, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journeys 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 Robinson, Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, William Marsh. 
 
 Mr. John N. Bleecker sent in a return of Stores and 
 Provisions which have been received at Albany from New- 
 York ; of the quantities forwarded to Fort George; and 
 of such as yet remain at Albany, or have been there ex- 
 pended. The said return was read and filed. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the proposal 
 of Robert Boyd and Henry JVatkeys ; and after some time 
 spent therein, a draught of a Letter to Robert Boyd on the 
 subject of making Gun-Barrels was read and approved, 
 and is in the words following, to w it : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Sir : It will be impossible for us to give the due en- 
 couragement to the business which y r ou mention in your 
 letter, without first conversing with you on the subject. 
 We beg, therefore, you would come to New- York with the 
 utmost despatch, and then, when we shall have heard 
 what are the expenses of the undertaking, and what work 
 can be performed in a given time, we shall be able to con- 
 tract wtih you for such number as will render the business 
 practicable. We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 To Mr. Robert Boyd, New-Windsor. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted. 
 
1303 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1304 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary 
 of this Congress, be desired to purchase the following 
 quantities of Ravens Duck, Ticking, and Bell Tents, of 
 such persons as will sell the same on the publick credit, to 
 wit : 427 pieces of good Ravens Duck ; 182 yards of Tick- 
 ing, fit to make Bell Tents; and twenty-six Bell Tents, 
 which are at Uayman Levy's, if they are of a proper fash- 
 ion, good, and of a cheap or reasonable price. 
 
 And Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius examine a number 
 of Haversacks which are at Uayman Levy's; that if he 
 find them of good quality and proper shape, and cheap, 
 that he purchase them if to be sold on the publick credit. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Montgomerie, Mr. Van Zandt, 
 Mr. Beekman, and Mr. Brasher, be a Committee to get 
 as many Tents as they shall think necessary made with all 
 possible despatch. 
 
 Mr. Payne and Mr. Piatt have obtained leave of absence. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Hoffman, Mr. Glenn, Mr. Mc- 
 Dougall, and Mr. Paulding, be a Committee to inquire into 
 the depth of water in Hudson's River, from the City of 
 New- York to New- Windsor. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., June 17, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Livingston. Present : 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Isaac 
 Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel 
 Verplanck, Richard Yates, Benjamin Kissam, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Jonathan Landon, Gys- 
 bert Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye, Benjamin Tusteen, 
 John Herring, Jeremiah Clarke. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, 
 Ezra L'Hommedieu. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, Robert 
 Graham. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 John Leffertse, Nicholas Covenhoven. 
 
 For Richmond. County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 
 The President mentioned that a gentleman who is a 
 member of a Committee in New-Jersey, and a Delegate 
 to New-Jersey Congress, has informed him that he con- 
 ceives it will be of great use in some parts of the Colony 
 of Neiv-Jersey, to let him have a copy of the Affidavit of 
 Angus McDonald. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be delivered to that gen- 
 tleman by the President. 
 
 Mr. Van Zandt, from the Committee appointed to get 
 as many Tents made as they shall think necessary, reported, 
 that they had agreed with sundry Upholsterers to make two 
 hundred and fifty Tents, and to furnish all materials (Duck 
 excepted) for making the said Tents, with Tent Poles, 
 Mallets, and other necessaries for the said Tents, at the 
 rate of fifteen Shillings for each Tent. That the said Up- 
 holsterers have agreed with them to have the said two 
 hundred and fifty Tents finished by the latter end of next 
 week ; and some of them will be finished fit for use by 
 next Wednesday or Thursday. 
 
 Mr. McDougall informed the President in publick Con- 
 gress, that, in pursuance of the order of this Congress, of 
 the ninth instant, he had applied to the Committee of the 
 City of New-York; and received of the said Committee 
 
 the sum of Two Hundred Pounds ; and Mr. McDougall 
 immediately paid One Hundred Pounds of the said money 
 to Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., the President, and 
 took his receipt for the same. 
 
 A Letter received from Major-General Wooster, dated 
 Camp at Greenwich, June 15, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 Doctor Graham and Mr. Van Vleeck delivered in the 
 Proposals of Messrs. Van Vleeck and Kip for undertaking 
 Saltpetre works in this City. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Proposals lay for further consi- 
 deration. 
 
 Captain Jeffrey, the captain of the Packet, being re- 
 quested to attend this Congress, and attending at the door, 
 was called in ; and, in substance, informed the Congress, 
 that on Tuesday last, about thirty leagues to the southeast 
 of Sandy-Hook he saw the Spry, man-of-war, now a 
 transport, with part of the Forty-Fourth Regiment on 
 board. That he was informed by some of the officers of 
 the Troops on board the Spry, that the Mercury, man-of- 
 war, had ordered the Spry transport to Boston, and was 
 cruising thereabout to order all the transports wilh Troops, 
 which were destined to New- York, to proceed to Boston ; 
 that he has also had the like information from some of the 
 officers of the Mercury. 
 
 Thereupon, a draught of a Letter to Major-General 
 Wooster was read, and approved of; and is in the words 
 following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 17, 1775. 
 Sir: Being well informed that four Regiments, contain- 
 ing near three thousand effective men, were sailed in trans- 
 ports for this City, we took the liberty to request the 
 assistance of those brave sons of freedom who are under 
 your command. We are this instant further informed that 
 the Mercury, ship-of-war, was cruising upon our coast, and 
 is now at Sandy-Hook, to order those transports to Boston 
 immediately : and did, on Tuesday last, thirty leagues to 
 the southeast of the Hook, deliver his orders to the Old 
 Spry, man-of-war, now a transport, with part of the Forty- 
 Fourth Regiment on board, which immediately altered her 
 course. From hence we conclude that a very capital stroke 
 is meditated against our brethren of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 You best can determine, Sir, whether it is proper on this 
 occasion for the forces under your command to march west- 
 ward ; but we are led to believe that it is of more impor- 
 tant consequence to secure the several passes with which 
 nature hath bounteously fortified the eastern country ; that 
 if some unexpected chance of war should prove fatal to us 
 in the first contest, the enemy may, by such means, receive 
 a check in his career of vengeance. 
 
 We beg you to transmit this intelligence to the Provin- 
 cial Camp with the utmost despatch. We are, Sir, your 
 most obedient humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 To Major-General Wooster. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted by Jacob Shafer as a mes- 
 senger for that purpose. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates from this Colo- 
 ny at the Continental Congress, was also read and ap- 
 proved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President ; and that a copy of the Resolve and Or- 
 der of this Congress of the 15th instant, for introducing 
 the Connecticut Forces, under the command of General 
 Wooster ; a copy of the Letter to General Wooster from 
 this Congress of the same date ; and the before written 
 Letter to General Wooster of this day, be enclosed to the 
 said Delegates ; and that the same be forwarded by the 
 messenger from the Massachusetts-Bay now on his way to 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to prepare a 
 Plan of Accommodation between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies, in order to be prepared to give the sentiments 
 of this Congress thereon to the Delegates of this Colony, 
 bring in their Report on Wednesday next. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to Monday next, at four 
 o'clock, P. M. 
 
1805 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1306 
 
 Die Lunte, June 19, 1775, 4to ho. P. M. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and ad- 
 journed to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., June 20, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and open- 
 ed with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Bowdtn. Present : 
 For the City and County of JSew-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, 
 Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, 
 Jnmes Beekman, Samuel Vernlanck, Richard Yates, 
 David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John 
 Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Marston. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Jonathan Landon, Me- 
 lancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen. 
 For Orange County. — John Cop, David Pye, Benjamin 
 Tusteen, Peter Clowes, John Herring, Jeremiah Clarke. 
 For Suffolk County. — Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull, John 
 Sloss Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, John Foster, Ezra 
 L'Hommedieu, Thomas Wickham. 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Tho- 
 mas, Jun. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Law- 
 rence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson. 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 
 Tryon County. — The Deputies from Tryon County 
 attending at the door, were called in, and produced a Cer- 
 tificate signed by Nicholas Herlcimer, Chairman pro tem- 
 pore, and Andrew Finck, Junior, Clerk of a meeting of 
 the Committee of Tryon County, held on the eleventh of 
 June, instant, whereby it appears that Christopher P. 
 Yates and John Marlett, Esquires, were appointed Depu- 
 ties to attend this Provincial Congress without delay, and 
 to act, in conjunction with the Members thereof, upon this 
 very alarming and calamitous situation of British America. 
 The said Certificate being read and filed, 
 Ordered, That those gentlemen take their seats. 
 
 The President informed the Congress that he had re- 
 ceived sundry Letters from Philadelphia, by a messenger 
 returned from thence, and who had been sent there with 
 despatches from this Congress by John Jay, Esquire. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 the President, pay the said messenger. And it is further 
 ordered, that the President, for the future, pay all messen- 
 gers who shall be employed by this Congress, taking their 
 respective receipts for the sums paid to them. 
 
 A Letter from James Duane, Esquire, on behalf of 
 himself and the other Delegates from this Colony, dated 
 Philadelphia, June 17, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 The Resolution of the Continental Congress therein 
 mentioned, of the 16th instant, was read, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 "In Congress, June 16, 1775, 
 ''Resolved, That the Provincial Convention of N4.W- 
 York be desired immediately to apply to Governour 
 Trumbull to order the Connecticut Troops now stationed 
 at Greenwich, Stamford, and parts adjacent, to march to- 
 wards New-York ; and that part of them occupy such 
 Posts upon that Island as the said Provincial Convention 
 shall judge best adapted to prevent the communication 
 between the town and country from being cut off ; the 
 remainder of the Troops to be employed in securing the 
 navigation of Hudson's River, by erecting Batteries at such 
 places as the said Convention shall judge the most proper 
 to answer that purpose. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 A Letter from Major-General Wooster, dated the 17th 
 instant, was read and filed, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 " Greenwich. June 17, 1775. 
 
 " Sir: Your favour of the loth instant, in behalf of the 
 Provincial Congress, with the enclosed order, I receiv- 
 ed yesterday morning, and immediately despatched the re- 
 quisition to the Governour, who, together with the Coun- 
 cil of War, are empowered by our Assembly to order the 
 destination of the Troops. 1 shall hold myself in readi- 
 ness to march whenever I receive the Governour's orders. 
 
 " I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " David Wooster. 
 " To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire." 
 
 Another Letter from Major-General Wooster, of the 
 18th instant, was also read and filed, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 " Greenwich, June 18, 1775. 
 
 " Sir : Your favour, in behalf of your Congress, I have 
 just received ; a copy of which 1 have transmitted by ex- 
 press both to the Camp near Boston, and to our Gover- 
 nour. I should be very glad to hear that your proportion 
 of men, for the defence of the Country, were raised and 
 well equipped, as it is of the utmost importance that a 
 place of such consequence as New-York should be put in 
 the best posture of defence. 
 
 " I am, in haste, your most obedient humble servant. 
 
 " David Wooster, Major-General. 
 " To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire." 
 
 The President informed the Congress that about thir- 
 teen hundred weight of Gunpowder is brought to this City, 
 and that the Congress may have it to purchase, if they 
 think fit. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McDougall agree for and purchase 
 the said Powder; and that he forward one thousand v\eight 
 thereof to the Colony of Connecticut, for the use of the 
 Provincial Army near Boston, with a Letter to Governour 
 Trumbull, enclosing a copy of the Resolve of the Conti- 
 nental Congress of the 16th instant, and therein request of 
 him to forward from their most easterly magazine the like 
 quantity to the Camp of the Provincial Army of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay. 
 
 And Ordered, That Mr. McDougall forward the re- 
 maining three hundred weight of the said Powder to the 
 Agents at Albany, to be forwarded to Ticonderoga. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Governour Trumbull, on the 
 subjects above mentioned, was read, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We enclose you a letter forwarded from the Con- 
 gress to our care, a part of the contents whereof we are 
 made acquainted with. You will observe, Sir, that the 
 resolutions of the Congress, on the subject of marching 
 your Troops hither, are previous to the important intelli- 
 gence communicated to General Wooster last Saturday. 
 How the Congress would have determined if they had 
 known that the Troops intended for this post were ordered 
 to Boston, we know not. But we desire you, Sir, to use 
 your own good judgment upon the whole of the intelli- 
 gence conveyed to you, and be confident that we shall 
 heartily acquiesce. We have lately received a small sup- 
 ply of gunpowder, and shall very soon forward to General 
 Wooster half a ton for the Provincial Army near Boston, 
 that it may be despatched with the utmost speed. We 
 pray you to send so much thither from your easternmost 
 magazine. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Congress. 
 To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour of the 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and, together with a copy of the Resolve of 
 the Continental Congress of the 16th instant, to be there- 
 in enclosed, sent by Mr. Bradford, who offers his service 
 as a messenger for that purpose. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Major-General Wooster was 
 read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
1307 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1308 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We have received your favours of the 17th and 
 18th instant, and beg leave to testify to you our high sense 
 of the readiness which you shew to assist our Colony. 
 That honest zeal which inspirits the bosoms of our coun- 
 trymen in Connecticut commands our admiration and praise. 
 With the warmest affection for them, the most fervent 
 attention to the publick welfare, and the greatest respect, 
 Sir, for you, we are your very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 To Major-General Wooster. 
 
 P. S. We enclose a letter for you received by our mes- 
 senger from Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and sent by Mr. Bradford. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, President of 
 the Continental Congress, bearing date on the 12th inst., 
 was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Philadelphia, June 12, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : By order of the Congress I forward 
 you the enclosed Resolves, passed on the 10th instant, the 
 importance and propriety of which you will readily per- 
 ceive, as the safety of America greatly depends on our 
 having it in our power to supply ourselves with the means 
 of defence. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servant, John Hancock, President. 
 
 " To the Members of the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York." 
 
 The Resolves of the Continental Congress, received, en- 
 closed in the above Letter, were also read and filed. 
 
 The Mayor of the City informed the President that 
 without the aid of this Congress, Captain Vanderput, of 
 the Ship Asia, cannot get any small necessaries for him- 
 self or his Ship ; and that Captain Vanderput requests 
 such aid of this Congress as may give him relief in the 
 premises. 
 
 Ordered, That Abraham Lott, Esquire, be at liberty to 
 supply Captain Vanderput and the Ship Asia with such 
 small necessaries as may be wanted from time to time. 
 
 A Letter from Mr. Brook Watson to the President, 
 setting forth that he is going into Canada, mentioning his 
 suite, and the Letters in his custody, and requesting such 
 Letter from Congress as may facilitate his journey ; and 
 also a card from Lord and Lady Chatham, were read : 
 
 And thereupon a draught of a recommendatory Passport 
 for the said Brook Watson and his suite, was prepared, 
 read, and approved of, and is in the words following, to 
 wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 20, 1775. 
 
 To all Officers in the service of the Colonies, Members of 
 Committees, and others of the friends of American 
 liberty, greeting : 
 
 Brethren : Take notice that Mr. Brook Watson, now 
 about to depart hence for the Province of Quebeck, hav- 
 ing applied to this Congress for a passport, we, well con- 
 vinced that the said Brook Watson is a true friend to this 
 Country and its rights, do desire you to give him every 
 assistance, and shew him all the civilities in your power, 
 and that you forward him and his suite, being Messieurs 
 Joseph Marie Tonnencour and Louis Perras, companions 
 of the said Brook Watson, and Daniel McKinzie, his 
 servant. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and countersigned by the Secretaries, 
 and delivered to Mr. Brook Watson; and that Messrs. 
 Morris, Richard Yates, Clarkson, and Low, be a Com- 
 mittee to wait on him, and receive of him such informa- 
 tion as he can give that may be useful for the interest of 
 America. 
 
 A copy of a Letter bearing date at Newport, on the 
 14th instant, from Jonathan Otis, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Inspection there, was read and filed. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committees of East and 
 South- Hampton, was read, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 20, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : A copy of the Letter from the Commit- 
 tee of Newport to your Committee, concerning certain 
 persons now under inoculation in your Town, being laid 
 before us, we earnestly recommend to you that you would 
 be very careful that they be so secured and sent off as not 
 to have it in their power to spread the infection. You 
 have enclosed the resolution of this Congress prohibiting 
 inoculation for the small-pox until the first of December 
 next. We are, &ic. 
 
 To the Committees of Observation of the Towns of East 
 and South- Hampton. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and, with a copy of the Resolve of this Con- 
 gress against Inoculation for the Small-Pox, be delivered 
 to Mr. L' Hommedieu to be forwarded. 
 
 A Certificate from Jonathan Wells, Samuel Wadsworth, 
 and Epaphras Bull, the Committee of Hartford, bearing 
 date the 13th instant, certifying that Richard Sharpless, 
 the bearer, is one of the soldiers lately taken at Ticonde- 
 roga, and was coming to New-York to collect money due 
 to him, was read ; and the soldier mentioned in the said 
 Certificate attending at the door, and being lame, 
 
 Ordered, That the Doorkeeper provide Lodging for 
 him at the cheapest rate, until the further order of this 
 Congress. 
 
 Mr. Verplanck (seconded by Mr. Melancion Smith) 
 moved in the following words, to wit : 
 
 I move that the sum of £2,000, when we receive the 
 Continental Currency, be lent to Messrs. Van Vletck and 
 Kip, at five per cent., for the term of two years, they 
 giving security for the same, to enable them to manufac- 
 ture Saltpetre ; and that this Congress engage to take from 
 them any quantity of Saltpetre, under twenty tons, that 
 they may manufacture in this Colony within a twelve- 
 month, at the rale of 2s. 6d. per pound. 
 
 And debates arose thereon, and the question being put, 
 it was carried in the negative in the manner following, to 
 wit : 
 
 For the Motion. Against the Motion. 
 
 County of Dutchess, 
 County of Ulster, 
 County of Suffolk, 
 County of Orange. — 8. 
 
 City and County of Albany, 
 County of Richmond, 
 County of Charlotte, 
 County of King's, 
 County of Westchester, 
 County of Tryon, 
 City and County of New-York, 
 County of Queen's. — 19. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, President of 
 the Continental Congress, bearing date the 15th instant, 
 was read, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Philadelphia, June 15, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Your letter, of 10th instant, to the Dele- 
 gates of New-York, has been laid before the Congress, in 
 consequence of which I am directed to return you the 
 thanks of the Congress for your vigilance in the case of 
 Captain Coffin's vessel, and to recommend to you that the 
 vessel be unloaded, and the cargo safely stored, until all 
 just suspicions concerning the destination of it shall be 
 removed. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servant, John Hancock, President. 
 
 " To the Members of the Provincial Congress, New- York." 
 
 A Letter from the Provincial Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire, together with a certified copy of a Resolve of that 
 Congress, were read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Tappen and Mr. Christopher P. 
 Yates be added to the Committee for the arrangement of 
 Troops to be raised in this Colony. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., June 21, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Moore. Present : 
 For the City and County of Neiv-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Wal- 
 ton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lan- 
 cey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard 
 
1309 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1310 
 
 Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kis- 
 sam, John Morin Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt, John Mar- 
 ston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Jun., Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van 
 Rensselaer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Jonathan Landon, Gys- 
 bert Schenck, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Christopher Tappen. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, John 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodbull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Wickham, Thomas Tredvvell, John 
 Foster. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Tho- 
 mas, Jun., William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Theodorus Polhemus, John Lef- 
 fertse, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — John Hazeltine, Paul Spooner, 
 William Williams. 
 
 A Letter from John Hazeltine, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Cumberland County, was read and filed. 
 
 The gentlemen who are Deputies from Cumberland 
 County, produced a set of Resolves entered into by the 
 Delegates of the several Towns in the said County, con- 
 vened at the Court-House at Westminster, on the sixth 
 instant, signed by John Hazeltine, Chairman, and Sol. 
 Phelps, D. Clerk ; and by the conclusion of the sixth and 
 last Resolve it appears and is certified that Colonel John 
 Hazeltine, Doctor Faul Spooner, and William Williams, 
 Esquire, were voted and elected Deputies for that County 
 to attend, meet, and join in this Congress; the said Re- 
 solves and Certificate were read and filed : 
 
 And Ordered, That these gentlemen take their seats. 
 
 The Petition of Joseph Johnson, on behalf of himself 
 and three other Indians therein named, praying for a Pass- 
 port and letter of safe conduct for himself and the said 
 three other Indians to Neiv-London, in Connecticut, and 
 some small aid in money, to assist them in their journey, 
 was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That a Passport and letter of safe conduct 
 be made and delivered to the said Joseph Johnson and 
 his three companions, by name, in their journey to Neiv- 
 London, and that the President give him Ten Pounds to 
 assist him and his companions in their journey. 
 
 A Letter from John Bay, Secretary of the Committee 
 of Albany, was read, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 "Albany, June 16, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: By order of the Committee of this City and 
 County, of the 15th instant, you have enclosed a copy of 
 a letter from the Reverend Samuel Kirkland, Missionary 
 among the Oneida Indians. I am, Sir, your humble ser- 
 vant, John Bay, Secretary pro tern. 
 "To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the 
 
 Provincial Congress, New-York." 
 
 The copy of the Letter from Mr. Kirkland, therein en- 
 closed, was read and filed, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 " Cherry Valley, June 9, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : This acknowledges the receipt of your 
 favour, with an enclosed paper, the authenticity of which 
 1 have no doubt. I am much embarrassed at present. 
 You have doubtless heard Colonel Johnson has orders 
 from Government to remove the dissenting Missionaries 
 from the Six Nations, till the difficulties betwixt Great 
 Britain and the Colonies are settled. In consequence of 
 which he has forbid my return to my people at Oneida. 
 He has since given encouragement that i may revisit them 
 after the Congress; but, to be plain, I have no dependance 
 
 at all upon his promises of this kind in particular. He 
 appears unreasonably jealous of me, and has forbid my 
 speaking a word to the Indians, and threatened me with 
 confinement if I transgress. All he has against me I sup- 
 pose to be this : a suspicion that I have interpreted to the 
 Indians the doings of the Continental Congress, which 
 has undeceived and too much opened the eyes of the In- 
 dians for Colonel Johnson's purposes. I confess to you, 
 gentlemen, that 1 have been guilty of this, if it be any 
 transgression. The Indians found out that I had received 
 the abstracts of said Congress, and insisted upon knowing 
 the contents. I could not deny them, notwithstanding my 
 cloth, though in all other respects I have been extremelv 
 cautious not to meddle in matters of a political nature. 
 
 " I apprehend my interpreting the doings of the Congress 
 to a number of their Sachems, has done more real service 
 to the cause of the Country, or the cause of truth and 
 justice, than five hundred pounds in presents would have 
 effected. If you think proper, you may acquaint your 
 Provincial Congress with the contents of this, but you 
 must be cautious in exposing my name ; you cannot but 
 be sensible my situation is extremely difficult. You may 
 expect either to see or hear from me again very soon : 
 wishing you the blessings of peace, and that we may all 
 be disposed to acquiesce in the Divine Government. 
 
 " In utmost haste subscribe, gentlemen, your obedient 
 and very humble servant, Samuel Kirkland. 
 
 " To the Committee of Albany. 
 
 " A true copy: John Bay, Sec'y pro tern." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Abraham Yates, Colonel Harden- 
 bergh, Mr. Silvester, Mr. Glenn, and Mr. Christopher P. 
 Yates, be a Committee to consider of such directions as 
 may be proper for this Congress to give, and such mea- 
 sures as may be useful to be by them adopted, with respect 
 to the Oneidas, and other Indian Nations, and that they 
 report with all convenient speed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Tusteen and Colonel Hazeltine 
 be added to the Committee for arrangement of the Forces 
 to be raised in this Colony. 
 
 A Letter from the following gentlemen, to wit: Benja- 
 min Carpenter, Chairman of the Committee of Netv-Marl- 
 borough ; Samuel Brewster, Chairman of the Committee 
 of New- Windsor ; and Isaac Belknap, Chairman pro tern. 
 of the Committee of Newburgh, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. John Wil- 
 liams, Mr. Richard Yates, and Mr. Verplanck, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider of the best methods to carry into 
 execution the Resolve of the Continental Congress with 
 relation to Saltpetre and Sulphur, and to make report with 
 all convenient speed. 
 
 Mr. McDougall reported a list of the persons in the 
 City of New-York who have got Saltpetre, and of the 
 quantity that each person has on hand, by which it appears 
 that the whole quantity of Saltpetre now in Town amounts 
 to two hundred and eighty-seven pounds. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committee of the City of 
 New-York to attend a copy of the Resolve of the Conti- 
 nental Congress of the 10th instant, was read and approved, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 21, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : You will see from the enclosed order, 
 that the Committees of the respective Counties are re- 
 quested to collect all the Saltpetre, Sulphur, and Brim- 
 stone in their several Towns and Districts, and to transmit 
 the same with all possible despatch to this Congress. We 
 recommend this matter to your immediate attention, and 
 beg you will purchase up all the Saltpetre in this City and 
 County, and communicate to this Congress the quantity of 
 Brimstone and Sulphur that may be purchased in Town, 
 that we may be able to carry into execution the Resolve 
 of the Continental Congress. We are, gentlemen, your 
 very humble servants. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 To the General Committee of Association for the City and 
 
 County of New-York. 
 
 Ordered, That the state of Queen's County be taken 
 into consideration to-morrow morning. 
 
1311 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1312 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee for preparing a draught 
 of the sentiments of this Congress on the terms of a recon- 
 ciliation with Great Britain, at their request be indulged 
 in bringing in their said Report till to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., June 22, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Abra- 
 ham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Thomas 
 Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt, John Marston, Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Christopher Tappen. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, John 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Ho- 
 bart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, James Havens, 
 Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Philip Van 
 Cortlandt, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas, 
 Jun., William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — John Hazeltine, William Wil- 
 liams, Paul Spooner. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerard Bancker be requested to 
 have all the Barracks in this City immediately cleansed 
 and made wholesome, so that they may be ready to receive 
 such Troops as this Congress shall direct. 
 
 A draught of a Passport for Mr. Joseph Johnson and 
 his Indian companions, was read and approved, and is in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 22, 1775. 
 To all Officers in the service of the Colonies, Members of 
 Committees, and others, the friends of American liberty, 
 greeting : 
 
 Brethren : Know ye, that Mr. Joseph Johnson, an 
 Indian of the Mohegan tribe, and a licensed Preacher of 
 the Gospel amongst the New -England and Oneida In- 
 dians, having applied to this Congress for a passport for 
 himself and three other Indians, his companions, now 
 here, on a journey from the Oneida Country to New-Lon- 
 don, in Connecticut, we, well convinced of the friendly 
 disposition of the said Joseph Johnson to the inhabitants 
 of the American Colonies, and of his intentions and good 
 ofiices to preserve and maintain peace and harmony between 
 them and the Indian Nations, do request and desire you to 
 afford all necessary aid and protection to the said Joseph 
 Johnson and his three Indian companions, being James 
 Shattock, John Skesuck and Samuel Tollman, and to per- 
 mit them to pass freely and safely in their journey to New- 
 London aforesaid. 
 
 We do also hereby request of the said Joseph Johnson, in 
 our names and on behalf of the whole Colony of Ac w-York, 
 to assure the Oneida Nation, and all other our old friends 
 and allies of the confederated Indian Nations, that we love 
 and esteem them as our brethren ; that we desire to main- 
 tain with them the old friendship which subsisted between 
 us from the time of our forefathers, and that the path be- 
 
 tween us may be kept free and open at all times ; and that 
 we desire they do not give ear to any false reports whatso- 
 ever to the contrary. 
 
 By order and on behalf of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and countersigned by the Secretaries, and 
 delivered to the said Joseph Johnson. 
 
 It is recommended by this Congress to the General Com- 
 mittee of Association of the City and County of New- York, 
 that they do immediately take the most effectual means in 
 their power to prevent the Small-Pox from spreading in this 
 City or County, and for securing the City as much as pos- 
 sible from the danger of infection from that disease. 
 
 The Order of the Day, for consideration of the state of 
 Queen's County, being read, and after some time spent 
 therein, 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Hicks, Joseph French, and 
 Daniel Rapalye, Esquires, who were elected Deputies to 
 represent Queen's County in this Congress, and have not 
 as yet attended, be requested to take their seats in this 
 Congress, on Tuesday next, or assign their reasons for 
 neglecting to attend. 
 
 And it is Ordered, That Captain Richard Thome, who 
 has neglected to attend this Congress for some time past, 
 be also requested to attend on Tuesday next. 
 
 Ordered, That the Members for Queen's County do, 
 on Tuesday morning next, report to this Congress their 
 opinion of the conduct of their constituents with regard to 
 the controversy now subsisting between Great Britain and 
 the American Colonies, and what steps have been taken 
 by any of the inhabitants of that County to defeat the 
 measures adopted or necessary to be adopted by the Con- 
 tinental and this Congress for the preservation of our rights 
 and privileges. 
 
 The Committee appointed to report the subject-matter 
 of a proper Plan of Accommodation with Great Britain, 
 delivered in their Report, which was read, and the same 
 being read a second time, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration on 
 Saturday morning next; that the Members of each County 
 have leave to take one copy thereof, each copy to be 
 numbered by one of the Secretaries, who shall take a me- 
 morandum of the name of the Member who shall take with 
 him such copy, and the number of the copy by him taken, 
 that all the said copies may on Saturday next be returned 
 to and filed with the Secretaries. And all the Members 
 are directed by the President from the chair to take the 
 utmost care to preserve the said copies secret, and to keep 
 secret the subject-matter thereof. And it is agreed that no 
 Member shall transcribe the said Report, or take any copy 
 from the copies taken out of the House for the use of the 
 Members of each County, and that all the said copies shall 
 on Saturday next be returned to the Secretaries. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Wickham delivered the General Associa- 
 tion, in a book signed by the Freeholders and Inhabitants 
 of the Town of East Hampton, with a certificate thereto, 
 subscribed by John Chatfield, Chairman, certifying that 
 every male in the Town of East Hampton, capable of 
 bearing arms, has signed the said Association. 
 
 Mr. McDougall moved (and was seconded by Mr. 
 Yates) that the sense of this Congress be taken, whether 
 the Troops to be raised in this Colony shall be clothed in 
 Uniform. 
 
 Debates arose thereon, and it was deferred for farther 
 consideration. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 23, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers. Present : 
 For the City and County of Neiv-York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President ; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, David 
 Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Van 
 Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac Sears. 
 
1313 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1314 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Christopher Tappen. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, John 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Wood hull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Stephen 
 Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townsend, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — John Hazeltine, Paul Spooner, 
 William Williams. 
 
 A Memorial of fVilliam Elphinston, a conductor of Ord- 
 nance Stores taken at Ticonderoga, setting forth his poverty 
 and want of subsistence, and praying for relief, received. 
 
 Ordered, That the President advance twenty shillings 
 per week to the said William Elphinston for his subsis- 
 tence, until the further order of this Congress, and that the 
 said fVilliam Elphinston have leave to take the use of a 
 room in the lower Barracks. 
 
 Resolved, That the inhabitants of this Colony ought not 
 to kill any Lamb until the first day of November next. 
 
 Mr. Morris moved (and was seconded by several Mem- 
 bers from the Northern Counties) that this Congress enter 
 into and publish a Resolution to restrain the killing of Sheep 
 until the first day of November next. 
 
 Debates arose thereon, and, according to a rule of this 
 Congress, at the request of the Deputies of Albany, Suf- 
 folk and New- York, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be postponed till Wednesday 
 next. 
 
 And Ordered, That the above Resolution, with respect 
 to Lamb, shall not be published until Wednesday next. 
 
 Robert Boyd, in pursuance of the Letter from this Con- 
 gress of the sixteenth instant, attending at the door, was 
 called in. He informed this Congress that he could set on 
 foot a manufactory of Gun-Barrels, Bayonets, and steel 
 Ramrods, and deliver them at the price of thirty-five shil- 
 lings for each Barrel, Ramrod, and Bayonet. 
 
 Henry Watkeys attending at the door, was also called in, 
 and offered to furnish Locks for the muskets, and to mount, 
 stock and finish them in complete workman-like manner, as 
 the sample shewn to him, at the rate of forty-five shillings 
 each. 
 
 And a Sadler attending at the door, was called in, and 
 informed the Congress that the expense of making Scab- 
 bards for Bayonets would be two shillings, and Straps and 
 Buckles for the Muskets would be one shilling and six 
 pence. 
 
 Ordered, That the former Committee appointed to agree 
 with Robert Boyd, to wit : Colonel Lispenard, Mr. Mont- 
 gomerie, and Colonel Clinton, together with Thomas Smith, 
 Esq., be a Committee to agree with the said Robert Boyd 
 for all the Musket-Barrels, Ramrods, and Bayonet that 
 he shall make within six months. And that the same 
 Committee agree with Henry Watkeys for such of the said 
 Muskets as he shall stock and finish in manner aforesaid 
 within the same time. 
 
 Mr. Sears has leave of absence (after to-morrow noon) 
 to go to Philadelphia. 
 
 Mr. John Williams has the like leave to go home. 
 
 Mr. McDougaU moved (seconded by Mr. Morris) in 
 the words following : " I move that this Congress recognize 
 the Act of the Provincial Convention of this Colony, 
 which elected Philip Livingston, Esquire, and others, 
 Delegates to represent the Colony in the Continental Con- 
 gress, now sitting in Philadelphia." 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 83 
 
 The subject-matter of the said motion being unanimously 
 agreed to and approved of, 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicente, That this Congress does 
 fully recognize the act of the Provincial Convention of this 
 Colony which elected Philip Livingston, James Duane, 
 John Alsop, John Jay, Simon Boerum, William Floyd, 
 Henry Wisner, Philip Schuyler, George Clinton, Lewis 
 Morris, Francis Lewis, and Robert R. Livingston, Junior, 
 Delegates to represent this Colony in the Continental Con- 
 gress now sitting in the City of Philadelphia. 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Veneris, 4to ho. P. M., June 23, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esquire, President; Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Isaac 
 Roosevelt, James Beekman, Thomas Smith, Benjamin 
 Kissam, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt, Isaac 
 Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn. 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jona- 
 than Landon, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen. 
 For Orange County. — Benjamin Tusteen, John Herring. 
 For Suffolk County. — N athaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Ho- 
 bart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Stephen 
 Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, William Paulding. 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen. 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson. 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams, 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The Congress being informed that General Washington, 
 Commander-in-Chief of all the Forces raised and to be 
 raised in the American confederated Colonies, is on his way 
 from Philadelphia to this City, and expected to be near at 
 hand, 
 
 Ordered, That the Doorkeeper wait on Colonel Lasher, 
 and request him to attend this Congress immediately. 
 
 And Colonel Lasher attending at the door, being called 
 in by desire of the Congress, the President requested Col- 
 onel Lasher to send one of his Field Officers to meet 
 General Washington, and to know when he will be in this 
 City. And further requested Colonel Lasher to make 
 such orders as to have his Battalion ready to receive Gen. 
 Washington when he shall arrive. 
 
 The Committee appointed to make and report an arrange- 
 ment of the Troops to be raised in this Colony, delivered 
 in their Report; which was read. 
 
 The Congress immediately proceeded to the considera- 
 tion thereof, and after some time spent therein, Ordered. 
 that the same be deferred for further consideration. 
 Doctor Dayton had leave of absence. 
 The Congress then adjourned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., June 24, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gano. Present : 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abraham 
 Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De 
 Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Thomas 
 Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt, Isaac Sears. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Henry Glenn, Robert 
 Van Rensselaer. 
 
1315 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1175. 
 
 1316 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Anthony Hoffman, Zephaniah 
 Piatt, Richard Montgomerie, Nathaniel Sackett, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, John 
 Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Stephen 
 Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, John Leffertse. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 A Letter from Governour Trumbull to the President, 
 dated Lebanon, June 19, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 The extract of an Act of the Legislature of Connecticut, 
 (enclosed in the last before mentioned Letter,) mentioning 
 the particular provisions enacted to be made for their Troops, 
 was read and filed. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, the Congress resumed 
 the consideration of the Report of the Committee on the 
 subject-matter of a Plan of Accommodation with Great 
 Britain. The same was read ; and, by order, being again 
 read, paragraph by paragraph, the first paragraph is in the 
 words following, to wit : " That all the Statutes and parts 
 of Statutes of the British Parliament, which were held up 
 for repeal by the late Continental Congress in their Asso- 
 ciation, dated the twentieth day of October, 1774, and all 
 the Statutes of the British Parliament passed since that 
 day, restraining the Trade and Fishery of the Colonies on 
 this Continent, ought to be repealed." 
 
 The said first paragraph being read, debates arose thereon ; 
 and Mr. Morris moved, and was seconded, that the words 
 following be substituted instead of the whole first paragraph, 
 to wit : " That such Acts of Parliament as the present 
 Congress think fatal to the liberties of America, ought to 
 be repealed." 
 
 And debates arising on the said amendment, and the 
 question being put, it was carried against the amendment, in 
 manner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Amendment. Against the Amendment. 
 
 2 King's County. 2 Dutchess. 
 
 2 Richmond County. 2 Suffolk. 
 
 2 Weetchester County. 2 Ulster. 
 
 2 Orange County. 2 Queen's. 
 
 — 3 Albany. 
 
 8 2 Cumberland. 
 
 4 New-York. — Mr. DeLancey dis- 
 senting. 
 2 Charlotte. 
 
 19 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That the said Amendment be re- 
 jected. 
 
 The said first paragraph being again read, and the ques- 
 tion put, whether the Congress does agree to the said first 
 paragraph, it was carried in the affirmative, in the manner 
 following, to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative, 
 
 2 Westchester. 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 King's. 2 Suffolk. 
 4 New-York. — 
 
 3 Albany. 4 
 
 2 Tryon. Dissentients, Mr. Sackett, Col- 
 
 2 Orange. onel Woodhull, Mr. Sears, 
 
 2 Charlotte. Mr. Scott, Mr. Brasher, and 
 
 2 Dutchess. Mr. Beekman. 
 
 2 Quoon's. 
 2 Richmond. 
 
 23 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress does agree with 
 their Committee in the first paragraph of the said Report. 
 
 Then the second, third, and fourth paragraphs of the said 
 Report being read, are in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "That from the necessity of the case Britain ought to 
 regulate the Trade of the whole Empire. And that from 
 the natural right of property the powers of Taxation ought 
 to be confined to the Colony Legislatures respectively ; 
 therefore that the Moneys raised as duties upon the regu- 
 lations of Trade ought to be paid into the respective Co- 
 lony Treasuries, and be subject to the disposal of their 
 Assemblies." 
 
 Debate arose thereon, and the question being put, whether 
 the Congress does agree to the said second, third, and fourlh 
 paragraphs; it was carried in the affirmative, in the man- 
 ner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. 
 
 3 Albany. 
 
 2 Dutchess. 
 2 Westchester. 
 2 King's. 
 2 Tryon. 
 2 Richmond. 
 2 Queen's. 
 
 4 New-York. 
 2 Orange. 
 
 2 Charlotte. 
 
 23 
 
 For the Negative. 
 2 Suffolk. 
 2 Ulster. 
 2 Cumberland. 
 
 Dissentients, Colonel Woodhull, 
 Mr. Sackett, Mr. Sears, Mr. 
 Scott, Mr. Brasher, Mr.Beek. 
 man. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress does agree w ith 
 their Committee in the second, third, and fourth paragraphs, 
 of the said Report. 
 
 The fifth paragraph of the said Report being then read, 
 is in the words following, to wit: "That in those Colonies 
 whose Representatives in General Assembly are now chosen 
 for a greater term than three years, such Assemblies for the 
 future ought in their duration not to exceed that term." 
 
 And the same being read, debates arose thereon, and the 
 question being put, whether the Congress agrees to the 
 said fifth paragraph, it was carried in the affirmative, in the 
 manner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Negative. 
 2 Ulster. 
 2 Tryon. 
 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 Suffolk. — Dissentient, Col. 
 Woodhull. 
 
 3 Albany. 
 
 For the Affirmative. 
 4t New-York. 
 2 Charlotte. 
 2 Dutchess. 
 2 Richmond. 
 2 Westchester. 
 2 Queen's. 
 2 King's. 
 2 Orange. 
 
 18 
 
 11 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress does agree with 
 their Committee in the fifth paragraph of the said Report. 
 
 The sixth paragraph of the said Report being then read, 
 is in the words following, to wit : " That the Colonists are 
 ready and willing to support the civil Government within 
 the respective Colonies ; and on proper requisitions, to assist 
 in the general defence of the Empire, in as ample a man- 
 ner as their respective abilities will admit of." 
 
 The same being read, debates arose thereon, and the 
 
 question being put, whether the Congress does agree to the 
 
 said sixth paragraph, it was carried in the affirmative, in the 
 
 manner following, to wit: 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Westchester. 2 Ulster. 
 
 2 Charlotte. 2 Suffolk.— Colonel WWW/, 
 
 2 Dutchess. dissenting. 
 2 Queen's. 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 King's. 
 
 2 Tryon. fi 
 2 Orange. 0 
 
 2 Richmond. 
 
 3 Albany. 
 
 4 New-York. — Dissentients 
 — Messrs. Sears, Scott, 
 23 Brasher and Beekman. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress does agree with 
 their Committee in the said sixth paragraph of their Report. 
 
 The seventh paragraph of the said Report being then 
 read, is in the words following, to wit : " The Colonies are 
 ready and willing to assent to a Continental Congress, de- 
 puted from the several Assemblies, to meet with a President 
 appointed by the Crown, for the purpose of raising and 
 apportioning their general aids, upon application made by 
 the Crown, according to the advice of the British Parlia- 
 ment, to be judged of by the said Congress." 
 
 On reading the same, debates arose, and on motion of 
 Mr. Plait, seconded by Messrs. Hobart and Scott, the fol- 
 lowing amendments were proposed and agreed to, to wit [ 
 the word "from" between the word "deputed" and the 
 
1317 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1318 
 
 word " the" obliterated, and tlie word " by" there inserted. 
 And that the word " Assemblies" be obliterated, and the 
 word " Colonies" inserted in its stead. 
 
 And the question being put, whether the Congress does 
 agree to the said seventh paragraph, with these amend- 
 ments, it was carried in the affirmative, in the manner fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 King's. 2 Ulster. 
 
 2 Dutchess. — Mr. Sackett 2 Orange. 
 
 dissenting. 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 Richmond. 2 Suffolk— Colonel Woodhull 
 
 2 Charlotte. — dissenting. 
 
 2 Tryon. 8 
 
 3 Albany. 
 
 4 New-York. — Dissentients 
 
 Messrs. Sears, Brasher, 
 
 Scott and Beekman. 
 2 Westchester. 
 2 Queen's. 
 
 21 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress does agree with 
 their Committee in the said seventh paragraph of their 
 Report, as now amended. 
 
 Mr. Morris (seconded by Colonel Woodhull) then moved 
 that a Resolution be entered into by this Congress, and 
 added to those mentioned in the said Report of the Com- 
 mittee on the Plan of Accommodation with Great Britain, 
 to wit : 
 
 " Resolved, That no one article of the aforesaid Report 
 be considered as preliminary to another, so as to preclude 
 an accommodation without such article ; and that no part of 
 the said Report be deemed binding or obligatory upon the 
 Representatives of this Colony in Continental Congress ; 
 the same being merely intended to testify our sense of a 
 mode by which the unhappy differences between Great 
 Britain and America may be finally accommodated, and 
 of the propriety of an overture for that purpose." 
 
 And the same being read a second time, was unanimously 
 resolved and agreed to. 
 
 The Congress being informed by several Members, that 
 nothing has as yet been done towards cleansing the Bar- 
 racks in this City, 
 
 Therefore Ordered, That Messrs. Garret Roorbaclc and 
 John Lamb be requested to have all the Barracks in this 
 City immediately cleansed and made wholesome, so that 
 they may be ready to receive such Troops as this Con- 
 gress shall direct. 
 
 Mr. Melancton Smith (seconded by Mr. Hobart) then 
 moved in the words following, to wit : 1 move for the fol- 
 lowing addition to the Report ; " And as the free enjoyment 
 of the rights of conscience is of all others the most valua- 
 ble branch of human liberty, and the indulgence and estab- 
 lishment of Popery all along the interior confines of the 
 old Protestant Colonies tends not only to obstruct their 
 growth, but to weaken their security, all concerns of a 
 religious and ecclesiastical nature, so far as they may be 
 under the cognizance and control of civil authority, ought 
 to remain exclusively with the respective Colony Legisla- 
 tures, as the most inestimable object of their internal police." 
 
 The said motion being delivered in at the table, and read 
 a second time, Mr. Thomas Smith moved for the follow- 
 ing amendment, to wit : that from the word " security" to 
 the end of the said motion, be obliterated, and instead 
 thereof the following words inserted, to wit: "that the 
 Parliament of Great Britain cannot constitutionally or of 
 right interfere or interpose in any wise howsoever in the 
 religious and ecclesiastical concerns of the Colonies." 
 
 Which amendment being read, Mr. Morris proposed the 
 following additional amendment, which was read and agreed 
 to, to wit : That between the words " that" and " the," the 
 word " neither" be inserted, and that the words " cannot 
 constitutionally or," be obliterated ; and instead thereof the 
 words " nor any other earthly legislature or tribunal ought 
 or can," be inserted in their stead. 
 
 And both the amendments being together read and agreed 
 to,nemine contradicente, the said motion, as before amended, 
 was again read, and is in the words following, to wit : " And 
 as the free enjoyment of the rights of conscience is of all 
 others the most valuable branch of human liberty, and the 
 indulgence and establishment of Popery all along the inte- 
 
 riour confines of the old Protestant Colonies tends not 
 only to obstruct their growth but to weaken their security, 
 that neither the Parliament of Great Britain, nor any other 
 earthly legislature or tribunal, ought or can of right inter- 
 fere or interpose in any wise howsoever in the religious and 
 ecclesiastical concerns of the Colonies." 
 
 And debates arising on the said motion, as now amended, 
 and the question being put thereon, whether the Congress 
 agrees thereto, and will order it to be added to, and made 
 a part of their said Plan of Accommodation, it was carried 
 in the affirmative, in the manner following, to wit: 
 
 Fir the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Westchester. — Dissenting, 2 King's. — Mr. H. Williams 
 
 Messrs. Morris, Tho- dissenting. 
 
 mas, and Ward. 2 Richmond. 
 
 2 Suffolk. 3 Albany. 
 
 2 Tryon. 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 Charlotte. — 
 2 Dutchess. 9 
 2 Orange. 
 
 4 New-York. — Dissenting, 
 
 Messrs. Verplanck, 
 
 Kissam, Low, De 
 
 Lancey, Lispenard, 
 2 Ulster. and Walton. 
 
 18 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the same motion, as amended, 
 and last read, be added to and made a part of the said Plan 
 of Accommodation ; and that it be inserted therein, imme- 
 diately following that part of the said Plan of Accommoda- 
 tion which was reported by the Committee, and preceding 
 the Resolution last before made and entered into. 
 
 Mr. McDougall then made a motion (which was second- 
 ed by Mr. Brasher) in the words following, to wit: " As 
 I conceive it would be presumptuous in this Congress to 
 offer our sentiments either directly or indirectly to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, on a Plan of Accommodation with Great 
 Britain, until the same be called for by that honourable 
 body, I move that our Committee's Report on that subject 
 be not transmitted to our Delegates until a private Letter be 
 wrote to them, signifying that we have digested our senti- 
 ments on that subject, and are ready to furnish them to those 
 gentlemen, when called for by them or by the Continental 
 Congress, or until we have received their answer to such 
 Letter." 
 
 This Congress being about to adjourn, 
 
 Ordered, That the said motion be postponed for further 
 consideration. 
 
 Colonel Hoffman obtained leave of absence. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till nine o'clock, to-mor- 
 row morning. 
 
 Die Solis, 9 ho. A. M., June 25, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Ingles. Present : 
 
 Perer Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President. 
 List of the Members was not called. 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, dated at New-Bruns- 
 wick, June 24, 1775, informing this Congress that General 
 Washington, with his retinue, would be at Newark this 
 morning, and requesting this Congress to send some of its 
 Members to meet him there, and advise the most proper 
 place for him to cross Hudson's River in his way to Netv- 
 York, 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Thomas Smith, Hobart, Mor- 
 ris and Montgomerie, go immediatelty to Newark, and 
 recommend to General Washington the place which they 
 shall think most prudent for him to cross at. 
 
 And information being received that Governour Tryon is 
 at the Hook, and will land at about one o'clock: Colonel 
 Lasher was called in, and requested to send one company 
 of the Militia to Paulus Hook to meet the Generals ; that 
 he have another company at the side of the ferry for the 
 same purpose ; that he have the residue of his Battalion 
 ready to receive either the General or Governour Tryon, 
 which ever shall first arrive, and to wait on both as well as 
 circumstances will allow. 
 
 A Letter from Joseph Warren, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress at Watertown, was read, and is in the 
 words following : 
 
1319 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1320 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 13, 1775. 
 
 "Gentlemen: Considering the exposed state of the 
 frontiers of some of the Colonies; the danger that the 
 inhabitants of Canada may possibly have disagreeable 
 apprehensions from the military preparations making in 
 some of the other Colonies; and the rumours that there 
 are some appearances of their getting themselves in readi- 
 ness to act in a hostile way, this Congress have made appli- 
 cation to the honourable Continental Congress, desiring 
 them to take such measures as to them shall appear proper, 
 to quiet and conciliate the minds of the Canadians, and to 
 prevent such alarming apprehensions. 
 
 " We also have had the disagreeable accounts of methods 
 taken to fill the minds of the Indian tribes, adjacent to those 
 Colonies, with sentiments very injurious to us ; particularly 
 we have been informed that Colonel Guy Johnson has 
 taken great pains with the Six Nations, in order to bring 
 them into a belief that it is designed by the Colonies to 
 fall upon them and cut them off. We have therefore 
 desired the honourable Continental Congress, that they 
 would, with all convenient speed, use their influence in 
 guarding against the evil intended by this malevolent mis- 
 representation. And we desire you to join with us in such 
 application. Joseph Wakren, President. 
 
 " Attest : Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 " To the Honourable Delegates of the Congress of the Prov- 
 ince of New-York." 
 
 A Letter from the Committee at Albany was read, and 
 is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Albany, June 17, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : You have enclosed, by order of the Com- 
 mittee, a request of Adonijah Strong (Deputy Commis- 
 sary) to the Committee of this City and County. 
 "I am, gentlemen, your humble servant, 
 
 "John Bay, Secretary p. t." 
 
 The request of Adonijah Strong, mentioned and enclosed 
 in Mr. Bay's Letter, being read, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be put on file. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee at Albany was read, and 
 is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "Albany Committee Cbamber, June 21, 1775. 
 
 "Gentlemen : Mr. Dirck Swart, a member of this Board, 
 who is just returned from Crown Point, brings us the fol- 
 lowing intelligence : " That one Mr. Kay, who lives about 
 forty miles up Lake Champlain, came down ioCrown Point, 
 who told Colonel Benedict Arnold, and others, that he had 
 been at Montreal for some flour; that Governour Carleton 
 had him seized and confined for several days ; that by the 
 interposition of the English merchants of that place, he 
 received liberty to return home, and that the merchants 
 who procured him the pass from the Lieutenant-Govern- 
 our, desired him to go down to Crown Point and Ticonde- 
 roga, with all speed, and communicate to the commander 
 of those fortresses, that the French Caughnewaga Indians 
 had taken up the hatchet, but that they refused to go out 
 upon any scouts until nine of their men, who were then 
 out, returned, and that Governour Carleton was giving them 
 presents daily. 
 
 " We are very sorry to inform you that, from a number of 
 corroborating circumstances, we have but too much reason 
 to believe the above information to be true ; and more es- 
 pecially as the Troops, which amount to about six hundred 
 men, suffer no persons coming up the lake to pass St. 
 John's if they can avoid it, where they are building float- 
 ing batteries and boats. Mr. Sivart. also acquaints us that 
 Mr. Kay said, that Governour Carleton had asked the Eng- 
 lish merchants to take up arms against the Yankees, (to 
 make use of his own phraseology,) and that the merchants 
 refused ; upon which he told them he would set the town 
 on fire, which the merchants said he was welcome to do ; 
 and added, that they could carry as much fire as himself. 
 Mr. Kay also desired Mr. Swart if ho should happen to 
 meet Mr. Price, he should request him not to proceed, as 
 the English merchants in Canada conceive it unsafe for 
 bim. 
 
 " The forces above are in no proper state of defence, prin- 
 cipally owing to the scarcity of powder, of which article 
 
 we have not been able to send up more (with the supply 
 we have received from you) than three hundred and fifty 
 pounds; which quantity is altogether insufficient to answer 
 the purpose intended, and of little service in case of an 
 attack. We can further inform you, this City is not half 
 supplied, nor have the frontier inhabitants either powder or 
 arms, for which application have been and daily are making 
 to us ; we must therefore beg you will afford us all the as- 
 sistance in your power, and send us, per the first opportu- 
 nity, such an additional quantity as you can conveniently 
 spare. 
 
 " We must also beg of you to send seventy-eight blankets 
 for so many of the men enlisted in this County who are 
 now at Fort George without any, as also some money to 
 pay the companies, as they are very uneasy, and threaten 
 to desert. Two of their officers are now in Town, and 
 declare they dare not return without some cash to satisfy 
 their men. 
 
 " We thought it our indispensable duty to inform you of 
 these matters, therefore send them to you per express. By 
 order of the Committee. 
 
 " We are, gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 
 " Samuel Stringer, Chairman. 
 
 " To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of the Co- 
 lony of New- York." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T.Curtenius purchase seventy- 
 eight Blankets, and forward the same to the Committee at 
 Albany with all possible despatch. And 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Abraham Yates write a private Let- 
 ter to the Committee in answer to their Letter. 
 
 A Petition from William A. Forbes and John Hoogland 
 was received and read, and is in the words following, to 
 wit: 
 
 " To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Co- 
 lony of New- York : The Petition of Wm. A. Forbes 
 and John Hoogland, of the City of New-York, Sad- 
 dlers, humbly sheweth : 
 
 "That your petitioners have been informed that the Con- 
 gress hath in contemplation the ordering of making a num- 
 ber of cartridge-boxes, slings, and belts, for the use of the 
 Provincial Troops. That your petitioners are well able to 
 make the same, in as cheap and workmanlike a manner as 
 any of their calling in this City, and willing to do the same 
 with the utmost expedition. Your petitioners therefore 
 humbly pray this honourable Board to be employed in this 
 work ; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever 
 pray. " William A. Forbes, 
 
 " John Hoogland. 
 
 ■' New-York, June 24, 1775." 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Lunie, 9 ho. A. M., June 26, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Doctor Laidley. Present : 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter V. B. 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, Jas. Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard 
 Yates, David Clarkson, Thos. Smith, John Morin Scott, 
 John Van Cortlandt, and Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 For the City and County of Alhany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Robert Van Rensselaer, and Henry 
 Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Laudon, Melanc- 
 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 
 and John Nicholson. 
 For Orange County. — John Coe and Benjamin Tusteen. 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Slos? 
 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wiekham, and Selati 
 
 Strong. 
 
 For fVestchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Stephen 
 Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, James Holmes, David 
 Dayton, John Thomas, Junior, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 
1321 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1322 
 
 Theodorus Polhemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, and John 
 Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey and Richard Con- 
 ner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell and Joseph Ro- 
 binson. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — John Williams. 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates and John 
 Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The Committee appointed to contract with Robert Boyd 
 and Henry Watkeys, reported the draughts of Contracts 
 with the said Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, which 
 were read and approved of by the Congress. Whereupon 
 
 It is Resolved and Ordered, That Leonard Lispenard, 
 Richard Montgomerie, James Clinton, and Thomas Smith, 
 Esquires, execute the same on behalf of this Congress, and 
 tliat this Congress will provide the money necessary to dis- 
 charge the said Contract. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McDougall apply to Mr. Gabriel 
 IV. Ludlow for fifty Pounds of the Money raised by the 
 Committee of the City of New- York, and that he deliver 
 the said fifty Pounds to the Committee appointed to agree 
 with Henry Watkeys, for his use, in pursuance of the said 
 agreement. 
 
 Mr. McDougall then informed the Congress that he had 
 received of Gabriel W. Ludlow the said fifty Pounds, and 
 by order of the Congress delivered one hundred Pounds to 
 the said Committee, to be given to Robert Boyd agreeable 
 to an order of the thirteenth instant, and delivered to the 
 said Committee the said fifty Pounds, for the use of Henry 
 Watkeys. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter from Joseph Warren, Esq., 
 President of the Provincial Congress at Watertoion of the 
 thirteenth instant ; also the Letter from the Committee at 
 Albany, of the twenty-first instant, be referred to the Com- 
 mittee of this Congress, appointed for Indian affairs on the 
 twenty-first instant. 
 
 A draught of an Address to his Excellency General 
 Washington, was read and approved of, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 To His Excellency George Washington, Generalissimo 
 of all the Forces raised and to be raised in the confede- 
 rated Colonies of America : The Address of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress of the Colony of New-York : 
 May it please tour Excellency : At a time when 
 the most loyal of His Majesty's subjects, from a regard to 
 the laws and constitution by which he sits on the throne, feel 
 themselves reduced to the unhappy necessity of taking up 
 arms to defend their dearest rights and privileges, while we 
 deplore the calamities of this divided Empire, we rejoice in 
 the appointment of a gentleman from whose abilities and 
 virtue we are taught to expect both security and peace. 
 Confiding in you, Sir, and in the worthy Generals imme- 
 diately under your command, we have the most flattering 
 hopes of success in the glorious struggle for American 
 liberty, and the fullest assurance, that whenever this impor- 
 tant contest shall be decided by (that fondest wish of each 
 American soul) an accommodation with our Mother Coun- 
 try, you will cheerfully resign the important deposit com- 
 mitted into your hands, and resume the character of our 
 worthiest citizen. 
 June 26, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Morris and Mr. Low be a Commit- 
 tee to wait on General Washington, and know when he will 
 be waited on by this Congress with their Address. 
 
 Messrs. Morris and Low returned, and informed the Con- 
 gress that General Washington would be ready to receive 
 this Congress, with their Address, at half an hour past two 
 this afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the Address be engrossed to 
 deliver. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report 
 of the Committee of Arrangement, and proceeded to the 
 examination of the three first columns of the arrangement 
 of officers, and approved of many gentlemen for officers, 
 whose names are marked on the margins of the columns. 
 
 The Congress being informed by sundry Members, that 
 they have viewed the ground about five miles from this 
 City, where it was first intended that General Wooster's 
 Troops should encamp, and find that the ground is damp 
 and unfit for the purpose. 
 
 Colonel Lispenard, Mr. McDougall, and Mr. Beekman, 
 informed the Congress, that they have viewed an orchard, 
 part of the estate late of Elbert Herring, deceased, which 
 they conceive to be a proper place for an encampment, and 
 that the owner is willing that General Wooster's Troops 
 may encamp there. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Beekman wait on General Wooster, 
 or any other officer that he may appoint for that purpose, 
 to shew him the ground in the orchard above mentioned. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to five o'clock, and went 
 to wait on General Washington with their Address. 
 
 5 ho. P. M., June 26, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Isaac 
 Roosevelt, Samuel Verplanck, David Clarkson, Thomas 
 Smith, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, and Ja- 
 cobus Van Zandt. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Robert Van Rensselaer, and Henry 
 Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — James Clinton, Christopher Tappen, 
 
 and John Nicholson. 
 For Orange County. — John Coe and Benjamin Tusteen. 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, and Selah 
 
 Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, Stephen Ward, 
 David Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., and William Paul- 
 ding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The President informed the Congress, that to prevent 
 mistakes, he had obtained a copy of the answer of General 
 Washington to the Address of this Congress. The same 
 was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Gentlemen : At the same time that, with you, I deplore 
 the unhappy necessity of such an appointment as that with 
 which I am now honoured, I cannot but feel sentiments of 
 the highest gratitude for this affecting instance of distinction 
 and regard. 
 
 May your warmest wishes be realized in the success of 
 America at this important and interesting period ; and be 
 assured that every exertion of my worthy colleagues and 
 myself will be equally extended to the re-establishment of 
 peace and harmony between the Mother Country and these 
 Colonies, as to the fatal but necessary operations of war. 
 When we assumed the soldier we did not lay aside the 
 citizen ; and we shall most sincerely rejoice with you in that 
 happy hour when the establishment of American liberty, 
 on the most firm and solid foundations, shall enable us to 
 return to our private stations in the bosom of a free, peace- 
 ful, and happy Country. . Geo. Washington. 
 
 June 26, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Address and Answer be published. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Report of the Committee of Arrangement, and proceeded 
 to the consideration of the fourth column, and approved 
 of such gentlemen as are marked on the Report for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Mr. McDougall had leave to withdraw. 
 
1323 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1324 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Walton call on 
 the gentlemen of the City of New-York, who are named 
 by the Committee to be Captains of Companies, to know 
 whether they will consent and agree to accept of that ser- 
 vice, and that the said Committee report with all conveni- 
 ent speed. 
 
 Ordered, That the Deputies from Albany County write 
 to the Committee of Albany, and request them to have the 
 Arms belonging to the Colony cleansed and put in good 
 repair, at the expense of the Colony, with all convenient 
 despatch. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., June 27, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Livingston. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President ; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Walton, Abra- 
 ham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, Samuel 
 Verplanck, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas 
 Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van 
 Cortlandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Ren- 
 selaer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe and Benjamin Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, and Selah 
 Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris. Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, Philip Van Cortlandt, William 
 Paulding, James Holmes, David Dayton, John Thomas, 
 Junior, and Robert Graham. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 and Theodorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackvvell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, and Nathaniel Tom. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — (None.) 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christ. P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Montgomerie and McDougall be 
 a Committee, and that they take to their assistance Messrs. 
 Anthony Rutger and Samuel Tuder, for superintending and 
 employing some person in trying the experiment of casting 
 one brass Field-Piece. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Intelligence for Charles- 
 toivn, South- Carolina, enclosing a copy of an intercepted 
 Letter from General Gage, dated at Boston, April 12, 1775, 
 directed to Governour Martin of North- Carolina ; also a 
 printed copy of the Association entered into by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress of South-Carolina, were read, filed, and 
 are in the words following, to wit: 
 
 "Cliarlestown, South.Carolina, June 6, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : We are to thank you for your intelli- 
 gence of the fifth ultimo, and do most heartily congratulate 
 you upon that proper spirit which now appears in your 
 Colony. The apprehension of a defection in you, which 
 we are happy to find was unjustly formed, occasioned in 
 us, and must undoubtedly have given to all America inex- 
 pressible anxiety, and at the same time have encouraged 
 Ministry to proceed in their measures. As a proof of the 
 confidence which our enemies placed in you, and as a 
 means to prevent their diabolical purpose, we are ordered 
 by Provincial Congress, now sitting, to transmit to you an 
 authentick copy of an original letter from General Gage to 
 Governour Martin, which has just fallen into our hands. 
 We have also received intelligence that the latter, by his 
 agents, has been secretly enlisting a number of those men 
 in the back parts of this Province, formerly called Regu- 
 
 lators, whose vengeance against the lower inhabitants may 
 induce them to oppose in return for past injuries. We are 
 not apprehensive that he will succeed to any great degree, 
 but depend upon your vigilance to prevent his getting arms 
 and ammunition for them through your Province, as in- 
 tended. We also enclose a copy of the Association entered 
 into on the fourth instant, by the fullest representation of 
 this Colony ever known, which has been signed by every 
 member. We would hint to you the necessity of sending 
 your letters by some paiticular person, and not trusting them 
 to the fate of common letters in a ship's bag. We also 
 beg leave to recommend to you secrecy in relation to the 
 above letter, as we would not wish to put them upon their 
 guard in future. 
 
 " We have the honour to be, gentlemen, your very hum- 
 ble servants, 
 
 " Wm. H. Drayton, John Lewis Gervais, 
 "Arthur Middleton, Charles C. Pinckney, 
 " William Tennent, 
 
 " Committee of Intelligence. 
 
 "To the Grand Committee of Neiv-York, to the care of 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq." 
 
 The following is the copy of General Gage's Letter : 
 
 " Boston, April 12, 1775. 
 
 " Sir : Your letter of the sixteenth March I have had 
 the pleasure to receive, and am glad to hear that many of 
 the people in your Province are beginning to find they have 
 been misled, and that they seem inclined to disengage them- 
 selves from the arbitrary power of the Continental Con- 
 gress and of their Committees. I wish I could say as much 
 for the people of this Province, who are more cool than 
 they were, but their leaders, by their arts and artifices, still 
 keep up that seditious and licentious spirit that has led them 
 on all occasions to oppose Government, and even to acts of 
 rebellion. The late accounts from England have embar- 
 rassed their councils much. They have applied to the 
 Neiv-E?igland Governments, and doubtless will to those to 
 the southward, to assist them ; but I hope the madness of 
 the latter is wearing off, and that they will get no encourage- 
 ment from thence. This Province has some time been, 
 and now is, in the new-fangled Legislature termed a Pro- 
 vincial Congress, who seems to have taken the Government 
 into their hands. What they intend to do I can't pretend to 
 say, but they are much puzzled how to act. Fear in some, 
 and want of inclination in others, will be a great bar to their 
 coming to extremities, though their leaders use every mea- 
 sure to bring them into the field. 1 am very sorry it is not 
 in my power to supply you with the number of arms you 
 request. I have them not to spare in the present conjunc- 
 ture of the service here. I may assist you with some pow- 
 der, but can get no safe opportunity from this to send it to 
 you. I shall order you a supply by way of New- York ; 
 and whatever may be in my power to assist you, to keep up 
 the present good disposition of the loyal part of your Prov- 
 ince, I shall be happy to do, and am sorry I cannot at pre- 
 sent do more. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, with great esteem, Sir, your 
 most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 " Thomas Gage. 
 " His Excellency Governour Martin." 
 
 The above copy of the Letter from General Gage hav- 
 ing been recommended by the Committee of Charlestons, 
 South- Carolina, as necessary to be kept secret, the Presi- 
 dent recommended to the Members of this Congress that 
 the subject-matter of the said copy of the said Letter be 
 kept a profound secret. 
 
 Ordered, That copies of the Letter from the Charles- 
 town Committee, and the Letter from General Gage to 
 Governour Martin, be transmitted to the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 A draught of a Warrant to such gentlemen as are intend- 
 ed to be Officers of the Troops to be raised in this Colony, 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New- York, Juno — , 1775. 
 
 To , Gentleman, greeting : 
 
 Know you, that the Grand Continental Congress of the 
 associated Colonies have resolved and ordered, that a certain 
 number of Troops should be embodied in this Colony, to 
 
1325 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1326 
 
 give protection to the inhabitants, and to be employed as 
 part of the American Continental Army. We, therefore, 
 reposing special confidence in your prudence, courage, and 
 affection to the liberties of this Country, do request and 
 authorize you to enlist and raise a company of seventy-two 
 able-bodied, sober men, of good reputation, (including three 
 sergeants, three corporals, one drummer, and one fifer,) to 
 serve as part of the said Troops ; and that from time to 
 lime you report your progress in the premises to this Con- 
 gress, for which this shall be your warrant. And we hereby 
 
 give you assurance that you will be appointed a 
 
 in the said Troops when raised and embodied, if the number 
 
 of men enlisted by you, (and intended to be 
 
 the other officers of one company,) and received into the 
 said Troops by such proper officer or muster-master as shall 
 be appointed for that purpose, shall amount to the number 
 above-mentioned. 
 
 A draught of Instructions to the several Officers to be 
 employed in raising Troops, was read and approved of, and 
 is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Instructions of the Enlisting of Men. 
 
 First. You are not to enlist any man who is not able- 
 bodied, healthy, and a good marcher; but as men of good 
 appearance may have ruptures and venereal complaints, 
 which render them incapable of soldier's duty, you must 
 give attention that you be not imposed upon, and take the 
 opinion of a surgeon where there is room for suspicion. 
 
 Second. You will have great regard to moral character, 
 sobriety in particular ; let our manners distinguish us from 
 our enemies, as much as the cause we are engaged in. 
 
 Third. Those who engage in defence of their Country's 
 liberties, shall be enlisted till the last day of December, of 
 the present year, unless sooner discharged by the Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 Fourth. You shall appoint such men sergeants and cor- 
 porals as recommend themselves by their ability, activity, 
 and diligence. 
 
 Fifth. You will use all diligence in completing your 
 Company, and report to the President of the Provincial 
 Congress, to the end that you may receive orders to join 
 your Regiment. 
 
 Sixth. During the time you are filling up your Compa- 
 ny, you will engage, at the cheapest rate, for the provisions 
 of such men as are already enlisted, (if there be no pub- 
 lick magazine of provisions from whence you may be sup- 
 plied,) not exceeding eight shillings per week. 
 
 Seventh. You will lose no time in disciplining your men, 
 so far as your situation will admit. 
 
 Eighth. You will take notice that proper persons will be 
 appointed to inspect your men, and reject such as do not 
 answer to your instructions. 
 
 Ninth. You will furnish the subalterns appointed to your 
 Company with a copy of these instructions, who are here- 
 by ordered to put themselves under your command. 
 
 Tenth. You will observe that the Troops raised by this 
 Colony will be placed precisely upon the same footing as 
 to pay, clothing, &.C., with other the Continental Troops 
 now raised, or hereafter to be raised for the general de- 
 fence. 
 
 Eleventh. No apprentice or servant to be enlisted, with- 
 out the consent of his master. 
 
 Ordered, That five hundred copies of the said Warrant, 
 and as many copies of the said Instructions, be printed. 
 
 Colonel Holmes has leave of absence. 
 
 Ordered, That all the Muskets and Bayonets belonging 
 to this Colony, which are in the different Counties in this 
 Colony (except Albany) be sent to the Committee of the 
 City of New- York, with all convenient speed, and in such 
 manner as that they may come with the greatest safety; 
 and the Committees of the respective Counties, where any 
 such Muskets and Bayonets now are, are hereby requested 
 and desired to take all such Arms into their care, and to see 
 that this order be complied with immediately. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Martis, 4to ho. P. M., June 27, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 
 McDougall, Abraham Brasher, John De Lancey, Samuel 
 Verplanck, Richard Yates, Thomas Smith, Benjamin 
 Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van Corllandt, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt, and John Marston. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 goinerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe and Benjamin Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, and Selah 
 Strong. 
 
 jFor Westchester County. — Gouvernenr Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Stephen Ward, James Holmes, John Thomas, 
 Junior, Robert Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 and Theodorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, and Richard 
 Thome. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — (None.) 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, and John 
 Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report 
 of the Committee on the subject-matter of a Plan of Ac- 
 commodation with Great Britain. 
 
 The same was read, and after some time spent therein, 
 Mr. Scott moved, and was seconded by Mr. Verplanck, 
 that the following words be added to the second paragraph, 
 at the end thereof, to wit : " For the general benefit of the 
 whole, and not for the separate interest of any particular 
 part." 
 
 The same was unanimously approved of and agreed to. 
 Resolved and Ordered, therefore, That this addition be 
 made to the said second paragraph. 
 
 Mr. Scott then moved, and was seconded by Colonel 
 Hardmbergh, in the words following, to wit : I move that 
 the following article be added to the Report of the Com- 
 mittee upon the Plan of Accommodation with the Mother 
 Country, viz: " That the Colonies, respectively, are enti- 
 tled to a free and exclusive power of legislation within 
 themselves, respectively, in all cases of internal polity 
 whatsoever, subject only to the negative of their Sovereign, 
 in such manner as has been heretofore accustomed." 
 
 And the same was unanimously resolved and agreed to, 
 and ordered to be added to and made a part of the said 
 Plan of Accommodation ; and that it be inserted therein 
 previous to the Resolution of this Congress on that subject, 
 entered into on the 24th instant, *' That no one article 
 thereof shall be considered as preliminary to another." 
 
 Mr. McDougall, with the unanimous leave of the Con- 
 gress, withdrew his motion of the 24th instant, " for retain- 
 ing the copy of the Plan of Accommodation until the De- 
 legates from New- York can be written to and their answer 
 received." 
 
 The Report of the Committee, as amended, with the 
 Resolution subjoined thereto, are as follow: 
 
 Your Committee appointed to prepare a Plan of Accom- 
 modation between Great Britain and America, do report : 
 
 That all Statutes and parts of Statutes of the British 
 Parliament, which are held up for repeal by the late Con- 
 tinental Congress in their Association, dated the 20th day 
 of October, 1774 ; and all the Statutes of the British Par- 
 liament passed since that day, restraining the Trade and 
 Fishery of the Colonies on this Continent, ought to be re- 
 pealed. 
 
 That from the necessity of the case, Britain ought to 
 regulate the trade of the whole Empire, for the general 
 benefit of the whole, and not for the separate interest of 
 any particular part ; and that from the natural right of pro- 
 perty, the powers of taxation ought to be confined to the Co- 
 
1327 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 4328 
 
 lony Legislatures respectively ; therefore, that the moneys 
 raised as duties upon the regulations of Trade, ought to 
 be paid into the respective Colony Treasuries, and be sub- 
 ject to the disposal of their Deputies. 
 
 That in those Colonies whose Representatives in Gene- 
 ral Assembly are now chosen for a greater term than three 
 years, such Assemblies for the future ought in their dura- 
 tion not to exceed that term. 
 
 That the Colonists are ready and willing to support the 
 civil Government within the respective Colonies, and on 
 proper requisitions, to assist in the general defence of the 
 Empire, in as ample a manner as their respective abilities 
 will admit of. 
 
 That if objections be made, that a resort to a variety of 
 Colony Legislatures for general aids is inconvenient, and 
 that large unappropriated grants to the Crown from Ame- 
 rica would endanger the liberty of the Empire: then the 
 Colonies are ready and willing to assent to a Continental 
 Congress, deputed from the several Colonies, to meet with 
 a President appointed by the Crown, for the purpose of 
 raising and apportioning their general aids, upon applica- 
 tion made by the Crown, according to the advice of the 
 British Parliament, to be judged of by the said Con- 
 gress. 
 
 And as the free enjoyment of the rights of conscience 
 is of all others the most valuable branch of human liberty, 
 and the indulgence and establishment of Popery all along 
 the interiour confines of the old Protestant Colonies tends 
 not only to obstruct their growth, but to weaken their secu- 
 rity, that neither the Parliament of Great Britain, nor 
 any other earthly legislature or tribunal, ought or can of 
 right interfere or interpose in any wise howsoever in the 
 religious and ecclesiastical concerns of the Colonies. 
 
 That the Colonies, respectively, are entitled to a free 
 and exclusive power of legislation within themselves, re- 
 spectively, in all cases of internal polity whatsoever, sub- 
 ject only to the negative of their Sovereign, in such manner 
 as has been heretofore accustomed. 
 
 Resolved, That no one article of the aforegoing Report 
 be considered preliminary to another, so as to preclude an 
 accommodation without such article ; and that no part of 
 the said Report be deemed binding or obligatory upon the 
 Representatives of this Colony in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the state of Queen's 
 County be deferred till to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Dio Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M„ June 28, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Treat. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, 
 Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Van Cortlandt, 
 and Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Benjamin Tusteen, and 
 Michael Jackson. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Wickham, and Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, Joseph Drake, David Dayton, John Thomas, Jun., 
 Robert Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams and Theodorus Pol- 
 hemus. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 
 and Richard Conner. 
 For Queen's County. — Jonathan Lawrence, Samuel Town- 
 
 shend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Thomas Hicks, 
 
 and Richard Thome. 
 
 For Charlotte County. — (None.) 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates and John 
 Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The Order for taking into consideration the state of 
 Queen's County, being read, the Congress took into con- 
 sideration the state of Queen's County ; and it appearing 
 that a great number of inhabitants of the said County are 
 not disposed to a representation at this Board, and have 
 dissented therefrom, 
 
 Resolved, That inasmuch as the people of this Colony 
 have appointed us to watch over their preservation and 
 defence, and delegated unto us the power necessary for 
 that purpose, such dissent ought not to be of any avail, 
 considered as an objection to the exercise of those powers, 
 but that the said County, as well as every other part of this 
 Colony, must necessarily be bound by the determination of 
 this Congress ; and therefore, inasmuch as the Members 
 chosen for the said County were elected by a considerable 
 part of the inhabitants of the same, and the dissent of 
 others is not to the persons chosen, but to the choice of 
 any persons, 
 
 Ordered, That the Members do take and hold their seats 
 at this Board, notwithstanding such dissent. 
 
 Ordered, That the Members of Queen's County, who 
 have not attended this Congress, be served with a copy of 
 the above Resolution and Order. 
 
 Mr. Beekman reported, that in pursuance of the Order 
 of this House of Monday last, he had shown the ground 
 therein mentioned to the proper officer of the Connecticut 
 Troops, appointed for that purpose ; that the ground is 
 approved of; that fifteen hundred of the said Troops are 
 arrived, and that he has procured covering for them in barns 
 and other out-houses near the ground. 
 
 A Letter from Peter T. Curtcnius, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That the affidavit of Angus McDonald be 
 published in the Newspapers. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, for taking into con- 
 sideration Mr. Morris's motion of last Friday, to restrain 
 the killing of Sheep, 
 
 Ordered, That the same be postponed till to-morrow 
 morning ; and, 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will then reconsider the 
 Resolution made on Friday last, to restrain the killing of 
 Lamb. 
 
 Mr. Morris has leave of absence for two days. 
 
 Mr. Roosevelt reported, that Mr. Walton and himself, by 
 order of this Congress, had called on the gentlemen in this 
 City, mentioned in the Report of the Committee of Ar- 
 rangement for Officers in the Troops to be raised ; that 
 several of them had consented to accept of the service ; 
 that Messrs. Helme and Stockholm had declined the ser- 
 vice ; that several others had desired some time to consider 
 of the proposal; and that some of the gentlemen named 
 for Lieutenants were very anxious that their particular 
 situations as to the Captains they were to serve under 
 might be changed. 
 
 And the Congress being informed that John Quack- 
 enboss is a proper person, and very anxious to be in the 
 service, 
 
 Ordered, That the name of John Quackcnboss be in- 
 serted in the room and stead of Andrew Stockholm ; and, 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, with Messrs. Roose- 
 velt and Walton, be a Committee to consider the present 
 arrangement of the Lieutenants, and to make such arrange- 
 ments or alterations in the stations of the Lieutenants a« 
 they may think will give the most satisfaction to the offi- 
 cers ; and that they report to this Congress what they shall 
 have done in the premises. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Committee's Report for estimating the articles necessary 
 to complete three thousand effective men ; and after some 
 time spent therein, 
 
 Ordered, That Peter T. Curtenius, as Commissary of 
 this Congress, be desired to purchase on the publick credit 
 the following quantities of coarse broadcloths, viz: coarse 
 
1329 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1330 
 
 blue broadcloth, sufficient to make 712 short coats, and 
 crimson cloth sufficient for cuffs and facings for the said 
 coats ; and that if blue cloth cannot be had, that in such 
 case he purchase blue coating for that purpose ; light brown 
 coarse broadcloth sufficient to make 712 short coats, with 
 blue cloth sufficient for cuffs and facings ; grey coarse broad- 
 cloth sufficient to make 712 short coats, with green cloth 
 sufficient for cuffs and facings; dark brown coarse broad- 
 cloth sufficient to make 712 short coats, with scarlet cloth 
 sufficient for cuffs and facings for the same ; and that he 
 be also desired to purchase 1,000 stand of arms, 20,000 
 oil flints, 8,000 pounds of lead, 40 reams of cartouch pa- 
 per, 2,852 gun-worms, 2,852 screw-drivers, ticking or 
 Russia drilling to make 14 bell-tents, 169 pieces of ravens 
 duck as soon as it can be got, and also 520 camp kettles, 
 2,852 canteens, 2.852 haversacks, 800 small hatchets, 400 
 falling axes, 80 pickaxes, and 400 spades ; and that he be 
 desired to get all the ravens duck which he has on hand 
 made up into soldiers' tents. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony 
 at the Continental Congress, to accompany the Resolves 
 of this Congress on the subject of a Plan of Accommoda- 
 tion with Great Britain, was read and approved of, and is 
 in the words following : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New. York, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Deeply impressed with the importance, 
 the utility, and necessity of an accommodation with our 
 Parent State, and conscious that the best service we can 
 render to the present and all future generations, must con- 
 sist in promoting it, we have laboured without intermission 
 to point out such moderate terms as may tend to reconcile 
 the unhappy differences which threaten the whole Empire 
 with destruction. 
 
 We now take the liberty of enclosing to you the result 
 of our deliberations ; and although we have not the pre- 
 sumption to suppose that our weak ideas on this momen- 
 tous subject will be entirely approved of by you, much less 
 by that august body of which you are members ; yet we 
 take leave to observe, that the breach has been much 
 widened since our first dispute on the subject of taxation ; 
 and as this was the source of all our grievances, so we have 
 the hope that the temptation being taken away, our civil 
 and religious and political rights will be easily adjusted and 
 confirmed. 
 
 You will observe, gentlemen, that by a resolution of 
 the House, subjoined to the report of our Committee, we 
 consider the whole as entirely subjected to your better 
 judgment, and each article as far independent of each other 
 as you may think most proper or convenient. We must 
 now repeat to you the common and just observation, that 
 contests for liberty, fostered in their infancy by the virtuous 
 and wise, become sources of power to wicked and designing 
 men ; from whence it follows, that such controversies as we 
 are now engaged in frequently end in the demolition of 
 those rights and privileges which they were instituted to 
 defend. We pray you, therefore, to use every effort for the 
 compromising of this unnatural quarrel between the parent 
 and child ; and if such terms as you may think best shall 
 not be complied with, earnestly to labour, that at least some 
 terms may be held up, whereby a treaty shall be set on 
 foot to restore peace and harmony to our Country, and 
 spare the further effusion of human blood ; so that if even 
 at the last our well-meant endeavours shall fail of effect, 
 we may stand fair, and stand unreproachable by our own 
 consciences in the last solemn appeal to the God of battles. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vants. 
 
 To the Delegates for the Colony of Neic- York in Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That two copies of the above Letter be en- 
 grossed, and signed by the President ; that one copy there- 
 of, together with a copy of the Report of the Committee 
 of Accommodation, be sent to-morrow by express to our 
 Delegates at the Continental Congress, and the other copy 
 of the said Letter and Report be sent by Francis Lewis, 
 Esquire. 
 
 Ordered, That the Commissary deliver any articles 
 which he shall at any time have purchased and have in 
 his custody for the use of the Continental Army, to Gen- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 eral Schuyler, on his request, taking his receipt for the 
 same. 
 
 A Letter to John Alsop, Esquire, at Philadelphia, was 
 read and approved of, and is in the words following, to 
 wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We are informed that you have engaged the re- 
 fusal of a number of Blankets. We have now to tell you, 
 that for the three thousand men we are desired to raise, we 
 shall want two thousand eight hundred and fiftv-two Blan- 
 kets, and that there are not any to be purchased here. We 
 beg, therefore, that you will procure so many, which may 
 be paid for out of the publick money with you. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient servants. 
 To John Alsop, Esq., at Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and sent by the first opportunity. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 5 ho. P. M., June 28, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President. 
 
 A Letter from Elisha Phetys, Commissary for the Con- 
 necticut Troops at Ticonderoga, &,c, bearing date at 
 Albany, June 22, 1775, was read, and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius be desired to 
 purchase fifty firkins of Butter and ten hogsheads of Mo- 
 lasses, and forward the same to Elisha Phelps, Commissary 
 at Albany, by the first conveyance. 
 
 The Warrants for the purpose of raising Troops in this 
 Colony being prepared, 
 
 Ordered, That the President sign the same on behalf of 
 this Congress. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., June 29, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Bowden. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham Wal- 
 ton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lan- 
 cey, James Beekman, John Marston, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benja- 
 min Kissam, John Morin Scott, John Van Cortlandt, 
 and Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, and Henry Glenn. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson and Benjamin 
 Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, and Selah 
 Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Robert Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel 
 Tom, Thomas Hicks, and Richard Thorne. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates and John 
 Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, dated New-York, June 
 29, 1775, was read. 
 
1331 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1332 
 
 Mr. Mayor attending at the door, was called in, and in- 
 formed the Congress that Mr. Francis Stephens, the King's 
 Storekeeper in this City, had applied to his Excellency 
 Governour Tryon, declaring his apprehensions that the 
 Stores at Turtle-Bay are not in a state of safety, and his 
 inclination to remove them. That the Governour had ex- 
 pressed to the Mayor his wish and inclination, that Mr. 
 Stephens might, at his own expense, be permitted to re- 
 move those Stores without tumult or opposition, and put 
 them on board a vessel ; and that Mr. Mayor now applies 
 to this Congress for their countenancing that measure. 
 
 And thereupon, Ordered, That an offer be made to the 
 Mayor, that this Congress will (if it be agreeable to Gov- 
 ernment) request Major General Schuyler to keep a suffi- 
 cient command at Turtle-Bay to guard the King's Stores 
 which are now there ; and that in case the said offer be 
 accepted of, and such guard can be obtained, the said Stores 
 be delivered into their care by inventory ; and that in such 
 case this Congress will be accountable for the re-delivery 
 of the said Stores when the present unhappy commotions 
 in North America shall be at an end. 
 
 Ordered, That one of the Secretaries wait on his Wor- 
 ship the Mayor, and-serve him with a copy of the forego- 
 ing Order. 
 
 In pursuance of the Order of the Day, the Congress 
 resumed the consideration of Mr. Morris's motion for re- 
 straining the killing of Sheep, and the Order for reconsider- 
 ing the Resolution to restrain the killing of Lamb. 
 
 And after some time spent therein, Mr. McDougall 
 moved, in the following words : " I move that the killing 
 of Lamb be restrained to the first of August next, instead 
 of the first of November, as determined by a Resolution of 
 the Congress on the 23d day of June instant." 
 
 And the said motion being read, Mr. Morris moved that 
 the said motion be amended thus : " that the question be 
 put, whether it is the sense of this House that the killing 
 of Sheep and Lambs be restrained to a certain time." 
 
 And the question being put on the said amendment, it 
 was carried against the amendment, in manner following : 
 Against the Amendment. For the Amendment. 
 
 3 Albany. 2 Westchester. 
 2 Suffolk. 2 Try on. 
 
 2 Dutchess. 2 Orange. 
 
 4 New- York. 2 Cumberland. 
 2 King's. — 
 
 2 Ulster. 8 
 2 Queen's. 
 2 Richmond. 
 
 19 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the said amendment be re- 
 jected. 
 
 The question being then put on Mr. McDougall 's mo- 
 tion, it was carried in the affirmative, in manner following, 
 to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Suffolk. 2 Tryon. 
 
 2 Orange. 3 Albany. 
 
 2 Queen's. 2 Cumberland. 
 
 2 King's. 2 Ulstor. 
 
 2 Richmond. 2 Westchester. 
 
 4 New. York. 2 Dutchess. 
 
 14 
 
 13 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That no person in this Colony kill 
 any Lambs until the first day of August next. And 
 
 Ordered, That five hundred copies of this Resolution 
 be published in handbills, and that it be also published in 
 the Newspapers. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Continental Congress, to 
 cover a copy of the Letter of the 6th of June, from the 
 Committee of Intelligence at Charhstown, in South- Caro- 
 lina, and a copy of General Gage's Letter to Governour 
 Martin, of the 12th of April last, was read and approved 
 of, and is in the words following, to wit ; 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, Juno 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We lately received a Letter from the Com- 
 mittee of Intelligence at Charlestown, in South- Carolina, 
 covering a copy of a letter from General Gage to Gov- 
 ernour Martin. From the importance of the contents of 
 those Letters, we have thought it our indispensable duty to 
 transmit copies of them to your respectable body. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, most respectfully, your faithful 
 friends and humble servants. By order. 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed 
 by the President, and, together with copies of the Letters 
 therein mentioned, be sent by the first conveyance. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Elisha Phelps was read and 
 approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your letter of the twenty-second instant was this 
 day received in Congress, and the contents observed. The 
 embarrassments you and the Troops stationed at Lake 
 Champlain might have met with, in respect to the Provi- 
 sions and Stores at Albany, we are persuaded did not arise 
 from any other design than that of fulfilling the orders the 
 Commissaries appointed by this Provincial Congress re- 
 ceived previous to your appointment as Commissary, in 
 consequence of a later order of the Continental Congress. 
 Your difficulties, if they are not already, will now, we trust, 
 be removed ; and that you may have no farther trouble on 
 that head, we have wrote a letter and order to the Commis- 
 saries heretofore appointed by this Board, to deliver up all 
 the Provisions and Stores in their custody for that service 
 to you, and have enclosed to them a copy of the order of 
 the Continental Congress, by which they will perceive they 
 are superseded in that business. 
 
 We also received a letter, dated 15th instant, from your 
 Deputy, Adonijah Strong, directed to the Committee of 
 Albany, couched in terms not so very suitable. However, 
 for answer to the most necessary parts, we remark, that 
 two of the articles mentioned in it as wanting, to wit, Rice 
 and Rum, were sent up some time ago. A sufficiency o( 
 Peas we suppose can be procured at Albany; you will 
 please, therefore, to buy there as much as is requisite on 
 the publick credit of this Colony. Butter and fresh meat 
 we know to be scarce commodities at Albany; the former 
 we shall endeavour to send you a proper supply of from 
 this City, and the latter article we imagine you do not for 
 the present stand so much in need of, as it appears, by 
 Governour Trumbull's letter of the 19th instant to us, that 
 a drove of fat cattle was forwarded up to you. We shall 
 also send you from hence ten hogsheads of Molasses, to 
 brew beer with. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order. 
 To Mr. Elisha Phelps, Commissary of Provisions. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to John N. Blcecker, and four 
 other persons, formerly appointed agents at Albany, was 
 read and approved, and is in the words following : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, June 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received a letter from Mr. Eli- 
 sha Phelps of the 22d instant, informing us that, in the 
 absence of Mr. Bleecker, he was refused the Provisions and 
 Stores left in his custody, and designed for the Troops at 
 Lake Champlain, &ic. You will perceive by the enclosed 
 copy of an order of the Continental Congress, that the ap- 
 pointment of Commissary in that department is left to the 
 disposal of that Government, or the General of the Forces 
 of Connecticut. And it appears to us, by a letter from 
 Governour Trumbull, dated the 19th instant, that Mr. 
 Phelps is appointed Commissary, and that he doubts not 
 he will conduct with prudence and good satisfaction ; that 
 he had directed him to correspond with Colonel Hinman, 
 to employ persons already engaged, especially George 
 Palmer, Esq. You will please, therefore, to deliver up to 
 him or his order all the supplies of Provisions and Stores in 
 your hands and custody for the said Forces, and take his 
 receipt for every thing you deliver him ; and send us an 
 account of all such Stores as you have issued to the Troops, 
 or shall deliver to the said Commissary, and your account 
 of expenses to this time. 
 
 To the Commissaries at Albany, appointed by the Provin- 
 cial Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and transmitted. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock, P, M, 
 
1333 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1334 
 
 Die Jovis, 5 ho. P. M., June 29, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, 
 Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, 
 John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensselaer, Francis 
 Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Michael Jackson, Ben- 
 jamin Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, James Van 
 Cortlandt, Robert Graham, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Samuel Townshend, Thomas Hicks, Richard 
 Thorne. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates. 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner, William Wil- 
 liams. 
 
 A memorandum from Abraham Lott, Esquire, of the 
 articles by him supplied to His Majesty's Ship between the 
 23d day of April and the 16th day of May last, was read 
 and filed. Mr. Lott also sent in a memorandum or list of 
 Provisions now wanted for His Majesty's Ship the King- 
 fisher, to wit : two thousand pounds of Bread, two barrels 
 of Beef, two barrels of Pork, one barrel of Flour, and four 
 barrels of Butter. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lott be at liberty to supply the above 
 quantities of Provisions to the said Ship Kingfisher . 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Continental Congress on 
 the subject of Saltpetre and Sulphur, was read and ap- 
 proved. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., June 30, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Moore. Present: 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, 
 Alexander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Abraham 
 Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De 
 Lancey, John Van Cortlandt, John Marston, James 
 Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David 
 Clarkson, Thos. Smith, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin 
 Scott, Jacobus Van Zandt. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Walter Livingston, Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, Henry Glenn, Francis Nicoll. 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 goraerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, John Nicholson. 
 For Orange County. — John Coe, Michael Jackson, Ben- 
 jamin Tusteen. 
 For Suffolk Comity. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham, Selah Strong. 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, James Van Cortlandt, Stephen Ward, Joseph 
 Drake, Robert Graham, William Paulding. 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus Polhemus, John Leffertse, 
 John Vanderbilt. 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Samuel Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel 
 Tom, Thomas Hicks, Richard Thorne. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner, Wm. Williams. 
 
 The President informed the Congress that General 
 Schuyler had been under the necessity to send the messen- 
 ger (who was provided yesterday) to Philadelphia, and 
 therefore was under a necessity of having another messen- 
 ger to go to Albany, which the President was desired to 
 order and to pay, in pursuance of the former order of this 
 Congress. 
 
 Mr. Walter Livingston has leave of absence. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Verplanck, Van Zandt, and 
 Beekman, be a Committee for auditing all accounts that 
 may be brought into this Congress, and that the report of 
 them, or any two of them, on any account of the sum that 
 ought to be paid thereon, shall be a sufficient warrant to 
 the President to pay the same. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the arrange- 
 ment of the Battalions. And thereupon, 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That the New- York Regiment 
 be considered as the First Regiment, and have rank ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Albany, Ulster, and Tryon Counties dissented. 
 
 The Congress then unanimously approved of Alexander 
 McDougall for Colonel, Rudolphus Ritzma for Lieuten- 
 ant-Colonel, and John Brogden for Adjutant of the First 
 Regiment. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler was read, requesting a 
 small Committee from this Congress to meet him as soon 
 as possible. Thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That General Montgomerie, Mr. Hicks, and 
 Mr. Clarkson be a Committee to wait on General Schuy- 
 ler immediately, and bring their report in writing. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That Colonel Rooseboom's Regi- 
 ment be the Second Regiment, and take rank accordingly. 
 
 The Congress unanimously agreed and approved of 
 Myndert Rooseboom for Colonel, Goosie Van Schaack, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Barent T. Ten Eyck, Adjutant, and 
 John W. Wendal, Quartermaster of the Second Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gabriel W. Ludlow pay into the 
 hands of Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., the balance 
 of the money subscribed on the publick faith, and by him 
 collected ; and that the receipt of the said Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston be a sufficient discharge to Mr. Lud- 
 low for the same. 
 
 Samuel Cook, Ebenezer Haviland, and John Williams 
 were respectively approved as Surgeons, if they respec- 
 tively shall be found properly and sufficiently qualified for 
 those stations, and that they be examined by the Doctors 
 John Jones and Samuel Bard, who are requested to make 
 such examination. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That Colonel Clinton's Regi- 
 ment be the Third Regiment, and take rank accordingly. 
 
 The Congress then unanimously approved of Col. James 
 Clinton for Colonel, Edward Flemming for Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, and Cornelius D. Wynkoop for Major of the 
 Third Regiment. 
 
 The Committee who waited on General Schuyler re- 
 turned, and their Report was read and filed, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 Major General Schuyler is directed by the Continental 
 Congress to repair as soon as conveniently he can to the 
 Posts of Ticonderoga and Croivn Point, to examine into 
 the state thereof, and of the Troops now stationed there, 
 and how they are supplied with Provisions and necessary 
 Stores ; into the state, also, of the Sloop and other navi- 
 gation on the Lakes; also, to obtain the best intelligence 
 he can of the disposition of the Canadians and Indians in 
 Canada ; and that he give orders for the necessary prepara- 
 tion of Boats and Stores for securing the United Colonies 
 the command of those waters adjacent to Crown Point 
 and Ticonderoga. In order to carry this service into 
 execution, he will require the Stores of which General 
 Schuyler will furnish the Congress with an estimate, as 
 soon as possible. As it is probable the Troops which are 
 
1335 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1336 
 
 now here will be ordered to the northward, and as some of 
 their arms are out of repair, he wishes that Armourers may 
 immediately be provided to put those arms which may re- 
 quire it into repair. 
 
 Ordered, That every Gunsmith in the City of New- 
 York be requested to repair, with all possible despatch, 
 any arms of the Troops from the Colony of Connecticut 
 now here, which may be brought to them by the Quarter- 
 master of the said Troops, or either of them, for that purpose. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That Colonel Holmes's Regi- 
 ment be the Fourth Regiment, and take rank accordingly. 
 
 The Congress then unanimously approved of James 
 Holmes for Colonel, Philip Van Cortlandt for Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, and Barnabas Tuthill for Major of the said 
 Fourth Regiment. 
 
 Mr. President, at his request, has leave of absence till 
 Monday next, and Mr. Lispenard is unanimously chosen 
 President pro tern. Mr. Thomas Smith has leave of ab- 
 sence, to depart to-morrow evening. And Mr. Walton has 
 leave of absence, to depart this evening, and to return 
 early on Monday morning. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Smith, from the Committee appointed to 
 treat with Robert Boyd and Henry Watkeys, reported the 
 draught of an Article of Agreement in the following words, 
 to wit : 
 
 Articles of Agreement made and concluded this . . . . 
 day of June, 1775, between Henry Watkeys, of the City 
 of New-York, Gunsmith, of the one part, and Leonard 
 Lispcnard , Richard Montgomerie, James Clinton, and 
 Thomas Smith, Esquires, by order and on behalf of the 
 Provincial Congress of the Colony of Neiv- York, of the 
 other part: 
 
 First. The said Henry Watkeys doth hereby agree to 
 and with the said Leonard Lispenard, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, James Clinton, and Thomas Smith, that he, the 
 said Henry Watkeys, shall and will use his utmost dili- 
 gence to finish all the muskets (the barrels, ramrods, and 
 bayonets being first provided by the Congress) in the fol- 
 lowing manner, to wit : The lock to be made agreeable to 
 the lock now delivered to him, marked Grice, 1760; and 
 the slock and mounting to be finished, and the musket bar- 
 rel polished, agreeable to the musket now delivered to him, 
 marked No. 20. And the said Henry Watkeys agrees to 
 deliver the said muskets in small parcels, as they are finish- 
 ed, and complete the whole work with all possible des- 
 patch. 
 
 Second. The said Leonard Lispenard, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, James Clinton, and Thomas Smith, in behalf of 
 the said Congress, doth agree to pay to the said Henry 
 Watkeys, for every musket which he shall deliver, within 
 six months, completely finished in manner aforesaid, the 
 sum of two Pounds five Shillings, provided the number 
 doth not exceed one thousand. And in order to enable 
 the said Henry Watkeys to comply with this contract, it 
 is agreed to advance to him the sum of fifty Pounds, which 
 sum is to be accounted for out of money that may be due 
 to him on the first parcel of muskets that shall be delivered 
 by him. And it is understood by the parties, that the said 
 Henry Watkeys is not to be entitled to the bounty offered 
 by the Congress to encourage the making of muskets in 
 this Colony, upon the muskets to be delivered by virtue of 
 this contract. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Clinton, Colonel McDougall, 
 Mr. Brasher, Colonel Woodhull, Colonel Tustcen, Colonel 
 Van Cortlandt, Colonel Van Rensselaer, Col. Blackwell, 
 Capt. Piatt, Mr. Christopher Yates, Col. Cortclyou, Mr. 
 Vandcrbilt, and Major Williams, be a Committee to form 
 and determine the rank of tho Captains and Inferiour Offi- 
 cers in each Regiment, and of the Captains and Inferiour 
 Officers of the several Regiments. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Dio Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., July 1, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty. Present: 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Leonard Lispe- 
 nard, President pro ttm. ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac 
 
 Roosevelt, John De Lancey, Samuel Verplanck, Rich- 
 ard Yates, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Robert Van Rensselaer, Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson, Benj. Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, John Foster, Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, James Van 
 Cortlandt, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Polhemus, John Vandcrbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — John Journey, Aaron Cortelyou, 
 Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Samuel Town- 
 shend, Richard Thome. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christ. P. Yates and John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner, Wm. Williams. 
 
 A Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, 
 President of the Continental Congress, dated Philadelphia, 
 June 24, 1775, was read, and filed. 
 
 The Resolves mentioned and enclosed in the foregoing 
 Letter, were also read. 
 
 Another Letter from the President of the Continental 
 Congress, dated Philadelphia, June 27, 1775, was read. 
 
 The List of Officers mentioned and enclosed in the above 
 Letters, was also read. 
 
 A Letter from Edivard Flemming, Esq., signifying to 
 this Congress his reasons for declining to accept of a com- 
 mission appointing him Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regi- 
 ment whereof James Clinton, Esq., is Colonel, and raised 
 for the defence of American liberty. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall, Mr. Scott, and 
 Colonel Clinton, be a Committee to meet and confer with 
 Messrs. Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, and report the 
 same with all convenient speed. 
 
 Mr. Glenn has leave of absence to go home, and return 
 as soon as he conveniently can. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock, P. M., on Mon- 
 day next. 
 
 Die Luna;, 4to ho. P. M., July 3, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 Leonard Lispenard, Esq., President pro tempore. 
 
 A Letter from the Nciv-York Delegates at the Continen- 
 tal Congress, dated Philadcljjhia, June 30, 1775, was read. 
 
 Mr. Pye offered to go to Dobbs's Ferry to take care of 
 the Powder mentioned in the Letter from the New-York 
 Delegates; and thereupon, an order was signed by the 
 President pro tempore, and delivered to Mr. Pye as the 
 bearer, directing the person or persons who shall have the 
 said Powder, to deliver it to Mr. Pye, taking his receipt for 
 the same ; and also another order was made, signed as 
 aforesaid and delivered to Mr. Pye, directing him to deliver 
 the said fifty quarter casks of Powder to such person or 
 master of a sloop as may have an order from this Congress 
 for that purpose. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committee of the City of 
 Albany, concerning the said fifty quarter casks of Powder, 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Now. York, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You will receive by the bearer fifty quar- 
 ter casks of Gunpowder, sent from Philadelphia by the 
 Continental Congress, for the use of the forts at Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga. You are sensible of the neces- 
 sity of forwarding it with all possible despatch and safety, 
 and will doubtless duly attend to a matter of so much im- 
 portance. We are, gentlemen, your humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Provincial Congress. 
 To Samuel Stringer, Esq., Chairman of the Committee at 
 
 Albany. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy theroof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President pro tempore, and delivered to the Albany 
 
1337 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1338 
 
 Members, to be transmitted by such skipper as they shall 
 direct to stop and receive the said Powder. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., July 4, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, and opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Dr. Rodgers. Present : 
 Leonard Lispenard, Esq., President pro tempore. 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Joseph Hallett, Abraham Brasher, 
 Isaac. Roosevelt, John De Lancey, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin Scott. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Abraham Yates, 
 Peter Silvester, Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — David Pye Benjamin Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, James Van 
 Cortlandt. Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen, 
 Theodorus Pclhemus, John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel 
 Tom, Richard Thome. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates, John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner, Wm. Williams. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler was read, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 " New-York, July 3, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : I do myself the honour to enclose you 
 an estimate of such stores, &ic, as at present appears to me 
 necessary to be forwarded to Albany. The pitch, oakum, 
 and nails, I wish to have sent with all possible despatch. 
 I am very certain that a variety of other articles will be 
 wanted, which 1 shall be better able to ascertain after my 
 arrival at Albany, for which place I propose setting out to- 
 morrow. I am informed that a considerable quantity of 
 lead was found at Ticonderoga ; but if it should not equal 
 my expectations, I may be exposed to insurmountable diffi- 
 culties. I therefore wish that at least half of the quantity 
 which I have estimated may be ordered up without delay, 
 together with fifty casks of powder, which I am advised 
 will be sent you from Philadelphia. 
 
 " As it is probable, from the manoeuvres of Governour 
 Carleton, that I shall speedily want a re-enforcement of 
 Troops at Ticonderoga ; and not being at liberty to remove 
 the Connecticut Troops from hence, I entreat that you will 
 be pleased to forward whatever men ma}' be levied in this 
 Colony immediately to Albany, without waiting until the 
 corps are completed. 
 
 " I hope, gentlemen, on every occasion, to be favoured 
 with your advice ; and, indeed, as the important charge 
 conferred on me by the Continental Congress, was done in 
 deference to your polite and honourable (yet altogether 
 unmerited) recommendation of me, I shall, with the fullest 
 confidence, look up to you for your aid and countenance, 
 at once to promote the publick service, and to prevent me 
 from sinking under the weighty concerns of my office ; and 
 give me leave to assure you, that though 1 have the clearest 
 conviction that I shall never be able to equal the hi^h opin- 
 ion you have induced the Congress to entertain of me, yet 
 no effort shall be wanting on my part to deserve it as far 
 as possible, that I may not draw disgrace on you, my 
 country, or myself. 
 
 " I am, gentlemen, with sentiments of the most profound 
 respect, your most obedient and most humble servant. 
 
 " Ph. Schtjylek. 
 " The Gentlemen of the New-York Provincial Congress." 
 
 The Estimate of Stores, &ic, mentioned in the foregoing 
 Letter of General Schuyler, was read, and filed. 
 
 For the Negatite. 
 3 Albany, 
 2 Suffolk. 
 
 Mr. Henry Williams then moved, seconded by Mr. John 
 VanCortlandt, in the words following, to wit : " I move that 
 orders be immediately issued by this Congress for making 
 uniform Coats for all the men to be raised in this Colony." 
 
 And debates arising on the said motion, and the question 
 being put thereon, it was carried in the affirmative, in the 
 following manner, to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. 
 
 2 Dutchess, 2 Cumberland, 
 
 2 Richmond, 2 Ulster, 
 2 Westchester, 2 King's. 
 
 4 New- York, — 5 
 
 2 Queen's, 20 Orange County equally di- 
 
 2 Tryon, vided — no vote. 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius get 
 uniform Coats made for all the non-commissioned officers 
 and men to be raised in this Colony ; that the Coats of 
 each Regiment be made with different cuffs and facings. 
 
 And Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius be at liberty to pur- 
 chase any goods for the use of this Colony of Robert and 
 John Murray, which were directed by this Congress to be 
 kept in store until the second ship shall arrive from Great 
 Britain with goods, after the Non-Importation Agreement 
 is dissolved, if Messrs. Murray will consent to wait for their 
 money until that time. 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Low, Clarkson, and Kissam, be 
 a Committee to wait on General Schuyler, and confer with 
 him on the subject of his Letter received and read this 
 day, and the List of Stores therein enclosed ; and inform 
 him that it may be disadvantageous to remove the new 
 levied Troops immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius send to Phila- 
 delphia for proper Parchments for Drum-heads ; and when 
 he obtains them, that he get good Drums made for the 
 Regiments now raising in this Colony, in such manner as 
 the Field-Officers shall direct. 
 
 Ordered, also, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius (for the 
 present) provide Provisions for the men now enlisted and 
 raising in this City, and deliver the same in such quantities 
 as may be necessary, to the Quartermaster of the First 
 Regiment ; and that he deliver out such Tents as he has 
 or may have ready, to Colonel McDougall, or his order, 
 for the use of his men. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall have leave to nomi- 
 nate such persons to fill up the vacancies in his Regiment, 
 below the rank of Captain, as he may think proper ; and 
 that he report to this Congress such persons as he shall 
 nominate. 
 
 A Receipt from Philip Lansing to Egbert Dumond, 
 Esq., for two hundred barrels of Flour, to be by him con- 
 veyed to Albany, for the use of the Troops at Ticonde- 
 roga, was read, and filed. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on General Schuyler, 
 returned, and reported in substance, that General Schuyler 
 having conceived that it might be disadvantageous to re- 
 move the new levied men immediately, had wrote to the 
 Congress on that subject, and received positive orders not 
 to remove from hence the Connecticut Troops under the 
 command of General Woostcr ; but that he will leave the 
 new levied men here for the present ; that with respect 
 to the List of Stores delivered in by General Schuyler, 
 he had made a list of all the stores of the several kinds 
 therein mentioned, that he conceived necessary for the 
 present, and that such quantities of the several articles 
 therein mentioned as are already sent, are to be considered 
 as part of the stores mentioned in the said List. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Resolves 
 of the Continental Congress, bearing date the 23d ult. ; 
 and after some time spent therein, the Congress was informed 
 that Ethan Allen was at the door, and desired admittance. 
 
 Mr. Sears then moved, seconded by Mr. Melancton 
 Smith, in the following words : " I move that Ethan Allen 
 be permitted to have an audience at this Board." 
 
 And debates arising thereon, and the question being put, 
 it was carried in the affirmative, in manner following : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Suffolk, 2 Dutchess, 3 Albany, 
 
 2 Queen's, 2 Tryon, 2 Richmond, 
 
 2 King's, 2 Cumberland. 4 New.York. 
 
 2 Ulster, — — 
 
 2 Orange, 18 9 
 2 Westchester, 
 
1339 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1340 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That Ethan Allen be admitted. 
 He delivered a List of Officers, which is filed. 
 
 Seth Warner was also admitted at the same time. 
 
 Ethan Allen and Seth Warner having been heard, they 
 withdrew. 
 
 Ordered, That in consequence of a recommendation 
 from the Continental Congress, a body of Troops, not ex- 
 ceeding five hundred men, officers included, be forthwith 
 raised, of those called Green-Mountain Boys ; that they 
 elect all their own Officers, except Field-Officers ; that 
 Major General Schuyler be requested to forward this Order 
 to them, and receive from them a list of such Officers as 
 they shall elect, to be communicated to this Congress ; and 
 that General Schuyler be further requested, without delay, 
 to procure the sense of those Troops concerning the per- 
 sons who will be most agreeable to them for Field-Officers, 
 and to make other inquiry; and upon the whole advise this 
 Congress what persons will be most proper to be appointed 
 as Field-Officers to command those Troops ; that the said 
 Troops, when raised, be considered as an independent body, 
 their Field-Officers taking rank after the Field-Officers of 
 the other Troops to be raised by this Colony for the Con- 
 tinental service; that their corps of Officers consist of one 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, seven Captains, and four- 
 teen Lieutenants ; and that the General be furnished with 
 blank Warrants, to be filled up by him agreeable to such 
 election, as above mentioned. 
 
 The County of Albany, and Mr. John De Lancey, dis- 
 sented to the above Order and Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That a certified copy of the above be given 
 to General Schuyler by the Secretaries. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Martis, 5 ho. P. M., July 4, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 Leonard Lispenard, Esq., President pro tempore. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler was received and read, 
 and is in the words following : 
 
 " New- York, July 4, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : As I am ordered by the Continental Con- 
 gress to liquidate the accounts of the people employed at 
 the reduction of Ticonderoga, that they may be paid ; and 
 as Messrs. Allen and Warner were concerned, there will 
 be money due to them ; and as they are in want of some, 
 I could wish you to advance them thirty Pounds, and to 
 make it a Continental charge, for which shall debit them 
 in their account with the publick. 
 
 " I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " Ph. Schuyler. 
 " To the Gentlemen of the New-York Provincial Con- 
 gress." 
 
 Thereupon, an Order was made to the President, in the 
 words following, to wit : Whereas, General Schuyler has 
 requested that this Congress would advance thirty Pounds 
 to Ethan Allen and Seth Warner, and make a Continental 
 charge thereof, for which he will debit them in their account 
 with the publick, 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 be requested to advance thirty Pounds to the said Ethan 
 Allen and Seth Warner, and take their receipt for the 
 same. 
 
 Ordered, That every person who has any one or more 
 of the Muskets, Bayonets, and Accoutrements belonging 
 to the Corporation of the City of Neiv- York, and lately 
 delivered out of the City-Hall of the said City, bring the 
 same to the house of Abraham Van Dyck, in the Broad- 
 way, and deliver them to Messrs. Abraham Walton and 
 Isaac Sears, or their order, who are appointed a Commit- 
 tee to receive the same; and that each person deliver to 
 those gentlemen, at the same time, an account of the ex- 
 pense they have been at for Iron Ramrods for the said 
 Muskets, that this Congress may make provision for the 
 payment thereof; and 
 
 Ordered, That this Order be published in handbills, 
 and distributed about this City. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Mcrcurii, 9 ho. A. M., July 5, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gano. Present : 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esq., President ; Isaac Low, Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abraham 
 Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De 
 Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard 
 Yates, David Clarkson, Benjamin Kissam, John Morin 
 Scott, John Van Cortlandt, John Marston, and Isaac 
 Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Peter Silvester and 
 Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson and Benjamin 
 Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, and Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Lewis Graham, James Van 
 Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Johannes E. Lott, Henry Williams, 
 Jeremiah Remsen, and John Vanderbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph French, Joseph Robin- 
 son, Nathaniel Tom, and Richard Thome. 
 
 For Tryon County. — Christopher P. Yates and John 
 Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 Joseph French, Esq., one of the members of Queen's 
 County, who hitherto has neglected to attend this Con- 
 gress, appeared and took his seat ; and was charged by the 
 President from the chair, that sundry matters in this Con- 
 gress are to be kept secret, particularly all such as relates 
 to Ticonderoga and the Northern Posts. 
 
 Colonel McDougall informed the Congress that a num- 
 ber of men enlisted in this City, as part of the Troops to 
 be raised in this Colony, are ready to be encamped, but 
 that tents and other necessaries for the Officers, and many 
 articles for the Soldiers, are yet wanting; that part of the 
 upper Barracks are ready for use, and that a Muster-Master 
 is wanting to muster the men now enlisted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Abraham Brasher and Dr. Lynn 
 proceed immediately to muster the men who are enlisted ; 
 and that such men as pass muster, and such others as shall 
 be enlisted, be lodged in the Barracks in this City, until 
 their tents and other necessaries are ready, or until the 
 further order of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius wait on Doctor John 
 Jones and Doctor Treat, and request them to make and 
 deliver to him a list of such Medicines and Instruments as 
 will furnish a complete Medicine-Chest for a Regiment of 
 seven hundred and fifty men, officers included ; and that 
 Mr. Curtenius, when he has received such list, provide a 
 Medicine-Chest agreeable thereto. 
 
 Mr. Curtenius attending at the door, was called in, and 
 produced to the Congress an order of General Schuyler 
 to supply sundry utensils (which are mentioned in a list 
 attending the said order) for an Armourer of the Con- 
 necticut Troops. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius supply the sundry articles 
 mentioned in the said list and order, to the said Armourer; 
 and that he keep a separate account of the amount of those 
 articles, and charge them as supplied to the Troops of the 
 Colony of Connecticut, that it may be placed to the ac- 
 count of that Colony in a settlement of the Continental 
 expenses. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius be supplied with a copy 
 of the List or Inventory of Stores sent to this Congress on 
 the 4th instant ; and that he be requested to compare that 
 Inventory with the Inventories of the Provisions and Stores 
 ahead)' forwarded to Albany ; and that he purchase on the 
 
1341 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1342 
 
 publick credit, and forward to Albany, such quantities of 
 the respective articles, matters and things, mentioned in the 
 said List or Inventory, as are not already purchased and 
 forwarded to Albany. 
 
 This Congress being informed that the Corporation of 
 the City of New- York intends to address his Excellency 
 Govemour Tryon, 
 
 Resolved, Though this Congress entertains the highest 
 respect for his Excellency, yet it will be altogether im- 
 proper for the said Corporation, or any other body corpo- 
 rate, or individuals, in this Colony, to address his Excel- 
 lency at this most critical juncture. 
 
 Resolved, also, That one of the Secretaries of this Con- 
 gress do forthwith serve his Worship the Mayor with a 
 copy hereof. 
 
 Mr. De Lancey dissented to the foregoing Resolutions. 
 
 A Certificate from Daniel Tillinghast, Chairman of the 
 Committee of Safety at Providence, Rhode-Island, bearing 
 date the 27th of June last, certifying that Asher Coolc had 
 that day imported there in the Sloop Liberty, Henry Pal- 
 mer, Master, one hundred and sixty-eight barrels of Flour 
 and forty-four casks of Bread, and disposed of them to the 
 Committee of Safety; was read, and hied. 
 
 William Tapp was mentioned to this Congress as a 
 proper person for Quartermaster of the First Regiment of 
 the Troops now raising in this Colony ; and the Congress 
 being informed that Lieutenant-Colonel Ritzma recom- 
 mends him as a proper person for that ounce, 
 
 Agreed, That he is approved of, and that he be ap- 
 pointed to the said office. 
 
 John Van Cortlandt, Esq., informed the Congress that 
 the Artillery Company of the Marine Society, agreeable 
 to the recommendation of this Congress, had nominated 
 their Officers to serve under Captain Anthony Rutger, to 
 wit : Christopher Miller, for their Captain- Lieutenant ; 
 Patrick Dennis, First Lieutenant ; Anthony Griffiths, 
 Second Lieutenant ; and William Ritchie, Third Lieuten- 
 ant ; and request the approbation of this Congress in the 
 said nominations. 
 
 The Congress are of opinion that those gentlemen will 
 be proper Officers, and do approve of and confirm the 
 choice of the said Company in their Officers. 
 
 The Report of the Committee for Indian Affairs, which 
 was brought in last Saturday, was read ; and the draught 
 of a Speech proposed to be made to the Indians, was also 
 read, and in sundry places amended: And thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Report of a Speech to be made 
 to the Indians, be recommitted to such Members of the 
 said Committee as are now present, together with Mr. Scott 
 and Mr. Hobart, who are added to the said Committee for 
 that purpose ; and that they proceed to take the same into 
 consideration immediately. 
 
 Resolved, That no Vessel now in port, nor any that may 
 hereafter arrive, belonging to any port in Great Britain or 
 Ireland, or the Isles of Guernsey or Jersey, which sends ves- 
 sels to the Newfoundland Fishery, be permitted to load any 
 Bread or Flour, Beef or Pork, unless the property of those 
 articles be in some merchant or inhabitant of this Colony, 
 and not intended for Newfoundland, until it shall be other- 
 wise ordered by this or the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of this Resolution be published 
 in the Newspapers; and that the Resolution of the Com- 
 mittee of the City of New-York be republished at the same 
 time, immediately preceding this Resolution. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., July 6, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Mason. Present: 
 For the City and County of Neio-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander MeDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, John De Lancey, James Beekman, 
 Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, 
 Benjamin Kissam, John Van Cortlandt, Jacobus Van 
 Zandt, and Isaac Sears. 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Peter Silvester and 
 Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson and Benjamin 
 Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, and Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis Gra- 
 ham, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, Jeremiah Remsen. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph French, Joseph Robin- 
 son, Nathaniel Tom, and Richard Thorne. 
 
 For Tryon County. — John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 Application having been made to the President, and also 
 to the Deputy Chairman of the General Committee of 
 New-York, for the payment of a Messenger who was sent 
 to Albany by General Schuyler, and is returned, it is agreed 
 that nine Pounds be a stated allowance to a Messenger for 
 going to Albany ; and that the President pay the said Mes- 
 senger who has been to Albany nine Pounds. 
 
 Resolved, That the Reverend John Peter Tetard be 
 employed as French Interpreter to General Schuyler, and 
 as Chaplain for the Troops of this Colony ; and that his 
 pay as Interpreter and Chaplain be equal to a Major's 
 
 Messrs. Melancton Smith, Gilbert Livingston, and 
 Henry liilliams, dissent from the appointment of Mr. 
 Tetard as Chaplain. 
 
 Mr. MeDougall moved (seconded by Mr. Sears) that 
 a Committee be appointed to convene all the Blacksmiths 
 in Town, and inquire of them whether they can make Gun- 
 barrels, Bayonets, and Iron Ramrods, and what number 
 any of them can make in a given time. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Van Zandt, Colonel MeDougall, 
 Colonel Lispenard, and Mr. Hallett, be a Committee for 
 that purpose, and that they report with all convenient 
 speed. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Van Zandt be authorized, and he 
 is hereby authorized and requested, on behalf of this Con- 
 gress to contract with any such person as he shall think 
 proper, for procuring two thousand good Gun-Locks, such 
 as are used for the King's Muskets, to be procured with all 
 possible despatch, not to exceed the price of sixteen shil- 
 lings each ; and 
 
 Resolved, That the same shall be paid for by this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Mr. MeDougall moved (was seconded) that a Com- 
 mittee be appointed to write to Great Britain for four 
 complete sets of Lock-Smiths to make Gun-Locks, and that 
 the same Committee agree to pay the passages of Smiths 
 from Britain to America. 
 
 And the same being agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Lispenard, Mr. Hallett, Mr. Van 
 Zandt, and Colonel MeDougall, be a Committee for that 
 purpose, and that they are hereby authorized and requested 
 to write for four sets of good Lock-Smiths, to make Gun- 
 Locks, and to engage to pay the expense of their passages 
 from Britain to this Colony. 
 
 Resolved and Ordered, That the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence write a Letter to the Continental Congress on the 
 subject of Saltpetre, and informing them of the proposals 
 of Messrs. Kip and Van Vleeck, that the Continental Con- 
 gress may give such encouragement and directions in the 
 premises as they in their wisdom shall think proper. 
 
 Resolved, That Ten Shillings shall be allowed to every 
 Soldier that shall enlist in the Continental Army in this 
 Colony, for the present campaign, who shall furnish him- 
 self with a good Musket, to be approved of by the Muster- 
 Master and Armourer for each Regiment. 
 
 Mr. Morris moved, and was seconded, that the Congress 
 reconsider their Resolve of yesterday to prevent any Ad- 
 
1313 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1344 
 
 dress being delivered to his Excellency Goveinour Tryon. 
 Debates arose thereon, and the question being put, it was 
 carried in the negative, in the manner following : 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 4 Now.York, 2 Suffolk, 
 
 .'( Albany, 2 Westchester, — Mr. Morris 
 
 2 Richmond, 2 Dutchess, dissenting. 
 
 2 Queen's, — Mr. Robinson 2 Cumberland, 
 — dissenting. 2 Ulster, 
 
 11 2 King's, 
 
 2 Tryon, 
 2 Orango. 
 
 16 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That this Congress will not recon- 
 sider their Resolution of yesterday to prevent any Address 
 being delivered to his Excellency Goveinour Tryon. 
 
 A Letter from Mr. Scott to the President, informing him 
 of the distressed state of his family, was read, and praying 
 that some person be put in his stead on the Committee of 
 Indian Affairs. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Morris be added to that Committee 
 in the stead of Mr. Scott. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Die Jovis, 4to ho. P. M., July 6, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of Neiv- Yorlc. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Alexander McDougall, 
 Abraham Walton, James Beekman, Richard Yates, 
 David Clarkson, Benjamin Kissam, Jacobus Van Zaudt, 
 and Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Peter Silvester and 
 Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson and Benjamin 
 Tusteen. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss Ho- 
 bart, Thomas Tredwell, and Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester Coxmty. — Gouverneur Morris, Stephen 
 Ward, Joseph Drake, Robert Graham, and William 
 Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams and Jeremiah Rem- 
 sen. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 and Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph French, Joseph Robin- 
 son, Nathaniel Tom, and Richard Thome. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner, Wm. Williams. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerard Rancher, the Barrack-Mas- 
 ter, deliver to Colonel McDougall all such Beds, Blankets, 
 and other utensils for Soldiers, now in the custody of the 
 said Barrack-Master, and belonging to this Colony, as Col. 
 McDougall shall call for, for the use of the Troops now 
 raising in this Colony. 
 
 A Letter from John Alsop, Esq., at Philadetyhia, in 
 answer to the Letter from this Congress on the subject of 
 Blankets, was read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Isaac Thompson, of Islip, covering a copy 
 of the General Association, signed by the greatest part of 
 the inhabitants of that District, was read and filed. 
 
 The said General Association, signed as aforesaid, and 
 also a list of the names of such persons as have refused to 
 sign the same subjoined thereto, was read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Charles Thomson, Esquire, on behalf of 
 the Committee of the City of Philadelphia, was read and 
 filed, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "Philadelphia, July 4, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : The enclosed was yesterday intercepted 
 by the Committee of this City, and laid before the Con- 
 gress, who have recommended that it be forwarded to you. 
 " I am, Gentlemen, you most humble servant, 
 
 " Charles Thomson, 
 " In behalf of the Committee of Philadelphia. 
 <: Provincial Convention or Congress of New- York." 
 
 A Letter from Governour Martin (enclosed in the fore- 
 going Letter from Charles ^Thomson) to Henry White, Esq., 
 was read, and is in the words following: 
 
 "Capo Fear, North-Carolina, June 13, 1775. 
 
 "Dear Sir: I take the liberty to enclose herewith a 
 letter to Mrs. Martin, whose safe arrival I am most anxious 
 to learn, the winds having been easterly almost ever since 
 her departure. 
 
 " 1 shall be extremely obliged to you if you can contrive 
 to send me, with the royal standard 1 mentioned to you some 
 time ago, or without it if that is not to be had, a good tent 
 and markee, of the size of the Colonels' tents in the Army, 
 with a tent-bed to fit the boot of it, and furniture, viz : mat- 
 rass, bolster, and pillows, to be sent by any vessel bound 
 to Cape Fear River, or in default thereof to Newbern, 
 directed to the care of Mr. Cornell. I should rejoice to 
 see a prospect of a happy termination of the present deplo- 
 rable times, that more or less threaten the happiness of 
 every man throughout the Rritish Dominions. My com- 
 pliments and warmest wishes attend you and Mrs. White, 
 and all your family. I am, dear Sir, ever yours, 
 
 " Jo. Martin. 
 
 " The Honourable Henry White, Esq." 
 
 " I forbear to give you your due additions on the outside 
 of my letter, to obviate prying curiosity." 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., July 7, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 
 with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Ingles. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York. — Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., President; Isaac Low, Alex- 
 ander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Abraham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, 
 John De Lancey, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Benjamin Kissam, Jaco- 
 bus Van Zandt, and Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Peter Silvester and 
 Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Richard Mont- 
 gomerie, Gilbert Livingston, Jonathan Landon, Melanc- 
 ton Smith, and Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Joseph 
 Drake, Lewis Graham, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams and John Vander- 
 bilt. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Ojueen's County. — Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Joseph French, Joseph Robin- 
 son, Nathaniel Tom, and Richard Thome. 
 
 For Tryon County. — John Marlett. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and William 
 Williams. 
 
 The Letter from Charles Thomson, and the Letter from 
 Governour Martin to Henry White, Esquire, therein men- 
 tioned, were a^ain read, and thereupon 
 
 Ordered, That Messrs. Sears, Morris, and Low, be a 
 Committee to wait on Mr. White, and receive from him 
 such intelligence as they can obtain, and report to this Con- 
 gress with all convenient speed. 
 
 Mr. Pye returned from Dobbs's Ferry, and reported to 
 the Congress that he had proceeded to the said Ferry, and 
 waited there until last evening; that no Powder is arrived ; 
 that the Sloop which was to have taken in the said Pow- 
 der was gone to Albany, and that he has left the order of 
 this Congress with Mr and ordered the Pow- 
 der, when it arrives, to be left at Jonathan Laic rente's. 
 
 The Congress being informed that a quantity of Powder 
 lately passed through Hackinsack in wagons, 
 
1345 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1346 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pye be requested to inquire of some 
 gentlemen of the Committee of Elizabethtown, now in New- 
 York, whether they can give any information of the said 
 Powder ; and also, that Mr. Pye, if he find it requisite, 
 go to Bull's Ferry, to receive and forward the said Powder 
 to Albany, if it should be there. 
 
 A Letter from General Wooster was read and filed, and 
 is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Camp near New.York, July 7, 1775. 
 " Sir: We have among the Connecticut Troops a number 
 of apprentices and indented servants, who ran away from 
 their masters in this City, and have enlisted themselves and 
 received their pay in Connecticut. Since our arrival at this 
 place many of them have been detained in Town by their 
 masters. As the Governour of Connecticut has subjected 
 me, and the Troops under my command, to the direction 
 of the Continental and this Provincial Congress, I desire 
 you to take the opinion of your Congress, and advise me 
 what plan of conduct I shall pursue with regard to such 
 persons, and you will oblige, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 " David Wooster. 
 " To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 
 Provincial Congress." 
 
 The Congress took the same into consideration, and re- 
 solved to advise General Wooster that the Masters of such 
 Servants or Apprentices, belonging to this Colony, as are 
 enlisted in his Troops, be restored to their Masters; pro- 
 vided the Masters pay to him the disbursements, deducting 
 theiefrom the pay, if any be due. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to General Wooster, signifying the 
 sense of this Congress on the subject of Apprentices and 
 Servants, was read and approved. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on Mr. White re- 
 turned, and reported that Henry White, Esquire, informed 
 them that he had received the former letter from Govern- 
 our Martin, mentioned in the letter of Governour Martin 
 now before this Congress ; that he never sent the standard 
 tberein mentioned, and did not intend to send it ; that he 
 has at present mislaid Governour Martin's first letter ; that 
 he will send the letter when he can find it to this Con- 
 gress ; that he is not privy to Governour Martin's inten- 
 tions as to the matters suspected from his letter; and that 
 he will send in writing to this Congress an account of the 
 correspondence and transactions between him and Govern- 
 our Martin, and attest it upon oath if desired. 
 
 A Sub-Committee from the Committee of the City and 
 County of New- York being at the door, were admitted, and 
 delivered to the President a Letter (which was read) from 
 the Committee of Elizabethtown, setting forth that Wil- 
 liam McLeod, an Ensign in the Fifty-Second Regiment of 
 Foot, now at Boston, who had resided at or near Eliza- 
 bethtoivn for some time past, was about embarking for Bos- 
 ton in order to join his Regiment ; that the said Committee 
 of Elizabethtown had stopped his baggage, and that he 
 was now in the City of New-York waiting for a passage to 
 Boston. 
 
 The Congress took the same into consideration, and there- 
 upon 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of the City and County 
 of New- York do take the body of William McLeod, En- 
 sign in the Fifty-Second Regiment of Foot at Boston, and 
 send him in safe custody to the Committee of the Town of 
 Elizabethtown. And it is recommended to the Committee 
 of 2s ew- York not to use unnecessary violence, but to treat 
 him with all possible lenity as a gentleman and soldier. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Morris, Mr. Brasher, Mr. McDou- 
 gall, and Major Williams, be a Committee to form a proper 
 method for an arrangement of the Militia of this Colony, 
 and proper instruction for the Militia of this Colony, and 
 that they report with all convenient speed. 
 
 Major Williams and Doctor Spooner, agreeable to a no- 
 tice for that purpose given yesterday, proceeded to inform 
 the Congress of the state of Cumberland County, which 
 ihey represent ; and after some time spent therein, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Morris, Mr. Low, and Mr. Silvester, 
 be a Committee to receive information of the Members of 
 that County, and of any other persons, of the state of that 
 County, and report thereon to this Congress. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 Whereas this Congress, on the fourth day of July instant, 
 published a Resolution, ordering that the Arms belonging 
 to the Corporation of this City be returned to Messrs. Abra- 
 ham Walton and Isaac Sears, who were appointed a Com- 
 mittee to receive them; and whereas few of those Arms 
 have as yet been returned, and it is essentially necessary 
 for the publick service that a compliance with that order 
 be no longer delayed : 
 
 Resolved, That every person to whom such Arms were 
 originally delivered, or who is now possessed of any of them, 
 and does not on or before Friday, the fourteenth instant, 
 deliver the same to the Committee aforesaid, or their order, 
 at the Upper Barracks, shall be deemed and treated as an 
 enemy to his Country. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Saturnii, 9 ho. A. M., July 8, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Laidley. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York. — Peter Van Brugh 
 Livingston, Esquire, President; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Abra- 
 ham Walton, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John 
 De Lancey, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, David 
 Clarkson, Benjamin Kissam, Jacobus Van Zandt, and 
 Isaac Sears. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany. — Peter Silvester and 
 Francis Nicoll. 
 
 For Dutchess County. — Zephaniah Piatt, Gilbert Living- 
 ston, Jonathan Landon, Melancton Smith, and Nathaniel 
 Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County. — Johannes Hardenbergh, James Clin- 
 ton, and Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County. — Michael Jackson. 
 
 For Suffolk County. — Nathaniel Woodhull, John Sloss 
 Hobart, Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hommedieu, and 
 Thomas Wickham. 
 
 For Westchester County. — Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Joseph Drake, Philip Van Cortlandt, Robert 
 Graham, and William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County. — Henry Williams, John Vanderbilt, 
 and Theodorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County. — Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 and Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County. — Zebulon Williams, Joseph French, 
 Nathaniel Tom, and Richard Thorne. 
 
 For Cumberland County. — Paul Spooner and Wm. Wil- 
 liams. 
 
 A Letter from Henry White, Esq., was read, and is in 
 the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 " Sir: Three gentlemen of the Provincial Congress called 
 upon me with an intercepted letter from Governour Martin 
 of North- Carolina, dated the thirteenth June, to send him 
 a royal standard from hence. They desired to know if I had 
 complied with his request, and whether I could inform them 
 respecting the measures he was now pursuing. In answer 
 to which 1 have to observe, that he some time ago wrote to 
 me to send him such a standard, which I declined to do, 
 lest it might be disagreeable to the people of this place; 
 and I wrote him to that purport, which letter I apprehend 
 miscarried, or he must have received it before the thirteenth 
 of last month. With regard to the steps he is now taking 
 in his Government 1 am utterly unacquainted ; he has not 
 communicated to me any particulars. Governour Mar- 
 tin is a gentleman I am intimately acquainted with, and 
 have transacted business for him ever since he has been at 
 North- Carolina, which accounts for his applying to me for 
 the above standard. I imagine it will be believed that I 
 did not solicit the commission. I am, Sir, your most hum- 
 ble servant, Henry White. 
 " To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq." 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Charles Thomson, Esquire, 
 in answer to his Letter read yesterday, was read, and 
 approved of, and is as follows, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The Congress received yours enclosing Governour 
 31artin's letter to Mr. Henry White, and immediately 
 
1347 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1348 
 
 appointed a Committee to confer with him on the subject. 
 From the answer he gives to the Committee, and a letter 
 received from him, (a copy of which is enclosed,) the 
 Congress are fully satisfied that Mr. White's conduct in 
 this matter has been unexceptionable, and such as becomes 
 the character of a good citizen. 
 
 I am, Sir, your humble servant. 
 To Charles Thomson, Esquire. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and, together with a copy of Mr. White's 
 Letter of this day, be transmitted by the first opportunity. 
 
 It being suggested to the Congress that Priming Wires 
 and Brushes are wanting for the Connecticut Troops, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Ourtcnius be requested to assist the 
 Quartermaster of the Connecticut Troops to get Priming 
 Wires and Brushes for the said Troops, the said Quarter- 
 master paying for the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 President of this Congress, be Treasurer for this Congress 
 of all Money received or to be received in this Colony for 
 the general defence of America or the Continental service, 
 until some other Treasurer be appointed by the Continen- 
 tal Congress. 
 
 The Continental Congress having recommended it to 
 the inhabitants of the Colonies to keep the twentieth day 
 of July, instant, as a Day of Fasting and Prayer, this 
 Congress does strictly enjoin all persons in this Colony 
 religiously to observe the said recommendation. And we 
 being taught by that holy Religion declared by the mer- 
 ciful Jesus, and sealed by his blood, that we ought to 
 acknowledge the hand of God in all publick calamities, 
 and being thoroughly convinced that the Great Disposer 
 of events regardeth the hearts of his creatures, do most 
 earnestly recommend it to all men to conform themselves 
 to the pure dictates of Christianity, and by deep repent- 
 ance and the sincere amendment of their lives, to implore 
 of our Heavenly Father that favour and protection which 
 he alone can give. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will adjourn until next 
 Tuesday fortnight, and that a Committee of Safety be 
 appointed during the recess of this Congress in manner 
 following, to wit: That New-York appoint three Mem- 
 bers to give two Votes, and every other County each one 
 to give one Vote. And that such other Members of the 
 several Counties as shall attend, may join in the vote of 
 their respective Counties, or give such vote in the absence 
 of the Member or Members so appointed. And Peter 
 Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, Colonel Lispenard, and 
 Colonel McDougall, being appointed for the City and 
 
 County of Netv- York ; Mr. Morris for the City and 
 County of Albany ; Jonathan Landon for Dutchess Coun- 
 ty; Egbert Dumond for Ulster County; David Pye for 
 Orange County; Abraham Brasher for Suffolk County; 
 Gouvcrneur Morris for Westchester County; Henry Wil- 
 liams for King's County ; Richard Lawrence for Rich- 
 mond County ; Colonel McDougall for Queen's County ; 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston for Tryon County; and 
 John Morin Scott for Cumberland County : 
 
 Resolved, That all the said Votes, or a major part 
 thereof, shall constitute such Committee. And that the 
 said Committee, when met, shall be empowered to open 
 all Letters directed to the said Congress, and to answer 
 the same; that they be farther empowered to take such 
 measures as they shall think proper to carry into execution 
 all orders of the Continental Congress, and all Resolutions 
 and recommendations of this Congress, and to comply 
 with any requisitions made by the Generals of the Conti- 
 nental Army, or any of them, as far as they shall think 
 proper. That they be authorized to give directions to 
 General Wooster, or the Commander and Commanders, 
 for the time being, of the Continental Troops stationed in 
 this Colony, as from this Congress : Provided, That such 
 directions do not contravene the orders of the Continental 
 Congress, or of his or their superiour officers respectively. 
 And lastly, that they have authority to appropriate such 
 Moneys of the Continental Congress as may arrive in pay- 
 ment of the debts already contracted for the publick ser- 
 vice, and for the use of the said service, as they shall think 
 necessary, the accounts being first audited and allowed by 
 the Committee of Accounts. 
 
 Ordered and Agreed, That Jacobus Swartwout be, 
 and is appointed by this Congress Mustermaster of the 
 Troops which shall be raised in defence of American lib- 
 erty by the following Captains, to wit : Lewis Duboys, 
 Andrew Billings, Henry B. Livingston, and Rufus Der- 
 rick. 
 
 A copy of this Order was made, and signed by P. V. 
 B. Livingston, President. 
 
 Ordered and Agreed, That Colonel Phineas Fanning, 
 David. Melford, Esquire, of East-Hampton, and Captain 
 Timothy Earle, be, and are appointed by this Congress 
 Mustermasters of the Troops that shall be raised in Suf- 
 folk County in defence of American liberty. 
 
 The Committee of Safety agreed to meet at the City- 
 Hall of the City of New-York, on Ihiesday next, at nine 
 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned until next Tuesday fort- 
 night, then to meet again at the City of New-York, at 
 nine of the clock in the morning of that day. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 May 31, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met by adjournment at Watertown, 
 being the day appointed by Charter for the election of 
 Counsellors, when the Congress convened, and had a suit- 
 able discourse delivered them by Mr. President Langdon, 
 at the Meeting-House, where the Committee attended in 
 the afternoon. Afterwards they met, and adjourned to 
 meet at Cambridge, Tuesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 June 1, 1775. 
 
 On a motion made by Mr. Samuel Whittcmore, of Glou- 
 cester, that the Forces now raised in said Town and Man- 
 chester should remain there for the present, for the security 
 of the Seaports : 
 
 Voted, That there be returns immediately required of 
 the number of men now in Camp ; and if it shall then 
 appear that the safety of the whole will permit it, the 
 request will be granted. 
 
 June 2, 1775. 
 
 A Gun taken from Samuel Flagg, of Grafton, for the 
 use of the Colony, was appraised by a Committee appoint- 
 ed for that purpose, at forty Shillings, lawful money, which 
 Gun was delivered to Captain Ijuke Drury, for the use of 
 his Company, and a receipt taken for the same, in the 
 rough minutes. 
 
 Colonel John Niton having satisfied this Committee 
 that his Regiment is in good forwardness, he had a certifi- 
 cate thereof, and a recommendation to the Provincial Con- 
 gress that such Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 2, 1775. 
 This Committee have taken into their most serious con- 
 sideration the state of the New-England Army proposed 
 to be raised for the defence and security of the lives, 
 liberties, and properties of the Americans, and find that 
 the several Colonies have not, collectively, raised more 
 than 24,500 men,* whereas 30,000 were supposed neces- 
 sary. And said Committee also find a considerable number 
 of Officers of Minute-men now at Head-Quarters, who, 
 with their men, cannot find room for employment in the 
 Army upon the present establishment of this Colony. And 
 as our enemies have determined to distress us upon our 
 sea-coast, by taking our Vessels with Provisions, Salt, Mo- 
 lasses, &lc, as well as by plundering our islands and coasts 
 of Live Stock, which will require a greater number of men 
 to guard said coasts than was at first estimated; and as 
 said Army, or any part thereof, may be disbanded at any 
 future time, when the publick safety will admit thereof; 
 and as the publick military spirit now runs high, it is 
 therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of these premises be 
 recommended to the Honourable Congress, and that Col. 
 
1349 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1350 
 
 Palmer be directed to attend said Congress with this Re- 
 solve, in order to know whether they will make any addi- 
 tion to their present establishment. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 
 June 3, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Devens be a Committee to join Col. 
 Putnam, from the Council of War, as a Committee to wait 
 upon the Committee of Supplies for a conference, and to 
 desire their attendance at Head-Quarters. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Gridley be required to make im- 
 mediate return of the Regiment of Artillery. 
 
 The honourable the Provincial Congress having, by 
 their Committee, inquired of this Committee what progress 
 had been made in raising a Regiment for the Train, 
 
 Resolved, That the honourable Congress be informed 
 that this Committee have given out Enlisting Orders to 
 raise nine Companies ; that they will immediately procure 
 a return and forward it to the Congress. 
 
 June 5, 1775. 
 
 A number of Officers belonging to Colonel John Nix- 
 on's Regiment were recommended to the Congress to be 
 commissioned, and a list of said Officers ordered to be put 
 on file. 
 
 June 7, 1775. 
 
 Colonel Glover having satisfied this Committee that he 
 has about four hundred and sixty men in his Regiment, a 
 Certificate was given him to that purport, and it was 
 recommended to the honourable Congress that said Regi- 
 ment may be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 June 9, 1775. 
 
 A number of Officers belonging to Colonel Whitcomb's 
 Regiment were recommended to the Congress to be com- 
 missioned, as per copy of the list on file. 
 
 Two Small-Arms, taken from General Brattle's house, 
 were appraised by Captain White and Mr. Devens, a Com- 
 mittee appointed for that purpose, at one Pound six Shil- 
 lings and eight Pence ; which Guns were delivered to 
 Captain Joseph Stebbins, for the use of his Company, and 
 a receipt taken for the same in the rough minute-book. 
 
 Resolved, That the Armourers repair no Fire-Arms for 
 any Soldier without a certificate from his Commanding 
 Officer; and that they keep an exact account what Arms 
 they repair, and the soldiers' names to whom they belong, 
 and what Regiments they belong to ; and also, that the 
 Arms that first come be first repaired. And that this Vote 
 be transmitted to the several Armourers in the Colony 
 service. 
 
 Captain Hall, of Mistick, having informed that a parcel 
 of Spars were brought on this side Mistick Bridge, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Hall be desired to remove them to 
 such a place of security as he shall judge proper, till the 
 further order of this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Captain Ebenezer Winship have the re- 
 commendation of this Committee to the Honourable Con- 
 gress for his being commissioned with his Subalterns in 
 Colonel Nixon's Regiment. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 9, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Colonel Paul Dudley Sergeant, late of 
 New-Hampshire, having applied to this Committee for 
 directions respecting four Companies enlisted under him 
 in the service of this Colony, we beg leave to state the 
 facts to your Honours. 
 
 From the exigences of the times, on the 25th of April 
 last past Colonel Sergeant received encouragement from 
 this Committee to command a Regiment, and received 
 beating orders for the raising the same, on the following 
 conditions, viz: Should he fill said Regiment, and the Prov- 
 ince of New-Hampshire aforesaid would not take him, 
 with his Regiment, into their service, in that case he 
 should be established in the service of the Colony of the 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 It appears to this Committee, by the account Colonel 
 Sergeant has given them, that he has only four Companies 
 at Head-Quarters, and that some more are enlisted and 
 in Hampshire; he therefore desires he may be directed 
 whether to hold or discharge said men. This Committee 
 
 apprehend, should said four Companies be discharged from 
 the service of this Colony, they would immediately enter 
 the service of New-Hampshire, and as we conceive the 
 Army of thirteen thousand six hundred men will be com- 
 plete without said four Companies, are of opinion it would 
 be prudent said Companies be dismissed from the service 
 of this Colony. The whole of this matter we submit to 
 your Honours ; you will act thereon as to you in your wis- 
 dom shall seem meet. 
 
 We are, with great respect, your most humble servants, 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 The Honourable the Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 June 10, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, a return has been made by Col. John Glover 
 of the state of his Regiment, now at Marblehead, and it 
 appears to this Committee to be for the safety of this Co- 
 lony said Regiment should continue at present at Marble- 
 head; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel John Glover be, and he here- 
 by is, directed to continue said Regiment under his com- 
 mand at Marblehead until further orders, and that he hold 
 them in readiness to march at a minute's warning to any 
 post where he may be directed, and that he fill said Regi- 
 ment as soon as possible. 
 
 Whereas, sundry pieces of mowing land, belonging to 
 persons who have left this Town, have upon them con- 
 siderable quantities of grass, which, if not cut soon, must 
 diminish much in quantity ; and as Hay will be wanted for 
 the use of this Colony; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Provincial Congress, that they appoint a Committee of 
 Congress to view said pieces of land, and act thereon as to 
 them in their wisdom shall seem meet. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Learned be empowered to appoint 
 one Armourer and an assistant for the Army at Roxbury, 
 provided he can obtain tools and accommodation for them. 
 
 A list of the gentlemen who have been commissioned, 
 or that have received any encouragement for commission, 
 was sent to Congress, a copy of which is on file. 
 
 The following Return was sent in to the Provincial 
 Congress : 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 10, 1775. 
 
 In obedience to a Resolve of the honourable Provincial 
 Congress " to certify to their Congress the names of such 
 gentlemen as are candidates for the command of a Regi- 
 ment, with the number of privates, &ic, that have been 
 enlisted under them, and any other claims or pretensions 
 that any gentleman may have to a commission," this Com- 
 mittee would now certify, that, besides twenty gentlemen 
 to whom they have given certificates, (viz : Colonel Asa 
 Whitcomb, General Ward, Lieutenant-Colonel Doolittle, 
 Colonel Glover, Colonel Frye, Colonel Learned, Colonel 
 Read, Colonel Nixon, Colonel Fellows of General Pome- 
 roy's Regiment, General Thomas, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Bayley, Colonel Bridge, Colonel Cotton, Colonel Walker, 
 Colonel Prescott, Colonel Scammon, Cononel Donaldson, 
 Colonel Patterson, Colonel Gardner, Colonel Mansfield, 
 Colonel Gerrish,) General Heath early took out ten sets 
 of orders, and raised a full Regiment, which has done duty 
 for several weeks, as he has informed this Committee, but 
 has made no return in writing, nor applied for a certificate. 
 Colonel David Brewer, who received ten sets of orders, 
 has made us no return, though we hear he has enlisted a 
 number of men as Rangers. Colonel Robinson has ap- 
 plied to this Committee for a recommendation, in conse- 
 quence of a petition signed by ten Captains, a copy of 
 which accompanies this Report. The Committee pro- 
 mised Colonel Robinso7i that they would recommend him, 
 if there should be a vacancy. Colonel Woodbridge in- 
 forms this Committee, and it appears by the return he has 
 made, that three hundred and sixty men stand ready to go 
 under him. We would observe that Colonel Woodbridge 
 has been in Camp with his Minute-Men doing duty ever 
 since the battle, but did not apply to this Committee for 
 enlisting orders until the Committee had issued orders 
 sufficient to complete the Army, and therefore the Com- 
 mittee did not give him orders, but promised they would 
 
1351 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1352 
 
 recommend him if there should he a vacancy. Colonel 
 Porter was, in conjunction with Colonel Patterson, and by 
 agreement with Colonel Patterson, to have the chief com- 
 mand in that Regiment, and officiated some time in that 
 capacity, waiting lor the men raised by Colonel Porter's 
 orders to arrive ; but they not arriving so soon as expected, 
 and another officer with several companies arriving, and 
 offering to join and fill Colonel Pattersons Regiment, 
 Colonel Porter said he was willing to resign rather than 
 the publick service should be hindered. Since this, we are 
 informed by Colonel Porter that the men raised by his 
 orders are upon their march to Cambridge. Col. Joseph 
 Henshaw expected to have the command of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel in General Ward's Regiment, and the dispute be- 
 tween him and Colonel Ward having been already laid 
 before Congress and acted upon, we would only represent 
 that he has signified to this Committee that a number of 
 companies incline to go under him, as will appear by his 
 return, which accompanies this Report. 
 
 About five or six weeks past Mr. Greenleaf applied to 
 the Committee of Safety, desiring that the men raised in 
 and about Newbury might not be annexed to Colonel Ger- 
 rish's Regiment, or any other where it would be disagree- 
 able to them. He afterwards applied to this Committee 
 respecting said men, and desired that the eight companies 
 enlisted upon orders issued by this Committee, through 
 Colonel Gerrish's hands, who have since petitioned in 
 favour of Colonel Little's taking the command of them, 
 might be put under him as Colonel of a Regiment. We 
 then found we had given orders for as many Regiments 
 as would complete the Establishment made by this Colony, 
 and therefore did not give said Colonel Little any orders to 
 raise a Regiment, but promised that if any vacancy should 
 happen, he should have the preference. We find said com- 
 panies were early in the field, and have done duty ever 
 since, and are very well equipped. 
 
 Early after the 19th of April this Committee sent ten 
 sets of beating orders to the Honourable General Preble, 
 desiring him to give out said orders to such persons as he 
 thought suitable for commissions, in order to form a Regi- 
 ment; and Colonel March was also supplied with ten sets 
 of orders, for the purpose of raising a Regiment to be com- 
 manded by him. Soon after it was represented to us by 
 the Committee of Correspondence for Falmouth, that it 
 would be inconvenient to that County, in their exposed 
 situation, to raise men for the Army, and the same was 
 agreed to by Colonels Finney and March in the Commit- 
 tee ; on which we wrote to General Preble, informing him 
 of the same, but heard nothing further until about six days 
 past, we received a return from Colonel Finney of about 
 five hundred men, enlisted in a Regiment to go under his 
 command, and Colonel March certified that he had agreed 
 to come in as his second ; the copy of which letter to Gen- 
 eral Preble accompanies this. Colonel Sergeant's case 
 having been represented to Congress, the copy of said re- 
 presentation accompanies this Report. 
 
 The Committee beg leave to represent that the reason 
 why more enlisting orders were delivered out than were 
 sufficient to enlist the number of men established by Con- 
 gress, was an apprehension that the Province was in the 
 utmost danger for want of men, the Committee not being 
 able to prevail on the Militia and Minute-Men to tarry in 
 Camp; and but very few men being at that time enlisted, 
 we were obliged to issue further orders. 
 
 Benjamin White, Chairman. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
 
 June 12, 1775. 
 
 The Committee not apprehending that it was necessary 
 to detain Eliphalet Hill, of Newbury, any longer as a 
 Rider in the Colony service, he was dismissed therefrom 
 on the yesterday. 
 
 Shubael and Joseph Sever, of Framingham, entered into 
 the Colony service as Armourers, the 10th instant. 
 
 Captain Lawrence, in Colonel Prescott's Regiment, offer- 
 ing to act as an Armourer without any pay for his labour, 
 and to return home for some tools which are necessary to 
 effect the repairs of the Muskets, it was consented to by the 
 Committee, and the said Lawrence was desired to procure 
 his tools as soon as may be. 
 
 June 13, 1775. 
 
 Jonathan SticJcney, in Colonel Woodbridge's Regiment, 
 received a Small- Arm of one Guillam, a scholar, for which 
 he gave a receipt in the rough minute book, to deliver the 
 same again to this Committee when so required. 
 
 Whereas, it is daily expected that General Gage will 
 attack our Army now in the vicinity of Boston, in order to 
 penetrate into the country, it is of the utmost importance 
 that said Army be in every respect prepared for action as 
 soon as possible ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the General be desired to order each 
 Colonel in the Army to make immediate return to him of 
 the state and equipment of their respective Regiments, set- 
 ting forth what number of men are destitute of arms, and 
 what arms are fit for immediate service ; and that this vote 
 be laid before the Committee as soon as may be. 
 
 Mr. Devens appointed a Committee to inquire of the 
 Committee of Supplies relative to the quantity of Powder 
 in their possession, and where the same is. 
 
 On motion made, 
 
 Resolved, That the debates and determinations of this 
 Committee be kept a profound secret by its members and 
 their attendants, until further order of this Committee. 
 
 Whereas Daniel Adams, of Boston, a lunatick now in 
 Camp at Cambridge, occasions great disorder in said Camp ; 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the Town of Wo- 
 burn be, and they hereby are directed and empowered to 
 take into their custody and care the above-mentioned Daniel 
 Adams, and make such provision for him, at the expense 
 of this Colony, as his circumstances, being peculiar, may 
 require, and also for the guards while there. 
 
 Whereas, frequent complaints have been made to this 
 Committee of the waste and destruction of the property of 
 some persons who have left their habitations in sundry 
 Towns in this Colony, and taken refuge in the Town of 
 Boston; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Congress now sitting at Watertown, that they take the 
 above into their consideration, and act thereon as to them 
 in their wisdom shall seem meet. 
 
 The Committee earnestly recommend to the honour- 
 able Congress, that the representations from the Quarter- 
 master-General be taken into immediate consideration, 
 especially as the Committee, from their own knowledge, 
 find the rooms too much crowded, and the health and lives 
 of the Soldiers thereby greatly exposed ; and if tents can- 
 not be immediately furnished, that some barracks be forth- 
 with erected. 
 
 June 14, 17 75. 
 
 Whereas this Committee are informed that Dr. Hoxc, 
 of Andover, is prepared to receive, and well skilled in such 
 disorders as Daniel Adams, of Boston, sent on the 13th 
 instant to the Town of Woburn, is affected with ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the Town of Wo- 
 burn be, and they hereby are released from the keeping 
 said Daniel Adams in the Town of Woburn, and they are 
 required to provide a horse and carriage, with provisions, 
 to forward the said Adams to Andover, the expense of 
 which will be paid by this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That Daniel Adams, a lunatick now at Wo- 
 burn, be carried to the Town of Andover, and committed 
 to the care of Dr. How; and the said Dr. How is hereby 
 desired to take proper care of the said lunatick, at the ex- 
 pense of this Colony. 
 
 The following Vote passed this Committee the 4th of 
 May last, viz : 
 
 Moved arid Voted, That the vote passed the 2d of 
 May, respecting the raising of two Companies in Braintree, 
 be reconsidered, and that the copy of said vote, together 
 with the two enlisting papers, be ordered to be returned 
 into the hands of said Committee of Safety. 
 
 And whereas a petition from the Town of Braintree, 
 Weymouth, and Hingham, hath this day been presented to 
 this Committee, setting forth the exposed situation of those 
 Towns, and praying for such relief and protection as may 
 be thought proper ; therefore, 
 
 Voted, That the Town of Braintree be hereby empow- 
 ered to raise one Company, the Town of Hingham another 
 
1353 
 
 xMASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1354 
 
 Company, and the Town of Weymouth half a Company, for 
 llie immediate defence of the sea-coast of said Town ; the 
 said two Companies and a half to he joined to such Regi- 
 ment in future as they may be ordered to, should there be 
 occasion, or discharged from service on the last day of 
 December next, or sooner, if the publick safety will admit 
 of it ; and that the Selectmen of said Towns be respectively 
 furnished with a copy of this vote and one set of beating 
 orders. 
 
 A number of men belonging to the company of Captain 
 Drury, having petitioned that they might be permitted to 
 join, some the Regiment commanded by Colonel Gardner, 
 and others the Regiment commanded by Colonel Nixon ; 
 and the Committee having considered their several re- 
 quests, 
 
 Voted, As the opinion of this Committee, that said 
 company be joined to such Regiment as it shall appear the 
 major part of said company are in favour of when called 
 upon for that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain White and Mr. Dcvens be a 
 Committee to proceed to the house of Thomas Ireland, of 
 Cliarlestown, and find out whether a certain infamous wo- 
 man, who calls herself . . . Jackson, be there, and if she 
 can be found, order her to Head-Quarters, they being sent 
 furnished with an order from the General for a file of men 
 for that purpose. 
 
 General Heath having satisfied this Committee that his 
 Regiment is near full, a certificate was given him thereof, 
 and it was recommended to the honourable Congress that 
 his Regiment be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Mullikin having represented to this 
 Committee, that on the 19th of April last his house was 
 plundered and burned by the Soldiery; at which time he 
 lost a pair of silver shoe-buckles, which, he says, he is well 
 informed is in the possession of a Sergeant of the Fifty- 
 Second Regiment, now in Concord jail : It is the desire 
 of this Committee that the Committee of Correspondence 
 for said Town (with whom they think it properly belongs) 
 would make inquiry into this matter ; and if they find it 
 to be as has been represented, that they would use their 
 endeavours that the said Mullikin may have justice done 
 him, by the delivery of said buckles. 
 
 Two Guns taken from John Boreland, Esquire's house 
 for the Colony service, were appraised by Messrs. Dc- 
 vens, Watson, and Ome, at twenty-seven Shillings and 
 thirty-three Shillings; which Guns were delivered William 
 Hudson Ballard, for the use of his Company, and a receipt 
 taken for the same in the rough minute book. 
 
 Upon reading a Letter fiom General Thomas, in favour 
 of Captain Israel Henrick, 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee do not think the matter 
 contained in said Letter comes within the commission of this 
 Committee, therefore refer it to the honourable Congress. 
 
 June 15, 1775. 
 
 The following Resolve respecting the allowance for Pro- 
 visions for the Soldiers in the Massachusetts Army, passed 
 at the Congress, June 10, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved, That each Soldier in the Massachusetts Army 
 shall have the following allowance per day, viz: 
 
 One pound of Bread ; half a pound of Beef, and half a 
 pound of Pork, and if Pork cannot be had, one pound and 
 a quarter of Beef, and one day in seven they shall have one 
 pound and one quarter of salt Fish, instead of one day's 
 allowance of Meat ; one pint of Milk, or if Milk cannot be 
 had, one gill of Rice; one quart of good spruce or malt 
 Beer; one gill of Beans or Peas, or other sauce equiva- 
 lent ; six ounces of good Butter per week ; one pound of 
 good common Soap for six men per week ; half a pint of 
 Vinegar per week per man, if it can be had. 
 
 Whereas, the Committee lately applied to the honourable 
 the Congress of this Colony for an augmentation of the 
 Army now in the vicinity of Boston, and as some circum- 
 stances have since taken place which strengthened the 
 arguments then used in favour of the said augmentation; 
 particularly that many of the then expected re-enforcements 
 for General Gage's Army are arrived ; that General Gage 
 has issued a very extraordinary Proclamation, in which the 
 inhabitants of Massachusetts-Bay are in the most explicit 
 
 manner declared Rebels ; and various accounts have been 
 brought to this Committee of the movements of Mr. 
 Gage's Army, and that he intends soon to make another 
 attempt to penetrate into the country. From the consid- 
 eration of all which premises, together with that of our 
 Army, 
 
 Resolved, That the good and welfare of the Colony 
 requires that there be an immediate augmentation of said 
 Army ; that such soldiers in the Army as are destitute of 
 arms, be immediately supplied therewith ; that such Regi- 
 ments of Militia as are in any degree destitute of officers, 
 be immediately filled up in such manner as the honourable 
 Congress may direct ; and that all the Militia in the Colony 
 be ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march on 
 the shortest notice, completely equipped, having thirty 
 rounds of cartridges per man ; all which is earnestly re- 
 commended to the immediate consideration of the honour- 
 able Congress now sitting at Watertoivn ; to which the Com- 
 mittee would beg leave to add a general recommendation 
 to the people to go to meeting armed on Lord's day, in 
 order to prevent being thrown into confusion. 
 
 Whereas, it appears of importance to the safety of this 
 Colony, that possession of the hill called Bunker's Hill, 
 in Charlestown, be securely kept and defended, and also 
 some one hill or hills on Dorchester Neck be likewise 
 secured ; therefore 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That it be recommended to the 
 Council of War, that the above mentioned Bunker's Hill 
 be maintained by sufficient force being posted there ; and 
 as the particular situation of Dorchester Neck is unknown 
 to this Committee, they desire that the Council of War 
 take and pursue such steps respecting the same as to them 
 shall appear to be for the security of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Benjamin White and Colonel 
 Joseph Palmer be a Committee to join with a Committee 
 from the Council of War to proceed to Roxbury Camp, 
 there to consult with the General Officers on matters of 
 importance, and to communicate to them a Resolve this 
 day passed in this Committee respecting Bunker's Hilt in 
 Charlestown, and Dorchester Neck. 
 
 June 16, 1775. 
 
 The Committee took into consideration the Resolves of 
 Congress relative to Barracks; whereupon, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Watson, Mr. Cushing, and Doctor 
 Holten, be a Committee to make inquiry whether any 
 Houses or Tents are to be obtained for the Troops that 
 want cover. 
 
 The Commissary-General was directed to furnish Messrs. 
 Joseph and Thomas Austin, armourers in the Colony ser- 
 vice, with Provisions as wanted. 
 
 Colonel Gridley's Captains and Subalterns for the 
 Train were this day recommended to Congress to be com- 
 missioned. 
 
 Mr. Burbcck was recommended as Lieutenant-Colonel 
 in Colonel Gridley's Train of Artillery ; Mr. Scarborough 
 Gridley as First Major, and Mr. David Mason as Second 
 Major in said Regiment of Artillery. 
 
 June 17, 1775. 
 
 Colonel David Brewer and Jonathan Brewer having 
 made returns of the Field-Officers and the officers of nine 
 Companies of their respective Regiments, it was recom- 
 mended to the Provincial Congress, that they might be 
 commissioned accordingly. 
 
 The following Order was issued to the Towns in the 
 vicinity of Boston: 
 
 " To the Selectmen of the Town of ... . 
 
 " Gentlemen : You are ordered instantly to send all the 
 town-stock of powder you have to the Town of Watertoivn, 
 saving enough to furnish one pound to each soldier." 
 
 The following was voted to be sent to Mr. John Badger, 
 viz : 
 
 "Sir: As the safety of the Colony Army demands that 
 any person or persons suspected of having the small-pox 
 be immediately placed in such place as may prevent its 
 spreading in said Army, and your house is thought proper 
 for that purpose, you are directed immediately to quit said 
 house, that the person suspected may be placed therein." 
 
1355 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1356 
 
 The following Vote was laid before the Committee of 
 Supplies, viz : 
 
 " As in consequence of our late movements a constant 
 fire is kept on the Colony Troops, we think it necessary 
 that there should be quick intelligence brought to Head- 
 Quarters from the scene of action : we therefore desire that 
 this Committee may be immediately furnished with four of 
 the riding horses for the service aforesaid." 
 
 The following was voted to be sent Mr. John Badger, 
 .Km., viz : 
 
 " Sir : As the safety of the Colony Army demands that 
 any person or persons suspected of having the small-pox 
 immediately requires their being placed in such place as 
 may prevent its spreading in said Army, and your house is 
 thought proper for that purpose, you are directed imme- 
 diately to quit said house, that the person now suspected 
 may be placed therein." 
 
 June 18, 1775. 
 
 A Letter was forwarded to the Commanding Officers of 
 the Militia in the neighbouring Towns for the march of their 
 respective Regiments, as per copy on file, which is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 " Cambridge, June 18, 1775. 
 
 " To the Commanding Officer of the Militia of the Town 
 of 
 
 " Sir : As the Troops under General Gage are moving 
 from Boston into the country, you are, on the receipt of 
 this, immediately to muster the men under your command, 
 see them properly equipped, and march them forthwith to 
 Cambridge. By order of the Committee of Safety : 
 
 " Benjamin White, Chairman." 
 
 A Letter, countermanding the above orders, was for- 
 warded to the several Colonels in the neighbouring Towns, 
 as per copy on file, which is as follows : 
 
 " It is thought by this Committee that those companies 
 of the Militia which have not been called into the camp 
 at Cambridge, by written orders, should remain at their 
 respective Towns, and that those companies of them which 
 have been so called, and are on their march, should return, 
 and hold themselves in complete readiness to give us assist- 
 ance when called upon." 
 
 The Selectmen of the Town of Waltham were ordered 
 forthwith to send all the town-stock of Powder to the Town 
 of Watertown, save enough for one pound for each soldier. 
 
 June 19, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the house of the Reverend Mr. Sam- 
 uel Cook, of Monotomy, be improved as a Hospital for the 
 Colony Army ; and that Mr. William Eustis be and here- 
 by is appointed to the care of the sick and wounded in said 
 Hospital till the further order of this Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Isaac Foster be and he hereby 
 is directed to take up and improve as Hospitals so many 
 houses in Monotomy as he may find necessary for the safety 
 of the sick and wounded of the Colony Army ; and that 
 he employ such person or persons as may be necessary, to 
 carry such provisions and other necessaries as may be wanted 
 for the use of the aforesaid sick and wounded ; and further, 
 that he take such precaution respecting the Small-Pox Hos- 
 pital as may be necessary for the prevention of the spread- 
 ing of that epidemical disorder in the Camp or elsewhere. 
 
 A Letter was received from Mr. William Eustis, which 
 is as follows: 
 
 " Gentlemen : As the general hospital is in Mr. Cook's 
 house, it undoubtedly falls to Doctor Foster to take the 
 care of it. I think it my duty to return this appointment 
 immediately. I will assist to the utmost of my ability in 
 dressing the wounded. I see their distress, feel for them, 
 and will relieve them in every way in my power. 
 
 " I am, gentlemen, with great respect, your very humble 
 servant, W. Eustis. 
 
 " To the Committee of Safety." 
 
 Pursuant to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress sent 
 to this Committee respecting the nomination of four Con- 
 ductors, two Clerks, and one Overseer for a company of 
 Artificers in the regiment of Artillery ; they beg leave to 
 
 recommend the following persons to the office affixed to 
 their names, viz : Mr. John Ruddock, Mr. John Austin, 
 Mr. John Knecland, Mr. Thomus Uran, Conductors ; Mr. 
 Nathaniel Barber, Jun., Mr. Isaac Peirce, Clerks; Joseph 
 Airs, Overseer of the Artificers. 
 
 It being very desirous to obtain the most certain accounts 
 of the names and places of abode of the persons who have 
 been killed or wounded in the Battle of Lexington, so call- 
 ed, on the 19th of April past, and at any time since ; and also 
 of all such as may be killed or wounded at any future time 
 during the present unnatural contest between Great Bri- 
 tain and the American Colonies, in order to transmit to 
 future generations the names of such who have gloriously 
 suffered in the cause of liberty and their Country ; to effect 
 which, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Congress to order that the Selectmen of the several Towns 
 and Districts in this Colony transmit, from time to time, to 
 this or some future Congress, or House of Representatives, 
 the names and addition of all such persons who have been 
 or may be killed or wounded as above, within their respec- 
 tive Towns and Districts ; and that they severally cause 
 the same to be fairly entered upon the Town and District 
 books. 
 
 June 20, 1775. 
 
 The following was sent the Provincial Congress, viz : 
 " The Committee being informed that Capt. John Wiley, 
 who was recommended as a proper person for the com- 
 mand of a company in the Train, has not skill for such a 
 trust, and that the company will leave the Army unless 
 some other person is appointed to said command ; your 
 Honours will please take this matter into consideration, 
 and act thereon as you in your wisdom shall judge neces- 
 sary." 
 
 Resolved, That no more of the Militia of this Colony 
 march than are called for by express orders from this Com- 
 mittee on any alarm that may take place. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Abner Graves, who came down as 
 a Minute-man on the 20th of April to defend his Country, 
 be discharged, and he accordingly is discharged. 
 
 Voted, That a Certificate be given Samuel Pool, of 
 Boston, to pass the Guards to the Town of Littleton. 
 
 The following Receipt was taken from Benjamin Lin- 
 coln, Esq., viz : 
 
 " Received of the honourable the Committee of Safety 
 thirty-seven Blankets, which they received into their hands 
 and gave their receipt for them to Mr. William Vance. 
 
 '■' Received by me, Benjamin Lincoln." 
 
 June 21, 1775. 
 
 The following Resolve was transmitted to the Select- 
 men of Newbury, viz : 
 
 " Resolved, That Joseph Adams, driver of the stage from 
 Newbury, be and he hereby is directed to transport back 
 to Neivbury, Elizabeth Royal and her child, who, as she 
 says, is wife to William Royal, First Sergeant in the Sixty- 
 Third Regiment of Foot, now in Boston, and deliver her 
 to the care of the Selectmen of said Newbury, who are 
 hereby directed to provide for her and her child at the ex- 
 pense of this Colony." 
 
 Voted, That the Quartermaster-General be directed to 
 order nine Horses, in the Colony service, to be stabled at 
 Mr. Hastings's barn this night. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Williams, on the Colony service to Mar- 
 blehead, had an order on the Taverners and Innholders lor 
 the necessary supply of Provisions for man and horse. 
 
 Colonel Woodbridge having satisfied this Committee 
 that eight Companies belonging to his Regiment were in 
 good forwardness, it was recommended to the honourable 
 Congress that they be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. James Monroe, an armourer in the 
 Province service, take into his keeping a parcel of old iron, 
 saved out of the Cutter burned at Winnisimit Ferry, he 
 to be accountable to the Committee for the same. 
 
 Stephen Frost, Ensign in Captain Lock's Company of 
 Colonel Gardner's Regiment, was recommended to the 
 honourable Congress for a commission. 
 
1357 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1358 
 
 Two half barrels of Powder were received from Bille- 
 rica, for which Colonel Palmer gave a receipt ; said Pow- 
 der was delivered Major Barber of the Train. 
 
 Whereas, a great number of Horses hav e been from time 
 to time put into the stables and yard at Mr. Hastings's, at 
 Head-Quarters, not belonging to the Colony, to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, or the General Officers, their Aids-de- 
 Camp, or Post-Riders, to the great expense of the pub- 
 lick and inconvenience of the Committee, Generals, &ic. ; 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That no Horses be hereafter admitted into 
 said stables or yard, or be taken from thence, but only by 
 order of said Committee or General Officers. 
 
 As it is thought of great importance that intelligence of 
 the state and situation *of the Army, or any part thereof, 
 should, at all times, be known to the General Officers, and 
 that such orders as may be sent by the Generals may be 
 communicated with all speed ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Congress, that they make such establishment for Aids-de- 
 Camp to the Generals, as to them in their wisdom shall 
 seem meet. 
 
 June 22, 1775. 
 
 Samuel Patch, in Colonel William Prescott's Regiment, 
 was recommended to the honourable Congress to be com- 
 missioned as a Captain ; and Zachary Walker and Joshua 
 Brown as Lieutenants in said Regiment. 
 
 Resolved, That it be and it hereby is recommended to 
 the Town of Med ford, that they immediately supply Major 
 Hale with as many Spades and Shovels as they can spare, 
 as it is of importance for the safety of this Colony that the 
 works begun on Winter Hill be finished ; and will be re- 
 tarded unless soon supplied with tools of that kind. 
 
 A number of Colonel Donaldson's Officers were recom- 
 mended to the honourable Congress to be commissioned, 
 as per copy on file. 
 
 June 23, 1775. 
 
 Agreeable to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress, 
 orders were issued to the Colonels of the several Regi- 
 ments that they forthwith make return of the officers in 
 their respective Regiments, that those who are not commis- 
 sioned may immediately receive their commissions, and that 
 the vacancies, if any such there are, may be filled up. 
 
 A Letter from General Thomas, recommending a Super- 
 visor for the Armourers at Roxbury, is referred over to Con- 
 gress. 
 
 The following was voted to be sent to the Provincial 
 Congress, viz : 
 
 s: This Committee beg leave to represent to the honour- 
 able the Provincial Congress, that they apprehend it abso- 
 lutely necessary for the safety of the Colony that two 
 persons of ability and prudence be appointed to superin- 
 tend the regular supply of our two camps ; one of them 
 to be placed in the camp near this place, and the other at 
 Roxbury; whose duty it shall severally be constantly to 
 attend said camps, and examine into the supplies of each 
 Regiment, to see that such supplies are properly delivered 
 out in time, quantity and quality, and timeously to advise 
 the Commissary-General when, and what articles of sup- 
 plies are wanted at the respective camps; all which is 
 hereby submitted." 
 
 Colonel Palmer and Colonel Orne appointed a Com- 
 mittee to join a Committee from the Council of War, to 
 view the encampment on Prospect Hill, and the works 
 carrying on there. 
 
 This day was lodged with this Committee, by Captain 
 Cyprian How, thirty Fire-Arms, sent by Captain Josiah 
 Stone, of Framingham, for which a receipt was given by 
 the Secretary of this Committee. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Joseph Jones, of Lancaster, be sup- 
 plied with Provisions till the further orders of the Com- 
 mittee, he being well skilled in the Train. 
 
 The following Fire-Arms were received from the Town 
 of Attleborough, viz : 
 
 One Gun from Henry Richardson, appraised at 17. 16s. ; 
 one of Jacob Perry, at 1/. 13s. ; one of George Stanley, 
 at 2/. ; one of Amos Stanley, at 1/. 10s. ; one of Samuel 
 Freeman, Jun., at 21. ; one of Benjamin Allen, at 1/. 16s. ; 
 
 one "of ditto, at 1/. 4s.; one of David Richardson, at 
 21. 2s. ; one of Ebenezer Lane, at 1/. 7s. ; one of Elisha 
 Gay, at 21. 14s. ; one of Daniel Dagget, 21. 2s. Total, 
 207. 4s. 
 
 The following Fire-Arms were received from the Town 
 of Rehoboth, viz : 
 
 One Gun from James Daggett, appraised at 2/. 8s. ; one 
 of Benjamin Ridge, at 21. 14s. ; one of Elisha Carpenter, 
 at 1/. 4s.; one of Nathan Rounds, at 21. 8s.; one of Richard 
 Whitteker, at 1?. 19s.; one of James Dogget, at 21. 2s.; one 
 of Benjamin Ridge, at 17. 13s. ; one of John Wheeler, at 
 17. 13s. ; one of William Cole, at 17. 13s. ; one of Stephen 
 Bullock, at 27. 8s. Total, 207. 2s. 
 
 June 24, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Commanding Officer who has the 
 charge of the Hay on John Vassal, Esquire's estate, be 
 directed to supply Mr. Seth Brown, who has the care of 
 the Colony Horses, with as much Hay as they may need 
 for their consumption. 
 
 A Gun, taken up after the late action, was appraised by 
 the Committee at ihirty Shillings, and delivered Colonel 
 Brewer, for the use of his Regiment ; for which he gave 
 his receipt, to be accountable to this Committee, in the 
 rough minute book. 
 
 A Gun, appraised at two Pounds, fourteen Shillings, was 
 delivered Elisha Frizel, of Captain Robert Oliver's Com- 
 pany, in Colonel Doo/ittle's Regiment, he having had his 
 Gun split in the late engagement ; a receipt was taken for 
 the same in the rough minute book. 
 
 A number of Colonel Prescott's officers were recom- 
 mended to the honourable Congress to be commissioned, as 
 by list on file. 
 
 Captain Badlam, of a Company in the Train, and four 
 Lieutenants, were recommended to the honourable Congress 
 to be commissioned, as by the Captain's return on file. 
 
 Captain Samuel McCobb, of Colonel Nixon's Regiment, 
 had twenty Fire-Arms delivered him, appraised by the 
 Towns who sent them at thirty-seven Pounds, twelve Shil- 
 lings, for which he gave his receipt in the rough minute 
 book, to be accountable to this Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Brown, the keeper of the Colony 
 Horses, do not admit any Horses into the Stables of John 
 Vassal, Esquire, but such as are the property of this 
 Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the Overseer, and such a part of the 
 Company of Artificers under his direction as may be neces- 
 sary, be posted in Newton, in buildings of Mr. John Pigeon, 
 for the purpose of carrying on their business; and what loss 
 said Pigeon shall sustain in consequence of said Artificers 
 being placed there, this Committee will use their influ- 
 ence that the damage so sustained be reimbursed by this 
 Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the Cannon in this and the Town of 
 Watertoivn , not mounted, and all other Military Stores not 
 wanted for present use, be removed forthwith to the Town 
 of Newton, where the Artificers are to carry on their 
 works. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Pigeon, the Commissary-General, have 
 the care and direction of removing the spare Military Stores 
 to Watertown. 
 
 A Gun, said to have belonged to James Boynton, was 
 delivered to Eliphalet Cole, in Captain Parly's Company, 
 in Colonel Fry's Regiment. 
 
 A Gun was delivered to Aaron Cromby, in Captain 
 Gridley's Company of the Train. 
 
 Eighty-four Fire-Arms, collected from several Towns, 
 were received of Mr. Thomas Cowden, for the use of this 
 Colony, for which a receipt was given him by Mr. Watso?i 
 of this Committee. 
 
 June 25, 1775. 
 
 The following Letter was sent to the Provincial Con- 
 gress : 
 
 "In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, June 25, 1775. 
 " Whereas, Mr. Pigeon, the Commissary-General, has 
 represented to this Committee that the publick service will 
 be promoted by a faithful person being appointed as a 
 
1359 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JUiNE, 1775. 
 
 1360 
 
 supervisor of the camp, for reasons offered : upon consider- 
 ation of which, and for other reasons, this Committee beg 
 leave to represent to the honourable Congress that they 
 apprehend it absolutely necessary, for the safety of this 
 Colony, that two persons of known ability and prudence 
 be appointed to superintend the regular supply of our two 
 camps, (one of them to be placed in the camp near this 
 place, and the other at or near Roxbury,) whose duty it 
 shall severally be, constantly to attend said camps and ex- 
 amine into the supplies of each Regiment, to see that such 
 supplies are properly delivered out in time, quantity, and 
 quality, and timeously to advise the Commissary-General 
 when and what articles of supplies are wanted at the respec- 
 tive camps, and also to take care that the empty casks are 
 saved and returned to the Commissary-General's office for 
 further service, and in general to do all the service to the 
 publick which such appointment requires. All which is 
 humbly submitted. Benj. White, Chairman. 
 
 " To the Honourable Provincial Congress, Watertown." 
 
 June 26, 1775. 
 
 Twenty Small-Arms were delivered Capt. Lemuel Tres- 
 cott, of Colonel Jonathan Brewer's Regiment, for the use 
 of his Company, for which he gave a receipt in the minute 
 book, to be accountable when called upon therefor. 
 
 Sixty Small-Arms were delivered Capt. William Hud- 
 son Ballard, for the use of his Company, in Colonel Fry's 
 Regiment, for which he gave a receipt, to be accountable 
 when called upon therefor. 
 
 Colonel Moses Little having made return to this Com- 
 mittee of a Lieutenant-Colonel, Major, ten Captains, and 
 twenty Lieutenants, it was recommended to the honourable 
 Congress that they be commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Three Small-Arms were delivered Capt. John Nutting, 
 for the use of his Company, in Colonel Prescott's Regi- 
 ment, amounting, by appraisement, to seven Pounds, ten 
 Shillings, for which he gave a receipt in the minute book, 
 to be accountable when called upon therefor. 
 
 Six Small-Arms were delivered Lieutenant Whitney for 
 the use of Captain FarwelVs Company, in Colonel Pres- 
 cott's Regiment, for the use of said Company, amounting 
 as by appraisement to thirteen Pounds, twelve Shillings, 
 for which a receipt was given by the Lieutenant in the 
 minute book. 
 
 Six Small-Arms were delivered Captain Joshua Parker, 
 of Colonel Prescott's Regiment, for the use of his Com- 
 pany, amounting as by appraisement to thirteen Pounds, 
 eight Shillings, lor which he gave a receipt, to be account- 
 able to the Committee when called upon therefor. 
 
 Ten Small- Arms were delivered Captain Asa Lawrence 
 for the use of his Company, in Colonel Prescott's Regi- 
 ment, appraised at nineteen Pounds, three Shillings, for 
 which he gave a receipt to be accountable to this Colony, 
 which receipt is on file. 
 
 Three Small-Arms for the use of Captain Wy man's 
 Company, in Colonel Prescott's Regiment, was delivered 
 his Lieutenant, amounting by appraisement to five Pounds, 
 for which he gave a receipt in the minute book, to be ac- 
 countable when called upon therefor. 
 
 Three Small-Arms, for the use of Captain Oliver Par- 
 ker's Company, in Colonel Prescott's Regiment, were de- 
 livered said Parker, amounting, as per appraisement, to 
 four Pounds, nine Shillings, and four Pence, for which a 
 receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Whereas, this Committee find the publick Hospital in 
 this Town has been much neglected, to the great injury of 
 the patients in said Hospital, occasioned for the want of 
 some suitable persons being placed there as Surgeon ; there- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor John Warren be, and he hereby 
 is appointed to the oversight of said Hospital, and that be 
 take proper care such provision be made as may be neces- 
 sary for the comfortable support of the patients in said 
 Hospital, until further orders. 
 
 Fifty-eight Small-Arms, amounting by appraisement to 
 one hundred and nine Pounds, fifteen Shillings, were de- 
 livered Colonel Asa Whitcomb, for the use of his Regiment, 
 and a receipt taken for the same in the minute book. 
 
 June 27, 1775. 
 
 Passed upon John Chandler Williams's account, em- 
 ployed as a Rider in the service of this Colony, amounting 
 to lour Pounds, four Shillings, and six Pence, as by copy 
 thereof on file. 
 
 The following vote, passed the seventeenth instant, was 
 laid before the Committee of Supplies, viz : 
 
 " As in consequence of our late movements a constant fire 
 is kept up on the Colony Troops, we think it necessary that 
 there should be quick intelligence brought to Head-Quar- 
 ters from the scene of action. We therefore desire that this 
 Committee may be immediately furnished with four of the 
 best riding Horses lor the service aforesaid." 
 
 It was recommended to the honourable the Provincial 
 Congress that William Dana be commissioned as Captain- 
 Lieutenant, Mr. Treadwell as First Lieutenant, Jonas Si- 
 mons Second Lieutenant, and William Stevens as Third 
 Lieutenant, in Captain Edward Craft's Company of the 
 Train, in Colonel Gridley's Regiment. 
 
 A Gun was taken for the use of the Colony, which was 
 owned by Aaron Barr, of Merryfield, who died of the 
 wounds he received in the battle of Bunker's Hill, which 
 Gun has been valued by this Committee at thirty-six Shil- 
 lings, lawful money. 
 
 One hundred and twenty-four Small-Arms were received 
 of Mr. Abiah Sadler, and ten of Captain Stone, collected 
 by them for the service of this Colony, amounting by ap- 
 praisement to two hundred and fifty-one Pounds, fourteen 
 Shillings, and eight Pence, for which receipts were given 
 by Mr. Watson. 
 
 June 28, 1775. 
 
 Two Small- Arms were delivered Colonel Samuel Ger- 
 rish, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, as by ap- 
 praised value, to three Pounds, three Shillings, for which a 
 receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 The following is a Resolve of the Provincial Congress 
 relative to supplying the Army with Small- Arms, viz: 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 2G, 1775. 
 
 " Whereas, this Congress has ordered a number of Fire- 
 Arms to be furnished from several Towns and Districts in 
 this Colony, to be forwarded to the Army to supply those 
 who are destitute of Arms ; but no provision is made for 
 delivering them out and taking proper receipts for the 
 same ; therefore 
 
 " Resolved, That all the Small-Arms that are or may be 
 procured by the above order, be delivered to the Committee 
 of Safety at Cambridge, they to give their receipts for the 
 same to the person from whom they receive them ; that the 
 same be delivered out to such Officers as shall produce 
 orders therefor from the Honourable General (lard, they 
 giving receipts for the same to the said Committee of Safety; 
 to be returned in good order, unless lost in the service of 
 the Colony. And every Soldier who shall receive any 
 such Fire-Arms, shall give his receipt for the same to the 
 Officers from whom he shall receive it, to be returned as 
 aforesaid, and the Officer shall return the said receipt to 
 the Committee of Safety. And in case the same shall not 
 be returned at the close of the campaign, or sooner, the 
 value of the said Fire-Arms shall be deducted out of the 
 wages of the person receiving the same ; and that the Com- 
 mittee of Safety shall appraise all such Arms as have not 
 already been appraised, and take an account of the whole. 
 
 "By order of Congress: 
 
 "James Warren, President.'' 
 
 The following was received from General Ward in con- 
 sequence of the above vote of Congress, viz : 
 
 " [General Orders.] Ilend-Quarters, Cambridge, Juno 28, 1775. 
 
 "That the commanding officer of each Regiment make 
 application to the Committee of Safety for so many Fire- 
 Anns as their respective Regiments stand in need of, each 
 commanding officer to give his receipt for the Fire- Arms 
 he may receive ; and the Committee of Safety are hereby 
 ordered to deliver out Amis to such commanding officers 
 as make application to them for the same. Per order: 
 " Samuel Osgood, Major of Brigade." 
 
 In consequence of the above order of the Council of 
 War, the following Protest was entered, and a copy of 
 the same, together with the other proceedings, were, by a 
 
1361 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY*, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1362 
 
 vote of this Committee, laid before the honourable Con- 
 gress, viz: 
 
 Whereas, the Provincial Congress did, on the twenty- 
 sixth instant, pass a Resolve, "That all the Small-Anns 
 that are or may be procured by the above order (men- 
 tioned in said Resolve) be delivered to the Committee of 
 Safety at Cambridge, they to give their receipt for the same 
 to the person from whom they received them, that the same 
 may be delivered out to such officers as shall produce orders 
 therefor from the Honourable General Ward, Sic.:" 
 
 And whereas the Honourable General Ward, in conse- 
 quence of that part of the above quotation which is scored, 
 this day issued General Orders, in which are these words : 
 " And the Committee of Safety are hereby ordered to de- 
 liver out Arms to such commanding officers as make appli- 
 cation to them for the same :" 
 
 And whereas this Committee apprehend that said Re- 
 solve does not empower the General to order them to de- 
 liver said Arms, but only to order his officers to receive 
 from the Committee such Arms as they are ordered by the 
 honourable Congress to deliver to the General's orders to 
 his officers: 
 
 And whereas the Committee apprehend that it is of vast 
 importance that no orders are issued by the military, or 
 obeyed by the civil powers, but only such as are directed 
 by the honourable Representative Body of the People, 
 from whom all military and civil power originates ; and 
 though this Committee are satisfied that General IVard has 
 misunderstood said Resolve, and does not mean or intend 
 to set up the military power above the civil ; yet, lest this 
 order of the General's should be adduced as a precedent in 
 future, we think it our indispensable duty to protest against 
 the General's said order. Notwithstanding which protest, 
 we also think it our indispensable duty to deliver said Arms 
 agreeable to the spirit of said Resolve, and as the exigency 
 of the publick requires, and submit our conduct to the 
 honourable Congress. 
 
 Forty-three Small-Arms, amounting as by appraisement 
 to seventy-nine Pounds, two Shillings, and four Pence, were 
 delivered to Colonel Gardner for the use of his Regiment, 
 and a receipt taken for the same in the minute book from 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Bond. 
 
 Thirty Small-Arms were delivered Major Brooks for the 
 use of Colonel Bridges's Regiment, amounting as by ap- 
 praisement to fifty-five Pounds, nineteen Shillings, and six 
 Pence, for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to 
 this Colony, which receipt is on the files of the Committee. 
 
 Nine Small-Arms were delivered Colonel William Pres- 
 cott for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraise- 
 ment to seventeen Pounds, nine Shillings, for which a 
 receipt was given in the minute book. 
 
 Twenty-five Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Frye 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraise- 
 ment to forty-nine Pounds, eight Shillings, and two Pence, 
 for which he gave a receipt to be accountable to this Colony, 
 which receipt is on the minute book. 
 
 Twenty-five Small-Arms were delivered Colonel John 
 Glover for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by ap- 
 praisement to forty-six Pounds, twelve Shillings, and eight 
 Pence, for which he gave a receipt in the minute book to 
 be accountable to this Colony. 
 
 Received of Major Barber, Storekeeper for the Trains, 
 by order of the Provincial Congress, thirty-two Small- 
 Arms, amounting as by appraisement to 
 
 June 29, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Devens and Colonel Orne, appointed to draw up a 
 Vote relative to Captain Trevet and Company, reported 
 the following, which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Whereas, from a mistake made by one of the General 
 Officers, Capt. Samuel Russell Trevet has been put under 
 arrest, which mistake is set forth in a Certificate by order 
 of the General ; and upon examination it appears that said 
 Trevet has approved himself a good officer, but said mis- 
 take has unhappily operated to the dispersion of his Com- 
 pany; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That said Captain Trevet be directed to col- 
 lect his said Company as soon as possible, and then apply 
 to this Committee in order to be commissioned. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 This Committee being greatly alarmed at the danger of 
 the Small-Pox spreading in the American Army, which, 
 should it take place, we fear may be attended with very 
 fatal consequences to this Colony and Continent ; there- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the ho- 
 nourable Congress to take such speedy and effectual mea- 
 sures to prevent a communication of that very dangerous 
 and distressing distemper from the Small-Pox Hospital to 
 the Army, or to the inhabitants of this Colony, as to them 
 in their wisdom may seem meet. 
 
 Whereas, sundry persons, who in the exigences of our 
 publick affairs have been employed in the service of this 
 Colony, are from time to time exhibiting their Accounts to 
 this Committee in order for payment ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That said Accounts be transmitted to the 
 honourable Congress, that this matter be taken into their 
 consideration, and that such order pass thereon as their 
 wisdom may dictate. 
 
 June 30, 1775. 
 
 One hundred and fifty-two Small-Arms were received of 
 Captain William Gage, collected by him for the use of this 
 
 Colony, amounting as by appraised value to , 
 
 for which a receipt was given him by Mr. Watson. 
 
 Mr. Samuel West was recommended to the honourable 
 Congress to be commissioned as Second Lieutenant in Cap- 
 tain Abner Cransoii's Company, in Col. Asa Whitcomb's 
 Regiment. 
 
 Forty Small- Arms were delivered Colonel John Patter- 
 son, for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraise- 
 ment, to seventy-eight Pounds, sixteen Shillings, and four 
 Pence, for which a receipt was given in the minute book. 
 
 Fifty-one Small-Arms were delivered Colonel James 
 Scammon, for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by 
 appraisement to ninety-seven Pounds, eighteen Shillings, 
 and eight Pence, for which Guns a receipt was taken in the 
 minute book. 
 
 Three Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony r , were re- 
 ceived of Colonel Simeon Spalding, amounting as by ap- 
 praisement to five Pounds, four Shillings. 
 
 W'hereas, the honourable Provincial Congress has this 
 day passed a Resolve appointing this Committee to be a 
 Committee to consider of a further emission of Notes or 
 Bills of Credit, as mentioned in said Resolve ; but the Com- 
 mittee finding themselves unable to proceed in this busi- 
 ness without a more perfect knowledge of the emissions 
 lately made, both in quantity and circumstances of payment ; 
 and also for want of sufficient knowledge of the demands 
 made, or to be made upon the Colony, do 
 
 Resolve, That Colonel Palmer attend the honourable 
 Congress to-morrow, in order to obtain all necessary light 
 in the premises. 
 
 W'hereas, a considerable number of Whale-Boats have 
 been procured for the service of this Colony, and many of 
 them are said to be now in the Towns of Braintree and 
 Weymouth, and unless proper care be taken of said Boats 
 they will probably sustain great damage ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Congress that such order be taken respecting said Boats as 
 their wisdom may direct. 
 
 This Committee beg leave to suggest to the honourable 
 Congress, w r hether the Magazine, wherein Gunpowder is 
 deposited, ought not to be guarded by Electrical Points. 
 As any considerable loss in that article would deeply r affect 
 the publick, this is humbly submitted. 
 
 Twenty-seven Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony, 
 were received of Mr. Benjamin Ely, for which a receipt 
 was given by the Secretary of this Committee ; which 
 Guns were collected by order of Congress, and amount by 
 appraisement to 
 
 Forty-four Small-Arms, for the use of this Colony, were 
 received of Mr. Bliss, for which a receipt was given him 
 by the Secretary' of this Committee ; which Guns were 
 collected by order of Congress, and amount by appraise- 
 ment to 
 
 Voted, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 supply Head-Quarters with Provisions as usual, till the 
 further order of this Committee. 
 
1363 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1715. 
 
 1361 
 
 July 1, 1775. 
 
 Forty-nine Small- Arms, for tlie useof tlie Colony, were 
 received from the Rev. Mr. Lemuel Kellock, for which a 
 receipt was given by Mr. Dcvcns; which Guns were col- 
 lected by order of Congress, and amount by appraisement 
 to 
 
 Fifteen Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Buggies 
 Woodbridge, for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by 
 appraisement to twenty-nine Pounds, sixteen Shillings, and 
 eight Pence, for which Guns a receipt was taken in tlie 
 minute book. 
 
 Voted, That two thirds of the Hay under the care of 
 Mr. David Sanger be brought to Head-Quarters, and one 
 third carried to the Committee of Supplies at Watertown. 
 
 Six Small-Arms were received of Mr. Abmr Ellis, for 
 the use of this Colony, amounting as by appraisement to 
 . . . ., for which a receipt was given by the Secretary of 
 this Committee. 
 
 Forty-four Small-Arms were received of Benjamin Ely, 
 by the hands of Mr. Solomon Edwards, for the use of this 
 Colony, for which a receipt was given by the Secretary ; 
 which Arms were collected by order of Congress, and 
 amount as by appraisement to 
 
 Eight Small-Arms were received of Colonel John Dick- 
 inson, by the hands of Benjamin Scott, Jun., for the use 
 
 of this Colony, amounting by receipt to , for 
 
 which a receipt was given by the Secretary. 
 
 Captain Jacob Miller was recommended to the honour- 
 able Congress as a Captain in Colonel Doolittle's Regi- 
 ment, in the room of Captain Leeland, who has resigned. 
 
 Seventy-one Small-Arms were delivered Colonel David 
 Brewer for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by 
 appraisement to one hundred and thirty-eight Pounds, six 
 Shillings, which Guns he engaged should be returned in 
 good order, unless lost in the service of this Colony, as 
 per his receipt in the minute book. 
 
 Thirteen Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Jonathan 
 Brewer for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by ap- 
 praisement to twenty-six Pounds, seven Shillings, for which 
 a receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 July 2, 1775. 
 
 One hundred Small- Arms were delivered Col. Glover 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraisement 
 to one hundred and ninety-two Pounds, eleven Shillings ; 
 which Guns he engaged should be returned in good order, 
 unless lost in the service of this Colony, as by his receipt 
 in the minute book. 
 
 One hundred and seven Small-Arms were received of 
 Daniel Hemmingway, by the hands of Mr. John Elder, for 
 the use of this Colony, for which a receipt was given by 
 Mr. Abraham Watson. 
 
 July 3, 1775. 
 
 Twenty-six Small-Arms were delivered Colonel James 
 Fry for the use of his Regiment, amounting by appraise- 
 ment to fifty-five Pounds, four Shillings, for which a receipt 
 was given in the minute book. 
 
 Ten Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Ephraim Doo- 
 Httle for the use of his Regiment, amounting as by appraise- 
 ment to twenty -two Pounds, eighteen Shillings, for which a 
 receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 One Gun, for the use of Colonel Gardner's Regiment, 
 was delivered Lieutenant-Colonel Bond, amounting by ap- 
 praisement to two Pounds, fourteen Shillings, for which a 
 receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Ten Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Moses Little 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting by appraisement 
 to twenty-two Pounds, one Shilling, and four Pence, for 
 which a receipt was given in the minute book. 
 
 Two Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Moses Little, 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, 
 to four Pounds, four Shillings, for which a receipt was taken 
 in the minute book. 
 
 Thirteen Guns were received of Mr. Benjamin Ely, by 
 the hands of Mr. John Eaton, collected by order of Con- 
 gress, for which a receipt was given him. 
 
 Fifteen Small-Arms were delivered Colonel William 
 
 Prescott, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by ap- 
 praisement, to twenty-nine Pounds sixteen Shillings, for 
 which a receipt was given in the minute book. 
 
 A number of officers in Colonel Woodbridge 's Regiment 
 were recommended to the honourable Congress to be com- 
 missioned, as by return on file. 
 
 Whereas, Mr. Edmund Quincy, of Stougtonhum, repre- 
 sented to this Committee that sundry household goods and 
 other effects, now or late the property of Thomas Hutchin- 
 son, Esq., and other persons publickly known to be also 
 enemies to the rights and liberties of America, are hid in 
 several places in and near Milton, which property will 
 probably be lost or wasted, unless proper care is taken of 
 the same for such persons as may hereafter justly claim the 
 same ; therefore, 
 
 Besolved, That said Quincy be, and hereby is empow- 
 ered to receive and convey to this Committee, at Cam- 
 bridge, all such goods and effects as aforesaid, for the use 
 of such person or persons as the honourable Congress, or 
 some future Congress or House of Representatives of this 
 Colony may order ; he also producing to this Committee, 
 the Congress, or House of Representatives, an account of 
 all the articles he may so receive, the names of the persons 
 from whom he may receive the same, and an account of the 
 charges that may arise from such salvage and removal ; 
 and he also is hereby empowered to press, if necessary, 
 such teams as may be needed for removing such effects. 
 
 Also, Besolved, That this be immediately transmitted 
 by the hands of said Quincy to the honourable Congress 
 now sitting at Watertown, for their approbation or disap- 
 probation. 
 
 Hcnrius Vomhavi, an Indian, having represented to 
 this Committee, that he had taken two horses at Noddle's 
 Island, one a little horse, which he is desirous of retaining 
 as some recompense for his fatigue and risk in that action, 
 in which it is said he behaved with great bravery: Tt is 
 the opinion of this Committee that said Indian should be 
 gratified in his request, which will be an encouragement to 
 others in the service, provided the honourable Congress 
 should approve thereof. 
 
 Passed upon Mr. William White's Account, a person 
 employed by this Committee as a Rider in the Colony 
 service, which account amounted to six Pounds, thirteen 
 Shillings, and four Pence, and a certificate was given him 
 accordingly. 
 
 Thirty-nine Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Jona- 
 than Brewer, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by 
 appraisement, to sixty-eight Pounds, eighteen Shillings, and 
 eight Pence, for which a receipt was taken in the minute 
 book. 
 
 July 4, 1775. 
 
 Mr. George Armstrong, who brought in a company of 
 Minute-Men, and has been in the Army since the first 
 alarm, having desired leave of absence from the camp for 
 some time, leave was accordingly granted him ; and an 
 order was given the said Armstrong on the Taverners and 
 Innholders on the road to Murraysjie/d, to supply him with 
 the necessary provisions on his return home. 
 
 Mr. Elcazcr Wier was directed to deliver Benjamin 
 Willing one dozen and a half of Files, for the use of the 
 Armourers now working at Mr. Gideon Frost's shop. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. David Sanger be directed to fill the 
 Widow VussaVs barn with Hay. 
 
 Nine Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Joseph Bead, 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, 
 to seventeen Pounds, fourteen Shillings, for which Guns a 
 receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Four Guns were delivered Colonel Moses Little, for the 
 use of his Regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, to 
 nine Pounds, two Shillings, for which a receipt was taken 
 in the minute book. 
 
 July 5, 1775. 
 
 Thirty-seven Fire-Arms were received from Major 
 Ebenezcr White, which Guns were collected by order of 
 Congress, and amount, as by appraisement, to eighty-five 
 Pounds, seven Shillings. 
 
 Thirty-seven Small-Arms, valued at eighty-five Pounds, 
 
1365 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1366 
 
 seven Shillings, were delivered General Thomas, for the 
 use of his Regiment, as by his receipt on file. 
 
 Six Small-Arms were delivered Colonel William Pres- 
 cott, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraise- 
 ment, to eleven Pounds, six Shillings, for which a receipt 
 was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Four Small-Arms were delivered Colonel William 
 Prescott, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, as per 
 appraisement, to eight Pounds, fourteen Shillings, lor which 
 a receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Ten Small- Arms were delivered Colonel Moses Little, 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraisement, 
 to eighteen Pounds, seven Shillings, and four Pence, for 
 which a receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Passed upon John Bulfinch and twelve other persons' 
 Accounts, who worked with Jeremiah Russell, amounting, 
 in the whole, to forty-four Pounds, eight Shillings, and 
 eight Pence, for which a certificate was given them for the 
 Committee of Accounts. 
 
 Voted, That Joseph Bates have liberty to cut thirty hun- 
 dred of Hay on John Vassal, Esquire's estate in Cambridge, 
 he to be accountable therefor ; and that Samuel Sanger, 
 who has the care of the Hay, be directed accordingly. 
 
 Eight Guns, collected in Princetown, were received of 
 Mr. Ephraim Woolson, by the hand of Sylvanus Oak, 
 amounting, by appraisement, to fourteen Pounds, seven 
 Shillings, for which a receipt was given him by the Secre- 
 tary. 
 
 July 6, 1775. 
 
 Voted, That Joseph and Parsons Smith be allowed to 
 cut, each, one ton of English Hay and one ton of black 
 Grass, on the estate of John Vassal, Esq., in Cambridge, 
 they to be accountable therefor ; and that Mr. David 
 Sanger be directed accordingly. 
 
 A Hand Vice, Screw Plate and Pins, were purchased of 
 Mr. Richard Estes, for the use of the Armourers, amount- 
 ing, as by receipt in the minute book, to eight Shillings. 
 
 Mr. Seth Brown was directed and empowered to clear 
 the Widow Vassal's barns for the reception of Hay and 
 Horses in the Colony service ; and also to prevent Horses 
 feeding in the pastures owned by said widow. 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Hicks was paid four Shillings by Mr. 
 JJcvens for bringing up a Boat from Charlestown, as by 
 receipt on file. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Fish, who has the care of Jonathan 
 Sewall's farm, have liberty to cut on said farm one ton of 
 English and two tons of salt Hay; and that Mr. David 
 Sanger be directed accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That it be recommended to the honourable Pro- 
 vincial Congress to pass the following Resolve : 
 
 Whereas, the exigences of this Colony require that there 
 should be, as soon as possible, an emission of Bills of 
 Credit ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, that there be immediately issued on the credit 
 of this Colony, and deposited in the Treasury, a sum not 
 exceeding One Hundred Thousand Pounds, lawful money, 
 in Bills of Credit, of the following denominations, viz: Of 
 one Shilling, of two Shillings, of three Shillings and six 
 Pence, of four Shillings, of five Shillings, of seven Shillings 
 and six Pence, of eight Shillings, of eleven Shillings, of 
 thirteen Shillings, of seventeen Shillings, of nineteen Shil- 
 lings, of thirty Shillings, of forty Shillings, of sixty Shillings, 
 of eighty Shillings, and of one hundred Shillings ; to be 
 five thousand of each denomination, and no more, and to 
 be of the form following, viz : 
 
 " Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay : 
 "No. 109. July 18, 1775. 
 
 " The possessor of this bill shall be paid by the Treasurer 
 of this Colony two Shillings and six Pence, lawful money, 
 by the 18th day of July, 1777, and shall be received in all 
 payments at the Treasury at all times. 
 
 " By order of the Congress : AD) 
 
 B. E. > Committee." 
 
 C. F. ) 
 
 Which said Bills shall be paid and received in the pub- 
 lick Treasury, and in all payments in this Colony, without 
 
 any abatement or discount, upon any pretence whatsoever, 
 under the penalty of treble damages to both the payer and 
 receiver, which penalty shall be applied to the discharge of 
 the publick debts of this Colony. And said bills shall also 
 be printed on the back, with the Colony seal, the value of 
 the bill, and its date; around the seal these words : Issued 
 in defence of American liberty. Also, 
 
 Resolved, That A, B, and C, be a Committee to sign 
 or authenticate all said bills of one Shilling to eleven Shil- 
 lings inclusively; and that D, E, F, be another Committee 
 to sign or authenticate all other the said bills, which are of 
 thirteen Shillings to one hundred Shillings inclusively. 
 Five thousand bills of 1 Shilling, is £ 250 
 
 Five thousand bills of 2 Shillings, is 500 
 Five thousand bills of 2 Shillings, 6 Pence, is 625 
 Five thousand bills of 4 Shillings, is 1,000 
 Five thousand bills of 5 Shillings, is 1,250 
 Five thousand bills of 7 Shillings, 6 Pence, is 1.875 
 Five thousand hills of 8 Shillings, is 2,000 
 Five thousand bills of 11 Shillings, is 2,750 
 Five thousand bills of 13 Shillings, is 3,250 
 Five thousand bills of 17 Shillings, is 4,250 
 Five thousand bills of 19 Shillings, is 4,750 
 Five thousand bills of 30 Shillings, is 7,500 
 Five thousand bills of 40 Shillings, is 10,000 
 Five thousand bills of 50 Shillings, is 15,000 
 Five thousand bills of 80 Shillings, is 20,000 
 Five, thousand bills of 100 Shillings, is 25,000 
 
 £100.000 
 
 The following Letter was sent to General Washington: 
 " May it please your Excellency : 
 
 " The bearer, Captain Brown, is the officer who took the 
 horses that came oft" from Bunker's Hill; you will please 
 to direct said horses being delivered to his care. 
 "To his Excellency General Washington." 
 
 This Committee have, with great concern, considered the 
 advantages our enemies will derive from General Gage's 
 misrepresentations of the battle of Charlestown, unless 
 counteracted by the truth of that day's transactions being 
 fairly and honestly represented to our friends and others in 
 Great Britain; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be humbly recommended to the hon- 
 ourable Congress now sitting at Watertown, to appoint a 
 Committee to draw up and transmit to Great Britain, as 
 soon as possible, a fair, honest, and impartial account of the 
 late battle of Charlestown on the 17th ultimo, so that our 
 friends and others in that part of the world may not be in 
 any degree imposed upon by General Gage's misrepre- 
 sentations of that day's transactions, and that they also be 
 a Standing Committee for that purpose. 
 
 With hearts deeply affected by the sufferings of our 
 friends in the Town and Harbour of Boston, now under the 
 cruel hand of tyrannick power; and reflecting upon the 
 advice of the late Continental Congress respecting our 
 enemy's seizing any of our friends, it is 
 
 Resolved, By this Committee, that it be recommended 
 to the honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at Wa- 
 tertown, to recommend to the Grand American Congress, 
 that every Crown Officer within the United Colonies be 
 immediately seized and held in safe custody, until our 
 friends who have been seized by General Gage are set at 
 liberty, and fully recompensed for their loss and imprison- 
 ment. 
 
 Voted, That Mr. John Steel and his two sons be ap- 
 pointed Armourers for this Colony's Forces. 
 
 Eight Small-Arms were delivered to Colonel Ebenezer 
 Bridges, for the use of his Regiment, amounting, as bv 
 appraisement, to seventeen Pounds, six Shillings, for which 
 a receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 Whereas, the honourable Congress have made an estab- 
 lishment for a company of Artificers, which consists of 
 Carpenters, Blacksmiths, and Wheelwrights, and a Captain 
 is appointed for the Carpenters, but no provision is made 
 for Captains or master workmen for the Blacksmiths and 
 Wheelwrights ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the premises be recommended to the 
 consideration of the honourable Congress now sitting at 
 Watertown. 
 
1367 
 
 xMASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1368 
 
 July 7, 1775. 
 
 Two Guns were received from Captain Josiah Stone, 
 of Framingham, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by 
 appraisement, to three Pounds, sixteen Shillings, for which 
 a receipt was given by Mr. Devtns. 
 
 Forty Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Scammon, 
 for the use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraisement, 
 to seventy-four Pounds, thirteen Shillings, and four Pence, 
 for which a receipt was taken in the minute book. 
 
 One Small-Arm was delivered Colonel Gridley, for the 
 use of his Regiment, amounting, by appraisement, to two 
 Pounds, four Shillings, for which a receipt was taken in 
 the minute book. 
 
 Passed upon Mattheiv Clarices Account, amounting to 
 nine Pounds, three Shillings, and six Pence, and a cer- 
 tificate was delivered him for the Committee on Accounts. 
 
 Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who has had the care of the 
 Horses for the Cannon, has resigned that employment, and 
 as Thomas Organ, who was in the service of the late 
 General Warren, is willing to undertake the service ; look- 
 ing upon him to be a person well qualified for that trust, 
 we desire he may be appointed accordingly. 
 
 The above was directed to the gentlemen the Committee 
 of Supplies. 
 
 Passed upon Mr. Isaac Bissel, a Post-Rider's Account, 
 amounting, as by copy on file, to two Pounds, one Shilling, 
 and a certificate was given him for the Committee on Ac- 
 counts. 
 
 Whereas, a number of Soldiers in the American Army 
 are from time to time observed to be much disguised with 
 Spirituous Liquors, and should not some effectual measures 
 be taken to put a stop to this disorder, not only the morals 
 and health, but also the lives and liberties of this People 
 will be endangered ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to 
 his Excellency General Washington, that an order be 
 issued to suppress retailers of Spirituous Liquors within and 
 near the camps, in such manner as to him may seem meet. 
 
 Upon application made to this Committee by Captain 
 Rogers, and due examination into the matter, the following 
 was voted to be sent to the Selectmen, &z.c, of the Town 
 of Reading, to be communicated to the adjacent Towns: 
 
 Gentlemen: Whereas, Captain Jacob Rogers, late an 
 inhabitant of Charlestown, but now, through the necessity 
 of the times, has been obliged to quit Charlestown, and 
 has since taken up his residence in the Town of Reading ; 
 but some licentious persons of the Town of Stoneham, as 
 it is represented to us, have threatened to raise a mob and 
 drive him out of said Reading, to the great terrour of his 
 family, and this without any cause that we can find, evi- 
 dence having appeared of his good behaviour while in 
 Charlestown ; and in order to put a stop to such disorderly 
 conduct, it is 
 
 Resolved, That all the inhabitants of this Colony are 
 desired, as they regard the peace and welfare of the Coun- 
 try, to behave peaceably and quietly towards the said 
 Captain Rogers; and if his conduct should hereafter be 
 unworthy a friend to America7i liberty, he is then to be 
 orderly complained of to such authority as may then exist 
 within this Colony, but by no means to be proceeded against 
 in any disorderly manner. 
 
 Twenty-eight Guns, for the use of the Colony, collected 
 by order of Congress, were received of Mr. John Ingra- 
 ham, July 3. 
 
 Passed upon Mr. John Barber's Account, amounting to 
 seven Pounds, thirteen Shillings, and eight Pence, and a 
 certificate was given him for the Committee on Accounts. 
 
 July 8, 1775. 
 
 Two Small-Arms were received of Colonel Simeon 
 Spalding, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by ap- 
 praisement, to two Pounds, twelve Shillings. 
 
 Two Small-Arms, appraised at four Pounds, four Shil- 
 lings, were delivered Captain Job Cushing, of Colonel 
 Ward's Regiment, as per receipt on file. 
 
 Fifteen Small- Arms were delivered, for the use of Colo- 
 nel Sergeant's Regiment, amounting, as by appraisement, 
 
 to twenty-seven Pounds, three Shillings, for which a re- 
 ceipt has been taken in the minute book. 
 
 The honourable the Provincial Congress having ac- 
 quainted this Committee that Mr. James Winthrop, Post- 
 master in Cambridge, had declined serving any longer in 
 that office, and desired that another might be recommend- 
 ed to them for that place, 
 
 Voted, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings, Junior, be recom- 
 mended to the honourable Congress as a suitable person 
 for the trust aforesaid. 
 
 Two Small-Arms were received of Mr. Seth Stone, of 
 Cambridge, for the use of this Colony, amounting, as by 
 appraisement, to three Pounds, eighteen Shillings, for 
 which a receipt was given him by the Secretary. 
 
 Passed upon Mr. John Gill, Junior, a Post-Rider's 
 Account, amounting to six Pounds, seventeen Shillings, and 
 eight Pence, for which a certificate was given. 
 
 Whereas, many complaints have been made to this Com- 
 mittee, that the Armourers frequently deliver the Arms out 
 of their shops unfit for service, and delay the work unne- 
 cessarily; in order to prevent occasion for such complaints 
 in future, and to hasten the publick service in an orderly 
 manner, which has not yet been provided for, it is 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recommended to 
 the honourable Congress, to make an establishment for at 
 least four Master Armourers, each one of whom shall work 
 and superintend one shop, each of which shops, as we ap- 
 prehend, may well accommodate eight men, including the 
 master. 
 
 Resolved, That the instructions to be given to the Offi- 
 cers of the Regiments, be sent to the Council of War, and 
 if approved be forwarded. They are as follow: 
 
 Instructions for the Officers of the several Regiments of 
 the Massachusetts-Bay Forces, who are immediately to 
 go upon the recruiting service. 
 
 You are not to enlist any deserter from the Ministerial 
 Army, nor any stroller, negro, or vagabond, or person sus- 
 pected of being an enemy to the liberty of America, nor 
 any under eighteen years of age. 
 
 As the cause is the best that can engage men of courage 
 and principle to take up arms, so it is expected that none 
 but such will be accepted by the Recruiting Officer; the 
 pay, provision, &tc, being so ample, it is not doubted but 
 the officers sent upon this service will, without delay, com- 
 plete their respective corps, and march the men forthwith 
 to camp. 
 
 You are not to enlist any person who is not an American 
 born, unless such person has a wife and family, and is a 
 settled resident in this Country. 
 
 The persons you enlist must be provided with good and 
 complete arms. 
 
 One Small-Arm was received of Mr. Samuel Haynes, 
 of Sudbury, for the use of this Colony, amounting, by ap- 
 praisement, to thirty Shillings, for which a receipt was 
 given him by the Clerk. 
 
 Whereas, considerable uneasiness has arisen in some part 
 of the Army, from some of the Soldiers enlisting a second 
 time into other companies than those which they first en- 
 listed into, and, if not prevented, will be attended with great 
 inconvenience; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the honourable 
 Provincial Congress, to pass such an order as may cause 
 those Soldiers who haye conducted as above to return to 
 their respective companies into which they were first en- 
 listed, or otherwise order, as to them in their wisdom shall 
 seem meet. 
 
 Whereas, it is necessary that the house of Mr. John 
 Vassal, ordered by Congress for the residence of his Excel- 
 lency General Washington, should be immediately put in 
 such condition as may make it convenient for that purpose ; 
 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Timothy Austin be, and hereby is 
 empowered and authorized to put said house in proper or- 
 der for the purposes above-mentioned, and that he procure 
 such assistance and furniture as may be necessary to put 
 said house in proper condition for the reception of his Ex- 
 cellency and his attendants. 
 
1369 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1370 
 
 July 11, 1775. 
 
 The following commission from the honourable Congress 
 to tli is Committee was this day received from said Con- 
 gress, viz: (Commission recalled.) 
 
 The following Letter was received from General Wash- 
 ington, by his Secretary, Mr. Reed: 
 
 "July 10, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : I am directed by the General to put into 
 your hands a Frenchman, who will be delivered to you 
 with this. His companions, after being in our camp some 
 days, went off to the enemy, which has led to suspicions 
 of this man ; but there is no express charge against him. 
 As he is not properly charged with any military offence, 
 the General apprehends the detention of him will fall most 
 properly in your department, and if you should be of opin- 
 ion that sending him into the country would be sufficient, 
 the General would be quite satisfied. I am, gentlemen, your 
 most obedient servant, Jas. Reed, Secretary." 
 
 His Excellency General Washington having signified to 
 this Committee that they send Monsieur Viart to the Town 
 of Worcester, 
 
 Resolved, That a Post immediately proceed with said 
 Viart to Worcester ; and that Mr. Devens provide a horse 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence in 
 the Town of Worcester are hereby required and directed 
 to take into their custody Monsieur Viart, a Frenchman ; 
 that they suffer him on his parole to have the liberty to 
 walk for his health to a convenient distance about the 
 Town, but to guard against his escape till they shall receive 
 further orders on this subject, either from the General or 
 this Committee. 
 
 The following order was issued : 
 
 "Cambridge, July 11, 1775. 
 
 " To the Taverners and Innholders on the road between 
 Cambridge and Worcester: 
 " You are hereby required to supply with necessary pro- 
 visions Mr , and a Frenchman with him, (he 
 
 being on the publick service,) and charge the same to this 
 Colony." 
 
 Two Small-Arms were delivered Colonel Mansfield, for 
 the use of his Regiment, amounting to five Pounds, eight 
 Shillings, and four Pence, for which a receipt was taken 
 in the minute book. 
 
 The honourable the Congress of this Colony having 
 passed a Resolve that this Committee be appointed to 
 draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair and impar- 
 tial account of the late Battle of Charlestown, as soon as 
 possible ; this Committee being exceedingly crowded with 
 business ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Rev. Dr. Cooper, Rev. Mr. Gard- 
 ner, and the Rev. Mr. Peter Thatcher, be desired to draw 
 up a true state of said action, as soon as may be, and lay 
 it before this Committee. 
 
 The Committee of Safety at Marblehead were advised 
 by this Committee that five Ships sailed this day from Bos- 
 ton, their destination unknown. 
 
 The Taverners and Innholders on the road to Marble- 
 head were required to supply Mr. Thomas Williams, an 
 Express in the Colony service, with necessary Provisions, 
 and to transmit an account of the charge thereof to this 
 Committee. 
 
 Whereas, a number of Horses have been taken from 
 the enemy by our Soldiers, and a difficulty arises whose 
 property the Horses in justice ought to be : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby, recommended to 
 the honourable Congress to take such order respecting the 
 same as to them in their wisdom shall seem meet. 
 
 Colonel Doolittle had one set of Enlisting Papers de- 
 livered him. 
 
 The following Letter was received from General Wash- 
 ington's Secretary, Mr. Reed : 
 
 "July 12, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : A number of persons taken up last 
 night upon the Island near Boston, have been brought here. 
 As the General is absent, it is thought best to refer them 
 to your care. You will please, therefore, to do what is 
 
 proper with them. I am, gentlemen, most respectfully, 
 your very humble servant, J. Reed, Secretary. 
 
 " To the Committee of Safety." 
 
 Whereas, his Excellency General Washington, by his 
 Secretary, Mr. Reed, has sent to this Committee fifteen 
 persons taken at Long-Island ; this Committee apprehend- 
 ing that by their commission they have no power to dis- 
 pose of said persons : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the above fifteen persons be immediate- 
 ly sent to the honourable the Congress at Watertown, and 
 that Mr. Richard Devens and Colonel Orne be a Com- 
 mittee to go to the Congress with this Resolve. 
 
 July 12, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, frequent complaints have been made to this 
 Committee that many of the Arms returned from the Ar- 
 mourers have not been sufficiently repaired ; which errour 
 may have arisen from ignorant or careless persons being 
 employed as Armourers, or for want of a Master Work- 
 man or Superintendent in each shop : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Benjamin Guillam, an Armourer in the 
 shop belonging to Gideon Frost, be, and hereby is, direct- 
 ed to work as a Master Armourer in said shop, and to 
 superintend the other Armourers in that shop: whose duty 
 it shall be to receive into said shop such Arms as may at 
 any time be sent there, by any of the Colonels in that 
 part of the American Colony Army belonging to this Co- 
 lony, in order to be repaired ; to see that such Arms are 
 properly repaired ; to deliver the same, when so repaired, 
 to the persons from whom they were received ; to see that 
 no persons who are employed in said shops as Armourers, 
 are either ignorant of said business, or careless, or idle ; 
 and if any such should be employed in the shop, said 
 Guillam shall, without delay, inform this Committee there- 
 of; and that he suffer no more than eight Armourers, inclu- 
 ding himself, to be employed at any one time in said shop. 
 
 Captain Samuel Fletcher is permitted to cut off Mr. 
 Thomas Oliver's Farm three tons of English Hay, and all 
 the black Grass and salt Hay growing on his Farm, and 
 that Mr. Sanger be directed accordingly. 
 
 July 13, 1775. 
 
 A Resolve relative to Prisoners from Machias, passed, as 
 on file. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Guillam, an Armourer, had an order on 
 the Committee of Supplies for two hundred of Iron and 
 what Files and old Brass he has occasion for, for himself 
 and others that work in his shop. 
 
 Mr. Monroe recommended Seth Johnston, of Old Rut- 
 land, and Enoch Putnam, of Granby, as proper persons for 
 Armourers. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety one Small-Arm 
 for the use of my Company in Colonel Ward's Regiment ; 
 which Gun I promise to return, unless lost in action, said 
 Gun being appraised at forty-two Shillings. 
 
 " Seth Washburn, Captain." 
 
 Received of the Selectmen of the Town of Mendon, 
 by the hands of Stephen Partridge, six Small-Arms, ap- 
 praised at fifteen Pounds. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety four Pounds 
 each, by an order on Henry Gardner, Esquire, Receiver- 
 General ; said four Pounds to be paid us as Recruiting 
 Officers in the late Colonel Gardner's Regiment. 
 
 " Solomon Bowman, Lieutenant. 
 " Caleb Brooks, Lieutenant." 
 
 His Excellency General Washington having this day 
 ordered to the direction of this Committee ten prisoners, 
 taken some time past at Machias, on board an armed Cut- 
 ter, the Committee, apprehending from their commission 
 of the 8th instant that they are altogether restricted from 
 acting as a Committee but only in the recess of Congress, 
 except in conformity to certain special Resolves of Con- 
 gress, or for making provision for the Poor of Boston and 
 Charlestown, and guarding against the Small-Pox, as men- 
 tioned in said commission, have resolved that the said 
 prisoners be sent to Congress for their orders, and that Dr. 
 Church be directed to attend Congress with this Resolve. 
 
1371 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1372 
 
 Whereas, Lieutenant Ely Stiles has represented to this 
 Committee that he has been at considerable expense in 
 conducting the prisoners from Machias to Head-Quarters, 
 and desires to be repaid ; but this matter not being within 
 the powers with which this Committee is vested, they beg 
 leave to recommend the consideration of this case to the 
 honourable Congress. 
 
 — July 14, 1775. 
 
 Passed upon Mr. Ingcrficld's Account, amounting to 
 one Pound, four Shillings, for which an order was given 
 him on the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Whereas, some evil-minded persons, taking advantage of 
 the confusion occasioned by the Battles of Lexington and 
 Chariest own, have plundered and carried off into several 
 parts of this and the neighbouring Colonies sundry Goods 
 and Household Furniture, belonging to some of the un- 
 happy sufferers of Boston and Charlestown : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen and Committees of Cor- 
 respondence in the several Towns and Districts within this 
 Colony, and also the Town Officers in the neighbouring 
 Colonies, be, and they hereby are, severally and earnestly 
 requested to inspect their several Towns and Districts, and 
 if they should discover any such Goods or Household 
 Furniture, such officers are desired to send all such effects 
 to the office of Mr. Joseph Peirce Palmer, Quartermas- 
 ter-General, in Cambridge, for the benefit of the true and 
 rightful proprietors. 
 
 Passed upon Edivard Goodwin, Jr.'s Account, amount- 
 ing to eleven Pounds, nine Shillings, and four Pence, and 
 a certificate was given him accordingly. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 Colonel Doolittle's Regiment, one Small-Arm, appraised 
 at two Pounds, fourteen Shillings, for which I promise to 
 account with the Colony, unless it should be lost in action. 
 
 "Benj. Holden, Lieutenant- Colonel." 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 my Regiment, five Small-Arms, amounting, by appraise- 
 ment, to twelve Pounds, six Shillings ; which Guns I 
 promise to account for, unless lost in action. 
 
 "J. Brewer, Colonel." 
 
 The Commissary-General is directed to supply Jonathan 
 Blaisdel, Daniel Call, and Obadiah Bagor, Armourers in 
 the Colony service, with Provisions. 
 
 July 15, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Sanger was directed to put as much Hay into the 
 General's barns in this Town as they will receive ; any 
 orders to the contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 Passed upon Richard Hunnewell's Account, amounting, 
 as by copy on file, to nine Pounds, nine Shillings, and gave 
 him a certificate for the Committee on Accounts. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 my Regiment, five Small-Arms, amounting, as by ap- 
 praisement, to nine Pounds, twelve Shillings; which Guns 
 I promise to acccount for, unless lost in action. 
 
 " Moses Little, Colonel." 
 
 Complaint having been made to this Committee by the 
 Hon. General Ward, and other officers in the Army, that 
 several men were dangerously sick, and their lives would 
 be greatly hazarded except immediate application of Medi- 
 cine be made to them, and that the Surgeons of some of 
 the Regiments had applied but could not obtain any, a 
 Sub-Committee was therefore chosen to visit the Hospital, 
 and to see the Surgeons; and, upon inquiry, found there 
 were no such Medicines as are immediately wanted: there- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved, That the lives of some part of the Army are 
 in great danger for want of Medicines ; and notwithstanding 
 the commission of the Committee of Safety does not admit 
 of direction in this matter, that Mr. Commissary Craigie 
 be desired to procure, at the expense of the Colony, such 
 Medicines as may be immediately and absolutely necessary. 
 
 In consequence of which, the following Order was given 
 Mr. Commissary Ciuigic, viz: 
 
 "Sir: You are hereby desired immediately to supply 
 the store under your care with such Medicines as are 
 absolutely necessary for the present relief of the sick in 
 the Army." 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, as Recruiting 
 Officers for the Massachusetts Forces, an order on Henry 
 Gardner, Esq., Receiver-General, for four Pounds each, 
 which, when paid, we promise to be accountable for said 
 sum, respectively, to this Colony. 
 
 Stephen Jewit, Lieut, in Col. Woodbridge's R-giment. 
 Robert Hamilton, of Col. Woodbrid go's Regiment. 
 M. Pease, Ensign in Col. Woodbridge's Regiment. 
 William Smith, Lieut, in Col. Woodbridge's Regiment. 
 Timothy Read, Lieut, in Col. Woodbridge's Regiment. 
 Nath'l Cusiiing, Lieut, in Col. Jona. Brewer's Regiment. 
 Benj. Bowne, Capt. in the late Col. Gardner's Regiment. 
 Josiah Warren, Lieut, in the late Col. Gardner's Rcg't. 
 Zebadiah Sabin, Lieut, in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Moses Ashley, Lieut, in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Wm, Boden, Lieut, in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Elipiialet Hastings, Lieut, in Col. Jona. Brewer's Reg't. 
 Wm Clark, Lieut in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Bartho. Trow, Lieut, of the late Col. Gardner's Regt. 
 Charles Dibbell, Capt. in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 John Wyman, Lieut, in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 William Goodr:ch, Capt. in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Jeiioiakim Mtojiiksin, Capt. in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 David Goodenougii, Lieut, of the late Col. Gardner's Reg't. 
 Moses Harvey, Capt. in Col. Jonathan Brewer's Regiment. 
 Joshua L. Woodbridge, Lieut, in Col. Woodbridge's Rcg't. 
 Benjamin Brown, Lieut, of Col. Prescott's Regiment. 
 Thomas Butler, of Col. Scammon's Regiment. 
 James Matthews, Second Lieut, in Col. Mansfield's Reg't. 
 
 Whereas, Mr. Seth Brown, who lately had the care of 
 the Artillery Horses at Cambridge, resigned that employ- 
 ment, upon which this Committee recommended to the 
 Committee of Supplies to appoint Mr. Thomas Organ to the 
 care of said Horses instead of said Brown; but the said 
 Committee of Supplies having signified to this Committee 
 that such appointment was not within their commission ; 
 but was, as they apprehended, within ours, and accordingly 
 returned said recommendation with their reply upon the 
 back thereof: And whereas, the publick safety requires that 
 said Horses should be taken proper care of, and always kept 
 in readiness for use upon the shortest notice; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That although said appointment is not within, 
 but even contrary to the commission of this Committee, 
 yet, apprehending that it is absolutely necessary for the 
 publick service that an Hostler should be appointed for 
 that employment, and no other mode of appointment ap- 
 pearing in this time of the recess of Congress ; do, for the 
 reasons assigned, appoint said Organ to the care of said 
 Horses, for the purpose aforesaid, until further orders. 
 
 rr ,, _ " Cambridge, July 15, 1775. 
 
 "Mr. Thomas Organ: 
 
 " At your request, and confiding in your fidelity and dili- 
 gence, we hereby appoint you to the care of the Artillery 
 Horses at Cambridge, until further orders. 
 
 " You are not only to take care of said horses, but are to 
 hold them at all times, by night as well as by day, in rea- 
 diness for immediate service, with their harnesses complete, 
 and not to be used in any service but such as the General 
 shall direct." 
 
 July 1G, 1775. 
 
 "Received of the Committee of Safety, as Recruiting 
 Officers for the Massachusetts Forces, an order on Henry 
 Gardner, Esq., Receiver-General, for four Pounds each, 
 which, when paid, we promise to be accountable for said 
 sum, respectively, to this Colony. 
 
 John Goss, Lieut, in Col. Prescott's Regiment. 
 Chrisi other Grant, Lieut, in Col. Bond's Regiment. 
 Jedediah Thayer, Lieut, in Col. Bond's Regiment. 
 John Mayo, Lieut, in Col. Woodbridge's Regiment. 
 John Bacon, Lieut, in Col. Patterson's Regiment. 
 Robert Oliver, Capt. in Col. Doolittle's Regiment. 
 Jonathan Hill, Lieut, in Col. Nixon's Regiment. 
 Joseph Mixer, Lieut, in Col. Nixon's Regiment. 
 Charles Smith, Lieut, in Col. Sergeant's Regiment. 
 
 July 17, 1775. 
 
 The following Resolution was adopted, and transmitted 
 to the Provincial Congress : 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Cambridge, July 17, 1775. 
 Whereas, the honourable Provincial Congress by a com- 
 mission issued to this Committee, bearing date July 8th, 
 have authorized and empowered this Committee to make 
 such further provision for the reception, sustenance, and 
 support of the Poor of Boston and Charlestown as have 
 or may come out of said Towns, as shall appear necessary 
 for their comfortable support, according to the intention of 
 Congress : this Committee, although ever ready to obey 
 
1373 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1374 
 
 all the orders and directions of the honourable Congress 
 that they may receive, are, notwithstanding, of opinion, 
 that the above order respecting the poor inhabitants of the 
 Towns of Boston and Charlestown is of such importance, 
 and requires such attention to carry it into execution, that 
 this Committee presume, with permission, that it will better 
 answer the purposes designed, should a special Committee 
 for that purpose be appointed by the honourable Congress, 
 the business already before this Committee being such as 
 will not admit of their attending to this matter unless they 
 should neglect other business of importance. The Com- 
 mittee therefore pray the honourable Congress would take 
 this affair under consideration, and conduct therein as to 
 them in their wisdom shall seem meet. 
 
 Attest : William Cooper, Secretary. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress. 
 
 July 18, 1775. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 my Regiment, two Fire-Arms, amounting, as by appraise- 
 ment, to five Pounds, which I promise to account for unless 
 lost in battle. John Mansfield, Colonel" 
 
 July 20, 1775. 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 my Regiment, two Fire-Arms, amounting, as by appraise- 
 ment, to the sum of four Pounds, ten Shillings, which I 
 promise to account for to the Colony, unless lost in the 
 service. " John Mansfield, Colonel." 
 
 " Received of the Committee of Safety, for the use of 
 my Regiment, three Fire-Arms, amounting, as by appraise- 
 ment, to the sum of six Pounds, eight Shillings, which 1 
 promise to account for to the Colony, unless lost in the 
 service. John Mansfield, Colonel." 
 
 " Received of the Committee, for delivering out Fire- 
 Arms, for the use of my Regiment, seven Fire-Arms, 
 amounting, as by appraisement, to the sum of twelve 
 Pounds, thirteen Shillings, and four Pence, which I pro- 
 mise to account for to the Colony unless lost in the service. 
 
 " John Mansfield, Colonel." 
 
 July 25, 1775. 
 
 The following account of the late battle of Charlcstown, 
 prepared in obedience to a Resolution of the Provincial 
 Congress, was presented, accepted, and ordered to be trans- 
 mitted to Great Britain : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 7, 1775. 
 "In compliance with a Resolve of the Committee of 
 Safety, recommending that a Committee be appointed to 
 draw up, and transmit to Great Britain, a fair and impar- 
 tial account of the late battle of Charlestown, as soon as 
 possible, 
 
 " Ordered, That the said Committee of Safety be a Com- 
 mittee for that purpose, and that they likewise be a Stand- 
 ing Committee for that and like purposes." 
 " A true extract from the Minutes: 
 
 " Samuel Freeman, Secretary." 
 
 In Committee of Safely, July 25, 1775. 
 [n obedience to the above order of Congress, this Com- 
 mittee have inquired into the premises, and upon the best 
 information obtained, find that the commanders of theiVetf- 
 England Army had, about the 14th ult., received advice 
 that General Gage had issued orders for a party of the 
 Troops under his command to post themselves on Bun- 
 ker's Hill, a promontory just at the entrance of the pen- 
 insula of Charlestown, which orders were soon to be exe- 
 cuted. Upon which it was determined, with the advice 
 of this Committee, to send a party, who might erect some 
 fortifications upon said hill, and defeat this design of our 
 enemies. Accordingly, on the 16th ult. orders were issued 
 that a detachment of one thousand men should that even- 
 ing march to Charlestown, and intrench upon that hill. 
 Just before nine o'clock they left Cambridge, and proceed- 
 ed to Breed's Hill, situated on the farther part of the pen- 
 insula next to Boston; for by some mistake, this hill was 
 marked out for the intrenchment instead of the other. 
 Many things being necessary to be done preparatory to 
 the intrenchments being thrown up, (which could not be 
 done before lest the enemy should discover and defeat the 
 
 design,) it was nearly twelve o'clock before the works were 
 entered upon ; they were then carried on with the utmost 
 diligence and alacrity, so that by the dawn of the day they 
 had thrown up a small redoubt, about eight rods square. 
 At this time a heavy fire began from the enemy's ships, a 
 number of floating batteries, and from a fortification of the 
 enemy's upon Copp's Hill in Boston, directly opposite to 
 our little redoubt. An incessant shower of shot and bombs 
 was rained by these upon our works, by which only one 
 man fell ; the Provincials continued to labour indefatigably 
 till they had thrown up a small breast work, extending 
 from the east side of the redoubt to the bottom of the hill, 
 but were prevented completing it by the intolerable fire 
 of the enemy. 
 
 Between twelve and one o'clock a number of boats and 
 barges, filled with the Regular Troops from Boston, were 
 observed approaching towards Charlestown. These troops 
 landed at a place called Moreton's Point, situated a little 
 to the eastward of our works. This Brigade formed upon 
 their landing, and stood thus formed till a second detach- 
 ment arrived from Boston to join them. Having sent out 
 large flank guards, they began a very slow march towards, 
 our lines. At this instant smoke and flames were seen to 
 arise from the Town of Charlcstown, which had been set 
 on fire by the enemy, that the smoke might cover their 
 attack upon our lines, and perhaps with a design to rout or 
 destroy one or two Regiments of Provincials who had been 
 posted in that Tow n. If either of these was their design, 
 they were disappointed, for the wind shifting on a sudden, 
 carried the smoke another way, and the Regiments were 
 already removed. The Provincials, within their intrench- 
 ments, impatiently awaited the attack of the enemy, and 
 reserved their fire till they came w ithin ten or twelve rods, 
 and then began a furious discharge of small-arms. This 
 fire arrested the enemy, which they for some time return- 
 ed, without advancing a step, and then retreated in disorder, 
 and with great precipitation, to the place of landing; and 
 some of them sought refuge even w ithin their boats. Here 
 the officers were observed by the spectators on the opposite 
 shore, to run down to them, using the most passionate ges- 
 tures, and pushing the men forward with their swords. At 
 length they were rallied, and marched up with apparent 
 reluctance towards the intrenchment. The Americans 
 again reserved their fire until the enemy came up within 
 five or six rods, and a second time put the Regulars to 
 flight, who ran in great confusion towards their boats. Simi- 
 lar and superiour exertions were now necessarily made by 
 the officers, which, notwithstanding the men discovered an 
 almost insuperable reluctance to fighting in this cause, w ere 
 again successful. They formed once more, and having 
 brought some cannon to bear in such a manner as to rake 
 the inside of the breastwork from one end of it to the other, 
 the Provincials retreated within their little fort. The Min- 
 isterial Army now made a decisive effort ; the fire from the 
 ships and batteries, as well as from the cannon in the front 
 of their Army, was redoubled. The officers in the rear of 
 their Army were observed to goad forward the men with 
 renewed exertions, and they attacked the redoubt on three 
 sides at once. The breastwork on the outside of the fort 
 was abandoned ; the ammunition of the Provincials was 
 expended, and few of their arms were fixed with bayonets. 
 Can it then be wondered that the word was given by the 
 commander of the paity, to retreat? But this he delayed 
 till the redoubt was half filled w ith Regulars, and the Pro- 
 vincials had kept the enemy at bay some time, confronting 
 them with the but-end of their muskets. 
 
 The retreat of this little handful of brave men would 
 have been effectually cut off, had it not happened that the 
 flanking party of the enemy, which was to have come up on 
 the back of the redoubt, was checked by a party of Pro- 
 vincials, who fought with the utmost bravery, and kept 
 them from advancing further than the beach. The engage- 
 ment of these two parties was kept up with the utmost 
 vigour; and it must be acknowledged that this party of the 
 Ministerial Troops evidenced a courage worthy of a better 
 cause. All their efforts, however, were insufficient to com- 
 pel the Provincials to retreat, till their main body had left 
 the hill. Perceiving this was done, they then gave ground, 
 but with more regularity than could be expected of troops 
 who had no longer been under discipline, and many of 
 whom never before saw an engagement. 
 
1375 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1376 
 
 In this retreat the Americans had to pass over tlie neck, 
 which joins the peninsula of Chariest own to the main land. 
 This neck was commanded hy the Glasgow man-of-war 
 and two floating batteries, placed in such a manner as that 
 their shot raked every part of it. The incessant fire kept 
 up across this neck, had, from the beginning of the en- 
 gagement, prevented any considerable re-enforcement from 
 getting to the Provincials upon the hill, and it was feared 
 would cut oft" their retreat, but they retired over it with little 
 or no loss. 
 
 With a ridiculous parade of triumph, the Ministerial 
 Troops again took possession of the hill, which had served 
 them as a retreat in their flight from the battle of Concord. 
 It was expected that they would prosecute the supposed 
 advantage they had gained, by marching immediately to 
 Cambridge, which was distant about two miles, and which 
 was not then in a state of defence. This they failed to 
 do. The wonder excited by such conduct soon ceased, 
 when, by the best accounts from Boston, we were told that 
 of three thousand men who marched out upon this expe- 
 dition, no less than fifteen hundred, (ninety-two of whom 
 were commissioned officers,) were killed or wounded, and 
 about twelve hundred of them either killed or mortally 
 wounded. Such a slaughter was perhaps never before 
 made upon British Troops in the space of about an hour, 
 during which the heat of the engagement lasted, by about 
 fifteen hundred men, which were the most that were at any 
 time engaged on the American side. 
 
 The loss of the Nevj-England Army amounted, accord- 
 ing to an exact return, to one hundred and forty-five killed 
 and missing, and three hundred and four wounded. Thirty 
 of the first were wounded and taken prisoners by the ene- 
 my. Among the dead was Major General Joseph Warren, 
 a man whose memory will be endeared to his countrymen, 
 and to the worthy in every part and age of the world, so 
 long as virtue and valour shall be esteemed among man- 
 kind. The heroick Colonel Gardner, of Cambridge, has 
 since died of his wounds ; and the brave Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Parker, of Chelmsford, who was wounded and 
 taken prisoner, perished in Boston jail. These three, with 
 Major Moore and Major McClary, who nobly struggled- in 
 the cause of their country, were the only officers of dis- 
 tinction which we lost. Some officers of great worth, 
 though inferiour in rank, were killed, whom we deeply 
 lament; but the officers and soldiers in general who were 
 wounded, are in a fair way of recovery. 
 
 The Town of Charlestotvn, the buildings of which were 
 in general large and elegant, and which contained effects 
 belonging to the unhappy sufferers in Boston to a very 
 great amount, was entirely destroyed ; and its chimneys and 
 cellars now present a prospect to the Americans, exciting 
 an indignation in their bosoms which nothing can appease 
 but the sacrifice of those miscreants who have introduced 
 desolation and havock into these once happy abodes of 
 liberty, peace, and plenty. 
 
 Though the officers and soldiers of the Ministerial Army 
 meanly exult in having gained this ground, yet they cannot 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 At a Congress of Delegates from the several Towns 
 and Districts in the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 began and held at the Meeting-House in Watcrtown, the 
 thirty-first day of May, 1775: 
 
 Mr. Samuel Freeman was unanimously chosen Secretary, 
 and the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esquire, President. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will now proceed to hear 
 the Returns and consider the qualifications of the Members. 
 
 The Returns being read, it appeared that the following 
 gentlemen were elected by the inhabitants of their respec- 
 tive Towns to represent them in this Congress, viz: 
 
 FOR THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK. 
 
 Boston. — The Honourable Thomas Cushing, Esq., Mr. 
 Sa77iucl Adams, Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Joseph 
 Warren, Esq., Mr. John Pitts, Benjamin Church, Jun., 
 Esq., Mr. Oliver Wendall. 
 
 Roxbuiiv. — Captain Aaron Davis. 
 
 Dorchester. — Colonel Robinson, Mr. James Robinson. 
 
 but attest to the bravery of our troops, and acknowledge 
 that the battles of Fontenoy and Minden, according to the 
 numbers engaged, and the time the engagements continued, 
 were not to be compared with this ; and, indeed, the laurels 
 of Minden were totally blasted in the battle of Charles- 
 town. The ground purchased, thus dearly purchased by 
 the British Troops, affords them no advantage against the 
 American Army, now strongly intrenched on a neighbour- 
 ing eminence. The Continental Troops, nobly animated 
 from the justice of their cause, sternly urge to decide the 
 contest by the sword ; but we wish for no farther effusion 
 of blood, if the freedom and peace of America can be 
 secured without it. But if it must be otherwise, we are 
 determined to struggle. We disdain life without liberty. 
 
 Oh, Britons! Be wise for yourselves before it is too 
 late, and secure a commercial intercourse with the Ameri- 
 can Colonies before it is forever lost ; disarm your Minis- 
 terial assassins ; put an end to this unrighteous and unna- 
 tural war, and suffer not any rapacious despots to amuse 
 you with the unprofitable ideas of your right to tax and 
 officer the Colonies, till the most profitable and advanta- 
 geous trade you have is irrecoverably lost. Be wise for 
 yourselves, and the Americans will contribute to and re- 
 joice in your prosperity. J. Palmer, per order. 
 
 " In regard to what 1 know of the setting fire to Charles- 
 town, on the 17th of June, is : I was on Copp's Hill at the 
 landing of the Troops in Charlestown ; and about one hour 
 after the Troops were landed, orders came down to set fire 
 to the Town, and soon after a carcass was discharged from 
 the hill, which set fire to one of the old houses just above 
 the ferry ways ; from that the meeting-house and several 
 other houses were set on fire by carcasses ; and the houses 
 at the eastern end of the Town were set on fire by men 
 landed out of the boats. William Cockran." 
 
 " Middlesex, ss., August 16, 1775: 
 
 " Then William Cockran personally appeared before me, 
 the subscriber, and made solemn oath to the truth of the 
 within Deposition. James Otis, 
 
 A Justice of the Peace through the Province of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay, in New-Engla7id." 
 
 [The foregoing account of the battle of Charlestons was 
 transmitted to London soon after the date, accompanied 
 with a letter to Arthur Lee, Esq., of which the following 
 is a copy, viz :] 
 
 " In Committee of Safety, Wutertown, July 25, 1775. 
 " Sir : The Committee of Safety of this Colony having 
 been ordered by the honourable Provincial Congress to 
 draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair and impartial 
 account of the late battle of Charlestown, beg leave to 
 enclose the same to you, desiring you to insert the same 
 in the publick papers, so that the European world may be 
 convinced of the causeless and unexampled cruelty with 
 which the British Ministry have treated the innocent Ame- 
 rican Colonies. We are, Sir, with great respect, your 
 most humble servants, J. Palmer, per order. 
 
 " To Arthur Lee, Esq., at London." 
 
 Milton. — Captain Daniel Vosc. 
 
 Braintree. — Colonel Joseph Palmer. 
 
 Weymouth. — Deacon Nathaniel Bailey. 
 
 Hingham and Cohasset. — Benjamin Lincoln, Esq. 
 
 Dedham. — Hon. Samuel Dexter, Esq., Mr. Abncr Ellis. 
 
 Medfield. — Mr. Daniel Perry. 
 
 Wrentham. — Mr. Jabcz Fisher, Mr. Lemuel Kollock. 
 
 Brookline. — Captain Benjamin White. 
 
 Stoughton. — Mr. Thomas Crane. 
 
 Medway. — Captain Jonathan Adams, Mr. Moses Adams. 
 
 Needham. — Colonel William Mcintosh. 
 
 Walpole. — Mr. Enoch Ellis. 
 
 Bellingham. — Dr. John Corbet. 
 
 Chelsea. — Deacon John Sale. 
 
 COUNTY OF ESSEX. 
 
 Salem. — Hon. Richard Darby, Mr. John Pickering, Jun., 
 
 Captain Samuel Williams, Mr. Daniel Hopkins. 
 Danvers. — Dr. Samuel Holt en, Capt. Williain Shillaber. 
 Ipswich. — Col. Michael Farley, Dummcr Jcwett, Esq. 
 Newbury. — Joseph Gerrish, Esquire. 
 
1377 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1378 
 
 Newburyport. — Captain Jonathan Greenleaf, Mr. Ste- 
 phen Cross. 
 
 Marblehead. — Azor Orne, Esq., Mr. Elbridge (Jerry, 
 
 Captain Jonathan Glover, Mr. Joshua Orne. 
 Lynn. — Mr. Edward Johnson. 
 Andover. — Mr. Samuel Phillips, Junior. 
 Beverley. — Captain Josiah Batchelder, Junior. 
 Rowley. — Mr. Nathaniel Mighill. 
 Salisbury. — Major Nathaniel Currier. 
 Haverhill. — Mr. Jonathan Webster, Junior. 
 Gloucester. — Col. Peter Coffin, Maj. Sam'l Whiltemore. 
 Boxford. — Captain Asa Perley. 
 Almsbury. — Captain Caleb Pillsbury. 
 Wenham. — Mr. Benjamin Fairfield. 
 Topsfield. — Deacon John Gould. 
 Methuen. — Mr. James Ingalls. 
 Middleton. — Mr. Archelaus Fuller. 
 Bradford. — Deacon Thomas Kimball.* 
 Manchester. — (None.) 
 
 COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 
 
 Cambridce. — Mr. Abner Wa t son ,f C apt. Charles Fuller. % 
 
 Charlestown. — Messrs. Richard Devens, David Cheever. 
 
 Watertown. — Captain Jonathan Brown. 
 
 Woburn. — Josiah Johnson, Esquire. 
 
 Concord. — Colonel James Barrett. 
 
 Newton. — Abraham Fuller, Esquire. 
 
 Reading. — Mr. John Temple. 
 
 Marlborough. — Mr. Peter Bent. 
 
 Billerica. — William Stickney, Esquire. 
 
 Framingham. — Joseph Haven, Esq., Capt. Josiah Stone. 
 
 Lexington. — Deacon Jonas Stotie. 
 
 Chelmsford. — Colonel Simeon Spaulding. 
 
 Sudbury. — Deacon Thomas Plympton. 
 
 Malden. — Captain Ebenezer Harnden. 
 
 Weston. — Colonel Braddyl Smith. 
 
 Medford. — Mr. Benjamin Hall, Mr. Stephen Hall, 3d. 
 
 Hopkinton. — Captain John Holmes. 
 
 Westford. — Captain Joseph Read. 
 
 Groton. — Hon. James Prescott, Esquire. 
 
 Pepperell. — Captain Edmund Bancroft. 
 
 Waltham. — Mr. Jacob Bigelow. 
 
 Stow. — Henry Gardner, Esquire. 
 
 Sherburn. — Mr. Daniel Whitney. 
 
 Littleton. — Mr. Abel Jewett. 
 
 Townshend. — Mr. Israel Hobart. 
 
 Stoneham. — Captain Samuel Sprague. 
 
 Wilmington. — Captain Timothy Walker. 
 
 Dracut. — Deacon Amos Bradley. 
 
 Holliston. — Colonel Abner Perry. 
 
 Acton. — Mr. Josiah Hay ward. 
 
 Tewksbury. — Mr. Ezra Kendall. 
 
 Dunstable. — John Tyng, Esq., James Tyng, Esq., Mr. 
 
 Joel Parkhurst. 
 Lincoln. — Major Eleazer Brooks. 
 
 COUNTY OF HAMPSHIRE. 
 
 Springfield. — Mr. John Hale, Mr. Edward Chapin. 
 West-Springfield. — Major Benjamin Ely, Dr. Chaun- 
 cey Brewer. 
 
 Northampton. — Joseph Hawley, Esq., Mr. Elias Lyman. 
 Wilbraham. — Major John Bliss. 
 
 South-Hadley and Granby. — Captain Phineas Smith, 
 
 Mr. Noah Goodtnan.§ 
 Hatfield. — Jno. Dickenson, Jno. Hastings, Elihu White. 
 Westfield. — Col. John Mosely, Col. Elisha Parks. 
 Greenfield. — Mr. Samuel Hinsdale. 
 Hadley. — Colonel Elisha Porter. 
 
 Sunderland and Montague. — Captain Israel Hubbart, 
 
 Doctor Moses Gunn. 
 Brimfield, Monson, and South-Brimfield. — Colonel 
 
 Timothy Danielson. 
 Northfield. — Mr. Phineas Wright. 
 Blanford. — Deacon William Boies, Capt. William Knox. 
 Granville. — Timothy Robinson,Esq., Mr. Nathan Barlo. 
 Palmer. — Captain David Spear. 
 New-Salem. — Lieutenant Amos Foster. 
 Belchertown. — Captain Nathaniel Dwight. 
 
 * Col. Daniel Thurston. — Lincoln, p. 5274. 
 t Mr. Abraham Watson. — Lincoln, p. 274. 
 t Captain Samuel Thatcher. — Lincoln, p. 274. 
 6 Lincoln, p. 275. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. ' 
 
 Colrain. — Lieutenant Hezekiah Smith. 
 Greenwich. — Mr. Joseph Hendrick. 
 Amherst. — Nathaniel Dickinson, Junior. 
 Chesterfield. — Captain Benjamin Bonncy. 
 Shutesbury. — Mr. John Hamilton. 
 Williamsburgh. — Mr. Josiah Dwight. 
 Shelburne. — Deacon Samuel Fellows. 
 Ware. — Joseph Foster, Esquire. 
 Ludlow. — Captain Joseph Miller. 
 Worthington. — Doctor Moses Morse. 
 Whateley. — Mr. Noah Wells, Mr. Salmon White. 
 Warwick. — Colonel Samuel Williams. 
 
 COUNTY OF BERKSHIRE. 
 
 Sheffield, Great-Barrington, Egremont, and Al- 
 
 ford. — Mr. William Whiting. 
 Tyringham. — Major Giles Jackson. 
 Stockbridge. — Timothy Edwards, Esquire, Jerathmiel 
 
 Woodbridge, Esquire. 
 Lenox. — Captain Caleb Hyde. 
 Williamstown. — Mr. Samuel Kellogg. 
 Richmond. — Captain Elijah Brown. 
 Sandisfield. — Deacon Samuel Smith. 
 Tyringham. — Mr. Elijah Warren, John Chadwick, Esq. 
 Leverett. — (None.) 
 
 COUNTY OF WORCESTER. 
 
 Worcester. — Mr. David Bancroft. 
 
 Lancaster. — Dr. William Dunsmore, Deacon Thomas 
 
 Fairbanks. 
 Brookfield. — Jedediah Foster, Esquire. 
 Oxford. — Edward Davis, Esquire. 
 Sutton. — Captain Henry King, Mr. Amos Singletary. 
 Rutland. — Mr. John Fessenden. 
 Hutchinson. — John Caldwell, Esquire. 
 Oakham. — Captain Isaac Stone. 
 Leicester and Spencer. — Deacon Oliver Watson. 
 Paxton. — Reverend Alexander Thayer. 
 Westborough. — Captain Stephen Maynard. 
 Shrewsbury. — Mr. Daniel Heminway. 
 Lunenburgh. — Doctor John Taylor. 
 Fitchburgh. — Mr. Joseph Fox. 
 Uxbridge. — Mr. Abner Rawson. 
 Harvard. — Mr. Joseph Wheeler. 
 Bolton. — Captain Samuel Baker. 
 Sturbridge. — Captain Timothy Parker. 
 Hardwick. — Captain William Page. 
 Grafton. — Doctor Joseph Batchelder. 
 New-Braintree. — Major James Woods. 
 Dudley. — Major William Learned. 
 Southborough. — Lieutenant William Collins. 
 Upton. — Mr. Abiel Sadler. 
 Leominster. — Deacon Israel Nichols. 
 Holden. — Mr. John Child. 
 Western. — Simeon Dwight, Esquire. 
 Douglass. — Deacon Jeremiah Whiting. 
 Athol. — Captain John Haven. 
 Petersham. — Colonel Jonathan Grout. 
 Westminster. — Deacon Nathan Wood. 
 Templeton. — Mr. Jonathan Baldwin. 
 Princeton. — Mr. Moses Gill. 
 Royalston. — (None.) 
 
 Hubbardston. — Lieutenant William Muzzy. 
 Charlton. — Reverend Caleb Curtis. 
 Northborough. — Mr. Levi Brigham. 
 
 COUNTY OF PLYMOUTH. 
 
 Plymouth. — Hon. James Warren, Mr. Isaac Lothrop. 
 
 Scituate. — Nathan Cushing, Esquire. 
 
 Duxbury. — Mr. George Partridge. 
 
 Marshfield. — Mr. Benjamin White. 
 
 Bridgewater. — Colonel Edward Mitchell. 
 
 Middleborough. — Captain Joshua White. 
 
 Pembroke. — Mr. John Turner, Mr. Jeremiah Hall, Mr, 
 
 Edward Thomas. 
 Rochester. — Major Ebenezer White. 
 Plympton. — Captain Seth Cushing. 
 Kingston. — Honourable William Sever, Esquire, Deacon 
 
 Ebenezer Washburn. 
 Hanover. — Colonel Joseph Cushing. 
 Abington. — Doctor David Jones. 
 Halifax. — .Mr. Ebenezer Thompson. 
 
1879 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1380 
 
 COUNTY OF BARNSTABLE. 
 
 Barnstable. — Colonel Joseph Otis, Daniel Davis, Esq. 
 
 Yarmouth. — Captain Elisha Basset. 
 
 Sandwich. — Mr. Stephen Nye, Col. Nathaniel Freeman. 
 
 Eastham. — Mr. Amos Knotvlcs. 
 
 Wellfleet. — Colonel Elisha Cobb. 
 
 Harwich. — Mr. Joseph Nye. 
 
 Falmouth. — Mr. Moses Swift. 
 
 Chatham. — Colonel Joseph Doan. 
 
 Truro. — Mr. Samuel Harding. 
 
 COUNTY OF BRISTOL. 
 
 Taunton. — Robert Treat Paine, Esq., Colonel George 
 Williams, Captain Simeon Williams. 
 
 Rehoboth. — Capt. Thompson Carpenter, Mr. Ephraim 
 Starkweather. 
 
 Swanzey. — Col. Jerathmicl Bowers, Mr. Philip Slead. 
 
 Dartmouth. — Hon. Walter Spooner, Esquire, and Ben- 
 jamin Aikin, Esquire. 
 
 Attleborough. — Captain John Stearns. 
 
 Dighton. — Ezra Richmond, Esquire, and Doctor Wil- 
 liam Baylies. 
 
 Freetown. — Mr. Thomas Durfee. 
 
 Norton and Mansfield. — Captain William Holmes. 
 
 Easton. — Mr. Benjamin Pettingil. 
 
 Raynham. — Mr. Benjamin King. 
 
 Berkley. — Mr. Samuel Tobey, Junior. 
 
 COUNTY OF YORK. 
 
 York. — Mr. Daniel Bragdon. 
 Kittery. — Edward Cutt, Esquire. 
 Wells. — (None.) 
 
 Berwick. — Major Ichabod Goodwin. 
 Arundel. — Mr. John Hovey. 
 Biddeford. — James Sullivan, Esquire. 
 
 COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND. 
 
 Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth. — Mr. Samuel Freeman. 
 Gorham. — Captain Bryant Morton. 
 Brunswick. — Colonel Samuel Thompson. 
 North-Yarmouth. — David Mitchell, Esquire. 
 
 COUNTY OF LINCOLN. 
 
 Pownalborough. — Mr. Timothy Langdon. 
 Georgetown and Woolwich. — Capt. Samuel McCobb. 
 Tops ham. — Mr. James Fulton. 
 Gardinerston. — Mr. Joseph North. 
 
 county of dukes county. 
 Chilmark. — (None.) 
 Tisbury. — James Athearn, Esquire. 
 Edgarton. — Mr. Beriah Norton. 
 
 county of nantucket. — (None.) 
 
 Wednesday, May 31, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Holten, Mr. Watson, and Colonel 
 Lincoln, be a Committee to wait on the Rev. Dr. Lang- 
 don, and inform him that this Congress are now ready to 
 attend divine service, and request his attendance. 
 
 Resolved, That four o'clock this afternoon be assigned 
 for the consideration of the return of Members from Hard- 
 wick, Eastham, and several other Towns. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Brown, Dr. Taylor, and Colonel 
 Saycr, be a Committee to wait on the Commanding Officer 
 of the Militia of this Town, to thank him for his polite 
 offer to escort the Congress to the Meeting-House, and to 
 inform him that as this Congress are now sitting, the Con- 
 gress think it needless to withdraw for that purpose ; but 
 will, with the Reverend Gentlemen of the Clergy, attend 
 them to Mrs. Coolidge's, if they please to escort them 
 thither, when the Congress adjourns. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Dr. Whiting, Mr. Pitts, Mr. 
 Jewett, and Col. Lincoln, be a Committee to return the 
 thanks of this Congress to the Rev. Dr. Langdon for his 
 excellent Sermon delivered to the Congress in the fore- 
 noon, and to desire a copy of it for the press. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Green- 
 leaf, be a Committee to consider some method for supply- 
 ing the Soldiers immediately with advance Pay, and also 
 to consider a Letter from General Thomas on that subject. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the Resolve of the last Con- 
 gress relative to providing the Army with Chaplains, be 
 laid before the Reverend Gentlemen of the Clergy, now in 
 convention at Watertown. 
 
 The Order of the Day moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Col. Bowers, Col. Gcrrish, 
 Mr. Bayley, and Mr. Slead, be a Committee to consider 
 the two returns of Members from Eastham. 
 
 The returns of three Members from Hardwick, who are 
 to attend this Congress severally, (each two months,) was 
 approved of. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider General Thomas's 
 Letter reported verbally; the Report was accepted, and 
 ordered to be committed to writing, and one copy sent to the 
 Camp at Cambridge, and another to the Camp at Roxbury. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Palmer, Mr. Williams, and Deacon 
 Cheever, be a Committee to introduce to this Congress a 
 Committee from the Reverend Gentlemen of the Clergy, in 
 convention at Watertown, now at the door. 
 
 The Committee were accordingly introduced, and in- 
 formed the Congress that the said Convention would be 
 glad of the use of the Meeting-House to-morrow morning, 
 eight o'clock. Then the said Committee withdrew. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Palmer, Mr. Williams, and Deacon 
 Cheever, be a Committee to inform the Reverend Gentle- 
 men of the Convention that this Congress comply with 
 their request ; and that the Committee lay before the said 
 Convention a copy of the Resolve of the last Congress 
 respecting Chaplains. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Hastings, who attended the last 
 Congress as Doorkeeper, be desired to attend this Con- 
 gress till further orders. 
 
 Ordered, That the Papers relative to the Fortresses at 
 Ticonderoga, &cc, be laid before the Congress. 
 
 The Papers being read, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Phelps, who was the bearer of some 
 of them, be introduced to the Congress. 
 
 After information from Mr. Phelps, 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Glover, Col. Nich- 
 olson, Dr. Taylor, Mr. Edwards, Colonel Dwight, Dr. 
 Wheeler, Mr. Hale, and Dr. Whiting, be a Committee to 
 take the said Papers into consideration, to sit forthwith, 
 and report as soon as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Spooner, Mr. Hopkins, 
 Mr. Greenleaf Captain Batchelder, and Colonel Otis, be 
 a Committee to consider a Letter from the Committee of 
 Correspondence of the Colony of New-Hampshire to the 
 Committee of Correspondence of Newburyport. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to ten o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Thursday, June 1, 1775. 
 
 The Commitee appointed to consider General Thomas's 
 Letter, brought in the following Report ; which was ac- 
 cepted, and a copy of it ordered to be sent to the Muster- 
 Master at Cambridge, and another to the Muster-Master 
 at Roxbury, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a letter from 
 General Thomas, relative to immediately paying the Army 
 the advance pay, have attended that service, and beg 
 leave to report, that they have waited on the Receiver- 
 General, to know of him how soon he can furnish the 
 Muster-Masters with the Notes proposed for the Army; 
 and were informed by the Receiver-General he now had 
 several hundred Notes ready to deliver, and that he had 
 provided all necessary helps, and would make the greatest 
 despatch possible, and that he should be able to pay off at 
 least one Regiment every day, and perhaps more ; and 
 that he would, from day to day, deliver one half of said 
 Notes to the Muster-Master at Cambridge, and the other 
 half to the Muster-Master at Roxbury. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above be sent to the Mus- 
 ter-Masters. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Jones and Mr. Orne be added 
 to the Committee who were appointed to consider the re- 
 turns of Members from Eastham. 
 
 Resolved, That the following Members be, and hereby 
 
1381 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1382 
 
 are, appointed Monitors in the Congress, viz: 1. Colonel 
 Gerrish ; -2. Mr. Durfee ; 3. Col. Farley ; 4. Dr. Taylor; 
 and that the division of the House be as follows, viz: 
 
 First Division. The pews at the right hand of the 
 pulpit, and all the pews on the west and south part of the 
 meeting-house, from the aisle that bounds the seats and 
 body pews. 
 
 Second Division. The pews on the left hand of the 
 pulpit, and all the pews on the north and east part of the 
 house, from the aisle that bounds the seats and body pews. 
 
 Third Division. All the body pews and seats on the 
 left hand of the broad aisle. 
 
 Fourth Division. All the body pews and seats on the 
 right hand of the broad aisle. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will adopt and observe 
 the Rules and Orders established by the last Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Prescott, Mr. Slead, Col. Barrett, 
 Mr. Thatcher, and Mr. Partridge, be a Committee to 
 consider what number of the Poor of the Town of Boston 
 should be sent to the Town of Ashby, or other Towns, not 
 mentioned in the schedule annexed to a Resolve passed in 
 the last Congress. 
 
 The Committee presented the following Report, which 
 was read, and accepted : 
 
 Whereas, the Poor of the Town of Boston, by a Re- 
 solve of Congress passed the 6rst day of May last, are 
 con6ned to a certain number of Towns and Districts in 
 this Colony, as appears by a schedule annexed to said Re- 
 solve ; and some of said Poor having relations and connex- 
 ions in other Towns and Districts than are mentioned in 
 said schedule, and being desirous to go and reside in such 
 places, it is therefore Resolved, That the Poor of Boston 
 may be removed into any other Town or District in this 
 Colony, where the Selectmen of such Town or District 
 shall see fit to receive them, all such Towns and Districts 
 observing the rules, regulations, and directions given in the 
 Resolve aforesaid, and shall be entitled to the same rewards 
 and privileges as mentioned in said Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That Dea. Fisher, Mr. Spa ul ding, Mr. Stick- 
 ney, Mr. Partridge, and Major Perley, be a Committee to 
 consider the Proposal of the Reverend Gentlemen of the 
 Clergy, now in convention at Watertovm. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Colonel Cushing, and 
 Major Whittemore, be a Committee to inquire how many 
 Armourers are already appointed in the Massachusetts 
 Army, and how many more are necessary. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Brooks, Captain Stone, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to consider the Letter from the 
 Selectmen of the Town of Hopkinton; and that they sit 
 forthwith. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 the Committee of Correspondence for the Colony of New- 
 Hampshire, reported, verbally, that it was their opinion that 
 it would be expedient to forward forthwith a copy of said 
 Letter to the Committee of Correspondence for the Co- 
 lony of Rhode-Island, and another to the Colony of Con- 
 necticut ; and that the several Members of the seaport 
 Towns, or of the Towns adjacent, should write to the 
 Committee of such seaport Towns, informing them of the 
 subject of said Letter. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thompson, Colonel Freeman, 
 and Mr. Jewett, be a Committee to consider a Letter from 
 the Committee of Safety for the Town of Salem, and 
 report. 
 
 The Committee on the Eastham Returns reported, that 
 in their opinion neither of the Members were legally 
 chosen. The Report, after debate, was not accepted. 
 
 Resolved, That this last vote be reconsidered, and that 
 a recommendation be sent to the Town of Eastham, to 
 choose one or more Metnbers, as to them shall seem meet, 
 to represent them in this Congress. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 the Committee of Safety of the Town of Salem, reported ; 
 which Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed by the honourable Provin- 
 cial Congress to take into consideration the letter from the 
 
 Committee of Safety and Town Clerk of the Town of 
 Salem, respecting the answers of Mr. Stephen Higginson 
 to questions asked him before the House of Commons of 
 Great Britain, Sec, beg leave to report, that they have 
 critically examined that matter, and are of opinion that 
 the intentions of said Higginson, in those answers, were 
 friendly to the inhabitants of Salem and Marblehead, and 
 to the Colonies in general ; and that he ought to be hon- 
 ourably acquitted by this Congress, and recommended to 
 the favour of the publick. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Dexter be directed to 
 inquire of the Receiver-General if he has received the 
 Money from the Hon. Mr. Russell, agreeable to the Re- 
 solve of the last Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Captain Holmes, and 
 Colonel Thompson, be a Committee to draw up a Resolve 
 recommending to the Town of Eastham to choose a new 
 Member or Members to represent them in this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That three hundred Passes, of the following 
 form, be printed, viz : 
 " To the Guards of the Colony Army: 
 
 "Pursuant to a Resolve of the Provincial Congress, 
 
 you are hereby ordered to permit , a Member 
 
 of said Congress, to pass and repass with such as may 
 accompany him, at all times. 
 
 , President. 
 
 " June . . , 1775." 
 
 Hon. Mr. Dexter reported to the Congress that he had 
 made inquiry of Mr. Gardner, the Receiver-General, as 
 directed, and that the Receiver-General informed him he 
 had not seen Mr. Russell since the order of Congress re- 
 specting his paying the publick moneys he has in his hands 
 to Mr. Gardner. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 the Selectmen of Hopkinton reported ; the Report was 
 recommitted, and Mr. Phillips, Mr. Partridge, Colonel 
 Richmond, and Mr. Sawyer, added to the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Hon. Mr. Dexter, and the 
 Hon. Colonel Bowers, be a Committee to consider the 
 application made to this Congress by Colonel Barrett, in 
 behalf of the Rev. Mr. Emerson, for the use of one of 
 the horses taken from the Regulars, during the absence of 
 the Hon. Thomas Cushing, Esquire, who has Mr. Emer- 
 so?i's horse now in the publick service. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of 
 Mr. Emerson, reported ; the Report was accepted, and is 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of the 
 Rev. William Emerson, of Concord, respecting the use of 
 a horse taken upon the 19th of April last, from one of the 
 Regulars, by Mr. Isaac Kitteridge, of Tewksbury, Cap- 
 tain Nathan Barrett, and Henry Flint, of Concord, beg 
 leave to report, by way of resolve : That said horse be de- 
 livered to said Emerson by the person or persons in whose- 
 soever possession be may be found, he, the said Emerson, 
 paying a reasonable price for keeping said horse ; and Mr. 
 Emerson is hereby permitted to keep and use said horse 
 till further order of this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Papers rela- 
 ting to Ticonderoga, &c, reported a Letter to Colonel 
 Arnold; another to the Hon. William Williams, Esquire, 
 Speaker of the Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut ; 
 and another to the Provincial Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire; which were read and accepted, and ordered to be 
 authenticated and sent forward, and are as follow, viz : 
 
 Letter to Colonel Benedict Arnold. 
 " Sir : This Congress have received yours of the 19th 
 and 23d of May, ult., per Captain Brown and Captain 
 Phelps, a copy of which has been sent to New-Hamp- 
 shire. They highly approve of, and take great satisfaction 
 in the acquisitions you have made at Ticonderoga, Crown 
 Point, on the Lake, &tc. As to the state you are in re- 
 specting men, provisions, &c, we have advices from Con- 
 necticut and New-York, that ample preparation is making, 
 with the greatest despatch, in those two Colonies, from 
 whence you may depend on being seasonably supplied. 
 They are sorry to meet with repeated requests from you, 
 that some gentleman be sent to succeed you in command ; 
 
1383 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1384 
 
 they assure you, that they place the greatest confidence in 
 your fidelity, knowledge, courage, and good conduct, and 
 .they desire that you at present dismiss the thoughts of 
 quitting your important command at Ticonderoga, Crown 
 Point, Lake Champlain, k.c. ; and you are hereby request- 
 ed to continue your command over the forces raised by 
 this Colony, posted at those several places, at least until 
 the Colony of New-York or Connecticut shall take on them 
 the maintaining and commanding the same agreeable to an 
 order of the Continental Congress. 
 "To Colonel Benedict Arnold, Ticonderoga. 
 
 " P. S. We have just received intelligence, by a letter 
 from Governour Trumbull, that the General Assembly have 
 ordered a thousand men to march immediately to re-en- 
 force the Army now at Crown Point, Ticonderoga, &.C., 
 as also five hundred pounds of powder, and also that each 
 soldier is furnished with one pound of powder, &tc. The 
 Congress further advise that in case your present necessity 
 requires it, you make use of the one hundred and sixty 
 Pounds you found on board the sloop, for the service of 
 this Colony, you accounting for the same to this or some 
 other Congress, or House of Representatives of this Co- 
 lony ; and they hereby assure you that this Colony will 
 repay it whenever it shall be ordered by the Continental 
 Congress ; and that you also complete the raising the num- 
 ber of four hundred men, in the pay of this Colony, if 
 you judge it necessary." 
 
 To the House o f Assembly of Connecticut. 
 
 " Gentlemen : We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of 
 your favour of the 27th ultimo. We fully concur in opi- 
 nion with you, that maintaining a post at Ticonderoga or 
 Crown Point, is of the utmost importance ; therefore take 
 particular satisfaction that you have on this subject so early 
 and repeatedly expressed your minds to the Continental 
 Congress. By private intelligence of the 29lh ultimo, 
 sent to Captain Joseph Trumbull, we are informed that 
 the Provincial Congress of New-York do not understand 
 the resolve of the Continental Congress, concerning said 
 fortresses, to extend so far as wholly to dismantle them, but 
 so far only as to supply any fortification that may be built 
 at the south end of Lake George; which resolve, in this 
 sense of it, they are with despatch executing. Therefore, 
 in our present distressing situation, we have postponed 
 sending further assistance to Captain Arnold, especially 
 since New-York have not requested it. 
 " To the Hon. William Williams, Speaker of the House of 
 
 Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut." 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire. 
 
 " Gentlemen : We send you enclosed a copy of a letter 
 from Colonel Arnold, commander of the troops at Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, together with a copy of a letter 
 from the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 
 Colony of Connecticut, by which you will be acquainted 
 with the present situation of those fortresses, and the mea- 
 sures necessary to be taken for securing and defending so 
 valuable acquisitions. You will doubtless agree with us 
 in sentiment, that it is a matter of the greatest importance 
 that those places remain in our possession, in order to 
 secure our frontiers from the depredations of our enemies, 
 if they should attempt to attack us from that quarter, of 
 which, there appears to be great danger. 
 
 " It was the agreement of this Colony, that four hundred 
 men, and one hundred pounds in money, should be raised 
 for the reduction of the place ; and it is our determination 
 to contribute our full proportion toward securing the acqui- 
 sition. By the letter from the Speaker of the House of 
 Representatives for Connecticut, you will find that that 
 Colony have voted to send immediately to their assistance 
 four companies, and five hundred pounds weight of powder, 
 and we suppose that the troops are upon the march there. 
 And we most earnestly request that you would contribute 
 your endeavours likewise for the speedy and effectual 
 security of the aforementioned places, which, consider- 
 ing the importance of the affair, and the ready disposition 
 which you have discovered for the defence of the com- 
 mon causo, leaves us no room to doubt of your compliance 
 therewith. 
 
 " To the Provincial Congress of Nciv- Hampshire." 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary be, and hereby is, em- 
 powered to appoint some person to assist him in his office. 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 2, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve recom- 
 mending the Town of Eastham to choose one or more 
 Members to represent them in this Congress, reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, this Congress, upon examination, judge that 
 the persons returned as Delegates for Eastham, in the 
 County of Barnstable, were not legally chosen ; and that 
 the allowing either of them a seat in this House would be 
 attended with many inconveniences: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to 
 the said Town of Eastham, that they forthwith elect and 
 depute one or more persons to serve for and represent said 
 Town in Provincial Congress, now held at the Meeting- 
 House in Watcrtown, (to be chosen by such only as are 
 qualified to vote for Representatives in the General Assem- 
 bly,) and to be continued by adjournment as they shall see 
 cause, until the expiration of six months from the first sit- 
 ting of this Congress, and no longer ; and consult and 
 deliberate and resolve upon such further measures as, 
 under God, shall be effectual to save this people from im- 
 pending ruin, and to secure those inestimable liberties 
 derived to us from our ancestors, and which it is our duty 
 to preserve for posterity. 
 
 Resolved, That ten o'clock this forenoon be assigned for 
 the choice of a Chaplain for this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Colonel Barrett, Captain 
 Holmes, Colonel Bowers, and Colonel Sawyer, be a Com- 
 mittee to bring in a Resolve for making further provision 
 for distributing the Poor of Boston to such Towns in the 
 Colony as the Committee may think convenient. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Mr. Spooner, Mr. 
 Sever, Colonel Bowers, and Mr. Fisher, be a Committee 
 to take into consideration the Petition and Memorial of the 
 several Committees of Correspondence for the County of 
 Worcester, and report. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Resolve and 
 Proposals of the Reverend Gentlemen of the Clergy, re- 
 ported. 
 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it is of great importance that our Colony Army 
 be furnished with gentlemen to act as Chaplains, on whose 
 virtue, firmness, and patriotism, they can safely rely; and 
 whereas, the Reverend Convention of the Clergy of this 
 Colony have most nobly, and without reward, tendered 
 their services in their Country's cause : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the General and Field Officers be, and 
 they hereby are empowered and directed to choose nine 
 gentlemen of the Clergy of this Colony, to act as Chap- 
 lains to said Army: provided that not more than two of 
 them belong to any one County ; and the General Officers 
 of said Army are hereby empowered to determine the Re- 
 giments to which each Chaplain shall be desired to officiate; 
 and also the Committee of Supplies are hereby directed to 
 make suitable provision for said Chaplains during their con- 
 tinuance in camp. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Spooner, Colonel Richmond, and 
 Colonel Dwight, be a Committee to take into consideration 
 the expense Captain Phelps has been at in supplying the 
 Massachusetts Forces at Ticonderoga, and report. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Whiting and Doctor Bailies be 
 added to the Committee which was appointed by the last 
 Congress to examine those persons who might be nomina- 
 ted for Surgeons of the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Honourable Josejih 
 Gerrish, Esq., Josiah Johnson, Esq., Mr. John Hale, 
 Honourable William Sever, Esq., Colonel Joseph Otis, 
 Honourable Jerathmiel Bowers, Col. Cutt, Capt. Stephen 
 Maynard, Colonel Thompson, Mr. Joseph North, and 
 Timothy Edwards, Esq., be a Committee to take into con- 
 sideration the situation and circumstances of the seaport 
 Towns and Islands in this Colony, which are exposed to 
 the incursions and ravages of the enemy ; and in particular 
 to consider the Letter of Mr. Stephen Nye to Colonel Free- 
 man, the Petition from the Town of Kittcry, the Resolve 
 
1385 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1386 
 
 of the last Congress in relation to the invasion of the enemy 
 on our sea-coasts, &tc, and a Petition from some inhabi- 
 tants of Deer Island ; and sit forthwith, and report as soon 
 as may be. 
 
 Order of the Day moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Jones, Mr. Bliss, and Mr. Toby, 
 be a Committee to receive, sort, and count the Votes for a 
 Chaplain. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported 
 that the Reverend Mr. Gordon was chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Davis, Mr. Wheeler, and Major 
 Bliss, be a Committee to wait on the Reverend Mr. Gor- 
 don, informing him that this Congress have made choice of 
 him to officiate as their Chaplain during its session in this 
 place. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire how many Armour- 
 ers were appointed, &.c, reported, that the Committee of 
 Safety informed them that there were thirteen appointed, 
 and several others nominated ; and that the General Offi- 
 cers had agreed that thirteen was a sufficient number, but 
 that they were in want of tools and stock. 
 
 Aftornoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be given to the Officers of 
 Colonel Scammon's Regiment, (except such Captains as 
 have already received their Commissions,) agreeable to the 
 list by him exhibited. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Prescott, Colonel Freeman, 
 Honourable Mr. Spooner, Mr. Partridge, Colonel Gush- 
 ing, Colonel Spaulding, and Colonel Sayer, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider the Petition of Captain Jacob Gerrish 
 and seven other Captains in the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Richmond be, and hereby is 
 appointed to countersign the Notes which were ordered to 
 be prepared for the Soldiers' advance pay, in the room of 
 Major Fuller, who declines serving further in that business. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Baker, Major Brooks, Mr. 
 Nichols, and Colonel Grout, be added to the Committee 
 who were appointed by the last Congress to draw up some 
 easy and concise method of making Saltpetre. 
 
 Ordered, That the Officers of Col. Gardner's Regiment 
 be commissioned agreeable to the list by him exhibited. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Parker, Captain Thatcher, Mr. 
 Jewett, Colonel Porter, and Mr. Singletary, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider what is best to be done with the Horses 
 lately taken from Noddle's Island. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of Captain Jacob Gerrish, and others, reported 
 verbally, that they think it expedient that Colonel Gerrish 
 be notified to attend said Committee to-morrow morning, 
 at eight o'clock, at the house of Mr. Learned, in Water- 
 town (if he sees cause). Thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the same Committee be directed to bring 
 in a short Resolve for this purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be 
 done with the Horses taken from Noddle's Island, reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what shall be 
 done with the horses taken by our forces from Noddle's 
 Island, which belong to our enemies, beg leave to report, 
 that the same horses be delivered to the Committee of 
 Supplies, to be by them used and improved for the benefit 
 of the Colony, as they shall think fit, until further orders 
 from this or some future Congress, or House of Represen- 
 tatives. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Farley, Deacon Baker, and 
 Mr. Batchelder, be a Committee to inquire of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety what progress has been made in the raising 
 a Regiment for the Train. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, whereby 
 to notify Colonel Gerrish to appear before said Committee 
 to-morrow morning, reported the following ; which was 
 read and accepted ; and Captain Thatcher was desired to 
 carry it to Col. Gerrish this evening. It is as follows, viz: 
 
 To Colonel Samuel Gerrish : 
 
 A number of gentlemen have presented a Petition to 
 this Congress, in behalf of themselves and the men they 
 
 have enlisted, praying that Captain Moses Little and Mr. 
 Isaac Smith may be appointed and commissioned as two 
 of the Field-Officers over them. Six of the said petition- 
 ers are returned by you as Captains, as appears by your 
 Return ; and the Petition has been committed to a Com- 
 mittee to hear the petitioners, and report to the Congress ; 
 and it is, therefore, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Colonel Samuel Gerrish be no- 
 tified, and he is hereby notified, to attend the said Commit- 
 tee at the house of Mr. Learned, in Watertown, the third 
 day of June instant, at eight o'clock in the forenoon. 
 
 Read, accepted, and Captain Thatcher was desired to 
 carry this Resolve to Colonel Gerrish this evening. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the subject of the 
 Letter from the Selectmen of Hopkinton, again reported. 
 The consideration of the Report was ordered to be put off 
 till to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock. 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on the Reverend Mr. 
 Gordon, reported, that they had informed Mr. Gordon that 
 this Congress had appointed him their Chaplain ; and that 
 Mr. Gordoii told them he would attend this Congress to- 
 morrow morning. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expense Mr. 
 Phelps had been at in supplying the Massachusetts Forces 
 at Ticonderoga, exhibited an account which they looked 
 upon was not supported by any vouchers, and therefore 
 submitted the matter to Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the same be put off 
 to to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Saturday, June 3, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Palmer, Colonel Davis, Mr. 
 Glover, Deacon Gould, and Mr. Webster, be a Committee 
 to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety respect- 
 ing a person in Brookline who is broke out with the Small- 
 Pox ; and that they sit forthwith. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the situation and 
 circumstances of the Islands and Sea-Coasts, reported : 
 
 1st. That the Petition of Colonel Lilhgoic be committed 
 to the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 2d. A Resolve on the subject of Mr. Nye's Letter; 
 which is as follows : 
 
 Whereas, the forces under the command of General Gage 
 are frequently plundering and making depredations on the 
 islands and sea-coasts of this Province, particularly on the 
 Island of Naushan, and others adjacent, whereby not only 
 individuals, but the publick are much injured, and our 
 enemies strengthened : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to all 
 those persons occupying the islands or sea-coasts aforesaid, 
 which are exposed to be ravaged or plundered, and cannot 
 be defended by the inhabitants, to remove all their Hay, 
 Cattle, Horses, Sheep, &lc, so far into the country, or 
 otherwise dispose of them, that they may be out of the 
 way of our implacable enemies; also, that it be recom- 
 mended to the Committee of Correspondence in each Town 
 and District, or Selectmen, (where no such Committee is 
 chosen,) to take effectual care that this Resolve be imme- 
 diately, strictly, and fully executed ; and that all persons 
 who refuse to comply herewith be viewed as disposed to 
 furnish our enemies with such unremoved Hay and Stock, 
 and shall therefore be held as inimical to the liberty and 
 rights of this Country. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety, reported the following Resolution ; 
 which was accepted, viz : 
 
 Whereas, a person is now hroke out with the Small-Pox 
 at Brookline, on the road between Cambridge and Rox- 
 bury, whereby the publick in general, and the camps in 
 particular, will be greatly endangered, if said person is suf- 
 fered to remain in said house: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That said person be immediately removed to 
 the house of Ebenezer Smith, in Little Cambridge, wherein 
 the Small-Pox has lately been ; and that the Selectmen of 
 Brookline are hereby directed to remove said person to 
 said house in the most careful manner, at the expense of 
 the said Town of Brookline ; and the Selectmen of Cam- 
 
43S7 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1388 
 
 bridge are hereby directed to receive said person into said 
 Smith's house. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Honourable Mr. Spooner, 
 Major Bliss, Honourable Mr. Sever, Colonel Freeman, 
 Colonel Farley, and Colonel Richmond, be a Committee 
 to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety relative 
 to a re-enforcement of the Massachusetts Army, for the 
 protection of the sea-coasts, &ic. ; and that this Commit- 
 tee be directed to confer with the Committee of Safety on 
 the subject of it ; and that those gentlemen who have been 
 appointed and commissioned as General Officers be invited 
 to the conference ; also, 
 
 Resolved, That eight o'clock, on Monday morning next, 
 be assigned for such conference, to be held at Cambridge ; 
 and that the Committee of Safety and the said General 
 Officers be served with a copy of this Resolve. 
 
 A number of Papers from the Committee of Safety, 
 respecting Col. Jonathan Brewer, were read. 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of the Papers 
 relative to Colonel Jonathan Brewer, be referred to the 
 afternoon, three o'clock. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be prepared and delivered 
 to Colonel John Nixo7i. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Greenleaf, Captain Bragdon, and 
 Mr. Sawyer, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 a number of persons of the Town of Dartmouth. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Jacob Gerrish and 
 others, reported verbally ; agreeable to which Report, 
 
 Resolved, That the Petition be so far granted, as that 
 the petitioners be directed to apply to the Committee of 
 Safety for a recommendation to this Congress to commis- 
 sionate Captain Moses Little as Colonel of a Regiment in 
 the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Dwight, Honourable Mr. Sever, 
 Colonel Farley, Major Bliss, and Mr. Edivards, be a Com- 
 mittee to take into consideration a Letter from Col. James 
 Easton, and report. 
 
 Order of the Day moved for. 
 
 The Papers respecting Colonel Brewer were read. After 
 debate, 
 
 Moved, That the matter subside. 
 
 The question being put, it passed in the negative. 
 
 Moved, That the Petitioner be admitted on the floor. 
 
 The question was put, and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Resolved, That Tuesday next, at eight o'clock, A. M., 
 be assigned for hearing Colonel Jonathan Brewer, on the 
 subject of certain Papers laid before this Congress by order 
 of the Committee of Safety; and that the Committee of 
 Safety, as also Colonel Brewer, be served with a copy of 
 this Resolve ; and that Colonel Brewer be directed to bring 
 with him a return of the number of men enlisted in his 
 Regiment, distinguishing how many are present at Head- 
 Quarters, and how many are absent. 
 
 Agreeable to an order of Congress, a Colonel's com- 
 mission was delivered to Colonel John Nixon. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition from Dartmouth, re- 
 ported. The Report being amended, was accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 On the Petition of David Shepherd and others, from 
 Dartmouth, representing that uneasiness has arisen on ac- 
 count of said petitioners fitting out sundry vessels for whaling 
 voyages, and for the West-Indies, 
 
 Resolved, That the petitioners be informed that this 
 Congress know of no objection to their pursuing the above 
 voyage or any other, where they are willing to risk their 
 interest, provided that the owners and masters of such ves- 
 sels strictly adhere to the Resolutions of the Continental 
 Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a Messenger be forthwith sent to the 
 Receiver-General, with the following Letter, viz : 
 
 "Sir: The absolute necessity of paying the Colony 
 Forces immediately, having been duly considered by this 
 Congress ; and not being able to make necessary pay- 
 ments, to prevent the Troops from returning home, without 
 your being present, you are therefore directed, upon the 
 receipt of this order, immediately to repair to this place, 
 
 and make the utmost despatch in completing the signing 
 the bills wanted for the above purposes. 
 
 " P. S. The Congress is just informed that a gentleman 
 at Salem has five hundred Pounds, which he is willing to 
 lend the Province, which would be of the greatest impor- 
 tance to pay immediately to the Soldiers, and might pre- 
 vent the greatest mischiefs." 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Philips be desired to repair to 
 Salem to Mr. Becket, desiring him to bring or send the 
 Money he has offered to lend the Province, to this place, 
 to-morrow morning, and take a note therefor from the Re- 
 ceiver-General. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone be directed to apply to 
 Mr. Revere, desiring him to attend the business of stamp- 
 ing the Notes for the Soldiers, all the ensuing night, if he 
 can, and to finish them with the greatest despatch possible; 
 and also to despatch a messenger to Major Fuller, desiring 
 him to attend to countersign them. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Sunday, June 4, 1775. 
 Resolved, That Colonel Henshaw be admitted to give 
 an account of his proceedings at Connecticut, where he 
 was sent by the last Congress, on the affair of Ticonde- 
 
 roga. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Asa Whitcomb be directed to 
 pay the advance pay to those Companies of Colonel Pat- 
 terson's Regiment who came from the County of Berkshire, 
 out of the first money he may receive from the Receiver- 
 General. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Lemuel Robinson be directed 
 to pay the advance pay to the three Companies of Colonel 
 Fellows's Regiment which came from the County of Berk- 
 shire, out of the first money he may receive from the Re- 
 ceiver-General. 
 
 Ordered, That the Papers exhibited by Col. Henshaw 
 be put into the hands of the Committee of Safety and the 
 Committee of this Congress, who are appointed to confer 
 with them to-morrow morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Honourable Mr. Spooner, 
 and Colonel Prescott, be a Committee to inquire what 
 number of Colony Notes are struck off ; how many are 
 signed : whether the press is now going ; and to make a 
 thorough inquiry in this respect, and report at the adjourn- 
 ment. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Whiting be appointed to employ 
 a messenger to be sent to Major Fuller, directing his at- 
 tendance to the countersigning the Notes immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Bragdon and Colonel Thomp- 
 son be appointed to attend Mr. Revere while he is striking 
 off the Notes for advance pay to the Soldiers, night and 
 day, alternately, till they are all struck off. 
 
 The Committee on Colonel Easton's Letter, reported 
 that it was their opinion it would be best to commit it to 
 the Committee who were appointed to confer with the 
 Committee of Safety to-morrow morning. 
 
 It was accordingly given to the Hon. Mr. Spooner. 
 
 Ordered, That the Key and Billet delivered to this 
 Congress from Major Fuller, by Captain Stone, be put 
 into the hands of the Committee who were appointed to 
 make inquiry concerning the Colony Notes. 
 
 Adjourned to twelve o'clock. 
 
 Met at twelve o'clock. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Richmond be excused from 
 serving on the Committee who were appointed to confer 
 with the Committee of Safety (being engaged in counter- 
 signing the Notes) ; and that Colonel Gerrish attend that 
 service in his stead. 
 
 Adjourned to four o'clock, afternoon. 
 
 Met at four o'clock, and adjourned to Monday morning, 
 
 eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 5, 1775. 
 A Petition from Truro for Powder, was read. 
 Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw 
 their Petition. 
 
1389 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1390 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster be, and hereby is ap- 
 pointed to countersign the Twenty Shilling, Fourteen Shil- 
 ling, and Six Shilling Notes. 
 
 Ordered. That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Philips, and Mr. 
 Goodwin, be appointed to number the Notes which are 
 preparing for advance pay for the Soldiers : Mr. Pickering 
 to number the sheets struck o£F on the first plate ; Mr. 
 Philips those of the second, and Mr. Goodwin those of 
 the third. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter from Governour Trumbull 
 just received and read, be committed to the Committee of 
 Safety and the Committee appointed to confer with them. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster bring in a Resolve, ap- 
 pointing some persons to examine and inspect the Mineral 
 Earth brought by him to this place. 
 
 Colonel Foster brought in a Resolve accordingly ; which 
 was accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Whiting, Deacon Baker, and 
 Colonel Grout, be a Committee to inquire into the nature 
 and quality of the said Mineral Earth ; and in such inquiry 
 to consult the Honourable Joseph /f arren, Esq.. and Mr. 
 Professor Seicall, and such other persons as they may think 
 proper, and report to this Congress as soon as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Greenleaf, Mr. Par- 
 tridge, Colonel Cushing, and Mr. Edwards, be a Com- 
 mittee to hold a conference with the General Officers of 
 the American Army, and to inquire of them whether there 
 is any thing this Congress can do to preserve the health of 
 said Army. 
 
 A Petition signed by Philip Hubbard and others, was 
 read, and ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Cushing, Captain 
 Holmes, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Currier, be a Committee 
 to consider what order it would be proper for this Congress 
 to take relative to any Letters which have been or may be 
 intercepted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Stone of Lex- 
 ington, be appointed to inquire what is become of a Letter 
 said to be sent by the Stockbridge Indians to this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve respect- 
 ing intercepted Letters, reported. The Report was read 
 and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it has been represented to this Congress, that 
 several Letters and packets of Letters, of publick concern- 
 ment, wrote to and by the avowed enemies of this Coun- 
 try, have fallen into the hands of sundry persons in this 
 Colony ; and whereas, it appears absolutely necessary that 
 all such Letters should be immediately laid before this 
 Congress for their consideration : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That all persons who now are or shall here- 
 after be possessed of such Letters, shall lay them as soon 
 as may be before this or some future Congress for their ad- 
 visement thereon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve which passed this Congress 
 relative to accommodating the Reverend Mr. Emerson with 
 one of the horses taken from the Regulars, be so far recon- 
 sidered as that it be recommitted for a plainer description 
 of the horse intended to be delivered to him ; and that 
 Captain Batchelder and Colonel Dwight be added to the 
 Committee, in the room of Doctor Taylor and Colonel 
 Bowers, who are absent. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Officers 
 of Colonel Nixon's Regiment, agreeable to the list by him 
 exhibited. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Colonel Barrett, Captain 
 Holmes, Colonel Bowers, and Colonel Satcyer, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider the proposal of Captain Foster, relative 
 to removing the Poor and the Goods of the Poor of the 
 Town of Boston into the country. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to lay before this Congress, in writing, an account of their 
 proceedings with respect to the memorandum of General 
 Ward for sundry military stores, committed to them by the 
 last Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Captain Smith, and 
 Colonel Goodrich, be a Committee to inquire of the Com- 
 
 mittee of Supplies if they have sent to JYew-TorA- for any 
 of the Powder which it is said is lately arrived there. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Captain Holmes, Mr. Saic- 
 yer, Colonel Grout, and Mr. Webster, be a Committee to 
 bring in a Resolve, in addition to the Resolve of the last 
 Congress, respecting the Poor of the Town of Boston, 
 passed the first ultimo, which shall extend to such of the 
 Poor of said Town (sufferers by the Boston Port Bill) 
 as were removed out of that Town before the date of the 
 said Resolve. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the nature and 
 qualities of the Mineral Earth brought by Colonel Foster 
 from Brookfi.eld, reported, that it was their opinion, and 
 the opinion of those with whom they conversed with there- 
 on, that it contains a matter useful for the production of 
 Nitre, but that there was too small a quantity for an ex- 
 periment. Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That this Committee be directed to appoint 
 some suitable person to repair to Brook field to make some 
 experiment with the Mineral Earth which is said to be there 
 in large quantities. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Dexter, Colonel 
 Otis, Colonel Porter, Captain Stone of Oakham, and 
 Captain Stone of Framingham, be a Committee to bring 
 in a Resolve for the purpose of giving a currency to the 
 Bills of Credit of all the Governments on the Continent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve descrip- 
 tive of the Horse designed for Mr. Emerson, reported. 
 The Report was read and accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 Whereas, in a Resolve of this Congress passed on the 
 1st instant, the horse appointed for the use of the Rev. Mr. 
 Emerson, of Concord, was not so fully described as that 
 Thomas Reed, of IVoburn, the keeper of said horse, could 
 with safety deliver him to said Emerson : Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That said Reed be, and hereby is directed to 
 deliver a certain Sorrel Horse that was taken by the Guards 
 at Roxbury from an officer of General Gage's Troops, on 
 the 20th of April last, to said Emerson, he paying a rea- 
 sonable sum for the keeping said horse : and said Mr. 
 Emerson is hereby permitted to keep and use said horse 
 until the further order of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Porter, Captain Stoiie of Oak- 
 ham, Captain Partridge, Colonel Otis, and Deacon Baker, 
 be a Committee to consider the Letter from Mr. Gridlcy to 
 the Committee of Safety, and to confer with them thereon ; 
 and also on the state of the Artillery in general. 
 
 Resolved, That the four Prisoners brought to this Con- 
 gress by Sergeant John Parker, be committed to the cus- 
 tody of the guard which is appointed to guard the publick 
 stores in Water town, till the further order of this Congress ; 
 and that the Commissary be directed to provide what pro- 
 visions they may stand in need of till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of discouraging and preventing persons from taking 
 any Notes or Bills of Credit of this or the other Colonies, 
 under the value specified therein. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for 
 giving currency to the Notes of the other Governments, 
 reported as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the Officers and Privates of the Regiments 
 from the adjoining Colonies have brought with them some 
 of the Notes and Bills of Credit of the respective Colonies 
 to which they belong, with which they may have occasion 
 to purchase articles for their support and comfort: 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is re- 
 commended to all the good people of this Colony to give 
 a ready currency to such Notes and Bills of Credit, as it 
 will be for the benefit of the Army, and tend to a continu- 
 ance of the happy union at present subsisting among the 
 Colonies ; and any person who shall ask discount on such 
 Notes and Bills, shall be deemed inimical to his Country. 
 
 The Report was ordered to lie on the table till Mr. Sul- 
 livan had brought in the Resolve for which he was just 
 now appointed. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Cutt, Captain Parker, Mr. Page, 
 Captain Morton, and Captain Stone of Oakham, be a Com- 
 mittee to make some Establishment for an allowance of 
 Provisions for the Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army. 
 
1391 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1392 
 
 Resolved, That Friday next, at three o'clock, P. M., 
 be assigned for the consideration of the Report of Colonel 
 Thompson, relative to his proceedings at Kennebeck. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, Juno 6, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Gushing, Mr. 
 Partridge, Mr. (Jrcenleaf, and Colonel Glover, be a Com- 
 mittee to devise some means whereby the Army may be 
 more regularly supplied with the necessaries procured for 
 it by the Colony. 
 
 Order of the Day moved for. 
 
 Resolved, That those Members who are out upon Com- 
 mittees, be directed to attend. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the 
 choice of a Vice-President. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thompson, Major Brooks, and 
 Col. Cutt, be a Committee to inquire into the circumstances 
 of bringing the four Prisoners to this place yesterday. 
 
 Moved, That the Congress take some order at this time 
 relative to the Prisoners. 
 
 The question being put, it passed in the negative. 
 
 The Papers respecting Colonel Breiver were read, and 
 Colonel Brewer was then admitted ; and, on his request, 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Butler, Captain Edwards, 
 Lieutenant Tuckerman, Colonel Buckminstcr, Mr. Cud- 
 worth, Thomas fVithington, and Captain Gray, be admit- 
 ted on the floor of this House as evidence in the case. 
 
 The complaint of the Committee being read, and Col. 
 Brewer having had leave of making his defence, he was 
 fully heard therein, as were also the witnesses by him pro- 
 duced ; the galleries being first opened for any who were 
 inclined to hear the cause. Colonel Brewer having offered 
 what he saw fit, withdrew with his witnesses ; and the gal- 
 leries being cleared, 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of this matter 
 be referred to the afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for 
 giving currency to the Bills of Credit of the other Govern- 
 ments, reported as follows : 
 
 Whereas, a former Congress of this Colony, holden at 
 Watertown, on the 20th day of May now last past, resolved, 
 " That for the payment of advance pay to the Massachu- 
 setts Army, there should be issued by the Receiver-Gene- 
 ral, on the credit of this Colony, a sum not exceeding 
 Twenty-Six Thousand Pounds, lawful money, in notes of 
 the following denominations, to wit: of Twenty Shillings, 
 of Eighteen Shillings, of Sixteen Shillings, of Fifteen Shil- 
 lings, of Fourteen Shillings, of Twelve Shillings, of Ten 
 Shillings, of Nine Shillings, and of Six Shillings; to be 
 ibur thousand three hundred and thirty-three of each de- 
 nomination, and no more :" 
 
 And whereas, it is absolutely necessary that the Bills 
 aforesaid should have free currency, and be supported in 
 full credit : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That no person within this Colony shall pur- 
 chase or take in payment any of the Bills aforesaid at any 
 discount, or for a less sum than what is specified on the 
 face of them ; and that every person so offending, shall be 
 deemed an enemy to his Country, and shall be punished 
 by fine or imprisonment, at the discretion of any Congress 
 of this Colony before whom he or she shall be convicted 
 thereof. 
 
 And whereas it is expedient, for divers reasons, that the 
 Bills of the other Colonies on this Continent, except those 
 that have been or may be issued by the Governments of 
 Qucbeck and Nuva-Scotia, should have full credit and free 
 currency in this Colony : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the above Resolution respecting the 
 Bills of the Colony, shall be extended to have as full force 
 with respect to the Bills of the other Colonics on this Con- 
 tinent, (excepting Quebeck and Nova-Scotia,) as to the 
 Bills of this Colony; and it is also 
 
 Resolved, That the Bills of the other Colonies, except- 
 ing as aforesaid, shall be received in all payments, and have 
 equal credit as those of this Colony ; and it is also 
 
 Resolved, That any person who shall inform this or any 
 future Congress of this Colony, against any person who 
 
 shall violate either of these Resolutions aforesaid, shall, on 
 conviction of such person, be entitled to receive out of the 
 publick Treasury of this Colony, in reward for such infor- 
 mation, the sum of ; and it is also 
 
 Resolved, That any person who shall inform against 
 persons violating either of the aforesaid Resolutions to any 
 Committee of Correspondence in this Province, shall, on 
 the conviction of any person offending as aforesaid, be en- 
 titled to the same reward as if the said complaint had been 
 made to any Congress of this Colony ; and all the Com- 
 mittees of Safety in this Colony are strictly enjoined, when 
 any such complaint shall be made to them, that they, as 
 soon as may be, send the same complaint, with the name or 
 names of the witness or witnesses of the fact, to the Con- 
 gress of this Colony. 
 
 The Report was ordered to lie upon the table till the 
 afternoon. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Voted, That the Resolve which passed in the forenoon 
 for choosing a Vice-President, be reconsidered. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the case of 
 Mr. Brewer ; and after a long and full debate, it was moved 
 that the question be put, Whether the President should be 
 directed to deliver a Commission to Mr. Brewer, as Colonel 
 of a Regiment in the Massachusetts Army ? 
 
 And it passed in the negative ; the number of Members 
 present being 150, and but 70 for the question. 
 
 Mr. Cushing informed the Congress, that Mr. Benjamin 
 Edwards, on hearing at the door of this House, of the de- 
 termination of the Congress respecting Mr. Brewer, made 
 use of the following expression, viz : " By God, if this 
 Province is to be governed in this manner, it is time for us 
 to look out ; and it is all owing to the Committee of Safety, 
 a pack of sappy-headed fellows; 1 know three of them 
 myself." Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edtvards be directed to attend this 
 House to make answer to the above charge. 
 
 Mr. Edwards being called in, and having heard the 
 charge alleged against him, it was 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edwards have leave to withdraw, 
 and that he be directed to attend this Congress to-morrow 
 morning, ten o'clock. 
 
 The Petition of Major Baldivin being read and consi- 
 dered, it is thereupon 
 
 Ordered, That the Reverend President Langdon be 
 requested to furnish Major Baldwin, out of the College 
 apparatus, with such instruments as he stands in need of 
 to perform the publick services therein mentioned, he giv ing 
 his receipt therefor to return the same in good order as 
 soon as the said services shall be performed. 
 
 A Resolve of the Committee of Safety, relative to the 
 inadmission of Slaves into the Army, was read, and order- 
 ed to lie on the table for further consideration. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in an additional Re- 
 solve relative to making provision for the Poor of Boston, 
 reported. The Report was read, amended, and accepted, 
 and ordered to be printed in the Cambridge, Watertown, 
 and Worcester Papers ; and is as follows : 
 
 Whereas, the provision already made for the removal of 
 the Poor of Boston, suffering by the cruel hand of arbitrary 
 power, has not answered the salutary purposes intended, 
 and it becomes necessary that further provision be made : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That such suffering Poor shall be 
 allowed to remove into any Town or District in the Colo- 
 ny, other than such Towns or Districts as are already or- 
 dered to provide for and receive the number of said Poor 
 to them assigned ; and every Town and District in the 
 Colony that shall receive and provide necessary support 
 for such suffering Poor, shall be indemnified in every re- 
 spect as fully as any other Town or District in the Colony, 
 provided they observe and comply with directions already 
 given relative to said Poor. 
 
 And whereas, in the present distressed circumstances and 
 confusion of the Town of Boston, some of said Poor have 
 or may remove out of said Town without a proper certifi- 
 cate from the Committee of Donations, and the Town to 
 which such persons may remove may refuse to receive them 
 for want of the same, 
 
1393 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1394 
 
 Resolved, That it is recommended to the Selectmen of 
 the several Towns and Districts in this Colony, to which 
 such persons may remove, that such provision be made as 
 is necessary to prevent their suffering, until such certificate 
 can be procured ; and such Town or District shall be in- 
 demnified as before provided, they observing the directions 
 given in the Resolve passed by the last Congress relative 
 to said Poor ; and such persons shall be considered as part 
 of their assignment. 
 
 And whereas, it is found extremely difficult for the Com- 
 mittees at Charlcstown and Roxbury to remove said Poor 
 to the several Towns and Districts to which they are des- 
 tined, for want of teams to go such a distance as is neces- 
 sary in many cases, it is further recommended to the Select- 
 men of each Town and District in this Colony, that they 
 assist in removing said Poor upon every necessary occasion, 
 when it is in their power, to the several places of their 
 assignment, keeping a particular account of their trouble 
 and expense, and the names of the persons they assisted ; 
 and they shall be paid in manner as before provided. And 
 the Committees at Charlestons and Roxbury, who were 
 appointed by this Congress to make provision for such Poor 
 as might come out of the Town of Boston, are desired to 
 procure a list of said Poor from the Committee of Dona- 
 tions for future use ; and also to take the advantage of the 
 teams that may come from the westward, for the removal 
 of said Poor by every opportunity in their power. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire into 
 the circumstances of bringing four Prisoners from Cam- 
 bridge, be directed to make such provision for them as is 
 necessary, till further orders from this Congress ; and that 
 Mr. Robinson be added to the Committee ; and that said 
 Committee report what they think would be best to be 
 done with them. 
 
 Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 7, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Parker, Mr. 
 Webster, Major Fuller, and Colonel Prescoit, be a Com- 
 mittee to wait on General Ward, requesting him to exhibit 
 to this Congress a Return of the number of men in the 
 Massachusetts Army ; and that Mr. Sullivan, Dr. Holten, 
 and Mr. Cushing, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve 
 for this purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be 
 done with the four Prisoners brought from Dartmouth via 
 Cambridge, reported. The Report was recommitted. 
 
 A Petition from the Inhabitants of Machias, was read, 
 and committed to Mr. Batchelder, Col. Otis, Mr. Nichols, 
 Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. Webster, to consider thereon, and 
 report. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire what is become of 
 the original Letter from the Stockbridge Indians, reported, 
 that they think it probable, from what they have on inquiry 
 heard, that it is still in the hands of the Honourable Mr. 
 Hancock. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of Colonel Grid- 
 ley's Letter to the Committee of Safety, beg leave to report 
 in part, that an Ordnance Storekeeper be immediately ap- 
 pointed, and recommend that Major Nathaniel Barber be 
 appointed to that employment ; and beg leave to sit again 
 to report a proper establishment, as also to report what fur- 
 ther steps are necessary to be taken, as requested in Colonel 
 Gridley's Letter. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Lieu- 
 tenants and Ensigns of Colonel Mansfield' s Regiment, 
 agreeable to the list by him exhibited. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Edivards, Colonel Porter, Doctor 
 Wliiting, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Goodridge, be a Com- 
 mittee to consider the Letters from the Stockbridge In- 
 dians, and report. 
 
 A Petition from Colonel Brewer, and another from seve- 
 ral nominal Captains under him, were read, and ordered to 
 lie on the table. 
 
 Two Resolves from the Continental Congress were read, 
 and ordered to be printed in handbills, and dispersed through- 
 out the Colony. 
 
 Colonel Porter, Colonel Tyng, and Mr. Jewett, were 
 
 Foubth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 appointed a Committee to prepare a Resolve for the pur- 
 pose of carrying into execution the said Resolves. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edwards be called in and admon- 
 ished by the President ; which was accordingly done. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to Colonel 
 Fellows, and the Officers of his Regiment, agreeable to 
 the list exhibited by his Lieutenant-Colonel. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve ex- 
 pressive of the duty of the Committee who were appointed 
 this day to wait on General Ward, reported. The Report 
 was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sidlivan, Colonel Parks, Mr. Web- 
 ster, Major Fuller, and Colonel Prescott, be a Committee 
 to wait on the Honourable General Wardj hold a confer- 
 ence with him on the state of the Army, and desire him to 
 make a Return, as soon as may be, to this Congress, of 
 the number and equipments of the Troops raised by this 
 Colony, and now in the camps at Cambridge and Roxbury, 
 and stationed elsewhere, that due advisement be had 
 thereon. 
 
 The Honourable Mr. Spooner, Honourable Mr. Sever, 
 and the Hon. Col. Bowers, appointed to consider a Me- 
 morial from the Convention at Worcester, being absent, 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Dexter, Colonel 
 Dwight. and Captain Stone, be appointed in their stead. 
 
 A Memorial from the Selectmen of the Town of Salem, 
 was read, and committed to Colonel Glover, Dr. Taylor. 
 and Mr. Wheeler. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to bring in a 
 Resolve for giving currency to the Bills of Credit of the 
 other Governments, was read, and recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Orne, Colonel Porter, and Mr. 
 Whittemore, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 Benjamin Ames, and seven other Companies of Colonel 
 Fry's Regiment, and report. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of the Inhabitants of 
 Machias, reported. The Report was ordered to lie on the 
 table for further consideration. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Honourable Mr. Dex- 
 ter, Colonel Gerrish, Colonel Otis, and Colonel Farley, 
 be a Committee to confer with the two gentlemen, Mem- 
 bers of the Congress of New-Hampshire, who have just 
 brought a Letter from that Congress to this. 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow, four o'clock, P. M., be as- 
 signed for the choice of two gentlemen to act as Major- 
 Generals in the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Letter from Hop- 
 kinion, was read. The consideration of it was put off to 
 five o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 On the Representation of the Town Clerk of Lunen- 
 burgh, (by his Letter to Doctor Taylor,) respecting their 
 Town stock of Powder, &:c, 
 
 Resolved, That that Town be excused from delivering 
 out of their stock any more than one half barrel, the Re- 
 solve of the former Congress directing the Selectmen of 
 said Town to deliver two barrels to the order of the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies, notwithstanding. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Orne and Mr. Vose be of the Com- 
 mittee appointed to collect the Letters of the late Govern- 
 our Hutchinson, in the room of Doctor Peikins and Mr. 
 Ellis, who are absent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the circum- 
 stances of the four Prisoners, reported. The Report was 
 amended and accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 circumstances of four Prisoners brought to this Congress 
 on the 2d day of June instant, said to be taken at Dart- 
 mouth since the 19th of April last, beg leave to report, 
 that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said four 
 prisoners, viz : Richard Luckus, Mate of the Ship Falcon, 
 John Dunkinson, Surgeon's Mate, Jonathan Lee, and 
 Robert Cody, be sent to Concord, to the care of the Se- 
 lectmen of said Town, to be by them secured and provided 
 for, agreeable to their rank, at the expense of this Colony, 
 until 'they receive some further order from this or some 
 
1395 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1396 
 
 other Congress or House of Representatives of this Co- 
 lony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen 
 from the New- Hampshire Congress, reported verhally. 
 
 Whereupon, Ordered, That said Committee be directed 
 to reduce their Report to writing. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Petition from the 
 Inhabitants of Machias, being again read, was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 the Inhabitants of Machias, beg leave to report, that it be 
 recommended by this Congress to the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence of the Town of Salem, or to the like Com- 
 mittees of any other Town within this Province, to supply 
 Messrs. Gardner and Smith, of said Machias, for the pre- 
 sent relief of the said inhabitants, with the following arti- 
 cles, viz : one hundred bushels of Indian Corn, ten barrels 
 of Pork and Beef, one cask of Molasses, and one cask of 
 Rice, and take in return for the same, Wood, or such other 
 payment as the said Gardner and Smith may be able to 
 make ; and in case they or their constituents (the above- 
 said inhabitants) shall not make satisfaction for the same in 
 a reasonable time, it shall be allowed and paid out of the 
 publick Treasury of this Province ; and the said inhabit- 
 ants shall refund the same as soon as may be. 
 
 Your Committee further report, that a recommendation 
 go forth from this Congress to the Governour and Company 
 of the Colony of Connecticut, to suffer the inhabitants of the 
 eastern parts of this Colony to purchase and carry out of 
 said Colony of Connecticut such Provisions as their neces- 
 sitous circumstances may require. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with the gentlemen 
 from New-Hampshire having reduced their Report to 
 writing, the same was read and accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That an application be made by this Congress 
 to the Continental Congress, desiring them to take such 
 measures as to them shall appear proper, to quiet and con- 
 ciliate the minds of the inhabitants of Canada, and the 
 several tribes of Indians adjacent to these Colonies, and 
 prevent any unfavourable apprehensions from the military 
 preparations of the several Colonies in America ; and that 
 the other three New-England Colonies, with the Colony 
 of New-York, be desired to join in such an application. 
 
 Resolved, That Letters be immediately wrote to the 
 Colonies of Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and New-Hamp- 
 ahire, desiring them, severally, to appoint Committees to 
 meet a Committee appointed by this Congress, at the 
 Town of Worcester, in this Colony, on Wednesday, the 
 28lh day of June current, in order to settle and determine 
 the number of men to be raised on the present emergency 
 by each of the Neiv-England Colonies ; and likewise to 
 determine where they shall be stationed and employed. 
 
 Whereupon, Ordered, That the President, Honourable 
 Mr. Sever, and the Honourable Mr. Dexter, be a Commit- 
 tee to prepare an application to the Continental Congress, 
 and a Letter to each of the Colonies of Connecticut, Rhode- 
 Island, and New- Hampshire, and a Letter to New-York, 
 agreeable to the foregoing Resolve. 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow, five o'clock, P. M., be as- 
 signed for the choice of three Members of this Congress 
 as a Committee to meet Committees from the Colonies of 
 Connecticut, Rhode-Island, and New-Hampshire, agree- 
 able to the foregoing Resolve. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with the Committee 
 of Safety on the subject of their Resolve relative to a re- 
 enforcement of the Army, reported as follows; 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety of the second instant relative to a 
 re-enforcement of the Massachusetts Army, have attended 
 that service ; and having, agreeable to the order of Con- 
 gress, conferred with the Committee of Safety and General 
 Officers upon the subject-matter of the Resolve, beg leave, 
 upon mature deliberation, to report, that it appears to the 
 Committee inexpedient and unnecessary for this Colony to 
 augment at present the Forces already voted by it to be 
 established for the defence of this and the other American 
 Colonies. Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow, nine o'clock, be assigned for 
 the consideration of the said Renort : »nd that the Com- 
 
 mittee of Safety, the Committee of Supplies, and the seve- 
 ral Committees of this Congress, be notified of this assign- 
 ment, and be desired to attend at that time, if they can 
 with conveniency. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Colonel Warren, Mr. 
 Pitts, Mr. Gerry, the President, Colonel Freeman, Mr. 
 Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, Honourable Mr. Dexter, and 
 Mr. Grccnleaf, be a Committee to consider the expediency 
 of establishing a number of small armed Vessels to cruise 
 on our sea-coasts for the protection of our trade and the 
 annoyance of our enemies; and that the Members be en- 
 joined by order of Congress to observe secrecy in this 
 matter. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Colonel Porter, Honour- 
 able Mr. Sever, Mr. Greenleaf, and Mr. Partridge, be a 
 Committee to consider at large on some measure for com- 
 missionating the Officers of the Army. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to serve Gene- 
 ral Ward with a List of the Officers of the Army commis- 
 sionated by this Congress. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, June 8, 1 775. 
 
 An account of the taking a Sloop which sailed from 
 Boston for Annapolis for Hay and other stores for the use 
 of the Army at Boston, from the Committee of the Town 
 of Arundel, was read ; as also several Letters which were 
 found on board said Sloop : Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given to 
 said Committee for their care and judicious conduct in this 
 affair. 
 
 The Order of the Day moved for. 
 Resolved, That this Congress will resolve itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole House. 
 Which was done accordingly. 
 
 The Committee of the Whole House, by Col. Warren, 
 their Chairman, reported, that the Committee have not 
 sufficient time to deliberate on a matter of such importance ; 
 and therefore desire leave to sit again; which Report was 
 accepted by the Congress. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee of the Whole House reported, that it 
 was the opinion of said Committee, that the Report of the 
 Committee who were appointed to confer with the Com- 
 mittee of Safety on the augmentation of the Army, be 
 accepted ; which Report was accordingly accepted by this 
 Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be delivered to Thomas 
 Poor, Esq., as Major of a Regiment under the command 
 of Colonel Fry. 
 
 Resolved, That the choice of two Major-Generals be 
 deferred to four o'clock to-morrow afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider 
 the expediency of establishing several small armed Vessels, 
 sit forthwith. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider on some measures 
 for commissionating the Officers of the Army, reported the 
 following Resolve; which was read and accepted, and a 
 hundred of them ordered to be printed and dispersed among 
 the Army. It is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it is necessary to have, as soon as may be, a 
 Return of the number and equipments of the Forces raised 
 by this Colony ; and whereas, it is of the utmost impor- 
 tance that such Returns should be consistent with the strict- 
 est truth : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That if any Officer now commissioned in the 
 Forces aforesaid, or that shall hereafter be commissioned 
 therein, shall wittingly and willingly, after his being so 
 commissioned, make any false returns of the numbers or 
 equipments of the men under his command, and shall be 
 thereof convicted before this or any future Congress of this 
 Colony, or before a General Court Martial of the Army 
 raised by this Colony, such Officer shall be immediately 
 cashiered. And every person now under nomination, or 
 that shall hereafter be nominated to any office in said 
 Forces, who shall wittingly and willingly make such false 
 return, shall be deemed incapable of holding any commis- 
 
1397 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1398 
 
 sion or command in the Forces aforesaid, until the last day 
 of December next. 
 
 The Petition of Col. Hcnshaw was read, and committed 
 to the Committee who were appointed to consider on some 
 measure for commissionating the Officers of the Army. 
 
 Resolved, That the choice of three Delegates to meet 
 Delegates from the other Colonies in New-England, at 
 Worcester, be put off to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Cushing of Hanover, Capt. Stone 
 of Oakham, and Dummer Jewett, Esq., be a Committee to 
 take into consideration a Petition from the Committee of 
 Correspondence for the County of Cumberland ; and that 
 they sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Bliss, Major Brooks, and Mr. 
 Sayer, be a Committee to consider the Account of Captain 
 Phelps; and to consider what sum is necessary to supply 
 Captain Phelps with for transporting to Ticonderoga the 
 Pork he has purchased for our Forces there, and bringing 
 the Cannon from thence. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler be appointed to number 
 the small Colony Notes, in the room of Mr. Goodwin, who 
 has leave to go home. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 the Stockbridge Indians, reported the following ; which 
 was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated by the 
 Secretary, if the President is not in Watertown, and sent 
 forward : 
 
 " To the Moheakounuck Tribe of Indians, living in and 
 about Stockbridge : 
 
 " Brothers : We this day, by the Delegate from Stock- 
 bridge, first heard your friendly answer to our speech to 
 you by Captain William Goodrich ; which answer we are 
 told you made to us immediately by a letter which we have 
 not yet received. We now reply. 
 
 " Brothers : You say that you were once great, but that 
 you are now little ; and that we once were little, but are 
 now great. The Supreme Spirit orders these things. 
 Whether we are little or great, let us keep the path of 
 friendship clear, which our fathers made, and in which we 
 have both travelled to this time. 
 
 "The friends of the wicked counsellors of our King fell 
 upon us and shed some blood, soon after we spake to you 
 last by our letter. But we with a small twig killed so many, 
 and frightened them so much, that they have shut them- 
 selves up in our great Town, called Boston, which they 
 have made strong. 
 
 " We have now made our hatchets and all our instruments 
 of war sharp and bright. All the chief counsellors who 
 live on this side the great water, are sitting in the grand 
 Council-House in Philadelphia. When they give the 
 word, we shall all, as one man, fall on and drive our ene- 
 mies out of their strong fort, and follow them till they shall 
 take their hands out of our pouches, and let us sit in our 
 council-house, as we used to do, and as our fathers did in 
 old times. 
 
 " Brothers : Though you are small, yet you are wise; 
 use your wisdom to help us. If you think it best, go and 
 smoke your pipe with your Indian brothers towards the 
 setting of the sun, and tell them all you hear and all you 
 see, and let us know what their wise men say. If some 
 of your young men should have a mind to see what we are 
 doing here, let them come down and tarry among our war- 
 riours. We will provide for them while they are here. 
 
 " Brothers : When you have any trouble, come and tell 
 it to us, and we will help you. 
 
 " Signed by order of Congress : 
 
 " Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 <: To Captain Solomon TJhhaunnauwaunmut , Chief Sachem 
 of the Moheakounuck Tribe of Indians at Stockbridge." 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress, that great benefit 
 may arise to the American cause, should our friends of the 
 Stockbridge or Moheakounuck Tribe of Indians send belts 
 and messengers to the several tribes connected with them ; 
 and as the same may be attended with expense : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the Town of Stock- 
 bridge, for the time being, be a Committee to promote the 
 forwarding such messengers and belts ; and that the Com- 
 mittee aforesaid be allowed to draw out of the publick 
 
 moneys in the hands of Stephen Nash, late Collector for 
 the Town of Stockbridge aforesaid, any sum or sums, not 
 exceeding fifteen Pounds, for which said Committee shall 
 account to this or some future Congress or House of Repre- 
 sentatives, and be allowed all reasonable charges that have 
 or may arise for promoting and forwarding the premises. 
 
 The Committee appointed to establish an allowance of 
 Provisions for the Soldiers, reported. The further consi- 
 deration of the Report was put off to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 A Colonel's commission was delivered to Colonel John 
 Fellows. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, Jane 9, 1775. 
 A Petition from the Selectmen, and others, of the Town 
 of Manchester, was read, and committed to the Committee 
 who were appointed to consider the circumstances of the 
 Seaport Towns. 
 
 Col. Bowers and Mr. Fisher, who were of the Committee 
 appointed to consider the Petition of the Convention of 
 Committees of the County of Worcester, being absent, 
 
 Ordered, That Major Bliss and Doctor Taylor be ap- 
 pointed in their room. 
 
 Colonel Bowers, who w : as on the Committee appointed 
 to consider the situation and circumstances of the sea- 
 coasts, being absent, 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Mr. Spooner be ap- 
 pointed in his room. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone of Oakham, Deacon 
 Hovey, Colonel Prescott, Colonel Farley, and Colonel 
 Grout, be a Committee to consider what is proper to be 
 done with the Prisoners brought to this place from 
 Arundel. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Goodrich, Mr. Mitchell, and 
 Mr. Johnson, be a Committee to consider a Petition from 
 Abiathar Angel, and report. 
 
 A Petition from the Town of Berwick was read and 
 committed to the Committee appointed to consider the 
 situation and circumstances of the sea-coasts. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of enforcing two Resolves of the Continental Con- 
 gress, reported. The Report was accepted, and, with the 
 said Resolves of Congress, here follow, viz : 
 
 " In Congress, at Philadelphia, May 17, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That all exportations to Qjuebeck, Nova- 
 Scotia, the Island of St. John's, Newfoundland, Georgia, 
 (except the Parish of St. John's,) and to East and West- 
 Florida, immediately cease ; and that no Provisions of any 
 kind, or other necessaries, be furnished to the British 
 Fisheries on the American coasts, until it be otherwise 
 determined by the Congress. 
 
 " May 29, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That no Provisions or necessaries of any kind 
 be exported to the Island of Nantucket, except from the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. The Convention of the 
 Colony is desired to take measures for effectually providing 
 the said Island, upon their application to purchase the 
 same, with as much Provision as shall be necessary for its 
 internal use, and no more. 
 
 " The Congress deeming it of great importance to North 
 America that the British Fishery should not be furnished 
 with Provisions from this Continent through Nantucket, 
 earnestly recommend a vigilant execution of this Resolve 
 to all Committees. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 The foregoing Resolves of the Continental Congress 
 being read and considered, 
 
 Resolved, That the same be forthwith printed in hand- 
 bills, together with this Resolve, and dispersed in the seve- 
 ral seaport Towns in this Colony, that due obedience may 
 be paid to the same. 
 
 Further Resolved, That the inhabitants of the Island of 
 Nantucket have liberty to purchase such Provisions as are 
 necessary for the internal use of the said Island in any of 
 the New-England Governments : Provided, nevertheless, 
 that no Provisions or necessaries of any kind be exported 
 
1399 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1400 
 
 to the said Island of Nantucket, without a permit in writing 
 from the Committee of Safety of this Colony, or such per- 
 son or persons as they shall appoint to give such permit, 
 expressing the quantity so to be transported, be first had 
 and obtained, and that the same be exported from such port 
 only (in this Colony) as shall be expressed in the same 
 permit. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the establishment of 
 an allowance of Provisions for the Soldiers was read and 
 considered, and after debate thereon, was recommitted. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition from the County of 
 Worcester reported, that it is the opinion of the Committee 
 that the Delegates chosen by the Districts of Paxton and 
 Charlton, as mentioned in said Petition, have not a right 
 to seats in this House. 
 
 Moved, That a commission be delivered to Col. John 
 Glover, as Colonel of a Regiment in the Massachusetts 
 Army. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Petition from the 
 County of Worcester was considered, and, after much de- 
 bate, the question was put, whether said Report be accept- 
 ed ; and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That the Guard who has in custody the Pri- 
 soners from Arundel be relieved by a Guard from the Town 
 of Watertown. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sayer be added to the Committee 
 who were appointed to consider some measures for com- 
 missionating the Officers of the Army, in the room of Col. 
 Porter, who has leave of absence. 
 
 Leave of absence was granted to the Rev. Mr. Thayer 
 and the Rev. Mr. Curtis; and it being moved, that they be 
 directed to return as soon as may be, the question was put, 
 and it passed in the negative. 
 
 Colonel Porter, who was of the Committee to consider 
 the Letter of Mr. Gridley to the Committee of Safety 
 relative to the Train, being absent, Mr. Partridge was ap- 
 pointed in his room. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be required, 
 as soon as may be, to certify to this Congress the names of 
 such gentlemen as are candidates for the command of a 
 Regiment, with the number of privates that have been en- 
 listed under them, and any other claims or pretensions that 
 any gentleman may have to a commission in the service. 
 
 Ordered, That the Papers exhibited to this Congress 
 by Captain Phelps be returned to him by Major Bliss. 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, June 10, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety be directed to 
 make return, in writing, to this Congress, as soon as may 
 be, of the names of all those persons who claim or offer 
 themselves to be commissioned as Colonels of Regiments 
 in the Colony Army and are not commissioned, with any 
 agreement that may have been made with any such persons 
 by the Committee of Safety, as also a state of those Regi- 
 ments which such persons claim the command of, as to 
 their numbers, equipments, and the time they have been 
 engaged in the service. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what is proper to 
 be done with the Prisoners brought from Arundel, report- 
 ed as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the persons and 
 papers sent to this Congress by the Committee of the Town 
 of Arundel, have attended that service, and after due 
 perusal of said papers, Josiah Jones and Jonathan Hicks, 
 therein referred to, were brought before them. Said Jones, 
 in his defence, says, he had no concern with the Sloop 
 Polly, otherwise than as a passenger in her to Nova-Scotia; 
 notwithstanding which it appears clearly to this Committee, 
 by said papers, as also by the evidence of Captain Smith, 
 master, herewith transmitted, that said Jones went on board 
 said sloop as supercargo, in the service of General Gage, 
 to bring hay and other articles to Boston, to supply our 
 enemies. We find by said Jones's account of himself, that 
 
 he went to Boston soon after the memorable Lexington 
 battle, on the 19th of April last, in company with John 
 Ruggles, of Hardwick, who was ordered by a Committee 
 to the said Town of Hardwick; and that said Jones was 
 knowing to the proceedings of said Committee against said 
 Ruggles before they set out together from Weston to take 
 refuge in Boston; that they left the common road, and 
 went in the woods and difficult places, to pass the Town 
 of Roxbury. This Committee, upon the whole, have not 
 the least reason to doubt of said Jones's being a notorious 
 enemy to his Country, and of his having been in the actual 
 employment of our enemies against the just liberties of the 
 people ; therefore beg leave to report the following Order, 
 viz : 
 
 Ordered, That Josiah Jones, taken from the Sloop 
 Polly, be sent with a sufficient guard to the Town of Con- 
 cord, in the County of Middlesex, and committed to the 
 common jail, there to remain until the further orders of the 
 Congress, or House of Representatives of this Colony. 
 
 Said Jonathan Hicks, in his defence, says, that since 
 the publick disputes respecting the liberties of the Country, 
 he has not liked the part that has been acted, in many re- 
 spects, on either side, therefore could not see his way clear 
 to join with any. 
 
 Upon examination the Committee find, by evidence, that 
 at Gardinerston, while he lived there, he expressed him- 
 self highly against Committees of Correspondence, Sic, 
 calling them rebels, and using other opprobrious language 
 against the people who appeared for liberty, and endea- 
 voured to hinder their unity. That also, while he, the 
 said Hicks, lived at Plymouth, he was esteemed by the 
 good people there inimical to the liberties of his Country 
 by his general conduct, and that at certain times he ap- 
 peared very high, and once drew his sword or spear upon 
 certain persons. Said Hicks, upon the whole, owns his 
 general conduct has been such as the people for liberty 
 call a tory, but still says he is against the oppressive acts. 
 
 Said Hicks confesses that the evening after the battle of 
 Lexington, aforesaid, he left Plymouth and took shelter 
 with the Troops at Marshfield, not thinking himself safe in 
 the country ; that he went with them to Boston, and there 
 remained until he went on board the Sloop Polly with 
 Jones, and says he designed for Halifax, there to tarry, 
 if he could find business, in order to be out of the noise. 
 Captain Smith, master of said sloop, can give no account 
 of Hicks' s business on board. All he can say is, he in 
 general appeared inimical, calling the liberty people rebels, 
 &lc. The Committee, therefore, beg leave to report the 
 following Order : 
 
 Ordered, That Jonathan Hicks, taken from the Sloop 
 Polly, be sent with a sufficient guard to the Town of Con~ 
 cord, in the County of Middlesex, and committed to the 
 common jail, there to remain until the further orders of the 
 Congress, or House of Representatives of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the Keeper of the Jail in the County of 
 Middlesex be directed to receive Messrs. Jones and Hicks, 
 who were taken prisoners from the Sloop Polly, at Arun- 
 del, and keep them in safe custody till further order, and 
 provide them necessaries for their subsistence whilst in 
 jail ; and that the Committee of Correspondence for the 
 Town of Watertown be directed to see that the Resolves 
 of Congress respecting the said Jones and Hicks be forth- 
 with carried into execution, and to take such guard as they 
 think necessary for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Sever, Colonel Otis, and 
 Mr. Davis, be added to the Committee who were appoint- 
 ed to consider the expediency of establishing a number of 
 armed Vessels for the protection of the sea-coasts. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley, Captain Stone of Fra- 
 mingham, Colonel Parks, Hon. Mr. Sever, Mr. Johnson, 
 Hon. Mr. Spooner, and Deacon Plympton, be a Commit- 
 tee to take into consideration the Artificers which may be 
 necessary for the Army in the pay of this Colony, and that 
 they report, as soon as may be, in what way such Artificers 
 shall be established, the numbers wanted for the Army at 
 Cambridge and Roxbury, of each kind, and the sum that 
 is proper to be allowed them per month. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Whittemore, Captain Dwight, and 
 Mr. Kollock, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the 
 
1401 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1402 
 
 appointment of a number of Armourers for the Massachu- 
 setts Army, and for the establishment of their pay. 
 
 The Resolve for establishing an allowance of Provisions 
 for the Soldiers was again read, and accepted, and ordered 
 to be printed in handbills, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to make an establishment for 
 the allowance for Provisions for the Soldiers of the Massa- 
 chusetts Army, beg leave to report the following Resolve, 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That each Soldier in the Massachusetts Army 
 shall have the following allowance per day, viz: one 
 pound of Bread ; half a pound of Beef and half a pound 
 of Pork, and if Pork cannot be had, one pound and a 
 quarter of Beef, and one day in seven they shall have 
 one pound and one quarter of salt fish, instead of one day's 
 allowance of meat ; one pint of Milk, or if Milk cannot be 
 had, one gill of Rice ; one quart of good spruce or malt 
 Beer ; one gill of Peas or Beans, or other sauce equiva- 
 lent ; six ounces of good Butler per week ; one pound of 
 good common Soap for six men per week; half a pint of 
 Vinegar per week per man, if it can be had. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the state of 
 the Army reported, that in order to execute their commis- 
 sion, it is necessary that they should be furnished with a 
 copy of all recommendations for commissions sent to this 
 Congress by the Committee of Safety, and a list of all Offi- 
 cers commissioned by the Congress ; and asked leave to sit 
 again. The Report was accepted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sayer, Mr. Edwards, and Major 
 Fuller, be a Committee to consider the proposal of the 
 Hun. General Ward respecting furloughs for the Soldiers, 
 and report. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Petition of a number of the Freeholders of Wil- 
 liamsburgh was read, and committed to Mr. Hale, Mr. 
 Lyman, and Colonel Danielson. 
 
 The Petition of Davis and Coverly was read, and com- 
 mitted to Mr. Fairbarik, Mr. Webster, and Col. Sawyer. 
 
 Monday next, three o'clock, P. M., was assigned to 
 make choice of three Delegates, to meet those that may be 
 sent from the other New-England Colonies. 
 
 The choice of two Major-Generals referred to Monday, 
 dve o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Hon. Colonel Warren, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Dr. Taylor, 
 Captain Stone, Mr. Edwards, Colonel Cobb, and Colonel 
 Thompson, were appointed a Committee to consider the 
 expediency of establishing a number of armed Vessels. 
 
 Sunday, June 11, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met at eight o'clock, and adjourned to 
 half past three, P. M. 
 
 Resolved, That the Hon. Major Hawley, Hon. Mr. 
 Spooner, Hon. Colonel Warren, and Hon. Colonel Foster, 
 have leave to offer for the consideration of this Congress 
 an Address which they have prepared to the Continental 
 Congress. 
 
 The same being read and amended, was accepted, and 
 ordered to be transcribed and signed by the Hon. Major 
 Hawley, as Vice-President, and sent immediately by ex- 
 press to Philadelphia, and that the Committee of Supplies 
 be desired to procure some person to carry it. It is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 May it please your Honours: 
 
 The situation of any Colony or People perhaps was 
 never before such as made it more necessary for fully exer- 
 cising the powers of civil Government, than the present 
 state and situation of the Colony of the Massachusetts 
 Bay. 
 
 The embarrassments, delays, disappointments, and ob- 
 structions in executing every undertaking necessary for the 
 preservation of our lives, and much more of our property, 
 are so great and many, as that they cannot be represented 
 or enumerated ; and that is chiefly to be attributed to our 
 want of a settled civil polity or government. Besides, 
 every thing necessary for the abovesaid most important 
 purposes, which is in some degree effected, is done in the 
 most expensive manner; in short, although the times we 
 
 are fallen into, and the prospects before us, are such as re- 
 quire the utmost economy, yet nothing of the kind can be 
 preserved in our present state. 
 
 There are in many parts of this Colony alarming symp- 
 toms of the abatement of the sense in the minds of some 
 people of the sacredness of private property, which is 
 plainly assignable to the want of civil government; and 
 your Honours must be fully sensible that a community of 
 goods and estate will soon be followed with the utter waste 
 and destruction of the goods themselves. Besides, the 
 necessity of civil government appears more and more ap- 
 parent, from the extreme difficulty of maintaining the pub- 
 lick peace without it ; although we can truly say much fewer 
 enormities and breaches of the peace have happened among 
 us, than it was natural to expect from the contemplation 
 of such a state as we have been cast into. 
 
 May it please your Honours : The pressing weight of 
 our distresses has necessitated the sending a special post to 
 obtain your immediate advice upon this subject; and we 
 do most earnestly entreat that you would as soon as possi- 
 ble despatch the messenger with such advice. 
 
 Our former application to you of the 16th of May last, 
 has rendered it unnecessary that we should further enlarge 
 upon this subject ; and to prevent repetition, we beg leave 
 to refer you to our letter of that date. 
 
 The Army under the command of General Gage we esti- 
 mate to amount at least to five thousand men, well appointed, 
 under the command of Generals of character and experi- 
 ence, and prepared with every thing necessary for action, 
 exclusive of the additional strength derived from negroes, 
 which the General has taken into his service, and disaffect- 
 ed Americans. We have great reason to apprehend that a 
 re-enforcement of at least ei<j;ht regiments of foot, and one 
 of horse, may be hourly expected. We enclose a copy of 
 an intercepted letter from Major Sheriff, (dated May 29, 
 1775,) which exhibits to you one ground of this apprehen- 
 sion. We have had under our consideration the propriety 
 and necessity of augmenting our Army, notwithstanding our 
 embarrassments, and though we have not yet adopted it, 
 nothing perhaps but the more ample provision of the neigh- 
 bouring Colonies will relieve that necessity. 
 
 The depredations and piracies frequently committed on 
 our sea-coasts, and the little trade which remains to us, 
 whereby, among other capital articles, the importation of 
 ammunition and provision is almost totally obstructed and 
 threatens our ruin, have also occasioned our contemplating 
 steps to prevent these inconveniences, by fitting out a num- 
 ber of armed vessels with sufficient strength to encounter 
 their small though numerous cutters. 
 
 We shall only add, that as the seat of war, with all its 
 attendant distresses, have for the present taken their prin- 
 cipal residence here, we should consider it as a happy 
 event, if you should think proper to adjourn to some part 
 of the Continent not so far distant, that the advice and aid 
 of the Continent may be more expeditiously afforded upon 
 any emergency. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 12, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Deacon Baker, and Mr. 
 Webster, be a Committee to consider some measures for 
 preventing the violation of the Sabbath, and to bring in a 
 Resolve for this purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That five o'clock in the afternoon be assigned 
 for the consideration of the Report of the Committee who 
 were appointed to bring in a Resolve for giving a free cur- 
 rency to the Bills of Credit of this and the other Colonies. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Spooner, Hon. Colonel 
 Gerrish, and Dr. Whiting, be a Committee to consider the 
 Petition from the Committee at Charlestown, and report. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary have liberty to procure 
 such assistance from time to time as he shall think neces- 
 sary. 
 
 Resolved, That two persons be appointed to repair to 
 the Fortress of Ticonderoga, to examine into the state of 
 that Fortress, and of affairs there, and to act in such a man- 
 ner as they shall be directed by this Congress, and that 
 four o'clock in the afternoon be assigned for the choice of 
 such persons by ballot; and that the Hon. Major Hawley, 
 
1403 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1404 
 
 Hon. Colonel Warren, and Mr. Sullivan, be a Committee 
 to prepare instructions for such Delegates. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider the 
 expediency of establishing a number of armed Vessels, re- 
 ported. The consideration of the Report was put off to 
 ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Hon. Mr. Dexter, one of the Committee who were ap- 
 pointed to prepare Letters to the Continental Congress, 
 New- York, and the New-England Governments, being 
 absent, 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Mr. Spooner be appointed in 
 his room. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sayer be directed forthwith to fill 
 up and deliver commissions to the Officers of Colonel Whit- 
 comb's Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Holten, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. 
 Colville, be a Committee to consider the Petition of Mr. 
 Ebcnezer Prout. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Whiting, Dr. Taylor, and Mr. 
 Parks, be a Committee to consider some method of sup- 
 plying the several Surgeons of the Army with Medicines. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Continental Congress, &c, reported the following, which 
 was accepted, viz : 
 
 May it please your Honours : 
 
 The views of Administration having been made evident, 
 by their conduct for some years past; and the late regula- 
 tions of civil and ecclesiastical polity of Quebeck having 
 clearly discovered an intention to make use of the Cana- 
 dians as engines to reduce this Continent to slavery, it has 
 been found absolutely necessary, for the preservation of the 
 liberties of America, to take possession of the important 
 pass of Ticonderoga, and to send forward a sufficient force 
 to hold the same against any attempt which may be made 
 to retake it, and to prevent General Carltton from send- 
 ing off forces by the way of the Lakes to annoy and dis- 
 tress the frontiers. But as we apprehend there never has 
 been any intention to give the least disturbance to our 
 brethren of Canada, to whom we most sincerely wish the 
 full and free enjoyment of their civil and religious rights, 
 we humbly request that your Honours would take such 
 steps to prevent any false impressions which our enemies 
 may attempt to make on their minds concerning our de- 
 signs, or to remove any such as have already been made, 
 as you in your wisdom shall think most expedient, as we 
 look upon it to be of the utmost importance that there 
 should no jealousies subsist between them and the other 
 Colonies. We also have had the most disagreeable ac- 
 counts of methods taken to fill the minds of the Indian 
 tribes adjacent to these Colonies with sentiments very in- 
 jurious to us ; particularly, we have been informed that 
 Colonel Guy Johnson has taken great pains with the Six 
 Nations, in order to bring them into a belief that it is de- 
 signed by the Colonies to fall upon them and cut them off. 
 We therefore pray you would, with all the speed conveni- 
 ent, use your very great influence in guarding against the 
 evil intended by this malevolent misrepresentation. And 
 we have wrote to our sister Colonies in New-England and 
 to New-York, requesting they would make a similar ap- 
 plication to you respecting these matters. 
 
 We are your most obedient humble servants. 
 
 Resolved, That the vote for choosing two persons to re- 
 pair to the Fortress of Ticonderoga, be so far reconsidered 
 as that there be three persons chosen, instead of two, for 
 that service. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Farley, Major Brooks, and Mr. 
 Cross, be a Committee to consider and report what is 
 proper to be done with the Grass growing on the estates of 
 the Refugees at Cambridge, Charlesloivn, Roxbury, and 
 Milton. Who reported as follows: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Resolve of the Committee of Safety relative to certain 
 quantities of Grass growing on the lands of the Refugees 
 in and about Cambridge, have attended that service, and 
 beg leave to report by way of Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of 
 
 Safety that they appoint some person or persons in the 
 Towns hereafter mentioned, viz : Cambridge, Charleslown, 
 Roxbury, and Milton, to cut the Grass and secure the Hay 
 growing on the estates of the Refugees in the above men- 
 tioned Towns, in some convenient place, for the benefit of 
 the Colony, as to them shall seem meet. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Hon. Colonel Warren, and 
 Colonel Gcrrish, be a Committee to consider what is best 
 to be done with respect to a Vessel said to be going from 
 Salem to New-Providence for Fruit and Turtle for the Army 
 at Boston, and report. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Gerry have leave to bring in a Re- 
 solve for preventing the exportation of Fish and other Pro- 
 visions. 
 
 This Resolve was accordingly read and accepted, and 
 ordered to be printed in handbills, and sent to the several 
 maritime Towns in this Colony, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the enemies of America are multiplying their 
 cruelties towards the inhabitants of the New-England Co- 
 lonies, by seizing Provision Vessels, either the property 
 of, or intended to supply them, and also by plundering the 
 stock of Cattle, Sheep, &c, on their sea-coasts: 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to 
 the inhabitants of the Towns and Districts in this Colony, 
 that they forthwith exert themselves to prevent the expor- 
 tation of Fish, and all other kinds of provision, excepting 
 such only as shall be intended to supply the inhabitants of 
 the Colonies aforesaid, and as in the opinion of the Select- 
 men, and Committees of Correspondence, and Committees 
 of Safety, of the Towns where the same shall be stored, 
 may with prudence be shipped for conveyance by water, 
 for the purpose aforesaid ; and it is strongly recommended 
 to the Selectmen, Committees of Correspondence, and Com- 
 mittees of Safety, throughout the Colony, that they cause 
 this Resolve to be strictly executed. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some method for 
 supplying the Surgeons in the Army with Medicines, re- 
 ported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 complaint that the Surgeons in the Army are not properly 
 furnished with Medicines, have attended that service and 
 beg leave to report : 
 
 Whereas, it appears that there is not as yet a sufficient 
 number of Medicine Chests provided to furnish each Regi- 
 ment with a distinct Chest ; and whereas, the Committee 
 of Supplies are making provision for the supplying of each 
 Regiment with such Medicine Chests as soon as possible : 
 therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and here- 
 by are directed, immediately to furnish the Surgeon of the 
 First Regiment at Cambridge, and also the Surgeon of the 
 First Regiment at Roxbury, each of them, with a Medicine 
 Chest for the present, and that all the other Surgeons in 
 the Armies at Cambridge and Roxbury have free recourse 
 to the said Chests, and be supplied from them from time 
 time as they shall find occasion, until more ample provision 
 shall be made for them. All which is humbly submitted, 
 and the Committee beg leave to sit again. 
 
 Wm. Whiting, per order. 
 
 Ordered, That the same Committee be appointed to 
 examine into the Medical Stores, and make a list of what 
 is necessary for the supplying each Regiment, that the same 
 may be laid before the Committee ; and that the same Com- 
 mittee consider what Medicines are necessary, and bring in 
 a list of what Medicines are in the Medicinal Store, and 
 that they be directed to report what Instruments are neces- 
 sary for the Surgeons of the Army. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be 
 done relative to a Vessel going from Salem to New-Provi- 
 dence, reported. The Report was read and accepted, and 
 is as follows : 
 
 Whereas, this Congress has been informed that a Schooner 
 belonging to the Irvings in Boston, is fitted out under colour 
 of being chartered by one Thompson, who has lately fled 
 from Medford to Boston, but is really destined to Salem, 
 and from thence to New- Providence, to get Fruit, Turtle, 
 and Provisions of other kinds, for the sustenance and feast- 
 ing of those Troops who are, as pirates and robbers, com- 
 
1405 
 
 -MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1406 
 
 mitting daily hostilities and depredations on the good people 
 of this Colony and all America : 
 
 It is therefore Resolved, That Captain Samuel McCobb, 
 a Member of this Congress, be immediately despatched to 
 Salem and Marblehead , to secure said Thompson, and pre- 
 vent said Vessel from going said voyage, and cause the said 
 Thompson to be brought to this Congress. And the Com- 
 mittees of Correspondence, Safety, and Inspection, of said 
 Towns, and all the good people of this Colony, are directed 
 to give the said Capt. McCobb all needed assistance therein. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Captain Stone, and Major 
 Bliss, be a Committee to count and sort the votes for three 
 gentlemen as a Committee, to meet Committees from the 
 other Governments of New-England, at Worcester, on the 
 twenty-eighth of June current. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that the Hon. Mr. Dexter, the Hon. Major Hawley, and 
 the Hon. Mr. Sever were chosen. The Hon. Major Haw- 
 ley and the Hon. Mr. Sever having desired to be excused, 
 and having offered their reasons therefor, they were excused 
 accordingly; whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That ten o'clock to-morrow morning he as- 
 signed for the choice of two persons, in the room of Major 
 Hawley and Mr. Sever, to attend the said Convention at 
 Worcester, on the twenty-eighth of June current. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sullivan, Captain Stone, and Major 
 Bliss, be a Committee to count and sort the votes for three 
 gentlemen to go to Ticontltroga. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported 
 that the Hon. Mr. Spooner, Hon. Colonel Foster, and Mr. 
 Suilivan, were chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the choice of two Major-Generals be re- 
 ferred to to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition from the County of Cum- 
 berland (laid on the table by the Committee who were 
 appointed to consider of it) be committed to the Commit- 
 tee who were appointed to consider the circumstances of 
 the sea-coasts. 
 
 The Report of the Committee of Safety, relative to the 
 claims of those who stand as candidates for commissions in 
 the Army, &c, was read, and, with the papers accompany- 
 ing it, was committed to the Hon. Major Hawley, Colonel 
 Farley, Captain Greenleaf, Doctor Taylor, Captain Stone, 
 Mr. Partridge, and Colonel Sayer. 
 
 The Committee on Mr. Prout's Petition reported, that he 
 have leave to withdraw it. The Report was accepted. 
 
 It was moved and seconded, that the Resolve for choosing 
 Committees to meet Committees from the other Govern- 
 ments in l\ew-England at Worcester, the twenty-eighth 
 current, be reconsidered ; and it was thereupon 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of this motion 
 be referred to ten o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Petitions of Colonel Brewer and his officers being 
 read, were committed to the Committee to whom were this 
 day committed the Report of the Committee of Safety, 
 and the papers accompanying it. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Davis and Coverly, 
 reported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows : 
 
 Whereas, application has been made to this Congress by 
 Messrs. Davis and Coverly, merchants of Boston, repre- 
 senting that they have a quantity of English Goods now 
 in Boston, and that Henry Barns, of Marlborough, has 
 a quantity of English Goods, nearly of the same quality, 
 in said Marlborough, and therefore pray that they may 
 have leave to make an exchange : 
 
 Resolved, That the prayer of said Petition be granted, 
 and that the petitioners have leave to make the exchange 
 asked for. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for ap- 
 pointing a number of Armourers reported. The Report 
 being read and amended, was accepted, and is as follows :* 
 
 Tuesday, June 13, 1775. 
 A Letter from Governour Trumbull was read, inclosing 
 a Letter from Colonel Arnold, and three Resolves of the 
 
 • This Report has not been entered on the Journal, nor is it preserved 
 on the files. — Lincoln. 
 
 Continental Congress ; all which were committed to the 
 Committee who were appointed to prepare instructions to 
 the Committees that are to repair to Ticonderoga. 
 
 Resolved, That there be twenty -three Regiments com- 
 missioned, exclusive of the Regiment of Matrosses. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Colonel Richmond, and 
 Major Wood, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 Abner Graves and others, and that they hear the peti- 
 tioners, and notify Captain Dexter of time and place. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Absent Members were directed to attend. 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of the Report 
 relative to the establishment of armed Vessels, be put off 
 to three o'clock in the afternoon, and that the Committee 
 of Safety, and Committee of Supplies, be notified of this 
 Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Otis and Col. Grout be added to the 
 Committee who were appointed to deliver out Commissions. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve for the appointment of a 
 Convention of Committees from the several Governments, 
 at Worcester, be reconsidered, as well as the vote whereby 
 a Committee was appointed by this Congress, and the vote 
 assigning a time for the choice of two Members in the room 
 of two Members of that Committee who were excused. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Saycr, and Major 
 Brooks, be a Committee to receive and count the votes for 
 the Major-Generals. 
 
 Ordered, That only one Major-General be chosen at a 
 time, and that the gentleman first chosen be the first Maior- 
 General. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committees who may at any time 
 be appointed to receive and count votes for the choice of 
 any person to any office or appointment, be strictly enjoined 
 to allow no Member to shift or change a vote after it is put 
 into the hat. 
 
 The Committee appointed to receive the votes for the 
 first Major-General, reported that Colonel John Whitcomb 
 was chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the choice of the second Major-General 
 be referred to five o'clock in the afternoon. 
 
 An Account of Mr. Charles Colton was read, and com- 
 mitted to Mr. Pickering, Mr. Batchelder, and Mr. Dwight. 
 
 An Account from Mr. Taylor was likewise exhibited, 
 and committed to Colonel Richmond, Mr. Singletary, and 
 Mr. Hale, to examine, consider of, and report upon. 
 
 Two Accounts of Mr. John Brown were also read, and 
 committed to Mr. Hale, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Vose, Colonel 
 Thompson, and Major Bliss. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Fessen- 
 den, be a Committee to consider the expediency of appoint- 
 ing Ensign Falley to be an Armourer in the Massachusetts 
 Army, in addition to the number which this Congress ha\e 
 ordered to be appointed, and to consider what his pay shall 
 be, if they think it proper he should be appointed. 
 
 The Committee on Charles Colton's Account reported ; 
 whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to pay to Mr. Charles Colton, out of the publick 
 Treasury, the sum of thirteen Pounds, eighteen Shillings, 
 and eight Pence, in full, for his account this day exhibited 
 to, and allowed by this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed yesterday to consider the Re- 
 port of the Committee of Safety, reported the following 
 Resolve, which was accepted; and Captain Stone, Captain 
 Dwight. and Mr. Kollock, were ordered to give due infor- 
 mation thereof to the Colonels therein mentioned, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Colonels Glover, Heath, David Brewer, 
 Robinson, Woodbridge, Henshaiv, Little, and Jonathan 
 Brewer, be directed, by next Thursday morning at eight 
 o'clock, to make a true return to the Committee, on the 
 claims and pretensions of the several gentlemen claiming to 
 be commissioned as Colonels; of the number of Captains 
 who, with their respective Companies, do choose to serve 
 under the above named gentlemen respectively as Colonels ; 
 and of the number of men, and of the number of effective 
 fire-arms in each Company, and of the place or places where 
 
1407 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1408 
 
 said Companies are, on pain of forfeiting all pretensions to 
 a commission of a Colonel, in case of making a false return. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 An Account of Mrs. Dorothy Coolidge was read, and 
 committed to Doctor Taylor, Colonel Thompson, and l\lr. 
 Bent. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the expediency of 
 establishing a number of armed Vessels was considered, and, 
 after a very long debate, the further consideration of it was 
 referred to Friday next, at eleven o'clock, A. M. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to prepare instruc- 
 tions to the gentlemen chosen by this Congress to repair to 
 Ticonderoga, reported. The Report was read and ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " To Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and James 
 Sullivan, Esquires. 
 
 " You are directed to proceed, as soon as may be, to 
 the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, by the road 
 through the new settlements called the Neiv-Hampshire 
 Grants; that you carefully observe the quality of the said 
 road, and judge of the feasibleness of transporting provi- 
 sions by the said road to the waters of Lake Champlain ; 
 that you take with you copies of the commission and in- 
 structions of the Committee of Safety to Colonel Benedict 
 Arnold, and inform yourselves as fully as you shall be able, 
 in what manner the said Colonel Arnold has executed his 
 said commission and instructions. 
 
 " That you make and give to the said Arnold, and any 
 men whom he shall, by virtue of the said commission and 
 instructions, retain in the service of this Colony, such orders 
 as to you shall seem meet, provided always that you do not 
 authorize the said Arnold to engage and retain in the pay 
 of this Colony, as soldiers, a greater number than that spe- 
 cified in his said commission and instructions, and provided 
 that the said Arnold, and the men whom he has retained, 
 are free, and willing to remain at one or both of the said 
 posts, under the command of such chief officer as is or 
 shall be appointed by the Government of Cormecticut ; and 
 in case you shall order such number of men to be continued 
 at or near the said posts, in the pay of this Colony, as you 
 shall judge it necessary there should be, that you appoint a 
 Committee of one or more persons, in the pay of this Co- 
 lony, to provide supplies for such men, and a Commissary 
 to deal out such supplies to them; which Committee and 
 Commissary you are to appoint in writing under your 
 hands. 
 
 " And you are to determine and order respecting the said 
 Arnold's continuing in the commission and pay of this 
 Colony, as to you shall appear most for the general service 
 and safety, after having made yourselves fully acquainted 
 with the spirit, capacity, and conduct of the said Arnold. 
 
 " And in case you shall judge it proper to discharge the 
 said Arnold, that you direct him to return to this Colony, 
 and render his account of the disposition of the money, 
 ammunition, and other things, which he received at his 
 setting out upon his expedition, and also of the charges he 
 has incurred, and the debts which he has contracted in 
 behalf of this Colony, by virtue of the commission and 
 instructions aforesaid. 
 
 " And in case you shall find any men at the said posts 
 properly retained and engaged there in the service of this 
 Colony, that you cause them and their arms to be mus- 
 tered, and that to such as shall pass muster, you pay, out 
 of the moneys which you shall receive from our Receiver- 
 General for that purpose, the same advance pay as is, by 
 order of Congress, paid to such men as are retained and 
 mustered to serve within this Colony ; and in case you shall 
 not find any men at the said posts, properly engaged and 
 retained in the service of this Colony, or that the number 
 which you shall find so retained shall be much short of the 
 number which said Arnold was empowered to enlist, that 
 then you, if you shall judge that the effectual security of 
 said posts shall require it, and if you shall also find a proper 
 person in those parts fit and suitable for the command of 
 four hundred men, or such less number, as together with 
 such men as you shall find ordered and posted there by any 
 other Colony or Colonies, and shall also find that soldiers 
 
 can be raised in those parts so seasonably, as that thereby 
 the effectual maintenance of the said posts may be served 
 or promoted ; you are to appoint meet persons to be officers 
 and commanders for such a number of men as you shall 
 order to be enlisted, and give the necessary orders for 
 raising, enlisting, and maintaining them, for such term as 
 you shall judge necessary for defence of said posts, and 
 also appoint some sufficient and faithful man as Muster- 
 Master and Paymaster of such men, and leave sufficient 
 moneys in his hands for that purpose, taking proper receipts 
 and his security that the money so left shall be applied to 
 that use. 
 
 " And you are to take a careful survey of the ordnance 
 stores and ordnance at those posts, together with all other 
 articles necessary for the maintenance thereof, and report 
 the state thereof to this Congress. 
 
 " And if you shall find it necessary to purchase powder 
 for the men who shall be retained there on the part of this 
 Colony, that you procure the same, and so much as you 
 shall judge needful, in the best and most expeditious way 
 you can, on the credit of this Colony. 
 
 " And in general, you are fully empowered to do every 
 thing in behalf of this Colony for the effectual securing and 
 maintaining those posts, which you shall judge necessary 
 equal to the importance of the same. 
 
 " You are further directed, when you shall have trans- 
 acted what you are, by the foregoing instructions, autho- 
 rized to do and transact at the posts aforesaid, by the very 
 first opportunity to advise the General American Congress 
 thereof, as also of your opinion of the necessity and impor- 
 tance of maintaining the said posts for the general defence of 
 these Colonies; and when you shall have made yourselves 
 fully acquainted with the state and condition of the said 
 posts, and the dispositions and establishments which you 
 shall find are made for maintaining of them, if you shall 
 judge that any further provisions are necessary for securing 
 and maintaining them, you are directed, fully and respect- 
 fully, to signify your thoughts thereon to the General 
 Congress. You are also directed to advise the General 
 Convention of the Colony of New-York, and the Govern- 
 our of the Colony of Connecticut, respectively, of what you 
 shall order and transact by virtue of the said instructions." 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency of 
 appointing Ensign Fally an Armourer, reported. The Re- 
 port was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of appointing Ensign Fally, of Colonel Danielson s Regi- 
 ment, an Armourer in the Massachusetts Army, in addition 
 to the number already ordered, and to consider what his 
 pay shall be, if it is thought proper by this Congress he 
 should be appointed, have attended that service, and beg 
 leave to report as follows, viz : 
 
 That whereas it has been represented to your Commit- 
 tee that the Armourers (or many of them) who are already 
 established, are very imperfect in the business they profess, 
 and that the abovesaid Fally is a complete master of the 
 same ; in consideration of which your Committee think it 
 of the highest importance that he (the said Fally) should 
 be employed in said department, and be allowed and paid 
 forty Shillings per month, in addition to his pay as an En- 
 sign, and be under the same rules and regulations as the 
 other Armourers already appointed or to be appointed; all 
 which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Colonel Warren, Colonel 
 Palmer, Mr. Sever, and Doctor Taylor, be a Committee 
 to consider the subject-matter of a late extraordinary Pro- 
 clamation of General Gage. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Sullivan have liberty to use the 
 Horse in Mr. Fowl's pasture in this Town, which was taken 
 lately from Noddle's Island, for his journey to Ticonderoga. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 14, 1775. 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed, to pay the sum of four hundred Pounds to the 
 Committee who have been appointed by this Congress to 
 repair to Ticonderoga; to be by said Committee appropri- 
 ated as advance pay to the men enlisted under Col. Bene- 
 dict Arnold, said Committee to be accountable therefor. 
 
1409 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1410 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to advance the sum of twenty Pounds to the Com- 
 mittee who have been appointed by this Congress to go to 
 Ticonderoga, in cash, or bills of credit, at the option of 
 said Committee, for their expenses, they to be accountable 
 therefor. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Abntr Graves and others, reported, that the petitioners have 
 leave to withdraw their Petition. The Report was ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Colonel Warren, Colonel 
 Grout, Mr. North, and Colonel Otis, be a Committee to 
 consider the Report of Colonel Thompson, and the Peti- 
 tion of Mr. Parry, and report. 
 
 Resolved, That the first Thursday in July next be ap- 
 pointed to be observed as a Day of Fasting and Prayer 
 throughout this Colony, and that the Hon. Colonel Palmer, 
 Hon. Mr. Sever, and Mr. Hopkins, be a Committee to 
 bring in a Resolve for this purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Robinson, Mr. Webster, Major 
 Fuller, Captain Holmes, and Mr. Edwards, be a Commit- 
 tee to consider some way and means of furnishing those 
 who are destitute of Arms in the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who were chosen to re- 
 pair to Ticonderoga, be directed to revise the papers that 
 respect the Fortress there, and take such as they think 
 they shall want, and that this Congress will not have occa- 
 sion for. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Mr. Jewett, and Mr. Hop- 
 kins, be a Committee to devise some means for securing 
 the Library and Apparatus of Harvard College. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Mr. Rarker, and Mr. 
 Caldwell, be a Committee to consider the request of Jo- 
 seph Palmer, Quartermaster-General, for providing Tents 
 or Barracks for the Army at Cambridge. 
 
 Ordered, That three o'clock this afternoon be assigned 
 for the choice of a second Major-General, and the Com- 
 mittees, who are now out, be notified of the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the Report for giv- 
 ing a currency to the Bills of Credit of the other Govern- 
 ments, be referred to four o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Chadwick, Mr. Lothrop, Colonel 
 Smith, Mr. Stearns, and Captain Ellis, be a Committee to 
 consider the propriety of supplying the Generals of the 
 Massachusetts Army at Cambridge and Roxbury with some 
 necessary Household Furniture. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Coffin, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. 
 Pickering, be a Committee to disperse the Resolves of 
 Congress relative to the embargo laid upon the exportation 
 of Fish, &ic. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Upon a motion made, Colonel Prescott was chosen to 
 countersign the Notes, instead of Colonel Foster, absent, 
 who was appointed for that purpose. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Mr. Lothrop, Captain Cushing, and Captain Dwight, 
 were chosen a Committee to count and sort the votes for a 
 second Major-General, who reported that Doctor Joseph 
 Warren was chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Grout, Colonel Rerry, and Col- 
 onel Otis, be a Committee to wait on the Hon. John Whit- 
 comb, Esq., and inform him this Congress have made choice 
 of him for first Major-General of the Massachusetts Army, 
 and desire his answer to this Congress of his acceptance of 
 said trust ; also to wait on the Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq., 
 and inform him this Congress have made choice of him for 
 second Major-General of the Massachusetts Army, and de- 
 sire his answer to this Congress of his acceptance of said 
 trust. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some measures 
 for preventing the violation of the Sabbath, reported. The 
 Report was recommitted. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise some means for se- 
 curing the Library and Apparatus of Harvard College, 
 reported. The Report was recommitted for amendment. 
 
 Mr. Smith, Mr. Lothrop, and Maj. Rrooks, were chosen 
 
 Foubth Series. — Vol. tl. I 
 
 on the Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Artificers which may be necessary for the Army, in pay of 
 this Colony, instead of Major Hawley, Captain Stone of 
 Framingham, and Hon. Mr. Spooncr, absent. 
 
 Major Davis was chosen (instead of Hon. Mr. Spooner, 
 absent) on the Committee appointed to consider a Petition 
 from Charlestown. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for a 
 Day of Fasting and Prayer, reported. The Report was 
 recommitted for amendment, viz. that the following things 
 might be mentioned : blessing on the Continental Congress, 
 unity of the Colonies, health, fruitful seasons, &tc, &ic. 
 
 Colonel Richmond, per order, reported the following Re- 
 solve : 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress that it is absolutely 
 necessary that proper officers be put in commission to com- 
 mand the Train of Artillery, and that it be done without 
 delay, 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed, 
 forthwith, to recommend such officers to this Congress as 
 they shall think proper for the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 The consideration of the currency of the Notes for pay- 
 ment of Soldiers, was assigned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Thatcher was appointed to number the 
 Notes, instead of Mr. Samuel Phillips, who is otherwise 
 engaged. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to supply Colonel Robinson, to-morrow, with such 
 Money for advance pay for the Soldiers, as he was to have 
 received this day. 
 
 Thursday, June 15, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gridley's Letter respecting officers 
 of the Train and Artificers, be committed to the Commit- 
 tee who were appointed the tenth instant to consider how 
 many Artificers were necessary. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Rarrelt, Captain Dwight, and 
 Captain Page, be a Committee to consider what measures 
 it would be proper to take, that the Army may be supplied 
 with no Provisions but what are good in kind. 
 
 The Resolve relative to securing the Library and Appa- 
 ratus of Harvard College was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it is expedient that those apartments in Har- 
 vard Hall, under the immediate charge of the Professor of 
 Philosophy, and Librarian of Harvard College, be evacu- 
 ated : 
 
 Resolved, That the Library, Apparatus, and other valua- 
 bles of Harvard College, be removed, as soon as may be, 
 to the Town of Andover ; that Mr. Samuel Phillips, Mr. 
 Daniel Hopkins, and Dummer Jewett, Esq., be a Com- 
 mittee to consult with the Reverend the President, the 
 Honourable Mr. Winthrop, and the Librarian, or such of 
 them as may be conveniently obtained, and, with them, to 
 engage some suitable person or persons in said Town to 
 transport, receive, and take the charge of the above men- 
 tioned effects ; that said Committee join with those gentle- 
 men in employing proper persons for packing said Library, 
 Apparatus, and such other articles as they shall judge ex- 
 pedient, and take all due care that it be done with the 
 greatest safety and despatch ; and as the packages shall be 
 completed, that they give notice to those engaged to re- 
 ceive them ; the charges to be laid before this or some 
 future Congress, or House of Assembly of this Province. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letters prepared for the Continental 
 Congress, Neiv-York, and the several Governments in 
 New-England, be authenticated and sent forward as soon 
 as may be. They are as follow, viz : 
 
 Considering the exposed state of the frontiers of some of 
 the Colonies, the danger that the inhabitants of Canada 
 may possibly have disagreeable apprehensions from the mili- 
 tary preparations making in several of the other Colonies, 
 and the rumours that there are some appearances of their 
 getting themselves in readiness to act in a hostile way!; this 
 Congress have made application to the honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress, desiring them to take such measures as 
 to them shall appear proper to quiet and conciliate the 
 minds of the Canadians, and to prevent such alarming 
 
1411 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1412 
 
 apprehensions. We have also had the most disagreeable 
 accounts of methods taken to fill the minds of the Indian 
 Tribes, adjacent to these Colonies, with sentiments very 
 injurious to us; particularly, we have been informed that 
 Colonel Guy Johnson has taken great pains with the Six 
 Nations, in order to bring them into a belief that it is de- 
 signed by the Colonies to fall upon them and cut them off. 
 We have therefore desired the honourable Continental Con- 
 gress that they would, with all convenient speed, use their 
 influence in guarding against the evil intended by this ma- 
 levolent misrepresentation, and we desire you to join with 
 us in such application. 
 
 To the Continental Congress, New-York, and the several 
 Governments in New-England. 
 
 Voted, To accept the Report for directing the Commit- 
 tee of Safety to take immediate care to provide Houses for 
 the Soldiers near the camp in Cambridge (if Tents cannot 
 be had) at the expense of the Colony. It is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take under consideration 
 the Petition of the Quartermaster-General and Committee 
 of Safety, have attended that service, and report, that the 
 Committee of Safety be directed to take immediate care to 
 provide Houses for the Soldiers near the camp in Cam- 
 bridge, (if Tents cannot be had,) at the expense of the 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That to-morrow, at three o'clock in the after- 
 noon, be assigned for the choice of four Brigadier-Generals, 
 two Adjutant-Generals, and two Quartermaster-Generals. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition of Ephraim Perry and four 
 others, inhabitants of Fox Island, be committed to the Com- 
 mittee appointed to consider the circumstances of the sea- 
 coasts. 
 
 Voted, To accept the Report for advising a number of 
 Towns and Districts (as per schedule annexed to the Re- 
 port) who have Fire-Arms, to deposite the same with their 
 respective Town or District Treasurers, for the use of the 
 Army. It is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, some of the inhabitants of the plantations in 
 this Colony, not incorporated, and some of the inhabitants 
 of the neighbouring Colonies, together with a number of 
 the late inhabitants of the Town of Boston, have enlisted 
 into the Army now raising in this Colony, therefore not pro- 
 vided with Arms by a resolve of Congress, dated May 9th, 
 1775, empowering the Selectmen to supply the inhabitants 
 of their respective Towns with Arms, &.c. : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the inhabitants of the several Towns and 
 Districts in the Counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and other 
 Counties, specified in a list hereunto annexed, who may 
 have good and sufficient Fire-Arms and Bayonets, be ad- 
 vised hereby immediately to deposite the same with the 
 respective Town or District Treasurers, to the number at 
 least of so many in each Town or District as is specified 
 in said list. For which Arms and Bayonets (or Arms alone, 
 where Bayonets are not to be had) each owner shall re- 
 ceive so much as his Arms and Bayonets shall be valued 
 by the Selectmen of the Town or District in which he 
 dwells, of the Treasurer of said Town or District, in bills 
 of credit of this Colony, within thirty days after the Arms 
 are delivered ; for which, bills are to be taken in the name 
 of this Colony, attested by the Selectmen aforesaid. And 
 the amount of such bills, with an order from such Treasu- 
 rer, the Commitee of Supplies of this Colony are hereby 
 directed to pay, together with the expense of transporting 
 said Arms to the store of said Committee in Watertown. 
 And further, the Selectmen and Committees of Correspon- 
 dence, together with the Treasurer of the Towns and Dis- 
 tricts aforesaid, are hereby directed to give their aid in 
 collecting and transporting said Arms with the greatest 
 despatch 
 
 Paxton, 6 
 30 Rutland, - - 15 
 Lancaster, - 32 Oakham, 6 
 
 Mendon, 24 Hubbardston, 2 
 
 Brookfield, 31 New-Braintree, - 10 
 
 Oxford, - • 11 Southborough, - 12 
 
 Charlton, - - 11 Westborough, - 12 
 
 Sutton, - - 31 Northborough, - 8 
 
 Leicester, - - 12 Shrewsbury, - - 22 
 Spencer, 10 Lunenburgh, - - 10 
 
 County of Worcester. 
 Worcester, 
 
 Fitchburgh, 
 
 Uxbridge, 
 
 Harvard, 
 
 Dudley, 
 
 Hutchinson, 
 
 Bolton, 
 
 Upton, 
 
 Sturbridge, 
 
 Leominster, 
 
 Hardwick, 
 
 Weston, 
 
 Holden, 
 
 Douglass, 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 Petersham, 
 
 Royalston, 
 
 Westminster, 
 
 Athol, 
 
 Templeton, 
 
 Princeton, 
 
 Ashburnham, 
 
 Winchendon, 
 
 6 Belchertown, - 
 16 Colrain, 
 
 16 Ware, 
 
 10 Warwick, 
 
 13 Hemardstnn, - 
 15 Murrayfield, 
 6 Charlemont, 
 12 Ashfield, 
 12 Worthington, - 
 
 17 Shutesbury, 
 
 1 1 Chesterfield, 
 8 Southwick, 
 7 
 
 12 
 
 12 Suffolk County. 
 2 Wrentham, 
 
 10 Med way, 
 6 Bellingham, 
 8 Walpole, 
 
 Hampshire County. 
 Springfield, 
 West-Springfield, 
 Wilbraham, 
 Northampton, - 
 Southampton, - 
 Hadley, 
 South-Hadley, 
 Amherst, 
 Granby, 
 Hatfield, 
 Whateley, 
 Williamsburgb, 
 Westfield, 
 Deerfield, 
 Greenfield, 
 Shelburn, 
 Conway, 
 Sunderland, 
 Montague, 
 Northfield, 
 Brimfield, 
 South-Brimfield, 
 Monson, 
 Pelham, 
 Greenwich, 
 Blanford, 
 Palmer, 
 Granville, 
 New-Salem, 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 514 
 
 22 
 23 
 10 
 22 
 8 
 9 
 7 
 
 10 
 5 
 11 
 
 4 
 3 
 16 
 
 12 
 8 
 4 
 5 
 7 
 6 
 8 
 
 13 
 8 
 6 
 
 12 
 
 Middlesex County. 
 Marlborough, - 
 Littleton, 
 Hopkinton, 
 Westford, 
 Stow, 
 Groton, 
 Shirley, 
 Pepperel, 
 Townshend, 
 Dracut, 
 Holliston, 
 Acton, 
 Dunstable, 
 
 Plymouth County. 
 Bridgewater, 
 Middleborough, 
 
 8 
 5 
 4 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 % 
 4 
 2 
 1 
 6 
 
 _6 
 334 
 
 25 
 10 
 6 
 
 _8 
 _49 
 
 20 
 10 
 10 
 10 
 7 
 8 
 4 
 6 
 5 
 7 
 6 
 5 
 4 
 
 102 
 
 25 
 16 
 
 41 
 
 Bristol County. 
 Attleborough, - 
 Rehoboth, 
 
 14 
 6 
 
 Worcester County, 
 Hampshire County, 
 Suffolk County, 
 Middlesex County, 
 Plymouth County, 
 Bristol County, 
 
 In all, 
 
 10 
 15 
 
 25 
 
 514 
 334 
 49 
 102 
 41 
 25 
 
 1,065 
 
 Voted, To accept the Report for providing a Magazine 
 of Fire-Arms for this Colony ; also, that said Report be 
 printed in the several Newspapers, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it is necessary that this Colony be provided 
 with a Magazine of Arms, which are good and sufficient ; 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That any person or persons who may have 
 such to sell, shall receive so much for them as the Select- 
 men of the Town or District in which he or they may 
 dwell, shall appraise said Arms at, upon the delivery of 
 the same to the Committee of Supplies at Watertown, and 
 exhibiting a cert ificate of said appraisement, attested by said 
 Selectmen, to the Committee aforesaid, provided said de- 
 livery be made within one month from the date hereof. 
 
 Aftornoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Parker, Colonel Thompson, and 
 Mr. Aikin, be a Committee to apply to the Committee of 
 Supplies and the Generals of the Army, and inquire whe- 
 ther the Army is sufficiently supplied with Ammunition. 
 
 Ordered, That Daniel Davis, Esq., be on the Commit- 
 tee appointed to take care of the Estates of the Refugees, 
 in the room of Mr. Partridge, who is absent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine and consider two 
 accounts exhibited to this Congress by Mr. John Brown, 
 
1413 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1414 
 
 reported. The report on each of them was accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the within ac- 
 count, beg leave to report, that the same be laid upon the 
 table, till Mr. Brown exhibits an account of particulars, 
 with his journal. John Hale, per order. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the within ac- 
 count, beg leave to report, that it does not appear to them 
 that the within mentioned services were rendered in conse- 
 quence of an application by any person employed by this 
 Colony. John Hale, per order. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Warren, Mr. Sever, and Colo- 
 nel Otis, be a Committee to consider the application of 
 the Rev. Dr. Langdon, President of Harvard College, 
 and report thereon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the claims and 
 pretensions of several Colonels in the Army, reported ; 
 which Report was accepted. Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Colonels Glover, David Brewer, Wood- 
 bridge, Little, and Jonathan Brewer, be commissioned as 
 Colonels in the Massachusetts Army; and that Joseph Ha- 
 ven, Esquire, administer the oath prescribed by Congress. 
 The Report is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the claims and 
 pretensions of the several gentlemen hereafter named, who 
 suppose that they have just ground to expect of this hon- 
 ourable Congress that they should receive commissions, 
 appointing them severally to be chief Colonels in the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army, now raising for the defence of the rights 
 of this and the neighbouring Colonies, viz: Col. Glover, 
 General Heath, Colonel David Brewer, Col. Robinson, 
 Colonel Woodbridge, Colonel Little, Colonel Henshaw, 
 and Colonel Jonathan Brewer, beg leave to report the fol- 
 lowing state of facts to this Congress, viz : That the said 
 Colonels Glover, David Brewer, Woodbridge, Little, 
 Henshaw, and Jonathan Brewer, have exhibited their 
 claims to your Committee ; and, according to the returns 
 which the said gentlemen have respectively made to us, 
 the said Colonel Glover has levied ten companies, making, 
 in the whole, five hundred and five men, inclusive of offi- 
 cers, and about three quarters of the said number armed 
 with effective firelocks, who are willing and choose to serve 
 in the said Army under him, the said Glover, all now at 
 Marblehead. 
 
 That the said David Brewer has levied nine companies, 
 amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number of four hun- 
 dred and sixty-five men, who choose to serve under him 
 as their Colonel, and that three hundred and seven of the 
 said men are armed with effective fire-arms, and that said 
 companies, excepting thirty-four men, who are on their way 
 to Head-Quarters, are posted at Roxbury, Dorchester, and 
 Watertown. 
 
 That the said Woodbridge has levied eight companies, 
 amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number of three 
 hundred and fifty-four men, who choose to serve under him 
 as their chief Colonel, and that two hundred and seventy- 
 three of the said men are armed with good effective fire- 
 locks, and that all the said men, excepting seven, are now 
 in the Camp in Cambridge ; the said seven men are on 
 the road hither. 
 
 And that the said Little has raised eight companies, (ac- 
 cording to General Ward's return,) amounting, inclusive of 
 officers, to the number of five hundred and nine men, who 
 choose to serve under him as their chief Colonel, and all 
 the said men are armed with good effective firelocks, and 
 three hundred and eighty-two of them with good bayonets 
 fitted to their firelocks, and that seven of the said companies 
 are at the Camp in Cambridge, and one company at Cape 
 Ann, by order of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 And that the said Jonathan Brewer has levied eight 
 companies, amounting, inclusive of officers, to the number 
 of three hundred and ninety-seven men, who choose to 
 serve under him, the said Jonathan, as their chief Colonel, 
 and that three hundred and two of the said men are armed 
 with good firelocks, and that all the said men, excepting 
 twenty-seven who are on the road hither, are posted at 
 Cambridge and Brookline ; and the said Brewer supposes, 
 from accounts he has received, that one Captain Murray 
 is on the road from Hatfield hither with a full company. 
 
 And that the said Colonel Henshaw has returned to us 
 that he has a prospect of several companies arriving shortly 
 here, who he supposes would be inclined to serve under 
 him as their chief Colonel. 
 
 And that General Heath and Colonel Robinson have 
 made no returns to us, your Committee, of their levies, or 
 whether they are willing to serve in the said Army as 
 Colonels. 
 
 And upon these facts your Committee are clearly of 
 opinion, that the safety of the Country, and the promoting 
 the publick service, make it highly necessary and expedi- 
 ent that the said Colonels Glover, David Brewer, Wood- 
 bridge, Little, and Jonathan Brewer, be, without delay, 
 commissionated as chief Colonels in the Army aforesaid, 
 and that their Field-Officers, Captains, and Subalterns be 
 also commissionated as soon as a list of them can be set- 
 tled, inasmuch as your Committee are fully satisfied, from 
 good documents, that all the men contained in the nineteen 
 Regiments already organized, together with all the men 
 levied by the said Colonels Glover, David Brewer, Wood- 
 bridge, Little, and Jonathan Brewer, together with an 
 allowance of four hundred and fifty men which may have 
 been enlisted by General Heath, and the like number by 
 Colonel Robinson, will fall considerably short of amounting 
 to thirteen thousand six hundred men ; and also because 
 your Committee apprehend that this Congress may, with- 
 out any injustice to the Field-Officers already commission- 
 ated, or any other, make such orders, that the amount of 
 the pay of the whole Army may not be unreasonably en- 
 hanced, by a greater number of Regiments than by the last 
 establishment it was intended the Army should consist of. 
 All which is most humbly submitted by your Committee. 
 
 Joseph Hawley, per order. 
 
 Adjourned to Friday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 16, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will take into considera- 
 tion a Resolve offered to the Congress by the Committee 
 of Supplies, (through the hands of Major Fuller,) relative 
 to supplying the Soldiers with Rum. 
 
 The Resolve was accordingly considered and accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, by a Resolve of Congress, relative to the al- 
 lowance of Soldiers, no provision is made for the delivery of 
 Rum or Spirituous Liquors, upon extraordinary occasions ; 
 
 Resolved, That the Commanding Officer of the Army, 
 the Lieutenant-General, the Major-Generals, and the 
 Brigadier-Generals, be, and hereby are respectively em- 
 powered to draw on the Commissary for Spirituous Liquors 
 for such Soldiers as from time to time they may think ne- 
 cessary to supply therewith, provided always that the said 
 General Officers shall not allow any Soldiers Spirituous 
 Liquors as aforesaid, unless upon extraordinary duty, or 
 otherwise particularly circumstanced. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Major Hawley, Hon. Colonel 
 Gerrish, Hon. Colonel Warren, Colonel Prescott, Colonel 
 Farley, Mr. Aikin, and Dr. Hall, be a Committee to con- 
 sider a Resolve of the Committee relative to an augmenta- 
 tion of the Army, a supply of Arms to the Soldiers, &c, 
 and report thereon. 
 
 The Order of the Day moved for, for further considering 
 the Report of the Committee respecting the expediency of 
 fitting out some armed Vessels. 
 
 Voted, That there be a further assignment thereof, viz : 
 to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Ordered, That John Roiv, Captain ; Mark Pool, Lieu- 
 tenant ; Ebcnezer Cleaveland, Ensign, be commissioned in 
 Colonel Bridge's Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Richmond, Dr. Taylor, and 
 Mr. Partridge, be a Committee to prepare a complaisant 
 Letter to General Whitcomb, to desire a more explicit an- 
 swer respecting his acceptance of the post of First Major- 
 General, who reported the following : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, June 16, 1775. 
 Sir : Your letter, wherein you express yourself willing 
 to continue in the service of this Colony until the Army is 
 regulated and properly encamped, and then rely on a dis- 
 charge, was read with much concern by this Congress, who 
 earnestly hope you will continue in office till the conclusion 
 
1415 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1416 
 
 of the campaign, and must beg your further and more ex- 
 plicit answer. 
 
 To General Whitcomb. 
 
 Which was accepted ; and the Secretary directed to sign 
 the Letter. 
 
 Colonel Jonathan Brewer was sworn and commissioned. 
 
 Colonel David Brcivtr was sworn and commissioned. 
 
 Colonel Glover was sworn and commissioned. 
 
 The Committee on Colonel Henshaw's Petition for an 
 allowance for his journey to Connecticut reported ; which 
 Report was amended and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the within ac- 
 count beg leave to report, that they think it reasonable to 
 allow Col. Joseph Henshaw, for his expenses, 4/. 7s. ; horse 
 travel for him and servant, 1/. 5s.; time, 21. 16s. — 81. 8s. 
 Deduct 2s. per day from the sum charged for the lime of 
 Colonel Henshaiv and his servant, 14s. — 7/. 14s. 
 
 Receiver-General directed to pay it. 
 
 Samuel Harding, Chairman. 
 
 Dr. Hall and Dr. Jones were added to the Committee 
 to examine Surgeons for the Army. 
 
 Resolved, That any three of said Committee shall be a 
 quorum. 
 
 Ordered, That commissions be delivered to two Com- 
 panies in Colonel Nixon's Regiment, agreeable to his list 
 exhibited. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Otis and Mr. Johnson be added 
 to the Committee who were appointed to consider the late 
 extraordinary Proclamation of General Gage. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Benjamin Ely be appointed to ob- 
 tain of the Committee of Safety, as soon as possible, a list 
 of such gentlemen as they can recommend to be commis- 
 sionated as Officers of the Train. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to pay to Colonel Joseph Henshaw the sum of 
 seven Pounds, fourteen Shillings, in full for his account, 
 reported and accepted by the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the following 
 officers of Colonel Nixon's Regiment, viz : Captain Ebe- 
 nezer Winship, Lieut. William Warren, Ensign Richard 
 Buckminster. 
 
 Ordered, Tbat Mr. Orne, Mr. Glover, and Major 
 Brooks, be a Committee to consider what may be done 
 with respect to such Vessels as are now ready to sail with 
 Fish on board, there being a Resolve of this Congress 
 against the exportation of Fish, &ic. ; and in particular the 
 case of Mr. Ellis Gray and Richard Hinckley, which has 
 been laid before this Congress. 
 
 The Committee on the violation of the Sabbath report- 
 ed ; which Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 As it has pleased Almighty God, in his Providence, to 
 suffer the calamities of an unnatural war to take place 
 among us, in consequence of our sinful declensions from 
 him, and our great abuse of those invaluable blessings be- 
 stowed upon us ; and as we have reason to fear that unless 
 we become a penitent and reformed people, we shall feel 
 still severer tokens of the divine displeasure ; and as the 
 most effectual way to escape those desolating judgments 
 which so evidently hang over us, and, if it may be, obtain 
 the restoration of our former tranquillity, will be that we 
 repent and return, every one from his iniquities, unto him 
 that corrected) us, which, if we do in sincerity and truth, 
 we have no reason to doubt but he will remove his judg- 
 ments, cause our enemies to be at peace with us, and 
 prosper the work of our hands : 
 
 And as among the prevailing sins of this day, which 
 threaten the destruction of this land, we have reason to 
 lament the frequent profanations of the Lord's day or 
 Christian Sabbath; many spending their time in idleness 
 or sloth, others in diversions, and others in journeying, or 
 business, which is not necessary on that clay : 
 
 And as we earnestly desire that a stop might be put to 
 this great and prevailing evil : It is, therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended by this Congress to 
 the people of all ranks and denominations throughout this 
 Colony, that they not only pay a religious regard to that 
 
 day, and to the publick worship of God thereon, but that 
 they also use their influence to discountenance and suppress 
 any profanation thereof in others. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That it be recommended to 
 the Ministers of the Gospel to read this Resolve to their 
 several congregations, accompanied with such exhortations 
 as they shall think proper. 
 
 And whereas, there is great danger that the profanation 
 of the Lord's day will prevail in the Camp, we earnestly 
 recommend to all the officers not only to set a good exam- 
 ple, but that they strictly require of their soldiers to keep 
 up a religious regard to that day, and attend upon the pub- 
 lick worship of God thereon, so far as may be consistent 
 with other duties. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Resolve be printed in 
 handbills, and sent to the several Ministers of each Town 
 and District in this Colony. 
 
 General Heath and Colonel Robinson returned a list of 
 their Companies. And whereas there are several of the 
 same Companies returned in each, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Batchelder, Mr. Durfee, Major 
 Perley, Major Fuller of Middleton, and Major Bliss, be a 
 Committee to consider of the same, and report. 
 
 A further time was assigned to make choice of Brigadier- 
 Generals, Quartermasters-General, and Adjutants-General, 
 viz : to-morrow morning, eleven o'clock. 
 
 Colonel Coffin, Mr. Stephen Hall, and Col. Davis were 
 chosen a Committee to consider the Petition of James 
 Kirkwood. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Ellis Gray and 
 Richard Hinckley, &c, reported. The two Reports were 
 accepted, and are as follow: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take under consideration 
 the Petition of Messrs. Ellis Gray and Richard Hinckley, 
 relative to eighty hogsheads of Jamaica Cod-Fish laden 
 on two vessels bound to the West-Indies, the one of which 
 would have sailed before the Resolve of this honourable 
 Congress, forbidding the exportation of Fish, was publish- 
 ed, had she not been detained by the elopement of her 
 hands, beg leave to report, that being fully convinced by 
 the accounts given us by Mr. Gray and Mr. Hinckley, 
 that the Fish those two gentlemen were about to export is 
 of such a kind (being old Jamaica Fish) as, if detained, 
 cannot possibly be of any advantage to this Colony, but 
 must perish, this Colony being plentifully supplied with 
 new Fish, that permission be given by this Congress to 
 the owners of said vessels for their proceeding on their 
 voyage, provided there is no other kind of provision on 
 board, except what is for the ship's use. And further, that 
 toleration be given to all other owners of vessels for their 
 departure, who shall convince this Congress, or a Com- 
 mittee thereof, that their vessels and cargoes are in the same 
 predicament ; as no possible advantage can accrue from their 
 detention. J. Orne, per order. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the bearer of a 
 certificate from Newburyport, setting forth that Jonathan 
 Titcomb and Stephen Hooper, Esquires, of Newburyport, 
 have shipped on board two vessels one hundred and thirty 
 hogsheads Jamaica Fish, which is said to be old Fish, beg 
 leave to report, that they are fully convinced the Fish above 
 mentioned is of such a kind as is expressed in the certifi- 
 cate, and that the vessels who have laded it have no other 
 provisions but a supply for the ship's use, and as such, are 
 of opinion that the owners of said vessels be tolerated to 
 despatch them on their voyages, agreeable to a Resolve of 
 this Congress just now passed, granting indulgence to the 
 owners of vessels in such a predicament for so doing. 
 
 J. Orne, per order. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the late extraor- 
 dinary Proclamation, signed Thomas Gage, reported as 
 follows : 
 
 Resolved, That the following Proclamation be signed 
 by the President, printed, and published throughout this 
 Colony: 
 
 BY THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 The confidence which our countrymen have reposed in 
 us, lays us under the strongest obligation to watch and guard 
 against all the malignant designs of their inveterate enemies. 
 
1417 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 141 S 
 
 That the British Administration have formed, and have 
 been for several years executing a plan to enslave this and 
 the other American Colonies, is a proposition so evident, 
 that it would be an affront to the understanding of mankind 
 to adduce proofs in support of it. We shall therefore only 
 advert to those unhappy circumstances which have been 
 the immediate causes of plunging this People into the hor- 
 rors of war and desolation. When a Fleet and Army were 
 sent forth to deprive us of every thing that man holds dear ; 
 when the Capital of this Colony became a garrison, and 
 fortifications were erected upon the only land entrance into 
 the Metropolis; when the Commander of the Army so far 
 manifested his designs against us as to send out his sol- 
 diers in the night to remove the publick magazines of the 
 Colony from their safe lodgment in the country, and place 
 them under the command of a foreign Army; when he 
 evidenced his enmity to the liberties of this Country, by 
 sending a detachment from that Army against the peaceable 
 inhabitants of one of our principal Towns, only because 
 they were assembled quietly to conceit measures to save 
 themselves from ruin ; when we were totally deprived of 
 the benefit of a legislative body ; when the whole system of 
 distributive justice was so mutilated that there could be no 
 reason to hope for any advantages from it ; when an Act 
 of Parliament was passed, which the General of ti e Army 
 resolved to execute, by which our countrymen were given 
 up as a prey to a lawless soldiery, who were screened from 
 punishment here for the murders they might commit ; in 
 fine, when the Army and Navy breathed nothing but blood 
 and slaughter, and all our accounts from England but too 
 strongly proved the inhuman intentions of those in power : 
 it became us as men, as freemen, and as Christians, to 
 take some steps to preserve our own lives and proper- 
 ties, as well as to secure the inheritance purchased at 
 no less a price than the blood of many thousand of our 
 brave ancestors, entire and undiminished for succeed- 
 ing generations. The Congress, whom this people then 
 chose, recommended it to them to provide themselves with 
 such articles for their defence as the law of the land re- 
 quired ; and further recommended it to them to appropriate 
 some part of their property for the purchasing such stores, 
 to be laid up in publick magazines, as might be useful 
 for the general defence, in case an attack should be made 
 upon us by the Army. The recommendation was cheer- 
 fully complied with, and stores were procured in the most 
 peaceable and quiet manner, and deposited in magazines, 
 where they were to have continued without the least injury 
 or disturbance to any one, unless drawn out by necessity 
 to save the Country from destruction. But the possibility 
 of our making resistance to the bloody schemes of our ad- 
 versaries was the source of continual terrour to the traitors, 
 whose aim was to enslave this Country; and General Gage, 
 after many little pilferings and several humiliating disap- 
 pointments in bis attempts to rob the people, at length 
 determined to destroy the magazines at Concord ; he sent 
 the Grenadiers and detachments of Light-Infantry of every 
 Regiment, about one thousand in number, secretly by night 
 over Charles River. On their way some of the officers 
 captured and otherwise infamously abused several of the 
 inhabitants ; and when the body arrived at Lexington 
 meeting-house, which was very early in the morning of the 
 ever-memorable nineteenth of April, they, in a most bar- 
 barous and infamous manner, fired upon a small number of 
 the inhabitants, and cruelly murdered eight men. The fire 
 was returned by some of the survivors, but their number 
 was loo inconsiderable to annoy the regular Troops, who 
 proceeded on their errand, and, upon coming up to Concord, 
 began to destroy by fire and water the stores and maga- 
 zines, until a party of them again fired upon and killed two 
 more of the inhabitants. The native bravery of our coun- 
 trymen could now no longer be restrained ; a small party, 
 consisting of about two or three hundred men, attacked 
 tbem with such spirit and resolution, as compelled them 
 soon to retreat. At Lexington they met a re-enforcement of 
 regular Troops, consisting of about eight hundred, with 
 two field-pieces, commanded by Lord Percy; this, how- 
 ever, did not encourage them to keep their ground, but 
 they continued their route towards Charlestoicn, marking 
 their way with every species of desolation and cruelty 
 which their haste would permit. The burning and robbing 
 of houses, the abuses and barbarities offered to defenceless 
 
 women and children, the wanton slaughter of the aged and 
 helpless, will be perpetual memorials of the base spirit 
 which actuated the perpetrators. Upon their arrival at 
 Charlestoicn our countrymen quitted the pursuit, and the 
 next day suffered them, without annoyance, to cross the 
 river and return to Boston. 
 
 This action of the Troops destroyed every hope of 
 coming to any accommodation with them ; we therefore 
 were compelled to raise an Army to prevent such bloodv 
 excursions in future. An Army is therefore raised and 
 appointed for that purpose, and we are, with the greatest 
 reluctance, obliged to declare, that we have now nothing to 
 depend upon, under God, to preserve America from slavery 
 and destruction but our own arms. To these we have been 
 forced to make our appeal, and by these we are determined 
 to maintain our rights. And we are obliged to declare, and 
 do now publickly declare all persons who shall afford any 
 aid, assistance, or relief, or hold any manner of communi- 
 cation of any kind whatsoever with General Gage, Admiral 
 Graves, or the Army, or Navy, or any one of those now 
 under their command, who are stationed in our Metropolis 
 and the harbour of Boston, or elsewhere, or any persons 
 who are known or shall hereafter be known to have afford- 
 ed such aid, or to have had such communication with them, 
 or either of them, to be enemies and traitors to their Coun- 
 try, and they shall be proceeded against and treated as 
 such ; excepting only such of the unhappy inhabitants of 
 Boston as have, by a treacherous and most infamous breach 
 of faith in General Gage, been prevented from removing 
 out of the Town of Boston, whose peculiar circumstances 
 this Congress will, at all times, make due allowance for, so 
 long as they shall avoid doing any thing to obstruct or 
 counteract such steps as this Congress shall think fit to 
 take. But the said inhabitants are strictly forbidden, what- 
 ever may be the consequence of their refusal, to be in any 
 the least degree instrumental in assisting the enemy, or op- 
 posing the Country, as they would avoid the penalties due 
 to the enemies thereof. 
 
 From a real tenderness to our fellow-men, we most sin- 
 cerely regret the unhappy situation of the soldiery and 
 sailors in the Army and Navy now stationed in the Town 
 and harbour of Boston, and assure then), upon that faith 
 which never has been, and we trust never will be violated, 
 that upon their quitting the infamous service in which they 
 are (as we must in charity suppose, contrary to their own 
 inclinations and principles) engaged, we will receive them 
 as brethren and fellow-subjects, and protect them against 
 ever) attempt that may be made by our enemies to force 
 them again into the disgraceful and inhuman service in 
 which they are now employed. 
 
 And that our earnest desire to discover our tender regard 
 to our few misguided fellow-countrymen, and our readiness 
 to forgive even those who have knowingly offended, we do 
 promise and engage a full and free pardon to all persons 
 who have fled to the Town of Boston for refuge, and to 
 other publick offenders against the rights and liberties of 
 this Country, of what kind or denomination soever; ex- 
 cepting only from the benefit of such pardon, Thomas 
 Gage, Samuel Graves ; those Counsellors who were ap- 
 pointed by mandamus and have not signified their resigna- 
 tion, viz : Jonathan Seieall, Charles Paxton, Benjamin 
 Halloivell ; and all the natives of America not belonging to 
 the Navy or Army who went out with the regular Troops 
 on the nineteenth of April last, and were countenancing, 
 aiding, and assisting them in the robberies and murders 
 then committed ; whose offences are of loo flagitious a 
 nature to admit of any other consideration than that of con- 
 dign punishment ; provided they take the benefit hereof by 
 making a surrender of themselves to any General Officer 
 belonging to the Massachusetts Army, and subscribe a 
 declaration of their readiness to comply with, support, and 
 abide by all the resolutions and determinations which are 
 already made by this or any former Congress, or that shall 
 hereafter be made by this or any future Congress or House 
 of Representatives of this Colony, within thirty days from 
 the date hereof. And it is earnestly enjoined upon the 
 Selectmen, Committees of Correspondence. Committees of 
 Safety, and all other officers of every Town in this Colony, 
 that they use their utmost diligence to discover and make 
 known to this Congress any person or persons who shall, in 
 any respect, attempt to do' any thing tending to render in- 
 
1419 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1420 
 
 effectual their designs and doings. And we trust that the 
 God of Armies, on whom we rely for a blessing upon our 
 arms, which we have taken up in support of the great and 
 fundamental principles of natural justice, and the com- 
 mon and indefeisible rights of mankind, will guide and 
 direct us in our designs, and at last, in infinite goodness to 
 this his injured people, restore peace and freedom to the 
 American world. 
 
 Voted, That Tuesday next, ten o'clock, before noon, be 
 assigned for the further consideration thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Colonel Grout, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to fill commissions for the Field- 
 Officers of the Regiment of Artillery, as recommended by 
 the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Resolved, That a Commission be made out for Mr. Heath, 
 as Colonel of a Regiment of the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Resolved, That Deacon Plympton be appointed to 
 countersign the small Notes, instead of Col. Richmond. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the application of 
 President Langdon, reported ; which Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and hereby is, recommended to 
 as many of the Overseers of Harvard College as can be 
 called together, under the present circumstances of the 
 College and the Country, to meet and join with the Cor- 
 poration of said College in conferring Academical Degrees 
 at the approaching season of the Annual Commencement 
 on such candidates as may offer themselves and be judged 
 qualified for the same, and to transact any other important 
 matters relative to that Society, in the same manner and to 
 all intents and purposes that the whole body of the Over- 
 seers might do, if present. 
 
 Voted, That the Receiver-General, Henry Gardner, 
 Esquire, as also Deacon Plympton, have leave of absence 
 from to-morrow afternoon until Monday morning. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, June 17, 1775. 
 
 The Committee, on the account of Mrs. Coolidge, re- 
 ported ; the Report was ordered to lie on the table till the 
 President came into Congress. 
 
 The Congress granted leave of absence to Mr. J. Orne, 
 being bound on a journey to Philadelphia. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 property of some persons who have left their habitations 
 in sundry Towns in this Colony, and also have discovered 
 themselves to be enemies to the rights of this Colony and 
 the Continent, &ic, reported. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Col. Thompson, and Col. 
 Glover, be a Committee to consider upon the expediency 
 and means of procuring Fire-Arms and Powder from Phi- 
 ladelphia and elsewhere, which Committee reported. The 
 Report was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider upon the expedi- 
 ency and means of procuring Fire-Arms and Powder from 
 Philadelphia and elsewhere, and to report in the form of 
 a Resolve, report accordingly : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supply be directed 
 to employ Mr. Joshua Ome, a member of this Congress, 
 for this end, and that they, by letter, desire that the Hon- 
 ourable Continental Congress would be pleased to grant to 
 Mr. Orne their aid in the premises. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Resolve of the Committee of Safety, respecting the aug- 
 mentation of the Army, and supplying the Army with 
 Arms, &lc, reported in part. The Report was considered 
 and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, the hostile incursions this Country is exposed 
 to, and the frequent alarms we may expect from the mili- 
 tary operations of our enemies, make it necessary that the 
 good people of this Colony be on their guard and prepared 
 at all times to resist their attacks, and to aid and assist 
 their brethren : 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be, and hereby is, recom- 
 mended to the Militia in all parts of this Colony to hold 
 themselves in readiness to march at a minute's warning to 
 the relief of any place that may be attacked, or to the 
 support of our Army, with at least twenty cartridges or 
 
 rounds of powder and ball. And to prevent all confusion 
 or delay, it is further recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this Colony living on the sea-coasts, or within twenty miles 
 of them, that they carry their arms and ammunition with 
 them to meeting on the Sabbath, and other days when they 
 meet for publick worship. 
 
 Resolved, That all vacancies occasioned by the officers 
 going into the Army, or otherwise, in the several Regi- 
 ments of Militia, be immediately filled up; and it is recom- 
 mended to the Regiments, where such vacancies are, to 
 supply them in manner and form as prescribed by the Re- 
 solutions of Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve aforementioned, brought in 
 by said Committee last mentioned, be immediately printed 
 in handbills, and that the number be three hundred. 
 
 Voted, That Capt. Goodman, Mr. Brown, and Major 
 Bliss, be, and hereby are appointed a Committee to get 
 said three hundred handbills printed, and distribute the 
 same to the several Towns and Districts in this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Moses Gunn be, and hereby is 
 appointed to countersign the large Notes, instead of the 
 Hon. Joseph Warren, Esq. 
 
 Colonel Jonathan Brewer's list of Officers in his Regi- 
 ment was presented. 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be delivered to each of 
 the said Officers, except to Joseph Stebbins. who has but 
 twenty-one men in his Company. 
 
 Colonel David Brewer's list of Officers in his Regiment 
 was presented. 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be delivered to each of 
 said Officers. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Holmes, Major Brooks, and 
 Captain Smith, be a Committee to confer with the Printers 
 Edes, Hall, and Thomas, and know of them respectively 
 upon what terms they will print handbills, and also such 
 pieces as may be desired by this Congress to be put in the 
 weekly Papers, and make report to this Congress, in wri- 
 ting, with all convenient speed. 
 
 The Petition of sundry persons from Egamagon Reach 
 was read, and committed to the Committee on the state 
 of the sea-coasts. 
 
 On the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants of Ega- 
 magon Reach, No. 4, so called, praying for a small supply 
 of Provisions : 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended by this Congress to 
 the Committee of Safety of the Town of Salem, or to the 
 like Committee or Committees of Correspondence of any 
 other Towns within this Province, to supply Messrs. Rob- 
 ert Byard and Alexander Greenlatv, of said Egamagon 
 Reach, No. 4, for the present relief of the said inhabi- 
 tants, with the following articles, viz : forty bushels of In- 
 dian Corn and five barrels of Pork ; and take in return for 
 the same, cord Wood, or such other payment as the said 
 Robert Byard and Alexander Greenlaw may be able to 
 make. And in case they, the said Byard and Greenlaw, 
 should not make satisfaction for the same in a reasonable 
 time, it shall be allowed and paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Province, and the said Byard and Greenlaw 
 shall refund the same as soon as may be. 
 
 Several of the Committees who were appointed to con- 
 sider the state and circumstances of the sea-coasts, viz : 
 Hon. Mr. Sever, Hon. Mr. Spooner, Colonel Cutt, and 
 Captain Maynard, being absent, 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hall, Mr. Aikin, Captain Mor- 
 ton, and Captain King, be appointed in their stead. 
 
 Resolved, That the vote for choosing Brigadier-Generals 
 from the Colonels who have been commissioned by this 
 Congress, be so far reconsidered as that Colonel Heath, 
 though he has not yet received his commission, may be 
 eligible to that office. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Resolutions 
 of the Committee of Safety, reported the following Re- 
 solve and Schedule, which were accepted : 
 
 Whereas, some of the inhabitants of the new planta- 
 tions in this Colony, not incorporated, and some of the 
 inhabitants of the neighbouring Colonies, together with a 
 number of the late inhabitants of the Town of Boston, 
 have enlisted into the Army now raising in this Colony, to 
 
1421 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1422 
 
 whom the Resolve of Congress, dated May 9, 1775, em- Monson, 
 powering the Selectmen to supply the inhabitants of their Pelham, 
 respective Towns with Arms, &c, did not extend, and by Blanford, 
 that means many of such men are not provided with suffi- Palmer, 
 cientArms: therefore, Granville, 
 
 Resolved, That the inhabitants of the several Towns New-Salem, 
 and Districts in the Counties specified in a list hereunto Warwick, 
 annexed, who may have good and sufficient Firelocks, be, Ashfield, 
 and hereby are, most earnestly advised, as soon as possible Southwick, 
 to provide and deliver to such person or persons as are to 
 be now appointed by this Congress to receive the same, 
 the full number of good effective Firelocks specified in 
 the said list for each Town and District to supply: for 
 which Firelocks every owner thereof shall receive such 
 sum, in the bills of credit of this Colony, as the person 
 or persons now to be appointed by this Congress to receive 
 such Firelock, and the owner thereof, shall agree to be the 
 value of the same, within forty days after the delivery of 
 such Firelock; for all which Firelocks, delivered as afore- 
 said, the person to be appointed by this Congress to re- 
 ceive the same, shall give his receipt therefor, in the form 
 following : 
 
 " The .... day of , 1775. 
 
 " Received of A B ... . Firelock, to the use of the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, of the value of . . . . , 
 which sum the Receiver-General of the said Colony is 
 directed, in forty days after the date hereof, to pay to the 
 said A B, or order, in bills of credit of this Colony." 
 
 And the Receiver-General, upon such receipt being 
 produced to him, is empowered and required to pay out 
 of the Treasury of this Colony the sum specified in such 
 receipt, in the bills of credit aforesaid, to the person 
 named therein, or his order ; and, furthermore, the Select- 
 men and Committees of Correspondence of the several 
 Towns and Districts aforesaid, are hereby most earnestly 
 requested to afford all possible aid and assistance to the 
 persons to be appointed by this Congress to procure the 
 said Firelocks, that so the said Arms may be supplied to 
 our Army with the greatest expedition. And the persons 
 to be appointed to procure said Firelocks are hereby seve- 
 rally empowered and directed to employ such Wagoners and 
 Teamsters as shall be necessary, with great despatch to 
 convey the same to the Army, and to order the Receiver- 
 General of this Colony to pay out of the Treasury of the 
 same, in bills of credit as aforesaid, such sums as they 
 shall agree on and draw for ; and the said Receiver-Gen- 
 eral is hereby authorized and directed to pay the orders so 
 drawn. 
 
 Holden, 8 
 
 30 Douglass, - - 7 
 32 Grafton, - - 12 
 24 Petersham, - - 12 
 
 31 Royalston, 2 
 11 Westminster, - - 10 
 
 11 Athol, 6 
 31 Templeton, - - 8 
 
 12 Princeton, 8 
 10 Ashburnham, - - 3 
 
 6 Winchendon, - - 3 
 
 " 55 
 
 2 Hampshire County. 
 
 10 Springfield, - - 26 
 12 West-Springfield, - 25 
 
 12 Wilbraham, - - 11 
 8 Northampton, 25 
 
 16 Southampton, - - 10 
 6 Hadley, - - 11 
 
 11 South-Hadley, - 9 
 
 5 Amherst, - - 12 
 
 16 Granby, 7 
 
 10 Hatfield, - - - 14 
 
 13 Westfield, 19 
 15 Deerfield, - - 15 
 
 6 Greenfield, - - 10 
 22 Sunderland, - - 9 
 
 12 Montague, - - 8 
 12 Northfield, - - 10 
 
 17 Brimfield, - - 15 
 
 11 South-Brimfield, - 10 
 
 8 Acton, 
 
 14 Dunstable, 
 
 9 Tewksbury, 
 11 Chelmsford, 
 16 Billerica, 
 
 9 Stow, 
 
 5 Framingham, 
 
 8 Wilmington, 
 
 8 
 
 5 
 5 
 4 
 7 
 7 
 4 
 3 
 _4 
 102 
 
 <5o<l 
 
 Plymouth County. 
 
 
 25 
 
 Bridgevvater, 
 
 25 
 
 \1 id fl Ipbnrriiifrh - 
 
 IIJIUUICUUIUU^IJ, 
 
 16 
 
 10 
 
 41 
 
 6 
 
 
 4 
 
 Bristol County. 
 
 
 4 
 
 Attleborough, - 
 
 10 
 
 49 
 
 Rehoboth, 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Worcester, - 
 
 514 
 
 9 
 
 Hampshire, - 
 
 334 
 
 6 
 
 Suffolk, 
 
 49 
 
 7 
 
 Middlesex, - 
 
 102 
 
 2 
 
 Plymouth, - 
 
 41 
 
 4 
 
 Bristol, 
 
 25 
 
 4 
 5 
 
 Total, 
 
 1065 
 
 Worcester County. 
 Worcester, 
 Lancaster, 
 Mendon, 
 Brookfield, 
 Oxford, 
 Charlton, 
 Sutton, 
 Leicester, 
 Spencer, 
 Paxton, 
 Rutland, 
 Oakham, 
 Hubbardston, - 
 Nevv-Braintree, 
 Southborough, 
 Westborough, 
 Northborough, 
 Lunenburgh, - 
 Fitchburgh, 
 Uxbridge, 
 Northbridge, - 
 Harvard, 
 Dudley, 
 Hutchinson, 
 Bolton, 
 Upton, 
 Shrewsbury, 
 Sturbridge, 
 Leominster, 
 Hardwick, 
 Western, 
 
 Suffolk County. 
 Wrentham, 
 Med way, 
 Bellingham, 
 Walpole, 
 Medfield, 
 
 Middlesex County, 
 Marlborough, - 
 Littleton, 
 Hopkinton, 
 Westford, 
 Groton, 
 Shirley, 
 Pepperel, 
 Townshend, 
 Dracut, 
 
 Resolved, That four o'clock, P. M., be assigned fcr 
 choosing Committees to receive and purchase Fire-Arms, 
 agreeable to the foregoing Resolve. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A Letter from the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, and a Resolve containing several recommendations 
 to this and the other Colonies, and two Letters, (one to the 
 Lieutenant-Governour of Rhode-Island, and one to the 
 Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire,) brought express 
 by Mr. Fessenden, were read ; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Morton take charge of the 
 Letter to New-Hampshire, and Mr. Slead that to Rhode- 
 Island, to deliver them immediately, and return to Con- 
 gress as soon as may be. 
 
 Resolved, That the Hon. Colonel Warren, Hon. Major 
 Hawley, Hon. Colonel Gerrish, Mr. Gerry, Colonel Pres- 
 cott, Deacon Cheever, Captain Brown, Captain Robinson, 
 and the Secretary of the Congress, be a Committee to 
 notify and call together the Members of this Congress in 
 any extraordinary emergency, at any other time, or to any 
 other place than that to which it may r stand adjourned. 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 Whereupon, Committees were chosen to purchase Arms 
 agreeable to the Resolve passed in the forenoon. The 
 names of the Committees chosen are expressed in the fol- 
 lowing Resolve, viz : 
 
 For the County of Worcester. — Captain William 
 Page, of Hardwick; Captain Abitl Sadler, of Upton; 
 Mr. Hcmenway, of Shrewsbury. 
 
 For the County of Hampshire. — Maj. Benjamin S. Ely, 
 of West- Springfield ; Major John Bliss, of Hadley. 
 
 For the County of Slffolk. — Captain Lemuel Kollock, 
 of Wrentham. 
 
 For the County of Middlesex. — Col. Simeon Spauld- 
 ing, of Chelmsford ; Capt. Josiah Stone, of Framingham. 
 
 For the County of Plymouth. — Major Ebenezer White, 
 of Rochester. 
 
 For the County of Bristol. — Colonel George Wil- 
 liams, of Taunton. 
 
 Adjourned to Sunday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, June 18, 1775. 
 Resolved, That the Records and Papers of the Provin- 
 cial Congress be secured and taken care of, at the discre- 
 tion of the Secretary; and that the Committee of Supplies 
 be, and hereby are directed to procure a horse for the 
 Secretary, that he may have one ready for that purpose on 
 any emergency. 
 
 A Petition from the Committee of Waldoborough for 
 Powder, was read; whereupon, 
 
1423 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1424 
 
 Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw 
 their Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop appoint some Messenger 
 to go to Dr. Church for the Letters it is said he has brought 
 from Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hau-ley, Colonel Warren, Mr. 
 Kolloclc, Mr. Edwards, Colonel Gerrish, Doctor Church, 
 and Colonel Otis, be a Committee to prepare a Letter to 
 the Continental Congress on the late attack of the King's 
 Troops at Bunker's Hill, &ic, and such other matters as 
 they may think proper, and report to this Congress. And 
 also, that they take into consideration a Letter from the 
 President of the Contin'ental Congress, and several recom- 
 mendations of the said Continental Congress therein en- 
 closed, received by Mr. Fcsscnden; and another Letter 
 from the said President, with a Resolve enclosed, relative 
 to a mode of Government for this Colony; and also to 
 inquire of the Committee of Supplies what steps they 
 have taken to procure Powder from the other Governments 
 of New-England. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to write to Rhode-Island and New-Hampshire, touching 
 the article of Powder; also to send to each of said Gov- 
 ernments a copy of the recommendation of the Continen- 
 tal Congress. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Thurston, Colonel Parks, and 
 Doctor Corbet, be a Committee to consider a Petition from 
 Egamagon Reach, and also a Petition from Deer Island. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 19, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bonney, Mr. Foster, and Colonel 
 Thompson, be and hereby are appointed a Committee to 
 repair immediately to Cambridge, and inquire what methods 
 are taken to supply the Army at the Intrenchments with 
 Victuals and Drink, and take effectual care that they be 
 well supplied without delay. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Parks, Deacon Fairbanks, and 
 Doctor Whiting, be, and hereby are appointed a Commit- 
 tee to take into consideration a Letter from General Ward 
 respecting the supplying the soldiers with Blankets and 
 other articles lost in battle ; also for providing Spears for 
 defence. 
 
 Doctor Hall, Doctor Jones, and Mr. Bigelow, were 
 appointed a Committee to consider the expediency of 
 establishing another Hospital for the sick and wounded of 
 the Army, and ordered to sit forthwith. 
 
 Deacon Bailey, Captain Goodman, and Mr. Fisher, 
 were appointed a Committee to inquire of the Committee 
 of Supplies how far they have proceeded to supply the 
 soldiery with Blankets, &ic, and make report. 
 
 Captain Goodrich, Mr. Aikin, and Doctor Divight, 
 are appointed to consider a Letter from the Hon. Jede- 
 diah Preble and Hon. Enoch Freeman, respecting Colonel 
 Phinney's Regiment being commissioned for the defence 
 of the sea-coasts. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency of 
 establishing certain officers for taking care of the Ordnance 
 Stores, viz : Storekeeper, Conductors, and Clerks ; also 
 the establishment of a Company of Artificers, &ic, report- 
 ed. The Report was amended, and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of establishing certain officers for taking care of the Ord- 
 nance Stores; also, what Artificers, and the number that may 
 be necessary for the Army, and in what way they shall be 
 established, have attended that service, and beg leave to 
 report as follows : 
 
 That in addition to the Storekeeper already appointed 
 by this Congress, there be established four Conductors of 
 Stores, and two Clerks, for the Ordnance Department; 
 and a company of Artificers, to consist of a Master Car- 
 penter or Overseer, with forty-nine Privates; and the Com- 
 mittee of Safety be desired to recommend to this Congress 
 fit persons for the offices abovenamed ; and if any such 
 Privates who are now engaged in either of the Regiments 
 
 of the Massachusetts Army, are inclined to join the above- 
 said company, they may have leave so to do, they relin- 
 quishing their pay as Soldiers from the time they engage 
 as Artificers, and be equipped with fire-arms and Accou- 
 trements; and the Overseer (when appointed) be ordered 
 to consult the Chief Engineer with respect to the number 
 of each kind of Artificers that may be necessary, and that 
 he complete his Company, and make return thereof to this 
 Congress, with all possible despatch. Your Committee, 
 furthermore, beg leave to report an establishment for the 
 Officers and Privates abovementioned, viz: 
 
 The Storekeeper, 80 shillings per month ; four Con- 
 ductors, each 48 shillings per month ; one Master Car- 
 penter, or Overseer, 80 shillings per month ; two Clerks, 
 each 48 shillings per month ; forty-nine Privates, (they to 
 find their own tools,) each 50 shillings per month. 
 
 All which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Elisha Parks, per order. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for 
 the choice of a President of this Congress, in the room of 
 the Hon. Joseph Warren, supposed to be killed in the late 
 battle at Bunker's Hill. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Resolve of the honourable Continental Congress, respect- 
 ing the method of establishing Civil Government in this 
 Colony, reported. The Report was read, and debated, and 
 
 Resolved, That the further consideration of the said 
 Report be put off until Dr. Church, who was at Philadel- 
 phia at the time said Resolve of the Continental Congress 
 passed, shall be present. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 Letter from General Ward respecting supplying the soldiers 
 with Blankets, &ic, lost in battle, and providing Spears, 
 he, reported. The Report was recommitted. 
 
 Colonel Prescott and Mr. Wheeler were added to the 
 Committee chosen to fill up Commissions for the Officers 
 of the Army. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Prescott, Doctor Hall, and 
 Colonel Otis, be a Committee to receive, sort, and count 
 the votes for a President. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that the Hon. James Warren was chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That nine o'clock to-morrow morning be as- 
 signed for the consideration of the Report of the Commit- 
 tee on the establishing armed Vessels. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire of the Committee 
 of Supplies what they had done relative to providing Blan- 
 kets and Coats, reported verbally, that they had conformed 
 to the Resolve of Congress relative thereto, and looked 
 upon it to be their duty to pay such orders as the Select- 
 men might draw on them for the Blankets they should 
 purchase, but that they had only paid one Town as yet. 
 
 Resolved, That the same Committee report to this Con- 
 gress the price proper to be given for Blankets throughout 
 the whole Colony ; and that the Committee of Supplies 
 be directed to suspend the payments for Blankets till some 
 further day ; and that the said Committee bring in a Re- 
 solve expressive of the reason thereof. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of establishing another Hospital for the Army, reported, 
 that a house belonging to Doctor Spring, of this place, 
 may be had for that purpose: Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That said Committee be directed to inquire 
 at what rate per month Doctor Spring will let the same. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary be directed to subscribe 
 the name of the late President to all the Commissions that 
 are to be delivered out to the officers of the Army, bearing 
 date the 19th of May. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 General Ward's Letter relative to Spears, was again read 
 and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 Letter from the General, informing that a number of the 
 soldiers in the late action lost their clothes and blankets; 
 and also proposing that the Soldiers in the intrenchments 
 
1425 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1426 
 
 be furnished with Lances or Spears, have attended to that 
 service, and beg leave to report by way of Resolve: 
 
 That the Committee of Supplies be, and they are hereby 
 directed to furnish those destitute soldiers with Clothes and 
 Blankets, as soon as may be, who shall produce from the 
 Colonel of the Regiment they belong to certificates of 
 their having lost such clothes and blankets in the late en- 
 gagement ; and that a Committee be chosen immediately 
 to procure from such as can most speedily and conveniently 
 supply them, a sufficient number of good Spears, not ex- 
 ceeding fifteen hundred, either by purchase or hire ; and 
 that the same be transmitted to the Army at Cambridge, 
 as soon as possible. All which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Tuesday, June 20, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of 
 Colonel Phinney, reported as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 request of Colonel Phinney, with respect to establishing a 
 Regiment in the pay of this Colony to guard the sea- 
 coast within and adjacent to the County of Cumberland , 
 have attended to that service, and beg leave to report : 
 That it appears to us necessary that there should be a Re- 
 giment, consisting of five hundred men, stationed there for 
 their proper defence, provided said Regiment can be fur- 
 nished with ammunition, as it appears that those parts are 
 greatly exposed to the ravages of Cutters, &.c. All which 
 is humbly submitted. 
 
 The Report was ordered to lie on the table till the mat- 
 ter respecting armed Vessels is considered. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Brooks, Colonel Mitchell, Mr. 
 Ellis, JVlr. Kollock, Deacon Fairbanks, Mr. Gerry, and 
 Major Fuller, be a Committee to purchase Spears, agree- 
 able to a Resolve which passed the Congress yesterday ; 
 said Committee to proceed on the business forthwith, to 
 consult with and receive directions from the General re- 
 specting the form, Sic, of the Spears, and to engage pay- 
 ment for the same in bills of credit of this Colony. 
 
 The Committee on the Resolve of the Continental Con- 
 gress respecting Government, reported a Letter to the 
 several Towns in the Colony; which was read and accept- 
 ed, and ordered to be printed in handbills, with the Resolve 
 of the Continental Congress at large ; and Mr. Whitney, 
 Colonel Freeman, Captain Stone, Doctor Church, and 
 Deacon Cheever, were appointed a Committee to ascertain 
 the number to be printed, to get them printed, and to dis- 
 perse the same to the several Towns and Districts in this 
 Colony; and also to consider in what manner the late in- 
 habitants of the Towns of Boston and Charlestown should 
 choose Members to represent them. 
 
 The Resolve of the Continental Congress, and the Let- 
 ter to the Towns, follow, viz : 
 
 "In Congress, Friday, June 9, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That no obedience being due to the Act of 
 Parliament for altering the Charter of the Colony of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, nor to a Governour and Lieutenant-Gov- 
 ernour who will not observe the directions of, but endeavour 
 to subvert that Charter, the Governour and Lieutenant- 
 Governour are to be considered as absent, and their offices 
 vacant. And as there is no Council there, and the incon- 
 veniences arising from the suspension of the powers of Gov- 
 ernment are intolerable, especially at a time when General 
 Gage hath actually levied war, and is carrying on hostilities 
 against His Majesty's peaceable and loyal subjects of that 
 Colony : That in order to conform as near as may be to the 
 spirit and substance of the Charter, it be recommended to 
 the Provincial Congress to write Letters to the inhabitants 
 of the several places which are entitled to Representatives 
 in Assembly, requesting them to choose such Representa- 
 tives ; and that the Assembly, when chosen, should elect 
 Counsellors, which Assembly and Council should exercise 
 the powers of Government, until a Governour of His Ma- 
 jesty's appointment will consent to govern the Colony 
 according to its Charter. 
 
 " By order of the Congress : 
 
 " John Hancock, President. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary ." 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. { 
 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 In observance of the foregoing Resolve of the honour- 
 able Continental Congress, now sitting at Philadelphia, 
 these are to request you forthwith to cause the Freeholders 
 and other Inhabitants of your Town that have an estate of 
 freehold in land within this Province or Territory, of forty 
 Shillings per annum at the least, or other estate to the value 
 of forty Pounds sterling, to assemble at such time and place 
 as you shall appoint, then and there to elect and depute one 
 or more Freeholders, resident in the same Town, according 
 to the numbers set and limited by an Act of the General 
 Assembly, intituled " An Act for ascertaining the number, 
 and regulating the House of Representatives," to serve for 
 and represent them in a Great and General Court or Assem- 
 bly, to be convened, held, and kept for the service of the 
 said Colony, until the end of the day next preceding the 
 last Wednesday of May next, if necessary, and no longer, 
 at the meeting-house in Watcrtown, upon Wednesday, the 
 19th day of July next ensuing the date hereof; and to warn 
 the person or persons so elected by the major part of the 
 electors present at such election, to be timely notified by 
 one or more of the Constables of your Town to attend the 
 service of this Colony in the said General Court or As- 
 sembly, on the day above prefixed, by nine o'clock in the 
 forenoon, and so from day to day during their session and 
 sessions. Hereof we desire you not to fail ; and make re- 
 turn of this letter, with the name or names of the person 
 or persons so elected or deputed, and of their being notified, 
 unto the said General Assembly, at the time and place 
 above-mentioned for its meeting. Given under my hand 
 this 19th day of June, Anno Domini 1775. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 , President. 
 
 Attest : , Secretary. 
 
 To the Selectmen of the Town of 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for 
 the choice of a Major-General, in the room of the late 
 Doctor Warren; and also for the choice of one Brigadier- 
 General. 
 
 Several Letters from Penobscot, viz : from Mr. John 
 Lane and others, were read, and committed to Captain 
 Webster, Colonel Farley, Captain Holmes, Doctor Taylor, 
 and Major Pcrley. 
 
 Doctor Gunn was appointed to report a Resolve on the 
 proposal made by the Committee of Safety relative to the 
 killed and wounded in the late battle. 
 
 A Petition from the District of Woolwich was presented 
 and read: And thereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw 
 their Petition. 
 
 Upon a motion made, Resolved, That the House of Mr. 
 Hunt, at Cambridge, be hired for a Hospital ; and that the 
 Committee appointed to treat with Doctor Spring be a 
 Committee to hire the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Doctor Taylor, and 
 Doctor Whiting, be a Committee to consider what method 
 is proper to be taken to supply the Hospitals with Sur- 
 geons ; and that the same gentlemen be a Committee to 
 provide Medicines and all other necessaries for the Hospi- 
 tals. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the expediency of 
 establishing armed Vessels, was considered. The Report 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That a number of armed Vessels, not less 
 than six, to mount from eight to fourteen carriage guns, and 
 a proportionable number of swivels, &c, &£c, be with all 
 possible despatch provided, fixed, and properly manned, to 
 cruise as the Committee of Safety, or any other person or 
 persons who shall be appointed by this Congress for that 
 purpose, shall from time to time order and direct, for the 
 protection of our trade and sea-coasts against the depre- 
 dations and piracies of our enemies, and for their annoy- 
 ance, capture, or destruction. 
 
 After debate, the matter was ordered to subside for the 
 present. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with Doctor Spring 
 relative to the use of his house for another Hospital, re- 
 
1427 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1428 
 
 ported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of the expediency 
 of establishing another Hospital for the sick and wounded 
 of the Army, have attended that service, and beg leave to 
 report, that they judge it is really expedient to have another 
 established ; and they judge that the house of Dr. Spring, 
 in Watertown, is convenient for that purpose ; and that he 
 is willing said house should be improved by the Province 
 for that use ; but that he cannot at present ascertain the 
 damage it may be to him, but is willing to submit that 
 matter to the judgment of a Committee to be hereafter 
 appointed by this honourable Congress or House of As- 
 sembly. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. 
 Pickering, be a Committee to consider the Petition of Mr. 
 Pidgcon, Commissary -General. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Dr. Whiting, and Captain 
 Filsbury, be a Committee to consider a Petition of Colonel 
 John Patterson ; who reported as Ibllows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of Colonel Patterson, have attended that service, 
 and beg leave to report by way of Resolve: That the 
 Committee of Supplies be directed to give immediate orders 
 for supplying said destitute Soldiers with Blankets, agree- 
 able to the said Petition. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Mr. Pidgeon, re- 
 ported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. John Pidgeon, Commissary-Gene- 
 ral, requesting a dismission from his said office, being under 
 a mistake, have liberty to withdraw his Petition ; that the 
 conduct of said Commissary-General in his office has been 
 such as to merit the approbation of this Congress, and of 
 the publick in general ; and that said John Pidgeon be 
 desired to attend his business as Commissary-General in 
 the service of this Province. 
 
 At the request of Mr. Pidgeon, the Commissary-Gene- 
 ral, Ordered, That Doctor Holten, Mr. Devens, and Col. 
 Palmer, be a Committee to consult, and with their advice 
 assist Mr. Pidgcon in such matters as appertain to his 
 office. 
 
 Resolved, That there be one Deputy-Commissary ap- 
 pointed to each Regiment ; and that Mr. Pidgeon, the 
 Commissary-General, be desired to lay before the Congress 
 a list of persons proper to be appointed for this business, 
 and to propose an establishment for their pay. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Edwards, Mr. Hopkins, Doctor 
 Taylor, Mr. Batchelder, and Doctor Church, be a Com- 
 mittee to confer with four Indians this day arrived from 
 Penobscot, under the conduct of Mr. John Lane, and to 
 provide proper entertainment for them while in this place, 
 and for their return home. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Langdon, and Col. 
 Sawyer, be a Committee to consider the desire of Captain 
 George Dodge, for liberty to export a quantity of old Ja- 
 maica Fish. 
 
 On a motion made in behalf of Captain Thomas Mason 
 and Captain George Dodge, that they might have liberty 
 from this Congress to ship off for the West-Indies one hun- 
 dred and thirty hogsheads of last year's Jamaica Cod-Fish, 
 or a quantity not exceeding the same, 
 
 Resolved, That it appears to this Congress that the de- 
 tention of said Fish can be of little or no service to this 
 Colony, and that they be allowed to export the same ; and 
 the Committee of Safety for the Town of Salem is directed 
 to see that this Resolve be effectually carried into execu- 
 tion ; and that no other Provisions, except for the vessel's 
 use, be shipped off in the same. 
 
 Resolved, That five o'clock, P. M., be assigned for the 
 choice of some person to preach an Election Sermon on the 
 ]9th of July next. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Petition from 
 the Committee chosen to take care of the Poor at Charles- 
 town, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 The Committee chosen to take the within Petition into 
 consideration, report, that it is their opinion that the Poor 
 
 of the Town of Charlcstown be provided for by the Select- 
 men of the several Towns to which they remove, until the 
 further order of this or some future Congress or House of 
 Representatives. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Cushing, Major Perlcy, Col. 
 Prescott, Colonel Bairett, and Deacon Fisher, be a Com- 
 mittee to inquire into the grounds of a report which has 
 prevailed in the Army, that there has been treachery in 
 some of the Officers ; and that if they find that such report 
 is without foundation, they bring in a Resolve for quieting 
 the minds of the people in respect thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider 
 the request of Captain George Dodge, should likewise 
 consider a request made by Deacon Cheever, in behalf of 
 Mr. Russell, for a similar purpose. 
 
 On a motion made in behalf of Mr. Thomas Russell, 
 merchant, that he might be allowed to ship off from this 
 Colony one hundred hogsheads of last year's Jamaica Fish 
 for the West- Indies, 
 
 Resolved, That it appears to this Congress that the de- 
 tention of said Fish can be of little or no service to this 
 Colony, and that he be allowed to export the same ; and 
 as part of the said Fish is now at Salem, and part at Atu- 
 buryport, it is further 
 
 Resolved, That the said Russell be allowed to send or 
 transport the Fish which is at Salem to Newburyport, in 
 order to be shipped off as aforesaid ; and the respective 
 Committees of Safety of both said Towns are directed to 
 take care in their own departments that this Resolve be 
 effectually carried into execution ; and that no other Pro- 
 visions, except for the vessel's use, be shipped off in the 
 same. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Webster, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. 
 Fox, be a Committee to receive and count the votes for a 
 Major-General. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported 
 that Colonel Heath was chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That eleven o'clock to-morrow morning be 
 assigned for the choice of four Brigadier-Generals. 
 
 A Return of a Member, viz : Mr. Beriah Norton, from 
 Edgartown, was read and considered ; and the question 
 being put, Whether Mr. Norton be regularly returned a 
 Member for said Town ? It passed in the negative. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary transmit to General Heath 
 a certificate of his being chosen by this Congress a Major- 
 General in the Massachusetts Army, and to desire his ac- 
 ceptance ; and that he would attend this Congress as soon 
 as may be, to receive his Commission. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. 
 Sayer, be a Committee to make out a Commission for 
 Major-General Heath. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Mr. Webster, and Dr. 
 Taylor, be a Committee to prepare the form of a Return 
 to be printed on the back of the letter to be sent to the 
 several Towns and Districts for choosing Representatives. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Captain Stone, and 
 Captain Thatcher, be a Committee to consider a Letter 
 from the Committee of Safety, relative to their recommen- 
 dation of Mr. John Wiley, as Captain of a Company of 
 the Train of Artillery; and that they notify the said Wiky 
 to be heard thereon. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Batchelder, Mr. Hopkins, and 
 Major Fuller, be a Committee to consider a Petition from 
 Robert Haskell. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Broum be of the Committee 
 in the room of Major Hull, to agree with Mr. Hunt for 
 his house in Watertown, to be used as a Hospital. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Nichols, Deacon Fisher, and 
 Mr. Hinsdale, be a Committee to distribute Doctor Lang- 
 don's Sermons, one to each Minister in the Colony, and 
 one to each Member of the Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare the form of a 
 Return, to be printed on the back of the letters to the 
 Selectmen of the several Towns and Districts, Sic, re- 
 ported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
1429 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVIIVCIAL CONGRESS, JUKE, 1775. 
 
 1430 
 
 Pursuant to the letters within written, the Freeholders 
 and other Inhabitants of the Town of. ... , qualified as 
 is therein directed, upon due warning given, assembled and 
 met together the .... day of .... , 1775, and did 
 
 then elect and depute to serve for and represent 
 
 them in the session and sessions of the Great and General 
 Court or Assembly, appointed to be convened, held, and 
 kept at the meeting-house in Watertown, upon Wednesday, 
 the 19th day of July, 1775; the said person being chosen 
 by the major part of the electors present at said meeting. 
 
 Dated at ... . aforesaid, the .... day of .... , 
 Anno Domini 1775. 
 
 Selectmen of 
 
 The person chosen as aforesaid, notified thereof and sum- 
 moned to attend accordingly, by me, 
 
 Constable of 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Continental Congress, reported. The Report was read, 
 paragraph by paragraph, and accepted, and ordered to be 
 transcribed, authenticated, and sent forward, and is as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 To the Honourable the Continental Congress, now sitting 
 at Philadelphia: 
 
 May it please your Honours : Having been favoured 
 with your Resolve respecting the assumption of Govern- 
 ment in this Colony, we seize the earliest opportunity to 
 express our grateful sentiments for that compassion, sea- 
 sonable exertion, and abundant wisdom evidenced in your 
 recommendation to this people on that head, and for the 
 generous provision you have made for our support in our 
 efforts for the defence of the common liberty and essential 
 rights of the whole Continent. 
 
 As we are plunged into the accumulated distresses of a 
 domestick war, our constant attention to the calls of our 
 brethren in the field will leave us but little time to contem- 
 plate the acts of ordinary legislation ; but as we are im- 
 pressed with the indispensable necessity of rescuing this 
 people from the danger they are in of falling into a state 
 of anarchy, and that our publick resolutions may be taken 
 and executed with the greater despatch, we shall apply our- 
 selves with all diligence to fulfil your benevolent intentions, 
 and establish the form of Government recommended by 
 your Honours, that so order and government may be re- 
 stored to this disturbed community. 
 
 W e think it our indispensable duty to inform you that 
 re-enforcements from Ireland, both of Horse and Foot, 
 being arrived, (the number unknown,) and having good 
 intelligence that General Gage was about to take possession 
 of the advantageous posts in Charlestown and on Dorches- 
 ter Point, the Committee of Safety advised that our Troops 
 should prepossess them, if possible. Accordingly, on Fri- 
 day evening, the 16th instant, this was effected by about 
 twelve hundred men. About daylight on Saturday morn- 
 ing, their line of circumvallation, on a small hill south of 
 Bunker's Hill, in Charlestown, was closed. At this time the 
 Lively, man-of-war, began to fire upon them. A number 
 of our enemy's ships, tenders, cutters, and scows or floating 
 batteries soon came up, from all which the fire was general 
 by twelve o'clock. About two the enemy began to land 
 at a point which leads out towards Noddle's Island, and 
 immediately marched up to our intrenchments, from w hich 
 they were twice repulsed, but in the third attack forced 
 them. Our forces which were in the lines, as well as those 
 sent for their support, were greatly annoyed on every side 
 by balls and bombs from Copp's Hill, the ships, scows, 
 he. At this time the buildings in Charlestown appeared 
 in flames in almost every r quarter, kindled by red-hot balls, 
 and are since laid in ashes. Though this scene was most 
 horrible, and altogether new to most of our men, yet many 
 stood and received wounds by swords and bayonets before 
 they quitted their lines. At five o'clock the enemy were 
 in full possession of all the posts within the isthmus. In 
 the evening and night following, Gen. Ward extended his 
 intrenchments before made at the Stone-House over Win- 
 ter Hill. About six o'clock, P. M., of the same day, the 
 enemy began to cannonade Boxbury from Boston Neck 
 and elsewhere, which they continued twenty-four hours, 
 with little spirit and less effect. 
 
 The number of killed and missing on our side is not 
 
 known, but supposed by some to be about sixty or seventy, 
 and by some considerably above that number. Our most 
 worthy friend and President, Doctor Warren, lately elected 
 a Major-General, is among them. This loss we feel most 
 sensibly. Lieutenant-Colonel Parker and Major Moore, 
 of this Colony r , and Major McClary, from New-Hamp- 
 shire, are also dead. Three Colonels, and perhaps one 
 hundred men, are wounded. The loss of the enemy is 
 doubtless great. By an anonymous letter from Boston, we 
 are told that they exult much in having gained the ground, 
 though their killed and wounded amount to about one thou- 
 sand ; but this account exceeds every other estimation. 
 The number they had engaged is supposed to be between 
 three and four thousand. If any errour has been made on 
 our side, it was in taking a post so much exposed. 
 
 As soon as an estimate can be made of publick and pri- 
 vate stocks of gunpowder in this Colony, it shall be trans- 
 mitted without delay, which we are well assured will be 
 very small, and by no means adequate to the exigences of 
 our case. We apprehend that the scantiness of our stock 
 of that article, cannot fail to induce your Honours still to 
 give your utmost attention to ways and means of procuring 
 full supplies of it. We feel ourselves infinitely obliged to 
 you for your past care in this respect. 
 
 We beg leave humbly to suggest, that if a Commander- 
 in-Chief over the Army of the United Colonies should 
 be appointed, it must be plain to your Honours that no 
 part of this Continent can so much require his immediate 
 presence and exertions as this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Major Hawley and Mr. 
 Phillips be a Committee to draw up a Resolve to be sent 
 to General Ward, suggesting to him the expediency of 
 drawing part of the Forces stationed at Boxbury to the 
 Camp at Cambridge. 
 
 The said Committee reported the following Letter, 
 which was accepted, and ordered to be sent by Mr. Thax- 
 ter to the Camp at Cambridge immediately: 
 
 Sir : This Congress, considering the present situation of 
 the enemy and that of the division of our Army at Cain- 
 bridge, think proper to suggest to your serious considera- 
 tion, whether it is not proper and expedient that there should 
 be an immediate draught of a Regiment or more from the 
 Boxbury Camp to that at Cambridge. Your good sense 
 will undoubtedly incline you to consult General Thomas 
 before you determine absolutely on this measure ; but we 
 conceive the consideration of this matter ought not to be 
 delayed a moment. 
 To the Hon. General Ward. 
 
 Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 21, 1775. 
 
 Besolved, That the vote of this Congress, for ranking 
 the Major-Generals agreeable to the order of their choice, 
 be reconsidered. 
 
 The Commission prepared for General Heath was pre- 
 sented to Congress, read and accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 " The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay to 
 the Honourable William Heath, Esq., greeting: 
 
 " We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your 
 courage and good conduct, do, by these presents, consti- 
 tute and appoint you, the said William Heath, to be a 
 Major-General of all the Forces raised by the Congress 
 aforesaid, for the defence of this and the other American 
 Colonies. You are therefore carefully and diligently to 
 discharge the duty of a Major-General, in leading, order- 
 ing, and exercising the said Forces in arms, both inferiour 
 Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good order and 
 discipline ; and they are hereby commanded to obey you 
 as their Major-General. And you are yourself to observe 
 and follow such orders and instructions as you shall from 
 time to time receive from the General and Commander-in- 
 Chief of said Forces, or any other your superiour Officers, 
 and to demean yourself according to military rules and dis- 
 cipline established by said Congress, in pursuance of the 
 trust reposed in you. 
 
 " Dated at Watertown, the 21st of June, 1775. 
 
 " By order of Congress : 
 
 » , President.'" 
 
1431 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1432 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Major Hau-ky, Doctor 
 Taylor, Mr. Durfee, and Mr. Jcuett, be a Committee to 
 consider the expediency of directing General Ward to call 
 Colonel Glover's Regiment, now stationed at Murbkhcad , 
 to the Camp at Cambridge, and report. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Robert Haskell, re- 
 ported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of Robert Haskell, beg leave to report by way of 
 Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That the petitioner, Robert Haskell, be, and 
 he hereby is permitted to proceed from Beverly to Nova- 
 Scotia, in a fishing vessel about seventeen years old, that 
 he hath procured for that purpose ; also, to carry three or 
 four persons with him, and the following Provisions, viz: 
 one barrel of Pork, two of Bread, sixteen gallons of Mo- 
 lasses, sixteen gallons of Rum, half a bushel of Beans or 
 Peas, and two bushels of Salt : but no more provisions of 
 any kind whatever. And that such proceeding will not be 
 contrary to the Resolve passed by the Grand American 
 Congress, the 17th of May last, or any other Resolve that 
 honourable Congress have yet published. 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Phinney be admitted into this 
 House, to inform the Congress of the state of the Regiment 
 enlisted in the County of Cumberland. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of directing General Ward to call to the Camp at Cam- 
 bridge the Regiment at Marblehead, reported. The Re- 
 port was accepted, and is as follows, viz : [This Report is 
 not to be found.] 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Sayer wait on General Ward 
 with it. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Sayer draw, in the form of a Re- 
 solve, the Report of the Committee relative to the Estates 
 of the Refugees. 
 
 Ordered, That the President sign the Resolve relative to 
 the violation of the Sabbath, which passed the 16th instant. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Jones, Capt. Stone, and Capt. 
 Bragdon, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 Thomas Twining. 
 
 Mr. Sayer reported a Resolve relative to the Estates of 
 the Refugees; which was accepted, and ordered to be 
 printed in the Cambridge, Water town, and Worcester Pa- 
 pers, and is as follows,* viz : 
 
 Whereas, the property of some persons who have left 
 their habitations in sundry Towns in this Colony, and have 
 discovered themselves to be enemies to the rights of this 
 Colony, and the Continent of A/nerica in general, and have 
 taken refuge in Boston and other places, under the protec- 
 tion of the enemies to said Colony and Continent: 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That it be recommended to the 
 Selectmen and Committees of Correspondence of the seve- 
 ral Towns and Districts of this Colony, where any property 
 is to be found belonging to any of the aforesaid persons, 
 that they take the same into their care, and make the best 
 improvement thereof in their power; and also, that it be 
 recommended to the said Committees or Selectmen, to use 
 their endeavours that no strip or waste be made -on such 
 property, and to keep an account of all the rents and profits 
 arising from the same, and to be accountable for the same 
 to this or some other Congress or Assembly of this Colony, 
 when thereunto required, they having a reasonable allow- 
 ance made for their trouble. 
 
 * The following is a copy of tho Resolution, as printed under this 
 order of the Congress. The Resolution in the text is recorded on tho 
 manuscript Journal : 
 
 In Provincial Conchkss, Watnrtown, June 21, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, a number of our inveterate enemies have taken shelter 
 under the protection of General Oage and his Troops, and have left a 
 considerable interest, whereby it becomes noccssary that some provi- 
 sion should bo made for tho disposal of the same : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That tho Selectmen and Committees of Corres. 
 pondenco of tho several Towns and Districts of this Colony, be direct, 
 cd to take under their care the effects and estates of tho soveral persons 
 who have fled for protection to ISoston or elsewhere, and to improvo 
 the same to tho best advantage, and render a true account of tho profits 
 arising therefrom, to this Congress, or some future House of Repre- 
 sentatives of this Colony, thoy being allowed a roasonablo considera. 
 tion for their trouble. Ja. Warren, President, 
 
 A truo copy from tho Minutos ; 
 
 Altost : Sam, Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawlcy, Mr. Gerry, and Major 
 Fuller, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the pur- 
 pose of calling the General Assembly at another time than 
 that at which it is to be held, if the exigences of the times 
 shall make it necessary. 
 
 Resolved, That another Major-General be chosen by 
 this Congress, in addition to the two already chosen, and 
 that six o'clock this afternoon be assigned for such choice. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Colonel Farley, and Mr. 
 Wheeler, be a Committee to inquire how and where mate- 
 rials for making good Paper, proper for Bills of Credit, may 
 be had, if any such bills shall be emitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Bragdon and Colonel Davis 
 be a Committee to apply to Mr. Paul Revere, desiring him 
 to take care that he does not leave his Engraving Press 
 exposed when he is absent from it ; and said Committee 
 are directed to take the Plates into their hands, and deliver 
 them to this Congress, when the Notes are all struck orl*. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to confer with the 
 Indians, reported as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed by the honourable Colony 
 Congress now sitting, to treat with the Indian Chief from 
 the Penobscot Tribe, after an introduction on their part, 
 received from the Indian the following Address, viz: 
 
 The representation he now makes, and the engagements 
 he enters into, are in behalf of the whole Tribe he repre- 
 sents. His heart is good, honest, and upright in all lie says. 
 The English are a people old and strong, but they are 
 children and weak. They have a large tract of land which 
 they have a right to call their own, and have possessed 
 accordingly for many years. These lands have been en- 
 croached upon by the English, who have for miles on end 
 cut much of their good timber. They ask that the English 
 would interpose and prevent such encroachments for the 
 future, and they will assist us with all their power in the 
 common defence of our country ; and they hope, if the 
 Almighty be on our side, the enemy will not be able to 
 deprive us of our lands. They request that Captain Lane 
 be an agent for them to settle all matters relative to the 
 above difficulties respecting their lands. They desire a 
 Commissary may be sent among them, of whom they may 
 purchase goods. They desire provisions, powder, &ic, 
 may be sent them, which they will buy at a reasonable 
 rate. They say they have been much imposed upon by 
 our traders, and desire such evils may be by us pre- 
 vented. 
 
 Ordered, That the request of the Indians, as mention- 
 ed in said Report, be considered by the Committee afore- 
 said. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Haven administer the oaths to 
 General Heath as Colonel, and as Major-General in the 
 
 Massachusetts Army. 
 
 The President then delivered General Heath a Commis- 
 sion as Colonel, and another as a Major-General of the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. 
 Pitts, be a Committee to deliver Commissions to the fol- 
 lowing Officers in General Heath's Regiment, viz : Jotham 
 Loring, Second Major; Charles Cushing, Captain ; EHat 
 Whitton, Lieutenant; Benjamin Beal, Ensign. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Major Hawley, Mr. Gerry, 
 Colonel Thompson, Captain Goodman, Colonel Lincoln, 
 and Colonel Freeman, be a Committee to inquire into the 
 reason of the present want of discipline in the Massachu- 
 setts Army, and to report to this Congress what is the most 
 proper way to put said Army into a proper regulation. 
 
 A Commission was delivered to Colonel Benjamin Bug- 
 gies Woodbridge, as Colonel of a Regiment in the Colony 
 Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Offi- 
 cers of Colonel Woodbridge' 1 's Regiment, agreeable to a list 
 by him exhibited to the Committee of Safety. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. 
 Lothrop, be a Committee to receive, sort, and count the 
 votes for another Major-General. 
 
1133 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. I434 
 
 Which Committee reported, that they had attended that 
 service, and that Joseph Fry, Esq., was chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips he appointed forthwith to 
 wait on Colonel Fry 10 inform him of such choice, and to 
 know if he will accept that trust. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of the 
 Indians now in Watcrtown, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 We, the Delegates of the People of this Province, as- 
 sembled in Congress, being appointed to transact the pub- 
 lick business, have no doubt that any engagement we shall 
 make for and in behalf of our constituents will, on their 
 part, be faithfully ratified and adhered to. We do not 
 doubt of the integrity and honest intentions of our brethren 
 of the Penobscot Tribe, and hope, on their parts, that they 
 entertain no jealousy of the uprightness and fidelity of their 
 brethren. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Colony disdain to make use of 
 unjustifiable force or artifice to rob their unsuspecting breth- 
 ren of their rights, and are heartily disposed to prevent any 
 injuries and encroachments upon their neighbours, and to 
 restrain and chastise such invaders as have evidenced any 
 such unjustifiable dispositions. And we hereby strictly 
 forbid any person or persons whatsoever from trespassing 
 or making waste upon any of the lands and territories or 
 possessions beginning at the head of the tide on Penobscot 
 River, extending six miles on each side of said river, now 
 claimed by our brethren the Indians of the Penobscot 
 Tribe, as they would avoid the highest displeasure of this 
 Congress. 
 
 We thank our brethren of the Penobscot Tribe for their 
 generous offers of friendship and assistance in our present 
 war with our brethren in Great Britain, who are endea- 
 vouring, by murder and violence, to rob us of our lands 
 and property, and hereby engage to defend their just claims 
 against every invader. 
 
 As soon as we can take breath from our present fight, 
 we will take care that our brethren, the Penobscot Tribe, 
 shall be furnished with a proper Commissary, who shall be 
 directed to furnish them with provisions, ammunition, and 
 goods, at a reasonable rate ; and proper and effectual mea- 
 sures shall then be taken to prevent any dishonest persons 
 from carrying on a fraudulent traffick with them. 
 
 We accept of Captain Lane as an agent appointed by 
 our brethren of the Penobscot Tribe, who is hereby autho- 
 rized and empowered to take cognizance and make report 
 to this Congress, or any future Assembly of this Colony, 
 of any molestation or depredations which the Indians of the 
 Penobscot Tribe may hereafter sustain from any person 
 whatsoever, so that seasonable and effectual measures may 
 be taken to afford those our brethren such redress as their 
 circumstances may require. To the Fountain of all Justice 
 we dare appeal, that our intentions are equitable towards 
 all our neighbours, and on that Almighty Being we rely, 
 that while we are struggling against rapine and tyranny, we 
 shall be supported in the conflict, and our just endeavours 
 be finally crowned with success. 
 
 The Committee likewise reported, verbally, that it is 
 their opinion, the said Indians should have, each of them, 
 two yards of blue Broadcloth and one piece of Ribbon, and 
 have their expenses paid out and home ; which Report 
 was accepted, and the Committee of Supplies directed to 
 furnish said Indians with the said Ribbon and Cloth. 
 
 A copy of a Letter from the President of the Nciv- York 
 Congress to Major-General Worcester, at Greenwich, for- 
 warded to Head-Quarters at Cambridge, was read, and 
 committed to the Committee just now appointed to con- 
 sider some methods for regulating the Army immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions for the several Officers of 
 the Train of Artillery, hereafter mentioned, be prepared and 
 delivered, viz : To Col. Richard Gridley, Colonel; Mr. 
 William Burbeck, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Mr. David Mason, 
 First Major ; Mr. Scarborough Gridley, Second Major. 
 
 Resolved, That Commissions be delivered to the several 
 Officers of the Train of Artillery, agreeable to the list ex- 
 hibited by the Committee of Safety, except to Mr. John 
 Wiley's Company; and that the said Committee be desired 
 to recommend some persons for that Company anew. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Pickering, and Col. 
 
 Sawyer, be a Committee to prepare Commissions for the 
 several Officers of the Train, agreeable to the foregoing 
 Resolve of Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Whittemorc wait upon Colonel 
 Gridley, to desire him to attend this Congress to-morrow, 
 to receive his commission. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Nichols, Mr. Bent, and Dea- 
 con Fisher, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 Captain Bryant Morton. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gridley's list of Staff' Officers 
 be committed to the Committee just now appointed to pre- 
 pare commissions for the Officers of the Train. 
 
 Adjourned to Thursday morning, nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 22, 1775. 
 Ordered, That the Secretary, Colonel Cusliing, and Mr. 
 Wheeler, be a Committee to make a list of such Officers of 
 the Army as have been commissioned, and also to inquire 
 who have not yet received their commissions. 
 
 Ordered, That an Ensign's Commission he delivered to 
 Mr. Stephen Frost, of Captain Lock's Company in Colo- 
 nel Gardner's Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Selectmen of the Tow n of Ashby 
 be directed to deliver the Selectmen of the Town of 
 Townshend one half barrel of Powder, provided they have 
 two half barrels ; the Selectmen of Townshend enving a re- 
 
 • I* \ DO 
 
 ceipt for the same. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition of Colonel Paul Dudley 
 Sergeant, be committed to Colonel Parks, Major Fuller 
 of Middleton, and Mr. Nye. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition from Penobscot be recom- 
 mitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Francis Kittrcdge be desired to 
 attend the Hospital as a Surgeon till the further order of 
 Congress ; and that Mr. Kendall be desired to inform Dr. 
 Kittredge of his appointment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Colonels of the several Regiments 
 in the Massachusetts Army be directed to recommend, im- 
 mediately, suitable persons for Surgeons and Surgeons' 
 Mates. 
 
 Ordered, That a recommendation from the Committee 
 of Safety, respecting Aids-de-Camp, be committed to Col. 
 Glover, Major Goodwin, and Dr. Whiting. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Whitlemore, Mr. Davis, and 
 Deacon Gould, be a Committee to distribute the handbills 
 respecting the due observance of the Lord's Day. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed, in the room 
 of Col. Coffin, to consider the Petition of Mr. Kirkwood , 
 Keeper of the Light-House on Thatcher's Island. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hinsdale, Col. Farley, and Capt. 
 Batchelder, be a Committee to take into consideration a 
 Petition from George Vincent, of Salem. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Whiting be appointed to draught a 
 Resolve, that application be made to the Committee of 
 Safety by everv person that is to be appointed a Military 
 Officer. 
 
 Ordered, That the Proclamation fir a Fast be recom- 
 mitted for amendment, and that Mr. Webster and Deacon 
 Fisher be added to the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That a Hospital be provided for the Camp at 
 Roxbury, and that Colonel Davis, Dr. Taylor, and Dr. 
 Whiting, be a Committee to provide one accordingly, and 
 to supply the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Newton, be appointed 
 to take care of the Plates, until further order of this Con- 
 gress, or some future House of Representatives of this 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Webster, and Col. 
 Gerrish, be a Committee to take into consideration Col. 
 Phinney's Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Goodman be appointed, in the room 
 of Colonel Grout, on the Petition of Mr. Parry. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Paul Revere's Account be commit- 
 ted to Colonel Farley, Mr. Hall, and Mr. Bailey. 
 
1435 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1436 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Batchelder, Major Goodwin, 
 and Mr. llobart, be a Committee to consider tlie propriety 
 of commissioning the Officers of Colonel Gerrish's Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed to fill up 
 commissions for Samuel Patch as Captain, and Zach. 
 Walker and Joshua Brown as Lieutenants, in Colonel 
 Jlilliam Prescott's Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That a Letter be sent to General Ward, in 
 answer to his Letter, and that Colonel Lincoln be appoint- 
 ed for that service. 
 
 Voted, That a particular number of men shall be set- 
 tled, to entitle Colonel Phinney to the command of a Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Voted, That Colonel Phinney be directed to bring up to 
 camp four hundred men with effective fire-arms, and that a 
 time be limited to bring up one hundred more, at least, 
 with effective fire-arms ; he in that case to be entitled to 
 a Colonel's commission, and not otherwise. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering be appointed to make 
 out commissions to the Officers in Colonel Gerrish's Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety be directed, as 
 soon as possible, to prepare and transmit to this Congress 
 perfect lists of the names of such gentlemen as they judge 
 fit and worthy to be commissioned in the several Regiments 
 granted by this Congress, and for which the said Commit- 
 tee have not already transmitted lists, that so our Army may 
 be organized as soon as possible. 
 
 On the Petition of the Selectmen of the Town of 
 
 Townshend, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of 
 the Town of Ashby to deliver to the Selectmen of Town- 
 shend one half barrel of Gunpowder for the use of the inha- 
 bitants of said Townshend, which shall be replaced in the 
 Town of Ashby by this Congress, or a House of Repre- 
 sentatives, so soon as the state of our magazines will admit, 
 or otherwise said Town of Ashby shall be fully paid for 
 said Powder out of the publick Treasury, provided the said 
 Town of Ashby have two half barrels, as has been repre- 
 sented to this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider by what means 
 the Army before Boston may be effectually and most ex- 
 peditiously strengthened, beg leave to report, in part, that 
 they judge it absolutely necessary that the eight companies 
 stationed in the County of Plymouth, belonging partly to 
 General Thomas's Regiment, and partly to Col. Cotton's 
 Regiment, be immediately ordered to join the Army as 
 soon as possible, and that directions be immediately given 
 to General Ward for that purpose. 
 
 Joseph Hawley, per order. 
 
 Resolved, That each Colonel in the Massachusetts Army 
 be, and hereby is directed immediately to inform the 
 Committee appointed by this Congress to examine the 
 Surgeons for said Army, whom they recommend for the 
 Surgeons and Surgeons' Mates of their respective Regi- 
 ments, and send them to said Committee for examination, 
 without delay, except such as have been examined. 
 
 Resolved, That George Vincent be, and he hereby is 
 permitted to export from Salem to the West-Indies about 
 forty-one barrels of Alewives ; and said Vincent is also per- 
 mitted to take on board his vessel Provisions sufficient for 
 his voyage to the said West-Indies, and no more ; and the 
 Committee of Safety of the Town of Salem are hereby 
 directed to see this Resolve strictly complied with. 
 
 On the Petition of a number of the Inhabitants settled 
 on Penobscot River, the inhabitants of Belfast, Majabigwa- 
 duce, and Benjamin River, representing the difficulties and 
 distress said inhabitants are under in respect to the scarcity 
 of Corn and Ammunition, and praying for some relief, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended by this Congress to 
 the Committee of Safety of the Town of Gloucester or 
 Newburyport, or to the Committees of Safety or Corres- 
 pondence of any other Towns within this Colony to supply 
 Captain Jonathan Buck, one of the petitioners, for the use 
 of said inhabitants, for their present relief, with two hun- 
 dred bushels of Indian Corn, or to that amount in Corn 
 and Rye, and take in return for the same cord Wood, or 
 
 such other payment as the said Buck may be able to make, 
 on his security therefor ; and in case the said Buck shall 
 not make satisfaction for the same in a reasonable time, it 
 shall be allowed and paid out of the publick Treasury of 
 this Colony, and the said Buck shall refund the same as 
 soon as may be; and that Colonel Goldthwait deliver up 
 all the publick Arms and Ammunition in his possession to 
 the petitioners, or a Committee appointed by them for that 
 purpose ; and as to the Powder, they shall be reasonably 
 supplied therewith as soon as the stale of our Magazine 
 will admit thereof. 
 
 Friday, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Cushing, Mr. Lothrop. Mr. 
 Pickering, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Langdon, be a Com- 
 mittee to fill up Commissions, and that no one of said gen- 
 tlemen quit the House without leave. 
 
 Ordered, That the Officers in Colonel Glover's Regi- 
 ment be commissioned, except Captain Lee and his Sub- 
 alterns. 
 
 Ordered, That the pay of the Ensigns be augmented 
 to three Pounds ten Shillings, and those that are returned 
 as Ensigns, be commissioned as Second Lieutenants. 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition of Bridget Phillips be dis- 
 missed ; that directions be given to General Ward not to 
 permit Bridget Phillips, wife to an officer in Boston, to 
 go into Boston, nor any other person whatever; and that 
 Major Goodwin be directed to bring in a Resolve for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That a commission be given to Col. Gridley 
 as Chief Engineer and Colonel, with the rank of Major- 
 General, and that the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Train have 
 the rank of Colonel ; and that the Majors have the rank of 
 Lieutenant-Colonels ; and the Captains the rank of Majors ; 
 Captain-Lieutenants and First Lieutenants the rank of 
 Captains; and that the rank of the other officers be sus- 
 pended for the present. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report respecting Colonel Phinney' 's 
 Regiment be recommitted, in order to bring in a Resolve, 
 directing Colonel Phinney to bring to the camp four hundred 
 men with effective fire-arms, and in that case to be commis- 
 sioned as First Colonel, with a Major under him ; and in 
 case he brings up five hundred men, all the Officers to he 
 appointed ; and in case he brings up but three hundred 
 men, to receive a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel : also, 
 that his men be brought up to camp at the expense of the 
 Government. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to disperse 
 the handbills respecting the due observance of the Lord's 
 Day, be directed to make a computation of what number 
 are wanted, and order them to be printed, and that one be 
 struck off for each Parish. 
 
 Ordered, That General Fry be commissioned as a 
 Major-General, and that the President be directed to ad- 
 minister the oath to him. 
 
 Ordered, That the oath for General Officers be altered, 
 and that the words " or House of Representatives or Legis- 
 lative body of said Colony," be added. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lane's Account for bringing up the 
 Indians be committed to Mr. Langdon, Captain Goodman, 
 Captain Holmes, Captain Parker, and Captain Carpenter, 
 to take the same into consideration, and report thereon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to provide a Hospital for the 
 Camp at Roxbury, reported as follows: 
 
 That they have appointed the house belonging to Joshua 
 Loring, in said Roxbury, for a Hospital, and for the use of 
 said camp. The Report was accepted. 
 
 Ordered, That the Account of Captain Kirkwood be 
 recommitted to the Committee appointed to take that mat- 
 ter into consideration, and that Major Whittcmore and Mr. 
 Glover be added to the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the appointment of 
 Quartermaster-Generals and Adjutant-Generals be defer- 
 red to four o'clock, P. M., and that Mr. llobart be ap- 
 pointed to wait on General Ward to nominate an Adjutant- 
 General. 
 
 Ordered, That to-morrow, eleven o'clock, A. M., be 
 assigned to come to the choice of four Brigadier-Generals. 
 
1437 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1438 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to draw up 
 the form of Warrants for Staff Officers, and that the Com- 
 mittees appointed to deliver out Commissions he appointed 
 for that purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration 
 Colonel Phinney's Regiment, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Edmund Phinney, heretofore 
 authorized by the Committee of Safety to raise a Regi- 
 ment for the service of this Colony, but has not yet effect- 
 ed it, be directed to proceed with the greatest diligence 
 and despatch in that business ; and in case he shall, on or 
 before the fifteenth of July next, join the Army of this 
 Colony now before Boston with lour hundred effective 
 men, each armed with a good effective firelock, the said 
 Phinney shall be entitled to be commissionated as a Colonel, 
 on the pay established by this Congress for a chief Colonel ; 
 and that there shall be also allowed to the said body one 
 Major, and no other Field-Officers. And in case the said 
 Phinney shall procure an addition of one hundred effective 
 men, or upwards, and each armed with an effective fire- 
 lock, by the last day of July next, that in such case the 
 said one hundred men shall be joined to the aforesaid four 
 hundred men, and both the said numbers shall constitute 
 one Regiment, and then the choice of Field-Officers shall 
 be completed, and a proper number of subordinate officers 
 commissionated. But in case the said Phinney shall fail of 
 procuring four hundred effective men, armed as aforesaid, 
 but shall procure to be enlisted and brought to the said Army 
 by the said fifteenth day of July next a number of effective 
 men, all armed as aforesaid, less than four hundred and not 
 less than three hundred, he shall be entitled to be com- 
 missionated as Lieutenant-Colonel, and that allowance shall 
 hereafter be made of all reasonable expenses in marching 
 said men to the said Army. And that the said Phinney be 
 specially instructed not to march any man to the said camp 
 who is not furnished with a good effective firelock, and that 
 no man without a firelock shall be accounted or reckoned as 
 going to constitute the numbers above mentioned, which 
 shall entitle him to either of the aforesaid commissions pro- 
 posed for him. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to make out a 
 copy of the Resolve respecting Colonel Phinney's Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Aftsrnoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 price of Blankets to be given to the Soldiers reported as 
 follows, which was accepted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of twelve Shillings, lawful mo- 
 ney, be the stated price for each Blanket allowed to the 
 Soldiers in the Massachusetts Army; and such Soldiers as 
 have or shall be supplied with Blankets of less value, as 
 may appear by the appraisement of the Selectmen, shall 
 have the overplus made up to them by those who supplied 
 said Soldiers, and the abovesaid twelve Shillings shall be 
 allowed out of the publick Treasury for each Blanket. 
 
 Ordered, That nine o'clock to-morrow morning be as- 
 signed to take into consideration an establishment for the 
 Brigadier-Generals, and Quartermaster-Generals, and Ad- 
 jutant-Generals. 
 
 Ordered, That the time assigned for the choice of 
 Quartermaster-Generals and Adjutant-Generals be referred 
 till to-morrow morning, at ten o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Ordered, That a Letter from Mr. Hooper, of Newbury- 
 port, be referred to the Committee of Supplies, they to 
 make report. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Daniel Noyes, of Ipswich, be ap- 
 pointed a Postmaster, in the room of Mr. James Foster, 
 who has resigned that office. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, of Middleton, be directed 
 to wait on General Whitcomb, and desire him to attend this 
 Congress and receive his commission. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Major Fuller of Middle- 
 ton, and Colonel Thompson, be a Committee to take into 
 consideration the Regiment that was moved from Marble- 
 head to Cambridge, immediately, and that the Committee 
 be directed to go to Cambridge and inquire into it, and 
 make report. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to fill up com- 
 missions, be directed to fill up a commission for General 
 Whitcomb. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Nye be appointed to number the 
 Notes signed by Deacon Plympton. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Spraguc, Captain White, and 
 Dr. Whiting, be a Committee to take into consideration a 
 Petition from the Town of Maiden. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hopkins, Captain Bragdon, and 
 Mr. Philips, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 circumstances of the Rev. Dr. Langdon, President of the 
 College, and make report thereon. 
 
 Ordered, That a Committee be appointed to consider 
 of proper expedients to augment the Army, and in par- 
 ticular to write to the other New-England Governments 
 on the subject, and that they be directed to attend the ser- 
 vice immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Nye be excused from attending the 
 service in numbering the Notes signed by Deacon Plymp- 
 ton, and that Mr. Holmes be appointed in his room, and he 
 directed to attend that service immediately. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed on the 20th instant 
 to inquire into the misconduct in the late engagement, re- 
 ported as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the grounds 
 of a report which has prevailed in the Army, that there 
 has been treachery in some of the Officers, beg leave to 
 report facts: Your Committee proceeded to Cambridge. 
 waited upon the General, and made him acquainted with 
 their business. He informed your Committee that General 
 Putnam had made complaint of an officer in the Train, but 
 by a mistake in the name, the wrong officer was confined. 
 We applied to General Putnam, and other officers, who 
 were in the heat of the engagement, for further intelligence. 
 General Putnam informed us, that in the iate action, as he 
 was riding up Bunker's Hill, he met an officer of the 
 Train drawing his cannon down in great haste ; he order- 
 ed the officer to stop and go back ; he replied, he had no 
 cartridges ; the General dismounted and examined his 
 boxes, and found a considerable number of cartridges, upon 
 which he ordered him back; he refused, until the General 
 threatened him with immediate death, upon which he re- 
 turned up the hill again, but soon deserted his post and 
 left the cannon. Another officer, who had the direction 
 of another cannon, conducted much in the same manner. 
 The relation of this matter from General Putnam was con- 
 firmed by several other officers of distinction, as to what 
 is most material relative thereto. These officers' names 
 are, Captain Gridley and Captain John Kallander. Gen- 
 eral Putnam declared to your Committee, as his opinion, 
 that the defeat of that day was owing to the ill-behaviour 
 of those that conducted the artillery, and that one of these 
 officers ought to be punished with death, and that unless 
 some exemplary punishment was inflicted, he would as- 
 suredly leave the Army. That upon the defeat of the 
 officers of the Train, the re-enforcements ordered up the 
 hill could not be prevailed upon to go; the plea was, the 
 Artillery was gone, and they stood no chance for their lives 
 in such circumstances, declaring they had no officers to 
 lead them. An officer of rank affirmed to your Commit- 
 tee that he absolutely knew that some of the cartridges and 
 balls were too large for the cannon, and that it was neces- 
 sary to break the cartridges before they could be of use. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report lie on the table till they are 
 ready to report in full. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety be directed to 
 make out a new list for Officers of the Train of Artillery, 
 and that no person unworthy of the office be appointed. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration 
 Captain Lane's Account for bringing up the Indians from 
 Penobscot, reported as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee for examining the Account of Mr. John 
 Lane, have attended that service, found the said Lane's 
 Account well supported, excepting a few inaccuracies in 
 casting. They therefore beg leave to report, by way of 
 Resolve, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony to Mr. John Lane, the sum of forty- 
 
1439 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1440 
 
 seven Pounds, eighteen Shillings, eleven and a half Pence, 
 for his expenses in bringing up to the Congress four of the 
 Chiefs of the Penobscot Tribe of Indians, with an Inter- 
 preter; and the Receiver-General of this Colony is hereby 
 directed to pay the said John Lane, or order, the aforesaid 
 sum of forty-seven Pounds, eighteen Shillings, eleven and 
 a halfPence ; and likewise that the sum of nineteen Pounds, 
 ten Shillings, and eight Pence, lawful money, be paid by 
 the Receiver-General to Captain Lane, to defray his ex- 
 penses in carrying the Indians back to Penobscot, and that 
 Mr. Langdon be appointed to draught a Resolve for that 
 purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 Letter from Mr. Stephen Hooper, of Ncwburyport, report- 
 ed as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That those of the Committee of Donations 
 of the Town of Boston, who have left said Town, viz: 
 Messrs. Benjamin Austin, Nathaniel Barber, and . . . . 
 Proctor, be advised to sell the fifty barrels of Flour sent 
 from Baltimore for the use of the Poor of Boston, now in 
 the hands of the Committee of Correspondence of Ports- 
 mouth, to the same Committee, for the use of the New- 
 Hampshire Troops. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider by what means 
 the Army before Boston may be effectually and most ex- 
 peditiously strengthened, reported as follows, which was 
 accepted, viz : 
 
 That they judge it absolutely necessary that the eight 
 companies stationed in the County of Plymouth, belonging 
 partly to General Thomas's Regiment and partly to Col. 
 Cotton's Regiment, be immediately ordered to join the 
 Army as soon as possible, and that directions be immedi- 
 ately given to General Ward for that purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 request from the Town of Maiden, reported as follows, 
 which was accepted, viz: 
 
 The Committee beg leave to report, that the inhabitants 
 of the Town of Maiden be directed to make the best use 
 of their Artillery they can for their defence, in case they 
 shall be attacked by the enemy, and that they make their 
 application for assistance to the General of the Army, who 
 doubtless will furnish them with such detachments from 
 the Army as they shall judge necessary and expedient. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draught a Resolve for the 
 Receiver-General to pay to Captain Lane nineteen Pounds, 
 ten Shillings, and eight Pence, for defraying the expense 
 of carrying the Indians back to Penobscot, reported as 
 lbllows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony to Mr. John Lane, or order, the sum 
 of nineteen Pounds, ten Shillings, and eight Pence, to pay 
 the expenses of himself, four Indian Chiefs, and an Inter- 
 preter, from Watertown to Penobscot, and the Receiver- 
 General is hereby directed to pay the same accordingly. 
 
 Voted, That the former vote respecting the removal of 
 the Library, Apparatus, and other valuable effects of 
 Harvard College be reconsidered, and that the following 
 Resolve be accepted, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it is expedient that those apartments in Har- 
 vard Hall, under the immediate charge of the Professor of 
 Philosophy, and Librarian of Harvard College, be evacu- 
 ated, 
 
 Resolved, That the Library, Apparatus, and other valu- 
 ables of Harvard College, be removed as soon as may be; 
 that Mr. Samuel Phillips, Mr. Daniel Hoj'kins, and Hum- 
 mer Jewctt, Esquire, be a Committee to consult with the 
 Reverend the President, the Hon. Mr. Winthrop, and the 
 Librarian, or such of them as may be conveniently obtain- 
 ed, and with them to engage some suitable person or persons 
 in the Town of Andover, and such other places as they may 
 think best, to receive and take the charge of the above 
 mentioned effects; that said Committee join with those 
 gentlemen in employing proper persons for packing said 
 Library, Apparatus, and such other articles as they shall 
 judge expedient, and take all due care that it be done with 
 the greatest safety and despatch ; and as the packages shall 
 be completed, that they take due care for their transporta- 
 tion; the charges to be laid before this or some future 
 Congress, or House of Assembly of this Province. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hale, Captain Parker, and Capt. 
 
 Bragdon, be a Committee to take Capt. Lane's Account 
 of his time into consideration, and report thereon. 
 
 Resolved, That Winthrop Sergeant, of Gloucester, 
 merchant, be allowed to ship off for the West-Indies a 
 quantity of old Jamaica Fish, not exceeding forty hogs- 
 heads, it appearing to this Congress that the said Fish, if 
 stopped, will be of little or no service to this Colony, and 
 the Committee of Safety for Gloucester are directed to 
 cause this Resolve to be so carried into execution as that 
 no other Provisions except for the vessel's use, be shipped 
 oft" in the same. 
 
 Voted, That the Receiver-General be directed to pay 
 to the Rev. Dr. Langdon, President of the College, one 
 hundred Pounds, lawful money, in bills of credit of this 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider 
 by what means the Army before Boston may be effectually 
 and most expeditiously strengthened, be directed to write 
 a Letter to General Ward ; who reported a Letter to Gen- 
 eral Ward, directing him to call in the eight companies 
 stationed in the County of Plymouth. 
 
 "In Provincial Congress, Watertown, June 23, 1775. 
 "Sir: As it appears to this Congress highly probable 
 that the Army of our enemies will speedily make the ut- 
 most efforts to force your lines, and penetrate into the 
 country, they have judged it absolutely necessary, for the 
 strengthening the Army before Boston, that the eight com- 
 panies now posted in the County of Plymouth, belonging 
 partly to General Thomas's Regiment and partly to Col. 
 Cotton's Regiment, should immediately join the said Army. 
 You are therefore directed, without delay, to give the or- 
 ders necessary for marching the said eight companies to the 
 said Army as soon as may be. 
 
 "General Ward." 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of Robert Haskell, beg leave to report, by way of 
 Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That the Petitioner, Robert Haskell, be per- 
 mitted to proceed from Beverly to Nova-Scotia in a fishing 
 vessel about seventeen years old, that he hath procured for 
 that purpose ; also, to carry three or four persons with him, 
 and the following Provisions, viz : one barrel of Pork, two 
 hundred pounds of Bread, sixteen gallons of Rum, and six- 
 teen gallons of Molasses, half bushel of Beans or Peas, 
 and two bushels of Salt, but no more Provisions of any 
 kind whatever ; and that such proceeding will not be con- 
 trary to the Resolve passed by the Grand American 
 Congress the 17th of May last, or any other Resolve that 
 honourable Congress have yet published. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be directed to 
 make out a new list for Officers of the Train of Artillery, 
 that no person unworthy of office be appointed. 
 
 Saturday, June 24, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Col. Sawyer, and Captain 
 Batchelder, be a Committee to consider some method for 
 regulating Trade with the Indians. 
 
 Major Fuller, Dr. Bailey, and Captain Goodman, ap- 
 pointed a Committee to consider the expediency of part of 
 Colonel Phinney's Regiment being stationed in the Counties 
 of Cumberland and Lincoln. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Langdon, Colonel Sawyer, and 
 Captain Goodman, be a Committee to consider what is 
 further necessary to be done respecting the Bills of Credit 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Voted, That there shall be two Surgeons and two Mates 
 appointed for each Hospital, and commissioned accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, that the Committee appointed to examine the 
 Surgeons be desired to report an establishment for Surgeons 
 of Hospitals. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider an establishment 
 for the Surgeons of Hospitals, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 That it is their opinion that the establishment of the 
 chief Surgeons should be at the rate of eight Pounds per 
 month each, and each Mate four Pounds, ten Shillings, per 
 month. 
 
1441 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1442 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Colonel Farley, and 
 Captain Stone, be a Committee to get the Resolve for a 
 Fast printed, and one sent to each religious Society in this 
 Colony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 wages of Captain John Lane and Mr. Oilman, for their 
 attendance in bringing up four Indians from Penobscot, 
 reported. 
 
 Mr. Freeman and Captain Bragdon were added to the 
 Committee appointed to consider the expediency of sta- 
 tioning part of Colonel Phinney's Regiment in the County 
 of Cumberland. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Lane be admitted on the floor 
 of the House, in order to answer such questions as the 
 Congress shall propose to him. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to supply the four Indians, brought up by Captain Lane, 
 with a pair of shoes each. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Mighill, Mr. Hobart, Captain Web- 
 ster, and Mr. Lothrop, be added to the Committee to con- 
 sider the Petition of Edward Parry. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 circumstances of the Reverend Doctor Langdon, President 
 of the College, reported as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the 
 publick Treasury of this Colony, the sum of one hundred 
 Pounds, lawful money, in bills of credit of this Colony, to 
 the Rev. Doctor Langdon, President of Harvard College, 
 in part for his services in that station since his appointment 
 thereto ; and the Treasurer and Receiver-General is hereby 
 directed to pay the said sum in bills of credit accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That the Report of the Committee to consider 
 Captain Lane's services, be recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Gerrish, Mr. Wheeler, and Col- 
 onel Farley, be a Committee to consider and report what 
 is to be done with the overplus Bills. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher be appointed in the room 
 of Captain Bragdon, to consider the services of Captain 
 Lane, in bringing up four Indian Chiefs. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration 
 the Petition of James Kirkwood, Keeper of the Lights on 
 Thatcher s Island, reported. The Report was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the 
 publick Treasury to Capt. James Kirkwood, sixty Pounds, 
 for one year's salary as Keeper of the Light-Houses on 
 Thatcher's Island; and also eighteen Pounds, thirteen Shil- 
 lings more, being for his disbursements in repairing buildings 
 and other work done there, box of Medicines, and several 
 other necessaries, as per his account herewith exhibited. 
 And the Receiver-General is accordingly hereby directed to 
 pay the said Captain Kirkwood the aforesaid sums, amount- 
 ing to seventy-eight Pounds, thirteen Shillings, the same 
 to be paid in bills of credit of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned to come 
 to the choice of a gentleman to preach the Election Sermon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draft a Resolve respecting 
 Bridget Phillips, wife of an officer in Gen. Gage's Army, 
 reported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That General Ward do not suffer or permit 
 Bridget Phillips, wife to an officer under General Gage, 
 to go into Boston, (nor any other person whatsoever,) with- 
 out leave first obtained of this Congress, or some future 
 House of Representatives ; and that an express be forthwith 
 sent to the Committee of Safety for the Town of Newbury- 
 port, to order them to take the most effectual measures to 
 prevent the said Bridget from going out of this Province 
 or to Boston. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration and 
 report the form of a Commission for Brigadier-Generals, 
 Quartermaster-Generals, and Adjutant-Generals, Adjutants, 
 Quartermasters, and Surgeons, reported a form, which was 
 accepted. 
 
 Ordered, That the form of a Commission lie on the 
 table. 
 
 The Committee appointed to hire a house of John Hunt, 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. { 
 
 Esq., for a Hospital, reported the following proposal, which 
 was accepted, viz : 
 
 "Gentlemen: With respect to the hire of the house 
 belonging to John Hunt, Esq., for a Hospital, the proprie- 
 tor only expects such a consideration from the Colony as 
 will be a satisfaction for the necessary damage to the house, 
 expecting proper care will be taken that the out-houses, 
 &c, be kept in good order. W. Hunt, 
 
 " In behalf of the Proprietor." 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to procure 
 Spears for the Army, be directed to use their discretion in 
 procuring Poles for the handles of the Spears. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Lieutenant-Governour and Company of Rhode-Island, re- 
 ported. The Report was accepted, and similar Letters, so 
 far as circumstances will admit, ordered to be sent to Con- 
 necticut and New-Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Huivley, Colonel Gerrish, and the 
 President, be a Committee to take into consideration and 
 report thereon a Letter from General Ward, informing of 
 the desertion of Lieutenant Cox, of Salem, and a number 
 of men. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley and the President be ex- 
 cused, and that Colonel Porter and Doctor Church, be 
 appointed in their room. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency of 
 stationing part of Col. Phinney's Regiment in the Coun- 
 ties of Cumberland and Lincoln, reported. The Report 
 was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress to be necessary that 
 some provision should be made for the defence and protec- 
 tion of the Sea Coasts in the Counties of Cumberland and 
 Lincoln ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve which passed yesterday, 
 relative to Colonel Phinney's Regiment, be so far recon- 
 sidered as that the remainder of said Regiment (after four 
 hundred thereof have marched to the camp at Cambridge) 
 be immediately raised and stationed in such places in the 
 said Counties, as shall be thought best by General Preble, 
 Col. Enoch Freeman, and Major Wheaton, of St. George's, 
 until they receive further orders from the Congress, or a 
 General Assembly of this Colony ; and that after they are 
 at first stationed, they shall be under the direction of Col- 
 onel Enoch Freeman, who is hereby empowered to order 
 and dispose of them, as in his opinion will most conduce to 
 the general interest. 
 
 And the Committee of Supplies are hereby directed to 
 supply said Troops with Provisions, agreeable to the allow- 
 ance as established by this Congress. 
 
 And it is recommended to the Selectmen of the several 
 Towns in the Counties aforesaid, to supply the said Troops 
 with Ammunition, which shall be replaced as soon as the 
 Colony Magazine can be supplied, or paid for out of the 
 publick Treasury. And that Colonel Freeman be and 
 hereby is appointed to muster the said men, and to see that 
 they are all well prepared with Fire-Arms and other ac- 
 coutrements. 
 
 Mr. Hubbard was appointed in the room of Colonel 
 Farley, on Mr. Revere's Account. 
 
 Ordered, That the Proclamation for a Fast be suspended. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 General Ward, reported. The Report was accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to General Ward, 
 immediately to take effectual measures to apprehend Lieut. 
 Cox, and such Privates as have been induced by the said 
 Lieut. Cox to desert their duty, and forthwith to bring 
 said Cox, and such other deserters as may be apprehended, 
 to their trial, that the said Lieutenant Cox and his accom- 
 plices may receive such condign punishment for their ag- 
 gravated offences, as in the rules and orders of war is 
 provided for ; and it is further recommended to the Com- 
 mittees of all denominations, and the Selectmen of any 
 Town where said deserters may be, to afford all possible 
 aid and assistance to the General in apprehending them. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Gerry, Major Haw- 
 
1448 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1444 
 
 ley, Deacon Cheever, Colonel Gcrrish, Colonel Lincoln, 
 and Colonel Porter, be a Committee to consider what steps 
 are proper to be taken for receiving General Washington 
 with proper respect, and to provide a house for him accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what allowance is 
 adequate to the services of Captain John Lane, &tc, in 
 bringing up four Indians from Penobscot, reported. The 
 Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what allowance is 
 adequate to the services of Captain John Lane and Mr. 
 Oilman, for their attendance in bringing up to this Town 
 four Indians, of the Penobscot Tribe, beg leave to report, 
 that the said Mr. Lane proceed to raise a Company of 
 fifty-six effective men, including sergeants, to join the 
 Army at Cambridge, agreeable to the order of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety; and upon his raising said men, that he 
 be entitled not only to a Captain's commission, but to the 
 pay established for Captains : to commence at the time he 
 received his orders from the Committee of Safety. 
 
 That Mr. Gilman be allowed, for forty clays attendance 
 as an interpreter to Mr. Lane, at three Shillings per day, 
 six Pounds ; and that the said Mr. Gilman be presented 
 with an honorary commission, with the rank of Lieutenant, 
 and be desired to use his influence to cultivate a peaceable 
 disposition in the Indians at St. Francois and other parts 
 adjoining, and give intelligence of their temper and dispo- 
 sitions from time to time, as he shall have opportunity, and 
 as the importance of affairs may require ; and besides all 
 necessary charges and trouble for any important intelli- 
 gence, he shall be suitably rewarded. 
 
 The Committee for giving out Commissions were directed 
 to make out an honorary commission for Mr. Gilman, agree- 
 able to the foregoing Report. 
 
 Mr. Pickering appointed to draw a Resolve, directing 
 the Treasurer to pay Mr. John Lane and Andrew Gilman 1 
 agreeable to said Report. 
 
 Colonel Porter was appointed to procure a Scythe, and 
 carry it to a Blacksmith to be fixed for a Spear, in such a 
 manner as he thinks fit, and bring it before this Congress 
 when fixed. 
 
 Mr. Pickering brought in a Resolve as directed, which 
 was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be allowed and paid out of the 
 publick Treasury of this Colony, to Mr. Andrew Gilman, 
 the sum of six Pounds, in bills of credit of this Colony, 
 for forty days attendance as an interpreter to four Indians 
 of the Penobscot Tribe, in their late attendance at an em- 
 bassy to this Congress ; and the Receiver-General is hereby 
 directed to pay the same sum of six Pounds to Mr. Gil- 
 man, in bills of credit accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That any one of the Committee appointed to 
 procure Spears, be empowered to order the Blacksmith to 
 work on the Sabbath, to complete the same as soon as pos- 
 sible. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to our good brothers, 
 the Indians of the Penobscot Tribe, immediately to apply 
 to General Preble and Colonel Freeman, of Falmouth, for 
 a supply of Provisions and all other necessary goods, and 
 would recommend said gentlemen as the most suitable per- 
 sons to supply the Indians, who will undoubtedly do them 
 justice. And it is hereby recommended to General Preble 
 and Colonel Freeman, to supply said Indians with Provi- 
 sions and all other necessary articles, upon the most equi- 
 table terms, and to receive their Furs and other Skins in 
 payment ; and the said General Preble and Colonel Free- 
 man are hereby desired to supply said Indians at the Truck 
 House at Penobscot. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Colonel Thompson, and 
 Captain Bragdon, be a Committee to consider the request 
 of Colonel Freeman, to have the Minute Company of the 
 Town of Sandwich stationed at Naushan Island. 
 
 Monday morning, nine o'clock, was assigned, agreeable 
 to a Resolve of t lie Committee of Safety, to choose a 
 proper person to superintend the Armourers in the camp, 
 and to see that they do their duty. 
 
 A Letter from George Stillman to Colonel Otis was 
 read, and committed to Mr. Goodwin, Mr. Langdon, and 
 Doctor Whiting. 
 
 Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Dickerson, and Mr. White, were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to get the Proclamation of the Con- 
 tinental Congress for a Fast reprinted and dispersed, one 
 to each religious Assembly in the Colony. 
 
 Mr. Lothrop, Deacon Fisher, and Mr. Parker, were 
 appointed a Committee to count and sort the votes for some 
 person to preach an Election Sermon on the nineteenth of 
 July next. 
 
 The Committee reported that Mr. Gordon was unani- 
 mously chosen, and the President was appointed to inform 
 him of the choice. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Sabbath Day, June 25, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown, Major Fuller, Mr. Bige- 
 low, Major Brooks, Colonel Smith, and Deacon Stone, be 
 a Committee to procure four hundred Spades and Shovels 
 for the use of the Army, immediately; and the said Com- 
 mittee is directed to make a list of such persons of whom 
 they may procure said Spades and Shovels, with the number 
 received of each person, and the value thereof; and when 
 procured, that they immediately forward them to the Army 
 at Cambridge. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an honorary Com- 
 mission for Mr. Gilman, reported a form, which being 
 amended, was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay, to Andrew Gilman, Gentleman, greeting: 
 " We, entertaining a good opinion of your prudence, cou- 
 rage, and good conduct, do appoint, and you, the said An- 
 drew Gilman, are hereby appointed to the honorary title of 
 Lieutenant. And you are to be considered of that rank, 
 not only among the good people of this Province, but also 
 among all our friends and brethren through the Continent ; 
 and we confide in your readiness to promote the common 
 cause of America among our good brothers, the Indians of 
 the several Tribes, which you may have opportunity to be 
 acquainted with, as well as with the inhabitants of the 
 Province of Qucbeck. By order of the Congress. 
 
 , President.^ 
 
 The Petition of John Lane was read, the prayer whereof 
 was granted, and Colonel Lincoln appointed to draw up a 
 Resolve thereon. 
 
 Colonel Lincoln drew up a Resolve accordingly, which 
 was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-Gene- 
 ral, be and he is hereby directed to pay unto Captain John 
 Lane, or his order, the sum of twelve Pounds, lawful 
 money, being two months' pay for a Captain in the Colony 
 service ; he the said Lane to be accountable for that sum 
 to this or some future Congress, or constitutional assembly 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain John Lane proceed to raise a 
 Company of fifty-six effective men, including sergeants, to 
 join the Army at Cambridge, agreeable to the order of the 
 Committee of Safety; and upon his raising said men, that 
 he be entitled not only to a Captain's commission, but 
 to the pay established for Captains, to commence at the 
 time he received his orders from the said Committee of 
 Safety. 
 
 Ordered. That Deacon Fisher draw, in form of a Re- 
 solve, the Report of the Committee relative to Andrew 
 Gilman. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln draw up a Resolve, em- 
 powering Mr. Grannis to employ thirty men to protect the 
 Elizabeth Islands. 
 
 Mr. Fisher, agreeable to order, presented the following 
 Resolve, which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Resolvid, That Lieutenant Andrew Gilman be and here- 
 by is ordered and instructed to use his utmost influence to 
 cultivate a friendly and peaceable disposition in the Indians 
 at St. Francois, and all other parts adjoining, and to give 
 intelligence of their temper and disposition, from time to 
 time, as he shall have opportunity, and as the importance 
 of affairs may require ; and also of the Canadians at Que- 
 beck, and other adjacent parts of Canada, so often as it may 
 be in his power ; for which service he shall receive a proper 
 reward. 
 
1445 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1446 
 
 Colonel Lincoln, agreeable to order, presented the fol- 
 lowing Resolve, which was accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That Captain John Gra7inis be and hereby is 
 empowered immediately to engage thirty good able-bodied 
 effective men, to be paid by this Colony, well provided with 
 arms and ammunition, and to cause them to be provided 
 with suitable provisions, to repair without delay to the Eli- 
 zabeth Islands, so called, in the County of Dukes County, 
 there to protect the stock; and to impress such a number 
 of boats, &cc, as he shall want, to transport the men to and 
 from said Islands as occasion may require, from time to time, 
 until the further order of this or some future Congress, or 
 constitutional assembly of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions for the Officers of the Train 
 be immediately sent to the Committee of Safety, and that 
 they be directed to deliver them to such Officers to whom 
 there is no exception ; and that Colonel Porter be ap- 
 pointed to carry said Commissions to the Committee of 
 Safety, with this order, immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to certain offi- 
 cers of Col. Prescotfs Regiment, agreeable to the recom- 
 mendation of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Governour Trumbull was pre- 
 sented by the Committee appointed to prepare one, and 
 was read and accepted ; and the Committee of Supplies di- 
 rected to forward it by express, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 " May it please your Honour: From advices received 
 divers ways, we have the greatest reason to determine that 
 all the British Troops already destined, or that may be yet 
 ordered to America this season, will come to Boston, it 
 being evidently their design, if possible, to rout our Army 
 before that place, destroy all our magazines, and thereby 
 to strike terrour and faintness into the hearts of all the 
 friends to right and liberty throughout the Continent ; to 
 revive and animate their scattered friends, and break the 
 union of the Colonies, and in that way insure final success 
 to their tyranny. This being undoubtedly the plan of our 
 enemies, it is of inexpressible consequence that the ground 
 which we have taken should at all events be maintained. 
 Your Honour is no doubt fully sensible that our Army, for 
 the present, is unavoidably checked, with regard to offen- 
 sive operations, for a reason of which you are not unap- 
 prized ; but, however, we have the means of acting on the 
 defensive. 
 
 " As Boston is impregnable against every thing but great 
 artillery, very few troops are sufficient to keep it; and as 
 there are two passes at least, very distant from each other, 
 by which the enemy will probably attempt to advance into 
 the country, it is thereby rendered necessary that we 
 should throw our Army into at least two grand divisions, 
 each of which ought to be able to withstand almost the 
 whole strength of the enemy. Your Honour is acquainted 
 that it was at first supposed to be necessary that thirty 
 thousand men should be raised and stationed to act for this 
 season in the environs of Boston. Thirteen thousand six 
 hundred was the number supposed by our Congress to be 
 this Colony's proportion of such an Army, and that num- 
 ber we have to our utmost been endeavouring fully to com- 
 plete ; but because there are deficiencies in our Regiments, 
 (as your Honour well knows there always will be in such 
 cases,) in order to make that quota good, we have been 
 obliged to increase the number of the Regiments, but still 
 there is a deficiency; and because of the inexpressible im- 
 portance of having our Army effectually strong, we are, by 
 unremitted efforts, and by every device, at vast expense, 
 labouring to make that number fully complete, or rather to 
 exceed it. 
 
 " May it please your Honour : Because we are so vastly 
 apprehensive of the fatal consequences of a general defeat 
 of this Army to the whole American cause, and are so 
 unutterably solicitous to have it effectually strengthened, 
 we have called in every individual of our levies, from all 
 our outposts, to join the Army ; although by that measure 
 we expose all our Towns on the sea-coasts to the rage and 
 depredations of the enemy, and run the dreadful risk of 
 the best of our Towns being reduced to ashes, and taking 
 the miserable fate of Charlestoivn. 
 
 ,: We beg leave to acquaint your Honour, that it is most 
 
 clearly our opinion, and that we have the best grounds to 
 suppose, that as soon as the enemy have recovered a little 
 breath from their amazing fatigues of the seventeenth of 
 June, and the surprising losses which they then undoubt- 
 edly sustained shall be made up by arrivals of new Troops, 
 which is almost daily taking place, they will direct all their 
 force to some one point, and make the utmost efforts to 
 force our lines, destroy our magazines, and thereby strike 
 general terrour and amazement into the hearts of the in- 
 habitants of the whole Continent. 
 
 " From this view of the case we cannot a moment longer 
 forbear addressing your Honour, and most earnestly sug- 
 gesting to the immediate consideration of your General 
 Assembly, not only the expediency, but indispensable ne- 
 cessity of an immediate augmentation of the Troops from 
 your Colony, for the more effectual strengthening of the 
 Army. What the number of the augmentation ought to 
 be, we most cheerfully submit to the good judgment of your 
 Assembly, not in the least doubting but their wisdom and 
 justice will direct and dispose them to do all that is proper 
 in so important a crisis as we really consider the present. 
 
 " W e need not express to your Honour the indispensable 
 necessity of despatch in making re-enforcements, nor the 
 propriety and advantage of marching any new levies, which 
 your Assembly may order, with all possible speed, without 
 the first raised companies waiting for the completing of 
 others, inasmuch as your Colony has here on the spot all 
 the proper officers to make the necessary disposition for 
 their reception. And as the season of their being of any 
 advantage for the support of our Army may be irrevocably 
 lapsed before their arrival, if the least unnecessary delay 
 should be indulged, we have made a representation to the 
 Lieutenant-Governour of Rhode-Island, similar to the fore- 
 going, and are about to make a like representation to the 
 Congress of New-Hampshire, and to send the same by 
 special express. 
 
 " We suppose the whole number of our enemy's land 
 forces, when joined with the four regiments which were 
 ordered to New- York, will amount to upwards of ten thou- 
 sand, exclusive of negroes and tories, who are every way 
 provided and furnished in the best manner for action. 
 
 "We have the fullest confidence that your Honour's zeal 
 and ardour for the salvation of our Country, and the pre- 
 servation of our inestimable rights, will render any impor- 
 tunity unnecessary to induce you to take all the requisite 
 steps to effect the proposed augmentation for which we are 
 most solicitous." 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what steps are 
 proper to be taken for the reception of General flashing- 
 ton, reported. The Report was ordered to lie on the 
 table. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Machias, dated June 
 14, 1775, was read, (respecting the capture of a King's 
 Cutter,) and committed to the Committee which was yes- 
 terday appointed to consider a Letter on the same subject 
 to Colonel Otis. 
 
 Mr. Holmes was appointed in the room of Col. Sawyer, 
 on the Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for 
 making the Notes of this Colony a currency and tender for 
 payment in all cases. 
 
 Mr. Davis was appointed in the room of Captain Stone, 
 on the Committee who were appointed to consider the Pe- 
 tition from Edward Parry. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 26, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to consider the 
 Petition of Mr. Edward Parry, and the Report of Colonel 
 Thompson relative to his conduct at Kennebeck, be directed 
 to consider his, the said Thompson's, conduct at Falmouth, 
 with respect to Captain Mowatt and Captain Coulson, and 
 his laying Mr. Bernard under bonds. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to deliver out 
 Commissions, be directed to draw a fair list of all those 
 officers in the Army who have been commissioned, which 
 list shall be attested by the Secretary and transmitted to 
 General Ward. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Safety, proposing that 
 the Congress should appoint two persons to superintend the 
 
1447 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1448 
 
 supply of the Army, was read, and committed to the Com- 
 mittee who have under consideration the regulation of the 
 Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Nye, and Mr. Fisher, 
 be a Committee to inquire into the state of the Towns' 
 stocks of Ammunition, in the Counties of Worcester and 
 Hampshire, and that said Committee sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That all the Commissions for the Officers of 
 the Train be forthwith signed by the Secretary, (except 
 John Wiley's, Samuel Gridley's, and John Calender's,) 
 and sent to the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That no Handles be made to Spears or other 
 weapons of war, or any tools for the use of the Army, of 
 Chestnut, or any other brittle wood. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire into 
 the grounds of a report which has prevailed, that there has 
 been treachery in some of the Officers of the Army, be di- 
 rected to proceed in their inquiries. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Porter, Colonel Gerrish, and 
 Captain Thatcher, be a Committee to consider and report 
 to whom the Arms obtained by a Committee of Congress 
 shall be delivered, and when distributed, how the person 
 receiving them shall be made accountable. 
 
 Resolved, That every person who has in possession any 
 of the Precepts lately issued by this Congress for calling a 
 General Assembly, be desired to dele the word " warn" 
 and in its stead insert the word 11 cause" and that Mr. Edes 
 be desired, in his next Paper, to give notice of the mistake 
 made, by printing the said word " warn" instead of the 
 word " cause." 
 
 Resolved, That Major Fuller be desired immediately to 
 go home to get the returns of the Towns' stocks of Ammu- 
 nition. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 what steps are proper to be taken for the reception of 
 General Washington, was again considered, amended, and 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Benjamin Church and Mr. Moses 
 GUI, be a Committee to repair to Springfield, there to 
 receive Generals Washington and Lee, with every mark of 
 respect due to their exalted characters and stations ; to pro- 
 vide proper escorts for them from thence to the Army 
 before Boston, and the house provided for their reception 
 at Cambridge, and to make suitable provision for them in 
 manner following, viz : by a number of gentlemen of this 
 Colony from Springfield to Brookfield ; and by another 
 company, raised in that neighbourhood, from there to Wor- 
 cester; and by another company, there provided, from thence 
 to Marlborough ; and from thence, by the troop of Horse 
 in that place, to the Army aforesaid : and their company at 
 the several stages on the road, and to receive the bills of 
 expenses at the several inns where it may be convenient for 
 them to stop for refreshment, to examine them and make 
 report of the several sums expended at each of them for 
 that purpose, that orders may be taken by the Congress 
 for the payment of them ; and all inn-keepers are hereby 
 directed to make provision agreeable to the requests made 
 by the said Committee ; and that General Ward be notified 
 of the appointment of General Washington as Commander- 
 in-Chief of the American Forces, and of the expectation 
 we have of his speedy arrival, with Major-General Lee, 
 that he, with the Generals of the Forces of the other Co- 
 lonies, may give such orders for their honourable reception 
 as may accord with the rules and circumstances of the 
 Army, and the respect due to their rank, without, how- 
 ever, any expense of powder, and without taking the Troops 
 off from the necessary attention to their duty at this crisis 
 of our affairs. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock in the afternoon be as- 
 signed for the purpose of choosing three persons as a Com- 
 mittee to repair to Springfield to receive Generals Wash- 
 ington and Lee, agreeable to the foregoing Resolution. 
 
 TheCommittoc appointed to consider what preparations 
 are proper to be made for the reception of General Wash- 
 ington, reported the following Resolve; which was accept- 
 ed, and Capt. Partridge, Captain Thatcher, Mr. Phillips, 
 Major Goodwin, and Mr. Caldwell, appointed a Committee 
 lor the purpose therein mentioned : 
 
 Resolved, That the President's house in Cambridge, 
 excepting one room reserved by the President for his own 
 use, be taken, cleared, prepared, and furnished, for the 
 reception of General Washington and General Lee; and 
 that a Committee be chosen immediately to carry the same 
 into execution. 
 
 Mr. Crane was appointed in the room of Mr. Hall on 
 the Committee chosen to consider Mr. Revcre's Account. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed to prepare 
 Letters to the several Governments in New-England for 
 a re-enforcement of men, omit preparing one for the Co- 
 lony of New-Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Captain Goodman, and 
 Mr. Phillips, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for 
 the purpose of preventing all imposition on the Committee 
 who have been heretofore directed to examine those per- 
 sons who may be suspected as inimical to their Country, by 
 any person whatever. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 Machias reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be, and are 
 hereby given to Captain Jeremiah Obrian and Captain 
 Benjamin Foster, and the other brave men under their 
 command, for their courage and good conduct in taking 
 one of the Tenders belonging to our enemies, and two 
 Sloops belonging to Ichabod Jones, and for preventing the 
 Ministerial Troops being supplied with Lumber; and that 
 the said Tender, Sloops, their appurtenances and cargoes, 
 remain in the hands of the said Captains Obrian and Fos- 
 ter and the men under their command, for them to use and 
 improve as they shall think most for their and the publick's 
 advantage, until the further order of this or some future 
 Congress, or House of Representatives. And that the 
 Committee of Safety for the Western Parish of Potvnal- 
 borough be ordered to convey the prisoners taken by the 
 said Obrian and Foster from Pownalborough Jail to the 
 Committee of Safety or Correspondence for the Town of 
 Brunsivick, and the Committee for Brunstvick to convey 
 them to some Committee in the County of York, and so 
 to be conveyed from County to County till they arrive at 
 this Congress. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to Ezra Bad- 
 lam, Captain of the Train of Artillery, in the room of 
 John Wiley ; John Sibley, Lieutenant ; Samuel Daggit, 
 Second Lieutenant; and John Blanchard, Second Lieu- 
 tenant; agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee 
 of Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Foster, Mr. Fisher, and Cap- 
 tain Goodridgc, be a Committee to consider a Letter from 
 General Ward this day received. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fisher, Doctor Whiting, and Major 
 Brooks, be a Committee to receive, sort, and count the 
 votes for three gentlemen to go to Springfield, to meet 
 Generals Washington and Lee. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that Doctor Church, Mr. Gill, and the Hon. Major Jlau- 
 ley, were chosen. 
 
 The Hon. Major Hawlcy moved that he might be i \- 
 cused from that service ; and having offered his reasons, 
 the question was put, and he was excused accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That the vote for choosing three persons to 
 go to Springfield, to meet Generals Washington and L<< 
 be reconsidered, so far as that only two persons should be 
 appointed to repair thither on that service. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain McKcnstcr and Captain Porter, 
 who have each of them raised a Company at New-York 
 and Connecticut, be permitted to join Colonel Patterson s 
 Regiment, provided their Companies are complete and 
 equipped, and that Major Goodwin bring in a Resolve for 
 this purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That General WhitcomVs Commission be 
 dated the 21st day of June. 
 
 Resolved, That the President be desired to administer 
 to General Whitcomb the Oath appointed to be adminis- 
 tered to the General Officers of the Army. 
 
1449 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 i450 
 
 The President delivered to General Wkitcomb a Com- 
 mission as a Major-General of the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 A Petition from the Committee of Correspondence for 
 the Town of Plymouth* was read ; whereupon 
 
 Resolved, That the prayer thereof be granted, and that 
 General Ward be directed to countermand his orders for 
 drawing off the forces stationed at Plymouth. 
 
 On a motion made, 
 
 Voted, That this last Resolve be reconsidered, and 
 
 Ordered, That the Petition from Plymouth be com- 
 mitted to Capt. Parker, Colonel Lincoln, Colonel Davis, 
 Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Webster. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the Officers 
 of Colonel Little's Regiment, agreeable to a list recom- 
 mended by the Committee of Safety. 
 
 A list of the Officers and Soldiers of Captain Samuel 
 Sprague's Company was presented to the Congress; 
 whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to the said 
 Officers, viz: Samuel Sprague, Captain; Joseph Chrcver, 
 Lieutenant ; William Oliver, Ensign ; and that the Com- 
 pany be joined to Colonel Ger risk's Regiment. 
 
 Mr. Goodwin, agreeable to order, reported the following 
 Resolve; which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Whereas, Captain Mackinster, of Spencer, and Captain 
 Porter, of Jiecket, have enlisted, each a Company of men 
 on the establishment of this Colony, and not joined as yet 
 to any Regiment : 
 
 Resolved, That the said Companies be joined to Colonel 
 Jo/in Patterson's Regiment, now stationed at Cambridge, 
 immediately: provided said Companies are full, or near 
 full, and that each man is equipped with a good and suffi- 
 cient Firelock ; and that they join their Regiment as soon 
 as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to Captain 
 Reuben Dow and Lieutenant John Goss, as officers, agree- 
 able to the respective titles affixed to their names, in Col. 
 Prescotl's Regiment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider and report to 
 whom the Arms, procured by a Committee of this Con- 
 gress, should be delivered, kc, reported the following Re- 
 solve : which was read, and accepted, viz : 
 
 Whereas, this Congress have ordered a number of Fire- 
 Arms to be furnished from several Towns and Districts in 
 this Colony, to be forwarded to the Army to supply those 
 who are destitute of Arms, but no provision is made for 
 delivering them out, and taking proper receipts for the 
 same : 
 
 * PETITION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF PLYMOUTH. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress, now sitting at Watertown : 
 The Petition of the Committee of Correspondence for the Town of 
 Plymouth humbly sheweth : 
 
 That your petitioners have this day received intelligence that a vote 
 
 passed your House the instant, determining to remove to 
 
 Head-Quarters that part of Colonel Cotton's Regiment which has been, 
 by order of your most respectable body, stationed in this place for the 
 security and protection of the lives and property of this greatly exposed 
 and much threatened Town. We, your petitioners, have lately 
 received undoubted intelligence, by one of our townsmen, who has 
 been taken by a tender, and carried into Boston, that Admiral Graves 
 made particular inquiry into the circumstances of this Town, and said 
 that we were a rebellious people, and that, in consequence of our build, 
 ing a fort in opposition to the King's Troops, it should not be long 
 before he would blow the Town about our ears. Your petitioners 
 are very sensible that, should the troops be called away from this 
 station, the Town of Plymouth, as well as the adjacent Villages, will 
 lie open to the ravages of our enemies, and that it will be no difficult 
 nutter for them to plunder and destroy us. The poor of this Town 
 are already much distressed, by reason of the stop put to the Fishery, 
 and can scarcely subsist upon what they get out of the clam banks, 
 and by fishing in boats ; and should they be driven from their huts into 
 the barren country that surrounds us, they must (for aught we see) 
 perish with hunger and for want of habitations, there not being houses 
 within twenty miles sufficient to receive them. These poor people 
 consist principally of women and children, their husbands and parents 
 having enlisted themselves into the service of the Colony. Your peti- 
 tioners are very far from desiring to create any unnecessary expense 
 to the Colony ; but, at the same time, think it necessary that said troops 
 remain with us, and are of opinion that, should they be withdrawn, 
 the Town will be immediately evacuated. And, for the above reasons, 
 your petitioners, as in duty bound, &c. 
 
 For and by order of the Committee of Correspondence for the Town 
 of Plymouth: Andrew Croswell, Cleric, 
 
 Gamaliel Bradford, Jun., 
 
 John Gray. 
 
 P. S. The Committee of Correspondence for the Towns of Dux. 
 bury and Kingston, which lie on Plymouth Bay, join in the general 
 prayer of the above Petition. 
 
 Therefore, Resolved, That all the Small-Arms that are 
 or may be procured by the above order, be delivered to 
 Major Nathaniel Barber, Military Storekeeper at Cam- 
 bridge, he to give his receipt for the same to the person 
 or persons from whom he receives them ; that the same be 
 delivered out to such officers as shall produce orders there- 
 for from the Hon. General Ward, they giving receipts for 
 the same to the said Major Barber, to be returned in good 
 order, unless lost in the service of the Colony. And every 
 soldier who shall receive any such Fire-Ami, shall give 
 his receipt for the same to the officer from whom he shall 
 receive it, to be returned as aforesaid ; and in case the same 
 shall not be returned at the close of the campaign, or 
 sooner, the value of the said Fire-Arm shall be deducted 
 out of the wages of the person receiving the same; and 
 that the sum of six shillings shall be deducted out of the 
 wages of each soldier who shall receive such Fire-Arm. 
 for the use of the same, in case he returns it again in good 
 order. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Edward Parry, inc.. 
 reported. The Report was read, amended, and accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz.* 
 
 The Committee on the Petition from Plymouth, report- 
 ed. The Report was read, but not accepted. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Colonel Gerrish, Captain 
 Bragdon, Colonel Thompson, Colonel Freeman, and Mr. 
 Lothrop, be a Committee to consider what measures are 
 proper to be taken for the defence and protection of the 
 sea-coasts. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee last chosen consider 
 several Petitions which were committed to the Commit- 
 tee some time since appointed to consider the state of the 
 sea-coasts ; and that said Committee first consider the case 
 of the Town of Plymouth, as represented in the Petition 
 from that Town. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the conduct of 
 Colonel Thompson, at Falmouth, with respect to Captain 
 Mowatt, reported. The Report was oidered to subside : 
 it was as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the conduct of 
 Colonel Thompson, at Falmouth, with respect to Captain 
 Moivatt, &c, and his laying Mr. Barnard under bond, 
 are of opinion that said Thompson's conduct was friendly 
 to his Country and the cause of liberty, and that said Bar- 
 nard's conduct appears to have been inimical to both. All 
 which we humbly submit to this Congress. 
 
 Adjourned to Tuesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, June 27, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Albany, dated June 
 23, 1775, was read ; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Whiting, Mr. Greenleaf, and 
 Mr. Hopkins, be a Committee to consider the same, and 
 prepare an answer thereto. 
 
 Resolved, That four persons be added to the Commit- 
 tee of Supplies, and that eleven o'clock this forenoon be 
 assigned for the choice of them. 
 
 The Committee appointed yesterday to consider General 
 Ward's Letter, reported a Resolve; which was accept- 
 ed, and ordered to be printed in handbills, and dispersed 
 throughout the Colony. And thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Goodridge, Mr. Partridge. 
 and Mr. Caldwell, be a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 A Letter from Isaac Stone, relative to Francis Moore. 
 a baker, was read, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 "June 25, 1775. 
 
 "Mr. President: I am, Sir, now upon my return to visit 
 my family ; have just been informed by Mr. Isaac Shear- 
 man, a baker at Marlborough, that he has been employed 
 by one Francis Moore, of Cambridge, a baker for our Army ; 
 for a considerable lime ; that the said Moore bakes one or 
 two batches of biscuit every day out of the flour belong- 
 ing to the Colony, to the value of twenty shillings, lawful 
 money, per batch; which biscuit, together with some quan- 
 tity of eight-penny loaves, are sold constantly for private 
 use to any body who wants to purchase, and no account is 
 kept of the flour used for that purpose, or of the biscuit 
 
 * The report referred to in the text is neither entered on the Journal, 
 nor preserved on the files of Congress. — Lincoln. 
 
1451 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1452 
 
 or bread thus sold. He, the said Shearman, says he 
 inquired of Mr. Fenno, Moore's foreman, upon what con- 
 ditions Moore baked for the Army, and he told him the 
 Colony made Mr. Moore debtor for the flour he received 
 of them, and Moore made the Colony debtor for the bread 
 he delivered to the Army; that there could be no other 
 way. Shearman says, if that is the case, Moore must 
 make a very large advance ; that the bread made with 
 thirty pounds worth of flour would amount to forty 
 pounds; that Moore supplies about that quantity every 
 day: so that if he took some of the Colony flour for pri- 
 vate use, and is honest in the weight of the bread, he 
 would advance ten Pounds, lawful money, per day. Be- 
 sides, he says one of Moore's boys reported, that the 
 loaves were not weight, and the Commissary examined 
 and found it so; that Moore severely corrected the boy 
 for telling. Upon the whole, Shearman supposes Moore 
 is in a way of making money fast. Shearman says he is 
 personally knowing to these facts, and they may be suffi- 
 ciently proved. Thus far, Sir, 1 thought it my duty, as a 
 member of the honourable Congress, to inform, and hope 
 every unfaithful servant will be dismissed. All which is 
 humbly submitted. Yours, &lc. Isaac Stone. 
 
 •' To the Honourable James Warren, Esquire, President 
 of Congress, at Watertown." 
 
 Ordered, That the said Letter be immediately trans- 
 mitted to the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Captain Batchelder, 
 Captain Stone of Framingham, join with Mr. Pidgeon in 
 an inquiry into the conduct of said Moore, and report to 
 this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve just now past, in conse- 
 quence of General Ward's Letter, be reconsidered, and 
 that it be recommitted, together with the Resolve passed 
 relative to absconding soldiers, to Mr. Partridge, Mr. 
 Hopkins, and Captain Goodrich. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Thatcher be appointed to apply to 
 the brother of our late President for such Papers belong- 
 ing to this Congress as he may have in his possession. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Colonel Coffin, and Cap- 
 tain Webster, be a Committee to consider a Letter from 
 General Thomas, respecting a petition for liberty to permit 
 Provisions to be carried to those who were taken prisoners 
 by Gage's Troops, on the 17th instant, now in Boston. 
 
 A number of Letters were presented to the Congress 
 by Mr. Palfrey, lately arrived from England; some of 
 which were read, and then the whole were committed to 
 Dr. Taylor, Mr. Partridge, and Captain Brown. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bigeloiv be appointed to go to 
 Cambridge to inquire if there are any blank Commissions 
 at the Committee of Safety's room. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Mr. Partridge, and Cap- 
 tain Goodman, be a Committee to receive and sort the 
 votes for four gentlemen to be added to the Committee of 
 Supplies. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that Colonel James Prescott, Colonel Elisha Porter, 
 Major Brooks, and Captain Vose, were chosen. 
 
 Major Brooks having requested that he might be ex- 
 cused, was excused, and Colonel Barrett was chosen in 
 his room. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary make out a proper cer- 
 tificate of the choice of the above-named four gentlemen on 
 the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 The Committee on the account of Mr. Paul Revere, 
 reported. The Report was recommitted. 
 
 A Letter from General Ward was read, nominating 
 Colonel William Henshaw to be an Adjutant-General in 
 the Massachusetts Army; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be made out for him 
 accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Major Hawlcy, Mr. Picker- 
 ing, and Col. Porter, be a Committee to prepare Letters 
 to the Continental Congress, requesting their aid in fur- 
 nishing us with Gunpowder; and also to prepare another 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull, requesting him to take 
 some steps for collecting Powder from the several Towns 
 
 in the Colony of Connecticut, to be sent to Head-Quarters 
 
 at Cambridge, as this Colony is now doing. 
 
 A Letter from General Thomas was read, nominating 
 Mr. Samuel Brewer to be an Adjutant-General in the 
 Massachusetts Army; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That a Commission be made out for him 
 accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Ezekiel Cheever be appointed 
 Storekeeper of the Ordnance, in the room of Major Bar- 
 ber, who has declined accepting of that trust ; and that 
 five o'clock, P. M., be assigned for considering the expe- 
 diency of augmenting the Pay of the Storekeeper of the 
 Ordnance. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Holmes, Captain Brown, and 
 Captain Batchelder, be a Committee to examine Ensign 
 Robert Campbell, lately arrived from England, and now 
 a prisoner in this Town, and to report what is proper to 
 be done with him. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Farley, Captain Divight, and 
 Mr. Webster be a Committee to prepare an Address to the 
 several Towns in the Colony who may be applied to to 
 furnish the Army with Powder. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Edes be desired to print three 
 hundred blank Commissions, agreeable to the form lately 
 made use of for the Officers of the Army. 
 
 A Petition from Jonathan Hicks and Josiah Jones, 
 prisoners in Concord Jail, was read, and ordered to lie on 
 the table. 
 
 A Letter from S. L. was read, and ordered to lie on the 
 table. 
 
 A Petition from the Committees of the several Town- 
 ships of Goldsborough, Narragaugus, and Number Four, 
 was read,* and committed to Captain Parker, Colonel 
 Smith, and Captain Ellis, who are directed to consider 
 the propriety of supplying the inhabitants of Machias with 
 some three-pounders and some swivel balls. 
 
 The Committee made report as follows, viz : 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Petition of the Towns of Goldsborough, Narragaugus, 
 and the Township Number Four, beg leave to report, that 
 it be recommended to the Committee of Correspondence 
 and Committee of Safety, in the County of Essex, that 
 they supply the three Towns abovementioned with one 
 hundred bushels of Grain, five barrels of Pork, and one 
 cask of Molasses, to each Town ; and take security of 
 William Shaw, Joseph Wallis, and Phineas TVhitlen, peti- 
 tioners, for the pay in Lumber, or such other things as 
 may suit for pay best; and if not paid in a reasonable 
 time, it shall be paid out of the publick Treasury of this 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Shillaber be directed to bring 
 in a Resolve for the purpose of assuring the officers and 
 soldiers that, notwithstanding the date of the officers' com- 
 missions, the Pay of both officers and soldiers shall com- 
 mence at the time of their enlistment. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be made out to the subal- 
 tern officers of Captain Edward Craft's Company, in the 
 
 * To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress for the 
 Massachusetts-Bay : 
 Gentlemen: The humble Petition of the Inhabitants of Goldsho. 
 rough, Number Four, and Narragaugus, in the County of Lincoln, in 
 said Province, humbly shews : That the particularly alarming situation 
 of this County, as well as the whole Continent, induces us to address 
 your Honours, and particularly to lay before you the distressed situa- 
 tion of said Towns, holding ourselves as true friends to the cause that 
 all America, as well as ourselves, are now supporting. At present we 
 are almost destituto of all kinds of provisions, as well as ammunition ; 
 and the many reports we have that we may expect tho Indians on our 
 backs, and the tenders in our harbours to distress us, oblige us to pray 
 that your Honours may assist us in that way that you in your wisdom 
 may think best ; for which we shall be always ready to make you full 
 satisfaction. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 William Shaw, 
 B. Gi.ksiisher, 
 Committee of the Township of Goldsborough. 
 Joseph Wallis, 
 Alexander Campbell, 
 Committee of the Township of Narragaugus. 
 John Stevens, 
 Phineas Wiiitlen, 
 Committee of the Township Number Four. 
 
1453 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1454 
 
 Train, agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee 
 of Safety. 
 
 A Letter from Elisha Phelps, dated June 12, 1775, 
 was read, and ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 The Letter from Mr. Isaac Stone, which was this day 
 transmitted to the Committee of Supplies, was, by that 
 Committee, returned, and again read, and thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller be directed to notify the 
 Commissary-General to attend this Congress on the sub- 
 ject thereof. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider in what way the 
 sea-coasts should be protected, reported ; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies and all Com- 
 mittees of the House now out, be directed immediately to 
 give attendance. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to provide 
 Hospitals for the Army be directed to provide another 
 Hospital to be appropriated solely for such of the Army 
 as may be taken with the Small-Pox, and to consider what 
 measures can be taken to prevent the spreading of that 
 distemper ; and that Doctor Rand and Doctor Foster be 
 added to the Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve passed yesterday, directing 
 how the Fire-Arms should be distributed, be reconsidered. 
 The same being amended, was again accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, this Congress has ordered a number of Fire- 
 Arms to be furnished from several Towns and Districts in 
 this Colony, to be forwarded to the Army to supply those 
 who are destitute of Arms, but no provision is made for 
 delivering them out, and taking proper receipts for the 
 same: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That all the Small-Arms that are or may be 
 procured by the above order, be delivered to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety at Cambridge, they to give their receipt 
 for the same to the person from whom they receive them, 
 that the same be delivered out to such officers as shall pro- 
 duce orders therefor from the Hon. General Ward, they 
 giving receipts for the same to the said Committee of 
 Safety, to be returned in good order, unless lost in the 
 service of the Colony. And every soldier who shall 
 receive any such fire-arm, shall give his receipt for the 
 same to the officer from whom he shall receive it, to be 
 returned as aforesaid, and the officer shall return the said 
 receipts to the Committee of Safety ; and in case the same 
 shall not be relumed at the close of the campaign, or 
 sooner, the value of the said fire-arm shall be deducted 
 out of the wages of the person receiving the same ; and 
 that the Committee of Safety shall appraise all such arms 
 as have not already been appraised, and take an account of 
 the whole. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. William Henshaw, an Adjutant- 
 General, take the oath appointed to be taken by the Offi- 
 cers and Soldiers of the Massachusetts Army, and that a 
 commission as Adjutant-General be delivered to him. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine Ensign Robert 
 Campbell, reported the following Resolve, which was ac- 
 cepted : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 case of a Prisoner bound to Boston to join the Army under 
 the command of General Gage, have examined said Pri- 
 soner ; and his account of himself is, that his name is 
 Robert Campbell, about seventeen years old, son of Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Alexander Campbell, who. is now Lieute- 
 nant-Governour of Fort George, in Inverness, and is one 
 of the first families in Scotland. Said Robert Campbell 
 further says, he was born in the Army, and now has a 
 recommendation for an Ensign's commission in the Thirty- 
 Fifth Regiment. 
 
 Resolved, That Robert Campbell be sent immediately 
 1o the care of the Selectmen of Concord, to be by them put 
 under keepers or into prison, and provided for as their pru- 
 dence shall direct, until the further order of this Congress, 
 or some future House of Representatives, and that he be 
 delivered to Colonel Barrett, to be conveyed to said Select- 
 men of Concord. 
 
 An Account of Simeon Fish and John Toby, of the ex- 
 penses of bringing Ensign Robert Campbell from Falmouth 
 
 to this Congress, was read, and committed to the Commit- 
 tee who were appointed to examine said Campbell. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire into the state of the 
 several Towns' stocks in the Counties of Hampshire and 
 Worcester, reported a schedule, containing an account of 
 the stocks of the several Towns in said Counties, which 
 was committed to Mr. Singlctary, Mr. Nye, and Mr. Cutt, 
 who were directed to consider what quantity should be 
 drawn from each Town for the use of the Army. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter of 
 General Thomas, relative to the request of a number of our 
 wounded friends in captivity in Boston, reported. The 
 Report was accepted, and a copy of it ordered to be sent to 
 General Thomas, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of a 
 number of our wounded friends now in captivity in Boston, 
 beg leave to report, that General Thomas be requested 
 moderately to supply said Prisoners with fresh Meat, in 
 case he can convey it to them, and them only. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 some means for protecting the sea-coasts was again read 
 and considered, and, after debate, the further consideration 
 of it was put off till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Adjourned to to-morrow morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 2S, 1775. 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to the 
 Letter from Albany, reported. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln bring in a Resolve 
 making five of the Committee of Supplies to be a quorum, 
 or in defect of five, that three may be a quorum, provided 
 the Chairman be one of the three. 
 
 Colonel Lincoln reported a Resolve, which was read, 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, the publick interest often makes it necessary 
 that a very considerable number of the Committee of Sup- 
 plies should be absent on business of the Colony, and as no 
 orders can be paid by the Receiver-General but such as 
 are signed by the said Committee, or the major part of 
 them, by reason whereof the publick service may be ob- 
 structed and greatly delayed; for the prevention of which, 
 it is 
 
 Resolved, That three of said Committee of Supplies, 
 the Chairman, David Cheever, Esquire, being always one 
 of the three, shall, when there are less than five present, be 
 considered as a quorum ; and all orders, bargains, and con- 
 tracts by them made, shall be held good to all intents and 
 purposes, as fully as though the whole of said Committee 
 were present and assenting to such orders, bargains, and 
 contracts, and that the Receiver-General of this Colony 
 be, and hereby is directed to govern himself accordingly. 
 
 The Letter prepared to be sent to the Committee of 
 Albany was accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 " Gentlemen : This Congress have received your verv 
 obliging letter by Mr. Price, of the 23d ultimo, and they 
 cheerfully embrace the opportunity to forward to you by 
 the same hand, as particular an account of the late engage- 
 ment with the enemies of America as we, in the present 
 hurry of our publick affairs, are able to do. On the night 
 of the 16th of June instant, a body of our Troops took pos- 
 session of a hill in Charlestown, where they began some 
 intrenchments ; but as soon as the morning light appeared, 
 they were fired upon by some of the ships in Boston har- 
 bour, and also from a battery on Copp's Hill, which is on 
 Boston side. Soon after, several ships and floating batteries 
 drew up as near as possible on each side of Charlestown 
 Neck, in order, with their cannon, to annoy our people, and 
 prevent any recruits going from our main body to their 
 relief. About two o'clock, P. M., a large body of regular 
 Troops, consisting of several thousands, commanded by 
 Lord Howe, suddenly crossed Charles River, and landed 
 near the hill on which our people were posted. They 
 immediately marched up, in order to force our infant in- 
 trenchments ; but our people gave them so warm a recep- 
 tion, that they thought best to retreat, but soon renewed 
 their attempts, but were repulsed the second time with 
 great slaughter; but on their third attempt our people 
 (being almost destitute of ammunition, as the enemy's con- 
 
1455 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1456 
 
 stant fire from their ships and floating batteries had pre- 
 vented any supplies from our main Army) were obliged to 
 retreat, with the loss of about fifty men killed, and two 
 hundred wounded, as near as has yet been ascertained, and 
 about thirty taken prisoners, many of whom were wound- 
 ed, and some are since dead of their wounds. The loss 
 on the part of our enemies is much greater. Some per- 
 sons who were on the field of battle soon after the fight, 
 affirm that they saw eight hundred men dead on the 
 ground, and that there were as many more wounded. The 
 lowest accounts we have had is one thousand killed and 
 wounded, among which are eighty four commissioned offi- 
 cers. On the same day the Town of Charlestown, con- 
 sisting of near five hundred houses and other buildings, was, 
 by those bloody incendiaries, set on fire and consumed to 
 ashes. We cannot, however, but assure you, gentlemen, 
 that, notwithstanding our present distressed situation, we 
 feel a peculiar satisfaction in finding our patriotick brethren 
 of the City and County of Albany so cordially interesting 
 themselves in our particular welfare, and so kindly offering 
 us their assistance, as well as manifesting their zeal for the 
 rights and liberties of America in general. It is our ardent 
 desire to cultivate harmony and friendship with all our 
 neighbouring brethren, and we hope you will not fail to 
 continue your favours ; and we assure you that we shall 
 always take pleasure in conveying to you any intelligence 
 that shall afford satisfaction. As to the benevolent dona- 
 tions you mention, which are collected for our distressed 
 brethren, as the transporting the article you make mention 
 of is almost impracticable, we think it had better be ex- 
 changed for cash, or some necessary specie, which may be 
 more easily transported. We are sorry to hear there is 
 any prospect of an attack upon Ticonderoga, &c, but we 
 trust those important fortresses are sufficiently garrisoned, 
 and doubt not but our brave countrymen stationed there 
 will be able to repulse any force which can be sent against 
 them from Canada. Finally, brethren, we ardently wish 
 that the great Supreme Being, who governs all things, may 
 so direct all our military operations, that they may speedily 
 issue in the full restoration and peaceable possession of the 
 natural and constitutional rights and liberties of every 
 American. 
 
 " P. S. Some make the number of our killed and mis- 
 sing to be near a hundred." 
 
 The Committee on the Account of Messrs. Fish and 
 Toby, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Simeon Fish and John Toby be allow- 
 ed and paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, 
 six Pounds, seven Shillings, for their time and expenses in 
 bringing Robert Cumpbcll, a prisoner, from Falmouth to 
 this Congress, and also for their time and expenses back to 
 Falmouth again; and the Receiver-General is hereby di- 
 rected to pay the said sum of six Pounds, seven Shillings, 
 to the said Fish and Toby, in full discharge of their ex- 
 penses as aforesaid. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider the 
 Resolves of this Congress relative to absconding Soldiers, 
 reported. The Report was recommitted. 
 
 Mr. Pidgeon was introduced, on the subject of Captain 
 Stone's Letter respecting Mr. Moore. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Captain Batchclder, 
 and Captain Stone of Framingham, be a Committee to 
 join with Mr. Pidgeon in an inquiry into the conduct of said 
 Moore, and report to this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Batchelder, Colonel Coffin, 
 and Captain Goodman, be a Committee to bring in a Re- 
 solve for the purpose of saving Provisions in the Army. 
 
 A list of persons recommended as Deputy Commissaries 
 was read, and committed to Mr. Greenlcaf, Captain Car- 
 penter, and Mr. Johnson. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for 
 giving a currency to the Notes or Bills of Credit of this 
 Colony, reported. The Report was recommitted, for the 
 purpose of introducing the large Notes issued by this 
 Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Commissions be delivered to such Officers 
 of Col. Gerrisfis Regiment as are not yet commissioned. 
 
 A Petition of John Obrian was read, and committed 
 to Major Perley, Major Fuller of Middleton, and Mr. 
 Cutt. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 some measures for defending the sea-coasts, was again taken 
 into consideration, amended, and accepted, and Colonel 
 Freeman, Colonel Gerrish, and Captain Carpenter, were 
 appointed to fix the pay of the Officers in proportion to that 
 of the Soldiers, agreeable to said Report. 
 
 The Report of the Committee respecting absconding 
 Soldiers, was put off" to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some method of 
 saving Provisions in the Army, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of the most effect- 
 ual means to prevent any waste of Provisions in the Army, 
 beg leave to report, by way of Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That the Commissary-General be, and he 
 hereby is directed to purchase all the Provisions that any 
 of the Soldiers may have to spare of their allowance, for 
 the use of the Army, and pay a reasonable price for such 
 Provisions. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee 
 to station the Troops in the County of Essex, agreeable to 
 the Resolve of Congress which passed in the forenoon, viz : 
 Lynn, Mr. Edward Johnson; Manchester, Mr. Andrew 
 Woodbury; Gloucester, Colonel Coffin; Marblehead, El- 
 bridge Gerry, Esquire ; Salem, Mr. Pickering ; Beverly, 
 Captain Batchelder ; Ipswich , Colonel Farley ; Newbury, 
 Colonel Gerrish; Newburyport, Captain Greenleaf; Sa- 
 lisbury, Captain Nathaniel Currier. 
 
 And the following gentlemen, for the County of York, 
 viz: York, Captain Bragdon ; Kiltery, Edward Cutt, 
 Esquire; Berwick, Major Goodwin; W ells, Col. Sawyer; 
 Arundel, Deacon Hovey ; Biddeford, James Sullivan, 
 Esquire. 
 
 The following gentlemen were likewise appointed, agree- 
 able to said Resolve, to give out Listing Orders, viz: For 
 the County of Essex, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Greenleaf, and 
 Colonel Farley; for the County of Plymouth, Hon. Colonel 
 Warren, Mr. Lothrop, Captain Partridge; for the Coun- 
 ty of Barnstable, Colonel Freeman, Colonel Otis, Daniel 
 Davis, Esq. ; for the County of Dukes County, Mr. Nye ; 
 for the County of Bristol, Mr. Durfee, Hon. Mr. Spooner, 
 Captain Holmes ; for the County of York, Col. Sawyer, 
 Edward Cutt, Esquire, Captain Bragdon; for the County 
 of Cumberland, Hon. Colonel Freeman, Colonel Thomp- 
 son, Mr. Mitchell; for the County of Lincoln, Mr. D. 
 Sewall, Mr. Langdon, Mr. E. Witcher. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Mr. Langdon, and 
 Mr. Greenleaf, be a Committee to get two hundred of the 
 Resolves for stationing Companies on the sea-coast printed. 
 
 The Resolves being completed, are as follow, viz: The 
 Committee appointed to take into consideration, and report 
 some way of defending and supporting the Towns upon the 
 sea-coasts in this Colony, having considered of the same, 
 report the following Resolves, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be immediately raised in the Coun- 
 ty of Essex ten Companies, to consist of fifty men each, 
 officers included, to be stationed upon the sea-coast in that 
 County, in such manner and proportion as shall be agreed 
 upon by a Joint Committee, consisting of one member, to 
 be appointed by this Congress, from each of the Towns ol 
 Lynn, Manchester, Gloucester, Marblehead, Salem, lh- 
 verly, Ipswich, Newbury, Ncivburyport, and Salisbury, in 
 said County, and to be under the direction of the Commit- 
 tees of Correspondence of each Town where they may be 
 stationed. Also, that there be raised in the Counties ol 
 Plymouth and Barnstable nine Companies, each to consist 
 of fifty men, four of which Companies to be stationed in 
 the County of Plymouth, according to the direction of the 
 Field-Officers of the First Regiment of the County of Ply- 
 mouth, under whose direction they shall be considered ; the 
 other five Companies to be stationed in the County of 
 Barnstable, in such manner as the Field-Officers of the 
 two Regiments there shall agree, and to be under their di- 
 rection ; and that the County of Barnstable shall have die 
 
1457 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1458 
 
 liberty of raising eight of those Companies. Likewise, 
 that there be raised in the County of Bristol, including the 
 Towns of Wareham and Rochester, two Companies, con- 
 sisting of fifty men each, to be stationed, one Company in 
 Dartmouth and the other Company in Wareham and Ro- 
 chester, equally, and to be under the direction of the Com- 
 mittees of Correspondence of the respective Towns. Also, 
 that there be raised in the County of York four Compa- 
 nies, consisting of fifty men each, to be stationed in that 
 County, according to the agreement of a Joint Committee, 
 consisting of one member from each of the Towns upon the 
 sea-coast in that County, to be chosen for that purpose ; 
 when stationed, to be under the direction of the Field- 
 Officers in that County. Also, that there be raised in the 
 County of Cumberland five Companies, consisting of fifty 
 men each, to be stationed as shall be agreed upon by a 
 Joint Committee appointed by each Town upon the sea- 
 coast, viz: two members to be chosen by the Town of 
 Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth, one by Scarborough, one 
 by North Yarmouth, one by Brunswick, and one by 
 Harpswell ; and after the division and station is ordered, to 
 be under the direction of the Committees of the respective 
 Towns where they shall be stationed. And, also, that 
 there be raised in the County of Lincoln three Companies, 
 consisting of fifty men each, to be stationed by a Commit- 
 tee consisting of members to be chosen, one by each Town 
 upon the sea-coast in said County, as they shall agree, and 
 then to be under the direction of the Committees of Cor- 
 respondence of the respective Towns and Plantations where 
 they shall be stationed, and of the Assessors, where no 
 such Committees are appointed. 
 
 Also, Resolved, That a Committee of three persons be 
 appointed in each County, to give out Enlisting Orders in 
 their respective Counties where such men are to be raised, 
 and to muster them; and, also, that Colonel Phinney be 
 directed to march the whole of his Regiment, who are 
 equipped with arms, to the Camp at Cambridge, and those 
 who are not equipped, to dismiss. 
 
 Likewise, further Resolved, That the thirty men ordered 
 to be raised from the Town of Falmouth, and stationed on 
 the Elizabeth Islands, be augmented to fifty, officers in- 
 cluded, and under the same wages and subsistence as is 
 hereafter provided, and to remain there for protection of 
 the Stocks on those Islands; and that each private soldier 
 of the several Companies herein mentioned shall be en- 
 titled to the sum of thirty-six Shillings per month, and 
 subsistence, as the other Companies raised for the Colony 
 service, till the further order of this or some future Con- 
 gress or House of Representatives ; and that the pay of the 
 officers be reduced in the same proportion as the pay of 
 the soldiers, viz : Captain's pay, five Pounds, eight Shil- 
 lings; First Lieutenant, three Pounds, twelve Shillings; 
 Second Lieutenant, three Pounds, three Shillings ; Ser- 
 geants, two Pounds, four Shillings ; Corporals, Fifers, and 
 Drummers, two Pounds. 
 
 Resolved, That each Soldier who shall enlist, shall fur- 
 nish himself with a good and sufficient firelock, and that no 
 man shall be mustered as a Soldier who is not so furnished 
 accordingly. 
 
 Also, Resolved, That each Town where Soldiers shall 
 be stationed as above, shall furnish them with Ammunition 
 out of their stocks, for which they shall be paid out of the 
 publick Treasury of this Colony. 
 
 A Petition of Robert Shillaber was read, and committed 
 to Captain Batchelder, Captain Goodman, and Major 
 Fuller of Middleborough. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Major Goodwin, Mr. 
 Batchelder, Colonel Coffin, and Colonel Gerrish, be a 
 Committee to consider what method would be most expe- 
 dient by which to supply the Soldiers to be raised for the 
 defence of the sea-coasts with Provisions. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Captain Stearns, and Mr. 
 Starkweather, be a Committee to consider the Petition of 
 several Officers in Colonel Prescott's, Colonel Fry's, and 
 Colonel Bridge's Regiments. 
 
 The Report of the Committee relative to absconding 
 Soldiers was again considered, and accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, in consequence of an application made to the 
 Provincial Congress sitting in this Town in May last by 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. if. < 
 
 the Officers of the Army, that some effectual method should 
 be taken for the speedy return of absconding soldiers, or 
 such as should tarry beyond the time limited by furlough, 
 it was then resolved that it should be, and accordingly was 
 recommended to the Committees of Correspondence in 
 the several Towns and Districts in this Colony, or to 
 the Selectmen, where no such Committees were appointed, 
 that they should take effectual care that such absconding 
 or delinquent soldiers should be sent back immediately to 
 their respective Regiments, yet it appears to this Congress 
 that the above resolution has not in every instance had the 
 desired effect ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be further recommended to the several 
 Committees of Correspondence in each Town and District 
 in this Colony, or to the Selectmen, where no such Com- 
 mittees are appointed, that they take the most speedy and 
 effectual care that said Resolve be strictly adhered to and 
 punctually executed ; and it is also recommended to the 
 good people in the several Towns and Districts aforesaid, 
 to give their utmost aid and assistance to said Selectmen or 
 Committees in executing said Resolve, as the existence of 
 the Army very much depends thereon. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That all necessary expenses 
 which may accrue by returning said absconding or delin- 
 quent soldiers to their respective Regiments, be paid, and 
 deducted out of the wages of said soldiers. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Resolves be printed in the 
 Cambridge, Watertoivn, and Worcester Papers. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what preparations 
 are necessary to be made relative to making paper Bills of 
 Credit, reported. The Report was ordered to lie till there 
 is a fuller House. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln, Major Fuller of New- 
 ton, Mr. Singletary, Mr. Durfee, and Mr. Dexter, be a 
 Committee to consider what method is best to be taken for 
 providing each of the soldiers with a coat. 
 
 The form of a Warrant for the Surgeons was read, and 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " The Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay to A. B., 
 greeting : 
 
 "Being informed of your skill in Surgery, and reposing 
 especial trust and confidence in your ability and good con- 
 duct, we do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, 
 the said A. B., to be Surgeon of the Regiment of Foot, 
 
 whereof is Colonel, raised by the Congress 
 
 aforesaid for the defence of said Colony. You are there- 
 fore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of a Sur- 
 geon to the said Regiment in all things appertaining there- 
 unto, observing such orders and instructions as you shall 
 from time to time receive from the Colonel of said Regi- 
 ment, according to military rules and discipline established 
 by said Congress, or any your superiour officers, for which 
 this shall be your sufficient warrant. 
 
 "By order of the Congress: 
 
 " President. 
 
 " Dated at Watertown." 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to make out 
 Commissions for the Officers of the Army, be directed to 
 make out Warrants for the Surgeons, agreeable to the above 
 form, as soon as they have been examined and appointed. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Colonel Thompson, and 
 Mr. Wiswall, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, for 
 the purpose of preventing the unnecessary expenditure of 
 Gunpowder. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Mr. Obrian, reported, verbally, that the petitioner be 
 served with a copy of the Report of this Congress on the 
 Petition of a number of the inhabitants of Machias. The 
 Report was accepted, and the petitioner had leave to with- 
 draw his Petition. 
 
 The Report of the Committee relative to making the 
 Notes and Bills of Credit of this and the other Colonies a 
 tender, being amended, was accepted, and ordered to be 
 authenticated, and printed in the Cambridge, Watertoivn, 
 and Worcester Papers, and is as follows: 
 
 Whereas, a former Congress of this Colony, ordered 
 their Receiver-General to issue Notes and Bills upon the 
 credit of this Colony, for the payment and supply of their 
 
1459 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1460 
 
 Army, and other necessary expenses of this Colony; and 
 whereas, divers others of the sister Colonies have issued 
 Notes or Bills, for the payment of their respective Forces; 
 and it is necessary, that the Notes and Bills of this and the 
 sister Colonies should have free currency ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Notes and Bills of the Colony of 
 Rhode- Is land, at and after the rate of six Shillings and nine 
 Pence an ounce for silver, and the Bills and Notes of this 
 and all the other Colonies (excepting Nova-Scotia and 
 Canada) at and after the rate of six Shillings and eight 
 Pence an ounce for silver, shall be taken and received, and 
 accounted a good and sufficient tender for the payment of 
 all debts, and the damages that may arise upon the non- 
 performance of any promises, and also be received into the 
 publick Treasury of this Colony, without any discount or 
 allowance whatever. And if any person whatever shall 
 refuse to take any of the Notes or Bills of the Colonies 
 aforementioned at the rates before expressed, for any debt, 
 or in satisfaction for the damages sustained by reason of 
 the non-performance of any promise, or shall ask, demand, 
 or receive, any discount, gratuity, or premium, for receiving 
 any of the Bills or Notes aforementioned, he or she so 
 offending shall be deemed an enemy to the Country. And 
 the several Committees of Correspondence, Inspection, 
 and Safety in their respective Towns, are required to return 
 the names of all persons who shall contravene this Resolve 
 to this or some future Congress, or House of Representa- 
 tives, that they may take order thereon as to them shall 
 seem meet. 
 
 The Resolve relative to the commencement of the pay 
 of the Officers and Soldiers, was considered, and recom- 
 mitted, and Mr. Batchelder and Major Fuller added to the 
 Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Webster, Major Perley, and Mr. 
 Mighill, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of recommending to the Governour and Company 
 of the Colony of Connecticut, to suffer the inhabitants of 
 the eastern parts of this Colony to purchase and carry out 
 of said Colony such Provisions as their necessitous cir- 
 cumstances may require. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed to prepare a 
 Letter to the Continental Congress, be empowered and 
 directed to communicate it to the Committee of Supplies, 
 and then to forward the same to the Delegates of this Colo- 
 ny at said Congress, without reporting it to this Congress, 
 said Delegates to communicate it to the Continental Con- 
 gress, if they think proper. 
 
 The following Letter was received from Mr. Pidgeon, the 
 Commissary-General : 
 
 "Cambridge, June 28, 1775. 
 " May it please your Honours : As not only the baker, 
 (whose conduct I detest if it proves as mentioned in Cap- 
 tain Stone's letter,) but also numbers of my assistants are 
 accused of bad conduct, I beg that a Committee may be 
 chosen to examine all my conduct and books ; for as, in the 
 opinion of Major Hawley, (whose judgment I revere,) I 
 am responsible for all those I appointed — although I can 
 safely say I took as much pains in the choice of those I 
 employed as I could possibly do in similar circumstances 
 were I accountable — I am so much exposed, if it be really 
 so, I must beg that some other may be chosen in my place, 
 as I do not choose to act on that footing. I am perfectly 
 willing that all the officers should be appointed by the 
 Congress. Your Honour's obedient humble servant, 
 
 "John Pidgeon, Commissary- General." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Starkweather, Captain Partridge, 
 Colonel Dexter, Mr. Singlctary, and Colonel Coffin, be a 
 Committee to examine into the conduct and books of Mr. 
 John Pidgeon, Commissary-General, Mr. Pidgeon having 
 desired that a Committee be appointed for that purpose; 
 and that said Committee consider the expediency of fur- 
 nishing Mr. Miller, a Deputy-Commissary, with a Horse. 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow morning, ten o'clock, be as- 
 signed for the purpose of considering the proposal of the 
 Commissary-General for an allowance of Molasses for the 
 Soldiers. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve rela- 
 tive to the commencement of the pay of the Officers and 
 Soldiers, reported the following, which was accepted, and 
 
 ordered to be published in the Papers, and is as follows, 
 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That each commissioned Officer in the Colo- 
 ny Army shall draw pay, according to the present estab- 
 lishment, from the time of engaging in the publick service 
 on receiving beating orders, and that each non-commissioned 
 officer and private draw pay from the time of his enlisting 
 in said service; also, that such of the Minute-men and 
 Militia as marched into the field on the 19th of April, and 
 soon after, and have remained there, and since engaged in 
 said Army for the defence of the Colony, shall be paid for 
 their service, agreeable to the present establishment, from 
 the time of their first marching into the field. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Hall, Major Brooks, 
 Mr. Partridge, and Deacon Fisher, be a Committee to 
 consider the written proposal of Doctor Whiting, relative to 
 Saltpetre. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, June 29, 1775. 
 
 A Petition from Mr. John Calef was read, and com- 
 mitted to Major Fuller, Colonel Coffin, Mr. Hopkins, 
 Captain Parker, and Mr. Mighill. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of recommending to the Governour and Company 
 of Connecticut to supply the eastern country with Provi- 
 sions, reported. The Report was accepted. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Safety, enclosing a Let- 
 ter from Mr. Samuel Smith, Chairman of the Committee 
 of Northfield, was read, and ordered to be sent to the 
 Committee of Supplies. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition from 
 Narragaugus and other Towns at the eastward, reported. 
 The Report was ordered to subside, and the Petitioners 
 had leave to withdraw their Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Major Hawley, Doctor 
 Whiting, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Greenleaf, be a Commit- 
 tee to prepare an Address to Generals Washington and 
 Lee, to be presented to them on their arrival here. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Officers belonging to Colonel Prescott's, Colonel Fry's, 
 and Bridge's Regiments, reported ; which Report was ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolve passed the 19th instant, 
 relative to Spears, &lc, be recommitted to Major Good- 
 win for amendment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a proposal made 
 by Doctor Whiting, for sending some person to New-York, 
 to advise with Doctor Graham and others, and procure 
 from them directions for the manufacture of Saltpetre, re- 
 ported : which Report was ordered to lay on the table ; and 
 Mr. Phillips and Doctor Whiting were appointed to confer 
 with Mr. Professor Seivall, on the subject-matter contained 
 therein. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some methods for 
 supplying the Soldiers stationed on the sea-coast, with Pro- 
 visions, reported. The Report was amended and accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what method 
 would be most expedient to supply the Soldiers to be 
 raised for the defence of the sea-coasts with Provisions, 
 beg leave to report : 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the several Towns or 
 Plantations on the sea-coast, or, where there are no Select- 
 men, the Assessors of such place where any such Soldiers 
 shall be stationed for their defence, be, and they hereby are 
 directed, to supply the Officers and Soldiers with suitable 
 Provisions for their support, so long as said men continue in 
 the Colony service, and do their duty of Soldiers in their 
 several stations ; for which Provisions, the said Selectmen 
 or Assessors shall be paid out of the publick Treasury the 
 sum of five Shillings for each man, per week, which shall 
 be so supplied. And it is recommended to the owners of the 
 Elizabeth Islands to supply the Soldiers that may be sta- 
 tioned on said Islands, for which they shall be allowed, out 
 of the Treasury aforesaid, the same sum per week which 
 is allowed for the supply of the Soldiers to be stationed in 
 the other parts of the sea-coasts. 
 
1461 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1462 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hobart, Colonel Farley, and Mr. 
 Webster, be a Committee to inquire of the Committee of 
 Supplies, in what manner the Military Stores in Watertown 
 are guarded ; and that they take effectual care that they be 
 properly guarded, and that there be not so large a quantity 
 kept together as there now is in one place. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Safety respecting Gen. 
 Ward's ordering them to deliver out Small-Arms to such 
 Officers as may apply, was read ; the consideration whereof 
 was referred to nine o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Mr. John Calef, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 It appearing to this Congress inconsistent with the best 
 interest of this Colony that the within mentioned Ship 
 should proceed on her voyage, as requested by the within 
 memorialist ; therefore, Resolved, That the said Ship do not 
 accordingly proceed on said voyage till further order of 
 this Congress, or some future House of Representatives. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Doctor Taylor, and 
 Mr. Lothrop, be a Committee to consider in what manner 
 Listing Orders and Commissions shall be given to the Offi- 
 cers of the several Companies to be stationed on the sea- 
 coasts. 
 
 Mr. Palfrey was introduced to this Congress, who brought 
 with him a number of Letters, which were brought from 
 England by Captain Jenkins. 
 
 Resolved, That Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at 
 Concord, be sent for to this Congress, and that Doctor 
 Taylor and Captain Stone be directed to search his pack- 
 ages, and see that he is brought to this Congress ; and that 
 Mr. Partridge be directed to bring in a Resolve empow- 
 ering said gentlemen to perform this service. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letters directed to gentlemen in 
 Rhode-Island, be sent to the Officers of the Rhode-Island 
 Forces ; those to Connecticut, to the Officers of the Connec- 
 ticut Forces ; and those directed to New-Hamjishire, to the 
 Officers of the New-Hampshire Forces. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Whiting, Mr. Webster, and Col. 
 Freeman, be a Committee to take under consideration a 
 Resolve of Congress, empowering the Committee for pro- 
 curing Guns, to draw on the Treasurer for the value of what 
 they purchase, and to report what alterations are necessary 
 to be made therein. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Phillips, and Colonel 
 Farley, be a Committee to supervise the Letters brought 
 to this Congress by Mr. Palfrey. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to furnish the Committee appointed to go to Concord, with 
 Horses. 
 
 Mr. Partridge, agreeable to order, reported the follow- 
 ing Resolve, which was accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That Doctor Taylor, and Captain Sto?ie of 
 Framingham, be a Committee, whose duty it shall be to 
 repair to the Town of Concord, and make search, or cause 
 strict search to be made, into the pockets and packages of 
 Ensign Campbell, now a prisoner at Concord, and is sus- 
 pected of having Letters of publick concernment con- 
 cealed in his possession ; and that they cause said Campbell 
 to be brought immediately to the door of this Congress, in 
 order for examination, if they judge it necessary. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the 
 several Towns in the Counties of Hampshire and Wor- 
 cester, recommending them to supply the Army with 
 Powder, reported. The report was accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 To the several Towns in the Counties of Hampshire and 
 Worcester : 
 
 This Congress, taking into their most serious consi- 
 deration the great want of Powder in our publick Ma- 
 gazines, and considering how much depends on that 
 important and most necessary article, which, under God, if 
 provided, may prove the salvation of America; and as 
 your Towns lie the least exposed to the ravages of our 
 enemies, therefore, it is most earnestly recommended by 
 this Congress to the Selectmen of each Town and District 
 
 in the County of Worcester, that they deliver the whole 
 of the Towns' stocks, in said County of Worcester, to Mr. 
 John Caldwell, Mr. Amos Singletary, and Deacon Israel 
 Nichols, a Committee appointed by this Congress to 
 receive the same. And it is likewise recommended to the 
 Selectmen of each Town and District in the County of 
 Hampshire, to deliver their respective Towns' stocks of 
 Powder to Captain Noah Goodman, who is appointed by 
 this Congress to receive the same from said County of 
 Hampshire ; except so much as is allowed to be kept in 
 each Town, which will appear by the schedule hereunto 
 annexed ; and that it be replaced, as soon as the state of 
 the Colony magazines will admit thereof, or otherwise paid 
 for in money. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Caldwell, Mr. Singletary, and Dea- 
 con Nichols, be a Committee to procure Powder from the 
 several Towns in the County of Worcester, agreeable to 
 said schedule ; and Captain Goodman, from the County of 
 Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown, Colonel Davis, and 
 Mr. Fairbanks, be a Committee to inquire where safe and 
 convenient Stores may be had, for storing what Gunpow- 
 der is, or may be procured for the use of this Colony ; and 
 that they sit forthwith. 
 
 An Account exhibited by Mr. Ichabod Goodwin, was 
 read, and committed to Deacon Stickney, Captain King, and 
 Mr. Thompson. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the motion of Doctor 
 Whiting, was again read, amended, and accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 motion made for sending some proper person to New-York, 
 in order to advise with Doctor Graham and others, and 
 procure from them directions for the manufacturing of Salt- 
 petre, have attended that service, and beg leave to report, 
 by way of Resolve; that Doctor William Whiting be a 
 Committee to repair to New-York, and confer with Doc- 
 tor Graham, or any other gentlemen that may have had 
 experience in the manufacturing of Saltpetre; and that he 
 be directed to procure from him or them, the most minute, 
 particular, and intelligible account, relative to the manufac- 
 turing of this article possible ; and that (if to be found) he 
 procure and engage some ingenious person, who has been 
 used to work in the business of making Saltpetre, to come 
 immediately to this place, who shall be employed in said 
 business ; and that the expenses of said journey to New- 
 York, and the travel of said workman to this place, be 
 paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Account of Mr. 
 Paul Revere, was read, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take under consideration 
 the Account of Mr. Paul Revere, have attended that ser- 
 vice ; and report by way of Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury to Mr. Paul Revere, in Colony Notes, sixty-eight 
 Pounds, six Shillings, and eight Pence, in full for four 
 copper plates, and engraving the same, and printing four- 
 teen thousand five hundred impressions for the use of the 
 Colony ; and the Receiver-General is directed to pay the 
 same. 
 
 Whereupon, Ordered, That to-morrow morning, ten 
 o'clock, be assigned for the consideration thereof. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Robert Shillaber, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Robert Shillaber be, and he hereby 
 is permitted to export to the West-Indies eighty hogs- 
 heads of Jamaica Fish, provided that no other Provisions 
 be shipped with the said Fish, except so much as will be 
 sufficient for such a voyage ; and the Committee of Safety 
 in Salem are directed to see this Resolve strictly complied 
 with. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Goodwin, Colonel Dwight, and 
 Captain Bragdon, be a Committee to prepare Instructions 
 to the Committee who were appointed to procure Powder 
 from the Counties of Hampshire and Worcester, and that 
 they sit forthwith. 
 
 The Committee on the Account of Major Goodwin, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
1463 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
 1464 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and lie hereby 
 is ordered to pay to Major lchabod Goodwin, £'2 17s. 8d. 
 for his time, horse, and expenses in going express to Fal- 
 mouth, by order of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Adjourned to Friday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Major Fuller, and Mr. 
 Greenltaf be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of appointing some person to convey one Green, 
 a captive, to Worcester Jail, there to be confined till fur- 
 ther order of this Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what was best to 
 be done with the supernumerary sheets of Colony Notes, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what shall be done 
 with the supernumerary sheets, struck off from the plate 
 containing the twenty, fourteen, and six Shilling Bills, have 
 attended that service, and find, upon examination, that there 
 are one hundred and twenty-seven sheets above the num- 
 ber proposed, which make the sum of two hundred and 
 fifty-four Pounds ; and beg leave to report, that it is our 
 opinion, that an order of Congress be taken for commit- 
 ting said sheets to the care of the Receiver-General, until 
 the further order of this Congress, or House of Represent- 
 atives. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley bring in a Resolve, direct- 
 ing the Committee of Safety to consider the expediency 
 of granting a further emission of Bills of Credit. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Safety, enclosing one 
 from the Committee of Safety of Portsmouth to Doctor 
 Langdon, and an anonymous Letter wrote from Boston to 
 Portsmouth, which was intercepted by the said Committee 
 at Portsmouth ; were read, and 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the Letter from the Commit- 
 tee of Safety of Portsmouth be transmitted to the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies, and that the anonymous Letter lie on 
 the table. 
 
 Ordered, That such of the Committee who were ap- 
 pointed to deliver out Commissions as are now present, be 
 directed to attest the list of Officers commissioned. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler be directed to deliver the 
 supernumerary Bills to the Receiver-General, and take his 
 receipt for the same. 
 
 A Petition of Doctor WilliamWhiting was read ; where- 
 upon, 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he hereby 
 is directed to pay to Doctor Whiting the sum of eight 
 Pounds, in Colony notes, towards defraying the expenses 
 of the said Doctor Whiting, which may accrue in his jour- 
 ney to New-York, said Whiting to be accountable for the 
 same to this Congress, or some future House of Assembly 
 of this Colony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some measures to 
 prevent the spreading of the Small-Pox, were directed to 
 sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Mr. Lothrop and Col. 
 Richmond, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety relative to Artificer's Accounts ; and 
 that said Committee be directed to consider such Accounts 
 as may be transmitted to this Congress by the Committee 
 of Safety, and to report thereon. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve of this Congress relative to 
 procuring Powder from the Counties of Hampshire and 
 Worcester, be reconsidered, and that the same, together 
 with the Report of the Committee appointed to prepare 
 Instructions to the Committee appointed to procure Pow- 
 der from said Counties, be recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Mr. Plympton, and Mr. 
 Johnson, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of making provision for the Poor of the Town of 
 Charlestown. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Co fin, Mr. Lothrop, Captain 
 Nye, Captain Bragdon, and Colonel Mitchell, be a Com- 
 mittee to inquire into the state of the two Light-Houses at 
 Cape Ann, and the Light-House at the entrance of Bos- 
 
 ton Harbour, and also that at Plymouth, and consider 
 whether it is expedient to continue the lights therein. 
 
 Major Hawley, agreeable to order, brought in the fol- 
 lowing Resolve ; which was accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be a Com- 
 mittee forthwith to consider whether the exigences of this 
 Colony do require that there should be, as soon as possible, 
 a grant made by this Congress of a further emission of 
 Notes or Bills of Credit ; and that they consider of what 
 sum it is proper that grant should consist, and of what 
 denominations such Bills should be, and whether they 
 should bear any interest, and if any, what the rate of such 
 interest should be, and at what time such Notes or Bills 
 should be payable or redeemed ; and whatever other regula- 
 tions the said Committee shall judge it expedient such 
 Notes or Bills should be issued upon ; and that the said 
 Committee report as soon as may be. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Fisher bring in a Resolve, direct- 
 ing the Receiver-General to pay the sum of three Pounds, 
 and ten Shillings, to the Committee appointed to procure 
 Powder from the County of Worcester, and two Pounds 
 ten Shillings, to Captain Goodman, who is appointed to 
 procure Powder from the County of Hampshire. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The form of a Warrant for the Surgeons of the Hospital, 
 was read and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 "The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bat, 
 to Greeting : 
 
 " Being informed of your skill in Surgery, and reposing 
 especial trust and confidence in your ability and good con- 
 duct, we do, by these presents, constitute and appoint you, 
 the said .... to be a Surgeon of the hospital established 
 by order of Congress, in .... for the sick and wounded 
 of the Colony Army. You are, therefore, carefully and 
 diligently to discharge the duty of a Surgeon of said hos- 
 pital, in all things appertaining thereto, observing such 
 orders and instructions as you shall, from time to time, 
 receive from any, your superiour officers, according to the 
 rules and discipline established by said Congress, for which 
 this shall be your sufficient warrant. 
 " By order of Congress. 
 
 "Dated the . . . day of . . . . , A. D. 1775." 
 
 Ordered, That Warrants be made out to the following 
 Officers, viz : Doctor Lemuel Cushing, Surgeon ; Doctor 
 Gad Hitchcock, Surgeon's Mate ; Adam Bayley, Quarter- 
 master; Luther Bayley, Adjutant; all in General Tho- 
 mas's Regiment : Doctor Lemuel Howard, Surgeon to the 
 Roxbury Hospital. 
 
 Mr. Jabez Matthews was admitted to give an account 
 of his embassy to Quebcck. 
 
 Ordered, That commissions be delivered to sundry Offi- 
 cers in Colonel W'hitcomb's Regiment, agreeable to a list 
 of this date, by him exhibited. 
 
 Deacon Fisher, agreeable to order, reported the follow- 
 ing Resolves ; which were accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of three Pounds and ten Shil- 
 lings, be paid out of the publick Treasury by the Receiv- 
 er-General, who is directed to pay the same, to John Cald- 
 well, Esq., for the use of the Committee that was chosen to 
 collect Gunpow der within the County of Worcester, for the 
 use of the Army, and that they be accountable to this 
 Congress, or some future House of Representatives. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of two Pounds and ten Shil- 
 lings, be paid out of the publick Treasury by the Receiv- 
 er-General, who is hereby directed to pay the same, unto 
 Mr. Noah Goodman, to bear his expenses in collecting 
 Gunpowder within the County of Hampshire, for the use 
 of the Army, he to be accountable for the same to this 
 Congress, or some future House of Representatives. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a form of a Com- 
 mission, &tc, for the Officers of those Companies, w ho are 
 to be stationed on the sea-coasts, reported. The Report 
 was accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration in 
 what manner and form Commissions, Beating and Enlisting 
 Orders, be made out to the Officers to be appointed and 
 raised for the defence of the sea-coast, having taken the 
 
1465 
 
 premises into consideration, would humbly report the fol- 
 lowing draught of a blank for Commissions, viz : 
 " The Congress of the Cclony of the Massachusetts-Bay, 
 to ... . , gentleman, Greeting: 
 
 " We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your 
 courage and good conduct, do, by these presents, appoint 
 
 you, the said to be a . . . . , of a Company 
 
 of Foot, appointed by said Congress to be raised for the 
 protection and defence of the sea-coast in this Colony. 
 You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge 
 the duty of a . . . . , in leading, ordering, and exercising 
 the said Company in arms, both inferiour officers and 
 soldiers, and to keep them in good order and discipline; 
 and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their . . . ; 
 and you are yourself to observe and follow such orders 
 and instructions as you shall from time to time receive 
 from your superiour officers, or from those who are or may 
 be appointed to have the direction of the said Company 
 or Companies, in the several Towns or Counties where you 
 may be stationed, according to military rules and discipline 
 in war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. 
 " By order of Congress : 
 
 " , President. 
 
 ". . . the . . . day of . . . , A. D. 1775. 
 
 "Attest: , Secretary." 
 
 Also, your Committee beg leave to report the following 
 blank or form for Beating Orders, viz : 
 
 "To 
 
 "Sir: You are hereby empowered immediately to enlist 
 a Company, to consist of forty-seven able-bodied, effective 
 men, including Sergeants, Corporals, Drummers, &.c, as 
 soldiers in the Massachusetts service, for the defence of the 
 sea-coast in this Colony ; and cause them to pass muster as 
 soon as may be. 
 
 " By order of Congress: 
 
 " , President. 
 
 "... day of .... , A. D. 1775. 
 
 "Attest: , Secretary." 
 
 Your Committee likewise report the following form of 
 an Enlistment, viz : 
 
 " We, the subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage and 
 enlist ourselves as Soldiers in the service of the Massa- 
 chusetts Colony, for the defence and protection of the sea- 
 coasts in said Colony, from the day of our enlistment to the 
 last day of December next, unless the said service should 
 admit of a discharge of a part, or the whole, sooner, which 
 is to be determined by the Congress or General Court, 
 or Assembly of said Colony. And we do hereby promise 
 to submit ourselves to all the Orders and Regulations of 
 the Army, and faithfully to observe and obey all such 
 orders as we shall, from lime to time, receive from our 
 superiour officers." 
 
 Your Committee also beg leave to report, that the Com- 
 mittees in the several Counties, appointed by this Congress 
 to give out Beating and Enlisting Orders, be directed to 
 fill up said commissions and orders, and to deliverthe com- 
 missions to the Officers as soon as their Companies are full ; 
 also, that a person be appointed in each of those Counties 
 upon the sea-coast, to administer the oath to Officers and 
 Soldiers. Nathaniel Freeman, Chairman. 
 
 Resolved, That there be one hundred and twenty blank 
 Commissions printed, sixty Beating Orders, and one hun- 
 dred and twenty Enlisting Orders. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Freeman, Doctor Taylor, and 
 Colonel Farley, be a Committee to consider in what man- 
 ner crimes shall be punished which may be committed by 
 any of the Officers or Soldiers of the Forces stationed on 
 the sea-coasts. 
 
 Resolved, that all Warrants for Staff Officers, which may 
 in future be delivered, be dated the day they are delivered. 
 
 Resolved, That all Commissions to fill up vacancies be 
 dated the day they are delivered. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some measures for 
 making provision for the Poor of the Town of Charlestoivn, 
 reported. The Report was recommitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Grout and Mr. Woodbridge be added 
 to the Committee appointed to consider the Accounts which 
 the Committee of Safety may transmit to this Congress. 
 
 1466 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inspect the 
 Letters brought by Captain Jenkins, be a Committee to 
 consider what is best to be done with them, and that Mr. 
 Dickerson be of that Committee in the room of Mr. 
 Phillips. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire where safe and 
 convenient Stores for securing Gunpowder might be had, 
 reported. The Report was read and accepted, and is as 
 follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to look out for a place or 
 places, for the safe keeping the Powder that is or may be 
 lodged in this Town, have attended that service, and beg 
 leave to report, as their opinion, that some part of the 
 Powder be kept in the Middle School-House, and some 
 part in the East School-House ; also, some part in a building 
 belonging to Mr. Josiah Capen, near the Great Bridge ; 
 also, that a Building be erected, as soon as possible, within 
 the limits of the said Capen 's land, not far from the Great 
 Bridge in said Watertoivn, which place was proposed some 
 time since to build a Provincial Magazine at, agreeable to 
 a law of this Colony. All which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Jonathan Brown, per order. 
 
 The same Committee to see that the Powder is well 
 guarded, and to consider and report what sort of a Building 
 shall be erected. 
 
 The Committee directed to prepare Instructions to the 
 Committee who were appointed to procure Powder from 
 the Counties of Worcester and Hampshire, reported. The 
 Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 To the several Towns in the County of Hampshire, on 
 the easterly side of Connecticut River, and the Toivns 
 in the County of Worcester : 
 
 This Congress, taking into their most serious considera- 
 tion the great want of Powder in our publick magazines, 
 and considering how much depends on that important and 
 most necessary article, which, under God, if provided, may 
 prove the salvation of America; and as your Towns lie 
 the least exposed to the ravages of our enemy ; therefore it 
 is most earnestly recommended by this Congress to the 
 Selectmen of each Town and District in the County of 
 Worcester, that they deliver the whole of the Town stock 
 of Powder, in said County of Worcester, to John Caldwell, 
 Esq., Mr. Amos Singletary, and Mr. Israel Nichols, or 
 either of them, a Committee appointed by this Congress 
 to receive the same, except so much as is allowed to be 
 kept in each Town, which will appear by the Schedule 
 hereunto annexed ; and that it be replaced as soon as the 
 state of the Colony magazines will admit thereof, or other- 
 wise will be paid for in money. 
 
 And it is likewise recommended to the Selectmen of 
 each Town and District in the County of Hampshire, 
 except those on the westerly side of Connecticut River, 
 to deliver the respective Town stocks of Powder to Mr. 
 Noah Goodman, who is appointed by this Congress to re- 
 ceive the same from the County of Hampshire, agreeable 
 to the annexed Schedule. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the said Committees appointed by this 
 Congress to collect the Powder from the Counties of Wor- 
 cester and Hampshire, be directed to give a receipt to the 
 Selectmen of such Towns as they shall receive Powder 
 from, in the form following: 
 
 "The ... . day of , 1775. 
 
 " Received of A. B., Selectmen of the Town of . . . ., 
 the Town stock of Powder, containing . . . weight, to the 
 use of the Massachusetts-Bay, which Powder is to be re- 
 placed again as soon as the state of the Colony magazine 
 will admit of it, or paid for in money." 
 
 And the Committee appointed to receive the Powder 
 are hereby severally empowered and directed to employ 
 such Wagoners or Teamsters as shall be necessary, with 
 great despatch to convey the same to the Committee of 
 Supplies ; for which service said Wagoners and Teamsters, 
 when they have delivered said Powder to the Committee 
 of Supplies, and shall produce a certificate from either of 
 the Committee-men appointed to collect said Powder, set- 
 ting forth the sum agreed for the conveyance of said Pow- 
 der, then the Committee of Supplies shall give orders to 
 the Receiver-General of the Colony for the sum so agreed 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JUNE, 1775. 
 
1467 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1468 
 
 for to be paid in cash, and the Receiver-General is hereby 
 directed to pay the same accordingly. 
 
 The Schedule is as follows, viz : 
 
 Towni' Names. 
 
 Town's Stock of 
 Powder. 
 
 Supplied already. 
 
 To be left in 
 Town. 
 
 COUNTY OP WORCESTER. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Worcester, - - - 
 
 2? 
 
 barrels, 
 
 l 
 
 barrel, 
 
 z barrel 
 
 Lancaster, - - - 
 
 2* 
 
 do. 
 
 l 
 
 do. 
 
 i 
 z 
 
 do. 
 
 Men don, - 
 
 H 
 
 do. 
 
 2 
 
 do. 
 
 X 
 
 2 
 
 do. 
 
 Brookfield, - - 
 
 6 
 
 do. 
 
 3 
 
 do. 
 
 i 
 
 z 
 
 do. 
 
 Oxford, - - - 
 
 3z 
 
 do. 
 
 l 
 
 do. 
 
 x 
 i 
 
 do. 
 
 Charlton, - - - 
 
 1§ 
 
 do. 
 
 
 do. 
 
 4 
 
 do. 
 
 Sutton, - - - 
 
 4z 
 
 do. 
 
 - 
 
 - - - 
 
 X 
 
 2 
 
 do. 
 
 Leicester, - 
 
 2 
 
 do. 
 
 l 
 
 do. 
 
 x 
 
 2 
 
 do. 
 
 Spencer, - - - 
 
 z 
 
 do. 
 
 - 
 
 - . 
 
 x 
 4 
 
 do. 
 
 
 
 
 
 x 
 
 2 
 
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 Ordered, That Captain Broivn make provision for the 
 two poor women late of the Town of Charlestown, now 
 at the door, till to-morrow morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Colonel Grout, and Mr. 
 Dickerson, be a Committee to examine the Accounts of 
 Major Barber, agreeable to his Letter. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Inspection of the Town 
 of Biddeford was read, and committed to Colonel Rich- 
 mond, Captain Stone, and Mr. Langdon, who are directed 
 to examine the prisoner, Thomas Neat, brought from Bid- 
 deford, and report. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, July 1, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for the 
 purpose of making provision for the Poor of the Town of 
 Charlestown, reported the following, which was accepted, 
 viz : 
 
 Whereas, the distressed circumstances of the inhabitants 
 of the Town of Charlestovm calls for the charitable aid of 
 this Colony ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That such of those inhabitants as are unable 
 to remove or support themselves, be removed to the several 
 Towns in the County of Worcester mentioned in the Sche- 
 dule hereunto annexed. 
 
 And it is further recommended to the Selectmen of the 
 aforesaid Towns to provide for, and employ said inhabi- 
 tants, in the best and most prudent manner that may be, 
 and render their accounts to this or some future Con- 
 gress, or House of Representatives, which reasonable ac- 
 counts shall be paid out of the publick Treasury of said 
 Colony. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That Deacon Cheever, Cap- 
 tain Brown, and Major Fuller of Newton, be a Committee 
 to agree with Teamsters, not exceeding the rate of nine 
 pence per ton per mile, for transporting such inhabitants as 
 are unable to travel with their effects, and give certificates 
 to such Teamsters, expressing that they are the Poor of the 
 Town of Charlestown, and the sum they are to receive for 
 such service ; and upon said Teamsters producing such cer- 
 tificate to the Committee of Supplies, endorsed with the 
 test of the Selectmen of the Town where such Poor and 
 their effects are lodged, that said Teamster has done the 
 service agreed for per said certificate, the Committee of 
 Supplies are hereby directed to draw on the Receiver- 
 General of said Colony for the payment of said Teamster, 
 and the said Receiver-General is hereby ordered to pay 
 the same. 
 
 County of Worcester. — Lancaster, 30; Mendon, 30; 
 Brookfield, 20; Oxford, 15; Charlton, 10; Sutton, 30; 
 Leicester, 12; Spencer, 10; Paxton, 7; Rutland, 15; Oak- 
 ham, 6; Hutchinson, 20; New-Braintree, 15 ; Southbo- 
 rough, 6; Westborough, 20 ; Northborough, 10; Shrews- 
 bury, 10; Fitchburgh, 10; Uxbridge, 10. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what methods 
 would be proper to try and punish crimes which may be 
 committed by the Soldiers stationed on the sea-coasts, re- 
 ported. The Report was recommitted, and Major Hawley 
 and Mr. Greenleaf added to the Committee. 
 
 Two Letters from the Rev. John Murray were read, and 
 committed to Colonel Grout, Major Fuller of Newton, and 
 Major Goodwin. 
 
 An Account ofJabez Matthews was read, and committed 
 to Major Fuller, Colonel Mitchell, and Mr. Ingalls. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Lothrop, Mr. Dickenson, and Mr. 
 Nye, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, respecting Whale-boats. 
 
 A Resolve of the Committee of Safety, proposing that 
 Electrical Points should be erected over the Powder Maga- 
 zine, was read, and committed to the Committee who were 
 appointed to build a Store for depositing Gunpowder therein, 
 and seeing that it is well guarded. 
 
 A Petition from eighteen Stockbridgc Indians was read, 
 and committed to Mr. Kollock, Mr. Crane, and Major 
 White. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine Thomas Neat, re- 
 ported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine Thomas Neat, 
 have attended that service, and are humbly of opinion that 
 he ought to be discharged and set at liberty, and do recom- 
 mend him for a pass, to be signed by the Secretary, to go 
 to New-York, there to apply for a further pass, as he pro- 
 poses to go to Virginia. Submitted : 
 
 Ezra Richmond, per order. 
 
 Resolved, That the following persons be appointed De- 
 puty Commissaries in the Massachusetts Army, being one 
 to each Regiment. 
 
 List of Deputy Commissaries. 
 Mr. Samuel Norton, recommended by Col. Lincoln. 
 Captain Ebenezer Craft, of Sturbridge, recommended by 
 
 Colonel Learned, Rev. Mr. Faine, &.c. 
 
1469 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1470 
 
 Mr. Jedediah Easterbrooks, Lunenburgh, recommended 
 
 by Mr. Gill and Doctor Taylor. 
 Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, Boston, recommended by Colonel 
 
 Pidgeon. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Russell Gerry, Marblthead, recommended 
 by do. 
 
 Mr. Ebenezer Warren, Boston, recommended by the ho- 
 nourable Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Mr. John Fenno, Boston, recommended by Mr. Secretary 
 Ward. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Sheppard, Neuton, recommended by Col. 
 Pidgeon. 
 
 Mr. Ephraim Russell, Stow, recommended by Col. Boo- 
 little and the Paymaster-General. 
 
 Mr. Baniel Bell, Boston, recommended by Mr. Pitt. 
 
 Mr. William Molineaux, Boston, recommended by do. 
 
 Mr. Baniel Henshaw, Jr., Boston, recommended by Dr. 
 Church. 
 
 Mr. John Checkley, Boston, recommended by Dr. Church 
 and others. 
 
 Mr. Jabez Brown, Stow, recommended by the Paymaster- 
 General. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Clark, Boston, recommended by Gen. War- 
 ren, Doctor Church, &c. 
 
 Mr. Gilliam Taylor, Boston, recommended by General 
 Warren and others. 
 
 Mr. Andrew Newell, Charlestown, recommended by Mr. 
 Cheever. 
 
 Captain James Liltlefield, JVtlls, recommended by Colonel 
 Scammon and others. 
 
 Mr. Waterman Thomas, Marshjield, recommended by 
 General Thomas. 
 
 Mr. Peter Clark, Newfoundland, recommended by Colonel 
 Palmer and Son. 
 
 Mr. Timothy Newell, Sturbridge, recommended by Cap- 
 tain Timothy Parker. 
 
 Mr. John Story, Ipswich, recommended by Col. Farley. 
 
 Mr. Eliakim Atherton, Bolton, recommended by Colonel 
 Whit comb. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Tuckerman, Boston, recommended by Col- 
 onel Palmer and Colonel Brewer. 
 
 Mr. William Holmes, Boston, recommended by his father. 
 
 31 r. Enoch Woodbridge, Stockbridge, recommended by 
 Colonel Porter and Colonel Patterson. 
 Resolved, That the Commissary-General be directed to 
 
 see that a sufficient number of Deputy Commissaries be 
 
 placed at or near Prospect Hill, for the more convenient 
 
 supply of the Forces stationed there. 
 
 The President, by leave of Congress, brought in a Re- 
 solve, directing General Ward to order two Companies to 
 Plymouth, which was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, the Town of Plymouth appears to be in danger 
 of being attacked by the enemy ; therefore 
 
 Resolved, That General Ward be and hereby is directed 
 immediately to issue his orders that two full Companies 
 from Colonel Cotton's Regiment, under proper officers, 
 march without delay to Plymouth,and there remain for the 
 guard and defence of the inhabitants, till they can be re- 
 lieved by such Companies as are to be raised for the de- 
 fence and protection of the sea-coasts, and to be stationed 
 there for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Palmer bring in a Resolve di- 
 recting that the Rules and Regulations of the Army be 
 frequently read to the Soldiers. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some method of 
 trying criminals on the sea-coasts, reported again. The 
 Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That all offences committed by any of the 
 Forces raised for the defence of the sea coast, shall be tried 
 by a Court-Martial consisting of the Field-Officers of the 
 Regiment of Militia within which that Company to which 
 the offender belongs is stationed, together with the Com- 
 missioned Officers of that Company, according to the Rules 
 and Regulations for the Massachusetts Army agreed upon 
 by a former Congress, excepting those offences and causes 
 which are punishable with death, which are to be tried agree- 
 able to the laws of the land by the civil authorities. Also, 
 
 Resolved, That in case any of the Soldiers shall lose, 
 destroy, or unnecessarily fire away any of his Powder, 
 Ammunition, or Cartridge, without giving reasonable satis- 
 
 faction to his commanding officer therefor, the Captain shall 
 deduct four double the value thereof out of his wages, to 
 be applied as is directed in the first article of the Rules 
 and Regulations above mentioned. Also, 
 
 Resolved, That each of the officers of which these 
 Courts-Martial shall consist, be supplied with a pamphlet, 
 containing said Rules and Regulations, with these Resolves 
 annexed thereto, which shall be read once a week by the 
 Captain, or commanding officer of each Company, to their 
 respective Companies. 
 
 By order of Congress : , President. 
 
 Attest: , Secretary. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who brought in the fore- 
 going Resolves, get a number of them printed, and that they 
 also procure as many Pamphlets, containing the Rules and 
 Regulations of the Army, as they think proper. 
 
 A Petition from James Fry, requesting that his son 
 might be appointed a Deputy Commissary, was read : 
 whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the petitioner have leave to withdraw his 
 Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. KoUock, Mr. Ellis, and Mr. For, 
 be a Committee to consider a Petition and Account of Mr. 
 Josiah Stearns. 
 
 A Petition from the Committee of Correspondence for 
 the Town of Sandwich was read, and committed to Colonel 
 Richmond, Colonel Grout, and Colonel Mitchell. 
 
 A number more of Letters from London were laid upon 
 the table, and committed to the Secretary, Mr. Langdon, 
 and Colonel Richmond. 
 
 The Committee to whom were committed a number of 
 Letters, reported, that in a Letter directed to John Roice, 
 Esq., was enclosed a number of blank Bills of Exchange, 
 designed for the use of the Army at Boston ; whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That said Committee draw up a true state of 
 this matter, and keep the blank bills as vouchers thereof. 
 
 Colonel Palmer, agreeable to order, reported the follow- 
 ing Resolve, which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Whereas, certain Rules and Regulations for the Massa- 
 chusetts Army were resolved and agreed upon by a former 
 Congress of this Colony, but no provision was therein made 
 for the regular reading the same to the several Corps in 
 said Army ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That said Rules and Regulations be read at 
 least once every month, at the head of each Regiment or 
 other Corps in said Army, and that the General be directed 
 to order his officers to see that this Resolve be duly ob- 
 served. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Governour and Company of Connecticut, reported. The 
 Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " May it please tour Honours : The distressed situa- 
 tion of the eastern parts of this Province calling for the 
 serious attention of the humane, this Congress beg leave 
 to address you in their behalf. By reason of a number of 
 our friends removing from the seaports into the interiour 
 Towns, and a large Army before Boston to support the 
 rights of the Colonies, this Colony is unable to spare the 
 necessary supplies of grain and provisions to our friends in 
 the Province of Maine, by which means, and an embargo 
 laid upon grain and provisions in your Colony, they are 
 reduced to the alternative of starving, or supplying the 
 ministerial Troops with lumber, either of which they dep- 
 recate. 
 
 We would therefore suggest to your Honours the expe- 
 diency of taking off the embargo, so far as to permit the 
 inhabitants of the eastern parts of this Province to purchase 
 grain and provisions for themselves, they producing a cer- 
 tificate from any of the Committees mentioned in the en- 
 closed list, and giving bonds to your officers that they will 
 deliver it to such Committee. 
 
 We are, with the greatest sincerity, your Honours' most 
 obedient, humble servants, &tc. 
 
 To the Honourable the Governour and Company of the 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 Accepted, and ordered to be authenticated and sent for- 
 ward as soon as may be. 
 
1471 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1472 
 
 List enclosed in the foregoing Letter : 
 
 Machias. — James Lyon, Chairman; George Stillman, 
 Clerk; Jeremiah Obrien, Benjamin Foster, Samuel 
 Scott, Man waring Beal, Nathaniel Sinclair. 
 
 Number Four. — John Stevens, P /tineas Whitten. 
 
 Golds borough. — Benjamin (Hasher, William Shaw. 
 
 Narragaugus. — Joseph Hallis, Alexander Campbell. 
 
 St. George's. — (Blank.) 
 
 Penobscot. — (Blank.) 
 
 Bristol. — (Blank.) 
 
 Boothbay. — David Reed, Emerson. 
 
 Pown alb o rough. — Timothy Langdon, Chairman ; Ebe- 
 nezer Whittier, Clerk ; John Getchcll, John Hitse, 
 Timothy Parsons. 
 
 Georgetown. — Dummer Scwall, John Wood. 
 
 Brunswick. — Aaron Hinckley, Esq., Benjamin Stone. 
 
 North Yarmouth. — Samuel Stanwood. 
 
 Falmouth, Casco Bay. — Hon. Jcdediah Preble, Esquire, 
 Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esquire, Mr. Richard Codman, 
 Capt. John Waite, Mr. John Butler, Mr. Samuel Free- 
 man, Mr. Benjamin Winslow. 
 
 Berwick, in the County of York. — Hon. Benja. Chad- 
 bourn, Esq., Mr. John Hill, Mr. Robert Furness. 
 
 The Committee on the Account of Mr. Jabez Matthews, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is here- 
 by directed to pay Mr. Jabez Mattheivs, or order, the sum 
 of thirty Pounds, nine Shillings, and eleven Pence, lawful 
 money, in Colony notes or bills of credit of this or the 
 other Governments, which are, by a Resolve of this Con- 
 gress, made payable on the said Treasury, in discharge of 
 an Account exhibited by him to this Congress, for the time 
 and expense of himself and three persons on an embassy 
 to Canada. And the Committee of Supplies are hereby 
 ordered to furnish Mr. Jabez Matthews with four pounds 
 of Powder for himself and associates. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Resolve of 
 the Committee of Safety relative to Whale-boats, reported. 
 The Report was recommitted. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Mr. Kollock was appointed in the room of Major Good- 
 win, on the Committee for making provision for the recep- 
 tion of Generals Washington and Lee. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mitchell deliver the two hundred 
 and fifteen Spears, which he has procured for the use of the 
 Army, to General Thomas at Roxbury. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Mr. Fox, and Capt. Brag- 
 don, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, directing how 
 the sick and wounded shall be removed to the Hospitals. 
 
 Thomas Rice, Esq., was appointed to swear the Soldiers 
 in the County of Lincoln, in the room of David Fales, 
 Esquire. 
 
 John Lee, Esq., was appointed to swear the Soldiers in 
 the County of Essex, and Rushworth Jordan for the County 
 of York, in addition to those already appointed. 
 
 A Petition from the Selectmen of Men don read, and the 
 Petitioners had leave to withdraw their Petition. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider how the Soldiers 
 shall he supplied with Coats, reported ; and Tuesday next, 
 at nine o'clock, A. M., was assigned to consider the Re- 
 port. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Memorial from the Committee of Correspondence of the 
 Town of Sandwich, reported. The Committee were di- 
 rected to bring in a Resolve to recommend the parties in 
 said Petition mentioned, to leave the matters in dispute to 
 arbitration. 
 
 Major Hawlcy, by leave of Congress, brought in a Re- 
 solve directing the Receiver-General to pay out of the 
 Treasury the Bills of Credit of the other Colonies. The 
 Resolve was accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General of this Colony be, 
 and hereby is directed, as far as shall be in his power, to 
 pay and satisfy any drafts and orders of this Congress, or 
 of any person or persons who are or shall be empowered 
 by this Congress to draw on him for any sum or sums 
 whatsoever, in such Notes or Bills of Credit of any of the 
 
 American Colonies, which, by a Resolution of this Con- 
 gress, passed on the 28th day of June last, are made pay- 
 able into the Treasury of this Colony, where such orders 
 do not expressly direct the payment of either silver or 
 gold. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise means for the better 
 accommodation of the sick and wounded of the Colony 
 Army, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 In order that all the sick and wounded in the Army may 
 be provided for and taken care of in the best way and 
 manner possible, 
 
 Resolved, and it is hereby Ordered, That when any per- 
 son in the Army is so ill, either by a wound or otherwise, 
 that the Surgeon of the Regiment to which the sick or 
 wounded person belongs finds that the sick or wounded as 
 abovesaid cannot be properly taken care of in the Regi- 
 ment to which he belongs, said Surgeon shall send the sick 
 or wounded as abovesaid to the hospital provided for the 
 use of the camps to which they belong, and a certificate of 
 the man's name, and the Company and Regiment to which 
 he belongs ; and in that case the Surgeon of the said hos- 
 pital shall receive said sick or wounded under his care ; 
 and in case said hospital shall become too full, in that case 
 the Surgeon of said hospital shall send such of his patients 
 as may with safety be removed to the hospital in Water- 
 town, and a certificate setting forth the man's name, and 
 what Company and Regiment each of them belong to; and 
 in that case the Surgeon of the Watertown hospital shall 
 receive said sick or wounded under his care. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the last-mentioned Resolve 
 be sent to Generals Ward and Thomas. 
 
 The Report of the Committee upon the Account of Mr. 
 Paul Revere, was considered, and not accepted. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley, Mr. Dexter, and Mr. 
 Pickering, be a Committee to draw up a Resolve to be 
 prefixed to the Addresses to Generals Washington and 
 Lee. [Resolve not recorded.] 
 
 " To his Excellency George Washington, Esq., General 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army: 
 
 " May it please your Excellency: The Congress of 
 the Massachusetts Colony, impressed with every sentiment 
 of gratitude and respect, beg leave to congratulate you on 
 your safe arrival, and to wish you all imaginable happiness 
 and success in the execution of your elevated station. 
 
 " While we applaud that attention to the publick good 
 manifested in your appointment, we equally admire that 
 disinterested virtue and distinguished patriotism which alone 
 could call you from those enjoyments of domestick life, 
 which a sublime and manly taste, joined with a most afflu- 
 ent fortune, can afford, to hazard your life, and endure the 
 fatigues of war in the defence of the rights of mankind 
 and the good of your Country. 
 
 " The laudable zeal for the common cause of America, 
 and compassion for the distresses of this Colony, exhibited 
 by the great despatch made in your journey hither, fully 
 justify the universal satisfaction we have with pleasure ob- 
 served on this occasion, and are promising presages that the 
 great expectations formed from your personal character and 
 military abilities, are well founded. 
 
 " We wish you may have found such regularity and dis- 
 cipline already established in the Army, as may be agree- 
 able to your expectaiions. The hurry with which it was 
 necessarily collected, and the many disadvantages arisng 
 from a suspension of Government, under which we have 
 raised and endeavoured to regulate the Forces of this Co- 
 lony, have rendered it a work of time; and though in a 
 great measure effected, the completion of so difficult, and 
 at the same time so necessary a task, is reserved to your 
 Excellency ; and we doubt not will be properly considered 
 and attended to. 
 
 " We would not presume to prescribe to your Excellency, 
 but supposing you would choose to be informed of the gene- 
 ral character of the soldiers who compose the Army, beg 
 leave to represent, that the greatest part of them have not 
 before seen service; and although naturally brave and of 
 good understanding, yet, for want of experience in military 
 life, have but little knowledge of divers things most essen- 
 tial to the preservation of health, and even life. The 
 
4473 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 4474 
 
 youth of the Army are not possessed of the absolute ne- 
 cessity of cleanliness in their dress and lodging, continual 
 exercise, and strict temperance, to preserve them from dis- 
 eases frequently prevailing in camps, especially among 
 those who, from their childhood, have been used to a labo- 
 rious life. 
 
 " We beg leave to assure you that this Congress will, at 
 all times, be ready to attend to such requisitions as you 
 may have occasion to make to us, and to contribute all the 
 aid in our power to the cause of America, and your happi- 
 ness and ease in the discharge of the duties of your exalted 
 office. 
 
 " We most fervently implore Almighty God, that the 
 blessings of Divine Providence may rest on you ; that 
 your head may be covered in the day of battle ; that every 
 necessary assistance may be afforded ; and that you may 
 be long continued in life and health, a blessing to man- 
 kind." 
 
 His Excellency's Answer. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Your kind congratulations on my ap- 
 pointment and arrival, demand my warmest acknowledg- 
 ments, and will ever be retained in grateful remembrance. 
 
 " In exchanging the enjoyments of domestick life for the 
 duties of my present honourable but arduous station, I only 
 emulate the virtue and publick spirit of the whole Province 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay, which, with afirmnessand patriot- 
 ism without example in modern history, have sacrificed all 
 the comforts of social and political life, in support of the 
 rights of mankind and the welfare of our common Country. 
 My highest ambition is to be the happy instrument of vin- 
 dicating those rights, and to see this devoted Province 
 again restored to peace, liberty, and safety. 
 
 " The short space of time which has elapsed since my 
 arrival, does not permit me to decide upon the state of the 
 Army. The course of human affairs forbids an expectation 
 that troops formed under such circumstances, should at 
 once possess the order, regularity, and discipline of vete- 
 rans. Whatever deficiencies there may be, will, I doubt 
 not, soon be made up by the activity and zeal of the offi- 
 cers, and the docility and obedience of the men. These 
 qualities, united with their native bravery and spirit, will 
 afford a happy presage of success, and put a final period to 
 those distresses which now overwhelm this once happy 
 country. 
 
 " I most sincerely thank you, gentlemen, for your decla- 
 ration of readiness at all times to assist me in the discharge 
 of the duties of my station ; they are so complicated and 
 extended, that I shall need the assistance of every good 
 man and lover of his Country. I therefore repose the ut- 
 most confidence in your aids. 
 
 " In return for your affectionate wishes to myself, permit 
 me to say that 1 earnestly implore that Divine Being, in 
 whose hands are all human events, to make you and your 
 constituents as distinguished in publick and private happi- 
 ness, as you have been by Ministerial oppression and pri- 
 vate and publick distress. George Washington." 
 
 " To the Honourable Charles Lee, Esq., Major- General 
 of the Continental Army: 
 
 " Sir : The Congress of the Massachusetts Colony, pos- 
 sessed of the fullest evidence of your attachment to the 
 rights of mankind, and regard to the distresses which Ame- 
 rica in general, and this Colony in particular, are involved, 
 by the impolitick, wicked, and tyrannick system adopted 
 by Administration, and pursued with relentless and savage 
 fury, do with pleasure embrace this opportunity to express 
 the great satisfaction and gratitude they feel on your ap- 
 pointment as a Major-General in the American Army. We 
 sincerely congratulate you on your safe arrival here, and 
 wish you all possible happiness and success in the execu- 
 tion of so important a trust. 
 
 " We admire and respect the character of a man who, 
 disregarding the allurements of profit and distinction his 
 merit might procure, engages in the cause of mankind, in 
 defence of the injured, and relief of the oppressed. From 
 your character, from your great abilities and military expe- 
 rience, united with those of the Commander-in-Chief, un- 
 der the smiles of Providence, we flatter ourselves with the 
 prospect of discipline and order, success and victory. 
 
 " Be assured, Sir, that it will give us great pleasure to 
 be able to contribute to your happiness. May the favours 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 9 
 
 and blessings of Heaven attend you. May Divine Provi- 
 dence guard and protect you, conduct you in the paths of 
 honour and virtue, grant you the reward of the brave and 
 virtuous here, the applauses of mankind, and the approba- 
 tion of your own conscience, and eternal happiness here- 
 after." 
 
 His Honour's Answer. 
 " To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of the 
 Massachusetts : 
 " Gentlemen : Nothing can be so flattering to me as 
 the good opinion and approbation of the Delegates of a 
 free and uncorrupt people. 1 was educated in the highest 
 reverence for the rights of mankind, and have acquired, by 
 a long acquaintance, a most particular regard for the people 
 of America. 
 
 " You may depend, therefore, gentlemen, on my zeal 
 and integrity. I can promise you nothing from my abili- 
 ties. God Almighty grant us success equal to the right- 
 eousness of the cause. 
 
 " I thank you, gentlemen, for an address which does me 
 so much honour, and shall labour to deserve it." 
 
 Ordered, That the sum of fifty Pounds be paid to Mr. 
 Paul Revere, in full for engraving four Plates and printing 
 14,500 impressions ; and that Mr. Langdon bring in a Re- 
 solve for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Colonel Grout, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to devise means for supporting the 
 Poor of the Towns of Boston and Charlestown, to the 
 places of their destination. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee for procuring and fur- 
 nishing a house for Generals Washington and Lee, be di- 
 rected to purchase what things are necessary that they 
 cannot hire. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Goodwin and Colonel Richmond 
 be added to the Committee last mentioned. 
 
 Ordered, That the last-mentioned Committee be direct- 
 ed to procure some refreshments for the Generals Wash- 
 ington and Lee. 
 
 Mr. Langdon, agreeable to order, brought in the follow- 
 ing Resolve; which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony, to Mr. Paul Revere, or order, the sum 
 of fifty Pounds, in full for procuring and engraving four 
 Plates and printing 14,500 impressions of Colony Notes; 
 and the Receiver-General is hereby directed to pay the 
 same sum accordingly. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of means for se- 
 curing sundry Whale-Boats procured for the use of this 
 Colony, and now lying at Weymouth and Braintree, beg 
 leave to report, that Captain Edmund Soper, of Braintree, 
 be empowered to take charge of the same, and with the 
 assistance of Captain Seth Turner's and Captain Vinton's 
 Companies, (now posted in Braintree,) convey and secure 
 them in some safe and convenient place, where they will 
 not be exposed either to the enemy or the weather; and 
 there to remain until the further order of this or some fu- 
 ture Congress, or House of Representatives. 
 
 Adjourned till eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Subbath Day, July 2, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bliss and Mr. Cutt be of the Com- 
 mittee for devising means for the support of the Poor of the 
 Towns of Boston and Charlestown, to the places of their 
 destination, in the room of Mr. Phillips and Mr. Crane. 
 
 The Report of the Committee for securing the Lamps 
 of the Light-Houses, was read and accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the expediency 
 of removing and securing the Lamps, with the Oil, &ic, 
 from the several Light-Houses within this Colony, have 
 attended that service, and beg leave to report as follows, 
 viz : That it be recommended to the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, or Selectmen of the Town of Chelsea, to remove 
 and secure (if practicable) the Lamps and Oil from the 
 Light-House at the entrance of Boston Harbour, with all 
 the appurtenances thereunto belonging ; also, that it be re- 
 commended to the Committee of Safety of the Town of 
 Gloucester, that the same measures be taken with respect 
 
1475 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1476 
 
 to the Light-Houses on Thatcher's Island, so called ; and 
 that the keeper of said Lights, with the several Boats, 
 Cattle, &lc, be also removed from thence. Furthermore, 
 that it be recommended to the Committee of Correspond- 
 ence for the Town of Plymouth, to remove and secure the 
 Lamps, Oil, &tc, from the Light-House at the Gurnet, so 
 called, with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging ; 
 and that the keepers of the several Light-Houses as above 
 specified, be discharged from the service of this Colony, 
 till the further order of this or some future Congress or 
 House of Representatives. 
 
 Ordered, That three copies of the last mentioned Report 
 be sent to the places in said Report mentioned ; and that 
 the Committee who drew the Report forward the copies. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Pickering, and Mr. 
 Greenleaf, be a Committee to write to Mr. Russell, desi- 
 ring him to pay the money due from him to the Treasury 
 immediately. 
 
 The Petition of Joseph Barrett, for himself and others, 
 was read, and ordered to be filed. The Petition is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
 " To the Honourable Provincial Congress, now sitting at 
 Watertown : 
 
 " The Petition of Joseph Barrell, late of Boston, hum- 
 bly sheweth : 
 
 " That in the fire in Boston, which began in the soldiers' 
 Barracks on the evening of the 17th of May last,* his store, 
 together with his effects, to a very considerable amount, 
 were consumed. 
 
 " Your petitioner humbly apprehends that this loss is 
 entirely owing to the present unhappy times, occasioned 
 by the cruel oppression of the British Administration ; 
 as, at the general desire of the friends of the Country, he 
 removed with his family from Boston, that scene of dis- 
 tress, and by the chicanery of General Gage, was pre- 
 vented from carrying his effects with him, as he, with his 
 distressed townsmen, were shamefully deceived by the fair- 
 est promises of a speedy removal, with their effects, with- 
 out molestation, until the end of the capitulation on the side 
 of the General was fully answered ; and then they were 
 insulted by the most cruel perversion of that comprehen- 
 sive plain English word, effects, confining it to a few trifles, 
 which, when suffered to depart, were clogged with such 
 restrictions as will forever disgrace him. But notwithstand- 
 ing all this, still your petitioner had been safe, in all proba- 
 bility, had not the General, by an order as extraordinary as 
 new, secured from the inhabitants the fire-engines, and 
 given the use of them to his Troops, whereby, as your 
 petitioner is informed, it was a very considerable time be- 
 fore they were in use at all, and then conducted with such 
 consummate ignorance as to be of no service, in which 
 time the flames raged to that degree that no human help 
 could prevent them. And your petitioner is further in- 
 formed, that some of his effects saved from the fire by his 
 friends, were afterwards destroyed by the savage order of 
 the Officers of the Army. 
 
 " Whereupon, your petitioner humbly hopes that his case, 
 together with the case of his fellow-sufferers, may, by this 
 honourable Congress, be represented to the Grand Conti- 
 nental Congress, that they, in their great wisdom, may take 
 
 * The following is an account of the late fire which begun in the 
 Barrack, under the arch formerly improved by Benjamin and Edward 
 Davis, about half past eight o'clock of the evening of the 17th of May. 
 Tho soldiers were receiving some cartridges, by which means one took 
 fire and communic ited to many more, which immediately set fire to 
 the room. List of Stores burned : 
 
 John Hancock, store and shed ; Thomas Fayerweather, do. ; Benja- 
 min Andrews, 2 do., one of his was improved by B. and W. Foster; 
 Edward Gray, 1 do., Town Dock, south side ; Joseph Barrell, 1 do. ; 
 John Head, 1 do. ; Jonathan Williams, 1 do., with 50 barrels of flour, 
 (donation); Kylson and Barton, 1 do.; Andrew Black, ldo.; Nathan, 
 iel Carey, 1 do. and shed ; Alexander Hill, 1 do. and shed ; James 
 Russell, Impost Office ; John Soley, 1 store ; John Swatzer, 1 do., 3 
 do., at the end of Town Dock ; ti stores and u cooper's shop, owned by 
 Eliakim Hutchinson, joining tho Town Dock, improved as barracks; 
 1 storo between, formerly improved by Mr. Elias Thomas, sail.maker ; 2 
 stores loading down to the Barracks, improved by Grant and Webster 
 and William Blair; Thomas Brattle's shed bawled down to stop tho 
 firo ; 1 store opposite Swing Bridge, ownod by Thomas Fai/erweather, 
 and are the next to Mr. Hancock's not burned ; 1 storo, improved by 
 Ellis Gray, which makes the corner joining to Mr. Hancock's not 
 burnod. Ti e stores on the Town Dock were chiefly owned by those 
 gentlemen who kept thorn. 
 
 N. B. Instead of ringing the bells as usual, the soldiers boat to arms, 
 by which moans our people wore in great confusion, not boing used to 
 such signals in time of firo. 
 
 such measures as to them shall seem fit to alleviate their 
 sufferings ; and that what is thus destroyed in the general 
 cause, may not fall so very heavy on any individual. And 
 your petitioner, as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &ic. 
 
 "Joseph Barrell." 
 
 " June, 177a." 
 
 The Letter of Mr. Alexander Shepard, Junior, to the 
 Committee of Safety, was read, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 July 2, 1775. 
 
 " To Mr. Edward Durant, one of the Committee of 
 Safety, Cambridge: 
 " Sir : I was engaged by His Majesty's Surveyor-Gene- 
 ral to make out an accurate draught of the late Province 
 in Maine, and return the same to him in New-Jersey as 
 soon as finished ; which plan I completed in March last, 
 and should have sent it to him, and beyond doubt have re- 
 ceived his return before this day. But realizing the distress 
 into which my country is involved, by the giganlick strides 
 of a (worse than Nero) tyrant, feared that I might, per- 
 haps inadvertently, render service by my draught to the 
 enemies of mankind, delayed my transmitting the same as 
 at first proposed. But if it should be thought that giving 
 it up would not be attended with any ill consequences, 1 
 shall be extremely glad to be permitted, as thereby I may 
 be put into possession of what perhaps 1 may never recover 
 hereafter. 
 
 " Sir, as you are one of the Committee of Safety, in whose 
 department it is to determine, I heg you, at some time when 
 the leisure of the honourable Committee will admit, to 
 move for a consideration of the premises, which, Sir, is a 
 matter of weight with, Sir, your very humble and most 
 obedient servant, Alex. Shepard, Jun." 
 
 " N. B. The purport is to know the Committee's mind, 
 whether he shall send the old original draught of Holland, 
 and his, said Shepard' s draught, to said Holland, (who is 
 a tory,) or whether he shall not. Said Holland is a Coun- 
 sellor of Quebeck, hut now resident in the Jerseys." 
 
 [The Committee of Safety desired me to report, that 
 they think it not prudent to send forward the papers; but 
 think the affair so important as to deserve to be laid before 
 Congress. E. Durant.] 
 
 The Report of the Committee for devising means for 
 the support of the Poor of Boston and Charlesiown, to the 
 places of their destination, was read and accepted, and is 
 as follows : 
 
 Whereas, it is necessary that further provision be made 
 for the suffering Poor of the Towns of Boston and Charles- 
 town ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That such person or persons as shall produce 
 a certificate from any or either of the Selectmen or Over- 
 seers of the Poor of the said Towns, that they are of the 
 Poor of the Town to which the said Selectmen or Over- 
 seers do or did in March last belong, that then the Commis- 
 saries in the Towns of Watertown and Roxbury are hereby 
 directed to deliver out of the Province stores to them a 
 sufficiency of provisions to carry them to the place of their 
 destination, the Commissary to take a receipt from such 
 Selectmen or Overseers therefor. And it is recommended to 
 the inhabitants of this Province, to treat such Poor with 
 humanity, by affording them shelter in their houses from 
 the weather; and, if desired, to exchange such provisions 
 with them as said Poor may have occasion for on their way. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Resolve be published in 
 the Watertown, Cambridge, and Worcester Newspapers. 
 
 Adjourned to four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 At four o'clock, P. M., the Congress met, and adjourn- 
 ed to Monday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 » Monday, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety, who were ap- 
 pointed a Committee to take into consideration the expe- 
 diency of a new emission of Notes or Bills of Credit, be 
 directed to sit and report as soon as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve of the 1st instant, ordering 
 the Rules and Regulations of the Army to be read monthly, 
 be reconsidered. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be directed to pay 
 
1477 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1478 
 
 to Mr. Josiah Stevens the sum of two Pounds, in Colony 
 Notes or Bills of Credit, (payable to said Receiver,) for 
 his services in bringing a number of Letters to this Congress 
 taken out of a vessel from London. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A Vote of the Congress of New-Hampshire was read ; 
 and Messrs. Child and Ashley, the bearers thereof, were 
 admitted on the floor. They produced a Letter from 
 Messrs. Buckman and Wales, to Colonel Bayley, of New- 
 Hampshire, and his answer. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dexter, Colonel Lincoln, Doctor 
 Church, Mr. Pitts, and Captain Bragdon, be a Committee 
 to confer with Messrs. Child and Ashley, from the Prov- 
 ince of New- Hampshire. 
 
 Ordered, That the addition of the words "Overseers of 
 the Poor" be added to the Resolve of yesterday, respecting 
 the Poor of the Towns of Boston and Charlestown. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Cutt, Colonel Farley, and Colonel 
 Dwight, be a Committee to take into consideration the 
 Petition of Thomas Morton. 
 
 Ordered, That a Letter for Thomas Irving, Esquire, 
 be opened, and ordered to be committed to the Committee 
 who were to take under consideration what should be done 
 with the Letters from London. 
 
 The Petition of the Selectmen of Abington was read, 
 and committed to Colonel Mitchell, Mr. Lotkrop, and Mr. 
 Ellis. The Petition is as follows, viz : 
 
 " To the Honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at 
 Watertown : 
 " The Petition of us, the subscribers, humbly sheweth, 
 that there are now forty persons got into the Town of 
 Abington, who were partakers of the donations while they 
 resided in the Town of Boston, and are in want of support. 
 Bread corn is an article that is very scarce and dear among 
 us ; and as your petitioners are credibly informed there is 
 a large quantity of corn, bread, flour, &c, sent to the Town 
 of Dartmouth, and there stored, being a donation for the 
 poor of Boston, your petitioners therefore humbly pray this 
 honourable Congress would please to give orders that we 
 thaw our proportion out of said donation, according to the 
 number of persons we have to support, which shall be 
 faithfully dealt out to them according to their respective 
 wants and necessities. This your petitioners, as in duty 
 bound, shall every pray. 
 
 " Joshua Howe, ) Selectmen of 
 " Benj. Bates, Jr., y Abington. 
 
 "Abington, July 3, 1775." 
 
 Major Goodwin, who was appointed to bring in a Re- 
 solve for directing the Committee of Supplies to furnish 
 the Non-Commissioned Officers who lost their clothes and 
 blankets in the late engagement, with clothes and blankets, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows: 
 
 Whereas, in consequence of a Letter from General 
 Ward, provision was made by a Resolve of this Congress 
 for Private Soldiers who had lost their clothes and blankets 
 in a late engagement, but no provision was made for Non- 
 commissioned Officers in similar circumstances ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 hereby are directed to furnish said Non-Commissioned Offi- 
 cers with Clothes and Blankets, in such manner and form as 
 they were directed by said Resolve to supply said Privates. 
 
 Adjourned to Tuesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable the President, Honour- 
 able Major Hawley, and Mr. Greenleaf, be a Committee 
 to prepare a Letter to Governour Trumbull, desiring him 
 to forward to this Colony, as soon as may be, whatever 
 Flour may arrive at Connecticut, for the use of the Army. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Gridley was read, and ordered 
 to lie on the table. The Letter is as follows, viz : 
 
 " Cambridge, July 3, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Some time since you desired me to 
 make a return of proper persons for field-officers for the 
 Regiment of Artillery. Accordingly, after mature consi- 
 deration, I made a return, which I thought if complied with 
 would be the most likely means to serve the country in the 
 
 best manner. But I find, gentlemen, my judgment in these 
 matters is of little weight with you ; it seems not necessary 
 to consult me in it. Though I must have the trouble of 
 teaching every one under me the knowledge necessary for 
 the service, you have been pleased to revise the plan I 
 gave you ; that, no doubt, you have a right to do. But be 
 assured, gentlemen, if I must have no judgment, and am 
 not to be consulted in these matters, but must have persons 
 transposed and imposed upon me without consulting me, 
 I am determined I will withdraw myself from the Army, 
 and will have nothing farther to do with it. 
 " I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 " Richard Gridley. 
 " To the Honourable Provincial Congress." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. 
 Goodwin, be a Committee to prepare a Letter to General 
 Washington, informing him of the provision this Congress 
 has made for the sick and wounded of the Army. 
 
 An Account of Ephraim Fenno was read, and commit- 
 ted to Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Jewett, and Colonel Dwight. 
 
 Ordered, That Asa Barns and other Officers of Col. 
 Woodbridge's Regiment, recommended by the Committee 
 of Safety, be commissioned, agreeable to the recommenda- 
 tion of said Committee. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of the Selectmen of 
 Abington, reported verbally, that the matter respecting the 
 Donations for the Poor of Boston, be considered at large. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mitchell, Captain Stone, Mr. 
 Kollock, Colonel Jones, and Mr. Crane, be a Committee 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Johnson, Mr. Fairfield, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to examine the Accounts of those 
 persons who were empowered to procure Arms for the use 
 of the Colony Army. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Thomas Morton, re- 
 ported. The Report was ordered to lie on the table for 
 the present. 
 
 A Resolve of the Committee relative to the Goods of 
 Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., and others, hid in and about 
 Milton, was read, and committed to Major Bliss, Colonel 
 Grout, and Mr. Crane. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock, P. M., be assigned for 
 the choice of some gentleman to serve on the Committee of 
 Supplies, in the room of Mr. Vose, who declines serving. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Jewett, Mr. Lothrop, Captain 
 Thatcher, Colonel Jones, Mr. Wheeler, Colonel Farley, 
 and Mr. Cross, be a Committee to consider the expediency 
 of making a Draw-Bridge of the bridge at Cambridge, 
 agreeable to the request of General Washington ; and that 
 said Committee be directed to sit forthwith. 
 
 At the request of General Washington, communicated 
 by Mr. Gill, 
 
 Resolved, That no more commissions for the present be 
 delivered to any Officers of the Colony Army, those em- 
 ployed more particularly for the protection of the sea- 
 coasts, excepted. 
 
 The Resolve relative to furnishing the Soldiers with 
 Coats, was considered, and recommitted for amendment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Mr. Pickering, and Dr. 
 Taylor, be a Committee to consider in what manner the 
 late inhabitants of the Town of Boston may choose Mem- 
 bers to represent that Town in the next General Assembly 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 hereby are directed to supply the Rev. Mr. Gordon with 
 a good Horse, to use during his service as a Chaplain to 
 this Congress-. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Doctor Church, and Mr. 
 Johnson, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve appointing 
 Doctor Andrew Craigie a Commissary of Medical Stores ; 
 and that said Committee be directed to consider what is a 
 proper establishment for his pay. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A recommendation from the Committee of Safety rela- 
 tive to an Indian's having a Horse, read, and committed to 
 Doctor Taylor, Mr. Partridge, and Mr. Glover. 
 
1479 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1480 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown, Captain Parker, and 
 Mr. Richmond, be a Committee to sort and count the votes 
 for a Member of the Committee of Supplies, in the room 
 of Major Vose ; and Captain Partridge was chosen in the 
 room of Major Vose. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee for making out Commis- 
 sions be directed to make out a Commission for Samuel 
 Brewer, as Adjutant-General, and date it the day of his 
 appointment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to write a Letter to Govern- 
 our Trumbull, reported. The Report was read, and or- 
 dered to be recommitted for additions and amendments. 
 
 Ordered, That any three of the Committee of Supplies, 
 of which Mr. Gill to be one, in the absence of Mr. Cheever, 
 be a quorum to do business. 
 
 The Committee upon the Letter relative to the Indian's 
 having a Horse, reported. The Report was accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That a small Horse, taken by Henries Vom- 
 havi from Noddle's Island, be granted to the said Henries 
 for his own use, to encourage his further brave conduct and 
 good behaviour in camp. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Spaulding, Mr. Woodbridge, and 
 Mr. Johnson, be a Committee to take under consideration 
 the sufferings of Abraham Nimham. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Glover, Doctor Taylor, and Col. 
 Grout, be on the Committee of Conference with the Mem- 
 bers from New-Hampshire, in the room of Mr. Pitts, Col. 
 Lincoln, and Captain Bragdon. 
 
 Ordered. That Mr. Bent be on the Committee for the 
 Abington Petition, in the room of Doctor Jones. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Langdon, and Major 
 Bliss, be a Committee to take into consideration the con- 
 duct of the people of Nantucket, and report what is expe- 
 dient to be done with respect to them. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheelock, with Letters from the 
 Congress of New-Hampshire, be admitted upon the floor. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Mr. Hopkins, and Major 
 Bliss, be a Committee to introduce Mr. Wheelock ; and also 
 to deliver a copy of the Letter from New-Hampshire to his 
 Excellency Gen. Washington; and also to draw an Answer 
 to the Letter from New-Hampshire, which is as follows : 
 
 " Exeter, July 3, 1775. 
 
 "Gentlemen: We take the earliest opportunity to 
 communicate to you some intelligence we have just re- 
 ceived from Canada, by the way of Mr. Dean, a Mission- 
 ary, lately come from that country. We enclose copies of 
 two letters from Doctor Wheelock, and a Committee in 
 Hanover. Mr. Wheelock and Colonel Beetle, who will 
 take charge of this, will be able to give you, perhaps, some 
 further particulars. 
 
 " We wish to have, as soon as possible, your judgment 
 on the matter, and shall probably defer acting until we hear 
 from you. If any plan of operation towards, or in Canada, 
 is suitable, we wish to act in concert with you and the other 
 Colonies in the neighbourhood. 
 
 « \y e trust we shall not be backward in exerting our- 
 selves in the common defence ; but would act with caution 
 in a matter of importance. 
 
 " We are, with respect, gentlemen, your friends and 
 brothers in the common cause. 
 
 " In the name and by order of the Congress : 
 
 " Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 " To the Honourable Congress of the Colony of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay." 
 
 The Report of the Committee upon the Account of Mr. 
 White, was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider Accounts trans- 
 mitted to this Congress by the Committee of Safety, beg 
 leave to report by way of Resolve, that William White be 
 paid the sum of six Pounds, lawful money, for service 
 done by said William White by order of the Committee of 
 Safety; and that the Receiver-General be directed to pay 
 said sum to the said William While. 
 
 The Committee appointed to write to Governour Trum- 
 bull, reported. The Report was read and accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 M ay it please your Honour: Your favour of the 27th 
 June we received, and heartily thank you for the informa- 
 tion therein given us. The arrival of the flour from Ntw- 
 York to Norwich, gives us great pleasure, as we stand in 
 need of large supplies of that commodity. We request 
 your Honour to give orders that the same may be forward- 
 ed as soon as possible to our Committee of Supplies at 
 Watertown; and any further quantities that may arrive 
 hereafter, we desire may be sent immediately upon its arri- 
 val, to the same Committee ; almost all the grain in this 
 Colony being already brought in, and our stock not equal 
 to the demands for bread. 
 
 We have the pleasure to be able to acquaint your Hon- 
 our, that Generals Washington and Lee, with Mr. MiJJIin, 
 Aid-de-Camp to General Washington, arrived at Cambridge 
 last Sabbath, in good health, a little after twelve o'clock at 
 noon, and have great reason to expect, from their known 
 characters, and their activity and vigilance already discover- 
 ed, that their presence in the Army will be attended with 
 most happy consequences. 
 
 Our camps at Cambridge and Roxbury are daily putting 
 on a more defensible appearance. The health of our army 
 is as general as we could expect. Several privates in the 
 Cambridge Camp were last week taken down with the 
 small-pox, but we have great reason to hope that the pre- 
 cautions taken on this occurrence will, by the Divine bless- 
 ing, prevent the spreading of that distemper in the camp. 
 
 We are, with the greatest respect, your Honour's most 
 obedient humble servants. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Grout, Mr. Langdon, and Dr. 
 Taylor, be a Committee to take into consideration the Let- 
 ter from Mr. Shepard, relative to the Eastern Plans of 
 the Sea-Coasts. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for ap- 
 pointing Mr. Craigie Medical Commissary, reported. It 
 was read, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Andrew Craigie be, and he is here- 
 by appointed a Medical Commissary and Apothecary for 
 the Massachusetts Army ; and that said Craigie be allowed 
 five Pounds per month for his services as abovesaid. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee for making out Commis- 
 sions, make out a Warrant for Mr. Craigie, Medical Com- 
 missary. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 loss of Indian Nimham, reported. The Report was read 
 and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the losses of 
 Abraham Nimham, in his journey to Caughnawaga, in 
 carrying a message to the Indians, beg leave to report by 
 way of Rpsolve, that the said Abraham Nimham be paid 
 the sum of thirty-six Shillings, lawful money; and that 
 the Receiver-General be directed to pay the said sum to 
 Jahleel Woodbridge, Esquire, and he to account with the 
 said Abraham Nimham. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will attend to matters of 
 the greatest importance, that they may finish the business, 
 and dissolve some time before the sitting of the General 
 Court. 
 
 Ordered, That the matter contained in a Resolve ol 
 the Committee of Safety, relating to the effects of Refu- 
 gees, being before provided for by this Congress, subside. 
 
 Adjourned to Wednesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, July 5, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from Jlilliam Tollman, of Dartmouth, was 
 read, and committed to the Committee appointed to con- 
 sider at large of the Donations for the Poor of Boston. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Petition of Tho- 
 mas Morton was read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Memorial of 
 Thomas Morton, beg leave to report, by way of Resolve : 
 
 Resolved, That the prayer of the Memorial be granted, 
 and that William Powell, Esquire, late of Boston, have 
 leave to export one thousand quintals of Jamaica old Cod- 
 Fish to the West-Indies, and that the Committee of Cor- 
 respondence in Newburyport see that the said Htlliam 
 Powell, Esquire, strictly complies with the Resolutions ol 
 the Continental and Provincial Congresses. 
 
1481 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1482 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Greenleaf Colonel Richmond, Dr. 
 Tat/lor, Mr. Glover, and Captain Holmes, be a Committee 
 to wait upon General Washington, to inform him that this 
 Congress have it in contemplation to rise this week, and to 
 know if he has any matter to lay before the Congress. 
 
 A list of Surgeons and Mates who have been examined 
 and approved of by a Committee of this Congress, was laid 
 before the Congress, and read, and is as follows: 
 Dr. David Jones, Surgeon of Col. Gerrish's Regiment; 
 Samuel Blanchard, Mate to Dr. Jones; 
 Dr. Aaron Putnam, Male in Colonel Fry's Regiment; 
 Dr. Joseph Hunt, Mate to Dr. Joseph Foster, in the Cam- 
 
 bridge Hospital ; 
 Dr. Jacob Bacon, as Mate in Col. Scammon's Regiment ; 
 Dr. Harris Clary Fridges, as Mate ; 
 Dr. Edward Durant, Surgeon in Col. Mansfield's Reg't ; 
 Josiah Harvey, as Mate in Colonel Fellows' s Regiment ; 
 Dr. Abraham Watson, Surgeon of Col. Gardner's Reg't; 
 Dr. William Vinal, as Mate in Col. Gardner's Regiment ; 
 Dr. John Georges, as Mate in Gen. Heath's Regiment; 
 Dr. Isaac Spafford, Surgeon in Col. Nixon's Regiment ; 
 Dr. Jnhn Crooker, Surgeon in Col. Scammon's Regiment ; 
 Dr. Walter Hastings, Surgeon in Col. Bridge's Regiment ; 
 Dr. Timothy Child, Surgeon of Col. Patterson's Reg't; 
 Dr. Levi Willard, Surgeon of Col. Reed's Kegimeni; 
 Dr. Daniel Parker, Surgeon of Col. Walker's Regiment ; 
 Dr. Thomas Kittcridge, Surgeon of Col. Fry's Regiment. 
 
 Thereupon, Ordered, That Warrants be made out for 
 them, agreeable thereto. 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of Congress relative to the 
 date of the Warrants of the Staff Officers be so far recon- 
 sidered, as that the Warrants for the Surgeons be dated 
 the 28lh of June, ultimo. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who were appointed to 
 deliver out Commissions to the Officers of the Army, be a 
 Committee to prepare and lay before this Congress a list of 
 such as have been commissioned. 
 
 A form of a Warrant for a Medical Commissary was 
 read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " The Congress of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay to greeting: 
 
 " We, being informed of your skill in Medicine, and re- 
 posing especial trust and confidence in your ability and 
 good conduct, do, by these presents, constitute and appoint 
 
 you, the said , to be Medical Commissary and 
 
 Apothecary to the Army raised by this Congress for the 
 defence of this Colony. You are therefore carefully and 
 diligently to discharge the duty of a Medical Commissary 
 and Apothecary in all things appertaining thereto, observing 
 such orders and instructions as you shall from time to time 
 receive from any your superiour officers, according to the 
 rules and discipline established by said Congress, for which 
 this shall be your sufficient warrant. 
 
 " By order of the Congress : 
 
 " President." 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Smith, Mr. Plympton, Mr. Ellis, 
 Mr. Bigeloiv, Deacon Stone, Captain Brown, Major 
 Fuller, and Captain Stone, be a Committee to procure 
 two hundred Axes, with helves, immediately, for the use 
 of the Army, and when procured to forward them immedi- 
 ately to General Washington, or his order, and lay before 
 the Congress a list of the persons of whom they shall be 
 procured, with the price agreed on ; and that the Commit- 
 tee assure the persons of whom they may procure said 
 Axes, that they shall be paid for as soon as the Congress 
 can make provision therefor. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider in what manner 
 the late inhabitants of the Town of Boston should choose 
 Representatives, reported. The Report was accepted, 
 and is as follows, and was ordered to be sent immediately 
 to M r. William Cooper, viz : 
 
 As it appears to this Congress fit and reasonable that the 
 good people of the Town of Boston, though at present in 
 a dispersed state, should have a just and equal representa- 
 tion in the great and General Assembly of this Colony, 
 and as the choice of Representatives for that purpose in 
 legal town meeting, convened in the common and ordinary 
 way, is at present utterly impracticable ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. William Cooper, Town Clerk of 
 Boston, be, and he hereby is empowered and directed, by 
 notifications under his hand in the several Newspapers, im- 
 mediately to notify and give warning to the Freeholders and 
 others, who were inhabitants of the said Town of Boston, 
 and were qualified, according to law, to vote for Representa- 
 tives in May, 1774, and are now dispersed, to assemble and 
 meet at the Meeting-House in Concord, on Tuesday, the 
 18th day of July instant, at three o'clock in the afternoon, 
 then and there to elect and depute one or more Freehold- 
 ers in said Town, according to the numbers limited by a 
 law of this Colony, to serve for, and represent them in a 
 great and General Court or Assembly, to be convened, 
 held, and kept for the service of said Colony, until the day 
 next preceding the last Wednesday of May next, if neces- 
 sary, and no longer, at the Meeting-House in Watertown, 
 upon Wednesday, the 19th instant, by nine o'clock in the 
 forenoon, and so from day to day during their session or 
 sessions. Hereof he is desired not to fail, and make return 
 of this Resolve, with the name or names of the person and 
 persons elected or deputed by a major part of the electors 
 present unto the great and General Assembly, at the time 
 and place above mentioned for its meeting. 
 
 The Committee appointed the second instant to prepare 
 a Letter to the Hon. James Russell, Esq., reported. The 
 draught prepared was accepted, ordered to be signed by the 
 President, and forwarded, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " Sir: The present necessity for cash is such, that it is 
 necessary for this Congress to direct you to pay in to Henry 
 Gardner, Esquire, Receiver-General of this Colony, all the 
 publick moneys in your hands or care, belonging to said 
 Colony, without further delay. By order of Congress: 
 
 " , President. 
 
 " To the Hon. James Russell, Esq., of Dunstable." 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Holmes, Captain Carpenter, 
 Mr. Glover, Mr. Jewett, and Mr. Parker, be a Commit- 
 tee to consider some method to prevent conveying intelli- 
 gence to our enemies, and also to put a stop to supplying 
 them with Provisions. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the request of 
 General Washington, relative to making a Draw-Bridge of 
 the Bridge at Cambridge, reported. The Report was ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to wait on his Excellency 
 General Washington, relative to making the Bridge near 
 Charles River, in Cambridge, a Draw-Bridge, have at- 
 tended that service, and beg leave to report, that his 
 Excellency suggested that he apprehends it to be of great 
 importance that this business be immediately entered 
 upon ; also, he mentioned, that he did not intend the pass- 
 ing and repassing should be impeded. His Excellency 
 recommends to the Congress the doing it, as they are the 
 best judges of proper persons to be employed. His Ex- 
 cellency hinted that it would be agreeable to him to be 
 consulted as to the manner of its being done. 
 
 Dummer Jewett, per order. 
 
 The same Committee being directed to bring in a Resolve 
 relative to said Bridge, reported the following, which was 
 accepted, viz : 
 
 Whereas, his Excellency General Washington has sig- 
 nified to this Congress his desire that the Bridge over 
 Charles River, in Cambridge, should be made a Draw- 
 Bridge, and that the Congress would see to the doing of it 
 immediately ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Thatcher, Mr. Whittcmore, Mr. 
 Temple, Mr. Cross, and Captain Parker, be a Committee 
 to procure materials, and employ a suitable number of 
 artificers for accomplishing the aforementioned business, 
 agreeable to the direction of his Excellency General Wash- 
 ington, the same to be done at the immediate expense of 
 this Colony, and that the Committee render to this Con- 
 gress, or some future House of Representatives, their ac- 
 count of said expense. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock in the afternoon be assign- 
 ed for the choice of some person to serve on the Commit- 
 tee of Supplies, in the room of Mr. Partridge, who, at his 
 request, has been excused, and that in such choice the 
 Members of the Congress may have liberty to vote for any 
 person who may not belong to the Congress. 
 
1483 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1484 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider of the Donations 
 for the Poor of Boston, reported. The Report was re- 
 committed. 
 
 A Petition of Jonathan Brewer was read, and committed 
 to Deacon Stickney, Doctor Taylor, and Col. Spaulding. 
 The Petition is as follows, viz: 
 
 "Cambridge, July 4, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Whereas, a number of men that enlisted 
 in different Companies in my Regiment have, through the 
 low artifice and cunning of several recruiting officers of 
 different Regiments, re-enlisted into other Companies, 
 being over-persuaded by such arguments as, that Colonel 
 Brewer would not be commissioned, and that if they did 
 not immediately join some other Regiment, they would be 
 turned out of the service ; others were tempted with a pro- 
 mise to have a dollar each to drink the recruiting officer's 
 health ; others by intoxication of strong liquor ; by which 
 means a considerable number have deserted my Regiment, 
 as will be made to appear by the returns therefrom, as also 
 the different Companies and Regiments they are re-enlist- 
 ed into. In consequence of which my Regiment is, to the 
 detriment of the service, considerably weakened ; therefore 
 your petitioner humbly prays that the honourable Congress 
 will take this matter into consideration, and either order the 
 re-enlisted men to the several officers they first enlisted 
 under, or be pleased to direct to some method of filling up 
 the Regiment, as the honourable Congress in their wisdom 
 may see fit. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will 
 ever pray. Jonathan Bjreweu. 
 
 " To the Honourable Congress." 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Mr. Lothrop, and Mr. 
 Jewett, be a Committee to distribute the Pamphlets which 
 contain the Depositions relative to the battle of Lexington. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Glover be of the Committee for 
 stationing the Soldiers in the County of Essex, in the room 
 of Mr. Gerry, excused. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the Accounts of 
 the Committee appointed to procure Fire-Arms, reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, Messrs. John Bliss, William Page, Abiel 
 Sadler, and Lemuel Kollock, were appointed by this Con- 
 gress to collect a number of Fire-Arms for the use of the 
 Colony, and have delivered said Arms to the Committee 
 of Safety at Cambridge, as appears by receipts from said 
 Committee, and have exhibited their accounts for said ser- 
 vice, which accounts appear to be reasonable ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid by the Receiver-General, 
 to the several persons aforesaid, the following sums, viz: 
 to Captain John Bliss, the sum of five Pounds, eleven 
 Shillings; to William Page, six Pounds, seventeen Shil- 
 lings ; to Abiel Sadler, five Pounds, ten Shillings ; to 
 Lemuel Kollock, three Pounds, ten Shillings, and eight 
 Pence; being in full of the aforesaid Account. 
 
 Ordered, That the list of persons of whom the Arms 
 were procured, be lodged with the Receiver-General. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Partridge, Colonel Bowers, and 
 Mr. Jewett, be a Committee to consider a Letter from 
 General Ward. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 the eighteen Stockbridge Indians, reported. The Report 
 was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress, by a Petition from 
 the Stockbridge Indians enlisted in the American Army, 
 that they in their more serious hours, being sensible of their 
 want of prudence in disposing of their money, are desirous 
 that this Congress in their wisdom would devise some 
 method to prevent their getting too much strong drink ; and 
 they also request that all their wages that are now due, or 
 shall hereafter be due to them for their services, be paid to 
 Timothy Edwards and Jahleel Woodbridge, Esquires, or 
 to their order ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Timothy Edwards or Jahleel Wood- 
 bridge, Esquires, be, and hereby are empowered to draw 
 the wages of the aforesaid Indians, and deal out the same as 
 they shall find said Indians have need thereof, according to 
 any order or orders of the Congress that have been, or shall 
 hereafter be made for paying all or any part of the wages 
 due to the soldiers, and render an account of their doings to 
 this or some future Congress or House of Representatives, 
 
 when required ; and the Receiver-General is accordingly 
 directed to pay the same to the said Timothy Edwards or 
 Jahleel Woodbridge, Esquires, as aforesaid, and take their 
 receipt therefor; and it is also recommended and enjoined 
 by this Congress, that all persons who sell Spirituous Li- 
 quors, be particularly careful not to let said Indians have 
 too much strong drink, as that wholly unfits them for any 
 service. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Letter of Mr. 
 Alexander Shepard, reported. The Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take under consideration 
 the Letter from Mr. Shepard, beg leave to report, by way 
 of Resolve, as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is recommended to 
 Mr. Alexander Shepard, Jun., that he retain in his hands 
 all the Plans he hath of the Province of Maine, and that 
 he do not suffer them to go out of his possession to any 
 person, upon any consideration, until the further order of 
 this or some future Congress or House of Representa- 
 tives. 
 
 Ordered, That part of the Resolve, relative to the Light- 
 Houses, which empowered the Selectmen and Committees 
 of Correspondence to remove and secure the Lamps and Oil 
 from the Light-House at the entrance of Boston Harbour, 
 be reconsidered, and that Mr. Crane, Captain Holmes, and 
 Deacon Washburn, be a Committee to consider at large on 
 some measures for removing and securing the Lamps and 
 Oil aforesaid. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Lo- 
 throp, be a Committee to consider a Letter from Mr. 
 James Lyon, dated Machias, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the state of the 
 Donations for the Poor of Boston, reported. The Report 
 was recommitted, and Mr. Batchelder added to the Com- 
 mittee, in the room of Captain Stone, absent. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, for the 
 purpose of calling the General Assembly together at any 
 time sooner than the nineteenth instant, if occasion should 
 require, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, this Congress, pursuant to the recommenda- 
 tion of the General Congress of this Continent, have sent 
 out their Letters to the several Towns in this Colony, de- 
 siring that Representatives might be elected, and returned 
 by them, to serve in a great or General Court or Assembly, 
 to be convened, held, and kept for the service of this 
 Colony at Watertown, on the 19th day of July current : 
 And whereas, such unforeseen events may take place be- 
 tween this time and the said 19th day of July, as may 
 render the convening of such General Court or Assembly 
 at Watertoivn aforesaid, at the time aforesaid, very impro- 
 per and unsafe ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That Henry Gardner, Esquire, Mr. Gill, 
 Deacon Cheever, Mr. White of Brookline, and Captain 
 Thatcher, be a Committee (in case they or the major part 
 of them should judge it improper or unsafe that such Gen- 
 eral Assembly should be convened at the said Watertown 
 at the time aforesaid) to agree upon and determine at what 
 other place in this Colony the said General Assembly 
 should be convened ; and the said Committee, or the major 
 part of them are hereby fully empowered to determine at 
 what place it shall be most expedient that the said General 
 Assembly should be convened, and to give notice thereof 
 to the several persons who have been, or may be chosen 
 to serve in such Assembly, in such way and manner as 
 they shall judge most expeditious and effectual. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Church, Colonel Bowers, and Mr. 
 Bftylcy, be a Committee to confer with General Washing- 
 ton on the subject of furnishing his table, and know what 
 he expects relative thereto, and that they sit forthwith. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to procure 
 necessary Furniture for the house provided for General 
 Washington, complete the business of their commission, by 
 purchase, or by borrowing. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Colonel Grout, and Mr. 
 
1485 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1486 
 
 Durfee, be a Committee to consider a Letter from Mr. 
 James Winlhrop. The Letter is as follows, viz : 
 
 "Cambridge, July 5, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: When the Congress did me the honour to ap- 
 point me Postmaster for this Town, I was in hopes it would 
 have enabled me to tarry here. But as the office will not 
 furnish me the single article of victuals, as the establishment 
 is at present, I shall be constrained to quit the place of 
 business, and seek for a subsistence somewhere else. All 
 the money I have received since the oath was administered 
 to me on the 25th of May, amounts to only seven Pounds, 
 seven Shillings, and ten Pence. Fifteen per cent, of it is 
 my pay, for six weeks; that is, at six and a quarter Pence 
 per day, nearly. Judge, then, Sir, whether this be suffi- 
 cient to furnish one, who has no other support, with a sub- 
 sistence, or, indeed, whether the office is worth keeping up 
 on this plan ; for it is vain that we expect it to grow better, 
 during times of confusion and a suspension of trade. But 
 I will not take up your attention any longer than to ob- 
 serve, that it is with reluctance I quit Cambridge, and that 
 I shall be glad of any opportunity to promote the common 
 cause, as far as shall come within my small sphere of action. 
 Unless the Congress think fit to alter the establishment, I 
 must beg the favour of them to consider this letter as a re- 
 signation, and grant an order for paying the money which 1 
 have received to the Treasurer, after a deduction of my 
 fifteen per cent., and that the bond may be forthwith deli- 
 vered up. The letters which remain 1 shall be ready to 
 deliver to any new Postmaster whom the Congress shall 
 appoint. And remain, with great respect, Sir. your most 
 obedient servant, Jamks Winthrop. 
 
 " The Honourable James Warren, Esquire, President of 
 
 the Massachusetts Congress, Watertown." 
 
 A Letter from Benj. Greenleaf, Esq., of Newburyport, 
 was read, accompanying sundry Letters brought by Captain 
 Folger from London, a Jacket enclosed to Major Sill, of 
 the Sixty-Third Regiment, also three Maps enclosed to 
 said Major Sill, viz: one of New-England, one of Virgi- 
 nia and Maryland, and one of New- York. Whereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That the Jacket be committed to the care of 
 the Secretary, till further orders of Congress, and that the 
 Maps be put into the hands of the Committee of Supplies, 
 and they are directed to get them framed, for the use of the 
 Colony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to Gen- 
 eral Washington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress rela- 
 tive to the sick and wounded, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, July 5, 1775. 
 
 This Congress ordered the enclosed Resolution to be 
 prepared, and sent to Generals Ward and Thomas ; but by 
 the agreeable event of your Excellency's appointment to 
 the chief command of the American Army, and arrival at 
 camp, the propriety of that step ceases. We mean not to 
 dictate to your Excellency, but presume that to secure the 
 health of the Army, and to afford relief for the sick, will 
 naturally engage your attention. Every thing in the power 
 of this Congress, to enable you to discharge with ease, the 
 duties of your exalted and important station, will be by us 
 attended to with the greatest alacrity. If the enclosed 
 Resolution has that tendency, we attain the end intended 
 by transmitting to you the same ; and are, with respect, 
 Your Excellency's most humble servants. 
 
 To General Washington. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Lo- 
 throp, be a Committee to count and sort the votes for a 
 Member of the Committee of Supplies, in the room of Mr. 
 Partridge. 
 
 The Committee having attended that service, reported, 
 that Mr. Lothrop was chosen. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve, directing the Committee 
 of Supplies to get the three Maps framed, be reconsidered, 
 and that the Secretary be directed to take care of them 
 as they are, for the use of the Colony. 
 
 The Report of the Committee appointed to consider 
 how the Soldiers should be provided with Coats, was again 
 read, and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That thirteen thousand Coats be provided, 
 
 as soon as may be, and one thereof given to each non- 
 commissioned Officer and Soldier in the Massachusetts 
 Forces, agreeable to the Resolve of the Congress, on the 
 23d day of April last: and in order to facilitate their being 
 procured, 
 
 Resolved, That the said thirteen thousand Coats be pro- 
 portioned immediately on all the Towns and Districts in 
 this Colony, except the Towns of Boston and Charlestown, 
 in proportion as they paid to the last Provincial tax ; which 
 Towns and Districts are desired to cause them to be made 
 of good plain cloth, (preference to be given to the manufac- 
 tures of this Country,) and to be delivered to the Committee 
 of Supplies, without buttons, on or before the first day of 
 October next, and sooner if possible. That for every yard 
 of such cloth of seven-eighths of a yard wide, they shall be 
 allowed and paid the sum of five Shillings and four Pence, 
 and in that proportion for cloth of a greater or less width ; 
 and the sum of four Shillings for making each and every 
 coat ; and the Selectmen of each Town and District, re- 
 spectively, are directed to lay their accounts before the 
 Committee of Supplies, who are ordered to draw on the 
 Receiver-General lor the payment thereof. 
 
 Resolved, That each Coat be faced with the same kind 
 of cloth of which it is made; that the Coats be made in 
 the common plain way, without lappels, short, and with 
 small folds, and that the Selectmen cause a certificate to 
 be sewed to the inside of each Coat, purporting from what 
 Town it came, and by whom the Coat was made, and if 
 the cloth was manufactured in this Country, by whom it 
 was manufactured. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and they 
 are hereby directed, immediately, to proportion the Coats 
 on the several Towns and Districts as aforesaid, inform 
 them of their proportion, and assure them that the Coats 
 they supply shall be delivered to the men of their Town 
 respectively, so far as circumstances will admit, and inclose 
 to them a sample of the goodness of the cloth of which 
 the Coats are to be made, with a copy of this and the fore- 
 going Resolves, and to desire those Towns and Districts 
 who cannot supply the whole of their proportion of the 
 Coats as aforesaid, and also those who can supply more 
 than their proportion, to give them information what number 
 they can supply, on, or before the tenth day of August next. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 they are hereby directed to provide all the Coats propor- 
 tioned on such Towns and Districts as give information to 
 them as aforesaid that they cannot supply them, and they 
 are to cause all the Coats to be buttoned with pewter but- 
 tons, and that the Coats for each Regiment, respectively, 
 have buttons of the same number stamped on the face of 
 them. 
 
 The Committee reported the following Schedule of the 
 
 apportionment of Coats, which was accepted :* 
 
 Suffolk County. Newbury, - - 117 
 
 Roxbury, - - 182 Newburyport, - - 184 
 
 Dorchester, - - 96 Marblehead, - - 265 
 
 Milton, 56 Lynn, ... 93 
 
 Braintree, - - 108 Andover, - - 189 
 
 Weymouth, - - 66 Beverly, - - 112 
 
 Hingham, - - 88 Rowley, 89 
 
 Dedham, - - 104 Salisbury, - - 77 
 
 Medfield, - - 42 Haverhill, - - 113 
 
 Wrentham, - - 105 Gloucester, - - 163 
 
 Brookline, - - 43 Topsfield, - - 43 
 
 Needham, - 43 Boxford, - 54 
 
 Stoughton, - - 82 Almsbury, - - 69 
 
 Stoughtonbam, - 37 Bradford, - - 63 
 
 Medway, - - 43 Wenham, - - 41 
 
 Bellingham, - - 29 Middleton, - - 34 
 
 Hull, 21 Manchester, - - 33 
 
 Walpole, 33 Methuen, - - 54 
 Chelsea, - - 31 Middlesex County. 
 
 Cohasset, - - 30 Cambridge, - - 118 
 
 Essex County. Watertown, - 49 
 
 Salem, - - - 380 Woburn, 81 
 
 Dan vers, - - 116 Concord, - 73 
 
 Ipswich, ... 204 Newton, 66 
 
 * The Schedule of apportionment omitted in the Journal, was printed 
 in connexion with the Resolves, in handbills, and is copied from the 
 publication made at the time of its acceptance. — Lincoln. 
 
1487 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1488 
 
 Reading, 
 
 77 
 
 Middleborough, 
 
 160 
 
 Marlborough, - 
 
 89 
 
 Rochester, 
 
 86 
 
 Billerica, 
 
 61 
 
 Plympton, 
 Pembroke, 
 
 56 
 
 Framingham, - 
 
 71 
 
 66 
 
 Lexington, 
 Chelmsford, 
 
 49 
 
 Kingston, 
 
 38 
 
 55 
 
 Hanover, 
 
 37 
 
 Sherburne, 
 
 36 
 
 A bin "'ton. 
 
 46 
 
 Sudbury, 
 
 95 
 
 Halifax, 
 Wareham, 
 
 24 
 
 Maiden, - 
 
 45 
 
 30 
 
 Weston, 
 
 45 
 
 Barnstable County. 
 
 
 Med ford, 
 
 60 
 
 Barnstable, 
 
 94 
 
 Littleton, 
 
 44 
 
 Sandwich, 
 
 74 
 
 Hopkinton, 
 
 45 
 
 Yarmouth, 
 
 66 
 
 West ford, 
 
 51 
 
 Eastham, 
 Harwich, 
 
 49 
 
 Waltham, 
 
 44 
 
 60 
 
 Stow, - - - 
 
 41 
 
 Wellfleet, 
 
 38 
 
 Groton, - 
 
 69 
 
 Chatham, 
 
 26 
 
 Shirley, - 
 
 25 
 
 Truro, - 
 
 33 
 
 Pepperell, 
 
 37 
 
 Falmouth, 
 
 53 
 
 Townshend, 
 
 30 
 
 Bristol County. 
 
 
 Ashby, - 
 
 12 
 
 Taunton, 
 Relioboth, 
 
 105 
 
 Stoneham, 
 
 16 
 
 147 
 
 Natick, - 
 
 23 
 
 Swanzey with Shawa- 
 
 
 Dracut, - 
 
 39 
 
 met, - - - 
 
 67 
 
 Bedford, 
 
 31 
 
 Dartmouth, 
 
 244 
 
 Holliston, 
 
 38 
 
 Norton, - 
 Mansfield, 
 
 55 
 
 Tewksbury, 
 
 31 
 
 35 
 
 Acton, - - - 
 Dunstable, 
 
 37 
 
 AttleborouKh, - 
 
 88 
 
 33 
 
 Dighton, 
 
 49 
 
 Lincoln, - 
 
 33 
 
 Freetown, 
 
 58 
 
 Wilmington, 
 
 Humvshire County. 
 
 29 
 
 Raynham, 
 
 37 
 
 
 Easton, 
 
 41 
 
 Springfield, 
 
 71 
 
 Berkley, 
 
 29 
 
 Wilbraham, 
 
 36 
 
 York County. 
 
 
 Northampton, - 
 Southampton, - 
 
 81 
 
 York, - 
 
 114 
 
 29 
 
 Kitlery, - 
 
 125 
 
 Hadley, - 
 
 33 
 
 Wells, - 
 
 Berwick, - -- 
 
 89 
 
 South- Hadley, - 
 
 25 
 
 134 
 
 Amherst, 
 
 38 
 
 Arundel, 
 Biddeford, 
 
 41 
 
 Granby, - - - 
 
 17 
 
 46 
 
 Hatfield, - 
 
 37 
 
 Pepperellborough, 
 
 34 
 
 Whately, 
 
 13 
 
 Lebanon, 
 
 9 
 
 Williamsburgh, 
 
 9 
 
 Sanford, - 
 
 10 
 
 Westfield, 
 
 57 
 
 Buxton, - - - 
 Dukes County. 
 
 10 
 
 Deerfield, 
 
 41 
 
 
 Greenfield, 
 
 26 
 
 Edgartown, 
 
 36 
 
 Sherburne, 
 
 16 
 
 Chilmark, 
 
 44 
 
 Conway, 
 
 17 
 
 Tisbury, 
 
 Nantucket County. 
 
 32 
 
 Sunderland, 
 
 25 
 
 
 Montague, 
 Noithfield, 
 
 20 
 
 Sherburne, 
 
 174 
 
 30 
 
 Worcester County. 
 
 
 Brimfield, 
 South-Brimfield, 
 
 48 
 
 Worcester. 
 
 93 
 
 30 
 
 Lancaster, 
 
 116 
 
 Monson, 
 
 26 
 
 Mendon, 
 
 88 
 
 Pelham, - 
 Greenwich, 
 
 27 
 
 Brookfield, 
 
 112 
 
 27 
 
 Oxford, - 
 
 41 
 
 Blanford, 
 
 20 
 
 Charlton, 
 
 41 
 
 Leverett, 
 
 5 
 
 Sutton, - - - 
 
 111 
 
 Palmer, - - - 
 
 28 
 
 Leicester, 
 
 41 
 
 Granville, 
 New-Salem, 
 
 47 
 
 Spencer, 
 
 37 
 
 25 
 
 Paxton, - - - 
 
 24 
 
 Belchertown, - 
 
 31 
 
 Rutland, 
 
 53 
 
 Colrain, - 
 
 17 
 
 Oakham, 
 
 16 
 
 Ware, - 
 
 14 
 
 Rutland District, 
 
 46 
 
 Warwick, 
 
 12 
 
 Hubbardston, - 
 
 8 
 
 Bernardston, 
 Murrayfield, 
 
 16 
 
 New-Braintree, 
 
 37 
 
 17 
 
 Southborough, * 
 
 54 
 
 Charlemont, 
 
 12 
 
 Westborough, - 
 
 43 
 
 Ashfield, 
 
 14 
 
 Northborough, 
 
 30 
 
 Worthington, - 
 Shutesbury, 
 
 7 
 
 Shrewsbury, 
 
 79 
 
 16 
 
 Lunenburgh, 
 
 57 
 
 Chesterfield, 
 
 26 
 
 Fitchburgh, 
 
 13 
 
 Southwick, 
 
 23 
 
 Uxbridge, 
 
 55 
 
 West-Sprinirficld, 
 
 72 
 
 Harvard, 
 
 56 
 
 Ludlow District, 
 
 23 
 
 Dudley, - - - 
 
 37 
 
 Plymouth County. 
 
 
 Bolton, - 
 
 55 
 
 Plymouth, 
 
 100 
 
 Upton, - 
 
 23 
 
 Scituate, 
 
 125 
 
 Sturbridge, 
 
 51 
 
 Duxbury, 
 
 44 
 
 Leominster, 
 
 43 
 
 Marshfield, 
 
 54 
 
 Hardwick, 
 
 61 
 
 Bridgewater, - 
 
 188 
 
 Holden, - 
 
 30 
 
 Western, 
 
 Douglass, 
 
 Grafton, 
 
 Petersham, 
 
 Royalston, 
 
 Westminster, - 
 
 Athol, - 
 
 Templeton, 
 
 Princeton, 
 
 Ashburnham, - 
 
 Winchendon, - 
 
 Cumberland County. 
 Falmouth, 
 Cape Elizabeth, 
 North- Yarmouth, 
 Scarborough, - 
 Brunswick, 
 Harpswell, 
 Gorham, 
 Windham, 
 Piersontown, - 
 New-Boston, - 
 New-Gloucester, 
 
 Lincoln County. 
 Pownalborough, 
 Georgetown, 
 Woolwich, 
 New-Castle, 
 Topsham, 
 Booth-Bay, 
 Bristol, - 
 Bowdoinham, - 
 Medumcook, - 
 Hallowell, 
 Broad-Bay, 
 Vassalborough, 
 St. George's, - 
 Winthrop, 
 
 38 Winslow, 
 
 24 Gardinerston, - 
 
 42 Berkshire County 
 
 43 Sheffield, 
 
 9 Great-Barrington, 
 37 Stockbridge, 
 
 23 Pittsfield, 
 
 28 New-Marlborough, - 
 
 24 Egremont, 
 12 Richmond, 
 10 Lenox, - 
 
 Tyringham, 
 146 Lanesborough, 
 
 53 Sandisfield, 
 
 54 Williamstown, - 
 52 Becket, - 
 
 27 Gageboroujjh, - 
 
 26 Partridgefield, • 
 
 27 East-Hoosuck, 
 10 Jericho, - 
 
 5 Plantation, No. 5, - 
 Plantation, No. 7, - 
 
 Suffolk, 
 
 Essex, 
 
 Middlesex, - 
 Hampshire, - 
 Plymouth, - 
 Barnstable, - - 
 Bristol, 
 York, 
 
 Dukes County, 
 Nantucket, - 
 Worcester, - 
 Cumberland, 
 Lincoln, 
 Berkshire, - 
 Total, 
 
 3 
 20 
 
 25 
 50 
 15 
 13 
 13 
 14 
 20 
 3 
 3 
 4 
 10 
 3 
 10 
 3 
 
 3 
 7 
 
 61 
 37 
 29 
 37 
 34 
 14 
 26 
 16 
 14 
 37 
 26 
 23 
 10 
 12 
 7 
 11 
 5 
 7 
 7 
 
 1189 
 2553 
 1778 
 1204 
 1054 
 493 
 953 
 612 
 112 
 174 
 1846 
 423 
 196 
 413 
 
 13,000 
 
 Resolved, That Mrs. Dorothy Coolidgc be allowed and 
 paid out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, the sum 
 of seven Pounds, fifteen Shillings, and eight Pence, in full 
 of her account ; and the Receiver-General of this Colony is 
 hereby ordered to pay the aforesaid sum of seven Pounds, 
 fifteen Shillings and eight Pence, to the said Dorothy Coo- 
 lidge, or order, accordingly. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, July G, 1775. 
 Ordered, That Mr. Johnson and Doctor Jones, be of 
 the Committee to answer the Letter from the Congre.-s of 
 New-Hampshire, in the room of Doctor Church and Mr. 
 Hopkins. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety be directed to 
 supply General Washington with some faithful, expeditious 
 person, to go on express to Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Safety be a Commit- 
 tee to desire General Washington to let them know if there 
 is any house at Cambridge, that would be more agreeable 
 to him and General Lee than that in which they now are; 
 and in that case, the said Committee are directed to pro- 
 cure such house, and put it in proper order for their recep- 
 tion. 
 
 The Committee of Safety, by Colonel Palmer, reported 
 a Resolve, relative to a new emission of Bills of Credit, 
 the consideration whereof was referred to three o'clock, 
 P. M. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Farley, Mr. Durfee, and Cap- 
 tain Holmes, be a Committee to consider a Letter from Mr. 
 Joseph Hallett, dated New-York, June 26, 1775, relative 
 to a quantity of Flour forwarded to Norwich, &c, for the 
 Army. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 hereby are empowered and directed, to impress, for the 
 service of the Colony, the saw-mill at Watertown, belong- 
 ing to Mr. John Cook, or any other mill which they have 
 occasion for, for the publick service. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Tyng and Mr. Fox, be added 
 to the Committee who were appointed to consider the Ac- 
 counts that might be transmitted to Congress by the Coin- 
 
1489 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1490 
 
 mittee of Safety, in the room of Mr. Lothroj) and Deacon 
 Fisher. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 tu forward to JSewport the Letter to Lieutenant-Govern- 
 our Cook, received by this Congress in a Letter from the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 A Letter from Mr. John Fenton, Esq., was read, and 
 ordered to subside. The Letter is as follows : 
 
 "To the Honourable James Warren, Esquire, President 
 of the Congress at Watertown : 
 
 " Sir: As I presume you and the gentlemen of the Con- 
 gress are not entirely unacquainted with me, and that I am 
 now a prisoner at the head-quarters of the New-Hamp- 
 shire Troops, I most earnestly request, through your kind 
 interposition, I may be removed from where I now am to 
 head-quarters at Cambridge or Watcrtoirn, that I may be 
 either acquitted or condemned as you may think expe- 
 dient, my present situation being now very critical indeed. 
 I beg leave to presume that my request will not be looked 
 upon as improper, having more property in this Govern- 
 ment than that of New-Hampshire. 
 
 " I am, with respect, Sir, your most obedient and very 
 humble servant, John Fenton. 
 
 " Medford, July 5, 1775." 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley, Doctor Taylor, and Col. 
 Grout, be a Committee to prepare a vote of thanks to 
 the Committee of this Congress this day returned from 
 their embassy to Ticondcroga. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Barker be added to the Commit- 
 tee to examine Major Barber's Account. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Tyng, Doctor Taylor, and 
 ]\Ir. Bliss, be a Committee to consider an Account exhi- 
 bited by Doctor Church and Mr. Gill, of the expense of 
 entertaining and escorting Generals Washington and Lee 
 from Springfield to Head-Quarters. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Langdon, Major Bliss, and Mr. 
 Jewett, be a Committee to consider the Report of the 
 Committee this day returned from Ticonderoga, and the 
 Papers accompanying it, and also the Rolls made up by 
 Captain Noble and Captain Herrick. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 A Letter from General Green was read, and committed 
 to Colonel Davis, Colonel Tyng, and Mr. Reed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Davis, Mr. Fessenden, and Cap- 
 tain Page, be a Committee to consider a Petition of Josiah 
 Capen. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Whittemore, Major Bliss, and Col. 
 Dwight, be a Committee to consider the Account of Mr. 
 Alexander Gray, and report. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Wheeler, and Mr. Sulli- 
 van, be a Committee to consider the services of the Secre- 
 tary, and report what grant they think is adequate thereto. 
 
 Ordered, That the Honourable Major Hawley, Mr. 
 Sullivan, and Doctor Taylor, be a Committee to bring in 
 a Resolve explanatory of the sense of Congress expressed 
 in a Resohe of the 31st ultimo, relative to the Estates of 
 Refugees. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Account of 
 Doctor Church and Mr. Gill, reported, verbally, that they 
 had examined the Account, found it well vouched, and 
 thought it ought to be allowed. 
 
 Thereupon, Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, 
 and he hereby is directed to pay Doctor Benjamin Church 
 and Mr. Moses Gill, or their order, the sum of twenty- 
 eight Pounds, five Shillings, and ten Pence, lawful money, 
 in discharge of an Account by them exhibited, of the ex- 
 penses of escorting and entertaining Generals Washington 
 and Lee from Springfield to the Camp at Cambridge. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee appointed by a Resolve 
 of this Congress, of the first instant, to agree with such 
 Teamsters as they may employ to convey the Poor of the 
 Town of Charlestown to certain Towns in the County of 
 Worcester, be directed to pay them a sum not exceeding 
 one Shilling per ton per mile for such service, instead of 
 nine Pence, the price fixed in said Resolve ; and that said 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. j 
 
 Committee be likewise directed and empowered to remove 
 the inhabitants of the Town of Boston in like manner. 
 
 The Report of the Committee of Safety, relative to a 
 new emission of Bills of Credit, was taken into considera- 
 tion, and recommitted to Mr. Spooner, Major Hawley, 
 Doctor Taylor, Captain Stone, and Mr. Wheeler, who are 
 directed to consider the sum of the Bills already impressed, 
 and the propriety of striking oft' more from the same plates. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to pay the Selectmen of the several Towns and Districts in 
 the Colony for the Blankets they have respectively fur- 
 nished the Soldiers with, any Resolve of Congress to the 
 contrary notwithstanding. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Report of the 
 Committee sent to Ticonderoga, reported. The Report was 
 recommitted, and the last mentioned Committee are di- 
 rected to lay before the Committee first mentioned, a state 
 of their account, debt and credit. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a vote of thanks 
 to the Committee who have been on an embassy to Ticon- 
 deroga, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, Walter Spooner, Jcdediah Foster, and James 
 Sullivan, Esquires, a Committee of this Congress, lately 
 ordered on a commission to the important posts of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point, for divers purposes expressed 
 in their instructions, have this day returned, and made 
 their report in writing; and it appearing upon full consi- 
 deration thereof, that the said Committee have executed the 
 various branches of their instructions with ability, fidelity, 
 and despatch, and that their services had been attended 
 with much fatigue and danger ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the services of the said Committee do 
 merit the express approbation and thanks of Congress, and 
 they do hereby testify and render the same to them, and 
 each of them. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hemenway, Mr. Whittemore, and 
 Capt. Parker, be a Committee to consider what allowance 
 is proper to be made to Mr. Edmund Fowle, for the use 
 of his house by the Committees of this and the former 
 Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Accounts 
 transmitted to Congress by the Committee of Safety, re- 
 ported on the Account of Ebenezer White, and others. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, Messrs. Ebenezer White, Daniel Hemenway, 
 Col. Simeon Spaulding, and Benjamin Ely, were appoint- 
 to collect a number of Fire- Arms for the use of this Co- 
 lony, and have delivered said Arms, as appears by receipt 
 from the Committee of Safety, or Clerk of the Ordnance 
 Stores, and have exhibited their Accounts to Congress ; 
 which Accounts appear to be reasonable : therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury to the several persons employed in collecting Arms 
 as aforesaid, the following sums, and the Receiver-General 
 is accordingly ordered to pay the said sums, viz : to Ebe- 
 nezer White, the sum of £1 19s.; to Daniel Hemenway, 
 £4 8s. ; to Colonel Simeon Spaulding, £4 7s.; to Ben- 
 jamin Ely, £13 10s. lid.— £24 4s. lid. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Holmes be added to the Com- 
 mittee last mentioned. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1175. 
 
 Captain Stone, of Framingham, was appointed in the 
 room of Major Bliss, on the Committee which was chosen 
 to prepare an Answer to the Letter from the Congress of 
 New-Hampshire. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Shillaber have leave to bring in a 
 Resolve recommending to the Committee of the City of 
 Philadelphia to permit him to export from thence a quan- 
 tity of Flour. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Bayley, Major Brooks, Mr. 
 Baker, Col. Grout, and Dr. Taylor, be a Committee to 
 consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety, recom- 
 mending; to this Congress the seizing the Crown Officers. 
 
 In compliance with a Resolve of the Committee of 
 Safety, recommending that a Committee be appointed to 
 
1491 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1492 
 
 draw up and transmit to Great Britain a fair and impartial 
 account of the late Battle at Charlestoxvn, as soon as pos- 
 sible, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Committee of Safety be a Com- 
 mittee for that purpose, and that they likewise be a Stand- 
 ing Committee for that and the like purposes. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wheeler, Captain Batchelder, and 
 Doctor Taylor, be a Committee to consider the Petition 
 of Mr. Daniel Murray, and a Letter from Mr. Joseph 
 Reed, Secretary to General Washington, on the subject 
 thereof. The Letter from Mr. Reed is as follows : 
 
 " Head-Quarters, July 6, 1775, 6 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 " Gentlemen : 1 am directed by his Excellency to 
 acquaint you that Daniel Murray has applied to him for 
 a pass to go into Boston, with a part of his father's family. 
 As the General is wholly unacquainted with the circum- 
 stances of the case, and the propriety of granting or refu- 
 sing the request, he refers himself to your advice, and would 
 be glad of your opinion on the subject as early as conve- 
 nient. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient 
 humble servant, Jos. Reed, Secretary. 
 
 •'■'-To the Hon. Committee of Safety at Watertown." 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Nichols, Mr. Glover, and Col. 
 Mitchell, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety relative to the appointment of a Mas- 
 ter Workman for the Blacksmiths. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the services of the 
 Secretary, reported. The Report was recommitted, and 
 the Committee directed to consider in particular his extra 
 services to this time, and the expense of his Clerks; and 
 the said Secretary is directed to lay before this Congress, 
 or some future Assembly of this Colony, an account of his 
 future services. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be made out for Doctor Isaac 
 Foster, as Surgeon of the Hospital at Cambridge, and 
 another to Doctor Isaac Rand, as Surgeon of the Hospital 
 at Roxbury. 
 
 Mr. Shillaber, agreeable to order, presented the follow- 
 ing Resolve ; which was accepted, viz : 
 
 Mr. William Shillaber, of Danvers, a memher of this 
 Congress, having represented to this Congress, that he has 
 a vessel now at Philadelphia, (having there disposed of 
 her cargo,) a Schooner, called the William, commanded 
 by Samuel Tucker, and that he apprehends, from such 
 instructions as he has and will give the said Master, that 
 the vessel, if laden with Flour, or partly so, might arrive 
 safe at some port in this Colony, and having applied for 
 the approbation of Congress, and set forth that he is willing 
 to risk the same ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do approve thereof, and 
 it is hereby recommended to the Committee of Inspection 
 at Philadelphia, that they permit the said Captain Tucker 
 to lade his vessel as above desired, and sail from that port; 
 provided the same be not against the Resolution of the Ame- 
 rican Congress, or any Resolution formed in that Colony. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Resolve of 
 the Committee of Safety relative to a new emission of Bills 
 of Credit, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 follows : 
 
 Whereas, several persons have been employed in the 
 service of this Colony, and several have supplied small 
 articles, whose Accounts amount severally to small sums 
 only: and it appearing to this Congress that the Plates 
 engraved for impressing or striking off the Bills for the 
 payment of the Soldiers in the service of this Colony are 
 still sufficient for the striking off a number of impressions 
 on each plate ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That there be impressed or struck off on the 
 plate containing the engraving for Notes of ten Shillings, 
 eighteen Shillings, and twelve Shillings, six hundred and 
 sixty-seven sheets, and no more; and that there be im- 
 pressed, or struck off, on the plate for notes of sixteen 
 Shillings, fifteen Shillings, and nine Shillings, six hundred 
 and sixty-seven sheets, and no more ; and also on the plate 
 for twenty Shillings, fourteen Shillings, and six Shillings, 
 that there be impressed or struck off five hundred and forty 
 sheets, and no more ; which last number, together with 
 one hundred and twenty-seven sheets or impressions already 
 struck off on that plate and not signed, make the like num- 
 
 ber of six hundred and sixty-seven sheets or impressions; 
 which, together, amount to two thousand and one sheets or 
 impressions; each shoot containing forty Shillings, amounts 
 to the sum of £4,002; which, together with the nun of 
 £25,998, already perfected of those Notes, make the sum 
 of £30,000. We also report, that a Committee be ap- 
 pointed to agree with Mr. Revere, or some other suitable 
 person, for the striking off the above number of sheets; 
 also, that a Committee be appointed to authenticate said 
 sheets when they are struck off. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Mitchell, Captain Holmes, and 
 Captain Stone, of Framingham, be a Committee to agree 
 with some persons to strike off the Bills agreeable to the 
 foregoing Report. 
 
 Ordered, That the Chairman of the Committee of Sup- 
 plies be directed to attend this Congress with a copy of 
 such Resolves as constitute their commission. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Daniel Murray, &ic, reported. The Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration tlie 
 Letter from his Excellency General Washington to the 
 Committee of Safety respecting the Petition of Daniel 
 Murray, of Rutland, who has requested leave for his sister 
 and two of his brothers to go into Boston, which Petition 
 the Committee of Safety have referred to the consideration 
 of this Congress, beg leave to report, that it is their opinion 
 that the aforementioned Petition ought not to be granted. 
 That the Committee of Safety be directed to acquaint his 
 Excellency the General of the Resolution of this House 
 of the 24th of June last, respecting the permitting of per- 
 sons to go into Boston, and that it is their opinion that 
 said Resolution ought not to be receded from in the present 
 case. 
 
 Walter Spooner, Esquire, was appointed, in addition to 
 Colonel Richmond, to swear the soldiers to be stationed in 
 the County of Bristol. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Report of the 
 Committee who have been on an embassy to Ticonderoga, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take under consideration 
 the Report of the Committee from Crown Point, &ic, beg 
 leave to report, by way of Resolve, as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress that the sum of 
 four hundred Pounds, received by Walter Spooner, Jede- 
 diah Foster, and James Sullivan, Esquires, of the Re- 
 ceiver-General, the 14th of June last, for the use of this 
 Colony, has been expended by them for the purpose for 
 which it was designed by this Congress ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Walter Spooner, Jedediah Fos- 
 ter, and James Sullivan, Esquires, be, and they hereby 
 are discharged from all demands the Colony at any time 
 had upon them for the same, and that the receipts pro- 
 duced by them be filed in the Treasurer's Office. 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony to Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, 
 and James Sullivan, Esquires, the sum of twenty-six 
 Pounds, three Shillings, and nine Pence, for the balance 
 due to them from this Colony for their time and expenses 
 to Croivn Point, &,c. ; and the Receiver-General is hereby 
 directed to pay the same sum accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony, to Mr. Abijah Merril, the sum of 
 four hundred Pounds, to be by him delivered to Colonel 
 Easton, for advance pay to two hundred men at Crown 
 Point and Ticonderoga, and the said Merril to take a 
 receipt of said Easton therefor ; and the Receiver- Gene- 
 ral is hereby directed to pay the same sum accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Trea- 
 sury of this Colony, the sum of two hundred and fifty-two 
 Pounds, eleven Shillings, and one Penny half-penny, to 
 Lieutenant William Satterlcc, or order, being the balance 
 of the Pay-Roll of Captain Derrick's Company, from the 
 3d of May to the 25th of June last ; and the Receiver- 
 General is hereby directed to pay the same sum accord- 
 ingly. And the said Derrick and Satterlcc are hereby 
 discharged from all demands which Colonel Arnold or this 
 Province had for the sum of twenty-three Pounds twelve 
 
1493 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1494 
 
 Shillings, received by said Herrick and Satterlee of said 
 Arnold, for the use of the Company of said Herrick. 
 
 Col. Grout was appointed to accompany Mr. Merril to 
 the Receiver-General to know of him if he can pay him the 
 four hundred Pounds, agreeable to the above Resolve. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Shillaber, Captain White, and Mr. 
 Cra/ie be a Committee to consider the Account of Mr. 
 Edward Mitchell, and any other Accounts that may be 
 rendered of the expense of procuring Spears for the Army. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Robinson, Major Rrooks, and 
 Deacon Bayley, be a Committee to procure a Steward for 
 his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Leave of absence was granted to the Receiver-General 
 till the beginning of next week. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter of Mr. 
 Joseph Hallett, dated New- York, 26th June, 1775, re- 
 ported verbally, that the same be referred to the Committee 
 of Supplies. The Report was accepted. 
 
 Mr. Batchelder was appointed in the room of Mr. Sul- 
 livan to consider what grant was proper to be made for the 
 services of the Secretary. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Johnson, Major Perley, and Mr. 
 Hemenway, be a Committee to procure Stores for de- 
 positing the Fish which the Committee of Supplies may 
 purchase for the use of the Colony, either by hire or by 
 building new Stores, as they may think best. 
 
 The following Letter was received from the Secretary of 
 Geueral Ward: 
 
 "Camp at Cambridge, July 7, 1775. 
 " Sir : I must inform you that great numbers in the 
 Army are almost naked for want of shirts, breeches, stock- 
 ings, shoes, and other clothing: and unless they can be 
 immediately supplied, inconceivable difficulties and distress 
 will accrue to the Army. I am, Sir, your most obedient 
 and most humble servant, Joseph Ward. 
 
 " To the President of the honourable Congress at Water- 
 town." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Mr. Kollock, and Deacon 
 Gould, be a Committee to consider the subject of a Letter 
 this day received from General Ward, and to inquire of the 
 Committee of Supplies what provision is made for supply- 
 ing the Army with the articles therein mentioned. 
 
 The Committee made the following Report ; which was 
 read, and accepted : 
 
 The Committee appointed to make inquiry of the 
 Committee of Supplies what provision they have made for 
 the articles of Shirts, Breeches, Stockings, and Shoes, and 
 consider whether it is requisite to take any further care to 
 procure those articles, have attended that service, and beg 
 leave to recommend, that persons be immediately despatch- 
 ed to the neighbouring Counties to collect such a propor- 
 tion of the afore-mentioned articles from the several Towns 
 in said Counties as may be judged proper. 
 
 Samuel Phillips, Jun., per order. 
 
 Col. Grout informed the Congress that he had accom- 
 panied Mr. Merril to the Receiver-General's Office, and 
 that the Receiver-General informed them that there was not 
 money in the Treasury sufficient to pay said Merril the 
 sum which the Congress have directed the said Receiver- 
 General to pay him. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Dwight, Colonel Robinson, 
 and Deacon Williams, be a Committee to prepare a Letter 
 to Colonel Easton, informing him that the state of the 
 Treasury is such that Mr. Merril cannot at present be 
 supplied with the sum of four hundred Pounds, which this 
 Congress has this day directed the Receiver-General to 
 pay him. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Holmes be directed to inquire 
 of Mr. Revere how many sheets of Notes, or Bills of Credit, 
 can be struck off from the plates he now has by him more 
 than six hundred and sixty-seven, which were directed 
 to be struck off by a Resolve of this Congress this day 
 passed. 
 
 Resolved, That to-morrow morning, eight o'clock, be 
 assigned for the consideration of a request made by Colonel 
 
 Danielson, in behalf of the Officers of the Army, that they 
 might have a month's pay advanced. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Letter from 
 General Greene, reported. The Report was recommitted, 
 and Mr. Robinson added to the Committee. 
 
 Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Langdon. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to procure a 
 Steward for General Washington, be directed to procure 
 him likewise two or three women for Cooks. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee appointed to inquire how 
 General Washington 1 s table should be furnished, be a 
 Committee to bring in a Resolve for the purpose of com- 
 plying with the requisition of General Washington relative 
 thereto; and that Mr. Hopkins be added to this Commit- 
 tee, in the room of Colonel Bowers. 
 
 Ordered, That the Hon. Major Hawley. Colonel Grout, 
 and Colonel Robinson, be a Committee to wait upon Gen- 
 eral Lee, to know of him what provision he expects should 
 be made by this Congress for the furnishing his table. 
 
 The Committee who were appointed to consider what 
 sum should be granted the Secretary for his services, again 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 allowance that ought to be made Mr. Samuel Freeman, 
 for his services as Secretary - of the Congress, to the present 
 time, beg leave to report, that they find there has been 
 much business done by the said Freeman, in the service 
 of the Colony ; and the said Freeman has been obliged to 
 employ several Clerks to assist him, which he agrees to 
 pay. He has also been at considerable expense to be 
 furnished with books, paper, ink, quills, and house to hold 
 his office in as Secretary ; for all which they beg leave to 
 report the following Resolution, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General of this Colony 
 be, and he hereby is directed to pay Mr. Samuel Freeman, 
 out of the publick money of said Colony, the sum of thirty 
 Pounds, eight Shillings, and six Pence, for his services 
 as Secretary to the Congress, and that those further ser- 
 vices which he may have to perform in recording the pro- 
 ceedings of this Congress, when performed, be exhibited 
 to some future House of Representatives of this Province, 
 for their consideration and allowance. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to Col. 
 Easton, reported the following; which was accepted, viz: 
 
 " Sir : The Committee appointed by the Congress to 
 settle matters at Ticonderoga, having given you encour- 
 agement, that they would send by the first opportunity, the 
 four hundred Pounds due from this Colony, on advance 
 pay, to the men under your command, it gives us pain 
 that we are obliged to say, we have not the whole of the 
 money in the Treasury; but you may depend, Sir, that as 
 soon as the notes can be struck off and properly authen- 
 ticated, the same will be immediately remitted to you. 
 The embarrassments under which the Province labors will 
 apologize for our not being ready by the first opportunity. 
 We rely upon you, Sir, that you will do all in your power 
 to make the Troops under your command easy, as the good 
 of the Colony so much depends thereon. 
 
 " To Colonel Easton, at Ticonderoga." 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider some method to 
 prevent supplying our enemies with Provisions, &cc, re- 
 ported. The Report was accepted, and ordered to be 
 printed in the newspapers, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, complaints have been made to this Congress, 
 of the inhabitants of some of the seaport Towns frequently 
 supplying our enemies with Butter and Cheese, fresh Pro- 
 visions, &cc. ; also, suspected, that intelligence has been 
 given them: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and hereby is recommended to 
 the Committees of Safety, Correspondence, and Inspec- 
 tion, and where there are no such Committees, to the Se- 
 lectmen, of the seaport Towns and Districts in this Co- 
 lony, that they forthwith exert themselves to prevent any 
 person or persons from supplying our enemies with any 
 kind of provisions whatsoever, or intelligence. And it is 
 further recommended to the Committees or Selectmen as 
 aforesaid, of each Town and District, not to suffer any 
 vessel or boat, of any kind, to go from the shore on board 
 
1495 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 119G 
 
 any vessel or vessels of any size whatsoever, in the service 
 of our enemies, without first obtaining a permit, in writing, 
 of the Committees or Selectmen aforementioned, for that 
 purpose ; and that no boats be suffered to land from men- 
 of-war, tenders, or any other vessels employed to distress 
 the sea-coasts and trade of this Country, without a permit 
 obtained as aforesaid. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Account of 
 Colonel Mitchell, relative to the expense of providing 
 Spears, reported. The Report was ordered to lie on the 
 table, till Colonel Michell produced a receipt from General 
 Thomas, or the Committee of Safety, for the delivery of 
 them. 
 
 The Committee appointed to inquire of the Committee 
 of Supplies what provision they had made for Shirts, 
 Breeches, &c, reported. The Report was accepted, and 
 is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Committee appointed to make inquiry of the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies what provision they have made for the 
 articles of Shirts, Breeches, Stockings, and Shoes, and con- 
 sider whether it is requisite to take any further care to pro- 
 cure those articles, have attended the service, and beg leave 
 to recommend that persons be immediately despatched to 
 the neighbouring Counties, to collect such a proportion of 
 the above-mentioned articles from the several Towns in 
 said Counties as may be judged proper. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee who brought in the above 
 Report be a Committee to bring in a list of those Towns 
 from whence the articles above mentioned ought to be pro- 
 cured, and the proportion each Town shall supply. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 conduct of the People of Nantucket, reported. The Re- 
 port was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, by the Act of Parliament, called the Restrain- 
 ing Act, the inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket are 
 exempted from the restrictions in said Act mentioned ; 
 and whereas, the Continental Congress, on the seven- 
 teenth of May last, took the matter under consideration, 
 and thought it expedient, to prevent the Neicfoundland 
 Fishery from being supplied with Provisions through Nan- 
 tucket, to prohibit the exportation of Provisions from any 
 of the Colonies to that Island excepting from this ; and 
 whereas the inhabitants of Nantucket have by them large 
 quantities of Provisions in their stores, and are fitting out a 
 huge fleet of Whaling- Vessels, whereby they intend to avail 
 themselves of the act aforementioned, and the Provisions 
 they have by them may be unnecessarily expended in 
 foreign and not domestick consumption: therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That no Provisions or necessaries of any kind 
 be exported from any part of this Colony to the Island of 
 Nantucket, until the inhabitants of said Island shall have 
 given full and sufficient satisfaction to this Congress, or some 
 future House of Representatives, that the Provisions they 
 bave now by them have not been, and shall not he expended 
 in foreign, but for domestick consumption. And the several 
 Committees of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, in 
 their respective Towns, are required to see that this Re- 
 solve be not contravened. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration a 
 Letter from the Committee of Safety for the Town of Ma- 
 chias, (dated June 17, 1775,) relative to fitting an armed 
 Sloop to act on the defensive, and to report thereon, do 
 report in manner following, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That when and so soon as the Committee of 
 Safety of said Town of Machias shall have fitted and armed 
 a Sloop for their defence and security, and have procured 
 a sufficient number of hands to man, and a proper person 
 to command said Sloop, and shall send the name of such 
 person to this Congress, then this Congress will commission 
 such a person to take command of said Sloop, and to act 
 on the defensive for the security and defence of said Town 
 of Machias. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 A list of Surgeons, examined by a Committee appointed 
 for that purpose, was exhibited to Congress, and Warrants 
 ordered to be made out agreeable thereto. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley, Major Bliss, and Colonel 
 Gerrish, be a Committee to inspect the Commissions of the 
 Committee of Safety and the Committee of Supplies, and 
 report to this Congress what is expedient to be done rela- 
 tive thereto, more especially in the recess of this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone be appointed in the room 
 of Mr. Sullivan, on the Committee who were directed to 
 bring in a Resolve explanatory to the Resolve of Congress 
 relative to the Refugees. 
 
 A Petition of several Field-Officers in the Army was 
 read, relative to the appointment of Commissaries for the 
 Regiment from the County of Essex. 
 
 Ordered, That the petitioners have leave to withdraw 
 their Petition. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Holmes, Mr. Fox, and Mr. l'er- 
 ry, be a Committee to consider a Petition from a number 
 of the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fessenden, Mr. Walker, and Cap- 
 tain White, be a Committee to examine and consider all 
 Accounts that may be rendered to this Congress, relative 
 to the expenses of procuring Axes and Shovels for the use 
 of the Army. 
 
 A Committee of this Congress, agreeable to their ap- 
 pointment, reported the following Resolve ;* which was 
 accepted, and ordered to be printed in the several news- 
 papers. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hayward repair to the Receiver- 
 General at Stow, and direct him to attend this Congress 
 immediately. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Carpenter be and hereby is 
 appointed to desire Colonel Timothy Walker to pay what 
 publick moneys he has in his hands into the Treasury 
 immediately, and the Committee of Supplies are directed 
 to employ some person to be sent express to Col. Walker 
 for this purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Woodbridgc, Colonel Robinson, and 
 Deacon Nicholls, be a Committee to consider a proposal of 
 exempting the Soldiers in the Army from paying the post- 
 age of Letters, and to report thereon. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Taylor, Major Brooks, and Mr. 
 Hall, be a Committee to examine and consider an Account 
 of Major Bliss, and also an Account of Doctor Church. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Mr. Hall, and Col. Robin- 
 son, be a Committee to countersign and number the new 
 emission of Bills, who are likewise empowered and directed 
 to superintend the impression of said Bills. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve for 
 the purpose of complying with the requisitions of General 
 Washington, reported the following order, which was ac- 
 cepted, viz : 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Robinson, Major Brooks, and 
 Deacon Bailey, be a Committee to make inquiry forthwith 
 for some ingenious, active, faithful man, to be recommended 
 to General Washington as a Steward ; likewise to procure 
 and recommend to him some capable woman, suitable to 
 act in the place of a Housekeeper, and one or more good 
 female servants. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Account of .Mr. 
 Daniel Taylor was read, and ordered to lie upon the table. 
 The Report is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the Account of 
 Daniel Taylor have attended that service, and find the 
 Account right cast, and well avouched, and are of the 
 opinion, that the Receiver-General be directed to pay the 
 sum of ten Pounds, nine Shillings, and three Pence, to the 
 said Daniel Taylor, in full of his Account. All which is 
 humbly submitted. Ezra Richmond, per order. 
 
 The Committee on the Petition of Colonel Jonathan 
 Brewer reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the prayer of Colonel Brewer's Petition 
 be so far granted, that said Colonel Brewer be allowed to 
 recruit men sufficient to complete his Regiment, or so far 
 as he can complete bis said Regiment, in twenty days; he 
 
 * This Resolve is not recorded on the Journal. 
 
1497 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1498 
 
 not to enlist any person as a Soldier who sliall not furnish 
 himself with a good and sufficient fiire-arm. 
 
 Resolved, That three o'clock in the afternoon be assigned 
 lo consider the expediency of appointing a Surgeon-General 
 for the Massachusetts Forces. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Artificers' Ac- 
 counts, reported the following Resolve on Mr. Clark's 
 Account : 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he hereby 
 is directed to pay Mr. Matthew Clark, or order, the sum 
 of nine Pounds, six Shillings, and six Pence, in full dis- 
 charge of his Account, for time and materials in repairing 
 Boats for the use of this Colon)'. 
 
 The Order of the Day was moved for. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Hawley bring in a Resolve for 
 the payment of a month's pay to the Officers of the Army, 
 as soon as provision can be made therefor. 
 
 The Committee on the Account of Major Bliss reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That Major John Bliss be allowed and paid 
 out of the publick Treasury of this Colony, the sum of 
 five Pounds, seven Shillings, in full discharge of the above 
 account, and t he Receiver-General of this Colony is hereby 
 ordered to pay the aforesaid sum of five Pounds, seven Shil- 
 lings, to the said John Bliss, or order, accordingly. 
 
 Major Fuller, agreeable to order, brought in the follow- 
 ing Resolve, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That there be paid out of the publick Treasury 
 the sum of twelve Shillings, to Mr. John Cook, for the use 
 that Mr. Paul Revere made of his house whilst he was 
 striking off the Colony Notes therein. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a proposal for 
 exempting the Soldiers in the Army from the postage of 
 Letters, reported as follows: 
 
 Whereas, it appears to this Congress necessary and 
 expedient that all Letters directed to, or going from any 
 persons belonging to the Continental Army stationed in 
 the Massachusetts Colony, be delivered free of postage 
 hereafter : 
 
 Resolved, That all Letters directed to any person, or 
 sent from any person belonging lo the Continental Army 
 now stationed in the Massachusetts Colony, be delivered 
 to the person to whom they belong, free of postage, until 
 the further order of this Congress, or some future House of 
 Representatives. 
 
 The Report was ordered to subside. 
 
 Major Fuller brought in a Resolve directing what Notes 
 each of the Committee should sign, which was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Abraham Fuller, Mr. Stephen Hall, Jr., 
 and Colonel Robinson, the Committee appointed to coun- 
 tersign the Colony Notes now ordered to be struck off, 
 countersign and number said Notes of the following de- 
 nominations, viz : said Abraham Fuller countersign and 
 number the Notes of eighteen, twelve, and ten Shillings; 
 said S. Hall countersign and number the Notes of sixteen, 
 fifteen, and nine Shillings ; said Colonel Robinson coun- 
 tersign and number the Notes of twenty, fourteen, and six 
 Shillings. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Letter of General 
 Green was read, and recommitted to Colonel Robinson, 
 Major Brooks, and Colonel Gcrrish. 
 
 Major Hawley, agreeable to appointment, reported the 
 following Resolve, relative to advance pay to the Officers 
 of the Army, which was accepted : 
 
 Whereas, application has been made lately to this Con- 
 gress in behalf of the Commissioned Officers of that part of 
 the Continental Army before Boston raised by this Colony, 
 that for the relief of the present necessities of the said 
 officers there might be immediately advanced and paid to 
 them one full month's pay, according to the establishment 
 lately made by Congress for the Army : And the Congress 
 having taken the said application into due consideration, do 
 resolve, that it is expedient and proper that there should be 
 advanced and paid unto the said Commissioned Officers one 
 month's pay, in notes or bills of credit of this Colony, as 
 
 soon as provision can be made therefor, by a further emis- 
 sion of notes or bills of credit, than has been already ordered 
 by Congress. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider how Stores may 
 be procured for the reception of Fish, reported as follows: 
 
 Whereas, a large quantity of Fish has been purchased 
 by the Committee of Supplies for the use of this Colony, 
 and the Stores already provided by said Committee are not 
 sufficient for the reception or preservation of the same ; 
 therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Committee be and hereby are 
 empowered and directed to hire or to build a suitable Store 
 for that purpose, and to agree with some person for a con- 
 venient spot of ground whereon to erect the same, reserving 
 liberty to remove such Store as some future Assembly of 
 this Colony shall think proper. 
 
 The Report was ordered to subside. 
 
 The Committee appointed to agree with Mr. Paul Re- 
 vere, for striking off a new emission of Colony Notes, 
 reported. The Report was accepted, and is as follows, 
 viz : 
 
 Resolved, That there be eighteen hundred and seventy- 
 four sheets impressed and struck off, according to the Re- 
 solve of this Congress passed the seventh instant ; and that 
 Mr. Paul Revere be employed to do said service, at the 
 rate of six Shillings for each hundred sheets so struck off; 
 provided said Revere find ink, and house-room, and procure 
 suitable paper, the Colony paying only the prime cost of 
 said paper. 
 
 Committee instructed to direct Mr. Revere to alter the 
 date of the Notes to July 8th, if it can be done. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Hall, Captain Baichclder, and Mr. 
 Ellis, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, recommending to this Congress to make 
 an establishment for four Master Armourers. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Samuel Sanger, Mr. Johnson, and 
 Deacon Wyman, be added to the Committee who were 
 appointed to give Passes for removing the Poor of Boston 
 and Charlestown to the Towns in the County of Worces- 
 ter, and that Major Fuller be excused from serving on said 
 Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Captain Brown, and 
 Colonel Smith, be a Committee to revise the Resolves of 
 Congress relative to the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, 
 and report what they think proper to be done thereon. 
 
 Agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee of 
 Safety, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Jonathan Hastings be and hereby 
 is appointed Postmaster for the Town of Cambridge, in the 
 room of Mr. James Winthrop. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine several accounts 
 of the expense of procuring Axes and Shovels, reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and Mr. Woodbridge was ap- 
 pointed to bring in a proper Resolve for the paying of the 
 several accounts agreeable thereto. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an answer to the 
 Letters from the New-Hampshire Congress, reported the 
 following, which was accepted, and ordered to be tran- 
 scribed, authenticated, and sent forward, viz: 
 
 " Gentlemen : We received your favour of the third 
 instant, by Mr. Whtclock and Colonel Beetle, and much 
 rejoice to find that the honourable Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire, and the good people of your Government in general, 
 are so warmly attached to the common cause. 
 
 "We highly approve of Mr. Dean's being sent to the Con- 
 tinental Congress, more especially as he is so well acquaint- 
 ed in Canada, and lately came from thence; and we think it 
 is a matter of great importance to New-York, and all the 
 New-England Colonies in particular, and to America in 
 general, to satisfy our friends in Canada that we are truly 
 friendly to them, and also effectually to prevent our invete- 
 rate enemies there from making depredations on our fron- 
 tiers. And as we have the greatest confidence in the 
 wisdom and vigilance of that honourable body, therefore 
 we think it most advisable to wait their determination. 
 
 " We are, with great respect, gentlemen, your friends in 
 the common cause. 
 
 " Hon. the Congress of the Colony of New-Hampshire.'" 
 
1-199 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1500 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the subject of a 
 Letter from General Green, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 The Congress having taken into consideration the diffi- 
 culties and troubles which have, and daily are arising in 
 our camps, by reason of divers evil-minded persons selling 
 Spirituous Liquors, by which means it is not in the power 
 of the officers, although a constant exertion has been hither- 
 to made, to prevent the same, in order to keep that steady 
 government in camp so absolutely necessary ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That if any licensed person shall, after the 
 fifteenth instant, presume to sell any Spirituous Liquors to 
 any soldier, without a permit from the Captain, or com- 
 manding officer of the Company he belongs to, specifying 
 the quantity, shall, for the first offence, forfeit his license, 
 and for the second, suffer such punishment as shall be in- 
 flicted on him or her by a Court-Martial ; and any person 
 who is not a licensed person, or whose license is without 
 the limits of said camp, who shall presume to retail any 
 Spirituous Liquor to any of the Troops, shall suffer for the 
 first offence the penalties inflicted by a Court-Martial : 
 this Resolve not to extend to any person who shall have 
 a license or permit from the General, or commanding 
 officer. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a list of such 
 Towns as might supply the Army with Shirts, Breeches, 
 kc, reported. The Report was recommitted for intro- 
 ducing the form of a receipt. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay, reported. The Re- 
 port was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 Thomas Donnell and others, of Frenchman's Bay, have 
 attended that service, and beg leave to report by way of 
 Resolve : 
 
 Whereas, Mr. Philip Hodgkins lias applied to this 
 Congress for a supply of Provisions for the inhabitants of 
 Frenchman's Bay, and being at a great distance from the 
 Committee of Correspondence of that place; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended, and it is by this 
 Congress accordingly recommended to the Governour and 
 Company of the Colony of Connecticut, that they suffer 
 the inhabitants of Frenchman's Bay to purchase such Pro- 
 visions in said Colony as they stand in need of. 
 
 Major Hawley, who was appointed to bring in a Resolve 
 explanatory of the Resolve of this Congress relative to the 
 Refugees, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, a certain Resolve was made and passed on the 
 twenty-first day of June last, respecting the improvement of 
 the estates of several persons who have fled to Gen. Gage, 
 in manner as is expressed in the said Resolve ; and it being 
 made to appear to this Congress that the said Resolve is 
 taken in such a sense in divers parts of this Colony as to 
 make it necessary that some explanation of the said Resolve 
 should be made by this Congress; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That henceforward the said Resolve ought 
 not to be construed to extend to any estates of such per- 
 sons, excepting such estates as are left unimproved, and 
 void of any occupant or possessor, and that no other estate 
 of such persons ought to be treated in the manner pre- 
 scribed in the said Resolve, until they shall be regularly 
 indicted and tried for their supposed offences. 
 
 Ordered to be printed in the several Papers. 
 
 Resolved, That eight o'clock to-morrow morning be as- 
 signed for the consideration of the expediency of appoint- 
 ing a Surgeon-General of the Massachusetts Army. 
 
 Ordered, That the Account Books of Major Barber be 
 committed to the care of the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Adjourned to Sunday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Sunday, July 9, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve relative 
 to seizing the Crown Officers, reported, by way of Re- 
 solve, as follows : 
 
 Reflecting with the greatest concern on the miseries of 
 our friends and brethren in the Town and Harbour of Bos- 
 ton, who are now suffering under the cruel hand of tyranny, 
 and can think of no other method to release them than to 
 
 take into safe custody all the Crown Officers in the United 
 Colonies ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and is hereby humbly suggested 
 to the most serious consideration of the honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress now sitting at Philadelphia, whether it 
 would not be proper to seize immediately, and take into 
 custody every Crown Officer in said Colonies, and them 
 safely keep, until our suffering brethren are liberated and 
 fully compensated for their loss and sufferings. All *\\ Inch 
 is humbly submitted. 
 
 The Report was recommitted, and the Secretary was 
 added to the Committee, and the Committee directed to 
 report, by way of Letter, and to insert a clause relative to 
 the desire of this Congress that the Continental Congress 
 would adjourn nearer the seat of action. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety recommending the appointment of 
 four Master Armourers, reported. The Report was order- 
 ed to lie on the table, till the Committee, for revising the 
 commision of the Committee of Safety and the commis- 
 sion of the Committee of Supplies, reported. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Pickering, and Mr. 
 Woodbridge, be a Committee to consider a Letter from 
 Mr. John Scollay, relative to the Poor of the Town of 
 Boston. The Letter is as follows, viz : 
 
 " Boston, July 8, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: His Excellency the Governour having, by Mi. 
 Secretary Flucker, sent a message to the Selectmen, Over- 
 seers of the Poor, and Committee of Donations, respect- 
 ing the removal of the poor, and other inhabitants of the 
 Town of Boston, they attended the same, and after deli- 
 berating on the matter, presented to Mr. Secretary their 
 doings thereon, a copy of which is here enclosed, to which 
 his Excellency has been pleased to accede. 
 
 " As there has of late been an interruption of the inha 
 bitants, with their effects, passing out of the Town into the 
 Country, perhaps the matter may have dropped with you, 
 and proper accommodations may not have been provided 
 for the reception of any more of the Poor of the Town 
 than have already left it ; and as the state of the inhabi- 
 tants is really distressing, we shall be glad an immediate 
 attention be given to the above, and that we, as soon as 
 may be, know your resolutions thereon. As many of these 
 poor unhappy people are not in a condition to be removed 
 by land carriage, therefore, we should think, that the place 
 of their destination might be as near water carriage as may 
 be convenient. If it would not be thought assuming, we 
 would beg leave to suggest the Towns of Salem or Mar- 
 blehead, as proper places for the above purpose. 
 
 " His Excellency does expect, that whatever vessels or 
 other carriages may be employed in this business, ample 
 security be given that they shall be safe from any detention, 
 and that they, and the persons that occupy them, be per- 
 mitted to return without hindrance or molestation. 
 
 " 1 am, in behalf of the Committee, your most humble 
 servant, John Scollay, Chairman. 
 
 " To James Warren, Esquire." 
 
 "The Selectmen, Overseers of the Poor, and Commit- 
 tee of Donations, having received a message from his Ex- 
 cellency the Governour, by Mr. Secretary Flucker, re- 
 specting the removal of the poor, and other inhabitants of 
 the Town, and attended the same, with all proper deference 
 and respect, beg leave to represent ; that the number of 
 the poor in the Alms-house, amounts to about two hun- 
 dred, of which they suppose that one hundred and sixty or 
 one hundred and seventy may be removed, for which the 
 Selectmen, Overseers, and Committee aforesaid, will make 
 all proper provision, his Excellency providing boats and 
 carriages for transportation by water or land, as may be 
 thought best, and allowing such quantities of provisions, 
 bedding, clothing, and medicine, as may be necessary 
 and proper. The few unhappy persons that may be una- 
 ble to be removed, must be left, and are earnestly recom- 
 mended to his Excellency's well-known humanity. 
 
 "As to the poor, and other inhabitants of the Town, 
 who if not already, will soon be reduced to the greatest 
 distress, the Selectmen, Overseers, and Committee appre- 
 hend, that by far the greatest part, if not the whole, would 
 immediately remove themselves, with the small assistance 
 
1501 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1502 
 
 they might receive from the Committee of Donations, pro- 
 vided they could obtain his Excellency's permission. 
 
 <; The Selectmen, Overseers, and Committee, previous 
 to their removal, beg for leave to write to such persons in 
 the country a3 m ay be empowered to take care of, and 
 provide for the puor, that theso <J®cti»nt e persons may find 
 such assistance and relief as their particular ewoutastances 
 may require." 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary, Dr. Taylor, and Major 
 Brooks, be a Committee to confer with Mr. John Lane on 
 the difficulties which attend the supplying the Indians at 
 Falmouth, Casco Bay.* 
 
 Resolved. That the Hon. Jedediah Preble and the Hon. 
 Enoch Freeman, Esquire, be, and hereby are empowered 
 to supply the Indians of the Penobscot Tribe with any 
 quantity of Goods, not exceeding the value of three hun- 
 dred Pounds, and to draw on the Receiver-General for the 
 same, who is hereby directed to pay such draughts in three 
 months after the date of this Resolve, and to take Furs and 
 Skins of the said Indians in exchange, on the account of 
 this Colony, they to be accountable for their proceedings. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Cheevcr be a Committee to 
 bring in a Resolve, empowering the Committee of Sup- 
 plies to furnish General Washington with such articles of 
 household Furniture as he has wrote to said Committee 
 for. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of the allowance pro- 
 per to be made to Mr. Fowle, for the use of his house by 
 several Committees of this Congress, be referred to the 
 General Assembly. 
 
 The Committee on the Letter of Mr. John Scollay, of 
 Boston, reported as follows: 
 
 The Committee to whom was referred the Letter from 
 John Scollay, Esquire, in the name of the Selectmen, &,c, 
 of Boston, have attended the service assigned them, and 
 are of opinion, that the letter, and paper accompanying 
 the same, be referred to the Committee of Safety of this 
 Colony; and that said Committee, if they see fit, on being 
 satisfied that said poor, and other inhabitants, may leave 
 Boston with such quantities of provisions, bedding, &c, 
 as mentioned in the paper purporting to be an agreement 
 with General Gage, provide such conveyances for trans- 
 porting into the country such of said poor as are able 
 to bear the same, to be ready at such time and place 
 as may be agreed upon ; and that notice be given to 
 Salem, Marblehead, or any other seaports, to receive such 
 of said poor as will not bear being removed otherwise than 
 by water ; and that all expenses for removing and support- 
 ing said poor be paid by the Colony. 
 
 The Report was ordered to lie for further consideration. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a list of such 
 Towns as it would be expedient to apply to for Shirts, 
 Breeches, &tc, again reported. The Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, there is a very pressing demand for some articles 
 of clothing, more especially of Shirts, Breeches, Stockings, 
 and Shoes, in the Army raised by the Colony of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, and there is danger of very mischievous 
 consequences from a delay of supplying the same : 
 
 Resolved, That the inhabitants of the respective Towns 
 and Districts in the Counties specified in a list hereunto 
 annexed, be most earnestly desired, as soon as possible, to 
 procure such a number of each of the articles of Shirts, 
 Breeches, and Stockings, as are affixed to their said Towns 
 and Districts, respectively, of a serviceable quality, and as 
 many good Shoes as they can obtain, and deliver the same 
 
 * LETTBR FROM THE FOUR INDIAN CHIEFS TO ANDREW GILMAN. 
 
 Falmouth, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We have been here five days, and did expect to go home with 
 the supplies for our tribe in a sloop. But as we are told Captain John 
 Lane must return to Watertown before our supply can be sent, we 
 have agreed to go home in our canons, though we should rather go in 
 said sloop. We beg leave to let you know it is our desire that Captain 
 Lane may be appointed truckmaster, with full power to redress any 
 insults we may receive from the white people when we come in to 
 trade. You may depend on our friendship, and assistance, if required. 
 
 We are your humble servants, 
 
 Olexaii, Joseph, 
 Messiiall, Pooler. 
 
 Andrew Oilman, Interpreter, 
 
 to the person or persons now to be appointed by this Con- 
 gress to collect them, who are directed to give receipts to 
 the owners, at the prices for which they shall mutually 
 agree, (keeping an account thereof,) in the form follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 " The day of , 1775. Received of . 
 
 — shirts, at — ; — pair of Breeches, at — ; pair of Stock- 
 ings, at - ; — pair of Shoes, at — : amounting to the sum 
 of , for the service of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bay ; which the Receiver-General is directed, in forty days 
 
 after the date hereof, to pay to the said , or order, in 
 
 notes or bills of credit of this Colony." 
 
 And the Receiver-General is hereby required to pay the 
 same accordingly. And that this business may be effected 
 with the greatest expedition, the Selectmen and Commit- 
 tees of Correspondence in the several Towns and Districts 
 before mentioned, are hereby most earnestly reqested to 
 afford the utmost aid in their power to the person or per- 
 sons appointed as aforesaid, in collecting said articles. 
 And those persons are further directed to take such mea- 
 sures as will enable them to ascertain the price of each 
 article on its arrival, and to contract at a reasonable rate 
 with suitable wagoners and teamsters, to transport the 
 effects, when procured, with great despatch, to the Com- 
 mittee of Supplies at Watertown, giving them a certificate 
 of the sums to be paid for such service ; for which sum said 
 Committee are hereby directed to draw on the publick 
 Treasury, in favour of any thus contracted with, or their 
 orders ; and the Receiver-General is accordingly directed 
 to pay the same. 
 
 Committee. — Suffolk : Mr. Daniel Vose, Milton ; Mr. 
 Abner Ellis, Dcdham; Deacon Jabez Fisher, Wrentham. 
 
 Essex: Major Asa Perley, B oxford ; Colonel Daniel 
 Thurston, Bradford; Major A. Fuller, Middlcton. 
 
 Middlesex: Mr. Peter Bent, Marlborough: Captain 
 Timothy Walker, Wilmington; Mr. Israel Hobart, Toicu- 
 shend ; Mr. Samuel Sprague, Stoneham. 
 
 Plymouth: Mr. Ebenezer Thompson, Halifax ; Col. 
 Joseph Cushing, Hanover ; Mr. George Partridge, Dux- 
 bury. 
 
 Bristol: Mr. Thomas Durfee, Freetown ; Capt. Ben- 
 jamin King, Raynham; Benjamin Aikin, Esquire, Dart- 
 mouth. 
 
 Worcester: Mr. David Bancroft, Worcester; Mr. Jo- 
 seph Wheeler, Harvard; Col. Jonathan Grout, Petersham. 
 
 Barnstable: Colonel Joseph Otis, Barnstable; Col. 
 N. Freeman, Sandwich; Col. Elisha Cobb, Wellfleet. 
 
 Dukes County : James Athorne, Esquire. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he here- 
 by is directed to pay Doctor Benjamin Church, Junior, or 
 order, the sum of thirty-four Pounds, five Shillings, and 
 two Pence, in full discharge of his account of expenses 
 for himself and servant, on a journey to Philadelphia, in 
 May last. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gill, Mr. Phillips, and Dr. Taylor, 
 be a Committee to provide a Dinner, on the 19th instant, 
 for themselves and the Clergy. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kolloclc, Dr. Taylor, and Deacon 
 Nichols, be a Committee to get the Resolves relative to 
 procuring Shirts, Breeches, &,c, printed and dispersed, one 
 to each Town mentioned in the schedule, and one to each 
 of the Committee. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in an additional Re- 
 solve relative to the Poor of Boston, reported. The Re- 
 port was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Whereas, it appears that some Towns in this Colony 
 have a larger number of the Poor of the Towns of Boston 
 and Charlestown than has been heretofore assigned them, 
 and more than they are willing to retain : 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Selectmen of 
 those Towns to cause such Poor to be removed to some 
 Town that shall not have the proportion heretofore assign- 
 ed, or shall be willing to receive them, (and if convenient 
 to those of such Towns that said Poor may choose,) pro- 
 vided said Poor are possessed of a certificate from either 
 of the Selectmen or Overseers of the Poor of the Towns 
 of Boston or Charlcstoum, showing that they were inha- 
 bitants of either of those Towns on the 1st of March last. 
 And the Selectmen or Overseers of the Poor of the Towns 
 
MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 1504 
 
 1503 
 
 qualified as aforesaid, to which die before-mentioned Poor 
 may be conveyed, with a certificate as above prescribed, 
 are requested to receive and make provision for the same, 
 as has been before directed ; all reasonable charges attend- 
 ing such removal to be paid by this Colony. 
 
 The Committee directed to prepare a Letter to the 
 Continental Congress, reported. The Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 9, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours: With hearts deeply 
 affected by the sufferings of our friends in the Town and 
 Harbour of Boston, under the cruel hand of tyrannick 
 power, we think it incumbent on us to take every measure 
 which may tend to their release. To that end we now 
 beg leave humbly to suggest to your Honours, whether it 
 would not be expedient immediately to seize every Crown 
 Officer within the United Colonies, and them in safe cus- 
 tody retain, until this purpose be effected, and full com- 
 pensation have been made them for the unjust and perfi- 
 dious treatment they have received from General Gage. 
 
 We have only once more to express our wishes, that if 
 the general service will permit, you might adjourn to some 
 convenient place nearer the seat of action, that we might 
 more speedily obtain the aid and advice of the Grand 
 Council of the Continent in these important matters, 
 which, though of general concern, do more immediately 
 affect us. 
 
 Ordered, That it be fairly drawn, authenticated, and 
 sent forward. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Kollock, Mr. Batchclder, and 
 Deacon Plympton, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve 
 for the purpose of supplying the Penobscot Indians with a 
 small quantity of Gunpowder. 
 
 The Committee made a Report; which was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, application has been made to this Congress by 
 Captain John Lane, Agent for the Penobscot Tribe of 
 Indians, for a small quantity of Powder for supplying said 
 In dia ns ; t h e re fo re , 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies is hereby 
 directed to deliver out of the publick stores of this Colony, 
 to the said John Lane, twenty-five pounds of Powder for 
 the use aforesaid, taking said Lane's receipt therefor, to 
 deliver the same to General Preble and Colonel Enoch 
 Freeman, on account of this Colony; and said Committee 
 are hereby directed to replace the same again as soon as 
 may be, from some Town in this Colony, (if they judge it 
 necessary,) that can best spare the same. 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of the Town of Water- 
 town be, and hereby are empowered and directed to take 
 into their custody one Daniel Green, now in tin's Town, 
 who was wounded and taken a prisoner on the 19th of April 
 last, and convey him to the jail in Concord, there to be 
 confined till the further order of this Congress, or some 
 future House of Assembly of this Colony. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, July 10, 1775. 
 Ordered, That the Warrants for Surgeons, Adjutant- 
 Generals, and Quartermaster-Generals, be committed to 
 the Committee of Safety to be delivered. 
 
 Ordered, That Deacon Baker bring in a Resolve di- 
 recting the Receiver-General to pay Mr. Hastings for his 
 services as Doorkeeper. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter from John Scollay, Esq., of 
 Boston, and the Paper accompanying it, be put into the 
 hands of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Doctor Church, and Mr. 
 Gerry, be a Committee to prepare an answer to a Letter 
 this day received from General Lee; and that eleven 
 o'clock be assigned for the choice of some person to attend 
 General Lee, on an interview with General Burgoyne. 
 
 Letter from General Lee. 
 
 " Houd-Quartcrs, July 10, 1775. 
 
 " General Lee presents his respects to the President and 
 gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 
 and submits to their perusal a letter which he yesterday 
 
 received from General Burgoyne, in answer to one which 
 was read and approved of by the Delegates of this Prov- 
 ince, and other Members of the Continental Congress. He 
 begs leave to receive their commands with respect to the 
 proposed interview. If they approve of it, l'« shall bo 
 glad to accept of it; <f ii>oy disapprove, he shall reject it. 
 Bui if the; approve of it, he must request that they will 
 depute some one gentleman of their body to accompany 
 General Lee, and be witness of the conversation. He de- 
 sires their answer immediately, as he has engaged to inform 
 General Burgoyne by four o'clock this afternoon, whether 
 the interview is to take place. He shall likewise be much 
 obliged to the gentlemen if they will return the letter ; but 
 if they choose to take a copy of it, he can have no objec- 
 tion. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Pickering, Mr. Spear, and Mr. 
 Phillips, be a Committee to examine a number of Letters 
 this day laid before the Congress, brought from London by 
 Captain Folgcr. 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it hereby is ordered, that the 
 Committee of Supplies immediately furnish General Wash- 
 ington with ten good Horses, with saddles and bridles, for 
 the publick use. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Batchclder count and sort the votes 
 for a person to attend General Lee, on an interview with 
 General Burgoyne. 
 
 Mr. Batchclder having attended that service, reported 
 that Mr. Elbridge Gerry was chosen. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Porter, Doctor Taylor, and 
 Major Brooks, be a Committee, whose business it shall be, 
 in conjunction with the Committee of Safety, to make 
 thorough inquiry into the subject-matter of a Letter this 
 day received from General Washington ; and that the 
 Committee be directed to confer with General Washington 
 on the subject of his Letter, and particularly to inform him 
 of the number of men we had generally estimated in the 
 Massachusetts Forces, from the return of the General Offi- 
 cers ; from the money paid out of the Treasury for a 
 month's advance pay to the soldiers ; and from the provi- 
 sion fnade for billeting the said Forces. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to Gene- 
 ral Lee, reported. The Report was accepted, and ordered 
 to be authenticated and sent forward to General Lee by 
 Doctor Church, Doctor Taylor, and Mr. Gerry, a Com- 
 mittee for that purpose. 
 
 Sir : The Congress have perused the Letter from Gene- 
 ral Burgoyne, which you was kind enough to submit to 
 their inspection. They can have no objection to the pro- 
 posed interview, from a want of the highest confidence in 
 the wisdom, discretion, and integrity of General Lee : but 
 beg leave to suggest, that as the confidence of the people 
 in their General is so essentially necessary to the well-con- 
 ducting the enterprize in which we are engaged ; and as a 
 people contending for their liberties are naturally disposed 
 to jealousy, and not inclined to make the most favourable 
 construction of the motives of conduct which they are not 
 fully acquainted with, whether such an interview might not 
 have a tendency to lessen the influence which the Congress 
 would wish to extend to the utmost of their power to facili- 
 tate and succeed the operations of war. 
 
 The Congress, agreeable to your request, have, to pre- 
 vent as far as we are able, any disagreeable consequences 
 which may arise from the jealousy of the people on such 
 an occasion, appointed Mr. Elbridge Gerry to attend you 
 at the proposed interview, if you shall think proper to pro- 
 ceed in it; and as they do not think themselves authorized 
 to counteract the General's inclination, they would submit 
 it to his opinion, whether the advice of the Council of War 
 might not be taken in a matter of such apparent delicacy. 
 
 To the Honourable General Lee. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Mitchell, Captain Batchclder. 
 and Deacon Nichols, be a Committee to consider the cir- 
 cumstances of the Town of Hull, and report what is best 
 to be done. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Deacon Nichols, and 
 Captain Stone, be a Committee to consider the situation 
 of the publick stock of Powder, and report what shall be 
 done with it. 
 
1505 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1506 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve which passed yesterday, 
 relative to Daniel Green, be reconsidered ; and that Capt. 
 Stotie be appointed to bring in a Resolve with regard to him. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Baker, Mr. Kollock, and Captain 
 Parker, be a Committee to consider an Account of Mr. 
 John GUI. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Vose, Mr. Jewett, and Mr. 
 Bigelow, be a Committee to consider an Account of Mr. 
 Moses Lammon, for a gun sold Barnabas Evans. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee for signing the Bills, 
 &:c, be directed to sit and despatch the business, that the 
 soldiers may be paid off according to order of Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Mr. Bigelow, and Capt. 
 Harnden, be a Committee to consider the Account of Mr. 
 Isaac Bissell. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be directed 
 to write to the Selectmen of Charlestown and Walpole, in 
 the Government of New-Hampshire, and desire them to 
 inform them what Cannon there are in those Towns be- 
 longing to this Colony ; and the said Committee are to take 
 into their custody such as they shall find to be the property 
 of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Stephen Hall be on the Committee 
 in the room of Doctor Gunn, to sign the Colony Notes. 
 Mr. Israel Nichols's Account was passed upon; and, 
 Ordered, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay to Mr. Israel Nichols the sum of 
 eighteen Shillings, in full of his Account. 
 
 Capt. Stone, agreeable to order, brought in the following 
 Resolve respecting Daniel Green; which was accepted: 
 
 Resolved, That the Selectmen of Watertown be, and 
 hereby are directed to take Daniel Green, a prisoner taken 
 in the late battle on the 19th of April last, who is now in 
 this Town, and safely convey him to Mr. Jones, prison- 
 keeper at Concord ; and said prison-keeper is hereby di- 
 rected safely to keep, and properly support, the said Green, 
 until further order of the Congress, or House of Repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 The Committee on Captain Lane's Account, reported. 
 The Report was accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Capt. John Lane the sum of three 
 Pounds, six Shillings, for horse-hire and expenses from 
 Falmouth to Watertown, and back again, in behalf of the 
 Penobscot Tribe of Indians. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay to Mr. Simon Hastings the sum of 
 eight Pounds, four shillings, for attending this Congress as 
 a Doorkeeper, for forty-one days, the present session. 
 
 Adjourned to Tuesday morning, eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 11, 1775. 
 
 A Letter from , of New-York, to the 
 
 Committee of Donations for the Town of Boston, was 
 read. Upon which the Congress assumed the consideration 
 of a Report relative to such Donations ; which was accept- 
 ed, and ordered to be printed in the Newspapers, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 W hereas, the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, who have 
 been assigned to the several Towns in this Colony, have 
 been and still are supported at the publick expense, for 
 reasons that are obvious ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Money, Grain, Flour, kc, that have 
 or shall be generously given for the support of said Poor, 
 and lodged within this Colony, ought to be considered as 
 belonging to the publick stock of this Colony, for the use 
 aforesaid ; and the Committee of Supplies are hereby di- 
 rected to take care of such Donations accordingly, till the 
 further order of this Congress, or House of Representa- 
 tives. And when any Town shall, by order of said Com- 
 mittee, or otherwise, receive or make use of such Dona- 
 tions, or any part thereof, the Selectmen of such Town are 
 hereby ordered to exhibit an exact account thereof to this 
 Congress, or some future House of Representatives, as 
 credit to their accounts of charges for the support of the 
 Poor abovesaid. 
 
 A Resolve of the Committee of Safety, relative to Sol- 
 diers who had enlisted a second time, was read, and com- 
 mitted to the Committee who were yesterday appointed to 
 inquire into the subject of General Washington's Letter. 
 
 Resolved, That if this Committee is not ready to report 
 to the Congress at its present session, that they be directed 
 to report to the next General Assembly, or House of Re- 
 presentatives. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Church, Captain Stone, and Mr. 
 Woodbridge, be a Committee to inquire into the subject 
 of a Resolve of the Committee of Safety relative to Mr. 
 Winslow's employing one William Lightly to carry a load 
 of Molasses from Connecticut to New-York. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress has no objection to Mrs. 
 Mary Greenwood having a permit to go into Boston. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the circumstances 
 of the Town of Hull, reported. The Report was accept- 
 ed, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee appointed by this Congress to consider 
 of a request of a Committee from the Town of Hull, set- 
 ting forth that they are now invested by an armed vessel, 
 and expect that the communication between them and their 
 neighbours will soon be cut off, beg leave to report the fol- 
 lowing Resolve, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby accordingly re- 
 commended to the Selectmen and Committee of Corres- 
 pondence of the Town of Hingham. and District of Cohas- 
 set, that they cause all convenient assistance to be given to 
 the inhabitants of Hull, in removing their effects from that 
 place, and securing and removing the crops of grain and 
 other produce from said Town, to some secure place, for 
 the use of the present proprietors of the same. 
 
 Mr. Pickering, by leave of Congress, presented the fol- 
 lowing Resolve in behalf of Captain Samuel Williams; 
 which was accepted : 
 
 On an application made to this Congress, setting forth 
 that a number of gentlemen at Salem, in this Colony, have 
 employed Captain Samuel Williams, of that Town, to pro- 
 cure for them, at their cost, a number of barrels of Powder 
 at New-York, or elsewhere to the southward : 
 
 Resolved, That the intention of those gentlemen is 
 agreeable to this Congress ; and that Captain Samuel Wil- 
 liams appears to be a friend to his country, and possesses 
 the confidence of his Townsmen ; and that if he executes 
 his commission, it will be of great service to this and the 
 other Colonies. 
 
 Resolved, That the persons employed in cutting the 
 grass on the land of the Refugees, be allowed half a pint of 
 Rum each per day. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Gerry, Mr. Phillips, and Colonel 
 Porter, be a Committee to repair immediately to General 
 Washington, and know of him what number of men he 
 would have this Congress raise for a temporary re-enforce- 
 ment of the Army; and to inform the General of the pow- 
 ers vested by this Congress in the Committee of Safety, 
 and to confer with the General at large on the state of the 
 Army, and in particular with respect to some soldiers of the 
 Army who have enlisted twice.* 
 
 * The following Resolution is filed with the papers of this Congress : 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be directed to wait on 
 General Washington, and inform him of the powers with which the 
 Congress have vested them ; and that the Committee of Supplies remain 
 possessed of all those powers they have heretofore had ; and to confer 
 with the General with regard to the circumstances of the Army, and 
 to desire him to call in all that are out on furlough, and direct that 
 all recruits be ordered to the camp as soon as made ; and the said Com- 
 mittee are further directed to issue their order for calling in such a 
 number of the Militia from the several parts of this Colony as the 
 General shall request, not exceeding three thousand men, to remain in 
 camp, subject to the regulations of the Army, till the several Regi- 
 ments shall be recruited or filled up, or till the Congress, or some fu- 
 ture General Assembly shall judge it safe to dismiss them ; and the 
 Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Militia, so called, must 
 bring in with them a good Firelock and a Blanket ; and the Officers 
 of the soldiers so called in, shall be paid for their services agreeable to 
 the establishment already made for the Army ; and each soldier and 
 non-commissioned officer who shall be detained in said service more 
 
 than days, shall each of them so detained, be paid out of the 
 
 publick Treasury twelve Shillings, over and above the established pay, 
 in the room of a blanket. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. n. 
 
 95 
 
1507 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1508 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Col. Palmer, Mr. Jewett, 
 Captain Stone, and Col. Farley, be a Committee to devise 
 some means of raising speedily a temporary re-enforcement 
 of the Army, and to bring in an Establishment. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown, Mr. Glover, and Major 
 Fidler, be a Committee to procure three Couriers, by ten 
 o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be empowered 
 and directed to employ some person to number the Colony 
 Notes. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Fox and Mr. Bigeloiv be added to 
 the Committee who were appointed to consider what was 
 proper to be done with the publick stock of Powder. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln bring in a Resolve de- 
 termining what is best to be done with the Whale-Boats. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Shillaber, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. 
 Brown, be a Committee to see that the Fish procured by 
 the Committee of Supplies for the use of this Colony, be 
 properly taken care of. 
 
 A Memorial of William Hunt was read, and ordered to 
 lie on the table. The Memorial is as follows, viz : 
 
 " To the Honourable (he Members of the Provincial Con- 
 gress now sitting at Watertown : 
 " William Hunt, of Watertown, in the County of 
 Middlesex, Gentleman, humbly shews: 
 
 That an order of the Congress some time since issued 
 respecting the disposal of sundry articles, the property 
 of Lady Frankland, which directed that the same should 
 be delivered to the custody and safe keeping of such 
 person as she should appoint. Agreeable to which direc- 
 tion she requested the same should be delivered to the 
 care of your memorialist ; notwithstanding which order, the 
 Selectmen of the Town of Watertown have taken the same 
 into their hands, and will not deliver the same agreeable to 
 said order : Wherefore, your memorialist prays a Commit- 
 tee may be appointed, to put the aforesaid order of Con- 
 gress into complete execution. And, as in duty bound, will 
 ever pray. W. Hunt. 
 
 " Watertown, July 10, 1775." 
 
 Major Barber's Account was allowed, and the Receiver- 
 General directed to pay it. 
 
 Colonel Lincoln, agreeable to appointment, brought in 
 the following Resolve relative to Whale-Boats, which was 
 accepted : 
 
 Whereas, the Congress some time past directed and em- 
 powered, in the absence of Captain Joshua Davis, Captain 
 Edmund Soper to take care of a number of Whale-Boats, 
 then lying in the River at Braintree, purchased by said 
 Davis for the use of the Colony ; and as he hath procured 
 and brought there a very considerable number more, which 
 require his care and inspection, and as one person is suffi- 
 cient to have the care of the whole of them ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That as Capt. Davis is now returned, Capt. 
 Edmund Soper be excused from any care of said Boats, 
 until further orders ; that he give information to said Davis 
 where they are lodged ; and if he hath delivered any of them 
 to the order of the officers in the Army, to whom they were 
 delivered, in order to his receiving them into his possession, 
 as soon as the publick service will admit of it. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Wednesday, July 12, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety, relative to Mr. Winslow's employing 
 one William Lightly to carry a load of Molasses to New- 
 York, fee, reported the following Letter to Governour 
 Trumbull, which was accepted, and ordered to be authen- 
 ticated, and sent forward : 
 
 " May it please your Honour : 
 
 " The Brigantine Nancy, now in the harbour of Stoning- 
 ton, in Connecticut, being laden with molasses, the proper- 
 ty of the late Joshua Winslow, of Boston, a noted and 
 active friend to Administration, which, as we are well in- 
 formed, is now directed to be conveyed to New-York, and 
 from thence, as we conjecture from sundry suspicious cir- 
 cumstances, to be sent to Boston; the master who has 
 undertaken this business, being now in custody, having 
 
 given the information before mentioned : the Congress 
 of the Massachusetts-Bay beg leave to observe to your 
 Honour, whether prudence and good policy do not suggest 
 to detain said ship and cargo, or such part of it as belongs 
 to said Winslow, for the use of the Colonies, rather than to 
 suffer them to fall into the hands of General Gage, where 
 they will be improved to the support of our enemies, and 
 to augment the distress of these Colonies. 
 
 " We have the honour to be, &c. 
 " To the Honourable Governour Trumbull." 
 
 Resolved, That said William Lightly be confined in 
 Concord Jail, and that Mr. Davis be dismissed; and that 
 Mr. Woodbridge bring in a Resolve for this purpose. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Crane and Mr. Fox make out 
 Warrants for several Surgeons and Surgeons' Mates, agree- 
 able to a list this day exhibited by Dr. Taylor, and that 
 such Warrants, when made out, be transmitted to the 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 Mr. Glover, by leave of Congress, brought in a Resolve, 
 recommending to such able-bodied men as have left their 
 seaport Towns, to return ; which Resolve was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, many able-bodied men who were inhabitants 
 of the seaport Towns of the Colony have removed their 
 families into the country, and have themselves left said 
 Towns, and carried with them their Arms and Ammuni- 
 tion ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do approve of the conduct 
 of such persons, so far as respects the removing the women 
 and children, and valuable effects. It is recommended to 
 the male inhabitants fit to bear arms, that they return to 
 their respective Towns, and there continue, with that dig- 
 nity and firmness which ought ever to distinguish an Ame- 
 rican, and to defend them from the ravages of the enemy, 
 until it shall be judged by the inhabitants of such Towns, at 
 a meeting for that purpose, expedient to vacate the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Captain Stone, and Colo- 
 nel Mosely, be a Committee to consider the subject of a 
 Letter from Captain Noble, dated Pittsfield, July 3, 1775, 
 and report. The Letter is as follows, viz: 
 
 " Pittsfield, July 3, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Agreeable to your directions have trans- 
 mitted to you the pay-roll of my Company when in the 
 service of this Colony under Colonel Benedict Arnold, at 
 the posts of l\conderoga and Crown Point ; and as they 
 are destitute of real necessaries, they must have their pay. 
 Have also transmitted you my account of moneys disbursed 
 out of pocket, which am in the greatest want of. 
 
 " Pray the honourable Committee to use their influence 
 that the bills be passed, and money transmitted me by the 
 bearer, Mr. William Barber, whom you may confide in. 
 
 " I have received of Colonel Arnold, for which I gave 
 him my receipt, twenty-seven Pounds, seven Shillings, and 
 one Penny. This money I delivered to my soldiers, in 
 part of their bounty. 
 
 " I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 " James Noble. 
 " To the Honourable Walter Spooner, Esq." 
 
 <: Roll of Captain Noble's Company. — James Noble, 
 Captain; Joel Dickerson, Lieutenant; Benjamin Coy, 
 Ensign ; Nathaniel Hail, Sergeant ; Rufus Gun, Sergeant ; 
 J. Hitchcock, Sergeant; James Brattle, Sergeant; Jere- 
 miah Silvers, Corporal ; Daniel Jones, Corporal; James 
 Mills, Corporal; Benjamin Gleason, Corporal; Askball 
 Stail, Drummer; William Pilean, Isaac Stearns, Peter 
 Fayns, Sol. Bartholomy, Nicholas Powers, Daniel Olds, 
 William Little, Mark Noble, Shubael Demick, David 
 Stough, Daniel Jass, Samuel Peacock, William Osborn, 
 Moses Bartlett, Jacob Lathbone, Samuel Gittra, Noah 
 Pangborn, Timothy Baker, John Grissell, John Briant, 
 John Beclair, John Wood, David Gray, Gideon Sprague, 
 Cornelius Mather, M. McGhaarson, Josiah Stail, Michael 
 Holbrook, John Noble, Noah Pangborn, Jr., Jonathan 
 Squire, Samuel Pangborn, Benjamin Grissell, Jr., Jacob 
 Stockwell, John French, F. McCreatre, John Ward, 
 Joseph Ketchell, David Ketchell." 
 
 Mr. Woodbridge, agreeable to appointment, brought in 
 the following Resolves, which were accepted: 
 
1509 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1510 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby 
 is directed to pay to Mr. Jacob Bigelow the sum of thir- 
 teen Pounds, for sundry Axes, Shovels, and Spades, and 
 for procuring and carting the same for the use of the Army, 
 agreeable to the directions of this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Jonathan Brown the sum of five 
 Pounds, two Shillings, for sundry Axes, and for collecting 
 the same, for the use of the Army, agreeable to the direc- 
 tion of this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Major A. Fuller seven Pounds, 
 two Shillings, and eight Pence, for Axes, 8cc, as above. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Deacon Jonas Stone the sum of 
 eighteen Pounds, twelve Shillings, and eight Pence, for 
 Axes, &c, as above. 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Mr. Enoch Ellis the sum of eight 
 Pounds, three Shillings, and seven Pence, for Axes, &ic, 
 as above. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with the General 
 relative to the number of men necessary to be raised for a 
 temporary re-enforcement, reported a Letter from him,* 
 which was committed to the Committee appointed to de- 
 vise means of raising such re-enforcement, to which Com- 
 mittee Colonel Porter, Mr. Glover, and Captain Parker, 
 were added. 
 
 Resolved, That Dr. Church, Dr. Taylor, and Dr. 
 Whiting, be a Committee to take into their custody all the 
 Medicines, Medical Stores and Instruments which are or 
 may be provided for the use of the Army of this Colony, 
 and to dispense them at their best discretion, so that no 
 peculation or needless waste be made of the Medicinal 
 Stores belonging to the publick. 
 
 Resolved, That the President have leave to go home 
 in the afternoon. 
 
 Adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the situation of 
 the publick stock of Powder, reported. The Report 
 being amended, was drawn anew, accepted, and is as 
 follows, viz: 
 
 This Congress taking into consideration the situation of 
 the publick stock of Powder that is now in Watertown, 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committee of 
 Supplies to make a division of said Powder into two or 
 more parcels, as they shall judge requisite ; that they de- 
 posite one part in this Town, and the remainder in such 
 other Town or Towns as they shall think most expedient. 
 
 Ordered, That Col. Lincoln, Mr. Gill, and Captain 
 Stone, be a Committee to examine fifteen persons taken 
 prisoners at Long-Island, and sent to this Congress, by 
 the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Taylor, Mr. Phillips, and Major 
 Fuller, be a Committee to enlarge the commission of the 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Safety, requesting this 
 Congress to appoint a Special Committee to make provision 
 for the Poor of Boston and Charlestown, was read. The 
 matter, after debate, was ordered to subside. 
 
 The Report of the Committee, for devising means of 
 raising a temporary re-enforcement, was taken into con- 
 sideration, and after much debate, was recommitted, and 
 Colonel Palmer and Mr. Phillips were added to the Com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The Committee appointed to examine the fifteen Pri- 
 
 * Head-Qcartebs, Cambridge, July 12, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Upon a conference with the other Generals, respecting the 
 Militia, it has been concluded that one thousand men, to be stationed 
 in and about Medford, will be sufficient for the present service. 
 
 His Excellency has also directed me to request of the Congress in 
 his name, that they would urge the Committees in the several Towns 
 to forward and promote the new levies as much as possible, and that 
 they would exert themselves to send to the camp such soldiers as have 
 staid beyond their furloughs, or have left the service, and may be 
 returned to their former homes. 
 
 I am, Sir, with much respect, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Joseph Reed, Secretary. 
 
 soners sent to the Congress by the Committee of Safety, 
 reported, verbally, facts as they found them. Where- 
 upon, 
 
 Ordered, That Jonathan Winship and Jacob Whipple, 
 two of the prisoners, be discharged immediately; that Ja- 
 cob Davis, another of the prisoners, be sent to the main 
 guard at Cambridge, the Congress having great reason to 
 suspect that he enlisted in, and deserted from the Army 
 raised by this Colony, and that the officers of the guard be 
 certified in writing of what crime the said Jacob now stands 
 charged ; that John Freeman, a negro man, said to be the 
 servant of Mr. Joseph Howett, of Newburyport, be sent to 
 the Jail at Cambridge, there to continue till further orders ; 
 that the other prisoners, with the said Jacob and John, be 
 committed to Captain Crafts, to be kept under guard until 
 further orders. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Brown cause suitable provision 
 to be made for the said prisoners. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Learned be directed to charge the 
 expenses of keeping Mr. Likely, and the guard that attend 
 him, to this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller, Mr. Kollock, and Mr. 
 Crane, be a Committee to consider what is a proper estab- 
 lishment of Salt for the Army, and report. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Letter from 
 Captain James Noble to Walter Spooner, Esq., reported 
 a Resolve and a Letter, which were accepted, and are as 
 follow : 
 
 Resolved, That Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-Gen- 
 eral, be, and hereby is ordered to pay to Captain James 
 JSoble, or order, one hundred Pounds, as part of his pay- 
 roll as Captain in Colonel Benedict Arnold's Regiment, in 
 the late expedition against the posts of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, for the use of said Company. 
 
 Sir: We received yours of the 3d instant, by Mr. Wil- 
 liam Barber, together with your account of expenses, and 
 a muster-roll of your Company, whilst in the service of 
 this Colony under the command of Colonel Benedict Ar- 
 nold; but before your account can be passed with propriety, 
 it must be examined and adjusted by indifferent persons. 
 Therefore, it is ordered that the Committee of Corres- 
 pondence for the Town of Pittsjield be a Committee for 
 that purpose; and it is further ordered, that you make oath 
 to the truth and justice of your muster-roll, and see that 
 the same be right cast ; then charge yourself with the 
 £27 Is. Id. which you received of Colonel Arnold, as 
 advance pay for your Company; also, with the one hundred 
 Pounds now sent you by Mr. Barber, agreeable to your 
 order ; then return said roll and account ; and when you 
 comply with the above, you will receive the balance due. 
 
 To Captain James Noble. 
 
 Lieutenant Zachariah Gurney having conducted fifteen 
 persons, who were taken at I^ong-Island, to this Congress, 
 and the Congress having ordered eleven of them under a 
 guard of this Town, and dismissed the other two, the said 
 Gurney is discharged from further attendance. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on Mr. John GiWs Ac- 
 count was taken up, and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 The Committee on the Account of John Gill beg leave 
 to report, by way of Resolve, as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to pay to the within-named John Gill, the sum of 
 six Pounds, seventeen Shillings, and eight Pence, in full of 
 his services on several journeys, horse-hire, expenses, Sic. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise means for raising a 
 temporary re-enforcement, again reported. The Report 
 was amended, accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watebtown, July 12, 1775. 
 
 Whereas the great accession of strength to our enemies, by the re- 
 enforcement lately arrived, the extent of the ground we are obliged to 
 defend against them, and the expectation we have of another attack, 
 makes it absolutely necessary for the safety of this Country, that our 
 own Army should be immediately re-enforced in a more expeditious 
 manner than by filling up the Regiments already in the field by recruits 
 in the common way of enlistments ; therefore, 
 
 Resohed, That there be immediately called from the Militia in the 
 several Counties of Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Hampshire, Plymouth, 
 Worcester, Barnstable, and Bristol, one thousand Men, to serve as a 
 temporary re-enforcement, so long only as the General Assembly of this 
 Colony shall judge the publick safety shall require them, in the follow, 
 ing proportion, viz : Suffolk 75; Essex 75 ; Middlesex 175 ; Hampshire 
 
1511 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1512 
 
 175; Plymouth 75; Worcester 225 ; Barnstable 75; Bristol 125.— One 
 thousand. 
 
 Resolved, That there be a Committee appointed to go into each of 
 the aforesaid Counties, and there call together and confer with the 
 commanding officers of the several Regiments, and settle the propor- 
 tion allotted to each County, that shall be raised from each Regiment, 
 in said County; and dctcrmino in what manner they shall be formed 
 into regular Companies, and officered by some of the officers of the 
 standing Militia, having, in settling the proportion, proper regard to 
 the situation of said Regiment ; that very few if any men be taken from 
 the soa-coast, or very near it, which is exposed to the ravages of the 
 enemy ; and that the Colonel, or commanding officer of each Regi- 
 ment, immediately use his utmost endeavours to cause his proportion 
 of men, so allotted to them, to bo raised and marched into the camp 
 without delay, there to be subject to the orders and directions of the 
 Coinmandcr-in-Chief of tho Army, and the rules and regulations there- 
 of, until they shall be discharged by the General, or the Assembly of 
 this Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That the Companies consist of fifty men, including one 
 Captain, two Lieutenants, two Sergeants, two Corporals, one Drum- 
 mer, one Fifer ; and that they be paid according to the following es- 
 tablishment, for each montli (consisting of thirty days) they shall remain 
 in said service, and so in proportion for a less time than a month, viz : 
 each Captain £6 10s. ; each First Lieutenant £4 10s. ; each Second 
 Lieutenant £4 ; each Sergeant £3 5s. ; each Corporal £2 19s. ; each 
 Drummer and Fifer jC2 19s. ; each Private £'2 14s. 
 
 Resolved, That for the future there shall be no distinction between 
 Minute-Men and the Militia in general, aud that the Colonels of the 
 several Regiments of Militia have the direction of the whole within 
 the limits of their respective Regiments, as well those formerly inhabit- 
 ants of some of the seaport Towns, and now residing in the Regiments 
 aforesaid, as the other inhabitants. 
 
 Resolved, That the Field-Officers of each Regiment in this Colony 
 return their names, and the Regiment they command, to the Secretary's 
 office of this Colony, as soon as a Secretary shall be appointed.* 
 
 Resolved, That the following Letter be sent to the seve- 
 ral Towns : 
 
 " To the Military Officers, Selectmen, and Committee of 
 Correspondence in the Town of 
 
 " Gentlemen : You are hereby most earnestly request- 
 ed to procure the execution of the subsequent Resolve, 
 with the greatest possible expedition. 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 12, 1775. 
 
 " Whereas, a very speedy augmentation of the Army is 
 indispensably necessary, and has been requested by his 
 Excellency General Washington, to serve as a temporary 
 re-en forcement until the new levies now raising to fill up 
 the Regiments in the field may be completed ; therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby most earnestly 
 recommended to the commanding officer of every Company 
 in the Town of .... , that they immediately raise and 
 
 send to the camp at Cambridge able-bodied 
 
 men,f each provided with a good firelock, ammunition, and 
 blanket ; who shall be detained not longer than one month, 
 at furthest, from the beginning of their march, and be paid 
 honourably for their service, all due regard in the pay 
 being had to the difficulty of complying with this requisition 
 in the present urgency of the business of husbandry. 
 
 *I have omitted the fragment whicli was copied on tho Journal from 
 an imperfect Report on file, and have inserted in place of it the above 
 Resolutions, which are also on filo. — F. 
 
 tApportionment of tho twenty Companies among the Towns in tho 
 several Counties : 
 
 Dedham, 22; Medfield, 6; Wrentham, 22.— Total 50. 
 
 Ncedham, 8; Stoughton, 17 ; Stoughtonham, 6 ; Medway, 8 ; Bcl- 
 lingham, 5; Walpole, 6. — Total 50. 
 
 Dan vers, 11 ; Topsficld, 8 ; Boxford, 11 ; Bradford, 13 ; Middlctown, 
 6.— Total 49. 
 
 Audovcr, 30; Haverhill, 18; Methuen, 10.— Total 58. 
 
 Woburn, 17; Reading, 17; Stoneham, 3; Wilmington, 4; Lexing- 
 ton, 6; Bedford, 4; Dracut, 5.— Total 51. 
 
 Concord, 17 ; Billerica, 13 ; Chelmsford, 9 ; Tewksbury, 4 ; Stow, 
 5 ; Acton, 4.— Total 57. 
 
 Newton, 13; Natick, 4; Shorburn, 5 ; Weston, 5 ; Wallham, 8; 
 Framingham, 13 ; Lincoln, 4. — Total 52. 
 
 Marlborough, 20; Sudbury, 18; Hopkinton, 8; Holliston, 5 Total 51. 
 
 Littleton, G; Westford, 8; Groton, 13; Shirley, 3; Pepperell, 6; Town, 
 shend, 6 ; Ashby, 2 ; Dunstable, 5.— Total 49. 
 
 Bridgewater, 33; Pembroke, 13. — Total 4G. 
 
 Middleborough, 30 ; Hanover, 9; Abington, 11. — Total 50. 
 
 Taunton, 17; Easton, 8 ; Norton, 9; Dighton, 9; Mansfield, 5. — 
 Total 48. 
 
 Rchoboth,27; Attleborough, 15; Rainham, 6; Berkley, 5.— Total 53. 
 
 Worcester, 17 ; Leicester, 8 ; Shrewsbury, 13; Paxton, 5 ; North- 
 bridge, 2; Spencer, 6 J Upton, 4. — Total 55. 
 
 Grafton, 8 ; Oxford, 8 ; Sutton, 17 ; Charlton, 8 ; Sturbridge, 10 ; 
 Dudley, 6.— Total 57. 
 
 Lancaster, 22; Harvard, 11; Hubbardston, 2; Leominster, 6; Bol- 
 ton, 10.— Total 51. 
 
 Brookfield, 22 ; Weston, 7 ; Brimficld, 9 ; South-Brimfield, 6 ; Mon- 
 son, 5 ; Palmer, 5. — Total 54. 
 
 Hardwich, 12; Greenwich, 5; Holdon, 5 ; Now-Salem, 5; Potorsham, 
 7 ; Athol, 4 ; New-Braintrec, 8 ; Rutland District, 10.— Total 56. 
 
 Sunbur.Vi Hi Fitchburgh, 4; Westminster, 6; Ashburnham, 2; Win. 
 chendon, 2 ; Templeton, G ; Royalston, 2 ; Princeton, 4; Rutland, 11: 
 Oakham, 4.— Total 52. 
 
 Soutliborougb, 8; Westborough, 8 ; Northborough, 5 ; Mcndon, 17; 
 Uxbridge, 18— Total 50. 
 
 " Those who are required from . . . . , together with 
 others who are called from , will form one Com- 
 pany, under the command of such officers as the Field- 
 Officers of that Regiment from which the greatest number 
 of said Company is taken, shall appoint. And the Field- 
 Officers above mentioned, or the major part of them, are 
 desired accordingly, without delay, to appoint one Captain 
 and two Lieutenants, of persons who now are or have 
 been in command, well calculated to serve the publick in 
 these departments. By order of Congress: 
 
 " A true copy, Attest." 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve passed this forenoon, recom- 
 mending to able-bodied men, who have left their seaport 
 Towns, to return, be reconsidered. 
 
 Adjourned to eight o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, July 13, 177.-). 
 A Letter from General Washington's Secretary, dated 
 nine o'clock, P. M., July 12, 1775, was read, and is as 
 follows : 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 12, 1775, 9 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Gentlemen : By some late intelligence from Roston, 
 received this day, of the state and situation of the enemy in 
 and about Roston, his Excellency the General is of opinion 
 that the re-enforcement of Militia proposed to the Congress 
 may be dispensed with at present, without any injury to 
 the publick service. The time of harvest, the expected 
 Troops from the Southward, and the repeated calls which 
 have been made of the like nature from this Province, are 
 strong reasons to postpone this measure, if consistent with 
 safety. And as these advices are so authentick as to de- 
 serve confidence, the General hopes his determination will 
 be agreeable to the Congress. You will therefore, Sir, be 
 pleased to communicate this to them, in order that the most 
 early countermand may be given to orders, if already issued, 
 or prevent them if they have not. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servant, 
 
 By his Excellency's command : 
 
 Joseph Reed, Secretary. 
 To the Honourable James Warren, Esq., President of the 
 
 Honourable Provincial Congress, Watertown. 
 
 In case of Mr. Warren's absence, or the dissolution of 
 the Congress, this letter to be opened by the Committee 
 of Safety. Joseph Reed, Secretary. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, That the Resolves passed yes- 
 terday, for raising a temporary re-enforcement, be reconsi- 
 dered. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Committees 
 of Correspondence, and Selectmen in the several Towns, 
 to forward and promote the new levies as much as possi- 
 ble; and that they exert themselves to send to the Camp, 
 immediately, such soldiers as have staid beyond their fur- 
 lough, or have left the service without being discharged. 
 
 A Petition from the Selectmen and Committee of Harps- 
 well was read, and committed to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Perry, 
 and Deacon Baker. 
 
 The following Instructions, reported to be given Captain 
 Davis, were considered: 
 Cat)tain Davis: 
 
 Sir: You are hereby desired to repair to Stoning- 
 ton, in Connecticut, and take charge of the Brig Nancy 
 and cargo, lying in said harbour, upon receiving the con- 
 sent of his Honour Govemour Trumbull ; to take account 
 of said cargo, and make sale of such part or parts thereof, 
 as shall be sufficient to discharge the poriage bill, and such 
 other incidental charges as may necessarily arise. You are 
 then directed to secure the remaining part of said cargo 
 in good and sufficient stores, at the place above mentioned, 
 and to make a return of your doings to this Congress, or 
 House of Representatives to be convened. Which cargo 
 is to be appropriated to the use of this Colony, and to be 
 draughted at the discretion of the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 By order of Congress. 
 
 After debate, the Report was ordered to be dismissed. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Stone, Captain Baker, and Mr. 
 Learned, be a Committee to consider to what Towns (he ten 
 Prisoners now under guard in this Town, shall be sent. 
 
1513 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1514 
 
 Ordered, That Michael Edwards, now under guard in 
 this Town, be immediately discharged. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Colonel Farley, and Mr. 
 Kollock, be a Committee to examine and consider an Ac- 
 count of Mr. Solomon Lolhrop. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lincoln, Colonel Porter, and 
 Mr. Perry, be a Committee to consider some method of 
 supplying the recruiting officers with money for the pur- 
 pose. 
 
 The Committee reported the following Resolve, which 
 was accepted, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Safety be, and they 
 hereby are empowered and directed to give orders on the 
 Receiver-General in favour of such officer or officers as 
 are or shall be appointed as recruiting officers, not exceed- 
 ing the sum of four Pounds to any one of them, and take 
 their receipts for the sum they shall order to them respec- 
 tively, which sum is to be deducted from their wages on the 
 rolls being made up, unless otherwise ordered by a House of 
 Representatives of this Colony ; and the Receiver-General 
 is hereby directed to pay said orders accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve passed yesterday, direct- 
 ing the Receiver-General to pay Captain James Noble, or 
 order, the sum of one hundred Pounds, be reconsidered, 
 and that a Resolve be drawn by Captain Stone, directing 
 the said Receiver-General to pay Mr. William Barber the 
 said sum of one hundred Pounds, for the use of Captain 
 Noble. 
 
 Resolved, That Captain Stone be appointed to the office 
 of President of this Congress, in the absence of Colonel 
 Warren. 
 
 Captain Stone, agreeable to his request, being excused 
 from the office of President, 
 
 Resolved, That Colonel Benjamin Lincoln be appointed 
 to officiate as President of this Congress, in the absence of 
 the Hon. James Warren, Esq. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the Petition of 
 the Selectmen and Committee of Safety of the District of 
 Harpswcll, reported, that the consideration of said Petition 
 be referred to the General Assembly. The Report was 
 accepted. 
 
 Resolved^ That Lieutenant Zachariah Gurney be, and 
 he hereby is directed to take into his custody John Davis 
 and John Freeman, (a negro man,) and convey them to 
 Cambridge, and deliver them according to the Resolves of 
 this Congress respecting them, copies of which are to be 
 delivered him, together with this Resolve. 
 
 Captain Stone, agreeable to the direction this day of 
 Congress, brought in the following Resolve, which was 
 accepted : 
 
 Resolved, That Henry Gardner, Esq., Receiver-Gen- 
 eral, be, and he is hereby ordered to pay to Mr. William 
 Barber, for the use of Captain James Noble, one hundred 
 Pounds, as part of said Noble's pay-roll as CaptainMn Col. 
 Benedict Arnold's Regiment in the late expedition against 
 the posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, for the use of 
 said Noble's Company. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider an Account of 
 Mr. Solomon Lothrop, reported. The Report was ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 directed to pay Mr. Solomon Lothrop the sum of twenty- 
 four Pounds, six Shillings, and nine Pence, in full of his 
 account exhibited this day, for entertainment provided for 
 General Washington. 
 
 Resolved, That the Resolve parsed yesterday, directing 
 the Receiver-General to pay Mr. John Gill six Pounds, 
 seventeen Shillings, and eight Pence, be reconsidered. 
 
 Resolved, That John Davis, one of the persons taken 
 from Long-Island and brought under guard to this Con- 
 gress, be remanded to the Commander-in-Chief of the 
 American Forces at Cambridge, being suspected to have 
 deserted from Captain Foster's Company in the Artillery, 
 and engaged in the service of our enemies ; that he be 
 delivered, together with a copy of this Resolve, to such 
 officer as the General shall appoint. 
 
 Resolved, That John Freeman, (a negro man,) one of 
 the persons taken from Long-Island and brought under 
 
 guard to this Congress, be committed to the Jail in Cam- 
 bridge, there to remain until he be discharged by order of 
 this Congress, or some future House of Representatives, 
 or by order of the Committee of Safety in case there is no 
 Congress or House of Representatives then sitting; and 
 the Jail Keeper is hereby directed to receive, detain, and 
 provide for the said John accordingly. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Crane, Major Fuller, and Mr. 
 Jewett, be a Committee to consider a Resolve of the Com- 
 mittee relative to Horses this day presented to Congress. 
 
 The Resolve of the Committee of Safety, relative to 
 such Soldiers as have enlisted twice, was read, and again 
 recommitted to Colonel Porter, Colonel Mosely, and Cap- 
 tain Stone. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips, Mr. Kollock, and Mr. 
 Robinson, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve, recom- 
 mending to the inhabitants of this Colony not to kill any 
 more Sheep till the General Assembly shall take some 
 order hereon. 
 
 The Committee appointed to make an establishment of 
 Salt for the soldiers, reported. The Report was accepted, 
 and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, complaints have been made to this Congress, 
 that there is now great want of Salt in the camps ; there- 
 fore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Commissary be, and hereby is di- 
 rected, when application is made by any of the officers for 
 the abovesaid article, to deal out one gill per week to each 
 person for which said application is made, and no more. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety, relative to several Horses taken from 
 the enemy, reported. The Report was accepted, and is 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 Whereas, four Horses were taken by Captain Broun, 
 of Salem, and a party with him, at or near Charlestown 
 Neck, and some disputes having arisen whose property 
 said Horses should be ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Horses be delivered into the 
 hands of Captain Brown aforesaid, until the further order 
 of this Congress, or some future House of Representatives 
 of this Colony, to whom he is to be accountable for the 
 same. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve, recom- 
 mending to the inhabitants of this Colony not to kill any 
 more Sheep, &.c, reported. The Report was accepted, 
 and ordered to he printed in the Newspapers, and in hand- 
 bills to be issued for procuring Coats, &c. 
 
 Whereas, there is the highest probability of a very large 
 demand for the article of Wool, and inconceivable mis- 
 chief may ensue from delaying a speedy provision for its 
 increase ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the in- 
 habitants of this Colony, that they refrain from killing any 
 Sheep or Lambs, excepting in cases of absolute necessity, 
 till the further order of this Congress, or some future As- 
 sembly of this Colony; and it is expected of every person 
 who regards the advice of this body, the decisions of the 
 Continental Congress, or the welfare of this people, that 
 they grant a strict compliance herewith. 
 
 A Resolve was brought in on the Account of Alexander 
 Gray, and accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby 
 is directed to pay Mr. Alexander Gray, or order, two 
 Pounds, seven Shillings, and eight Pence, in full for the 
 balance of his account of time and expenses on a journey to 
 Philadelphia, as an express to the Continental Congress. 
 
 A Resolve for payment of Mr. Nathaniel Barber's Ac- 
 count was brought in, accepted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby 
 is directed to pay Mr. Nathaniel Barber, or order, four 
 Pounds, fourteen Shillings, and four Pence, in full for one 
 month's service as Storekeeper of the Ordnance, and ex- 
 penses of horse hire, &c, agreeable to an account exhibited 
 to this Congress by said Barber. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the 
 Committee of Safety, relative to Soldiers who have enlisted 
 twice, reported. The Report was accepted, and is as fol- 
 lows, viz : 
 
1515 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1516 
 
 Whereas, many inconveniences have arisen, by reason of 
 divers soldiers of the forces raised by this Colony enlisting 
 a second time into other Companies than those which they 
 first enlisted into, which ought to be remedied ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That every soldier who, before the second 
 day of July instant, has enlisted into other Companies than 
 those with whom he at first enlisted, (unless the second 
 enlistment was made with the consent of the officer with 
 whom he at first enlisted, or by consent of the Committee 
 of Safety, or order of Congress, in either of which cases 
 the first enlistment shall be void,) shall return to the Com- 
 pany with whom he Gist enlisted, if requested by the com- 
 manding officer of such Company, otherwise to remain in 
 the Company he next enlisted into ; and in case any dis- 
 pute shall arise whether any such second enlistment was 
 made by consent or order as above expressed, the Commit- 
 tee of Safety are hereby empowered and directed fully and 
 finally to settle and determine the same. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what Towns the 
 ten Prisoners shall be sent to, reported. The Report was 
 accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the ten persons taken from Long-Island 
 be sent to the Towns in the County of Worcester, hereafter 
 named, viz : John Hayes and Thomas Bibby to the Town 
 of Lunenburgh, James Griffin and John Reef to Rutland, 
 Perez Merren and Michael Malony to Shrewsbury, Pa- 
 trick Hickcy and Richard Nash to Brookjield, Michael 
 Mellows and John Fleming to Sutton ; to be received, em- 
 ployed, and provided for by the Selectmen of those respec- 
 tive Towns, in the best way and manner they can, till 
 further order of this Colony. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That the Piisoners shall not 
 be at liberty to pass over the line of the Town where they 
 ate respectively stationed, without a pass from the Select- 
 men of such Town, after they have arrived therein. 
 
 Further Resolved, That a copy of the foregoing, so far 
 as relates to each Town, be by them carried to the Select- 
 men of such Towns : and that each of the above men- 
 tioned persons be informed, that any attempt to make an 
 escape, or evade the execution of the above Resolve, shall 
 be deemed full evidence of his being engaged in the ser- 
 vice of the enemies of this Country, and that he shall be 
 treated as such. 
 
 Further Resolved, That each of the said persons be fur- 
 nished with two days' provisions, to enable them to repair 
 to the several places of their destination, which provisions 
 shall be delivered to them by Captain Brown out of the 
 Colony stores in this place. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Phillips, and Colonel 
 Porter, Mr. Gerry, and Captain Stone, be a Committee 
 to revise and explain the commission of the Committee of 
 Safety. 
 
 The Committee appointed to revise the commission of 
 the Committee of Safety, reported. The Report was ac- 
 cepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That the Hon. John Hancock, Esquire, Dr. 
 Benjamin Church, Captain Benjamin White, Col. Joseph 
 Palmer, Mr. Richard Devens, Mr. Abraham Watson, Col. 
 Azor Orne, Hon. Benjamin Greenleaf, Esquire, Nathan 
 Cushing, Esquire, Dr. Samuel Holten, and Hon. Enoch 
 Freeman, Esquire, be, and hereby are appointed a Com- 
 mittee of Safety for this Colony, with the powers and au- 
 thorities hereafter expressed, and no other; that is to say, 
 that the said Committee shall have full power, at any time 
 during the recess of this Congress, if they shall judge it 
 necessary, in the shortest and most effectual manner, to 
 summon and cause to come together a quorum of this Con- 
 gress, forty at the least to be accounted a quorum, at such 
 place as the said Committee shall judge most proper; and 
 in assembling such quorum, the said Committee are hereby 
 strictly enjoined to notify such Members as may be most 
 expeditiously assembled. Also, that the said Committee 
 be, and they hereby are invested with full power, until the 
 30th day of July instant, or until their commission shall bo 
 abrogated by the representative body of the inhabitants of 
 this Colony, upon application made to them therefor by the 
 General and Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army 
 in this Colony for the time being, or whenever the said Com- 
 mittee, without such application, shall judge the safety of 
 
 the lives and property of the inhabitants of this Colony, or of 
 any of them, shall absolutely require it, to warn and cause 
 to be assembled such and so many of the Militia thereof as 
 they shall judge necessary, at such place or places within the 
 Colony as they shall judge proper, and such Militia to re- 
 tain and discharge as to the said Committee shall seem meet. 
 Also, that the said Committee are hereby empowered, 
 during the time last mentioned, to procure and employ for 
 that part of the said Continental Army raised by this Colo- 
 ny all such Armourers and other tradesmen and artificers 
 as they shall suppose and judge to be needed to further 
 and promote the operations of the said Army and them, as 
 also all such tradesmen and artificers as are now retained 
 and employed for that part of the said Army to regulate, 
 arrange, remove, dismiss, and discharge for unskilfulness, 
 unfaithfulness, or whenever the service may not require the 
 further retaining them, or any of them. And the said 
 Committee are hereby desired to be attentive to the beha- 
 viour and performances of such tradesmen and artificers as 
 are now or shall be in the service and employ of this 
 Colony in the said Army, that the Colony be not defraud- 
 ed by unfaithful and incompetent persons. And the said 
 Committee are hereby authorized to execute all the com- 
 missions, and perform all the services which have been 
 given them, and to which they have been appointed in and 
 by any special Resolves of this Congress, made and passed 
 at this session, which they have not yet executed and per- 
 formed. And, furthermore, the said Committee are hereby 
 empowered to make such further provision for the recep- 
 tion, sustenance, and support of the Poor of Boston and 
 Charlestown, as have or may come out of said Towns, as 
 may appear to be necessary for their comfortable subsist- 
 ence, according to the intention of Congress, taking all im- 
 aginable care to guard against the infection of the small- 
 pox by persons coming out of the Town of Boston, and 
 any other means whatever. 
 
 And it is hereby Resolved and Ordered, That any five 
 of said Committee, if a majority are not present, be a quo- 
 rum, with full powers to act in the same manner as if the 
 whole were present ; and the whole of said Committee are 
 desired, notwithstanding, to give their punctual and con- 
 stant attendance on said Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Committee be, and they hereby 
 are fully empowered, until the 30th of July instant, or 
 until their commission shall be abrogated by the repre- 
 sentative body of the inhabitants of this Colony, to receive, 
 examine, and discharge, or cause to be confined, according 
 to their wisdom, any person or persons taken captive, that 
 may properly come under the cognizance of the repre- 
 sentative body of this people, and to receive and duly 
 secure any interests or effects, the conduct whereof is not 
 already provided for, that shall be at the disposal of this 
 Colony. And all the powers with which the Committee of 
 Safety were vested, by the Resolve of the 18th of May 
 last, except such as are contained in the above Resolves, 
 are hereby revoked, and declared null and void. 
 
 Afternoon. 
 
 Ordered, That Major Fuller of Newton, Col. Farley, 
 Mr. Crane, Captain Stone, and Major Fuller, be a Com- 
 mittee to examine the Pi isoners brought from Machias, 
 and report what is best to be done with them. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Moscly, Mr. Woodbridge, and 
 Mr. Kollock, he a Committee to consider Lieutenant Ely 
 Styles's Account of the expense of bringing ten Prisoners 
 from Machias. 
 
 The Committee last mentioned having attended the ser- 
 vice to which they were appointed, reported the following 
 Resolve, which was accepted, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he is 
 hereby directed to pay Lieutenant Ely Styles the sum of 
 six Pounds, twelve Shillings, in full discharge of the money 
 he expended in bringing a number of Prisoners from Ma- 
 chias to Waterlown. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what is best to' be 
 done with the ten Prisoners brought from Machias, report- 
 ed. Whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the Commanding Officer of the Town 
 of Walertown be desired to appoint some officer, with a 
 guard of not more than eight men, to conduct the said Pri- 
 
1517 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fee, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1518 
 
 soners to the Jail in Worcester to-morrow morning ; that 
 Captain Crafts be desired to take care of the said Prisoners 
 till that time, and that the officer who may be appointed 
 to conduct said Prisoners to Worcester, be empowered to 
 draw on Captain Brown, the Commissary in this Town, 
 for so much Provisions as may be necessary for their 
 support to Worcester, and Captain Brown is directed to 
 supply them accordingly. 
 
 The Report above mentioned was reconsidered, amend- 
 ed, and accepted, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That Thomas Skinner, a seaman, William 
 J\urse, a marine, John Barrows, a seaman, Nicholas Dur- 
 ham, a marine, Peter Lurcher, a sailor, Thomas Crispo, 
 Joseph Temple, sailors, William Bishop, a sailor, and John 
 Pardoa, a marine, Prisoners, all taken aboard the armed 
 schooner called the Margaretta, commanded by Matthew 
 Moor, near Machias, be all sent, under a proper guard, to 
 the common Jail in the County of Worcester ; and the Jail 
 Keeper is hereby directed to receive them therein, and 
 provide for them, and detain them there till the further 
 order of this Congress, or the House of Representatives of 
 this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Phillips be appointed to acquaint 
 General Washington with the proceedings of this Congress, 
 with regard to Daniel Green, lately conveyed to Concord 
 Jail, and the reasons thereof, and desire his Excellency to 
 take such further order concerning him as his wisdom may 
 direct. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, 
 be a Committee to return the thanks of this Congress to 
 the Rev. Mr. Gordon, for his attendance and acceptable 
 services to this Congress as their Chaplain. 
 
 Ordered, That the President, Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, 
 be a Committee to return the thanks of this Congress to 
 the Proprietors of the Meeting-House, for the use of it 
 during the session of this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the present President, (Col. Lincoln,) 
 
 Mr. Gill, and Mr. Gerry, be a Committee to return the 
 thanks of this Congress to the Hon. James Warren, Esq., 
 for his faithful services as President of the Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 hereby are directed, on application made by any of the 
 inhabitants of the Eastern parts of the Colony, to grant 
 them such relief out of the publick Stores as they may 
 think proper, consistent with the general interest, during 
 the recess of the Congress. 
 
 Whereas, the Hon. Jedediah Preble and the Hon. 
 Enoch Freeman, Esquires, have employed some persons 
 to build a number of Whale-Boats for the service of the 
 publick ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Supplies be, and 
 hereby are directed to deliver to Captain Briant Morton, 
 or order, to be by said Morton delivered to said Preble 
 and Freeman, such a quantity of Nails and Provisions, as 
 they think will be necessary to complete the building said 
 Boats. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to Wednesday next, at 
 eight o'clock, A. M. 
 
 Wednesday, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Colonel Easton being admitted, requested that a Com- 
 mittee be appointed to consider the necessity of drawing 
 on the Treasury for the sum of twelve hundred Pounds, 
 said to be due to his Regiment at Ticonderoga. 
 
 On a motion made, Ordered, That Deacon Fisher, Dr. 
 Taylor, and Mr. Gill, be a Committee for that purpose, 
 and that they be directed, in case they cannot report to 
 this Congress, to make report to the next House of Repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 On a motion made and seconded, that the Congress be 
 dissolved, the question was put, and it passed in the affirma- 
 tive. 
 
 The Congress was accordingly dissolved. 
 
 Samuel Freeman, Secretary. 
 
 LORD DARTMOUTH TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 London, July 1, 1775. 
 
 I am to presume that the measure of sending out a 
 detachment of your troops to destroy the magazines at 
 Concord was taken after the fullest consideration of the 
 advantages on the one hand, and hazards on the other, of 
 such an enterprise, and of all the probable consequences 
 that were to result from it. It is impossible for me to re- 
 flect upon this transaction, and upon all its consequences, 
 without feelings which, although I do not wish to conceal 
 them, it is not necessary for me to express ; but I believe 
 every man of candour will agree with me in opinion, that, 
 let the event be what it may, the rashness and rebellious 
 conduct of the Provincials on this occasion evince the ne- 
 cessity, and will manifest to all the world the justice of the 
 measures which the King has adopted for supporting the 
 Constitution, and in which His Majesty will firmly perse- 
 vere. 
 
 From the moment the blow was struck, and the Town 
 of Boston invested by the rebels, there was no longer any 
 reason to doubt of the intention of the people of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay to commit themselves in open rebellion. The 
 other three New-England Provinces have taken the same 
 part, and in fact all America (Quebeck, Nova- Scotia, and 
 the Floridas excepted) is in arms against Great Britain, 
 and the people involved in the guilt of levying a war against 
 the King in every sense of the expression. In this situa- 
 tion every effort must be made, both by sea and land, to 
 subdue the rebellion. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, 
 TO HIS FRIEND IN VIRGINIA, DATED JULY 1, 1775. 
 
 The present disturbances in America are, as you may 
 easily imagine, the topick of every conversation among all 
 ranks and degrees of people. The measures of Adminis- 
 tration are censured or approved, as they think well or ill 
 of the present Ministry. The friends, the real friends to 
 
 America, wish they had acted in some instances with more 
 temper, and less violence. The King is much to be 
 pitied ; he has an honest heart, and nothing would please 
 him more than to see all his people easy and happy. He 
 has warmly recommended conciliatory measures, and such, 
 I am well assured, will be adopted ; but whether they will 
 be sufficient to allay the ferment on your side the water, 
 time only will show. Thus much I can venture to assure 
 you : No more troops will be sent over ; more ships-of- 
 war will be sent, to confine your trade to Great Britain, 
 Ireland, and the West-Indies ; but as soon as you allow a 
 free export and import, all restraints will be removed, and 
 business will run in the old channel. Taxing America will 
 forever cease, and the King will be empowered to suspend 
 the acts complained of. When he is once vested with this 
 power, America (if the Fates have not otherwise deter- 
 mined) will be happy. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JULY 1, 1775. 
 
 The spirit displayed by the conduct of all the Colonies, 
 you may believe, gives great satisfaction to all the friends of 
 America. To those who are acquainted with the genius 
 and disposition of that people, it is no more than what was 
 expected; but to the people of this Country w-ho, from 
 their cradles, have been taught to believe (by almost every 
 occurrence that has happened within their own observa- 
 tion) that publick virtue does not exist, it still appears like 
 a romance, which they cannot yet bring themselves to be- 
 lieve. The Ministry, however, have been stunned, and are 
 not yet recovered from the blow. One time they propo- 
 sed sending more troops, and embodying the militia, in order 
 to supply their place at home ; at another time it was pro- 
 posed sending mercenaries from Hanover, but that idea 
 seems to have subsided ; now they talk of sending more 
 ships-of-war, and sundry are actually ordered to be got in 
 readiness, but whether they will sail or not I suspect will 
 depend upon future deliberations. In the mean time, give 
 
1519 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1520 
 
 me leave to relate the substance of a conversation a fiiend 
 of mine had with Lord North a few days ago. 
 
 His Lordship asked him what effect he thought his mo- 
 tion would have, when it came to be considered by the 
 Congress ? He told him he did not think it would have 
 any; it was not calculated for them; it seemed rather de- 
 signed for the different Assemblies, with a view, as he 
 apprehended, of disjoining — the reverse of uniting them 
 under one general head as in Congress. His Lordship 
 disclaimed the idea of their having any intention to divide. 
 He said he had no objection to their meeting in Congress ; 
 they had a right to meet together, and to consult, if they 
 chose it, and it was impossible to prevent it. What he 
 wished was, that they would take it under consideration, 
 and recommend such things to the different Assemblies 
 as might be attended with conciliatory effects. My Lord, 
 says the gentleman, I cannot see that the motion itself con- 
 tains any matter that can serve as a ground-work to go 
 upon. It is no act of the Legislature; it contains no pro- 
 mise ; it is not even the promise of a Minister, who to-day 
 is, and to-morrow may be succeeded by one who may 
 not think himself at all bound by the promise of his prede- 
 cessor ; it is not even a resolution of the House of Com- 
 mons ; it is no more than an opinion of a Committee of 
 that House upon a future contingency; and your Lordship 
 will pardon me when I observe, that the people of that 
 Country have learnt to entertain such an idea of the dispo- 
 sition of the servants of the Crown to encroach upon the 
 liberties of the subject — your Lordship will excuse me ; 
 I do not mean your Lordship in particular — but they dare 
 not trust them. He declared he never entertained an idea 
 of subduing America, properly speaking ; if he had, lie 
 said, he should have sent a much greater force. What was 
 sent was only what was thought sufficient to protect the 
 friends of Government. But if the Colonies are deter- 
 mined to go on, let them. Let them apply to France or 
 Spain ; (these he seemed to think the only Powers who 
 would afford them any protection;) let them see if they 
 will treat them any better than we have done. We have 
 it still in our power to distress their trade, which we most 
 assuredly will do till they have made ample compensation 
 for the expense and loss we have sustained on their ac- 
 count. 
 
 It would be easy to make a number of observations on 
 the above discourse, the wheedling, cajoling, contemptible 
 nature of which I think must strike you in the first instance. 
 His Lordship dined yesterday, according to annual custom, 
 with the West-India merchants, upon which occasions he 
 generally affects to be joyous, but it was remarked that he 
 was unusually dull. Lord Dartmouth the other day, with 
 seeming great satisfaction, told a gentleman that there was 
 a report in town that the Congress had taken Lord North's 
 motion under consideration, which he hoped was true ; but 
 upon the gentleman's assuring him that the Assembly of 
 Pennsylvania were actually voting money as their quota 
 towards paying an American Army, which might be con- 
 sidered as a prelude to all the other Provinces doing the 
 same, he seemed not a little disconcerted. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA DELEGATES IN THE CONTINENTAL CON- 
 GRESS, TO THE SECRET COMMITTEE, CHARLESTOWN. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : By directions of the Continental Con- 
 gress, we have sent the vessel by which this goes, to pro- 
 cure from you a quantity of gunpowder for the use of the 
 armies actually in the field for the service of America. 
 The frequent severe skirmishes in the neighbourhood of 
 Boston, have so exhausted their magazines, that an imme- 
 diate supply is absolutely necessary. We entreat you to 
 purchase all that can be bought in Town, and to despatch 
 this vessel with it for this place, as soon as possible, to- 
 gether with as much as can be spared out of the publick 
 stock, without danger to your own safety. Should there 
 be any damaged powder on hand, please send it also, as it 
 may be recovered here. 
 
 By one of the resolutions enclosed to the General Com- 
 mittee, you will see that it is recommended to the Southern 
 Colonies to secure all the saltpetre that can be got, as well 
 from the stores as from private persons, which, as you have 
 no powder-mills erected, or persons skilful in making gun- 
 
 powder, we would advise may be sent to be manufactured 
 here. Should you be able to send more than four thou- 
 sand weight of powder, we would wish the overplus might 
 be sent by some other opportunity. 
 
 In order to prevent suspicion, we have sent 
 
 bushels of Indian corn in this vessel, which may be ex- 
 changed for rice, in which the casks of powder may be 
 concealed so, perhaps, as to prevent suspicion, should she 
 unhappily be unable to avoid being overtaken by a cruiser. 
 The utmost secrecy and despatch are absolutely necessary. 
 
 As large quantities of powder will be wanted, we 
 strongly recommend that you continue to import all that 
 you can, and think it probable that large quantities might 
 be got from the Government of the Havana, as we can 
 find no application there from any of these Colonies. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 
 
 Henry Middleton, J. Rutledge, 
 Tho. Lynch, E. Rutledge. 
 
 Christ. Gadsden, 
 To Wm. Henry Drayton, Arthur Middleton, and Charles 
 
 Cotesworth Pinckney, Esquires, Members of the Secret 
 
 Committee at Charlestown. 
 
 Address delivered to the Inhabitants of a County in Vir- 
 ginia, assembled for the purpose of choosing Deputies 
 to represent them in Colony Convention, 
 friends and Countrymen : 
 
 It is impossible that any People impressed with the least 
 sense of constitutional liberty, should ever patiently submit 
 to the enormous grievances under which we have already, 
 in some respects, fallen, and with which we are likely to 
 be much more oppressed ; and accordingly we find our 
 brethren and fellow-subjects in all the Colonies are pursu- 
 ing such measures as are thought to be most likely to re- 
 cover and secure our lost rights and privileges. Shall the 
 people of this Colony, heretofore active, particularly in the 
 time of the detestable Stamp Act, to oppose all attempts 
 to deprive them of their personal security and private pro- 
 perty, be now inactive and silent? Forbid it liberty ! Hu- 
 manity forbid it ! 
 
 The several acts of Parliament made for ten years last 
 past, relating to the British Colonies in North America, 
 and their operation upon the property, liberty, and lives of 
 the people in this country, and America in general, are too 
 well known to many of you to require any enumeration or 
 explanation ; but many of you also have not the knowledge 
 of these things, and are therefore ignorant of the danger 
 in which you stand. To inform you of your unhappy 
 situation, and to open your minds to a just sense of the 
 dangers which threaten you, is, principally, the design of 
 this address. 
 
 From the first settlement of the Colonies till about the 
 year 1763, we had but little reason to complain of the in- 
 justice of our fellow-subjects in Great Britain. There 
 were two or three instances, indeed, in which the Colonies 
 were oppressed, under the notion of right to regulate our 
 trade, and make us serviceable in commerce to Great Bri- 
 tain. Amongst these was an act of Parliament declaring 
 that we should not erect any slitting-mills for the purpose 
 of making nails in these Colonies ; and we were forbidden 
 to manufacture hats, to be sold amongst ourselves, under 
 severe penalties. At that time, my friends, we only com- 
 plained of the hardship and injustice of such an act ; and, 
 wanting the protection of Britain, looking upon our fellow- 
 subjects there as friends and allies, we did not erect any 
 more slitting-mills for making nails ; and hats were manu- 
 factured only by a few individuals, to a very small extent, 
 and sold within the respective Colonies. Thus did they 
 attempt to restrain our manufactures in the only instances 
 wherein they thought us at that time likely to succeed to 
 the injury of the British manufacturer, intending thereby 
 to compel us, through necessity, to apply to them for even 
 the necessaries of life, and to pay them, by our labour, 
 the prices they might think proper to lay on them. 
 
 Another instance of oppression was that of establishing 
 a Post-Office in these Colonies, and thereby seizing, in 
 effect, the private property of individuals here who had 
 engaged in that business. By that act, all letters coming 
 from Great Britain, or otherwise circulating through these 
 Colonies, are liable to be seized by the Postmaster ap- 
 
1521 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1522 
 
 pointed to that office, and subjected to a tax to be paid 
 before the delivery of them ; and part of the money arising 
 from this tax is applied towards the support of the office, 
 and the balance sent to Britain to be disposed of by 
 Government there. 
 
 Although the effects of that act are not universally felt 
 amongst you, yet it is an instance of oppression which all 
 are more or less subject to who are concerned in trade, or 
 have any intercourse with men at a distance from them. 
 And I mention this to show you, that if you are not op- 
 pressed by this law, it is because your circumstances in life 
 are such that you have but little to do with letters, and the 
 officers are not generally so strict in the performance of 
 their duty as the law requires them to be. But surely, 
 my friends, you cannot but be sensible, that if, as in this 
 instance, the British Parliament have a right to make a 
 law to seize your effects, and keep them from you until 
 you pay a tax to redeem them, you must be in a wretched 
 condition whenever Parliament shall think it proper to ex- 
 tend this authority to things which may more essentially 
 and more immediately affect all ranks and degrees of people 
 in these Colonies. That act has hitherto been suffered to 
 be executed, because the people who are most affected by 
 it are traders in some respects, and often receive an advan- 
 tage in having speedy and regular intelligence from their 
 various correspondents in different parts of the world ; and 
 they were unwilling to differ with their fellow-subjects in 
 Britain concerning a thing which seemed to be intended 
 for the benefit of both. The great inconvenience, there- 
 fore, of that act, is principally this, that it has taken out of 
 the hands of people in these Colonies a business they 
 were engaged in, and which might be carried on with the 
 same advantages to commerce, whilst the money arising 
 from that tax would be the property of people here, and 
 not be applied to the purposes of Government in Britain; 
 and farther, that it is declaratory in its consequences, of a 
 right to take our property from us whenever the people of 
 Britain shall be inclined to do so. 
 
 And let us, my fellow-subjects, consider the consequences 
 which followed our submission to those acts, even in the 
 manner above-mentioned. Not satisfied with the advan- 
 tages they received from their trade with the American 
 Colonies — a trade so circumscribed, that it was morally 
 impossible for us to procure more than the mere necessa- 
 ries of life by the produce of our labour exported to Bri- 
 tain — they no sooner found us in a condition to export a 
 large proportion of grain and other commodities, not requi- 
 site for the British markets, to foreign countries, (which, 
 if permitted, might be of advantage to Britain, by enabling 
 us to pay for, and consequently to consume more of their 
 manufactures,) than they indulged us with the liberty of 
 carrying our grain, and some other articles, to particular 
 markets, but with this restriction, that we should not im- 
 port such goods as were to be had from Britain, and that 
 we should carry whatever articles they did permit us to re- 
 ceive, into Britain first, and pay a duty there. However, 
 as this regulation amounted almost to a prohibition of such 
 articles, and they were likely not to receive such advan- 
 tages as they at first expected, we were at length allowed 
 to bring them immediately into these Colonies, on paying 
 to the officers of the Customs here a very high duty, to be 
 disposed of by Government in Britain ; hence proceed the 
 duties we pay at this day on wines, coffee, molasses, &c, 
 he. ; all which duties are not applied to the support of 
 Government in these Colonies, but increase the revenue of 
 Great Britain, and enable them to maintain standing 
 armies in America, to secure the execution of their laws, 
 under the denomination of guards and garrisons to protect 
 us and our property. 
 
 Another instance of oppression is the extending the ju- 
 risdiction of the Courts of Admiralty, with pains and penal- 
 ties heretofore unknown. In this Court we are deprived 
 of our trial by jury, and must submit to the decision of a 
 dependant party judge, whose emoluments of office arise 
 from his condemnations ; and although we may be released 
 from the prosecution, we must still suffer the injury and 
 oppression brought upon us by the iniquitous prosecutor, 
 who is exempted from the damages we sustain by means 
 of an unjust prosecution. 
 
 The suspending the legislative power of New-York, until 
 their House of Burgesses rescinded or blotted out a vote 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. h. ! 
 
 they had passed declaring their right to the same freedom 
 which the people of Great Britain enjoy, and complied 
 with an arbitrary requisition to provide for troops, is another 
 capital instance of the tyrannical disposition of the British 
 Parliament towards America. 
 
 All these things and many more have we known, to con- 
 vince us that the British Parliament have not viewed us 
 with the eye of brotherly love and affection, but with a 
 determination to make us subservient to our fellow-subjects 
 in Britain, in all cases whatever, and our condition as 
 wretched as that of slaves. 
 
 The detestable Stamp Act furnishes us with another 
 memorable proof of the injustice and tyranny they bad 
 prepared for us ; and I thank the God of heaven and 
 earth, who permits the wicked sometimes to provide tor- 
 ments for themselves, that of his gracious mercy to us he 
 suffered that act to be passed, which opened our eyes, and 
 made us behold the slavery intended for three millions of 
 people. Let us return thanks to Him, my countrymen, for 
 his great mercy; and let us look up to Him for protection 
 in the day of our distress. 
 
 The consequences that would have attended a submis- 
 sion to that act, you are better acquainted with than with 
 those which have arisen from all the other acts I have men- 
 tioned. The reason is plain. You were told by Parliament 
 that you must pay a tax on every instrument of writing 
 used in these Colonies ; that you must pay a tax on pain- 
 ters' colours, oil, glass, and paper, which you were obliged 
 to import from Great Britain. This was a doctrine none 
 of us could misunderstand. By this all were affected, and 
 so sensibly too, that it was like drawing the vital blood from 
 our veins. By that act our money was demanded, and we 
 were reduced to the necessity of paying or resisting. We 
 resisted. The happy effects of our opposition you cannot 
 have forgotten, and our method of resistance must still be 
 fresh in your memories. We shut up our Courts ; we asso- 
 ciated ; we refused to buy their goods : they took off the 
 taxes. Were the Parliament actuated in this respect by 
 principles of justice and regard to us? No, my country- 
 men, they were not. They saw the impropriety of their 
 conduct, not in having taxed us, but in the mode of taxing 
 us. They perceived their inability at that time to enforce 
 submission to a law against which they had not expected 
 any opposition. They had attacked all ranks and degrees 
 of men in these Colonies, and had met with a sudden, un- 
 expected, and violent opposition. The clamours of their 
 merchants, tradesmen, and manufacturers, contributed also 
 to the repeal of those duties, as they were immediately 
 affected by the opposition. But let us examine this repeal 
 a little farther. Did they take off all the duties upon Bri- 
 tish merchandise imported into these Colonies? Did they 
 relinquish the right of taxing us? No. We find that they 
 reserved a duty on the article of tea, trifling indeed as to 
 the sum, but fatal in its consequences to our liberty and 
 property. We find at this time, also, they passed another 
 act declaring their right to tax us ; to regulate our trade ; 
 to prevent our manufacturing, or, in their own words, " to 
 bind us in all cases whatsoever." What ! shall we then re- 
 ceive our laws from people at three thousand miles distance 
 from us, ignorant of our situation and circumstances in life, 
 and not bound by the same laws ? Shall we, like poor, ab- 
 ject slaves, tamely give up our liberty, which our forefathers 
 handed down to us, and suffer our property to be taken 
 from us at the will and direction of a British Parliament ? 
 Shall we subject ourselves and our posterity to be driven 
 by our masters to such employments as they shall allot for 
 us? To have our looms, our spinning-wheels destroyed, 
 whenever they shall think we manufacture too much cloth ? 
 I wait your answer. But methinks I see the blood of true 
 Britons swelling your veins, and hear you cry, with one 
 voice, we will be free. 
 
 Let us consider, then, my countrymen, what it is we are 
 to do. You are told that the present dispute between 
 Great Britain and the Colonies, is concerning the duty on 
 tea. It is so. Perhaps some of you may now tell me it 
 is a dispute with which you have nothing to do, as you do 
 not make use of that commodity, and the duty cannot 
 affect you. But you will go farther, perhaps, and tell me 
 that the high-minded gentlemen are the occasion of the 
 present confusion, and are bringing you into difficulties to 
 support their extravagance and ambition. Let me entreat 
 
1523 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1524 
 
 you, my fellow-subjects, to reflect a moment on your situa- 
 tion. Is it possible you can be so blind to your real in- 
 terests as not to perceive tbe oppression daily coming upon 
 you from Britain! Can you suppose the gentlemen of all 
 America would be so mad as to risk their lives and fortunes 
 merely to save the trifling duty of three pence per pound 
 on tea ? Are not the gentlemen made of the same mate- 
 rials as the lowest and poorest amongst you ? And do you 
 suppose they cannot, they would not refrain from the use 
 of that article, if that would procure the safety of these 
 Colonies? Have you found, in the course of your observa- 
 tions, that the gentlemen (as they are styled) are so very 
 frugal and saving of their money, as to bring themselves 
 into the smallest difficulty for so small an advantage? No, 
 my countrymen, you have not. Deceive not yourselves, 
 then, nor let others deceive you. Listen to no doctrines 
 which may tend to divide us, but let us go hand in hand as 
 brothers, as fellow-sufferers in the same cause, firmly united 
 to defend our rights and liberty, and to preserve freedom 
 to our posterity. Fortunes we may not leave them, but 
 we shall be despicable indeed, if we tamely suffer them to 
 become slaves. 
 
 But let us reflect again on the nature of this dispute. 
 The British Parliament, when they repealed the Stamp 
 Act, did not give up the right of taxing us; they reserved 
 the duty on tea, and declared by an act that they had a 
 right to bind us " in all cases whatsoever." The plain 
 meaning of this declaration is, that we must either submit 
 to such impositions as they may hereafter think proper to 
 burden us with, or they will not suffer us to make use of 
 our property. In this situation we have been unmindful of 
 the necessary means of defence, whilst they have been 
 preparing to execute their laws upon us. 
 
 Having reserved the duty on tea, the consumption of that 
 article has been lessened near two-thirds, to the great injury 
 of the East-India Company of Merchants in Great Bri- 
 tain. As Parliament had been the cause of this injury, 
 the Minister was determined not only to redress them, but 
 at the same time to carry the favourite plan of taxing Ame- 
 rica into execution. An advantage is then offered to the 
 East-India Company, which by law they had not been 
 entitled to, of sending their tea immediately to America. 
 This measure being adopted by them, the Minister vainly 
 hoped to find us submitting openly to this tax ; as, notwith- 
 standing the duty, we should receive the tea on cheaper 
 terms. If this measure should not succeed, he was then 
 prepared to carry the declaration of Parliament into force, 
 and procure such other oppressive laws to be made, as 
 might lay us in the deepest distress, and compel us to 
 submit. 
 
 In this manner, my countrymen, were the distresses of 
 the people of Boston brought upon them. The East-India 
 Company sent ships loaded with tea to different parts of 
 America. They sent tea to Boston. In all other parts 
 they suffered it to be landed and stored, or it was agreed 
 to carry it back to Britain. At Boston they refused to 
 carry it back, and the people would not suffer it to be land- 
 ed, well knowing that if it was, the duty would be paid by 
 the Company's agents, and the tea sold, if not in New- 
 England, to the other Colonies in America. They remon- 
 strated against the landing of the tea ; they waited many 
 days patiently for a satisfactory determination ; the officers 
 of the Customs refused to suffer the ship to return ; the 
 men-of-war determined it should not pass ; and by these 
 circumstances were they reduced to the necessity of throw- 
 ing the tea into the water, as they attempted to land it. 
 
 Although the law of nature and self-defence in all such 
 cases, does justify their conduct, yet the dispute is not now 
 about the price of the tea, but the duty on that tea. It is 
 not the sum of ten thousand Pounds, which was the value 
 of the lea, that the people of Boston and all North Ame- 
 rica are contending with Britain for, but it is our right to 
 freedom to dispose of our property when we have acquired 
 it. If paying for the tea was the condition on which our 
 rights should be restored, and on which our property might 
 remain secure, all America would not engage in this dis- 
 pute. But this is not the case. Parliament will not be 
 satisfied with that, but have determined that we shall sub- 
 mit to their laws and to their taxes. 
 
 And let us now inquire what methods they have taken 
 to oblige us to submit. Punishments should always be 
 
 proportioned to crimes, and where the laws direct the pun- 
 ishment, no power can go beyond it. This is the security 
 we boast of under our free constitution of Government ; and 
 it is our invaluable privilege to make these laws. The 
 power that deprives us of this privilege makes us slaves. 
 What, then, is the conduct of Parliament towards us? 
 They will not be satisfied with payment for the tea, but 
 farther insist that we shall submit to whatever laws they 
 make. To compel us to do this they dissolve our Assem- 
 blies ; suspend our Legislatures; block up the Town of 
 Boston ; deprive upwards of thirty thousand inhabitants of 
 the means of subsistence ; seize their wharves, &ic, to the 
 amount of two hundred thousand Pounds, which, by the 
 act, are never to be restored to them, although they should 
 submit to all that is required by that law. They have 
 altered the Charter of Massachusetts-Bay, which is an 
 agreement between the people of that Province and the 
 King, in writing, under his seal ; and have passed an act 
 empowering the Governour to seize the persons of such as 
 do not conform to all things required by their laws, and to 
 send them where he shall think proper, (even to Britain.) 
 to be tried for their supposed offences, where, destitute of 
 friends and money, they will fall unhappy victims to the 
 avarice of corrupted judges, and the rapaciousness of mer- 
 ciless tyrants. Many more things of like tendency are 
 they now preparing for all North America. 
 
 To you, then, my countrymen, to all of us, does it be- 
 long to take such measures as shall prevent their wicked 
 designs, and secure our lives, our liberty, and property. 
 On the virtue and courage of the people of these Colonies 
 does it depend whether we shall be happy or miserable in 
 this world, and enjoy in peace and quietness the fruits of 
 our labour. Your Representatives in General Congress 
 have planned the measures of resistance ; on your cour.ige 
 and virtue do they rely for support in the execution of 
 them. Let us, then, my countrymen, go hand in hand; 
 let us have one voice ; let us convince mankind that we 
 are, as one man, actuated by one soul; and that if we are 
 not, we still deserve to be free. 
 
 The mode of opposition recommended to us is an union 
 and association of the Colonies, to break off all commer- 
 cial intercourse with Great Britain, unless our grievances 
 shall be redressed. And why is this plan recommended to 
 us? Surely because it is, of all others, the most safe, spee- 
 dy, and effectual we can embrace, to restore that harmony 
 to Britain and the Colonies we profess to desire. Rash- 
 ness and violence can never avail us in the execution of 
 this plan, and therefore we should avoid every conduct 
 tending to so destructive an end ; for how can this Asso- 
 ciation be observed, unless we establish arts and manufac- 
 tures? How is it possible these should succeed, without 
 peace, order, and the security of our property ? And how 
 can these be preserved, unless we discourage every kind of 
 violence, by promoting a due respect for the laws of our 
 country, as far as our unhappy circumstances will admit of 
 it. The principles of the ever-glorious Revolution will 
 always justify a suspension of the laws under like circum- 
 stances, but we should never enforce these principles, un- 
 less compelled thereto by extreme necessity'. Prudence 
 and moderation will give weight to our measures, whilst a 
 contrary conduct will oidy serve to disunite us. and conse- 
 quently to involve us in confusion. This is a doctrine 
 which every friend to liberty and his country will inculcate, 
 and on this will the success of our present undertaking 
 chiefly depend. But whilst I recommend to you a tem- 
 perate conduct, I would not have you to neglect that pro- 
 vision for your safety which the urgency of the case 
 requires. On the contrary, I would advise you to look 
 forward to every contingency, and be prepared lor " mourn- 
 ful events." 
 
 COMMITTEE OF YORKTOWN (PA.) TO PENNSYLVANIA DELE- 
 GATES IN CONGRESS. 
 
 Yorktown, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We had the honour of receiving your 
 favour of the 15th ultimo, enclosing a resolve of the hon- 
 ourable Continental Congress of the 14th ultimo. We 
 immediately summoned the Committee of this County, 
 and laid before them your letter, &c. The Committee 
 proceeded to the choice of officers fit to he recommended 
 
1525 
 
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 1526 
 
 to the Congress, to command the company of riflemen to 
 be raised, and appointed six Commissioners to provide 
 necessaries for them. Every resolve passed in Committee 
 with the greatest unanimity, and the gentlemen of York- 
 town, after the meeting, dispersed themselves through the 
 County, and assisted the officers in recruiting. 
 
 The spirit of the people on this occasion gave the Com- 
 mittee infinite pleasure. The men seemed actuated with the 
 greatest zeal, and thought themselves honoured in having 
 their names enrolled among the Sons of Liberty, who are to 
 fight for their Country, and in defence of their dearest rights 
 and privileges. The only uneasiness they feel is, that they 
 are not at this moment at the scene of action. From the 
 spirit of the soldiers, we entertain the most flattering hopes 
 that they will prove serviceable to the cause of liberty, and 
 reflect honour on this Country. 
 
 The principal people here have caught the spirit of the 
 honourable Congress, and in their small circle have done 
 every thing in their power to animate their neighbours to 
 stand forth in this day of despotism, and resist the arbi- 
 trary and unjust measures of Parliament with all the power 
 which Heaven has given them. And we have the plea- 
 sure to inform you that their labours have not been in vain, 
 and that the County is ready to strain every nerve to put 
 into execution any measures which the Congress may judge 
 necessary to our common defence. 
 
 The officers we take the liberty to recommend to you 
 are, Captain Michael Dowdle, Lieutenants Henry Miller, 
 John Dill, and John Watson. They are men whose 
 courage we have the highest opinion of. The company, 
 including officers and soldiers, are beyond the number fixed 
 for this County, and as General Gates thought it improper 
 to discharge any, we have sent them all. 
 
 We request the favour of you that proper care be taken 
 that none are draughted out of their company into another. 
 This is the request of the inhabitants of this County, many 
 of them having their dearest friends engaged in the service, 
 and would not by any means have them taken from their 
 present officers. 
 
 We hope no alteration will be made in the officers. The 
 Captain has behaved very well on this occasion, and has 
 done all in his power, by advancing money, &tc, to for- 
 ward the important common cause. 
 
 Mr. Miller is known to some of you, gentlemen. The 
 other officers are men of worth and property ; they have 
 all wives and families, and are entitled to the warmest 
 thanks of their Country. 
 
 The Commissioners appointed to provide necessaries for 
 the men, will forward their accounts as soon as they possi- 
 bly can. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants, 
 
 James Smith, Joseph Donaldson, 
 George Irvin, Thomas Hartley, 
 John Kean, Michael Hahn. 
 To the Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress. 
 
 P. S. The company began their march the nearest road 
 to Boston this day. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 New- York, Saturday, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I do myself the honour to advise your Excellency 
 that the Connecticut Troops that arrived in this Colony, 
 under the command of Brigadier Wooster, are encamped 
 within two miles of this Town. I have not yet had a 
 return of their numbers ; as soon as my order for that pur- 
 pose is complied with, I shall transmit it. 
 
 I enclose you, Sir, a copy of the resolutions of the 
 honourable the Continental Congress, of the 27th ultimo. 
 I shall prepare, with all possible despatch, to carry into 
 execution their views, and propose leaving this for Albany, 
 in my way to Ticondcroga, on Monday next. 
 
 Eight transports with troops, that have been at Sandy 
 Hook since Thursday last, are to sail from thence to-day. 
 Reports prevail that the men on board have mutinied ; 
 that they refused to go to Boston. Of this, however, I 
 have not been able to get any certainty. Handbills have 
 been introduced amongst them to encourage them to quit, 
 on the first favourable opportunity, a service which must 
 render them odious to all honest men. 
 
 Governour Tryon's conduct has hitherto been unexcep- 
 tionable, and from the information I have been able to pro- 
 cure, (some of which I put great confidence in,) I have 
 reason to believe that the line he has chalked out for him- 
 self is such as we could wish he should hold. 
 
 I believe the commissions for this department were 
 already forwarded to you before my letter (in obedience 
 to your order) to the Congress on that subject arrived. If 
 they are to be sent back, I beg of you to order them to 
 be directed to the President of the Provincial Convention 
 here. 
 
 No preparation has as yet been made to occupy a post 
 in the Highlands. By what I can learn, the Provincial 
 Convention have doubts about the propriety, (which they 
 have or mean to state to Congress,) arising from the want 
 of ammunition to maintain the post after it shall have been 
 completed. 
 
 A ship from London, in five weeks, advises that the 
 Remonstrance sent by the Assembly of this Colony to the 
 House of Commons has been rejected by them, as con- 
 taining sentiments derogatory to the rights of Parliament. 
 This manoeuvre has already had salutary effects; many 
 whose sentiments are friendly to America, but who differ- 
 ed as to the mode of procuring redress, now publickly de- 
 clare that they will no longer sit idle spectators of their 
 Country's wrongs. That success and happiness, equal to 
 the merits and virtues of my General, may crown all his 
 operations, is the wish of every honest American, and by 
 none more sincerely than me. 
 
 I am, your Excellency's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General 
 
 and Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United 
 
 Colonies. 
 
 EDWARD FLEMING TO PRESIDENT OF NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New. York, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I was yesterday congratulated by a member of 
 your body on being appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel to 
 Colonel Clinton's battalion, for Ulster County. I beg, 
 Sir, to return my thanks to the Congress for the notice 
 they have been pleased to take of me ; but as I have a 
 family resident in Town, and as all my property (which is 
 by no means inconsiderable) lies in this City and County, 
 I conceive that my presence is absolutely necessary for 
 their preservation and safety, and that it would be ex- 
 tremely imprudent in me to leave them, and go to Ulster 
 County, for the purpose of superintending the raising and 
 disciplining troops, &,c, for Colonel Clinton's Regiment. 
 These, with other considerations, Sir, induce me to decline 
 the acceptance of the appointment. When the day of 
 trial comes, and that I have secured my family in some 
 place of safety, I shall not be slack in proving myself a 
 man, and good citizen, and be ready to go wherever the 
 exigency of affairs may require, for the preservation of our 
 common rights and privileges. In the mean time, shall 
 not be wanting to the publick in rendering such services 
 as my small abilities will afford. 
 
 I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, yours 
 and the Congress's most obedient and very humble ser- 
 vant, Edward Fleming. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 S. SP. SKINNER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD 
 
 New.York, July 1, 1775. 
 
 My Lord : From a real principle of loyalty, benevo- 
 lence, and love toward Great Britain and America, and 
 through the confusion and criticalness of the times, am 
 induced to trouble your Lordship with the following ex- 
 tract of a letter. The sending of additional troops to 
 America, and the new acts of restraint, manifestly appears 
 compulsive, and, for the present, 1 am afraid, have discon- 
 certed and unhinged a conciliatory proposition respecting a 
 revenue ; but independency and rebellion are disclaimed ; 
 self-defence not. Plundering and burning of houses and 
 Towns is infamous, and certainly must very much obstruct 
 the granting an American revenue to the King. 
 
 In all probability both Countries (and the West-Indies ) 
 will be ruined ; Great Britain, especially, and her troops 
 
1527 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1528 
 
 worsted and disgraced in America. I know the value of 
 British disciplined troops, but a thousand American gun- 
 men, on their own intricate, advantageous ground, it is 
 likely, at any time, will defeat a large number of any Eu- 
 ropean Troops. 
 
 Your Lordship will find that I speak from actual expe- 
 rience, having travelled for observation and information 
 through all the Provinces, nearly, and carefully noted the 
 militia and people. They make the most useful guns in 
 America, and upon a moderate computation, have now 
 ahout four hundred thousand British and American made 
 guns of the common size, including a large quantity of 
 rifled barrels, much cannon and ammunition, and can, with 
 amazing expedition, if forced thereto, embody fifty thou- 
 sand disciplined troops, mostly used to the woods and 
 hunting, with thirty thousand irregulars to assist occasion- 
 ally, and who will do surprising execution. Americans 
 cannot want men, or paper money, ever in human ap- 
 pearance, and are an active, prudent people — moderate, 
 but with astonishing resolution and courage, and expert 
 gun-men from their youth, and whose women breed them 
 plenty of soldiers in this climate. 
 
 No respectable body of people, my Lord, of either 
 Catholicks, Churchmen, or Dissenters, in America, will 
 ever agree to any measures but either requisition, or a free 
 voluntary revenue. All the Colonies are fixed in una- 
 nimity, and unanimous in those points. Americans will 
 cleave together undivided ; those that tell otherwise are 
 deceivers (intentionally) that would absolutely ruin Go- 
 vernment, and are not to be credited in the smallest degree. 
 The most eligible plan is, to try their free, voluntary gene- 
 rosity. May God interpose. Suspending the restrain- 
 ing acts, and withdrawing the extra men-of-war and extra 
 troops immediately, in time, before desertion, sickness, and 
 winter advances — that is, excepting only the customary 
 number of regiments in usual places, for it evidently ap- 
 pears that they can act only to disadvantage in this Coun- 
 try, consequently must (if God permit) end in disappoint- 
 ment and disgrace to Britons; Americans to have their 
 Continental Congress annually, or as occasion may require; 
 and to proportion their revenue themselves, for no other 
 people can possibly measure, or truly judge of their abi- 
 lity ; Britain to repeal all the American Acts, except 
 those existing at the conclusion of the last war. All affairs 
 then, and not till then, will be peaceable, happy, and well 
 for the civil and religious constitutional rights and liberties 
 of Great Britain, and her Empire in America. 
 
 I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient humble 
 servant, S. Sp. Skinner. 
 
 " The extract, dated New-York, June 8, 1775. — My 
 field of view never extended beyond the line of endea- 
 vouring to prevent an arbitrary unconstitutional mode of 
 raising a revenue; an unconstitutional tax or duty, or a 
 compulsive revenue, I certainly will reprobate to the hour 
 of my death, but a free voluntary revenue toward support 
 of Government at large, I shall think it my duty to pro- 
 mote ; for, as it is a well known truth, that a people who 
 are taxed without their consent, can have no property 
 which they can properly call their own ; so, in the contra- 
 ry scale, and by a parity of experimental reasoning, it is 
 equally true, that without Government is steadily fixed on 
 a broad substantial bottom, we can then, in either case, 
 have no property which we can safely call our own. 
 
 " The ministerial proposition for a reconciliation (as it 
 now stands) is compulsive, and in part inadmissible, but it 
 doth not appear prudent or polite to reject the whole of it; 
 yet it ought immediately to be stripped of its abstruse and 
 complicated drapery — the proposition ought to be rendered 
 plain, and modelled exactly to the Constitution. There 
 doth not appear the least doubt but the rough plan may be 
 polished ; I think it might be fashioned and improved so 
 as to give quietness and full satisfaction to every reasonable 
 person in Great Britain and America ; but it doth not 
 seem advisable, or useful, for any Assembly to take up the 
 proposition disjunctively, but by the honourable Continen- 
 tal Congress, who, no doubt, will return proposition conci- 
 liatory, for proposition received. 
 
 " America's favourite plan of requisition is a very good 
 one, provided a difference of times and circumstances doth 
 not alter the case. The good old King George the Second 
 
 was constrained to conform to the fashion of those times, 
 and to renew his civil list annually by requisition from his 
 Parliament ; but his present Majesty, in that point, is fur- 
 nished out with more consequence, and not in the same pre- 
 dicament ; the King hath his civil list of eight hundred thou- 
 sand pounds per annum, established by Parliament during 
 life, with an addenda in course of two or three hundred thou- 
 sand pounds more, which leaveth less room for requisition ; 
 so that notwithstanding it was eligible, and a very proper 
 mode for America with George the Second, it is now 
 rather ineligible and out of fashion with George the Third. 
 
 " In lieu of requisition, suppose we should copy the Bri- 
 tish Parliament, and (waiving punctilios) do, ourselves, hon- 
 ourably propose a moderate voluntary revenue, suitable to 
 our circumstances, to be forwarded in country produce (as 
 we have but little or no hard cash) as a free gift from all 
 the Provinces in America conjunctively; and presented 
 annually to the Crown for life, in addition to His Majesty's 
 civil list establishment, provided the extra Troops are with- 
 drawn immediately, and the damage made good to Boston, 
 kc. ; and the tea act, and all the accursed acts that sprung 
 from its root are previously repealed ; and all our oppres- 
 sive acts to be repealed. Even ail the acts, excepting those 
 of navigation, and a very few others, may conveniently and 
 reputably be laid aside, in consequence of our politically 
 offering, and rightly timing for greasing the wheels of 
 Government, or granting a free voluntary revenue, in pro- 
 portion to our small ability, and also in further considera- 
 tion of extra expenses in supporting more of our own civil 
 establishments. 
 
 " This mode of procedure, or something analogous, I 
 apprehend would preserve entire (and in no degree violate) 
 the true constitutional liberty of America, by steering clear 
 as possible of the inconveniency of the British Parlia- 
 ment; it would give additional consequence to His Majes- 
 ty, and, at the same time, would have a strong tendency 
 to quiet our enemies at home, as it would exhibit to the 
 deluded Britons a striking specimen of American polite- 
 ness and generosity. It is really true policy, and would 
 ease those our industrious brethren (who labour hard and 
 die poor) a small proportion in their excessively burden- 
 some duties and taxes; for they are annually obliged, every 
 session of Parliament, to make provision for some material 
 deficiency in the civil list establishment. 
 
 " As it appears possible, and very probable, that the 
 main substantial end can be accomplished, and that com- 
 pletely at this juncture, with great honour, and without 
 any further accumulated destruction of blood and property, 
 let me most earnestly entreat that we may warily regard 
 the important matter immediately, agree to a cessation of 
 hostilities, and by every possible, honourable means, nego- 
 tiate to evade involving and continuing the destructive con- 
 test, respecting any particular construction of words, or 
 singular mode to accommodate and finish the perplexed 
 subject in dispute. Let us negotiate, and meet the Bri- 
 tish Ministry at the threshold of their opened door, and 
 return a proposition conciliatory for their proposition ; but 
 let us cleave together to the Constitution for ever; and 
 when our lives, &tc, are villanously attacked, we are un- 
 doubtedly in every respect justifiable in effectual resistance 
 and self-defence. And may it please God to grant happi- 
 ness, and constant success to us in the event thereof. 
 
 " S. Sp. Skinner. 
 
 " N. B. Altercation may ensue ; but your Lordship's 
 good sense will easily discriminate truth and honesty from 
 sophistry and falsehood." 
 
 DECLARATION OF JAMES BALL. 
 
 Warwick, July 1, 1775. 
 Whereas I, the subscriber, an inhabitant of the Town of 
 Warwick, hereby humbly acknowledge that I have given 
 great offence to the Committee of Correspondence, and 
 other leading men, and all the inhabitants of said Warwick, 
 by my past misconduct, in casting reflections on the Con- 
 gresses, and not giving or even trying to give satisfaction to 
 the Committee of Correspondence of said Warwick, when 
 requested agreeable to the Congress; for which I am heartily 
 sorry, and humbly ask forgiveness. I hereby heartily agree 
 to abide by all the doings and resolutions of the Continen- 
 tal and Provincial Congresses, as long as the major part of 
 
1529 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1530 
 
 the people on the Continent, and the inhabitants of this 
 Province, choose members to attend on sucli Congresses 
 respectively, and to aid and assist the people of this Pro- 
 vince in defence of our rights against a tyrannical system of 
 the British Administration, and to resist the King's Troops, 
 and defend the rights of America now in contest, even to 
 life and fortune. James Ball. 
 
 GEN. FOLSOM TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp on Winter Hill, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Being obliged, for want of proper tents, 
 to quarter Colonel Poor's Regiment in Barracks at Med- 
 forcl, which has created me much trouble and difficulty, 
 they being a mile and a half distant from camp, last 
 evening eighteen men, under the command of Captain 
 Jtowe, deserted ; which might have been prevented, had 
 they been regularly encamped. The reason, I understand, 
 which they assigned to their Captain, before they deserted, 
 (he not giving me or his Colonel the least notice thereof 
 till six o'clock this morning) was, that they did not intend, 
 when they enlisted, to join the Army, but to be stationed 
 at Hampton. Colonel Poor has sent after them, but if he 
 cannot get them back, hope you will take some effectual 
 method to send them as soon as possible, and to prevent 
 and discourage future desertions; for otherwise, if they are 
 passed over with impunity, their example will induce 
 others, and, by that means, cause such a defection of the 
 Troops, as will weaken, if not entirely break up your 
 whole Battalion. 
 
 Wednesday last, the whole of the IS ew- Hampshire 
 Troops, fit for duty, were ordered to their alarm posts ; 
 when formed we were not able to line our breastwork more 
 than two deep, our lines being necessarily extensive, on 
 account of the situation of our camp ; therefore desire that 
 the two remaining companies, now stationed at Portsmouth 
 and Hampton, may be sent, if you can possibly spare them, 
 there being not one quarter part of the Troops in ours as 
 in the other lines at Cambridge, Roxbury, and on Pros- 
 pect Hill. In a few days the breastwork will be completed, 
 by which time the cannon I wrote for, 1 hope, will arrive, 
 so that we may be prepared to give the ministerial Troops 
 a proper reception should they attempt to force our lines. 
 
 Nothing remarkable has transpired since my last. The 
 enemy are fortifying themselves as strongly as possible, on 
 Bunker's Hill, and when they have completed their works, 
 it is probable they will land somewhere near where the 
 New-Hampshire Troops are encamped, it being very con- 
 venient for them to bring up their floating batteries upon 
 our left wing ; however, hope to give a good account of 
 part of them at least whenever they come. 
 
 Your obedient servant, Nathaniel Folsom. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Colony 
 
 of Neio-Hampshire. 
 
 new-hampshire committee of safety to gen. folsom. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 1, 1775. 
 
 It gives us great pleasure to find, by yours of the 26th 
 last month, that a reconciliation had taken place between 
 you and Colonel Stark. We doubt not you will use your 
 utmost endeavours to keep up a good harmony among the 
 Troops. In order thereto, we agree with you, that a due 
 subordination must be observed. Major Hobart, who is 
 appointed paymaster, will have commissions for Stark's 
 and Reed's Regiments, and is to consult you on filling up 
 the vacancies. 
 
 Two twenty-four, and two double fortified six-pounders 
 are to be sent off to-morrow morning from Hampton. The 
 artillery company is not raised, nor have we been able to 
 get suitable officers for that service. We think it advisable 
 that you should inquire if a good man for that business 
 can be engaged, and what encouragement he will expect. 
 When we can be informed of this, we shall lay it before 
 the Congress. We suppose if good officers can be ob- 
 tained, men may be enlisted out of the battalions more suit- 
 able for that purpose than elsewhere. We enclose your 
 commission, and hope that the appointment of any other 
 General Officer will not be expected. We are your friends, 
 and humble servants. By order of the Committee. 
 
 To General Folsom. 
 
 NEW- HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO COL. REED. 
 
 Ill Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 1, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The Committee, without knowing that you had in 
 actual service, or in your eye, any person as Adjutant of your 
 Regiment, have commissioned Mr. McGregore, a young 
 man, we imagine, very suitable for that place. If any 
 person you judge suitable, is disposed to act as volunteer, 
 without pay, in that capacity, we have no objections, unless 
 it should plainly appear to us that he would not answer 
 the end. But you will easily perceive the unsuitableness 
 of recalling the commission from Mr. McGregore, for no 
 reason on his part, and commissioning and paying a person 
 of whom, till another was appointed, we had not so much 
 as a recommendation. 
 
 You may assure yourself, that so far as the publick ser- 
 vice will allow, we shall take pleasure in gratifying you or 
 the Regiment, or any individual. But although we should 
 be willing to make use of any and the best information, we 
 must insist upon it, that our appointments should take place, 
 as the contrary must be attended with boundless difficul- 
 ties. By order of the Committee. 
 To Colonel Reed, of the 3d New-Hampshire Regiment. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, July 2, 1775. 
 [Read July 5, 1775.] 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 24th June, enclosing the resolu- 
 tions of Congress, relative to the persons employed in taking 
 possession of Crown Point, came to hand on Friday last. 
 I shall procure the returns agreeable to the orders, and 
 liquidate the sum to be paid them as soon after my arrival 
 at Ticonderoga as affairs of more importance will admit. 
 
 Yesterday I had a conference with the Provincial Con- 
 vention here on the subject-matter of employing the Gretn 
 Mountain Boys, after which a Committee was appointed 
 to take it into further consideration ; the result, I appre- 
 hend, will be to employ five hundred of them, which is full 
 as many as they can raise, and to appoint a Lieutenant- 
 Colonel and Major to the command of them. 
 
 Doubts seemed to arise whether your intentions were 
 that these men should be incorporated into those Regi- 
 ments, for the raising of which they had already issued 
 warrants and nominated the officers, or to make them a 
 separate corps. My opinion was that Congress intended 
 the latter, and, as such, they will be formed. 
 
 You will receive from the Convention here some accounts 
 of Colonel Guy Johnson's conduct, too much of which I 
 fear is true ; and the inhabitants in the western quarter of 
 this Colony, of New-Jersey, and the northern parts of 
 Pennsylvania, will probably be exposed to some insults 
 from the savages in their vicinity. I beg leave, therefore, to 
 suggest, that if two Regiments more, of seven hundred and 
 fifty men each, were raised by this Colony, and stationed, 
 one on the southern part of its western frontiers, adjacent 
 to Jersey and Pennsylvania, the other towards the Oneida 
 carrying place, it would strike so much awe into the Indians, 
 as probably to prevent their making incursions upon us. 
 
 I fear Governour Trumbull will not have it in his power 
 to furnish me with the necessary quantity of powder. Is 
 it not possible to procure some from Pennsylvania 1 I 
 shall be greatly distressed for want of a few field- pieces. 
 I wish to see those in the State-House yard, Philadelphia, 
 tried in actual service. 
 
 Governour Tryon continues a prudent conduct. I can- 
 not learn that he has taken any step that will give umbrage. 
 The rejection of the New-York Assembly's Remonstrance 
 by the House of Commons, has had the good effect to 
 make those in this city hearty in the cause of America, 
 whose sentiments, though friendly, differed as to the mode 
 of procuring redress. 
 
 Congress has not provided for a deputy Adjutant-Gene- 
 ral in this department. The necessity of such an appoint- 
 ment would be superseded if another Brigade-Major was 
 allowed, which seems more immediately necessary, as we 
 have two Brigadiers. 
 
 Whoever sees the Connecticut Troops admires their 
 strength, stature, youth, and agility; but every one laments 
 their want of regimentals. 
 
 I am informed that seven or eight youths of the Caugh- 
 nawaga tribe are at Mr. Wheelock's school, in New-Hamp- 
 
1531 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, k., JULY, 1775. 
 
 1532 
 
 shire. What sentiments that gentleman entertains in this 
 unhappy controversy 1 am ignorant of. If friendly, might 
 he not be serviceable ? 
 
 I should be culpable in my own opinion, and unjust to 
 the Provincial Convention of this Colony, if I passed over, 
 in silence, the distinguished zeal with which they second 
 your views. Without immediately knowing for what pur- 
 pose the supplies 1 have asked were wanting, they with 
 alacrity have begun to procure them, judging, with proprie- 
 ty, that many military operations are of such a nature as 
 do not, consistent with prudence, permit their being known 
 to too many. 
 
 I am, Sir, with sentiments of the most profound respect, 
 yours and the Congress's most obedient servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 New- York, July 2, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have the honour to acquaint you I arrived here 
 last night. This morning proving very rainy, and my 
 horses much fatigued, I have halted for a few hours, 
 which I shall employ in providing some articles I h ive 
 had no leisure to procure since I left Virginia. From 
 hence I shall proceed with all speed to Cambridge. This 
 morning I waited upon the Generals Worcester, Schuyler, 
 and Montgomery. General Schuyler mentioned in pri- 
 vacy, his having recommended to the Congress, the ap- 
 pointment of another Brigade-Major in this department, 
 as there was no Deputy Adjutant-General allowed. This, 
 Sir, my experience tells me, is an officer, if properly cho- 
 sen, that will be very necessary to add to the Army in this 
 district, especially as there are two Brigades, and two 
 Brigadier-Generals. 
 
 You will pardon the liberty I take, and believe it to pro- 
 ceed from the zeal with which I wish to approve myself, 
 your most faithful, and obedient humble servant, 
 
 Horatio Gates. 
 
 BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Inspection for Bal- 
 timore County, held in Baltimore Town, on the 3d of July, 
 1775, a Letter from Henry Lloyd, agent for the Contrac- 
 tors for supplying the Troops at Boston, to Doctor John 
 Stephenson, being fallen into the hands of the Committee, 
 was read, and is as follows : 
 
 " Boston, May 17, 1775. 
 "Sir: The stoppage of provisions from the Southern 
 Governments for the use of His Majesty's Troops, makes 
 it necessary to endeavour to get a supply, by concealing 
 from the publick eye the destination of provisions shipped 
 for that purpose. I shall therefore propose for your consi- 
 deration the following method of doing it: Cannot a ves- 
 sel be freighted with flour for the West-Indies ? you may 
 take up a vessel as large as two hundred tons and give her 
 a full freight. I should send you bills on them for the 
 amount of what you may ship to me in this way; but the 
 negotiation of such bills might discover your plan, and defeat 
 it, so that 1 should be glad you would advise me of some 
 friend of yours. When I am made acquainted with his 
 name, and the sum you shall draw for, will send to him from 
 hence my bills on the contractors for the amount you advise 
 me of. You will please likewise to give the contractors time- 
 ly advice, that they may insure their interest, if they think 
 proper, and inform me the name of the vessel and master 
 you engage, that I may lodge a permit at the light-house 
 in this harbour for admission to come up to Town, and dis- 
 charge her cargo here. Pray let the flour you purchase 
 be such as will keep over the summer, and let the casks 
 be good, well hooped, and the heads well secured with 
 lining hoops. You will be careful to write me by a con- 
 veyance that your letter may not fall into the hands of 
 the Provincials. 
 
 " 1 am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 " Henry Lloyd. 
 
 " To Doctor John Stephenson," 
 
 The Committee sent for Mr. Stephenson, and having 
 shown him the Letter, he made the declaration following : 
 
 " I believe the within writing to be Mr. Henry Lloyd's 
 writing, and 1 declare that I have never received any copy 
 of it, or any other letter to that purport; and I further 
 declare, that if the letter had come to my hands, 1 would 
 not have executed the order, nor will 1 execute any order 
 of the kind from any person whatsoever, contrary to the 
 resolves of the Continental Congress, or Provincial Con- 
 vention. John Stevenson." 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Henry Lloyd, of Boston, 
 has knowingly and wilfully violated the Association of the 
 American Congress, by endeavouring to supply the ene- 
 mies of this Country with Provisions ; and that agieeable 
 to the Resolutions of the said Congress, it is the duty of us 
 and all our constituents from henceforth not to have any 
 commercial intercourse with him ; and it is recommended, 
 that an inviolable regard be paid to this Resolution. 
 
 DORCHESTER COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cambridge, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, divers persons trading in small vessels up and 
 down the several rivers of this Province, have, of late, fre- 
 quently come into the rivers of this County with Dry 
 Goods, Coffee, Molasses, and other articles which are pro- 
 hibited from being imported into this Country since the 
 first day of December last, and which, they say, were pur- 
 chased by them at Baltimore, Philadelphia, and other 
 places in the Country, without proper certificates from the 
 merchants they respectively purchased of, that the said 
 Goods and Merchandises were imported before the said first 
 day of December ; which has put the Committee of this 
 County to great trouble and inconvenience, in taking pos- 
 session of and storing such Goods till proper certificates 
 were obtained respecting the same ; and has occasioned 
 frequent murmurs of those persons who were thus pre- 
 vented, by their own negligence, from disposing of their 
 Merchandise, under pretence that they did not think such 
 certificates would be required for Goods which were pur- 
 chased in the Country : the Committee of the said County, 
 desirous to prevent any person in future from falling into 
 the same disagreeable predicament of having their Goods 
 detained till such time as they produce satisfactory vouch- 
 ers of their Merchandise being imported within the time 
 limited by the Continental Congress, do hereby give notice 
 to all persons whatsoever, that they will not permit or 
 suffer any one to sell or dispose of any Goods or Mer- 
 chandises which may be brought into the said County, un- 
 less the person or persons to whom the same belong, can 
 produce a certificate from the Committee of the place 
 where they purchased such Goods, that the same were 
 imported within the lime limited as aforesaid. 
 
 Signed per order: Henry Hale, Clerk. 
 
 JOHN ALSOP TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 3, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of 28th ultimo I received, 
 respecting some blankets. In answer, a friend of mine has 
 a quantity at Maryland, with some strouds, and other In- 
 dian goods, which he chooses to sell all together. They 
 are ordered here; as soon as they arrive, he will give the 
 invoice, which I shall lay before the Congress, as 1 suppose 
 they will purchase the whole. Shall inform them of the 
 number of blankets wanted by you, but I fear there is not 
 so many as you stand in need of. I am, with respect, 
 gentlemen, your very humble servant, John Alsop. 
 
 CAPT. JOHN LANGDON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: No doubt before this comes to hand, General Sul- 
 livan, who set out for home last l\iesday, will have waited 
 on you, or the Committee of the Province, to whom I beg 
 leave to refer for particulars. 
 
 Since his departure, we hear that several companies of 
 expert riflemen have marched from Virginia and Mary- 
 land. Six companies from this Province will march this 
 week to join the Army before Boston. I have also the 
 pleasure to inform you that the powder mills are going on 
 fast, having been supplied with several tons of saltpetre ; 
 the manufacturing of which article is likely to meet with 
 
1533 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1534 
 
 great success here, as also in Virginia, and without doubt, 
 in two or three months, will be able to furnish large quan- 
 tities. We hear from South- Carolina that a considerable 
 quantity of powder was arrived there, some of which will 
 immediately be forwarded to Boston; this may be depend- 
 ed on. There has been, within a few days, a considerable 
 quantity sent from this place to our Armies before Boston 
 and Ticonderoga. Every method has been taken, and 
 will continue to be taken, for the importation of large 
 supplies of that necessary article, powder; some of which 
 hope will arrive soon. It is not likely that 1 shall be able 
 to get powder to send to our Province, as the whole will 
 be in the hands of the Committee, to be sent from time to 
 time to our Army ; therefore, if any should be wanting for 
 the common cause, no doubt it may be had from them. 
 
 I would here beg leave to suggest, that we should not, 
 by any means, at present make use of cannon, if it is pos- 
 sible to avoid it, until we are better supplied. The Assem- 
 bly of this Province have voted to raise four thousand five 
 hundred Minute-men. Every measure seems to be taking to 
 defend our just rights to the last extremity. The general 
 voice of the people here is, that our cause is just and 
 righteous, and that God is on our side, as has most evi- 
 dently appeared. The low, base, and wanton cruelty of 
 the ministerial sons of tyranny, in burning the once plea- 
 sant and populous Town of Charlestoun, beggars all de- 
 scription. This does not look like the fight of those who 
 have so long been friends, and would hope to be friends 
 again, but rather of a most cruel enemy. But we shall 
 not wonder, when we reflect, that it is the infernal hand of 
 tyranny, which always has and ever will deluge that part 
 of the world which it lays hold of in blood. 
 
 I am in some hopes that the Congress will rise in about 
 a fortnight, but this is mere conjecture, as it will depend 
 on what news we receive from our Army, and some other 
 matters. I am very sorry to be alone in so great and im- 
 portant a business as that of representing a whole Colony, 
 which no one man is equal to ; but how to avoid it, I know 
 not. Whether it will be thought worth while, at this un- 
 certainty, to send me any assistance, our honourable Con- 
 vention will be judges. I shall endeavour, as far as my 
 poor abilities will admit of, to render every service to my 
 Country in my power. I am, with great respect, your 
 most obedient servant, John Langdon. 
 
 To Matthew Thornton, Esquire. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, July 3, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of the City and Liberties of Philadel- 
 phia having undertaken to erect a Saltpetre Manufactory, 
 and having appointed Messrs. Owen Biddle, George Cly- 
 mer, John Allen, James Mease, Lambert Cadwalader, and 
 Doctor Benjamin Rush, to superintend the same, they do 
 earnestly request the inhabitants of this Province in gene- 
 ral, and of this City and Liberties in particular, to furnish 
 them with all such materials and assistance as they may 
 require, to enable them to carry the said important and 
 necessary Manufactory into execution with as much expe- 
 dition as possible. By order of the Committee: 
 
 John Benezet, Assistant Secretary. 
 
 By His Excellency William Tryon, Esquire, Captain- 
 General and Governour-in- Chief in and over the Pro- 
 vince of New-York, and the Territories depending 
 thereon, in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of 
 the same : 
 
 a proclamation. 
 Whereas, the General Assembly of this Province stands 
 prorogued to the fifth day of July, instant, I have thought 
 fit, for His Majesty's service, to prorogue, and I do by and 
 with the advice of His Majesty's Council, further prorogue 
 the said General Assembly to the ninth day of August 
 next; of which all His Majesty's subjects concerned there- 
 in are required to take notice and govern themselves ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal at arms at Fort George, 
 in the City of New- York, the third day of July, one thou- 
 sand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the fifteenth year 
 of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, by 
 
 the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, 
 King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth. 
 
 William Tryon. 
 
 By his Honour's command : 
 
 Saml. Bayard, Jdn., Sec'y. 
 God save the King. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE CORPORATION OF NEW-YORK TO GOVERN- 
 OUR TRYON. 
 
 Address left with his Excellency Governour Tryon, the 
 third day of July, 1775, by the Worshipful Whitehead 
 Hicks, Esquire, Mayor of the City of New-York : 
 To His Excellency William Tryon, Esquire, Captain- 
 General and Governour-in- Chief of the Province of 
 New-York, and the Territories thereon depending, in 
 America, and Vice-Admiral and Chancellor of the 
 same : 
 
 The humble Address of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Com- 
 monalty of the City of New- York : 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We wait upon you, Sir, to congratulate you on the bet- 
 ter establishment of your health, and to bid you welcome 
 to a people who, from the rectitude of your administra- 
 tion, could not part with you without the deepest regret, 
 and who must therefore receive you again with all the con- 
 fidence of safety and protection which the experience of 
 your virtues and abilities can inspire. 
 
 Would to Heaven that an event so honourable to you 
 as this fresh mark of the King's approbation really is, and 
 which is so acceptable to us, had found us in a condition 
 more propitious to your felicity ; for even amidst the com- 
 plicated distresses of this melancholy hour, we feel an addi- 
 tion to our grief, from the aspect of the times upon the 
 happiness we sincerely wish you to enjoy. 
 
 To whatever causes the suspension of the harmony once 
 subsisting between the Parent State and her Colonies may 
 be imputed, be assured, Sir, that we sigh with the utmost 
 ardour for the re-establishment of the common tranquillity, 
 upon that ancient system of Government and intercourse 
 which has been such a fruitful source of general prosperity 
 and opulence. 
 
 It is with affliction we behold a Nation, as renowned for 
 wisdom as for valour, involved in a civil war, in which dis- 
 loyalty in His Majesty's American subjects to their Prince, 
 or want of affection to their Mother Country, constitute no 
 part of the unnatural controversy. And we trust, under 
 a merciful God, in the aid of your intercession with His 
 Majesty, for a speedy termination of these hostile animosi- 
 ties of his contending subjects, which undermine the power 
 and threaten the destruction of the Empire. 
 
 The Governors Answer to the Address of the Mayor, 
 Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New- York, 
 delivered to the Mayor to be laid before the Corpora- 
 lion. 
 
 Gentlemen: I receive with satisfaction your congratu- 
 lations on my return to this Country, and obliging assu- 
 rances of your affectionate regard from my former residence 
 amongst you, and of your continued confidence in me at 
 this melancholy crisis of publick affairs, already carried to 
 an extreme much to be lamented by every good man and 
 well-wisher of his King and Country. 
 
 I confess my disappointment at the change of circum- 
 stances in this Government, and feel the weightiest distress 
 at the present unfriendly aspect of the times. Long resi- 
 dence in the Colonies, and a happy experience of repeated 
 friendships, have, as it were, naturalized me to America, 
 and bound me, while 1 remained in England, faithfully to 
 represent the loyalty, sentiments, and situation of the in- 
 habitants of this Province, and to support their interest 
 with my best endeavours. At the same time, my breast 
 glowing with an ardent zeal for the honour of my Sover- 
 eign, and affection for my native Country, I was induced 
 to embark again for this Government, cherishing the pleas- 
 ing hope of being able to contribute, in some small degree, 
 the hastening the general wish of tbe Nation for a speedy 
 and happy reconciliation between Great Britain and her 
 Colonies. If there can be a time when it would be wis- 
 dom and humanity to listen to the calm and dispassionate 
 
1535 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1536 
 
 voice of reason and moderation, it surely must be the pre- 
 sent. 1 wis!) to embrace the idea, that neither disloyalty 
 in His Majesty's American subjects, or disaffection to the 
 Mother Country, constitute any part of the present unna- 
 tural controversy ; but that the contention Hows from a 
 mere misconception of constitutional principles. The Par- 
 liament, in their Resolution of the 27lh of February, hav- 
 ing made the first advance to a measure of accommoda- 
 tion, it would surely be glorious in the Americans to avail 
 themselves of so important an opportunity in so noble a 
 cause. In the present moment, were America to liberate 
 the restraints she has laid on her commerce and constitu- 
 tional authority, and through her Provincial Assemblies 
 grant, suitable to the ease of their circumstances, supplies 
 to the Mother Country for the protection of the whole 
 British State, 1 am confident in my own mind the contro- 
 versy would fall to the ground, and that many acts of con- 
 ciliatory grace would be extended to America by Great 
 Britain, which national honour cannot suffer to have torn 
 from her by violence. 
 
 I am acquainted, in a despatch from the Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, that the Memorial and Representation of the Gen- 
 eral Assembly of this Province, were unfortunately blended 
 with expressions containing claims, which made it impos- 
 sible for Parliament, consistent with its justice and dignity, 
 to receive it ; yet the Petition to the King has been present- 
 ed to His Majesty, who was pleased to receive it with the 
 most gracious expressions of regard and attention to the 
 humble requests of his faithful subjects in New-York', and 
 I am authorized to say, that nothing can give greater satis- 
 faction to the royal breast, than to see us again a happy 
 and united people. William Tryon. 
 
 New-York, July 7, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 5, 1775.] 
 
 New. York, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of Saturday last, with the resolution of 
 Congress of the same day, and copy of the military arrange- 
 ments enclosed, was delivered me at five this morning. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, to observe, that the resolution seems to 
 be founded on a supposition that the inhabitants in the 
 neighbourhood of Ticondcroga are a people distinct from 
 those called Green Mountain Boys, and that they are 
 numerous; whereas the fact is, that most of the inhabitants 
 in the north-eastern part of the County of Albany, and in 
 the County of Charlotte, and who reside on what are com- 
 monly called the New-Hampshire Grants, are distinguished 
 by the appellation of Green Mountain Boys; and although 
 they are settled in an extent of country upwards of one 
 hundred and thirty miles in length, from nearly as far south 
 as Albany to forty or fifty miles north of Crown Point, 
 yet so lately has that country begun to settle, that it will 
 be difficult (as Colonel Allen observes) to raise five hun- 
 dred men in it, although there are more inhabitants, but 
 necessarily occupied in procuring subsistence for their 
 families. Such of them as assisted in the reduction of 
 Ticondcroga, and afterwards garrisoned it, are already 
 returned to their respective habitations Hence, Sir, you 
 will perceive that the troops in that quarter cannot be 
 re-enforced, at any rate, by more than five hundred men, 
 to be procured there, and those still to be levied. 
 
 From what information I have been able to procure, I 
 suppose that the forces under Colonel Hinman's command 
 do not exceed thirteen hundred men, including those that 
 occupy Fort George, the landing at the north end of Lake 
 George, and the post at the Saw-mills, and such as are 
 necessarily employed in transporting provisions, &.C., from 
 Albany, which will probably reduce them to eleven hun- 
 dred and under ; and if of these 1 leave two hundred to 
 garrison Crown Point and Ticondcroga, the remainder will 
 then exceed General Carleton's regular Troops by about 
 three hundred men only, a force very inadequate barely to 
 attempt destroying his floating batteries, boats, and vessels, 
 without hazarding the loss, not only of the command of 
 the lakes, but of the fortresses in our possession on its 
 banks. These observations 1 have taken the liberty to 
 make, that Congress, by being more truly possessed of 
 facts, may make a probable guess of the consequences 
 that will follow an attempt which I conceive myself not at 
 
 liberty to desist from making, without orders to the con- 
 trary. I shall leave this to-day, and order Brigadier Mont- 
 gomery to follow as soon as possible. 
 
 Preparations are making here to fortify the pass in the 
 Highlands. I had proposed that part of General Wooster's 
 corps should have gone on that service. If Congress in- 
 tends that any of them shall be employed in that way, 
 they will please to signify it, as they cannot otherwise, since 
 the last order, be moved from New-York. 
 
 I am, Sir, most respectfully and very sincerely, your 
 obedient and humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable John Huncoclc, President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 7, 1775.] 
 
 New-York, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I did myself the honour to write you a few hours 
 ago ; since which I have conversed with Mr. Kirkland, one 
 of the Indian Missionaries. The information he gives me 
 of the temper of the Indians of the Six Nations; of Colonel 
 Johnson's nefarious designs ; of the conduct of some Roman 
 Catholick Highlanders, resident in the County of Tryon, 
 is so interesting, that I have taken the liberty to request him 
 to repair to Congress with all despatch. 
 
 His influence with the Indians renders him capable, and 
 I believe there is no doubt of his willingness, to serve his 
 Country in this critical hour. 
 
 I am, Sir, most respectfully, your obedient and humble 
 servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancoclc, Esquire. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New-York, July 3, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : I do myself the honour to enclose you an 
 estimate of such stores, &c, as at present appear to me 
 necessary to be forwarded to Albany ; the pitch, oakum, 
 and nails, 1 wish to have sent with all possible despatch. 
 I am very certain that a variety of other articles will be 
 wanted, which I shall be better able to ascertain after my 
 arrival at Albany, for which place I propose setting out 
 to-morrow. 
 
 I am informed that a considerable quantity of lead was 
 found at Ticonderoga; but if it should not equal my expec- 
 tations, I may be exposed to insurmountable difficulties. 
 I therefore wish that at least half of the quantity which 1 
 have estimated, may be ordered up without delay, together 
 with fifty casks of powder, which 1 am advised will be sent 
 you from Philadelphia. 
 
 As it is probable, from the manoeuvres of Governour 
 Carleton, that I shall speedily want a re-enforcement of 
 Troops at Ticonderoga, and not being at liberty to remove 
 the Connecticut Troops from hence, 1 entreat you will be 
 pleased to forward whatever men may be levied in this 
 Colony, immediately to Albany, without waiting until the 
 corps are completed. 
 
 I hope, gentlemen, on every occasion, to be favoured 
 with your advice. And, indeed, as the important charge 
 conferred on me by the Continental Congress was done in 
 deference to your polite and honourable (yet altogether 
 unmerited) recommendation of me, 1 shall, with the fullest 
 confidence, look up to you for your aid and countenance, 
 at once to promote the publick service, and to prevent me 
 from sinking under the weighty concerns of my office. 
 And give me leave to assure you, that though I have the 
 clearest conviction that I shall never be able to equal the 
 high opinion you have induced the Congress to entertain 
 of°me, yet no effort shall be wanting on my part to deserve 
 it as far as possible, that I may not draw disgrace on you, 
 my Country, or myself. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with sentiments of the most profound 
 respect, your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 
 The Gentlemen of the New-York Provincial Congress. 
 
 An estimate of Military Stores, Provisions, fyc, to be sent 
 to Albany. 
 
 Fifty swivel guns : 2 ton musket ball or lead : what pow- 
 der can be spared : 2 dozen bullet-moulds : soldiers' tents 
 
1537 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1538 
 
 for thirty -five hundred men, six men to a tent: a propor- 
 tionable number of bell tents : officers' tents : tents for two 
 General Officers and their suits: 15 casks of twenty-four 
 penny nails: 10 casks of twenty penny : 15 casks of ten 
 penny : 1000 weight of spike nails : 1 ton of oakum : 30 
 barrels of pitch : 300 felling axes, exclusive of those for 
 the camp use of the soldiers: 200 bill hooks: 200 spades: 
 200 shovels : 150 pick-axes : 20 crowbars : 20 mason's 
 trowels : 20 mason's hammers : 2 ton of bar iron : 500 
 weight of steel : 100 set of men's harness — I believe there 
 is some in Connecticut : 3 set of gunsmith's tools, exclu- 
 sive of those for the regimental armourer : 3 set of black- 
 smith's tools : 50 broad-axes : 20 whip-saws : 20 cross- 
 cut saws : 4 sets of block and tackles, strong : 50 weight 
 of twine : 4 fishing nets with ropes : 1 0 bolts of sail cloth : 
 50 oil cloths, well painted : 1500 oars, twelve, fourteen, 
 and sixteen feet long : 500 fathom of tarred rope for pain- 
 ters, for boats : £ ton of tarred rope, sorted : 4 chests of 
 carpenter's tools: 28 mill saws for Dutch mills: 7 mill 
 saws for English mills : 5 dozen mill saw files : an assort- 
 ment of articles in the artillery way : paper : shot can- 
 nisters : fusees : one dozen lime sieves : 50 small truck 
 carriages, if they are ready made here : 10 carriages for 
 field-pieces, if they are ready made here: necessaries for 
 a hospital : three months' provisions for four thousand 
 men — much of the meat kind to be fresh, as it may be drove 
 to the Army, and save the heavy expense of transportation : 
 whatever arms can be spared : 20 grass scythes : flints. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SECRECY (nEW-YORk) TO MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 New. York, July 3, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: We think it necessary to inform you, that 
 by a vessel lately arrived from Greenock, in Scotland, we 
 have an extract from a letter from a gentleman there, in- 
 forming his correspondents here that a considerable quantity 
 of goods was shipped in the Glasgow Packet, Captain Por- 
 ter field, who sailed from that port in April last, bound for 
 Salem. As the vessel in all probability must be arrived, 
 we hope that the Committee of that place have been at- 
 tentive to their duty ; but as they are marked for the use 
 of the Army, we fear they may have passed unnoticed, 
 notwithstanding the greatest vigilance. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 
 
 John Imlay, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Members of the Committee of Secrecy and Inspection. 
 
 PETER T. CURTENIUS (COMMISSARY) TO NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 New. York, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have made an inquiry about the articles 
 the Congress gave me an order for, and find that 1 can get 
 coarse cloth, of different colours like the patterns, for two 
 battalions, at seven [shillings and six pence, to eight shil- 
 lings per yard, and a few of them from eleven to thirteen 
 shillings per yard, which last will do for sergeants' coats ; 
 if you think the colours differ too much, they can be dyed 
 a dark brown at one shilling and six pence per yard. Mr. 
 Pey, one of your members, can inform you whether it is 
 too much. As to blue cloth, I can get enough for two 
 battalions more, that is, if the Congress will permit Robert 
 and John Murray to take fifteen or sixteen pieces blue 
 slrouds out of their store at Elizabethtown. 
 
 Muskets that are good I find very scarce ; not fifty ready 
 made that are good for any thing. I might get about one 
 hundred made in a month, at eighty or eighty-two shillings 
 a piece. 
 
 Raven's duck, none to be had as yet ; but I can get about 
 seventy pieces drilling, at two shillings and four pence per 
 yard, which is eight pence higher than I gave for duck ; 
 and ten pieces Russia sheeting, very stout, at five pounds, 
 ten shillings per piece, which is about three shillings per 
 yard, but then it is a quarter of a yard wider than duck or 
 drilling. 
 
 Canteens I can get ready made, about twenty-five hun- 
 dred, of Mr. Levy, at one shilling a piece, but I would not 
 venture to buy them, as they are something tarnished, until 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. £ 
 
 the Sub-Committee view them first ; new ones will cost 
 one shilling and six pence. 
 
 English spades, none to be had ; socket spades can be 
 made by our blacksmiths, which are better than English 
 ones. 
 
 Lead in bars, none to be had. Shot I can get at forty- 
 four shillings per hundred weight ; but I can get bullets 
 cast to any size that shall be wanted, at fifty shillings per 
 hundred weight, which is cheaper than shot at forty-four 
 shillings, because it wastes fourteen pounds per hundred 
 weight. 
 
 Flints, cartouch paper, gun-worms, screw-drivers, camp 
 kettles, haversacks, hatchets, felling axes, and pick-axes, 
 1 can get the whole quantity. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius. 
 
 S. PATRICK TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Orange Furnace, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sirs : The subscriber having a furnaee in 
 New- York Province, now in blast, would engage to make 
 and deliver iron ball, of any given dimensions, any where 
 on the North River where he can with safety land them, 
 at fifteen Pounds per ton ; and as the furnace is in blast, 
 he would execute any order he might be favoured with 
 expeditiously ; and is, Gentlemen, your humble servant, 
 
 S. Patrick. 
 
 The Honourable the Provincial Congress, assembled at 
 New- York. 
 
 COLONEL HINMAN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 3, 1775. 
 
 I would inform you that Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel 
 Mott, who is appointed Engineer by the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, arrived here yesterday. He has taken a survey 
 of the fortresses at Fort George and this place, and is of 
 the opinion that they are altogether indefensible, should an 
 attempt be made with artillery. Should a number of troops 
 arrive from Canada sufficient to keep the field, (a thing not 
 improbable,) these posts must of consequence fall into their 
 hands. You will therefore see the necessity of an augmen- 
 tation of troops being immediately sent, as well as a supply 
 of gunpowder, of which we are almost destitute. The 
 importance of maintaining these posts for the benefit of 
 your Province in particular, and of the united Colonies in 
 general, is such, that no arguments need be used to enforce 
 the speedy execution of some wise and spirited measures 
 for their defence. 
 
 It is my opinion that a sufficient number of troops should 
 be stationed at Fort George, with a constant scouting party, 
 in order to prevent any sudden attack from the enemy, and 
 to keep open a safe communication with Albany. I pur- 
 pose forthwith to throw up an intrenchment around the 
 redoubt at Crown Point, in order to render the place more 
 defensible. 
 
 My men are daily on fatigue, in repairing bridges, mend- 
 ing highways, removing the cannon, and other necessary 
 employments, so that you will readily see how inadequate 
 my numbers are to the performance of all these duties, 
 with that speed and safety the necessity of the case requires. 
 
 I think it is absolutely necessary that a Captain's com- 
 pany, of those intended for this department, with suitable 
 implements, be immediately directed to repair the roads 
 and bridges in their way to Fort George, since it will be 
 impracticable for the wagons to pass much longer, in the 
 wretched condition they are in at present, especially that 
 part between the Half-Moon and Fort George. 
 
 The troops to be forwarded should be furnished with 
 tents, a thing of absolute necessity, inasmuch as the bar- 
 racks are more crowded already than is either for the con- 
 venience or health of the soldiery. Sundry gentlemen, of 
 late, have made application to pass these posts.-with letters 
 of recommendation from the several Congresses. I should 
 therefore think it proper that the letters theyi/Dring with 
 them should be certified, as to their number, and to whom 
 directed, in order to prevent the communication of any in- 
 telligence which might disserve the interest of the united 
 Colonies. 
 
 Captain Edward Mott, who will wait on you with this, 
 
1539 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1540 
 
 will give you farther information to whatever questions you 
 will think proper to ask, as to the state and condition of 
 these fortresses, and will forward any commands you will 
 think proper to send. 
 
 I am, Sir, with respect, your very humble servant, 
 
 Benjamin Hinman, Colonel. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, President of the Provincial 
 Congress, New- York. 
 
 WALTER SPOONER TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Springfield, July 3, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : The Congress of the 
 Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, on the 14th day of June 
 last, appointed Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and 
 James Sullivan, a Committee to repair to the Fortresses 
 of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, on the Lake Champlain, 
 to inquire into the importance of holding those posts, and 
 the method by which they may be maintained ; to establish, 
 in the pay of said Colony, so many men to defend the same 
 posts as they should judge necessary, not exceeding four 
 hundred. And the said Committee were also by the said 
 Congress directed, when they should have made themselves 
 fully acquainted with the situation and importance of said 
 posts, respectfully to signify their thoughts thereon to your 
 Honours. 
 
 Wherefore, by order of said Committee, I take leave to 
 inform you, that it is the opinion of said Committee, that 
 such is the importance of those fortresses, that should they 
 once be in the hands of the enemies to America, the Co- 
 lony of New-York, together with the New- England Colo- 
 nies, would be in continual danger of having depredations 
 committed on them by the regular forces who would be 
 possessed of those garrisons ; and should the Canadians 
 and savages (who we hope are not yet at enmity with us) 
 be inclined to take part with the Ministerial Army, the dis- 
 tress of the Colonies before-mentioned must be extremely 
 great. 
 
 A garrison at the south end of Lake George, however 
 tenable, could be of but little service to the New-England 
 Colonies ; because the most easy route for an army from 
 Quebeck into New-England, would be through Lake 
 Champlain to South-Bay, from whence they might travel 
 by land through the new settlements of New-York into 
 the New-England Governments, and destroy the frontier 
 Towns on their march ; drive the farmers from their fields ; 
 prevent the large supplies of wheat and other necessaries, 
 which may soon be expected from those new settlements ; 
 send distress and famine into the bowels of the country ; 
 and all this without being on a right line within many miles 
 of the south end of Lake George. 
 
 I am also ordered by said Committee to signify to your 
 Honours, that it is the opinion of said Committee that the 
 defence of those fortresses must be supported by holding 
 the command of Lake Champlain, which they conceive 
 may be more easily done by having vessels of various con- 
 structions, well manned, armed, and floating there ; for 
 which purpose the Committee have stationed four hundred 
 men there, which are all that the embarrassed circumstances 
 of our Colony can at present admit of, to co-operate with 
 near a thousand under the command of Colonel Hinman, 
 who is sent to those posts by the Government of Con- 
 necticut. But whether the forces now on the lake are suf- 
 ficient for the purposes aforementioned, your Honours will 
 judge. 
 
 I am, with due respect, in behalf of said Committee, 
 your Honours' most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Walter Spooner. 
 To the Hon. President and Members of the American Con- 
 gress now sitting at Philadelphia. 
 
 WALTER SPOONER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Springfield, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Notwithstanding the many calamities that 
 the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay now struggles under, 
 the Congress there are resolutely determined to leave 
 nothing within their power undone which may have a 
 probable tendency to preserve the rights and property of 
 the American Colonies. In pursuance of this resolution, 
 they, on the 14th day of June last, appointed a Commit- 
 
 tee, whereof I have the honour to be chairman, to proceed 
 to Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to inquire into the im- 
 portance of holding these posts ; and among other things, 
 beg leave to signify to you their thoughts on the subject. 
 The Committee have made those inquiries, as they were 
 directed, and have ordered me to take leave to inform you 
 that it is their opinion, that should the fortresses on Luke 
 Champlain fall into the hands of our enemies, the Colony 
 of Neiv- York, with the New-England Colonies, must be 
 in the utmost insecurity; for the enemy might land at the 
 southern end of a part of the waters of Lake Champlain, 
 called South-Bay, from whence, as Fort Edward is razed 
 to the foundation, there is nothing to check them, or pre- 
 vent them spreading fire and devastation down to Albany, 
 and over all the frontier Towns eastward, in Neio-York 
 and the Neiv-England Colonies. 
 
 Wherefore, it is the opinion of the Committee, that all 
 possible care ought to be taken to keep the command of 
 Lake Champlain, which, perhaps, may be more easily 
 effected by armed vessels of various constructions, than 
 otherwise. 
 
 The Committee have established on the lakes, in the pay 
 of the Massachusetts Colony, four hundred effective men, 
 with proper officers, which are all that the distressed state 
 of the Colony can at present admit of; which Regiment, 
 from the peculiar embarrassment which that Colony is now 
 labouring under, must look for present supplies of provisions 
 to the Colony of New- York. 
 
 While the Committee were at the posts above mentioned, 
 there was a dangerous mutiny set on foot by some persons 
 employed by Colonel Arnold, an officer of our Colony, 
 who appeared to have their own interest more at heart than 
 the publick good, which, had it not been for the influence 
 and well-timed exertions of Judge Duer, a gentleman of 
 the County of Charlotte, in your Colony, and the principal 
 officers of the Connecticut Forces, might have been attend- 
 ed with fatal consequences. As the Committee suppose 
 the Colony they serve to be under great obligations to that 
 worthy gentleman, they cannot but inform his own Govern- 
 ment of his zealous exertions for the publick good. 
 
 1 am, with due respect, in behalf of the Committee, your 
 most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Walter Spooner. 
 To the Hon. President and Members of the Convention of 
 the Colony of New- York. 
 
 WALTER SPOONER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Springfield, July 3, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honour: When the Congress of 
 the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay were informed that 
 your Government had sent Colonel Hinman to Lake 
 Champlain, with a thousand men, to defend the important 
 posts there, it was with the deepest concern that they saw 
 lie was not commander-in-chief of those fortresses and 
 their appendages, and immediately despatched a Commit- 
 tee, whereof I have the honour to be chairman, to let the 
 commander of their forces know, that it was the expecta- 
 tion of our Congress, that the Commander-in-Chief of the 
 Connecticut Forces should be over our officers and privates. 
 The Committee was also ordered respectfully to signify to 
 your Honour their opinion of the necessity of holding those 
 fortresses, as also of the most expedient method to do it. 
 
 Whereupon, they proceeded, and at Crown Point let 
 Colonel Arnold know that it was expected he should give 
 up the command of the garrisons, &lc, to Colonel Hinman, 
 and be under him as his chief officer there ; but he de- 
 clined it, and declared that he would not be second to any 
 man, disbanded his forces, and resigned his commission. A 
 majority of his men engaged anew under Colonel James 
 Easton, who the Committee appointed, under the Com- 
 mander of the forces of your Government on the lakes 
 to be regulated by your martial law. And the Committee 
 left the garrisons and appendages in peace, with much 
 satisfaction, commanded by Colonel Hinman, who, they are 
 confident, is fully equal to the appointment. 
 
 The Committee also order me to inform your Honour, 
 that it is their opinion, that the abandoning the posts on 
 Lake Champlain would probably prove the utter ruin of 
 the New-England Governments ; and that they apprehend 
 armed vessels, floating batteries, &c, will be the surest 
 
1541 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1542 
 
 means of commanding the lakes. The Committee would 
 write your Honour more fully on this subject, but they are 
 convinced, from the letters you have favoured our Congress 
 with, that you are fully possessed of the importance of 
 holding those fortresses. 
 
 Justice compels the Committee to let your Honour know, 
 that on Colonel Arnold's refusing to serve under Colonel 
 Hinman, a mutiny arose amongst some of Arnold's men, 
 who would not engage anew in our service, which seemed 
 to be attended with dangerous symptoms ; but by the noble 
 exertions of the officers of your Government, with those 
 of Judge Duer, of Charlotte County, in the Colony of 
 New-York, and the ample support by them rendered to 
 the Committee in the most difficult situation, it was happily 
 quelled. The particulars of it are too tedious and disagree- 
 able for your Honour's attention, while you have constantly 
 business of the last importance before you. But this much 
 the Committee order me to take leave to say, that from 
 the polite, generous, and manly disposition of Colonel 
 Hinman, and the officers in the Connecticut Forces under 
 him, we may gather the most happy prospects of a cam- 
 paign at the Northward replete with honour and interest 
 to the Colonies. 
 
 I am, in behalf of the Committee, your Honour's most 
 obedient humble servant, Walter Spooner. 
 
 Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq. 
 
 GOVERNOUR WE NT WORTH TO SECRETARY ATKINSON. 
 
 Castle William and Mary, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : I have occasion to inspect the books of 
 Charters in the Secretary's Office, and to make some min- 
 utes out of them. I desire you will deliver them to the 
 bearer for that purpose, and I will be responsible for their 
 safety and return into the Secretary's Office. I am, dear 
 Sir, yours, he, J. Wentworth. 
 
 Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq. 
 
 CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO THE MASSACHUSETTS 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Exeter, July 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We take the earliest opportunity to con- 
 vey to you some intelligence we have just received from 
 Canada, by the way of Mr. Dean, a Missionary, lately 
 come from that country. We enclose copies of two letters 
 from Doctor TVheelock, and from a Committee in Hanover. 
 Mr. Wheelock and Colonel Bedel, who will take the charge 
 of this, will be able to give you, perhaps, some further par- 
 ticulars. We wish to have, as soon as possible, your judg- 
 ment on the matter, and shall probably defer acting until 
 we hear from you. If any plan of operation towards, or 
 in Canada, is suitable, we wish to act in concert with you 
 and the other Colonies in the neighbourhood. We trust 
 we shall not be backward in exerting ourselves in the com- 
 mon defence ; but would act with caution in a matter of 
 importance. 
 
 We are, with respect, gentlemen, your friends and 
 brethren in the common cause. 
 
 In the name and by order of the Congress : 
 
 Matthew Thornton, President. 
 
 REVEREND DOCTOR WHEELOCK TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Dartmouth College, June 28, 1775. 
 Much respected Gentlemen : Yesterday Mr. Dean 
 returned from his tour to Canada, on which I sent him in 
 the capacity of a Missionary, last March, with a view to 
 strengthen and perpetuate the friendship which has lately 
 commenced between the Indian tribes in that quarter and 
 the Seminary, to attach them to these Colonies, and secure 
 these frontiers from an invasion from that quarter. And 
 on hearing his narrative, the intelligence appeared so inte- 
 resting, and the authority so good, that I thought best to 
 send him forward immediately to the honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress, whose determination I thought would pro- 
 bably be governed in some important respects by his ac- 
 counts. 
 
 The Tribes of Indians near Montreal and Quebeck are 
 doubtless well affected towards these Colonies and the 
 cause we are engaged in. But about forty savages from a 
 
 great distance, came into Montreal, with a profession of 
 coming to a Congress or treaty, we understand, at the de- 
 sire of the Governour, who ordered the Commissary to 
 make provision for the entertainment of three hundred 
 more, by which he supposed the number was expected 
 soon. The neighbouring tribes will none of them join with 
 the savages, excepting that the Caughnawagas, to save 
 themselves from being distressed, have engaged to assist in 
 defending him at Montreal, but to go no further, and gave 
 the fullest evidence that this concession was only for self- 
 preservation ; and Mr. Dean is confident that the Governour 
 cannot persuade an Indian there so much as to conduct 
 those foreigners through the roads to our settlements. He 
 further informs, that the inhabitants of Canada were much 
 alarmed at our people's taking the forts on the lake ; and 
 that upon it, they (the Regulars) exerted themselves much 
 in preparing themselves for an attack from our soldiers; 
 and that this appeared to be their grand object when he 
 left the place. But my son, who comes on purpose, can 
 give you a more full and particular account of this and of 
 the present state of Oswego, &.c. And I would humbly 
 propose to your consideration, gentlemen, whether it be 
 not expedient, and of the first and greatest importance to 
 the safety of the whole, that all these frontier Towns be 
 well and speedily supplied with arms and ammunition, and 
 as much as they can, to put themselves into a posture of 
 defence ; and that in order hereto, some method to procure 
 such stores be pointed out to them by the honourable Con- 
 gress ; and also some means be provided to make it prac- 
 ticable by such as are poor and unable to purchase for 
 themselves. 
 
 I most heartily pray the Father of lights to direct you in 
 your consultations and determinations on this most interest- 
 ing affair; and am, much respected gentlemen, your most 
 obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 Eleazer Wheelock. 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress now sitting at 
 
 Exeter. 
 
 P. S. My son can inform you of the measures used by 
 the Canadian Indians to engage all their allies not to join 
 against us. 
 
 Since I wrote the foregoing letter, I have seen a man 
 direct from Albany, and late from Mount Johnson, who 
 informs me that Colonel G. Johnson has lately received 
 presents to the amount of three thousand Pounds, from the 
 King, to be disposed of to engage the Indians within his 
 jurisdiction against the Colonies ; and that all his endea- 
 vours for that purpose have been fruitless. Not one of the 
 Indians would go to receive the presents. That said Su- 
 perintendent has withdrawn, with his family and presents, 
 by the way of Oswego; but where he is going is not 
 known. That the Mohawks and Oneidas are firm for the 
 Colonies ; which also agrees with other accounts. 
 
 COMMITTEES OF HANOVER AND LEBANON TO THE NEW- 
 HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Hanover, June 27, 1775. 
 Sir : Mr. Dean having yesterday returned from Canada, 
 with intelligence which we apprehend of importance, we 
 think it our duty forthwith to communicate it to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress ; and as sundry Members of the Conti- 
 nental Congress have desired Mr. Dean's attendance at 
 Philadelphia, as soon as he returned from his mission, for 
 which place he sets out to-morrow, we have desired Mr. 
 John Wheelock to take the journey to Exeter, to commu- 
 nicate the intelligence to your honourable House, with as 
 much speed and accuracy as possible, not doubting your 
 approbation of our procedure therein. 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient and most humble ser- 
 vants, Edmund Freeman, Jona. Freeman, 
 Beza Woodward, Israel Curtis, 
 John Wright, 
 Committee of Inspection and Correspondence for Hanover. 
 
 John Griswold, S. Waterman, 
 John Williams, Jedediah Hubbard, 
 Committee of Inspection and Correspondence for Lebanon. 
 
 To Colonel M. Thornton, President of the Provincial 
 Congress in New- Hampshire. 
 
1543 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1544 
 
 PROVINCIAL CONGRESS OF GEORGIA. 
 
 At a Provincial Congress held agreeable to appointment, 
 at Tondee's Long Room, at Savannah, on the 4th day of 
 July, 1775, and continued from day to day, the following 
 persons were returned duly elected, viz: 
 Town and District of Savannah. — Archibald Bullock, 
 Noble Wimberly Jones, Joseph Habersham, Jonathan 
 Bryan, Ambrose Wright, William Young, John Glen, 
 Samuel Elbert, John Houstoun, Oliver Bowen, John 
 McCluer, Edward Telfair, Thomas Lee, George Hous- 
 toun, Joseph Reynolds, John Smith, William Ewen, 
 John Martin, Doctor Zubly, Willia7n Bryan, Philip 
 Box, Philip Allman, William O'Bryan, Joseph Clay, 
 Seth John Cuthbert. 
 District of Vernonbubgh. — Joseph Butler* Andrew 
 
 Elton Wells, Matthew Hoche, Junior. 
 District of Acton. — David Zubly, Basil Cowper, Wil- 
 liam Gibbons. 
 
 Sea-Island Distbict. — Colonel Deveaux, Colonel De 
 Le Gall, James Bulloch, John Morel, John Bohun 
 Gerreadicu, John Barnard, Robert Gibson. 
 
 District of Little Ogechee. — Francis Henry Harris, 
 Joseph Gibbons, James Robertson.* 
 
 Parish of St. Matthew. — John Stirk, John Adam 
 Treutlen, George Walton, Edward Jones, Jacob Wald- 
 hauer, Philip Howell, Isaac Young, Jenkin Davis, 
 John Morel, John Fieri, Charles McKay, Christopher 
 Cramer. 
 
 Parish of St. Philip. — Colonel Butler, William Le 
 Conte, William Maxwell, Stephen Drayton, Adam 
 Fowler Brisbane, Luke Mann, Hugh Bryan. 
 
 Parish of St. George. — Henry Jones, John Green, 
 Thomas Burton, William Lord, David Lewis, Benja- 
 min Lewis, James Pugh, John Fulton. 
 
 Parish of St. Andrew. — Jonathan Cochran, William 
 Jones, Peter Tarlin, Lachlan Mcintosh, William Mc- 
 intosh, George Threadcraft, John Wereat, Roderick 
 Mcintosh, John Witherspoon, George Mcintosh, Allan 
 Stuart, John Mcintosh, Raymond Demere. 
 
 Parish of St. David. — Seth John Cuthbert, William 
 Williams, Senior. 
 
 Parish of St. Mart. — Daniel Ryan. 
 
 Parish of St. Thomas. — John Roberts. 
 
 Parish of St. Paul. — John Walton, Joseph Maddock* 
 Andrew Burns, Robert Rae, James Rae, Andrew 
 Moore, Andrew Barney, Leonard Marbury. 
 
 Parish of St. John. — James Screven, Nathan Brotvnson, 
 Daniel Roberts, John Baker, Sen., John Bacon, Sen., 
 James Maxwell, Edward Ball, William Baker, Sen., 
 William Bacon, Jr., John Stevens, John Winn, Sen. 
 
 Those marked * declined taking their seats. 
 
 Archibald Bullock, Esq., being proposed as President, 
 was unanimously elected ; and George Walton, Esq., being 
 proposed as Secretary, was also unanimously elected. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to the Meeting-House of 
 the Reverend Doctor Zubly, where he preached a sermon 
 on the alarming state of American affairs. 
 
 The Congress being returned, a motion was made and 
 seconded, that the thanks of this Congress be given to the 
 Rev. Doctor Zubly, for the excellent Sermon he preached 
 this day to the Members ; which being unanimously agreed 
 to, it was Ordered, That Basil Cowper, Joseph Clay, 
 John Houstoun, John Glen, and George Houstoun, Esqrs., 
 be a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 Wednesday, July 5, 1775. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that this Congress 
 apply to his Excellency the Governour, by message, re- 
 questing him to appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer 
 throughout this Province, on account of the disputes sub- 
 sisting between America and the Parent State ; which 
 being unanimously passed in the affirmative, it was 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor Zubly, William Young, Joseph 
 Clay, Stephen Drayton, and William Maxivell, be a Com- 
 mittee for that purpose. 
 
 Copy of the Message. 
 May it please tour Excellency: The Provincial 
 Congress, deeply concerned at the present alarming state 
 
 of affairs, and the distresses of America, humbly request 
 that your Excellency would appoint a day of Fasting and 
 Prayer, to be observed throughout this Province, that a 
 happy reconciliation may soon take place between America 
 and the Parent State, and that, under the auspicious reign 
 of His Majesty and his descendants, both Countries may 
 remain united, virtuous, free, and happy, till time shall he 
 no more. 
 
 By order of the Congress : 
 
 Archibald Bulloch, President. 
 
 The President being informed by the Messenger, that 
 John Jamicson and John Simpson, Esquires, were in wait- 
 ing, and desired to be admitted ; which being agreed to, 
 they were desired to walk in. They then produced and 
 delivered in to the President a Paper containing several 
 Resolutions entered into by a number of persons, inhabi- 
 tants of the Town of Savannah ; which was ordered to be 
 read, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 " At a meeting of several of the Inhabitants of the Town 
 of Savannah, at Mrs. Cuyler's, on Friday, the 13th of 
 June, 1775, John Mullryne, Esq., in the chai^ ; Joseph 
 Clay, James Mossman, Rev. Mr. J. J. Zubly, John Simp- 
 son, Noble Wimberly Jones, John Jamieson, William 
 Moss, John Glen, Josiah Tattnall, John Graham, Lewis 
 Johnston, William Young, Richard Wylly, Andrew Mc- 
 Lean, Basil Cowper, Philip Moore, George Houstoun, 
 Joseph Butler, James Read, Thomas Ricd, William Pan- 
 tori, James Edward Powell, William Strut hers, Alexander 
 McGowen, John C. Lucena, Thomas Sherman, J. N. 
 Faming, Levi Sheftall, Charles Hamilton, George Spen- 
 cer, William Brown, Junior, Francis Courvoizie, James 
 Anderson. 
 
 " Whereas, publick confusions and grievances are much 
 increased by private dissensions and animosities : 
 
 "Resolved, therefore, nem. con., That we will use our 
 utmost endeavours to preserve the peace and good order 
 of this Province : and that no person behaving himself 
 peaceably and inoffensively, shall be molested in his per- 
 son or property, or even in his private sentiments, while 
 he expresses them with decency, and without any illiberal 
 reflections upon others. 
 
 " Whereas, the acts for raising a perpetual revenue in 
 America, and all the measures used to enforce these acts, 
 are not partial but general grievances, and it is more likely 
 that redress will be obtained by the joint endeavours of all 
 who may think these acts unconstitutional or oppressive, 
 than by any measure that might be taken singly by indi- 
 viduals ; therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting, (as a 
 proper measure to be pursued, because the General Assem- 
 bly is not now sitting, from whom an application to the 
 Throne must be very proper, and as no time should be 
 lost,) that a humble, dutiful, and decent Petition be ad- 
 dressed to His Majesty, expressive of the sense, appre- 
 hensions, and feelings of all such as may choose to sub- 
 scribe such a Petition, which it is hoped will be done by 
 every man in the Province ; and it is therefore the wish of 
 this meeting, that such a measure be adopted by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, intended to be held on Tuesday next, 
 the fourth of July. 
 
 " Resolved, That the interest of this Province is insepa- 
 rable from the Mother Country, and all the sister Colonies ; 
 and that to separate themselves from the latter would only 
 be throwing difficulties in the way of its own relief, and 
 that of the other Colonies, and justly incurring the resent- 
 ment of all those to whose distress our disunion might cause 
 an addition. 
 
 " Resolved, That this Province ought, and it is hoped will 
 forthwith join the other Provinces in every just and legal 
 measure to secure and restore the liberties of all America, 
 and for healing the unhappy divisions now subsisting be- 
 tween Great Britain and her Colonies. 
 
 " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be laid 
 before the Provincial Congress on Tuesday, the fourth day 
 of July next, and that Mr. Jamicson and Mr. Simpson do 
 wait upon them with the same, as recommended to them 
 by this meeting. By order of the meeting : 
 
 " John Mullryne." 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that the Paper above 
 mentioned do lie upon the table for the perusal of the 
 
1545 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1546 
 
 members ; which being carried, the same was ordered to 
 lie upon the table accordingly. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that this Congress do 
 put this Province upon the same footing with our sister 
 Colonies; which being put, it was ordered that it be taken 
 into consideration to-morrow morning. 
 
 Thursday, July 6, 1775. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, the same was taken 
 into consideration, and, after some deliberation, it was 
 unanimously 
 
 1. Resolved, That this Province will adopt and cany into 
 execution all and singular the measures and recommenda- 
 tions of the late Continental Congress. 
 
 2. Resolved, In particular, that we, in behalf of our- 
 selves and our constituents, do adopt and approve of the 
 American Declaration or Bill of Rights, published by the 
 late Continental Congress, and also of their several resolves 
 made in consequence of some infractions thereof. 
 
 3. That from and after this day we will not receive into 
 this Province any Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, shipped 
 from Great Britain or Ireland; or from any other place, 
 any such Goods, Wares, or Merchandises as shall have 
 been exported from Great Britain or Ireland; nor will 
 we import any East-India Tea from any part of the world, 
 nor any Molasses, Syrups, Paneles, Coffee, or Pimento, 
 from the British Plantations, or from Dominica; nor 
 Wines from Madeira or the Western Islands, nor foreign 
 Indigo. 
 
 4. That we will neither import or purchase any Slave 
 imported from Africa, or elsewhere, after this day. 
 
 5. As a Non-Consumption Agreement, strictly adhered 
 to, will be an effectual security for the observation of the 
 Non-Importation, we, as above, solemnly agree and asso- 
 ciate, that, from this day, we will not purchase or use any 
 Tea imported on account of the East-India Company, or 
 any on which a duty hath or shall be paid ; and we will 
 not purchase or use any East-India Tea whatever, nor will 
 we, nor shall any person for or under us, purchase any of 
 these Goods, Wares, or Merchandises we have agreed not 
 to import, which we shall know, or have cause to suspect 
 were imported after this day. 
 
 6. The earnest desire we have not to injure our fellow- 
 subjects in Great Britain and Ireland, and the West- 
 Indies, induces us to suspend a Non-Exportation until the 
 tenth day of September, 1775, at which time, if the acts 
 and parts of acts of the British Parliament hereinafter 
 mentioned are not repealed, we will not, directly or indi- 
 rectly, export any Merchandise or commodity whatsoever 
 to Great Britain or Ireland, or the West-Indies, except 
 Rice to Europe. 
 
 7. Such as are merchants, and use the British and 
 Irish trade, will give orders as soon as possible to their 
 factors, agents, and correspondents in Great Britain and 
 Ireland, not to ship any Goods to them, on any pretence 
 whatever, as they cannot be received in this Province ; and 
 if any merchant residing in Great Britain or Ireland shall, 
 directly or indirectly, ship any Goods, Wares, or Merchan- 
 dise for America, in order to break the said Non-Importa- 
 tion Agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, 
 on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it ought to 
 be made publick, and on the same being so done, we will 
 not, from thenceforth, have any commercial connexions 
 with such merchant. 
 
 8. That such as are owners of vessels will give positive 
 orders to their Captains or masters not to receive on board 
 their vessels any Goods prohibited by the said Non-Im- 
 portation Agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from 
 their service. 
 
 9. We will use our utmost endeavours to improve the 
 breed of Sheep, and increase their numbers to the greatest 
 extent ; and to that end we will kill them as sparingly as 
 may be, especially those of the most profitable kind, nor 
 will export any to the West-Indies or elsewhere; and those 
 of us who are or may become overstocked with, or can 
 conveniently spare any Sheep, will dispose of them to our 
 neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate 
 terms. 
 
 10. That we will, in our several stations, encourage fru- 
 gality, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, 
 arts, and the manufactures of British America, especially 
 
 that of Wool; and will discountenance and discourage 
 every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially 
 horse-racing, and every kind of gaming, cock-fighting, ex- 
 hibition of shows, plays, and other expensive diversions and 
 entertainments; and on the death of any relation or friend, 
 none of us, or any of our families, will go into any farther 
 mourning dress than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or 
 hat for gentlemen, and a black ribbon and necklace for 
 ladies ; and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and 
 scarfs at funerals. 
 
 11. That such as are venders of Goods or Merchandise 
 will not take advantage of the scarcity of Goods that may 
 be occasioned by this Association, but will sell the same at 
 the rates we have been respectively accustomed to do for 
 twelve months last past; and if any vender of Goods or 
 Merchandise shall sell any such Goods or Merchandise on 
 higher terms, or shall in any manner, or by any device 
 whatsoever, violate or depart from this agreement, no per- 
 son ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, 
 or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter for any 
 commodity whatever. 
 
 12. In case any merchant, trader, or other persons shall 
 attempt to import any Goods or Merchandise into this 
 Province after this day, the same shall be forthwith sent 
 back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof. 
 
 13. That a Committee be chosen in every Town, Dis- 
 trict, and Parish within this Province, by those who pay 
 towards the general tax, whose business it shall be atten- 
 tively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this 
 Association ; and when it shall be made appear, to the 
 satisfaction of a majority of any such Committee, that any 
 person within the limits of their appointment has violated 
 this Association, that such majority do forthwith cause the 
 truth of the case to be published in the Gazette, to the end 
 that all such foes to the rights of British America may be 
 publickly known and universally contemned as the ene- 
 mies of American liberty, and thenceforth we will break 
 off all connexion with him or her. 
 
 14. That a Committee of Correspondence to this Prov- 
 ince do frequently inspect the entries of the Custom-House, 
 and inform the Committees of the other Colonies which 
 have acceded to the Continental Association, from time to 
 time of the true state thereof, and of every other material 
 circumstance that may occur relative to this Association. 
 
 15. That all manufactures of this Province be sold at 
 reasonable prices, so that no undue advantage be taken of 
 a future scarcity of Goods. 
 
 16. And we do further agree and resolve, that we will 
 have no trade, commerce, dealings, or intercourse whatso- 
 ever with any Colony or Province in North America which 
 shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this 
 Association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of 
 freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their Country. 
 
 And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, 
 under the ties of virtue, honour, and love of our Country, 
 to adhere to this Association, until such parts of the seve- 
 ral acts of Parliament, passed since the close of the last 
 war, as impose or continue duties upon Tea, Wines, Mo- 
 lasses, Syrups, Paneles, Coffee, Sugar, Pimento, Indigo, 
 foreign Paper, Glass, and Painters' Colours, imported into 
 America ; and extend the powers of the Admiralty Courts 
 beyond their ancient limits, deprive American subjects of 
 trial by Jury, authorize the Judge's certificate to indemnify 
 the prosecutor from damages that he might otherwise be 
 liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive se- 
 curity from claimants of Ships or Goods seized before he 
 is allowed to defend his property, are repealed ; and until 
 that part of the Act of 12 George 3, ch. 24, entitled " An 
 Act for the better securing His Majesty's Dock-Yards, 
 Magazines, Ships, Ammunition, and Stores," by which any 
 person charged with committing any of the offences therein 
 described in America may be tried within any Shire or 
 County within the Realm, is repealed ; and until the four 
 acts passed in the last session of Parliament, viz : that for 
 stopping the Port and blocking up the Harbour of Boston, 
 that for altering the Charter and Government of the Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, and that which is entitled " An Act for 
 the better administration, &c.," and that for extending the 
 limits of Quebeck, fee, are repealed ; and until the two 
 acts passed in the present session of Parliament, the one 
 entitled " A Bill to restrain the Trade and Commerce of 
 
1547 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1548 
 
 the Colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
 Virginia, and South- Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland, 
 and the British Islands in the West-Indies, under certain 
 conditions and limitations ;" and the other, " An Act com- 
 monly called the Fishery Bill." 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1775. 
 
 The following is his Excellency's Answer to the Mes- 
 sage of this Congress : 
 
 Savannah, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have taken the opinion of His Majesty's 
 
 Council relative to the request made by the gentlemen who 
 
 have assembled together by the name of a Provincial 
 
 Congress, and must premise, that I cannot consider that 
 
 meeting as constitutional; but as the request is expressed 
 
 in such loyal and dutiful terms, and the ends proposed 
 
 being such as every good man must most ardently wish 
 
 for, I will certainly appoint a day of Fasting and Prayer to 
 
 be observed throughout this Province. T w 
 
 ° Jas. Wright. 
 
 To Stephen Drayton, Esq., and the other Gentlemen who 
 w r aited on the Governour. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that the thanks of 
 this Congress be given to his Excellency the Governour, 
 for his Answer to the Message of this Congress, and his 
 ready compliance with their request; which, being put, 
 unanimously passed in the affirmative. 
 
 Ordered, That Dr. Zubly, John Smith, and Joseph 
 Clay, be a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that five persons be 
 chosen to represent this Province in the Continental Con- 
 gress appointed to be held at the City of Philadelphia on 
 the 10th of May last ; and the question being put, it passed 
 unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice, when John 
 Houstoun and Archibald Bullock, Esquires, the Rev. Dr. 
 Zubly, Noble Wimberly Jones, and Lyman Hall, Esq's, 
 were duly elected. 
 
 Dr. Zubly expressed his surprise at being chosen, and 
 said that he thought himself, for many reasons, a very im- 
 proper person; but the choice was insisted upon, and the 
 Doctor declared he would by no means go unless he had 
 the approbation of his congregation; whereupon, Noble 
 Wimberly Jones and John Houstoun, Esquires, were ap- 
 pointed to request their consent. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Secret Com- 
 mittee be appointed, which being agreed to, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the President do nominate seven per- 
 sons to be that Committee, whose business it shall be to 
 be vigilant and active in the discovery of all matters which 
 may affect the publick ; and that they shall have right to 
 lay all such intelligence and information before the Presi- 
 dent of this Congress while sitting, and in its recess before 
 the President of the Council of Safety, in order that the 
 evil designs of wicked men may be early frustrated. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that the Congress do 
 petition the King upon the present unhappy situation of 
 affairs ; which being agreed to, it was ordered that Dr. 
 Zubly do prepare and bring in the same. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Letter be forth- 
 with wrote to the President of the Continental Congress, 
 giving him an account of the proceedings of this Congress ; 
 which being agreed to, it was ordered that Dr. Zubly, John 
 Smith, William Young, William Le Contc, and William 
 Gibbons, Esquires, be a Committee for that purpose. 
 
 John Walton, Esquire, who was elected as well for 
 Wrightsborough Township as for the Town and District of 
 Augusta, came in and took his seat for the former. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that an Address be 
 presented to his Excellency the Governour by this Con- 
 gress ; which being agreed to, it was ordered that Dr. 
 Zubly, Basil Cowpcr, John Walton, Joseph Clay, and 
 Edward Telfair, be a Committee to draw up the same. 
 
 Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 Resolved, That this Congress are of opinion that the 
 Paper delivered into this Congress on the second day of 
 its meeting, ought not to have been entitled or dressed 
 
 in the form of Resolves, but rather as recommendations, 
 or in nature of a Petition or Address to this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, nevertheless, from the desire this Congress 
 hath to promote union and concord among ourselves, and 
 as it does not appear that the said Paper was intended to 
 be considered as coming from a distinct or independent 
 body, that therefore the matter contained in the same (be- 
 ing such as is in the general agreeable to us) shall be duly- 
 considered and attended to. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a sum, not ex- 
 ceeding Ten Thousand Pounds sterling, be provided to 
 defray the necessary services of this Province in the pre- 
 sent alarming and distracted state of affairs, which passed 
 unanimously in the affirmative. 
 
 A motion was then made and seconded, that the Con- 
 gress resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to con- 
 sider ways and means for raising and sinking the said sum 
 of Ten Thousand Pounds sterling ; which being agreed to, 
 the Congress resolved itself into a Committee accordingly. 
 
 The President having resumed the Chair, Mr. Clay, 
 from the Committee of the Whole Congress, reported, that 
 they had entered upon the consideration of ways and 
 means, had made some progress therein, and desired leave 
 to sit again. 
 
 The President reported to the Congress that he had, in 
 obedience to the resolution of yesterday, nominated seven 
 persons to be a Secret Committee. 
 
 Doctor Zubly, who was ordered to prepare and bring 
 in a Petition to His Majesty, reported that he had done so, 
 and produced a Paper containing the same, which he de- 
 livered in to the President; and the said Paper being read, 
 and approved of, it was Resolved that the President do 
 sign the same. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee of 
 Intelligence be appointed; which being agreed to, it was 
 
 Ordered, That William Young, David Zubly, Ste- 
 phen Drayton, Daniel Roberts, John Glen, Edward Tel- 
 fair, William Ewen, Joseph Clay, and George Walton, 
 Esquires, be that Committee. 
 
 William Young, Esquire, of the Committee appointed 
 to write a Letter to the President of the Continental Con- 
 gress, reported, that they had done so, and delivered a 
 Paper in to the President containing the same ; which 
 being read, and approved of, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the President do sign the same, and 
 that it be forthwith sent. 
 
 Monday, July 10, 1 775. 
 
 The following Resolves were unanimously entered into : 
 
 Whereas, by the unrelenting fury of a despotick Minis- 
 try, with a view to enforce the most oppressive Acts of a 
 venal and corrupted Parliament, an army of mercenaries, 
 under an unfeeling commander, has actually begun a civil 
 war in Americn: and whereas, the apparent iniquity and 
 cruelty of these destructive measures have, however, had 
 this good effect, to unite men of all ranks in the common 
 cause : and whereas, to consult on means of safety, and 
 the method of obtaining redress, the good people of this 
 Province of Georgia have thought proper to appoint a 
 Provincial Congress, the Delegates met at the said Con- 
 gress, now assembled from every part of the Province, 
 besides adopting the Resolutions of the late Continental 
 Congress, find it prudent to enter into such other Resolu- 
 tions as may best express their own sense and the sense 
 of their constituents, on the present unhappy situation of 
 things, and therefore thought fit and necessary to resolve 
 as follows, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That we were born free, have all the feelings 
 of men, and are entitled to all the natural rights of mankind. 
 
 Resolved, That by birth or incorporation we are all Bri- 
 tons, and whatever Britons may claim as their birthrights 
 is also ours. 
 
 Resolved, That in the British Empire, to which we 
 belong, the Constitution is superiour to every man or set 
 of men whatever, and that it is a crime of the deepest 
 dye, in any instance, to impair or take it away, or deprive 
 the meanest subject of its benefits. 
 
 Resolved, That that part of the American Continent 
 which we inhabit was originally granted by the Crowu, 
 
1549 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1T75. 
 
 1550 
 
 and the Charter from Charles the Second expressly makes 
 its constitutional dependance on the Crown only. 
 
 Resolved, That those who would now subject all Ame- 
 rica, or this Province, to dependancy on the Crown and 
 Parliament, are guilty of a very dangerous innovation, 
 which in time will appear as injurious to the Crown as it 
 is inconsistent with the liberty of the American subject. 
 
 Resolved, That by the law of nature, and the British 
 Constitution, no man can legally be deprived of his pro- 
 perty without his consent, given by himself or his repre- 
 sentatives. 
 
 Resolved, That the Acts of the British Parliament for 
 raising a perpetual revenue on the Americans, by laving a 
 tax on them without their consent, and contrary to their 
 protestations, are diametrically opposite to every idea of 
 property, to the spirit of the Constitution, and at one 
 stroke deprive this vast Continent of all liberty and pro- 
 perty, and as such, must be detested by every well-wisher 
 to Great Britain and America. 
 
 Resolved, That the subsequent laws, made with a view 
 to enforce these Acts, viz : The Boston Port Bill ; the 
 alteration of their Charter ; the Act to carry beyond sea 
 for trial ; and (what refines upon every species of cruelty) 
 the Fishery Bill ; are of such a complexion that we can 
 say nothing about them for want of words to express our 
 abhorrence and detestation. 
 
 Resolved, That the loyalty, patience, and prudence of 
 the inhabitants of New-England, under their unparalleled 
 pressures, having been construed into a timidity and a dread 
 of Regular Troops, a civil war, in support of acts ex- 
 tremely oppressive in themselves, hath actually been be- 
 gun, and that there is too much reason to believe that 
 plans have been in agitation big with every thing horrible 
 to other Provinces ; plans as rash, barbarous, and destruc- 
 tive, as the cause which they were intended to serve. 
 
 Resolved, That in these times of extreme danger, our 
 Assembly not being permitted to sit, we must either have 
 been a people without all thought or counsel, or have 
 assembled as we now are in Provincial Congress, to con- 
 sult upon measures which, under God, may prove the 
 means of a perpetual union with the Mother Country, and 
 tend to the honour, freedom, and safety of both. 
 
 Resolved, That the Province bears all true allegiance 
 to our own rightful Sovereign, King George the Third, and 
 always will, and ought to bear it, agreeable to the Consti- 
 tution of Great Britain, by virtue of which only the King 
 is now our Sovereign, and which equally binds Majesty 
 and Subjects. 
 
 Resolved, That we are truly sensible how much our 
 safety and happiness depend on a constitutional connection 
 with Great Britain; and that nothing but the being de- 
 prived of the privileges and natural rights of Britons could 
 ever make the thought of a separation otherwise than in- 
 tolerable. 
 
 Resolved, That in case His Majesty, or his successors, 
 shall, at any time hereafter, make any requisition to the 
 good people of this Province, by his representative, it will 
 be just and right that such sums should be granted as the 
 nature of the service may require, and the ability and situ- 
 ation of this Province will admit of. 
 
 Resolved, That this Province join with all the Provinces 
 in America, now met by Delegates in Continental Con- 
 gress, and that John Houstoun and Archibald Bullock, 
 Esquires, the Rev. Dr. Zubly, Lyman Hall, and Noble 
 IVimberly Jones, Esquires, be the Delegates from this 
 Province, and that any three constitute a quorum for that 
 purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed, whose duty 
 it shall be to see that the Resolutions of the Continental 
 and Provincial Congresses be duly observed, and that 
 every person who shall act in opposition thereto, have his 
 name transmitted to the Continental Congress, and his mis- 
 deeds be published in every American paper. 
 
 Resolved, That with all such persons, except the indis- 
 pensable duties that we owe all mankind, (bad men and 
 enemies are not excepted.) we will have no dealings nor 
 connection ; and we extena this our Resolution also to all 
 such persons or corporations in Great Britain who have 
 shown themselves enemies to America. 
 
 Resolved, That we will do what in us lies to preserve 
 and promote the peace and good order of this Province ; 
 
 and should any person become an innocent sufferer on 
 account of these grievances, we will do whatever we justly 
 may for his relief and assistance. 
 
 Resolved, That in such calamitous times as the present 
 every possible indulgence ought to be given to honest 
 debtors; that it would be ungenerous, unless there appear 
 intention of fraud, in any gentleman of the law to sue with- 
 out previous notice : and any person so sued may apply 
 to the Committee, and should it appear to them that the 
 creditor is in no danger of losing his money, or can be 
 properly secured, they shall interpose their friendly offices 
 to persuade him to drop the prosecution ; and every prose- 
 cutor that shall appear to take advantage of the confusion 
 of the times to distress his debtor, ought to be publickly 
 pointed out and held in abhorrence. 
 
 Resolved, That notwithstanding, in a late bill for restrain- 
 ing the trade of several Provinces in America, this Prov- 
 ince is excepted, we declare that we look upon this excep- 
 tion rather as an insult than a favour; as being meant to 
 break the union of the Provinces, and as being grounded 
 on the supposition that the inhabitants of such excepted 
 Province can be base enough to turn the oppression of 
 America into a mean advantage. 
 
 Tuesday, July 11, 1775. 
 John Houstoun and Noble Wimber/y Jones, Esquires, 
 appointed to request the consent of Doctor Zubly's con- 
 gregation for their permission for him to go to Philadel- 
 phia, reported, that they had done so, and that the said 
 congregation had voted that they were willing to spare 
 their Minister for a time for the good of the common cause. 
 Doctor Zubly then declared that he was willing to go, and 
 thanked the Congress for so signal a mark of honour and 
 confidence. 
 
 Mr. Clay, from the Committee appointed to draw up an. 
 Address to his Excellency the Governour, from this Con- 
 gress, reported, that they had done so, and delivered it in 
 to the President ; which was ordered to be read, and is as 
 follows, viz : 
 
 To His Excellency Sir James Wright, Baronet, Cap- 
 tain-General and Governour-in- Chief in and over His 
 Majesty's Province of Georgia, Chancellor and Vice- 
 Admiral of the same : 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We, his Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the Dele- 
 gates of this Province, in Provincial Congress met, beg 
 leave to address your Excellency. 
 
 In these very critical and alarming times the good people 
 of this Province find themselves under an absolute neces- 
 sity to take some measures for the security and preserva- 
 tion of their liberties, and every thing that is near and 
 dear to them ; and they have accordingly chosen a large 
 number of persons to meet together at Savannah, to con- 
 sult on the means to obtain redress under our many and 
 very heavy grievances. These being accordingly met, (to 
 be distinguished from the usual representation,) have styled 
 themselves a Provincial Congress ; and from the number 
 and character of the names, which your Excellency may 
 see in our last Gazette, your Excellency will be convinced 
 the Province was never more fully represented in any As- 
 sembly ; though possibly this measure never would have 
 taken place, had we not, from several successive proroga- 
 tions or adjournments, but too much reason to fear your 
 Excellency had received very strong instructions not to 
 suffer the Assembly to enter into any measures to secure 
 the rights of America, or even to petition for relief, unless 
 in terms which would have been giving up the rights, and 
 fixing lasting disgrace on the petitioners. 
 
 Although there is no doubt but a great majority of the 
 inhabitants of this Province always looked upon the claim 
 of Parliament to take away the property of Americans as 
 illegal and oppressive, yet, from a variety of causes, not 
 unknown to your Excellency, this Province, in the Ame- 
 rican chain, has hitherto been the defaulting link. We 
 have now joined with the other Provinces in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, and have sent a Petition to His Majesty, 
 appointed Delegates to the American Congress, and enter- 
 ed into such Resolutions, which we mean inviolably to ad- 
 here to, as will convince the friends and foes of America 
 that we would not live unworthy of the name of Britons, 
 
1551 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1552 
 
 or labour under the suspicion of being unconcerned for the 
 rights and freedom of America. 
 
 Extracts of some letters which are inserted in Parlia- 
 mentary proceedings, widely differ from what must appear 
 to every unprejudiced person the real state of this Prov- 
 ince. We are not acquainted with an individual in Geor- 
 gia that looks upon the claims of Parliament as just ; and 
 all men speak with abhorrence of the measures made use 
 of to enforce them. Our fellow-subjects who formerly 
 entered a dissent, which we find was transmitted to the 
 Minister iu terms that bespeak the great pleasure it gave 
 the transmitter, now generally say, they never differed 
 with America as to the reality of grievances, but only in 
 the mode of obtaining redress. 
 
 Though candour may allow these mutilated extracts, laid 
 before Parliament, were probably rather designed by the 
 Minister to screen himself, and justify his own measures, 
 than to give a just and true account of what information 
 he might have received, yet we cannot help observing the 
 general purport of these letters seem to have a much 
 greater regard to the designs of the Minister, than to give 
 an impartial account of the real state of things. Other 
 Provinces, no doubt, if they find themselves mentioned in 
 any part of them, will view them in what light they may 
 think fit ; but as to any prejudicial informations they may 
 contain against many persons in this Province, while it is 
 not to be expected they will give up their feelings as pri- 
 vate men, your Excellency may be assured we shall always 
 pay due respect to His Majesty's representative, and 
 shall with great pleasure acknowledge every service your 
 Excellency may hereafter render to Great Britain and 
 America, whose interest we know, and whose connection 
 we wish to be forever inseparable. 
 
 Your Excellency may be assured these are objects which 
 we have greatly at heart, and shall ever do what in us lies 
 towards a reconciliation with our Parent State on constitu- 
 tional principles, as well as endeavour to preserve the 
 peace and good order of this Province. 
 
 Resolved, That the foregoing Address be signed by the 
 President, and be presented to his Excellency the Govern- 
 our; and that Stephen Drayton, Edward Telfair, William 
 Le Conte, John Walton, George Houstoun, and Philip 
 Box, be a Committee to present the same. 
 
 Wednesday, July 12, 1775. 
 The Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the 
 Whole, to take into consideration ways and means to raise 
 and sink Ten Thousand Pounds sterling ; and, after some 
 time spent therein, the President resumed the Chair. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress being a full representation 
 of the whole Province, the members of the same, their 
 constituents, and all others resident or holding property 
 within the same, are bound to contribute, by an equal and 
 general tax, towards the sinking the Ten Thousand Pounds 
 sterling. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress while sitting, and the 
 Council of Safety in its recess, have power to issue Cer- 
 tificates from time to time, as occasion shall require, to the 
 amount of Ten Thousand Pounds sterling, and that all such 
 Certificates shall be signed by the Treasurers, and at least 
 three of the Members of the Council of Safety. 
 
 Resolved, That any person who shall not receive any 
 such Certificate in payment will be guilty of a breach of 
 the publick faith, and ought to be considered as an enemy 
 to the Province, and treated accordingly. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Certificate be sunk in three 
 years after a reconciliation shall take place between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 Thursday, July 13, 1775. 
 Resolved, That this Congress do approve of, and adopt 
 the Association entered into at Savannah, on the fifth day 
 of June last past, viz : 
 
 Association unanimously entered into by the Provincial 
 Congress, at Savannah, in Georgia, on Thursday, 
 the thirteenth of July, 1775. 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 Being persuaded that the salvation of the rights and 
 liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union 
 
 of the inhabitants in its vigorous prosecution of the mea- 
 sures necessary for its safety ; and convinced of the neces- 
 sity of preventing the anarchy and confusion which attend 
 the dissolution of the powers of Government, we, the free- 
 men, freeholders, and inhabitants of the Province of Geor- 
 gia, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the 
 Ministry to raise a revenue in America, and shocked by the 
 bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts-Bay, do, in 
 the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves; 
 and do associate, under all the ties of religion, honour, and 
 love to our Country, to adopt, and endeavour to carry into 
 execution, whatever may be recommended by the Conti- 
 nental Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Con- 
 vention, appointed for the purpose of preserving our 
 Constitution, and opposing the execution of the several 
 arbitrary and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament, 
 until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America, 
 on constitutional principles, which we most ardently desire, 
 can be obtained ; and that we will in all things follow the 
 advice of our General Committee, appointed respecting the 
 purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good 
 order, and the safety of individuals and private property. 
 
 Resolved, That John Smith, Basil Cowper, George 
 Houstoun, Joseph Clay, William Young, Philip Box, 
 Seth John Cuthbert, William O'Bryan, George Walton, 
 William Le Conte, William Gibbons, Samuel Elbert, Ed- 
 ward Telfair, and Oliver Bowen, be a Committee to pre- 
 sent the Association to all the inhabitants of the Town and 
 District of Savannah, to be signed ; in doing which, expe- 
 dition is particularly recommended, and an account of all 
 who decline sisminE: shall be returned to the General Com- 
 m it tee. 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee be 
 appointed, to report their opinion who shall be qualified to 
 vote for Delegates to sit in future Congresses, and the most 
 equal method of representation ; and the same being agreed 
 to, a Committee was appointed accordingly. 
 
 Committee : Stephen Drayton, John Glen, and Joseph 
 Clay, Esquires. 
 
 Resolved, That in every case where a summons shall be 
 applied for, the Magistrate to whom such application shall 
 be made, do in the first place, and before the issuing of 
 such summons, give notice thereof, either by personal infor- 
 mation, message, or letter, to the party defendant, and also 
 use his best endeavour to compromise and settle the matter, 
 and, unless the defendant has discovered circumstances of 
 fraud or delay, and is ready and willing to give security for 
 the debt, and shall actually offer to do so, payable in a rea- 
 sonable time, no such summons ought to be issued. And 
 in case a warrant in a civil case shall be applied for, the 
 same ought not to be granted, unless there appears to the 
 satisfaction of the Magistrate, that there are good and suffi- 
 cient grounds, besides the plaintiff's oath, to apprehend the 
 defendant means to abscond ; but the same method ought 
 to be observed as is recommended respecting summonses. 
 
 Mr. Drayton, from the Committee appointed to report 
 their opinion who shall be qualified to vote for Delegates 
 to sit in future Congresses, &c, reported, as the opinion of 
 that Committee, that every man contributing towards the 
 general tax shall be qualified to vote for Delegates to sit 
 in future Congresses, and that the following proportion 
 will be the most equal representation, viz : the Town and 
 District of Savannah shall have seventeen members ; Dis- 
 trict of Little Ogechee, three ; Vernonburgh, two ; Acton, 
 two; Sea Islands, three; Goshen and Abercorn, two; Pa- 
 rish of St. Matthew, seven ; St. George, nine ; St. Paul, 
 nine ; St. Philip, seven ; St. John, twelve ; St. Andrew, 
 nine ; St. David, three ; St. Patrick, two ; St. Thomas, 
 two ; St. Mary, two ; St. James, two ; Ceded Lands, 
 three: and that the President and thirty-four members do 
 constitute a Congress to proceed upon business. 
 
 Resolved, That the foregoing Report be approved of, 
 and that Delegates be elected by the persons, and in the 
 proportion therein mentioned. 
 
 Resolved, That the following form of Delegation be re- 
 commended to the inhabitants of the several Parishes and 
 Districts throughout the Provinces, to prevent clashing and 
 
1553 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1554 
 
 unequal powers being given by different Parishes and Dis- 
 tricts, viz : 
 
 GEORGIA. 
 
 The affairs of the Continent of America being now 
 brought to a truly alarming and critical situation, and there 
 being no other method left but that the whole body of the 
 people unite as one, in opposing such acts as tend utterly 
 to destroy the liberty, property, and birthright of America; 
 and it having been thought necessary and convenient, in 
 order to consult on proper ways and means for our mutual 
 security, to assemble and convene the people in each 
 Colony and Province, by their representatives, into one 
 body or Council, styled a Provincial Congress, who shall 
 act in all cases whatsoever for the good of the common 
 cause. Now, therefore, be it known, that we, the inhabi- 
 tants of Parish, (or District,) being met together in 
 
 order to choose such men as are capable of the important 
 trust, do choose A, B, C, D, &c, being the number de- 
 termined on in the Provincial Congress, held at Savannah, 
 4th July, 1775, to represent us in the Provincial Congress 
 to be held at said Town of Savannah on the fourth De- 
 cember next. And we do require you, the said A, B, &tc, 
 to do, transact, join, and concur with the other Delegates 
 of this Province, so sitting as above recited, in all things as 
 shall appear eligible and fit at this alarming time, for the 
 preservation and defence of our rights and liberties; and 
 we further empower you to choose other Delegates, if in 
 your wisdom you think proper, or if any requisition in that 
 case should be made by the Grand Continental Congress, 
 in order to join or succeed the Delegates in that Congress, 
 now chosen by the people of this Province. And we do 
 bind ourselves solemnly, under the sacred ties of religion, 
 virtue, honour, and love of our Country, to abide by, en- 
 force, and carry into execution, or endeavour so to do, at 
 the risk and peril of our lives and fortunes, whatsoever you, 
 with the other Delegates, shall resolve and agree upon to 
 be necessary for the well-doing and preservation of the vio- 
 lated rights of this Province, and the Continent in general. 
 
 Signed by us this . . . day of , 1775. 
 
 Saturday, July 15, 1775. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee be 
 appointed to report their opinion with respect to the better 
 governing the Militia of this Province ; which being agreed 
 to, a Committee was appointed accordingly, to wit : Ste- 
 phen Drayton, Samuel Elbert, Dr. Brownson, and Peter 
 Tarlin. 
 
 A motion was made and seconded, that a Committee be 
 appointed to communicate to the inhabitants of this Pro- 
 vince, an account of the disputes subsisting between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies, aud also the proceedings of this 
 Congress ; and the same being agreed to, it was 
 
 Ordered, That the Rev. Dr. Zubly, Noble Wimberly 
 Jones, William Young, and George Walton, be a Com- 
 mittee for that purpose. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress shall expire on the twen- 
 tieth day of August next; that a new election be made at 
 such times between the said twentieth day of August and 
 first of September, as the inhabitants of the several Parishes 
 aud Districts (except the Town and District of Savannah) 
 shall think fit, respectively, and that the members so elected, 
 with those who shall afterwards be chosen for the Town and 
 District of Savannah, do meet in General Congress at Savan- 
 nah, on the fourth day of December next, or sooner, if the 
 Council of Safety shall think it expedient to summon them. 
 
 Resolved, That the Members of this Congress use every 
 endeavour to give as publick notice of elections as possible ; 
 and that each Parish and District shall, at the time of such 
 elections, likewise choose a sufficient number as a Parochial 
 or District Committee, to enforce the different Resolves of 
 the Continental and Provincial Congresses. 
 
 Resolved, That the inhabitants of the Town and District 
 of Savannah do meet at Savannah on Friday, the fifteenth 
 day of September next, to choose seventeen Delegates to 
 represent them in Provincial Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the several Delegates for the Town and 
 District of Savannah, or a majority of them, together with 
 all other Delegates who shall happen to be in Town, shall 
 be a General Committee for the Province ; that they shall 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. i 
 
 have power to superintend, direct, and advise all the Pa- 
 rochial or District Committees, and, in case of difficulty, to 
 inform them of their duty. And any person who shall 
 apprehend himself aggrieved by the decision of any of the 
 Parochial or District Committees, may appeal to the said 
 General Committee, who shall hear his case, and do justice 
 according to the spirit and intention of this Congress. And 
 in case such appellant shall still be dissatisfied, he may lay 
 his case before the next Congress, provided there be no 
 delay occasioned by any such appeal, but the sentence of 
 each Committee shall take effect immediately after being 
 pronounced. 
 
 Monday, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Reverend Mr. Haddon Smith, by 
 twice refusing to comply with the request of this Congress, 
 and to join on a day of Fasting and Prayer, appointed by 
 the Continental Congress to be observed throughout all 
 America, besides the day appointed by his Excellency the 
 Governour, at the request of this Congress, has given too 
 much reason to believe he does not wish that the happy 
 event, mentioned in the American Proclamation, may take 
 place, and that the said Mr. Haddon Smith has thereby 
 incurred the censure of this Congress, and ought to be con- 
 sidered as unfriendly to America. 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicente, That the Delegates ap- 
 pointed by this Congress to go to Philadelphia, do apply 
 to the Continental Congress to incorporate this Province 
 with the other united Provinces of North America, and that 
 they pledge the faith of us and our constituents, to contri- 
 bute an adequate part of the expenses which have or may 
 accrue, in the defence of the violated rights of America. 
 
 Resolved, That the Council of Safety have full power, 
 upon every emergency, during the recess of Congress, to 
 give such information and propose such measures, by way 
 of advice to our Continental Delegates, as the circumstances 
 of the case may require, and they shall think conducive to 
 the publick good. 
 
 Resolved, That it be strongly recommended to the friends 
 of America in this Province, that they use their utmost 
 endeavours to preserve peace and good order, and to culti- 
 vate harmony with one another, and always to avoid national 
 reflections, which can only tend to produce divisions and 
 jealousies among the inhabitants. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do adjourn to the nine- 
 teenth day of August next, and that the General Commit- 
 tee have power to call it to sit at Savaiinah sooner, if they, 
 upon any emergency, shall deem it expedient for the good 
 of the Province. By order of the Congress. 
 
 A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 George Walton, Secretary. 
 
 Savannah, July 25, 1775. 
 To the Inhabitants of the Province of Georgia: 
 
 Fellow-Countrymen : We are directed to transmit to 
 you an account of the present state of American affairs, 
 as well as the proceedings of the late Provincial Congress. 
 
 It is with great sorrow we are to acquaint you, that 
 what our fears suggested, but our reason thought impossible, 
 is actually come to pass. A civil war in America is begun. 
 Several engagements have already happened. The friends 
 and foes of America have been equally disappointed. The 
 friends of America were in hopes British Troops could 
 never be induced to slay their brethren. It is, however, 
 done, and the circumstances are such as must be an ever- 
 lasting blot on their character for humanity and generosity. 
 An unfeeling commander has found means to inspire his 
 troops with the same evil spirit that possesseth himself. 
 After the starving, helpless, innocent inhabitants of Boston 
 delivered up their arms, and received his promise that they 
 might leave that virtuous devoted Town, he is said to have 
 broke his word, and the wretched inhabitants are still kept, 
 to fall a prey to disease, famine, and confinement. If there 
 are powers that abhor injustice and oppression, it may be 
 hoped such perfidy cannot go long unpunished. But the 
 enemies of America have been no less disappointed. No- 
 thing so contemptible in their eyes like the rabble of an 
 American Militia, nothing more improbable than that they 
 would dare to look Regulars in the face, or stand a single 
 fire. By this time they must have felt how much they 
 
1555 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 1556 
 
 were mistaken. In every engagement the Americans ap- 
 peared with a bravery worthy of men that fight for the 
 liberties of their oppressed Country ; their success has been 
 remarkable ; the number of the slain and wounded on every 
 occasion vastly exceeds theirs; and the advantages they 
 gained are the more honourable, because, with a patience 
 that scarce has an example, they bore every act of injus- 
 tice and insult till their lives were attacked, and then gave 
 the fullest proof that the man of calmness and moderation 
 in council, is usually also the most intrepid and courageous 
 in battle. 
 
 You will doubtless lament with us the hundreds that 
 died in their Country's cause ; but does it not call for greater 
 sorrow that thousands of British soldiers fought and found 
 their deaths, when they were active to enslave their breth- 
 ren and their Country ? 
 
 However irritating all those proceedings, yet so unnatu- 
 ral is this quarrel, that every good man must wish and pray 
 that it may soon cease, that the injured rights of America 
 may be vindicated by milder means, and that no more blood 
 may be shed, unless it be of those who fomented, and mean 
 to make an advantage of those unhappy divisions. 
 
 From the proceedings of the Congress, a copy of which 
 accompanies the present, you will be convinced that a re- 
 conciliation, on honourable principles, is an object which 
 your Delegates never lost sight of. We have sent an 
 bumble and manly Petition to His Majesty; addressed his 
 representative, our Governour; provided, as far as in our 
 power, for internal quiet and safety; and Delegates will soon 
 attend the General Congress, to assist and co-operate in 
 every measure that shall be thought necessary for the saving 
 of America. 
 
 His Excellency, at our request, having appointed the 
 nineteenth instant as a day of humiliation, and news being 
 afterwards received that the Continental Congress had re- 
 commended the twentieth instant to be observed as such, 
 both days have been observed with a becoming solemnity, 
 and we humbly hope many earnest prayers have been pre- 
 sented to the Father of Mercies on that day, through this 
 extensive Continent, and that he has heard the cries of the 
 destitute, and will not despise their prayers. 
 
 You will permit us most earnestly to recommend to you 
 a steady perseverance in the cause of liberty, and that 
 you will use all possible caution not to say or do any thing 
 unworthy of so glorious a cause ; to promote frugality, 
 peace, and good order; and, in the practice of every social 
 and religious duty, patiently to wait for the return of that 
 happy day when we may sit quietly under our vine and 
 fig-tree, and no man make us afraid. 
 
 J. J. ZlJBLY, 
 
 N. W. Jones, 
 George Walton. 
 The following are copies of a Petition from the Inhabi- 
 tants of Georgia, which was presented to the King on Fri- 
 day, October twenty-eighth, by Governour Johnstone, and 
 of Letters which accompanied it : 
 
 Savannah, July 14, 1775. 
 
 To George Johnstone, Esquire: 
 
 Sir: It is with a singular pleasure I am desired to 
 transmit the accompanying papers to you, sensible that in 
 a cause where the essential rights of so many millions are 
 concerned, no endeavours on your part will be wanting to 
 give them their full effect. 
 
 The many proofs which the people of this Province had 
 of your magnanimity, justice, and disinterested integrity, 
 in establishing the neighbouring Colony of West-Florida, 
 have rendered your name respected throughout America; 
 and your subsequent conduct has endeared you still further 
 to every lover of mankind in the eastern and western world. 
 These motives have determined the Congress in the appli- 
 cation they now make. 
 
 I am sensible if the same Councils prevail, the task of 
 conveying such disagreeable truths to the Throne must 
 prove very painful; but we believe there is no person who 
 would undertake the office with less reluctance, or execute 
 it with more becoming duty and respect to His Majesty. 
 
 I am, &ic. 
 
 Savannah, Georgia, July 14, 1775. 
 Sir: When turbulent and wicked minds are employed 
 solely to raise commotions in the State, and disturb the 
 
 tranquillity of the subject ; when, by their baneful influ- 
 ence, life, property, and freedom, are inhumanly invaded, 
 and the innocence and loyalty of thousands are unjustly 
 questioned ; we, the inhabitants of Georgia, by a just 
 delegation from the different Parishes, being now convened 
 in Congress in this Town, have resolved to address His 
 Majesty in a dutiful petition, setting forth our grievances, 
 and the bad tendency of the many wicked and treacherous 
 proceedings against this Continent, that have passed since 
 the year 1763. 
 
 Although we know the fate of all other petitions on this 
 head, and cannot flatter ourselves that we should meet with 
 one different ; yet, as the right of petitioning is the sub- 
 ject's, we beg leave to enclose this our prayer and remon- 
 strance to you, hoping and trusting on the noble sentiments 
 you entertain and support, in favour of us much injured 
 Americans, that, countenanced by one of your great abili- 
 ties, it may approach the Throne. 
 
 We assure you, Sir, we are, and always were, firmly 
 attached to His Majesty's family ; nor can any thing sh;ike 
 our integrity. But when, by evil and wicked Minister*, 
 our birthright as Englishmen shall be violated, that in- 
 tegrity must urge us to hand down to our children a right 
 so invaluable. 
 
 We conceive our immediate dependance on the Crown 
 can by no means hinder our doing that indispensable duty 
 in joining with the rest of America against acts that tend to 
 enslave a people whose loyalty and faith were never even 
 suspected, until the actions of the times wanted an excuse. 
 
 We have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servants, 
 
 William Young, Edw. Telfair, 
 John Glen, Daniel Roberts, 
 
 David Zubly, Jun., William Irven, 
 Step. Drayton, 
 
 A Committee of Intelligence. 
 To George Johnstone, Esquire. 
 
 To the King's Most Excellent Majesty: 
 The humble Address and Representation of his loyal sub- 
 jects, the Delegates of the Inhabitants of Georgia, now 
 met in Provincial Congress: 
 
 May it please your Majesty: Though we bring up 
 the rear of American petitioners, and, from the fate of so 
 many petitions presented to your Majesty from America, 
 your great City of London, and others of your European 
 subjects, have a most melancholy prospect, we still hope 
 He, by whom Kings rule, and to whom Monarchs are ac- 
 countable, will incline you to pay some regard to our most 
 humble and faithful representation. 
 
 In times like these, when the edge of present feeling is 
 blunted by the expectation of calamities still greater, we 
 must take the liberty to speak before we die. We would 
 acquaint our Sovereign with things which greatly affect his 
 interest; we would endeavour to awaken the feeling and 
 pity of our common father. 
 
 Your Majesty is the rightful sovereign of the most im- 
 portant empire in the universe. The blessings of Provi- 
 dence on your arms has put a country in America under 
 you of greater importance and extent than several king- 
 doms in Europe. In this large extent of territory, by some 
 late acts, Popery is not only tolerated, (which we conceive 
 would have been but an act of justice,) but an indulgence 
 has been granted, little short of a full establishment, to a 
 religion which is equally injurious to the rights of sover- 
 eigns and of mankind. French and arbitrary laws have 
 there, by authority, taken place of the just and mild Bri- 
 tish Constitution ; and all this has been done w ith a pro- 
 fessed and avowed design to overawe your Majesty's ancient 
 Protestant and loyal subjects, some of whom had no small 
 share in the merit of that conquest. Acts to raise a per- 
 petual revenue on the Americans, without their consent, 
 have been enacted, which at one stroke turn all your Ame- 
 rican subjects into slaves, and deprive them of that right 
 which the most oppressive task-master does not deny to the 
 servant bought with his money. Experience must now have 
 shown, as it will clearer, should these acts be enforced, that 
 instead of increasing the revenue, or lessening the burden 
 of your European subjects, they can only serve to increase 
 their taxation. 
 
1557 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL 
 
 Laws wliich we conceive fraught with so much injustice, 
 have been attempted to be enforced by equal cruelty; and 
 whenever we thought ourselves at the height of our trou- 
 bles, your Majesty's Ministers have stretched their unhappy 
 ingenuity to find out new methods of distress ; and it is 
 believed methods have been more than thought of, too 
 shocking to human nature to be even named in the list of 
 grievances suffered under a British King. 
 
 The goodness of God hath made your Majesty the father 
 of a very numerous issue, on whom we place the pleasing 
 hopes of a Protestant succession ; but your Majesty's arms 
 in America now every day make mothers childless, and 
 children fatherless. The blood of your subjects has been 
 shed with pleasure, rather than with pity. For an act 
 which amounted to no more, even under the worst -con- 
 struction, than an irregular zeal for constitutional liberty, 
 and without any step taken to find out the supposed guilty 
 persons, the capital of your American Dominions has been 
 blocked up, deprived of its trade, and its poor of subsist- 
 ence. Thousands, confessedly innocent, have been starved, 
 ruined, driven from, or kept like prisoners in their own 
 habitations; their cries and blood, innocently shed, have 
 undoubtedly, and daily do reach His ears who hateth injus- 
 tice and oppression. 
 
 Believe us, great Sir, America is not divided : all men 
 (Crown officers not excepted) speak of these acts and 
 measures with disapprobation ; and if there has been some 
 difference of opinion as to the mode of relief, the rigorous 
 experiments which your Ministry thought fit to try on the 
 Americans, have been the most effectual means to con- 
 vince these of the iniquitous designs of your Ministry, and 
 to unite them all as in a common cause. 
 
 Your Majesty's Ministers, after introducing the demon 
 of discord into your Empire, and driving America to the 
 brink of despair, place all their dignity in measures obsti- 
 nately pursued, because they were once wantonly taken. 
 They hearkened to no information, but what represented 
 Americans as rebels or cowards. Time will every day make 
 it clearer how much they were infatuated and mistaken. 
 
 Too long, we must lament, have these men imposed on 
 your paternal affection. Deign now, most gracious Prince, 
 in their room, to hearken to the cries of your loyal and 
 affectionate subjects of this extensive Continent ; let the 
 goodness of your own heart interpose between weak or 
 wicked Ministers and millions of loyal and affectionate sub- 
 jects ; no longer let the sword be stained with the blood of 
 your own children ; recall your troops and fleets ; and if 
 any misunderstanding remains, let the Americans be heard, 
 and justice and equity lake place ; let us be ruled accord- 
 ing to the known principles of our excellent Constitution, 
 and command the last shilling of our property, and the last 
 drop of our blood in your service. 
 
 I ncertain as to the event of this our humble representa- 
 tion, it affords us a relief that we may, unrestrained, apply 
 to the great and merciful Sovereign of the whole earth, 
 who will not despise the prayer of the oppressed ; and to 
 him we most ardently pray, that the wicked being removed 
 from before the King, the King's Throne may be establish- 
 ed in righteousness. 
 
 By order of the Congress at Savannah, this 14th day of 
 July. Arch. Bullock, President. 
 
 THE LAW OF LIBERTY : A SERMON ON AMERICAN" AFFAIRS, 
 PREACHED AT THE OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL CON- 
 GRESS OF GEORGIA, BY JOHN J. ZUBLY, D. D. 
 
 James ii. 12. — So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged 
 by the law of liberty. 
 
 There was a time when there was no King in Israel, 
 and every man did what was good in his own eyes. The 
 consequence was a civil war in the nation, issuing in the 
 ruin of one of the tribes, and a considerable loss to all the 
 rest. 
 
 And there was a time when there was a King in Israel, 
 and he also did what was right in his own eyes, a foolish 
 son of a wise father ; his own imprudence, the rashness of 
 his young counsellors, his unwillingness to redress the 
 grievances of the nation, and the harsh treatment he gave 
 to those who applied for relief, also brought on a civil war, 
 and issued in the separation of the ten tribes from the house 
 of David. He sent his treasurer to gather an odious duty 
 
 CONGRESS. JULY, 1775. 1558 
 
 or tribute, but the children of Israel stoned him that he died. 
 And when he gathered one hundred and fourscore thousand 
 men, that he might bring again the kingdom unto Rehoboam, 
 God sent him a message, " Ye shall not go up, nor fight 
 against your brethren ; return every man to his house, for 
 this thing is done of me." God disapprov ed of the oppres- 
 sive measures and ministry of Rehoboam, and that Kin"'s 
 army appears more ready to obey the command of their 
 God, than slay their brethren by orders of a tyrant. " They 
 obeyed the voice of the Lord, and returned from going 
 against Jeroboam." — 2 Chron. x. IS. xi. 4. 
 
 The things that happened before are written for our 
 learning. By comparing past times and proceedings with 
 these that are present, prudence will point out many salu- 
 tary and religious lessons. The conduct of Rehoboam veri- 
 fies the lamentation of his father, " Woe to thee, O land, 
 when thy king is a child." — Eccles. x. 16. A very small 
 degree of justice and moderation might have preserved his 
 kingdom, but he thought weapons of war better than wis- 
 dom. He hearkened not, neither to the people, nor to some 
 of his more faithful counsellors ; and the consequence was, 
 that instead of enslaving the ten tribes who stood up for 
 their liberty, God gave Judah to be servants to the Kine of 
 Egypt, that they might learn the difference between his 
 service and the service of the kingdoms of the nations. A 
 people that claim no more than their natural rights, in so 
 doing, do nothing displeasing unto God ; and the most 
 powerful monarch that would deprive his subject of the 
 liberties of man, whatever may be his success, he must not 
 expect the approbation of God, and in due time will be the 
 abhorrence of all men. 
 
 In a time of publick and general uneasiness, it behooves 
 both superiours and inferiours to consider. It is easy to 
 extinguish a spark ; it is folly to blow up discontent into a 
 blaze. The beginning of strife is like the letting out of 
 waters, and no man may know where it will end. There 
 is a rule given to magistrates and subjects, which, if care- 
 fully attended to, would secure the dignity and safety of 
 both, but which, if not duly regarded, is usually attended 
 with the worst consequences. The present, my hearers, 
 will easily be allowed, is a day of trouble, and surely in 
 this day of adversity we ought to consider. When a people 
 think themselves oppressed and in danger, nothing can be 
 more natural than that they should inquire into the real 
 state of things, trace their grievances to their source, and 
 endeavour to apply the remedies which are most likely to 
 procure relief; this I take to be the design of the present 
 meeting of persons deputed from every part of the country. 
 And as they have thought proper to open and begin their 
 deliberations with a solemn address unto God, and the con- 
 sideration of his holy word, I most cheerfully comply with 
 their request to officiate on this occasion, and shall en- 
 deavour, as I may be enabled, to point out such directions 
 from the holy scriptures as may make us wise in the know- 
 ledge of time, and direct us how to carry ourselves worthy 
 of the character of good subjects and Christians. What- 
 ever may be necessary for this purpose, I take to be com- 
 prehended in the apostolical rule, which I have laid down 
 as the subject of this discourse; " So speak, and so do, as 
 they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." 
 
 There are two things which properly come before us, viz : 
 
 First. That "we are to be judged by the law of liberty; 
 and 
 
 Second. The exhortation to act worthy, and under the 
 influence of this important truth on every occasion. 
 
 A law is a rule of behaviour, made under proper authority, 
 and with penalties annexed suitable to deter the transgres- 
 sions. As all laws suppose man to be in a social state, so 
 all laws ought to be made for the good of man. A law 
 that is not made by such as have authority for so doing, is 
 of no force ; and if authority makes laws destructive in 
 themselves, no authority can prevent things from finally 
 taking their natural course. 
 
 Wherever there is society there must also be law ; it is 
 impossible that society should subsist without it. The will, 
 minds, tempers, dispositions, views, and interests of men 
 are so very different, and sometimes so opposite, that with- 
 out law, which cements and binds all, every thing would 
 be in endless disorder and confusion. All laws usually 
 wear the complexion of those by whom they w r ere made ; 
 but it cannot be denied that some bad men, from a sense 
 
1559 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1560 
 
 of necessity, have made good laws, and that some good 
 men, from mistake or other weaknesses, have enacted laws 
 bad in themselves, and pernicious in their consequences. 
 
 All human laws partake of human imperfection. It is 
 not so with the laws of God; he is perfect, and so are all 
 his works and ways. "The law of the Lord is perfect, 
 converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, 
 making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are 
 right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord 
 is pure, enlightening the eyes. All his judgments are truth, 
 and righteousness altogether." — Psalm xix. 
 
 Among men every society and country has its own laws 
 and form of government, which may be very different, and 
 cannot operate beyond their limits ; but those laws and that 
 form of government are undoubtedly best, which have the 
 greatest tendency to make all those that live under them 
 secure and happy. As soon as we consider man as formed 
 into society, it is evident that the safety* of the whole must 
 be the grand law which must influence and direct every 
 other. Men did not pass from a state of nature into a 
 state of society, to render their situation more miserable 
 and their rights more precarious. That government and 
 tyranny is the hereditary right of some, and that slavery 
 and oppression is the original doom of others, is a doctrine 
 that would reflect dishonour upon God. It is treason 
 against all mankind ; it is indeed an enormous faith that 
 millions were made for one. Transubstantiation is but a 
 harmless absurdity, compared with the notion of a divine 
 right to govern wrong, or of making laws which are con- 
 trary to every idea of liberty, property, and justice. 
 
 The law which the Apostle speaks of in our text, is not 
 a law of man, but of Him who is the only lawgiver, that 
 can save and condemn, to whom all owe obedience, and 
 whose laws none can transgress with impunity. 
 
 Though all the laws that God ever gave unto man are 
 worthy of God, and tend to promote the happiness of those 
 to whom they were given, yet we may observe a very 
 striking variety in the different laws which he gave at diffe- 
 rent times and to different people. " He shewed his word 
 unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel; he 
 has not dealt so with any other nation." Ps. cxlvii.18, 19. 
 
 To the generality of mankind he gave no written law, 
 but yet left not himself without a witness among them; the 
 words of the law were written in their hearts, their con- 
 science also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean 
 while excusing or else accusing one another. It cannot be 
 said they were without law, whilst what they were to do, 
 and what they were to forbear, was written in their hearts. 
 
 To Israel God came with a fiery law in his hands ; it was 
 given with the most awful solemnity upon Mount Sinai. 
 And as the sum and substance of all their ceremonial, po- 
 litical and moral law centered in the ten commandments, 
 so the sum and substance of these are comprehended in 
 love to God and love to man, which, as our Lord himself 
 informs us, contain all the law and all the prophets. 
 
 All manifestations of the will of God have been gradual ; 
 and it is probable the means of knowing God will be pro- 
 gressive through different ages, till eternity gives the good 
 man a full sight of God in his immediate presence. Du- 
 ring the dispensation of the old testament and the ceremo- 
 nial law, a spirit of bondage obtained unto fear, the law 
 was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ ; neither did the 
 law make any thing perfect but the bringing in of a better 
 hope. Grace and truth were brought to light by Jesus 
 Christ; and hence the dispensation of the gospel under 
 which we live, is called the law of liberty. 
 
 Though there is a manifest distinction between law and 
 gospel, and sometimes these two things are even opposed 
 to one another, yet the doctrine of the gospel is also called 
 "The law of faith," Rom. iii. 17. ; partly because it was 
 usual with the Jewish writers to call every doctrine a law, 
 and partly also because the doctrine of the gospel presents 
 us with a rule of life, which all its professors are bound to 
 obey ; hence they are said to be " not without law, but 
 under the law of Christ," 1 Cor. ix. 11.; and hence our 
 apostle speaks of a royal law, which, though we cannot 
 obey in perfection, nor derive any merit from our imper- 
 fect obedience, we cannot neglect without danger, nor dis- 
 oboy without shewing our disregard to the doctrine of the 
 gospel in general. 
 
 * Solus populi suprema lex. 
 
 It deserves very particular attention that the doctrine of 
 the gospel is called a law of liberty. Liberty and law are 
 perfectly consistent. Liberty does not consist in living 
 without all restraint ; for were all men to live without re- 
 straint, as they please, there would soon be no liberty at 
 all. The strongest would be master, the weakest go to the 
 wall ; right, justice, and property, must give way to power, 
 and, instead of its being a blessing, a more unhappy situa- 
 tion could not easily be devised unto mankind, than that 
 every man should have it in his power to do what is right 
 in his own eyes. Well regulated liberty of individuals is 
 the natural offspring of laws, which prudenlially regulate 
 the rights of whole communities; and as laws which take 
 away the natural rights of men are unjust and oppressive, 
 so all liberty which is not regulated by law is a delusive 
 phantom, and unworthy of the glorious name. 
 
 The gospel is called a law of liberty, because it bears a 
 most friendly aspect to the liberty of man. It is a known 
 rule, Evangelium non tollit politias, the gospel makes no 
 alteration in the civil state; it by no means renders man's 
 natural and social condition worse than it would be without 
 the knowledge of the gospel. When the Jews boasted of 
 their freedom, and that they never were in bondage, our 
 Lord does not reprove them for it, but only observes, that 
 national freedom still admits of improvement: " If the Son 
 shall make you free, then are you free indeed." John viii. 
 16. This leads me to observe that the gospel is a law of 
 liberty in a much higher sense. By whomsoever a man is 
 overcome, of the same he is brought into bondage ; but no 
 external enemy can so completely tyrannize over a con- 
 quered enemy, as sin does over all those who yield them- 
 selves its servants. Vicious habits, when once they have 
 gained the ascendant in the soul, bring man to that unhappy 
 pass, that he knows better things and does worse. Sin, 
 like a torrent, carries him away against knowledge and con- 
 viction, while conscience fully convinced) him that he travels 
 the road of death, and must expect, if he so continues, to 
 take up his abode in hell ; though his decaying body clearly 
 tells him sin breaks his constitution, as well as wastes his 
 substance; though he feels the loss of credit and wealth, 
 still sin has too strong a hold of him to be forsaken; though 
 he faintly resolves to break off, yet, till the grace of God 
 brings salvation, when he would do good, evil is present 
 with him. In short, instead of being under a law of liberty, 
 he is under the law of sin and death ; but whenever he 
 feels the happy influence of the grace of the gospel, then 
 this "law of liberty makes him free from the law of sin 
 and death," Rom. viii. 2. It furnisheth him not only with 
 motives to resist, but with power also to subdue sin ; sin 
 reigns no longer in his mortal body, because he is not under 
 the law but under grace. By this law of liberty he is 
 made free from sin, and has his fruit unto holiness, and the 
 end of it eternal life. There is another reason why the 
 gospel is called a law of liberty, which is to distinguish it 
 from the ceremonial law under the Mosaick dispensation ; 
 a yoke, of which an Apostle saith, neither they nor their 
 fathers were able to bear. It was superadded on account 
 of their transgressions, and suited to the character of a 
 gross and stubborn nation, to whom it was originally given. 
 They were so prone to idolatry, and so apt to forget their 
 God, their notions were so gross and carnal, that a number 
 of external rites and ceremonies became necessary to put 
 them in mind of him, and to attach them to some degree 
 of his worship and service. This, however necessary, was 
 a heavy burden ; it bid them " touch not, taste not, handle 
 not." It required of them expensive sacrifices, and a costly 
 and painful service. It was attended with the most fearful 
 threatenings. If any man brake Moses' law, he died under 
 two or three witnesses ; and the very spirit they then re- 
 ceived, was a spirit of bondage unto fear : whereas the 
 gospel dispensation breatheth a spirit of confidence, and 
 under the law of liberty we call upon God, as Abba, Fa- 
 ther. By this law of liberty the professors of the gospel 
 will be judged. 
 
 Every man is a rational, and therefore accountable, crea- 
 ture. As a creature he must needs depend on his Creator; 
 and as a rational creature he must certainly be accountable 
 for all his actions. Nothing is more evident than that man 
 is not of himself ; and if once we admit that he holds his 
 existence, his faculties and favours from God that made 
 him, it becomes a very obvious conclusion that his Maker 
 
1561 
 
 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1562 
 
 must have had some view in giving him existence, and more 
 understanding than to the beasts of the field, neither can it 
 be a matter of inditference to him whether man acts agree- 
 ably or contrary to Lis designs. The Creator of the natural 
 world is also its moral ruler ; and if he is now the proprie- 
 tor and ruler of intelligent beings, at some time or other he 
 must also be their judge. 
 
 If God had not made his will known unto man, there 
 could have been neither transgression nor judgment. If it 
 should be said that God has not manifested himself alike 
 unto all men, and that some have much smaller opportuni- 
 ties to know his will and their duty than others, it is enough 
 to observe, that no man will be judged by a rule of which 
 it was impossible he should have any knowledge. Every 
 work and every man will be brought into judgment, and the 
 judgment of God will never be otherwise than according to 
 truth ; but those that never had the law of liberty will not 
 be judged by that law ; and those that have been favoured 
 with the revelation of the gospel, will be more inexcusable 
 than any others if they neglect the day of their visitation. 
 
 As many as have sinned without law, shall also perish 
 without law ; and as many as have sinned in the law, shall 
 be judged by the law." Rom. ii. 12. All men are under 
 some law; they feel, they are conscious, that they are so; 
 the thoughts which already excuse or condemn one ano- 
 ther, are an anticipation of a final and decisive judgment, 
 when every man's reward will be according to his works. 
 
 That all those who heard and professed to believe the 
 gospel will be finally judged by that, we have the fullest 
 assurance. God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus 
 Christ, according to his gospel. " The word that 1 have 
 spoken," saith Christ, " the same will judge them that heard 
 it on the last day." John xii. 48. It greatly interests us 
 clearly to know what is the import and consequence of 
 being judged by the gospel as a law of liberty, and it con- 
 tains the following things: 
 
 The general character, all the thoughts, words, and ac- 
 tions, together with the general conduct of all those who 
 professed the gospel, will be brought to the test, and tried 
 by this rule. Mail's own opinion of himself, the good 
 opinion of others, will here stand him in no stead ; his 
 character will not be determined by his external appear- 
 ance, but by his inward reality. " Man looketh on the 
 outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 
 1 Sam. xvii. 7. The self-righteous pharisee will be re- 
 jected, notwithstanding his fair appearance and boasting ; 
 the penitent publican will be received, though he has no- 
 thing to plead, but Lord have mercy on me a sinner. The 
 law is spiritual, and no law more so than the law of the 
 gospel ; it requires not merely an external obedience, but 
 an internal conformity to the will of God; it demands 
 truth in the inward part ; it looks not only to the actions 
 that are done, but to the principle from which they flow; 
 we must judge of man's inward disposition by his visible 
 action ; but God judges of the actions of men according to 
 their invisible spring; thoughts are out of the reach of 
 human cognizance, but they are the first object of divine 
 notice : there is not a word that drops from our tongue but 
 what our judge hears ; whatever we do, or whatever we 
 neglect, is all under his immediate eye ; and he not only 
 attends to our general character, but also to every thought, 
 word, or action, and the prevailing complexion of all these 
 taken together form our true and real character. 
 
 In the judgment, according to this law, our character, 
 words, thoughts, and actions will be brought to the test of 
 this rule ; our conduct will be compared with these precepts; 
 this is the balance of the sanctuary in which the professors 
 of the gospel shall be weighed, and as they shall be found 
 approved or deficient, their case must be determined. 
 Those whose temper and actions shall be found conform- 
 able to the law of liberty, will be acquitted, graciously ac- 
 cepted, and made ever happy ; and those who turned the 
 grace of God into wantonness, and made the liberty of the 
 gospel a cloak for their sins, will be finally rejected. The 
 gospel informs us, that a day is already appointed for that 
 purpose ; it acquaints us with the person of our judge, and 
 every circumstance, as well as the rule, according to which 
 he will proceed in judgment. Perhaps on that day, when 
 all nations shall appear before the judge, and he will divide 
 them as a shepherd divideth the sheep from the goats, dis- 
 tinct places will also be allotted to those who are to be 
 
 judged by natural conscience and the law of nature, and 
 those who have been favoured with a divine revelation, 
 and especially with the light of the gospel : the people of 
 Nineveh will arise against empty professors of the gospel, 
 and will condemn them. Those who have been exalted 
 above others in means and privileges, will sit proportionablv 
 lower than those who have made a better improvement of 
 lesser means ; and, notwithstanding the fondest hope and 
 finest profession, it is a determined rule of the law of liber- 
 ty, that " except our righteousness shall exceed that of the 
 Scribes and Pharisees, we shall in no case enter into the 
 kingdom of heaven." 
 
 It deserves our peculiar attention, that the Apostle con- 
 siders the gospel as a law of liberty, at the same time when 
 he sets it before us as the rule by which we are to be judged. 
 We are not to imagine because the gospel is a law of li- 
 berty, therefore men will not be judged; on the contrary, 
 judgment will be the more severe against all who have 
 heard and professed the gospel, and yet walked contrary 
 to its precepts and doctrine. As the transgression of a law 
 of liberty must be more inexcusable than the transgression 
 of a law unjust or oppressive in itself, or even the ceremo- 
 nial law, which was given only for a certain period, and to 
 answer temporary purposes, so their judgment and doom 
 must be proportionably heavier, who have sinned against 
 love and liberty, as well as against power and justice. 
 
 According to this law the fate of men will not only be 
 determined, but sentence will also be put into execution. 
 God sitteth on the throne of judgment every day, and 
 judgeth righteously ; but he hath moreover appointed a 
 particular day when he will manifest his power and justice 
 before the whole creation ; when the dead, both small and 
 great, will stand before God; when those that acted agree- 
 able to the law of liberty, will attain the fulness of glory of 
 the freedom of the sons of God, and when he will also take 
 vengeance on all that have not known God, and have not 
 obeyed his holy gospel. This naturally leads to the second 
 thing proposed, to take a nearer view of the importance of 
 the exhortation, " So speak, and so do, as they that shall 
 be judged by the law of liberty." 
 
 It seems as though the Apostle had an eye to some par- 
 ticular branch of the law of liberty, i. e. the love which 
 we owe unto our neighbour, and that his design is to 
 obviate the mistake as though men might be considered as 
 fulfilling the law of Christ, in paying respect to some of 
 its commands and prohibitions, at the same time that they 
 were entirely regardless of the rest. He assures them, that 
 " whosoever shall keep the whole law, but shall transgress 
 in one point" (e. g. having respect of persons) " is guilty of 
 all." On this principle the Apostle builds the general ex- 
 hortation, " So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged 
 by the law of liberty." This implies, 
 
 1. Be thoroughly convinced of the certainty of a judg- 
 ment to come, and that it extends to you, to all your 
 thoughts, words, and actions. There is not any truth of 
 greater moment, nor perhaps more easily forgotten. The 
 belief or unbelief of this important doctrine must have 
 the most sensible effects. All the Apostles frequently put 
 their hearers in mind of a judgment to come ; and there is 
 not any truth more necessary to be frequently inculcated 
 and daily thought on ; and wherever this truth is really be- 
 lieved and felt, it will have a constant and natural influence 
 on the behaviour of those who truly believe it. 
 
 2. See to it that in judgment you may stand. All men 
 will be brought into judgment, but few will be able to stand ; 
 none will be excused, or be able to withdraw, and only 
 those who have acted worthily will meet with the divine 
 acceptance. The difference will be amazing and beyond 
 all conception : an eternity of happiness, which eye has 
 not seen, ear has not heard, and which never entered into 
 the heart of any man, lies on the one side ; and despair, 
 misery, and torment on the other. Those that are able to 
 stand, will meet with the smiles and approbation of their 
 judge ; and to all the rest the King will say, " These mine 
 enemies that would not have me to bear rule over them, 
 bring them here, and slay them before mine eyes." Those 
 that believe and are convinced of this awful alternative, 
 should certainly make it their care that they may be able 
 to stand in judgment ; neither should the persuasion of this 
 only influence their conduct in general, but these words 
 ought to be considered as a rule, which we ought to have 
 
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 1564 
 
 constantly before our eyes in all our discourses and every 
 undertaking; we should ever "so speak, and so act, as 
 they that shall be judged by the law of liberty." 
 
 I shall draw a "few inferences, before I conclude with a 
 more particular addiess to the worthy gentlemen at whose 
 request I preach on this occasion. 
 
 1 . The gospel is a law of liberty. 
 
 A late writer* asserts, " every religion countenances des- 
 potism, but none so much as the Christian. " This is a 
 very heavy charge against religion in general, but bears 
 hardest on the Christian. Whether it proceeds from malice, 
 ignorance, or misapprehension, it is needless to determine: 
 but if Christianity he a law of liberty, it must be obvious 
 how ill-grounded is such a charge against it. It cannot be 
 denied but some Christian writers have wrote against the 
 rights of mankind. All those who stand up for unlimited 
 passive obedience and non-resistance, may have given but 
 too much cause for such surmises and suspicions ; but the 
 truth is, that both those which make this charge, and those 
 who gave occasion lor it, were alike ignorant ol the spirit 
 and temper of Christianity; and it may well be doubted 
 whether the venders of such odious doctrines, who foisted 
 tenets, so abominable and injurious to mankind, into the 
 system of Christian religion, have not done that holy reli- 
 gion greater hurt, under the pretence of friendship and 
 defence, than its most barefaced enemies by all their most 
 violent attacks. Some Christian divines have taught the 
 enormous faith, that millions were made for one ; they have 
 ascribed a divine right to Kings to govern wrong: but what 
 then ? Are such abominable doctrines any part of Chris- 
 tianity, because these men say so ? Does the gospel cease 
 to be a law of liberty, because some of its professors pervert 
 it into an engine of tyranny, oppression, and injustice? 
 
 The assertion, that all religion countenances despotism, 
 and Christianity more than any other, is diametrically op- 
 posite to fact. Survey the globe, and you will find that 
 liberty has taken its seat only in Christendom, and that the 
 highest degree of freedom is pleaded for and enjoyed by 
 such as make profession of the gospel. 
 
 There are but two religions which are concerned in this 
 charge ; the Jewish and the Christian. Natural religion, 
 writers of this kind, I suppose, would not include in their 
 charge ; if they do, they set all religion at variance with 
 the rights of mankind, contrary to the sense of all nations, 
 who are generally agreed, that, abstractly of a world to 
 come, religion is of real service and necessity to mankind, 
 for their better government and order. 
 
 As to the Jewish religion, it seems really strange that 
 any should charge it with favouring despotism, when by 
 one of its express rites, at certain times, it proclaimed 
 " Liberty throughout the land, to the inhabitants thereof." 
 Levit. xxv. 10. It required their Kings " not to be lifted 
 up in their hearts above their brethren." Ueut. xvii. 20. 
 And the whole system of that religion is so replete with 
 laws against injustice and oppression, it pays such an 
 extraordinary regard to property, and gives such a strict 
 charge to rule in justice and the fear of God, and to con- 
 sider those over whom they judge as their brethren, even 
 when dispensing punishments, and forbids all excess in 
 them, that it is really surprising any one acquainted with 
 its precepts should declare it favorable to despotism or 
 oppression. 
 
 The Christian religion, while it commands due respect 
 and obedience to superiors, no where requires a blind and 
 unlimited obedience on the part of the subjects ; nor does 
 it vest any absolute and arbitrary power in the rulers. It 
 is an institution for the benefit, and not for the distress of 
 mankind. It preachcth not only "glory to God on high," 
 but also " peace on earth, and good will among men." 
 
 The gospel gives no higher authority to magistrates than 
 to be " the ministers of God, for the good of the subject." 
 Horn. xiii. From whence it must surely follow, that their 
 power is to edify, and not to destroy: when they abuse 
 their authority, to distress and destroy their subjects, they 
 deserve not to be thought ministers of God for good ; nor 
 is it to be supposed, when they act so contrary to the na- 
 ture of their office, that they act agreeable to the will of 
 God, or in conformity to the doctrine of the gospel. 
 
 The gospel recommends unto masters to forbear threat- 
 enings, and to remember that they also have a master in 
 
 * See a tract, intituled, " Chains of Slavery," Printed, London, 1775. 
 
 heaven ; it assures them that the eye of God is equally 
 upon the servant and the master, and that with God there 
 is no respect of persons: it commands masters, from the 
 most solemn considerations, to give unto servants that 
 which is just and equal: it sailh to the meanest slave, 
 "Art thou called, being a servant, care not for it, but if 
 thou mayest be made free, use it rather." 1 Cor. vii. '21. 
 
 The doctrine of the gospel has that regard to property, 
 that it commands even soldiers: "Do violence to no man, 
 and be content with your wages." Luke iii. 14. That 
 a Paul sent back a runaway slave, though now converted, 
 and belonging to his intimate friend, and at a time when 
 he seems to have stood in real need of his services, from 
 a delicacy that he would do nothing without the owner's 
 mind, lest his benefit should appear as if it were of neces- 
 sity, and not willingly. Philem. xiv. From the same 
 spirit of justice, a Zaccheus, after his conversion, restored 
 fourfold what before he had taken from any by false accu- 
 sation; surely, then, the spirit of the gospel is very friendly 
 to the rights and property of men. 
 
 The gospel sets conscience above all human authority 
 in matters of faith, and bids us to "stand fast in that liberty 
 wherewith the Son of God has made us free." Gal. v. 1. 
 Freedom is the very spirit and temper of the gospel : 
 " He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the 
 Lord^s freeman. Ye are bought with a price, be ye not 
 the servants of men." 1 Cor. vii. 22, 23. At the same 
 time that it commands us to submit to every ordinance of 
 men, it also directs us to act "as free, and not using liberty 
 as a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." 
 1 Pet. iii. 13-18. 
 
 Those, therefore, that would support arbitrary power, 
 and require an unlimited obedience, in vain look for pre- 
 cedents or precepts for such things in the gospel, an insti- 
 tution equally tending to make men just, free, and happy 
 here, and perfectly holy and happy hereafter. 
 
 2. Tlie main design of the gospel is not to direct us in 
 our external and civil affairs, but how we may at last 
 stand with comfort before God, the judge of all. 
 
 Human prudence is to be our guide in the concerns of 
 time ; the gospel makes us wise unto salvation, and points 
 out the means to be pursued, that it may be well with us 
 in the world to come. As rational creatures, we are to 
 make use of our reason ; as Christians, we are to repent 
 and believe the gospel. Motives of a worldly nature may 
 very properly influence us in our worldly concerns ; we 
 are created not only for eternity, but also for time: it is 
 not at all improper for us to have a due regard for both. 
 The gospel will regulate our desires and restrain our pas- 
 sions as to earthly things, and will raise us at the same time 
 above time and sense, to objects of a nature more worthy 
 of ourselves. A due regard for, and a frequent meditation 
 on, a judgment to come, will greatly assist us in all our 
 concerns; and this very consideration the gospel holds out 
 to us in the clearest manner. It not only affirms, as a 
 truth, what reason and conscience might consider only as 
 probable, but it takes away, as it were, the veil from be- 
 tween us and things to come ; it gives us a present view of 
 the future bliss of saints, and the terrours and despair of 
 sinners: rather an historical account than a prophetiek 
 description of all the proceedings of the dreadful pleasing 
 day; it clearly points out the road to destruction, anil the 
 way to escape ; it affords us a plain and general rule to 
 obtain safety and comfort, when it bids us, "So speak, and 
 so do, as they (hat shall be judged by the law of liberty." 
 
 This general rule may also be of considerable service in 
 extraordinary and particular cases. It is impossible to pro- 
 vide express directions for every particular case; and in 
 the course of things circumstances may happen when a 
 good man may be at a loss to know his duty, and find it 
 difficult so to act as to obtain his own approbation. There 
 may be danger of going beyond, and danger in not coming 
 up to, the mark. To act worthy of God, who has called 
 us, is the general rule of the Christian at all times, and 
 upon every occasion ; and did we but always follow this 
 ride, what manner of persons should we then be! But in 
 cases of intricacy, we may still be in doubt what may be 
 most for the glory of God, and most consistent with our 
 duty. Sometimes, also, our relative duties may seem to 
 come in competition with one another, and we may hesi- 
 tate in our own mind which for the present has the strong- 
 
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 GEORGIA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1566 
 
 est call. We would Tain obey our superiors, and yet we 
 cannot think of giving up our natural, our civil and reli- 
 gious rights, nor acquiesce in or contribute to render our 
 fellow-creatures or fellow-citizens slaves and miserable. 
 We would willingly follow peace with all men, and yet 
 would be very unwilling that others should take the ad- 
 vantage of a pacifick disposition to injure us in hopes of 
 doing it with impunity. We would express duty, respect, 
 and obedience to the king, as supreme, and yet we would 
 not wish to strengthen the hands of tyranny, nor call op- 
 pression lawful : in such a delicate situation it is a golden 
 rule, " So to speak, and so to do, as they that shall be 
 judged by the law of liberty." Nothing has a greater 
 tendency to make men act wrong than the disbelief of a 
 future judgment; and nothing will more effectually restrain 
 and direct them than the full persuasion that such an event 
 will certainly take place; nothing would have a happier 
 tendency to make us act with prudence, justice, and mode- 
 ration, than the firm persuasion that God will bring every 
 work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be 
 good or bad. 
 
 Neither could I think on any direction more applicable 
 to the design of our present meeting, or which I might 
 more properly recommend to the respectable gentlemen 
 now met together to consult on the recovery and preserva- 
 tion of the liberties of America, and who chose to begin 
 their deliberations with a solemn act of worship to Al- 
 mighty God, who has established government as his ordi- 
 nance, and equally abhors licentiousness and oppression ; 
 whose singular blessing it is if subjects enjoy a righteous 
 Government, and under such a Government lead a quiet 
 and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 
 
 You are met, gentlemen, in a most critical time, and on 
 a most alarming occasion, not in a legislative capacity, but 
 (while the sitting of the usual representation is not thought 
 ibr the King's service, or necessary for the good of this 
 Province) you are chosen by the general voice of this Pro- 
 vince to meet on their behalf, to consult on such measures 
 as, in our local circumstances, may be most to the real ad- 
 vantage, and tend to the honour of our Sovereign, as well 
 as the good and safety of this Province, and of all this 
 great Continent. For the sake of the auditory, I shall 
 briefly state the immediate causes that have given rise to 
 this Provincial and a General American Congress, and 
 then offer such humble advice as appears to me most suit- 
 able to our circumstances. 
 
 To enforce some acts for laying on a duty to raise a 
 perpetual revenue in America, which the Americans think 
 unjust and unconstitutional, which all America complains 
 of, and some Provinces have in some measure opposed,* 
 a fleet and army has been sent to New-England, and after 
 a long series of hardships by that Province patiently en- 
 dured, it is now out of all question that hostilities have 
 been commenced against them ; blood has been shed, and 
 many lives have been taken away ; thousands, never so 
 much as suspected of having any hand in the action which 
 is made the pretence of all the severity now used against 
 that Province, have been and still are reduced to the great- 
 est distress. From this other Provinces have taken the 
 alarm: an apprehension of nearer foes, not unlikely to 
 appear as auxiliaries in an unjust cause, has thrown our 
 neighbours into arms; how far and wide the flame so wan- 
 tonly kindled may be permitted to spread, none can tell ; 
 but in these alarming circumstances the liberty of this Con- 
 tinent, of which we are a part, the safety and domestick 
 peace of this Province, will naturally become a subject of 
 your deliberations; and here I may well adapt the language 
 of old, "There was no such deed done nor seen from the 
 day that America was first settled unto this day; consider 
 of it, take advice, and speak your minds." Judges xix. 
 30. I mean not to anticipate and direct your counsels ; 
 but from your desire I should speak on this occasion, I 
 take it for granted you will permit me to offer such hints 
 as may appear suitable to the place and design of our pre- 
 sent meeting. 
 
 In the first place, as there is no evil in a city in which 
 the hand of God may not be seen, so in vain is salvation 
 
 * This opposition in some Provinces consisted in sending the tea, on 
 which this duty was to be paid, back to England, not suffering it to be 
 sold or landed in others ; and in Boston, when they were prevented 
 from sending it back, it was entirely destroyed, but no person hurt, nor 
 any blood shed. 
 
 looked for from the hills and from the mountains, but can 
 come from Him only who has made heaven and earth. 
 This undoubtedly is a day of trouble, but God saith to 
 his people, "Call upon me in a day of trouble, and I will 
 deliver thee." Ps. 1. 15. "What nation has God so 
 nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that 
 we call upon him for?" Deut. iv. 7. If this be our first 
 step, if first of all we look unto him from whom our help 
 cometh, we may hope all will be well at last. Let us be 
 thoroughly convinced of this, we must stand well with God, 
 else it can never be well with us at all ; without him and 
 his help we can never prosper. The Lord is with you, if 
 you are with him : " If you seek him, you will find him ; 
 but if you forsake him, you will be forsaken by him." 2 
 Chron. xv. 2. If God be for us, who can be against us ? 
 if he be against us, who can be for us? Before we think 
 on, or look any where else, may our eyes be unto God, 
 that he may be gracious unto us. Let us humbly confess 
 and speedily turn from our sins, deprecate his judgment, 
 and secure his favour. "Rend your hearts, and not your 
 garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gra- 
 cious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, 
 and repenteth him of the evil ; who knoweth if he will 
 return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even 
 a meat-offering and a drink-offering unto the Lord your 
 God," Joel ii. 13, 14. 
 
 Let it be a standing rule with every one that is to sit in 
 council upon this occasion, " so to speak, and so to do, as 
 one that is to be judged by the law of liberty." Let us 
 most carefully avoid every thing that might make us incur 
 the displeasure of God, and wound our own consciences. 
 The effects of your deliberation may become very serious 
 and extensive, and the consequences extremely important: 
 think therefore before you speak, deliberate before you 
 execute, and let the law of liberty, by which you are here- 
 after to be judged, be the constant rule of all your words 
 and actions. Far be it from us to be reduced under laws 
 inconsistent with liberty, and as far to wish for liberty with- 
 out law ; let the one be so tempered with the other, that 
 when we come to give our account to the supreme Law- 
 giver, who is the great judge of all, it may appear we had a 
 due regard to both, and may meet with his approbation. 
 
 Such always hath been, and such is still the attachment of 
 America to the illustrious house of Hanover, that I need 
 not put you in mind of our duty to the King as supreme. 
 By our law the King can do no wrong ; but of his present 
 Majesty, who is universally known to be adorned with many 
 social virtues, may we not justly conclude that he would 
 not do any wrong, even though he could ? May we not 
 hope, that to the greatness of a monarch he will superadd 
 the feelings of the man, the tenderness of a father? May 
 we not hope, that when the truth of things, the tears of 
 his suffering subjects, the distresses caused by acts extreme- 
 ly ill advised, once reach his notice, a generous pity will 
 force his heart, and that pity, when he feels it, will com- 
 mand redress ? " The heart of the .King is in the hand of 
 tbe Lord, as the rivers of water, and he turneth it as he 
 pleaseth." Prov. xxi. 1. Most earnestly therefore let us 
 pray, that in this great and most important matter also God 
 may give unto the King an understanding heart, that power 
 may be governed by wisdom, and the wheels of Govern- 
 ment roll on with justice and moderation. 
 
 Should you think that all our present distress is owing to 
 evil counsellors, nothing need to hinder you from praying 
 that God would turn their counsels into foolishness: you 
 may make it your earnest request, both in publick and in 
 private, that the wicked being removed from before the 
 King, his throne may be established in righteousness ; that 
 the rod of the oppressor may be broken, and justice and 
 equity take place of tyranny and oppression. 
 
 It may be owing to nothing but the firm attachment to 
 the reigning family, that so many Americans look upon the 
 present measures as a deep laid plan to bring in the Pre- 
 tender. Perhaps this jealousy may be very groundless ; 
 but so much is certain, that none but Great Britain's ene- 
 mies can be gainers in this unnatural contest*. 
 
 Never let us lose out of sight that our interest lies in a 
 
 * Were it designed to give the Pretender an opportunity to raise di. 
 visions in Great Britain, starve the manufacturers, send away troops 
 from Ireland and Scotland, and breed civil war in America, must all 
 be circumstances too favourable, and, I may say, very tempting to pro. 
 mote such a project. 
 
1567 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &tc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1568 
 
 perpetual connection with our Mother Country. Notwith- 
 standing the present unwise and harsh measures, there are 
 thousands in Great Britain that think will) us, and wish well 
 to the American cause, and make it their own : let us con- 
 vince our enemies, that the struggles of America have not 
 their rise in a desire of independency, hut from a warm 
 regard to our common Constitution; that we esteem the 
 name of Britons, as heing the same with freemen: let 
 every step we take afford proof how greatly we esteem our 
 Mother Country, and that, to the wish of a perpetual con- 
 nection, we prefer this only consideration, that we may be 
 virtuous and free.* 
 
 Let me entreat you, gentlemen, think coolly, and act 
 deliberately : rash counsels are seldom good ones: Ministe- 
 rial rashness and American rashness can only be pro- 
 ductive of untoward compounds : inconsiderate measures, 
 framed on the other side of the AtlanticJc, are the cause 
 of all our mischiefs ; and it is not in the least probable 
 that inconsiderate measures in America can be productive 
 of any good. Let nothing be done through strife and vain 
 glory ; let no private resentment nor party zeal disgrace 
 your honest warmth for your country's welfare: measures 
 determined on by integrity and prudence, are most likely to 
 be carried into execution by steadiness and moderation. 
 Let neither the frowns of tyranny, nor the pleasure of po- 
 pularity, sway you from what you clearly apprehend just 
 and right, and to be your duty. Consider how much lies 
 at stake; how greatly your religion, your liberty, your pro- 
 perty, your posterity, is interested. Endeavour to act like 
 freeman, like loyal subjects, like real Christians, and you 
 will "so speak, and so act, as they that shall be judged by 
 the law of liberty." Act conscientiously, and with a view 
 to God, then commit your ways to him ; leave the event 
 with God, and you will have great reason to hope that the 
 event will be just, honourable, and happy. 
 
 And now, gentlemen, you have the wishes and prayers 
 of every thoughtful person, that your deliberations may be 
 carried on with candour, unanimity, and prudence ; may be 
 blessed to preserve the quietness of this province, and co- 
 operate in restoring the rights and tranquillity of all Ameri- 
 ca, as well as promote the prosperity of the whole British 
 empire. This will afford you a heartfelt satisfaction, and 
 transmit your name to posterity with honour, when all 
 those who had opposite views, and sought their greatness 
 in the ruin of others, will be held in abhorrence and detes- 
 tation. 
 
 I have but a few hints to give to my hearers in gene- 
 ral. 
 
 * The idea of a separation between America and Great Britain is big 
 with so many and such horrid evils, that every friend to both must 
 shudder at the thought, livery man that gives the most distant hint 
 of sucli a wish, ought instantly to be suspected as a common enemy ; 
 nothing would more effectually serve the cause of our enemies, than 
 any proposal of this kind ; all wise men and all good men would im- 
 mediately speak, write, and act against it: such a proposal, whenever 
 it should be made, would be an inlet to greater evils than any we have 
 yet suffered. But what America detests as the greatest evil, a British 
 Ministry has taken the greatest pains to effect ; has wasted British 
 blood and treasure to alienate America and Great Britain ; the breach 
 is growing wider and wider, it is become like a great sea; every moment 
 i* a loss that is not improved towards bringing about a reconciliation. 
 
 The times are evil; this is a day of adversity; and in a 
 time of adversity we ought to consider. It may, perhaps, 
 soon become impossible, even to the most indolent, to con- 
 tinue unconcerned ; and those that wish no more than to 
 hide themselves in quiet obscurity, may not always have it 
 in their power to remain neuter: to know the signs of the 
 lime, is a considerable part of human prudence ; and it is 
 a still greater to walk circumspectly, and redeem the time, 
 because the days are evil. Whatever part you may think 
 yourselves obliged to take, "so speak, and so do, as they 
 that shall be judged hereafter, and judged by the law of 
 liberty." 
 
 In these times of confusion I would press on my hearers 
 a most conscientious regard to the common laws of the 
 land. Let our conduct shew that we are not lawless ; by 
 well-doing let us put to silence the reproaches of our ad- 
 versaries. Let us convince them that we do not complain 
 of law, but of oppression ; that we do not abhor these acts 
 because we are impatient to be under government, but being 
 destructive of liberty and property, we think them destruc- 
 tive also of all law. Let us act " as free, and yet not make 
 liberty a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God." 
 
 While it is yet peace and quietness with us, let us not 
 think ourselves inaccessible to the evils which are already 
 come upon others; there are some evils which we would 
 rather deprecate in private than speak of in publick ; against 
 which, being fore-warned, we should be fore-armed ; every 
 trifling report should not alarm us, but it would be folly 
 still greater not to be on our guard against sudden dan- 
 gers. 
 
 Remember them that suffer adversity, as being your- 
 selves also in the body. Think on those who are driven 
 from their habitations and all their conveniences of life, or 
 confined in their own houses by an enraged soldiery, to 
 starve in their own country in the midst of property and 
 plenty, not permitted to enjoy their own, and distressed in 
 every connexion, and this without any cause alleged against 
 numbers of them, without complaint, suspicion, or a legal 
 trial : the like was never heard since the cruel siege of Lon- 
 donderry, and is a species of cruelty at which even that 
 hardhearted bigot James the Second, relented. 
 
 Above all, let every one earnestly pray, that He that is 
 higher than the highest would soon make a righteous end 
 of all their confusion ; that he would incline the King to 
 hear the cries of his subjects, and that no more innocent 
 blood may be shed in America. 
 
 One thing more: consider the extreme absurdity of strug- 
 gling for civil liberty, and yet to continue slaves to sin and 
 lust. "Know ye not to whom ye yield yourselves ser- 
 vants to obey ? his servants ye are to whom ye obey, whe- 
 ther of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." 
 Rom. vi. 16. Cease from evil, and do good ; seek peace, 
 and pursue it: who will hurt you while you follow that 
 which is good? become the willing servants of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ, hearken to and obey the voice of his gospel, 
 for "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty;" and 
 "if the Son makes you free," then, and not till then, "shall 
 you be free indeed." 
 
 COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE OF CHARLESTOWN TO THE 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA DELEGATES IN THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Charlestown, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed are a copy and extracts of 
 letters which fell into the hands of the Secret Committee, 
 who laid them before the Council of Safety. They are 
 thought to be of so great importance, that the Council have 
 desired the Committee of Intelligence to transmit them to 
 you, not only by sea, but through Committee conveyance, 
 by land. They seem to give some light into the real in- 
 tentions of Administration ; and thereby you may, in some 
 degree, be enabled to guard against their machinations. 
 We have also transmitted proper copies of them to North- 
 Carolina and Georgia; and we have desired the former 
 Colony to forward to you our duplicate of this packet. 
 We also enclose to you some copies of our circular letter 
 to the Committees of this Colony. 
 
 This day the Provincial Congress of Georgia is to sit 
 in Savannah. It is thought that they will make ample 
 
 amends for their past conduct; indeed, we think there is 
 no room to doubt of it. 
 
 Our own affairs continue in a good posture. The Regi- 
 ment of Horse is nearly completed ; and the Regiments of 
 Infantry are in great forwardness. At present, between two 
 and three hundred garrison the barracks, and we mean im- 
 mediately to establish a fortified post at Dorchester. The 
 Council of Safety, on Thursday, will go there to reconnoi- 
 tre the situation. This letter comes forwarded by Com- 
 mittee conveyance from North-Carolina, and is a dupli- 
 cate of the original, which we have sent by a pilot-boat. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE OF CHARLESTOWN TO THE 
 COMMITTEE AT NEWBERN, NORTH -CAROLINA. 
 
 Charlestown, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed are a copy and extracts of 
 letters, which, falling into the hands of our Secret Com- 
 mittee, were laid before the Council of Safety. By desire 
 of the Council, we transmit them to you ; as well to enable 
 
1569 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1715. 
 
 1570 
 
 you to counteract your Govemour, as to manifest how dan- 
 gerous lie is to the liberties of America. You see he 
 means, and is ordered, to arm one part of your people 
 against the other. We trust that you will, on this occa- 
 sion, act with due vigour and policy, in your endeavours to 
 defeat so diabolical a design. 
 
 The Council of Safety most seriously recommend, that 
 you so manage the communication of this important letter, 
 as to confine it, if possible, only among the friends of Ame- 
 rican rights, as it might be of the most pernicious conse- 
 quence if your Governour, or his emissaries, or the dis- 
 affected Counties, or people at large, should obtain any 
 particular knowledge of it. 
 
 We transmit to you copies of our circular letter, which, 
 if you think proper, may be reprinted ; and we also trans- 
 mit to you a letter to our Delegates at Philadelphia, which 
 we beg you will forward to them from one Committee to 
 another. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE OF CHARLESTOWN TO THE 
 COMMITTEE AT SAVANNAH, GEORGIA. 
 
 Charlestown, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The enclosed are extracts of letters, and 
 an original, which, having fallen into the hands of our Se- 
 cret Committee, and being by them laid before the Council 
 of Safety, the Council have desired the Committee of In- 
 telligence to transmit them to you. Your Chief Justice 
 seems to hold a very criminal correspondence, and to show 
 a disposition no less inimical to the liberties of America. 
 
 We also recommend, in the most pressing manner, that 
 you keep a watchful eye upon every motion that your Gov- 
 ernour can make. We enclose to you copies of our circular 
 letter; and we hope this despatch will arrive in due time 
 to be laid before your Provincial Congress, of whose pro- 
 ceedings we have the highest expectation.* 
 
 SOMERSET COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Princess Anne, July 4, 1775. 
 
 It having this day been made appear, by Doctor John 
 Odel Hart, to this Committee, that on Friday last a Ped- 
 lar, calling himself James Dooe, and lately from Scotland, 
 was exposing Goods to sale at Salisbury Town, in this 
 County; that he then and there was called upon by several 
 members of this Committee for certificates, or some other 
 evidence of the said Goods having not been imported con- 
 trary to the Association of the honourable Continental 
 Congress ; which not being able to produce, he was advised 
 
 * The Swallow Packet being just arrived from England, William 
 Henry Drayton, Chairman of the Secret Committee, resolved to seize 
 the mail, and, on his way to the Post-Office, on the 2d day of July, he 
 met John Neufeille and Thomas Corbet, two members of the Commit- 
 tee of Intelligence, who were proceeding thither on the same errand. 
 On their arriving at the Post-Office, then kept by Jervis Henry Ste. 
 vens, on the Bay, at the corner of Longitude-Alley, as Secretary to 
 George Ronpell, the Deputy Postmaster, they demanded the mail which 
 had just arrived in the Packet; to which a peremptory refusal was 
 given. They then informed Stevens they would take it by force, if 
 riot speedily delivered ; to which he answered he should not deliver it. 
 They then took possession of it, and carried the publick letters to the 
 State-House, where the Secret Committee were immediately summoned 
 to meet; and upon examining them, they found the despatches which 
 had been for Lord William Campbell, Governour of South-Carolina, 
 and John Stuart, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, had been already 
 forwarded to them ; but their enterprise was rewarded, by obtaining 
 despatches from the Ministry to the Southern Governours, regulating 
 their conduct upon Lord North's conciliatory motion, and to Governour 
 Martin, of North-Carolina, encouraging his plans of raising the people 
 of the four Counties of Guilford, Dobbs, Rowan, and Surry, whom he 
 had reported to "breathe a spirit of loyalty to the King, and attach- 
 ment to the authority of Great Britain." All these letters were signed 
 by Lord Dartmouth, five of which were for James Wright, Governour 
 of Georgia; one for the Lieutenant-Governour of South-Carolina ; 
 and one for Governour Martin, of North-Carolina. The Resolution 
 of Parliament, also, upon Lord North's conciliatory motion, was for- 
 warded to the Governours by Lord Dartmouth, in the same Packet. 
 
 These despatches were deemed of so much consequence, that copies 
 of them were immediately forwarded to our Delegates in the Conti- 
 nental Congress, and to the Committees at Newbern, in North-Carolina, 
 tad Savannah, in Georgia; but the originals were never sent to the 
 Continental Congress, as the publick has been led to believe ; for they 
 are now in the possession of the author of these Memoirs, having been 
 in that of his family ever since his father, William Henry Drayton, left 
 South-Carolina, in March, 1778, as a Delegate to the Continental Con- 
 gress, then fitting at Little.Yorktown, in the State of Pennsylvania. 
 
 About the same time the mail was seized, the Secret Committee were 
 also fortunate in intercepting two letters from Sir James Wright, Gov- 
 ernour of Georgia, each of them dated 27th of June, 1775; one of 
 them directed to Admiral Graves, and the other to General Gage. — 
 Drayton. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ! 
 
 by the said members to attend the weekly meeting of this 
 Committee on this day and place, and abide their determi- 
 nation thereon, and, in the mean time, to forbear offering 
 any of his Goods for sale ; all which the said Dooe faith- 
 fully engaged to perform ; but the said Dooe not havin" 
 appeared, and this Committee being informed that he did 
 afterwards offer his said Goods for sale : on full considera- 
 tion of the above information, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said Dooe, from his 
 conduct aforesaid, has given great reason to suspect that he 
 is not only inimical to the liberties of America, but that the 
 said Goods, or some of them, have been imported in viola- 
 tion of the Continental Association ; therefore, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That we will not, and that the 
 inhabitants in this County ought not, to have any inter- 
 course or connexion whatever with the said Dooe, until he 
 shall appear before this Committee and give proper satis- 
 faction for his conduct above-mentioned ; and it is recom- 
 mended that an inviolable regard be paid to this Resolu- 
 tion. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Henry Jackson, Clerk. 
 
 A List of the Field-Officers, Captains, and -part of the 
 
 Lieutenants of the Regiment o/Green-Mountain Boys, 
 
 consisting of seven Companies. 
 
 Field-Officers. — Ethan Allen, Seth Warner. 
 
 Captains. — Remember Baker, Robert Cochran, Michael 
 Veal, Peleg Sutherling, Gideon Warren, Wait Hopkins, 
 Heman Allen. 
 
 First Lieutenants. — Ira Allen, John Grant, Ebenezer 
 Allen, David Ives, Jesse Sawyer. 
 
 Adjutant, Levi Allen ; Commissary, Elijah Babcock ; 
 Doctor and Surgeon, Jonas Fay. 
 
 JOHN N. BLEECKER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I received your letter of the 29th ultimo, 
 and have, agreeable to your directions, delivered up all the 
 stores and provisions in my care, an account whereof you 
 have enclosed. I cannot omit observing, that the person in 
 whose care I had left the stores, &c, during my absence, did 
 not think himself justified to deliver them without an order 
 from you, especially as it appears by Mr. Phelps's warrant 
 that he is only appointed for one regiment, a copy of which 
 is enclosed. A number of different accounts for provisions 
 and necessaries, purchased as well by me as in my absence, 
 have not yet been delivered, which prevents my transmit- 
 ting an account at present of the expenses which we have 
 been at ; but I shall not fail to render an account in a few 
 days. Five barrels of damaged powder from Ticonderoga 
 is sent to Judge Livingston's mill. The garrisons will be 
 in want of flour very soon, and none to be had here before 
 1 delivered up the stores. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and most humble 
 servant, John N. Bleecker. 
 
 To P. V. B. Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 Account of Stores and Provisions delivered over by John 
 N. Bleecker to Elisha Phelps, at Albany, July 3. 
 1775 : 
 
 Seven barrels of flour, 32 barrels of pork, 1 tierce of peas, 
 10 tierces of rice, 86 hatchets, 38 pair two-point blankets, 
 12 pair one-point blankets, 2J hogsheads of rum, 40 camp 
 kettles. John N. Bleecker. 
 
 Colony of Connecticut : 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour and Commander- 
 in-Chief in and over His Majesty's English Colony 
 of Connecticut, in New-England, in America: 
 To Elisha Phelps, Gentleman, greeting: 
 
 I do, by these presents, reposing especial trust and con- 
 fidence in your loyalty, fidelity, and good conduct, consti- 
 tute you, the said Elisha Phelps, to be Commissary in 
 Albany, and places adjacent above, for the provisions sup- 
 plied from the Provincial Convention of Neiv-York, and 
 for the Fourth Regiment of the inhabitants enlisted and 
 assembled for the special defence and safety of his Majes- 
 ty's said Colony, stationed at Ticonderoga, and places ad- 
 
1571 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1572 
 
 jacent, agreeable to a Resolve of the honourable Continen- 
 tal Congress. I do authorize and empower you to exercise 
 your said office in a due performance of the duties thereof, 
 in and for the Regiment aforesaid; keep proper accounts, 
 and the same render on oath, when required, according to 
 the trust reposed in you ; for which this is a sufficient war- 
 rant. Given under my hand and seal at arms, in Lebanon, 
 this 8th day of June, in the fifteenth year of His Majesty's 
 reign, Annoquc Domini 1775. Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 WILLIAM SCHUYLER, ETC., TO JOHN MARLETT. 
 
 Warrensburgh, July 4, 1775. 
 These may inform you that I received your letter from 
 New- York on the 2d instant. 1 also received a letter from 
 Mr. Daniel Lane, on the 28th of June, but could not do 
 any thing in it at that time, by reason of the port being so 
 near shut. 
 
 As to the people who have signed where I live, there is 
 only one, to wit : John Snuke. Those that have not sign- 
 ed, who have been asked, are, the Reverend John Stuart 
 and Henry Hare. We also hear from the Oneida, that the 
 Indians will not join with Colonel Guy Johnson, nor have 
 any thing to do with him ; also, that Abraham C. Cuyler, 
 Mayor of Albany, has gone up to Oswego, under pretence 
 of collecting some debts ; but we did not put so much trust 
 in him, as he had two loaded batteaus with him ; and sent 
 word immediately to John Fry, Esq., that we apprehend- 
 ed that he had some stores for the enemy against America; 
 which John Fry, Esq., sent word back that their Commit- 
 tee should meet the next day at Van Alsten , s, for business. 
 From your most obedient and humble servants, 
 
 Wm. Schuyler, 
 John Blevin, Clerk, 
 James McMaster. 
 To John Marlett, Esq., now at New- York. 
 
 N. B. After the above was wrote, we received a letter 
 informing us, that yesterday, at Abraham Hodges's, there 
 were a company of men met together, and in talking about 
 the troublesome times, Esquire Peter Meetin being present 
 amongst them, in cool blood told them that he had the 
 King's Proclamation from Governour Gage, to offer any 
 person or persons who would recant from the Association 
 and sign the King's Proclamation, should be pardoned ; 
 and he expected soon to have all their estates to handle. 
 
 This may also inform you, that Peter Bowen, on Tripe's 
 Hill, refuses to sign the Association, and Nicholas Ross. 
 
 BROOK WATSON TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Lako Champlain, near St. John's, July 4, 1775. 
 
 By the general assistance which your letter to the offi- 
 cers in the service of the Colonies procured me, I am now 
 so near Montreal that I expect to get there this evening, 
 therefore, embrace the opportunity of the returning boat, 
 to make you my thanks for your kind attention to me and 
 my friends; and I pray you, Sir, to make my warmest ac- 
 knowledgment to your Provincial Congress, for the obliging 
 letter they kindly favoured me with, and for the pleasing 
 expressions in my regard which it contained. A sincere 
 friend to America and its rights I truly am, and as such 
 cannot help expressing my uneasiness at the general spirit 
 which I have observed amongst the Colonies' Troops quar- 
 tered at Fort George, Ticondcroga, and Crown Point. 
 They talk and act as if it was fully determined they should 
 soon march into the Province of Quebeck. Surely this, 
 my good Sir, cannot be the intention of the General Con- 
 gress. If it is not, immediate pains should be taken to 
 suppress the dangerous idea, or it may soon produce the 
 most dangerous consequences. Should the Colonies send 
 their troops into that Province, or should they go without 
 orders, the Canadians and the Indians, their friends, will 
 naturally fall upon your back settlements with fire and 
 sword. Then the King's Troops on one side, and the Ca- 
 nadians and Indians on the other, what are the Colonists 
 to expect but slaughter. For God's sake exert every 
 faculty to prevent so great an evil. 
 
 I know the body of gentlemen who have so properly 
 chose you for their President are greatly alarmed at the 
 deplorable situation of affairs between Great Britain and 
 
 her Colonies. America must look forward with the great- 
 est anxiety, and rejoice in any prudent plan for the resto- 
 ring of harmony and the security of property. I would to 
 God I had a head to contrive, and a pen to persuade what 
 might produce so desirable an event ; for the credit and 
 comfort of all their future movements depend upon it. But 
 while liberty and slavery, in their greatest extreme, is the 
 alternative held out by the violent and designing on this 
 side the waters, and submission or destruction the language 
 of the others, what hopes have the people but in the mo- 
 deration, wisdom, and justice of the General Congress. In 
 their address to His Majesty of last year, they wisely de- 
 clared that they "asked but for peace, liberty, and safety; 
 that they wished not a diminution of the prerogative; nor 
 did they solicit any new rights in their favour ; that his 
 royal authority over them, and their connexion with Great 
 Britain, they would carefully and zealously endeavour to 
 support and maintain." This declaration breathed the 
 spirit of good subjects, valuing their just rights too much 
 to abuse them ; but these sentiments were not constitution- 
 ally conveyed to the royal ear. 
 
 That Government is ready to receive any fair propo- 
 sitions which may be constitutionally offered, cannot be 
 doubted, after we consider the Minister's declaration in Par- 
 liament, "that if the dispute in which the Americans are 
 engaged goes to the whole of their authority, they can 
 enter into no negotiation ; they can meet no compromise : 
 but if it be only as to the suspension of the exercise of 
 their rights ; or as to the mode of laying and levying taxes 
 for a contribution towards the common defence, it might 
 be just as wise to meet any fair proposition which might 
 come from any Province or Colony." 
 
 This declaration, I humbly conceive, clearly points out 
 the line of conduct which the General Congress ought to 
 pursue, as it cannot be the wish of that Assembly to carry 
 matters to an extreme, by which the whole Empire must 
 suffer, and America drove to the last distress. Would they 
 state their real grievances with temper and wisdom ; their 
 desires with moderation and justice, in a dutiful memorial 
 to the King, to be transmitted by the Provincial Assemblies 
 to their respective agents in London; such application could 
 not fail to produce the most desirable effects. But if, on 
 the other hand, the Congress should order or suffer the 
 people to proceed to extremes, which I now much fear, 
 nothing but the sword can determine the unnatural contest ; 
 and they would soon discover the fatal truth of what hath 
 been so emphatically expressed by the judicious Mr. Glover, 
 " that high sounding words produce no food for the hungry, 
 no raiment for the naked." 
 
 I am, Sir, your obliged humble servant, 
 
 Brook Watson. 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President of the Provincial Congress 
 
 of Neiv- York. 
 
 P. S. I have received the kindest treatment from Cap- 
 tain Fisher, Colonel Hinman, and Major Elmer. 
 
 GOVERNOUR OF RHODE-ISLAND TO THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 11, 1775.] 
 
 Providence, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Your letter of the 10th of June last came duly to 
 hand. I wrote immediately to the Delegates from this 
 Colony upon the contents of it, to whom I beg leave to 
 refer you. 
 
 I have now to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 
 20th of the same month. Immediately after the late battle 
 upon Bunker's Hill, the remaining forces from the Colony 
 joined the Army near Boston; and it appears by a return 
 from the Brigadier-General, that the Army of this Colony 
 consists of thirteen hundred and ninety effective men. We 
 are also equipping two armed vessels, to carry one hundred 
 men, exclusive of officers. 
 
 Upon a most urgent application from the Provincial Con- 
 gress of the Massachusetts-Bay , the General Assembly 
 ordered six companies, of sixty men each, to be raised to 
 join the Regiments in the service of this Colony, and have 
 ordered one-fourth part of the Militia to be enlisted as 
 Minute-men. They have also passed an act putting the 
 Troops of this Colony under the command of the General 
 
1573 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1574 
 
 of the combined Army. I will only add, that on this most 
 important occasion, this Colony will exert itself in un re- 
 mitting efforts for the common defence and safety. 
 
 I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Nicholas Cooke. 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esquire. 
 
 P. S. After folding up my letter we received an ac- 
 count, from an undoubted hand, that the mortality among 
 the wounded regulars has been so great, that the killed on 
 the spot, and those who have died of their wounds, make 
 up one thousand. The reason of this is, that they have 
 been long confined to salt provisions, having not so much 
 as a vegetable, a drop of milk, or even any fresh meat. 
 
 JAMES WARREN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Watertown, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Sir : As Pomroy is now absent, and at the distance of 
 a hundred miles from the Army, if it can be consistent 
 with your Excellency's instructions and the service to re- 
 tain his commission until you shall receive advice from the 
 Continental Congress, and we shall be able to prevail with 
 Heath to make a concession honourable to himself and ad- 
 vantageous to the publick, we humbly conceive the way 
 would be open to do justice to Thomas. 
 
 We have the honour to be your Excellency's most obe- 
 dient humble servants, Jas. Warren, 
 
 Joseph Hawley. 
 To his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM ONE OF THE VIRGINIA DELE- 
 GATES TO A GENTLEMAN IN WILLI AMSBURGH, DATED 
 PHILADELPHIA, JULY 5, 1775. 
 
 The battle of Charlestown I expect you have heard, but 
 perhaps not so as you may depend on. The Provincials 
 sustained two attacks in their trenches, and twice repulsed 
 the ministerial forces with immense slaughter. The third 
 attack, however, being made with fixed bayonets, the Pro- 
 vincials gave ground, retired a little way, and rallied ready 
 for their enemy ; but they having been pretty roughly han- 
 dled, did not choose to pursue. We lost between sixty 
 and seventy killed, and about one hundred and fifty 
 wounded. The enemy had fourteen hundred killed and 
 wounded, of whom were about five hundred killed. Major 
 Pitcairn was among the slain, an event at which every 
 one rejoices, as he was the commanding officer at Lexing- 
 ton, first fired his own piece, and gave command to fire. 
 On our side Dr. Warren fell, a man immensely valued to 
 the north. The Xeiv-Englanders are fitting out privateers, 
 with which they expect to be able to scour the seas and 
 bays of every thing below ships-of-war, and may probably 
 go to the European coasts, to distress the British trade 
 there. The enterprising genius and intrepidity of these 
 people are amazing. They are now intent on burning 
 Boston, in order to oust the regulars; and none are more 
 eager for it than those who have escaped out, and who have 
 left their whole property in it ; so that their rage has got 
 the better of every interested principle. 
 
 Nobody now entertains a doubt but that we are able to 
 cope with the whole force of Great Britain, if we are but 
 willing to exert ourselves. It will indeed be expensive, 
 extremely expensive ; but people must lay aside views of 
 building up fortunes during these troubles, and set apart a 
 good proportion of their income to secure the rest. As our 
 enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us 
 show them we can fight like men also. The Government 
 of Pennsylvania have raised thirty-five thousand Pounds 
 to put their Country in a posture of defence. There ap- 
 pear to be as many soldiers here as men. Powder is the 
 great want, and towards having plenty of that nothing is 
 wanting but saltpetre. 
 
 The Congress have directed twenty thousand men to be 
 raised immediately, the greater part of which is already 
 raised. Two millions of dollars also are voted. This is 
 all I am at liberty to tell of their proceedings. As to the 
 time of their rising, it is totally beyond conjecture ; ex- 
 presses after expresses daily coming from the northward, 
 and the machinations of the people in ofBce on other parts 
 of the Continent, keep us from making any progress in the 
 main business. At the same time such an impatience for 
 home seems to possess us all, that nothing keeps the Con- 
 gress together but the visible certainty that till our military 
 proceedings are got into a good train, their separation would 
 endanger the common cause greatly. If things cannot be 
 got into such a state soon as they may be left, we must 
 petition to be exchanged for fresh hands, that we may 
 return to our families. 
 
 NEW-YORK SECRET COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee of Secrecy and Inspection, 
 New-York, July 5, 1775. 
 
 The Committee of Secrecy and Inspection do report, 
 that being called upon by Messrs. Buchannans to attend 
 the landing of a number of passengers from on board the 
 snow Christy, Hugh Biley, master, from Greenock, in 
 Scotland, bound to Georgia, they carefully inspected the 
 chests and baggage of the said passengers ; that they found 
 in the chest of Alexander McDonald, of St. George's 
 Parish, in Maryland, a parcel of cloths in patterns, and 
 several other packages of goods, amounting to (by the in- 
 formation of the said McDonald) three hundred Pounds 
 sterling, and upwards ; which goods, with the owner, were 
 sent down on board the said vessel to proceed to the place 
 of her destination. They further report, that the brig 
 Three Sisters, Captain Neck, departed from this port on 
 Monday afternoon, with the goods which she brought into 
 port. John Imlay, 
 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 William Bedlow. 
 
 Ordered, That the said McDonald be held up in the 
 publick Papers as a violator of the Association of the Con- 
 tinental Congress. Isaac Low, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, Wednesday, July 5, 
 1775. Present : 
 
 Isaac Low, William W. Ludlow, Jacobus Lefferls, 
 
 Isaac Roosevelt, Petrus Byvank, John Van Cortlandt, 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, Edward Fleming, Abram. Brinkerhoff, 
 
 Lewis Pintard, Nicholas Hoffman, Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 
 John Berrian, John Imlay, Robert Ray, 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, Richard Sharpe, Joseph Totten, 
 
 Nicholas Bogart, Oliver Templeton, John B. Moore, 
 
 John Lamb, William Bedlow, William Walton, 
 
 Victor Bicker, Aug. Van Home, David Beekman, 
 
 John Morton, Richard Yates, Alex. McDougall, 
 
 Thomas Ivers, Abraham Walton, Daniel Phenix, 
 
 John Anthony, Cornelius P. Low, Abraham Duryee, 
 
 Daniel Dunscomb, Robert Benson, Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 
 Gerret Kettletas, Joseph Hallett, Thomas Buchannan, 
 
 Jacob Van Voorhies, Henry Remsen, George Janeway. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Cornelius P. Low and Mr. Abra- 
 ham Duryee be a Sub-Committee to wait on Dr. Treat, 
 and desire him to accompany them to the house of Mr. 
 Hopper, who has a negro infected with the Small-Pox ; 
 and to devise such ways and means to prevent the infection 
 from spreading, as they may judge expedient. 
 
 Besolved, That all Masters of Vessels arriving in this 
 Port from Great Britain or Ireland, are hereby requested, 
 as soon as they conveniently can, or within twenty-four 
 hours after their arrival, to make application to the Chair- 
 man or Deputy Chairman of this Committee, or to Mr. 
 John Imlay, Chairman of the Committee of Inspection, 
 and give proper satisfaction that there are not now, nor 
 have been in his Vessel this present voyage any Goods or 
 Merchandise contrary to the General Association of the 
 Continental Congress. And it is hereby recommended to 
 all owners of Vessels, or those to whom they may be ad- 
 dressed, to inform their Masters of the above Resolve ; 
 and that no Master do presume to discharge or suffer any 
 thing to be taken out of his Vessel until such satisfaction 
 has been given, and leave obtained from the Chairman or 
 Deputy Chairman aforesaid. 
 
 And as attempts may be made to land Goods before the 
 Vessels come into this Harbour, as well as out of those 
 who may be ordered to depart this Port : 
 
 Besolved, That if any Pilot, Boatman, or others, shall 
 be found assisting in the conveyance or introduction of 
 Goods or Merchandise, contrary to the Association of the 
 late Congress, or in receiving on shore, or unloading from 
 any Vessel any Goods which may have been ordered out 
 of the Port, such persons will be deemed enemies to the 
 
1575 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 157G 
 
 liberties of America, and will be held forth to the resent- 
 ment of the publick; and if any persons privy to such 
 measures will disclose them, they shall receive the thanks 
 of the Committee as real friends to their Country. 
 
 Ordered, That William W. Ludlow, HerciUes Mulli- 
 gan, Oliver Templcton, and Anthony Van Dam, be added 
 to the Committee of Inspection ; and that the names of 
 the said Committee be published under the Resolves of 
 this day, and in handbills, to be given to the Pilots. 
 
 Ordered, That the stated days of meeting be altered 
 from every Monday to Tuesday. 
 
 Dr. The General Committee of Association of New- 
 York, in account with Lewis Pintard, Jacobus 
 Lefferts, Henry Remsen, Thomas Marston, and 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow. 
 
 1775. 
 
 June 2, To 1,000 half Johanneses, shipped per Captain 
 A. Lawrence, per bill lading, - £3,205 5 9 
 June 3, To Cash paid William Vandrill, per 
 
 receipt, - - - - - -40 196 
 
 June 17, To Cash paid do. - 41 12 8 
 
 To Cash paid Mr. McDougall, - 200 00 0 
 24, To Cash paid do. - 50 00 0 
 
 July 4, To Cash paid P. V. B. Livingston, 66 16 1 
 
 £3,604 14 0 
 
 Cr. The General Committee of Association of New- 
 York, in account with Lewis Pintard, Jacobus 
 Lefferts, Henry Remsen, Thomas Marston, and 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow. 
 
 1775. By Cash received of sundry persons by Thomas 
 Marston, viz : 
 
 May 22, of Nathaniel Marston, - - £300 00 
 
 " of James Jauncey, ... 200 00 
 
 " of Robert Ray, ... 50 00 
 
 " of Isaac Roosevelt, ... 50 00 
 
 " of Ennis Graham, - - - 50 00 
 
 May 25, of Robert G. Livingston, - - 50 00 
 
 " of Tucker and Barton, - - 200 00 
 
 " of Peter Vandervoost, - - 50 00 
 
 " of Henry Remsen, - - - 50 00 
 
 " of David Van Home, ... 100 00 
 
 May 27, of William Walton, - 50 00 
 
 of Richard Yates, ... 100 00 
 
 " of John Woodward, ... 50 00 
 
 " of Daniel Ludlow, ... 50 00 
 
 " of Christian Smith, ... 50 00 
 
 May 29, of Samuel Broome & Co., - - 100 00 
 
 " of Peter Clopper, ... 75 00 
 
 " of Alexander Robertson &, Co., - 100 00 
 
 " of Dirck Lefferts, ... 50 00 
 
 May 30, of David Provoosts, 100 00 
 
 June 2, of Augustus Van Cortlandt, - - 100 00 
 
 £1,925 00 
 
 By Cash received of sundry persons, by L. 
 
 Pintard, viz : 
 May 26, of Samuel Verplanck, - 
 May 30, of William Cockroft, - 
 June 1, of Peter T. Curtenius, 
 " of William Neilson, 
 
 £100 00 
 30 00 
 25 00 
 25 00 
 
 £180 00 
 
 By Cash received by TV. Hoffman of sundry 
 
 persons, viz: 
 May 27, of Theodorus Van Wyck, 
 
 " of Abraham Brinkerhoff, 
 
 " of John Outhout, ... 
 
 " of Garret Abeel, ... 
 
 " of John Crugar, - - 
 
 " of Ludlow and Shaw, - 
 
 " of Peter Mesier, — - . 
 
 " of Leonard Kipp, ... 
 
 " of Thomas Ten Eyck, 
 
 " of Evert By vanck, Jr., 
 
 " of Andrew Hammersley, 
 
 " of Edmund Seaman - 
 
 £25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 100 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 30 
 
 00 
 
 30 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 25 
 
 00 
 
 £385 
 
 00 
 
 By Cash received by J. Lefferts, of sundry 
 
 persons, viz: 
 May 23, of Eleazer Miller, - 
 
 " of Hugh Gaine, - 
 
 " of John Stites, ........ 
 
 " of Comfort Sands, ... 
 
 By Cash received by W. W. Gilbert of sundry 
 
 persons, viz : 
 June 15, of Abraham Van Dyke, 
 " of Manassa Salter, - 
 
 By Cash received by C. P. Low, of sundry 
 
 persons, viz: 
 June 1, of Cornelius Tiebout, - 
 
 " of Humphrey Jones, - 
 
 " of Nicholas Jones, ... 
 
 By Cash received by Gilbert W. Ludlow of 
 sundry persons, viz : 
 
 £30 00 
 30 00 
 30 00 
 50 00 
 
 £140 00 
 
 £100 00 
 25 00 
 
 £125 00 
 
 £34 17 
 34 17 
 30 00 
 
 £99 14 
 
 of Leonard Lispenard, 
 
 - £100 00 
 
 of Peter V. B. Livingston, - 
 
 50 00 
 
 of John Broome, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of Richard Sharpe, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of James Beekman, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of Gerardus G. Beekman, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of Samuel Judah, 
 
 50 00 
 
 of Peter Kettletas, 
 
 50 00 
 
 
 £500 00 
 
 By Cash received of sundry persons, by Petrus 
 
 Byvanclc, viz : 
 June 2, of Lawrence Kortright, 
 
 " of Richard Seaman, ... 
 
 " of James Cromeline, - 
 
 June 15, By Cash received by Frederick Jay 
 from David Clarkson, - 
 
 Total, 
 
 £50 00 
 50 00 
 50 00 
 
 £150 00 
 
 £100 00 
 £3,604 14 
 
 The Committee met, Friday, July 7, 1775. Present 
 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Gabriel W. Ludlow, 
 Frederick Jay, 
 D.iniel Phenix, 
 Gerardus Duyckinck, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Robert Ray, 
 Jobn White, 
 Joseph Totten, 
 William W. Ludlow, 
 Abraham P. Lott, 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 Francis Bassett, 
 Anthony Van Dam, 
 
 George Janeway, 
 Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 Cornelius P. Low, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 William Denning, 
 William Bedlow, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Nicholas Bogart, 
 John Morton, 
 John Anthony, 
 Abraham Duryee, 
 Comfort Sands, 
 
 Victor Bicker, 
 John Lasher, 
 John Woodward, 
 Lewis Pintard, 
 Nicholas Hoffman, 
 Richard Sharpe, 
 Jeremiah Piatt, 
 Eleazer Miller, 
 John Berrian, 
 Theophilus Anthony, 
 John Reede, 
 Joseph Bull, 
 Thomas Ivers. 
 
 A Letter dated Elizabethtown, July 6th, 1775, from 
 Jonathan Hampton, received and read, setting forth, Mr. 
 McLcod, a native of this Province, set out yesterday from 
 thence to join his Regiment at Boston. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. C. P. Low, Mr. Fleming, and Mr. 
 Bedlow. wait on the Provincial Congress with the above 
 Letter, for their opinion thereon. 
 
 The Committee returned with the following order, viz : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, July 7, 1775. 
 
 " Ordered, That the Committee of the City and Coun- 
 ty of New-York do take the body of William McLeod, 
 Ensign of the Fifty-Second Regiment of Foot at Boston, 
 and send him in safe custody to the Committee of Eliza - 
 bethtown. And it is recommended to the Committee of 
 New- York not to use unnecessary violence, but to treat 
 him with all possible lenity, as a gentleman and a sol- 
 dier." 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Henry Remsen pay unto Mr. John 
 Lamb the sum of eleven Pounds, seven Shillings, and six 
 Pence, for his expenses to Philadelphia on the business of 
 this Committee. 
 
1577 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1578 
 
 BURNET MILLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Southampton, July 5, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: The Committees of East and Southamp- 
 ton taking into their serious consideration the remote situa- 
 tion from the head-quarters at New-York, and much ex- 
 posed to the ravages of our unnatural enemy at this day, 
 with regard to our stock in our common field, at the point of 
 Montauk. it being remote from the inhabitants, where any 
 number may land at pleasure, take away our stock, which 
 is large, not less than two thousand neat cattle, and three or 
 four thousand sheep, which, if taken away, would greatly 
 distress us, and give them support, which would by no 
 means do. 
 
 Now, considering our situation, we request your honour- 
 able House to petition General Schuyler that a number 
 of troops be stationed at Montauk, and that the company 
 now raising here may be a part, until a matter of more im- 
 portance shall call them away. We are of the opinion that 
 our inhabitants would do what in them lies to give assist- 
 ance, in case any attempt should be made to take off the 
 stock, but the distance of the inhabitants is eighteen or 
 twenty miles. And as Gardiner's Island lies adjacent, 
 and is much exposed, also Shelter Island, Plum Island, 
 and Oyster Pond Point, we think a number of whale-boats 
 would be proper to employ, that assistance may be given 
 from one part to the other. We have a number of boats 
 that are of no use in this season that might be got for the 
 design, if the General should think proper to order troops 
 at this part of the Island, which we hereby petition may be 
 done. I am, gentlemen, &c. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 BtiRNET Miller, Chairman. 
 To the Provincial Congress sitting at New- York. 
 
 JOSEPH JOHNSON (a MOHEGAN INDIAN') TO THE NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Hartford, July 5, A. D. 1775. 
 Honourable Gentlemen: With a due sense of my 
 unworthiness as an Indian, and with a high and proper 
 esteem of your very worthy persons, I humbly write the 
 following, and with a sense of my indebtedness to your 
 Honours and the benevolent inhabitants of the City of 
 New-York, for favours past. Honourable gentlemen, 
 since my arrival to my own native place, 1 have been in- 
 formed that some of my New-England brethren have been 
 very busy in spreading false reports, or in representing 
 things in a very wrong light, not only to my disadvantage, 
 but even to the hazard of my life ; by which false represen- 
 tations I have been almost discouraged of undertaking to 
 go to visit my western brethren, of which visit, if I am hin- 
 dered, may be damage to my dear friends, the Americans. 
 But duly considering the consequences of my not going, 
 and very well sensible that the Oneidas, my western 
 brethren, are in daily expectation of my return, I feel a 
 disposition still to go the intended journey, let the conse- 
 quences be what they will. My love to the country in 
 which I was born and educated, and my regard for my 
 brethren westward, animates me to step forward, though 
 at the expense of my very life. 
 
 Honourable gentlemen, it has been represented to my 
 Connecticut friends, the English, by some of the Indians 
 that have been westward with me, that I have been a grand 
 enemy to my country; or, in other words, that I have turned 
 a high tory, the which they cannot possibly prove. All 
 that they can allege or bring in proof is, that I was long 
 with Colonel Johnson, some times under arms, w hich, if I 
 had time, 1 could answer for to the satisfaction of all un- 
 prejudiced persons. But they cannot possibly say that 
 they ever heard three words during the whole of the time 
 that we were together in that westward country, that I 
 said any thing against my country or the Americans, 
 whereby I discovered any disaffection to the noble, spirited 
 Americans, either in any private or publick conversation. 
 No, honourable gentlemen, but quite the contrary. I have 
 ever spoken, both in publick and private, the sentiments of 
 my heart to my New-England brethren ; and they are 
 witnesses themselves with what warmth of heart, in our 
 private and publick conversations, and in which conversa- 
 tions I have expressed my love and regard for Americans, 
 and they know how I have often said I was willing to 
 
 suffer and bleed, yea, even die, with the injured Ameri- 
 cans. And, honourable gentlemen, my mind is the same 
 as ever; and I can boldly say this for the truth, that I 
 firmly believe that there has not been a truer friend to this 
 North America than myself, of all the New-England In- 
 dians that went up to the western country in order to settle. 
 1 have embraced every opportunity to compose the minds 
 of the western Indians, and I have repeatedly exhorted 
 them to be peaceable. And I have had very good oppor- 
 tunity to converse with the western Indians from time to 
 time, and I rejoice that I can discourse with them in their 
 own language, and feel encouraged when I reflect how 
 much they attended to the things that I laid before them 
 from time to time ; and I am sensible of their growing 
 affection towards me, notwithstanding there have been many 
 that have vainly and unlawfully endeavoured to render me 
 despicable in their eyes. 
 
 Honourable gentlemen, I perceive that I have many 
 very inveterate enemies of my own Indian acquaintances, 
 more especially some that have been up with me. They 
 envy me, as Joseph of old was envied, and they have al- 
 ready laid a snare for my life. They envy me for the 
 respect that 1 receive from the white people every where, 
 and more especially they envy me that 1 have so much in- 
 fluence among my western brethren. These persons, not 
 considering the overruling hand of Providence, which 
 makes high and makes low, which exalts and debases ac- 
 cording to his divine pleasure, make known their folly by 
 venting their rage against a poor, frail, and short-coming 
 creature like myself. I acknowledge that I am a poor im- 
 perfect creature as to things of religion, and that in many 
 things I fall short ; yet the resolution of my heart is to 
 press forward in the ways of piety and duty. And, hon- 
 ourable gentlemen, I rejoice greatly that we are not to be 
 saved by works ; no, but we are directed by the divine 
 revelation to put all our hopes and ground our confidence 
 on Jesus Christ alone for salvation. So his complete 
 righteousness I plead before my offended God, when I 
 find myself overtaken with some surprising sin. 
 
 The above I wrote, knowing that the persons will make 
 use of every failure that they can possibly find or discern, 
 in order to render me despicable both at home and abroad, 
 and so render me useless both to my country and to my 
 poor sinking nation ; for the prosperity of both, my soul 
 seems truly to be engaged in. But as to the affairs of this 
 world, I believe I am as faithful as any one, and would not 
 give the right hand to any Indian of my acquaintance to do 
 business amongst the back nations, being very well ac- 
 quainted with their manners and customs, and can speak 
 their language considerable well. 
 
 Honourable gentlemen, I cannot see with what face 
 these malicious persons can falsely say that I was an enemy 
 to the country, when they consider that I have a compa- 
 nion here in Connecticut, whom I value as dear as my own 
 life, and a young babe dear to me as nature can make it. 
 Can they, with any expectation of success, go on their 
 infernal design of ensnaring my life, when persons know 
 that all my dearest connexions in life are and have been 
 amongst the people in New-England, during the time that 
 I was in the western country ? I flatter myself that they 
 will not succeed. 
 
 Honourable gentlemen, I would just inform you that 
 yesterday the honourable Assembly was graciously pleased 
 to appoint a Committee to hear what one of my enemies 
 had to say or allege against me. The Indian's name is 
 Elijah JVeampy, of Farmington, a subtle, crafty person. 
 And this very same person had spoke, in our private con- 
 versation, very improper and unkind words against the 
 New-England people with indignation ; with which he w ? as 
 charged yesterday, and denied not, before evidence ; two 
 of the Indians that was up to Oneida with us, being Sam- 
 uel Adams and John Sock, who heard him more than 
 once. It is very likely that your Honours will scon see 
 the judgment formed concerning the matter by the hon- 
 ourable Assembly of this Colony, as it is requested that it 
 might be made as publick as the report concerning myself 
 has been ; likely it will be in the next papers. I hope to 
 have the honour of being more closely examined by your 
 Honours when I shall return from the Oneida country, 
 by which time I humbly hope I may have the pleasure of 
 giving your Honours general satisfaction. And I humbly 
 
1579 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1580 
 
 hope that no stones may hinder your Honours from send- 
 ing the message to the back nations, which your Honours 
 proposed when I was at New-York. And your Honours 
 may he assured that I am, have been, and still will be a 
 true friend to the American Colonies ; and I hope that your 
 Honours and all that know me may soon be convinced of 
 my love to my Country, and of my real friendship to the 
 Colonies. 1 am yours, to serve, 
 
 Joseph Johnson. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 P. S. I would just inform your Honours that I purpose, 
 by divine leave, to set off from Mohegan, my native place, 
 the twelfth of this instant, or before ; so I humbly hope 
 
 that your Honours would send ample directions to Albany 
 for me as soon as possible. Although I leave my com- 
 panion as my own self, and seemly more, and the pleasure 
 in being among friends and acquaintances, yet duty obli- 
 gates me, methinks, to take this one journey more, hoping 
 1 may be a means, by the blessing of our gracious Lord, of 
 preventing much blood being spilt. So 1 go cheerfully, 
 though 1 should never return. 
 
 I am, with great esteem, yours to serve, 
 
 Joseph Johnson. 
 
 N. B. Should I be deprived of my life, and never re- 
 turn, 1 humbly recommend to your mercy my beloved 
 companion. I am, ut ante. 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Anno Regni Regis Georgii tertii 15to, 1775. 
 
 At a General Assembly of the Governour and Company 
 of the English Colony of Connecticut in Neiv-England, 
 in America, holden at Hartford, by special order of the 
 Governour of said Colony, on Saturday, the first day of 
 July, Annoq. Domini 1775. Present : 
 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esquire, Govern- 
 our; the Honourable Matthew Griswold, Esquire, Deputy- 
 Governour; Jabez Hamlin, Elisha Sheldon, Jabez Hunt- 
 ington, William Pitkin, Abraham Davenport, William 
 Samuel Johnson, Oliver Wolcott, and Samuel Hunting- 
 ton, Esquires, Assistants. 
 
 Representatives or Deputies of the Freemen of the 
 several Towns are as follow, viz : 
 Hartford. — Col. John Pitkin, Col. Samuel Wyllys. 
 Weathersfield. — Colonel Thomas Belding. 
 East-Windsor. — Mr. William Wolcott, Colonel Erastus 
 
 Wolcott. 
 
 Symsrury. — Capt. Judah Holcomb, Mr. Asahel Holcomb. 
 Windsor. — Captain Henry Allyn, Captain John Phelps. 
 Farmington. — Colonel Isaac Lee, Mr. Jonathan Root. 
 Sukfield. — Mr. Alexander King, Captain John Lcavitt. 
 East-Haddam. — Mr. Daniel Brainard, Mr. Jabez Chap- 
 man. 
 
 Stafford. — Mr. Isaac Pinney, Captain Samuel Davis. 
 Haddam. — Captain Joseph Brooks, Mr. Joseph Smith. 
 Colchester. — Colonel Henry Champion, Doctor John 
 Watrous. 
 
 Somers. — Mr. Reuben Sikes, Captain Emery Pease. 
 Hebron. — Captain Benjamin Buell, Captain Obadiuh 
 Hosford. 
 
 Glastenbury. — Captain Jonathan Wells, Mr. Ebenezer 
 Plummer. 
 
 Middletown. — Col. Matthew Talcott, Mr. Titus Hos- 
 mer. 
 
 Bolton. — Mr. Benjamin Trumbull. 
 Tolland. — Colonel Samuel Chapman. 
 Willington. — Major Elijah Fenion, Captain Timothy 
 Pearl. 
 
 Enfield. — Maj. Nathaniel Terry, Mr. Nathaniel Chapin. 
 Chatham. — Mr. David Sage, Mr. Ebenezer White. 
 New-Haven. — Mr. Samuel Bishop, Capt. Jonathan Fitch. 
 Durham. — Colonel James Wadsworth, Mr. Daniel Hall. 
 Guilford. — Mr. John Burgess. 
 Derby. — Captain John Holbrook, Mr. Joseph Hull. 
 Waterbury. — Mr. Joseph Hopkins, Col. John Baldwin. 
 Milford. — Mr. Ephraim Strong. 
 Branford. — Capt. Edward Russell, Mr. Daniel Page. 
 Wallingford. — Mr. Samuel Beach, Captain Thaddeus 
 Cook. 
 
 New-London. — Mr. Richard Law, Mr. William Hil- 
 house. 
 
 Norwich. — Mr. Benjamin Huntington. 
 
 Stonington. — Mr. Nathaniel Minor. 
 
 Killingworth. — Captain Elnathan Stevens, Captain 
 
 John Pierson. 
 Groton. — Mr. Thomas Mumford, Mr. Nathan Gallop. 
 Preston. — Captain Roger Sterry. 
 Lyme. — Mr. Marshficld Parsons, Mr. Ezra Seldcn. 
 Saybrook. — Captain Benjamin Williams. 
 Fairfield. — Mr. Jonathan Sturgess, Captain Samuel 
 
 Squier. 
 
 Stratford. — Captain Robert Fairchild, Colonel Ichabod 
 Lewis. 
 
 Stamford. — Colonel Charles Webb. 
 Ridgefield. — Captain Lemuel Morehouse. 
 Redding. — Mr. William Hawley. 
 Norwalk. — Colonel Thomas Fitch. 
 New-Fairfield. — Mr. Ephraim Hubbell. 
 Greenwich. — Colonel John Mead. 
 Newtown. — Mr. John Beach. 
 
 Windham. — Colonel Jedediah Elderkin, Mr. Ebenezer 
 Devotion. 
 
 Lebanon. — Col. William Williams, Mr. Jonathan Trum- 
 bull, Jun. 
 
 Mansfield. — Mr. Nathaniel Atwood. 
 Woodstock. — Captain Elisha Child, Captain Samuel Mc- 
 Clellen. 
 
 Coventry. — Captain Ebenezer Kingsbury, Mr. Jeremiah 
 Ripley. 
 
 Canterbury. — Mr. David Pain, Mr. Eliashib Adams. 
 Killingly. — Mr. Stephen Crosby, Captain Eleazer War- 
 ner. 
 
 Pomfret. — Mr. Elisha Lord. 
 
 Ashford. — Captain Benjamin Sumner, Captain Ichabod 
 Ward. 
 
 Plainfield. — Captain James Bradford, Mr. William 
 Robinson. 
 
 Voluntown. — Major James Gordon, Mr. Robert Hunter. 
 
 Litchfield. — Mr. Jedediah Strong. 
 
 Woodbury. — Mr. Daniel Sherman, Captain Increase 
 
 Moseley. 
 
 Salisbury. — Col. Joshua Porter, Capt. Abiel Camp. 
 Kent. — Mr. Ephraim Hubbell, Jun., Captain Eliphalet 
 Whittlesey. 
 
 Canaan. — Mr. Asahel Bebee, Captain Samuel Forbes. 
 
 Sharon. — Major Ebenezer Gay, Mr. James Pardy. 
 
 New-Milford. — Major Samuel Canfield, Captain Sher- 
 man Boardman. 
 
 Goshen. — Col. Ebenezer Norton, Capt. Samuel Nash. 
 
 New-Hartford. — Major Abel Merrill, Mr. Zebulon 
 Merrill. 
 
 Cornwall. — Mr. Heman Swift, Capt. Thomas Porter. 
 Torrington. — Major Ephraim Shelden. 
 Harwinton. — Mr. Jonah Phelps, Mr. Mark Prindle. 
 
 William Williams, Esquire, Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives ; Richard Law, Esquire, Clerk. 
 
 An Act in addition to an Act entitled An Act for Assem- 
 bling, Equipping, SfC, a number of the Inhabitants of 
 this Colony, for the special defence and safety thereof, 
 passed at the General Assembly held at Hartford, by 
 special order of the Governour, on Wednesday, the 
 26th day of April, 1775. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives in General Court assembled, and by the author- 
 ity of the same, That in addition to, and re-enforcement oi 
 the inhabitants in and by said Act directed to be assem- 
 bled, &lc, a further body of fourteen hundred Men, ex- 
 clusive of commissioned Officers, be forthwith enlisted, 
 equipped, accoutred, and assembled, for the special de- 
 fence and safety of this Colony, to serve during the plea- 
 sure of this Assembly, not exceeding five months, and to 
 be led and conducted as the General Assembly shall order; 
 that the inhabitants so to be enlisted and assembled shall 
 
1581 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1582 
 
 be formed into two Regiments of ten Companies each, and 
 each Company consist of seventy non-commissioned Offi- 
 cers and Privates, besides commissioned Officers, with the 
 same number of Field, Commissioned, and Staff Officers, 
 as in the Regiments already raised and assembled for the 
 defence of this Colony, by the Act aforesaid ; and that 
 the said Troops, both Officers and Soldiers, shall receive 
 the same Bounty, Pay, allowance for Arms, Blankets, 
 Knapsacks, Accoutrements, and Provisions ; be furnished 
 with the same quantity of Ammunition, and in every re- 
 spect be under the same regulations as in and by said Act 
 is already provided and directed for the Troops assembled 
 for the defence of this Colony. 
 
 This Assembly do appoint the persons hereafter named 
 to the respective offices hereinafter mentioned, to take com- 
 mand of the inhabitants to be enlisted for the special de- 
 fence and safety of this Colony, in addition to the six Regi- 
 ments heretofore raised for the same purpose, to lead and 
 conduct them as the General Assembly shall order ; and 
 his Honour the Governour is desired, and he is hereby au- 
 thorized and empowered to give Commissions, according to 
 the form provided and ordered, for each respective Officer, 
 according to his office and rank, and Warrants to such as 
 are on the Staff, viz : 
 
 Seventh Regiment. 
 First Company. — This Assembly do appoint Charles 
 Webb, Esquire, Colonel of the Seventh Regiment, and 
 Captain; Ebenezer Hill, Captain- Lieutenant ; Stephen 
 Bell, Jun., Second Lieutenant ; Sylvanus Mead, En- 
 sign. 
 
 Second Company. — Street Hall, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel 
 of the Seventh Regiment, and Captain ; William Hull, 
 First Lieutenant ; Stephen Potter, Second Lieutenant ; 
 Titus Moss, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company. — Jonathan Lattimer, Jun., Esq., Major 
 and Captain ; Nathan Hale, First Lieutenant ; John 
 Belsher, Second Lieutenant ; Joseph Hilliard, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company. — Joseph Hoit, Captain ; Joseph Alden 
 Wright, First Lieutenant ; Gamaliel Northrup, Junior, 
 Second Lieutenant ; John Odell, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company. — Nathaniel Tuttle, Captain ; John Wat- 
 kins, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Gibbs, Second Lieuten- 
 ant; Samuel Hurlburt, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company. — Edward Shipman, Captain ; Aaron 
 Stevens, First Lieutenant; Lemuel Nichols, Second 
 Lieutenant; John Shumway, Ensign. 
 
 Seventh Company. — Isaac Bostwick, Captain ; Jesse Kim- 
 ball, First Lieutenant; Peter Mills, Second Lieutenant; 
 Daniel Brinsmaid, Ensign. 
 
 Eighth Company. — William Gaylord HubbeU, Captain; 
 John Trowbridge, First Lieutenant ; Jesse Cook, Se- 
 cond Lieutenant ; David Lilly, Ensign. 
 
 Ninth Company. — Peter Perrit, Captain ; John Yates, 
 First Lieutenant ; Henry Firman, Second Lieutenant ; 
 Charles Pond, Ensign. 
 
 Tenth Company. — Eli Leavenworth, Captain; William 
 Rossiter, First Lieutenant ; Peter Johnson, Second 
 Lieutenant; Robert Lewis, Ensign. 
 
 Reverend Samuel Bird, Chaplain of the Seventh Regi- 
 ment. 
 
 Francis Forgue, Surgeon ; Ebenezer Beardslee, Isaac 
 Swift, Surgeon's Mates of the Seventh Regiment. 
 
 Eighth Regiment. 
 
 First Company. — Jedediah Huntington, Esq., Colonel of 
 the Eighth Regiment, and Captain ; Asa Kingsbury, 
 Captain Lieutenant: Jonathan Brewster, Second Lieu- 
 tenant ; Phineas L. Tracy, Ensign. 
 
 Second Company. — John Douglass, Esquire, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel and Captain ; Elezur Hubbard, First Lieuten- 
 ant; Moses Campbell, Second Lieutenant; Nathaniel 
 Bingham, Ensign. 
 
 Third Company. — Joel Clark, Esq., Major and Captain ; 
 Abiel Pease, First Lieutenant ; Epaphras Andrus, Se- 
 cond Lieutenant ; Abraham Wright, Ensign. 
 
 Fourth Company. — -Elihu Humphrey, Captain ; Ebenezer 
 F. Bissell, First Lieutenant ; Timothy Cossett, Second 
 Lieutenant; Jonathan Filley, Ensign. 
 
 Fifth Company. — Charles Ellsworth, Jr., Captain ; Moses 
 Hall, First Lieutenant ; Samuel Bancroft, Second Lieu- 
 tenant ; Barzillai Markham, Ensign. 
 
 Sixth Company. — Abijah Rowley, Captain; Zebediah 
 
 Farnum, First Lieutenant ; Epaphras Bull, Second 
 
 Lieutenant; Joseph Tucker, Ensign. 
 Seventh Company. — Daniel Lyon, Captain ; Elijah Sharp, 
 
 First Lieutenant ; Joseph Burgess, Second Lieutenant ; 
 
 John Sumner, Ensign. 
 Eighth Company. — Joseph Jewett, Captain ; Jabez Fitch, 
 
 Jun., First Lieutenant ; Nathaniel Gove, Second Lieu- 
 tenant ; Elisha Lefjingwell, Ensign. 
 Ninth Company. — Abraham Tyler, Captain ; Timothy 
 
 Percival, First Lieutenant ; Solomon Orcut, Second 
 
 Lieutenant ; Aaron Hale, Ensign. 
 Tenth Company. — John Ripley, Captain ; Thomas Tyrrel, 
 
 First Lieutenant; Joel Chamberlin, Second Lieutenant; 
 
 John Vaughan, Ensign. 
 Reverend John Ellis, Chaplain of the Eighth Regiment. 
 Philip Turner, Surgeon ; Albigens Waldo, Silas Holmes. 
 
 Surgeon's Mates of the Eighth Regiment. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Commissions and 
 Warrants for the Officers in the Troops now to be raised 
 for the defence of this Colony, be of the same tenour with 
 those given to the officers already in the service, and shall 
 bear date the sixth day of July instant. 
 
 And it is further Resolved, That in case any of the Offi- 
 cers now appointed by this Assembly shall decline the 
 service, his Honour the Governour be, and he is hereby- 
 directed and empowered to supply such vacancies. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That there be provided forty- 
 eight Markee or Officers' Tents, and two hundred and 
 thirty-three Tents for Private Soldiers ; two hundred and 
 eighty-one Iron Pots, that will contain about ten quarts 
 each, or Tin Kettles ; fourteen Brass Kettles, that will con- 
 tain from eight to twelve gallons each, for the use of each 
 Regiment ; six hundred Wooden Bowls, three Frying Pans 
 for the use of each Company, fourteen hundred quart Can- 
 teens, twenty Drums and forty Fifes, all for the use of the 
 Troops ; one Standard for each Regiment, distinguished 
 by their colour as follows, viz: for the Seventh, Blue; for 
 the Eighth, Orange; a Medicine Chest and Apparatus, to 
 the value of thirty Pounds, under the direction of the re- 
 spective Surgeons, and that whatever of Medicine or Ap- 
 paratus shall be left or not used, be returned for the use of 
 the Colony ; about fifteen Books in quarto, consisting of 
 one quire of paper, and covered with cartridge paper ; half 
 a ream of W T riling Paper; also three reams of Paper for 
 forming Cartridges, and also one Cart or Wagon for each 
 Company. 
 
 And it is further Resolved by this Assembly, That the 
 allowance of Provisions for said Troops be as the allowance 
 already made to the Troops ordered to be raised by this 
 Assembly in April last, and that they be provided with 
 Arms and Ammunition, in the same manner and proportion 
 as the Troops already raised. 
 
 An Act for supplying the Troops, ordered to be raised for 
 the special defence and safety of this Colony, with neces- 
 sary Fire- Arms. 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Represent- 
 atives in General Court assembled, and by axithority of the 
 same, That each inhabitant who shall enlist into the Seventh 
 and Eighth Regiments, now to be raised for the defence of 
 this Colony, shall be furnished with good and sufficient 
 Fire-Arms ; that each enlisted inhabitant that shall pro- 
 vide Arms for himself, well fixed with a good Bayonet and 
 Cartouch Box, shall be paid a premium of ten shillings ; 
 and in case such Arms are lost by inevitable casualty, such 
 inhabitant, providing himself as aforesaid, shall be allowed 
 and paid the just value of said Arms and Implements so 
 lost, deducting only said sum of ten shillings allowed as 
 aforesaid, said premium of ten shillings to be paid as soon 
 as such inhabitants shall provide such Arms as aforesaid ; 
 and in case any householder or other person shall volun- 
 tarily furnish any enlisted inhabitant, not able to furnish 
 Arms for himself, with a good Gun, well fixed with a 
 Bayonet and Cartouch Box, he shall have and receive a 
 premium of ten shillings, and in case of loss shall receive 
 the value thereof, deducting said ten shillings as aforesaid ; 
 that where the aforesaid provision fails, sufficient Arms 
 shall be purchased to supply said inhabitants that shall 
 enlist as aforesaid by the Selectmen of that Town in which 
 they dwell, or either of them, which Selectmen shall de- 
 
1583 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1584 
 
 liver the Anns tliey shall purchase to (he Captain of the 
 Company to which such person, for whose use the same is 
 purchased, shall belong, taking his receipt therefor; and the 
 said Selectmen shall lodge the receipt they shall so take 
 with the Committee of the Pay-Table, and shall likewise 
 exhibit to said Committee their account of the cost of such 
 Arms which shall be allowed by said Committee, who shall 
 thereupon draw their order on the Treasurer in favour of 
 such Selectmen, for the amount of their accounts of the 
 cost of purchasing such Arms accordingly. And if it shall 
 so happen that a sufficient supply of Arms cannot be pro- 
 cured in the several methods before directed, then sufficient 
 Arms, to make good the deficiency, shall be impressed, 
 completely to arm and equip said inhabitants that shall 
 so enlist as aforesaid, the said impress to be limited only 
 to the Arms belonging to the householders and other per- 
 sons not on the military roll ; and that, every person from 
 whom any Gun shall be impressed as aforesaid, shall be 
 paid for the use of such Gun the sum of four shillings, and 
 in case of loss shall be paid the just value of said Gun, 
 deducting the sum of four shillings aforesaid. 
 
 And be it further enacted, That a particular account 
 shall be taken by the Captain, or chief officer of every Com- 
 pany, of the Arms that may be used, distinguishing such 
 as the Soldiers may provide for themselves, such as are 
 lent by householders and others, such as are purchased by 
 the Selectmen, and such as are impressed by virtue of this 
 Act ; who shall cause the same to be appraised by indiffe- 
 rent judges, and transmit such account, with the appraise- 
 ment, to the Committee of the Pay -Table. And that if any 
 enlisted Soldier, through negligence, shall lose or damage 
 the Arms found for him as aforesaid, such loss or damage 
 shall be deducted as aforesaid. And it shall be the duty 
 of the Captain, or chief officer of every Company, when 
 the said enlisted inhabitants shall be discharged from the 
 service for which they are assembled, to receive from them 
 and secure the Arms borrowed, purchased, or impressed by 
 virtue of this Act, that the same may be returned to their 
 proper owner, or secured for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the Committee ap- 
 pointed by Act of Assembly of May last, to procure Fire- 
 Arms for the use of this Colony, be authorized, and they 
 are hereby fully authorized and empowered to contract for 
 and purchase such numbers (of Arms of such construction 
 as are ordered in said Act) as are directed therein, and that 
 they be fully authorized and empowered to draw on the 
 Treasurer for payment for the same; and the Treasurer is 
 hereby ordered to pay the same accordingly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Govern- 
 our, and the Council appointed to assist him in the recess 
 of the Assembly, be, and they are hereby authorized and 
 empowered to direct and order the marches and stations of 
 the inhabitants now to be enlisted and assembled, and that 
 have or shall be enlisted or assembled for the special de- 
 fence of the Colony, or any part or parts of them as they 
 shall judge necessary for the publick service, and give all 
 necessary orders and directions, from time to time, for the 
 purchasing, supplying, and arming said inhabitants, or that 
 may be enlisted, in every respect and to every purpose that 
 may be needful, to render the defence of the Colony ef- 
 fectual. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin, Mat- 
 thew Talcott, and Titus Hosmer, Esquires, the Committee 
 appointed by this Assembly in May last to work the Lead 
 Mine in Middletoivn, and refine the Ore for the use of the 
 Colony, be, and they are hereby ordered and directed to 
 proceed in the business and matters as directed by said Act ; 
 and, to enable them to carry the same into execution, that 
 they receive out of the Colony Treasury such sum or sums 
 of money as may be necessary to enable them to carry the 
 same into execution, and thereof to render their account to 
 this Assembly; and the Committee of the Pay -Table are 
 hereby directed to draw on the Treasurer for such sums as 
 said Committee, for managing said Mine, shall find neces- 
 sary for the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That two Vessels of a suit- 
 able burden be immediately fitted out, and armed with a 
 proper number of Cannon, Swivel Guns and Small-Arms, 
 and furnished with necessary warlike stores, and well offi- 
 cered and manned, for the defence of the Sea-Coasts in this 
 
 Colony, under the care and direction of his Honour the 
 Governour, and Committee of Council appointed to assist 
 him in the recess of the General Assembly, who are hereby 
 authorized and directed to procure, furnish, and employ 
 the same accordingly. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be directed and empowered to draw out of the 
 Colony Treasury, and deliver to Walter Livingston, Esq., 
 as soon as may be, the sum of fifteen thousand Pounds, in 
 bills of credit of this Colony, and take his receipt for the 
 same, agreeable to the request of General Philip Schuyler; 
 and also that the Governour and Council be directed and 
 empowered to furnish said General Schuyler with such 
 quantity of Ammunition as they shall judge proper and 
 safe, considering the state and circumstances of this Colony. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be, and he is hereby directed to make a kind and 
 friendly answer to the Speech sent by the Oneida Indians, 
 and that a Belt of Wampum be procured and sent to them, 
 and that the sum of twelve Pounds, for the expense and 
 cost of transmitting the same, be paid out of the publick 
 Treasury of this Colony, and that his Honour the Govern- 
 our be also desired to direct Colonel Hinman to assure the 
 Indians of the peaceable disposition of the people of this 
 Colony towards then). 
 
 This Assembly do appoint, authorize, and direct the 
 Honourable Jabez Hamlin, Esq., to collect and receive the 
 Saltpetre and Sulphur that may be found in the several 
 Towns in this Colony, and to send the same, with all con- 
 venient despatch, to the Powder-Mills in Dutchess County, 
 in the Province of New-York, to be made into Powder, 
 and that he apply to the Pay-Table for the money that 
 may be necessary for the service aforesaid, and account at 
 that office for the expenditure thereof. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be, and he is hereby authorized and empowered to 
 grant permits for the exportation out of this Colony by 
 water, of live Cattle and Provisions, in such cases and to 
 such ports and places as he shall judge necessary and expe- 
 dient for the publick service. 
 
 Whereas, a sum of Money is necessary for payment of 
 Interest, the charges of Government : 
 
 Be it enacted by the Governour, Council, and Represent- 
 atives in General Court assembled, and by the authority 
 of the same, That there be forthwith imprinted the sum of 
 fifty thousand Pounds, Bills of Credit on this Colony, equal 
 to lawful money, of suitable denominations as the Commit- 
 tee herein appointed shall direct, and of the same tenour 
 with the late emissions of Bills of Credit of this Colony, 
 without interest, payable at or before the last clay of De- 
 cember, Anno Domini 1779, dated the first day of July, 
 Anno Domini 1775; and Jabez Hamlin, William Pitkin, 
 George Wyllys, Elisha Williams, Benjamin Payne, Tho- 
 mas Seymour, and Jesse Root, Esquires, or any three of 
 them, are appointed a Committee for the purpose aforesaid, 
 to take care said bills be imprinted with all convenient 
 speed, and to sign and deliver the same to the Treasurer 
 of this Colony, taking his receipt therefor. And the said 
 Committee shall be sworn to a faithful discharge of their 
 trust; and the Treasurer is hereby directed to pay out said 
 bills according to the orders of Assembly. 
 
 And for providing an ample and sufficient fund, to call 
 in, sink, and discharge the aforesaid sum, to be emitted as 
 aforesaid, 
 
 Be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That a Tax of 
 seven Pence on the Pound be and is hereby granted and 
 ordered to be levied on all the Polls and rateable Estate 
 in this Colony, according to the list thereof to be brought 
 into this Assembly in October, 1777, with the additions, 
 which Taxes shall be collected and paid into the Treasury 
 of this Colony by the last day of December, Anno Domini 
 1779; which Tax may be discharged by paying the bills of 
 this Colony of this emission, or lawful money ; and the 
 Treasurer of this Colony is hereby ordered and directed 
 to send forth his warrants for collecting the same accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Upon the Memorial of Captain Delaplace, Brigade- 
 Major Andrew P. Skene, and Ensign Jos. Moland, pra\ - 
 ins that they may be kept together and not separated, as 
 
1585 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1586 
 
 they apprehend to be intended; as per Memorial on file, 
 dated July 6th, 1775 : 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That the memorialists afore- 
 said be not at present separated. And it is further Resolved, 
 That said memorialists be removed from the Town of Hart- 
 ford, and kept and provided for in some other convenient 
 Town or place, at the discretion of the Committee already 
 appointed for that purpose. And it is further Resolved, 
 That on the arrival of Major Skene the elder, who is ordered 
 here by the Continental Congress, said Committee be and 
 they are directed to provide him suitable lodgings and enter- 
 tainment in some remote part of the Town of Hartford, 
 and at their discretion may permit said Major Skene the 
 younger to reside with his father, said Major Skene the 
 elder. 
 
 " Roxbury, July 5, 1775. 
 " Gentlemen : The exemplary life, good conduct, pru- 
 dence, and courage of General Speticer, has endeared 
 him to the officers and soldiers under his command. He 
 came here the first in command of the Connecticut Forces, 
 and has continued so, much to our satisfaction. The Con- 
 tinental Congress, as we hear, hath, by their appointments, 
 degraded him from the rank he held as first in command of 
 the Connecticut Troops on this destination. We therefore 
 desire you to use your influence and best discretion with 
 the members of our General Assembly, that the arrange- 
 ment made by the Continental Congress may be altered 
 so as to continue General Spencer in command as before. 
 You are sensible it will be with great reluctance our Troops 
 at Roxbury could see their General superseded by an offi- 
 cer in previous lower command. We have no objection to 
 the appointment of Generals Washington and Lee, and shall 
 endeavour to preserve the good order and submission to 
 their government as hath before distinguished this part 
 of the Connecticut Troops whilst under General Spencer's 
 command ; but the late arrangement so far removes General 
 Spencer from his former command, that he cannot and will 
 not continue in the service under this arrangement. We 
 would have you signify to the Assembly that we apprehend 
 the morals and good order and discipline of our Troops 
 will be greatly endangered under the present arrangement. 
 We trust to your prudence, care, and good conduct, in pro- 
 curing the proposed alteration. 
 
 Samuel H. Parsons, J imes Eldridge, 
 Josiah Baldwin, 
 Richard Hewit, 
 John Raymond, 
 Isaac Galpin, 
 Oliver Babcock, 
 Elisha Lee, 
 Martin Kirtland, 
 David Kevins, 
 George Litimer, 
 Nathaniel Morgan, 
 
 John Tyler, 
 IS imuel Prentice, 
 Return Jona. Meigs 
 < Miver Harchet, 
 J imes Chapman, 
 ■Waterman Clift, 
 Samuel Gall, 
 John Ely, 
 Abel Squires, 
 David J. Sill, 
 Ebenezer Sumner, 
 S imuel Wright, 
 Abijah Savage, 
 William Edmond, 
 Christopher Darraw, Roger Enos, 
 Robert Warner, 
 
 Noadiah Hooker, 
 Samuel Cooper, 
 Marcus Cole, 
 John McGregor, 
 Daniel Halts, 
 Ab'm Waterhouse, 
 Ozias Bissell, 
 David Johnson, 
 Silvanus Martin, 
 Solomon Willis, 
 Jonathan Parker, 
 
 Ezekiel Scott, William Latham, Jr., 
 
 Hozeki ih Haldridge, Henry Champion, Jr., 
 James Ransom, Samuel Palmer, 
 
 Edward Paine, Levi Welles, 
 
 Daniel Cane, Jr. 
 
 In the Lower House, Mr. Hosmer, Mr. Wolcott, Colonel 
 Wyllys, Colonel Porter, and Colonel Lee, are appointed a 
 Committee to join a Committee from the honourable Upper 
 Board, to take into consideration the subject of the foregoing 
 representation with regard to the arrangement of the Gene- 
 ral Officers, &ic, and report make. Test: 
 
 Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, the Honourable Matthew Griswold, 
 Esq., and Abraham Davenport, Esq., are appointed to join 
 the Committee of the Lower House in the affair above 
 mentioned. Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Your Honours' Committee appointed to take into con- 
 sideration the subject of the representation of the Officers 
 of our Army at Roxbury, in regard to the arrangement of 
 General Officers, &c, beg leave to report : 
 
 To obviate the inconveniences that may be apprehended 
 from the alteration made by the Continental Congress in 
 the rank and station of Generals Wooster, Spencer, and 
 Putnam, which gives so great uneasiness to General Spen- 
 cer and the officers more immediately under his command, 
 that his Honour the Governour be requested, in behalf of 
 the Assembly, to write to the honourable Continental Con- 
 gress, and acquaint them with the estimation in which 
 General Wooster and General Spe?wer are held by this 
 
 gress, 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Assembly, and the Officers and Troops under their com- 
 mand ; of their concern that they have been so far over- 
 looked in the appointment of General Officers bv them, 
 and of the probable inconveniences that may ensue; at the 
 same time testifying their sense of the singular merit of 
 Gen. Putnam, and requesting them, if practicable, to devise 
 some method of obviating the difficulties apprehended. 
 That his Honour the Governour be desired to write to 
 General Spencer, and acquaint him with the said appli- 
 cation to the Continental Congress in his behalf, and con- 
 jure him, by the love to his Country, to call to mind the 
 constant and signal affection of his Country to him so often 
 and so lately testified, and request him not to precipitate a 
 resolution to resign his command, and which will distress 
 his Troops, attached to him by the warmest affection and 
 duty, and give great anxiety and dissatisfaction to his Coun- 
 try, which has placed, and continues to place high confi- 
 dence in his wisdom, prudence, integrity, and military skill. 
 Which is submitted by your Honours' most obedient hum- 
 ble servants, Matthew Griswold, per order. 
 
 In the Lower House the foregoing Report is accepted, 
 with this alteration : that his Honour the Governour be 
 desired to write to our Delegates at the Continental Con- 
 and not to the Continental Congress. 
 Test : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Concurred in in the Upper House : 
 
 Test : George Wvllys, Secretary. 
 
 " To the Honourable Jabez Hamlin, Matthew Talcott, 
 and Titus Hosmer, Esquires: 
 
 "Gentlemen: Being appointed by you to go to New- 
 York, or elsewhere, in quest of a suitable Smelter or Re- 
 finer of Lead Ore, with orders to make report to you on 
 my return, now beg leave to report, that on Wednesday, 
 the seventh day of June, instant, I set off with Mr. Hud- 
 son, and proceeded to New- York, by way of Hudson's 
 River, to a place called Sing-Sing, where are erected very 
 large refining works, plans of which Mr. Hudson took, 
 and we treated largely with Mr. Stout, the Refiner, on the 
 subject of his undertaking the business at the lead mines 
 at Middlctown, but he could not be released. We then 
 proceeded to New-York, and viewed the large iron air 
 furnace belonging to Mr. Peter Curtenius, and made in- 
 quiry after his cinders for fluxing, according to directions, 
 of which we found plenty, and to be had on reasonable 
 terms ; but were at the same time informed they were not 
 necessary, as those of blacksmiths at home would do. 
 After this Mr. Hudson went off for home; and hearing of 
 two skilful Refiners, named Mosengill and Ramsamen, at 
 a place called Boundbrook, in the Jerseys, about forty 
 miles from Ntiv-York, I repaired thither, and spent a day 
 treating with the latter, of whose skill and ability in the 
 premises I was well satisfied, but his demand appearing so 
 exorbitant, I thought not prudent to agree ; but proceeded 
 to Philadelphia, where I heard of a very skilful Refiner, 
 named Fedaband, who I found, by the best information I 
 could get, to be the most skilful in America, but was a 
 High German, and could not talk English ; I found, by 
 an interpreter, he was under some oath to the King not to 
 refine metals in America but for the King, and the present 
 dispute between the Parliament and the Colonies terrified 
 him with an apprehension, that if he was taken in New- 
 England he should be sacrificed immediately ; he could 
 not be prevailed on to come. When I had got his final 
 answer, I returned by way of Boundbrook, to see if Mr. 
 Ramsamen would not lower his price, and found that two 
 hundred and fifty pounds sterling was the lowest he would 
 take for overseeing and instructing one or more; I left him. 
 and came to New-York, where I treated with Mr. Otto 
 Parasien and Mr. Myer Myers, with both of whom I had 
 had some conversation before I left New-York, and find 
 Mr. Parasien will come and oversee the works at one 
 hundred and fifty pounds, York currency, per annum, and 
 Mr. Myers for two hundred pounds, York currency, per 
 annum, and their charges paid up here. I also find that 
 white sand and clay, for the bottom of the furnace, may 
 be had at Amboy, in the Jerseys. The characters of the 
 two last mentioned gentlemen are, that they are honest 
 and skilful in their profession of gold and silversmiths, but 
 Mr. Myers has much the preference in regard to refining 
 
 100 
 
1587 
 
 CONNECTICUT ASSEMBLY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1588 
 
 metals, and by some gentlemen is much preferred even to 
 Mr. Stout, the refiner employed by Colonel James. 
 
 1 made all the inquiry I could with regard to setting up 
 the works, and fitting for operations, and believe the cost 
 to begin will not much exceed two hundred and fifty 
 Pounds ; and 1 am encouraged to believe, that lead may 
 then soon be produced to answer all such cost as will be 
 necessarily expended in carrying on the same ; and the 
 cost, after the works are thus erected, though it cannot be 
 certainly ascertained, cannot be very great. I conversed 
 with Doctor John Sebastian Stcphaney, one of the pro- 
 prietors of the lead mines in Middletown, who is willing 
 the Colony should take his part upon the terms proposed 
 by them. I could not see Mr. Simpson, as he was out of 
 Town; but Mr. Myers conversed with him while I was 
 gone to Philadelphia, and informs me Mr. Simpson will 
 have no objection to the Assembly's proposal. All which 
 is humbly submitted by, gentlemen, your humble servant, 
 
 " Benjamin Henshaw. 
 
 " Middletown, June 30, 1775." 
 
 To the Honourable General Assembly of the Colony of 
 Connecticut, now sitting in Hartford, by special 
 order of his Honour the Governour : 
 
 Your Honours' Committee appointed in your sessions, in 
 May last, to procure lead for the use of this Colony, and 
 to take or purchase the ore of lead from the lead mine in 
 Middletown, and separate the lead therefrom, and erect 
 buildings and works for that purpose, having taken some 
 measures and gained some information, beg leave to report 
 the same to your Honours, as follows, to wit : 
 
 Your Committee, immediately after the rising of said 
 Assembly, in May last, employed Mr. Benjamin Henshaw 
 to go to New-York with one Hudson, an ingenious mason, 
 and examine Colonel James's Refinery there, and procure 
 draughts of the necessary works, and procure a skilful re- 
 finer, and gain information of every thing necessary to set 
 up a refinery and carry it on to the best advantage; and if 
 no refiner could be had there, to inquire where one might 
 be found, and procure and treat with and engage him in 
 the service of the Colony, if practicable ; who accordingly 
 proceeded, and said Hudson soon after returned and in- 
 formed us, that he had viewed said refinery, taken draughts 
 of all parts of the works, and that he supposed he could 
 erect the works without difficulty, and with exactness. Mr. 
 Henshaw not being able to procure a refiner at New- York, 
 proceeded into New-Jersey, and to Philadelphia, and is 
 since returned, and hath given us an account, in writing, 
 of his transactions, which we herewith submit to your Hon- 
 ours, and beg leave to refer to. As Mr. Henshaw is but 
 just returned, your Committee have not proceeded to any 
 further steps, but are informed, that besides the expenses 
 mentioned in Mr. Henshaw's report, when works are 
 erected, a supply of charcoal will be constantly neces- 
 sary to keep the furnace in blast, and nine or ten work- 
 men will be necessary to be kept in constant employment 
 in digging and raising ore, besides necessary workmen to 
 assist the refiners at the furnace ; all which workmen will 
 expect to be frequently paid, as they must depend on their 
 labour for present subsistence. Your Honours will readily 
 perceive that considerable expense will be incurred before 
 any large quantity of lead can be obtained, the amount of 
 which cannot be precisely ascertained ; and whether the 
 lead that may be obtained will not in event come to the 
 Colony at a dearer rate than lead has usually been afford- 
 ed, is very uncertain. Under these circumstances, your 
 Committee think it their duty to lay the same before your 
 Honours, and pray your advice and direction whether they 
 shall proceed to erect works and employ workmen, and 
 make experiment how lead can be procured in this way. 
 In case your Honours shall think it best that we proceed, 
 we would inform your Honours there is now a refiner at 
 Middletown ready to undertake the oversight of a furnace, 
 and that Doctor Stcphaney, who is owner of part or the 
 whole of said mines and ore, already is waiting to treat 
 with us for the sale of the same. All which is humbly 
 submitted by your Honours' most obedient humble ser- 
 
 vants « Jabez Hamlin, ^ 
 
 Matthew Talcott, > Committee. 
 Titus Hosmek, j 
 
 In the Lower House, upon the aforesaid Report, 
 Resolved, That the Committee be directed to proceed 
 in said business, agreeable to said Act of Assembly, and 
 that they receive of the Colony Treasury money sufficient 
 for that purpose, and account to render therefor. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, the consideration of this Report is 
 referred to the next General Assembly, and one or more 
 of said Committee, together with Daniel Sherman and 
 Saml. Canfield, Esqs., are hereby directed to examine into 
 the circumstances and state of the Lead Mines in Wood- 
 bury, and the buildings and preparations there erected and 
 made for smelting and refining the ore, and consider at 
 which of said mines, whether of Middletown or Woodbury, 
 it may be most advisable and least expensive for the Co- 
 lony to attempt the raising and refining lead ore, and make 
 report, he. 
 
 Test: George Wyllvs, Secretary. 
 
 In the Lower House, the question was put, whether this 
 House would concur with the honourable Upper House in 
 said vote ; and resolved in the negative. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 In the Upper House, on reconsideration, &c, concurred 
 with the vote of the Lower House on this Report. 
 
 Test : George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That Jabez Hamlin, Mat- 
 thew Talcott, and Titus Hosmer, Esquires, the Committee 
 appointed by this Assembly in May last to work the Lead 
 Mine in Middletown, and refine the ore for the use of this 
 Colony, be and they are hereby ordered and directed to 
 proceed in the business and matters as directed by said 
 Act. And to enable them to carry the same into execution, 
 that they receive out of the Colony Treasury such sum 
 or sums of money as may be sufficient to enable them to 
 carry the same into effect, and thereof to render their 
 account to this Assembly; and the Committee of the Pay- 
 Table are hereby directed to draw on the Treasurer for 
 such sums as said Committee for managing said mine shall 
 find necessary ibr the purpose aforesaid. 
 
 Passed in Lower House. 
 
 Test: Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Concurred in in the Upper House. 
 
 Test : George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Your Honours' Committee appointed to take into con- 
 sideration the affairs of the Indians in this and the neigh- 
 bouring Governments, beg leave to report : 
 
 That an accusation being made against Joseph Johnson, 
 one of the Mohegan Indians, respecting some of his con- 
 duct, which gave suspicion that he is unfriendly to Ameri- 
 can liberty, upon which we carefully examined into the 
 grounds of that accusation, and apprehend, that his conduct 
 upon the representation made, gave reason to suspect an un- 
 due correspondence with some of the supposed enemies to 
 American liberty. But upon hearing his defence, the Com- 
 mittee apprehend, that the instances in which his conduct 
 was objected to, may be so far imputed to fear, as leaves 
 no just reason to conclude that he then had any ill inten- 
 tions, or that he is now unfriendly to the cause of Ameri- 
 can liberty. In regard to the speech of the Oneida In- 
 dians, the Committee are of the opinion, it is expedient 
 that his Honour the Governour be desired to make a kind 
 and friendly answer thereto, and that a belt of wampum be 
 procured and sent to them with the Governour's answer; 
 and that the expense of such belt, with the cost of trans- 
 mitting the same, be paid out of the publick Treasury of 
 this Colony ; and that the Indians be advised that the way 
 is open to them to enlist into the service of this Colony, 
 for the defence of the same, upon such encouragement and 
 wages as are allowed to the other inhabitants of this Co- 
 lony, till the levies are full ; and that his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be desired to direct Colonel Hinman to assure 
 the Indians of the peaceable disposition of this Colony 
 towards them ; and that a proper speech be prepared and 
 sent to the Caughnawaga Indians. 
 
 Signed per order: Matthew Griswold. 
 
 General Assembly, Hartford, July, 1775. 
 
1589 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1590 
 
 In the Lower House the within Report is accepted and 
 approved. 
 
 Test : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 Concurred in in the Upper House: 
 
 Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Resolved by this Assembly, That his Honour the Go- 
 vernour be and he is hereby desired to make a kind and 
 friendly Answer to the Speech sent by the Oneida In- 
 dians; and that a Belt of Wampum be procured and sent 
 
 to them ; and that the sum of twelve Pounds, for the 
 expense and cost of transmitting the same, be paid out of 
 the publick Treasury of this Colony; and that his Honour 
 the Governour be also desired to direct Colonel Hinman 
 to assure the Indians of the peaceable disposition of the 
 people of this Colony towards them. 
 
 Passed in the Upper House : 
 
 Test: George Wyllys, Secretary. 
 
 Concurred in in the Lower House: 
 
 Test : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 JOSEPH HAWLEY TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Watertown, July 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You were pleased the other day to mention to 
 Colonel Warren and me, as your opinion, that it was high- 
 ly probable Gage's Troops would very shortly attack our 
 Army in some part or other. I believe your opinion is not 
 ill-founded ; and I am sure your Excellency will be pleased 
 with every intimation that may, in any degree, aid you in 
 the choice of measures tending to success and victory. 
 Therefore, that I may not be tedious, I ask your pardon 
 when I suggest, that although in the Massachusetts part of 
 the Army there are divers brave and intrepid officers, yet 
 there are too many, and even several Colonels, whose char- 
 acters, to say the least, are very equivocal with respect to 
 courage. There is much more cause to fear that the officers 
 will fail in a day of trial, than the privates. I may venture 
 to say, that if the officers will do their duty, there is no fear 
 of the soldiery. I therefore most humbly propose to your 
 consideration the propriety and advantage of your making 
 immediately a most solemn and peremptory declaration to 
 all the officers of the Army, in general orders, or other- 
 wise, as your wisdom shall direct, assuring them that every 
 officer who, in the day of battle, shall fully do his duty, 
 shall not fail of your kindest notices and highest marks of 
 your favour; but, on the other hand, that every officer 
 who, on such a day, shall act the poltron, dishonour his 
 General, and by failing of his duty, betray his Country, 
 shall infallibly meet his deserts, whatever his rank, connex- 
 ions, or interest may be ; and that no intercessions on his 
 behalf will be likely to be of any avail for his pardon. 
 
 I know that your Excellency is able to form a declara- 
 tion of the kind, conceived in such a style, and replete with 
 such determined sentiments and spirit, as cannot fail of be- 
 getting a full belief and persuasion in the hearts of such to 
 whom it shall be addressed, that the same will be infallibly 
 executed. I am almost certain the measure will have the 
 happiest tendency. Sed sapitnti verbum sat est. Pray 
 pardon my prolixity; I never was happy enough to be 
 concise. 
 
 I am, with the greatest respect and deference, your Ex- 
 cellency's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 # Joseph Hawley. 
 
 To General Washington. 
 
 dukes county (Massachusetts) committee. 
 
 July 5, 1775. 
 
 The Committee for the County of Dukes County, ap- 
 pointed by the late Provincial Congress, on the 12th of 
 April last, beg leave to report, that said Committee, ac- 
 cording to the first order of the Congress, met the first 
 Wednesday of May last; but not having then had an op- 
 portunity to receive a state of the conduct of the several 
 Towns, made no report ; and as the order of the Congress 
 for postponing the first meeting of the Committees of the 
 several Counties in this Colony to the fourth Wednesday 
 of May, was not received by him to whom it was directed, 
 till the evening immediately preceding said fourth Wednes- 
 day, the Committee for said County did not meet. But 
 being now on this first Wednesday of July, 1775, met, ac- 
 cording to the order of the Congress, we have received no 
 state of the conduct, either of the Towns of Edgarton or 
 Chdmark, the former of which Towns having, as we per- 
 ceive, no Committee of Correspondence. But as to the 
 only other Town in this County, viz : Tisbury, the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence of that Town have reported, that 
 said Town was endeavouring that their outstanding Pro- 
 vincial rates be speedily paid, according to the direction of 
 
 the Congress ; but they were under great difficulty with 
 respect to raising money for that purpose, as they have 
 great occasion for money to procure a necessary supply of 
 bread corn ; and money was very scarce amongst them, 
 through the failing of their whale voyages last year, and 
 through their having no market for the oil they have since 
 obtained ; but since the date of the above Report, we 
 have had certain information, that the said Town of Tis- 
 bury have sent a considerable part of their Province dues 
 to the Receiver appointed by the Congress. And the 
 said Committee of Correspondence for Tisbury do also re- 
 port, that their Town is nearly, though not fully, according 
 to law, furnished with arms and ammunition, and are en- 
 deavouring in this and all other respects to conform to the 
 recommendations of the Continental and Provincial Con- 
 gresses. 
 
 And with respect to the two Towns first mentioned, of 
 whose conduct we have had no information, in the way 
 pointed out by the Congress, we beg leave to report in 
 brief, from information which we have otherwise had, that 
 with regard to paying their outstanding Provincial taxes, 
 and their furnishing themselves with arms and ammunition, 
 they are endeavouring to conform, as soon as possible, to 
 the recommendation of the Congress, and in other respects 
 do conduct themselves agreeably thereto. 
 
 In the name and by order of the Committee: 
 
 Joseph Mayhew, Chairman. 
 
 ADDRESS OF THE QUAKERS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW- 
 JERSEY. 
 
 To our Friends and Brethren of the several Meetings in 
 Pennsylvania and New-Jersey: 
 Dear Friends : The afflictions and distresses attend- 
 ing the inhabitants of the Massachusetts and other parts of 
 New-England, have often engaged our pity and commise- 
 ration, with a desire to be instrumental for their relief, as 
 favourable opportunities should offer. And having received 
 more particular information, since the yearly meeting held 
 last month at Rhode-Island, than we had before, of the 
 situation of our brethren and others in those parts, since 
 which the desolations of war have greatly increased, we 
 are incited by a spirit of sympathy and Christian tenderness 
 to recommend to your serious and benevolent consideration 
 the sorrowful calamities now prevailing among these peo- 
 ple, earnestly desiring that we may encourage each other 
 freely to contribute to the relief of the necessitous of every 
 religious denomination ; to promote which we have agreed 
 upon, and herewith send you printed subscription papers, 
 requesting that some suitable active Friends may be ap- 
 pointed in each of your monthly and preparative meetings, 
 to apply for the donations of Friends for this charitable 
 purpose, and that the money subscribed may be collected, 
 and with all convenient speed paid into the hands of John 
 Reynell, of Philadelphia, or Samuel Smith, of Burlington, 
 Treasurers of our Yearly Meeting. 
 
 The Yearly Meeting at Rhode-Island, before mentioned, 
 have appointed a Committee of twenty-six Friends, from 
 the several quarterly meetings in New-England, who are 
 to meet together at least once a month, in order to assist 
 each other in inspecting and considering the state of those 
 who are distressed, and they appear to us the most suitable 
 persons to receive our contributions for their relief. With 
 this Committee we propose to keep up a correspondence, 
 and to unite our endeavours with theirs, that the benefac- 
 tions raised may be distributed in the most seasonable and 
 effectual manner, for the benefit of those who are or may 
 
1591 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 159 2 
 
 he reduced to necessitous circumstances in this time of pub- 
 lick calamity. We therefore desire that Friends may be 
 liberal, according to their circumstances, and speedy in their 
 contributions; and are your loving friends. 
 
 Signed in and on behalf of our meeting for sufferings, 
 held in Philadelphia, for Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, 
 the sixth day of the seventh month, 1775. 
 
 John Pemberton, Clerk. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 6, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have the honour of your favour of the 
 twenty-ninth June, accompanying your plan and proceed- 
 ings respecting an accommodation with the Parent State. 
 Nothing could be more interesting or acceptable to us, than 
 a communication of the sentiments and wishes of our worthy 
 constituents on this most important subject; and while we 
 applaud the wisdom of your decisions, we beg you to be 
 assured that they shall command our most earnest and 
 respectful attention. 
 
 Deeply sensible of the calamities of a civil war, we have 
 nothing more at heart than to be instrumental in compro- 
 mising this unnatural quarrel between the two Countries, 
 on the solid basis of mutual justice and constitutional li- 
 berty ; and the most strenuous efforts, on our part, shall be 
 exerted with unremitting ardour, to accomplish this salu- 
 tary purpose. 
 
 We acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, the defe- 
 rence you are pleased to pay to our judgment, and your 
 delicacy in leaving us unrestrained, in a point of all others 
 the most essential to yourselves and your posterity, to the 
 Continent of America, and the whole British Empire ; and 
 happy shall we esteem ourselves if, in the discharge of this 
 difficult and arduous trust, we shall merit your approbation 
 and the confidence of our Country. 
 
 We have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, 
 gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants, 
 
 Henry Wisner, Philip Livingston, 
 Wm. Floyd, James Duane, 
 John Jay, Rob't R. Livingston. 
 
 John Alsop, 
 Provincial Congress of New-York. 
 
 P. S. We have unanimously agreed to be silent on that 
 article in the Plan of Accommodation which asserts, " That 
 no earthly legislature or tribunal ought, or can of right 
 interfere or interpose, in any ivise howsoever, in the reli- 
 gious and ecclesiastical concerns of the Colonies." As the 
 inhabitants of the Continent are happily united in a political 
 creed, we are of opinion that it would be highly imprudent 
 to run the risk of dividing them by the introduction of dis- 
 putes foreign to the present controversy, especially as the 
 discussion of them can be attended with no one single ad- 
 vantage. They are points about which mankind will for- 
 ever differ, and therefore should always, and at least in 
 times like these, be kept out of sight. We are the more 
 confirmed in these sentiments by this circumstance, that 
 both this and the former Congress have cautiously avoided 
 the least hint on subjects of this kind, ail the members con- 
 curring in a desire of burying all disputes on ecclesiastical 
 points, which have for ages had no other tendency than 
 that of banishing peace and charity from the world. 
 
 Lewis Morris, Philip Livingston, 
 James Duane, Rob't R. Livingston, Jr., 
 John Ar.sop, John Jay, 
 Francis Lewis, William Floyd. 
 Henry Wisner, 
 N. B. The other Delegates are absent. 
 
 elizabethtown (new-jersey) committee to committee 
 of new-york. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Elizabethtown, July 6, 1775. 
 Sir: We have just received information that one Wil- 
 liam McLcod, son of Captain McLeod of this place, lately 
 appointed an Ensign in the Fifty-Second Regiment at Bos- 
 ton, left this Town early this morning and went to New- 
 York, in order to take passage from thence to join bis 
 Regiment. We have thought fit to give you this intelli- 
 gence that you may do what you think proper on the 
 
 occasion. As soon as we got notice of his departure for 
 such a purpose, his baggage was detained. By order of the 
 Committee: Jona. Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 To the General Committee of New- York. 
 
 New.Yo:k, July G, 177."). 
 
 The following gentlemen, appointed Captains by the 
 Provincial Congress for the enlistment of volunteers to enter 
 into the service for the defence of the liberties of America, 
 in the first battalion, to be raised for the City of New- York, 
 under the command of Colonels McDougall and Rilzemu, 
 have thought proper to make publick the following places 
 of rendezvous, and the encouragement to volunteers. 
 
 Captain John Weisscnvelt and Captain Gershom Mott, 
 at Mr. Foster Lewis's, innholder, near Beekman's Slip; 
 Captain Willet, at Mr. Abraham Van Dyck's, innholder, 
 in the Broadway ; Captain Jacob Checsman, at Mr. John 
 Rutter's, in Cherry-street; Captain Samu-el Broome, at Mr. 
 Foster Lewis's; Captain John Quackenbos, at Mr. Abra- 
 ham Van Dyck's, Mr. Edward Bardin's, Chapel-street, 
 innholder, and Mr. Foster Lewis's; Captain John John- 
 son, at Mr. Edivard Bardin's; Captain William Goforth, 
 at Mr. Abraham Van Dyck's; Captain-Lieutenant John 
 Copp, acting in the absence of Captain Richard Varick, 
 private Secretary to General Schuyler, at Captain Josiah 
 Banks's, in Little Dock-street, near the Ecchange, and at 
 Mr. Wm. Mariner's, in Horse and Cart-street, innholders ; 
 Captain Van Wyck, at Mr. Abraham Van Dyck's. 
 
 Volunteers, from the time of their enlistment, to enter 
 into immediate pay, at one shilling and eleven pence per 
 day ; and also to receive one dollar per week until they 
 are encamped, in order to enable them to support them- 
 selves in the intermediate time. And they are likewise to 
 be provided with a suit of regimental clothes, a fire-lock, 
 ammunition, accoutrements, and every other article neces- 
 sary for the equipment of American soldiers. 
 
 God save the Congresses. 
 
 EDWARD MOTT TO GO VERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Albany, July 6, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: I arrived here last night, ten o'clock, 
 from Ticonderoga ; am sent express by Colonel Hinman 
 to acquaint the Committee at this place, and also the Pro- 
 vincial Congress at New-York, with the condition of the 
 troops and garrisons at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and 
 Fort George; expect to set out from hence for New-York 
 to-morrow ; have not as yet waited on the Committee here, 
 but write these lines by Captain Stevens, who will not tarry, 
 but sets out for home this morning. When I arrived at 
 Ticonderoga, Colonel Hinman had no command there, as 
 Colonel Arnold refused to let him command either of the 
 garrisons, but had given the command of Ticonderoga to 
 Captain Herrick, from whom Colonel Hinman's men were 
 obliged to take their orders, or were not suffered to 
 pass to and from the garrison. The same day a Commit- 
 tee of three gentlemen from the Massachusetts, viz: Mr. 
 Spooner, Colonel Foster, and Colonel Sullivan, returned 
 to Ticonderoga from Crown Point, and informed us that 
 they had been to Colonel Arnold, with orders from the 
 Congress requiring him to resign the command to Colonel 
 Hinman, and that he, with his regiment, should come under 
 the command of said Hinman; which said Arnold posi- 
 tively refused ; on which said Committee discharged Col- 
 onel Arnold from their service, and desired the privilege to 
 speak with the people who had engaged under Arnold, but 
 were refused. They further informed that Colonel Arnold 
 and some of his people were gone on board the vessels; 
 that they understood they threatened to go to St. John's 
 and deliver the vessels to the Regulars, and that Arnold 
 had disbanded all his troops but those that were on board 
 said vessels; that they were treated very ill and threatened, 
 and after they came away in a batteau, they were fired 
 upon with swivel-guns and small-arms by Arnold's people ; 
 and that Colonel Arnold and his men had got both the 
 vessels and were drawn off into the lake. On which I de- 
 sired Colonel Hinman to let me, with Lieutenant Halscy 
 and Mr. Duer, (who was Judge of the Court for the County 
 of Charlotte, in this Colony,) with some men to row, have 
 a batteau and proceed up the lake, and go on board the 
 vessels. We obtained liberty, and Colonel Sidlivan con- 
 
1593 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1594 
 
 sented to go with us. We got on board the vessels about 
 eleven o'clock in the morning, and lie confined three of us 
 on board each vessel ; men sat over us with fixed bayonets ; 
 and so kept us till sometime in the evening, when we were 
 dismissed and suffered to return. We reasoned with the 
 people on board the vessels all the while we were there, 
 and convinced some of them of their errour, who declared 
 they had been deceived by Colonel Arnold. After we re- 
 turned to the fort, called up Colonel Hinman, who ordered 
 Lieutenant Hahey, with twenty-rive men, to return again 
 to the vessels and get what people he could on board to 
 join him, and bring one or both vessels to the fort, which 
 was all settled the next day. Colonel Sullivan was much 
 insulted while we were on board the vessels, chiefly by Mr. 
 Brown, one of Colonel Arnold's Captains. Captain Ste- 
 vens, who is wailing while I write these lines, will not wait 
 longer, or you should hear more particulars. 1 expect you 
 will have a full account from the gentlemen Committee 
 after they have laid it before their Congress. Captain Eli- 
 jah Babcock can give a full account of those matters; he 
 tells me he shall be at Hartford in a few days. Shall give 
 further accounts from Neiv-York. 
 
 I am, Sir, at command, your Honour's most obedient and 
 humble servant, Edward Mott. 
 
 To the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour. 
 
 ETHAN" ALLEN TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 July 6, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: Your letter of the eighth ultimo gave 
 me to understand that my painful services, in behalf of my 
 Country, were noticed by your Honour ; my letters having 
 received your patronage, were received by the honourable 
 Continental Congress with that additional lustre they needed. 
 
 The notice your Honour, as well as Grand Continental 
 Congress, I may add the Provincial Congress of New- York, 
 bath taken of my zeal in the common cause, hath more con- 
 firmedly and authoritatively determined me to hazard my 
 life in the same, and exert the small abilities with which I 
 am endowed, to the utmost, as I have received assurances 
 from both Congresses of shortly being admitted to an ho- 
 nourable preferment in the Army. I am now on my pas- 
 sage between New- York and Albany from those Congresses, 
 in company with Mr. Seth Warner, my companion, with 
 directions to form a battalion of seven companies of Green 
 Mountain Boys; they are expert in the use of fire-arms. 
 
 As to our past services, it is recommended by the Grand 
 Continental Congress that the Government of New- York 
 pay the same as to gratuities, mentioned in your Honour's 
 letter; a little of that from Connecticut would be thank- 
 fully received, as we served equally in the night as in the 
 day, in making a conquest of Lake Champlain; for which 
 extreme service we are to be paid the same as the honour- 
 able General Assembly of Connecticut have established 
 relative to their soldiery, and that none of our officers in 
 that service be considered in a higher rank than Captain. 
 
 Your Honour's inviolable attachment, and unshaken and 
 religious perseverance in support of the liberties of Ame- 
 rica, manifested from the era of the detestable Stamp Act, 
 hath not only entitled, but gained you the love and esteem 
 of every friend to this Country, of whatever rank or de- 
 nomination. 
 
 That your Honour may long live and sway that respect- 
 able Coiony in the way of virtue and liberty, and after this 
 transitory life receive the unspeakable reward of social 
 virtue, is the sincere desire of him who is, with the greatest 
 respect, your Honour's devoted, most obedient and humble 
 servant, Ethan Allen. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., Governour 
 
 of the Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 CAPTAIN ANGUS McDONALD TO COLONEL ALEXANDER 
 McDOUGALL. 
 
 Fairfcld Jail, July 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I wrote you a few days ago concerning my close 
 confinement, which I think very hard and contrary to pro- 
 mise, as I expected to be treated more like a gentleman 
 than a highwayman, for it really never was my intent to 
 offer to make my escape from my confinement, till such 
 times as I should be properly released ; or if I am not re- 
 
 leased, I must only make my application to be exchanged. 
 But at the same time I hope Colonel McDougall will be 
 good enough to speak to the gentlemen of the Congress in 
 regard to my having the liberty of the yard ; to have the 
 air is all I desire, and if I break through my liberty I will 
 suffer death, or such other punishment as 1 shall deserve. 
 This day my wife is come here, if she will be permitted to 
 stay with me, as General Wooster told me to send for her, 
 and that 1 should have the more liberty while she staid with 
 me. And your goodness in this point 1 much depend on in 
 this case, for 1 know one word from Colonel McDougall 
 will be sufficient for my request ; and in so doing I shall 
 forever remain your ever humble and obedient servant, 
 
 Angus McDonald. 
 To Colonel Alexander McDougall. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Hartford, July 6, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I received your favour of the thirtieth of June, 
 enclosing a copy of the resolution of the honourable Con- 
 tinental Congress, and immediately laid them before the 
 General Assembly of the Colony. They would have been 
 happy to have found themselves in a situation to have com- 
 plied fully with the request you were charged with to them ; 
 but such is the exhausted state of our Treasury, in conse- 
 quence of the very vigorous efforts they have made, and are 
 daily making in the common cause, that it was impossible 
 for them, consistent to their previous engagements, to fur- 
 nish you with more than fifteen thousand ; and even this 
 sum cannot be spared immediately, but shall be got ready 
 and forwarded, as you shall direct, with all possible despatch, 
 and I hope will be at Mr. Livingston's within .... days 
 at farthest. Our inability, with concurrence acknowledge, 
 with respect to the other most important article is still 
 greater. All that we can do is to deliver to Captain Doug- 
 lass forty half-barrels, which he will immediately proceed 
 with agreeable to your order. Our Engineer (Col. Mott) 
 at Ticonderoga, has requested that a commander for one 
 of the armed vessels upon Lake George, may be sent up 
 from this Colony — a Captain Nilcs, with whom he is ac- 
 quainted, and who is probably well qualified for the office. 
 But as you can best judge of the nature of this service, 
 and the necessity of sending up this person, you will give 
 me leave to expect your directions upon this project, which 
 I shall very readily conform to. I enclose you copy of a 
 paper of intelligence I have received from Mr. Dcanc, 
 which may perhaps be of some use to you. 
 
 I am, fee. Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 N. B. Mr. Deane requests that this intelligence may 
 not be made publick. 
 
 Evtract o f a Narrative and Remarks made by a Gentleman 
 who left Canada on the fourteenth June last: enclosed in 
 Governour Trumbull's Letter to General Schuyler, 
 dated July 6, 1775. 
 
 The Indians in Canada had heard of the present un- 
 happy disputes subsisting between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies, and took the opportunity of my being among 
 them to inquire into the origin and reasons of the same. 
 
 I gladly improved all such opportunities to inform them 
 of the ground of the present controversy, and carefully- 
 inculcated upon them that they themselves were nearly 
 interested in the event of our present glorious struggles for 
 liberty and freedom. The Indians, by what 1 could then 
 learn, pretty generally determined to take no part in the 
 quarrel. Things remained in this situation with regard to 
 the Indians, when the Provincial Troops reduced the for- 
 tresses of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and took the 
 King's sloop at St. John's. The Indians at Caughnawaga 
 were then sent to, by the Commander-in-Chief at Mon- 
 treal, and desired to march a number of their men in com- 
 pany of the Regular Troops, to oppose the Colonists, who, 
 it was reported, were on their way from St. John's to be- 
 siege Montreal. The Indians refused to join them, or in 
 any manner intermeddle in the affair. The chief warriour 
 came directly to inform me that he had refused to join the 
 Regular Troops, and that they had determined in Council, 
 that if any of their young warriours should take up the 
 hatchet against their brethren of the Provinces, they would 
 
1595 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1596 
 
 banish them forever. This was the full determination of 
 the Indians when his Excellency Governour Carlcton ar- 
 rived at Montreal. He directly solicited the Indians for 
 their assistance ; but on their refusal, declared that since 
 they would not assist him, he would dispossess them, and 
 give their lands to those who would. The Sachems had 
 Council after Council, to determine what was to be done 
 in that critical juncture of affairs. In short, they were under 
 so great apprehensions of danger from the Regular Troops, 
 that once, in particular, they lay under arms all night, set 
 out sentries in all parts of their Town, and even sent for 
 assistance to some of the upper Towns; but being situated 
 within about nine miles of Montreal, and so immediately 
 exposed to the Governour's resentment, they found them- 
 selves reduced to the disagreeable necessity either of re- 
 linquishing every thing they held dear in life, or complying 
 in some measure with the Governour's demands. Princi- 
 ples of self-preservation induced them to prefer the latter. 
 They therefore waited on the Governour, and in two 
 speeches, one by the Sachems of the Castle, the other 
 delivered by the Chief Warriour, promised to espouse the 
 ministerial cause so far as to defend the Governour, to the 
 utmost of their power, should he be besieged in Montreal 
 by the Provincial Troops. The Indians were dismissed 
 with presents of provision and ammunition. Shortly after, 
 his Excellency sent to the Sachems, desiring them to send 
 a number of their men to St. John's to continue some time 
 with the Regulars. The Sachems refused it. He then 
 desired them to send a small party, should it be only three ; 
 but they persisting in their refusal, he requested them to 
 send a few, should they only carry their tobacco pouches ; 
 which request they also absolutely refused. Upon my 
 leaving Canada, the Indians of Caughnawaga desired me 
 to assure the commander at Crown Point, that if any In- 
 dians were known to commit hostilities upon the English 
 frontiers, he might determine they were none of their peo- 
 ple. When I left Montreal, the 14th of June, I met with a 
 number of the principal Sachems belonging to St. Francois, 
 some of whom had their children then at Dartmouth Col- 
 lege; they gave me all the assurances of their friendship I 
 could desire, and informed me they were going to Caugh- 
 nawaga to attend on a Grand Council, which was then 
 summoned to meet from the several adjacent Towns. The 
 Indians also informed me that the design of the Council 
 then to meet was, that the people of their several Towns 
 might then jointly determine to act in the approaching war 
 only on the defensive, and that when they had concluded 
 on that, they should send two men from each of their Towns 
 to the Seven United Nations, and use their utmost interest 
 with them to do the same. Their influence upon these 
 united Nations is considerable, for it is well known that the 
 greater part of them originally belonged to the Seven United 
 Nations. This, by the best information I could obtain, 
 seems to be the present disposition of the Indians in Ca- 
 nada ; but how far the force of menaces may drive, or 
 large promises allure them, the event only can manifest. 
 But as the fickle disposition of the Indians is so well known, 
 it will doubtless be judged a prudent measure to provide 
 against the worst. Some time before I left Canada, the 
 Commissary at Montreal received orders to make provision 
 for three hundred Indians, who were soon expected from 
 the remote tribes ; and as I left the City, I observed a 
 number of Indians, (should judge about forty,) whom I sup- 
 posed to be an advanced party of the three hundred. It is 
 said they are coming down to a Congress, and conjectured 
 by our friends that the Governour designs to arm them 
 against our frontiers. As to the state of the Army and 
 Fortresses at Canada, it is well known that the number of 
 regular troops is very inconsiderable, the greatest part of 
 whom are now drawn together at St. John's, who don't 
 make up a body of more than three hundred, or three hun- 
 dred and fifty men. At St. John's, which is a level plain, 
 they are fortifying to the best advantage which the nature 
 of the place and their time will admit. Chamblee, a fort 
 which the French built a few miles down the same river, 
 is by account strong, both by nature and art, and is de- 
 fended at present only by a small garrison. The fortifica- 
 tions at Montreal, which were originally designed only for 
 defence against small-arms, are much out of repair. The 
 citadel, which is situated on an eminence at the north end 
 of the City, though weak, seems to be the place of the 
 
 greatest strength. As to the fort up the River St. Law- 
 rence, I can speak only from information, never having 
 travelled into those parts, but have endeavoured to avail 
 myself of their situation, present state, and importance, by 
 conversing with gentlemen well acquainted in that country. 
 Am informed there are four garrisoned forts to the west- 
 ward of Montreal, viz : Oswego, Niagara, Detroit, and 
 Michilimackinack, two or more of which 1 understand are 
 stockaded forts, and defended by a small garrison for the 
 purpose of protecting the fur trade. Whoever considers 
 the almost numberless and very extensive connexions of 
 the River St. Lawrence, the great facility with which a 
 plentiful supply of arms and all kinds of military stores 
 may be sent from Canada to almost the western confines 
 of our Continent, together with the extensive fur trade, 
 which for several years has been carried on in that country 
 to the great emolument of Britain ; but especially whoever 
 considers the many avenues which this river, with its several 
 dependants, affords into almost every English Colony upon 
 the Continent, can't but see it to be matter of very great 
 importance to the Colonies, immediately to make them- 
 selves masters of those remote forts, which command, as it 
 were, the whole western world of Indians. By which step 
 they would not only secure to themselves and after gene- 
 rations all those advantages which are to be derived from 
 their being in possession of a very fine extensive country, 
 but more effectually secure their frontiers, than otherwise 
 can be done even by many thousands of men. 
 
 REPORT OF THE CROWN POINT COMMITTEE TO THE MAS- 
 SACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge, July 6, 1775. 
 
 The Committee appointed to proceed to the posts of 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, &,c, beg leave to report, 
 that they proceeded through the new settlements, called 
 the New- Hampshire Grants, and carefully observed the 
 road through the same, and find that there is a good road 
 from Williarnstown to the place where the road crosseth 
 the river called Paulet River, which is about fifteen miles 
 from Skenesborough ; from thence to the falls of Wood 
 Creek, near Major Skene's house, the road is not feasible, 
 and unfit for carriages, but cattle may be drove that way 
 very well. 
 
 Your Committee having taken with them the copies of 
 the commission and instruction from the Committee of 
 Safety to Colonel Benedict Arnold, and informed them- 
 selves as fully as they were able in what manner he had 
 executed his said commission and instructions, and find that 
 he was with Colonel Allen and others at the time the fort 
 was reduced, but do not find that he had any men under his 
 command at the time of the reduction of those fortresses; 
 but find that he did afterwards possess himself of the sloop 
 on the lake at St. John's. We found the said Arnold 
 claiming the command of said sloop and a schooner, which 
 is said to be the property of Major Skene, and also all the 
 posts and fortresses at the south end of Lake Champlatn 
 and Lake George, although Colonel Hinman was at Ti- 
 conderoga with near a thousand men under his command 
 at the several posts. 
 
 Your Committee informed the said Arnold of their 
 commission, and, at his request, gave him a copy of their 
 instructions ; upon reading of which he seemed greatly dis- 
 concerted, and declared he would not be second in com- 
 mand to any person whomsoever ; and after some time 
 contemplating upon the matter, resigned his post, and gave 
 your Committee his resignation under his hand, dated the 
 24th of June, 1775, which is herewith submitted, and at 
 the same time he ordered his men to be disbanded, which, 
 he said, was between two and three hundred. Your Com- 
 mittee not finding any men regularly under said Arnold, 
 by reason of his so disbanding them, appointed Colonel 
 Easton, who was at Ticonderoga, to take the command, 
 under Colonel Hinman, who was the principal command- 
 ing officer at those posts of the Connecticut forces, and en- 
 deavoured to give the officers and men who had served 
 under said Arnold an opportunity to re-engage, of which 
 numbers enlisted, and several of the officers agreed to hold 
 their command under the new appointment. 
 
 Your Committee having taken a critical survey of the 
 garrison and posts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 
1597 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1598 
 
 found them in a very defenceless state ; and, consulting 
 with Colonel Hinman, were of opinion, upon the whole, 
 that it is necessary to retain in the service of this Colony, 
 for the present, the number of four hundred men. 
 
 As the Committee were informed, from intelligence from 
 Canada, that preparations were making, and all endea- 
 vours used to bring over the Canadians and savages to be 
 inimical to these Colonies, your Committee having found 
 Captain Noble at the Point, with a number of men who 
 had been under said Arnold, willing to engage in the ser- 
 vice, we paid to said Noble one hundred Pounds, to be 
 delivered to the men as advance pay, and appointed Mr. 
 William Satterlee, a worthy man, to muster them and their 
 arms, and took Captain Noble's and Satterlee's receipt for 
 the same, and their promise to apply it for that purpose, 
 which is herewith submitted. 
 
 Your Committee returning to Ticonderoga, and Colonel 
 Easton being there, they paid into his hands the sum of 
 two hundred and eighty Pounds, to be applied for the pur- 
 pose aforesaid, and took his receipt and promise so to do, 
 and appointed Mr. Jonas Fay, a respectable person, to 
 muster the men and their arms, all except Captain No- 
 ble's Company. We also paid into the hands of one 
 Remember Baker, said to be a good officer, who engaged 
 a certain number of men under Colonel Easton, the sum 
 of twenty Pounds, and took his receipt and promise to ap- 
 ply said money as advance pay to said men, which com- 
 pletes the whole of the money delivered to said Commit- 
 tee for the purposes aforesaid. 
 
 Your Committee have engaged to Colonel Easton that 
 the remaining part of the advance pay should be immedi- 
 ately sent to him. 
 
 Your Committee found that as soon as Colonel Arnold 
 had disbanded his men, some of them became dissatisfied 
 and mutinous, and many of them signified to the Commit- 
 tee that they had been informed that they were to be de- 
 frauded out of the pay for past services. The Committee, 
 in order to quiet them, engaged under their hands, in be- 
 half of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay, that as soon 
 as the rolls should be made up and properly authenticated, 
 they should be paid for their past services, and all those 
 who should engage anew should have the same bounty and 
 wages as is promised to those men who serve within said 
 Colony. 
 
 Your Committee inquired of Mr. Henry Bleeclcer, of 
 Albany, how the men at those posts were supplied with 
 provisions, who informed that he acted under his brother, 
 who was a Commissioner of Supplies from New-York; 
 that all the men at those stations, of whatsoever Colony, 
 were supplied by him without distinction, and that he 
 should continue so to do until otherwise directed. 
 
 Your Committee appointed Timothy Edwards and Sam- 
 uel Brown, Esquires, a Committee to supply the men un- 
 der Colonel Easton's command with such necessaries as 
 should not be supplied from New-York, and appointed 
 Captain EJisha Phelps to act as Commissary under them, 
 to deal out to the men whatsoever should be supplied by 
 the said Edwards and Brown. 
 
 Your Committee being of the opinion that a Major 
 should be appointed under Colonel Easton, and one Sur- 
 geon to the battalion, and having inquired into the dispo- 
 sition of the officers and men who have engaged, have 
 appointed John Brown, Esquire, as Major, and Mr. Jonas 
 Fay as Surgeon. 
 
 Your Committee, when they had received Colonel Ar- 
 nold's resignation, directed him to return to Congress, and 
 render an account of his proceedings, agreeable to their in- 
 structions, a copy of which order is herewith submitted. 
 
 Your Committee made an examination of the military 
 stores at those posts, a schedule whereof is herewith de- 
 livered, excepting some leaden and iron ball and old chains, 
 which have been dug out of the ruins of Croivn Point fort. 
 
 Your Committee finding that the men at those stations 
 had not a sufficiency of gunpowder to defend the posts, 
 and upon a careful inquiry could not find any at Albany, 
 have directed said Committee of Supplies to supply them 
 with two hundred weight from some of the town stocks in 
 the County of Berkshire, on the credit of the Colony. 
 
 Your Committee are of opinion that the maintaining of 
 those posts is of the utmost importance to the security of 
 the Colony of New-York and the New-England Colonies, 
 
 which was a sufficient inducement to the Committee to con- 
 tinue in the pay of this Colony the number of men before 
 mentioned. The fortress not being at present tenable, 
 there must be a sufficient number of men to command the 
 lake, and prevent the enemy from landing. 
 
 Your Committee are of opinion that the best security of 
 those posts in their present state is, by armed vessels of 
 various constructions to be kept constantly cruising on the 
 lake, and small boats with swivel guns to act as scouts, which 
 will effectually prevent the army from sudden surprise. 
 
 Your Committee have, agreeable to their instructions, 
 advised the honourable American Congress, the honour- 
 able Convention of the Colony of New-York, and the 
 Governour of Connecticut, by respectfully signifying to 
 them their opinion of the importance of the maintaining 
 those posts, and the measures for effectuating the same. 
 All which is humbly submitted. 
 
 Walter Spooner, by order. 
 
 Copy of the Warrant to Brown and Edwards. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the Congress of the Colo- 
 ny of the Massachusetts-Bay to appoint a Committee to 
 supply the troops stationed by said Colony at Ticonderoga 
 and Croivn Point with provisions, &tc, do hereby appoint 
 you, the said Edwards and Brown, to supply said troops, 
 on the credit of the said Colony, with blankets, if they 
 should require them, according to the establishment for the 
 Colony's Army, and with such provisions not supplied by 
 the Colony of New- York as shall be necessary, according 
 to the establishment of the Government of Connecticut for 
 their forces at those posts; and you are hereby directed to 
 send such provisions as you shall make for the said Colo- 
 ny's troops to , who is appointed a Com- 
 missary there to receive the same, and deal them out to 
 the said troops. And for all which this shall be your 
 sufficient warrant, until some future Congress or House of 
 Representatives shall otherwise order. 
 
 Order of the Committee to Colonel Arnold. 
 
 Crown Point, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You having signified to the Committee who are 
 appointed and directed by the Provincial Congress of the 
 Massachusetts-Bay to inquire into the state of the fortresses 
 at Crown Point, Ticonderoga, &lc, and the appendages 
 thereof, your resolution to resign all your command of the 
 said fortresses, and the vessels and stores thereunto be- 
 longing, for reasons under your hand expressed : 
 
 This is to inform you, that it is the expectation of the 
 Provincial Congress aforesaid, that the chief officer of the 
 Connecticut forces at those stations will command the same 
 for the present; and the Committee accordingly expect that 
 you conform yourself to the directions of said Congress in 
 that behalf, and deliver the same to such chief officer of the 
 Connecticut forces, or his order, for which this shall be 
 your authority. The Committee expect that you will, as 
 soon as may be, lay an account of your disbursements be- 
 fore the Provincial Congress, agreeable to our instructions, 
 a copy whereof is lodged with you. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 Colonel Benedict Arnold. 
 
 Colonel Arnold's refusal to serve any longer. 
 
 Crown Point, June 24, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your instructions of the 14th instant from 
 the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, in 
 regard to my conduct here, being now before me, I will 
 answer in course. 
 
 In the first place, I observe you are appointed to examine 
 my conduct, and in what manner I have executed my com- 
 mission. 1 look on this instruction at this juncture as un- 
 precedented, and a very plain intimation that the Congress 
 are dubious of my rectitude or abilities, which is a sufficient 
 inducement for me to decline serving them longer. 
 
 Secondly, the Congress have authorized you to judge of 
 my spirit, capacity, and conduct, and determine whether I 
 shall continue in commission, and if so, that I shall be un- 
 der the command of a person appointed by the Colony of 
 Connecticut. In answer to the first part, it appears to me 
 very extraordinary that the Congress should first appoint an 
 
1599 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1600 
 
 officer, and afterwards, when he had executed his commis- 
 sion, to appoint a Committee to examine if he was fit for 
 his post. I think the examination should have been prior 
 to the commission, and that after executing that commis- 
 sion they should order a younger oflicer of the same rank 
 to take the command of the fortresses, vessels, &.C., con- 
 quered, plainly indicates the loss of their confidence, and is 
 a most disgraceful reflection on him and the body of troops 
 he commands, which is a sufficient inducement to resign, 
 not to mention the very great hardship on the private men, 
 who, having served well near two months, are now to be 
 mustered, and if, by sickness or hard lahour, they are re- 
 duced and not fit for service, and of course do not pass 
 muster, they are to lose their former time and service, and 
 reduced to the distress of begging their bread until they can 
 get home to their friends. 
 
 The last objection I have to make is, that I have so far 
 lost the confidence of the Congress, that they have declined 
 sending me money, as was promised by Captain Droivn, 
 to discharge the small and unavoidable debts I have con- 
 tracted for necessaries for the use of the Army, for which 
 my own credit is at stake, and I am reduced to the neces- 
 sity of leaving the place with dishonour, or waiting until I 
 can send home and discharge those debts out of my private 
 purse. The latter of which I am determined to do, though 
 I have already advanced one hundred Pounds, lawful mo- 
 ney, out of rny private purse. All which reasons 1 believe 
 will be thought a sufficient inducement for me to decline 
 holding my commission longer. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 Benedict Arnold. 
 Messrs. Spooner, Foster, and Sullivan, present. 
 
 Ticonderoga, June 28, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen : Agreeable to your motion 
 and encouragement when present at this place, together 
 with a view of quickening the minds of the soldiers of my 
 Company, I herewith present you with an account of the 
 several proportions of time each person named in the pay- 
 roll have actually served in my Company in the present 
 northern expedition, together with the several capacities in 
 which they have severally served, and have endeavoured, 
 to the utmost of iny ability, to exhibit it with impartiality 
 and exactness. And if any mistake is found in exhibiting 
 the particular sum of the different capacity in which either 
 has served, 1 hope it will be imputed solely to inadvertence, 
 as I have not a form of the establishment of the Massachu- 
 setts-Bay at command ; therefore, should you find, on ex- 
 amination, any mistake of the kind, beg the favour you 
 would please to make such additions to, or substractions 
 from, as is equitable, agreeable to the form as established 
 for that Province. 
 
 I have received seven Pounds and four Shillings, and 
 my Lieutenant, Mr. Satterlee, sixteen Pounds and eight 
 Shillings, amounting, in the whole, to twenty-three Pounds 
 and twelve Shillings, lawful money, from Colonel Arnold, 
 for the use of the soldiers in my Company, which you will 
 either please to deduct from the foot of the pay-bill, and 
 discharge me for the same from him, or send the whole 
 contents, with directions to me to repay him, which 1 shall 
 readily comply with, which I humbly submit to your wis- 
 dom. 
 
 I have sent no account in the pay-bill for extra expense 
 in enlisting a Company, for billeting, and otherwise sup- 
 plying my soldiers in a forced march, foe, nor included 
 any allowance therein for good Mr. Satterlce's extra fa- 
 tigue and faithfulness as Adjutant of the Regiment; but 
 leave it to some future period, not doubting such ample 
 reward will be made as is provided for others in like capa- 
 city in your Government. 
 
 Your paying the amount of the pay-bill to Lieutenant 
 William Satterlee, the bearer, with his receipt on the back 
 therefor, shall be your suflicient discharge for so much re- 
 ceived for the use of my Company, and the favours shall 
 be ever gratefully acknowledged by, gentlemen, your most 
 
 obedient and very humble servant, , T , 
 
 ' Jonas t ay, 
 
 By order and in behulf of Samuel Derrick, Captain. 
 Honourable Walter Spooner, Jedediah Foster, and Janus 
 Sullivan, Esquires, Committee, &ic, for the Province 
 of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 Ordnance Stores at Crown Point, June 23, 1775. 
 
 Seven punches for vents of guns, 14 wooden setters, 3 
 scoops for shells, 1 pair brass scales, 14 mallets for dri- 
 ving fuzes, 1 set of measures for powder, 310 pounds of 
 slow match, 118 pounds shot, 5!r'0 twelve-pound shot, 580 
 nine-pound shot, 580 six-pound shot, 1,430 grape shot, 
 68 shells for an eight-inch howitzer, 370 shells, 6 sponges 
 with ramrods, 6 wagon bodies, 906 wheels of all sorts. 22 
 wadhooks with ramrods, 1 cross-cut saw, 1 mill vvhipsaw. 
 
 At Ticonderoga. — Three guns and triangle, 1 repar- 
 able and 3 useless, 6 gages for shot for twelve-pounders, 
 3 copper hoops, 6 copper ladles, 12 iron ladles, shells, 
 shot, &lc, in vast quantities. 
 
 Colonel Arnold informs that he has just bought four 
 oxen for use, price twenty-eight Pounds; six cows, at four 
 Pounds per head, and twenty sheep ; which he will turn 
 over to the Connecticut forces, if the Commander-in-Chief 
 will receive them. 
 
 Also, further informs he has engaged twenty seamen, 
 two armourers, and two gunners. 
 
 THEODORE ATKINSON TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS.* 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, July C, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : In answer to your request touching my 
 delivery of the records and files belonging to, and now in 
 the Secretary's office of this Province, 1 beg leave to ac- 
 quaint you that 1 am, by His Majesty's special commission, 
 appointed Secretary of this Province during His Majesty's 
 pleasure and my residence in this Province ; and agreeable 
 thereto I was admitted and sworn into that office, and had 
 the keeping the archives belonging thereto delivered to 
 me, and put under my direction and in my keeping. You 
 cannot but see my honour and my oath forbids my consent 
 
 * COPY OF A LETTER PREPARED FOR THE CONGRESS AT EXETER BY MR. 
 ATKINSON, BUT NOT FORWARDED. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have seen your appointment and directions from the 
 Provincial Congress to receive from me the records and files of the 
 Secretary's office. This delivery by me would bo a transaction that I 
 dare, not be a volunteer in. My appointment is by His Majesty's spe- 
 cial commission to be Secretary of this Province, and to hold the same 
 during His Mnjesty's pleasure and my residence in the same ; by which 
 appointment I execute that office in the different branches of duty, 
 viz : as recording the transactions of the General Assembly, and of the 
 Governour and Council when they meet on any other or special occa- 
 sion ; also, when they sit as a Court of Appeals from the Courts of 
 the Common Law in this Province, or from sentences of the Courts of 
 Probate of Wills, &.C. I am also to give every vessel a certificate and 
 passport that she is regularly cleared outwards. These are all separate 
 branches of the Secretary's office, and I am under oath to keep the 
 same agreeable to the directions of the law in all things whereunto 
 that office hath relation ; and thus the records, &c., are committed to 
 my care and trust, &-c. 
 
 Now, gentlemen, consider my situation. If I am active, and volun- 
 tarily deliver these archives so committed to my cure without proper 
 authority, am I not criminal ? In this Province I know there is not 
 above one single precedent of this nature, and that not a parallel. 
 This happened in (iovcrnour Cranfield's time, or soon after he abdi- 
 cated the chair of government of this Province. A number of men 
 armed attacked the Secretary's office, (one Chamberlain then Secreta- 
 ry,) and forced fiom him all the records and files thereof, not only 
 what is now esteemed the Secretary's office, but also what is now call", 
 cd the Recorder's, such as deeds and conveyances of freehold estates; 
 also, those of the Court of Probate of W' ills, &c., and the several Courts 
 of Common Law, General Sessions of the Peace, &c, &c. What confu- 
 sion this transaction occasioned is not to be conceived. All the archives 
 of the Province thus held in the hands of the multitude, and which 
 so remained till the glorious revolution in King William and Queen 
 Mary's time, when a general amnesty took place, &,c, &c. Notwith- 
 standing, those records and files have never, to this day, found the way 
 to their respective offices, but still remain (what is left of thcin) in that 
 confused condition to this time ; and doubtless many widows and or- 
 phans, as well as others, have met great disadvantages, and suffered 
 much loss. If you turn your thoughts to the present distressing situa- 
 tion of North America — two armies of twelve or fifteen thousand men 
 each, and both His Majesty's subjects, now encamped within cannon 
 shot of each other, alternately spilling the blood and spreading the car- 
 nage of their i\ How. subjects — these, I think, call for all our thoughts 
 and endeavours how to extricate us without haling into action any 
 affair not likely to contribute to the first and grand affair of poace and 
 harmony between Great Britain and America. If you examine the 
 transactions of the neighbouring Province for precedents, your search, 
 1 imagine, will be fruitless. Genoral Gage has been personally at 
 Salem, and though he disapproved the transaction of the town meet- 
 ings, he never pretended to intermeddle with the records; Cambridge, 
 whose situation is in the midst of the dispute, nor Concord, though 
 that town has been plundered, yet the County or Town records re- 
 main unaffected. 
 
 For these reasons I cannot think any such power as taking the re- 
 cords from the usual places, &e., was delegated to you in your appoint 
 merit. I have been thus prolix in giving the reasons why, if the records 
 of the Secretary's office are taken out of my possession by you, they 
 will be taken without my consent or approbation. 
 
 1 am, Gontlomen, yours. 
 
1G01 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1602 
 
 or even my connivance in such a delivery, unless accom- 
 panied with His Majesty's supersedeas, or my not being 
 resident in this Province. 
 
 Gentlemen, the difficulties, I may say the distresses in 
 the Province, and indeed of the whole Continent, are such 
 that every additional cause of perplexity should be avoided. 
 I have, gentlemen, no thoughts of attempting to maintain 
 the security of the records in my custody by force. This I 
 know would have no good effect. My aim is only to re- 
 move any grounds of complaint that may be against me for 
 either neglect or malepractice in the execution of my said 
 office. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, with proper regard, your humble ser- 
 vant, Theodore Atkinson. 
 
 To Major William Weeks, and the rest of the Committee. 
 
 SECRETARY ATKINSON TO GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH. 
 
 Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your Excellency will give me leave to acquaint 
 you, that on the fourth instant I had, as Secretary, a visit 
 from a Committee appointed by the Provincial Congress of 
 this Colony held at Exeter. They showed me their appoint- 
 ment, and requested the delivery of all the records and 
 files in the Secretary's office. I told them it would be 
 against my honour and my oath of office to be a volunteer 
 in such delivery. After an hour's moderate conversation, 
 and without any heat, the Committee left me, and I was 
 in hopes 1 should not have any farther visit from them : but 
 on the sixth instant they came again and urged the de- 
 livery. 1 still refused as before, and told them they well 
 knew it was not in my power to defend the office by force 
 of arms ; if they took the records, &.c, or any of them, 
 they must be answerable. They then entered the office 
 and took all the files and records belonging to the Secreta- 
 ry's office, except those books in which were recorded the 
 several charter grants of land, which were with your Excel- 
 lency to take some minutes from. The Committee offer- 
 ed me their receipt, agreeable to their orders from the 
 Congress, but I refused, being no otherwise concerned than 
 barely as a spectator. They then cleared the offices of 
 all the books and papers, and transported them to Exeter, 
 where they are (I am informed) to remain till further order. 
 Thus I have stated the facts as they occurred ; and I am, 
 may it please your Excellency, your Excellency's most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Theodore Atkinson. 
 
 Governour Wentworth. 
 
 SECRETARY ATKINSON TO GOVERNOUR WENTWORTH. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Exeter, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Whereas this Congress have resolved it as their opinion, 
 that all the pubfick Records of the Colony were at this 
 time unsafe in the Town of Portsmouth, and that the same 
 should be removed to the Town of Exeter, all which Re- 
 cords have in consequence thereof been removed by a 
 Committee appointed for that purpose as far as came to 
 their knowledge, except the books of Charters of the sev- 
 eral Townships in this Colony : Therefore, it is now Re- 
 solved, That the Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esquire, 
 Secretary of the Colony, is accountable to the people for 
 said Records, and that he ought without delay to deliver the 
 same to the Committee. 
 
 Extract from the Minutes : 
 
 Attest : Noah Emery, Deputy Secretary. 
 
 Monday, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The above is a copy of what I received from Major 
 Weeks of the Committee that required the Records, &ic, 
 the other day. I made the same answer to him that I did 
 to the Committee the other day, viz: that I could make 
 no delivery : if they took them, they must be answerable. 
 Major Weeks seemed sorrowful that lie was appointed, &c. 
 
 To his Excellency the Governour. 
 
 COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL, LONDON. 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1775. 
 
 A Court of Common Council was held this day at Guild- 
 hall, when the Court re-assumed the consideration of the 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ] 
 
 letter from the Committee of New-York, addressed to the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of London; 
 when a motion was made by Mr. Stavcly, that an humble 
 Address, Remonstrance, and Petition, relative to the dis- 
 tressed situation of the American Colonies, should be pre- 
 sented by the City, in their corporate capacity, to His Ma- 
 jesty. This caused warm debates, it being strongly opposed 
 by several of the members. Mr. Hunt then made the 
 following motion : 
 
 " That an humble Address and Petition be presented to 
 His Majesty, praying that he will be pleased to cause hos- 
 tilities to cease between Great Britain and America, and 
 to adopt such measures as will restore union, confidence, 
 and peace over the British Empire." 
 
 This motion, (leaving out the word " Remonstrance," 
 after several debates, was carried in the affirmative. 
 
 The number for the motion were : six Aldermen, sixty- 
 six Commoners, and two Tellers. — Total 74. 
 
 Against the motion : six Aldermen, fifty-one Common- 
 ers, and two Tellers. — Total 59. 
 
 Majority for the motion 15. 
 
 Mr. Hunt then moved, that a Committee of six Alder- 
 men and twelve Commoners might be directly appointed 
 to draw up the Petition and Address, which passed in the 
 affirmative. The Committee withdrew, and in a short time 
 returned with a most respectful Petition and Address, which 
 met the approbation of the whole Court, except one dis- 
 senting Alderman. 
 
 The Sheriffs are directed to attend His Majesty at St. 
 James's next Wednesday, in order to know when he will 
 be pleased to receive the above Address, which will be 
 presented by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common 
 Council, in their gowns. 
 
 On Wednesday, July 12th, the two Sheriffs and City 
 Remembrancer, waited on His Majesty at St. James's to 
 know when he would be graciously pleased to receive the 
 City Petition and Address ; when he was pleased to appoint 
 Friday at two o'clock. 
 
 On Friday, July 14th, the following humble Address 
 and Petition was presented to the King, by the Lord Mayor, 
 the Recorder, the Aldermen Bull, Lewes, Hayley, Lee, 
 Plomer, Hart, and several of the Common Council : 
 
 To the King's most Excellent Majesty. 
 The humble Address and Petition of the Lord Mayor, 
 
 Aldermen and Commons of the City of London, in 
 
 Common Council assembled : 
 Most gracious Sovereign : 
 
 Your Majesty's most loyal and dutiful subjects, the Lord 
 Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, 
 in Common Council assembled, with all humility beg leave 
 to lay themselves at your Royal feet, humbly imploring 
 your benign attention towards the grievous distraction of 
 their fellow-subjects in America. 
 
 The characteristick of the people, Sire, over whom you 
 reign has ever been equally remarked for an unparalleled 
 loyalty to their Sovereign, whilst the principles of the Con- 
 stitution have been the rule of his Government ; as well as 
 a firm opposition, whenever their rights have been invaded. 
 
 Your American subjects, Royal Sire, descended from the 
 same ancestors with ourselves, appear equally jealous of 
 their prerogatives of freemen, without which they cannot 
 deem themselves happy. 
 
 Their cheerful and unasked-for contributions, as well as 
 willing services to the Mother Country, whilst they remained 
 free from the clog of compulsory laws, will, we are sure, 
 plead powerfully with the humanity of your disposition, for 
 graciously granting them every reasonable opportunity of 
 giving, as freemen, what they seem resolutely determined 
 to refuse, under the injunction of laws made independent 
 of their own consent. 
 
 The abhorrence we entertain of civil bloodshed and con- 
 fusion will, we trust, Sire, if not wholly exculpate us in 
 your Royal mind, yet plead powerfully in our favour for 
 the warmth with which we lament those measures whose 
 destructive principles have driven our American brethren 
 to acts of desperation. 
 
 Convinced of the earnest disposition of the Colonists to 
 remain firm in all duteous obedience to the constitutional 
 
1603 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1604 
 
 authority of this Kingdom, permit us, most gracious Sover- 
 eign, to beseech you, that those operations of force, which at 
 present distract them with the most dreadful apprehensions, 
 may be suspended ; and that, uncontrolled by a restraint 
 incompatible with a free Government, they may possess an 
 opportunity of tendering such terms of accommodation as 
 we doubt not will approve them worthy of a distinguished 
 rank amongst the firmest friends of this Country. 
 
 His Majesty's Answer. 
 I am always ready to listen to the dutiful Petitions of my 
 subjects, and ever happy to comply with their reasonable 
 requests ; but while the constitutional authority of this King- 
 dom is resisted by part of my American subjects, I owe it 
 to the rest of my people, of whose zeal and fidelity I have 
 had such constant proofs, to continue and enforce those 
 measures by which alone their rights and interests can be 
 asserted and maintained. 
 
 London, July 22, 1775. 
 Yesterday was held a Court of Common Council, when 
 a motion was made by Mr. Harford, and seconded by Mr. 
 Harrison, that this Court do order a letter, signed by the 
 Town Clerk, to be sent to Isaac Low, Esq., Chairman of 
 the New-York Committee, in order to be by him laid 
 before the Committee, acknowledging the receipt of the 
 Committee's letter to this Court, enclosing a copy of this 
 Court's late Petition and Address to His Majesty, and His 
 Majesty's Answer; upon which a previous question was 
 moved by Mr. Deputy Leeky; the main question being 
 read, the question was whether that be now put ; for which 
 there were two Aldermen, forty-seven Commoners, and 
 two Tellers ; total fifty-one. Against the question being put, 
 six Aldermen, fifty-six Commoners, and two Tellers; total 
 sixty-four. Majority against putting the main question, 
 thirteen. 
 
 DR. FRANKLIN TO DR. JOSEPH PRIESTLEY, IN ENGLAND. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Dear Friend : The Congress met at a time when all 
 minds were so exasperated by the perfidy of General Gage, 
 and his attack on the country people, that propositions for 
 attempting an accommodation were not much relished ; and 
 it has been with difficulty that we have carried another 
 humble Petition to the Crown, to give Britain one more 
 chance, one opportunity more of recovering the friendship 
 of the Colonies ; which, however, 1 think she has not sense 
 enough to embrace, and so I conclude she has lost them for 
 ever. 
 
 She has begun to burn our seaport Towns ; secure, 1 
 suppose, we shall never be able to return the outrage in 
 kind. She may doubtless destroy them all ; but if she 
 wishes to recover our commerce, are these the probable 
 means? She must certainly be distracted; for no trades- 
 man out of Bedlam ever thought of increasing the num- 
 ber of his customers by knocking them on the head ; or of 
 enabling them to pay their debts by burning their houses. 
 
 If she wishes to have us subjects, and that we should 
 submit to her as our compound sovereign, she is now giv- 
 ing us such miserable specimens of her government, that 
 we shall ever detest and avoid it, as a complication of rob- 
 bery, murder, famine, fire, and pestilence. 
 
 You will have heard, before this reaches you, of the 
 treacherous conduct of General Gage to the remaining peo- 
 ple in Boston, in detaining their goods, after stipulating to 
 let them go out with their effects, on pretence that mer- 
 chants' goods were not effects ; the defeat of a great body 
 of his troops by the country people at Lexington ; some 
 other small advantages gained in skirmishes with their 
 troops ; and the action at Bunker's Hill, in which they 
 were twice repulsed, and the third time gained a dear vic- 
 tory. Enough has happened, one would think, to convince 
 your Ministers that the Americans will fight, and that this 
 is a harder nut to crack than they imagined. 
 
 We have not yet applied to any foreign Power for assist- 
 ance, nor offered our commerce for their friendship. Per- 
 haps we never may : yet it is natural to think of it, if we 
 are pressed. 
 
 We have now an Army on the establishment, which still 
 holds yours besieged. 
 
 My time was never more fully employed. In the morn- 
 
 ing, at six, I am at the Committee of Safety, appointed by 
 the Assembly to put the Province in a state of defence ; 
 which Committee holds till near nine, when I am at the 
 Congress, and that sits till after four in the afternoon. Both 
 these bodies proceed with the greatest unanimity, and their 
 meetings are well attended. It will scarce be credited in 
 Britain, that men can be as diligent with us from zeal for 
 the publick good, as with you for thousands per annum. 
 Such is the difference between uncorrupted new Slates, and 
 corrupted old ones. 
 
 Great frugality and great industry are now become fash- 
 ionable here ; gentlemen, who used to entertain with two 
 or three courses, pride themselves now in treating with 
 simple beef and pudding. By these means, and the stop- 
 page of our consumptive trade with Britain, we shall be 
 better able to pay our voluntary taxes for the support of 
 our Troops. Our savings in the article of trade amount to 
 near five million sterling per annum. 
 
 I shall communicate your letter to Mr. Winthrop, but 
 the camp is at Cambridge, and he has as little leisure for 
 philosophy as myself. Believe me ever, with sincere es- 
 teem, my dear friend, yours most affectionately. 
 
 B. Franklin. 
 
 JOHN DICKINSON TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Fairhill, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: Before" this comes to hand, you will have 
 received, I presume, the Petition to the King. You will 
 perhaps at first be surprised that we make no claim, and 
 mention no right. But I hope, on considering all circum- 
 stances, you will be of opinion that this humility, in an 
 address to the Throne, is at present proper. 
 
 Our rights have been already stated, our claims made; 
 war is actually begun, and we are carrying it on vigorously. 
 This conduct, and our other publications, will show that our 
 spirits are not lowered. If Administration be desirous of 
 stopping the effusion of British blood, the opportunity is 
 now offered to them by an unexceptionable Petition, pray- 
 ing for an accommodation. If they reject this application 
 with contempt, the more humble it is the more such treat- 
 ment will confirm the minds of our countrymen to endure 
 all the misfortunes that may attend the contest. 
 
 I do not know what is thought in London of the several 
 engagements near Boston ; but this you may be assured 
 of, that every one of them has been favourable to us, and 
 particularly that of Bunker's Hill, on the 17th of last 
 month, when a mere carnage was made of the Royalists, 
 though they gained the intrenchments. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your very affectionate humble servant, 
 
 John Dickinson. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp near New. York, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Sir : We have among the Connecticut Troops a num- 
 ber of apprentices, and indented servants who ran away 
 from their masters in this City, and have enlisted them- 
 selves, and received their pay in Connecticut. Since our 
 arrival in this place, many of them have been detained in 
 town by their masters. As the Governour of Connecticut 
 has subjected me and the Troops under my command to 
 the direction of the Continental and this Provincial Con- 
 gress, I desire you, Sir, to take the opinion of your Con- 
 gress, and advise me what plan of conduct I shall pursue 
 with regard to such persons, and you will oblige, Sir, your 
 humble servant, David Wooster. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. 
 
 WESTCHESTER COMMITTEE TO NEW- YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 White Plains, July 7, 1775. 
 Sir : The Committee of Westchester County, sensible 
 of the great consequence, in our present struggle for liber- 
 ty, of having officers of the Militia, who are sincere friends 
 of the Country: and also that many, if not a majority of 
 the Militia officers in this County, upon account of their 
 oath of allegiance, or from sinister motives, endeavour to 
 counteract the present measures, as far as possible ; do re- 
 quest the Provincial Congress to take the same into consi- 
 
1605 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1606 
 
 deration, and do what they shall think proper in so im- 
 portant a matter. We are, Sir, your most humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Gilbert Drake, Chairman. 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
 KINGSTON COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Kingston, July 7, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We received with great pleasure the re- 
 solves of your honourable Board respecting the Militia of 
 this Colony, being well persuaded that the putting it under 
 due regulations and discipline will afford the Colony the 
 greatest security in this time of publick calamity. We are 
 sensible of the necessity, therefore, of complying with the 
 measures recommended in your resolve, while we are ex- 
 tremely sorry that for want of being a little more particu- 
 lar and explicit, people differ in their sentiments about the 
 mode they are to pursue, which has already occasioned 
 much warmth, and we fear, unless prevented by an expla- 
 natory resolve by your honourable body, may create still 
 greater confusion and trouble, to the injury of the common 
 cause. In order that you may understand wherein we differ 
 in the construction of your said resolve, we beg leave to 
 propose the following queries, the solving of which we 
 would fain hope will give general satisfaction, and restore 
 us to our former harmony, to wit : 
 
 1. Is it intended by the advice to the inhabitants to form 
 themselves into companies if necessary, that they should 
 elect their officers, or continue to serve under the officers 
 appointed by Government, if they are well affected to the 
 common cause ? 
 
 2. If the inhabitants are to elect their officers up to a 
 Captain, how are the Field-Officers to be appointed — at 
 the election of the companies at large, or by the subaltern 
 officers ? 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants. 
 By order of the Committee of the Town of Kingston : 
 Johannes Sleght, Chairman. 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President of the 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir: Received your favour, dated June 29, 
 1775, on the 6th day of July instant. I also received the 
 stores of provisions in place of Mr. Bleecker, who I was 
 in hopes might have been ordered to purchase provisions, 
 and deliver to me to forward. Sir, flour is very scarce in 
 this City, or cannot be purchased without money. I have 
 been through the City with the assistance of Esquire Pal- 
 mer, and could not get but twenty barrels ; also, have been 
 to Schenectady, and could not get but ten barrels there. 
 I am much afraid the Troops will suffer if they cannot be 
 immediately supplied. I wrote by the post to one of the 
 gentlemen Committee for two or three hundred barrels of 
 flour. Should be glad your Honour would see and order 
 as you think proper. Colonel Hinman has wrote orders to 
 me for hospital stores, and they cannot all be got in this 
 City. Captain Molt will inform you more particularly. 
 Sir, should be glad to know who in particular to write to 
 for provisions, k.c, at New-York, that is and will be 
 wanted. 
 
 I am, with esteem, Sir, your most humble servant at 
 command, Elisha Phelps. 
 
 To his Honour P. V. B. Livingston, President of the 
 
 Provincial Congress, New- York. 
 
 COLONEL HINMAN TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 7, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Yours of 29th June I have received, by which I 
 have the pleasure of being informed of your appointment 
 to the command of the troops in this quarter. Agreeable 
 to your request, I have made as minute a return of the 
 forces, guns, ammunition, and stores, as I am capable of 
 under our present unsettled circumstances. 
 
 As to Governour Carleton's motions, I can say but little 
 
 with regard to them. It is said that there are at St. John's 
 about three hundred and fifty Regulars, a few Canadians, 
 and a small number of Indians at the other posts. By what 
 intelligence I can get, there are about two hundred and fifty 
 of the King's Troops, or thereabout, at St. John's; they 
 are fortifying and building some water craft, by what I can 
 learn, but with what intent we cannot yet determine. You 
 may be assured of my taking every opportunity of inform- 
 ing the Canadians of our friendly intentions towards them ; 
 but they are so very cautious, and the passes are so guard- 
 ed, that it is almost impossible to get any information to 
 them. I have lately sent a Committee to Skenesborough 
 to inquire into the state of affairs there, and find they want 
 to be put under some new regulations. The place at pre- 
 sent is kept by some men who Mr. Arnold put there. But 
 as I expected you would be up in a short time, I have not 
 given any orders respecting the management of things 
 there ; but shall wait for your orders relative thereto. 
 I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Benjamin Hinman. 
 
 To Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 P. S. I wait, Sir, with impatience for your arrival, as 1 
 find myself very unable to steer in this stormy situation. 
 Sometimes we have no flour, and a constant cry for rum, 
 and want of molasses for beer, which was engaged to our 
 people; the failure of those who provide give great unea- 
 siness to the men ; hope for better times on your arrival. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT. 
 [Read July 17, 1775.] 
 
 Hartford, July 7, 1775. 
 Honoured Sir: I have the honour of your favour of 
 the 27th of June, acquainting me with the requisition made 
 by the Congress upon this Colony in favour of General 
 Schuyler, which I immediately laid before the General 
 Assembly, and am directed to acquaint you, that it would 
 have given them great pleasure to have found themselves 
 able to have complied fully with the demand ; but such is 
 the exhausted state of our Treasury, in consequence of the 
 very vigorous efforts the Colony have made and are still 
 making in the common cause, that we could only furnish 
 fifteen thousand Pounds, which is preparing with all pos- 
 sible despatch, and will be forwarded in a few days to the 
 General at Albany. With respect to the other most im- 
 portant article, it is with much concern that we acknow- 
 ledge that we could do but little, having already much 
 exhausted our stock by the supplies furnished to the camp 
 at Cambridge. However, all that we could do we have 
 done, and sent forward to the General forty half-barrels; 
 which we hope he will receive in a few days. We doubt 
 not proper care will be taken as speedily as possible to 
 reimburse the Colony these expenses, that we may be 
 enabled to continue our exertions in the common cause of 
 American liberty. I am also to inform you, that the As- 
 sembly have come to a resolution, at the earnest request of 
 the Provincial Congress of the Massachusetts-Bay, to aug- 
 ment our troops in the publick service with two Regiments 
 of seven hundred men each, exclusive of commissioned 
 officers. We should have been happy, if possible, to have 
 received the directions of the honourable Congress before 
 we adopted this measure ; but such appeared to us to be 
 the critical situation of our affairs, great part of our troops 
 being employed in the Province of New-York under the 
 orders of the Congress, that it would not be prudent to 
 delay it so long a time as would be necessary to obtain 
 their directions upon the subject. We hope, nevertheless, 
 it will meet with their approbation, and that the Continen- 
 tal currency may be in such forwardness as to be applied 
 to the equipping and furnishing of these regiments ; which 
 will be raised with all possible despatch, and the sooner 
 we are supplied with the Continental bills the better. 
 
 With respect to Major Skene, we could have wished 
 that he might still have been continued at Philadelphia ; 
 and if he is not actually set out for Hartford, we beg his 
 destination may be changed ; however, if he arrives here 
 we shall do the best we can with him. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, in behalf of the Go- 
 vernour and Company, Sir, your most obedient and most 
 humble servant. Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
1607 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c„ JULY, 1775. 
 
 1608 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED LONDON, JULY 8, 1775. 
 
 I am happy that you are settled in Philadelphia, a city 
 that is and shall be blest. The great founder, Penn, was 
 inspired with true wisdom, and God gave him a heart to 
 form a City and Colony for a refuge to the persecuted 
 asserters of the rights of human nature at this day, when 
 it is the determination of Administration, at least part of 
 them, with the King, to destroy such Towns as lay on the 
 sea. But don't be frightened or deceived ; they cannot 
 accomplish their horrid schemes. Your securing Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point has overthrown their designs, and 
 now in revenge they say we will destroy their Towns. You 
 see by this what you are to expect. The heart of Pha- 
 raoh is hardened, and the chariot will be driven so fast that 
 the wheels will fly off in a sea of blood. 
 
 Our worthy Lord Mayor has exerted himself abundantly. 
 He has called a Common-Hall of the Livery, and held a 
 Common Council at three different times, and sent up a 
 Petition and Remonstrance ; and this day the proceedings 
 of the City are in the press, to be published to all the 
 Counties in England; and our patriots, with an American 
 bravery, are determined to protest against the doings of the 
 Parliament, and enter into an Association. They have 
 drawn up very spirited resolves. But as yet you must 
 have patience ; great bodies move slow. The people of 
 England have long been inured to oppression, and are not 
 so quick in their feelings as the Americans. They are, 
 indeed, more moderate, but have already discovered their 
 abhorrence to the plans of the tyrants in such a manner as 
 to make them repent they laid them ; and in a few months, 
 should there be no submission on your side, (which God 
 grant there may not,) they will call home Gage, and let 
 you alone awhile, as they cannot get men to go on so hor- 
 rid an errand. The officers hear that the riflemen intend 
 killing them only, which is most excellent news, as it not 
 only discourages the officers, but makes the soldiers think 
 well of the Americana, as they hate their officers, and will 
 certainly desert, if they have opportunity. It is not Eng- 
 land, but only eight Ministers of State, with the King and 
 his tools in Parliament, that are fighting against you, and 
 use every unfair means to deceive the people of England. 
 I understand Fort Ticonderoga is to be retaken by Carle- 
 tan, who has one thousand Scots Highlanders sent over 
 to him, commanded by Col. Murray, with one thousand 
 nine hundred more, who are now enlisting in Scotland ; 
 this you may depend on. 
 
 Our wise Ministry, in order to deceive the people, circu- 
 late false reports in the papers and otherwise every day, 
 both for and against the Americans, that men's minds may 
 be so confounded they will not know what to depend upon; 
 but you may depend upon it, that should it cost all the 
 blood and treasure of Old England,, they would prose- 
 cute their efforts to subdue you. Even the officers who 
 are to execute their plans are ignorant of their ultimate 
 designs. 
 
 They now give out that Lord Chatham is to be called 
 in to head a new Administration, and that a new system of 
 politicks is to take place ; but nothing can be further from 
 their intentions. Lord Chatham never can come into their 
 views, and those views being the possession of place, power, 
 and treasure, they will never give them up as long as they 
 can possibly hold them. They have brought the King so 
 far into their measures that he cannot recede; so that they 
 are now together in the place where they will remain till 
 your wisdom and bravery shew the people of England 
 that tyrants are to be got at by very simple means. 
 
 No statute can be made to put arms into the hands of 
 Roman Catholicks, and in consequence, if you could pro- 
 cure proof that General Carleton has done this, and convey 
 that evidence to this City, you would find the great cause 
 brought to issue here in a few months, sat verbum! Your 
 salvation depends on your firmness and assiduity. If you 
 submit, sixty of you are to be hanged in Philadelphia, 
 and the same number in New- York; five hundred Pounds 
 is offered for Captain Sears's head in particular — a secret 
 order.* 
 
 * Mr. Holt, the printer of the New-York Journal, has also had 
 repeated notices from persons of eminence in England, that he is 
 among the number of the proscribed who aro ordered to be sent to 
 England 
 
 INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF ALEXANDRIA TO GENERAL 
 WASHINGTON. 
 
 Alexandria, July 8, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Excellency: Your favour of 
 the 20th ultimo, notifying your intended departure for the 
 camp, we received, and after transmitting copies to the 
 different officers to whom it was directed, we laid it before 
 a full meeting of your company this day. At the same 
 time that they deplore the unfortunate occasion that calls 
 you, their patron, friend, and worthy citizen, from them, 
 and your more tender connexions, they beg your accept- 
 ance of their most hearty congratulations upon your appoint- 
 ment to the supreme military command of the American 
 confederated forces. 
 
 Firmly convinced, Sir, of your zealous attachment to 
 the rights of your Country and those of mankind, and of 
 your earnest desire that harmony and good will should 
 again take place between us and our Parent State, we well 
 know that your every exertion will be invariably employed 
 to preserve the one and effect the other. 
 
 Your kind recommendation, that a strict attention be 
 had to disciplining the company, shall be complied with, 
 and every possible method used for procuring arms and 
 ammunition. 
 
 We are to inform you, Sir, by desire of the company, 
 that if at any time you shall judge it expedient for them 
 to join the troops at Cambridge, or to march elsewhere, 
 they will cheerfully do it. 
 
 As the success of our arms, during the unhappy contest 
 for our liberties, will ever afford us the highest satisfaction, 
 and as reports heretofore have been various and unauthen- 
 tick, we entreat your Excellency, should there be any 
 future engagement, and your leisure permit, to favour us 
 with an account. Let our concerns for the cause we are 
 embarked in claim your excuse for this freedom. 
 
 We now recommend you to the favour of Him by whom 
 Kings reign and Princes decree justice; and wishing all 
 your counsels and operations to be directed by his gracious 
 providence to a happy and lasting union between us and 
 Great Britain, we are, with great regard, for selves and 
 the company, your Excellency's most obedient and hum- 
 ble servants, James Hendricks, 
 
 George Gilpin, 
 Rob. H. Harrison. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MESSRS. BRADFORDS, OF PHI- 
 LADELPHIA, TO THE PRINTER OF A PUBLICK PAPER IN 
 LONDON, DATED PHILADELPHIA, JULY 8, 1775. 
 
 By the papers you will find that we are forced into a 
 war with our brethren of Great Britain ; you will also 
 find that an overruling Providence covered our heads at 
 the Lexington, Noddle Island, and Bunker's Hill actions. 
 Our people have not in those three battles lost more than 
 one hundred killed, and about two hundred wounded ; 
 whereas, the Ministerial Troops have at least lost fifteen 
 hundred killed, and one thousand wounded. 
 
 In the affair at Bunker's Hill, it is asserted by many 
 respectable people, who have, since the action, got out of 
 Boston, that the Welsh Fusileers have only one Captain 
 and ninety men left out of the whole Regiment ; and that 
 Gage has lost four Colonels and three Majors, among 
 whom are Colonel Nesbit, Majors Pitcairne and Sheriff. 
 However the ministerial account may gloss over matters, 
 their loss has been such that a few more such victories 
 would leave Gage but a few men, and we should joyfully 
 put up with the disgrace of a retreat every day for a month 
 upon the same terms. Tell Lord Sandivich that Lord 
 Howe says, the rebels fought more like devils than men, 
 and that if our re-enforcement had come up in time he 
 must have been totally defeated. 
 
 Our Congress are still sitting, and likely to sit for some 
 time. Seeing they were involved, they have taken all the 
 necessary steps ; they have an army of eighteen thousand 
 or twenty thousand, headed by General Washington, around 
 Boston, who are well armed, and have magazines sufficient 
 for two years, notwithstanding the steps taken to keep 
 warlike stores from cowards and poltrons, who had only 
 broomsticks and rusty guns. 
 
 You may likewise tell his Lordship, that our Army is 
 able to cope with thirty thousand such troops as Gage now 
 
1609 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1610 
 
 commands, and that we should be glad to see his Lordship 
 at the head of them. 
 
 No power ever armed so many men in so short a time 
 as has been done in this Country ; it is computed that we 
 have now above three hundred thousand men well armed, 
 two-thirds of whom will fight from principle. 
 
 This Province has raised one thousand riflemen, the 
 worst of whom will put a ball into a man's head at the 
 distance of one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards ; 
 therefore, advise your officers who shall hereafter come out 
 to America to settle their affairs in England before their 
 departure. 
 
 We are well assured that the ministerial tools in this 
 Country have been templing the Indians to fall on our 
 frontiers, and in one Province it has been proved that they 
 have endeavoured to set the negroes on their masters. Such 
 hellish designs are carrying on by those wretches as must 
 make any thing but the Devil, or Lord North and his tools, 
 hide their heads. 
 
 We are, Sir, yours, &cc, W. &, T. Bradford. 
 
 NORTH-CAROLINA DELEGATES TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The Committee of this City, a few days ago, 
 transmitted to you an original letter from Governour Mar- 
 tin to Henry White, Esquire, from the contents of which 
 it is very obvious that Governour Martin has formed 
 designs very inimical to the friends of America. From 
 authentick information we learn, that he is to receive a 
 supply of gunpowder from General Gage via New- York, 
 and that he has sent from North-Carolina a cutter armed 
 to receive it. She is a small boat, rigged like a schooner, 
 mounts a few swivels, and is commanded by a Mr. . . . , 
 the Lieutenant of the Famous, man-of-war; the vessel 
 was formerly purchased in New-York by Captain Collet. 
 We in particular desire, in case she should arrive in your 
 port, to know what steps you may think prudent to secure 
 her and her cargo. She is probably to receive the gun- 
 powder from the Asia, or the other men-of-war lying in 
 your harbour. We are, Sir, with great respect, your most 
 obedient servants, William Hooper, 
 
 Joseph Hewes. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO CHARLES THOMSON. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New.York, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The Congress received yours of July 4, enclosing 
 Governour Martin's letter to Mr. Henry White, dated 
 June 13th, and immediately appointed a Committee to 
 confer with him on the subject. From the answers he 
 gave to the Committee, and a letter received from him, (a 
 copy of which is enclosed,) the Congress are fully satisfied 
 that Mr. White's conduct in this matter has been unex- 
 ceptionable, and such as becomes the character of a good 
 citizen. I am, Sir, &£C. 
 
 By order : P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 
 To Charles Thomson, Esquire. 
 
 Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Three gentlemen of the Provincial Congress called 
 upon me with an intercepted letter from Governour Mar- 
 tin, of North-Carolina, dated the 13th June, to send him 
 a royal standard from hence. They desired to know if I 
 had complied with his request, and whether I could inform 
 them respecting the measures he was now pursuing; in 
 answer to which I have to observe, that he some time ago 
 wrote to me to send him such a standard, which I declined 
 to do, lest it might be disagreeable to the people of this 
 place, and wrote him to that purpose ; which letter I ap- 
 prehend miscarried, or he must have received it before the 
 thirteenth of last month. With regard to the steps he 
 has now taken in his Government, 1 am utterly unacquaint- 
 ed with ; he has not communicated to me any particulars. 
 Governour Martin is a gentleman I am intimately acquaint- 
 ed with, and have transacted business for him ever since 
 he has been at North- Carolina ; which accounts for his 
 applying to me for the above standard. I imagine it will 
 be believed I did not solicit the commission. 
 
 I am, Sir, &tc, Henry White. 
 
 To Peier V. B. Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 MEND HAM (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE. 
 
 July 8, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Committee of Observation for the Town- 
 ship of Mendham, in the County of Morris, having legally 
 notified Ezekial Beach to appear before us, to answer 
 sundry charges exhibited against him touching his un- 
 friendly conversation and conduct towards the Continental 
 Association : said Beach not appearing, we do agree for 
 ourselves, and recommend it to all others, to break off all 
 dealings or connection with him, agreeable to the Eleventh 
 Article of the Continental Association. Signed by order of 
 the Committee. David Thompson, Chairman. 
 
 GENERAL RURGOYNE TO GENERAL LEE. 
 
 Boston, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : When we were last together in service I 
 should not have thought it within the vicissitudes of human 
 affairs that we should meet at any time, or in any sense, as 
 foes. The letter you have honoured me with, and my own 
 feelings, continue to prove we are still far from being per- 
 sonally such. 
 
 I claim no merit from the attentions you so kindly re- 
 member in the early periods of our acquaintance, but as 
 they manifest how much it was my pride to be known to 
 be your friend ; nor have 1 departed from the duties of that 
 character, when, 1 will not scruple to say, it has been almost 
 general ofFence to maintain it : 1 mean since the violent 
 part you have taken in the commotions of the Colonies. 
 
 It would exceed the limits and the propriety of our 
 present correspondence to argue at full the great cause in 
 which we are engaged. But anxious to preserve a con- 
 sistent and ingenuous character, and jealous, I confess, of 
 having the part I sustain imputed to such motives as you 
 intimate, I will state to you, as concisely as I can, the prin- 
 ciples upon which, not voluntarily, but most conscientiously, 
 I undertook it. 
 
 I have, like you, entertained from infancy a veneration 
 of publick liberty. I have likewise regarded the British 
 Constitution as the best safeguard of that blessing to be 
 found in the history of mankind. 
 
 The vital principle of the Constitution, in which it moves 
 and has its being, is the supremacy of the King and Par- 
 liament ; a compound, indefinite, indefeasible power, co-evil 
 with the origin of the Empire, and co-extensive over all 
 its parts. 
 
 I am no stranger to the doctrines of Mr. Locke, and 
 other of the best advocates for the rights of mankind, upon 
 the compacts always implied between the governing and 
 the governed, and the right of resistance in the latter, when 
 the compact shall be so violated as to leave no other means of 
 redress. I look with reverence, almost amounting to idola- 
 try, upon those immortal Whigs who adopted and applied 
 such doctrine during part of the reign of Charles the First, 
 and in that of James the Second. 
 
 Should corruption pervade the three estates of the Realm, 
 so as to pervert the great ends for which they were insti- 
 tuted, and make the power vested in them for the good of 
 the whole people operate, like an abuse of the prerogative 
 of the Crown, to general oppression, I am ready to acknow- 
 ledge that the same doctrine of resistance applies as forcibly 
 against the abuses of the collective body of power, as 
 against those of the Crown, or either of the other compo- 
 nent branches separately : still always understood that no 
 other means of redress can be obtained ; a case, I contend, 
 much more difficult to suppose when it relates to the whole, 
 than when it relates to parts. 
 
 But in all cases that have existed or can be conceived, 
 I hold that resistance, to be justifiable, must be directed 
 against the usurpation or undue exercise of power, and that 
 it is most criminal when directed against any power itself 
 inherent in the Constitution. 
 
 And here you will immediately discern why I drew a 
 line in the allusion I made above to the reign of Charles 
 the First. Towards the close of it the true principle of 
 resistance was changed, and a new system of Government 
 projected accordingly. The Patriots, previous to the long 
 Parliament, and during great part of it, as well as the glo- 
 rious Revolutionists of 1688, resisted to vindicate and re- 
 store the Constitution ; the Republicans resisted to sub- 
 vert it. 
 
1611 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc. JULY, 1775. 
 
 1612 
 
 Now, Sir, lay your hand upon your heart, as you have 
 enjoined me to do on mine, and tell me, to which of these 
 purposes do the proceedings of America tend ? 
 
 Is it the weight of taxes imposed, and the impossibility 
 of relief after a due representation of her burden, that has 
 induced her to take arms ? or is it a denial of the rights of 
 British legislation to impose them, and consequently a 
 struggle for total independency ? For the idea of power 
 that can tax externally and not internally, and all the 
 sophistry that attends it, though it may catch the weak- 
 ness and the prejudice of the multitude in a speech or 
 pamphlet, it is too preposterous to weigh seriously with a 
 man of your understanding ; and 1 am confident you will 
 admit the case to be fairly put. Is it then from a relief of 
 taxes, or from the control of Parliament, " in all cases 
 whatsoever," we are in war? If for the former, the quarrel 
 is at an end ; there is not a man of sense and information 
 in America, who doss not know it is in the power of 
 the Colonies to put an end to the exercise of taxation 
 immediately and forever. I boldly assert it, because sense 
 and information will also suggest to every man, that it can 
 never be the interest of Britain, after her late experience, 
 to make another trial. 
 
 But if the other ground is taken, and it is intended to 
 wrest from Great Britain a link of that substantial, and, 
 I hope, perpelual chain, by which the Empire holds, think 
 it not a ministerial mandate ; think it not a mere profes- 
 sional ardour ; think it not a prejudice against a part of our 
 fellow-subjects, that induces men of integrity, (and among 
 such you have done me the honour to class me,) to act with 
 vigour ; but be assured it is a conviction that the whole of 
 our political system depends upon the preservation of its 
 great and essential parts distinctly, and no part is so great 
 and essential as supremacy of legislation. It is a convic- 
 tion, that as a King of England never appears in so glorious 
 a light as when he employs the executive powers of the 
 state to maintain the laws, so, in the present exertions of 
 that power, His Majesty is particularly entitled to our zeal 
 and grateful obedience, not only as soldiers but as citizens. 
 
 These principles, depend upon it, actuate the Army and 
 Fleet throughout. And let me at the same time add, there 
 are few, if any, gentlemen among us who would have drawn 
 his sword in the cause of slavery. 
 
 But why do I bind myself to the Navy and Army ? The 
 sentiments I have touched are those of the great bulk of 
 the Nation. I appeal to the landed men who have so 
 long borne burdens for America; I appeal to those trading 
 Towns who are sufferers by the dispute, and the City of 
 London at the head of them, notwithstanding the petitions 
 and remonstrances which the arts of party and faction have 
 extorted from some individuals; and last, because least in 
 your favour, I appeal to the majorities in the Houses of 
 Parliament upon American questions this session. The 
 most licentious news-writers want assurance to call these 
 majorities Ministerial, much less will you give them that 
 name when you impartially examine the characters that 
 compose them ; men of the most independent principles 
 and fortunes, and many of them professedly in opposition 
 to the Court in the general line of their conduct. 
 
 Among other supporters of British rights against Ame- 
 rican claims, I will not speak positively, but I firmly be- 
 lieve I may name the man of whose integrity you have 
 the highest opinion, and whose friendship is nearest your 
 heart — I mean Lord Thanet, from whom my Aid-de-Camp 
 has a letter for you, and also one from Sir Charles Davers. 
 I do not enclose them, because the writers, little imagining 
 how difficult your conduct would render our intercourse, 
 desired they might be delivered to your own hands. 
 
 For this purpose, as well as to renew " the rights of fel- 
 lowship," I wish to see you ; and, above all, I should find 
 an interview happy if it should induce such explanation as 
 might tend in their consequences to peace. I feel, in com- 
 mon with all around me, for the unhappy bulk of this 
 Country ; they foresee not the distress that is impending 
 over them. I know Great Britain is ready to open her 
 arms upon the first overture of accommodation ; 1 know- 
 she is equally resolute to maintain her original rights ; and 
 if the war proceeds, your one hundred and fifty thousand 
 men will not be a match for her power. 
 
 The place I would propose for our meeting is the house 
 upon Boston Neck, just within our advanced sentries, called 
 
 Brown's house. I will obtain authority to give my parole 
 of honour for your safe return. I shall expect the same 
 on your part, that no insult be offered to me. If this plan 
 is agreeable to you, name your day and hour. At all events, 
 accept a sincere return of the assurances with which you 
 honour me, and believe me, in all personal considerations, 
 affectionately yours. 
 
 P. S. I obeyed your commands to General Howe and 
 Clinton. I also communicated your letter and my answer 
 to Lord Percy. They all join me in compliments, and 
 authorize me to assure you they do the same in principle. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of Massachc- 
 
 setts-Bay, convened at Watertown, July 8, 1775. 
 The Petition of the Selectmen and Committee of Safety, 
 at the desire and in behalf of the Inhabitants of the 
 District of Harpswell, humbly sheweth : 
 That your petitioners have at all times exerted them- 
 selves in prosecuting those measures recommended by the 
 Continental and Provincial Congresses ; that it is their 
 fixed determination to continue thus to do ; that some of 
 said inhabitants cheerfully enlisted for the publick safety, 
 and so ward off that despotick and arbitrary power with 
 which Administration is aiming to govern the Colonies. 
 
 That said District, on the account of the situation, being 
 an isthmus, or neck of land, about ten miles in length, 
 (with many adjacent islands,) navigable on each side up- 
 wards of seven miles, for ships of the Navy, and abound- 
 ing with cattle, sheep, kc, is peculiarly exposed to the 
 ravages of the British Troops. That the inhabitants of 
 said District did, at their own cost, station guards every night 
 at sundry places most exposed, lest the Troops should 
 not be benefited by their provisions. That the enlisted 
 men were, upon the twentieth of June last, put upon duty 
 by order of their superiour officers, to guard said District 
 from the plundering of Troops which were daily expected 
 with cutters, kc. That the inhabitants of said District are 
 in low circumstances, and are unable to enlist any more 
 men unless their husbandry employment greatly suffers, 
 which must be an additional distress to that which they 
 already feel. That should the men already enlisted be 
 called away to join the Army, said District is liable to fttll 
 an easy prey to the ravages of Troops which may attack 
 it for fresh provisions. Your petitioners therefore humbly 
 pray that this honourable Congress, in their great wisdom, 
 would allow said District the number of men already en- 
 listed, with such an additional number as the Congress may 
 judge proper; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall 
 ever pray. John Rodick, 
 
 Wm. Sylvester, 
 Selectmen of said District. 
 Paul Randall, 
 Wm. Sylvester, 
 Committee of Safety for said District. 
 Harpswell, July 8, 1775. 
 
 NEW- HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO DR. LANGDON. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Reverend Sir : We have sent several letters to the 
 Committee to be forwarded to the Continental Congress ; 
 but as we have had no account from the Congress nor our 
 Delegates of their being received, we fear, by some means 
 or other, they have been neglected. The enclosed letter 
 is of great consequence to us ; we therefore beg the favour 
 of you to forward it by the first safe conveyance. By your 
 connection with the General, it is probable you will know 
 of every opportunity, which we hope will be a sufficient 
 apology for troubling you. 
 
 I am, in behalf of said Committee, 
 
 William Whipple. 
 
 Reverend Doctor Langdon. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE committee of safety to their dele- 
 gates AT THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Congress of this Colony adjourned 
 yesterday to the twenty-second of next month, having dele- 
 gated their power to this Committee during their recess, to 
 provide for the publick safety. 
 
1613 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1614 
 
 In a former letter the Congress informed you that this 
 Colony chose Deputies, who met the seventeenth of May 
 last in Convention Congress at Exeter, and voted to raise 
 two thousand men for the common defence of the Colonies, 
 which men are now, and have been some time raised and 
 put under the care of Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., who was 
 appointed a Major-General under the Commander-in-Chief 
 of the American Forces, and have joined the Army before 
 Boston, except two companies for the guard of our sea- 
 coast. At present the news from Canada, of their hostile 
 preparations, (an account of which from Connecticut, and 
 by Mr. Deane, Missionary from Canada, we expect will 
 reach you before this,) have so alarmed the inland frontiers, 
 that the Congress have ordered three companies, of sixty- 
 six men each, to be raised and posted for their defence. 
 The cost of raising so many men you will readily see to 
 be a difficult task for so small a Colony, without any money 
 to begin with. We have wrote to you and to the Congress 
 on the situation of our affairs several times, but not receiv- 
 ing any directions, we have emitted ten thousand Pounds 
 in notes of hand, on the credit of this Colony, payable 
 with six per cent, interest, and have ordered ten thousand 
 Pounds more to be forthwith emitted, for supplying the 
 present exigences of the Colony. Some conceive some 
 resolves of the American Congress, giving such notes a 
 currency, would be of great service. We are greatly con- 
 cerned for gunpowder, as we have scarce any except what 
 was taken out of the fort last winter, a considerable part of 
 which we have sent to the Army before Boston, and some 
 to our western frontiers. We hope some plan is laid for 
 bringing it into the Southern Colonies, as New-England 
 is so watched and guarded that there is but a little hope of 
 getting in here. The ships-of-war and cutters, previous to 
 the first of this month, seized all vessels laden with pro- 
 visions, salt, or molasses, which have much distressed the 
 eastern parts, but not discouraged them. They have de- 
 stroyed Fort William and Mary, and carried off the cannon 
 to Boston, except eight large pieces taken from Jersey's 
 Point some time ago secured, and some of them are now 
 pointed against Boston. We are anxious to know the re- 
 sult of your determinations, in order to conduct the affairs 
 of this Colony, which at this time is in some confusion, the 
 people not suffering things to proceed in their former man- 
 ner. The General Court has twice met, but has not, and, 
 we believe, will not proceed to the publick business. 
 
 We desire you, as often as opportunity will permit, to 
 write to this Congress, or the Committee of Safety at Exe- 
 ter, and to inform us, from time to time, as much of the 
 affairs of the publick as is permitted ; in particular, the di- 
 rections of the Congress concerning providing for and pay- 
 ing the Army raised for the common defence. On the 
 twelfth of June last, Colonel John Fenton, who was chosen 
 a member of the General Court by virtue of the King's, 
 or rather the Govemour's writ, without the consent of the 
 Assembly, made his appearance in the House, though he 
 had for some time before kept on board the man-of-war in 
 the harbour. The House took into consideration his elec- 
 tion, and vacated his seat. Soon after, the people of the 
 Town, greatly exasperated at his conduct, obliged him to 
 surrender, though he had taken shelter in the Governour's 
 house; and our Congress have since confined him. The 
 Governour and his family went off that evening to Captain 
 Cochran's, under the protection of the man-of-war, where 
 they still remain. The publick records being thought un- 
 safe in the Town of Portsmouth, have all, by order of 
 Congress, been removed to Exeter, except the books of 
 charters, which the Secretary says the Governour has at 
 present in his possession. A Committee from this body has 
 demanded and received from George Jaffrey, Esq., fifteen 
 hundred Pounds, part of the publick money in his hands. 
 
 CONGRESS OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE TO THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Exeter, July 8, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As the state of American affairs daily ap- 
 pears more critical, and we are exerting ourselves in every 
 way we conceive expedient to aid the common cause, we 
 think it our duty to give you the earliest account of our 
 transactions, that thereby you may be enabled to direct our 
 future conduct. 
 
 We wrote you some time since an account of our being 
 formed into a Congress on the seventeenth May last, and 
 resolved to raise two thousand men, tec., which we hope 
 you have received. 
 
 Twenty-eight of our companies, of sixty-six men each, 
 including officers, are posted in the vicinity of Boston. We 
 have appointed Nathaniel Folsom, Esq., a Major-General, 
 to take the charge of them, under the command of the 
 General of the united American Forces, and two compa- 
 nies of the like number each are posted as a guard on our 
 sea-coasts ; since which we have raised three companies, of 
 the same number each, for a guard against the incursions of 
 the Canadians into the frontiers of this and the adjoining 
 Colonies, (w ho are greatly alarmed at the repeated accounts 
 of preparations making against them in Canada,) many of 
 the inhabitants w hereof are within two days march of the 
 French and Indian settlements. 
 
 We have but very little gunpowder in the Colony, nor 
 have any prospect of a supply at present, as our sea-coast 
 is strictly watched by men-of-war and cutters, but hope soon 
 to have a sufficient number of fire-arms, of our own manu- 
 facturing, to make up our present deficiency, though we 
 find great difficulty in procuring steel for that purpose. 
 
 The Colony is at present wholly governed by this Con- 
 gress and the Committees of the respective Towns. But we 
 greatly desire some other regulations, as our present situa- 
 tion is attended with many difficulties; but we shall not 
 attempt any thing of that kind without your direction. 
 There is great unanimity among us in what concerns the 
 common cause ; those who do not join with us are silent, 
 and dare not openly attempt to obstruct our measures. 
 
 The Restraining Bill is strictly enforced on our sea-coast 
 by armed vessels, and some seizures have been made by 
 virtue thereof. 
 
 We understand Mr. Deane, a Missionary among the 
 Canada Indians, lately from thence, is now on his journey 
 to Philadelphia, and will give you an account of the state 
 of affairs there; from which you will, we hope, be able to 
 concert some plan to frustrate the designs forming against 
 us in that quarter, in which, if required, we shall be ready- 
 to assist to the utmost of our ability. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with the utmost respect, your most 
 obedient humble servants. By order of the Congress of 
 the Colony of Neiv-Hampshirc. 
 
 Meshech Weare, President pro tempore. 
 
 Honourable Members of the Continental Congress, Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON, JULY 9, 1775. 
 
 Our dependance on New- York, and (under God) the 
 preservation of that City and Colony from a very shameful 
 defection, which has been fatal to the cause of freedom, 
 has been greatly owing to the abilities, zeal, and assiduity 
 of the worthy Mr. Holt. What pleasure is it for those 
 whose chief enjoyment consists in the happiness and se- 
 curity of their fellow-creatures, to witness such exertions 
 to save our Country, to annoy its insidious enemies, and 
 carry into every corner of it the discoveries and advice of 
 its friends. 
 
 The business is now to develop the schemes laying to 
 deceive and divide the New- Yorkers, finding mere force 
 like to answer no valuable end. They now talk of blocking 
 up the ports, and thus distressing the trade, to make people 
 quarrel with each other, which quarrels some are employed 
 to foment. They have given out word that they will call 
 Lord Chatham into office, but it is false; Chatham is old 
 and very feeble, not able to bear the fatigues of business. 
 Besides, he will not accept it without a total change of the 
 Ministry, a dissolution of the present Parliament, and the 
 calling of a new one by the free choice of the people. 
 
 The true state of the matter is, that the Ministry still 
 intend to drive on, in hopes that you will in time submit, 
 and all will be theirs. They use every means in their 
 power to deceive the people, both here and in America, 
 that they may get their plan established of keeping up a 
 Standing Army in the Colonies, increased by degrees till 
 they become masters of the Colonists and all their property, 
 as they have done here. 
 
 The Lord Mayor is assiduous to the last. The Livery 
 of London are now all alarmed, and have sent petitions 
 
1615 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1616 
 
 and remonstrances one after another. They have taken up 
 the affair in such good earnest as will very probably excite 
 a civil war in England. The ferment in the City is cer- 
 tainly prodigious. The land-holders also begin to be moved 
 and aid the merchants, and the common people are all 
 entering into associations, and consulting what is best to be 
 done. 
 
 RECEPTION OF GENERAL SCHUYLER AT ALBANY. 
 
 Albany, Sunday, July 9, 1775. 
 About one o'clock, P. M., Major-General Schuyler ar- 
 rived here from New-York. He was received, upon his 
 landing, by the members of the General Committee for the 
 City and County, and by the City Troops of Horse, under 
 the command of Captain Ten BroecJc, and the Association 
 Company, commanded by Captain Bleecker, and by the 
 principal inhabitants of the City. After paying the General 
 the honours due to his rank, they escorted him and the 
 gentlemen of the Committee to the City-Hall, where the 
 Committee presented an Address, and received a polite 
 answer from the General. They afterwards proceeded to 
 the King's-Arms Tavern, where an elegant entertainment 
 was provided. 
 
 " The Address of the Committee of Safety, Correspond- 
 ence, and Protection, of the City and County of Albany, 
 to Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-General and Com- 
 mander of the Forces in the Colony of New-York: 
 
 " Permit us, Sir, to express our fullest approbation upon 
 the appointment by which your Country has raised you to 
 the chief military command in this Colony. While we de- 
 plore, as the greatest misfortune, the necessity of such an 
 appointment, we have the utmost confidence that you have 
 accepted of power for the glorious purpose of exercising it 
 for the re-establishment of the liberties of America, at 
 present unnaturally invaded by a deluded and despotick 
 Ministry. 
 
 " Born and educated amongst us, in a Country which 
 freedom has raised to a state of opulence and envy, you, 
 whose principles are known, whose sentiments have been 
 invariably opposed to power, afford us the pleasing pros- 
 pect of the unremitted exertion of your knowledge, pru- 
 dence, and experience, for the restoration of harmony and 
 peace upon constitutional principles. When the sword 
 shall be rendered useless, except against our natural ene- 
 mies ; when we shall see you restored to the peaceful state 
 of a private citizen ; when this happy period shall arrive, 
 then, and not till then, will Americans enjoy the glorious 
 blessings of freedom. 
 
 "By order of the Committee. 
 
 '•'Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tempore." 
 
 The General's Answer. 
 
 " Gentlemen : I feel myself so sensibly affected by this 
 publick and friendly address, that whilst my heart overflows 
 with sentiments of gratitude, I want words properly to con- 
 vey my thanks. 
 
 " The honour you do me in the approbation which you 
 are pleased to express of my appointment to a military com- 
 mand, confirms me in the pleasing reflection, that I shall 
 experience your assistance in a continuance of those gene- 
 rous exertions, by which you have already so conspicuously 
 manifested your love for your Country, and your zeal for 
 its cause. 
 
 " 1 most sincerely and unfeignedly deplore with you the 
 unhappy occasion which has forced America to have re- 
 course to arms for her safety and defence. Ambitious only 
 to aid in restoring her violated rights, 1 shall most cheerfully 
 return my sword to the scabbard, and, with alacrity, resume 
 the employment of civil life, whenever my constituents 
 shall direct, or whenever a happy reconciliation with the 
 Parent State shall take place. 
 
 " That indulgent Heaven may guide us through this 
 tempestuous scene, and speedily restore peace, harmony, 
 and mutual confidence to every part of the British Empire, 
 is the warmest wish of my heart. 
 
 "Philip Schuyler. 
 
 "Albany, July 9, 1775." 
 
 CONGRESS OF MASSACHUSETTS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 20, 1775 ] 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 9, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honours : With hearts deeply 
 affected by the sufferings of our friends in the Town and 
 harbour of Boston under the cruel hand of tyrannick power, 
 we think it incumbent on us to take every measure which 
 may tend to their release. To that end we now beg leave 
 humbly to suggest to your Honours, whether it would not 
 be expedient immediately to seize every Crown Officer 
 within the united Colonies, and them in safe custody retain, 
 until this purpose be effected, and full compensation made 
 them for the insult and perfidious treatment they have re- 
 ceived from General Gage. 
 
 We have only once more to express our wishes, that if 
 the general service will permit, you might adjourn to some 
 convenient place nearer the seat of action, that we might 
 more speedily obtain the aid and advice of the Grand 
 Council of the Continent in those important matters which, 
 though of general concern, do more immediately affect us. 
 
 We are, with great respect, your Honours' most obedi- 
 ent humble servant. In behalf and by order of Congress. 
 
 James Warren, President. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, FROM THE CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, DATED JULY 9, 
 
 1775. 
 
 Yesterday morning, at half past two o'clock, we were 
 called up, and were informed the enemy had attacked our 
 lines at Roxbury Neck, and soon discovered a great fire in 
 that quarter ; but two hours elapsed before we knew the 
 cause, which was as follows: 
 
 Two hundred volunteers, from the Rhode-Island and 
 Massachusetts forces, undertook to burn a guard-house of 
 the Regulars, on the neck, within three hundred yards of 
 the enemy's principal works. They detached six men, 
 about ten o'clock in the evening, with orders to cross on 
 a marsh up to the rear of the guard-house, and there to 
 watch an opportunity to fire it. The remainder of the vo- 
 lunteers secreted themselves in the marsh, on each side of 
 the neck, about two hundred yards from the house. Two 
 pieces of brass artillery were drawn softly on the marsh, 
 within three hundred yards, and, upon a signal from the 
 advanced party of six men, two rounds of cannon shot 
 were fired through the guard-house ; immediately the Regu- 
 lars, who formed a guard of forty-five or fifty men, quit- 
 ted the house, and were then fired upon by the musketry, 
 who drove them with precipitation into their lines; the six 
 men posted near the house set fire to it, and burnt it to 
 the ground ; after this they burnt another house nearer the 
 enemy, without losing a man. They took two muskets 
 and accoutrements, a halbert, &tc, all of which were 
 bloody, and shewed evident marks of loss on the part of 
 the Regulars as an advanced post, and gave them an op- 
 portunity of discovering our operations at Roxbury. 
 
 Yesterday afternoon some barges were sounding the river 
 of Cambridge, near its mouth, but were soon obliged to row 
 off by our Indians, (fifty in number,) who are encamped 
 near that place. 
 
 The enemy lost a great number of officers and soldiers 
 in the affair of the 19th of June. From several persons 
 who are to be credited, it exceeds nine hundred killed and 
 mortally wounded, besides a great number disabled from 
 future service. It is said almost all the officers of the 
 Army, as well as sergeants and corporals, were in the en- 
 gagement, leading and forcing the soldiers to mount the hill. 
 This may account for so many officers being killed as nine- 
 ty-two. Some accounts mention a general destruction of 
 sergeants and corporals. We have frequent interviews 
 with the regulars officers in a valley between the two for- 
 tified hills. 
 
 Our sentries are not more than one hundred yards off 
 each other. Both sides are still busy in securing them- 
 selves. There is scarcely a house in the lower part of 
 Roxbury that is not much injured by shot and bombs ; our 
 people have lost only one man by them, which is very re- 
 markable, as one hundred at least were fired into Roxbury 
 last week. 
 
1617 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1618 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON TO 
 HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED JULY 10, 1775. 
 
 The present struggle between this Country and North 
 America, I have heard old people, fifty years ago, predict. 
 It is in the nature of things that the greater will not longer 
 obey the lesser than when an opportunity presents to exert 
 itself, which period seems now to be come. I have always 
 been of opinion, that the measures pursued here since 1763, 
 were mistaken and unjust. This Country should have been 
 content to take the wealth of America by trade, and not by 
 revenue acts imposed on a people unrepresented. The 
 Assemblies of the Colonies only have a right to give and 
 grant when they think proper to the Crown, and not an 
 assembly of people here. This reasoning, 1 think, is in 
 the law of nature and this Constitution ; and so says Mr. 
 Locke. 
 
 But the last reasoning of Kings has now taken place, and 
 the Americans have appealed to Heaven, that is, their sword. 
 1 hope you will do your duty to your Country, and always 
 remember your allegiance and constitutional duty to your 
 King ; no other can or ought to be required. 
 
 The men that 1 think are the evil counsellors in the pre- 
 sent mistaken measures are, Lords Bute, Mansfield, Roch- 
 ford, Sandwich, North, and many of inferiour rank. The 
 greatest part of the Nation wish well to America, and de- 
 test the present politicks ; so that it is a war of Adminis- 
 tration only. As to Parliament, that House is very civil 
 and polite to the Minister; a very few members there 
 sometimes oppose him, only because they are out of place, or 
 have no pension; but when a question is put, he carries it as 
 he pleases, and often ten or twenty to one. However, the 
 Ministry, I think, are sick of the war in America; yet I see 
 not the least trace of their relaxing, except that I hear of 
 no preparation to send more Troops, but probably they 
 will cover the coast with ships-of-vvar, and suffer no trade ; 
 and truly I think that would be a blessing to America in- 
 stead of a curse. 
 
 The eyes of Government are fixed on the Congress and 
 their resolutions, and perhaps on their proposals ; for it is 
 said that Administration cannot yield, as being contrary to 
 the dignity of the Crown. I answer, then change the Min- 
 isters ; another set could with a good grace withdraw the 
 present measures. But, in short, I think the rupture will 
 be much greater before the wound is healed. Some more 
 blood must be drawn, and then they, when cooled, will 
 hear, and perhaps agree for some time ; but whenever set- 
 tled, 1 imagine America will carry some points towards the 
 establishment of their liberties. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM LONDON TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN MARYLAND, DATED JULY 10, 1775. 
 
 I need not tell you that the account of the Lexington 
 skirmish alarmed the people on this side the water extreme- 
 ly. They did not imagine the Provincials would fight, and 
 they had certainly entertained a notion, that a handful of 
 Regulars might overcome the whole Country, and frighten 
 the Americans into compliance. They have been most mis- 
 erably mistaken ; and the authors of this mischief are now 
 execrated by every friend to his Country. On the other 
 hand, the bravery, moderation, as well as determined firm- 
 ness of the Americans, have gained them many friends 
 here, even among those who were originally their enemies. 
 I believe the Ministry wish they were well rid of this 
 business; however, it is not certainly known what they 
 intend to do. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Tlie Speech of his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord 
 William Campbell, Captain-General, Governour-in- 
 Chief Sfc, ty"C, in and over his Majesty's Province 
 of South-Carolina, to the General Assembly of the 
 said Province, at Charlestown, on Monday, July 
 10, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Gentlemen of his Majesty's Council, 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 His Majesty's instructions, my own inclination, and the 
 very alarming and critical situation of the Province, have 
 induced me to meet you in General Assembly, as soon as 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. II. 1 
 
 was consistent with that attention necessary to be paid to 
 your own private affairs at this season. 
 
 My appointment to the Government of this Province, 
 entitled, on every account, to my warmest wishes and en- 
 deavours for its welfare and happiness, was to me a most 
 pleasing mark of his Majesty's favour, as I flattered my- 
 self that, with your assistance and advice, I should have 
 been able to prosecute such schemes, and concur in sucli 
 measures, as would have contributed to increase that pros- 
 perity to which 1 saw it so rapidly advancing when 1 was 
 last in the Province. 
 
 Filled with these sentiments, and elated by these hopes, 
 it is not easy to conceive my grief and disappointment at 
 finding the Province in the distracted state it is now in : 
 the legal administration of justice obstructed ; Government 
 in a manner annihilated ; the most dangerous measures 
 adopted ; and acts of the most outrageous and illegal na- 
 ture committed publickly with impunity. 
 
 It is by no means either my duty or inclination to enter 
 into a discussion of the disputes that at present unhappily 
 subsist between Great Britain and her Colonies in Ame- 
 rica; but I think myself indispensably bound to warn you 
 of the danger you are in, and inform you that if there are any 
 grievances that you apprehend the people of this Province 
 now labour under, the measures at present adopted are by 
 no means calculated to remove them ; but, on the contrary, 
 cannot fail of drawing down inevitable ruin on this flourish- 
 ing Colony. Let me, therefore, gentlemen, most earnest- 
 ly entreat you, as the only legal representatives of the peo- 
 ple in this Province, the only constitutional guardians of 
 its welfare, and who are so deeply interested in the event 
 of the measures now carrying on, to deliberate and resolve 
 with that coolness, temper, and moderation, the important 
 instant demands ; and to reflect that the happiness or 
 misery of generations yet unborn, will depend on your 
 determinations. 
 
 These sentiments flow from a heart filled with a fervent 
 zeal for the real interest and happiness of this Province. 
 You may be assured, if ever it is in my power to be in any 
 degree instrumental to restoring that harmony, cordiality, 
 confidence, and affection, which ought to subsist between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies, I shall esteem those 
 moments the happiest and most fortunate of my life. 
 
 William Campbell. 
 
 Council Chamber, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Address of the Upper House of Assembly to his Excel- 
 lency the Right Honourable Lord William Campbell, 
 Captain- General, Governour and Commander-in-Chief 
 in and over his Majesty's Province of South-Caro- 
 lina : 
 
 The humble Address of the Upper House of Assembly: 
 May it please your Excellency: 
 
 We, his Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the 
 Council of this Province, met in general Assembly, beg leave 
 humbly to address your Excellency, and most cordially to 
 congratulate you on your safe arrival in this Colony. 
 
 Satisfied that this Province is entitled to your Excellen- 
 cy's warmest wishes and endeavours for its welfare and hap- 
 piness, we felt the sincerest pleasure on your appointment 
 to the government of it. 
 
 Strongly attached to the interests of this Country, and 
 filled with the warmest wishes for its prosperity and happi- 
 ness, we most heartily join with your Excellency in lament- 
 ing the distracted and unhappy state in which you now 
 find it. 
 
 Your Excellency having, as we conceive, with great pro- 
 priety declined entering into a discussion of the disputes 
 that at present unhappily subsist between Great Britain and 
 her Colonies, it would be highly unbecoming us to take up 
 a subject of so delicate a nature; but we entirely coincide 
 with your Excellency in opinion, that the violent measures 
 at present adopted do not seem well calculated to remove 
 any real grievances, but may, we fear, produce contrary 
 effects. 
 
 We, however, have the happiness to reflect, that this 
 House had no share in the measures your Excellency so 
 pathetically describes: and we beg leave to assure your 
 Excellency, that with hearts overflowing with loyalty and 
 duty to the King, and perfectly devoted to the interests 
 
1619 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c , JULY, 1775. 
 
 lGviO 
 
 of this Province, we will deliberate and resolve upon 
 every measure that may come before us, with that temper, 
 coolness, and moderation, which the important instant de- 
 mands. 
 
 With pleasure we acknowledge our gratitude to your 
 Excellency for the generous sentiments you express for the 
 peace and prosperity of this Colony ; and your Excellency 
 may rest assured, that the utmost efforts of this House shall 
 upon every occasion be exerted to second your Excellen- 
 cy's humane endeavours to restore that harmony, cordiality, 
 confidence, and affection, which ought to subsist between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies. 
 
 By order of the House : 
 
 Thomas Knox Gordon. 
 
 In the Upper House of Assembly, July 11, 1775. 
 
 His Excellency's Answer. 
 Gentlemen : I thank you most sincerely for this very 
 kind and affectionate address. Your warm declarations of 
 loyalty and duty to His Majesty on the present trying oc- 
 casion, cannot fail of being particularly agreeable to me, 
 as it is a convincing proof of your regard for the real in- 
 terests of this Province. William Cambpell. 
 July 12, 1775. 
 
 To his Excellency the Right Honourable Lord William 
 Campbell, Captain-General, Govcrnour,and Comman- 
 der-in-Chief in and over his Majesty's Colony of South- 
 Carolina: 
 
 The humble Address of the Commons House of Assem- 
 bly of the said Colony : 
 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We, His Majesty's loyal subjects, the Representatives of 
 the inhabitants of this Colony, met in General Assembly 
 at this very alarming and critical period, beg leave to as- 
 sure your Excellency that we are willing to postpone the 
 consideration of our private affairs whenever the publick 
 exigences demand our attention ; fully convinced that the 
 safety of private property entirely depends upon the secu- 
 rity of publick rights. 
 
 We most sincerely lament that His Majesty's Councils, 
 and the conduct of his Ministers, have incapacitated us 
 from meeting your Excellency, whose zealous endeavours 
 in Great Britain for the welfare of this Colony claim our 
 grateful acknowledgements, with those effects of joyful 
 congratulation, the effects of real sentiments upon your 
 arrival and assumption of the reins of Government, with 
 which, in happier times, we have ever been accustomed to 
 meet His Majesty's Representatives ; but the calamities 
 of America, our present dangerous and dreadful situation, 
 occupy all our thoughts, and banish from us every idea of 
 joy and pleasure. 
 
 Although we will not doubt the fervent zeal of your Ex- 
 cellency's heart for the real interest and happiness of this 
 Colony, nor the sincerity of your Excellency's professions 
 to be instrumental in restoring that harmony, cordiality, 
 confidence, and affection, which ought to subsist between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies ; yet we cannot but ex- 
 press our surprise at the severe censures which your Ex- 
 cellency has thought proper to pass on "measures" which 
 have been "adopted" by the good people of this Colony, 
 in confederacy with all the Colonies on this Continent, 
 from Nova-Scotia to Georgia, for their own safety, and for 
 the preservation of their liberties, and the liberties of gene- 
 rations yet unborn. 
 
 In times when (he spirit of the Constitution has full ope- 
 ration, and, animating all the members of the State, gives 
 security to civil liberty, then we claim to be " the only 
 legal Representatives of the People in this Province, the 
 only constitutional guardians of its welfare ;" but in the 
 present unhappy situation of affairs, though our constituents 
 might have thought us competent, yet as our meeting de- 
 pended upon the pleasure of the Crown, they would not 
 trust to so precarious a contingency, but wisely appointed 
 another representative body, for necessary, for special, and 
 important purposes. 
 
 We want words to give an idea of our feelings at your 
 Excellency's expression, " If there are any grievances that 
 we apprehend the people of this Province labour under," 
 as if you doubted their existence. The world resounds with 
 
 a catalogue of them. Your Excellency surely cannot be 
 unacquainted with them. We should have esteemed it a 
 high obligation, if your Excellency had pointed out to us 
 what effectual mode for the redress of those grievances 
 could have been pursued, or what steps we have omit- 
 ted which we ought to have taken, in order to avert the 
 inevitable ruin of this once flourishing Colony. Every 
 pacifick measure which human wisdom could devise has 
 been used ; the most humble and dutiful Petitions to the 
 Throne, Petitions to the House of Lords and House of Com- 
 mons of Great Britain, have been repeatedly presented, 
 and as often treated, not only with slight, but with rigour 
 and resentment : we, therefore, with all due deference to 
 your Excellency's judgment, beg leave to observe, that 
 the present are the only measures which seem best calcula- 
 ted for our preservation, and the removal of our intolerable 
 grievances. However, not confiding in them alone, we 
 wait the event, and leave the justice of our cause to the 
 great Sovereign of the Universe, upon whom the fate of 
 Kingdoms and Empires depends. 
 By order of the House : 
 
 Rawlins Lowndes, Speaker. 
 Iu the Commons House of Assembly, July 12, 1775. 
 
 His Excellency's Answer. 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen : 
 
 Immediately after my arrival in this Province, it was in- 
 timated to me by your Speaker, and some others of your 
 Members, that it would be convenient for your private 
 affairs, if I delayed meeting the General Assembly for about 
 three weeks : on that account alone I consented to it, and 
 therefore little expected the tacit reflection contained in 
 the beginning of your Address. 
 
 As 1 have already declined entering into any discussion 
 of the present unhappy disputes, I shall not undertake the 
 disagreeable task of replying particularly to your Address. 
 It was my duty to lay before you the fatal consequences that 
 I apprehended must ensue from the measures lately adopt- 
 ed, and I have faithfully and conscientiously discharged it ; 
 but as they appear to you in so very different a point of 
 view, as even to meet with your disapprobation, I most 
 sincerely lament that I cannot prevent the ruin I foresee, 
 and shall only add my fervent wishes, that the great Sover- 
 eign of the Universe, to whom you appeal, will in his good- 
 ness avert those evils with which this Country is so immi- 
 nently threatened. William Campbell. 
 
 July 12, 1775. 
 
 A Message from the Commons House to his Excellency 
 the Goveinour. 
 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We beg leave to assure your Excellency that this House, 
 in their Address, was far from intending any, the least, 
 reflection on your Excellency's conduct, iu not meeting 
 us sooner in General Assembly, and are sorry your Excel- 
 lency should view it in that light. All we meant was, to 
 assure you how ready we shall ever be to sacrifice our 
 private interest to the publick service ; at the same ac- 
 knowledging your Excellency's goodness in so readily con- 
 senting, on the application of our Speaker, to postpone the 
 calling of the General Assembly to the time you fixed for 
 their meeting, of which this House had been duly informed 
 by their Speaker. 
 
 By order of the House : 
 
 Rawlins Lowndes, Speaker. 
 
 In the Commons House of Assembly, July 12, 1775. 
 
 fincastle county (virginia) committee. 
 At a Committee held for Fincastle County, July 10, 
 1775. 
 
 William Christian, Esq., Chairman. 
 
 The Committee, taking into their consideration the clan- 
 destine removal of the Gunpowder from the Magazine of 
 this Colony by order of our Governour, are clearly and 
 unanimously of opinion, that his Lordship's conduct reflects 
 much dishonour on himself, and that he very justly deserves 
 the censure so universally bestowed on him. 
 
 Resolved, That the spirited and meritorious conduct of 
 Patrick Ucnry, Esquire, and the rest of the gentlemen 
 
1621 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1622 
 
 volunteers attending him on the occasion of the removal of 
 the Powder out of the Magazine in U illiamsburgh, very 
 justly merits the hearty approbation of this Committee; 
 for which we return them our thanks, with an assurance, 
 that we will, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, support 
 and justify them with regard to the reprisal they made. 
 
 Resolved, That the Council of this Colony, in advising 
 and co-operating with Lord Dunmorc in issuing a Procla- 
 mation of the 3d of May last, charging the people of this 
 Colony with an ungovernable spirit, and licentious practices, 
 is contrary to many known matters of fact, and but too 
 justly intimates to us that those who ought to be mediators 
 and guardians of our liberties, are become the abject tools 
 of a detested Administration. 
 
 Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee, 
 that the late sanguinary attempt and preparations of the 
 King's Troops in the Colony of the Massachusetts- Bay is 
 truly alarming and irritating, and loudly calls upon all, 
 even the most distant and interiour parts of the Colonies, 
 to prepare and be ready for the extreme event, by a fixed 
 resolution, and a firm and manly opposition, to avert 
 Ministerial cruelty, in defence of our just and reasonable 
 rights and liberties. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM PHILADELPHIA TO A GEN- 
 TLEMAN* IN ENGLAND, DATED JULY 10, 1775. 
 
 Travel through whatever part of this Country you will, 
 you see the inhabitants training, making firelocks, casting 
 mortars, shells and shot, and making saltpetre, in order to 
 keep the gunpowder mills at work during the next autumn 
 and winter. Nothing, indeed, is attended to but prepar- 
 ing to make a defence that will astonish the whole world, 
 and hurl destruction on those who, to preserve themselves 
 in office, have advised measures so fatal both to Britain 
 and America. At least two hundred thousand men are 
 now in arms, and well trained, ready to march whenever 
 wanted for the support of American freedom and property. 
 In short, a spirit of enthusiasm for war is gone forth, that 
 has driven away the fear of death ; and magazines of 
 provisions and ammunition, by order of the States Gene- 
 ral of America, (or the twelve United Colonies,) are di- 
 rected to be made in all proper places, against the next 
 campaign. 
 
 roga relative to Colonel MotVs request. Mr. Deane may 
 be sure that his will be complied with. 
 
 I am, with much respect, your Honour's most obedient 
 and most humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, he., Sec. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Pro- 
 vince of New-York : 
 The humble Petition of Samuel Falkenhan and David 
 
 Wolhaupter, Instrument Makers, of the City o/"New- 
 
 York, humbly shewcth : 
 
 That whereas the honourable Congress in their wisdom 
 have thought it expedient to raise a number of Troops, in 
 the just defence of the rights and liberties of the American 
 subjects ; and as those Troops may want a number of drums 
 and fifes, your petitioners most humbly offer their best ser- 
 vices in furnishing said Troops with said drums and fifes, 
 on the most reasonable terms ; of which they now have 
 fifty of the best sort already by them made in this City. 
 Your petitioners humbly pray that they may have the hon- 
 our of supplying said Troops with said drums and fifes, or 
 such part as to the honourable Congress shall seem meet. 
 And your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
 
 Samuel Falkenhan, 
 
 New-York, July 10, 1775. DaVID WoLHAUPTER. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Albany, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your favour of the 6th instant, with the paper enclosed. 
 I am happy to learn I shall soon be furnished with that 
 necessary article, without which every kind of business 
 goes on not only tardily, but disadvantageously. 
 
 I lament it was not in your power to afford me a larger 
 supply of the still more necessary article in military opera- 
 tions. I am confident the Colony of Connecticut, which 
 has so conspicuously exerted itself in this unhappy contest, 
 has sent all it can spare. 
 
 I shall do myself the honour to write you from Ticonde- 
 
 CONNECTICUT BILLS OF CREDIT. 
 
 New- York, July 10, 1775. 
 
 We, the subscribers, sensible of the advantages derived 
 from the trade of the Province of Connecticut, and desir- 
 ous of giving their Bills of Credit a currency equal to those 
 of the other neighbouring Colonies, do promise and oblige 
 ourselves to receive the same in all payments whatsoever. 
 
 Daniel Phenix, Charles MeEvers & James Beekman, 
 
 Samuel Broome, Co. Perry, Hays, &. Sher- 
 
 John & Win. Imlay, Mercer &, Schenck, brook, 
 
 Woodward & Kip, William Pagan, N. De Peyster, 
 
 Alexander Robertson, Templeton & Stew- Isaac Kip, 
 
 & Co. art, Lewis Pintard, 
 
 Thomas Crabb, Robert Erskin, Geo. &. J. A. Remsen, 
 
 Murray, Sansom,&Co. Cornelius P. Low, Peter Elting, 
 
 Van Kleck & Kip, Dennis & Dawson, Garret Abeel, 
 
 Berrian & Fish, Samuel Judah, Robert Ray, 
 
 Isaac Moses, Theopbilact Bache, Geo. & Wm. Ludlow, 
 
 Thomas Galbreath, David Seabury, Isaac Low, 
 
 James Martin, John Hunt, Smith Ramage, 
 
 James Parsons, Thos. & Wm. Moore, John Broome, 
 
 Mott & Brown, Noel & Hazard, Gerard Wm. Bcek- 
 
 J. Desbrosses, Jun., Anthony L. Bleecker, man, 
 
 Shotwell, Bowne, & Hendrick Oudenard, V. Pearse Ashfield, 
 
 Co. Cornelius Clopper, Abraham Livingston, 
 
 Anthony Van Dam, Henry Willmot, Henry W'hite, 
 
 Thomas Pearsall, Daniel McCormick, Richard Sharpe, 
 
 Edw. & Wm. Laight, Hallet, Hazard, & John Schuyler, 
 
 Haydock &, Bowne, Blackwell, William Lowther, 
 
 Samuel Bowne, John Sebring, William Stewart, 
 
 Thomas Dobson, Curson & Seaton, William & James 
 
 Rob. &. Jas. Totten, John Morton, Douglass, 
 
 Thomas Franklin, Thomas Burling, Stephen Rapalje, 
 
 Jacob Watson, Wickham & Sickles, James Bowne, 
 
 Haviland & Farring. James Van Dycke, Walter Seaman, 
 
 ton, Peter Musier, John Pell. 
 
 Henry Franklin, Abrm. BrinckerhofF, Thos. Pearsall, Jun., 
 
 Samuel Franklin, Thos. B. Atwood, William Ustick, 
 
 Peter Vandervoort, Othout & Dumont, Pl'ilip Rinelander, 
 
 Eb. & Thomas Havi- Thos.Dougherty, Jr., Joseph Lawrence, 
 
 land, Nicholas C. Bogart, George Spofford, 
 
 John Lawrence, G. Duyckinck, George Franklin, 
 
 Quenby & Pell, G. & W. Kettletas, Elijah Cook, 
 
 Tiddeman Hull, Henry Van Kleck &. Guert Sp. Dewint, 
 
 Thomas Hazard, Son, Philip Brasher, 
 
 Peter T. Curtenius, Thomas Gardiner, William De Peyster, 
 
 Tucker & Bartow, George BaD, John Stites, 
 
 Stockholm, Dickson, Grove Bend, John Duryee, 
 
 &l Staple, William Denning, Harrison Palmer, 
 
 Duryee & Moore, Peter Kettletas, Comfort Sands, 
 
 Anthony & Jac. Abraham Brasher, Obadiah Seaman, 
 
 Abramse, James Byers, Peter Ricker, 
 
 Abraham E. Lott, William Bedlow, John B. Moore, 
 
 Thos. & Jas. Arden, Richard & Samuel John Post, 
 
 Remsen & Peters, Ray, White Matlack, 
 
 Christopher Smith, John Reade, John Lockhart, 
 
 Van Zandt & Kettle. Nicholas Hoffman, Cornelius Van Ranst. 
 
 tas, John Blagge, John Byvanck, 
 
 Eleazer Miller, Jun., Jacob Van Voorhies, Samuel Sackett, 
 
 Archibald Currie, Daniel Dunscomb, Nicholas Roosevelt, 
 
 Richard Deane, Nicholas Bogart, Andrew D. Barclay, 
 
 Dennis McReady, Hercules Mulligan, Joseph Bull, 
 
 Abraham P. Lott, John Smith, Frederick Bassett, 
 
 Thomas Randall, Abraham Duryee, Mercer & Ramsay, 
 
 Shaw & Long, Samuel Schuyler, Joseph Totten, 
 
 William Neilson, Walter & Thomas Patrick McDavitt, 
 
 Isaac Roosevelt, Buchannan & Co. Hugh Gaine, 
 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, Francis Lewis &Son, James Rivington. 
 
 Committee Chamber, July 11, 1775. 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
 this City and County, to take the paper Bills of Credit of 
 the Colony of Connecticut in payments, and to give it the 
 same degree of circulation and credit, as is now given to 
 the Bills of Credit of the neighbouring Colonies. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Henry Remsen, D. Chairman. 
 
 The following denomination of Bills in New- York cur- 
 rency : 
 
 £2 Od. Os. lawful, is £2 13d. 4s. York. 
 1 10 0 « 2 0 0 " 
 
 10 0 « 16 8 " 
 
 0 10 0 " 0 13 4 " 
 
 0 6 0 " 0 8 0 " 
 
 0 5 0 " 0 6 8 " 
 
 0 2 6 " 0 3 4 " 
 
 The difference is one-third, being emitted at 6s. a dollar. 
 
1623 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1624 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM MONTREAL TO A GENTLEMAN 
 IN ENGLAND, DATED JULY 10, 1775. 
 
 The martial law is now in force ; the Canadians are 
 enrolled as militia, and officers appointed them by the Gov- 
 ernour. The merchants here have formed themselves into a 
 company, commanded by Major Roberston, Captain Por- 
 teus Gray, and Lieutenant Todd. The Canadians are in 
 general averse to be commanded by their nobles ; but say, 
 give them British officers, and they will go any where. 
 This Town has been full of Indians for some time past, 
 who are come to offer service to the Governour. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir: After much difficulty and delay, I have procured 
 such returns of the state of the Army as will enable us to 
 form a judgment of its strength. It is with great concern 
 I find it far inadequate to our general expectations, and the 
 duties which may be required of it. The number of men 
 fit for duty in the forces raised in this Province, including 
 all the outposts and artillery, does not amount to nine thou- 
 sand. The Troops raised in the other Colonies are more 
 complete, but yet fall short of their establishment ; so that, 
 upon the whole, I cannot estimate the present Army at 
 more than fourteen thousand five hundred men capable of 
 duty. 
 
 I have the satisfaction to find the Troops, both in camp 
 and in quarters, very healthy; so that the deficiency must 
 arise from the Regiments never having been filled up to 
 the establishment, and the number of men on furlough. 
 But the former is much the most considerable. L T nder all 
 these circumstances, I yesterday called a council of war, 
 and enclosed I send you an extract of our determinations, 
 so far as they respect the Province of Massachusetts-Bay. 
 Your own prudence will suggest the necessity of secrecy on 
 this subject, as we have the utmost reason to believe the 
 enemy suppose our numbers much greater than they are; 
 an errour which it is not our interest to remove. 
 
 The great extent of our lines, and the uncertainty which 
 may be the point of attack, added to the necessity of im- 
 mediate support, have induced me to order that horses, 
 ready saddled, should be kept at several posts, in order to 
 bring the most speedy intelligence of any movement of the 
 enemy. For this purpose I should he glad that ten horses 
 might be provided as soon as possible. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 To the Honourable James Warren, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. 
 
 P. S. I am informed the Congress proposes to rise im- 
 mediately. I should be glad to know what Committees 
 are left, or upon whom the executive business devolves. 
 
 G. W. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Cambridge, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I received your favour of the 1st instant, by ex- 
 press, from New-York; but as I am exceedingly hurried 
 in making out my despatches for the honourable Congress 
 at Philadelphia, it is not in my power to answer it in so 
 full a manner as I wish. 
 
 Notwithstanding Governour Tryon's plausible behaviour, 
 1 recommend it to you to watch him narrowly. And as any 
 unlucky change of affairs on our part may produce a change 
 in him of his present unexceptionable conduct, I expect 
 you will, on the first appearance of such a change, pursue 
 the advice given in my last letter. The like advice I give 
 you respecting General Haldimand, who is supposed by 
 some to have gone to New- York with a design to counter- 
 act us in that Province. 
 
 The commissions which have been forwarded to me are 
 not sufficient to answer the demand I have for them, there 
 being at least one thousand officers in this department, and 
 not more than five hundred commissions in my possession. 
 As you are so much nearer to Philadelphia than I am, I 
 request you to apply to Congress for as many as you are 
 like to want. 
 
 The dispersing handbills amongst the Troops at New- 
 York has my most hearty approbation, and may have a 
 good effect here. Our enemies have attempted nothing 
 against us since my arrival here. They are strongly posted 
 on Bunker's Hill, and are still busy in throwing up addi- 
 tional works. We have thrown up several lines and redoubts 
 between Mislick River and Dorchester Point, to prevent 
 their making way into the country, and in a few days shall 
 be well prepared to receive them in case a sortie is at- 
 tempted. 
 
 I sincerely thank you for your attention to the directions 
 of Congress, and for your kind wishes, and am, with much 
 regard, Sir, your most obedient friend, and very humble 
 servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 Major-Genera! Schuyler. 
 
 P. S. I herewith enclose a report this minute received 
 from the camp at Dorchester. The design of this manoeuvre 
 I am at a loss to know, but suppose it may be intended as 
 a diversion to our forces here. It, however, behooves you 
 to keep a good look out, to prevent any surprise your way. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONTI- 
 NENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 [Read July 19, 1775.] 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I arrived safe at this place on the 3d instant, after 
 a journey attended with a good deal of fatigue, and retard- 
 ed by necessary attentions to the successive civilities which 
 accompanied me on my whole route. Upon my arrival, 1 
 immediately visited the several posts occupied byourTroops, 
 and as soon as the weather permitted, reconnoitred those of 
 the enemy. I found the latter strongly intrenched on Bun- 
 ker's Hill, about a mile from Charlestoivn, and advanced 
 about half a mile from the place of the late action, with 
 their sentries extended about one hundred and fifty yards 
 on this side of the narrowest part of the neck leading from 
 this place to Charlestown. Three floating batteries lay in 
 Mistick River, near their camp, and one twenty-gun ship 
 below the ferry place, between Boston and Charlestoivn. 
 They have also a battery on Copps's Hill, on the Boston 
 side, which much annoyed our Troops in the late attack. 
 Upon the neck they are also deeply intrenched and 
 strongly fortified. Their advanced guards, till last Satur- 
 day morning, occupied Brown's houses, about a mile from 
 Roxbury meeting-house, and twenty rods from their lines ; 
 but at that time a party from General Thomas's camp sur- 
 prised the guard, drove them in, and burnt the houses. 
 
 The bulk of their Army, commanded by General Howe, 
 lays on Bunker's Hill, and the remainder on Roxbury 
 Neck, except the Light-horse, and a few men in the Town 
 of Boston. 
 
 On our side, we have thrown up intrenchments on Win- 
 ter and Prospect Hills, the enemy's camp in full view at 
 the distance of little more than a mile. Such intermediate 
 points as would admit a landing, I have since my arrival 
 taken care to strengthen, down to Sewall's farm, where a 
 strong intrenchment has been thrown up. At Roxbury 
 General Thomas has thrown up a strong work on the hill, 
 about two hundred yards above the meeting-house, which, 
 with the brokenness of the ground, and great number of 
 rocks, has made that pass very secure. The Troops raised 
 in New -Hampshire, with a Regiment from Rhode-Island, 
 occupy H'inter Hill. A part of those from Connecticut, 
 under General Putnam, are on Prospect Hill. The Troops 
 in this Town are entirely of the Massachusetts ; the re- 
 mainder of the Rhode-Island men are at Sewall's farm. 
 Two Regiments of Connecticut, and nine of the Massachu- 
 setts, are at Roxbury. The residue of the Army, to the 
 number of about seven hundred, are posted in several small 
 Towns along the coast, to prevent the depredations of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Upon the whole, I think myself authorized to say, that, 
 considering the great extent of line, and the nature of the 
 ground, we are as well secured as could be expected in so 
 short a time, and under the disadvantages we labour ; these 
 consist in a want of Engineers to construct proper works 
 and direct the men, a want of tools, and a sufficient num- 
 ber of men to man the works in case of an attack. 
 
1625 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1626 
 
 You will observe, by the proceedings of the council-of- 
 war which 1 have the honour to enclose, that it is our 
 unanimous opinion to hold and defend these works as long 
 as possible. The discouragement it would give the men, 
 and its contrary effects on the Ministerial Troops, thus to 
 abandon our encampment in their face, formed with so much 
 labour, added to the certain destruction of a considerable 
 and valuable extent of country, and our uncertainty of 
 finding a place in all respects so capable of making a 
 stand, are leading reasons for this determination ; at the 
 same time we are very sensible of the difficulties which 
 attend the defence of lines of so great extent, and the 
 dangers which may ensue from such a division of the 
 Army. 
 
 My earnest wishes to comply with the instructions of the 
 Congress, in making an early and complete return of the 
 state of the Army, has led into an involuntary delay of 
 addressing you, which has given me much concern. Hav- 
 ing given orders for this purpose immediately on my arri- 
 val, and unapprized of the imperfect obedience which had 
 been paid to those of the like nature from General Ward, 
 I was led from day to day to expect they would come in, 
 and therefore detained the messenger. They are not now 
 so complete as I could wish, but much allowance is to be 
 made for inexperience in forms, and a liberty which had 
 been taken (not given) on this subject. These reasons, I 
 flatter myself, will no longer exist, and of consequence 
 more regularity and exactness in future prevail ; this, with 
 a necessary attention to the lines, the movements of the 
 Ministerial Troops, and our immediate security, must be my 
 apology, which 1 beg you to lay before the Congress with 
 the utmost duty and respect. 
 
 We labour under great disadvantages for want of tents ; 
 for though we have been helped out by a collection of now 
 useless sails, from the seaport Towns, the number is far 
 short of our necessities. The colleges and houses of this 
 Town are necessarily occupied by the Troops, which af- 
 ford another reason for keeping our present situation. But 
 I most sincerely wish the whole Army was properly pro- 
 vided to take the field, as I am well assured, that besides 
 greater expedition and activity in case of alarm, it would 
 highly conduce to health and discipline. As materials are 
 not to be had here, I would beg leave to recommend the 
 procuring a farther supply from Philadelphia as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 I should be extremely deficient in gratitude, as well as 
 justice, if I did not take the first opportunity to acknow- 
 ledge the readiness and attention which the Provincial 
 Congress, and different Committees, have shewn to make 
 every thing as convenient and agreeable as possible ; but 
 there is a vital and inherent principle of delay, incompati- 
 ble with military service, in transacting business through 
 such numerous and different channels. I esteem it, there- 
 fore, my duty to represent the inconvenience which must 
 unavoidably ensue from a dependance on a number of per- 
 sons for supplies, and submit it to the consideration of the 
 Congress, whether the publick service will not be best pro- 
 moted by appointing a Commissary-General for these pur- 
 poses. We have a striking instance of the preference of 
 such a mode in the establishment of Connecticut, as their 
 Troops are extremely well furnished under the direction of 
 Mr. Trumbull, and he has at different times assisted others 
 with various articles. Should my sentiments happily co- 
 incide with those of your Honours on this subject, I beg 
 leave to recommend Mr. Trumbull as a very proper person 
 for this department. 
 
 In the arrangement of Troops collected under such cir- 
 cumstances, and upon the spur of immediate necessity, 
 several appointments are omitted, which appear to be 
 indispensably necessary for the good government of the 
 Army, particularly a Quartermaster-General, a Commissary 
 of Musters, and a Commissary of Artillery. These I must 
 earnestly recommend to the notice and provision of the 
 Congress. 
 
 I find myself already much embarrassed for want of a 
 military chest. These embarrassments will increase every 
 day. I must, therefore, request that money may be for- 
 warded as soon as possible. The want of this most neces- 
 sary article will, I fear, produce great inconveniences, if not 
 prevented by an early attention. 
 
 I find the Army in general, and the Troops raised in 
 Massachusetts in particular, very deficient in necessary 
 clothing. Upon inquiry, there appears no probability of 
 obtaining any supplies in this quarter. And on the best 
 consideration of this matter I am able to form, 1 am of 
 opinion that a number of hunting shirts, not less than ten 
 thousand, would in a great degree remove this difficulty in 
 the cheapest and quickest manner. 1 know nothing, in a 
 speculative view, more trivial ; yet, if put in practice, would 
 have a happier tendency to unite the men, and abolish 
 those provincial distinctions which lead to jealousy and dis- 
 satisfaction. 
 
 In a former part of this letter I mentioned the want of 
 Engineers ; I can hardly express the disappointment I have 
 experienced on this subject, the skill of those we have 
 being very imperfect, and confined to the mere manual 
 exercise of cannon ; whereas, the war in which we are en- 
 gaged requires a knowledge comprehending the duties ot 
 the field and fortification. If any persons thus qualified 
 are to be found in the Southern Colonies, it would be of 
 great publick service to forward them with all expedition. 
 
 Upon the article of ammunition I must re-echo the for- 
 mer complaints on this subject. We are so exceedingly 
 destitute, that our artillery will be of little use, without a 
 supply both large and seasonable. What we have must be 
 reserved for the small-arms, and that managed with the 
 utmost frugality. 
 
 I am sorry to observe that the appointments of the Gene- 
 ral Officers in the Province of Massachusetts-Bay have 
 by no means corresponded with the judgment and wishes 
 of either the civil or military. The great dissatisfaction 
 expressed on this subject, and the apparent danger of 
 throwing the Army into the utmost disorder, together with 
 the strong representations of the Provincial Congress, have 
 induced me to retain the commissions in my hands, until 
 the pleasure of the Congress should be further known, 
 except General Putnam's, which was given the day I came 
 into camp, and before I was apprized of these uneasinesses. 
 In such a step, I must beg the Congress will do me the 
 justice to believe, that I have been actuated solely by a 
 regard to the publick good. 1 have not, nor could have 
 any private attachments; every gentleman in appointment 
 was an entire stranger to me, but from character ; I must, 
 therefore, rely upon the candour of the Congiess for their 
 favourable construction of my conduct in this particular. 
 General Spencer was so much disgusted at the preference 
 given to General Putnam, that he left the Army without 
 visiting me, or making known his intentions in any respect. 
 General Pomeroy had also retired before my arrival, occa- 
 sioned, as is said, by some disappointment from the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. General Thomas is much esteemed, and 
 earnestly desired to continue in the service ; and as far as 
 my opportunities have enabled me to judge, I must join in 
 the general opinion that he is an able, good officer, and his 
 resignation would be a publick loss. The postponing him 
 to Pomeroy and Heath, whom he has commanded, would 
 make his continuance very difficult, and probably operate 
 on his mind, as the like circumstance has done on that of 
 Spencer. 
 
 The state of the Army you will find ascertained with 
 tolerable precision in the returns which accompany this 
 letter. Upon finding the number of men to fall so far 
 short of the establishment, and below all expectation, I im- 
 mediately called a council of the General Officers, whose 
 opinion as to the mode of filling up the Regiments, and 
 providing for the present exigency, I have the honour of 
 enclosing, together with the best judgment we are able to 
 form of the Ministerial Troops. From the number of boys, 
 deserters, and negroes which have been listed in the Troops 
 of this Province, 1 entertain some doubts whether the num- 
 ber required can be raised here ; and all the General Offi- 
 cers agree that no dependance can be put in the Militia for 
 a continuance in camp, or regularity and discipline during 
 the short time they may stay. This unhappy and devoted 
 Province has been so long in a state of anarchy, and the 
 yoke of Ministerial oppression been laid so heavily on it, 
 that great allowances are to be made for troops raised under 
 such circumstances. The deficiency of numbers, discipline, 
 and stores, can only lead to this conclusion, that their spirit 
 has exceeded their strength. But at the same time, 1 would 
 
1627 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 162S 
 
 humbly submit lo the consideration of the Congress, the 
 propriety of making some farther provision of men from 
 the other Colonies. If these Regiments should be com- 
 pleted to their establishment, ihe dismission of those unfit 
 for duty, on account of their age and character, would occa- 
 sion a considerable reduction, and at all events they have 
 been enlisted upon such terms that they may be disband- 
 ed when other Troops arrive. But should my apprehen- 
 sions be realized, and the Regiments here not filled up, the 
 publick cause would suffer by an absolute dependance upon 
 so doubtful an event, unless some provision is made against 
 such a disappointment. It requires no military skill to judge 
 of the difficulty of introducing proper discipline and subor- 
 dination into an Army while we have the enemy in view, 
 and are in daily expectation of an attack, but it is of so 
 much importance that every effort will be made which time 
 and circumstance will admit. In the mean time I have a 
 sincere pleasure in observing, that there are materials for a 
 good Army — a great number of able-bodied men, active, 
 zealous in the cause, and of unquestionable courage. 
 
 I am now, Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favour 
 of the 28th ultimo, enclosing the resolutions of the Con- 
 gress of the 27th ultimo, and a copy of a letter from 
 the Committee of Albany; to all which I shall pay due 
 attention. 
 
 Generals Gates and Sullivan have both arrived in good 
 health. My best abilities are at all times devoted to the 
 service of my Country; but I feel the weight, importance, 
 and variety of my present duties too sensibly not to wish a 
 more immediate and frequent communication with the Con- 
 gress. I fear it may often happen in the course of our pre- 
 sent operations, that I shall need that assistance and direc- 
 tion from them, which time and distance will not allow me 
 to receive. 
 
 Since writing the above, I have also to acknowledge 
 your favour of the 4th instant, by Fessenden, and the re- 
 ceipt of the commissions and articles of war. The former 
 are yet eight hundred short of the number required. This 
 deficiency you will please to supply as soon as you conve- 
 niently can. 
 
 Among the other returns, I have also sent one, of our 
 killed, wounded and missing in the late action ; but have 
 been able to procure no certain account of the loss of the 
 Ministerial Troops. My best intelligence fixes it at about 
 five hundred killed, and six or seven hundred wounded ; but 
 it is no more than conjecture, the utmost pains being taken 
 on their side to conceal it. 
 
 1 have the honour to be, with the most respectful regard, 
 Sir, your obedient humble servant, 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, President, &c. 
 
 P. S. Having ordered the commanding officer to give 
 me the earliest intelligence of every motion of the enemy, 
 by land or water, discernable from the heights of his camp, 
 I this instant, as I was closing my letter, received the 
 enclosed from the Brigade-Major. The design of this 
 manoeuvre I know not; perhaps it may be to make a 
 descent some where along the coast, it may be for New- 
 York, or it may be practised as a deception on us. I 
 thought it not improper, however, to mention the matter to 
 you ; I have done the same to the commanding officer at 
 New- York; and I shall let it be known to the Committee 
 of Safety here, so that intelligence may be communicated 
 as they shall think best along the sea-coast of this Gov- 
 ernment. G. W. 
 
 Copy of a Report this moment received from the Camp at 
 Roxbuky, two o'clock, P. TV/., July 11, 1775. 
 
 Camp at Roxbury, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Since I sent the report by the Adjutant this morn- 
 ing, five large ships have sailed from Boston; we are not 
 able to determine how many of them are men-of-war, or 
 how many were transports, as they were behind Dorches- 
 ter Hill. There appeared to be a number of people on 
 board. I am, Sir, your humble servant. 
 
 By order of General Thomas : 
 
 Thos. Chase, Major of Brigade. 
 To Horatio Gates, Esq., Adjutant-General. 
 
 The number of those Killed, Wounded, and Missing, in 
 the Engagement on Bunker Hill. 
 Colonel Frye's Regiment, 10 killed, 38 wounded, 4 
 missing; Colonel Little's Regiment, 7 killed, 23 wound- 
 ed ; Colonel Brewer's Regiment, 12 killed, 22 wounded ; 
 Colonel Gridley's Regiment, 4 wounded ; Colonel Stark's 
 Regiment, 15 killed, 45 wounded; Colonel Woodbridge's 
 Regiment, 5 wounded ; Colonel Scammon's Regiment, 2 
 wounded; Colonel Bridge's Regiment, 17 killed, 25 
 wounded ; Colonel Whit comb's Regiment, 5 killed, 8 
 wounded, 2 missing ; General Ward's Regiment, 1 killed, 
 6 wounded ; Colonel Gerrish's Regiment, 3 killed, 5 
 wounded ; Colonel Reed's Regiment, 3 killed, 29 wound- 
 ed, 1 missing ; Colonel Prescott's Regiment, 43 killed 
 and missing, 46 wounded ; Colonel Doolittle's Regiment, 
 6 killed and missing, 9 wounded; Colonel Gardner's Regi- 
 ment, 7 wounded; Col. Patterson's Regiment, 1 wound- 
 ed ; Colonel Nixon's Regiment, 3 killed and missing ; 
 Connecticut, 13 killed, 26 wounded. — Total, 145 killed 
 and missing, 304 wounded. 
 
 At a Council of War held at Head-Quarters, Cambridge, 
 July 9, 1 775. Present : 
 
 His Excellency General Washington ; Generals Ward, 
 Lee, Putnam, Thomas, Heath, Greene, and Gates. 
 
 The General laid before the Council a Letter from Mr. 
 Warren, President of the Congress of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 enclosing a Letter from Mr. Gerry, at Marblehead, dated 
 July 8, 1775. 
 
 1. A question was then proposed and considered, viz: 
 What is the supposed number of the enemy near and 
 
 in Boston, including the Troops formerly and lately arrived, 
 and those expected hourly, the forces who may take arms, 
 the sailors who may be spared from the fleet, and the 
 negroes ? 
 
 Upon which it was agreed, that from the best intelli- 
 gence, the force on the side of the enemy now amounts to 
 eleven thousand five hundred men. 
 
 2. It was then proposed and considered, whether it is 
 expedient to keep and defend the posts at present occu- 
 pied, or to retire farther back in the country? 
 
 Upon which it was unanimously determined, that the 
 publick service requires the defence of the present posts. 
 
 3. His Excellency then proposed to the consideration of 
 the Council, what number of troops may be necessary for 
 the present service in and near Boston, to defend the 
 posts already occupied against the force supposed to be 
 employed against us? 
 
 Upon which it was agreed, that the Army for the above 
 purpose ought to consist of at least twenty-two thousand 
 men. 
 
 4. As it appears by the returns now made that the num- 
 ber of effective men is far short of the above estimate, a 
 question was proposed, viz: 
 
 In what manner this deficiency should be supplied ? 
 
 And it was unanimously agreed, that it ought to be done 
 by sending an officer from each company in the forces 
 raised in the Massachusetts-Bay to recruit the Regiments to 
 which they respectively belong to the establishment fixed 
 by the Provincial Congress, (the Colonics of Rhode-Island 
 and Connecticut being already engaged in recruiting.) And 
 that in the mean time his Excellency the General do apply- 
 to the Provincial Congress of this Province for their assist- 
 ance in procuring a temporary re-enforcement, subject to 
 the same military rules as the Army now raised, inasmuch 
 as the present extent of lines, and the great probability of 
 an early attack, renders such re-enforcement indispensably 
 necessary. 
 
 5. As the events of war are uncertain, and a want of a 
 proper rendezvous might, in case of any misfortune, occa- 
 sion a dissolution of the Army, it was proposed to appoint 
 a proper place for this purpose, in case our present situa- 
 tion should not be tenable. 
 
 N. C. agreed, That the Welsh Mountains, near Cam- 
 bridge, and in the rear of Roxbury lines, was a suitable 
 place. 
 
 6. A question was proposed, whether it is expedient to 
 take possession of Dorchester Point, or to oppose the 
 enemy, if they should attempt to possess it? 
 
 Unanimously agreed in the negative as to both. 
 
1629 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1630 
 
 General Return of the Army of the United Colonies, commanded by his Excellency George Washington, Esquire, 
 General and Commander-in-Chief, Head-Quarters at Cambridge, July, 1775. 
 
 
 
 Present, Commissioned 
 
 Present, Staff 
 
 Non-Commit-sioned 
 
 Rank and File. 
 
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 complete. 
 
 
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 16 
 
 376 
 
 35 
 
 32 
 
 11 
 
 
 453 i 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 46 
 
 
 1 . , r ■ , . r I , . 
 
 vjciicrdi i iionicis s, 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
 452 
 
 31 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 v. v^uiuiici >v mitt i b 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 28 
 
 13 
 
 361 
 
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 17 
 
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 102 
 
 491 
 
 
 
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 J 1 j i . lIi.. % r\\te\v\ o 
 
 **■ v^CMUIiei l^OltOll S, 
 
 
 
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 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
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 30 
 
 7 
 
 _ 
 
 94 
 
 500 
 
 
 
 
 
 cJ. V^Ul. V> IlllCOlIlD S t 
 
 
 
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 11 
 
 22 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
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 16 
 
 446 
 
 33 
 
 23 
 
 21 
 
 
 523 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 27 
 
 
 fi 1 C\ ' ] p , ■ T? on d o 
 \j. V^UlOIlcl rvftlU s, 
 
 
 
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 9 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 17 
 
 384 
 
 OvJ 
 
 23 
 
 3 
 
 49 
 
 495 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 #. v^oi. iviansneiu s, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 37 
 
 16 
 
 399 
 
 26 
 
 23 
 
 21 
 
 
 470 
 
 
 4 
 
 30 
 
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 8. Col. Damelson s, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 11 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 15 
 
 422 
 
 4Q 
 
 - 
 
 16 
 
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 \J 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 57 
 
 £ 
 
 9. Colonel Prescott's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 39 
 
 13 
 
 332 
 
 
 53 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 120 
 
 
 10. Colonel Frye's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 13 
 
 313 
 
 97 
 
 23 
 
 13 
 
 ou 
 
 406 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 94 
 
 "So 
 
 03 
 r-4 
 
 11. Colonel Bridge's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 20 
 
 318 
 
 OVJ 
 
 47 
 
 21 
 
 
 470 
 
 
 
 30 
 
 wx. i>oi. x auerson s, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 38 
 
 15 
 
 311 
 
 ^7 
 
 25 
 
 2 
 
 14 
 
 409 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 91 
 
 
 13. Colonel Seaman's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 19 
 
 413 
 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 44 
 
 < 
 
 , 14. Colonel Learned's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 20 
 
 430 
 
 30 
 
 4 
 
 11 
 
 14 
 
 489 
 
 
 
 11 
 
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 15. Late Col. Gardner's 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 19 
 
 OOU 
 
 1 1 
 
 1 0 
 
 8 
 
 
 417 
 
 2 
 
 
 83 
 
 sJ 
 co 
 
 16. Colonel Nixon's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 36 
 
 17 
 
 337 
 
 42 
 
 17 
 
 1G 
 
 
 412 
 
 4 
 
 3 
 
 88 
 
 
 17 Colonel Fellows'^ 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
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 1 O 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 net 
 
 39 
 
 18 
 
 349 
 
 54 
 
 2 
 
 73 
 
 16 
 
 434 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
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 a 
 
 CO 
 
 18. Colonel Doolittle's, 
 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 ii 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 32 
 
 10 
 
 250 
 
 49 
 
 20 
 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 333 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 117 
 
 CO 
 
 n 
 
 19. Col. J. Brewer's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 25 
 
 17 
 
 242 
 
 33 
 
 9 
 
 17 
 
 
 301 
 
 7 
 
 10 
 
 189 
 
 
 20. Col. D. Brewer's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 17 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 31 
 
 17 
 
 352 
 
 13 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 
 374 
 
 9 
 
 3 
 
 126 
 
 
 21. General Heath's, 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 18 
 
 301 
 
 27 
 
 8 
 
 10 
 
 137 
 
 483 
 
 
 2 
 
 17 
 
 
 22. Col. Woodbridge's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 306 
 
 24 
 
 22 
 
 14 
 
 
 366 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 134 
 
 
 23. Colonel Glover's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 34 
 
 12 
 
 419 
 
 8 
 
 7 
 
 20 
 
 
 454 
 
 6 
 
 8 
 
 46 
 
 
 24. Colonel Little's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 33 
 
 20 
 
 405 
 
 12 
 
 34 
 
 16 
 
 5 
 
 472 
 
 2 
 
 
 28 
 
 
 25. Colonel Gerrish's. 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 39 
 
 18 
 
 181 
 
 18 
 
 11 
 
 33 
 
 255 
 
 498 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 26. Colonel Phinney's, 
 4 Independ't Compan's, 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 7 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 27 
 
 15 
 
 309 
 
 
 9 
 
 1 
 
 
 319 
 
 13 
 
 5 
 
 181 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 239 
 
 
 
 
 
 239 
 
 
 
 
 Connecticut Regiments, 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 22 
 
 50 
 
 26 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 5 
 
 121 
 
 53 
 
 2105 
 
 212 
 
 2 
 
 14 
 
 
 2333 
 
 
 
 367 
 
 New-Hampshire Reg'ts, 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 27 
 
 26 
 
 25 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 107 
 
 53 
 
 1201 
 
 115 
 
 20 
 
 49 
 
 27t 
 
 1664 
 
 
 
 106 
 
 Rhode- Island Regiments, 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 22 
 
 32 
 
 32 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 62 
 
 46 
 
 1041 
 
 24 
 
 18 
 
 2 
 
 
 1085 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 240 
 
 
 Total, 
 
 31 
 
 3o|38 
 
 290 
 
 |493 
 
 B3 
 
 1133 
 
 33134 
 
 33 
 
 1192 
 
 570 
 
 13743 
 
 1108 
 
 490 
 
 1376 
 
 il053!l6770 
 
 Il76i 90 
 
 2354 
 
 Colonel Sergeant not having completed his Regiment, is 
 Artillery is sent separately with this Return. 
 
 not 
 
 included in the above Return. The Return of the 
 Horatio Gates, Adjutant-General. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 20, 1775. 
 Return of the Regiment of Artillery in the service of the 
 United Colonies, commanded by Colonel R. Gridley. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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 ■2 
 
 8 
 
 B 
 
 9 
 
 16 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 23 
 
 23 
 
 51 
 
 49 
 
 16 
 
 236 
 
 453 
 
 Sick, present, - 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 
 13 
 
 25 
 
 Sick, absent, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 On furlough, 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 3 
 
 8 
 
 Recruiting, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total, - 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 9 
 
 9 
 
 B 
 
 9 
 
 18 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 ■21 
 
 G7 
 
 54 
 
 .54 
 
 18 
 
 254 
 
 469 
 
 Richard Gridley. 
 
 Return of Major Crane's Company of the Train of Ar- 
 tillery of the Rhode-Island Forces, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Present on parade, 
 Sick in quarters, 
 Sick, absent, 
 On guard, 
 On command, 
 Officers' waiters, 
 
 Total, 
 
 2 2 
 
 4 4 
 
 2 2 
 
 74 96 
 
 Horatio Gates, Adjutant-General. 
 
 Instructions for the Officers of the several Regiments of 
 
 the Massachusetts-Bay Forces, who are immediately 
 
 to go upon the Recruiting Service. 
 
 You are not to enlist any deserter from the Ministerial 
 Army, nor any stroller, negro, or vagabond, or person sus- 
 pected of being an enemy to the liberty of America, nor 
 any under eighteen years of age. 
 
 As the cause is the best that can engage men of courage 
 and principle to take up arms, so it is expected that none 
 but such will be accepted by the recruiting officers. The 
 pay, provisions, &.c, being so ample, it is not doubted but 
 the officers sent upon this service will, without delay, com- 
 plete their respective corps, and march the men forthwith 
 to camp. 
 
 You are not to enlist any person who is not an American 
 born, unless such person has a wife and family, and is a 
 settled resident in this Country. 
 
 The persons you enlist must be provided with good and 
 complete arms. 
 
 Given at the Head-Quarters at Cambridge, this 10th day 
 of July, 1775. Horatio Gates, Adj. Gen. 
 
 ORDERS HY GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 3, 1775. 
 (Parole, Lookout.) (Countersign, Sharp.) 
 
 The Colonels or commanding officers of each Regiment 
 are ordered forthwith to make two returns of the number 
 of men in their respective Regiments, distinguishing such 
 as are sick, wounded, or absent on furlough, and also the 
 quantity of ammunition each Regiment now has. 
 
 It appearing by the report of Henry Woods, the officer 
 of the main guard, that one William Alfred is confined for 
 
1G31 
 
 taking; two liorses belonging to some persons in Connecti- 
 cut, but that lie lias made satisfaction to llie injured parties, 
 who request that they may not longer be detained as wit- 
 nesses, it is ordered that he be discharged, and, after 
 receiving a severe reprimand, be turned out of Camp. 
 
 (After Orders.) Four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 It is ordered, that Colonel Glover's Regiment be ready 
 this evening, with all their accoutrements, to march at a 
 minute's warning to support General Folsom, of the New- 
 Hampshire forces, in case his line should be attacked. 
 
 It is also ordered, that Colonel Prescott's Regiment 
 equip themselves, march this evening, and take possession 
 of the woods leading to Lechmcre's Point, and in case of 
 an attack, then Colonel Glover's Regiment to march im- 
 mediately to their support. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 4, 1775. 
 
 (Carole, AOinglon.) (Countersign, Bidford.J 
 
 Exact returns to be made by the proper officers of all 
 Provisions, Ordnance, Ordnance Stores, Powder, Lead, 
 working tools of all kinds, Tents, Camp Kettles, and all 
 other Stores under their respective care, belonging to the 
 Armies at Roxbury and Cambridge. The Commanding 
 Officer of each Regiment to make a return of the number 
 of Blankets wanted to complete every man with one at 
 least. 
 
 The Hon. Artcmas Ward, Charles Lee, Philip Schuy- 
 ler, and Israel Putnam, Esquires, are appointed Major- 
 Generals of the American Army, and due obedience is to 
 be paid to them as such. The Continental Congress not 
 having completed the appointments of the other officers in 
 said Army, nor had sufficient time to prepare and forward 
 their commissions, every officer is to continue to do duty 
 in the rank and station he at present holds, until further 
 orders. 
 
 Thomas Mifflin, Esquire, is appointed by the General 
 one of his Aids-de-Camp ; Joseph Reed, Esquire, is in 
 like manner appointed Secretary to the General; and they 
 are in future to be considered and regarded as such. 
 
 The Continental Congress having now taken all the 
 Troops of the several Colonies which have been raised, or 
 which may hereafter be raised, for the support and defence 
 of the liberties of America, into their pay and service, they 
 are now the Troops of the United Provinces of North 
 America ; and it is hoped that all distinctions of Colonies 
 will be laid aside, so that one and the same spirit may 
 animate the whole, and the only contest be, who shall ren- 
 der, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential 
 service to the great and common cause in which we are 
 all engaged. 
 
 It is required and expected that exact discipline be ob- 
 served, and due subordination prevail through the whole 
 Army, as a failure in these most essential points must 
 necessarily produce extreme hazard, disorder, and confu- 
 sion, and end in shameful disappointment and disgrace. 
 
 The General most earnestly requires and expects a due 
 observance of those Articles of War, established for the 
 government of the Army, which forbid profane cursing, 
 swearing, and drunkenness; and in like manner requires 
 and expects of all officers and soldiers, not engaged on 
 actual duty, a punctual attendance on divine service, to 
 implore the blessings of Heaven upon the means used for 
 our safety and defence. 
 
 All officers are required and expected to pay diligent 
 attention to keep their men neat and clean, to visit them 
 often at their quarters, and inculcate upon them the neces- 
 sity of cleanliness, as essential to their health and service. 
 They are particularly to see that they have straw to lay on, 
 if to be bad, and to make it known, if they are destitute 
 of this article ; they are also to take care that necessaries 
 be provided in the camps, and frequently filled up, to pre- 
 vent their being offensive and unhealthy. Proper notice 
 will be taken of such officers and men as distinguish them- 
 selves by their attention to these necessary duties. 
 
 The Commanding Officer of each Regiment is to take 
 particular care that not more than two men of a Company 
 be absent on furlough at the same time, unless in very 
 extraordinary cases. 
 
 Colonel Gardner is to be buried to-morrow at three 
 
 1632 
 
 o'clock, P. M., with the military honours due to so brave 
 and gallant an officer, who fought, bled, and died in the 
 cause of his Country and mankind. His own Regiment, 
 except the Company at Maiden, to attend on this mourn- 
 ful occasion. The places of those Companies, in the lines, 
 on Prospect Hill, to be supplied by Colonel Glover's Regi- 
 ment, till the funeral is over. 
 
 No person is to be allowed to go to Freshwater Pond 
 a-fishing, or on any other occasion, as there may be danger 
 of introducing the small-pox in the Army. 
 
 It is strictly required and commanded, that there be no 
 firing of cannon or small-arms from any of the lines, or 
 elsewhere, except in case of necessary immediate defence, 
 or special order given for that purpose. 
 
 All prisoners taken, deserters coming in, persons coming 
 out of Boston who can give any intelligence, any captures 
 of any kind from the enemy, are to be immediately report- 
 ed and brought up to Head-Quarters, in Cambridge. 
 
 Captain Griffin is appointed Aid-de-Camp to General 
 Lee, and to be regarded as such. 
 
 The guard for the security of the stores at Watertown 
 is to be increased to thirty men immediately. 
 
 A Sergeant and six men to be set as a Guard to the 
 Hospital, and are to apply to Doctor Rand. 
 
 Complaint having been made against John White, Quar- 
 termaster of Colonel Nixon's Regiment, for misdemean- 
 ours, in drawing out provisions for more men than the 
 Regiment consisted of : a Court-Martial, consisting of one 
 Captain and four Subalterns, is ordered to be held on said 
 White, who are to inquire, determine, and report. 
 
 (After Orders.) Ten o'clock. 
 
 The General desires that some Carpenters be imme- 
 diately set to work at Brattle's Stables, to fix up Stalls for 
 eight horses, and more, if the room will admit, with suit- 
 able racks, mangers, &c. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 5, 1775. 
 (Parole, Bedford.) (Countersign, Cambridge ) 
 
 The Adjutant of each Regiment is required to take spe- 
 cial care that all General Orders are communicated as 
 well to the private men as to the officers, that there may 
 be no plea of ignorance. They will be deemed answerable 
 for all the consequences which may follow a neglect of this 
 order. 
 
 A General Court-Martial is ordered to sit to-morrow, at 
 ten o'clock, A. M., for the trial of William Patten, charged 
 with " leaving his post on guard ;" David Wells and Gi- 
 deon Cole, for " sleeping on their posts as sentinels ;" 
 John Scott, for " insulting the sentry, and attempting to pass 
 the guard at Boston ;" and James Foshe, for "theft;" when 
 the witnesses are to attend, and the parties charged are to 
 have notice this day, that they may be prepared for their 
 trials. 
 
 The General most earnestly recommends and requires 
 of all the officers that they be exceeding diligent and strict 
 in preventing all invasions and abuse of private property 
 in their quarters, or elsewhere ; he hopes and indeed flat- 
 ters himself that every private soldier will detest and abhor 
 such practices, when he considers that it is for the preser- 
 vation of his own rights, liberty, and property, and those 
 of his fellow-countrymen, that he is now called into service; 
 that it is unmanly, and sullies the dignity of the great cause 
 in which we are all engaged, to violate that property he is 
 called to protect, and especially, that it is most cruel and 
 inconsistent thus to add to the distresses of those of their 
 countrymen who are suffering under the iron hand of op- 
 pression. 
 
 The General again urges a speedy and exact return of 
 the forces, stores, provisions, Stc, as desired in the orders 
 already issued, and for the future these returns to be made 
 once a week, on Saturday morning, regularly. The Gen- 
 eral is much pleased with the expedition and care which 
 some officers have already shewn in their obedience to this 
 order. 
 
 The Colonel or commanding officer of each Regiment 
 is to direct an officer of each Company to call over the rolls 
 of their men, at six o'clock every morning, and to make 
 proper inquiries after the absentees. 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
1633 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1634 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 6, 1775. 
 (Parole, Cum'terlaml.) (Countenign, Derby ) 
 
 A General Court-Martial is ordered to sit to-morrow, 
 at ten o'clock, A. M., for the trial of John Semsy, John 
 Batcheler, and William Crostin, all of Colonel Gridley's 
 Regiment, charged with " desertion and theft." At the 
 same time they are to hear and determine the case of Ed- 
 ward Dunlcy, a stroller, accused of " theft." Notice to be 
 given to the prisoners to-day. 
 
 Captain Leonard, of Colonel Woodbridge's Regiment, 
 and the remainder of his Company, are ordered to join 
 the Guard at Watertown. 
 
 The Clothing provided by the Massachusetts Committee 
 of Supplies for those men of their Government who lost 
 their clothes in the late action on Bunker's Hill, to be dis- 
 tributed to the most needy and necessitous men of each 
 Regiment, and an account to be kept thereof by the Com- 
 manding Officer of each Regiment. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 7, 1775. 
 (Parole, Dorchetter.) (Countenign, Exeter.) 
 
 It is with inexpressible concern that the General, upon 
 his first arrival in the Army, should find an officer sen- 
 tenced by a General Court-Martial to be cashiered for 
 cowardice — a crime of all others the most infamous in a 
 soldier, the most injurious to au Army, and the last to be 
 forgiven ; inasmuch as it may, and often does happen, that 
 the cowardice of a single officer may prove a destruction 
 of the whole Army; the General, therefore, (though with 
 great concern, and more especially as the transaction hap- 
 pened before he had the command of the Troops,) thinks 
 himself obliged, for the good of the service, to approve 
 the judgment of the Court-Martial, with respect to Cap- 
 tain John Callender, who is hereby sentenced to be cash- 
 iered. Captain John Callender is accordingly cashiered, 
 and dismissed from all further service in the Continental 
 Army as an officer. 
 
 The General having made all due inquiries and mature- 
 ly considered this matter, is led to the above determina- 
 tion, not only from the particular guilt of Captain Callen- 
 der, but the fatal consequences of such conduct to the 
 Army and to the cause of America. 
 
 He now, therefore, most earnestly exhorts officers of all 
 ranks to shew an example of bravery and courage to their 
 men, assuring them, that such as do their duty in the day 
 of battle, as brave and good officers, shall be honoured 
 with every mark of distinction and regard, their names and 
 merits made known to the General Congress, and all Ame- 
 rica; while, on the other hand, he positively declares, that 
 every officer, be his rank what it may, who shall betray 
 his Country, dishonour the Army and his General, by 
 basely keeping back and shrinking from his duty in any 
 engagement, shall be held up as an infamous coward, and 
 punished as such with the utmost martial severity; and no 
 connections, interest, or intercessions, in his behalf, will 
 avail to prevent the strict execution of justice. 
 
 Captain Scott's and Captain Stylcr's Companies, from 
 yew-Hampshire, are to be incorporated, or added to Col. 
 Sargeant's Regiment, agreeable to the application made for 
 that purpose. No officer or soldier, posted in the lines for 
 the defence of them, on Prospect Hill, or Winter Hill, 
 or elsewhere, are, upon any account, to sleep out of their 
 encampment, or leave it at night. The Troops from New- 
 Hampshire are particularly required to attend to this order, 
 from their particular circumstances of situation. 
 
 No soldier belonging to these posts, or elsewhere, to 
 be suffered to straggle at a distance from their respective 
 parade, on any pretence, without leave from his officers, as 
 an unguarded hour may prove fatal to the whole Army, 
 and to the noble cause in which we are engaged ; the im- 
 portance of which, to every man of common understand- 
 ing, must inspire every good officer and soldier with the 
 noblest ardour and strictest attention, lest he should prove 
 the fatal instrument of our ruin. 
 
 The Adjutant-General is required to make a Return as 
 quick as possible of the Troops in Cambridge, their num- 
 ber, and the duly they do. 
 
 Complaints having been made with respect to the bread, 
 as being sour and unwholesome, the Quartermaster-Gene- 
 ral is hereby directed to inquire into the matter, and report 
 upon it ; at the same time to inform the bakers, that if any 
 
 complaints are made, and they shall be found just, they 
 will be most severely punished. 
 
 The guards on the roads leading to Bunker's Hill, are 
 ordered not to suffer any person to pass them, unless an 
 officer is sent down from the lines to order it, or they will 
 be severely punished. 
 
 The General has great reason, and is highly displeased 
 with the negligence and inattention of those officers who 
 have placed as sentries at the outposts men with whose 
 characters they are not acquainted. He therefore orders, 
 that for the future no man shall be appointed to those im- 
 portant stations who is not a native of this Country, or has 
 a wife or family in it, to whom he is known to be attached. 
 This order is to be considered as a standing one, and the 
 officers are to pay obedience to it, at their peril. 
 
 A complaint of the most extraordinary kind having been 
 made to the General, that soldiers enlisted in one Regi- 
 ment have been seduced to re-enlist into others, by agents 
 employed for that purpose, under the specious promises of 
 money, or leave of absence from the Army. A procedure 
 so subversive of all order, discipline, and of the very exist- 
 ence of the Army, cannot be forgiven ; the strictest orders 
 are therefore given against such practices; and the General 
 most earnestly declares, that if any agent or soldier shall 
 hereafter be found so offending, he will punish them with 
 the utmost severity. 
 
 A General Court-Martial having sat upon William Pat- 
 tin, and reported, that no evidence appeared against him to 
 support the charge, the General defers his decision upon 
 the report until farther consideration. In the mean time 
 the Adjutant-General is ordered to wait on Col. Ward, by 
 whom the prisoner w r as confined, and learn from him upon 
 whose complaint, and what witnesses there are to sup- 
 port it. 
 
 A Regimental Court-Martial is ordered to sit to-morrow, 
 ten o'clock, on Samuel Bartlett, of the Company late Cap- 
 tain Callender' s, and Colonel Gridley's Regiment, confined 
 for "abusive behaviour." 
 
 A General Court-Martial to sit to-morrow, ten o'clock, 
 A. M., for the trial of Thomas Daniely, charged with 
 " stealing." Each of the above prisoners to have notice 
 to-day, and the witnesses in like manner ordered to attend. 
 
 In order that all the sick and wounded in the Army 
 may be provided for, and taken care of, in the best way 
 and manner possible, it is ordered, that when any officer 
 or soldier is so ill, either by a wound or otherwise, that 
 the Surgeon of the Regiment, to which he belongs, finds 
 he cannot be properly taken care of in such Regiment, 
 such Surgeon shall send him to the Camp Hospital to 
 which they belong, with a certificate of the man's name, 
 and the Company to which he belongs, and in that case the 
 Surgeon of the Hospital shall receive said sick and wound- 
 ed ; and in case such Hospital shall be too full, in that case 
 the Surgeon of said Hospital shall send such of his pa- 
 tients as may be removed with safety to the Hospital at 
 Watertown, with the like certificate as above, on which 
 the Surgeon of Watertoivn Hospital is to receive and take 
 care of him. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 8, 1775. 
 (Parole, Euex.) (Countersign, Falkland.) 
 
 Ordered, that the main guard, on no account whatever, 
 be without a drum, which is to beat to arms on any alarm, 
 and be followed by all the drums in the Camp ; on w T hich 
 every officer and soldier is immediately to repair to the 
 alarm post. 
 
 The Commanding Officer of each Regiment or Corps 
 in Cambridge, as soon as the men are paraded after an 
 alarm, to send an officer to Head-Quarters for orders. 
 
 The Commanding Officers at Roxbury, Prospect Hill, 
 Winter Hill, and Sewall's Point, to send expresses in 
 case of alarm to Head-Quarters, with an account of the 
 situation and the movements of the enemy. If they are 
 not each provided with a horse for that purpose, the Adju- 
 tant-General to apply to the Committee of Supplies. 
 
 Colonel Gridley, of the Artillery, or the next in com- 
 mand, to give in a return of his men, stores, and ammuni- 
 tion, agreeable to the order of the fourth instant, and to 
 distinguish the posts to which his Regiment is assigned, in 
 case of alarm. The same order as to a return of the men, 
 ammunition, and blankets, is given to the commanding 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 103 
 
1635 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 163G 
 
 officers of the Regiments late Colonel Gardner's, Colonel 
 Glover's, and Colonel Gerrish's, who have omitted com- 
 plying with the above orders hitherto. 
 
 The commanding officers at Winter Hill, Prospect Hill, 
 and Roxbury, are to make particular inquiry into the ammu- 
 nition of the men in those lines, and if there is any deficiency, 
 immediately to report it to the General at Head-Quarters. 
 
 A General Court-Martial is ordered to sit on Monday 
 next, ten o'clock, A. M., for the trial of Lieutenant Brig- 
 ham, charged with " rescuing a prisoner when in lawful 
 custody." 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 9, 1775. 
 
 (Parole, Effingham.) (Countersign, IValertmvn.) 
 
 The Continental Congress having been pleased to ap- 
 point Horatio Gates, Esq., Brigadier-General and Adju- 
 tant-General of the Army, he is to be obeyed as such, and 
 all orders transmitted through him from the Commander- 
 in-Chief, whether written or verbal, are to be punctually 
 and immediately obeyed. 
 
 All soldiers, more than two to a company, who are at 
 present absent on furlough, and all officers, non-commis- 
 sioned officers, and soldiers, who have not joined their 
 respective corps, to be ordered forthwith to -camp. The 
 commanding officers of corps to be answerable to the Gen- 
 eral for an immediate obedience to this order. 
 
 The General, or in his absence, the commanding offi- 
 cer at Roxbury, to send a report every day, in writing, 
 sealed up, to the Commander-in-Chief, at Head-Quarters, 
 in Cambridge, of all the material occurrences of the pre- 
 ceding day, mentioning particularly all arrivals of ships 
 and vessels in the bay, and what changes and alterations 
 are made in the stations of the men-of-war, transports, and 
 floating batteries, he. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 10, 1775. 
 
 (Parole, Frederick.) (Countersign, Gloucester.) 
 
 The General Court-Martial, of which Colonel William 
 Prescott was President, baving tried William Pattin, of 
 Colonel Gridley's Regiment, and found him guilty of 
 " threatening and abusing a number of persons, when pri- 
 soner in the quarter-guard," the Court sentence the prison- 
 er to ride the wooden horse fifteen minutes. 
 
 The General approves the sentence, and orders it to be 
 put in execution at the head of the Regiment. 
 
 David Wells, soldier in Col. Gridley's Regiment, tried by 
 the above-mentioned General Court-Martial, for " sleeping 
 upon his post when sentry," is acquitted by the Court. 
 
 No non-commissioned officer or soldier, but such as are 
 guilty of capital offences, to be confined in the main guard; 
 all those guilty of crimes triable by a Regimental Court- 
 Martial, to be sent to the quarter-guards of their respective 
 corps, to be tried by Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 The General Court-Martial, whereof Col. William Pres- 
 cott is President, to sit again this day, at the usual hour. 
 All evidences, and persons concerned, to attend the Court. 
 Whenever a General Court-Martial is ordered, it is expect- 
 ed that the evidences and persons by whom the prisoners 
 are confined, do punctually attend to support the accusa- 
 tion, as they will answer the contrary at their peril. 
 
 The Colonels of the Massachusetts Regiments to order 
 one Subaltern from each Company in their respective 
 Corps forthwith upon the recruiting service. Proper in- 
 structions will be given by the Adjutant-General to the 
 officers ordered upon that service ; they will, therefore, 
 call at Head-Qnarteis as soon as possible, to receive their 
 instructions. The General recommends it to the Colonels 
 to send active and vigilant officers upon this service, and 
 those who are most in esteem with people in the District 
 they are sent to recruit in. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO RICHARD HENRY LEE, ESQ. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 10, 1775. 
 Dear Sir : I was exceeding glad to receive a letter from 
 you, as I always shall be whenever it is convenient, though 
 perhaps my hurry, till such time as matters are drawn a 
 little out of the chaos they appear in at present, will not 
 suffer me to write you such full and satisfactory answers, 
 or give such clear and precise accounts of our situation and 
 views as 1 could wish, or you might expect. After a 
 
 journey a good deal retarded, principally by the desire of 
 the different townships through which 1 travelled, of show- 
 ing respect to the General of your Armies, 1 arrived here 
 on this day week; since which 1 have been labouring with 
 as much assiduity, by fair and threatening means, to obtain 
 returns of our strength in this camp and Roxbury, and their 
 dependencies, as a man could do, and never have been able 
 to accomplish the matter till this day; now, I will not 
 answer for the correctness of them, although I have sent 
 several of the regimental returns back more than once, to 
 have mistakes rectified. I do not doubt but the Congress 
 will think me very remiss in not writing to them sooner, 
 but you may rely on it yourself, and I beg you to assure 
 them that it has never been in my power till this day to 
 comply with their orders. Could 1 have conceived, that 
 that which ought, and in a regular army, which would have 
 been done in an hour, would employ eight days, I should 
 have sent an express on the second morning after 1 arrived, 
 with a general account of things ; but expecting in the 
 morning to receive the returns in the evening, and in the 
 evening surely to find them in the morning, (and at last 
 getting them full of imperfections,) 1 have been drilled on, 
 from day to day, till 1 am ashamed to It ok back at the time 
 which has elapsed since my arrival here. You will per- 
 ceive, by the returns, that we have but about sixteen thou- 
 sand effective men in all this department, whereas, by the 
 accounts which I received from even the first officers in 
 command, 1 had no doubt of finding between eighteen and 
 twenty thousand ; out of these there are only fourteen thou- 
 sand fit for duty. So soon as I was able to get this state 
 of the Army, and came to the knowledge of our weakness, 
 I immediately summoned a council of war, the result of 
 which you will see, as it is enclosed to the Congress. 
 Between you and me, I think we are in an exceeding dan- 
 gerous situation, as our numbers are not much larger than 
 we suppose, from the best accounts we are able to get, those 
 of the enemy to be; theirs situated in such a manner as to 
 be drawn to any point of attack, without our having an 
 hour's previous notice of it. (if the General will keep his 
 own counsel.) whereas we are obliged to be guarded at all 
 points, and know not where, with precision, to look for 
 them. I should not, I think, have made choice of the 
 present posts in the first instance, although I believe the 
 communication between the town and country could not 
 have been so well cut off without; but as much labour has 
 been bestowed in throwing up lines, making redoubts, &c; 
 as Cambridge, Roxbury, and Water town, must be imme- 
 diately exposed to the mercy of the enemy, were we to 
 retreat a little further in the country ; as it would give a 
 general dissatisfaction to this Colony, dispirit our own peo- 
 ple, and encourage the enemy to remove at this time to 
 another place, we have, for these reasons, resolved in council 
 to maintain our ground if we can. Our lines on Winter 
 and Prospect Hills, and those of the enemy on Bunker 
 Hill, are in full view of each other, a mile distant, our 
 advance guards much nearer, and the sentries almost near 
 enough to converse ; at Roxbury and Boston Neck it is the 
 same. Between these we are obliged to guard several of 
 the places at which the enemy may land. The enemy 
 have strongly fortified, or will in a few days, their camps 
 and Bunker Hill; after which, and when their new-landed 
 troops have got a little refreshed, we shall look for a visit, 
 if they mean, as we are told they do, to come out of their 
 lines. Their great command of artillery, and adequate 
 stores of powder, &,c, give them advantages which we 
 have only to lament the want of. The abuses in this Army, 
 I fear, are considerable, and the new modelling of it, in the 
 face of an enemy, from whom we every hour expect an 
 attack, exceedingly difficult and dangerous. If things, 
 therefore, should not turn out as the Congress would wish, 
 1 hope they will make proper allowances. I can only 
 promise and assure them, that my whole time is devoted 
 to their service, and that, as far as my judgment goes, they 
 shall have no cause to complain. I need not tell you that 
 this letter is written in much haste; the fact will sufficiently 
 appear from the face of it. I thought a hasty letter would 
 please you better than no letter, and therefore I shall offer 
 no further apology, but assure you that, with sincere regard 
 for my fellow-labourers with you, Doctor Shippen's family, 
 &ic, I am, dear Sir, your most affectionate servant, 
 
 George Washington. 
 
1637 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 163S 
 
 P. S. We want an hospital, upon a proper establishment, 
 much, and a proper director, with good surgeons, to take 
 Care and charge of it. I cannot learn that these are to be 
 provided here ; it therefore rests with the Congress to con- 
 sider of this matter. A Mr. Bass, of Philadelphia, who, 
 I am told, was in this way last war, can give you the proper 
 establishment of one. I would not wish to see an expen- 
 sive one set on foot, and I have no doubt of Doctor Ship- 
 pen's recommending such gentlemen for surgeons as he 
 can answer for the abilities of. Whether there is no news 
 stirring, or whether we live out of the way of receiving it, 
 I cannot tell, but so it is, that 1 have heard nothing of 
 what the Parliament or Ministry are about since I left 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 I am, as before, your servant, G. W. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have arrested a master of a vessel that came out 
 of Boston (Saturday night) in order to take charge of a 
 vessel at Stoninglon, in Connecticut, loaded with molasses, 
 to proceed to New- York as he saith. His acquaintance 
 in the country inform that he has been a suspected person, 
 and I think it my duty to forward him to your Excellency 
 for your examination. 
 
 I am, Sir, with respect, your most obedient humble ser- 
 vant, John Thomas. 
 
 To his Excellency Gen. George Washington, Cambridge. 
 
 Watertown, July 10, 1775. 
 In compliance with an order of the honourable the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, passed the fifth of July instant, the Free- 
 holders and others, who were inhabitants of the Town of 
 Boston, and were qualified, according to law, to vote for 
 Representatives in May, 1774, and are now dispersed, are 
 hereby notified and warned to assemble at the Meeting- 
 House in Concord, on Tuesday, the eighteenth of July 
 instant, at three o'clock in the afternoon, then and there to 
 elect and depute one or more freeholders in said Town, 
 according to the numbers limited by a law of this Colony, 
 to serve for and represent them in a Great and General 
 Court or Assembly, to be convened, held, and kept for the 
 service of said Colony, until the day next preceding the 
 last Wednesday of May next, if necessary, and no longer, 
 at the Meeting-House in Watertown, upon Wednesday, the 
 nineteenth instant, nine o'clock in the forenoon, and so 
 from day to day during their session or sessions. 
 
 William Cooper, Town Clerk of Boston. 
 
 extract of a letter from the camp at cambridge, 
 july 10, 1775. 
 The General's express, that ought to have left this four 
 days ago, is not yet gone. I therefore sit down to give you 
 some description of our situation here, and that of the 
 enemy. 
 
 The enemy are situated on Bunker and Breed's Hills, 
 both on the peninsula where the late Town of Charlestown 
 stood, and within reach, and under the cover of the guns 
 from the batteries in the Town of Boston, and the ships in 
 the harbour, and of a number of floating batteries which 
 they have built, that carry two guns in their bows, two in 
 their sterns, and one on each side. Our people are situ- 
 ated from Charles River, about two hundred rods below the 
 college, where we have a redoubt, which begins the line ; 
 then about sixty rods from that another redoubt, and lines 
 continued near a hundred rods ; then at Charlestoivn road, 
 on the west side of the road, at the foot of Prospect Hill, 
 another redoubt and strong fortification ; then on Prospect 
 Hill is Putnam's Post, a very strong fortification; then, 
 between that and Winter Hill, a strong citadel and lines 
 over Charlestown road to Mistick ; then in Mr. Temple's 
 pasture, a strong redoubt that commands to Mistick River ; 
 so that we have a complete line of circumvallation from 
 Charles River to Mistick River. Our main fortress on 
 Prospect Hill, and the enemy's main fortress on Bunker's 
 Hill, are within cannon shot of each other. A hill between 
 these two posts, a little to the eastward of Prospect Hill, 
 called Cobble Hill, I expect will soon cost us a squabble 
 
 who shall have it, our people or theirs; nor do I expect 
 it will be many days before the contest begins, which will 
 probably bring on a general engagement. If they let us 
 alone four or five days more, we shall be well prepared, 
 and shan't care how soon they come, the sooner the better. 
 On Roxbury side the enemy have dug across the neck and 
 let the water through ; and our people in turn have in- 
 trenched across the outer end of the neck, and are strongly 
 fortified there, and on the hill by the meeting-house, so 
 strong, that I believe every man in Boston, and at Bun- 
 ker's Hill and Breed's Hill, must fall before they could 
 force a passage that way into the country. 
 
 General Burgoyne sent a trumpeter yesterday with a 
 letter to General Lee, wishing a composition of the unhappy 
 differences, &ic, and says the Parliament will certainly give 
 up all right or pretence of taxation, if that will do, and 
 wishes a conference. This letter is sent to the Congress 
 for their opinion, and for them to appoint a person whom 
 they can confide in, to attend the conference, and hear what 
 passes, if they judge it best to have a conference. Major 
 Gates is arrived, and we are getting into order and regu- 
 larity very fast. Last night our people at Roxbury fired 
 the remainder of Brown's buildings on Boston Neck, and 
 have drove the enemy's guards back to their lines. 
 
 GENERAL LEE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Head-Quarters, July 10, 1775. 
 
 General Lee presents his respects to the President and 
 Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 
 and submits to their perusal a letter which he yesterday 
 received from General Burgoyne, in answer to one which 
 was read and approved of by the Delegates of this Pro- 
 vince, and other members of the Continental Congress. He 
 begs leave to request their commands with respect to the 
 proposed interview. If they approve of it, he shall be 
 glad to accept of it; if they disapprove, he shall reject it; 
 but if they approve of it, he must request that they will 
 depute some one gentleman of their body to accompany 
 General Lee, and be witness of the conversation. He de- 
 sires their answer immediately, as he has engaged to inform 
 General Burgoyne by four o'clock this afternoon, whether 
 the interview is to take place. He shall likewise be much 
 obliged to the gentlemen if they will return the letter ; but 
 if they choose to take a copy, he can have no objection. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS TO GENERAL LEE. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Watertown, July 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Congress have perused the letter from General 
 Burgoyne, which you was kind enough to submit to their 
 inspection. They can have no objection to the proposed 
 interview from a want of the highest confidence in the 
 wisdom, discretion, and integrity of General Lee, but would 
 beg leave to suggest, that as the confidence of the people 
 in their General is so essentially necessary to the well con- 
 ducting the enterprise in which we are engaged, and as a 
 people contending for their liberties are naturally disposed 
 to jealousy, and not inclined to make the most favourable 
 constructions of the motives of conduct which they are not 
 fully acquainted w ith, whether such an interview might not 
 have a tendency to lessen the influence which the Con- 
 gress would wish to extend to the utmost of their power, 
 to facilitate and succeed the operations of war. 
 
 To prevent, as far as we are able, any disagreeable con- 
 sequences which may arise from the jealousy of the people 
 on such an occasion, the Congress, agreeable to your re- 
 quest, have appointed Mr. Elbridge Gerry to attend you 
 at the proposed interview, if you shall think proper to pro- 
 ceed in it; and as they do not think themselves authorized 
 to counteract the General's inclination, they would submit 
 it to his opinion whether the advice of the council of war 
 might not be taken in a matter of such apparent delicacy. 
 
 To the Honourable General Lee. 
 
 GENERAL LEE's LETTER DECLINING THE INTERVIEW PRO- 
 POSED BY GENERAL BURGOYNE. 
 
 Head.Quarters, Cambridge, July 11, 1775. 
 Gen. Lee's compliments to Gen. Burgoyne. Would be 
 extremely happy in the interview he so kindly proposed ; 
 
1639 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1640 
 
 but as lie perceives that General Burgoyne has already 
 made up his mind on this great subject, and as it is impos- 
 sible that he (General Lee) should ever alter his opinion, 
 he is apprehensive that the interview might create those 
 jealousies and suspicions so natural to a people struggling 
 in the dearest of all causes, that of their liberty, property, 
 wives, children, and their future generation. He must, 
 therefore, defer the happiness of embracing a man whom 
 lie most sincerely loves, until the subversion of the present 
 tyrannical Ministry and system, which he is persuaded must 
 be in a few months, as he knows Great Britain cannot 
 stand the contest. He begs General Burgoyne will send 
 the letters which his Aid-de-Camp has for him. If Gar- 
 diner is his Aid-de-Camp, he desires his love to him. 
 
 REMARKS ON THE LETTER FROM GENERAL BURGOYNE TO 
 GENERAL LEE. 
 
 As General Burgoyne's letter, dated the eighth of July, 
 1775, in answer to one from General Lee, is permitted to 
 be published, it becomes of course a subject of general 
 speculation. 
 
 General Lee, by taking no further notice of the letter 
 than to decline the proposed interview with General Bur- 
 goyne, plainly intimates that the sword, and not the quill, 
 is now to decide the controversy. But as the bulk of man- 
 kind are apt to be deluded by sounds, without examining 
 whether they are derived from good sense, or only the ap- 
 pearance of it, there is reason to fear many weak minds 
 have been artfully misled to believe, from General Lee's 
 returning only a card, and not a formal answer, that the 
 letter carries to him conviction, and is therefore unanswer- 
 able. Indeed, was the force of the General's arguments 
 as irresistible as the politeness of his style is engaging, we 
 should have more reason to tremble at the pointof his pen, 
 than at the point of his sword. But as the patriot and hero 
 to whom he addresses himself, will doubtless prevent the 
 latter from doing any harm, if he pleases, it shall be the 
 object of our present inquiry, whether we are in any danger 
 from the former. 
 
 General Burgoyne introduces the vindication of his con- 
 duct by saying, that " the vital principle of the Constitution, 
 in which it moves and has its being, is the supremacy of 
 the King in Parliament." Now, if he means that the 
 power of the King in Parliament is absolute, or that the 
 two Houses of Parliament, with his concurrence, can make 
 him so, over all or any part of his dominions, (for the sen- 
 tence under review involves that conclusion,) as well ac- 
 quainted as he is "with the doctrines of Mr. Locke, and 
 other of the advocates for the rights of mankind," he can 
 find nothing in their writings to support such an unlimited 
 power in the Crown. Or if he means that the Parliament, 
 as the supreme legislative, " have, and ought to have a 
 power to make laws binding upon the King's American 
 subjects " in all cases whatsoever," he will find it equally 
 difficult to produce any authority for such an absolute power, 
 till it can be proved that America is within the realm of 
 England, or that the Americans have consented to the 
 laws by which it is expected they should be bound. If, 
 therefore, America is not within the limits of the realm ; 
 if there are acts of Parliament grievous and oppressively 
 binding upon Americans, to which they have never con- 
 sented, or even acquiesced in, and no authority can be pro- 
 duced from the labours of those great advocates for the 
 rights of mankind, which the General appeals to, for such 
 an uncontrollable power over three millions of his unrep- 
 resented fellow-subjects, it follows, upon his own principles, 
 that he must either sheathe his sword, or own that "he 
 draws it in the cause of slavery." If the General should 
 require further evidence that no such unlimited power is 
 vested by the Constitution in the King and Parliament, I 
 beg leave to recommend to his perusal the masterly pro- 
 ductions of Novanglus, and a writer from the County of 
 Hampshire. In them he will find the subject treated at 
 large, and our right of exemption placed beyond the reach 
 of cavil. 
 
 The General goes on to say, « that towards the close of 
 the reign of Charles the First, the true principle of resist- 
 ance was changed, and a new system of Government pro- 
 jected accordingly. The Patriots previous to the long 
 Parliament, and during great part of it, as well as the glo- 
 
 rious Revolution of 1638, resisted to vindicate and restore 
 the Constitution ; the Republicans resisted to subvert it." 
 He then says, " now, Sir, lay your hand upon your heart, 
 as you have enjoined nie to do on mine, and tell me to 
 which of these purposes do the proceedings of America 
 tend." 
 
 As General Lee is silent, I beg leave to answer : that 
 their proceedings do not tend to the subversion of the Con- 
 stitution, but the preservation of it. It is for the recovery 
 of that " liberty, peace, and safety" which we and our 
 forefathers have dearly purchased and uninterruptedly en- 
 joyed " till within these ten years past, that we are con- 
 tending." Since that period, we have been, and still 
 are suffering unparalleled injuries, and more than savage 
 cruelty, from the Parent State, under colour of law ! And 
 although we have humbly and repeatedly implored our 
 Sovereign to extend his protection ; to interpose in our 
 behalf, and redress our grievances ; our petitions have been 
 treated with contempt, and our burdens increased : it is 
 not, therefore, as the General suggests, a struggle " for 
 total independency," but the weight of taxes imposed, and 
 to be imposed to an unlimited amount, and an impossibility 
 of procuring relief " in any other way," that has induced 
 America to take up arms. 
 
 We have ever cheerfully submitted to the control of 
 Parliament, in all cases whatsoever, relative to our com- 
 merce ; not from a consciousness of the Parliament's right, 
 but as a limited power, exercised for the mutual benefit of 
 both Countries. 
 
 In no case whatsoever have we been, or shall we be 
 willing to submit to the control of Parliament relative to 
 our taxes, or internal police; because, it is an unlimited 
 power, which extends to all we have ; and therefore can- 
 not be consented to without incurring perpetual bondage. 
 What, then, does the General mean by saying, " it is in the 
 power of the Colonies to put an end to the exercise of 
 taxation immediately and for ever?" If he means, that the 
 right of Parliament should remain, but never be exercised, 
 it is an instance of chicanery beneath the dignity of his 
 exalted station : for a right to exercise a power, which 
 implies the exertion of it, and yet is never to be exercised, 
 is a solecism in common sense; and, indeed, is no power. 
 If Great Britain, therefore, " is ready to open her arms 
 to an accommodation," let her cease hostilities, recall her 
 forces, and renounce her claim of right to tax us ; since " it 
 can never be her interest, (as the General boldly asserts,) 
 after her late experience, to make another trial;" and 
 especially, since these are preliminaries, which, whilst un- 
 granted, renders any other overture inadmissible. 
 
 The history of mankind will support me when I affirm, 
 there never was a state which employed a Standing Army 
 as an executive power to maintain its laws, which did not 
 sooner or later become the sole legislative power of that 
 state, and ultimately the destruction of civil liberty. 
 
 The General, therefore, may be as sanguine as he pleases 
 about " the principles which actuate the Fleet and Army 
 throughout." No principles but such as are founded in 
 despotism, can justify their inhuman treatment of their in- 
 nocent American fellow-subjects ; no, not the mandate of 
 their Sovereign, much less of a profligate Ministry. 
 
 I have Lord Chatham's authority to affirm, that " the 
 value of the landed estates in England has doubled within 
 these fifty years in consequence of their exclusive com- 
 merce with America ; that the profits arising from it car- 
 ried the Nation triumphantly through the last war:" it is 
 therefore false to say, as the General does, that " the land- 
 ed men have long borne burdens for America :" we, and 
 not they, have borne the burden; and the time is now 
 come when, I trust in God, we shall be exonerated. 
 
 But the General says, "Great Britain is resolute to 
 maintain her rights ; and if the war proceeds, one hundred 
 and fifty thousand men will not be a match for her power." 
 
 It ill becomes a brave and generous soldier to be the 
 echo of such a shameful Ministerial puff! 
 
 In the name of wonder ! what was the power of Great 
 Britain before her connection with America 1 What will it 
 be when fraud, oppression, and every species of injustice 
 shall force Americans to an everlasting separation? 
 
 Is there the least probability arising from the progress of 
 her arms hitherto, of their becoming victorious? It is true, 
 General Gage, by an infamous breach of faith, has made 
 
1641 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1642 
 
 some unhappy people in Boston his prisoners, and their 
 property his spoil ; the Troops under his command have 
 committed many robberies, burnt many houses, and mur- 
 dered some of the inhabitants ; but it is equally true, they 
 have paid excessively dear for all they have got, and every 
 inch of ground they possess. 
 
 What say you, my countrymen ! Does Colonel Les- 
 lie's disappointment, the retreat from Lexington, the de- 
 struction of the King's Troops there and at Charlestoivn, 
 and the other trials of our skill at arms excite any fearful 
 apprehensions that we shall finally be vanquished? Are 
 not all of them proofs of valour and intrepidity sufficient 
 to convince our enemies that we are invincible? 
 
 May we not, therefore, with approbation, conclude, that 
 whilst we admit General Burgoyne to be an elegant writer, 
 we cannot help considering him as a very bad reasoner ? 
 God grant that his sword may prove as harmless as his 
 pen. An Old Man. 
 
 From my Cottage near Boston, August, 1775. 
 
 TO GENERAL BURGOYNE. 
 
 Although the intercourse between yourself and General 
 Lee is closed, you will permit an American, who is a stran- 
 ger to you both, and has never seen either of the Armies 
 in which you command, to address you, Sir, on the inter- 
 esting subject of your late correspondence. 
 
 From the time of the conquest to the Revolution, the 
 history of England affords innumerable instances of the 
 People struggling for their rights, and the Sovereigns tena- 
 cious of assumed prerogatives ; but the power of taxing them- 
 selves was the privilege of which our common ancestors 
 were particularly jealous. 
 
 The present controversy between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies originated from the question, whether the British 
 Commons have a right to give and grant our moneys with- 
 out our consent. For the question, you have urged as a 
 principle of the Constitution, the supremacy of the King 
 in Parliament. Against it, the Colonies have adduced ano- 
 ther principle, which, in the words of Sir Edward Coke, is 
 this: "It is against the franchises of the land, for freemen 
 to be taxed but by their own consent." Modern Parlia- 
 ments, with a kingly fondness for prerogative, have winked 
 the latter principle out of sight, though their predecessors, 
 the Commons of England, resolutely contended for it in 
 the beginning of the reign of Charles the First, when, as 
 you allow, they resisted to vindicate and restore the Con- 
 stitution. In opposition to the unjust claim of the Crown 
 to impose taxes, the House of Commons, in the third year 
 of that Prince, voted, " that every freeman has, by ancient 
 and indubitable right, the absolute and entire property of 
 his own estate ;" and both Houses, by the Petition of Right 
 presented to His Majesty in the same year, " pray that no 
 man hereafter be compelled to make it yield any gift, loan, 
 benevolence, tax, or such like charge, without common 
 consent by act of Parliament." 
 
 These immortal Whigs, as you call them, thought the 
 consent of those who were to pay the money indispensa- 
 bly necessary to a legal tax; and upon this principle, the 
 speeches of their leaders, and the petition itself, prove they 
 grounded their demand. 
 
 In the first year of the long Parliament (at which time 
 you extol their patriotism and resistance) the Commons, 
 Mr. Hume informs us, revived the pretensions with regard 
 to tonnage and poundage; and adds, "the levying these 
 duties, as formerly, without consent of Parliament, and 
 even increasing them at pleasure, was such an incongruity 
 in a free Constitution, when the people, by their fundamen- 
 tal privileges, cannot be taxed but by their own consent, 
 as could no longer be endured by these jealous patrons of 
 liberty." If their resistance was justifiable and virtuous, 
 is not ours so ? Are the claims of the British Parliament 
 less dangerous to the Americans than those of Charles I. 
 were to the people of England ? He was under no temp- 
 tation to lay heavier burdens on one part of his subjects 
 than another; you have self-interest held up as a motive 
 to oppress us. 
 
 But we are denied the right of resistance if other means 
 of redress can be obtained. We have often presented pe- 
 titions, which (because they called in question the right of 
 
 Parliament to tax us) were styled undutifui, and were reject- 
 ed, or if received were treated with neglect. If you can 
 tell of any other peaceable means of redress, in the name 
 of humanity let us know it. Certainly you cannot wish us to 
 apply to Parliament, and say, We indeed have no voice in 
 your appointment, and no influence in your counsels, never- 
 theless you have a right to dispose of us and all we have 
 at pleasure, but we implore your mercy to continue to us 
 the enjoyments of life. This, Sir, is not the language of 
 freemen, and the Americans, therefore, have never learnt 
 to speak it. Could we be base enough to act so slavish a 
 part, your resentment might cease, but must be succeed- 
 ed by contempt. 
 
 The landed men in England, who have long borne bur- 
 dens for America, you say, are against us. The last war 
 indeed began on this Continent ; but are we on that account 
 to bear any more than our proportion of its expense? As 
 well might the logwood cutters in the Bay of Campeachy 
 be charged with the burdens of the war before it, because 
 a dispute between those logwood cutters and the Spanish 
 guarda costas gave birth to that war. 
 
 Before the last rupture with the French, the conduct of 
 that people, both in the East-Indies and America, evinced 
 their design to disturb the trade of Britain. Their line of 
 forts from Canada to the Mississippi was calculated to mo- 
 nopolize the fur trade. Your interest was struck at. The 
 views of both Crowns were the extension and security of 
 their Fishery and Commerce. Great Britain prevailed, 
 and then recognized, in the most honourable terms, the zeal 
 and efforts of the Colonies, however mean-spirited she may 
 think them now. She had not then in contemplation the 
 design to protect our property from the French, that she 
 might afterwards seize it herself, without our consent. Such 
 a design would have been inconsistent with the spirit of 
 magnanimity which inspired her councils, and repugnant to 
 every principle of honour and justice. 
 
 You say we deny the right of British legislation to im- 
 pose taxes, and consequently struggle for total independency. 
 This argument is unkind and fallacious ; unkind, as every 
 Assembly and Congress on the Continent has disavowed the 
 intention ; and fallacious, because the proposition is parti- 
 cular, and the consequence general. May not one person 
 or community be dependant on another without being total- 
 ly dependant ? If in Great Britain the Constitution is free 
 and limited, and the Colonies are entitled to equal freedom, 
 is it not impossible that their dependance ought to be abso- 
 lute and without limitation. Ireland has long felt her depen- 
 dance without owning the power in question, and the Ame- 
 ricans have been affectionate and loyal in such a situation, 
 more than one hundred and thirty years. When you first 
 made and they opposed your claim of right to taxation, 
 they thought no more of independence than the Parlia- 
 ment in 1628 thought of beheading King Charles ; they 
 would now esteem it a most unfortunate event ; and nothing 
 but a settled habit of cruelty in the mother can make the 
 child forget its filial duty. 
 
 King Charles at first denied to the people their ancient 
 rights ; the high sense he entertained of his own dignity 
 would not readily permit him to correct mistakes. The 
 passions of the people were inflamed. They afterwards 
 denied to him his just prerogatives, and even abolished the 
 regal power. In civil contests there is a keenness of ani- 
 mosity unfelt in foreign wars. The voice of reason is less 
 regarded, and the tenderest feelings of the soul change to 
 envenomed hate. 
 
 That some attempt to bring about an accommodation of 
 the present dispute, may be attended with success equal to 
 the benevolence of the design, is the most ardent wish of 
 
 A Countryman. 
 
 DECLARATION OF ADAM McCULLOCH. 
 
 Arundel, July 10, 1775 
 Whereas I, the subscriber, have, by some inadvertences, 
 been so unhappy as to fall under the displeasure of the 
 good people of this place; and many things have been laid 
 to my charge of an inimical nature to the just rights and 
 liberties of the good people of this Country, some of which 
 I am not guilty of. I do now publickly declare, that so 
 far as I have been guilty, either in words or actions, of 
 offending the same, in matters of a civil nature, more espe- 
 
1643 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1644 
 
 cially in regard to the unhappy contest now prevailing be- 
 tween Great Britain and these Colonies, that 1 am heartily 
 sorry, and do now humbly ask the forgiveness of all the 
 friends of America for the same ; and do promise that I 
 will not offend in like manner again, but will do all that 
 lays in power for the defence of the rights and privileges 
 of this Country; and shall ever esteem it my greatest hap- 
 piness of a temporal nature to enjoy the favour and friend- 
 ship of the people with whom 1 now dwell; and will for 
 the future pay due obedience to the lawful authority and 
 advices of this Province, and determine to stand or fall with 
 the fate of the same ; heartily wishing that every resolution 
 and determination for the good of the publick may have 
 us desired effect. Adam McCulloch. 
 
 TO THE PEOPLE. 
 
 London, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Awake, my countrymen! appeal to your own understand- 
 ings, and value, as you ought, your excellent form of Gov- 
 ernment. What man amongst us, when his private rights 
 are invaded, does not immediately seek redress for the in- 
 jury he has sustained? What wretch is there, then, so 
 shamefully degenerated, as to be an unconcerned spectator 
 of his Country's ruin ? As Government was instituted for 
 our good, we are to know whether our governours have our 
 interest at heart. Actions must speak for themselves ; we 
 are not to be deluded by empty professions. It is our duty 
 to prolong the life of liberty, and not to let the shackles of 
 slavery be imposed upon this, or any future generation. 
 While our Country remains, all good men, I am sure, will 
 unite in this purpose, to deem nothing too hard to be en- 
 dured or done for its interest, provided it be consistent with 
 the laws of that more ancient and sacred association of man- 
 kind, of which God is the parent and governour. Let us 
 look back to the beginning of the present reign, and see in 
 what manner our most sacred rights and liberties have been 
 infringed, and daringly violated. We patiently, to our great 
 shame, endure innumerable oppressions, when our noble 
 ancestors, at the expense of their lives, would have had 
 ample redress for a single grievance. 
 
 The first stride of despotism and arbitrary power, was 
 in arresting English subjects, and even a member of the 
 British Legislature, by virtue of a general warrant, issued 
 by a Secretary of State, contrary to the laws of the land. 
 
 We have seen their houses lifled and plundered, their 
 papers seized, and used as evidence upon trial. 
 
 Their bodies committed to close imprisonment. 
 
 The Habeas Corpus eluded. 
 
 Trial by Jury discountenanced, and the first law officer 
 of the Crown publickly insinuating that Juries are not to 
 be trusted. 
 
 Printers punished by the Ministry in the Supreme Court, 
 without a trial by their equals — without any trial at all. 
 
 The remedy of the law for false imprisonment barred 
 and defeated. 
 
 The plaintiff and his attorney, for their appeal to the 
 law of the land, punished by expenses and imprisonment, 
 and made, by forced engagement, to desist from their legal 
 claim. 
 
 A writing determined to be a libel by a Court, where it 
 was not cognizable in the first instance, contrary to law, 
 because all appeal is thereby cut off; and inferiour Courts 
 and Juries influenced by such predetermination. 
 
 A person condemned in the said Court, as the author 
 of the supposed libel, unheard, without defence or trial. 
 
 Unjust treatment of Petitions, in selecting parts to crimi- 
 nate the petitioner, and refusing to hear those which might 
 procure him redress. 
 
 Perpetual imprisonment of an Englishman without trial, 
 conviction, or sentence, by the same mode of attachment, 
 wherein the same person is at once party, accuser, judge, 
 and jury. 
 
 Instead of the ancient legal civil police, the military in- 
 troduced at every opportunity, unnecessarily and unlawfully 
 patrolling the streets, to the alarm and terrour of the inhabi- 
 tants. 
 
 The lives of many of our fellow subjects destroyed by 
 military execution. 
 
 Such military execution solemnly adjudged to be legal. 
 Murder abetted, encouraged, and rewarded. 
 
 A large Standing Army kept in times of profound peace, 
 contrary to an express article of the Bill of Rights. 
 
 The Civil Magistracy rendered contemptible, by the ap- 
 pointment of improper persons. 
 
 Civil Magistrates tampered with by Administration, and 
 neglecting and refusing to do their duty. 
 
 Mobs and rioters hired and raised by the Ministry, to 
 justify and recommend their illegal proceedings. 
 
 The freedom of Election violated by corrupt and undue 
 influence, by unpunished violence and murder. 
 
 The verdicts of Juries and opinion of Judges overruled, 
 and determinations of law set aside by new, unprecedent- 
 ed, and dangerous means, thereby leaving the guilty with- 
 out restraint, and the innocent without redress, and the lives 
 of fellow-subjects at the mercy of every ruffian protected 
 by Administration. 
 
 Obsolete and vexatious claims of the Crown set on foot, 
 for partial and election purposes. 
 
 Partial attacks on the liberty of the Press; pernicious 
 libels against the Constitution allowed to pass unnoticed, , 
 when the slightest libel against a Minister is punished with 
 the utmost rigour. 
 
 Wicked attempts to increase and establish an enormous 
 Standing Army, by endeavouring to vest in the Crown an 
 unlimited power over the Militia. 
 
 Resolutions of one branch of the Legislature set up as 
 the law of the land. 
 
 Publick Money shamefully squandered and unaccount- 
 ed for; all inquiry into the Civil List prevented. 
 
 Inquiry into a Paymaster's publick accounts stopped, 
 though the sums unaccounted for amount to above forty 
 millions sterling. 
 
 Publick loans perverted to private Ministerial purposes. 
 
 Prostitution of publick honours and rewards to men 
 who can neither plead publick virtue nor services. 
 
 Irreligion and immorality encouraged by Administration, 
 both by example and precept. 
 
 Rjght of taxation assumed without any representation, 
 in direct violation of the law of the land. 
 
 Our fellow subjects in America plundered and butchered 
 by an Army, their complaints unheard, and their oppression 
 hourly increasing. 
 
 Lastly, our right of Petition denied, contrary to an ex- 
 press article of Magna Charta. 
 
 These, with many other infringements of our rights, de- 
 mand our earliest exertions in the true cause of liberty and 
 our Country. Our children are dear to us, so are our wives, 
 our parents, our kinsmen, our friends and acquaintance. 
 But our Country contains within it all those objects of en- 
 dearment ; and therefore it is the duty of every good man 
 to be ready to lay down his life for it, if he can thus do it ser- 
 vice. Rouse up, for shame ! and revenge your wrongs. 
 A voice from our fellow subjects on the Continent, anima- 
 ted with a true love of liberty, calls aloud to action. Great 
 Sidney's shade complains that we are slow, and Allen's 
 ghost stalks unrevenged amongst us. Brutus. 
 
 JOHN GRENNELL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Huntington, Long-Island, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Agreeable to instructions received from the respect- 
 able the Provincial Congress for enlisting men, I now report 
 my proceedings therein to you. Have served the subalterns 
 with their instructions, and received their answer, that it is in- 
 convenient for them to accept, by reason of business, which 
 alone prevents their serving the Country at this time. In 
 consequence thereof, I now enclose their warrants, and hum- 
 bly crave the liberty to recommend to the notice of the 
 Committee of Safety two other gentlemen, who will serve, 
 and be acceptable to the people that I expect to enlist. 
 
 The refusal of those gentlemen has prevented my pro- 
 gress in that matter, as other officers in their stead may 
 perhaps be appointed under whom they would not so rea- 
 dily serve, and therefore postpone the business until it is 
 known. The gentlemen I have in view are, Mr. Samuel 
 Smith, of Smithtown, first Lieutenant, and Mr. Alexander 
 Ketchum, of this place, second Lieutenant. Harvesting, 
 which is at the height, has greatly impeded the enlisting. 
 Some have offered, but I thought prudent not to enroll them 
 until that business was over, when a prospect appears of 
 filling up the company at once, which will be a saving 
 
1645 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1640 
 
 of expenses for the intermediate time. Some who stand 
 ready to enlist have arms, ammunition, and blankets. Shall 
 be obliged by orders how to act in that case, and what 
 encouragement 1 should give them for such necessaries. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient, humble ser- 
 vant, John Grennell. 
 
 To Peter V. Brugh Livingston, Esq, to the care of Col. 
 Alexander McDougall, Xew-York. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp near New. York, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Peter Herring, the man who last night assisted in 
 conveying on board the Asia, man-of-war, one of the pri- 
 soners sent here by the Continental Congress, is now under 
 guard at our camp. I would beg the immediate advice of 
 the Committee of Safety concerning what is best to be done 
 with him. His brother is willing, and desirous that he 
 should be sent away some where, that he may be out of 
 the way of the enraged people. Some have proposed that 
 he be sent on board the Asia ; others think it best to have 
 him sent to Connecticut, with Governour Skene, who will 
 go off as soon as this matter can be determined. I hope, 
 therefore, to be assisted with your advice as speedily as pos- 
 sible ; and am, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 David Wooster. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee, Tuesday, July 11th, 
 1775. Present: 
 
 Henry Remsen, 
 Daniel Phenix, 
 Thomas Randall, 
 John Reade, 
 William Bedlow, 
 Evert Banker, 
 Edward Fleming, 
 
 William Denning, Gerret Kcttletas, 
 
 Abrm. BrinkerhofF, Lancaster Burling, 
 
 Daniel Dunscomb, Peter T. Curtenius, 
 
 John Berrian, Jacob Van Voorhies, 
 
 Eleazer Miller, William Walton, 
 
 Lewis Pintard, John Morton, 
 
 Victor Bicker, Gabriel H. Ludlow, 
 
 Cornelius Clopper, John Lasher, Abraham P. Lott, 
 
 Robert Ray, Oliver Templeton, William W. Ludlow, 
 
 Cornelius P. Low, Nicholas Bogart, Nicholas Hoffman, 
 
 James D.-sbrosses, Hercules Mulligan, John Woodward, 
 
 John Imlay, Francis Bassctt, Alex. McDougall. 
 
 A Letter, dated Elizabethtoivn, July 7, 1775, from Jona- 
 than Hampton, received and read. 
 
 A Letter, dated Fairfield, July 19, 1775, from Thad- 
 deus Burr, received and read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bull, Mr. Templeton, Mr. Bedlow, 
 Mr. Miller, Mr. Woodward, and Mr. Fleming, be a Sub- 
 Committee, to attend the sales of two bales and two trunks 
 of Goods, the property of Benjamin Booth, imported in 
 the Ship Lady Gage, Captain Mesnard, from London, in 
 December last ; also, to attend the sales of Boxes and Goods, 
 the property of Gray and Blakie. 
 
 Mr. Burling desires his dissent to be entered to the al- 
 lowing the above Goods to be sold. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read July 17, 1775.] 
 
 Albany, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have the honour to advise you that I arrived 
 here on Sunday at noon ; since which time I have been 
 closely employed in the duties of my office. 
 
 It is with pleasure I remark, that intelligence from vari- 
 ous quarters indicate a friendly disposition in the Indians 
 towards us. No efforts are, however, wanting on the part 
 of our enemies to change these sentiments in the savages 
 to resentment and hostility, an evil highly incumbent on 
 us to guard against, and of which the Committee of this 
 place have so just a sense that they pay it the closest at- 
 tention, whilst they look up to that respectable body which 
 represents the Continent of America for the line of their 
 future conduct in this delicate and important matter. 
 
 The unhappy controversy which has subsisted between 
 the officers at Ticonderoga, relative to the command, has, 
 1 am informed, thrown every thing into vast confusion. 
 Troops have been dismissed, others refuse to serve, if this 
 or that man commands. The sloop is without either cap- 
 tain or pilot, both of which are dismissed or come away : 
 I shall hurry up there much sooner than the necessary pre- 
 parations here would otherwise permit, that I may attempt 
 
 to introduce some kind of order and discipline amongst 
 them. 
 
 1 am this moment favoured with a letter from Col. Hin- 
 man, and sundry returns, copies of which enclose. You will 
 perceive by the return No. 1, that on the 7th instant they 
 had only one barrel of flour at Ticonderoga, twenty at 
 Crown Point, and twenty at Fort George. By No. 2 
 and 3, it appears that about four hundred and seventy- 
 seven barrels of flour have been sent up, amounting to 
 about ninety-five thousand four hundred rations, and that 
 about twenty thousand remain ; so that seventy-five thou- 
 sand are expended. From the same returns it appears, 
 that about sixty-five thousand rations of pork have been 
 also expended, exclusive of thirty-five fat oxen ; hence a 
 very considerable waste or embezzlement has taken place. 
 
 Permit me here, Sir, to urge the necessity of the appoint- 
 ments I recommended in my letter of the 28th June, as in- 
 dispensably necessary to carry on the service with proprie- 
 ty, economy, and certainty, to which I must add another, 
 that of a Muster-Master and Deputies ; without which such 
 a scene of confusion and controversy must unavoidably take 
 place in the payment of the Troops, as will be beyond the 
 power of the most able accountant to rectify. These offices 
 are so necessary, that I should not have hesitated one mo- 
 ment to have made the appointments, had I not received 
 your orders to the contrary. 
 
 Give me leave, Sir, to request a copy of such Articles ol 
 War as the Congress may have adopted. The scandalous 
 want of subordination, and the low treatment which I am 
 informed some officers give, and others receive, merit exem- 
 plary punishments, as they are ruinous to the Army, destruc- 
 tive to the service, and disgraceful to those in command. 
 
 Governour Trumbull has honored me with a letter, in 
 which lie advises me, that no more than forty half barrels 
 of powder can be sent me from the Colony of Connecticut. 
 That from Pennsylvania is not yet arrived, and you will 
 perceive that there is very little with the Troops. Should 
 Governour Carleton know our true situation, with respect 
 to this article, it would be very easy for him to use it to 
 our disadvantage. Governour Trumbull will send me fifteen 
 thousand Pounds in money, which is so much wanted here 
 that the spiritedjCommittee of this place have been under 
 the necessity of* emitting one thousand Pounds in small 
 bills, as a circulating medium, to pay troops and others em- 
 ployed in the service; which, although it passes as current- 
 ly as bank bills in the best of times, 1 shall order it to be 
 called in as soon as I am enabled to do it, lest it should 
 open a door to fraud and confusion. 
 
 As the transportation of salted meat is attended with 
 the very heavy expense of a sixty-five mile land carriage 
 to Fort George, before 1 left Neic-York I ordered one 
 hundred head of fat cattle to be purchased in Connecticut 
 and to be drove up to Ticonderoga, where there is a suffi- 
 ciency of pasture for them. 
 
 Enclose you, Sir, an extract of a paper received from 
 Governour Trumbull, relative to the temper of the Caugh- 
 ncnvaga Indians, marked No. 4. 
 
 The paper No. 5, will show you how very weak we 
 are with respect to vessels for transporting troops across 
 the lake, or even with those necessary to keep the com- 
 mand of the lake, in case Mr. Carleton should provide 
 himself with a naval force. I hope, however, soon after my 
 arrival at Ticonderoga to be in a better condition for main- 
 taining the advantage we have acquired. 
 
 I hope to be at Ticonderoga on Friday or Saturday, 
 from whence I shall do myself the honour to transmit you a 
 full account of the state of the troops, and of every other 
 matter which may be necessary for your information. 
 
 I am, Sir, respectfully, your most obedient, and most 
 humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq.. Sic., &c. 
 
 COLONEL BENEDICT ARNOLD TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS- 
 [Read July 17, 1775.] 
 
 Albany, July 11, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : General Schuyler has desired me to ac- 
 quaint you of the state and situation of the Army in the 
 Northern Department. Six days since, when 1 left Crown 
 Point, there were at that post near three hundred men, 
 
1647 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1648 
 
 without employ, having received no orders to fortify; at 
 Ticonderoga about six hundred, in the same state; at Fort 
 George, upwards of three hundred men ; some few employ- 
 ed in building batteaus, and on scouting parties. Very little 
 provision at any of the places ; none made for the sick, 
 which arc daily increasing ; only five hundred weight of 
 gunpowder at all the places, and no Engineer or Gunner at 
 either. Great want of discipline and regularity among the 
 troops. On the other hand, the enemy at St. John's in- 
 defatigable in fortifying, and collecting timber (supposed) 
 for building a vessel. The disposition of the Canadians 
 and Indians, from the latest accounts, very favourable. A 
 promise has, however, been extorted from the latter to 
 defend Governour Carleton if attacked, in Montreal; this of 
 course. 
 
 By giving up the command, I have been prevented re- 
 ceiving regular intelligence as heretofore ; the latest near 
 twenty days since. 
 
 1 have received no answer to my letter of the 13th June, 
 by Captain Oswald. Can only add, 1 am, with the greatest 
 respect, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble 
 servant, Benedict Arnold. 
 
 To the Honourable Continental Congress. 
 
 P. S. I had forgot to inform you my Regiment is dis- 
 banded. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The person that commanded the sloop on Lake 
 Champlain has left her. It is more than probable that I 
 shall not be able to procure at Ticonderoga such a person 
 as I should wish to command her. I entreat you, there- 
 fore, to send me with all possible despatch, a person fit to 
 confer such an important command upon. You will please to 
 transmit me an account of the agreement you may enter 
 into with him. 
 
 You will please to observe that I have ordered one hun- 
 dred fat cattle from Connecticut, and five hundred barrels 
 of flour to be purchased here, as part of the estimate I gave 
 in to you at New- York. 
 
 The powder from Pennsylvania is not yet arrived : please 
 to forward it by the first opportunity. I am, Sir, your most 
 humble, obedient servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President of the 
 
 New- York Provincial Congress. 
 
 P. S. Please to forward the packet that will be delivered 
 you to Mr. Hancock, by a safe hand. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Gentlemen: Before your favour of the 29th 
 June last came to hand, 1 was possessed of the little stores 
 Mr. Bleecker had on hand, which was pork principally ; 
 and as it did not in any wise answer, agreeable to the act of 
 our Assembly I thought it my duty to apply immediately to 
 the Committee here. They informed they had no orders 
 to purchase, though some of the gentlemen gave it as their 
 private opinion that I should provide agreeable to act of As- 
 sembly ; whose advice 1 have followed as far as lay in my 
 power, as I was informed the Army suffered to that degree 
 as threatened mutiny, if flour, kc, could not be forwarded. 
 It was with difficulty I procured ten barrels at that time, and 
 ten more at Schenectady. I have forwarded with all possible 
 despatch all the provisions 1 could obtain. 
 
 Since my return to the General, of the 10th instant, I 
 have sent forward sixty-two barrels flour, and Mr. French 
 about thirty barrels more. The General has, to my great 
 satisfaction, ordered the Committee to purchase flour for 
 me. 
 
 I am desired by Colonel Hinman to send up rum and 
 hospital stores, agreeable to act of our Assembly ; but these 
 articles are not to be had here, and the Army thinks me in 
 the fault, and I cannot conceive that I am authorized by my 
 commission to purchase stores, though I have presumed it 
 on myself on this emergency, as I am expressly ordered 
 to receive and forward, &z.c, from the Provincial Conven- 
 tion of New- York to the Fourth Regiment, &ic. 
 
 I have likewise, a few days ago, received a commission, 
 
 as Commissary for the Boston forces on this station, to 
 receive and forward kc, kc I hope you, gentlemen, in 
 your wisdom, will point out ways and means that those 
 necessaries may be purchased and forwarded agreeable to 
 what those soldiers may reasonably expect from the acts of 
 the New-England Provinces ; and you may rely on my 
 doing my utmost in the execution of my office and trust ; 
 while I am, gentlemen, with the greatest esteem, your most 
 obedient, and very humble servant, Elisha Phelps. 
 To the Hon. Provincial Convention at New-York. 
 
 N. B. I have thought proper to transmit a copy of the 
 above to his Honour the Governor of Connecticut. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF CORRESPONDENCE OF BRADFORD TO MASSA- 
 CHUSETTS COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 In Committee of Correspondence, Bradford, July 4, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Agreeable to your address to us directed, 
 respecting Captain Gages's Company deserting the cause 
 of their Country, which has given us and the Town great 
 uneasiness, and before we received your letter, as well 
 as since, we have exerted ourselves to the utmost of our 
 power to make them that you call deserters return to 
 their duty; and can assure your Honours, that almost all 
 those persons have re-enlisted themselves, or provided per- 
 sons that have enlisted in their room; for, upon our receipt 
 of your letter, we called the Town together, and proposed 
 to them, according to the nota bene in your letter, that 
 they would undoubtedly be entitled to and receive pay for 
 their whole services; they were encouraged, and we expect 
 they will march to join the Army, if the weather permits, 
 to-morrow, the fifth instant. Many are the reasons the 
 men give for their coming home ; but the greatest is, that 
 the field-officers of the Regiment kept them in ignorance 
 with respect to the validity of the old enlistments ; and 
 being informed they were not valid, they left on a sudden, 
 without consideration of what effect it might have on the 
 grand cause we are engaged in. But, gentlemen, they are 
 almost all returning to their duty, except a few who were 
 disaffected with the service, and were the chief instruments 
 of their coming away, preferring their own interest to that 
 of the publick, (which we will endeavour they shall be 
 made a publick example of,) and as the others are return- 
 ing to their duty, and we doubt not will do it cheerfully, 
 we hope you will receive them into favour, as if this had 
 never happened. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your very hum- 
 ble servants, Thomas Kimball, Chairman. 
 To the Committee of Safety in Cambridge. 
 
 EDMUND BRIDGE TO MASSACHUSETTS CONGRESS. 
 
 Watcrtown, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Gentlemen : Plunged into the deepest 
 distress, and in danger of perishing by famine from the 
 want of provisions, we cannot support the clamours of our 
 wives and children for bread. To you, gentlemen, next 
 to Heaven, we address our prayers for support. The in- 
 habitants of Pownalborough, in the midst of calamity, 
 have been applied to by General Gage; he offers to supply 
 us with provisions, if we will send his troops a supply of 
 fuel. We cannot comply with his demands; we would 
 not contribute to the support of the enemies of our Coun- 
 try. Pray direct us what course to pursue; give us bread, 
 and we will cheerfully sacrifice our lives, our all, in the 
 common cause. And your petitioners, as in duty bound, 
 shall ever pray. - Edmund Bridge. 
 
 To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of the Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA MILITARY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 At a meeting of the Officers of the Military Association 
 for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, held at Car- 
 penter's Hall, July 12, 1775: 
 
 Resolved, That this body invite the Committees of the 
 City and Liberties and County of Philadelphia, and the 
 Officers of the several Battalions in the said County, to 
 meet together, with this body, at the College-Hall in this 
 City, on next Saturday week, at nine o'clock in the morn- 
 
1649 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1650 
 
 ing, to take under consideration the late Resolves of the 
 honourable House of Assembly of this Province, relative 
 to the appointment of Minute-men. And that the Secre- 
 tary be directed to publish this Resolve in the English and 
 German newspapers. Published by order: 
 
 Richard Peters, Secretary. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 13, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 12, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: The troops to the northward are so few and 
 under so little discipline, that 1 begin to be apprehensive 
 of consequences should Governour Carlelon make an at- 
 tempt. 1 must, therefore, entreat you to send up all such 
 as may be raised in this Colony, without delay, with such 
 camp equipages as may be ready; the remainder must fol- 
 low. If the intrenching and other tools, which I desired 
 might be sent up, have not yet left New-York, pray let 
 them be forwarded by the very first opportunity, as we 
 stand in great need of them. I am, Sir, your most hum- 
 ble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the New- 
 York Provincial Congress. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Bennington, July 12, 1775. 
 
 May it please your Honour : The notice your Hon- 
 our hath taken of the letters I have already sent to you 
 emboldens me to trouble your Honour with this ; more 
 especially on account of the intelligence which Mr. Ben- 
 net, the post, hath this day communicated to me: he will 
 communicate the same to your Honour. This intelligence 
 corresponds with the predictions of which I have formerly 
 wrote you. 1 was apprised of the necessary consequences 
 that are about to take place, except we support our friends 
 in Canada. I lay my honour on it, that the Indians in 
 general, (I might almost have said the same of the Cana- 
 dians,) are disposed to be either neuter or assistants to the 
 United Colonies; my former letters have given the rea- 
 sons, and also the reasons why they will be necessitated to 
 join against us, except we advance an army into Canada: 
 shall, therefore, not enlarge here. 
 
 Were it not that the Grand Continental Congress had 
 lately incorporated the Green Mountain Boys into a batta- 
 lion, under certain regulations and command, I would forth- 
 with advance them into Canada, and invest Montreal, exclu- 
 sive of any help from the Colonies; though, under present 
 circumstances, I would not, for my right arm, act without or 
 contrary to order. If my fond zeal for reducing the King's 
 fortresses, and destroying or imprisoning his troops in Ca- 
 nada, be the result of enthusiasm, 1 hope and expect the 
 wisdom of the Continent will treat it as such ; and, on the 
 other hand, if it proceed from sound policy, that the plan 
 will be adopted. 
 
 Provided the enterprise be attempted, (inasmuch as in 
 our Northern Department we are scarce of the article of 
 powder, and as the Regulars are well intrenched at St. 
 John's, with a good artillery,) it will be requisite to land 
 and march out of shot of their intrenchments to Montreal, 
 which may easily be done. Commanding the country de- 
 feats the grand purpose of the enemy's fortifications. 'Tis 
 a pity such a handful of Regulars should command Canada, 
 in spite of the United Colonies, and against the will of the 
 Canadians and Indians. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your Honour's most 
 devoted, most obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Ethan Allen. 
 
 To Governour Trumbull. 
 
 GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Providence, July 12, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I beg leave to congratulate your Excellency upon 
 your being appointed General of the United Colonies, which 
 hath given sincere pleasure to every friend to America, and 
 will, 1 hope, prove glorious to yourself, and be attended 
 with essential advantages to your Country. 
 
 The General Assembly of this Colony have the deep- 
 est sense of the necessity of a strict union, and the most 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ] 
 
 vigorous efforts cf the Colonies to preserve them from un- 
 limited servitude ; and their utmost exertions in the com- 
 mon cause may be depended upon. 
 
 I also assure your Excellency, that I shall give you 
 every assistance in my power, and that I arn, with very 
 great regard, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient humble 
 servant, Nicholas Cooke. 
 
 To his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 By the Honourable Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, Deputy- 
 Governour and Lieutenant-General oj and over the 
 English Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence 
 Plantations in New-England, in America: 
 
 a proclamation. 
 Whereas, the General Assembly of the Colony afore- 
 said, at their session held at Providence, on Wednesday, 
 the 28th of June last, taking into consideration the present 
 alarming situation of the Colonies, and the necessity of 
 putting this Colony into a posture of defence, passed an 
 Act requesting me to issue a Proclamation, commanding 
 every man in the Colony, able to bear arms, to equip him- 
 self with Arms and Ammunition, according to law: 1 have, 
 therefore, thought fit to issue this Proclamation, hereby 
 commanding every man in the Colony, able to bear arms, 
 immediately to equip himself with Arms and Ammunition, 
 according to law, upon the penalties of the law in such 
 cases provided. 
 
 Given under my hand and the seal of the Colony, at 
 Providence, the twelfth day of July, in the year of our 
 Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, and 
 fifteenth of the reign of His Majesty George the Third, 
 by the grace of God, King of Great Britain, &.c. 
 
 Nicholas Cooke. 
 
 By his Honour's command : 
 
 Henry Ward, Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM CAMBRIDGE, DATED JULY 
 
 12, 1775. 
 
 The day before yesterday we went to Chelsea, famous 
 for the battle of Noddle Island near to it. While we were 
 on Powderhorn Hill, back of Chelsea, we saw a skirmish 
 between a party of our people, (one hundred and ten in 
 number,) who went in whale boats to an island about 
 twelve miles from Boston, and burnt a large quantity of 
 hay, which was put up into bundles by the Regulars, and 
 intended to be sent to Boston for their horses. A great 
 number of Marines, in schooners, men-of-war boats, and 
 two ships-of-war, kept up a constant fire on our men, while 
 they remained on the island ; but this did not prevent them 
 from destroying the hay. The schooners and boats endea- 
 voured to cut oft' their retreat, which brought on a very 
 warm engagement, in which we had one killed and one 
 wounded. The loss of the Regulars is not known, but 
 supposed to be considerable, as they were drove off several 
 times, and finally obliged to retire : which would not have 
 been the case, if they had not lost some men. 
 
 Yesterday we spent in Roxbury ; while there we were 
 amused with a heavy fire of cannon and mortars from the 
 lines of the Regulars on the neck, and from one of their 
 floating batteries, against two hundred of our men, who 
 were throwing up a breastwork in front of the George 
 Tavern, on the same neck, and within a few rods of the 
 Regulars' advanced guard; our people kept on their work, 
 and never returned a shot. Three bombs burst near our 
 men, without injuring one of them ; most of the cannon- 
 shot were taken up and brought to the General. It is 
 diverting to see our people contending for the balls as they 
 roll along. 
 
 One circumstance, much to their reputation, I must men- 
 tion : During a severe cannonade at Roxbury last week, a 
 bomb, thirteen inches in diameter, fell within our line, and 
 burnt furiously; four of our artillery-men ran up, and one 
 kicked out the fuse and saved the bomb, and probably some 
 lives — a stroke of heroism worthy of record. I heard the 
 man's name yesterday, but now forget it. The Regulars 
 have so hardened our people with their repeated firing, 
 that a cannonading is just as much minded there as a com- 
 
 04 
 
1651 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1652 
 
 mon thunder shower. All things look well ; we are now 
 strongly posted, so are the Regulars. I believe neither 
 side are willing to attack each other in their lines. 
 
 We have just got overland from Cape Cod a large fleet 
 of whale-boats ; in a day or two we shall man them in Cam- 
 bridge and Mistick Rivers, and try to keep our enemy's 
 boats from insulting us. The Regulars do not seem willing 
 to come out, but our people are perpetually provoking 
 them. 
 
 A gentleman who got out of Boston Monday, July 10, 
 says, that the inhabitants were numbered, and amounted 
 to 6,573 ; the soldiers numbered, women and children, to 
 13,600. Three hundred Tories are chosen to patrole the 
 streets, forty-nine of a night. Very sickly; from ten to 
 thirty die in a day, and no bells allowed to toll. Master 
 Lovell taken up and put in jail, which is in consequence 
 of some letters found in Dr. Warren's pocket; and Master 
 Leech also. Released out of jail four. Mr. Hunt saying, 
 that he wished the Americans might kill them all, was 
 confined in jail. Eleven dead of the wounded prisoners 
 at Chadestown ; Colonel Parker dead, he having declared, 
 at his last hour, if he got well he would do the same. 
 
 The officers say, damn the rebels, that they would not 
 flinch. A great number of floating batteries are building, 
 and five transports and three sloops are sailed for hay and 
 wood to the eastward. 
 
 This gentleman also says, that the officers and soldiers 
 triumph very much at the death of Doctor Warren, saying 
 it is better to them than five hundred men. 
 
 GENERAL GATES TO GENERAL LEE. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 12, 1775. 
 
 Sir : 1 am commanded by the General-in-Chief to ac- 
 quaint you, that he is exceedingly desirous to draw the 
 body of the troops posted at Roxbury as near and as com- 
 pletely together, for the defence of the several works, as 
 the nature of the ground and the conveniency of covering 
 them will admit ; and to that end, the General wishes you 
 would inform him what tents, sails, or boards, may be want- 
 ed to cover the men, and they shall be forthwith supplied 
 from hence. I have it also in command from the General 
 to recommend it to you to have the houses removed out of 
 the street at Roxbury, as they may cover and facilitate the 
 approach of the enemy. The General further directs me 
 to desire that you will exert your utmost vigilance to 
 get your several works finished and completed, your lines 
 closed, and particularly the abattis, and the platforms imme- 
 diately laid. As we are much in want of boats for Mistick 
 and Cambridge Rivers, you will, as soon as possible, send 
 two for each of these rivers to the Head-Quarters at Cam- 
 bridge. 
 
 With great regard, Sir, I am, your most humble ser- 
 vant, Horatio Gates. 
 To General Lee. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SUPPLIES TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Chamber of Supplies, Watertown, July 12, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: General Washington has sent a memoran- 
 dum for four hundred rounds of thirty-two pound shot, and 
 we have ordered the same from the furnace which we em- 
 ploy. But lest we should be disappointed in point of time, 
 we think it necessary to apply for the same to be sent from 
 Portsmouth, if to be procured. 
 
 We are, truly, gentlemen, your very humble servants, 
 David Cheever, per order. 
 
 francestown (new-hampshire) committee. 
 Whereas, it has been falsely reported that the Committee 
 of Safety for Francestown were not fairly and legally chosen, 
 and by reason of said report the publick were dissatis- 
 fied with the proceedings of said Committee: whereupon, 
 we, the Selectmen of said Francestown, judged it our duty 
 to call in some disinterested persons to determine the mat- 
 ter, and thereupon sent to the Committees of Safety for 
 two neighbouring Towns, who, when convened, unanimous- 
 ly voted and agreed that said Committee were fairly and 
 legally chosen, and had good right to act in all cases for the 
 safety of said Francestown, and that their proceedings and 
 determinations are and ought to be as valid as the proceed- 
 
 ings and determinations of any Committee of Safety in any 
 Town whatsoever. 
 
 Signed by order of the Selectmen: 
 
 William McM aster, Town Clerk. 
 
 Francestown, July 12, 1775. 
 
 HILLSBOROUGH (nEW-HAMPSHIRe) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Amherst, July 13, 1775. 
 Whereas, the Delegates for the County of Hillsborough, 
 in the Province of New-Hampshire, in Congress, appoint- 
 ed a Committee from several Towns to hear, examine, and 
 try John Quigly, Esq., a person lately confined in the Jail 
 at Amherst, on suspicion of being an enemy to the liberties 
 of America, and lately liberated from said Jail, but still 
 behaves as an open and avowed enemy to the liberties of 
 America : Said Quigly being notified of time and place of 
 trial did not appear. Ordered, That his contempt be re- 
 corded. And upon a full and fair examination of sundry 
 evidences, we find him guilty of the several crimes laid to 
 his charge, and we look upon him as a dangerous person to 
 be suffered to go at large : and we do hereby caution all 
 persons from all connections with him. 
 
 David Badger, per order of Committee. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The bearer hereof, John Quigly, Esq., has met 
 with difficulty, and thinks it unsafe for him to tarry at the 
 place of his usual abode, by reason of a disaffection in some 
 persons against him. We would recommend it to you, to 
 take him into your company in the common service. 
 
 Captain Timothy Bedel, Esq. 
 
 john ojuigly's declaration. 
 
 Whereas, there has been wickedly and maliciously raised 
 and propagated against me, the subscriber, certain scanda- 
 lous falsehoods, with an intent, as must be supposed, to cause 
 the publick to view me in the odious light of an enemy 
 to my Country; whereupon I declare that I never said or 
 did any thing with an intent to destroy the liberties of Ame- 
 rica, or to hurt the publick good, and am now ready to risk 
 my life and fortune in the defence of my Country's just 
 rights, when properly called, as it always has been and still 
 is my sincere wish to live in peace and harmony with my 
 Country, and serious determination to promote to the utmost 
 of my power the publick weal and tranquillity of the same, 
 whose glory I view as closely connected with my own in- 
 terest; and I hope my future conduct will fully prove the 
 sincerity of my present declaration. John Quigly. 
 
 Francestown, July 26, 1775. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Francestown, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the foregoing declaration of JohnQuigly, 
 Esq., now laid before the Committee, is fully satisfactory to 
 us, and we hope will remove any ill impressions that may 
 have been made on the minds of the good people of this 
 Continent, in consequence of his being committed to jail, 
 or confined there; as we put up an advertisement, desiring 
 all persons that had any thing to offer against said Quigly 
 to bring it in to us, and no proper evidence appearing to 
 oppose the said Qjdgly, and it appearing to us that many 
 false reports has been made and spread against said Quigly, 
 and this being the second trial, we, upon examination, not 
 finding just cause to deem him an enemy to this Country: 
 therefore, it is our opinion that the said Quigly ought to be 
 received and treated as a friend to his Country. 
 
 Signed by order of the Committee: 
 
 William McMaster, Clerk. 
 
 BALTIMORE (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a special meeting of the Committee of Baltimore 
 Town, held on Thursday the 13th July, 1775, at 4 o'clock, 
 P. M. Present: Mr. William Smith, Chairman, and twen- 
 ty-eight Members. 
 
 A Letter from James Christie, Jun., Merchant of this 
 Town, directed to Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Christie, of 
 His Majesty's Sixtieth Regiment, at Antigua, having been 
 intercepted, was laid before the Committee, and ordered to 
 
1653 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1654 
 
 be read, which was accordingly done, and the following 
 paragraphs are part of the contents : 
 
 "Baltimore, February 22, 1775. 
 
 " We are in such terrible confusion here with our politicks, 
 there is no depending on any thing ; and that, added to other 
 things, makes me wish myself out of the Province. We 
 are little behind the JSew-Englanders — mustering, purchas- 
 ing arms, ammunition, Sic. We have some violent fanati- 
 cal spirits among us, who do every thing in their power 
 to run things to the utmost extremity, and they are gone 
 so far, that we moderate people are under the necessity of 
 uniting for our own defence, after being threatened with 
 expulsion, loss of life, &,c, for not acceding to what we 
 deem treason and rebellion. The Provost and family are 
 very well ; our publick affairs vex him, and he wishes him- 
 self away, but I know not when or if ever that will hap- 
 pen. A part of yours, or any other Regiment, I believe, 
 would keep us very quiet." 
 
 The Committee then summoned Mr. Christie to attend 
 them, but being confined to his bed he was unable to do it; 
 they then sent Messrs. James Calhoun, William Buchan- 
 nan, Thomas Harrison, Thomas Jones, William Goodwin, 
 and Isaac Vanbibber, to wait on him at his house, and to 
 inquire whether the said Letter was wrote by him. 
 
 The gentlemen returned, and report, that Mr. Christie had 
 been shown the Letter, and acknowledged that it was wrote 
 by him ; but requested that any further proceedings thereon 
 might be postponed until his health would permit his per- 
 sonal attendance. The Committee not thinking it proper 
 to comply with his request, as Mr. Christie had confessed 
 he wrote the Letter, immediately gave him notice thereof; 
 upon which Mr. Robert Christie attended on his behalf ; but 
 it growing late, and many of the members being withdrawn, 
 the Committee directed a guard of nine men, under the 
 command of an officer, to be placed round Mr. Christie's 
 house, and then adjourned till to-morrow morning, at nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met according to adjournment. Present : 
 Mr. William Smith, Chairman, and thirty-three Members. 
 
 They resumed the business of yesterday. Mr. Robert 
 Christie attended, and declared, that Mr. James Christie 
 was very sorry for the Letter he had wrote Lieut. Colonel 
 Christie ; that he did not mean any harm by it, and that 
 he was very willing to acquiesce in the determination of the 
 Committee. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Doctor John Boyd, and Mr. 
 John McLure, members of this Committee, do wait on Mr. 
 James Christie, and inquire of him who those moderate 
 people were, that united for their defence, as mentioned in 
 his Letter, and that they take his answer in writing. 
 
 The gentlemen returned, and report: that Mr. Christie 
 declared there never was any association between him and 
 his friends for the purpose alluded to, or for any other pur- 
 pose ; and all that he remembers to have passed on the occa- 
 sion was, that some time last winter he was informed, that 
 he, with some of his friends, were to be made a publick 
 example of, for not uniting with the Town in the present 
 opposition, and this being spoken of accidentally among 
 two or three of his friends, it was proposed, whether an 
 association for mutual defence would be advisable ; but no 
 determination being then made, and they soon after being 
 convinced that no threats worth notice had been thrown 
 out against them, the matter dropped, and was never af- 
 terwards thought of, or attempted ; and that it was at this 
 time of doubt and apprehension, that he had wrote the 
 letter in question, which accounts for that part of it alluded 
 to in this inquiry. 
 
 The Committee proceeded to take Mr. Christie's con- 
 duct with respect to said Letter into further and deliberate 
 consideration, and were unanimously of opinion, that by 
 representing in said Letter the people of this Town to be 
 concerned in treasonable and rebellious practices, and that 
 a number of soldiers would keep them quiet, he has mani- 
 fested a spirit and principle altogether inimical to the rights, 
 privileges, and liberties of America: they do, therefore, think 
 it their duty to advertise the said Jmnes Christie, Jun., as 
 an enemy to this Country, and all persons are desired to 
 break off all connection and intercourse with him. 
 
 The Committee do further resolve, that as the crime of 
 which the said James Christie is guilty, is of so dangerous 
 
 and atrocious a nature, they will lay the same before their 
 Delegates at the Continental Congress for their advice; 
 and in the mean time it is ordered, that as Mr. Christie is 
 confined to his bed, and cannot be removed with safety to 
 a place of security, the same guard be continued at his 
 house to prevent any escape attempted either by himself 
 or the assistance of his friends, and that Mr. Christie pay 
 each man five shillings for each twenty-four hours, and the 
 officers seven shillings and six pence. 
 
 A report having been circulated that a number of Arms 
 and a quantity of Ammunition were secretly lodged in the 
 house of Mr. James Christie, and the same being men- 
 tioned in the Committee, they directed two of their mem- 
 bers (Captain Clopper and Mr. James Cox) to go imme- 
 diately and search Mr. Christie's house; which they accord- 
 ingly did, and reported that they had examined the house 
 attentively in every part, attended by Mr. Robert Christie, 
 Jun., and that they only found two Guns and a pair of Pis- 
 tols, and no Ammunition, and were convinced no others 
 were in the house. 
 
 Extract from the Minutes of the 14th July: 
 
 William Lux, Secretary. 
 
 Resolved, That these proceedings be published in the 
 Maryland Papers. 
 
 Copy from the Minutes of the proceedings : 
 
 William Lux, Secretary. 
 
 The following is a copy of Mr. Christie's Letter : 
 
 Baltimore, February 22, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I duly received your favours of the 13th 
 and 22d November, and should probably have wrote you 
 before now, had I not met with the greatest misfortune in 
 the power of fate to inflict on me, in the loss of the wife of 
 my soul, on the 15th December last, that has almost put 
 it out of my power to mind any thing for some time past, 
 and all my fortitude is scarce sufficient to bear me up ; 
 however, I must submit. She had been brought to bed of a 
 girl about twenty days ; the dear little infant died a few days 
 after its mother. 
 
 I some time since remitted twenty-two pounds and eight 
 shillings sterling, to be paid your mother for the boy 's pas- 
 sage, (being twenty pounds and interest on it at six per cent, 
 since I received the money,) and which, on the whole, leaves 
 them about seven pounds currency in my debt, which I 
 shall soon receive for rent. Charles's expense for clothing, 
 schooling, &ic, when ashore runs high. But I think he may 
 now pay for it himself. Gabriel hath been with me three 
 or four months, and so far hath behaved to my satisfaction ; 
 and I would flatter myself he may easily be broke of the idle, 
 indolent habit he had been acquiring ; he applies well to any 
 thing 1 put him to, and after a while I hope may do. 
 
 As your brother's correspondence and mine has been sus- 
 pended since a letter I wrote him about the boys, soon after 
 the receipt of yours, I wrote my sister about John Grceme's 
 mandamus, and to get me the preference of it. I have 
 thought nothing more about it, and am yet quite undeter- 
 mined. At present I think of going to Britain, so soon 
 as my affairs will admit of it, and leave my little boy at 
 Stirling ; and if things turn out to my liking, perhaps I 
 may remain, and set myself down either in London or 
 Glasgow. When I may get away is wholly uncertain — I 
 would hope some time next fall. We are in such terrible 
 confusion with our politicks, there is no depending on any 
 thing ; and that, added to other things, makes me wish myself 
 out of the Province. We are little behind the New-Eng- 
 landers — mustering, purchasing arms, ammunition, he. We 
 have some violent fanatical spirits among us, who do every 
 thing in their power to run things to the utmost extremity, 
 and they are gone so far, that we moderate people are under 
 a necessity of uniting for our defence, after being threat- 
 ened with expulsion, loss of life, Stc, for not acceding to 
 what we deem treason and rebellion. 
 
 The Provost and family are very well ; I believe he has 
 nothing lately from James. He has made inquiry about ne- 
 gotiating bills on him in Bengal, and finds it may be done 
 at a disadvantage of twenty per cent., and thirty per cent, 
 more, if the bills are protested ; on the whole, fifty per cent, 
 in case of protest. Whether he will attempt it or not, I 
 know not. Our publick affairs vex him, and he wishes 
 himself away, but 1 know not when, or if ever that will 
 
1655 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 16 56 
 
 happen. A part of your or any otlier Regiment 1 believe 
 would keep us very quiet. Do you expect to remain long 
 in the West- Indies? I shall hope to hear from you soon, 
 and am, very truly, dear Sir, yours, 
 
 James Christie, Jun. 
 
 Lieut. Col. Gab. Christie, of the 60th Reg't, Antigua. 
 
 A CALM ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 New-York, July 13, 1775. 
 
 Human nature never affords a more disagreeable specta- 
 cle, than during those political ferments and convulsions 
 which are incident to civil society, sometimes from the am- 
 bitious and encroaching spirit of those in authority, some- 
 times from the factious and turbulent disposition of subjects, 
 and sometimes from a complication of both. These occa- 
 sions set all the various and secret springs of the human 
 mind in motion ; and by throwing men off their guard, dis- 
 close their real temper and characters, divested of that dis- 
 guise of which they are susceptible in the calms of life. 
 The native deformity of the heart is exposed to full view, 
 heightened by all the incitements of ambition, interest, fac- 
 tion, and resentment. While contending parties scruple 
 not to practise any arts, however unjustifiable, to attain 
 their respective ends, we behold one continual scene of 
 treachery, falsehood, dissimulation, calumny, injustice, vio- 
 lence, and every other vice that is disgraceful and perni- 
 cious. The zeal of each, isflarned by opposition, blazes 
 into extravagance, begets the most unreasonable animosi- 
 ties, and leads at last into the most fatal extremes. All 
 regard to candour and decency is laid aside ; every oppor- 
 tunity is seized with the utmost avidity, to misrepresent 
 the designs of opponents, and every step they take, how- 
 ever well-meant and innoxious, is decried as totally in- 
 sidious and destructive. It seems to be far less the aim of 
 either to arrive at truth and promote the interests of society, 
 than to contradict, vilify, and supplant each other, so that 
 we generally find, when publick disputes draw towards a 
 crisis, the opposite factions are at a much greater distance 
 than at their commencement. One side has made new 
 advances in a favourite track, and has embraced opinions 
 which it did not think of at first ; and the other has receded 
 from that post which it once held in common with its ad- 
 versaries, and has abandoned those tenets which were, in 
 the beginning, judged essential by itself. 
 
 Pride, and a latent belief of the infallibility of our own 
 judgments, are both extremely natural. These render us 
 obstinately attached to our own opinions, and impatient of 
 the least contradiction or control ; and by these, we are 
 brought to suspect every man of ignorance, hypocrisy, or 
 dishonesty, who is so unfortunate, or so presumptuous, as to 
 differ from us in sentiment. We cannot admit the suppo- 
 sition of ourselves being in an errour; nor can we entertain 
 any ingenuous charitable indulgence for the frailties of others. 
 We do not consider the delicate texture of the human un- 
 derstanding, and how liable it is to be warped by prejudice 
 and passion ; but, intoxicated as we are with fond notions 
 of our own sagacity and penetration, and, perhaps, at the 
 same time, conscious of the integrity and goodness of our 
 own intentions, we cannot forbear wondering how any can 
 be so blind and stupid as not to discern the reality of those 
 truths, which to us appear incontestable ; or so base and 
 devoid of every large, noble, and liberal sentiment, as, from 
 further motives, to shut their eyes to conviction, and to act 
 in opposition to self-evidence and demonstration. Hence 
 proceed disgust, aversion, antipathy ; and from these, de- 
 famation, insult, persecution; which, instead of remedying 
 the evil, only tend to radicate and make it incurable. 
 
 The same pride and sell-conceit that operate in this 
 manner, are also frequently productive of other effects, if 
 possible, still more culpable and prejudicial. Incidents, 
 new and unlooked-for, oft-times fall out in the course of 
 controversies, which place them upon a foundation different 
 from that on which they began ; and, by ascertaining some 
 standard in which there is, or has been, a common agree- 
 ment, seem naturally to require a cessation of hostilities 
 between the parties, and a cordial coalition and reconcilia- 
 tion. But as this seldom happens without giving some 
 advantage, real or apparent, to one party over the other, 
 we too often find the fever of opposition still unabated, to 
 the great detriment and perhaps irretrievable injury of the 
 
 community. On the one hand, we perceive a reluctance to 
 submit to the humiliating task of acknowledging an errour, 
 and an aversion to concurring in the measures of those 
 against whom the most violent enmities have been con- 
 tracted ; and, on the other hand, a preposterous spirit of 
 triumph and exultation, which breaks out upon every oc- 
 casion, accompanied with inevitable jealousies and suspi- 
 cions of the friendly pretensions of those who were formerly 
 antagonists. 
 
 This summary delineation of the usual operations and 
 progress of party spirit, is intended to inspire sentiments of 
 moderation in the different parties, which have divided this 
 Province during the present contest with Great Britain ; 
 and, by warning against excesses, to cherish and increase 
 that disposition towards a united exertion, in defence of 
 our common rights, which begins to prevail among all orders 
 of men. Nothing can be more desirable in itself, or more 
 necessary towards our mutual security, than universal har- 
 mony and good-will, which can only be effected by abolish- 
 ing all odious party distinctions, by indulging no recollections 
 of past feuds and animosities, by making the most candid 
 allowances for each other's failings, and by entertaining the 
 most favourable opinions of each other's designs. Could 
 we once be persuaded mutually to discard the lofty ideas 
 we have of our own self sufficiency, it would be easy to 
 bring both sides to a compromise and accommodation ; by 
 showing that neither has been entirely in the right ; that 
 both have erred in some particular; that the whole quantum 
 of praise or blame is not due to either; and that the dis- 
 pute with Britain, though fundamentally the same, has 
 been attended with some new and important circumstances, 
 which remove all the considerations, and obviate all the 
 objections that have heretofore supported the opposition of 
 one side to the proceedings of the other. 
 
 It is an ungrateful, and, for the most part, an unsuccessful 
 attempt, to convince men of their errours and misconduct; 
 neither is the present temper of the times, overheated by 
 passion, and blinded by prejudice, at all suited to such an 
 undertaking. The remedies that may be drawn from the 
 fountain of cool and dispassionate reasoning, by being ill- 
 timed, instead of effectuating a cure, may only serve to 
 irritate and augment the disease, and, on that account, it is 
 most prudent to defer the discussion to some future period ; 
 when the causes which now inflame the passions having 
 ceased, they will, of course, grow more calm and serene, 
 and truth will find an easier access to the tribunal of reason 
 and judgment. I shall close these reflections with a few 
 observations, in order to show that a change of conduct is 
 incumbent upon those who have formerly dissented from 
 the general measures of the Continent. 
 
 The only sources of opposition avowed by them have 
 been these : They conceived that the subject of dispute 
 did not properly relate to the right of taxation, of which 
 they always professed an absolute disavowal, but to the 
 right of regulating trade, which we all acknowledge to re- 
 side in Parliament. The duty upon tea (said they) is an 
 external regulation of commerce, not an internal tax. The 
 tea of itself is an article of luxury, confessed on all hands 
 to be extremely pernicious to health ; if we disapprove of 
 the imposition laid upon it, we ought to evade it, by ceas- 
 ing to use the obnoxious herb, and not for so inconsiderable 
 an object combine in a violent and furious resistance to that 
 country, from whence we derive our origin ; by whose 
 maternal hand we have been gently led on from helpless 
 infancy to a state of maturity and robust manhood ; under 
 whose fostering protection we have enjoyed such a rich 
 variety of blessings, and from whose vindictive frowns we 
 have reason to apprehend the most desolating mischiefs. If 
 we are aggrieved, it is our duty and interest to make a fair 
 experiment in the regular legal mode of obtaining redress, 
 before we proceed to those extraordinary expedients which 
 are without the bounds of the law, and which ought not to 
 be employed but in cases of necessity. We have reason 
 to hope that our reasonable complaints will meet with due 
 attention, and the causes of them be removed ; some con- 
 stitutional arrangement take place, and our privileges be 
 established upon a solid unprecarious basis : such as by 
 fixing proper and known boundaries to the claims of either, 
 will serve to prevent all future altercations, and secure us 
 from those inconveniences which are ever attendant upon 
 disputed claims. 
 
1657 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1658 
 
 These views were moderate and plausible. It is a pity 
 they were not better founded than the event has clearly 
 manifested. 
 
 Without a gross departure from their own principles, 
 these advocates for moderation and regularity must now 
 heartily unite with the rest of their countrymen, in the 
 most strenuous opposition to Parliament. The controversy 
 has put on a different aspect, and is now come to an issue 
 that must either induce them to relinquish their former 
 scruples, or to renounce all pretensions to consistency, fidel- 
 ity, or patriotism. Lord North lias openly declared in the 
 House of Commons, that the dispute is no longer about a 
 mere phantom, or point of honour, but about a solid sub- 
 stantial benefit to the state — an American revenue. His 
 conciliatory proposition is conformable to this declaration. 
 We are required to contribute our proportion towards the 
 support of Government, in a manner that destroys all free- 
 dom of contribution. The Parliament is ultimately to de- 
 termine concerning the sufficiency of our offers, which is 
 obviously the same as if it were at first to fix the sums it 
 might expect us to pay ; and withal, this requisition is en- 
 forced by every compulsory method that could be devised ; 
 oppressive restrictions on our trade ; a menacing Navy in 
 our ports ; and a formidable Army carrying on a bloody 
 war in our country. Here is taxation in its most unequivo- 
 cal sense, and clothed in its most hateful tyrannical form. 
 
 The decent constitutional Remonstrance of our Assembly 
 has been rejected, without the least ceremony or regard 
 even to appearances, as being highly derogatory to the 
 rights of Parliament, because it contained a denial of the 
 right of taxation. This incident must carry a mournful 
 conviction to the breast of every honest man, that Adminis- 
 uation is resolute to persist in all its exorbitant claims, and 
 to prosecute them to the most deplorable extremity. Had 
 it entertained the least inclination to come to a composition 
 of the differences subsisting between us, an honourable 
 ground was here presented ; for though we should suppose 
 tiie Remonstrance to have exhibited claims rather too ex- 
 tensive, it at least opened an unexceptionable door for 
 negotiation, and by that means an amicable termination of 
 the unhappy contest might have ensued. These considera- 
 tions loudly call upon every American, of whatsoever 
 party, cheerfully to consign over all past animosities to ob- 
 livion, and to join, with heart and hand, in the defence of 
 his country and freedom. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 13, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : If you have any provisions or hospital 
 stores, beg you will take this safe and convenient opportu- 
 nity to forward them by Mr. Benjamin French's sloop, as 
 these articles are much wanted. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble ser- 
 vant, Elisha Phelps. 
 To the Provincial Convention at New-York. 
 
 EGBERT BENSON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Dutchess Couuty, July 13, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Having been informed that the Congress was ad- 
 journed, and not knowing whether any of the gentlemen 
 from this County would be in New- York during the re- 
 cess, I have taken the liberty of transmitting to you the 
 enclosed warrants. 
 
 Mr. Adriance and Mr. Wilcox have both declined, and 
 our County Committee have, agreeable to the directions 
 of the Congress, recommended, in the stead of the former, 
 Mr. James Betls, and of the latter, Mr. Isaac Paddock. 
 
 If the Congress should think proper to appoint these 
 gentlemen, you will please to direct new warrants to be 
 issued, and sent up immediately. 
 
 We have some reason to suppose other persons have 
 already applied for the commission of Mr. Adriance ; 
 should that be the case, the Committee do not expect their 
 recommendation will interfere with a prior application. 
 
 I remain (by order of the Committee) with the utmost 
 respect, your very humble servant, 
 
 Egbert Benson, Chairman. 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 Albany Committee Chambe r, July 13, 1775. 
 The Committee of this City and County having here- 
 tofore appointed Messrs. Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert 
 Yates, Abraham Ten Broick, Jacob Cuyler, Henry Glen, 
 Francis Nicoll, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter 
 Livingston, Volkert P. Douw, and Robert Van Rensse- 
 laer, the Deputies of this City and County, to attend the 
 Provincial Congress, with general powers to represent this 
 City and County; but by reason of the inconvenience at- 
 tending the attendance of all the Deputies in the said Pro- 
 vincial Congress, 
 
 It is therefore Resolved, That for the future the said 
 Deputies attend the said Congress, or any four or more of 
 their number, for the purposes aforesaid, with the same 
 power and authority as if all the said Deputies were present. 
 
 Abraham Yates, Jr., Chairman. 
 
 John Bay, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY FOR CONNECTICUT. 
 
 At a meeting of the Governour and Council, &ic, Thurs- 
 day, 13th July, 1775. Present : 
 
 His Honour the Governour; Jabez Huntington, Esq., 
 Samuel Huntington, William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, 
 Jedediah Elderkin, Joshua West, and Benjamin Hun- 
 tington, Esquires. 
 
 The Governour laid before the Council, &lc, sundry 
 Letters and papers. Also a Letter he had prepared to Gen- 
 eral Washington, congratulating him on his appointment, 
 &c; and another to the same gentleman, hinting at General 
 Spencer's uneasiness, &lc, at being overlooked, &ic, and 
 that it was beside our expectations, &ic, and proposing, &c, 
 that said General Spencer may remain stationed at Rox- 
 bury with the body of Connecticut Troops now there, &c; 
 which are approved, though a small alteration was made in 
 the Letter to gratify Gen. Spencer after he came in, Sic. 
 
 Samuel Huntington and William Williams were desired 
 to wait on General Spencer, at Gray's, the tavern where 
 he was just arrived, and confer with him on the subject- 
 matter of his dissatisfaction, Sic, and endeavour to remove, 
 Sic, and reconcile him cheerfully to pursue the service ; 
 which they did accordingly. And having adjourned, Sic 
 
 P. M. Met again at the Govemour's, where General 
 Spencer attended, and had a long conference with him 
 on the subject-matter of his being superseded by the Gen- 
 eral Congress, in putting General Putnam above him, Sic, 
 which he thinks very hard of and resents, Sic, and is at 
 length persuaded to return to the Army, and not at present 
 quit the service as he proposed. And General Spencer 
 set out on his return to camp with the Letters to General 
 Washington. 
 
 Indian Cognahue, who brought despatches from the In- 
 dian country to the Governour, and desirous to return with 
 answer, the Governour had sent for Captain Jer. Mason, 
 who came, to inquire of him the character of said Cogna- 
 hue, Sic. 
 
 On Mr. Potter, from Norwich in Cohoss, with a written 
 request from his Town earnestly moving for Powder, on 
 consideration, this Committee think they cannot furnish him 
 with any. 
 
 On motion, ordered the two Companies of General 
 Wooster's Regiment, who were stationed at New-London, 
 (though one is yet at New-Haven,) to inarch directly to 
 camp near Boston; and the Governour gave orders accord- 
 ingly. 
 
 Doctor Turner, principal Surgeon to the Eighth Regi- 
 ment now raising, moves to be resolved, whether the Me- 
 dicine Chests, as ordered by the General Assembly, to 
 amount to the value of thirty Pounds, i. e. whether the 
 Instruments are to be included in that sum ; and it is the 
 opinion of the Committee that said sum is exclusive of the 
 necessary Instruments. 
 
 Adjourned to Monday, the twenty-fourth July instant, 
 at nine o'clock, A. M., then to consider relating to the 
 armed Vessels, Sic, ordered by the General Assembly, Sic. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Lebanon, July 13, 1775. 
 Sir: Suffer me to join in congratulating you on your 
 appointment to be General and Commander-in-Chief of the 
 
1659 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1660 
 
 Troops raised, or to be raised, for the defence of American 
 liberty. 
 
 Men who have tasted of freedom, and who have felt their 
 personal rights, are not easily taught to bear with encroach- 
 ments on either, or brought to submit to oppression. Virtue 
 ought always to be made the object of government ; justice 
 is firm and permanent. 
 
 His Majesty's Ministers have artfully induced the Par- 
 liament to join in their measures, to prosecute the dangerous 
 and increasing differences between Great Britain and these 
 Colonies with rigour and military force, whereby the latter 
 are driven to an absolute necessity to defend their rights 
 and properties by raising forces for their security. 
 
 The honourable Congress have proclaimed a Fast to be 
 observed by the inhabitants of all the English Colonies on 
 this Continent, to stand before the Lord in one day with 
 publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer, to deplore our 
 many sins, to offer up our joint supplications to God for 
 forgiveness, and for his merciful interposition for us in this 
 day of unnatural darkness and distress. 
 
 They have with one united voice appointed you to the 
 high station you possess. The Supreme Director of all 
 events hath caused a wonderful union of hearts and counsels 
 to subsist amongst us. Now, therefore, be strong and very 
 courageous. May the God of the Armies of Israel shower 
 down the blessing of his divine providence on you ; give 
 you wisdom and fortitude ; cover your head in the day of 
 battle and danger; add success; convince our enemies of 
 their mistaken measures; and that all their attempts to de- 
 prive these Colonies of their inestimable constitutional rights 
 and liberties are injurious and vain. 
 
 I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 His Excellency George Washington, Esquire. 
 
 Newburgh, Ulster County, New. York, July 14, 1775. 
 
 Whereas we, the subscribers, have refused to sign the 
 Association within the time limited by the Provincial Con- 
 gress; and whereas our troubles with the Mother Country 
 continue to increase, and we are now convinced that we 
 have no other alternative left but to repel force by force, or 
 submit to be slaves : Sensible that this is our deplorable 
 situation, and in order to continue to link our chain of friend- 
 ship still more firm, and to convince our friends and the 
 friends of American liberty in general, we do hereby 
 solemnly and sincerely swear on the holy evangelists, that 
 we will, from henceforth, heartily agree and consent to what- 
 soever our Continental and Provincial Congresses have, or 
 may do, direct, ordain, and appoint, for the preservation 
 of our constitutional liberties; and that we will, as much 
 as in us lies, discourage the spirit of opposition that has 
 too unhappily prevailed in some parts of this Country. 
 That we will, from time to time, bear and pay our quota of 
 all expenses with the rest of our brethren in America, that 
 has already or hereafter may accrue, in defending our liber- 
 ties aforesaid. And we do hereby further swear, that we 
 make this declaration and oath of our own free will and 
 voluntary consent ; and in testimony whereof, we have 
 hereunto set our hands this 14th day of July, Anno Do- 
 mini, 1775. 
 
 James Leonard, Samuel Fowler, 
 George Harding, Jonas Totten, 
 John Truesdill, Daniel Denton, 
 Daniel Gedney, James Denton, 
 Stephen Wood, Gilbert Purdy, 
 Thomas Ireland, George Merrit, 
 Daniel Hains, John Flewwelling, 
 Daniel Reynolds, John Wiggins, 
 Samuel Dewine, Abel Flewwelling, 
 Isaac Barton, Anthony Bectel Brunt. 
 Gabriel Traverse, >4 his mark. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp Cambridge, July 14, 1775. 
 Sir: Since I did myself the honour of addressing you 
 on the tenth instant, nothing material has happened in the 
 camp. From some authentick and later advices of the 
 state of the Ministerial Troops, and the great inconvenience 
 of calling in the Militia in the midst of harvest, I have been 
 induced, for the present, to waive it ; but in the mean time 
 
 recruiting parties have been sent throughout this Province, 
 to fill up the Regiments to the establishment of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress. At the same time that I received these 
 advices, I also obtained a list of the officers of the enemy 
 killed and wounded in the late battle at Charlestown, which 
 I take this opportunity to enclose. The great scarcity of 
 fresh provisions in their Army, has led me to take every 
 precaution to prevent a supply; for this purpose I have 
 ordered all the cattle and sheep to be drove from the low 
 grounds and farms within their reach. A detachment from 
 General Thomas's camp on Wednesday night went over to 
 Long-hland, and brought from thence twenty cattle and a 
 number of sheep, with about fifteen labourers, who had 
 been put on by a Mr. Ray Thomas to cut the hay, fkc. 
 By some accident they omitted burning the hay, and re- 
 turned the next day at noon to complete it ; which they 
 effected, amidst the firing of the shipping, with the loss of 
 one man killed and another wounded. 
 
 Last evening also a party of the Connecticut men strolled 
 down on the marsh at Roxbury and fired upon a sentry, 
 which drew on a heavy fire from the enemy's lines and float- 
 ing batteries, but attended with no other effect than the loss 
 of one killed by a shot from the enemy's lines. In the 
 mean time we are on both sides continuing our works, but 
 there has been no other movement than what I have noticed 
 above. I shall endeavour to give a regular and particular 
 account of all transactions as they occur, which you will 
 please to lay before the honourable Congress. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 The Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of Congress. 
 
 A true Account of the Officers of the Ministerial Troops 
 killed and wounded at the battle of Charlestown, June 
 17, 1775. 
 
 Fourth Regiment. — Captain Balfour, Captain West, 
 Lieutenant Barn, and Lieutenant Brown, wounded. 
 
 Fifth Regiment. — Major Mitchell, wounded ; Captain 
 Downes, killed ; Captain Jackson, Captain Manden, Lieu- 
 tenant Crocker, Lieutenant Clintock, Ensign Charlton, and 
 Ensign Balaquire, wounded. 
 
 Tenth Regiment. — Captain Fitzgerald, Captain Par- 
 sons, Lieutenant Pettigru, and Lieut. Hamilton, wounded; 
 Lieutenant Verner, wounded, since dead. 
 
 Fourteenth Regiment. — Lieutenant Bruce, killed ; En- 
 sign Haskett, wounded. 
 
 Eighteenth Regiment. — Ensign Richardson, wounded ; 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Abercrombie, killed; Capt. Blackney, 
 Lieutenant Cochran, Lieutenant Beckwith, and Lieutenant 
 Lenthall, wounded. 
 
 Thirty-Fifth Regiment. — Captain Lyon, killed ; Cap- 
 tain Drew, wounded, since dead ; Lieutenant Campbell, 
 wounded ; Lieutenant Bard, killed ; Lieutenant Messey, 
 wounded. 
 
 Thirty-Eighth Regiment. — Major Bruce, Capt. Boyd, 
 and Captain Cocker, wounded ; Lieutenant Dutton, killed ; 
 Lieutenant Christie, Captain House, Lieutenant Myers, 
 and Lieutenant Letvney, wounded ; Major Stork, wounded, 
 since dead ; Quartermaster Mitchell and Ensign Mitchell, 
 wounded. 
 
 Forty-Third Regiment. — Major Spendlove and Captain 
 McKenzie, killed ; Lieutenant Robbertain, Lieutenant Dal- 
 rymple, wounded. 
 
 Forty-Seventh Regiment. — Major Smith, Captain Eng- 
 land, Captain Craiger, Captain Alcock, and Lieut. Gold, 
 wounded ; Lieutenant Wellard, killed ; Lieutenant Eng- 
 land, wounded ; Lieutenant Heyler, killed. 
 
 Fifty-Second Regiment. — Major Williams, Captain- 
 Major Maddison, and Captain Smith, killed ; Captain Wil- 
 son, Lieutenant Thompson, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieuten- 
 ant Iliggins, and Ensign Chetwind, wounded ; Ensign 
 Grannis, wounded, since dead. 
 
 Fifty-Ninth Regiment. — Lieutenant Haynes, wounded. 
 
 Sixty-Second Regiment. — Captain Ilorsford, Captain 
 Follier, wounded ; Lieutenant Dalrymplc, killed. 
 
 Sixty-Fifth Regiment. — Captain Hudgeon, killed ; Cap- 
 tain Sinclair, Lieutenant Paxton, Lieutenant Smith, and 
 Lieutenant Haler, wounded. 
 
 Sixty-Seventh Regiment. — Captain Shamoin, Aid-de- 
 Camp to Genera] Howe, killed. 
 
16C1 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1662 
 
 Marines. — Major Pilcairn, Captain Campbell, and Cap- 
 tain Ellis, killed ; Captain Logan, Capt. Chudbigh, Capt. 
 Johnson, and Lieutenant Pitcairn, wounded ; Lieutenant 
 Fenneg, Lieutenant Gardner, and Lieutenant Shea, killed ; 
 Lieutenant Brisbain, Lieutenant Avennie, Lieut. Rag, 
 and Lieutenant Dyer, wounded. 
 
 Artillery. — Captain Lcomine, Capt. Huddleston, Lieu- 
 tenant Shuttlesworth, and Lieutenant Campbell, wounded. 
 
 Killed and wounded, ninety-two. 
 
 Most of those officers are mortally wounded. In the 
 whole, of the Field-Officers, three killed and four wounded; 
 Captains, eight killed and twenty-five wounded. Lieuten- 
 ant Jordan, of the Navy, died of his wounds. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 11, 1775. 
 (Parole, Guilford.) (Countersign, Hartford) 
 
 The Court-Martial, of which Colonel Prescott was Pre- 
 sident, is dissolved. A General Court-Martial to be assem- 
 bled at Cambridge as soon as possible, to try such prisoners 
 as shall be brought before them. All evidences and persons 
 concerned to attend the Court. 
 
 The General understanding there is a bad custom pre- 
 vailing, of the non-commissioned officers and soldiers ab- 
 senting themselves from guard, under pretence of going for 
 provisions ; it is therefore ordered, that all officers and sol- 
 diers bring their provision to the guard they mount, and on 
 no pretence quit their guard until it is regularly dismissed. 
 
 Notwithstanding the orders of the Provincial Congress, 
 some persons are so daring as to supply the soldiers with 
 immoderate quantities of rum, and other spirituous liquors: 
 any sutler, tavern-keeper, or licensed innholder, who shall 
 presume, after the date of this order, to sell any non-com- 
 missioned officer or soldier any spirituous liquor whatsoever, 
 without an order in writing from the Captain of the com- 
 pany to which such non-commissioned officer and soldier 
 belongs, he or they so offending, may expect to be severely 
 punished. 
 
 Lieut. Colonel Ward, President of the Court-Martial. 
 
 Head. Quarters, Cambridge, July 12, 1775. 
 (Parole, Falmouth.) (Countersign, Worcester.) 
 
 The Adjutant-General will deliver, at orderly time, a 
 certain number of printed returns to the Adjutant of each 
 Regiment, so that no excuse for the future can be ad- 
 mitted for not making regular and exact returns when 
 demanded, as it is only filling up the blanks with the num- 
 bers proper to be placed in them. The Commander-in- 
 Chief will not, for the future, admit of any palliative for 
 making a false return, and is resolved to bring any officer, 
 of what rank soever, to a Court-Martial, who is found de- 
 linquent. 
 
 When any trumpeter or flag of truce is sent from Boston, 
 or any post occupied by the enemy, they are to be stopped 
 by the first sentry they are permitted to approach, who is 
 to call for the sergeant of the guard, who will conduct them 
 to the officer of his guard, and such trumpeter or flag of 
 truce is not to be allowed to stir one step beyond that guard. 
 The officer commanding the guard will send any letters or 
 messages, brought from the enemy, immediately to the 
 comrnander-in-chief, and no other person. 
 
 A General Court-Martial of the line to sit at Head-Quar- 
 ters, in Cambridge, to-morrow morning at nine o'clock, to 
 try Colonel Scammon, of the Massachusetts Forces, accused 
 of " backwardness in the execution of his duty in the late 
 action upon Bunker's Hill." The Adjutant of Col. Scam- 
 mon , s Regiment to warn all evidences and persons con- 
 cerned to attend the Court. 
 
 Colonel Nixon, President of above Court. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 13, 1775. 
 (Parole, Georgia.) (Countersign, Huntingdon.) 
 
 As the Army will be forthwith formed into brigades, the 
 Adjutant-General will, at orderly time this day, deliver to 
 the Adjutant of each Regiment a number of printed re- 
 turns, one of which must be immediately filled up and 
 signed by the commanding officer of each Regiment, and 
 sent as soon as possible to the Adjutant-General, by the 
 Adjutant of each Regiment ; on the back of the return it 
 will be necessary to mention where and in what manner 
 the Regiment is at present posted. 
 
 The commanding officer at Chelsea is, as soon as possi- 
 ble after the receipt of this order, to direct all the cattle 
 upon Pullein Point, Shirley Point, and the intermediate 
 space between Powderhorn Hill and the sea, to be driven 
 off ; and it is recommended to the Commissary-General to 
 endeavour to agree with the owners of the said cattle, and 
 to purchase them for the use of the Army. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 14, 1775. 
 (Parole, Halifax.) (Counteisign, Inverness.) 
 
 As the health of an Army principally depends upon clean- 
 liness, it is recommended in the strongest manner to the 
 commanding officer of corps, posts, and detachments, to be 
 strictly diligent in ordering the necessaries to be filled up 
 once a week, and new ones dug ; the streets of the encamp- 
 ments and lines to be swept daily, and all offal and carrion, 
 near the camp, to be immediately buried. The officers 
 commanding in barracks or quarters to be answerable that 
 they are swept every morning, and all filth and dirt re- 
 moved from about the houses. Next to cleanliness, nothing 
 is more conducive to a soldier's health than dressing his 
 provisions in a decent and proper manner. The officers 
 commanding companies should therefore daily inspect the 
 camp kitchens, and see the men dress their food in a whole- 
 some way. 
 
 The commanding officers in those parts of the lines and 
 redoubts where the pikes are placed, will order the Quarter- 
 masters of corps to see the pikes greased twice a week ; 
 they are to be answerable also that the pikes are kept clean, 
 and always ready and fit for service. 
 
 The General, observing great remissness and neglect in 
 the several guards in and about the camp, orders the officer 
 commanding any guard, to turn out his guard immediately 
 upon the near approach of the Commander-in-Chief, or any 
 of the General Officers; and, upon passing the guard, the 
 Commander-in-Chief is to be received with rested arms, the 
 officer to salute, and the drums to beat a march ; the 
 Majors-General with rested arms, the officer to salute, and 
 the drums to beat two ruffles ; the Brigadiers-General with 
 rested arms, the officer to salute, and the drums to beat 
 one ruffle. There being something awkward as well as im- 
 proper in the General Officers being stopped at the out- 
 posts, asked for passes by the sentries, and obliged often to 
 send for the officer of the guard (who it sometimes happens 
 is as much unacquainted with the persons of the Generals 
 as the private men) before they can pass in or out, it is 
 recommended to both officers and men, to make themselves 
 acquainted with the persons of all the officers in general 
 command ; and in the mean time, to prevent mistakes, the 
 General Officers and their Aids-de-Camp will be distin- 
 guished in the following manner: the Commander-in-Chief 
 by a light blue ribband, worn across his breast, between his 
 coat and waistcoat ; the Majors and Brigadiers-General by 
 a pink ribband, worn in like manner; the Aids-de-Camp 
 by a green ribband. 
 
 The Court-Martial, of which Col. Ward is President, 
 is dissolved. 
 
 Daniel Carmile, soldier in Colonel Patterson's Regiment, 
 tried for " disobedience of orders, for re-enlisting and taking 
 advance money twice over, and for drunkenness," is found 
 guilty of the several charges, and ordered to be whipt on 
 the bare back with thirty-nine lashes, and discharged from 
 the Army. The General approves the sentence, and orders 
 it to be executed to-morrow morning, at the head of the 
 Regiment he belongs to. 
 
 GENERAL COURT-MARTIAL ON COLONEL JAMES SCAMMONS. 
 
 General Court-Martial held July 13, 1775, Col. Nixon, 
 President ; with one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, and ten 
 Captains. William Tudor, Judge Advocate. 
 
 The Court being duly sworn, proceeded to the trial of 
 Colonel Scammons of the Massachusetts Forces, who was 
 brought before the Court, and accused of disobedience to 
 orders, and backwardness in the execution of his duty, in 
 the late action on Bunker's Hill at Charlestown, on the 
 17th of June last. The prisoner being arraigned on the 
 above complaint, pleads not guilty. The Court postponed 
 the examination of the witnesses to Friday, 14th of July, 
 at eight of the o'clock, to which time the Court was ad- 
 journed. 
 
1G63 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 16G4 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 
 The Court being met according to adjournment ; present 
 all the members as yesterday. Lieutenant James JJouncll 
 deposed : about noon we marched to Lechmere's Point, 
 where we remained one quarter of an hour. Going from 
 the point, Chariestown was set on lire. Whilst at the 
 point, General Whitcomb ordered Colonel Scammons to 
 march to the bill. The deponent understood the hill meant 
 was Bunker's Hill. Colonel Scammons then inarched to 
 a small bill, about a mile distant from Bunker's Hill. Col. 
 Scammons sent two Sergeants to Bunker's Hill, to know 
 if bis Regiment was wanted. We remained on the small 
 hill three-quarters of an hour, during all which time there 
 was a smart fire on Bunker's Hill, from small-arms and 
 cannon. After three quarters of an hour we marched to 
 the hither edge of Bunker's Hill, where the shot flew 
 very thick. Before we got to the top of the hill, Colonel 
 Scammons ordered a retreat ; immediately there was a gen- 
 eral retreat of our Regiment. Every one made the best 
 of bis way off. We were no time that day near enough to 
 engage the enemy. The witness does not know any dis- 
 tinction between Bunker's and Brewer's Hill. 
 
 Ensign Joshua Trafton deposed : about two of the clock 
 in the afternoon we marched from Cambridge to Lechmere's 
 Point, where we found General Whitcomb, who expressed 
 much surprise at finding Colonel Scammons take post there. 
 We remained on the point fifteen minutes, and then marched 
 to a small hill below Prospect Hill. We continued on the 
 small bill about half an hour or more; during which time 
 Colonel Scammons sent two Sergeants to Bunker's Hid, 
 to know if his Regiment was wanted. We took the near- 
 est road to Bunker's Hill, as I suppose, and before we got 
 to the top of the hill, the Colonel ordered a retreat. I cannot 
 say whether the breastwork was forced or not at this time. 
 We saw many men retreating down the bill, who said they 
 bad spent all their ammunition ; some told us that the ene- 
 my had retreated, and begged us to push on. As we turned 
 off the small bill, a Regiment marched up towards Bun- 
 ker's Hill. As we marched from Cambridge we beard 
 the Regulars were landing at Lechmere's Point, and at 
 Chariestown. Colonel Scammons made the greatest dis- 
 patch from the small hill to Bunker's Hill. I saw no other 
 instance of backwardness in Colonel Scammons, except his 
 long stay at the small hill, which appeared to me unneces- 
 sary. As we retreated, a number of men advanced up in 
 an irregular manner. 
 
 Ensign Nathan Lord deposed : we were one quarter of 
 an hour near Lechmere's Point; we then marched to a 
 small hill below Prospect Hill, where we tarried a quarter 
 of an hour, then marched to Bunker's Hill the nearest way, 
 and with as much despatch as we could go. We stayed 
 twenty minutes on the small bill, whilst the fire continued 
 on the further part of Bunker's Hill; we got to the top of 
 Bunker's Hill; after which General Putnam came up, and 
 ordered the Regiment to advance within hearing of Colonel 
 Scammons ; part of the Regiment then advanced, but the 
 deponent does not know if Colonel Scammons was with 
 them. I heard several persons, whom I took to be officers, 
 order a retreat before Colonel Scammons did. After we 
 got over Chariestown Neck, going up Bunker's Hill, Col. 
 Scammons cried, Come, my Yorkshire lads, now let us shew 
 our bravery. The deponent does not know a distinction be- 
 tween Bunker's Hill and Brewer's Hill. 
 
 Major Daniel Wood deposed : we marched from near 
 Lechmere's Point, to a small hill, nearly opposite to Pros- 
 pect Hill, where we remained near three-quarters of an 
 hour; during most of the time we were on that bill, there 
 was a smart fire on what I take to be the easterly part of 
 Bunker's Hill. 
 
 Captain Ebenezer Sullivan deposed and said : we con- 
 tinued on the small bill half an hour ; some considerable 
 part of the time we were there there was a very heavy 
 fire from the further part of the hill in Chariestown. After 
 we retreated, Colonel Scammons encouraged the men to 
 advance. The Regiment was not near enough to engage 
 the enemy. 
 
 Captain Philip Hubbard deposed: the reason of our 
 going to Lechmere's Point was, because we met expresses, 
 who told us the Regulars were landing at that place ; when 
 we got to Lechmere's Point, General Whitcomb told Col. 
 Scammons be had better go and watch the floating batte- 
 
 ries, and then marched to the small bill, where we stayed 
 hall an hour. As soon as Colonel Scammons discovered 
 Chariestown meeting-house on fire, be marched the Regi- 
 ment, with all possible despatch, towards Bunker's Hill. 
 We met great numbers retreating down. The confusion was 
 so great before we got to the top of the hill, it was impossi- 
 ble to force. I saw nothing of irresolution or backward- 
 ness in Colonel Scammons any time of the day. 
 
 Lieutenant Cuzons deposed : that at Lechmere's Point, 
 General Whitcomb told Colonel Scammons he had better 
 go to that bill, meaning, as the deponent took it, the small 
 bill which they marched to, and watch the motions of the 
 floating batteries. As soon as Colonel Scammons heard 
 the firing of the small-arms at the bill in Chariestown, he 
 said he would stay there no longer, and ordered the Regi- 
 ment to march for Bunker's Hill, which he did. 1 know 
 nothing of Colonel Scammons's behaviour at Bunker's Hill. 
 
 Lieutenant Morgan Lewis deposed and said : I saw 
 nothing of cowardice or backwardness in Colonel Scam- 
 mons that day. 
 
 Lieutenant Thomas Cults in substance as Lieut. Lewis. 
 Sergeant Amaziah Goodwin agrees with Lieut. Cutts. 
 
 Sergeant Samuel Goodale deposed: that General Wliit- 
 comb ordered Colonel Scammons from Lechmere's Point, to 
 take possession of the small bill, and watch the motions of 
 the floating batteries. I was sent by Colonel Scammons to 
 General Putnam, to know if his Regiment was wanted ; 
 and before 1 got back, Colonel Scammons was upon bis 
 march towards Bunker's Hill. I saw Colonel Scammons 
 two thirds of the way up the hill, but know nothing of his 
 conduct there. 
 
 John Littlefield deposed : that as we marched down, we 
 heard the Regulars were landing at Lechmere's Point. 1 
 know nothing of Colonel Scammons's behaviour. 
 
 Jonathan Love deposed and said : when we were upon 
 Bunker's Hill, an officer ordered us to retreat, as the ene- 
 my had forced the intrenchment ; after which Colonel Scam- 
 mons ordered us to retreat. 
 
 Joseph Parson, drummer, deposed and said : we were 
 three-quarters of an hour on the little round bill, and the 
 firing of the small-arms lasted half an hour, when we 
 marched off towards Bunker's Hill. I know nothing of 
 Colonel Scammons's behaviour at Bunker's Hill. 
 
 The Court then called on Colonel Scammons to make 
 his defence ; upon which the following evidence was pro- 
 duced : 
 
 Captain Jeremiah Hill deposed and said : that down by 
 the bridge near Lechmeie's Point, we met General It/m- 
 comb, who told Colonel Scammons that he was sufficient 
 to guard that point, and told Col. Scammons he had better 
 go round to the little hill and watch their motions there. 
 We accordingly went and stayed there hall an hour. 
 
 Colonel John Whitcomb, who is styled by the foregoing 
 deponents General, deposed and said : 1 met Colonel Scam- 
 mons with his Regiment about fifty rods from Lechmere's 
 Point; I asked him what brought him there; he replied 
 by asking me where he should go ; I told him where he 
 could do the most service. I am positive 1 never ordered 
 him to the little hill, if my memory serves me, because men 
 could be of no service at such a place except in the night. 
 
 The Court then adjourned till Saturday morning, eight 
 o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, July 15, A. M. 
 
 The Court met according to adjournment. Col. Scam- 
 mons begged liberty to produce the four next witnesses, who 
 were admitted and sworn accordingly. 
 
 Henry Fess, drummer, deposed : that as we marched 
 down Cambridge road, we met two men on horseback, who 
 told us the Regulars were landing at Lechmere's Point. 
 We then marched very fast towards the point, where we 
 met General Whitcomb, who told Colonel Scammons to go 
 round to the bill, wbicbthill 1 understood to mean the little 
 round bill we marched to. 1 was within ten feet of General 
 Whitcomb, when these orders were given. 
 
 Jchabod Smith deposed and said : 1 was about ten feet 
 from General Whitcomb, at Lechmere's Point, when I 
 heard him desire Colonel Scammons to march round, and 
 observe the motion of the floating batteries which lay near 
 the little bill. We marched to the little bill and con- 
 tinued there about twenty minutes. As soon as Colonel 
 Scammons found out where the firing of the small-arms was 
 
1665 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1666 
 
 he immediately marched the Regiment towards Bunker's 
 Hill, with the utmost despatch. 
 
 Samuel Hubbard deposed and said : 1 was within ten feet 
 of Genera] H'hitcomb, and heard him order Colonel Scam- 
 mons to go to the hill. But the deponent does not know 
 what hilL I heard Colonel Scammons ask the General if 
 he could go across the marsh, which was the nearest way 
 to the littte hill. General H'hitcomb replied, that he could 
 not, but must go up and round by the road. Frethy Spen- 
 cer agreed with Hubbard exactly, being close to him during 
 the conversation between General H'hitcomb and Colonel 
 Scammons. 
 
 Adjutant Marsden was sworn at the desire of the com- 
 plainants, and deposed, that we were three-quarters of an 
 hour on the little hill, and continued about twenty minutes 
 after we heard of this firing on the hill in Charlcstown. I 
 went halfway up Bunker's Hill with Colonel Scammo7is, 
 when 1 left him and went to the breastwork, where 1 got 
 before the enemy forced it ; the confusion was so great 
 when we got to Bunker's Hill we could not form the Re- 
 giment. 
 
 The prisoner then made a few remarks on the evidence, 
 and withdrew. The Court being cleared, entered upon the 
 examination of the evidence collectively, and after debate 
 adjourned to Monday, 17th of July, eight o'clock, A. M. 
 
 July 17, 1775. 
 
 The Court being met according to adjournment, and re- 
 sumed the consideration of the case of Colonel Scammons, 
 and having duly weighed the allegations and proofs brought 
 against the prisoner, with his defence and evidence, are of 
 the opinion, that the said Colonel Scammoris is not guilty 
 of the charge brought against him. 
 A true copy of the Proceedings : 
 
 John Nixon, President. 
 Attest: William Tudor, Judge Advocate. 
 
 GENERAL WOOSTER TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp near New- York, July 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Having found by experience that the Troops under 
 my command, from the situation of their encampment, are 
 subjected to many difficulties, which render it next to im- 
 possible to maintain that good order and discipline which is 
 entirely necessary in the regulation of an Army, my officers 
 agree with me in sentiment, that it will be much for the 
 benefit of the service to remove the Troops to a further 
 distance from the Town. 1 have viewed a plat of ground 
 belonging to Mr. Sickles, of Harlem, which I think very 
 proper for an encampment, and which he is willing should 
 be made use of for that purpose. I therefore desire you 
 to take the opinion and advice of the Committee of Safety, 
 and if they think proper, I shall be obliged to them if they 
 appoint somebody to contract with Mr. Sickles for the place, 
 and assist us with the wagons, carts, &c, that we may 
 remove next Monday. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your very humble 
 servant, David Wooster, Major-General. 
 
 To the Chairman of the Committee of Safety, New-York. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 [Read July 20, 1775.] 
 
 Saratoga, July 15, 1775. 
 Sir: Late last night I received two letters, of which 
 the enclosed are copies. The information contained in that 
 marked No. 1. is so truly alarming, that although I should 
 have been ^.iTiconderoga to-morrow, I think it more advi- 
 sable to remain a day here, in which I may probably re- 
 ceive some farther accounts that will determine whether my 
 presence may not be more necessary in Tryon County than 
 at Ticonderoga, although it is much, very much wanted at 
 the latter place. I lament that it is not in my power to give 
 such aid as the unhappy people in Tryon County, who are 
 friends to the cause of America, stand in need of. All I 
 am able to do, and which I have done, is to order Captain 
 Van Dyck's company, which is at Schenectady, and consists 
 of about fifty new levied men, to march to the relief of these 
 people; to furnish him and the inhabitants with the trifling 
 quantity of three hundred pounds of powder, my whole stock 
 at Albany; and to recommend to the Militia of Albany and 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. it. 1 
 
 Schenectady to march up, though I fear they have little or 
 no ammunition. The powder ordered from Philadelphia 
 is not yet arrived, nor that for which 1 despatched an offi- 
 cer from New-York to Connecticut. In this defenceless 
 condition, should eight hundred Indians, or half the num- 
 ber, come down, and be joined by the Highlanders and 
 others that are disaffected in Tryon County, they may with 
 impunity not only march where they please through that 
 oi ibis County, but so effectually cut off all supplies from 
 the Troops to the northward, that they must disperse or 
 starve. 
 
 You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed Return, what our 
 strength is at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, without lines 
 to defend themselves against an attack, for I cannot learn 
 that the least shelter has been made by the Troops. 
 
 In such a distressing situation, it is extremely natural to 
 wish that I had more men and ammunition, not only to 
 oppose this threatened invasion, but to carry into execution 
 your former orders. Perhaps the necessity which induced 
 your order to let the Connecticut Troops remain in New- 
 York no longer exists ; if so, I could wish they were directed 
 to join me without delay. You may be assured, Sir, that I 
 shall exert every nerve to counteract the schemes meditated 
 by the enemy, happy if I shall be able to give you a favour- 
 able account of our operations. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the most profound respect, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO GENERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER. 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, July 14, 1775. 
 Sir : You have enclosd copy of a letter from the Com- 
 mittee of Tryon County to the Committees of Schenectady 
 and Albany; the contents whereof are very alarming, and 
 the more so as the people of that County are not provi- 
 ded with ammunition to defend themselves. We shall for- 
 ward the letter to the Provincial Congress, and would beg 
 leave to suggest to you, whether it will not be advisable to 
 let the company of Captain Van Dyck (which we find you 
 have ordered up to Lake George) march up the Mohawk 
 River, towards their relief. And as that company has no 
 ammunition, and we have here about three hundred weight, 
 whether you will think it proper to furnish them from the 
 store here, and whether you will not think it necessary to 
 send up some of the remainder to furnish the inhabitants. 
 
 As it is not possible to know how far this may be a fact, 
 we would think it advisable to take some steps so as to keep 
 up the spirits of the people of Tryon County. 
 
 In answer to your letter of yesterday we inform you, that 
 we shall endeavour to get the carpenters as soon as possi- 
 ble. We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Abraham Yates, Jun. 
 
 tryon county committee to the committees of sche- 
 nectady and albany. 
 
 Canajoharie, July 13, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Mr. Ebenezer Cox informed this Board 
 that Mr. Peter S. Deygert told this informant that he was 
 informed by a person who we have reason to think has it 
 from good authority, that Col. Johnson was ready with 
 eight or nine hundred Indians to make an invasion of this 
 County ; that the same Indians were to be under the com- 
 mand of Joseph Brandt and Walter Butler ; and that they 
 were to fall on the inhabitants below the Little Falls, in 
 order to divide the people in two parts ; and were to march 
 yesterday or the day before. 
 
 Captain Jacob Klock informed this Board, that this morn- 
 ing about an hour before day, three Indians of Fort Hun- 
 ter came to his house from Oswego, in their way home ; 
 that he was informed by a free negro man, a servant of 
 him, that they each had a bag of powder on their horses; 
 that they stayed about an hour, and then went off in great 
 haste. From these and other concomitant circumstances, 
 we have but too much reason to think it is true, and that 
 all our enemies in this country will appear in arms against 
 us, as soon as the Indians are nigh to us, which, from the 
 above information, we must expect in a few days. 
 
1667 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1668 
 
 We have sent off a party of people by way of a scout, 
 to find out, if possible, the route of the Indians, and to 
 give us early intelligence. 
 
 Our ammunition is so scant, that we cannot furnish three 
 hundred men so as to be able to make a stand against so 
 great a number. In these deplorable circumstances, we 
 look up to you for assistance, both in men and ammunition, 
 to save this country from slaughter and desolation, which 
 we beg you will not be backward to afford us as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 We have ordered some of our companies up towards the 
 Little Falls, who are to keep scouting parties out, and we 
 intend to keep sitting until such time as we can be con- 
 vinced of our safety. 
 
 This is the more alarming to us, as we shall be obliged 
 in a few days to begin with our harvests ; men are there- 
 fore absolutely necessary. 
 
 We beg of you to forward this by express to Albany, 
 and copies from there to the Provincial Congress and to 
 General Schuyler. Mr. Deygert was obliged to promise 
 not to disclose the person's name who informed him of the 
 above ; but be assured that the person is well acquainted 
 with the Indians, and therefore, if found out, is in great 
 danger. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, your most obedient and very hum- 
 ble servants. By order, Christopher P. Yates. 
 
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 6VaJ r . — 1 Major-General, 2 Brigadier-Generals, 1 Bri- 
 gade Major, 2 Aids-de-Camp, 1 Secretary, 1 Chaplain, 
 1 Surgeon, 2 Surgeon's Mates. 
 
 Brigadier-Generals, Richard Montgomery, David 
 
 Wooster. Brigade Major Aids-de-Camp, 
 
 John McPherson, James Van Rensselaer. Secretary, 
 Richard Varrick. 
 
 July 1, 1775. — A true Return, made from the Returns 
 of the Officers commanding the several Corps above men- 
 tioned. Philip Schuyler. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Saratoga, July 15, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: Since I did myself the honour to write your 
 Excellency from New-York, nothing very material occur- 
 red until yesterday, when I received the enclosed letters. 
 The accounts contained in that marked No. 1, are truly 
 alarming, in the present defenceless state of the Counties 
 of Tryon and Albany, and especially as the assistance I 
 can afford them, either of men or money, is next to nothing, 
 the few troops at Ticonderoga, kc, being at too great a 
 distance, and not more than sufficient to guard the posts 
 they occupy. I should have been at Ticonderoga this 
 day, had not the information from Tryon County arrived, 
 which may make my presence there absolutely necessary 
 if it should be confirmed. I therefore propose remaining 
 here until to-morrow, when I hope to be farther informed. 
 I wish I may be able to proceed to Ticonderoga, as 1 am 
 very much wanted there, the greatest confusion having 
 taken place in the controversy between the officers claim- 
 ing command in that quarter. Some have taken the liberty 
 to disband troops ; others refused to serve unless this or 
 that particular person commanded ; the sloop is left with- 
 out either captain or pilot, both of which are dismissed or 
 come away ; much provision wasted or embezzled, and 
 on the 7th instant only one barrel of flour at Ticonderoga. 
 I shall have an Augean stable to cleanse there. 
 
 I do myself the honour to enclose a return of the forces 
 in the Colony. It is doubtless imperfect, as I have been 
 under a necessity of forming it out of returns which were 
 evidently so. 1 hope soon to send you a more complete 
 one. 
 
 Be assured, my General, that I shall use my best en- 
 deavours to establish order and discipline in the troops un- 
 der my command. I wish I could add that I had a prospect 
 of much success in that way. It is extremely difficult to 
 introduce a proper subordination amongst a people where 
 so little distinction is kept up. 
 
 Our accounts of the disposition of the Canadians and 
 Canada Indians continue to be favourable, though the in- 
 telligence is not very authentick. 
 
 I am your Excellency's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To His Excellency General Washington, kc. kc. &tc. 
 
 TRYON COUNTY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Tryon County, July 15, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The persons appointed by your Congress 
 to be officers to a company to be raised in this County, 
 having declined, and returned their warrants to this Com- 
 mittee, we beg leave to recommend Christopher P. Yates 
 to be Captain, Andrew Finck, Jr., and John Keyser. Jr., 
 to be Lieutenants of the said company, who have accepted 
 of the same, and by the request of this Committee have 
 begun to enlist their men. Permit us to observe, that they 
 are well affected to American liberty, and are competent 
 to the task. We therefore beg that you will approve of 
 them, and send them new warrants. 
 
 Your very humble servants. By order of the Com- 
 mittee, Nicholas Herkimer, 
 
 Chairman pro tempore. 
 To the Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 NEWBURY, GLOUCESTER COUNTY, COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 Newbury, New-York Province, July 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your letter of the 31st of May I did not receive 
 until the 14th instant, which was broke open and the Gene- 
 ral Association taken out. We have formed a County 
 Committee, as also one in each Town and Precinct ; also, 
 we have chose Colonel Bayley to represent us in the Con- 
 gress. The County seems to be very well united, and firm 
 to one another, and also in the cause of liberty ; and I 
 make no doubt but they will cheerfully join in whatever 
 measures and directions the honourable Congress may point 
 out from time to time. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient and humble servant, 
 
 John Taplin. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, at the City of New- York. 
 
1669 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1670 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read September 13, 1775.] 
 
 Saratoga, July 16, 1775. 
 Sir : At three o'clock this morning 1 was favoured with 
 a letter from the Committee at Albany, of which the en- 
 closed is a copy ; as also with two other papers, copies of 
 which I do myself the honour herewith to send you, and 
 which have in some measure removed my apprehensions 
 for the people of Tryon County. It would, however, be 
 imprudent to rely with too much confidence either on Co- 
 lonel Johnson's declarations or those of the Indians, and 
 have therefore recommended that scouts should be continu- 
 ally kept out to prevent a surprise, and that early intelli- 
 gence may be given to such places from whence they may 
 receive relief. 
 
 I shall set out in a few minutes for Ticonderoga, from 
 whence I shall do myself the honour to write you, and 
 make the returns agreeable to the resolutions of Congress. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schutler. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, July 15, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We received yours dated last night at three quar- 
 ters after eleven o'clock, with the orders to Captain Van 
 Dyck enclosed. 
 
 We this morning examined Mr. Garret Roseboom, who 
 lately left Montreal and came round by Oswego, where 
 Colonel Guy Johnson gave a letter to Nicholas Stevens, 
 (from Schenectady, who came in company with him,) di- 
 rected to the President of the Provincial Congress, and 
 told him the Committee of Albany might open it if they 
 pleased ; which we have presumed to do, copy whereof we 
 enclose you, together with a copy of Mr. Roseboom's ex- 
 amination. We dow judge from the whole that it will be 
 most advisable not to send Van Dyck's company forward, 
 until we have further information, as we would not choose 
 (if we can avoid it) to give any cause of jealousy to the 
 Indians, as they have signified their desire that we should 
 not send troops up. We have therefore desired the Com- 
 mittee of Schenectady to keep that company in readiness 
 on a minute's warning ; and we have sent one quarter cask 
 of powder to be distributed among that company. We 
 have also sent up six quarter casks more to the Committee 
 of Tryon County. We should have sent the remainder, 
 one hundred and twenty-five pounds, but for the hint in the 
 examination of Roseboom. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order of 
 the Committee, Abraham Yates, Jr., Chairman. 
 
 COLONEL GUY JOHNSON TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ontario, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Though I received your letter from the Provincial 
 Congress several days ago, 1 had not a good opportunity to 
 answer it till now. I suppose, however, this will reach 
 you safe, notwithstanding all the rest of my correspondence 
 is interrupted by ignorant impertinents. 
 
 As to the endeavour you speak of, to reconcile the un- 
 happy differences between the Parent State and these Co- 
 lonies, be assured J ardently wish to see them. As yet, I 
 am sorry to say, I have not been able to discover any 
 attempt of that kind, but that of the Assembly's, the only 
 true legal representatives of the people ; and as to the in- 
 dividuals who you say officiously interrupt, in my quarter, the 
 mode and measures you think necessary for these salutary 
 purposes, lam really a stranger to them. If you mean my- 
 self, you must have been grossly imposed on. I once, in- 
 deed, went with reluctance, at the request of several of the 
 principal inhabitants, to one of the people's meetings, which 
 I found had been called by an itinerant New-England 
 leather-dresser, and conducted by others, if possible, more 
 contemptible. I had, therefore, little inclination to revisit 
 such men, or attend to their absurdities. And although I 
 did not incline to think that your gentlemen had formed 
 any designs against me, yet it is most certain that such 
 designs were formed. Of this, I received a clear account 
 by express from a friend near Albany, which was soon cor- 
 
 roborated by letters from other quarters, particularly one 
 from a gentleman of the Committee at Philadelphia, a 
 Captain in your service, who was pretty circumstantial ; 
 and since, I have had the like from many others. I have 
 likewise found that mean instruments were officially em- 
 ployed to disturb the minds of the Indians ; to interrupt 
 the ordinary discharge of my duties ; and prevent their re- 
 ceiving messages they had long since expected from me. 
 
 To enter into a minute detail of all the falsehoods pro- 
 pagated, and all the obstructions I met with, though it 
 could not fail astonishing any gentleman disposed to dis- 
 countenance them, would far exceed the limits of a letter, 
 or the time I have to spare, as 1 am now finishing my 
 Congress entirely to my satisfaction, with 1,348 warriours, 
 who came hither to the only place where they can transact 
 business or receive favours without interruption, and who 
 are much dissatisfied at finding that the goods, which I was 
 necessitated to send for to Montreal, were obliged to be or- 
 dered back by the merchant, to prevent his being insulted 
 or his property invaded by the mistaken populace ; that 
 their ammunition was stopped at Albany; the persons 
 on this communication employed in purchasing provisions 
 for the Congress insulted ; and all my letters, as well as 
 even some trifling articles for the use of my own table, 
 stopped. And this moment the Mayor of Albany assured 
 me, that he was the other day aroused out of his bed at a 
 certain Mr. Thompson's, above the German Flats, by one 
 Hirkema and fifteen others, who pursued him to search 
 for any things he might have for me. 
 
 You may be assured, Sir, that this is far from being agree- 
 able to the Indians ; that it might have produced very 
 disagreeable consequences long since, had not compassion 
 for a deluded people taken place of every other considera- 
 tion ; and that the impotant endeavours of a Missionary 
 (who has forfeited his honour pledged to me) with part of 
 one of the tribes, is a circumstance that, however trifling, 
 increased their resentment. I should be much obliged by 
 your promises of discountenancing any attempts against 
 myself, &c, did they not appear to be made on conditions 
 of compliance with Continental or Provincial Congresses, 
 or even Committees formed, or to be formed, many of 
 whose resolves may neither consist with my conscience, 
 duty, or loyalty. 
 
 1 trust I shall always manifest more humanity than to 
 promote the destruction of the innocent inhabitants of a 
 Colony to which I have been always warmly attached, a 
 declaration that must appear perfectly suitable to the cha- 
 racter of a man of honour and principle, who can on no 
 account neglect those duties that are consistent therewith, 
 however they may differ from sentiments now adopted in 
 so many parts of America. 
 
 I sincerely wish a speedy termination to the present 
 troubles ; and 1 am, Sir, your most obedient and humble 
 servant, G. Johnson. 
 
 P. S. I shall have occasion to meet the Indians of my 
 Department in different quarters this season. 
 
 The Examination of Garret Roseboom, of the City of 
 Albany, before the Sub-Committee of the said City 
 and County of Albany, the 15th day of July, 1775. 
 
 Says that he left Montreal on or about the 26th June 
 last. That in Canada the utmost means were used to in- 
 duce the Indians to side with the Regulars, especially by 
 Mr. St. Luke Le Come ; but that amongst the Indians 
 where this examinant has been, particularly Canusadaga, 
 Esqusasua, Oswegatie, and Caughnawagas, they decline 
 taking up the hatchet against the Bostonians, (a term by 
 which the general opposition is distinguished.) 
 
 That the Caughnawagas particularly, are active in pre- 
 venting the incursions of the other Indian nations, for 
 which purpose they have stationed about a dozen of their 
 tribe at St. John's with horses, with directions that if their 
 endeavours should prove ineffectual, to give immediate 
 notice to the tribe, who in that case are resolved to prevent 
 them by force. 
 
 That while this examinant was at Montreal, he saw 
 about twenty-two Indians of the Messesagoes tribe, who 
 were in their war-dress and accoutrements, set off to St. 
 John's on a scalping party towards the forts on the Lakes 
 
1671 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1672 
 
 in our possession ; but that this examinant believes they 
 will be stopped by the means above mentioned. 
 
 That this examinant on his arrival at Osivego, about 
 eight days ago, found Colonel Guy Johnson there, who 
 had with him about three hundred Indians, and about Gve 
 hundred squaws and children. 
 
 That this examinant was present at a Congress he held 
 with the Indians, but does not know the subject of their 
 deliberations ; but that he afterwards understood from those 
 Indians, that the communication on the Mohawk River 
 was to remain open. That on the day when this exami- 
 nant left Oswego, the Indians were to receive his presents, 
 except the rum, which was to be delivered them the next 
 day at the Oswego Falls, to each nation or tribe one bar- 
 rel. That from there Guy Johnson was to proceed to 
 Oswegatie. Some of them were to go with him from 
 each tribe, and the rest to return home. That this exami- 
 nant heard before he came to Oswego, that there was to 
 be a General Congress at Oswegatie, with the Canadian 
 Indians. 
 
 That the Indians at Oswego assured this examinant, 
 that they did not intend to fight against us ; but that, con- 
 sidering the fickleness of their disposition, and probably 
 the over persuasion of our enemies, no great dependance 
 can be made on their assurances. 
 
 That endeavours were used in Canada, to enlist men in 
 the service of the Crown ; but that the Canadians were 
 extremely averse to enter into the service. That a report 
 prevailed there that Governour Carleton had threatened 
 to fire the City, in case the merchants and others did not 
 join. 
 
 That he has seen a few stragglers, and of the lowest 
 class of the people, who were enlisted. That Monsieur 
 St. Luke has proposed as an expedient to the Governour 
 to hang half a dozen, which would intimidate the survivors 
 into a compliance. That he had been informed there, that 
 they were busy in building batteaus at St. John's, for the 
 purpose of transporting troops across the Lake, to attack 
 the possessions at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 John Bay, Secretary. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Saratoga, July 16, 1775. 
 
 I did myself the honour to write you from Albany on 
 the 12th, urging the sending the troops to join me with all 
 despatch. Every intelligence I receive, evinces the ne- 
 cessity of strengthening the garrisons of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point. The fatal consequences that would follow, 
 should we be obliged to abandon those places, are too 
 glaringly evident to need illustration. Let me, therefore, 
 again entreat you to issue orders to every corps of your 
 troops, in whatever part of the Colony they may be, to 
 march without delay ; and be pleased, Sir, to forward the 
 tents for those already at the forts. I again beg leave to 
 remind you, that the powder from Philadelphia is not yet 
 come to hand. 
 
 I am, Sir, most respectfully, your obedient and humble 
 servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 Please to forward the enclosed. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the New- 
 York Congress. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BKAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS- 
 BAY, DATED JULY 16, 1775. 
 
 I am much surprised that you have not been more ac- 
 curately informed of what passes in the camps. As to in- 
 telligence from Boston, it is but seldom that we are able to 
 collect any that may be relied on, and to repeat the vague 
 flying rumours would be endless. I heard yesterday, by 
 one Mr. Rolston, a goldsmith, who got out from Boston in 
 a fishing schooner, that their distress increases upon them 
 fast; their beef is spent, their malt and cider all gone; all 
 the fresh provisions they can procure they are obliged to 
 give to the sick and wounded; that thirteen of our men, 
 who were in jail and wounded at Charlestown, are dead ; 
 that no man dared to be seen talking to his friend in the 
 street; that they are obliged to be within every evening at 
 ten o'clock, according to martial law, nor can any inhabi- 
 
 tant walk the street after that time without a pass from 
 General Gage; that General Gage has ordered all the 
 molasses to be distilled into rum for the soldiers; that he 
 has taken away all licenses for selling of liquors, and given 
 them to his creatures; that he has issued an order that no 
 one else shall sell under a penalty often Pounds; that the 
 spirit which prevails among the soldiers is that of malice 
 and revenge; that there is no true courage to be observed 
 among them ; that their duty is hard, always holding them- 
 selves in readiness for an attack, which they are continually 
 in fear of; that Doctor Elliot was not on board of a man-of- 
 war, as was reported ; that Mr. Lovell and Mr. Leach, with 
 many others, are certainly in jail; that last week a poor 
 milch cow was killed in Town and sold for a shilling ster- 
 ling a pound ; that the transports from Ireland and New- 
 Yo> ■k arrived last week, but every additional man adds to 
 their distress. 
 
 MEETING OF GUILD OF MERCHANTS, DUBLIN. 
 
 At Guildhall, Dublin, Ireland, the 17th of July, 1775, 
 being Quarter-Day of the Guild of Merchants of the said 
 City, the following Resolutions were agreed to, viz: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the sincere thanks of this 
 Guild be presented to the Right Honourable the Earl of 
 Effingham, in testimony of our approbation of his publick 
 conduct, particularly exemplified in his refusing to draw 
 that sword which has been employed to the honour of his 
 Country, against the lives and liberties of his fellow-sub- 
 jects in America, and honestly and spiritedly resigning a 
 commission which he could no longer hold consistent with 
 the principles of a true Englishman, or of a real friend to 
 the interest of Britain. 
 
 Resolved, That the sincere thanks of the Guild be pre- 
 sented to the Right Honourable John ffilkes, Lord Mayor 
 of the City of London, for the essential services he has 
 rendered his King and Country, by his strenuous efforts in 
 the cause of freedom, and for his able, spirited, and judi- 
 cious defence of the right of the People to petition the 
 Throne. 
 
 There was to the last Resolution a single negative, given 
 by a Scotchman who has an employment in our Stamp 
 Office. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That an address of thanks from 
 the Guild be presented to the several Peers who (in sup- 
 port of our Constitution, and in opposition to a weak and 
 wicked Administration) protested against the American 
 Restraining Bills. 
 
 And the following gentlemen were appointed, with the 
 Master and Wardens, a Committee to prepare the same, 
 viz : J. Napper Tandy, Henry Howison, Sir E. Newcn- 
 ham, John Peree, Samuel Gamble, Samuel Stephens, Hugh 
 Crothers. 
 
 Who prepared the following: 
 
 We, the Masters, Wardens, and Brethren of the Guild 
 of Merchants of the City of Dublin, in Common-Hall 
 assembled, with the most unfeigned respect, beg leave to 
 offer your Lordships the just tribute of our thanks for your 
 noble and spirited, though hitherto ineffectual exertions in 
 the cause of liberty and of your Country, fully evinced in 
 your opposition to the oppressive and unconstitutional pro- 
 ceedings of a corrupt Administration. 
 
 With equal grief and indignation we have for years be- 
 held repeated innovations on the free Constitution of these 
 Realms, and daily invasions of the dearest rights and im- 
 munities of the subject. We have seen with astonishment 
 Popery established by law in one, and encouraged in every 
 part of the Empire, in the reign of a Protestant Prince, 
 and despotism and arbitrary power promoted by every insi- 
 dious machination and open violence by the servants of the 
 Crown, in the reign of a Monarch who, from the Throne, 
 declared, he gloried in being a Briton born, and whose 
 family was called to the Throne of these Kingdoms to pro- 
 tect the Protestant Religion, and preserve that Constitution 
 inviolate for which our ancestors so freely bled, and for the 
 invading of which a tyant was expelled the Throne. 
 
 But while we contemplate with horrour the universal 
 ruin and devastation in which the Empire is nearly in- 
 volved by the wicked devices of evil men, we with plea- 
 sure survey the steady, incorruptible, and patriotick virtues 
 
1673 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1674 
 
 which adorn you and shield us ; while we boast of such a 
 noble band of patriots, while we see united in the cause of 
 freedom such a number of the true hereditary guardians 
 of liberty, and of the principles of the glorious Revolution, 
 we cannot, we will not despair of seeing once more the 
 valuable Constitution of these Countries restored to its 
 primitive purity. 
 
 Permit us, therefore, to offer your Lordship our warm- 
 est, our most grateful acknowledgments, as Protestants, for 
 your steady opposition to the establishment of Popery and 
 slavery in Canada; as freemen, for your manly and spirited 
 opposition to the several Restraining Bills, and your noble 
 efforts in the support of American liberty, and in the cause 
 of our suffering and much oppressed brethren and fellow- 
 subjects there ; and we have the fullest reliance on your 
 steady perseverance in the same principles which have so 
 strongly endeared you, not only to us, but to every real 
 friend of the British Empire and its constituents. 
 
 In testimony whereof, we have caused the seal of our 
 Corporation to be hereunto affixed, this 17th day of July, 
 in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and 
 6eventy-five. [l. s.] 
 
 Midsummer Assembly, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the Sheriffs and Commons 
 be presented to Lord Effingham, for having chosen glo- 
 riously to resign his commission rather than imbrue his 
 hands in the blood of his innocent and oppressed fellow- 
 subjects. 
 
 Which being enclosed to his Lordship by the proper 
 officer, the following answer was received : 
 
 " Sir : I have been favoured with your letter of the 21st 
 of July last, enclosing a copy of a resolution of the Sheriffs 
 and Commons of the City of Dublin. 
 
 " Next to the testimony of a man's own conscience, is, 
 in my opinion, his greatest happiness to have the approba- 
 tion of the wise and honest among his fellow-subjects. 
 
 "The former of these can, 1 think, be no other way 
 enjoyed, than by a strict adherence to those principles 
 which, at the Revolution, achieved our civil and religious 
 liberties ; and it is easy, Sir, for you to conceive, but be- 
 yond my abilities to express, what I felt at my conduct's 
 being judged by so independent and respectable an assem- 
 bly as the Sheriffs and Commons of the City of Dublin 
 deserving of the latter. 
 
 " I am, with truth and respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Effingham. 
 
 "The Holmes, August 14, 1775. 
 
 " To Alfred Howard, Esquire, Dublin." 
 
 CHARLES COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Charles County, on 
 Monday, the 17th of July, 1775, in Port-Tobacco, Cap- 
 tain George Dent, Chairman, and J. Gwinn, Clerk: 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee will admit no Certificates 
 respecting any Goods which may hereafter be imported into 
 any part of this County, unless the same are attested under 
 the hands, at least, of five of the Committee of the neigh- 
 bourhood or place from whence they are immediately ex- 
 ported, and that this Resolve be immediately published in 
 the Maryland Gazette. 
 
 Signed by order: J. Gwinn, Cleric. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Major-General Schuyler having represented to the 
 Congress the necessity of appointing a Deputy Adjutant- 
 General, or a Brigade-Major, for the troops under his com- 
 mand, 1 am ordered to send you the following Resolve 
 passed this day. I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant, 
 John Hancock, President. 
 
 P. S. I enclose you an authenticated commission to be fill- 
 ed up with the name of the gentleman appointed by your 
 Congress. You will please to make a return to me of 
 the person so appointed. The enclosed letter to General 
 Schuyler I beg you will immediately forward to him by 
 express. 
 
 " In Congress, July 17, 1775. 
 "Resolved, That the Convention of New- York be de- 
 sired to recommend a proper person for a Deputy Adju- 
 tant-General, or a Brigade-Major, for the Army in the 
 New-York Department. 
 
 "A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 Please to forward by the express to General Schuyler a 
 number of the Articles of War. I forwarded them to Ncw- 
 York, directed to General Schuyler, but apprehend they 
 did not meet him there, as he has wrote me for them from 
 Albany. The commission referred to is sent by Mr. 
 Lewis. 
 
 Hon. P. V. D. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir: As the appointment of a Brigade-Major to the 
 Army under Major-General Schuyler's command is, by 
 the Continental Congress, recommended to your choice, 
 we beg leave to introduce Mr. Morgan Lewis to your 
 favour for that appointment, being informed it would be 
 agreeable to General Schuyler, who has promised him that 
 office, with the approbation of your Convention. 
 
 We have the honour to be, Sir, your very humble ser- 
 vants, Ph. Livingston, Henry Wisner, 
 John Alsop, Lewis Morris, 
 William Floyd, John Jay. 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Pro- 
 vincial Convention at New- York. 
 
 ELIZABETH TOWN (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK 
 COMMITTEE. 
 
 Elizabethtovvn, Monday, July 17, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We have this moment received from the 
 Committee of Philadelphia four hogsheads, said to contain 
 fifty-two quarter-casks of powder, which they direct to be 
 conveyed to Dobbs's Ferry, there to be delivered to the 
 order of your Committee. We are sorry to say, that this 
 powder has been coming from Philadelphia since the first 
 instant ; this accidental delay makes the utmost despatch 
 necessary, which we doubt not you will promote as far as 
 is in your power. We are, Gentlemen, your most humble 
 servants, Jona. Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 To the Chairman of the Committee of the City of New* 
 York. 
 
 P. S. The powder will be at Dobbs's Ferry by nine 
 o'clock to-morrow morning. 
 
 elizabethtown (new-jersey) committee. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Elizabethtown, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That this Committee, for every hundred weight 
 of Saltpetre made within this Town for the first three 
 months after this day, will pay the sum of twenty Pounds, 
 proclamation money of New- Jersey, on the delivery there- 
 of to this Committee, and fifteen Pounds, of same currency, 
 for the like quantity of Saltpetre, made and delivered as 
 aforesaid, within the next three months thereafter. 
 
 The Chairman of this Committee having received a 
 letter from Mr. Richard Lawrence, a Delegate of Rich- 
 mond County for the Provincial Congress of the Colony 
 of New- York, informing that the inhabitants of said County 
 had, in general, signed the Association recommended by 
 the Committee of New- York, this Committee are there- 
 fore of opinion that the inhabitants of said County be re- 
 stored to their commercial privileges with the inhabitants 
 of this Town. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Jonathan Hampton, Chairman. 
 
 CIRCULAR TO COLONELS OF NEW-YORK REGIMENTS. 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, i 
 during the recess of the Provincial Congress, > 
 New.York, July 17, 1775. > 
 
 Sir: You are requested to prepare and lay before the 
 Congress of this Colony, at New-York, a state of your 
 Regiment, and of the number of men ready and fit for 
 
1675 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &ic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1676 
 
 service in each company, with all possible despatch. You 
 will also be pleased to inform the Congress when you ex- 
 pect your Regiment will be complete, and ready to take the 
 field. We pray you to give all possible despatch in this 
 business ; the present circumstances admit of no delay. 
 The sooner your answer and return can be received, the 
 more acceptable it will be. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order of 
 the Committee. 
 
 JOHN LAMB TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 New-York, July 17, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : As several inconveniences will arise from 
 the present arrangement respecting the artillery company 
 which 1 am appointed to command, I must beg leave to 
 point out the most material of them for your consideration, 
 in order that they may be removed, if possible, as they will 
 inevitably impede the publick service. Artillery compa- 
 nies, in every country, are always looked upon in a supe- 
 riour light to other foot companies ; for which reason men 
 of reputation, and such as are qualified for that department, 
 do not incline to enlist in the battalions, from an apprehen- 
 sion (which I have not been able to remove by all the argu- 
 ments in my power) that they will not be draughted into 
 the artillery, and consequently will be obliged to serve under 
 the command of the captain with whom they have enlisted ; 
 besides they think it a disgrace to appear in the ranks with 
 such men as too often compose the companies of foot. If 
 the artillery company is to be draughted from the battalions 
 in the manner proposed, I must be constrained to choose 
 them solely for their appearance and bodily strength, with- 
 out having the least opportunity of knowing either their 
 characters or principles, or whether they are qualified for 
 the department in which they are to serve ; although it is 
 essentially necessary that I should have some knowledge of 
 those circumstances previous to their joining the company. 
 Another great inconveniency 1 conceive will arise, in regard 
 to their clothing, if they are not to be draughted before the 
 battalions are complete, as I must consequently have a 
 number of men in different uniforms, it being more than 
 probable that they will be draughted out of different bat- 
 talions. 
 
 As there is no artillery companies iu the service of Con- 
 necticut, it is the more necessary that ours should be imme- 
 diately formed, in order that the men may be instructed in 
 the several parts of their duty, and the necessary stores be 
 prepared, that we may be ready to act, when and where 
 the publick service may require. 
 
 For these reasons, and to obviate the inconveniences 
 which I have pointed out, (especially as none of the bat- 
 talions are near being completed,) I have thought proper to 
 submit it to your better judgment, whether such an altera- 
 tion in the arrangement should not be immediately made 
 as will give me an opportunity of enlisting my own men, 
 and forming the company as soon as possible. And as there 
 is a distinction always held up between the artillery and 
 companies of foot, I must beg leave to request that the 
 clothing for the men may be better than that of the other 
 companies, and that it may be blue with buff facings. 
 
 I am, with the greatest respect, gentlemen, your most 
 humble servant, John Lamb. 
 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety for the Province 
 of New- York. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Enclosed you have four letters, three from 
 Captain Edmunston to different persons in Europe, which 
 we had appointed a Committee to peruse, who report that 
 they judge it proper they should be sent open to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress for their inspection. The other is a letter 
 from Colonel Guy Johnson, which we received with a 
 verbal license to open it, which we have presumed to do, 
 and have even taken upon us to give General Schuyler a 
 copy thereof, which we hope you will put the best con- 
 struction upon. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants. By 
 order of the Committee, Abraham Yates, Jr. 
 
 To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Lebanon, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir: On the first instant 1 met the honourable Assembly 
 of this Colony, to deliberate on the request and pressing 
 reasons sent us from the Massachusetts, for an immediate 
 augmentation of the troops from this Colony. Our Assem- 
 bly agreed to augment with two Regiments, of seven hun- 
 dred men each, who are now raising to join the Continental 
 Army. It was wished that we could have had the advice 
 and direction of the Congress, or your Excellency, before 
 we took this step, but thought the present critical situation 
 of our affairs would not admit the delay of obtaining it. 
 Since your arrival at the camp before Boston, view and con- 
 sideration of their situation and circumstances, shall gladly 
 be advised, and shall attend your request for hastening and 
 marching the men. 
 
 There are thirteen hundred and ninety-one barrels of 
 flour come to the care of Colonel Frederick Huntington, 
 at Norwich, for the use of the Army, which I have ordered 
 forward. The busy season with the farmers renders its 
 transportation difficult. Please to advise of the need of 
 the hurry, and where it shall be ordered to be delivered. 
 
 Our Assembly supplied Major-Gen. Schuyler with fifteen 
 thousand Pounds in cash, and forty half barrels of another 
 necessary article. Accounts from the northward are favour- 
 able. The Brig Nancy Thomas, Davis master, which 
 arrived at Stonington with molasses, is removed to Nor- 
 wich; she hath on board eighteen or nineteen thousand 
 gallons. The Committee of Inspection and Correspon- 
 dence I trust will take proper care respecting both vessel 
 and cargo. 
 
 The road by my door being the nearest for post-riding 
 from Cambridge to Philadelphia, shall be obliged, when- 
 ever your Excellency has occasion to send to that City, if 
 the rider may be directed this way, and to call on me for 
 the convenience of my despatches I may have occasion to 
 forward by him. Fessenden has passed this way more than 
 once. 
 
 I am, with great esteem and regard, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jonathan Trumbull. 
 To His Excellency General Washington. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Lebanon, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour 
 of the tenth instant, which came per Bennet. Per same 
 hand I received a letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonde- 
 roga, in which he says, " There are many things which the 
 Act of Assembly provides for the soldiers, which they never 
 have as yet received, which occasions murmurings and dis- 
 content among them, and much weakens my authority." 
 Copy of the Act of our Assembly has been forwarded some 
 time ago to the Provincial Convention of New- York; our 
 Commissary, Mr. Elisha Phelps, has also a copy. If New- 
 York does not supply our Troops, as they have a right to 
 expect, this Colony must fulfil their engagements them- 
 selves ; pray your interposition in this matter. 
 
 I have received from Colonel Hinman and others, very 
 favourable accounts of the disposition of the Canadians 
 towards the general cause, and their desire that our Army 
 might penetrate into their Province. Suppose you are 
 fully acquainted with this intelligence, shall therefore only 
 trouble you with some information 1 have received from 
 Captain John Bigelotv, a gentleman of Hartford, who was 
 lately sent by our Assembly into Canada, as an escort to 
 some ladies taken at Skenesborough, whom we thought 
 proper to return to their friends in that Province. He is 
 returned, and informs there are about three hundred and 
 fifty of the King's Troops at St. John's, one hundred at 
 Montreal, and forty at Chambly. Those at St. John's 
 keep a good look out ; have picketed in an acre or two 
 of ground, in which they have some field-pieces not yet 
 mounted. He understands there were a number of batteaus, 
 and two floating batteries, building just below St. John's. 
 The officers boasted to him the number of Canadians and 
 Indians they were able to raise, but he says it is certain 
 they are not sure of one man. Wheat is six and six pence, 
 sterling money, per bushel, and is almost all purchased for 
 the King's Troops at Boston and Canada. Was informed 
 
1677 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1678 
 
 that the Canadians, almost to a man, were praying for our 
 people to come into their country, or they must be obliged, 
 for their own safety, to join the King's Troops, &.c. He 
 did not see more than six or seven Indians at St. John's. 
 Nothing of importance has lately occurred at our camps 
 near Boston. I am, 8tc, J. Trumbull. 
 
 To Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 Newport, Rhode-Island, July 20, 1775. 
 On Monday night, the seventeenth of July, two men be- 
 longing to the Swan, Captain Ayscough, being on shore, 
 saw fit to attempt an escape from their old and detested 
 habitation ; their design, by the bye, was communicated to 
 no individual of the Town. The next day, viz. the eigh- 
 teenth, A. M., two or three of the ferry-boats which pass 
 between Newport and Connecticut, were fired upon and 
 brought to, an event so singular that two respectable mem- 
 bers of the Committee waited upon Captain Ayscough to 
 know the reason. He told them that two of his men, the 
 night before, were sent on shore upon some errand and had 
 not returned ; added that he was confident the inhabitants 
 knew where they were, and that they were detained by 
 them purposely. The two gentlemen declared themselves 
 ignorant of the matter, and believed the whole Town to 
 be ; however, to pacify Captain Ayscough, they assured 
 him that they would summon the Committee together, 
 inquire into the affair, he, withal, desiring Captain Ays- 
 cough to write a letter to the Committee, stating his griev- 
 ance; this he did, and they promised to wait on him with 
 an answer in the afternoon. As the Captain's letter was 
 rather in the threatening style, the Committee could not 
 help inquiring what he meant thereby, and assured him in 
 their reply, that they were not to be intimidated, and did 
 not think themselves, by any means, accountable for the 
 desertion of any of his men. Captain Ayscough read the 
 letter with considerable composure, folded it up, and then 
 gave it to Wallace, Captain of the Rose, Ayscough at this 
 time being on board Wallace's ship. Captain Wallace im- 
 mediately flew into a most terrible passion, threw the letter 
 down in a violent fit of rage, damned the Committee, the 
 Congress, &c, swore at Ayscough for writing to such a 
 damned parcel of rebels, and declared that if he knew the 
 two gentlemen, who were then present, to be of the Com- 
 mittee, they never should go ashore again. They endea- 
 voured to pacify him, but in vain ; he swore repeatedly, 
 that if there was a God in Heaven, the Town should be 
 destroyed before morning ; that he was a King's officer and 
 would not be insulted, &tc. Hereupon the two gentlemen 
 left the ship. A signal gun was instantly discharged, and 
 the three pirates in the harbour, and their tender, immedi- 
 ately weighed anchor and came close in with the Town ; 
 their tomkins were taken out, the marines on board beat up 
 to arms, and all the hostile preparations imaginable going 
 forward against a defenceless seaport, consisting (exclusive 
 of the men) of not less than six thousand women and chil- 
 dren. About half past nine in the evening, a cannon was 
 discharged from the Rose, when many really thought the 
 firing on the Town was begun. Between the hours often 
 and eleven, the same night, a packet arrived from Provi- 
 dence with seven or eight passengers ; she was stopt, and 
 a place appointed for her to near the Swan. The passen- 
 gers were seized, made to tell all their names, and confined 
 as prisoners, repeatedly styled rebels, with the most horrid 
 oaths annexed ; a guard with drawn swords kept over them 
 during the night; the late infamous Proclamation of a truce- 
 breaking Gage, was hung close by them, which they were 
 fearful they would be compelled to sign, or else abide the 
 consequence therein denounced. It is worthy of obser- 
 vation, that during this period the three Captains were 
 together on board the Rose, playing cards, drinking, ca- 
 rousing, &ic. About one or two o'clock next morning, viz. 
 Wednesday, one of the Swan's men returned, and in order, 
 it is supposed, to save himself from a flogging, as it was 
 necessary for him to give some account of himself, he 
 invented the following lie, and swore to it upon the holy 
 evangelists, namely : "That the Rhode-Island rebels had 
 taken him and his companion, and wanted that they should 
 enlist among them to fight against the King, but that they 
 refused ; and because they did that, the rebels gagged them, 
 and then carried them to Providence jail, but that he broke 
 
 away, and travelled thirty miles to go on board again." 
 The Captains of the pirates either believed this gross and 
 inconsistent falsehood, or fain would make the inhabitants 
 think so ; accordingly it was taken down in writing, sent on 
 shore, and satisfaction demanded, or the Town should cer- 
 tainly be laid in ashes that very day. Another cannon was 
 now discharged, four ferry-boats and two wood sloops seized, 
 quantities of tar, and other inflammatory combustible matter 
 put into the same, in order to set on fire, and send into the 
 wharves, as a more expeditious way of destroying the 
 Town than by cannon only; the cannon, at the same time, 
 were to be fired on every part of the Town ; the Court- 
 House, Doctor Stiles's Meeting-House, and the Printing 
 Office, were first of all to feel the effects of this horrid plot. 
 The most terrible parade was kept up by those low minis- 
 terial tools till near two o'clock, P. M., when two persons 
 of undoubted veracity (farmers, within two or three miles 
 of the Town,) went on board the Swan. One of these 
 gentlemen assured the Captains of the three ships, that he 
 saw the stragglers, for whose desertion such terrible confu- 
 sion had ensued, in his corn-field on Tuesday morning, and 
 described them ; the other gentleman declared that he saw 
 them on Tuesday afternoon, where he was making hay, 
 and likewise described them, for they told these gentlemen 
 how they had made their escape from the Swan, and were 
 determined not to go back again. After fully proving that 
 they knew the men, by pointing out the one who had re- 
 turned, notwithstanding four others were first produced, in 
 order to deceive them, they (viz. the two gentlemen,) came 
 on shore, when all at once the boats and prisoners were 
 dismissed, the ships weighed anchor, and stood up the river. 
 
 Let every honest American rise up in opposition to such 
 inhuman, and, must we add, when speaking of Britons too, 
 worse than savage cruelty. To prepare, after so hostile a 
 manner, to destroy thousands of lives, and ruin vast estates, 
 merely because two drunken wretches had fled from a ship 
 under the command of a petty tyrant, is what will make a 
 considerable figure in some future page, when our many 
 trials are handed down to posterity by some able historian. 
 
 LANCASTER (MASSACHUSETTS) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Lancaster, Worcester County, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, Nahum Houghton being complained of as be- 
 ing an enemy to his Country, by officiating as an unwearied 
 pedlar of that baneful herb, Tea, and otherwise rendering 
 himself odious to the inhabitants of this Town ; and not- 
 withstanding being warned, he did not appear before the 
 Committee that his political principles might be known: 
 This, therefore, agreeable to a vote of said Town, is to 
 caution all friends to the community to entirely shun his 
 company, and have no manner of dealings or connections 
 with him, except acts of common humanity. 
 
 John Prescott, Chairman. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE ASSEMBLY. 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 The Deputy Secretary brought down a written Message 
 from his Excellency, as follows, viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Assembly : 
 
 I find by your votes of the 13th of last month, that you 
 have taken upon you to exclude three returned members, 
 called by the King's writ, from sitting and voting in the 
 House of Assembly, thereby depriving the electors of their 
 privilege, and a whole County of any representation in the 
 Legislature. You must be sensible that I cannot, consistent 
 with my duty, pass by a measure so essentially infringing on 
 His Majesty's prerogative and the rights of the people ; 
 and I do, therefore, recommend to you to rescind the vote 
 for excluding the said three members from the House, that 
 they may be entirely free to take their seats without inter- 
 ruption, according to the constant usage heretofore prac- 
 tised. J. Wentworth. 
 Fort William and Mary, New.Hampshire, July 14, 1775, 
 
 Voted, That Captain Langdon, Colonel Bartlett, Doc- 
 tor Thompson, and Meshech Weare, Esq., be a Committee 
 to prepare an answer to his Excellency's Speech of this 
 day. 
 
 The House adjourned to three o'clock, P. M. 
 
1679 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1680 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Answer to his 
 Excellency's Message of this day, reported, that they had 
 prepared one ; which was read, and is as follows, viz : 
 
 May it jdcase your Excellency : 
 
 In answer to your Excellency's Message of this day, 
 wherein you desire that this House would rescind their vote 
 of the 13th of last month, respecting their dismission of 
 the three members for the County of Grafton, who were 
 called by the King's writ only, without an act of Govern- 
 ment for that purpose ; we are sorry to find that your 
 Excellency should intimate that our dismissing said mem- 
 bers was depriving the electors of their privileges, as we 
 did not apprehend that any one person in the English 
 Empire could have had such an idea ; and trust that the 
 good people of the County of Grafton will not think that 
 we have deprived them of any part of their rights or pri- 
 vileges, by our dismissing the said members ; as it is very 
 notorious that this and former Houses of Assembly have 
 long wished that this Province might be more generally 
 represented in a constitutional way, and have long endea- 
 voured that an act of Government might be passed ena- 
 bling the Govemour to issue writs to such Towns to send 
 members as might be provided for in said act, (as is the 
 case in the other Governments on this Continent,) but have 
 not been able to have such an act established, for what 
 reasons your Excellency may know better than we do. As 
 the Council are appointed for this Province by the Crown, 
 we think it not only a cruel, but an arbitrary stretch of 
 prerogative, for your Excellency to issue writs to such 
 Towns as you think proper, to send Representatives with- 
 out the concurrence of the other branches of the Legisla- 
 ture therein ; for by that means the Representatives, as well 
 as the Council, would in effect be chosen by the Crown. 
 We cannot think that such an attempt was ever made in 
 any other Government within the English Dominions. 
 Upon the whole, this House have determined unanimously, 
 as they look upon it as their undoubted right and privilege 
 to regulate themselves, not to rescind their said vote. 
 
 We would also inform your Excellency that we have 
 been expecting that you would order the Treasurer's ac- 
 counts to be laid before the House, agreeable to your pro- 
 mise, that we might be thereby enabled to proceed in the 
 ordinary business of the Government ; but are sorry to 
 find that your Excellency has ordered the Treasurer not to 
 lay them before the House, as he informs us. We hope 
 that you will direct that we may be furnished therewith as 
 soon as possible, as you must be sensible that it is not only 
 very expensive, but very disagreeable to us to be from our 
 respective places of abode at this season of the year. 
 
 Which report of the Committee being considered, 
 
 Voted, That it be presented to his Excellency in answer 
 to his Message to the House of this day. 
 
 Monday, July 17, 1775. 
 Some of the Members met, according to adjournment. 
 The Deputy Secretary, by his Excellency's direction, 
 adjourned the General Assembly till to-morrow ten o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 18, 1775. 
 Some of the Members being met, the Deputy Secretary 
 brought down the following Message from his Excellency, 
 viz : 
 
 Mr. Speaker and 
 
 Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : 
 
 In reply to your answer to my Message of yesterday, 
 concerning your vote for excluding the three members re- 
 turned for three Towns in the County of Grafton, by vir- 
 tue of the King's writ, I would observe, that in the early 
 state of New-Hampshire, when the Massachusetts- Bay 
 exercised jurisdiction over the inhabitants, a commission 
 was issued by King Charles the Second, appointing a Pre- 
 sident and Council to govern the Province, according to 
 the methods and regulations specified in the said commis- 
 sion. This laid the foundation of the Constitution by 
 which the Province hath since been governed ; and the 
 people, by their acceptance and acquiescence in the frame 
 of Government then given them, bound themselves to 
 maintain the same. 
 
 Among other things, the President and Council were 
 authorized to issue writs for calling a General Assembly. 
 It hath ever since been the invariable practice, as circum- 
 stances made it reasonable to extend representation in the 
 Province, to call the members by the King's writ ; it is a 
 part of the Constitution first established by the aforesaid 
 commission, and ever since preserved unaltered ; and you 
 all came by your seats in the House in the same constitu- 
 tional way ; and the laws of the Province rest upon this 
 foundation. It is true that some contention was heretofore 
 made by a former House, on this point, but after a long 
 and fruitless controversy, the House thought it advisable 
 at length to proceed to business with the new members in 
 the established course. 
 
 Since my administration, three new members have been 
 called from three Towns in the County of Cheshire, and they 
 took their seats without interruption. Upon petitions to the 
 Governour and Council from the inhabitants of the County 
 of Grafton, it seemed equally reasonable to extend to them 
 the same privilege, expressly given by President Cutt's 
 commission, and secured by constant usage since, which 
 was done in the usual form with advice of Council. It does 
 not now appear, either by a general view of this practice, 
 or any particular instance, that it hath not been exercised 
 for the advantage of the people ; and as there is no reason 
 at present to apprehend danger from the influence of the 
 Crown, the argument you make use of to support or justify 
 your refusal of the new members, has, in itself, in reality, 
 very little weight, more especially as provision is established 
 by law for regulating the election of Assembly-men, and 
 their qualifications. 
 
 In short, a Constitution has been given to this Province, 
 which the people have accepted, and lived happily and 
 prospered under, and I apprehend their interest will be 
 much better consulted by adhering to that Constitution, 
 than by any innovations or attempts to alter or subvert it, 
 especially in a point of inherent right and prerogative of 
 His Majesty, which cannot be suffered to be violated or ir> 
 fringed. 
 
 The Treasurer's accounts are prepared, and 1 should 
 have ordered them to be laid before the House, but my 
 duty calls upon me to take care that no members, constitu- 
 tionally returned to the Assembly, should be excluded from 
 their privilege of acting freely in all matters of business 
 that may come before the General Assembly. No incon- 
 venience can as yet be occasioned by these accounts, as a 
 sufficient number of members to make a House did not 
 attend till yesterday, and then (as I understand) but a very 
 thin House. 
 
 I am sorry to observe, that it appears to me from the 
 determination not to rescind the vote for excluding the 
 three members for Plymouth, Lyme, and Orford, that the 
 House did not meet with a disposition to proceed upon the 
 affairs of the Province. In hopes, however, that this busi- 
 ness may acquire a more favourable consideration in a fuller 
 House of Assembly, on a future day, I think it my duty 
 to adjourn the General Assembly, and it is hereby adjourned 
 accordingly, to Tuesday, the 28th of September next, at 
 ten o'clock in the morning, then to meet at the State- 
 House in Portsmouth. J. Wentwoeth. 
 Fort William and Mary, New.Hampshire, July 15, 1775. 
 
 London, July 18, 1775. 
 Yesterday se'nnight arrived at Whitehaven, the Molly, 
 Captain Mitchinson, in twenty-six days from Norfolk, in 
 Virginia. She was not suffered to land her cargo in Nor- 
 folk. The Committee was called and expresses sent to 
 Alexandria, where a Congress was sitting. The Captain 
 was seized, and with much difficulty and solicitation escaped 
 tar and feathers. One of the merchants who resides at 
 Norfolk, requested that the vessel might proceed with her 
 cargo to Quebeck, which was refused ; nor would the Com- 
 mittee suffer it to be transhipped into another vessel be- 
 longing to the company, then loading for Whitehaven ; nor 
 allow the Molly to take in the tobacco which was prepared 
 for her, but compelled the merchant to send the cargo back 
 in the same bottom, without diminution or addition, to be 
 landed at Whitehaven ; for the performance of which they 
 obliged him to give a bond of three thousand Pounds. 
 
16S1 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1682 
 
 JOHN STUART, SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, TO 
 COMMITTEE OF INTELLIGENCE, CHARLESTOWN, S. C. 
 
 St. Augustine, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I am now to acknowledge the receipt of 
 your letters of 21st and 29th June, by express. In the 
 former, you are pleased to acquaint, by order of the Provin- 
 cial Congress, that I stand in a very unfavourable light 
 with the publick ; but you have not thought proper to ac- 
 quaint me of what I am accused, and upon what evidence 
 the publick has conceived an unfavourable opinion of me. 
 You must be conscious of the impropriety of desiring me 
 to answer in my own vindication to a charge which is not 
 stated. And here I must beg permission to say, that my 
 services to your Province have merited very different sen- 
 timents than you tell me they entertain of me, and much 
 better treatment than I have received. 
 
 1 am sorry that it is not in my power to comply with 
 your requisition, of sending you copies of all my corres- 
 pondence on Indian affairs with Administration, the Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of his Majesty's Forces, and my Deputies. 
 But I hope it will be sufficient to assure you, most faith- 
 fully, that 1 have always considered myself to be most 
 effectually discharging my duty to the King, and fulfilling 
 his intentions, when employed in securing the friendship 
 and affection of the Indian Nations to his Majesty's Pro- 
 vinces ; and in preventing, as far as in my power, jealousies 
 arising from encroachments and mutual violences. And the 
 long uninterrupted tranquillity which your frontiers have 
 4 enjoyed, without any expense to the Province, during the 
 past thirteen years of my superintendency, evinces that my 
 endeavours have not been unavailing. And this will appear 
 in a clearer point of view, if you will contrast the state of 
 Indian affairs, and the expense to the Province, during the 
 above period, with that of the thirteen preceding years. 
 I never have received any orders from my superiours which, 
 by the most tortured construction, could be interpreted to 
 spirit up, or employ the Indians to fall upon the frontier 
 inhabitants; or to take any part in the disputes between 
 Great Britain and her Colonies. And I do not know 
 that any part of my conduct, through all the various scenes 
 of my life, can fix upon me the imputation of cruelty or 
 inhumanity, or induce a belief that I could wantonly use 
 any influence with Indians to make them fall upon inno- 
 cent people. 
 
 Yet such an opinion has been most industriously pro- 
 pagated ; although it is absolutely impossible that it could, 
 or can be supported by any evidence of the least credibili- 
 ty. And I will venture to say, that every one, and all of you 
 do, in your consciences, believe the charge to be false. I 
 therefore think 1 have a right to call upon you, as men of 
 honour, to efface the impression it has made on the minds of 
 the people. 
 
 With respect to the warm expressions in my letter to 
 Colonel Hoivarth, I cannot help thinking them in some 
 measure justified, by your being authorized by the Con- 
 gress to tell me that I stand in a very unfavourable light 
 with the publick. What can have placed me in such an 
 unfavourable light, but calumnious falsehoods, which endan- 
 gered my life and property ? I know not the authors, and 
 shall not repeat illiberal epithets; you know what are suit- 
 able to such characters. 
 
 You are pleased to say, that my estate is a security for 
 the good behaviour of the Indians in the Southern Depart- 
 ment. It is disagreeable that my all should be held by so 
 precarious a tenure as their behaviour; which, in a great 
 measure, will depend upon the conduct of the inhabitants of 
 the Provinces: yet you must allow, that holding my per- 
 sonal safety and life itself on such terms, would be more so. 
 His Majesty's service will necessarily detain me here some 
 months longer. 
 
 My little estate in your Province was purchased under 
 the protection of the laws of my Country. 1 have always 
 considered both life and fortune as pledged for my dutiful 
 obedience to the King, and the laws. As I am not con- 
 scious of having transgressed, I hope for that security to 
 my property, which is inseparable from the idea of a vir- 
 tuous and well-policed community ; and as power is now in 
 your hands, I doubt not but I shall find this security from 
 your justice. 
 
 Your letter of the 29th renders it necessary for me to 
 
 tell you, that some time before I left Charlestown I had 
 received information of a design to seize my person; and 
 in order to give a colour to such a step, a report was in- 
 dustriously propagated of my having sent to call down the 
 Indians. Immediately after my removal from Charles- 
 town to my plantation on Lady's Island, it was reported, 
 that in consequence of my orders, thirty-four families on 
 the frontiers had been murdered by the Chcrokets. When 
 I was at Georgia, I had information that Captain Joyner 
 and Mr. Barnwell, two members of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, had returned to Beaufort ; where, by most defamato- 
 ry reports and insinuations, they endeavoured to blacken my 
 character, and render me obnoxious to the people; giving 
 out that my having called down the Indians was proven 
 before the Congress ; that great quantities of arms and 
 ammunition were shipped for me to arm the Negroes and 
 Indians; and that it was now discovered that I had sold Fort 
 London, and was the instrument of getting the garrison 
 massacred ; and Captain Joyner showed at the publick mus- 
 ter-field, in St. Helena, printed bills, containing the above, 
 and other false accusations. 
 
 From thence they went to Savannah, and in the night 
 had a meeting with the Committee, of which Sir James 
 Ji'right gave me notice early next morning, and advised 
 me to take steps for the security of my person. I according- 
 ly prevailed upon Captain Grant, of the St. John, armed 
 schooner, to land me at St. Augustine, where the business 
 of my department called me. But before I embarked, I 
 saw some of the members of the Committee, and read to 
 them some part of my correspondence with my Deputies, 
 which they communicated to you. They candidly told 
 me that the people were much enraged; and they could 
 not answer for the safety of my person. 1 then thought it 
 high time to provide for my safety ; and went on board 
 the St. John, armed schooner, at Cockspur. 
 
 I have since been informed, that two boats were sent 
 down the river in pursuit of me ; and from the schooner I 
 saw several armed canoes, said to be commanded by Cap- 
 tain Joyner and Mr. Barnwell, who, before they left 
 Beaufort, gave out they were to receive and conduct me 
 back to Charlestoivn. The armed schooner, however, pro- 
 ceeded the next day for this place, where 1 landed in a 
 very weak condition; and this, gentlemen, you are pleased 
 to call a precipitate departure, though I shall ever consider 
 it as a most fortunate escape. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Stuart. 
 To William Henry Drayton, James Parsons, John Lewis 
 
 Gervais, Arthur Middleton, William Tennent, and 
 
 Thomas Hey ward, Jun., Esquires. 
 
 SUSSEX COUNTY' (DELAWARE) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Dagsberry, July 18, 1775. 
 
 To the Publick. 
 
 Notwithstanding the many rumours and intimations that 
 have been frequently spread, that Thomas Robinson, Esq., 
 of Sussex on Delaware, was counteracting the wise, prudent, 
 and manly measures recommended by the honourable Con- 
 tinental Congress, to put a stop to the calamities of Ame- 
 rica, and, if possible, avert Ministerial vengeance, which, 
 like a torrent with increasing violence, is rushing down on 
 our heads, yet the Committee, out of tenderness to his 
 character, (as no vouchers appeared,) considered those 
 vague reports as not worthy tbeir notice, and therefore 
 declined making inquiry into them. But Mr. Robinson, 
 weakly imagining that this tenderness and lenity proceeded 
 from fear, began to vaunt and exult, and with an effrontery 
 ever the companion of ignorance, proceeded more openly 
 and boldly to stamp his vile and slavish Ministerial prin- 
 ciples upon the weak and unwary, over too many of whom, 
 in the forests of Sussex and Maryland, by means of his 
 office and store, he has indeed too much influence. 
 
 Since which time the Sub-Committee met at Dagsberry, 
 the 18th July, 1775; and receiving information, clothed 
 w ith better circumstances, ordered the authors immediate- 
 ly to be brought before them ; who deposed as follow : 
 
 Peter Watson, being duly sworn upon the Holy Evange- 
 lists of Almighty God, deposeth and saith : that on Mon- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 106 
 
1683 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, be, JULY, 1775. 
 
 16S4 
 
 day, the 10th of this instant, July, being at Robinson's 
 store, on the head of Indian River, he saw John Gozlin, 
 clerk to said Robinson, weigh and sell two small parcels of 
 Bohea Tea, one of which lie delivered to a girl, the other 
 to Lcalherberry Barker's wife; which aforesaid Tea he 
 took out of a large canister, that he judged would hold about 
 twelve or fifteen pounds. And further saidi not. 
 
 Peter Watson. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of July, 1775: 
 before John Dagworthy. 
 
 True copy : Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 Robert Butcher, being duly sworn on the Holy Evange- 
 list of Almighty God, deposeth and saith : that being in 
 company with Thomas Robinson, Esq., the said Robinson 
 asked him what those Committees were doing ; he told him 
 they were advising the people to muster, in order to defend 
 their liberties. Robinson replied, that they were a pack 
 of fools, for it was taking up arms against the King ; and 
 that our Charters were not annihilated, changed, or altered 
 by the late Acts of Parliament, and therefore we ought to 
 obey the King, and those that were put in authority under 
 him ; and that the great people were only leading the poor 
 into a premunire, and after they had done it, they would 
 not help them out of it. And further saith not. 
 
 Robert Butcher. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of July, 1775; 
 before John Dagworthy. 
 
 True copy : Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 Nathaniel Mitchell, being duly sworn on the Holy 
 Evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth and saith : that 
 being in company with Thomas Robinson, Esq., and talk- 
 ing of some publick matters, the said Robinson declared, 
 that the present Congress were an unconstitutional body of 
 men ; and also, that the great men were pushing on the 
 common people between them and all danger. And further 
 saith not. Nathaniel Mitchell. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of July, 1775 ; 
 before John Dagworthv. 
 
 True copy : Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 Mr. Robinson's conduct thus palpably appearing, and 
 leaving no further doubt with respect to the measure he 
 was industriously pursuing, the Clerk was ordered to sum- 
 mon him to appear at the house of William Nexvbold, on 
 Saturday, the 22d of July ; which citation is as follows: 
 
 " Sir: In consequence of repeated suggestions and infor- 
 mations lodged against you, the Committee of Inspection 
 for the proposed new County, met at Dagsberry, the 19th 
 of July, 1775 ; Colonel John Dagworthy in the Chair : 
 and after maturely and dispassionately considering the seve- 
 ral charges exhibited against you, were unanimously of 
 opinion, that you ought to be cited to attend the General 
 Committee at the house of William Newbold, on Satur- 
 day next, the 22d of this instant, in order to satisfy them 
 with respect to the many heavy charges alleged against 
 you. 
 
 " In strict obedience to which resolution, I do hereby 
 send you this notification, that you do attend at the house 
 of William Newbold, on Saturday, the 22d of this instant, 
 July, at ten o'clock. A. M. 
 
 " John Jones, Clerk pro tern. 
 
 " William Newbold's, July 22, 1775." 
 
 The General Committee met according to adjournment. 
 Eighty members present. Colonel John Dagworthy in 
 the Chair. 
 
 When Elisha Cottingham appeared, and being duly 
 sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth 
 and saith : that on the 21st of this instant, he delivered the 
 above citation to Thomas Robinson, Esq., who desired him 
 to give his compliments to the gentlemen of the Commit- 
 tee, and acquaint them that ho did not, nor could not, think 
 of coming before them, unless he could bring forty or fifty 
 armed men with him. And further saith not. 
 
 Elisha Cottingham. 
 
 Sworn to and subscribed this 22d day of July, 1775; 
 before John Dagwokthy. 
 
 True copy : Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 The above Report, after being well weighed and con- 
 sidered, was unanimously voted to be insulting and inju- 
 rious. 
 
 And therefore, unanimously Resolved, That Thomas 
 Robinson, Esq., be immediately held forth to the publick 
 as an enemy to his Country, and a contumacious opposer 
 of liberty and the natural rights of mankind ; wherefore, 
 all persons are hereby enjoined to break oft" all dealings 
 and commercial connections with the said Robinson. 
 
 By order of the Chairman : 
 
 Simon Kollock, Clerk. 
 
 N. B. The above 'Squire Robinson, while he attends 
 the patriotick Assembly at New- Castle, never fails to vote 
 with them, as we learn from other members, while for many 
 years he raises a party here against the same measures. 
 
 new-york delegates to committee of safety. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 18, 17 75. 
 
 Gentlemen: We are honoured with your despatches 
 of the 12th and 15th instant, and detained the express till 
 after the rising of the Congress this day, in expectation of 
 giving you the establishment of the Army, which is report- 
 ed, but not fully confirmed and perfected ; but to our great 
 concern, such was the state of the business before the House, 
 that we were disappointed. We shall, however, seize the 
 first opportunity to draw this important point to a conclu- 
 sion. In the mean time, as your Troops are sure of being 
 placed on an equal footing with their neighbours, it is hoped 
 the difficulty will not be insurmountable. This is all the 
 satisfaction which we can at present give you on that head. 
 
 From a want of proper directions from those who had 
 the charge of transporting the powder for the use of Major- 
 General Schuyler's department, from this City to Eliza- 
 bethtown, it has unfortunately been delayed on the road. 
 We could do no more than complain. The fault will be 
 repaired, and you may expect it soon. 
 
 We are not insensible to the distress to which you must 
 be reduced, for the want of money, arms, and powder. 
 With the first, you will soon be supplied. The difficulties 
 attending an emission so uncommon, of which the necessary 
 guards against counterfeits is not the least, has rendered its 
 progress very tedious. We can give you no assurances of 
 a supply of arms and ammunition from this quarter. Every 
 scheme which could be devised to procure them from 
 abroad, has been pursued, and on their success, and the 
 efforts of the different Colonies, we must depend ; for in 
 the Southern Provinces there is very little, and none to be 
 spared. Some blankets are to be had in this City, which 
 will be purchased as soon as the money is issued. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient servants, 
 
 Lewis Morkis, Philip Livingston. 
 James Duane, Hknry Wisner. 
 Committee of Safety, New-York. 
 
 DOCTOR J. MALLETT TO WILLIAM ALLMON. 
 
 Ship Asia, New-York, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Relying on your discretion and prudence, I have 
 to request your assistance in an affair that I imagine will 
 require some dexterity to manage properly. 1 want to 
 have a few articles out of the medicine store put on board 
 Captain Vandeput's Ship, to be sent here, if you think it 
 can be done so as not to be observed. You must con- 
 sult with Bowden about it, who has the care of them ; 
 and I hope will meet with no difficulty in putting into 
 the man-of-war boat at Blundcll's house, at noon day, to 
 avoid suspicion, a box of lint, the two boxes pulv. Peru- 
 vian, one do. Sal Glaub. The pot of camphire, and what 
 opium there is packed in another small box. If you can't 
 easily send all these articles, the box of lint, which is 
 most wanted, may he easily carried under the arm ; as 
 also the camphire and opium. Scrape off the marks, and 
 after it is on board, direct it for me at this place. Be 
 cautious how you open the front part of the store. 1 
 believe you will find the key at Mrs. Rcid's; as Mrs. 
 jVa/lett tells me she left all the keys with her ; you will 
 leave them there again when you have got out the above 
 articles. I hope Boicdcn will take all the care he can 
 both of the medicines and bedding store, and give cue 
 
I 
 
// / £d r /£<? iU^^/SZ^J^ <^JlZ) /Z-c^/&^1^{?£ 
 
 ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ /^n^/ 
 
1685 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1686 
 
 immediate notice if any one offers to meddle with them ; 
 and tell them from me, that I will take care he shall be 
 satisfied lor his trouble. If the key should not be there, 
 I must get you to write to Mrs. Mallett, or to go up, if 
 necessary, to know where it is put. I left them all in a 
 drawer of my desk, and I dare say you will find them at 
 Mrs. Reid's, as I know that of the bedding store is there. 
 I should be glad of a bale or two of old sheets, but am 
 afraid it will be difficult to get them. Don't risk any thing, 
 but first let me know if it is practicable to get them, and 
 several other articles I want, out of the medicine store on 
 some future occasion. Captain Kingston, who brings you 
 this, has directions to find you or Boivden, and give you all 
 the assistance he can, and will take care of whatever you 
 give into his charge. There are some lancets, needles, 
 scalpels, and pocket instruments, in one of my drawers 
 also ; if they could be got at, I should be glad they were 
 sent here, but 1 fear Mrs. Mallett has the keys in the coun- 
 try. Mr. Bruce will write to you on this subject, to enjoin 
 your transacting this business with all imaginable precau- 
 tion ; and be assured you will, in return, meet with every 
 thing to serve you in the power of your assured friend, 
 
 J. Mallett. 
 
 To Mr. William Allmon, at Dr. Bruce s, New- York, per 
 favour of Captain Kingston 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 18, 17T5. 
 
 Sir : Your favour of the first July I only had the honour 
 to receive on the fifteenth, on my way to this place, where 
 1 arrived this day. Be assured, Sir, that every recommen- 
 dation of yours will claim my particular attention. 1 left 
 Captain Elisha Phelps to forward the stores from Al- 
 bany, where he will remain, unless the necessity of the 
 service should oblige me to call him elsewhere. If any 
 opportunity offers in which 1 can employ Captain Noah 
 Fhelps, I shall embrace it with alacrity. 1 find the Troops 
 from your Colony, under the command of Colonel Hinman, 
 destitute of tents, an article they much stand in need of, 
 being now crowded into bad barracks, which I fear will be 
 productive of disease. Should it be impossible to procure 
 the materials for making tents in your Colony, they may 
 possibly be furnished by the Neiv- York Congress, which 
 can make no material difference, as it will probably be a 
 Continental charge. Colonel Hinman informs me that fat 
 cattle were expected up from Connecticut for the Troops 
 here. I had ordered Mr. Walter Livingston to purchase 
 a hundred head. Should your Honour learn that he has 
 succeeded, it will supersede the necessity of sending any 
 until a future requisition. 
 
 Permit me, Sir, to assure you of my respect and esteem, 
 and that I am your Honour's most obedient and very bum- 
 ble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 The Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Colonel Hinman begs his respects. Be pleased 
 to forward the letters for General Washington by the next 
 post. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I do myself the honour to inform jour Ex- 
 cellency of my arrival at this place early this morning, and 
 as a person is just going to Hartford, 1 sit down to give 
 you the little information 1 have procured. 
 
 A Canadian, who twelve days ago left St. John's, ad- 
 vises me that General Carleton has about four hundred men 
 at that place ; that he has thrown up a strong intrench- 
 ment, covered with chevaux-de-frise, picketed the ditch, 
 and secured it with an abattis ; that he has an advanced post 
 of fifty men intrenched a league on this side; that there 
 are many Indians in Canada, but believes that neither they 
 nor the Canadians will join him; the latter he is sure will 
 not, unless compelled by force. 
 
 You will expect that I should say something about this 
 place and the troops here. Not one earthly thing for offence 
 or defence has been done ; the commanding officer had no 
 orders, he only came to re-en force the garrison, and he 
 expected the General! But this, my dear General, as well 
 
 as what follows in this paragraph, I pray may be entre 
 nous, for reasons I need not suggest. About ten o'clock 
 last night I arrived at the landing place, the north end of 
 Lake George, a post occupied by a captain and one hun- 
 dred men. A sentinel, on being informed I was in the 
 boat, quitted his post to go and awake the guard, consisting 
 of three men, in which he had no success. I walked up 
 and came to another, a sergeant's guard. Here the sentinel 
 challenged, but suffered me to come up to him, the whole 
 guard, like the first, in the soundest sleep. With a pen- 
 knife only I could have cut off both guards, and then have 
 set fire to the block-house, destroyed the stores, and starved 
 the people here. At this post I have pointedly recom- 
 mended vigilance and care, as all the stores from Fort 
 George must necessarily be landed there. But I hope to 
 get the better of this inattention. The officers and men 
 are all good looking people, and decent in their deport- 
 ment, and I really believe will make good soldiers as 
 soon as I can get the better of this nonchalance of theirs. 
 Bravery, 1 believe, they are far from wanting. As soon as 1 
 am a little settled, I shall do myself the honour to send 
 you a return of my strength both on land and water. 
 
 I enclose your Excellency a copy of a letter from Col- 
 onel Johnson, with a copy of an examination of a person 
 lately from Canada, contradictory of the accounts I gave 
 you in my last from Saratoga. You will perceive that he 
 is gone to Canada. I hope Carleton, if he should be able 
 to procure a body of Indians, will not be in a hurry to pay 
 us a visit. I wish to be a little more decently prepared to 
 receive him; in doing which, be assured 1 shall lose no 
 time. 
 
 I have no way of sending you any letters, with a proba- 
 ble hope of their coming to hand, unless by express, or by 
 the circuitous route of Hartford; by which only, I can ex- 
 pect to be favoured with a line from you. 
 
 Generals Lee and Gates share with you in my warmest 
 wishes. I shall devote the first hour I can call my own, 
 to do myself the honour to write them. 
 
 I am, most sincerely, your Excellency's obedient and 
 humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 P. S. Permit me, Sir, through you, to inquire the health 
 of Colonel Reed, Major Mifflin, and Mr. Griff n. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Cambridge, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Allow me to return you my sincere thanks for the 
 kind wishes and favourable sentiments expressed in yours 
 of the thirteenth instant. As the cause of our common 
 Country calls us both to an active and dangerous duty, I 
 trust that Divine Providence, which wisely orders the affairs 
 of men, will enable us to discharge it with fidelity and suc- 
 cess. The uncorrupted choice of a brave and free people 
 has raised you to deserved eminence. 
 
 That the blessings of health, and the still greater bless- 
 ing of long continuing to govern such a people, may be 
 yours, is the sincere wish of, Sir, your, &.c. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Camp, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: It is with no small concern that I find the arrange- 
 ment of General Officers made by the honourable Conti- 
 nental Congress has produced dissatisfaction. As the Army 
 is upon a general establishment, their right to supersede and 
 contract a Provincial one must be unquestionable, and in 
 such a cause I should hope every post would be deemed 
 honourable which gave a man opportunity to serve his 
 Country. 
 
 A representation from the Congress of this Province, 
 with such remarks as occurred to me on this subject, is now 
 before the Continental Congress. In the mean time, I beg 
 leave to assure you that, unbiased by any private attach- 
 ments, I shall studiously endeavour to reconcile their pre- 
 tensions to their duty, and so dispose them as to prevent, 
 as far as possible, any inconvenience to the publick service 
 from this competition. I have the honour to be, &c. 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 To Governour Trumbull. 
 
1687 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 168S 
 
 Cambriilgo, July 21, 1775. 
 Last Saturday, July 15th, the several Regiments quar- 
 tered in this Town being assembled upon the parade, the 
 Reverend Doctor Langdon, President of the College, read 
 to them "A Declaration by the Representatives of the 
 United Colonies of North America, now met in General 
 Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the causes and 
 necessity of their taking up arms." It was received with 
 great applause, and the approbation of the Army, with that 
 of a great number of other people, was immediately an- 
 nounced by three huzzas. His Excellency the General, 
 with several other General Officers, Sic, were present on 
 the occasion. 
 
 Last Tuesday morning, July 18th, according to orders 
 issued the day before by Major-General Putnam, all the 
 Continental Troops under his immediate command assem- 
 bled at Prospect Hill, when the Declaration of the Conti- 
 nental Congress was read ; after which an animated and 
 pathetick address to the Army was made by the Rev. Mr. 
 Leonard, Chaplain to General Putnam's Regiment, and 
 succeeded by a pertinent prayer, when General Putnam 
 gave the signal, and the whole Army shouted their loud 
 amen by three cheers, immediately upon which a cannon 
 was fired from the fort, and the standard lately sent to Gen- 
 eral Putnam was exhibited flourishing in the air, bearing 
 on one side this motto, "An appeal to Heaven," and on the 
 other side, "Qui transiulit sustinet." The whole was con- 
 ducted with the utmost decency, good order, and regular- 
 ity, and the universal acceptance of all present ; and the 
 Philistines on Bunker's Hill " heard the shout of the 
 Israelites, and, being very fearful, paraded themselves in 
 battle array." 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS OF GEN. GAGE TO CAPT. CAMPBELL. 
 
 By his Excellency the Honourable Thomas Gage, Gen- 
 eral and Commander-in-Chief of all His Majesty's 
 Forces in North America, Sfc, fyc, ty-c. 
 
 To Captain Duncan Campbell and Lieutenant Symes: 
 
 You are hereby directed to embark on board the Re- 
 becca and Frances, transport, George Hastings, master, 
 and proceed as fast as possible to New- York, where you 
 are to receive on board your ship such men as may be 
 inclined to serve His Majesty; and you are particularly to 
 attend to the arrival of ships expected from Scotland, and 
 to procure as many men out of them as you possibly can ; 
 and you are to do your endeavour not to suffer any of those 
 emigrants to join the rebels on shore, and to give every 
 encouragement to all the Scotch and other nations that 
 will join you. Captain Vandepul, of His Majesty's Ship 
 Asia, will give you all the assistance in his power, and 
 with whom you will confer when there may be occasion ; 
 you will continue at New-York as long as the service you 
 are upon may require, when you are to return to this place 
 with all expedition, bringing as many volunteers with you 
 as you can procure. 
 
 Given under my hand at Head-Quarters at Boston, this 
 eighteenth day of July, one thousand seven hundred and 
 seventy-five. Thomas Gage. 
 
 By his Excellency's command: 
 
 Samuel Kemble. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN FREDE- 
 RICKTOWN, MARYLAND, TO HIS FRIEND IN BALTIMORE, 
 DATED JULY 19, 1775. 
 
 On Monday last Captain Morgan, from Virginia, with 
 his company of riflemen, (all chosen,) marched through 
 this place, on their way to Boston. Their appearance 
 was truly martial ; their spirits amazingly elated, breathing 
 nothing but a desire to join the American Army, and to 
 engage the enemies of American liberty. They were met 
 about a mile out of Town by three companies, viz: Cap- 
 tain Price's company of riflemen, Captain Grosh's and 
 Captain Beatty's companies of militia, and escorted a few 
 miles out of Town, amidst the acclamations of all the 
 inhabitants who attended them ; and yesterday Captain 
 Price, with his company, also marched. And surely never 
 were two finer companies raised in any Country, more de- 
 termined to conquer or die, than those two companies are. 
 
 Capt. Cresap also, with his brave company, have marched. 
 1 need not say any thing of Captain Cresaj)'s undaunted 
 courage; not an American but knows him to be an intrepid 
 warriour, and of course he knows his men, and has culled 
 them from the many. We are also in hourly expectation 
 of Captain Stinson, with his brave company, in this Town, 
 on his way to Boston. God. grant them a speedy and 
 happy arrival there. So many offered to join the above 
 companies, that not one of them but might have had one 
 hundred men at least. 
 
 PISCATAWAY AND BLADENSBURGH (MARYLAND) COM- 
 MITTEE. 
 
 Prince George's County, July 19, 1775. 
 The Committee of Inspection for Piscataicay and Bla- 
 densburgh having had information that Goods had been 
 sold and landed by some persons belonging to ships lying 
 in the Eastern Branch of Potomack River, met this clay 
 at Kerbey's Landing, and chose Colonel Joshua Beall, 
 Chairman : 
 
 When Robert Miller, Master of the Ship Diana, was 
 called before the Committee, and being asked if he had 
 not sold or delivered to Mr. Henry Bradford a barrel of 
 Porter, who, after some evasive answer, acknowledged he 
 had made Mr. Bradford a present of a barrel of Porter, 
 in consideration of sundry services he had doue him last 
 voyage, and others he expected this present voyage. 
 
 Mr. Bradford being then examined, acknowledged, that 
 at the repeated and pressing requests of Captain Miller, 
 he had accepted of a barrel, which he believed was Porter, 
 though he had not tasted it since he received it from him ; 
 that at that time he did not think he was doing wrong, as 
 he did not purchase it, and was sorry to find he had erred 
 in accepting it, and was ready and willing to deliver it up 
 to the Committee in the order he had received it. 
 
 Captain Benjamin King being examined by said Com- 
 mittee, declared he heard Captain Miller say, on the Ex- 
 change of London, before he came out this voyage, that 
 he would bring to America any Goods he pleased. 
 
 The Committee then examined James McKinsey, car- 
 penter, and Samuel Pool, boatswain of the Ship Eolus, 
 Captain Rankins. They acknowledged they had sold 
 sev en pair of Shoes to different persons, and also part of a 
 piece of Linen to the Skipper of a Schooner down the 
 river, his name unknown to them ; they declared they did 
 not know they were breaking the rules of the Continental 
 Congress, and agreed to give up the money they had sold 
 the Shoes for to the Bladensburgh Committee, to be dis- 
 posed of by them as they should think proper. 
 
 Luke Jefferson, Robert St. Clair, and Baptist Kirbcy, 
 being examined, acknowledged they had bought Shoes of 
 the above-named persons, viz: Luke Jefferson three pair, 
 Robert St. Clair three pair, and Baptist Kirbey two 
 pair ; which they agreed to give up to the Bladensburgh 
 Committee. 
 
 Captain Rankins being examined, declared he did not 
 know that his people brought any thing for sale, and that 
 he had, before they sailed, told them not, as he had re- 
 ceived orders from his owners not to suffer any Goods to 
 come out in the ship ; that as soon as he had information 
 that his people had been selling Shoes, he made a search 
 in the ship, and could not find any thing his people had 
 but what was necessary for the voyage. 
 
 Resolved by the Committee aforesaid, That the Porter 
 and Shoes be destroyed in a publick manner, and the 
 money for which the Shoes were sold to be applied to the 
 relief of the poor ot Boston ; and it is the opinion of this 
 Committee, that the several persons concerned in import- 
 ing, vending, purchasing, and receiving the said Goods, 
 have been guilty of violating the Association of the Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 Bladensburgh, July 22, 1775. 
 Then Mr. Henry Bradford produced the cask of Por- 
 ter to the Committee of this Town, the head of which was 
 staved in, and the liquor thrown out on the ground, the 
 staves and heading burnt, with six pair of the Shoes, two 
 pair of those purchased by Robert St. Clair not being pro- 
 duced to the Committee according to promise; the eight 
 dollars, for which the Shoes were sold, were this day paid 
 into the hands of the Chairman. 
 
1689 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1690 
 
 JOHN" HANCOCK TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir: The earnest desire of several members of Con- 
 gress, joined to a hearty wish of rendering service to the 
 gentlemen, induce me to take the freedom to introduce to 
 your notice Mr. Ogden and Mr. Burr, of the Jerseys, by 
 whom this will be handed you. They are gentlemen of 
 reputation, and visit the camp not as spectators, but with 
 a view of joining the Army, and being active during the 
 campaign ; I beg you will please to place them in such a 
 department as you shall judge suitable. Your notice of 
 these gentlemen I shall esteem a particular favour. 
 
 Your despatches reached me last evening ; I shall for- 
 ward you the papers immediately. The result of Congress 
 you shall know as early as possible. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient humble 
 servant, John Hancock. 
 
 To his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF 
 SAFETY. 
 
 Congress Chamber, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: By advice from the Army before Boston, 
 a supply of gunpowder would be very acceptable, and 
 greatly contribute to promote the common cause. I am 
 therefore desired by the Congress, who have had an inti- 
 mation that a quantity of that article was lately imported 
 into your Citv, to apply to you and request you to send 
 forward, as speedily and safely as possible, what you can 
 spare, to the camp before Boston. 1 am, gentlemen, your 
 most obedient humble servant, John Hancock. 
 
 To Committee of Safety, Ncw-Yorlc. 
 
 ADDRESS OF COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF HILLSBOROUGH TO 
 GENERAL SULLIVAN. 
 
 To the Honourable John Sullivan, Esquire, Brigadier- 
 General of the Continental Army : 
 
 Sir: The Committee of Safety for the County of Hills- 
 borough, in the Colony of New-Hampshire, having in con- 
 templation the great services you lately rendered the Coun- 
 ty in your civil capacity, and the great abilities you then 
 exerted at the bar in their defence, at a time when the 
 people were most cruelly oppressed by the tools of Govern- 
 ment, pray leave to address and congratulate you on your 
 appointment to the rank of Brigadier-General — an appoint- 
 ment which, as it distinguishes your merit, so at the same 
 time it reflects honour upon, and shews the penetrating dis- 
 cernment of those truly eminent patriots from whom you 
 received it, and of whom are composed the Continental 
 Congress. Nor are we less sanguine in our expectations 
 of the high advantages which must result (under God) to 
 the publick, by your military skill and courage, as you 
 have been indefatigable in attaining the first, and have 
 given a recent instance of the latter, to your great honour 
 and reputation, in depriving our enemies of the means of 
 annoying us at Castle Jf illiam and Mary, and at the same 
 time furnishing us with materials to defend our invaluable 
 rights and privileges. 
 
 This, Sir, must be ever had in remembrance, and 
 (amongst the actions of others, our heroes of 1775) hand- 
 ed down to the latest posterity. That the Almighty may 
 direct vour counsels, be with you in the day of battle, and 
 that you may be preserved as a pattern to this people for 
 many years to come, is our fervent prayer. 
 
 Per order: Matthew Pattin, Chairman. 
 
 July 19, 1775. 
 
 General Sullivan's Answer. 
 
 To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the 
 County of Hillsborough : 
 
 Gentlemen: Your polite congratulatory Address upon 
 my appointment to the rank of Brigadier-General in the 
 American Army, demands my most sincere and cordial 
 thanks. Your approbation of my conduct while at the bar, 
 acting in defence of an injured people against the arbitrary 
 tools of Government, gives me the highest satisfaction. 
 
 The favourable opinion which you have formed of my 
 courage and military skill, must alone be a sufficient in- 
 
 ducement for me to exert myself at this important dav, 
 and, if possible, prevent you from being disappointed 'in 
 your expectations. It gives me great pleasure to find that 
 so respectable a number of the worthy sons of freedom, 
 in the Colony to which J belong, have so publickly given 
 their approbation of my conduct in assisting to secure the 
 warlike stores at Fort William and Mary, and thereby pre- 
 venting those evils which must have resulted from our ene- 
 mies having the possession of them. That the important 
 office you sustain may be ever held by such worthy patriots, 
 who, while they so nobly exert themselves in defence of 
 our common liberties, are endeavouring to strengthen the 
 hands of others, is, gentlemen, the earnest prayer of your 
 most obedient servant, John Sullivan. 
 
 Camp at Winter Hill, August 10, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL SULLIVAN TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE 
 OF SAFETY. 
 
 Medford, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : As we have no matters regulated in manner 
 ordered by the Congress as yet, I can give no exact account 
 of the state of our affairs till that time. We are in great 
 want of bayonets for our men ; I would entreat you to send 
 some of different sizes, and a person who understands fix- 
 ing them to the guns. I am sorry to inform you, that the 
 New-Hampshire forces are without a Chaplain, when the 
 Continental Congress have voted pay for a Chaplain in 
 each regiment. Our men are obliged to attend prayers 
 with the Rhode-Lland Regiment, and when they assem- 
 ble, the concourse is so great that few of them can hear a 
 word that is said. It being essentially necessary in an army 
 to keep up divine worship, I doubt not you will send us 
 a Chaplain to each Regiment. 
 
 I must remind you that it is absolutely necessary for us 
 to have some beds for our sick men, many having died 
 already for the want of comfortable beds to lie upon. I 
 therefore entreat that you would buy up and send us beds, 
 with some stuff to make cots and hammocks. 
 
 We also are in great need of guns and blankets, several 
 having been lost in the late engagement, and several others 
 not fit for service. 
 
 Gentlemen, 1 am, with respect, your most obedient ser- 
 vant, John Sullivan. 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 COLONEL REID TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp at Winter Hill, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: 1 received yours of the 1st instant, and 
 note the contents. You say, without knowing I had in 
 actual service or in my eye, any person as Adjutant of my 
 Regiment, have commissioned Mr. McGregore, a suitable 
 person, &ic. I doubt not but Mr. McGregore is a worth v 
 and suitable gentleman for an Adjutant, and is agreeable 
 to me, and I wish he had been so to the Regiment ; but, to 
 my surprise, when he ordered the Guards to be paraded, I 
 soon learnt they refused to appear. I was under the neces- 
 sity to order the Captain to parade them, and they imme- 
 diately obeyed. You may be assured 1 should have done 
 every thing in my power to have made Mr. McGregore's 
 duty agreeable, but this happened at a time when no officer 
 was in commission, nor the soldiers sworn. It was not a 
 time to enter into a dispute ; the difficulties are better known 
 than expressed. I must beg leave to inform you, that not 
 a single day's duty in a regiment can be done with pro- 
 priety without an Adjutant ; and if ever the duty of an 
 Adjutant was necessary, it was before the late action, as 
 well as soon after. How could you imagine that I could do 
 one day without both Adjutant and Quartermaster; be- 
 sides, you gave me the liberty of appointing both. You 
 say, if any person I judge suitable is disposed to act as a 
 volunteer in that capacity, without pay, you have no ob- 
 jection, unless it should plainly appear to you that he would 
 not answer the end. To which 1 answer, I hope in time 
 my conduct will convince you that I have the service more 
 at heart than to be partial in the matter. I do easily per- 
 ceive, that it must be very disagreeable to the honourable 
 Committee and the worthy gentleman, Mr. McGregore, to 
 be disappointed ; but hope you will provide for him some 
 other way. I heartily thank the honourable Committee 
 
1691 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1692 
 
 for their friendly paragraph, in which you say, you may 
 assure yourself, that so far as the publick service will al- 
 low, you shall take pleasure in gratifying me or the Regi- 
 ment, or any individual. This is the sole reason why Mr. 
 Peabody is continued as Adjutant ; and 1 presume the 
 voice of the Regiment will make this manifest, which is 
 the hest information the nature of the thing will admit of. 
 
 Permit me, gentlemen, to remind you of your promise 
 that I should have a Chaplain, for the want of which the 
 service greatly suffers, as we have to borrow from other 
 regiments, which is a thing I cannot repay. 
 
 Beg leave, at the same time, to subscribe, gentlemen, my- 
 self your obliged and ever humble servant at command, 
 
 James Rkid. 
 
 WILMINGTON (nORTH-CAROLINa) COMMITTEE. 
 
 On the 20th July, at a monthly meeting of the Commit- 
 tee for the Town of Wilmington, and the County of New- 
 Hanover, at which were occasionally present a number of 
 gentlemen, members of the different Committees in Wil- 
 mington District, the Committee, upon taking the Restrain- 
 ing Act into consideration, 
 
 " Resolved unanimously, That the exception of that 
 Colony, and some others, out of the said act, is a base and 
 mean artifice, to seduce them into a desertion of the com- 
 mon cause of America ;" and that " they will not accept 
 of the advantages insidiously thrown out by the said act ; 
 but will adhere strictly to such plans as have been, and 
 shall be, entered into by the honourable Continental Con- 
 gress, so as to keep up a perfect unanimity with their sister 
 Colonies." 
 
 They also " unanimously Resolved, not to freight, or in 
 any manner employ, any shipping belonging to Poole, and 
 that they will not carry on any commercial intercourse or 
 communication with the selfish people of that Town." 
 
 The Committee, likewise, after premising that it appear- 
 ed upon inconlestible evidence that John Collett, Com- 
 mander of Fort Johnston, was preparing the said Fort for 
 the reception of a promised re-enforcement, and had been 
 also guilty of various malepractices, inform the publick, that 
 they, " having taken these things into their consideration, 
 judged it might be of the most pernicious consequences to 
 the people at large, if the said John Collett should be suf- 
 fered to remain in the Fort, as he might thereby have op- 
 portunities of carrying his iniquitous schemes into execu- 
 tion." 
 
 This opinion having been communicated to the officers, 
 and the Committees of some neighbouring Counties, a great 
 many volunteers were immediately collected, a party of 
 whom reached Brunswick, when accounts were received 
 that the said Commander had carried off all the small arms, 
 ammunition, and part of the artillery, (the property of that 
 Province,) together with his furniture, on board a transport 
 hired for that purpose, there to remain until the re-enforce- 
 ment should arrive, and then again to take possession of 
 the Fort. The original design being thus frustrated, but 
 the different detachments having met at Brunswick, about 
 five hundred men inarched to the Fort, and burnt and de- 
 stroyed all the houses, &.C., in and about the same; demo- 
 lished as far as they then could the back parts of the forti- 
 fication, and effectually dislodged that atrocious freebooter. 
 
 VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS TO NORFOLK COMMITTEE. 
 
 On Thursday, July 20th, 1775, one of the Dinwiddle 
 volunteers was despatched to Norfolk with the following 
 Letter, from the officers of the several Volunteer Companies 
 in Williamsburgh, to the Committee of that Borough : 
 
 Gentlemen : We judge you are sensible it requires no 
 extraordinary genius to divide, and true wisdom despises 
 the infamous task. You have, hitherto, shown the diffu- 
 sive spirit of benevolence to our cause, in your strictures on 
 Lord Dunmore's letters. We are, therefore, the more 
 truly alarmed at a report, which gives us too much grounds 
 to fear you are, some of you, deserting the glorious cause ; 
 being informed that there are volunteers recruiting in oppo- 
 sition to the Continental plan. Our desire is, that you in- 
 form us of the verity of this report, that we may assist the 
 proper side with all our force, as soon as we obtain authority 
 
 from the Convention, which is at present silting, before 
 whom we shall not tail to lay the whole state of the case. 
 
 We are, Ike. 
 
 On Saturday he returned with the following Answer frcm 
 the Committee : 
 
 To the Officers of the Volunteer Companies in Willi ams- 
 
 BLKGH. 
 
 Gentlemen : We are happy in every expression of your 
 attachment to the common interest of your Country, and 
 are glad we can inform you there is not the least foundation 
 for the fears you have declared for our safety, upon an ill- 
 grounded report, that any among us are deserting the cause 
 of their Country, and enlisting against it. It is a report, 
 we can assure you, that is totally devoid of truth. You 
 may depend, we would not sit still as indifferent spectators 
 of such hostile measures. The time may come, when we 
 may stand in need of your assistance, surrounded as we 
 are by armed vessels and some suspected inhabitants ; we 
 trust we shall then receive it; and should the Convention, 
 hereafter, think it necessary to quarter any of you among 
 us. you may rest assured we shall welcome you w ith w illing 
 hearts and open arms. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your humble servants. By order 
 of the Committee : William Davies, Secretary. 
 
 CAPTAIN MONTAGUE TO CAPTAIN SQUIRE, OF H!S MAJESTY'S 
 SHIP OTTER. 
 
 Fowey, Hampton Roads, July 20, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Joseph Harris* the bearer of this letter, has ap- 
 plied to me for protection, as the people of Hampton and 
 some other places have threatened his destruction, as they 
 have found him to have given intelligence concerning a 
 smuggling schooner, which was seized in Cherry-Stone 
 Creek. As the Fowey will soon leave the Province, 1 
 think him too useful to His Majesty's service to take away, 
 he being well acquainted with many creeks on the Eastern 
 Shore, at York, James River, and Nansemond, and many 
 ethers, and of course a very useful person, especially in 
 tenders, as he is not acquainted with the duties of a sea- 
 man, but accustomed to pilot, as he had a boat for that use, 
 which is now detained by violence in Hampton harbour. 
 He has always appeared very sober and prudent, is a free- 
 man, and I could wish strongly to recommend him to such 
 indulgence as his endeavours may merit. Agreeable to my 
 Lord Dunmore's application, I have sent up the Arundel, 
 and Mr. Atkinson her officer, and will send Mr. Ruth in 
 the Liberty. I have taken such stores and hawser out of 
 the Arundel as belonged to the Crown when with me 
 employed on His Majesty's service, and have fitted her 
 with her real private property. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, your very humble servant, 
 
 George Montague. 
 
 Pastoral Letter from the Synod o/New-York and Phi- 
 ladelphia, to the Congregations raider their care ; 
 delivered from the Pulpit on the 20th of July, 1775, 
 being the day appointed by the Honourable Congress 
 for a General Past. 
 
 Very dear Brethren : The Synod of New- York and 
 Philadelphia being met, at a time when publick affairs 
 wear so threatening an aspect, and when (unless God in 
 his sovereign providence speedily prevent it) all the hor- 
 rours of a civil war throughout this great Continent are to 
 be apprehended, were of opinion, that they could not dis- 
 charge their duty to the numerous Congregations under 
 their care, without addressing them at this important crisis. 
 As the firm belief, and habitual recollection of the power 
 and presence of the living God ought at all times to pos- 
 sess the minds of real Christians; so in seasons of publick 
 calamity, when the Lord is known by the judgments which 
 heexecuteth, it would be an ignorance or indifference high- 
 ly criminal, not to look up to him with reverence, to im- 
 plore his mercy by humble and fervent prayer, and, if pos- 
 sible, to prevent his vengeance by unfeigned repentance. 
 
 We do, therefore, brethren, beseech you, in the most 
 earnest maimer, to look beyond the immediate authors 
 
 * A Runaway mulatto slave, belonging to Mr. Henry King, of 
 Hampton. 
 
1693 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c , JULY, 177.3. 
 
 1G94 
 
 either of your sufferings or fears, and to acknowledge the 
 holiness and justice of the Almighty in the present visita- 
 tion. He is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his 
 works. Affliction springeth not out of the dust. He doth 
 not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men ; and, 
 therefore, it beconieth every person, family, City, and Pro- 
 vince, to humble themselves before his throne, to confess 
 their sins, by which they have provoked his indignation, 
 and entreat him to pour out upon all ranks a spirit of re- 
 pentance and of prayer. Fly, also, for forgiveness, to the 
 atoning blood of the Great Redeemer — the blood of sprink- 
 ling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel. Re- 
 member and confess, not only your sins in general, but 
 those prevalent national offences which may justly be con- 
 sidered as the procuring causes of publick judgments — par- 
 ticularly profaneness and contempt of God, his name, 
 Sabbath, and sanctuary ; pride, luxury, uncleanuess, and 
 neglect of family religion and government, with the deplo- 
 rable ignorance and security which certainly ought to be 
 imputed to this as their principal cause. All these are 
 among us, highly aggravated by the inestimable privileges 
 which we have hitherto enjoyed without interruption, since 
 the first settlement of this Country. If in the present day 
 of distress we expect that God will hear our supplications, 
 a;id interpose for our protection or deliverance, let us re- 
 member what he himself requires of us is that our prayers 
 should be attended with a sincere purpose and thorough 
 endeavour after personal and family reformation. " If thou 
 prepare thine heart, and siretch out thine hand towards 
 him : if iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away ; and 
 let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles." Job xi, 13 
 and 14. 
 
 The Synod cannot help thinking, that this is a proper 
 time for pressing all of every rank seriously to consider 
 the things that belong to their eternal peace. Hostilities, 
 long feared, have now taken place ; the sword has been 
 drawn in one Province, and the whole Continent, with 
 hardly any exception, seem determined to defend their 
 rights by force of arms. If, at the same time, the British 
 Ministry shall continue to enforce their claims by violence, 
 a lasting and bloody contest must be expected. Surely, 
 then, it becomes those who have taken up arms, and pro- 
 fess a willingness to hazard their lives in the cause of lib- 
 erty, to be prepared for death, which to many must be the 
 certain, and to every one is a possible or probable event. 
 
 We have long seen, with concern, the circumstances 
 which occasioned, and the gradual increase of this unhappy 
 difference. As Ministers of the Gospel of peace, we have 
 ardently wished that it could, and often hoped that it would, 
 have been more early accommodated. It is well known 
 to you, (otherwise it would be imprudent, indeed, thus pub- 
 lickly to profess,) that we have not been instrumental in 
 inflaming the minds of the people, or urging them to acts 
 of violence and disorder. Perhaps no instance can be 
 given on so interesting a subject, in which political senti- 
 ments have been so long and so fully kept from the pul- 
 pit ; and even malice itself has not charged us with labour- 
 ing from the press. But things are now come to such a 
 state, that we do not wish to conceal our opinions as men 
 and citizens ; so the relation we stand in to you seemed 
 to make the present improvement of it to your spiritual 
 benefit our indispensable duly. Suffer us, then, to lay 
 hold of your present temper of mind, and to exhort, espe- 
 cially the young and vigorous, by assuring them, that there 
 is no soldier so undaunted as the pious man ; no army so 
 formidable as those who are superiour to the fear of death. 
 There is nothing more awful to think of, than that those 
 whose trade is war should be despisers of the name of the 
 Lord of Hosts, and that they should expose themselves to 
 the imminent danger of being immediately sent from curs- 
 ing and cruelty on earth, to the blaspheming rage and des- 
 pairing horrour of the infernal pit. Let, therefore, every 
 one who, from generosity of spirit or benevolence of heart, 
 offers himself as a champion in his Country's cause, be 
 persuaded to reverence the name, and walk in the fear of 
 the Prince of the Kings of the earth ; and then he may, 
 with the most unshaken firmness, expect the issue either in 
 victory or death. 
 
 Let it not be forgotten, that though, for the wise ends of 
 his providence, it may please God for a season to suffer 
 Lis people to lie under unmerited oppression ; yet, in gene- 
 
 ral, we may expect, that those who fear and serve him in 
 sincerity and truth will be favoured with his countenance 
 and strength. It is both the character and the privilege of 
 the children of God, that they call upon him in the day of 
 trouble, and he, who keepeth covenant and truth forever, 
 has said, that his ears are always open to their cry. We 
 need not mention to you in how many instances the event 
 in battles, and success in war, have turned upon circum- 
 stances which were inconsiderable in themselves, as well 
 as out of the power of human prudence to foresee or 
 direct ; because we suppose you firmly believe, that after 
 all the counsels of men, and the most probable and pro- 
 mising means, the Lord will do that which seemeth him 
 good. Nor hath his promise ever failed of its full ac- 
 complishment. a The Lord is with you while ye be with 
 him ; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you : but if 
 ye forsake him, he will forsake jou." 2 Chron. xv. 2. 
 
 After this exhortation, w hich w e thought ourselves called 
 upon to give you at this time on your great interest — the 
 one thing needful — we shall take the liberty to offer a few 
 advices to the Societies under our charge, as to their publick 
 and general conduct. And first, in carrying on this impor- 
 tant struggle, let every opportunity be taken to express your 
 attachment and respect to our Sovereign King George, and 
 to the Revolution principles by which his august family was 
 seated on the British throne. We recommend, indeed, 
 not only allegiance to him from duty and principle, as the 
 first magistrate of the empire, but esteem and reverence 
 for the person of the Prince, who has merited well of his 
 subjects on many accounts ; and w ho has probably been 
 misled into the late and present measures by those about 
 him. Neither have we any doubt that they themselves 
 have been, in a great degree, deceived by false information 
 from interested persons residing in America. It gives us 
 the greatest pleasure to say, from our own certain know- 
 ledge of all belonging to our communion, and from the best 
 means of information of the far greatest part of all denomi- 
 nations in this Country, that the present opposition to the 
 measures of Administration does not in the least arise from 
 disaffection to the King, or a desire of separation from the 
 Parent State. We are happy in being able with truth to 
 affirm, that no part of America would either have approved 
 or permitted such insults as have been offered to the Sover- 
 eign in Great Britain. We exhort you, therefore, to con- 
 tinue in the same disposition, and not to suffer oppression cr 
 injury itself easily to provoke you to any thing which may 
 seem to betray contrary sentiments. Let it ever appear, 
 that you only desire the preservation and security of those 
 rights which belong to you as freemen and Britons, and that 
 reconciliation upon these terms is your most ardent clesiie. 
 
 Secondly: Be careful to maintain the union which at 
 present subsists through all the Colonies. Nothing can be 
 more manifest, than that the success of every measure de- 
 pends on its being inviolably preserved ; and therefore, we 
 hope that you will leave nothing undone which can pro- 
 mote that end. In particular, as the Continental Congress, 
 now sitting at Philadelphia, consists of Delegates chosen 
 in the most free and unbiased manner by the body of the 
 people, let them not only be treated with respect, but en- 
 couraged in their difficult service; not only let your prayers 
 be offered up to God for his direction in their proceedings, 
 but adhere firmly to their resolutions ; and let it be seen 
 that they are able to bring out the whole strength of this 
 vast Country to carry them into execution. We would 
 also advise, for the same purpose, that a spirit of can- 
 dour, charily, and mutual esteem be preserved and pro- 
 moted towards those of different religious denominations. 
 Persons of probity and principle, of every profession, should 
 be united together as servants of the same Master ; and the 
 experience of our happy concord hitherto in a state ol 
 liberty, should engage all to unite together in support of 
 the common interest; for there is no example in history 
 in which civil liberty was destroyed, and the rights of con- 
 science preserved entire. 
 
 Thirdly : We do earnestly exhort and beseech the So- 
 cieties under our care, to be strict and vigilant in their pri- 
 vate government, and to watch over the morals of their 
 several members. It is with the utmost pleasure we re- 
 mind you, that the last Continental Congress determin- 
 ed to discourage luxury in living, publick diversions, and 
 «amin" of all kinds, which have so fatal an influence on the 
 
1695 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &:c., JULY, 1775. 
 
 1696 
 
 morals of tlie people. If it is undeniable that universal 
 profligacy makes a nation ripe for divine judgments, and is 
 the natural mean of bringing them to ruin, reformation of 
 manners is of the utmost necessity in our present distress. 
 At the same time, as it has been observed by many eminent 
 writers, that the censorial power, which had for its object 
 the manners of the publick in the ancient free States, was 
 absolutely necessary to their continuance, we cannot help 
 being of opinion, that the only thing which we have now 
 to supply the place of this, is the religious discipline of the 
 several sects with respect to their own members ; so that 
 the denomination or profession which shall take the most 
 effectual care of the instruction of its members, and main- 
 tain its discipline in the fullest vigour, will do the most 
 essential service to the whole body. For the very same 
 reason, the greatest service which magistrates or persons in 
 authority can do with respect to the religion or morals of the 
 people, is to defend and secure the rights of conscience in 
 the most equal and impartial manner. 
 
 Fourthly : We cannot but recommend, and urge in the 
 warmest manner, a regard to order and publick peace ; and 
 as in many places, during the confusions that prevail, legal 
 proceedings have become difficult, it is hoped that all per- 
 sons will conscientiously pay their just debts, and to the 
 utmost of their power serve one another, so that the evils 
 inseparable from a civil war, may not be augmented by 
 wantonness and irregularity. 
 
 Fifthly : We think it of importance at this time, to re- 
 commend to all of every rank, but especially to those who 
 may be called to action, a spirit of humanity and mercy. 
 " Every battle of the warriour is with confused noise, and 
 garments rolled in blood." It is impossible to appeal to the 
 sword without being exposed to many scenes of cruelty 
 and slaughter; but it is often observed, that civil wars are 
 carried on with a rancour and spirit of revenge, much greater 
 than those between independent states. The injuries re- 
 ceived or supposed in civil wars, wound more deeply than 
 those of foreign enemies ; it is, therefore, the more neces- 
 sary to guard against this abuse, and recommend that meek- 
 ness and gentleness of spirit, which is the noblest attendant 
 on true valour. That man will fight most bravely who 
 never fights until it is necessary, and who ceases to fight 
 as soon as the necessity is over. 
 
 Lastly : We would recommend to all the Societies under 
 our care, not to content themselves with attending devoutly 
 on general fasts, but to continue habitually in the exercise 
 of prayer, and to have frequent occasional voluntary meet- 
 ings for solemn intercession with God on the important 
 trial. Those who are immediately exposed to danger, need 
 your sympathy ; and we learn from the Scriptures, that fer- 
 vency and importunity are the very characters of that prayer 
 of the righteous man which availeth much. 
 
 We conclude with our most earnest prayer, that the God 
 of Heaven may bless you in your temporal and spiritual 
 concerns, and that the present unnatural dispute may be 
 speedily terminated by an equitable and lasting settlement 
 on constitutional principles. 
 
 Signed in the name, presence, and by appointment of the 
 Synod : Benjamin Hait, Moderator. 
 
 New- York, May 12, 1775. 
 
 ETHAN ALLEN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 20, 1775. 
 
 Respectable Gentlemen : When I reflect on the un- 
 happy controversy which hath many years subsisted be- 
 tween the Government of New- York and the settlers on 
 the New-Hamjjshire Grants, and also contemplate on the 
 friendship and union that hath lately taken place between 
 the Government and those its former discontented sub- 
 jects, in making a united resistance against ministerial ven- 
 geance and slavery, I cannot but indulge fond hopes of 
 reconciliation. To promote this salutary end I shall con- 
 tribute my influence, assuring your Honours, that your re- 
 spectful treatment, not only to Mr. Warner and myself, but 
 to the Green Mountain Boys in general, in forming them 
 into a battalion, are by them duly regarded, and I will be 
 responsible that they will retaliate this favour by boldly 
 hazarding their lives, if need be, in the common cause of 
 America. 
 
 1 hope no gentleman in the Congress will retain any 
 
 preconceived prejudices against me, as, on my part, I shall 
 not against any of them ; but as soon as opportunity may 
 permit and the publick cause not suffer thereby , shall hold 
 myself in readiness to settle all former disputes and griev- 
 ances on honourable terms. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your devoted, 
 most obedient humble servant, Ethan Allen. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress, New-York. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM WATE RTOWN TO A GENTLE- 
 MAN IN PHILADELPHIA, DATED JULY 20, 1775. 
 
 Our new Assembly met yesterday, and only chose a 
 Speaker and a Clerk. I shall now endeavour to inform 
 you what has happened in the military way since my last. 
 The attempt on Long-Island, the taking off all the stock, 
 and afterwards returning to burn the buildings, inc., (which 
 you will have in the papers,) was certainly a bold intrepid ma- 
 noeuvre, and as such, astonished our enemies. The barges 
 full of armed men were afraid to attack our whale-boats at 
 a proper distance, and the armed vessels, either agitated by 
 fear, or destitute of judgment, did it without execution. 
 The next thing that took place was, the possessing and 
 fortifying a post by Brown's house, on the neck, near their 
 lines ; this has been effected with the loss of only one man, 
 and he not employed there, though they worked in open 
 sight of them, and exposed to an incessant fire from their 
 cannon, which our people treated with the extremest con- 
 tempt, not so much as leaving their work or firing a shot. 
 No general movement has taken place. There was an 
 appearance of one the day before yesterday, on the Rox- 
 bury side, but they disappointed General Thomas, who com- 
 mands there, and made an excellent disposition to receive 
 them. Roxbury is amazingly strong. I believe it would 
 puzzle ten thousand troops to go through it, I mean of the 
 best in the world. I am just told that our boats have this 
 day been at the Light-House, and burnt it, in spite of the 
 firing from the men-of-war and a number of boats. 1 hear 
 it was executed by three hundred Rhode-Islanders, with- 
 out any loss. It is said they are more afraid of our w hale- 
 boats than we are of their men-of-war; and a few aimed 
 vessels, I am well convinced, would produce great conse- 
 quences. Captain Derby, who went to England with the 
 account of the battle of the nineteenth of April, returned 
 two day r s ago. He was there eight days, and came away 
 before General Gage's packet arrived. He says trade and 
 stocks were amazingly affected in that short time. Lord 
 Dartmouth sent for him three times, but he refused to go; 
 and when he threatened him, he decamped, got on board, 
 and came off without clearing or entering. By a letter from 
 London by him, I fancy General Gage is to expect no 
 re-enforcement this fall. The troops are very sickly in 
 Boston, and greatly reduced. 
 
 TO ALL SEAFARING PEOPLE. 
 
 Preston, at Boston, July 20, 1775. 
 
 This is to give notice, that the Light-House on Thatch- 
 ers Island, (commonly called Cape Anne Lights) and the 
 Light-House at the entrance of Boston Harbour, are burnt 
 and destroyed by the Rebels. 
 
 And further notice is given, that all seafaring people be 
 careful that they are not deceived by false lights, which the 
 Rebels threaten to hang out, in order to decoy vessels into 
 destruction. By command of the Admiral : 
 
 G. Gefferina. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, DATED 
 SALEM, JULY 20, 1775. 
 
 I have just time to acquaint you, that within these few- 
 days we have had offers from some maritime Powers, secretly 
 conveyed to us, that if we wanted assistance from either of 
 them, in money or men-of-war, we shall be supplied, upon 
 condition that when peace is restored to these unhappy 
 Colonies, we open a trade with them, and exclude our 
 Mother Country from any share of it. Their offers are at 
 present rejected. The Spaniards have now in the West- 
 Indies a fleet of men-of-war of great force, and the Spa- 
 nish Islands are full of soldiers, w aiting in expectation that 
 we shall embrace their offers. But 1 hope Government 
 will find out some means to bring about a reconciliation ; 
 
1697 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1698 
 
 for we are so loyal, that nothing but depredation can make 
 us submit to go under the Spanish yoke. All things have 
 remained quiet since the seventeenth of last month, except 
 some small skirmishes. I send this by our post to New- 
 York, so that 1 hope it will come safe to hand. 
 
 Newbern, North-Carolina, July 21, 1775. 
 Agreeable to an order of the honourable the Continen- 
 tal Congress, yesterday, the twentieth instant, was observed 
 here as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, to humble 
 ourselves before God, and to deprecate his impending judg- 
 ments now held over this land for our sins and offences. 
 Divine service was performed in the church, and a very 
 Rnimating and spirited discourse, suitable to the occasion, 
 was read by a member of the Committee, to a very crowded 
 audience, who were assembled on the occasion. A depu- 
 tation from the Committee had been ordered, previous to 
 the day, to wait on the Reverend Mr. James Reed, Minister 
 of the Parish, to request and entreat him to perform divine 
 service in his church on the fast day, and deliver a sermon ; 
 but their entreaties were vain, he giving as a substantial 
 reason, that as he was one of the missionaries of the honour- 
 able Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
 he should render himself obnoxious to the Ministry, and of 
 course lose his mission. 
 
 Committee Chamber, July 21, 1775. 
 The Committee taking into consideration the unaccount- 
 able behaviour and conduct of Mr. Reed, in deserting his 
 congregation yesterday, when almost all ranks and denomina- 
 tions of Christians among us were assembled at the church, 
 by order of the Continental Congress, to humiliate ourselves 
 before God, by fasting and prayer, to avert from us his 
 heavy judgments now hanging over us; have resolved, 
 that the vestry of this Parish be earnestly requested to 
 suspend the said James Reed from his ministerial function 
 in the said Parish, and that they immediately direct their 
 church-wardens to stop payment of the said Mr. Reed's 
 salary as Minister of the said Parish. 
 
 In General Committee, July 23, 1775. 
 The Select Committee having passed a vote of censure 
 on the Reverend Mr. James Reed, for refusing to perform 
 divine service in his church on the day set apart by the 
 Continental Congress for a fast, a motion was made that 
 the said suspension be agreed to; whereupon it was re- 
 solved unanimously, that the said suspension be confirmed. 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRISON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 21, 1775. 
 Dear General: I received your very acceptable favour 
 of the tenth instant, by express. Your fatigue and various 
 kinds of trouble, 1 dare say are great ; but they are not more 
 than I expected, knowing the people you have to deal with 
 bv the sample we have here. The Congress have taken 
 the two regiments, now raising in Connecticut, into service, 
 which, with riflemen and recruits to your regiments, will, I 
 hope, make up the number voted by your Council of War. 
 I wish, with all my heart, your troops were better, and your 
 stores more complete ; every thing that we can do here, 
 to put you in the best posture possible, I think you may 
 depend will be done. I trust you will have a supply soon 
 of ammunition ; without an accident you may depend on 
 it. The want of Engineers, I fear, is not to be supplied in 
 America. Some folks here seemed much displeased at your 
 report on that head. They affirm there are two very good 
 ones with you — a Colonel Gridhy, I think, is one. 1 took 
 the liberty to say that they must be mistaken ; they were 
 certainly either not in camp, or could not have the skill 
 they were pleased to say they had. This, in my soft way, 
 put a stop to any thing more on the subject. Indeed, my 
 friend, I do not know what to think of some of these men ; 
 they seem to be exceeding hearty in the cause, but still 
 wish to keep every thing amongst themselves. Our Pre- 
 sident is quite of a different cast — noble, disinterested, and 
 generous, to a very great degree. The Congress have 
 given you the appointment of three Brigade Majors. Mr. 
 Trumbull has the office you proposed for him. The ap- 
 pointment of the Commissary of Artillery, ditto of Mus- 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. n. 1 
 
 ters, and Quartermaster-General, are also left to your dis- 
 posal. Nothing is yet done as to the hospital, but I will 
 bring it on very soon. Your brothers in the Delegation 
 have recommended it to our Convention to send some 
 Virginians to the camp, at the expense of our Colony, to 
 learn the military art ; and 1 hope you will see them soon. 
 We have given the commission of First Brigadier to Mr. 
 Thomas. As Put?iam , s commission was delivered, it would, 
 perhaps, have offended the old gentleman to have super- 
 seded him ; the other, I hope, will still act. The Con- 
 gress have, from your account, a high opinion of him, and 
 I dare say will grant any thing in their power that he may 
 hereafter require. Your hint for a remove of the Congress 
 to some place nearer to you, will come on to-morrow. I 
 think it will not answer your expectations if we should re- 
 move ; you shall have the result in the close of this. The 
 military chest, I hope, will be supplied soon ; they begin 
 to strike the bills this day, so that 1 hope some may be 
 forwarded to you next week ; what has occasioned the 
 delay in this article 1 know not, without an imitaton of the 
 Congress, in its slowness, is become fashionable. 1 have 
 had no further account from our country about the Govern- 
 our, except that he is still at Yorktown, with three men- 
 of-war. He, Montague, and Foye, went the other day by 
 water to his farm, and were within three or four minutes 
 of being all taken by Captain Meredith, with seventy 
 men from Hanover, who are, with about one hundred 
 and fifty from other counties, guarding fl illiamsburgh from 
 any attempts that he may make with his boiled crabs. 
 Meredith says his intentions were to carry his Lordship to 
 Williamsburgh, to put him into the Palace, and promise 
 him protection, to convince him and the world that no 
 injury was intended him ; however, as he missed his stroke, 
 I dare say he will be charged with intending to murder 
 him. We think the season too far advanced to send you 
 any more men from the southward, but it seems to be the 
 general opinion to send some thousands early in the spring. 
 Should this be the case, if I have the honour of being here, 
 you may depend on my care of Mr. Johnston. We have 
 an imperfect account of an attack on Neiv-York by some 
 of the over-lake Indians. I hope it is not true ; indeed, 
 (betwixt you and I,) I give very little credit to any thing 
 from that quarter, and wish I could say I had no reason to 
 be suspicious of those people. We yesterday received 
 despatches from Georgia; they have come into the Union, 
 and have appointed Delegates to the Congress. They have 
 even done more ; they, with the South-Carolinians, armed 
 a vessel, and have taken a ship with one hundred and forty 
 barrels of the King's powder, which they have divided 
 betwixt them. 
 
 Twenty-third. — The debate about our remove was taken 
 up yesterday, and determined in the negative. . I proposed 
 a Committee, but could not carry it. I think the last 
 method would have answered your purpose best, but the 
 gentlemen could not think of parting with the least particle 
 of their power. Pendleton left us yesterday; all Mary- 
 land are gone off this day, and we intend to follow them 
 next Sunday, if nothing material happens betwixt this and 
 then. Our going, [ expect, will break up the Congress; 
 indeed I think it is high lime there was an end of it : we 
 have been too long together. 
 
 Edmund Randolph is here, and has the greatest desire 
 to he with you. He has begged of me to say something 
 in his favour, and that if you can with propriety, you will 
 keep one of the places now in your gift for him ; he is 
 not able to support himself, or he would not ask this of you. 
 You know him as well as I do ; he is one of the cleverest 
 young men in America, and if Mr. Reed should leave you, 
 his place of Secretary can't be better supplied. He will 
 set off for JStw- York in a few days, and 1 beg it as a favour 
 of you to write a line to him, to be left at the post-office 
 there till called for. This deserving young man was in 
 high repute in Virginia, and he fears his father's conduct 
 may tend to lessen him in the esteem of his countrymen. 
 He has taken this method without the advice of his friends, 
 to raise hirn into favour. As he is determined on the 
 thing I am sure our good old Speaker will be much obliged 
 for any favour you show him. Applications of this sort, 1 
 fear, will be too frequent. I shall avoid them as much as 
 possible ; but I could not refuse it on this occasion, well 
 knowing that a most valuable young man, and one that I 
 
 7 
 
1699 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1700 
 
 love, without some step of this sort, may, from the miscon- 
 duct of his parent, be lost to his Country, which now stands 
 much in need of men of his abilities. We have a report 
 that Bob McKenzie was killed at Bunker's Hill. Is it true? 
 I had a great friendship for him formerly, but can't help 
 saying I shall he glad to hear the news confirmed. 
 
 Ttventy-fourth. — Nothing new in Congress, or from Vir- 
 ginia to-day. I should therefore have closed this, without 
 saying more, had not an application been made to me to 
 introduce to you Captain Thomas Price, of a Company of 
 Riflemen from Maryland. He comes with a high character 
 from thence, and is looked on as most firmly attached to 
 the cause of America. He has a large family, which he 
 has left merely to forward the service. The Deputies from 
 that country are gone home. I have seen a letter in his 
 favour to Mr. Tilghman, highly commending him; and as 
 he could not, through that channel, get a recommendation, 
 1 have been prevailed on to introduce him, which liberty I 
 hope you will excuse. I am, my dear Sir, yours, &ic. 
 
 Benjamin Harrison. 
 
 bucks county (Pennsylvania) committee. 
 
 In Committee, Bucks County, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Complaints being made by several officers of the Associa- 
 ted Companies, that sundry persons from various causes had 
 attempted to raise second Companies in their Townships, 
 whereby those already associated were weakened, and in 
 some instances had been greatly insulted : 
 
 The Committee having considered the same, are of opin- 
 ion, that as harmony and unanimity are essentially neces- 
 sary in prosecuting the present unhappy contest, and as 
 Field-Officers are now appointed for the respective Batta- 
 lions of the County, no second Companies ought to be raised 
 in any Township, without leave being first obtained from 
 them for that purpose. 
 
 Whereas, several persons who were chosen members of 
 this Committee in December last, have hitherto neglected 
 to attend the same, and others who have attended, have, 
 from scruples of conscience, made application to be dis- 
 charged, the Committee therefore request all those who do 
 not purpose attending for the future to advertise their re- 
 spective Townships with their determination, at the same 
 time appointing some convenient time and place for the in- 
 habitants to meet, and choose other suitable persons in their 
 room, who are desired to meet the Committee on Monday, 
 the 21st of August, at the house of John Bogart, in Buck- 
 ingham Township. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Henry Wynkoop, Clerk. 
 
 HUNTINGTON (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE. 
 
 Committee Chamber, Huntington, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Mr. Hobart laid before the Committee a Letter from the 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York in the 
 recess of the Provincial Congress, dated New-York, July 
 14, 1775, directed to him, containing information that 
 George Youngs and his son, John Brush, and one Conk- 
 ling, were concerned in Provisions in such manner as they 
 must inevitably serve to supply General Gage's Fleet and 
 Army at Boston; and inclosing notes taken from two wit- 
 nesses on that subject, which were read. Messrs. Youngs, 
 Brush, and Conkling being present, acknowledged that 
 they had sent two Sloops loaded with Provisions to the 
 eastward, but it was in consequence of an agreement with 
 the inhabitants of Portsmouth, in New-Hampshire ; that 
 upon their arrival in the harbour of Portsmouth, they were 
 taken by two English men-of-war; and though Governour 
 Wenlworlh and the Committee of the Town claimed the 
 Provisions as theirs by contract, they were sent, very much 
 against their inclination, to Boston, where they were obliged 
 to sell their Provisions under great disadvantages, and at 
 great loss; since which they have discontinued their trade 
 to the eastward, nor have they at present any thoughts of 
 resuming it. In confirmation of all which, they produced 
 Timothy Titus, who was mate of one of the sloops, who 
 deposed as follows, viz : 
 
 Timothy Titus deposed] : that he was mate of the Sloop 
 Elizabeth, whereof Cornelius Conkling was master, for the 
 two voyages she lately made to Portsmouth, in New-Hamp- 
 
 shire ; that about the latter end of April last, being at Ports- 
 mouth aforesaid, when John Conkling, in a sloop loaded 
 by John Brush of Huntington, was there, he was know- 
 ing to a contract made by the said Cornelius Conkling and 
 John Conkling, with the inhabitants of Portsmouth, to de- 
 liver two cargoes of Provisions there, with all convenient 
 speed, provided they could clear out from New-York ; that 
 on the 1 St h of May following, said two sloops sailed from 
 the east end of Long-Island, and on the 21st they arrived 
 within a few hours of each other in Portsmouth harbour, 
 where they were taken by the Canceaux and Scarborough 
 men-of-war; and notwithstanding the application of Gov- 
 ernour Wentworlh and the Committee of Portsmouth, they 
 were sent to Boston under convoy of the Sphynx, sloop-ol- 
 war, where they were obliged to sell their cargoes at the 
 price the agents were pleased to give ; after which they 
 were permitted to come away. And this deponent further 
 saith, he has never heard any persons concerned in the 
 aforesaid voyage propose to send their sloops upon another 
 voyage to the eastward. Timothy Titus. 
 
 Sworn the 21st July, 1775. 
 
 Before me, John Sloss Hobart, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 
 The Committee taking the premises into consideration, 
 came to the following Resolution, viz: 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the said Youngs and his 
 son, Brush, and Conkling, in this matter have not contra- 
 vened the Association, nor in any wise disobeyed the recom- 
 mendations of the Continental or Provincial Congresses. 
 
 Whereas, it appears that great uneasiness prevails in the 
 minds of many people upon this subject, arising from a 
 laudable zeal to prevent any Provisions being sent to the 
 instruments of tyranny and oppression at Boston, 
 
 Ordered, That the parties concerned be allowed a copy 
 of the Minutes for publication. 
 
 Thomas Wickes, Chairman. 
 
 COL. JAMES CLINTON TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Little-Britain, July 21, 1775. 
 
 I have just now received your letter dated July 17th, 
 requesting me to prepare and lay before the Congress of 
 this Colony at New- York, a state of my Regiment, and of 
 the number of men ready and fit for service in each com- 
 pany, and likewise requesting me to inform the Congress 
 when the Regiment will be complete and ready to take the 
 field, with all possible despatch. 
 
 I can only acquaint you that I have mustered Captain 
 Nicholson's company, and Captain Denton's; Nicholson's is 
 complete, Denton's wants but four men. Captains Brown 
 and Hasbrouck. at Kingston, have made but small progress, 
 as they have but lately begun to enlist ; but I make no doubt 
 they will soon get their men. 1 have seen Captain Bil- 
 lings at Poughkeepsie, who says his company is complete, 
 and I suppose Captain Dubois's is by this time. I ordered 
 him to apply to Captain Swartwout to muster the two last 
 companies, as he was appointed for that purpose. 
 
 I have had no account from Captain Johnston, ^Orange- 
 town, nor the three Captains on Long-Island ; but I suppose 
 they have made a return to the Congress agreeable to the 
 directions given them in their warrant. As the companies 
 appointed to my Regiment are at so great a distance from 
 each other, it is almost impossible for me to make a return 
 of the Regiment till I meet the Congress in New-York 
 next Tuesday, which I intend to do as near the time as 
 possible. 1 am, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 James Clinton. 
 To Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of 
 
 Safety for the City of New- York. 
 
 P. S. I find arms a scarce article amongst the men, they 
 not having a sufficient quantity to exercise them. 
 
 ELISHA PHELPS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 21, A. D. 1775. 
 May it please your Honours : Being appointed by 
 his Honour the Governour of Connecticut, according to 
 your resolve, to be Commissary, to receive at Albany pro- 
 visions, he, from the Provincial Convention of Netv- York, 
 when I received the small stores of Mr. Bleecker, the Com- 
 
1701 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1702 
 
 missary in Albany, found them very deficient, according to 
 the act of the Colony of Connecticut ; on which I imme- 
 diately applied to the Committee, who told me they had no 
 orders to purchase ; but some of them gave me, as their 
 private advice, to purchase according to act of said Colony, 
 whose advice I followed, and have purchased about three 
 hundred barrels of flour, thirty barrels of molasses, some 
 rum, sugar, vinegar, inc., and some hospital stores ; which 
 1 have done on the credit of the United Colonies of North 
 America; would therefore take it as a great favour, if I 
 could have from your Honours a sum of money sufficient 
 to discharge said debts, and also to supply the Army with 
 other necessaries, and pay wagoners, &ic, as they complain 
 much for want of money, which I suppose would be much 
 for the advantage of the cause we are embarked in, and to 
 the honour of your humble servant ; which business you 
 may depend will be done with as much spirit and despatch 
 as possible. 
 
 I have thought proper, as a part of my duty, to make 
 return of the provision received and forwarded, as I have 
 done to his Honour the Governour of Connecticut, and to 
 the Provincial Congress of New- York and Massachusetts- 
 Bay. Whilst, honoured gentlemen, I think I am doing 
 my duty in the cause of my country, I am, with the great- 
 est respect, your humble servant, at command, 
 
 Elisha Phelps. 
 To the Honourable Continental Congress. 
 
 Return of Provisions, SfC, forwarded to the Northern 
 Army by Elisha Phelps, Commissary, from the 3d day 
 of July, 1775, to the 20th of July, 1775, inclusive : 
 Received, 32 barrels of pork: 507 barrels of flour: 49 
 bushels of Indian meal: 10 tierces of rice: 7 tierces and 
 15 barrels of peas : 260 gallons of rum : 50 ferkins of but- 
 ter : 3 barrels of sugar : 56^ barrels of molasses : 3 barrels 
 of vinegar: 150 weight of chocolate: 40 camp kettles: 
 6 brass kettles : 12 iron pots and kettles : 86 hatchets : 50 
 Indian blankets: 1 box of pick-axes: 14 quires of paper: 
 
 4 saddles and bridles : 12 barrels of salt : 21 casks of nails : 
 20 barrels of pitch : 2 tons of bar iron. 
 
 Forwarded, 24 barrels of pork: 371 barrels of flour: 9 
 bushels of Indian meal : 10 tierces of rice : 7 tierces and 
 15 barrels of peas : 260 gallons of rum : 50 ferkins of but- 
 ter: 3 barrels of sugar: 56£ barrels of molasses: 3 barrels 
 of vinegar: 150 weight of chocolate: 40 camp kettles: 
 6 brass kettles: 12 iron pots and kettles: 86 hatchets: 50 
 Indian blankets : 1 box of pick-axes : 14 quires of paper : 
 3 saddles and bridles : 11 barrels of salt : 5 casks of nails : 
 
 5 barrels of pitch. 
 
 On hand, 8 barrels of pork : 40 bushels of Indian meal : 
 1 saddle and bridle : 1 barrel of salt : 16 casks of nails : 
 15 barrels of pitch : 2 tons of bar iron. 
 
 Errours excepted : Elisha Phelps. Commissary. 
 
 Albany, July 21, 1775. 
 
 JOHN N. BLEECKER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Although I intimated in mine of the 3d 
 instant, that 1 would soon transmit accounts of the expenses 
 in my department here, yet it is not in my power at present 
 to give such an exact state of the charges as I could wish, 
 as several accounts have not yet been delivered in for pro- 
 visions, &ic, supplied for the Provincial service. But being 
 desirous to render accounts, under these circumstances I 
 enclose you general accounts of stores and provisions re- 
 ceived, purchased on credit, forwarded, issued, &c. You 
 have also enclosed an account of expenses, so far as have 
 come to my hands, by which a balance of £1,225 remains 
 due, which I have in some measure engaged would be 
 soon paid ; and as those with whom the debts are contract- 
 ed make daily application to me for money, in particular 
 die wagoners, who have been employed, and intimate, that 
 unless their demands are satisfied very soon they must de- 
 cline riding, since they have not wherewith to purchase hard 
 fodder for their horses, 1 therefore hope you will be pleased 
 to put it in my power to fulfil my promises, by furnishing 
 me with a sufficient sum of money to discharge the above- 
 mentioned balance ; and all publick moneys which have or 
 may be delivered into my hands, I shall account for in a 
 
 future settlement, by producing such vouchers for disburse- 
 ments as 1 doubt not will meet your approbation. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, and most humble 
 servant, John N. Bleecker. 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provincial 
 
 Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read September 13, 1775.] 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 21. 1775. 
 
 Sir: I arrived here early on Tuesday morning, the 18th 
 instant, having been detained at Fort George and the Land- 
 ing in giving directions and making preparations to keep 
 up the communication, that the provision and stores for the 
 Army may be forwarded without interruption, whenever 
 they shall be sent. 
 
 1 cannot find that any intelligence has been received 
 from Canada, on which any great dependance can be 
 made ; yet accounts from all quarters agree that the Cana- 
 dians are friendly to us ; that they refuse to assist General 
 Carleton; and that the Indians will remain neuter. 1 have 
 great reason to believe it is so. 
 
 A Canadian, who left Canada thirteen days ago, informs 
 me that a large body of Indians had come there ; that 
 Governour Carleton attempted to engage them to fight 
 against us; that he believed he would have little success; 
 that some of the young men inclined to take up the hatchet, 
 but that the elderly men opposed it ; that the Canadians 
 will not act against us, some of the noblesse and very lower 
 kind excepted ; that timber was preparing on the north 
 side of the St. John's to construct some craft ; that he saw 
 nothing of a floating battery; that they have thrown up 
 lines strengthened with a chevaux-de-frise, a picketed ditch 
 and abattis ; that about a league on this side they have an 
 advanced guard of fifty men, covered by a small intrench- 
 ment. 
 
 This, then, is the time to gain intelligence with certainty 
 by going to St. John's with a respectable body, giving the 
 Canadians to understand, when we arrive there, that we 
 mean nothing more than to prevent the regular Troops 
 from getting a naval strength, and interrupting the friendly 
 intercourse that has subsisted between us and them. But, 
 unfortunately, not one earthly thing has been done here to 
 enable me to move hence; 1 have neither boats sufficient, 
 nor any materials prepared for building them. The stores 
 I ordered from Neiv-YorJc are not yet arrived. I have 
 therefore not a nail, no pitch, no oakum, and want a varie- 
 ty of articles indispensably necessary, which I estimated 
 and delivered to the New-York Congress on the 3d inst. 
 An almost equal scarcity of ammunition subsists, no pow- 
 der having yet come to hand ; not a gun-carriage for the 
 few proper guns we have ; and as yet very little provision ; 
 two hundred Troops less than by my last return, these 
 badly, very badly armed indeed ; and one poor armourer 
 to repair their guns. 
 
 Armourers and armourers' tools, I had also ordered up, 
 but not yet arrived. However, I believe the New-York 
 Congress have sent off the articles I requested of them ; 
 if so, I shall probably soon have them here. I shall not 
 delay a moment in making the necessary preparations to 
 move, agreeably to the orders you have been pleased to give 
 me. Since my arrival I have repaired one saw mill, and 
 given directions to do the same with another. The first 
 will begin to work on Sunday, the other can only begin 
 when the saws arrive, which are amongst the other things 
 1 have ordered from New-York. 
 
 Until the stores from New- York arrive, I shall employ 
 my carpenters (about thirty in number, exclusive of what 
 I may get out of the Troops) in procuring timber and plank 
 for the boats, &c, &c. 
 
 Although I made not a moment's delay in issuing the 
 necessary orders, agreeably to your resolutions, and those 
 of the New-York Congress, for levying five hundred of 
 the Green Mountain Boys, yet nothing has been done by 
 that people, occasioned by disputes and jealousies among 
 themselves, on the appointment of officers. Messrs. Allen 
 and Warner have both been here, and left this only yes- 
 terday. They wish to appoint the officers themselves, and 
 have applied to me for that purpose ; but your orders are 
 positive, and the people averse to it. 
 
1703 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1715. 
 
 1704 
 
 1 now find that my conjectures, given you in a former 
 letter, as to their numbers, were well founded, for both 
 Allen and Warner declare that they will be obliged to 
 recruit in New- England to complete the five hundred men 
 to be raised ; so that this intended corps will in all proba- 
 bility not join me, if at all, until September. 
 
 At Crown Point an intrenchment was begun to shelter 
 the Troops, before my arrival, but nothing has been done 
 at this place, and we are in a perfectly defenceless state. 
 1 have, however, this day begun lines, on which I propose 
 to employ as many men as I can spare, that 1 may be able 
 to make some defence, and preserve the post in case of an 
 attack, which General Carleton must have attempted had 
 he been informed of our real situation. A few Troops 
 without any shelter, with little ammunition, less discipline, 
 lulled in perfect security, might have fallen an easy prey 
 to an enterprising man. I hope, however, soon to be in 
 a situation to receive him properly should he venture to 
 come aided by Canadians and Indians. 
 
 The Connecticut Troops here are destitute of tents. 
 They are now crowded in very bad barracks, which 1 fear 
 will be introductory of disease. I have written to Govern- 
 our Trumbull on this head. 
 
 Enclose you a copy of a letter dated the 17th instant, I 
 have just received from Governour Trumbull. I am very 
 sorry that the Colony of Connecticut has made such large 
 allowance for the daily subsistence of their men. It is 
 difficult and expensive to procure the things they are to 
 have agreeable to the law of their Colony here, and what 
 is worse, other Troops that may join will certainly expect 
 the like allowance, and a discrimination cannot be made in 
 favour of the Troops of any particular Colony. A resolve 
 of Congress what shall be the Continental allowance, and 
 that no Colony should send their Troops any thing more 
 than what shall be so prescribed, would settle the matter 
 and prevent that jealousy which will otherwise take place. 
 
 I have sent for a man, the only one to be depended 
 upon, to carry a letter into Canada, and to return with in- 
 formation. I momently expect him, and shall despatch 
 him immediately after his arrival. 
 
 The measures I took before I left New-York and Albany, 
 have relieved me from much anxiety on the score of pro- 
 visions, with which I now hope the Troops will be better 
 supplied. Exclusive of the extraordinary expenditures of 
 provision, it has been so scandalously neglected at the sev- 
 eral posts on its way up, that I shall sustain a considerable 
 loss in the article of pork. Suspecting this, I ordered salt 
 up before I left Saratoga, to save all that can be. 
 
 Mr. Mott of Connecticut has been appointed an Engineer 
 by that Colony, with the rank of Colonel. What his abili- 
 ties are in that way I know not, having as yet seen none 
 of his works. I beg to know if his appointment is to be 
 confirmed by Congress. 
 
 The only Troops from this Colony that have yet joined 
 the Army, are those mentioned in the return I had the 
 honour to send you, which were enlisted by order of the 
 Albany Committee previous to the order of Congress for 
 raising Troops in it. 
 
 The person I sent for to go to Canada is so lame that 
 he cannot stir. I shall venture a letter with the French- 
 man who brought me the intelligence I have given you, 
 and despatch him to day. 
 
 There are such a variety of persons employed in provi- 
 ding these Troops, that they involve me in great difficulties. 
 No less than fifty milch cows are sent up for the use of 
 Colonel Hinman's Regiment, (our working cattle and the 
 fat cattle have hardly any feed, occasioned by the severest 
 drought ever known in this country;) I have ordered them 
 back to New-England as useless to the men, distressing to 
 the service, and as what would be another source of unea- 
 siness, if we should be joined by other Troops. 
 
 A set of people in this country, calling themselves a 
 Committee-ol-War, by what authority I know not, have 
 taken Colonel Skene's forge and farm into possession, under 
 pretence of working it for the publick ; but as it has turned 
 out, to embezzle every thing. I have given orders for them 
 to quit it, and to restore it to Colonel Skene's agent, or 
 overseer, that no disgrace may be brought on our cause by 
 such lawless proceedings. 
 
 Since the return I had the honour of sending to you, 
 eight batteaus, built on Lake George, have been brought 
 
 here, each capable of carrying twenty men and twenty 
 days' provisions. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the most sincere respect, your most obe- 
 dient and most humble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 21, 1775. 
 Sir : I am just favoured with a line from Governour 
 Trumbull ; the enclosed is part of what he writes me, and 
 of what I have said on that subject to the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 It is not easy to conceive the difficulties I labour under 
 for want of many of the articles contained in the estimate 
 which I had the honour to deliver you on the 3d instant, 
 especially for the intrenching tools and materials for build- 
 ing. 
 
 The swivel guns and the lead I find a sufficiency of here, 
 you will therefore please to order these, if not already 
 sent, to be stopped ; instead thereof to add one ton of 
 oakum, twenty barrels of pitch, ten lanterns, and two 
 pair of fort colours. The truck carriages were to he sent 
 provided they were ready made ; as they are not, you will 
 please to take no farther notice of them. 
 
 By a letter from Mr. Curtenius, of the 10th, I find he 
 has delayed sending the oars, on account of the heavy ex- 
 pense of carriage; but even in that case they will come 
 cheaper than to make them here by the workmen from 
 New- York. 
 
 I am very anxious to have the New-York Troops with 
 me. Their arrival will, therefore, afford me great satisfac- 
 tion. I hope some are on their way up. I have appointed 
 a very good man as a sutler to supply them here, who is 
 now preparing for their reception. Too many of them are 
 very disadvantageous to the soldiers, and destructive to the 
 service. 
 
 Intelligence which I have received from Canada advises 
 that a numerous body of Indians are there ; that Governour 
 Carleton attempted to engage them against us; that he be- 
 lieved he would have little success ; that some of the young 
 men inclined to take up the hatchet, but that the elderly 
 opposed it ; that the Canadians are averse to enter into the 
 controversy, the noblesse and very lower order excepted. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 Peter V. Brugh Livingston, Esq. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Ticoiideroga, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your Honour's letter of the 17th instant was de- 
 livered this morning. I shall immediately write on the 
 subject of providing for the Troops to the New-York Con- 
 gress, and enclose so much of your letter as relates to that 
 subject. It gave me pain to learn that not less than fifty 
 cows were driving up here, for the use of Colonel Hin- 
 man's Regiment. Our working cattle are in a starving 
 condition, the country being parched up by the excessive 
 droughts, and such an additional number of cattle would 
 destroy the little feed we have left, and be of very little 
 use to the Troops. These would be sufficient reasons to 
 order them back; but if grass was plenty here I would not 
 wish to have them ; troops from New- York are coining 
 up, and such a discrimination in the allowance would 
 create me much trouble. 1 am happy to find Colonel 
 Hitman and several of his officers quite agree in sentiment 
 with me. I am informed the cows are in good order, and 
 that they may be soon made beef; 1 have, therefore, direct- 
 ed Major Sheldon, who, I understand, has charge of them, 
 to put them into pasture wherever he can get it, until he 
 shall receive your Honour's direction how to dispose of 
 them. 
 
 It is much to be lamented that we are so totally unpre- 
 pared to avail ourselves of the favourable disposition of the 
 Canadians. I was in hopes to have found something done 
 to enable the Troops to move, but every thing is wanted ; 
 1 am destitute of every material for making the necessary 
 preparations. I hope, however, in a little while, to make 
 all obstacles vanish ; much may be done when people set 
 
1705 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1706 
 
 to business with hand and heart. I am, Sir, with senti- 
 ments of respect and esteem, your Honour's most obedient 
 and most humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, Esq., &ic, &.c. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONTI- 
 NENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sm: Since I did myself the honour of addressing you 
 the fourteenth instant, I have received advice from Govern- 
 our Trumbull that the Assembly of Connecticut had voted, 
 and that they are now raising two Regiments, of seven hun- 
 dred men each, in consequence of an application from the 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay. The Rhode- 
 Island Assembly has also made an augmentation for this 
 purpose. These re-enforcements, with the riflemen who 
 are daily expected, and such recruits as may come in to fill 
 up the Regiments here, will, I apprehend, compose an 
 army sufficiently strong to oppose any force which may be 
 brought against us at present. 1 am very sensible, that the 
 heavy expense necessarily attendant upon this campaign, 
 will call for the utmost frugality and care, and would there- 
 fore, if possible, avoid enlisting one unnecessary man. As 
 this is the first certain account of the destination of these 
 new raised troops, 1 thought proper to communicate my 
 sentiments as early as possible, lest the Congress should 
 act upon my letter of the tenth, and raise troops in the 
 Southern Colonies ; which, in my present judgment, may 
 be dispensed with. 
 
 For these eight days past there have been no move- 
 ments in either camp of any consequence. On our side, we 
 have continued the works without any intermission, and 
 they are now so far advanced as to leave us little to appre- 
 hend on that score. On the side of the enemy, they have 
 also been very industrious in finishing their lines, both on 
 Bunker's Hill and Roxbury Neck. In this interval, also, 
 their transports have arrived from New-York, and they 
 have been employed in landing and stationing their men. 
 1 have been able to collect no certain account of the num- 
 bers arrived, but the enclosed letter, wrote (though not 
 signed) by Mr. Sheriff Lee, and delivered me by Captain 
 Darby, (who went express with an account of the Lexing- 
 ton battle,) will enable us to form a pretty accurate judg- 
 ment. The increase of tents and men in the Town of 
 Boston is very obvious, but all my accounts from thence 
 agree that there is a great'mortality, occasioned by the want 
 of vegetables and fresh meat, and that their loss in the late 
 battle at Charlestons, from the few recoveries of their 
 wounded, is greater than at first supposed. The condi- 
 tion of the inhabitants detained in Boston is very distress- 
 ing ; they are equally destitute of the comfort of fresh 
 provisions, and many of them are so reduced in their cir- 
 cumstances as to be unable to supply themselves with salt; 
 such fish as the soldiery leave is their principal support. 
 Added to all this, such suspicion and jealousy prevails, 
 that they can scarcely speak, or even look, without expos- 
 ing themselves to some species of military execution. 
 
 I have not been able, from any intelligence I have re- 
 ceived, to form any certain judgment of the future opera- 
 tions of the enemy. Sometimes I have suspected an in- 
 tention of detaching a part of their Army to some part of 
 the coast, as they have been building a number of flat-bot- 
 tomed boats, capable of holding two hundred men each. 
 But from their works, and the language held at Boston, 
 there is reason to think they expect the attack from us, 
 and are principally engaged in preparing themselves against 
 it. I have ordered ail the whale boats along the coast to 
 be collected, and some of them are employed every night 
 to watch the motions of the enemy by water, so as to guard 
 as much as possible against any surprise. 
 
 Upon my arrival and since, some complaints have been 
 preferred against officers for cowardice in the late action on 
 Bunker's Hill. Though there were several strong circum- 
 stances and a very general opinion against them, none have 
 been condemned, except a Captain Callender, of the artil- 
 lery, who was immediately cashiered. 1 have been sorry 
 to find it an uncontradicted fact, that the principal failure 
 of duty that day was in the officers, though many of them 
 distinguished themselves by their gallant behaviour. The 
 soldiers generally shewed great spirit and resolution. 
 
 Next to the more immediate and pressing duties of put- 
 ting our lines in as secure a state as possible, attending to 
 the movements of the enemy, and gaining intelligence, my 
 great concern is to establish order, regularity and discipline ; 
 without which, our numbers would embarrass us, and in 
 case of action, general confusion must infallibly ensue. Iq 
 order to this, 1 propose to divide the Army into three divi- 
 sions, at the head of each will be a General Officer; these 
 divisions to be again subdivided into Brigades, under their 
 respective Brigadiers. But the difficulty arising from the 
 arrangement of the General Officers, and waiting the far- 
 ther proceedings of the Congress on this subject, has 
 much retarded my progress in this most necessary work. 
 1 should be very happy to receive their final commands, 
 as any determination would enable me to proceed in my 
 plan. 
 
 General Spencer returned to the carnp two days ago, 
 and has consented to serve under Putnam, rather than 
 leave the Army entirely. I have heard nothing from Gen- 
 eral Pomeroy; should he wholly retire, I apprehend it will 
 be necessary to supply his place as soon as possible. Gen- 
 eral Folsom proposes also to retire. 
 
 In addition to the officers mentioned in mine of the 
 tenth instant, I would humbly propose that some provision 
 should be made for a Judge Advocate and Provost Mar- 
 shal ; the necessity of the first appointment was so great, 
 thai I was obliged to nominate a Mr. Tudor, who was well 
 recommended to me, and now executes the office, under 
 an expectation of receiving Captain's pay — an allowance, 
 in my opinion, scarcely adequate to the service in new 
 raised troops, where there are Courts-Marlial every day. 
 However, as that is the proportion in the regular Army, and 
 he is contented, there will be no necessity of an addition. 
 
 I must also renew my request as to money, and the ap- 
 pointment of a Paymaster. I have forbore urging matters 
 of this nature, from my knowledge of t lie many important 
 concerns which engage the attention of the Congress; but 
 as I find my difficulties thicken every day, 1 make no doubc 
 suitable regard will be paid to a necessity of this kind. 
 The inconvenience of borrowing such sums as are constant- 
 ly requisite must be too plain lor me to enlarge upon, and 
 is a situation from which 1 should be very happy to be re- 
 lieved. 
 
 Upon the experience I have had, and the best consider- 
 ation of the appointment of the several offices of Com- 
 missary-General, Mustermaster-General, Quartermaster- 
 General, Paymaster-General, and Commissary of Artillery, 
 I am clearly of opinion, that they not only conduce to 
 order, despatch, and discipline, but that it is a measure of 
 economy. The delay, the waste, and the unpunishable 
 neglect of duty, arising from these offices being in commis- 
 sion in several hands, evidently shew that the publick ex- 
 pense must be finally enhanced. I have experienced the 
 want of these officers in completing the returns of men, 
 ammunition, and stores; the latter are yet imperfect, from 
 the number of hands in which they are dispersed. I have 
 enclosed the last weekly return, which is more accurate 
 than the former, and hope in a little time we shall be per- 
 fectly regular in this, as well as several other necessary 
 branches of duty. 
 
 I have made inquiry into the establishment of the Hos- 
 pital, and find it in a very unsettled condition. There 
 is no principal Director, or any subordination among the 
 Surgeons ; of consequence, disputes and contention have 
 arisen, and must continue, until it is reduced to some sys- 
 tem. I couid wish it were immediately taken into consi- 
 deration, as the lives and health of both officers and men 
 so much depend upon a due regulation of this department. 
 I have been particularly attentive to the least symptoms of 
 the small-pox, and hitherto we have been so fortunate as 
 to have every person removed so soon as not only to pre- 
 vent any communication, but any alarm or apprehension it 
 might give in the camp. We shall continue the utmost 
 vigilance against this most dangerous enemy. 
 
 In an army properly organized there are sundry offices 
 of an inferiour kind, such as Wagon-master, Master-Car- 
 penter, he; but I doubt whether my powers are sufficient- 
 ly extensive for such appointments. If it is thought proper 
 to repose such a trust in me, I shall be governed in the 
 discharge of it by a strict regard to economy and the pub- 
 lick interest. 
 
1707 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1708 
 
 My instructions from the honourable Congress direct, 
 that no Troops are to be disbanded without their express 
 direction, nor to be recruited to more than double the num- 
 ber of the enemy. Upon this subject 1 beg leave to repre- 
 sent, that unless the Regiments in this Province are more 
 successful in recruiting than 1 have reason to expect, a re- 
 duction of some of them will be highly necessary, as the 
 publick are put to the whole expense of an establishment 
 of officers, while the real strength of the Regiment, which 
 consists in the rank and file, is defective. In case of such 
 a reduction, doubtless some of the privates, and all the 
 officers, would return home; but many of the former would 
 go into the remaining Regiments, and, having had some 
 experience, would fill them up with useful men. I so 
 plainly perceive the expense of this campaign will exceed 
 any calculation hitherto made, that I am particularly anxious 
 to strike off every unnecessary charge. You will therefore, 
 Sir, be pleased to favour me with explicit directions from 
 the Congress on the mode of this reduction, if it shall ap- 
 pear necessary, that no time may be lost when such neces- 
 sity appears. 
 
 Yesterday we had an account that the light-house was 
 on fire, by whom, and under what orders, I have not yet 
 learned ; but we have reason to believe it has been done 
 by some of our irregulars. 
 
 You will please to present me to the Congress with the 
 utmost duty and respect ; and believe me to be, Sir, your 
 most obedient and very humble servant, 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 P. S. Captain Darby' 's stay in England was so short 
 that he brings no other information than what the enclosed 
 letter, and the newspapers which will accompany this, con- 
 tain. General Gage's despatches had not arrived, and the 
 Ministry affected to disbelieve the whole account, treating 
 it as a fiction, or, at most, an affair of little consequence. 
 The fall of Stocks was very inconsiderable. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO PRESIDENT OF CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Cambridge Camp, July 21, 1775, Five o'clock, P. M. 
 Sir: Since closing the letters which accompany this, I 
 have received an account of the destruction of the Light- 
 house, a copy of which I have the honour to enclose, and 
 of again assuring you that I am, with great respect, Sir, 
 your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 P. S. I have also received a more authentick account 
 of the loss of the enemy in the late battle, than any yet 
 received. Doctor ffmshij), who lodged in the same house 
 with an officer of the Marines, assures me they had exactly 
 one thousand and forty-three killed and wounded, of whom 
 three hundred fell on the field, or died within a few hours; 
 many of the wounded are since dead. G. W, 
 
 ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 15, 1775. 
 (Parole, Virginia.) (Countersign, Maryland.) 
 
 The Commanding Officers of each Regiment to report 
 the names of such men, in their respective corps, as are 
 most expert in the management of whale-boats. 
 
 When any commissioned or non-commissioned officer is 
 sent upon any detachment or duty of honour or fatigue, 
 or to see the execution of any particular work, he is, so 
 soon as the service is performed, to make a report thereof 
 to his commanding officer. 
 
 It being found advantageous to the publick service to 
 remove sundry horned cattle and sheep from the ground 
 upon which they were grazing near Chelsea, (to prevent 
 their falling into the enemy's hands,) it is earnestly recom- 
 mended to the several Commissaries, to purchase such of 
 them as are fit for slaughter, of the owners, in order that 
 they may suffer the least loss possible from the unavoid- 
 able necessity of removing them from the rapacious claws 
 of our enemies. 
 
 Colonel Gridlty, Chief Engineer, is desired to report 
 what chevaux-de-frise are made, and what forwardness 
 those are in that are now making. It is necessary those 
 upon hand be completed without delay. 
 
 Notwithstanding the orders already given, the General 
 hears with astonishment that not only soldiers, but officers 
 unauthorized, are continually conversing with the officers 
 and sentries of the enemy. Any officer, non-commission- 
 ed officer, or soldier, or any person whatsoever, who is de- 
 tected holding any conversation, or carrying on any corres- 
 pondence with any of the officers or sentries of the ad- 
 vanced posts of the enemy, will be immediately brought 
 before a General Court-Martial, and punished with the 
 utmost severity. The General is alone to judge of the 
 propriety of any intercourse with the enemy, and no one 
 else is to presume to interfere. 
 
 The Chief Engineer, Colonel Gridley, to order an En- 
 gineer and a Field-Officer of Artillery to go round the 
 lines and redoubts to examine if the guns are placed pro- 
 perly in the embrasures, and if the embrasures are properly 
 made, and properly sloped towards the country. The En- 
 gineer and Artillery Officer to report to the Commander- 
 in-Chief as soon as they have obeyed this order. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 16, 1775. 
 
 (Parole, Carolina.) (Countenign, Springfield. ) 
 
 The Continental Congress having earnestly recommend- 
 ed, that " Thursday next, the 20th instant, be observed by 
 the inhabitants of all the English Colonies upon this Con- 
 tinent as a day of publick humiliation, fasting, and prayer, 
 that they may with united hearts and voice unfeignedly 
 confess their sins before God, and supplicate the all-wise 
 and merciful disposer of events to avert the desolatiou and 
 calamities of an unnatural war," the General orders that 
 day to be religiously observed by the forces under his com- 
 mand, exactly in manner directed by the Proclamation of 
 the Continental Congress. It is therefore strictly enjoined 
 on all officers and soldiers (not upon duty) to attend divine 
 service, at the accustomed places of worship, as well in the 
 lines as the encampments and quarters; and it is expected, 
 that all those who go to worship do take their arms, am- 
 munition, and accoutrements, and are prepared for imme- 
 diate action, if called upon. If, in the judgment of the 
 officers, the works should appear to be in such forwardness 
 as the utmost security of the camp requires, they will com- 
 mand their men to abstain from all labour upon that solemn 
 day. 
 
 It was with much surprise and concern that the Gene- 
 ral, in passing along the New-Hampshire lines yesterday, 
 observed a most wanton, mischievous, and unprofitable 
 abuse of property, in the destruction of many valuable 
 trees, which were standing along the side of the road, out 
 of the way of our works or guns ; he therefore orders, that 
 an effective stop be put to such practices for the future, or 
 severe punishment will fall upon the transgressors of this 
 order. 
 
 William Palfrey, Esquire, is appointed Aid-de-Camp 
 to Major-General Lee; all orders, whether written or ver- 
 bal, coming from General Lee, and delivered by Captain 
 Palfrey, are to be punctually obeyed. 
 
 A particular Return, to be delivered to the Adjutant - 
 General to-morrow at orderly time, of the Regiment of 
 Artillery, distinguishing how every man and officer in that 
 corps is at present employed, and where posted. 
 
 Head-Quarters, July 17, 1775. 
 
 (Parole, Boston.) (Countersign, Salem.) 
 
 There is reason to apprehend, that the General Orders 
 are not regularly published to the non-commissioned officers 
 and soldiers of the Army. As pleading ignorance of orders 
 will not for the future be admitted in excuse of any delin- 
 quency, it is once more ordered, that the Adjutants of 
 the several corps will be exact in seeing the orders read 
 every evening to the men off duty, of their respective 
 corps, as they may depend upon answering before a Court- 
 Martial for any neglect in obeying this order. 
 
 The General Court-Martial, whereof Col. John Nixon is 
 President, to sit again to-morrow morning at eight o'clock, 
 to try such prisoners as shall be brought before them ; all 
 evidences and persons concerned to attend the Court. 
 
 There being a great neglect in sending in the Returns 
 to the Adjutant-General, as directed by the General Orders 
 of Friday last, (especially from the Regiments posted in 
 and near Roxbury,) the General assures Commanding 
 
1709 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1710 
 
 Officers of corps from whom the Returns are expected, 
 that he will not for the future pass over the slightest neg- 
 lect in sending Returns to Head-Quarters at the time di- 
 rected by the General Orders. If there is any remissness in 
 the Adjutants, the Colonels will confine the transgressors. 
 
 After Orders. 
 Captain Benjamin Perkins, of Colonel Little's Regi- 
 ment, confined by Colonel Doolittle for assisting and 
 abetting soldiers to mutiny, in rescuing a prisoner from 
 the quarter-guard of Colonel Doolitlle's Regiment, is to 
 be tried to-morrow morning by the Court-Martial where- 
 of Colonel Nixon is President ; all evidences and persons 
 concerned to attend the Court. 
 
 Head-Quarters before Boston, July 18, 1775. 
 (Parole, mimingfon.) (Countersign, Chester.) 
 
 As the chevaux-de-frise are not in readiness, the offi- 
 cers commanding the different lines and redoubts are, as 
 speedily as possible, to provide a sufficient number of ga- 
 bions, which are to lay empty at the entrances of their 
 respective posts, in order to be filled up as occasion may 
 require. General Putnam will forthwith order his post to 
 be furnished with a large quantity of fascines. 
 
 The officers commanding the different posts to send an 
 exact Return to Head-Quarters this afternoon of all the 
 intrenching tools in their possession, viz: Spades, Pick- 
 axes, Wheelbarrows, Handbarrows, Axes, and Crowbars, 
 and to mention the number and quality of any of these im- 
 plements that are still wanting to carry on their respective 
 works. 
 
 Six Captains, twelve Subalterns, twelve Sergeants, and 
 three hundred rank and file, to parade to-morrow morning, 
 immediately after divine service, from the Regiments now 
 stationed in Cambridge, as a working party, to assist in 
 raising the New-Hampshire lines. 
 
 Colonel James Scammons, of the Massachusetts-Bay 
 forces, tried by the General Court-Martial of which Col. 
 John Niron was President, for " disobedience of orders, 
 and backwardness in the execution of his duty;" the 
 Court, after duly examining the evidence for and against 
 the prisoner, together with what the prisoner had to say in 
 his defence, are of opinion, that Colonel Scammons is not 
 guilty of the crimes wherewith he was accused, and there- 
 fore do acquit the prisoner. Colonel Scammons to be im- 
 mediately released from his arrest. 
 
 If, after what has happened, the enemy, in revenge of 
 their late loss, should dare to attempt forcing our lines, the 
 Army may be assured, that nothing but their own indolence 
 and remissness can give the least hope of success to so rash 
 an enterprise. It is therefore strongly recommended to 
 the commanding officers of corps, guards, and detach- 
 ments, that they be assiduously alert in parading their 
 men, at their several posts, half an hour before daybreak, 
 and remain there until the commanding officers think pro- 
 per to dismiss them. 
 
 The General hears with astonishment the very frequent 
 applications that are made to him, as well by officers as 
 soldiers, for furloughs. Brave men, who are engaged in 
 the noble cause of liberty, should never think of removing 
 from their camp while the enemy is in sight, and anxious 
 to take every advantage any indiscretion on our side may 
 give them. The General doubts not but the commanding 
 officers of corps will anticipate his wishes, and discourage 
 those under them from disgracefully desiring to go home, 
 until the campaign is ended. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 20, 1775. 
 (Parole, Albany.) (Countersign, Ticonderoga.) 
 
 Certain drums in and near Cambridge very improperly 
 beat the reveille this morning before day. Although the 
 Troops are ordered to be under arms half an hour before 
 day-light, it does not follow the drums are to beat at that 
 time. The reveille is to beat when a sentry can see clearly 
 one thousand yards around him, and not before. 
 
 All Aids-de-Camp and Majors of Brigade are to keep 
 regularly entered in a book all the General Orders of the 
 Army, as well as those of the Brigades they belong to, as 
 the General-in-Chief will not, for the future, admit, as an 
 
 excuse for the breach of orders, the plea of not knowing 
 them. 
 
 Samuel Osgood and Joseph Ward, Esquires, being ap- 
 pointed Aids-de-Camp to Major-General Ward, they are 
 to be obeyed as such ; and all orders coming from Aids-de- 
 Camp, are to be considered as the orders of their respective 
 Generals, and whether written or verbal, to be forthwith 
 obeyed. It may be necessary once more to repeat to the 
 Army, that every Aid-de-Camp, and Major of Brigade, will 
 be distinguished by a green ribband. 
 
 Certain corps having been dilatory in delivering last 
 Saturday their weekly Returns, as positively directed by 
 former orders, the General is determined, for the future, not 
 to excuse any neglect in sending the Returns every Satur- 
 day to the Adjutant-General. As the commanding officers 
 of Regiments are to be answerable for the due observance 
 of this order, it is expected they are exact in obliging their 
 respective Adjutants to fulfil their duty. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JOHN HANCOCK. 
 
 Cambridge, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : I am particularly to acknowledge that part 
 of your favour of the tenth instant, wherein you do me the 
 honour of determining to join the Army under my com- 
 mand. I need certainly make no professions of the plea- 
 sure I shall have in seeing you ; at the same time 1 have 
 to regret that so little is in my power to offer equal to Col- 
 onel Hancock's merits, and worthy of his acceptance. I 
 shall be happy, in every opportunity, to show the regard 
 and esteem with which I am, Sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servant. 
 
 To Colonel John Hancock. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Cambridge, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir: lam to acknowledge your favour of the seven- 
 teenth instant, informing me of the destination of the Troops 
 raising in your Colony. As the season is now advanced, 
 and the enemy considerably re-enforced, we have the ut- 
 most reason to expect any attack that may be made will 
 not be much longer delayed. I should therefore think it 
 highly necessary the new raised Troops should join the 
 Army with all possible expedition. Upon inquiry with 
 respect to the flour, I do not find our necessities to be such 
 as to require an immediate transportation during the har- 
 vest ; but as soon as it can be sent with convenience, you 
 will please to give directions for that purpose. Colonel 
 Trumbull will advise you to what place it is to be addressed, 
 and to whose care. 
 
 Agreeable to your intimation I have ordered the express 
 to wait on you, and shall do so in future. We have had 
 no occurrence in the camp of any material consequence. 
 On both sides we are strengthening our lines in full view 
 of each other. 
 
 I am, Sir, with esteem, &ic, your most obedient servant. 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 To the Honourable Governour Trumbull. 
 
 GOVERNOUR WENT WORTH TO SECRETARY ATKINSON. 
 
 Fort William and Mary, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Captain Barklcy (at noon) gave me the enclosed 
 paper, which I hope may effect a continuance of the boat 
 fishery. You are sensible that I have not any powers to 
 alter or direct in this matter, the execution of the Restrain- 
 ing Act being committed to the Navy and Custom-House. 
 
 I am, with due regard and respect, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient servant, J. Wentworth. 
 The Honourable Theodore Atkinson, Esq. 
 
 Scarborough, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Captain Barkley will suffer the open boats of the Town 
 of Portsmouth, and the country, to go a-fishing for fresh 
 fish only, first having a permit from him for that purpose, 
 provided the Town of Portsmouth will let His Majesty's 
 ship, under his command, be supplied with fresh beef as 
 usual, at the common market price, and our boats to pass 
 and repass without molestation. 
 
1711 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1712 
 
 JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT, TO THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE 
 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Congress Chamber, July 22, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: By return of the Army, transmitted by 
 the General to Congress, it appears there is a great defi- 
 ciency in many Regiments; upon which the Congress came 
 to the enclosed resolutions, which I am ordered to transmit 
 to you. 
 
 I am, Gentlemen, your obedient humble servant, 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 Convention of New- Hampshire. 
 
 P. S. I enclose you a publick paper, in which you will see 
 the resolutions of Congress respecting the Militia through 
 the Continent. 
 
 general wooster to continental congress. 
 
 Camp at Harlem, July 22, 1775. 
 Sir: I received your order of the seventeenth instant, 
 and immediately contracted for vessels to carry the Troops 
 to Albany. The first division, under the command of 
 Colonel Waterbury, will march on Monday next, and the 
 remainder will march as soon as I can possibly get the 
 vessels ready to take them, which wont exceed Wednesday. 
 And indeed, Sir, you may depend upon my utmost exer- 
 tion and assiduity for carrying into execution every order 
 within my department, for the good of the common cause, 
 notwithstanding some discouragements that I have met with, 
 after a series of thirty-four years in the service of my King 
 and Country. 
 
 Since General Schuyler went to Ticondcroga, a letter 
 came from General Washington, addressed to him or the 
 officer commanding at or near New-York, in which was 
 the following paragraph, viz: "The commissions which 
 have been forwarded to me are not sufficient to answer the 
 demand I have for them, there being at least one thousand 
 officers in this department, and not more than five hundred 
 commissions in my possession. As you are so much nearer 
 to Philadelphia than I am, I request you to apply to Con- 
 gress for as many as you are likely to want." 
 
 The forces under my command are in general good 
 health and high spirits, and rejoice to have it in their power 
 to go where they may have an opportunity to do their 
 Country some service. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest esteem, your obliged humble 
 servant, David Wooster. 
 
 The Honourable John Hancock, President of the Conti- 
 nental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticondcroga, July 22, 1775. 
 Sir : I am just favoured with your letter of the thirteenth 
 instant, enclosing a copy of Colonel Hinman's to the Con- 
 gress. Every consideration induces me to take all the pre- 
 cautions possible, more especially as I have four important 
 posts to maintain, with a small number of troops, and those 
 very ill armed and with little ammunition. In this disa- 
 greeable situation, I feel very sensibly the exceeding slow- 
 ness with which the levies are made in every part of our 
 Colony. Captain Mott informs me that I need not expect 
 a re-enforcement in less than a month. Should General 
 Burgoyne (as is reported) be gone with a body of troops 
 to Canada, and make an attack in this quarter, in our pre- 
 sent weak and defenceless situation, what the consequences 
 would be to the Country are easier conceived than de- 
 scribed. I hope such as are raised, although the Regiments 
 may not be complete, will be ordered up without delay 
 with camp equipage. I am, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 Henry Williams, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of 
 New-York Congress. 
 
 NEW-IPSWICH (NEW-HAMPSHIRE) COMMITTEE. 
 
 New-Ipswich, July 22, 1775. 
 In February last, the Committee of Inspection for the 
 Town of New-Ipswich, in New-Hampshire, finding that 
 Mr. David Hills, a trader in said Town, had raised the 
 price of some articles of his Merchandise, whereupon said 
 
 Committee called him to an account, and after some de- 
 bate, said Hills promised to adhere strictly to the Asso- 
 ciation ; so said Committee received him again. In the 
 beginning of March then next, the said Hills violated the 
 Association again in the same manner as before, whereupon 
 said Committee called him to an account again ; then lie 
 said he did not understand the Association nor the promise, 
 as we did, but for the future he would adhere to the Asso- 
 ciation and the promise, as we understood them ; so was 
 again received. Now he has violated the Association in 
 like manner the third time, notwithstanding his promise; so 
 we again examined him. and he owned he had raised his 
 price on some articles, viz. Salt, Fish, and Rum, and says 
 it is no violation of the Association, so refuses to make satis- 
 faction. Now we, the Committee, advise all good people 
 to break off all dealings with him, as the Association binds 
 all to do. By order of the Committee. 
 
 Joseph Bates, Chairman of said Committee. 
 
 DAVID HILLS TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 New-Ipswich, August 30, 1775. 
 The publication in the Essex Gazette, printed the 24th 
 instant, signed "Joseph Bates, Chairman of said Commit- 
 tee," requires this piece of justice to the publick, and to my 
 character, that some of the facts therein mentioned be 
 rightly stated. The customary price of salt was four shil- 
 lings per bushel till July last, when the price of carting was 
 necessarily raised five or six pence, for want of loading to 
 carry down, and nearly all the salt I have had on hand ever 
 since has cost three shillings, seven pence, one-fifth, per 
 bushel, delivered here, and the price complained of is four 
 shillings, three pence, one-fifth ; so that the advance is eight 
 pence, making no allowance for the casks to contain it, 
 waste, kc. I have had license to retail rum only since 
 November last. My price has been two shillings, six pence, 
 two-fifths per gallon, till July last, when I raised it to two 
 shillings eight pence, which has been the customary price 
 here for several years, the excise on it being tw : o pence. 
 The customary price of common fish is two pence and three 
 pence per pound; this of mine is spring merchantable fish, 
 equal in quality to what the Army is supplied with at 
 nineteen shillings per quintal, and my price for it is three 
 pence per pound. As for what passed in February and 
 March last, see a vote of the Town at the annual meeting, 
 March 13, viz : " Voted to accept of the Committee of 
 Inspection's Report, with respect to the two shop-keepers, 
 and that the Town is satisfied with said shop-keepers." 
 This I can fully prove is the true state of the case, and I 
 hereby challenge this Committee, and the whole world, to 
 produce any evidence to the contrary. Their publication, 
 however absurd, is less strange, since it appears that two, 
 the most leading men of the Committee, have declared 
 against the present proceedings of the united American 
 Colonies, as being imprudent, and that we had better have 
 complied with the requisitions of the British Parliament. 
 Upon principles, it seems, not unlike this, the Committee 
 have proceeded in the most arbitrary and obstinate manner 
 to publish the said piece, utterly refusing, after repeated 
 entreaties, to submit to a hearing of the case before any 
 other Committee. Now I desire all people, both "good" 
 and bad, to treat this Committee and their publications as 
 they deserve. David Hills. 
 
 STATEMENT OF COMMITTEE. 
 
 New-Ipswich, September 13, 1775. 
 The piece published in the Essex Gazette, the seventh 
 instant, signed by David Hills, which says, " the publica- 
 tion in the Essex Gazette, printed the twenty-fourth instant, 
 signed by Joseph Bates, Chairman, requires that piece of 
 justice to the publick and his character," I observe is such 
 a piece of justice as the Tory party have practised to pub- 
 lish, mostly false and scandalous, representing things in a 
 false light. When he says the carting was necessarily raised, 
 he hired some teams to carry and fetch a load at eight shil- 
 lings, lawful money, a journey cheaper than the usual price; 
 the salt he mentions, he bought at twelve shillings per 
 hogshead; the fish, which he says is equal in quality to what 
 the Army is supplied with at nineteen shillings per quintal, 
 he bought at ten shillings per quintal, as appears by his bill 
 from his merchant ; the rum he bought a large store of, at 
 
1713 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1714 
 
 one shilling eight pence per gallon, except one load at one 
 shilling nine pence ; and as the affairs of the Province are 
 regulated by the Congress, it is supposed there will be no 
 excise. It appears said Hills got his goods or merchan- 
 dise as cheap as usual ; if so, I see no reason win he should 
 raise his price. I should think it soon enough to raise when 
 bis goods cost more. The report of the Committee he 
 refers to was, that the said Hills had promised to make 
 restitution to those he had sold to at a higher price than the 
 usual custom, and that he would adhere to the Association 
 as the Committee understood it. The said Hills and his 
 adherents said the Ninth Article of the Association means 
 that the vender of goods shall sell at their usual profits. 
 The Committee said it means that they should sell at their 
 usual prices; so he complied and made said promise. Upon 
 said promise the Town voted, satisfied with said Hills, or 
 shop-keeper. These things, I think, may easily be proved, 
 notwithstanding his bold challenge. On the twenty-ninth 
 of August last, we had a full Town-meeting, which was 
 requested by the said Hills and his adherents, and the 
 Town heard said Hills' s complaints against the Committee 
 of Inspection; (see the votes of the Town thereon.*) I 
 further observe, that the said Hills is the man that had a 
 quantity of goods burnt at Neu--York, by the good people 
 of that City, for none of his good conduct, in the time of 
 the Stamp Act. After the people of this Town had unani- 
 mously agreed not to use any Tea, said Hills brings a quan- 
 tity into Town to sell ; thus it appears he (the said Hills) 
 has proved himself guilty of perfidy, and that no solemn 
 ties are sufficient to hold him. Considering these things, it 
 is not strange that he has published his false piece, say- 
 ins, " that two of the most leading men of the Committee 
 have declared against the present proceedings of the united 
 American Colonies as being imprudent, and that we had 
 better have complied with the requisitions of the British 
 Parliament." Can any one suppose that any person can 
 declare as above said, and take pains to bring people to an 
 adherence to the Association. As for the Committee's re- 
 fusing a hearing before some other Committee, said Hills 
 never asked it till after the paper was sent to the printers, 
 and then he claimed it as his right given him by the Associa- 
 tion. Now if the Committee's dealing with said Hills as the 
 Association directs, alter he has violated the Association 
 the third time, besides his bringing Tea, w hen he refuses 
 to reform, is arbitrary, I know not what is arbitrary. 
 
 Joseph Bates. 
 
 * Voted, to hear the complaints of Mr. Datid Hills against the Com- 
 mittee of Inspection. 
 
 Voted, that the Committee of Inspection have gone according to the 
 Association. A true copy from the minutes. 
 
 Attest : Isaac How, Totcn-Clerk. 
 
 DR. BENJAMIN CHl'RCII TO MR. KANE, MAJOR OF BRIGADE, 
 IN BOSTON.* 
 
 Cambridge, July 23, 1775. 
 
 I hope this will reach you. Three attempts have I 
 made without success. In effecting the last, the man was 
 discovered in attempting his escape; but fortunately my 
 letter was sewed in the waistband of his breeches. He 
 was confined for a few days, during which you may guess 
 my feelings; but a little art and a little money settled 
 the matter. It is a month since my return from Phila- 
 delphia. I went by the way of Providence to visit my 
 mother. The Committee for warlike stores made me a 
 formal tender of twelve cannon, eighteen and twenty-four 
 pounders, they having taken a previous resolution to make 
 the offer to General H ard. To make a merit of my services, 
 I sent them down ; and when they received them they sent 
 them to Stoughton to be out of danger, even though they 
 
 • The following letter is a very intelligent and particular account of 
 the strength and disposition of the Colonies, written by Doctor Church, 
 who had the best means of knowing the true state of matters. It was 
 obviously intended only for the private information of the General, 
 and therefore must be considered a much more impartial and candid 
 account than we commonly receive from either party, which accounts 
 are usually drawn up for the very purpose of magnifying or diminish- 
 ing objects. Doctor Church's residence was in Boston; he was taken 
 into the Government's pay about the middle of April. On the 19th, 
 General Gage having retracted his promise to the Bostonians, after 
 they had delivered up their arms, by detaining them in Town, Doctor 
 Church made his pretended escape from Boston. From that day till 
 the fatal time of writing the letter, he seems to have been very diligent 
 and pretty successful in his employment. — Rtmembrancer. 
 
 Foctbh Series. — Vol. u. 1< 
 
 had formed the resolution, as before hinted, of fortifying 
 Bunker's Hill, which, together with the cowardice of the 
 clumsy Gerrish and Colonel Scammons, was the lucky 
 occasion of their defeat. The affair happened before my 
 return from Philadelphia. We lost one hundred and six- 
 ty-five killed then, and since dead of their wounds; one 
 hundred and twenty more lie wounded ; they will chiefly 
 recover. They boast that you have fourteen hundred 
 killed and wounded in the action. You say the rebels lost 
 fifteen hundred ; I suppose with equal truth. The people 
 of Connecticut are raving in the cause of liberty. A num- 
 ber of their Colony, from the Town of Stamford, robbed 
 the King's stores near Ne iv- York, with some small assist- 
 ance which the New-Yorkers lent them. These were 
 growing turbulent. I counted two hundred and eighty pieces 
 of cannon, from thirteen to twenty-four pounders, at King's 
 Bridge, which the Committee had secured for the use of 
 the Colonies. The Jerseys are not a whit behind Connec- 
 ticut in zeal. The Philadelphians exceed them both; I 
 saw two thousand men reviewed there by General Lee, 
 consisting of Quakers and other inhabitants in uniform, 
 with one thousand riflemen and forty horse, who, together, 
 made a most warlike appearance. I mingled freely and 
 frequently w ith the members of the Continental Congress ; 
 they were united and determined in opposition, and appeared 
 assured of success. Now, to come home, the opposition 
 is become formidable. Eighteen thousand brave and de- 
 termined men, with ff'ashington and Lee at their head, 
 are no contemptible enemy. Adjutant General Gates is 
 indefatigable in arraying the Army. Provisions are very 
 plentiful ; clothes are manufactured in almost every Town 
 for the soldiers. Twenty tons of gunpowder have lately 
 arrived at Philadelphia, Connecticut, and Providence ; and 
 upwards of twenty tons are now in camp. Saltpetre is 
 made in every Colony. Powder-mills have been erected, 
 and are consequently employed at Philadelphia and iVete- 
 York. Volunteers of the first fortunes daily flock to the 
 camp. One thousand riflemen will arrive in two or three 
 days. Recruits are now levying to augment the Army to 
 twenty-two thousand ; besides, ten thousand militia of this 
 Government are appointed to appear on the first summons. 
 The bills of all the Colonies circulate freely, and are rea- 
 dily exchanged for cash. Add to this, unless some plan 
 of accommodation takes place immediately, their harbours 
 will swarm with privateers. An Army will be raised, how- 
 ever, in the Middle Colonies to take possession of Canada. 
 For the sake of the miserable convulsed Empire, solicit 
 peace, repeal the acts, or Britain is undone. This advice 
 is the result of a warm affection for my King and Realm. 
 Remember, 1 never deceived you ; every article here sent 
 you is sacredly true. 
 
 The papers will acquaint you that I am a member again 
 for Boston. You will there see our motley Council. 
 
 A general arrangement of officers will take place, except 
 the chief, which will be suspended but for a little while, to 
 see what part Britain takes in consequence of the late 
 Continental Petition. 
 
 A view to independence appears to be more and more 
 general. Should Britain declare war against the Colonies, 
 they would be lost forever. Should Spain declare war 
 against England, the Colonies would declare a neutrality, 
 which would doubtless produce a league offensive and 
 defensive between them. For God's sake, prevent it by 
 a speedy accommodation ! 
 
 Writing this has employed me for a day. I have been 
 to Salem to reconnoitre, but could not escape the geese in 
 the capital. To-morrow I set out for Newport, purposely 
 to send you this. I write you fully, it being scarcely prac- 
 ticable to prevent discovery. I am out of place here by 
 choice, and therefore out of pay; and am determined to 
 be so, unless something be offered in my way. 
 
 I wish you could contrive to write to me largely, in 
 cyphers, by way of Newport, addressed to Tom Richards, 
 merchant, enclosed under cover to me, intimating that I am 
 a perfect stranger to you ; but that being recommended to 
 you as a gentlemen of honour you took the liberty to 
 enclose it, entreating me to deliver it as directed to the 
 person living, as you are informed, in Cambridge. Sign 
 some fictitious name, and send it to some confidant friend at 
 Newport, to be delivered to me at Watertown. 
 
 Make use of every precaution, or I perish. 
 
1715 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1716 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA COUNCIL OF SAFETY. 
 
 Charlostown, Saturday, July 23, 1775. 
 Present: Colonel Henry Laurens, President; Mr. Fer- 
 guson, Mr. Middlelon, Honourable Mr. Lowndes, Hon- 
 ourable Mr. Drayton, Colonel Pinckney, Mr. Brcwton, 
 Mr. Bee, Captain Benjamin Elliot, Mr. Hey ward, Col. 
 Parsons. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the Hon. William Henry 
 Drayton, and the Reverend William Tennent, be the two 
 gentlemen to make a progress into the back country, to 
 explain to the People the causes of the present disputes 
 between Great Britain and the American Colonies. 
 
 Resolved, That the following commissions and powers, 
 be given to the Honourable William Henry Drayton and 
 Reverend William Tennent : 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA : 
 
 In the Council of Safety, July 23, 1775. 
 
 The Council of Safety, elected and chosen by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, begun to be holden the first day of June 
 last, by these presents testify, that they have nominated, 
 appointed, and commissioned the Honourable William Hen- 
 ry Drayton, and the Reverend William Tennent, to go 
 into the interiour parts of this Colony, at the publick ex- 
 pense ; there to explain to the people at large the nature 
 of the unhappy publick disputes between Great Britain 
 and the American Colonies ; to endeavour to settle all 
 political disputes between the people ; to quiet their minds, 
 and to enforce the necessity of a general union, in order to 
 preserve themselves and their children from slavery.* And 
 that the said William Henry Drayton, and William Tennent 
 may proceed in this business with safety and advantage to 
 the publick, all the friends of the liberties of America are 
 hereby requested to afford them every necessary aid, assist- 
 ance, and protection. By order of the Council of Safety : 
 Henry Laurens, President. 
 
 SOUTH- CAROLINA : 
 In the Council of Safety, Charlestown, July 23, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : In order to give you every necessary and 
 proper support and protection in your progress into the 
 country, in execution of our commission of this date, you 
 
 *On the 14th of July, Major Mayson arrived at Ninety-Six Court. 
 House, with a portion of the gunpowder and lead, which he had taken 
 in Fort Charlotte. At this time, Colonel Thomas Fletchall was holding 
 the general muster of his Militia Regiment at Ford's, on the Enoree 
 River. And Captain Moses Kirkland, who had accompanied Major 
 Mayson with his troop of Rangers to Ninety-Six Court-Houso, and 
 who had thought himself overlooked hy the Provincial Congress in the 
 military appointments ; and besides, having an old grudge against 
 Major Mayson, his superiour officer, both of whom were rivals for mili. 
 tary rank and back-country influence ; knowing that Colonel Fletchall 
 had assembled a number of men, and supposing the whole back-coun. 
 try disaffected, resolved to change sides. Under this impression, he 
 despatched Major Terry, of the militia, who was with him in opinion, 
 to Colonel Fletchall; ardently requesting, that he would send a force, 
 and recover the powder and lead, which had been taken from the King's 
 fort ; and was then at Ninety-Six. He, at the same time, assured 
 Fletchall, that the force sent by him to retake the ammunition should 
 not be opposed ; and that the Rangers meant to force him, and every 
 other person in the back-country, to sign the Association. Having 
 expedited these advices, he proceeded to fulfil his part of the proffered 
 agreement, and commenced inducing his Troop to desert ; in which he 
 was so successful, that in a few hours they withdrew to a man. 
 
 In the mean time, Terry having arrived at Colonel FletchaWs mus- 
 ter-field at Ford's, at the fork of Cedar Creek and Enoree River, where 
 he continued the assemblage of his men for three days, and seeing 
 Fletchall about to tender the Association of the Congress for the sig- 
 natures of the individuals of his Regiment, he concealed his business, 
 until he saw what turn that affair should tako. And accompanying 
 Fletchall through the companies, the Association was tendered under 
 such discouraging expressions, as gavo the people to understand Fletch- 
 aWs mind on the subject, not a man signing the same. And passing 
 from one extreme to another, Fletchall having previously caused Major 
 Robinson to prepare another Association more suitable to his opinions, 
 and the part he intended to act in favour of the King, it was offered to 
 the men for signature, and the peoplo very generally subscribed it. 
 Terry seeing the multitude in this disposition, now communicated his 
 mission from Kirkland to Fletchall, in presence of Major Robinson and 
 the Cunninghams ; when Fletchall declined to appear publickly in 
 the affair : but the three others declared they would go, and seizo the 
 powder and lead. At this, Fletchall showed no disposition to prevent 
 them ; and they immediately rodo off the field, with two hundred men 
 on horseback. They arrived at Ninety. Six Court-House on the 17th 
 July, about noon ; and had little troublo in possessing themselves of 
 the ammunition, as Major Mayson had only an officor or two left with 
 him, beside Captain Kirkland. Robinson and his party then oommit. 
 ted the Major to the District jail ; where, having continued some hours, 
 tln;y admitted him to bail, to answer at the ensuing Sessions, for hav. 
 ing, as they charged, robbed the King's fort. In a few days afterwards, 
 Captain Kirkland put tho seal to his treachery, in joining FletchaWs 
 party openly : in addition to which act of perfidy, he also induced 
 
 are hereby authorized to call upon all and every officer of 
 the militia and rangers, for assistance, support, and protec- 
 tion ; and they and each of them are hereby ordered to fur- 
 nish such assistance, support, and protection, as you shall 
 deem necessary. By order of the Council of Safety : 
 
 Henry Laurens, President. 
 To the Honourable W. H. Drayton, Reverend William 
 Tennent, Commissioners, &.c. 
 
 prince george's county (.Maryland) committee. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for 
 Prince George's County, at the house of Richard Carnes, 
 in Piscataway, on Monday the 24th of July, 1775, were 
 present: Josias Bcall, Chairman ; William Diggs, Enoch 
 Magruder, Thomas Dent, William Disrgs, Jr., William 
 Beanes, Jr., Nathaniel Newton, Richard Carnes, Ed- 
 ward Edelin, Jonathan Binlc, Thomas Clagett, Hezekiah 
 Wheeler, and James Hawkins. In consequence of infor- 
 mation being lodged with the Committee, that Josias Lan- 
 ham and John Lindsey had purchased Shoes imported 
 contrary to the American Association, they proceeded to 
 inquire into the charge, and find, that Wm. McCraight 
 and William Blair, Mariners, on board the Ship Janney, 
 Captain Cochran, from Glasgow, had sold to the said 
 Josias Lanham and John Lindsay, four pair of Shoes, im- 
 ported into this Province since the first day of February 
 last, for the sum of thirty-four shillings and six pence, 
 current money. The parties were summoned to attend 
 the Committee; whereupon the said Lanham and Lind- 
 say appeared, and confessed the charge, and produced the 
 above-mentioned pairs of Shoes. The aforesaid McCraight 
 and Blair likewise appeared, with the money received for 
 the said Shoes. 
 
 The Committee, on considering the premises, unani- 
 mously resolve such proceedings a violation of the Con- 
 tinental Association. The said McCraight and Blair de- 
 clared they made sale of the Shoes inadvertently, and are 
 sorry they should have acted so as to give offence ; that 
 they will for the future pay strict regard to what they are 
 now informed to be the General Association as to goods 
 imported ; and they cheerfully give up the money received 
 
 Captain Purvis and his Troop of the same Regiment, to quit the 
 
 service. 
 
 The number of men collected at FletchaWs muster-field, amounting 
 to fifteen hundred at least — the spirit they displayed, the seizure of the 
 powder and lead, the treatment of Major Mayson, and the desertion of 
 Kirkland and Purvis, encouraged and increased the disaffection of the 
 people, from Broad to Savannah Rivers. The million voted by the 
 Provincial Congress was an endless theme to harangue upon, for tho 
 purpose of stating, that the Congress would ruin them ; and the paper 
 money was cried down as of no value. But, above all, their spirits 
 and cabals were kept up, by correspondences with Lord William Camp, 
 bell, the Governour, in Charlestown ; who, through Colonel Fletchall, 
 commended the loyalty of Robinson and the Cunninghams : promising 
 them rewards for perseverance in duty. This being circulated, gave 
 these men real consequence among the disaffected ; tied them fast to 
 the Royal interest, and threw out a lure of recompense to every leader 
 of the party. From this state of things, the most fatal consequences 
 were apprehended ; and it was then supposed, that if Lord William 
 Campbell had gone up among the disaffected, had collected Fletchall 
 and his men around him, and had conducted himself with promptness 
 and efficiency, the whole proceedings of the Provincial Congress 
 would have been overthrown. However, for wiser purposes, Provi- 
 dence had not so directed his actions ; but left him in Charlestown, to 
 experience the daily loss of his executive powers ; and the little con. 
 sideration in which he was holden, as well by the publick authorities 
 as by the citizens at large. 
 
 Accounts of these circumstances frequently arriving in Charlestown ; 
 and through Lord William's plots, affairs becoming more critical every 
 day in the back parts of tho Colony, the Council of Safety took into 
 consideration the urgency of tho case, and the necessity which exist- 
 ed, of reconciling the peoplo to tho publick measures ; but it was 
 opposed. However, on tho 23d day of July, 1775, it was resolved, 
 " that the Honourable William Henry Drayton, and the Reverend Wil- 
 liam Tennent, be the two gentlemen to make a progress into the back- 
 country, to explain to the people the causes of the present disputes 
 between Great Britain and the American Colonies ; and they were 
 accordingly commissioned on tho same day for that purpose : " to go 
 into the iuteriour parts of this Colony at the publick expense, there to 
 explain to tho people at large the nature of the unhappy publick dis- 
 putes between Great Britain and the American Colonies ; to endeavour 
 to settle all political disputos between the people ; to quiet their minds, 
 and to enforce the necessity of a goneral union, in order to preserve 
 themselves and their children from slavery." Beside this, they were 
 privately armed with authority " to call upon all and every officer of 
 the Militia and Rangors, for assistance, support, and protection," to act 
 " as you shall deem necessary." Colonel Richard Richardson, Joseph 
 Kershaw, and the Reverend Mr. Hart, wore desired to accompany them ; 
 and to complete the arrangement, the wholo Militia were ordered to be 
 classed in three divisions ; and to hold themselves ready by turns, to 
 march at twelve hours notice. — Drayton. 
 
1717 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1718 
 
 for the said Shoes into the hands of the Committee, for 
 publick purposes. The said Josias Lanham and John 
 Lindsay declare their concern for the part they have acted 
 in violation of the Association, and promise their paying 
 due regard thereto for the future ; and also declare their 
 willingness to destroy the said Shoes ; which were accord- 
 ingly burnt by the said Lanham and Lindsay, in the pre- 
 sence of the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of these proceedings be sent to 
 be published in the Maryland Gazette. 
 
 True copy, signed by order of the Committee : 
 
 Thomas Clagett, Cleric. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN LONDON FROM AN 
 OFFICER ON BOARD HIS MAJESTY'S SLOOP SWAN, STA- 
 TIONED AT RHODE-ISLAND, DATED AUGUST 14, 1775. 
 
 Two gentlemen crossing a ferry at Rhode-Island in their 
 way from Philadelphia to the eastward, were stopped by 
 Captain Ayscough, who found several letters in their pos- 
 session, which were transmitted to Admiral Graves; but I 
 found an opportunity of copying two of them, and here- 
 with send the copies to you, that you may see the real 
 intentions of those miscreants who have misled His Majes- 
 ty's subjects in North America to commit themselves in 
 acts of open rebellion; and that you may be no longer 
 deceived by the artful publications of those traitors, or give 
 credit to their professions of wishing for accommodation. 
 There is undoubted proof that both these letters are from 
 Mr. John Adams, a lawyer of Boston, and one of the Dele- 
 gates in the Continental Congress. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 24, 1775. 
 
 Mr Dear: It is now almost three months since I left 
 you, in every part of which my anxiety about you and the 
 children, as well as our country, has been extreme. 
 
 The business I have had upon my mind has been as 
 great and important as can be intrusted to one man, and 
 the difficulty and intricacy of it is prodigious. When fifty 
 or sixty men have a constitution to form for a great em- 
 pire, at the same time that they have a country of fifteen 
 hundred miles extent to fortify ; millions to arm and train ; 
 a naval power to an extensive commerce to regulate ; 
 numerous tribes of Indians to negotiate with; a standing 
 army of twenty-seven thousand men to raise, pay, victual, 
 and officer ; 1 really shall pity those fifty and sixty men. 
 
 I must see you ere long. Rice has wrote me a very 
 good letter, so has Thatcher, for which I thank them both. 
 Love to the children. J. A. 
 
 P. S. I wish I had given you a complete history, from 
 the beginning to the end of the journey, of the behaviour 
 of my compatriots. No mortal tale could equal it. I will 
 tell you in future, but you shall keep it a secret — the fidgets, 
 the whims, the caprice, the vanity, the superstition, the 
 irritability of some of us is 
 
 Mrs. Abigail Adams, Brain-tree ; to the care of Colonel 
 Warren; favoured by Mr. Hitchborne. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 24, 1775. 
 Sir: In confidence I am determined to write freely to 
 you this time. A certain* great fortune and piddling ge- 
 nius, whose fame has been trumpeted so loudly, has given a 
 silly cast to our whole doings. We are between hawk and 
 buzzard. We ought to have had in our hands a month ago 
 the whole legislative, executive, and judicial power of the 
 whole Continent, and have completely modelled a Consti- 
 tution ; to have raised a naval power; opened all our ports 
 wide; to have arrested every friend to Government on the 
 Continent, and held them as hostages for the poor victims in 
 Boston ; and then opened the door as wide as possible for 
 peace and reconciliation. After this they might have peti- 
 tioned, and negotiated, and addressed, &c, if they would. 
 Is all this extravagant? Is it wild? Is it not the soundest 
 policy ? 
 
 One piece of news : Seven thousand weight of powder 
 arrived here last night. We shall send along some as soon 
 as we can ; but you must be patient and frugal. 
 
 We are lost in the extensiveness of our field of business. 
 We have a Continental Treasury to establish ; a Paymas- 
 
 * We can assure the publick that these letters are not copied from 
 the originals. — Mass. Spy. 
 
 ter to choose ; and a Committee of Correspondence, or 
 Safety, or Accounts, or something, I know not what, that 
 has confounded us all day. 
 
 Shall I hail you Speaker of the House, or Counsellor, 
 or what ? What kind of an election had you ? What sort 
 of magistrates do you intend to make? Will your new 
 legislative and executive, feel bold or irresolute ? Will your 
 judicial hang and whip, and fine and imprison, without 
 scruple ? I want to see our distressful country once more ; 
 yet 1 dread the sight of devastation. 
 
 You observe in your letter the oddity of a great man. 
 He is a queer creature ; but you must love his dogs if you 
 love him, and forgive a thousand whims, for the sake of the 
 soldier and the scholar. Yours. 
 
 To the Honourable James IVarren, Esq., Watertown, 
 favoured by Mr. Ilichborne. 
 
 Note. — This letter was anonymous, but wrote in the 
 same hand with that addressed to Abigail Adams. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GENERAL GAGE TO THE EARL 
 OF DARTMOUTH, DATED BOSTON, AUGUST 26, 1775. 
 
 The designs of the leaders of the rebellion are plain, and 
 every day confirms the truth of what was asserted years 
 ago by intelligent people, that a plan was laid in this Pro- 
 vince, and adjusted with some of the same stamp in others, 
 for a total independence ; whilst they amused people in 
 England, called the friends of America, as well as many 
 in this Country, with feigned professions of affection and 
 attachment to the Parent State, and pretended to be ag- 
 grieved and discontented only on account of taxation ; that 
 they have designedly irritated Government by every in- 
 sult, whilst they artfully poisoned the minds of the people, 
 and ripened them for insurrection. They would still de- 
 ceive and lull the Mother Country into a belief that nothing 
 is meant against the Nation, and that their quarrel is only 
 with the Ministers. But it is hoped that the Nation will 
 see through this falsehood and deceit. It matters not who 
 hold the helm of the state; the stroke is levelled at the 
 British Nation, on whose ruins they hope to build their 
 so much vaunted American Empire, and to rise, like the 
 Phoenix, out of the ashes of the Mother Country. 
 
 TO MR. PURDIE. 
 Williamsburgh, Virginia, November 10, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The Tories lay great stress on certain intercepted 
 letters from a Delegate, as containing a full proof that the 
 Congress are aiming at independence; but let any impar- 
 tial person read their Resolves and Petitions, and judge 
 whether they had any such views, and whether, if they had 
 at the time of writing such letters, it was not on a sup- 
 position that their humble Petition would be rejected, and 
 that there was no alternative left but slavery or indepen- 
 dence. If we entertain a wish to be unconnected with 
 Great Britain, it is because we have been cruelly and 
 inhumanly treated by her. Could any nation be more com- 
 pletely dependant on another, and retain even a shadow of 
 freedom, than America was, and still consents to be on 
 Great Britain} Was Britain satisfied with this in the year 
 1763 ? She was. Does America ask for any immunities 
 she did not then enjoy? She does not. Even Lord North 
 himself must answer these questions in the same manner. 
 What, then, is the new claim that they charge us with de- 
 manding, and for which they are endeavouring to butcher 
 our people, and lay waste our coasts ? The truth is, the 
 Ministry and Parliament have made a new demand neces- 
 sary, by new oppressions, by repeated and aggravated in- 
 sults, and by unheard-of cruelties. It is high time to look 
 to ourselves, to take care of our extended coasts, " to form 
 a connexion with some other Power," since Great Britain 
 insultingly, wantonly, and cruelly, has spurned us from her, 
 " and to think of laying the foundation of a great Empire." 
 This is what the Delegate said he had in contemplation, 
 and this is what the British Ministry have made neces- 
 sary; and this it must be the duty of the Congress to do, if 
 the King refuses to hear their Petition, and to redress our 
 grievances. We still love our fellow-subjects in Britain ; 
 we still wish to be connected with them. Although our 
 King has hitherto refused us relief, and suffers us to be in- 
 humanly treated, we have not, and wish not to withdraw 
 
1719 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1720 
 
 our allegiance from him, and are willing to attribute all tlie 
 cruel oppressions under which we labour to the baleful in- 
 fluence of certain men, who, unhappily, have gained the 
 confidence of their Prince, and who are deadly enemies to 
 his family, and would wish to see him driven from his 
 throne. But whatever may be their design, and however 
 basely we may be misrepresented by our enemies, we call 
 God to witness for the purity of our intentions, look up to 
 him as the all powerful protector of injured innocence, 
 and firmly rely on him as a shield in the day of battle. 
 
 A Virginian. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 [Read July 28, 1775.] 
 
 In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, i 
 
 July 24, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : We have been honoured with your letter of the 
 19th instant, which informs us that you have an intimation 
 that a quantity of gunpowder bad lately arrived here. We 
 are sorry to say, it is without foundation. 
 
 You may be assured, Sir, that should a quantity arrive, 
 we shall be attentive to the wants of our brethren to the 
 Eastward, and forward as much as possible that way. 
 
 We are, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient ser- 
 vants. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Ab. Brasher, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 
 COL. VAN SCHAICK TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Albany, July 24, 1775. 
 Gentlemen: I yesterday received yours of the 17th 
 instant, and agreeable to your request, have made out a re- 
 turn, as near as 1 could, which you have on the other side. 
 
 The five first companies on this return, are those raised 
 by the Committee of this City and County, who are now 
 in actual service at Lake George, and the posts adjacent, 
 from whence General Schuyler has ordered an officer out 
 of each company down the country to complete the levies 
 of those companies. The officers of the last five companies 
 on this return have but lately received their warrants, and 
 are now raising men in this and the neighbouring Counties. 
 
 I have sent orders to the recruiting officers, to send to 
 me without delay, returns of the number of men they have 
 enlisted; and shall, on receipt thereof, lay before the Con- 
 gress a return of the state of my Regiment. 
 
 You will please to observe, that several of the officers 
 appointed by the Provincial Congress refused to accept 
 their warrants ; in lieu of whom, the Committee of this 
 City and County, at the request of General Schuyler, 
 have appointed others, as the General conceived that wait- 
 ing for the appointment of others by the Congress would 
 create such a delay in the levying of the companies, as might 
 be productive of ruinous consequences ; so that the return 
 consists of those who have accepted their warrants from 
 the Provincial Congress, and those appointed by the Com- 
 mittee in the room of those that declined serving. 
 
 It is impossible for me at present to say when my Re- 
 giment will be ready to take the field, as I cannot deter- 
 mine with what success the recruiting officers will meet. 
 
 You may depend upon it, that nothing will be wanting 
 on my part to expedite the completing of the Regiment, 
 as 1 am convinced that the circumstances of the Country 
 admit of no delay. 
 
 1 am, gentlemen, your most obedient and very humble 
 servant, Goose Van Schaick. 
 
 To the Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, 
 during the recess of the Provincial Congress. 
 
 A Return of the Second Provincial Regiment in the Co- 
 lony of New-York, whereof Goose Van Schaick is 
 Colonel. Albany, 24th July, 1775. 
 
 One Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major. 
 
 Captain John Visscher's Company : one Captain, two Lieu- 
 tenants, three Sergeants, fifty-nine rank and file. 
 
 Captain Cornelius Van Dyck's Company: one Captain, 
 two Lieutenants, three Sergeants, fifty-one rank and file. 
 
 Captain Heztkiah Holding's Company : one Captain, two 
 Lieutenants, three Sergeants, thirty-two rank and file. 
 
 Captain Joel Pratt's Company : one Captain, two Lieu- 
 tenants, three Sergeants, forty-three rank and file. 
 
 Captain George White's Company : one Captain, two 
 Lieutenants, three Sergeants, forty-eight rank and file. 
 
 Captain Darent J. Ten Eyck's Company : one Captain, 
 two Lieutenants. 
 
 Captain John Fryer's Company : one Captain, two Lieu- 
 tenants. 
 
 Captain Elisha Benedict's Company: one Captain, two 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Captain Joseph McKracken's Company : one Captain, 
 
 two Lieutenants. 
 Captain John Graham's Company : one Captain, two 
 
 Lieutenants. 
 
 Total : one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, 
 ten Captains, twenty Lieutenants, fifteen Sergeants, two 
 hundred and thirty-three rank and file. 
 
 Goose Van Schaick, Colonel. 
 
 committee of safety for connectici.t. 
 
 At a meeting of the Governour, he, Monday, July 
 24, 1775, by adjournment. Present: 
 
 His Honour the Governour ; the Hon. M. Griswold, 
 Esq., Jabez Hu}itington,F.sq., Samuel Huntington, Esq., 
 William Williams, Nathaniel Wales, Jedediah Elderkin, 
 Joshua Hest, and Benjamin Huntington, Esq. 
 
 His Honour the Governour laid before us a large num- 
 ber of Letters received from various quarters, relating to 
 the great subject matter of the unnatural civil war, &ic. A 
 Post (Judd ) also, now came in with a Letter from General 
 Schuyler at Ticonderoga, among other things informing 
 that our Troops there were destitute of Tents, he, and that 
 they may be had at New- York. 
 
 On consideration thereof, and that they cannot be fur- 
 nished without great difficulty and delay in this Colony, 
 advised that his Honour the Governour be desired lo write 
 the Congress at New-York, to provide and send a suitable 
 number of Tents for Colonel Hinman's Regiment, and 
 send them forward to Ticonderoga. 
 
 On motion, that there is about two thousand barrels 
 of Flour at Norwich, sent by the Continental Congress for 
 the use of the Army near Boston, for which the freight has 
 been paid by Colonel Jedediah Huntington, he, and is 
 desired by General Washington to be sent forward for the 
 use of said Army, &tc, 
 
 Voted, That the expense of the freight and transporta- 
 tion of said Flour, be paid and advanced out of the Colony 
 Treasury ; and that the Committee of the Pay Table be 
 ordered to draw on the Treasurer in favour of such persons, 
 and for such sums as shall be ordered by his Honour the 
 Governour for the purposes aforesaid ; keeping a proper 
 account thereof. 
 
 The affair of the two armed Vessels, (being a principal 
 occasion of this meeting,) was taken up and largely dis- 
 cussed. Letters received from a number of gentlemen, from 
 New-Haven, Middletown, Wethersjield, he, relating to it, 
 read, &ic. Captain Dcshon, Mr. Shaw, and Captain Giles 
 Hall were present on that account, and discoursed with, 
 he, and they retired. And on further consideration, he, 
 this Council are of opinion and do resolve, that William 
 Williams and Nathaniel Hales, Esqrs., together with Cap- 
 tain Deshon and Captain Hall, be a Committee to Nor- 
 wich, New- London, and by the sea-coast to New-Haven, 
 and to Middletown, Hartford, he, to inquire after and 
 find out proper and suitable Vessels for the purpose ; the 
 terms on which they may be had ; the proper manning of 
 them ; the terms on which officers and men may be bad, 
 &.c. ; and give proper directions for preparing Carriages for 
 the Cannon at New-Haven, which may be wanted, and 
 what may be proper and necessary, &.c. ; and thereof to 
 make report to this Council on Wednesday the 2d of August 
 next, to which time this Council is to be adjourned. 
 
 On a request from General Washington, signified by his 
 Letters, he, 
 
 Voted, That his Honour the Governour be desired and 
 advised to give orders to the Colonels of the Seventh and 
 Eighth Regiments, to march their Troops as soon as they 
 
1721 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1722 
 
 possibly enn be prepared, either in whole or in part com- 
 panies, at their discretion, with necessary officers, to the 
 Camp near Boston, to be under the proper regulation of 
 the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. 
 
 And adjourned to Wednesday, 2d of August next, at 9 
 o'clock, A. M. 
 
 COVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Lebanon, July 24, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your favour of the 18th July I have this moment 
 received, and observe the contents. I shall send an ex- 
 press to New-York to move their Congress to supply Col- 
 onel Hinnian's Regiment with tents, as 1 apprehend this 
 Colony is so far exhausted of the materials for making 
 tents, that it will be difficult to have them in season. I 
 take the liberty to insert some queries, ike, which 1 for- 
 warded yesterday to our Delegates of the honourable Gene- 
 ral Congress at Philadelphia, viz : " Is it not high time to 
 proceed into, and even to hasten forward to secure the Go- 
 vernment of Quebeck, and thereby the whole Indian strength 
 in our interest and favour ? Is there any thing to expect 
 from the present Administration that is favourable or kind ? 
 If needful, may not Colonel Waterbwy v/\th his Regiment 
 be spared to the Northward ?" " We are near the grand 
 scene of action ; are anxious for the safety of our friends, 
 the security of our rights, and to convince our enemies that 
 we are in earnest, and that the object in view is American 
 Liberty ; the barrier of Virtue to be defended and main- 
 tained even at the sacrifice of life ;" which went express. 
 Captain Derby, who went to England with the Provincial 
 account of the Lexington fight, is returned. He informs he 
 had twenty-seven days passage ; tarried eight days in Eng- 
 land, and when he came away, General Gage's express, 
 which sailed four days before him, had not arrived. Our 
 friends published the account of the fight ; Lord North was 
 thunderstruck with the news, the people uneasy, the mer- 
 chants distressed for their property in America, the stocks 
 fell, and every thing in a ferment when he came away. 
 The Administration published that they had not received 
 any accounts from Boston : that they did not believe the 
 storv ; were sure the New- Yorkers would fall off, and there- 
 by the union of the Colonies be broken and the opposition 
 be at an end. What turn matters will take when General 
 Gage's account arrives, is uncertain. Captain Derby's 
 Schooner never went into port, but plied on and off while 
 he tarried. He never appeared in publick, kept with our 
 friends, the Lord-Mayor, Doctor Lee, &c. Lord Dart- 
 mouth sent for him, but our friends advised him not to put 
 himself in his power. 1 am, &c. J.Trumbull. 
 Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 GENERAL LEE TO GENERAL SULLIVAN. 
 
 Cambridge, July 24, 1775, Two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 General Lee begs General Sullivan will get as much 
 work as possible out of the men this day. If they cannot 
 all work on the face of the citadel, let them deepen and 
 widen the ditch of the flank and rear faces, and heighten 
 the parapet all round. 
 To General Sullivan. 
 
 P. S. For God's sake finish and strengthen the abattis. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, 
 DATED JULY 24, 1775. 
 
 On Thursday last, the universal fast day, a party of our 
 troops, in whale-boats, landed on JSantasket Point before 
 day, and set fire to the Light-house. At day-light the men- 
 of-war discovered them and fired upon them. I was at 
 Little Cambridge when the guns wakened me. I ascend- 
 ed an eminence at a distance, and saw the flames of the 
 Light-house ascending up to Heaven like grateful incense, 
 and the ships wasting their powder. Our men proceeded 
 from thence to Point Shirley, in order to drive off some 
 young colts which were there. A party of Regulars at- 
 tacked them, but were repulsed and drove into their boats, 
 without the loss of a man on our side, either killed or 
 wounded ; what loss the Regulars have sustained 1 have 
 not yet heard. The party set fire to all the fishing-houses 
 
 and hay that were on the place, and brought off four Tory 
 fishermen, who are now prisoners at the General's, together 
 with one Whiting, a Sheriff of yew-Hampshire Govern- 
 ment, who has been detected in some illicit practices inimi- 
 cal to this Country. The troops here are increasing daily; 
 a Regiment is arrived from the Province of Connecticut, 
 and the riflemen are expected hourly. The strictest dis- 
 cipline begins to be practised in the camp, and nothing but 
 a due subordination is required to make this Army as com- 
 plete as any troops in the word. Wednesday evening 
 Colonel Reed of your City delivered a copy of the Decla- 
 ration and Address from the Congress, to the advanced 
 guards of the enemy, for General Gage ; and our sentinels 
 have dispersed several hundred of those papers called "An 
 Address to the Soldiers," amongst the Regular Troops, 
 which, it is to be hoped, will be of good effect. We are 
 now in perfect tranquillity, being well secured by intrench- 
 ments on all sides, and General Lee thinks they will not 
 come out soon against us. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM THE CAMP AT CAMBRIDGE, 
 DATED JULY 24, 1775. 
 
 Within a day or two we have had five deserters from the 
 advanced posts of the enemy; two of them are sensible, 
 honest-looking fellows, the one that came in this morning 
 particularly so. They have a return of the enemy's killed 
 and wounded, amounting to one thousand and fifty-two ; 
 most of the wounded are in a dangerous way. They have 
 had no fresh provisions since the affair of Noddle's Island, 
 and are not like to have any without fighting for it. One 
 of the deserters went off last night, with leave, to Phi- 
 ladelphia ; he is a Grenadier of the Royal L'ish. The 
 deserters say, that yesterday morning General Gage sur- 
 rendered, in the orders of the day, his command of the 
 Army to General Howe, and now acts only as a civil 
 Governour; that he is lampooned and despised by the 
 whole Army. That Howe is much censured for his mode 
 of attack on our lines last month. That their artillery was 
 wretchedly served, and, what is more strange, that all their 
 spare cartridges which they brought out were twelve-poun- 
 ders, and they took out only nine-poundeis cannon; so 
 that when our people were obliged to quit their lines, 
 the enemy had not one round of artillery cartridges left. 
 That young Richardson was the first person that mounted 
 our parapet ; you know him well, he is of the Eighteenth 
 or Royal Irish ; he is dangerously wounded. That their 
 number of effective men is four thousand in Boston, and 
 two thousand two hundred on Bunker's Hill; that they 
 despair of forcing our lines, but talk of getting round us if 
 they can. That eight sail of transports, and one frigate, 
 are gone to Fisher's Island, and other places in the sound, 
 marauding, with one hundred men. That they have erected 
 a large bomb battery on Bunker's Hill, and amongst others, 
 two eighteen-inch French mortars. That our morning gun, 
 yesterday, threw an eighteen-pound shot into their encamp- 
 ment on the top of Bunker's Hill. That the Grenadiers 
 of the Royal Welch Fusileers amounted to forty at the at- 
 tack last month, and are now reduced to eight men ; that 
 the Fifty-Second Regiment had twenty-two Grenadiers 
 killed out of thirty-nine. That the inhabitants of Boston 
 are ill-used and miserably fed ; that they will be soon re- 
 leased, because provisions begin to be scarce. That the 
 Army begin to clamour for their pay ; there is no cash, and 
 bills will not sell under fifty per cent, discount. The reso- 
 lution of the Congress against Government Bills was wise, 
 and has distressed the enemy exceedingly. The Reading 
 Company of Riflemen came in on Tuesday; the rest are 
 hourly expected and much wanted. We have frequently 
 thrown into their lines, on the wings of the wind at night, 
 hand-bills, and propose to send in a few to-night. These 
 bills are blown into their camp, and get into the hands of 
 their soldiers, without the officers being able to prevent it. 
 Major Bruce complained, at an interview the other day, 
 of such usage. We retorted his decoying our sentries from 
 their posts, two rascals having left us a day or two before, 
 by his or some other officer's means. 
 
 We expect they will begin to bombard us in a day or 
 two ; they cannot hurt but benefit us. They will, by such 
 means, harden our men, and discourage their own. This 
 we have experienced by their bombaiding of Roxbury. 
 
1723 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1724 
 
 GENERAL GAGE TO LORD DARTMOUTH. 
 
 Boston, July 24, 1775. 
 A pamphlet, published by the Continental Congress, called 
 a " Declaration of the United Colonies," has been sent in 
 from the rebel camp, copies of which will no doubt be sent 
 to England from Philadelphia. They pay little regard to 
 facts, for the contents of it are as replete with deceit and 
 falsehood as most of their publications. The rebellion 
 being general, 1 know of no better plan to quell it than 
 that 1 mentioned to your Lordship in a former letter. This 
 Province began it, 1 might say this Town, for here the arch- 
 rebels formed their scheme long ago. This circumstance 
 brought the troops first here, which is the most disadvan- 
 tageous place for all operations, particularly where there is 
 no diversion of the rebel forces, but all are collected into 
 one point. Was this Army in New-York, that Province 
 might, to all appearance, be more easily reduced, and the 
 friends of Government be able to raise forces to join the 
 troops. 
 
 TO THE INHABITANTS OF PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA, ON 
 THE WEST SIDE OF LAUREL HILL. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 25, 1775. 
 
 Friends and Countrymen : 
 
 It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have 
 arisen, and still continue among you, concerning the boun- 
 daries of our Colonies. In the character in which we now 
 address you, it is unnecessary to inquire into the origin of 
 those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us 
 to express our approbation or censure on either side, but as 
 representatives of two of the Colonies, united among many 
 others for the defence of the liberties of America, we think 
 it our duty to remove, as far as lies in our power, every 
 obstacle that may prevent her sons from co-operating, as 
 vigorously as they would wish to do, towards the attainment 
 of this great and important end. Influenced solely by this 
 motive, our joint and earnest request to you is, that all 
 animosities which have heretofore subsisted among you as 
 inhabitants of distinct Colonies, may now give place to 
 generous and concurring efforts for the preservation of every 
 thing that can make our common Country dear to us. 
 
 We are fully persuaded that you, as well as we, wish to 
 see your differences terminate in this happy issue. For 
 this desirable purpose we recommend it to you that all 
 bodies of armed men, kept under either Province, be dis- 
 missed ; that all those on either side, who are in con- 
 finement, or under bail, for taking a part in the contest, be 
 discharged, and that until the dispute be decided, every 
 person be permitted to retain his possessions unmolested. 
 
 By observing these directions, the publick tranquillity 
 will be secured without injury to the titles on either side. 
 The period, we flatter ourselves, will soon arrive, when this 
 unfortunate dispute, which has produced much mischief, 
 and, as far as we can learn, no good, will be peaceably and 
 constitutionally determined. 
 
 We are your friends and countrymen, 
 
 Patrick Henry, John Dickinson, 
 
 Benjamin Harrison, Benjamin Franklin, 
 Richard Henry Lee, Charles Humphreys, 
 Thomas Jefferson, George Ross, 
 James Wilson. 
 
 SOUTH-CAROLINA COUNCIL OF SAFETY. 
 
 Thursday, July 25, 1775. 
 
 The Council met. Present : 
 
 Colonel Henry Laurens, President ; Colonel Pinckney, 
 Honourable Mr. Drayton, Mr. Middleton, Mr. Brewton, 
 Mr. Benjamin Elliot, Colonel Parsons, Mr. Ferguson, 
 Mr. Bee, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Heyward, Honourable Mr. 
 Lowndes. 
 
 Resolved, That the following Orders and Commission 
 be given to Captain Lempriere : 
 
 In the Council of Safety, Charlestown, South-Carolina, ) 
 
 July 25, 1775. ] 
 
 The Council of Safety, elected and chosen by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, begun to be holden on the 1st day of 
 June last, by these presents testify, that Clement Lem- 
 priere, Esquire, has been, and is hereby appointed and 
 commissioned to command in the sloop Commerce, belong- 
 
 ing to New-York, and over all and every person and per- 
 sons engaged to embark on board the said sloop on the 
 intended voyage, under the authority of the said Council 
 of Safety. And the said Clement Lempriere is hereby 
 ordered to proceed forthwith, with all convenient despatch, 
 to the Island of Nciv-Providence ; on that island to seize, 
 and from that island to embark on board the said sloop, all 
 such quantity of gunpowder as he shall find, and be able 
 to take on board from the said island ; and then forthwith 
 to return to this Colony and put into Tucker's Creek, 
 Tucker's Island, North- Edisto : and from thence to give 
 notice to the said Council of Safety of his arrival, with all 
 possible despatch. And if the said Clement Lempriere 
 shall not be able to seize any considerable quantity of gun- 
 powder in the Island of New-Providence aforesaid, he shall 
 then proceed to such places, and take such measures to 
 procure gunpowder, as he shall think most proper, and then 
 to proceed to Tuber's Creek aforesaid, and thence to give 
 due notice as aforesaid. And for so doing this is your 
 Warrant. By order of the Council of Safety: 
 
 Henry Laurens, President. 
 To Clement Lempriere, Esq. 
 
 In the Council of Safety, Charlestown, South-Carolina, ) 
 
 July 24, 1775. I 
 
 The Council of Safety, elected and chosen by the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, begun to be holden on the 1st day of 
 June last, by these presents testify, that Clement Lem- 
 priere, Esquire, has been, and is hereby appointed and 
 commissioned to command the Sloop Commerce, belonging 
 to New- York, and over all and every person and persons 
 engaged to embark on board the said sloop, under the au- 
 thority of the said Council of Safety. And the said Clem- 
 ent Lempriere is hereby ordered to proceed to such places, 
 and to take such measures as he shall think most proper, to 
 procure gunpowder for the publick of this Colony, which, 
 when he shall have procured, he is ordered to convey to 
 this Colony, with all possible despatch. 
 
 It is also hereby declared, that if any commander or 
 officer under the King's authority, in any degree ill treat 
 the said Clement Lempriere, or any of his company, the 
 King's officers now in our power shall be treated with equal 
 severity; of which all persons are required to take due 
 notice. Given under the authority, and by order of the 
 Council of Safety: 
 
 Henry Laurens, President. 
 To Clement Lempriere, Esq. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Commission be engrossed, 
 sealed, dated, and signed by the President, and by him de- 
 livered, sealed up, to Captain Lempriere, with orders not 
 to be opened until he shall be arrived in sight of the Island 
 of New-Providence. 
 
 Captain Hatter's Report to the Council of Safety, oj 
 the occurrences ivhich took place on board of the Sloop 
 Commerce, Clement Lempriere, Esq., Commander, 
 in taking the Poivder from Captain Lofthouse, off 
 Augustine Bar; and of the return voyage to Charles- 
 town with the Powder. 
 
 1775. July 24. — Our voyage towards New-Orleans 
 commenced. 
 
 July 25. — Took on board our stores of provisions, he. 
 
 July 26. — Sailed over the bar, with the wind at N. E. 
 and rain. At 6 P. M. anchored at South-Edisto. 
 
 July 27. — Fresh gales, with thunder squalls, and a great 
 deal of lightning ; weighed, and sailed up Port-Royal 
 Creek, where we anchored. 
 
 July 28. — It continued to blow hard, with rain. We 
 got through Port-Royal Creek, and came to at the Town, 
 and landed our stores, in order to clean. 
 
 July 29. — We hauled on shore, and cleaned, and in the 
 evening hauled her off again. 
 
 July 30. — Took on board our stores, and got ready to 
 sail ; fell down the river a little. 
 
 July 31. — Sailed from Port-Royal, with the wind at 
 south, and turned down to Jenkms's Landing. 
 
 August 1. — Got under way, and turned through Skull 
 CreeTc, and came to at Callaboge. 
 
 August 2. — Sailed out of Tybee, with the wind at south ; 
 
1725 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1726 
 
 turned to windward ; at meridian observed in latitude 31° 
 45'. 
 
 August 3. — Still plying to windward, with the wind at 
 south ; latitude observed 31° 28'. 
 
 August 4. — Fine settled weather, wind southerly, beat- 
 ing to windward; latitude observed 31° 09'. 
 
 August 5. — Fresh breeze and thunder squalls, wind 
 southerly ; latitude observed 30° 51'. 
 
 August 6. — Fine settled weather, with fresh gales ; lati- 
 tude observed 29° 55'. 
 
 August 7. — Made the Matanzas at night; came to 
 under the fort, in seven fathoms water, and rode all night. 
 At 6 A. M. got under way, and run down towards the bar 
 of Augustine, where we saw a sail at anchor off the bar. 
 We ran down to her, and hailed her, and found her to be 
 the Brigantine Betsy, commanded by Captain Ahere Loft- 
 house, from London. We boarded her with our sloop, and 
 upon strict search found on board of her a large quantity of 
 gunpowder, of which we took one hundred and eleven bar- 
 rels, one half barrel, and thirty small kegs. Said vessel 
 had on board of her twelve soldiers from the shore, eight 
 seamen, the Captain, two mates, and steward, which was 
 in number twenty-three men ; and our number w as twenty- 
 one whites and five blacks. Our situation was such on this 
 occasion, that we thought it most prudent to bribe the men, 
 which we did with one hundred Pounds currency; and the 
 Captain accepted a draft for one thousand Pounds sterling, 
 for the powder, drawn on Mr. John Edwards, of Charles- 
 town; and at half past 11 A. M., after spiking up two 
 pieces of cannon that were mounted on board said brigan- 
 tine, we re-embarked our men, and made sail with a light 
 eir at E. N. E. The wind veered to the northward. At 
 4 P. M. we passed the River St. John's, and passed a 
 small boat stretching to the southward. 
 
 August 8. — Turning to the windward, with the wind at 
 N. E., squally, with rain ; latitude observed 31° 26'. 
 
 August 9. — Fresh gales at N. E., plying to windward 
 with all sail set, and a growing sea ; latitude observed 
 31° 50/ 
 
 August 10. — Light breezes of wind ; set squaresail and 
 topsail, and made Tybee Tower, and we steered in at it 
 through Skull Creek, and came to in Port-Royal Creek; 
 latitude observed 31° 50'. Got under sail, and at 10 A. 
 M., came to at Port-Royal, and despatched away an ex- 
 press to Charlestown; and at 3 P. M., we landed the 
 powder. 
 
 August 11. — Fine settled weather, with the wind to the 
 westward. 
 
 August 12. — Showery, and thunder squalls. At anchor 
 at Port-Royal. 
 
 August 13. — Showery weather. 
 August 14. — Do. do. 
 
 August 15. — Showery and thunder squalls. An express 
 from Charlestown arrived, with an account of the Govern- 
 our's sloop being in pursuit of us. 
 
 August 16. — Squally weather, with a great deal of rain. 
 Sundry companies of Militia and Light-Infantry came to 
 Town from the different islands, to guard the gunpowder. 
 
 August 17. — Squally weather. Our express arrived 
 from Charlestown, and brought with him a detachment of 
 Artillery, in older to escort the gunpowder to Charles- 
 town. 
 
 August 18. — Received on board of the Success ninety- 
 one barrels of powder, and got in readiness to sail. At 10 
 A. M. Captain Cattell arrived in Town with sixty men of 
 the Provincials, and offered to join us to protect the gun- 
 powder, which we accepted of. 
 
 August 19. — Got all in readiness to sail, and at meridian 
 we weighed anchor and sailed through Port-Royal Creek, 
 and run down as low as Morgan's Island, when we came 
 to with our small squadron, consisting of nine sail, and rode 
 all night. 
 
 August 20. — At 6 A. M. we got under way, and sailed 
 down towards Otter Island, and fell down to Soulh-Edisto 
 Inlet, to wait the flood. At 11 A. M. we weighed, and 
 towed up towards Fenwick's Bluff, when we came to to 
 wait the tide and water the vessel, in company with the 
 different detachments. At midnight got under way again, 
 and towed up. 
 
 August 21. — Towed up to Block Island, and down to 
 Slan's Bluff, where we waited the tide, and cooked pro- 
 
 visions. At 4 P. M. we run down to White Point, and 
 came to to wait tide to New-Cut. 
 
 August 22. — Got under way, and towed up and through 
 New-Cut, and down to Wappoo, and there waited tide to 
 come through. At 4 P. M. we got under way, and run 
 into the Cut and towed through, and came to anchor in 
 Ashley River, and lay all the night. 
 
 August 23. — Got under way, and towed up Cummings's 
 Creek, and at 6 A. M. we came to the Bluff, where we 
 landed ninety-one barrels of gunpowder. 
 
 John Hatter. 
 
 ELI ZABETHTOWN (NE W-JERSEy) COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK 
 CONGRESS. 
 
 Elizabethtown, July 25, 1775. 
 Sir : Under the conduct of Sergeant Faulker, with a 
 file of men, I have, by an order of our Committee, sent 
 three persons as prisoners, who were apprehended here on 
 this day on suspicion of being deserters from Gen. Woos- 
 ter's camp. We have not been able to draw any confes- 
 sion out of them to the purpose; they differ widely in their 
 stories, which renders them so suspicious that we have 
 thought proper to send them to your Committee for fur- 
 ther examination and inquiry. 
 By order of the Sub-Committee : 
 
 Jona. Hampton, Chairman. 
 P. S. The prisoners all agree that they came from New- 
 Haven together, but differ as to the time; and one of them 
 was lately seen by one of our members in the camp, which 
 gives us strong suspicion of their being deserters from 
 Waterbury's Regiment, now under marching orders. 
 
 CHRISTOPHER P. YATES TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Palatine, Tryon County, July 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Having been recommended by the Committee of 
 this County to be Captain of a Company in Colonel Van 
 Schaick's Battalion, to be raised in this County, permit 
 me to acquaint you that, on their request, 1 did begin to 
 enlist men immediately, in which 1 have been very success- 
 ful, having already engaged fifty-one soldiers, for whom I 
 have provided according to the instructions of your Con- 
 gress, and make no doubt but 1 shall have the company' 
 full in ten days hence, of which I shall give you the earliest 
 notice. I have wrote an account of the above to Major- 
 General Schuyler, to the end that I may have orders to 
 join the Regiment. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your very humble 
 servant, Christopher P. Yvtes. 
 
 To Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire. i 
 
 SIR JOHN JOHNSON TO MR. ALEXANDER WHITE. 
 
 Johnson Hall, July 25, 1775. 
 Dear Sir: The bearers will deliver you some provi- 
 sions and clothes, and Mr. Clement will give you a paper 
 containing a ten Pound note, which I received from Mrs. 
 White this morning. The Indians having desired some 
 cash from me to expend when they came among the inha- 
 bitants of Canada, which 1 have not to give them, 1 must 
 beg you to supply them, and charge it to Colonel John- 
 son. If you have forgot any thing, and I can be of service 
 to you, I beg you'll mention it. God bless you. 
 Yours, &ic. J. Johnson. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Lebanon, July 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Yesterday I received, per express, a letter from 
 General Schuyler, dated Ticonderoga, 18th July, a copy 
 of part of which I herewith send you. "I find the troops 
 from your Colony, under the command of Col. Hinman, 
 destitute of tents, an article they much stand in need of, 
 being now crowded into bad barracks, which I fear will be 
 productive of disease. Should it be impossible to procure 
 the materials for making tents in your Colony, they may 
 possibly be furnished by the New-York Congress, which 
 can make no material difference, as it will probably be 
 a Continental expense." 
 
 On consideration that this Colony is so far exhausted of 
 materials for making tents, that it will be very difficult, if 
 
1727 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1728 
 
 not impossible, to furnish them in any tolerable season, 
 and considering the much greater convenience, in point of 
 conveyance, with which they may be had from New-York, 
 1 have thought proper to desire that your Province will 
 furnish our troops, under command of Colonel JJinman, 
 with such number of tents as will be necessary for their 
 use. The complement of men to his said Regiment is 
 one thousand, including oiiicers. 
 
 You will please to inform me, per return of this express, 
 whether mv request may be complied with, as, on failure, 
 we shall endeavour to exert ourselves in the best manner 
 we can. 1 am, with great truth and esteem, Sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Jona. Trumijull. 
 
 Hon. Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 GENERAL THOMAS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Roxbury Camp, July 25, 1775. 
 
 Sir: There was information forwarded to Head-Quar- 
 ters yesterday, P. M., of the sailing of thirteen ships from 
 Boston. I sent one Captain Davis down the harbour to 
 watch their motions, and he reports, on his return, that 
 they put to sea, and stood their course about east-south- 
 east, which appears as if they were bound to the south- 
 ward; that course would lead them out by Cape Cod, and 
 to the chops of the South Channel. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient hum- 
 ble servant, John Thomas. 
 To his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON, FROM 
 AN OFFICER IN BOSTON, DATED JULY 25, 1775. 
 
 As far as 1 can guess from a matter not perfectly known, 
 we at present are worse off than the rebels. In point of 
 numbers they so surpass us, that we are like a few children 
 in the midst of a large crowd. Trusting to this superiori- 
 ty, they grow daily more and more bold, menacing us most 
 insolently, and we fear, when the days shorten, and dark 
 nights come on, they will put some of their threats in exe- 
 cution, unless other re-enforcements, and a fleet of men-of- 
 war arrive soon. They know our situation as well as we 
 do ourselves, from the villains that are left in Town, who 
 acquaint them with all our proceedings, making signals 
 by night with gunpowder, and at day out of the church 
 steeples. About three weeks ago three fellows were taken 
 out of one of the latter, who confess they had been so 
 employed for seven days. Another was caught last week 
 swimming over to the rebels, with one of their General's 
 passes in his pocket ; he will be hanged in a day or two. 
 
 Since we have been here, we have been re-enforced by 
 four Regiments ; but many of the men are very ill with 
 fluxes, occasioned by the bad water which they got on land- 
 ing, and the want of fresh provisions. No action has hap- 
 pened since the 17th of June. A few shot have been 
 exchanged by scouting parties ; one morning they beat in 
 our advanced guard, and burnt the guard-house ; and on 
 the 19th instant they set fire to the Light-house, and one of 
 our men-of-war lying but a mile from it. As it was calm we 
 could not get at them, their whale-boats, in which they 
 made their escape, outrowing any of our boats, and a small 
 island lying between them and the ship, prevented her 
 firing on them. They took from the Light-house a six 
 pounder and a swivel. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN LONDON TO 
 HIS FRIEND IN NEW-YORK, DATED JULY 26, 1775. 
 
 I have seen the Ministry, and conversed with the first 
 personages near our Sovereign, and with confidence can 
 assure you that I have not heard one word fall from the lips 
 of those people that had the least tendency to enslave the 
 Colonists. 1 find the language of humanity breathes forth; 
 their bosoms seem to heave with compassion for a people 
 under an unhappy delusion ; observe, I use the common 
 phrase here. Lord North's motion, as explained to me, and 
 generally understood in England, was certainly the ground- 
 work for a conciliatory superstructure, if not an ample 
 compliance with the demands of America. Its implica- 
 tion 1 shall confine within the compass of a few word, viz : 
 Great Britain to recede from external and internal taxa- 
 
 tion on each Colony giving, by way of requisition, money 
 towards defraying that expense necessary lor the defence 
 ol the Empire. Relieve me the quantum, as I am informed, 
 is not the object ; but an acknowledgment of that super- 
 intending power always exercised by Great Britain over 
 its external Dominions — a superintending power absolute- 
 ly necessary for promoting the happiness of Colonies so 
 widely differing in commercial interests. It is true Great 
 Britain reserves a power to lay duties on such articles of 
 commerce as interferes with its own manufactures; but the 
 revenue arising from such duties, to be carried to account 
 of the Colony where they are laid. It likewise reserves 
 a power to compel any refractory Colony to fulfil its engage- 
 ments. In our memory, good Sir, when some Colonies 
 refused to contribute their quotas when the service of Ame- 
 rica required its united force, even some of the Assem- 
 blies and Continental Conventions complained of it, and 
 declared that Parliament should interfere to compel the de- 
 linquent Colonies to do what was necessary. 
 
 1 am informed here that Parliament has, by its Constitu- 
 tion, certain inherent rights, which it cannot divest itself 
 of; that of a supreme legislative power over the extended 
 dominions is one. It may, and in this case I am very well 
 informed certainly will, give the Colonies such securities 
 that it will not exercise it, except in the cases above men- 
 tioned. The inexpediency of exercising this power over 
 the Colonies in all cases is manifest, that is, after the con- 
 troverted points are settled. Viewing the dispute in the 
 light I have here pointed it out, why will not America meet 
 England on friendly and equitable ground, and settle the 
 dispute by negotiation, rather than let the horrours of 
 civil war carry devastation through your once happy peace- 
 ful land. Painful reflection. This dispute must have an 
 end. If it is settled by the longest sword, the cause of 
 quarrel will be forgot, and the terms of peace adequate to 
 the success of the victorious. Why will the demands of 
 America be left in so precarious a situation ? The events 
 of war are uncertain ; the battle is not always in favour of 
 the strong. Every thing that I see round me, indicates 
 vigorous measures on the part of England. It is in peace 
 with its neighbouring states ; trade flourishing at home and 
 tranquillity in every County ; the Parliament at all events 
 determined to support its authority ; and I believe as willing 
 to give generous terms to the Colonies. 
 
 I have but too great reason to believe America has had 
 many false friends on this side the Atlantic};, I mean those 
 who convey from hence wrong accounts of the situation of 
 affairs here, which made the Americans view them through 
 a false medium. Local politicks influenced some, others 
 oppose Government on any principles, and care not if Ame- 
 rica was deluged in blood, if their private purposes were 
 answered. Why will not the friends of peace now stand 
 forth, and endeavour to heal the wound before it becomes 
 incurable? The spirit of England beats high. The most 
 vigorous measures you may depend on will he pursued. If 
 success attends the King's troops, you can easily foresee 
 the consequences: a flourishing and once happy country 
 reduced to the greatest distress ; commerce, that souce of 
 wealth, banished the coast; civil discord diffused through 
 all ranks of people ; the bands of civil society dissolved ; and 
 anarchy, with all its baneful attendants, substituted in the 
 place of good order. On the other hand, if the Provincials 
 succeed, it must be in the course of many hard-fought bat- 
 tles. And pray, will success on their side be an equivalent 
 for the loss they must sustain in the pursuit of it ? It will 
 not. The American trade must suffer ; the farmer, the 
 merchant, and the wealthy inhabitants who, by many years 
 industry, have purchased a peaceful retirement from the 
 busy world, must be reduced to the lowest ebb of distress. 
 And for what? In pursuit of an object which could be ob- 
 tained on easy and honourable terms. 
 
 Exert yourself, my dear friend, in your Country's cause. 
 Promote, as far as you can, a reconciliation between the 
 parent and her children. I wish not to see America lose 
 a particle of its right: but I wish to see that right obtained 
 in a manner consistent with the dignity of Britons and of 
 Christians. It has been said American Petitions have not 
 been received. Let not this opinion prevent another appli- 
 cation in this mode. If it is done in time, and constitu- 
 tionally, believe me, success will attend it. I love America; 
 I have chosen it voluntarily for my residence ; and I hope 
 
1729 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1730 
 
 to spend the evening of my life in your western world. 
 This is the impulsive cause of my writing so freely to you. 
 I am convinced the language I use would not be accept- 
 able to many on your Continent. It is the language of a 
 real friend to America. Be not any longer duped by a 
 discontented, disappointed faction on this side the Atlan- 
 tick ; nor the local politicks of false friends in America. 
 May kind Providence dissipate the impending clouds that 
 threaten your ruin ; and may the Olive once more extend 
 its branches over your Western world, is my sincere and 
 constant wish. 
 
 Salute, with great truth, for me the partner of your hap- 
 piness, and those tender branches you cherish with so much 
 care and parental affection. 
 
 You have my sentiments fully on American affairs. I say 
 nothing but what lean support; I never did, nor ever will. 
 
 MARINUS WILLETT AND OTHERS TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 New. York, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: Having freely accepted of the honourable 
 appointment which you have conferred upon us, as officers 
 to serve in defending the rights and liberties of our injured 
 and oppressed Country, permit us to lay before you the 
 great inconvenience which we must unavoidably suffer from 
 the necessity we are under of providing ourselves with 
 clothing, arms, &.c, if there is not some adequate provision 
 made to enable us to take the field. Were we possessed 
 of fortunes sufficient to support ourselves, we should be far 
 from troubling you with our solicitations upon this score, 
 and should esteem ourselves extremely happy in having the 
 opportunity of sacrificing both that and our lives in so glo- 
 rious a cause ; but as that is not the case, we are constrain- 
 ed to solicit your bounty, not doubting but you will consi- 
 der the peculiarity of our situation, and grant us such relief 
 as in your wisdom shall seem meet. 
 
 We are, gentlemen, in behalf and by order of the offi- 
 cers of our Regiment, your very humble servants, 
 
 Marinus Willett, James M. Hughes, 
 John Beekman, William Goforth. 
 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Province 
 of _iVeu>- York. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read September 14, 1775.] 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt 
 of your despatches of the 18th instant, (which were de- 
 livered to me last evening,) enclosing a copy of a speech 
 intended to be made to the Six Nations, the Declaration 
 of Congress, and a newspaper containing the Articles of 
 War. It gives me great satisfaction to learn, that a thou- 
 sand of the troops raised in the Colony of Connecticut are 
 ordered to Albany. 
 
 You will perceive, Sir, by the enclosed, that I am not 
 likely to have any other in time to act offensively, and 
 the necessity of such an operation becomes daily more 
 evident to me. It cannot be surprising, then, that I am 
 chagrined that I have not yet any of the stores here (nor do 
 I learn that they are arrived at Albany) for building craft to 
 carry me across this lake, nor any of the intrenching tools. 
 I have increased my carpenters, and they are constantly 
 employed in procuring the materials for building boats ; 
 the moment I have sufficient craft and carriages for a few 
 guns, I will pick my men and give them the best of the 
 arms, and proceed to St. John's. Major Brown left Crown 
 Point early on Monday morning, and as the winds have 
 been favourable to carry him to the north end of the lake, 
 1 hope he is now near Caughnawaga. He is accompanied 
 by a Canadian and three people from hence, and I trust 
 that he will bring me more certain intelligence of the state 
 of things in Canada than any we have yet had. 
 
 I am very happy that a Commissary-General and the 
 other appointments have taken place ; we really stood in 
 great need of them. Mr. Livingston is at Albany, and I 
 shall immediately give him directions for supplying the 
 Army, that we may not be retarded in that department. 
 I am very sorry to find so little pork in the Colony as is 
 mentioned in the enclosed letter, and for the want of the 
 arrival of fat cattle here, I am under the disagreeable ne- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ] 
 
 cessity of expending part of the little stock of pork I have 
 at this place and Crown Point. 
 
 I have not yet been able to execute your order relative 
 to the men employed in taking and garrisoning these for- 
 tresses. I find it will be extremely difficult to ascertain 
 their number with any degree of precision. 
 
 As an immediate Convention of the Indians at Albany is 
 indispensably necessary, I shall take the liberty to desire Mr. 
 Douw, and the Committee of Albany, to despatch the pro- 
 per messengers to invite them down ; and, as 1 cannot fix 
 on a day for the meeting, shall leave it to them, and re- 
 quest them to give notice to the other Commissioners, that 
 they may attend ; and as, in all probability, I will not be 
 present, I shall send the speech to Mr. Douw, to be de- 
 livered to his colleagues when they arrive at Albany. Mr. 
 Francis cannot be too early at Albany; that gentleman 
 might promote the business much, especially among the 
 Mohawk Tribe. 
 
 A fracas has happened in Tryon County, between the 
 well-affected and the Sheriff of the County. I enclose 
 the account I have received of it. It is a very alarming 
 circumstance, that four hundred men in that County, inim- 
 ical to our cause, should be possessed of arms. I should 
 be at no loss what measures to take, were it not on ac- 
 count of the delicate situation we are in with respect to 
 the Indians. Perhaps these people might be induced to 
 give up their arms (of which we are in great want) on 
 assurances that they will be protected from insult. 
 
 I shall leave great part of the troops ordered from New- 
 York at Albany, until I receive the necessaries for build- 
 ing, &.c, to prevent the expense of feeding them at this 
 place, unless any intelligence from Canada should make it 
 necessary to have them here sooner. 
 
 The artificers that I am under a necessity of taking out 
 of the troops here, will not work unless they are paid ; I 
 promised them the same that was allowed last war, only 
 until the determination of Congress. 
 
 I feel very sensibly the attention of Congress in the ap- 
 pointments I recommended, and in their assurances to give 
 me every support to enable me to do my duty; in the dis- 
 charge of which, I shall arduously strive to merit a contin- 
 uance of their countenance. 
 
 I have ventured on the measure of calling the Indians, 
 as they cannot be collected sooner than the first of Sep- 
 tember, if so soon, and in that time I supposed every ne- 
 cessary might be prepared for them. 
 
 I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your most obedient 
 and most humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., &tc. 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO GEN. SCHUYLER. 
 [Read in Congress September 14, 1775.] 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 15, 1775. $ 
 
 Sir : We have received your letters, and written to the 
 Continental Congress on these subjects. We shall, with 
 all despatch, send the officer you mention. We have 
 already ordered to Albany tents for one Regiment. Our 
 troops can be of no service to you ; they have no arms, 
 clothes, blankets, or ammunition ; the officers no commis- 
 sions ; our treasury no money; ourselves in debt. It is in 
 vain to complain ; we will remove difficulties as fast as we 
 can, and send you soldiers, whenever the men we have 
 raised are entitled to that name. The intrenching tools 
 shall be sent soon — some immediately — and all the pork that 
 can be had, about one hundred barrels. Use, we pray you, 
 the troops at Ticonderoga as well as you can. 
 
 We are, very sincerely, your countrymen and friends. 
 By order: Henry Williams, Chairman. 
 
 P. S. General Burgoyne has not been seen at Boston 
 since the 17th ultimo ; and it is currently reported and be- 
 lieved that he is gone to Quebeck. 
 
 SCHENECTADY (nEW-YORk) COMMITTEE TO GENERAL 
 SCHUYLER. 
 [Read in Congress September 14, 1775.] 
 
 Schenectady Committee-Chamber, July 23, 1775. 
 
 Honoured Sir : By an express just arrived from Caugh- 
 nawaga, we beg leave to acquaint you that there has been 
 
1731 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1732 
 
 a great alarm on the Mohawk River, with the Sheriff, 
 Alexander White, who has repeatedly insulted the inhabi- 
 tants, and at last brought it to such a height, by heaping 
 one crime on the top of another, that the people assembled 
 together in order to take him prisoner. He took shelter 
 under the protection of Sir John Johnson, who has about 
 four hundred men assembled for that purpose. Sir John 
 Johnson hath given his word of honour that the Sheriff is 
 gone off ; and by all accounts he is gone by way of Sacan- 
 dago, and so try to make his escape that way to Canada. 
 He doubtless is possessed of letters of consequence. We 
 therefore think proper to give you the earliest notice, as 
 your people may perhaps fall in with him, if they keep a 
 watchful eye. His pilots are two Indians. There is a 
 Sub-Committee from this Board, jointly with one from Al- 
 bany, gone up to Caughnawaga to see how matters stand. 
 We have the honour to be your very humble servants. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Christ. Yates, Chairman. 
 
 To General Schuyler. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I have just received a letter from Mr. 
 Williams, as Chairman of your Committee of Safety, in 
 the recess of the Congress. The difficulties you labour 
 under with respect to equipping the troops for the field, are 
 really very distressing. But yet I should hope that at least 
 some part of the troops might be furnished with arms, 
 clothing, and blankets, and such might be sent up. Would 
 it not be proper that those raising at Albany should have 
 clothing sent to them, if you have any at New-York be- 
 yond what will clothe such as have arms ? 
 
 For want of a variety of the articles which I begged 
 might be sent up, I cannot by any means prosecute the in- 
 tentions of the Continental Congress. If, therefore, they 
 are not yet sent, pray let no delay be made, lest we should 
 lose an opportunity of doing a service very essential to the 
 Colonies — to this in particular, and in which delay will be 
 fatal. 
 
 I am informed by the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., 
 that the Congress has recommended to you the appoint- 
 ment of an Adjutant-General or Brigade-Major for this 
 Department. An active man and a good disciplinarian is 
 much, very much wanted indeed, to fill the first mentioned 
 office. I beg that whoever you may appoint, you will 
 order hirn without delay to join me. I stand in great need 
 of his services. 
 
 Could not a gentleman be got to accept of a commission 
 as commander of the Artillery? Perhaps if rank was 
 given, it would induce some good man to undertake it. 
 Such an officer is so evidently necessary, that I hope this 
 recommendation will claim your attention. 
 
 I am very sensible of your spirited exertions in this criti- 
 cal day; and if I press you for farther assistance with a 
 seeming importunity, it is because the force of necessity 
 obliges me to it; it is because I wish to see my country- 
 men about me, that I may have their testimony of my 
 conduct. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect and with the 
 best wishes, your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Ph. Schuyler. 
 The Provincial Congress of New- York. 
 
 COLONEL JOSEPH REED TO GENERAL WOOSTER. 
 
 Cambridge, July 2G, 1775. 
 
 Sir: I am directed by his Excellency General Wash- 
 ington to inform you, that yesterday afternoon three men- 
 of-war, with a number of transports, sailed from Boston. 
 They steered E. S. E. after they got out, but we cannot 
 yet learn their destination, or whether they have taken off 
 any part of the troops of the enemy. As their designs 
 are so much unknown to us, and it is possible they may 
 move to New-York, the General thought proper to apprize 
 you of it, that you may be prepared for such an event. 
 This he would have done with his own hand, but he has 
 been much indisposed for some days past. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most humble servant, 
 Jusej'H Reed, Secretary. 
 
 JAMES CHRISTIE, JUN., TO THE PUBLICK. 
 
 Baltimore, July 27, 1775. 
 
 However disagreeable it is to every one to have their 
 private and confidential letters exposed to publick view, 
 yet I am in some measure compelled, by the necessity 
 of my situation, to publish the following letter, written 
 by me on the 22d of February last, to my friend and rela- 
 tion, Colonel Christie, at Antigua. I confess the whole 
 of the proceeding respecting this unfortunate affair has 
 been published very candidly by the Committee ; yet it is 
 to be observed, that only that part of my letter is publish- 
 ed where I gave my opinion of politicks. My letter, there- 
 fore, has been considered by many as a letter on publick 
 affairs only. Many representations, too, have been propa- 
 gated to our disadvantage. 
 
 The most superficial reader must perceive, from the date 
 of the letter, that it was written at a time when we had 
 heard nothing of their determinations in England on our pub- 
 lick affairs ; and this letter was intercepted at a time when, 
 perhaps, the affairs of this country did not necessarily re- 
 quire such a breach of trust, and such an invasion of pri- 
 vate rights. 
 
 The most superficial reader will easily observe, that this 
 is by no means a letter of politicks, or on publick affairs, 
 but merely on my private business, on the affairs of our 
 family, and those of our relations. In times like these, it 
 is almost impossible to avoid mentioning politicks amidst 
 the most private concerns; but I submit it to the candid, 
 whether the opinions I have mentioned did not arise natu- 
 rally and of course from the subject. As to the sentiments 
 themselves, I can only say, that though mentioned to an 
 officer, yet it was in confidence, to a relation and a friend, 
 without any expectation that they would ever give offence 
 to any, or even be productive of any publick measures 
 whatever. 
 
 I have only to regret, that in expressing my opinion of 
 measures which I then could not approve, because I did 
 not then think them promotive of the interest or happiness 
 of this country, I should have used expressions which have 
 give offence. With the humane, perhaps, my situation at 
 that time will plead my excuse. 
 
 James Christie, Jun. 
 james christie, jun., to lieut. gabriel christie. 
 
 Baltimore, February 2, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I duly received your favours of the 13th 
 and 22d November, and should probably have wrote you 
 before now, had I not met with the greatest misfortune in 
 the power of fate to inflict on me, in the loss of the wife 
 of my soul, on the 15th of December last, that has almost 
 put it out of my power to mind any thing for some time 
 past ; and all my fortitude is scarce sufficient to bear me 
 up ; however, I must submit. She had been brought to 
 bed of a girl about twenty days ; the dear little infant died 
 a few days after its mother. 
 
 I some time since remitted twenty-two pounds eight 
 shillings sterling, to be paid your mother for the boy's pas- 
 sage, (being twenty pounds, and interest on it at six per 
 cent, since 1 received the money,) and which, on the whole, 
 leaves them about seven pounds currency in my debt, which 
 I shall soon receive for rent. Charles's expense for cloth- 
 ing, schooling, &c, when ashore, runs high, but I think he 
 may now pay for himself. Gabriel has been with me three 
 or four months, and so far has behaved to my satisfaction ; 
 and I would flatter myself he may easily be broke of the 
 idle, indolent habit he has been acquiring. He applies 
 well to any thing I put him to, and after a while 1 hope 
 may do. 
 
 As your brother's correspondence and mine has been 
 suspended since a letter I wrote him about the boys, soon 
 after receipt of yours, I wrote my sister about John 
 Grreme's mandamus, and to get me the preference of it. 
 I have thought nothing more about it, and am now quite 
 undetermined. At present I think of going to Britain, so 
 soon as my affairs will admit of it, and leave my little boy 
 at Stirling; and, if things turn out to my liking, perhaps 
 I may remain, and set myself down either in London or 
 Glasgoiv. When I may get away is wholly uncertain — I 
 would hope some time next fall. We are in such terrible 
 
1733 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1734 
 
 confusion with our politicks, there is no depending on any 
 thing ; and that, added to other things, makes me wish 
 myself out of the Province. We are little behind the 
 New-Englanders, mustering, purchasing arms, ammuni- 
 tion, &tc. We have some violent fanatical spirits among 
 us, who do every thing in their power to run things to the 
 utmost extremity; and they are gone so far, that we mode- 
 rate people are under the necessity of uniting for our own 
 defence, after being threatened with expulsion, loss of life, 
 &.c, for not acceding to what we deem treason and rebel- 
 lion. 
 
 The Provost and family are all well. I believe he has 
 nothing lately from James. He has made inquiry about 
 negotiating bills on him in Bengal, and finds it may be 
 done at a disadvantage of twenty per cent., and thirty per 
 cent, more, if the bills are protested ; on the whole, fifty 
 per cent., in case of protest. Whether he will attempt it 
 or not I know not. Our publick affairs vex him, and he 
 wishes himself away; but I know not when, or if ever that 
 will happen. A part of your or any other Regiment, I 
 believe, would keep us very quiet. Do you expect to re- 
 main long in the West-Indies? I shall hope to hear from 
 you soon, and am, very truly, dear Sir, yours, 
 
 James Christie, Jun. 
 
 Lieut. Gabriel Christie, of the 60th Regiment, Antigua. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA MILITARY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Philadelphia July 27, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, tiie Officers of the Military Association for the 
 City and Liberties of Philadelphia have settled the Pay 
 of the following persons employed by them, at the rates 
 hereafter mentioned : 
 
 An Adjutant to receive seven Shillings and six Pence 
 per day; a Sergeant-Major thirty Shillings per week ; a 
 Drummer twenty Shillings per week ; a Fife-Major twen- 
 ty-five Shillings ; and a Fifer twenty Shillings per week : 
 
 And as extravagant demands have been made by some 
 of the persons employed in the forementioned capacities, 
 and threats made use of in case of non-compliance with 
 their demands, that they would leave their present employ 
 and go into the service of other Associators in this or the 
 neighbouring Provinces, the foregoing Regulation is pub- 
 lished, for the information of officers who are not of this 
 Corps. And it is earnestly requested that no officers em- 
 ploy any of the persons acting in the foregoing capacities 
 in this City and Liberties, without their producing a dis- 
 charge from the officer or officers under whom they now 
 do duty. Published by order : 
 
 Richard Peters, Secretary. 
 
 NEW-BRUNSWICK (NEW-JERSEY) COMMITTEE TO NEW-YORK 
 COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 City of New.Brunswick, July 27, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the 2lst instant came safe 
 to hand ; the contents of which was duly observed. 
 
 Application was immediately made to Mr. Merrill, who 
 says, about three weeks past a person coming from Egg- 
 Harbour, when within the Hook, saw a boat standing 
 down our bay, that he thought was loaded with flour, which 
 boat, he believes, went along side the man-of-war. This 
 is all he ever heard or knows of the matter. Every other 
 inquiry in our power has been made, but can make no fur- 
 ther discovery. 
 
 All intelligences and discoveries of every action inimical 
 to American liberty, and every matter of instruction for our 
 better preservation and protection, will be paid due regard 
 to and cheerfully received from you by the Committee of 
 this City. 
 
 Assure yourselves, gentlemen, that this Committee has 
 and ever will be ready to render to their country every ser- 
 vice in their power, and will continue to give a strict atten- 
 tion to, and duly observe all resolutions formed by the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 We are, with esteem, gentlemen, your obedient humble 
 servants. John Dennis, Chairman. 
 
 To Mr. Henry Williams, Chairman of the Committee of 
 
 Safety, New- York. 
 
 NEW-YORK CONGRESS TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir : In compliance with the request of Congress, which 
 you did us the honour to mention in your letters of the 
 17th and 19th of July instant, we have appointed William 
 Duer, Esquire, Deputy Adjutant-General, and taken the 
 liberty to give him, in his commission, which we received 
 yesterday, the rank of Colonel. 
 
 We beg leave to submit to the wisdom of Congress, 
 whether or not it will be proper to have a Major of Brigade 
 appointed also; and should it be deemed necessary, we 
 would readily decline the honour of nominating a person to 
 fill that office, having full confidence in the wisdom and 
 integrity of our Delegates, and being well convinced that 
 they will recommend no man who is not endued with 
 every qualification necessary to discharge any trust which 
 you may think proper to repose in him. 
 
 We are, with great respect, Sir, your countrymen and 
 servants. By order: 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston, President. 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., President of the Con- 
 tinental Congress. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 [Road September 14, 1775.] 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Since my last of yesterday, Captain Halsey, who 
 has commanded the sloop since she was left by her former 
 commander, arrived at this post. He reports that the 
 Schooner Liberty is returned from her cruise towards the 
 north end of Lake Champlain ; that about Isle-la-Motte 
 she fell in with two canoes, containing three Frenchmen 
 and as many Indians; that they informed the Captain that 
 Governour Carleton had in vain attempted to prevail upon 
 the savages to act against us ; that the Canadians would be 
 neuter, perhaps act in our favour ; that a picket fort, sur- 
 rounded with a ditch, is erected at St. John's ; that prepa- 
 rations were making for mounting cannon ; that the Regular 
 Troops at that place consisted of about four hundred and 
 fifty men ; that two men from Crown Point, who were car- 
 rying an Indian boy, on his return from Mr. Wheelock's 
 school, into Canada, had been made prisoners and detain- 
 ed ; and that a scouting party of Regular Troops has been 
 almost as far south as Mr. Gilleland's, about thirty-five 
 miles from hence. 
 
 Captain Baker, who left Crown Point with the party 
 to carry the Indian boy, but separated from them, fell in 
 with some Indians at Missisque. Their information con- 
 firms the above. His is enclosed. 
 
 In this situation of affairs, no manoeuvre appears to me 
 more necessary than an immediate movement to St. John's, 
 which will determine what we are to expect from the Cana- 
 dians ; and this known, any future military operations in this 
 quarter may be regulated by it. But how to get there ? 
 All the craft I am possessed of (and I have already bought 
 or engaged all the pettiaugers belonging to the inhabitants 
 here) will not carry at the most more than five hundred and 
 fifty men ; nor are any of the stores mentioned in a former 
 letter of mine, as yet arrived here. It is probable, from 
 the letter which I yesterday transmitted to you, that they 
 have not yet left New-York, and without them 1 cannot 
 proceed, even if I had boats ; for as my whole stock of 
 powder will be less than three tons when that from Phila- 
 delphia arrives, I must necessarily not fire a gun without 
 certain execution, and therefore want the intrenching tools, 
 which are part of the articles, to make the approaches up 
 to their very ditch ; and that cannot be done with the few 
 tools I have here. 
 
 Although you will perceive by the enclosed return, that 
 my stock of provisions is very scant, yet I shall not be 
 detained on that account, as it may follow me. I shall 
 make all the despatch 1 possibly can, and move the mo- 
 ment I am in a condition for it. 
 
 It appears to me highly necessary that more powder 
 should be sent up ; for if even I should be fortunate enough 
 to succeed against St. John's with the little I have, it can- 
 not be expected that much would be left. But if I should 
 be under the disagreeable necessity of retreating, the want 
 
 * 
 
1735 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1736 
 
 of it might be followed with the loss of this fortress and 
 command of the lake. 
 
 I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Ph. Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 
 An Account of the voyage of Captain Remember Baker, 
 begun the 13th day of July, and ended July 25, 1775, 
 on Lake Champlain. 
 
 On the 16th instant an Indian trader informed him that 
 general orders were given out by Governour Carleton not 
 to fire on our people, nor to pass the line, nor even to fire 
 on our parties, if they were even to come to St. John's, 
 but to take them, if possible ; but that it proved to be false. 
 This information he received from Esquire Metcalf and one 
 Sear. 
 
 On the same day he sent two lads with an Indian boy 
 over the line ; that they did not return, but has been since 
 informed by Frenchmen and Indians, that they were taken. 
 
 Messrs. Sear and Metcalf informed him that the Regu- 
 lars were intrenched at St. John's, with twelve cannon 
 mounted, and four hundred and fifty men ; that they keep 
 scouts out in a large birch canoe. 
 
 That he was in company with Indians of two Nations, 
 St. Francois and Conesadaga, and was treated with great 
 civility, and was supplied with provisions by them. They 
 informed him that seven Nations had agreed not to fight the 
 Yankees, and have sent three men to Boston to confirm it 
 with the Congress. The Towns are Lolet, Conesadaga, 
 Panomscut, Caughnawaga, St. Francois, Wesunkanaugh, 
 and Wolenuck ; that each Town had appointed one cap- 
 tain and one governour, who had convened and made a 
 governour over the whole. Remember Baker. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 26, 1775. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 27, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : Since my letter of yesterday I have re- 
 ceived such intelligence as makes it indispensably neces- 
 sary that not one moment's delay should be made in for- 
 warding me the stores mentioned in the estimate I delivered 
 you on the 3d of July. I have a number of carpenters, 
 and no materials to employ them. A thousand of the Con- 
 necticut Troops are ordered to join me ; and 1 do most, most 
 earnestly entreat that such of the men raised in this Colony 
 as are furnished with arms, may be sent to Albany without 
 any delay. General Montgomery is there to forward them 
 to me. 
 
 I am, gentlemen, with great esteem and respect, your 
 most obedient humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 The New-York Provincial Congress. 
 
 GEN. WASHINGTON TO JOHN AUGUSTINE WASHINGTON. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Dear Brother: On the 2d instant I arrived at this 
 place, after passing through a great deal of delightful coun- 
 try, covered with grass, (although the season has been dry,) 
 in a manner very different from our lands in Virginia. 
 
 I found a mixed multitude of people here, under very 
 little discipline, order, or government ; the enemy in pos- 
 session of a place called Bunker's Hill, on Charlestons 
 Neck, strongly intrenched, and fortifying themselves ; part 
 of our own Army on two hills, called Winter and Prospect 
 Hills, about a mile and a quarter from the enemy on 
 Bunker's Hill, in a very insecure state; another part at 
 this village; and a third part at Roxbury, guarding the 
 entrance in and out of Boston. My whole time since I 
 came here, has been employed in throwing up lines of 
 defence at these three several places, to secure, in the first 
 instance, our own Troops from any attempts of the enemy; 
 and, in the next place, to cut off all communication between 
 their Troops and the country. To do this, and to prevent 
 them from penetrating into the country with fire and sword, 
 and to harass them if they do, is all that is expected of me. 
 If effected, it must totally overthrow the designs of Admin- 
 istration, as the whole force of Great Brituin in the Town 
 and Harbour of Boston, can answer no other end than to 
 sink her under the disgrace and weight of the expense. 
 The enemy's strength, including marine forces, is com- 
 
 puted, from the best accounts I can get, at about twelve 
 thousand men ; ours, including sick and absent, at about 
 sixteen thousand ; but then we have to guard a semicircle 
 of eight or nine miles, to every part of which we are 
 obliged to be equally attentive; whilst they, situated as it 
 were in the centre of the semicircle, and having the entire 
 command of the water, can bend their whole force against 
 any one part of it with equal facility. This renders our 
 situation not very agreeable, though necessary. However, 
 by incessant labour, Sundays not excepted, we are in a 
 much better posture of defence now than when I first 
 came. The enclosed, though rough, will give you some 
 small idea of Boston and the bay on this side, as also of the 
 post they have taken on Charlestown Neck at Bunker's 
 Hill, and of our posts. 
 
 The enemy are sickly, and in want of fresh provisions. 
 Beef, which is chiefly got by slaughtering their milch cows 
 in Boston, sells from one shilling to eighteen pence sterling 
 per pound ; and that it may not become cheaper, or more 
 plenty, I have driven all the stock within a considerable 
 distance of this place, back into the country, out of the 
 way of the men-of-war's boats. In short, I have done, 
 and shall continue to do, every thing in my power to dis- 
 tress them. The transports have all arrived, and their 
 whole re-enforcement is landed, so that I can see no rea- 
 son why they should not, if they ever attempt it, come 
 boldly out, and put the matter to issue at once. If they 
 think themselves not strong enough to do this, they surely 
 will carry their arms (having ships-of-war and transports 
 ready) to some other part of the Continent, or relinquish 
 the dispute; the last of which, the Ministry, unless com- 
 pelled, will never agree to do. Our works and those of 
 the enemy are so near, and the space between us so open, 
 that each sees every thing the other is doing. 
 
 I recollect nothing more worth mentioning. I shall 
 therefore conclude, with my best wishes and love to my 
 sister and the family, and compliments to any inquiring 
 friends. Your most affectionate brother, 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Cambridge Camp, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir : Yesterday a deputation from the Provincial Con- 
 gress of New- Hampshire attended me, with a request that 
 three companies raised in their Province, and now posted 
 on Connecticut River, at and between the two Colonies, 
 commanded by Captain Timothy Bedell, James Osgood, 
 and John Parker, might be continued for the security of 
 the frontiers of that Province on the Continental establish- 
 ment. As it did not appear to me that their request could 
 be complied with, and as 1 apprehend you may have more 
 immediate occasion for them than I have, 1 thought it proper 
 to give you the earliest notice where they are, that if you 
 think proper you may order them to join the Troops under 
 your command ; in which case you will please to write to 
 Matthew Thornton, Esq., President of the Provincial Con- 
 gress. Each company consists of sixty-five men, including 
 officers, and are reported to me as able-bodied, stout, active 
 fellows, used to the woods, capable of any duty, and hav- 
 ing an acquaintance with Canada. But you will please to 
 remember that they must continue under their own officers, 
 to whom they are attached, and subject only to superiour 
 command. We have had no transaction of any conse- 
 quence since I wrote you last. Our Army is in good health 
 and spirits, well supplied with all kinds of provisions. The 
 situation of the enemy is directly the reverse, and we have 
 reason to think desertions will be very great ; four have 
 come out within the last twenty-four hours. 
 
 I am, Sir, with much esteem, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 To Philip Schuyler, Esq., Major-General, Ticonderoga. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 27, 1775. 
 Sir : Nothing material has occurred in either camp since 
 I had the honour of addressing you on the twenty-first in- 
 stant by express. But on Tuesday, three men-of-war and 
 nine transports sailed out of Boston Harbour, and stood a 
 course about east-south-east, 
 
1737 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1738 
 
 One Groves, who came out of Boston the same evening, 
 informed the officer at one of the out-posts, that the trans- 
 ports had on board six hundred men, and were bound to 
 Block-Island, Fisher's- Island, and Long-Island, to plunder 
 them and bring off what cattle they may find. The fellow 
 returned again into Boston, under such suspicious circum- 
 stances, that it has led me to doubt the truth of his intelli- 
 gence. A deserter, who came in afterwards, informs me 
 that it was given out in their camp that they were either 
 gone for Indians or fresh provisions, and that each transport 
 had but twenty men on board. Upon this intelligence I 
 immediately wrote to Governour Cooke, of Rhode-Island, 
 and to General Woostcr, that they might use proper pre- 
 cautions for removing the cattle off those islands and the 
 coasts, and to prevent any surprise. As we are confirmed 
 by every account in the scarcity of fresh provisions in the 
 enemy's camp, and particularly by this deserter, who says 
 they have had none since the battle of Ledngton, it is very 
 probable this voyage may be only intended for a supply; 
 but as it may possibly be otherwise, I thought it best to 
 transmit the intelligence to the honourable Congress, that 
 they may forward it to the southward, or take such other 
 step as they may judge proper. 
 
 Since writing the above, three men (deserters) have come 
 out, which make four in twenty-four hours. Their accounts 
 correspond with those of the first who came out, and which 
 I have related above. 
 
 I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient and 
 very humble servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 GENERAL HEATH TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Camp at Roxbury, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that 
 Major Vose, of my own Regiment, besides securing the 
 barley on Nantasket, yesterday morning landed on the 
 Light-House Island with six or seven boats ; the Light- 
 House was set on fire and the wood-work burnt. The party 
 brought off three casks of oil, all the furniture of the Light- 
 House, about fifty pounds of gunpowder, a quantity of cor- 
 dage, &,c, an inventory of which will be forwarded to your 
 Excellency. Some of the brave men who effected this 
 with their lives in their hands, have just now applied to 
 me, to know whether it was to be considered as plunder or 
 otherwise. I was not able to determine this matter, but 
 told them that I would lay the matter before your Excel- 
 lency. I would beg leave to add, that these brave men 
 were, some of them, at Grape-Island, Deer-Island, and at 
 Long-Island, when each of those islands were stripped of 
 their stock, &ic. 
 
 I have the honour to be your Excellency's most obedi- 
 ent and very humble servant, W. Heath. 
 
 To his Excellency General Washington. 
 
 ORDERS BY GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 22, 1775. 
 (Parole, Nantasket.) (Countersign, Mississippi.) 
 
 A Court of Inquiry to sit forthwith ; President, Doctor 
 Foster; Doctor Warren and Doctor Eustace, members; to 
 examine into a complaint exhibited by Mr. John Spalding, 
 Surgeon to Gen. Putnam's Regiment, against Mr. Penuel 
 Chiney, Surgeon's-mate of the said Regiment; all evi- 
 dences to attend the Court. 
 
 Captain Israel Putnam, and Lieutenant Samuel Webb, 
 being appointed Aids-de-Camp to Major-General Putnam, 
 they are to be obeyed as such. 
 
 Regularity and due subordination being so essentially 
 necessary to the good order and government of an army, 
 and without it the whole must soon become a scene of dis- 
 order and confusion, the General finds it indispensably 
 necessary, without wailing any longer for despatches from 
 the General Continental Congress, immediately to form the 
 Army into three grand divisions, and of dividing each of 
 those grand divisions into two Brigades. He therefore 
 orders that the following Regiments, viz : General Ward's, 
 Gen. Thomas's, Colonel Felloivs's, Colonel Cotton's, Col- 
 onel Danielson's, and Colonel D. Brewer's, compose one 
 brigade, and be under the command of Brigadier-Gene- 
 ral Thomas; that General Spencer's, Colonel Parsons' s, 
 
 Colonel Learned's, Colonel Walker's, Colonel J. Read's, 
 Independents, compose another brigade, to be commanded 
 by Brigadier-General Spencer. That these two brigades 
 compose the right wing or division of the Army, and be 
 under the command of Major-General Ward, and remain 
 at Roxbury and its southern dependancies. That Colonel 
 Stark's, Colonel Poor's, Colonel Reid's, of New- Hamp- 
 shire, and Colonel Nixon's, Colonel Mansfield's, Colonel 
 Doolittle's, of Massachusetts, be formed into another bri- 
 gade, under the command of Brigadier-General Sullivan, 
 and posted on Winter Hill. That Colonel Varnum's, Col- 
 onel Hitchcock's, Colonel Church's, of Rhode-Island, and 
 Colonel Whitcomb's, Colonel Gardner's, Colonel J. Brew- 
 er's, Col. Little's, of Massachusetts, be formed into another 
 brigade, and commanded by Brigadier-General Green, and 
 posted upon Prospect Hill, and these two brigades compose 
 the left wing, or second division of the Army, under the 
 command of Major-General Lee. That General Putnam's, 
 Colonel Glover's, Colonel Frye's, Colonel Bridge's, Col. 
 Woodbridge's, Colonel Sergeant's, be formed into another 
 brigade, under the command of the senior officer therein, 
 and until the pleasure of the Continental Congress be 
 known, these two brigades to be under the command of 
 Major-General Putnam; also a corps-de-reserve for the 
 defence of the several posts north of Roxbury, not already 
 named. 
 
 The arrangement now ordered to take place is to be 
 made as speedily as possible, and the Majors- General are 
 to see it done accordingly; some inconveniences may arise 
 to certain individuals by this change, but as the good of the 
 service requires it to be made, an alert and ready compli- 
 ance is expected. 
 
 All applications from henceforward, by officers or sol- 
 diers, for leave of absence, are to be made to the Major- 
 General commanding each division, who is to judge of the 
 propriety of the application, and grant furloughs where they 
 see cause, without applying to the Commander-in-Chief, 
 provided it be not contrary to General Orders. 
 
 General Heath's Regiment is to take post at No. 2, in 
 lieu of General Ward's; Colonel Pattersons remains at 
 No. 3 ; Colonel Scammons's to occupy No. 1, and the re- 
 doubt between that and No. 2 ; Colonel Prescolt's Regi- 
 ment to take post at the redoubt upon Sewell's Point; Col. 
 Gerrish's Regiment to furnish the Companies for Chelsea, 
 Maiden, and Medford. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 23, 1775. 
 (Parole, Brunswick.) (Countersign, Princeton.) 
 
 As the Continental Army have unfortunately no uniforms, 
 and consequently many inconveniences must arise from not 
 being able always to distinguish the commissioned officers 
 from the non-commissioned, and the non-commissioned from 
 the privates, it is desired that some badges of distinction 
 may be immediately provided ; for instance, the Field-Offi- 
 cers may have red or pink coloured cockades in their hats, 
 the Captains yellow or buff, and the Subalterns green ; they 
 are to furnish themselves accordingly. The Sergeants may 
 be distinguished by an epaulette, or stripe of red cloth 
 sewed upon the right shoulder, the Corporals by one of 
 green. 
 
 The people employed to make spears, are desired by 
 the General to make four dozen of them immediately, thir- 
 teen feet in length, and the wood part a good deal more sub- 
 stantial than those already made ; those, particularly, in the 
 New-Hampshire lines, are ridiculously short and light and 
 can answer no sort of purpose ; no more are therefore to 
 be made on the same model. 
 
 The commanding officers of the different works and posts 
 are once more enjoined to furnish themselves with a suffi- 
 cient number of gabions and fascines, which are to stop up 
 the entrances of their respective redoubts and lines, and to 
 repair their works, which may either be damaged by the 
 weather or the fire of the enemy. It is observed that 
 several of the entrances of the redoubts are still left open 
 without any sort of defence, the commanding officers of 
 each redoubt are therefore ordered to cut a wide deep ditch 
 at the entrances, and throw a bridge of strong plank across ; 
 this is to be done without delay. 
 
 John Davis, of Captain Foster's Company, in Colonel 
 Gridley's Regiment of Artillery, tried for " desertion and 
 
1739 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1740 
 
 suspicion of intending to go to the enemy," is acquitted by 
 the General Court-Martial. 
 
 Ensign Trafton, accused by Colonel Scammons of " abu- 
 sive language to the said Colonel Scammons while under 
 arrest," tried by a General Court-Martial, of which Col- 
 onel Nixon was President. The Court are unanimously 
 of opinion that the prisoner is not guilty, and do therefore 
 acquit him with honour. 
 
 Lieutenant Trafton to be forthwith released from his 
 arrest. 
 
 Michael Bury, of Captain Parker's Company, and Col. 
 Prescotl's Regiment, tried by the same General Court- 
 Martial for " refusing his duty and enlisting in another 
 Company." The Court condemn the prisoner, and order 
 him to receive thirty-nine lashes. The General orders the 
 sentence to be put in execution at the head of the Regi- 
 ment the delinquent belongs to. 
 
 Head-Quartors, Cambridge, July 24, 1775. 
 (Parole, Salisbury.) (Countersign, Cumberland.) 
 
 It being thought proper to distinguish the Majors from 
 the Brigadiers-General by some particular mark, for the 
 future the Majors-General will wear a broad purple ribband. 
 
 Notwithstanding the General Orders marking the distinc- 
 tions of General Officers, Aids-de-Camp, Sic, the Gene- 
 rals are frequently stopped by the sentinels, which can only 
 happen from the Captains having neglected to read the 
 orders to their respective Companies. If any General Offi- 
 cer, Aid-de-Camp, or Major of Brigade, is again stopped 
 through the ignorance of the sentinels, the Captains will 
 be responsible. 
 
 As any attempt the enemy, from their late disappoint- 
 ments, may have the rashness or the hardiness to make, 
 will be violent and sudden, the General expects the officers 
 and soldiers will be not only resolute but alert to defeat; 
 and in a particular manner he enforces his orders to every 
 field-officer, upon no account (duty excepted) to lay out of 
 camp, but upon every occasion to shew by their example 
 that activity and steady courage so necessary to defeat an 
 enterprising enemy. 
 
 Notwithstanding the orders of the eleventh instant, ex- 
 pressly forbidding all officers and soldiers from quitting their 
 guard before they are regularly relieved and dismissed, the 
 General is informed such unsoldierlike practices are still 
 committed ; he therefore admonishes all officers and non- 
 commissioned officers, not to suffer any person to quit their 
 guard upon any pretence, care to be taken the men are 
 properly supplied with provisions before they mount guard. 
 
 Report being this morning made to the General, that the 
 main guard room is kept abominably filthy and dirty ; for 
 the future, one commanding officer is not to relieve another 
 upon that guard, until he is assured that the officers and 
 men's apartments are clean and in decent order. 
 
 The Surgeon of every Regiment in the lines, redoubts, 
 or in or near Cambridge, to deliver to-morrow, at twelve at 
 noon, to the Adjutant-General at Head-Quarters, an exact 
 return of the sick in the Regiments they respectively be- 
 long to ; the names, rank, and disorder of each officer, 
 non-commissioned officer, and soldier, to be mentioned in 
 the return. The returns of the Surgeons of the corps sta- 
 toned in and near Roxbury, to be made to the command- 
 ing General at Roxbury, Tuesday noon, in the manner and 
 form directed by the above order, and the General com- 
 manding at Roxbury will transmit them to Head-Quarters 
 at orderly time, Wednesday. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 25, 1775. 
 (Parole, Halifax.) (Countersign, Turk.) 
 
 Continual complaints being made that soldiers of regi- 
 ments and companies, after enlisting in one company and 
 regiment, have gone and enlisted in another, insomuch that 
 it would engross the General's whole time to hear the dis- 
 putes upon this subject ; for the future, any officers who 
 have any dispute in regard to the men re-enlisted, are to 
 apply to the Brigadier commanding their Brigade, who will 
 order a Court-Martial of the Brigade to hear and determine 
 the matter. 
 
 The General Court-Martial, of which Colonel Nixon was 
 President, to be dissolved this evening, and another Gene- 
 ral Court-Martial of the line to sit to-morrow morning at 
 the usual time and place, to try such prisoners as shall be 
 
 brought before them. All evidences and persons concerned 
 to attend the Court. 
 
 Head. Quarters, Cambridge, July 26, 1775. 
 (Puole, Amsterdam.) (Counlenign, Amboy.) 
 
 It is recommended to the commanding officers of corps, 
 that all coverings made of boards be built in the form of 
 barracks, and in the most advantageous manner, at the same 
 time so contrived as to be warm and comfortable in cold 
 weather. 
 
 All passes to be discontinued for the future, and no per- 
 son to be admitted into the lines unless introduced by an 
 officer who can vouch for him, or by order of the officer 
 commanding in the lines. 
 
 It being represented that the present hospital is not large 
 enough to contain the sick, Lieutenant-Governour Oliver's 
 house is to be cleared for that purpose, and care to be taken 
 that no injury is done to it. 
 
 Notwithstanding the strict and repeated orders that have 
 been given against firing small-arms, it is hourly practised. 
 All officers commanding guards, posts, and detachments, to 
 be alert in apprehending all future transgressors. 
 
 Captain Clarke, of General Putnam's Regiment, con- 
 fined in arrest for " neglect of duty when upon guard," 
 tried by a late General Court-Martial, is acquitted, and is 
 immediately to be released from his arrest. 
 
 Levi Woods, soldier in Captain Nutting's Company, in 
 Colonel Prescott's Regiment, confined for " absenting him- 
 self without leave, and refusing to take the oath, and threat- 
 ening to leave the Army." The Court-Martial, upon the 
 prisoner's pleading guilty, and promising to behave obedi- 
 ently for the future, recommended him to the General's 
 mercy ; who is pleased to pardon the prisoner. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Cambridge, July 27, 1775. 
 (Parole, Bedford.) (Countersign, Guilford.) 
 
 John Trumbull, Esq., being appointed Aid-de-Camp to 
 his Excellency the Commander-io-Chief, he is to be obeyed 
 as such. 
 
 A Court of Inquiry to sit to-morrow morning at eight 
 o'clock in the tutor's chamber, (Mr. Hall,) to examine into 
 a complaint, exhibited upon oath in the publick newspa- 
 pers, against Mr. Benjamin Whiting, now a prisoner in the 
 college. All evidences, and persons concerned, to attend 
 the Court. 
 
 For the future, when any deserters come to any of the 
 out guards, they are, with the least delay, to be sent by a 
 corporal's guard to the next guard in the lines, who is im- 
 mediately to escort them in the same manner to the Major- 
 General commanding that division of the Army, who, as 
 soon as he has examined them, will forthwith send them 
 under a proper escort from his guard to the Head-Quarters. 
 Some deserters being made drunk, who came last night from 
 the enemy, before they reached Head-Quarters, it will be 
 considered as a breach of orders in any person who gives rum 
 to deserters, before they are examined by the General. 
 
 A subaltern officer's guard to be mounted to-morrow 
 morning at eight o'clock, at a certain distance from the 
 Small-Pox Hospital ; the officer to come this evening at 
 six o'clock to the Adjutant-General for orders. 
 
 COLONEL HURD TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE CONGRESS. 
 
 Haverhill, Cohoos, July 27, 1775. 
 Sir : Though I am not of any Committee of Correspon- 
 dence, yet, as a member of the Provincial Congress, I take 
 this opportunity to acquaint you that the bearer, Colonel 
 Bayley, goes down to Exeter and Cambridge (and will call 
 on you in his way) expressly on purpose to accompany an 
 Indian, by name Louis, of the Caughnawaga Tribe, who is 
 just come in here from Montreal by way of the Lake Mem- 
 phremagog and Upper Cohoos ; the same who sent us these 
 advices in the letter which 1 carried down and communi- 
 cated to the Congress at the last session. He has all along 
 appeared friendly to the New-England people, is very in- 
 telligent, and has the character among the Indian traders of 
 an honest fellow, who has always stood by and made good 
 his word. 
 
 Though no very remarkable occurrence has taken place 
 in Canada that he informs of, yet the account he gives of 
 the present disposition of the Indians and Canadians, and 
 the situation of the Regular Troops there, seems so inte- 
 
1741 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1742 
 
 resting, we have thought his information might be of service 
 to the American cause. That your Committee of Safety, 
 as well as the gentlemen of the Massachusetts and the 
 Generals at Cambridge, would not be displeased with an 
 opportunity to converse with him, for which reason we have 
 persuaded Louis (having given a few small presents, and 
 engaging some pay for his time) to make a journey down 
 the country, paying a visit first to you, or your Committee 
 at Exeter, and thence to the Army at Cambridge; and 
 Colonel Bayley is so good as to undertake conducting him, 
 having formerly some acquaintance with him. His time is 
 short ; he says he could not leave Montreal without a pass 
 from the Governour, and a promise to return in about twenty 
 days, as if going out upon a hunt. He speaks very good 
 French, and English tolerably well, so as to be easily un- 
 derstood. By what we have learnt from him, our people 
 are much easier in their settlements on these frontiers than 
 they have been heretofore. For further particulars I must 
 refer to Colonel Bayley. My best respects attend you and 
 the gentlemen of the Committee ; and am, Sir, your most 
 humble obedient servant, John Hurd. 
 
 The Honourable Matthew Thornton, Esq. 
 
 P. S. Captain Bedell has mustered his Company and 
 paid them their month's advance ; he would have readily 
 attended on this Indian to wait upon your Committee, had 
 not Colonel Bayley offered. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN PHILADEL- 
 PHIA, DATED LONDON, JULY 28, 1775. 
 
 I am grieved to the soul at seeing our political disputes 
 arrive to so terrible a crisis. The 25th instant we received 
 the account of the battle of Charlestoivn, near Boston; we 
 have only the Government account, none from the Provin- 
 cials. However, General Gage makes out two hundred 
 and twenty-six killed, and eight hundred and twenty-eight 
 wounded, of the Regulars. It is schocking to humanity 
 to think that so much blood should be spilt through the 
 obstinacy of a few men, who now plainly see they are ex- 
 hausting the blood and treasure of this Kingdom to no pur- 
 pose. We are anxious here to have some certain account 
 from the Provincials of that battle. The Ministry do not 
 now scruple to say, these bloody measures originate from 
 the King himself, who absolutely persists in the plan of 
 reducing the Americans at all events. It is generally 
 thought that Lord North was against sending out Troops, 
 but as to the others, 1 fancy they see the improbability of 
 executing their plan, and therefore prudently (but basely) 
 endeavour to throw the whole odium on their Royal Mas- 
 ter's head. 
 
 People here are very anxious to hear the resolves of the 
 Congress ; and those who a week ago thought General 
 Gage had Troops enough to march through America, now 
 alter their tone, on finding the dispute for a mile of ground 
 cost him one thousand and fifty-four men wounded and 
 slain ; they begin to think Gage must be content to keep 
 possession of Boston, and that the New-Englanders are 
 men of more courage than they dreamed of. We have 
 received accounts from Georgia, that the people of that 
 Province have acceded to the resolves of the Continental 
 Congress. I wish it may be true, as the Tories here promi- 
 sed their cause great support from that Province keeping 
 their ports open. It is said a Regiment of Highlanders is 
 to be sent out, and ten thousand Hanoverians — I don't 
 know how true; but this you may depend on, that several 
 more ships are put into commission, and are intended for 
 America ; also I know it as a fact, that a great deal of 
 ammunition and warlike stores were lately sent to Boston, 
 from which you may judge of the disposition of our rulers. 
 
 P. S. I was this day in company with a boat-builder, 
 who informed me that Government has contracted for a 
 considerable number of flat-bottomed boats to be finished 
 in the three weeks, and that he has engaged to build twelve 
 by that time. 
 
 EXTRACT OF ANOTHER LETTER FROM LONDON, DATED JULY 
 
 29, 1775. 
 
 As in all probability the means of communication between 
 us will soon be stopped, I am constrained to write even 
 when I have nothing of importance to communicate. We 
 
 have at length got an account from Government of the 
 battle of the 17th of June, for which, garbled as it is, we 
 are indebted to the ingenuity of some, who, suspecting that 
 they had been in possession of the news some days, sat 
 down and wrote an account of a battle, such as they thought 
 likely to be fought, and sent it to the papers ; which was 
 published the next morning. As it defeated the Regulars 
 with great slaughter, and as it was wrote with great sem- 
 blance of truth, it threw Administration into confusion. 
 They huddled up an account immediately, and sent it to 
 the Gazette, which in course was to be published about 
 eight o'clock that evening; but by the time the impres- 
 sion was thrown off, they found themselves so much dissa- 
 tisfied even with the account of their own making, that 
 they sent and had it destroyed, and prepared that which 
 they have now given us ; by which means the Town was 
 kept waiting till two o'clock in the morning, before the 
 Gazette was published. This account, favourable as it no 
 doubt is, compared with the truth, (for we as yet have had 
 none from the Provincials,) has had a wonderful effect. 
 The minds of people on the side of Government, even of 
 those that were most sanguine, begin to be soured. Those 
 who made no doubt of the success of the Troops, cannot 
 help expressing their discontent ; and they who used to 
 speak most contemptuously of the Provincials, complain 
 now that Administration should send such a handful of men 
 to be devoured by such multitudes. What will be done 
 next is somewhat problematical. 'Tis said orders are 
 despatched to General Gage not to hazard another battle 
 till he is re-enforced. Query, Will the Provincials let him 
 alone ? Government has sent many thousand stand of arms 
 to Quebeck, in hopes of getting the Canadians to take up 
 arms against you ; and they talk of sending a Highlarul 
 Regiment of one thousand men complete. This, and many 
 other things they talk of, together with the men-of-war, 
 must create a deal of expense; and whether Lord North 
 will be hardy enough to meet Parliament with a requisi- 
 tion of so much money, and whether Parliament will grant 
 it, is another question. Parliament is prorogued to the 
 14th of September, and it is not improbable they may not 
 choose to meet it till some time in November, as usual. In 
 the meantime, your Provincials have gained immortal hon- 
 our. I should have told you that it has been advised to 
 order General Gage to relinquish Boston, after burning it, 
 and to fortify himself on Rhode-Island ; whence, by means 
 of his ships and men, to make descents upon your coast, 
 laying waste where you are least prepared to oppose him. 
 God give you wisdom, fortitude, and success. 
 
 TO THE PRINTER OF THE MORNING CHRONICLE. 
 
 London, July 28, 1775. 
 Our present disputes with the Colonies in America have 
 engaged the attention of all ranks of people in this Coun- 
 try ; from the Senate to the cellar, all have given their 
 opinions thereon, and they have been as different as the 
 several stations they hold in life, or the colours of their 
 complexions. 
 
 It is an argument made use of by the friends to Ame- 
 rica, that Britain has, ever since her first settlement there, 
 ruled her with an arbitrary curb of power, and imposed 
 shackles on her trade and commerce unfitting the sons of 
 Englishmen to bear. The present spirit which appears 
 amongst them to redress their grievances, is no way won- 
 derful, they say, but that it is matter of astonishment that 
 they have borne their ill-treatment thus long. The parti- 
 sans of Government, one and all, cry out, that the liberty 
 granted hitherto to the Americans has most assuredly 
 caused the present disturbances, and if they had been kept 
 all along under due subjection, and not indulged in that 
 unlimited power they have very improperly been indulged 
 in, things would not have worn the face they now do, and 
 that Government may thank themselves for having such 
 disagreeable work cutout for them, and which might easily 
 have been prevented, in crushing that power in the begin- 
 ning which the people of America have for some time past 
 assumed. 
 
 'Tis a principle in politicks with the Ministerial party, 
 that power ought not to be given to the people. An opin- 
 ion like this could never be propagated by any man who 
 was not more than suspected of being corrupt. Such doc- 
 
1743 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1744 
 
 trine, I think, cannot be too often exposed, nor do I think 
 an Englishman can spend his time better at this juncture, 
 than to inquire into the nature of power, and impartially 
 consider in whose hands it may prove most dangerous, and 
 where it may be most effectual for the security of that in- 
 valuable blessing, liberty. 
 
 Many states, I think, may be named where the govern- 
 ing and ministerial part have, by force or fraud, at some 
 time or other, overturned the liberties of the people, and 
 set up absolute dominion : but 1 believe it will be very 
 difficult to shew where liberty, and fulness of power in the 
 people, have encouraged them to disturb the peace of their 
 Country. Some may, perhaps, mention the United Pro- 
 vinces ; but they cannot be produced as a proof, for it was 
 oppression that made them revolt. If we look at home, I 
 hope I may be allowed to say, (without incurring the name 
 of disaffected,) that the exaction of ship money, the pro- 
 ceedings of the Star Chamber, and the imprisonment of 
 members, are very evident proofs, that it was not an over- 
 flow of liberty, or too great power in the people, that ex- 
 cited them to rebel. 
 
 Should we look into the Governments of antiquity, we 
 shall find many proofs in favour of the people. In the 
 great state of Rome 1 believe we shall find, upon the most 
 exact scrutiny, that every popular commotion was preceded 
 by some act of oppression from the Senate, and that the 
 power of the people was always obstructed in its legal 
 operation before they appealed to arms. It was therefore 
 the spirit of liberty to regain their power, not a wan- 
 tonness in the people, that occasioned such an appeal. 
 The case was the same in the Revolution of England. 
 King James usurped the power of the people, and invaded 
 their liberties, which made it necessary for them to apply 
 to foreign assistance; and this necessity proves it was not 
 the power of the people which brought about that happy 
 event ; for had it been the power of the people, it would 
 have operated sooner, and prevented King James from car- 
 rying on his injurious proceedings, which not having power 
 enough to do, rather than acquiesce under them, they chose 
 to submit their lives and fortunes to the uncertain chance 
 of war. It was therefore a want of power in the people 
 which made the Revolution necessary, not a fulness of their 
 power which accomplished it. It was the act of a distress- 
 ed people, not a free people ; for surely a state cannot be 
 free if the people have not the means of making themselves 
 so without committing hostilities. Liberty, therefore, can- 
 not be established by the grace and promises of a Prince, 
 since assurances given from one person to another, can only 
 give a claim, which I presume nobody will call possession. 
 
 From hence it is evident, that liberty cannot be estab- 
 lished upon any power lodged in the Crown : on the con- 
 trary, experience, as well as reason, shews, that liberty can 
 never be secured without lodging a power in the people 
 sufficient in time of need to restrain and limit the acts of 
 the Crown. The power must be free, independent, and 
 uncorrupt ; not subject by any force or fraud to be with- 
 drawn from the service and protection of those for whom 
 it was formed. For this power did our ancestors fight, and 
 for the establishment of it was the Revolution effected ; not 
 a right only to assert one liberty (for that the law of nature 
 gives to all mankind) but a means to secure them, which 
 the people of England are in possession of; and this power, 
 by the Constitution, is lodged with their Delegates, by 
 whom alone they can act. 'Tis plain, therefore, that 'tis 
 not the possession of power, but the want of it, that has 
 caused the present disturbances in America. 'Tis for a 
 proper portion of that power that they are contending; a 
 power that may be able to make head against any oppres- 
 sive or arbitrary acts of the Crown. And surely, without 
 meriting the name of malecontent, we may heartily wish 
 that their efforts may be crowned with success. 
 
 An Englishman. 
 
 YORK COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee and the Officers of the 
 Militia Companies of York County, at York, the 28th and 
 29th days of July. 1775 : 
 
 Present, forty-five County Committee-men, besides the 
 said Officers, James Smith, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 The Committee and Officers divided the County into 
 five Districts, or Divisions, and formed five Battalions. The 
 Committee then, with the Officers of the Militia Compa- 
 nies of the respective Districts and Battalions, appointed 
 Judges, and proceeded to vote by ballot for Field-Officers 
 to be commissioned; when James Smith, Esq., was chosen 
 Colonel: Thomas Hartley, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel ; and 
 Joseph Donaldson and Michael Swoope, Esqs., were chosen 
 Majors of the First Battalion : Robert McPhcrson, Esq., 
 Colonel ; David Kennedy, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Moses Mc- 
 Clean and Hugh Dunwoodie, were chosen Majors of the 
 Second Battalion : Richard McCallister, Esq., Colonel ; 
 Henry Slegel, Esq., Lieutenant-Colonel ; and John An- 
 drews and Joseph Jefferies, were chosen Majors of the 
 Third Battalion : William Smith, Esq., Colonel ; Francis 
 Holton, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and Jacob Gibson and John 
 Finley, were chosen Majors of the Fourth Battalion : and 
 Matthew Dill, Esq., Colonel ; William Rankin, Esquire, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel ; and Robert Stevenson and Gerhard 
 Gress, Majors of the Fifth Battalion. 
 
 The Committee, and the Officers of the said Militia Com- 
 panies, thereupon proceeded to vote for Field-Officers for 
 the Battalion of Minute-men for York County, proper to be 
 commissioned ; when 
 
 Richard McCallister, Esquire, was chosen Colonel ; 
 
 Thomas Hartley, Esquire, was chosen Lieutenant-Colo- 
 nel ; and 
 
 David Grier, Esquire, was chosen Major, of said Bat- 
 talion. 
 
 The Committee then proceeded as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That in conformity to the direction of the 
 Assembly of this Province, and with a regard to the regu- 
 lations of the Continental Congress, we do direct that five 
 Companies of Minute-men be formed out of the several 
 Districts of this County, that is to say, one Company in 
 each Division by draughts or Volunteers from the several 
 Militia Companies, each Company to consist of a Captain, 
 two Lieutenants, and an Ensign, four Sergeants, four Cor- 
 porals, a Drummer and Fifer, and sixty-eight or more Pri- 
 vates ; and it is expected, that if there be a defect of Arms 
 for these men, when there is a necessity of going into ser- 
 vice, that the respective Battalions to which they belong 
 will furnish them with the necessary Arms. 
 
 That if the County Committee-men and Assistant Com- 
 mittee-men, or a majority of them in any District, are at 
 any time of opinion that an additional Company or Com- 
 panies of Minute-men can be raised in their District, they 
 may order the same to be done, which Company' or Com- 
 panies are to be under the same Field-Officers, orders, 
 rules, and regulations, with the said other Companies of 
 Minute-men. The whole Battalion of each Division or 
 District are directed to meet some time in the next week, 
 or in the week following, and draught the Volunteers or 
 proper persons as Minute-men for the respective Compa- 
 nies, who are to sign an attestation similar to that mentioned 
 in the proceedings of this Committee. The subscribers 
 are then to proceed to choose the Officers of the respect- 
 ive Companies, and make return of their names to the 
 Field-Officers of the said Battalion of Minute-men, in 
 order that they may be commissioned. 
 
 Resolved, That in order to prevent confusion and dis- 
 order, that no new Companies of Militia be formed in any 
 Township, without the consent of the Committee-men of 
 the Township, and three or more of the County Commit- 
 tee-men. 
 
 N. B. The Companies of Yorktown, Manchester, Wind- 
 sor, Codorus, York, and Hellam Townships, form the First 
 Battalion ; the Companies of Cumberland, Hamilton' sRaun, 
 Strabane, Menallen, Mount-Joy, and Tyrone Townships 
 form the Second Battalion ; the Companies of Heidlebcrgh. 
 Berwick, Paradise, Mount-Pleasant, Manheim, and Ger- 
 many Townships the Third Battalion ; Chanceford, Shrews- 
 bury, Fawn, and Hopewell Townships the Fourth Batta- 
 lion ; and the Companies of Dover, Newberry, Monaughan, 
 Warrington, Huntington, and Reading Townships the 
 Fifth Battalion. 
 
 A true copy : 
 George Lewis Lefler, Clerk for the Committee. 
 
1745 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1746 
 
 MEETING OF THE FREEHOLDERS OF SOMERSET COUNTY, 
 NEW-JERSEY. 
 
 At a meeting of the Freeholders of the County of So- 
 merset, in the Province of ^sew- Jersey, assembled at the 
 Court-House in said County, on Friday, the 28th day of 
 July, 1775, pursuant to advertisements of the late Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence, Hendrick Fisher, Esq., Chair- 
 man, John Leferty, Secretary. 
 
 The said Freeholders being informed that the late Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for this County expired the 15th 
 day of July instant, and being convinced of the necessity 
 of choosing a new Committee of Correspondence for the 
 County, do Resolve, That a new Committee of Corres- 
 pondence, to consist of seventeen persons, be chosen for 
 this County by ballot. 
 
 Adjourned for an hour. 
 
 Met according to adjournment ; when the following gen- 
 tlemen were elected a Committee of Correspondence for 
 this County, viz : The Rev. Dr. John Witherspoon, Jacob 
 Bogart, John Gaston, Gisbart Bogart, Gabriel Ogden, 
 Garret Voorhees, Cornelius Van Muliner, Thomas Berry , 
 Stephen Hunt, Rowland Chambers, Mattheiv Ten Eyck, 
 William Annin, Ruloff Van Dicke, Jacob Bergen, Hen- 
 drick Van Middlesuorth, Lucas Voorhees, and Ebenezer 
 Tingley. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended, and it is hereby re- 
 commended to every Township in this County, to assemble 
 as soon as possible, and choose for their respective Town- 
 ships nine persons, to be a Committee of Inspection, to take 
 cognizance of all violations of the measures recommended 
 by the Representatives of the people in their District. And 
 this County do further recommend, that every Township 
 Committee do choose from among themselves three per- 
 sons, who shall meet when called upon, with an equal num- 
 ber of persons from every Township Committee, and form 
 a General Committee of Inspection for the County, in case 
 of an appeal, or when matters of importance require the 
 sense of the County, or when a Township Committee 
 choose not to decide on a case by themselves. 
 
 Resolved, That the Chairman of the late Committee of 
 Inspection for each Township do notify a meeting of the 
 inhabitants of their Township, for the purpose of choosing 
 the aforesaid Committee of Inspection. 
 
 Resolved, That the County do earnestly recommend to, 
 and they do hereby instruct their Committee of Inspection, 
 to be vigilant and active in the discharge of their duty, in 
 taking cognizance of every person of whatsoever rank or 
 condition, who shall, either by word or deed, endeavour to 
 destroy our unanimity in opposing the arbitrary and cruel 
 measures of the British Ministry; and so deal with him or 
 them as to the particular Committee of Inspection where 
 the offender resides, or to the General Committee of Inspec- 
 tion, (if an appeal or other reason require the same to be 
 called,) shall seem most conducive to prevent any injury to 
 the glorious cause of American freedom. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence above 
 chosen, and the Committees of Inspection to be chosen for 
 the different Townships of this County, do continue until 
 the first Monday in May next ; after which, the Chairman 
 of the Committee of Correspondence shall within three 
 weeks call a meeting of the County. And in all cases when 
 it shall be thought necessary to have the County assem- 
 bled, the Secretary is hereby authorized and directed to 
 give as publick notice thereof as possible; and this County 
 do agree to defray the expenses thence arising. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Resolves and Proceedings 
 be published in one of the New- York newspapers. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes: 
 
 John Leferty, Secretary. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 [Read September 14, 1775.] 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 28, 1775. 
 Sir: I am happy to enclose you copies of two papers 
 that corroborate the accounts we have had of the friendly 
 sentiments of the Indians. Every instruction I have given 
 to people who were likely to fall in with any of them, enjoins 
 an attention to that capital point. 
 
 Your favour of the 21st instant, enclosing a resolution of 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. li. 1 
 
 Congress of the preceding day, is duly come to hand. My 
 last letter will evince that I keep in view the object which 
 was the subject of your orders of the 29th ult., and which, 
 I hope, notwithstanding the difficulties I have to struggle 
 with, to carry into the wished-for execution. 
 
 The fourth paragraph of the letter from the Committee 
 of Albany may need an explanation. On my arrival at 
 Albany, I found that a great number of the gentlemen who 
 had warrants sent them from the Neiv- York Congress to 
 entitle them to commissions in the troops to be raised, re- 
 fused to accept them. I therefore advised that the Albany 
 Committee should endorse on those warrants the refusal, 
 and nominate such other gentlemen as they thought proper, 
 which I hoped would be satisfactory to the New- York Con- 
 gress, as ultimately the officers must be recommended by 
 the Deputies from Albany. 
 
 It would tend to facilitate matters and promote the ser- 
 vice, if some honourable mention was made of the Albany 
 Committee in the instructions to the Commissioners of In- 
 dian Affairs. I mention this merely on account of their 
 assiduity to promote the publick weal. 
 
 The Troops here begin to be sickly, occasioned by their 
 being crowded too close in barracks. I wish their tents 
 were come up. 
 
 I am, Sir, most respectfully, your obedient and very hum- 
 ble servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq. 
 
 P. S. I have taken the liberty to desire some of the 
 Caughnawaga Indians to meet me at this place. Thomp- 
 son's, mentioned in the speech sent me by the Albany Com- 
 mittee, is about thirty miles below where Fort Stanwix was 
 erected. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 [Read before Congress September 14, 1775.] 
 
 Albany Committee Chamber, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We have just received yours of the 22d instant, 
 enclosing a packet to the President of the Provincial Con- 
 gress ; and be assured that we shall implicitly follow your 
 directions in forwarding it. 
 
 Your information of the intention of the Canadian In- 
 dians is corroborated by the intelligence we yesterday re- 
 ceived from two Sachems of the Oneida nations, with whom 
 we had a short conference, (copy of which proceedings you 
 have here enclosed,) which was concluded by some pre- 
 sents in token of our friendship. 
 
 You may rest assured, that nothing will be wanting on 
 our parts to encourage the levies of the companies to be 
 raised in our County; as nothing could (at this time) afford 
 us more real happiness than to see our Regiment in com- 
 plete order. 
 
 We have, agreeably to your request, filled up the arrange- 
 ment of officers, and transmitted it down to the Provincial 
 Congress by our Deputies, who are gone to attend the 
 same. 
 
 We have the pleasure to inform you that the apprehen- 
 sions of the inhabitants of Tryon County, respecting the 
 Indians, is entirely removed ; and the unhappy dispute be- 
 tween the inhabitants of the upper part of the County with 
 Sir John Johnson and the Sheriff of that County, amicably 
 accommodated upon the two following points : 
 
 First : The Sheriff is to leave the County, and not to re- 
 turn to it again. And 
 
 Secondly : Sir John Johnson is not to take any active 
 part against the people, in the disputes at present subsisting 
 between Great Britain and the American Colonies. 
 
 We last Sunday received the powder which has been 
 so long expected from the Continental Congress, which 
 we have stored, and shall be forwarded to you as soon as a 
 guard can be obtained to accompany it to Lake George. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order of 
 the Committee : Abraham Yates, Jr., Chairman. 
 
 The Speech of Oneynyoagat and Thuegweyndack, two 
 Oneida Indians. 
 [Read in Congress September 14, 1775.] 
 Brothers : We were not sent down as messengers this 
 way, but were sent to the German Flats to undeceive the 
 people in a report that prevailed among the inhabitants of 
 10 
 
1747 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1748 
 
 the German Flats, thM the Five Nations were coming down 
 to cut them off, and to assure them that they were peace- 
 able ; and that the people of the German Flats had sent men 
 to the Oneida nation, to inquire concerning the truth of the 
 news they had heard upon which they were sent down. 
 When they came down to Thompson's, they found it was 
 true that the Germans had fled, and were busy making a 
 Fort at the German Flats. 
 
 They told the Germans, Have we not lately had a Coun- 
 cil fire at the German Flats 1 therefore they should not give 
 ear to any false reports, for they would always give notice 
 of any bad news ; and assured them that there was now no 
 bad news, and the Five Nations were friendly, and that the 
 head men were now gathered at a Council at Onondaga. 
 They advised the people strongly not to credit any false 
 reports, and that the people at the German Flats advised 
 them to come down to this place and acquaint the great 
 men here. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 John Bay, Secretary. 
 Albany Committee Chamber, July 25, 1775. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Lebanon, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your letter of the 21st is duly received. 1 am 
 myself surprised at the information you give respecting the 
 cows. On consideration of the circumstances you mention, 
 1 have wrote to Major Sheldon to stop their proceeding, 
 and directed him to dispose of them in the best manner lie 
 can. When the provision of milk was ordered by this 
 Colony for the use of its soldiers, our ideas extended no 
 farther than their being employed near Boston. In a country 
 like that, abounding with every necessary for diet, it was 
 thought milk might be as easily procured as any other ar- 
 ticle, and might be for the health and benefit of the Troops. 
 When the necessity of this case, with the particular circum- 
 stances attending it, is duly considered, I hope the want of 
 this article among soldiers, who are each man contending 
 for every thing that is dear and sacred to every individual, 
 will occasion no murmuring or uneasiness. 
 
 I am unhappy to hear you are so unprepared to take 
 benefit from any favourable dispositions of your Canadian 
 neighbours; but I please myself with the confidence I have 
 in your zeal, vigour, and activity, and with a hope that all 
 obstacles will speedily be removed, and that a happy issue 
 may soon attend your meditated enterprise. 
 
 I am, Sir, &ic. Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Cambridge, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I wrote you yesterday by way of Nciv- York, 
 and in two hours afterwards was favoured with yours of the 
 15th and 18th instant, with their respective enclosures. I 
 was extremely glad to find your first apprehensions of an 
 incursion by the Indians in some degree removed by the 
 later advices; at the same time, I think it is evident from 
 the spirit and tenour of Colonel .Johnson's letter, that no art 
 or influence will be left untried by him to engage them in 
 such an enterprise. Should he once prevail upon them 
 to dip their hands in blood, mutual hostilities will most pro- 
 bably ensue, and they may be led to take a more decisive 
 part. All accounts, I think, agree, that the Canadians are 
 not very active to engage in this unnatural contest; but I am 
 persuaded you will not abate in the least your vigilance to 
 expedite every movement in that quarter, notwithstanding 
 their present pacifick appearances. 1 am much easier with 
 respect to the publick interest since your arrival at Ticon- 
 deroga; as I am persuaded those abilities and that zeal for 
 the common welfare, which have led yourCountry to repose 
 such confidence in you, will be fully exerted. From my 
 own experience, I can easily judge of your difficulties to 
 introduce order and discipline into troops who have, from 
 their infancy, imbibed ideas of the most contrary kind. It 
 would be far beyond the compass of a letter for me to de- 
 scribe the situation of things here on my arrival; perhaps 
 you will be only able to judge of it from my assuring you, 
 that mine must be a portrait at full length of what you have 
 had in miniature. Confusion and disorder reigned in every 
 
 department, which in a little time must have ended either 
 in the separation of the Army, or fatal contests with one 
 another. The better genius of America has prevailed, and 
 most happily, the Ministerial Troops have not availed them- 
 selves of these advantages, till 1 trust the opportunity is in 
 a great measure past over. The arrangement of the Gene- 
 ral Officers in Massachusetts and Connecticut, has been very 
 unpopular — indeed, I may say, injudicious; it is returned 
 to Congress for farther consideration, and has much retarded 
 my plan of discipline. However, we mend every day, and 
 1 flatter myself that in a little time we shall work up these 
 raw materials into good stuff. I must recommend to you 
 what I endeavour to practise myself — patience and perse- 
 verance. As to your operations, my dear Sir. I can sug- 
 gest nothing which your own good judgment will not either 
 anticipate or control from your own immediate view of 
 things, and the instructions of the Continental Congress. 
 
 The express from hence to England, with the account 
 of the commencement of hostilities at Lexington, has re- 
 turned. It was far from making the impression generally 
 expected here. Stocks fell but one-and-a-half per cent. 
 General Gage's accounts had not arrived, and the Ministry 
 affected to treat it as a fiction. Parliament had been pro- 
 rogued two days, but it was expected it would be imme- 
 diately recalled. Our enemy continues strongly posted about 
 a mile from us, both at Bunker's Hill and Roxbury ; but 
 we are not able to get any information of their future in- 
 tentions. Part of the Riflemen are come in, and the rest 
 daily expected. 
 
 I did not expect your Returns would be very complete at 
 first, but I must beg your attention to reforming them as 
 soon as possible. And I beg leave to add, that I would 
 have you scrutinize with exactness into the application of 
 provisions and stores. I have the utmost reason to suspect 
 irregularities and impositions here; you will be fortunate if 
 the contagion does not reach you. 
 
 General Lee has removed about four miles from me; 
 but I shall take the first opportunity to make your kind 
 wishes known to him. Colonel Reed and Major Mijlin 
 join me in their best wishes for your health and success. 
 
 I am, dear Sir, yours, Sic. Go. Washington. 
 
 To General Schuyler, Ticonderoga. 
 
 Enclosed is a copy of mine of yesterday, referred to in 
 this. 
 
 COL. JOSEPH REED TO COLONEL BALDWIN, AT CHELSEA, 
 ENCLOSING A LETTER FROM DR. CHURCH. 
 
 Hoad. Quarters, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir : In full confidence of your prudence and secrecy 
 as a soldier, a man of honour, and a friend to your Coun- 
 try, the General has directed me to communicate to you a 
 scheme he is about to put in execution to obtain constant 
 and authentick intelligence from Boston. The plan is this: 
 the enclosed letter will be delivered by you to one Deivks- 
 Oury, who lives about four miles from you towards Chcsly 
 Point ; he will deliver it to a waterman, whom he can de- 
 pend on, who will convey it to one John Carnes, a grocer, 
 in the south part of Boston. The answers, and such intel- 
 ligence as he can procure, will be forwarded to you through 
 the same channel, which you are to transmit to his Excel- 
 lency by express immediately. As the success of the pro- 
 ject, and the life of the man in Boston, may depend upon 
 your conduct, let it not escape you to the nearest friend on 
 earth ; and, for fear of accident, destroy this letter as soon 
 as you are sufficiently master of its contents. When you 
 see Deivksbury give him the above caution in the strongest 
 terms, and so to pass from him to the other. Your good 
 conduct and discretion in this matter will not fail to be duly 
 noticed. I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, 
 
 J. Reed, Secretary. 
 
 To Colonel Baldwin. 
 
 LOAMMI BALDWIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Chelsea, July 28, 1775, half aftor 4 o'clock. 
 
 May it please your Excellency : Agreeable to your 
 order, I send the following observation taken by the sentry 
 posted upon Powderhorn Hill, from about seven o'clock, 
 A. M., to two o'clock, P. M. : One ship gone out, three 
 ships and two tenders coming in; about twelve boats from 
 
1749 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he., JULY, 1775. 
 
 1750 
 
 Boston to Charlestotcn, light loaded or almost empty; three 
 boats passed from Charlestons to Boston very heavily 
 loaded with men. 
 
 I would beg leave to ask your Excellency whether it 
 was the intent and meaning of your orders to send an ex- 
 press to Head-Quarters every day when there is nothing 
 more occurs than has for two days past. 
 
 These from your Excellency's most ohedient servant, 
 Loammi Baldwin, Lieut. Col. 
 
 MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL TO GENERAL GATES. 
 
 Council Chamber, Watertown, July 28, 1775. 
 Sir: Your letter of the 21st instant to the Speaker o( 
 the honourahle House of Representatives, was by them 
 referred to this Board, who are of opinion, that the jails of 
 Worcester, Springfield, and Northampton, are the most 
 suitable places for securing the prisoners, and therefore 
 recommend that they be sent to one or more of those 
 places. I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 
 Perez Morton, Sec' y pro tern. 
 Horatio Gates, Esq., Adjutant-General in the American 
 Army. 
 
 orders to capt. baker for the removal of prisoners. 
 
 \ou are to proceed with the detachment under your 
 command to Worcester, taking under your care two Ser- 
 geants, two Corporals, twenty-one private Soldiers of the 
 Ministerial Army, and twelve Tories, who have been aid- 
 ing and abetting General Gage and his adherents; you are 
 to deliver them to the Chairman of the Committee at Wor- 
 cester, who is hereby enjoined to order a detachment from 
 the Militia of that Town to escort them to Springfield, 
 and deliver them to the Committee there, where they are 
 to be secured, so as to be forthcoming whenever exchange 
 of prisoners, or a happy reconciliation between Great Bri- 
 tain and her Colonies, shall take place. 
 
 Given at Head-Quarters at Cambridge, this first day of 
 August, 1775. Horatio Gates, Adj. Gen. 
 
 N. B. One of the Marines left wounded at Cambridge, 
 which reduces the number to twenty Privates. 
 
 Worcester, August 3, A. D. 1775. 
 Received of Joseph Baker, Jun., Commander of the 
 detachment who escorted the prisoners (lately taken at the 
 Light-House) to Worcester, two Sergeants, two Corporals, 
 eighteen Privates, and twelve Tories. 
 
 William Young, 
 Chairman of Comm. of Correspondence. 
 N. B. There appears to be a mistake of two Privates 
 in the number given in the General Orders. 
 
 Received this seventh day of August, Anno Domini 
 1775, of Mr. William Young, Chairman of the Commit- 
 tee of Correspondence for the Town of Worcester, two 
 Sergeants, two Corporals, eighteen Privates, and eleven 
 Tories, which were ordered to be delivered to the Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence for the Town of Springfield by 
 Horatio Gates, Adjutant-General. 
 
 Nathaniel Brewer, 
 Chairman of Springfield Committee. 
 
 N. B. The Tories in number were twelve, one of whom 
 was left sick at Worcester, as the Chairman of Worcester 
 Committee informs. 
 
 CAPT. BEDELL TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Haverhill, July 23, 1775. 
 Sir: When I was with the Committee, and received my 
 order for this department, I was willing to serve as a Cap- 
 tain, though I had the command of three companies ; but 
 I have this day received certain account from Crown Point, 
 that an army was forming for an expedition against the Re- 
 gular Troops in Canada, and orders sent to raise men under 
 Colonel Allen on this river. I do expect the orders will 
 be sent to me to march that way: at the same time shall 
 expect to have a Regiment, except some old experienced 
 officer should offer; otherwise shall decline, as I never 
 
 meant to enter the service as a Captain to serve out of the 
 Government. We can raise a Regiment in this part of 
 the country. Colonel Bayley, who attends service, will 
 inform as to news. As there is no person appointed as a 
 Committee of Supplies here, it is necessary we should have 
 some money; and I desire it may be sent by Col. Bayley, 
 and what is sent by him I will be accountable for, taking 
 his receipt for what is sent. 1 imagine that one hundred 
 Pounds is as little as will answer. These from yours at 
 command, Tim. Bedlel. 
 
 To the Hon. Mattheiv Thornton, Esq., Chairman of the 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CONVENTION OF VIRGINIA. 
 
 Williamoburgh, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I am a man who has spent some part of 
 my life between the barracks and camp, therefore have 
 contracted a natural love for military parade. To indulge 
 my foible. I went the other day to see one of your inde- 
 pendent companies go through the Prussian exercise, as 
 they called it: when, behold, all that 1 saw was their form- 
 ing six deep, by the rear half files facing to the right about, 
 and marching eighteen paces to the rear. This, with rest, 
 order, open your files to the right and left, with the slow 
 parade motions of prime and load, was (as I understood) 
 to constitute the whole; and you may call it Prussian exer- 
 cise, if you please, but if 1 have any judgment, it is mere 
 burlesque on all exercise. L T pon inquiry why the regular 
 Prussian discipline was not adopted, I was told by the man 
 that was to teach them, that he could not tell off a Batta- 
 lion ; that is, he could not put them through their firings. 
 If this be the case, as I have great reason to believe it is, 
 (not only so with that company, but many others in the 
 Colony,) that many who pretend to teach the Prussian 
 exercise never saw a Battalion told off in their lives, ac- 
 cording to the Prussian method of firing, and if they did, 
 their low stations in the ranks rendered it impossible for 
 them ever to know any thing but what belonged to their 
 own sub or grand division. If so, what must those com- 
 panies propose to themselves by the mode of exercise they 
 have adopted, in case of emergency? Each company 
 might be formed into a battalion, and to lead a body of 
 brave men, with such counterfeit discipline, to face a dis- 
 ciplined enemy, would, in my opinion, be downright mur- 
 der. Let us not plume ourselves with this conceit, that 
 we shall always have the bush to fight behind ; for, in the 
 different services of war in this Country, there will be 
 passes to be guarded or forced ; bridges to be crossed or 
 defended ; trenches to be guarded or formed ; streets to be 
 cleared; and sometimes squares to be formed : in all which 
 cases, bushing it would be of little or no use ; and to send 
 undisciplined Troops on such service would be absurd in- 
 deed. The native courage of the Americans, and their 
 knowledge of the woods, with an early use of fire-arms, 
 has rendered them superiour in the woods to any Troops 
 in Europe, and, if under regular discipline, might be as 
 famous in the field. But it may be observed and said, we 
 want men of knowledge in such cases to instruct us. First, 
 clear yourselves of those caterpillars that poison the mili- 
 tary blossoms of your first endeavours, and leave only a 
 smoky webful of excrements behind. Next, advise those 
 bookish theorists to lay by their Christ- Cross-Boic ; for 
 he who learns the trade of war by book, will find him- 
 self to seek when on actual service. Then give proper 
 encouragement to men of abilities, (for such there are 
 amongst ye,) who may lay a foundation for ye that may 
 make ye one day or other become as great in arms as 
 Borne of old. Knowing I must rise or fall with this Coun- 
 try in the general struggle for liberty, were I to lie dormant 
 on the occasion, I should count myself highly culpable, for 
 the gracious acceptance of the poor widow's offering em- 
 boldens me to cast in my mite. My station, when in the 
 Army in Europe last war, rendered it necessary for me to 
 be thoroughly acquainted with all parts of the Prussian 
 infantry and artillery exercise ; I therefore freely offer my 
 poor service to the publick. Those gentlemen who choose 
 to employ me, may hear of me by directing a line to the 
 care of Mr. Edmund Day, of Southampton, or Mr. Elisha 
 Cop eland, of Xansemond County for, the publick's hum- 
 ble servant, Robert Washington. 
 
1751 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, he, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1752 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COUNCIL. 
 
 At a Council held at Philadelphia, on Saturday, 29th 
 July, 1775. Present: 
 
 The Honourable John Ptnn, Esquire, Governour; Wil- 
 liam Logan, Benjamin Chew, James Tilghman, Andrew 
 Allen, and Edward Shippen, Jun., Esquires. 
 
 The Governour laid before the Board a Petition from 
 Mons. Dominique Du Casse, Commander of the Schooner 
 Mary, belonging to the inhabitants of Martinico, which 
 was read, and follows in these words viz: 
 " To the Honourable John Penn, Esquire, Lieutenant- 
 Governour and Commander-in-Chief of the Province 
 of Pennsylvania, and three lower Counties of New- 
 Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware : 
 " The Petition of Dominique Du Casse, Master of the 
 Schooner Mary, belonging to Martinico, now in the 
 Port of Philadelphia, humbly sheweth: 
 " That on or about the sixteenth day of June last, your 
 petitioner sailed from the Island of Martinico, bound on a 
 voyage to Miguilan; that in prosecution of the said voy- 
 age he met with many hard and severe gales of wind, at- 
 tended with very great and heavy seas, in which the said 
 Schooner, through violent straining, was rendered very 
 leaky, and made it impossible for him to proceed on the 
 said voyage ; and your petitioner was under the necessity 
 of coming into this Port of Philadelphia, in order to repair 
 his said vessel; the particulars of all which appears by your 
 petitioner's protest, duly made since his arrival here, here- 
 with exhibited to your Honour. He therefore prays your 
 Honour to permit him to repair the said Schooner, and sail 
 from this Port of Philadelphia, in prosecution of his said 
 intended voyage. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, 
 will ever pray, he. Dominique Du Casse. 
 
 " Philadelphia, July 12, 1775." 
 
 At the same time was laid before the Board the Cap- 
 tain's Protest referred to in the above Petition. And the 
 Board taking the said Petition and Protest into considera- 
 tion, and finding, upon due examination and inquiry, that 
 the facts set forth in them are true : It is ordered, that 
 the said Schooner be examined, and the necessary repairs 
 made on her, and that she be then permitted to prosecute 
 her intended voyage, provided that she takes on board no 
 Goods, Wares, or Merchandise, whatever. 
 
 Messrs. Meredith and Clymer are appointed to inspect 
 the repairing of the said Schooner, and to transact the 
 business relating to her, as factors or agents for the Master, 
 during his continuance in this Port. 
 
 JOHN ADAMS TO JOSIAH O.CINCY, BRAINTREE, MASS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir : 1 had yesterday the honour of your letter 
 of July the eleventh, and I feel myself much obliged by 
 your kind attention to me and my family, but much more 
 by your care for the publick safety, and the judicious and 
 important observations you have made. Your letters, Sir, 
 so far from being "a burden," I consider as an honour to 
 me, besides the pleasure and instruction they afford me. 
 Believe me, Sir, nothing is of more importance to me, in 
 my present most arduous and laborious employment, than 
 a constant correspondence with gentlemen of experience, 
 whose characters are known. The minutest fact, the most 
 trivial event, that is connected with the great American 
 cause, becomes important in the present critical situation of 
 affairs, when a revolution seems to be in the designs of 
 Providence, as important as any that ever happened in the 
 affairs of mankind. 
 
 We jointly lament the loss of a Quincy and a Warren; 
 two characters as great in proportion to their age, as any 
 that I have ever known in America. Our Country mourns 
 the loss of both, and sincerely sympathizes with the feel- 
 ings of the mother of the one, and the father of the other. 
 They were both my intimate friends, with whom I lived 
 and conversed with pleasure and advantage. 1 was ani- 
 mated by them in the painful dangerous course of opposi- 
 tion to the oppressions brought upon our Country, and the 
 loss of them has wounded me too deeply to be easily 
 healed. Duke et decorum est pro patria mori. The ways 
 of Heaven its dark and intricate, but you may remem- 
 ber the words which, many years ago, you and 1 fondly 
 
 admired, and which, upon many occasions, I have found 
 advantage in recollecting: 
 
 " Why should I grieve, when grieving I must bear. 
 And take with guilt, what guiltless 1 might share V 
 
 I have a great opinion of your knowledge and judgment 
 from long experience, concerning the channels and islands 
 in Boston harbour ; but I confess your opinion that the 
 harbour might be blocked up, and seamen and soldiers 
 made prisoners at discretion, was too bold and enterprising 
 for me, who am not very apt to startle at a daring propo- 
 sal ; but I believe I may safely promise you powder enough, 
 in a little time, for any purpose whatever. We are assured, 
 in the strongest manner, of saltpetre and powder in sufficient 
 plenty another year of our own make. That both are made 
 in this city, you may report with confidence, for I have seen 
 both, and I have seen a set of very large powder works, 
 and another of saltpetre. 
 
 I hope, Sir, we shall never see a total stagnation of com- 
 merce for any length of time. Necessity will force open 
 our ports ; trade, if I mistake not, will be more free than 
 usual. Your friend, Dr. Franklin, to whom I read your 
 letter, and who desires his kind compliments to you, has 
 been employed in directing the construction of row-gallies 
 for this city. The Committee of Safety for this Province 
 have ordered twenty of them to be built; some of them 
 are finished. I have seen one of them ; it has twelve oars 
 on each side. They rowed up the river the first time, four 
 miles in an hour, against a tide which ran down four miles 
 an hour. The Congress have recommended to the Colo- 
 nies, to make provision for the defence of their navigation, in 
 their harbours, rivets, and on their sea-coasts. Of a floating 
 battery I have no idea — am glad you are contriving one. 
 
 You tell me, Sir, that General Lee complained that "he 
 did not find things as the Massachusetts Delegates had rep- 
 resented them." What General Lee could mean by this, 
 Sir, I know not. What particular he found different from 
 the representation, I do not know; nor do 1 know which 
 Delegate from the Massachusetts he received a mistaken 
 representation from. I think he should have been particu- 
 lar, that he might not have run the risk of doing an injury. 
 If General Lee should do injustice to two of the Massa- 
 chusetts Delegates, he would commit ingratitude at the 
 same time ; for to two of them he certainly owes his pro- 
 motion in the American Army, how great a hazard soever 
 they ran in agreeing to it. I know him very thoroughly, I 
 think, and that he will do great service in our Amry, at the 
 beginning of things, by forming it to order, skill, and dis- 
 cipline. But we shall soon have officers enough. 
 
 Your friend and humble servant, John Adams. 
 
 NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received your letters of the 18th 
 and 22d instant, and though sensible of the inconveniences 
 arising from a scarcity of arms, are much at a loss respect- 
 ing the best measures for a supply. As we have good 
 reason to believe that an application to the Congress to 
 recommend a loan of the Jersey arms would not succeed, 
 we have agreed not to make it. No Colony has as yet 
 given the Congress any trouble on that head, and we are 
 unwilling that New-York should be the first. We advise, 
 however, that accurate accounts of disbursements for arms 
 be kept, so that, should any charges of that kind be made 
 against the Continent, our Colony may be prepared to sup- 
 port their claim. Besides, it is easy to foresee that New- 
 Jersey, under the present circumstances of publick affairs, 
 would very reluctantly part with their arms, and be dis- 
 pleased with any recommendation for that purpose. 
 
 Permit us to recommend to your most serious attention 
 the necessity of laying your hands on all the powder that 
 is or may be imported into the Colony. We think none 
 should be permitted to go out of the Province, but by the 
 express direction of the Congress, or your Committee, and 
 that magazines of that article should be formed in different 
 parts of the Province, and not that the whole be risked in 
 one place. 
 
 We hope our Province will depend for defence ou their 
 own exertions, and without delay put the Militia on the 
 footing recommended by the Congress. 
 
 The Delegates of New-Jersey are charged with the 
 
1753 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, fcc, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1754 
 
 transportation of two ton? and a half of powder to Dobbs's 
 Ferry, where the Congress desire you to have a boat ready 
 to receive and forward it to General Schuyler. 
 
 As to a treaty or conference w ith the Five Nations, the 
 Congress has already provided for it, and consequently it 
 would be improper to lay the papers you sent us on that 
 subject before the Congress. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most 
 obedient and humble servants, 
 
 Phil. Livingston, John Jat, 
 Lewis Morris, Jas. Duane. 
 
 Geo. Clinton, 
 To the Committee of Safety of the Colony of New-York. 
 
 P. S. We recommend to collect all your accounts against 
 the Continent, with all convenient speed. It is probable 
 that a Committee will be appointed to examine them. Mr. 
 Hazard is appointed Deputy Postmaster for New-York. 
 The Continental money is signing, and will be ready next 
 week. 
 
 ALBANY COMMITTEE TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Committee Chamber, City of Albany, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Mr. George Sullivan was brought before 
 this Committee by Colonel Waterbury, of the Connecticut 
 Troops lately arrived here from New- York, in consequence 
 of a ietter from General Woostcr, a copy whereof we en- 
 close you. We have examined Mr. Stillivan and the circum- 
 stances of his case, and from the proofs before us we cannot 
 find any grounds to warrant the accusation ; and having 
 finished his intended business, as he says, designs to em- 
 bark in the first sloop for your city, when a re-examination 
 may be made, if you see cause. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your most humble servants, 
 
 Abraham Yates, Jun., Chairman. 
 
 WALTER LIVINGSTON TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 Albany, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : I lately received a commission from the 
 Continental Congress, a copy of which I shall enclose you, 
 appointing me Deputy Commissary-General for this Pro- 
 vince. I must therefore request you to order all the stores 
 which are purchased by order of Congress for the Army 
 in this Colony, to be consigned to me or my assistant De- 
 puty at Albany; and also, that I be furnished with an ac- 
 count of all stores and provisions which are now ordered 
 to be purchased. 
 
 I was at Ticonderoga last week. The fortress there is 
 in a most ruinous situation. For want of many officers, 
 such as Quartermaster, Muster-master, Surgeon, &c, the 
 General is under the necessity of acting in all those depart- 
 ments. I dread the consequence, should he be attacked 
 by any considerable army; and if he is defeated, the garri- 
 son must all fall victims, for retreat they cannot, for want 
 of batteaus. He had neither carpenters to build boats, nor 
 materials to make them of. Two saw-mills are now cutting 
 boards, with one saw each. I yesterday, by request of 
 General Schuyler, sent up twenty carpenters, and shall 
 from time to time furnish him with such articles as he shall 
 order and I can procure, although they should not belong 
 to my department, until proper officers are appointed. 
 
 I remain, Gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most 
 obedient humble servant, 
 
 Walter Livingston, Dep. Com. Gen. 
 
 To the Provincial Congress of New-York. 
 
 DIRCK G. BRINCKERHOFF TO THE NEW-YORK CONGRESS. 
 
 July 29, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Agreeable to the Resolve of the Provincial Con- 
 gress, of the 29th of May last, a Committee has been 
 chosen for the Precinct of Rombouts, and have met and 
 appointed persons out of said Committee to tender the As- 
 sociation, who have done their endeavours to tender the 
 same to the inhabitants of this Precinct. But as the short- 
 ness of the time since we received the Resolve of the 
 Congress has rendered it almost impossible to tender the 
 same to every inhabitant of this Precinct personally; and 
 as a number of persons to whom it has already been ten- 
 dered are not convinced about signing the same, and have 
 
 desired further time to consider of it ; and others are daily 
 more and more convinced of the propriety of signing the 
 same, and are ready to sign, but for want of an opportu- 
 nity cannot : the Committee have taken it into their con- 
 sideration, and humbly desire further time till the 1 5th of 
 August next, when an actual return will be made to the 
 Committee of the persons who have signed the same, and 
 a list of the names of the persons refusing, and will be im- 
 mediately transmitted to the honourable Provincial Congress 
 at New- York. By order of the Committee : 
 
 Dirck G. Brinckerhoff, Cliairman. 
 To P. V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO JAMES WARREN. 
 
 Cambridge, July 29, 1775. 
 Sir: I have this instant received a letter from Chelsea, 
 of which the enclosed is an extract. As the inhabitants are 
 coming out in a different manner than proposed by your 
 Assembly to the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, I have 
 not delayed a moment's time in giving you the earliest in- 
 formation of it, and request that you may take the matter 
 into consideration, and determine what is proper to be done 
 on the occasion. If you think it proper to receive them 
 in this manner, query whether it may not be proper to ap- 
 point some person to attend the movement. 
 
 I am, in haste, with great respect, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Go. Washington. 
 
 Honourable James Warren, Speaker of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives of Massachusetts. 
 
 LOAMMI BALDWIN TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Chelsea, July 29, 1775, Two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 May it please your Excellency: About twelve 
 o'clock this day we were all alarmed by the approach of a 
 boat to Winnisimit Ferry, and by a signal soon found 
 them to be friends, who landed with their household goods. 
 There were several of my intimate acquaintance. 1 have 
 taken the names of all the passengers, and stopped the let- 
 ters, which I now send for your inspection, and beg your 
 Excellency would send them back to me again as soon as 
 possible, as the bearers are some of them in waiting, and 
 others are to call again to-morrow for theirs. Please to 
 keep the enclosed letters in their respective covers. 
 
 I would beg your Excellency would send me some assist- 
 ance, as the boats are to continue passing, (that is, if we can 
 believe Genera] Gage,) and something may escape for want 
 of proper assistance, that may turn to our disadvantage. 
 
 Our officers are very sick here. I have much upon my 
 hands and mind, since I received Mr. Reed's letter last 
 night. I hope and earnestly expect some assistance, and 
 your Excellency's orders, as soon as the necessity of the 
 matter requires. 
 
 In great haste, I am, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient 
 humble servant, Loammi Baldwin, Lieut. Col. 
 
 P. S. Should be much obliged to your Excellency if you 
 would send down a few sheets of paper and wafers, as I 
 cannot procure any about here, and am out. Pray, Sir, 
 excuse the imperfections in this letter. 
 
 GOVERNOUR COOKE TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Providence, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir : 1 am favoured with your Excellency's letter of the 
 26th instant. Having, just before the receipt of it, had 
 accounts by a private hand of the sailing of a number of 
 men-of-war and transports from Boston, which I conjec- 
 tured were designed to supply the enemy with fresh pro- 
 visions, I immediately sent the intelligence to Block Island, 
 together with a quantity of powder, ball, and flints, to en- 
 able them to defend their property, and gave them assu- 
 rances of further assistance, if necessary. 
 
 We have no accounts of this fleet from any part of our 
 coast, so that I think it probable they were destined to the 
 eastward. 
 
 I desire your Excellency to oblige me with a return of 
 the Army; and when any thing important occurs, I shall 
 esteem an early communication of it a favour. 
 
 I am, with great truth and regard, Sir, your Excellency's 
 most humble obedient servant, Nicholas Cooke. 
 His Excellency General Washington. 
 
1755 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 175G 
 
 GEN. SULLIVAN TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 Camp on Winter Hill, July 29, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : It gives me pain to think that I have so 
 long delayed the gentleman you sent to me ; but I must 
 refer you to him for an excuse on that head. I shall only 
 hint that he came on Saturday morning, when I was 
 preparing to take possession of Ploughed Hill, near the 
 enemy's encampment at Charlestoivn. This was done on 
 Saturday night, and on Sunday morning a heavy cannon- 
 ading ensued, which lasted through the whole day. The 
 floating batteries and an armed vessel attempting to come 
 up and enfilade us as 1 expected, I opened a battery which 
 I had prepared on purpose ; cut away the sloop's foresail ; 
 made her shear off; wounded one floating battery, and 
 sunk another yesterday. They sent round a man-of-war 
 to Mistick River, drew their forces from Boston, formed 
 a long column, and prepared to come out; but finding our 
 readiness to receive them, declined the combat. Last 
 evening they began to throw bombs, but have as yet done 
 no damage. Their cannon has been more successful, hav- 
 ing killed three or four. The command of our forces was 
 assigned to me, which I hope will apologize for my delay- 
 ing Captain Hohb. I have shown him those cannon which 
 we last mounted, and given him the best advice in my 
 power. 
 
 The powder you write for, gentlemen, it is impossible to 
 obtain at present. We have had but six tons from the 
 southward, which is but half a pound per man for our 
 army, and what we had before was a shocking store. We 
 hope for some every day, and as soon as possible after its 
 arrival, you shall be supplied by your very humble servant, 
 
 John Sullivan. 
 To the Honourable Committee of Safety. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER LAID BEFORE THE CONTINENTAL 
 CONGRESS, DATED LONDON, JULY 31, 1775. 
 
 I have lately heard a person intimately connected with 
 Administration lament that twenty thousand men had not 
 been at first sent to America, one half to have remained 
 with Genera] Gage at Boston, five thousand to have kept 
 possession of New- York, and cut off all assistance from the 
 Southern Colonies, and five thousand to have been employ- 
 ed under Burgoyne or Howe, in making descents in differ- 
 ent parts of New-England, and ravaging and burning the 
 Towns. And I have good information that it is yet in- 
 tended to endeavour to recover possession of New-York, 
 Albany, Sic, so as to open a communication with Canada, 
 and prevent the New-England ers from receiving any suc- 
 cour from the southward. There is a talk that more of the 
 train of Artillery, and some Regiments of Foot, are going 
 to New-York. 
 
 EXTRACT OF ANOTHER LETTER, LAID BEFORE THE CON- 
 GRESS, DATED LONDON, JULY 31, 1775. 
 
 It is fit I should convey to you a more particular detail 
 of what I have collected, more especially as it is from 
 unquestionable authority. The British American Gene- 
 rals differ, I am informed, as to the number of men which 
 they now think it will require to subdue the rebels of the 
 Massachusetts. Gage says fifteen thousand more than he 
 already has, and Burgoyne says twenty thousand more. 
 But all the Generals, however, agree in desiring a large 
 re-enforcement of artillery; and therefore, orders were yes- 
 terday sent to Woolwich for four companies, to embark im- 
 mediately for North America, with a large train of field- 
 pieces, Sic. ; and a further supply of clothing, more than 
 I mentioned in my letter of the 15th, for the Canadians, 
 which Government is assured by General Carleton he shall 
 raise in the Province of Quebeck. Parliament is prorogued 
 till September, and then will be farther prorogued to meet 
 the beginning of November. In the mean time Lord North 
 thinks he possesses power and credit sufficient to order 
 more forces to America, and push matters to the greatest 
 extremity before the winter sets in. I have been well as- 
 sured, that if the Spanish Armada should not visit Gibral- 
 tar, which, from the repulse it is said they have met with, 
 will be the case, Government propose composing that gar- 
 rison of three-fourths Hanoverians, and one-fourth British 
 Troops, in order that they may send the remainder of the 
 latter, now there, to America. But the secret (as they im- 
 
 agine) plan of operation they have at present in agitation, 
 or which, perhaps, 1 might properly say, actually deter- 
 mined on and transmitted to Jioston, is as follows: 
 
 With the assistance of Governour Tryon, who is much 
 relied on for the purpose, to get immediate possession of 
 New-York and Albany; to fill both of these Cities with 
 very strong garrisons ; to declare all rebels who do not join 
 the King's Forces ; to command the Hudson and East 
 Rivers with a number of small men-of-war and cutters, 
 stationed in different parts of it, so as wholly to cut off all 
 communication by water between New- York and the Pro- 
 vinces to the northward of it, and between New- York and 
 Albany, except for the King's service ; and to prevent, 
 also, all communication between the City of New- York 
 and the Provinces of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and those 
 to the southward of them. By this means, Administration 
 and their friends fancy that they shall soon either starve- 
 out, or retake the garrisons of Crown Point and Ticondero- 
 ga, and open and maintain a safe intercourse and corres- 
 pondence between Quebeck, Albany, and New-York, and 
 thereby afford the fairest opportunity to their soldiery and the 
 Canadians, in conjunction with the Indians to be procured 
 by Guy Johnson, to make continual irruptions into New- 
 Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and so distract 
 and divide the Continental Forces as to render it easy for 
 the British Army at Boston to defeat them ; break the 
 spirits of the Massachusetts people, depopulate their 
 country, and compel an absolute subjection to Great Bri~ 
 tain. Another good effect to be deduced from this exten- 
 sive plan, as Government apprehend, is, that as New-York 
 will, by this method, be prevented from supplying the Mas- 
 sachusetts Army near Boston with flour, Sic, as they 
 hitherto have done, through the medium of Connecticut ; 
 and the New-Jersey and Pennsylvania people will not be 
 able to transport provisions across the country; and as tho 
 Colony of Connecticut does not raise corn sufficient for the 
 supply of herself and the Massachusetts-Bay; the inhabi- 
 tants and troops of this Province must inevitably of course 
 be in a short time destroyed by disease and famine. And 
 to this train of facts let me add, that in consequence of 
 Gen. Gage's desire, brought by Capt. Chadd, one hundred 
 flat-bottomed boats are at present building at Deptford, 
 Sic, in order to be immediately sent to America, but for 
 what particular purpose I have not yet been able to learn. 
 Many American gentlemen, however, have been lately asked 
 by a Lord high in the American Department, what sized 
 vessels can go loaded from hence to Albany! What is the 
 depth of water at the Overslaugh ? (I think that is the 
 name of the shallowest place in the North River.) Whether 
 the ship belonging to Albany, in the London trade, is al- 
 ways obliged to unload part of her cargo before she can get 
 to Albany! and what proportion of it ? Whether, if bat- 
 teries were erected at the Highlands, they would not pre- 
 vent vessels going up and down the North River? And 
 where would be the best place on that river to hinder the 
 New-Jersey people, Sic, from sending flour, Sic, in the 
 winter, through Connecticut, to the Massachusetts Army? 
 
 LORD SHELBURNE TO ARTHUR LEE. 
 
 Bow-Wood Park, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Dear Sir: I am to thank you for your obliging letters, 
 the last received this morning. I never imagined that pub- 
 lick affairs would have affected me as much as they have 
 done since the affair at Lexington. A man of common 
 attention cannot avoid feeling every passion agitated and 
 distracted. I am very clear, from General Gage's letter, 
 that the Troops have suffered a signal defeat, and that the 
 arms of England have lost a lustre, which I see no proba- 
 bility of their regaining during the present contest. There 
 is, besides, a cloud which hangs upon the General's ac- 
 count, and betrays a most alarming situation of things ; 
 while the conduct of the Provincials, through all the mist, 
 under the command, it would seem, of nobody, manifested 
 a decisive superiority in every point of military judgment. 
 
 In my life I was never more pleased with a state paper 
 than I have been this morning with the Assembly of Vir- 
 ginia's discussion of Lord North's proposition. It is mas- 
 terly. 
 
 By the papers, as well as the run of private accounts, I 
 see very plainly that whoever governs us is determined to 
 
1757 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, Sic, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1758 
 
 proceed; and that as long as the stockholders keep from Joseph Penrose, First Major; Mr. Joseph McJlvane, Se- 
 rum, the Nation is to run every risk to keep the rewards of cond Major; Francis Murray, Esq., Standard Bearer. 
 Sir R. Walpole and Mr. Fox upon Mr. Jenkinson. How For the Second Division : Doctor John Deatty, Colonel; 
 long this torpor will continue, it is impossible to say; nor Mr. Robert Shewcll, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Mr. James Mc- 
 do 1 consider with any pleasure upon whom the storm will Masters, First Major; Mr. Win. Roberts, Second Major; 
 or ought to burst ; but what I (bar is, that the evil is ine- Mr. John Lacey, Standard Bearer. 
 
 trievable. Union itself will be too late. For the Third Division: George Taylor, Esq., Colonel ; 
 
 I set out for Ireland on Thursday, and private business Mr. Robert Robinson, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Mr. John Tcn- 
 
 obliges me to return early in October. As to publick busi- brook, First Major; Mr. John Heany, Second Major; Mr. 
 
 ness, I despond. Personal jealousy and disunion infect and John Keller, Standard Bearer. 
 
 destroy the weight of both individuals and bodies of men. The officers of the respective companies of the Middle 
 The only uncorrupt body of men remaining in the City of Battalion of the County of Bucks, are earnestly requested 
 London, I see daily losing its weight, for want of proper to meet at the house of Mr. John Bogart, on Monday next, 
 direction and joint effort. at three o'clock, to give their voice in matters of impor- 
 I am, with great truth and regard, dear Sir, your most tance. Their non-attendance will be looked upon as con- 
 obedient servant, Shelburne. senting to the business of the day. 
 To Arthur Lee, London. 
 
 LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN IN NORTH-CAROLINA, AND ONE 
 OF THE DELEGATES OF THE CONGRESS, TO A PRINCIPAL 
 HOUSE IN EDINBURGH. 
 
 Edenton, July 31, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : We wrote to you the seventeenth instant, 
 since which we have not been honoured with any of your 
 favours. With this you will receive a bill of lading for 
 the cargo of the Brigantine Charming Betsey, John Boyle 
 master, (by whom this goes,) which you will please to dis- 
 pose of to the best advantage for our interest, and place 
 the nett proceeds to our credit with you. You will observe 
 the brig has only six lay days, and beg the favour you will 
 have her discharged, so as we may not be subjected to 
 damage. 
 
 We expect to send you another vessel, with such another 
 cargo, before the exportation is stopped, which will be the 
 tenth of next September; but we shall write you more at 
 large by a ship to sail from hence to London in about two 
 weeks. All our remittances must hereafter be by bills; we 
 have laid ourselves out to remit you in that way, as all 
 other is now in a fair way of being entirely shut up. We 
 are in a terrible situation indeed ; all trade here is now at 
 an end, and when it will again be revived God only knows. 
 Every American, to a man, is determined to die or be free. 
 We are convinced nothing can restore peace to this un- 
 happy Country, and render the liberties of yours secure, 
 but a total change of the present Ministry, who are con- 
 sidered in this Country as enemies to the freedom of the 
 human race, like so many master devils in the infernal re- 
 gions, sending out their servants, furies, to torment wherever 
 they choose their infernal vengeance should fall. 
 
 Permit us, dear Sirs, as you have exerted yourselves, to 
 try another effort to save from destruction the once, and 
 but lately, most nourishing Empire in the world. 
 
 We do not want to be independent ; we want no revo- 
 lution, unless a change of Ministry and measures would be 
 deemed such. We are loyal subjects to our present most 
 gracious Sovereign, in support of whose crown and dignity 
 we would sacrifice our lives, and willingly launch out every 
 shilling of our property, he only defending our liberties. 
 This Country, without some step is taken, and that soon, will 
 be inevitably lost to the Mother Country. We say again, for 
 the love of Heaven, for the love of liberty, the interest of 
 posterity, we conjure you to exert yourselves. Petition 
 again ; the eyes of our most gracious Sovereign may yet 
 be opened, and he may see what things are for his real 
 interest, before they are eternally hid from his eyes. We 
 can vouch for the loyalty of every one in this part of the 
 Province. We beg your pardon for troubling you on the 
 subject of politicks so much as we have done ; but we 
 hope you will excuse us, when we tell you our all depends 
 on the determination of Parliament. 
 
 We have the honour to be, Gentlemen, your most obliged 
 humble servants. 
 
 BUCKS COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) MEETING. 
 
 At a meeting of the Officers of the County of Bucks, the 
 County was divided into three Battalions, and the following 
 gentlemen were chosen Field Officers : 
 
 For the First Division : Joseph Kirkbride, Esq., Col- 
 onel ; Mr. Alexander Anderson, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Mr. 
 
 By His Excellency William Tryon, Esquire, Captain- 
 General and Governour-in- Chief in and over the Pro- 
 vince of New- York, and the Territories depending 
 thereon, in America, Chancellor and Vice-Admiral of 
 the same : 
 
 A Proclamation. 
 Whereas, the General Assembly of this Province stands 
 prorogued to the ninth day of August next ; I have thought 
 fit for His Majesty's service to prorogue, and I do, by and 
 with the advice of His Majesty's Council, farther prorogue 
 the said General Assembly to the sixth clay of September 
 next, of which all His Majesty's subjects concerned there- 
 in are required to take notice, and govern themselves ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Fort George, 
 in the City of New- York , the thirty-first day of July, one 
 thousand seven hundred and seventy-five, in the fifteenth 
 year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third, 
 by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ire- 
 land, King, Defender of the Faith, Sic. 
 
 William Tryon. 
 
 By his Excellency's command : 
 
 Samuel Bayard, Jun., Dep. Secretary. 
 God save the King. 
 
 FRANCIS STEPHENS TO GENERAL GAGE. 
 
 Office of Ordnance, New-York, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Honourable Sir : In my letter of the twenty-fourth 
 June, I acquainted your Excellency with the depredations 
 committed on such of His Majesty's property as remained 
 at Turtle Bay; and occurrences of the like nature having 
 since happened at this place, I now beg leave to transmit 
 you the following particular account of the same, viz: 
 
 On Wednesday, the twelfth instant, between the hours 
 of nine and ten o'clock at night, I being then at the house 
 of Mr. Banyor, in the neighbourhood, the clerk of stores 
 came and acquainted me that a number of men with side- 
 arms, Sic, had just then got over the fence of the shot 
 yard, and were breaking open the several doors of the 
 armoury, store-house, and those of the artificers' shops; 
 whereupon 1 immediately repaired to the front doors of the 
 two first mentioned places, and on hearing a most violent 
 noise proceeding from their ransacking the premises, I 
 immediately called on Mr. Alderman Brewerton, acquaint- 
 ing him therewith, and requested his interposition ; but he 
 replied, as an individual he could by r no means render me 
 any assistance, and advised me, in that case, to call on the 
 Mayor, which I accordingly did, but he was not in Town. 
 1 then, in my way to the Governour's, met with Captain 
 Thomas William Moore, who had the command of the 
 guard appointed to preserve the peace of the City, to whom 
 I communicated the foregoing, and entreated his assistance, 
 in order to put a stop to the felonious proceedings of a 
 number of armed men who were carrying off His Majesty's 
 stores, as also some of my own private property, and which 
 I conceived it was his duty to protect. Soon after, Mr. 
 Moore came down to the store-houses, and brought with 
 him a party of armed men, who, with myself, went in 
 amongst the people that were committing the depredations, 
 demanding by what authority they presumed to carry off 
 the King's stores; when some of them replied to Mr. 
 
1759 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, kc , JULY, 1775. 
 
 1760 
 
 Moore, that it was by order of tlieir Colonel Ritzema they 
 came there for that purpose. Upon which they were told, 
 that no person whatever had a right to order them to be- 
 have in the manner they had done, and therefore advised 
 them to disperse ; which they soon afier accordingly did, 
 taking with them several drums, a considerable quantity of 
 iron ramrods, and sundry other articles of His Majesty's 
 property. Two hours after they were gone, viz. about two 
 o'clock in the morning, a great party of the Connecticut 
 Troops, supposed to be upwards of a hundred, came from 
 their encampment, in the environs of the City, to the store- 
 houses aforementioned, where they continued until nigh 
 day-light, rummaging and ransacking every place, and car- 
 ried away such articles as they thought proper. 
 
 Thursday the thirteenth, about eight o'clock in the even- 
 ing, Francis Staples, the person who has the care of Tur- 
 tle Bay, came to town and informed me of the following 
 particulars, viz : that about three o'clock this afternoon, the 
 same sloop which carried off the stores from thence on the 
 night of the twelfth ultimo, came again to that place, and 
 was met by a party of the Connecticut Troops, supposed to 
 be about fifty men, who put on board the said sioop (as 
 near as he could well guess) about five hundred twenty- 
 four pound round-shot, fifty ten-inch, and the like number 
 of cohorn shells ; they likewise broke open the store-house, 
 took out the major part of what remained there, such as 
 old sand-bags, empty boxes, &z,c, and then went off. 
 
 The same night, about half past nine o'clock, a com- 
 pany of armed men came to my dwelling-house and de- 
 manded admittance, pretending that they had received 
 certain intelligence of a number of small-arms being con- 
 cealed in the upper apartment of said house, and as such 
 were determined to be satisfied by searching it, &tc; which 
 was accordingly done to their great disappointment. They 
 then requested of me the keys of another store-house, which 
 they said had not as yet been examined into, observing 
 that the arms must of course certainly be there ; and not- 
 withstanding my utmost endeavours to dissuade them to 
 the contrary, they violently broke open the doors of the 
 same, and robbed it of the following articles, viz : two brass 
 petards, some tents, mostly unserviceable, a few powder- 
 horns, nails, baskets, and other things, which at present is 
 not in my power to particularize. In consequence of the 
 above facts having been represented to the civil magistrates, 
 a deputation from their body waited on their Committee of 
 Safety for the Colony of New- York, who sit during the 
 recess of the Provincial Congress. The latter, on hearing 
 what had happened, gave immediate orders for printing and 
 publishing handbills to the following purport, which were 
 soon after distributed throughout the City. 
 
 " Whereas, information hath been given to this Com- 
 mittee, by the Civil Magistrates of the City of New-York, 
 that an attack was made, without provocation, upon a boat 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship.(4sirt,and the boat wantonly 
 destroyed ; and also, that the house and stores of Mr. Fran- 
 cis Stephens were violently broken open, and robbed of 
 private property, and military stores taken from thence ; 
 and whereas the said Magistrates have requested the advice 
 of the Committee on the premises : 
 
 "Ordered, That it be recommended to the Civil Magis- 
 trates to examine strictly into the several matters and things 
 above mentioned, and to punish all persons who are guilty 
 of perpetrating the same, as the law directs ; and that it be, 
 and hereby is recommended to all the citizens and others, 
 to aid and assist the Magistrates in the execution of their 
 offices. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 " Robert Benson, Secretary. 
 
 "July 13, 1775." 
 
 The Mayor and Court of Aldermen, agreeable to what 
 is recommended to them in the above, proceeded to take 
 the depositions of several persons who were by at the time 
 the depredations were committed, and issued their warrants 
 for apprehending those who were reported to be guilty. 
 But the Grand Jury, who were sitting at the time, and had 
 the complaints with many affidavits laid before them, never- 
 theless thought proper to decline doing any thing further 
 in the affair ; nor does there appear the smallest shadow 
 of a probability that I shall be able to obtain any redress, 
 
 so very much are the insulters and robbers of Government 
 property at present befriended in this place. 
 
 1 am, with the greatest respect, Sir, your Excellency's 
 most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Francis Stephens. 
 
 His Excellency the Honourable General Gage. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Ticondcroga, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Yesterday the enclosed letter and papers were de- 
 livered me. The warrants for the Captains and Lieutenants 
 to enlist the men, have not yet been sent up ; but that no 
 delay might thereby be occasioned, 1 have directed them 
 to proceed to make the levies, and have given them assu- 
 rances that they should have the commissions. A contro- 
 versy has arisen between Allen and Warner; the former, 
 you will perceive, has been left out altogether by the Green 
 Mountain Boys. What the consequences will be I cannot 
 pretend to say. 
 
 I have a boat on stocks, sixty feet in length, which I 
 hope to finish by this day week. I suppose she will carry 
 between two and three hundred men. Another of the same 
 size is to be put up to-day, so that I hope soon to have 
 vessels enough to move on. If any more powder can be 
 got, 1 hope it will be sent, as not above a ton will be left, 
 if so much, when the Troops are completed, to a pound 
 a man. 
 
 Enclose you copies of two letters; one from Commissary 
 Phelps, and the other from Commissary Strong. The 
 former, Mr. Livingston acquaints me, refuses to resign the 
 department into his hands. I have sent orders to him re- 
 quiring his compliance. I doubt whether they will be 
 obeyed. If not, it is more than probable that the service 
 will essentially suffer. 
 
 I have written to Mr. Strong, that Mr. Livingston will 
 take the pork, flour, and cattle, he mentions ; his letter is 
 not the most decent, and as such I have treated it in my 
 answer to him. 
 
 As I did not wish that Mr. Livingston should dismiss 
 any person that had been employed by the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, I wrote him as soon as I was informed of his ap- 
 pointment. Mr. Phelps must continue in employment, and 
 I think you had best send him to Fort George, to take 
 charge of your branch there. 
 
 I should not have troubled you with these letters, but 
 that you may from them see the necessity of some general 
 resolution of Congress, to cure all this jarring. 
 
 I am, Sir, your Honour's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 
 Honourable John Hancock, President, &c. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 31, 1775, 
 
 Gentlemen : I do myself the honour to enclose you a 
 copy of a letter and paper I have received from the people 
 called Green Mountain Boys, together with a copy of my 
 letter in answer. I am apprehensive that the controversy 
 which has arisen amongst them, relative to the Field-Offi- 
 cers, will cause delay in the levies. Whilst at New- York, 
 and even after my arrival here, on conversing with Allen 
 and Warner, 1 did not conceive there could have been any 
 contest between them, or that a third person would have 
 been recommended by the people as a Field-Officer. On 
 that supposition, and believing the people unanimous in 
 their favour, I should not have hesitated to have recom- 
 mended them. 
 
 You will please to send up the warrants for the Captains 
 and Lieutenants without being filled up, lest any that are 
 nominated should decline the service. The warrants com- 
 pleted for such Field-Officers as you may appoint, you will 
 also please to furnish me with. 
 
 I have got some New-England men to make oars in 
 this quarter. If, therefore, you order me six hundred, it 
 will be sufficient ; these I wish up as soon as possible. 
 Some of the stores are arrived, and I hope the remainder 
 will soon be here. 
 
 1 beg leave to remind you, that the proper officers and 
 
1761 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1762 
 
 necessaries for a hospital will be most indispensably ne- 
 cessary. The Troops already here begin severely to feel 
 the want of them. 
 
 Please to order all the powder that is made at Judge 
 Livingston's powder-mill to Albany, with as much des- 
 patch as possible, directed to the care of the Deputy Com- 
 missary-General, Walter Livingston, Esquire. 
 
 The clothing and tents for the Green Mountain Boys, I 
 wish you to forward as soon as possible. 
 
 1 am, Gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient 
 humble servant, Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., he. 
 
 NATHAN CLARK TO GENERAL SCHUYLER. 
 
 Dorset, July 28, 1775. 
 May it please your Honour: In compliance to the 
 orders of Congress, as well as your recommendation, I en- 
 close the proceedings of our Committee meeting on the 
 New-Hampshire Grants upon due notice to the Towns in 
 general, all which is humbly submitted to your wisdom, 
 not doubting but the warrants will issue agreeable to our 
 wishes. We are your most obedient. 
 In behalf of the Committee : 
 
 Nathan Clark, Chairman. 
 To the Honourable General Schuyler. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committees of the several Town- 
 ships on the New-Hampshire Grants, west of the Range 
 of Green-Mountains, convened at the house of Mr. Cephas 
 Kents, Innholder in the Township of Dorset, July 27th, 
 1775. Voted as follows, viz : 
 
 First. Chose Mr. Nathan Clark Chairman. 
 
 Secondly. Chose John Fassett Clerk. 
 
 Thirdly. The motion being made and seconded, whether 
 tbis Convention shall prosecute in choosing Field and other 
 officers according to the Provincial Congress's and your 
 Honour's directions ? 
 
 Passed in the affirmative. 
 
 Then proceeded as follows : 
 
 Fourthly. Chose Mr. Seth Warner Lieutenant-Colonel 
 for the Regiment of Green Mountain Boys, by a majority 
 of forty-one to five. 
 
 Fifthly. Chose Mr. Samuel Safford Major for said Re- 
 giment, by a majority of twenty-eight to seventeen. 
 
 Then proceeded and chose seven Captains, and fourteen 
 Lieutenants, by a great majority, namely: 
 
 Captains : Weight Hopkins, Oliver Potter, John Grant, 
 William Fitch, Gideon Brownson, Micah Vail, Heman 
 Allen. 
 
 First Lieutenants: John Fassett, Ebenezer Allen, Bar- 
 nabas Barnam, Jille Bleaksley, Ira Allen, Gideon War- 
 ren, David Galusha. 
 
 Second Lieutenants : Johan Noble, James Claghorn, 
 
 John Chipman, Nathan Smith, Jesse Sawyer, Joshua 
 
 Stanton, Philo Hard. m r, n , . 
 
 ' Nathan Clark, Chairman. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO NATHAN CLARK. 
 
 Head-Quarters, Ticonderoga, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Your letter, dated Dorset, 28th July, 1775, has 
 been delivered me by Captain Fitch, together witb the 
 votes that were enclosed. 
 
 The choice of the Captains and Lieutenants being left 
 unconditional to the people, those chosen will receive the 
 warrants as soon as they come to my hands, and the levy- 
 ing of the men may not be retarded. You will signify to 
 them that I hereby empower them immediately to proceed 
 to that business, without waiting for the warrants. 
 
 And in order to prevent any confusion that may take 
 place, the Captains and Lieutenants must immediately sig- 
 nify to me in writing, that they accept, or decline the offices 
 to which they have been elected. 
 
 The votes I shall immediately transmit to Congress, that 
 they may approve of the Field Officers, or appoint others 
 out of your body, as they may think proper. 
 
 I am, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 Philip Schuyler. 
 To Mr. Nathan Clark, Chairman, he. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 31, 1775. 
 Sir : At ten this morning was honoured with your 
 favour of twenty-fourth instant. Any person acquainted 
 witli the situation of this Country, the importance of having 
 the command of Canada, the salutary consequences that 
 must necessarily flow from having it in our power to com- 
 mand respect from the savages, must, without hesitation, 
 agree, that no time ought to be lost in attempting to gain 
 possession of the Province of Quebeck; and although hith- 
 erto we have had every prospect that could promise success 
 to the enterprise, yet such is unfortunately our situation, 
 that we are not in a capacity to move. We have neither 
 craft to transport a body of men, nor provisions. The 
 former I hope soon to be supplied with, as I have a num- 
 ber of carpenters at work in building boats. The latter 
 must be sent me from Albany; but comes so amazingly 
 slow, that we have not above ten days' flour for the few 
 Troops here. This scarcity has obliged me to order the 
 men arrived at Albany from New-York to encamp there, 
 to prevent their starving here. 
 
 I find by the returns of the Commissaries, that twenty 
 thousand rations were expended so early as the seventh 
 instant, beyond the allowance. I hope, however, that we 
 shall get ready in time to effect so good a work, if the dis- 
 position of the Canadians continues friendly to us. The 
 Troops here sicken very fast for want of proper hospitals. 
 We are under the disagreeable necessity of leaving the 
 sick with the well. 
 
 If the Lexington affair caused so much emotion in Eng- 
 land, 1 hope the last battle will increase them, so as to bring 
 about a revolution of some kind in our favour; and the 
 Minister's confidence in the defection of New-York van- 
 ishing, they may be induced to give up their odious claims, 
 and pursue measures tending to a reconciliation, instead of 
 the nefarious and hostile ones they had adopted. 
 
 I am, Sir, your Honour's most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Ph. Schuyler. 
 
 Hon. Jonathan Trumbull. 
 
 GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Ticonderoga, July 31, 1775. 
 Dear General: Since my last I have been most assidu- 
 ously employed in preparing materials for building boats to 
 convey me across the lake. The progress has hitherto 
 been slow, as with few hands I had all the timber to cut, 
 mills to repair to saw the plank, and my draught cattle ex- 
 tremely weak for want of feed, the drought having scorched 
 up every kind of herbage. I have now one boat on the 
 stocks which I hope will carry near three hundred men ; 
 another is putting up to-day. Provisions of the bread kind 
 are scarce with me, and therefore I have not dared to order 
 up a thousand men that are at Albany, lest we should 
 starve here. 
 
 I have had no intelligence from Canada since my last to 
 you. Major Brown has been gone nine days, and I ex- 
 pect him back, if all is well, by Saturday next, August 2. 
 
 I have not had a return from General Wooster since my 
 arrival. I am therefore under the necessity of making you 
 a return of the Troops here only. 
 
 Enclose your Excellency a copy of two affidavits made 
 by persons from Canada. I have transmitted other copies 
 to the Congress. 
 
 I am extremely anxious to hear from your part of the 
 world. Reports prevail that a body of Troops have left 
 Boston, and are gone to Canada. If so, I fear we shall 
 not be able to penetrate into Canada, or even attack St. 
 John's with success, though at all events I am ordered to 
 go there. 
 
 I am your Excellency's most obedient and most humble 
 servant, Philip Schuyler. 
 
 To His Excellency General Washington, he. he. 
 
 P. S. I wish I could make you a regular return even of 
 the Troops at this place and Crown Point, but I have not 
 yet got the people to be regular in any thing, and there- 
 fore beg you to dispense with the following statement: Fit 
 for duty, 1 Colonel, 3 Majors, 9 Captains, 1 Captain- 
 Lieutenant, 21 Subalterns, 34 Sergeants, 18 Drums and 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 Ill 
 
1763 
 
 CORRESPONDENCE, PROCEEDINGS, &c, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1764 
 
 Fifes, 933 rank and file, I Chaplain, 2 Adjutants, 1 Quar- 
 termaster, 1 Surgeon, and 2 Mates. Sick : 1 Lieutenant, 
 4 Sergeants, 2 Drums, 103 rank and file. 
 
 GOVERNOUR TRUMBULL TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 
 
 Lebanon, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir: By the Resolve in Congress of the 19th instant, 
 it is recommended to the New-England Colonies to com- 
 plete the deficiencies in the Regiments belonging to them 
 respectively. I have not been informed of any deficiency 
 in the number of Troops sent from Connecticut. 
 
 It is recommended, also, to this Colony, to complete and 
 send forward to the camp before Boston, as soon as pos- 
 sible, the fourteen hundred men lately voted by our Assem- 
 bly. The 25th instant I sent orders to the Colonels of the 
 last raised Regiments to march forthwith to the camp be- 
 fore Boston by subdivisions, if all were not in readiness. 
 Expect many of the companies will begin their march this 
 day, and that the whole will move forward very soon. 
 
 The honourable President Hancock, in his favour of the 
 22d instant, informs, that you had recommended, and the 
 Congress have appointed Mr. Joseph Trumbull Commis- 
 sary-General of the American Army. I am also informed 
 that you have taken Mr. John Trumbull into your service 
 and family. These instances of kindness shewn them justly 
 claim my most grateful acknowledgments. A performance 
 of their duty answerable to your expectation, will meet 
 your approbation and continuance of regard, and afford me 
 peculiar satisfaction and pleasure. 
 
 The Rose, Swan, and Kingfisher, ships-of-war, with a 
 small tender, the 26th instant came into the harbour at 
 New-London. On the 27th instant some men landed 
 near the Light-house, broke off the trunnions and plugged 
 up with old files three or four cannon. They sailed out 
 again on Friday last. It is reported Mr. Collector Stuart 
 is packing up his effects, in order to leave that port. 
 
 I am, Sir, with great truth and regard, your Excellency's 
 most obedient and humble servant, Joiu Trumbdll> 
 
 His Excellency General Washington. 
 
 TOWN-MEETING, PROVIDENCE, RHODE-ISLAND. 
 
 At a Town-meeting called by warrant and holden in 
 Providence, on the thirty-first day of July, A. D. 1775, 
 the Hon. Nicholas Cooke, Esquire, Moderator: 
 
 Voted, That there be an Intrenchment and Breastwork 
 hove up between Field's Point and Sassafras Point, suffi- 
 cient to cover such a body of men as may be ordered there 
 on emergency; that there be a Battery of six eighteen- 
 pounders erected at Fox Hill; that there be four cannon 
 mounted as field-pieces by the Committee hereinafter- 
 named ; that the same Committee draw up Rules for regu- 
 lating the Battery; that Captain Nicholas Power be ap- 
 pointed to build the Battery and Breastwork aforesaid, and 
 that he advise and consult with Captain Errick Hopkins, 
 Ambrose Page, Esquire, Captain John Updike, Mr. Sa- 
 muel Nightingale, Jun., Captain William Earle, and Cap- 
 tain Simon Smith, who are appointed a Committee for that 
 purpose, on the manner of building the aforesaid works, 
 and that he proceed on the same immediately; that there 
 be a foot Bridge built over the Creek that leads to Fox 
 Point ; that the Committee aforesaid apply to the propri- 
 etors of the lands to get liberty to build the Batteries at 
 Fox Hill, he. ; that Captain Poiver draw on the Town 
 Treasury for defraying the expense of the aforesaid works, 
 until the same shall be reimbursed by the Continental Con- 
 gress, and if there is not money sufficient in the Treasury 
 to answer Captain Power's orders, he shall be allowed in- 
 terest for the same till paid ; that his Honour the Deputy- 
 Governour be requested to represent the whole of this 
 matter to the Continental Congress requesting that they 
 would be pleased to reimburse the Town the expenses 
 they may be at in erecting those temporary though neces- 
 sary works of defence. 
 
 Voted, That the Committee appointed at the last meet- 
 ing to erect a Beacon, be also requested to build a House 
 for the materials for the Beacon. 
 
 Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to Saturday 
 next, at four o'clock, P. M. 
 
 GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE SPEAKER OF THE GENERAL 
 ASSEMBLY OF MASSACHUSETTS-BAY. 
 
 Camp at Cambridge, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir : I have considered the application made to me yes- 
 terday from the General Court, with all the attention due to 
 the situation of the people in whose behalf it is made, and 
 the respect due to such a recommendation. Upon refer- 
 ring to my instructions, and consulting with those members 
 of Congress who are present, as well as the General Offi- 
 cers, they all agree, that it would not be consistent with my 
 duty to detach any part of the Army now here on any par- 
 ticular Provincial service. It has been debated in Congress 
 and settled, that the Militia, or other internal strength of 
 each Province, is to be applied for defence against those 
 small and particular depredations which were to be expect- 
 ed, and to which they were supposed to be competent. 
 This will appear the more proper, when it is considered, 
 that every town, and indeed every part of our sea-coast 
 which is exposed to these depredations, would have an 
 equal claim upon this Army. 
 
 It is the misfortune of our situation, which exposes us to 
 these ravages, and against which, in my judgment, no 
 such temporary relief could possibly secure us. The great 
 advantage the enemy have of transporting troops by being 
 masters of the sea, will enable them to harass us by diver- 
 sions of this kind ; and should we be tempted to pursue 
 them upon every alarm, the Army must either be so weak- 
 ened as to expose it to destruction, or a great part of the 
 coast be still left unprotected. Nor, indeed, does it appear 
 to me, that such a pursuit would be attended with the least 
 effect. The first notice of such an excursion would be its 
 actual execution ; and long before any troops could reach 
 the scene of action, the enemy would have an opportunity 
 to accomplish their purpose, and retire. It would give me 
 great pleasure to have it in my power to extend protection 
 and safety to every individual ; but the wisdom of the Gene- 
 ral Court will anticipate me in the necessity of conducting 
 our operations on a general and impartial scale, so as to ex- 
 clude any just cause of complaint and jealousy. 
 
 I beg, Sir, you will do me the honour to communicate 
 these sentiments to the General Court, and to apologize for 
 my involuntary delay, as we were alarmed this morning by 
 the enemy, and my time was taken up in giving the neces- 
 sary directions. 
 
 I shall be happy in every opportunity of showing my 
 very great respect and regard for the General Court of 
 Massachusetts-Bay ; and am, Sir, &c. 
 
 Go. Washington. 
 
 EXTRACT OF A LETTER RECEIVED IN PHILADELPHIA, 
 DATED CAMBRIDGE, JULY 31, 1775. 
 
 Last Friday we were informed by our out sentries at 
 the foot of Bunker's Hill, that the enemy had cut down 
 several large trees, and were busy all night in throwing up 
 a line and abattis in front of it. In the evening orders 
 were given to the York County Rifle Company, to march 
 down to our advanced post on Charlcstown Neck, to en- 
 deavour to surround the enemy's advanced guard, and to 
 bring off some prisoners; from whom we expected to learn 
 the enemy's design in throwing up the abattis on the neck. 
 The Rifle Company divided, and executed their plan in 
 the following manner: Captain Dowdle, with thirty-nine 
 men, filed off to the right of Bunker's Hill, and, creeping 
 on their hands and knees, got into the rear of the enemy's 
 sentries, without being discovered. The other division, of 
 forty men. under Lieutenant Miller, were equally success- 
 ful in getting behind the sentries on the left, and were 
 within a few yards of joining the division on the right, 
 when a party of Regulars came down the hill to relieve 
 their guard, and crossed our Riflemen under Captain Dow- 
 dle, as they were lying on the ground in an Indian file. 
 The Regulars were within twenty yards of our Riflemen 
 before they saw them, and immediately fired. The Rifle- 
 men returned the salute, killed several, and brought off 
 two prisoners and their muskets, with the loss of Coporal 
 Crouse, who is supposed to be killed, as he has not been 
 heard of since the affair. 
 
 In return for this, the enemy alarmed us last night in 
 their turn. At one o'clock this morning a heavy firing of 
 small-arras and cannon occasioned our drums to beat to 
 
1765 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1766 
 
 arms. The Army was immediately ordered under arms 
 to their posts. The firing continued in three different 
 quarters — Roxbury, Sewall's Point, at the mouth of Cam- 
 bridge River, and at the advanced posts at Charlestoivn 
 Neck. Some hours elapsed before we knew the design of 
 the enemy, which was this: we had surrounded some of 
 their out guards the night before, which induced them to 
 serve our sentries in the same manner. They sent two flat- 
 bottomed boats to Sewall's Point to attack our redoubt there; 
 sallied out at Roxbury, and set fire to the George Tavern, 
 our advanced guard house. Our people attacked, beat them 
 in, and took one prisoner, who is expected here every 
 minute. The flat-bottomed boats, after a useless fire of 
 many hours, returned. The picket guard of the enemy on 
 Charlestoivn Seek attacked and drove in our advanced 
 guard of sixty men, who, being re-enforced by General Lee's 
 orders, recovered their ground, and beat off the enemy, 
 killed several, and brought off seven muskets, without losing 
 a man, although our men engaged them under their guns, 
 within point blank shot of their lines. We are just inform- 
 ed that two hundred and fifty of the Marblehead sailors 
 have formed on Plowed Hill, and have drove in all the 
 out guards of the enemy. The enemy do not appear to be 
 very fond of coming out. We shall harass them continual- 
 ly, and for this reason want the aid of the Riflemen, as 
 only one company is as yet came in. 
 
 Worcester, Massachusetts, August 2, 1775. 
 
 On Monday last, July 31st, we learn that a detachment 
 of three hundred men from our Army, under the command 
 of Major Tupper, were sent to Light-House Island, on in- 
 formation being received that the King's Troops were re- 
 building it. The enemy perceiving our people coming, pre- 
 pared to receive them. Our Troops were ordered not to 
 fire until they landed, which they did, and went boldly up 
 to the enemy, killed ten or twelve on the spot, among 
 whom was the commanding officer, and took the remain- 
 der, about thirty-five in number, demolished the enemy's 
 works, and were preparing to embark; but the tide leaving 
 them, they were obliged to tarry till its return; meantime a 
 large number of boats from the men-of-war came up in 
 order to re-enforce the enemy on the island, and a smart 
 firing from both parties commenced ; our Troops, however, 
 
 got safe back with their prisoners, with the loss of one man 
 killed, and two or three wounded. 
 
 To the Committee of Cherry Valley. To be communi- 
 cated to the Inhabitants of the Butternuts. 
 
 A Speech of the Chiefs of the Oneidas, respecting the 
 late Murder committed in the plantation of the Butter- 
 nuts. 
 
 Brethren : We have heard of your alarming and dis- 
 tracting situation, by the unnatural and very inhuman mur- 
 der of one in your place. We are very much surprised at 
 the account, and feel for you in this your distress. Both 
 you and we shall likely soon discover the murderer. You 
 white people have some malicious evil-minded persons 
 amongst you, and we Indians have likewise the same. We 
 have long resided hard by our brethren on Mohawk River. 
 and never knew such an instance as has happened in your 
 place — a man found dead, and murdered in such a manner! 
 Brethren, quiet your minds, and indulge no fears nor 
 jealousies respecting our friendship ; don't leave your plan- 
 tations; continue where you are, and follow your work. 
 We don't think you would have suspected any of us Onei- 
 das to have done such a thing, were it not for the troubles 
 and confusions that prevail in the eastward, (meaning New- 
 England.) We Oneidas have made search, and can find 
 no person of our Nation that has been so lately hunting 
 in the woods; nor any of the Onohoggwahes. We there- 
 fore entreat you to quiet your minds, and by no means in- 
 dulge any fears respecting us; and whenever we meet 
 again, let it be in great friendship and brotherly love; or 
 if any of our people should pass that way, treat them with 
 your usual kindness, that peace may always continue and 
 be maintained between us. We have only farther to 
 remark, that had there been on our part any design of 
 mischief, or beginning a quarrel with the white people, and 
 had an Indian committed the inhuman murder, he would 
 never have come off and left the man unscalped; for which 
 reason, and some other circumstances, we are of opinion 
 that some other person, and not an Indian, has been guilty 
 of the murder We hope you may never know the like 
 again, but continue in peace and prosper. 
 
 Present, four of the Onohoggwahes. Interpreted and 
 wrote by Samuel Kirkland, Missionary. 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 
 June 30, 1775. — Ordered the Receiver-General to pay 
 to the Committee of Supplies six hundred Pounds, lawful 
 money, to be by them accounted for. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay to Samuel Hobart, 
 Esq., Paymaster of the Forces of this Colony, four thou- 
 sand five hundred Pounds, lawful money. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to deliver Lieutenant 
 
 , forty-two pounds of Gunpowder for the use of 
 
 Captain Langdon's Company, at Portsmouth, and to take 
 his receipt to be accountable for it. 
 
 July 1, 1775. — Ordered the Receiver-General to pay 
 to the Committee of Supplies five hundred Pounds. 
 
 Wrote to General Folsom by Major Hobart. — Copy 
 filed. 
 
 Wrote to Colonel Reid by Major Hobart. — Copy filed. 
 
 In consequence of Messrs. Child and Ashley being ap- 
 pointed a Committee to wait upon the Congress of the 
 Massachusetts, and the Assemblies of Rhode-Island and 
 Connecticut, as per vote of Congress, ordered the Receiv- 
 er-General to pay the said Child six Pounds, lawful money, 
 to be by him accounted for. 
 
 July 4, 1775. — Ordered the Receiver-General to pay 
 Jonathan Robinson forty Shillings, being his month's pay 
 as a Soldier in Captain Samuel Gilman's Company, he 
 being at home on furlough. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay Amos Dakin forty 
 Shillings, being a month's pay for the account of the Widow 
 of one Joseph Blood, who was killed in the Army, to be 
 by said Dakin accounted for. 
 
 July 5, 1775. — Ordered the Receiver-General to pay 
 
 Samuel Calley four Pounds sixteen Shillings, for a Wagon 
 by him made for the use of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay the Committee 
 of Supplies one thousand Pounds, lawful money, to be 
 by them accounted for. 
 
 Appointed Captain Josiah Moult on Paymaster of Cap- 
 tain Elkins's Company, for first month's wages. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Captain Josiah Moul- 
 ton one hundred and thirty-nine Pounds sixteen Shillings, 
 lawful money, for the first month's pay of Captain Elkins's 
 Company. 
 
 Appointed Israel Morey, Esq., Paymaster of the first 
 month's wages of Captain Bedell's Company. 
 
 July 6, 1775. — Ordered the Receiver-General to pay 
 Israel Morey, Esq., one hundred and thirty-nine Pounds 
 sixteen Shillings, lawful money, being for the first month's 
 pay of Captain Bedell's Company. 
 
 Honourable Meshech Weare was added to the Commit- 
 tee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay Ebenezer Thomp- 
 son, Esq., thirty-one Pounds four Shillings, being the ex- 
 pense of making the £10,050 lately emitted by order of 
 the Congress of this Colony. 
 
 Previous to the drawing the orders of this day's date, 
 Captain William Whipple was chosen Chairman of this 
 Committee pro tern. 
 
 July 7, 1775. — Ordered Samuel Hobart, Esq., to pay 
 the surplus of the money left in his hands, after paying the 
 Troops according to directions, to those of the Committee 
 of Supplies at Head-Quarters, Medford. 
 
 Ordered the Receiver-General to pay Mr. John Whee- 
 lock forty-two Shillings and three Pence half-penny, being 
 
1767 
 
 NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1768 
 
 the amount of bis account of expenses, time, and horse, in 
 a journey to Watertown by order of Congress. 
 
 Gave James Osgood orders to enlist twenty effective 
 Soldiers. 
 
 Appointed Captain David Page to muster the men that 
 shall be enlisted by James Osgood. 
 
 Gave John Parker orders to enlist sixty-three men for 
 Soldiers. 
 
 Made out Commission for Colonel Bedell as Captain ; 
 Abraham Palmer as Lieutenant ; Richard Nelson as En- 
 sign, of the first Company of Rangers, in the service of 
 this Colony, dated 23d of June, 1775, the day they were 
 mustered. 
 
 Gave Captain Bedell the following orders : 
 Sir : You are directed to proceed immediately to Nor- 
 thumberland or Lancaster, with your company, or such 
 part thereof as you think proper, and there, in conjunction 
 with the inhabitants, erect a garrison in such a place as you, 
 with their advice, shall judge most suitable, sufficient for 
 defence against small-arms; and when that is completed, 
 to assist in building garrisons in such other places on the 
 frontiers as you, with the advice of the inhabitants, shall 
 judge most necessary; sending out such scouts from time 
 to time for intelligence as you shall think expedient; and 
 also to take charge of all such provisions as may be sent 
 you, and cause the same properly to be delivered to the 
 soldiers of your and other companies that may be posted 
 by the Congress or this Committee on Connecticut River, 
 and purchase beef and bread, &c, as may be requisite, 
 and return your accounts to this Committee for their allow- 
 ance and payment ; and also to use your utmost endeavours 
 to gain and keep the friendship of the Indians, by small 
 donations, &tc. ; and if any thing of importance should 
 occur, to send information thereof to this Committee by 
 immediate expresses; and to take up and examine any 
 person you may suspect of attempting to cross the coun- 
 try to Canada with a design to hurt the cause of America; 
 and if, after examination, you are satisfied of such design, 
 that you secure him or them, and send them down here for 
 trial ; and to use your discretion with regard to any others 
 who evidently appear to be inimical to the liberties of Ame- 
 rica. In case of any attack upon any of the inhabitants in 
 those parts to whom you can possibly afford assistance, 
 you are to do it without delay. 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Wm. Whipple, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 Gave Matthew Thornton orders to enlist forty-three able- 
 bodied men as Soldiers. 
 
 Gave Seth Wheeler the following Orders to enlist ten able- 
 bodied men as Soldiers : 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 7, 1775. 
 
 To Seth Wheeler, Greeting: 
 
 Sir: You are hereby empowered immediately to enlist 
 ten able-bodied and effective men, well accoutred, as sol- 
 diers in the New-Hampshire service, for the preservation 
 of American liberty, and cause them to pass muster as soon 
 as possible. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 Wm. Whipple, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 In Committee of Safety, Exeter, July 7, 1775. 
 
 To Seth Wheeler: 
 
 Sir : Whereas, you this day received orders for enlisting 
 ten men as soldiers in the Neiv-Hampshire service, for the 
 preservation of American liberty : you are hereby acquaint- 
 ed that the commission of an Ensign in said service shall 
 be made out for you as soon as your enlistment is com- 
 pleted, and the men have passed muster. You and the 
 said men to be enlisted are to be under the command of 
 Captain John Parker, of Litchfield, in the County of 
 Hillsborough. 
 
 By order of said Committee : 
 
 Wm. Whipple, Chairman pro tern. 
 
 July 8, 1775. — Upon application of Selectmen of New- 
 town, informing that they had been opposed in endeavour- 
 ing to apprehend a deserter from the Army, in order to 
 send him back, and requesting advisement thereon, wrote 
 to inhabitants of said Town, as follows: 
 
 In Committoo of Safety, Exeter, July 8, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Provincial Congress have recommended 
 to the several and respective Committees in the several 
 Towns, Parishes, and Precincts in this Colony, to take up 
 and secure deserters from the American Army, and cause 
 them to be conveyed safely to their proper Officers at Head- 
 Quarters ; and this measure must appear to every one to 
 be of great importance to the American cause ; and as 
 we are informed the Town of Newtown, having no such 
 Committee, the Selectmen laudably therefore endeavoured 
 to answer the design of the Congress in sending back a 
 deserter, but not without opposition in accomplishing the 
 same: We therefore recommend it to the inhabitants of 
 Newtown (whose zeal and disposition to serve the common 
 cause, we cannot doubt) that they exert themselves in endea- 
 vouring to have such deserters apprehended and returned 
 to their respective Companies, and in supporting the Select- 
 men and others in doing the same ; and that all such per- 
 sons as shall endeavour by any means to obstruct or hinder 
 them herein be taken proper notice of, according to the 
 nature of their offence, and if need be put under guard. 
 And also that the Town, as soon as may be, proceed to 
 choose a Committee, as recommended by the Congress. 
 
 Ordered Committee of Supplies to send two barrels of 
 Gunpowder, eight hundred pounds of Lead or Bullets, six 
 hundred Flints and Blankets, for forty Soldiers, and all 
 other necessaries for the use of the Troops, on the Western 
 Frontiers of this Colony to Coos. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Samuel Folsom forty 
 Pounds fourteen Shillings, and a Penny, being for the board, 
 horsekeeping, and expenses of Committee to this day. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Timothy Bedell, Esq., 
 forty-five Shillings and six Pence, the amount of his account 
 of expenses, &,c, in a journey to Watertown by order of 
 Congress. 
 
 Wrote John Hancock, Esq., President of Continental 
 
 Congress. 
 
 Wrote to New-Hampshire Delegates at Continental Con- 
 gress, and to Doctor Langdon at Cambridge, enclosing two 
 former Letters. 
 
 July 13. 1775. — Ordered Committee of Supplies to for- 
 ward to Head-Quarters fourteen barrels of Gunpowder, 
 and a quantity of Bullets. 
 
 July 14, 1775. — Ordered Receiver-General to pay Wil- 
 liam Parker, Jun., one hundred and fifty Pounds, first 
 month's wages of Captain Shortridge's Company. 
 
 Appointed William Whipple, Esquire, Paymaster of first 
 month's wages of Captain Shortridge's Company, and Eli- 
 phalet Daniel to muster them. 
 
 July 19, 1775. — Ordered Receiver-General to pay Messrs. 
 Folsom, Parsons, and Evans, (Committee to procure five 
 hundred Fire-Arms to be made,) thirty Pounds, to be by 
 them accounted for. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay James Proctor nine 
 Pounds, for sixty shod Shovels by him supplied. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Jonathan Perkins ten 
 Shillings, amount of his account, for keeping door of Con- 
 gress, &iC. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Moses Parsons three 
 Pounds ten Shillings, amount of his account for expenses 
 in journeying after Gunsmiths. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Captain Josiah Moul- 
 ton three Pounds sixteen Shillings, being the sum he had 
 advanced for his board, and expenses as one of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay Ebenezcr Thompson, 
 Esq., thirty Pounds, to be by him accounted for. 
 
 July 24, 1775. — Ordered Receiver-General to pay Com- 
 mittee of Supplies six hundred Pounds, to be by them ac- 
 counted for. 
 
 Ordered Receiver-General to pay General Sullivan thirty 
 Pounds, to be by him accounted for. 
 
 Appointed W. Parker, Jun., to muster Captain Parker's 
 Company, and to pay them first month's wages. 
 
 July 31, 1775. — Ordered Receiver-General to pay W. 
 Parker, Jun., one hundred and twenty Pounds, first month's 
 wages of part of Captain Jonathan Parker's Company. 
 
1769 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1770 
 
 MINUTES OF THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY OF PENN- 
 SYLVANIA. 
 
 In Assombly, June 30, 1775. 
 
 Philadelphia, ss. 
 
 1. Resolved, That this House approves the Association 
 entered into by the good people of this Colony, for the de- 
 fence of their lives, liberties, and property. 
 
 2. Resolved, That if any invasion or landing of British 
 Troops, or others, shall be made in this or the adjacent Co- 
 lonies, during the present controversy, or any armed Ships 
 or Vessels shall sail up the River Delaware in a hostile 
 manner, and such circumstances shall render it expedient 
 in the judgment of the Committee hereafter to be appoint- 
 ed, for any number of the Officers and private men of the 
 Association within this Colony to enter into actual service 
 for repelling such hostile attempts, this House will provide 
 for the pay and necessary expenses of such Officers and 
 Soldiers, performing such military duty while in such actual 
 service. 
 
 3. Resolved. That the pay of the Officers and Privates, 
 while in such actual service, shall not exceed that of the 
 Army raised by the Congress of the United Colonies for 
 the defence of the liberties of America. 
 
 4. Resolved, That this House do earnestly recommend 
 to the Board of Commiscioners and Assessors of the City 
 and County of Philadelphia, and of each County in this 
 Province that have not already made the provision here- 
 inafter mentioned, and they are hereby enjoined, as they 
 regard the freedom, welfare, and safety of their Country, 
 immediately to provide a proper number of good new Fire- 
 locks, with Bayonets fitted to them ; Cartridge-boxes with 
 twenty-three rounds of Cartridge in every box ; and Knap- 
 sacks, not less than fifteen hundred of each article for the 
 City and County of Philadelphia ; three hundred for the 
 County of Bucks ; five hundred for the County of Ches- 
 ter ; six hundred for the County of Lancaster; three hun- 
 dred for the County of York; three hundred for the County 
 of Cumberland; four hundred for the County of Berks ; 
 three hundred for the County of Northampton ; one hun- 
 dred for the County of Bedford; one hundred for the 
 County of JSorthumberland ; and one hundred for the Coun- 
 ty of W estmoreland ; to be under the care of the Command- 
 ing Officers of the Battalions of the said Counties, for the 
 immediate use of such Officers and Soldiers as shall be 
 drafted from the Battalions from time to time for actual 
 service. And the said Commissioners and Assessors shall 
 produce their Accounts for furnishing the Arms and Ac- 
 coutrements aforesaid, to the Committee hereinafter ap- 
 pointed, which being approved of by the said Committee, 
 they shall draw orders on the Treasurer for the payment 
 thereof, and he is hereby enjoined to pay the same out of 
 the Bills of Credit to be emitted by the Resolution of this 
 House. 
 
 5. Resolved, That this House do earnestly recommend 
 to, and enjoin the Officers and Committees of each County 
 in this Province, to select a number of Minute-Men equal 
 to the Arms, Sic, provided for the same, to be in readiness 
 upon the shortest notice to march to any quarter in case of 
 emergency. 
 
 6. Resolved, That the Firelocks to be provided as afore- 
 said, be of one bore, with steel Rammers well fitted to the 
 same ; and that patterns of the said Firelocks, Rammers, 
 and Bayonets, be immediately made in the City of Phila- 
 delphia, and sent to the different Counties. 
 
 7. Resolved, That provision be made for defending this 
 Province, and the City in particular, against the attacks 
 of armed Vessels that may be sent to annoy them. 
 
 And whereas, the safety of a Country greatly depends on 
 having within itself the means of defence, and it appears that 
 sufficient quantities of Saltpetre may be collected not only 
 for defence, but for other purposes : 
 
 8. Resolved, That the sum of twenty Pounds be paid 
 for every hundred weight of good merchantable Saltpetre, 
 that shall be made and manufactured within this Province, 
 and delivered to the Committee hereinafter named, within 
 the space of three months from this time; and that the 
 sum of fifteen Pounds be paid for every hundred weight 
 of good merchantable Saltpetre, that shall be made and 
 manufactured within this Province, and delivered to the said 
 Committee within three months next following ; and so on 
 in proportion for any greater or lesser quantity. 
 
 9. Resolved, That John Dickinson, George Gray, 
 Henry Wynkoop, Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholo- 
 mew, George Ross, Michael Swoope, John Montgomery, 
 Edward Biddle, William Edmonds, Bernard Dougherty, 
 Samuel Hunter, William Thompson, Thomas Willings, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdcau, John Cadwalader, 
 Andrew Allen, Owen Biddle, Francis Johnson, Richard 
 Reiley, Samuel Morris, Jr., Robert Morris, Thomas Whar- 
 ton, Jr., and Robert White, Gentlemen, be a Committee of 
 Safety for calling forth such and so many of the Associalors 
 into actual service, when necessity requires, as the said 
 Committee shall judge proper; for paying and supplying 
 them with necessaries while in actual service ; for provid- 
 ing for the defence of this Province against insurrection and 
 invasion, and for encouraging and promoting the manufac- 
 ture of Saltpetre ; which said Committee are hereby autho- 
 rized and empowered to draw orders on the Treasurer 
 hereinafter appointed, for the several purposes above men- 
 tioned. 
 
 10. Resolved, That any seven or more of the said Com- 
 mitlee shall be a Board for transacting the business afore- 
 said, or any part thereof. 
 
 And for carrying the foregoing Resolutions into execu- 
 tion, it is 
 
 11. Resolved, That Bills of Credit to the value of Thirty- 
 five Thousand Pounds, shall, on or before the first day of 
 August next, be prepared and printed upon good strong 
 paper, under the care and direction of George Gray, Wil- 
 liam Rodman, Jose2>h Parker, and Isaac Pearson, Esqrs., 
 or any three of them, at the charge of the publick, to be 
 defrayed out of the said Bills ; which Bills shall be made 
 and prepared in manner and form following, to wit: 
 
 " According to the Resolves of the Assembly of Pennsyl- 
 vania, made on the 30th day of June, in the fifteenth year 
 of the Reign of His Majesty George the Third. Dated at 
 Philadelphia, the 20th day of July, 1775." 
 
 And the same Bills shall have such like escutcheons 
 and devices as the said George Gray, Joseph Parker, 
 William Rodman, and Isaac Pearson shall think fit; each 
 of which Bills shall be of the several respective denomina- 
 tions following, and no other, viz : 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills the sum of forty 
 Shillings in each of them. 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills the sum of thirty 
 Shillings in each of them. 
 
 Seven thousand of the same Bills the sum of twenty 
 Shillings in each of them. 
 
 And seven thousand of the same Bills the sum of ten 
 Shillings in each of them. 
 
 And the said George Gray, Joseph Parker, William 
 Rodman, and Isaac Pearson, shall use their best care, at- 
 tention, and diligence, during the printing the said Bills, 
 that the number and amount thereof, according to their re- 
 spective denominations aforesaid, be not exceeded, nor any 
 clandestine or fraudulent practice be used by the Printer, 
 his servants, or other persons concerned therein. 
 
 Resolved, That the said George Gray, Joseph Parker, 
 William Rodman, and Isaac Pearson, or any three of them, 
 after the said Bills are printed, shall deliver them to the 
 Signers, to be signed and numbered by parcels, for which 
 they shall take receipts. 
 
 Resolved, That Sharp Dulany, Lambert Cadwalader, 
 Isaac Howell, James Meas, Adam Hubley, John Benezet, 
 Samuel Cadualader Morris, Thomas Prior, Godfrey 
 Twells, John Meas, John Purviance, and William Allen, 
 Jr., or any three of them, shall be the signers of the said 
 Bills. 
 
 Resolved, That when the said Bills shall be signed and 
 numbered, they shall be delivered to Michael Hillegas, 
 Esq., hereby appointed Treasurer, who shall give his re- 
 ceipt for the same, and therewith pay off and discharge all 
 such Drafts and Certificates as shall be made by order of 
 Assembly or the Committee aforesaid. 
 
 Resolved, That the said Treasurer shall give bond with 
 two sufficient securities, to John Morton and Charles Hum- 
 phreys, Esqrs., in the sum of ten thousand Pounds, for 
 the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in him. 
 
 And for the more certain paying, redeeming, discharg- 
 ing, and sinking the said Bills of Credit hereby emitted, 
 
 Resolved, That a Tax on all estates, real and personal, 
 within this Province, shall be raised and levied by the re- 
 
1771 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1772 
 
 spective Commissioners and Assessors of the several Coun- 
 ties in the Province, in same manner and mode as the 
 Provincial Tax by the laws now in force is raised, levied, 
 and recovered, and shall be paid to the Provincial Trea- 
 surer; which said Tax first mentioned shall commence 
 immediately after the sinking of the Bills of Credit now 
 remaining to be sunk of those sums granted to the King 
 during the course of the last war ; which Tax, for the pur- 
 poses aforesaid, the several Commissioners and Assessors 
 are enjoined and required to raise, levy, recover, and pay, 
 as they regard the freedom, welfare, and safety of their 
 Country. [Extract from the Journal:] 
 
 Charles Moore, Clerk of Assembly. 
 
 Monday, July 3, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety appointed by 
 the Resolves of the Assembly of Pennsylvania at Phila- 
 delphia. Present : 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Esq., Owen Biddle, Robert Mor- 
 ris, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jr., Andrew Allen, 
 John Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Jr., George Ross: 
 
 On motion, 1. Resolved unanimously, That Benjamin 
 Franklin, Esq., be chosen President. 
 
 2. Resolved, That William Govett be Clerk, and that 
 he engage not to disclose the Proceedings of this Commit- 
 tee without leave. 
 
 3. Resolved, That Colonel John Cadwalader and Mr. 
 Samuel Morris, Jr., do provide patterns of Muskets, Bayo- 
 nets, Cartridge Boxes, and Knapsacks, to be sent to the 
 different Counties. 
 
 4. Resolved, That the barrels of the Muskets be three 
 feet eight inches in length, well fortified, the bore of suffi- 
 cient size to carry seventeen Balls to the pound ; the Bayo- 
 nets sixteen inches long. 
 
 5. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert Morris, Robert 
 White, and Thomas Wharton, Jr., do with the utmost ex- 
 pedition procure any quantity of Powder and Saltpetre in 
 their power. 
 
 Tuesday, July 4, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Robert White, Andrew Allen, 
 Daniel Roberdeau, John Dickinson, George Ross, Robert 
 Morris, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Samuel Morris, Jr., John 
 Cadwalader, Owen Biddle : 
 
 1. Resolved, That the Committee go to Red Bank to- 
 morrow, to take a view of the River and Islands, and that 
 the following gentlemen be requested to attend, viz : Luke 
 Morris, Oswell Eve, John Wharton, Thomas Penrose, 
 Major Nicholas, Thomas Hanson, Peter Reeve. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle wait on the Com- 
 missioners and Assessors of this County, and desire that 
 this Committee may have a Conference with them on 
 Thursday morning next at 6 o'clock. 
 
 3. Resolved, That this Committee meet every day at 
 six o'clock, A. M., Sundays excepted. 
 
 4. Resolved, That if any Member shall think it neces- 
 sary to call an Extraordinary Meeting, that he do it by 
 giving the Clerk directions to give the Members proper 
 notice. 
 
 5. Resolved, That the Committee for providing Powder 
 and Saltpetre, do procure at the same time two thousand 
 stand of good Fire-Arms. 
 
 6. Resolved, That Doctor Franklin be requested to 
 procure a model of a Pike, to be produced to the Com- 
 mittee at their next meeting. 
 
 Thursday, July 6, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present: 
 Benjamin Franklin, George Ross, Robert Morris, Tho- 
 mas Wharton, Jr., Daniel Roberdeau, Owen Biddle,George 
 Gray, Robert White, Samuel Morris, Jr., John Cadwala- 
 der: 
 
 The Committee, agreeable to the first Resolve of the 
 4th instant, went to Red Bank, Mud or Fort Island, and 
 viewed them and several parts of the River, and find the 
 Channel from the Fort to the Bar to be one hundred and 
 fifty fathoms, or thereabouts; and report that it is at present 
 impracticable to lay a Boom across that part of the River. 
 
 1. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert White and Owen 
 Biddle, be a Committee for the construction of Boats and 
 
 Machines for the defence of the River; and it is recom- 
 mended to them to employ John Wharton, Joseph Marsh, 
 Emanuel Eyres, Jacob Miller, Thomas Davis, and Joseph 
 Govett. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Rober- 
 deau, Colonel Cadwalader, and Colonel Ross, be a Com- 
 mittee for inspecting into the Ordnance and Military Stores, 
 and make such repairs and supply such deficiencies as may 
 be thought necessary, and that they report to the Board a 
 proper person as an Assistant Commissary of Stores ; and 
 that the said Committee provide a model of a Pike or Spear. 
 
 3. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle return the thanks 
 of this Board to the author of the written proposals for 
 raising and employing a Regiment of Soldiers, and for 
 other matters therein contained. 
 
 The Gentlemen that were to provide patterns of Car- 
 touch-boxes and Knapsacks, produced the same to this 
 Board, and are approved of. 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present: 
 Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Morris, Jr., Capt. Robert 
 White, Andrew Allen, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Whar- 
 ton, Jr., JohnCadwalader ,Owen Biddle, George Gray : 
 
 1. Resolved, That Mr. John Wharton immediately pro- 
 cure materials, and make preparations for building a Boat 
 or Calevat, and that he exhibit a model of one to-morrow 
 morning, when he will have further instructions for the con- 
 struction of one. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle give the thanks 
 of this Board to Mr. Louis Nicholas, for his plan delivered 
 the Committee this day. 
 
 Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Andrew Al- 
 len, Daniel Roberdeau, George Gray, Robert White, Sam- 
 uel Morris, Jr., Owen Biddle: 
 
 A model of a Pike-staff was produced, and one ordered 
 to be made. 
 
 1. Resolved, That Mr. John Wharton immediately build 
 a Boat or Calevat of forty-seven or fifty feet keel, thirteen 
 feet broad, and four and a half feet deep. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Owen Biddle apply to Stephen 
 Paschall, and give him directions to make a Pike agreeable 
 to the pattern produced by Doctor Franklin. 
 
 Monday, July 10, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present: 
 Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnson, Anthony Wayne, 
 Robert Morris, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, John 
 Cadwalader, Samuel Morris, Jr., George Gray: 
 
 On application being made by Colonel Roberdeau and 
 Colonel Cadwalader, that this Board would take under 
 consideration the expenses incurred by the Officers of the 
 Association ; and the Board not finding themselves suffi- 
 ciently empowered, 
 
 1. Resolved, That the same be earnestly recommended 
 to the consideration of the Commissioners and Assessors of 
 the several Counties of this Province. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Emanuel Eyres immediately build a 
 Boat agreeable to the model produced by him this day. 
 
 Tuesday, July 11, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnson, George Ross, 
 Robert Morris, Robert White, Oiven Biddle, George 
 Gray, John Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Samuel 
 Morris, Jr., Anthony Wayne : 
 
 1. Resolved, That Messrs. Robert White and Owen 
 Biddle do provide a Sail for one of the Boats now building 
 under their direction. 
 
 The Committee appointed for the building Boats and 
 constructing Machines for the defence of the River, report 
 that they have been viewing a number of Pine Logs, which 
 they think will be proper for the service. 
 
 2. Resolved, That the said Committee do purchase the 
 above mentioned Logs. 
 
 The President delivered to Messrs. Robert White and 
 Owen Biddle his order on Capt. Loxley, for such Guns 
 and Military Stores as they may have occasion for. 
 
1773 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1774 
 
 Wednesday, July 12, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Wharton, Jr., Daniel Ro- 
 berdeau, John Cadwalader, Samuel Morris, Jr., George 
 Ross, George Gray: 
 
 George Ross, Esq., produced a motion from the Assem- 
 bly of the 30th of June, resolving that the Committee of 
 Safety draw an order on their Treasurer in favour of him- 
 self and James JVitson, Esq., for the sum of fifty Pounds 
 each, being for their services in attending the Continental 
 Congress ; which was accordingly done and delivered to 
 Mr. Ross, being the President's Draft of this date on Mi- 
 chael Hillegas. 
 
 Thursday, July 13, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present: 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, 
 Owen Biddle, Thomas Wharton, John Cadwalader, Sam- 
 uel Morris, Jun., Robert Morris: 
 
 I. Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be given to 
 Mr. Ebenezer Robinson, for his plan for stopping the chan- 
 nel of the River Delaware. 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert White, 
 Robert Morris, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Owen Biddle, 
 Samuel Morris, Jun., John Cadwalader, George Gray: 
 
 1 . Resolved, That the Board will go down this morning 
 and view the ground on which it is proposed to raise a 
 Battery. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Robert Morris, Messrs. George 
 Gray, Samuel Morris, Jun., and Thomas, Wharton, Jun., 
 be a Committee to wait on the Provincial Treasurer, and 
 know if a sum of money can be borrowed of him until the 
 money of this Board is emitted. 
 
 3. Resolved, That Owen Biddle be directed to procure 
 four tons of Grape-Shot. 
 
 Saturday, July 15, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Whar- 
 ton, Jun., Robert White, Robert Morris, John Cadwalader, 
 George Gray, Samuel Morris, Junior : 
 
 1. Resolved, That the Committee appointed for build- 
 ing Boats and Machines for the defence of the River, do 
 immediately employ all the Carpenters and other workmen 
 that they think necessary, for collecting materials for build- 
 ing twelve Boats (including the two already ordered) and 
 as many Machines as may be thought sufficient for the in- 
 terruption of the navigation. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau, Colonel Cad- 
 walader, and Mr. Samuel Morris, Jun., be requested to go 
 to New-Jersey and converse with such principal inhabitants 
 as they think proper, and to know if the inhabitants would 
 assist this Province in the defence of the River, and in what 
 manner. 
 
 3. Resolved, That a Guard be appointed to take proper 
 care of the Artillery and other Military Stores deposited in 
 the State-House and yard. 
 
 Monday, July 17, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Anthony Wayne, Daniel Rober- 
 deau, Robert White, Owen Biddle, Samuel Morris, Jun., 
 Robert Morris, George Gray, John Cadivalader : 
 
 1. Resolved, That Captain Henry Dougherty be ap- 
 pointed to the command of one of the Boats now building, 
 and that Captain John Rice be appointed to the command 
 of one other of the Boats now building. 
 
 Colonel Daniel Roberdeau reports to the Board, that 
 there are proper guards appointed, agreeable to the third 
 Resolve of the 15th instant. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the second Resolve of the 
 15th instant, report, that they went to the Jerseys, and 
 conversed with many of the inhabitants, who seem willing 
 to give every assistance in their power ; that they will im- 
 mediately furnish some Logs for building the Machines for 
 the obstruction of the navigation ; and that they propose to 
 man one or two of the Boats for the defence of die River; 
 and that some of the gentlemen will, in a few days, attend 
 this Board. 
 
 Captain Tench Francis and Captain-Lieut. Bache made 
 application to this Board for thirty or forty rifle-barrel Guns, 
 for a number of men in their Company who have not Rifles, 
 neither can they afford to purchase them. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Mr. Robert Morris be requested to 
 apply to Captain Tench Francis and Captain-Lieutenant 
 Bache, to assist him in providing eighty good Rifles, for 
 the use of the Boats now building, a part of which are to 
 be put into the hands of such men as Captain Francis, for 
 this County, and Colonel Wayne, of Chester County, may 
 engage to go as Minute-men on board the Boats, when re- 
 quired. 
 
 Tuesday, July 18, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present: 
 Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnson, Daniel Rober- 
 deau, Owen Biddle, Anthony Wayne, John Cadwalader, 
 Robert Morris, Samuel Morris, Jun., George Gray: 
 
 1 . Resolved, That Colonel Roberdeau be requested to 
 wait on the Physicians of the Hospital, and desire they 
 would inform this Board what Medicines and necessaries 
 there may be occasion for for the six hundred men that are 
 to be employed on board the Boats ; and that they be de- 
 sired further to inform this Board if it would be necessary to 
 procure from abroad a supply of any Medicines that may pos- 
 sibly be wanted in the service on land for the Associators. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Colonel Cadwalader and Owen Bid- 
 dle be desired to apply to the City Committee, and ac- 
 quaint them that this Board is willing to take into their 
 care such Gunpowder as said Committee may now have in 
 their possession ; and that this Committee will repay them 
 for the purchase of the same. 
 
 3. Resolved, That Thomas Savage be employed to take 
 care of the Cannon and Military Stores in the daytime, or 
 until he is relieved by the guard to be placed for that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Wednesday, July 19, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Whar- 
 ton, Jun., Richard Reily, Samuel Morris, Jun., Francis 
 Johnson, John Cadwalader, Owen Biddle, Robert White, 
 George Gray, Anthony Wayne : 
 
 Captain Robert White reported, that he sent a person 
 to the Jerseys to know what number of Logs the inhabi- 
 tants would supply this Board with, who brought with him 
 a list of the following gentlemen, who generously gave the 
 number of Logs mentioned opposite their names, viz : 
 
 Benjamin Whitwill, 55 logs : John Wood, 20 : Nathan 
 Kinsey, 10: Richard Johns, 50, or more: David Paul, 
 20: Joseph Low, 30: James Brown, 10: Joseph Ward, 
 10: Joshua Hopper, 15: Isaac Hopper, 10: Levi Hop- 
 per, 15 : James Wood, 10 : Joseph Tatem, 1 : Charles 
 West, 40.— 296 logs. 
 
 1. Resolved, That the Boat to be launched by Mr. 
 John Wharton, be called the Experiment. 
 
 Friday, July 21, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safely. Present : 
 George Gray, President for the day; Robert White, 
 
 Samuel Morris, Jun., Richard Reily, Thomas Wharton, 
 
 Jun., Daniel Roberdeau, Oiven Biddle: 
 
 1. Resolved, That Messrs. Thomas Wharton, Jun., and 
 Samuel Morris, Jun., be appointed a Committee to inquire 
 after a quantity of Saltpetre and damaged Gunpowder, said 
 to be in the hands of the family of the late Simon Boerum, 
 of Long Island; and should they have any quantity of 
 either article, the said Committee are desired to procure it. 
 
 As it is necessary immediately to procure such workmen 
 as may forward the completing the Fire- Arms that may be 
 wanted : 
 
 2. Resolved, That Thomas Wharton, Junior, Samuel 
 Morris, Jun., and George Gray, be a Committee for that 
 
 purpose ; and that they apply to James Pearson, 
 
 Tomlinson, and .... Wiley, and know if they can be 
 engaged to advantage ; and that they acquaint them that 
 this Board will give them proper encouragement. 
 
 3. Resolved, That this Committee furnish the inhabi- 
 tants of Gloucester County with two Teams, to assist them 
 in bringing Logs down to the different landing places, for 
 the use of this Committee ; and that Mr. Samuel Morris 
 be desired to procure and send them over immediately. 
 
1775 
 
 PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1776 
 
 Saturday, July 22, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Robert Morris, 
 Robert White, John Cadwalader, Samuel Morris, Junior, 
 George Ross, George Gray, Owen Riddle : 
 
 Resolved, That a Messenger be sent to Joel Ferree, of 
 Lancaster County, with a Letter from this Committee, re- 
 questing him immediately to complete the Guns wrote for 
 as patterns ; and to know how many he can furnish of the 
 same kind, and at what price. 
 
 Monday, July 24, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Daniel Roberdeau, Thomas Whar- 
 ton, Jun., Samuel Morris, Jun., Owen Biddle, John Cad- 
 walader, Robert White, Robert Morris, George Gray: 
 
 1. Resolved, That the Boat to be launched by Emanuel 
 Eyres, at Kensington, be called the Bull-Dog. 
 
 Mr. Robert Smith, carpenter, appeared at this Board 
 with a model of a Machine for obstructing the navigation 
 of the River Delaware, and explained the construction of 
 it ; which was approved of. At the same time he made an 
 offer of his service in attending and overlooking the work- 
 men in building the same, gratis, for which this Board 
 thanked him, and accepted the offer of his services. 
 
 2. Resolved, That Capt. Charles Alexander be appoint- 
 ed to the command of the boat called the Bull-Dog. 
 
 3. Resolved, That this Board meet at Kensington to- 
 morrow morning, at eleven o'clock, to attend the launch of 
 the Boat built by Emanuel Eyres ; and that they go from 
 thence in said boat to Gloucester, and there hold a Board. 
 
 Wednesday, July 26, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, at Kensing- 
 ton. Present : 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Robert White, Dan- 
 iel Roberdeau, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Samuel Morris, 
 Jun., George Ross, William Thompson, Anthony Wayne, 
 Francis Johnston, John Cadwalader, George Gray, Robert 
 Morris. 
 
 Emanuel Eyres, the builder of the Boat called the Bull- 
 Dog, not being able to launch her yesterday, she was this 
 day launched; and the Members of the Committee of 
 Safety there present embarked on board said boat, and 
 went to Gloucester, but found it inconvenient to hold a 
 Board there. 
 
 Thursday, July 27, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Francis Johnston, Anthony Wayne, 
 Owen Biddle, Robert White, Daniel Roberdeau, John 
 Cadwalader, Thomas Wharton, Junior, Samuel Morris, 
 Jr,. Robert Morris, George Gray. 
 
 Upon application of James Pearson and Wiley, the 
 Committee consent to advance them the sum of two hun- 
 dred Pounds, they giving good security for the repayment 
 of said sum in good Gun-Barrels, of their own manufac- 
 tory. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the first Resolve of the 
 21st of July, report, that there is no Gunpowder in the 
 hands of the family of the late Simon Boerum, and but 
 little Saltpetre, which they purpose manufacturing them- 
 selves. 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Irish presented a Boat or Gondola for 
 the inspection of this Committee. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Thomas Wharton return him the 
 thanks of this Board, much commending his ingenuity and 
 attention to the publick safety. 
 
 Friday, July 28, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Owen Biddle, Andrew Allen, 
 
 Robert Morris, Anthony Wayne, JohnCadwalader, George 
 
 Gray: 
 
 Agreeable to the first Resolve of the 18th of July, Col. 
 Roberdeau delivered to this Board two lists of Medicines 
 received from the Physicians of the Hospital ; upon which 
 it is 
 
 1. Resolved, That Mr. Robert Morris wait on Mr. 
 Robert Bass with said lists, and request that he would 
 
 point out what Medicines may be best imported from Hol- 
 land and Cadiz, and what may be purchased with conve- 
 niency in this City; and that Mr. Robert Morris undertake 
 to import such Medicines as may be pointed out to be im- 
 ported from Holland and Cadiz, in the most expeditious 
 manner. 
 
 Doctor Franklin delivered to this Board a Letter from 
 Captain John MacPherson, offering his services for the 
 defence of this Country, for which Doctor Franklin is de- 
 sired to return the thanks of this Board to Captain Mac- 
 Pherson. 
 
 2. Resolved, That the Resolves of the Continental Con- 
 gress, of the 18th of July instant, be entered on the Min- 
 utes of this Board ; which are the following : 
 
 " In Congress, July 18, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants 
 of all the United English Colonies in North America, that 
 all able-bodied effective men, between sixteen and sixty 
 years of age, in each Colony, immediately form themselves 
 into regular companies of Militia, to consist of one Captain, 
 two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corpo- 
 rals, one Clerk, one Drummer, one Fifer, and about sixty- 
 eight Privates. 
 
 " That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the 
 respective Companies. 
 
 " That each Soldier be furnished with a good Musket 
 that will carry an ounce ball, with a bayonet, steel ramrod, 
 worm, priming-wire, and brush fitted thereto; a cutting- 
 sword, or tomahawk; a cartridge-box that will contain 
 twenty-three rounds of cartridges, and twelve flints ; and a 
 knapsack. 
 
 " That the Companies be formed into Regiments or 
 Battalions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, 
 two Majors, an Adjutant or Quartermaster. 
 
 " That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be ap- 
 pointed by their respective Provincial Assemblies or Con- 
 ventions, or, in their recess, by the Committees of Safety 
 appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions. 
 
 " That all Officers be commissioned by the Provincial 
 Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their recess, by the Com- 
 mittees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Conven- 
 tions. 
 
 " That all the Militia take proper care to acquire mili- 
 tary skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each 
 man provided with one pound of good Gunpowder, and 
 four pounds of Ball fitted to his gun. 
 
 " That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony 
 be selected for Minute-men, of such persons who are wil- 
 ling to enter into this necessary service, formed into Com- 
 panies or Battalions, and their Officers chosen and commis- 
 sioned as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice to 
 march to any place where their assistance ma)' be required 
 for the defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony. 
 And as these Minute-men may eventually be called to ac- 
 tion before the whole body of the Militia are sufficiently 
 trained, it is recommended that a more particular and dili- 
 gent attention be paid to their instruction in military dis- 
 cipline. 
 
 " That such of the Minute-men as desire it be relieved 
 by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the 
 Militia, once in four months. 
 
 " As there are some people who, from religious princi- 
 ples, cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no 
 violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it 
 to them to contribute liberally, in this time of universal 
 calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the 
 several Colonies, and to do all other services to their op- 
 pressed Country which they can, consistently with their 
 religious principles. 
 
 " That it be recommended to the Assemblies or Conven- 
 tions in the respective Colonies, to provide, as soon as pos- 
 sible, sufficient stores of Ammunition for their Colonies ; 
 also, that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms 
 such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish them- 
 selves. 
 
 " That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a 
 Committee of Safety to superintend and direct all matters 
 necessary for the security and defence of their respec- 
 tive Colonies, in the recess of their Assemblies or Con- 
 ventions. 
 
1777 
 
 NEW- YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1778 
 
 " That each Colony, at their own expense, make such 
 provision, by anned vessels or otherwise, as their respective 
 Assemblies, Conventions, or Committees of Safety shall 
 judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and 
 situations, for the protection of their harbours and navi- 
 gation on their sea-coasts against all unlawful invasions, 
 attacks, and depredations from cutters and ships-of-war. 
 
 " That it be recommended to the makers of Arms for 
 the use of the Militia, that they make good substantial 
 Muskets, with barrels three feet and a half in length, that 
 will carry an ounce ball, and fitted with a bayonet and steel 
 ramrod ; and that the making such Arms be encouraged in 
 these United Colonies. 
 
 " Where in any Colony a Militia is already formed, un- 
 der regulations approved of by the Convention of such 
 Colony, or by such Assemblies as are annually elective, 
 we refer to the discretion of such Assembly or Convention 
 either to adopt the foregoing Regulations, in the whole or 
 in part, or to continue their former, as they, on considera- 
 tion of all circumstances, shall think best. 
 
 " A true copy from the Minutes : 
 
 " Charles Thomson, Secretary." 
 
 Resolved, That the following Advertisement be publish- 
 ed in the different Newspapers in this City: 
 
 Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Continental Congress have, by their Re- 
 solves of the 10th instant, recommended that all Officers 
 above the rank of a Captain be appointed by their respec- 
 tive Provincial Assemblies or Conventions, or, in their 
 recess, by the Committees of Safety appointed by said 
 Assemblies or Conventions : 
 
 The Committee of Safety appointed by the Assembly of 
 Pennsylvania, do therefore request the Committees of the 
 City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and of the several 
 Counties of this Province, to make a return to the Com- 
 mittee of Safety at Philadelphia, of all the Officers of 
 the Military Association, in order that Commissions may 
 be made out for them, agreeable to the above Resolves of 
 the Continental Congress. And the several Committees 
 are further requested to make a return to the Committee of 
 Safety of the number of the Associators, and also of the 
 Non-Associators within their respective Districts. 
 
 By order of the Committee : 
 
 B. Franklin, President. 
 
 Saturday, July 29, 1775. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Morris, Junior, Andrew 
 
 Allen, Thomas Wharton, Jun., Daniel Robcrdeau, John 
 
 Cadwalader, Robert White, Owen Biddle : 
 The gentlemen of this Committee who went to view 
 
 the River with some of the Committee of Gloucester 
 
 County, report, that the Committee of said County were 
 
 entirely satisfied with the propriety of fixing the frames 
 opposite the upper end of Hog Island, in preference to 
 Billingsport. 
 
 Monday, July 31, 1775. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety. Present : 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Morris, Junior, Thomas 
 Wharton, Junior, Robert Morris, Andrew Allen, Robert 
 White, Owen Biddle. 
 
 Mr. William Bigland waited on the Board with a draught 
 of a Rowing-Wheel, which he proposed to have fixed to 
 the Provincial Row-Boats. 
 
 Colonel Roberdeau is desired to return him the thanks 
 of this Board for his communication. 
 
 Messrs. Robert Morris, Robert White, and Thomas 
 Wharton, Junior, are desired to borrow of the Wardens of 
 the Port such a sum of Money as the Wardens can lend 
 them, for the use of this Committee ; and the Board will 
 give them sufficient security for the repayment of it. 
 
 The form of a Commission for the Officers of the Mili- 
 tary Association, was produced and approved, being as 
 follows : 
 
 In Committee of Safety. 
 
 To 
 
 The honourable Continental Congress having recom- 
 mended, in their Resolves of the 18th of July, 1775, that, 
 in the recess of the Provincial Conventions or Assemblies, 
 the Officers of the Military Associations for the defence of 
 American liberty should receive their commissions from the 
 respective Committees of Safety appointed by the said 
 Assemblies or Conventions : In pursuance thereof, we, 
 reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, 
 valour, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, consti- 
 tute and appoint you to be of the Bat- 
 talion, in the County of , associated for the 
 
 defence of the liberties of America, and for repelling any 
 hostile invasion thereof. You are therefore carefully and 
 
 diligently to discharge the duty of , by doing and 
 
 performing all manner of things thereunto belonging. And 
 we do earnestly recommend to all officers and soldiers un- 
 der your command, to be obedient to your orders as . . . . 
 And you are to observe and follow such orders and direc- 
 tions as you shall receive from the Assembly or Provincial 
 Conventions during their sessions, or from this or a future 
 Committee of Safety for this Province, or any other your 
 superiour Officers, according to the rules and discipline of 
 war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you. This Com- 
 mission to continue in force until revoked by the Assembly 
 or Provincial Convention, or by this or any succeeding 
 Committee of Safety. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 Mr. Hulings sent a model of a Boat; which was ap- 
 proved of; and Captain White is desired to return the 
 thanks of this Board to Mr. Hulings for the same. 
 
 NEW.YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY. 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety at the City- 
 Hall of the City of New- York, on Tuesday, the eleventh 
 day of July, 1775, at nine o'clock, A. M., Present: 
 For the City and County of New- York, Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Colonel McDougall, Colonel 
 Lispenard, Abraham Brasher. 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond, Christopher 
 Tappen. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London, Ephraim 
 Payne. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 For King's County, Henry Williams. 
 For Richmond County, Richard Lawrence. 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 For Tryon County, Peter V. B. Livingston, John 
 Marlett. 
 
 The Committee unanimously elected Henry Williams, 
 Esquire, Chairman. 
 
 A Letter from General Wooster was read, and is in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 "Camp near New-York, July 11, 1775. 
 
 " Sir: Peter Herring, the man who last night assisted in 
 conveying on board the Asia, man-of-war, one of the pri- 
 soners sent here by the Continental Congress, is now under 
 guard at our camp. I would beg the immediate advice of 
 the Committee of Safety concerning what is best to be 
 done with him. His brother is willing and desirous that 
 he should be sent away somewhere, that he may be out of 
 the way of the enraged people. Some have proposed 
 that he be sent on board of the Asia; others think it best 
 to have him sent to Connecticut with Governour Ske7ie, 
 who will go off as soon as this matter can be determined. 
 I hope, therefore, to be assisted with your advice as speed- 
 ily as possible, and am, Sir, your humble servant, 
 
 " David Wooster. 
 " Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire." * 
 
 Thereupon, an Order to General Wooster was made in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 Sir: Immediately on the receipt of this you are required 
 to send the body of Peter Herring, under safe and secure 
 guard, before the Committee of Safety, at the City-Hall 
 of the City of New- York, for which this shall be a suffi- 
 cient warrant. By order of the Committee of Safety. 
 
 12 
 
1779 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1780 
 
 An Answer to General Woostcr's Letter was read and 
 approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 In Committee of Safety, New-Vork, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We this instant received your favour, and look the 
 same into consideration. We think it highly necessary 
 that Mr. Herring should be brought before us, in order to 
 be examined touching his accomplices, for which purpose 
 we have enclosed an Order of this Board. We are, Sir, 
 your humble servants. 
 To General David Wooster, at the Camp. 
 
 P. S. If there are any witnesses, please to send them also. 
 
 Ordered. That a copy of said Letter and Order be 
 signed by the Chairman, and sent immediately. 
 
 A Letter from Guysbert Schenck and Dirck Brinker- 
 hoff, Esquires, of Dutchess County, two of the members 
 of the Provincial Congress, bearing date the 5th instant, and 
 also a recommendation from many others of the respecta- 
 ble freeholders of Dutchess County, of which Cornelius 
 Adriance is one, recommending Andreiv Teller Lawrence 
 for Second Lieutenant, in the stead of the said Cornelius 
 Adriance, who declines the service, were read, and filed. 
 
 Agreed, That the said Andrew Teller Lawrence is ap- 
 proved of as Second Lieutenant in the Company of Troops 
 to be under the command of Captain Lewis Dubois, and 
 that a Warrant for that purpose shall be made as soon as 
 the Warrant granted to the said Cornelius Adriance, on 
 the 28th of June last, is returned to this Committee, or the 
 Provincial Congress. 
 
 A Letter from William Duer, Esquire, to the Provincial 
 Congress, dated Fort Miller, June 5, 1775, was read. 
 
 An Answer to the Letter of William Duer, Esq., was 
 read, and approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New.York, ) 
 
 July 11, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: We are favoured with your letter of the 5th June, 
 and are to inform you, that our Provincial Congress, after 
 having appointed a Committee of Safety, adjourned for a 
 fortnight from this day. When it convenes we doubt not 
 they will take into their most mature consideration the 
 matters contained in your letter, which we shall lay before 
 them. In the mean time we beg leave to assure you, that 
 we highly esteem and approve of your care and vigilance 
 in keeping open and protecting the last Court in your 
 County. We conceive it to be of the utmost importance 
 that good order be supported, as internal divisions must 
 prove injurious to the common cause. We are, with much 
 respect, Sir, your most humble servants. 
 To William Duer, Esq., one of the Judges of Charlotte. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the Chairman, and transmitted. 
 
 A Letter from William Marsh, and Samuel Rose, Esqs., 
 the Committee of Manchester, in Charlotte County, to the 
 Provincial Congress, dated Manchester, June 28, 1775, 
 was read. 
 
 An Answer to the Letter of William Marsh and Samuel 
 Rose was read, and approved, and is in the words follow- 
 ing, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety, New-York, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Congress having adjourned for a fort- 
 night, and appointed us during their recess a Committee of 
 Safety, we have to acknowledge your letter of the 28th 
 June, which advises us of the measures that had been 
 pursued in order to prevent the holding the courts of jus- 
 tice in your County. We are happy to find they have 
 proved ineffectual, and can assure you, that it is the inten- 
 tion of the Congress to assist the Civil Magistrate in the 
 exercise of his ollice and the support of Government, as 
 far as may be practicable in our present critical situation. 
 We have no doubt but that the Congress will, immediately 
 upon their meeting, enter into a resolution for effecting 
 these salutary purposes. We are, Gentlemen, &tc. 
 To Messrs. William Marsh and Samuel Rose. 
 
 A Letter from Abraham Lott, Esquire, Agent for His 
 Majesty's Ships in this Port, was read, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 " Gentlemen : Having received a demand from John 
 Collins, Esquire, Commander of His Majesty's Ship iVau- 
 
 tilus, now at Sandy- Hook, for 4000 pounds bread, 300 
 pounds beef, 500 pounds pork, 12 bushels pease, 200 
 pounds butter, 200 pounds cheese, and 200 gallons rum, 
 you will be pleased to signify your opinion, whether or not 
 I shall supply the Provisions, &,c, pursuant to the demand. 
 I am authorized to assure the honourable Committee that 
 the Nautilus is not going to Boston, but to the southward. 
 
 " I am, Gentlemen, your most humble servant, 
 
 "Abraham Lott. 
 "To the Honourable the Committee of the New-York 
 
 Provincial Congress." 
 
 Ordered, That Abraham Lott, Esquire, be at liberty 
 to supply the quantities of Provisions and Rum above- 
 mentioned to the Ship Nautilus, for the use of the said 
 Ship's company. 
 
 Colonel McDougall, on behalf of New-York, and as 
 Commissioner for Queen's County, dissents; Mr. Brasher, 
 on behalf of New-York, and as Commissioner for Suffolk 
 County, dissents. 
 
 A Letter from William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, 
 Esquires, was read, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Philadelphia, June 8, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: The Committee of the City, a few days ago, 
 transmitted to you an original letter from Governour Mar- 
 tin to Henry White, Esquire, from the contents of which 
 it is very obvious that Governour Martin has formed de- 
 signs highly inimical to the friends of America. From 
 authentick information we learn, that he is to receive a 
 supply of powder from General Gage via New-York, and 
 that he has sent from North-Carolina a cutter well armed 
 to receive it. She is a small boat, rigged like a schooner, 
 mounts a few swivels, and is commanded by a Mr. Bridges, 
 the Lieutenant of the Tarnar, man-of-war ; the vessel, we 
 believe, was formerly purchased in New-York, by a Cap- 
 tain Vollet. We beg your particular care, in case she 
 should arrive in your Port, to take the steps you may think 
 prudent to secure her and her cargo. She is probably to 
 receive the gunpowder from the Asia, or some other man- 
 of-war lying in your harbour. 
 
 " We are, Sir, with great respect, your most obedient 
 
 humble servants, / m u 
 
 "William Hooper, 
 
 "Joseph Hewes." 
 
 An Answer to the Letter of William Hooper and Jo- 
 seph Hewes, Esquires, was read, and approved, and is in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety, New.York, July 11, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We have received your favour of the 8th 
 of the last month, which came to our hands last night. 
 Our Congress have adjourned for a fortnight from this day, 
 and appointed us a Committee of Safety to act during the 
 recess. We beg leave to assure you, that we will do every 
 thing in our power relative to the schooner which you have 
 described. We are, with much respect, Gentlemen, your 
 obedient humble servants. 
 
 To William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, Esquires, Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy be signed by the Chairman, and 
 transmitted. 
 
 A Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at the Con- 
 tinental Congress to the Provincial Congress, dated Phila- 
 delphia, July 6, 1775, was read. 
 
 A draught of an Answer to the Letter of the New-York 
 Delegates at the Continental Congress was read, and ap- 
 proved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New.York, ) 
 
 July 11, 1775. I 
 
 Gentlemen: The Congress having adjourned for a 
 fortnight, and appointed us during their recess a Commit- 
 tee of Safety, we have the honour of acknowledging the 
 receipt of your letter of the 6th instant. It gives us much 
 pleasure to find that our plan of accommodation has been 
 favoured with your approbation. 
 
 We are sorry to inform you, that a supply of the article 
 which, according to your advice of the 31st June, was to 
 have been sent to the Committee of Fdizabethtown, has 
 not yet been received, and that the want of it prevents our 
 answering some very pressing demands from the place for 
 which it was ordered to be forwarded. 
 
1781 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1782 
 
 We meet with many difficulties in carrying into execu- 
 tion the Resolutions of your honourable body, from the 
 want of money, an inconveniency we hope now soon to be 
 relieved from. We are, Gentlemen, yours, &c. 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 A Letter from Governour Trumbull was read, and is in 
 the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Hartford, July 7, 1773. 
 " Sib : I received your letter of the 27th of June last, 
 respecting a quantity of a necessary article which was for- 
 warded by you. 1 immediately took care to make the 
 necessary provision for its being sent on the way to the 
 place of its destination, where no doubt it has safe arrived 
 before this. 
 
 " Mr. James Dean, the bearer of this, is a young gen- 
 tleman who has lately returned from a mission among the 
 Tribes of Indians in Canada. He appears to have made 
 some careful observations of the state of that Country, and 
 is able to give some important intelligence. 1 take the 
 liberty to recommend him to your notice, that he may 
 communicate his information for your use. 
 
 " I am, with great truth^and regard, Sir, your most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Jona. Trumbull. 
 " Hon. P. V. B. Livingston." 
 
 An account of the men who went from Manchester to 
 Ticonderoga, and of the money expended by Lieutenant 
 Joseph Lockwood , was read, and filed, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 "A list of the Men who went from Manchester to Ti- 
 condeboga, under the command of Mr. Joseph Lock- 
 wood : 
 
 " Nathan Smith Sergeant, Christopher Roberts, Josiah 
 Brotton, John Roberts, Garmand Bulley, Lemuel Bishop, 
 Potter Roberts, Thomas Hyneman, Abel Sawyer, Haynes 
 Jerry Beamer, Benjamin Bears, Dan Allen, Willia/n 
 Dye, Solomon Soaper — for fifteen days' service each man. 
 For Cash paid out for expenses the sum of £4 10s. lOd. 
 Commanded by me, 
 
 "Joseph Lockwood, Lieutenant. 
 " Manchester, June 10, 1775." 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Hinman to the Provincial Con- 
 gress, dated Ticonderoga, July 3, 1775, was read. 
 
 A Letter from Elisha Phelps, Commissary at Albany 
 for the Connecticut Troops, to the Provincial Congress, 
 dated Albany, July 7, 1775, was read. 
 
 A Letter from John N. Bleecker at Albany, dated July 
 4, 1775, was received, and read. 
 
 The account of Provisions and Stores, and also the ap- 
 pointment of Elisha Phelps, mentioned in Mr. Bleecker's 
 Letter, were also read, and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Burnet Miller, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Southampton, was read, and is in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit: 
 
 " Southampton, July 5, 1775. 
 
 "Gentlemen: The Committee of East and Southamp- 
 ton, taking into their serious consideration the remote situ- 
 ation from Head-Quarters at New-York, and much ex- 
 posed to the ravages of our unnatural enemy at this day, 
 with regard to our stock in our common field, at the Point 
 of Montauck, it being remote from the inhabitants, where 
 any number may land, and at pleasure take away our stock, 
 which is large, (not less than two thousand neat cattle, and 
 three or four thousand sheep,) which, if taken away, would 
 greatly distress us, and give them support, which we could 
 by no means do : 
 
 " Now, considering our situation, we request your hon- 
 ourable House to petition General Schuyler that a number 
 of Troops be stationed at Montauck, and that the compa- 
 ny now raising here may be a part, until a matter of more 
 importance shall call them away. We are of the opinion, 
 that our inhabitants would do what in them lies to give 
 assistance, in case any attempt should be made to take off 
 the stock ; but the distance of the inhabitants is eighteen 
 or twenty miles ; and as Gardner's Island lies adjacent and 
 is much exposed, also Shelter Island, Plumb Island, and 
 Oyster Pond Point, we think a number of whale-boats 
 would be proper to employ, that assistance may be given 
 from one part to the other. We have a number of boats 
 
 that are of no use in this season, that might be got for the 
 design, if the General should think proper to order Troops 
 to this part of the island, which we humbly petition may 
 be done, &ic. 1 am, Gentlemen, &ic. 
 
 " By order of the Committee: 
 
 "Bubnet Milleb, Chairman. 
 "To the Provincial Congress now sitting at New- York." 
 
 A Letter from Joseph Johnson, an Indian Preacher to 
 the Mohegan Tribe, bearing date the fifth day of July, 
 instant, was read, and filed. 
 
 A Petition of Samuel Faulkenham and David Wool- 
 haupter, praying to be employed in making Drums and 
 Fifes, was read, and filed. 
 
 Peter Herring being brought before the Committee, 
 General Wooster charged and accused him of being aiding 
 and assisting to one Lundin yesterday evening, in making 
 his escape from the confinement he was under by order of 
 the Continental Congress; several witnesses were examined 
 as to the charge, in the presence of the said Peter Her- 
 ring. 
 
 Resolved, That it fully appears to this Committee, by 
 the testimony of sundry witnesses, as also by the examina- 
 tion and confession of Peter Herring, of the City of New- 
 York, that he, the said Peter Herring, was aiding and 
 assisting to one Lundin yesterday evening, in making his 
 escape from the confinement he was in by order of the 
 Continental Congress ; and the said Peter Herring assisted 
 him to get on board the Asia, man-of-war, and was the 
 means of getting him on board of the said Ship: 
 
 Resolved and Ordered, therefore, That the said Peter 
 Herring be sent, under such guard as General Wooster 
 shall appoint, to Connecticut, to be there confined in close 
 jail at the Continental charge, until he shall be thence dis- 
 charged by the Continental Congress. 
 
 A Letter from Henry B. Livingston, Esq., informing 
 that he accepts of the warrant sent him for the commission 
 of a Captain, and has begun to enlist his men, was read 
 and filed. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety, on Wednesday, 
 the twelfth day of July, 1775. Present : 
 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esquire, Chair- 
 man and Representative. 
 
 For the City and County of New-York, Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Colonel McDougall, and Colonel 
 Lispenard. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 
 For Ulsteb County, Egbert Dumond and Christo- 
 pher Tappen. 
 
 For Orange County. David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Richmond County, Richard Laurence. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 
 A Letter from Capt. Andrew Billings, at Poughkeepsie, 
 setting forth his having enlisted seventy-two men, and that 
 he waits for directions how to proceed : 
 
 Ordered, That a Letter be wrote and forwarded to Cap- 
 tain Billings, directing him to inform Colonel Clinton of 
 the progress he has made, and to put himself and his Com- 
 pany under his command, and follow his directions. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall have such Arms as 
 are or may be provided for his Regiment, reduced to the 
 length of the King's Muskets, and that he have Steel Ram- 
 rods made for such of them as have not already Steel 
 Ramrods; and 
 
 Ordered, That every Gunsmith in the City of Neiv- 
 York, on application to him made for that purpose, do im- 
 mediately make such alterations, repairs, and Ramrods for 
 the said Muskets as shall be directed by Colonel McDou- 
 gall or bis order, in preference to any other work or busi- 
 ness whatsoever. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Brasher wait on his Worship the 
 Mayor of the City of New-York, and request him to get 
 a just estimate made of the value of the Muskets and 
 Bayonets, the arms of the Corporation of the City of New- 
 York, and to have the same delivered to this Committee, 
 or the Provincial Congress, in order that so many of them 
 as may be appropriated for the use of the Continental 
 
1783 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1784 
 
 Army may hereafter be restored, or the value of them ac- 
 counted for to the Corporation. 
 
 Resolved and Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius 
 be requested to purchase Russia Drilling sufficient to make 
 one thousand five hundred Waistcoats, and as many pair of 
 Breeches, and have them made up; and that he also pur- 
 chase as much low-priced Linen as will make three thou- 
 sand Shirts, and get that number of Shirts made. That he 
 purchase one thousand five hundred Hats, one thousand 
 five hundred pair of Shoes, and three thousand pair of 
 coarse woollen humespun knit Hose. That he also pur- 
 chase a cheap and proper Linen, or other material, suffi- 
 cient to make three thousand Cravats. 
 
 Ordered, That Egbert Dumond, Esq., wait on Abra- 
 ham Lott, Esq., Treasurer of this Colony, and obtain from 
 him an order on the Loan Officers of the County of Ulster, 
 for a sum of money now in their hands, to be applied for 
 the publick exigences of the Colony, and that Mr. Du- 
 mond., for the present, give his note or obligation to the 
 Treasurer for such order, or the amount of the sum to be 
 therein mentioned, until the same shall be repaid, or farther 
 security given for the same ; and 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dumond, when he has received such 
 money from the Loan Officers, pay for the Flour which he 
 formerly purchased and sent to Albany, and the expenses 
 attending the same, and that he expend the residue of the 
 said money in Flour, and forward the same to Albany ; and 
 that Mr. Dumond return an account to the Provincial Con- 
 gress of the sum he shall have so received, and of his ex- 
 penditures thereof, that the same may be repaid when the 
 Continental money shall come to hand. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 5to ho. P. M., Wednesday, July 12, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New- York, P. V. B. 
 
 Livingston, Col. McDougall, Abraham Brasher. 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 For Richmond County, Richard Lawrence. 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 Mr. Henry Williams being absent, David Pye, Esquire, 
 was unanimously elected Chairman pro tempore. 
 
 An answer to the Letter of Colonel Hinman of the third 
 instant, was read and approved, and is as follows : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ) 
 
 July 12, 1775. \ 
 Sir: We acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 
 third of July instant. In answer thereto, we beg leave to 
 inform you that General Schuyler has proceeded to the 
 northward. We shall forward a copy of your letter to him 
 without delay, and we have the highest confidence, that on 
 your application to him he will make every arrangement 
 in stationing the Troops at the different posts you mention, 
 that will be for the general defence of the United Colonies. 
 
 The Troops of this Colony to be forwarded will be fur- 
 nished with tents. We shall pay a particular attention to 
 what you mention, as to the letters in custody of any gen- 
 tleman who may hereafter obtain a pass from this Congress. 
 
 By order: David Pye, Chairman pro tempore. 
 
 Colonel Hinman. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed 
 by the Chairman pro tempore, and sent by Mr. Mott. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius purchase and send to Al- 
 bany, to the care of Elisha Phelps, Commissary at Albany 
 for the Connecticut Troops, the following necessaries as 
 Hospital Stores, to wit: three quarter casks of Madeira 
 Wine, three quarter casks of Claret, three casks of Raisins, 
 to be cased in tight casks, twelve kegs of Oat-Meal, and 
 six kegs of Pearl Barley. 
 
 An answer to the Letter of Elisha Phelps, of the seventh 
 instant, was read and approved, and is as follows : 
 
 Committoe of Safety for the Colony of New-York, i 
 
 July 12 1775. \ 
 Sir: We have before us your favour of the seventh 
 instant, and are to inform you, that a quantity of flour 
 
 has been ordered up to Albany in different parcels, which 
 we doubt not will come to your hands in due time. We 
 will give the proper orders about the hospital stores, which 
 you inform us are not to be obtained in Albany, and have 
 them forwarded. 
 
 We are, Sir, your humble servants. By order. 
 Mr. Elisha Phelps, Commissary at Albany. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man pro tempore, and sent by Mr. Mott. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates from this Colony 
 at the Continental Congress, was read and approved of, 
 and is in the words following : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ) 
 
 July 12, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : We beg leave, for your information, to 
 enclose you a copy of the instructions and warrant which 
 we have given to the officers employed in raising our troops. 
 We have formed an arrangement of the three thousand 
 men (exclusive of the Green Mountain Boys) which the 
 Continental Congress have ordered us to raise into four 
 battalions, of seven hundred and fifty men each, including 
 their officers, and would be glad to be informed what their 
 pay is to be. We are at a loss about this matter, because 
 the accounts we have of the pay of the Colonies of Massa- 
 chusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode-Island, differ, so as to 
 reduce us to an uncertainty, which we could wish to have 
 removed. We think, with submission, it would have a 
 tendency to promote the service if our levies could be 
 informed of the quantum of their pay. We have reason 
 to believe that the four battalions will be completed soon, 
 but are sorry to inform you that we have no powder for 
 them when raised. We are yours, &c. 
 
 To the New- York Delegates at the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy be signed by the Chairman, and 
 transmitted by the first opportunity. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius be requested, from time 
 to time, to purchase such quantities of Straw for the use 
 of the Troops of Colonel McDougall' s Regiment, as Col. 
 McDougall may think necessary. 
 
 A draught of an answer to the Letter of Burnet Miller, 
 Chairman of the Committee of East and Southampton, 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ? 
 
 July 12, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : We are favoured with your letter dated 
 Southampton the fifth instant, signed by Mr. Miller, Chair- 
 man of the Committee of East and Southampton, and are 
 to inform you that we will forward a copy of the same to 
 Major-General Schuyler, to whose consideration we must 
 refer your request. 
 
 We are, with much respect, gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient humble servants. By order. 
 
 To the Committee of East and Southampton. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man and transmitted. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 moining, Thursday. 
 
 Thursday, 9 ho. A.M., July 13, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman 
 
 and Commissioner. 
 For the City and County of New-York, Peter Van 
 
 Brugh Livingston, Colonel McDougall, Abraham 
 
 Brasher, and Isaac Low, Joseph Hallett, Jacobus 
 Van Zandt, James Beckman, Sa?nuel Verplanck, and 
 
 John Van Cortlandt. 
 For the City and County of Albany, Gouverneur 
 
 Morris. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester County, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Richmond County, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 
1785 
 
 NEW- YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1786 
 
 A Letter from Stephen Ward and Joseph Drake, inform- 
 ing that Nehemiah Marshall, nominated a Second Lieuten- 
 ant in Westchester County, had declined the service, and 
 recommending Samuel Tredwell Pell in his stead, was read 
 and filed, with the Warrant formerly issued. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant he made out for the said Sam- 
 uel Tredwell Pell, in the place and stead of the said A'e- 
 hemiah Marshall. 
 
 Colonel McDougall applied to the Committee for an 
 order to Mr. Curtcnius to furnish the following articles for 
 the Armourers of the First Regiment, viz : one hundred 
 and fifty Steel Rods ; one hundred and fifty Bell Pipes ; 
 twelve pound of Sheet Brass ; one pound of Borax ; four 
 dozen of different sorts of Files ; six Rasps ; four pound 
 of Emory ; six pound of Glue ; twenty-five pound of Steel ; 
 two pound of Binding Wire ; twenty-five pound of Iron ; 
 two pound of Spelter Solder ; one Glue Pot ; one Grind- 
 stone and one Oil-stone; two small Hand- Vices ; six pound 
 of coarse Wire; one small Screwplate and Taps. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius purchase the 
 before-mentioned articles, anil furnish or deliver them to 
 Colonel McDougall or his order. 
 
 A Letter from Hezekiah Howell, Chairman of the Com- 
 mittee of Cornwall Precinct, giving information that *SVe- 
 phen Howell, of that Precinct, who was appointed a Second 
 Lieutenant, had declined the serv ice, was read ; and a Let- 
 ter from the said Stephen Howell, declaring his resignation 
 of his Warrant, was also read and filed. And the said 
 Committee of Cornwall Precinct, by their Letter, having 
 warmly recommended Jonas Bellows to be a Second Lieu- 
 tenant in the place of the said Stephen Howell, 
 
 Resolved and Agreed, That a Warrant be signed by the 
 President of this Congress and delivered to the said Jonas 
 Bellows, for his use, as soon as the Warrant to Stephen 
 Howell is returned. 
 
 A Letter from Walter Spooner, Chairman of a Com- 
 mittee at Springfield, Massachusetts-Bay, dated Spring- 
 field, July 3, 1775, was read. 
 
 A draft of a Letter to Major-General Schuyler, to cover 
 a copy of Colonel Hinman's Letter, was read and ap- 
 proved ; and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colonv of New. York, ) 
 
 July 13, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : We beg leave to enclose you a copy of a letter 
 from Colonel Hinman, which was received yesterday. We 
 have, in substance, by our answer, informed him that we 
 would forward a copy of his letter to you, and that we 
 have the highest confidence that, on his application, you 
 will make every arrangement in stationing the Troops at 
 the different posts mentioned in his letter, that would be 
 for the general defence of the United Colonies. 
 
 We are, Sir, your obedient servants. By order, &ic. 
 To Major General Schuyler. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and, together with a copy of Colonel Hinman's Let- 
 ter, be transmitted by the first conveyance. 
 
 Alderman Matthews and Alderman Brewerton applied 
 to the Committee, and delivered a Letter from Captain 
 Vandeput, of His Majesty's Ship Asia, to Governour 
 Tryon, complaining that one of his Boats is brought on 
 shore, and the crew detained prisoners; and the Committee 
 being informed that the boat's crew are prisoners in Gen. 
 Wooster's camp, and also that His Majesty's Store near 
 Hudson's River was broken open during last night, and 
 divers effects carried away from thence by violence, 
 
 Ordered, That Samuel Verplanclc, Isaac Low, and 
 Gouverneur Morris, Esquires, be a Sub-Committee from 
 this Committee to wait on Gen. Wooster, in order to make 
 inquiry, and to receive information on those subjects ; and 
 also to give such directions therein as they shall think pro- 
 per, that right may be done without delay. 
 
 Thereupon a draught of a Letter to General Wooster 
 was read, and approved, and is as follows: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 July 13, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : Complaint has been made to our Board that a boat 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship Asia, has been drawn on 
 shore, and the boat's crew detained as prisoners at your 
 camp; and also that His Majesty's store-house near Hud- 
 
 son's River was, during last night, broke open and divers 
 effects carried away from thence by violence ; it is alleged 
 that some of the troops under your command have been 
 concerned in both those acts. We have therefore appoint- 
 ed Samuel Verplanck, Isaac Low, and Gouverneur Mor- 
 ris, Esqrs., a Committee from our Board, to wait on you, 
 in order to make inquiry, and receive information on those 
 subjects, and also to give such directions therein as they 
 shall think proper, that right may be done without delay. 
 
 We are, Sir, your humble servants. By order of the 
 Committee. 
 
 To Major General Wooster. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and delivered to the Sub-Committee. 
 
 Doctor Samuel Bard, at his request, was admitted, and 
 informed the Committee that he had received some dis- 
 agreeable language from some of his fellow-citizens for 
 receiving and attending the sick Mariners from His Majes- 
 ty's Ships, and requested to know whether it is the sense 
 of this Committee that his acting as Physician for the sick 
 Mariners is inconsistent with the conduct and duty of a 
 good citizen under the present circumstances of this Co- 
 lony. Doctor Bard further declared, that he had been par- 
 ticularly careful not to receive any patients from the Ships 
 with any infectious disorders. But that if it is the sense 
 of this Committee that he ought not to attend such sick 
 Mariners, he is ready to resign his office. 
 
 Resolved, That Dr. Bard's conduct is fully consistent with 
 the conduct and duty of a good citizen ; and he is requested 
 not to suffer any patient to be brought into his Hospital with 
 any infectious disorders, particularly the small-pox. 
 
 Mr. Low, from the Committee who waited on General 
 Wooster, reported, that General Wooster informed them 
 that the matter of complaint relating to the boat and boat's 
 crew belonging to the Ship Asia, had arose through some 
 mistake of the master of the Connecticut armed Schooner. 
 That he had ordered the Boat to be restored, and sent a 
 party to put her in the water, and that the boat's crew he 
 had discharged as soon as he heard of their being detained. 
 That as to the effects brought to his camp last night, he 
 had ordered them to be taken care of, and that they are 
 preserved under a guard ; that they were brought there by 
 some persons without his knowledge or directions ; that one 
 Brasher informed him that Col. Ritztma had desired him 
 to receive and protect those effects ; and therefore he had 
 set a guard over them, and they were ready to be delivered 
 to the owner, or to the order of this Committee. 
 
 The Recorder and Aldermen Brewerton and Mattheivs, 
 were called in, and they informed the Committee that the 
 Boat belonging to the Asia, man-of-war, is burnt. 
 
 Whereupon the Committee made the following Order: 
 
 Whereas, information hath been given to this Committee 
 by some of the Civil Magistrates of the City of New- York, 
 that an attack was made without provocation upon a Boat 
 belonging to His Majesty's Ship Asia, and the Boat wan- 
 tonly destroyed ; and also that the house and store of Mr. 
 Francis Stephens have been violently broken open and 
 robbed of private property, and military stores taken from 
 thence ; and whereas, the said Magistrates have requested 
 the advice of this Committee in the premises, 
 
 Ordered, That it be recommended to the Civil Magistrates 
 to examine strictly into the several matters and things above 
 mentioned, and to punish all persons who are guilty of per- 
 petrating the same, as the law directs; and that it be and 
 hereby is recommended to all the citizens and others to aid 
 and assist the Magistrates in the execution of their offices. 
 
 Ordered, That the foregoing Order be published in hand- 
 bills, and distributed. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to to-morrow morning, nine 
 o'clock. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., July 14, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chair- 
 man and Commissioner. 
 
 For New- York City and County, Peter Van B. 
 Livingston, Esquire, Col. Lispenard, Col. McDou- 
 gall, Jacobus Van Zandt, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Albany City and County, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
1787 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1788 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester County, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Richmond County, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougaU. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 
 Stephen Seaman and Obadiah Seaman attending at the 
 door, were called in, and gave the Committee such informa- 
 tion as affords great reason to suspect that George Youngs 
 and his son, and Captain Brush, and one Conklin, all of 
 Huntington, are concerned in shipping Provisions to sup- 
 ply General Gage's Fleet and Army; and notes of their 
 examination were taken and filed. 
 
 Thereupon a draft of a Letter to John Sloss Hobart, 
 Esq., was read and approved of, and is in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 14, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: We have received such information as gives us 
 great reason to suspect that one George Youngs and his 
 son, and one Captain Brush, and one Conklin, all of or near 
 Huntington, are concerned in shipping provisions in such 
 manner as that they must inevitably serve to supply Gene- 
 ral Gage's Fleet and Army at Boston. We enclose you 
 notes taken from two witnesses on that subject. We 
 need not suggest to you that it is incumbent on those 
 people to show where they have unloaded their former 
 cargoes, and where they are now going, and that they have 
 complied with the Association without fraud. We have 
 the highest confidence that your Committee will exert 
 themselves on this occasion. 
 
 We are, respectfully, Sir, your humble servants. 
 By order. 
 To John Sloss Hobart, Esq., 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the Chairman, and, together with a copy of the examina- 
 tion of Obadiah and Stephen Seaman, be transmitted by 
 the first conveyance. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius be desired to 
 purchase three hundred barrels of Pork, and forward the 
 same to Albany ; and that he forward a complete set of 
 Tents to Colonel Rooseboom, at Albany, sufficient for one 
 Regiment, and inform this Committee when those Tents 
 are ready and forwarded. 
 
 A Memorial of John Sparding, bearing date at Ticonde- 
 roga Landing on the first of June, was read and filed. 
 
 The Memorialist sets forth the great trouble and pains 
 he had taken to forward the service there with Boats and 
 Teams, and his ability to perform the same. Also sets 
 forth, that seventeen Pounds are due him for his services ; 
 that the Agents now refuse to employ his Teams; that he 
 is likely to be a great sufferer; and prays the same may be 
 taken into consideration. 
 
 A Letter to the said John Sparding was thereupon read 
 and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Committee of Safety for the Colony of New. York, ) 
 
 July 14, 1775. £ 
 
 Sir : This morning Mr. Peter T. Curtenius presented 
 your Memorial, which was immediately read and taken into 
 consideration. General Schuyler, who has the command of 
 the Northern Posts is now there ; to him we must refer you, 
 and doubt not but that he will redress your grievances, and 
 such accounts as he shall recommend for payment, we pre- 
 sume will be honoured by the Provincial Congress. 
 
 We are, Sir, your friends and humble servants. By order. 
 To Mr. John Sparding at Ticonderoga Landing. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed 
 by the Chairman, and transmitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougaU, Captain Anthony 
 Rutgers, and Mr. Samuel Tudor, be authorized to pur- 
 chase old Copper, Brass, and other materials for casting a 
 Brass Field-Piece, at such prices as they can obtain the 
 said materials. 
 
 A Letter from John Grennell of Huntington, was read, 
 and filed. 
 
 Mr. Grennell by his Letter informs that William Phil- 
 
 lipse and Philip Conklin, who were nominated his Sub- 
 alterns, from their particular circumstances decline that 
 service. He recommends Mr. Samuel Smith of Smith- 
 town, for First Lieutenant, and Alexander Ketchum of Hun- 
 tington, for Second Lieutenant. He also further informs that 
 several stand ready to enlist, and have arms, ammunition, 
 and blankets. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That Warrants be issued for Sam- 
 uel Smith and Alexander Ketchum, as Subalterns under 
 John Grennell. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Van Wyck having declined serving in the 
 Troops as a Captain, and two days ago returned his War- 
 rant, and Mr. David Lyon of Elizabethtown, in New- Jer- 
 sey, having offered his services with a complete company 
 of men by him enlisted, 
 
 Ordered, That the said David Lyon be taken into ser- 
 vice as a Captain in the First Regiment in the stead of the 
 said Abraham Van Wyck, and that a Warrant be issued to 
 him accordingly. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Mr. John Grennell, was read 
 
 and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 14, 1775. $ 
 
 Sir: Your favour of the 11th instant is now before us. 
 We have attentively perused it, and from the great confi- 
 dence we place in you, Sir, and a firm reliance that you 
 have recommended gentlemen fit for the trust reposed in 
 them, we have enclosed warrants for them. We recom- 
 mend to you, Sir, to make all possible despatch in enlisting 
 your men. and to pay a particular attention to their health, 
 strength and abilities. By a resolve of our Congress the 
 men you enlist will be allowed for the use of their arms, if 
 they are approved of by the Mustermaster, Armourer, and 
 Field-Officers of the Regiment, as good and fit for service. 
 As to the blankets and other matters you mention, we are 
 not at present in a condition to advise. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 By order of the Committee. 
 To Captain John Grennell, at Huntington. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, and transmitted, with the Warrants there- 
 in mentioned enclosed. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 9 ho. A. M., July 15, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chair- 
 man and Commissioner. 
 
 For New- York, Peter V. B. Livingston, Col. Lispen- 
 ard, Colonel McDougaU, and Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany, Gouverneur 
 Morris. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan Landon. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester County, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Richmond County, Richard Lawrence. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougaU. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, of the 11th of July 
 instant, was read, and filed. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, of the 12th day of July 
 instant, was read, and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., 
 Treasurer of the Provincial Congress of New-York, pay 
 into the hands of Colonel McDougaU the sum of three 
 hundred Pounds out of the moneys he shall receive from 
 the General Committee of Association for the City and 
 County of New-York. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the New- York Delegates at 
 Philadelphia, to accompany copies of two Letters received 
 this day from General Schuyler, was read and approved of, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for tho Colony of New. York, ) 
 
 July 15, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen : We enclose you the copies of two letters 
 from General Schuyler. In addition we must observe to 
 
1789 
 
 NEW- YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1790 
 
 you, our enlisted men grow uneasy for want of money, 
 wh ich prevents the enlistment of others. We have no arms, 
 we have no powder, we have no blankets. For God's sake 
 send us money, send us arms, send us ammunition. Bur- 
 goyne, we learn, has gone to Quebeck. If Ticonderoga is 
 taken from us, fear, which made the savages our friends, 
 will render them our enemies. Ravages on our own fron- 
 tiers will foster dissensions among us ruinous to the cause. 
 Be prudent, be expeditious. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, yours, &ic. 
 
 P. S. You will observe, gentlemen, that Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston is our Treasurer until an appointment 
 by your Board. We hear from good authority that Colonel 
 Guy Johnson is at Oswego, with one thousand or twelve 
 hundred Indians, (men, women, and children,) and that 
 they have plenty of provisions. We should be glad to 
 have the blank commissions for the officers sent forward 
 to us. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy, signed by the Chairman, be 
 transmitted, together with copies of General Schuyler's Let- 
 ters, by Joseph Stevens, a messenger. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Major-General Schuyler, in 
 answer to his two Letters received this day, was read and 
 approved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 15, 1775. $ 
 
 Sir: We have received your letters, and written to the 
 Continental Congress on those subjects. We shall with all 
 despatch send the officer you mention. We have already 
 ordered to Albany tents for our Regiment. Our Troops 
 can be of ho use to you ; they have no arms, clothes, blan- 
 kets, or ammunition ; the officers no commissions : our Trea- 
 sury no money ; ourselves in debt. It is in vain to com- 
 plain ; we will remove difficulties as fast as we can, and 
 send you soldiers, whenever the men we have raised are 
 entitled to the name. The intrenching tools shall be sent 
 soon, some immediately, and all the pork that can be had, 
 about one hundred barrels. Use, we pray you, the bad 
 Troops at Ticonderoga, as well as you can. 
 
 We are, very sincerely, your countrymen and friends. 
 To Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 P. S. General Burgoyne has not been seen in Boston 
 since the 17th ult., and it is currently reported and believed 
 that he has gone to Quebeck. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and transmitted. 
 
 Ordered, That William Elphinstone, Esq., have liberty 
 to use two rooms in the lower Barracks. 
 
 A Letter from General Wooster, dated Camp near New- 
 Yurk, July 15, 1775, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. James Beekman be appointed Com- 
 missioner to agree with Mr. John Sickles for his Field at 
 Harlem, for the use of the Troops under the command of 
 General Wooster, to encamp on. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Van Zandt be appointed Commis- 
 sioner, to agree with and employ as many Carmen as may 
 be necessary for transporting the Camp-equipage of Gen. 
 Wooster's Troops to Harlem. 
 
 Thereupon a Letter to General Wooster, was read and 
 approved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, } 
 
 July 15, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir: Mr. James Beekman is appointed Commissioner 
 to treat with John Sickles for his ground, at such rate and 
 time as he shall think proper. Be pleased to furnish him 
 with the dimensions of the spot, and the use to which it is 
 to be applied in intrenching, &tc. 
 
 Mr. Jacobus Van Zandt is Commissioner to provide 
 carriages for your tents, baggage, &ic. Be pleased to in- 
 form him how many carts are necessary. 
 
 We have thought proper to defer your march until 
 Tuesday morning, inasmuch as the time would not other- 
 wise have permitted our Commissioners to make the neces- 
 sary arrangements. ' 
 
 We are, Sir, your most obedient humble servants. 
 
 To General Wooster. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 
 the Chairman, and sent by General Wooster's officer now 
 in waiting. 
 
 General Schuyler, having by his Letter of the eleventh 
 instant, requested this Committee to appoint a proper per- 
 son to command the Sloop on Lake Champlain, and send 
 him up with all convenient speed, and Captain Patrick 
 Dennis being sent for to confer with on the subject, recom- 
 mended Captain James Stnith for the above service. 
 
 Captain James Smith attended, and expressed his great 
 willingness and cheerfulness to undertake that service, and 
 is thought by this Committee to be a very proper person : 
 Thereupon a draught of a Warrant to the said James Smith 
 was made and approved, and is in the words following, 
 to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ) 
 
 July 15, 1775. $ 
 
 Mr. James Smith : 
 
 You are hereby appointed Captain of an armed vessel 
 in the Continental service. You will receive the pay of 
 a Major in the service of the Continental Forces, and to 
 take your orders from Major-General Schuyler, or other 
 commanding officers of the Continental Troops for the time 
 being. The General will designate the vessel you are to 
 command, and you will receive a commission from the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, to be delivered to the said James Smith. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to General Schuyler, to be deli- 
 vered by the said James Smith, was read and approved of, 
 and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ) 
 
 July 15, 1775. ^ 
 
 Sir : The bearer of this letter is James Smith, a gen- 
 tleman of excellent character as a sea officer, who willingly 
 undertook the command, refusing a ship he was offered, 
 and left it to us to settle his pay, he. We agree to a 
 Major's pay, and at the same time we submit it to you 
 whether he will not be entitled to that rank in the Con- 
 tinental service. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 To Major-General Schuyler. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and transmitted by the said James Smith. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That Herman Zedwitz shall be 
 Major, and is hereby appointed Major of the First Regi- 
 ment of the Troops now raising in this Colony. 
 
 The Committee adjourned till nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Solis, 9 ho. A. M., July 16, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment, but not 
 having any business absolutely necessary to be done this 
 day, they adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow morning. 
 
 At a meeting of the Committee of Safety for the Colony 
 of New- York, Monday, July 17th, 1775, nine o'clock, 
 A. M. Present : 
 
 For King's County, Henry Williavis, Chairman and 
 Commissioner. 
 
 For New- York, Peter V. B. Livingston, Colonel 
 Lispenard, Colonel McDougall, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Albany, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Ulster, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Queen's, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Tryon, Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Broome having declined the Commission of 
 a Captain in the First Battalion of the Troops now raising 
 in this Colony ; Ordered and Agreed, That Benjamin 
 Ledyard be appointed Captain in the stead and place of 
 the said Samuel Broome. 
 
 A draught of Articles of Agreement between the Com- 
 mittee appointed to procure Locksmiths to make Gun- 
 locks, of the first part, and Thomas Blockley of the second 
 
1791 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1792 
 
 part, for the importation of Artificers, was read and approved 
 of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 Articles of Agreement made and concluded this seventeenth 
 day of July, one thousand seven hundred and seventy- 
 five, between Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, Jaco- 
 bus Van Zandt, and Alexander McDougall, of the City 
 of New- York, Esquires, on behalf of the Provincial 
 Congress of the Colony of New- York, of the first part, 
 and Tfiomas Blockley, now in New- York, and intending 
 speedily to go to Britain, of the second part. 
 First, The said Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hallett, 
 Jacobus Van Zandt, and Alexander McDougall, on behalf 
 of the Provincial Congress of the Colony of New- York, 
 do authorize and request the said Thomas Blockley to pro- 
 cure ten good Artificers, in the Gunsmiths and Locksmiths 
 business, to wit : Locksmiths, good workmen in the trade 
 and business of musket or gun-locks ; and other good work- 
 men at the trade and business of forging, welding, and 
 making; gun-barrels : and other good workmen in the trade 
 and business of boring gun-barrels ; in the whole, ten arti- 
 ficers in number, to come to the Colony of New- York to 
 dwell and reside, and there to carry on their respective 
 trades and occupations. And the said parties of the first 
 part, do request and authorize the said Thomas Blockley 
 to advance to each of the said workmen two guineas, to 
 defray the expense of their removal from their respective 
 places of abode on board of the ship in which they shall 
 come as passengers. 
 
 And the said parties of the first part do covenant and agree 
 to and with the said Thomas Blockley, to repay to him or 
 his order such sums of money as shall be so by him ad- 
 vanced to the said workmen, not exceeding two guineas 
 each ; and also to pay and discharge the passages of such 
 workmen to the City of New- York, at the rate and price 
 of steerage passengers in any ship or vessel in which they 
 shall arrive ; provided that each of the said artificers at the 
 time of, or immediately before the payment of their respec- 
 tive passages, do enter in bond to the said parties of the 
 first part, in double the sum so advanced and paid for 
 each of them, with a condition to repay the money so 
 advanced for each of them respectively, if the obligor shall 
 not set up and carry on his trade, occupation, and business 
 in the Colony of New- York, or shall remove to dwell and 
 reside in any place not within the said Colony. And it is 
 recommended to the said Thomas Blockley to engage and 
 send out sober prudent men in their respective occupations, 
 and such as will bring with them the usual and necessary 
 tools of their respective occupations that may be put into 
 small room or compass. And that as many of them as 
 may conveniently be had, be single men. 
 
 A Letter from John Lamb, dated this day, setting forth 
 many inconveniences that will attend draughting the men 
 for an Artillery Company to be by him commanded, and 
 praying that he may have leave to enlist his own men ; and 
 that their clothing may be blue with buff cuffs and facings, 
 
 Ordered, That Captain John Lamb raise a Company of 
 one hundred men, including Officers, to serve in the Conti- 
 nental Army as an Artillery Company ; that their clothing 
 be blue, faced with buff ; and that they have such pay as 
 shall be determined by the Continental Congress. 
 
 A Letter from Angus McDonald complaining of his 
 confinement. 
 
 Thereupon, a Letter to the Committee of Fairfield was 
 read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 17, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : A?igus McDonald having presented a 
 petition to this Board, praying a relaxation of his confine- 
 ment, we shall esteem it a favour if you will grant him as 
 much indulgence in the premises as you think consistent 
 with the publick safety. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and transmitted. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius be requested to 
 procure Duck, and get as many Tents made as will supply 
 the number now lent to General Wooster. 
 
 And Ordered, That Mr. Curtenius purchase so many 
 Blankets or some other substitute as, with those already 
 purchased, and those now in the hands of the Barrack- 
 
 Master, will furnish the four Regiments of this Colony with 
 Blankets. 
 
 A draught of a Circular Letter to the respective Colonels 
 of the Regiments of Troops now raising in this Colony, was 
 read and approved, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 July 17, 1775. $ 
 
 Sir : You are requested to prepare and lay before the 
 Congress of this Colony at New-York, a state of your 
 Regiment, and of the number of men ready and fit for ser- 
 vice in each company, with all possible despatch. You 
 will also be pleased to inform the Congress when you ex- 
 pect your Regiment will be complete and ready to take the 
 field. We pray you to give all possible despatch in this 
 business — the present circumstances admit of no delay. 
 The sooner your answer and return can be received, the 
 more acceptable it will be. 
 
 We are, Sir, your humble servants. 
 
 Ordered, That copies thereof be signed by the Chair- 
 man, and sent to the respective Colonels of the different 
 Regiments. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., July 18, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman 
 and Commissioner. 
 
 For New-York, Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., Col. 
 McDougall, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For City and County of Albany, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester County, Gouverneur Morris. 
 
 For Richmond County, Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 
 Mr. David Watkins attending at the door, was called 
 in; he produced a Certificate signed by Archibald Camp- 
 bell, Esq., Chairman of a meeting of the Inhabitants of 
 Charlotte County, held at Fort Edward on the 29th day 
 of June last, whereby it appears that Doctor George 
 Smyth, the said David Watkins, and Archibald Campbell, 
 Esq., were duly elected to represent that County in Pro- 
 vincial Congress, together with John Williams and William 
 Marsh, Esqrs.; and that they, or either of them, represent 
 the said County in Provincial Congress at New- York. The 
 said Certificate was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That David Watkins take his seat. 
 
 The Mayor of the City of New-York attending in the 
 next room, informed some of the members, that the Magis- 
 trates had applied to a Carpenter to build a Boat for the 
 Ship Asia, to replace that lately burnt belonging to the 
 said Ship Asia; that the Carpenter desires an order or 
 protection from this Board for that purpose, to convince 
 any of his fellow-citizens (who might inquire) that he is 
 doing that work with the approbation of the Committee. 
 
 Thereupon, an Order was made in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 This Committee do hereby signify their approbation of 
 the conduct of the Civil Magistrates, in ordering the build- 
 ing of a boat to replace that lately burnt in this City, be- 
 longing to his Majesty's Ship^lsia; and require the car- 
 penter which they have or shall employ for that purpose, 
 to perform the same. 
 
 Ordered, That two copies of this Order be engrossed, 
 and signed by one of the Secretaries, and delivered to Mr. 
 Mayor. 
 
 A Letter from the Chairman of the Committees of New- 
 burgh and New- Windsor Precincts, was read and filed, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 To the Honourable Provincial Congress for the Colony of 
 New-York, now convened in the City o/New-York : 
 Gentlemen : We are extremely sorry to be under the 
 disagreeable necessity of troubling you on this occasion. 
 Nothing but dire necessity could have induced us to take 
 any steps which may be construed by this honourable 
 
1793 
 
 IVEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1794 
 
 Congress to be aside from the path of duty. We here- 
 with send you three persons, who not only possess principles 
 very inimical to the grand cause in which we are embarked, 
 but whose conduct, ever since the first of these unhappy 
 times, have been such as to disturb the publick tranquillity 
 and destroy that unanimity so necessary for the preserva- 
 tion of our liberties. Their names are John Morrell, Adam 
 Patrick, and Isaiah Purdy. Herewith, you, gentlemen, will 
 also receive several depositions, taken before John iSicoll, 
 Esq., relative to the matter, which is all we have time to take 
 at present ; these we submit to the judgment of the honour- 
 able Congress, whether either or all of these persons accused 
 be worthy of confinement or not. On the supposition that 
 the Congress shall judge it expedient that either or all of 
 them should be liberated, in that case we humbly conceive 
 it to be necessary that such security be taken of them as 
 shall render those easy in their minds who are afraid of their 
 persons and property. We would only add, gentlemen, that 
 as we are contending for liberty, it is with the greatest re- 
 luctance that we would offer to deprive the meanest of our 
 brethren of that inestimable blessing in the least degree ; 
 but in this instance, the safety of our Country, and that first 
 and strongest of laws, self-preservation, calls us to this act 
 of disagreeable duty. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, in behalf of the Committees for the 
 Precincts of Newburgh and New- Windsor, your most obe- 
 dient humble servants. 
 
 Wolvekt Ecker, Chairman. 
 Samuel Brewster, Chairman. 
 
 Sundry Affidavits in writing, taken before John Nicoll, 
 Esq., of the threatenings and ill conduct of John Morrell, 
 Adam Patrick, and Isuiah Purdy, in opposition to the 
 liberties of the American Colonies, were read and filed ; and 
 the said three persons being brought in the custody of an 
 officer and a guard of armed men, were examined, and con- 
 fessed many of the matters wherewith they were charged 
 by the said affidavits to be true. Thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall receive the bodies 
 of John Morrell, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah Purdy, at the 
 Barracks, and keep them in safe custody until the further 
 order of the Committee. 
 
 And Ordered, That a copy of this order be delivered to 
 Colonel McDougall. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Elizabcthlown to the 
 Chairman of the Committee of New-York, acquainting 
 him of the arrival of Gunpowder from Philadelphia, and 
 that it would be at Dobbs's Ferry by nine o'clock this morn- 
 ing, was read and filed. 
 
 Mr. Pye offered to go up Hudson's River, and get the 
 said Gunpowder put on board of a Sloop for Albany ; and 
 thereupon, a draught of a Letter to the Committee of 
 Albany was read, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety, New-York, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Sir: With this you will receive four hogsheads, said to 
 contain fifty-two quarter-casks of Gunpowder; it is sent 
 by the Continental Congress to go to Ticonderoga. Pray 
 inform General Schuyler of it, and forward it to Ticonde- 
 roga with all possible despatch. 
 
 We are, Sir, your humble servants. 
 
 To Samuel Stringer, Esq., Albany. 
 
 Mr. Beekman came into Committee, and reported, that 
 he had been with Gen. Wooster and his first Field Officer 
 to Harlem; that John Sickles demanded such an exorbi- 
 tant price for his ground, that they could not agree with 
 him ; but that they had agreed with Arent Bussing for a 
 proper Field for an Encampment, at the rate of four 
 Pounds per month ; and that General Wooster, with his 
 Troops, are all removed. 
 
 John Morin Scott, Esq., came into the Committee of 
 Safety, and brought in the Report of the Committee on 
 Indian Affairs ; and also the proposed draught of a Speech 
 to the Indians ; which were read. 
 
 Thereupon, a draught of a Letter to the Delegates of this 
 Colony was read and approved of, and is in the words fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New. York, ) 
 
 July 18, 1775. $ 
 
 Gentlemen : We have had a Congress with the Five 
 
 Nations in contemplation. A Committee was appointed 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. 1 
 
 to prepare the necessary papers to be laid before your 
 body ; but the necessities of the season required an ad- 
 journment of the Congress till next Tuesday, and we now 
 sit only in a Committee of Safety. The proceedingson the 
 subject we send you, imperfect as they are in draught, that 
 if the Continental Congress think they may be of any use, 
 they may have the materials in their possession. 
 We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 By order of the Committee of Safety. 
 To the Delegates of the Colony of New-York at Conti- 
 nental Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed and signed 
 by the Chairman, and transmitted to the Delegates of this 
 Colony at Continental Congress, together with the draughts 
 therein mentioned. 
 
 The Committee then adjourned to nine o'clock, to-mor- 
 row morning. 
 
 Die Mercurii, 9 ho. A. M., July 19, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman 
 
 and Commissioner. 
 For New- York City and County, Peter Van Brugh 
 
 Livingston, Colonel Lispenard, Colonel McDougall, 
 
 Joseph Hallett, Abraham Brasher. 
 For Albany City and County, Gouvemeur Morris. 
 For Dutchess Countt, Jonathan London. 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 For Westchester County, Gouvemeur Morris. 
 For Richmond County, Aaron Cortelyou. 
 For Queen's County, Col. McDougall. 
 For Tryon County, Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 For Charlotte County, David Watkins. 
 
 A Letter from Jacob Bayley, Esq., at Newbury, in 
 Gloucester County, dated June 29, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to JacobBayley, Esq., at Newbury, 
 Gloucester County, in answer to his of the 29th of June 
 ult., was read and approved, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New.York, > 
 
 July 19, 1775. \ 
 
 Sir : It gives us great pleasure to hear of your appoint- 
 ment to represent the County of Gloucester. The raising 
 of troops in your County to serve in the Continental pay, 
 is what we cannot authorize, nor indeed would it be at all 
 useful to yourselves, but rather the coutrary, inasmuch as 
 they might be ordered at a distance from you on other ser- 
 vice, and thereby weaken your security. For these rea- 
 sons, we think it would be much more expedient to arrange 
 your able-bodied men into a respectable militia, and let one 
 or two hundred of them be embodied by turns weekly, 
 whereby you will always have a body of men ready to repel 
 injuries ; and at the same time, by assembling your County 
 at large, return any insults you may receive in kind. 
 
 We cannot express our concern to you, at being obliged 
 to inform you, that at present neither arms nor ammunition 
 can be expected from us, as we have not so many as to 
 serve the Troops raised by our Colony, and intended for 
 the defence of our Northern and Eastern frontier. But we 
 have done every thing men could do : we have advanced 
 money for and established a manufactory of arms, and con- 
 tracted for a considerable number ; we have contracted 
 with merchants for a great number of them ; we have 
 taken measures to procure manufacturers; and we have 
 written to Philadelphia for as many as are necessary for 
 our Troops. Similar measures we have taken to procure 
 powder ; and depend, Sir, that for your sakes, as well as our 
 own, we shall use every precaution to enable you to pro- 
 vide the means of defence; and at the same time, to pre- 
 vent you the necessity of using those means. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order. 
 To Jacob Bayley, Esq., at Newbury, Gloucester County. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the Chairman, and transmitted by Mr. Harvey. 
 
 A Letter from Egbert Benson, Esq., Chairman of the 
 Committee of Dutchess County, covering the returned 
 
1795 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1796 
 
 Warrants of Rosivell Wikocks and Cornelius Adriance, 
 who decline serving in the Troops, and recommending 
 Isaac Paddock in the place of Wikocks, and James Belts 
 in the place of Adriance, was read and filed. 
 
 The vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Cornelius 
 Adriance being already supplied, 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be made for Isaac Paddock, 
 in the place of Roswell Wikocks, and enclosed to the 
 Chairman of the Committee. 
 
 Thereupon, a draught of a Letter to the Chairman of 
 the Committee of Dutchess, was read and approved of, and 
 is in the words following, to wit \ 
 
 Committee of Safety, &c., July 19, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 
 13th instant. Agreeable to the recommendation of your 
 Committee, we have enclosed a warrant for Mr. Isaac 
 Paddock. On the 11th instant, Mr. Adriance's resigna- 
 tion was produced to this Committee, together with a 
 recommendation of Mr. Andrew Teller Lawrence, in 
 his stead. As Mr. Lawrence was recommended by two 
 Members of the Provincial Congress, and a number of 
 other freeholders of your County, we gave him a certifi- 
 cate from the Committee of Safety, that he was approved 
 of, and that a warrant should be made for him, as the 
 warrant to Mr. Adriance was returned. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. By order. 
 
 To Egbert Benson, Esq., Chairman of the Committee of 
 Dutchess County. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman of this Committee of Safety, and trans- 
 mitted. 
 
 The Committee having heard Alexander Ellis at their 
 Board, on the subject of a certain Boat by him furnished 
 to Lieutenant Parks, to transport him. with his baggage, to 
 Niagara, do declare it as their sentiment, that the said 
 Alexander Ellis appears to them guiltless with relation to 
 that transaction. 
 
 Ordered, That a certified copy of this Declaration be 
 delivered to the said Alexander Ellis. 
 
 A Letter from John Nicholson, Esq., of Ulster County, 
 was read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 New.Windsor, July 13, 1775. 
 Sir : Agreeable to my warrant and instructions from 
 the Provincial Congress of New- York, I have enlisted a 
 company of seventy-two men, to serve in the Continental 
 Army; and now wait for the further directions of the Con- 
 gress. I am your most obedient servant, 
 
 John Nicholson. 
 To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, President of the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, New-York. 
 
 Thereupon, a draught of an answer to the Letter of John 
 Nicholson, Esquire, was read and approved of, and is in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New. York, } 
 
 July 19, 1775. i 
 
 Sir: We are favoured with your letter of the 13th in- 
 stant. We are happy to be informed that you have been 
 so industrious and successful in enlisting your men. Please 
 to make a return of your company to Colonel Clinton, who 
 will take to his assistance a Surgeon, or such other person 
 as he will think proper, and muster your men, and receive 
 and approve of such of them as are fit for service. You 
 will then keep your men in training and learning discipline 
 with all possible care, and hold yourself, with your compa- 
 ny, in readiness to follow such directions as you may receive 
 from Colonel Clinton. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 By order of the Committee. 
 To John Nicholson, Esq., New- Windsor. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, and delivered to Robert Boyd. 
 
 Committee adjourned to Friday morning, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Die Voneris, 9 ho. A. M., July 21, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman 
 and Commissioner. 
 
 For the City and County of New-York, Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esq., Colonel McDougall, Mr. 
 Van Zandt, Colonel Lisptnard, Mr. Brasher. 
 
 For the City and County of Albany, Gouvemeur 
 Morris. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Westchester County, Gouvemeur Morris. 
 
 For Richmond County, Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter V. B. Livingston. 
 
 For Charlotte County, David Watkins. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Cortelyou and Mr. Beekman be a 
 Committee, in conjunction with two Officers of the Con- 
 necticut Troops, which shall be appointed by General 
 Wooster, to examine and estimate what damage hath been 
 done to the ground and fencing of Mr. Herring, on which 
 the said Troops were lately encamped ; and that they get 
 the same certified by the said Officers which shall be ap- 
 pointed by General Wooster, and report the same with all 
 convenient speed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall be at liberty to take 
 as much of the Wood now in the Barrack yards, for the use 
 of his Troops, as they may want or have occasion for ; and 
 that he keep and render an account of the quantity thereof 
 which shall be used, to the Provincial Congress. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancock, dated Philadelphia, July 
 17, 1775, enclosing a Resolution of the Continental Con- 
 gress of the same day, was received, and read. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to General Schuyler was read and 
 approved of, and is in the words following : 
 
 Committee of Safety, New-York, July 21, 1775. 
 Sir : The enclosed paper from the Continental Congress 
 was received last evening by the return of our express from 
 Philadelphia. We forward them by express. 
 
 We are yours, he. 
 Major General Schiyler. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy be engrossed, signed by the 
 Chairman, and transmitted (with all the Papers received 
 for General Schuyler) by Sampson Dyckman. 
 
 A Letter from the Delegates of this Colony at the Con- 
 tinental Congress, dated Philadelphia, July 18, 1775, was 
 read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Elisha Benedict was read and filed, and 
 is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Albany, July 14, 1775. 
 Sir : According to your instructions, I went into Cum- 
 berland County to deliver a copy to the Lieutenant, Samuel 
 Fletcher, who was appointed First Lieutenant. I found 
 he was in the Army at Cambridge. I took advice of the 
 leading men there, and they nominated William McCune 
 in his place, and he is enlisting of men. Alexander Brink, 
 the Second Lieutenant, lives at the upper part of the Coun- 
 ty. I sent a man with his instructions. I have enlisted 
 forty men ; and if I had the money to pay the men a small 
 matter, my company would be full in two or three days 
 time. I am your humble servant, 
 
 Elisha Benedict. 
 To P. V. B. Livingston, Esq., President of the Provincial 
 Congress, New-York. 
 
 N. B. Sir, I should be glad if Mr. McCune might be the 
 First Lieutenant in the place of Mr. Fletcher. E. B. 
 
 An Answer to the Letter of Elisha Benedict, was read 
 and approved of, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety, New-York, July 21, 1775. 
 
 Sir : This morning we are favoured with yours of the 
 14th instant. The Committee of Safety have approved of 
 Mr. William McCune for your First Lieutenant, in the 
 place of Samuel Fletcher. A warrant shall be sent to you 
 for William McCune as First Lieutenant, as soon as you 
 return to us or the Provincial Congress the warrant that 
 was sent to you for Fletcher. 
 
 We shall have money about ten days hence. As soon 
 as the money is ready, money will be sent to Albany, and 
 you will receive cash for your men. 
 
1797 
 
 NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1798 
 
 Please to complete your company as soon as possible, 
 and make return thereof to the Colonel or Lieutenant- 
 Colonel of your Regiment, who will muster your men, or 
 cause them to be mustered, and give you directions how to 
 proceed. We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order of the Committee. 
 To Captain Elisha Btnedict, Albany. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, and sent by Sampson Dyckman. 
 
 Two Letters from Elisha Phelps, dated at Albany, July 
 11 and 13, 1775, were read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall take possession of 
 the Town Barracks for such of the Troops now under his 
 command as he shall think proper to place there ; and that 
 Mr. Curtcnius be desired to furnish provisions for such men 
 as Colonel McDougall shall place there. 
 
 The Petition of Philip Henning, setting forth his know- 
 ledge in Physick and Surgery, to be admitted and appoint- 
 ed Surgeon's Mate, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That Philip Henning wait on Doctor John 
 Jones and Doctor Bard, to be examined as to his know- 
 ledge in Physick and Surgery, and his knowledge of the 
 practice thereof. 
 
 A Certificate of Doctor John Jones and Samuel Bard, 
 bearing date on the 18th instant, was read. Those gentle- 
 men certify, that they thereby have examined Mr. Hun- 
 lock Woodruff, respecting his knowledge in Physick and 
 Surgery, and that they find him qualified to act in the capa- 
 city of Surgeon's Mate. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That the said Hunlock Wood- 
 ruff be appointed Surgeon's Mate to the First Regiment of 
 Troops now raising in this Colony ; and 
 
 Ordered, That a certified copy of the above Minutes 
 be delivered to the said Hunlock Woodruff. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committee at Brunswick, 
 in yeiv- Jersey, was read and approved, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New-York, ) 
 
 July 21, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : We have had intelligence that boats have 
 sundry times loaded flour at or about your City, and have 
 run down to the west bank, and there met boats to take it 
 from them for the use of the men-of-war and the Army at 
 Boston. As this is contrary to the resolution of the Con- 
 tinental Congress, it is a matter that requires your strictest 
 inspection to prevent such traders from pursuing a business 
 inimical to the cause of liberty in the United Colonies. 
 
 We have been informed that Mr. Merrill, opposite to or 
 near Brunswick, can give you farther information on this 
 subject. We are, respectfully, gentlemen, your very hum- 
 ble servants. Per order of the Committee. 
 To the Committee at JSew-Brunswick. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and transmitted. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 9 ho. A. M., July 22, 1775. 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 For King's County, Henry Williams, Esq., Chairman, 
 
 and Jeremiah Remsen. 
 For the City and County of New-York, Peter Van 
 
 Brugh Livingston, Colonel Lispenard, Abraham 
 
 Brasher. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Jonathan London. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, David Pye. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Richmond County, Aaron Cortelyou. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 
 For Charlotte County, David Watkins. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates of the Colony of 
 
 New-York at the Continental Congress, was read and 
 
 approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New. York, ) 
 July 22, 1775. \ 
 
 Gentlemen : We expect that our Troops will soon be 
 all enlisted ; but we labour under great difficulties on ac- 
 
 count of arms, and have not, by any means we could devise, 
 been able to procure near so many as are necessary for 
 them. The arms we have procured are of the best sort. 
 
 We have thought of the following expedient, which we 
 beg leave to suggest to you. The Colony of New-Jersey 
 has a very considerable number of muskets and bayonets, 
 which we are informed are good. They are deposited at 
 the respective Court-Houses, or some other particular 
 places in each County, as Hackensack, Elizabethtown, Sic. 
 If the Continental Congress would please to direct those 
 arms to be cleaned and valued, and put up in boxes, and 
 sent to convenient places on Hudson's River, that they 
 might be put into the hands of such of our Troops as can- 
 not at present be otherwise properly furnished, we conceive 
 it would be of general benefit to the Continental service. 
 Those arms may either be at the Continental charge, or 
 replaced some months hence with others of equal quality, 
 from those which we shall have made in this Colony. The 
 Jersey Congress is to meet next week, and by that means 
 the arms may easily be collected and ordered, as above 
 mentioned. 
 
 If you approve of this measure, we pray you to use 
 your best influence in Congress to have it carried into ex- 
 ecution. We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servants. By order of the Committee. 
 To the Delegates of the Colony of New- York at the Con- 
 tinental Congress, Philadelphia. 
 
 P. S. Gentlemen : We beg leave to inform you, that as 
 soon as we began to purchase provisions, &.c, we employed 
 Mr. Peter T. Curtenius as our Commissary at New-York. 
 He purchased provisions, stores, tents, intrenching tools, 
 &c. &ic. &.c. He has been indefatigable in the publick 
 service; run every risk that was requested of him ; dis- 
 bursed his own cash, and succeeded beyond our most san- 
 guine expectations. We think him one of the most proper 
 persons among us for that business, and would earnestly 
 wish he might be continued, in such manner as will not be 
 disagreeable to the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, and sent with all possible despatch. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to John Peter Tetard, was read 
 and approved, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Committee of Safety, &c, July 22, 1775. 
 
 Sir : You will observe by the enclosed order of our Pro- 
 vincial Congress, their intention of employing you as Inter- 
 preter to General Schuyler, and a Chaplain to the Troops 
 of this Colony. If you are determined to engage in the 
 service in those characters, and on the terms mentioned in 
 the said order, it is expected that you will repair to Albany, 
 and from thence to General Schuyler, with all possible 
 speed. We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 By order. 
 Rev. John Peter Tetard. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman, and transmitted by the first conveyance. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to nine o'clock, on Monday 
 morning. 
 
 Die LuntE, 9 ho. A. M., July 24, 1775. 
 
 The Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York, Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Colonel McDougall, John Morin 
 Scott, Colonel Lispenard, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Ulster County, Egbert Dumond. 
 
 For Queen's County, Colonel McDougall. 
 
 For Cumberland County, John Morin Scott. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Abraham Brasher. 
 
 For Tryon County, Peter Van Brugh Livingston. 
 
 For Charlotte County, David Watkins. 
 
 Henry Williams, Esq., being very much indisposed, was 
 obliged to withdraw, and Mr. Brasher was chosen Chair- 
 man pro tempore. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lasher, at the review of his 
 Regiment this afternoon, or at the first review that may 
 happen, when his Troops have grounded their arms, cause 
 a strict search to be made for any of the Muskets belong- 
 ing to the Corporation of New- York, which may be among 
 
7199 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1800 
 
 the said arms ; and cause every such Musket to be deliver- 
 ed to Colonel McDougall, or his order, for the use of bis 
 Regiment. 
 
 A Letter from the Honourable John Hancock, President 
 of the Congress, dated Philadelphia, July 19, 1775, was 
 received and read. 
 
 A draught of an Answer to the above Letter of the 
 Honourable John Hancock, Esq., was read, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, ) 
 
 July 24, 1775. $ 
 
 Sir : We have been honoured with your letter of the 
 19th instant, which informs us that you have an intimation 
 that a quantity of gunpowder had lately arrived here. We 
 are sorry to say it is without foundation. You may be 
 assured, Sir, that should a quantity arrive, we shall be at- 
 tentive to the wants of our brethren to the Eastward, and 
 forward as much as possible that way. 
 
 We are, with great respect, your most obedient servants. 
 
 To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq., Philadelphia. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the Chairman pro tempore, and transmitted by George 
 Clinton, Esquire. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M., July 25, 1775. 
 
 The President and several Members met pursuant to 
 adjournment, but the numbers not being sufficient to form 
 the Congress, the Members present proceeded to business 
 as a Committee of Safety, and agreed to meet again to- 
 morrow morning. 
 
 Henry Williams, Esquire, being indisposed and absent, 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston was appointed Chairman. 
 Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York, Colonel 
 Lispenard, Thomas Smith, Jacobus Van Zandt, Col. 
 McDougall, Isaac Roosevelt, Richard Yates, Isaac 
 Sears. 
 
 For King's County, Jeremiah Remsen, Theodorus 
 Polhemus. 
 
 For Westchester County, Col. P. Van Cortlandt. 
 
 For Queen's County, Joseph French, Col. Blackwell. 
 
 For Dutchess County, Colonel Hoffman, Jonathan 
 Langdon, Gilbert Livingston, Meluncton Smith, Na- 
 thaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County, Christopher Tappen, Egbert 
 Dumond. 
 
 For Orange County, William Allison, John Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County, Mr. Tredwell. 
 
 For Charlotte County, David Watkins. 
 
 For Tryon County, John Marlett. 
 
 The Committee having advice that four hogsheads of 
 Continental Gunpowder is gone from Elizabethtown , to be 
 forwarded to Albany, under the direction of this Commit- 
 tee, Mr. Herring was sent to take care of it, and an order 
 given to him, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 Ordered, That Daniel Lawrence, of Orange County, 
 or any other person or persons having received the four 
 hogsheads of Powder from Elizabethtmun , to be forwarded 
 to Albany, deliver the same to John Herring, Esq., or his 
 order, if it is not already forwarded to Albany. 
 
 P. V. B. Livingston. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel James Clinton, dated Little Bri- 
 tain, July 21, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 The Petition of George Cook, of the City of New- York, 
 was read and filed. He therein prays he may be employed 
 in making Pouches and Belts. 
 
 A Letter from Ebenezer Hazard, dated New-York, 
 July 25, 1775, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That the Saddlers who contracted with the 
 Committee to make Pouches, Belts, and Slings, deliver to 
 Colonel McDougall, or his order, 720 Pouches, 720 Belts, 
 and 720 Slings for Muskets, and take receipts for the same. 
 
 The Petition of Jacob Bamper was read and filed. He 
 prays to be appointed to some office in the Regiments 
 raising for the defence of the liberties of America. 
 
 The Committee adjourned to meet in Convention to- 
 morrow morning, at nine o'clock. 
 
 PROVINCIAL CONGRESS. 
 
 At a meeting of a Provincial Congress held for the 
 Colony of New- York, in the City of New-York, on the 
 twenty-sixth day of July, 1775. Opened with prayers 
 by the Rev. Dr. Auchmaty. Present: 
 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, President. 
 For the City and County of New-York: Isaac Low, 
 Samuel Verplanck, Alex. McDougall, Richard Yates, 
 Leonard Lispenard, David Clarkson, Abraham Brash- 
 er, Thomas Smith, Isaac Roosevelt, Benjamin Kissam, 
 John De Lancey, John Marston, James Bcekman, Isaac 
 Sears. 
 
 For Dutchess County: Anthony Hoffman, Melancton 
 Smith, Gilbert Livingston, Nathaniel Sackett, Jona- 
 than Land on. 
 
 For Ulster County: Egbert Dumond, Christopher Tap- 
 pen. 
 
 For Suffolk County: Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, John Foster. 
 
 For Westchester County: Gouverneur Morris, Philip 
 Cortlandt, Lewis Graham, James Holmes, James Van 
 Cortlandt, John Thomas, Jun., Joseph Drake. 
 
 For King's County: Johannes E. Lott, John Leffertse, 
 Henry Williams, Nicholas Covenhoven, Jeremiah Rem- 
 sen, John Vanderbilt, Theodorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County: Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortel- 
 you, John Journey. 
 
 For Queen's County: Jacob Blackwell, Joseph French, 
 Jonathan Lawrence, Joseph Robinson, Zebulon Wil- 
 liams, Richard Thome, Samuel Townshend. 
 
 For Charlotte County : David Watkins. 
 
 For Tryon County : John Marlett. 
 
 A Certificate of Archibald Campbell, Esquire, Chair- 
 man of a meeting of the inhabitants of Charlotte County, 
 held at Fort Edward, on the twenty-ninth day of June 
 last, was read, whereby it appears that Doctor George 
 Smith, David H ; atkins, and the said Archibald Campbell 
 Esquire, were duly elected to represent that County in 
 Provincial Congress, together with John Williams, and 
 William Marsh, Esquires, and that they, or either of them, 
 represent the said County in Provincial Congress at New- 
 York. The said Certificate is filed among the Papers of 
 the Committee of Safety. 
 
 Ordered, That the said David Watkins take his seat. 
 
 James Alexander, a messenger from Philadelphia to 
 Cambridge, applied with an order from the Hon. John 
 Hancock, Esquire, President of the Continental Congress, 
 directing all persons to assist him. The President gave 
 an order for any person to assist him, and call on him for 
 payment. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee at Elizabethtown, which 
 accompanied three persons sent from thence under guard 
 as deserters from Colonel Waterbury's Regiment, was read. 
 The Return of the Officer of the City Military Watch last 
 night, was also read; whereby it appears that the said three 
 persons are under guard at the upper Barracks. There- 
 upon, 
 
 Ordered, That a Letter be wrote to General Wooster, 
 informing him of the said three Prisoners, and requesting 
 him to send one of his officers to the Barracks, in order to 
 make the proper inquiry respecting them. 
 
 A Letter from Daniel Lawrence, of the 24th instant, 
 was read, and filed ; whereby he informs, that the four 
 hogsheads of Stores (being the Gunpowder sent from Phi- 
 ladelphia ) were, on the 18th instant, received by him, and 
 forwarded on board of Captain Cornelius Swit's vessel to 
 Albany. 
 
 A Letter from Marinus Willett and others of the Offi- 
 cers of the Troops now raising in this Colony, soliciting 
 for some allowance for Clothing, was read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Captain Rufus Herrick, of Dutchess 
 County, dated the 21st instant, informing that his Com- 
 pany is ready, and that he waits for further orders, was 
 read, and filed. 
 
 A Letter from Daniel Everitt and others of the Com- 
 mittee of Goshen, bearing date on the 18th instant, and a 
 Certificate of Colonel Clinton recommending Mr. George 
 
1801 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1802 
 
 Hamilton Jackson as a Second Lieutenant in Daniel Den- 
 ton's Company, was read, and filed. 
 
 The Congress approves of the recommendation of 
 George Hamilton Jackson as a Second Lieutenant. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be made for him as soon as 
 the other Warrant issued for the gentleman who has re- 
 signed is returned to the Secretaries. 
 
 A Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, received this 
 day, was read, and is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 " Philadelphia, July 19, 1775. 
 
 "Sir: Enclosed is the commission to be filled up with 
 the name of the gentleman whom your Congress shall 
 please to appoint to the department of Deputy Adjutant- 
 General or Brigade-Major, referred to in mine of yester- 
 day. I beg you to forward by express the letter I yester- 
 day enclosed for General Schuyler. I am, Sir, your most 
 obedient servant, John Hancock, President. 
 
 "Hon. Peter V. B. Livingston." 
 
 The Letter from John Hancock, Esquire, of the 17th 
 instant, received by the Committee of Safety, was also 
 read, and the blank Commission contained in Mr. Han- 
 cock's Letter of the 19lh instant, was also read. 
 
 A Letter from the New-York Delegates at Philadel- 
 phia, was read. 
 
 After some time spent in deliberating of a proper per- 
 son to be appointed Deputy Adjutant-General or Brigade- 
 Major, the Congress agreed to defer the appointment for 
 further consideration. 
 
 The Committee of Safety for the Colony of New- York, 
 during the recess of this Congress, delivered in a Report 
 of their proceedings. The Congress proceeded to hear a 
 part of the said Report and the proceedings of the said 
 Committee on the 11th July. The Congress ordered that 
 the respective Letters of William Duer, Esquire, and of 
 William Marsh and Joseph Rose, received by the Com- 
 mittee of Safety on the 11th July, lie on the table for the 
 perusal of the members of this Congress. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Five o'clock, P. M., July 26, 1775. 
 Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present : 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President. 
 For the City and County of New-Yokk : Isaac Low, 
 Alex. McDougall, Joseph Hallett, Abraham Brasher, 
 James Beekman, Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Ben- 
 jamin Kissam, John Marston, Isaac Sears, Samuel Ver- 
 planck. 
 
 For Dutchess County: Anthony Hoffman, Gilbert Liv- 
 ingston, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett, Jonathan 
 Land on. 
 
 For Ulster County: Egbert Dumond, Christ. Tappen. 
 For Suffolk County: Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hom- 
 
 medieu, John Foster. 
 For Westchester County: Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 
 Graham, James Van Cortlandt, Philip Cortlandt, James 
 
 Holmes, John Thomas, Joseph Drake. 
 For King's County: Theodorus Polhemus, John Vander- 
 
 bilt. 
 
 For Richmond County: Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortel- 
 you, John Journey. 
 
 For Queen's County: Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Zebulon Williams, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 French, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel Tom, Richard 
 Thorne. 
 
 For Charlotte County: David Watkins. 
 For Tryon County: John Marlett. 
 
 The Petition of John Fisher, Saddler, was read, and filed. 
 
 The Certificate of Doctor John Jones and Dr. Samuel 
 Bard, bearing date yesterday, certifying that they have 
 examined Philip Henning respecting his qualifications 
 to practise Physick and Surgery, and that they find him 
 very deficient in his knowledge of them both, was read and 
 filed. 
 
 A Certificate of Brigadier-General Montgomerie, certi- 
 fying that Samuel Dyckman had delivered to him at Al- 
 bany the despatches for Major-General Schuyler, on the 
 23d instant, was read, and delivered to the President. 
 
 A Return from Lieutenant David Palmer, bearing date 
 this day, was read and filed ; whereby it appears that he 
 has enlisted twenty-three Volunteers, and waits for further 
 orders. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Report of the 
 Committee on the subject of the Post-Office, which was 
 read. 
 
 The Memorial of Ebenezer Hazard, of the 13ih of 
 June, ultimo; two Letters from Gurdon Saltonstall, one 
 bearing date the 22d of June, and the other the 3d of July; 
 the Letter of Ebenezer Hazard of the 25th instant ; and 
 the Memorial of John Holt, of the 16th of June, ultimo, 
 were severally read and considered. Thereupon a question 
 arose, whether this Congress will recommend any person 
 to the office of Postmaster at New- York, or submit the 
 appointment of the person to the Continental Congress 
 without such recommendation ; and the question being put, 
 it was carried in the affirmative, (to wit, this Congress will 
 recommend,) in manner following, to wit: 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Westchester, 2 Queen's, 
 
 2 Dutchess, 2 Charlotte, 
 
 2 Richmond, 2 Suffolk. 
 
 2 Tryon. — 
 — 6 
 8 
 
 The Members for the City and County of Albany, and 
 County of Cumberland, are not yet arrived; several Mem- 
 bers of the County of Ulster being absent on business by 
 order of this Congress, and the City and County of New- 
 York, and Counties of Orange and King's, not having a 
 majority of their Members now present, were respectively 
 unable to vote on the above question. 
 
 The question was then put, whether Mr. Ebenezer Haz- 
 ard, of the City of New- York, Bookseller, or Mr. John 
 Holt, of the said City, Printer, should be the person to be 
 recommended for Postmaster at New-York; and it was 
 carried in favour of Mr. Ebenezer Hazard, in the manner 
 following, to wit ; 
 
 For recommending Mr. Hazard. For Mr. Holt. 
 2 Dutchess, 2 Charlotte. 
 
 2 Suffolk, 2 Queen's, 
 
 4 New- York, 2 Westchester. 
 
 2 Richmond, — 
 2 Tryon. 6 
 
 12 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That Mr. Ebenezer Hazard be 
 recommended as a most fit and proper person to be Post- 
 master and keep the Post-Office at the City of New- York; 
 and ordered that a Letter for that purpose be wrote to the 
 Delegates of this Colony at the Continental Congress, and 
 transmitted immediately, with the original Papers on that 
 subject now before this Congress, and copies of our votes 
 on this subject. 
 
 The City and County of Albany, and the Counties of 
 Cumberland, Ulster, Orange, and King's, could not vote 
 on the last question, for the reasons respectively assigned 
 for their not voting on the next preceding question. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the New-York Delegates on 
 the subject of a Post-Office, was read, and approved of, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : We enclose you the Report of our Com- 
 mittee on the subject of the Post-Office, with the sundry 
 papers which remained before us, and the votes of our 
 House this evening on that subject. 
 
 We are sorry that, by occasion of our late adjournment, 
 and of sundry matters more immediately pressing before 
 the adjournment, this matter has been so long delayed 
 with us. 
 
 We beg leave to recommend Mr. Ebenezer Hazard as 
 a most careful, fit, and proper person to be Postmaster at 
 New-York, and hope the Continental Congress may ap- 
 point him. 
 
 We conceive our present Eastern Riders proceed too 
 far to the eastward. General Schuyler some time ago 
 mentioned to us the necessity of having Couriers from 
 hence to Albany or Ticonderoga. We are frequently 
 obliged to send messengers to Albany, which a regular 
 post to the northward would often prevent. We submit 
 the necessity and utility of Northern Post Riders or Cou- 
 
1803 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1804 
 
 riers to the wisdom of the Continental Congress; and are, 
 most respectfully, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble 
 servants. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates at Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, signed by 
 the President, and transmitted. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned till to-morrow morning, 
 nine o'clock. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., July 27, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Dr. Rogers. Present : 
 
 Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq., President. 
 For the City and County of New-York: Isaac Low, 
 Alex. McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph Hnllett, 
 Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De Lancey, 
 John Marston, James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, 
 Richard Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Ben- 
 jamin Kissam, John Morin Scott, Isaac Sears. 
 For Dutchess Coi'nty: Anthony Hoffman, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett, Jona- 
 than London. 
 
 For Ulster County: Egbert Dumond, Christ. Tappen. 
 
 For Suffolk County: Thomas Tredwell, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, John Foster. 
 
 For Westchester County: Gouverneur Morris, Lewis 
 Graham, Joseph Drake, Philip Cortlandt, John Tho- 
 mas, Junior, James Van Cortlandt, Robert Graham, 
 William Paulding, James Holmes. 
 
 For King's County : Henry Williams, Theodorus Pol- 
 hemus, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vandcrbilt. 
 
 For Richmond County: Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County: Jacob Blackwell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Nathaniel Tom, Samuel Townshend, Joseph 
 French, Joseph Robinson, Zebulon Williams, Richard 
 Thome. 
 
 For Charlotte County : David Watkins. 
 For Tryon County : John Marlett. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the appointment 
 of a Deputy Adjutant-General or a Brigade-Major, and 
 the several Letters from the Continental Congress, and the 
 Letter from the Neiv- York Delegates on that subject ; and 
 thereupon, 
 
 Agreed, unanimously, That this Congress will appoint 
 a Deputy Adjutant-General, as being the superiour officer. 
 And after considering the merits of different gentlemen 
 who were mentioned, it is 
 
 Unanimously agreed, That William Duer, Esquire, is 
 a proper person for a Deputy Adjutant-General ; and 
 
 Ordered, That the blank Commission for that office, 
 received from the Continental Congress, be immediately 
 filled up for that gentleman ; which was accordingly done. 
 
 An Account of Sampson Dyckman, for Horse Hire and 
 Stabling, was delivered in, and handed to the Committee 
 of Accounts. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Honourable John Hancock, 
 Esquire, was read and approved, and is in the words follow- 
 ing, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Sir: In compliance with the request of the Congress, 
 of which you did us the honour to mention in your letters 
 of the seventeenth and nineteenth instant, we have ap- 
 pointed William Duer, Esquire, Deputy Adjutant-General, 
 and taken the liberty to give him, in his commission which 
 we received yesterday, the rank of Colonel. We beg leave 
 to submit to the wisdom of the Congress, whether or not 
 it will be proper to have a Major of Brigade appointed 
 also ; and should it be deemed necessary, we would readily 
 decline the honour of nominating a person to fill that office, 
 having full confidence in the wisdom and integrity of our 
 Delegates, and being well convinced that they will recom- 
 mend no man who is not endued with every qualification 
 necessary to discharge any trust which you may think 
 proper to repose in him. 
 
 We are, with great respect, Sir, your countrymen and 
 servants. By order. 
 To John Hancock, Esq., President, &:c. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the New-York Delegates at 
 the Continental Congress was read and approved, and is in 
 the words following, to wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You will readily recollect your former 
 recommendation of Mr. Duer, to some members of our 
 board, for a colonelcy, and therefore will not be surprised 
 that we have seized the opportunity of appointing him 
 Deputy Adjutant-General, with the rank of Colonel ; and 
 we trust you will not consider this as any disrespect to your 
 late recommendation of Mr. Lewis. We have submitted 
 it to your body, in our letter to the President, whether the 
 appointment of a Major of Brigade will not be proper, and 
 at the same time submitted the person to your nomination. 
 You will therefore have an opportunity of filling up the 
 commission with such person as you think most capable of 
 performing the duties of his office. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants. 
 By order. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted. 
 
 A Muster-Roll of Captain Daniel Griffin's Company, 
 raised in Suffolk County, signed by Phineas Fanning and 
 Thomas Conkling, Muster-Masters, bearing date on the 
 twenty-fifth instant, was read and filed. 
 
 A Return from Captain Ambrose Horton, dated at the 
 White Plains on the twenty-sixth instant, informing that he 
 has enlisted fifty-six able-bodied men, was read and filed. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of the County of West- 
 chester was read and filed. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Thursday next, take 
 into consideration the state of the Militia of this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Lieutenant David Palmer, of Richmond 
 County, bring the men he has enlisted to the City of New- 
 York, with all convenient speed, and place them in the 
 Lower Barracks, and apply to Mr. Peter T. Curtenius for 
 Provisions and necessaries, who is hereby requested to fur- 
 nish him therewith. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Lispenard, Colonel McDougall, 
 Colonel Holmes, Colonel Hoffman, and Mr. Graham, be 
 a Military Committee, for fourteen days from this day, with 
 full power during that time to order and dispose of all things 
 whatsoever relating to, or concerning the Troops raised or 
 to be raised in this Colony. 
 
 A Letter from Samuel Cannon to Colonel Cortlandt, 
 informing that he had not influence sufficient to raise a 
 Company, and therefore resigning his Warrant as a Cap- 
 tain, was read and filed. Colonel Cortlandt returned the 
 said Warrant, and Colonel Holmes and Colonel Cortlandt 
 recommended Joseph Benedict as a proper person in his 
 stead. Thereupon, 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be issued for the said Joseph 
 Benedict, as a Captain, and delivered to Colonel Holmes. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to hear the Report of the 
 proceedings of the Committee of Safety on the twelfth, 
 thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth of July inst. 
 
 The Congress adjourned till nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., July 28, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Gano. Present : 
 
 For the City and County of New-York : Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, Esquire, President ; Isaac Low, 
 Alexander McDougall, Leonard Lispenard, Joseph 
 Hallett, Abraham Brasher, Isaac Roosevelt, John De 
 Lancey, James Beekman, Sam'l Verplanck, Richard 
 Yates, David Clarkson, Thomas Smith, Benjamin 
 Kissam, Isaac Sears. 
 
 For Dutchess County: Anthony Hoffman, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Melancton S7>iith, Natha7tiel Sackett, 
 Jonathan London. 
 
 For Ulster County : James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, 
 Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County : John Herring. 
 
1S05 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1806 
 
 For Suffolk County : Thos. Tredwell, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, John Foster. 
 
 For Westchester County : Gouverneur Morris, James 
 Van Cortlandt, Joseph Drake, James Holmes, John 
 Thomas, Jun., William Paulding, Philip Cortlandt. 
 
 For King's County : Henry Williams, Jeremiah Rem- 
 sen, Nicholas Covenhoven, John Vanderbilt, Thco- 
 dorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County: Paul Micheau, Aaron Cortel- 
 you, John Journey, Richard Connor. 
 
 For Queen's County: Jacob Blackivell, Jonathan Law- 
 rence, Sam'l Townshend, Joseph Robinson, Nathaniel 
 Tom, Richard Thorne, Joseph French. 
 
 For Chaklotte County: David Watkins. 
 
 For Tryon County : John Marlett. 
 
 A Letter from the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull was 
 read and filed. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony 
 at the Continental Congress, on the subject of Tea, was 
 read and approved, and is as follows 1 , to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : You must be sensible that our exertions 
 in the publick cause have subjected us to a very large ex- 
 pense, (of which certainly the greatest part is justly pay- 
 able by the Continent,) and at the same time you cannot 
 but perceive that a large sum of money is and will be ex- 
 pended in articles purely at the cost of our Colony. These 
 considerations show us the necessity of laying a tax on our 
 Colony; but prudence or policy will impress as strongly on 
 your minds as on our own, the propriety of doing this in 
 the manner least liable to popular disgust, or perhaps oppo- 
 sition. These observations will, we hope, introduce to you 
 in a favourable light, some things which we now proceed 
 to mention. 
 
 Sundry of our merchants have on hand a considerable 
 quantity of tea imported from Holland, which cannot be 
 sold for reasons which we need not repeat. The conse- 
 quence of the situation is, that our Dutch Traders are 
 deprived of the means of introducing into our Colony sail- 
 duck, Russia drillings, osnaburghs, arms and ammunition, 
 all of them highly necessary for us, and easily to be ob- 
 tained from Holland, notwithstanding the late placart of 
 the States-General. 
 
 Should the retail price of Bohea tea be fixed at six shil- 
 lings per pound, from six pounds and upwards, and six and 
 sixpence by the single pound, and the wholesale price at 
 five and sixpence, with a tax of one shilling on the pound, 
 payable by the vendor, and similar regulations for green 
 tea, we might raise a considerable sum from the obstinate 
 consumers of this article, and at the same time, the pre- 
 cautions taken by us in giving permission to merchants to 
 sell under certain restrictions, will prevent a trade which, as 
 to the recommendations of the Continental Congress, may 
 well be called illicit, and which does now most undoubtedly 
 obtain, as will readily be acknowledged by those who per- 
 ceive the general consumption of it throughout the Colony. 
 
 We have already furnished to Connecticut almost all the 
 tents which we had provided for our own troops, and we 
 have not now any materials to make more; and we further 
 precaution you that we do not mean to encourage the future 
 introduction of tea into the Colony. Should you, gentle- 
 men, and the Congress, perceive force in what we have 
 just now hinted to you, we humbly conceive it would be 
 proper for the Congress to refer our determination in gene- 
 ral terms to certain petitions which have, as we are informed, 
 been presented to them by those who have quantities of 
 tea in their possession. 
 
 The prudence, the reason, the policy of making provi- 
 sion which will prevent those gentlemen from being in- 
 fluenced by the strong temptation to a clandestine sale, with 
 many other considerations to the same effect, which will 
 naturally arise in your minds, we modestly forbear to men- 
 tion, but beg leave to assure you, gentlemen, that with the 
 highest deference to the superiour judgment of the Conti- 
 nental Congress, we are your most obedient humble ser- 
 vants. By order. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates in the Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Delegates of this Colony 
 at the Continental Congress, on the subject of Flaxseed, 
 was read and approved of, and is in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New.York, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: As considerable quantities of Flaxseed 
 will, in all probability, be ready for shipping long before 
 the tenth of September next, we submit it to the Congress 
 whether it will not be proper to inhibit the exportation of 
 that article immediately. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, respectfully, your most obedient 
 humble servants. 
 
 To the New-York Delegates in Continental Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, 
 in answer to his Letter of the twenty-fifth instant, received 
 this day, was read and approved, and is in the words 
 following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New- York, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We have received your letter of the twenty-fifth 
 instant, requesting that this Congress will furnish Colonel 
 Hinman's Troops at Ticonderoga with tents. Convinced 
 of the absolute necessity of such supply, and of the ina- 
 bility of your Colony to furnish it, although our own Troops 
 will soon want them, and we are in doubt whether we shall 
 be able to get materials to make others, yet we shall take 
 care to send up the tents with all possible despatch, ex- 
 pecting that, as they are taken on account of your Colony, 
 you will remit us the money to pay for them, and some 
 other expenses incurred for your Colony, of which we shall 
 send you an account. 
 
 We are, Sir, your very humble servants. 
 
 To the Honourable Jonathan Trumbull, Governour of the 
 Colony of Connecticut. 
 
 P. S. We supplied General Wooster with upwards of 
 two hundred tents, made of the very best materials. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted. 
 
 The Petition of John Morr ell, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah 
 Purdy, praying to be discharged from confinement, was 
 read. 
 
 Ordered, That John Morrell, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah 
 Purdy, be brought to the Bar of this Congress. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to Wolvert Acker and Samuel 
 Brewster, Chairmen of the Committees of Neivburgh and 
 New- Windsor, was read and approved of, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New. York, July 28, 1775. 
 Gentlemen : John Morrell, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah 
 Purdy, are liberated from their confinement upon their con- 
 trition and promises of amendment. You will therefore 
 endeavour to prevent any injuries to their persons or pro- 
 perty, and at the same time, if you think it necessary, we 
 recommend it to you to take security for their keeping of 
 the peace, which may be done according to the common 
 course of the law; at the same time, if you shall be of 
 opinion that the peace and safety of the country cannot 
 otherwise be preserved, you will take from them all arms 
 of offence. But this, as it is a punishment in its nature, 
 ought to be inflicted only with the utmost caution, and 
 therefore we recommend to you the utmost deliberation and 
 tenderness on this occasion. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your humble servants. By order. 
 To Messrs. Wolvert Acker and Samuel Brewster, Chair- 
 men of the Committees of Newburgh and New- Windsor 
 Precincts. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be signed by the Presi- 
 dent, and transmitted. 
 
 John Morrell, Adam Patrick, and Isaiah Purdy, being 
 brought to the Bar of this Congress, were informed that 
 the Congress had wrote a Letter to the Committees of 
 Newburgh and New- Windsor, to take securities of the 
 peace of them, and to disarm them if they thought proper, 
 and that the Letter should be sent by Mr. Robert Boyd. 
 They were then admonished by the President of their past 
 
1S07 
 
 NEW- YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, JULY, 1775. 
 
 1808 
 
 imprudent conduct, of the evils thereof to society, and the 
 dangers they had run, and charged to behave in such man- 
 ner for the future, as to give no offence or uneasiness to 
 their neighbours or any others, and were then discharged. 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock this afternoon. 
 
 Die Veneris, 5 ho. P.M., July 28, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 
 For the City and County of New- York : Peter Van 
 Brugh Livingston, President ; Isaac Low, Alexander 
 McDougall, Abraham Brasher, John De Lancey, 
 James Beekman, Samuel Verplanck, Richard Yates, 
 Thomas Smith, Benjamin Kissam, Isaac Sears. 
 
 For Dutchess County: Anthony Hoffman, Gilbert 
 Livingston, Melancton Smith, Nathaniel Sackett. 
 
 For Ulster County : James Clinton, Egbert Dumond, 
 Christopher Tappen, John Nicholson. 
 
 For Orange County: John Herring. 
 
 For Suffolk County: Thos. Tredwell, Ezra L'Hom- 
 medieu, John Foster. 
 
 For Westchester County : Gouverneur Morris, James 
 Van Cortlandt, Philip Cortlandt, Jas. Holmes, John 
 Thomas, William Paulding. 
 
 For King's County : Jeremiah Remsen, Nidiolas Co- 
 venhoven, Theodorus Polhemus. 
 
 For Richmond County : Paul Micheau, John Journey, 
 Aaron Cortelyou, Richard Conner. 
 
 For Queen's County: Jonathan Lawrence, Samuel 
 Townshend, Joseph French, Joseph Robinson, Na- 
 thaniel Tom, Richard Thome. 
 
 For Tryon County : John Marlett. 
 
 The Congress proceeded to hear the Report of the resi- 
 due of the Committee of Safety read. The same being 
 fully and completely read and heard, 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress do heartily approve of the 
 conduct of the Committee of Safety during our late recess, 
 and that the thanks of this Congress be rendered to them 
 for their faithful services. 
 
 Ordered, That Perer T. Curtenius, as Commissary of 
 this Congress, have Soldiers' Tents made of English Duck, 
 sufficient for one thousand men, and forward the same to 
 the Commissary of the Connecticut Troops at Albany, with 
 directions to him to forward them to Colonel Hinman at 
 Ticonderoga. 
 
 Mr. Beekman and Mr. Cortelyou reported, that in obe- 
 dience to the order of the Committee of Safety, they had 
 been with Andrew Ward, Jun., Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
 Captain James Arnold, two officers appointed by General 
 Wooster for that purpose, to view and estimate what dama- 
 ges had been done to the ground and fencing, &c, of Mr. 
 Nicholas Herring, on which the Connecticut Troops were 
 lately encamped. That they estimate the damages which 
 the said Nicholas Herring has sustained in his land, fences, 
 orchard, &,c, by the said Troops, together with the use of 
 the said land, at eighty Pounds ; and that the said Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Andrew Ward, and Captain James Arnold, 
 had signed a certificate and estimate of the said damages, 
 and agreed to allow the same ; which certificate and allow- 
 ance being read and filed, is in the words following, to wit: 
 
 " We, the underwritten, do agree to allow Mr. Herring 
 eighty Pounds, for the damages which he has sustained on 
 his land, fences, and orchard, by the late encampment of 
 General Wooster's Troops, together with the use of said 
 land. " Andrew Ward, Jun., Lieut. Colonel. 
 
 "James Arnold, Captain. 
 
 " Now-York, July 27, 1775." 
 
 The Congress adjourned to ten o'clock, on Monday 
 morning. 
 
 Die Lunae, 10 ho. A. M., July 31, 1775. 
 Present : Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, Pre- 
 sident, &ic. 
 
 The Deputies for the City and County of Albany pro- 
 duced new Credentials, which were read and filed, and are 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 "Albany Committee Chamber, July 13, 1775. 
 
 " The Committee of this City and County having here- 
 tofore appointed Messrs. Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert 
 
 Yates, Abraham Ten Broeck, Jacob Cuyler, Henry Glenn, 
 Francis Nicoll, Peter Silvester, Dirck Swart, Walter Liv- 
 ingston, Volkert P. Douw, and Robert Van Rensselaer, 
 the Deputies of this City and County, to attend the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, with general powers to represent this City 
 and County, but by reason of the inconvenience attending 
 the attendance of all the Deputies in the said Provincial 
 Congress, 
 
 "It is therefore Resolved, That, for the future, the said 
 Deputies attend the said Congress, or any four or more of 
 their number, for the purposes aforesaid, with the same 
 power and authority as if all the said Deputies were present. 
 
 "Abraham Yates, Jr., Chairman. 
 "John Bay, Secretary pro tempore." 
 
 Colonel McDougall informed the Congress that the men 
 raised for his Regiment were very pressing for money, and 
 that unless he be provided with some more money many of 
 them will leave the service. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDougall have leave to bor- 
 row as much money on the credit of this Congress (and 
 give his obligation for the same) as will enable him to 
 pay the men enlisted for his Regiment, to the first day of 
 August. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the New- York Delegates at 
 Congress, on the subject of Money, was read and approved, 
 and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler at Saratoga, on the 
 sixteenth instant, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Doctor John Jones, and Doctor Treat, 
 be requested to examine all the Medicines purchased or 
 put up for the use of the Regiments raised in this Colony, 
 and to designate and reject any such as are not of a proper 
 quality for that use, and that they be requested to send to 
 the Congress a report of such their examination. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius be requested, 
 without delay, to send to Albany, for the use of the Second 
 Regiment, seven hundred and twenty Pouches and Belts, 
 seven hundred and twenty Bayonet Belts, seven hundred 
 and twenty Brushes and Wires, forty-three hundred and 
 twenty Flints, one hundred and twenty Camp-Kettles, 
 seven hundred and twenty Canteens, seven hundred and 
 twenty Haversacks, and the Clothing for the said Regi- 
 ment, and Medicine Chest, examined by Doctor John Jones 
 and Doctor Treat, and completed agreeable to their appro- 
 bation and direction. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson, dated Ontario, on 
 the eighth instant, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be made and enclosed to 
 the New-York Delegates at Philadelphia. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Albany was read and 
 filed. 
 
 A Letter from John N. Bleeckcr at Albany, with the 
 Accounts enclosed, were read and filed. 
 
 Mr. Robert Yates, of Albany, delivered in to Congress 
 sundry Papers relating to Indian Affairs, which were read, 
 and are marked and numbered as follows, to wit : 
 
 No. 1. A Speech of four Oneida Chiefs to the Com- 
 mittee of Albany, dated at the Committee Chamber, at 
 Albany, June 24, 1775. 
 
 No. 2. A Speech of the Inhabitants of Albany County, 
 drawn up by the Committee of Albany, spoken at the 
 German Flats to the Oneida Indians. 
 
 No. 3. A Speech to the Inhabitants of Albany, being 
 the answer of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras at the German 
 Flats, dated July 1st, 1775. 
 
 No. 5. A Speech of the Inhabitants of Tryon County 
 to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, in a meeting at the Ger- 
 man Flats, 29th June, 1775. 
 
 No. 6. A Speech from the Oneida Indians, dated 24th 
 June, 1775, in answer to the Speech delivered by the Inha- 
 bitants of Tryon County. 
 
 No. 7. A History of an Embassy of the Stockbridge 
 Indians with the Caughnawagas. 
 
 No. 8. A Conference between the Stockbridge and 
 Caughnawaga Indians. 
 
 Ordered, That the abovementioned copies of Speeches 
 and Papers relating to Indian Affairs, be enclosed to the 
 New- York Delegates at the Continental Congress. 
 
1809 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, AUGUST, 1775. 
 
 1810 
 
 Copy of a Letter, appearing to have been written from 
 Joseph Reed, Esquire, Secretary to General Washington, 
 was read, giving advice of the sailing of three Men-of- 
 W'ar, &ic, from Boston. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committee of Correspon- 
 dence for East-Hampton and Southold, was read and 
 approved ; and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New. York, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : By the enclosed copy of a letter from 
 General Washington to General Wooster, we think not 
 unlikely the designs of these ships may be to take provisions 
 from different parts. As Montauk and other parts of the 
 east of Long-Island are much exposed, we judged it proper 
 to give this intelligence, that you might take such methods 
 for securing the stock there as you shall judge necessary. 
 Hulbert and GriJ/ing's companies can be employed for 
 that purpose till otherwise ordered. I am, &ic. 
 
 To the Committee of Correspondence for East-Hampton 
 and Southold. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy be engrossed, and signed by the 
 President, and transmitted. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Martis, 9 ho. A. M. t August 1, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayers by the Reverend Mr. Inglis. Present : 
 Feter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President. 
 
 A Letter from John Taplin, Esq., of Newbury, one of 
 the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in Gloucester 
 County, was read and Gled. 
 
 A Letter from John Burger to Peter T. Curtenius, 
 bearing date at Ticonderoga Landing, the 19th July, ult., 
 was read and filed. 
 
 A Return of Provisions from Elisha Phelps, Commis- 
 sary at Albany, dated the 21st of July, ultimo, was read 
 and filed. 
 
 A Letter from David Pye was read and filed, and is in 
 the words following, to wit : 
 
 Clarkstown, July 31, 1775. 
 
 Sir : The bearer hereof, Captain Robert Johnston, has 
 his company now full ; and as he is a sum of money out, 
 by this I take the liberty to recommend him to you for 
 direction where he may have the necessary supplies for the 
 company. 
 
 I am, Sir, your humble servant, David Pye. 
 
 To Perer V. B. Livingston, Esq. 
 
 A Letter from Elisha Benedict, of the 24th ultimo, was 
 read and filed ; he thereby informed that his company is full, 
 and that he has some men to spare. Encloses a Warrant 
 to Samuel Fletcher, now returned agreeable to the order 
 of the Committee of Safety, and requests a Warrant to 
 William McCune, of Cumberland County, as First Lieu- 
 tenant in his stead. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant issue to the said William 31c- 
 Cune accordingly. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, of the 21st ult., was 
 read and filed. 
 
 The extracts of the Letters therein enclosed, were read 
 and filed, and are in the words following, to wit: 
 
 Extract of a Letter, dated Lebanon, 17r7i July, 1775, 
 from the Honourable Governour Trumbull to Major- 
 General Schuyler. 
 
 " I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of 
 the 10th instant, which came by Benet. Per same hand 
 I received a letter from Colonel Hinman, at Ticonderoga, 
 in which he says, ' there are many things which the act of 
 Assembly provides for the soldiers which they never have 
 as yet received, which occasions murmurings and discon- 
 tents, and much weakens my authority among them ' Copy 
 of the act of Assembly has been forwarded some time ago 
 to the Provincial Convention of New-York. Our Com- 
 missary, Mr. Elisha Phelps, has also a copy. If New- 
 York does not supply our Troops, as they have a right to 
 expect, this Colony must fulfil their engagements them- 
 selves. 
 
 " I pray your interpos ition in this matter." 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. it. 1 
 
 Extract of a Letter, dated Ticonderoga. July 21, 1775, 
 from Major- General Schuyler to the Continental Con- 
 gress. 
 
 " I enclose you a copy of a letter I have just received 
 from Governour Trumbull. I am very sorry that the Colo- 
 ny of Connecticut has made such large allowance for the 
 daily subsistence of the men. It is difficult and expensive 
 to procure the things here which they are to have agree- 
 able to the law of their Colony, and, what is worse, other 
 Troops that may join will certainly expect the like allow- 
 ance, and a discrimination cannot be made in favour of the 
 Troops of any particular Colony. 
 
 " A resolve of Congress what shall be the Continental 
 allowance, and that no Colony shall send their Troops any 
 thing more than what shall be prescribed, would settle the 
 matter, and prevent that jealousy which will otherwise take 
 place." 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, of the 22d day of July, 
 was read and filed. 
 
 The Warrant of Morris Hazard was returned, and Mr. 
 John Lawrence, of Newtotcn, being recommended in his 
 stead, is approved of. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be issued to the said John 
 Lawrence, in the stead and place of the said Morris Ha- 
 zard. 
 
 Ordered, That Jacob Cuyler be added to the Military 
 Committee, which was appointed on the 27th ultimo. 
 
 Resolved, That every officer who has already enlisted, 
 or who shall hereafter enlist a soldier in the Regiments now 
 raising in this Colony, shall be entitled to a dollar for each 
 such soldier who shall pass muster, and be received into 
 the service, the officer paying the expense of such enlist- 
 ment. 
 
 A copy of a Conference between two Oneidas and the 
 Albany Committee, on the 25th ult., was read. 
 
 Ordered, That this copy of a Conference be sent to 
 the New-York Delegates at Congress by the first con- 
 veyance. 
 
 A Letter from Goose Van Schaick, Colonel of the Se- 
 cond Regiment, bearing date on the 24th instant, with a 
 Return of the present state of his Regiment, as far as 
 known to him, were read and filed. 
 
 The Petition of Sampson Dyckman was read : he there- 
 in sets forth that he had suffered great damages by one 
 Hesington, a messenger from Massachusetts to Philadel- 
 phia, greatly injuring his horse in a journey to Philadel- 
 phia. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Thome and Mr. Paulding be a 
 Committee to inquire into the damages Sampson Dyck- 
 man has sustained by occasion of the premises mentioned 
 in his Petition, and to make a report thereon to this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain Peter Lent and Mr. Gilbert 
 Cooper, of Orange County, be appointed, and are hereby 
 appointed Mustermasters for Captain Robert Johnson's 
 Company of soldiers, now enlisted in the Continental ser- 
 vice, and that they, or either of them carefully muster the 
 men, and pass none but such as they deem useful, active, 
 sprightly men, and fit for service. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Holmes and Colonel Philip 
 Cortlandt, or either of them, be appointed, and are hereby 
 appointed to muster any soldiers raised or to be raised for 
 Colonel Holmes's Regiment, and who shall not have been 
 mustered by some other person appointed by this Con- 
 gress. 
 
 And Ordered, That Colonel Clinton be in like manner 
 appointed to muster the Regiment. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, of the 26th July, ult., 
 was read and filed. 
 
 A second Letter from General Schuyler, of the 27th of 
 July, was read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Ten Broeck be added to the 
 Committee of Rank, in the place of Colonel Van Rensse- 
 laer, who is absent. 
 
 The President informed the Congress that the Recorder 
 had waited on him at the door, and informed him that the 
 Boat which had been building by order of the Committee 
 of Safety was sawed to pieces and entirely destroyed. 
 
 4 
 
1811 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, AUGUST, 1715. 
 
 1812 
 
 Ordered, Tliat this matter be taken into consideration 
 to-inorrovv morning. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel McDnugall be at liberty to set- 
 tle with such of his Officers who are going on service, for 
 two months pay. 
 
 The Congress then adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Morcurii, 9 ho. A. M., August 2, 1775. 
 Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened with 
 prayers by the Reverend Mr. Mason. Present : 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President, &tc. 
 A Letter from John Lamb, recommending Isaiah Wool 
 a; Lieutenant Fire-worker of his Company, was read and 
 filed. The said Isaiah is approved of. 
 
 Ordered, That he be appointed Lieutenant Fire-worker 
 of Captain Lamb's Company. 
 
 As there is not any Ravens Duck or Osnaburghs to be 
 purchased in the City of New-York, and Mr. Peter T. 
 Curtenius informed this Congress that without Osnaburghs 
 and Ravens Duck he cannot complete Tents for the Troops, 
 and that none can be obtained but what is in the hands 
 ')f Robert and John Murray; and as the service would 
 otherwise suffer greatly, and the necessity of the cause 
 i enders it absolutely necessary ; therefore, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Peter T. Curtenius purchase as 
 much Ravens Duck and Osnaburghs of Messrs. Robert and 
 John Murray as he may want for the publick service, on 
 the terms they offered them to him. 
 
 A Letter of General Schuyler to the Albany Commit- 
 tee, advising them from the necessity of the case, and to 
 save time, to fill up the vacancies of such Officers in the 
 Second Regiment as had declined the service, was read. 
 Also a list of the Officers of the Second Regiment, as now 
 fixed, with the changes that had been made therein by the 
 Albany Committee was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the said List be delivered to the Com- 
 mittee of Rank, and that the following gentlemen be added 
 to the said Committee of Rank, to wit : Mr. John Sloss 
 Hobart in the stead of Colonel Wood hull ; Mr. Herring 
 in the place of Colonel Tusteen ; Mr. Marlett in the place 
 of Christopher P. Yates; and David Watkins in the stead 
 of Major Williams. 
 
 A Letter from John Dennis, Chairman of the Commit- 
 tee of New-Brunswick, in answer to the Letter of the Com- 
 mittee of Safety, of the 21st ult., was read, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 City of New-Brunswick, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen : Your favour of the 21st instant came safe 
 to hand, the contents of which was duly observed. Appli- 
 cation was immediately made to Mr. Merrill, who says 
 about three weeks past, a person coming from Egg-Har- 
 bour, when within the Hook, he saw a boat standing down 
 our bay that he thought was loaded with flour, which boat 
 he believes went along side the man-of-war; this is all he 
 ever heard or knows of the matter. Every other inquiry 
 in our power has been made, but can make no further dis- 
 covery. All intelligences or discoveries of every action 
 inimical to American liberty, and every matter of instruc- 
 tion for our better preservation, will ever be paid a due 
 regard to, and cheerfully received by the Committee of this 
 City. 
 
 Assure yourselves, gentlemen, that this Committee has, 
 and ever will be ready to render to their Country every 
 service in their power, and will continue to give a strict 
 attention to and duly observe all resolutions formed by the 
 Continental Congress. 
 
 We are, with esteem, gentlemen, your obedient humble 
 servants, John Dennis, Chairman. 
 
 To Mr. Henry Williams. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee formerly appointed to 
 contract for Pouches, Belts, and Slings, do contract for 
 eight hundred and eighty Pouches and Belts, and eight 
 hundred and eighty Bayonet-belts, and eight hundred and 
 eighty Slings for muskets, besides the quantity of two thou- 
 sand each of those articles contracted for. And that the 
 
 said Committee get the said articles made with all possible 
 speed. 
 
 Mr. Low moved that this Congress make a Resolution 
 in the words following, to wit : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, August 2, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, it appeared to the Committee of Safety, ap- 
 pointed by this Congress during their late recess, that a 
 Barge belonging to His Majesty's ship Asia, was, without 
 any provocation, attacked, and most wantonly destroyed: 
 And whereas, the Corporation of this City had, under the 
 sanction of the said Committee, ordered another Barge to 
 be built, in order to replace the Barge so destroyed as 
 aforesaid : And whereas, this Congress had approved of 
 that and the other conduct of their said Committee, and 
 voted them their thanks for their faithful services: And 
 whereas, notwithstanding, some disorderly and evil dis- 
 posed persons did, in the night, destroy and render useless 
 the said Barge, so ordered to be built as aforesaid, by saw- 
 ing it in pieces : And whereas, the Corporation have since 
 formally applied to this Congress for their direction in the 
 premises : 
 
 Resolved, That the perpetrators of the said act are guilty 
 of a high offence and insult against this Congress, and the 
 Colony they represent, as endeavouring to contravene the 
 true intent and meaning of their appointment. That they 
 are base violators of the Association subscribed by this 
 Congress, and by them recommended to the adoption of 
 their constituents. 
 
 In order, therefore, that the sense of this Congress may 
 be fully known relative to such outrageous acts, 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolution be immediately made 
 publick, not doubting but that the good inhabitants of this 
 Colony will duly assist and support this Congress in detect- 
 ing, convicting, and bringing to condign punishment all such 
 factious offenders, as disturbers of the publick peace, and 
 enemies of their Country. 
 
 Mr. Low's motion was seconded by Mr. Walton. After 
 some time spent in consideration thereof, 
 
 Ordered, That the further consideration thereof be 
 postponed till Friday morning next. 
 
 A Letter from the New-York Delegates at Continental 
 
 Congress, was read. 
 
 Ordered, That John Herring, Esquire, go up to Dobbs's 
 Ferry, and see the Powder forwarded, and that Mr. Jacob 
 Cuyler appoint an Albany Sloop to stop at Dobbs's Ferry, 
 and that he write a private Letter to the Committee of 
 Albany, informing them of the said Powder, and desiring 
 them to forward the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Cornelius D. Wynkoop be Lieutenant- 
 Colonel in the Third Regiment, and ordered that he mus- 
 ter Captain Hasbrouck's and Captain Brown's Companies. 
 
 A Committee of the Officers of the First Regiment 
 (inferior to Field Officers) attending at the door, were admit- 
 ted, and, by Captain Goforth, delivered in writing to the 
 President three Questions, in the words following, to wit : 
 Whether the Congress will favour this Committee with an 
 answer to the Memorial presented some days ago from the 
 Officers of the First Regiment ? We shall be glad to be 
 informed what our Pay is to be from the Captains down to 
 the Privates, the Adjutants and the Quartermasters in- 
 cluded? And whether the Officers are to receive their 
 Commissions betore they embark ? 
 
 The said Committee of Officers being withdrawn, the 
 Congress took their Queries into consideration, and deli- 
 vered them an answer in the words following, to wit: 
 
 To the Queries of the Committee of Officers of the 
 First Regiment, the Congress gives the following answers, 
 to wit : 
 
 1st. That they are not at liberty to make any allowance 
 for the Clothing and Arms mentioned in their Letter of the 
 26th ultimo. 
 
 2d. That the Pay of the Troops raised in the Colony 
 will be ascertained by the Continental Congress, but we 
 have received assurances that it will not be less than the 
 pay of the Connecticut Troops. 
 
 3d. That the Warrants given to the Officers are to re- 
 main with them instead of Commiissions until their Com- 
 missions arrive from the General. 
 
1813 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, AUGUST, 1775. 
 
 1814 
 
 Die Mercurii, 4to ho. P. M., August 2, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Present: 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esquire, President. 
 
 Jesse JVoodhull, Esq., of Cornwall Precinct in Orange 
 County, appointed in Congress. The Minutes of the Re- 
 turn of Deputies were read, whereby it appears that Israel 
 Scely, Jesse Woodhull, and Jeremiah Clarke, were appoints 
 ed Deputies for that Precinct to represent them in this 
 Provincial Congress as part of the representation of Orange 
 County. 
 
 Ordered, That Jesse Woodhull, Esq., take his seat. 
 
 A majority in the Third Regiment being now vacant, 
 the following question was put, to wit : Who shall be Major 
 of the Third Regiment ? and the votes of the Counties 
 present being taken, were delivered in the manner follow- 
 ing, to wit : 
 
 For Henry Livingston, Jr. For Robert G. Livingston. 
 
 8 Dutchess, 2 Charlotte, 3 Albany. 
 
 2 King's, 2 Tryon, 
 
 2 Suffolk, 2 Westchester, 
 
 2 Queen's, 2 Richmond, 
 4 New. York, 2 Ulster, 
 
 22 
 
 Ordered therefore, That Henry Livingston, Junr., be 
 appointed Major of the Third Regiment of Troops now 
 raising in this Colony, as a part of the Army of the United 
 Colonies raised for the defence of American liberty, and 
 for repelling every hostile invasion thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That Warrants be made out in Capt. Nichol- 
 son's Company : First Lieutenant, David Dubois : Second 
 Lieutenant, James Grigg. And for Capt. Jacobus Bruyn, 
 First Lieutenant, Thomas De Witt; Second Lieutenant, 
 Albert Pawling. In Captain Daniel Denton's Company, 
 for Second Lieutenant, George Hamilton Jackson. In 
 Captain Elias Hasbrouck's Company, for First Lieutenant, 
 Cornelius T. Jansen ; Second Lieutenant, Petrus Roggin. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Job Mulford, Gentleman, be ap- 
 pointed Adjutant of the Fourth Regiment of Troops now 
 raising in this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain John Lamb proceed with his 
 Artillery Company to Ticonderoga, and join the Army 
 under the command of General Schuyler, with all possible 
 despatch. 
 
 Die Jovis, 9 ho. A. M., August 3, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with a prayer by the Rev. Dr. Livingston. Present : 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President. 
 
 Ordered, That the Chairman, or Deputy Chairman of 
 the General Committee of Association of the City of Neio- 
 York, be requested immediately to summon the Commit- 
 tee, in order to take into consideration the papers relating 
 to George Coffin's Vessel and cargo, now delivered to him, 
 in order to make report thereon to this Congress. And that 
 if a sufficient number of the members of that Committee to 
 make a quorum cannot be convened, that such number as 
 can be immediately convened, do make such report with all 
 possible despatch. 
 
 A Letter from Walter Livingston, Esq., was read and 
 filed. 
 
 A copy of the Commission of Walter Livingston was 
 read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Clinton be authorized to receive 
 from Peter T. Curtenius for his Regiment, seven hundred 
 and twenty Pouches and Belts ; seven hundred and twenty 
 Bayonet-belts ; seven hundred and twenty Brushes and 
 Wires; seven hundred and twenty Gun-worms; and seven 
 hundred and twenty Screw-drivers; four thousand three 
 hundred and twenty Flints ; one hundred any forty Camp- 
 kettles ; seven hundred and twenty Canteens ; seven hun- 
 dred and twenty Haversacks, and the Clothing for the 
 Third Regiment; and a Medicine Chest and Instruments, 
 when examined and approved of by Dr. John Jones and 
 Dr. Treat. 
 
 And Ordered, That Colonel Holmes be authorized to 
 get the like articles for his Regiment. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Israel Evans be appointed, and is 
 hereby appointed Chaplain of the First Regiment of the 
 Troops now raising in this Colony. 
 
 A Letter from Peter T. Curtenius, of this day, was read 
 and 61ed, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " August 3, 1775. 
 
 "Gentlemen: The enclosed is a note I received from 
 Captain Lamb ; should be glad to have an order from Con- 
 gress about this matter. I have waited on Messrs. Mur- 
 rays about the twenty pieces and sixty pieces of osnaburghs ; 
 they request an order from the Congress to the Committee 
 of Elizabethtown. I have made an inquiry about oars, 
 and can't find above one hundred and fifty in Town, ninety- 
 seven of which I sent up yesterday; for the remainder, I 
 have contracted with Captain Bradley, of New-Haven, to 
 deliver them in ten or twelve days. 
 
 " I am, Gentlemen, your most obedient servant, 
 
 " Peter T. Curtenius." 
 
 A Letter from Captain John Lamb therein enclosed, 
 was read and filed. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to the Committee of Elizabeth- 
 town, was read and filed, and is in the words following, to 
 wit: 
 
 In Provincial Congress at New. York, August 3, 1775. 
 
 Gentlemen: We have spared a great number of our 
 tents to the Connecticut Troops, and cannot now procure 
 osnaburghs and duck sufficient to make tents for the Troops 
 of this Colony in the Continental service, without taking 
 that which was imported by Robert and John Murray. 
 Necessity has, therefore, obliged us to agree to purchase 
 those goods, that the service of the United Colonies may 
 not be delayed. We therefore request you, gentlemen, 
 to permit the said osnaburghs and ravens duck, of Robert 
 and John Murray, to be delivered out of your store to Mr. 
 Peter T. Curtenius, or his order, for the uses aforesaid. 
 
 We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants. 
 To the Committee of Elizabethtown. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and transmitted. 
 
 A draught of a Letter to General Washington, requesting 
 blank Commissions to be sent to the Officers of the New- 
 York Regiments, was read and approved, and is in the 
 words following : 
 
 In Provincial Congress, New-York, August 3, 1775. 
 
 Sir: We are informed, in a letter from the Continental 
 Congress, that the General would make out the commis- 
 sions for our Regiments to such persons as this Congress 
 should command, but are at a loss to know whether you or 
 General Schuyler are to issue the commissions. We un- 
 derstand, however, that they have been transmitted to you ; 
 if this should be the case, and the commissions are to be 
 filled up by General Schuyler, we beg you will send them 
 to him, or us, without delay. If they are to be filled up 
 by your Excellency, we submit it, whether, to prevent de- 
 lay, it would not be proper to send them in blank to Gene- 
 ral Schuyler, or to us, that the names may be filled up 
 agreeable to the arrangements made by this Congress. 
 The number of commissions wanted will be about two 
 hundred. 
 
 We are, with the greatest respect, your Excellency's 
 most obedient humble servants. By order. 
 His Excellency General Washington. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be engrossed, and signed 
 by the President, and transmitted. 
 
 Col. Holmes has leave of absence. Volkert P. Douw, 
 Esq., has leave of absence on account of his being one of 
 the Commissioners for Indian Affairs. 
 
 A Warrant to Isaac Van Waert as Second Lieutenant, 
 ordered and issued this day. 
 
 Ordered, That a Warrant be made out to Jacobus Rose- 
 kraus as Captain ; a Warrant to Samuel Van Vechten as 
 First Lieutenant, and a Warrant to Thomas Lee as Second 
 Lieutenant. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to five o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Five ho. P. M. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress being informed that Captain Patrick Sin- 
 clair is appointed Lieutenant-Governour and Superinten- 
 dent at Missilimacana ; the said Patrick Sinclair being 
 
1815 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, AUGUST, 1775. 
 
 1816 
 
 sent for, attended, and acknowledged that lie was informed 
 by authority from his Majesty, that lie was so appointed, 
 and that he did expect to receive his commission and in- 
 structions for that purpose. And it being highly imprudent 
 at this critical juncture, to permit any gentleman under 
 the influence of the British Ministry to proceed to that 
 post to exercise those offices, who might prejudice the In- 
 dians against the inhabitants of the United Colonies, 
 
 Resolved, That the said Captain Patrick Sinclair shall 
 not be at present permitted to proceed to Missilimacana. 
 
 And Ordered, That the said Patrick Sinclair go to 
 any part of Suffolk County, on Nassau Island, and reside 
 there, on his giving his promise parole on his honour that he 
 will not take any part in the present unhappy controversy 
 between Great Britain and the United Colonies ; and that 
 he will not depart from, or go out of such part of the said 
 County of Suffolk, without permission of the Continental 
 Congress, or of this or some future Provincial Congress, 
 until the present unhappy controversy between Great 
 Britain and the Colonies shall be determined. 
 
 Captain Patrick Sinclair declared on his honour, that 
 he will not take any part in the present controversy be- 
 tween Great Britain and the Colonies, and that he will 
 not depart the limits above mentioned, without such per- 
 mission as above mentioned. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the state of the Mili- 
 tia of the Colony, be postponed until Monday next. 
 
 Ordered, That Colonel Philip Cortland t have leave to 
 borrow as much money on the credit of this Congress, (and 
 give his obligation for the same,) as will enable him to pay 
 two Companies of the men enlisted in the Fourth Regi- 
 ment, until the first day of August next. 
 
 The Congress adjourned to nine o'clock, to-morrow 
 morning. 
 
 Die Veneris, 9 ho. A. M., August 4, 1775. 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment. Opened 
 with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Botvden. 
 
 Mr. Harper, of Harpersjield, near CherryValley, having 
 represented the defenceless state of that part of the County 
 of Tryon, for want of a small quantity of Gunpowder, and 
 requested that he may be permitted to purchase one hun- 
 dred weight of Powder at the Powder-Mill of the Honour- 
 able Robert R. Livingston, Esq., on his paying the money 
 for the same, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Harper have leave to purchase one 
 hundred weight of Gunpowder accordingly, for the use of 
 the inhabitants of that part of Tryon County ; and the 
 gentleman who has direction of the said Powder-Mill is 
 requested to sell one hundred weight of Gunpowder to the 
 said Mr. Harper, on his paying the cash for the same. 
 
 Mr. Walton came into Congress, and informed the Con- 
 gress that Captain Patrick Sinclair alleges, that Lord 
 Dartmouth's card does not warrant the inserting the words 
 " of Indian Affairs" in the state of his appointment as it 
 stands on the Minutes of this Congress ; and the same being 
 compared with the copy of Lord Dartmouth's card, as it 
 appears in the Letter of Sir Charles Thompson to Captain 
 Sinclair, is found not to be warranted thereby, 
 
 Ordered , therefore, That the words "of Indian Affairs," 
 be struck out of the Minutes in the recital of his appoint- 
 ment, and also in the certified copies thereof, and that the 
 said certified copies be redelivered to Mr. Walton. 
 
 Mr. Walton soon after came into Congress, and informed 
 that he had shown the amended copy of the Minutes to 
 Captain Patrick Sinclair, and informed him that the Mi- 
 nutes were amended accordingly. That Captain Sinclair 
 declared that he could not consent to the general tenour of 
 that part of the Minutes concerning him which related to 
 Indian Affairs, and could not sign it, and that the Congress 
 may do as they please with him. 
 
 Mr. Walton being asked whether he had desired Cap- 
 tain Sinclair to sign one of those copies, declared on his 
 honour that he had not asked or desired him to sign it. 
 
 Thereupon, Ordered, That Colonel McDougall send a 
 Guard to take the said Patrick Sinclair into custody. 
 
 Captain Patrick Sinclair being taken into custody, and 
 brought into Congress, declared he never had solicited to 
 be Superintendent of Indian Affairs. 
 
 Ordered, That he withdraw unto the next room, and 
 remain there under guard. 
 
 Mr. Sears (seconded by Mr. Beekman) moved in the 
 words following, to wit: That the Order of yesterday for 
 sending Captain Sinclair to Suffolk, be reconsidered. 
 
 The same being agreed to nemine con., 
 
 Ordered, That the said Order of yesterday for sending 
 Captain Sinclair to Suffolk County, be reconsidered. 
 
 Mr. Sears then moved and was seconded, that the Order 
 of yesterday relating to Capt. Patrick Sinclair, be amend- 
 ed, by obliterating therein the words " any part of Suffolk 
 County, on Nassau Island," and inserting instead thereof the 
 words "Hartford, in Connecticut ;" and debates arising 
 thereon, it was carried against the amendment in the man- 
 ner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Amendment. 
 2 Dutchess, 
 2 Ulster, 
 2 Orange, 
 2 Suffolk, 
 2 Tryon, 
 2 Charlotte. 
 
 12 
 
 Against the Amendment. 
 
 3 Albany, 
 2 King's. 
 
 2 Richmond, 
 
 4 New.York, 
 2 Queen's. 
 
 13 
 
 Dissentients from the vote of Neic-York : Messrs. Sears, 
 Beekman, Hallett, Smith, Scott, and McDougall. 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the proposed Amendment be 
 rejected. 
 
 Captain Patrick Sinclair, at his request, being then ad- 
 mitted into Congress, alleged that he had misapprehended 
 part of the order of this Congress of yesterday; and having 
 received a certified copy thereof, and perused and exam- 
 ined the same, he, on his honour, in publick Congress, 
 declared that he would comply with and strictly obey the 
 injunctions therein contained. 
 
 A Letter from Philip Livingston and George Clinton, 
 Esquires, was read and filed, and is in the words following, 
 to w it : 
 
 "Philadelphia, August 2, 1775. 
 " Sir : We received your letter by express this morning, 
 in answer to which we beg leave to inform you that we 
 have obtained an order of Congress on the Continental 
 Treasury, in your favour, for one hundred and seventy-five 
 thousand Dollars ; but as there is not yet a sufficient num- 
 ber of the bills signed to answer the most pressing occasions, 
 we imagine your draft cannot be answered before the latter 
 end of the next week. We have, however, been able to 
 borrow about eight thousand Pounds for you, which we will 
 bring with us, expecting to set out for Neiv-York this 
 afternoon, the Congress having adjourned this morning till 
 the 5th of September next. 
 
 " We are, Sir, your most obedient servants, 
 
 " Phil. Livingston, 
 " Geohoe Clinton. 
 " To Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esq." 
 
 A Letter from John Hulbert, of the 27th ultimo, was 
 read and filed, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Southampton, July 27, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : I wrote to you the 20th inst., informing 
 you that I had enlisted forty-nine men. I would now ac- 
 quaint you that I have added to that number, so that this 
 day sixty-eight have passed muster. In a day or two I 
 hope to make return of the whole. 1 am, Gentlemen, your 
 humble servant, John Hulbert. 
 
 " To the Provincial Congress at New-York." 
 
 A Letter from Abraham Yates, Jun., Esq., Chairman 
 of the Committee of Albany, relative to George Sullivan, 
 and covering a copy of a letter from General Wooster to 
 Colonel Waterbury, relating to the same person, was read 
 and filed. The copy of General Woostcr's letter was also 
 read and filed. 
 
 Whereas, those Counties which are now represented in 
 this Congress by a majority of the Delegates sent hither for 
 that purpose, may be deprived of their weight of representa- 
 tion, by the absence of Members upon the publick service : 
 
 Resolved, therefore, That all Members who are absent 
 by the order of this House, or of the Continental Congress, 
 shall be counted with those who actually appear, and when 
 a majority shall appear upon such counting, then those 
 Members actually present shall give their vote for the said 
 County, as if a real majority were personally at this Board. 
 
1817 
 
 NEW-YORK PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, AUGUST, 1775. 
 
 1818 
 
 Mr. John De Lancey having insulted Mr. Scott, a Mem- 
 ber in tli is House, while the Congress was sitting, by calling 
 him a scoundrel, and attempting to run his fist in his face, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. John De Lancey be reprimanded by 
 the President for his conduct, and that he ask the pardon of 
 this Congress for his offence. 
 
 Mr. Low then moved, and was seconded by Mr. Foster, 
 that the Congress also make and enter on their Minutes an 
 Order, in the words following, to wit : " Ordered, that they 
 be enjoined to let the dispute stop here, and that they pro- 
 ceed no farther in it." 
 
 And debates arising thereon, and the question being put, 
 Whether the House will agree to such Order? it was carried 
 in the affirmative, in the manner following, to wit: 
 
 For the Affirmative. For the Negative. 
 
 2 Dutchess, 2 Tryon, 2 Westchester, 
 
 3 Albany, 2 Charlotte, 2 Orange. 
 2 King's, 2 Suffolk, — 
 
 2 Richmond, 2 Ulster, 4 
 2 Queen's, 4 New-York. 
 
 23 
 
 Messrs. Sears, Smith, and Beekman, dissent from the 
 vote of Sew- York. 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That Mr. Scott and Mr. De Lancey 
 be enjoined to let the dispute stop here, and that they pro- 
 ceed no further in it. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Scott and Mr. De Lancey be each 
 of them served with a certified copy of the said Orders by 
 one of the Secretaries. 
 
 Ordered, That Captain John Lamb be authorized to 
 get the Clothes of his Company from Mr. Peter T. Curte- 
 nius, when they are made. 
 
 A Certificate of Doctor John Jones and Doctor Bard, 
 bearing date on this day, was read and filed. Those gen- 
 tlemen thereby certify, that they have examined Doctor 
 Ebtnezer Haviland, respecting his knowledge in Physick 
 and Surgery, and that they find him very competently 
 qualified to act as Surgeon of a Regiment. 
 
 Agreed and Ordered, That the said Ebenezer Haviland 
 be appointed Surgeon to the Fourth Regiment of the 
 Troops raised in this Colony. 
 
 Ordered, That the consideration of the Resolutions 
 moved by Mr. Low on IVednesday, the 2d instant, with 
 respect to the insult offered to this Congress, by destroying 
 the Boat ordered to be built for the use of His Majesty's 
 Ship Asia, and which was appointed for this day, be taken 
 into consideration to-morrow morning. 
 
 Die Sabbati, 9 ho. A. M., August 5, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met pursuant to adjournment, without 
 prayers. Present : 
 
 Peter V. B. Livingston, Esq., President, Sec. 
 
 A Letter from Dirck G. Brinckerhoff, Chairman of the 
 Committee of Rombouts Precinct, in Dutchess County, 
 requesting longer time to get the Association signed, was 
 read and filed. 
 
 Ordered, That Gilbert Livingston, Esq., write a private 
 Letter to the Committee, informing them that the Congress 
 agrees to their request. 
 
 Mr. Low moved, and was seconded by Mr. Henry Wil- 
 liams, in the words following, to wit : I move that a Com- 
 mittee be appointed to consider of and report, as soon as 
 possible, the ways and means best adapted to discharge the 
 Debts already contracted, and which hereafter may be con- 
 tracted by this Congress for the exigences of this Colony 
 in its present critical and alarming situation. 
 
 The same being unanimously agreed to, the following 
 gentlemen were appointed a Committee for that purpose, 
 to wit: Mr. Robert Yates, Mr. Tapjpen, Captain Piatt, 
 Mr. Gouverneur Morris, Mr. Lefferts, Mr. Low, Mr. Ver- 
 flanck, Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. L' Hommedieu, Mr. Jack- 
 son, Mr. French, Mr. Micheau, Mr. Marlett, and Mr. 
 Watkins; and 
 
 Ordered, That the said Committee report with all con- 
 venient speed. 
 
 Mr. John Foster informed the Congress that the Com- 
 mittees of the several Towns in Suffolk County have re- 
 solved not to permit any Cattle or Live-Stock to be shipped 
 off from Suffolk County. And further informed the Con- 
 
 gress, that if he may be permitted to send a cargo of Live- 
 stock to the West-Indies, he does engage to bring back in 
 return Military Stores, for the benefit of this Colony, if the 
 same can be obtained at the Port or Ports to which the 
 vessel shall touch, and give the first offer of the sale thereof 
 to this Provincial Congress, or such other Provincial Con- 
 gress of this Colony as shall then be sitting. 
 
 Mr. Foster's proposal being agreed to by the Congress, 
 Ordered, That Mr. Foster be permitted to ship a cargo 
 of Live-Stock to the West- Indies, that he may be thereby 
 enabled to procure Military Stores. 
 
 Resolved, That the Troops enlisted by this Colony shall 
 be allowed fifty-three Shillings and four Pence per month, 
 in such manner as the Troops of Connecticut and Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay receive their pay; that they be allowed one 
 Blanket and one Regimental Coat ; that they be allowed 
 ten Shillings for the use of their Arms ; and that those who 
 have no Arms shall have Arms purchased for them by the 
 Colony, and that such Arms shall be returned at the end 
 of the campaign, in good order, and if not returned, shall 
 be paid for by such Soldiers as shall be in default on that 
 account. 
 
 The President produced a Warrant of the Continental 
 Congress, bearing date on the 1st day of August instant, 
 for the payment of One Hundred and Seventy-Five Thou- 
 sad Dollars to this Congress ; which was read, and is in the 
 words following, to wit : 
 
 "In Congress, August 1, 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, That a sum not exceeding One Hundred 
 and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars be paid to the Pro- 
 vincial Convention of New- York, to be applied towards 
 the discharge of the Moneys advanced, and the Debts con- 
 tracted for the publick service by the said Provincial Con- 
 vention and the Committee of Albany, in pursuance of the 
 directions of this Congress. And that the said Provincial 
 Convention account to this Congress at their next meeting 
 for the application of the said Money. 
 
 " John Hancock, President." 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, the Congress resumed 
 the consideration of the Resolutions moved for by Mr. Low 
 on the 2d instant. The same were read ; and being again 
 read paragraph by paragraph, on reading the second Re- 
 solution, to wit, the last paragraph, Mr. McDougall moved 
 that the word base be obliterated, and the word insolent 
 inserted in its stead. 
 
 And the same being unanimously agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That the said Amendment be made. 
 
 The last paragraph being read, Mr. McDougall then 
 moved that the words " and enemies to their Country" be 
 obliterated. 
 
 And debates arising thereon, and the question being put, 
 it was carried in the affirmative in the manner following, 
 to wit : 
 
 For the Affirmative. 
 
 2 Ulster, 
 2 Dutchess, 
 
 2 Crange, 
 
 3 Albany, 
 
 2 Westchester, (Morris dissenting,) 
 
 4 New. York, (Mnrston and Low dis. 
 
 senting,) 
 
 2 Tryon, 
 2 Suffolk. 
 
 19 
 
 For the Negative. 
 2 Richmond. 
 
 King's County equally divided; Queen's County has 
 not a quorum ; Charlotte County did not vote. 
 
 Ordered, therefore, That the words " and enemies to their 
 Country," be obliterated. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert Livingston then moved, and was seconded 
 by Mr. Melancton Smith, that the said motion and Reso- 
 lutions be wholly rejected. 
 
 And the question being put thereon, it passed in the 
 negative in manner following, to wit : 
 
 For the Resolutions. Against the Resolutions. 
 
 2 King's, 2 Suffolk, 
 4 New.York, 2 Orange, 
 
 3 Albany, 2 Ulster, 
 2 Westchester, (Morris dissenting,) 2 Tryon. 
 2 Charlotte, — 
 
 2 Richmond. 8 
 
 15 
 
1819 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 11, 1775. 
 
 1820 
 
 Resolved and Ordered, therefore, That the said Reso- 
 lutions, with their preambulary recitals or introductions, as 
 amended and agreed to, be entered on the Journals as part 
 of the proceedings of this Congress ; and that the same be 
 published in the Newspapers ; which said Resolutions, as 
 amended, with their recitals, are in the words follow- 
 ing, viz : 
 
 Whereas, it appeared to the Committee of Safety, ap- 
 pointed by this Congress during their late recess, that a 
 Barge belonging to His Majesty's Ship Asia, was, without 
 any provocation, attacked, and most wantonly destroyed : 
 And whereas, the Corporation of the City had, under the 
 sanction of the said Committee, ordered another Barge to 
 be built, in order to replace the Barge so destroyed as 
 aforesaid : And whereas, this Congress had approved of 
 that and the other conduct of their said Committee, and 
 voted them their thanks for their faithful services : And 
 whereas, notwithstanding, some disorderly and evil-disposed 
 persons did, in the night, destroy and render useless said 
 Barge, so ordered to be built as aforesaid, by sawing it in 
 pieces : And whereas, the Corporation have since formally 
 applied to this Congress for their directions in the pre- 
 mises : 
 
 Resolved, That the perpetrators of the said act are 
 guilty of a high offence and insult against this Congress, 
 and the Colony they represent, as endeavouring to contra- 
 vene the true intent and meaning of their appointment. 
 That they are insolent violators of the Association sub- 
 scribed by this Congress, and by them recommended to 
 the adoption of their constituents. 
 
 In order, therefore, that the sense of this Congress may 
 be fully known relative to such outrageous acts, 
 
 Ordered, That this Resolution be immediately made 
 
 publick, not doubting but that the good inhabitants of this 
 Colony will duly assist and support this Congress in de- 
 tecting, convicting, and bringing to condign punishment all 
 such factious offenders, as disturbers of the publick peace. 
 
 Ordered, That the Committee of the City of New* 
 York be requested to send for any such persons to appear 
 before them as they shall think proper to examine ; and 
 that they take examinations and every other such measure 
 as they shall devise or think proper, to discover the per- 
 sons who sawed and destroyed the Boat lately ordered to 
 be built for the use of His Majesty's Ship Asia ; and that 
 they report their proceedings and discoveries therein to 
 this Congress, with all convenient speed. 
 
 Three of the Delegates of this Colony in Continental 
 Congress informed this Congress that they have received 
 a sum of Money from a particular friend, which they will 
 lend to this Congress for a few days, on receiving security 
 for the same. 
 
 Ordered, That Peter Van Brugh Livingston, Esquire, 
 the President of this Congress, receive from the said Dele- 
 gates such sum as they can lend, and give his note or obli- 
 gation for the same ; and 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Livingston pay Four Thousand 
 Pounds of that money to the Colonels of the respective 
 Regiments, or for their use, in such proportion as he shall 
 think expedient ; and that he pay the residue thereof to 
 Mr. Joseph HaUett. 
 
 Ordered, That one of the Secretaries write a Letter to 
 Charles Thomson, Esquire, Secretary of the Continental 
 Congress, requesting of him a certified copy of the rates of 
 the pay of the Troops in the Continental Army, from a 
 Colonel downwards. 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. 
 
 Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 10, 1775. 
 
 A number of Delegates from the Colonies of Neiv- 
 Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New-York, New- 
 Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, 
 North- Carolina, and South- Carolina, agreeable to their 
 appointment, and the orders received from their respective 
 Colonies, met at Philadelphia, viz: 
 
 From New-Hampshire. — Mr. John Sullivan, Mr. John 
 Langdon. 
 
 From Massachusetts-Bay. — Messrs. John Hancock, 
 Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert 
 Treat Paine. 
 
 From Connecticut. — Mr. Eliphalet Dyer, Mr. Roger 
 Sherman, Mr. Silas Deane. 
 
 From New- York. — Mr. Philip Livingston, Mr. James 
 Duane, Mr. John Alsop. 
 
 From New-Jersey. — Mr. James Kinsey, Mr. Stephen 
 Crane, Mr. William Livingston, Mr. John De Hart, 
 Mr. Richard Smith. 
 
 From Pennsylvania. — Mr. Edward Riddle, Mr. John 
 Dickinson, Mr. Thomas Mifflin, Mr. Charles Hum- 
 phreys, Mr. John Morton, Mr. George Ross, Mr. Ben- 
 jamin Franklin, Mr. Thomas Willing, 
 
 From Delaware Counties. — Mr. Casar Rodney, Mr. 
 Thomas McKean, Mr. George Read. 
 
 From Maryland. — Mr. Matthew Tilghman, Mr. Thomas 
 Johnson, Mr. William Paca, Mr. Samuel Chase, Mr. 
 John Hall. 
 
 From Virginia. — Mr. Peyton Randolph, Mr. George 
 Washington, Mr. Richard Henry Lee, Mr. Edmund 
 Pendleton, Mr. Benjamin Harrison, Mr. Richard 
 Bland. 
 
 From North-Carolina. — .Mr. William Hooper, Mr. Jo- 
 seph Hewes, Mr. Richard Caswell. 
 
 From South-Carolina. — Mr. Henry Middleton, Mr. 
 Thomas Lynch, Mr. Christopher Gadsden, Mr. John 
 Rutledge, Mr. Edward Rutledge. 
 
 Being convened in the State-House, proceeded to the 
 choice of a President; when, 
 
 Upon motion, The Honourable Peyton Randolph was 
 unanimously chosen President. 
 
 After the President was seated, 
 
 Mr. Charles Thomson was unanimously chosen Secretary. 
 
 Andrew McNeare was also chosen Doorkeeper, and 
 William Shed Messenger. 
 
 Ordered, That the Rev. Mr. Duche be requested to 
 open the Congress with prayers to-morrow morning ; and 
 that Mr. Willing, Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Bland, be a 
 Committee to wait on Mr. Duche, and acquaint him with 
 the request of the Congress. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow morning, at eleven o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, May 11, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Agreeable to the order of yesterday, the Congress was 
 opened with prayers by the Rev. Mr. Duche. After 
 prayers, the Congress, according to adjournment, proceed- 
 ed to business. 
 
 The Delegates from the several Colonies produced their 
 Credentials, which were read, and approved, as follow : 
 
 For the Province of New-Hampshire. 
 
 At the Convention of Deputies, appointed by the seve- 
 ral Towns in the Province aforesaid, held at Exeter, on the 
 twenty-fifth day of January, 1775 : 
 
 The Hon. John Wentworth, Esq., in the Chair. 
 
 Voted, That John Sullivan and John Langdon, Esqrs., 
 be delegated to represent this Province in the Continental 
 Congress proposed to be held at Philadelphia, on the 
 tenth day of May next, and that they and each of them, 
 in the absence of the other, have full and ample power, in 
 behalf of this Province, to consent and agree to all mea- 
 sures which said Congress shall deem necessary, to obtain 
 redress of American grievances. 
 
 True copy attested : 
 
 Meshech Weare, Clerk to the Convention. 
 
 For the Province of the Massachusetts-Bay. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Cambridge, Dec. 5, 1774. 
 Resolved, That the Proceedings of the American Con- 
 tinental Congress, held at Philadelphia, on the fifth day 
 of September last, and reported by the honourable Dele- 
 gates from this Colony, have, with the deliberation due to 
 their high importance, been considered by us ; and the Ame- 
 rican Bill of Rights, therein contained, appears to be formed 
 with the greatest ability and judgment, to be founded on 
 the immutable laws of nature and reason, the principles of 
 the English Constitution, and the respective Charters and 
 
1821 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 11, 1775. 
 
 1822 
 
 Constitutions of the Colonies, and to be worthy of their 
 most vigorous support, as essentially necessary to liberty; 
 likewise the ruinous and iniquitous measures, which, in 
 violation of these rights, at present convulse and threaten 
 destruction to America, appear to be clearly pointed out, 
 and judicious plans adopted for defeating them. 
 
 Resolved, That the most grateful acknowledgments are 
 due to the truly honourable and patriotick Members of the 
 Continental Congress, for their wise and able exertions in 
 the cause of American liberty; and this Congress, in their 
 own names, and in behalf of this Colony, do hereby, with 
 the utmost sincerity, express the same. 
 
 Resolved, That the Hon. John Hancock, the Hon. 
 Thomas Gushing, Esquires, Mr. Samuel Adams, John 
 Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, or any three 
 of them, be, and they are hereby appointed and authorized 
 to represent this Colony, on the tenth of May next, or 
 sooner if necessary, at the American Congress, to be held 
 at Philadelphia, with full power, with the Delegates from 
 the other American Colonies, to concert, agree upon, direct 
 and order such further measures as shall to them appear 
 to be best calculated for the recovery and establishment of 
 American rights and liberties, and for restoring harmony 
 between Great Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 A true copy of record: Benj. Lincoln, Secy. 
 
 In Provincial Congress, Cambridge, Feb. 6, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Hon. John Hancock, the Hon. 
 Thomas Cushing, Esquires, Mr. Samuel Adams, John 
 Adams, and Robert Treat Paine, Esquires, appointed by 
 the last Provincial Congress to represent this Colony, on 
 the tenth of May next, or sooner if necessary, at the Ame- 
 rican Congress, to be held at Philadelphia, be, and they 
 are hereby authorized and empowered, with the Delegates 
 from the other American Colonies, to adjourn from time to 
 time, and place to place, as shall be judged necessary, and 
 to continue in being, as Delegates for this Colony, until the 
 thirty-first day of December next ensuing, and no longer. 
 
 A true copy of record: Benj. Lincoln, Sec'y. 
 
 For Connecticut. 
 In the House of Representatives of the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, November 3, A. D. 1774. 
 This House proceeded to nominate, choose, and appoint 
 Delegates to attend the General Congress, to be hoiden at 
 Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May next, and made 
 choice of the Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, Hon. Roger Sherman, 
 Silas Deane, * Titus Hosmer, and * Jonathan Slurgess, 
 Esquires, to be their Delegates, any three of w hom are 
 authorized and empowered to attend said Congress, in be- 
 half of this Colony, to join, consult, and advise with the 
 Delegates of the other Colonies in British America, on 
 proper measures for advancing the best good of the Colo- 
 nies. William Williams, Speaker. 
 
 A true copy, extracted from the Journals of the House. 
 Attested : Richard Law, Clerk. 
 
 For New- York. 
 
 At a Provincial Convention, formed of Deputies from 
 the City and County of New-York, the City and County 
 of Albany, and the Counties of Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, 
 Westchester, King's, and Suffolk, held at the City of 
 New-York, the twenty-second day of April, 1775, for the 
 purpose of appointing Delegates to represent the Colony 
 of New- York in the next Continental Congress, to be held 
 at Philadelphia, on the tenth of May next, Philip Liv- 
 ingston, James Duane, John Alsop, *John Jay, Simon 
 Boerum, William Floyd, *Henry Wisner, *Philip Schuy- 
 ler, *George Clinton, Lewis Morris, *Francis Leivis, and 
 *Robert R. Livingston, Jun., Esquires, were unanimously 
 elected Delegates to represent this Colony at such Con- 
 gress, with full power to them, or any five of them, to meet 
 the Delegates from the other Colonies, and to concert and 
 determine upon such measures as shall be judged most 
 effectual for the preservation and re-establishment of Ame- 
 rican rights and privileges, and for the restoration of har- 
 mony between Great Britain and the Colonies. 
 
 Signed, Leonard Lispenard, Isaac Roosevelt, Abraham 
 Walton, Alexander McDougall, and twenty-four others. 
 
 Note. — All the Members attended except those marked thus * 
 
 We, the subscribers, do, in behalf of ourselves and 
 those freeholders of Queen's County, at whose request we 
 attended the Convention, signify our assent to, and appro- 
 bation of, the above Delegation. 
 
 Signed, John Fulman, Zebulon Williams, Jacob Black- 
 well, Joseph Robinson. 
 
 For New-Jersey. 
 In Assembly, Perth-Amboy, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, unanimously, That James Kinsey, Stephen 
 Crane, William Livingston, John De Hart, and Richard 
 Smith, Esquires, or any three of them, be, and they are 
 hereby appointed to attend the Continental Congress of 
 the Colonies, intended to be held at the City of Philadel- 
 phia, in May next, or at any other time and place ; and 
 that they report their proceedings to the next session of 
 General Assembly. 
 
 A true copy from the Journals. 
 
 Richard Smith, Clerk of the Assembly. 
 
 For Pennsylvania. 
 In Assembly, December 15, 1774, A. M. 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the Hon. Edward 
 Biddle, John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Hum- 
 phreys, John Morton, and George Ross, Esquires, be, and 
 they are hereby appointed Deputies on the part of this 
 Province to attend the General Congress, proposed to be 
 held at the City of Philadelphia, on the tenth day of May 
 next; and that they, or any four of them, do meet the 
 said Congress accordingly, unless the present grievances 
 of the American Colonies shall before that time be re- 
 dressed. 
 
 Extract from the Journals : 
 
 Charles Moore, Clerk of the Assembly. 
 
 In Assembly, May 6, 1775, A. M. 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That Benjamin Frank- 
 lin, the Hon. Thomas Willing, and *James Wilson, Esq., 
 be, and they are hereby added to the Deputies appointed 
 by this House to attend the Continental Congress, expect- 
 ed to meet the tenth instant, in this City. 
 
 Extract from the Journals : 
 
 Charles Moore, Clerk of the Assembly. 
 
 For the Lower Counties on Delaware. 
 Li Assembly, Thursday, March 16, 1775, A. M. 
 On motion, 
 
 Resolved, nemine contradicente, That the Hon. Ccesar 
 Rodney, Thomas McKcan, and George Read, Esquires, 
 be, and they are hereby appointed and authorized to repre- 
 sent this Government at the American Congress, proposed 
 to be held at the City of Philadelphia, on the tenth day 
 of May next, or at any other time or place, with full pow er 
 to them, or any two of them, together with the Delegates 
 from the other American Colonies, to concert and agree 
 upon such farther measures as shall appear to them best 
 calculated for the accommodation of the unhappy differ- 
 ences between Great Britain and the Colonies, on a con- 
 stitutional foundation, which the House most ardently wish 
 for, and that they report their proceedings to the next ses- 
 sions of Genera] Assembly. 
 
 True copy of Minutes of Assembly: 
 
 David Thomson, Clerk to the Assembly. 
 
 For Maryland. 
 
 At a meeting of the Deputies appointed by the several 
 Counties of the Province of Maryland, at the City of An- 
 napolis, by adjournment, on the eighth of December, 1774, 
 and continued till the twelfth day of the same month ; 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the Honourable Matthew 
 Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Jun.,* Robert Goldsborough, 
 William Paca, Samuel Chase, John Hall, and *Thomas 
 Stone, Esquires, or any three or more of them, be Dele- 
 gates to represent this Province in the next Continental 
 Congress, and that they, or any three or more of them, 
 have full and ample power to consent and agree to all 
 measures which such Congress shall deem necessary and 
 
1823 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 11, 1775. 
 
 1824 
 
 effectual to obtain a redress of American grievances ; and 
 this Province bind themselves to execute, to the utmost of 
 their power, all resolutions which the said Congress mar 
 adopt. And further, if the said Congress shall think neces- 
 sary to adjourn, we do authorize our said Delegates to rep- 
 resent and act for this Province in any one Congress, to be 
 held by virtue of such adjournment. 
 
 Signed by order, John Ducket, Clerk. 
 
 For Virginia. 
 At a Convention of Delegates for the Counties and Cor- 
 porations in the Colony of Virginia, at the Town of Rich- 
 mond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday, the twentieth 
 of March, 1775: 
 
 The Convention proceeded to the election of Delegates 
 by ballot, to represent this Colony in General Congress, to 
 be held at the City of Philadelphia on the tenth day of 
 May next, when the Hon. Peyton Randolph, George 
 Washington, *Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Ed- 
 mund Pendleton, Benjamin Harrison, and Richard Bland, 
 Esquires, were chosen for that purpose. 
 
 Peyton Randolph, President. 
 
 John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention. 
 
 For North-Carolina. 
 At a general meeting of Delegates of the Inhabitants of 
 this Province, in convention at Newbern, the fifth day of 
 April, 1775: 
 
 Present: the Honourable John Harvey, Esq., Modera- 
 tor, and sixty-eight members. On motion, 
 
 Resolved, That William Hooper, Joseph Hemes, and 
 Richard Caswell, Esquires, be, and they are hereby ap- 
 pointed Delegates to attend the General Congress, to be 
 held at Philadelphia on the tenth day of May next, or at 
 any other time and place that shall be appointed for that 
 purpose; and they are hereby invested with' such powers as 
 may make any acts done by them, or any of them, or con- 
 sent given in behalf of this Province, obligatory, in honour, 
 upon every inhabitant thereof. 
 
 A true copy from the minutes : 
 
 John Harvey, Moderator. 
 
 Attested by Andrew Knox, Clerk. 
 
 In the Assembly, 1th of April, 1775. 
 Resolved, That the House do highly approve of the pro- 
 ceedings of the Continental Congress, lately held at Phi- 
 ladelphia, and that they are determined, as members of the 
 community in general, that they will strictly adhere to the 
 said Resolutions, and will use what influence they have to 
 induce the same observance in every individual of this Pro- 
 vince. 
 
 This House having received information that William 
 Hooper, Joseph Hemes, and Richard Caswell, Esquires, 
 were appointed by the Convention, held at Nembern, as 
 Delegates to attend the meeting of the Continental Con- 
 gress, soon to be held at Philadelphia : 
 
 Resolved, That the House approve of the choice made 
 by the said Convention. 
 
 A true copy from the Journal of the House of Assembly: 
 James Green, Jr., Clerk. 
 
 For South-Carolina. 
 
 In the Commons House of Assembly, Friday, Feb- 
 ruary, 3, 1775. 
 
 Whereas, the Continental Congress, held at the City of 
 Philadelphia in September last, amongst other things, re- 
 commended to the several Colonies in North-America to 
 choose Deputies as soon as possible, to hold another Con- 
 gress at the same place, on the tenth day of May next; and 
 this House being fully satisfied with the conduct and fidelity 
 of their late Deputies at the Congress, do hereby nominate 
 and appoint the Honourable Henry Middleton, Esquire, 
 Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, and 
 Edmard Rutledge, Esquires, Deputies for and in behalf of 
 this Colony, to meet the Deputies appointed, or to be ap- 
 pointed on the part and behalf of the other Colonies, at 
 the City of Philadelphia, or any other place that shall be 
 agreed on by the said Deputies in General Congress, with 
 full power and authority to concert, agree to, and effectually 
 prosecute such measures as, in the opinion of the said Depu- 
 
 ties, and the Deputies to be assembled, shall be most likely 
 to obtain a redress of American grievances. 
 
 Resolved, That the Deputies hereby appointed on the 
 part and behalf of this Colony, are authorized and em- 
 powered to agree that the Continental Congress may 
 meet at any luture time, and at such place as shall be 
 agreed on, and to adjourn from time to time, provided it 
 do not exceed nine months from the dale of their meeting 
 in May next. 
 
 Attested : Thomas Farr, Jr., Clerk. 
 
 Extract from the Journals of the Provincial Congress oj 
 South-Carolina, published by order of the Congress, 
 the llth of January, 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That the Honourable Henry Middleton, Esq., 
 Thomas Lynch, Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, and 
 Edward Rutledge, Esquires, or any three of them, be, and 
 they are hereby appointed and authorized to represent this 
 Colony on the tenth day of May next, or sooner if neces- 
 sary, at the American Congress, to be held at Philadelphia 
 or elsewhere, with full power to concert, agree upon, direct, 
 and order such further measures as, in the opinion of the 
 said Deputies, and the Delegates of the other American 
 Colonies to be assembled, shall appear to be necessary for 
 the recovery and establishment of American rights and 
 liberties, and for restoring harmony between Great Britain 
 and her Colonies. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That the thanks of the Con- 
 gress be given to the Reverend Mr. Duche, for performing 
 Divine Service, agreeable to the desire of the Congress, and 
 for his excellent Prayer, so well adapted to the present 
 occasion. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Bland, Mr. Willing, and Mr. Sul- 
 livan, be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Duche, and re- 
 turn the thanks of the Congress agreeable to the above 
 Resolution. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the Doors be kept shut during the time 
 of business, and that the Members consider themselves 
 under the strongest obligations of honour to keep the Pro- 
 ceedings secret, until the majority shall direct them to be 
 made publick. 
 
 A Circular Letter from the Agents, William Bollan, B. 
 Franklin, and Arthur Lee, Esquires, directed to the 
 Speakers of the several Assemblies, with sundry papers 
 therein referred to, were laid before the Congress and read ; 
 the Letter is as follows : 
 
 " London, February 5, HTo. 
 
 "Sir: Our last letter informed you that the King had 
 declared his intentions of laying the Petition before his two 
 Houses of Parliament. It has accordingly been laid before 
 each House, but undistinguished among a variety of letters 
 and other papers from America. 
 
 " A motion made by Lord Chatham, to withdraw the 
 Troops from Boston, as the first step towards a conciliating 
 plan, was rejected ; and the Ministry have declared in both 
 Houses the determination to enforce obedience to all the 
 late laws. For this purpose, we understand, that three 
 regiments of foot, one of dragoons, seven hundred marines, 
 six sloops of war, and two frigates, are now under orders 
 for America. 
 
 " We think it proper to inform you, that your cause was 
 well defended by a considerable number of good and wise 
 men in both Houses of Parliament, though far from being 
 a majority ; and that many of the commercial and manu- 
 facturing parts of the nation, concerned in the American 
 trade, have presented, or, as we understand, are preparing 
 to present, petitions to Parliament, declaring their great 
 concern for the present unhappy controversies with Ame- 
 rica, and praying expressly, or in effect, for healing mea- 
 sures, as the proper means of preserving their commerce, 
 now greatly suffering or endangered. But the treatment 
 the petitions, already presented, have hitherto received, is 
 such as, in our opinion, can afford you no reliance on pre- 
 sent relief through their means. 
 
 " As soon as we learnt that the petition of the Congress 
 was before the House of Commons, we thought it our duty 
 to support it, if we might be permitted so to do, as there was 
 no other opportunity for the numerous inhabitants of the 
 Colonies to be heard in defence of their rights: accordingly 
 
1825 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 11, 1775. 
 
 1826 
 
 we joined in a petition for that purpose. Sir George Savile 
 kindly undertook to present it; but, on previously opening 
 the purport of it, as the order is, a debate arose on the pro- 
 priety of receiving it, and on a division, it was rejected by 
 a great majority. 
 
 " The following extract of a letter from General Gage 
 to Lord Dartmouth, as laid before Parliament, we think it 
 our duty to transmit, viz: 
 
 " 'December 15, 1774. — Your Lordship's idea of disarm- 
 ing certain Provinces, would doubtless be consistent with 
 prudence and safety, but it neither is, nor has been prac- 
 ticable, without having recourse to force, and being masters 
 of the Country.' 
 
 " It was thrown out in debate by a principal member of 
 Administration, that it would be proper to alter the Charters 
 of Connecticut and Rhode-Island. 
 
 " Enclosed, we send you a copy of the Resolutions passed 
 in a Committee of the whole House, on Thursday last, 
 which are to be reported on Monday. It it said that these 
 Resolutions are to be the foundation of several bills to be 
 brought in, but the purport of those bills we have not yet 
 learnt with sufficient certainty. 
 
 " We send you, likewise, a copy of Lord Chatham's 
 first motion in the House of Lords, and of his plan of a bill 
 for settling the troubles between Great Britain and the 
 Colonies ; both of which were rejected on the first reading. 
 
 " With great respect, we are, Sir, your most obedient 
 humble servants, " William Bollan, 
 
 (Signed) " Benjamin Franklin, 
 
 " Arthur Lee."* 
 
 [* PAPERS ACCOMPANYING THE LETTER OP THE AGENTS, DATED LONDON, 
 FEBRUARY 5, 1775, SUBMITTED TO CONGRESS THIS DAY.] 
 
 Circular Letter from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the 
 Governours of the several British Colonies in America. 
 
 Whitehall, January 5, 1775. 
 
 Sir: Certain persons styling themselves Delegates of His Majesty's 
 Colonies in America, having presumed, without His Majesty's authori. 
 ty or consent, to assemble together at Philadelphia, in the months of 
 September and October last, and having thought fit, among other 
 unwarrantable proceedings, to resolve that it will be necessary that 
 another Congress should be held in the same place, on the 10th of 
 May next, unless redress for certain pretended grievances be obtained 
 before that time, and to recommend that all the Colonies in North Ame- 
 rica should choose Deputies to attend such Congress ; I am com- 
 manded by the King to signify to you His Majesty's pleasure, that you 
 do use your utmost endeavours to prevent any such appointment of 
 Deputies within the Colony under your government ; and that you do 
 exhort all persons to desist from such unwarrantable proceedings, 
 which cannot but be highly displeasing to the King. 
 
 I am, Sir, &c. Dartmouth. 
 Lord Chatham's Motion, January 20, 1775. 
 
 That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, most hum. 
 bly to advise and beseech His Majesty, that in order to open the way 
 towards a happy settlement of the dangerous troubles in America, by 
 beginning to allay ferments and soften animosities there ; and above 
 all, for preventing in the meantime any sudden and fatal catastrophe 
 at Boston, now suffering under daily irritation of an Army before their 
 eyes, posted in their Town ; it may graciously please His Majesty, that 
 immediate orders may be despatched to General Gage, for removing His 
 Majesty's forces from the Town of Boston, as soon as the rigour of the 
 season and other circumstances, indispensable to the safety and accom- 
 modation of the said Troops, may render the same practicable. 
 
 Resolution of a Committee of the Whole House (of Commons.) 
 February 2, 1775. — To be reported the Monday following: 
 That it is the opinion of this Committee, that an humble Address be 
 presented to His Majesty, to return His Majesty our most humble 
 thanks for having been graciously pleased to communicate to this 
 House the several papers relating to the present state of the British 
 Colonies in America, which, by His Majesty's command, have been laid 
 before this House ; [and from which, after taking them into our most 
 serious consideration, we find, that a part of His Majesty's subjects in 
 the Province of Massachusetts-Bay have proceeded so far to resist the 
 authority of the supreme Legislature, that a rebellion at this time 
 actually exists within the said Province ; and we see with the utmost 
 concern that they have been countenanced and encouraged by unlaw- 
 ful combinations and engagements, entered into by His Majesty's sub- 
 jects in several of the other Colonies, to the injury and oppression of 
 many of their innocent fellow-subjects, resident within the Kingdom of 
 Great Britain, and the rest of His Majesty's dominions. This conduct 
 on their part appears to us the more inexcusable, when we consider with 
 how much temper His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament 
 have acted in support of the Laws and Constitution of Great Britain, 
 to declare that we can never so far desert the trust reposed in us, as to 
 relinquish any part of the sovereign authority over all His Majesty's 
 dominions, which by law is vested in His Majesty and the two Houses 
 of Parliament ; and that the conduct of many persons in several of the 
 Colonies, during the late disturbances, is alone sufficient to convince us 
 how necessary this power is, for the protection of the lives and fortunes of 
 all His Majesty's subjects ; that we ever have been, and always shall be 
 ready to pay attention and regard to any real grievances of any of His 
 Majesty's subjects which shall in a dutiful and constitutional manner 
 be laid before us ; and whenever any of the Colonies shall make a pro- 
 per application to us, we shall be ready to afford them every just and 
 reasonable indulgence. But that at the same time we consider it as our 
 indispensable duty humbly to beseech His Majesty, that His Majesty 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 Mr. J. Hancock laid before the Congress a Letter from 
 the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts-Bay, together 
 with certain Resolutions formed by said Consress, and a 
 copy of a Letter sent by said Congress to their Agent in 
 England, and an Address to the Inhabitants of Great 
 Britain on the late engagement between the Troops under 
 Gen. Gage and the inhabitants of Massachusetts- Bay; also, 
 a number of Depositions, duly attested, relative to the com- 
 mencement of hostilities; all of which were read, and are as 
 follow : 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775. 
 
 " To the Honourable American Continental Congress, to 
 be. convened at Philadelphia on the 10th of May 
 instant. 
 
 " May it please your Honours : The Congress of this 
 Colony, impressed with the deepest concern for their Coun- 
 try, under the present critical and alarming state of its pub- 
 lick affairs, beg leave, with the utmost submission, whilst 
 acting in support of the cause of America, to request the 
 direction and assistance of your respectable Assembly. 
 
 "The enclosed packet, containing copies of the depositions 
 which we have despatched for London,-\ also an address to 
 the inhabitants of Great Britain,% and a letter to our Co- 
 lony agent, Benjamin Franklin, Esq.,<§> are humbly sub- 
 mitted to your consideration. 
 
 " The sanguinary zeal of the Ministerial Army to ruin and 
 destroy the inhabitants of this Colony, in the opinion of 
 this Congress hath rendered the establishment of an Army 
 indispensably necessary ; we have accordingly passed an 
 unanimous resolve for thirteen thousand six hundred men 
 
 will take the most effectual measures to enforce due obedience to the laws 
 and authority of the supreme Legislature ; and that we beg leave in the 
 most solemn manner to assure His Majesty that it is our fixed resolution, 
 at the hazard of our lives and properties, to stand by His Majesty against 
 all rebellious attempts in the maintenance of the just rights of His Ma- 
 jesty and the two Houses of Parliament.] Ayes 296, noes 106. 
 
 Amendment proposed, to leave out from the first [and] to the end of 
 the question, and insert, " to assure His Majesty, that in order to fix the 
 true dignity of his Crown and the authority of Parliament on a sure 
 foundation, we shall endeavour to recover the hearts of his subjects in 
 America, too many of whom are unhappily alienated from their usual 
 affection to their Mother Country, by endeavouring to remove all those 
 causes of jealousy and apprehension which have arisen from an unfor- 
 tunate management of His Majesty's affairs, and from acts of the last 
 Parliament made without sufficient information of the true state of 
 America." 
 
 Question put, that the words proposed to be left out, stand part of 
 this question: ayes 304, noes 105. 
 
 Whereas, by an Act 6 George III. it is declared that Parliament has 
 full power and authority to make Laws and Statutes to bind the people 
 of the Colonies in all cases whatsoever : 
 
 And whereas, reiterated complaints, and most dangerous disorders 
 have grown, touching the right of Taxation, claimed and exercised over 
 America, to the disturbance of peace and good order there, and to the 
 actual interruption of the due intercourse from Great Britain and Ire- 
 land to the Colonies, deeply affecting the navigation, trade, and manu- 
 factures of this Kingdom and of Ireland, and announcing further an 
 interruption of all exports from the said Colonies to Great Britain, 
 Ireland, and the British Islands in America : 
 
 Now, for the prevention of these ruinous mischiefs, and in order to 
 an equitable, honourable and lasting settlement of claims not suffi. 
 ciently ascertained and circumscribed, may it please your most excel- 
 lent Majesty that it may be declared, and be it declared by the King's 
 most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the 
 Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons in this present Parlia- 
 ment assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the Colonies 
 of America have been, are, and of right ought to be dependant upon 
 the imperial Crown of Great Britain, and subordinate unto the British 
 Parliament ; and that the King's most excellent Majesty, by and with 
 the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Com- 
 mons in Parliament assembled, had, hath, and of right ought to have, 
 full power and authority to make laws and statutes of sufficient force 
 and validity to bind the people of the British Colonies in America, in 
 all matters touching the general weal of the whole dominion of the 
 imperial Crown of Great Britain, and beyond the competency of the 
 local representative of a distinct Colony ; and most especially an indu- 
 bitable and indispensable right to make and ordain laws for regulating 
 Navigation and Trade throughout the complicated system of British 
 Commerce ; the deep policy of such prudent acts, upholding the guar- 
 dian Navy of the whole British Empire ; and that all subjects in the Colo- 
 nies are bound in duty and allegiance, duly to recognise and obey (and 
 they are hereby required so to do) the supreme legislative authority and 
 superintending power of the Parliament of Great Britain as aforesaid. 
 
 And whereas, in a Petition from America to His Majesty it has been 
 represented that the keeping a Standing Army within any of the Colo- 
 nies, in time of peace, without the consent of the respective Provincial 
 Assembly there, is against law : Be it declared by the King's most excel- 
 lent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual 
 and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, 
 that the Declaration of Rights, at the ever-glorious Revolution, namely, 
 " that the raising and keeping a Standing Army within the Kingdom, in 
 time of peace, unless it be by consent of Parliament, is against law," 
 having reference only to the consent of the Parliament of Great Britain, 
 the legal, constitutional, and hitherto unquestioned prerogative of the 
 Crown, to send any part of such Army, so lawfully kept, to any of the 
 
 t See folio 489, 501. 
 
 1 See folio 487. 
 
 § See folio 488. 
 
 15 
 
1827 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 11, 1775. 
 
 18 28 
 
 to be forthwith raised by this Colony ; and proposals are 
 made by us to the Congress of New-llampshi>e, and Gov- 
 ernments of Rhode-Island and Connecticut Colonies, for 
 furnishing men in the same proportion. 
 
 "The sudden exigency of our publick affairs precluded 
 the possibility of waiting for your direction in these impor- 
 tant measures; more especially as a considerable re-enforce- 
 ment from Great Britain is daily expected in this Colony, 
 and we are now reduced to the sad alternative of defending 
 ourselves by arms, or submitting to be slaughtered. 
 
 " With the greatest deference, we beg leave to suggest, 
 that a powerful Army, on the side of America, hath been 
 sconsidered by this Congress as the only means left to stem 
 the rapid progress of a tyrannical Ministry. Without a 
 force superiour to our enemies, we must reasonably expect 
 to become the victims of their relentless fury. With such 
 a force, we may still have hopes of seeing an immediate 
 end put to the inhuman ravages of mercenary troops in 
 America, and the wicked authors of our miseries brought 
 to condign punishment, by the just indignation of our breth- 
 ren in Great Britain. 
 
 " We hope that this Colony will at all times be ready to 
 spend and be spent in the cause of America. It is, never- 
 theless, a misfortune greatly operating to its disadvantage, 
 that it has a great number of seaport Towns, exposed to 
 the approach of the enemy by sea; from many of which 
 the inhabitants have removed, and are removing their fami- 
 lies and effects, to avoid destruction from ships of war. 
 These, we apprehend, will be generally distressed from 
 want of subsistence, and disabled from contributing aid for 
 
 British dominions and possessions, whether in America or elsewhere, 
 as His Majesty, in the due care of his subjects, may judge necessary 
 for the security and protection of the same, cannot be rendered depen. 
 dant upon the consent of a Provincial Assembly in the Colonies, with- 
 out a most dangerous innovation, and derogation from the dignity of 
 the imperial Crown of Great Britain. Nevertheless, in order to quiet 
 and dispel groundless jealousies and fears, be it hereby declared, that 
 no military force, however raised and kept according to law, can ever be 
 lawfully employed to violate and destroy the just rights of the people. 
 
 Moreover, in order to remove for ever all causes of pernicious dis- 
 cords, and in due contemplation of the vast increase of possessions and 
 population in the Colonies, and having at heart to render the condition 
 of so great a body of industrious subjects there more and more happy, 
 by the sacredness of property and of personal liberty ; and of more 
 extensive and lasting utility to the parent Kingdom, by indissoluble 
 ties of mutual affection, confidence, trado, and reciprocal benefits ; be 
 it declared and enacted by the King's most excellent Majesty, by and 
 with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and 
 Commons in this present Parliament assembled, and it is hereby declared 
 and enacted by the authority of the same, that no tallage, tax, or other 
 charge for His Majesty's revenue shall be commanded or levied from 
 British freemen in America, without common consent, by act of Pro- 
 vincial Assembly there, duly convened for that purpose. 
 
 And it is hereby further declared and enacted by the King's most 
 excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords 
 Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament 
 assembled, and by the authority of the same, That it shall and may be 
 lawful for Delegates from the respective Provinces, lately assembled at 
 Philadelphia, to meet in General Congress at the said Philadelphia, on 
 the ninth day of May next, ensuing, in order then and there to take 
 into consideration the making due recognition of the supreme legis- 
 lative authority and superintending power of Parliament over the Colo- 
 nies, as aforesaid. 
 
 And moreover, may it please your most excellent Majesty, that the 
 said Delegates to be in Congress assembled, in manner aforesaid, may 
 bo required, and the same are hereby required, by the King's Majesty, 
 sitting in his Parliament, to take into consideration (over and above the 
 usual charge for support of civil Government in the respective Colonies) 
 the making a free grant to the King, his heirs and successors, of a cer- 
 tain perpetual revenue, subject to the disposition of the British Parlia- 
 ment, to be by them appropriated as they in their wisdom shall judge 
 fit, to the alleviation of the national debt. No doubt being had, but 
 this just, free aid, will be in such honourable proportion as may seem 
 meet and becoming from great and flourishing Colonies towards a Pa- 
 rent Country labouring under the heaviest burdens, which (in no incon. 
 siderable part) have been willingly taken upon ourselves and posterity, 
 for the defence, extension, and prosperity of the Colonies. 
 
 And to this groat end, be it further hereby declared and enacted, 
 that the General Congress (to meet at Philadelphia as aforesaid) shall 
 be, and is hereby authorized and empowered (the. Delegates composing 
 the same being first sufficiently furnished with powers from their 
 respective Provinces for this purpose) to adjust and fix these partitions 
 and quotas of the several charges to be borne by each Province respect- 
 ively towards the general contributory supply; and this in such fair 
 and equitable measure as may best suit the abilities and duo conve- 
 nience of all. Provided always, that the powers for fixing the said quo- 
 tas, hereby given to the Delegates from the old Provinces composing 
 the Congress, shall not extend to the new Provinces of East aud West 
 Florida, Georgia, Nova-Scotia, St. John's, and Canada; the circum- 
 stances and abilities of tho said Provinces being referred to the wisdom 
 of Parliament in their due time. 
 
 And in order to afford nocessary time for mature deliberation in Ame. 
 rica, be it horcby declared, that the provisions for ascertaining and fix- 
 ing the exercise of tho right of taxation in the Colonies, as agreed and 
 expressed by this present act, shall not bo in forco, or have any operation, 
 until the Delegates to bo in Congress assembled, sufficiently authorized 
 and empowered by their respective Provinces to this end, shall, aa an 
 
 supporting the forces of the Colony ; but we have the 
 greatest confidence in the wisdom and ability of the Con- 
 tinent to support us, so far as it shall appear necessary for 
 supporting the common cause of the American Colonies. 
 
 " We also enclose several Resolves for empowering and 
 directing our Receiver-General to borrow the sum of one 
 hundred thousand Pounds, lawful money, and to issue his 
 notes for the same ; it being the only measure which we 
 could have recourse to, for supporting our forces. And we 
 request your assistance in rendering our measures effectual, 
 by giving our notes a currency through the Continent. 
 
 "Joseph Warren, President pro tern." 
 
 The Papers enclosed and referred to in the above, are 
 as follow : 
 
 "In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and hereby is 
 empowered to borrow the sum of One Hundred Thousand 
 Pounds, lawful money, and issue Colony security for the 
 same, payable, with annual interest at six per cent., June 
 1, 1777, and that the Continental Congress be desired to 
 recommend to the several Colonies to give a currency to 
 such securities. 
 
 " A true extract from the minutes : 
 
 " Samuel Freeman, Secretary pro tern." 
 
 " In Provincial Congress, Watertown, May 3, 1775. 
 "Resolved, That the Securities given by the Receiver- 
 General for the Moneys borrowed by him, in pursuance of 
 the aforegoing Resolve, be in the form following, viz: 
 
 indispensable condition, have duly recognized the supreme legislative 
 authority and superintending power of the Parliament of Great Britain, 
 over the Colonies as aforesaid. Always understood, that the free grant 
 of an aid, as herobefore required and expected from the Colonies, is 
 not to be considered as a condition of redress, but as a just testimony 
 of their affection. 
 
 And whereas, divers acts of Parliament have been humbly repre. 
 sented in a Petition to His Majesty from America, to have been found 
 grievous, in whole or in part, to the subjects of the Colonies, be it 
 hereby declared by the King's most, &lc, &lq.., that the powers of Ad- 
 miralty and Vice-Admiralty Courts in America shall be restrained with* 
 in their ancient limits, and the trial by jury in all civil cases, where 
 the same may have been abolished, restored; and that no subject in 
 America shall, in capital cases, be liable to be indicted and tried for the 
 same in any place out of the Province wherein such offence shall be 
 alleged to have been committed ; nor be deprived of a trial by his peers 
 of the vicinage. Nor shall it be lawful to send persons indicted for 
 murder in any Province of America, to another Colony, or to Great 
 Britain for trial. 
 
 And it it hereby declared and enacted, by the authority aforesaid, that 
 all and every the said acts, or so much thereof as are represented to have 
 been found grievous, namely, the several Acts of the 4 Geo. III. ch. 15 
 and ch. 34: 5 Geo. III. ch. 25: 6 Geo. III. ch. 52: 7 Geo. III. ch. 41 
 and ch. 46 : 8 Geo. III. ch. 22 : 12 Geo. III. ch. 24 — with the three Acts 
 for stopping the Port and blocking up the Harbour of Boston ; for altering 
 the Charter and Government of Massachusetts-Bay ; and that intituled 
 An Act for the Better Administration of Justice, ate.; also the Act for 
 regulating the Government of Quebeck, and the act passod in the same 
 session relating to the quartering of Soldiers, shall bo and are hereby sus- 
 pended, and not to have effect or execution from the date of this act. And 
 be it moreover hereby declared and enacted by the authority aforesaid, 
 that all and every tho before recited acts, or the parts thereof com- 
 plained of, shall be, and are in virtue of this present act, finally repealed 
 and annulled, from the day that the due recognition of the supremo 
 legislative authority and superintending power of Parliament over the 
 Colonies shall have been made on the part of the said Colonies. 
 
 And for the better securing the duo and impartial administration of 
 justice in the Colonies, be it declared and enacted by the King's most, 
 &.C., &c, that His Majesty's Judges in Courts of Law in the Colonies 
 in America, to be appointed with salaries by the Crown, shall hold 
 their offices and salaries as His Majesty's Judges in England, quamdiu 
 se bene gesserit. 
 
 And it is hereby further declared by the authority aforesaid, that tho 
 Colonics in America are justly entitled to the privileges, franchises, 
 and immunities granted by their several Charters or Constitutions ; and 
 that the said Charters or Constitutions ought not to be invaded or re. 
 suined unless for misuser, or soino logal ground of forfeiture. So shall 
 true reconcilement avert impending calamities, and this most solemn 
 national accord between Great Britain and her Colonies stand an ever- 
 lasting monument of clemency and magnanimity in the benignant Father 
 of his People, of wisdom and moderation in this great Nation, tamed 
 for humanity as for valour, and of fidelity and grateful affection from 
 brave and loyal Colonies to their Parent Kingdom, which will ever 
 protect and cherish them. 
 
 The above Plan was offered by tho Earl of Chatham to tho House of 
 Lords, on Wednesday, February I, 1775, under tho title of "A Provi- 
 sional Act for settling the Troubles of America, and for asserting the 
 supreme legislative authority and superintending power 0 f Great Bri- 
 tain over the Colonies :" but being opposed by the Ministry, was rejected 
 by a great majority ; the numbers boing for rejecting 61, for retaining 
 32 ; so it was not suffered to lie on the table for further consideration. 
 Vet when it is considered that in the majority were all the Ministerial 
 Lords, with all tho Scottish Lords, and the Bishops, who usually vote 
 as the Minister bids them, the sense of that House, that is, tho inde- 
 pendent part of it, doos not seem to have been greatly against the bill. 
 
1S29 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 13, 1775. 
 
 1830 
 
 " COLONY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS-BAT. 
 
 "No the day of 
 
 A. D. 177 , borrowed and received of A. B. 
 
 the sum of lawful money, for 
 
 the use and service of the Colony of the Massachusetts- 
 Bat/, and in behalf of said Colony. I do hereby promise 
 and oblige myself, and successors in the office of Treasurer, 
 
 or Receiver-General, to repay to the said 
 
 or to his order, the first day o f June, 1777, the aforesaid sum 
 
 of lawful money, in Spanish milled dollars, at 
 
 six shillings each, or in the several species of coined silver 
 and gold enumerated in an Act made and passed in the 
 twenty-third year of his late Majesty King George the 
 Second, intituled "An Act for ascertaining the rates at 
 which coined silver and gold, English half-pence and far- 
 things, may pass within this Government:" and according 
 to the rates therein mentioned, with interest to be paid 
 annually at six per cent. Witness my hand 
 
 a: b. 
 
 C. D. 
 E. F. 
 
 " And whereas, inconveniences may arise, by the Re- 
 ceiver-General's issuing notes for small sums; therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That the Receiver-General be, and he hereby 
 is directed, not to issue any notes for a less sum than four 
 Pounds lawful money. 
 
 " A true extract from the minutes : 
 
 " Samuel Freeman, Secretary pro tern." 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary have the above Deposi- 
 tions, and the Address to the Inhabitants of Great Britain, 
 published. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That the Congress will, on Mon- 
 day next, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, 
 to take into consideration the state of America. 
 
 Ordered, That the Letter from the Provincial Congress 
 of Massachusetts- Bay be referred to that Committee. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow at ten o'clock. 
 
 Friday, May 12, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met, and adjourned till to-morrow at ten 
 o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, May 13, 1775, A. M. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. Present 
 the same as yesterday, and also Mr. J. Jay, from ^Sen- 
 York, and Thomas Stone, from Maryland. 
 
 The Congress being informed that Doctor Lyman Hall 
 attended at the door as a Delegate from the Parish of St. 
 John's, in the Colony of Georgia, and desired to know 
 whether, as such, he may be admitted to this Congress; 
 
 Agreed unanimously, That he be admitted as a Dele- 
 gate from the Parish of St. John's, in the Colony of Geor- 
 gia, subject to such regulations as the Congress shall 
 determine relative to his voting. 
 
 Mr. Lyman Hall being accordingly admitted, produced 
 his Credentials, which were read and approved, and are as 
 follow : 
 
 " To the Honourable Gentlemen of the Congress designed 
 
 to be held at Philadelphia, on Mat, A. D. 1775 : 
 "The Address of the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. 
 John's, in the Province of Georgia. 
 " Gentlemen : To give a particular detail of our many 
 struggles in the cause of liberty, the many meetings thereby 
 occasioned and held in this Parish, the endeavours we have 
 used to induce the rest of this Province to concur with us, 
 the attendance of our Committee on the Provincial Con- 
 ventions, held at Savannah, in this Province, and particu- 
 larly that of the eighteenth of January last, with their 
 proceedings, and the reasons of our dissent from them, we 
 think would be tedious to you, and therefore send a sum- 
 mary abstract, which, with the account that may be given 
 by Lyman Hall, Esq., appointed a Delegate to represent 
 and act for this Parish in the General Continental Con- 
 gress, to be held in May next, and the testimonies of the 
 honourable Delegates from South- Carolina, we hope will 
 be satisfactory. 
 
 " Immediately upon our being honoured with an answer 
 to the representation of our case transmitted to the honour- 
 
 able Congress which sat at Philadelphia last year, with a 
 copy of the Association there entered into, we had a meet- 
 ing, and our proceedings then and since that time will in 
 brief appear, from the following abstracts of an Address 
 from this Parish to the Committee of Correspondence in 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, which are as follow : 
 
 " St. John's, February 9, 1775. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Herewith will be communicated to you 
 the several steps taken by this Parish in their endeavours 
 to conform, as near as possible, to the resolutions entered 
 into by the other Colonies, and the particular measures now 
 adopted for carrying into execution the Continental Asso- 
 ciation, which we embraced the earliest opportunity of 
 acceding to, by subscribing it, on condition that trade and 
 commerce with the other Colonies be continued to us the 
 subscribers : and thereupon should have immediately sent 
 to you for your approbation and indulgence, but were de- 
 layed by a summons to attend a Provincial Congress in 
 Savannah, on the eighteenth of January last, for the pur- 
 pose, as we understood, of a general association with the 
 other Colonies, and choosing Delegates ; at which time and 
 place we attended, and acquainted the other Parishes, 
 assembled on that occasion, that we had already acceded 
 to the General Association, on condition as above men- 
 tioned, and earnestly requested them to do the same. 
 Had they acceded fully to the General Association, we 
 should have had no occasion to trouble you with this ad- 
 dress; but as they did not, we now apply to you to admit 
 us, the subscribers, to an alliance with you, requesting that 
 you will allow trade and commerce to be continued to us, 
 the same to be conducted under such regulations and re- 
 strictions as shall be consistent with the Continental Asso- 
 ciation, and which, on our part, we engage with all possible 
 care to keep inviolate. As we of this Parish are a body 
 detached from the rest (*. e. of this Province) by our reso- 
 lutions, and sufficiently distinct by local situation, large 
 enough for particular notice, adjoining a particular port, 
 and in that respect capable of conforming to the General 
 Association, if connected with you, with the same fidelity 
 as a distant Parish of your own Province, we must be con- 
 sidered as comprehended within the spirit and equitable 
 meaning of the Continental Association, and hope you will 
 not condemn the innocent with the guilty, especially when 
 a due separation is made between them. 
 
 " Give us leave to add only, that we wait your answer, 
 shall be glad of your advice, and are, with esteem, Gentle- 
 men, yours, Sic." 
 
 "To which we received the following answer: 
 
 "Gentlemen: Your letter, accompanying sundry pa- 
 pers, having been laid before a very full Committee of this 
 Colony, and undergone the most mature deliberation, I am, 
 by their desire, to acquaint you that they have the highest 
 sense of your arduous struggles in favour of the common 
 cause of America, and most sincerely lament your present 
 unhappy situation, but would recommend a continuance of 
 your laudable exertions, and the laying a state of your case 
 before the ensuing Continental Congress, as the only means 
 of obtaining relief, and to put you in the situation you wish, 
 w hich this Committee apprehend to be entirely out of their 
 power to do, as it is their opinion that the Parish of iSf, 
 John, being a part of the Colony of Georgia, which (by 
 not acceding to, has violated the Continental Association) 
 falls under the fourteenth Article of the said Associa- 
 tion, no part of which any Committee can presume to do 
 away, &ic." 
 
 " Upon the receipt of this answer, it was seriously con- 
 sidered in what manner to conduct in the present situation, 
 and proposed whether we should immediately break off all 
 connexion and commerce with Savannah, and all other in- 
 habitants of this Province, who have not fully acceded to 
 the Continental Association. 
 
 " It was considered, that as we were denied commerce 
 with any other Colony, and but one merchant among us 
 considerable for dry goods had signed our Association, and 
 he insufficient for a present supply, and we utterly unable 
 at present to procure materials or manufactures for clothing 
 among ourselves, we must, by such a resolution, become 
 extremely miserable ; it was therefore concluded, that till 
 we could obtain trade and commerce with some other 
 Colony, it is absolutely necessary to continue it in some 
 
1831 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 16, 1775. 
 
 1832 
 
 respects with our own, and determined that it be carried 
 on under the following regulations : 
 
 "1. That none of us shall, directly or indirectly, purchase 
 any slave imported at Savannah, (large numbers of which 
 we understand are there expected,) till the sense of the 
 Congress shall be made known to us. 
 
 "2. That we will not trade at all with any merchant at 
 Savannah, or elsewhere, that will not join in our associating 
 agreement, otherwise than under the inspection of a Com- 
 mittee, for that purpose appointed, and for such things only 
 as they shall judge necessary, and when they shall think 
 there are necessary reasons for so doing. 
 
 " A Committee was then nominated and appointed to 
 sit weekly on Thursdays, for the purposes aforesaid. 
 
 " It was then resolved, that a Delegate be sent from this 
 Parish to the Congress, to be held at Philadelphia in May 
 next, and that Tuesday, the twenty-first of March, be ap- 
 pointed for choosing one. 
 
 "On the said twenty-first of March, at a full meeting, 
 Lyman Hall, Esq., was unanimously chosen to represent 
 and act for the inhabitants of this Parish as a Delegate at 
 the General Congress, to be held in Philadelphia in May 
 next, who are determined faithfully to adhere to, and abide 
 by the determination of him and the other honourable mem- 
 bers of the same. 
 
 " Signed by order of the Inhabitants, by Daniel Roberts 
 and twenty others, members of the Committee." 
 
 " Midway, St. John's Parish, 
 
 In the Province of Geoigia, April 13, A. D. 1775." 
 
 A Petition from the County of Frederick, in Virginia, 
 addressed to the Congress, was presented and read. 
 
 Agreed, That it be referred to the Committee of the 
 Whole, which is to sit on Monday. 
 
 Monday, May 15, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. Wisner, Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Clinton, Mr. L. Morris, 
 and Mr. R. R. Livingston, from New-York; Mr. James 
 Wilson, from Pennsylvania, Mr. R. Goldshorough, from 
 Maryland, appeared, and took their places as Members of 
 the Congress. Upon motion, 
 
 Agreed, That the Secretary be allowed to employ Timo- 
 thy Matlack as a Clerk, he having first taken an oath or 
 affirmation to keep secret the transactions of the Congress 
 that may be entrusted to him, or may come to his know- 
 ledg. 
 
 The President informed the Congress that he had put 
 into his hands this morning a Letter from Robert and John 
 Murray, containing a number of papers, which he was de- 
 sired to lay before the Congress ; the purport of them he 
 did not know, as he had not had an opportunity of reading 
 them. 
 
 Ordered, That the President look them over before they 
 are laid before the Congress. 
 
 The Order of the Day was then read. After some debate, 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of the Day be postponed. 
 
 Resolved nemine contradicente, That the Congress will, 
 to-morrow, resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, 
 to take into consideration the state of America. 
 
 The City and County of New-York having, through the 
 Delegates of that Colony, applied to Congress for advice 
 how to conduct themselves with regard to the Troops ex- 
 pected there, the Congress took the matter into their con- 
 sideration. During their deliberations, it became necessary 
 to take the opinion of the Congress by Colonies ; upon 
 which a question arose, whether the Delegate from the 
 Parish of St. John's, in the Colony of Georgia, could be 
 admitted to vote. After some debate on this question, the 
 Delegate from that Parish arose, and after observing that 
 the present distressful situation of American affairs had in- 
 duced a necessity of this Congress, which was composed 
 of Delegates representing whole Colonies ; that as he did 
 not represent a Colony, but only a part, he did not insist 
 on giving a vote as a Colony, but was contented to hear 
 and assist in the debates, and to give his vote in all cases, 
 except when the sentiments of the Congress were taken 
 by Colonies. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 matter first under debate. During the debate, Sam'l Ward, 
 
 Esq., one of the Delegates from Rhode-Island, appeared, 
 and produced his Credentials, which being read, were ap- 
 proved, and are as follow : 
 
 "By the Honourable the General Assembly of the English 
 Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Planta- 
 tions, in New-England, in America. 
 "To the Honourable Stephen Hopkins, Esq., and th« 
 Honourable Samuel Ward, Esq., Greeting: 
 " Whereas, the General Assembly of the Colony afore- 
 said, have nominated and appointed you, the said Stephen 
 Hopkins and Samuel Ward, to represent the people of this 
 Colony in a General Congress of Representatives, from 
 this and the other Colonies, to be holden in the City of 
 Philadelphia on the tenth May instant : You are there- 
 fore hereby authorized to repair to the said City of Phila- 
 delphia, and there, in behalf of this Colony, to meet and 
 join with the Commissioners or Delegates from the other 
 Colonies, in consulting upon proper measures to obtain a 
 repeal of the several Acts of the British Parliament, for 
 levying taxes upon His Majesty's subjects in America with- 
 out their consent, and, upon proper measures, to establish 
 the rights and liberties of the Colonies upon a just and 
 solid foundation, agreeable to the instructions given you by 
 the General Assembly. 
 
 " By virtue of an Act of the General Assembly, I, Henry 
 Ward, Esq., Secretary of the said Colony, have hereunto set 
 my hand and affixed the seal of the said Colony, this seventh 
 day of May, A. D. 1775, and in the fifteenth year of the 
 reign of his most sacred Majesty George the Third, by the 
 grace of God King of Great Britain, &tc. 
 
 " Henry Ward." 
 
 The matter under consideration being resumed, the 
 Congress 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended, for the present, to 
 the inhabitants of New- York, that if the Troops, which are 
 expected, should arrive, the said Colony act on the defen- 
 sive, so long as may be consistent with their safety and 
 security; that the Troops be permitted to remain in the 
 Barracks so long as they behave peaceably and quietly, but 
 that they be not suffered to erect fortifications, or take any 
 steps for cutting off the communication between the town 
 and country, and that if they commit hostilities, or invade 
 private property, the inhabitants should defend themselves 
 and their property, and repel force by force ; that the war- 
 like stores be removed from the town ; that places of re- 
 treat, in case of necessity, be provided for the women and 
 children of New- York ; and that a sufficient number of 
 men be embodied, and kept in constant readiness, for pro- 
 tecting the inhabitants from insult and injury. 
 
 Two Memorials, one from Samuel Shoemaker, the other 
 from James and Drinker, merchants of this City, respect- 
 ing some cargoes purchased by them, and intended for 
 Newfoundland, but which are stopped by the Committee 
 of this City, were laid before the Congress and read, and 
 ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to consider 
 what Posts are necessary to be occupied in the Colony of 
 New- York, and by what number of Troops it will be neces- 
 sary they should be guarded. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Washington, Mr. 
 Lynch, Mr. S. Adams, and the Delegates from New- 
 York, be the Committee for the above service, and that 
 they be desired to report as speedily as possible. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned to nine o'clock to-morrow. 
 
 Tuesday, May 16, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 A Memorial from Robert and John Murray, of New- 
 York, was laid before the Congress, and read. 
 Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress re- 
 solved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the state of America. After some time spent 
 therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Tilgh- 
 man reported from the Committee, that they had taken 
 
1833 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 23, 1775. 
 
 1834 
 
 the matter referred to them into their consideration, and 
 debated upon it ; but not having come to any resolution, 
 desired him to move for leave to sit again ; whereupon, 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at twelve o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, May 17, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment; and the 
 Order of the Day, upon motion, being postponed till to- 
 morrow, 
 
 Resolved unanimously, That all exportations to Que- 
 beck, Nova-Scotia, the Island of St. John's. Newfound- 
 land, Georgia, except the Parish of St. John's, and to 
 East and West-Florida, immediately cease, and that no 
 Provision of any kind, or other necessaries, be furnished 
 to the British Fisheries on the American Coasts, until it 
 be otherwise determined by the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That this be published immediately. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, May 18, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Hon. Stephen Hopkins, from Rhode-Island, and 
 Patrick Henry, Esqrs., from Virginia, attended and took 
 their seats in Congress. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the Rules of Conduct, to be observed 
 in debating and determining questions, laid down by the 
 last Congress, be adopted and observed by the present 
 Congress. 
 
 The President laid before the Congress some important 
 intelligence he received last night, by express, from New- 
 York, relative to the surprising and taking of Ticonderoga 
 by a detachment from Massachusetts-Bay and Connecticut. 
 which was read. 
 
 Upon motion, Agreed, That Mr. Brown, who brought 
 the express, be called in to give an account of the dispo- 
 sition of the Canadians, the taking of Ticonderoga, and 
 the importance of that Post ; whereupon, he was called 
 in, and having given the necessary information, he with- 
 drew. The Congress taking the matter into consideration, 
 came to the following Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, Whereas, there is indubitable evidence that a 
 design is formed by the British Ministry of making a cruel 
 invasion from the Province of Quebeck upon these Colo- 
 nies, for the purpose of destroying our lives and liberties, 
 and some steps have actually been taken to carry the said 
 design into execution : and whereas, several inhabitants of 
 the Northern Colonies, residing in the vicinity of Ticonde- 
 roga, and immediately exposed to incursions, impelled by 
 a just regard for the defence and preservation of themselves 
 and their Countrymen from such imminent dangers and 
 calamities, have taken possession of that post, in which 
 was lodged a quantity of Cannon and Military Stores that 
 would certainly have been used in the intended invasion 
 of these Colonies; this Congress earnestly recommend it to 
 the Committees of the Cities and Counties of New-York 
 and Albany, immediately to cause the said Cannon and 
 Stores to be removed from Ticonderoga to the south end 
 of Lake George ; and, if necessary, to apply to the Colo- 
 nies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, and Connec- 
 ticut, for such an additional body of forces as will be suffi- 
 cient to establish a strong post at that place, and effectually 
 to secure the said Cannon and Stores, or so many of them 
 as it may be judged proper to keep there ; and that an 
 exact inventory be taken of all such Cannon and Stores, 
 in order that they may be safely returned, when the resto- 
 ration of the former harmony between Great Britain and 
 these Colonies, so ardently wished for by the latter, shall 
 render it prudent and consistent with the overruling law of 
 self-preservation. 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, May 19, 1775.* 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider what Posts are 
 necessary to be occupied in the Colony of New-York, and 
 by what number of Troops it will be proper they should 
 be guarded, brought in their Report; which, being read, 
 was referred to the Committee of the Whole. 
 
 The Congress then, agreeable to the Order of yester- 
 day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to 
 take into consideration the state of America. After some 
 time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and 
 Mr. Ward, from the Committee, reported, that they had 
 takeji the matter into consideration, but not having come 
 to any resolution, they had desired him to move for leave 
 to sit again to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned til) to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, May 20, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agree- 
 able to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the 
 state of America ; and after some time spent therein, the 
 President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward, from the 
 Committee, reported, that they had taken the matter into 
 consideration, but not having come to any resolution, de- 
 sired him to move for leave to sit again on Monday next. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, 
 again resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take 
 into consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, May 22, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agree- 
 able to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole, to take into consideration the 
 state of America ; and after some time spent therein, the 
 President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward, from the 
 Committee, reported, that they had proceeded in the busi- 
 ness, but not having completed it, desired him to move for 
 leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, May 23, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agree- 
 able to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Com- 
 mittee of the Whole, to take into their farther consideration 
 the state of America ; and after some time spent therein, 
 the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported 
 
 •Philadelphia, Mat 19, 1775. — The following Gentlemen, Delegates 
 to the Honourable the Continental Congress, are novo in this City, 
 viz : 
 
 For New -Hampshire. — John Sullivan, John Langdon, Esquires. 
 
 For Massachusetts-Bay. — Hon. John Hancock, Hon. Thomas Cush- 
 ing, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Robert Treat Paine, Esquires. 
 
 For Rhode-Island. — Hon. Stephen Hopkins, Hon. Samuel Ward, 
 Esquires. 
 
 For Connecticut. — Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, Hon. Roger Sherman, Silas 
 Deane, Esquires. 
 
 For New-York. — Philip Livingston, James Duane, John Alsop, John 
 Jay, Simon Boerum, William Floyd, Henry Wisner, Philip Schuyler, 
 George Clinton, Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, Robert R. Livingston, 
 Jun., Esquires. 
 
 For New-Jersey.— James Kinsey, Stephen Crane, William Living, 
 ston, John De Hart, Richard Smith, Esquires. 
 
 For Pennsylvania. — John Dickinson, Thomas Mifflin, Charles Hum. 
 phreys, Hon. John Morton, George Ross, Benjamin Franklin, Hon. 
 Thomas Willing, James Wilson, Esquires. 
 
 For New-Castle, &c. — Hon. Caesar Rodney, Thomas McKean, 
 George Read, Esquires. 
 
 For Maryland. — Hon. Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Robert 
 Goldsborough, William Paca, Samuel Chase, John Hall, Thomas 
 Stone, Esquires. 
 
 For Virginia. — Hon. Peyton Randolph, George Washington, Rich, 
 ard Henry Lee, Edmund Pendleton, Benjamin Harrison, Richard 
 Bland, Patrick Henry, Esquires. 
 
 For North-Carolina. — William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, Richard Cas. 
 well, Esquires. 
 
 For South-Carolina. — Hon. Henry Middleton, Thomas Lynch, 
 Christopher Gadsden, John Rutledge, Edward Rutledge, Esquires. 
 For the Parish of St. John's, in Georgia. — Mr. Lyman Hall. 
 
1S35 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 26, 1775. 
 
 1836 
 
 from the Committee, that they had proceeded in the busi- 
 ness, but not having completed it, desired him to move for 
 leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will again resolve itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole, to take into further consi- 
 deration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, May 24, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, but the 
 Hon. Peyton Randolph, President, being under a neces- 
 sity of returning home, and having set out this morning 
 early, the chair was vacant ; wherefore, 
 
 On motion, the Hon. John Hancock was unanimously 
 chosen President. 
 
 The President having assumed the chair, the Congress, 
 agreeable to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself 
 into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their further 
 consideration the state of America ; and after some time 
 spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. 
 Hard reported from the Committee, that they had pro- 
 ceeded in the business, but not having come to a conclu- 
 sion, desired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, May 25, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agree- 
 able to the Order of the Day, again resolved itself into a 
 Committee of the Whole, to take into their farther consi- 
 deration the state of America • ; and after some time spent 
 therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward 
 reported from the Committee, that they had come to cer- 
 tain Resolutions respecting New- York, which he was 
 desired to report; but for the rest of the business referred to 
 them, the Committee desired him to move for leave to sit 
 again. The Resolutions being severally read, and agreed 
 to, are as follow, viz : 
 
 T. Resolved, That a Post be immediately taken and 
 fortified at or near King' s- Bridge, in the Colony of New- 
 York, and that the ground be chosen with a particular view 
 to prevent the communication between the City of New- 
 York and the country from being interrupted by land. 
 
 2. Resolved, That a Post be also taken in the High- 
 lands on each side of Hudson's River, and Batteries erect- 
 ed in such manner as will most effectually prevent any 
 Vessels passing that may be sent to harass the inhabitants 
 on the borders of said River; and that experienced persons 
 be immediately sent to examine said River, in order to 
 discover where it will be most advisable and proper to 
 obstruct the navigation. 
 
 3. Resolved, That the Militia of ^New-York be armed 
 and trained, and in constant readiness to act at a moment's 
 warning ; and that a number of Men be immediately em- 
 bodied, and kept in that City, and so disposed of as to give 
 protection to the inhabitants, in case any insult should be 
 offered by the Troops that may land there, and to prevent 
 any attempts that may be made to gain possession of the 
 City, and interrupt its intercourse with the country. 
 
 4. That it be left to the Provincial Congress of New- 
 York to determine the number of men sufficient to occupy 
 the several Posts above-mentioned, and also that already 
 recommended to be taken at or near Lake George, as well 
 as to guard the City, provided the whole do not exceed 
 the number of three thousand men, to be commanded by 
 such officers as shall be thereunto appointed by said Pro- 
 vincial Congress, and to be governed by such rules and 
 regulations as shall be established by said Congress, until 
 farther order is taken by this Congress; provided also, that 
 if the said Provincial Congress should be of opinion that 
 the number proposed will not be sufficient for the several 
 services above recommended, that the said Congress report 
 their sentiments upon this subject to this Congress, as soon 
 as may be. 
 
 5. That it be recommended to the said Provincial Con- 
 gress, that in raising those Forces, they allow no Bounties 
 or Clothing, and that their Pay shall not exceed the estab- 
 lishment of the New-England Colonies. 
 
 6. That it be further recommended to the Provincial 
 Congress aforesaid, that the Troops be enlisted to serve 
 until the last day of December next, unless this Congress 
 shall direct that they be sooner disbanded. 
 
 A motion being made for an addition to the foregoing 
 Resolutions, after some debate, the same was referred till 
 to-morrow, to which time the Congress adjourned, 
 
 Friday, May 26, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. A Dele- 
 gate from New-Jersey laid before them a Minute from the 
 Journals of the Assembly of that Province, together with 
 a Resolution of the Commons of Great Britain; which 
 were read, and are as follow, viz : 
 
 "New-Jersey House of Assembly, May 20, 1775. 
 
 "His Excellency having laid before the House a copy 
 of the Resolution of the honourable House of Commons 
 of Great Britain, of the twentieth of February, 1775, 
 containing a Plan formed for the accommodation of the 
 unhappy differences between our Parent State and the 
 Colonies ; which plan, under the present circumstances, 
 this House could not comply with and adopt, and yet this 
 House being desirous of making use of all proper means 
 to effect a reconciliation, do recommend it to their Dele- 
 gates to lay the same plan before the Continental Con- 
 gress, for their consideration. 
 
 " A true copy from the Journals : 
 
 " Richard Smith, Clerk of Assembly." 
 
 Copy of a Resolution of the House of Commons, Febru- 
 ary 20, 1775. 
 " Resolved, That when the Governour, Council, and 
 Assembly, or General Court, of any of His Majesty's 
 Provinces or Colonies in America, shall propose to make 
 provision, according to the condition, circumstances, and 
 situations of such Province or Colony, for contributing 
 their proportion for the common defence, (such proportion 
 to be raised under the authority of the General Court, or 
 General Assembly of such Province or Colony, and dis- 
 posable by Parliament,) and shall engage to make provi- 
 sion also for the support of the Civil Government, and the 
 administration of justice in such Province or Colony, it 
 will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved by His 
 Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament, and for so long 
 as such provision shall be made accordingly, to forbear, in 
 respect of such Province or Colony, to levy any duty, 
 tax, or assessment, or to impose any further duty, tax, or 
 assessment, except only such duties as it may be expedient 
 to continue to levy, or to impose, for the regulation of 
 Commerce, the nett produce of the duties last mentioned 
 to be carried to the account of such Province or Colony, 
 respectively." 
 
 Ordered, That the above be referred to the Committee 
 for taking into consideration the state of America. 
 
 The Congress resuming the consideration of the addition 
 proposed yesterday, resolved that the following addition be 
 made : 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Congress 
 aforesaid, to persevere the more vigorously in preparing 
 for their defence, as it is very uncertain whether the earn- 
 est endeavours of the Congress to accommodate the 
 unhappy differences between Great Britain and the Colo- 
 nies by conciliatory measures, will be successful. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolves, respecting New- 
 York, be transmitted by the President in a Letter to the 
 Provincial Congress of New- York, and that it be particu- 
 larly recommended to said Congress by the President, not 
 to publish the foregoing Resolves, but to keep them as 
 secret as the nature of the case requires. 
 
 Upon motion, Agreed, That Mr. Jay, Mr. S. Adams, 
 and Mr. Deane, be a Committee to prepare and bring in a 
 Letter to the People of Canada. 
 
 The Congress then resolved themselves into a Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of 
 America. After some time spent therein, the President 
 resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Com- 
 mittee, that they had come to some Resolutions respecting 
 the state of America, which he was desired to report, but 
 not having finished the business referred to them, they de- 
 sired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
1S37 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 29, 1775. 
 
 1838 
 
 The Report from the Committee being read, the Con- 
 gress came into the follow Resolutions : 
 
 L Unanimously Resolved, That His Majesty's most faith- 
 ful subjects in these Colonies, are reduced to a dangerous 
 and critical situation, by the attempts of the British Minis- 
 try to carry into execution by force of arms, several uncon- 
 stitutional and oppressive Acts of the British Parliament 
 for laying Taxes in America; to enforce the collection of 
 those Taxes, and for altering and changing the Constitution 
 and Internal Police of some of these Colonies, in violation 
 of the natural and civil rights of the Colonists. 
 
 2. Unanimously, Hostilities being actually commenced 
 in the Massachusetts-Bay, by the British Troops under 
 the command of General Gage, and the lives of a number 
 of the inhabitants of that Colony destroyed, the Town 
 of Boston having not only been long occupied as a gar- 
 risoned Town in an enemy's country, but the inhabitants 
 thereof treated with a severity and cruelty not to be justified 
 even towards declared enemies ; large re-enforcements, too, 
 being ordered, and soon expected, for the declaied purpose 
 of compelling these Colonies to submit to the operation of 
 the said Acts ; therefore, Resolved, That for the purpose 
 of securing and defending these Colonies, and preserving 
 them in safety against all attempts to carry the said Acts 
 into execution, by force of arms, these Colonies be imme- 
 diately put into a state of defence. 
 
 3. Unanimously, But, as we most aidently wish for a 
 restoration of the harmony formerly subsisting between our 
 Mother Country and these Colonies, the interruption of 
 which must, at all events, be exceedingly injurious to both 
 Countries, Resolved, That with a sincere design of con- 
 tributing by all the means in our power, not incompatible 
 with a just regard for the undoubted rights and true interests 
 of these Colonies, to the promotion of this most desirable 
 reconciliation, an humble and dutiful Petition be presented 
 to His Majesty. 
 
 4. Resolved, That measures be entered into for opening 
 a negotiation, in order to accommodate the unhappy dis- 
 putes subsisting between Great Britain and these Colonies, 
 and that this be made a part of the Petition to the King. 
 
 The Congress agree that the Resolutions respecting 
 ^civ-York be entered unanimously, and inserted after the 
 above. 
 
 The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of 
 the Whole, to take into their further consideration the state 
 of America ; and after some time spent therein, the Presi- 
 dent resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the 
 Committee, that they had proceeded farther in the business, 
 but not having come to a conclusion, desired him to move 
 for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, May 27, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President laid before the Congress a Letter from 
 the Convention of Neiv- Jersey, which was read, and refer- 
 red to the Committee of the YVhole. 
 
 Information being given, that there is a gentleman in 
 Town who could give the Congress a full and just account 
 of the state of affairs in Canada, 
 
 Ordered, That he be introduced ; and he was accordingly 
 introduced. After he withdrew, the Congress, agreeable to 
 the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Committee of 
 the Whole, and after some time spent therein, 
 
 The Committee appointed to draught a Letter to the 
 Inhabitants of Canada, informed the Committee that they 
 had performed that service, and as there was an opportu- 
 nity of sending it by a safe conveyance in a few days, they 
 desired to have an opportunity of reporting the Letter; 
 whereupon the President resumed the chair, and the Com- 
 mittee reported their Letter, which was read. After some 
 debate, recommitted. 
 
 Upon motion, Agreed, That Mr. Washington, Mr. Schvy- 
 ler, Mr. Mifflin, Mr. Deane, Mr. Morris and Mr. S. Adams, 
 be a Committee to consider on ways and means to supply 
 these Colonies with Ammunition and Military Stores, and 
 to report immediately. 
 
 Upon motion, The Memorial of Robert Murray and 
 John Murray, " desiring to be restored to their former 
 situation with respect to their commercial privileges," was 
 taken into consideration, and after some time spent therein, 
 
 Resolved, That where any person hath been or shall be 
 adjudged by a Committee to have violated the Continen- 
 tal Association, and such offender shall satisfy the Conven- 
 tion of the Colony, where the offence was or shall be 
 committed, or the Committee of the Parish of St. John's, 
 in the Colony of Georgia, if the offence be committed 
 there, of his contrition for his offence, and sincere resolu- 
 tion to conform to the Association for the future, the said 
 Convention, or Committee of the Parish of St. John's 
 aforesaid, may settle the terms upon which he may be re- 
 stored to the favour and forgiveness of the publick, and 
 that the terms be published. 
 
 Ordered, That this be made publick. 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of the Day be postponed till 
 Monday. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, Mny 29, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee to whom the Letter to the Inhabitants 
 of Canada was recommitted, brought in a draught, which 
 was read, and approved, and is as follows : 
 
 " To the Oppressed Inhabitants of Canada. 
 
 "Friends and Countrymen: Alarmed by the designs 
 of an arbitrary Ministry to extirpate the rights and liber- 
 ties of all America, a sense of common danger conspired with 
 the dictates of humanity in urging its to call your atten- 
 tion, by our late address, to this very important object. 
 
 V Since the conclusion of the late war, we have been 
 happy in considering you as fellow-subjects; and from the 
 commencement of the present plan for subjugating the 
 Continent, we have viewed you as fellow-suffeiers w ith us. 
 As we were both entitled by the bounty of an indulgent 
 Creator to freedom, and being both devoted by the cruel 
 edicts of a despotick Administration, to common ruin, we 
 perceived the fate of the Protestant and Catholick Colo- 
 nies to be strongly linked together, and therefore invited 
 you to join with us in resolving to be free, and in rejecting, 
 with disdain, the fetters of slavery, however artfully polished. 
 
 " We most sincerely condole with you on the arrival of 
 that day, in the course of which the sun could not shine 
 on a single freeman in all your extensive dominion. Be 
 assured, that your unmerited degradation has engaged the 
 most unfeigned pity of your sister Colonies; and we flat- 
 ter ourselves you will not, by tamely bearing the yoke, 
 suffer that pity to be supplanted by contempt. 
 
 "When hardy attempts are made to deprive men of rights 
 bestowed by the Almighty, when avenues are cut through 
 the most solemn compacts for the admission of despotism, 
 when the plighted faith of Government ceases to give se- 
 curity to dutiful subjects, and when the insidious stratagems 
 and manoeuvres of peace become more terrible than the 
 sanguinary operations of war, it is high time for them to 
 assert those rights, and, with honest indignation, oppose the 
 torrent of oppression rushing in upon them. 
 
 " By the introduction of your present form of Govern- 
 ment, or rather present form of tyranny, you and your 
 wives and your children are made slaves. You have 
 nothing that you can call your own, and all the fruits of your 
 labour and industry may be taken from you whenever an 
 avaricious Governour and a rapacious Council may incline 
 to demand them. You are liable by their edicts to be 
 transported into foreign Countries to fight battles in which 
 you have no interest, and to spill your blood in conflicts 
 from which neither honour nor emolument can be derived : 
 nay, the enjoyment of your very religion, on the present 
 system, depends on a Legislature in which you have no 
 share, and over which you have no control, and your 
 priests are exposed to expulsion, banishment, and ruin, 
 whenever their wealth and possessions furnish sufficient 
 temptation. They cannot be sure that a virtuous Prince 
 will always fill the throne ; and should a wicked or careless 
 King concur with a wicked Ministry in extracting the trea- 
 sure and strength of your Country, it is impossible to con- 
 ceive to what variety and to what extremes of wretchedness 
 you may, under the present establishment, be reduced. 
 
1839 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, MAY 31, 1775. 
 
 1840 
 
 " We are informed you have already been called upon 
 to waste your lives in a contest with us. Should you, by 
 complying in this instance, assent to your new establish- 
 ment, and a war break out with France, your wealth and 
 your sons may be sent to perish in expeditions against their 
 Islands in the West-Indies. 
 
 " It cannot be presumed that these considerations will have 
 no weight with you, or that you are so lost to all sense of 
 honour. We can never believe that the present race of 
 Canadians are so degenerated as to possess neither the 
 spirit, the gallantry, nor the courage of their ancestors. 
 You certainly will not permit the infamy and disgrace of 
 such pusillanimity to rest on your own heads, and the con- 
 sequences of it on your children forever. 
 
 V We, for our parts, are determined to live free, or not at 
 all; and are resolved, that posterity shall never reproach 
 us with having brought slaves into the world. 
 
 " Permit us again to repeat that we are your friends, not 
 your enemies, and be not imposed upon by those who may 
 endeavour to create animosities. The taking of the fort 
 and military stores at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and 
 the armed vessels on the lake, was dictated by the great 
 law of self-preservation. They were intended to annoy 
 us, and to cut off that friendly intercourse and commu- 
 nication, which has hitherto subsisted between you and 
 us. We hope it has given you no uneasiness, and you may 
 rely on our assurances, that these Colonies will pursue no 
 measures whatever, but such as friendship and a regard for 
 our mutual safety and interest may suggest. 
 
 " As our concern for your welfare entitles us to your 
 friendship, we presume you will not, by doing us injury, 
 reduce us to the disagreeable necessity of treating you as 
 enemies. 
 
 " We yet entertain hopes of your uniting with us in 
 the defence of our common liberty, and there is yet reason 
 to believe, that should we join in imploring the attention of 
 our Sovereign, to the unmerited and unparalleled oppres- 
 sions of his American subjects, he will at length be unde- 
 ceived, and forbid a licentious Ministry any longer to riot 
 in the ruins of the rights of mankind." 
 
 Ordered, That the above Letter be signed by the Pre- 
 sident. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Mifflin be a 
 Committee to get the Letter translated into the French 
 language, and to have one thousand copies of it, so trans- 
 lated, printed, in order to be sent to Canada, and dispersed 
 among the inhabitants there. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That no Provisions or neces- 
 saries of any kind be exported to the Island of Nantucket, 
 except from the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay, the Con- 
 vention of which Colony is desired to take measures for 
 effectually providing the said Island, upon their application 
 to purchase the same, with as much Provision, as shall be 
 necessary for its internal use, and no more. 
 
 The Congress deeming it of great importance to North- 
 America that the British Fishery should not be furnished 
 with Provisions from the Continent through Nantucket, 
 earnestly recommend a vigilant execution of this Resolve 
 to all Committees. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolve be immediately pub- 
 lished. 
 
 As the present critical situation of the Colonies renders 
 it highly necessary that ways and means should be devised 
 for the speedy and secure conveyance of intelligence from 
 one end of the Continent to the other, 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Franklin, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, 
 Mr. Willing, Mr. Adams, and Mr. P. Livingston, be 
 a Committee to consider the best means of establishing 
 Post for conveying Letters and Intelligence through this 
 Continent. 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of the Day be postponed till 
 to-morrow. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, May 30, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A member, Mr. Willing, one of the Delegates for Penn- 
 sylvania, informed the Congress, that a gentleman, just arri- 
 ved from London, had brought with him a paper, which he 
 
 says he received from Lord North, and which was written, 
 at the desire of his Lordship, by Mr. Grey Cooper, Under 
 Secretary of the Treasury ; and as the gentleman understood 
 it to be his Lordship's desire that it should be communicated 
 to the Congress, he had for that purpose put it into his 
 hands. The member farther observed, that he had shewn 
 the paper to a member, Doctor Franklin, who was well 
 acquainted with the hand-writing of Mr. Cooper, and that 
 he verily believes the paper brought by the gentleman 
 was written by Mr. Cooper. 
 
 The Paper being read, is as follows : 
 
 " That it is earnestly hoped by all the real friends of the 
 Americans, that the terms expressed in the Resolution of 
 the 20th of February last, will be accepted by all the Colo- 
 nies, who have the least affection for their King and Coun- 
 try, or a just sense of their own interest. 
 
 " That these terms are honourable for Great Britain, 
 and safe for the Colonies. 
 
 "That if the Colonies are not blinded by faction, these 
 terms will remove every grievance relative to taxation, and 
 be the basis of a compact between the Colonies and the 
 Mother Country. 
 
 "That the people in America ought, on every consi- 
 deration, to be satisfied with them. 
 
 " That no further relaxation can be admitted. 
 
 " The temper and spirit of the Nation are so much 
 against concessions, that if it were the intention of Admin 
 istration, they could not carry the question. 
 
 " But Administration have no such intention, as they are 
 fully and firmly persuaded that further concessions would 
 be injurious to the Colonies as well as to Great Britain. 
 
 " That there is not the least probability of a change of 
 Administration. 
 
 " That they are perfectly united in opinion, and deter- 
 mined to pursue the most effectual measures, and to use the 
 whole force of the Kingdom, if it be found necessary, to re- 
 duce the rebellious and refractory Provinces and Colonies. 
 
 " There is so great a spirit in the Nation against the 
 Congress, that the people will bear the temporary distresses 
 of a stoppage of the American trade. 
 
 " They may depend on this to be true." 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress then 
 resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take 
 under their farther consideration the state of America; and 
 after some time spent therein, the President resumed the 
 chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that 
 they had proceeded farther in the consideration of the busi- 
 ness referred to them, but not having yet come to a con- 
 clusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, May 31, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and, agree- 
 able to the Order of the Day, resolved itself into a Com 
 inittee of the Whole, to take into their farther consideration 
 the state of America. After some time the President re- 
 sumed the chair, and the papers received being read, and 
 referred to the consideration of the Committee of the 
 Whole, the Committee sat again, and after some time the 
 President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from 
 the Committee, that they have proceeded farther in the 
 business recommended to them, but not yet having finish- 
 ed, they have desired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 A Letter from Colonel Arnold, dated Crown Point, 
 May 23, 1775, was laid before the Congress, informing 
 that he had certain intelligence, that " on the 19th there 
 were then four hundred Regulars at St. John's, making all 
 possible preparations to cross the lake, and expected to be 
 joined by a number of Indians, with a design of retaking 
 Crown Point and Ticonderoga," and earnestly calling for 
 a re-enforcement and supplies. 
 
 This Letter being taken into consideration, 
 
 Resolved, That the Governour of Connecticut be re- 
 quested immediately to send a strong re-enforcement to the 
 
1841 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 2, 1775. 
 
 1842 
 
 garrisons of Crown Point and Ticonderoga ; and that so 
 many of the Cannon and other Stores be retained as may 
 be necessary for the immediate defence of those posts, 
 until further order from this Congress; and that the Pro- 
 vincial Convention of New- York be informed of this Re- 
 solve, and desired to furnish those Troops with Provisions 
 and other necessary stores, and to take effectual care that 
 a sufficient number of Batteaus be immediately provided 
 for the lakes. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolve be immediately trans- 
 mitted in a Letter by the President, to Governour Trumbull 
 and the Convention at New-Yurk. 
 
 Ordered, That the President in his Letter acquaint Gov- 
 ernour Trumbull, that it is the desire of Congress that he 
 should appoint a person in whom he can confide to com- 
 mand the Forces at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. 
 
 Adjourned till to morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 1, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider Ways and Means 
 to supply these Colonies with Ammunition and Military 
 Stores, brought in their Report ; which was read, and re- 
 ferred to the Committee of the Whole. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That it be recommended to the 
 Government of Connecticut, or the General of the Forces 
 of that Colony, to appoint Commissaries to receive at 
 Albany and forward the supplies of Provisions for the 
 Forces on Lake Champlain from the Provincial Conven- 
 tion of Neic- York ; and that the said Convention use their 
 utmost endeavours in facilitating and aiding the transporta- 
 tion thereof from thence to where the said Commissaries 
 may direct. 
 
 As this Congress has nothing more in view than the de- 
 fence of these Colonies, 
 
 Resolved, That no expedition or incursion ought to be 
 undertaken or made by any Colony, or body of Colonists, 
 against or into Canada; and that this Resolve be imme- 
 diately transmitted to the Commander of the Forces at 
 Ticonderoga. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolve be translated into the 
 French language, and transmitted, with the Letter, to the 
 inhabitants of Canada ; also, 
 
 Ordered, That the President transmit a copy of the 
 above to New-York, and the other Colonies bordering on 
 Canada. 
 
 A Petition from the Committee representing the people 
 in that part of Augusta County, in the Colony of Virginia, 
 on the west side of the Alleghany Mountain, was laid be- 
 fore the Congress, and read, intimating " fears of a rupture 
 with the Indians, on account of Lord Dunmore's conduct," 
 and desiring " Commissioners from the Colony of Virginia 
 and Province of Pennsylvania, to attend a meeting of the 
 Indians at Pittsburgh, on behalf of these Colonies;" also, 
 a Resolve of the said Committee, in these words, namely: 
 " That the unsettled Boundary between this Colony and 
 the Province of Pennsylvania, is the occasion of many 
 disputes." 
 
 Ordered, That the above be referred to the Delegates 
 of the Colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania. 
 
 The Congress then, agreeable to the Order of the Day, 
 resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the state of America; and after some time 
 spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. 
 Ward reported from the Committee, that they had taken 
 the matters referred to them into consideration, but not 
 having yet come to a conclusion, desired him to move for 
 leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 2, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President laid before the Congress a Letter from 
 the Provincial Convention of Massachusetts ; which was 
 read, and is as follows: 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. h. 
 
 "In Provincial Congress, Watcrtown, May 16, 1775. 
 " Resolved, That Doctor Benjamin Church be ordered to 
 go immediately to Philadelphia, and deliver to the Presi- 
 dent of the honourable American Congress there now sit- 
 ting, the following application, to be by him communicated 
 to the Members thereof; and the said Church is also di- 
 rected to confer with the said Congress respecting such 
 other matters as may be necessary to the defence of this 
 Colony, and particularly the state of the Army therein." 
 
 " May it please your Honours : That system of Colo- 
 ny administration, which, in the most firm, dutiful, and loyal 
 manner, has been in vain remonstrated against by the Rep- 
 resentative body of the United Colonies, seems still, unless 
 speedily and vigorously opposed by the collected wisdom 
 and force of all America, to threaten ruin and destruction 
 to this Continent. 
 
 " For a long time past this Colony has, by a corrupt 
 Administration in Great Britain and here, been deprived 
 of the exercise of those powers of Government, without 
 which a people can be neither rich, happy, or secure. 
 The whole Continent saw the blow pending, which, if not 
 warded off, must inevitably have subverted the freedom 
 and happiness of each Colony. The principles of self- 
 defence, roused in the breasts of freemen by the dread of 
 impending slavery, caused to be collected the wisdom of 
 America in a Congress, composed of men who, through 
 time, must, in every land of freedom, be revered among 
 the most faithful asserters of the essential rights of human 
 nature. 
 
 " This Colony was then reduced to great difficulties, 
 being denied the exercise of civil Government, according 
 to our Charter, or the fundamental principles of the English 
 Constitution, and a formidable Navy and Army (not only 
 inimical to our safety, but flattered with the prospect of 
 enjoying the fruit of our industry) were stationed for that 
 purpose in our metropolis. The prospect of deciding the 
 question between our Mother Country and us, by the sword, 
 gave us the greatest pain and anxiety; but we have made 
 all the preparation for our necessary defence, that our con- 
 fused state would admit of; and as the question equally 
 affected our sister Colonies and us, we have declined, 
 though urged thereto by the most pressing necessity, to 
 assume the reins of civil Government, without their advice 
 and consent, but have hitherto borne the many difficulties 
 and distressing embarrassments necessarily resulting from 
 a want thereof. 
 
 " We are now compelled to raise an army, which, with 
 the assistance of the other Colonies, we hope, under the 
 smiles of Heaven, will be able to defend us and all Ame- 
 rica from the further butcheries and devastations of our 
 implacable enemies. But as the sword should, in all free 
 states, be subservient to the civil powers ; and as it is the 
 duty of the Magistrates to support it for the people's ne- 
 cessary defence, we tremble at having an army (although 
 consisting of our countrymen) established here, without a 
 civil power to provide for and control them. 
 
 " We are happy in having an opportunity of laying our 
 distressed state before the representative body of the Con- 
 tinent ; and humbly hope you will favour us with your most 
 explicit advice respecting the taking up and exercising the 
 powers of civil Government, which we think absolutely 
 necessary for the salvation of our Country; and we shall 
 readily submit to such a general plan as you may direct for 
 the Colonies, or make it our great study to establish such 
 a form of Government here, as shall not only most promote 
 our advantage, but the union and interest of all America. 
 
 " As the Army now collecting from different Colonies 
 is for the general defence of the rights of America, we 
 would beg leave to suggest to your consideration the pro- 
 priety of your taking the regulation and general direction 
 of it, that the operations may more effectually answer the 
 purposes designed. Jos. Warren, President p. 
 
 The above Letter referring to Doctor Church, on mo- 
 tion, Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 Agreed, That he be introduced. 
 
 After he withdrew, an express arriving from Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, the President laid before the Congress Letters 
 from the Conventions of that Colony and New-Hampshire ; 
 also, from Governour Trumbull; all which were read. 
 
 16 
 
1843 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 9, 1775. 
 
 1844 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That no Bill of Exchange, 
 Draft, or Order of any Officer in the Army or Navy, their 
 Agents or Contractors, be received or negotiated, or any 
 Money supplied to them by any person in America. 
 
 That no Provisions or necessaries of any kind be fur- 
 nished or supplied to, or for the use of, the British Army 
 or Navy, in the Colony of Massachusetts-Bay; and 
 
 That no Vessel employed in transporting British Troops 
 to America, or from one part of North America to another, 
 or warlike Stores or Provisions for said Troops, be freight- 
 ed or furnished with Provisions or any necessaries, until 
 further orders from this Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Resolves be immediately pub- 
 lished. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their far- 
 ther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, June 3, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Letter from the Provincial Convention of New-York, 
 together with sundry Letters and papers enclosed, from 
 Albany, were laid before the Congress and read. 
 
 Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of five persons be chosen 
 to take into consideration the Letter from the Convention 
 of Massachusetts- Bay , dated 16th of May, and report to 
 this Congress what in their opinion is the proper advice to 
 be given to that Convention. 
 
 The following persons were chosen by ballot, to compose 
 that Committee, viz: Mr. John Rutledge, Mr. Johnson, 
 Mr. Jay, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Lee. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed for the pur- 
 pose of borrowing the sum of Six Thousand Pounds, for the 
 use of America ; for the repayment of which, with interest, 
 the Congress will make full and ample provision : And that 
 the said Committee apply the said sum of Money to the pur- 
 chase of Gunpowder for the use of the Continental Army. 
 
 That the Delegates for Pennsylvania compose said Com- 
 mittee, with power as well to borrow the Money as to apply 
 it to the purpose intended. 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to 
 draught a Petition to the King. 
 
 That a Committee be appointed to report an Address to 
 the Inhabitants of Great Britain. 
 
 Also, a Committee to report an Address to the People 
 of Ireland. 
 
 Also, a Committee to draught a Letter to the Inhabitants 
 of Jamaica. 
 
 That the three last Committees consist each of three. 
 
 That a Committee be appointed to bring in an estimate 
 of the Money necessary to be raised. That this Commit- 
 tee consist ol five persons. 
 
 That the Committee to report a Petition to the King, 
 be Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Johnson, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. 
 Jay, and Mr. Franklin. 
 
 That the Committee to report an Address to the Inhabi- 
 tants of Great Britain, be Mr. Lee, Mr. R. R. Living- 
 ston, and Mr. Pendleton. 
 
 That Mr. Duane, Mr. Wm. Livingston, Mr. S. Adams, 
 and Mr. J. Adams, be the Committee to report an Address 
 to the People of Ireland. 
 
 That Mr. Hooper, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Lynch, be a Com- 
 mittee to draught a Letter to the Inhabitants of Jamaica. 
 
 That Mr. Washington, Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Deane, Mr. 
 Cashing, and Mr. Hewes, be a Committee to bring in an 
 estimate of the Money necessary to be raised. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their 
 farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 5, 1775. 
 
 A number of the Members met according to adjourn- 
 ment; but several of the Colonies not being represented, 
 the President adjourned the Congress till to-morrow at nine 
 
 o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, June 6, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment ; but the 
 several Committees not being ready to report, adjourned 
 till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 7, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to make an estimate of the 
 Money necessary to be raised, brought in a Report, which 
 was read, and referred to the Committee of the Whole. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Thursday, the 20th of July 
 next, be observed throughout the twelve United Colonies, 
 as a day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer; and that Mr. 
 Hooper, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Paine, be a Committee 
 to bring in a Resolve for that purpose. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare advice in answer 
 to the Letter from the Convention of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 dated 16th of May, &ic, brought in their Report, which was 
 read, and ordered to lie on the table. 
 
 The Congress, agreeable to the Order of the Day, resolved 
 themselves into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. After some 
 time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and 
 Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that they had 
 proceeded in the business referred to them, but not having 
 come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit 
 again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve themselves into a Committee of the Whole, to take 
 into their farther consideration the state of America ; and 
 that this be a standing order till the business is completed. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 8, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress being informed that a Major Skene, with 
 some other officers, were arrived last evening in a vessel 
 from London, and were, with their papers, now in custody 
 of the Troops of this City ; that the said Major Skene 
 has lately been appointed Governour of the Forts of Ticon- 
 deroga and Crown Point; that one of the officers, a Lieu- 
 tenant, has commission in the Regular Troops in the Pro- 
 vince of Quebeck ; and moreover, that the said Skene had 
 declared he has authority to raise a regiment in America; 
 from all this, apprehending that the said Skene is a dan- 
 gerous partisan of Administration, and that his papers may 
 contain intelligence of Ministerial designs against America, 
 very important to be known, 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to examine, 
 in the presence of said Skene and the Lieutenant, all the 
 papers in their possession. 
 
 That the Committee consist of Mr. /. Adams, Mr. Deane, 
 and Mr. Mijjlin. 
 
 That the said Committee be upon honour to conceal 
 whatever of a private nature may come to their knowledge 
 by such examination ; and that they communicate to this 
 Congress whatever may relate to the present dispute be- 
 tween Great Britain and America. 
 
 The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of 
 the Whole, to take into their farther consideration the state 
 of America. After some time spent therein, the President 
 resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported from the Com- 
 mittee, that not having yet completed the business referred 
 to them, desired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of the Report of the 
 Committee, which yesterday was ordered to lie on the table, 
 be taken up as the first business to-morrow morning. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 9, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on the Letter from the 
 Convention of Massachusetts-Bay, being again read, the 
 Congress came to the following Resolution : 
 
1845 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 12, 1775. 
 
 1846 
 
 Resolved, That no obedience being due to the Act of 
 Parliament for altering the Charter of the Colony of Mas- 
 sachusetts-Bay, nor to a Governour, or a Lieulenant-Go- 
 vernour, who will not observe the directions of, but endea- 
 vour to subvert that Charter, the Governour and Lieuten- 
 ant-Governour of that Colony are to be considered asabsent, 
 and these offices vacant; and as there is no Council there, 
 and the inconveniences arising from the suspension of the 
 powers of Government are intolerable, especially at a time 
 when General Gage hath actually levied war, and is car- 
 rying on hostilities against His Majesty's peaceable and 
 loyal subjects of that Colony; that, in order to conform, as 
 near as may be, to the spirit and substance of the Charter, 
 it be recommended to the Provincial Convention, to write 
 letters to the inhabitants of the several places which are 
 entitled to representation in Assembly, requesting them to 
 choose such representatives, and that the Assembly, when 
 chosen, do elect Counsellors ; which Assembly and Council 
 should exercise the powers of Government, until a Gover- 
 nour, of His Majesty's appointment, will consent to govern 
 the Colony according to its Charter. 
 
 Ordered, That the President transmit a copy of the 
 above to the Convention of Massachusetts-Bat/. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, take into 
 consideration the ways and means of raising Money. 
 
 Resolved, That the Provincial Convention of New- York 
 be requested to convey, as soon as possible, to Providence, 
 in Rhode-Island, or to any Port in the Government of 
 Massachusetts-Bay, five thousand barrels of Flour for the 
 use of the Continental Army. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondence at 
 Providence, and in the Government of Massachusetts-Bay, 
 where the said Flour may be carried, be desired to receive 
 and forward it to the Camp before Boston as soon as may 
 be ; and to lodge such part thereof as cannot be immediate- 
 ly sent thither, in places of security. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will make provision for 
 defraying any expense incurred for this service. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above Resolves be imme- 
 diately transmitted by the President to the Convention of 
 Nc ic- York. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, June 10, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Several Letters, from Massachusetts-Bay, Ticonderoga, 
 Crown Point, &lc, were laid before the Congress and read. 
 
 Upon motion, the Congress came to the following Re- 
 solutions : 
 
 Resolved, That it be, and it is hereby earnestly recom- 
 mended to the several Colonies of Neiv-Hampshire, Rhode- 
 Island, Connecticut, and the interiour Towns of Massachu- 
 setts-Bay, that they immediately furnish the American 
 Army before Boston with as much Powder out of their 
 Town, and other publick stocks, as they can possibly 
 spare ; keeping an exact account of the quantities supplied, 
 that it may be again replaced, or paid for by the Continent. 
 This to be effected with the utmost secrecy and despatch. 
 
 That it be recommended to the several Towns and Dis- 
 tricts in the Colonies of Massachusetts-Bay, New-Hamp- 
 shire, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, Connec- 
 ticut, 2sew-York, and the Eastern Division of New- Jersey, 
 to collect all the Saltpetre and Brimstone in their several 
 Towns and Districts, and transmit the same, with all pos- 
 sible despatch, to the Provincial Convention of New-York. 
 
 That it be recommended to the Provincial Congress of 
 the Colony of New- York, to have the Powder-Mills in 
 that Colony put into such a condition as immediately to 
 manufacture into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent, 
 whatever materials may be procured in the manner above 
 directed. 
 
 That it be recommended to the Committees of the West- 
 ern Division of New- Jersey, the Colonies of Pennsylvania, 
 Lower Counties on Delaware, and Maryland, that they, 
 without delay, collect the Saltpetre and Sulphur in their 
 respective Colonies, and transmit the same to the Com- 
 mittee for the City and Liberties of Philadelphia ; to the 
 end, that those articles may be immediately manufactured 
 into Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent. 
 
 That it be recommended to the Conventions and Com- 
 mittees of the Colonies of Virginia, North- Carolina, and 
 South- Carolina, that they, without delay, collect the Salt- 
 petre and Sulphur in their respective Colonies, and procure 
 these articles to be manufactured, as soon as possible, into 
 Gunpowder, for the use of the Continent. 
 
 That it be recommended to the several inhabitants of 
 the United Colonies, who are possessed of Saltpetre and 
 Sulphur, for their own use, to dispose of them for the pur- 
 pose of manufacturing Gunpowder. 
 
 That the Saltpetre and Sulphur, to be collected in con- 
 sequence of the above Resolves of Congress, be paid for 
 out of the Continental Fund. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Paine, Mr. Lee, Mr. Franklin, 
 Mr. Schuyler, and Mr. Johnson, be a Committee to devise 
 ways and means to introduce the manufacture of Saltpetre 
 in these Colonies. 
 
 The Committee for examining Governour Skene's Let- 
 ters, &ic, having communicated to Congress what they 
 found relative to the dispute between Great Britain and 
 these Colonies, 
 
 Resolved, That Governour Skene, Lieutenant Moncrief, 
 and Mr. Lundy, be released from their present confine- 
 ment, and suffered to go at large any where within eight 
 miles of the City, between Delaware and Schuylkill, on 
 their parole of honour not to pass those limits, and that 
 they will hold no correspondence with any person whatso- 
 ever on any political subject. 
 
 That Mr. Gadsden be added to the Committee for ex- 
 amining Governour Skene's Papers, and that they enlarge 
 them upon their parole, agreeable to the above Resolve. 
 
 Resolved, That the Order of the Day be postponed till 
 Monday next. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 12, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed for preparing a Resolve for 
 a Fast, brought in a Report; which, being read, was agreed 
 to, as follows, viz : 
 
 As the great Governour of the world, by his supreme 
 and universal providence, not only conducts the course of 
 nature with unerring wisdom and rectitude, but frequently 
 influences the minds of men to serve the wise and gracious 
 purposes of his providential government ; and it being, at 
 all times, our indispensable duty devoutly to acknowledge 
 his superintending providence, especially in times of im- 
 pending danger and publick calamity, to reverence and 
 adore his immutable justice as well as to implore his mer- 
 ciful interposition for our deliverance : 
 
 This Congress, therefore, considering the present criti- 
 cal, alarming, and calamitous state of these Colonies, do 
 earnestly recommend that Thursday, the twentieth day of 
 July next, be observed, by the inhabitants of all the Eng- 
 lish Colonies on this Continent, as a day of publick humi- 
 liation, fasting, and prayer; that we may, with united 
 hearts and voices, unfeignedly confess and deplore our 
 many sins, and offer up our joint supplications to the all- 
 wise, omnipotent, and merciful Disposer of all events; hum- 
 bly beseeching him to forgive our iniquities, to remove our 
 present calamities, to avert those desolating judgments 
 with which we are threatened, and to bless our rightful 
 Sovereign, King George the Third, and inspire him with 
 wisdom to discern and pursue the true interest of all his 
 subjects, that a speedy end may be put to the civil discord 
 between Great Britain and the American Colonies, with- 
 out farther effusion of blood ; and that the British Nation 
 may be influenced to regard the things that belong to her 
 peace, before they are hid from her eyes; that these Colo- 
 nies may be ever under the care and protection of a kind 
 Providence, and be prospered in all their interests ; that 
 the divine blessing may descend and rest upon all our civil 
 rulers, and upon the Representatives of the people, in their 
 several Assemblies and Conventions, that they may be 
 directed to wise and effectual measures for preserving the 
 union, and securing the just rights and privileges of the 
 Colonies ; that virtue and true religion may revive and 
 flourish throughout our land ; and that America may soon 
 behold a gracious interposition of Heaven, for the redress 
 of her many grievances, the restoration of her invaded 
 
1847 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 16, 1775. 
 
 1848 
 
 rights, a reconciliation with the Parent State on terms 
 constitutional and honourable to both; and that her civil 
 and religious privileges may be secured to the latest pos- 
 terity. 
 
 And it is recommended to Christians of all denomina- 
 tions, to assemble for publick worship, and to abstain from 
 servile labour and recreation on said day. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above be signed by the 
 President, and attested by the Secretary, and published in 
 the newspapers and in handbills. 
 
 On motion, Ordered, That the Letter to the Inhabitants 
 of Canada be published in English. 
 
 The Order of the Day being read, after some debate, 
 the Congress resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, 
 to take into consideration the ways and means of raising 
 Money. After some time, the President resumed the chair, 
 Mr. Ward reported from the Committee, that they had 
 proceeded in the business referred to them, but not having 
 come to a conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit 
 iiL r ain. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will to-morrow resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the ways and means of raising Money, and also 
 the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, June 13, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met, and, agreeable to the Order of the 
 Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to 
 t ike into consideration the ways and means of raising 
 Money, and aho the state of America. After some time 
 spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. 
 Ward reported, that the Committee not having come to a 
 conclusion, desired him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will to-morrow resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the ways and means of raising Money, and also 
 the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 14, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met, and, agreeable to the Order of the 
 Day, resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to 
 take into consideration the state of America ; and after 
 some time spent therein, the President resumed the chair, 
 and Mr. Ward reported, that the Committee not having 
 yet come to a conclusion, they desired him to move for 
 leave to sit again. 
 
 At the same time they desired him to report some Reso- 
 lutions which they had come into. The Resolutions being 
 read, were adopted, as follow, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That six Companies of expert Riflemen be 
 immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and 
 two in Virginia; that each Company consist of a Captain, 
 three Lieutenants, four Sergeants, four Corporals, a Drum- 
 mer or Trumpeter, and sixty-eight Privates. 
 
 That each Company, as soon as completed, march and 
 join the Army near Boston, to be there employed as Light- 
 Infantry, under the command of the chief officer in that 
 Army. 
 
 That the Pay of the Officers and Privates be as follows, 
 viz: a Captain twenty dollars per month; a Lieutenant 
 thirteen dollars and one-third of a dollar per month; a Ser- 
 geant eight dollars per month ; a Corporal seven dollars 
 and one-third of a dollar per month; a Dru miner the same; 
 Privates six dollars and two-thirds of a dollar per month ; 
 to find their own Arms and Clothes. 
 
 That the form of the Enlistment be in the following 
 words, viz : 
 
 I, , have this day voluntarily en- 
 listed myself, as a Soldier, in the American Continental 
 Army, for one year, unless sooner discharged. And 1 do 
 hind myself to conform, in all instances, to such Rules and 
 Regulations as are, or shall be established for the govern- 
 ment of the said Army. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Washington, Mr. 
 Schuyler, Mr. Dcane, Mr. Gushing, and Mr. Ilewcs, he a 
 Committee to bring in a draught of Rules and Regulations 
 for the government of the Army. 
 
 A Letter from the Convention of New- York, dated 10th 
 June, 1775, respecting a Vessel which is stopped there, on 
 suspicion of having Provisions on board for the Army and 
 Navy at Boston, was read, and referred to the Delegates 
 of Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and New- York. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the ways and means of raising Money, and the 
 state of America. This to be a Standing Order until the 
 business is completed. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 15, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee to whom the Letter from the Conven- 
 tion of New-York was referred, brought in their Report; 
 which being read, 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this Congress be given to 
 the Convention of New-York, for their vigilance in the 
 case of Captain Coffin's Vessel, and that it be recommend- 
 ed to them that the Vessel be unloaded, and the Cargo 
 safely stored, until all just suspicions concerning the desti- 
 nation of it shall be removed. 
 
 Ordered, That this be transmitted, by the President, in 
 a Letter to the Chairman of the Convention of New- York. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress re- 
 solved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the ways and means of raising Money, and 
 the state of America ; after some time spent therein, the 
 President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that 
 the Committee had come to certain Resolutions, which 
 they desired him to report ; but not having yet come to a 
 conclusion, ordered him to move for leave to sit again. 
 
 The Report of the Committee being read, and debated, 
 
 Resolved, That a General be appointed to command all 
 the Continental Forces raised, or to be raised, for the de- 
 fence of American liberty. 
 
 That five hundred Dollars per month be allowed for his 
 pay and expenses. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice of a Gene- 
 ral, when O'eorge Washington, Esquire, was unanimously 
 elected. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to lake into 
 consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 16, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President, from the chair, informed George Wash- 
 ington, Esquire, that he had the orders of the Congress to 
 acquaint him that the Congress had, by a unanimous vote, 
 made choice of him to be General and Commander-in- 
 Chief, to take the supreme command of the Forces raised, 
 and to be raised, in defence of American liberty, and de- 
 sired his acceptance of it. To which Colonel Washing- 
 ton, standing in his place, answered : 
 
 "Mr. President: Though I am truly sensible of the 
 high honour done me, in this appointment, yet 1 feel great 
 distress, from a consciousness that my abilities and military 
 expeiience may not be equal to the extensive and impor- 
 tant trust. However, as the Congress desire it, I will enter 
 upon the momentous duty, and exert every power I possess * 
 in their service, and for support of the glorious cause. 1 
 beg they will accept my most cordial thanks for this distin- 
 guished testimony of their approbation. 
 
 "But, lest some unlucky event should happen, unfa- 
 vourable to my reputation, 1 beg it may be remembered, 
 by every gentleman in the room, thai I this day declare, 
 with the utmost sincerity, 1 do not think myself equal to 
 the command 1 am honoured with. 
 
 " As to pay, Sir, 1 beg leave to assure the Congress, 
 that as no pecuniary consideration coidd have tempted me 
 to accept this arduous employment, at the expense of my 
 domestick ease and happiness, I do not wish to make any 
 profit from it. 1 will keep an exact account of my expenses. 
 Those, 1 doubt not, they will discharge, and that is all I 
 desire." 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That a Committee of three be 
 
<849 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 19, 1775. 
 
 1S50 
 
 appointed to draught a Commission and Instructions for 
 the General. 
 
 The Committee to consist of the following persons, viz: 
 Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rulledge, and Mr. J. Adams. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, unanimously, That a Commit- 
 tee of five be appointed to take into consideration the Pa- 
 pers transmitted from the Convention of New-York, rela- 
 tive to Indian Affairs, and report what steps, in their 
 opinion, are necessary to be taken for securing and preser- 
 ving the friendship of the Indian Nations. 
 
 That the Committee consist of the following persons, 
 viz: Mr. Schuyler, Mr. Henry, Mr. Duane, Mr. Wilson, 
 and Mr. P. Livingston. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress re- 
 solved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the state of America ; and, after some time 
 spent therein, the President resumed the chair, and Mr. 
 Ward reported, that the Committee had come to certain 
 Resolutions, which they had ordered him to report, but 
 not having come to a conclusion, they desired him to move 
 for leave to sit again. 
 
 The Resolve of the Committee being read, the Con- 
 gress came to the following Resolutions, viz : 
 
 Resolved, That two Major-Generals be appointed for 
 the American Army. 
 
 That the pay of each of the Major-Generals be one 
 hundred and sixty-six Dollars per month. 
 
 That when any of these act in a separate department, 
 he be allowed, for his pay and expenses, three hundred 
 and thirty-two Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be eight Brigadiers-General. 
 
 That the pay of each be one hundred and twenty-five 
 Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be one Adjutant-General, and his pay one 
 hundred and twenty-five Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be one Commissary-General of Stores and 
 Provisions; and that his pay be eighty Dollars per month. 
 
 Thai there be one Quartermaster-General for the Grand 
 Army, and a Deputy under him, for the separate Army. 
 
 That the pay of the Quartermaster-General be eighty 
 Dollars per month ; that of the Deputy forty Dollars per 
 month. 
 
 That there be a Paymaster-General, and a Deputy under 
 him, for the Army, in a separate department; that the pay, 
 for himself, be one hundred Dollars per month, and for the 
 Deputy-Paymaster under him, fifty Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be one Chief Engineer at the Grand Army; 
 and that his pay be sixty Dollars per month. 
 
 That two Assistants be employed under him ; and that 
 the pay of each of them be twenty Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be one Chief Engineer for the Army, in a 
 separate department, and two Assistants under him ; that 
 the pay of the Chief Engineer be sixty Dollars per month, 
 and the pay of the Assistants each twenty Dollars per 
 month. 
 
 That there be three Aids-de-Camp ; and that their pay 
 be thirty-three Dollars per month each. 
 
 That there be a Secretary to the General ; and that his 
 pay be sixty-six Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be a Secretary to the Major-General, acting 
 in a separate department : and that his pay be thirty-three 
 Dollars per month. 
 
 That there be a Commissary of the Musters; and that 
 his pay be forty Dollars per month. 
 
 A Letter from the Convention of New- York, received 
 by express, was laid before the Congress, and read; which 
 being taken into consideration, 
 
 Resolved, That the Provincial Convention of New-York 
 be desired immediately to apply to Governonr Trumbull 
 to order the Connecticut Troops now stationed at Green- 
 wich, Stamford, and parts adjacent, to march towards New- 
 York ; and that part of them occupy such posts on that 
 Island as the said Provincial Convention shall judge best 
 adapted to prevent the communication between the town 
 and country from being cut off'. The remainder of the 
 Troops to be employed in securing the navigation of Hud- 
 son's River, by erecting Batteries at such places as the said 
 Convention shall judge most proper to answer that pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, June 17, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 The Committee appointed to draught a Commission for 
 the General, reported the same ; which being read by para- 
 graphs, and debated, was agreed to, and is as follows : 
 In Congress. 
 
 The Delegates of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New- 
 York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New- 
 castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, Vir- 
 ginia, North- Carolina, and South- Carolina, in Congress 
 assembled, 
 
 To George Washington, Esq. 
 
 We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriot- 
 ism, valour, conduct, and fidelity, do, by these presents, 
 constitute and appoint you to be General and Commander- 
 in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, and of all 
 the Forces now raised, or to be rai«ed by them, and of all 
 others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the 
 said Army for the defence of American liberty, and for 
 repelling every hostile invasion thereof. And you are 
 hereby vested with full power and authority to act as you 
 shall think for the good and welfare of the service. 
 
 And we do hereby strictly charge and require all Officers 
 and Soldiers under your command to be obedient to your 
 orders, and diligent in the exercise of their several duties. 
 
 And we do also enjoin and require you to be careful in 
 executing the great trust reposed in you, by causing strict 
 discipline and order to be observed in the Army; and that 
 the Soldiers be duly exercised, and provided with all con- 
 venient necessaries. 
 
 And you are to regulate your conduct in every respect 
 by the rules and discipline of war, (as herewith given you,) 
 and punctually to observe and follow such orders and direc- 
 tions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this or 
 a future Congress of these United Colonies, or Committee 
 of Congress. 
 
 This Commission to continue in force until revoked by 
 this or a future Congress. By order of the Congress. 
 Philadelphia, June 17, 1775. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be fairly transcribed, signed by 
 the President, attested by the Secretary, and delivered to 
 the General. 
 
 Resolved unanimously, upon the question, Whereas, the 
 Delegates of all the Colonies, from Nova-Scotia to Georgia. 
 in Congress assembled, have unanimously chosen George 
 Washington, Esq., to be General and Commander-in-Chie! 
 of such Forces as are or shall be raised for the maintenance 
 and preservation of American liberty; this Congress doth 
 now declare that they will maintain and assist him, and ad- 
 here to him, the said George Washington, Esq., with their 
 lives and fortunes in the same cause. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice of the Offi- 
 cers in the Army, by ballot ; when 
 
 Artemas Ward, Esq., was chosen first Major-General. 
 
 Horatio Gates, Esq., Adjutant-General. 
 
 Resolved, That Horatio Gates, now cho=en Adjutant- 
 General, shall have the rank of a Brigadier-General. 
 
 Charles Lee, Esq., was chosen second Major-General. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into con- 
 sideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday next, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 19, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President laid before the Congress sundry Letters 
 from the Conventions of Massachusetts- Day and Neto- 
 York ; which were read. 
 
 Upon motion, Ordered, That Mr. Henry, Mr. Lynch, 
 and Mr. J. Adams, be a Committee to wait upon General 
 Lee, and to inform him of his appointment, and request 
 his answer whether he will accept the command. 
 
 The Committee returned, and reported, that they had 
 waited on General Lee, and informed him of his appoint- 
 
1851 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 21, 1775. 
 
 1853 
 
 merit, and that lie gave for answer : " That he had the 
 highest sense of the honour conferred upon him by the 
 Congress ; that no effort in his power shall be wanting to 
 serve the American cause ; but before he entered upon the 
 service, he desired a conference with a Committee, to con- 
 sist of one Delegate from each of the associated Colonies, 
 to whom he desired to explain some particulars respecting 
 his private fortune." 
 
 Whereupon, Mr. Sullivan, Mr. £. Adams, Mr. Hop- 
 kins, Mr. Dyer, Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. W. Livingston, 
 Mr. Ross, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Henry, Mr. 
 Caswell, and Mr. Lynch, were appointed as a Committee 
 to confer with General Lee. 
 
 The Committee returned, and reported, that they had 
 conferred with General Lee, who had communicated to 
 them an estimate of the estate he risked by this service. 
 
 Whereupon, Resolved, That these Colonies will indem- 
 nify General Lee for any loss of property which he may 
 sustain by entering into their service ; and that the same 
 be done by this or any future Congress, as soon as such 
 loss is ascertained. 
 
 The Letters from Massachusetts-Ray being taken into 
 consideration, 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved unanimously, That the Govern- 
 our of Connecticut be requested to direct all the Forces 
 raised in that Colony, not employed at Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, or recommended by this Congress to be 
 marched towards New-York, to be immediately sent to 
 join the combined Army before Roston. And it is earnestly 
 recommended to the Colony of Rhode-Island, and to the 
 Provincial Convention of New-Hampshire, to send imme- 
 diately to the Army before Roston such of the Forces as 
 are already embodied, towards their quotas of the Troops 
 agreed to be raised by the New-England Colonies. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Lee, Mr. E. Rutledge, and Mr. J. 
 Adams, be a Committee to prepare the form of a Commis- 
 sion for the Major-Generals ; and also for the Brigadier- 
 Generals and other Officers in the Army. 
 
 Resolved, That there be four Major-Generals. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to choose the two remain- 
 ing Major-Generals ; when Philip Schuyler, Esquire, was 
 chosen third Major-General, and Israel Putnam, Esq., was 
 unanimously chosen fourth Major-General. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare the form of a 
 Commission for the Major and Brigadier-Generals, report- 
 ed the same, which being agreed to, 
 
 Ordered, That a copy thereof be made out, signed by 
 the President, and attested by the Secretary, for each of 
 the Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals. 
 
 Ordered, That the Secretary get a number of Commis- 
 sions printed, with proper blanks, for the other Officers. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Petition to the 
 King, reported the same. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into con- 
 sideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 20, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draught Instructions to the 
 General, reported the same ; which being read, were agreed 
 to, and are as follow : 
 To Geokge Washington, Esq. 
 
 This Congress having appointed you to be General and 
 Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the United Colonies, 
 of all the Forces raised or to be raised by them, and of all 
 others who shall voluntarily offer their service and join the 
 said Army for the defence of American liberty, and for 
 repelling every hostile invasion thereof, you are to repair 
 with all expedition to the Colony of Massachusetts-Ray , 
 and take charge of the Army of the United Colonies. 
 
 For your better direction : 
 
 1. You are to make a return to us as soon as possible of 
 all Forces which you shall have under your command, to- 
 gether with their Military Stores and Provisions ; and also, 
 as exact an account as you can obtain of the Forces which 
 compose the Rritish Army in America. 
 
 2. You are not to disband any of the men you 6nd 
 
 raised, until further direction from this Congress; and if 
 you shall think their numbers not adequate to the purpose 
 of security, you may recruit them to a number you shall 
 think sufficient, not exceeding double that of the enemy. 
 
 3. In all cases of vacancy occasioned by the death or 
 removal of a Colonel, or other inferiour officer, you are by 
 brevet, or warrant under your seal, to appoint another per- 
 son to fill up such vacancy, until it shall otherwise be or- 
 dered by the Provincial Convention, or the Assembly ol 
 the Colony from whence the Troops in which such vacancy 
 happen, shall direct otherwise. 
 
 4. You are to victual, at the Continental expense, all 
 such Volunteers as have joined or shall join the united 
 Army. 
 
 5. You shall take every method in your power, consist- 
 ent with prudence, to destroy or make prisoners of all per- 
 sons who now are, or who hereafter shall appear in arms 
 against the good people of the United Colonies. 
 
 6. And whereas, all particulars cannot be foreseen, nor 
 positive instructions for such emergencies so beforehand 
 given, but that many things must be left to your prudent 
 and discreet management, as occurrences may arise upon 
 the place, or from time to time fall out, you are, therefore, 
 upon all such accidents, or any occasions that may happen, 
 to use your best circumspection ; and (advising with your 
 Council of War) to order and dispose of the said Army 
 under your command as may be most advantageous for the 
 obtaining the end for which these forces have been raised, 
 making it your special care, in discharge of the great trust 
 committed unto you, that the liberties of America receive 
 no detriment. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into con- 
 sideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 21, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Jefferson appeared as a Delegate for the 
 Colony of Virginia, and produced his Credentials ; which 
 were read and approved, and are as follow: 
 
 " At a Convention of the Delegates for the Counties 
 and Corporations in the Colony of Virginia, at the Town 
 of Richmond, in the County of Henrico, on Monday, 
 March 27, 1775 : 
 
 " On a motion made, Resolved, That Thomas Jefferson, 
 Esq., be appointed a Deputy to represent this Colony in 
 General Congress, in the room of the Honourable Peyton 
 Randolph, Esq., in case of the non-attendance of the said 
 Peyton Randolph, Esq. A copy, test : 
 
 " John Tazewell, Clerk of the Convention." 
 
 " At a General Assembly begun and held at the Capitol, 
 in the City of Williamsburgh, on Thursday, the first day 
 of June, in the fifteenth year of the reign of our Lord 
 George the Third, by the grace of God, of Great-Rritain, 
 France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c, 
 
 " Monday, June 5, 15th Geo. Ill, A. D. 1775. 
 
 " Resolved, N. C. ID., That this House doth entirely 
 approve of the proceedings and Resolutions of the Con- 
 vention of Delegates for the Counties and Corporations in 
 the Colony of Virginia, held at Richmond Town, in the 
 County of Henrico, on the 20th of March, 1775 ; and that 
 it be recommended to all the good people of this Colony 
 strictly to conform to and observe the same. 
 
 " By the House of Burgesses : 
 
 " Peyton Randolph, Speaker.'' 
 
 Mr. Henry informed the Congress that the General had 
 put into his hand sundry Queries, to which he desired the 
 Congress would give an answer. 
 
 The Queries being read and debated, 
 
 Resolved, That a Committee of five be appointed to 
 take into their consideration the said Queries, and report 
 their opinion with regard to the answers proper to be given ; 
 that the Committee consist of the following persons, name- 
 ly: Mr. Deane, Mr. Henry, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. S. 
 Adams, and Mr. Lee. 
 
 On a motion made, Resolved, That the General be al- 
 lowed three Aids-de-Camp. 
 
1853 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 26, 1775. 
 
 1854 
 
 That each of the Major-Generals have two Aids-de- 
 Camp. 
 
 That the pay of the Aids-de-Camp of the Majors-Gen- 
 eral be thirty -three Dollars per month. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into con- 
 sideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, Juno 22, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to take into consideration the 
 Queries of the General, and report thereon, brought in 
 their Report ; which was read, and considered. 
 
 Resolved, That the number of Brigadier-Generals be 
 augmented to eight. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice of the 
 Brigadiers, viz : 
 
 Seth Pomeroy, Esq., first ; Richard Montgomery, Esq., 
 second ; David Wooster, Esquire, third ; William Heath, 
 Esq., fourth ; Joseph Spencer, Esq., fifth ; John Thomas, 
 Esq., sixth ; John Sullivan, Esq., seventh ; Nathaniel 
 Greene, Esq., eighth. 
 
 Resolved, That the Troops, including the Volunteers, 
 be furnished with Camp-equipage and Blankets, where 
 necessary, at the Continental expense. 
 
 Resolved, That the Officers now in the Army receive 
 their new Commissions through the hands of the General. 
 
 Resolved, That a sum not exceeding Two Millions of 
 Spanish milled Dollars be emitted by the Congress, in Bills 
 of Credit, for the defence of America. 
 
 Resolved, That the twelve confederated Colonies be 
 pledged for the redemption of the Bills of Credit now di- 
 rected to be emitted. 
 
 Resolved, That the Colony of Pennsylvania raise two 
 more Companies of Riflemen, and that these, with the six 
 before ordered to be raised by them, making eight Compa- 
 nies, be formed into a Battalion, to be commanded by such 
 Field-Officers, Captains, and Lieutenants, as shall be re- 
 commended by the Assembly or Convention of the above 
 Colony. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into con- 
 sideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 23, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Letter from the Officer at Crown Point, dated June 
 10th, 1775, was laid before the Congress. Information 
 being given, that Colonel Allen and Captain Seth Warner, 
 who brought the Letter, were at the door, and had some 
 things of importance to communicate, 
 
 Ordered, That they be called in. After they withdrew, 
 the Congress took the Letter and information into consider- 
 ation. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Officer com- 
 manding in the New- York Department, to procure, as soon 
 as possible, a list of the men employed in taking and gar- 
 risoning Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and keeping pos- 
 session of the Lakes ; and also, of their disbursements, in 
 order that they may be paid. 
 
 Resolved, That their pay be the same as that of the 
 officers and privates in the American Army; the highest of 
 the officers not to exceed that of a Captain, and that the 
 pay commence the third day of last May, and continue 
 until they are discharged. 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the Convention 
 of New-York, that they, consulting with General Schuyler, 
 employ in the Army to be raised for the defence of Ame- 
 rica, those called Green Mountain Boys, under such 
 officers as the said Green Mountain Boys shall choose. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That a Committee of five be 
 appointed to draw up a Declaration, to be published by 
 General Washington, upon his arrival at the Camp before 
 Boston. 
 
 That the Committee consist of the following members, 
 
 viz : Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. W. Livingston, Mr. Franklin, 
 Mr. Jay, and Mr. Johnson. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress resolved 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into considera- 
 tion the state of America; and after some time spent therein, 
 the President resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported 
 that the Committee had come into certain Resolutions, which 
 they desired him to report, but not having yet finished, they 
 bad ordered him to move for leave to sit again. 
 The Report of the Committee being read, 
 Resolved, That the number and denomination of the 
 Bills to be emitted, be as follow, viz: 
 
 49,000 Bills of 8 Dollars each— 392,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 7 Dollars each— 343,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 6 Dollars each— 294,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 5 Dollars each— 245,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 4 Dollars each— 196,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 3 Dollars each— 147,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 2 Dollars each— 98,000 
 
 49,000 do. of 1 Dollar each— 49,000 
 
 1.1,800 do. of 20 Dollars each— 236,000 
 
 403,800 ,|'2,000,0000 
 Resolved, That the form of the Bills be as follows, viz: 
 
 CONTINENTAL CURRENCY". 
 
 No. Dollars. 
 
 This Bill entitles the bearer to receive 
 
 Spanish milled Dollars, or the value thereof in gold or 
 silver, according to the Resolutions of the Congress, held at 
 Philadelphia, on the 10th day of May, A. D. 1775. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. J. Adams, Mr. J. Rutledge, Mr. 
 Duane, Doctor Franklin, and Mr. Wilson, be a Commit- 
 tee to get proper Plates engraved, to provide Paper, and 
 to agree with Printers to print the above Bills. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, again re- 
 solve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 their farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, June 24, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Upon motion, Ordered, That the first and second Re- 
 solves, passed the 26th of May, be published. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That a Committee of seven be 
 appointed to devise ways and means to put the Militia of 
 America in a proper state for the defence of America. 
 
 The members chosen, Mr. Paine, Mr. Harrison, Mr. 
 Sherman, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Floyd, Mr. Gadsden, and 
 Mr. Dickinson. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Declaration to 
 be published by General Washington, upon his arrival at 
 the Camp before Boston, reported the same, which was read 
 and debated, and referred for farther consideration till Mon- 
 day next. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consider- 
 ation the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, June 26, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Letter from Governour Trumbull was read, and re- 
 ferred to the Committee appointed to devise ways and 
 means for introducing the manufacture of Saltpetre into 
 these Colonies. 
 
 The state of North- Carolina being taken into considera- 
 tion, the Congress came to the following Resolutions: 
 
 Whereas, it is represented to this Congress, that the 
 enemies of the liberties of America are pursuing measures 
 to divide the good people of the Colony of North- Carolina, 
 and to defeat the American Association ; 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to all in that Colony, 
 who wish well to the liberties of America, to associate for 
 the defence of American liberty, and to embody themselves 
 as Militia, under proper officers. 
 
 Resolved, That in case the Assembly or Convention of 
 that Colony shall think it absolutely necessary, for the sup- 
 
1855 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 30, 1775. 
 
 1856 
 
 port of the American Association and safety of the Colony, 
 to raise a body of Forces not exceeding one thousand men, 
 this Congress will consider them as an American Army, 
 and provide for their pay. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Declaration, and after some debate, the same was recom- 
 mitted, and Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Jefferson were added 
 to the Committee. 
 
 A Letter from the Committee of Albany, received by 
 express, was laid before the Congress and read. 
 
 The Committee for Indian Affairs brought in their Re- 
 port, which was read. 
 
 Upon motion, 
 
 Resolved, That the Delegates of Pennsylvania be ap- 
 pointed from this Congress, to wait on the Committee of 
 this City, and to request of them that a supply of Powder 
 be immediately furnished for the use of the Fortifications 
 of Ticonderoga and Croivn Point, and sent forward im- 
 mediately. 
 
 Ordered, That the President write to Governour Trum- 
 bull, and inform him, that the Congress had appointed 
 George Washington, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of all 
 the Forces raised, or to be raised, for the defence of Ame- 
 rica. 
 
 Ordered, That the President also write to the Pro- 
 vincial Conventions of Massachusetts and New-Hampshire, 
 and to the Government of Rhode-Island, and inform them 
 of the same appointment. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consider- 
 ation the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, June 27, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That Governour Skene be 
 sent under a guard to Weather sjield, or Middletown, in 
 the County of Hartford, in Connecticut, there to be con- 
 fined on his parole, not to go out of the bounds prescribed 
 lo him by Governour Trumbull. 
 
 Ordered, That the Delegates for Pennsylvania take 
 measures to have the above Resolve carried into execution. 
 
 A Letter from the Convention of Massachusetts-Bay , 
 dated 20th of June, received by express, together with 
 several other Letters, were laid before the Congress and 
 read. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Letter 
 from Albany, and after some debate, the Congress came to 
 the following Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That Major-General P. Schuyler be directed 
 to repair, as soon as conveniently he can, to the posts of 
 Ticonderoga and Crown Point, to examine into the state 
 thereof, and of the Troops now stationed there, and how 
 they are supplied with provision and necessary stores ; into 
 the state also of the Sloop and other navigation on the 
 Lakes ; also, to obtain the best intelligence he can of the 
 disposition of the Canadians and Indians of Canada; that 
 he confer with Colonel Hinman and Colonel Arnold on 
 the subject of Colonel Arnold's Letter to this Congress, 
 and report as soon as possible the state of the whole, as 
 near as it can be ascertained, to this Congress; and that 
 he give orders for the necessary preparation of Boats and 
 Stores, for securing to the United Colonies the command 
 of those waters adjacent to Crown Point and Ticonde- 
 roga. 
 
 Resolved, That as Governour Carleton is making pre- 
 parations to invade these Colonies, and is instigating the 
 Indian Nations to take up the hatchet against them, Major- 
 General Schuyler do exert his utmost power to destroy or 
 take all Vessels, Boats, or Floating Batteries preparing by 
 said Governour, or by his order, on or near tho waters of 
 the Lakes. 
 
 Resolved, That if General Schuyler finds it practicable, 
 and that it will not be disagreeable to the Canadians, he 
 do immediately take possession of St. John's, Montreal, 
 and any other parts of the country, and pursue any other 
 measures in Canada which may have a tendency to pro- 
 mote the peace and security of these Colonies. 
 
 Resolved, That if General Schuyler shall have occasion 
 for a larger quantity of ready Money and Ammunition, for 
 carrying on such expedition, than he can in convenient 
 time procure from the Provincial Convention of the Colony 
 of New- York, that he do in such case apply to the Go- 
 vernour of Connecticut for such supplies as may be neces- 
 sary, and can be furnished by that Colony ; and that 
 Governour Trumbull be desired to furnish such supplies, 
 and this Congress will make provision for reimbursing the 
 same. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draw up an Address to the 
 Inhabitants of Great Britain, reported the same, which 
 was read. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consider- 
 ation the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, June 28, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment, and re- 
 sumed the consideration of the Articles of War. After 
 some debate, the further consideration of them was put off 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 The Order of the Day put off till to-morrow. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, June 29, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A number of Letters and Speeches from the Chiefs of 
 Stockbridge Indians to the Congress, also copy of a Mes- 
 sage from said Indians to the Canada Indians, and their 
 Answer, were laid before the Congress and read. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the 
 Rules or Articles of War. After some debate, the same 
 was deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 The Order of the Day put off, and adjourned till to- 
 morrow, nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, June 30, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The consideration of the Articles of War being resumed, 
 the Congress agreed to the same. 
 
 Whereas, His Majesty's most faithful subjects in these 
 Colonies are reduced to a dangerous and critical situation, 
 by the attempts of the British Ministry to carry into exe- 
 cution, by force of arms, several unconstitutional and oppres- 
 sive acts of the British Parliament for laying Taxes in 
 America, to enforce the collection of those Taxes, and for 
 altering and changing the Constitution and internal Police 
 of some of these Colonies, in violation of the natural and 
 civil rights of the Colonies : 
 
 And whereas, hostilities have been actually commenced 
 in Massachusetts-Bay, by the British Troops under the 
 command of General Gage, and the lives of a number of 
 the inhabitants of that Colony destroyed ; the Town of 
 Boston not only having been long occupied as a garrisoned 
 Town in an enemy's Country, but the inhabitants thereof 
 treated with a severity and cruelty not to be justified even 
 towards declared enemies : 
 
 And whereas, large re-enforcements have been ordered, 
 and are soon expected, for the declared purpose of com- 
 pelling these Colonies to submit to the operation of the 
 said acts, which hath rendered it necessary, and an indis- 
 pensable duty, for the express purpose of securing and de- 
 fending these Colonies, and preserving them in safety against 
 all attempts to carry the said acts into execution, that an 
 armed force be raised sufficient to defeat such hostile de- 
 signs, and preserve and defend the lives, liberties, and 
 immunities of the Colonists ; for the due regulating and 
 well ordering of which, 
 
 Resolved, That the following Rules and Orders be at- 
 tended to, and observed by such Forces as are or may here- 
 after be raised for the purposes aforesaid. 
 
 Article t. That every Officer who shall be retained, 
 and every Soldier who shall serve in the Continental Army, 
 shall, at the time of his acceptance of his commission or 
 enlistment, subscribe these Rules and Regulations; and 
 that the Officers and Soldiers, already of that Arm}', shall 
 also, as soon as may be, subscribe the same, from the time 
 
1S57 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 30, 1775. 
 
 1858 
 
 of which subscription, every Officer and Soldier shall be 
 bound by those Regulations. But if any of the Officers 
 or Soldiers, now of the said Army, do not subscribe these 
 Rules and Regulations, then they may be retained in the 
 said Army, subject to the rules and regulations under which 
 they entered into the service, or be discharged from the 
 service, at the option of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Art. u. It is earnestly recommended to all Officers and 
 Soldiers, diligently to attend divine service ; and all Officers 
 and Soldiers who shall behave indecently or irreverently at 
 any place of divine worship, shall, if Commissioned Officers, 
 be brought before a Court-Martial, there to be publickly 
 and severely reprimanded by the President; if Non-Com- 
 missioned Officers or Soldiers, every person so offending 
 shall, for his 6rst offence, forfeit one-sixth of a Dollar, to 
 be deducted out of his next pay ; for the second offence 
 he shall not only forfeit a like sum, but be confined for 
 twenty-four hours ; and for every like offence, shall suffer 
 and pay in like manner ; which money so forfeited shall be 
 applied to the use of the sick Soldiers of the Troop or Com- 
 pany to which the offender belongs. 
 
 Art. hi. Whatsoever Non-Commissioned Officer or Sol- 
 dier shall use any profane oath or execration, shall incur 
 the penalties expressed in the foregoing Article; and if a 
 Commissioned Officer be thus guilty of profane cursing or 
 swearing, he shall forfeit and pay for each and every such 
 offence the sum of four Shillings lawful money. 
 
 Art. iv. Any Officer or Soldier who shall behave him- 
 self with contempt ordisrespect towards the General or Gene- 
 rals, or Commanders-in-Chief of the Continental Forces, or 
 shall speak false words, tending to his or their hurt or dis- 
 honour, shall be punished according to the nature of his 
 offence, by the judgment of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. v. Any Officer or Soldier who shall begin, excite, 
 cause, or join in any mutiny or sedition in the Regiment, 
 Troop, or Company, to which he belongs, or in any other 
 Regiment, Troop, or Company of the Continental Forces, 
 either by land or sea, or in any part, post, detachment, or 
 guard, on any pretence whatsoever, shall suffer such punish- 
 ment as by a General Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. vi. Any Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer, or 
 Soldier, who being present at any mutiny or sedition, does 
 not use his utmost endeavours to suppress the same, or 
 coming to the knowledge of any mutiny or intended mutiny, 
 does not, without delay, give information thereof to the 
 Commanding Officer, shall be punished by order of a Gene- 
 ral Court-Martial, according to the nature of his offence. 
 
 Art. vii. Any Officer or Soldier who shall strike his 
 superiour Officer, or draw, or offer to draw, or shall lift up 
 any weapon, or offer any violence against him, being in the 
 execution of his office, on any pretence whatsoever, or shall 
 disobey any lawful commands of his superiour Officer, shall 
 suffer such punishment as shall, according to the nature of 
 his offence, be ordered by the sentence of a General Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. viii. Any Non-Commissioned Officer or Soldier 
 who shall desert, or without leave of his Commanding Offi- 
 cer, absent himself from the Troop or Company to which 
 he belongs, or from any detachment of the same, shall, 
 upon being convicted thereof, be punished according to the 
 nature of his offence, at the discretion of a General Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. ix. Whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall be con- 
 victed of having advised or persuaded any other Officer or 
 Soldier to desert, shall suffer such punishment as shall be 
 ordered by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. x. All Officers, of what condition soever, shall have 
 power to part and quell all quarrels, frays, and disorders, 
 though the persons concerned should belong to another 
 Regiment, Troop, or Company, and either order Officers to 
 be arrested, or Non-Commissioned Officers or Soldiers to 
 be confined and imprisoned, till their proper superiour Offi- 
 cers shall be acquainted therewith ; and whoever shall re- 
 fuse to obey such Officer, (though of an inferiour rank,) or 
 shall draw his sword upon him, shall be punished at the 
 discretion of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xi. No Officer or Soldier shall use any reproachful 
 or provoking speeches, or gestures to another, nor shall pre- 
 sume to send a challenge to any person to fight a duel ; and 
 whoever shall knowingly and willingly suffer any person 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 11 
 
 whatsoever to go forth to fight a duel, or shall second, pro- 
 mote, or carry any challenge, shall be deemed as a princi- 
 pal ; and whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall upbraid another 
 for refusing a challenge, shall also be considered as a 
 challenger; and all such offenders, in any of these or such 
 like cases, shall be punished at the discretion of a General 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xii. Every Officer commanding in quarters, or on 
 a march, shall keep good order, and, to the utmost of his 
 power, redress all such abuses or disorders which may be 
 committed by any Officer or Soldier under his command ; 
 if upon any complaint being made to him, of Officers or 
 Soldiers beating, or otherwise ill-treating any person, or of 
 committing any kind of riot, to the disquieting of the inhabi- 
 tants of this Continent, he, the said Commander, who shall 
 refuse or omit to see justice done on the offender or offen- 
 ders, and reparation made to the party or parties injured, 
 as far as the offender's wages shall enable him or them, shall, 
 upon due proof thereof, be punished as ordered by a Gene- 
 ral Court-Martial, in such manner as if he himself had com- 
 mitted the crimes or disorders complained of. 
 
 Art. xiii. If any Officer should think himself to be 
 wronged by his Colonel, or the commanding Officer of the 
 Regiment, and shall, upon due application made to him, 
 be refused to be redressed, he may complain to the General 
 or Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Forces, in order 
 to obtain justice, who is hereby required to examine into 
 said complaint, and see that justice be done. 
 
 Art. xiv. If any inferiour Officer or Soldier shall think 
 himself wronged by his Captain, or other Officer command- 
 ing the Troop or Company to which he belongs, he is to 
 complain thereof to the commanding Officer of the Regi- 
 ment, who is hereby required to summon a Regimental 
 Court-Martial for the doing justice to the complainant, from 
 which Regimental Court-Martial either party may, if he 
 thinks himself still aggrieved, appeal to a General Court- 
 Mariial; but if, upon a second hearing, the appeal shall 
 appear to be vexatious and groundless, the person so appeal- 
 ing shall be punished at the discretion of the General Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xv. Whatsoever Non-Commissioned Officer or Sol- 
 dier shall be convicted, at a Regimental Court-Martial, of 
 having sold, or designedly, or through neglect, wasted the 
 Ammunition, Arms, or Provisions, or other military stores, 
 delivered out to him, to be employed in the service of this 
 Continent, shall, if an Officer, be reduced to a private Sen- 
 tinel, and if a private Soldier, shall suffer such punishment 
 as shall be ordered by a Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xvi. All Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers 
 who shall be found one mile from the camp, without leave 
 in writing from their commanding Officer, shall suffer such 
 punishment as shall be inflicted on him or them by the sen- 
 tence of a Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xvii. No Officer or Soldier shall lie out of his quar- 
 ters or camp without leave from the commanding Officer of 
 the Regiment, upon penalty of being punished, according 
 to the nature of his offence, by order of a Regimental Court- 
 Martial. 
 
 Art. xviii. Every Non-Commissioned Officer and Sol- 
 dier shall retire to his quarters or tent at the beating of the 
 retreat ; in default of which, he shall be punished according 
 to the nature of his offence, by order of the commanding 
 Officer. 
 
 Art. xix. No Officer, Non-Commissioned Officer or Sol- 
 dier, shall fail of repairing, at the time fixed, to the place 
 of parade or exercise, or other rendezvous appointed by the 
 commanding Officer, if not prevented by sickness or some 
 other evident necessity, or shall go from the said place of 
 rendezvous, or from his guard, without leave from his com- 
 manding Officer, before he shall be regularly dismissed or 
 relieved, on penalty of being punished, according to the 
 nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regimental 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xx. Whatsoever commissioned Officer shall be 
 found drunk on his guard, party, or duty, under arms, shall 
 be cashiered for it; any Non-Commissioned Officer or Sol- 
 dier so offending, shall suffer such punishment as shall be 
 ordered by the sentence of a Regimental Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxi. Whatsoever Sentinel shall be found sleeping 
 upon his post, or shall leave it before he shall be regularly 
 
 7 
 
1859 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 30, 1775. 
 
 1860 
 
 relieved, shall suffer such punishment as shall be ordered 
 by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxii. Any person belonging to the Continental 
 Army, who, by discharging of Fire-Arms, beating of Drums, 
 or by any other means whatsoever, shall occasion lalse alarms 
 in camp or quarters, shall suffer such punishment as shall 
 be ordered by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxiii. Any Officer or Soldier who shall, without 
 urgent necessity, or without leave of his superiour Officer, 
 quit his platoon or division, shall be punished, according to 
 the nature of his offence, by the sentence of a Regimental 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxiv. No Officer or Soldier shall do violence, or 
 offer any insult or abuse to any person who shall bring Pro- 
 visions or other necessaries to the Camp or Quarters of the 
 Continental Army, anyOfficeror Soldierso offending, shall, 
 upon complaint being made to the commanding Officer, 
 s iffer such punishment as shall be ordered by a Regimental 
 Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxv. Whatsoever Officer or Soldier shall shame- 
 fully abandon any Post committed to his charge, or shall 
 speak words inducing others to do the like in time of an 
 engagement, shall suffer death immediately. 
 
 Art. xxvi. Any person belonging to the Continental 
 Army, who shall make known the watchword to any 
 person who is not entitled to receive it according to the 
 rules and discipline of war, or shall presume to give a 
 parole or watchword different from what he received, shall 
 suffer death, or such other punishment as shall be ordered 
 by the sentence of a General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxvii. Whosoever, belonging to the Continental 
 Army, shall relieve the enemy with Money, Victuals, or 
 Ammunition, or shall knowingly harbour or protect an ene- 
 my, shall suffer such punishment as by a General Court- 
 Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxviii. Whosoever, belonging to the Continental 
 Army, shall be convicted of holding correspondence with, 
 or of giving intelligence to the enemy, either directly or 
 indirectly, shall suffer such punishment as by a General 
 Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxix. All Publick Stores taken in the enemy's 
 camp or magazines, whether of Artillery, Ammunition, 
 Clothing, or Provisions, shall be secured for the use of the 
 United Colonies. 
 
 Art. xxx. If any Officer or Soldier shall leave his post 
 or colours in lime of an engagement, to go in search of 
 plunder, he shall, upon being convicted thereof before a 
 General Court-Martial, suffer such punishment as by the 
 said Court-Martial shall be ordered. 
 
 Art. xxxi. If any Commander of any Post, Intrench- 
 ment, or Fortress, shall be compelled, by the Officers or 
 Soldiers under his command, to give it up to the enemy, or 
 to abandon it, the Commissioned Officer, Non-Commis- 
 sioned Officers, or Soldiers, who shall be convicted of 
 having so offended, shall suffer death, or such other punish- 
 ment as may be inflicted upon them by the sentence of a 
 General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxii. All Sutlers and Retailers to a Camp, and 
 all persons whatsoever serving with the Continental Army 
 in the field, though not enlisted Soldiers, are to be subject 
 to the Articles, Rules, and Regulations of the Continental 
 Army. 
 
 Art. xxxiii. No General Court-Martial shall consist of 
 a less number than thirteen, none of which shall be under 
 the degree of a Commissioned Officer, and the President 
 shall be a Field Officer; and the President of each and 
 every Court-Martial, whether General or Regimental, shall 
 have power to administer an oath to every witnesss, in order 
 to the trial of offenders ; and the Members of all Courts- 
 Martial shall be duly sworn by the President, and the next 
 in rank on the Court-. Martial shall administer the oath to 
 the President. 
 
 Art. xxxiv. The Members, both of General and Regi- 
 mental Courts-Martial, shall, when belonging to different 
 Corps, take the same rank which they hold in the Army; 
 but when Courts-Martial shall be composed of Officers of 
 one Corps, they shall take their ranks according to their 
 commissions by which they are mustered in the said Corps. 
 
 Art. xxxv. All the Members of a Court-Martial are to 
 behave with calmness, decency, and impartiality, and in 
 
 giving of their votes, are to begin with the youngest or 
 lowest in commission. 
 
 Art. xxxvi. No Field Officer shall be tried by any 
 person under the degree of a Captain ; nor shall any pro- 
 ceedings or trials be carried on excepting between the hours 
 of eight in the morning and three in the afternoon, except 
 in cases which require an immediate example. 
 
 Art. xxx vii. The Commissioned Officers of every Re- 
 giment may, by the appointment of their Colonel or com- 
 manding Officer, hold Regimental Courts-Martial for the 
 inquiring into such disputes or criminal matters as may 
 come before them, and for the inflicting corporeal punish- 
 ment for small offences, and shall give judgment by the 
 majority of voices; but no sentence shall be executed till 
 the commanding Officer (not being a member of the Court- 
 Martial) shall have confirmed the same. 
 
 Art. xxxviii. No Regimental Court-Martial shall con- 
 sist of less than five Officers, excepting in cases where that 
 number cannot be conveniently assembled, when three may 
 be sufficient, who are likewise to determine upon the sen- 
 tence by the majority of voices, which sentence is to be 
 confirmed by the commanding Officer, not being a member 
 of the Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xxxix. Every Officer commanding in any Fort, 
 Castle, or Barrack, or elsewhere, where the Corps under 
 his command consists of detachments from different Regi- 
 ments, or of independent Companies, may assemble Courts- 
 Martial, for the trial of offenders, in the same manner as if 
 they were Regimental, whose sentence is not to be exe- 
 cuted till it shall be confirmed by the said commanding 
 Officer. 
 
 Art. xl. No person whatsoever shall use menacing 
 words, signs, or gestures, in the presence of a Court-Martial 
 then sitting, or shall cause any disorder or riot, so as to dis- 
 turb their proceeding, on the penalty of being punished at 
 the discretion of the said Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. xli. To the end that offenders may be brought to 
 justice, whenever any Officer or Soldier shall commit a 
 crime deserving punishment, he shall, by his commanding 
 Officer, if an Officer, be put in arrest ; if a Non-Commis- 
 sioned Officer or Soldier, be imprisoned till he shall he 
 either tried by a Court-Martial, or shall be lawfully dis- 
 charged by proper authority. 
 
 Art. xlii. No Officer or Soldier who shall be put in 
 arrest or imprisonment, shall continue in his confinement 
 more than eight days, or till such time as a Court-Martial 
 can be conveniently assembled. 
 
 Art. xliii. No Officer commanding a Guard or Provost- 
 Marshal, shall refuse to receive or keep any prisoner com- 
 mitted to his charge by an Officer belonging to the Con- 
 tinental Forces; which Officer shall, at the same time, 
 deliver an account in writing, signed by himself, of the 
 crime with which the said prisoner is charged. 
 
 Art. xliv. No Officer commanding a Guard or Provost- 
 Marshal, shall presume to release any prisoner committed 
 to his charge without proper authority for so doing, nor 
 shall he suffer any prisoner to escape, on the penalty of 
 being punished for it by the sentence of a General Court- 
 Marlial. 
 
 Art. xlv. Every Officer or Provost-Marshal, to whose 
 charge prisoners shall be committed, is hereby required, 
 within twenty-four hours after such commitment, or as soon 
 as he shall be relieved from his guard, to give in writing to 
 the Colonel of the Regiment to whom the prisoner belongs*, 
 (where the prisoner is confined upon the guard belonging 
 to the said Regiment, and that his offence only relates to 
 the neglect of duty in his own Corps,) or to the Com- 
 mander-in-Chief, their names, their crimes, and the names 
 of the Officers who committed them, on the penalty of 
 being punished for his disobedience or neglect, at the dis- 
 cretion of a General Court-lMartial. 
 
 Art. xi.vi. And if any Officer under arrest shall leave 
 his confinement before he is set at liberty by the Officer 
 who confined him, or by a superiour power, he shall be 
 cashiered for it. 
 
 Art. xlvii. Whatsoever Commissioned Officer shall be 
 convicted before a General Court-Martial of behaving in a 
 scandalous, infamous manner, such as is unbecoming the 
 character of an Officer and a Gentleman, shall be dis- 
 charged from the service. 
 
1S61 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JUNE 30, 1775. 
 
 1862 
 
 Art. xlviii. All Officers, Conductors, Gunners, Ma- 
 trosses, Drivers, or any other persons whatsoever, receiving 
 pay or hire in the service of the Continental Artillery, shall 
 be governed by the aforesaid Rules and Articles, and shall 
 be subject to be tried by Courts-Martial, in like manner 
 with the Officers and Soldiers of the Continental Troops. 
 
 Art. xlix. For differences arising amongst themselves, 
 or in matters relating solely to their own Corps, the Courts- 
 Martial may be composed of their own Officers; but where 
 a number sufficient of such Officers cannot be assembled, 
 or in matters wherein other Corps are interested, the Offi- 
 cers of Artillery shall sit in Courts-Martial with the Officers 
 of the other Corps. 
 
 Art. l. All crimes, not capital, and all disorders and 
 neglects, which Officers and Soldiers may be guilty of, to 
 the prejudice of good order and military discipline, though 
 not mentioned in the Articles of War, are to be taken cog- 
 n zance of by a General or Regimental Court-Martial, 
 according to the nature and degree of the offence, and be 
 punished at their discretion. 
 
 Art. u. That no persons shall be sentenced by a Court- 
 Martial to suffer death, except in the cases expressly men- 
 tioned in the foregoing Articles ; nor shall any punishment 
 be inflicted at the discretion of a Court-Martial, other than 
 degrading, cashiering, drumming out of the Army, whip- 
 ping not exceeding thirty-nine lashes, fine not exceeding 
 two months pay of the offender, imprisonment not exceed- 
 ing one month. 
 
 Art. lu. The Field-Officers of each and every Regi- 
 ment are to appoint some suitable person belonging to such 
 Regiment, to receive all such Fines as may arise within 
 ihe same, for any breach of any of the foregoing Articles, 
 and shall direct the same to be carefully and properly 
 applied to the relief of such sick, wounded, or necessitous 
 Soldiers as belong to such Regiment ; and such person 
 shall account with such Officer for all Fines received, and 
 the application thereof. 
 
 Art. liii. All Members sitting in Courts-Martial shall 
 be sworn by the President of said Courts, which President 
 shall himself be sworn by the Officer in said Court next 
 in rank ; the Oath to be administered previous to their 
 proceeding to the trial of any offender, in form following, 
 viz : 
 
 " You, A. B., swear that you will well and truly try, 
 and impartially determine the cause of the prisoner now to 
 be tried, according to the Rules for regulating the Conti- 
 nental Army; so help you God." 
 
 Art. liv. All persons called to give evidence, in any 
 case, before a Court-Martial, who shall refuse to give evi- 
 dence, shall be punished for such refusal at the discretion 
 of such Court-Martial ; the Oath to be administered in the 
 following form, viz : 
 
 "You swear the evidence you shall give in the case 
 now in hearing, shall be the truth, the whole truth, and 
 nothing but the truth ; so help you God." 
 
 Art. lv. Every Officer commanding a Regiment, 
 Troop, or Company, shall, upon notice given to him by 
 the Commissary of the Musters, or from one of his Depu- 
 ties, assemble the Regiment, Troop, or Company under 
 his command, in the next convenient place for their being 
 mustered. 
 
 Art. lvi. Every Colonel, or other Field-Officer, or 
 Officer commanding any Corps, to which there is no Field- 
 Officer, and actually residing with it, may give Furloughs 
 to Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers, in such num- 
 bers, and for so long a time, as he shall judge to be most 
 consistent with the good of the service ; but no Non-Com- 
 missioned Officer or Soldier shall, by leave of his Captain, 
 or inferiour Officer, commanding the Troop or Company, 
 (his Field-Officer not being present,) be absent above 
 twenty days in six months, nor shall more than two pri- 
 vate men be absent at the same time from their Troop or 
 Company, excepting some extraordinary occasion should 
 require it, of which occasion the Field-Officer present with, 
 and commanding the Regiment or independent Corps, is 
 to be judge. 
 
 Art. lvii. At every Muster the Commanding Officer 
 of each Regiment, Troop, or Company, then present, shall 
 give to the Commissary of Musters Certificates signed by 
 himself, signifying how long such Officers, Non-Commis- 
 
 sioned Officers, and Soldiers, who shall not appear at the 
 said Muster, have been absent, and the reason of their 
 absence ; which reasons, and the time of absence, shall be 
 inserted in the Muster-Roils, opposite to the respective 
 names of such absentees ; the said Certificates shall, to- 
 gether with the Muster-Rolls, be by the said Commissary 
 transmitted to the General, and to this or any future Con- 
 gress of the United Colonies, or Committee appointed 
 thereby, within twenty days next after such Muster being 
 taken ; on failure whereof, the Commissary so offending 
 shall be discharged from the service. 
 
 Art. lviii. Every Officer who shall be convicted before 
 a General Court-Martial of having signed a false Certifi- 
 cate, relating to the absence of either Officers, Non-Com- 
 missioned Officer, or private Soldier, shall be cashiered. 
 
 Art. lix. Every Officer, who shall knowingly make 
 a false Muster of man or horse, and every Officer or Com- 
 missary who shall willingly sign, direct, or allow the signing 
 of the Muster-Roils, wherein such false Muster is contain- 
 ed, shall, upon proof made thereof, by two witnesses, before 
 a General Court-Martial, be cashiered, and moreover, for- 
 feit all such pay as may be due to him at the time of con- 
 viction for such offence. 
 
 Art. lx. Any Commissary who shall be convicted of 
 having taken any gift or gratuity on the mustering any 
 Regiment, Troop, or Company, or on the signing the 
 Muster-Rolls, shall be displaced from his office, and forfeit 
 his pay, as in the preceding Article. 
 
 Art. lxi. Any Officer who shall presume to muster 
 any person as a Soldier who is at other times accustomed 
 to wear a Livery, or who does not actually do his duty as 
 a Soldier, shall be deemed guilty of having made a false 
 Muster, and shall suffer accordingly. 
 
 Art. lxii. Every Officer who shall knowingly make 
 a false Return to the Commander-in-Chief of the Ameri- 
 can Forces, or to any his superiour Officer, authorized to 
 call for such Returns, of the state of the Regiment, Troop, 
 independent Company, or Ganison under his command, 
 or of Arms, Ammunition, Clothing, or other Stores there- 
 unto belonging, shall, by a Court-Martial, be cashiered. 
 
 Art. lxiii. The Commanding Officer of every Regi- 
 ment, Troop, independent Company, or Garrison, in the 
 service aforesaid, shall, in the beginning of every month, 
 remit to the Commander-in-Chief of said Forces, an exact 
 Return of the state of the Regiment, Troop, independent 
 Company, or Garrison under his command, specifying the 
 names of the Officers not then residing at their posts, and 
 the reason for, and the time of their absence; whoever 
 shall be convicted of having, through neglect or design, 
 omitted the sending such Returns, shall be punished ac- 
 cording to the nature of his crime, by the judgment of a 
 General Court-Martial. 
 
 Art. lxiv. No Sutlers shall be permitted to sell any 
 kind of Liquors or Victuals, or to keep their houses or 
 shops open for the entertainment of Soldiers, after nine at 
 night, or before the beating of the reveille, or upon Sun- 
 days, during divine service or sermon, on the penalty of 
 being dismissed from all future sutling. 
 
 Art. lxv. All Officers commanding in the Camp, or in 
 any Forts, Barracks, or Garrisons, are hereby required to 
 see that the persons permitted to suttle shall supply the 
 Soldiers with good and wholesome Provisions at a reason- 
 able price, as they shall be answerable for their neglect. 
 
 Art. lxvi. No Officers commanding in any Camp, Gar- 
 risons, Forts, or Barracks, shall either themselves exact 
 exorbitant prices for Houses or Stalls let out to Sutlers, or 
 shall connive at the like exactions in others, nor lay any 
 duty or impositions upon, or be interested in the sale of 
 such Victuals, Liquors, or other necessaries of life, which 
 are brought into the Camp, Garrison, Fort, or Barracks, 
 for the use of the Soldiers, on the penalty of being dis- 
 charged from the service. 
 
 Art. lxvii. That the General, or Commander-in-Chief 
 for the time being, shall have full power of pardoning or 
 mitigating any of the punishments ordered to be inflicted 
 for any of the offences mentioned in the foregoing Articles; 
 and every offender, convicted as aforesaid, by any Regi- 
 mental Court-Martial, may be pardoned, or have his pun- 
 ishment mitigated by the Colonel or Officer commanding 
 the Regiment. 
 
1S63 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 6, 1775. 
 
 1S64 
 
 Art. lxviii. When any Commissioned Officer shall hap- 
 pen to die, or be killed in the service of the United Colo- 
 nies, the Major of the Regiment, or the Officer doing the 
 Major's duty in his absence, shall immediately secure all 
 his effects or equipage, then in Camp or Quarters ; and 
 shall, before the next Regimental Court-Martial, make an 
 inventory thereof, and forthwith transmit to the Office of 
 the Secretary of the Congress, or Assembly of the Pro- 
 vince in which the Corps is stationed or shall happen to be 
 at the time of the death of such Officer ; to the end that 
 his Executors may, after payment of his debts in quarters, 
 and interment, receive the overplus, if any be, to his or 
 their use. 
 
 Art. lxix. When any Non-Commissioned Officer or 
 private Soldier shall happen to die, or be killed in the ser- 
 vice of the United Colonies, the then Commanding Officer 
 of the Troop or Company, shall, in the presence of two 
 oilier Commissioned Officers, take an account of whatever 
 effects he dies possessed of, and transmit the same, as in 
 ilie case above provided for, in order that the same may be 
 secured for, and paid to their respective representatives. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Deane, Mr. Cushing, and Mr. 
 Heices, be a Committee to examine the Rules and Articles 
 of War agreed to by the Congress, and get them printed 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That this Congress will, on Mon- 
 day next, take into consideration the Trade of America. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That the Committee for Indian 
 Affairs do prepare proper Talks for the several Tribes of 
 Iidians for engaging the continuance of their friendship to 
 us, and neutrality in our present unhappy dispute with 
 Great Britain. 
 
 The Order of the Day put off, and adjournment made 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 Saturday, July 1, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That in case any Agent of the 
 Ministry shall induce the Indian Tribes, or any of them, 
 to commit actual hostilities against these Colonies, or to 
 enter into an offensive alliance with the British Troops, 
 thereupon the Colonies ought to avail themselves of an alli- 
 ance with such Indian Nations as will enter into the same, 
 to oppose such British Troops and their Indian allies. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration the Report 
 of the Committee on Indian Affairs. 
 
 During the debate Letters were received by express 
 from General Schuyler, which requiring an immediate 
 answer, the same were taken into consideration : 
 
 Resolved, That General Schuyler be directed not to 
 remove General Wooster, or the Troops under his com- 
 mand, from New-York ; but that he raise as many of the 
 Green Mountain Boys, under such Officers as they shall 
 choose, with such other men in I he vicinity of Ticonderoga 
 as will be necessary to carry into execution the Resolu- 
 tions of the Congress, of the 27th of June last, transmitted 
 to him. 
 
 Ordered, That this be transmitted to General Schuyler 
 by the President. 
 
 On motion made, Resolved, That Lieutenant Patrick 
 Moncrief have liberty to return to England, on giving his 
 parole of honour, that he will not act against the Ameri- 
 cans in the present controversy between Great Britain and 
 these Colonies. 
 
 The Order of the Day being put off, the Congress 
 adjourned till Monday next at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, July 3, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Sundry Letters from the Convention of New-York, 
 General Schuyler, and a certified copy of a Letter from 
 Thomas Gage to Governour Martin, were laid before the 
 Congress, and read. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress 
 resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take 
 into consideration the trade of America. After some 
 time spent therein the President resumed the chair, and 
 
 Mr. Jf'ard reported that the Committee had come to a 
 Resolution, which they ordered him to report ; but not 
 having finished, they had desired him to move for leave to 
 sit again. 
 
 The Report from the Committee being read, the final 
 determination of it was, at the request of the Colony of 
 South- Carolina, deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 consideration the slate of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 4, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 And having taken up the consideration of the Report 
 from the Committee, came to the following Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the two Acts passed in the first session of 
 the present Parliament, the one intituled " An Act to re- 
 strain the Trade and Commerce of the Province of Massa- 
 chusetts-Bay and New-Hampshire, and the Colonies of 
 Connecticut and Rhode-Island and Providence Planta- 
 tions, in North-America, to Great Britain, Ireland, and 
 the British Islands in the West-Indies ; and to prohibit such 
 Provinces and Colonies from carrying on any Fishery on 
 the banks o{ Newfoundland or other places therein mention* 
 ed, under certain conditions and limitations:" the oilier, 
 intituled " An Act to restrain the Trade and Commerce 
 of the Colonies of New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, 
 Virginia, and South- Carolina, to Great Britain, Ireland, 
 and the British Islands in the West-Indies, under certain 
 conditions and limitations," are unconstitutional, oppres- 
 sive, and cruel ; and that the commercial opposition of these 
 Colonies, to certain Acts enumerated in the Association of 
 the last Congress, ought to be made against these, until 
 they are repealed. 
 
 Ordered, That the above be immediately published. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration the Letter of 
 General Schuyler of 28th ultimo, and, 
 
 Ordered, That the Delegates of the Colony of Penn- 
 sylvania procure Letters from the German Clergy, and 
 other respectable persons of that nation in this City, to 
 their friends and countrymen in the Colony of New- York, 
 and also to their countrymen in North-Carolina. 
 
 Resolved, That the Committee for Indian Affairs be so 
 far released from the obligation of secrecy as to have liberty 
 to inquire of proper intelligent persons, the situation and 
 condition of the Indian Nations. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Petition 
 to the King. After some debate, the further consideration 
 of it was postponed till to-morrow. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, resolve 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into their 
 farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, July 5, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Several Letters, from General Schuyler, of the 2d and 3d 
 of July, were received and read. 
 
 It appearing that Governour Philip Skene and Mr. 
 Lundy have designs inimical to American liberty : 
 
 Therefore, on motion, It is recommended to the Dele- 
 gates of the Colony of Pennsylvania, to have the order of 
 Congress of the 27th of June last, respecting the sending 
 Governour Skene to Hartford, in Connecticut, immediately 
 carried into execution. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Lundy be sent under 
 guard along with Governour Skene to Hartford, in Connec- 
 ticut, there to be confined in the same manner as is ordered 
 with respect to Governour Skene, until farther orders from 
 this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That such provision be made for the support 
 of Gov ernour Skene and Mr. Lundy as Governour Trum- 
 hull shall think proper, which the Continent will take care 
 to pay. 
 
 Ordered, That the President write to Governour Trum- 
 bull on this subject, and enclose him the above Order and 
 
 Resolves. 
 
1SG5 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 6, 1 775. 
 
 1866 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Petition 
 to the King, which being debated by paragraphs, was agreed 
 to, and ordered to be engrossed. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress 
 adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, July C, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 And resumed the consideration of the Address to the 
 Inhabitants of Great Britain which, after some debate, 
 was recommitted. 
 
 The Committee, to whom the Declaration was recom- 
 mitted, brought in the same, which being read, was taken 
 into consideration, and being debated* by paragraphs, was 
 approved, and is as follows: 
 
 A Declaration by the Representatives of the United 
 Colonies of North-America, now met in Congress at 
 Philadelphia, setting forth the causes and necessity 
 of their taking up Arms. 
 
 If it was possible for men who exercise their reason, to 
 believe that the divine Author of our existence intended a 
 part of the human race to hold an absolute property in, 
 and an unbounded power over others, marked out by his 
 infinite goodness and wisdom, as the objects of a legal 
 domination never rightfully resistible, however severe and 
 oppressive, the inhabitants of these Colonies might at least 
 require from the Parliament of Great Britain some evi- 
 dence, that this dreadful authority over them has been 
 granted to that body. But a reverence for our great Crea- 
 tor, principles of humanity, and the dictates of common 
 sense, must convince all those who reflect upon the sub- 
 ject, that Government was instituted to promote the wel- 
 fare of mankind, and ought to be administered for the 
 attainment of that end. The Legislature of Great Bri- 
 tain, however, stimulated by an inordinate passion for a 
 power, not only unjustifiable, but which they know to be 
 peculiarly reprobated by the very Constitution of that 
 Kingdom, and desperate of success in any mode of contest 
 where regard should be had to truth, law, or right, have at 
 length, deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and 
 impolitick purpose of enslaving these Colonies by violence, 
 
 * PRAGMENT OF A SPEECn MADE IN THE GENERAL CONGRESS OP AMERICA, 
 BY ONE OF THE DELEGATES IN 1775. 
 
 The great God, Sir, who is the searcher of all things, will witness 
 for me, that I have spoken to you from the bottom and purity of my 
 heart. We have heard that this is an arduous consideration. And 
 eurely, Sir, we have considered it earnestly. I may think of every 
 gentlemen here, as I know of myself, that, for seven years past, this 
 question has filled the day with anxious thought, and the night with 
 care. The God to whom we appeal must judge us. If the grievances of 
 which we complain did not come upon us unprovoked and unexpected, 
 when our hearts were filled with respectful affection for our Parent 
 State, and with loyalty to our King — let slavery, the worst of human 
 ills, be our portion. Nothing less than seven years of insulted com- 
 plaints and reiterated wrongs, could have shaken such rooted senti- 
 ments. Unhappily for us, submission and slavery are the same ; and 
 we have only the melancholy alternative left of ruin or resistance. 
 
 The last petitiont of this Congress to the King, contained all that 
 our unhappy condition could suggest. It represented our grievances ; 
 implored redress, and professed our readiness to contribute for the gen- 
 eral want, to the utmost of our abilities, when constitutionally re- 
 quired. 
 
 The apparently gracious reception it m;t with, promised us a due 
 consideration of it ; and that consideration, relief. But, alas ! Sir, it 
 seems at that moment the very reverse was intended. For it now ap- 
 pears, that in a very few days after this specious answer to our Agents, 
 a circular letter was privately written by the same Secretary of State, 
 to the Governours of the Colonies, before Parliament had been con- 
 sulted, pronouncing the Congress illegal, our grievances pretended, 
 and vainly commanding them to prevent our meeting again. Perhaps, 
 Sir, the Ministers of a great Nation never before committed an act of 
 such narrow policy and treacherous duplicity. They found Parliament, 
 however, prepared to support every one of their measures. 
 
 I forbear, Sir, entering into a detail of those acts, which, from their 
 atrociousness, must be felt and remembered forever. They are c ilcu- 
 lated to carry fire and sword, famino and desolation, through these flour. 
 Lshing Colonies. They cry, " havock, and let slip the dogs of war." The 
 extremes of rage and revenge, against the worst of enemies, could not 
 dictate measures more desperate and destructive. 
 
 There are some people who tremble at the approach of war. They 
 fear that it must put an inevitable stop to the further progress of these 
 Colonies ; and ruin irretrievably those benefits, which the industry of 
 centuries has called forth, from this once savage land. I may com- 
 mend the anxiety of these men, without praising their judgment. 
 
 War, like other evils, is often wholesome. The waters that stagnate 
 corrupt. The storm that works the ocean into rage renders it salutary. 
 Heaven has given us nothing unmixed. The rose is not without the 
 thorn. War calls forth the great virtues and efforts which would sleep 
 in the gentle bosom of peace, Paula sepultee distat inertia celaia virtus. 
 
 t In 1774, presented last Christmas. 
 
 and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close with 
 their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, however blinded 
 that Assembly may be, by their intemperate rage for un- 
 limited domination, so to slight justice and the opinion of 
 mankind, we esteem ourselves bound, by obligations of 
 respect to the rest of the world, to make known the justice 
 of our cause. 
 
 Our forefathers, inhabitants of the Island of Great Bri- 
 tain, left their native land, to seek on these shores a resi- 
 dence for civil and religious freedom. At the expense of 
 their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the 
 least charge to the Country from which they removed, by 
 unceasing labour, and an unconquerable spirit, they effected 
 settlements in the distant and inhospitable wilds of Ameri- 
 ca, then filled with numerous and warlike nations of barba- 
 rians. Societies or Governments, vested with perfect Le- 
 gislatures, were formed under Charters from the Crown, 
 and a harmonious intercourse was established between the 
 Colonies and the Kingdom from which they derived their 
 origin. The mutual benefits of this union became in a 
 short time so extraordinary, as to excite astonishment. It 
 is universally confessed, that the amazing increase of the 
 wealth, strength, and navigation of the Realm, arose from 
 this source; and the Minister who so wisely and success- 
 fully directed the measures of Great Britain in the late 
 war, publickly declared, that these Colonies enabled her to 
 triumph over her enemies. Towards the conclusion of 
 that war, it pleased our Sovereign to make a change in his 
 Councils. From that fatal moment, the affairs of the Bri- 
 tish Empire began to fall into confusion, and gradually sli- 
 ding from the summit of glorious prosperity, to which they 
 had been advanced by the virtues and abilities of one man, 
 are at length distracted by the convulsions that now shake 
 it to its deepest foundations. The new Ministry finding 
 the brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet 
 still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting 
 them a hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful 
 friends. 
 
 These devoted Colonies were judged to be in such a 
 state as to present victories without bloodshed, and all the 
 easy emoluments of statutable plunder. The uninter- 
 rupted tenour of their peaceable and respectful behaviour, 
 
 It opens resources which would be concealed under the inactivity of 
 tranquil times. It rouses and enlightens. It produces a people of 
 animation, energy, adventure, and greatness. Let us consult history. 
 Did not the Grecian Republicks prosper amid continual warfare ? Their 
 prosperity, their power, their splendour, grew from the all-animating 
 spirit of war. Did not the cottages of shepherds rise into imperial 
 Rome, the mistress of the world, the nurse of heroes, the delight of 
 gods .' through the invigorating operation of unceasing wars ! Per 
 damna, per cades, ab ipso duxit opes animumque ferro. How often has 
 Flanders been the theatre of contending powers, conflicting hosts, and 
 blood ! yet what country is more flourishing and fertile ? Trace back 
 the history of our Parent State. Whether you view her arraying An- 
 gles against Danes ; Danes against Saxons; Saxons against Normans ; 
 the Barons against the usurping Princes, or the civil wars of the Red 
 and White Roses, or that between the people and the tyrant Stuart, you 
 see her in a state of almost continual warfare. In almost every reign, 
 to the commencement of that of Henry the VII, her peaceful bosom 
 (in her poet's phrase) was gored with iron war. It was in the peaceful 
 reigns of Henry VII, Henry VIII, and Charles II, that she suffered the 
 severest extremities of tyranny and oppression. But amid her civil 
 contentions, she flourished and grew strong. Trained in them, she 
 sent her hardy legions forth, which planted the standard of England 
 upon the battlements of Paris ; extending her commerce and her do, 
 minion. 
 
 ,( Those noble English, who could entertain 
 With half their forces, the full pow er of France, 
 And let another half stand laughing by, 
 All out of work, and cold fur action." 
 
 The beautiful fabrick of her constitutional liberty was reared and 
 cem jnted in blood. From this fulness of her strength those scions 
 issued which, taking deep root in this delightful land, have reared their 
 heads, and spread abroad their branches like the cedars of Lebanon. 
 
 Why fear we, then, to pursue through apparent evil, real good ? The 
 war upon which we are to enter is just and necessary. Just urn est hel- 
 ium, ubi necessarium ; et pia arma, quibus nulla, nisi in armis, relin* 
 quitur spes. It is to protect these regions, brought to such beauty 
 through the infinite toil and hazard of our fathers and ourselves, from 
 becoming the prey of that more desolating cruel 6poiler, than war, 
 pestilence, or famine— absolute rule and endless extortion. 
 
 Our sufferings have been great — our endurance long. Every effort 
 of patience, complaint, and supplication has been exhausted. They 
 seem only to have hardened the hearts of the Ministers who oppress us 
 and double our distresses. Let us, therefore, consult how we shall defend 
 our liberties with dignity and success. Our Parent State will then 
 think us worthy of her, when she sees that with her liberty we inherit 
 her rigid resolution of maintaining it against all invaders. Let us give 
 her reason to pride herself in the relationship. 
 
 And thou, great Liberty ! inspire our souls. 
 Make our lives happy in thy pureembn.ee, 
 Or our d«-ath« glorious in thy just defence ! 
 
1S67 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 6, 1775. 
 
 1S68 
 
 from the beginning of colonization ; their dutiful, zealous, 
 and useful services during the war, though so recently and 
 amply acknowledged in the most honourable manner by 
 His Majesty, by the late King, and by Parliament, could 
 not save them from the meditated innovations. Parliament 
 was influenced to adopt the pernicious project ; and assu- 
 ming a new power over them, have, in the course of eleven 
 years, given such decisive specimens of the spirit and con- 
 sequences attending this power, as to leave no doubt con- 
 cerning the effects of acquiescence under it. They have 
 undertaken to give and grant our money without our con- 
 sent, though we have ever exercised an exclusive right to 
 dispose of our own property; statutes have been passed for 
 extending the jurisdiction of Courts of Admiralty and Vice- 
 Admiralty beyond their ancient limits ; for depriving us of 
 the accustomed and inestimable privilege of Trial by Jury, 
 in cases affecting both life and property; for suspending the 
 Legislature of one of the Colonies ; for interdicting all 
 commerce to the capital of another ; and for altering fun- 
 damentally the form of Government established by Charter, 
 and secured by acts of its own Legislature, solemnly con- 
 firmed by the Crown ; for exempting the " murderers" of 
 Colonists from legal trial, and, in effect, from punishment ; 
 for erecting in a neighbouring Province, acquired by the 
 joint arms of Great Britain and America, a despotism dan- 
 gerous to our very existence; and for quartering soldiers 
 upon the Colonists in time of profound peace. It has also 
 been resolved in Parliament, that Colonists charged with 
 committing certain offences, shall be transported to England 
 to be tried. 
 
 But why should we enumerate our injuries in detail ? By 
 one statute it is declared that Parliament can " of right 
 make laws to bind us in all cases whatsoever." What is to 
 defend us against so enormous, so unlimited a power? Not 
 a single man of those who assume it is chosen by us, or is 
 subject to our control or influence ; but, on the contrary, 
 they are all of them exempt from the operation of such 
 laws, and an American revenue, if not diverted from the 
 ostensible purposes for which it is raised, would actually 
 lighten their own burdens, in proportion as they increase 
 ours. We saw the misery to which such despotism would 
 reduce us. We, for ten years, incessantly and ineffectually 
 besieged the Throne as supplicants ; we reasoned, we re- 
 monstrated with Parliament, in the most mild and decent 
 language. 
 
 Administration, sensible that we should regard these 
 oppressive measures as freemen ought to do, sent over fleets 
 and armies to enforce them. The indignation of the Ame- 
 ricans was roused, it is true ; but it was the indignation of 
 a virtuous, loyal, and affectionate people. A Congress of 
 Delegates from the United Colonies was assembled at 
 Philadelphia, on the fifth day of last September. We 
 resolved again to offer an humble and dutiful petition to 
 the King, and also addressed our fellow-subjects of Great 
 Britain. We have pursued every temperate, every re- 
 spectful measure; we have even proceeded to break off 
 our commercial intercourse with our fellow-subjects, as the 
 last peaceable admonition, that our attachment to no Nation 
 upon earth should supplant our attachment to liberty. This, 
 we flattered ourselves, was the ultimate step of the contro- 
 versy; but subsequent events have shown how vain was 
 this hope of finding moderation in our enemies. 
 
 Several threatening expressions against the Colonies 
 were inserted in His Majesty's Speech ; our Petition, 
 though we were told it was a decent one, and that His 
 Majesty had been pleased to receive it graciously, and to 
 promise laying it before his Parliament, was huddled into 
 both Houses among a bundle of American papers, and 
 there neglected. 
 
 The Lords and Commons, in their Address, in the month 
 of February, said, that " a rebellion at that time actually 
 existed within the Province of Massachusetts-Bay ; and 
 that those concerned in it had been countenanced and en- 
 couraged by unlawful combinations and engagements enter- 
 ed into by His Majesty's subjects in several of the other 
 Colonies ; and, therefore, they besought His Majesty, that 
 he would take the most effectual measures to enforce due 
 obedience to the laws and authority of the supreme Legis- 
 lature. Soon after, the commercial intercourse of whole 
 Colonies with foreign countries, and with each other, was 
 
 cut off by an act of Parliament ; by another, several of 
 them were entirely prohibited from the Fisheries in the 
 seas near their coasts, on which they always depended for 
 their sustenance ; and large re-enforcements of ships and 
 troops were immediately sent over to General Gage. 
 
 Fruitless were all the entreaties, arguments, and elo- 
 quence of an illustrious band of the most distinguished 
 Peers and Commoners, who nobly and strenuously asserted 
 the justice of our cause, to stay, or even to mitigate the 
 heedless fury with which these accumulated and unexam- 
 pled outrages were hurried on. Equally fruitless was the 
 interference of the City of London, of Bristol, and many 
 other respectable Towns, in our favour. Parliament adopt- 
 ed an insidious manoeuvre, calculated to divide us, to estab- 
 lish a perpetual auction of taxations, where Colony should 
 bid against Colony, all of them uninformed what ransom 
 would redeem their lives ; and thus to extort from us, at 
 the point of the bayonet, the unknown sums that should be 
 sufficient to gratify, if possible to gratify, Ministerial rapa- 
 city, with the miserable indulgence left to us of raising, in 
 our own mode, the prescribed tribute. What terms more 
 rigid and humiliating could have been dictated by remorse- 
 less victors to conquered enemies ? In our circumstances, 
 to accept them, would be to deserve them. 
 
 Soon after intelligence of these proceedings arrived on 
 this Continent, General Gage, who, in the course of the 
 last year had taken possession of the Town of Boston, in 
 the Province of Massachusetts- Bay , and still occupied it 
 as a garrison, on the 19th day of April sent out from that 
 place a large detachment of his army, who made an unpro- 
 voked assault on the inhabitants of the said Province, at 
 the Town of Lexington, as appears by the affidavits of a 
 great number of persons, some of whom were officers and 
 soldiers of that detachment, murdered eight of the inhabi- 
 tants, and wounded many others. From thence the troops 
 proceeded in warlike array to the Town of Concord, where 
 they set upon another party of the inhabitants of the same 
 Province, killing several and wounding more, until com- 
 pelled to retreat by the country people suddenly assembled 
 to repel this cruel aggression. Hostilities, thus commenced 
 by the British Troops, have been since prosecuted by them 
 without regard to faith or reputation. The inhabitants of 
 Boston, being confined within that Town by the General, 
 their Governour, and having, in order to procure their dis- 
 mission, entered into a treaty with him, it was stipulated 
 that the said inhabitants, having deposited their arms with 
 their own Magistrates, should have liberty to depart, taking 
 with them their other effects. They accordingly delivered 
 up their arms : but in open violation of honour, in defiance 
 of the obligation of treaties, which even savage nations 
 esteemed sacred, the Governour ordered the arms deposited 
 as aforesaid, that they might be preserved for their owners, 
 to be seized by a body of soldiers ; detained the greatest 
 part of the inhabitants in the Town, and compelled the few 
 who were permitted to retire, to leave their most valuable 
 effects behind. 
 
 By this perfidy, wives are separated from their husbands, 
 children from their parents, the aged and the sick from 
 their relations and friends, who wish to attend and comfort 
 them ; and those who have been used to live in plenty, and 
 even elegance, are reduced to deplorable distress. 
 
 The General, further emulating his Ministerial masters, 
 by a Proclamation, bearing date on the 12th day of June, 
 after venting the grossest falsehoods and calumnies against 
 the good people of these Colonies, proceeds to " declare 
 them all, either by name or description, to be rebels and 
 traitors ; to supersede the course of the common law, and 
 instead thereof to publish and order the use and exercise 
 of the law martial." His troops have butchered our coun- 
 trymen ; have wantonly burnt Charlestown, besides a con- 
 siderable number of houses in other places ; our ships and 
 vessels are seized ; the necessary supplies of provisions are 
 intercepted, and he is exerting his utmost power to spread 
 destruction and devastation around him. 
 
 We have received certain intelligence, that General 
 Carlcton, the Governour of Canada, is instigating the peo- 
 ple of that Province, and the Indians, to fall upon us; and 
 we have but too much reason to apprehend, that schemes 
 have been formed to excite domestick enemies against us. 
 In brief, a part of these Colonies now feel, and all of them 
 
1S69 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 8, 1773. 
 
 1870 
 
 are sure of feeling, as far as the vengeance of Administra- 
 tion can inflict them, the complicated calamities of fire, 
 sword, and famine. We are reduced to the alternative of 
 choosing an unconditional submission to the tyranny of irri- 
 tated Ministers; or resistance by force. The latter is our 
 choice. We have counted the cost of this contest, and 
 find nothing so dreadful as voluntary slavery. Honour, 
 justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that 
 freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and 
 which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us. 
 We cannot endure the infamy and guilt of resigning suc- 
 ceeding generations to that wretchedness which inevitably 
 awaits them, if we basely entail hereditary bondage upon 
 them. 
 
 Our cause is just. Our union is perfect. Our internal 
 resources are great, and, if necessary, foreign assistance is 
 undoubtedly attainable. We gratefully acknowledge, as 
 signal instances of the Divine favour towards us, that His 
 providence would not permit us to be called into this severe 
 controversy until we were grown up to our present strength, 
 had been previonsly exercised in warlike operations, and 
 possessed of the means of defending ourselves. With 
 hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most 
 solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting 
 the utmost energy of those powers which our beneficent 
 Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we 
 have been compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, 
 in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and 
 perseverance, employ lor the preservation of our liberties ; 
 being, with one mind, resolved to die freemen rather than 
 live slaves. 
 
 Lest this declaration should disquiet the minds of our 
 friends and fellow-subjects in any part of the Empire, we 
 assure them that we mean not to dissolve that union which 
 has so long and so happily subsisted between us, and which 
 we sincerely wish to see restored. Necessity has not yet 
 driven us into that desperate measure, or induced us to 
 excite any other nation to war against them. We have not 
 raised armies with ambitious designs of separating from 
 Great Britain, and establishing independent states. We 
 fight not for glory or for conquest. We exhibit to man- 
 kind the remarkable spectacle of a people attacked by 
 unprovoked enemies, without any imputation or even sus- 
 picion of offence. They boast of their privileges and civili- 
 zation, and yet proffer no milder conditions than servitude 
 or death. 
 
 In our own native land, in defence of the freedom that is 
 our birth-right, and which we ever enjoyed till the late vio- 
 lation of it ; for the protection of our property, acquired 
 solely by the honest industry of our forefathers and our- 
 selves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up 
 arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease 
 on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being 
 renewed shall be removed, and not before. 
 
 With an humble confidence in the mercies of the su- 
 preme and impartial Judge and Ruler of the Universe, we 
 most devoutly implore his divine goodness to protect us 
 happily through this great conflict, to dispose our adversa- 
 ries to reconciliation on reasonable terms, and thereby to 
 relieve the Empire from the calamities of civil war. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That a Letter be prepared to the 
 Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery, of the City of Lon- 
 don, expressing the thanks of this Congress for their vir- 
 tuous and spirited opposition to the oppressive and ruinous 
 system of Colony administration adopted by the British 
 Ministry. 
 
 The Committee appointed to draught a Letter to the 
 People of Great Britain, to prepare this. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress 
 adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, July 7, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee to whom the Address to the People of 
 Great Britain was recommitted, brought in the same ; 
 which was again read, and after some debate, the farther 
 consideration of it was deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 Order of the Day put off, and the Congress adjourned 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 Saturday, July 8, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 The Petition to the King being engrossed, was compa- 
 red at the table, and signed by the several Members. 
 
 To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. 
 
 Most Gracious Sovekeign : We, your Majesty's faith- 
 ful subjects of the Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massa- 
 chusetts- B a y, Rhode-Island and Frovidence Plantations, 
 Connecticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the 
 Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, 
 Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Caro- 
 lina, in behalf of ourselves and the inhabitants of these 
 Colonies, who have deputed us to represent them in Gen- 
 eral Congress, entreat your Majesty's gracious attention to 
 this our humble petition. 
 
 The union between our Mother Country and these Co- 
 lonies, and the energy of mild and just Government, pro- 
 duced benefits so remarkably important, and afforded such 
 an assurance of their permanency and increase, that the 
 wonder and envy of other nations were excited, while they 
 beheld Great Britain rising to a power the most extraordi- 
 nary the world had ever known. 
 
 Her rivals, observing that there was no probability of this 
 happy connexion being broken by civil dissensions, and ap- 
 prehending its future effects if left any longer undisturbed, 
 resolved to prevent her receiving such continual and formi- 
 dable accessions of wealth and strength, by checking the 
 growth of those settlements from which they were to be 
 derived. 
 
 In the prosecution of this attempt, events so unfavour- 
 able to the design took place, that every friend to the inter- 
 est of Great Britain and these Colonies, entertained pleas- 
 ing and reasonable expectations of seeing an additional 
 force and exertion immediately gi". en to the operations of 
 the union hitherto experienced, by an enlargement of the 
 dominions of the Crown, and the removal of ancient and 
 warlike enemies to a greater distance. 
 
 At the conclusion, therefore, of the late war, the most 
 glorious and advantageous that ever had been carried on by 
 British arms, your loyal Colonists having contributed to its 
 success by such repeated and strenuous exertions as fre- 
 quently procured them the distinguished approbation of 
 your Majesty, of the late King, and of Parliament, doubted 
 not but that they should be permitted, with the rest of the 
 Empire, to share in the blessings of peace, and the emolu- 
 ments of victory and conquest. 
 
 While these recent and honourable acknowledgments of 
 their merits remained on record in the Journals and acts of 
 that august Legislature, the Parliament, undefaced by the 
 imputation or even the suspicion of any offence, they were 
 alarmed by a new system of statutes and regulations adopt- 
 ed for the administration of the Colonies, that filled their 
 minds with the most painful fears and jealousies ; and, to 
 their inexpressible astonishment, perceived the danger of a 
 foreign quarrel quickly succeeded by domestick danger, in 
 their judgment of a more dreadful kind. 
 
 Nor were these anxieties alleviated by any tendency in 
 this system to promote the welfare of their Mother Coun- 
 try. For though its effects were more immediately felt by 
 them, yet its influence appeared to be injurious to the com- 
 merce and prosperity of Great Britain. 
 
 We shall decline the ungrateful task of describing the 
 irksome variety of artifices practised by many of your Ma- 
 jesty's Ministers, the delusive pretences, fruitless terrours, 
 and unavailing severities, that have, from time to time, been 
 dealt out by them, in their attempts to execute this impolitick 
 plan, or of tracing through a series of years past the progress 
 of the unhappy differences between Great Britain and these 
 Colonies, that have flowed from this fatal source. 
 
 Your Majesty's Ministers, persevering in their measures, 
 and proceeding to open hostilities for enforcing them, have 
 compelled us to arm in our own defence, and have engaged 
 us in a controversy so peculiarly abhorrent to the affections 
 of your still faithful Colonists, that when we consider whom 
 we must oppose in this contest, and if it continues, what 
 may be the consequences, our own particular misfortunes 
 are accounted by us only as parts of our distress. 
 
 Knowing to what violent resentments and incurable ani- 
 mosities civil discords are apt to exasperate and inflame the 
 
1871 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 8, 1775. 
 
 1872 
 
 contending parties, we think ourselves required by indis- 
 pensable obligations to Almighty God, to your Majesty, to 
 our fellow-subjects, and to ourselves, immediately to use all 
 the means in our power, not incompatible with our safety, 
 for stopping the further effusion of blood, and for averting 
 the impending calamities that threaten the British Empire. 
 
 Thus called upon to address your Majesty on affairs of 
 such moment to America, and probably to all your Domin- 
 ions, we are earnestly desirous of performing this office 
 with the utmost deference for your Majesty; and we there- 
 fore pray, that your Majesty's royal magnanimity and 
 benevolence may make the most favourable constructions 
 of our expressions on so uncommon an occasion. Could 
 we represent in their full force the sentiments that agitate 
 the minds of us your dutiful subjects, we are persuaded 
 your Majesty would ascribe any seeming deviation from 
 reverence in our language, and even in our conduct, not to 
 any reprehensible intention, but to the impossibility of 
 reconciling the usual appearances of respect with a just 
 attention to our own preservation against those artful and 
 cruel enemies who abuse your royal confidence and autho- 
 rity, for the purpose of effecting our destruction. 
 
 Attached to your Majesty's person, family, and Govern- 
 ment, with all devotion that principle and affection can in- 
 spire ; connected with Great Britain by the strongest ties 
 that can unite societies, and deploring every event that 
 tends in any degree to weaken them, we solemnly assure 
 your Majesty, that we not only most ardently desire the 
 former harmony between her and these Colonies may be 
 restored, but that a concord may be established between 
 them upon so firm a basis as to perpetuate its blessings, 
 uninterrupted by any future dissensions, to succeeding gene- 
 rations in both countries, and to transmit your Majesty's 
 name to posterity, adorned with that signal and lasting glory 
 that has attended the memory of those illustrious person- 
 ages, whose virtues and abilities have extricated states from 
 dangerous convulsions, and, by securing happiness to others, 
 have erected the most noble and durable monuments to their 
 own fame. 
 
 We beg leave further to assure your Majesty, that not- 
 withstanding the sufferings of your loyal Colonists during 
 the course of this present controversy, our breasts retain 
 too tender a regard for the kingdom from which we derive 
 our origin, to request such a reconciliation as might, in any 
 manner, be inconsistent with her dignity or her welfare. 
 These, related as we are to her, honour and duty, as well 
 as inclination, induce us to support and advance; and the 
 apprehensions that now oppress our hearts with unspeak- 
 able grief, being once removed, your Majesty will find your 
 faithful subjects on this Continent ready and willing at all 
 times, as they have ever been, with their lives and fortunes, 
 to assert and maintain the rights and interests of your Ma- 
 jesty, and of our Mother Country. 
 
 We therefore beseech your Majesty, that your royal 
 authority and influence may be graciously interposed to 
 procure us relief from our afflicting fears and jealousies, 
 occasioned by the system before-mentioned, and to settle 
 peace through every part of our Dominions, with all humil- 
 ity submitting to your Majesty's wise consideration, whether 
 it may not be expedient, for facilitating those important 
 purposes, that your Majesty be pleased to direct some 
 mode, by which the united applications of your faithful 
 Colonists to the Throne, in pursuance of their common 
 counsels, may be improved into a happy and permanent 
 reconciliation ; and that, in the mean time, measures may 
 be taken for preventing the further destruction of the lives 
 of your Majesty's subjects; and that such statutes as more 
 immediately distress any of your Majesty's Colonies, may 
 be repealed. 
 
 For such arrangements as your Majesty's wisdom can 
 form for collecting the united sense of your American peo- 
 ple, we are convinced your Majesty would receive such 
 satisfactory proofs of the disposition of the Colonists to- 
 wards their Sovereign and Parent State, that the wished for 
 opportunity would soon be restored to them, of evincing 
 the sincerity of their professions, by every testimony of 
 devotion becoming the most dutiful subjects, and the most 
 affectionate Colonists. 
 
 That your Majesty may enjoy a long and prosperous 
 reign, and that your descendants may govern your Domin- 
 
 New-Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts, 
 
 Rhode-Island, 
 
 Connecticut, 
 
 New- York, 
 
 New-Jersey, 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 ions with honour to themselves and happiness to their sub- 
 jects, is our sincere prayer. 
 
 John Hancock. 
 John Langdon, 
 Thomas Cushing. 
 C Samuel Adams, 
 
 < John Adams, 
 ^Robert Treat Paine. 
 C Stephen Hopkins, 
 
 < Samuel Ward, 
 {Eliphalet Dyer. 
 5 Roger Sherman, 
 ( Silas Deane. 
 'Philip Livingston, 
 
 James Duane, 
 John Alsop, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 John Jay, 
 
 Robert Livingston, Jr., 
 Lewis Morris, 
 William Floyd, 
 Henry Wisner. 
 f William Livingston, 
 
 < John De Hart, 
 {Richard Smith. 
 
 John Dickinson, 
 Benjamin Franklin, 
 George Ross, 
 James Wilson, 
 Charles Humphreys, 
 Edward Biddle. 
 
 {Ccesar Rodney, 
 Thomas McKean, 
 George Read. 
 'Matthew Tilghman, 
 
 < 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 North-Carolina, 
 
 1 
 
 Thomas Johnson, Jr., 
 William Paca, 
 Samuel Chase, 
 Thomas Stone. 
 Patrick Henry, Jr., 
 Richard Henry Lee, 
 ■I Edmund Pendleton, 
 Benjamin Harrison, 
 { Thomas Jefferson. 
 5 William Hooper, 
 \ Joseph Hewes. 
 ( Henry Middleton, 
 Thomas Lynch, 
 South-Carolina, < Christopher Gadsden, 
 John Rutledge, 
 ^Edward Rutledge. 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to thd 
 Lord Mayor, he, reported the same ; which was read. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the above Committee pre- 
 pare a Letter to Mr. Richard Penn, and the Colony 
 Agents by name in England. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Address 
 to the Inhabitants of Great Britain; which being read, and 
 debated by paragraphs, was approved, and is as follows : 
 
 The Twelve United Colonies, by their Delegates in Con- 
 gress, to the Inhabitants of Great Britain: 
 
 Friends, Countrymen, and Brethren ! By these, and 
 by every other appellation that may designate the ties which 
 bind us to each other, we entreat your serious attention to 
 this our second attempt to prevent their dissolution. Re- 
 membrance of former friendships, pride in the glorious 
 achievements of our common ancestors, and affection for 
 the heirs of their virtues, have hitherto preserved our mu- 
 tual connexion ; but when that friendship is violated by the 
 grossest injuries; when the pride of ancestry becomes our 
 reproach, and we are no otherwise allied than as tyrants 
 and slaves ; when reduced to the melancholy alternative of 
 renouncing your favour or our freedom, can we hesitate 
 about the choice ? Let the spirit of Britons determine. 
 
 In a former address we asserted our rights, and stated the 
 injuries we had then received. We hoped that the men- 
 tion of our wrongs would have roused that honest indigna- 
 tion which has slept too long for your honour, or the welfare 
 of the Empire. But we have not been permitted to enter- 
 
1873 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 8, 1775. 
 
 1874 
 
 tain this pleasing expectation. Every day brought an ac- 
 cumulation of injuries, and the invention of the Ministry 
 has been constantly exercised, in adding to the calamities 
 of your American brethren. 
 
 After the most valuable right of legislation was infringed ; 
 when the powers assumed by your Parliament, in which 
 we are not represented, and from our local and other cir- 
 cumstances cannot properly be represented, rendered our 
 property precarious ; after being denied that mode of trial 
 to which we have long been indebted for the safety of our 
 persons, and the preservation of our liberties ; after being, 
 in many instances, divested of those laws which were trans- 
 mitted to us by our common ancestors, and subjected to an 
 arbitrary code, compiled under the auspices of Roman 
 tyrants ; after those charters, which encouraged our prede- 
 cessors to brave death and danger in every shape, on un- 
 known seas, in deserts unexplored, amidst barbarous and 
 inhospitable nations, were annulled ; when, without the 
 form of trial, without a publick accusation, whole Colonies 
 were condemned, their trade destroyed, their inhabitants 
 impoverished ; when soldiers were encouraged to imbrue 
 their hands in the blood of Americans, by offers of impu- 
 nity; when new modes of trial were instituted for the ruin 
 of the accused, where the charge carried with it the hor- 
 rours of conviction ; when a despotick Government was 
 established in a neighbouring Province, and its limits ex- 
 tended to every of our frontiers ; we little imagined that 
 any thing could be added to this black catalogue of unpro- 
 voked injuries: but we have unhappily been deceived, and 
 the late measures of the British Ministry fully convince 
 us that their object is the reduction of these Colonies to 
 slavery and ruin. 
 
 To confirm this assertion, let us recall your attention to 
 the affairs of America, since our last address. Let us com- 
 bat the calumnies of our enemies; and let us warn you of 
 tbe dangers that threaten you in our destruction. Many 
 of your fellow-subjects, whose situation deprived them of 
 other support, drew their maintenance from the sea ; but 
 the deprivation of our liberty being insufficient to satisfy 
 the resentment of our enemies, the horrours of famine were 
 superadded, and a British Parliament, who, in better times, 
 were the protectors of innocence and the patrons of human- 
 ity, have, without distinction of age or sex, robbed thou- 
 sands of the food which they were accustomed to draw from 
 that inexhaustible source, placed in their neighbourhood by 
 the benevolent Creator. 
 
 Another act of your Legislature shuts our ports, and 
 prohibits our trade with any but those states from whom 
 the great law of self-preservation renders it absolutely ne- 
 cessary we should at present withhold our commerce. But 
 this act (whatever may have been its design) we consider 
 rather as injurious to your opulence than our interest. All 
 our commerce terminates with you ; and the wealth we 
 procure from other Nations, is soon exchanged for your 
 superfluities. Our remittances must then cease with our 
 trade ; and our refinements with our aflhience. We trust, 
 however, that laws which deprive us of every blessing but 
 a soil that teems with the necessaries of life, and that liber- 
 ty which renders the enjoyment of them secure, will not 
 relax our vigour in their defence. 
 
 We might here observe on the cruelty and inconsistency 
 of those, who, while they publickly brand us with reproach- 
 ful and unworthy epithets, endeavour to deprive us of the 
 means of defence, by their interposition with foreign Pow- 
 ers, and to deliver us to the lawless ravages of a merciless 
 soldiery. But happily we are not without resources; and 
 though the timid and humiliating applications of a British 
 Ministry should prevail with foreign Nations, yet industry, 
 prompted by necessity, will not leave us without the neces- 
 sary supplies. 
 
 We could wish to go no further, and, not to wound the 
 ear of humanity, leave untold those rigorous acts of oppres- 
 sion, which are daily exercised in the Town of Boston, did 
 we not hope, that by disclaiming their deeds and punishing 
 the perpetrators, you would shortly vindicate the honour 
 of the British name, and re-establish the violated laws of 
 justice. 
 
 That once populous, flourishing and commercial Town 
 is now garrisoned by an Army sent not to protect, but to 
 enslave its inhabitants. The Civil Government is over- 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. ] 
 
 turned, and a Military Despotism erected upon its ruins. 
 Without law, without right, powers are assumed unknown 
 to the Constitution. Private property is unjustly invaded. 
 The inhabitants, daily subjected to the licentiousness of the 
 soldiery, are forbid to remove in defiance of their natural 
 rights, in violation of the most solemn compacts. Or if, 
 after long and wearisome solicitation, a pass is procured, 
 their effects are detained, and even those who are most 
 favoured, have no alternative but poverty or slavery. The 
 distress of many thousand people, wantonly deprived of 
 the necessaries of life, is a subject on which we would not 
 wish to enlarge. 
 
 Yet we cannot but observe, that a British fleet (unjus- 
 tified even by acts of your Legislature) are daily employed 
 in ruining our commerce, seizing our ships, and depriving 
 whole communities of their daily bread. Nor will a regard 
 for your honour permit us to be silent, while British Troops 
 sully your glory, by actions which the most inveterate 
 enmity will not palliate among civilized Nations, the wanton 
 and unnecessary destruction of Charlestown, a large, ancient, 
 and once populous Town, just before deserted by its inha- 
 bitants, who had fled to avoid the fury of your soldiery. 
 
 If you still retain those sentiments of compassion by 
 which Britons have ever been distinguished, if the humani- 
 ty which tempered the valour of our common ancestors 
 has not degenerated into cruelty, you will lament the mise- 
 ries of their descendants. 
 
 To what are we to attribute this treatment ? If to any 
 secret principle of the Constitution, let it be mentioned ; 
 let us learn that the Government we have long revered, 
 is not without its defects, and that while it gives freedom 
 to a part, it necessarily enslaves the remainder of the Em- 
 pire. If such a principle exists, why for ages has it ceased 
 to operate ? Why at this time is it called into action ? Can 
 no reason be assigned for this conduct ? Or must it be 
 resolved into the wanton exercise of arbitrary power? And 
 shall the descendants of Britons tamely submit to this? 
 No, Sirs ! we never will. While we revere the memory of 
 our gallant and virtuous ancestors, we never can surrender 
 those glorious privileges, for which they fought, bled, and 
 conquered. Admit that your fleets could destroy our 
 towns, and ravage our sea-coasts ; these are inconsider- 
 able objects, things of no moment to men whose bosoms 
 glow with the ardour of liberty. We can retire beyond 
 the reach of your navy, and, without any sensible diminu- 
 tion of the necessaries of life, enjoy a luxury, which from 
 that period you will want — the luxury of being free. 
 
 We know the force of your arms, and was it called forth 
 in the cause of justice and your Country, we might dread 
 the exertion ; but will Britons fight under the banners of 
 tyranny ? Will they counteract the labours, and disgrace 
 the victories of their ancestors ? Will they forge chains 
 for their posterity ? If they descend to this unworthy task, 
 will their swords retain their edge, their arms their accus- 
 tomed vigour? Britons can never become the instruments 
 of oppression, till they lose the spirit of freedom, by which 
 alone they are invincible. 
 
 Our enemies charge us with sedition. In what does it 
 consist? In our refusal to submit to unwarrantable acts of 
 injustice and cruelty ? If so, shew us a period in your 
 history, in which you have not been equally seditious. 
 
 We are accused of aiming at independence; but how is 
 this accusation supported? By the allegations of your 
 Ministers, not by our actions. Abused, insulted, and con- 
 demned, what steps have we pursued to obtain redress ? 
 We have carried our dutiful petitions to the Throne. We 
 have applied to your justice for relief. We have retrenched 
 our luxury, and withheld our trade. 
 
 The advantages of our commerce were designed as a 
 compensation for your protection ; when you ceased to pro- 
 tect, for what were we to compensate ? 
 
 What has been the success of our endeavours ? The 
 clemency of our Sovereign is unhappily diverted ; our peti- 
 tions are treated with indignity; our prayers answered by 
 insults. Our application to you remains unnoticed, and 
 leaves us the melancholy apprehension of your wanting 
 either the will or the power to assist us. 
 
 Even under these circumstances, what measures have 
 we taken that betray a desire of independence ? Have we 
 called in the aid of those foreign powers, who are the rivals 
 
1S75 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 8, 1775. 
 
 1876 
 
 of your grandeur? When your Troops were few and de- 
 fenceless, did we take advantage of their distress and expel 
 them our towns ? Or have we permitted them to fortify, 
 to receive new aid, and to acquire additional strength? 
 
 Let not your enemies and ours persuade you, that in this 
 we were influenced by fear, or any other unworthy motive. 
 The lives of Britons are still dear to us. They are the 
 children of our parents, and an uninterrupted intercourse 
 of mutual benefits had knit the bonds of friendship. When 
 hostilities were commenced, when on a late occasion we 
 were wantonly attacked by your Troops, though we repel- 
 led their assaults and returned their blows, yet we lamented 
 the wounds they obliged us to give ; nor have we yet 
 learned to rejoice at a victory over Englishmen. 
 
 As we wish not to colour our actions, or disguise our 
 thoughts, we shall, in the simple language of truth, avow 
 the measures we have pursued, the motives upon which 
 we have acted, and our future designs. 
 
 When our late petition to the Throne produced no other 
 effect than fresh injuries, and votes of your Legislature, cal- 
 culated to justify every severity ; when your fleets and your 
 armies were prepared to wrest from us our property, to rob 
 us of our liberties or our lives ; when the hostile attempts 
 of General Gage evinced his designs, we levied armies for 
 our security and defence. When the powers vested in the 
 Governour of Canada gave us reason to apprehend dan- 
 ger from that quarter; and we had frequent intimations, 
 that a cruel and savage enemy was to be let loose upon 
 the defenceless inhabitants of our frontiers; we took such 
 measures as prudence dictated, as necessity will justify. 
 We possessed ourselves of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. 
 Yet give us leave most solemnly to assure you, that we 
 have not yet lost sight of the object we have ever had in 
 view — a reconciliation with you on constitutional principles, 
 and a restoration of that friendly intercourse, which, to the 
 advantage of both, we till lately maintained. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Country apply themselves chiefly 
 to agriculture and commerce. As their fashions and man- 
 ners are similar to yours, your markets must afford them 
 the conveniences and luxuries for which they exchange 
 the produce of their labours. The wealth of this extended 
 Continent centres with you ; and our trade is so regulated 
 as to be subservient only to your interest. You are too 
 reasonable to expect, that by taxes (in addition to this) we 
 should contribute to your expense ; to believe, after divert- 
 ing the fountain, that the streams can flow with unabated 
 force. 
 
 It has been said, that we refuse to submit to the restric- 
 tions on our commerce. From whence is this inference 
 drawn? Not from our words, we have repeatedly declared 
 the contrary ; and we again profess our Submission to the 
 several acts of trade and navigation, passed before the year 
 1763, trusting, nevertheless, in the equity and justice of 
 Parliament, that such of them as, upon cool and impartial 
 consideration, shall appear to have imposed unnecessary or 
 grievous restrictions, will, at some happier period, be re- 
 pealed or altered. And we cheerfully consent to the opera- 
 tion of such acts of the British Parliament as shall be 
 restrained to the regulation of our external commerce, for 
 the purpose of securing the commercial advantages of the 
 whole Empire to the Mother Country, and the commercial 
 benefits of its respective members ; excluding every idea 
 of taxation, internal or external, for raising a revenue on 
 the subjects in America without their consent. 
 
 It is alleged that we contribute nothing to the common 
 defence. To this we answer, that the advantages which 
 Great Britain receives from the monopoly of our trade 
 far exceed our proportion of the expense necessary for that 
 purpose. But should these advantages be inadequate there- 
 to, let the restrictions on our trade be removed, and we will 
 cheerfully contribute such proportion when constitutionally 
 required. 
 
 It is a fundamental principle of the British Constitution, 
 that every man should have at least a representative share 
 in the formation of those laws by which he is bound. Were 
 it otherwise, the regulation of our internal police by a Bri- 
 tish Parliament, who are and ever will be unacquainted with 
 our local circumstances, must be always inconvenient, and 
 frequently oppressive, working our wrong, without yielding 
 any possible advantage to you. 
 
 A plan of accommodation (as it has been absurdly call- 
 ed) has been proposed by your Ministers to our respective 
 Assemblies. Were this proposal free from every other 
 objection but that which arises from the time of the offer, 
 it would not be unexceptionable. Can men deliberate with 
 the bayonet at their breast ? Can they treat with freedom, 
 while their Towns are sacked; when daily instances of 
 injustice and oppression disturb the slower operations of 
 reason ? 
 
 If this proposal is really such as you would offer and we 
 accept, why was it delayed till the Nation was put to use- 
 less expense, and we were reduced to our present melan- 
 choly situation ? If it holds forth nothing, why was it 
 proposed ? Unless indeed to deceive you into a belief, 
 that we were unwilling lo listen to any terms of accommo- 
 dation. But what is submitted to our consideration ? We 
 contend for the disposal of our property. We are told 
 that our demand is unreasonable, that our Assemblies may 
 indeed collect our money, but that they must at the same 
 time offer, not what your exigencies or ours may require, 
 but so much as shall be deemed sufficient to satisfy the 
 desires of a Minister and enable him to provide for favour- 
 ites and dependants. A recurrence to your own Treasury 
 will convince you how little of the money already extorted 
 from us has been applied to the relief of your burdens. 
 To suppose that we would thus grasp the shadow and give 
 up the substance, is adding insult to injuries. 
 
 We have nevertheless again presented an humble and 
 dutiful Petition to our Sovereign, and to remove every im- 
 putation of obstinacy, have requested His Majesty to direct 
 some mode by which the united applications of his faith- 
 ful Colonists may be improved into happy and permanent 
 reconciliation. We are willing to treat on such terms as 
 can alone render an accommodation lasting, and we flatter 
 ourselves that our pacifick endeavours will be attended with 
 a removal of Ministerial Troops, and a repeal of those laws, 
 of the operation of which we complain, on the one part, 
 and a disbanding of our Army, and a dissolution of our 
 commercial associations, on the other. 
 
 Yet conclude not from this that we propose to surrender 
 our property into the hands of your Ministry, or vest your 
 Parliament with a power which may terminate in our de- 
 struction. The great bulwarks of our Constitution we 
 have desired to maintain by every temperate, by every 
 peaceable means ; but your Ministers (equal foes to Bri- 
 tish and American freedom) have added to their former 
 oppressions an attempt to reduce us by the sword to a 
 base and abject submission. On the sword, therefore, we 
 are compelled to rely for protection. Should victory declare 
 in your favour, yet men trained to arms from their infancy, 
 and animated by the love of liberty, will afford neither a 
 cheap nor easy conquest. Of this at least we are assured, 
 that our struggle will be glorious, our success certain ; since 
 even in death we shall find that freedom which in life you 
 forbid us to enjoy. 
 
 Let us now ask, what advantages are to attend our re- 
 duction ? The trade of a ruined and desolate Country is 
 always inconsiderable, its revenue trifling ; the expense of 
 subjecting and retaining it in subjection certain and inevi- 
 table. What, then, remains but the gratification of an ill- 
 judged pride, or the hope of rendering us subservient to 
 designs on your liberty. 
 
 Soldiers who have sheathed their swords in the bowels 
 of their American brethren, will not draw them with more 
 reluctance against you. When too late you may lament 
 the loss of that freedom which we exhort you, while still in 
 your power, to preserve. 
 
 On the other hand, should you prove unsuccessful ; 
 should that connexion, which we most ardently wish to 
 maintain, be dissolved ; should your Ministers exhaust your 
 treasures and waste the blood of your countrymen in vain 
 attempts on our liberty ; do they not deliver you, weak and 
 defenceless, to your natural enemies? 
 
 Since, then, your liberty must be the price of your vic- 
 tories ; your ruin, of your defeat; what blind fatality can 
 urge you to a pursuit destructive of all that Britons hold 
 dear? 
 
 If you have no regard to the connexion that has for ages 
 subsisted between us ; if you have forgot the wounds we 
 have received fighting by your side for the extension of the 
 
1S77 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 12, 1775. 
 
 1S7S 
 
 empire ; if our commerce is not an object below your con- 
 sideration; if justice and humanity have lost their influence 
 on your hearts ; still motives are not wanting to excite your 
 indignation at the measures now pursued : your wealth, 
 your honour, your liberty are at slake. 
 
 Notwithstanding the distress to which we are reduced, 
 we sometimes forget our own afflictions to anticipate and 
 sympathize in yours. We grieve that rash and inconside- 
 rate counsels should precipitate the destruction of an em- 
 pire which has been the envy and admiration of ages, and 
 call God to witness, that we would part with our property, 
 endanger our lives, and sacrifice every thing but liberty, to 
 redeem you from ruin. 
 
 A cloud hangs over your head and ours ; ere this reaches 
 you, it may probably burst upon us ; let us, then, (before 
 the remembrance of former kindness is obliterated,) once 
 more repeat those appellations which are ever grateful in 
 our ears ; let us entreat Heaven to avert our ruin, and the 
 destruction that threatens our friends, brethren, and coun- 
 trymen, on the other side of the Atlantic!;. 
 
 Ordered, That the Address be published, and a num- 
 ber of them sent by Mr. Penn to England. 
 
 The Letter to the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen, and Livery 
 of London, being read again, and debated, was approved, 
 and is as follows : 
 
 My Lord : Permit the Delegates of the people of 
 twelve ancient Colonies, to pay your Lordship, and the 
 very respectable body of which you are head, the just 
 tribute of gratitude and thanks, for the virtuous and unso- 
 licited resentment you have shewn to the violated rights of 
 a free people. The City of London, my Lord, having in 
 all ages approved itself the patron of liberty, and the sup- 
 port of just government, against lawless tyranny and op- 
 pression, cannot fail to make us deeply sensible of the 
 powerful aid our cause must receive from such advocates ; 
 a cause, my Lord, worthy the support of the first City in 
 the world, as it involves the fate of a great Continent, and 
 threatens to shake the foundations of a flourishing, and, 
 until lately, a happy Empire. 
 
 North America, my Lord, wishes most ardently for a 
 lasting connexion with Great Britain on terms of just and 
 equal liberty; less than which generous minds will not 
 offer, nor brave and free ones be willing to receive. 
 
 A cruel war has at length been opened against us, and 
 whilst we prepare to defend ourselves like the descendants 
 of Britons, w e still hope that the mediation of wise and 
 good citizens, will at length prevail over despotism, and 
 restore harmony and peace, on permanent principles, to an 
 oppressed and divided Empire. 
 
 We have the honour to be, my Lord, with great esteem, 
 your Lordship's faithful friends and fellow-subjects. 
 
 Signed by order of the Congress : 
 
 John Hancock, President. 
 
 Ordered, That the above Letter be fairly transcribed, 
 and signed by the President, and sent by Mr. Penn. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Letter to Mr. 
 Penn and the Colony Agents, brought in the same, which 
 being read, was approved, and is as follows: 
 
 Gentlemen : The perseverance of the British Ministry 
 in their unjust and cruel system of Colony administration, 
 has occasioned the meeting of another Congress. 
 
 We have again appealed to the justice of our Sovereign 
 for protection against the destruction which his Ministers 
 meditate for his American subjects. This Petition to His 
 Majesty you will please, gentlemen, to present to the King 
 with all convenient expedition, after which we desire it 
 may be given to the publick. We likewise send you our 
 second application to the equity and interest of our fellow- 
 subjects in Great Britain, and also a declaration setting 
 forth the causes of our taking up arms: both which we 
 wish may be immediately put to press, and communicated 
 as universally as possible. 
 
 The Congress entertain the highest sense of the wise 
 and worthy interposition of the Lord Mayor and Livery 
 of London, in favour of injured America. They have ex- 
 pressed this, their sense, in a letter to his Lordship and the 
 Livery, which we desire may be presented in the manner 
 most agreeable to that respectable body. 
 
 You will oblige us, gentlemen, by giving the most early 
 information to the Congress, and to the Speakers of our 
 respective Assemblies, of your proceeding in this business, 
 and such further intelligence as you may judge to be of 
 importance to America in this great contest. 
 
 We are, with great regard, Gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient and very humble servants. 
 By order of the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That the above be fairly transcribed, to be 
 signed by the President, and then by him sent under cover, 
 with the Petition to the King, and Address to the Inhabi- 
 tants of Great Britain, and Letter to the Lord Mayor of 
 London, to Richard Penn, Esq., and that the President 
 request Mr. Penn, in behalf of the Congress, to join with 
 the Colony Agents in presenting the Petition to the King. 
 
 Order of the Day put off ; and 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Monday, July 10, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 It being suggested that there was a gentleman in Town 
 well acquainted with the situation and disposition of the 
 Indians, 
 
 On motion, That he be introduced, he was introduced 
 accordingly. After he withdrew, the Committee appointed 
 to prepare proper talks to the Indians, reported the same, 
 which were read. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise ways and means of 
 putting the Militia into a proper state of defence, brought 
 in their Report, which was read. 
 
 Mr. Alsop informed the Congress that he had an invoice 
 of Indian goods, which a gentleman in this Town had de- 
 livered to him, and which the said gentleman was willing 
 to dispose of to the Congress. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. P. Livingston, Mr. Henry, and Mr. 
 Alsop, be a Committee to examine said invoice, and report 
 to the Congress. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report 
 of the Committee respecting the Militia, and after some 
 debate, the same was deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 The Order of the Day put off, and the Congress adjourn- 
 ed till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 11, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Report of the Committee on Indian Affairs was 
 taken up and read, and, after some debate, the same was 
 deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 On information that there were two Companies of Rifle- 
 men raised in Lancaster instead of one, 
 
 Resolved, That both the Companies be taken into the 
 Continental service. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the Delegates from Penn- 
 sylvania have liberty to treat with, and employ, fifty Hus- 
 sars, who have been in actual service, and send them for- 
 ward to join the Troops before Boston, under General 
 Washington. 
 
 " An Address of the Deputies from the different Parishes 
 of the Island of Bermuda," to the Congress, was presented 
 and read. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress 
 adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, July 12, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Information being given that there was a gentleman from 
 the Province of Quebcck in Town, who could give some 
 intelligence of the disposition of the Canadians, 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That he be called in ; and he was 
 accordingly introduced and examined. 
 
 Two Letters, from N. Cooke, Deputy-Governour of 
 Rhode-Island, the other from General Ward, were read. 
 
 The Report of the Committee of Indian Affairs was 
 then taken into consideration, which being debated by 
 paragraphs, the Congress came to the following Reso- 
 lutions : 
 
 * 
 
1879 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1775. 
 
 1880 
 
 That the securing and preserving the friendship of the 
 Indian Nations, appears to he a subject of the utmost mo- 
 ment to these Colonies. 
 
 That there is too much reason to apprehend that Admi- 
 nistration will spare no pains to excite the several Nations 
 of Indians to take up arms against these Colonies; and 
 that it becomes us to he very active and vigilant in exert- 
 ing every prudent means to strengthen and confirm the 
 friendly disposition towards these Colonies, which has long 
 prevailed among the Northern Tribes, and which has been 
 lately manifested by some of those to the Southward. 
 
 As the Indians depend on the Colonists for arms, am- 
 munition, and clothing, which are become necessary to 
 their subsistence, that Commissioners be appointed by this 
 Congress, to superintend Indian Affairs in behalf of these 
 Colonies. 
 
 That there be three Departments of Indians, the North- 
 ern, the Middle, and Southern. The Northern to extend 
 so far south as to include the whole of the Indians known 
 by the name of the Six Nations, and all the Indians north- 
 ward of those nations. The Southern Department to ex- 
 tend so far north as to include the Cherokees, and all the 
 Indians that may be to the southward of them. The Mid- 
 dle to contain the Indian nations that lie between the other 
 two departments. 
 
 That five Commissioners be appointed for the Southern 
 1 >epartment. 
 
 That for each of the other two Departments, there be 
 appointed three Commissioners. 
 
 That the Commissioners have power to treat with the 
 Indians in their respective Departments, in the name, and 
 on behalf of the United Colonies, in order to preserve 
 peace and friendship with the said Indians, and to prevent 
 their taking any part in the present commotions. 
 
 That the Commissioners for the Southern Department 
 receive from the Continental Treasury the sum of ten 
 thousand Dollars; the Commissioners for the Middle and 
 Northern Department, the sum of six thousand six hundred 
 and sixty-six Dollars and two-thirds of a Dollar, for each 
 of their respective Departments, for defraying the expense 
 of treaties and presents to the Indians. 
 
 That the Commissioners respectively have power to take 
 to their assistance gentlemen of influence among the In- 
 dians, in whom they can confide, and to appoint Agents, 
 residing near or among the Indians, to watch the conduct 
 of the Superintendents and their emissaries. 
 
 That in case the Commissioners for the respective Dis- 
 tricts, or any one of them in either District, shall have 
 satisfactory proof, that the King's Superintendents, their 
 Deputies or Agents, or any other person whatsoever, are 
 uctive in stirring up or inciting the Indians, or any of them, 
 to become inimical to the American Colonies, such Com- 
 missioner or Commissioners ought to cause such Superin- 
 tendents or other offender, to be seized and kept in safe 
 custody until order shall be taken therein by a majority of 
 the Commissioners of the District where such seizure is 
 made, or by the Continental Congress, or a Committee of 
 said Congress, to whom such seizure, with the causes of it, 
 shall, as soon as possible after, be made known. 
 
 That the Commissioners shall exhibit fair accounts of 
 the expenditure of all moneys by them respectively to be 
 received for the purposes aforesaid, to every succeeding 
 Continental Congress, or Committee of Congress, together 
 with a general state of Indian affairs in their several de- 
 partments ; in order that the Colonies may be informed 
 from time to time, of every such matter as may concern 
 them to know and avail themselves of, for the benefit of 
 the common cause. 
 
 That as there is a seminary for the instruction of Indian 
 youth, which has been established under the care of Doctor 
 Wheelock, on Connecticut River; and as there are nine or 
 ten Indian youths at that school, chiefly from the Tribes 
 residing in tyuebeck; and as for want of a proper fund there 
 is danger that these youths will be sent back to their 
 friends, which will probably excite jealousy and distrust, 
 and be attended with bad consequences, that the Commis- 
 sioners for Indian Affairs in the Northern Department be 
 authorized to receive out of the Continental Treasury a 
 sum not exceeding five hundred Dollars, to be applied by 
 them for the support of the said Indian youths. 
 
 Resolved, That the election of the Commissioners be 
 deferred till to-morrow. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That a Committee of five be ap- 
 pointed to devise ways and means to protect the trade of 
 these Colonies. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the election of the 
 Committee, and the following persons were chosen, viz : 
 Mr. Jay, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Gadsden, Mr. Deane, and 
 Mr. Lee. 
 
 Resolved, That the consideration of the Report of the 
 Committee respecting the Militia, be entered upon to-mor- 
 row. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Congress 
 adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, July 13, 1775. 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare a Speech to tlie 
 Indians, reported the same. 
 
 The Speech to the Six Nations being read, and debated 
 by paragraphs, was agreed to, and is as follows : 
 
 A Speech to the Six Confederate Nations, Mohawks, 
 Oneidas, Tijscaroras, Onondagas, Cayugas, Sene- 
 cas, from the Twelve United Colonies, convened in 
 Council at Philadelphia. 
 
 Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors! We, the Delegates 
 from the twelve United Provinces, viz: New-Hampshire, 
 Massachusetts- Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New- York, 
 New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower Counties of 
 New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex, on Delaware, Maryland, 
 Virginia, North- Carolina, and South- Carolina, now sit- 
 ting in General Congress at Philadelphia, send this talk to 
 you our Brothers. We are sixty-five in number, chosen 
 and appointed by the people throughout all these Provinces 
 and Colonies, to meet and sit together in one great Coun- 
 cil, to consult together for the common good of the land, 
 and speak and act for them. 
 
 Brothers! In our consultation we have judged it proper 
 and necessary to send you this talk, as we are upon the 
 same island, that you may be informed of the reasons of 
 this great Council, the situation of our civil Constitution, 
 and our disposition towards you our Indian brothers of the 
 Six Nations and their allies. (Three Strings, or a Small 
 Belt.) 
 
 Brothers and Friends, now attend ! When our fathers 
 crossed the great water and came over to this land, the 
 King of England gave them a talk, assuring them that 
 they and their children should be his children, and that if 
 they would leave their native country and make settle- 
 ments, and live here, and buy and sell, and trade with their 
 brethren beyond the water, they should still keep hold of 
 the same covenant chain and enjoy peace ; and it was 
 covenanted, that the fields, houses, goods and possessions 
 which our fathers should acquire, should remain to them 
 as their own, and be their children's forever, and at their 
 sole disposal. 
 
 Trusting that this covenant should never be broken, our 
 fathers came a great distance beyond the great water, laid 
 out their money here, built houses, cleared fields, raised 
 crops, and through their own labour and industry grew tall 
 and strong. 
 
 They have bought, sold, and traded with England ac- 
 cording to agreement, sending to them such things as they 
 wanted, and taking in exchange such things as were wanted 
 here. 
 
 The King of England and his people kept the way open 
 for more than one hundred years, and by our trade became 
 richer, and by a union with us, greater and stronger than 
 the other kings and people who live beyond the water. 
 
 All this time they lived in great friendship with us, and 
 we with them ; for we are brothers — one blood. 
 
 Whenever they were struck, we instantly felt as though 
 the blow had been given to us — their enemies were our 
 enemies. 
 
 Whenever they went to war, we sent our men to stand 
 by their side and fight for them, and our money to help 
 them and make them strong. 
 
1881 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 13, 1775. 
 
 1882 
 
 They thanked us for our love, and sent us good talks, 
 and renewed their promise to be one people forever. 
 
 Brothers and Friends, open a kind ear! We will now 
 tell you of the quarrel betwixt the Counsellors of King 
 George and the inhabitants and Colonies of America. 
 
 Many of his Counsellors are proud and wicked men. 
 They persuade the King to break the covenant chain, and 
 not to send us any more good Talks. A considerable num- 
 ber have prevailed upon him to enter into a new covenant 
 against us, and have torn asunder and cast behind their 
 backs the good old covenant which their ancestors and ours 
 entered into, and took strong hold of. 
 
 They now tell us they will slip their hand into our 
 pocket without asking, as though it were their own ; and at 
 their pleasure they will take from us our Charters, or writ- 
 ten Civil Constitution, which we love as our lives; also 
 our plantations, our houses and goods, whenever they 
 please, without asking our leave ; that our vessels may go 
 to this island in the sea, but to this or that particular island 
 we shall not trade any more; and in case of our non-com- 
 pliance with these new orders, they shut up our harbours. 
 
 Brothers, this is our present situation ; thus have many 
 of the King's Counsellors and servants dealt with us. If 
 we submit, or comply with their demands, you can easily 
 perceive to what state we will be reduced. If our people 
 labour on the field, they will not know who shall enjoy the 
 crop. If they hunt in the woods, it will be uncertain who 
 shall taste of the meat, or have the skins. If they build 
 houses, they will not know whether they may sit round the 
 fire, with their wives and children. They cannot be sure 
 whether they shall be permitted to eat, drink, and wear 
 the fruits of their own labour and industry. 
 
 Brothers and Friends of the Six Nations, attend! We 
 upon this island have often spoke and entreated the King 
 and his servants the Counsellors, that peace and harmony 
 might still continue between us ; that we cannot part with 
 or lose our hold of the old covenant chain which united 
 our fathers and theirs; that we want to brighten this chain, 
 and keep the way open as our fathers did ; that we want 
 to live with them as brothers, labour, trade, travel abroad, 
 eat and drink in peace. We have often asked them to 
 love us, and live in such friendship with us as their fathers 
 did with ours. 
 
 We told them again that we judged we were exceed- 
 ingly injured, that they might as well kill us, as take 
 away our property and the necessaries of life. We have 
 asked why they treat us thus? What has become of our 
 repeated addresses and supplications to them? Who hath 
 shut the ears of the King to the cries of his children in 
 America! No soft answer, no pleasant voice from beyond 
 the water has yet sounded in our ears. 
 
 Brothers, thus stands the matter betwixt old England 
 and America. You Indians know how things are propor- 
 tioned in a family — between the father and the son — the 
 child carries a little pack. England we regard as the 
 father ; this island may be compared to the son. 
 
 The father has a numerous family — both at home and 
 upon this island. He appoints a great number of servants 
 to assist him in the government of his family. In process 
 of time, some of his servants grow proud and ill-natured ; 
 they were displeased to see the boy so alert and walk so 
 nimbly with his pack. They tell the father, and advise 
 him to enlarge the child's pack; they prevail; the pack is 
 increased ; the child takes it up again — as he thought it 
 might be the father's pleasure — speaks but few words — 
 those very small — for he was loth to offend the father. 
 Those proud and wicked servants, finding they had pre- 
 vailed, laughed to see the boy sweat and stagger under his 
 increased load. By and by, they apply to the father to 
 double the boy's pack, because they heard him complain ; 
 and without any reason, said they, he is a cross child; cor- 
 rect him if he complains any more. The boy entreats the 
 father ; addresses the great servants in a decent manner, 
 that the pack might be lightened ; he could not go any 
 farther; humbly asks, if the old fathers, in any of their 
 records, had described such a pack for the child ; after all 
 the tears and entreaties of the child, the pack is redoubled ; 
 the child stands a little while staggering under the weight, 
 ready to fall every moment. However, he entreats the 
 lather once more, though so faint he could only lisp out 
 
 his last humble supplication ; waits a while ; no voice 
 returns. The child concludes the father could not hear ; 
 those proud servants had intercepted his supplications, or 
 stopped the ears of the father. He therefore gives one 
 struggle and throws off the pack, and says he cannot take 
 it up again ; such a weight would crush him down and kill 
 him, and he can but die if he refuses. 
 
 Upon this, those servants are very wroth ; and tell the 
 father many false stories respecting the child ; they bring 
 a great cudgel to the father, asking him to take it in his 
 hand and strike the child. 
 
 This may serve to illustrate the present condition of the 
 King's American subjects or children. 
 
 Amidst these oppressions we now and then hear a mol- 
 lifying and reviving voice from some of the King's wise 
 Counsellors, who are our friends, and feel for our distresses; 
 when they heard our complaints and our cries, they applied 
 to the King; also told those wicked servants, that this child 
 in America was not a cross boy; it had sufficient reason for 
 crying, and if the cause of its complaint was neglected, it 
 would soon assume the voice of a man, plead for justice 
 like a man, and defend its rights and support the old cove- 
 nant chain of the fathers. 
 
 Brothers, listen! Notwithstanding all our entreaties, 
 we have but little hope the King will send us any more 
 good Talks, by reason of his evil Counsellors ; they have 
 persuaded him to send an army of soldiers and many ships- 
 of-war, to rob and destroy us. They have shut up many 
 of our harbours, seized and taken into possession many of 
 our vessels; the soldiers have struck the blow; killed some 
 of our people ; the blood now runs of the American chil- 
 dren. They have also burned our houses and Towns, and 
 taken much of our goods. 
 
 Brothers! We are now necessitated to rise, and forced 
 to fight, or give up our Civil Constitution, run away, and 
 leave our farms and houses behind us. This must not be. 
 Since the King's wicked Counsellors will not open their 
 ears, and consider our just complaints, and the cause of 
 our weeping, and hath given the blow, we are determined 
 to drive away the King's Soldiers, and to kill and destroy 
 all those wicked men we find in arms against the peace of 
 the twelve United Colonies upon this island. We think 
 our cause is just ; therefore hope G'od will be on our side. 
 We do not take up the hatchet and struggle for honour 
 and conquest; but to maintain our Civil Constitution and 
 religious privileges, the very same for which our forefathers 
 left their native land and came to this Country. 
 
 Brothers and Friends! We desire you will hear and 
 receive what we have now told you, and that you will open 
 a good ear and listen to what we are now going to say. 
 This is a family quarrel between us and Old England. 
 You Indians are not concerned in it. We don't wish you 
 to take up the hatchet against the King's Troops. We 
 desire you to remain at home, and not join on either side, 
 but keep the hatchet buried deep. In the name and be- 
 half of all our people, we ask and desire you to love peace 
 and maintain it, and to love and sympathize with us in our 
 troubles ; that the path may be kept open with all our 
 people and yours, to pass and repass, without molestation. 
 
 Brothers! We live upon the same ground with you. 
 The same island is our common birthplace. We desire 
 to sit down under the same tree of peace with you; let us 
 water its roots and cherish its growth, till the large leaves 
 and flourishing branches shall extend to the setting sun, 
 and reach the skies. 
 
 Brothers, observe well! What is it we have asked of 
 you ? Nothing but peace, notwithstanding our present 
 disturbed situation ; and if application should be made to 
 you by any of the King's unwise and wicked Ministers to 
 join on their side, we only advise you to deliberate with 
 great caution, and in your wisdom look forward to the con- 
 sequences of a compliance. For, if the King's Troops 
 take away our property, and destroy us, who are of the 
 same blood with themselves, what can you, who are In- 
 dians, expect from them afterwards ? 
 
 Therefore, we say, Brothers, take care ; hold fast to 
 your covenant chain. You now know our disposition to- 
 wards you, the Six Nations of Indians, and your allies. 
 Let this our good Talk remain at Onondaga, your central 
 Council-House. We depend upon you to send and ac- 
 
18S3 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 18, 1775. 
 
 1S84 
 
 quaint your allies to the northward, the seven Tribes on 
 the River St. Lawrence, that you have this Talk of ours 
 at the Great Council Fire of the Six Nations. And when 
 they return, we invite your great men to come and con- 
 verse farther with us at Albany, where we intend to re- 
 kindle the Council Fire, which your and our ancestors sat 
 round in great friendship. 
 
 Brothers and Friends! We greet you all farewell. 
 ( The large Belt of Intelligence and Declaration.) 
 
 Brothers ! We have said we wish you Indians may 
 continue in peace with one another, and with us the white 
 people. Let us both be cautious in our behaviour towards 
 each other at this critical state of affairs. This island now 
 trembles; the wind whistles from almost every quarter; 
 let us fortify our minds and shut our ears against false ru- 
 mours; let us be cautious what we receive for truth, unless 
 spoken by wise and good men. If any thing disagreeable 
 should ever fall out between us, the twelve United Colo- 
 nies, and you, the Six Nations, to wound our peace, let 
 us immediately seek measures for healing the breach. 
 From the present situation of our affairs, we judge it wise 
 and expedient to kindle up a small Council Fire at Albany, 
 where we may hear each other's voice, and disclose our 
 minds more fully to each other. — (A small Belt.) 
 
 Ordered, That a similar Talk be prepared for the other 
 Indian Nations, preserving the tenour of the above, and 
 altering it so as to suit the Indians in the several Depart- 
 ments. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice of Com- 
 missioners for the several Departments, and after some 
 debate, agreed that the nomination of the Commissioners 
 for the Southern Department be postponed till Tuesday 
 next. 
 
 Mr. Franklin, Mr. Henry, and Mr. Wilson, were unani- 
 mously elected for the Middle Department. 
 
 On motion, Besolved, That there be one more added 
 to the number of the Commissioners for the Northern De- 
 partment. 
 
 Then the following gentlemen were chosen, viz: Gene- 
 ral Philip Schuyler, Major Joseph Hawley, Mr. Turbot 
 Francis, Mr. Oliver Wolcott, and Mr. Volkert P. Douw. 
 
 Besolved, That the Congress will, to-morrow, take into 
 their consideration the Report of the Committee on the 
 Militia. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Con- 
 gress adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, July 14, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the Congress re- 
 sumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee 
 on the Militia, and after some debate, the same was referred 
 till to-morrow. 
 
 A motion being made by Dr. Franklin, and seconded, 
 
 Resolved, That the same be taken into consideration to- 
 morrow morning. 
 
 The Order of the Day was postponed, and the Con- 
 gress adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, July 15, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the motion made 
 by Mr. Franklin was taken into consideration, and after 
 some debate, they came to the following Resolution, viz: 
 
 Whereas, the Government of Great Britain hath pro- 
 hibited the exportation of Arms and Ammunition to any 
 of the Plantations, and endeavoured to prevent other Na- 
 tions from supplying us: 
 
 Resolved, That for the better furnishing these Colonies 
 with the necessary means of defending their rights, every 
 Vessel importing Gunpowder, S3ltpetre, Sulphur, provided 
 they bring with the Sulphur four times as much Saltpetre, 
 Brass Field-Pieces, or good Muskets fitted with Bayonets, 
 within nine months from the date of this Resolution, shall 
 be permitted to load and export the produce of these Colo- 
 nies, to the value of such Powder and Stores aforesaid, 
 the Non-Exportation Agreement notwithstanding ; and it 
 
 is recommended to the Committees of the several Pro- 
 vinces to inspect the Military Stores so imported, and to 
 estimate a generous price lor the same, according to their 
 goodness, and permit the importer of such Powder and 
 other Military Stores aforesaid, to export the value thereof 
 and no more, in produce of any kind. 
 
 Ordered, That a copy of the above be delivered lo the 
 Delegates of the Colony of Pennsylvania, who are desired 
 to request the Committee of this City to forward the same 
 in handbills to the West-Indies, and such places as they 
 think proper, taking care that it be not published in the 
 newspapers. 
 
 Extracts from sundry intercepted Letters from Lord 
 Dartmouth to Governour Wright and Governour Martin, 
 were laid before the Congress, and read. 
 
 The Talk to the Stockbridge Indians was then taken 
 uj), and the same being debated, was agreed to. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That this Congress will, on 
 Thursday next, attend Divine Service together, both 
 morning and afternoon. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Lynch and Mr. Dickinson be a 
 Committee to wait on Mr. Duche, and request him to 
 preach for the Congress on next Thursday morning ; and 
 to wait upon Doctor Allison, and request him to preach at 
 his Church, for the Congress, on the afternoon of the said 
 day. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday next, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, July 17, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Letter from General Schuyler, with sundry Papers, 
 were laid before the Congress, and read, and the same 
 being taken into consideration, 
 
 Resolved, That the President write to General Wooster, 
 directing him to send, in the most expeditious manner, one 
 thousand of the Connecticut Forces under his command to 
 Albany, there to remain encamped until they shall receive 
 orders from General Schuyler as to their future proceed- 
 ings. 
 
 Resolved, That a Commissary of Stores and Provisions 
 be appointed for the Neiv-York Department, during the 
 present campaign. 
 
 By unanimous vote Walter Livingston was chosen. 
 
 That a Deputy Quartermaster-General be appointed for 
 the said Department. 
 
 Mr. Donald Campbell unanimously elected. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. D. Campbell have the rank of Colo- 
 nel in the Army. 
 
 That a Deputy Muster-Master be appointed for said 
 Department. 
 
 Mr. Gunning Bedford, elected. 
 
 Resolved, That the Convention of New- York be de- 
 sired to recommend to General Schuyler a proper person 
 for a Deputy Adjutant-General or Brigade-Major for the 
 Army in the New- York Department. 
 
 Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. Cushing, Mr. Henry, 
 and Mr. Deane, be a Committee to confer with Mr. Kirk- 
 land, and report what in their opinion is an adequate Com- 
 pensation for his services among the Indians. 
 
 The Address from the Deputies of the several Parishes 
 of the Island of Bermuda being again read, 
 
 Ordered, That the President return them an Answer, 
 acknowledging the receipt of the Address, and informing 
 them that it will be considered ; and desiring them to send 
 an account of the Provisions imported for some years past 
 for the use of the inhabitants of that Island ; and also en- 
 close them a copy of a Resolve entered into on Saturday 
 last, respecting the importation of Gunpowder, he. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, July 18, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to confer with Mr. Kirkland 
 brought in their Report ; which being taken into consider- 
 ation, 
 
 Resolved, That there be, and there is hereby allowed to 
 the Rev. Mr. Samuel Kirkland, three hundred Dollars, to 
 discharge the expenses he has been at among the Indians 
 
1885 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 19, 1775. 
 
 1886 
 
 of the Six Nations, to defray the expenses of his journey 
 from and to the Oneida Country, and that he receive the 
 same out of the Continental Treasury. 
 
 And it is hereby recommended to the Commissioners of 
 the Northern Department, to employ the said Mr. Kirk- 
 land among the Indians of the Six Nations, in order to 
 secure their friendship, and to continue them in a state of 
 neutrality with respect to the present controversy between 
 Great Britain and these Colonies. 
 
 The Congress resumed the Report of the Committee 
 for putting the Militia into a proper state of defence, and 
 after debating the same by paragraphs, came to the follow- 
 ing Resolutions, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That it be recommended to the inhabitants of 
 all the United English Colonies in North America, that 
 all able-bodied effective Men, between sixteen and fifty 
 years of age, in each Colony, immediately form themselves 
 into Regular Companies of Militia, to consist of one Cap- 
 tain, two Lieutenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four 
 Corporals, one Clerk, one Drummer, one Fifer, and about 
 sixty-eight Privates. 
 
 That the Officers of each Company be chosen by the 
 respective Companies. 
 
 That each Soldier be furnished with a good Musket that 
 will carry an ounce Ball, with a Bayonet, Steel Ramrod, 
 Worm, Priming- Wire and Brush fitted thereto, a cutting 
 Sword or Tomahawk, a Cartridge-Box that will contain 
 twenty-three rounds of Cartridges, twelve Flints, and a 
 Knapsack. 
 
 That the Companies be formed into Regiments or Batta- 
 lions, officered with a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, two 
 Majors, an Adjutant, or Quartermaster. 
 
 That all Officers above the rank of a Captain be ap- 
 pointed by the respective Provincial Assemblies or Con- 
 ventions, or in their recess, by the Committees of Safety 
 appointed by said Assemblies or Conventions. 
 
 That all Officers be commissioned by the Provincial 
 Assemblies or Conventions, or in their recess, by the Com- 
 mittees of Safety appointed by said Assemblies or Con- 
 ventions. 
 
 That all the Militia take proper care to acquire military 
 skill, and be well prepared for defence, by being each man 
 provided with one pound of good Gunpowder, and four 
 pounds of Ball fitted to his Gun. 
 
 That one-fourth part of the Militia in every Colony be 
 selected for Minute-Men, of such persons as are willing to 
 enter into this necessary service, formed into Companies 
 and Battalions, and their Officers, chosen and commissioned 
 as aforesaid, to be ready on the shortest notice to march to 
 any place where their assistance may be required, for the 
 defence of their own or a neighbouring Colony ; and as 
 these Minute-Men may eventually be called to action be- 
 fore the whole body of the Militia are sufficiently trained, 
 it is recommended that a more particular and diligent atten- 
 tion be paid to their instruction in military discipline. 
 
 That such of the Minute-Men as desire it, be relieved 
 by new draughts as aforesaid, from the whole body of the 
 Militia, once in four months. 
 
 As there are some people who, from religious principles, 
 cannot bear arms in any case, this Congress intend no 
 violence to their consciences, but earnestly recommend it 
 to them to contribute liberally, in this time of universal 
 calamity, to the relief of their distressed brethren in the 
 several Colonies, and to do all other services to their op- 
 pressed Country, which they can consistently with their 
 religious principles. , 
 
 That it be recommended to the Assemblies or Conven- 
 tions in the respective Colonies, to provide, as soon as pos- 
 sible, sufficient stores of Ammunition for their Colonies ; 
 also that they devise proper means for furnishing with Arms, 
 such effective men as are poor and unable to furnish them- 
 selves. 
 
 That it be recommended to each Colony to appoint a 
 Committee of Safety to superintend and direct all matters 
 necessary for the security and defence of their respective 
 Colonies, in the recess of their Assemblies and Conven- 
 tions. 
 
 That each Colony, at their own expense, make such 
 provision by armed Vessels or otherwise, as their respective 
 Assemblies, Conventions, or Committees of Safety shall 
 
 judge expedient and suitable to their circumstances and 
 situations, for the protection of their Harbours and Naviga- 
 tion on their sea-coasts, against all unlawful invasions, 
 attacks, and depredations from Cutters and Ships-of-War. 
 
 That it be recommended to the makers of Arms for the 
 use of the Militia, that they make good substantial Muskets, 
 with Barrels three feet and a half in length, that will carry 
 an ounce Ball, and fitted with a good Bayonet and Steel 
 Ramrod, and that the making such Arms be encouraged 
 in these United Colonies. 
 
 Where, in any Colony, a Militia is already formed under 
 regulations approved of by the Convention of such Colony, 
 or by such Assemblies as are annually elective, we refer to 
 the discretion of such Convention or Assembly, either to 
 adopt the foregoing Regulations in the whole or in part, or 
 to continue their former, as they, on consideration of all 
 circumstances, shall think best. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, July 19, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The President laid before the Congress a Letter from 
 the General, with sundry papers enclosed, which were read ; 
 and being taken into consideration, 
 
 Ordered. That Mr. Wilson apply to the Committee of 
 the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, and request them 
 to make diligent inquiry what quantity of Duck, Russia 
 Sheeting, Tow-Cloth, Oznaburghs, and Ticklenburghs, can 
 be procured in this City, and make return as soon as pos- 
 sible to this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That Joseph Trumbull be Commissary-Gene- 
 ral of Stores and Provisions for the Army of the United 
 Colonies. 
 
 Resolved, That the appointment of a Quartermaster- 
 General, a Commissary of Musters, and a Commissary of 
 Artillery, be left to General Washington. 
 
 That a Company of Matrosses be raised in the City of 
 Philadelphia, and sent to Boston. 
 
 That a Committee of three be appointed to devise ways 
 and means of raising the above Company. 
 
 The Committee chosen are Mr. Lynch, Mr. Lee, and 
 Mr. Gadsden. 
 
 That the President be desired to write to the Powder 
 Committees, or Committees of Safety in this City and Netv- 
 Yorlc, (where it is said a supply of Powder is lately arrived) 
 to forward to the camp as much good Gunpowder as they 
 can spare. 
 
 That General Thomas be appointed first Brigadier-Gene- 
 ral in the Army of the United Colonies, in the room of 
 General Pomeroy, who never acted under the commission 
 sent to him, and that General Thomas's commission bear 
 the same date that General Pomeroy's did. 
 
 That it be left to General Washington, if he thinks fit, 
 to appoint three Brigade Majors, and commission them 
 accordingly. 
 
 That a Committee of three be appointed to report the 
 method of establishing an Hospital. 
 
 The Committee chosen are Mr. Lewis, Mr. Paine, and 
 Mr. Middleton. 
 
 That it be recommended to the Colonies of New-Hamp- 
 shire, Massachusetts-Bay , Rhode-Island, and Connecticut, 
 to complete the deficiencies in the Regiments belonging to 
 their respective Colonies, retained by the General in the 
 Continental Army before Boston. 
 
 That it be recommended to the Colony of Rhode-Island 
 to complete and send forward to the camp before Boston, 
 as soon as possible, the three hundred and sixty men lately 
 voted by their General Assembly. 
 
 That ft be recommended also to the Colony of Con- 
 necticut, to complete and send forward to the camp before 
 Boston, as soon as possible, the fourteen hundred men lately 
 voted by their General Assembly. 
 
 That the paragraph of the General's Letter respecting 
 an easier communication between him and this Congress, 
 be referred for consideration till Saturday next. 
 
 That a Committee be appointed to bring in an estimate 
 of the expenses incurred by the votes and resolves of this 
 Congress. 
 
 Mr. Deane, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Cushing chosen. 
 
1887 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 21, 1775. 
 
 1888 
 
 Agreed, That the Congress meet here to-morrow morn- 
 ing at half past nine o'clock, in order to attend Divine Ser- 
 vice at Mr. Duche's Church, and that in the afternoon they 
 meet here, to go from this place and attend Divine Service 
 at Doctor Allison's Church. 
 
 Resolved, That the nomination of three of the Commis- 
 sioners for Indian Affairs, in the Southern Department, be 
 left to the Council of Safety, appointed by the Colony of 
 South- Carolina. 
 
 That Mr. John Walker, of Virginia, be appointed one 
 of the Commissioners for Indian Affairs, for the Southern 
 Department. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at half past nine o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, July 20, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 An Express arriving with despatches from Gen. Schuy- 
 ler, the same were read. 
 
 A Letter was likewise received from the Convention of 
 Georgia, and read, setting forth that that Colony had ac- 
 ceded to the General Association, and appointed Delegates 
 to attend this Congress. 
 
 Adjourned till one o'clock, P. M. 
 
 P. M. Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Despatches from General Schuyler being taken into 
 consideration, 
 
 Resolved, That General P. Schuyler be empowed to dis- 
 pose of and employ all the Troops in the New-York De- 
 partment, in such manner as he may think best for the 
 protection and defence of these Colonies, the Tribes of 
 Indians in friendship and amity with us, and most effect- 
 ually to promote the general interest, still pursuing, if in 
 his power, the former orders from this Congress, and sub- 
 ject to the future orders of the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at nine o'clock. 
 
 Friday, July 21, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the 
 Inhabitants of Jamaica, having brought in their Report, the 
 same was read. 
 
 Ordered, To lie on the table for further consideration. 
 
 The Committee appointed to prepare an Address to the 
 Inhabitants of Ireland, brought in a draught. 
 
 Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. R. Bache, Mr. Stephen Paschall, 
 and Mr. M. Hillegas, be appointed to superintend the 
 Press, and to have the oversight and care of printing the 
 Bills of Credit ordered to be struck by this Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That Mr. Willie Jones, of North- Carolina, 
 be the fifth Commissioner of Indian Affairs, in the South- 
 ern Department. 
 
 Mr. Wilson having made a Return of the Duck, &c, 
 that can be procured in this City, 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Wilson inquire whether Russia 
 Sheeting will answer for making Tents. 
 
 Ordered, That the Resolves respecting the Militia be 
 immediately published. 
 
 Agreeable to the Standing Order, the Congress resolved 
 itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into consi- 
 deration the state of America, when Doctor B. Franklin 
 submitted to their consideration the following sketch of 
 Articles of Confederation. 
 
 Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, proposed 
 by the Delegates of the several Colonies of ^ New-Hamp- 
 shire, fy-c, in General Congress met at Philadelphia, 
 May 10, 1775. 
 
 Article i. The name of this Confederacy shall hence- 
 forth be, The United Colonies of North America. 
 
 Article ii. The said United Colonies hereby severally 
 enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, bind- 
 ing on themselves and their posterity, for their common 
 defence against their enemies, for the securities of their 
 liberties and properties, the safety of their persons and 
 families, and their mutual and general welfare. 
 
 Article hi. That each Colony shall enjoy and retain 
 as much as it may think fit of its own present laws, cus- 
 
 toms, rights, privileges and peculiar jurisdictions within its 
 own limits ; and may amend its own Constitution as shall 
 seem best to its own Assembly or Convention. 
 
 Article iv. That for the more convenient manage- 
 ment of general interests, Delegates shall be annually elect- 
 ed in each Colony, to meet in General Congress at such 
 time and place as shall be agreed on in the next preceding 
 Congress. Only where particular circumstances do not 
 make a duration necessary, it is understood to be a rule, 
 that each succeeding Congress be held in a different Colo- 
 ny, till the whole number be gone through ; and so in per- 
 petual rotation ; and that accordingly the next Congress 
 after the present shall be held at Annapolis, in Maryland. 
 
 Article v. That the power and duty of the Congress 
 shall extend to the determining on war and peace ; the 
 sending and receiving Ambassadors, and entering into alli- 
 ances (the reconciliation with Great Britain;) the settling 
 all disputes and differences between Colony and Colony, 
 about limits or any other cause, if such should arise ; and 
 the planting of new Colonies when proper. The Congress 
 shall also make such general ordinances as, though neces- 
 sary to the general welfare, particular Assemblies cannot be 
 competent to, viz: those that may relate to our general 
 commerce, or general currency ; the establishment of posts ; 
 and the regulation of our common forces. The Congress 
 shall also have the appointment of all General Officers, 
 civil and military, appertaining to the General Confederacy, 
 such as General Treasurer, Secretary, &c. 
 
 Article vi. All charges of wars, and all other general 
 expenses to be incurred for the common welfare, shall ba 
 defrayed out of a common treasury, which is to be sup- 
 plied by each Colony in proportion to its number of male 
 poles between sixteen and sixty years of age. The taxes 
 for paying that proportion are to be laid and levied by the 
 Laws of each Colony. 
 
 Article vii. The number of Delegates to be elected 
 and sent to Congress by each Colony shall be regulated, 
 from time to time, by the number of such polls returned ; 
 so as that one Delegate be allowed for every five thousand 
 polls. And the Delegates are to bring with them to every 
 Congress an authenticated return of the number of polls in 
 the respective Provinces, which is to be taken triennially, 
 for the purposes abovementioned. 
 
 Article viii. At every meeting of the Congress, one 
 half of the Members returned, exclusive of proxies, shall 
 be necessary to make a quorum : and each Delegate at the 
 Congress shall have a vote in all cases, and if necessarily 
 absent, shall be allowed to appoint any other Delegate from 
 the same Colony to be his proxy, who may vote for him. 
 
 Article ix. An Executive Council shall be appointed 
 by the Congress out of their own body, consisting of twelve 
 persons; of whom, in the first appointment, one third, viz: 
 four shall be for one year, four for two years, and four for 
 three years ; and as the said terms expire, the vacancies 
 shall be filled by appointments for three years ; whereby 
 one third of the Members will be changed annually. This 
 Council, of whom two-thirds shall be a quorum in the 
 recess of Congress, is to execute what shall have been en- 
 joined thereby ; to manage the general Continental busi- 
 ness and interests ; to receive applications from foreign 
 Countries ; to prepare matters for the consideration of the 
 Congress ; to fill up, pro tempore, Continental Offices that 
 fall vacant ; and to draw on the General Treasurer for such 
 moneys as may be necessary for general services, and appro- 
 priated by the Congress to such services. 
 
 Article x. No Colony shall engage in an offensive war 
 with any Nation of Indians without the consent of the Con- 
 gress, or Grand Council abovementioned, who are first to 
 consider the justice and necessity of such war. 
 
 Article xi. A perpetual alliance, offensive and defen- 
 sive, is to be entered into as soon as may be with the Six 
 Natioris ; their limits to be ascertained and secured to them ; 
 their land not to be encroached on, nor any private or Co- 
 lony purchases made of them hereafter to be held good ; 
 nor any contract for lands to be made, but between the 
 Great Council of the Indians at Onondaga and the Gen- 
 eral Congress. The boundaries and lands of all the other 
 Indians shall also be ascertained and secured to them in the 
 same manner, and persons appointed to reside among them 
 in proper Districts ; and shall take care to prevent injustice 
 
1889 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 25, 1775. 
 
 1890 
 
 in the trade with them ; and be enabled at our general 
 expense, by occasional small supplies, to relieve their per- 
 sonal wants and distresses. And all purchases from them 
 shall be by the Congress, for the general advantage and 
 benefit of the United Colonies. 
 
 Article xii. As all new institutions may have imper- 
 fections, which only time and experience can discover, it is 
 agreed that the General Congress, from time to time, shall 
 propose such Amendments of this Constitution as may be 
 found necessary ; which being approved by a majority of 
 the Colony Assemblies, shall be equally binding with the 
 rest of the Articles of this Confederation. 
 
 Article xiii. Any and every Colony from Great Bri- 
 tain upon the Continent of North America, not at present 
 engaged in our Association, may, upon application and 
 joining the said Association, be received into the Confed- 
 eration, viz: Ireland, the West-India Islands, Quebeck, 
 St. John's, Nova-Scotia, Bermudas, and East and West 
 Floridas ; and shall thereupon be entitled to all the advan- 
 tages of our union, mutual assistance, and commerce. 
 
 These Articles shall be proposed to the several Provin- 
 cial Conventions or Assemblies, to be by them considered; 
 and if approved, they are advised to empower their Dele- 
 gates to agree to and ratify the same in the ensuing Con- 
 gress. After which the union thereby established is to 
 continue firm, till the terms of reconciliation proposed in 
 the Petition of the last Congress to the King are agreed 
 to ; till the Acts since made, restraining the American 
 Commerce and Fisheries, are repealed; till reparation is 
 made for the injury done to Boston, by shutting up its 
 Port ; for the burning of Charlestown ; and for the expense 
 of this unjust war ; and till all the British Troops are with- 
 drawn from America. On the arrival of these events, the 
 Colonies will return to their former connexion and friend- 
 ship with Britain : but on failure thereof, this Confedera- 
 tion is to be perpetual. 
 
 After some time spent in Committee of the Whole, the 
 President resumed the chair, and Mr. Hard reported, that 
 they had come to certain Resolutions, which he read, and 
 desired leave to sit again. 
 
 The Committee appointed to devise ways and means to 
 protect the Trade of these Colonies, brought in their Re- 
 port, which was read. 
 
 Ordered, That the same be taken into consideration 
 to-morrow morning. 
 
 The Congress then entered upon the consideration of the 
 Report from the Committee of the Whole, and after some 
 debate, 
 
 Resolved, That such a body of Troops be kept up in 
 the Massachusetts-Bay as General Washington shall think 
 necessary, provided they do not exceed twenty-two thou- 
 sand men. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, July 22, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the Congress took 
 into consideration the Report of the Committee appointed 
 to devise ways and means to protect the Trade of these 
 Colonies, and after some debate, the same was postponed, 
 to be taken up at some future day. 
 
 The Congress then resolved itself into a Committee of 
 the Whole, to take into consideration the state of Ame- 
 rica. And after some time spent therein, the President 
 resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported that the Com- 
 mittee had taken into consideration the matter referred to 
 them, but not having come to a conclusion, desired leave 
 to sit again. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will on Monday again 
 resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole, to take into 
 farther consideration the state of America. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Doctor Franklin, Mr. Jef- 
 ferson, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. Lee, be a Committee to 
 take into consideration, and report on the Resolution of 
 the House of Commons, February 20, 1775, commonly 
 called Lord North's Motion. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 1 
 
 Monday, July 24, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 A Letter from the General, dated July 14, with an en- 
 closed List of the Officers of the Ministerial Troops killed 
 and wounded in the late battle at Charlestown, was laid 
 before Congress, and read. 
 
 The Congress then resolved themselves into a Commit- 
 tee of the Whole, to take into consideration the state of 
 America. After some time spent therein, the President 
 resumed the chair, and Mr. Ward reported, that the Com- 
 mittee had taken the matter referred to them into consi- 
 deration, but not having come to a conclusion, desired 
 leave to sit again. 
 
 The Committee for that purpose appointed, brought in 
 a Report for establishing a Hospital. 
 Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow. 
 
 Tuesday, July 25, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Committee appointed to consider the ways and 
 means of establishing Posts, brought in their Report; which 
 was read, and ordered to be taken into consideration to- 
 morrow. 
 
 The Committee appointed to bring in an answer to the 
 Resolution of the House of Commons, brought in their 
 Report ; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table 
 for consideration. 
 
 The Congress being informed that a quantity of the Con- 
 tinental Gunpowder, amounting to about six tons and a half, 
 was arrived in this City : 
 
 Ordered, That the Delegates of this Colony take mea- 
 sures to have it sent under a safe convoy with all possible 
 despatch to Gen. Washington, at the Camp before Boston. 
 
 That the Delegates be empowered to order a detach- 
 ment of Riflemen raised for the Continental Army, con- 
 sisting of at least two Officers and thirty Men, to meet the 
 Powder Wagons at Trenton, and from thence to escort the 
 same to the Camp. 
 
 The Congress then resumed the consideration of the Ad- 
 dress to the Assembly of Jamaica, which being debated 
 by paragraphs, was agreed to, and is as follows : 
 
 Mr. Speaker., 
 
 And Gentlemen of the Assembly of Jamaica: 
 
 We would think ourselves deficient in our duty, if we 
 suffered this Congress to pass over, without expressing our 
 esteem for the Assembly of Jamaica. 
 
 Whoever attends to the conduct of those who have been 
 entrusted with the administration of British affairs during 
 these last twelve years, will discover in it a deliberate plan 
 to destroy, in every part of the Empire, the free constitu- 
 tion, for which Britain has been so long and so justly 
 famed. With a dexterity, artful and wicked, they have 
 varied the modes of attack, according to the different char- 
 acters and circumstances of those whom they meant to 
 reduce. In the East-Indies, where the effeminacy of the 
 inhabitants promised an easy conquest, they thought it un- 
 necessary to veil their tyrannick principles under the thinest 
 disguise. Without deigning even to pretend a justification 
 of their conduct, they sacrificed the lives of millions to the 
 gratification of their insatiable avarice and lust of power. 
 In Britain, where the maxims of freedom were still known, 
 but where luxury and dissipation had diminished the wonted 
 reverence for them, the attack has been carried on in a 
 more secret and indirect manner: corruption has been em- 
 ployed to undermine them. The Americans are not en- 
 ervated by effeminacy, like the inhabitants of India ; nor 
 debauched by luxury, like those of Great Britain: it was, 
 therefore, judged improper to assail them by bribery, or by 
 undisguised force. Plausible systems were formed; specious 
 pretences were made : all the arts of sophistry were tried 
 to shew that the British Ministry had by law a right to 
 enslave us. The first and best maxims of the Constitution, 
 venerable to Britons and to Americans, were perverted 
 and profaned. The power of Parliament, derived from 
 the people, to bind the people, was extended over those 
 from whom it was never derived. It is asserted, that a 
 
1891 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 26, 1775. 
 
 1892 
 
 Standing Army may be constitutionally kept among us, 
 without our consent. Those principles, dishonourable to 
 those who adopted them, and destructive to those to whom 
 they were applied, were nevertheless carried into execution 
 by the foes of liberty and of mankind. Acts of Parliament, 
 ruinous to America, and unserviceable to Britain, were 
 made to bind us ; Armies, maintained by the Parliament, 
 were sent over to secure their operation. The power, 
 however, and the cunning of our adversaries, were alike 
 unsuccessful. We refused to their Parliaments an obedi- 
 ence, which our judgments disapproved of; we refused to 
 their Armies a submission, which spirits unaccustomed to 
 slavery could not brook. 
 
 But while we spurned a disgraceful subjection, we were 
 fir from running into rash or seditious measures of opposi- 
 tion. Filled with sentiments of loyalty to our Sovereign, 
 and of affection and respect for our fellow-subjects in Bri- 
 tain, we petitioned, we supplicated, we expostulated: Our 
 prayers were rejected ; our remonstrances were disregard- 
 ed ; our grievances were accumulated. All this did not 
 provoke us to violence. 
 
 An appeal to the justice and humanity of those who bad 
 injured us, and who were bound to redress our injuries, was 
 ineffectual : we next resolved to make an appeal to their 
 interest, though by doing so, we knew we must sacrifice our 
 own, and (which gave us equal uneasiness) that of our 
 friends, who had never offended us, and who were connect- 
 ed with us by a sympathy of feelings, under oppressions 
 similar to our own. We resolved to give up our commerce 
 that we might preserve our liberty. We flattered ourselves, 
 that when, by withdrawing our commercial intercourse 
 with Britain, which we had an undoubted right either to 
 withdraw or continue, her trade should be diminished, her 
 revenues impaired, and her manufactures unemployed, our 
 Ministerial foes would be induced by interest, or compelled 
 by necessity, to depart from the plan of tyranny which they 
 had so long pursued, and to substitute in its place a system 
 more compatible with the freedom of America, and justice 
 of Britain. That this scheme of non-importation and non- 
 exportation might be productive of the desired effects, we 
 were obliged to include the Islands in it. From this neces- 
 sity, and from this necessity alone, has our conduct towards 
 them proceeded. By converting your sugar plantations 
 into fields of grain, you can supply yourselves with the ne- 
 cessaries of life: while the present unhappy struggle shall 
 continue, we cannot do more. 
 
 But why should we make any apology to the patriotick 
 Assembly of Jamaica, who know so well the value of liberty; 
 who are so sensible of the extreme danger to which ours is 
 exposed ; and who foresee how certainly the destruction of 
 ours must be followed by the destruction of their own ? 
 
 We receive uncommon pleasure from observing the prin- 
 ciples of our righteous opposition distinguished by your 
 approbation ; we feel the warmest gratitude for your pa- 
 thetic mediation in our behalf with the Crown. It was 
 indeed unavailing — but are you to blame ? Mournful ex- 
 perience tells us that petitions are often rejected, while the 
 sentiments and conduct of the petitioners entitle what they 
 offer to a happier fate. 
 
 That our petitions have been treated with disdain, is now 
 become the smallest part of our complaint: Ministerial 
 insolence is lost in ministerial barbarity. It has, by an ex- 
 ertion peculiarly ingenious, procured those very measures, 
 which it laid us under the hard necessity of pursuing, to be 
 stigmatized in Parliament as rebellious: It has employed 
 additional Fleets and Armies for the infamous purpose of 
 compelling us to abandon them: It has plunged us into all 
 the horrours and calamities of civil war: It has caused the 
 treasure and blood of Britons (formerly shed and expend- 
 ed for far other ends) to be spilt and wasted in the execra- 
 ble design of spreading slavery over British America. 
 It will not, however, accomplish its aim: In the worst of 
 contingencies, a choice will still be left, which it never 
 can prevent us from making. 
 
 The peculiar situation of your Island forbids your assist- 
 ance. But we have your good wishes. From the good 
 wishes of the friends of liberty and mankind, we shall 
 always derive consolation. 
 
 Ordered, That a fair copy be made out, to be signed by 
 the President, and transmitted by the first opportunity. 
 
 The Congress then, resuming the consideration of the 
 Report of the Committee of the Whole, came to the fol- 
 lowing Resolutions : 
 
 Resolved, That a body of Forces, not exceeding five 
 thousand, be kept up in the New- York Department, lor the 
 purpose of defending that part of America, and for secur- 
 ing the Lakes, and defending the Frontiers fiom invasions 
 or incursions. 
 
 That a farther sum, amounting to One Million of Dol- 
 lars, be struck in bills of thirty Dollars each. 
 
 As the signing so great a number of Bills as has been di- 
 rected to be issued by this Congress will require more time 
 than the Members can possibly devote to that business, con- 
 sistent with the attention due to the publick service: 
 
 Resolved, That the following gentlemen be appointed 
 and fully authorized to sign the same, viz: Luke Morris, 
 Samuel Meredith, Judah Foulke, Samuel Morris, Fred- 
 erick Kuhl, Robert Stretlle Jones, Thomas Coombe, Ellis 
 Lewis, John Mease, Thomas Lawrence, Daniel Clymer, 
 John Maxwell Nesbit, Thomas Barclay, John Bayard, 
 William Craig, Thomas Bartow, Jun., John Shce, Isaac 
 Hazlehurst, Robert Roberts, Anthony Morris, Mordecai 
 Leivis, George Mijflin, Robert Tuckniss, Andrew Ban- 
 ner, William Jackson, Joseph Sims, James Milligan, and 
 James Reed. 
 
 That each of the Continental Bills be numbered and 
 signed by two of the above gentlemen. 
 
 That each gentleman who signs the Continental Money 
 be allowed and paid out of the Continental Treasury, one 
 dollar and one- third of a dollar for each and every thou- 
 sand Bills signed and numbered by him. 
 
 That the gentlemen appointed to number and sign the 
 Bills, do give their receipts for the same, expressing the 
 number and denomination of them; and after numbering 
 and signing them, shall deliver the same to the Con- 
 tinental Treasurers, taking their receipts for the Bills so 
 delivered. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That Mr. Samuel Adams, Mr. 
 Lee, and Mr. J. Rut/edge, with the Secretary, be a Com- 
 mittee to revise the Journal of the Congress, and prepare 
 it for the press. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Wednesday, July 26, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of yesterday, the Congress re- 
 sumed the consideration of the Report of the Committee on 
 the Post-Office; which being debated by paragraphs, was 
 agreed to, as follows: 
 
 That a Postmaster General be appointed for the United 
 Colonies, who shall hold his office at Philadelphia, and 
 shall be allowed a salary of one thousand Dollars per annum 
 for himself, and three hundred and forty Dollars per annum 
 for a Secretary and Comptroller; with power to appoint 
 such and so many Deputies as to him may seem proper 
 and necessary. 
 
 That a line of Posts be appointed under the direction 
 of the Postmaster General, from Falmouth in New-Eng- 
 land to Savannah in Georgia, with as many cross-posts as 
 he shall think fit. 
 
 That the allowance to the Deputies in lieu of salary and 
 all contingent expenses, shall be twenty per centum on the 
 sums they collect and pay into the General Post-Office 
 annually, when the whole is under or not exceeding one 
 thousand Dollars; and ten per centum for all sums above one 
 thousand Dollars a year. 
 
 That the rates of Postage shall be twenty per cent, less 
 than those appointed by act of Parliament. 
 
 That the several Deputies account quarterly with the 
 General Post-Office, and the Postmaster General annually 
 with the Continental Treasurers, when he shall pay into the 
 receipt of the said Treasurers the profits of the Post-Office; 
 and if the necessary expense of this establishment should 
 exceed the produce of it, the deficiency shall be made good 
 by the United Colonies, and paid to the Postmaster Gen- 
 eral by the Continental Treasurers. 
 
 On motion made, Resolved, That it be recommended to 
 the Postmaster General to establish a weekly post to South' 
 Carolina. 
 
1893 CONTINENTAL CON 
 
 That it be left to the Postmaster General to appoint a 
 Secretary and Comptroller. 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the election of a Post- 
 master General for one year, and until another is appointed 
 by a future Congress: when Benjamin Franklin, Esq., was 
 unanimously chosen. 
 
 Adjourned till to morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Thursday, July 27, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Report of the 
 Committee on establishing a Hospital for the Army ; and 
 the same being debated, was agreed to, as follows : 
 
 That for the establishment of a Hospital for an Army, 
 consisting of twenty thousand men, the following Officers 
 and other attendants be appointed, with the following allow- 
 ance or pay, viz : 
 
 One Director-General and Chief Physician, his pay per 
 day, four Dollars. 
 
 Four Surgeons, per diem, each, one and one-third of a 
 Dollar. 
 
 One Apothecary, one and one-third of a Dollar. 
 Twenty Surgeon's Mates, each two-thirds of a Dollar. 
 One Clerk, two-thirds of a Dollar. 
 Two Storekeepers, each four Dollars per month. 
 One Nurse to every ten sick, one-fifteenth of a Dollar 
 per day, or two Dollars per month. 
 Labourers occasionally. 
 
 The Duty of the above Officers, viz: 
 
 The Director to furnish Medicines, Bedding, and all 
 other necessaries, to pay for the same, superintend the 
 whole, and make his report to, and receive orders from, 
 the Commander-in-Chief. 
 
 Surgeons, Apothecaries, and Mates : To visit and attend 
 the sick, and the Mates to obey the orders of the Physi- 
 cians, Surgeons, and Apothecary. 
 
 Matron: To superintend the Nurses, Bedding, &ic. 
 
 Nurses : To attend the sick, and obey the Matron's orders. 
 
 Clerk : To keep Accounts for the Director and Store- 
 keepers. 
 
 Storekeepers: To receive and deliver the Bedding and 
 other necessaries, by order of the Director. 
 
 On motion, Resolved, That the sum of Twenty-Five 
 Thousand Dollars be paid by the Continental Treasurers 
 to Reese Meredith, George Clymer, Samuel Meredith, and 
 Samuel Miffiin, Merchants of the City of Philadelphia ; 
 and that the like sum of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars 
 be paid by the said Treasurers to Philip Livingston, John 
 Alsop, and Francis Lewis, Merchants of New- York, to 
 be by them applied to the purpose of importing Gunpow- 
 der for the Continental Armies; and that they be allowed 
 out of the same five per cent, for their trouble and ex- 
 penses therein ; that they keep all their proceedings, as 
 much as possible, a secret from every other person but the 
 Congress and the General of the Continental Forces for 
 the time being; that they keep up a correspondence with 
 the said General, and make such dispositions of the Powder 
 they may import, as he shall order.* 
 
 The Congress then proceeded to the choice of Officers 
 for the Hospital ; when 
 
 Benjamin Church was unanimously elected as Director 
 of, and Chief Physician in the Hospital. 
 
 Resolved, That the appointment of the four Surgeons 
 and the Apothecary be left to Doctor Church. 
 
 That the Mates be appointed by the Surgeons. 
 
 That the number of Mates do not exceed twenty; and, 
 
 That the number be not kept in constant pay, unless the 
 sick and wounded should be so numerous as to require the 
 attendance of twenty, and to be diminished as circumstances 
 will admit ; for which purpose the pay is fixed by the day, 
 that they may only receive pay for actual service. 
 
 That one Clerk, two Storekeepers, and one Nurse to 
 every ten sick, be appointed by the Director. 
 
 On motion made, Resolved, That the Paymaster give 
 bond, with two sureties, in the sum of Fifty Thousand Dol- 
 lars, for the faithful performance of his office. 
 
 * This most secret, not to be published. — MS. Jour. 
 
 iRESS, JULY 28, 1775. 1894 
 
 That, the Bond be made payable to the same persons as 
 the Bonds of the Continental Treasurers are payable to. 
 
 James Warren was unanimously elected Paymaster- 
 General. 
 
 Resolved, That the Paymaster in the New-York De- 
 partment give Bond to the same persons as above directed, 
 with two sureties, in the sum of Twenty-Five Thousand 
 Dollars, for the faithful performance of his office. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Friday, July 28, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress being informed that a quantity of Gun- 
 powder belonging to the Continent is arrived in some part 
 of New-Jersey, 
 
 Ordered, That the Delegates of New-Jersey do take 
 care that the said Powder be safely conveyed to Dobbs's 
 Ferry, on the North River. 
 
 On motion made, Ordered, That the Colony of Vir- 
 ginia be supplied with one ton of Gunpowder from the 
 next quantity arriving here ; and that from the same sup- 
 ply Pennsylvania be repaid the Powder heretofore bor- 
 rowed by the Congress, if the same shall not be wanted by 
 General Washington. 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. McKean and Mr. Wilson do prepare 
 the Bonds for the Continental Treasurers to execute. 
 
 Jonathan Trumbull, Jun., Esq., was unanimously elected 
 Paymaster of the Forces for the New-York Department. 
 
 The Congress then took into consideration the Address 
 to the People of Ireland ; which being read and debated, 
 was agreed to, as follows : 
 
 To the People of Ireland : 
 From the Delegates appointed by the United Colonies of 
 New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island and 
 Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New- York, New- 
 Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Lower Counties on Delaware, 
 Maryland, Virginia, North- Carolina, and South- Caro- 
 lina, in General Congress at Philadelphia, the 10th of 
 May, 1775. 
 
 Friends and Fellow-Subjects : As the important 
 contest into which we have been driven, is now become 
 interesting to every European State, and particularly affects 
 the members of the British Empire, we think it our duty 
 to address you on the subject. We are desirous, as is natu- 
 ral to injured innocence, of possessing the good opinion of 
 the virtuous and humane. We are peculiarly desirous of 
 furnishing you with a true state of our motives and objects, 
 the better to enable you to judge of our conduct with accu- 
 racy, and determine the merits of the controversy with im- 
 partiality and precision. 
 
 However incredible it may appear, that, at this enlight- 
 ened period, the leaders of a nation, which in every age 
 has sacrificed hecatombs of her bravest patriots on the altar 
 of liberty, should presume gravely to assert, and, by force 
 of arms, attempt to establish an arbitrary sway over the 
 lives, liberties, and property of their fellow-subjects in 
 America, it is, nevertheless, a most deplorable and indis- 
 putable truth. 
 
 These Colonies have, from the time of their first settle- 
 ment, for near two centuries, peaceably enjoyed those very 
 rights of which the Ministry have, for ten years past, en- 
 deavoured by fraud and by violence to deprive them. 
 
 At the conclusion of the last war, the genius of England 
 and the spirit of wisdom, as if offended at the ungrateful 
 treatment of their sons, withdrew from the British coun- 
 cils, and left that nation a prey to a race of Ministers, with 
 whom ancient English honesty and benevolence disdained 
 to dwell. From that period, jealousy, discontent, oppres- 
 sion, and discord, have raged among all His Majesty's sub- 
 jects, and filled every part of his Dominions with distress 
 and complaint. 
 
 Not content with our purchasing of Britain, at her own 
 price, clothing and a thousand other articles used by near 
 three millions of people on this vast Continent ; not satis- 
 fied with the amazing profits arising from the monopoly of 
 our trade, without giving us either time to breathe, after a 
 long though glorious war, or the least credit for the blood 
 
1895 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 28, 1775. 
 
 1896 
 
 and treasure we have expended in it; notwithstanding the 
 zeal we had manifested for the service of our Sovereign, 
 and the warmest attachment to the Constitution of Britain 
 and the people of England, a black and horrid design was 
 formed to convert us from freemen into slaves, from sub- 
 jects into vassals, and from friends into enemies. 
 
 Taxes, for the first time since we landed on the Ameri- 
 can shores, were, without our consent, imposed upon us ; 
 an unconstitutional edict, to compel us to furnish necessa- 
 ries for a standing army, that we wished to see disbanded, 
 was issued, and the Legislature of New-York suspended 
 for refusing to comply with it. Our ancient and inestima- 
 ble right of Trial by Jury, was, in many instances, abolish- 
 ed, and the common law of the land made to give place to 
 admiralty jurisdictions. Judges were rendered, by the ten- 
 ure of their commissions, entirely dependant on the will of 
 a Minister. New crimes were arbitrarily created, and new 
 Courts, unknown to the Constitution, instituted. Wicked 
 and insidious Governours have been set over us ; and duti- 
 ful petitions, for the removal of even the notoriously infa- 
 mous Governour Hutchinson, were branded with the 
 opprobrious appellation of scandalous and defamatory. 
 Hardy attempts have been made, under colour of Parlia- 
 mentary authority, to seize Americans, and carry them to 
 Great Britain, to be tried for offences committed in the 
 Colonies. Ancient Charters have no longer remained 
 sacred ; that of the Massachusetts-Bay was violated, and 
 their form of Government essentially mutilated and trans- 
 formed. On pretence of punishing a violation of some 
 private property, committed by a few disguised individuals, 
 the populous and flourishing Town of Boston was sur- 
 rounded by fleets and armies ; its trade destroyed ; its port 
 blocked up, and thirty thousand citizens subjected to all 
 the miseries attending so sudden a convulsion in their com- 
 mercial metropolis ; and, to remove every obstacle to the 
 rigorous execution of this system of oppression, an act of 
 Parliament was passed, evidently calculated to indemnify 
 those who might, in the prosecution of it, even imbrue their 
 hands in the blood of the inhabitants. 
 
 Though pressed by such an accumulation of undeserved 
 injuries, America still remembered her duty to her Sover- 
 eign. A Congress, consisting of Deputies from twelve 
 United Colonies, assembled. They, in the most respectful 
 terms, laid their grievances at the foot of the Throne, and 
 implored His Majesty's interposition in their behalf. They 
 also agreed to suspend all trade with Great Britain, Ire- 
 land, and the West- Indies, hoping, by this peaceable mode 
 of opposition, to obtain that justice from the British Min- 
 istry which had been so long solicited in vain. And here 
 permit us to assure you, that it was with the utmost reluct- 
 ance we could prevail upon ourselves to cease our commer- 
 cial connexion with your island. Your Parliament had 
 done us no wrong. You had ever been friendly to the 
 rights of mankind ; and we acknowledge, with pleasure 
 and gratitude, that your nation has produced patriots who 
 have nobly distinguished themselves in the cause of hu- 
 manity and America. On the other hand, we were not 
 ignorant that the labour and manufactures of Ireland, like 
 those of the silk-worm, were of little moment to herself, 
 but served only to give luxury to those who neither toil nor 
 spin. We perceived that if we continued our commerce 
 with you, our agreement not to import from Britain would 
 be fruitless, and were, therefore, compelled to adopt a mea- 
 sure to which nothing but absolute necessity would have 
 reconciled us. It gave us, however, some consolation to 
 reflect, that should it occasion much distress, the fertile 
 regions of America would afford you a safe asylum from 
 poverty, and, in time, from oppression also; an asylum in 
 which many thousands of your countrymen have found 
 hospitality, peace, and affluence, and become united to us 
 by all the ties of consanguinity, mutual interest, and affec- 
 tion. Nor did Congress stop here. Flattered by a pleas- 
 ing expectation that the justice and humanity which had so 
 long characterized the English Nation would, on proper 
 application, afford us relief, they represented their griev- 
 ances in an affectionate address to their brethren in Britain, 
 and entreated their aid and interposition in behalf of these 
 Colonies. 
 
 The more fully to evince their respect for their Sover- 
 eign, the unhappy people of Boston were requested by the 
 
 Congress to submit with patience to their fate ; and all 
 America united in a resolution to abstain from every spe- 
 cies of violence. During this period, that devoted Town 
 suffered unspeakably. Its inhabitants were insulted, and 
 their property violated. Still relying on the clemency and 
 justice of His Majesty and the Nation, they permitted a 
 few Regiments to take possession of their Town, to sur- 
 round it with fortifications, and to cut off all intercourse 
 between them and their friends in the country. 
 
 With anxious expectation did all America wait the event 
 of their Petition. All America laments its fate. Their 
 Prince was deaf to their complaints; and vain were all 
 attempts to impress him with a sense of the sufferings of 
 his American subjects, of the cruelty of their task-masters, 
 and of the many plagues which impended over his Domin- 
 ions. Instead of directions for a candid inquiry into our 
 grievances, insult was added to oppression, and our long 
 forbearance rewarded with the imputation of cowardice- 
 Our trade with foreign states was prohibited ; and an act 
 of Parliament passed to prevent our even fishing on our 
 own coasts. Our peaceable assemblies, for the purpose of 
 consulting the common safety, were declared seditious ; and 
 our asserting the very rights which placed the crown of 
 Great Britain on the heads of the three successive Princes 
 of the House of Hanover, styled rebellion. Orders were 
 given to re-enforce the Troops in America. The wild and 
 barbarous savages of the wilderness have been solicited, by 
 gifts, to take up the hatchet against us, and instigated to 
 deluge our settlements with the blood of innocent and de- 
 fenceless women and children. The whole country was, 
 moreover, alarmed with the horrours of domestick insur- 
 rections. Refinements in parental cruelty, at which the 
 genius of Britain must blush ! Refinements which admit 
 not of being even recited without horrour, or practised with- 
 out infamy! We should be happy were these dark machi- 
 nations the mere suggestions of suspicion. We are sorry 
 to declare, that we are possessed of the most authentick 
 and indubitable evidence of their reality. 
 
 The Ministry, bent on pulling down the pillars of the 
 Constitution, endeavoured to erect the standard of despot- 
 ism in America; and, if successful, Britain and Ireland 
 may shudder at the consequences ! 
 
 Three of their most experienced Generals are sent to 
 wage war with their fellow-subjects ; and America is amazed 
 to find the name of Howe in the catalogue of her enemies. 
 She loved his brother. 
 
 Despairing of driving the Colonists to resistance, by any 
 other means than actual hostility, a detachment of the Army 
 at Boston marched into the country in all the array of war, 
 and, unprovoked, fired upon and killed several of the in- 
 habitants. The neighbouring farmers suddenly assembled, 
 and repelled the attack. From this, all communication 
 between the Town and country was intercepted. The 
 citizens petitioned the General for permission to leave the 
 Town, and he promised, on surrendering their arms, to 
 permit them to depart, with their other effects. They ac- 
 cordingly surrendered their arms, and the General violated 
 his faith. Under various pretences, passports were delayed 
 and denied ; and many thousands of the inhabitants are, at 
 this day, confined in the Town, in the utmost wretchedness 
 and want. The lame, the blind, and the sick, have, in- 
 deed, been turned out into the neighbouring fields; and 
 some, eluding the vigilance of the sentries, have escaped 
 from the Town, by swimming to the adjacent shores. 
 
 The war having thus begun on the part of General 
 Gage's Troops, the country armed and embodied. The 
 re-enforcements from Ireland soon after arrived ; a vigorous 
 attack was then made upon the Provincials. In their march, 
 the Troops surrounded the Town of Charlcstown, consisting 
 of about four hundred houses, then recently abandoned to 
 escape the fury of a relentless soldiery. Having plundered 
 the houses, they set fire to the Town, and reduced it to 
 ashes. To this wanton waste of property, unknown to 
 civilized nations, they were prompted, the better to conceal 
 their approach under cover of the smoke — a shocking mix- 
 ture of cowardice and cruelty, which then first tarnished 
 the lustre of the British arms, when aimed at a brother's 
 breast ! But, blessed be God, they were restrained from 
 committing further ravages, by the loss of a very consider- 
 able part of their Army, including many of their most ex- 
 
1897 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 29, 1775. 
 
 1898 
 
 perienced officers. The loss of the inhabitants was incon- 
 siderable. 
 
 Compelled, therefore, to behold thousands of our coun- 
 trymen imprisoned, and men, women, and children involved 
 in promiscuous and unmerited misery; when we find all 
 faith at an end, and sacred treaties turned into tricks of 
 state ; when we perceive our friends and kinsmen massa- 
 cred, our habitations plundered, our houses in flames, and 
 their once happy inhabitants fed only by the hand of cha- 
 rity, who can blame us for endeavouring to restrain the 
 progress of desolation? Who can censure our repelling the 
 attacks of such a barbarous band? Who, in such circum- 
 stances, would not obey the great, the universal, the divine 
 law of self-preservation? 
 
 Though vilified as wanting spirit, we are determined to 
 behave like men ; though insulted and abused, we wish for 
 reconciliation ; though defamed as seditious, we are ready 
 to obey the laws ; and though charged with rebellion, will 
 cheerfully bleed in defence of our Sovereign in a righteous 
 cause. What more can we say? What more can we offer? 
 
 But we forbear to trouble you with a tedious detail of 
 the various and fruitless offers and applications we have re- 
 peatedly made, not for pensions, for wealth, or for honours, 
 but for the humble boon of being permitted to possess the 
 fruits of honest industry, and to enjoy that degree of liberty 
 to which God and the Constitution have given us an un- 
 doubted right. 
 
 Blessed with an indissoluble union, with a variety of in- 
 ternal resources, and with a firm reliance on the justice of 
 the Supreme Disposer of all human events, we have no 
 doubt of rising superiour to all the machinations of evil and 
 abandoned Ministers. We already anticipate the golden 
 period, when liberty, with all the gentle arts of peace and 
 humanity, shall establish her mild dominion in this Western 
 world, and erect eternal monuments to the memory of those 
 virtuous patriots and martyrs, who shall have fought and 
 bled, and suffered in her cause. 
 
 Accept our most grateful acknowledgments for the 
 friendly disposition you have always shown towards us. 
 We know that you are not without your grievances. We 
 sympathize with you in your distress, and are pleased to 
 find that the design of subjugating us has persuaded Ad- 
 ministration to dispense to Ireland some vagrant rays of 
 Ministerial sunshine. Even the tender mercies of Gov- 
 ernment have long been cruel towards you. In the rich 
 pastures of Ireland, many hungry parricides have fed and 
 grown strong to labour in its destruction. We hope the 
 patient abiding of the meek may not always be forgotten ; 
 and God grant that the iniquitous schemes of extirpating 
 liberty from the British Empire, may be soon defeated. 
 But we should be wanting to ourselves ; we should be per- 
 fidious to posterity; we should be unworthy that ancestry 
 from which we derive our descent, should we submit, with 
 folded arms, to military butchery and depredation, to gratify 
 the lordly ambition, or sate the avarice of a British Min- 
 istry. In defence of our persons and properties, under 
 actual violation, we have taken up arms ; when that vio- 
 lence shall be removed, and hostilities cease on the part of 
 the aggressors, they shall cease on our part also. For the 
 achievement of this happy event, we confide in the good 
 offices of our fellow-subjects beyond the Atlantick. Of 
 their friendly disposition, we do not yet despond ; aware, 
 as they must be, that they have nothing more to expect 
 from the same common enemy, than the humble favour of 
 being last devoured. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Saturday, July 29, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Report 
 from the Committee of the Whole, and came to the follow- 
 ing Resolution : 
 
 Resolved, That the pay of the Commissary-General of 
 Musters be forty Dollars per month. 
 
 That the pay of the Deputy Commissary-General of 
 Stores and Provisions be sixty Dollars per do. 
 
 Deputy Adjutant-General, fifty Dollars per do. 
 
 Deputy Mustermaster-General, forty Dollars per do. 
 
 Brigade-Major, thirty-three Dollars per do. 
 
 Commissary of Artillery, thirty Dollars per month. 
 Judge Advocate, twenty Dollars per do. 
 Colonel, fifty Dollars per do. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, forty Dollars per do. 
 Major, thirty-three Dollars and one-third per do. 
 Captain, twenty Dollars per do. 
 Lieutenant, thirteen Dollars and one-third per do. 
 Ensign, ten Dollars per do. 
 Sergeant, eight Dollars per do. 
 
 Corporal, Drummer, and Fifer, each seven Dollars and 
 one-third per do. 
 
 Private, six Dollars and two-thirds per do. 
 Adjutant, eighteen Dollars and one-third per do. 
 Quartermaster, eighteen Dollars and one-third per do. 
 Chaplain, twenty Dollars per do. 
 
 That the pay of the Light-Infantry be the same as that 
 in the Regiment, from a Captain to a Private, both in- 
 cluded. 
 
 That in the Artillery, the pay of a Captain be twenty- 
 six Dollars and two-thirds per month. 
 
 Captain-Lieutenant, twenty Dollars per do. 
 
 First and Second Lieutenants, eighteen Dollars and one- 
 third per do. 
 
 Lieutenant-Fireworker, thirteen Dollars and one-third 
 per do. 
 
 Sergeant, eight Dollars and one-third per do. 
 
 Corporal, seven Dollars and a half per do. 
 
 Bombardier, seven Dollars per do. 
 
 Matrosses, six Dollars and five-sixths of a Dollar per do. 
 
 That the appointment of Provost-Marshal, Wagon-Mas- 
 ter, and Master Carpenter, be left to the Commander-in- 
 Chief of the Army, who is to fix their pay, having regard 
 to the pay such receive in the Ministerial Army, and the 
 proportion that the pay of the Officers in said Army bears 
 to the pay of our Officers. 
 
 William Tudor, Esquire, was elected Judge Advocate 
 of the Army. 
 
 Resolved, That Michael Hillegas and George Clymer, 
 Esquires, be, and they are hereby appointed joint Treasu- 
 rers of the United Colonies ; that the Treasurers reside in 
 Philadelphia, and that they shall give bond, with surety, 
 for the faithful performance of their office, in the sum of 
 One Hundred Thousand Dollars, to John Hancock, Henry 
 Middleton, John Dickinson, John Alsop, Thomas Lynch, 
 Richard Henry Lee, and James Wilson, Esquires, and the 
 survivor of them, in trust for the United Colonies. 
 
 That the Provincial Assemblies or Conventions do each 
 choose a Treasurer for their respective Colonies, and take 
 sufficient security for the faithful performance of the trust. 
 
 That each Colony provide ways and means to sink its 
 proportion of the Bills ordered to be emitted by this Con- 
 gress, in such manner as may be most effectual and best 
 adapted to the condition, circumstances, and usual mode of 
 levying taxes in such Colony. 
 
 That the proportion or quota of each Colony be deter- 
 mined according to the number of inhabitants, of all ages, 
 including negroes and mulattoes in each Colony; but, as 
 this cannot at present be ascertained, that the quotas of the 
 several Colonies be settled, for the present, as follows, to 
 undergo a revision and correction when the list of each 
 Colony is obtained : 
 
 New-Hampshire, 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay, 
 
 Rhode-Island, 
 
 Connecticut, 
 
 New- York, 
 
 New.Jersey, 
 
 Pennsylvania, 
 
 124,0694 
 434,244 
 71.959J 
 248,139 
 248,139 
 161,2904 
 372,2084 
 
 Delaware, 
 
 Maryland, 
 
 Virginia, 
 
 North.Carolina, 
 
 South-Carolina, 
 
 37,2194 
 310,1744 
 496,278 
 248,139 
 248,139 
 
 3,000,000 
 
 That each Colony pay its respective quota in four equal 
 annual payments ; the first payment to be made on or be- 
 fore the last day of November, which will be in the year of 
 our Lord, 1779 ; the second on or before the last day of 
 November, 1780; the third on or before the last day of 
 November, 1781 ; and the fourth and last, on or before the 
 last day of November, 1782. And that for this end the 
 several Provincial Assemblies or Conventions provide for 
 laying and levying Taxes in their respective Provinces or 
 Colonies, towards sinking the Continental Bills ; that the 
 said Bills be received by the Collectors in payment of such 
 taxes, and be by the said Collectors paid into the hands of 
 
1S99 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, JULY 31, 1775. 
 
 1900 
 
 the Provincial Treasurers, with all such other moneys as 
 they may receive in lieu of the Continental Bills, which 
 other moneys the said Provincial Treasurer shall endeavour 
 to get exchanged for Continental Bills ; and where that 
 cannot be done, shall send to the Continental Treasurers 
 the deficiency in silver or gold, with the Bills making up 
 the quota to be sunk in that year, taking care to cut, by a 
 circular punch of an inch diameter, a hole in each Bill, and 
 to cross the same, thereby to render them unpassable, though 
 the sum or value is to remain fairly legible. And the Con- 
 tinental Treasurers, as fast as they receive the said quotas, 
 shall, with the assistance of a Committee of five persons, 
 to be appointed by the Congress, if sitting, or by the As- 
 sembly or Convention of the Province of Pennsylvania, 
 examine and count the Continental Bills, and in the pre- 
 sence of the said Committee, burn and destroy them. And 
 the silver and gold sent them to make up the deficiencies 
 of quotas, they shall retain in their hands until demanded 
 in redemption of Continental Bills that may be brought to 
 them for that purpose, which Bills so redeemed, they shall 
 also burn and destroy in presence of the said Committee. 
 And the Treasurers, whenever they have silver or gold in 
 their hands for the redemption of Continental Bills, shall 
 advertise the same, signifying that they are ready to give 
 silver or gold for such Bills, to all persons requiring it in 
 exchange. 
 
 The Provincial Treasurers and Collectors are to have 
 such allowances for their respective services, as shall be 
 directed by the several Assemblies or Conventions, to be 
 paid by their respective Province or Colony. 
 
 That the Continental Treasurers be allowed for their 
 service this year, five hundred Dollars each. 
 
 Resolved, That the Paymaster-General, Commissary- 
 General, Quartermaster-General, and every of their Depu- 
 ties, shall take an oath, truly and faithfully to discharge the 
 duties of their respective stations. 
 
 Ordered, That the damaged Powder now in the State- 
 House, be delivered to the Committee of the City and 
 Liberties of Philadelphia, to be made fit for use. 
 
 Ordered, That the Continental Treasurers do pay to 
 Colonel William Thompson, or his order, Five Thousand 
 Dollars on account, being by advance for the service of a 
 Battalion of Riflemen under his command. 
 
 Resolved, That the Congress will, as soon as the pub- 
 lick business permits, adjourn to the 5th of September 
 next. 
 
 Resolved, That this Congress will, on Monday next, 
 consider of the state of Trade, after the 10th of next Sep- 
 tember. 
 
 Mr. McKean, from the Committee, reported the form 
 of a Bond to be given by the Continental Treasurers. 
 
 Ordered, That the said Committee do inspect into the 
 sufficiency of the Sureties. 
 
 Adjourned till Monday, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Monday, July 31, 1775. 
 
 The Congress met according to adjournment. 
 
 The Congress took into consideration the Report of the 
 Committee on the Resolve of the House of Commons, and 
 the same being debated by paragraphs, was agreed to, as 
 follows: 
 
 The several Assemblies of New- Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
 and Virginia, having referred to the Congress a Resolu- 
 tion of the House of Commons of Great Britain, which 
 Resolution is in these words : 
 
 "Lunte, 20° Die Fob. 1775. 
 
 " The House in a Committee on the American Papers. 
 Motion made, and question proposed : 
 
 " That it is the opinion of this Committee, that when 
 the General Council and Assembly, or General Court of 
 any of his Majesty's Provinces or Colonies in America, 
 shall propose to make provision, according to the condi- 
 tion, circumstance, or situation of such Province or Colony, 
 lor contributing their proportion to the common defence, 
 (such proportion to be raised under the authority of the 
 General Court, or General Assembly of such Province or 
 Colony, and disposable by Parliament,) and shall engage 
 
 to make provision also, for the support of the civil Govern- 
 ment, and the administration of justice in such Province or 
 Colony, it will be proper, if such proposal shall be approved 
 by His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament, and for 
 so long as such provision shall be made accordingly, to 
 forbear in respect to such Province or Colony, to lay any 
 duty, tax, or assessment, or to impose any fanher duty, 
 tax, or assessment, except only such duties as it may be 
 expedient to continue to levy or impose, for the regulation 
 of Commerce ; the nett produce or the duties last men- 
 tioned, to be carried to the account of such Province or 
 Colony respectively." 
 
 The Congress took the said Resolution into considera- 
 tion, and are thereupon of opinion: 
 
 That the Colonies of America are entitled to the sole 
 and exclusive privilege of giving and granting their own 
 money; that this involves a right of deliberating whether 
 they will make any gift, for what purposes it shall be made, 
 and what shall be its amount; and that it is a high breach 
 of this privilege for any body of men, extraneous to their 
 constitutions, to prescribe the purposes for which money 
 shall be levied on them, to take to themselves the authority 
 of judging of their conditions, circumstances, and situations, 
 and of determining the amount of the contribution to be 
 levied. 
 
 That as the Colonies possess a right of appropriating 
 their gifts, so are they entitled at all times to inquire into 
 their application, to see that they be not wasted among the 
 venal and corrupt for the purpose of undermining the civil 
 rights of the givers, nor yet be diverted to the support of 
 standing armies, inconsistent with their freedom and sub- 
 versive of their quiet. To propose, therefore, as this Re- 
 solution does, that the moneys given by the Colonies shall 
 be subject to the disposal of Parliament alone, is to pro- 
 pose that they shall relinquish this right of inquiry, and put 
 it in the power of others to render their gifts ruinous, in 
 proportion as they are liberal. 
 
 That this privilege of giving or of withholding our 
 moneys, is an important barrier against the undue exertion 
 of prerogative, which, if left altogether without control, 
 may be exercised to our great oppression ; and all history 
 shows how efficacious is its intercessions for redress of 
 grievances and re-establishment of rights, and how impro- 
 vident it would be to part with so powerful a mediator. 
 
 We are of opinion that the proposition contained in this 
 Resolution is unreasonable and insidious: unreasonable, 
 because, if we declare we accede to it, we declare without 
 reservation we will purchase the favour of Parliament, not 
 knowing at the same time at what price they will please to 
 estimate their favour. It is insidious, because, individual 
 Colonies having bid and bidden again, till they find the 
 avidity of the seller too great for all their powers to satisfy, 
 are then to return into opposition, divided from their sister 
 Colonies whom the Minister will have previously detached 
 by a grant of easier terms, or by an artful procrastination 
 of a definitive answer. 
 
 That the suspension of the exercise of their pretended 
 power of taxation, being expressly made commensurate 
 with the continuance of our gifts, these" must be perpetual 
 to make that so. Whereas, no experience has shown that 
 a gift of perpetual revenue secures a perpetual return of 
 duty or of kind disposition. On the contrary, the Parlia- 
 ment itself, wisely attentive to this observation, are in the 
 established practice of granting their Supplies from year to 
 year only. 
 
 Desirous and determined as we are, to consider in the 
 most dispassionate view every seeming advance towards a 
 reconciliation made by the British Parliament, let our 
 brethren of Britain reflect what would have been the 
 sacrifice to men of free spirits, had even fair terms been 
 proffered, as these insidious proposals were, with circum- 
 stances of insult and defiance. A proposition to give our 
 money, accompanied with large fleets and armies, seems 
 addressed to our fears rather than to our freedom. With 
 what patience would Britons have received articles of treaty 
 from any power on earth when borne on the point of the 
 bayonet by military plenipotentiaries? 
 
 We think the attempt unnecessary to raise upon us by 
 force or by threats our proportional contributions to the 
 common defence, when all know, and themselves acknow- 
 
1901 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, AUGUST 1, 1775. 
 
 1902 
 
 ledge, we have fully contributed whenever called upon to 
 do so in the character of freemen. 
 
 We are of opinion it is not just that the Colonies should 
 be required to oblige themselves to other contributions, 
 while Great Britain possesses a monopoly of their trade. 
 This of itself lays them under heavy contribution. To 
 demand, therefore, additional aids in the form of a tax, is 
 to demand the double of their equal proportion ; if we are 
 to contribute equally with the other parts of the Empire, 
 let us equally with them enjoy free commerce with the 
 whole world. But while the restrictions on our trade shut 
 to us the resources of wealth, is it just we should bear all 
 other burdens equally with those to whom every resource 
 is open ? 
 
 We conceive that the British Parliament has no right 
 to intermeddle with our provisions lor the support of civil 
 Government or administration of justice. The provisions 
 we have made are such as please ourselves, and are agree- 
 able to our own circumstances; they answer the substan- 
 tial purposts of Government and of justice, and other pur- 
 poses than these should not be answered. We do not 
 mean that our people shall be burdened with oppres- 
 sive taxes, to provide sinecures for the idle or the wicked 
 under colour of providing lor a civil list. While Parlia- 
 ment pursue their plan of civil Government within their 
 own jurisdiction, we also hope to pursue ours without 
 molestation. 
 
 We are of opinion the proposition is altogether unsatis- 
 factory, because it imports only a suspension of the mode, 
 not a renunciation of the pretended right to tax us. Be- 
 cause, too, it does not propose to repeal the several acts of 
 Parliament passed for the purposes of restraining the Trade, 
 and altering the form of Government of one of our Colo- 
 nies ; extending the boundaries and changing the Govern- 
 ment of Quebeck ; enlarging the jurisdiction of the Courts 
 of Admiralty and Vice-Admiralty ; taking from us the right 
 of trial by a jury of the vicinage, in cases affecting both 
 life and property; transporting us into other countries to 
 be tried tor criminal offences; exempting, by mock trial, 
 the murderers of Colonists from punishment ; and quarter- 
 ing soldiers on us in times of profound peace. Nor do 
 tliey renounce the power of suspending our own Legisla- 
 tures, and for legislating for us themselves in all cases 
 whatsoever. On the contrary, to show they mean no dis- 
 continuance of injury, they pass acts at the very time of 
 holding out this proposition, for restraining the Commerce 
 and Fisheries of the Provinces of New- England , and for 
 interdicting the trade of other Colonies with all foreign 
 Nations and with each other. This proves, unequivocally, 
 they mean not to relinquish the exercise of indiscriminate 
 legislation over us. 
 
 Upon the whole, this proposition seems to have been 
 held up to the world to deceive it into a belief, that there 
 was nothing in dispute between us but the mode of levying 
 taxes; and that the Parliament having now been so good 
 as to give up this, the Colonies are unreasonable if not 
 perfectly satisfied: Whereas, in truth, our adversaries still 
 claim a right of demanding ad libitum, and of taxing us 
 themselves to the full amount of their demand if we do 
 comply with it. This leaves us without any thing we can 
 call property. But what is of more importance, and what 
 in this proposal they keep out of sight as if no such point 
 was now in contest between us, they claim a right to alter 
 our Charters and establish laws, and leave us without any 
 security for our lives or liberties. The proposition seems 
 also to have been calculated more particularly to lull into 
 fatal security our well-affected fellow-subjects on the other 
 side the water, till time should be given for the operation 
 of those arms which a British Minister pronounced would 
 instantaneously reduce the "cowardly" sons of America to 
 unreserved submission. But when the world reflects how 
 inadequate to justice are these vaunted terms ; when it 
 attends to the rapid and bold succession of injuries, which, 
 during the course of eleven years, have been aimed at these 
 Colonies; when it reviews the pacifick and respectful ex- 
 postulations, which, during that whole time, were the sole 
 arms we opposed to them; when it observes that our com- 
 plaints were either not heard at all, or were answered with 
 new and accumulated injuries ; when it recollects that the 
 Minister himself, on an early occasion, declared "that he 
 
 would never treat with America till he had brought her to 
 his feet;" and that an avowed partisan of Ministry has 
 more lately denounced against us the dreadful sentence, 
 " delenda est Carthago ," that this was done in the pre- 
 sence of a British Senate, and being unreproved by them, 
 must be taken to be their own sentiment, (especially as the 
 purpose has already in part been carried into execution,) 
 by their treatment of Boston and burning of Charlestown; 
 when it considers the great armaments with which they 
 have invaded us, and the circumstances of cruelty with 
 which they have commenced and prosecuted hostilities ; 
 when these things, we say, are laid together and attentively 
 considered, can the world be deceived into an opinion that 
 we are unreasonable, or can it hestitate to believe with us 
 that nothing but our own exertions may defeat the Minis- 
 terial sentence of death or abject submission. 
 
 On motion made, Resolved, That Mr. Langdon, Mr. 
 .7. Adams, Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Deane, Mr. Clinton, Mr. 
 Crane, Doctor Franklin, Mr. Rodney, Mr. Johnson, Mr. 
 Henry, Mr. Hewes, Mr. Gadsden, and Mr. Hall, be a 
 Committee in the recess of Congress to make inquiry in 
 all the Colonies after virgin Lead and Leaden Ore, and 
 the best methods of collecting, smelting, and refining it. 
 
 Resolved, That the above named gentlemen be a Com- 
 mittee in the recess of Congress, to inquire into the 
 cheapest and easiest methods of making Salt in these 
 Colonies. 
 
 Agreeable to the Order of the Day, the Congress took 
 under consideration the state of Trade after the 10th of 
 September, and after some debate the same was postponed 
 to a future day. 
 
 On motion made, Resolved, That when the Congress 
 adjourns for recess, it be adjourned to meet at Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 Two Petitions were laid before the Congress respecting 
 disputes between the people of Connecticut and Penn- 
 sylvania, on Lands lying on the waters of Susquehanna ; 
 and the same being read, 
 
 Ordered, To lie on the table for the perusal of the 
 Members. 
 
 Two Petitions, one from sundry Merchants in New- York, 
 and the other from sundry Merchants in Philadelphia, re- 
 specting the sale of Teas imported before the Association, 
 were laid before the Congress. 
 Ordered, To lie on the table. 
 
 Adjourned till to-morrow, at eight o'clock. 
 
 Tuesday, August 1, 1775. 
 
 Met according to adjournment. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Dol- 
 lars be immediately forwarded from the Continental Trea- 
 sury to the Paymaster-General, to be applied to the use of 
 the Army in Massachusetts-Bay, in such manner as Gen- 
 eral Washington, or the Commander-in-Chief for the time 
 being, by his warrants shall limit and appoint ; and if the 
 above sum shall be expended before the next meeting 
 of the Congress, then, that General Washington, or the 
 Commander-in-Chief for the time being, be empowered to 
 draw upon the Continental Treasury, for the sum of Two 
 Hundred Thousand Dollars in favour of the Paymaster- 
 General, to be applied for the use and in the manner 
 above mentioned. 
 
 Ordered, That the Delegates for Pe7insylvania be a 
 Committee to receive and count the above sum of Five 
 Hundred Thousand Dollars, and forward the same, under 
 the care of the Delegates of Massachusetts- Bay, provided 
 so much is now ready in the Treasury. If that is not the 
 case, then to receive, count, and forward by the said Dele- 
 gates what is ready, and the remainder by the first oppor- 
 tunity, in the safest and best manner. 
 
 Resolved, That a sum not exceeding One Hundred and 
 Seventy-five Thousand Dollars be paid to the Provincial 
 Convention of JVew- York, to be applied towards the dis- 
 charge of the moneys advanced and the debts contracted 
 for the publick service, by the said Provincial Convention 
 and the Committee of Albany, in pursuance of the direc- 
 tions of this Congress ; and that the said Provincial Con- 
 
1903 
 
 CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, AUGUST 1, 1775. 
 
 1904 
 
 vention account to this Congress at their next meeting for 
 the application of the said money. 
 
 Resolved, That the Treasurers he, and they are herehy 
 ordered to pay to the Delegates of the Colony of Connecti- 
 cut, viz. Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, and Silas Deanc, 
 Esquires, the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars, to be by them 
 paid unto the Governour and Company of the said Colony, 
 in part of the sums by them disbursed in the Continental 
 service ; the said Governour and Company to account 
 therefor. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of One Hundred Thousand Dol- 
 lars be immediately forwarded from the Continental Trea- 
 sury to the Paymaster-General, to be applied to the use of 
 the Army in the New-York Department, in such manner as 
 General Schuyler, by his warrant, shall limit and appoint; 
 and that if the above sum shall be expended before the 
 next meeting of Congress, then that General Schuyler, or 
 the Commander-in-Chief for the time being, in that depart- 
 ment, be empowered to draw upon the Continental Trea- 
 sury for a further sum, not exceeding Two Hundred Thou- 
 sand Dollars, to be applied for the use and in the manner 
 above mentioned. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of Sixteen Thousand Dollars be 
 paid to the Delegates of the Colony of Pennsylvania, in 
 full for the like sum by them borrowed by order of the 
 Congress, on the third of June last, for the use of the 
 Continent. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of Two Hundred and Ninety- 
 Three Dollars be paid to the Delegates of South- Carolina, 
 for the expense and freight of transporting a quantity of 
 Powder from South- Carolina to this place, by order of the 
 Congress. 
 
 Resolved, That the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars be 
 placed in the hands of the Delegates of Pennsylvania, or 
 any three of them, for contingent services, and that out of 
 the same be paid the expenses incurred for raising and 
 arming the Rifle Companies, and for Expresses and other 
 small charges, of which the Congress have not been able 
 to procure exact accounts ; and that the said Committee 
 do lay before the Congress, at their next meeting, an ac- 
 count of their proceeding in that matter. 
 
 Resolved, That out of the Powder belonging to the 
 Continent now in this City, five tons be sent to General 
 Washington, in the speediest and safest manner, by the 
 Delegates of the Colony of Pennsylvania. 
 
 That out of the next that arrives, the Delegates of 
 New-Jersey be allowed to purchase one thousand pounds 
 for the use of the western parts of their Colony ; and that 
 
 the Delegates of the lower Counties on Delaware, be 
 allowed to purchase one thousand pounds for the use of 
 said Counties. 
 
 That out of the same parcel the quantity of one ton be 
 reserved for North-Carolina, to be lodged in the Magazine 
 of New- York, and delivered to the order of the Speaker 
 of the Assembly, or President of the Convention of North- 
 Carolina, provided the necessity of General Washington 
 and General Schuyler will admit. 
 
 The Congress resumed the consideration of the Petitions 
 respecting the disputes between the people of Connecticut 
 and Pennsylvania, and after some debate, 
 
 Resolved, That the farther consideration of this matter 
 be referred to the next meeting of this Congress. 
 
 The Congress having reconsidered a Resolve passed the 
 11th July, respecting the employing of fifty Hussars, 
 
 Resolved, That the Delegates of this Province be de- 
 sired not to proceed in executing said Resolve ; and if any 
 Hussars are engaged or enlisted, to discharge the same ; 
 and that the said Delegates settle and pay any expenses 
 already incurred in consequence of the former Resolve, 
 and report their proceeding to the Congress at their next 
 meeting. 
 
 Whereas, at a former Congress it was resolved, that if 
 certain Acts of Parliament, in the Continental Association 
 enumerated and complained of, should not be repealed on 
 or before the tenth day of September, 1775, the inhabitants 
 of these United Colonies would not, directly or indirectly, 
 export any Merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great 
 Britain, Ireland, or the West- Indies ; and as some doubts 
 have arisen with respect to the true spirit and construction 
 of said Resolve, to the end that such doubts may be re- 
 moved : 
 
 Resolved, That under the prohibition, in the said Asso- 
 ciation contained, to export to, or import from the Islands 
 of Great Britain and Ireland, this Congress intends to 
 comprise all exportation to, or importation from the Islands 
 of Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, Alderney, and Man, and every 
 European Island and Settlement within the British Domi- 
 nions ; and that under the denomination of the West-Indies, 
 this Congress means to comprehend all the West-India 
 Islands, British and foreign, to whatever State, Power, 
 or Prince belonging, or by whomsoever governed, and 
 also the Summer Islands, Bahama Islands, Berbicia and 
 Surinam on the Main, and every Island and Settlement 
 within the latitude of the southern line of Georgia and the 
 equator. 
 
 Adjourned to Tuesday, the fifth day of September next. 
 
 END OF THE SECOND VOLUME OF THE FOURTH SERIES. 
 
 Washington, October 16, 1839. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Adams, John, to Elbridge Gerry, on appointment of 
 General Washington, - - 
 Intercepted Letters, attributed to him, 
 To Josiah Quincy, . - 
 
 Adams, Samuel, Letter to a Gentleman in Virginia, 
 Letter to Richard Henry Lee, 
 Su pposed object of In vasion of Lexington and 
 Concord to seize him, (see Letter from 
 London, folio 386,) - 
 Excepted from pardon in General Gage's 
 Proclamation, - - - - - 
 
 Letter to Elbridge Gerry, introducing Gen 
 eral Washington, - 
 Agents, American, in London — 
 
 William Bollan, Benj. Franklin, and Arthur 
 Lee — Their Letter to Assembly of Dela- 
 ware, ------ 
 
 Circular read in Continental Congress, 
 Letter to them from same, - 
 Apiew, Reverend John, Proceedings of Nansemond 
 County, Virginia, - - - - 
 
 Allen, Ethan, tries and punishes Benjamin Hough, 
 Requested to assist in Attack on Ticonde- 
 
 roga and Crown Point, - 
 Captures Ticonderoga, - - - 
 
 Letter to Merchants of Montreal, 
 Letter to Northern Indians, enclosed in a 
 
 Letter to Assembly of Connecticut, 
 Letter to Continental Congress, 
 Letter to New- York Congress, proposing Ex- 
 pedition to Canada, - - - - 
 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull, 1593, 
 Letter to New- York Provincial Congress, 
 Anny, British, Address from London, 
 
 Commander-in-Chief, his Orders supreme, 
 Ten thousand Men said to be ordered to 
 
 America, - 
 Troops arrive at Marblehead, 
 Information received of the sailing of twelve 
 thousand Hessians, and that General Bur- 
 goyne was to sail for Quebeck, 
 Publication at New- York against Standing 
 Army, - - - - - 
 
 Exchange of Prisoners, - 
 Address of " Sidney " to the Soldiers, 
 Captain Thompson's information respecting 
 
 sailing of Transports for America, - 
 Captain Jeffrey on the same, - - - 
 Gen. Gage's Instructions to Captain Camp- 
 bell, 
 
 Letter from Doctor Benj. Church to Major 
 Kane, ------ 
 
 Army, Continental, Massachusetts proposes to sur- 
 render the regulation thereof to Conti- 
 nental Congress, - - - - 
 
 Officers recommended not to be chosen as 
 
 Delegates to Massachusetts Congress, 
 Exchange of Prisoners, ... 
 Fifteen thousand Men to be raised by Con- 
 tinental Congress, and George Washington 
 to command, - - - 1016, 
 Appointments of Officers, - - - 
 Five thousand Barrels of Flour ordered by 
 Congress, ------ 
 
 General Washington to Congress, on their 
 position at Boston, - - - - 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 
 
 1019 
 1717 
 1751 
 16 
 176 
 
 - 428 
 
 968 
 
 - 1058 
 
 127 
 1824 
 1877 
 
 226 
 215 
 
 507 
 606 
 639 
 
 713 
 
 732 
 
 904 
 1649 
 1695 
 4 
 
 337 
 
 429 
 462 
 
 - 474 
 
 881 
 920 
 1004 
 
 1297 
 1304 
 
 - 1687 
 1713 
 
 620 
 
 809 
 920 
 
 1848 
 1114 
 
 1293 
 
 - 1667 
 
 1687 
 1850 
 1851 
 1853 
 1856 
 1893 
 1897 
 
 450 
 485 
 
 584 
 
 1624 
 
 Army, Continental — 
 
 Council of War at Cambridge, Mass., 9 July, 
 1775 — General Return of the Army — In- 
 structions to the Officers of Massachusetts 
 — Orders to General Washington, - 1628-35 
 
 Return of the Army under General Schuy 
 ler, 1 July, 1775, 
 
 Declaration of Continental Congress, setting 
 forth the causes and necessity of taking 
 up Arms — Read at Cambridge, 
 
 General Officers chosen, - 
 
 Instructions to General Washington, * 
 
 Brigadier Generals appointed, 
 
 Articles of War enacted, - - - 
 
 Hospital established, - 
 
 Pay of the Army, - 
 Arms and Ammunition — Export prohibited by the 
 
 States General, ... 276-7 
 
 Same prohibited by British Order in Council, 277 
 Arnold, Benedict, to Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety, on the condition of Ticonderoga, 
 
 &£C, ------ 
 
 Commission as Colonel from Massachusetts, 
 
 Letter to Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 
 on seizure of Crown Point, - - - 
 
 Letter to same — List of Cannon, &c, at Ti- 
 conderoga and Crown Point, - 645-6 
 
 Letter to Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 693, 
 
 714,735 
 
 Letter from Colonel Henshavv, - - 724 
 
 Letter from Massachusetts Provincial Con- 
 gress, - - - 676, 723, 1382 
 
 Letter from Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety, 726 
 
 Letter to Continental Congress, - - 734, 
 
 976, 1066, 1646 
 
 Letter to Albany Committee — to Assembly 
 of Connecticut, and to Captain Noah Lee, 
 on Ticonderoga, &c, - 839, '40 
 
 Letter to Provincial Congress of New-York, 
 with a requisition for Men, &c, 
 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull on Canada, 
 
 Instructions of Massachusetts Congress to 
 their Commissioners at Ticonderoga, 
 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull, 
 
 Controversy on Capture of Ticonderoga, 1085-8 
 
 Dispute with Colonel Hinman, and resigna- 
 tion of his Commission, ... 
 
 Disrespect to the Committee of Massachu- 
 setts, and his mutinous conduct, 
 
 Crown Point Committee to Massachusetts 
 Committee on the above conduct, with 
 the papers, - 1596-1600 
 
 Letter to Continental Congress on Forces 
 at St. John's, - 
 Atkinson, Theodore, Secretary of New-Hampshire, 
 from Governour Wentworth, 
 
 Letter to New-Hampshire Congress on de- 
 livery of Provincial Records, 
 
 Letter to Gov. Wentworth on the same, 
 Auchmuty, Rev. Samuel, Letter to Capt. Montressor, 
 
 Notice of the above at Salem, 
 Babcock, Adam, to Governour Trumbull, 
 Baldwin, Loammi, to General Washington, - 1748, '54 
 Bank Notes, or Bills of Credit of Maryland and 
 
 Pennsylvania counterfeited in Germany, - 178 
 
 . '41 
 
 847 
 977 
 
 986 
 1026 
 
 1540 
 
 1592 
 
 1840 
 
 - 1541 
 
 1600 
 1601 
 349 
 350 
 371 
 
 120 
 
1907 
 
 LNDEX. 
 
 190S 
 
 Barclay, David, meets Doctor Franklin on Ame- 
 rican Affairs, - - - - - 181 
 
 Bayard, Samuel, for self and others, praying the 
 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations to 
 put them in possession of a Tract of Land 
 called Westenhook Patent, in the Province 
 of New-York, ..... 135 
 
 Bills of Credit — 
 
 Issued by New-Hampshire, - - 659, 1182 
 Ordered by Massachusetts, and to be received 
 
 without discount, - 815 
 Issued by Rhode-Island, - 1147,1161 
 Issued by Pennsylvania, - 116S, 1770 
 
 Issued by Mass. Committee of Safety, - 1365 
 Proceedings on in Massachusetts Congress, 1390, 
 
 1391, 1458, '91 
 
 Certificates issued by Georgia, - - 1551 
 Issued by Connecticut Assembly, - - 1584 
 Issued by Continental Congress, - - 1854 
 Bollan, William, Agent in London, Letter to the 
 
 Assembly of Delaware, - - - 127 
 
 Boston, Address at, signed " Phileirene," 100, 286,324 
 Answer to the above, ... - 229 
 " A Converted Whig " to the Printers of the 
 
 Massachusetts Gazette, ... 103 
 Farther Supplies recommended from Con- 
 necticut, ..... 107 
 Letter from to New- York, on Doctor War- 
 ren's Oration, - - - - 120 
 Town-Meeting — Committee of Correspon- 
 dence to make statement of behaviour of 
 the British Army and Navy, - - 130 
 Committee of Inspection excuse Simon Tufts 
 
 for selling Tea to Thomas Lilly, - 234 
 
 Letter from John Brown to Committee on 
 
 Canada, &c, ----- 243 
 Anonymous Communication for Rivington's 
 
 Paper, 284 
 
 Donations from Yorktown, Pennsylvania, - 320 
 Anonymous Publications at - 16, 37, 340 
 Attack on Lexington and Concord, - 359-64 
 Committee of Safety to the Inhabitants on 
 
 the Amnesty of General Gage, - - 374 
 Same to Doctor Joseph Warren on same sub- 
 ject, 374 
 
 Agreement between Inhabitants and General 
 Gage, ------ 375 
 
 John Hancock to Committee, - 384 
 Oliver Prescott to the same, ... 385 
 Committee to Committee of Safety of Mas- 
 sachusetts, .... 391,424 
 
 Selectmen from Committee of Safety, - 424 
 Town-Meeting — Gen. Robertson from Gen. 
 
 Gage — Inhabitants permitted to remove, 425 
 Committee to Doctor Joseph Warren, 446, 461 
 Brunswick Committee to Committee of Cor- 
 respondence, - 502 
 Committee of Donations from W. Jones of 
 Georgia, - - - - - -871 
 
 Bunker's Hill — Engagement of 17 June, 1775, - 1018 
 Farther account thereof, ... 1036 
 
 Massachusetts Congress to Continental Con- 
 gress on same, .... 1039 
 
 Publication at Cambridge on same, - - 1062 
 General Folsom to New-Hampshire Com- 
 mittee of Safety, same, ... 1063 
 Letter of Isaac Lothrop, ... 1089 
 Letters to London, ... 1092-3 
 General Burgoyne to Lord Stanley, - - 1094 
 Observations on the above, - 1095 
 General Gage to Lord Dartmouth, with a 
 List of Killed and Wounded, and Obser- 
 vations thereon, - - 1097,1102 
 General Gage to Lord Dunmore, - - 1107 
 Officers in Army — Letters to Philadelphia, 1118 
 Massachusetts Committee of Safety — their 
 
 Account, 1373 
 
 Massachusetts Congress to Continental Con- 
 gress, 1429 
 
 Albany Committee to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ...... 1454 
 
 Bunker's Hill — 
 
 Virginia Delegate to a Gentleman in Wil- 
 
 liamsburgh, ..... 1573 
 Account by General Washington — Position 
 of the Army, and List of Killed and 
 Wounded, .... 1624-28 
 Burr, Aaron, and Matthew Ogden, introduced to 
 
 General Washington, - - - - 1689 
 Burgoyne, Gen. — Address at Philadelphia, signed 
 
 " A Pennsylvanian." - - 910,1008 
 
 Letter from General Charles Lee, - - 925 
 Letter to Lord Stanley on Battle of Bunker's 
 
 Hill, 1094 
 
 Remarks on the above, - - - - 1095 
 Letter to General Charles Lee, - 1503, 1610 
 Massachusetts Congress on Letter from to 
 
 General Lee, - - - - - 1638 
 Letter from General C. Lee, - - 1638 
 
 Remarks of " An Old Man " on above, - 1639 
 " A Countryman " to General Burgoyne, - 1641 
 Bradford, W. T., to Printers of a Publick Paper 
 
 in London, - - - - - 160S 
 Breioer, Jonathan, petitions Massachusetts Congress 
 for permission to enter Canada with five 
 hundred Volunteers, ... 462 
 
 Brockenbrough, Austin, proceedings against by Com- 
 mittee of King George County, Virginia, - 337 
 Brown, John, to Committee of Correspondence, Bos- 
 ton, on Affairs in Canada, &&c, - - 243 
 Taken Prisoner, - - - 421, 430 
 Canada — 
 
 Letter on Address of Continental Congress, 231 
 John Brown's Letter to Committee of Bos- 
 ton, 243 
 
 Committee of Montreal to the Massachusetts 
 
 Committee of Safety, ... 305 
 
 Intercepted Letter, signed A. Mabane, to 
 
 Colonel Philip Skene, - - - 402 
 New Commission to Guy Carleton, Govern- 
 
 our of Quebeck, ... - 403 
 Remarks on Govemour's Commission, - 425 
 Ethan Allen to Merchants of Montreal, on 
 
 Ticonderoga and Indians, ... 639 
 Account of the taking of St. John's, - 686 
 Proceedings of Continental Congress thereon, 706 
 Massachusetts Congress respecting Embas- 
 sy to, 804 
 Expedition against proposed by Ethan Allen, 891 
 New- York Provincial Congress to Inhabi- 
 tants of Quebeck, ... - 893 
 New-Hampshire Congress to Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, ..... 902 
 
 Ethan Allen to Inhabitants, ... 904 
 James Easton to Massachusetts Congress, - 919 
 Ethan Allen to Massachusetts Congress, - 939 
 Proclamation by Governour Carleton, - 940 
 Stockbridge Indians to Caughnawagas, - 1002 
 Governour Trumbull to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress on Indians and Canadian Noblesse, 1026 
 Bucknam and Wales to Colonels Bailey and 
 
 Hurd, 1041 
 
 Albany Committee to Continental Congress, 1048 
 Andrew Gilman appointed honorary Lieuten- 
 ant by Massachusetts Congress, - 1090, 1444 
 English Merchants to General Carleton, - 1125 
 Provincial Congress of New- York to the 
 
 Merchants, 1294 
 
 Proceedings of Massachusetts Provincial Con- 
 gress, 1395 
 Reverend Doctor Wheelock to New-Hamp- 
 shire Congress, - - - - -1541 
 Brook Watson to New- York Congress, - 157 ( 
 Correspondence of Governour Trumbull and 
 
 General Schuyler, - - - - 1594 
 Letter from Montreal to a Gentleman in Eng. 
 
 land, 1623 
 
 Examination of Garret Roseboom before Al- 
 bany Committee, .... 1670 
 Continental Congress to Inhabitants, - - 1838 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold on preparations 
 against Ticonderoga, - - - - 1840 
 
1909 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1910 
 
 Commons, House of, (See Parliament.) 
 
 Concord, attempted march upon from Boston, - 253 
 
 Attack by the British, ... 359-64 
 
 Expresses to the South — their course to 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, - 365-9 
 
 Detailed Statement of Attack by British on 
 19 April, 1775, with List of Killed and 
 Wounded, .... 391-3 
 
 Accounts from Worcester and Williamsburgh, 
 and Intercepted British Letters on Attack 
 of Lexington and Concord, - 436—41 
 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts trans- 
 mil Depositions to Continental Congress 
 concerning the Attack, - - 486, 501 
 
 Reverend William Gordon's Account of At- 
 tack, ...... 625 
 
 Committee appointed to take Depositions 
 thereon, - - - - - 765 
 
 Narrative and Depositions ordered to be pub- 
 lished by Massachusetts Congress, - 813 
 
 London Constitutional Society Subscription 
 for Sufferers, - - - - . 921 
 
 British Account of Attack, ... 945 
 
 Strictures on Gazette account at London, - 948 
 
 Massachusetts Congress and Committee of 
 Safety Proceedings, - - - 1028 
 
 Congress, Continental — 
 
 Address against choosing Delegates, at New- 
 York, - - - 44,51 
 
 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation against elec- 
 tion of Delegates, .... 236 
 
 Georgia Delegates — Reasons for not attend- 
 ing, 279 
 
 Westchester Borough, New- York, declines 
 to choose Delegates, ... 282 
 
 White Plains, New- York — Invitation to meet 
 and vote against, .... 282 
 
 Letter from Provincial Congress of Massa- 
 chusetts, enclosing Copies of Depositions 
 sent to London — Address to Inhabitants of 
 Great Britain, and Letter to B. Franklin, 
 Colony Agent, concerning affair at Lex- 
 ington and Concord, - - 486-501 
 
 Petition from Ridgebury to Governour of 
 Connecticut, ----- 536 
 
 Hartford, Connecticut, on Post-Offices — Per- 
 sons appointed to receive and forward 
 Letters — Post-Riders, Sec, - - 536 
 
 New- York Committee — Account of Capture 
 of Ticonderoga, - 605 
 
 Recommendation to New- York Committee 
 concerning British Troops, - - 618 
 
 Massachusetts Congress on the state of the 
 Army, ------ 620 
 
 Provincial Congress of New-Hampshire to 
 their Delegates, ... 695, 894-5 
 
 Proceedings respecting Canada, - - 706 
 
 Massachusetts Congress with Letter from 
 Colonel Arnold, - 721 
 
 Condition of New-Hampshire stated by their 
 Delegates, ----- 725 
 
 William Gilliland on state of Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point, - - - - 731 
 
 Letter from Ethan Allen, ... 732 
 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold, 734, 976, 1066, 1646 
 
 Massachusetts Congress appoint Committee 
 to confer on subject of Civil Government, 801 
 
 Letter from James Rivington, - - 836 
 
 Letter to New- York Committee, enclosing 
 Resolutions, ----- 844 
 
 New- York Congress to their Delegates, - 873 
 956, 975, 984, 1802 '4 '5 
 
 New- York Committee on James Rivington, 899 
 
 Elbridge Gerry to Massachusetts Delegates, 905 
 Letter from General Ward and others, - 906 
 Letter from Provincial Congress of New- 
 York, - 931, 983, 1017, 1255, 1734 
 Governour Trumbull to President, - 940, 
 
 1035, 1067, 1106, 1606 
 President to New- York Congress, - - 954, 
 
 1076, 1132, 1673 
 
 Congress, Continental — ■ 
 
 New- York Delegates to Provincial Congress, 954, 
 1016, 1137, 1591, 1674, 1752 
 President to Massachusetts Congress, 955, 1000 
 Same to New-Hampshire Congress, - 956, 1034 
 Letter from Council of Officers on Ticonde- 
 roga and Crown Point, ... 957 
 Letter from Massachusetts Congress, - 959, 
 970, 1039, 1503, 1616 
 Delegates from New-Hampshire to their Pro- 
 vincial Congress, - - - - 1 035 
 Letter from Albany Committee, - - 1048 
 Proposed Vindication and offer to Parliament 
 drawn up in a Committee, 25th of June, 
 1775, ... - 1081-4 
 
 Letter from General Washington, - - 1084, 
 1085, 1624, 1705 '10' 36 
 Army Officers appointed, - - - 1114 
 Committee of Massachusetts Congress, - 1120 
 Letter from General Schuyler. - - 1123, 
 1133, '37, 1530, '35, '36, 1645, '65, '69, 
 1702, '29, '34, '45, '60 
 Letter from General Ward, ... 1140 
 Yorktown Committee to Pennsylvania Dele- 
 gates, 1524 
 Letter from Walter Spooner on Ticonderoga 
 
 and Canada, .... 1539-41 
 South-Carolina Delegates from Charlestown 
 
 Committee, enclosing intercepted Letters, 1567 
 Letter from Governour of Rhode-Island, - 1572 
 New-Hampshire Delegates from N. Hamp- 
 shire Committee of Safety, - - 1612 
 Letter from New-Hampshire Congress, - 1613 
 Letter from General Washington, with a true 
 Account of the British Troops killed and 
 wounded at Charlestown, he, - - 1659 
 Letter from Elisha Phelps, Commissary, - 1700 
 Letter to New-Hampshire Provincial Con- 
 gress, 1711 
 
 Letter from General Wooster, - - - 1711 
 Letter from New-York Committee of Safety, 1719 
 To the People of Virginia and Pennsylva- 
 nia, from their Delegates, - 1723 
 New- York Committee of Safety to the De- 
 legates, - - - 1780, '84, '93, '97 
 Congress convenes at Philadelphia, 10 May, 
 
 1775, 1819 
 
 Doors to be kept shut — Proceedings secret — 
 Circular Letter from Agents in London, 
 1824 — Letter from Massachusetts Con- 
 gress — Lyman Hall Delegate from St. 
 John's Parish, Georgia — Timothy Matlack 
 appointed Clerk — Henry Ward, Delegate 
 from Rhode-Island — Resolution respect- 
 ing Troops expected at New- York — Ex- 
 portation to British Provinces prohibited 
 — Resolutions concerning Ticonderoga, 
 he. — Members present at Philadelphia, 
 19 May, 1775, (vide Note, page 1834)— 
 Peyton Randolph, President, vacates the 
 Chair, and John Hancock appointed — 
 Resolutions on state of America — Resolu- 
 tions of House of Commons, 20 February, 
 1775 — Resolutions for defence of New- 
 York — Letter to Inhabitants of Canada — 
 Committee on Post-Office — Paper pro- 
 duced, said to be from Lord North — Let- 
 ter from Colonel Arnold on Ticonderoga, 
 &c. — Resolution on Canada — Letter from 
 the Massachusetts Provincial Congress — 
 Twelve United Colonies, 1844 — Resolu- 
 tion on Government of Massachusetts- 
 Bay — George Washington appointed Ge- 
 neral and Commander-in-Chief, 1848 — 
 Army Officers increased — Brigadier-Ge- 
 nerals appointed — North-Carolina autho- 
 rized to raise Troops — General Schuyler 
 ordered to Ticonderoga — Articles of War 
 — Declaration of the causes and necessity 
 of taking up Arms, 1865 — Letter to the 
 Lord Mayor, he, of London — Petition to 
 
1911 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1912 
 
 the King, signed by the Members — Ad- 
 dress to Inhabitants of Great Britain — 
 Indian Departments and Commissioners 
 appointed — Address to the Six Nations of 
 Indians — Recommend Organization of Mi- 
 litia — Joseph Trumbull appointed Com- 
 missary-General — Letter from Georgia, 
 appointing Delegates — Articles of Con- 
 federation and Perpetual Union, proposed 
 in Committee of the Whole — Address to 
 Assembly of Jamaica — Journal to be re- 
 vised and printed — Report on General 
 Post-Office agreed to — B. Franklin chosen 
 Postmaster-General — Army Hospital es- 
 tablished — Address to the People of Ire- 
 land — Army Pay — Report of Resolution 
 of House of Commons of 20 February, 
 1775 — Moneys appropriated for the use 
 of several Colonies — Resolution on Expor- 
 tation and Importation extended — Ad- 
 journed, - - - - 1819-1904 
 
 Connecticut — 
 
 Proceedings in the case of certain disaffected 
 Officers of Militia, and recommending Con- 
 tributions to Boston, ... 
 Vote of Thanks to Assembly of Jamaica, - 
 General Assembly's Letter to Earl of Dart- 
 mouth, ------ 
 
 Letter to Mr. Rivington, - - - 
 Fairfield Committee Proceedings, 
 Guilford Committee Proceedings, 
 Letter from Thomas Life, Agent, to Govern- 
 our, on Rev. Samuel Peters — Forfeiture 
 of Charter and Susquehannah Proprietors, 
 Fairfield Committee to Committee of New- 
 York, on Attack of Lexington and Con- 
 cord, ------ 
 
 Committee of Correspondence to John Han- 
 cock, ------ 
 
 Agreement of Volunteers under Capt. Arnold, 
 Letter to House of Commons from Assem- 
 bly of Rhode-Island, voting to raise an 
 Army of fifteen hundred Men,&.c, 
 Massachusetts Committee of Safety, asking 
 
 assistance, - 
 Assembly meets — Embargo on Exportation 
 of Provisions — Conference with Govern- 
 our Gage — News-Carriers employed — 
 Provision for their Troops at Boston — An 
 Act for equipping Inhabitants for special 
 defence — Arms ordered to be procured— 
 Volunteers to be raised — Officers appoint- 
 ed — Six Regiments organized — Funds 
 raised — Taxes imposed — Collection of 
 Debts suspended — Debtors exempted from 
 Imprisonment, - - - - 409-422 
 
 Colonel Isaac Lee to Governour Trumbull, 423 
 Jedediah Huntington to Jonathan Trumbull, 
 Governour Trumbull to Governour Gage, - 
 Answer to above, enclosing his account of the 
 
 affair at Lexington and Concord, - 434-5 
 Theophilus Morgan to Governour Trumbull, 449 
 General Gage to Governour Trumbull, 
 Joel Clark to Governour Trumbull, - 
 Assembly meets — Acts for forming and regu- 
 lating Militia — Manufacturing Fire-Arms 
 — Rules and Regulations of Army — Lead 
 Mines in Middletown to be worked — 
 News-Carriers appointed — Pay of the 
 Army — Several Officers cashiered — Ma- 
 nufactures encouraged — All private busi- 
 ness before General Assembly postponed — 
 Papers and Documents transmitted to 
 Continental Congress, - - 559-576 
 Erastus Wolcott and others to Massachusetts 
 Congress, on Capture of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, - - - - - 
 
 Nathaniel Wales and others to Speaker of 
 Assembly, on Canada and the Indians, - 
 Petition of William Delaplace to General 
 Assembly, ..... 
 
 107 
 108 
 
 108 
 110 
 176 
 
 222 
 
 278 
 
 363 
 
 372 
 
 383 
 
 - 389 
 
 402 
 
 423 
 433 
 
 482 
 544 
 
 706 
 713 
 
 719 
 
 722 
 
 724 
 728 
 730 
 730 
 
 - 731 
 
 920 
 
 967 
 1001 
 1010 
 1037 
 1383 
 
 618 
 
 685 
 
 698 
 
 Connecticut — 
 
 Colonel Joseph Spencer to General Assem- 
 bly, 
 
 Ethan Allen on Indian Affairs, 
 
 General Assembly to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, 
 
 General Assembly from Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ------ 
 
 Colonel Henshaw attends General Assem- 
 bly with Message from Massachusetts, - 
 
 J. Trumbull, Jr., to his brother, 
 
 New-Milford Committee Proceedings, 
 
 New-Haven Selectmen to the Governour, - 
 
 Assembly to Albany Committee on Ticon 
 deroga, ----- 
 
 Massachusetts Congress concerning Ticonde- 
 roga and the jurisdiction thereof, - 808-9, 877 
 
 Committee to Provincial Congress of New- 
 York, 838 '43 
 
 Benedict Arnold to General Assembly, - 840 
 
 James Curgenven to Governour Trumbull, - 912 
 
 Stamford Committee Proceedings on Sylva- 
 nus Whitney and his Tea, 
 
 Alexander McDougall to Greenwich Com- 
 mittee, ------ 
 
 Gen. Wooster to New- York Congress, 
 
 Same to Governour Trumbull, 
 
 Committee of War, Proceedings, 
 
 Letter from Massachusetts Congress, 
 
 Assembly meets, 1 July, 1775 — Wm. Wil- 
 liams, Speaker, Richard Law, Clerk — Act 
 for equipping Inhabitants — Officers ap- 
 pointed — Troops to be supplied with Fire- 
 Arms — Lead Mine to be worked — two 
 Vessels of War ordered — Communica- 
 tion to Oneida Indians — Fifty thousand 
 Pounds, in Bills of Credit, issued — Taxes 
 imposed — Petition from Roxbury in favour 
 of General Spencer — Report thereon — 
 Letter from Benjamin Henshaw on Ma- 
 nufacture of Lead — Report of Committee 
 on Lead — Report of Committee on In- 
 dians, 1579-90 
 
 Association of Merchants and others of New- 
 York, to give currency to Bills of Credit, 1622 
 
 Committee of Safety Proceedings, - 1658, 1720 
 Constitutional Society at London, Letters and Do- 
 nations to, ... - 54-55 
 
 Subscription for Sufferers at Lexington and 
 Concord, - - - - - 
 
 Council, Orders in, prohibiting export of Arms and 
 Ammunition, - - - - 
 
 Chelsea, Massachusetts, Battle of ... 
 Church, Doctor Benjamin, from Nath'l Freeman, - 
 
 Bearer of Despatches to Continental Con- 
 gress, - 
 
 Letter to Mr. Kane, Major of Brigade, Bos 
 ton, - 
 
 " The Crisis," a Publication at London in favour of 
 American Liberty, unanimously ordered 
 by Parliament to be burned by the com- 
 mon hangman, ... 55, 76 
 Letter from London on the same, - - 118 
 No 13 of the same, - 677 
 Croivn Point, See Ticonderoga. 
 Dartmouth, Earl of, Letter to Governour of Vir- 
 ginia, ------ 25 
 
 Same (private) to the Govemours of the 
 
 Colonies, 26-27 
 
 Remarks thereon by " Ignotus," - - 236 
 Letter to Governour of Pennsylvania, - 26 
 Letter to Governour of New-York, - 29 
 
 Letter from Governour of Connecticut, - 108 
 Letter to Governour of Pennsylvania on Ge- 
 neral Congress and Maryland Boundary, 130 
 Letter to General Gage, - - 336, 1517 
 
 Circular to Governours of the Colonies, - 337 
 Letter to Governour of Georgia, (Sir William 
 
 Wright, Bart.,) - - - - 475 
 Letter to Governour Martin, of North-Caro- 
 lina, 476 
 
 921 
 
 277 
 719 
 473 
 
 - 806 
 s- 
 
 - 1713 
 
1913 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1914 
 
 Dartmouth, Earl of- — 
 
 Letter to Governour John Penn, of Pennsyl- 
 vania, - - - - - 478 
 
 Letter from Governour Gage, - - 609 
 
 963, 1097, 1718, 1723 
 Letter to Governour Tryon, of New-York, 677 
 Delaware — 
 
 Assembly meets 13 March, 1775 — Approve 
 Proceedings of Delegates in Continental 
 Congress — Pass Bill to prohibit Importa- 
 tion of Slaves — Governour refuses his as- 
 sent to said Bill — Delegates appointed to 
 next American Congress, their Instruc- 
 tions — Letter from American Agents in 
 London — Petition from Newcastle and 
 Kent, to establish a Militia — Message from 
 Governour John Penn, - - 126-129 
 Newcastle County Field Officers chosen, - 172 
 Kent County Committee of Inspection — 
 Proceedings on a Publication by Robert 
 Holliday, and his retraction, - - 466 
 Newcastle Committee and Grand Jury Pro- 
 ceedings, - - - ... 633 
 Commanders of Forces chosen, - - 660 
 Kent County Association and Proceedings, 704 
 Assembly Proceedings, ... 9-25 
 Broad Creek Committee Proceedings, - 1032 
 Sussex County Proceedings on Thomas Ro- 
 binson, ------ 1632 
 
 Delancey, Oliver, denies that a certain Letter was 
 
 written by him, .... 445 
 
 Derby, Richard, Jun., to General Ward, informing 
 of the sailing of British Transports with 
 Hessian and other Troops, - - 474 
 
 Letter to Captain James Kirkwood, of Mas- 
 sachusetts, ..... 1041 
 
 Dickinson, John, Letter from "Senex" on Penn- 
 sylvania Farmer's Letters, - - 211 
 Letter to Arthur Lee, - - 443, 1604 
 Ditson, Thomas, Tarred and Feathered, - - 93 
 Selectmen of Billerica to Governour Gage on 
 same, - - - - - - 153 
 
 Doolittlc, Colonel E., to John Hancock, President, 
 
 he., 177 
 Dunmore, Earl of, Governour of Virginia — Thanks 
 of Convention for his conduct in the In- 
 dian War, 170 
 
 Proclamation on Western Boundary, - 174 
 Same against election of Delegates to Con- 
 tinental Congress, .... -236 
 
 Address of Freeholders of Fincastle County, 
 and his Answer, .... 301 
 
 Address to, from Williamsburgh, on his re- 
 moval of Gunpowder, ... 371 
 Proclamation of 3 May, 1775, - 465 
 Same against Patrick Henry and others, - 516 
 Same convening Assembly, ... 578 
 Proceedings of Caroline County on his con- 
 duct and that of Captain Montague, - 640 
 Retires with his Family on board Man-of- 
 War, ------ 975 
 
 Letter from General Gage on Battle of Bun- 
 ker's Hill, 1107 
 
 Messages to and from House of Burgesses, 1185 
 Reasons for his retiring on board the Fowey 
 Man-of-War, as published in London, (see 
 
 Note,) 1202 
 
 Detailed Report of Committee of House of 
 Burgesses, on his conduct at Williams- 
 burgh, 1209 
 
 Extended Address of House of Burgesses on 
 
 the condition of the Colony, - - 1222 
 Elmsley, Alexander, Agent in London, to Samuel 
 
 Johnston, of North-Carolina, - - 296 
 England — 
 
 Address to the People by "Brecknock," 51, 341 
 Plan of Accommodation with, suggested by 
 
 New- York Congress, - - - 1315 
 
 Farther Discussions on, ... 13-26 
 
 Finch, ffilliam, Letter and Contribution to Consti- 
 tutional Society, London, - - 55 
 
 Fisheries, Bill prohibiting, passed House of Com- 
 mons, - - - - - - 123 
 
 Act of Parliament communicated, - - 276 
 Newfoundland not allowed to be supplied 
 with Provisions, - - - - 1341 
 
 Folsom, Nathaniel, from Colonel Bartlett, - 1022 
 
 Letter to New-Hampshire Committee of 
 
 Safety, - 1063, '69, '81, '92, 1121, 1529 
 Letter from New-Hampshire Committee of 
 Safety, - - - 1109, '28, 1529 
 
 Foster, Jedediah, informs Massachusetts Congress 
 
 of the call for the Congress of Connecticut, 37 ^ 
 Fothergill, Doctor, meets Doctor Franklin in con- 
 ference on American Affairs, - - 181 
 Floyd, Benjamin, signs Address against Continental 
 
 Congress, • r 36 
 
 Declaration of Inhabitants of Brookhaven on 
 above Address, - - - - 117 
 
 Florida, Tobacco exported from, in 1775, - 394 
 
 Governour Montford Browne's Settlement on 
 
 the Mississippi and Mobile Rivers, 992-1000 
 Letter from John Durade to Gov. Browne, 
 on his Settlement of West-Florida, (see 
 
 Note,) 994 
 
 Letter of John Stuart, Superintendent of In- 
 dian Affairs at St. Augustine, to Commit- 
 tee of Intelligence of Charlestown, South- 
 Carolina, ----- 1681 
 
 Franklin, Benjamin, Agent in London, Letter to De- 
 laware Assembly, - - - - 127 
 
 Letter to Arthur Lee, - - 162 
 
 Account of Private Negotiations in London — 
 His interview with Mrs. Howe — with 
 Messrs. Barclay &: Fothergill — with Lord 
 Howe — with Gov. Pownall — with Lord 
 Chatham — with Lord Stanhope — Lord 
 Chatham's Motion and Speech in Parlia- 
 ment — Lord Dartmouth's Speech, and 
 others — Several Projects of Reconcilia- « 
 tion — Proposed Memorial to the Earl of 
 Dartmouth, - 178-210 
 Anonymous Remarks on his Plan of Union 
 of the Colonies, .... 396 
 
 Returns from London, 5th May 1775, and 
 appointed a Delegate to Continental Con- 
 gress. 455 
 Letter to Doctor Priestly, in London, 615, 1603 
 Letter to Pennsylvania Assembly, - - 1167 
 Chosen Postmaster-General, - - 1893 
 
 Fraser, Simon, Major-General, and others, Claims 
 
 for Lands in New- York, ... 135 
 
 Freeman, Enoch, to Samuel Freeman, - - 550 
 Freeman, Nathaniel, to Dr. Benjamin Church, - 473 
 Gage, General Thomas, To be re-enforced, - 123 
 Letter to Governour Martin, North-Caro- 
 lina, ...... 317 
 
 Letter from Earl of Dartmouth, - 336, 1517 
 Letter from Doctor Joseph Warren, - 370 
 
 Agreement with Town of Boston, - - 375 
 His Despatches from England attempted to 
 
 be intercepted, ... - 383, 450 
 Letter from Governour Trumbull, - - 433 
 Answer thereto, enclosing his account of the 
 
 affair at Lexington and Concord, 434-'5 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull, - - 482 
 Letter from Members of New- York Assem- 
 bly, 513 
 
 Letters to Earl of Dartmouth, - - 609, 
 
 968, 1718, 1723 
 Letter from " Junius A mericanus," - - 741 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts de- 
 nounce him, and order no obedience to 
 be paid to his acts or doings, - - 766 
 Remonstrance of Massachusetts Provincial 
 Congress on violation of his Treaty con- 
 cerning Inhabitants of Boston, - - 798 
 Resolution of Continental Congress on his 
 
 levying War, ..... 955 
 Proclamation, 12th June, 1775, - - 966 
 Proclamation, 19th June, 1775. - - 1027 
 Address from " Verus," - 1074 
 
1915 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1916 
 
 Gage, General Thomas — 
 
 Account of Battle, and list of Killed and 
 
 Wounded at Bunker's Hill, - - 1097-1102 
 Letter to Lord Dunmore on Bunker's Hill 
 
 Battle, 1107 
 
 Letter from Sir James Wright, Governour 
 
 of Georgia, _____ 1109 
 The above Letter intercepted, (See Note,) 1110 
 Letter to Governour Martin, (intercepted.) 1323 
 Letter from Francis Stephens, on seizure of 
 
 British Stores, 1758 
 
 Galloway, Joseph, excused from serving in Conti- 
 nental Congress, - 457 
 Gates, General Horatio, to General Washing- 
 ton, 1058, 1531 
 
 Letter to General Charles Lee, - - 1651 
 Letter from Massachusetts Council on dis- 
 position of Prisoners, - 1749 
 Chosen Adjutant-General, - 1850 
 Georgia — 
 
 Delegates to Continental Congress, reasons 
 for not attending, - - - - 279 
 
 James Habersham to Clark & Milligan, 
 London, ______ 337 
 
 Earl of Dartmouth to Sir James Wright, 
 
 Governour, - 475 
 Donations to Boston from Savannah, - 871 
 Joseph Habersham to Philotheos Chiffele, 1007 
 Proceedings at Savannah, - 1103 
 Governour Wright to Governour Gage, - 1109 
 The above letter intercepted, (See Note,) 1110 
 Letter from Governour Wright to Admiral 
 
 Graves, (intercepted,) - - - 1111 
 
 Provincial Congress, fourth July, 1775 — 
 Archibald Bullock, President — George 
 Walton, Secretary — Sermon from Doc- 
 tor Zubley — Message to Governour, re- 
 questing appointment of Day of Fasting 
 and Prayer — Resolutions from Inhabi- 
 tants of Savannah — Unanimous Resolu- 
 tions on Measures and Recommendations 
 of late Continental Congress — Approve 
 and adopt American Bill of Rights, Non- 
 Importation — Importation of Slaves from 
 Africa prohibited — Other Resolutions — 
 Extravagance and Dissipation discounte- 
 nanced — Plain Mourning Dress recom- 
 mended — Governour Wright's Answer 
 on Day of Fasting — Delegates to Conti- 
 nental Congress chosen — Secret Com- 
 mittee appointed — £10,000 to be raised — 
 Resolutions declaring Rights of Province, 
 die. — Dr. Zubley's Congregation permit 
 him to go to Philadelphia as a Delegate 
 to Continental Congress — Address to 
 Governour — Certificates to be issued for 
 the £10,000 — Approve of and adopt 
 Association of Savannah — Committee on 
 Elections appointed — Instructions to Ma- 
 gistrates in collecting Debts — Distribu- 
 tion of Representation in Congress — 
 Form of Commission to Delegates — 
 Election for new Provincial Congress — 
 Delegates elected — Congress to act as a 
 General Committee for the Province — 
 Rev. Haddon Smith censured — Delegates 
 to apply to Continental Congress to incor- 
 porate this Province with the other United 
 Provinces of North America — Address 
 from J. J. Zubley, Noble Wimberly Jones 
 and George Walton, as a Committee to In- 
 habitants of Province on state of Ameri- 
 can Affairs — Petition to the King — Copy 
 of Sermon of J. J. Zubley, - - 1543-1568 
 Savannah Committee from Committee of 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, enclosing 
 intercepted Letters, - 1569 
 Letter received by Continental Congress 
 announcing appointment of Delegates, - 1887 
 Gerry, Elbridge, to Massachusetts Provincial Con- 
 gress, notifying arrival of British Troops, 462 
 
 Gerry, Elbridge — 
 
 Letter to Massachusetts Delegates in Con- 
 tinental Congress, - 905 
 Letter from Thomas Cushing, - 955 
 Letter from Robert Treat Paine, - - 956 
 Letter from John Hancock, President, an- 
 nouncing appointment of General Wash- 
 ington, and marching of Troops from 
 Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, 1019 
 Letter from John Adams on same subject, 1019 
 Letter from Samuel Adams, introducing 
 
 General Washington, - 1058 
 Gilbert, Thomas, to Commander of Ship Rose, 
 
 Newport, - > 222 
 
 Letter to his Sons, - 508 
 
 Goddard, William, Post-Office Establishment, 506, 536 
 Gordon, Reverend William, Account of attack on 
 
 Lexington and Concord, - 625 
 Letter to Doctor Warren, on Hutchinson's 
 
 Papers, _----- 664 
 Permission from Provincial Congress of 
 Massachusetts to visit British Prisoners, 
 and take Depositions concerning attack 
 on Lexington and Concord, 12th May, 
 
 1775, 800 
 
 Glover, Richard, to Matthew Tilghman, justifying 
 
 the conduct of William Mollison, - - 475 
 Graves, Admiral, Letter from Governour of Geor- 
 gia intercepted by Secret Committee of 
 Charlestown, South-Carolina, and another 
 forwarded instead, - - - -1111 
 Graves, Captain, of King's Schooner Diana, Out- 
 rage on Captain Taylor, - - 78-80 
 Grenada, William Young, Commander-in-Chief to 
 the House of Assembly, and Proclama- 
 tion on American Affairs, - 1102 
 Habersham, James, Letter to London, - - 337 
 Hall, Lyman, Delegate from St. John's Parish, 
 
 Georgia, 1829 
 
 Hancock, John, President, Sfc, Letter from Col. 
 
 E. Doolittle, 177 
 
 His House attacked at Boston, - - 211 
 Letter from Connecticut Committee of Cor- 
 respondence, ----- 372 
 Letters to Massachusetts Committee of 
 
 Safety, - 384,390,401 
 Supposed object of invasion of Lexington 
 and Concord to seize him, (See Letter 
 from London, 386,) - - - - 428 
 Excepted in General Gage's Proclamation of 
 
 Pardon, 968 
 
 Letter to Elbridge Gerry, informing him of 
 the appointment of General Washington, 
 and marching of Troops from Pennsylva- 
 nia, Maryland, and Virginia, - - 1019 
 Letter to General Washington, - - 1689 
 Letter from General Washington, - - 1710 
 Appointed President of Congress, (24th May, 
 
 1775,) 1835 
 
 Harvey, John, Moderator of Convention in North- 
 Carolina — His Commission as Justice ta- 
 ken from him by Governour and Council, 273 
 Hazard, Ebenezer, undertakes to receive and for- 
 ward Letters at New- York, - - 482 
 Henry, Patrick, proscribed by Lord Dunmore's 
 
 Proclamation, - - - - 516 
 
 His conduct approved of by several Coun- 
 ties — Letter from him to Robert Carter 
 Nicholas — Takes his departure for Conti- 
 nental Congress, - 539-'41 
 His conduct approved by Prince William 
 
 County Committee, _ - - - 667 
 His conduct approved by Prince Edward 
 and Frederick Counties, - - 1023- ; 4 
 Hinman, Colonel Benjamin, to New- York Con- 
 gress, _----- 1538 
 Holliday, Robert, Proceedings against, for a publica- 
 tion in Kent County, Delaware, - - 466 
 Holland, Rev. William Gordon on the policy of 
 Great Britain, Prussia, Holland, France, 
 and Spain, - 462 
 
1917 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1918 
 
 Holt, John, Post-Office Establishment in New- York, 537 
 Hough, Benjamin, tried and whipped by Ethan Al- 
 len and others for alleged interference in 
 New-Hampshire Grants, ... 215 
 Husbands, Herman, excepted in Proclamation of 
 
 Pardon to Insurgents of 1770, - - 476 
 Hutchinson, late Governourof Massachusetts, Stric- 
 tures on his conduct by " Nestor," - 231 
 Gen. John Thomas to Committee of Safety 
 
 of .Massachusetts on his Papers, - - 473 
 Correspondence on the same, - 515, 664 
 Part of his Letters seized, ... 632 
 Said to have changed his opinion on Ameri- 
 can Affairs, 903 
 
 Indians. Caughnawaga, friendly to Provinces, - 244 
 Six Nations, same, .... 245 
 
 Speech of a Chief of the IMoheakounuck 
 Tribe, - - - - 315 
 
 Eastern, Letter from Provincial Congress of 
 Massachusetts, ----- 610 
 
 Cayuga, Claim for Lands from Pennsylvania, 616 
 Androscoggin, Brownfield (Massachusetts) 
 Committee, ----- 621 
 
 Canadian, Information respecting, - - 624 
 Colonel Guy Johnson on Six Nations, - 661 
 Mohawks to Oneidas, on Guy Johnson, - 664 
 Resolutions of Tryon County on Guy John- 
 son and Indians, - 665 
 Ethan Allen to the Northern Indians, - 713 
 Communications to and from the Mohawks, 841—3 
 Tryon County, New- York, to Colonel Guy 
 
 Johnson, ------ 878 
 
 Guy Johnson to Tryon County Committee, 911 
 James Easton to Massachusetts Congress, 919 
 Moheakounucks, Letter from Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, 937, 1367 
 
 Ethan Allen to Massachusetts Congress, - 939 
 John Lane to same, ... - 942 
 Stockbridge to the Caughnawagas, - - 1002 
 Deputation of Penobscots to Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, - 1005 
 
 Bucknam and Wales to Colonels Bayley and 
 
 Hurd, 1041 
 
 Joseph Johnson, a Mohegan, to New- York 
 
 Congress, - 1047, 1577 
 
 Letter on same subject, - - - - 1047 
 Stockbridge to Massachusetts Congress, ask- 
 ing to be limited in the supply of Spiritu- 
 ous Liquors, - 1049, 1483 
 Letter from a gentleman at Stockbridge to a 
 
 gentleman in Continental Congress, - 1060 
 Northern, Address from Colonel Bayley, - 1070 
 Letter from Charlestown, South-Carolina, - 1111 
 Oneida Tribe to Governour Trumbull, - 1116 
 Inhabitants of German Flats to the Oneidas 
 
 and Tuscaroras, - - - - 1125 
 
 Affairs in Virginia, ... - 1208 
 Treaty with Ohios to be ratified by Virginia, 1240 
 Passport for Joseph Johnson from New- York 
 
 Congress, 1309, '11 
 
 Letter from Rev. Samuel Kirkland, - - 1309 
 French Caughnawagas reported to have 
 taken up Arms, - - - -1319 
 
 Proceedings of Massachusetts Provincial Con- 
 gress. ------ 1395 
 
 Chief of Penobscots to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ------ 1432 
 
 Chiefs to Andrew Gilman, ... 1501 
 Rev. E. Wheelock to New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, ------ 1542 
 
 Connecticut Assembly to Oneidas and Caugh- 
 nawagas, ----- 1588 
 
 Correspondence of Governour Trumbull and 
 General Schuyler, - - - - 1594 
 
 Tryon County Committee to Albany and 
 
 Schenectady Committees, - 1666 
 Examination of Garret Roseboom before Al- 
 bany Committee, - 1670 
 Letter from John Stuart, Superintendent of 
 Indian Affairs, to Committee of Intelli- 
 gence, Charlestown, South-Carolina, - 1681 
 
 Indians — 
 
 Captain Remember Baker's account of, - 1735 
 Colonel Hurd to New-Hampshire Congress, 1740 
 Speech of Oneida Chiefs, ... 1746 
 Oneida Chiefs to Cherry Valley Committee, 1766 
 Correspondence with New-York Congress, 1808 
 Three Departments created, ... 1879 
 Commissioners appointed, ... 1879 
 Indian Youths in Connecticut continued to 
 
 be educated, ----- 1879 
 Address to the Six Nations, - - - 1880 
 Rev. Samuel Kirkland's expenses paid by 
 Continental Congress, ... 1884 
 
 Ireland, Meeting and Proceedings of the Guild of 
 
 Merchants in Dublin, - - - - 1672 
 Address to the People by Continental Con- 
 gress, 1894 
 
 Jamaica, Vote of Thanks to Assembly, from Con- 
 necticut, - - - - - -108 
 
 Address from Continental Congress, - 1890 
 
 Jefferson, Thomas, to Doctor William Small, - 523 
 Appointed Delegate to Continental Con- 
 gress in place of Peyton Randolph, - 1852 
 Johnson, Sir John, to Alex. White on Indians, &c, 172<i 
 Johnson, Guy, Letter from Albany Committee, - 672 
 Said to have withdrawn with his family, - 1542 
 King George the Third — 
 
 " Regulus" addresses him, - 316 
 Petition from People of Georgia, - 1555- 57 
 Petition from the Lord-Mayor and Livery of 
 London, and his Answer, - - 1601- : 2 
 Knowlcs, Amos, Jun., Proceedings of Massachu- 
 setts Congress, ----- 1005 
 
 Langdon, Reverend Doctor, appointed by Massa- 
 chusetts Congress to preach on 31st May, 
 
 1775, 802 
 
 Letter to Massachusetts Congress respecting 
 
 Chaplains, ..... 875 
 Letter from New-Hampshire Committee of 
 
 Safety, 1612 
 
 Langdon, Captain John, to New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, - 1532 
 Lands, Virginia disapproves sale of, as directed by 
 
 the King, 172 
 
 Lee, General Charles, to General Burgoyne, - 925 
 Letter to Lord Barrington, renouncing his 
 half-pay, and his determination to oppose 
 the British Government, ... 1058 
 Letter from Massachusetts Congress, and his 
 Answer, ------ 1473 
 
 Letter to Massachusetts Congress, with Let- 
 ter from General Burgoyne, - - 1503 
 Letter from General Burgoyne, - - 1610 
 Letter to Massachusetts Congress, - - 1638 
 Letter from same, ----- 1638 
 
 Letter from General Gates, - - - 1651 
 Letter to General Sullivan, ... l'-2l 
 Chosen Second Major-General , - - 1850 
 Lee, Arthur, Agent in London, to Delaware Assem- 
 bly, 127 
 
 Letter to Doctor Franklin, - - - 162 
 Letters from Dr. Joseph Warren, 255, 425, 619 
 Letter to James Kinsey, Speaker of House 
 
 of Assembly, New-Jersey, - - - 339 
 Letters from John Dickinson, - - 443, 1604 
 Letter to the People of London, - - 848 
 Letter from Lord Shelburne, - 1756 
 Lee, Richard Henry, Letter from Samuel Adams, 176 
 Letters from and to Gouverneur Morris, on 
 
 Rivington's case, - 726 
 Letter from " Philopatria," ... 872 
 Letter from General Washington, - - 1635 
 Letters, Copies of and extracts from, the names of 
 the writers being omitted originally, but 
 which appeared in the publick prints 
 under their present form — 
 From London, 13, 24, 25, 29, 55, 114, 118, 121, 
 122, 252, 306, 387, 1741 
 From Charlestown, South-Carolina, to a 
 
 Gentleman in London, 76 
 From Boston to Mr. Rivington, - - 106 
 
1919 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1920 
 
 Letters — 
 
 From Member of Lower House of Assem- 
 bly to Mr Holt, of New-York, - - 111 
 
 From a Gentleman in Harford County, Ma- 
 ryland, to bis Friend in Pbiladelpbia, - 124 
 
 From Pbiladelpbia to James Rivington, 133-134 
 
 From Boston to Newport, on cruel treat- 
 ment of Soldiers, - 173 
 
 From a Gentleman in Paris to his Friend in 
 Newport, ------ 173 
 
 From Boston to New-York, - - - 211 
 
 From a Gentleman in London to his Friend 
 in North-Carolina, ... - 242 
 
 From New-Haven to Mr. Rivington, - 252 
 
 From Boston to Philadelphia, - 253, 666 
 
 From New- York to Boston, - 255 
 
 From a Gentleman in England to his Friend 
 in Virginia, ----- 318 
 
 From New- York to Philadelphia, - - 343, 
 
 344, 364, 547 
 
 From London to a Gentleman in Massachu- 
 setts, mentioning the King's orders to Gen- 
 eral Gage to apprehend Messrs. Cusbing, 
 Adams, Hancock, and others, and send 
 them to England for trial — Second orders 
 to hang them, ----- 386 
 
 From a Merchant in London to his Friend 
 in Virginia, ----- 394 
 
 Intercepted, from Canada to Colonel Philip 
 Skene — New Commission to Guy Carle- 
 ton, Governour of Quebeck, - - 402 
 
 From Holland to Rev. William Gordon, on 
 the Policy of Great Britain, Prussia, Hol- 
 land, France, and Spain, ... 462 
 
 From an American Gentleman at Paris to 
 his Friend at Philadelphia — Opinions of 
 the French, - - - - - 463 
 
 From a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his 
 Friend in London, - - - 467, 1033 
 
 From a Gentleman in Connecticut to his 
 Friend in New- York, - 472, 508, 912 
 
 From a Gentleman in New- York to his 
 Friend in London, - - - - 506 
 
 From Montreal, (intercepted,) - - 518 
 
 From Berkshire County to Cambridge, Mas- 
 sachusetts, ----- 546 
 
 From London to a Gentleman in Philadel- 
 phia, - 547, 577, 854, 903, 1518, 1607 
 
 From a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his 
 Friend in Williamsburgh, Virginia, - 668 
 
 From London to New-York, - - 870, 1617 
 
 From North-Carolina to New-York, - 924 
 
 From a Gentleman in England to one in 
 Philadelphia, 953 
 
 From Charlestown, South-Carolina, - - 953 
 
 From London to a Gentleman in Virginia, - 960, 
 
 1517 
 
 Extract of, from Newfoundland, - - 973 
 
 Same, from London, - - - - 974 
 
 From an Officer in Boston to his Friend in 
 England, 1010 
 
 From Boston to London, on Battle of 
 Charlestown, ----- 1021 
 
 From Providence to New- York, on Bunker's 
 Hill, 1036 
 
 From Captain Chapman, of the Royal Irish 
 Regiment, to his Friend in Ireland, - 1049 
 
 From Weathersfield, Connecticut, to a Gen- 
 tleman in Philadelphia, - 1060 
 
 From a Gentleman at Stockbridge to a Gen- 
 tleman of Continental Congress, on In- 
 dians, 1060 
 
 From British Naval Officer to his Friend in 
 London, ------ 1067 
 
 Intercepted, communicated to John Hart, 
 Junior, by Doctor Carrington, - - 1078 
 
 From a Merchant in Boston to his Brother 
 in Scotland, ----- 1079 
 
 From an Officer of the British Army to his 
 Friend in England, - 1092 
 
 From Boston to a Gentleman in Scotland, 1093 
 
 Letters — 
 
 From a British Officer in Boston, - 1107, 1727 
 
 From Charlestown, South-Carolina, on In- 
 dian Affairs, - - - - -1111 
 
 Philadelphia, from Officers of American 
 Army on Bunker's Hill, - - - 1118 
 
 From the Hague, June 29, 1775, - - 1128 
 
 From Charlestown, S. C, to a Gentleman 
 
 in Philadelphia, on Indians, Georgia, Sic, 1129 
 
 From Fort George to Hartford, Connecticut, 1135 
 
 From Governour Gage to Governour Martin, 
 of North-Carolina, (intercepted,) - 1123 
 
 Intercepted in Charlestown, South-Carolina, 1569 
 
 A Virginia Delegate to a Gentleman in Wil- 
 liamsburgh, ----- 1573 
 
 Captain Angus McDonald to Colonel Alex- 
 ander McDougall, - - - - 1593 
 
 Messrs. Bradfords, of Philadelphia, to Printer 
 of a publick Paper in London, on Bun- 
 ker's Hill, &ic, - - - - 1608 
 
 From London, - - - - - 1614 
 
 From Camp at Cambridge to a Gentleman 
 in Philadelphia, - 1616 
 
 From a Gentleman in London to a Gentle- 
 man in Maryland, ... - 1617 
 
 From a Gentleman in Philadelphia to his 
 Friend in England, - - - - 1621 
 
 From Montreal to a Gentleman in England, 1623 
 
 From Camp at Cambridge, - 1637, 1721, 1722 
 
 From Braintree, Massachusetts, - - 1671 
 
 Doctor J. Mallett to William Allmon, - 1-684 
 
 From a Gentleman in Fredericktown, Mary- 
 land, to his Friend in Baltimore, - - 1687 
 
 From Watertown to a Gentleman in Phila- 
 delphia, ------ 1696 
 
 From Salem, Massachusetts, to a Gentleman 
 in London, ----- 1696 
 
 From a British Naval Officer to his Friend 
 in London, enclosing two intercepted Ame- 
 rican Letters, - - - - - 1717 
 
 From a Gentleman in London to his Friend 
 in New- York, 1727 
 
 Colonel Joseph Reed to Colonel Baldwin, 
 enclosing Letter from Doctor Church, - 1748 
 
 Extracts from Letters laid before Continental 
 Congress, dated London, July 31, 1775, - 1775 
 
 From a Gentleman in North-Carolina, one 
 of the Delegates in Congress, to a princi- 
 pal house in Edinburgh, ... 1757 
 
 From Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Phila- 
 delphia, 1764 
 Lexington, Attack on, by the British, - 359-'64 
 
 General Expresses despatched to the South 
 — Their course to Charlestown, South- 
 Carolina, 365-'69 
 
 Detailed statement of attack on, by British, 
 with a list of Killed and Wounded, 391-'3 
 
 Accounts of Worcester and Williamsburgh, 
 and intercepted British Letters concerning 
 the attack on Lexington and Concord, 436-'41 
 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts trans- 
 mit to Continental Congress Depositions 
 concerning the attack, - - 486-501 
 
 Account of attack, by Rev. Wm. Gordon, 625 
 
 Farther account of attack, - - 673-'5 
 
 A Committee appointed to take Depositions 
 concerning attack, - 765 
 
 Third Committee appointed to take Deposi- 
 tions on Battle, - 802 
 
 Narrative and Depositions concerning attack 
 on, ordered to be printed and published in 
 pamphlet by Massachusetts Congress, - 813 
 
 Subscription of Constitutional Society at Lon- 
 don for sufferers at, 921 
 
 British account of attack, - 945 
 
 Strictures on the Gazette's account of attack, 
 (London,) 948 
 
 Proceedings in Massachusetts Congress and 
 Committee of Safety, ... 1028 
 
 Life, Thomas, Agent of Connecticut, to Governour 
 
 Trumbull, 278 
 
1921 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1922 
 
 Liberty-Pole, cut down at Poughkcepsie, N. York, 176 
 London, Defence of American proceedings by 
 
 "Brecknock," - 51,341 
 Constitutional Society, Letters and Donations 
 
 to, 54-55 
 
 "Nestor" to the People of England — Stric- 
 tures on the Governour of Boston, - 231 
 Remarks of " Ignotus" on Lord Dunmore's 
 
 Circular Letter of January 4th, 1775, - 236 
 Meeting of the Livery — Remonstrance and 
 Petition to the Throne in favour of Ame- 
 rica — Speeches of Lord-Mayor and others, 278 
 " Regulus " to the King, ... 316 
 Address to Lord-Mayor and Corporation 
 
 from New-York Committee, - - 510 
 From Thomas Fraser, of London, to George 
 Erving, ------ 583 
 
 Publication at Secretary of State's Office, 
 
 (Sec JSotc on Concord, fyc.,) - - 848 
 Letter from Arthur Lee to the People of 
 London, concerning the Massacre at Con- 
 cord, 848 
 
 Letter from, to Watertown, - 870 
 " Political Observations " at, - - - 909 
 Anonymous Letter to " The Minister," - 915 
 Amount of Importations of Flour and Wheat 
 from North America, - - - - 921 
 
 British account of Battle of Lexington and 
 Concord, ------ 945 
 
 Address to the Publick, - - - - 947 
 
 Strictures on the Gazette's account of the 
 
 attack on Lexington and Concord, - 948 
 Address to the People of England, - 952, 1013 
 Publication at, " On the Disturbances in 
 America," - - - - - 961 
 
 Anonymous publication at, 968 
 '• Memento" to Lord North, - - - 992 
 Meeting of the Livery in Common-Hall 
 — Their Proceedings — Address to the 
 King — Instructions to Representatives in 
 Parliament, - 1070-'74 
 Court of Common Council's Address to the 
 
 King, 1601 
 
 Answer of the King, ... - 1602 
 Common Council Proceedings on Address of 
 
 New-York Committee, ... 1603 
 " Brutus " to the People of, - - - 1643 
 Publication at, concerning Ship " Molly," - 1680 
 " An Englishman " to the Printer of the 
 
 Morning Chronicle, ... - 1742 
 Thanks of Congress to Lord-Mayor, &.c, - 1860 
 Same to same, ..... 1877 
 Louisiana, Governour Brown's Settlement on a por- 
 tion thereof, called West-Florida, - 992-1000 
 Manufactures, Premium on Domestick, by Virginia, 13 
 Philadelphia Association to encourage, 140-'44 
 And Arts encouraged by Virginia Assembly, 170 
 Encouraged in Chesterfield County, Virginia, 298 
 Maryland — 
 
 Baltimore Committee Proceedings against 
 
 landing Salt, 34 
 
 Same concerning Cargo of Brig Henry and 
 
 Joseph, 123 
 Justices removed, ----- 124 
 
 Boundary Line, Proceedings in Pennsylva- 
 nia on subject, - 130, 302 
 Letter from Governour of Pennsylvania on 
 the above, ----- 130 
 
 Talbot County Committee on importation of 
 
 Goods by Charles Crookshanks, - - 175 
 Baltimore Committee contradict certain false 
 reports, ------ 276 
 
 Calvert County Committee — Proceedings 
 against Alexander Ogg, for violating the 
 Association, and his Apology, - - 281 
 Prince George's County Committee — Pro- 
 ceedings against import of Salt and killing 
 
 Sheep, 308 
 
 Anne Arundel County Committee contradict 
 
 " Facts relative to the Riot at Annapolis," 309 
 Baltimore Committee discourage a " Fair," 337 
 Foukth Series. — Vol. ii. 121 
 
 718 
 727 
 
 924 
 
 -'1 
 1024 
 
 1044 
 
 Maryland — 
 
 Convention 24th April, 1775. Proceedings 
 on state of the Colony of New-York — 
 Suspend Exportation to the North — Mili- 
 tia to be exercised — Delegates to Conti- 
 nental Congress — Recommend Fast Day 
 — Letter from Philadelphia on affair at 
 Lexington and Concord, - - 379-382 
 Cecil County Committee Proceedings, - 623 
 Anne Arundel County Proceedings, 659,903 
 Charles County Deputies to Convention, - 668 
 Talbot County Committee Proceedings, - 682 
 Prince George County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, - - - 
 Charles County Committee Proceedings, - 
 Worcester County Committee Proceedings, 
 Charles Gordon, of Cecil County, to the Pub- 
 lick, and Answer, ... 990 
 Queen Anne County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, ...... 
 
 Frederick County Committee of Correspon- 
 dence created — Forces to be raised for 
 Continental Service — Officers appointed — 
 Encourage Manufactures, 
 Talbot County Proceedings on the Ship 
 
 Johnson, .... 1103-'5 
 
 Anne Arundel County Proceedings, - 1122 
 
 Baltimore Committee Proceedings — Inter- 
 cepted Letter from Henry Lloyd to John 
 Stevenson, ----- 153] 
 
 Dorchester County Committee Proceedings, 1532 
 Somerset County Committee Proceedings, 1569 
 Baltimore Committee Proceedings on Letter 
 from James Christie, - - jj* 
 
 Charles County Committee Proceedings, - 
 Bladensburgh and Piscataway Committees' 
 
 Proceedings, - 
 Prince George County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, - - - - -* '- 
 
 Baltimore Publick — from James Christie, - 
 Martin, John, Governour of North-Carolina, Procla- 
 mation against Election of Deputies to 
 Congress, - 
 Maine, Samuel Thompson to Committee of Safety 
 of Massachusetts, - 
 Brunswick Committee to Boston Committee 
 
 of Correspondence, - 
 Letter from James Gowan and others to 
 
 General Ward, - 
 Alexander Shephard to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress on Survey, - 
 Mason, George, Letter to George Washington on 
 
 Potomack River and Western Lands, 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 Hampshire County Address to Inhabitants of, 
 Danvers, election of Officers in Alarm List, 
 Cumberland County Convention, and Pro- 
 ceedings against Captain Thomas Coulson 
 on certain Importations, - - - 91 
 Hampshire County, Letters from, to the In- 
 habitants of, - - 94, 222, '46, '89, 329 
 Address signed " Lucius," concerning the 
 
 Mobs represented in Vol 1 , Folio 1 260, 1 56 
 Worcester County, Proceedings of Commit- 
 tee, 228, '42 
 
 T. Wheeler assigns reasons for resigning as 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel, - 
 Worcester County — " A Freeholder" to the 
 Printer of Massachusetts Gazette, remarks 
 on Publication of " Phileirene," 
 Marblehead Committee accept apology of 
 
 Thomas Lilly for buying Tea, 
 Plymouth Committee to Committee of Safety, 
 Attempted march on Concord, 
 Committee of Montreal to Committee of 
 Safety, ------ 
 
 Falmouth Committee on Goods imported for 
 
 Captain Thomas Coulson, - 311, '18 
 
 Speech of an Indian Chief of the Moheak- 
 ounuck Tribe, sent to the Provincial Con- 
 gress, ... - 315 
 
 1652 
 1673 
 
 1688 
 
 1716 
 
 1732 
 
 254 
 
 447 
 
 502 
 
 515 
 
 1476 
 
 92 
 
 18 
 37 
 
 '2 
 
 228 
 
 229 
 
 234 
 235 
 253 
 
 305 
 
1923 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1924 
 
 Massachusetts-Ba y — 
 
 General Gage to Governour Martin, of North- 
 Carolina, ..... 317 
 
 Provincial Congress on Removals from Bos- 
 ton, ...... 336 
 
 " Johannes in Eremo " to the Inhabitants of 
 New-England, - - 340, '69 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Commit- 
 mittee of New- York City, - 344-7 
 
 Committee of Safety of Worcester to New- 
 York, on Attack of Lexington and Con- 
 cord, - 363 
 
 Letter from New- York to Philadelphia, on 
 Attack on Lexington and Concord, - 364 
 
 Provincial Congress called by Richard De- 
 vens, ...... 369 
 
 Committee of Safety to the Governour of 
 Connecticut, on Attack of Lexington and 
 Concord, 370 
 
 Newbury port Committee to the Committee 
 of Safety, sending Men and Arms, - 373 
 
 Committee of Safety to New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, on Attack of Lexington and Con- 
 cord, 373 
 
 Newburyport Committee to Committee in 
 Hampton, 374 
 
 Provincial Congress — Letter sent to New- 
 Hampshire on Attack on Lexington and 
 Concord, and on condition of Boston — 
 Unanimous Resolution to establish an Ar- 
 my — Letter from Jedediah Foster, inform- 
 ing them of the call for convening Con- 
 necticut Congress, ... 377-'8 
 
 Letter to Provincial Congress, from General 
 A. Ward, on enlisting Men, - - 384 
 
 Committee of Safety to Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, on enlisting their Troops, - 385 
 
 Letter from Rhode-Island Assembly, voting 
 to raise an Army of 1500 Men, - - 389 
 
 Detailed Statement of Attack on Lexington 
 and Concord, with a List of Killed and 
 Wounded, - - - . - 391-'3 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from James Sul- 
 livan, 393 
 
 Instructions of Williamstown to their Dele- 
 gates in Provincial Congress, - - 393 
 
 Provincial Congress from Provincial Conven- 
 tion of New-Hampshire, ... 401 
 
 Committee of Safety from John Hancock, - 401 
 
 Committee of Safety to Rhode-Island and 
 Connecticut, asking assistance, - - 402 
 
 Falmouth Committee to Committee of Safety, 402 
 
 Provincial Congress from Stephen Hopkins, 
 of Rhode-Island, - - - - 421 
 
 Committee of Safety to Selectmen of Bos- 
 ton, tendering services of removal, and con- 
 tradicting the account of General Gage, 
 concerning the Troops at Lexington and 
 Concord, 424 
 
 Committee of Safety from Boston Commit- 
 tee on the above, - - - 424 
 
 Thomas Brown to Col. George Pitkin — Em- 
 barkation of Troops in England said to be 
 resisted by the People — Ministry order ten 
 thousand Troops to be sent to America, 429 
 
 Provincial Congress to Congress of New- 
 Hampshire, 429 
 
 Letter from Roxbury to a Gentleman in New- 
 port, on defeat of British at Lexington and 
 Concord, 430 
 
 Provincial Congress to Stephen Hopkins — 
 Proceedings in case of John Brown, 431-'2 
 
 Committee of Safety to the respective Towns 
 on enlisting Men, .... 433 
 
 Newburyport Committee to Massachusetts 
 Committee of War, recommending Chris- 
 tian Febiger, . - - 433 
 
 Accounts from Williamsburgh and Worcester, 
 and intercepted British Letters, concern- 
 ing the Attack on Lexington and Con- 
 cord, - - 436-41 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 " Civis " to the Inhabitants of Williamsburgh, 441 
 Committee of Safety to respective Towns, 446-'7 
 Committee of Safety from Samuel Thomp- 
 son, 447 
 
 Committee of Safety to Selectmen of Boston, 449 
 Letter from Benedict Arnold on condition of 
 
 Ticonderoga, &tc., .... 450 
 Committee of Safety to New- York Commit- 
 tee on the same, .... 450 
 Timothy Pickering, Jr., to the Committee of 
 
 Safety, recommending Enlistments, - 461 
 Congress — Letter from Elbridge Gerry, noti- 
 fying arrival of British Troops, - - 462 
 Congress — Petition of Jonathan Brewer to 
 march into Canada with five hundred Vo- 
 lunteers, - - - - - 462 
 Committee of Safety from Rhode-Island Com- 
 mittee, 472 
 
 Committee of Safety from General John 
 
 Thomas, on Gov. Hutchinson's Papers, - 473 
 Committee of Safety to Governour of Con- 
 necticut, .... 473 ? 506 
 Committee of Safety to Mr. Vose, - - 474 
 Anonymous Letter to the Printer of the 
 
 Massachusetts Spy, ... 433 
 
 Certificate in favour of Eb. Bradish, &ic, 484 
 Committee of Safety Orders to Benedict 
 
 Arnold, 485 
 
 Petition from Braintree Selectmen, &ic, - 485 
 Provincial Congress — Petition from New- 
 Castle, New-Hampshire, for Ammunition, 486 
 Provincial Congress, from Committee of Cor- 
 respondence in Eastham, - 486 
 Provincial Congress to the Continental Con- 
 gress, enclosing Depositions sent to Lon- 
 don, Address to Inhabitants of Great Bri- 
 tain, and a Letter to Benjamin Franklin, 
 Colony Agent, concerning the affair at 
 Lexington and Concord, - - 486-501 
 Committee of Safety to New- York Com- 
 mittee, ... - 507 
 Letter from Pittsfield to Cambridge, on At- 
 tack on Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 507 
 Selectmen of Topsham to Provincial Con- 
 gress, 508 
 
 Selectmen of Worcester to Provincial Con- 
 gress, 513 
 
 Petition of Charles Glidden and others to 
 
 Provincial Congress, ... 514 
 
 Letter from Enoch Freeman to same, on Pe- 
 nobscot Indians and Canada, - - 514 
 Petition of Timothy Langdon to same, - 514 
 Committee of Safety from Thomas Chase, 515 
 Copy of a Paper found among the Papers of 
 
 Josiah Quincy, - 518 
 
 Provincial Congress, from Wm. Whipple, 520 
 Committee of Safety from General Assembly 
 
 of Rhode-Island, .... 520 
 Committee of Safety to the Committee of 
 Safety, Correspondence and Protection, in 
 
 Albany, 523 
 
 Letter to Colonel James Scammons, - 524 
 Maiden and Chelsea Proceedings, - - 536 
 Samuel Mather to Provincial Congress, - 538 
 Worcester Selectmen to same, - - 538 
 Sheffield Committee Proceedings, - - 545 
 Lynn Committee to Committee of Safety on 
 
 conduct of Josiah Martin, ... 546 
 Petition from Cohasset, ... 547 
 Committee of Safety from General John Tho- 
 mas, - 549, 581 
 Bristol Town-Meeting Proceedings, - - 549 
 Committee of Safety from Timothy Picker- 
 ing, 550 
 
 Enoch Freeman to Samuel Freeman, - 550 
 Committee of Safety to General Thomas, - 552 
 Letter from Falmouth to a Gentleman in 
 
 Watertovvn, on Proceedings at Falmouth, 552 
 Deer Island Committee to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ------ 555 
 
1925 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1926 
 
 Massachusetts- Bay — 
 
 Committee to Committee of Inspection of 
 New- York, ..... 556 
 
 Provincial Congress from the Committee at 
 Ticonderoga — from Ethan Allen — from 
 Benedict Arnold — from Edward Mott, 
 on the capture of Ticonderoga, - 556-'60 
 
 Committee of Safety from Major Osgood, 579 
 
 John Sawyer and others to Provincial Con- 
 gress, ...... 580 
 
 Selectmen of Amesbury to Committee of 
 Safety, 580 
 
 Committee of Supplies to the Committee of 
 Safety, 581 
 
 Timothy Ladd to Provincial Congress, - 584 
 
 Benedict Arnold to Committee of Safety, on 
 Crown Point, ----- 584 
 
 Jedediah Preble to President of Provincial 
 Congress, ..... 585 
 
 Falmouth Committee toCommittee of Safety, 586 
 
 Provincial Congress to Colonel Thompson, 587 
 
 Two Sloops taken by the British Sloop Fal- 
 con recaptured, .... 608 
 
 Groton Committee Proceedings, - - 608 
 
 Petition of William Bent and others to Com- 
 mittee of Safety, .... 609 
 
 Petition of John Boice and Hugh McLean, 
 for release of their Apprentices, - - 609 
 
 Joseph Prime, Jedediah Preble, and others, 
 to Committee of Safety, ... 610 
 
 Provincial Congress to Eastern Indians, - 610 
 
 Same, Letter from Erastus Wolcott and 
 others, on capture of Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, ----- 618 
 
 Same, Letter to Continental Congress, on 
 the state of the Army, ... 620 
 
 Brownfield Committee to Provincial Con- 
 gress, on Androscoggin Indians, - - 621 
 
 Colonel Eaton's Account of the capture of 
 Ticonderoga, ----- 624 
 
 Account of commencement of hostilities at 
 Lexington and Concord, by the Rev. 
 William Gordon, ... 625-'31 
 
 Norlhborough Committee to General Ward, 632 
 
 Letter from Cambridge, respecting Halifax 
 and the Tories, ----- 630 
 
 Committee of Safety to Committee of Sup- 
 plies, on supplies for Col. Arnold's men — 
 Col. Arnold's Letter stating the number of 
 Cannon at Ticonderoga and Crown Point, 
 and number of Forces in Canada — Ord- 
 nance Stores found at the above places, 645-'6 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from General 
 Artemas Ward, - - 647, 666, 1028 
 
 James Russell to Joseph Warren, President 
 of Provincial Congress, ... 647 
 
 Abijah Brown to Committee of Safety, - 647 
 
 Benjamin Thompson to Committee of Safe- 
 ty, on his imprisonment, ... 647 
 
 Committee of Safety to General Preble, - 663 
 
 Provincial Congress, New-Hampshire Reso- 
 lutions, - 664 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from James Sul- 
 livan, 667 
 
 Same, Letters to Massachusetts Congress, 667, 
 
 676, 694 
 
 Provincial Congress, farther Narrative of 
 attack on Lexington and Concord, 673-'5 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Samuel 
 Bullard, - - - - - - 675 
 
 Committee of Supplies to Provincial Con- 
 gress, ...... 676 
 
 Provincial Congress to Benedict Arnold, - 676 
 
 Committee of Safety at Cambridge, Letter 
 from Benedict Arnold, ... 693 
 
 Petition of John Merrill to Provincial Con- 
 gress, 695 
 
 Waltham Selectmen to Committee of Safety, 
 on Millicent, .... - 695 
 
 Tewksbury Committee of Inspection Pro- 
 ceedings, ..... 6G5 
 
 Massachusetts-Ba y — 
 
 Provincial Congress to Inhabitants of Tewks- 
 bury, 699 
 
 Letter from Hon. Enoch Freeman to Com- 
 mittee of Safety, .... 700 
 
 Worcester County Committee Proceedings, 700-'l 
 Woburn Committee Proceedings, - - 701 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Governour 
 
 Trumbull, of Connecticut, - - - 706 
 Same, Letter from John Thomas, accepting 
 
 appointment of Lieutenant-General, - 707 
 Same, Letter from Dr. Joseph Warren, - 707 
 Maiden Committee to Committee of Safety, 708 
 Machias Committee to Provincial Congress, 708 
 Cumberland County to Provincial Congress, 709 
 Committee of Safety of Salem, Letter from 
 Rev. Thomas Barnard, Jun. — their Pro- 
 ceedings, - - - - - - 710 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Benedict 
 
 Arnold, at Crown Point, - - 714, 735 
 Provincial Congress to New- York Congress, 715 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Joseph 
 Hawley, - - - - - - 716 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Benjamin 
 Greenleaf, ..... 716 
 
 Same, Letter from Committee of Safety, - 716 
 Same, Letter to Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire, - 717 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Benjamin 
 Bullard and others, .... 717 
 
 Letter from Connecticut Assembly, - - 719 
 Battle at Chelsea, .... 719 
 
 Waltham Selectmen to Committee of Safety, 
 on conduct of Colonel Brown, and Pro- 
 ceedings thereon in Provincial Congress, 720-'2l 
 Provincial Congress to Continental Congress, 
 enclosing Communications from Colonel 
 
 Arnold, 721 
 
 Provincial Congress to Assembly of Connect- 
 icut, 722 
 
 Same to Benedict Arnold, ... 723 
 Instructions to Colonel Henshaw, - - 723 
 Colonel Henshaw's account of his Journey 
 to Connecticut, ----- 724 
 
 Selectmen of Partridgefield to Provincial 
 Congress, ------ 724 
 
 Committee of Safety to Colonel Benedict 
 
 Arnold, - 726 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Governour 
 Trumbull, .... 730, 877 
 
 Provincial Congress to Governour Trumbull, 735 
 Same to New-Hampshire Congress, on Ti- 
 conderoga, &c, - - - - 737, 876 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Committee 
 
 of Sandwich, 738 
 
 Provincial Congress Proceedings on Remon- 
 strance of Town of Dartmouth, - - 738 
 Salem Committee to Committee of Safety, 739 
 Newburyport Committee, Letter from Com- 
 mittee of Portsmouth, New-Hampshire, 740 
 "Junius Americanus" to General Gage, - 741 
 Committee of Safety Proceedings — Dis- 
 position of Cannon and Powder at Con- 
 cord — Several Depots for Ammunition 
 and Provisions appointed — Cannon dis- 
 tributed, (18th April, 1775)— 21st April, 
 eight thousand Men to be enlisted out of 
 Massachusetts Forces — Express to Rhode- 
 Island and Connecticut — Captain Derby 
 despatched to England — Committee on 
 state of Boston — Letters to all the Pro- 
 vince Towns — Permits into Boston — Con- 
 necticut and Rhode-Island Money made 
 current — Colonel Arnold supplied with 
 Ammunition — Hutchinson's Papers stop- 
 ped — Orders to Colonel Arnold on his 
 Expedition to Ticonderoga — Council of 
 War appointed — William Cooper appoint- 
 ed Secretary to Doctor Warren, President 
 of Congress — Sub-Committee of Safety re- 
 commend Breastworks at Cambridge and 
 
1927 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 192S 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 Bunker's Hill — Lady Frankland permitted 
 to go into Boston — No Slaves to be ad- 
 mitted into the Army — Governour Hutch- 
 inson's Papers in the hands of Captain 
 McLane to be delivered up, - - 741-'64 
 Provincial Congress, 22d of April, 1775. — 
 A Committee to take Depositions concern- 
 ing the attack on Lexington and Concord 
 — 30,000 Men necessary for defence — 
 13,600 to be raised by this Province — 
 Mr. Sullivan sent to New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress — Pay of the Army — State of the 
 Funds — Secrecy in part enjoined — Rich- 
 ard Gridley appointed Chief Engineer — 
 Connecticut and Rhode-Island applied to 
 for Powder — Advise removal of effects 
 from Seaport Towns — Committee appoint- 
 ed to ascertain number of killed, wound- 
 ed, and murdered, on the 19th April — 
 Draught of a Letter to New-Hampshire — 
 No notice to be taken of the Precepts 
 lately issued by General Gage for calling 
 a General Assembly — Papers received 
 from Committee of Safety — 'Rules and 
 Regulations of Congress — Powers con- 
 ferred on Committee of Supplies — Condi- 
 tion of Ordnance and Ordnance Stores — 
 Form of Commission for Officers — Pass 
 to be used by Members of Congress — 
 Poor to be removed from Boston — Order 
 of distribution and support — Inhabitants of 
 Lexington and others supplied with Pro- 
 visions — Letter to Delegates now in Con- 
 necticut — Authenticated copies of divers 
 Papers sent to Continental Congress — Re- 
 port of Committee of Ways and Means — 
 £100.000 to be raised on Colony secu- 
 rities — their form — Application to General 
 Gage for release of Prisoners — Rev. Mr. 
 Gordon chosen Chaplain — His Excellency 
 General Gage denounced, and no obedi- 
 ence to be paid to any of his acts or do- 
 ings — Delegates to new Congress to be 
 chosen — Letter to Assembly of Connecti- 
 cut — Letter to General Ward and Select- 
 men of Boston — Stores to be imported by 
 Committee of Supplies— Pay of Artille- 
 ry — Narrative of attack on Lexington and 
 Concord to be published — Oath to be ad- 
 ministered to Officers and Soldiers — Sus- 
 pected persons on examination to be dis- 
 armed — Post-Offices and Riders to be 
 established — Records of the several Coun- 
 ties to be secured — Remonstrance to Gen- 
 eral Gage — Rev. Mr. Gordon's leave to 
 visit British Prisoners — Proceedings on 
 the proposition of taking up and exercising 
 the powers of Civil Government in all its 
 parts — Committee recommend application 
 to Continental Congress on this subject — 
 Rev. Dr. Langdon appointed to preach 
 a Sermon on 31st May — Third Commit- 
 tee appointed to take Depositions concern- 
 ing Battle of Lexington — Post-Offices, 
 Post Roads. Postmasters, and Rates of 
 Postage established — Resolution concern- 
 ing the removal of effects out of the Colo- 
 ny — Embassy to Canada proposed — Court 
 of Inquiry proposed — Doctor Church sent 
 to American Congress with despatches — 
 Communication to Connecticut on subject 
 of assuming Government — Letter from 
 Edward Mott and Ethan Allen, on cap- 
 ture of Ticonderoga — Oath of General 
 Officers in the Army — Jonas Dix ap- 
 pointed to take Depositions on conduct 
 of British Army — Letter to Assembly of 
 Connecticut on capture of Ticonderoga — 
 Army Officers recommended not to be 
 chosen Members of Congress — Commit- 
 
 Massachusetts-J3ay — 
 
 tee of Safety chosen — Lady Frankland 
 permitted to go to Boston — Powers of 
 Committee of Safety — General Ward's 
 Commission — Depositions and Narrative 
 of Excursion of the King's Troops to 
 Concord to be published in pamphlet 
 form — Removal into Boston in part pro- 
 hibited — Notes of Credit issued — Chap- 
 lains to the Army — Officers commission- 
 ed — Tories' Estates not permitted to be 
 alienated by them — Farther Organization 
 of the A i my — Proceedings against Ebe- 
 nezer Cutler — Farther Proceedings re- 
 specting the Poor of Boston — Returns of 
 the Officers of the respective Regiments, 
 
 763-830 
 
 General Assembly of — Proceedings of the 
 Provincial Congress on Precepts lately 
 issued by General Gage to convene, - 772 
 
 Provincial Congress recommend not to obey 
 such Precepts, - 785-'6 
 
 Committee of Safety remodelled, - - 81$ 
 
 James Easton to Provincial Congress, on 
 
 Ticonderoga, - 849 
 
 Explanation of divers Inhabitants of Salem, 
 concerning an Address to Gov. Hutchinson, 852 
 
 Brookfield Committee, Letter from Joshua 
 Upham — denies being an enemy to his 
 
 Country, ------ 852 
 
 Committee of Safety to Sudbury Commit- 
 tee, releasing Ezra Taylor, - - - 853 
 Hopkinton Selectmen to Provincial Congress, 853 
 Chebacco Committee, Letter from Manches- 
 ter Committee, on Movements of the Bri- 
 tish, 854 
 
 Worcester Convention Proceedings, - - 865 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from R. Temple, 866 
 
 Stephen Nye to Nathaniel Freeman, - 866 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Selectmen 
 
 of Scarborough, .... gg7 
 
 Same, Letter from Selectmen of Edgartown, 867 
 
 Same, Letter from Inhabitants of Berwick, 867 
 
 Same, Letter from Selectmen of Bedford, - 868 
 General Ward, Letter from New-Hampshire 
 
 Congress, 868 
 
 Letter received at Watertown from London, 870 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Provincial Camp 
 
 to New- York, 874 
 
 Alexander Walker's Recantation, - - 875 
 
 Salem, " An American " to the Americans, 875 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Reverend 
 Samuel Langdon, communicating Resolu- 
 tions of a Convention of Ministers con- 
 cerning Chaplain, .... 875 
 
 Lunenburgh Selectmen to Dr. John Tavior, 
 in Provincial Congress, - - - 876 
 
 Provincial Congress, Petition of William 
 
 Tallman and others, - 876 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from William 
 Lithgow, 894 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Colonel 
 Richard Gridley, - - - - 894 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter to Henry Gardi- 
 ner, Receiver-General, on signing Bills, 900 
 
 Arundel Committee to Provincial Congress, 
 on seizure of a coasting Sloop by the Bri- 
 tish, - 900-'2 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Loammi 
 Baldwin on Surveys and Instruments, - 902 
 
 Same, Letter from New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, on Canada, .... 902 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Mrs. Bow- 
 doin, 906-9 
 
 Captain Drury's Company to General Ward, 914 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Colonel 
 Scammons's Officers, - - - 914 
 
 Same, Letter from James Easton, on Indians 
 and Canada, - 919 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from New- York 
 Congress, 928 
 
1929 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1930 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Selectmen 
 
 of Lancaster, - 930 
 Same, Letter from Belfast Committee, - 930 
 Same, Petition from Davis and Coverly, - 931 
 Same, Letter from Governour Trumbull, - 936, 
 
 10-26, 1090, 1116 
 Same to the Mobeakounuck Indians, - 937 
 Same, Letter from Ethan Allen, on Canada 
 
 and Indians, ..... 939 
 Same, Letter from Abiathar Angel, - - 941 
 Same, Letter from John Lane, on Indians, 942 
 Same, Letter from Elisha Hewes, - 943, 958 
 Same, Letter from John Hancock, President 
 
 of Continental Congress, - - 955, 1000 
 Same to Continental Congress, - - 959, 
 
 970, 1039, 1616 
 
 Same, Letter from Alexander McDougall, 966 
 Same, Letter from Henry Howell Williams, 971 
 Springfield Committee Proceedings, - 971 
 
 Chelmsford, Sic, Committee Proceedings, 972 
 Kittery Committee of Safety Proceedings, 972 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Elisha 
 Phelps, ------ 973 
 
 Same, Letter from Joseph Palmer, - - 978 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Lemuel 
 
 Trescott, - 978 
 
 Same, Letter from New-Hampshire Com- 
 mittee of Safety, - 979 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Falmouth 
 
 Committee, ..... 955 
 Provincial Congress' Instructions to Commis- 
 sioners to Ticonderoga, ... qqq 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Josiab 
 
 Jones and Jonathan Hicks, - - 988 
 Same, Letter from Machias Committee, 988, 1017 
 Worcester Committee, Letter from General 
 
 Ward, 1003 
 
 Provincial Congress to New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, 1003 
 
 William Stoddard to Capt. James Littlefield, 1003 
 "Sidney," Address at Salem to Soldiers and 
 
 Seamen of British Fleet and Army, - 1004 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Samuel 
 
 Langdon, President Harvard College, - 1004 
 Same, Letter from " S. L.," - - -1005 
 Falmouth Committee to Provincial Congress, 
 
 on Penobscot Indians, . - - - 1005 
 Proclamation by Provincial Congress, 16th 
 
 June, 1775, ..... 101 1 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Selectmen 
 
 of Edgartown, ----- 1013 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Commit- 
 tee of Supplies, - - 1017, 1022 
 Captain Elijah Hide's Account of Engage- 
 ment at Charlestown, - - - - 1018 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from General 
 
 Thomas, - 1021, 1119 
 
 Committee of Supplies to the several Towns, 1022 
 Gov. Gage's Proclamation, 19 June, 1775, 1027 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Jos. Ward, 1023 
 Same, Letter from Committee of Safety, on 
 
 Lexington, Sic, .... 1028 
 
 Same, Letter from General Ward, - - 1041 
 Same, Letter from Townsend Selectmen, 1041 
 Same, Letter from Stockbridge Indians, - 1049 
 Same, Letter from Thomas Twining, and 
 
 Proceedings of the Town of Eastham, 1050— '55 
 Proceedings of the same on Twining and 
 
 Amos Knowles, Jun., ... 1055 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from General 
 
 Ward, - - - 1061,1080,1119 
 Same, Letter from B. Greenleaf, - - 1062 
 Same, Letter from Stephen Hooper, - 1062 
 Publication at Cambridge on Battle of Bun- 
 ker's Hill, 1062 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Albany 
 
 Committee, ----- 1064 
 Same, Letter from Manchester Selectmen, 1068 
 Publick Fast ordered by Provincial Con- 
 gress, 1080 
 
 Massach usctts-Ba y — 
 
 General Wooster, Letter from Thaddeus 
 Burr, enclosing Letter of Isaac Lothrop 
 on Battle at Charlestown, ... 1089 
 
 Provincial Congress to Andrew Gilman, of 
 Canada, appointing him honorary Lieu- 
 tenant, 1090 
 
 Same, Letter from John Lane on Indian 
 Affairs, - 1090 
 
 Committee of Safety to Selectmen of Brad- 
 ford, - - - - - - 1091 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from General 
 Ward, enclosing Resolution of Continental 
 Congress, - - - - - J 107 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Northfield 
 Committee, - - - - - 11 OS 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Plymouth 
 Committee, ..... 1108 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Elisha 
 Phelps, 11 Hi 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Governour 
 Cooke, of Rhode-Island, - 1118 
 
 Same, Letter from Colonel D. Brewer, - 1 J 19 
 
 Same, Letter from Col. Prescott and others, 1119 
 
 Committee of Provincial Congress to Conti- 
 nental Congress, .... 1120 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Portsmouth 
 
 Committee concerning James Henderson, 1122 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Biddeford 
 
 Committee, - - - - - 1127 
 
 Same, Letters from Committee of Safety, - 1127, 
 
 1141 
 
 Same, Letter from John O'Brien, on behalf 
 
 of Inhabitants of Machias, - 1128 
 Worcester County Proceedings, - - 1140 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from General 
 Thomas, - - - - - - 1141 
 
 Same, Letter from General Heath, - - 1141 
 Committee of Supplies to New-Hampshire 
 
 Committee of Safety, - - - 1142 
 
 Eulogium on General Warren, - - 1142 
 
 Committee of Safety meets 31st of May, 
 1775 — Sermon by President Langdon — 
 Letter to Provincial Congress — Return 
 to Provincial Congress of Officers who 
 have been commissioned, or received en- 
 couragement for commission — Resolution 
 requesting Returns of the Army — Debates 
 and determinations to be kept secret — Al- 
 lowance of Provisions for each Soldier — 
 Resolution for increasing the Army — Re- 
 commendation to go armed on the Lord's 
 Day — Resolution to keep sufficient force 
 at Bunker's Hill — John Badger required 
 to surrender his House for a Hospital for 
 Small-Pox Patients — Commanders of Mi- 
 litia ordered to hold their men in readiness 
 to march to Cambridge — Hospital for 
 Colony Army — Doctors Eustis and Fos- 
 ter, Surgeons — Farther Proceedings on 
 Battle at Lexington — Aids-de-Camp re- 
 commended — Works begun on Winter 
 Hill to be finished — Encampment on 
 Prospect Hill to be inspected — Supervisor 
 of the Camp recommended — Doctor John 
 Warren appointed Hospital Surgeon — 
 Farther issue of Bills of Credit — Fair 
 and honest Representation of the Battle 
 at Charlestown to be drawn up — Recom- 
 mendation to the Grand American Con- 
 gress to seize every Crown Officer — Re- 
 tailing of Spirituous Liquors near the 
 Camps recommended to be suppressed — 
 Instructions to Recruiting Officers recom- 
 mended — John Vassal's House to be re- 
 paired for the residence of General Wash- 
 ington — Monsieur Viart delivered up by 
 General Washington — Rev. Dr. Cooper, 
 Rev. Mr. Gardiner, and Rev. Mr. Peter 
 Thatcher, desired to draw up a true state- 
 ment of Battle of Charlestown, and lay 
 
1 931 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1932 
 
 Massachusetts- Bay — 
 
 it before this Committee — Certain Prison- 
 ers sent to Congress — Account of Battle 
 of Charlestown accepted and ordered to 
 be transmitted to England — Letter to Ar- 
 thur Lee concerning the above account, 
 
 1347-'76 
 
 Provincial Congress, 31st of May, 1775 — 
 Sermon by President Langdon — Copy re- 
 quested for publication — Papers relative 
 to Fortress at Ticonderoga, &ic. — Moni- 
 tors appointed, Rules and Orders estab- 
 lished — Conduct of Stephen Higginson 
 before Committee of Parliament approved 
 — Letter to Colonel Arnold — Letter to 
 House of Assembly of Connecticut — Let- 
 ter to Provincial Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire — Nine Chaplains to be chosen for 
 the Army — Rev. Mr. Gordon appointed 
 Chaplain of Congress — Inhabitants re- 
 commended to abandon Sea-Coasts and 
 Islands — All intercepted Letters to be laid 
 before the Congress — Committee appoint- 
 ed to give currency to Bills of Credit of 
 all the Governments on the Continent — 
 Committee Report on Bills of Credit of 
 the other Colonies — Loarnmi Baldwin to 
 have use of Instruments from the Col- 
 lege — Proceedings on Canada and In- 
 dians — Address to Moheakounuck Indians 
 — Exportations to Quebeck, he, prohib- 
 ited — Proceedings on Prisoners at Arun- 
 del — Addresses to Continental Congress 
 on Ticonderoga, &tc. — Exportation of 
 Fish, &c, recommended to be prohibit- 
 ed — Letters from Governour Trumbull, 
 Colonel Arnold, and Continental Con- 
 gress — John Whitcomb chosen First Ma- 
 jor-General — Instructions to Committee 
 appointed to go to Ticonderoga — Library 
 and Apparatus of Harvard College to be 
 secured — Letters to Continental Congress 
 and New-England Governments — Depo- 
 site of Fire-Arms in Magazine — Commit- 
 tee to take care of Estates of Refugees — 
 Report of Committee on claims of ap- 
 pointments of Colonels in the Army — 
 Supply of Spirituous Liquors on extraor- 
 dinary occasions — Report of Committee 
 on violation of the Sabbath — Proclamation 
 in answer to Proclamation of Governour 
 Gage — Report of Committee on Increase 
 of Army, &c. — Farther Resolution on 
 supply of Arms — Committee appointed 
 to prepare Letter to Continental Congress 
 on attack of Bunker's Hill — Hon. James 
 Warren chosen President; Vice, Joseph 
 Warren — Resolution of Continental Con- 
 gress on erecting Government in Massa- 
 chusetts — Letter to Continental Congress, 
 containing account of Battle of Bunker's 
 Hill, &lc. — Wm. Heath appointed Major- 
 General — Farther Proceedings on Refu- 
 gees — ' Address from Penobscot Chief — 
 Report on Penobscot Indians — Report on 
 Colonel Phinney's Regiment — Report of 
 Committee appointed to inquire into mis- 
 conduct in the late engagement at Bun- 
 ker's Hill — Harvard College Library to 
 be removed — Lieutenant Cox arrested — 
 Letter to Governour Trumbull — Recep- 
 tion of General Washington — Petition of 
 Committee of Correspondence of Ply- 
 mouth — Letter to Albany Committee on 
 Bunker's Hill Battle — Report of Com- 
 mittee on Bills of Credit — Committee to 
 prepare Address to General Washington — 
 Address to the Counties of Worcester and 
 New-Hampshire — Distribution of Pow- 
 der — Deputy Commissaries appointed — 
 Trial of Criminals on the Sea-Coast — 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 Letter to Governour of Connecticut — Sick 
 and Wounded provided for — Address to 
 General Washington, and his Answer — 
 Address to General Charles Lee, and his 
 Answer — Light-houses supplied — Petition 
 of Joseph Barrell — Letter from Alexander 
 Shepard on his Survey of Province of 
 Maine — Letter from Colonel Gridley — 
 Answer to a Letter from New-Hampshire 
 — Letter to Governour Trumbull — Sur- 
 geons and Surgeons' Mates appointed — 
 Report of Committee on Drawbridge at 
 Cambridge — Report of Committee on 
 supply of Spirituous Liquors to Stock- 
 bridge Indians — Letter to General Wash- 
 ington — Clothing for the Army — Com- 
 mittee returns from Ticonderoga — Report 
 on their mission — Farther Proceedings 
 on Bills of Credit — Letter from General 
 Ward — Supply of General Washington's 
 table — Pay of Samuel Freeman, Secre- 
 tary of Congress — Report of Committee 
 on state of Nantucket — Letters to or from 
 Continental Army to be free of Postage — 
 Answer to Letters from New-Hampshire 
 Congress — Report of Committee on sale 
 of Ardent Spirits to Troops — Report on 
 seizure of Crown Officers — Letter from 
 John Scollay, on Poor of Boston — Letter 
 from Indian Chiefs to Andrew Gilman — 
 Letter to Continental Congress — Letter 
 from General Lee, communicating a Let- 
 ter from General Burgoyne — Answer to 
 General Lee — Committee appointed to 
 confer with General Washington — Memo- 
 rial of William Hunt and Lady Frank- 
 land — Letter to Governour Trumbull — 
 Roll of Captain Noble's Company — Com- 
 mittee Report on temporary re-enforce- 
 ment of the Army, ( See Note) — Letter 
 from General Washington's Secretary — 
 Captain Stone appointed President of this 
 Congress — Excused, and Colonel Benja- 
 min Lincoln appointed — Recommendation 
 not to kill Sheep or Lambs — Resolutions 
 on Prisoners of War — Report on Commis- 
 sion of Committee of Safety — Congress 
 
 dissolved, 1375-1518 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Commit- 
 tee of Secrecy of New- York, - - 1537 
 Same, Letter from New-Hampshire Con- 
 gress, enclosing a Letter from Doctor 
 Wheelock on Canada and Indians, - 1541 
 Dukes County Committee Proceedings, - 1589 
 Committee from Crown Point Committee 
 
 on mutinous conduct of Colonel Arnold, 1596 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Committee 
 
 and Selectmen of Harpswell, - - 1612 
 President of Provincial Congress, Letter 
 from General Washington, on condition 
 
 of Army, 1623 
 
 Notification by Town Clerk of Boston, - 1637 
 Extract of a Letter from the Camp at Cam- 
 bridge, 1637 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from General 
 
 Charles Lee, 1638 
 
 Answer to the above, .... 1(533 
 Publication signed "An Old Man," on Let- 
 ter from Gen. Burgoyne to Gen. Lee, - 1639 
 " A Countryman " to General Burgoyne, - 1641 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Bradford 
 
 Committee, - - - - - 1648 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Edmund 
 
 Bridge, 1648 
 
 Letter from Cambridge, on Noddle Island, 1650 
 Committee of Supplies to New-Hampshire 
 
 Congress, - - - - -1651 
 Lancaster Committee Proceedings, - - 1678 
 Declaration of Continental Congress, setting 
 forth the causes and necessity of taking 
 
1933 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1934 
 
 Massachusetts-Bay — 
 
 up Arms, read before the People and the 
 Army at Cambridge, - 1687 
 
 Council to General Gates, on disposition of 
 Prisoners, ------ 1749 
 
 General Assembly, Letter from General 
 Washington, ----- 1764 
 
 Resolution of Continental Congress on the 
 Government of, .... 1845 
 
 McDougall, Alexander, to Josiah Quincy, Jun., - 283 
 McClary, Andrew, to New-Hampshire Provincial 
 Congress, on conduct of some of their 
 Troops, ------ 378 
 
 McCulloch, Adam, publishes his determination to 
 
 adhere to the cause of the Country, - 1642 
 Mecklenburgh Resolutions, (See North-Carolina.) 
 Mississippi, Governour Browne encourages Emi- 
 gration and Settlement in West-Florida, 
 on the Mississippi River, - - 992-1000 
 Mobs, "Lucius" on the representations concerning 
 
 them in Vol. I. Folio 1260, - - 156 
 
 Mollison, William, His conduct justified by Richard 
 
 Glover, ------ 464 
 
 Money, Continental, Two Million Dollars struck, 1031 
 Morris, Gouverneur, Correspondence with Richard 
 
 H. Lee, on Rivington's case, - - 726 
 Morris, Lewis, Answers Protest of Westchester 
 County against choosing Deputies to elect 
 Delegates to Continental Congress, - 323 
 JSavy, British, Proclamation of Admiral Graves, - 525 
 
 Address of " Sidney" to Seamen, - - 1004 
 
 Captain Montague to Captain Squire, - 1692 
 
 Proclamation on destruction of Light-houses 
 by the Americans, ... - 1696 
 New- Hampshire — 
 
 Articles of Enlistment at Durham, - 31-32 
 
 Proceedings of Board of Trade and Plan- 
 tations, respecting Lands disputed with 
 New- York, 136 
 
 " The Spectator " to Governour Wentworth, 159 
 
 Portsmouth Association, ... 251 
 
 Portsmouth Volunteers, ... 299 
 
 Proceedings of Committee for New-Hamp- 
 shire Grants, - - - - - 315 
 
 "Green Mountain Boys" resident in New- 
 Hampshire Grants, - 1535 
 
 " Candidates " at Portsmouth to the People, 334 
 
 Letter from Newburyport, on attack of Lex- 
 ington and Concord, - 359 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Committee 
 of Safety of Massachusetts on same, - 373 
 
 Andrew McClary, at Cambridge, on conduct 
 of some of the New-Hampshire Troops, 378 
 
 Letter from Massachusetts Committee of 
 Safety, on enlisting Men, - - 385 
 
 1 H. Jackson to Colonel Jeremiah Lee, on 
 
 re-enforcement, ----- 385 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Colonel 
 John Wentworth, - 394 
 
 Provincial Convention to Provincial Con- 
 gress of Massachusetts, - - - 401 
 
 Answer to the above, - 429 
 
 Sandbornton Selectmen to Provincial Con- 
 gress, ------ 433 
 
 Meeting of the Inhabitants of Londonder- 
 ry — Stephen Holland avows his attach- 
 ment to his Country, ... 447 
 
 Petition from New-Castle, N. H., to Provin- 
 cial Congress of Massachusetts for Am- 
 munition, ------ 486 
 
 Assembly meets, 4th May, 1775. Commu- 
 nications from New-York Assembly — Ad- 
 dress to and from the Governour, J. Went- 
 worth — Adjourned by the Governour, 519-'24 
 
 P. Bailey, James McMaster, Thomas Ach- 
 
 incloss, their Recantation, - - - 552 
 
 Portsmouth Town-Meeting Proceedings, - 611 
 
 Marlow Committee to Provincial Committee, 612 
 
 Town of Alstead to Provincial Congress, - 612 
 Portsmouth Committee to Provincial Con- 
 
 gress, 632, 896 
 
 New-Hampsh ire — 
 
 John Stark to Provincial Congress, - 639, 739 
 Provincial Congress to Governour of, - 640 
 Committee of Safety Proceedings — Armed 
 
 Forces ordered to be raised, - - 648 
 Provincial Congress, May 17, 1775. Post- 
 Office established at Portsmouth — Arms to 
 be procured — Manufactures encouraged — 
 Two thousand Men to be raised — approve 
 removal of Gunpowder from William and 
 Mary Castle — Officers appointed — In- 
 structions to Committee of Safety — Dis- 
 approve conduct of Governour in creating 
 new Members of Assembly — Several Ad T 
 dresses prepared — Brigadier-General Fol- 
 som commissioned as First Commander — 
 Secrecy enjoined — Bills of Credit issu- 
 ed, 647-'60 
 
 Proceedings communicated to Massachusetts 
 Congress, ------ 664 
 
 Delegates at Philadelphia to Provincial Com- 
 mittee on Indians and Guy Johnson, - 669 
 Provincial Congress to Deputies in Conti- 
 nental Congress, - - 696, 894-'5 
 Same to Continental Congress, - - 696 
 Same to Massachusetts Congress, - - 697 
 Letter from Colonel John Fenton, on Indian 
 
 Affairs, 698 
 
 Committees of Safety — Portsmouth, Green- 
 land, and Rye Proceedings, - - 701 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Massachu- 
 setts Congress, - - - - - 717 
 Present condition given by their Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, ... 725 
 Ebenezer Lovering's Recantation, - - 725 
 Letters from Massachusetts Congress, on Ti- 
 
 conderoga, - 737, 876 
 
 Portsmouth Committee to Newburyport 
 
 Committee, ----- 740 
 Account of Damage done by British to Fort 
 
 Will iam and Mary, - - - - 740 
 Provincial Congress to Colonel Stark, - 868 
 Same, Letters from Portsmouth Commit- 
 tee, 868, 937 
 
 Meshech Weare to Provincial Congress, - 869 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Winborn 
 
 Adams, 869 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Charles 
 Johnson, ------ 869 
 
 Same, Letter from Joseph Kelly, - - 878 
 Same, Letter from Nathaniel Shaw, - 894 
 
 Same to New- York Provincial Congress, on 
 
 Ticonderoga, ----- 895 
 
 Same to Massachusetts Congress, on Canada, 902 
 New-Hampshire Grants — William Duer to 
 
 New- York Congress, - 910 
 Conway Town-Meeting Proceedings, - 914 
 John Prentice renounces his Signature in 
 
 favour of Governour Hutchinson, - 921 
 Provincial Congress Proceedings, - - 937 
 Same, Letters from John Hancock, President 
 
 Continental Congress, - - 956, 1034 
 Same, Letter from Conway Committee, - 958 
 Committee of Safety to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, 979 
 Exeter Committee to Conway Committee, 979 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, - - - 1003, 1383 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Colonel 
 
 Read, 1005-'7 
 
 Same, Letter from Colonel Israel Gilman, 1013 
 Governour Wentworth to Theodore Atkinson, 1019 
 General Folsom, Letter from Col. Bartlett, 1022 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Col. John 
 
 Stark, on Charlestown Battle, - - 1029 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from James 
 
 McGregore, 1029 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, ... 1035 
 Messrs. Bucknam and Wales to Colonels 
 Bailey and Hurd, on Indians and Canada, 1041 
 
1935 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1936 
 
 Ne tv-Hampsh in — 
 
 Coininittee of Safely, Letter from Rev. 
 
 Samuel Webster, .... 1035 
 
 Same, Letter from General Folsom, on Bun- 
 ker Hill Battle, .... 1063 
 
 Same, Letters from same, on Colonel Stark, 
 &c, 1069, 1092 
 
 Committee of Safetv, Letters from General 
 
 Folsom, - - 1081,1121,1529 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from James 
 McGregore, 1081 
 
 Committee of Safety to General Folsom, - 1109, 
 
 1128, 1529 
 
 Mason Committee Proceedings, - - 1109 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Supplies, - - 1142 
 
 House of Representatives meets 12th June, 
 1775 — Answer to Govemour's Speech — 
 Message from Governour, - . - 1175— '6 
 
 Committee of Safety — Orders to Captain 
 Elkins — Provisions and Axes for the 
 Troops — Col. Poor's Regiment ordered 
 to march to Cambridge, he, - 1176-'79 
 
 Provincial Congress meets June 27, 1775 — 
 Provincial and County Records removed 
 to Exeter — Staff Officers appointed — 
 Massachusetts Rules and Regulations of 
 the Army adopted — Farther Orders re- 
 specting removal of Records — General 
 Folsom to rank as Major-General — Courts 
 recommended to adjourn — Colonel Fen- 
 ton imprisoned — Committee on Ticonde- 
 roga, Crown Point, and Canada — Nicho- 
 las Gilman, Receiver-General — Doctor 
 Wheelock on Canadian Affairs — One 
 Month's Pay to Widows and legal repre- 
 sentatives of Officers and Soldiers killed — 
 Fire-Arms procured — 'Government of the 
 Town of Monadnock — Farther Bills of 
 Credit issued — Committee's Report on 
 removal of Records — Letter to Conti- 
 nental Congress — Adjourned to the 22d 
 day of August, - 1179-86 
 
 Committee of Safety to Colonel Reed, - 1530 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Captain 
 John Langdon, .... 1532 
 
 Governour Wentworth to Theodore Atkin- 
 son, Secretary of the Colony, - 1541, 1710 
 
 Provincial Congress to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress on Canada, enclosing Letter from 
 Doctor Wheelock, .... 1541 
 
 Same, Letter from Hanover and Lebanon 
 Committees, on Mr. Dean's return from 
 Canada, ------ 1542 
 
 Same, Letter from Theodore Atkinson, on 
 delivery of Provincial Records, - - 1600 
 
 Governour Wentworth, Letter from same on 
 same subject, - - - - -1601 
 
 Committee of Safety to Doctor Langdon, - 1612 
 
 Same to Delegates in Continental Congress, 1612 
 
 Provincial Congress to Continental Con- 
 gress, - - - - - - 1613 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Massachu- 
 setts Committee of Supplies, - - 1651 
 
 Francestown Committee Proceedings, - 1651 
 
 Hillsborough Committee Proceedings, - 1652 
 
 Exeter Committee of Safety Proceedings 
 on John Quigly, .... 1652 
 
 Assembly, 14th July, 1775 — Message from 
 Governour Wentworth, and Answer — 
 Farther Message from the Governour, 1678-'80 
 
 Hillsborough Committee of Safety to Gen. 
 Sullivan, and his Answer, ... 1689 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letters from General 
 Sullivan, - ... 1690, 1755 
 
 Same, Letter from Colonel Reed, - - 1690 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Continen- 
 tal Congress, ..... mi 
 
 New-Ipswich Committee Proceedings against 
 David Hills, 1711 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Col. Hurd, 1740 
 
 New -Hampshire — 
 
 Committee of Safetv, Letter from Captain 
 Bedel, 1749 
 
 Committee of Safety, June 30, 1775 — Cer- 
 tain Payments ordered — Officers appoint- 
 ed and instructed — Enlistments ordered — 
 Apprehension of Deserters recommend- 
 ed, - - - - 1765-'8 
 New-Jersey — 
 
 Cumberland County Proceedings against 
 Silas Newcomb, for using Tea, and his 
 Recantation, - - - - - 34 
 
 Monmouth County Committee — Proceed- 
 ings on Seditious Writings of A. W. Far- 
 mer and J. Rivington, - - - 35 
 
 Hackinsack Resolutions of Loyalty, he, - 130 
 
 Freehold Resolutions against Inhabitants of 
 Shrewsbury, ----- 131 
 
 "Essex" to "D. C," in favour of Ame- 
 rica, 160, 232 
 
 Freehold Resolutions against Thomas Leon- 
 ard, 254 
 
 Arthur Lee to Speaker of House of Assem- 
 bly, 339 
 
 Newark Committee Resolutions on news by 
 
 express from Boston, - - - 382 
 
 Governour Franklin's Proclamation conven- 
 ing Assembly, ----- 426 
 
 Perth Amboy Resolutions — Deputies to Pro- 
 vincial Congress, .... 426 
 
 Morris County Meeting — Delegates to Pro- 
 vincial Congress — Forces to be raised — 
 Officers appointed, .... 457 
 
 Woodbridge Committee to Massachusetts, 
 on the Battle of Lexington and Concord, 
 and intelligence from Pennsylvania, New- 
 York, he, - - - - 459 
 
 Provincial Committee recommend a Pro- 
 vincial Congress, ... - 467 
 
 Essex County — Aquackanonk Proceedings, 478 
 
 Upper Freehold Resolutions, ... 504 
 
 Newark — Proceedings — Association, he, 505 
 
 Somerset County Proceedings, - 551 
 
 Bergen County Committee Proceedings, - 579 
 
 Assembly meets 15th May, 1775 — Commu- 
 nication from House of Representatives 
 of New-York — Gov. Franklin's Message 
 — Message to Governour — King approves 
 certain Acts and disapproves others — New 
 Treasurer appointed — Address to Govern- 
 our Franklin — His Answer thereto — Mes- 
 sage from Governour — Governour pro- 
 rogues the Assembly, - - 589-604 
 
 Newark Committee Proceedings and In- 
 structions to their Deputies in Provincial 
 Congress, - 634-'6 
 
 Instructions to Delegates in Continental Con- 
 gress, 661 
 
 Provincial Congress meets 23d May, 1775. 
 Approve appointment of Delegates to 
 Continental Congress — Message to Con- 
 tinental Congress — Approve their Pro- 
 ceedings — Letter to Provincial Congress 
 of New- York — Associations formed — 
 Propositions from Assembly of Connect- 
 icut, and Answer thereto — Plan for Re- 
 gulating Militia — Funds raised, and Com- 
 mittee of Correspondence appointed, 685-694 
 
 Somerset County Military Proceedings, - 732 
 Provincial Congress to New-York Congress, 845 
 " A Jersey Farmer " to the Inhabitants, - 980 
 Burlington County Committee Proceedings, 1077 
 Proceedings of Quakers, ... 1590 
 Windham Committee Proceedings, - - 1610 
 Elizabcthtown Committee to New- York City 
 
 Committee, ..... 1674 
 Elizabethtown Committee Proceedings, - 1674 
 Same to New- York Congress, - - 1726 
 
 New-Brunswick Committee to New- York 
 
 Committee of Safety, - - - - 1733 
 Somerset County Meeting of Freeholders, 1745 
 
1937 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1938 
 
 New- York State — 
 
 Proceedings at Brookhaven, disapproving of 
 Continental Congress, he, - - 36, 117 
 
 Emissaries sent to corrupt Assembly, - 123 
 
 Ulster County choose Committee of Obser- 
 vation — Resolutions approving Proceed- 
 ings of Continental Congress for improv- 
 ing the breed of Sheep — Against James 
 Rivington — Pamphlet signed by A. W. 
 Farmer publickly burned — Approving of 
 succeeding Congress, - 131— '3 
 
 Ulster County Committee against J. Low, 
 for selling Tea, - - - - 298 
 
 Letter to Lieutenant-Governour Colden from 
 Commissioners for Trade and Plantations, 
 respecting Lands claimed by John Van 
 Rensselaer, Simon Fraser, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Stewart, James Savage, Samuel 
 Bayard, and associates, in Westenhook Pa- 
 tent, and disputed Lands between New- 
 York and New-Hampshire, together with 
 the Proceedings thereon, - - 134— '7 
 
 Tryon County Grand Jury and Magistrates' 
 Tory Declaration, - 
 
 Selectmen of Billerica to General Gage, on 
 the treatment of Thomas Ditson, - 
 
 Albany Committee appoint Deputies to 
 choose Delegates to Continental Con- 
 
 151 
 
 153 
 
 gress, 
 
 176 
 
 275 
 
 282 
 
 282 
 
 304 
 313 
 314 
 321 
 323 
 
 Rensselaerwyck Manor — Thanks to their 
 
 Members of the General Assembly, - 176 
 Dutchess County — Poughkeepsie Liberty- 
 Pole cut down, ----- 176 
 Cumberland County, Riotous Proceedings in, 214 
 Cumberland County Committee Proceedings 
 on Tories, and the Murder of William 
 French, - - - - - 218-222 
 Jamaica Freeholders decline electing Depu- 
 ties to choose Delegates to Congress, - 251 
 Hempstead Resolutions in favour of the 
 King — Refusing to elect Deputies, &c, 
 and Address to the Publick, - 273-4 
 Orange County — Elect Deputies to choose 
 
 Delegates to General Congress, 
 Westchester Borough declines to choose 
 Deputies, &£C, - - - - - 
 White Plains — Invitation to meet and vote 
 
 against choosing Deputies, - 
 Dutchess County choose Deputies to elect 
 Delegates to Congress — Protest of seven 
 .Precincts, and Answer thereto, 
 Staten Island refuses to appoint Deputies, - 
 Westchester County appoints Deputies, 
 Westchester County Protest against same, 
 Lewis Morris answers above Protest, 
 Provincial Convention, 20th April, 1775 — 
 Delegates to Continental Congress — In- 
 structions, - 35l-'8 
 Jonathan Fowler and George Cornwall 
 denounce certain Resolutions previously 
 signed at W'estchester, - 446 
 Council meet — Statement of the excitement 
 in the City and State — Governour Colden 
 prorogues the General Assembly, 459-'61 
 Members of Assembly to General Gage, - 513 
 Committee of Safety, Correspondence and 
 Protection at Albany from Committee of 
 Safety of Massachusetts, ... 523 
 Westchester County Association formed, - 529 
 Ulster County, Extract of a Letter, - - 543 
 Johannes Sleght, Ulster County, to the Pub- 
 lick, on the conduct of Jacobus Low, - 548 
 Capture of Ticonderoga, ... 556 
 Albany Committee to New- York Commit- 
 tee, on above, ----- 605 
 Newbury Committee Proceedings, - - 606 
 Tryon County — Palatine District to Albany 
 
 Committee, on conduct of Col. Johnson, 637 
 His Letters, ... - 638, 661 
 
 Inhabitants of Cortlandt Manor to Inhabi- 
 tants, 644 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. ii. 122 
 
 Nevo- 
 
 661 
 
 665 
 
 671 
 672 
 677 
 
 705 
 711 
 
 712 
 
 715 
 
 York State — 
 
 Colonel Guy Johnson to Magistrates of Sche- 
 nectady and Albany, on Indians, - 
 
 Resolutions of Tryon County, on Guy John- 
 son and Indians, .... 
 
 Albany Committee to Tryon County Com- 
 mittee, 
 
 Same to Colonel Guy Johnson, 
 
 Governour Tryon for Earl of Dartmouth, - 
 
 Provincial Congress to Governour of Con- 
 necticut, ------ 
 
 Same to Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 
 
 Sub-Committee of the City and County of 
 Albany to Provincial Congress, concerning 
 Indians and Colonel Johnson, 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Massachu- 
 setts Congress, - - - - - 
 
 Provincial Congress to Governour of Con- 
 necticut, on Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, 728, 916 
 
 Albany Committee, Letter from Assembly of 
 Connecticut, on Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, 
 
 Richmond County Freeholders appoint Dele- 
 gates to Provincial Congress — Committee 
 to Committee of New- York, 
 
 Orangetown Inhabitants appoint Delegates to 
 Provincial Congress, - - - - 
 
 Suffolk County Committee the same, 
 
 Same to Committee of Brookhaven, 
 
 Westchester County Committee appoints 
 Deputies to Provincial Congress, 
 
 Goshen Freeholders appoint same, 
 
 Ulster County same, - - - - 
 
 Charlotte County same, - 
 
 Haverstraw Freeholders same, 
 
 Mamicoting Committee sign Association, &,c, 
 
 Cornwall Inhabitants appoint Delegates to 
 Provincial Congress, - 
 
 Dutchess County same, - 
 
 Brookhaven Residents same, 
 
 Brooklyn Town-Meeting same, 
 
 731 
 
 831 
 
 831 
 831 
 
 832 
 
 832 
 832 
 832 
 833 
 834 
 834 
 
 834 
 
 - 834 
 835-'6 
 
 - 837 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Commit- 
 tee of Connecticut, - - - 838, 843 
 King's County Committee choose Delegates 
 
 to Provincial Congress, - 838 
 Jamaica Freeholders same, - 838 
 Albany Committee, Letter from Benedict 
 Arnold, enclosing his Letters to Connect- 
 icut Assembly and to Capt. Noah Lee, 839-'41 
 Albany Committee to Committee of Palatine 
 
 District, on Indians, Sic, - - 841-'43 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Continen- 
 tal Congress, enclosing Resolutions, 
 Same, Letter from Provincial Congress of 
 
 New-Jersey, - 
 Same, Letter from Samuel Tudor, tendering 
 
 services of Artillery Company, 
 Same to their Delegates in Continental Con- 
 gress, - - - - - 
 
 Letter from Albany Committee, enclosing 
 intercepted Letters, - - - - 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from A. Lott, 
 Same, Letter from Governour Trumbull, on 
 
 Ticonderoga, Sic, ... 846-'7 
 Delegates in Continental Congress to Pro- 
 vincial Congress, - - 850, 898, 1016 
 Albany Committee, Letter from Governour 
 
 Trumbull, on Ticonderoga, &c, - - 850 
 Provincial Congress to Delegates in Conti- 
 nental Congress, 873, 956, 975, 984, 1017 
 Provincial Congress, Memorial of John Spar- 
 ding to, ----- - 873 
 
 Tryon County Committee to Colonel Guy 
 
 Johnson, on Indians, Sic, - 878 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Robert and 
 John Murray, enclosing Proceedings of 
 Continental Congress, &.c, - - 887-'9l 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from John Lamb, 891 
 Same, Letter from Ethan Allen, proposing 
 Expedition to Canada.. ... 891 
 
 844 
 
 - 845 
 
 - 845 
 
 845 
 
 846 
 846 
 
1939 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1940 
 
 New-York State — 
 
 Provincial Congress to Inhabitants of Que- 
 beck, 893 
 
 Same, Letter from the New-Hampshire Pro- 
 vincial Congress, on Ticonderoga, - 895 
 
 Proclamation of Governour Colden farther 
 proroguing General Assembly, - - 899 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from James Riv- 
 ington, - - - - - 899 
 
 Same, Letters from General Schuyler, 904, 1018 
 
 Same, Letter from William Duer, on New- 
 Hampshire Grants, .... 910 
 
 Tryon County Committee, Letter from Col. 
 
 Guy Johnson, on Indians, - - - 911 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Frederick 
 Weisenfels, Marinus Willett, and others, 
 tendering their services, ... 917 
 
 Same, Letter from Pierpont Edwards, - 917 
 
 Kingston, Ulster County, Proceedings, - 917 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Captain 
 
 Henry B. Livingston, - 918 
 
 Cumberland County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, 918, 934 
 
 Provincial Congress to Massachusetts Com- 
 mittee of Safety, - 928 
 
 Same, Letter from Abraham Clark, - - 931 
 
 Same to the Continental Congress, - - 931, 
 
 983, 1734 
 
 Same, Letter from Gen. Ward and others, 932 
 Brookhaven Committee Proceedings, - 933 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from William 
 Williams and others, tendering their ser- 
 vices, ------ 938 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from John Han- 
 cock, President Continental Congress, - 954, 
 
 1076, 1132, 1673 
 Same, Letters from Delegates in Continen- 
 tal Congress, - 954, 1016, 1137, 1674 
 Same to Governour Trumbull, - 957, 1114 
 
 Same, Letter from Robert Boyd, Jun., on 
 
 Manufacture of Guns, ... 957 
 Tryon County Committee appoint Deputies 
 
 to Provincial Congress, ... 959 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Ulster 
 
 County Committee, - 966 
 Same, Letter from William Duer, - - 981 
 Same, Letter from William Goddard, on 
 
 General Post-Office, - - - 98l-'3 
 East-Hampton Committee, Letter from New- 
 port, (R. 1.) Committee, ... 986 
 Provincial Congress to General Wooster, - 1000 
 His Answer, - - - - - 1001 
 
 Albany Committee, Letter from Adonijah 
 
 Strong, 1000 
 
 Account of Province Stores at Albany, - 1009 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Brook 
 
 Watson, 1025 
 
 Same, Letters from Governour Trumbull, - 1025, 
 
 1726 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Joseph 
 
 Johnson, a Mohegan Indian, - 1047, 1577 
 Albany Committee to Continental Congress, 1048 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from William 
 
 Elphinston, - - - - 1059 
 
 Same, Letter from Elisha Phelps, - - 1059 
 Cumberland County Committee Proceedings, 1064 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from J. Lamb 
 
 and G. Roorback, - - - - 1 106 
 Joseph French to Robert Benson, - - 1 1 06 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from R. R. 
 
 Livingston, on making Powder, - - 1106 
 Same, Letter from President of Continental 
 Congress, enclosing Appointments of Con- 
 tinental Officers, - - - - 1114 
 Same, Letter from Thomas Hicks, - - 1114 
 Same, Letter from Herman Zedtwitz, offer- 
 ing to raise a Regiment in Pennsylvania, - 1115 
 Same, Letters from P. T. Curtenius, 1124, 1537 
 Charlotte County Committee Proceedings, 1124, 
 
 1 134 
 
 Address to Oneida and Tuscarora Indians, 1 125 
 
 New- York State — 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from General 
 
 Schuyler, - - - 1134, 1139 
 
 Same, Letter from Jacob Bay ley, - - 1134 
 Same, Letter from John Lamb, - - 1140 
 Provincial Congress, City of New-York, 
 May 22, 1775. Secrecy enjoined on 
 certain Proceedings — Proceedings on a 
 Resolution concerning the powers of the 
 Continental Congress and Provincial Con- 
 gress — Recommendation of Continental 
 Congress on protection of Ticonderoga, 
 &.C. — Committee of House of Represent- 
 atives of Connecticut appears — Letter to 
 the Governour of Connecticut — Stores at 
 Ticonderoga to be removed — Recom- 
 mendation not to make incursions into 
 the Province of Quebeck — Arrangement 
 of Clergymen to act as Chaplains — In- 
 structions to the Commissioners for re- 
 moving Stores, &c, from Ticonderoga — 
 Resolution approving Proceedings of Con- 
 tinental Congress debated — Letter to Dele- 
 gates in Continental Congress — Proceed- 
 ings to be publick during discussion on 
 Paper Currency — Militia recommended 
 to Arm — Letter to Delegates in Continen- 
 tal Congress, with divers Despatches — 
 Letter addressed to the People of Cana- 
 da — Committee appointed to prepare a 
 Plan of Reconciliation between Great Bri- 
 tain and these Colonies — Letter from Con- 
 tinental Congress on Ticonderoga, &c. — 
 Provisions ordered to be purchased for Ti- 
 conderoga, &ic. — Letter from James Riv- 
 ington — Embarkation of British Troops 
 not to be obstructed — Letter to Inhabi- 
 tants of Tryon County, on Delegates to 
 Continental Congress — Letter to Guy 
 Johnson — Letter from Albany Commit- 
 tee — Letter to and from the Governour 
 and Company of Connecticut — Letter and 
 Report on King's Bridge sent to Delegates 
 in Continental Congress — Philip Schuyler 
 recommended to Continental Congress as 
 a Major-General, and Richard Montgom- 
 ery as a Brigadier-General — Letter to Al- 
 bany Committee — Two Letters to Dele- 
 gates at the Grand Continental Congress 
 
 — Mobs discountenanced — Letter to the 
 Committee of Safety of Massachusetts — 
 James Rivington permitted to go to his 
 family — Letter to General Ward — Motion 
 and Debates on dismantling the Fort in 
 City of New- York — Powder-Mills erected 
 at Rhynbeck — Bounty on Powder manu- 
 factured — Arms taken from British Troops 
 to be restored to them — Robert and John 
 Murray restored to their commercial privi- 
 leges — Map of Hudson River and Plan of 
 Fortifications presented by Colonel Clin- 
 ton and Mr. Tappan — Letter from Dele- 
 gates in Continental Congress — Letter to 
 the Merchants of Canada — Letter to Dele- 
 gates in Continental Congress — Boyd and 
 Watkeys employed in making Muskets 
 
 — Artillery Company formed — Captain 
 Thompson's information forwarded to 
 Connecticut — Angus McDonald arrested, 
 Proceedings thereon — Report on the case 
 of William Duer — Letter from William 
 Goddard, on Post-Office — Information of 
 Capt. Jeffrey on the subject of the Trans- 
 ports, and Letter thereon to Major-Gene- 
 ral Wooster — Deputies from Tryon Coun- 
 ty attend — Resolution of Continental 
 Congress on Protection of New- York, 
 &.C. — Letter to Governour Trumbull — 
 Passport to Canada granted Brook Wat- 
 son — Inoculation for Sinall-Pox forbidden 
 — Passport to Joseph Johnson, a Molie- 
 
1941 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1942 
 
 New- York State— 
 
 gan Indian — Plan of Accommodation with 
 Great Britain discussed and agreed to — 
 Resolution against establishment of Ro- 
 man Catholick Religion — Letter from 
 Massachusetts Congress — Letter from Al- 
 bany Committee on French Indians — 
 Address to His Excellency George Wash- 
 ington, Generalissimo, and preparations 
 for his reception — His Answer — Letter 
 from Committee of Intelligence of Charles- 
 town, S. C, enclosing intercepted Letter 
 from Governour Gage to Governour Mar- 
 tin, of North-Carolina — Form of Warrant 
 of Appointment, and Instructions to Mili- 
 tary Officers — All Muskets and Bayonets 
 to be sent to New- York City — Farther 
 Discussions on Plan of Accommodation — 
 Letter to Delegates in Continental Con- 
 gress, accompanying Plan of Accommo- 
 dation — Proceedings on King's Stores at 
 Turtle Bay — Killing of Lambs prohibit- 
 ed — Letter to Elisha Phelps — Letter to 
 John N. Bleeker — Report of Committee 
 on directions of Continental Congress to 
 General Schuyler — Farther agreement 
 with Boyd and Watkeys for Muskets — 
 Letter from General Schuyler — Uniform 
 Coats to be made for the Troops — Ethan 
 Alien and Seth Warner admitted to audi- 
 ence — Green Mountain Boys mustered 
 into service — Disapprove of intended Ad- 
 dress of Corporation of New-York to Go- 
 vernour Try on — Supply of Provisions to 
 Fisheries forbidden — -Letter from Govern- 
 our Martin, of North-Carolina, to Henry 
 White, intercepted — Apprentices enlisted 
 to be returned to their Masters — Commit- 
 tee report interview with Mr. White on 
 the intercepted Letter from Governour 
 Martin — William McLeod, a British Offi- 
 cer, not permitted to embark for Boston — 
 Letter from Henry White, and Proceed- 
 ings thereon — A Day of Fasting and Pray- 
 er recommended — A Committee of Safety 
 appointed to act during recess of Congress 
 — Instructions to the same — Adjourned to 
 Tuesday fortnight, - - - 1241-1348 
 President of Provincial Congress, Letter from 
 
 Edward Fleming, - - - 1526 
 
 James Ball's Recantation, ... 1528 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from John Alsop, 1532 
 Proclamation of Governour Try on, - - 1533 
 Governour Tryon, Letter from New- York 
 
 Corporation, and his Answer, - - 1534 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from General 
 Schuyler, ------ 1536, 
 
 1647, 1649, 1671, 1704, 1711, 1731 
 Same, Letter from S. Patrick, - - 1538 
 
 Same, Letter from Colonel Hinman, - 1538 
 Same, Letter from Walter Spooner, on Ti- 
 
 conderoga, &ic, .... 1539 
 
 Same, Letters from John N. Bleeker, on 
 
 Powder, &c, - 1570, 1701 
 
 William Schuyler and others to John Mar- 
 
 lett, on Guy Johnson and others, - - 1571 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from B. Watson, 1571 
 Same, Letter from Burnet Miller, - - 1577 
 Same, Letter from Delegates in Continental 
 
 Congress, on Plan of Accommodation, - 1591 
 Same, Letter from General Wooster, on en- 
 listed Apprentices and Servants, - - 1604 
 Same, Letter from Westchester Committee, 1604 
 Same, Letter from Kingston Committee, - 1605 
 Same, Letters from Elisha Phelps, - - 1605, 
 
 1647, 1657 
 Same, Letter from North-Carolina Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, ... 1609 
 Same to Charles Thomson, ... 1609 
 Falkenhan and Wolhaupter offer to supply 
 Drums and Fifes, .... 1621 
 
 New-York State — 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from J. Grennell, 1644 
 Same, Letter from General Wooster, - 1645 
 Same, Letter from Egbert Benson, - - 1657 
 Albany Committee Proceedings, - - 1658 
 Ulster County, Association signed by per- 
 sons who had refused heretofore, - - 1659 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from General 
 
 Wooster, ------ 1665 
 
 Albany Committee to General Schuyler, - 1666, 
 
 1669, 1746 
 Tryon County Committee to Albany and 
 
 Schenectady Committees, on Indians, - 1666 
 Return of the Armv under General Schuy- 
 ler, 1st July, 1775, --- - 1667 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Tryon 
 
 County Committee, ... - 1668 
 Same, Letter from Newbury (Gloucester 
 County) Committee, - - - - 1668 
 
 Same, Letter from Colonel Guy Johnson, - 1696 
 Examination of Garret Roseboom before 
 Committee of Albany on Canada and In- 
 dians, ------ 1670 
 
 Committee of Safety, Circular to Colonels 
 of Regiments, ----- 1674 
 
 Same, Letter from John Lamb, - - 1675 
 Provincial Congress, Letters from Albany 
 
 Committee, - 1675, 1753 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, ... 1684 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Ethan Al- 
 len, ------- 1695 
 
 Huntington Committee Proceedings, - 1699 
 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from Colonel 
 
 James Clinton, ----- 1700 
 
 Same to Continental Congress, - - 1719 
 Same, Letter from Colonel Van Schaick, 
 
 with Return of his Regiment, - - 1719 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from Elizabeth- 
 town Committee, - 1726 
 Same, Letter from Christopher Yates, - 1726 
 Marinus Willett and others to Provincial 
 Congress, ------ 1729 
 
 Committee of Safety to General Schuyler, 1730 
 Schenectady Committee to Gen. Schuyler, 1730 
 Committee of Safety, Letter from New- 
 Brunswick Committee, - 1733 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from General 
 
 Schuyler, ------ 1735 
 
 Same, Letter from Delegates in Continental 
 
 Congress, ------ 1752 
 
 Same, Letter from Walter Livingston, - 1753 
 Same, Letter from Dirck G. Brinckerhoff, 1753 
 Proclamation of Governour Tryon prorogu- 
 ing Assembly, ----- 1758 
 
 Provincial Congress, Letter from General 
 
 Schuyler, ------ 1760 
 
 Cherry Valley Committee, Letter from the 
 
 Oneida Chiefs, on Murders committed, - 1766 
 Committee of Safely, 11th of July, 1775. — 
 Proceedings on Peter Herring, Prisoner — 
 Correspondence with General Wooster 
 and William Duer — with William Marsh 
 and Samuel Rose — with William Hooper 
 and Joseph Hewes — Letter to Delegates 
 in Continental Congress — Letter from Go- 
 vernour Trumbull — Arms and Clothing 
 provided — Letter to Delegates in Con- 
 tinental Congress — Letter to General 
 Schuyler, enclosing one to Colonel Hin- 
 man — Letter to Gen. Wooster — Proceed- 
 ings on Boat and Boat's Crew belonging 
 to Ship Asia — Letter to Gen. Schuyler — 
 Mr. James Smith appointed to the com- 
 mand of an armed Vessel — Gunmakers to 
 be imported from England — Circular to 
 Colonels of Regiments — Letter to Provin- 
 cial Congress — Report of Committee on 
 Indian Affairs — Letter to Delegates in 
 Continental Congress — Proceedings on 
 Equipments and Ordnance Stores, 1777-1799 
 
1943 
 
 INDEX, 
 
 1944 
 
 Netc-York State — 
 
 Provincial Congress, 26th of July, 1775. — 
 Report of Committee of Safety — Ebe- 
 nezer Hazard appointed Post-Master — 
 William Duer appointed Deputy Adju- 
 tant-General — Letter to John Hancock — 
 Letter to Delegates in Continental Con- 
 gress, on Tea, &lc. — Letter to Governour 
 Trumbull — Tents ordered — Correspon- 
 dence with the Indians — Committee of 
 Officers — Letter to Gen. Washington — 
 Letter from Philip Livingston and George 
 Clinton — Dispute between Messrs. De 
 Lancey and Scott settled by the House — 
 Pay of Colony Troops — Proceedings of 
 Congress on destruction of the Barge of 
 Ship Asia, .... 1800-1820 
 
 Resolutions of Continental Congress for De- 
 fence of divers points in the State, - 1835 
 New-York City — 
 
 Committee on appointment of Delegates for 
 
 next Congress, ----- 4 
 
 Remarks on Virginia and Maryland, - 14 
 
 Address to Inhabitants, on Secret Service 
 Money from England, - - - 15 
 
 Addresses to the People, on Proceedings of 
 the Committee choosing Delegates to Con- 
 tinental Congress, ... 44—51 
 
 Proceedings of General Committee respect- 
 ing Deputies to appoint Delegates for 
 next Congress — Letter from same to the 
 several Counties, ... 137-'8 
 
 Proceedings on election of Deputies, - 138 
 
 General Committee — Divers Proceedings — 
 Letter from Elizabethtown, concerning 
 Ship Beulah, Messrs. J. &, R. Murray, 
 owners of Cargo, - 144-'8 
 
 " Philalethes" to Mr. Holt, on Rivington's 
 
 Gazetteer, - - - - - 149 
 
 " Senex " to John Dickinson, - - - 211 
 
 "Anti-Tyrannicus" to Committee of Inspec- 
 tion of City and County, ... 213 
 
 Benj. Hough's case, complaining of assault 
 in Charlotte County, - - - - 21 5 
 
 "An Englishman " to Committee of Corres- 
 pondence of Philadelphia, - 238 
 
 Committee, to Inhabitants of City and Coun- 
 ty, on exportation of Nails, and supplv 
 of Troops at Boston, - - - 242, 282 
 
 Captain Sears and Paschal N. Smith deny 
 sending Supplies for the King's Troops at 
 Boston, 338 
 
 Anonymous Addresses to the People, - 139, 
 
 148, 347 
 
 Letter from Virginia, on Addresses of Coun- 
 cil and Assembly, - 153 
 
 Committee report amount of Sales under 
 tenth Article of Association, - - 342 
 
 Committee to Provincial Congress of Mas- 
 sachusetts, ... . 344-'7 
 
 " Anti-Licentiousness" to Mr. Rivington, - 348 
 
 Committee of Safety of Worcester to, on the 
 
 news of attack on Lexington and Concord, 363 
 
 Committee to Governour Trumbull, urging 
 him to intercept the Despatches from 
 England to Governour Gage, - - 383 
 
 Address to Messrs. De Lancey, White, Col- 
 den, Watts and Cooper, from "Three 
 Millions," 389 
 
 Committee recommend new Committee of 
 One Hundred — Provincial Congress to be 
 called on Monday, May 22, 1775, - 400 
 
 Committee's Address to Freeholders and 
 
 Freemen, ------ 427 
 
 Same to the several Counties of Province, 428 
 
 " An American " to the Inhabitants of New- 
 York, on the conduct of British Troops 
 at Lexington and Concord — Supposed 
 object to seize Hancock and Adams, - 428 
 
 Oliver De Lancey denies that a certain Let- 
 ter was written by him, ... 445 
 
 Xcw-YorJc City — 
 
 Jacobus Low denies that he had sold Tea, 448 
 
 Letter from a Gentleman at, to Committee 
 of Correspondence of Portsmouth, N. H., 448 
 
 Committee, Letters from the Massachusetts 
 Committee of Safety, - - 450, 507 
 
 General Committee for City and County 
 chosen, and Deputies to Provincial Con- 
 gress, ------ 459 
 
 Committee — Samuel Broom and his Com- 
 pany tender their military services — Sub- 
 Committee appointed to perfect Associa- 
 tion — Rules for the government of the 
 Committee — Exportation to Quebeck, 
 &ic, suspended — No Provisions to be 
 sent to British Troops at Boston — Can- 
 non moved out of Town — Amount of Mili- 
 tary Stores and Arms to be ascertained — 
 Address to Lieutenant-Governour, explain- 
 ing their motives, and a Committee of Cor- 
 respondence appointed, - - 468— '71 
 
 Association of New-York signed and trans- 
 mitted to the several Counties, - - 471 
 
 Address of Isaac Wilkins, ... 479 
 
 Committee — Letter from John Cruger and 
 Jacob Walton declining to sign Associa- 
 tion — Committee inquire concerning dis- 
 missal of Post-Rider — Thanks to Officers 
 and Men from Connecticut — Committee 
 from Philadelphia received — Letter from 
 New-Windsor received — Report from 
 Committee on removal of Post-Rider — 
 Eb. Hazard employed as Post-Master, 479-'82 
 
 Publication concerning Post-Office, - - 506 
 
 Post-Office established at Holt's, ( See Note,) 537 
 
 Proceedings of Committee — Circular to the 
 several Colonies, and Address to the Lord 
 Mayor and Corporation of London, 509-'12 
 
 Letter from " A Deserter " to his Fellow- 
 Soldiers, ------ 516 
 
 Delegates from Massachusetts and Connect- 
 icut to Continental Congress received, - 517 
 
 Committee Resolutions on Arms and Am- 
 munition — Address to General Gage — 
 Address to Lieutenant-Governour Colden 
 — His Answer, - - - - 529-'35 
 
 Committee receive tenders of services from 
 several Captains of Companies — Copies 
 of Association lodged at different places in 
 the City, 604-'5 
 
 Committee to the Continental Congress, with 
 
 account of the capture of Ticonderoga, 605- 6 
 
 Committee Proceedings, - 617, 670, 727 
 
 Recommendation of Continental Congress 
 concerning British Troops, - - - 618 
 
 Committee Proceedings — Military Night 
 Watch established — Letter to Governour 
 of Connecticut, - - 636— '7, 671 
 
 Gouverneur Morris to Richard Henry Lee, 
 
 on Rivington's case, - - - - 726 
 
 Committee, Letter from Jonathan Parsons, 
 Jun., on the condition of Newfoundland, 851 
 
 Publication signed " A Club of Congression- 
 ists" to Mr. John Holt, on his printing a 
 Paper headed " No Standing Army," - SS0 
 
 Copy of the above Paper, ... 881 
 
 Committee Proceedings, ... 898, 
 
 933, 965, 1046, 1574, 1645 
 
 Committee to Continental Congress, on 
 
 James Rivington, ... - 899 
 
 Same, Letter from Donald McLeod, offering 
 to raise a Company of Highlanders, 929, 932 
 
 Same, Letter from Benjamin Lindsay, - 929 
 
 Publication of Association of Newtown, 
 
 Connecticut, ----- 1135 
 
 The Right Honourable Lord , Letter 
 
 from S. Sp. Skinner, - - - - 1526 
 
 The Corporation to Governour Tryon, and 
 his Answer, ----- 1534 
 
 Committee of Secrecy to Massachusetts 
 Congress, ----- 1537 
 
1945 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1946 
 
 New- York City — 
 
 Secret Committee Proceedings, - - 1574 
 Committee, Letter from Elizabethtown Com- 
 mittee, on Win. McLeod, a British Officer, 1591 
 Proceedings of Volunteers, ... 1592 
 Committee Proceedings on Connecticut Bills 
 
 of Credit, 1622 
 
 " A Calm Address to the People of," - 1655 
 Committee, Letter from the Elizabethtown 
 Committee, - 1674 
 Son-Importation Agreement, Committee at Phila- 
 delphia cautions against breaking the same, 254 
 North, Lord, '• Memento" at London, - - 992 
 Conversation with a Gentleman on America, 1519 
 Paper authorized by him read in Continental 
 
 Congress, ------ 1840 
 
 North- Carolina — 
 
 Council at Newbern, Proclamation recom- 
 mended, - - - - - * 1> 7 
 
 Chowan County, Address to Governour, - 115 
 Rowan and Surry Counties to same, - 116 
 
 Guilford County to same, - 117 
 Council at Newbern — Proclamation of Gov- 
 ernour Martin against election of Depu- 
 ties to Congress, ... 253, 273 
 Assembly meets 4th April, 1775 — Govern- 
 our Martin's Speech — Instructions to 
 Committee to answer said Speech — Ap- 
 prove Convention at iNewbern — Disap- 
 prove of Addresses in North-Carolina Ga- 
 zette — Address prepared — Proceedings of 
 Continental Congress approved of — As- 
 sembly dissolved, ... 255-'66 
 Provincial Convention at Newbern, 3d April, 
 1775 — Approve General Association of 
 Congress, and the conduct of their Dele- 
 gates to Congress — Delegates re-elected 
 — Powers conferred on them — New Con- 
 vention authorized — Arts, Manufactures, 
 and Agriculture to be encouraged — Gov- 
 ernour's Proclamation condemned — Tho- 
 mas Macknight refuses to sign Association 
 — censured — his Vindication, - 266— '72 
 Alexander Elmsly, Agent in London, to 
 
 Samuel Johnston, - 296 
 Earl of Dartmouth to Governour Martin, - 476 
 William Hooper to Samuel John Johnson, 
 
 from Philadelphia, - 679 
 The Mecklenburgh Resolutions on Indepen- 
 dence, (Sec Note,) - 855 
 Governour Martin to Henry White, N. York, 974 
 Wilmington District Association, - - 1030 
 Letter to Governour Martin from Governour 
 Gage, intercepted, - - - - 1123 
 
 Letter from Governour Martin to Henry 
 
 White, intercepted, .... 1344 
 
 INewbern Committee, Letter from Charles- 
 town, (S. C.,) Committee, enclosing in- 
 tercepted Letters, - 1568 
 Wilmington Committee Proceedings, - 1691 
 Newbern Committee Proceedings, - - 1697 
 Authorized to raise Troops, ... 1854 
 Nova-Scotia, People at Halifax oppose shipping of 
 
 Forage to British, and landing of Tories, 639 
 Parliament, " 5lonitor " to House of Commons, - 5 
 Resolution of Commons on Contribution of 
 
 Colonies, ------ 28 
 
 Publication called " The Crisis " ordered to 
 
 be publickly burned by common hangman, 55 
 Bill prohibiting Fisheries ^passed House of 
 Commons, - - - - - 123 
 
 Secretary Pownall communicates to respec- 
 tive Colonies Act restraining Trade and 
 Commerce, &tc, and prohibiting Fisheries, 276 
 Passive Obedience, Strictures on the doctrine of, - 149 
 Pennsylvania, Chester County Committee on Manu- 
 mission of Slaves, and Subscription for 
 Boston, - 172 
 Lancaster County Committee approve con- 
 duct of George Ross and others on Gov- 
 ernour's Message, .... 245 
 
 Pennsylvania — 
 
 Committee of Yorktown to John Hancock 
 and Thomas Cushing, sending Donation 
 
 to Boston, 320 
 
 Volunteers at Reading, ... 400 
 
 Assembly, 1st of May, 1775. Letter from 
 Agents in London — Gov. John Penn's 
 Message — Communication from House of 
 Assembly of New- York — Answer to Go- 
 vernour's Message — Petition from Inhabi- 
 tants of Philadelphia on Defence of the 
 Colony — Benjamin Franklin returns from 
 London, and is appointed Delegate to 
 Congress — Instructions to the same — 
 Joseph Galloway excused from serving 
 in Continental Congress, - - 451- 58 
 Letter from Earl of Dartmouth to the Gov- 
 ernour, ...... 478 
 
 Meeting at Carlisle — Military Force raised, 
 
 and Funds to pay same, ... 516 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Bucks County 
 
 to his Friend in Philadelphia, - - 541 
 Bucks County Committee Proceedings, - 542 
 Bedford County Committee to Philadelphia 
 
 Committee, - 542 
 Joseph Galloway to the Publick, - - 579 
 James Cavet to Arthur St. Clair and others, 
 
 on Pennsylvania and Virginia Boundary, 581 
 Chester County Committee Proceedings, - 588, 
 
 859, 916, 1132 
 Westmoreland County, Meeting of Inhabi- 
 tants, ...... 615 
 
 Robert Hanna and others to Gov. Penn, 683-"4 
 Governour Penn, Letter from Arthur St. 
 
 Clair, 704 
 
 Boundary between Pennsylvania and Vir- 
 ginia, 704 
 
 Assembly meets, June 19, 1775. Message 
 to Governour — Letter from Benjamin 
 Franklin, Agent — Bills of Credit issued 
 — Memorial from City and Liberties of 
 Philadelphia — Additional Forces to be 
 raised — Message from Governour — Far- 
 ther Message, and Proceedings thereon — 
 General Association approved of — Arms 
 and Ammunition to be provided — Minute- 
 Men to be raised — Manufacture of Salt- 
 petre encouraged — Committee of Safety 
 appointed — Signers of Bills of Credit 
 appointed — Michael Hillegas appointed 
 Treasurer — Provincial Tax authorized — 
 Proceedings on Non-Combatants, - 1167-'74 
 Committee of Yorktown to Delegates in 
 
 Continental Congress, ... 1524 
 Proceedings of Quakers, ... 1590 
 Bucks County Committee Proceedings, - J699 
 Address to People of, from their Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, ... 17-^3 
 York County Committee Proceedings, - 1743 
 Council — Petition of Dominique Du Casse, 1751 
 Bucks County, Election of Officers, - 1757 
 
 Committee of Safety, June 30, 1775. As- 
 sociation approved of — Volunteers to be 
 equipped — Manufacture of Saltpetre en- 
 couraged — Bills of Credit issued — Taxes 
 imposed — Defensive Proceedings— Ord- 
 nance Stores to be procured— Boats to be 
 built — Resolutions of Continental Con- 
 gress adopted — Form of Commissions for 
 Officers of the Military Association, 1765-'8 
 Pennsylvania Council — 
 
 Governour John Penn communicates a Let- 
 ter from the Earl of Dartmouth, com- 
 menting on the Proceedings of General 
 Congress, and on Boundary Line between 
 Pennsylvania and Maryland — Governour's 
 Letter to Governour of Marvland on same 
 
 subject, 129-30 
 
 Proclamation of Governour on Boundary 
 Line of Maryland — Letter from Govern- 
 our of Maryland, and Answer thereto, - 302 
 
1947 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1948 
 
 Pennsylvania Council — 
 
 Cayuga Indians attend, Proceeding? on their 
 claim for Lands in Pennsylvania, - 616-17 
 Penn, Richard, Letter from Continental Congress, 1877 
 Pickering, Timothy, Jun., to Committee of Mas- 
 sachusetts, recommending Enlistments and 
 Officers, 461 
 
 To Committee of Massachusetts, - - 550 
 Post-Office Establishment — 
 
 Ebenezer Hazard proposes to undertake, - 482 
 
 William Goddard same, - 506, 536 
 
 Established at Portsmouth, N. H., - - 651 
 
 Post-Roads and Post-Offices established in 
 Massachusetts, and Postmasters appoint- 
 ed, 802 
 
 Postmaster appointed at Providence, - 900 
 
 William Goddard to New- York Congress, 981-'3 
 
 Post-Offices and Post-Rates established in 
 Rhode-Island, 1160 
 
 Letters to and from Continental Army to be 
 free of Postage in Massachusetts, - 1497 
 
 Ebenezer Hazard appointed Postmaster of 
 New-York, 1802 
 
 Committee in Continental Congress appoint- 
 ed, 1839 
 
 Report of Committee considered and agreed 
 
 to, 1892 
 
 Phil ad elph ia — 
 
 " Camillus " to the Printers, - - -8-10 
 
 Account of outrage on Captain Taylor by 
 Captain Graves, of the King's Schooner 
 Diana, 78-80 
 
 Paper signed " A Lover of English Liberty." 81 
 
 Answer to Pamphlet entitled " A Candid 
 Examination of the Mutual Claims of 
 Great Britain and her Colonies," 85-91 
 
 American Association for Manufacturing 
 Woollens, Linens, and Cottons — Daniel 
 Roberdeau, President — His Speech, 140-'44 
 
 Address of "An Englishman " to Commit 
 tee of Correspondence, 
 
 Committee cautions against breaking Non- 
 Importation Agreement, - 
 
 Committee, Proceedings respecting Colonies 
 opposed to the Association, - 
 
 Address signed "Three Millions " to Messrs. 
 De Lancey, White, Colden, Watts and 
 Cooper, of New- York, denouncing them, 
 
 Armed Association at, - 
 
 Committee suspend Exportations, &c, 
 
 Citizens training in Companies, 
 
 Anonymous publications at, 
 
 878, 962 
 
 Account published at, of the capture of Ti- 
 
 conderoga, - 
 Committee Proceedings, ... 
 
 909, 928, 1076, 1105, 1132, 1533 
 " An Expectant " to Lord Sandwich, - 861 
 Letter from Colonel George Washington to 
 
 George William Fairfax, in England, - 865 
 Publication at, signed " A Pennsylvanian," 
 
 addressed to General Burgoyne, - - 910 
 Officers of three Battalions appointed, - 1076 
 Military Association, ... 1648, 1733 
 Prescott, Oliver, to Boston Committee of Safety, 385 
 Priestley, Doctor, Letters from Dr. Franklin, 615, 1603 
 Prussia, Officers and Arms said to have sailed from, 
 
 to America, - 
 Quakers, Publication in their behalf on Continen- 
 tal Congress, &.C., - 
 Of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, Address 
 from their Meeting at Philadelphia, 
 Quincy, Josiah, Jun., Letter from Alexander Mc- 
 Dougall, ------ 
 
 Arrives from London, - - - - 
 
 Died 26th April, 1775. 
 Religion, Resolution of New- York Congress against 
 establishing the Roman Catholick, 
 Day of Fast and Prayer appointed, - 
 Report of Committee of Massachusetts Con- 
 gress on violation of the Sabbath, - - 1415 
 
 - 238 
 
 254 
 
 338 
 
 389 
 399 
 
 - 421 
 467, 931 
 
 - 478, 
 1016 
 
 623 
 625, 
 
 313 
 
 80 
 
 1590 
 
 283 
 424 
 
 1317 
 1347 
 
 Religion, Pastoral Letters of Synods of New-York 
 
 and Philadelphia to their Congregations, 1692 
 Resolve of Continental Congress for a Gen- 
 eral Fast Day, 1846 
 
 Rivington, James, Proceedings at Newport, - 12 
 Same at Freehold, ... 35 
 
 Same at New- York, - ... 50 
 Letter to, from Boston, - - - 106 
 Same from Connecticut, - HO-'ll 
 Resolutions of Ulster County, N. Y., against, 132 
 Letters from Philadelphia to, - - 133, 134 
 Letter to him from New-Haven, - - 252 
 Communication from Boston, - - - 284 
 " Anti-Licentiousness," of New- York, to, - 348 
 Said to have made a Recantation, - - 448 
 Gouverneur Morris and Richard Henry Lee's 
 
 Correspondence, - - - 726 
 To Continental Congress, ... 836 
 To New- York Congress, - - - 899 
 Proceedings of New- York Committee on his 
 
 case, 899 
 
 New- York Congress permits him to return 
 to his house and family, _ - - 1284 
 Rhode-Island — 
 
 Newport Committee on James Rivington, - 12 
 Tea burned at Providence, March 4, 1775, 15 
 House of Assembly to Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, ------ 389 
 
 Same to Connecticut, ... - 389 
 Act of Rhode-Island for raising an Army of 
 Observation — Proceedings thereon, and 
 dissent of certain Members, - 389-'90 
 Chairman of Committee of Inspection to the 
 Commanding Officer of Provincial Army 
 at Cambridge, ----- 400 
 
 Letter from Committee of Safety of Massa- 
 chusetts asking assistance, - - 402 
 Stephen Hopkins to the President of Massa- 
 chusetts Congress, - 421, 430 
 James Angel to Massachusetts Congress, on 
 raising Troops, ----- 431 
 
 Zephaniah Andrews and Thomas Freeman 
 
 on same subject, - 431 
 Governour Joseph Wanton to General As- 
 sembly of, recommending certain Proceed- 
 ings, 471-'2 
 
 Committee to Committee of Safety of Mas- 
 sachusetts, ----- 472 
 General Assembly to Committee of Safety 
 
 of Massachusetts, on raising Troops, - 520 
 Town-Meeting at Providence — Proceedings, 549, 
 
 607 
 
 General Assembly suspend authority of the 
 Governour, &c, ... 662, 967 
 
 General Greene to Jacob Greene, on the 
 condition of the Troops, - 893 
 
 Providence, Proceedings at, and Postmaster 
 appointed, .... - 900 
 
 Senior Class Rhode-Island College to their 
 President, ----- 935 
 
 Answer to the above, - - - - 936 
 
 Deputy-Governour Cooke to Captain James 
 AVallace, and his Answer, - - - 985 
 
 Newport Committee to Easthampton (N. 
 
 Y.) Committee, ... - 986 
 
 Providence Town-Meeting and Proceedings 
 at Newport, 1027 
 
 Providence Committee, Letter from Ply- 
 mouth Committee, - - - - 1061 
 
 Tiverton and Little Compton Committee 
 Proceedings, - - - - -1117 
 
 Governour Cooke to Massachusetts Congress, 1118 
 
 General Greene to Jacob Greene, Battle of 
 Bunker's Hill, &c, - -1126 
 
 Assembly meets May 3, 1775. An Act for 
 embodying, supplying and paying Army 
 of Observation — Bills of Credit emitted — 
 Committee of Safety — Officers of the 
 Army of Observation — Deputy-Govern- 
 our and Assistants forbidden to administer 
 Oath of Office to Governour Wanton — 
 
1949 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1950 
 
 Rhode-Island — 
 
 Powers conferred on Henry Ward, Secre- 
 tary of the Colony — James Clark to keep 
 the Naval Office — Lieutenant-General and 
 others to order and direct the Army — Pay 
 of the Army — Adjourned to second Mon- 
 day of June next. Convened 12th June, 
 1775 — Allowance to Soldiers — Regula- 
 tions of the Army — Two armed Vessels 
 for use of Colony — Officers of the same 
 appointed — Memorial of Win. Potter — 
 Proceedings thereon — General Officers of 
 Provincial Forces appointed — Post-Of- 
 fices and Post-Rates established — Farther 
 Bills of Credit issued — Military Officers 
 appointed — Act to prevent Desertion — 
 Day of Publick Fasting and Prayer — Ad- 
 journed to 3d Monday in August. Wed- 
 nesday, 28th June, 1775, Assembly meets 
 in consequence of Warrants issued by 
 Deputy-Governour — Military Officers ap- 
 pointed — Farther Military Force raised — 
 Act to repeal an Act entitled " An Act for 
 regulating Appeals to His Majesty and 
 Couucil id Great Britain — Power of Go- 
 vernour Wanton still suspended — Army 
 placed under direction of Commander-in- 
 Chief of American Army — Grenadier 
 Company raised — Officers of six addition- 
 al Companies appointed — Officers of Mi- 
 litia appointed — Act for enlisting Minute- 
 Men and appointment of Officers — John 
 Grimes, Captain in the Navy, - 1143— '63 
 Governour Cooke to Continental Congress, 1572 
 Same to General Washington, ... 1649 
 Proclamation of the same, ... 1650 
 Publication at Newport, on conduct of Cap- 
 tain Ayscough and others, ... 1677 
 Governour Cooke to General Washington, - 1754 
 Providence Town-Meeting Proceedings, - 1763 
 Salt, prohibited to be landed at Baltimore, - - 34 
 Virginia encourages manufacture of, - - 171 
 Savage, James, For self and others praying con- 
 firmation of title to Lands in New-York, 135 
 South- Carolina — 
 
 Committee of Charlestown to New- York 
 
 Committee, ----- 1 
 Proceedings of Committee of Observation of 
 Charlestown on cargo of the Snow Pro- 
 teus, 162 
 
 In Note see farther Proceedings on General 
 
 Articles of Association, - 163 
 Charlestown, Proceedings at, - - - 710 
 Proceedings of Provincial Congress and 
 
 General Association, ... - 896 
 Provincial Congress Proceedings, - 915, 962 
 Association of Provincial Congress, Proceed- 
 ings, 922 
 
 Petition of Michael Hubert to Committee of 
 
 Correspondence of Charlestown, - - 922 
 (See Proceedings on the above,) - - 923 
 Publication at Charlestown on Association, 
 
 &ic, 938 
 
 Letter from Charlestown, stating three Re- 
 giments to be raised by Congress, and 
 their Officers named, - 953 
 Provincial Congress adjourn, new Election 
 
 ordered, ------ 1016 
 
 Charlestown, arrival of his Excellency Right 
 Honourable Lord Wm. Campbell, Gov- 
 ernour-in-Chief, ... - 1030 
 
 Secret Committee Proceedings, - - 1042 
 Provincial Congress, 21st of June, 1775 — 
 Address to Governour — His Answer — 
 Farther Proceedings, - - - - 1043 
 
 Provincial Congress, Resolutions on Absen- 
 tees from the Colony, and their Estates, 1056 
 Charlestown Secret Committee intercept and 
 substitute a Letter from Governour of 
 Georgia to Governour Gage, and also a 
 Letter to Admiral Graves, - - 11 10-' 11 
 
 South- Carolina — 
 
 Delegates in the Continental Congress to 
 
 Charlestown Secret Committee, - - 1519 
 Charlestown Committee to Continental Con- 
 gress, enclosing intercepted Letters, - 1567 
 Same to Committee of Newbern, North- 
 Carolina, 1568 
 
 Same to Savannah Committee, (See Note,) 1569 
 Speech of Governour to Council and Assem- 
 bly — Answer thereto — Address of Upper 
 House of Assembly — Answer thereto, 16l7- ; 20 
 John Stuart, Superintendent Indian Affairs, 
 
 to Committee of Intelligence, - - 1681 
 Council of Safety Proceedings, 1715, 1723- 6 
 Sullican, John, communicates Articles of Enlist- 
 ment, Durham, New-Hampshire, - - 31 
 Answer to above, and his Reply', - - 32 
 Letter from Alexander Scammell, - - 501 
 Address from Hillsborough Committee of 
 
 Safety, and his Answer, ... 1689 
 To New-Hampshire Committee of Safety, - 1690 
 From General Lee, - - - - 1721 
 
 Sullivan, Jas., to Massachusetts Committeeof Safety, 667 
 Scammell, Alexander, to John Sullivan, - - 501 
 Scammons, Col. James, his Court-Martial, - l66l-"5 
 Schuyler, General, to Continental Congress, 
 
 1123, 1133, 1138, 1530, 1535, 1536, 1645, 
 1665, 1669, 1702, 1729, 1734, 1745, 1760 
 To Colonel Hinman, ... - 1133 
 To New- York Congress, 1134, 1139, 1536, 1647, 
 1649, 1671, 1704, 1711, 1731, 1735, 1760 
 To Governour Trumbull, 1139, 1621, 1704, 1762 
 Recommended as a Major-General to Conti- 
 nental Congress by New- York Congress, 1279 
 To General Washington, 1525, 1685, 1762 
 
 From Governour Trumbull, enclosing paper 
 
 concerning Canada and the Indians, - 1594 
 From Colonel Hinman, - 1605 
 His reception at Albany — Address to, and 
 
 Answer, - - - - - -1615 
 
 From Gen. Washington, 1084, 1623, 1736, 1747 
 From Albany Committee, 1666, 1669, 1746 
 Return of the Army under his command, 1st 
 
 July, 1775, ■ 1667 
 
 From Governour Trumbull, 1676,1721, 1747 
 To Governour Trumbull, ... 1685 
 From New -York Committee of Safety, - 1730 
 From Schenectady Committee, - - 1730 
 From Nathan Clarke, enclosing Proceedings 
 
 of Dorset Committee, ... - 1761 
 To Nathan Clarke, ..... 1761 
 Ordered to Ticonderoga, &c, - 1855 
 Shepard, Alexander, Jun., to Committee of Safety 
 of Massachusetts, on his Survey of Maine, 
 
 1476, 1480, 1484 
 
 Shippen, Joseph, from Arthur St. Clair, - - 633 
 Slaves, Proceedings of Norfolk Committee on im- 
 portation, ------ 33 
 
 Delaware Assembly pass Bill prohibiting 
 
 importation — Governour does not concur, 127 
 Chester County Committee, Pennsylvania, 
 
 recommends gradual abolition, - - 172 
 Rumour of their forfeiture, ... 042 
 Not admitted into Provincial Army of Mas- 
 sachusetts, ------ 762 
 
 Resolution of Georgia Provincial Congress 
 against importation or purchase from Africa 
 or elsewhere, 6th July, 1775, - - 1545 
 Small, Dr. William, from Thomas Jefferson, - 523 
 Spooner, Walter, to Continental Congress — New- 
 York Congress — and Gov. Trumbull — on 
 Ticonderoga, Colonel Hinman, and resig- 
 nation of commission by Col. Arnold, 1539— 41 
 Stark, John, to Provincial Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire, 639 
 
 From Provincial Congress of New-Hamp- 
 shire, 868 
 Stewart, Lieutenant- Colonel, and others, asking 
 grant of Lands for expenses incurred in 
 prosecuting His Majesty's right to certain 
 Lands claimed by John Van Rensselaer, 135 
 
1951 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 195:2 
 
 St. Clair, Arthur, from James Cavet, confined in 
 
 Pittsburgh, - • - ' - 581 
 
 To Joseph Shippen, .... 633 
 To Governour Penn, ... - 704 
 Taylor, George, mal-treatment by Captain Graves, 
 
 King's Schooner, - - 78—80 
 
 Tar and Feathers, Thomas Ditson's case, - 93 
 Laughlin Martin and Jas. Dealy at Charles- 
 town, South-Carolina, (Sec Note,) - 923 
 Tea, Baltimore Committee recommend discontinu- 
 ance of use, ..... 123 
 Committees of Marblehead and Boston ex- 
 cuse Thomas Lilly and Simon Tuffts for 
 buying and selling, .... 234 
 Ulster County, New- York, against J. Low, 
 
 for selling, ..... 298 
 
 Jacobus Low, of New- York, denies sale of, 448 
 Stamford Committee, Connecticut, against 
 Sylvanus Whitney, .... 920 
 Ticonderoga, Expedition against, - 450, 507, 546 
 Capture of, - - - 556-'60, 605 
 
 Erastus Wolcott and others to Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, on capture of, - - - 618 
 Account of capture published in Philadel- 
 phia, 623 
 
 Colonel Eaton's account of the capture, - 624 
 The same proved to be false by " Veritas," 
 
 1085-'8 
 
 Further account of capture, - - 638-'9 
 
 Letter from Colonel Arnold to Committee of 
 Safety of Massachusetts, with list of Can- 
 non, Sic, at Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point, 645-'6 
 
 Letter from New- York Congress to Gov- 
 ernour of Connecticut, concerning, - 728 
 
 Proceedings in Connecticut and New- York, 730-'l 
 
 Letter from William Gilleland to Continen- 
 tal Congress, - - - - - 731 
 
 Letters from Ethan Allen and Benedict Ar- 
 nold — Proceedings in Massachusetts Con- 
 gress, 732-'8 
 
 Jurisdiction over, surrendered by Massachu- 
 setts to Connecticut, ... - 808 
 
 Letters from Governour Trumbull and Colo- 
 nel Arnold to New- York Congress, - 847 
 
 Letter from James Easton to Massachusetts 
 Congress, on question between Connecti- 
 cut and New- York, Sic, - - - 849 
 
 Governour Trumbull to Albany Committee, 850 
 
 Massachusetts and Connecticut, concerning, 
 
 S76-'8 
 
 Proceedings of Continental, New- York, and 
 New-Hampshire Congresses, on demol- 
 ishing the Fortress, .... 895 
 
 Council of Officers to Continental Congress, 957 
 
 Instructions of Massachusetts Congress to 
 their Commissioners at, ... 986 
 
 Proceedings of New- York Provincial Con- 
 gress on removal of Stores, Sic, - - 1251 
 
 Instructions to Committee of Massachusetts 
 
 Congress appointed to visit, - - - 1407 
 
 General Schuyler ordered to, Sic, - - 1855 
 Tilghman, Matthew, from Richard Glover, justify- 
 ing the conduct of William Molleson, - 474 
 Thomas, Gen. John, to Committee of Safety of 
 Massachusetts on Governour Hutchinson's 
 Papers, - 473 
 
 To the Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 549, 
 
 581, 1141 
 
 From Massachusetts Committee of Safety, 552 
 To Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 
 
 accepting appointment of Lieut. General, 707 
 To Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 
 
 1021, 1119 
 
 To General Washington, - 1637, 1727 
 Trade and Plantations, J. Pownall, Secretary, to 
 Lieutenant-Governour ('olden, enclosing 
 Proceedings concerning " King's District," 
 heretofore claimed by Mr. John Van 
 Rensselaer — also claims of Simon Fraser 
 and others for Lands, - - - - 134 
 
 Trade and Plantations, J. Pownall, Secretary, to 
 
 the Governours of the Colonies, - - 276 
 Same communicates Proclamation of the 
 States-General, prohibiting export of Arms 
 and Ammunition, - - 276-'7 
 
 Trade and Commerce, Act to restrain, sent to respec- 
 tive Colonies, ----- 276 
 Trumbull, Joseph, Jun., Letter to his brother, - 728 
 Letter from M. S. Mumford, on seizure of 
 British Arms at Philadelphia, - - 985 
 Trumbull, Joseph, appointed Assistant Commissary- 
 General, 1886 
 Trumbull, Jonathan, Governour of Connecticut, to 
 
 Earl of Dartmouth, - - - - 108 
 Letter from Rev. Eleazer Wheelock on 
 
 Northern Indians, - 152, 210, 339, 582 
 Committee of Safety of Massachusetts on at- 
 tack of Lexington and Concord, - - 370 
 Letter from Adam Babcock, - - - 371 
 From New- York City Committee, urging 
 him to intercept the despatches from Eng- 
 land to General Gage, - 383 
 Letter of Col. Isaac Lee concerning Troops 
 
 of the State, 423 
 
 To General Gage, ----- 433 
 Answer to the above, enclosing his account 
 
 of the affair at Lexington and Concord. 434-'5 
 From Committee of Safety of Massachu- 
 setts, ----- 473, 506 
 From General Gage, - 482 
 To Dr. Joseph Warren, ... - 506 
 Petition from Ridgebury, - - - 536 
 Letter from Joel Clark, ... - 544 
 Letter from Thomas Howell, ... 544 
 Letter from New-York Committee, - 636, 671 
 Letter from Provincial Congress of New- 
 York, 705 
 
 To Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, - 706 
 From New- York Congress, on Ticondero- 
 ga, 728, 916 
 
 From New-Haven Selectmen, - - - 730 
 To Provincial Congress of New- York, on 
 
 Ticonderoga, Sic, ... 846-'7 
 To Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, 730, 877 
 From Massachusetts Congress, - - 735, 
 1445, 1470, 1479, 1507 
 To Albany Committee, on Ticonderoga, Sic, 850 
 From James Curgenven, ... 912 
 To Massachusetts Congress, - - - 936, 
 
 1026, 1090, 1116 
 To the President of Continental Congress, 940, 
 1035, 1067, 1106, 1606 
 From New- York Congress, 957, 1114, 1806 
 From Col. Benedict Arnold, on Canada, - 977 
 From General Wooster, - - - -1010 
 From General Wooster, enclosing Letter 
 
 from New- York Congress, ... 1020 
 To New-York Congress, - 1025, 1726 
 
 To Colonel Arnold, on Canada, Sic, - 1026 
 From Oneida Indians, - - - - 1116 
 From General Schuyler, - - - 1139, 
 1621, 1685, 1701, 1762 
 From Samuel Mott, - - - - 1140 
 From Walter Spooner, on Ticonderoga — 
 
 Colonel Arnold, Sic, - - - - 1540 
 From Edward Mott, on Colonel Arnold's 
 
 mutinous conduct, - - - 1592 
 From Ethan Allen, - 1593, 1619 
 
 To General Schuyler, enclosing Letter on 
 
 Canada and Indians, - - - - 1594 
 To General Washington, 1658, 1676, 1763 
 
 To General Schuyler, - 1676,1721,1747 
 From General Washington, - 1686, 1710 
 Union of the Colonies — 
 
 Anonymous Publication concerning, and Ob- 
 servations on Dr. Franklin's Plan, - 396 
 Van Rensselaer, John, Proceedings on his Land 
 
 Titles, 134-'7 
 
 Vermont, John Hancock, President, on employment 
 of Green Mountain Boys in the American 
 Army, - 1076, 1339 
 
1953 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1954 
 
 Vermont — General Schuyler to Continental Con- 
 gress, on the same, ... - 1535 
 
 Appointment of the Officers of Regiment of 
 Green Mountain Boys, - 1570, 1853 
 Virginia — 
 
 Cumberland County — Instructions to their 
 Delegates in Provincial Congress, 3 
 
 Essex County Committee, Proceedings of, 
 on Importation of Merchandise by Capt. 
 Richardson, and Premiums on Domestick 
 Manufactures, ----- 13 
 
 Norfolk Committee on Importation of Slaves 
 
 by John Brown, 33 
 
 Committee of Princess Anne County Pro- 
 ceedings against divers persons for not 
 signing Provincial Association, - 76 
 
 Orange County Committee, on Francis 
 Moore, Jun., for gaming, ... 120 
 
 Instructions to the Convention from a certain 
 County, ------ 163 
 
 Anonymous Publications — From Williams- 
 burgh to the Gentlemen of the Provincial 
 Congress, 153, 319 
 
 Answer to the same, by Americanus, - 300 
 
 Convention meets 20th March, 1775 — Pey- 
 ton Randolph, President, communicates 
 Proceedings of Continental Congress — 
 Letter from Messrs. Franklin, Bollan, and 
 Lee, Agents — Approves Proceedings of 
 Continental Congress, and of their Dele- 
 gates thereto — Thanks to the Assembly 
 of Jamaica — Recommends organizing Mi- 
 litia — Committee appointed for that pur- 
 pose — Authorizes Correspondence with 
 New- York Committee of Correspondence 
 — Further Contributions to Boston recom- 
 mended — Suspension of the Administra- 
 tion of Justice in the Collection of Debts, 
 £cc, recommended — Volunteer Compa- 
 nies encouraged — Funds to be raised for 
 Ammunition — Thanks to Lord Dunmore, 
 his Officers and Soldiers, for their conduct 
 in the Indian War — Arts and Manufac- 
 tures encouraged — Delegates to General 
 Congress — Report of Committee on Arts 
 and Manufactures — Sale of Lands disap- 
 proved of, - ... 165—172 
 
 Earl of Dunmore's Proclamation on Western 
 Boundary, - 174 
 
 Norfolk Committee, on conduct of Captain 
 Sampson, in violating the Association, - 174 
 
 Nansemond Committee, on the conduct of 
 Rev. John Agnew, - - - 226 
 
 Orange County Proceedings against Rev. 
 John Wingate, for having in possession 
 certain Pamphlets, which were secretly 
 circulated by him, .... 234 
 
 Governour Dunmore's Proclamation against 
 election of Delegates to Congress, - - 236 
 
 Gloucester County Committee vote of thanks 
 to Thomas Whiting and Lewis Burnell, 
 their Delegates, ----- 254 
 
 Sussex County Committee approve Resolves 
 
 of Continental Congress, - 281 
 
 Chesterfield County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, 298 
 
 Southampton Committee approve Proceed- 
 ings of Convention — Salt Manufacture en- 
 couraged — Delegates to Provincial Con- 
 gress — Ammunition to be raised — Gaming 
 discouraged, - - - - 299 
 
 Fineastie County Freeholders to Lord Dun- 
 more, and his Answer, - 301 
 
 Kim,' George County Committee Proceed- 
 ings against Austin Brockenbrough, - 337 
 
 Proceedings at Williamsburgh, on removal 
 of Gunpowder — Address to the Earl of 
 Dunmore, and his Answer, - 371 
 
 Cumberland County Committee approve 
 Proceedings of Provincial and Continental 
 Congresses, ... 372 
 
 Fourth Series. — Vol. u. 123 
 
 Virginia — 
 
 Hugh Mercer and others to Colonel George 
 Washington, offering to march to Wil- 
 liamsburgh, - - - - - 387 
 
 Letter from Virginia Delegate in Congress to 
 Friend in Williamsburgh, ... 387 
 
 Gloucester County Committee encourage 
 Manufactures — Resolutions on removal of 
 Gunpowder at Williamsburgh — Denounce 
 the Governour's Answer, ... 387 
 
 Bedford County Committee appoint Dele- 
 gates and Committee of Safety — Encou- 
 rage manufacture of Sulphur, - - 388 
 
 Captains Grayson and Lee, of Dumfries, ten- 
 der their services to Colonel Washington, 
 and enclose a Letter from Hugh Mercer 
 and others, ----- 395 
 
 Henrico County Resolutions, disapproving 
 of removal of Gunpowder from Williams- 
 burgh, &c, 395 
 
 Williamsburgh Proceedings respecting seiz- 
 ing of Powder, - - 426 
 
 Albemarle Volunteers to Colonel George 
 
 Washington, ----- 442 
 
 Fredericksburgh Committee, on removal of 
 Powder at Williamsburgh, - - - 443 
 
 Alexander Spottswood to Colonel George 
 Washington, ----- 447 
 
 King William County Freeholders vote Sup- 
 plies to Massachusetts, ... 450 
 
 Gloucester County Committee determine not 
 to ship Tobacco to England, - - 464 
 
 Council of, held at the Palace — Address of 
 the Governour, Lord Dunmore, - - 464 
 
 Amelia County Committee in favour of rais- 
 ing Volunteers and procuring supply of 
 Arms and Ammunition, - - 477 
 
 New-Kent County Committee Proceedings, 477, 
 
 551 
 
 Cumberland County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, 478, 622 
 
 Norfolk Committee Proceedings, 
 
 502 
 
 Williamsburgh Proceedings on threat of Capt. 
 
 Montague to fire on the Town of York, - 504 
 Williamsburgh Council Proceedings, - - 525 
 Sussex County Proceedings, - - - 525 
 Mecklenburgh County Proceedings, - - 526 
 Prince George Committee Proceedings, - 527 
 Louisa County Proceedings, - 529 
 Spottsylvania County Committee approve 
 
 conduct of Patrick Henry, - - - 539 
 Orange County Committee — same Address 
 
 to Patrick Henry, - - - 539 
 Hanover County Committee — Letter from 
 Patrick Henry, Jun., to Robert Carter 
 Nicholas — Further Proceedings of Com- 
 mittee, ------ 540 
 
 Williamsburgh Volunteer Company, - - 547 
 Richmond County Committee Proceedings, 578 
 Lord Dunmore's Proclamation, convening 
 Assembly, ------ 578 
 
 Proceedings of Council at Williamsburgh, - 587 
 Augusta County Committee Proceedings, 612-615 
 Caroline County Proceedings, on Governour 
 Dunmore's conduct, - - - - 640 
 
 Williamsburgh — "Brutus" to Inhabitants of 
 Virginia, ----- 641-'4 
 
 Prince William County Committee approve 
 
 conduct of Patrick Henry, - 667 
 Buckingham County Committee invite breth- 
 ren of the lower Counties to settle among 
 them, ------ 667 
 
 Middlesex County Proceedings in case of 
 
 Thomas Haddin, ... - 66S 
 Peyton Randolph returns from General Con- 
 gress — Address to him at Williamsburgh, 680 
 Westmoreland County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, - - - - - -681 
 
 Richmond County Committee Proceedings, 701 
 Lancaster County Committee Proceedings, 702 
 Norfolk — Proceedings against Capt. Collins, 703 
 
1955 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 1956 
 
 I trginia — 
 
 Williamsburgh — " Voluntarius" to the Peo- 
 ple, - 703 
 
 Boundary between Virginia and Pennsylvania, 704 
 Loudoun County Committee Proceedings on 
 conduct of the Governour and Patrick 
 
 Henry, - 710 
 
 Frederick County Committee Proceedings, 718 
 Albemarle Independent Company to Wil- 
 liamsburgh Volunteers, ... 872 
 Norfolk Committee on Importation of Goods, 897 
 Resolves of Hanover Volunteers, - - 931 
 Resolves of Lancaster County Volunteers, - 938 
 A Delegate in Continental Congress to a 
 
 Friend in Williamsburgh, - - 974, 979 
 Caroline County Committee Proceedings, - 974 
 Letter from D. Cross, Glasgow, to James 
 
 Dunlop, 975 
 
 Lord Dunmore and Family go on board a 
 
 Man-of-War, 975 
 
 Prince Edward County Committee Proceed- 
 ings on removal of Powder from Williams- 
 burgh, by Lord Dunmore, ... 1023 
 Frederick County Committee Proceedings — 
 
 Commendation of Patrick Henry, - - 1023 
 Accomack County Proceedings, -1031, 1112 
 Fairfax Independent Companies, from Gene- 
 ral Washington, 1031 
 
 "A Friend to Liberty" to the People of 
 
 Henrico County, - 1056 
 "A Virginian" to his Friends and Country- 
 men, 1057 
 Charles City County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, - 1064 
 Bedford County Committee Proceedings, - 1113 
 " Virginias" to the People of, - - - 1129 
 Publication and Proceedings at Williamsburgh, 1 135 
 Cumberland County Committee Proceed- 
 ings, - - - - - -1136 
 
 A Virginia Delegate in Continental Congress 
 
 to his Friend in Williamsburgh, - - 1137 
 House of Burgesses, begun and held at Wil- 
 liamsburgh, 1st June, 1775 — Peyton Ran- 
 dolph, Speaker — House waits upon the 
 Governour — His Speech — Committee to 
 address the Governour — Message of the 
 Governour concerning the Militia — Mes- 
 sage to the Governour, from the Commit- 
 tee — Committee on Publick Magazine — - 
 Petition from Presbyterians and Protestant 
 Dissenters — Resolution approving Pro- 
 ceedings of Continental Congress, and 
 their Delegates therein — Proceedings of 
 Convention approved of — Address of the 
 Council to the Governour, and his An- 
 swer — Message from the Governour, on 
 the Publick Magazine — Answer to the 
 same — Message from Governour, on re- 
 moval of Gunpowder — Proceedings of 
 Council on Marines and Soldiers at Wil- 
 liamsburgh — Guard for the Publick Ma- 
 gazine — Message from the Governour — 
 Petition of William Fleming ; of Abraham 
 Field — Message from Governour — Ad- 
 dress to the Governour on his removal from 
 the Palace, delivered to him on board His 
 Majesty's Ship the Fowey — Report of 
 Committee on Governour's Speech — Go- 
 vernour's Answer to Joint Address, (Sec 
 Note, 1202) — Address to Governour — 
 Magazine inspected — Indian Affairs — De- 
 tailed Report of the Committee on the 
 late Disturbances at Williamsburgh — Fur- 
 ther Proceedings on the same subject — 
 Answer from the Governour — Address to 
 the Governour — Resolutions from Conti- 
 nental Congress — Extended Address to 
 the Governour, on the general condition 
 of the Colony — Governour refijses'to place 
 the Arms at the Palace in the Magazine — 
 Message from the Council — Joint Address 
 
 Virginia — 
 
 of Council and House of Burgesses — An- 
 swer from the Governour — Council reject 
 Bill appointing Commissioners to ratify 
 and confirm the late Treaty of Peace with 
 the Ohio Indians — Governour rejects the 
 Bill for settling the Accounts of the Mili- 
 tia — Answer of the House thereto — On 
 Conference of the House with the Coun- 
 cil, a Resolution passed in favor of ap- 
 pointing a Committee to ratify Treaty 
 with Ohio Indians — Resolution to settle 
 Accounts of Militia engaged in Indian 
 Wars — Adjourned to 1 2th October next — 
 On the 12th of October, adjourned to 7th 
 March next — On 7th March, 1776, House 
 met according to adjournment, thirty-two 
 Members appearing — Not sufficient num- 
 ber — Adjourned to May 6th — May 6th, 
 several Members met, but did neither pro- 
 ceed to business nor adjourn as a House of 
 
 Burgesses, 1185-1242 
 
 Anonymous Address to Inhabitants of a 
 
 County of, 1520 
 
 A Delegate to a Gentleman iu Williams- 
 burgh, on Bunker's Hill, ... 1573 
 Fincastle County Committee Proceedings, - 1620 
 Norfolk Committee, from Virginia Volun- 
 teers, and Answer thereto, - 1691 
 Publication by "A Virginian," at Williams- 
 burgh, 1718 
 
 Address to People of, from their Delegates 
 
 in Continental Congress, - - 1723 
 
 Members of Convention, from Robert Wash- 
 ington, on Military Discipline, - - 1750 
 Ward, General Artemas, Letter to Massachusetts 
 
 Congress, on enlisting Men, - - - 384 
 Letter from James Gowan and others, - 515 
 Letter from Northborough Committee, - 632 
 Letter to Massachusetts Congress, - - 647, 
 666, 1028, 1061, 1119, 1493 
 Letter from New-Hampshire Congress, - 868 
 And others, to Continental Congress, - - 906 
 From Captain Dairy's Company, - - 914 
 And others, to New-York Congress, - - 932 
 From Joseph Hawley, on Ticonderoga and 
 Canada, ------ 944 
 
 From Massachusetts Congress, - 1041 
 To Massachusetts Congress, enclosing Reso- 
 lution of Continental Congress, - - 1107 
 To Continental Congress, ... 1140 
 To John Pigeon, Commissary, - - - 1141 
 Chosen First Major-General, - 1850 
 Warren, Dr. Joseph, Oration, 6th March, 1775, on 
 
 the Bloody Tragedy of 5th March, 1770, 38 
 Letter from a Gentleman in Boston, on same, 120 
 To Arthur Lee, - - - 255,425,619 
 To General Gajje, ----- 370 
 
 From Boston Committee of Safety, on Am- 
 nesty of Governour Gage, - 374 
 From same, ----- 446, 461 
 
 From Governour Trumbull, - 506 
 From Rev. William Gordon, - - - 664 
 To Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, - 707 
 From Colonel Henshaw, - - - - 723 
 
 From Alexander McDougall, - - - 967 
 His Eulogium, ----- 1142 
 
 Warner, Seth, Tries and punishes Benjamin Hough, 215 
 Washington, George, Letter from George Mason, - 92 
 From Albemarle Volunteers, - 442 
 From Alexander Spottswood, - - - 447 
 Letter to George William Fairfax, in Eng- 
 land, 865 
 
 Offered the command of the American Troops, 979 
 Appointed Commander-in-Chief of Conti- 
 nental Army, - - - 1019-'20, 1848 
 To the Independent Companies of Fairfax, 
 
 &c, 1031 
 
 To John Augustine Washington, - 1031, 1735 
 From Horatio Gates, .... 1058 
 To Continental Congress, - 1084, 1085, 1621 
 
1957 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 195S 
 
 Washington, George, To General Schuyler, instruc- 
 tions, - - 1084, 1623, 1736, 1747 
 Address to bis Excellency, and his reception 
 
 in New- York, 1321 
 
 His Answer to the above, ... 1322 
 From Massachusetts Congress, and his An- 
 swer, 1472, 14S5 
 
 From General Schuyler, - - 1525, 1685, 1762 
 From General Gage, - - - - 1531 
 From James Warren and Joseph Hawley, - 1573 
 From Joseph Hawley, on movements of 
 
 General Gage, ----- 1589 
 From Independent Company of Alexandria, 1608 
 To Massachusetts Congress, on state of the 
 
 Army, 1623 
 
 Proceedings of Council of War, held at Cam- 
 bridge, 9th July, 1775 — General Return 
 of the Army — Instructions to the Officers 
 of Massachusetts — Orders by Gen. Wash- 
 ington, 1628-1635 
 
 To Richard Henry Lee, - 1635 
 From General Thomas, - - - 1637, 1727 
 From Governour Cooke, of Rhode-Island, - 1649, 
 
 1754 
 
 From Governour Trumbull, - 1658, 1676, 1763 
 To Continental Congress, with true account 
 of Officers of Ministerial Troops killed and 
 wounded at the Battle of Charlestown, 
 with other Papers, - 1659 
 To Governour Trumbull,- - - 1686, 1710 
 From John Hancock, ... - 1689 
 From Benjamin Harrison, ... 1697 
 
 Washington, George — 
 
 To Continental Congress, - 1705-'10, 1736 
 To John Hancock, ----- 1710 
 
 From General Heath, - 1737 
 Divers Orders of, at Cambridge, - - 1737 
 From Loam mi Baldwin, - 1748, 1754 
 
 To James Warren, ----- 1754 
 
 To Massachusetts General Assembly, - 1764 
 Instructions from Continental Congress, - 1851 
 Watson, Brook, To New- York Congress, on Cana- 
 da Indians, &c, - - - - - 1571 
 
 Wentivorth, Governour, Of New-Hampshire, Ad- 
 dress to, signed "The Spectator," - - 159 
 From Provincial Congress of N. Hampshire, 640 
 Westenhook Patent, Proprietors praying for Patent 
 
 of Lands, ------ 135 
 
 Wilkes, John, Lord Mayor of London, Letter to 
 him, from " Britannopolis," of Frankfort, 
 Germany, ------ 178 
 
 Williams, Lemuel, To Benjamin Aiken, Esq., in 
 
 Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, - 462 
 Wooster, General, To New- York Committee of 
 
 Safety, ------ 1665 
 
 To Continental Congress, ... 1711 
 From Colonel Joseph Reed, - - - 1731 
 Wheeler, Thomas, Explains his resignation as Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel, ----- 228 
 
 TVheelock, Rev. Ebenezer, To Governour Trumbull, 
 
 on Northern Indians, - 152, 210, 339, 582 
 To New-Hampshire Congress, on Canada 
 and Indians, ----- 1541 
 
 Yankee Doodle, 438